International News
US State Bans Under-14 Children From Social Media
Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis made headlines on Monday by signing into law a groundbreaking bill targeting social media use among minors.
Under the new legislation, children under the age of 14 are barred from accessing social media platforms within the state while those aged 14 or 15 will need parental consent to create accounts.
Dubbed HB3, the law also mandates social media companies to promptly delete accounts held by users under 14 or face potential lawsuits.
Non-compliant companies risk legal repercussions, facing potential lawsuits filed on behalf of underage users who create accounts on their platforms.
As stipulated in the bill, minors could be entitled to receive damages of up to $10,000 for any infractions.
Companies found to be in breach of the law could face substantial penalties of up to $50,000 per violation, in addition to covering attorney’s fees and court costs.
Speaking at the bill-signing ceremony, Governor DeSantis emphasized the legislation’s goal of assisting parents in navigating the complex landscape of raising children in today’s digital age.
Notably, DeSantis had previously vetoed a stricter iteration of the bill, which proposed banning social media accounts for minors under 16 and required Florida residents to provide identification to join social media platforms.
Set to take effect in January 2025, HB3 emerges amidst a growing push for social media regulation nationwide.
Parents’ concerns about the platforms’ insufficient safety measures for children have fueled this momentum.
In December, over 200 organizations rallied behind the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to fast-track a vote.
KOSA aims to hold apps and online platforms accountable by establishing liability, or a “duty of care,” for content recommendations that could detrimentally impact minors’ mental health.
In January, lawmakers subjected CEOs from TikTok, X, and Meta to rigorous questioning regarding online child safety.
Despite facing scrutiny, the tech executives reiterated their dedication to child safety and highlighted the array of tools they provide as evidence of their proactive approach to combatting online exploitation.
Florida House Speaker Paul Renner and other proponents of the new legislation contend that social media usage poses risks to children’s mental well-being and facilitates communication between minors and sexual predators.
Renner emphasized the importance of active involvement in addressing social media’s impact, stating, “None of us can afford to be on the sidelines when it comes to social media,” during the bill signing.
NetChoice LLC, a coalition representing prominent social media platforms such as Meta, Google, and X, has challenged laws in several states, like Ohio and Arkansas, aimed at restricting teenage social media access.
Similarly, Florida’s legislation is anticipated to encounter legal hurdles, particularly concerning assertions of First Amendment violations.
Carl Szabo, vice president and general counsel for NetChoice, expressed disappointment in Governor DeSantis’s decision to endorse the legislation, labeling it as “unconstitutional” in an email statement.
Szabo emphasized that there are alternative methods to ensure online safety for Floridians and their families without infringing upon their freedoms.
Both Governor DeSantis and Speaker Renner acknowledged the anticipated legal challenges in their remarks.
Renner emphasized the bill’s commitment to upholding the First Amendment, stating, “You will not find a line in this bill that addresses good speech or bad speech because that would violate the First Amendment.
“We’ve not addressed that at all. What we have addressed is the addictive features that are at the heart of why children stay on these platforms for hours and hours on end.”
DeSantis addressed NetChoice directly, asserting, “We’re going to beat them, and we’re never ever going to stop.”
He maintained that the bill is constitutionally sound, emphasizing its adherence to constitutional principles.
DeSantis reaffirmed his commitment to constitutional principles, stating, “Any time I see a bill, if I don’t think it’s constitutional, I veto it.”
He characterized the bill as “a fair application of the law and Constitution,” highlighting its alignment with constitutional standards.
International News
US Diplomats In Israel For High-Stake-Talks On Lebanon Truce
Senior U.S. officials are set to meet their Israeli counterparts on Thursday to negotiate a potential agreement aimed at stabilizing Israel’s northern border and reducing the escalating conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
This high-stakes visit comes amid ongoing hostilities in Gaza, where the Palestinian militant group Hamas has rejected multiple ceasefire proposals as Israeli strikes persist.
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Just days before the U.S. presidential election, American envoys Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk are expected to arrive in Israel.
Their mission focuses on securing a framework that could see Hezbollah withdraw approximately 20 miles (30 kilometers) north, beyond the Litani River.
In exchange, Israeli forces would pull back from Lebanon, allowing the Lebanese army, supported by UN peacekeepers, to manage border security.
Under this arrangement, Lebanon would be responsible for preventing Hezbollah from rearming, while Israel would retain its right to self-defense under international law, according to Israeli media reports.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed hope on Wednesday that a ceasefire could be reached “in the coming hours or days.”
Newly appointed Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has indicated that the group would consider a truce under certain conditions, saying Hezbollah could sustain its resistance but remains open to negotiation.
Qassem’s appointment follows the assassination of his predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah, in an Israeli airstrike last month.
In parallel, U.S. and Qatari mediators are attempting to negotiate a brief humanitarian pause in Gaza, where Israel’s campaign against Hamas is ongoing.
