The sample collected by OSIRIS-REx on asteroid Bennu continues to deliver unique insights into the history of this small space rock and the early Solar System. In the first few weeks following the opening of the sample, evidence began to show that Bennu might have had a wet past. A new discovery now adds to that.Researchers have reported the detection of magnesium-sodium phosphate. This came as a shock, as it was not detected by the spacecraft from orbit. It makes an even stronger case for Bennu being a splintered-off chunk of a much larger primitive ocean world.Phosphate minerals were found on the asteroid sample from Ryugu collected by the Japanese Space Agency’s Hayabusa-2. They have also been found in meteorites. But the Bennu sample is outstanding due to the size of the grains and their purity.“The presence and state of phosphates, along with other elements and compounds on Bennu, suggest a watery past for the asteroid,” Dante Lauretta, co-lead author of the paper and principal investigator for OSIRIS-REx at the University of Arizona, Tucson said in a statement. “Bennu potentially could have once been part of a wetter world. However, this hypothesis requires further investigation.”“OSIRIS-REx gave us exactly what we hoped: a large pristine asteroid sample rich in nitrogen and carbon from a formerly wet world,” added Jason Dworkin, a co-author on the paper and the OSIRIS-REx project scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.        There are multiple reasons for the team to consider Bennu a piece of an ocean world. One is the presence of serpentinite, a type of rock that forms when molten rocks meet water, like in the mid-ocean ridges on Earth. There are also a lot of soluble substances, which appear to have been shifted by fluids. And we can add to that the confirmation of phosphates.The team proposes a body with abundant liquid water, possibly under an icy or rocky exterior. The icy moon of Saturn called Enceladus is a good analogy, although Bennu’s parent body would be about half its size, 250 kilometers (155 miles) across. Collisions in the past separated the 500-meter (1,630-foot) wide Bennu.“We're still coming up with ideas on how to test [the wet parent body hypothesis]. But to me, it's the leading candidate for the geologic environment that these rocks formed in,” Professor Lauretta told IFLScience in an exclusive interview back in March.The sample continues to be distributed to labs in the US and around the world (the transport of the precious material was practiced long before the sample landed). In March the team presented 58 findings from the initial analysis, and new insights come out every week. As the pool of scientists expands, we will be getting even more science from it.“The Bennu samples are tantalizingly beautiful extraterrestrial rocks,” said Harold Connolly, co-lead author on the paper and OSIRIS-REx mission sample scientist at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey. “Each week, analysis by the OSIRIS-REx Sample Analysis Team provides new and sometimes surprising findings that are helping place important constraints on the origin and evolution of Earth-like planets.”The study is published in the journal Meteoritics & Planetary Science.

Bornean elephants, best known as the world’s smallest living elephants, have now been classified as “Endangered” by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), following decades of habitat destruction, conflict with humans, and debate over their status as a subspecies.Unique to the island they’re named after, Bornean elephants are characteristically small compared to their relatives, standing at around 2.5 to 3 meters (8.2 to 9.8 feet). They’ve long been suspected to be a subspecies of Asian elephants, with some suggesting that they were isolated from their mainland relatives around 300,000 years ago and others putting forward it was closer to somewhere between 11,400 to 18,300 years ago.That’s only part of the debate around the place of Bornean elephants within the animal world, which has made it much harder to provide them with the protection that they need. It’s thought there are only around 1,000 Bornean elephants left, with the population continuing to decline following clearance of the forests they inhabit – for logging and palm oil plantations – and a recent increase in conflict with humans. Thankfully, new research conducted by a team at the Natural History Museum (NHM) in London has stepped in to support their classification as a subspecies of Asian elephant and consequently, their place as endangered on the IUCN Red List. The research involved comparing over 120 Asian elephant skulls in the NHM’s collection, which revealed some key differences seen in Bornean elephants compared to their larger relatives; their heads are wider, and in the region of the skull where the trunk would be, the gap was narrower.One of the skulls used in the research.Image credit: © The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, LondonCombine this with genetic studies that also showed clear differences between the two, and bam – you’ve got yourself a confirmed subspecies.It’s hoped that through this research and the classification of Bornean elephants as a subspecies, efforts to conserve them will ramp up. “Conserving biodiversity means conserving natural variation at all levels – not only different species but also unique populations within species,” Professor Adrian Lister, a palaeobiologist at the NHM and member of the team that conducted the research, said in a statement sent to IFLScience.“The inclusion of Bornean elephants on the Red List is pivotal in galvanizing conservation efforts and directing resources to areas of utmost importance,” added Dr Cheryl Cheah, a conservation ecologist with WWF-Malaysia. And, as in many cases of conservation, protecting just one group of animals may well end up being beneficial on a much larger scale. “Elephants are a keystone species, playing a crucial role in maintaining the health of rainforests,” said Lister. “By conserving these elephants, we’ll be protecting many other species and the broader ecosystem.” 

