Researchers look a dinosaur in its remarkably preserved face

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3 years ago

January 26, 2023

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Lost and found at sea — Researchers look a dinosaur in its remarkably preserved face Washed out to sea, a giant beast and its armored skin were left in pristine condition.

Jeanne Timmons – Jan 25, 2023 12:30 pm UTC EnlargeRoyal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology reader comments 59 with 0 posters participating Share this story Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Reddit

Borealopelta markmitchelli found its way back into the sunlight in 2017, millions of years after it had died. This armored dinosaur is so magnificently preserved that we can see what it looked like in life. Almost the entire animalthe skin, the armor that coats its skin, the spikes along its side, most of its body and feet, even its facesurvived fossilization. It is, according to Dr. Donald Henderson, curator of dinosaurs at the Royal Tyrrell Museum, a one-in-a-billion find.

Beyond its remarkable preservation, this dinosaur is an important key to understanding aspects of Early Cretaceous ecology, and it shows how this species may have lived within its environment. Since its remains were discovered, scientists have studied its anatomy, its armor, and even what it ate in its last days, uncovering new and unexpected insight into an animal that went extinct approximately 100 million years ago. Down by the sea

Borealopelta is a nodosaur, a type of four-legged ankylosaur with a straight tail rather than a tail club. Its finding in 2011 in an ancient marine environment was a surprise, as the animal was terrestrial.

A land-based megaherbivore preserved in an ancient seabed is not as uncommon as one might think. A number of other ankylosaurs have been preserved in this manner, albeit not as well as Borealopelta. Scientists suspect its carcass may have been carried from a river to the sea in a flooding event; it may have bobbed at the surface upside-down for a few days before sinking into the ocean depths.

It would have been kept at the surface by whats referred to as “bloat-and-float,” as the buildup of postmortem gasses would keep it buoyant. Modeling done by Henderson indicates its heavy armor would have rolled it onto its back, a position he suspects may have prevented ocean predators from scavenging its carcass. Advertisement

Once the gasses that kept it floating were expelled, Borealopelta sank to the ocean floor, landing on its back. What’s a nodosaur?
Dr. Caleb Brown at the Royal Tyrrell Museum explains the somewhat confusing designation as follows: There are two families of armored dinosaurs: Ankylosauridae (those with tail clubs) and Nodosauridae (those with shoulder spines and no tail clubs).The group that includes both of these families is called the Ankylosauria. While the term nodosaur generally means an animal with the family Nodosauridae, the term ankylosaur could mean two different things: 1) an animal from the family Ankylosauridae (which would exclude Nodosauridae), or 2) the group Ankylosauria (which includes Nodosauridae).

It is correct to call Borealopelta an ankylosaur (which would mean Ankylosauria) or a nodosaur (which would mean Nodosauridae). You just cant call it an Ankylosaurid, Ankylosaurine, or Ankylosauridae (as these have specific meanings).

We can see it went in water deeper than 50 meters because it was preserved with a particular mineral called glauconite, which is a green phosphate mineral. And it only forms in cooler temperatures in water deeper than 50 meters, explained Dr. Henderson.

He also told Ars that this environment probably also discouraged scavenging, saying, It was probably a region where [long-necked] plesiosaurs and big fish didnt like to go. It was too cold and too dark, and [there was] nothing to eat. And there were very few trace fossils in the sediments around it. So there wasnt much in the way of worms and crustaceans and bivalves and things in there to further digest it. It was just a nice set of conditions in the seabed that had very low biological activity that led to that preservation. Unmet expectations

But none of this was known when the animal was discovered. Although it’s not entirely unusual to find dinosaur remains in marine environments, its also not very common. Henderson and Darren Tanke, also from the Royal Tyrrell Museum, walked onto the site fully anticipating that they would excavate an ancient marine reptile.

The two had consulted on fossil discoveries at other open-pit mines within the province. However, this was their first visit to Suncor, a mine in the northeast of Alberta, Canada. Everything about this mine is enormous. Massive machinery is constantly in motion, scooping out rock, sand, and gravel from surrounding cliffs, while other equipment clears it away, all with the goal of uncovering the deeper oil sands for fuel.

