Catamist News

NASA: Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS is Comet

NASA has officially declared the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS to be a comet, definitively quashing widespread "alien rumors" that had surrounded the celestial visitor. This crucial clarification, announced today, November 22, 2025, was made possible by extensive observations from a coordinated network of spacecraft, including those near Mars, providing unprecedented insight into its true nature as only the third confirmed interstellar object in our solar system.

5 min read

Foxconn, OpenAI Partner for US AI Hardware

Apple supplier Foxconn is partnering with OpenAI to design and manufacture specialized AI data center hardware within the United States, backed by a significant investment of $1 billion to $5 billion from Foxconn to bolster America's AI infrastructure. This collaboration aims to produce up to 2,000 AI server racks per week by 2026, marking a strategic pivot for Foxconn and a crucial step in OpenAI's ambitious plan to strengthen U.S. leadership in advanced AI.

New Fault Healing Discovery Shakes Quake

Scientists at the University of California, Davis, have made a groundbreaking discovery that deep earthquake faults can heal remarkably fast, sometimes within mere hours, by mineral grains welding together under intense heat and pressure. This rapid self-repair mechanism challenges long-held assumptions about fault behavior and could significantly reshape how experts model and predict seismic events, with profound implications for hazard assessments.

Myanmar Cracks Down on Scam Centers

Myanmar security forces have significantly escalated their campaign against illicit online gambling and scam operations along the Thai border, demolishing nearly 200 illegal structures and detaining 351 foreign nationals in notorious cybercrime hubs like Myawady and Shwe Kokko. This major crackdown, fueled by international pressure, particularly from China, targets sophisticated fraud factories involved in romance scams, cryptocurrency schemes, and human trafficking, which the military government has declared a "national duty" to eliminate.

Washington: First H5N5 Bird Flu Death

A Washington State man has tragically become the first known human fatality globally from the H5N5 strain of avian influenza, confirmed by health officials on Friday, November 21, 2025. This significant development, stemming from exposure to his backyard poultry flock, highlights a rare but serious incident, though authorities emphasize the risk to the general public remains low with no evidence of human-to-human transmission.

G20 Johannesburg: Guterres Urges Action

The G20 Johannesburg Summit, a historic first for the African continent, officially commenced on November 22, 2025, gathering leaders from major economies to address pressing global issues like economic stability and sustainable development. With a theme of "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability," the summit aims to foster international cooperation on inclusive growth and challenges faced by the Global South, a call echoed by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for positive global change.

EU Unveils Digital Omnibus for Tech Rules

The European Commission officially published its comprehensive Digital Omnibus on November 19, 2025, proposing significant legislative adjustments to simplify and streamline the EU's digital rulebook across artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and data governance. This initiative includes delaying the application of rules for high-risk AI systems by up to 16 months, introducing a single entry point for cybersecurity incident notifications, and consolidating data governance legislation to reduce administrative burdens and foster innovation for businesses, particularly small and mid-cap companies.

COP30 Deadlocked on Fossil Fuels

The COP30 climate talks in Belém, Brazil, have extended beyond their scheduled end due to profound disagreements over a proposed roadmap to phase out fossil fuels, a critical step for limiting global warming to 1.5°C. While many nations, including Europe and small island states, strongly advocate for this roadmap, major fossil fuel producers like Saudi Arabia, China, and India resist, further complicated by a dramatic fire at the venue that temporarily halted negotiations.

Japan Spacecraft Faces Spinning Asteroid

New observations reveal that asteroid 1998 KY26, the target for Japan's Hayabusa2 mission, is significantly smaller and spins much faster than previously estimated, posing complex challenges for the spacecraft's planned encounter and potential touchdown maneuvers. Despite these hurdles, the mission remains a high priority, promising unprecedented insights into rapidly rotating micro-asteroids, the early solar system, and crucial data for asteroid defense strategies.

Shutdown Sinks US Consumer Confidence to Low

US consumer sentiment plummeted to near-record lows in November 2025, largely due to widespread anxiety following an unprecedented 43-day federal government shutdown. This significant downturn was further exacerbated by persistent concerns over high prices and ongoing stock market volatility, signaling potential challenges for the nation's economic stability.

Vaccine-Autism Reversal Sparks CDC Crisis

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is facing significant backlash after reportedly altering its website to suggest that the claim "vaccines do not cause autism" lacks sufficient evidence, a move that contradicts decades of scientific consensus. This controversial change, allegedly implemented without the consultation of career scientists, has ignited fears among public health experts that it will undermine public trust in vaccinations and could lead to a resurgence of preventable diseases.

Indian Tejas Jet Crash Kills Pilot in Dubai

A tragic incident unfolded at the Dubai Airshow 2025 today as an Indian Air Force Tejas fighter jet crashed during a flying display, resulting in the pilot's death and casting a somber shadow over the international aviation event. Authorities have launched a Court of Inquiry to investigate the cause of this devastating accident, which marks the first fatal crash for the indigenous Tejas aircraft.

4 min read

NASA: Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS is Comet