Author: News Desk

London: UK media regulator Ofcom has unveiled the final version of its children’s codes under the Online Safety Act, laying out strict new requirements for digital platforms to protect young users from harmful online content. The new regulations, which will take effect on 25 July, require social media, search, and gaming services to carry out risk assessments, filter out harmful content using algorithms, verify users’ ages, respond quickly to flagged issues, and make it easier for children to report abusive or dangerous content. Described by Ofcom as a ‘reset for children online’, the codes are based on feedback from over…

London: In a medical breakthrough, the first clinical trial of its kind has shown that adults with severe peanut allergy can be desensitized through daily exposure to small, gradually increasing amounts of peanut flour. The Grown Up Peanut Immunotherapy (GUPI) trial, led by researchers at King’s College London, demonstrated that 67 percent of participants could consume the equivalent of five peanuts without a reaction after months of controlled exposure. Historically, peanut allergy treatment has focused on children, but this new evidence suggests adults may also benefit, expanding the window for therapeutic intervention. Professor Stephen Till, who led the research, emphasized…

Kashmir, India: Widespread grief and anger have erupted across India following a brutal attack by gunmen in the popular Himalayan tourist town of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir, where 26 tourists were killed. Reports indicate that several of the wounded remain in critical condition. The attack, one of the deadliest against civilians in recent years, has shaken the region and prompted emergency action from Indian authorities. Although there has been no official confirmation about who is responsible, some media reports suggest that a group linked to the Pakistan-based militant organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba may have claimed responsibility for the ambush. The region, which…

Lolland, Denmark: The tunnel is under construction beneath the Baltic Sea between Denmark and Germany, set to drastically cut travel times and strengthen Scandinavia’s links with central Europe. The 18km (11 miles) Fehmarnbelt tunnel, which will be the world’s longest pre-fabricated road and rail tunnel, is an extraordinary engineering feat. Rather than burrowing through bedrock like most underwater tunnels, the project involves placing 90 massive, pre-fabricated segments, known as ‘elements,’ on top of the seafloor and connecting them, similar to assembling Lego bricks. The main construction site is located at the northern entrance to the tunnel on Lolland Island in…

Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, accusing it of overreach in attempting to control the university’s academic decisions by threatening federal funding. The legal action follows the administration’s move to review nearly $9 billion in federal support after Harvard declined a list of demands, including the appointment of an outside overseer to ensure ‘diverse’ viewpoints in curriculum and policy decisions. Harvard is specifically aiming to stop an immediate freeze on $2.2 billion in grants. Harvard President Alan Garber stated that no government, regardless of political party, should have authority over what private universities teach,…

Wales, England: Wales is testing an innovative augmented reality (AR) therapy app aimed at supporting teenagers dealing with anxiety and school attendance. Developed with the help of Cardiff Youth Service, part of Cardiff Council’s education department, the mobile AR app is designed to reduce social isolation and enhance emotional wellbeing. How this app works? The app, which is being piloted in schools across Cardiff and Swansea, is the result of support sessions with youth in South Wales valleys. It was created by counsellor Angela McMillan, who was inspired by students facing anxiety and school avoidance. The interactive experience allows users…

Rome, Italy: Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, the Vatican has announced on Monday, April 21, 2025. Cardinal Kevin Farrell delivered the official statement, revealing that the pontiff passed away at 7:35 am. Farrell said that, “His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church,” commending his example of gospel values, courage, and compassion, especially toward the poorest and most marginalized. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936, Francis became the first South American pope and the 266th Bishop of Rome in 2013, following Pope Benedict XVI’s historic resignation. https://youtu.be/YVtjQGWHoE4…

Jaipur, India: Fourteen-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi has etched his name into the history by becoming the youngest player to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL), making a sensational debut for the Rajasthan Royals during their narrow two-run loss to the Lucknow Super Giants. Opening the batting, Suryavanshi immediately made headlines by launching India international cricketer Shardul Thakur for six off the very first ball he faced. The left-handed prodigy followed up with another six on his third delivery and struck three boundaries during his impressive 34-run knock off just 20 balls. His aggressive stroke play, particularly strong down the ground,…

Kazakhstan: American astronaut Donald Roy Pettit (Don Pettit), NASA’s oldest active astronaut, has returned to Earth on his 70th birthday after completing a 220-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Pettit arrived alongside Russian crewmates Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner aboard the Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft, which made a parachute-assisted landing in Kazakhstan’s steppe at 06:20 local time (01:20 GMT) on Sunday, 20th of April. According to NASA, the trio orbited the Earth 3,520 times during the mission. This marks Pettit’s fourth spaceflight and brings his total time spent in space to 590 days. While Pettit is now the oldest…

Tunis: A court in Tunisia has sentenced 40 senior politicians, lawyers, and business figures, many in absentia to long prison terms on charges of conspiracy against state security and belonging to a terrorist group. The trial has drawn international concern, with human rights groups describing it as an attempt to suppress political dissent. Among those sentenced are key leaders of the National Salvation Front, the country’s main opposition coalition, including Professor Issam Chebbi and Jawhar Ben Mbarek, who received 18-year sentences. Businessman and activist Kamel Eltaief was handed the harshest penalty, 66 years in prison. Many defendants had fled Tunisia…