Category Archives: WORLD NEWS

Jan 7 – Meta is replacing its independent fact-checking program on Facebook and Instagram with a “community notes” system, similar to the approach adopted by X (formerly Twitter). Under this model, users will contribute to contextualizing and clarifying the accuracy of posts. Announcing the change in a video alongside a company blog post, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the use of third-party moderators had proven “too politically biased” and signaled a return to the company’s focus on “free expression.” Joel Kaplan, Meta’s new head of global affairs, replacing Sir Nick Clegg, said the reliance on independent fact-checkers had been “well-intentioned” but often resulted in “unfair censorship” of users. However, critics argue the move is politically motivated and could have dangerous implications. Ava Lee, from the campaign group Global Witness, said

To avoid President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s ban on the industry, illicit Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) are splintering into smaller “guerilla-style” networks, analysts warn, raising fears that they will continue to undermine national security and influence domestic politics. Philippine officials have been scrambling to close remaining Pogo hubs since the president issued an order for the entire industry to be shut down by the end of 2024, prompting a flurry of raids across major cities and provinces. Pogos are gaming firms that mainly cater to overseas Chinese clientele, but raids by local authorities have uncovered their numerous links to alleged transnational crimes including human trafficking and online scams, leading to Marcos Jnr calling for a ban on all Pogos in July. Foreign Pogo workers were notified that their visas would

A senior Hamas official has shared with the BBC a list of 34 hostages that the Palestinian group says it is willing to release in the first stage of a potential ceasefire agreement with Israel. It is unclear how many of those named remain alive. Among them are 10 women and 11 older male hostages aged between 50 and 85, as well as young children who Hamas previously said had been killed in an Israeli air strike. A number of hostages who Hamas says are sick are also included on the list. Reports from the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry say Israeli air strikes killed more than 100 people there at the weekend. The Israeli prime minister’s office denied reports that Hamas had provided Israel with a list of hostages. “The

Three-member bench rules 2-1 to grant Najib Razak’s appeal to use the decree to argue his case before the High Court. Malaysia’s appeals court has granted a bid by jailed ex-premier Najib Razak to see a document he said should allow him to serve his sentence at home, in a rare win for a disgraced former leader at the heart of the country’s biggest scandal. A three-member bench ruled 2-1 on Monday to grant Najib’s appeal to use the decree to argue his case before the High Court. “Given the fact that there is no challenge [of the existence of the decree], there is no justification that the order has not been complied with,” said Mohamad Firuz Jaffril, one of the three Court of Appeal judges. The 71-year-old Najib, who

A Philippine lawmaker’s call for an additional US military site to help counter foreign intrusions and potential resource exploitation following the recovery of a submarine drone allegedly from China has drawn mixed reactions from analysts and politicians. Filipino congressman Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte said that having a naval base under the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) in the south, particularly in his province, was crucial for protecting the country’s eastern seaboard, which is rich in deuterium deposits. Deuterium, a type of hydrogen, is used in fusion reactors and has various military, industrial, and scientific uses. Barbers warned in a statement last Thursday that foreign actors might be conducting intelligence operations targeting deuterium and other mineral resources in Philippine waters. He was referring to the yellow drone, marked

by Sameer al-Doumy with Layal Abou Rahal in Beirut AFP photographer Sameer al-Doumy never dreamed he would be able to return to the hometown in Syria that he escaped through a tunnel seven years ago after it was besieged by Bashar al-Assad’s forces. Douma, once a rebel stronghold near Damascus, suffered terribly for its defiance of the former regime, and was the victim of a particularly horrific chemical weapons attack in 2018. “It is like a dream for me today to find myself back here,” he said. “The revolution was a dream, getting out of a besieged town and of Syria was a dream, as it is now being able to go back. “We didn’t dare to imagine that Assad could fall because his presence was so anchored in us,”

