NEW YORK (AP) — Scientists have found the oldest known evidence of the plague, which sparked deadly outbreaks dating back about 5,500 years ago — some 200 years earlier than previously thought.
The disease has sickened humans for thousands of years and wiped out a significant chunk of Europe’s population in the 14th century during what’s known as the Black Death.
Though rare, the plague is still around today and is treated with antibiotics.
This 2019 image from Angela Lieverse shows the skull of an adult woman who was infected with the plague and was buried in Siberia. Angela Lieverse via AP
“To understand our own history, we believe that understanding the history of plague is extremely important,” said study co-author Eske Willerslev, an evolutionary geneticist with the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.
Willerslev and other researchers looked for traces of plague-causing bacteria in remains from four cemeteries near Siberia’s Lake Baikal. They found remnants of plague DNA in teeth from 18 ancient hunter-gatherers.
Dating the carbon in the bones revealed that the plague triggered two outbreaks, with the first cases detected around 5,500 years ago.
The team found that the prehistoric plague developed in stages and infected several small families. It likely spread from marmots — large native rodents — when people ate their raw organs or touched infected hides during butchery.
The disease also traveled between people through coughing and sneezing, the authors said.
Many of those who died were young children aged eight to eleven. Three young girls were buried side by side, two of whom were likely cousins.
This 2006 image from Angela Lieverse shows the skull of a young girl who was buried with victims of the plague in Siberia. Angela Lieverse via AP
An aunt and nephew were found together, but her niece was in a different shared grave, according to the study published Wednesday in the journal Nature.
“People were around to bury the dead who knew who these people were when they were alive. And that’s a really human element to all of the scientific work,” said study co-author Ruairidh Macleod, who studies ancient DNA at the University of Oxford.
Kids may have been at greater risk because their immune systems weren’t as strong, researchers said.
Start your day with all you need to know
Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.
Thanks for signing up!
The presence of multiple victims suggests that the prehistoric plague was capable of causing both individual cases and outbreaks, said geneticist Aida Andrades Valtueña with the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. She had no role in the study.
Researchers found that this type of ancient plague evolved long before bubonic plague, which was responsible for the Black Death that struck medieval Europe.
But there’s evidence that earlier plagues were just as deadly. The disease decimated not only crowded cities, but also small, nomadic hunter-gatherer groups.
Knowing this can help us “understand the steps that the bacterium took to become the deadly pathogen we know today, and that can provide clues on how pathogens may emerge in the future,” Andrades Valtueña said in an email.
It didn’t take long for Knicks fans to get an early surprise in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Spurs.
As guard Josh Hart’s name was announced, cameras caught the 31-year-old taking a quick sniff from a small black tube before jogging onto the court.
The moment immediately set social media buzzing, with viewers speculating Hart had just taken a hit of smelling salts — and he wouldn’t be the only one.
The Knicks’ Josh Hart was spotted inhaling what appeared to be smelling sats during Game 3 of the NBA finals. ABC
The pungent inhalants have become a familiar pregame ritual across American sports and around the world, with athletes swearing by them as a quick way to achieve a mental edge.
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini and Knicks forward Karl-Anthony Towns have all been caught on camera taking a whiff of what appears to be smelling salts during games (though they haven’t confirmed that’s what they’re using).
The habit has deep roots in football, powerlifting and hockey, but experts say that they are increasingly being spotted in the hands of soccer players.
Premier League stars like Everton’s Richarlison and Mason Holgate have been spotted inhaling the powder in the tunnel before kickoff, while rumors swirled that US national team defender Walker Zimmerman did the same during a 2022 showdown with Mexico.
The trend has even reached soccer’s biggest stage. After Russia’s surprise run to the 2018 World Cup quarterfinals, the team’s doctor was left answering questions about his players’ use of the substances.
With the next World Cup underway, a number of players set to take the field — including England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford — have been seen using smelling salts in the past.
So what exactly are these inhalants, and why do they stir debate? The Post spoke with three experts to find out.
Smelling salts are ammonia-based inhalants used by many athletes to provide a quick boost of energy and mental clarity. San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
What are smelling salts?