In the run-up to the debate, Republicans--some seriously, others more in jest--have been suggesting that Biden might be "jacked up" on any number of different substances, including cocaine. On CNN This Morning, you might say that Never Trumper and CNN commentator Jonah Goldberg metaphorically tried to turn the cocaine tables on Republicans. After stating he usually believes debates aren't that important, he thinks this one is. He said this is about reassuring voters.  GOLDBERG: This is about reassuring people for two candidates that people have a lot of misgivings about, right? For Biden, it's not misgivings necessarily about his character. It's misgivings about his age. It's whether he's up to the job. And for Trump, It's misgivings about, dear God, are we going to go back to four more years of the kind of chaos, of him being in our head space again. Can I handle that? Can I make peace with that? Or is it going to be four more years of him tweeting like an escaped monkey from a cocaine study?"   Host Kasie Hunt interjected -- "That's why Shermichael is here"—the notion being that panelist Shermichael Singleton is a loyal, Trump-supporting Republican who would counter Goldberg's argument.  In fact, Singleton was fired from his position at HUD for having written an article prior to the 2016 election critical of Trump. And contrary to Hunt's claim that Goldberg and Singleton are Republicans, as our Alex Christy has noted, and per this article, Singleton quit the GOP in 2020. So, neither of CNN's "Republicans" were in any way members of the mainstream of the party, which made Trump its candidate by overwhelming margins.  In contrast, the Democrat on the panel was Biden's former comms director, Kate Bedingfield, a deeply partisan Biden supporter. Later, after Bedingfield proclaimed that the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade is a "potent" issue for Biden to use against Trump, Singleton said "I agree with Kate. I think that may be one of the more stronger moments for President Biden on this issue." So Hunt's description of her panelists as representing "the three pieces of American political thinking" was a fraud. Notice that this is CNN, where you can dehumanize Trump into an animal on drugs, and Kasie Hunt laughs. No one's going to cut that microphone. CNN and the rest wildly caricature Trump comparing MS-13 killers to "animals" as being about all immigrants.  Later as they discussed the Supreme Court's impending ruling on presidential immunity, Goldberg returned to the political cartooning of Trump: "There is no way this court is going to give Donald Trump what he thinks he can get, which is total and complete immunity to kill all my foes. Right?" CNN hailed Goldberg when he quit Fox, as a stand for "truth." This is considered the "truth" at CNN. Or at least what thrills its audience.

CNN host Jake Tapper is one of two chosen to moderate the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden — and when one Trump campaign spokeswoman pointed out that he may be biased, she was cut off by another CNN anchor, Kasie Hunt. Trump 2024 national press secretary Karoline Leavitt noted in the interview that it “would take someone five minutes” to google Jake Tapper’s name with Donald Trump’s to find that Tapper has “consistently likened Trump to Adolf Hitler.” As she was trying to finish her sentence, Hunt interrupted, threatening to end the interview. “I’m going to stop this interview if you continue to attack my colleagues,” Hunt said angrily. “I am stating facts that your colleagues have stated in the past,” Leavitt fired back, before she was cut from the screen. “She is welcome to come back and speak about Donald Trump, and Donald Trump will have equal time to Joe Biden when they both join us now, at next, early, later this week in Atlanta for this debate,” Hunt said, clearly flustered. The issue began when Hunt had asked what Trump’s strategy for the debate was, and Leavitt initially said that Trump’s plan is just to point out what a horrible job Biden has done. “She did give a very clear answer,” Sara Gonzales explains. “But then she did, I mean I think that very rightfully so, pointed out, ‘Your moderator has a history of anti-Trump sentiments, so obviously this is not right, it’s not going to be fair.’” Hunt later wrote in a post on X, “You come on my show, you respect my colleagues. Period. I don’t care what side of the aisle you stand on, as my track record clearly shows.” Gonzales is shocked that “pointing out a fact” is labeled as “disrespect” in this case. “Don’t have someone on your show if you want to curate the opinion,” Jaco Booyens agrees. Want more from Sara Gonzales?To enjoy more of Sara's no-holds-barred take to news and culture, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

