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
Miracle in Venezuela: Toddler Rescued Alive Six Days After Deadly Earthquakes
A three-year-old child has been rescued alive from beneath the rubble in Venezuela, six days after two powerful earthquakes devastated parts of the South American nation, offering a glimmer of hope amid a worsening humanitarian crisis.
The remarkable rescue took place in La Guaira, one of the areas hardest hit by the twin earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitudes, which struck less than a minute apart on June 24.
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Rescue workers have continued round-the-clock search operations despite the challenges posed by repeated aftershocks.
The United Nations described the rescue as a powerful reminder that every life matters as emergency teams continue combing collapsed buildings for survivors.
According to Venezuelan authorities, the earthquakes have claimed nearly 2,000 lives, while more than 6,400 people have been rescued since the disaster struck.
Tens of thousands of survivors remain without adequate shelter, with humanitarian agencies warning that urgent needs continue to grow.
The UN refugee agency said the scale of the disaster has left thousands of families in desperate need of emergency assistance, while the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirmed that national and international rescue teams remain active in the affected communities.
UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) teams are also assessing the extent of the destruction and identifying communities most in need of humanitarian support.
Officials said about 1,000 buildings, including hospitals, have either been damaged or completely destroyed.
More than 400 schools and water systems have also been severely affected, worsening living conditions for residents.
To support relief efforts, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has delivered an initial 47-tonne shipment of humanitarian supplies, including emergency medical kits, water purification materials, safe birth supplies, wheelchairs, child-friendly tents and educational materials. The shipment follows an earlier consignment that arrived from Panama.
UNICEF said the combined aid will support more than 100,000 children and their families over the next three months.
Speaking from La Guaira, UNICEF representative Gabriel Vockel said the organisation is working around the clock to reach as many children and families as possible, while appealing for more donations to expand its life-saving operations.
UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Roberto Benes, said many affected families are sleeping outdoors for fear of continued aftershocks and remain in urgent need of clean water, healthcare and safe shelter.
The agency estimates that about 680,000 children across six affected states require humanitarian assistance following what has been described as Venezuela’s most significant earthquake disaster in more than a century.
Authorities also reported that more than 600 aftershocks have been recorded since the initial earthquakes, increasing concerns over further damage and risks to survivors.
UNICEF is seeking $52 million to respond to the earthquake emergency as part of its broader 2026 Humanitarian Action for Children appeal for Venezuela, which remains significantly underfunded.
International News
Panic in Europe as France Records First-Ever Ebola Case
France has confirmed its first-ever case of Ebola virus disease, triggering concern across Europe as health authorities move swiftly to contain the deadly infection.
The French Health Ministry announced on Wednesday that a doctor returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is currently battling a major Ebola outbreak, tested positive for the virus after arriving in France.
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According to officials, the patient was immediately isolated upon arrival, even before laboratory tests confirmed the diagnosis, helping to reduce the risk of transmission.
In a statement, the ministry confirmed the identification of “a first positive case of Ebola virus disease on national territory,” marking the first time the virus has been detected in France.
The development also represents the first confirmed Ebola case recorded outside Africa during the current outbreak, which has affected both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
French authorities disclosed that the case was detected in mainland France, while Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is closely monitoring the situation as health agencies intensify surveillance and response measures.
The current outbreak in the DRC was officially declared on May 15 following a series of unexplained deaths in the eastern Ituri Province.
The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
Despite growing concerns, public health experts have stressed that the risk of widespread global transmission remains low because Ebola is less contagious than many airborne infectious diseases.
The virus spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids and contaminated materials.
Ebola is a severe and often fatal haemorrhagic fever that can cause symptoms including high fever, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and in severe cases, internal and external bleeding.
French health authorities have assured the public that all necessary precautions are being taken to contain the case and prevent any further spread of the disease.
The announcement has nevertheless sparked anxiety across Europe, given the deadly nature of the virus and its emergence outside the African continent during the ongoing outbreak.
International News
“He Failed Badly” — Trump Says Starmer Will Step Down as UK PM
U.S. President Donald Trump has predicted that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will step down from office, accusing the Labour leader of failing on two critical issues — immigration and energy policy.
Trump made the remarks on Sunday in a post on his Truth Social platform, where he claimed Starmer’s leadership had fallen short in addressing challenges facing the United Kingdom.
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“Keir Starmer will resign as Prime Minister of The United Kingdom,” Trump wrote. “He failed badly on two very important subjects — IMMIGRATION AND ENERGY (OPEN NORTH SEA OIL!). I wish him well!”
The U.S. president did not provide any evidence to support his claim, nor did he reveal the basis for his prediction that Starmer would leave office.
Starmer, who leads the Labour Party, became Prime Minister after securing victory in the UK’s general election.
Since taking office, his government has faced criticism over a range of issues, including migration policies, energy security, and the cost-of-living challenges confronting many Britons.
Trump’s comments come as debates over immigration and energy continue to dominate political discussions in the UK.
However, there has been no official statement from Starmer, his office, or the British government suggesting that he plans to resign.
As of the time of filing this report, Starmer remains in office and continues to lead the government despite the claims made by the American president.





