The so-called X-date, or the day the US government can no longer pay its bills, may be on an accelerated timeline because the federal government collected less money on Tax Day in April than it had anticipated.

Since the break up of Pangea that formed the world, we have been taught that there are seven oceans. But now, scientists believe a brand new ocean is currently forming as the continent of Africa is slowly beginning to split in half. Researchers have found two large parts of the land within Africa have begun to separate and it's believed a whole new ocean will form in the divide. Africa is the second-largest continent in the world, with a landmass of more than 30 million square kilometres, and is also the second-most populous. Many of its 54 countries are landlocked, however for some that could be about to change. Geologists believe countries such as Uganda and Zambia could come to have their own coastlines if the two land masses continue to separate. In the peer-reviewed journal, Geophysical Research Letters, experts have confirmed that the split in the African continent is creating a way for a new ocean to form. Sign up to our new free Indy100 weekly newsletter Scientists have identified the exact location where the continent first started to split, very deep underground. The crack first began to appear in 2005 in Ethopia’s deserts. The crack is known as the East African Rift and is 35 miles long. The start is positioned at the meeting point of three tectonic plates which have been gradually pulling apart from each other. Christopher Moore, a Ph.D. doctoral student at the University of Leeds, told NBC News: “This is the only place on Earth where you can study how continental rift becomes an oceanic rift.” Moore and other researchers have used satellite radar to monitor the volcanic activity in East Africa as this is associated with tectonic shifts. Despite being able to monitor movement, the split is a very gradual process, and scientists believe it will take another 5 to 10 million years for the new ocean to fully form. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

The U.S. Justice Department and Alphabet's Google on Thursday wrapped up the evidentiary phase of their legal fight

Barcelona are looking at a sensational loan with an option to buy for Neymar, as the Brazilian's fractious time at Paris Saint-Germain is coming to a close. The French club’s new manager Luis Enrique and football advisor Luis Campos have been working on a vision for the team that involves hard running and young players. And the Ligue 1 champions have told the 31-year-old he can leave six years after his world-record €222 million (£200m) transfer. Neymar's main preference is to return to Barcelona, and the club are investigating the possibility despite some internal debate. Although a primary issue is that they would likely need to offload a series of players to make Neymar’s return financially viable. This is also why an initial loan is being looked at, as PSG are looking to bring in around £60m (£51.8m) for Neymar. The Camp Nou executive feels that they can make it work due to his huge commercial profile. That is one reason he hasn't yet accepted a huge offer from the Saudi Pro League, since he wants to be in peak condition for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Neymar is said to be obsessed with becoming a star in America. As such, he wants to continue playing Champions League football until then. The negotiations may be smoothed over by the fact PSG are poised to sell Marco Verratti to Al Hilal for €50 million, with that deal going down to the final details. The Saudi Pro League may end up being Neymar's most viable destination, but he is intent on staying in the Champions League. The main issue is that Luis Enrique is now preparing a team without him. Read More First golf, now football? Saudi Arabia’s grand plan and the 72 hours that changed everything Saudi transfers reveal difference between Premier League and European rivals Neymar incident could see F1 clampdown on grid access

League of Legends Patch 13.1 Mythic Shop rotation including Prestige K/DA Ahri, Prestige Dragonmancer Volibear and more.

Teachers are leaving jobs in growing numbers, state reports show

Harry Styles dropped jaws across the globe after shaving his signature hairstyle and opting for a buzz cut. Rumours surfaced when low-quality photos surfaced online, but now, his lifestyle brand Pleasing has dropped an official first look at his new hair. "Our Founder, Harry Styles, toasts the launch of Pleasing Fragrance with friends in London. November, 2023," the post read, along with the photo of the 'Watermelon Sugar' singer perched on a sofa. The comments section opened up the floodgates to a wide range of opinions, with one describing it as an "opinion piece" in itself. "Can't lie he still looks so fine," one fan wrote, while another joked: "Can’t wait to defend this at Thanksgiving dinner." One person described Styles' new look as serving "Prison Break realness." Meanwhile, one Instagrammer asked: "Where was the trigger warning?" Others took the opportunity to mourn his famous locks, with one diehard "sobbing in curly hair." "Put this man in timeout," another humoured. It comes after a painting of Harry Styles by David Hockney was put on display at the National Portrait Gallery earlier this month. Hockney, most known for his contribution to the pop art movement of the 1960s, shows Styles wearing an orange and red striped cardigan and blue jeans paired with a pearl necklace. The exhibition showcases Hockney's expansive career with more than 30 new portraits, including Hockney’s mother, the late Laura Hockney and his friend, fashion designer Celia Birtwell. The David Hockney: Drawing From Life exhibition will run until January 21 2024. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

How much does it cost to attend the Belmont Stakes?

Tucker Carlson claims Fox News is run by 'fearful women' in a candid conversation with Dave Portnoy

Rookie infielder Liover Peguero had two hits in a six-run third inning and the Pittsburgh Pirates chased Spencer Strider early before holding off the Atlanta Braves for a rain-delayed 7-6 victory

Donald Trump’s Twitter timeline was a mixture of ridiculous and unhinged before being banned in 2021, most of it not worth revisiting. However, people are now returning to one tweet about Russell Brand from way back in 2014 following allegations against the comedian. Trump tweeted Katy Perry before he announced his run for president, asking what she saw in “loser” Brand. "Katy, what the hell were you thinking when you married loser Russell Brand," he wrote. “There is a guy who has got nothing going, a waste!" Brand and Perry were married for 14 months after tying the knot in 2010. Things ended when Brand sent Perry a text message just moments before she went on stage via text message. Discussing their relationship in 2013, Perry said: "He’s a very smart man, and I was in love with him when I married him. Let’s just say I haven’t heard from him since he texted me saying he was divorcing me December 31, 2011." Brand, 48, has been accused of rape, sexual assault, and abuse by four women. In a video uploaded to the comedian's social media platforms on Friday night (September 15) before the allegations were made public, Brand said he "absolutely refute[s]" the claims made towards him. He told viewers that all relationships he had were "absolutely always consensual." Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings

Manchester United have allowed goalkeeper Nathan Bishop to join Sunderland on a permanent transfer.