Australia on Monday announced bringing a new digital law that would compel the social media platforms to seek parental consent for users younger than 16 years to join.

In a statement, Attorney-General Senator Michaelia Cash and Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention David Coleman said the landmark privacy legislation aims to protect Australians online and ensure that Australia’s privacy laws remain fit in the digital age.
Under the Privacy Legislation Amendment (Enhancing Online Privacy and Other Measures) Bill 2021, social media services, data brokers, and other large online platforms operating in Australia would be bound to follow the online privacy code.
- Online platforms subject to the code will need to comply with strict new privacy requirements, including stronger protections for children on social media - said the statement.
Social media platforms will also require obtaining parental consent for users under the age of 16 to join the platforms.
- We know that Australians are wary about what personal information they give over to large tech companies. We are ensuring their data and privacy will be protected and handled with care. Our draft legislation means that these companies will be punished heavily if they don’t meet that standard - said Attorney-General Michaelia Cash.
The Online Privacy Bill will also introduce tougher penalties and enforcement powers to enable Australia’s privacy regulator, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, to resolve matters more effectively and efficiently.
- In Australia, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a consistent increase in signs of distress and mental ill-health among young people. While the reasons for this are varied and complex, we know that social media is part of the problem - David Coleman said.
It will provide families with powerful protections, and require fundamental changes to the way social media platforms operate in Australia, he added.
- Social media companies can’t be trusted to act in the best interests of children, so we’re going to force them to. New legislation released by the Government today will lead the world in protecting the privacy of children online - Coleman later tweeted.

Under new law, social media platforms will seek parental consent for users younger than 16 years

Australia on Monday announced bringing a new digital law

Australia plans tough law for social media platform to protect children

The US called on Sudan's military to release without delay Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok amid an ongoing putsch.

- We reject the actions by the military and call for the immediate release of the prime minister - White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard Air Force One, further expressing deep alarm over the coup.
Sudan's military arrested Hamdok and members of the civilian government in the capital Khartoum early Monday.
The Ministry of Culture and Information said the military arrested Hamdok after he refused to support what it described as a "coup".
Later Monday, Gen. Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Sudan's ruling military council, declared a state of emergency and dissolved the Sovereign Council, which was created to run the country after the ouster of long-serving President Omar al-Bashir in 2019.
After a failed military coup last month, deep tensions between the military and the civilian administration erupted in Sudan amid recent rival protests in Khartoum.
Before the dissolution, Sudan was administered by the Sovereign Council of military and civilian authorities, which oversaw the transition period until elections slated for 2023, as part of a precarious power-sharing pact between the military and the Forces for Freedom and Change coalition.

"We reject the actions by the military and call for the immediate release of the prime minister" White House says

Sudan's military arrested Hamdok and members of the civilian government in the capital Khartoum early Monday

US calls for "immediate release" of Sudan premier amid coup

Israel announced Sunday that it will open tenders for the construction of 1,355 new homes in Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
- Strengthening and expanding Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria is a necessary and very important thing in the vision of the Zionist enterprise - Israeli Housing Minister Zeev Elkin said in a statement on the Walla News website.
- After a long period of stagnation in construction in Judea and Samaria, I welcome the marketing of over 1,000 housing units. I will continue to maintain Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria - he added.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Israel's decision in a written statement.
- Israel openly insists on building colonial settlements and implementing occupation projects on Palestinian lands, ignoring the stance of the international community and the US on this issue - it said.
The West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is regarded as "occupied territory" under international law, making all Jewish settlements there illegal.​​​​​​​

Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns move

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Israel's decision in a written statement

Israel announces tenders for 1,355 homes in occupied territories

The Nigerian military carried out an air operation against the Boko Haram terrorist group in the northeastern part of the country, an official said Sunday.

A camp of the terrorist organization was destroyed and many terrorists were killed in the operation in the Lake Chad Basin, Nigerian Air Force spokesman Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet said in a statement.
Boko Haram poses a serious security problem in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country.
More than 20,000 people have been killed in acts of violence organized by the terrorist group since 2009.
Since 2015, the organization has also carried out attacks in neighboring Cameroon, Chad and Niger.
At least 2,000 people have been killed in its attacks in the Lake Chad Basin.
Hundreds of thousands of people in the country have been forced to emigrate due to terrorist attacks and conflicts.

