Foreigners flock to Chinese malatang eateries, host birthdays, believe rich soup is healthy
A growing global craze has seen foreigners flock to malatang restaurants to celebrate birthdays and go on dates. The trend has sparked widespread online sharing and lively discussions on mainland social media. Malatang, which literally means “numbing, spicy and hot”, is a popular Chinese street food originating from Sichuan province in southwestern China. It consists of various self-selected meats, vegetables and noodles boiled in a broth. Often described as a “personal hotpot”, diners choose... [Continue Reading]
AI-generated Iran war videos surge as creators use new tech to cash in
The US-Israel war with Iran is being monetised by online creators with AI-generated misinformation. [Continue Reading]
Polymarket faces allegations of insider trading after suspicious Iran war bets
The online betting company Polymarket is facing scrutiny over allegations of insider trading after bettors made more than 500 million dollars by accurately predicting the date (and time) of the first strikes on Iran last Saturday. Some accounts are being suspected of insider trading, particularly as Donald Trump Jr., the son of the U.S. President is also a shareholder in Polymarket, and may be involved. [Continue Reading]
White House ‘slopaganda’ promoting US justice features morally suspect characters
Critics have called Trump administration’s provocative video ‘slopaganda’, used to promote president’s agenda‘A piece of supremely nasty mischief’: the Guardian’s film critic on the latest White House war videoSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailA Hollywood-themed propaganda video released by the White House promising “justice the American way” for Iran features movie stars from Australia, New Zealand and Canada, and promotes characters including a corrupt lawyer, a drug dealer and a freedom fighter who stands up to the overwhelming force of an invading foreign army.The 42-second video posted on the official X account of the White House on... [Continue Reading]
'We want a new form of government that better serves the Iranian people': EU Commissioner McGrath
Talking Europe sits down at the EU Commission with a man whose work goes to the very heart of what the EU sees as its core values. Michael McGrath is the Commissioner responsible for democracy, justice, the rule of law and consumer protection. His work concerns not just breaches of the rule of law in EU member states, but also the whole online dimension of democracy, including disinformation and foreign interference. Indeed, he now leads a new European Centre for Democratic Resilience. [Continue Reading]
Indonesia to ban social media and other online platforms for under 16s
It is the latest country to curb young people's access to digital spaces to try and protect them from abuse. [Continue Reading]
Forensic analysis confirms mutilated remains found near Ketewel Beach belong to abducted Ukrainian national Ihor Komarov
Bali police have announced that forensic analysis has confirmed the mutilated remains found near Ketewel Beach belong to Ihor Komarov, a 28-year-old Ukrainian national. Komarov was reported abducted in mid-February while riding a motorcycle in Jimbaran, Bali. The grim confirmation of his identity was made following DNA comparisons with samples provided by his family, as reported by Bali police spokesman Ariasandy during a briefing in Denpasar. Initial reports noted that Komarov's disappearance was linked to a kidnapping scenario, where demands for ransom of approximately US$10 million were allegedly made by his kidnappers, identified in various media outlets as connected with... [Continue Reading]
Indonesia to ban under-16s from ‘high-risk’ social media platforms
Indonesia will begin restricting access to some social media platforms for users under 16 from March 28, marking one of the region’s toughest moves yet to curb children’s exposure to harmful online content. Communications and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid announced the measure on Friday, saying the government had signed a regulation that would gradually stop children under 16 from holding accounts on platforms deemed “high risk”. Hafid said the rule would apply to platforms such as... [Continue Reading]
Australia mandates age verification for pornography websites to block users under 18 starting Monday
Australia's online regulator has announced that beginning soon, pornography websites must implement measures to block users under the age of 18. This decision is part of a broader initiative to enhance child safety online and follows a significant ban on children under 16 from accessing social media platforms. The new restrictions will officially come into effect on Monday, compelling these sites to employ age verification technology to restrict access to minors. Some websites have proactively barred non-member registrations in anticipation of these new regulations. Under the new rules, not only pornography websites but also search engines, app stores, gaming platforms,... [Continue Reading]
Australia forces pornography sites to block under-18s
Australia's online regulator has warned pornography websites they must block under-18s from Monday under sweeping new restrictions to protect children. [Continue Reading]
Meta Platforms Inc. executives discuss child safety challenges during legal trial in New Mexico
Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of popular social media applications including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is currently involved in a significant legal trial in New Mexico. During this trial, CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram leader Adam Mosseri addressed the challenges concerning child safety on their platforms. In depositions played earlier this week, Zuckerberg expressed that some level of criminal behavior among users is an unavoidable consequence of having a vast user base of billions. He stated, “the unfortunate reality is that some very small percent of them are going to be criminals,” emphasizing the company’s commitment to mitigating such... [Continue Reading]
INTO Calls for National Taskforce to Address Social Media Threats to Teachers
The Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) has urgently requested the establishment of a national taskforce to address the mounting threats posed by social media, presenting a significant call to action before members of the Oireachtas Committee on Children and Equality. INTO president Anne Horan highlighted the pressing need for decisive government intervention in light of the "real and escalating danger" that these platforms represent, suggesting that the situation has advanced beyond mere development into an urgent crisis. According to Horan, teachers are currently on the "frontline" of this burgeoning issue, facing unprecedented levels of online abuse and harassment that they... [Continue Reading]
McDonald’s C.E.O. Takes a Big Bite Out of a Burger. Maybe Scratch ‘Big.’
