With the rapid emergence of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and a worldwide hacking binge, 2024 is shaping up to be a total nightmare, according to a U.S. magazine studying technology and its consequences on society.

Despite international sanctions and the decision of five leading Hollywood studios to take a stance against the invasion of Ukraine and halt the releases of their movies in Russia, the latest Hollywood blockbuster, “Barbie,” was shown this week in the Siberian city of Tyumen, as reported by the Russian RTVI news outlet on Wednesday.

The U.S., U.K., and Canada imposed sanctions on Thursday against Lebanon’s former central bank governor, Riad Salame, and three of his associates for embezzling US$300 million from the central bank during his tenure.

The United Kingdom announced that it has sanctioned Putin’s foreign military suppliers with the aim of damaging Russia’s war machine.

Spanish authorities reported Monday the seizure of 45 tonnes of lithium batteries, all stored in an extremely hazardous manner, from a single-family home for eventual sale on the black market.

The National Gallery of Australia (NGA) announced the return of three 9th-century Buddhist statues it had displayed after a fact-finding mission found that Australian museums are holding within their collection more than 100 antiquities looted from Cambodia.

A global press freedom group has urged Ukrainian authorities to investigate the recent attack on anti-corruption journalist Volodymyr Sedov and to hold those responsible accountable.

Pakistani police arrested the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, in the eastern city of Lahore on Saturday after a court in Islamabad sentenced him to three years in prison for illegally selling state gifts.

Just days before it was dissolved, the Pakistani government proposed an amendment to a colonial-era secrets act that critics claim would allow the military intelligence agency to detain citizens with impunity.

In a major international effort, law enforcement has dismantled networks operating child abuse websites that generated profit from advertizing, INTERPOL said on Thursday.