The Australian government has announced a A$6.5 million trial of “age assurance” technology to restrict minors’ access to pornography. It’s part of a $1 billion package to address gendered violence. And it now comes alongside a proposal to ban people under 16 from social media. The government will consider various types of “age assurance” methods, such as matching drivers’ licences, credit cards or passports against government databases. It may also explore analysing biometric information (such as faces, fingerprints or voices), and profiling online behaviour (like username, browsing history and cookie data). Each has different privacy risks. While the government refers…
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Thank you, Madam Vice President. Let me begin by extending our gratitude to the Independent Expert’s predecessor Mr Victor Madrigal-Borloz for their visit to the United Kingdom last year. These country visits are crucial to the effective operation of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, and our collective endeavour to uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms, including for individuals from the LGBT community. During the Independent Expert’s visit to the United Kingdom, we were particularly pleased that he was able to engage with a broad range of stakeholders across the United Kingdom. Meetings were held in London, Manchester, Cardiff,…
Experience Budapest’s iconic ruin bar: Szimpla Kert. Welcome to our comprehensive travel guide for visiting Szimpla Kert, a destination known for its unique blend of cultural richness, history, and educational value in Budapest, Hungary. Here, you will find detailed insights into what makes Szimpla Kert such a unique cultural attraction. About Szimpla Kert, tucked in Budapest’s Jewish Quarter, is not just a bar—it’s an adventure. Its quirky decor is made from repurposed items, and each room is a different wonderland. It’s buzzing with live music, and don’t miss the house cherry beer. The Sunday farmers market is a gem for…
Assistant Secretary of State for Conflict and Stabilization Operations Anne A. Witkowsky will travel to the United Kingdom June 24-28. In London, Assistant Secretary Witkowsky will lead a U.S. delegation to the Stabilization Leaders’ Forum (SLF) hosted by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. The delegation will discuss mechanisms to prevent and respond to conflict, including the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability; opportunities for joint and international coordination to identify and address conflict risks; and climate security. Assistant Secretary Witkowsky and USAID Acting Assistant to the Administrator for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization Brittany Brown will also…
The space environment is harsh and full of extreme radiation. Scientists designing spacecraft and satellites need materials that can withstand these conditions. In a paper published in January 2024, my team of materials researchers demonstrated that a next-generation semiconductor material called metal-halide perovskite can actually recover and heal itself from radiation damage. Metal-halide perovskites are a class of materials discovered in 1839 that are found abundantly in Earth’s crust. They absorb sunlight and efficiently convert it into electricity, making them a potentially good fit for space-based solar panels that can power satellites or future space habitats. Researchers make perovskites in…
People with connections to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are being investigated by the Gambling Commission, reportedly over allegations they placed bets on an election being called on July 4, shortly before it became public knowledge. Sunak’s former parliamentary private secretary and Conservative candidate for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr, Craig Williams has admitted to betting on the election, saying: “I put a flutter on the general election some weeks ago. This has resulted in some routine inquiries and I confirm I will fully cooperate with these.” Fellow candidate Laura Saunders – the wife of the Conservative party’s campaign director, who is…
Enda Kenny channelling Nigel Farage channelling Eminem.Now, there’s a thought.We can see it now: Enda presenting himself at the entrance to Government Buildings on Wednesday with a big grin on his face.“Guess who’s back?” he drawls. “Back again.”In he goes, up those familiar stairs to the start of the ministerial corridor.“Guess who’s back? Back again.”Thumping and backslapping along the hall until he lands at the Taoiseach’s suite.“Guess who’s back? Back again. Baby!”We hear it was a bit of love-in when Enda returned to his old office this week to visit the lad who nominated him to be taoiseach back in…
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that its Mine Safety and Health Administration is making $10.5 million in grant funding available to help provide mine safety training for the nation’s miners.MSHA will award these grants as part of its fiscal year 2024 State Grants program to fund the delivery of federally mandated training and re-training for miners working at surface and underground coal and metal and nonmetal mines.“The State Grants program is one way that MSHA can focus on protecting the health and safety of miners across the country,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and…
“These two gentlemen managed to disarm Slovakia better than any other enemy,” Melicher said. “I am convinced that Jaroslav Naď betrayed Slovakia, his homeland.” Heger, who served as prime minister from 2021-2023, and Naď, who was defense minister between 2020 and 2023, are suspected of committing sabotage, abusing the powers of public officials and breach of duty in the management of foreign property, according to the defense ministry. Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák previously called Naď a traitor. “To weaken the armed forces in this way in violation of the constitution cannot be described in our political vocabulary as anything other…
Conventional wisdom holds that the island of Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, once had a large population that crashed after living beyond its means and stripping the island of resources. A new research study my colleagues and I conducted has struck another blow to this notion by using artificial intelligence to analyze satellite data about piles of rocks on this tiny island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Our study looked at rock gardens, a form of subsistence farming, and determined that the island – just 15.3 miles (24.6 km) long by 7.6 miles (12.3 km) at…