Disinformation Floods Social Media as Iran Conflict Sparks Viral Rumors
The Iran conflict has triggered a surge in online disinformation, including AI-generated imagery and unverified viral claims.
Micah Hanks
Micah Hanks is creator, co-founder, and Editor-in-Chief of The Debrief. He covers science, defense, and technology in his writing and podcasts, and you can find him at micahhanks.com and on X @MicahHanks.
Pentagon Reveals Dramatic Footage of U.S. Submarine Sinking Iranian Warship in Rare Torpedo Attack
Videos released by the Pentagon on Wednesday captured the moment a U.S. attack submarine sank an Iranian warship in international waters.
Operation Epic Fury: U.S. Forces Under Strain as Iran’s Missile Barrage Tests Regional Defenses
U.S.-Israeli war with Iran represents one of the most complex and sustained challenges the U.S. has seen in the Middle East in decades.
NASA Issues an Artemis Update, a Teleportation Breakthrough, and Tardigrades in Martian Soil
This week, as NASA announces massive changes to its Artemis program, quantum teleportation, tardigrades, and space science are also making the news.
Scientists Report New Quantum Teleportation Breakthrough, Toppling a Major Barrier to Practical Quantum Communication
Scientists report a quantum teleportation breakthrough that may have significant implications for advancing quantum communication technology.
60,000-Year-Old “Highly Unusual” Etchings Could Point to Humanity’s Earliest Use of Geometric Design
Evidence of early human use of geometric concepts in prehistoric art has surfaced in Africa, pointing to complex patterns in ancient etchings on ostrich eggshells.
Real-Time Night-Sky Surveillance: Millions of Nightly Signals from Space Expected as Rubin Observatory Comes Online
This week, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory issued its first real-time sky alerts, inaugurating a monitoring system set to transform how we study the universe.
The Fabled “Lost City of Almanzor” Has Eluded Scholars for a Thousand Years—Now This Archaeologist Says He’s Found It
A new archaeological discovery could settle the longstanding debate about the location of the near-mythical "lost city of Almanzor."
“We’ve Seen Them; We Know They Exist”: Scientists Confirm Elusive Electrical Phenomenon That Evaded Scientists for a Century
Scientists report the first field observation of a rare electrical phenomenon that has eluded scientific confirmation for nearly a century.
“We’ve Been Waiting for This”: James Webb Space Telescope Spots a Red “Supergiant” That Could Help Solve a Cosmic Cold Case
The James Webb Space Telescope spots evidence of a stellar explosion that could help solve the cosmic mystery of "missing red supergiants."
Did Archaeologists Uncover Evidence of a Neanderthal “Skull Cult” in This Ancient Spanish Cave?
Archaeologists in Spain have discovered an odd collection of animal bones that may point to evidence of an ancient Neanderthal "skull cult."
“We’ve Got Our People Working on It Right Now”: Defense Secretary Provides Update on Pentagon Disclosure of UFO Files
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says Pentagon officials are currently working to initiate the release of government files on UFOs.
Deciphering a Mysterious Roman Artifact, Antarctica’s ‘Gravity Hole,’ and UAP Disclosure Under Trump
This week in stories we're covering at The Debrief... previously undeciphered markings on a curious ancient Roman artifact have finally been decoded by researchers, and much more.
A Mysterious Roman Artifact Covered in Odd Markings Puzzled Researchers for More Than a Century—Now AI Has Cracked Its Ancient Code
A curious ancient Roman artifact has drawn renewed attention as researchers report finally solving the mystery of its undeciphered markings.
U.S. and Iran Edge Toward Crisis as Warships and Diplomacy Collide Amid Possible Weekend Strikes
This week, tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated as additional U.S. warships and aircraft deploy across the Middle East.
“That’s Not a Knife”: Pentagon Aims to Unleash ‘HASTE’ Rocket on Mission to Amplify U.S. Hypersonic Tech
A next-generation rocket will soon take flight as part of an ongoing effort to elevate U.S. development of hypersonic capabilities.
