The Christmas TV classic that almost didn’t air

Response to CEO killing reveals antipathy toward health insurers − but entire patchwork system is to blame for ill feeling

Simon F. Haeder, Texas A&M University

Insurers in many ways are the face of US health care, which may help explain the public reaction to the murder of an insurance executive.

Ferns’ ability to evolve ‘backward’ offers insights into the meandering path of evolution

Jacob S. Suissa, University of Tennessee

Evolution is often depicted as a steady forward march from simple to complex forms. But new research shows that certain ferns can evolve ‘backward.’

Why Quincy Jones should be prominently featured in US music education − his absence reflects how racial segregation still shapes American classrooms

Philip Ewell, Hunter College

Composer Quincy Jones, who died in November 2024, was a titan of 20th-century American music. So why don’t music majors study his work?

Stop and think: An undervalued approach in a world that short-circuits thoughtful political judgment

Robert B. Talisse, Vanderbilt University

Responsible political judgment requires reflection − and reflection takes time.

We developed a way to use light to dismantle PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ – long-lasting environmental pollutants

Arindam Sau, University of Colorado Boulder; Mihai Popescu, Colorado State University; Xin Liu, Colorado State University

PFAS are made up of a chain of incredibly strong carbon-fluorine bonds, which make them difficult to break down.

Brain inflammation may be the reason behind muscle fatigue after infection and injury

Diego E. Rincon-Limas, University of Florida; Aaron N. Johnson, Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis

Conditions such as long COVID-19, Alzheimer’s disease and meningitis can damage the line of communication between your brain and your muscles.

Ghana’s election system keeps women out of parliament. How to change that

Gretchen Bauer, University of Delaware; Akosua Keseboa Darkwah, University of Ghana

Ghana, an emerging democracy, lags far behind in women’s representation in parliament.

Disaster happens when soldiers don’t act ethically. We can provide better training to support them

Deane-Peter Baker, UNSW Sydney; David Whetham, King's College London; Heather Lum, Arizona State University

The Brereton Inquiry recommended reassessing the Australian Defence Force’s ethics training approach. Four years later it’s improved a bit, but could be much better.

Abu Mohammed al-Golani may become the face of post-Assad Syria – but who is he and why does he have $10M US bounty on his head?

Hamas – hemmed in and isolated – finds itself with few options for the day after the Gaza war

Trump wants to use the Alien Enemies Act to deport immigrants – but the 18th-century law has been invoked only during times of war

The Conversation U.S. weekly news quiz

Fritz Holznagel, The Conversation

Here’s the first question of this week’s edition:

Deposed Syrian president Bashar Assad fled the country on Dec. 8. In which city did he turn up next, seeking asylum?

1. A. Moscow
2. B. Istanbul
3. C. Paris
4. D. Tehran

Test your knowledge