There’s very little we know for sure about Omicron, the coronavirus variant first detected in South Africa that has caused tremors of panic as winter approaches. That’s actually good news. Fast, honest work by South Africa has allowed the world to get on top of this variant even while clinical and epidemiological data is scarce. So let’s get our act together now. Omicron, which early indicators suggest could be more transmissible than even Delta and more likely to cause breakthrough infections, may arrive in the United States soon if it’s not here already. A dynamic response requires tough containment measures to be modified quickly as evidence comes in, as well as rapid data collection to understand the scope of the threat. Vaccine manufacturers should also immediately begin developing vaccines specifically for Omicron.

Maris Jahnke knows why she often wakes up with a sore throat and some postnasal drip. The air in her South Minneapolis apartment is dry, and she's slightly allergic to her three cats. But after more than a year of pandemic life, Jahnke's brain is quick to suggest the possibility of a much more concerning cause for her mild symptoms: "My first thought is, 'Oh my God, what have I been exposed to? Is this covid?' " Then reason kicks in. She hasn't gone anywhere in days. She's fully vaccinated. Ther

How real are you? What if everything you are, everything you know, all the people in your life as well as all the events were not physically there but just a very elaborate simulation? Philosopher Nick Bostrom famously considered this in his seminal paper “Are you living in a computer simulation?,” where he proposed that all of our existence may be just a product of very sophisticated computer simulations ran by advanced beings whose real nature we may never be able to know. Now a new theory has come along that takes it a step further – what if there are no advanced beings either and everything in “reality” is a self-simulation that generates itself from pure thought?

More cases have been detected in Europe, while dozens of countries have announced new travel restrictions aimed at slowing the variant’s spread.

Gerald V. Casale and Josh Freese in “I’m Gonna Pay U Back,” directed by Davy Force With the human species seemingly hurtling toward the center of a body-pulping, dream-pulverizing vortex, Dangerous Minds sent one of its bubble-eyed dog boys from the recombo DNA labs in the Valley for a briefing from Jerry Casale. DEVO’s chief strategist, film director, songwriter, singer, and bassist shed light on our dire predicament as few others could. He also discussed his new solo music video, “I’m Gonna Pay U Back,” and revealed his plans for its upcoming 3D sequel, “The Invisible Man,” news that is balm for our awful hurt. A lightly edited transcript follows. How was the tour, from your point of view? One of the high points of my year for sure was seeing DEVO again. Where did you see it? At the YouTube Theater at SoFi Stadium in LA. You know, that’s...

Nearly two dozen current and former Politico staffers told The Daily Beast of a series of burgeoning conflicts within the iconic Beltway publication.

Like Super Mario 64, this should lead to some interesting stuff

Paul Reubens brought back Chairry, Magic Screen, Miss Yvonne, and more for a very silly hour of radio

An Alabama husband was shot by his wife’s boyfriend who was secretly living in the couple’s home. ... Frank, who was armed, encountered Michael Amacker who was also armed, inside the home. The two men shot at each other, injuring themselves before being taken to the hospital, according to KMOV. Amacker, who was romantically involved with Tracy for over a year, had been living at the house for a brief time before the shooting incident.

Americans don’t want to hate the rich. We want to feel sorry for them.

Harris-Buttigieg could turn out to be a dream ticket for the Democrats while simultaneously avoiding a potentially damaging dynamic both within the administration and in a possible Democratic primary.

Irony has been declared many times in this pandemic but now, from Covid-riddled Germany comes the final proof: you can't kill yourself now unless you've been vaccinated.As European countries battle to limit the spread of the virus,Verein Sterbehilfe –the German Euthanasia Association – has issued...

Lin Wood released a recording of a call in which Flynn says QAnon is a CIA-created disinformation campaign.

Delta passengers may have been treated to an unusual sight when a woman allegedly started breastfeeding a cat and refused to stop during a flight to Atlanta.

Wario isn’t the nicest Italian representation, but he reminds me of family I love

Jared Leto on how he prepared for #HouseOfGucci: “I was snorting lines of arrabbiata sauce. I had olive oil for blood. This was a deep dive I did. If you took a biopsy of my skin, it would come back as parmesan cheese! This is my love letter to Italy.”

Essentially, results measure a cat’s levels of three things: ‘meanness’ (AKA traits such as a lack of empathy), ‘disinhibition’ (problems with behavioural restraint) and ‘boldness’ – which, in this instance, is to do with social dominance and low levels of fear.

A grand jury indicted Maryland police officer Philip Dupree on charges of kidnapping, perjury and misconduct in office.

A rape conviction at the center of a memoir by award-winning author Alice Sebold has been overturned because of what authorities determined were serious flaws with the 1982 prosecution and concerns the wrong man had been sent to jail.

LAFD member has been sent on paid leave and will ‘face consequences’ for ‘any inappropriate acts’