Technology
→ NewsBill Gates and OpenAI back $50mn AI rollout for African health clinics
The Gates Foundation and OpenAI will invest $50 million to deploy AI tools in 1,000 primary health clinics and nearby communities in Rwanda and other African countries by 2028, the initiative said.
Concorde 50th anniversary: Surrey pilot recalls flying the supersonic jet.
Mike Bannister, who became the youngest Concorde pilot in 1977 and captained its final commercial flight in 2003, spoke at Brooklands Museum as Concorde marks 50 years since its first passenger service in 1976.
AI therapists in Italy may ease access where stigma and costs persist
Use of AI therapy apps has grown among people in Italy amid limited public mental health provision and persistent stigma, and surveys point to cost and lack of workplace support as common barriers.
Thousands of school children face social media curfew in UK trial
NHS and Cambridge researchers will run a world-first six-week trial limiting about 4,000 12–15-year-olds to one hour of social media a day and blocking access between 9pm and 7am. The study will compare anxiety, depression and sleep with peers who use social media as usual, and it accompanies a government consultation on whether to limit social media access for under-16s.
Barcelona train crash leaves driver dead and 20 injured after wall collapse
A commuter train derailed near Barcelona after a retaining wall fell onto the tracks; officials say the train driver has died and 20 people were injured, four critically.
Life is Strange: Reunion revealed as the emotional conclusion to Max and Chloe's story
Square Enix and Deck Nine revealed Life is Strange: Reunion, due on March 26, 2026, and described it as the emotional conclusion to Max and Chloe's saga.
Electric cars: UK government urges drivers to switch while barriers remain
The UK Department for Transport has launched the 'Get that electric feeling' campaign promoting a £3,750 Electric Car Grant and plans to add 100,000 local public chargers; the article reports continuing barriers for many drivers including limited charger access, rental and property constraints, high public charging costs, weak used EV values, and limited model choice.
Spain train crash: investigators search for bodies as death toll rises
Investigators are recovering bodies after a collision near Córdoba that has killed 41 people, and officials say some victims remain trapped under the wreckage; a preliminary probe has pointed to a worn rail joint but an official cause is not yet confirmed.
OpenAI says its job this year is to make AI actually useful
OpenAI says it will focus on practical adoption in 2026 and aims to close the gap between AI capability and everyday use, and the company plans to reveal a first physical product this year though its availability is not confirmed.
Guildford murder: police confirm victim was 15-year-old boy
Police said a 15-year-old boy was found stabbed in woodland at Stoke Park, Guildford, on Monday evening and died at the scene; the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team is leading a murder investigation and no arrests have been made.
Internet shutdown squeezes Iran's businesses amid unrest
Iran has been under a near-countrywide internet shutdown since Jan. 8, and many businesses that depend on social media report steep losses while officials have given no firm timeline for restoration.
Australia parliament reopens with moment of silence for Bondi victims
Australia's parliament returned early with speeches and a moment of silence for those killed in last month's Bondi Beach shooting, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recalled MPs to begin debate on separate gun control and hate speech reforms.
Death toll in Spain high-speed train collision rises to 39, RTVE reports
RTVE and police report 39 people killed and 152 injured after two high-speed trains collided near Adamuz in Cordoba, and Transport Minister Óscar Puente said the cause is unknown with an inquiry that could take about a month.
UK social media ban for children could raise the age and curb app features
Ministers are consulting on measures that could limit social media use by under-16s, including raising the digital age of consent and restricting app design features. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will also direct Ofsted to review school mobile phone policies and produce screen-time guidance, and the government will respond to the consultation in the summer.
Air defences: Zelenskyy says interceptor drones and mobile fire groups will transform system
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced plans to add mobile fire groups and interceptor drones to Ukraine's air defences, and named Pavlo Yelizarov as a deputy air force commander to oversee the development.
Passenger donates Concorde mementoes from first BA flight to museum
Anthony Hopkins has donated personal items from the first British Airways Concorde commercial flight (21 January 1976) to the National Museum of Flight at East Fortune. The archive includes boarding passes, luggage tags, promotional material and an in‑flight menu signed by many passengers.
Children in UK face social media ban and tougher Ofsted phone checks
The government has opened a consultation on measures including a possible ban on social media for under-16s and limits on addictive app features, while Ofsted will begin checking school mobile phone policies on inspections immediately.
Sega marks Puyo Puyo's 35th with new artwork and livestream
Sega has begun Puyo Puyo's 35th anniversary under the Dairensa! project, sharing new artwork and a teaser site that points to a livestream on 1 February; Japan-focused pop-up stores and collaboration events are planned through March.
Rockstar grants terminally ill fan early access to GTA 6
A Grand Theft Auto fan given a recent terminal cancer diagnosis was offered an early chance to play GTA 6 after a family member posted on LinkedIn; the poster later edited the post to say they had 'great news', and Rockstar has not commented.
Russia hits Ukraine's energy system, Kyiv says
Ukrainian officials said overnight strikes damaged energy infrastructure and cut power in five regions; emergency repairs are underway and the government announced plans to strengthen transmission.
Spain train crash kills at least 39 as investigation begins
At least 39 people were killed and about 170 injured after two trains collided near Adamuz, Spain; authorities have opened an investigation into the cause.
Swiggy and Zomato face new limits on 10-minute deliveries
The Indian government has told e-commerce firms to stop offering 10-minute deliveries after a New Year's Eve strike by about 200,000 gig workers who demanded better pay and greater algorithmic transparency.
Celebrity SAS: Three recruits leave after Neighbours actor withdraws over mental health
Three participants left Celebrity SAS during the latest episode: Neighbours actor Ryan Moloney withdrew after staff raised concerns about his mental state, former England cricketer Graeme Swann was medically withdrawn with an arm injury, and Gladiator Toby Olubi was pulled out by directing staff.
Parents of Matilda want Bondi footbridge painted yellow in her honour
In an ABC interview Matilda’s parents said they want the heritage-listed Bondi footbridge preserved, painted yellow and marked with a plaque; the bridge’s future is on hold while local and state officials consider its fate.
NASA moon rocket moves to launch pad ahead of planned astronaut flight
NASA's Space Launch System rocket was rolled from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center as preparation for a crewed lunar fly-around; NASA says a fuelling test is planned in early February before a launch date is confirmed.
Grok: Musk says he was unaware of explicit images of minors
Elon Musk said he was not aware that xAI's Grok had generated explicit images of minors; regulators, lawmakers and some countries have opened investigations or blocked access to the tool.
Responsible innovation in 2026 should prioritise AI governance and trusted data
UK business investment in AI is expected to rise about 40% over the next two years, and organisations are shifting from experimentation to responsible AI adoption, emphasising data integrity, governance and integrated channels to maintain trust and measurable outcomes.
Evacuation order issued for Sydney's northern beaches as east coast storms hit
Authorities issued an evacuation order for residents near Narrabeen Lagoon after heavy storms caused flooding and more than a dozen rescues across Sydney; emergency crews reported one death and are focusing response efforts in affected areas.
Royal Navy autonomous helicopter completes first flight
The Royal Navy's Proteus, the UK’s first autonomous full-size helicopter built by Leonardo in Yeovil under a £60m programme, completed its maiden flight at Predannack Airfield in Cornwall and operated its controls independently during a short test routine.
AI tools: five common myths debunked.
The article lists five common misconceptions about AI tools and explains that current models do not have human-like understanding and need ongoing human oversight.
