General practitioners in New Zealand have commenced prescribing stimulant medication for adult ADHD patients as of February 1, 2026. This significant policy change aims to improve access to diagnosis and treatment, reducing previous barriers like long waitlists and high specialist costs.
A 22-year-old Australian snowboarder, Brooke Day, died at Tsugaike Mountain Resort near Nagano, Japan, after her backpack became entangled with a ski lift, leaving her suspended. The incident occurred on January 30, 2026, leading to cardiac arrest and her subsequent death.
President Javier Milei's government is pushing to lower Argentina's age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 13 or 14. The bill, formally incorporated via Decree 53/2026, will be debated in extraordinary sessions of Congress starting February 2, sparking renewed debate over juvenile justice and public safety.
An Irish teenager accused of raping a 15-year-old girl has failed in his High Court attempt to stop his trial. He cited stress from Asperger's and ADHD, exacerbated by a two-year delay in being charged, but the court ruled the public interest in prosecution was paramount, allowing the trial to proceed. The decision was made on January 29, 2026.
A pack of dingoes on Australia's K'gari (Fraser Island) is slated for euthanasia after the death of 19-year-old Canadian tourist Piper James. Preliminary autopsy results indicate drowning with pre- and post-mortem dingo bites, prompting a government decision that has drawn criticism from Traditional Owners.
Greece's migration ministry has submitted a new bill to parliament to significantly toughen penalties for migrant trafficking, proposing life sentences for smugglers and direct expulsion for convicted migrants. The legislation also targets aid workers, drawing criticism from NGOs.
Despite abortion remaining legal in Argentina, President Javier Milei's administration has implemented administrative measures that have severely curtailed access to services. These actions include halting the national distribution of abortion medications and contraceptives, dismantling key reproductive health programs, and eliminating the Ministry of Women, Genders and Diversity, leading to widespread shortages and confusion.
In a significant legal development, Claudio Carlomagno, husband of the late Federica Torzullo, has been charged with the newly established crime of femicide in Italy. Torzullo, a 41-year-old postal worker, was found buried near her husband's business in Anguillara Sabazia after disappearing on January 8th. The autopsy revealed 23 stab wounds, and investigators allege attempts to mutilate and burn the body.
The Permanent Council of the Conference of Bishops of France has issued a strong statement against the proposed 'assisted dying' bill, urging lawmakers to reject the legislation. The bishops emphasize the importance of palliative care and human dignity as the French Senate prepares to debate the controversial end-of-life care bill.
France is advancing legislation to prohibit social media access for children under 15, with debates beginning in January 2026 and potential implementation by September 2026. Backed by President Emmanuel Macron, the move addresses growing concerns over youth mental health, cyberbullying, and exposure to inappropriate content, following Australia's recent similar ban for under-16s.
A 19-year-old man tragically passed away in Alicante's Playa de San Juan on Friday, January 16, 2026, after choking on a tangerine segment while walking with a friend. Emergency services attempted reanimation without success, and an autopsy will confirm the cause of death.
Pope Leo XIV met with families affected by the tragic New Year's Day fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, offering words of comfort and faith. The blaze claimed 40 lives and injured over 100 on January 1, 2026.
China's National Health Commission and five other government departments have issued new regulations prohibiting medical institutions from providing funeral services. This measure, part of broader reforms taking effect March 30, 2026, aims to address long-standing abuses, corruption, and excessive charges within the funeral industry, following a nationwide crackdown and a significant corpse trafficking scandal.
European School Luxembourg I has become one of the first schools to train all its staff in mental health first aid, proactively addressing growing youth mental health challenges. The initiative, proposed by the Parents' Association, equips staff to identify and support students experiencing psychological distress, covering conditions like depression and anxiety.
Germany's Justice Ministry has announced plans for fast-track legislative and judicial measures to combat harmful AI-generated content, specifically targeting deepfakes and non-consensual image manipulation. The initiative aims to strengthen criminal law and introduce a new law against digital violence, prompted by recent incidents involving AI chatbots.
A Japanese district court has ordered the government to pay 1.1 million yen in damages to the mother of a Ground Self-Defense Force member who died by suicide in 2012. The Sapporo District Court acknowledged the government's responsibility for the mental distress experienced by the 19-year-old soldier, Takumi Kawashima.
The Archdiocese of Vaduz in Liechtenstein has announced its participation in Switzerland's national day of mourning on January 9, 2026, for the victims of the tragic New Year's Eve bar fire in Crans-Montana. Apostolic Administrator Benno Elbs has called for church bells to ring and prayers to be offered in solidarity with the bereaved.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced a comprehensive deportation reform in her New Year's speech, aiming to expel more foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes. The proposed changes would apply to individuals sentenced to at least one year in prison, irrespective of their integration or ties to Denmark, with legislation expected by summer.
Abortion numbers in New Zealand have increased by 37 percent since the decriminalisation of abortion in March 2020 and the subsequent introduction of national telehealth services. This rise is attributed to improved access to care, with early medical abortions now comprising a majority of procedures.
The lifeless body of 21-year-old Brieg Luz, who had been missing since December 27, was discovered today in Denée, Anhée, Belgium. A large-scale search operation involving police, tracker dogs, and a helicopter had been underway. An investigation into the cause of death has been launched by the Namur Public Prosecutor's Office.
