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The Australian Parliament’s decision to set the minimum age for making social media profiles at 16 isn’t just a legislative change. It’s a social change that puts the safety and well-being of the next generation first. Until now, social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok have required users to be at least 13 years old. Yet as digital technology has evolved, so have the risks. Social media isn’t just a playground of memes, games and online chinwags. It’s also rife with scammers, hackers, predators, recruiters and harmful content. Even adults have proven vulnerable to experiencing depression, anxiety and self-harm — let alone teens. Psychologist Dr Danielle Einstein in her Macquarie Uni article 'Teens’ social media damage can’t be fixed without legislation' argues that social media intensifies teen anxiety by triggering fear of missing out and harms mental health. On top of this, the August 2023 report from the Senate’s Select Committee on Foreign Interference through Social Media found that social media platforms were vulnerable to foreign interference that runs contrary to Australia’s national interest. Social media isn’t just a tool. It’s an environment. Like any, it too requires boundaries to ensure safety. Concern that the reforms may compel users to provide sensitive identity docs and expose them to data breaches is overstated. Thanks to amendments negotiated by the Coalition, platforms can’t compel users to provide official identity docs like a driver’s licence or passport. Besides, any data collected has to be deleted once age verification is completed, unless the user consents to its retention. Bear in mind, social media platforms already hold vast amounts of our personal data, from chat logs and photos to browsing habits. Yet we continue to use their services daily. We trust them the same way we trust banks not to run away with our life savings. If tech giants intended to misuse our private info, they wouldn’t need access to our identity docs anyway. Leaking chat logs, photos and browsing habits (which they already have) is far more concerning than a jpeg of our driver’s licence. Like banks, tech companies have zero incentive to intentionally misuse our data. As for unintentional breaches, these risks aren’t just with tech giants. They can happen with any corporation or government agency. But that doesn’t stop us from engaging with mobile and internet service providers, hospitals, our employers, the tax office, Medicare and the list goes on. In any case, for our peace of mind, these reforms impose penalties of up to $50 million for potential breaches. Some critics seem to be using dramatic language, calling these reforms "draconian" and a case of "nanny state" intervention. Rule of law is the backbone of civilised society. There’s nothing draconian about minors not being allowed to buy booze or ciggies, place bets, gamble, get tattoos, enter nightclubs, drive cars or cast a vote in elections. These are sensible safeguards that rest on the understanding that minors aren’t yet ready to make responsible choices in high impact environments. Applying the same approach to social media acknowledges the digital world is a significant part of children’s lives today, with its own risks that warrant similar safeguards. These reforms are neither about overreach nor about depriving minors from digital tools entirely. That’s precisely why platforms with clear educational or health benefits like YouTube, Messenger Kids and Google Classroom have been exempt. This will ensure that technology continues to play a role in children’s learning and development. What these reforms do target are platforms where the risks of unregulated interaction far outweigh the benefits. TikTok recently revealed it had to remove one million Australian accounts suspected of belonging to users under 13. While tech companies have taken steps to address these challenges, they’ve fallen short of what was needed. Passed with support from both Labor and Liberal, these reforms fill that gap. Australia is now a world leader in establishing safety standards for online environments consistent with the physical world. Some critics are also saying it should be up to parents — not legislation — to manage what kids do online. Parental involvement is critical. Yet modern parenting faces unprecedented challenges. Many struggle to monitor children’s online activity, especially given that social media algorithms are designed to keep users engaged for as long as possible. These reforms at last offer parents a long overdue ally. Age brackets on booze, ciggies, betting, gambling, tattoos, clubbing, driving and voting only help parents do their job better. By raising the age for social media, Parliament isn’t replacing parental responsibility. It’s reinforcing it. