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The universe could, in fact, be a giant doughnut, despite all of the evidence suggesting it’s as flat as a pancake, new research suggests. 

Strange patterns found in echoes of the Big Bang could be explained by a universe with a more complicated shape, and astronomers have not fully tested the universe’s flatness, the study finds.

Related: What shape is the universe? Flat surfaces

All observations so far suggest the universe is flat. In geometry, “flatness” refers to the behavior of parallel lines as they go out to infinity. Think of a tabletop: Lines that start out parallel will remain that way as they extend along the table length. 

In contrast, look at Earth. Lines of longitude begin perfectly parallel to each other at the equator but  eventually converge at the poles. The fact that parallel lines initially intersect reveals that Earth is not flat.RELATED STORIES—How big is the universe?

—8 ways life would get weird on a flat Earth

—The universe might be a giant loop

The same logic applies to the 3D universe. For instance, the cosmic microwave background (CMB) — light released when the cosmos was only 380,000 years old — now sits over 42 billion light-years away and features tiny fluctuations in temperature across the sky. Astronomers have calculated the predicted size of those fluctuations compared with observations. If their measured size differs from predictions, that means those rays of light, which started out parallel, changed directions over space-time, indicating that the geometry of the universe is curved.

But those same measurements have revealed that, ignoring small-scale deflections from galaxies and black holes, the overall geometry of the universe is flat.Different types of flat

But there’s more than one kind of flat. For example, draw parallel lines on a piece of paper. Then wrap one end of the paper to connect with the other, forming a cylinder. The lines remain parallel as they circle the cylinder. In the language of mathematics, any cylinder is geometrically flat but is said to have a different topology. Close up both sides of the paper, and you make a torus, or doughnut shape.

To get another example of a weirdly flat shape, wrap a thin strip of paper in a circle, but make a 180-degree twist in one end. The end result is a Möbius strip, which is still geometrically flat, because parallel lines stay parallel, even when they flip over each other.

Mathematicians have discovered 18 possible geometrically flat, 3D topologies. In each one, at least one dimension wraps up on itself, and sometimes, they flip over like a Möbius strip or make partial rotations. In such a twisty universe, if we looked far away, we would see a (maybe upside-down) copy of ourselves from a much younger age. For example, if the universe were 1 billion light-years across, astronomers would see a version of the Milky Way galaxy as it was 1 billion years ago and, behind that, another copy from 2 billion years ago, and so on.

If the universe were a giant doughnut, astronomers could look in two directions to see such copies.The universe’s shape

Astronomers have measured the topology of the universe in multiple ways, from looking for duplicates of patterns of galaxies to matching circles in the CMB. All evidence suggests the universe is both geometrically flat and has a simple unwrapped topology.

But a paper published Feb. 23 to the preprint database arXiv (opens in new tab) suggests that past measurements have been limited. Most notably, observations have assumed that the universe wraps around itself in only one dimension and does not have a more complicated topology. Also, observations of the CMB have revealed some strange, unexplained anomalies, like large patterns appearing where they shouldn’t.

In fact, a universe with a complicated topology could explain at least some of the anomalies in the CMB. While this isn’t an iron-clad case for complicated topologies, the researchers offered ideas for more sophisticated direct searches, like follow-up studies of the CMB.

In that case, there may be a mirror image of us somewhere in our twisty universe.

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Explained: The land Ukraine could be forced to give up – and will Russia have to concede anything?

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Explained: The land Ukraine could be forced to give up - and will Russia have to concede anything?

Any agreement between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin when they meet on Friday could leave Ukraine in an impossible position after three years of brutal, grinding war for survival.

There has been speculation the two leaders could agree a so-called ‘land for peace’ deal which could see Ukraine instructed to give up territory in exchange for an end to the fighting.

That would effectively be an annexation of sovereign Ukrainian territory by Russia by force.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday evening that Mr Putin wants the rest of Donetsk – and in effect the entire eastern Donbas region – as part of a ceasefire plan.

