Mysterious Black Balls

Analysis reveals composition of mysterious black balls on beaches

An environmental agency says black balls that washed up on Sydney beaches aren't tar, but a "complex composition" of "mixed waste."

"Mysterious black balls" close 2 popular beaches in Australia

A local mayor says the balls littering two beaches in the Sydney area could be "tar balls," which form when spilled oil clumps together with debris in the water.

Mysterious black debris in Sydney was not tar balls but 'much more disgusting' waste

Weeks after sticky black balls washed up on the famed beaches of Sydney, Australia, scientists say they have partly solved the mystery behind the “disgusting” blobs.

Second Sydney beach closed as mystery deepens after hundreds of black balls wash ashore in Coogee

Coogee and Gordons Bay beachgoers warned not to touch the material, which could be ‘tar balls’ formed from oil spills or seepage at sea. Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates ...

World - The Guardian - October 16

Sydney reopens beaches after thousands of mysterious tar balls washed ashore

They were closed earlier this week after thousands of mysterious black tar-like balls washed ashore.

Sydney beaches shut over mysterious tar balls washing ashore

Sydney’s Bondi Beach and other beaches around the Australian city were shut on Thursday as officials investigated mysterious tar balls that have washed ashore.

Mysterious tar balls washing ashore force closure of seven beaches in Sydney including Bondi

Randwick council started closing its beaches, including Coogee, on Tuesday and neighbouring Waverley council followed suit on Thursday ‘out of precaution’. Follow our Australia news live blog for ...

World - The Guardian - October 17

Sydney beaches reopen after tar balls wash ashore but mystery remains over source

NSW Maritime executive director says balls appear to be made up of fatty acids, chemicals found in cleaning and cosmetic products, and fuel oil. Get our breaking news email , free app or daily ...

World - The Guardian - October 18

A Feathered Murder Mystery at 10,000 Feet

Scientists say they have observed one of the highest-altitude acts of bird predation ever recorded.

Science - The New York Times - October 23

The race to solve the mystery of 'ghost particles'

China is building a facility to measure neutrinos — mysterious subatomic particles. It's the first of three neutrino observatories expected to open worldwide in the next decade.

Nine monkeys die mysteriously at Hong Kong zoo

Zoo authorities in Hong Kong are investigating after nine monkeys of various species died of mysterious causes since Sunday.

How a "throuple" relationship ended in a Florida murder mystery

The suspects in Aileen Seiden's murder case — her romantic partners Zach Abell and Christina Aruajo — each claims the other is her killer.

Behind the Mysterious Downfall of China's Missing Foreign Minister

A three-part podcast series digs into why Qin Gang vanished from view in June 2023.

World - The Wall Street Journal - October 18

The brain collector: the scientist unravelling the mysteries of grey matter

Using cutting-edge methods, Alexandra Morton-Hayward is cracking the secrets of ancient brains – even as hers betrays her. Alexandra Morton-Hayward, a 35-year-old mortician turned molecular ...

World - The Guardian - October 22

A mysterious spate of bomb threats is crippling India's airlines

India vowed to punish those responsible for hoax bomb threats that have disrupted dozens of flights and caused airlines huge financial losses.

The Mysterious ‘Ketamine Queen’ at the Center of the Matthew Perry Case

One year after Mr. Perry’s death, Jasveen Sangha is in jail awaiting trial on charges that she sold him the ketamine that killed him.

Top stories - The New York Times - October 28

Away with the fairies: magic and mystery at a unique festival

There are no rules other than ‘be nice’ at the 3 Wishes Fairy Festival in Glastonbury. Elizabeth McCafferty, who thought she didn’t believe in fairies, found herself sprinkled with a little of the ...

World - The Guardian - 4 days ago

They Searched Through Hundreds of Bands to Solve an Online Mystery

After 17 years, a group of Redditors have identified “The Most Mysterious Song on the Internet.” It’s just the beginning.

Tech - Wired - Yesterday

How to counter a low-ball salary offer

A low-ball salary offer doesn’t have to mean a lost cause. Here’s how to counter a less-than-ideal offer and negotiate for a higher wage.

Business - CNBC - October 14

Sources: Lonzo Ball plans to return vs. Wolves

After missing two straight NBA seasons, Bulls guard Lonzo Ball is expected to make his return to basketball in Wednesday night's preseason home game against the Timberwolves, sources told ESPN.

Sports - ESPN - October 14

The Thrilling Life of a College Football Ball Boy

“Though we may not have a direct impact on the game, we can certainly mess it up,” a former student manager at Georgia said.

Sports - The New York Times - October 23

Yankees fan rips ball from fielder's glove

Los Angeles Dodgers fielder Mookie Betts has the ball ripped from his glove by a New York Yankees fan during game four of the World Series.

Overreactions on Victor Wembanyama, LaMelo Ball and more

Overreactions are part of watching the NBA. Here are four that fantasy managers and bettors can use.

Sports - ESPN - Yesterday

Sydney identifies 'disgusting' balls that shut beaches

The so-called tar balls were a combination of oil, human faeces and other substances, scientists say.

Trial set to open in Delphi double murder case that sparked a cellphone mystery

The deaths of Indiana teenagers Abigail “Abby” Williams and Liberty “Libby” German on a trail in early 2017 went without an arrest for more than five years.

Mysterious gooey blobs washed up on Canada beaches baffle experts

Residents and marine scientists unable to identify pale masses, as myriad theories are blown out of the water. They are slimy on the outside, firm and spongy on the inside and surprisingly ...

World - The Guardian - October 15

Bestselling novelist Ken Follett will probe the mysteries of Stonehenge in 'Circle of Days'

Ken Follett’s next historical epic will look back to the origins of Stonehenge, one of the world’s most famous and enigmatic destinations

Entertainment - ABC News - October 15

Al Roker's Sweet Potato Poon, a delicious dish with a side of mystery

When Al Roker thinks about his mother and food, a recipe for Sweet Potato Poon comes to mind

Entertainment - ABC News - October 15

‘Access to food is not the problem’: new orca study deepens mystery behind endangerment

True cause of why southern resident killer whales are on brink of extinction becomes murkier as conservationists warn of marine noise and ship traffic. Last month, the ailing southern resident ...

World - The Guardian - October 16

Mysterious white blobs washing up on Canadian beaches stump experts

White blobs of "a mystery substance" dotting beaches across Canada's far northeast Newfoundland and Labrador province spark an investigation.

Uncovering the mysterious side of art pricing. ‘Everyone’s trying to make money’

Galleries don't always display prices, making the art world mysterious, or possibly even "shady," according to some insiders.

Business - CNBC - October 17

Mystery blobs, maligned cities and that terrible Oasis sketch – take the Thursday quiz

Questions on general knowledge and topical trivia, plus a few jokes, every Thursday. How will you fare?. Last week’s 100 raccoons story arrived in what is considered “the witching hour” at the ...

World - The Guardian - October 17

This Mystery Shopping Company Just Became America’s Top Small Business

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce named mystery shopping and customer experience research platform Confero as the top small business of 2024.

Business - Inc. - October 17

Mysterious Switch Online Test Is Apparently An MMO, But Not Pokemon Or Animal Crossing

This is the internet, so it was inevitable that details would slip out about an upcoming Nintendo Switch Online playtest shrouded in secrecy . That's apparently happened before the event even goes ...

Tech - GameSpot - October 21

Latest in Mysterious Black Balls

Analysis reveals composition of mysterious black balls on beaches