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• Vietnam remained the fastest-growing major economy in Southeast Asia during the second quarter, while Thailand experienced the slowest growth in the region. • Malaysia and Singapore followed as the second- and third-fastest expanding economies, driven by strong global demand for semiconductors and tech supply chain components. • In contrast, the Philippines and Thailand faced economic headwinds due to surging energy costs linked to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

• China is intensifying its crackdown on online rumors targeting businesses, with a specific focus on combating AI-generated misinformation. • To support these efforts, the Supreme People's Court is currently developing new judicial policies regarding AI and data rights. • The country's top legislature has officially added AI-related legislation to its preliminary legislative agenda to strengthen the legal framework.

The new measure falls short of calls for gambling ads to move to an opt-in model, or for an outright banFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Labor government has pledged a new single-service opt-out register for gambling ads - an idea similar to the Do Not Call register for spam calls - as part of amendments to its wagering ad bill, as well as restrictions on inducements and limiting commissions for agents.Communications minister Anika Wells has also confirmed gambling companies will face a new levy to pay for the register, a beefed-up measure to curb wagering ads, after concerns were raised through a Senate inquiry that Australians would struggle to find or complete individual opt-out options on each online service. Continue reading...

• Eli Lilly and Company is urging online platforms, payment processors, and regulators to dismantle the illegal black market for retatrutide. • Retatrutide is currently an investigational molecule in Phase 3 clinical trials for obesity and type 2 diabetes and has not been approved for human use by any global regulatory agency. • The company warns that "research-use only" products are of unknown quality and potentially harmful, noting that the FDA has declared the sale and compounding of the drug illegal.

One seller says second world war memorabilia containing banned Nazi symbols is legal under exemptions to the lawsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNazi artefacts bearing prohibited symbols are being openly sold in Australia three years after the federal government made it illegal to do so, with vendors saying they are doing so for “educational” reasons.The government in 2023 outlawed the display and trade of items bearing the Nazi Hakenkreuz (swastika) and double-sig rune that was the logo of the Schutzstaffel (SS), after multiple states passed similar laws that banned the display of Nazi symbols and the performance of the Nazi salute. Continue reading...

• A widely circulated report falsely claimed that a new Pope, Leo XIV (formerly Robert Francis Prevost), took a political stance against Republican hostility in the U.S. Congress. • The misinformation suggested that the Chicago-born figure attempted to counter political tensions by extending a warm personal welcome to the United States. • This event highlights the spread of fabricated political narratives and the potential for misinformation to mimic significant non-electoral political moves.

• The European Union is coordinating with Meta and TikTok through a voluntary fact-checker mechanism to combat the spread of online disinformation. • This initiative follows a crisis in Ceuta where false claims circulated online, contributing to deadly mass border crossings. • The move highlights the EU's effort to hold tech giants accountable for algorithmic amplification of misinformation that can lead to real-world violence.

Those tempted to access fake websites run risk of phishing scams and having computer infected with malwareThe Odyssey is the hottest release this summer and you have been looking forward to seeing the much-acclaimed adaptation of Homer’s epic ancient Greek poem. But you have been unable to go to the cinema, so when you spot an ad to watch online, you jump at the chance.There are positive reviews posted on the site so you decide to sign up. Although it asks for your bank details – which is unusual for a “free” trial – you are so eager to watch the blockbuster you input your details. Continue reading...

• In April 2025, employees at the US State Department received notifications of cuts driven by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). • The initiative reflects a shift where fringe theories regarding a "vast censorship network" have been integrated into official Trump administration policy. • This transition matters as it signals a move toward dismantling established government structures in favor of ideologies previously held by online extremists.

Counter-disinformation group says social media channels connected to Pravda network helped amplify messageAccounts with links to the Russian military promoting far-right messages reached more than 500,000 people in the early days of the Ceuta migration crisis, according to an analysis done by 411, a counter-disinformation group.Russia-linked social media accounts frequently spread destabilising narratives in Europe, often promoting far-right talking points about immigration. Continue reading...

• European ministers have agreed to implement new measures to combat online misinformation following a crisis in Ceuta. • To improve shared situational awareness, member states plan to develop early-warning systems, including social media monitoring and pre-frontier intelligence. • EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, called for increased international cooperation to dismantle powerful smuggling networks.

• Kidtopia Mini Stations have opened educational play areas at GH Mall through August 31 and at Estancia until September 30. • Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi will share her personal experiences and challenges in a new reality docuseries titled "Celeste Unscripted." • The six-part series is available for streaming on Spotify, with new episodes releasing every Monday at 8 p.m. Korea time.

• Indian tennis is transitioning to a digital-first approach with the launch of a new integrated online platform to streamline operations. • In international golf, 54 players from 11 different countries, including China, South Korea, and Singapore, are currently competing in a regional event. • These updates, reported on July 28, highlight India's efforts to modernize sports administration and its engagement in international athletic competitions.

• WWE is hosting SummerSlam 2026, a premium live event taking place over two nights in Minnesota starting Saturday, August 1. • The event will feature six major title bouts, including competitions for the World Heavyweight, Women’s World, and WWE Intercontinental Championships. • This event serves as a marquee summer spectacle for the organization, following the momentum from the recent Night of Champions.

Truth Social, where Trump’s account is by far the largest, to offer users early access for up to $100,000 per monthDonald Trump is now offering early access to his Truth Social posts in a move that has been seen as corruption benefitting a sitting president.Trump Media and Technology Group officially rolled out its new subscription-based data service on Saturday, giving paying customers faster, real-time access to Truth Social posts from Trump and other high-profile accounts. Continue reading...