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Sky’s Michael Clarke explains in more detail what territories are under possible threat.

But the Ukrainian leader said Kyiv would reject the proposal and explained that such a move would deprive them of defensive lines and open the way for Moscow to conduct further offensives.

Russia currently occupies around 19% of Ukraine, including Crimea and the parts of the Donbas region it seized prior to the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

President Trump has said he hopes to get “prime territory” back for Ukraine, though it’s uncertain what President Putin would agree to.

More on Russia

In this story, Sky News speaks to experts about what the highly-anticipated meeting between the Russian and American presidents could mean for the battlefield.

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are set to meet in Alaska. Pic: Reuters
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Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are set to meet in Alaska. Pic: Reuters

A ceasefire along the frontline?

The range of outcomes for the Trump-Putin meeting is broad, with anything from no progress to a ceasefire possible.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, for instance, said this week that he has “many fears and a lot of hope” for what could come out of it.

Military analyst Michael Clarke told Sky News that the summit “certainly won’t create peace, but it might create a ceasefire in place if Putin decides to be flexible”.

“So far he hasn’t shown any flexibility at all,” he added.

A ceasefire along the frontline, with minimal withdrawals on both sides, would be “structurally changing” and an “astonishing outcome”, he said.

However he doubts this will happen. Mr Clarke said a favourable outcome could be the two sides agreeing to a ceasefire that would start in two weeks time (for instance) with threats of sanctions from the US if Russia or Ukraine breaks it.

Read more:
What Trump’s Putin gaffe reveals about upcoming meeting

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President Zelenskyy: ‘Path to peace must be determined together’

Will Ukraine be forced to give up territory to Russia?

While President Trump’s attitude to Ukrainian resistance appears possibly more favourable from his recent comments, it’s still possible that Kyiv could be asked to give up territory as part of any agreement with Russia.

Moscow has been focussed on four oblasts (regions) of Ukraine: Luhansk and Donetsk (the Donbas), Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.

President Putin’s forces control almost all of Luhansk, but about 30% of the others remain in Ukrainian hands and are fiercely contested.

“Russian rates of advance have picked up in the last month, but even though they are making ground, it would still take years (three or more) at current rates to capture all this territory,” Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the RUSI thinktank, told Sky News.

He says it “wouldn’t be surprising” if Russia tried to acquire the rest of the Donbas as part of negotiations – something that is “highly unattractive” for Ukraine that could leave them vulnerable in future.

This would include surrendering some of the ‘fortress belt’ – a network of four settlements including Kramatorsk and Sloviansk – that has held back Russian forces for 11 years.

Michael Clarke said this might well satisfy President Putin “for now”, but many believe that he would return for the rest of Ukraine – possibly after President Trump leaves office.

It’s unclear if President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could accept such a painful concession – or indeed, survive it politically – or if the wider Ukrainian public would support it in return for a pause in the fighting.

Would Russia have to return any territory to Ukraine?

The White House appears to have been briefing that it might, though the situation is very unclear.

Mr Savill added: “The Ukrainians might want to even up the situation in the north, by removing Russian incursions into Sumy and near Kharkiv, but of greater importance would be getting the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant back under Ukrainian control, given how much it would contribute to Ukrainian power needs.”

It’s also possible that Russia could be willing to withdraw from the areas of Kherson region that it controls.

It’s “plausible” they could get the power plant back, Mr Clarke said, but Russia would likely insist on maintaining access to Crimea by land.

This would mean that cities Mariupol and Melitopol – would remain in Russian hands, with all that that entails for the people living there.