They’re over-the-counter inhalants made from a mixture of ammonia and other chemicals that deliver a powerful, nose-burning jolt.
The most common version comes in a small dark plastic bottle filled with a white powder that’s opened and sniffed. They also come in crushable capsules or pre-moistened towelettes that can be snapped and waved under the nose.
“When inhaled, the ammonia gas irritates the nasal passages and respiratory system, triggering an involuntary inhalation reflex,” Dr. Mark Kovacs, a performance physiologist and former senior director of sport science and health for the Cleveland Cavaliers, told The Post.
Knicks forward Karl-Anthony Towns has been spotted using what looks like smelling salts during games. Getty Images
“This creates a very short-term increase in breathing rate, alertness and sympathetic nervous system activation.”
That sudden rush of alertness is what makes smelling salts popular among athletes today. But long before becoming a fixture in locker rooms, smelling salts were used as a medical tool.
“They were initially developed for patients who had fainted, to wake them up,” said Dr. Spencer Stein, orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at NYU Langone.
“But they’re falling out of favor. We’re not really using them in medicine anymore, there are other ways to do that.”
Linebacker Bryce Huff of the New York Jets was pictured using smelling salts. Getty Images
Why do athletes use smelling salts?
“When athletes use smelling salts before competition, they are usually looking for a rapid increase in alertness, arousal, aggression or perceived readiness,” Kovacs said.
“The appeal is that the effect feels immediate,” he explained. “In sports such as football or powerlifting, where a single explosive effort may matter, athletes may believe it helps them feel more locked in.”
What does the science say about them?
“There is little to no evidence that smelling salts offer any performance advantage,” said Dr. Tony Wanich, a sports medicine surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery.
The only proven benefit, he noted, is psychological.
“The momentary increase in alertness and focus is short lived, but does often provide athletes with the sense of being better prepared mentally for competition,” Wanich said.
“Athletes have this perception of increased performance after the use of the smelling salts without any objective data of actual improved performance.”
San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini is among the hockey players who have been seen possibly using smelling salts. NHLI via Getty Images
Are smelling salts dangerous?
While smelling salts may seem harmless, experts say there are legitimate risks.
“Oftentimes, when a player has sustained a concussion and feels dazed, the use of smelling salts can mask these symptoms and make them appear more alert than they really are,” Wanich said. “The risk of a secondary head injury in this situation can be catastrophic.”
There’s also the body’s immediate physical reaction to consider. When inhaled, smelling salts trigger an involuntary reflex that can cause the head and neck to jerk backward suddenly.
“If somebody has a spinal injury and it’s given to them, I can see that being an issue,” Stein said.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who has been seen using smelling salts in the past, is set to play in the 2026 World Cup. 33 Javier Garcia / Shutterstock
Repeated use may pose additional problems. “There seems to be tolerance component to it, so people that use it need a lot more over time,” Stein said. “If you use it too much, you can get burns of the nasal passage and the airway and even the lungs.”
For athletes with asthma, that irritation can be especially problematic. There have also been reports of allergic reactions linked to smelling salts.
In 2024, the FDA warned consumers against using inhalants marketed to boost alertness or energy, citing reports of shortness of breath, seizures, migraines, vomiting, diarrhea and fainting.
Last year, the NFL banned teams from providing smelling salts to players, citing both the FDA warning and concussion concerns.
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey holds a packet of smelling salts. San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
Will we see smelling salts at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
“Smelling salts are much more embedded in American football, hockey and powerlifting than in soccer,” Kovacs said.
That’s largely because the demands of the sport are different.
“A match requires repeated sprinting, decision-making, technical skill, aerobic fitness, tactical awareness, and emotional control over 90-plus minutes,” Kovacs said. “A brief jolt of arousal is not the same as improved performance.”
Still, smelling salts appear to be gaining traction in the world’s most popular sport.
Hockey player Tyrel Bauer of the Manitoba Moose is seen with a salt packet. Getty Images
“We are seeing their increased use in soccer, particularly internationally,” Wanich said. “For many players, it has become a part of their pregame ritual to get them mentally prepared for the match.”
