Paralysed man controls devices with his mind just five days after brain implant surgery in China

Just five days after surgery, he was able to operate a wheelchair, browse the internet, play video games, and control smart home devices.

Why dehydration in the winter is easier than you think, according to health experts

Health experts warn that dehydration is often overlooked in winter, increasing the risk of fatigue, brain fog and more serious kidney problems.

France's economic outlook for 2026: How heavy is the debt burden?

France’s economic outlook for 2026 remains constrained by rising debt, high deficits, and political deadlock. Growth is set to recover modestly, but limited fiscal consolidation and reform fatigue continue to weigh on the economy.

Make-or-break summit: EU leaders meet to unblock reparations loan for Ukraine

The EU's primary option for backing Ukraine is fiercely resisted by Belgium, the prime custodian of the Russian assets needed to fund it, while the back-up option of joint debt requires unanimity – and Hungary has already said no.

IRC Emergency Watchlist 2026: EU aid has never been more vital as global support 'collapses'

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has released its annual “Emergency Watchlist” identifying the 20 countries it say are most at risk of worsening humanitarian crises in 2026. The top three countries on this year’s list - Sudan, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and

Indonesian prosecutors indict four activists for inciting August unrest

They were arrested in early September following demonstrations that began on Aug 25 in Jakarta.

Birthrates are falling, but don’t blame dogs in strollers, Taiwan study suggests

These animals have become replacements for human children, contributing to plummeting birthrates.

Too thin to buy? Why ultraslim phones from Samsung, Apple aren’t selling in South Korea

There is growing evidence that both ultraslim flagships have underperformed in sales in South Korea.

Why you should be pleased we run trials on nudges, even if you don't like nudges (or trials)

Last year, we ran a randomized controlled trial working with frontline workers in the homelessness sector, which aimed to increase their well-being. The project, which began at the What Works Center for Well-being (before it closed down), was conducted in partnership with the

Shaping the conversation means offering context to extreme ideas, not just a platform

The Oct. 27, 2025, interview between former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and political streamer Nick Fuentes created a rare public divide inside the MAGA movement.

How can we effectively regulate international trade in wild species?

Overexploitation (harvesting at a rate that exceeds the ability of populations to recover) is a major driver of biodiversity loss. Globally, tens of thousands of animal, plant and fungi species are used and traded at different scales for purposes including food, fashion,

Hotels and stores in Japan suffer amid cancellations by Chinese tourists

Many Japanese tourism businesses are concerned that the situation could drag on to early 2026.

France investigates 'foreign interference' after remote control malware found on passenger ferry

The malware found was capable of remotely controlling the Italian-owned Fantastic ferry.

Escalator in Bangladesh university goes rogue, abruptly surges forward in viral video

A viral video shows an escalator at BRAC University in Dhaka suddenly speeding up, sparking safety concerns.

Japan govt sued over ‘unconstitutional’ climate inaction

The lawsuit criticises Japan’s latest emissions target as incompatible with the Paris Agreement’s goal.

Australia promises crackdown on hate as Bondi Beach shooting victim Matilda is farewelled

By Christine Chen, Scott Murdoch and Alasdair Pal SYDNEY, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday promised a crackdown on hate speech in the wake ​of an attack on a Jewish holiday event at Sydney's Bondi Beach, as the ​youngest of 15 victims

How the FIFA Arab Cup Final became a symphony of sound and light

Some say football matches are not only determined by action on the field but by songs sung in stadiums. The Qatar 'Soundbeats' campaign wants to orchestrate an enormous wave of support at the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar by combining the noise of crowds with classical music as part of a

Influencer Iris Hsieh’s death: Namewee ill, so drug case postponed

The courts have fixed Dec 22 and Jan 19 for mention of his case.

New US strike on alleged drug boat in eastern Pacific kills four as tensions with Venezuela rise

The US military said Wednesday that it attacked a boat accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing four people on the same day the House rejected efforts to limit President Donald Trump’s power to use military force against drug cartels.