Its just unbelievable, the scale of the place, Dr. Henderson said. And it goes 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Despite the pace of operations, one particular shovel operator, Shawn Funk, happened to notice something after taking a big chunk out of the cliff. It was thanks to him and several people within Suncor that operations stopped in that area and the Royal Tyrrell was notified. Page: 1 2 3 4 Next → reader comments 59 with 0 posters participating Share this story Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Reddit Advertisement Channel Ars Technica ← Previous story Next story → Related Stories Today on Ars

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Police watchdog closes investigations over decision to charge Caroline Flack

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2 hours ago

August 21, 2025

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Police watchdog closes investigations over decision to charge Caroline Flack

The police watchdog has closed its investigations into the circumstances leading up to the decision to charge TV presenter Caroline Flack with assaulting her boyfriend.

Flack died in February 2020, with a coroner ruling that she took her own life after discovering she was definitely going to face a trial.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) initially recommended a caution after the alleged assault in December 2019 – but London’s Metropolitan Police appealed and the Love Island host was charged with assault by beating.

Various reviews into the way the case was handled have been carried out by the CPS, the Met, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) since Flack’s death. In April 2024, the star’s mother told Sky News she believes her daughter’s celebrity status likely contributed towards the decision to charge her.

It has now emerged that the IOPC closed its latest investigation, relating to the actions of officers in appealing to the CPS, in January 2025 – finding the outcome was “reasonable and proportionate”.

An IOPC spokesperson said it received a complaint referral from the Met, which contained “a number of allegations about the force’s investigation” into the alleged assault, in March 2024.

The majority of the allegations had already been investigated by the force and reviewed by the IOPC, the watchdog said, so it found no further action was required. However, the Met was directed to investigate one aspect of the complaint “on the basis there may be new witness evidence available”.

This related to the actions of officers in appealing the initial CPS decision, and five allegations were returned to the force’s Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) to “resolve in a proportionate manner”, the IOPC spokesperson told Sky News.

In June 2024, the Met found there was “no new evidence that would alter any previous outcomes”, the spokesperson added, and the complainant asked the IOPC to review once again.

“Following that review, in January 2025 we found that outcome to be reasonable and proportionate.”

A Met Police spokesperson said DPS officers made further enquiries and examined the evidence last year. “It did not change the original outcome that the service provided by officers was acceptable,” the spokesperson said.

“The family were advised of the outcome in June [2024] and then appealed that outcome to the IOPC. The IOPC carried out a review and, in January 2025, found no new evidence that would alter any of the previous outcomes.”

Both the Met and the IOPC have closed their investigations. The IOPC said another review could be considered in light of any new evidence.

At the end of Flack’s inquest, coroner Mary Hassell said the alleged assault had “played out in the national press” following her arrest and had a serious impact on her mental health.

In April 2024, her mother Christine Flack told Sky News: “This wasn’t domestic violence. This was an accident. But she was portrayed in the court and in the newspapers as a domestic abuser, and that’s what hurts. That’s what I want got rid of – because she wasn’t.”

She said she believed her daughter was treated differently due to her celebrity status. “And that’s not on. She shouldn’t be treated better, but she shouldn’t be treated worse.”

This was not the first investigation into the handling of Flack’s case, with the Met initially referring itself to the watchdog just a few days after her death.

The DPS found there was no misconduct, prompting another complaint from Flack’s family to the IOPC.

In 2023, the IOPC ordered the force to apologise for not recording its reason for appealing against the caution, but said it had not identified any misconduct.

In the days after the TV presenter’s death, the CPS also reviewed its handling of the case.

Flack’s boyfriend, Lewis Burton, had said he did not support the prosecution, and following her death her management released a statement criticising the decision.

At the time, a CPS spokesperson said it was normal practice for prosecutors to hold a debriefing after complex or sensitive cases have ended.

“This has taken place and found that the case was handled appropriately and in line with our published legal guidance,” they said.

Flack, 40, presented shows including spin-offs I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! NOW! and The Xtra Factor, as well as one season of the main X Factor show with former contestant Olly Murs, before becoming best known as the host of Love Island. She also won Strictly Come Dancing in 2014.

Sky News has contacted Flack’s family for comment.

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK

Entertainment

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs judge urged by prosecutors to reject request for acquittal or retrial

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2 hours ago

August 21, 2025

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Sean 'Diddy' Combs judge urged by prosecutors to reject request for acquittal or retrial

Prosecutors in the Sean “Diddy” Combs case have urged the judge to reject a request by the hip-hop mogul for acquittal or retrial on prostitution-related charges.

Lawyers for Combs filed the request after he was found guilty of two counts of transportation for engagement in prostitution – for flying girlfriends and male sex workers around the US and abroad for sexual encounters referred to as “freak offs” – at the end of his high-profile trial in New York.