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has rightly pointed out that saving children from social media’s adverse impact is one of the defining issues of our time. This legislation isn’t perfect. No law is. Some teens will still find ways around it, just as some manage to sneak into nightclubs and casinos. But the occasional rule-breaker doesn’t negate the need for rules in the first place. If we started deregulating every area of policy perceived as unenforceable, we’d be living in a lawless society. Perfection isn’t our goal. Making a meaningful difference is. With 77 per cent of Australians supporting these reforms, it’s clear the wider community recognises the wisdom that underlies them. Social media has revolutionised how we live, work and communicate. It’s brought us both benefits and risks that can’t be ignored. Australians have long criticised Labor and the Liberals for constantly disagreeing with each other instead of joining forces to serve the community. For a change, the bipartisan support for these social media reforms is precisely what Australians have long hoped to see happen. It’s time to embrace the reforms, not as perceived intrusion, but as an actual commitment to safeguarding the next generation. Dr Sherry Sufi is a Western Australian author and columnist. He has since 2015 served as Chairman of the Policy Committee for the Liberal Party of Western Australia. His latest book, Australia On Trial: Accusations and Defence argues that Australia is not a racist country built on "stolen land" and that it does have a way of life worth defending.'Kuwait is 4 hours away but it took 4 decades for a PM to visit', says ModiThe Prime Minister insisted the UK will back Ukraine “for as long as it takes” as he made a speech at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet in London, but for the first time acknowledged the conflict could move towards a negotiated end. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has in recent weeks suggested he is open to a possible ceasefire with Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Kyiv and its European allies meanwhile fear the advent of Donald Trump’s return to the White House could result in American aid being halted. President-elect Trump has said he would prefer to move towards a peace deal, and has claimed he could end the conflict on “day one” of his time in power. As he attempts to strike up a good relationship with the incoming president, Sir Keir revealed he had told Mr Trump the UK “will invest more deeply than ever in this transatlantic bond with our American friends in the years to come”. In his speech at London’s Guildhall, the Prime Minister said there is “no question it is right we support Ukraine”, as the UK’s aid to Kyiv is “deeply in our self-interest”. Allowing Russia to win the war would mean “other autocrats would believe they can follow Putin’s example,” he warned. Sir Keir added: “So we must continue to back Ukraine and do what it takes to support their self-defence for as long as it takes. “To put Ukraine in the strongest possible position for negotiations so they can secure a just and lasting peace on their terms that guarantees their security, independence, and right to choose their own future.” Mr Zelensky told Sky News over the weekend he would be open to speaking with Mr Putin, but branded the Russian president a “terrorist”. He also suggested Ukrainian territory under his control should be taken under the “Nato umbrella” to try to stop the “hot stage” of the war with Russia. In a banquet speech focused on foreign affairs, the Prime Minister said it was “plain wrong” to suggest the UK must choose between its allies, adding: “I reject it utterly. “(Clement) Attlee did not choose between allies. (Winston) Churchill did not choose. “The national interest demands that we work with both.” Sir Keir said the UK and the US were “intertwined” when it came to commerce, technology and security. The Prime Minister added: “That’s why, when President Trump graciously hosted me for dinner in Trump Tower, I told him that we will invest more deeply than ever in this transatlantic bond with our American friends in the years to come.” He also repeated his commitment to “rebuild our ties with Europe” and insisted he was right to try to build closer links with China. “It is remarkable that until I met President Xi last month there had been no face-to-face meeting between British and Chinese leaders for six years,” the Prime Minister said. “We can’t simply look the other way. We need to engage. To co-operate, to compete and to challenge on growth, on security concerns, on climate as well as addressing our differences in a full and frank way on issues like Hong Kong, human rights, and sanctions on our parliamentarians,” he added. The Prime Minister said he wants Britain’s role in the world to be that of “a constant and responsible actor in turbulent times”. He added: “To be the soundest ally and to be determined, always, in everything we do. “Every exchange we have with other nations, every agreement we enter into to deliver for the British people and show, beyond doubt, that Britain is back.” Ahead of Sir Keir’s speech, Lord Mayor Alastair King urged the Prime Minister and his Government to loosen regulations on the City of London to help it maintain its competitive edge. In an echo of Sir Keir’s commitment to drive the UK’s economic growth, the Lord Mayor said: “The idealist will dream of growth, but the pragmatist understands that our most effective machinery to drive growth is here in the City, in the hands of some of the brightest and most committed people that you will find anywhere in the world.”

