SYDNEY, Jan 10, 2024 (AFP) – Elon Musk’s X has shed more than 1,000 staff globally from teams responsible for stopping abusive content online, according to new figures released Thursday by Australia’s online watchdog. Australia’s eSafety Commission said these “deep cuts” and the reinstatement of thousands of banned accounts had created a “perfect storm” for the spread of harmful content. The regulator has in recent months zeroed in on X — formerly known as Twitter […]
Other News
Shear line affecting Southern Luzon and Visayas
Rest of Luzon affected by northeast monsoon (Eagle News)–The shear line is affecting Southern Luzon and Visayas. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the northeast monsoon is also affecting the rest of Luzon. PAGASA said, as a result, Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas and Quezon will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. Flash floods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains are possible. Cagayan Valley, Apayao, Kalinga […]
Five dead in US storms, country girds for more fierce weather
WASHINGTON, Jan 10, 2024 (AFP) – Swaths of the United States braced for more snow and punishingly low temperatures Wednesday as millions in the east dug out from a previous round of severe winter weather that left at least five people dead. The latest storm, already bringing precipitation to the West, was expected to tear across the country this week, bringing an Arctic blast to northern regions and prompting weather advisories or warnings in dozens […]
Hunter Biden pleads not guilty to tax evasion charges
By Romain FONSEGRIVES LOS ANGELES, Jan 11, 2024 (AFP) – Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to tax evasion charges when he appeared in federal court Thursday, in a case that adds further pressure on US President Joe Biden as he readies for a bare-knuckle election rematch with scandal-plagued Republican Donald Trump. Hunter Biden is a lightning rod for Republicans, who have hammered the recovering drug addict, alleging — without evidence — that he and his […]
Trump berates NY fraud trial judge at closing arguments
By Gregory WALTON NEW YORK, Jan 11, 2024 (AFP) – Donald Trump ignored warnings from the judge in his New York civil fraud trial Thursday and turned closing arguments into an election campaign attack, claiming that prosecutors are out to stop his political comeback. Prosecutors are demanding $370 million from Trump over fraud allegations — and to bar him from conducting business in the state where he made his name as a celebrity real estate […]
Israel faces ‘genocide’ charge at UN top court
By Charlotte VAN OUWERKERK THE HAGUE, Jan 11, 2024 (AFP) – Israel will face accusations at the UN’s top court on Thursday that it has committed “genocidal” acts in Gaza, charges the country’s president dismissed as “atrocious” and “preposterous”. South Africa has lodged an urgent appeal to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to force Israel to “immediately suspend” its military operations in Gaza. Robed officials from both countries will go head-to-head in the Great […]
China calls Taiwan poll frontrunner a ‘severe danger’ days from crucial vote
By Dene CHEN, Xinqi SU TAIPEI, Jan 11, 2024 (AFP) – China warned Taiwan’s voters Thursday to make the correct choice in the island’s weekend elections, describing the presidential frontrunner as a “severe danger” who would threaten peace by following the “evil path” of independence. Democratic Taiwan is two days from a pivotal election that is being watched from Beijing to Washington because the next president will determine the island’s future relations with an increasingly […]
White House hopefuls flub chance to hit Trump in pre-Iowa debate
By Camille Camdessus, with Frankie Taggart in Washington DES MOINES, United States, Jan 11, 2024 (AFP) – Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis pitched Republicans Wednesday on their bids to be the 2024 presidential candidate in the final debate before nominating begins — but spurned repeated chances to make the case for abandoning front-runner Donald Trump. The head-to-head showdown in Iowa capital Des Moines came five days before the state’s pivotal opening vote in the primary […]
UK unveils plans for ‘biggest nuclear power expansion in 70 years’
LONDON, Jan 11, 2024 (AFP) – The UK government on Thursday announced plans for what it said was the country’s “biggest expansion of nuclear power for 70 years” to bolster its energy independence and meet carbon emission targets. The Civil Nuclear Roadmap includes exploring the construction of a major new power station, £300 million ($382 million) of investment to produce an advanced uranium fuel and “smarter regulation”. Taken together, the measures would quadruple UK nuclear […]
Papua New Guinea vows crackdown after 15 killed in riots
PORT MORESBY, Jan 11, 2024 (AFP) – Papua New Guinea’s prime minister pledged to crack down on “lawlessness” Thursday, following riots in which 15 people were killed as angry crowds torched buildings and ransacked shops. Violence erupted in the capital Port Moresby on Wednesday evening after a group of soldiers, police officers and prison guards launched protests against the government. Within hours riots had also taken root in the city of Lae, some 300 kilometres […]
World added 50% more renewable energy capacity last year over 2022: IEA
PARIS, Jan 11, 2024 (AFP) – The world added 50 percent more renewable energy capacity in 2023 over the year before, the International Energy Agency said Thursday, predicting booming growth in the next five years. The United Nations-led COP28 summit concluded in Dubai last month with nearly 200 nations agreeing to a first-ever call for the world to transition away from fossil fuels. “The amount of renewable energy capacity added to energy systems around the […]
Autonomous driving is ‘happening’, but slower than expected
By Elodie MAZEIN LAS VEGAS, Jan 11, 2024 (AFP) – To the believers, the oft-promised autonomous car revolution is “clearly happening” — they point to the myriad displays at the Consumers Electronics Show in Las Vegas that defy the industry’s bad headlines. “Companies are deploying robotaxis in larger scale than before and in more cities,” insisted Kersten Heineke, partner and codirector of the McKinsey Center for Future Mobility. Even “in times where money is scarce…we’re […]