Chris Kempczinski’s rather tentative chomp drew mirth online, even from some competitors. [Continue Reading]
Experts find holes in planned changes to EU landmark online privacy law
A major digital rights NGO found serious differences between the EU Commission’s proposed changes to the bloc's landmark General Data Protection Regulation , and what data professionals in the field really want altering. [Continue Reading]
Alleged rapist carried out extensive online searches into Malkinson case, court told
Paul Quinn researched case despite having little interest in news websites, jury hears at Manchester crown courtAn alleged rapist who is suspected to have evaded justice for nearly 20 years carried out an “exponential” rise in online searches about the case when it emerged police were investigating a new suspect, a court has heard.Paul Quinn, 51, is accused of raping and violently beating a woman in 2003 in an attack that led to the wrongful conviction of Andrew Malkinson, who spent 17 years in prison in what jurors were told was one of the worst miscarriages of justice in Britain.... [Continue Reading]
What we know about the Iranian school strike
A strike on a girls' school in the Iranian city of Minab has become one of the most disputed episodes of the war in the Middle East, with some online blaming the Iranian regime and other reporting directing the spotlight at the US and Israel [Continue Reading]
Iran thanks Chinese public after US-Israeli air strikes prompt online wave of sympathy
The deadly US-Israeli military strikes on Iran have triggered an outpouring of public sympathy and support in China, with many social media users condemning the attacks and discussing ways to help. The Iranian embassy in China thanked the “righteous” Chinese public on Thursday for their support, but said it was not accepting financial help from Chinese individuals and organisations for now. “The embassy would like to express its sincere gratitude to the civilised and righteous Chinese people,”... [Continue Reading]
Taiwan actress, 58, praised for ‘youthful’ looks advocates against ‘female competition’
Famous Taiwan singer and actress Annie Yi has called for an end to “female competition”, saying that “being 58 years old is nothing to be ashamed of”. The comments have won her widespread praise online. On February 26, Yi, 58, posted a message calling on women to “stop female competition”, sparking lively online discussion. She said that after attending events, she often sees comments comparing women as if their appearance and age are the only things that matter. However, she rarely sees the... [Continue Reading]
Why #SEAblings became Southeast Asia’s symbol of digital solidarity
#SEAblings – short for “Southeast Asian siblings” – has increasingly been used by young Southeast Asians to signal regional solidarity, be it over a controversial concert or a political event. Whether such moments are fleeting or have the potential to morph into a sustainable movement is a subject of debate. The hashtag’s latest surge in use followed a dispute over camera rules at a K-pop concert in Kuala Lumpur, which escalated into a much wider online clash. For some sociologists, the point is... [Continue Reading]
We have more privacy controls yet less privacy than ever
Has online privacy become "a luxury not a right" for us all in 2026? [Continue Reading]
RTÉ announces €30 million tender for technical support services for RTÉ Player starting in 2028
In a significant move to enhance its digital offerings, RTÉ has announced a tender valued at approximately €30 million for technical support services related to the RTÉ Player. This contract, which is set to begin from 2028, will span a duration of seven years, reflecting RTÉ's commitment to maintaining and evolving its streaming capabilities. The tender indicates that RTÉ is actively seeking expressions of interest from qualified suppliers who can provide various technology solutions and services to support the ongoing operation and enhancement of RTÉ's video streaming products. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to ensure that the... [Continue Reading]
British woman convicted in Hong Kong for blackmailing banker after false rape accusation
In a startling case that has captured public interest, a British woman, Isabel Anonia Barbra Eudora Rose, has been convicted in Hong Kong for blackmailing a banker after falsely accusing him of rape. The conviction came on a recent Tuesday, with the District Court in Wan Chai determining that Rose attempted to extort £100,000 (approximately US$134,030) from the victim, whose identity remains protected. This incident highlights significant issues surrounding false allegations and the repercussions of exploitative behavior. During the trial, which scrutinized events stemming from a trip to Thailand, Judge Adriana Noelle Tse Ching stated that she found the accusations... [Continue Reading]
20-year-old charged with preparing for mass casualty terrorist act in Perth
In a startling development in Perth, 20-year-old Jayson Joseph Michaels has been charged with preparing for a "mass casualty" terrorist act. This news has left former school friends and the local community in disbelief as details of the charge emerged. The allegations against Michaels involve the use of the encrypted messaging platform Telegram to propagate extremist ideologies linked to potential violence. Such a case raises significant concerns about the radicalisation of youth in the digital age. The charges were brought about following a detailed investigation into Michaels' online activities. The police report indicates that these activities were under scrutiny due... [Continue Reading]
Conference on organised crime highlights concerns over radicalisation of youth in Ireland linked to anti-migrant sentiments
The recent cross-border conference on organised crime has brought to light significant concerns regarding the radicalisation of young individuals in Ireland, particularly linked to anti-migrant sentiments. An Garda Síochána, under the direction of Commissioner Justin Kelly, has been actively intervening in several cases where individuals have shown increased motivation towards extremist ideologies. Kelly highlighted the need for urgent attention, despite acknowledging that the number of affected persons is relatively small. The meeting, which included key figures such as PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher and Ministers for Justice Jim O'Callaghan and Stormont Justice Minister Naomi Long, emphasized a worrying trend in... [Continue Reading]
Western Australia man arrested for allegedly plotting a mass casualty terrorist attack
A significant development has unfolded in Western Australia as Jayson Joseph Michaels has been arrested, becoming the first individual in the region to face charges related to preparing a terrorist attack. The 20-year-old former student of St Stephen's School in Carramar, Perth, is alleged to have plotted a "mass casualty" attack, raising serious concerns over domestic security measures and the threat of radicalisation. Michaels was arrested on a recent Friday, following investigations that suggested he was actively preparing for the attack. The nature of this alleged plot has not been disclosed in full, but it has prompted a heightened alert... [Continue Reading]