Valladolid loses again and Getafe ends winless run in La LigaMiami quarterback Cam Ward has joined some elite company. In the Hurricanes 42-14 victory over Wake Forest, the senior quarterback broke Bernie Kosar's program record for passing yards in a single season. This feat saw Kosar himself take to X to celebrate Ward. Fans took to social media to praise Ward for breaking Kosar's record and hyped up his Heisman candidacy. Ward finished the day 27-of-38 for 280 yards with two touchdowns and one interception while also adding a touchdown on the ground. The Hurricanes produced 508 total offensive yards and limited the Demon Deacons to just 193. Jordan Lyle paced the rushing attack with seven carries for 115 yards and a touchdown. Jacolby George was the top receiver with seven catches for 91 yards and two touchdowns. Miami's improves to 10-1 with the victory and will head to Syracuse next week to close out the season. This redemption performance came after the team dropped its previous game against Georgia Tech, but the push for a conference championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff is officially back with the win over the Demon Deacons.

A former city employee and ward boss for Ald. Jim Gardiner pleaded guilty Thursday to a gun charge after prosecutors said he tried to sell an antique machine gun to an undercover ATF agent while he was on the clock for his Streets and Sanitation job. Charles Sikanich, 41, admitted to one felony count of unlawful use of a weapon, but the judgment is deferred per a program for first-time gun offenders. Judge Kenneth Wadas ordered him to a 12-month probation term and to perform community service. Sikanich was arrested by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents and Chicago police officers in April 2022 while continually making requests to allow him to contact Gardiner before he was placed in custody . Gardiner, who has had legal troubles of his own, represents the 45th Ward, which includes neighborhoods with a heavy presence of city employees on the Far Northwest Side. He has been the subject of an FBI probe reportedly around questions of whether he retaliated against constituents for political purposes, according to Tribune reporting. He has also been sued by constituents alleging wrongdoing in his role as an elected official. In February 2020, ATF investigators were tipped off by a confidential informant that Sikanich owned an MP 40 submachine gun and was interested in selling it. Sikanich asked the informant to find him a buyer, according to the Illinois attorney general’s office, which prosecuted the case. In May of that year, Sikanich met with the informant and an undercover ATF agent, and they tried to negotiate a sale price, authorities said. Agents staking out the meeting saw Sikanich arrive in his Department of Streets and Sanitation vehicle, prosecutors said. And time sheet records show he was on the clock at his city job during the time he allegedly was set to discuss the gun sale, according to prosecutors. In motion hearings throughout the past year, Sikanich’s attorneys have argued that the weapon was a non-operational war trophy and family heirloom. “If the state wants to charge anybody with a war relic, a war trophy today, what about all the cannons out in front of every VFW hall?” his attorney Jim McKay said at a motion hearing earlier this year. But Assistant Attorney General Jonas Harger countered that “whether they decided to hang it on the wall, it’s still a machine gun.” “I don’t care if General MacArthur himself gave it to his grandfather,” Harger said earlier this year.Church of Scientology Food Drive Makes Thanksgiving Special for 300 Local FamiliesDA: Pork supply stable for Christmas holidays

Jean-Philippe Mateta struck in the second half with the only real piece of quality in a nervy encounter between two struggling teams. It is now two wins and three draws from the last six matches for Glasner’s side, whose winter revival is gathering pace nicely following a sticky start to the campaign. “I feel very happy, we’re all very pleased with the result, it was not the best performance but the result was more important,” said the Eagles boss. “Most of the time we controlled the game and we scored an amazing goal, a fantastic finish from JP. “We had more chances to decide the game but we couldn’t, but I think the win was well deserved. “We didn’t give them any chances from open play and with a clean sheet you can always take the win. “It’s a big win. Now it’s not time to sit back and relax but to keep going. In four days we face Manchester City. We stay humble. There are still many things to improve but we are on the right path.” Ipswich looked the likelier to score as a low-key first half drew to a close and were denied by a point-blank save by Dean Henderson from Harry Clarke’s near-post header. Shortly after the interval Wes Burns got clear down the right and lifted an inviting cross towards Liam Delap, whose header was straight at Henderson. However, from out of nowhere Palace conjured up a lightning counter-attack to go ahead on the hour. Eberechi Eze led the charge before feeding Mateta, who surged forward with a couple of stepovers before brushing off the attention of Jacob Greaves and finishing superbly past Arijanet Muric. It was the French forward’s sixth goal of the season, and his first away from Selhurst Park. Back came Ipswich with Leif Davis fizzing in another cross for Delap, who somehow mistimed his jump and completely missed the ball from six yards. As time ticked down Greaves looped a header against the far post, with the rebound just eluding substitute Ali-Al Hamadi. “Frustrating night,” said Town boss Kieran McKenna. “It was a tight first half, we weren’t fantastic in terms of the flow of the game and didn’t create as many opportunities as we wanted. But having said that neither did our opponents. “In the second half we conceded a really poor goal and that proved decisive. We can do better than we did tonight.”

