The UK's Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) executed warrants in five cities, seizing laptops, phones, and documents in a crackdown on claims companies sending spam texts about the car finance mis-selling scandal. This action targets firms believed responsible for 170m texts, following 12m public complaints since September 2025.
Five Thai soldiers were killed and six civilians, including a 10-year-old boy, were injured in an attack on a military checkpoint in Thailand's Narathiwat province. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul condemned the incident as a "brazen act of terrorism."
French regulators have passed a bill banning social media for children under 15, pending approval by the Constitutional Council. If enacted, France would be the first EU member to implement such a ban, aiming to counter negative health impacts and following similar regulations in Australia.
Filmmaker John Carpenter discusses his new graphic novel "Cathedral" and accompanying soundtrack, detailing his departure from Hollywood's studio system due to creative conflicts. He reflects on his influential career, his iconic films, and his views on modern technology and the state of American society.
Telstra, Australia's largest mobile network, experienced a nationwide outage for most of Wednesday morning, affecting millions of users. The disruption impacted mobile calls, internet access, Eftpos machines, and public transport, prompting concerns about reliance on the network and comparisons to past outages.
Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil infrastructure have led to significant fuel shortages across Russia, impacting daily life and the economy. The crisis, visible even in Moscow, is straining public patience and affecting logistics and transportation.
The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to block a Texas law mandating age verification and parental consent for minors downloading apps or making in-app purchases. Plaintiffs argued it violates free speech rights, while Texas claims it protects children.
Lonavala Police claim prime accused Siya Goyal's statements in the alleged murder of realtor Ketan Agarwal contradict mobile phone chats recovered from her and Ketan, indicating they interacted like a typical couple before the wedding. Goyal and Chetan Chaudhary are in police custody until June 29.
Hong Kong police arrested 24 drivers and issued over 4,000 tickets in a two-week crackdown on distracted driving and jaywalking. Road accident deaths surged 42% in the first five months of the year, with pedestrians being half the victims.
The Taliban have ordered a ban on smartphone use for government officials, citing concerns over productivity and leaks. The directive, issued by military courts, mandates phone destruction and legal punishment for violators. Analysts suggest this could foreshadow broader restrictions on the general population.
Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-Lung stated that China's efforts to limit Taiwan's international access are now 'the new normal.' This follows an incident where two Taiwanese delegates were detained in Kenya and denied access to the Our Ocean Conference, reportedly due to Chinese pressure. Kenya defended its actions, citing its 'One China' policy.
Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-Lung stated that China's efforts to limit Taiwan's international access are now "the new normal." This follows an incident where two Taiwanese delegates were detained in Kenya and denied access to the Our Ocean Conference, reportedly due to Chinese pressure. Kenya defended its actions, citing its "one China" policy, while Taiwan condemned Kenya's interpretation.
AI trained on Pokémon Go location scans may help military drones navigate without GPS, raising concerns over civilian data use for military purposes.
Ofqual data reveals mobile phones and smart devices are the most common exam malpractice, making up 44% of cases last year. Examples include hidden earpieces and smart glasses with covert text displays.
A gay man recounts his journey from discovering he was an uncle at 22 in Madrid to becoming a beloved figure for his seven nieces and nephews, navigating societal prejudice and redefining family.
FoI responses collected by insurer show brigades tackled 1,760 battery-linked fires in 2025, up 147% in three yearsFire brigades across the UK are tackling lithium-ion battery fires at a rate of one every five hours, figures show, as fire chiefs warn that public awareness and government regulation have not kept pace with the ubiquity of this new hazard.Lithium-ion batteries power most rechargeable devices including mobile phones, electric toothbrushes, toys and vapes, as well as ebikes, e-scooters and electric vehicles. Continue reading...
A study found strict mobile phone bans in US schools had little to no impact on student learning, attendance, or online bullying, despite reducing phone usage. Researchers noted mixed findings, with modest positive effects on maths scores for older students but negative effects for younger ones.
Hong Kong education authorities have contacted a school after its newly tightened rules and penalties on mobile phone use triggered an outcry among students. Under the new measures, due to take effect in the coming weeks, Form Three and Four students at the boys’ school Kwun Tong Maryknoll College will be banned from using mobile phones on campus, with devices stored in lockers and accessible only during designated time slots. The rules also stipulate that no other items may be kept in the...
An increasing number of cinema-goers are reporting disruptive behavior during screenings, including phone scrolling, loud eating, talking, and flash photography. TikTok creators and regular viewers describe phones as the 'worst offender,' while experts point to post-Covid changes in social norms and the blurring of home viewing habits into public spaces. Cinema chains Vue, Odeon, Cineworld and Everyman maintain policies against disturbances but acknowledge the issue persists.
An independent committee investigating the deadly November fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, heard that the emergency mobile phone alert system would have taken up to an hour to activate and would have offered little help to fire services. The blaze killed 168 people — the deadliest in Hong Kong since 1948 — and displaced nearly 5,000 residents. The inquiry revealed that a property management employee accidentally disabled fire alarms while switching off hosepipes for repairs, and suggested five of seven affected towers caught fire at a late enough stage that evacuation might have been possible.
Jason Bonfig, 49, a Best Buy veteran who joined as an inventory analyst in 1999, will become the retailer's sixth CEO on Oct. 31, succeeding Corie Barry. The leadership change comes as Best Buy grapples with stagnant sales over four years, aiming to capitalize on AI-enabled devices. Barry, 51, the first female CEO in Best Buy's history, will serve as strategic advisor for six months. The company projects fiscal year revenue of $41.2-$42.1 billion with comparable sales expected between -1% and +1%.
The UK government will table an amendment to the children's wellbeing and schools bill to make existing mobile phone guidance statutory in English schools. The education minister acknowledged the move as a "pragmatic measure" to pass what is described as the biggest child protection legislation in decades. Despite previously arguing most schools already had bans, ministers capitulated after opposition from peers. The bill also includes a compulsory register for children not in school, crackdown on social care profiteering, and a unique child welfare identifier.
Schools in England would be forced to ban mobile phones under government plans.
The UK government is set to make mobile phone bans in English schools a legal requirement through an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. The House of Lords voted 107 majority in favour of the ban during the school day, with exceptions for sixth-formers, medical devices and boarding schools. The NASUWT and NAHT teacher unions support the move, which heads to the House of Commons for a vote on Wednesday.