FSB puts Pavel Durov on international wanted lists and says his messaging app is used for sabotage and murderRussian officials have charged Pavel Durov, the founder and chief executive of the messaging app Telegram, with aiding terrorism.The charges against the 41-year-old Russian-born billionaire, who lives in the Gulf, are the latest step by the Kremlin to bring the internet and digital communications under its control after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Continue reading...

• The global supply of AI chips is doubling every nine months, creating an unprecedented surge in computing power for the technology industry. • According to research firm Epoch AI, there are currently approximately 20 million AI chips deployed across data centers worldwide to support evolving AI capabilities. • This rapid scaling is critical because breakthroughs in AI performance are directly tied to corresponding jumps in available hardware and processing power.

• GMMTV has issued a formal apology following a physical or verbal altercation between an event staff member and a Chinese attendee at the International Novel Festival 2026. • The incident triggered a widespread online dispute between Thai and Chinese fan communities, with the controversy expanding to include fans in Indonesia. • This clash highlights growing tensions regarding accountability, nationality, and the fair treatment of international fans at high-profile entertainment events.

• Moving Eyelands PH will host a free screening of Cebuano films on July 29 at 6 p.m. at the Chapterhouse Creative Hub in Quezon City. • Film Concerts PH is organizing two symphony tours in the Philippines, including "UNDERTALE: The Determination Symphony" to celebrate the game's 10th anniversary. • The Undertale symphony performance is scheduled for October 17 at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati.

Pop star aims to use legal process to name ‘wrongdoers who hide in the shadows and wreak technological havoc with impunity’Ariana Grande has filed a lawsuit against hackers who she alleges have stolen unreleased music, as well as private photos and video footage, and sold them online.Grande filed the lawsuit in a Los Angeles court on Monday. It doesn’t name the hackers, who are referred to with the generic name John Doe. Grande will look to have them identified during the legal process “in order to hold them accountable for their invasive and reprehensible conduct”, the lawsuit reads. Continue reading...

• Moving Eyelands PH will host a free screening of Cebuano films on July 29 at 6 p.m. at the Chapterhouse Creative Hub in Quezon City. • Film Concerts PH is organizing two symphony tours in the Philippines, including "UNDERTALE: The Determination Symphony" to celebrate the game's 10th anniversary. • The Undertale symphony performance is scheduled for October 17 at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati.

• The EU is intensifying efforts to improve online child safety by targeting platform design flaws and implementing stricter age verification requirements. • Critics argue the initiative is undermined by bypassable technology, privacy risks, and a lack of accountability for parents in supervising their children's digital habits. • The push highlights a tension between regulatory crackdowns on tech companies and the need for improved digital literacy and parental involvement.

Hot weather and World Cup fever help defy analyst expectations of decline, with sales volumes up 1% in JuneOnline sales accounted for the highest level of retail sales in five years last month as record hot weather spurred a rush for air conditioning, outdoor products and clothing.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the volume of retail sales in Great Britain grew 1% month on month in June, as the hot weather and a World Cup retail rush defied analyst expectations of a 0.3% decline. Continue reading...

• The European Union has fined Google €890 million ($1 billion) for violating competition rules designed to protect digital service rivals. • This marks the first penalty issued under the landmark Digital Markets Act (DMA), targeting Google's practice of prioritizing its own services in search results through enhanced visuals and filters. • The commission further alleged that Google restricts app developers from promoting offers or contracting with customers via third-party app stores.

• The European Commission fined Alphabet's Google €890 million ($1 billion) on Thursday for violating EU regulations designed to limit the dominance of Big Tech companies. • The penalty stems from the company's failure to adhere to specific rules aimed at ensuring fair competition within the European digital market. • Despite the fine, EU regulators reported "good progress" in Google's recent efforts to comply with the regulations, suggesting the company is taking corrective action.

Global increase in cases of predators coercing children to harm themselves or produce child sexual abuse materialCases of predators coercing children into producing sexual photos and videos of themselves have surged globally in the past year, a cruel phenomenon known as “sadistic online exploitation”, child safety experts and law enforcement officials warn.In cases of sadistic online exploitation, perpetrators target vulnerable teens on social media platforms and online games. These predators then compel their victims into producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), harming themselves and others, or, in extreme cases, attempting suicide.In the US, call or text the Childhelp abuse hotline on 800-422-4453 or visit their website for more resources and to report child abuse or DM for help. For adult survivors of child abuse, help is available at ascasupport.org. In the UK, the NSPCC offers support to children on 0800 1111, and adults concerned about a child on 0808 800 5000. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adult survivors on 0808 801 0331. In Australia, children, young adults, parents and teachers can contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or Bravehearts on 1800 272 831, and adult survivors can contact Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380. Other sources of help can be found at Child Helplines International Continue reading...

Despite spending increase in June, Barclays says most people still pessimistic about economyRelentless sunshine and the World Cup coaxed consumers to spend more on beer and online shopping last month, with purse strings expected to remain loose as England fans gear up for Wednesday’s semi-final.Most people remain pessimistic about the UK economy, according to data from Barclays Bank based on debit and credit card transactions. Continue reading...

In six months last year, more than 2,000 such complaints were made to eSafetyGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA new report by Australia’s online safety regulator has found “significant gaps” in how major tech platforms tackle online sexual extortion and child sexual exploitation, as “reports of this abuse continue to rise”.The findings come from eSafety’s latest transparency report, examining how tech companies – including Apple, Meta, Google, Microsoft, Snap, Discord and WhatsApp – are addressing child sexual exploitation and abuse. Continue reading...