Terrorist group’s camp targeted in Lake Chad Basin, says Air Force spokesman

Boko Haram poses a serious security problem in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country

Nigerian military carries out air operation against Boko Haram

The death toll from flash floods and landslides in northern India last week has risen to 72, disaster authorities announced on Monday.

Fresh information by the State Emergency Operation Center revealed that another 26 people were injured in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, while four remain missing.
As many as 224 houses were damaged due to the heavy rains that wreaked havoc in the state before eventually subsiding.
The Nainital district recorded the highest casualties with 35, according to the center.
Rescue operations were launched by the authorities soon after the rains battered the state, leading to massive destruction.
Groups of trekkers who had gone missing in the mountains and were hit by the bad weather last week were also among the casualties.

4 people still missing after heavy rains wrought havoc in Himalayan state of Uttarakhand last week

As many as 224 houses were damaged due to the heavy rains that wreaked havoc in the state before eventually subsiding

Death toll from floods, landslides in northern India rises to 72

Political parties on Monday called for a general strike and protests in Sudan, following a military takeover of the civilian government and arrest of top officials.

Officials in Khartoum said Monday that the Sudanese military arrested Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok and members of his government.
The Information Ministry said Hamdok was arrested by a military force after he refused to support what it described as a "coup".
There was no comment from the Sudanese military on the developments.
In a statement, the Sudanese Professional Association (SPA) called for a general strike and civil disobedience in protest of the military takeover of the government.
The National Umma Party also condemned what it described as a "coup" and arrests of top officials.
Political sources told Anadolu Agency that chairman of Sudan's ruling Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, will make a statement later Monday on the latest developments in the country.
Tensions escalated between the military and civilian politicians since a failed coup attempt in Sudan last month.
Sudan is currently administered by a Sovereign Council of military and civilian authorities, which oversees the transition period until elections slated for 2023, as part of a precarious power-sharing pact between the military and the Federation for Freedom and Change (FFC) coalition.

Sudan’s military arrests prime minister, members of civilian government

Sudanese people take the streets after the 'military coup' attempt in Khartoum, Sudan on October 25, 2021. Sudan's military arrested the country's prime minister and members of the civilian government, officials in the capital Khartoum announced early Monday

Calls grow for protests in Sudan amid "coup" reports

Guinea’s coup leaders have unveiled their first line-up of government ministers, including a former army general and three people who served under ousted President Alpha Conde.

Aboubacar Sidiki Camara, an ex-army officer regarded as coup leader and interim President Mamadi Doumbouya’s mentor, has been named as the transitional defense minister, according to a decree read on state television late on Thursday.
Camara, known by the nickname “Idi Amin” after the Ugandan leader, previously served as chief of staff in Guinea’s Defense Ministry and also as the country’s ambassador to Cuba.
In other appointments, Bachir Diallo, a former defense attache in Algeria, was made the security and civil protection minister.
Louopou Lamah, previously the national director of foreign trade, was appointed as the environment and sustainable development minister.
Abdourahmane Sike Camara, a former adviser, was named secretary-general of the government, a portfolio that equals the position of a minister.
Doumbouya overthrew Conde on Sep. 5 and was sworn in as interim president by the Supreme Court on Oct. 1.
He made former civil servant Mohamed Beavogui the prime minister of the transitional government a week later.
Conde, 83, became Guinea’s first democratically elected president in 2010 and was re-elected in 2015.
Last year, he pushed through constitutional changes that allowed him to run for a controversial third term, which he won in an election dismissed as a sham by the opposition.
Mass demonstrations, in which dozens of protesters were reportedly killed, erupted after the vote, paving the way for his eventual ouster.

Former general, 3 men who served under deposed President Alpha Conde included in transitional government

Guinea’s coup leaders have unveiled their first line-up of government ministers

Guinea’s coup leaders name figures from ousted government as ministers

Two armed groups of Rohingya refugees clashed early Friday morning in Bangladesh's southeastern Cox's Bazar camps, leaving at least seven dead and 10 injured, officials confirmed.

