Author: News Desk

Monaco: A parcel bomb explosion in Monaco has injured a Ukrainian oligarch and two other people in what officials described as an unprecedented attack in the normally secure principality. The blast occurred at around 9 pm inside the lobby of a residential building near Monaco’s border with France. According to a source familiar with the investigation, one of the injured was Ukrainian businessman Vadym Yermolaiev. Monaco’s Minister of State, Christophe Mirmand, said that a couple believed to be in their 50s or 60s sustained life-threatening injuries, while a 13-year-old, believed to be related to them, suffered less serious wounds. Four…

Canberra: Australia is set to introduce new legislation aimed at strengthening its ban on social media use by children under the age of 16, while expanding the powers of the country’s internet regulator to take stronger legal action against technology companies that fail to comply. The proposed laws, scheduled to be introduced in Parliament, build on Australia’s landmark under-16 social media restrictions that came into effect in December. The policy, the first of its kind globally, is being closely monitored by other countries exploring similar measures, even as reports indicate that many children continue to access restricted platforms. https://twitter.com/AlboMP/status/2071457039641964773 Prime…

London: Vitamin C has gained popularity in skincare for its antioxidant properties, but experts stress that it should never be viewed as a replacement for sunscreen. Sunscreen performs two essential functions. It protects the skin from UVB rays, which cause sunburn and significantly increase the risk of skin cancer, while also shielding against UVA rays, the primary cause of premature skin ageing, including wrinkles and loss of skin elasticity. According to Rosalind Simpson, Professor of Dermatology at the University of Nottingham, vitamin C does not block either UVA or UVB radiation. Instead, it supports the skin in a different way…

Caracas: The death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela earlier this week has risen to 1,430, according to National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez, as search and rescue operations continue across the country’s worst-affected regions. Speaking on state television, Rodríguez said 3,200 people have been injured, while 3,100 residents have been left homeless by the disaster. Authorities also reported that at least 68,900 people remain unaccounted for, with families still searching for missing loved ones. The two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck within a minute of each other on Wednesday evening, causing widespread destruction across…

London: Puerto Rican rapper and global music star Bad Bunny made history by becoming the first Latin American artist to headline a UK stadium, delivering a sold-out performance at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Performing before around 50,000 fans on the first of two sold-out shows, the artist transformed the venue into a vibrant celebration of Latin American culture, music, and identity. Despite the hot and humid conditions, the crowd maintained high energy throughout the three-hour concert. The performance forms part of Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour, named after his latest album, which became the first Spanish-language…

Paris: Authorities in Paris have announced temporary restrictions on public alcohol consumption and takeaway alcohol sales as France continues to battle an intense heatwave that has placed growing pressure on hospitals and emergency services. The measures were introduced after officials warned that healthcare facilities in the French capital were approaching capacity due to a sharp rise in heat-related medical emergencies. Patrice Faure, head of the Paris police, said that the restrictions were necessary to help reduce pressure on hospitals as admissions continued to increase. Faure noted that authorities needed to ease the burden on emergency services amid the ongoing extreme…

Cupertino, California: Apple has increased the prices of several MacBook and iPad models worldwide, citing a sharp rise in the cost of memory and storage chips driven by soaring demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. The technology company has raised prices on some laptops and tablets by nearly 20 percent, saying the electronics industry is facing unprecedented pressure as demand for chips used in AI data centres continues to outpace supply. Apple said that the rapid increase in component costs has forced it to adjust prices after previously absorbing the additional expenses. The price hikes come as the broader consumer…

Canberra: Two independent Australian lawmakers have joined forces to launch a new centrist political party, Community Strong Australia, which they say is designed to provide voters with an alternative to an increasingly polarised political landscape. The party was officially unveiled in Canberra by independent Sydney MPs Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender, who highlighted that it aims to promote unity, constructive dialogue, and practical solutions over political division. Unlike traditional political parties, Community Strong Australia will operate without a formal leader and will allow its members to vote according to their own judgment rather than following strict party directives. https://youtu.be/xGbhRI9HJJ4 Steggall…

Sydney: A major new study has found that around 85 percent of Australian teenagers under the age of 16 are still using social media despite a nationwide ban that came into effect in December, raising questions about the effectiveness of the world-first measure. The research, published in The BMJ and conducted by researchers at the University of Newcastle, Australia, found that the vast majority of underage users remained active on social media platforms, with little change in the amount of time they spent online. Daily social media use remained stable among children aged 12 to 13, declined from 78 percent…

Sydney: Australian authorities have intensified surveillance and testing efforts among wildlife and livestock after a second state confirmed the presence of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu virus. South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas announced that a migratory bird in the state had tested positive for H5N1. The development follows the country’s first confirmed mainland cases, reported days earlier near Esperance in Western Australia. Australian Agriculture Minister Julie Collins sought to reassure the public, stating that the virus currently poses no threat to human health. Collins also emphasised that properly prepared chicken meat and eggs remain safe for consumption. https://twitter.com/PMalinauskasMP/status/2069669019440013343 In…