Austria’s conservative-led, three-party government plans to ban social media use for children under 14, officials announced on Friday. Members of the cabinet from the ruling parties agreed on the principle of the ban, which aims to protect children from addictive algorithms and harmful content, including sexual abuse. However, the government has not specified when the ban will take effect or finalized how it will be implemented.
Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler of the Social Democrats emphasized the urgency of the measure, saying the government will “decisively protect children and young people from the negative effects of social media.” He added, “We can no longer stand by while these platforms make our children addicted and often unwell. The risks linked to this usage were ignored for too long, and now it is time to act.”
Austria would join a growing number of countries considering restrictions on underage social media use. Australia became the first nation to enforce a ban for under-16s in December. France’s lower house of parliament approved a similar measure for under-15s in January, and other countries are exploring comparable rules.
Babler and Alexander Proell, the conservative junior minister for digitization, said draft legislation for Austria’s ban is expected by the end of June. Instead of naming individual platforms, the government plans to apply the ban based on how addictive a platform’s algorithms are and whether it contains content such as sexualized violence.
The initiative reflects concerns about children’s mental health and exposure to harmful content online. By focusing on the design of platforms and the nature of content rather than specific apps, Austrian authorities aim to create a flexible framework that addresses the evolving digital landscape and protects minors from potential risks.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Amid the ongoing Middle East crisis, rising global fuel prices and shortages have prompted attempts at unauthorized fuel hoarding. To curb such activities, ensure orderly fuel distribution, and maintain uninterrupted supply, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been deployed at multiple fuel depots nationwide, according to a statement on Saturday by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The deployment follows a structured plan overseen by BGB Headquarters, with temporary base camps set up in secure locations to support operations in remote areas. Since the morning of 25 March 2026, BGB personnel have been stationed at 19 depots across 9 districts: Dhaka (1), Kurigram (2), Rangpur (3), Rajshahi (3), Sylhet (2), Moulvibazar (3), Cumilla (3), Brahmanbaria (1), and Sunamganj (1).
Deployed personnel are working under designated officers, ensuring strict supervision and enforcement of security and administrative measures. Enhanced intelligence monitoring has been implemented to prevent illegal fuel hoarding, unauthorized sales, and potential sabotage. The BGB is coordinating closely with depot authorities to ensure rapid information sharing, stabilizing fuel supply, and boosting public confidence.
To combat fuel smuggling, intensified land and river patrols are underway, with checkpoints for inspections and strengthened surveillance along borders. Monitoring at Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) and Land Customs Ports (LCPs) has also increased, with regular inspections of trucks and other vehicles involved in import-export activities. Bangladesh’s energy shortfall caused by the West Asia conflict, India has supplied an additional 5,000 tons of diesel, a senior government official confirmed on Friday night.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from BGB.
Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan on Friday emphasized that meaningful dialogue is central to a healthy democracy, stating that discussion, debate, and even dissent should contribute to the national interest rather than cause disruption. He made these remarks while serving as Chief Guest at the 20th Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards held in New Delhi.
He noted that the exchange of ideas, questioning of assumptions, and respectful acceptance of differing opinions are essential for refining policies and ensuring decisions gain legitimacy. According to him, such engagement should ultimately guide decision-making in the nation’s interest, not lead to instability.
Paying homage to publisher Ramnath Goenka, the Vice-President recalled the historic moment during the Emergency when The Indian Express carried a blank editorial as a mark of press freedom and courage. He said the awards, now in their 20th year, celebrate Goenka’s legacy of fearless journalism.
Radhakrishnan also spoke about the achievements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, highlighting that lifting 25 crore people out of poverty stands out as a major milestone. He stressed the need for inclusive development and referred to the Prime Minister’s call at last year’s Ramnath Goenka Memorial Lecture to move beyond colonial-era mindsets, noting that this remains a continuing challenge. The awards were presented by the Vice-President in the presence of Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu.
Express Group Chairman Viveck Goenka spoke about the changing nature of journalism, stating that future journalists must combine technical expertise with strong human insight. He emphasized the importance of reaching audiences across platforms while staying committed to journalism’s core purpose—informing citizens rather than taking sides.
