Turkiye to host COP31 climate summit after Australia concedes bid

Australia has enacted a law banning children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms, a move aimed at reducing online risks for minors. This legislation is set to take effect on December 10, 2025, and includes popular platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, alongside streaming service Twitch.

Former US Secretary of State John Kerry has urged Australia to adopt a more assertive stance towards the world's largest fossil fuel-producing nations as it prepares to take over the presidency of the upcoming UN climate summit, COP31. Kerry's call comes amid Australia's recent decision to cede hosting rights to Turkey, a move that has sparked disappointment among Pacific island nations hoping for a co-hosting opportunity.

Pope Leo XIV is preparing for his inaugural foreign trip to Turkiye and Lebanon, a journey that aims to promote peace and unity in a region experiencing heightened tensions, particularly following recent violence in Beirut. This trip marks a significant moment in his papacy as he seeks to engage with the local communities.

Australia's gender pay gap has narrowed further in 2025, with women earning on average $28,000 less than men, according to a study by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency. The report highlighted that Western Australia reported the largest pay gap, while Tasmania had the smallest, indicating improvements across all states.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a warning about the rise of online 'ghost stores' that exploit the Christmas and Black Friday shopping seasons to deceive consumers. These ghost stores utilize artificial intelligence to create convincing but fraudulent online shopping experiences, making it increasingly difficult for shoppers to identify scams.

Australia has reported a 2.2% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, equating to a decrease of 9.9 million tonnes, attributed largely to increased renewable energy generation, which now accounts for over 40% of electricity production. This marks the largest annual drop in emissions outside of the Covid-19 pandemic period, according to government data.

Two teenagers in Australia have initiated a legal challenge against the country's new law that bans social media access for individuals under the age of 16. This law, aimed at protecting minors from online risks, is set to take effect on December 10, 2025, and includes major platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat.

A group of teenagers in Australia has initiated a High Court challenge against a new law that prohibits individuals under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms. The law, aimed at protecting minors from online risks, is set to take effect on December 10, 2025, and has sparked significant debate regarding its constitutionality.