Armed clashes erupted in the Ukhiya camps a day after the Bangladesh Home Ministry said security measures at Rohingya refugee camps will be beefed up in the wake of the recent killing of Rohingya leader, Mohibullah.
An on-duty official from the Armed Police Battalion, who declined to give his name because he is not authorized to speak to the media, confirmed the number of deaths and the use of firearms during the fight but did not explain the reasons.
However, sources in the camp said unidentified men attacked an Islamic seminary at Block H-52 of Camp No 18 before daybreak. Local law enforcers have so far arrested a man on suspicion of involvement in the clash.
- The district police and other law enforcers have already begun operations to detain perpetrators behind the armed clash - Md Hasanuzzaman, Cox's Bazar district police chief, told Anadolu Agency, fearing that the death toll might rise.
- Situation at the refugee camps is under control now - the police official said. However, additional law enforcers have been deployed to avoid any further untoward situation, he added.​​​​​​​
Some groups in Cox's Bazar, which houses about 1.2 million Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar's Rakhine state after a deadly military crackdown in August 2017, have been involved in shooting incidents in the past, which law enforcement officials blamed on "Rohingya robbers" or "smugglers."
Ansar Ali, a Rohingya community leader in the camps, alleged that the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) is to blame for the killings and chaos.
- ARSA men have been trying to control the refugee camps - he told Anadolu Agency, and they often conduct secret killing operations if anyone tries to protest them.Earlier, police arrested five suspected ARSA members for their alleged involvement in the murder of Mohibullah.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said on Thursday that the government had held talks with all concerned parties and stakeholders to maintain law and order and overall security in Cox's Bazar and the Bhasan Char island, where 20,000 Rohingya have been relocated this year.

Police official says situation under control now, but more law enforcers deployed in Cox's Bazar to avoid any untoward incident

Armed clashes erupted in the Ukhiya camps a day after the Bangladesh Home Ministry said security measures at Rohingya refugee camps will be beefed up in the wake of the recent killing of Rohingya leader, Mohibullah

7 killed, 10 injured in Bangladesh's Rohingya camps clashes

Prisoners of the Islamic Jihad movement on Friday said that they reached an agreement with the Israeli prisons administration to lift "all punitive measures taken against them" and end the hunger strike.

The Supreme Leadership Council of the movement's prisoners said in a statement that the Israeli side initiated the move to reach an understanding to end the hunger strike.
The deal stipulates "the immediate cessation of the frenzied attack against the sons of Islamic Jihad in the occupation prisons and the lifting of all punitive measures against them," the statement said.
It pointed out that the prisoners agreed with the prison administration to "restore the representation, structure and organizational entity of the Islamic Jihad movement in the occupation prisons."
The agreement also guarantees ending solitary confinement of the movement's members and improving living condition of its female inmates.
On Oct. 13, around 250 Palestinian detainees from the Islamic Jihad group began an open-ended hunger strike to protest Israel's punitive measures against prisoners.
The punitive measures included not allowing more than one prisoner from the movement to stay in each cell.
Prison authorities have imposed punitive measures against Islamic Jihad prisoners after six inmates tunneled out of the high security Gilboa prison last month in northern Israel.
Five were from the Islamic Jihad group.
The prisoners were captured by Israeli forces almost one week after their escape.
There are around 4,850 Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons, including 40 women, 225 children and 40 administrative detainees, according to institutions concerned with prisoners' affairs.

Deal stipulates ending punitive measures against movement's prisoners

The Supreme Leadership Council of the movement's prisoners said in a statement that the Israeli side initiated the move to reach an understanding to end the hunger strike

Islamic Jihad prisoners agree to end hunger strike after deal

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his support Thursday for a key demand of the Taliban, urging Western countries to unfreeze Afghanistan’s financial assets. 

Speaking at a meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, Putin said Western countries bear "the main responsibility" for what is happening in Afghanistan.
- The main responsibility for what is happening there is being borne by those countries that have been fighting there for 20 years. And the first thing they should do, in my opinion, is to unfreeze the Afghan assets to give Afghanistan a possibility to solve socio-economic problems of paramount importance - he said.
The Russian leader also praised the Taliban for their efforts in fighting the Daesh/ISIS terrorist group in Afghanistan, noting there are victims among the movement.
He also complimented Pakistan's role in the Afghan settlement, saying it is one of the most important players in the region.
Putin also commended US President Joe Biden, saying his decision to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan was right.
- He did the right thing by withdrawing troops from Afghanistan. He probably understood, maybe he didn't know in detail how this would happen, but he understood that one way or another, domestically, this would be one of the lines of attack, but he went for it -- accepted, assumed this responsibility - he said.
Russia is interested in having a calm, developing Afghanistan free of the terrorist threat and drug trafficking, and for that, it is necessary to help Afghanistan restore the economy, Putin added.
The pullout could have been done differently, but as time passes, everything will fall into place, he said.
As for the security issues, Russian law enforcement maintains necessary contacts with the relevant Afghan structures, he said.
He also said it would be interesting to hold one of the meetings of the Valdai Discussion Club in Afghanistan in the future.