If they appear at this summer’s tournament, Stein said he wouldn’t be surprised. “They’re really popular, any locker room I’ve been in, they’re around,” he said.
But Kovacs said players have betterm, healthier options:“I would rather see that athlete optimize the controllables that actually improve performance: sleep, nutrition, hydration, caffeine strategy if appropriate, breathing routines, warm-up structure, neuromuscular activation, and mental preparation.”
If an athlete feels they need smelling salts to get ready, Kovacs said it’s usually a sign the their preparation routine needs refining — not that more stimulation is the answer.
“In soccer, calm intensity is usually more valuable than uncontrolled arousal,” he said.
A woman was swept off the rocks at a notorious Hawaii surf spot before a quick-thinking bystander rushed in to help pull her from the churning water, dramatic video shows.
The frightening scene unfolded June 15 at China Walls on Oahu, where a larger set of waves came through the rocky shoreline around 6:13 p.m., according to footage shared by HHHNewz.
The incident happened at the notorious China Walls on Oahu’s South Shore. Instagram/@autumn.lehuaA large set of waves came in and swept the woman down the rocks. Instagram/@autumn.lehuaIt happened around 6:13 p.m. Instagram/@autumn.lehua
The video shows waves crashing over the lava-rock ledge before the woman is knocked down and swept toward the water.
The person who sent in the clip told HHHNewz they didn’t even realize the woman had been carried away until reviewing the footage later — and said their dad went down to help rescue her.
The clip captures the rescuer moving toward the rough water as waves continue surging over the rocks, before helping save the woman out of danger before the situation turned even worse.
Surfer Magazine reported the woman had been swept into the impact zone at China Walls, a famously scenic but dangerous stretch of coastline known for its powerful waves and unforgiving rock ledges.
The video shows waves crashing over the lava-rock ledge before the woman is knocked down and swept toward the water. Instagram/@autumn.lehuaThe clip captures the rescuer moving toward the rough water as waves continue surging over the rocks. Instagram/@autumn.lehuaEven on days that appear calm, a single larger wave can knock people off balance, drag them across the rocks or pull them into the water. Instagram/@autumn.lehua
The surf spot, located on Oahu’s South Shore, has long drawn surfers, swimmers and cliff-jumpers — but conditions can change quickly as waves crash against the rocks and rush back out toward the ocean.
Even on days that appear calm, a single larger wave can knock people off balance, drag them across the rocks or pull them into the water.
Professional surfer Jamie O’Brien has previously described China Walls as the “most dangerous surf spot on the South Shore,” according to the magazine.
HHHNewz said the incident should serve as another warning for beachgoers and visitors not to turn their backs on the ocean — especially near rocky shoreline areas where waves can surge without warning.
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
Mikayla Matthews revealed that she and Taylor Frankie Paul are in a “good” place after their heated social media feud.
“We’re good. I feel like I’ve said, not all that I’ve wanted to say, but all that was needed to say,” the “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star exclusively told Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea.”
“This is what I need to do to protect myself and my relationships and my mental health,” she said, doubling down on her social media comments about Paul.
Mikayla Matthews revealed that she and Taylor Frankie Paul are in a “good” place after their heated social media feud. Page Six“We’re good. I feel like I’ve said, not all that I’ve wanted to say, but all that was needed to say,” she exclusively told Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea.” Page Six
“There’s still always going to be opinions and comments, that’s just kind of the name of the game. Control what you can control. That’s where I’m kind of at right now.”
Last month, the co-stars got into a nasty feud on Instagram.
Matthews’ argument was that it’s not her “job to enable poor or dangerous behavior from either party.”
She also said she was there for Paul while she hit “rock bottom,” despite her dealing with her own trauma and health issues.
The “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star doubled down on the social media comments she made about her co-star (pictured second from the right). Getty Images for SiriusXM“Control what you can control. That’s where I’m kind of at right now,” she said. Getty Images for SiriusXM
But the next day, Paul — without naming names — wrote in a lengthy post: “I have STILL have ‘friends’ kicking me while I’m already down and calling it ‘setting a boundary’ and then BLAMES ME for being upset and responding. That’s called shaming and attack while I had a moment to breathe and she knew that.”
