Author: Web Desk

London: Cyber-attacks have risen by 50 percent in the United Kingdom over the past year, according to figures released by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). The agency has revealed that a new nationally significant attack is now being handled more than every other day, marking the highest level of cyber threat activity in nine years. The NCSC, which operates under GCHQ, has stated that the surge is being driven mainly by ransomware attacks and the growing dependence on digital technology, which has expanded the number of vulnerable targets. Security officials and ministers have described the situation as a ‘call…

Seoul: The Trump Xi meeting in South Korea is still expected to take place in late October, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has confirmed, as both governments work to reduce tensions after fresh tariff threats and new export restrictions. The meeting is set to coincide with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit hosted by South Korea. Fears of a renewed trade war between the world’s two largest economies had escalated last week after China expanded its export controls on rare earths. In response, Trump threatened to impose triple-digit tariffs on Chinese goods, triggering market volatility and heightening diplomatic strain. China’s Commerce…

Tokyo: The latest data from Japan’s health ministry has shown that births in Japan to foreign parents have reached an all-time high, marking a significant demographic shift. More than 22,000 children were born to non-Japanese couples in 2024, accounting for over 3 percent of all newborns. This contrasts with the continued decline in births among Japanese citizens, which fell to 686,173 last year. The data revealed that 22,878 foreign children, defined as those born to non-Japanese parents or an unmarried foreign mother, were registered last year, an increase of more than 3,000 from the previous year and nearly 50 percent…

Sydney: Google has stated that the Australian law on teen social media will be extremely difficult to enforce, raising concerns over the effectiveness of the government’s initiative to restrict under-16s from using platforms. Australia is set to become the first country to block social media access for people under 16 starting in December. Platforms will not be required to conduct direct age verification. Instead, companies are expected to rely on artificial intelligence and behavioural data to infer the age of users. During a parliamentary hearing on online safety rules, YouTube’s senior manager of government affairs in Australia, Rachel Lord, said…

Los Angeles: Diane Keaton, one of Hollywood’s most iconic and beloved actors, has died in California. The Oscar-winning star of Annie Hall and The Godfather is remembered by colleagues and fans around the world for originality, humour, and lasting impact on cinema. The news of Diane Keaton’s death has been confirmed by People magazine. According to a family spokesperson, the family has requested privacy during this time. The passing has come as a shock to the film industry and admirers, as there had been no public reports of illness or health issues in recent months. A source close to the…

Seoul: China has said it is ready to deepen its relationship with North Korea to enhance strategic cooperation in international and regional affairs, according to a report by North Korean state media KCNA. Chinese President Xi Jinping made the remark in a letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, in response to a message from Kim marking the anniversary of the foundation of China’s Communist Party. Xi stated that China and North Korea are ‘good neighbors and good friends,’ sharing mutual support and a common destiny. The letter said that the friendship between the two nations has continued to…

Mexico: Heavy rains in Mexico have killed at least 27 people and left several others missing as downpours triggered landslides, flooded streets, and caused rivers to overflow in several states. Civil protection authorities in Hidalgo reported 16 fatalities and said that over 1,000 homes and hundreds of schools have been affected by the severe weather. In Puebla, Governor Alejandro Armenta said that at least nine people have died due to incidents including landslides, while five others remain missing. Veracruz state authorities reported two additional deaths. President Claudia Sheinbaum said that emergency teams are working to support the population, reopen blocked…

Washington: US President Donald Trump has said that an additional 100 percent tariff will be imposed on imports from China from next month. The announcement has added to tensions between the two largest economies as both sides harden their positions on trade and technology. Trump has also confirmed that the United States will introduce export controls on critical software. The decision follows China’s move to tighten rules for rare earth exports, a sector in which Beijing dominates global production. These materials are essential for manufacturing vehicles, smartphones, and advanced electronics. https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1976752806389596388 Trump has accused China of becoming hostile and attempting…

Mumbai: Sir Keir Starmer has met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the first visit to the country. The meeting has taken place in Mumbai, where the British Prime Minister is leading a two-day trade mission accompanied by the largest-ever UK delegation to India, including over 100 CEOs, entrepreneurs, university vice-chancellors, and cultural leaders. The discussions have focused on strengthening business and trade relations following the signing of a landmark UK-India trade deal in July. Under the agreement, India’s average tariff on UK goods will fall from 15 percent to 3 percent, while the United Kingdom will reduce import duties…

Kabul: Social media restrictions have been enforced in Afghanistan as the Taliban government has applied filters to control content on major online platforms, according to sources at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. The filters have been designed to restrict certain types of posts on Facebook, Instagram and X, though officials have not clarified which categories are being targeted. Several users in Kabul have reported that videos on their Facebook accounts are no longer accessible, while Instagram use has also been severely limited. These restrictions follow a two-day nationwide internet shutdown last week that affected telecommunications, businesses and air…