Under the changes, social media platforms would be required to have effective age verification systems, “not just check boxes, but real barriers that work,” the prime minister explained, in a possible reference to the loopholes Australian children use to bypass checks – including simply using a photo of an adult. …

The artist has denied modelling the fresco on the prime minister. BBC News

The attack – which reportedly consisted of more than 70 missiles and 450 drones – comes after a so-called “energy truce” expired at the weekend. BBC News

The Paris prosecutor says its cyber-crime unit is conducting a search of X’s offices. BBC News

On Saturday, Ukrainian authorities reported that he had died in a so-called “meat assault” – one involving high casualty numbers – in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, after being recruited in Qatar. They said the Russians did not evacuate his body, and he was carrying the passports of two other Kenyans. BBC …

The 18-year-old Swiss national died at a hospital in Zurich, the local prosecutor said. BBC News

Residents in the Ukrainian capital are finding joy in unusual places, despite power cuts caused by Russian attacks and freezing winter temperatures. The BBC’s Abdujalil Abdurasulov visited the frozen Dnipro River, where he said locals had gathered to send a message to the world, that “despite everything, Ukrainians are still …

Dubbed “the great potato rescue”, it is part of a plan to save the spuds from going to waste. BBC News

Fashion’s finest gather in the French capital for a week of high-end designs and celebrity sightings. BBC News

Scientists think that Svalbard bears have adapted to recent ice loss by eating more land-based prey. BBC News

The proposed bill would enshrine in law the end of so-called “conjugal rights” – the notion that marriage means a duty to have sex. BBC News

Russia received 38 soldiers’ bodies in exchange as part of an agreement between the warring countries. BBC News

Five people died in the attack in northeastern Ukraine when three drones targeted the train. BBC News

The EU foreign policy chief’s remarks come days after Nato’s secretary general said Europe needed the US for its defence. BBC News

Getty Images A former French senator has been found guilty of spiking an MP’s drink with ecstasy in order to sexually assault her. Joel Guerriau received a four-year prison sentence – 18 months of which are to be served behind bars – and, according to local media, was ordered to …

A 2.5 mile (4km) section of cliff has collapsed on the Italian island of Sicily, after it was pummelled by wind and rain brought by Storm Harry last week. More than 1,000 residents have been evacuated from their homes in Niscemi and geological surveys are currently under way to asses …

France is on course to follow Australia in banning social media to younger teenagers, as debate on a new law opens in the National Assembly. The law would block access for under 15-year-olds to networks such as Snapchat, Instagram and Tiktok. President Emmanuel Macron has said he wants the ban …

Reuters The fire began early on Monday morning at the Violanta biscuit factory At least three people have been killed and two others are still missing after a fire broke out at a food factory near the central Greek city of Trikala, officials say. The blaze began in the early …

Reuters The Grinch was intercepted by the French navy on Thursday French officials have taken the Indian captain of a suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker into custody days after the oil tanker was seized. On Thursday, the French navy intercepted the tanker – named the Grinch – which President Emmanuel …

Ukraine is now living through its most difficult winter in recent memory. With January temperatures plummeting below -15C, Russia has been attacking energy infrastructure, leaving about a million Ukrainians without heating. The capital, Kyiv, is the main target of such attacks. Following the latest Russian bombardment overnight into 24 January, …