Episode

Key Takeaways

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak received a 15-year sentence for corruption.
Researchers express significant optimism for effective Alzheimer's treatments within a decade.
US airstrikes in northwestern Nigeria targeted jihadist groups linked to the Islamic State.
Ukrainian President Zelensky is open to territorial negotiations for a peace plan with Russia.
A University College London project is recreating lost historical scents for preservation.

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was sentenced to 15 years in prison for corruption and money laundering related to the 1MDB scandal.
This adds to a six-year sentence he is already serving from a separate case.
Mr. Razak plans to appeal the new ruling.

Dementia affects an estimated 55 million people worldwide, with projections to triple by 2050.
Researchers are optimistic that effective treatments for Alzheimer's disease could emerge within five to ten years.
Health correspondent James Gallagher reported on research at the University of Edinburgh using human brain tissue to study Alzheimer's.
Professor Tara Spires-Jones, director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Science, shares optimism for developing treatments to slow or stop progression.

Nigeria's foreign minister suggested potential for further US military action against jihadist groups in the country.
This follows Christmas Day US airstrikes in northwestern Nigeria targeting militants linked to the Islamic State group.
BBC monitoring specialist Barry Marston noted the unusual location in Sokoto State, as ISIS presence is primarily in the northeast.
La Croara Group, an entity with militant Islamist views that may have pledged loyalty to the Islamic State, is identified as a likely target.

President Zelensky announced he will meet with former President Trump to discuss a peace plan for Ukraine.
Zelensky stated there is 90% agreement with the US on proposals and that security guarantees are nearly ready.
He indicated a willingness to negotiate territory with Russia, potentially involving a free economic zone in Donetsk.
Ukraine's preferred option for peace negotiations involves a demilitarized zone at current battle lines.

An attack in northern Israel resulted in two deaths: a 19-year-old woman fatally stabbed and a pedestrian killed in a car ramming.
The Israeli defense minister identified the Palestinian attacker, who was neutralized and hospitalized.
Separately, a video showed an Israeli settler running over a Palestinian man praying in the occupied West Bank on Christmas Day.
The settler involved in the West Bank incident received a five-day house arrest.

An academic project at University College London is working to preserve 'olfactory heritage' by analyzing and recreating lost smells.
Researchers use techniques like gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to recreate scents such as old books or typewriter ink.
Dr. Cecilia Bembibre discussed recreating the scent of St. Paul's Cathedral's library, featuring notes of vanilla, wood, and cookies.
A recreated scent of hell, based on a 1549 painting, was described as having notes of sulfur and capric acid, evoking a goat.