Author: Rachel Maddow

Australia will enforce a sweeping ban preventing children under 16 from using major social media platforms starting December 10. The government added Reddit and livestreaming platform Kick to the list, joining Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Threads, X, and YouTube. Communications Minister Anika Wells confirmed that all nine platforms must remove underage users’ accounts or face heavy penalties. Companies that fail to take reasonable action could be fined up to 50 million Australian dollars (€28.3 million). “We have met with several platforms to make clear there is no excuse for ignoring this law,” Wells told reporters in Canberra. “These companies use…

Belgian authorities closed Brussels Zaventem Airport on Tuesday night after reports of a drone flying over the airfield. Public broadcaster VRT confirmed that officials suspended all departures and arrivals when the first drone appeared above the international hub. The airport briefly reopened before closing again after a second drone was spotted. Liège Airport, which initially received diverted flights, also shut down when another drone was seen in its airspace. A spokesperson for skeyes, Belgium’s airspace authority, said the first sighting occurred around 8 p.m. local time. Flights were redirected to Ostend-Bruges and Charleroi Brussels South as a safety measure. Both…

Research shows that AI innovation in the U.S. is contributing to lower carbon emissions. Studies indicate that when managed effectively, AI technologies can make energy use more efficient and sustainable. The intersection of tech and energy demonstrates that innovation isn’t only about profit. AI tools are helping optimize energy grids, improve industrial efficiency, and reduce waste, leading to measurable environmental benefits. Experts highlight that this trend aligns with broader goals of sustainable growth. By adopting AI in energy management, companies can cut CO2 emissions while maintaining productivity and competitiveness. The study notes that AI-driven optimization works in multiple sectors. From…

Nigeria entered a tense weekend after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to plan possible military action. His comments reignited the debate over alleged Christian persecution and raised fears of foreign intervention. Trump warned on Saturday that the U.S. might halt all aid and “go in guns blazing” if Nigeria failed to protect Christians. His post claimed the American military would “strike fast, viciously, and sweetly” against what he called “terrorist thugs.” Nigerians reacted sharply on Sunday as reports spread of Trump’s directive. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rejected any threat to national sovereignty but offered to meet Trump to…

Heavy rains triggered powerful mudslides in Kenya’s western Rift Valley, destroying more than 1,000 homes. The disaster struck the hilly region of Chesongoch in Elgeyo Marakwet County on Saturday, killing at least 21 people and leaving more than 30 missing. Authorities confirmed that search and rescue operations continue despite dangerous weather conditions. Residents described hearing a thunderous noise before the ground gave way. Many fled their homes in panic, running in every direction to escape the collapsing earth. The ongoing short rain season has pounded the region for days, worsening the situation and blocking several key roads. Government Launches Emergency…

A global research team discovered that artificial intelligence interprets Polish commands more precisely than those in any other language. English, often viewed as the default for AI, placed only sixth. The University of Maryland and Microsoft collaborated on the study, testing 26 languages across major AI systems to measure accuracy and comprehension. “Our findings were unexpected,” the researchers wrote. “English did not dominate. It ranked sixth when processing longer texts, while Polish produced the most accurate responses.” The study examined how models from OpenAI, Google Gemini, Qwen, Llama, and DeepSeek reacted to identical prompts translated into multiple languages. Machines Handle…

Surging iPhone demand pushed Apple’s revenue higher during the quarter ending in September, closing its fiscal year with record profits.Apple posted stronger-than-expected results for the September quarter while facing a global trade war and lagging behind Big Tech rivals in artificial intelligence.Strong early sales of the iPhone 17 line, launched last month, powered the company’s performance. Apple CEO Tim Cook announced, “Apple proudly reports record September-quarter revenue of $102.5 billion, including all-time highs for iPhone and Services.”Driven by iPhone sales, Apple earned $27.5 billion (€23.8bn), almost doubling its profit from the previous year. Apple’s stock climbed 2% in after-hours trading…

Human Rights Watch urged Merz to denounce Turkey’s crackdown on opposition figures, including the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu.German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on Europe to strengthen its strategic partnership with Turkey to confront new global challenges.He made these remarks during his first official visit to Ankara, where Turkey continues to mediate conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.Standing beside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Merz spoke only days after Turkey and the United Kingdom sealed a multi-billion-euro deal to sell 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets.Germany, part of the manufacturing consortium, recently removed its long-standing objection to exporting the aircraft to Turkey.…

Hurricane Melissa made landfall near Chivirico in Santiago de Cuba early Wednesday, pounding the island with 193 kph winds. The storm, one of the Atlantic’s strongest recorded hurricanes, forced officials to evacuate more than 700,000 residents. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed that over half a million people were relocated to shelters and safer areas. Forecasters warned that the Category 3 hurricane could cause widespread destruction in Santiago de Cuba and surrounding provinces. Meteorologists predicted storm surges up to 3.6 meters and rainfall reaching 51 centimeters across eastern Cuba. Melissa was expected to move northwest through the island before crossing into…

A new legal battle could shake the foundations of Europe’s banking system. In an exclusive interview with the Abu Dhabi Times, international attorney Dr. Gerhard Podovsovnik accused Switzerland of holding on to Nazi-era assets and building postwar wealth on money stolen from Jewish victims. “The truth is what’s drastic,” Dr. Podovsovnik said. “For eighty years, Switzerland has buried it. The Bergier Report showed that Swiss banks traded in Nazi gold and looted property while turning away Jewish refugees who were being sent to their deaths. That isn’t neutrality — it’s complicity.” The comments are part of a broader push by…