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Australia secures court-enforceable child safety undertaking from Roblox

Australia secures court-enforceable child safety undertaking from Roblox

SYDNEY, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Australia's internet regulator secured a court-enforceable undertaking from Roblox to improve protections against grooming and sexual exploitation, after tests found adult strangers could still contact children despite safety measures introduced by the world's biggest
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Roblox Implements New Safeguards and Parental Controls for Child Users

Roblox Implements New Safeguards and Parental Controls for Child Users

Roblox has introduced several new initiatives and features aimed at safeguarding its child users. These include the establishment of a Global Parent Council, an age-tiered account system, AI-powered age-gating, a Family Zone experience, and a Learning Hub. The Global Parent Council, comprising 80 parents and caregivers from 32 countries, advises Roblox on products, policies, and partnerships. The age-tiered system categorizes users into 'Roblox Kids' (5-8), 'Roblox Select' (9-15), and standard accounts (over 15), with reduced access for younger users. AI-powered facial age estimation verifies user ages, and the Family Zone promotes co-play and digital safety education for parents and children. The Learning Hub offers educational experiences within a safe environment.
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Australia passes law to levy tech giants that fail to pay for local news

Australia passes law to levy tech giants that fail to pay for local news

SYDNEY, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Australia passed legislation on Thursday that will force tech giants to pay millions of dollars in levies if they fail to strike commercial deals with local media outlets for news on their platforms.
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'Below Deck Mediterranean' star Nathan Gallagher arrested for domestic violence

'Below Deck Mediterranean' star Nathan Gallagher arrested for domestic violence

"Below Deck Mediterranean" star Nathan Gallagher is facing domestic violence charges involving Gael Cameron, with whom he shares a 1-year-old son.
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Takeaways from a story on the US, Australia and others turning to Brazil for rare earth minerals

Takeaways from a story on the US, Australia and others turning to Brazil for rare earth minerals

Brazil is becoming a key player in the rare earth minerals market
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Australia jobless rate hits near 5-year high of 4.5% in July

Australia jobless rate hits near 5-year high of 4.5% in July

SYDNEY, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Australian employment unexpectedly fell in July and the jobless rate hit its highest point since late 2021, data showed on Thursday, adding to signs of a cooling labour market and easing pressure for another interest rate hike.
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IDF Clears Personnel of Criminal Wrongdoing in Strike That Killed Australian Aid Worker Zomi Frankcom

IDF Clears Personnel of Criminal Wrongdoing in Strike That Killed Australian Aid Worker Zomi Frankcom

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have concluded that there was no reasonable suspicion of criminal misconduct by its personnel in an April 2024 strike in Gaza that resulted in the deaths of seven aid workers, including Australian Zomi Frankcom. This decision was part of a series of rulings by the IDF regarding five incidents. The IDF stated that its officers mistakenly believed the vehicles contained Hamas military operatives and therefore struck them. Attempts to contact World Central Kitchen (WCK) representatives during the tracking of the convoy were unsuccessful. The IDF also noted that the presence of armed security accompanying the convoy was not coordinated with IDF authorities, and the vehicles had deviated from the pre-arranged route. Two Israeli officers were dismissed from their positions, and three senior officers received formal reprimands. Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed Australia's outrage, stating that the decision falls short of expected accountability and was especially insulting gi...
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Australia Confirms First Mass Seabird Deaths from H5N1 Avian Flu Strain

Australia Confirms First Mass Seabird Deaths from H5N1 Avian Flu Strain

Australia has officially reported its initial mass mortality event among seabirds due to the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza strain. This particular strain, identified as genotype B3.2, originated from a reassortment of the virus in North America and subsequently spread to South America in late 2022. Its progression along the South American west coast within six months significantly impacted poultry industries, wild bird populations, and marine mammals in that region. The H5N1 virus is known for its easy transmissibility, lack of effective treatment, and its capacity to cause widespread deaths in poultry and wild birds globally. While Australia has previously experienced other bird flu variations, such as the H7 outbreak in 2024, the H5N1 strain has been ravaging other parts of the world for the past six years, decimating bird populations and affecting marine mammal species like sea lions and elephant seals. The Australian government acknowledges that eradication of this strain will be impossible, s...
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Australia jobless rate hits near five-year high of 4.5% in July

Australia jobless rate hits near five-year high of 4.5% in July

SYDNEY, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Australian employment unexpectedly fell in July and the jobless rate hit its highest since late 2021, data showed on Thursday, easing pressure on the central bank to raise interest rates. The weak report sent the Australian dollar down 0.2% to $0.7111.
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Australia Expresses Outrage Over Israeli Military's Decision Not to Prosecute Soldiers in Aid Worker Deaths

Australia Expresses Outrage Over Israeli Military's Decision Not to Prosecute Soldiers in Aid Worker Deaths

Australia has summoned Israel's ambassador to express its outrage following the Israeli military's decision not to pursue criminal proceedings against soldiers involved in a 2024 airstrike in Gaza that killed seven aid workers, including Australian Zomi Frankcom. The Israeli military concluded there was no basis for a criminal investigation after a fact-finding and assessment procedure, stating there was no criminal intention to target aid workers, despite acknowledging operational failures. Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that Australia finds this decision "far short of the accountability we expect" and that the Australian government will continue to press Israel for justice. The incident, which also claimed the lives of British, Polish, Palestinian, and a dual US-Canadian citizen, drew widespread condemnation internationally.
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Why Uluru-Kata Tjuta Is More Than a National Park

Why Uluru-Kata Tjuta Is More Than a National Park

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, located in the southern part of Australia's Northern Territory, is a protected area renowned for its iconic natural...
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Little League World Series moves Thursday game times due to weather

Little League World Series moves Thursday game times due to weather

The 2026 Little League World Series had to adjust its game times for Thursday, August 20, due to the weather forecast in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.