Unicode, which sets the world standard for text and emoji, seems to have a new slate of icons coming down the pipeline this year, and it includes the pickle, a meteor, and a lighthouse.

Athletes and band members, make room! Snohomish High School in Washington is now awarding varsity letters for skilled trades, marking the first program of its kind in the state.

Hari Budha Magar is a world record-breaking mountaineer who just summited the highest mountain on Antarctica, proving that physical disabilities don’t define a person — or their limits. See photos from his journey.

Mississippi schools soared from 49th in the country on national tests to the top 10 — here’s what changed.

There are still two more weekends of NFL before we know which teams will be duking it out at Super Bowl LX, but the competitors for the 2026 Puppy Bowl are all set.

Millions of Americans packed up and moved in 2025, and a recent report sheds light on where exactly they wound up.

A study found “gifted” dogs can learn new words by simply eavesdropping on humans.

The benefits of living in an age when information is at our fingertips are vast, but given this near surfeit of accessibility, protecting our privacy becomes more important than ever. Click below for a guide to making sure you and your space are secure.

Californians 25 years old and younger have never lived in a time where their state wasn’t in some form of drought. Until now: For the first time since 2000, 100% of the Golden State is classified as drought-free.

You can thank this man for the invention that spares you from gas station shame.

How do you get more people interested in reading? Expose it as the vice it really is.

If you’re the type who loves debating whether the movie was better than the book, you may want to add a few titles to your reading list (assuming they’re not already on your shelf).

Along northwest England’s Fylde Coast, wildlife volunteers have come up with a novel way of repurposing their Christmas trees after the holiday festivities are over: using them to battle coastal erosion.

It’s time to train your brain. The New York Times kicked off 2026 with a five-day brain health challenge — a series of tasks to complete with science to back ’em up. Yesterday was the fifth day, so now you can see the challenge in its entirety.

Still contemplating where to travel in 2026? Check out this list of 52 must-visit destinations around the globe.

Nothing says “nice” quite like the prospect of never folding laundry again. At the CES tech conference, LG unveiled a robot that folds and stacks your laundry and tackles other everyday chores.

On Cloud-9, literally: Astronomers discovered a novel celestial object located 14 million light-years away.

Nominations for the Actor Awards, formerly the SAG Awards, were announced yesterday — see the list.

Hidden no more, one of Pablo Picasso’s private paintings has been unveiled to the public for the first time at the Gary Nader Art Centre in Miami — more than 50 years after the artist’s death.

Tiny, (mostly) harmless, and now historic, stingless bees from the Amazon have become the first insects to gain legal rights.

It’s not too late to protect yourself against the flu — or learn how to speed up recovery if you do catch it.

You've likely heard of Dry January — a month when millions of people abstain from alcohol, swapping wine and cocktails for sparkling water and nonalcoholic beer. But there’s another lifestyle challenge also taking place over the next few weeks: Veganuary.

A new year can symbolize a clean start, including finally getting rid of the clutter gathering dust in the corners of our homes. But before you start making “toss” and “donate” piles, you may want to give some of your old possessions a second glance.

We’re under one month out from the Winter Olympics: Get the full rundown on key dates, how to watch, and what’s new for the 2026 Games.

CES, the massive tech trade show, kicked off today: See the gadgets making headlines.

Multiple sclerosis has long been diagnosed through its telltale symptoms — overwhelming fatigue and muscle weakness among them. However, a new study may help revolutionize the typical approaches to detection and treatment.

The American Kennel Club’s pack just got bigger — and objectively cuter. Last week, the organization added three new dog breeds to its official roster: a wavy-coated toy pup, a French hound, and a terrier named after the 26th U.S. president.

2025 was rife with wellness trends, but are any of them worthy of taking into the new year? NPR’s science team delivered verdicts on which ones you might want to pay attention to and which you can leave behind.

Could raccoons become the next household pet?

Everyone has a story, but sometimes it can be hard to find a safe person to share it with. That’s why StoryRX exists: The program encourages older adults to swap stories with others.

Ahead of your next doctor appointment, read expert advice on maximizing the value of your time with your provider.

For the fifth year in a row, U.S. teen drug and alcohol abuse rates declined, hitting a historic low. 👏

Go inside the monthly dinner party at an NYC apartment that has a waiting list of nearly 4,500 people.

Meet the real tennis table champion who inspired “Marty Supreme” (and watch him play in 1960).

What’s right for one may not be right for another — or even for the same person at a different time. That’s why Tchiki Davis suggests aligning the methods we use to prioritize our mental health with the life stage we’re currently in.

Ever been to the Albanian Riviera? How about Botswana? Or the Dolomites? According to a recent report from Chase, all three are trending destinations for 2026 travel. Learn what 2026 might have in store for diners and travelers.

Take a look at premiere dates for new and returning TV series this year.

For nearly half a century, from 1912 to 1959, the U.S. flag bore 48 stars. But President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed that 67 years ago today, declaring the territory of Alaska the official 49th state.

Whether you’re giving a presentation, pitching an idea, or leading a meeting, you probably spend most of your prep time thinking about what you’ll say. But what about the ways you’ll move your hands?

A “never-before-seen” structure beneath Bermuda gives the illusion the island is floating, scientists say.

Nice News is kicking off 2026 with a list of things to look forward to. From global sporting extravaganzas like the Winter Olympics and the FIFA World Cup to a new train route traversing America, there’s so much positivity awaiting us.

Go inside the world’s oldest restaurant, which recently turned 300.

Texas’ Parks and Wildlife Department is giving some residents a sneak peek at its newest state park today.

From black-eyed peas to lucky lentils, learn about different New Year’s food traditions around the world.

Happy New Year! Before you spend the morning drawing up a resolutions list, consider commencing a search for a renewed purpose in life instead.

Revisit the best deep-sea wildlife encounters of 2025, as compiled by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute.

This itty-bitty toadlet can fit on the tip of a pencil.

In hopes of reducing microplastic pollution, researchers from Japan have recently developed a new type of plastic: one that’s entirely plant-based and biodegradable.

After nearly 20 years circling and photographing the red planet, NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter recently snapped its 100,000th image.

Take a look through 2025’s best space photos, from new scopes to northern lights.