France: Paris leads the way in tackling ‘carspreading’
Across the UK and Europe, cars are steadily growing longer, wider, and heavier - a trend critics have nicknamed ‘carspreading’. SUVs in particular have surged in popularity, with their market share rising from 13% in 2011 to nearly 60% by 2025. Buyers praise them for visibility, practicality, comfort, and a sense of safety, and carmakers favour them for higher profit margins. But cities like Paris and Cardiff are pushing back, arguing that larger vehicles worsen pollution, increase road wear, and heighten risks in collisions. In Paris, after parking fees for heavy vehicles were tripled, the authorities have reported a two-thirds reduction in their numbers. Cardiff plans similar measures, gradually lowering weight thresholds for higher permit costs. Supporters say cities are too constrained to accommodate ever-bigger cars, while critics argue families rely on them for space, mobility, and accessibility. With many European roads narrower than modern vehicles, the debate highlights a growing tension between personal convenience, environmental responsibility, and urban safety.
Indonesia: millions affected by catastrophic floods, over 600 deaths
Indonesia is facing a mounting humanitarian emergency after catastrophic floods killed at least 631 people and left nearly 500 missing, with rescue teams still struggling to reach isolated communities. Triggered by a rare cyclone over the Malacca Strait, the disaster has affected some 1.5 million people across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, cutting off entire districts and leaving about one million people displaced. Survivors describe torrents of water like a ‘tsunami’, while images show bridges swept away, roads buried in mud, and debris piled high. Many families have gone days without food as red tape, damaged infrastructure, and ongoing storms hinder aid deliveries. Grieving relatives wait anxiously near excavation sites, hoping missing loved ones will be found. Anger is growing over what critics say was poor preparedness and environmental mismanagement which worsened the devastation. The flooding comes as part of a broader regional crisis, with over 1,200 deaths across south and southeast Asia caused by intense monsoon rains amplified by rare cyclones and a warming climate.
Sri Lanka: cyclone tragedy exposes government failures
The authorities are under intense scrutiny for their handling of Cyclone Ditwah, which has affected more than 1.46 million people across all 25 districts and caused the nation’s worst flooding in two decades. Over 410 people are confirmed dead, hundreds are missing, and tens of thousands are sheltering in overcrowded government centers. Critics argue that officials ignored early warning signs and failed to coordinate a timely, unified emergency response, leaving rescue teams overwhelmed and communication systems fragmented. Severe damage to roads, power networks, and telecommunications has isolated northern districts, complicating relief efforts as water levels continue to rise. Opposition leaders are pursuing legal action, accusing the government of negligence that cost many lives. Further concerns have emerged over inadequate disaster communication in Tamil, which left many without critical information. Despite international aid pledges and a state of emergency, the crisis has exposed major weaknesses in Sri Lanka’s preparedness and response structures, prompting urgent calls for reform. However, there has been an impressive show of ‘volunteerism’ from local communities: see
Australia: under-16s prepare for social media ban
The impending ban on social media access for under-16s in Australia has sparked confusion, concern, and debate among students, parents, experts, and global observers. From 10 December, platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and others must demonstrate effective age verification or face major fines. Schools are scrambling to prepare teens for losing access to their accounts, photos, and online communities. Tech companies are rolling out facial age-estimation tools and other verification methods, though questions remain about accuracy and accessibility for older teens. Many young content creators fear losing hard-won followings, while others, like students at phone-free leadership programmes, describe unexpected freedom and richer real-life connections. Advocates warn that some teens rely on social media for support networks and could be pushed toward more dangerous spaces. The policy, inspired partly by concerns over youth mental health, has drawn both strong political backing and legal challenges claiming that it restricts young people’s rights. Other nations are watching closely as similar proposals emerge worldwide.
