Nearly half of Japanese familiar with loneliness, isolation
WorldTOKYO -- Almost half of Japanese nationals feel familiar with loneliness and isolation, a government survey showed Friday.
Japan unveils measures to tackle mass oyster deaths
WorldTOKYO -- Japan's Fisheries Agency and others announced measures Thursday to address the mass deaths of farmed oysters in the western prefectures of Hiroshima, Okayama and Hyogo, all facing the Seto Inland Sea.
Vaccines do not cause autism: WHO
WorldA new analysis by the World Health Organization reaffirmed there is no link between vaccines and autism -- contrary to theories being propagated in the United States.
South Korea exam chief quits over complaints of too-hard tests
WorldThe chief organiser of South Korea's notoriously gruelling university entrance exams has resigned -- after complaints that an English test he designed was just too difficult.
Laughing about science more important than ever: Ig Nobel founder
WorldPARIS, France -- With science increasingly coming under attack, using humour as a way to get people interested in scientific research is more important than ever, the founder of the satirical Ig Nobel prizes said.
OpenAI launches GPT-5.2 after 'code red' push to counter Google's Gemini 3
WorldOpenAI on Thursday launched its GPT-5.2 artificial intelligence model, after CEO Sam Altman reportedly issued an internal "code red" in early December pausing non‑core projects and redirecting teams to accelerate development in response to Google's Gemini 3.
EU ban on combustion engine cars off table, EPP's Weber says
WorldFRANKFURT -- Plans to impose an effective ban on selling new cars with combustion engines in the European Union have been abandoned, a senior EU lawmaker told German mass tabloid Bild on Thursday.
Disney to invest $1 billion in OpenAI, license characters for Sora video tool
WorldWalt Disney is investing $1 billion in OpenAI and will let the startup use characters from Star Wars, Pixar and Marvel franchises in its Sora AI video generator, a deal that could reshape how Hollywood makes content.
US phone imports from Vietnam hit lowest level since 2020
WorldU.S. imports of telephones and parts from Vietnam, one of its top suppliers, fell to their lowest levels in more than five years in November, according to official Vietnamese data, as exporters led by Samsung Electronics faced trade uncertainties and slowing consumer demand.
Fan group calls for 'immediate halt' to World Cup ticket sales
WorldFans' group Football Supporters Europe (FSE) called on Thursday for FIFA to stop the sale of tickets for next year's World Cup due to their "extortionate" cost.
