'Kraken' octopus that lived at the time of the dinosaurs was a 62-foot-long apex predator of the ocean

Scientists have identified enormous finned "kraken" octopuses that may have reached up to 62 feet (19 meters) long. The behemoths prowled the oceans during the Cretaceous and could be the largest invertebrates ever discovered.

Fossil jaws revealed distinctive markings that suggest these kraken-like octopuses used their powerful jaws to crush hard-shelled prey. That, combined with their gigantic size and evidence of intelligence, put them top of the marine food chain, according to a study published Thursday (April 23) in the journal Science.

This finding suggests scientists need to rethink the oceanic pecking order during the Cretaceous period (145 million years to 66 million years ago).

Prehistoric water-dwelling weirdo with sideways teeth and a twisted jaw was already a 'living fossil' 275 million years ago

Octopus quiz: Are you a sucker for cephalopod science?

Fossil site in China reveals bevy of complex creatures lived prior to the Cambrian explosion, including a 'Dune'-like sandworm

Dozens of polygon-covered rocks, which look suspiciously like clumps of fossilized "scales" from a monstrously large reptile, surround the surface of Mars near Antofagasta in the Gale crater.  (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/Kevin M. Gill)

A section of Mars is covered in a surprising number of features that look like clumps of giant, fossilized reptile scales, new photos reveal. But don't be alarmed ‪—‬ the strange structures did not originate from monstrous aliens. Instead, they may have ties to ancient water.

NASA's Curiosity rover snapped the photos of the peculiar rocks as it was driving toward Antofagasta — a relatively young, 33-foot-wide (10 meters) impact crater located on the slopes of Mount Sharp (also called Aeolis Mons), which stands in the larger Gale crater, near Mars' equator.

A pair of black-and-white photos of the "scales" was released by NASA April 14, while a close-up color image of the rocks was shared online the next day by Kevin M. Gill, a software and spaceflight engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) who specializes in image processing. (The pics were captured April 7 and April 13, respectively — also called Sol 4859 and Sol 4865 in Martian time.)

Giant 'spiderwebs' on Mars contain tiny egg-like structures that scientists 'can't quite explain,' NASA rover reveals

NASA rover discovers first ruby-like crystals on Mars

A giant 'shadow' has been creeping across Mars for 50 years — and scientists aren't sure why

The unusual shape and tight clustering of these rocks have drawn comparisons to the scales of reptiles such as crocodilians, while some commenters joked that the formations look dragon-like.

It is currently unclear how many of the scale-like rocks were photographed or how large they are, but they stretched across the ground "for meters and meters," according to an April 10 NASA blog post.

Although the researchers were not shocked to see these multifaced rocks, or "polygons," they were surprised by the sheer quantity of them in the area.

"Many of the rocks we've driven over have these incredible textures — thousands of honeycomb-shaped polygons crisscross their surface," Abigail Fraeman, a planetary scientist at JPL, wrote in the blog post. "We've seen polygon-patterned rocks like these before, but they didn't seem quite this dramatically abundant."

Polygons with a similar honeycomb-like shape have been seen before on Mars on both smaller and larger scales. In these past instances, the shapes were often tied to the drying of wet mud or ice crystals moving beneath the Martian surface. However, it is too early for scientists to tell exactly how the latest shapes formed.

Curiosity has collected "lots of images and chemical data that will help us distinguish between different hypotheses for how the honeycomb textures formed," Fraeman said.

Animal impostors

Before reaching Antofagasta, Curiosity spent the better part of a year studying a series of rocky ridges on Mount Sharp dubbed "boxwork." These features are also known as Martian "spiderwebs" because of how they zigzag across the ground, and the wandering robot recently spotted tiny, egg-like spheroids stuck to their sides. (The "webs" should not be confused with the infamous "Spiders on Mars," which are dark, arachnid-like features that litter the planet's surface.)

Giant string of organic molecules on Mars may be one of the best signs of life yet

An ocean the size of the Arctic once covered half of Mars, new images hint

Martian meteorite that fell to Earth is full of ancient water, new scans reveal

Since landing on the Red Planet in 2012, the rover has also snapped a series of other objects that look suspiciously animal-like, including a surprisingly realistic coral-like rock formation.

NASA's other Mars rover, Perseverance, has also seen its fair share of faux creatures since touching down in 2021, including a statuesque "turtle" poking its head out of a shell. And the fleet of spacecraft orbiting Mars has spied other unusual entities, including a "butterfly" crater and a Martian "dog" buried beneath the planet's north pole.

Most of these animal associations are the result of a phenomenon known as pareidolia, which is when the human brain sees or hears something significant in a random image or pattern.

{ https://www.livescience.com/space/astronomy/planets/mars }

Archaeologists discover a perfectly circular ancient Egyptian temple that may have been used for sacred water rituals 2,200 years ago

• READ MORE: Ancient BEER tab is discovered on a 4,000-year-old clay tablet

By WILIAM HUNTER, SENIOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY REPORTER

Archaeologists have uncovered a strange, perfectly circular ancient Egyptian temple, that might have been used for sacred water rituals 2,200 years ago.

Located in the ancient port city of Pelusium, southeast of modern-day Port Said, the round temple centres on a huge water basin about 35 metres (115 ft) across.

Researchers discovered that this structure is actually connected to the Nile by a system of water channels and reservoirs.

This suggests the temple may have been used to worship the Egyptian river deity Pelusius in elaborate ceremonies.

At the centre of the temple's water basin is a large, square pedestal, which experts believe once held a statue of the god.

Pelusius is described as a 'shadowy figure' in ancient mythology, who emerges out of the mingling of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman beliefs.

His name comes from the Greek word 'pelos', which translates to 'mud' or 'silt', but almost no evidence about the deity has survived.

Egyptologist Dr Steve Harvey, of the Archaeological Institute of America, told The Art Newspaper: 'If this Roman-era cult structure can be confirmed to be dedicated to the city god Pelusius, it would be a stunning example of the presence of a temple for a deity previously attested only in Classical sources.'

Archaeologists have uncovered a strange, perfectly circular ancient Egyptian temple, that might have been used for sacred water rituals 2,200 years ago

Archaeologists first uncovered the round temple structure in 2019, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

When around a quarter of the structure had been revealed, the researchers thought they had found the city's sennett house - the centre of political organisation.

However, as more of the round building emerged from the earth, this interpretation began to change.

Soon, archaeologists uncovered the network of waterways that connected the sanctuary with a tributary of the Nile.

Hisham Hussein, the head of Egypt’s Central Department for Maritime Antiquities and Sinai, who supervised the excavation, said in a statement: 'Ongoing excavation and comparative studies have completely changed our understanding [of the site].

'We now know this was a sacred water installation used in religious rituals, not a political structure.'

The Nile and its yearly pattern of floods would have had immense religious and practical importance for the people of this region.

Every year, the river burst its banks, submerging vast areas with silty water that retreated to leave behind rich, fertile sediment - perfect for growing crops.

The structure is located in the ancient port city of Pelusium, southeast of modern day Port-Said. It contains a huge water basin about 35 metres (115 ft) across

When archaeologists first uncovered the thick brick walls, they thought it was the city's sennett house - the hub of political activity for the region 

The Nile was so important that the Egyptian people even assigned the river its own god: Hapi.

Inside the temple, researchers found evidence of Nile silt and areas to collect water, confirming its symbolic connection with the river.

The temple's unique construction also reveals the complex history of conquest and colonisation between the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman civilisations.

The bustling city of Pelusium was founded sometime around 800 BC on previously submerged land on the Eastern edge of the Nile Delta.

Located just before the river branches into tributaries that wind down to the Mediterranean Sea, the city occupied a critical strategic position that was ideal for trade.

The Egyptian Pharaohs built it up to be a fortress city, the Greeks and Persian empires attempted to capture it, and the Ptolemaic rulers used it as a customs station to connect their empire with the wider world.

Eventually, the city was absorbed by the sprawl of the Roman Empire and converted into a provincial capital.

The city's unique architecture and mish-mash of styles bear the distinctive marks of each generation of influence.

Researchers found a system of water channels and reservoirs that connect the structure to the Nile, suggesting it was used in water-based worship 

The temple may have been used to worship the Egyptian river deity Pelusius, whose name comes from the Greek word 'pelos', which translates to 'mud' or 'silt'

Archaeologists say the city contains a mixture of influences from Egyptian, Greek, and Roman sources, which combine to create a unique style of architecture

Based on its thick, red brick walls, archaeologists believe that the temple was built during the Roman period.

However, the god Pelusius is an ancient Egyptian deity most often associated with the myth of the gods Isis and Osiris.

Likewise, in 2022, researchers found a temple dedicated to the Greek god Zeus, which was renovated under the rule of Roman Emperor Hadrian in the second century AD.

Hisham Lithi, the secretary general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, pointed out the sites 'unique architectural design combining ancient Egyptian traditions and the Hellenic and Roman styles'.