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Anker SOLIX F2600 expanded bundle at new exclusive $1,799 low + PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh station $80, Segway ZT3 Pro $900, more

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Anker SOLIX F2600 expanded bundle at new exclusive ,799 low + PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh station , Segway ZT3 Pro 0, more

Today’s Green Deals are almost exclusively about solar power, except for our lone EV deal. Headlining this edition is the exclusive $1,700 savings we’ve secured for our readers on the Anker SOLIX F2600 Portable Power Station with an expansion battery at a new $1,799 low. There’s also Segway’s special promotion taking its ZT3 Pro Smart All-Terrain Electric Scooter down to its second-best price of $900, as well as Anker’s PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Power Bank Station down at $80. From there, we also have Anker’s SOLIX C300 DC 90,000mAh Portable Power Station returning to its lowest price and a special EcoFlow promotion dropping 220W and 400W solar panels (as well as multi-bundles) to their best prices to date. Plus, all the hangover savings are at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s first cash discount on Velotric’s new Breeze 1 Cruiser e-bike alongside bundled gear, Navee’s Back to School e-scooter sale, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Save an exclusive $1,700 on Anker’s SOLIX F2600 power station with an expansion battery at a new $1,799 low

We’ve secured an exclusive deal from Wellbots on the Anker SOLIX F2600 Portable Power Station with a BP2600 expansion battery for $1,798.56 shippedafter using the exclusive code 9TO5F2600 at checkout. You’d normally have to shell out $3,499 for this bundle at full price, which we’ve seen go as low as $2,399 in the past. You’re looking at a combined 49% markdown that cuts $1,700 off the tag in all, giving you the best price we have tracked on this expanded backup power solution.

A successor to the F2000 model, Anker’s SOLIX F2600 power station starts at an increased 2,560Wh LiFePO4 capacity that is then doubled thanks to the expansion battery inclusion to 5,120Wh. There are twelve output ports (including a TT-30 port for RV support) to connect devices and appliances, with the unit delivering up to 2,400W of continuous power that can surge as high as 2,800W – all within a convenient suitcase-like design complete with wheels for easier transport.

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The two main ways to recharge Anker’s SOLIX F2600 power station are either by utilizing its max 1,000W solar input that can have it back to 80% in around two hours, or you can activate its HyperFlash mode to charge to 80% via an AC outlet in one hour and 40 minutes. It comes rated for a 10-year lifespan of continuous use, so using it less often just means extended support for your backup needs, and offers the full array of remote smart controls through its companion app that you would expect.

man riding Segway ZT3 Pro electric scooter through mud puddle on dirt trail

Segway’s ZT3 Pro e-scooter brings Apple Find My and proximity locking to all-terrain adventures for $900

Following right alongside a similar deal we saw on Segway’s new F3 Electric KickScooter that is still going strong through August 17, the brand is offering a promotional discount on its ZT3 Pro Electric Scooter at $899.99 shipped through August 31, after using the code ZT3AUG100OFF at checkout, beating out Amazon pricing by $100. This model carries a $1,300 MSRP directly from the brand, but keeps down at $1,000 normally over at Amazon. We saw it hit a new $850 low last month during Prime Day, with the deal here being the next-best rate that matches its preorder launch deal from September for the first time. You’ll be saving $100 off the going rate ($400 off the MSRP), landing it just $50 above the one-time low.

If you want to learn more about this newer and smarter model, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

woman carrying Anker's PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh power station by handle towards car in front of lake

Tote Anker’s PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh station through the rest of summer and beyond for $80

By way of its official Amazon storefront, Anker is offering its popular PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Power Bank Station at $79.99 shipped in both colorways, which comes in $1 under the brand’s direct website pricing. You’d normally have to spend $150 for this model at full price, though discounts have been regularly keeping the costs down between $110 and $90 on average, with some falls lower to $80, like today, and one previous drop to the $75 low during Prime Day. Aside from that one-time appearance, you’re otherwise looking at the best price we have tracked, which gives you $70 off the going rate and lands it $8 under our previous mention from three weeks ago.

