Lin Taylor

Mexico's data centre boom is powering AI growth, but renewable energy is struggling to keep up. Big Tech is relying on fossil fuels as demand surges.

✍️ Diana Baptista and Fintan McDonnell report

🔗 https://www.context.news/just-transition/ai-data-boom-in-mexico-fuels-rise-in-dirty-energy

Over 1.2 million Afghans have been deported from Iran since March 2024, returning to a homeland facing economic collapse.

Many are now strangers in their own country, struggling to rebuild lives under immense hardship.

✍️ Manija Mirzaie reports

🔗 www.context.news/socioeconomi...

After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned abortion rights, concerns are rising over how data from period apps is collected and used.

Sensitive health info can be sold or accessed by authorities—putting privacy and choice at risk.

✍️ @lintaylor.bsky.social reports

🔗 www.context.news/digital-righ...

Parents have forgotten that measles kills, says Lord Vallance The falling rate of vaccination shows people no longer understand the danger of not immunising children, warns the Covid-era chief scientific adviser

The falling rate of vaccination shows people no longer understand the danger of not immunising children, warns the Covid-era chief scientific adviser

Tens of thousands defy Hungary’s ban on Pride in protest against Orbán Crackdown on Pride is part of effort to curb democratic freedoms ahead of a hotly-contested election next year Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets of Budapest in defiance of the Hungarian government’s ban on Pride, heeding a call by the city’s mayor to “come calmly and boldly to stand together for freedom, dignity and equal rights”. Jubilant crowds packed into the city’s streets on Saturday, waving Pride flags and signs that mocked the country’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, as their peaceful procession inched forward at a snail’s pace. Continue reading...

Tens of thousands defy Hungary’s ban on Pride in protest against Orbán

Despite increased awareness of cyber-scam compounds in Southeast Asia, rescuing trafficking victims remains a huge challenge.

✍️ Lin Taylor talks to Ling Li, a PhD candidate researching technology-facilitated modern slavery.

🔗 www.context.news/digital-divi...

Arrests in France after scores report being attacked with syringes at street music festival Interior ministry says 145 people across the country reported being stabbed with needles at Fête de la Musique events

Feminist influencer Abrège Soeur warned online before the festival that calls had been made on social media for women to be targeted with syringes. Officials did not say if these were cases of so-called needle spiking with date-rape drugs www.theguardian.com/world/2025/j...

Israel-Iran live: Tehran vows retaliation after US strikes and Trump floats idea of regime change Iran said the U.S. attacks on nuclear sites have widened the range of legitimate targets for its military response.

Israel-Iran live: Tehran vows retaliation after US strikes and Trump floats idea of regime change reut.rs/4liqPML

Stay or go? Ukrainian visa schemes in UK leave refugees in limbo | Context by TRF Fleeing war, Ukrainians were welcomed into British homes, but the route to resettlement is uncertain

After fleeing Ukraine with her new-born baby and toddler in 2022, Lidiia rebuilt her life Britain. But now the 36-year-old fears she will have to return because there is no easy way to get the right to permanently stay in her new home.

www.context.news/socioeconomi...

MPs set to vote on decriminalising abortion in England and Wales Women would never be prosecuted for terminating a pregnancy under proposed new laws.

MPs set to vote on decriminalising abortion in England and Wales www.bbc.com/news/article...

As governments deploy AI to manage borders, citizens should be wary of this tech too, says researcher.

✍️ Lin Taylors talks to researcher Derya Ozkul

🔗 www.context.news/digital-righ...

Pacific islanders head to Australia for jobs as climate fears grow | Context by TRF Australia is courting workers from Pacific islands, raising fears of a brain drain exodus of skilled professionals from the region

I covered the PEV scheme from Sydney (my beautiful home town) when it was first announced www.context.news/climate-risk...

Australia welcomes new residents under the new Pacific Engagement Visa - ABC Pacific Chosen through a random ballot, Jehhand and her family have started a new life in Australia, moving from Papua New Guinea.

Quite momentous! Pacific Islanders are starting to permanently relocate to Australia under the new PEV. www.abc.net.au/pacific/prog...

Is this the start of official climate migration pathways?

Netanyahu vows to ‘take control’ of Gaza as UK, France and Canada threaten action against Israel Key allies call escalation ‘egregious’ and promise ‘concrete’ response if Israel does not end renewed offensive and allow aid into strip Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that Israel will “take control” of all Gaza, as three key allies attacked his “egregious” escalation of the military campaign and blockade on humanitarian aid. Britain, France and Canada attacked Israel’s expansion of its war as disproportionate, described conditions in Gaza as “intolerable” and threatened a “concrete” response if Israel’s campaign continues. Continue reading...

Netanyahu vows to ‘take control’ of Gaza as UK, France and Canada threaten action against Israel

Britain seeking third countries to host deported migrants The British government is in talks with unspecified third countries about deals to send them migrants who have been refused the right to stay in Britain and run out of legal options to avoid deportation.

The British government is in talks with unspecified third countries about deals to send them migrants who have been refused the right to stay in Britain and run out of legal options to avoid deportation www.reuters.com/world/uk/bri...

