628 years ago today, one of the most august figures in East Asian history was born—Sejong the Great—scientist, reformer, and engineer of the Korean alphabet, Hangul. The historic record indicates he had an insatiable appetite for knowledge, and was extremely effective at translating that knowledge into real-world improvements in the welfare of his people, both…

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said Canadians were not “impressed” by the UK government’s invitation to US President Donald Trump for a second state visit. The newly elected Carney told Sky News that the UK’s invitation earlier this year did not help Canadians, who were facing repeat comments from Trump about making Canada the…

A baby wearing a HIRO MycoDigestible diaper – credit, HIRO Technologies Recent discoveries in microbial digestion of plastic have finally left the lab and entered the real world in the form of HIRO diapers, the world’s first diaper manufactured to be eaten by fungi. Every year, over 18 billion diapers are discarded into US landfills—and…

At least 48 Palestinians have been killed in a series of Israeli air strikes in northern Gaza overnight, a local hospital says. The Indonesian hospital reported that 22 children and 15 women were among the dead after a number of homes in Jabalia town and refugee camp were hit. A video shared online appeared to…

Happy Birthday to director-screenwriter George Lucas who turns 80. Receiving 5 Oscar nominations (including Best Picture) for his 1973 debut film American Graffiti proved that he could write and direct, and producing the groundbreaking science fiction franchise Star Wars proved he could create a cultural phenomenon worth billions of dollars. He also dreamed up Indiana…

Sarah Smith BBC News, reporting from Riyadh Bernd Debusmann Jr BBC News, Washington DC Timelapse: Dozens of Saudi Arabian officials queue to meet Trump US President Donald Trump has said the US has “no stronger partner” than Saudi Arabia during his first major foreign trip – a whirlwind visit of Gulf countries mainly focused on…

credit – Curated Lifestyle for Unsplash + There’s an old saying, often ignored in modern Western medicine, that an ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure. Establishing a new broad-spectrum, 20-year testing program for its younger generation, Poland has passed this Franklinian test of medical wisdom whose value has been recognized since the days…

Japanese carmaker Nissan has said it will cut another 11,000 jobs globally and shut seven factories as it shakes up the business in the face of weak sales. Falling sales in China and heavy discounting in the US, its two biggest markets, have taken a heavy toll on earnings, while a proposed merger with Honda…

748 years ago today, the ruler of a large Turkish beylik in southern Anatolia, Mehmet I of Karaman, issued a decree which read: “From now on nobody in the palace, in the divan, council and on walks speak no language other than Turkish.” It was the first time a modern Turkish state of any kind…

The Metropolitan Police say they are investigating whether two other incidents are connected to Monday’s fire at Sir Keir Starmer’s private home in north London. Emergency services were called to the Kentish Town property in the early hours of Monday, and counter terrorism police are investigating the cause. There was damage to the property’s entrance…