By Christy Cobb, Associate Professor of Christianity, University of Denver
The Bible is filled with brave and courageous women.
Deborah, the judge who fought a war to protect her people. The widow Ruth, who wittingly convinces a man to marry her in order to continue the lineage of her mother-in-law, Naomi. Esther, who boldly stands up to an evil politician, Haman, in order to save the Jewish…
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By Jiao Wang, Assistant Professor of Economics, University of Sussex Business School, University of Sussex
The numbers are in, and they paint a picture that defies the conventional wisdom of Washington’s trade hawks. In 2025, China’s trade surplus surged to a record high of US$1.2 trillion (£900 billion). In December alone, the surplus reached US$114 billion, driven by a higher-than-expected 6.6% growth in exports and 5.7% growth in imports.
The trade surplus refers to the amount by which Chinese exports outnumber its imports. And far from being strangled by external pressure – in particular from the US under Donald Trump – China’s…
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By Manal Mohammed, Senior Lecturer, Medical Microbiology, University of Westminster
Many people across cultures grow up hearing that cold weather makes you sick. Going outside without a coat, breathing in cold air, sleeping in a chilly room, getting caught in cold rain or snow, or simply feeling chilled are often blamed for causing colds or flu.
This belief feels true to many people because illness often follows cold exposure. However, modern research shows that the connection between cold weather and illness is more nuanced than the idea that cold directly causes disease.
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By Bethany Clark, PhD researcher in human geography, Aberystwyth University
In January some people start the year by trying to eat fewer animal products. Veganuary, as the campaign is called, began in 2014 and now attracts 25.8 million people worldwide.
One reason for trying Veganuary is a growing interest in acting…
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By Max L Wilson, Associate Professor of Human-Computer Interaction, University of Nottingham
Jwan Shaban, PhD candidate in Human-Computer Interaction, University of Nottingham
It has been over a decade since Google Glass smart glasses were announced in 2013, followed by their swift withdrawal – in part because of low adoption. Their subsequent (and lesser known) second iteration was released in 2017 and aimed at the workplace. They were withdrawn in 2023.
In December 2025, Google made a new promise for smart glasses – with two new products to be released in 2026. But why have Google smart glasses struggled where others are succeeding? And will Google see success…
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By Kirsty Lindsay, Scientific Officer, Northumbria University, Newcastle
Luke Hughes, Associate Professor, Sport Exercise and Rehabilitation, Northumbria University, Newcastle
Nick Caplan, Professor of Aerospace Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northumbria University, Newcastle
For the first time in 25 years of continuous crewed operations, an astronaut has been medically evacuated from the International Space Station (ISS). The Crew-11 mission ended when a SpaceX Dragon capsule brought the four astronauts of Crew 11 home following a medical incident in early January 2026.
To protect the crewmember’s privacy, Nasa hasn’t yet disclosed details about what happened…
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By Cathal O'Hara, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Population Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Gráinne Kent, Postdoctoral Fellow, School of Population Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
The US has unveiled a controversial new food pyramid that’s causing a stir among nutrition experts. It represents the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans – advice on what types and quantities of food and drink make up a healthy diet.
But the Trump administration’s new guidelines differ in many ways from previous versions. Most striking is the moralising language about “real” food and a stark shift of responsibility onto individuals, with all consideration of health equity stripped away.
The change from the previous plate graphic to an inverted pyramid looks revolutionary…
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By Estefanía Salazar
In Venezuela, relatives and human-rights NGOs have stepped up calls for the immediate release of more than 800 victims of politically-motivated persecution of the government formerly led by Nicolás Maduro.
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By Amnesty International
Responding to emerging videos that appear to show the release and escape attempts of victims from scamming compounds across Cambodia, Amnesty International’s Regional Research Director Montse Ferrer said: “Footage appearing to show the mass release and escape attempts from scamming compounds of individuals who are possibly victims of human trafficking and torture raises concerns that […] The post Cambodia: Victims must be protected as thousands ‘leave scamming compounds’ appeared first on Amnesty International. ]]>
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By Amnesty International
Responding to the cancellation of bail of lawyers and human rights defenders Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha and an order to immediately arrest them in a bogus case relating to “anti-state” tweets, Babu Ram Pant, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for South Asia, said: “This baseless trial of Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha is a blatant abuse of the justice system. Pakistani authorities must end the judicial harassment and coercive tactics used to silence dissent and intimidate those who defend human rights. “The ‘cyber terrorism’ and […] The post Pakistan: Authorities must…
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