‘It’s an open invasion’: how millions of quagga mussels changed Lake Geneva for ever

The molluscs are decimating food chains in Switzerland, have devastated the Great Lakes in the US, and this week were spotted in Northern Ireland for the first time Like cholesterol clogging up an artery, it took just a couple of years for the quagga mussels to infiltrate the

Africa: Why 2026 Marks a Turning Point for Africa's Clean Energy Transition

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- As 2025 draws to a close, Africa's solar story is entering a new and decisive chapter. What was once seen as slow and incremental progress has begun to transform into something far more dynamic.

AI detects cancer but it’s also reading who you are

AI tools designed to diagnose cancer from tissue samples are quietly learning more than just disease patterns. New research shows these systems can infer patient demographics from pathology slides, leading to biased results for certain groups. The bias stems from how the models

Africa: ECOWAS, MRU Seal Historic Pact to Prevent Water Conflicts in West Africa

[Liberian Observer] In a landmark move aimed at preventing future water-related conflicts and strengthening regional integration, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Mano River Union (MRU) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on

Rupee’s slip testing Modi’s grip on India’s economy

In early December 2025, the Indian rupee fell past the important 90 mark against the US dollar for the first time. It dropped to intraday lows above 90.38 before closing near that level on December 17, as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) suggests. Although official reports say

Africa: Kenya-African Journalist Leaders Demonstrate Strong Commitment to Take Concrete Actions Against Gbvh in Newsrooms and the Field of Work

[IFJ] The continental seminar, held from 15-16 December 2025, brought together 16 female union leaders from the five regions of Africa as well as the members of the FAJ Gender Council to deliberate and develop strategies on creating legal awareness among female journalists

Africa: South Africa Inflation Slows in November, Boosting Rate-Cut Bets

[Daba Finance] South Africa's annual inflation slowed more than expected in November, strengthening the case for an interest-rate cut early next year as the central bank shifts toward a lower inflation target.

5 takeaways from Trump’s White House address

President Trump delivered an address to the nation on Wednesday night intended to mark the close of his first year back in power. Trump appeared before the cameras in the White House’s Diplomatic Reception Room with his poll ratings at a mediocre ebb, and the issue of

Why neurodiversity might be the hidden engine of entrepreneurial success

Businesses and policymakers risk missing out on workforce potential by misunderstanding neurodiverse conditions and the biological differences that shape entrepreneurial strengths, according to new research led by the University of Surrey. Instead of considering ADHD, dyslexia

Trump claims economic successes in national address despite growing disapproval

In a televised speech to the nation, US President Donald Trump insisted on political and economic successes amid eroding popularity.

Japan releases first sakura forecast for 2026; Tokyo to see blooms from mid-March

The blooms are expected to start flowering on March 19 in Tokyo, with full bloom a week later.

‘Survivor’ 50 Trailer Features Celebrity Cameos, Jeff Probst Competing(?!) and Mike White With the Perfect Tease: ‘High School Reunion Meets Massacre’

SPOILER ALERT: This story contains spoilers from the Wednesday, December 17 finale of “Survivor” Season 49. It’s officially “Survivor” 50 season! The first trailer for “In the Hands of the Fans,” the upcoming season featuring some of the best to ever play the game, debuted on

Ponzi schemes and financial bubbles: Lessons from history

Many investors are asking themselves if we are living in an AI bubble; others have gone beyond that and are simply asking themselves, until when? Yet the bubble keeps growing, fueled by that perilous sentiment of "fear of missing out." History and recent experience show us that

This tiny protein helps control how hungry you feel

Researchers have identified a previously overlooked protein that helps regulate appetite and energy use in the body. This “helper” protein supports a key system that decides whether the body burns energy or stores it, and when it does not function properly, appetite signals can

'Maybe she's an angel now' says aunt of 10-year-old Bondi victim

Lina Chernykh tells the BBC her niece Matilda was a joyous child who spread love everywhere she went.