Mr Lithi described the city as 'an exceptional embodiment of the civilised interaction between Egypt and the ancient world'.

{ https://www.dailymail.com/sciencetech/index.html }

The mystery of the 'golden egg' discovered at the bottom of the ocean has finally been solved, three years after the startling find sparked alien fears.

The strange entity, measuring a little over four inches (10cm) across, was found over two miles (3.25km) underwater, below the Gulf of Alaska.

Despite being studied by some of the world's leading marine biologists, it has taken a complex multi–year investigation to finally reveal the egg's identity.

And it turns out it isn't a 'facehugger' from Alien, a bizarre new species, or even an egg at all.

Scientists say the so–called 'golden egg' is actually a clump of dead cells that formed the base of a giant deep–sea anemone called Relicanthus daphneae.

The lone yellow clump originally attached the animal to the rock before the anemone either died or moved to a new home – leaving its remnants behind.

Lead author of the new paper on the 'egg', Dr Steven Auscavitch of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History, told the Daily Mail: 'It is so satisfying to help crack the case of the egg. 

'Even years after its collection, we were periodically receiving requests for updates to its identity. I really appreciate that we can bring attention to the small, weird things on our planet.'

The mystery of a 'golden egg' found beneath the Gulf of Alaska has finally been solved, almost three years after its discovery sparked alien theories 

Scientists have revealed the 'golden egg' is actually the base of a giant deep–sea anemone called a Relicanthus daphneae (pictured)

The golden egg was discovered in 2023 by a deep–sea expedition led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The operators of the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Deep Discoverer were cruising above the ocean floor when they spotted something no one could explain.

The object was smooth, shiny, and soft with a large hole torn in the front.

Initially, the scientists thought they might have found a new species of sponge or the egg casing of some unknown animal.

'Something tried to get in... or to get out,' one researcher said during the live feed of its discovery.

Another team member said: 'I just hope when we poke it, something doesn't decide to come out.'

The researchers even joked that the discovery was like the beginning of a 'horror movie', in reference to a scene in Ridley Scott's Alien where John Hurt's character comes across the 'facehugger' on another planet.

Using the ROV's arms, the crew scraped the strange object off the rock and sucked it up into a tube so it could be brought back to the surface.

Scientists believe the golden lump was a clump of cells that attached the anemone to the rock and was left behind when the animal died or moved on 

However, when the golden blob was brought on board the research vessel Okeanos Explorer, all that could be gleaned was that it was 'biological'.

Online, speculation over the strange entity spread wildly, with many wondering if the scientists may have stumbled across a genuine alien.

More cool–headed commenters suggested that it could be a new species, given that up to two–thirds of life living in the deep oceans are thought to be unknown to science.

Meanwhile, experts argued that an egg pod of some marine animal was the most likely explanation.

Stumped, the researchers sent the sample to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, where it once again proved a bigger puzzle than anyone expected.

Dr Allen Collins, zoologist and director of NOAA Fisheries' National Systematics Laboratory, says: 'We work on hundreds of different samples, and I suspected that our routine processes would clarify the mystery.

'But this turned into a special case that required focused efforts and expertise of several different individuals.

'This was a complex mystery that required morphological, genetic, deep–sea and bioinformatics expertise to solve.'

When the golden egg was first discovered, scientists speculated that it might be a type of sponge or the egg casing for some unknown creature

Unable to figure out what it was, researchers sucked the object into a tube and brought it back to the surface for further study

The first clue was that the object lacked the typical anatomy of an animal. 

Dr Collins told the Daily Mail: 'We first noted that it didn't have any obvious mouth or muscles, which ruled out a lot of animal possibilities.

'Also, there was no membrane or barrier surrounding the internal material so it was unlikely to be an egg or anything like that.'

But, when the researchers put the sample under a microscope, they found that it was actually a fibrous material covered with a layer of stinging cells called 'cnidocytes'. 

This suggested that it could be part of the cnidarian family, which includes corals and sea anemones.

Scientists narrowed their search down further when they found that the cells could have only come from one specific family of cnidarians called the Hexacorallia group.

Comparing the golden egg to samples of a giant anemone found in 2021 confirmed that they had similar stinging cells.

The researchers then conducted a whole–genome analysis to reveal that it contained a large amount of genetic material from the giant anemones.

Under the microscope, scientists found that it was made of a fibrous material covered with a layer of stinging cells, which helped them narrow down the search for the golden egg's real identity 

Finally, sequencing the DNA found in the mitochondria of both species confirmed they were indeed Relicanthus daphneae.

These enormous anemones can grow up to two metres in length, using their massive stinging tendrils to feed on tiny organisms drifting on the current.

They are the largest of all the cnidarians and are typically found near ocean vents, which spew nutrient–rich water into the ocean depths.

Co–author Charlotte Benedict told the Daily Mail: 'This species should be a mascot for deep sea exploration because it represents both how interesting these animals are that colonise such inaccessible and harsh conditions and how little we understand about them.'

However, the mystery of the golden egg isn't fully solved just yet.

Ms Benedict says: 'Part of the conundrum with the golden orb was if this is a Relicanthus, where is the rest of it and how did it separate? 

'Did it die and leave behind this relict, or did the rest of the anemone separate and wiggle away? 

'It could be that the orb is a leftover part of incomplete asexual reproduction, which some sea anemones do by leaving behind a piece of their "pedal disc".'

Mariana Trench: The deepest trench on Earth

The Mariana Trench is the deepest part of the world's oceans located in the western Pacific Ocean, to the east of the Mariana Islands.

The trench is 1,580 miles (2,550 km) long but has an average width of only 43 miles (69 km).

The distance between the surface of the ocean and the trench's deepest point, the Challenger Deep is nearly 7 miles (11 km).

Director James Cameron became the first solo diver to reach the bottom of Challenger Deep in 2012.

The Mariana Trench is the deepest part of the world's oceans located in the western Pacific Ocean, to the east of the Mariana Islands

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UFO researcher's chilling final warning before grisly death adds to growing conspiracy fears

By CHRIS MELORE, DEPUTY SCIENCE EDITOR FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

A prominent UFO researcher has taken his own life, but the death has triggered an immediate tidal wave of suspicion that this was not a suicide. 

The Office of the Boulder County Coroner in Colorado confirmed on Wednesday that David Wilcock, 53, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound outside his home in Boulder County on April 20.

The police report noted that officers responded to a 911 call about a man, reported at the time as being Wilcock, 'experiencing a mental health crisis' around 10.44am local time.

'Within minutes of deputies’ arrival, he used the weapon on himself. He was pronounced deceased at the scene,' the Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

No other individuals were located inside the residence or on the surrounding property, authorities added.

Wilcock, who also tied his theories on UFOs to Christianity, previously posted on social media about not being suicidal, and had just spoken hours before his death about believing that a death from natural causes was the only acceptable way of dying. 

'You don't get to resurrect. If you lay down your life, you're done. So, please don't do that. Please don't be stupid,' Wilcock said in an April 19 livestream on YouTube.

'It's something you never want to have to go through. And uh again, you know, natural is the only way to go.'

David Wilcock (Pictured) spoke about his aversion to suicide just hours before police said he took his own life on April 20

The Boulder County Sheriff's Office revealed that law enforcement was responding to a call about a man experiencing a 'mental health crisis' when the suicide occurred 

Wilcock, a prominent UFO researcher, had posted that he was not suicidal in 2022

In 2022, Wilcock, who also talked about humanity moving towards a spiritual enlightenment, wrote on X: 'I plan on LIVING. Not suicidal at all. Just concerned about what happens when you prove God is real.' 

That unearthed post has been flooded with new comments from skeptics alleging without evidence that Wilcock was murdered or coerced into taking his own life. 

Wilcock was a well-known figure within the growing community seeking full government disclosure on UFOs and extraterrestrials.

The author explored topics most people consider 'fringe' or alternative science, including the theory that ancient civilizations were influenced by aliens and used advanced technology that has been lost over the centuries.

He was a regular expert on the History Channel’s long-running show 'Ancient Aliens,' making dozens of appearances.

Wilcock also promoted the idea that humanity was on the verge of a major positive spiritual 'ascension' that would likely coincide with the disclosure of alien life.

News of the UFO researcher and author's reported suicide sparked immediate backlash from Wilcock's supporters and even members of Congress, who found the timing of Wilcock's death suspicious and claimed he may have been the victim of foul play. 

Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett responded to a social media post announcing Wilcock's death by writing 'not cool.'

On Wednesday, Burchett told the Daily Mail: 'I just don't think there's any chance that this is just all coincidental.'

Wilcock (Pictured) had discussed the theory that ancient civilizations on Earth were visited and influenced by aliens

Wilcock's final posts on X promoted his final YouTube livestream where the researcher discussed UFO disclosure and a controversial photo of President Trump depicted as Jesus

On social media, one person replied to Wilcock's 2022 post, writing: 'There’s no way I believe David willingly did this to himself. Something stinks to high heaven.'

