moves

Spain will move to ban social media for under-16s and force platforms to adopt robust age checks, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced, positioning the country among a growing number of governments tightening rules to protect minors online from pornography, violence and manipulation. "Spain will ban access to social media for minors under the age of 16. Platforms will be required to implement effective age verification systems, not just checkboxes, but real barriers that work," Mr Sanchez told a summit in Dubai. Framing…

Spain to grant legal status to 500,000 undocumented migrants MADRID — Spain will grant legal status to about 500,000 undocumented migrants, the government announced Tuesday, casting the move as a pragmatic response to labor shortages and a bid to curb exploitation in the underground economy. The step contrasts with increasingly restrictive immigration rhetoric in the United States and parts of Europe. Immigration Minister Elma Saiz called the decision “historic,” saying it strengthens a migration model “based on human…

Australia advances national gun buy-back, tighter checks after Bondi mass shooting Australia is poised to pass sweeping new gun-control measures, including a national firearm buy-back and tougher background checks, following last month’s mass shooting at a Jewish festival at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, the country’s deadliest in decades. The legislation cleared the House of Representatives by a vote of 96-45 despite opposition from conservative lawmakers. It now moves to the Senate, where it is expected to pass with support from…

BBC moves to dismiss Trump’s $10 billion defamation lawsuit over Panorama edit The BBC will ask a Florida court to dismiss US President Donald Trump’s $10 billion (€8.5 billion) defamation lawsuit over a Panorama episode edit, arguing the court lacks jurisdiction, the venue is improper and the complaint fails to state a claim, according to court filings made late Monday UK time. The broadcaster’s motion says it neither created, produced nor broadcast the documentary in Florida and disputes Trump’s assertion that the program…

NEW DELHI — India on Friday reaffirmed its support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, distancing itself from growing regional moves to recognize North Western State of Somalia amid rising tensions in the Horn of Africa. Responding to questions at a routine press briefing about the self-declared North Western State of Somalia administration, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal underscored New Delhi’s long-held position in favor of Somalia’s unity. “India has longstanding…

African Union and Member States React to U.S. Intervention in Venezuela The African Union (AU), along with several countries including Ghana, Uganda, and South Africa, has expressed significant concern over the recent U.S. intervention in Venezuela. This situation escalated when U.S. authorities seized President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, as part of an indictment involving drug and weapon charges. In an official statement, the AU stated it would be "following with grave concern the recent developments in…

Israel urges Supreme Court to keep Gaza media ban, citing security risks Israeli authorities have asked the country’s Supreme Court to keep a ban on independent international media access to Gaza in place, arguing that unescorted reporting would pose unacceptable security risks, according to a government submission filed by the public prosecutor and obtained by AFP. The prohibition has stood since the war in Gaza erupted in October 2023. In that time, Israel has permitted only a limited number of foreign reporters to enter…

Nigeria's Bold Tax Reforms: President Tinubu Stands Firm Amid Controversy President Bola Tinubu has announced that Nigeria will begin enforcing sweeping new tax laws from January 1, dismissing criticism over discrepancies between the gazetted text and the version passed by lawmakers. Tinubu described the reforms as a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to establish a fair, competitive, and resilient fiscal framework for the country. He emphasized that all recently enacted tax reforms, including provisions that took effect…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud convened leaders from several federal member states and the Banadir regional administration on Sunday in Mogadishu, following Israel’s steps toward recognizing North Western State of Somalia as an independent state, according to the president’s office. In a closed-door briefing, Hassan Sheikh told the assembled leaders that the Israeli move violated Somalia’s territorial integrity and statehood. He said the federal government was pursuing a coordinated response grounded in…

WASHINGTON — The board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has voted to rename the institution the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, a move that immediately sparked procedural questions and political backlash over altering the nation’s living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. It was not immediately clear how soon a change could take effect. A source with ties to the institution said Congress must approve any name alteration. US Representative Joyce Beatty, an…