Middle Eastern Headlines at 12:06 p.m. GMT
Israeli troops reach deepest point in Lebanon since Oct. 1 invasion, Lebanese media say
Latest stories
ReutersOpenAI CFO sees Trump as AI president, trusts Musk to prioritize national interest
President-elect Donald Trump could be the "president of this AI generation" as he will take office at a time when critical infrastructure to developing artificial general intelligence (AGI) is built out, OpenAI Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar said. She also played down public threats to the ChatGPT maker from Elon Musk, one of Trump's closest advisers. Friar, in response to questions from Reuters Editor-in-Chief Alessandra Galloni during an interview at the Reuters NEXT conference in New York, said about Musk's threats: "We trust him...as a competitor, (he) will put first the national interest and compete appropriately."
- Bloomberg
China Watchdog Orders Temu-Owner PDD to Fix Refunds Policy
(Bloomberg) -- China’s top markets watchdog summoned PDD Holdings Inc. executives to order the company to fix its refunds-first policy, taking aim at a practice that a growing number of merchants argue hurts their bottom line.Most Read from BloombergBrace for a Nationwide Shuffle of Corporate HeadquartersCloud Computing Tax Threatens Chicago’s Silicon Valley DreamSan Francisco, Paris Named Best Cities for Urban TransportationDC Business Leaders Welcome Return-to-Office Policy Under TrumpA Chicag
- Yahoo News Australia
Tragic roadside photo highlights increasingly common trend at Aussie tourist spot: 'Very hairy'
Locals are fed up with what they said was inaction from government. Now they're speaking out.
- Yahoo News Australia
Aussies warned after sad discovery on tourist island: 'Stay away'
An estimated 800,000 visitors tour the island every year. They've now been formally warned to keep their distance.
- Australian Associated Press
Children rescued from sex abuse after two men arrested
Two men have been charged in Australia and six children removed from harm in the Philippines after an international child abuse investigation.
- Parade
Khloé Kardashian Leaves Fans 'Speechless' With Risqué, Tights-Only Cheeky Bodysuit Photos
The reality TV star rocked fishnet tights with flower embellishments.
- Yahoo Sport Australia
Ricky Ponting airs stunning new claim as Jasprit Bumrah spotted in telling scenes before third Test
Ricky Ponting has weighed in amid the drama. Read more here.
- WWD
Dua Lipa Gives Racer Style a Wild Spin With Leopard-print Miniskirt and Emily Ratajkowski Wears Dress Over Pants for Puma Speedcat Launch Celebration
Both wore Lyst's "hottest sneaker in the world" at the Milan event.
- Futurism
Elon Musk Gloats as Trump Announces Billionaires Will Be Exempt From Normal Environmental Rules
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is dancing with joy now that his new father figure has promised him that he will no longer have to abide by pesky environmental rules. On Tuesday, president-elect Donald Trump announced in a Truth Social post that the government would be for sale after all, promising that any company investing $1 billion in the US government would "receive fully expedited approvals and permits, including, but in no way limited to, all Environmental approvals." "GET READY TO ROCK!!!" Trump ex
- Storyful
Man Charged With Racial Vilification Over Offensive Electronic Sign in Window of Home
A man in a Brisbane suburb has been charged under Australia’s racial vilification laws for allegedly displaying an offensive electronic sign in his home.Footage released by Queensland Police shows the sign saying “Death To” followed by a series of words scrolling across the screen, which were blurred by police.According to The Australian, the sign said “death to Jews” and vilified non-white people.Police said they searched a property in Morningside on December 11, seized the sign, a computer, and a phone. The man was arrested at the scene.As a result of the investigation, counter-terrorism police charged him with one count each of serious racial, religious, sexuality, or gender identity vilification, serious assault and obstructing police, a statement read.“We urge people to remain respectful and we strongly condemn anyone who incites violence and hatred within our community. There is no place for anti-Semitism or prejudice or hatred of any kind,” Assistant Commissioner Charysse Pond said. Credit: Queensland Police via Storyful
- The Independent
Biden commutes 1,500 sentences and issues 39 pardons in biggest single-day act of clemency in history
‘America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances,’ Biden said in a statement
- BuzzFeed
My 14-Year-Old Daughter Watched Porn And It Changed Our Lives In Ways I Never Imagined
"As the mother of a girl, I had imagined so many of the difficult conversations and situations I would have with my daughter as she grew to womanhood.... But porn? I never even considered that I would have to have this discussion."
- Cosmo
Sabrina Carpenter just wore the tiniest micro mini skirt we've ever seen
Sabrina Carpenter champions the return of the mob wife aesthetic in a leopard-print trim plunging blazer, coordinating micro skirt suit and black briefcase bag.
- Sky News
Hannah Kobayashi: Missing woman whose father took his own life after trying to find her 'found safe'
Hannah Kobayashi, 30, flew from Hawaii to Los Angeles early last month. Police subsequently revealed that video footage showed her walking into Mexico, 125 miles southeast of Los Angeles, on 12 November. On Wednesday evening, Ms Kobayashi's family released a statement saying she had been "found safe".
- HuffPost
‘Oh My God!’: Seth Meyers Has Dark Realization About Donald Trump’s Billionaire Cabinet
“Do you know what this means?”
- The Independent
‘Ultra-luxury’ real-estate brothers and twin charged with sex trafficking after flood of women accuse them of rape
Oren, Tal, and Alon Alexander have spent two-plus decades carrying out a sadistic rape spree, according to prosecutors.
- Yahoo Sport Australia
Warwick Capper's new career endeavour stuns AFL world as icon's return date locked in
The Swans great wants to create history. Read more here.
- NewsWire
‘Very violent’: Mum killed while AVO in place
Police expect to lay a murder charge later on Wednesday after the “very violent” killing of a mother of five in Sydney.
- NewsWire
Boys’ vile alleged attack caught on camera
Four boys have been caught on CCTV allegedly attacking a disabled man with broomsticks while he attempted to wash his clothes.
- Yahoo Lifestyle
Channel Seven star details disastrous interview with royal Sarah Ferguson: 'Hot mess'
Channel Seven journalist Michael Usher has spoken out about his disastrous interview with Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. Read more.