'He has never ever been suicidal, that is complete BS. This was murder,' another commenter alleged.

Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna of Florida said in an official statement Tuesday night: 'We just learned of the tragic passing of David Wilcock. We are praying for his family and loved ones and the millions of lives he impacted.'

Luna, who is the chairwoman of the House Oversight Committee tasked with declassifying government secrets, added the Bible verse John 8:32, where Jesus states: 'Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'

Burchett quickly tied Wilcock's death and the researcher's chilling final comments to the investigation into the growing number of missing or dead scientists and nuclear officials throughout the US in recent years.

'It's just too much going on. We need to start paying attention [to] it. I don't have a lot of faith in the intelligence community,' the congressman said.

'Imagine if 11 newscasters disappeared, or 11 rabbis, or 11 barbers, 11 disc jockeys. Or they died mysteriously, or some combination thereof. Now, honestly, some of them could have honestly just passed away, but it's just too coincidental. We need answers.' 

Burchett has been outspoken about his belief that extraterrestrial life exists and has been kept a closely guarded secret by the US government.

The congressman previously revealed that multiple sources had told him missing Air Force General William Neil McCasland was the key figure in the US military's secret UFO programs. McCasland vanished without a trace on February 27.

Congressman Tim Burchett (Pictured) told the Daily Mail he feared the death of David Wilcock may be tied to the deaths and disappearances of multiple scientists since 2022

Wilcock addressed this conspiracy in his final YouTube broadcast, stating: 'Every day that I have on Earth is a gift and a blessing. And I'm very grateful for that because, frankly, people are disappearing. Scientists are going missing now.'

'They're saying they're going to investigate this. The president himself is saying they're going to look into this and see if anything's going on. It's a little bit scary. I got to say, it's a little bit scary, but you guys knew that I might still show up even though it was last-minute and I've had a really rough week.'

Wilcock's final post on X addressed his final livestream, noting that the researcher had found some 'amazing twists' regarding a now-deleted image of President Trump depicted as Jesus, UFO disclosure and 'the true meaning of the Christ within.'

'What’s happened between this post and now?' one person asked following the news of Wilcock's death.

According to Corey Goode, a self-proclaimed associate of Wilcock, the UFO researcher had allegedly been stalked and harassed online prior to his death.

The Daily Mail has reached out to law enforcement in Colorado to confirm the claims.

Wilcock (Pictured) claimed that UFO disclosure was coming soon and that humanity was approaching an age of spiritual enlightenment

As for the larger investigation into the deaths and disappearances now being investigated by the White House, Burchett was highly skeptical that anything of significance would be revealed in the coming days as President Trump had promised last week.

'I do not, because the Intelligence Committee will be the ones briefing the president, and they'll tell him, again, what they think he needs to know,' Burchett said.

'Washington intelligence or intelligence agencies is a whole lot like, congressional ethics, it just doesn't exist, and they're not in the business of telling anybody the truth, or doing what's right. They have a history of that and they hide behind national security.'

{ https://www.dailymail.com/sciencetech/index.html }

NASA's Curiosity rover uncovers metal‑rich hotspot tied to ancient Martian lake

by Los Alamos National Laboratory

A team of scientists using the ChemCam instrument on NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has discovered the highest amounts of iron, manganese, and zinc ever found together in Gale Crater on Mars. Minerals with these metals were found in remarkably well-preserved ripples in rocks, indicating the high likelihood that a shallow lake existed at this location. The findings are published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets.

Implications for past life on Mars

The discovery of redox-active metals such as iron and manganese could indicate that life would have thrived in this lake if life existed on Mars. Some forms of microbial life on Earth can use these metals as energy sources. The fact that these metals were found in the Amapari Marker Band suggests that even as Mars dried out, there were still isolated pockets of water where microbial life could have survived.

These iron, manganese, and zinc deposits can lay the groundwork for future research on the red planet. They can help researchers decide where Curiosity should explore next or determine locations for potential sample return missions.

"Given the exciting astrobiological implications raised by the Amapari Marker Band, these types of materials should be prioritized for future Curiosity chemistry analysis or for returning samples from Mars' Jezero Crater, should the opportunity arise," Gasda said.

{ https://phys.org/space-news/ }

Rumors have been intensifying in recent months. A former OpenAI executive spoke about “portals” and “summoning aliens,” while the work and mysterious death of young scientist Amy Eskridge hint at a far more unsettling possibility.  What if the beings/UFOs seen in the sky are not extraterrestrials, but humans/spaceships from the future? 

Amy Eskridge, a gifted researcher who died at just 34 (died by suicide) explored advanced propulsion and anti-gravity concepts known as the P47 (Present + 47,000 years) and P52 (Present + 52,000 years) models. Some speculative accounts also link the P52 group to the Orion constellation, proposing that these future humans may have migrated there before returning to Earth’s past. 

Her theory was striking: UAPs are not spacecraft from distant planets, but time machines. Their occupants, she suggested, are “terrestrials of the future” evolved descendants of humanity, physically altered by a highly technological existence. 

Some speculative accounts also link the P52 group to the Orion constellation, proposing that these future humans may have migrated there before returning to Earth’s past 

At the same time, discussions around artificial intelligence have taken on an almost mythic tone. In Silicon Valley, super intelligent AI is sometimes described as “alien intelligence.” The “portals” often mentioned are not literal gateways, but vast data centers—systems powerful enough to create something fundamentally beyond human understanding. 

Eskridge’s ideas raise a disturbing question: why are these phenomena so often linked to nuclear sites, military zones, and major technological breakthroughs like AI? 

One possible answer is that humanity is approaching a critical turning point, potentially a global catastrophe driven by war, environmental collapse, or uncontrolled AI development. In this view, future humans are not here to intervene, but to observe and preserve, collecting genetic material or studying the moment civilization began to lose control. 

The underlying concept connects back to physics. If space and time are intertwined, as Einstein proposed, then mastering gravity could also mean mastering time. What we call “portals” may simply be the threshold where advanced technology enables movement through both. 

Whether speculative or not, the message is clear: the line between human and “alien” may not be what it seems. Even Steven Spielberg recently shared his thoughts on the latest happenings surrounding UFOs and put forward the possibility that the aliens behind the UFO phenomenon just might be us from the future. 

In the video below Amy Eskridge discussing Ultra terrestrials from the future.  

She is now one of the 11 scientists who have all mysteriously died or missing, and who were all linked to top secret U.S. UFO/energy/anti-gravity/aerospace/defense programs.

This article from Niburu has been translated, edited and expanded with additional information.

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{ http://ufosightingshotspot.blogspot.com/ }

Kung–fu, half marathons and now ping pong – is there anything robots can't do?

An AI robot called Ace has pulled off wins against three elite table tennis players. 

Developed by Sony AI, the robot is fully autonomous, and uses a complex array of vision sensors, control systems and high–speed hardware to respond in real–time.

Incredible footage shows the bot winning three out of five matches against elite players – showing off sophisticated moves including unusual spins and bouncing balls off the net. 

However, the bot isn't ready for the big league just yet, losing both matches against Minami Ando and Kakeru Sone, who are both active in the Japanese professional league.  

'This research has shown that an autonomous robot can, in fact, win at a competitive sport, matching or exceeding the reaction time and decision making of humans in a physical space,' said Peter Dürr, Director of Sony AI in Zürich, and project lead for Ace. 

'Table tennis is a game of enormous complexity that requires split–second decisions as well as speed and power. 

'This research breakthrough highlights the potential of physical AI agents to perform real–time interactive tasks, and represents a significant step toward creating robots with broader applications in fast, precise, and real–time human interactions.'

Kung–fu , half marathons and now ping pong – is there anything robots can't do? An AI robot called Ace has pulled off wins against three elite table tennis players

Developed by Sony AI, the robot is fully autonomous, and uses a complex array of vision sensors, control systems and high–speed hardware to repsond in real–time

Robots have already shown 'superhuman' performance in a range of sports, including long–distance running, chess, and video games. 

However, table tennis has proved to be one of the most difficult disciplines for bots to master. 

'Table tennis is one of the most demanding and complex real–world tests for robotics, requiring rapid decision–making, precise physical execution, and continuous adaptation to an unpredictable opponent,' Sony explained.

'The ball's high speed, spin, and complex trajectories – especially spin, often overlooked in prior work – are central to competitive play.'

To overcome these issues, Ace was designed with three special components – a high–speed perception system, a novel control system, and state–of–the art high–speed robotic hardware. 

Together, these components allow the robot to respond during matches just like a real human player. 

To put Ace to the test, the researchers pitted it against five elite players and two professional players. 

Amazingly, Ace achieved three victories against the elite players, with a 75 per cent return rate and 16 direct 'aces'. 

To put Ace to the test, the researchers pitted it against five elite players and two professional players

It also demonstrated some impressive skills in the process, including quirky spins and unusual shots such as bouncing balls off the net. 

