Author: Grace Johnson

Discord will soon require users worldwide to verify their age before accessing adult content. Users must confirm their age with a face scan or upload an official ID document. The chat platform says it has more than 200 million monthly users. Discord says the new safety system will place everyone into a teen-appropriate experience by default. The platform already requires age checks in the UK and Australia to comply with online safety laws. Discord will roll out the new system globally from early March. Savannah Badalich, Discord’s policy head, said teen safety remains a top priority. She said teen-by-default settings…

The Seattle Seahawks crushed the New England Patriots with a punishing defensive display, claiming a 29-13 Super Bowl victory at Levi’s Stadium. The win marked Seattle’s second championship in franchise history. Two of the NFL’s most formidable defences clashed in the season’s biggest game, and Seattle controlled the field from start to finish. Briton Aden Durde became the first overseas coach to lift the league’s top prize in the United States. Dark Side Defence Dominates Seattle’s 46-year-old defensive coordinator has built the league’s most feared unit, nicknamed “the Dark Side.” On Super Bowl Sunday in Santa Clara, California, the Patriots…

A South Korean cryptocurrency exchange accidentally sent customers more than 40 billion dollars in bitcoin. The mistake briefly turned some users into multimillionaires. The company planned to send a small reward of 2,000 won, worth about 1.37 dollars. Instead, it sent 2,000 bitcoins to customers on Friday. The platform Bithumb apologised for the error and described the incident. The company said it quickly noticed the mistake and recovered almost all missing tokens. It restricted trading and withdrawals for 695 affected customers within 35 minutes of the glitch. Exchange Retrieves Nearly All Mistaken Bitcoin Bithumb said it recovered 99.7 percent of…

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that threatens new tariffs on countries that continue to trade with Iran. The order does not set a fixed rate but uses 25 percent as an example. It says the tariff could apply to goods imported into the United States from any nation that directly or indirectly buys goods or services from Iran. Trump did not comment directly on the order but repeated that Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons. He spoke from Air Force One while senior US and Iranian officials held talks in Oman after weeks of escalating threats…

The European Union has warned TikTok to change its platform design or face serious financial penalties. The European Commission said the video platform breached EU online safety rules. Officials reached this conclusion after an investigation launched in February 2024. Regulators examined how TikTok’s design affects user behaviour. The Commission said TikTok failed to properly assess risks to mental wellbeing. Investigators focused on autoplay and endless content delivery. They said these features can harm users, especially children. Regulators also said TikTok did not implement effective measures to reduce these risks. TikTok rejected the findings through a company spokesperson. The firm described…

China is increasing its duty-free shopping options at key travel hubs. Beijing and other major cities will open 41 new duty-free shops. The move aims to enhance retail experiences for tourists and encourage more inbound travel. Officials said the new stores will be located in airports, train stations, and popular city centers. This expansion is part of a larger strategy to make China a top shopping destination for international visitors. Duty-free shopping has become a key tool for attracting tourists. Travelers can purchase luxury goods and popular items without paying import taxes. By adding more stores, China hopes to keep…

For two months, the US Department of Justice released millions of Epstein-related records. The documents outline years of alleged sex trafficking by financier Jeffrey Epstein. President Donald Trump now urges the nation to move on. Washington shows little interest in dropping the issue. Justice department draws a line under its review Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the government review has ended. Congress required the review through legislation passed in November. Blanche said prosecutors found no basis for new criminal charges. He said the files contain emails, photographs, and written correspondence. He argued that material alone cannot support prosecutions. The…

Netflix faced tough questioning in Washington over its $82bn (£61bn) plan to acquire Warner Bros Discovery. Lawmakers challenged claims that the merger would help consumers and workers. Senators from both parties voiced scepticism during a high-profile antitrust hearing. Senators sound alarm on competition and prices Members of the Senate antitrust subcommittee warned the deal could weaken competition across entertainment markets. Several senators said consumers could face higher subscription prices. Others questioned the long-term future of cinemas after the merger. The Department of Justice is reviewing the proposed transaction. Approval would give Netflix control over Warner Bros film and television studios.…

China has banned hidden door handles on electric vehicles following rising safety concerns. The move makes China the first country to prohibit the design feature. Regulators responded to increased scrutiny of electric vehicle safety worldwide. Several deadly incidents intensified pressure on authorities. Two fatal crashes in China involved electric cars manufactured by Xiaomi. Investigators suspected power failures prevented occupants from opening the doors. Regulators Prioritise Emergency Door Access The new regulations permit sales only for cars with mechanical door releases inside and outside. State media outlined the scope of the new rules. Authorities want to guarantee access during accidents and…

Gold and silver prices sank as investors rapidly exited safe-haven positions built during months of uncertainty. Losses deepened on Monday following a violent reversal late last week. The drop marked a sharp break from January’s historic rally. In Asian trading, spot gold fell more than nine percent to around $4,403 per ounce. Silver declined about 15 percent to below $72 per ounce. Both metals had reached record highs earlier this year. Confidence shift hits precious metals Strong demand earlier in the year reflected geopolitical tension and policy concerns. Investors also feared political pressure on the US central bank. Those worries…