Why do we kiss at midnight on New Year’s Eve? History behind the tradition
The tradition’s exact origin is unknown, but it is referenced as far back as ancient Rome and in Arthurian legend.
Here we go again: Retiring coal plant forced to stay open by Trump Admin
On Tuesday, US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright issued a now familiar order: because of a supposed energy emergency, a coal plant scheduled for closure
Was this photo of Trump and a young girl removed from Epstein files?
The image spread online as users pored over documents released by the Department of Justice related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Supply chains, AI, and the cloud: The biggest failures (and one success) of 2025
In a roundup of the top stories of 2024, Ars included a supply-chain attack that came dangerously close to inflicting a catastrophe for thousands—possibly millions—of
Grisly 45,000-year-old find suggests children may have been victims of cannibalism
New analysis of bones from around 45,000 years ago found in Belgium’s Goyet cave shows cut marks indicating possible cannibalism
In Ukraine, an Arsenal of Killer A.I. Drones Is Being Born in War Against Russia
As the war grinds on, sophisticated Russian defenses have pushed Ukraine to develop a frightening new weapon: semiautonomous killing machines.
A marriage of three: Will Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso bloc reshape the Sahel?
Since withdrawing from ECOWAS, the post-coup countries have inaugurated a new bank, TV station and joint military force.
Four reasons why Benjamin Netanyahu may not want a Gaza ceasefire to hold
After his trip to the US, Israel’s prime minister returns home in an apparently strong position.
How is Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill changing US taxes and healthcare in 2026?
Big changes are coming in the new year as healthcare subsidies expire and requirements for food assistance take effect.
Controversial CDC panel to review aluminum salts used in many vaccines
A controversial Centers for Disease Control and Prevention panel is gearing up to review the “safety” of a common additive used in many vaccines.
Finnish police seize ship suspected of sabotaging undersea cable
Police arrested 14 crew members on the ship sailing from the St Petersburg to the Israeli port of Haifa.
Passenger describes ‘chaos’ after head-on Machu Picchu train collision
Tourist Niels Honkoop says shattered glass littered the carriage floor and injured people were lying in the aisles.
EU’s top diplomat rejects Russian claims of Ukrainian attack on government sites
It comes as Russia releases video which it claims shows a downed Ukrainian drone launched at one of Putin’s residences.
In pictures: New Year welcomed around the world
From spectacular firework displays to chilly sea dips, nations celebrate the start of 2026.