Hidden Human Senses, a “Sophisticated” Artifact Challenges Early Timelines, and a New Webb Telescope Discovery
This week, the discovery of "hidden" human senses, an ancient Egyptian artifact discovery that challenges existing timelines, and a Webb Telescope discovery are all in the news.
5,300-Year-Old Egyptian Artifact Confirms Existence of “Mechanically Sophisticated” Drilling Technology Before the Age of the Pharaohs
Researchers have identified the earliest known "mechanically sophisticated" drill found in association with ancient Egyptian archaeology.
“They’re Real, But I Haven’t Seen Them”: Former President Obama Issues Statement After “Alien” Remarks Go Viral
Comments by former President Barack Obama sparked debate online this Valentine’s Day weekend, after a podcast appearance where he said extraterrestrials were real.
Sudden El Paso Flight Restriction Raises Questions About U.S. Aerial Threat Detection
The unexpected closure of airspace above El Paso, Texas, this week abruptly ended on Wednesday, following a mysterious notice issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) just six hours earlier.
Scientists Report “High-Confidence Detections of Artificial Objects” on the Moon—Could They Solve a Cold War-era Mystery?
Researchers report the detection of "artificial objects" on the Moon that could help locate a long-lost Soviet spacecraft.
“This Isn’t Folklore; It’s Pharmacology”: Centuries-Old Traditional Medicine Could Be a Game-Changer for Hair Loss
Scientists say new research shows a centuries-old traditional Chinese herbal medicine could be a game-changer in fighting hair loss.
Pentagon Unveils New Reverse Engineering Effort to Leverage Legacy Technologies for Which “Data No Longer Exists”
The Pentagon has announced a new reverse-engineering initiative to prolong the use of obsolete defense technologies.
Levitation Defying Newton’s Laws, an Octopus-Inspired “Smart Skin,” and a Mysterious Structure Spotted on Venus
This week, science discoveries include a new type of levitating "time crystal," an octopus-inspired "smart skin," and a mysterious structure on Venus.
NASA Images Reveal Odd “Slithering” Impressions Across the Lunar Surface—This is Their Surprising Source
A bizarre-looking series of features on the Moon, captured in NASA imagery, appears to resemble the pathway of an enormous serpent slithering across the lunar surface.
Radar Data Has Revealed a Large “Structure” Beneath the Surface of Venus—Here’s What That Could Mean
A massive subsurface structure has been discovered on Venus, according to astronomers relying on radar data analysis.
These Remarkable New Levitating ‘Time Crystals’ Appear to Defy One of Newton’s Most Famous Laws
Researchers report the first observation of a new type of time crystal that seemingly defies Newton's Third Law of Motion.
Physicists Are Seeking a Mysterious Unseen Force That Science Can’t Explain—And These Detectors Could Finally Reveal It
Physicists are building detectors so sensitive that they may succeed in unraveling one of the greatest mysteries in modern physics: the true nature of dark matter.
12,000-Year-Old Discovery in an Oregon Cave Reveals First Evidence of a “Complex” Ancient American Technology
A 12,000-year-old discovery offers a rare look at the emergence of complex technologies employed by America’s early inhabitants.
Russia and Ukraine Hold High-Level Talks in Abu Dhabi as War Grinds On
This week, Russia and Ukraine engaged in U.S.-backed negotiations in Abu Dhabi aimed at ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.
Colossal Biosciences Announces World’s First “BioVault” in New Collaboration with UAE to Combat Extinction
The creation of the world's first "biovault" was announced this week, marking a new initiative that experts have likened to a “Noah’s Ark” for the preservation of genetic material from animal species.
Whistleblower Complaint Shakes Intelligence Community Amid Allegations of Wrongdoing
The United States intelligence community is reportedly on edge amid a recent whistleblower complaint, which reportedly alleges wrongdoing by Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard.
Solving the Consciousness Mystery, a Brazilian UAP Controversy, and a “Lost” Ancient Star Map Resurfaces
This week in stories we're tracking at The Debrief, consciousness mysteries, a Brazilian UFO controversy, the rediscovery of an ancient star map, and more are covered.