Unfortunately, the bot couldn't quite keep up against the pros, losing both matches. 

This isn't the first time researchers have built robots to play table tennis. 

However, most have only been able to rally, and this marks the first time a bot as surpassed an amateur level in competitive play.  

Read More

• Paula R-AI-dcliffe! Watch a robot win the Beijing half marathon - beating the record by 7 minutes 

'This breakthrough is much bigger than table tennis,' said Peter Stone, Chief Scientist at Sony AI. 

'It represents a landmark moment in AI research, showing, for the first time, that an AI system can perceive, reason, and act effectively in complex, rapidly changing real–world environments that demand precision and speed. 

'Once AI can operate at an expert human level under these conditions, it opens the door to an entirely new class of real–world applications that were previously out of reach.' 

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Ping-pong Robot Stuns World by Defeating Elite Human Players

Ping-pong Robot Stuns World by Defeating Elite Human Players

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EXCLUSIVE - Read the chilling texts UFO-linked scientist sent before being found dead that raise major questions over suicide ruling

By CHRIS MELORE, DEPUTY SCIENCE EDITOR FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

The deaths and disappearances of eleven top scientists have mystified the nation, with President Donald Trump and senior members of Congress demanding answers and vowing to uncover whether the cases are connected.

Now, chilling claims have come to light about the death of Amy Eskridge, a 34-year-old researcher working on anti-gravity technology, who was found with a gunshot to the head.

She died in Huntsville, Alabama, on June 11, 2022, and her death was ruled a suicide. But four years on, newly uncovered text messages raise chilling questions about what really happened.

Franc Milburn, a retired British paratrooper and intelligence officer who claims to have been in contact with Eskridge before her death, shared messages he says she sent him. 

One dated May 13, 2022, read: 'If you see any report that I killed myself, I most definitely did not. If you see any report that I overdosed, I most definitely did not. If you see any report that I killed anyone else, I most definitely did not.'

Milburn told the Daily Mail that Eskridge - as well as some of her colleagues involved in advanced propulsion and energy research - had been subjected to what he described as a sustained campaign of harassment and intimidation designed to derail their work.

He also said he spoke with the young scientist just four hours before her death and noticed nothing unusual.

'She said, "Everything's fine, Franc, I'm feeling okay." She sent me, and others, emails and LinkedIn messages saying, 'If anything happens to me - suicide or an accident - it wasn't, it's suspicious, treat it as such,' Milburn claimed.

Eskridge also purportedly told Milburn she believed she had been the target of repeated physical and psychological attacks - claims he says he documented and is now making public.

Amy Eskridge reportedly took her own life on June 11, 2022. However, the scientist claimed her life had been repeatedly threatened because of her work with anti-gravity tech

Milburn shared multiple messages he had with Eskridge, who expressed concern about being targeted for her work

Former British intelligence officer Franc Milburn revealed text messages he said Eskridge sent one month before her death

Among the allegations, Milburn claimed Eskridge reported injuries she believed were caused by what he described as a 'directed energy weapon,' a device said to emit focused energy capable of causing burns or other physical harm.

Eskridge shared images in text messages to Milburn, apparently showing her hands, feet, neck and back with burns and lesions after allegedly being struck by this weapon. 

He claimed that images even appeared to show a scorch mark on Eskridge's home window, where the 'energy weapon' allegedly passed and struck her while she was working on her laptop.

On May 19, 2022, Milburn says Eskridge messaged him to say that a member of her research lab with advanced weapons experience was convinced a directed energy weapon had caused her injuries.

'My ex-CIA weapons guy on my team saw my hands when they were burned really badly a couple months ago, and he saw that window pane in person,' she wrote.

'He said he had built things like that, and that it was most likely an RF k-band emitter run by five car batteries strung together from inside an SUV.'

Eskridge then allegedly claimed that this expert believed the most likely party capable of carrying out such an attack was a US-based contractor or company seeking to prevent the scientist from completing an important piece of research for the government.

The scientist had founded her own research lab and was trying to develop anti-gravity technology, a way to control or cancel out gravity, which could revolutionize space travel and energy production.

Eskridge was working on research for a way to control or cancel out gravity, which could revolutionize space travel and energy production, before her death

Milburn shared text messages he said Eskridge sent one before her death that include disturbing allegations

Eskridge messaged Milburn to say that a member of her research lab with advanced weapons experience was convinced a directed energy weapon had caused her injuries

Milburn shared a picture, which he claims shows Eskridge's hands burned and discolored after allegedly being struck by an 'energy weapon'

Read More

EXCLUSIVE

•  Several scientists are missing or dead. Now ex-FBI boss reveals chilling plot likely unfolding 

Richard Eskridge, the woman's father and a former NASA scientist who worked on fusion propulsion, has refuted claims that his daughter's death was suspicious.

'Scientists die also, just like other people,' Eskridge told NewsNation while declining to comment further.

In a statement to CNN, Eskridge’s family said she was a 'marvelously intelligent person' who suffered from 'chronic pain.'

Reiterating her father's statement, they added: 'People should realize that scientists die also and not make too much of this.'

Eskridge and her father co-founded The Institute for Exotic Science, which focused on so-called speculative research, including the creation of gravity-defying engines.

The scientist said that she specifically co-founded her research company to create a 'public-facing persona to disclose anti-gravity technology.'

Eskridge said during the podcast: 'If you stick your neck out in public, at least someone notices if your head gets chopped off.

'If you stick your neck out in private... they will bury you, they will burn down your house while you're sleeping in your bed and it won't even make the news. That's why the institute exists,' she warned.

Following Eskridge's death, Milburn launched his own investigation and identified what he described as a troubling timeline that he believes left little time for authorities to fully rule out foul play.

'Why was she cremated so quickly? She phoned me four hours before she died, then she dies, then a few hours later, on the Saturday when she died, she has an autopsy, and then on the Sunday, she's cremated,' Milburn said. 

'After she died, her co-workers and her friends, people she'd worked with, they came forward anonymously and said to me, "yeah, look, we were attacked, we were roofied, my house was broken into, my car tires were slashed,"' he claimed.

Milburn shared what he said was a scorch mark on Eskridge's window

Other images sent by Eskridge revealed strange injuries including discolored and burned hands and bloody skin

Eskridge revealed the alleged attacks also caused burns filled with fluid under her skin

'So this wasn't just random events, this was happening to her and people around her, and she was introducing me to the people that it was happening to.'

Before her death, the scientist claimed she had been the target of disturbing attempts to drug her and push her into taking her own life.

This included alleged break-ins at her apartment, cars following her, strangers approaching her in bars with intimate knowledge of her life, attempts to roofie her drinks and threats of sexual violence against her.

On some occasions, Eskridge alleged that someone managed to roofie her drink before a crowd of strangers gathered around her and began asking about her secret scientific projects while she was disoriented.

'A group of anywhere between two to six people will walk into a location, usually about 30 [minutes] after I sit down,' the scientist purportedly told Milburn in a May 11, 2022, text message.

Lesions also developed after Eskridge claimed she had been struck by a directed energy weapon

Milburn said that Eskridge told him that she had received: 'A s*** load of anonymous messages. Offering advice on how to kill myself. Phrased as these crazy, creepy rhymes'

'Then the whole group will take turns one at a time rotating through the empty seat next to me, repeatedly asking me the same questions over and over again,' she is said to have told Milburn on May 11, 2022. 

'I deflect one, then the next one sits down. They even all use the same opening line between them all, as if they all read the same briefing materials.' 

Eskridge alleged that her apartment had been broken into on at least three occasions, with an unknown intruder leaving clear signs someone had been there, including cutting her phone charger, closing windows and leaving her lingerie on the floor.

In a 2020 podcast interview, Eskridge detailed a plan for the public disclosure of UFOs and extraterrestrials, but feared the threats against her were growing more and more dire.

She said: 'I need to disclose soon, man. I need to publish soon because it's like escalating. It's getting more and more aggressive. This has been going on for like four or five years, and over the past 12 months, it's been escalating, like more aggressive, more invasive digging through my underwear drawer and sexual threats.' 

Franc Milburn is a former British intelligence officer who says he was in contact with Eskridge prior to her death

She also began to receive threatening phone calls from unidentified individuals who allegedly tried to convince her to take her own life, Millburn claimed.

Milburn said that Eskridge then told him that she had received: 'A s*** load of anonymous messages. Offering advice on how to kill myself. Phrased as these crazy, creepy rhymes, like: "Take your pills and overdose and this will go away, take your pills and overdose and it will be OK."'

Millburn said Eskridge even suspected that some of her former boyfriends were actually 'handlers' sent from intelligence agencies or other groups monitoring her work, claiming the men would suddenly disappear and become unreachable after exactly six months.

In her texts, she also appeared to reference the 2010 shooting of three people at the University of Alabama's Huntsville campus, claiming without evidence that convicted shooter Amy Bishop was not responsible for the killings of Drs Gopi Podila, Maria Ragland Davis and Adriel Johnson.

