Research following more than 3000 young people found that low to average social media use at ages 11 and 14 did not strongly predict mental ill health three years later, including depression and anxiety, self-harm and suicide attempts

A new study from the University of Edinburgh, the University of Oxford, and Paracelsus Medical University in Austria found little evidence that the amount of time young people spend on social media is linked to later mental health issues. The research, which followed over 3,000 young people, showed that low to average social media use at ages 11 and 14 did not strongly predict mental ill health three years later, including depression and anxiety, self-harm, and suicide attempts. However, heavy social media use at age 14 was linked to a small but notable increase of about three percent in suicide attempts by age 17. The study highlights the need for further research to address the complexity of the issue, considering factors such as how the platforms are used and whether the behavior shows signs of being unhealthy or addictive.

Fifteen arrested in Netherlands over Islamic State propaganda on TikTok; 4 are minors

Dutch authorities arrested 15 individuals for allegedly promoting terrorist acts and Islamic State propaganda on TikTok, including four minors. The suspects, aged 16 to 53, were detained across various regions in the Netherlands. The investigation, which began in August 2025, identified a TikTok account sharing IS videos with Dutch subtitles, which garnered significant views and interactions. The suspects face charges of incitement to commit terrorist offenses, distributing IS propaganda, and/or participating in a terrorist organization. Thirteen of the arrested individuals are of Syrian nationality, while four are Dutch citizens.

Study on Buddhist monks shows that meditation is a state of heightened cerebral activity in which brain dynamics are profoundly altered

A recent study on Buddhist monks reveals that meditation, contrary to popular belief, is a state of heightened cerebral activity. The research, led by Karim Jerbi of the Université de Montréal, found that meditation alters brain dynamics, increasing complexity and altering 'brain criticality,' which refers to the balance between order and chaos in the brain. This balance optimizes brain function, making it more efficient, flexible, and responsive. The study also found that meditation can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression by increasing brain flexibility and improving emotional self-regulation.

EU inaugurates NanoIC hub for advanced European chip design

The European Commission has announced the launch of NanoIC, a European facility for the design of advanced chips, at the Interuniversity Centre for Microelectronics in Leuven, Belgium. With an investment of 2.5 billion euros, including 700 million euros from the EU, the same amou

EU tells Meta it has to open WhatsApp to rival AI chatbots, otherwise is breaching the bloc’s antitrust rules

The European Commission has sent Meta a chargesheet with preliminary concerns that it breached antitrust rules by excluding third party AI assistants from accessing and interacting with users on WhatsApp. The EU executive said it sent Meta a chargesheet setting out its concerns on the U.S. tech company’s behavior. The Commission intends to impose interim measures to prevent this policy change from causing serious and irreparable harm on the market, subject to Meta’s reply and rights of Defence.

France and Canada open consulates in Greenland amid Trump threats

France and Canada have opened consulates in Greenland’s capital Nuuk to show support for Denmark and protest Trump’s demands to acquire the territory. The consulates are meant as a message of friendship and solidarity to Greenland and Denmark, and are part of a show of cooperation and alliance between the three European nations.

First-in-human study finds novel immune cell therapy is safe and effective in advanced lymphoma

MD Anderson Cancer Center's first-in-human study shows novel immune cell therapy RB-1355 is safe and effective for advanced lymphomas, offering new hope for patients who relapsed or did not respond to standard treatments.

EU to Replace SAFE With New Defense Lending Program

The current €150 billion program is expected to be exhausted as early as this spring due to exceptionally high demand from EU member states. The new financial model is intended to ensure uninterrupted weapons procurement and strengthen the bloc’s defense autonomy.

AI software companies wiped out $400 billion this week, realizing that entire industries are on the cusp of being replaced

Decades of exposure to residential disadvantage, anxiety and overall distress were linked with accelerated aging among a sample population of Wisconsin residents

Cumulative neighborhood disadvantage was a significant predictor of greater overall distress across all three models, and it predicted accelerated aging across all three clocks directly and indirectly through increases in distress, Kamis said.

US cuts all contact with Polish parliamentary speaker for “insulting Trump”

Russia Attempted to Sell Fake Antonov An-74 Aircraft to Peru via UAE

This news article reports that the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Peru canceled a $63 million tender for the purchase of an An-74 aircraft due to the discovery of a front company from the UAE affiliated with the Russian Federation attempting to sell a non-existent aircraft using forged documents.

