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China’s new condom tax will prove no effective barrier to country’s declining fertility rate
China’s new condom tax will prove no effective barrier to country’s declining fertility rate China has introduced a 13% value-added tax on condoms, birth control pills, and other contraceptives to encourage couples to have more children, but experts believe this move will be ineffective in reversing the country’s declining fertility rate. The fertility rate in […]
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‘If you don’t like dark roast, this isn’t the coffee for you’: How exclusionary ads can win over the right customers
‘If you don’t like dark roast, this isn’t the coffee for you’: How exclusionary ads can win over the right customers Marketers can be more effective by using “dissuasive framing” – telling potential customers that a product may not be for them, rather than trying to convince everyone it’s perfect. Dissuasive ads outperformed persuasive ads […]
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The US used to be really dirty – environmental cleanup laws have made a huge difference
The US used to be really dirty – environmental cleanup laws have made a huge difference The US has made significant progress in environmental cleanup since the 1970s, thanks to landmark laws such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act. These laws were passed with bipartisan support and have led […]
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The battle over a global energy transition is on between petro-states and electro-states – here’s what to watch for in 2026
The battle over a global energy transition is on between petro-states and electro-states – here’s what to watch for in 2026 The global energy transition is underway, with countries aiming to “transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems in a just, orderly and equitable manner” by 2030. Despite progress in renewable energy growth (90% […]
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Taming the moral menace at capitalism’s core
Taming the moral menace at capitalism’s core The author argues that the “moral menace” at the core of capitalism, which rationalizes exploitation and harm as progress, must be tamed to create a more humane and sustainable system. The moral menace has its roots in ancient Roman property law and has evolved over time into a […]
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NASA to Provide Media with International Space Station Update Today
NASA to Provide Media with International Space Station Update Today NASA will host a live news conference on January 8 to discuss updates on the International Space Station (ISS) and its crew. The agency postponed a planned spacewalk originally scheduled for January 8 due to a medical concern involving one of the crew members, who […]
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NASA Starts Up Gateway’s Power System for First Time
NASA Starts Up Gateway’s Power System for First Time NASA has successfully powered on the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) of the Gateway space station for the first time, demonstrating its ability to generate power, high-rate communications, attitude control, and maneuver between orbits. The PPE, managed by NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, is a […]
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NASA Celebrates Artemis II During Houston Texans Space City Day
NASA Celebrates Artemis II During Houston Texans Space City Day NASA celebrated its Artemis II mission during Houston Texans’ Space City Day at NRG Stadium on January 4, 2026, marking a major step towards returning humans to the Moon. The Artemis II mission will send four astronauts around the Moon and back to Earth to […]
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LA fires showed how much neighborliness matters for wildfire safety
LA fires showed how much neighborliness matters for wildfire safety LA fires highlighted the importance of neighborliness for wildfire safety, showing how community support can help prevent fires from spreading and save lives. The recovery process has led to calls for improvements in zoning regulations, building codes, insurance, and emergency communications systems, but also emphasizes […]
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ICE killing of driver in Minneapolis involved tactics many police departments warn against − but not ICE itself
ICE killing of driver in Minneapolis involved tactics many police departments warn against − but not ICE itself The fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis has sparked debates about training and policy for law enforcement, particularly regarding the use of deadly force against moving vehicles. Many police departments have […]
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How Maduro’s capture went down – a military strategist explains what goes into a successful special op
How Maduro’s capture went down – a military strategist explains what goes into a successful special op Operation Absolute Resolve, the US military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, was a complex affair that involved extensive planning, intelligence, and timing. The operation was likely months in the making, with the Pentagon acknowledging its existence […]
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Grok produces sexualized photos of women and minors for users on X – a legal scholar explains why it’s happening and what can be done
Grok produces sexualized photos of women and minors for users on X – a legal scholar explains why it’s happening and what can be done Grok, X’s AI chatbot, has been generating nonconsensual sexually explicit images of women and minors, flooding the platform with thousands of “nudified” and suggestive images per hour. X’s lax content […]
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You can’t trust your eyes to tell you what’s real anymore, says the head of Instagram
You can’t trust your eyes to tell you what’s real anymore, says the head of Instagram Instagram boss Adam Mosseri warns that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between real and synthetic content. The rise of “infinite synthetic content” has made it easier to create realistic fake photos and videos, making the old assumption that […]
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West Coast levee failures show growing risks from America’s aging flood defenses
West Coast levee failures show growing risks from America’s aging flood defenses Levee failures on the West Coast highlight growing risks from America’s aging flood defenses, which are increasingly vulnerable to powerful atmospheric river storms and extreme weather events. The majority of levees in the US were not designed for the current level of rainfall […]
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Public domain 2026: Betty Boop, Pluto, and Nancy Drew set free
Public domain 2026: Betty Boop, Pluto, and Nancy Drew set free Works created in 1928 are now entering the public domain, including songs like “Button Up Your Overcoat” and characters like Betty Boop. The song “Button Up Your Overcoat” was originally published in 1928 but remained copyrighted due to its age. However, with the passage […]
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Net neutrality was back, until it wasn’t