Bishop pleaded guilty to the killings in 2012 and is serving a life sentence. She later claimed medication she was taking at the time of the shooting had altered her brain chemistry, but the appeal was denied.

Eskridge added in a text to Milburn that she believed the 2021 death of Mark McCandlish, an illustrator and ufologist, was also not a suicide, as it has been reported.

'I would give a lot of credence to her. There's gonna be people saying she's delusional, she's this or that, just follow the facts,' Milburn said.

Milburn claimed he put Eskridge in touch with the FBI regarding the growing frequency of incidents and the potential use of a directed energy weapon on US soil, but said the case was later dropped by the agency.

Milburn shared disturbing messages he said he received from Eskridge, claiming she had been targeted by people in public

Milburn shared a picture he said showed Eskridge sitting in her home - near the window which she claimed was scorched by an 'energy weapon'

Milburn's private investigation concluded that the 34-year-old had been 'murdered by a 'private aerospace company' in the US because she was involved in the UAP conversation.'

Milburn also declared: 'I am not suicidal or contemplating suicide and if anything happens to me, like an accident or other suspicious event, then it should be fully investigated as suspicious.'

The former intelligence officer's findings were brought before a congressional hearing in 2023 that was examining Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, the new term for UFOs.

Journalist Michael Shellenberger presented the findings to the committee in writing, along with other incidents of government retaliation against UAP whistleblowers such as Air Force intelligence officer David Grusch.

Congressman Eric Burlison of Missouri confirmed that Shellenberger has spoken to House members regarding the case and lawmakers are seeking an investigation by the FBI into multiple deaths and disappearances among America's scientific community.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Eskridge's family as well as medical officials in Huntsville for comment on the circumstances surrounding her death. 

A DEADLY pattern: 10 NASA & Los Alamos scientists are dead or vanished, including a UFO General

{ https://www.dailymail.com/sciencetech/index.html }

by CERN

Tens of kilometers above Earth's surface, high-energy particles from outer space constantly strike the atmosphere, creating showers of energetic secondary particles that rain down from the sky. Approximately one of these particles passes through your head every second, but the "cosmic rays" that produce them are still not fully understood. In a recent paper posted to the arXiv preprint server, the ATLAS Collaboration describes how its first measurement of proton–oxygen collisions at the LHC could help us learn more about them.

Cosmic rays were discovered over a century ago by physicist Victor Hess in experiments conducted aboard hot-air balloons. Today, astrophysicists use detectors on the ground to image cosmic-ray showers and computer simulations of the showers to understand that data.

However, these simulations depend on properties of the strong force—one of the fundamental forces of the universe—which is difficult to accurately model. Current simulations disagree with one another, making it difficult for astrophysicists to interpret their measurements of cosmic rays.

To solve this problem, physicists at the ATLAS experiment set out to recreate cosmic-ray collisions in the laboratory – effectively putting them under a microscope. In July 2025, for a few days, they transformed the LHC into a giant cosmic-ray machine. For the first time in its history, the LHC was configured to collide protons with oxygen ions. The beam of protons acted as the cosmic ray, while the beam of oxygen ions played the role of the atmosphere.

ATLAS physicists analysed these collisions by measuring the tracks left in the experiment from electrically charged particles (yellow lines in the event display above). They measured key properties of the collision, including how often the particles were created, how many were created, and the energies and angles at which they flew out.

Figure 1 shows the measured number of charged particles compared to simulations typically used to interpret data from cosmic-ray observatories. These simulations, which are tuned to reproduce previous data from collisions of protons and heavier nuclei, disagree with one another. The new measurements achieve a precision at the level of a few percent, significantly improving the knowledge of proton-oxygen collisions. ATLAS physicists now pass the baton to theorists, who can use this input to refine their models to better match experimental measurements.

These results establish a novel way to use the LHC as a cosmic-ray laboratory, opening the path for detailed experimental studies of proton-oxygen interactions. This can help shed light on the mysterious high-energy particles arriving from the cosmos.

Figure 1: Graph showing how often proton-oxygen collision events are measured for the number of charged particles on the horizontal axis. Black circles show data with the shaded band being its uncertainty. Lines show predictions from various computer simulation models. The lower panel shows how different the models are from data with ATLAS-measurement uncertainties given by the shaded band.

(Image: ATLAS Collaboration/CERN)

In part to help improve these simulations, the LHC was configured to collide protons with oxygen ions for the first time in July 2025. This meant physicists could study "recreated" cosmic-ray collisions in more detail. The beam of protons acted as a cosmic ray, while the beam of oxygen ions played the role of Earth's atmosphere, which is composed primarily of nitrogen and oxygen.

The new paper describes how ATLAS physicists analyzed these collisions by measuring the tracks left in the experiment from electrically charged particles. They measured key properties of the collision, including how often the particles were created, how many were created, and the energies and angles at which they flew out.

They then compared the measured distributions of charged particles with the numbers predicted by various simulations typically used to interpret data from cosmic-ray observatories. These simulations, which are tuned to reproduce data from previous collisions of protons with heavier nuclei, disagree with one another.

The new ATLAS measurements achieve a precision level of a few percent, significantly improving knowledge of proton–oxygen collisions. Theorists can now use this input to refine their models and help shed more light on the mysterious high-energy particles arriving from our cosmos.

{ https://phys.org/physics-news/physics/ }

Curiosity's Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) is a suite of instruments built to search for compounds of the element carbon that are associated with life.  (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems)

NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has found a diverse mix of organic molecules on Mars, including chemicals widely considered building blocks for the origin of life on Earth. The finding marks the first time a new kind of chemical experiment has been performed on another planet.

Curiosity rover has been dutifully probing Mars' Gale crater and Mount Sharp since the robot plopped down on the Red Planet on Aug. 6, 2012. The car-sized Mars rover is now wheeling about in the Glen Torridon region of Gale crater, a place that scientists believe could have supported conditions that were favorable to supporting ancient life, if it was ever there in the first place. While in the region, Curiosity recently utilized its onboard Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite, built to search for compounds of the element carbon that are associated with life and investigate ways in which these compounds are generated and destroyed in the Martian ecosphere.

Curiosity's SAM instrument was able to use a chemical known as tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) to detect organic molecules in the region's clay-rich sandstone. The newly identified chemicals include nitrogen and sulfur-bearing molecules that are similar to the raw material that helped spur life on Earth. However, the experiment can't tell if the chemicals come from ancient Martian life or non-biological geological processes.

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The study of Curiosity's first SAM TMAH experiment was led by Amy Williams, an associate professor in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Florida in Gainesville. The research has been published in the journal Nature Communications.

"This experiment and its results have been a labor of love and science," Williams told Space.com. "This was the first time that TMAH had been used on another world and our team worked extensively to interpret and confirm the molecules detected in this first-of-its-kind experiment."

Clay-bearing sandstones

Curiosity's experiment detected more than 20 organic molecules from clay-bearing sandstones in the roughly 3.5-billion-year-old Knockfarrill Hill section of Glen Torridon. The variety of organic molecules observed suggests that some chemical diversity has been preserved in ancient Martian sediments despite billions of years of diagenesis (the process by which sediment turns to rock) and radiation exposure.

"We propose that this suite of organics represents TMAH thermochemolysis breakdown products from ancient organic macromolecular material that has been preserved in billions-of-years-old sedimentary rocks in Gale crater," explains the research paper.

Williams said the rover's discoveries were confirmed with other instruments aboard. "We iterated on molecule identifications using some of the SAM flight spare equipment to confirm our findings," Williams said. "I think the time was well spent, as we now have evidence that the suite of molecules broken apart by the TMAH reagent derived from more complex macromolecular carbon that is preserved in the martian subsurface."

Mars machinery has detected more than 20 organic molecules from clay-bearing sandstones in Glen Torridon, Gale crater, work done by the Sample Analysis at Mars instrument suite onboard the Curiosity rover. Three drill samples were taken and diverse organic molecules were found on Mars.  (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems))

Native martian organics

The newly-issued paper explains that the ongoing characterization of organic matter on Mars "is a pillar of modern robotic exploration, as space agencies send rovers and landers to explore Mars' past and present habitability and to search for signs of life."

Furthermore, within a decade of time, researchers have advanced from the search for organic molecules on Mars to identifying native Martian organics.

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"We are now poised to address the source of these organics, whether exogenous (e.g., meteoritic, cometary, or interplanetary dust particles) or endogenous (e.g., abiotically or biologically produced)," Williams and colleagues report in the study.

As noted in the new research paper, the confirmation of macromolecular organic matter "supports the possibility that future optimized TMAH thermochemolysis experiments can liberate ancient biosignatures preserved in macromolecules on Mars (if present)."

The results of the SAM TMAH experiment "expand the library of confirmed and suggested organic molecules preserved over deep geologic time in the Martian near-surface and confirm the presence of macromolecular carbon on Mars," the paper concludes.