However, on Thursday, senior Hamas official Taher al-Nunu reiterated the group’s stance against a temporary ceasefire, stating, “The idea of a temporary pause in the war, only to resume aggression later, is something we have already expressed our position on.
Hamas supports a permanent end to the war, not a temporary one.”
This proposed pause would have allowed essential humanitarian aid to reach Gaza and opened up negotiations for a longer-term resolution, but Hamas’s rejection of the offer dims prospects for an immediate breakthrough.
As a result, attention remains firmly fixed on Lebanon, where efforts for a ceasefire along Israel’s northern front are likely to take precedence.
Last week, Israeli Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi spoke to the growing potential for resolution in Lebanon, saying, “In the north, there’s a possibility of reaching a sharp conclusion.”
Israel’s military has since intensified its strikes, particularly in southern Lebanon, where it issued evacuation orders in areas such as the Palestinian refugee camp of Rashidieh, warning of imminent action following previous strikes.
International News
Deadly Super Typhoon Kong-rey Wreaks Havoc Across Taiwan
Super Typhoon Kong-rey barreled into Taiwan on Thursday, bringing fierce winds, towering waves, and heavy rainfall that led to widespread destruction and the suspension of daily activities across the island.
Packing sustained winds of 184 km/h (114 mph) and waves reaching 10 meters high, the typhoon marked one of the most powerful storms to strike Taiwan in nearly three decades.
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Kong-rey’s vast radius of 320 kilometers made it the largest storm to hit the island since 1995, surpassing Typhoon Gaemi earlier this year in both size and scope.
Officials say the storm could continue to impact the island through Friday morning, with flooding and dangerous winds expected to persist.
Fatalities and Damage as Taiwan Endures Kong-rey’s Wrath
Amid the chaos, one fatality was reported in central Nantou County, where a falling tree crushed a vehicle, while 73 others have been injured across Taiwan as the storm swept through.
Hundreds of rescue workers, including nearly 35,000 military troops, have been deployed island-wide to manage emergency responses, with ongoing rescues in the hardest-hit areas, like coastal Hualien County.
In Hualien, floodwaters rose quickly, prompting emergency evacuations. “The situation is very serious,” reported Wang Ming-chung, Hualien’s fire department chief.
First responders are grappling with multiple incidents involving fallen trees, downed power lines, and injuries from flying debris.
The typhoon has also led to power outages for more than 100,000 households, cancellations of over 400 flights, and suspension of all ferry services.
Four mudslides have been reported so far, and roads across Taiwan remain blocked by fallen trees and debris.
A Country on High Alert
Officials in Taiwan have evacuated more than 8,600 residents from high-risk regions, including Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung. Residents have been advised to stay indoors, and public schools and workplaces were closed as the storm approached.
Authorities have also managed to reach two Czech tourists who were reported missing while hiking in Taroko Gorge; they are now safely sheltering in the mountains.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te urged citizens to prioritize safety, emphasizing that Kong-rey’s effects would continue to be felt well into the night.
“This storm is extremely dangerous. Please avoid any unnecessary outings, especially near the coast,” he said.
Growing Storm Intensity a Sign of Climate Change
Scientists warn that climate change is contributing to stronger storms worldwide, with rising temperatures leading to heavier rainfall and intense winds.
Chu Mei-lin from Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration reiterated that Kong-rey’s size and strength are a clear sign of this trend, stressing the need for preparedness in the face of increasingly severe storms.
Economy on Alert, but Industry Resilient
As Taiwan mobilizes recovery efforts, the island’s crucial semiconductor industry remains largely unaffected.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), a global chip leader, announced it has activated storm preparedness measures, stating it does not expect significant disruptions at its facilities.
Kong-rey is the third typhoon to make landfall in Taiwan this year, following Typhoons Gaemi and Krathon.
Both previous storms caused fatalities, extensive injuries, and widespread property damage, adding to the urgency of Taiwan’s disaster response efforts.
International News
Hezbollah Appoints Naim Qassem As New Secretary-General After Nasrallah’s Death
Hezbollah has appointed Naim Qassem as its new secretary-general, following the killing of Hassan Nasrallah by Israeli forces last month.
The announcement was made by the group’s media office in a statement on Tuesday.
Hezbollah’s Senior Council stated that the selection of Qassem adhered to the group’s established leadership protocols.
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Known for his deep-rooted commitment to “Prophet Mohammed’s authentic Islam” and Hezbollah’s founding principles, Qassem brings decades of experience within the organization.
Qassem, who has long served as a prominent figure within Hezbollah, was a close associate of Nasrallah and previously held the position of deputy secretary-general.
The leadership change comes at a volatile time, with increased regional tensions and ongoing conflicts impacting Lebanon.
More to follow……….