Rainfall creates crimson spectacle at beach on Iran’s Hormuz Island

Streams of soil turn sand and surrounding water red, creating sharp contrast with blue waters of Persian Gulf

The Happiest Man in Music

Zane Lowe has made a career out of relentless positivity. Is there anything he doesn’t like?

Washington's homeless hide in plain sight, growing sicker and costing taxpayers more

December 18, 2025 / 5:00 AM EST / KFF Health News

Why west Cornwall is the perfect place to mark the winter solstice

With ancient standing stones and modern midwinter festivals, the West Penwith peninsula is a land of magic and mystery

Thursday news quiz: AI mishaps, fan fury and a tiny baby hippo

Test yourself on topical news trivia, pop culture and general knowledge every Thursday. How will you fare?

‘Oh how we will miss this man’: Meg Ryan posts emotional tribute to Rob Reiner

Actor remembers late director of When Harry Met Sally and hopes something positive will come from ‘impossible tragedy’

Today’s Atlantic Trivia: Titian? Tiepolo? Almost …

Test your knowledge—and read our latest stories for a little extra help.

Photos: Krampus—Saint Nick’s Dark Companion

Yuletide parades across Europe for the demonlike creature who playfully frightens onlookers, looking for naughty children to punish—or to drag back to his lair in a sack

MIT professor's killing remains a mystery as police launch homicide investigation

December 17, 2025 / 10:20 AM EST / CBS/AP

Release of Rob Reiner’s final film delayed

A concert film follow-up to this year’s Spinal Tap II: The End Continues had been scheduled for release in 2026 but has now been put on hold

Bog Queen by Anna North review

This story of a teenage druid whose body is discovered in a peat bog has memorable moments – but its evocation of time and place is unconvincing

A moment that changed me: a pigeon fell out of the sky

I had no idea what to do with the injured bird I named Belinda. But suddenly 3,000 Mancunians were happy to help, giving me a whole new appreciation of my home town