Different locations on Mars

The scientists say that Curiosity's discoveries could tie into observations from NASA's other on-duty Mars rover. "Our findings are aligned with some observations of organic matter with the Perseverance rover," Williams said.

The TMAH experiment on Curiosity was used to identify cyclic (or aromatic) organic compounds that derived from more complex macromolecular carbon, Williams said. Meanwhile, the Perseverance rover has used a different instrument to find evidence for both cyclic organic compounds and macromolecular carbon.

"We now have evidence for diverse and potentially complex organic matter, preserved in different locations on Mars and detected with different instrument suites. This suggests that organic carbon is better preserved over long time periods on Mars than we expected, given the harsh radiation environment," Williams said.

The Mast Camera (Mastcam) on NASA's Curiosity Mars rover captured this mosaic as it explored the "clay-bearing unit" back in 2019.  (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems)

Future life detection instruments

These new results could be useful for future life detection instruments done robotically or by astronauts, Williams said, calling the TMAH experiment a "trailblazer for upcoming planetary missions."

Versions of the TMAH experiment are flying with the Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) on the European Space Agency's Rosalind Franklin rover destined for Mars' Oxia Planum plain, and on the Dragonfly Mass Spectrometer (DraMS) instrument being installed on the Dragonfly rotorcraft destined for Saturn's moon Titan.

Williams said that the new results can help inform the experimental design for these future missions.

"The TMAH experiment revealed that macromolecular carbon is preserved over long time periods in some of the rocks on Mars. This is powerful information for future life detection missions and instruments, as we now know that larger molecules that could have been made by life can be preserved in the Martian near surface," Williams added.

Next generation instruments, Williams concluded, "can focus on techniques to more fully extract these organics and glean new information about their identity and potentially their origin, be it geologic, meteoritic, or biologic."

 Leonard David

Space Insider Columnist

Leonard David is an award-winning space journalist who has been reporting on space activities for more than 50 years. Currently writing as Space.com's Space Insider Columnist among his other projects, Leonard has authored numerous books on space exploration, Mars missions and more, with his latest being "Moon Rush: The New Space Race" published in 2019 by National Geographic. He also wrote "Mars: Our Future on the Red Planet" released in 2016 by National Geographic. Leonard  has served as a correspondent for SpaceNews, Scientific American and Aerospace America for the AIAA. He has received many awards, including the first Ordway Award for Sustained Excellence in Spaceflight History in 2015 at the AAS Wernher von Braun Memorial Symposium. You can find out Leonard's latest project at his website and on Twitter.

 { https://www.space.com/space-exploration }

A congressional probe launched this week into the string of missing scientists was sparked by the disappearance of a former high-ranking official who oversaw some of the military’s most classified research programs, one House Republican revealed.

Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., told Fox News Digital in an interview that he was particularly taken aback by the disappearance of retired Air Force Gen. William Neil McCasland, who vanished in February from his Albuquerque, New Mexico home. His phone and prescription glasses were left behind. 

The Missouri Republican said his staff was already working to contact McCasland, who he described as the "UFO general" due to his deep expertise, about a separate congressional investigation prior to his disappearance.

• STRING OF SCIENTIST DEATHS, VANISHINGS FUELS EXPERT TALKS OF SHADOW OPS AND SILENCED SECRETS: 'VERY SERIOUS'

"He was on our list to talk to, and he disappeared, so that kind of piqued our interest," Burlison detailed.

McCasland is one of the 11 individuals working in nuclear or rocket technology who have died or vanished under mysterious circumstances since 2022. Some, including McCasland, have ties to UFO research. 

The astronautical engineer's hiking boots, wallet and a .38‑caliber revolver were reported as missing, according to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office in New Mexico.

Though federal officials have not identified a connection between the missing scientists, their shared field and potential access to sensitive research have sparked growing concern.

Asked by Fox News Digital about whether he suspects foul play is involved in McCasland's disappearance, Burlison said, "I'm not going to jump to that conclusion, but it’s certainly suspicious."

"How many people walk out their front door without their phone, their wallet, their keys, or anything?" Burlison added. "I don't go anywhere without my phone. I don't even mow the lawn without my phone."

• REP BURLISON DEMANDS FBI PROBE AFTER TOP US SCIENTISTS VANISH OR TURN UP DEAD

"So it's just really, really strange that in about a five-month period of time, four or five people walked out their front door and never returned, and were all doing advanced aerospace research," Burlison said.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., and Burlison, who helms the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs, opened an investigation into the missing scientists on Monday.

"I want them to determine if there's any kind of foul play," Burlison said, referring to the Trump administration. 

The duo sent letters to the FBI, the Department of War, NASA and the Department of Energy requesting more information about Americans who have allegedly vanished. They have also asked for a staff-level briefing by April 27 — giving them only a week to prepare.

A spokesperson for the House Oversight Committee said the panel will be releasing updates as the investigation proceeds.

Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, told "Fox & Friends Weekend" that he had sent letters to the leaders of several government agencies seeking information related to the mysterious deaths and disappearances of scientists in recent years. 

(Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

NASA said Monday that it would convene an interagency effort to probe the missing scientists, but cautioned that it had yet to identify any threats.

"At this time, nothing related to NASA indicates a national security threat," NASA spokeswoman Bethany Stevens wrote on X. "The agency is committed to transparency and will provide more information as it becomes available."

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has also said that Trump is "actively working with all relevant agencies and the FBI" to review the cases and identify any potential connections.

{ https://www.foxcharleston.com/ }

Ancient Bible story about fallen angels resurfaces as UFO disclosure reaches tipping point

• MORE: Death of Air Force whistleblower set to reveal UFO secrets declared 'suspicious'

By CHRIS MELORE, DEPUTY SCIENCE EDITOR FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

One of the leading voices pushing for UFO disclosure has made a shocking connection between an ancient biblical text and the existence of alien life. 

Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna of Florida recently posted two cryptic messages on X, one telling people to 'Read the book of Enoch' and the other displaying the 15th-century painting nicknamed the 'Madonna of the UFO.'

It is the latest reference the chairwoman of the House Oversight Committee's hearings on UFOs has made to the Book of Enoch while speaking about extraterrestrials and alien spacecraft.

The book is an ancient Jewish religious text, written in stages between 300 and 100 BC,  attributed to the biblical figure Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah. However, it has often been viewed as controversial and is not part of the standard Bible used by most Jews, Protestants or Catholics.

The core story in Enoch's 'Book of the Watchers' describes how a group of angels descended to Earth to mate with human women, who gave birth to a race of giants before the biblical flood. Noah's Ark survived.

Luna, who has also been appointed as chairwoman of the House Oversight Committee tasked with declassifying government secrets, has repeatedly claimed that this book was removed from the modern Bible to suppress information regarding ancient sightings of supernatural beings.

Just 16 minutes after posting about the Book of Enoch on Saturday, Luna posted an image of the painting Madonna and Child with the Infant St John, also known as the Madonna of the UFO, with no caption, sending conspiracy theorists wild with speculation about what Luna has learned during her UFO investigation.

The painting, credited to Domenico Ghirlandaio, depicts the Virgin Mary in prayer with the infant Jesus. In the background is a disk-shaped object with rays emanating from it, which some have interpreted as a UFO sighting.

Minutes before posted the image of the painting, Luna wrote that people should read the Book of Enoch, which she has referenced while discussing UFOs previously

On April 18, Luna posted an image of the painting known as the 'Madonna of the UFO'

'The truth is in plain sight!' one person replied to Luna's post.

'Ancient Astronaut Theory will someday become Ancient Astronaut History,' another person added.

The congresswoman has spoken publicly about the many meetings she has had with US military officials who have briefed her committee on the possible existence of life on other worlds and non-humans visiting Earth.

Those classified briefings caused Luna to draw a stunning connection between events in biblical times and visitations by what she called 'interdimensional beings,' which defied the laws of physics and were able to move outside of space and time.

Last year, Luna told podcast host Joe Rogan: 'Have I seen a spaceship personally? No. Have I seen evidence of this? Yes. Have I seen photo documentation of aircraft that I believe were not made by mankind? Yes. Is there historical significance to this? Yes.'

'Is there multiple events that go back to, I would argue, maybe even before the time of Christ, that have been documented in text? Yes,' she continued during the August 2025 episode.

Luna would go on to state on multiple podcast interviews that she believed it was important to read the Book of Enoch to gain context on modern UFO theories, suggesting that people may have misinterpreted these beings thousands of years ago as angels.

She described the text as information that had been 'gatekept' by modern religious orders and highlighted the Ethiopian Orthodox version as the least altered copy of this controversial text.

Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (Pictured) recently posted two cryptic messages on X,  which have been connected to the ongoing efforts for UFO disclosure

The Pentagon has missed its deadline set my Luna to release 46 videos believed to show UFOs flying over war zones

Read More

•  NASA's UFO cover-up claims spiral amid fear whistleblowers are 'being murdered' 

In November, Luna discussed new footage of a UFO with Patrick Bet-David of the Valuetainment Podcast, where she made the case that the video was evidence of other intelligent creatures besides humans who exist in this universe.