Chief Editor of The Indian Express, Raj Kamal Jha, highlighted that true journalism is about uncovering stories that may be hidden or uncomfortable, particularly those that people in power may not want revealed. He added that trust is built not by telling audiences what they wish to hear, but by presenting the truth. The event was attended by several prominent figures, including Lok Sabha MPs Anil Manish Tewari, Anil Baluni, and Rajeev Kumar Rai; Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Shukla; BJP leader Rajendra Agarwal; CPI General Secretary D. Raja; lawyer and politician Ashwani Kumar; and Mongolian Ambassador Ganbold Dambajav.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Ahead of the state assembly elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya, unveiled the BJP’s “chargesheet” in Kolkata against the ruling Trinamool Congress government. Shah said the upcoming elections would be a choice between “fear and trust.” He accused Mamata Banerjee of promoting politics driven by lies, violence, and corruption over the past 15 years. Voting in the state will take place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with results to be declared on May 4.
Shah claimed that the TMC came to power through fear and false promises, while the BJP has been opposing such practices since 2011. He expressed confidence that the BJP would form the next government in Bengal. He added that the chargesheet represents the voice of Bengal’s people against the TMC’s rule and urged voters to decide between continuing with fear or choosing trust.
Shah said Bengal plays a key role in national security, especially concerning infiltration. He noted that infiltration had reduced in Assam after the BJP came to power, and claimed Bengal is now the main entry point. He also praised Suvendu Adhikari for traveling across the state and raising issues like lawlessness, economic hardship, and infiltration. Shah further criticized the TMC for failing to deliver on its promise of “Sonar Bangla,” alleging that the state has seen rising corruption, criminal syndicates, and declining industrial growth under its rule.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a missile strike on Israel, marking their first involvement since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict. Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree announced the attack in a statement broadcast Saturday morning on the rebels’ Al-Masirah satellite channel. The Israeli military reported that it successfully intercepted the missile. The strike followed a vague warning from Saree on Friday indicating the rebels’ intent to join the ongoing war, which has already shaken the region and affected the global economy. Saree stated that a series of ballistic missiles were launched at what he called “sensitive Israeli military targets” in southern Israel. The Houthis’ entry into the conflict also raises concerns about the potential targeting of commercial shipping through the Red Sea corridor, which could further disrupt global trade. Between November 2023 and January 2025, the Houthi rebels had attacked more than 100 merchant vessels using missiles and drones, sinking two ships and killing four sailors.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.
In 1998, tobacco companies in the United States were made responsible for the damage caused by the products they produced and sold through the Tobacco Settlement. Today, a similar question arises for Big Tech: it is not only about the content on their platforms but also whether these platforms were intentionally created to keep users addicted. Daniel Martin explores this issue with Rajesh Sreenivasan, Head of Technology, Media, and Telecommunications at Rajah and Tann Singapore.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
On “Destination Anywhere,” Melanie Oliveiro chats with Regina Lee, a travel and home influencer, about her journey through northern Xinjiang. From the shimmering turquoise waters of Sayram Lake to the lush rolling landscapes of Nalati Grasslands and the snow-capped peaks of the Tian Shan mountains, Regina recounts the region’s beauty and charm. She guides listeners through glacier valleys, picturesque villages, vibrant lakes, and lively bazaars, while also sharing practical tips on how to fully experience this remarkable frontier of China.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
This week, as the repercussions of the US-Israel conflict with Iran continue, Australians are feeling the pinch from a worsening fuel crisis. At the same time, the Liberal Party faces a critical moment as voters increasingly shift toward One Nation. In this edition of the Guardian’s Australian Politics podcast, political editor Tom McIlroy talks with Andrew Hastie, shadow minister for industry and sovereign capability, about Australia’s approach to the global fuel shock, the need for reindustrialisation, and his perspective on how the Liberal Party should respond to the rise of One Nation.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
As tensions rise in Iran, the global energy system is being tested like never before. Critical chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz, along with concentrated LNG infrastructure in hubs like Ras Laffan, highlight the inherent rigidity and vulnerability of oil and gas markets. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman explore what “market adjustment” looks like when long-term contracts offer little flexibility, and why Europe could once again face a challenging scramble for energy supplies. Their analysis includes insights from Pang Lu Ming, Vice President of Gas & LNG Research at Rystad Energy.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