Tucker Carlson gave a speech Tuesday at a sold-out Australian Freedom Conference event in Canberra, one of the final stops in his Australian tour. Carlson's remarks about destructive pharmaceutical companies, woke corporations, Julian Assange's release, dishonest journalists, the obligation of governments to prioritize their own citizens above foreign nationals, and other topics — as well as his mere presence — rankled elements of the country's liberal media. Following his speech, Carlson fielded questions, including from a pair of antagonistic journalists. Despite their efforts, neither journalist was able to successfully land their attacks. Kat Wong, a journalist with the Australian Associated Press, opened her attack with, "So, you talked a little bit about immigration, and, in the past, you've talked about how white Australians, Americans, Europeans, are being replaced by non-white immigrants in what is often referred to as the Great Replacement Theory." Carlson interjected: "Have I said that whites are being replaced? I don't think I said that." "Well," responded the liberal journalist. "It's been mentioned on your show 4,000 times." It's unclear how Wong came up with her number. It may have, however, been a gross misunderstanding of a much smaller figure. The New York Times indicated in 2022 that Carlson had broached the topic in over 400 episodes of his former program "Tucker Carlson Today." "Really? When did I say that?" asked Carlson. "I said, 'Whites are being replaced'?" When Wong insisted he had discussed replacement in racial terms, Carlson challenged her understanding of the facts and once more asked for a single citation. After Wong failed to produce even that, Carlson clarified his views on the matter. 'If you think that's racist, that's your problem.' "I said, 'Native-born Americans are being replaced, including blacks,'" said Carlson. "Native-born Americans ... like black Americans have been — African-Americans have been in the United States for, in many cases, their families, over 400 years. And their concerns are every bit as real and valid and alive to me as the concerns of white people whose families have been there 400 years. So, I've never said that whites are being replaced." After noting that Wong had started things off poorly with a lie, Carlson elaborated further on his thinking: My concern is that the people who are born in the country are the main responsibility of its leaders. And as noted earlier, when those leaders shift their concern from the people whose responsibility it is to take care of, to people around the world — to put their priorities above that of their own citizens, that's immoral. And they are being replaced in my country, people who were born in the United States and the birth rate tells the whole story. They are not at replacement rate. So the U.S. population is growing because we're importing people from other countries. My view is that happy people have children. And a functioning economy allows them to do that. We don't have that. So, you need to fix the economy and fix the culture, and make it so that people who want to have kids can. You don't just go for the quick sugar fix of importing new people. And if you think that's racist, that's your problem. Wong claimed in response that she was not attempting to characterize Carlson as a racist, then proceeded to do just that as well as assign him blame for mass shootings. "This is the same theory or, as you say, idea, that's inspired the New York, Buffalo, shooting," said the liberal journalist, clumsily echoing the Times' years-old effort to similarly blame Carlson for the mass shooting at Tops Friendly Markets in Buffalo. "Come on," said Carlson. "How do they get people this stupid in the media? I guess it doesn't pay well. ... I don't mean to call you stupid — maybe you're just pretending to be." Carlson underscored there was nothing bigoted about his views, adding that they centered on a "deep concern for Americans, actually. Americans aren't having kids because they can't afford to and nobody in charge cares. And so that's my position. That doesn't 'inspire' mass shootings." The fertility rate in the U.S. last year was 1.784. By way of contrast, in 1960, the U.S. fertility rate was 3.7. For a population to maintain stability and replenish itself without need for an influx of foreign nationals, a fertility rate of 2.1 is needed. To illustrate the weakness of Wong's ad hominem attacks, Carlson said that she was wearing the same shoes as Adolf Hitler and, as a result, was guilty in likeness, eliciting laughter from the crowd. Despite the engagement clearly not going her way, Wong attempted one last rhetorical jab, asking Carlson whether he felt responsible for hate crimes supposedly inspired by his outlook. Carlson simply concluded that journalists in Australia, like in the United States, are "castrated robots reading questions from the boss." — (@) Paul Sakkal of the Sydney Morning Herald similarly tried to shame Tucker Carlson, but his effort also backfired. Sakkal signaled ahead of a lengthy preamble that his interest was chiefly in Carlson's interview of Russian President Vladimir Putin, prompting Carlson to make a joke at the expense of Australians' own authoritarian leaders: "Did he make you take the COVID shot? No, he didn't." After noting that various alleged conservatives had deemed Putin "reprehensible," Sakkal asked, "Do you feel any level of shame or regret that you were termed a useful idiot, and then, post your interview, Vladimir Putin himself said in his Russian media that he was surprised how weak your questions were." Carlson first expressed confusion over how Sakkal could simultaneously regard Putin as evil while also taking his word at face value. Carlson then suggested his longstanding criticism of escalations in Ukraine's defensive war against Russia should not be conflated with his support for the Russian leader. He further indicated that he does not support Putin, but that even if he did, such ought to be immaterial granted free citizens in nominally free countries should be able to express support for whomever they choose. Sakkal, unable to land his attack in-person, later attempted to do so in the Herald, penning a hit piece wherein he made sure both to reference that Carlson was a "reformed alcoholic" and allude to — but not cite — accusations of anti-Semitism. — (@) Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Longtime Debate Co-Chairman Shreds CNN Format, Promises Comeback in 2028

