Explainer

Small lifestyle changes such as five extra minutes of sleep, brief moderate exercise, and slightly improved diet can significantly extend lifespan, studies suggest. Research published in The Lancet shows combined improvements in sleep, activity, and nutrition deliver outsized benefits to population health

New Australian research finds hot takeaway coffee cups shed microplastics, especially all-plastic cups. Heat, not soaking time, drives release, with millions of particles possible. Material choice and cooler drinks can reduce exposure, globally consumed daily by billions of people worldwide

Nationwide protests over Iran’s collapsing economy have triggered a deadly state response, internet blackouts and fresh tensions with the United States

Greenland's small population, lack of its own military, and strategic Arctic location have fueled renewed US interest — but any forced takeover would spark a major NATO confrontation and global backlash

The Oreshnik can launch a powerful conventional strike anywhere in Europe, giving the Kremlin a new instrument of escalation without tapping its nuclear arsenal. There will be no way to know if the missile is carrying a nuclear warhead until it reaches its target

Iran faces renewed unrest and rising anxiety after the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, fueling fears in Tehran that similar action could target Iran’s leadership amid protests, regional tensions with Israel, and heightened rhetoric from US and allied politicians

Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok has triggered global backlash after generating non-consensual sexualised images of women and children, prompting demands for action and investigations by governments across Europe, India, Asia and Latin America over AI safety and digital abuse

The US capture of Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro has sparked global concern over the erosion of international law. Critics warn it could embolden unilateral military actions, affect Ukraine, Greenland, Taiwan, and the Middle East, and strain alliances with Europe, highlighting the fragility of the post-World War II global order

Trump’s plan to take control of Venezuela’s oil industry is unlikely to affect oil prices immediately. Years of mismanagement and sanctions have left production low, requiring massive investment and political stability before output can significantly rise

Finland combats fake news by teaching media literacy from preschool, now expanding to artificial intelligence education. Integrated into national curricula, these efforts aim to strengthen democratic resilience and counter disinformation, particularly amid rising AI use and heightened Russian propaganda concerns

A newly unsealed US indictment accuses Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of leading a cocaine-fueled narco-terror network. Captured in a US-backed operation, Maduro and his wife now face major drug and weapons charges in a New York federal court

“Leisure sickness” refers to people falling ill on weekends or holidays after busy work periods. Limited research suggests stress reduction, travel, lifestyle changes, and delayed symptom awareness may contribute. Staying active, rested, and mindful may help prevent it

From December 27, Australian search engines must blur pornographic and violent images for under-18 users, implement age verification measures, and downrank harmful content. The rules aim to protect children, applying to both logged-in accounts and AI-generated search results

Using 11 years of spectroscopic data from Kodaikanal Solar Observatory, Indian researchers mapped Sun’s magnetic activity across latitudes, revealing hemispheric asymmetries and sunspot correlations. The findings refine solar dynamo models, aid space-weather forecasting, and may support climate research

Rainfall on Iran’s Hormuz Island turned its famous Red Beach a dramatic deep crimson as iron-rich soil washed into the sea, creating a striking natural spectacle that draws tourists and photographers and highlights the island’s rare geology and seasonal weather patterns

Dust storms in northern China, largely originating from Mongolia, highlight regional desertification and climate challenges. China is exporting anti-desertification expertise, including tree-planting and land management techniques, to Mongolia, balancing cooperation with local nomadic traditions and rising environmental diplomacy

Africa was the hardest hit by President Donald Trump’s expanded US travel restrictions, with several countries facing full or partial bans, prompting muted official reactions, concern over unfair treatment, and warnings of strained US–Africa relations and wider diplomatic, economic and social impacts

The winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night in the Northern Hemisphere, marks the start of astronomical winter and signals gradually lengthening days ahead, while explaining how Earth’s tilt, solstices, equinoxes, and seasonal definitions shape daylight and climate cycles

Around 200 children across Europe were conceived from a single sperm donor unknowingly carrying a rare cancer-linked mutation. The tragedy exposes gaps in genetic screening and cross-border donor limits, highlighting the urgent need for international oversight and coordinated tracking

The Thailand–Cambodia border conflict, reignited on December 7, has killed over 20 civilians and displaced half a million. Domestic political pressures, nationalism, and economic distractions are driving renewed hostilities, with both countries leveraging the crisis for internal political gain

Scientists found evidence of deliberate fire-making 400,000 years ago at Barnham in eastern England, pushing back controlled fire use by 350,000 years. Heat-altered sediments, pyrite fragments and repeated burning indicate early Neanderthals intentionally created fire, revealing major evolutionary, cognitive and social implications 

A dazzling exhibition of royal and historic jewels opens at Paris’ Hôtel de la Marine, showcasing centuries-old treasures from global collections. The display unfolds shortly after the Louvre crown-jewel heist, highlighting security concerns and public fascination with gems and history.

Archaeologists in Jerusalem uncovered the longest intact Hasmonean wall foundations, revealing possible evidence of a 2,100-year-old ceasefire with King Antiochus VII. The 50-metre wall, partially dismantled, may also have served as King Herod’s palace foundation, linking archaeology with ancient historical accounts 

Scientists documented 16,600 theropod dinosaur footprints in Toro Toro, Bolivia, the largest collection worldwide. Tracks reveal behavior, herd dynamics, and swimming attempts, while human activity threatens preservation. Research continues to uncover insights into dinosaurs’ lives during the late Cretaceous