“What a snake friend just did to me in the public eye after everything she just witnessed…the lack of empathy and silence was loud enough,” she continued.
She then specifically called out Matthews for writing that she didn’t want to pick sides between Paul and Mortensen and claimed that her friend didn’t ever hear her side and ignored her.
“Your trauma doesn’t give you a pass to kick me while down and cover it with ‘a boundary’ months later after the fact… she is right to state her “boundary” sure …but go ahead tell them the truth,” Paul wrote.
Their feud started last month when Matthews posted a message on her Instagram Story about trying to stay “as removed as possible” from Paul’s legal issues with ex Dakota Mortensen. Instagram/@mikayla__mattHer argument was that it’s not her “job to enable poor or dangerous behavior from either party.” Instagram/@mikayla__matt
Matthews then escalated the feud in the comments section of a fan post discussing the drama via Instagram Reels.
“Could probably write a book on everything I’ve had to say on this. Nothing I said denied that she’s experienced pain, trauma, or difficult things, there’s literally no question about that,” the reality TV star wrote at the time.
“Two things can be true. Someone can be hurting and still hurt people around them in the process. My statement was never about wanting [Taylor] to fail, suffer, or be canceled,” she continued. “It was about no longer wanting to publicly participate in or normalize a cycle that was affecting everyone around it, especially where children and repeated violence were involved.”
Matthews also doubled down on her initial statement about Paul’s several domestic violence incidents, in which she said she couldn’t support her co-star’s self-destructive patterns.
The next day, Paul accused Matthews of “shaming and attack[ing]” her and claimed that her friend didn’t ever hear her side and ignored her. Paige Kahn for Page Six“Your trauma doesn’t give you a pass to kick me while down and cover it with ‘a boundary,’” she wrote in a lengthy Instagram post. Taylor Frankie Paul / Instagram
Stay one step ahead with all the exclusive tea on your favorite reality TV stars!
Sign up for Virtual Reali-Tea with Danny and Evan, our must-read newsletter!
Thank for signing up!
However, in an Instagram Story posted days later, Matthews admitted she “definitely got out of hand commenting,” but continued to defend herself.
“I can’t stress enough that this is not about ‘sides’ or ‘teams.’ I genuinely want to see everyone healed and happy, including myself,” Matthews explained.
“At the same time, I’m not going to quietly accept loud disrespect, manipulation or fear tactics used to intimidate any woman who set boundaries or chooses not to support destructive behavior. And I definitely won’t tolerate people downplaying the trauma I’ve endured and continue to work through to this day.”
Matthews added that social media can be “so dangerous” and noted that she’ll be “blocking anyone who is not serving [her] end goal.”
Although the two women were close on the Hulu show, they became at odds after Paul’s domestic violence incidents with Mortensen (pictured above with their son) halted production of Season 5. TikTok/@taylorfrankiepaulSince Paul lost custody of her toddler to Mortensen due to the domestic violence allegations, the exes have been battling it out in court — as seen above. Getty Images
The women shared a close friendship on “SLOMW,” but seemingly became estranged once Paul’s domestic violence investigation halted production of Season 5.
Jalen Brunson didn’t simply inherit his basketball skills from his father, Rick.
Though Rick was an NBA player and journeyman — he played backup point guard on the historic 1999 New York Knicks team that made an underdog run to the NBA Finals, losing to the San Antonio Spurs — Jalen learned the craft of basketball on the blacktop.
Long before lifting the trophy, Jalen spent hours in grueling training sessions with his father. While Rick was coaching at the University of Virginia, the family had access to a pristine, air-conditioned practice facility. But Rick led practice on the sweltering outdoor courts near their home.
When Jalen asked why they couldn’t practice in the air-conditioned gym, his father dropped a timeless piece of basketball wisdom: “If you make a shot here, you can make a shot anywhere.”
Today, the Knicks superstar credits those blazing summer days for engraving his signature moves directly into his muscle memory. Every seamless pivot in the paint traces its roots back to that unforgiving concrete.
