‘Censorship pure and simple’: critics hit out at Trump plan to vet visitors’ social media

The Australian Health Minister has indicated that weight-loss drugs may be included in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) as early as next year, which could make these medications more accessible to the public. This potential inclusion reflects ongoing discussions about the rising rates of obesity and the need for effective treatment options in Australia.

Reddit has initiated a High Court challenge against Australia's new law prohibiting social media access for individuals under 16, which is set to take effect on December 10, 2025. The company argues that this landmark policy poses serious implications for privacy and political rights in Australia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reaffirmed his support for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro amid escalating tensions with the United States, particularly following a recent military buildup by the U.S. in the Caribbean region. This support comes as the U.S. has intensified its pressure campaign against Maduro's regime, including the seizure of an oil tanker off Venezuela's coast.

Authorities in Australia have reported an incident involving a skydiver whose parachute opened unexpectedly just before his jump. The unidentified man was seen on video cutting the cords of his back-up parachute in an effort to safely descend to the ground.

Reddit has launched a high court challenge against Australia's new law that bans social media access for individuals under 16, which took effect on December 10, 2025. The platform argues that the law infringes on the implied freedom of political communication as outlined in the constitution, while also expressing concerns about the intrusive verification processes it imposes on users of all ages.

Elon Musk is collaborating with the government of El Salvador to introduce the Grok chatbot, developed by his artificial intelligence company xAI, to over 1 million students in more than 5,000 public schools as part of an AI-powered education initiative. This announcement was made on December 11, 2025, by xAI, highlighting a significant move towards integrating AI in education.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the United States is advocating for the establishment of a 'free economic zone' in eastern Ukraine, which would serve as a buffer between conflicting armies. Zelenskyy emphasized that any territorial arrangements would require a referendum to ensure legitimacy.

President Donald Trump's administration has announced a new policy requiring travelers from Europe and other countries using the visa waiver program to disclose their social media handles from the past five years. This move has sparked significant backlash from a U.S. travel association, prominent Democrats, and potential travelers from Europe and Australia, who view it as an invasion of privacy.