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Today's reading time is 7 minutes. - Miko Santos
Here’s what else you need to know to get going and get on with your day.
Meta Deactivates Teen Accounts as Australia’s Social Media Ban Takes Effect.
Meta will begin removing Australian users under 16 from Facebook, Instagram and Threads starting December 10, making it the first major tech company to detail compliance plans for the country’s groundbreaking social media ban. Affected users will receive 14 days’ notice through in-app messages, email and SMS before losing access, the company announced Thursday. Meta’s regional policy director Mia Garlick said teenagers can download their content before deactivation and will regain access when they turn 16, with “all your content available exactly as you left it.” The company will use facial age verification and government ID checks through Yoti’s technology to prevent circumvention, though Meta acknowledged the system will produce errors. The ban covers Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, Snapchat, Reddit and Kick, but other platforms have not yet disclosed their enforcement strategies. TikTok and Snapchat said they will comply, while YouTube has not confirmed compliance despite earlier hints of potential legal challenges.
Samsung Device Users in Australia Unable to Call Emergency Services, Official Warns
Thousands of Australians with certain Samsung smartphones cannot currently contact emergency services despite their phones functioning normally for regular calls, Shadow Communications Minister Melissa McIntosh warned Thursday. McIntosh said 11 Samsung device models are completely incompatible with the triple zero emergency network, while 77 others require immediate software updates following Australia’s 3G network shutdown. “You can no longer call triple zero on these devices even though your phone may be working,” McIntosh said at a press conference, calling the situation “extraordinary” and urging immediate action. Samsung reportedly alerted telecommunications providers and regulators about the compatibility issues in 2021, but the full scope is only now becoming apparent a year after the 3G shutdown. One Australian has already died during a triple zero outage, according to telecommunications provider TPG. McIntosh said iPhones may also be affected and criticized the government and the Australian Communications and Media Authority for inadequate response, saying “there are failures right across the board.”
Australia Withdraws COP31 Climate Summit Bid, Agrees to Compromise with Turkey
Australia will not host the 2026 COP31 climate conference as originally planned, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announcing Thursday a compromise that gives Turkey the hosting duties while Australia maintains influence through a negotiating role. Under the agreement, Turkey will host the conference and hold the COP presidency, but Australian Climate Minister Chris Bowen will serve as “COP President for Negotiations” both leading up to and during the summit. A pre-COP meeting will be held in the Pacific at a location determined by island nations. Albanese called it “an outstanding outcome” that maintains Australia’s “influential voice” while ensuring “the Pacific is front and centre.” The decision avoids an estimated $2 billion in hosting costs as Australia faces a projected $42 billion deficit. However, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young called it an “absolute disgrace” and accused the government of bowing “to pressure from the fossil fuel industry.” Opposition Leader Susan Ley said Turkey “did Australia a favor” by relieving the country of the expensive commitment.
Energy Affordability Becomes Central Battle Line in Australian Politics Ahead of Election
Opposition Leader Susan Ley intensified attacks on the government’s energy policy Thursday, demanding Prime Minister Anthony Albanese answer when electricity prices will decrease after a 40 percent increase under Labor. Ley promoted the Coalition’s plan to expand gas-fired power generation to increase supply and reduce prices, saying “when energy is unaffordable, everything is unaffordable.” Treasurer Jim Chalmers countered that “abandoning net zero would push power prices up, not down” and would “decimate investor confidence,” arguing renewable energy represents the cheapest replacement for aging coal-fired power stations. Independent MP Zali Steggall supported the government’s approach, calling Coalition arguments “old school” and noting that “jurisdictions where we have the highest level of renewables have the cheaper prices.” However, Steggall acknowledged prices may not decrease “for at least 10 years” during the energy transition. The debate highlights the central role energy affordability will play in the upcoming federal election, with both major parties confident in their approaches but neither promising immediate price relief.
Nvidia Earnings Beat Expectations as AI Chip Demand Remains Strong
Nvidia reported third-quarter earnings that exceeded analyst expectations, with the world’s largest company projecting $65 billion in revenue for the next quarter and signaling continued strength in artificial intelligence chip demand. The company’s stock rose 3-4 percent in after-hours trading Thursday after CEO Jensen Huang said demand for Blackwell chips is “off the charts.” The results ease concerns about a potential AI bubble following a recent 10-15 percent decline from the stock’s highs. Market analyst Henry Jennings called the earnings “the AI State of the Union address” that confirms “the AI boom is well and truly alive.” Nvidia’s stock has risen 1,200 percent over the past three years, transforming the former gaming chip company into a dominant force in AI infrastructure. However, the company reported “insignificant” sales of its H20 chip designed for the Chinese market, as China develops AI technology domestically rather than purchasing American chips. Google also released its Gemini 3 AI tool Thursday to positive reviews, further supporting investor confidence in the sector.
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