Greatness is forged under the sun, and the journey begins right outside your door. Parents looking to build the next generation of resilient hoopers can start in their own driveway with the Garvee Basketball Hoop.
This heavy-duty, height-adjustable goal provides the perfect setup for children to practice the very same foundational drills that molded a world champion.
This heavy-duty roof and wall-mounted basketball hoop is engineered to transform any suburban backyard, home garage or indoor gym into a professional-grade athletic space.
Built with a robust, reinforced steel frame and a secure multi-point mounting structure, this system delivers structural stability that easily handles rigorous, energetic competitive play.
The standout centerpiece feature is the massive 53.54-inch shatterproof polycarbonate backboard. Measuring a solid 0.1 inches thick, this high-quality game board offers crystal-clear, unobstructed visibility alongside a precise, pro-style rebounding surface.
Crafted for total year-round outdoor use, the premium all-weather woven net resists tearing, fading, rain, and summer sun. Installation is stable and secure on solid concrete surfaces using the included high-strength expansion bolts.
Players of all ages and skills can customize their personal court experience thanks to a hand-crank height adjustment mechanism. And as an early Amazon Prime Day deal, you can save $25 by acting now.
Whether choosing an indoor setup or an open-air driveway court, this versatile rim and backboard combo kit seamlessly delivers a durable, arena-quality basketball experience for the entire family.
Though you may not be as intense as Rick Brunson with your budding basketball stars, the opportunity to practice every day and have the game engraved into their muscle memory is worth the price.
Your Amazon Prime Day FAQs, answered
What is Amazon Prime Day and when is it?
Prime Day is Amazon’s biggest sale of the year, offering deep discounts on bestsellers and everyday essentials. This year’s event runs from Tuesday, June 23 at 3 a.m. ET through Saturday, June 27at 3 a.m. ET.
How long is Prime Day?
This year, shoppers can take advantage of four days of Prime Day deals: Tuesday, June 23 at 3 a.m. ET through Saturday, June 27at 3 a.m. ET.
What’s new about Prime Day in 2026?
In addition to pushing up the sale to June, Amazon is including several new programs and promotions, including:
Today’s Big Deals program: New daily discounts up to 50% off or more
New deals dropping as often as every five minutes during the sale
Prime members gain access to exclusive travel deals
Prime members who spend $15 or more on a qualifying online grocery order have a chance to win free groceries for a year
Prime members who set up a deal alert with Alexa have a chance to win a $1,000 Amazon gift card
Through June 26, Prime members can get a large pepperoni or cheese pizza from Little Caesars for $5
Through June 26, Prime members who purchase a new car through Amazon Autos get a $1,500 Amazon gift card
Do you have to be an Amazon Prime member to shop?
Prime Day and all its amazing discounts are exclusively available to Prime members. However interested shoppers can grab a 30-day free trial to try Prime, and its many benefits with no strings attached, and gain access to exclusive deals and the convenience of fast, free shipping.
What are the best deals?
From reporting on Amazon sales for years, we can tell you for certain that Prime Day is the ideal time to stock up on beauty and skincare staples, score big-ticket tech for less, bestselling vacuums, and comb through the massive catalog of Amazon best-sellers. Plus, since this year’s sale runs before Father’s Day and the Fourth of July, expect to see discounted gifts for dads, Americana-themed deals and summer hosting essentials.
Is it worth it?
We certainly think so! Prime Day is a great chance to score deals on thousands of best-sellers, top tech and appliances and every day essentials. Our team diligently sorts through all the offers to find you only the very best items to grab on sale.
When is the next Prime Day?
Already wondering when Amazon’s next Prime Day is? We expect Amazon’s October Prime Big Deal Days sale event to return in fall 2026. Follow Post Wanted’s around-the-clock coverage, and you’ll be the first to know about headline-worthy sales. Click here to find all of the best deals.
A group of Argentina fans said they were shot at while riding in an Uber to a World Cup match in Kansas City.