The elusive dream of rock-bottom US interest rates

Sometime in the next few months, President Donald Trump will appoint a successor to Jerome Powell, whose term as Federal Reserve Board chair expires next May. It’s tempting to think that a Trump-appointed chair will give farmers, ranchers and other business borrowers sharply

In Show of Force, Netflix Chiefs Visit Warner Bros. Lot Amid Battle With Paramount for Studio’s Future

As the future of the studio hangs in the balance, Warner Bros. Discovery and Netflix leaders put on a show of force Wednesday afternoon when Netflix brass paid a visit to the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, where WBD chief executive David Zaslav gave them a guided tour. WBD

Most in new poll say Trump use of presidential power goes too far

Most Americans say President Trump’s use of presidential power is going too far, according to a new poll. Quinnipiac University found that 54 percent of voters think Trump is going too far with his presidential authority while 37 percent think he is handling it about right.

In JB, Malaysia’s first ‘leading smart city’, AI is used to ease jams and detect potholes

Despite the “leading smart city” tag, congestion and environmental woes persist in the city.

Trump touts 'warrior dividend' checks, housing reform in address to nation

President Trump on Wednesday sought to make the case that his administration has made progress on key issues in a rare primetime address amid slumping poll numbers and persistent questions about affordability. The president addressed the nation from the Diplomatic Reception

Scientists discover a molecular switch that protects crops from freezing cold

The onset of sudden cold spells can threaten plant survival, especially during early growth phases. But how do plants detect low temperatures fast enough to initiate life-saving changes? Researchers at Chonnam National University have identified a hidden molecular "off-switch"

Air India finds missing plane 13 years after it ‘vanished’

Air India admitted that it misplaced the Boeing 737-200 in Kolkata Airport in 2012.

Rob Reiner’s Early Career in Comedy Stretched From San Francisco Improv to ‘The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour’ to Norman Lear’s Universe of Shows

Rob Reiner has been showered with accolades for his work in film and TV in the days since he and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found brutally slain in their Brentwood home. Rob Reiner had a knack for intersecting with cutting-edge comedy forces just as they were on the

China seeks to mediate Thai-Cambodia clash Trump says he ended

China’s Special Envoy for Asian Affairs will travel to Cambodia and Thailand on Dec 18.

Teens discover books on social media. What will the under-16s ban do to their reading?

In a video address to the nation, timed with Australia's world-first teen social media ban, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese encouraged under-16-year-olds newly unable to access social media to "read that book."

Trump’s Prime Time Address: The President Relentlessly Blames Joe Biden and Claims ‘Inflation Has Stopped’ and ‘Prices are Down’

President Donald Trump used his Wednesday night address to largely blame former President Joe Biden for most of the Nation’s shortcomings while attempting to highlight his accomplishments through the first 11 months of his second term in office. Trump’s address opened with a

Digital innovations and cultural heritage in rural towns

Population decline often goes hand-in-hand with economic stagnation in rural areas—and the two reinforce each other in a cycle. Can digital technologies advance equitable innovation and, at the same time, preserve cultural heritage in shrinking regions?

Tourism is quietly rewriting women's lives in countries under strict religious rule, according to a new study

In Iran, tourism is becoming one of the few spaces where women can earn, lead and be seen even as the system around them works to keep them out, states a new study from the University of Surrey.

US military kills 4 ‘narco-terrorists’ in eastern Pacific, total reaches 99

The United States military on Wednesday killed four alleged “narco-terrorists” during a boat strike in the Pacific Ocean. The attack follows a series of strikes launched this year, bringing the total death toll to 99. “On Dec. 17, at the direction of @SecWar Pete Hegseth,

Asian markets track Wall Street lower as AI fears mount

Trump announces $1,776 'warrior dividend' checks to be sent to members of the military

President Trump said Wednesday his administration would send $1,776 "warrior dividend" checks to members of the military, crediting tariffs and the passage of a massive GOP tax and spending bill earlier this year. Trump said during a primetime address to the nation that 1.4