World News Hub

Roblox commits to privacy overhaul after eSafety discovers adults can contact children via gaming platform

Regulator says verifiable safety measures are ‘critical’ to the online service’s viabilityGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastRoblox has committed to making changes to its online gaming platform after Australia’s eSafety commissioner discovered adults were still able to see child accounts and send connection requests without parental consent.The company has provided a legal ...

A ‘shiny, dangling carrot’ lured Jesse into gambling. He says Labor’s reform won’t stop others being sucked in

The government says it’s stopping ‘the most toxic’ gambling company strategies. Former addicts say it will do ‘absolutely nothing’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastJesse Murphy wasn’t sure what to wear when his VIP gambling manager texted him: “Looking forward to having a beer with you!”His frequent betting had just earned the then 25-year-old free tickets to a gambling co...

A fifth of older Australians who contested automated decision on home support funding got more after human review

Exclusive: Greens say department of health’s integrated assessment tool is ‘under-assessing’ far more people who may not know how to contestFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAlmost one-fifth of older Australians who contested their algorithm-determined Support at Home funding allocation had a higher level of support or ...

A fifth of older Australians who contested AI-determined home support funding got more after human review

Exclusive: Greens say department of health’s integrated assessment tool is ‘under-assessing’ far more people who may not know how to contestGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAlmost one-fifth of older Australians who contested their Support at Home funding allocation determined by an algorithm had a higher level of support or higher priority allocated once a human reviewed ...

US treasury doubles debt buyback to steady bond market amid inflation fears

Yields, at recent highs this week, dropped after treasury’s vow to ‘provide greater liquidity support’ to bond marketThe US treasury is doubling its buyback of government debt in an effort to balance out the bond market and counterbalance investor concern over high inflation.The yield rate on 10-year, 20-year and 30-year treasury notes all hit 20-year highs this week, with the 30-year treasury yie...

Merck, Moderna claim encouraging melanoma vaccine trial results

US pharmaceutical firms Merck and Moderna announced on Wednesday encouraging results from a trial of their experimental vaccine against melanoma, potentially clearing the way for approval. The vaccine, called intismeran autogene, showed “statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements” for skin cancer patients when used with Merck’s Keytruda treatment, the companies said in a stat...

Palestinian refugee and two relatives drown off English coast

A girl is taken to hospital in critical condition in what PM Burnham calls a 'terrible family tragedy'.

Zelenskyy sacks deputy head of his office amid reported corruption investigation – as it happened

Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies said they uncovered group responsible for money laundering $3.35m but did not name individuals involved The rise in Germany’s ⁠borrowing costs to a 15-year high reflects the ⁠increased security challenges ⁠facing ​the country following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and ⁠the need to spend much more defence, the Finance Ministry ⁠said on Wednesday.German 10- ​and 30...

Israel numbers Palestinian detainee foreheads: What we know

Palestinian news outlets reported a man with the number ‘44’ written on his forehead following a raid in Qabatiya.

Retail giant Target receives $1bn boost from tariff refunds

The US chain said it received a $994 million pre-tax reimbursement, which resulted in its second quarter operating income rising to $2.6bn.

'Terrible': UK PM Burnham after Palestinian refugee dies alongside wife, daughter in swimming tragedy

American photographer who captured one of the earliest images of a total solar eclipse in 1851

Government rough sleeping funding may not ‘be enough’ to tackle problem, says Burnham – as it happened

PM pledges to get rough sleepers off streets for Christmas but issues ‘rallying call’ for community and voluntary organisations to help with plan Andy Burnham has admitted government funding “may not fully be enough” to achieve his aim of offering a place to stay to every rough sleeper by Christmas, as he made a “rallying call” for communities to get behind his plan.Speaking on a visit to the nort...

Second Ukrainian national arrested over 2022 Nord Stream pipeline blast

The suspect was arrested in Croatia a year after another, an ex-army officer, was held and transferred to Germany.

Brazilian police say at least 23 killed in minibus and truck crash

Brazilian police say that at least 23 people have been killed when a minibus and a truck collided head-on in the southern state of Parana

Canadian official condemns Israel’s 'unlawful invasion' and announces new aid to Lebanon

A Canadian official has condemned what he called Israel’s “unlawful invasion” of Lebanon

Joel Sartore’s Photo Ark: 18,000 species documented to save wildlife

18-year-old builds AI system to track particle collisions, wins $40,000

Second Ukrainian suspect arrested over Nord Stream pipeline blasts

A second Ukrainian suspect has been arrested over an attack on the Nord Stream pipelines that were built to carry gas from Russia to Europe, German prosecutors say.

Doctor to the stars cleared over failure to record reason for using labour drug

An obstetrician to the stars has been cleared of professional misconduct by Hong Kong’s medical watchdog over allegations she failed to properly record why she administered a labour-inducing drug to a patient who said the procedure left her traumatised. Dr Liang Shuk-tak, who reportedly had delivered babies for actresses Brigitte Lin Ching-hsia and Cecilia Cheung Pak-chi, and Olympic diving champi...

Trump administration can target Ethiopians for deportation

A judge's ruling on Tuesday removed the last remaining block on Trump officials' efforts to cancel Temporary Protected Status for Ethiopians.

Zelensky's office probed for corruption as fired defence minister demands elections

Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies announced Wednesday that they are investigating senior officials in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office, a day after the country’s recently fired defence minister called for national elections despite the ongoing fight against Russia’s invasion. The political drama was an unwelcome distraction for Zelenskyy as Ukraine’s war with its bigger neighbor extends int...

Premier League 2026-27 form guide: Title race, prediction, players to watch

Will Arsenal repeat, could Man Utd win, what about Liverpool? Breaking down the top clubs’ chances for 2026-27 season.

Angélique Kidjo becomes first African musician with Hollywood Walk of Fame star

Without Africans, no music is possible on this planet, says the 66-year-old musical icon from Benin.

Angélique Kidjo makes history for Africa with star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Without Africans, no music is possible on this planet, says the 66-year-old musical icon from Benin.