Tech: Cameras to spot drivers using phones

The New South Wales government in Australia has started deploying cameras that can automatically detect when drivers are on their phones. The system uses artificial intelligence to review photos for telltale signs of phone use, with humans reviewing the flagged images to prevent any mistakes. There will be both fixed and trailer-mounted cameras on hand to spot distracted motorists. Violators face fines of at least $233.

Society: Select our Word of the Year

In the past 12 months, some international events must have caught your attention that made you sad or hopeful or possibly set your blood racing. Whether disaster or a triumph, a scandal or a celebration, the past gives us inspiration for the future. What is the one word in your view that captures the global mood of the past year? Write down your answer and explain why. We will nominate five words from readers to reveal the one that will be our app's 2019 Word of the Year. They will be announced on Dec 23.

World: New apples make debut in US

The Cosmic Crisp－a new super-sweet variety of apple that can reportedly last longer than a year in the refrigerator－is expected to hit grocery stores in the United States this week. The apple variety was developed by Washington State University. Washington growers, who paid for the research, will have the exclusive right to sell it for the first 10 years. Growers have planted 12 million such apple trees. Cosmic Crisps are a cross between the disease-resistant Enterprise and the popular, crunchy Honeycrisp varieties.

Travel: Underwater hotel opens in Australia

Australia's first underwater hotel opened on the Great Barrier Reef on Sunday, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in one of the world's most spectacular natural environments. The $6.8-million Reefsuites facility has two rooms with glass floors, walls and ceilings. Set to take Australia's tourism hot spot to "another level", Luke Walker, CEO of the experiential travel company Journey Beyond, said creating the aquarium-like space without harming the ecosystem was the top priority of the 14-month construction process. "It's a balance of allowing people to immerse themselves in this World Heritage-listed natural wonder without doing any damage," he said.