In the age of social media and digital influencers, where beauty standards are constantly evolving and being redefined, the photo of Zhang Baizhi and Yang Zi serves as a reminder that beauty is not restricted to one particular aesthetic or image. It is a multifaceted and inclusive concept that encompasses a wide range of expressions, styles, and personalities. As these two talented actresses demonstrate, true beauty lies in diversity, individuality, and the courage to be authentically oneself.

LAHORE: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to bring tax defaulters into the tax net and take strict action against non-compliance. He made these remarks while presiding over a crucial review meeting on strategies to enhance revenue collection ARY News reported on Saturday. During the meeting, officials briefed the Prime Minister on the installation and monitoring of video analytics in the sugar industry. Highlighting the importance of technology, the Prime Minister said, “Improving the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) performance through technology is the government’s top priority.” He emphasized that the use of video analytics in the sugar industry would significantly improve revenue collection, eliminate hoarding, and help stabilize prices. “Our utmost effort is to ensure the availability of sugar at affordable prices for the public,” he stated, directing regular monitoring of sugar stocks to maintain an uninterrupted supply chain. The prime minister also ordered stringent and indiscriminate action against tax evasion and under-reporting by sugar mills. He underscored that ongoing measures for FBR’s digitization would bring billions of rupees in benefits to the national treasury. Additionally, the prime minister instructed the swift completion of FBR’s value chain digitization and called for the rapid implementation of video analytics in the cement and tobacco industries. The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister of State for Finance Ali Pervaiz Malik, and senior government officials.

Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas has also resigned as vice-president of the animal welfare organisation, with both of them expressing their “sadness” over leaving the roles. It comes after an Animal Rising investigation made claims of cruelty at “RSPCA Assured” slaughterhouses in England and Scotland, with the campaign group sharing footage of alleged mistreatment. RSPCA Assured is a scheme whereby approved farms must comply with the organisation’s “stringent higher welfare standards”, according to its website. Mr Packham shared the news of his resignation on social media, saying: “It is with enormous sadness that I have resigned from my role as president of the RSPCA. “I would like to register my respect and admiration for all the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to protect animals from cruelty.” Ms Lucas said she and Mr Packham failed to get the charity’s leadership to act. She posted on X, formerly Twitter: “With huge sadness I’m resigning as VP of the RSPCA, a role I’ve held with pride for over 15 years. “But their Assured Schemes risk misleading the public & legitimising cruelty. “I tried with @ChrisGPackham to persuade the leadership to act but sadly failed.” In June, the RSPCA commissioned an independent review of 200 farms on its assurance scheme which concluded the scheme was “operating effectively” to assure animal welfare on member farms. Following Animal Rising’s release of footage last week, the charity said it was “appalled” by what was shown, adding that it launched an immediate investigation and suspended three slaughterhouses from the scheme. In the wake of Mr Packham and Ms Lucas’ resignations, an RSPCA spokesperson said it is “simply not true” that the organisation has failed to take urgent action. They said: “We agree with Chris and Caroline on so many issues and have achieved so much together for animals, but we differ on how best to address the incredibly complex and difficult issue of farmed animal welfare. “We have discussed our work to drive up farmed animal welfare standards openly at length with them on many occasions and it is simply not true that we have not taken urgent action. “We took allegations of poor welfare incredibly seriously, launching an independent review of 200 farms which concluded that it was ‘operating effectively’ to improve animal welfare. “We are