australia initiates legal
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Australia initiates legal action against Telegram over failure to remove extremist content

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman-Grant, has launched legal proceedings in the Federal Court against messaging platform Telegram, alleging the company failed to comply with statutory safety obligations under the country’s Online Safety Act.

The regulator claims Telegram permitted a permissive environment by hosting easily accessible extremist content, including footage of the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings, the May 2022 Buffalo attack in New York, and filmed terrorist executions. The platform faces potential fines of up to 54.6 million Australian dollars for its non-compliance.

The legal action follows a history of regulatory friction, including a one million Australian dollar fine imposed on Telegram in February 2025 for failing to answer inquiries regarding child abuse and violent material on time.

Inman-Grant noted that whilst Australia does not license digital services, the regulator possesses the statutory authority to request a Federal Court order ceasing Telegram’s operations within the country if necessary.

A spokesperson for Telegram rejected the allegations, stating that the platform’s anti-terrorism moderation efforts are well documented and confirming that the company will contest the claims in court.

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      The government has reduced the price of petrol while increasing the price of high-speed diesel, according to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division. The Petroleum Division has formally announced changes in the prices of petroleum products, with the revised rates taking effect from midnight. Under the new pricing structure, the price of petrol has been reduced by 94 paisa per litre, while the price of diesel has increased by 54 paisa per litre. Following the revision, the new price of petrol has been fixed at Rs324.98 per litre, compared with the previous rate. Meanwhile, high-speed diesel will now be available at Rs382.79 per litre. According to the notification, the revised prices of petroleum products will be applicable for August 13 and will come into effect from 12am tonight. The latest adjustment comes just a day after the government made another revision to petroleum prices. On the previous day, petrol had been reduced by Rs1.70 per litre, while the price of diesel had been increased by Rs1.39 per litre. The repeated adjustments in petroleum prices come amid fluctuations in international oil prices and changes in domestic pricing factors. Petrol and diesel prices are closely watched in Pakistan because changes in fuel rates can directly affect transportation costs, electricity generation, industrial activity and the prices of everyday goods. The government has also reduced the price of kerosene oil. According to the notification issued by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), the price of kerosene oil has been cut by 41 paisa per litre. Following the reduction, the new price of kerosene oil has been set at Rs289.27 per litre. Kerosene oil is used by households and other consumers in areas where access to conventional gas or other energy sources can be limited. Any change in its price can therefore have an impact on household energy expenses.   Alongside the change in the retail price of diesel, the government has also increased the petroleum levy imposed on the fuel. According to OGRA, the petroleum levy on diesel has been increased by Rs1 per litre. Following the increase, the levy on diesel now stands at Rs77.28 per litre. The petroleum levy on petrol, however, has remained unchanged at Rs80 per litre. Similarly, the levy on kerosene oil has also been maintained at Rs20.36 per litre. The latest revision means consumers will see a marginal reduction in the price of petrol and kerosene oil, while diesel users will face a slight increase. Although the changes are relatively small on a per-litre basis, fuel price revisions can have a broader impact on the economy because diesel is widely used by public transport, commercial vehicles, agriculture and the industrial sector. The government is expected to continue reviewing petroleum prices in line with prevailing market conditions and other relevant pricing factors. For consumers, the latest notification provides a mixed outcome, with petrol and kerosene becoming slightly cheaper while diesel has become more expensive. The revised rates will remain applicable from August 13, with implementation beginning at midnight.

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    Selena Gomez gets candid on ‘Rare Beginnings’ and being too hard on herself

    Selena Gomez has a brand new fragrance on the way. Ahead of its launch, she sat down for a candid conversation. The chat centred on the thinking behind the project and how it connects to her personal life. Gomez has been a familiar face in entertainment for years. She first won hearts as a child star on Barney and Friends. She later became a household name through Wizards of Waverly Place. Today, she is in a very different phase of her life. She now has a husband by her side. She also has a new fragrance hitting shelves soon. To mark the occasion, Gomez joined host Robin James on his YouTube channel for an in-depth chat. Their conversation revolved around the perfume’s title, Rare Beginnings. James asked Gomez to reflect on what the name meant to her. He pointed out that she’s lived through many different chapters in life. He then asked what she would want to remember about this particular period, years from now, whenever she looks back on this fragrance. Gomez gave a thoughtful response. She said she hopes to always remember that there is room to try again, no matter the circumstances. She admitted this is something she’s still working on. According to her, she tends to be extremely hard on herself. She also described herself as overly critical, particularly inside her own head. For Gomez, this new phase and the fragrance seem to represent more than just a product launch. She said it feels like a genuine opportunity for a fresh start. The conversation gave fans a rare glimpse into a more reflective, vulnerable side of the star. It is a side that often gets overshadowed by the glitz of red carpets, music releases, and public appearances. With Rare Beginnings set to arrive soon, the launch appears to carry personal weight for Gomez. It isn’t just another business venture for the star. Instead, it seems to double as a quiet reminder to herself, one about self-compassion and new starts. Over the years, Gomez has been fairly open about her struggles with self-criticism. This latest conversation adds another layer to that ongoing, honest dialogue. Fans have often praised her for being upfront about her mental and emotional journey, rather than keeping up a purely polished public image. As she steps into this next chapter, both personally and professionally, it seems Gomez is choosing honesty over perfection, on her own terms.

