disability

Scientists report finding a distinct change in the brains of people with long COVID that may help explain some of the illness's most debilitating symptoms, including a possible burnout of the brain's reward system. The findings could shed light on fatigue and motivation problems reported by many patients, though the research is still emerging and its wider implications remain to be confirmed.

Social Security has set a 3.6% increase, a cost-of-living adjustment that would raise monthly benefit checks for retirees, disabled workers and other recipients. People are weighing what the bump means against ongoing inflation, with many noting whether it keeps pace with rising costs of food, housing and healthcare.

Proposed budget cuts to a major national health survey could reduce data collected on Americans with disabilities, potentially leaving this population undercounted and underserved in future health policy decisions. Critics warn that trimming the survey would weaken researchers' and policymakers' ability to track the health needs, access to care and outcomes of disabled Americans, making it harder to design and fund programs that serve them.

Reports point to a US and Israeli push into space-based weaponry, including technology capable of disabling satellites and directed-energy systems such as space lasers. The development highlights growing militarisation of orbit, where anti-satellite capabilities are becoming a strategic priority for allied powers amid rising global tensions over space security.

Ukraine's military ombudsman office says it has withdrawn a proposal that would have tightened rules for mobilisation deferrals granted to relatives of people with disabilities. The office acknowledged the initiative provoked anger among parents raising children with disabilities, and the backlash appears to have prompted the reversal amid ongoing sensitivity over mobilisation policy.

Disabled veterans and military retirees are on track to receive a 3.6-percent increase in their benefits in 2027, according to the American Legion. The projected cost-of-living adjustment would raise monthly payments for millions of former service members and their families. The figure is based on inflation tracking used to set annual federal benefit increases.

The United Nations is marking the 2026 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, an annual observance held on 3 December to promote the rights and wellbeing of persons with disabilities worldwide. The UN is using the day to raise awareness of disability inclusion across its programmes and to call on governments and institutions to advance accessibility and equal participation.

Disabled veterans and military retirees are on track to receive a 3.6% increase in their benefits in 2027, according to Stars and Stripes. The projected cost-of-living adjustment would raise monthly payments for millions of former service members, though final figures depend on inflation data still to be released.

The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment for 2027 has been announced, prompting questions about when beneficiaries will see larger payments. The annual COLA is designed to keep retirement and disability benefits in line with inflation, and recipients now want to know the timing and size of the increase. Analysts and media outlets are walking readers through how the adjustment works and when it takes effect.

Education Week reports on new federal guidance concerning disability and its implications for special education in K-12 schools. The guidance could affect how districts identify, evaluate and serve students with disabilities, and educators are assessing what changes may be required in classrooms and support services. Administrators, teachers and families are watching closely for details on compliance expectations and funding.

Romanian commentator Radu Hossu says Yandex crawler traffic has fallen to near zero, citing Cloudflare Radar data, and claims this is because Ukraine has disabled the servers hosting them — quote, 'by firepower'. He says he is now testing whether bot activity is really gone by posting statements that should generate reactions if automated accounts are still operating. The claim has drawn wide engagement online.

A young Kenyan lawyer has put a personal price tag on the barriers that people with disabilities face, in a story highlighted by the United Nations. The account details the financial and social costs of exclusion from education, work and public life, and has drawn attention to calls for greater accessibility and inclusion in Kenya and beyond.

Commentary is circulating on what would happen to Americans if Social Security and Medicare were eliminated. The piece examines the consequences for seniors, disabled people and the broader economy, framing the programs as central to welfare, healthcare and retirement security in the United States. The discussion comes amid ongoing political debate over the future of these entitlement programs and their funding.

Military.com reports on the projected 2027 cost-of-living pay raise for disabled veterans and military retirees, outlining the percentage increase beneficiaries can expect in their compensation. The figure matters to millions of former service members and families who rely on these payments, and readers are weighing it against inflation and prior years' adjustments.

Italian actress Giulia Bevilacqua is drawing attention in Italy through two new features. One offers a look inside her Rome home, describing the neighbourhood, her eclectic living room and family life in the capital. In another, she appears alongside Bova discussing Italian schools, arguing that pupils with disabilities need more support teachers, staff and funding, plus emotional education.

New reporting highlights research finding that children with intellectual and developmental disabilities have an increased risk of developing depression and anxiety compared with other children. The finding points to a need for closer mental health monitoring and support for this group of young people, and is drawing attention to gaps in care.

Mashable compares how Apple and Google handle pre-installed apps that collect user data, asking which phone maker actually lets people remove or disable unwanted software. The piece highlights growing scrutiny of bloatware on smartphones, since apps that cannot be uninstalled can still track users. The comparison is drawing attention from mobile users weighing privacy when choosing between the two platforms.

Footage circulating online shows a Russian drone attacking a Ukrainian unmanned ground vehicle on the frontline, only to be disabled when the robot deploys an anti-drone net that snags it. Observers say the clip captures a striking moment of machines fighting machines in the war, highlighting how both sides are increasingly using robots and counter-drone technology in combat.

Nebraska Public Media reports that special education and services for Nebraskans with disabilities would be targeted under a hypothetical plan to cut the education department. The report highlights how funding reductions could affect students with disabilities and the families who rely on these programs across the state. The discussion is drawing attention to the potential consequences of shrinking federal or state education budgets for vulnerable populations.