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From today's featured article

Bowie in 1972 as Ziggy Stardust

"Life on Mars?" is a song by the English musician David Bowie (pictured), first released on his 1971 album Hunky Dory. Conceived as a parody of Frank Sinatra's "My Way", "Life on Mars?" was recorded in August 1971 at Trident Studios in London, and was co-produced by Bowie and Ken Scott. The track features piano by the keyboardist Rick Wakeman and a string arrangement by the guitarist Mick Ronson. "Life on Mars?" is primarily a glam rock ballad, with elements of cabaret and art rock. The lyrics are about a girl who goes to a cinema to escape reality, and include surreal images that reflect optimism and the effects of Hollywood. In June 1973, at the height of Bowie's fame as Ziggy Stardust, RCA Records issued "Life on Mars?" as a single in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number three. Bowie frequently performed "Life on Mars?" during his concerts, and the track has appeared on numerous compilation albums. Commentators generally consider "Life on Mars?" to be one of Bowie's finest songs. (Full article...)

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Did you know ...

Barracks at Beaune-la-Rolande internment camp, 1941

... that in 2013 a barrack from the Beaune-la-Rolande internment camp (pictured) was discovered in a private garden, still bearing detainees' graffiti from 1942?
... that a giant mask was added to the El Colotero sculpture in 2020 to raise awareness of COVID-19?
... that the New York City Police Department was deceived into guarding a nearly vacant house?
... that a graduation song was used as the departure melody of a train station in Japan?
... that the first video game developed in independent Ukraine, Admiral Sea Battles, was released in 1996?
... that Nancy Van Laan said she came up with Rainbow Crow after coming across a Lenape corn planting ceremony?
... that philanthropist Dorothy Spotswood watered the concrete foundation for a new children's hospital?
... that Olympian Adolf Schreiber was awarded a plate by Prince Franz Joseph II?
... that animal penis is eaten around the world as an aphrodisiac?

In the news

Tô Lâm

Vietnam's communist party congress re-elects Tô Lâm (pictured) as general secretary, the most powerful position in the one-party state.
Iliana Iotova becomes the first female president of Bulgaria following the resignation of Rumen Radev.
The United States leaves the World Health Organization.
Italian fashion designer Valentino, founder of his eponymous fashion house, dies at the age of 93.

On this day

January 30: Martyrs' Day in India (1948)

Mahatma Gandhi

1661 – Two years after his death, Oliver Cromwell's remains were exhumed for a posthumous execution and his head was placed on a spike above Westminster Hall in London, where it remained until 1685.
1948 – Mahatma Gandhi (pictured), the political and spiritual leader of India and the Indian independence movement, was fatally shot by Nathuram Godse at Birla House in Delhi.
1968 – Vietnam War: Forces of the Viet Cong and the Vietnamese People's Army launched the Tet Offensive to strike military and civilian command and control centers throughout South Vietnam.
1979 – Varig Flight 967 disappeared shortly after takeoff from Tokyo's Narita International Airport en route to Rio de Janeiro.
2013 – The Korea Aerospace Research Institute launched Naro-1, South Korea's first carrier rocket and their first launch vehicle to achieve Earth orbit.

Everard Digby (d. 1606)
Angela of the Cross (b. 1846)
Rudolf Caracciola (b. 1901)
John Bardeen (d. 1991)

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From today's featured list

Tyla

The discography of Tyla, a South African singer, consists of one studio album, two extended plays (EPs), twenty-three singles, and twenty-two music videos, as of 2026. Her debut studio album, Tyla, was released on 22 March 2024 and debuted at number 24 on the US Billboard 200. It was led by the global hit "Water", which became the first song by a South African solo artist to enter the US Billboard Hot 100 in 66 years, peaking at number 7 and achieving multi-platinum status in several countries. Further singles included "Truth or Dare", "Art", and "Jump". A deluxe edition followed on 11 October 2024, spawning the single "Push 2 Start". In 2025, Tyla released the EP WWP on 25 July, preceded by the singles "Bliss" and "Is It", the latter giving her her biggest Spotify debut to date. She contributed "Everything Goes with Blue" to the soundtrack of Smurfs, as well as to "Show Me Love". As a featured artist, Tyla appeared on Cardi B's "Nice Guy", and Lisa's "When I'm with You". American rapper Yung Miami accused Tyla of stealing "Chanel" prior to its release. (Full list...)

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Today's featured video

A time-lapse video of the aurora australis, as seen from the International Space Station. Aurorae are natural light displays in the sky caused by the collision of energetic charged particles with atoms in the high altitude thermosphere. The particles originate in the magnetosphere and solar wind and, on Earth, are directed by Earth's magnetic field into the atmosphere.

Video credit: NASA / ISS Expedition 28 crew

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