COLU @ CONCEPTS

Image copyright GETTY IMAGES Image caption The bill seeks to prosecute websites that encourage ads selling sex The internet’s most powerful companies say they will support new measures that seek to prevent online sex trafficking. The Internet Association, which counts Facebook, Google and Amazon among its members, had at first said the proposed US law could hurt innovation. But in a statement released on Friday the group said it was satisfied with “important changes” made to the bill. US senators are expected to hold an initial vote on the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (Sesta) next week. "This important bill will hold online sex traffickers accountable and help give trafficking survivors the justice they deserve,” said Senator Robert Portman of Ohio, one of the bill’s authors. “I’m pleased we’ve reached an agreement to further clarify the intent of the bill and advance this important legislation.” Technology companies had been opposed to the bill because of chang...

Image copyright REUTERS Image caption Weinstein has "unequivocally denied" any allegations of non-consensual sex New York police say they have a viable case against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein after an actress accused him of raping her seven years ago. Robert Boyce, of the New York Police Department, told reporters that the woman had presented a "credible and detailed narrative". Earlier, actress  Paz de la Huerta told Vanity Fair  that Weinstein raped her twice in New York in 2010. Weinstein has denied all allegations of non-consensual sex made against him. More than a dozen women have accused the 65-year-old of rape and many more have accused him of sexual harassment and performing indecent acts. Mr Boyce, the New York Police Department chief of detectives, told a news conference that investigators interviewed an actress and were now looking to gather corroboratory evidence. "She put forth a credible and detailed narrative to us," h...

Image copyright FAMILY HANDOUT Image caption It is not clear if Rosa Maria Hernandez will be allowed to stay in the US A 10-year-old undocumented Mexican migrant with cerebral palsy, detained last month after undergoing surgery in Texas, has been released to her family. The release of Rosa Maria Hernandez was  confirmed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)  and Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro. Her detention, which came after border agents stopped the ambulance taking her to hospital, caused an outcry. Mr Castro said it was still not clear if she faced deportation from the US. The ACLU had filed a lawsuit earlier this week seeking the child's release. "Rosa Maria is finally free," said ACLU lawyer Michael Tan in a statement on Friday. "We're thrilled that she can go home to heal surrounded by her family's love and support." He added: "Despite our relief, Border Patrol's decision to target a young girl at a children'...

Image caption The Taliban are thought to extensively use messaging services such as WhatsApp and Telegram Journalists, media groups and users of social media in Afghanistan have accused the government of censorship after it moved to block the WhatsApp and Telegram messaging services. The editor of one of the country's biggest newspapers said the move was a retrograde step and would be resisted. The move may have been initiated to stop the Taliban and other insurgent groups from using encrypted messaging. But as yet there is little evidence of the temporary ban being enforced. Earlier this week, officials at the body which regulates telecommunications confirmed that they'd written to service providers to ask for a temporary, 20-day ban, citing security reasons. Acting Telecommunications Minister Shahzad Aryobee also posted a message on Facebook saying that the regulator had been ordered to put a gradual block on messaging services to solve technical problems, after n...

Image copyright AFP Image caption Rising sea levels linked to climate change threaten coastal areas like the Marshall Islands The White House has sought to downplay a major climate change report, which was compiled by 13 US federal agencies. The study is at odds with assertions from President Donald Trump and several members of his administration. It says it is "extremely likely" human activity is the "dominant cause" of global warming. A spokesman for the White House said it supported "rigorous scientific analysis and debate" but added that the climate was "always changing". White House principal deputy press secretary Raj Shah said it was not certain how sensitive the Earth's climate was to greenhouse gas emissions. Mr Trump, who has embarked on a tour of Asia, once said the concept of global warming was created by the Chinese  in order to make American manufacturing less competitive. Earlier this year, he announced he was pul...

Image copyright REUTERS Entertainment company Netflix has severed ties with Kevin Spacey, star of its House of Cards show, amid a number of sex assault allegations against him. Netflix said it would hold talks with the producers to see if production, which was suspended this week, could resume without Spacey. Netflix also said it would not release Spacey's film about writer Gore Vidal. Meanwhile,  police in the UK have opened an investigation into the American actor over an alleged sexual assault. A British actor said he had woken up to find Spacey performing a sex act on him in 2008, the Sun newspaper reported. The man is said to have run from the property after Spacey allegedly said: "Don't tell anyone about this." Spacey said on Thursday he was seeking treatment after facing allegations of sexual misconduct from a string of men. Netflix suspended production on House of Cards on 31 October following allegations by Star Trek actor Anthony Rapp, who sa...

Image copyright REUTERS Image caption Some Hong Kong fans turned their backs as the Chinese anthem was played at a match against Malaysia Hong Kong residents who boo the Chinese national anthem might soon face up to three years in prison. China's parliament, the National People's Congress, is extending a law on disrespecting the anthem to semi-autonomous Hong Kong and Macau. Hong Kong's government, dominated by Beijing loyalists, has begun including it in local legislation. The anthem has been booed at recent football fixtures in Hong Kong, where anti-Beijing sentiment has been rising. Democracy activists fear the new law could be used to undermine freedom of expression in the territory, which enjoys freedoms not seen on the mainland. Media caption Why were Hong Kong fans booing their anthem? Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China, has a separate legal system so it is too early to say whether the punishment for mocking the anthe...