taking strong steps to improve oversight of welfare, implementing the recommendations in full including significantly increasing unannounced visits, and exploring technology such as body-worn cameras and CCTV, supported by £2 million of investment.” The charity insisted that while 94% of people continue to choose to eat meat, fish, eggs and dairy, it is the “right thing to do” to work with farmers to improve the lives of animals. “RSPCA Assured visit all farms on the scheme every year, but last year just 3% of farms were assessed for animal welfare by state bodies,” the spokesperson continued. “No-one else is doing this work. We are the only organisation setting and regularly monitoring animal welfare standards on farms. “We have pioneered change through RSPCA Assured, which has led to improvements throughout the industry including CCTV in slaughterhouses, banning barren battery cages for hens and sow stalls for pigs, giving salmon more space to swim and developing slower growing chicken breeds who have better quality of life.”CHICAGO — Former state Rep. Edward Acevedo’s name has been thrown around five separate federal criminal trials in recent years involving the sweeping corruption probe of ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan. But Acevedo, 61, a Chicago Democrat and onetime member of Madigan’s leadership team, has never been called to testify — until now. Prosecutors late Thursday filed a motion in U.S. District Court saying they intend to call Acevedo as a witness in Madigan’s ongoing corruption trial, and are seeking permission of the chief judge to compel his testimony if he invokes his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination as expected. Attached to the motion was a letter dated June 1, 2022, from the U.S. Attorney General’s office signing off on an immunity request for Acevedo, which had been sought by then-U.S. Attorney John Lausch. U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey granted the request Friday, writing in a two-page order that Acevedo “shall not be excused from testifying or producing evidence...on the ground that the testimony or evidence may tend to incriminate him.” As part of the deal, prosecutors cannot use anything Acevedo says on the witness stand to bring criminal charges against him — as long as he tells the truth. If the U.S. attorney’s office believes he lied under oath, however, Acevedo can be charged with perjury. The move injects some late-hour drama into Madigan’s trial, which began Oct. 8 and is now in the final stages of the prosecution’s evidence. Prosecutors have said they could rest their case in chief by the end of next week. Acevedo is central to two of the schemes alleged in the indictment accusing utility giants Commonwealth Edison and AT&T Illinois of funneling money through do-nothing consulting contracts to a group of Madigan associates in exchange for the speaker’s support for the companies’ legislative agendas in Springfield. Prosecutors alleged Acevedo received about $120,000 from ComEd over a two-year period after he left the General Assembly in 2017. The indictment also alleges he was paid another $22,500 in 2017 by AT&T, which hid the payments in a subcontract with Tom Cullen, a lobbyist and former Madigan political guru. Acevedo is not charged in the Madigan case, but pleaded guilty to related tax fraud counts in 2022 and was sentenced to six months in prison . His sons, Alex and Michael Acevedo, also were convicted of tax charges related to the money Acevedo took in through his consulting firm. Meanwhile, Acevedo was a feature of testimony in the “ComEd Four” bribery trial last year, as well as the trials of former Madigan chief of staff Tim Mapes and ex-AT&T Illinois boss Paul La Schiazza. Jurors in Madigan’s trial have also heard much about Acevedo, including a number of unflattering comments in emails and wiretaps accusing him of boorish behavior and excessive drinking. But he has not appeared in any of the audio or video recordings in the case, and the only image of him seen so far in court has been his driver’s license photo. Prosecutors first revealed their intent to call Acevedo before testimony began Thursday. