Australia plans to double the maximum fine for social media platforms that fail to keep under-16s off their services, raising penalties to A$99 million. The government says children are still bypassing the ban and regulators are investigating Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube.
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Australian police seized 2.7 metric tonnes of cocaine from underground bunkers beneath shipping containers in western Sydney, the country’s largest-ever cocaine bust. Two men were charged, and investigators are probing links to a suspected mother ship detained in Solomon Islands.
British actress Emaa Hussen has been charged in Australia with attempting to import 320kg of meth hidden in charcoal bags from Ghana. Police said the drugs were worth A$296 million and could have supplied 3.2 million street deals.
A 35-year-old woman was critically injured after a shark attacked her while she swam off Coogee Beach in Sydney. Lifeguards and bystanders pulled her to shore, where first aid was performed before she was airlifted to hospital.
Australian law enforcement has revealed that an explosives-filled trailer discovered near Sydney in January was part of a hoax orchestrated by criminals seeking to manipulate authorities for personal gain. Initially thought to be linked to antisemitic terrorism, the trailer was never intended to cause harm but was designed to instill fear and divert police resources. This case underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in distinguishing real threats from elaborate hoaxes amidst rising antisemitic activities in the country.
The NYPD and FBI are taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of New York City's New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square. The NYE Wishing Wall has been set up, giving visitors the chance to write down their hopes and dreams for the new year, which will be released as confetti when the ball drops at midnight. Fireworks will light up the sky in London, Sydney, and Auckland as the world looks ahead to 2024 with optimism and purpose.
The Federal Court of Australia has ruled in favor of passengers of the Ruby Princess cruise, finding that Carnival and its subsidiary Princess Cruises had been negligent in their duty of care to passengers by allowing the cruise to depart in the early months of the pandemic. The ruling found that Carnival had failed to take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of passengers, and that the cruise operator had been aware of the risks posed by the pandemic. The outcome of the case will be determined at a later date.
Spanish state prosecutors have filed a lawsuit against Luis Rubiales, the suspended president of the Spanish soccer federation, for sexual assault and coercion. The charges stem from an incident after the Women's World Cup final in Sydney, Australia, when Rubiales kissed player Jenni Hermoso without her consent. If found guilty, Rubiales could face a fine or a prison sentence of one to four years. Rubiales has refused to resign and is contesting the charges, sparking a debate in Spain about the need for greater respect for women in sports.