'I do think that it proves with this footage that if this is not foreign governments, if this is not created by us, then it does confirm what the Bible talks about of there being other creations.'

The Book of Enoch is said to expand on certain portions of the Bible. Specifically, Genesis 6:1-4, which mentions 'sons of God' taking human wives and producing a long-lost race of giants known as the Nephilim.

Approximately 200 of these angels, also called Watchers, were said to have also taught humans about forbidden knowledge, such as weapon-making, sorcery and astrology.

The Book of Enoch has been excluded from most canons since the fourth century AD due to debates over its authorship, theology and content.

Despite pressure from the White House for full disclosure of what the US government knows regarding UFOs and extraterrestrials, Luna claimed the Pentagon has been continuing to cover up key evidence of UFO encounters.

She penned a letter to the US Secretary of War on April 1, ordering Pete Hegseth to deliver 46 specific clips no later than April 14, 2026, but the Pentagon missed the deadline.

The requested footage included dozens of military-recorded encounters showing spherical, cigar-shaped and Tic Tac-like objects spotted over war zones, oceans and sensitive airspace around the world.

{ https://www.dailymail.com/sciencetech/index.html }

America’s ready for the government to release UFO info: Burchett

(NewsNation) — Congressman Tim Burchett of the UAP Caucus believes “America’s just ready” to hear what the U.S. government knows.

In a one-on-one interview with NewsNation’s Joe Khalil, Rep. Burchett, R-Tenn., discussed recent briefings he’s received on UFOs and unexplained aerial phenomena, aka UAPs, saying the public would be “alarmed at why the government won’t allow” certain information to be released.

Burchett believes President Donald Trump needs to get heavily involved in order for the appropriate information to come out: “It’s going to take the president of the United States to step up and say, ‘This has gone on long enough, we’ve got to get to the bottom of this.'”

Despite public interest in the subject, Burchett said some members of Congress “don’t want the truth” and noted a level of “arrogance” among his peers.

Trump’s UFO disclosure plan

At a Turning Point USA event in Phoenix last week, Trump said documents related to UFOs and UAPs will be released “very soon.” The announcement comes shortly after Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said the Pentagon had missed an April 14 deadline to release 46 videos of unidentified aerial phenomena requested in a March 31 letter.

Burchett says he hopes the president will release the documents in a timely manner but added he’s been in meetings where “an unelected bureaucrat tells us that the president is on a need-to-know basis.”

“To me, that should be very telling to America that there’s a lot more going on with this behind the scenes than we’re aware,” he added.

Rep. Burchett on missing scientists

Burchett discussed the string of missing individuals with ties to national security secrets, which he said Americans are “finally starting” to take notice of, because it “all fits in.”

Nearly a dozen researchers or people with links to aerospace or defense programs have disappeared or died in circumstances that some observers have deemed suspicious, including retired Air Force Maj. Gen. William McCasland, who is said to have overseen classified government programs that intersected with UAPs.

Burchett says the missing scientists were in the “aeronautical defense industry,” noting that many had “high-level clearance.”

House Oversight Chairman James Comer said Monday the committee will launch an investigation into the cases of the more than 10 U.S. nuclear scientists who are reported missing or dead.

No reason ‘why our government should be hiding it’: Rep. Burchett

Burchett explained Naval officers have observed “very large objects on sonar traveling at a very high rate of speed” that hover above the ocean for what he describes as “hours on end.”

“We have nothing with that capability,” Burchett said. “And I just don’t see any reason why our government should be hiding it.”

Burchett added that he recently saw “some pretty incredible photos” at a briefing, which he said the public should “have the right to see” as well.

• NewsNation’s Justin Walker, Joe Khalil and Damita Menezes contributed to this report.

{ https://www.newsnationnow.com/  }

Massive UFO Spotted Near Military Bases? Bombshell Footage! 

Overview

A wave of recent Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) reports has drawn renewed attention from lawmakers, scientists and financial analysts. The incidents, spanning from East Timor to the United States and dating primarily to early 2026, feature objects whose flight characteristics—rapid acceleration, silent maneuvering and unconventional shapes—challenge conventional aviation explanations. While many of the videos remain unverified, the aggregation of sightings underscores a growing demand for a systematic, government‑run pilot reporting mechanism and greater transparency in the handling of UAP data.

Global Sightings and Evidence

The compiled footage documents a diverse set of encounters. In East Timor (April 17, 2026), witnesses at the Port of Dili described a saucer‑shaped craft with a domed top hovering above the harbor. Germany (April 1, 2026) contributed night‑time recordings of bright objects appearing to descend from the sky, while Qatar (March 25, 2026) captured a triangular formation embedded within storm clouds over Doha. North America saw multiple reports: flickering orbs over New Jersey, fireball‑like UAPs in Charlotte, North Carolina, and silent green lights moving erratically across California. A coordinated row of lights over Helsinki, Finland (March 28, 2026) was broadcast by local news stations, and archival footage from Rhode Island (1967) shows a cigar‑shaped “mothership” allegedly deploying smaller saucers. Although some analysts suggest conventional explanations—drone activity, atmospheric phenomena, or camera artifacts—the breadth and consistency of the reports have prompted calls for rigorous, multi‑sensor verification.

Congressional Frustration and Legislative Gaps

U.S. lawmakers have expressed mounting frustration over the inability to obtain reliable UAP data. Recent amendments aimed at mandating the release of classified UAP assessments have stalled in committee, prompting a bipartisan letter that warned, “the continued obstruction of credible information erodes public trust and hampers scientific inquiry.” The lack of an official pilot reporting system was highlighted during a March hearing, where a senior Air Force officer testified that “pilots are often left without clear guidance on how to document anomalous encounters,” a gap that mirrors concerns raised by the Civil Air Patrol’s former observer, Harold Trudel, who supplied 8 mm film of a 1968 cigar‑shaped sighting.

Economic Implications of Potential Disclosure

Beyond the scientific and security dimensions, the prospect of formal “alien disclosure” has entered financial discourse. Helen McCall, a former senior analyst for the Bank of England, warned that confirmation of non‑human intelligence could trigger “extreme market volatility,” likening the scenario to a sudden, global “bitcoin rush.” McCall outlined three primary risks: panic‑driven sell‑offs, a collapse in bank stability due to eroded investor confidence, and a massive repricing of assets as economies adjust to an unprecedented paradigm shift. While speculative, her analysis reflects a broader concern among economists that any abrupt shift in the perceived nature of reality could ripple through sovereign debt markets, commodity pricing and technology valuations.

Calls for Transparency and Preparedness

The convergence of heightened sighting activity, legislative inertia and economic speculation has led experts to advocate for a coordinated response. UFO researcher August Roberts emphasized that “systematic data collection, independent verification and open sharing with the scientific community are essential before we can assess any broader implications.” Meanwhile, advocacy groups are urging the Pentagon to accelerate the implementation of a standardized reporting platform for both military and civilian aviators. As the global community grapples with these developments, the consensus among policymakers and analysts is clear: preparedness—both in terms of data infrastructure and public communication—will be critical should definitive evidence of non‑human intelligence emerge.

{ https://usubjects.com/  }

The polar vortex is a large mass of cold air that spins around the North Pole every winter. It is not a single storm but a broad circulation pattern in the atmosphere that helps contain Arctic air in the polar regions.

When the system weakens or shifts, cold Arctic air moves south into North America, Europe, and Asia. That is when headlines warn of extremely cold temperatures and dangerous winter weather.

{ https://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/climate-weather }

Are Humanoid Robots Really That Advanced

By: Grant Virellan

Humanoid robots are machines designed to resemble the human body and replicate some humanlike abilities. Engineers in humanoid robotics build machines with arms, legs, and sensors that allow them to perform tasks in environments built for human beings.

Unlike many traditional industrial robots used in factories, humanoid robots aim to work alongside humans in real world settings. Their humanlike structure helps them open doors, use tools, and interact with human operators.

{ https://science.howstuffworks.com/robots-channel.htm }

Noah's Ark mystery deepens as underground tunnels found in Turkey mountain match Bible blueprint

By STACY LIBERATORE, US SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR

High in the mountains of Turkey, a mysterious geological formation sits that some researchers believe could be the remains of Noah's Ark.

According to the Bible, the massive vessel saved humanity and every kind of animal from annihilation during a catastrophic flood more than 4,300 years ago.

Now, a team of American researchers working at the Durupınar Formation near Mount Ararat has uncovered evidence of hidden tunnels as described in the biblical account.

Andrew Jones, an independent researcher with Noah's Ark Scans, used ground-penetrating radar to uncover a network of 'corridors' converging on a hollow central chamber he dubbed the atrium.

Jones linked the discovery to the Bible's description of the Ark, which states the boat contained three internal levels built to shelter Noah, his family and pairs of animals.