President says West bears responsibility for Afghanistan, must unfreeze assets to give means for resolving social, economic problems

Putin backs Taliban in its demand to unfreeze assets

South Korea on Thursday conducted its first indigenous space launch from the country's southern coastal area launchpad, local media said.

The KSLV-II, also known as Nuri, launched from the Naro Space Center in Goheung at 5 p.m. local time (0800GMT), Yonhap News Agency reported citing the Ministry of Science and ICT.
The 200-ton Nuri is designed to propel a 1.5-ton satellite into orbit, according to the report.
The KSLV-II is the country's first indigenously designed and manufactured space vehicle.
- The nation should take pride in independently developing state-of-the-art technology that cannot be transferred to other countries and launching our own satellites and space rockets from our land - the Presidency said in a statement on Wednesday.
The South Korean launch came just two days after North Korea test-fired its latest submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). Pyongyang confirmed on Wednesday that it had launched an SLBM the day before, the country's first underwater test since 2019.
North Korea’s eighth missile test this year and fifth since September comes as Pyongyang pushes back against what it sees as “hostile policies” of the US and South Korea.
Reacting to the missile test, South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in said his country will shore up its defense capability.
- A strong defense capability is always aimed at ensuring peace - Moon said.

200-ton KSLV-II also known as Nuri designed to propel 1.5-ton satellite into orbit

The 200-ton Nuri is designed to propel a 1.5-ton satellite into orbit, according to the report

South Korea conducts its 1st indigenous space launch

The UN on Thursday said it has launched a crisis trust fund to provide money directly to Afghans to prevent a humanitarian crisis and the breakdown of the economy.

- The country needs immediate humanitarian assistance, but we also need to keep the local economies going - UN Development Program (UNDP) Administrator Achim Steiner said at a news conference in Geneva.
- This is fundamental to ensure that people still have livelihoods and feel that they have a future in their communities.-According to UNDP, all assistance provided will be delivered to Afghans directly, based on impartial assessments carried out with local community leaders, and independently of authorities.
The program will make its input by supporting the most vulnerable populations and the collapsing micro-businesses in Afghanistan.
Steiner said the initiative would channel funding into community activities and provide grants to support small and micro businesses, especially those owned by women.
It supports cash-for-work projects offering short-term income to the unemployed to restore small local infrastructure, said UNDP.
UNDP aims to support people with disabilities, the elderly, and the most vulnerable through temporary basic income.
The scheme will assist in strengthening natural disaster alleviation and resilience, such as through rehabilitation of canals and flood protection to protect farmlands.
Turkey and the new administration in Afghanistan held their first high-level contact on Oct. 17 after the Taliban took power on Aug. 15.
World powers have called on the group to form an inclusive government representing the country's diversity.

UN Development Program says Afghanistan needs humanitarian assistance to prevent breakdown of economy

The program will make its input by supporting the most vulnerable populations and the collapsing micro-businesses in Afghanistan

UN launches crisis trust fund to provide money directly to Afghans

Still banned by Twitter and Facebook due to violating their rules, former US President Donald Trump has announced a new signature social media platform to, in his words, "stand up to the tyranny of Big Tech."

The new platform, named TRUTH Social, will begin to invite guests for a beta launch next month, said a statement by Trump Media &amp; Technology Group (TMTG) late Wednesday.
The network is expected to be rolled out to all users in the first quarter of 2022, it added.
- TMTG was founded with a mission to give a voice to all-&nbsp; said Trump. - I'm excited to soon begin sharing my thoughts on TRUTH Social and to fight back against Big Tech. -Trump was taken off Twitter and Facebook during and just after the violent attack on the US Capitol this Jan. 6, due to, according to Twitter, “the risk of further incitement of violence."
As president, Trump was frequently criticized for using social media platforms to spread falsehoods and give a green light to racist and violent attacks.

Trump was taken off Twitter and Facebook out of fear he would incite more violence similar to Jan. 6 attack on US Capitol

The network is expected to be rolled out to all users in the first quarter of 2022

Trump announces new social media platform to bypass big tech "tyranny"

One person was killed and another injured in an explosion at a factory in northeastern Pakistan on Thursday.