AI will help make 'life-or-death' calls in rammed UK asylum system | Context by TRF Britain will use AI to help process asylum claims but the move could have lethal consequences, rights groups say

The Home Office has been trialling the use of AI to process asylum claims. Asylum decisions are some of the most serious gov makes - wrong decisions put lives at risk. The trial has a 9% inaccuracy rate - clearly this system shouldn't be used.

www.context.news/ai/ai-will-h...

Reuters wins Pulitzer for fentanyl trade investigation; New York Times wins four prizes The series of stories penetrate the international trade in the chemicals used to make fentanyl, the drug at the heart of a crisis that has killed some 450,000 Americans and counting.

Reuters wins Pulitzer for fentanyl trade investigation; New York Times wins four prizes reut.rs/4mgVtrs

I interviewed Anna and other HK activists in 2023

“The authorities are using any means to get to them through intimidating families that are still (in Hong Kong)” - this quote by @mayawang.bsky.social from @hrw.org still rings true today

www.reuters.com/article/tech...

Who is Luis Antonio Tagle? The Philippine cardinal and ‘karaoke priest’ in the running for pope Tagle is considered progressive and humble, but has faced some criticism for his response to the drug war and sexual abuse in the church Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle laughed when asked in 2015 if he had ever considered that he might one day be pope. “I make a public confession here. I cannot even manage my life. How can I imagine a worldwide community?” Despite his self-deprecating response, the Filipino cardinal is among those tipped as a potential successor to Pope Francis. If appointed, he would be the first Asian pope in modern times. Continue reading...

Who is Luis Antonio Tagle? The Philippine cardinal and ‘karaoke priest’ in the running for pope

China's Xi, in Malaysia, calls on Asian nations to resist confrontation and protectionism Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Wednesday for Asian nations to unite in resisting geopolitical confrontation, unilateralism and protectionism, as he aims to consolidate ties with some of China's closest neighbours amid a deterioration of relations with the U.S.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for Asian nations to unite in resisting geopolitical confrontation, unilateralism and protectionism, as he aims to consolidate ties with some of China's closest neighbors amid a deterioration of relations with the US reut.rs/3Yq3znp

As US ditches diversity in clinical trials, all eyes on Europe | Context Trump rollback on DEI stifles global efforts to close racial health disparities laid bare by COVID

The United States once led the world in running clinical trials, but Trump’s DEI roll back is putting that pressure on Europe.

✍️ Lin Taylor reports.

🔗 www.context.news/socioeconomi...

China's Xi to visit Southeast Asia as trade conflict with US widens Chinese President Xi Jinping begins a three-nation tour of Southeast Asia next week, his first overseas trip this year, aiming to consolidate ties with some of China's closest neighbours as trade tension escalates with the United States.

Chinese President Xi Jinping begins a three-nation tour of Southeast Asia next week, his first overseas trip this year, aiming to consolidate ties with some of China's closest neighbours as trade tension escalates with the United States. www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...

What Does the US Want From the World’s Smallest Island Nation? Trade between the US and Nauru is a drop in the bucket of the global economy. That didn’t stop the Trump administration from slapping the country with tariffs.

Trade between the US and Nauru is a drop in the bucket of the global economy. That didn’t stop the Trump administration from slapping the country with tariffs.

Explicit or educational: Is Big Tech censoring women's health? | Context Women's groups worry Big Tech algorithms suppress words and products related to women's health

Tech giants are suppressing women's health content on their platforms, charities and businesses say. They are worried that this is a rollback of diversity policies and reproductive rights.

✍️ Lin Taylor reports.

Myanmar earthquake toll crosses 3,000; heat and rains fuel disease risk Conditions could get even tougher for the huge relief effort after weather officials warned unseasonal rain could threaten the areas hardest-hit by the quake, such as Mandalay, Sagaing and the capital Naypyidaw.

Extreme heat and heavy rain in Myanmar could cause disease outbreaks among earthquake survivors camping in the open, global aid bodies warned, complicating rescue efforts made difficult by a civil war, as the death toll surpassed 3,000 reut.rs/4489O2w

Federal election 2025 live updates: Anthony Albanese calls Australia election and names 3 May poll date

Federal election 2025 live updates: Anthony Albanese calls Australia election and names 3 May poll date

Agent Orange Twisted Her Limbs. The U.S. Is Abandoning a Vow to Help. Fifty years after the Vietnam War ended, President Trump’s gutting of foreign aid has halted American efforts to address a toxic legacy and build a strategic partnership.

As my family and community mark 50 years since the fall of Saigon, it’s hard to comprehend how much things have shifted in a few months

Rodrigo Duterte is accused of crimes against humanity for an estimated 30,000 deaths during his tenure as Davao’s mayor and as president of the Philippines.

Here’s what we know about Duterte’s war on drugs aje.io/ubwu40

Skype shutdown surfaces sweet memories: ‘I proposed marriage’ Guardian readers share how the software connected them with loved ones when there were few affordable means to reach those for away

Goodbye Skype 🥲

www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

Exclusive: US CDC plans study into vaccines and autism, sources say It is unclear whether U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, who has long promoted anti-vaccine views, is involved in the planned CDC study or how it would be carried out.

The CDC is planning a large study into potential connections between vaccines and autism despite extensive scientific research that has disproven or failed to find evidence of such links reut.rs/4kAhlgi