Author: News Desk

Washington: OpenAI has announced it is discontinuing its AI-powered social media platform Sora, which went viral late last year as a hub for sharing short-form videos generated through artificial intelligence, but also drew concern from the entertainment industry and beyond. In a brief social media statement issued, the company stated that it was ‘saying goodbye to the Sora app’ and will soon provide further details on how users can preserve content they created on the platform, acknowledging that the decision may be disappointing for its community. Launched in September, Sora was designed to capture audiences and potential advertising revenue associated…

London: The UK government is launching a pilot programme to test social media restrictions in the homes of 300 teenagers, introducing measures such as complete app bans, overnight curfews, and daily usage limits. The trial will divide participants into four groups: three experiencing varying restrictions and one acting as a control group with no changes, to compare outcomes. The initiative is being conducted alongside a national consultation examining whether the UK should follow Australia’s approach and make it illegal for under-16s to access many social media platforms. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the trials are designed to test different approaches…

Madrid, Spain: Kylian Mbappé has confirmed that he has fully recovered from a knee injury and is aiming to feature in all of Real Madrid’s remaining matches this season as he builds momentum ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The 27-year-old forward had been sidelined for four league matches earlier this year due to a lingering knee problem carried over from last season. The French ‌striker made his return, coming off the bench in the 64th minute during Madrid’s 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid. Kylian Mbappé has also been named in the France national football team squad for the…

Washington: The US Department of Defense has announced that it is introducing new restrictions on journalists after a federal court blocked an earlier press access policy. As part of the revised measures, the Pentagon will close its long-standing indoor press workspace and replace it with a new media area located outside the main Pentagon building. Press freedom advocates have criticized the Trump administration’s handling of media access at the Pentagon, arguing that recent policy changes limit journalists’ ability to report freely and weaken freedom of speech protections. https://twitter.com/SeanParnellASW/status/2036197221121794508 The announcement follows a ruling issued by a federal judge, who blocked…

Montreal: An Air Canada Express flight from Montreal collided with a ground vehicle while landing at LaGuardia Airport, triggering a temporary closure of the airport. According to the New York Police Department, the aircraft struck a Port Authority vehicle on March 23. The fire department also confirmed it responded to an incident involving a plane and a vehicle on Runway 4. The aircraft, a CRJ-900 operated by Jazz Aviation, Air Canada’s regional partner, was travelling at approximately 24mph (39km/h) at the time of the collision on the evening of March 22, as reported by Flightradar24. Following the incident, the Federal…

London: Children who spend more than three hours a day on social media are significantly more likely to develop symptoms of anxiety and depression during their teenage years, according to new research. The study, conducted by Imperial College London, analysed data from 2,350 children across 31 schools in London. The research formed part of a long-term project on cognition, adolescents, and mobile phone use, launched in 2014. Participants completed cognitive assessments and detailed questionnaires on digital behaviour, mental health, and lifestyle habits at two stages: first between the ages of 11 and 12, and again between 13 and 15. The…

London: Video review technology will be introduced for the first time at the Wimbledon Championships this year, allowing players to challenge specific decisions made by the chair umpire, similar to systems already in use at the US Open and Australian Open. The system will be available on Centre Court and Court One throughout the Championships, as well as on the other four show courts when they host singles matches. This development follows last year’s introduction of electronic line calling (ELC) by the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, which replaced traditional line judges after 147 years. While players will…

London: The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has been forced to retract a misleading claim suggesting that sunbeds pose a cancer risk equivalent to smoking, following criticism from fact-checkers and regulatory authorities. In January, the department announced stricter regulations on sunbed use, stating that they were ‘as dangerous as smoking.’ This comparison was also repeated in social media posts shared by the Health Secretary and NHS England, and was subsequently reported by several media outlets. However, the independent fact-checking organisation Full Fact determined that the claim was inaccurate, warning that such misleading information about cancer risks could inadvertently…

Seoul: Global K-pop group BTS released their fifth studio album Arirang on March 20, presenting a project that reflects the group’s evolving identity and strong connection to their Korean roots, ahead of a major comeback concert in Seoul. The open-air concert, scheduled for March 21 night, is expected to draw around 260,000 attendees and will mark BTS’s first major performance following a nearly four-year hiatus during which all seven members completed compulsory military service. The event also precedes an extensive 82-date world tour. The 14-track album, which begins with Body to Body and concludes with Into the Sun, takes its…

Queensland: Cyclone Narelle, which authorities warned could be among the worst storms in living memory, has proven less destructive than initially feared after landfall. However, concerns remain high as Narelle continues to pose a serious flood threat. Narelle crossed the east coast of Cape York in Far North Queensland with powerful wind gusts reaching 220 km/h (137 mph). The system has since weakened from a Category 4 to a Category 3 cyclone, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, although the storm is still generating wind gusts of around 140 km/h. Authorities praised residents for complying with safety directives and sheltering…