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Nothing confirmed recently that it won't launch the Phone 3 flagship this year, dispelling speculation that a new flagship from the British smartphone vendor might hit stores this summer. But the Nothing Phone 2a mid-ranger (pictured above) that launched a few months ago won't be Nothing's only phone of the year. It also won't be the cheapest. Nothing has a secondary line of products called CMF that focuses on more affordable gadgets. Until now, Nothing has only made CMF-branded earphones and smartwatches. But it's about to launch its first Nothing CMF Phone 1, details of which have been leaking online for weeks. The newest leak gives us a seemingly complete set of specs for the CMF Phone 1, along with pricing details. Unsurprisingly, the CMF Phone 1 will offer decent specs for an entry-level Android phone. The price will be even lower than the Phone 2a. The only question is whether you'll be able to buy it, or whether Nothing will only target emerging markets with this particular CMF device. Continue reading... The post Nothing’s new phone will be even cheaper than the Phone 2a appeared first on BGR. Today's Top Deals Today’s deals: $53 HP Chromebook, $850 M3 MacBook Air, 20% off LG C4 OLED TV, $28 Echo Dot, more Today’s deals: $399 M1 iPad Air, $30 Levoit humidifier, half off Beats Studio Pro, $139 Dewalt drill set, more Best deals: Tech, laptops, TVs, and more sales Today’s deals: $3 smart plugs, $299 Apple Watch S9, $38 bug zapper, $700 off Samsung G9 monitor, more

Tales of warriors and elite guards often evoke images of honor, loyalty, and legendary feats. Among these, the Varangian Guard stands out as a formidable force, renowned for their loyalty, discipline, and fierce combat prowess. Originating from the distant lands of Scandinavia, these warriors left an indelible mark on the Byzantine Empire, serving as its elite protectors for centuries. To understand the Varangian Guard, it is vital to explore their origins, composition, duties, and the pivotal role they played in the Byzantine Empire.Terry Bailey explains. Here, is a picture of the Varangian Guard per thethe 11th century chronicle of John Skylitzes. Here, the body of Leo V is being dragged to the Hippodrome through the Skyla Gate. Origins and FormationByzantine Emperor Basil II suffered a major defeat against the Bulgarians in 986, at Trajan's Gate, a strategic mountain pass in Bulgaria. The rebels Bardas Sclerus and Bardas Phocas renewed their attempts to supplant Basil and seize the Byzantine throne for themselves. Surrounded by enemies both within and without the empire, Basil desperately needed help and turned to Prince Vladimir of Kiev. Vladimir sent 6,000 Varangian mercenaries to aid Basil.Thus the Varangian Guard's story began in the turbulent times of the Byzantine Empire. Grappling with external threats and internal strife, foreign mercenaries were vital to the continuation of the empire. It was during this time that the Byzantine Emperor harnessed the potential of the Scandinavian warriors. The term "Varangian" originally referred to Scandinavian and Viking adventurers who ventured far from their homelands in search of riches and glory. These Norsemen hailed from regions encompassing modern-day Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, and their reputation as fearsome warriors preceded them across Europe. The Byzantine Emperor saw an opportunity in their martial skills and offered them employment as his bodyguards. Composition and RecruitmentThe Varangian Guard was comprised primarily of Norsemen, Swedes, Danes, and later, Anglo-Saxons, forming a diverse force bound by a common purpose. Recruitment into the Varangian Guard offered these warriors lucrative incentives, including generous pay, plunder, and land grants. Additionally, the promise of adventure and the allure of serving a powerful emperor in a distant land appealed to the Viking spirit of exploration and conquest.To join the Varangian Guard, candidates underwent rigorous selection criteria, including physical prowess, combat skills, and loyalty. Those deemed worthy were sworn into service, pledging allegiance to the Byzantine Emperor and vowing to defend the empire with their lives. Once inducted, Varangian warriors adopted a distinct attire, often adorned with symbols of their Scandinavian heritage, such as runes and Viking motifs. Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe primary duty of the Varangian Guard was to protect the Byzantine Emperor and the imperial family. Stationed in Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, these elite warriors formed an impenetrable shield around the emperor, deterring would-be assassins and safeguarding the throne from internal and external threats. Their presence instilled fear in the hearts of adversaries, earning them a reputation as the emperor's loyal guardians.Beyond their role as bodyguards, the Varangian Guard played a crucial role in Byzantine military campaigns. Renowned for their ferocity and combat prowess, they served as shock troops in battle, leading the charge against enemy forces with unmatched bravery and determination. Their proficiency in wielding axes, swords, and shields made them formidable adversaries on the battlefield, striking fear into the hearts of their foes.One notable campaign where the guard was vital to Byzantine victory under the emperor John II Komnenos was at the Battle of Beroia in 1122. The Varangians hacked their way through the enemy's circle of Pecheneg wagons, collapsing the Pecheneg position and causing a general rout in their camp.In addition to their martial duties, members of the Varangian Guard served as elite palace guards, maintaining order within the imperial court and ensuring the security of key strategic locations. Their presence symbolized the emperor's authority and power, serving as a visible reminder of the empire's military might and prestige. Prominence and InfluenceThroughout its existence, the Varangian Guard played a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of the Byzantine Empire. The presence of these elite warriors bolstered the emperor's authority and deterred rebellions and coups, ensuring the stability and continuity of the imperial regime.Their loyalty to the emperor was unwavering, earning them the trust and admiration of successive rulers who relied on their protection and counsel. Moreover, the Varangian Guard's influence extended beyond the confines of the imperial palace.As foreign mercenaries serving in a distant land, they brought with them elements of their Scandinavian culture and traditions, enriching the culture of Byzantine society. Their presence in Constantinople contributed to the exchange of ideas, technologies, and customs between the Byzantine Empire and the northern realms of Europe, fostering cross-cultural interactions and mutual understanding. Decline and LegacyDespite their illustrious history, the fortunes of the Varangian Guard began to wane in the latter years of the Byzantine Empire. The decline of the empire, coupled with internal power struggles and external threats, weakened the once-mighty Varangian Guard. As the Byzantine Empire faced mounting challenges from Seljuk Turks, Crusaders, and other adversaries, the Varangian Guard found themselves overstretched and outnumbered.The fall of Constantinople in 1453 marked the end of an era for the Varangian Guard. With the demise of the Byzantine Empire, the once-vaunted Varangian Guard was disbanded, However, their legacy was immortalized in tales of velour and heroism. Despite their eventual disbandment, the Varangian Guard's impact on Byzantine history and culture remains undeniable evidence of the enduring spirit of the Norse warriors who ventured far from their homelands to carve out a place in history.Needless to say, the Varangian Guard stands as an enduring legacy of the Norse warriors who served as the elite protectors of the Byzantine Empire. Originating from distant lands, these fierce warriors left an indelible mark on Byzantine history, shaping the destiny of an empire and earning a place of honor in military history. Their loyalty, discipline, and unmatched combat prowess continue to inspire awe and admiration, providing a powerful reminder of the enduring power of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Find that piece of interest? If so, join us for free by clicking here. Note of interestA renowned figure of the Varangian Guard was Harald Sigurdson (Hardrada), who is well known for his invasion of Northern England in 1066, where he was engaged by Harold Godwinson ruler of England at the Battle at Stamford Bridge.However, Harald Sigurdson (Hardrada), was struck in the throat by an arrow and killed early in the battle in a state of berserkergang, (berserker rage), wearing no body armor and fighting aggressively with both hands around his sword.However, Harold Godwinson's victory over Harold Sigurdson, (Hardrada), was short-lived, as only a few weeks later he was defeated by William the Conqueror and killed at the Battle of Hastings when he was struck in the eye by an arrow.The fact that Harold Godwinson had to make a forced march to fight Hardrada at Stamford Bridge and then move at utmost speed south to meet the Norman invasion, all in less than three weeks, is widely seen as a primary factor in William's victory at Hastings over Godwinson's army.

An ancient burial field in Norway that features more than 40 circular stone grave markers has been found to contain the remains of mostly children, all of whom died more than 2,000 years ago, Norway’s Museum of Cultural History reports. The partially burnt bones of the children, who ranged in age from infancy to six years old at the time of death, were buried directly beneath the curious stone circles, in finely-crafted ceramic pots that long ago shattered into pieces. Dating of the skeletal remains revealed the children had almost all been buried between 800 and 400 BC, or during Norway’s Bronze Age and Iron Age. “The dating shows that the burial site was used over a long period, so they couldn’t all have died in the same natural disaster or outbreak of disease or epidemic,” site excavation leader Guro Fossum, an archaeologist affiliated with the Museum of Cultural History, told the Norwegian news service NTB. Read moreSection: NewsHistory & ArchaeologyHistoryAncient TraditionsRead Later