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Social media giants have hit back at Australian lawmakers over a ban on social media for those under 16 years old, which is due to come into effect late in 2025. Photo: Unsplash/ Annie Spratt Big Tech corporations on Friday hit out at a landmark Australian law that bans youths under the age of 16 from accessing social media, saying the law was "rushed" through parliament. Australia approved the social media ban for children late on Thursday. The law forces tech giants, from Instagram and Facebook owner Meta to TikTok, to stop minors logging in or face fines of up to $AU49.5 million. TikTok, the hugely popular platform where teen users upload and share videos, said in a statement to Reuters on Friday that it was likely the ban could see young people pushed to darker corners of the inter...

By Andrew MacAskill, Reuters Britain's transport minister Louise Haigh has resigned over a historical conviction. Photo: Supplied/ UK Labour Party UK MP Louise Haigh resigns over historical conviction Says case would only become a 'distraction' Conservatives ask why Starmer appointed her Britain's transport minister Louise Haigh has resigned after pleading guilty years ago to an offence in connection with misleading police over a work mobile phone, in another blow to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Her resignation, the first from Starmer's top team of ministers since winning a landslide election victory in July, came after media reports that she had been convicted and given a conditional discharge in 2014 for what she described as a "mistake". Haigh said in a letter to Starmer date...

By Sarah Young, Reuters British lawmakers will cast a conscience vote on whether to progress a bill that could give people the right to choose to end their lives, if they meet criteria. Photo: Unsplash/ Marcin Nowak The proposed assisted dying law has split the UK parliament and the country A lawmaker says the bill has the "strictest safeguards" Supporters and opponents plan to protest outside parliament British lawmakers must decide on Friday whether to support assisted dying, following what is likely to be a heated debate inside parliament and protests for and against outside. Were parliament to back the bill, and see it through the full legislative process, Britain would follow other countries such as Australia, Canada and some US states in launching what would be one of its b...

By Eden Gillespie, ABC News Ashley Paul Griffith appeared emotionless as he fronted the Brisbane District Court on Friday. Photo: ABC News / Sharon Gordon Warning: This story contains details of child sexual abuse. One of Australia's most notorious paedophiles has been sentenced to life in prison after confessing to raping and abusing scores of children in daycare centres in Australia and overseas. Former childcare worker Ashley Paul Griffith pleaded guilty in September to more than 300 charges against 69 children in early learning centres in Brisbane and Italy over almost two decades. Griffith will have a non-parole period of 27 years, with Judge Paul Smith describing his offending as "depraved". He will not be eligible to apply until 2049. He appeared emotionless as he fronted the ...