A boiler blew up at a beverage factory on Multan Road in Lahore, capital of the province of Punjab, an official said.
Videos circulating on social media showed smoke rising from the factory before a huge explosion sends a cloud of fire high into the sky.
The blast caused extensive damage at the factory and also nearby buildings, according to Deeba Shahnaz, spokesperson for the provincial rescue service.
There were fears that casualties could be higher since the factory is located in a residential locality, but the official said the area was not crowded at the time of the explosion.
- One person died on the spot and another one is in hospital with 50% burns over his body - she said.
Firefighters managed to douse the blaze and a cooling process has started, she added.
Pakistan has a history of industrial accidents due to poor infrastructure and lack of safety standards, with many factories set up in residential areas all over the country.
The incident comes less than two months after 15 people were killed and several injured when a massive fire swept through a chemical factory in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi.​​​​​​​

Boiler explodes at beverage factory in northeastern city of Lahore

A boiler blew up at a beverage factory on Multan Road in Lahore, capital of the province of Punjab

1 dead, another injured in Pakistan factory blast

Eighty-one militiamen have been killed by the Democratic Republic of Congo Army since the beginning of October, according to UN radio on Thursday.

It said that 63 were captured and 26 weapons have been recovered during operations launched against the coalition of CODECO and FPIC militias around Lipri, Ngongo, Petsi and Ritsi -- about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Bunia.
Army spokesman Lieut. Jules Ngongo said the army is pursuing the militiamen who are on the run.
- The fighting is also taking place in the villages of Bambu and Kilo, more than 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Bunia - said Ngongo.- More than five villages that were occupied by these militiamen are now under the control of the national army which continues to hunt down these armed groups.-He said the militiamen have taken refuge Nyangaray, 26 kilometers (16 miles) from their defeat.
UN radio said local area chief Claude Mateso hailed the army for a job well done.
The army recently started operations to eliminate militias that have for years attacked villages and looted property.

Army sees gains in recently launched mission to eliminate militias

The army recently started operations to eliminate militias that have for years attacked villages and looted property

Democratic Republic of Congo kills 81 militiamen in October

Nationwide protests erupted Thursday in the Sudanese capital Khartoum calling for full civilian rule in the country.

The protesters shouted anti-military ruling slogans and called for the resignation of Abdul Fattah Alburah, head of the Sovereign Council, and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.
The protests come amid deep political tension between pro-military and pro-civilian factions in Khartoum.
Separately, British and other Western envoys Thursday arrived in the capital to broker mediation for the current crisis.
Deep tension erupted between the military and civilians in Sudan after a failed military coup last month.

Western envoys also arrive in capital Khartoum to help broker mediation out of current crisis

Supporters of civilian government stage a demonstration meanwhile, pro-military groups continued to their sit-in protest demanding government dissolution in the capital Khartoum, Sudan on October 21, 2021.

Australia plans tough law for social media platform to protect children

US calls for "immediate release" of Sudan premier amid coup

Israel announces tenders for 1,355 homes in occupied territories

Nigerian military carries out air operation against Boko Haram

Death toll from floods, landslides in northern India rises to 72

Calls grow for protests in Sudan amid "coup" reports

Guinea’s coup leaders name figures from ousted government as ministers

7 killed, 10 injured in Bangladesh's Rohingya camps clashes

Islamic Jihad prisoners agree to end hunger strike after deal

Putin backs Taliban in its demand to unfreeze assets

South Korea conducts its 1st indigenous space launch

UN launches crisis trust fund to provide money directly to Afghans

Trump announces new social media platform to bypass big tech "tyranny"

1 dead, another injured in Pakistan factory blast

Democratic Republic of Congo kills 81 militiamen in October

Protests urging civilian rule rock Sudan

World

Australia plans tough law for social media platform to protect children

US calls for "immediate release" of Sudan premier amid coup

Israel announces tenders for 1,355 homes in occupied territories

Nigerian military carries out air operation against Boko Haram

Death toll from floods, landslides in northern India rises to 72

Calls grow for protests in Sudan amid "coup" reports

Guinea’s coup leaders name figures from ousted government as ministers

7 killed, 10 injured in Bangladesh's Rohingya camps clashes

Islamic Jihad prisoners agree to end hunger strike after deal

Putin backs Taliban in its demand to unfreeze assets

South Korea conducts its 1st indigenous space launch

UN launches crisis trust fund to provide money directly to Afghans

Trump announces new social media platform to bypass big tech "tyranny"

1 dead, another injured in Pakistan factory blast

Democratic Republic of Congo kills 81 militiamen in October

Protests urging civilian rule rock Sudan