NASA launches a new space telescope valued at about $6 billion to probe the “hidden universe,” targeting cosmic phenomena that are hard to detect with existing observatories. The mission expands astronomers’ ability to study obscured or faint regions of space and is intended to open a new window on how the universe works.

The new NASA telescope also begins a broader scientific mission that includes studying distant parts of the cosmos and searching for exoplanets orbiting other stars. By focusing on signals and environments that are difficult to observe directly, the spacecraft is designed to widen the range of worlds and astrophysical processes scientists can investigate.

Scientists reconstruct the face of a man linked to the era of the Norman Conquest, creating a lifelike image nearly 1,000 years after his death. Using his remains, researchers present “Conquest Man” as a tangible connection to a pivotal period in English history and show how modern forensic methods can illuminate the past.

In Vietnam’s Central Highlands, some coffee farmers are shifting part of their land to durian as Chinese demand for the fruit surges. Growers in Dak Lak and nearby areas say durian offers stronger earning potential than robusta coffee, and the region’s fertile volcanic soils and tropical climate support production of both crops.

Nepal begins temporary mass burials for unidentified and unclaimed flood victims as authorities try to manage the aftermath of a disaster that has killed around 734 people. Hundreds of bodies have been recovered, and with nearly 2,500 people still missing, officials are burying remains in ways meant to support later identification.

Tropical Storm Karina strengthens into a hurricane over the Pacific, though its center remains far out at sea and does not currently threaten land. Forecasters say the system could still generate hazardous swells, making coastal impacts possible even without a direct hit.