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu told the judge that in addition to invoking the Fifth, Acevedo’s attorney had signaled that she would try to keep him off the stand on grounds that he is not competent to testify. It’s a tactic the U.S. attorney’s office has employed liberally in the Madigan probe, with w itnesses such as Will Cousineau, a former top political aide to the speaker, and legendary 13th Ward precinct captain Ed Moody , and several others all being compelled to testify under immunity agreements. Mapes, meanwhile, was granted immunity but later charged with perjury after prosecutors alleged he lied to the federal grand jury investigating Madigan’s operation. Mapes was convicted last year at trial and is serving a 2 1/2 year prison sentence. Acevedo’s attorney, Gabrielle Sansonetti, declined to comment Friday. But in a sentencing filing two year ago, Sansonetti filed a memo from Acevedo’s doctor on the public docket saying he had myriad health issues, including mild cognitive impairment, gout, hypertension, high cholesterol and depression and anxiety. “Currently, Mr. Acevedo reports misplacing items, forgetting grandchildren’s names, conversations and passwords, and difficulty paying his bills,” the physician wrote in the assessment. “His family and friends have also noticed waxing and waning forgetfulness.” A former Chicago police officer from the South Side, Acevedo served as Madigan’s assistant majority leader in the House before retiring in 2017. He went on to work as a consultant paid by former state Rep. John Bradley, a Democrat from Downstate Marion and a onetime contract lobbyist for ComEd. He also worked as a consultant for Shaw Decremer, a former Democratic House staffer and campaign operative ousted from Madigan’s political organization following complaints that he was abusive. The jury in Madigan’s trial has seen emails and heard wiretapped recordings detailing the push to get Acevedo some money as he transitioned out of politics, an assignment that was largely handled by Madigan’s longtime confidant and now-codefendant, Michael McClain. One of the conspiracy counts against Madigan and McClain alleges that La Schiazza agreed to pay $22,500 to Acevedo for a do-nothing consulting job in exchange for Madigan’s help passing a bill to end mandated landline service. As usual, the request came from McClain, who emailed AT&T governmental affairs officer Bob Barry in his not-so-subtle style. “Bob, I hope this note finds you well,” McClain wrote in the Feb. 14, 2017, email. “BOB, is there even a small contract for Eddie Acevedo? My best, Mike McClain.” The payments were approved even though La Schiazza and others at AT&T were aware that Acevedo’s overly partisan style rubbed many of his colleagues across the aisle the wrong way, according to testimony in La Schiazza’s trial in September. “Eddie tended to go out in the evenings in Springfield after session and on occasion would have too much to drink,” testified Stephen Selcke, who worked for years as one of AT&T’s top internal lobbyists. “And when he drank too much, he could get belligerent and, to a degree, a little loose-lipped.” Selcke was also granted immunity before his testimony. Acevedo also allegedly was hired by ComEd as a favor to Madigan, one of many people whom prosecutors say were given jobs as part of a bribery scheme. Jurors last month saw a memorable email in which then-ComEd executive Fidel Marquez seemingly lost his cool after Acevedo asked for a job for a friend. “Geez...he has a son and a nephew at ComEd. He’s got a contract at ComEd. Has he no limit?” Marquez emailed McClain. McClain responded using his frequent euphemism for Madigan, saying that Marquez’s rant “sounded like our Friend.” Jurors also heard a November 2018 wiretapped call where John Bradley, one of the former Madigan staffers who allegedly took on ComEd subcontractors, told McClain he hadn’t “heard any complaints from anybody.” “Unless Eddie Acevedo doesn’t get his check within 12 hours of when he thinks he’s supposed to get it,” Bradley said. McClain burst into laughter. “Yeah. He’s something isn’t he?’ ©2024 Chicago Tribune. Visit at chicagotribune.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.In a recent interview, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed skepticism towards former President Donald Trump's claims that he is not yet officially in the White House. In response to Trump's continued assertions that the 2020 election was stolen and that he is the rightful winner, Zelensky stated that Trump's statements are baseless and do not reflect the reality of the situation.

Trump picks Scott Bessent to serve as treasury secretary