News Round-Up: Key Stories From the Past 24 Hours
A round-up highlighting selected stories from the past 24 hours that question mainstream narratives on the climate emergency, public health crises, and critiques of Western civilisation.
Former Australia batter Damien Martyn regains consciousness after coma
Damien Martyn, who played 67 Test matches for Australia between 1992 and 2006, has regained consciousness after being in a coma following a meningitis diagnosis late last month.
Former Australia batter Damien Martyn wakes from coma after meningitis diagnosis
Martyn, who played 67 Test matches between 1992 and 2006, has woken from a coma in what has been described as a “miracle” recovery after being diagnosed with meningitis late last month.
Gloucester County MLB prospect hospitalized after car crash, team says
The Milwaukee Brewers said Frank Cairone, an 18-year-old prospect from Franklinville in Gloucester County, New Jersey, is hospitalized after a serious car crash near his home on Jan. 2, 2026. Cairone was drafted out of Delsea Regional High School as the No. 68 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft and recently trained at the Brewers’ Arizona facility. The team has not disclosed the extent of his injuries and said updates will follow.
As Trump intervenes in Venezuela, New Zealand faces a foreign policy decision
New Zealand faces a foreign policy reckoning over how far it should align with Washington as Trump rewrites the rules in Venezuela. The US operation to seize Venezuela’s president, and plans to oversee a political transition and reopen the oil sector, are presented as a return to a sphere-of-influence approach that risks breaching international law and setting a precedent for other powers. New Zealand’s cautious call for all sides to follow international law is depicted as inadequate, forcing Wellington to choose between accommodating a more unilateral US posture or more clearly backing a rules-based, multilateral order.
Why Weight Loss Is Harder for Some People: Willpower Isn’t the Whole Story
The idea that weight loss is simply a matter of willpower overlooks the role genetics can play. Experts say thousands of genes influence body weight, meaning people don’t start on equal footing when trying to lose weight.
Steve Coogan discusses his Roy Keane film and his role in Victoria and David Beckham’s first meeting
Steve Coogan says he plays Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy in "Saipan", a film centered on the bitter clash between McCarthy and captain Roy Keane. He also reflects on his part in introducing Victoria and David Beckham when they first met.
The French university that trains intelligence officers
Sciences Po Saint-Germain, near Paris, provides training for serving French intelligence agents and also helps prepare potential new recruits for careers in the secret services.
BBC reporter tests AI technology designed to prevent shoplifting
Watch: A BBC reporter tests AI anti-shoplifting tech as some major retailers and independent stores roll out AI body scans, CCTV, and facial recognition systems to detect and deter crimes such as shoplifting.
The Van Tulleken Brothers Explain Three Wellness Trends They No Longer Worry About
Dr Xand and Dr Chris van Tulleken say they’ve stopped stressing over three popular wellness concerns: eating extra protein, taking magnesium supplements, and trying to avoid microplastics.
Nicolás Maduro Scheduled to Appear in Manhattan Federal Court for Arraignment on Drug Charges
Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is set to appear in Manhattan federal court on Monday for an arraignment tied to a four-count indictment alleging he led a 25-year narco-terrorism conspiracy.
How Can I Help My 12-Year-Old Stop Vaping?
In “How do I stop my 12-year-old from vaping?”, Jane says she is worried after finding out her 12-year-old daughter has been vaping regularly, and is looking for ways to help her stop.
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