AUSTRIA: A third teenager has been arrested in connection with a foiled attack on now-cancelled Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner today.

An 18-year-old was taken into custody Thursday evening in Vienna after allegedly being in contact with the main suspect.

Investigators are scrutinising the “networks” of the suspects, the Austrian interior ministry told the Associated Press today, saying in a statement that investigators have turned to evaluating physical and electronic evidence.

VENEZUELA: President Nicolas Maduro ordered a 10-day block on access to Twitter/X on Thursday, accusing the owner Elon Musk of using the social network to promote hatred after the country’s disputed presidential election.

“Elon Musk is the owner of X and has violated all the rules of the social network itself,” said Mr Maduro in a speech following a march by pro-government groups.

He also accused the social network of being used by his opponents to create political unrest.

JAPAN: Prime Minister Fumio Kishida cancelled a planned trip to Central Asia today to lead the government’s response after scientists urged people to prepare for a possible “megaquake” off the country’s southern coast.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued its first ever “megaquake advisory” on Thursday, warning of a possible future earthquake triggered by the underwater Nankai Trough, after a magnitude 7.1 quake shook just off the eastern coast of Kyushu island earlier in the day.

Seismologists have urged people to observe high caution levels for about a week.

THAILAND: Just two days after being disbanded by court order because of plans to reform laws against criticising the monarchy, the Move Forward Party regrouped today under a new name: the People’s Party.

The People’s Party vowed to continue its fight for reforms despite continuing opposition from the conservative establishment that blocked it from taking power despite finishing first in last year’s election.

Critics say the party’s dissolution was the latest attack on the country’s progressive movement in a years-long legal campaign by conservative forces.