The US government may unveil new restrictions targeting China’s black-market trade in advanced chips during the last week that President Joe Biden is in the White House, according to sources familiar with the matter. The South China Morning Post reported earlier that Washington plans to issue a new rule by the end of December 2024 aimed at curbing Chinese companies’ sourcing of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips from unrestricted third-party countries. But sources briefed on the matter said the Biden administration had decided to postpone the release of the so-called “global artificial intelligence (AI) diffusion rule” due to delays in expert reviews as a result of US government “budgetary issues”. However, President Biden is still expected to implement the rule before January 20, his last day in office, the sources

This morning, President Hakainde Hichilema signed the Book of Condolences for President Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, marking a solemn moment of reflection for Zambia and its people. On behalf of the nation, President Hichilema extended heartfelt condolences to the Carter family and the American people, honoring President Carter as an extraordinary leader whose legacy resonates across the globe. “We remember President Carter’s remarkable legacy, marked by his unwavering commitment to peace, democracy, good governance, human rights, justice, and equality,” President Hichilema stated. During his presidency from 1977 to 1981, President Carter formed a strong bond with Zambia, particularly during the country’s critical period of transition. His influence extended beyond his time in office. In 1991, the Jimmy Carter Center played a pivotal role in Zambia’s

North Korea ’s decision to spotlight ties with Russia over China in its New Year’s diplomacy appears to signal the reclusive nation’s evolving strategy: leveraging Moscow’s desperation for support while testing Beijing tolerance for being sidelined. In a letter to President Vladimir Putin , North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pledged to solidify the country’s comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia, state media outlet KCNA reported on Tuesday. In the message, Kim extended New Year greetings to Putin and all Russians, including their troops and expressed his willingness to further strengthen bilateral ties, which he said the two leaders elevated to new levels this year, KCNA added. While the agency reported that Kim had received New Year greetings from many heads of state, including the “Chinese President”, which was put in quote

The Head of State and Government said a day like Christmas was also an opportunity to review the efficacy of his Cabinet team with a view to establishing if every team member was pulling or needed replacement.  Zvamaida Murwira- Senior Reporter President Mnangagwa says he spends Christmas Day reflecting on weaknesses and strengths and how to improve Government programmes and policies given that there will be fewer engagements and phone calls on the day. The Head of State and Government said a day like Christmas was also an opportunity to review the efficacy of his Cabinet team with a view to establishing if every team member was pulling or needed replacement.  He said this in an interview with a ZBC news crew which visited the First Family at its official

South Asia stands on the brink of a severe downturn unless its leaders act decisively to stabilise the region’s economies as they face unrelenting global headwinds and US president-elect Donald Trump ’s protectionist trade measures. One of the poorest regions in the world, South Asia has experienced numerous incidents of political violence, which have hampered its development and economic growth. Pakistan recently launched air strikes on Afghanistan apparently to thwart militants even as doubts linger over the political legitimacy of the country’s elected government. Supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan have clashed with the police to demand his release. The situation is also grim in Bangladesh , where the interim government has been struggling to restore law and order with a depleted police force since a mass student-led

Bethlehem’s economic crisis deepens as tourism collapses during the Gaza conflict. By GIORGIA VALENTE/THE MEDIA LINE DECEMBER 26, 2024 21:00 Church of the Nativity.jpeg – Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity was almost empty on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2024. (photo credit: Giorgia Valente/The Media Line) Bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of Jesus Christ, marked a subdued Christmas, overshadowed by the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the devastating local economy. For the second consecutive year, the city’s Christian community faced a bleak holiday season, with rising fears about the survival of one of the world’s oldest Christian populations. For more stories from The Media Line go to themedialine.org Friar Ibrahim Faltas, Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land, told The Media Line, “This has become an open-air prison. On top of

Singapore is investigating a case of job offers on LinkedIn supposedly posted by a branch of the Communist Party of China and its Communist Youth League for purportedly two roles at an educational institution in the city state. “The Singapore government will not tolerate the importation of the politics of other countries into Singapore. Foreigners visiting, studying, working or living in Singapore should not carry out their political agendas or activities here. We will deal firmly with any individual or group found to be doing so,” the Ministry of Home Affairs said in response to queries from This Week in Asia. According to a report by the government-owned broadsheet The Straits Times, the two job listings were posted on LinkedIn on December 20 by an account on the professional social