U.S. Health Experts Warn of Pandemic Risk as H5N1 Bird Flu Spreads

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has identified the most distant galaxy ever observed, designated MoM z14, which existed just 280 million years after the Big Bang, according to researchers from Yale University. This discovery surpasses the previous record holder, JADES-GS-z14-0, by 20 million years. Yale professor Pieter van Dokkum described the finding as a “cosmic miracle,” highlighting that the galaxy is the earliest known object, emerging when the universe was merely 280 million years old. JWST, which has been operational since summer 2022, excels in detecting high-redshift galaxies, with MoM z14 exhibiting a redshift of 14.44. Van Dokkum noted that JWST was not expected to locate galaxies this early in its mission, suggesting that over 100 bright galaxies may exist in the early universe—far more than anticipated pre-launch. Researchers found MoM z14 to be around 50 times smaller than the Milky Way, featuring elements like nitrogen and carbon, indicating a rapidly forming star rate. This discovery opens avenues for further exploration of early cosmic history, as scientists now speculate the existence of even earlier galaxies.

A cybersecurity breach has revealed an unprotected database exposing over 184 million records, including email addresses and passwords in plain text. According to cybersecurity researcher Jeremiah Fowler, the leaked data is linked to major platforms like Apple, Google, and Facebook, posing a significant risk for identity theft and online fraud. Fowler described the breach as “a cybercriminal’s dream working list.” As companies increasingly shift to cloud services, the potential for such breaches is amplified. The Identity Theft Resource Center reported a 72% increase in data breaches in 2023, with victims impacted by mega-breaches rising by an astonishing 312% in 2024. A recent report by IBM indicated that 82% of these breaches involved information stored in the cloud, exacerbating security vulnerabilities. Experts recommend immediate action to protect personal information, including changing passwords, using unique passwords across different sites, and enabling multi-factor authentication. Teresa Murray from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group emphasizes the urgency of taking these protective measures, highlighting the need for vigilance against cyber threats.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson is facing grave allegations in a lawsuit filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court by a woman identified as Jane Doe, who claims to be his former girlfriend. The lawsuit, submitted on Thursday, accuses Williamson of two instances of rape and ongoing patterns of abusive behavior, including threats and control over Doe, according to court documents. Doe alleges that the first incident occurred in September 2020, when Williamson reportedly forced her into a sexual encounter at his Beverly Hills home. The second alleged incident occurred a month later, involving further acts of violence and intimidation. She claims that Williamson threatened to have his security guard harm her and even confiscated her belongings to prevent her from seeking help. In response, Williamson's legal team has categorically denied the allegations, claiming the relationship was consensual and accusing Doe of attempting to exploit him. They stated that Williamson had previously reported her alleged extortion attempts to the authorities and plans to file a counterclaim. Williamson, 24, was drafted first overall by the Pelicans in 2019 and has struggled with injuries throughout his career.