Full-halo CME from the X1.9 flare. The three bright specks of light (left to right) are Venus, Mercury and Mars. (Image credit: NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center)
The sun sure has woken up this week, unleashing a powerful X-class solar flare on Jan. 18 that hurled a colossal, fast-moving coronal mass ejection (CME) directly toward Earth. That CME has now arrived, triggering severe (G4)…
Astronomers discover an enormous iron bar in the famous Ring Nebula: 'We definitely need to know more'
January 20, 2026
Sometimes, even the most familiar astronomical objects can hold surprises for researchers. Take the well-known Ring Nebula, which astronomers have now discovered harbors a mysterious “bar” of iron atoms.
Also known as Messier 57 (M57), the Ring Nebula is a…
OnePlus’ Worst Phase Yet? OnePlus India GST Issue Collides With CEO Arrest Warrant in Taiwan
January 20, 2026
OnePlus is going through one of its most uncomfortable phases in recent years. The smartphone brand, long known in India for loyal fans and strong after-sales support, is now facing pressure on two very different fronts. The OnePlus India GST issue, involving a ₹93 crore…
Here are the 55 US AI startups that raised $100M or more in 2025
January 20, 2026
The AI industry entered 2025 with strong momentum.
There were 49 startups that raised funding rounds worth $100 million or more in 2024, per our count at TechCrunch; three companies raised more than one “mega-round,” and seven companies raised rounds that were $1 billion in size or larger.
The industry didn’t slow down in 2025. While less companies raised rounds larger than $1…
What happens when an AI agent decides the best way to complete a task is to blackmail you?
That’s not a hypothetical. According to Barmak Meftah, a partner at cybersecurity VC firm Ballistic Ventures, it recently happened to an enterprise employee working with an AI…
Well, there goes the metaverse!
January 20, 2026
Meta’s enormous bet on virtual reality ended last week, with the company reportedly laying off roughly 1,500 employees from its Reality Labs division – about 10% of the unit’s staff – and shutting down several VR game studios, according to The Wall…
Japan's best-selling camera brands crowned: compact, mirrorless, DSLR, video, and action winners revealed
January 20, 2026
The BCN Award 2026 has been announced, revealing the best-selling camera brands in Japan’s digital camera and imaging market.
Based on nationwide retail sales data from January to December 2025, the award reflects actual purchase figures collected from 20 major electronics retailers, including Amazon, Bic Camera, and other leading chains across the country.
This year, Sony claimed the…
This is how this squirrel's soggy fur became one of the best wildlife photos of the year
January 20, 2026
We’ve all had that moment: fresh out of the shower, hair dripping everywhere, when the doorbell rings. Canadian photographer Christy Grinton saw a similar scenario play out in the animal kingdom when a mother grey squirrel, mid-nest relocation, peeked out from a…
Abbey Road's resident photographer on 12 years of persistence, silent shutters and the contest he never wanted to enter
January 20, 2026
As Abbey Road Studios’ photographer in residence, Sam Rockman spends his time shooting musicians in the world’s most famous recording studio. But his route to this hallowed role was neither direct nor speedy.
Abbey Road is where The Beatles recorded most of their…
I’ve spent countless hours here at Electrek doing detailed hands-on testing of hundreds of electric bikes. Through thousands of miles of riding, I’ve been fortunate to learn these e-bikes inside and out, top to bottom and front to back. That long-term experience with real-world e-bike testing has helped me find the best electric bicycles on the market for just about any budget.
Below are some…
