World Today: Singapore Approves Caning Punishment for School Bullies
You are reading World Today, a summary of selected information from various countries over the past 24 hours. We begin today’s edition, Wednesday, 6 May 2026, with news from Singapore.
Caning punishment for school bullies in Singapore
School bullies in Singapore will face caning under new guidelines. Boys may receive between one and three strokes depending on the severity of the offence. Girls are exempt because the state’s Criminal Procedure Code states that “women shall not be punished with caning.” Singapore’s Education Minister Desmond Lee said caning would only be used as a last resort for “serious offences” with strict safeguards. “Our schools follow strict protocols to ensure student safety,” he said.
Explosion at fireworks factory in China, at least 26 dead
China’s Xinhua news agency said the explosion occurred at a fireworks factory in Changsha city, Hunan province, killing at least 26 people and injuring 61 others. China Daily said the factory was operated by Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Company in Liuyang, a county-level city known as a fireworks industry hub. Changsha Mayor Chen Bozhang said search and rescue operations at the site are largely complete, but victim verification and identification are ongoing. Aerial footage from state broadcaster CCTV showed white smoke still rising in some areas, with collapsed or damaged facilities. Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion.
UK police investigate arson at former synagogue
UK police said they are investigating a new arson incident targeting London’s Jewish community, while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer held talks on responding to a series of antisemitic attacks. Sir Keir gathered community groups, government ministers, and police chiefs at his official Downing Street residence for discussions on responding to what he called a “crisis” following several antisemitic attacks in the British capital in recent weeks. In the latest incident, firefighters were called to a former synagogue in east London on Tuesday morning (05/05), where a fire caused minor damage, according to a statement from the Metropolitan Police. “Given the nature of the incident and its location as a former synagogue, the incident is being investigated by London’s Counter Terrorism Police,” the statement said. There have been several recent incidents, particularly in Golders Green in north London, home to a large Jewish community.
Italian PM Giorgia Meloni issues warning about circulating deepfake photos
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has condemned the circulation of deepfake photos of herself posing on a bed, saying the AI-generated images were being used to attack her. She shared the photo, which shows her in underwear, on social media along with a statement saying several fake photos of her had been created with AI and spread as genuine by her political opponents. Meloni included a post apparently from someone named Roberto who seems to have shared the image and commented that she should be “ashamed” of herself. She warned people not to share such images on social media without verifying them. “Deepfakes are a dangerous tool because they can deceive, manipulate, and target anyone. I can defend myself. Many others cannot,” she said on Facebook.