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Eclipses do odd things to radio waves. An army of amateur broadcasters wants to find out why
During the American solar eclipses of October 2023 and April 2024, hundreds of radio amateurs will take to the airwaves. Their goal is to help scientists investigate what happens to radio signals when the Moon blocks the Sun. It’s the huge tower in his back yard that gives Todd Baker’s hobby away. Bristling with antennae,…
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One Latina doula on the push for better births
Surey Rodriguez-Cortes, a certified doula, says people of colour often lack essential childbirth support. Her community of Latino doulas is addressing the urgent need. Latino doulas can help mums in their communities incorporate specific cultural practices, overcome language barriers, navigate disparities in the healthcare system and discuss their challenges. Surey Rodriguez-Cortes, a certified birth, postpartum…
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The Exorcist and why demonic possession taps into our darkest fears
Fifty years ago, the horror about a young girl invaded by a malevolent spirit caused pandemonium in the US. With a new Exorcist film out this week, Anna Bogutskaya reflects on the original’s chilling legacy. Over the last few years, possession narratives, in which characters are taken over by malevolent spirits, demons or gods, have…
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Haim look back at their first decade: ‘No-one wanted to sign us!’
By Mark Savage BBC Music Correspondent Eleven years ago, on a cold and dark December evening, I squeezed into an anonymous dressing room at the O2 arena for my first interview with Haim. They didn’t know it at the time, but the group were about to win the BBC’s Sound of 2013. My job was…
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Africa’s week in pictures: 29 September-5 October 2023
A selection of the best photos from the African continent and beyond. Images subject to copyright Around the BBC Africa Today podcasts The Comb podcasts
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The extreme robot arm that can chop up a ship
By Chris Baraniuk Technology of Business reporter A huge robotic arm, wielding a waterjet powerful enough to slice through steel, swings into action. It is chopping up the hull of a large ship. The structure, which withstood the power of the sea for decades, yields easily to the cutting jet. Before long, the robot has…
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Biden faces bipartisan attacks over new border wall
By Bernd Debusmann Jr BBC News, Washington President Joe Biden is coming under fire from both sides of the political spectrum after his administration announced new border wall construction in Texas. Mr Biden has claimed he “can’t stop” construction because funding for it was appropriated in 2019. The Department of Homeland Security, however, has said…
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Top Democrats pay tribute to Dianne Feinstein at funeral
The United States’ most powerful Democrats have gathered for the funeral of Dianne Feinstein, who was the Senate’s longest-serving female lawmaker before her death at age 90 last week. Vice President Kamala Harris, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and California Governor Gavin Newsom attended the service at San Francisco’s City…
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Regulator sues Musk to force testimony in X probe
By Natalie Sherman Business reporter, New York Financial regulators in the US are suing Elon Musk after the billionaire said he would no longer cooperate with its investigation into his purchase of Twitter, now known as X. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) asked a federal court to order him to comply with their request…
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Travis Kelce says NFL ‘overdoing’ its Taylor Swift coverage
By Brandon Drenon BBC News, Washington NFL superstar and rumoured Taylor-Swift-sweetheart Travis Kelce is beginning to grow weary of the league’s coverage of her presence at games. “I think they’re overdoing it a little bit for sure,” Kelce, 33, said in his New Heights podcast on Wednesday. But the NFL has defended its coverage of…