World

Austria has set its sights on social media use by young people, announcing plans to prohibit access for children up to the age of 14—arguing the platforms drive addiction, amplify violence, fuel misinformation and pressure children into unrealistic beauty ideals. Vice-Chancellor Andreas Babler said it is “almost impossible for parents to control their children's consumption” on services that, he argued, are built to keep users “deliberately dependent.” Speaking at a press conference, he said the government’s approach focuses…

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pushed back sharply on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing him of misstating Washington’s position and signaling that the United States could redirect weapons support toward Kyiv to bolster its own campaign following attacks on Iran. Zelensky had claimed in an interview that the United States was urging Ukraine to surrender the eastern Donbas region to Russia before any post-war security commitments are finalized. Russia launched the invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago.…

Irish peacekeepers are still deployed in southern Lebanon, even as Israel steps up operations and signals an intention to seize control of territory aimed at establishing what it calls a buffer zone. In recent days, Israeli actions have included strikes on bridges, ground operations and evacuation orders—developments taking place inside the UN-monitored area where Irish troops are stationed. The Defence Forces said Irish UN peacekeepers remain in place as Israel implements plans to take the area through military force.…

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio argued Friday that it would benefit every G7 member to press for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route currently blocked by Iran. Rubio made the case as he prepared to fly to France for a meeting of G7 foreign ministers scheduled outside Paris, saying bluntly that assisting in any effort to restore access “is in their interest.” The trip marks Rubio’s first return to international travel since the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on February 28.…

President Donald Trump’s signature is set to appear on new U.S. paper currency, the Treasury Department announced, a development that would mark the first time a sitting president’s name has been placed on dollar bills and arrives as the nation prepares to observe its 250th anniversary. Under longstanding practice, the signatures on American dollar notes have belonged to the Treasurer of the United States and the secretary of the Treasury. The plan to put Mr Trump’s name on currency has drawn criticism from Democratic…

The United States is weighing the potential deployment of 10,000 troops to the Middle East, according to media reports. The move, which has not been formally confirmed in the available information, comes as the region remains a focal point for U.S. planning and security assessments.

The bombing of an Iranian elementary school drew “visceral horror,” the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said today, as he pressed Washington to finish its investigation and demanded justice for “the terrible harm done”. Turk spoke at the opening of an urgent debate in the UN Human Rights Council called to address the 28 February attack on a school in Minab, describing the strike as an attack on children that none of the council’s members should be willing to justify. “The bombing evoked a…

Sarah Ferguson’s Freedom of the City of York has been revoked after councillors voted unanimously to remove the honour, citing her links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. York City Council voted to strip the former duchess of the title at a session held at the Guildhall in York. The decision followed new disclosures concerning Ferguson’s relationship with Epstein, with councillors pointing to additional evidence that has emerged since the release of extensive documents. During the debate, Liberal Democrat councillor…

In a break with longstanding practice, the Treasury Department said US paper currency will soon carry the signature of President Donald Trump, a move scheduled to coincide with the nation's 250th anniversary and marking the first time a sitting president's name will appear on dollar bills. Traditionally, signatures appearing on Federal Reserve notes belong to the Treasurer of the United States and the secretary of the Treasury. The decision to place Mr Trump’s name on currency — and earlier efforts to place his likeness on a…

France has rejected claims that it shelved an invitation to South Africa for the June G7 leaders' summit under pressure from Washington, saying instead that Kenya was chosen as a guest in advance of President Emmanuel Macron’s planned visit there. Paris previously said the summit at Evian-les-Bains will host the leaders of India, South Korea, Brazil and Kenya as special invitees. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, making his first trip abroad since the Middle East war began, will attend alongside senior ministers from…