Why comparisons between AI and human intelligence miss the point

This article by Associate Professor Celeste Rodriguez Louro discusses how comparisons between AI and human intelligence are misleading because human intelligence is collective, embodied, and cultural, while AI operates in isolation and lacks social interaction. The article argues that AI's impressive performance on narrow benchmarks does not equate to true intelligence, as human cognitive achievements emerge from collective processes and shared cultural understandings.

North Korea opened its own winter sports competition after failing to qualify athletes for the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics

North Korea has opened its own winter sports competition at the Mount Paektu resort, following its failure to qualify athletes for the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics. The event, described as an important opportunity to advance winter sports technology, will include over 50 events across five sports. This marks the country's continued absence from international sporting events since 2018, after also missing the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

Racist video of Obamas removed from Trump's social account

A White House official blamed a staffer for erroneously posting the video.

Russian offensive appears to be slowing after Musk blocks Starlink access, Ukraine says

"In fact, they [Russian units] have problems now. They are like blind kittens," a Ukrainian General Staff commanders told POLITICO separately, also granted anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. “The Russian Armed Forces used gray Starlinks to organize communications at the f

AI trade splinters as investors get more selective

The global AI trade is starting to fracture as soaring capex, rising debt loads and doubts over who will profit from the technology force investors to draw sharper lines. Markets are now splitting across stocks, sectors and even regions.

Deceptive AI interactions can feel more deep and genuine than actual human conversations

A new study published in Communications Psychology suggests that artificial intelligence systems can be more effective than humans at establishing emotional closeness during deep conversations, provided the human participant believes the AI is a real person. The findings indicate

Experimental gene therapy targets eye neurons to restore vision

Life Biosciences has developed ER-100, an experimental gene therapy that aims to restore vision by rejuvenating damaged retinal neurons using epigenetic reprogramming. The therapy targets optic neuropathies, including glaucoma and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, by resetting aging retinal cells. ER-100 has shown promising results in preclinical studies, improving visual function in animal models. The therapy received FDA approval for a first-in-human trial, which will focus on safety and early signs of benefit. If successful, ER-100 could represent a significant advancement in treating age-related eye diseases.

Pentagon asked to probe SpaceX for potential Chinese ownership

Two Democratic U.S. senators urged the Pentagon on Thursday to conduct an immediate review of SpaceX amid allegations that Chinese investors have secretly acquired stakes in the closely held rocket maker, citing potential national security risks, according to a letter seen by Reu

Crypto exchange Gemini plans to lay off up to 200 staff, exit Europe and Australia

Shares of the New York-based company fell about 7% in afternoon trading. As of Wednesday's close, the stock was down about 73.8% from the $28 offer price in its September IPO.

US wants to create a critical minerals trading bloc with its allies to counter China

The Trump administration aims to create a critical minerals trading bloc with allies to counter China's dominance in this sector. The initiative, announced by Vice President JD Vance, seeks to stabilize prices and secure supply chains for essential minerals used in high-tech products, including electric vehicles and missiles. The bloc would use tariffs to prevent China from flooding the market with cheap materials and to encourage domestic production among member countries.

Study suggests that men planning to conceive should use caution with antioxidant supplements, as excess intake can influence sperm and early offspring craniofacial development

Texas A&M research reveals that high-dose antioxidant supplements may negatively affect sperm DNA and lead to offspring with craniofacial development issues. The study emphasizes the importance of balanced nutrition for reproductive health, suggesting men planning to conceive should exercise caution with antioxidant intake.

German war simulation exposes gaps in Germany’s response to a hypothetical Russian attack on Lithuania

This article explores a fictional wargame conducted by WELT, a German publication, in cooperation with the German Wargaming Center of the Helmut-Schmidt-University of the German Armed Forces. The wargame examines Germany's potential response to a hypothetical Russian military escalation in the Baltics, focusing on the challenges and limitations faced by Germany and Europe in such a scenario. The simulation highlights the importance of U.S. support and leadership in NATO's response to a crisis, and emphasizes the difficulty of reversing established military facts once they are set.