The supporters claimed another car pulled alongside their Uber and fired twice as they were traveling to Argentina’s opening Group J match against Algeria.
The fans said they initially thought the noise was a blown tire before realizing the Uber driver had been hit.
Argentina fans before a game against Algeria in Kansas City, Missouri, speak to Argentine outlet La Nacion in a YouTube video posted on June 17, 2026. YouTube – LA NACION
“The car was moving, another car came by and shot at it twice,” one fan said. “At first we thought it was a punctured tire — I didn’t see it.”
The passenger said the driver then stopped the car and they noticed he had been wounded.
“He braked, and I saw his leg — the guy had a hole in it,” the fan said. “We called the police. It was horrible.”
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their first goal on June 16, 2026. REUTERS
The group said police responded, took statements and later drove them to the stadium in patrol cars.
“They took us to the police station. We had to give a statement,” one fan said. “Then they brought us here in patrol cars.”
The motive for the alleged shooting was not immediately clear.
One of the fans also claimed similar incidents had happened to three other cars, though Newsweek noted that claim had not been independently verified.
Every match of the FIFA World Cup will air on either FOX or FOX Sports 1. If you don’t have cable, you can take advantage of a DIRECTV free trial to stream it all.
Prefer to check out the action live and in person? Shop World Cup 2026 tickets on SeatGeek and make sure to use promo code NYPOST10 for $10 off purchases over $250 at checkout if you’re a first-time SeatGeek user.
The alleged incident happened shortly before Argentina’s match against Algeria at Kansas City Stadium, with the fans speaking on camera around 20 minutes before kickoff.
Kansas City is hosting World Cup matches for the first time as part of the expanded tournament across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The fans’ account comes after a separate shooting earlier this month near England’s World Cup base camp in Kansas City, where nine people suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
England had not yet arrived in the city at the time.
The city has seen large crowds of international fans arrive for games, fan events and watch parties during the tournament, with Argentina’s opener bringing another major influx of supporters to the host city.
Government officials found a cache of radiological materials at a San Francisco shipyard that was allegedly stashed there by a former employee of a US Navy subcontractor.
The Navy and the subcontractor said the suspect is an employee of RSI Entech, which was hired by the military to remediate the area.
Around 200 radiological items — including samples of uranium and thorium — were found in a locked cabinet within a large complex called Building 400A in Hunters Point in April.
Around 200 radiological items were found in a locked cabinet within a large complex in Hunters Point. San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
The items also included liquid scintillators, a specialized laboratory instrument used for radiological analysis. Most of the items were radioactive isotopes known as “check sources” that are used to calibrate devices like a Geiger counter.
Jeff Bale, director of operations at RSI Entech, said the materials were stored there by a “rogue” employee.
“It was a rogue situation by a rogue employee that we’re trying to get to the bottom of,” Bale said at an advisory committee meeting, according to SFGate.
The area is secured and designated as a radiologically controlled area pending radiological survey. U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command
He believes the employee brought the items into the building between 2019 and 2022 while working for Envirachem, which was acquired by RSI Entech in 2023. “At the time of this purchase, this 400A area was not disclosed to us,” Bale said at the meeting.
Navy environmental coordinator Michael Pound said the employee did not have the authorization to have the materials in the building.
Sign up for the California Morning Report newsletter
California’s top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.
Thanks for signing up!
Officials discovered special laboratory instruments designed for radiological analysis. U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Systems CommandThe San Francisco shipyard where the radiological materials were allegedly stashed. San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
The Navy said that there has been “no health or environmental concern identified,” and the area is “designated as a radiologically controlled area pending radiological surveys.”
The materials found there are being evaluated “for proper handling and disposal.” The Navy is currently aiming to complete the evaluation and dispose of the materials.
No further information about the employee is known. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division are now investigating if the employee broke any laws.
Local residents expressed frustration about the lack of transparency from the Navy about the incident.
“One thing about the Navy is they’ve never had too much respect for civilians,” Malik Seneferu told SFGATE. “So trying to get information out of the Navy is like trying to get water out of a stone.”
The California Post contacted the EPA, NCIS and RSI Entech for comment.
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