'God told Noah to bring the animals in. And so these animals would have stayed there, plus Noah and his family,' Jones told GB News.

'What's interesting is that these voids are lining up below the ground - and they're not just random. These tunnels also follow a pattern. GPR is just a way to look below the soil using radar.'

He added further studies using infrared thermography (IRT), a heat-sensing technology that can uncover hidden structures underground, have also suggested the presence of a ship-shaped hull buried deep in the soil.

High in the mountains of Turkey, a mysterious geological formation sits that some researchers believe could be the remains of Noah's Ark

 

A team of American researchers working at the Durupınar Formation near Mount Ararat has uncovered evidence of hidden tunnels as described in the biblical account

Located just 18 miles south of Mount Ararat, Turkey's highest peak, the Durupınar Formation has only been known to the modern world for less than a century.

According to local reports, heavy rains and earthquakes in May 1948 washed away the surrounding mud, revealing the mysterious formation. It was then discovered by a Kurdish shepherd.

The Bible states that Noah's Ark came to rest on the 'mountains of Ararat' after a 150-day flood that drowned the Earth and every living creature not sheltered inside the wooden vessel.

What's intriguing is that the formation sits near a mountain with a peak that some believe matches the ark's shape and dimensions.

According to biblical measurements, the ark was '300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high,' roughly 515 feet long, 86 feet wide and 52 feet tall.

The idea that the ark landed on Mount Ararat has long sparked debate.

While many scientists argue that the formation is a naturally occurring geological feature, others are convinced it points to something far more extraordinary.

The team at Noah's Ark Scans firmly believes the latter.

In 2024, Jones revealed that he and his team uncovered angular structures as deep as 20 feet beneath the surface, features that could represent rooms below a deck-like platform

The researchers added further studies using infrared thermography (IRT), a heat-sensing technology that can uncover hidden structures underground, have also suggested the presence of a ship-shaped hull buried deep in the soil

Jones told GB News that he and his team collected 88 samples from inside and outside of the ship in 2024.

Soil testing in the area showed extremely high levels of potassium, consistent with massive amounts of decomposed lumber.

'However, due to the extremely cold climate, many parts of the Ark are still intact and petrified. It spends almost six months out of the year completely frozen,' Noah's Ark Scans explained in an X post.

In 2024, Jones revealed that he and his team uncovered angular structures as deep as 20 feet beneath the surface, features that could represent rooms below a deck-like platform.

In Genesis 6:14, the Bible describes the ark: 'Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.'

'This is not what you'd expect to see if the site were simply a solid block of rock or the result of random mudflow debris,' Jones told The Christian Broadcasting Network.

According to the Bible, the massive vessel saved humanity and every kind of animal from annihilation during a catastrophic flood more than 4,300 years ago

'But it is exactly what you'd expect to find if this were a man-made boat, consistent with the biblical specifications of Noah's Ark.'

The team has also performed soil testing, uncovering what Jones described as 'some interesting things.'

'We noticed that the grass growing within the boat-shaped formation is a different color compared to the area just outside it,' Jones said, suggesting this could point to a man-made origin rather than a natural one.

William Crabtree, another member of Noah's Ark Scans, added that a tunnel appears to run from the tip of the formation toward the middle, and it is large enough to walk through.

'The ultimate goal is not just soil test, which is great, or GPR scans, but to get inside the ship somehow,' Jones told Patterns of Evidence.

'Core drilling, getting samples deep inside of it to where we see the substructure, these voids, put a camera in it. This is an opportunity coming up that possibly will allow us to do that next season. 

'Whatever happens, whenever God opens doors, we will continue working on the site.' 

{ https://www.dailymail.com/sciencetech/index.html }

Life on Mars: NASA's Curiosity Rover detects never–before–seen organic compounds on the Red Planet

• READ MORE: Scientists discover fungus that could survive trip to Mars 

By XANTHA LEATHAM, EXECUTIVE SCIENCE EDITOR

NASA's Curiosity rover has detected never–before–seen compounds on Mars – and they're widely considered the building blocks for the origin of life on Earth.

Scientists have discovered a diverse mix of organic molecules that have been preserved on the Martian surface for billions of years.

These include a nitrogen–bearing molecule with a similar structure to DNA precursors – the raw components needed to build genetic material – which have never been found on the Red Planet.

The rover also identified benzothiophene, a large, double–ringed, sulphurous chemical often delivered to planets by meteorites.

The findings come from a chemical experiment performed in the Glen Torridon region of Mars' Gale crater, an area that once likely contained water.

It is the first time this experiment has ever been performed on another world.

'The same stuff that rained down on Mars from meteorites is what rained down on Earth, and it probably provided the building blocks for life as we know it on our planet,' Amy Williams, a professor of geological sciences at the University of Florida, said.

'We now know that there are big complex organics preserved in the shallow subsurface of Mars, and that holds a lot of promise for preserving large complex organics that might be diagnostic of life.'

Curiosity landed on Mars in 2012 to find evidence that it had conditions that could support microbial life billions of years ago

The sample locations where Curiosity snagged three samples of drilled rock on its way out of the Glen Torridon region. Analysing these samples revealed diverse organic molecules on Mar

Professor Williams was also a scientist on the Curiosity and Perseverance Mars rover missions.

Curiosity landed on Mars in 2012 to find evidence that it had conditions that could support microbial life billions of years ago 

Meanwhile the Perseverance rover, which landed in 2021, was sent to look for signs of any ancient life that might have formed.

'We think we're looking at organic matter that's been preserved on Mars for 3.5 billion years,' Professor Williams said.

'It's really useful to have evidence that ancient organic matter is preserved, because that is a way to assess the habitability of an environment.

'If we want to search for evidence of life in the form of preserved organic carbon, this demonstrates it's possible.'

The experiment was conducted by an instrument suite known as the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM), which has been responsible for many of the mission's most important discoveries about the organic chemistry, atmosphere and habitability on Mars.

Using a chemical known as TMAH, the experiment broke apart larger organic molecules so they could be analysed by onboard instruments within SAM.

The Mast Camera on NASA's Curiosity Mars rover captured this mosaic as it explored the area where samples were taken

With only two cups of the TMAH chemical onboard Curiosity, success required careful planning and choosing the most favourable location to sample.

While the experiment has confirmed the Martian surface can preserve these types of molecules, it cannot distinguish between organic compounds from potential past life on Mars and those formed through geologic processes or delivered by meteorites.

Definitively identifying signs of past life would require returning rock samples to Earth.

The promising results, published in the journal Nature Communications, come as future missions — including the Rosalind Franklin mission to Mars and the Dragonfly expedition to Saturn's moon Titan — plan to bring the TMAH test onboard to search for organic compounds.

Last year, NASA announced a sample collected by the Perseverance rover was the 'clearest sign of life' ever found on the Red Planet.

Researchers had been looking at unusual spots and seed–like shapes in ancient Martian rocks that might point to the existence of tiny life forms in the distant past.

These features, nicknamed 'poppy seeds' and 'leopard spots,' were spotted in mud–like rocks in Neretva Vallis, part of the Jezero crater, where a river existed billions of years ago.

NASA's Associate Administrator Nicky Fox said: 'This is the kind of signature that we would see that was made by something biological.'

The rover's tools detected chemicals like iron and phosphorus in these features, which can form when tiny microbes break down organic material, a sign of life here on Earth.

Separately, scientists have identified two dozen types of minerals that show a dynamic history of volcanic rocks altered by interactions with liquid water in the Jezero crater.

They said this indicated that Jezero hosted habitable environments on more than one occasion.

Rice University graduate student Eleanor Moreland, who led the study, said: 'The minerals we find in Jezero support multiple, temporally distinct episodes of fluid alteration.

['This] indicates there were several times in Mars' history when these particular volcanic rocks interacted with liquid water and therefore more than one time when this location hosted environments potentially suitable for life.'

Hard at work: NASA's Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter are searching for life on the Red Planet

NASA's Mars 2020 mission was launched to search for signs of ancient life on the Red Planet in a bid to help scientists better understand how life evolved on Earth in the earliest years of the evolution of the solar system.

Named Perseverance, the main car-sized rover is exploring an ancient river delta within the Jezero Crater, which was once filled with a 1,600ft deep lake.

It is believed that the region hosted microbial life some 3.5 to 3.9 billion years ago and the rover will examine soil samples to hunt for evidence of the life.

Nasa's Mars 2020 rover (artist's impression) is searching for signs of ancient life on Mars in a bid to help scientists better understand how life evolved on our own planet

The $2.5 billion (£1.95 billion) Mars 2020 spaceship launched on July 30 with the rover and helicopter inside - and landed successfully on February 18, 2021.

Perseverance landed inside the crater and will slowly collect samples that will eventually be returned to Earth for further analysis.

A second mission will fly to the planet and return the samples, perhaps by the later 2020s in partnership with the European Space Agency.

This concept art shows the Mars 2020 rover landing on the red planet via NASA's 'sky-crane' system

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