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Australia to ban children from using social media

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6 days ago

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The Australian government has proposed a bill on a minimum age limit for children to use social media, citing mental and physical health concerns.

Anthony Albanese, prime minister of Australia, said his government would run an age verification trial before introducing the legislation.

“I want to see kids off their devices and onto the footy fields and the swimming pools and the tennis courts,” Albanese said.

“We want them to have real experiences with real people because we know that social media is causing social harm.”

The law would place Australia on the list of countries to impose age restriction on social media.

Australia’s internet regulator, eSafety Commissioner, said in June that “restriction-based approaches may limit young people’s access to critical support” and push them to “less regulated non-mainstream services”.

‘GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO STEP IN’

The proposal follows South Australia’s plan to restrict social media access to people aged 14 and over.

Peter Malinauskas, South Australian premier, said the proposal was fuelled by concerns that social media was harming young people and affecting their mental health, leaving parents “almost powerless”.

“The government is now going to step in, we’re going to ban kids from getting access to these accounts,” he said.

“We’re going to ban the social media services from providing access in that first place and where they do it and do it knowingly, they are subject to severe punishment, heavy financial penalties that will act as a major deterrent to ensure this doesn’t occur in the future.”

Malinauskas said the proposed regulation put “a positive obligation and duty” on social media companies to ensure children under 14 cannot access such platforms.

“That positive duty and obligation doesn’t just extend to prevent individual children from getting access to the platform but creates a systemic responsibility on the social media platforms to ensure they are undertaking all reasonable steps to prevent children from getting access,” he said.

If passed, the legislation will require social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent access by any South Australian child under the age of 14.

They would also have to ensure teens aged 14–15 could only access platforms with parental content.

Bans and limited access would be overseen by a state regulator who would monitor compliance and impose sanctions, such as: warnings, infringement notices and fines; and court proceedings that impose corrective orders or civil penalties.

Legal action could also be taken against providers by either a regulator or parents on behalf of a child who has suffered significant mental or physical harm.

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Possible assassination attempt on Trump deeply disturbing, says Kamala Harris

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1 day ago

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September 17, 2024 9:05 am

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US Vice President Kamala Harris has condemned the shooting that took place at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach on Sunday.

Donald Trump was playing golf in the vicinity as the gunshots rang out.

The Secret Service ferried Trump to safety and said it is investigating the incident as a possible assassination attempt.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said an “apparent assassination attempt” on Trump was thwarted, with a man arrested and an assault rifle recovered.

Ric Bradshaw, Palm Beach county sheriff, said a Secret Service agent who was patrolling the course, spotted a rifle barrel emerging from a perimeter fence.

“He immediately engaged that individual, at which time the individual took off,” Bradshaw said.

It is unclear if the suspect shot first, fired a round at all, or whether it was only the agent that fired.

“We are not sure right now if the individual was able to take a shot at our agents,” Rafael Barros, special agent in charge of the Secret Service’s Miami field office, said.

SUSPECT NAMED

The suspect has been identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh. He was arrested after his car was stopped by local police.

Skynews reports that officers later searched the area where Routh was spotted and found an AK-47-style rifle with a scope, two rucksacks and a GoPro.

The White House said in a statement that President Joe Biden and Harris had been briefed and that they were “relieved” to learn of Trump’s safety.

In a separate statement, the Democratic Party presidential nominee said she was “deeply disturbed by the possible assassination attempt” on the former president.

“As we gather the facts, I will be clear: I condemn political violence. We all must do our part to ensure that this incident does not lead to more violence,” she said.

“I am thankful that former President Trump is safe. I commend the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement partners for their vigilance.

“As President Biden said, our administration will ensure the Secret Service has every resource, capability, and protective measure necessary to carry out its critical mission.”

Biden said the suspect was in custody and commended the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies for their vigilance and efforts to keep Trump safe.

The incident comes about two months after the former president survived an assassination attempt during a rally.

The bullet grazed Trump’s ear.

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First all-civillian space team returns to earth after historic mission

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2 days ago

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September 16, 2024 7:45 am

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SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn crew has returned to earth after five days in orbit.

The US team was led by Jared Issacman, a billionaire, alongside Sarah Gillis of Space X, Anna Menon, and Kidd Poteet.

The historic mission saw the team reach the highest altitude than any other human in five decades. It also marked the first time such an endeavor has been completed by a privately funded and operated mission.

An event live streamed by SpaceX showed the Dragon capsule land off the coast of Florida on Sunday morning.

“Splashdown of Dragon confirmed! Welcome back to Earth,” SpaceX said on X

Returning to earth is among the most dangerous stretches of any space mission.

On its orbit back, the spacecraft reached extremely hot temperatures as it seared through the thickest parts of earth’s atmosphere because of the pressure and friction caused by hitting the air while still traveling around 17,000 miles per hour.

However, the crew was protected by the Dragon’s heat shield.

The spacecraft eventually landed in water before waiting rescue crews hauled it out of the ocean and onto a special boat known as the Dragon’s nest.

Final safety checks took place there before the crew disembarked from the capsule and began the journey back to dry land.

The US’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said the mission represented “a giant leap forward” for the commercial space industry.

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Gunshots fired in Donald Trump’s vicinity at golf course

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2 days ago

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September 16, 2024 6:08 am

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Gunshots have been fired in the vicinity of former United States President, Donald Trump, his campaign has said on Sunday.

“President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity. No further details at this time,”Steven Cheung, his campaign spokesman said in a short statement.

According to the New York Post, two people exchanged gunfire outside the former president’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The outlet reported the gunfine was not “targeting Trump”.

Trump was golfing at the resort on Sunday, which is a short distance from his main residence, Mar-a-Lago, according to US media outlets.

It comes just two months after an assassination attempt on the Republican presidential candidate.

Gunman, Thomas Crooks, fired multiple shots at Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13. One bullet grazed the ex-president’s ear.

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