If you want to learn more about this popular portable charging solution, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

man and woman inside tent lit by Anker SOLIX C300 DC power station pop-up light

Anker’s SOLIX C300 power stations are portable 90,000mAh backup companions that start from $150

By way of its official Amazon storefront, Anker is offering its SOLIX C300 DC Portable Power Station at $149.99 shipped, matching the brand’s direct website pricing. You’d have to pay $250 for this unit at full price regularly, though discounts in 2025 have seen it go as low as $150, which was last seen in July’s Prime Day Sale event, with things otherwise seen repeating to $170 since June. You’re looking at another shot at the second best price we have tracked, giving you $100 off the going rate that is only beaten by the $140 low we last saw during Black Friday and Christmas sales.

If you want to learn more about this model, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

man setting up EcoFlow 220W solar panel next to power station in field in front of tent

Score up to 61% total savings on EcoFlow 220W and 400W solar panels and bundles at lowest prices starting from $254

As part of its current Home Backup Sale running through August 17, EcoFlow is offering an additional 15% off promotion on 220W and 400W solar panels (plus dual panel bundles). Things start at their lowest with the NextGen 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel at $254.15 shipped, after using the code ASOLAR15OFF at checkout for the extra savings, beating out Amazon’s pricing by $75. It’s already down from its full $649 price tag thanks to the sale, with the price having stayed above $300 with discounts until today. Not only has the brand dropped the initial pricing from $329 to $299, but the extra savings make the deal all the sweeter, cutting a total $395 off the going rate for a new all-time low price, alongside the other lows we’re seeing on the 220W bundle and 400W offers.

To learn more about these solar panels or to view the full lineup of solar panel deals, be sure to check out our original coverage of this promotion here.

Best Summer EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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Genesis may drop its most affordable model to trade up for SUVs and EVs

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Genesis may drop its most affordable model to trade up for SUVs and EVs

It’s only a matter of time before the Genesis G70 sedan will no longer be offered. Genesis is reportedly planning to kill off its most affordable model as it shifts its focus to SUVs and electric vehicles.

The most affordable Genesis model is on the way out

Starting at $42,500, the G70 is the most affordable Genesis vehicle offered. But that might not be the case for long.

According to a new Automotive News report, the Genesis G70 sedan will be retired after the 2027 model year. Although it was the luxury brand’s third-best-selling vehicle last year, Genesis is moving away from sedans, with more buyers opting for SUVs and EVs.

The report said that industry analysts don’t believe the G70 is on track for a second generation. And that’s not just the US, Genesis expected to kill off its most affordable model globally.

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Genesis has yet to confirm the news, but a company spokesperson said, “We have no plans to discontinue the G70 at this time.”

The keyword is “at this time.” The G70 underwent a major refresh for the 2022MY. Much like its newest models, Genesis fine-tuned the exterior design and added more luxury to the interior, featuring a larger infotainment system and new features.

Genesis-most-affordable-model
2025 Genesis G70 (Source: Genesis)

Genesis already dropped one model this year. Earlier this month, Genesis confirmed to Car and Driver that it will no longer sell the Electrified G80 in the US, its luxury electric sedan.

The electric G80 has already been pulled from its US website, leaving only the GV60 and Electrified GV70 as purely electric options.

Genesis-G80-EV
Genesis Electrified G80 updated model (Source: Hyundai)

Genesis said that “the customer is at the core of every decision we make, and we remain flexible as we adapt to ever-changing consumer needs and market conditions.”

If Genesis kills off the G70 sedan, it will leave the GV70 SUV as its most affordable model, with starting prices from $47,985.

Genesis-GV90-coach-doors
Genesis Neolun ultra-luxury electric SUV concept (Source: Genesis)

While Genesis is trimming sedans from its lineup, it’s planning to trade up for a new flagship electric SUV. The GV90 will be the production version of the Neolun concept (shown above) revealed last March.

Genesis is expected to introduce the GV90 next year as its new ultra-luxury SUV to rival the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Last month, we caught a sneak peek of it for the first time with Rolls-Royce-like coach doors.

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