He was cleared of more serious charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex-trafficking. The trial would have been “totally different” if these charges had not been included, his defence team argued, saying they lacked credibility.

Now, prosecutors have responded to the request for the conviction to be thrown out, or for a retrial, saying in a court document that there was “ample evidence” presented during the trial that supported the jury’s convictions.

“[Combs] masterminded every aspect of freak offs,” the document says. “He transported escorts across state lines to engage in freak offs for pay. He directed the sexual activity of escorts… for his own sexual gratification. And he personally engaged in sexual activity during freak offs.”

The two transportation for prostitution charges Combs was convicted of fall under America’s Mann Act, which prohibits interstate commerce related to prostitution.

The rapper’s lawyers have argued that, to their knowledge, he is “the only person” ever convicted of these charges for the conduct he was accused of in court.

“The men chose to travel and engage in the activity voluntarily,” the defence team said in their submission to the judge for acquittal. “The verdict confirms the women were not vulnerable or exploited or trafficked or sexually assaulted during the freak offs or hotel nights.”

In their response, prosecutors said “evidence of the defendant’s guilt on the Mann Act counts was overwhelming”.

Combs, one of the most influential hip-hop producers of all time, is due to be sentenced in October. Each charge carries a potential jail sentence of 10 years.

He would have been facing a mandatory 15 years – and up to life – in prison had he been convicted of the charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, of which he was exonerated.

Combs fell to his knees when the verdicts were read out, and his team later hailed it a “victory”.

The rapper has already served nearly a year at a federal jail in Brooklyn, where he has been since his arrest in September 2024.

He has been in contact with Donald Trump about a pardon, a source close to the rapper’s legal team told Sky News’ US partner network NBC News earlier this month, but the president has cast doubt on this actually happening.

Combs has been denied bail despite arguments by his lawyers that he should face little to no additional jail time for his convictions.

Judge Arun Subramanian, who heard the trial, said Combs has not met the burden of showing by clear and convincing evidence a “lack of danger to any person or the community”.

Entertainment

Vienna chosen to host Eurovision Song Contest 2026

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2 hours ago

August 21, 2025

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Vienna chosen to host Eurovision Song Contest 2026

Vienna has been chosen to host the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest.

The capital was selected as Austria’s host city following its Eurovision victory in 2025, where artist JJ won with his song Wasted Love in Basel, Switzerland.

The decision followed a bidding process in which officials evaluated different facilities and their capacity to host delegations, fans, and media.

It will be the third time Vienna has hosted the contest, putting it in joint fourth place among the song contest’s most frequent hosts – alongside Copenhagen, Malmo, and Stockholm.

Only Dublin, London and Luxembourg City have hosted more of the events.

The 70th Eurovision final will take place at Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle arena on 16 May.

Austrian broadcaster ORF will host the event.

The director of the Eurovision Song Contest, Martin Green, said: “The EBU (European Broadcasting Union) is thrilled that Vienna has been selected as the host city for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.

“Vienna’s reputation as one of the most musical cities in the world, and its location in the heart of Europe, makes it the perfect host city for the 70th Eurovision Song Contest.”

Mr Green said the city’s “exceptional” Stadthalle was a great venue for the 60th contest in 2015, and organisers are looking forward to welcoming delegations, artists, and fans next May, “as the world’s largest live music event celebrates 70 glorious years of being united by music”.

“Together with host broadcaster ORF and the city of Vienna we will create a spectacular celebration of music that will reverberate across the world.”

Vienna’s City Hall will host the event’s opening ceremony on 10 May, as well as EuroClub, the contest’s pop-up, nightlife spot.

The square outside City Hall will serve as the Eurovision Village, an open-air screening area for the public.

The mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig, said: “In Vienna, we can be proud that our city has been selected by the EBU and ORF as the most suitable host city for one of the world’s largest events.

“We placed great emphasis on offering numerous Eurovision Song Contest events in public spaces that can be visited free of charge.

“As the mayor of Vienna, it is very important to me that cultural events are accessible to everyone, regardless of the size of their wallet.”

Further details, including information about tickets, will be released later this year.

At the 2025 Eurovision final, Israeli singer Yuval Raphael finished in second place after her team reported that she was left “shaken and upset” when pro-Palestinian protesters surged toward a barrier during her performance.

In response to the incident, Swiss police confirmed that two individuals were detained and subsequently released. The event organizer, Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR, said that a crew member was struck with paint but was unharmed.