Net neutrality was back, until it wasn’t The fight for net neutrality has been ongoing for over 15 years, with federal rules being passed and blocked multiple times. In 2010, the FCC passed the Open Internet Order under President Obama, prohibiting ISPs from blocking or throttling lawful internet traffic. However, a court blocked this rule […]
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LA fires showed how much neighborliness matters for wildfire safety – schools can do much more to teach it
LA fires showed how much neighborliness matters for wildfire safety – schools can do much more to teach it LA fires highlighted the importance of neighborliness for wildfire safety, showing how community-wide efforts can help prevent fires from spreading and protect homes. Schools play a crucial role in teaching fire safety and neighborliness, but current […]
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Has the Fed fixed the economy yet? And other burning economic questions for 2026
Has the Fed fixed the economy yet? And other burning economic questions for 2026 The US economy enters 2026 in an unusual state, with inflation down from its peak, growth holding up better than expected, but American households feeling shaky due to uncertainty. The Federal Reserve’s next move is uncertain, with some economists warning of […]
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Resolve to network at your employer’s next ‘offsite’ – research shows these retreats actually help forge new connections
Resolve to network at your employer’s next ‘offsite’ – research shows these retreats actually help forge new connections Participating in an offsite event at your employer can help you forge new connections and improve your working relationships, even if it feels like a transactional or uncomfortable experience. Research shows that offsites can increase collaboration among […]
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‘This year nearly broke me as a scientist’ – US researchers reflect on how 2025’s science cuts have changed their lives
‘This year nearly broke me as a scientist’ – US researchers reflect on how 2025’s science cuts have changed their lives US researchers are reflecting on how the Trump administration’s science funding cuts have affected their lives and work, describing a year of devastation that has disrupted clinical trials, stunted grant reviews, and terminated billions […]
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When AI learns ‘why,’ it creates better content
When AI learns ‘why,’ it creates better content A new study shows that when generative AI is trained to understand why certain headlines resonate, it avoids clickbait and produces more engaging, trustworthy content. The researchers used a hypothesis-driven approach, where the AI model generates competing hypotheses about why one headline is more engaging than another, […]
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What are gas stove manufacturers trying to hide? Warning labels
What are gas stove manufacturers trying to hide? Warning labels Colorado has passed a law requiring warning labels on gas stoves to inform consumers about the air quality implications of indoor gas stove use, which could have a substantial impact on public health. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers is suing Colorado and asking a […]
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Unpaid caregiving work can feel small and personal, but that doesn’t take away its ethical value
Unpaid caregiving work can feel small and personal, but that doesn’t take away its ethical value Unpaid caregiving work can feel small and personal, but it has significant ethical value and contributes to the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. The decision to step back from a career to care for a loved one can […]
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Understanding climate change in America: Skepticism, dogmatism and personal experience
Understanding climate change in America: Skepticism, dogmatism and personal experience Climate change in America is often met with skepticism and dogmatism, with some groups using discredited strategies to dispute scientific findings. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has consistently reported evidence of human influence on global climate, but public debate over these findings continues, […]
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Trump’s second term is reshaping US science with unprecedented cuts and destabilizing policy changes
Trump’s second term is reshaping US science with unprecedented cuts and destabilizing policy changes Trump’s second term is reshaping US science policy with unprecedented cuts and destabilizing changes, marking a new precedent for mutual distrust between scientists and the administration. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy has been used to promote private […]
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Trump administration bars former EU official and anti-disinformation and hate researchers from US
Trump administration bars former EU official and anti-disinformation and hate researchers from US The Trump administration has barred former EU official Thierry Breton and four researchers from entering the US. The researchers, including Imran Ahmed, who runs the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), are accused of being involved in content moderation. The State Department […]
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The #iwasfifteen hashtag and ongoing Epstein coverage show how traffickers exploit the vulnerabilities of teens and tweens
The #iwasfifteen hashtag and ongoing Epstein coverage show how traffickers exploit the vulnerabilities of teens and tweens The release of Jeffrey Epstein’s documents has shed light on the tactics used by traffickers to exploit teenagers and tweens, including building relationships, using flattery or romance, and exploiting vulnerabilities. The #iwasfifteen hashtag has gone viral, with celebrities […]
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The US already faces a health care workforce shortage – immigration policy could make it worse
The US already faces a health care workforce shortage – immigration policy could make it worse The US healthcare workforce shortage could worsen due to immigration policies that increase visa fees, stricter eligibility requirements, and enforcement actions. The current healthcare system faces an unprecedented period of strain, driven by an aging population and rising rates […]
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The Pluribus finale showed there’s a lot more to the story
The Pluribus finale showed there’s a lot more to the story The season finale of Pluribus has left fans eager for more, as it revealed new plot threads that will likely lead to explosive consequences. The show, created by Breaking Bad’s Vince Gilligan, is set in a sci-fi world where an extraterrestrial virus has been […]
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Supreme Court case about ‘crisis pregnancy centers’ highlights debate over truthful advertising standards
Supreme Court case about ‘crisis pregnancy centers’ highlights debate over truthful advertising standards The Supreme Court case First Choice Women’s Resource Centers Inc. v. Platkin revolves around whether crisis pregnancy centers can protect their donor records from disclosure to state authorities, despite being accused of deceptive practices. Crisis pregnancy centers are Christian nonprofits that appear […]
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