Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s new social media ban for young people may appeal to worried parents, but it doesn’t address the real problems with social media platforms. Labor, with the support of the Coalition, passed the on November 27 banning social media platforms for under 16-year-olds. It will take effect in the next 12 months. Albanese claimed he wanted kids “off their devices and onto the footy fields, swimming pools and tennis courts”. He repeated that the ban meant “parents can have a different discussion with their young ones” — reinforcing the illusion that the new law will keep young people safe. Although social media bans have been imposed in countries such as and , Australia has set the highest minimum age of 16-years-old, a world first. France’s ban prevents under 15-year-olds from accessing social media, while Norway has an age limit of 13. Despite this, more than half of 9-year-olds, 58% of 10-year olds and 72% of 11-year-olds are on social media according to the . French education minister Anne Genetet is pushing for the European Union (EU) to “follow the example of Australia” and implement EU-wide bans. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, X and TikTok all fall under the ban. YouTube is supposedly exempt, although it released a statement to creators saying it was unclear how the ban would impact the video streaming site. Albanese is tapping into popular concerns about social media. A found that 77% backed the ban, an increase from August when 61% were in favour. The proposal received major support from parent groups and the Australian Primary Principals Association but was opposed by mental health organisations including (SPA). The Australian Greens voted against the proposal, as did eight independents. Liberal MP Bridget Archer voted against the bill in the lower house and two Coalition Senators voted against the bill in the Senate. Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson for communications, the bill “might make oldies feel like they’ve done something, but in reality it only delivers a false sense of security”. “Young people will be pushed to darker spaces on the web and regional, marginalised and vulnerable kids will be further isolated.” The usual consultation and scrutiny was skipped as Labor pushed to pass the bill before the last sitting day of parliament. This quick turnaround meant that concerns about how privacy and personal information will be handled have been left unanswered. SPA executive director Christopher Stone said the government is “running blindfolded into a brick wall by rushing this legislation”. “[Labor] has bypassed the rigorous consultation and scrutiny needed for such a far-reaching decision. Young Australians deserve evidence-based policies, not decisions made in haste.” Albanese ruled out implementing a “Digital ID” for social media. He told a November 28 press conference that social media platforms would now have a “social responsibility” to ensure the safety of children online. However little has been done to pressure big tech companies to remove dangerous content from these platforms. Instead of tackling the predatory algorithms, data harvesting and graphic content circulated by social media giants, the bill simply restricts young people’s access to information and communication. The drive to boost engagement has led to more graphic and controversial content being promoted by algorithms. These algorithms also aim to keep people scrolling, spending more time on the platform and providing valuable data that can be sold to marketing companies and others. While big corporations pretend they are “unable” to prevent dangerous content from appearing on young people’s feeds, there is a lot they could do. Hanson-Young said Labor should have addressed “the dangerous and predatory business models of the tech giants”. “Parents are rightly concerned and we all agree something needs to be done to make tech platforms safer, but this was not the way to do it.” Labor claims the ban is aimed at reducing anxiety and depression in young people. Negative body image, jealousy and cyberbullying were all raised as factors contributing to declining mental health. However, “this legislation fails to consider the positive aspects of social media in supporting young people’s mental health and sense of connection”, Stone said. The statistics show that much of young people’s declining mental health is caused by such as the cost-of-living crisis, housing insecurity and fears about the climate emergency, much of which can be sheeted home to government policies. According to Mental Health Australia, more than 50% of people say that the cost-of-living is having a big impact on their mental health and young people are feeling the effects too. Banning social media means destroying the online communities and connections that young people have been able to develop. A found that more than 60% of teenagers use social media to access news. Leonardo Pugilisi, a 17-year-old journalist with the youth-run the ban would prevent young people from accessing information but would not stop them accessing harmful content. While it is still unclear how the ban will be enforced, it is likely that tech-savvy young people will find ways around the ban. [Luka Koerber is a high school student.]t seems to be a tradition between the NFL quarterbacks to give something back to the most underrated players on the field; the OL. Earliert this hollidays we have seen gifts like the one from Brock Purdy to his teammates, even when he still has a rookie contract. He give a , which social media started making jokes and comparissons with other QBs gifts around the X-mas season. Justin Herbert tired of the Chargers? Chargers fans, known for their passionate support, were disappointed when quarterback allegedly displayed less than generous tipping behavior. This perceived stinginess sparked a wave of playful posts in online comment sections, with fans jokingly questioning and playfully accusing him of 'penny-pinching.' For the last weeks, they have been plenty of temas that have been related to the young QB, Oregon alumni. One of them the who need to fill out the position with a true winner.Japan to compile record ¥115.5 trillion initial budget for FY2025

