The Oxford word of the year, internet slang for romantic appeal or charm, is mostly used by young people. It was one of eight words on a shortlist, all chosen to reflect the mood, ethos or preoccupations of 2023. (Nanji, BBC)
Read MoreAn African branch of the Islamic State that for years was an afterthought for the main organization is surging in strength, expanding the ranks of its fighters and controlling more territory than at any point since its founding in 2015, researchers say, part of a shift by the Islamic State from its traditional strongholds in Iraq and Syria to Africa. (Chason, The Washington Post)
Read MoreNationally, executions climbed for the second year in a row in 2023, with Texas and Florida accounting for more than half, according to a year-end-report by the Death Penalty Information Center. The increase comes as public opinion continues to turn against the death penalty. (Romo, NPR)
Read More“There is something I don’t like about you, if you excuse my honesty,” said Pope Francis, pointing out that there were only five women among the 30-plus theologians. “We need to move forward on this! Women have a way of reflecting on theology that is different from us men,” he added. (Giangravé, Religion News Service)
Read MoreAitana Lopez is a model from Barcelona who describes herself as a lover of gaming and fitness and has more than 175,000 followers on Instagram. She could be just another influencer but, even though she earns a tidy sum each month, she is generated by artificial intelligence. (Wilkinson, The Times UK)
Read MorePlatforms has spent months trying to fix child-safety problems on Instagram and Facebook, but it is struggling to prevent its own systems from enabling and even promoting a vast network of pedophile accounts. (Horwitz & Blunt, The Wall Street Journal)
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