The Age

Countries have adopted a global blueprint aimed at tackling fast-evolving crime in the digital age. The agreement, covered by UN News, sets out a common framework for governments to combat cybercrime, which increasingly crosses borders and outpaces national laws. It marks a significant step in international cooperation on digital security, though details on enforcement and how countries will implement the commitments remain to be seen.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has no specific health problems, responding to speculation about the 85-year-old leader's condition. The reassurance comes amid recurring rumors about Khamenei's wellbeing, which have circulated for years given his age and long hold on power. Officials in Tehran have repeatedly moved to deny such reports.

Taiwan's dominance in semiconductor manufacturing, led by TSMC, is being described as a 'silicon shield' that deters Chinese aggression while making the island indispensable to the United States in the AI era. As artificial intelligence drives global demand for advanced chips, control over Taiwan's chip industry has become central to both its security and US strategic interests, intensifying debate over cross-strait tensions.

Defence Secretary John Healey is set to promise a 'new age of industrialisation' for the UK in a speech at the Labour Party conference. The address is expected to set out plans to boost British manufacturing and defence industry as part of the government's economic strategy, drawing attention from political and business commentators during the conference season.

The rapidly growing longevity industry is expanding faster than the scientific evidence supporting its anti-ageing claims, Al Jazeera reports. Consumption of supplements, therapies and interventions marketed as life-extending is accelerating, while researchers caution that proven methods remain limited to established basics like exercise, diet and sleep. The report raises concerns about hype, cost and unproven treatments.

Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, the wife of former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, has died at the age of 100. A doctor by training and a prominent public figure in her own right, she was known for her decades alongside Mahathir, who served as Malaysia's leader for over 20 years. Details on the circumstances of her death have not yet been released, and tributes are expected from across Malaysian political life.

Justin Verlander, the three-time Cy Young Award winner and two-time World Series champion, is retiring from Major League Baseball after a 20-year career with the Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros and New York Mets. Fans and fellow players are paying tribute to one of the most dominant pitchers of his era, following a season in which he returned to the Giants at age 42.

An international NGOs conference is taking place with climate risks, violence against women and social rights on its agenda. The gathering brings together civil society organisations to discuss pressing global challenges, from the impact of climate change to protecting women from violence and defending social rights. The Council of Europe's conference of international non-governmental organisations is hosting the discussions.

Barclays analysts say labor-market pressures are set to persist as immigration slows and populations age, tightening the supply of workers in many economies. The bank's analysis points to structural worker shortages rather than a temporary squeeze. The report has been picked up by financial outlets including Investing.com and Yahoo Finance UK, feeding into ongoing debate about immigration policy and demographic decline.

The European Union is moving to restrict social media use for children under 15. The proposal would set a bloc-wide minimum age for platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat, part of growing EU efforts to protect minors online. Officials argue age limits are needed to address risks to children's mental health and safety, though enforcement and the response of major platforms remain key questions.

A former United Nations cyber negotiator has warned that Australia's government and critical infrastructure still run on outdated legacy computer systems that AI-powered agents could easily exploit. The warning highlights growing concern that artificial intelligence tools are advancing faster than the security of ageing public-sector technology, leaving national systems exposed to new forms of automated cyber attack.

Baby boomers are increasingly choosing to stay in their own homes as they age rather than move to retirement facilities, and many are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars renovating their houses to make that possible. The trend toward 'aging in place' is driving a wave of home improvement spending, with renovations aimed at accessibility and long-term comfort.

A new Norwegian science study reports that children and teenagers aged 9 to 18 are increasingly turning to AI chatbots instead of Google for information and everyday questions. Researchers say the shift is happening fast, but its consequences for how young people learn, judge sources and handle misinformation are still largely unknown, prompting calls for closer attention from educators and parents.

Discussion is swirling around US Senator Mitch McConnell's health after reports of his medical condition prompted questions about his fitness to continue serving in the Senate. Commentators and political observers are debating what his condition means for Republican leadership, his long-running role as Senate Republican leader, and broader questions about aging politicians holding powerful positions. Concerns follow previous public episodes where McConnell froze mid-speech, fueling ongoing scrutiny of his capacity.

Bob Pettit, the Hall of Fame forward who became the NBA's first Most Valuable Player in the 1955-56 season, has died at the age of 93. Pettit starred for the St. Louis Hawks, winning a championship in 1958 and dominating an era before NBA games were regularly televised. Tributes are honoring him as one of the game's pioneering greats.

A high-profile Japanese anime voice actor has taken TikTok to court, alleging the platform hosted videos featuring an artificial intelligence clone of his voice without his consent. The case highlights growing tension between voice performers and AI companies over unauthorised replication of their voices, and could set a precedent for how Japanese law treats voice rights in the age of generative AI.

NewsNation reports that AI chatbots are facing a new safety test as growing numbers of teenagers turn to them for companionship. The rise of bots designed for conversation and emotional connection is raising questions about safeguards, age limits, and the risks of young users forming attachments to artificial companions.

British professional wrestler Benjamin Satterley, best known by the ring name 'Pac', has died at the age of 40, according to BBC News. Satterley gained an international following during a career that spanned major wrestling promotions. Fans and fellow wrestlers have been responding to the news, with many paying tribute to his in-ring ability and influence on the sport.

Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, the wife of former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, has died at the age of 100. The South China Morning Post reported the death as a developing story. Siti Hasmah was a prominent figure in Malaysia in her own right, long seen at Mahathir's side during his decades dominating Malaysian politics. Tributes and condolences are flowing from Malaysians and regional figures.

A new documentary follows an ageing search-and-rescue volunteer, one of the 'Desert Angels', who risks his life scouring the harsh terrain along the US-Mexico border for people who have gone missing during crossing attempts. The film highlights the human toll of migration routes and the unpaid groups who comb the desert looking for survivors and remains when authorities do not.

Slinger Francisco, the Grenada-born calypso legend known worldwide as the Mighty Sparrow, has died at the age of 91, according to his family. The singer was widely regarded as one of the greatest calypsonians of all time, with a career spanning decades of Trinidadian and Caribbean music.

The Mighty Sparrow, the Trinidadian singer widely regarded as the greatest calypso artist of all time, has died at the age of 91. Known for hits like 'Jean and Dinah' and for shaping modern calypso over a career spanning decades, the Grenada-born star dominated Caribbean carnivals and influenced generations of musicians. Tributes are pouring in from across the Caribbean and the music world.

IntelliNews reports, in its Datacrunch analysis, that Europe's average car fleet is growing older while Ukraine, despite the war, is shifting rapidly to electric cars, many of them Chinese-made. The piece contrasts the EU's ageing stock of combustion vehicles with Ukraine's fast EV adoption, highlighting a widening split in Europe's car markets and growing Chinese influence in EV supply.

Google is reportedly preparing a challenge to Meta's Muse in the competition to develop agentic AI systems. The report highlights the escalating rivalry between the two tech giants over AI tools that can act autonomously on a user's behalf. Details on Google's counter-offering remain limited, but the move signals that agentic AI is becoming the next major battleground in big tech.

Scientists say artificial intelligence could help bring the woolly mammoth back from extinction, according to a report. AI is being used to analyze the mammoth genome and accelerate efforts to edit elephant DNA so the Ice Age giant's traits could be recreated. The idea of de-extincting the mammoth has drawn both excitement and skepticism about whether such a creature can truly be brought back.