Month: January 2026

Wes Streeting asks US expert Jonathan Haidt to address officials on social media ban for under-16s

Exclusive: Health secretary issues invitation in push for UK to consider copying landmark restrictions in Australia Wes Streeting has asked Jonathan Haidt, a bestselling author and high-profile advocate of banning social media for under-16s, to speak to his officials in his push for the UK to consider following a landmark ban in Australia. The health …

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The five new gadgets I tried and loved at CES 2026 (that you can buy right now)

From smartglasses to nano phone chargers, these futuristic products from the Consumer Electronics Show are available right away I’m a digital nomad who works on the road. These seven travel gadgets go with me everywhere Every year, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) gives us a glimpse of what’s around the corner in tech: creepy humanoid …

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Keir Starmer tells MPs he is open to social media ban for young people

PM says he is alarmed at reports about children’s screen time and has shifted position on Australian-style policy UK politics live – latest updates Keir Starmer has told MPs he is open to the idea of an Australian-style ban on social media for young people after becoming concerned about the amount of time children and …

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Home Office TikTok account posting deportation footage accused of turning ‘brutality into clickbait’

Video of raids and migrant arrests shared by profile with slogan ‘restoring order and control to our borders’ A Home Office TikTok account posting footage of deportations and arrests set to dramatic music has been criticised for turning “brutality” into “clickbait”. An account called @SecureBordersUK was created on Tuesday with the slogan: “Restoring order and …

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Can X be banned under UK law and what are the other options?

UK media regulator is investigating whether X has breached the Online Safety Act – what could happen next? The UK government is threatening Elon Musk’s X with the nuclear option under the country’s online safety laws: a ban. The social media platform is under pressure from ministers after it allowed the Grok AI tool, which …

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Google parent Alphabet hits $4tn valuation after AI deal with Apple

After Apple chose Gemini to power Siri, Alphabet surpassed Apple to become second-most valuable company in world Google’s parent company hit a major financial milestone on Monday, reaching a $4tn valuation for the first time and surpassing Apple to become the second-most valuable company in the world. Alphabet is the fourth company to hit the …

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An ecosystem of smuggled tech holds Iran’s last link to the outside world

Despite internet blackout, a small number of Iranians are risking their lives to share messages as protests continue For most of Iran, the internet was shut off on Thursday afternoon – the most severe blackout the country has seen in years of internet shutdowns, coming after days of escalating anti-government protests. For a very small …

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Love Machines by James Muldoon review – the risks and rewards of getting intimate with AI

The sociology professor is suitably comfortable with AI helpers that he creates his own – it’s their inventors’ motives and unregulated environment he argues we should be concerned about If much of the discussion of AI risk conjures doomsday scenarios of hyper-intelligent bots brandishing nuclear codes, perhaps we should be thinking closer to home. In …

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