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    Sargodha student dies after allegedly being forced…

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    Zendaya praises Tom Holland’s ability to set healthy boundaries

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    Travis Kelce proudly shows off his wedding band

    Travis Kelce has caught fans’ attention after proudly showing off his wedding band during his latest public appearance. The Kansas City Chiefs star stepped out on Saturday, August 15, making his first solo appearance as his wife, pop superstar Taylor Swift, continues to enjoy her time in London. The 36-year-old NFL tight end arrived at Arrowhead Stadium ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs’ first preseason game. For the occasion, Kelce opted for a relaxed yet stylish outfit, wearing a black tie-dye shorts set paired with sunglasses and sneakers. While his casual appearance quickly caught the attention of fans, it was the gold wedding band on his left hand that became the main talking point. A video shared on the Chiefs’ official Instagram account showed Kelce confidently walking into the stadium while holding a canned drink. Fans were quick to zoom in on his hand and celebrate the visible symbol of his marriage to Swift. Many supporters reacted enthusiastically in the comments, with one fan writing, “Showing off that ringgggggg.” Another jokingly pointed out that Kelce appeared to have suddenly become left-handed because he was holding his drink with his left hand. Others affectionately referred to him as Taylor Swift’s husband, while one fan joked that anyone married to the global pop star would probably walk with the same confidence and swagger. Kelce’s appearance came just days after Swift was spotted enjoying a night out in London with friends. On Wednesday, August 12, the singer was reportedly seen leaving Annabel’s, a private members’ club, around midnight. She wore a floral purple minidress for the outing, marking one of her first solo public appearances since her reported wedding to Kelce. Swift and Kelce’s relationship began in the summer of 2023, when the NFL star famously revealed that he had attempted to meet the singer after attending her Eras Tour concert. Their romance soon became one of the most closely followed celebrity relationships worldwide. After dating for more than two years, the couple announced their engagement in August 2025 through a joint social media post featuring a series of romantic photographs. The pair later celebrated their marriage in a private and star-studded ceremony in New York City on July 3, 2026. The reported celebration took place at Madison Square Garden and featured several high-profile guests from the worlds of entertainment and sports. The ceremony was reportedly officiated by actor and comedian Adam Sandler, adding another memorable celebrity connection to the couple’s already highly publicized relationship. Now, Kelce’s simple decision to wear his wedding band prominently has once again given Swifties something to celebrate, with fans eagerly watching every detail of the couple’s newlywed life.

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    PSX plunges over 1,300 points amid global market sell-off

    The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) came under heavy selling pressure on Wednesday. The benchmark KSE-100 Index fell sharply during the trading session. The index dropped 1,339.73 points, or 0.75%, to reach 176,284.15 by 1:04pm. The decline came as regional markets also faced pressure and oil prices continued to rise. The KSE-100 had already fallen 1,297.67 points, or 0.73%, earlier in the session. At 9:34am, the index was trading at 176,326.21. The market remained volatile throughout the session. The KSE-100 recorded an intraday high of 176,935.03 and a low of 175,631.74. Trading activity remained significant. Around 120.55 million shares changed hands during the session. The total traded value stood at Rs10.69 billion. The previous close of the KSE-100 Index was 177,623.88. The latest decline therefore reflected a clear shift in investor sentiment. The pressure on the local market came amid a wider sell-off across Asian stock markets. Investors have become increasingly cautious about global economic conditions. Concerns surrounding heavy investment in artificial intelligence-related companies have also affected market sentiment. Investors are assessing whether valuations in some technology sectors have risen too quickly. The rise in international oil prices added another source of uncertainty. Oil prices increased after fresh attacks were reported in the Middle East. The developments have raised concerns about possible disruptions to global oil supplies. Higher energy prices could also increase inflationary pressures in several economies. Investors are also watching the potential impact of higher oil prices on interest rates. A prolonged rise in energy costs could complicate efforts to control inflation. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have further increased uncertainty in global financial markets. The latest developments have encouraged investors to adopt a more cautious approach. The negative trend in Asian equities also affected sentiment at the PSX. Local investors remained under pressure as the benchmark index continued to trade in negative territory.

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