“I will still use it” vows youth, as Australia’s under-16 social media ban sparks anger and relief
Sydney, Australia Reuters Australians reacted on Friday with a mixture of anger and relief to a social media ban on children under 16 that the government says is world-leading, but which tech giants like TikTok argue could push young people to “darker corners of the internet”. Australia approved the social media ban for children late […]
Three dead, thousands displaced as Malaysia warns of worst floods in a decade
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Reuters Three people have died and more than 80,000 have been evacuated from floods across several Malaysian states, the government said on Friday as officials warned the monsoon season could bring the country’s worst flooding in a decade. Floods are common on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia during the monsoon period […]
Snapshot: Street scene, Bangkok, Thailand
See GEOFF GREENWOOD’s image…
Putin says Russia could hit “decision-making centres” in Kyiv with new missile
Reuters Russia may use its new Oreshnik hypersonic missile to attack “decision-making centres” in Kyiv in response to Ukraine’s firing of Western missiles at Russian territory, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday. Russia has not so far struck Ukrainian government ministries, parliament or the president’s office in the course of the 33-month war. Russian President […]
Romania’s top court orders presidential election recount
Bucharest, Romania Reuters Romania’s top court on Thursday ordered a recount of votes in the first round of the presidential election and the country’s top security body warned Romania was a key target for hostile actions from Russia after a shock result in the ballot. Having polled in single digits before Sunday’s vote, independent far-right […]
UK’s Starmer pledges to reduce immigration with points-based reform
London, UK Reuters British Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed on Thursday to reduce the number of migrants coming to Britain, saying he would produce a plan for reform of the points-based immigration system that would put the onus on businesses to train British workers. Hours after official data showed net migration had reached a record […]
South Korea battles a second day of heavy snow; five dead
Seoul, South Korea Reuters South Korea grappled with heavy snowfall for a second day on Thursday, with dozens of flights cancelled, ferry operations suspended and at least five people reported dead in a cold snap, though conditions showed signs of easing. The snowfall was the third-heaviest in Seoul, the capital, since records began in 1907, […]
Fifteen dead, more than 100 missing in east Uganda landslide
Kampala, Uganda Reuters Fifteen people have died and at least 100 more are missing after a landslide triggered by heavy rains buried dozens of homes across several villages in eastern Uganda, the Prime Minister’s office and police said on Thursday. The landslide occurred on Wednesday in Bulambuli district, about 300 kilometres east of the capital […]
Pope Francis set to visit Turkey for Council of Nicaea anniversary in 2025, ANSA reports
Rome, Italy Reuters Pope Francis said on Thursday he planned to visit Turkey’s Iznik next year for the anniversary of the first council of the Christian Church, Italian news agency ANSA reported. Pope Francis gestures on the day of the weekly general audience in St Peter’s Square, at the Vatican, on 27th November, 2024. PICTURE: […]
Faith and tech: ‘AI Jesus’ avatar tests man’s faith in machines and the divine
JAMEY KEATEN, of Associated Press, reports on the outcome of a experimental art installation in Lucerne, Switzerland…