Hidden for Centuries, “Lost” Portions of a Mysterious Ancient Star Map Have Been Revealed Using X-Rays
SLAC National Accelerator Lab researchers have revealed hidden references to an ancient “star map” in a centuries-old document.
NASA’s Artemis II Mission Will Soon Carry Humans Deeper into Space Than Ever Before—Here Are Five Things You Need to Know
For the first time in more than half a century, NASA will soon be sending an intrepid crew of astronauts toward the Moon with the launch of the Artemis II mission.
Artemis II Nears Launch as NASA Prepares to Send Humans Around the Moon
This week, NASA enters the final stretch of preparations for Artemis II, the first crewed mission to circle the Moon in more than 50 years.
Strange Quantum Effects, Tracking Objects in the Atmosphere, and AI Mimicking the Human Brain
This week, quantum mechanics holds at the macroscopic scale, and scientists develop a novel method using shockwaves from sonic booms to track objects entering Earth's atmosphere.
Officials Are Investigating an Incident That Halted Operations at the World’s Largest Nuclear Plant
Operations at the world’s largest nuclear power plant have taken an unexpected turn, as the restart of Japan’s Kashiwazaki Kariwa-6 nuclear power station was suspended.
50,000-Year-Old Artifacts Unearthed at Controversial Archaeological Site Could Rewrite the Early Prehistory of the Americas
Discoveries at a controversial southeastern archaeological site could potentially push back the timelines for human arrival in the Americas.
Physicists Have Achieved Quantum “Alchemy” by Exciting Electrons to High-Energy States
Researchers have achieved quantum "alchemy" that allows them to alter the properties of materials using high-powered electrons.
A “Master Regulator” in the Brain, Unearthing a Major Archaeological Find, and How the Body Brews its Own Alcohol
This week in stories we're covering at The Debrief, scientists have identified a "master regulator" in the brain, and an ancient Roman factory is unearthed.
America Tests the Boundaries of Power in a Time of Crisis
This week, the United States finds itself grappling with escalating unrest, revealing a deeper shift in how emergency authority and national security are being applied domestically.
A Remarkable 7th-Century Anglo-Saxon Discovery Has Been Unearthed at a Nuclear Site in the UK
Excavations at a nuclear power site in the United Kingdom have revealed evidence of a "high-status" Anglo-Saxon burial.
U.S. Officials Claim They Have Been Testing a Mysterious Device Linked to ‘Havana Syndrome’
Pentagon officials have reportedly spent the last year testing a device linked to unusual health issues commonly known as “Havana Syndrome.”
Secret ‘Sonic Weapon’ Claims, a New Astronomical Mystery, and a 2000-Year-Old Toxic Surprise
This week in recent news from The Debrief, we look at claims of a secret U.S. sonic weapon, an astronomical mystery, and a toxic archaeological discovery.
2000-Year-Old Grave Reveals Mysterious Red Toxic Surprise, Confirming Once Unknown Ancient Burial Practice
The presence of a mysterious red substance has revealed a toxic discovery in a 2,000-year-old grave in southern Ukraine.
NASA Officials to Evacuate International Space Station After Mysterious “Medical Concern” Affects Crew-11 Astronaut
NASA plans to return several astronauts to Earth following a “medical concern” on board the International Space Station (ISS).
“A New Type of Astronomical Object”: Hubble Telescope Confirms First Detection of a “Relic” Unlike Anything Astronomers Have Seen
NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has spotted an object unlike any previously observed, revealing an unusual remnant of the cosmic past.
A Mysterious “Medical Concern” in Space Caused NASA to Cancel a Spacewalk—Here’s Everything We Know
NASA has postponed the first planned spacewalk of 2026 after a medical concern involving a crew member aboard the International Space Station.
Voynich Manuscript Breakthrough? The Secret Behind “The Most Mysterious Book in the World” May Involve an Ancient Cipher System
A new theory argues the famous Voynich Manuscript, often referred to as “the most mysterious book in the world,” may have served as an ancient cipher system.