Real Madrid’s big stars turned on the style to revive the Spanish giant’s faltering Champions League title defense on Tuesday. Galacticos Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham all scored in a thrilling 3-2 win at Italian league leader Atalanta. But Madrid still had to ride its luck as Mateo Retegui fired over from in front of goal in stoppage time when handed a golden chance to level the game. It was only Madrid’s third win in the competition’s revamped league phase and leaves the 15-time champion in the unseeded playoff positions in 18th place. “It’s a very important win. Not everyone wins here. We suffered and competed. In the Champions League, you have to suffer,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. “It’s still difficult to finish in the top eight, but we have two games left to earn points.” Six-time champion Liverpool leads the way after maintaining its perfect record in Europe this season with a 1-0 win against Girona. Like Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain also picked up a much-needed win, beating Salzburg 3-0 to sit in the last playoff spot in 24th place. Bayer Leverkusen is second after a 1-0 win over Inter Milan, while Aston Villa beat Leipzig 3-2 and is third. The top eight teams advance directly to the round of 16. Positions nine to 24 face a playoff to reach the next phase. After three losses in its opening five games of the league phase, the pressure was mounting on Madrid. Questions were also being asked of Mbappe after his uncertain start since his offseason move from PSG. But he produced a moment of class to fire Madrid 1-0 up after 10 minutes at Gewiss Stadium — controlling the ball with his left foot and then finishing low with his right. It was the 25-year-old Mbappe's 50th Champions League goal . Lionel Messi is the only player to have reached that number at a younger age. Mbappe was substituted off before halftime with an apparent physical issue and Charles De Ketelaere leveled the game before the break from the penalty spot. But two goals inside three second-half minutes from Vinicius Junior and Bellingham put Madrid in control. Ademola Lookman's goal made it 3-2, but Madrid survived Retegui's late effort and held on. Mohamed Salah’s 50th Champions League goal maintained Liverpool’s perfect record in the competition this season. The Egypt forward struck a 63rd minute penalty to seal the win in Spain that kept Liverpool atop the 36-team league. But even after a sixth straight win for the Merseyside club, head coach Arne Slot was critical of his players in a game that saw goalkeeper Alisson pull off several saves to keep Girona out. “If you ask me about all the six games, I’m really pleased with all the results, I am really pleased with the five (other) games with the way we played. I’m far from pleased about the performance tonight,” he said. Salah’s goal was his 16th in 22 appearances overall this season. Girona was 30th with just one win from six games. “I almost feel sorry for them because they deserved so much more in this Champions League campaign than the three points they have until now. But we have an incredible goalkeeper,” said Slot, whose team also leads the Premier League. Liverpool’s two remaining games are against Lille at home and PSV Eindhoven away in January. U.S. international Christian Pulisic is the only player to have scored against Liverpool in this season’s Champions League in a 3-1 loss for Milan in September. Bayern Munich routed Shakhtar Donetsk 5-1 to move into the automatic qualifying positions for the round of 16. Michael Olise scored a wonderful solo goal by dribbling past a host of players for his first of two in the game. Bayern's win came after going 1-0 down inside five minutes to a goal from Brazilian winger Kevin. PSG is not done yet. A miserable start to the league phase saw the French giant pick up just four points from five games as it adjusted tp life without stars like Mbappe, Messi and Neymar, who have all departed in the past two seasons. But victory at Salzburg moved PSG up into the playoff positions. Goncalo Ramos, Nuno Mendes and Desire Doue all scored. Leverkusen is back on a roll after struggling to repeat the success of last season's stunning German league and cup double. It's now six straight wins in all competitions, with Nordi Mukiele's 90th minute goal securing victory against Inter and moving Leverkusen into second on 13 points — five behind Liverpool. Villa, Inter and Brest are all on 13 points as well. Inter dropped to fourth after conceding for the first time in this season's competition. Villa is third after its own resurgence in form. Victory against Leipzig was its third in a row after an eight-game winless run. Brest is one of this season’s surprise packages on its Champions League debut and is fifth after beating PSV Eindhoven 1-0. Sporting Lisbon, in 12th, couldn’t build on taking a third-minute lead at Club Brugge — losing 2-1 in Belgium. Brugge is 14th. Dinamo Zagreb drew 0-0 with Celtic and both teams remain in the playoff positions. James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerChabad of Peabody lighting up the city

Trump names Andrew Ferguson as head of Federal Trade Commission to replace Lina KhanDaniels and the Commanders host Penix and the Falcons in prime time with playoff chances at stake

Bridesmaid reveals she was kicked out of bridal party and uninvited from wedding despite flying to destination

Former UFC two-division champion Conor McGregor has been found guilty of sexual assault in a civil lawsuit in Ireland. A jury on Friday in Dublin returned a guilty verdict that McGregor sexually assaulted Nikita Hand in December 2018. Hand filed a civil suit in early 2021 alleging that while intoxicated, McGregor and another man, James Lawrence, had sex with her without her consent. Full criminal charges were not pursued. The jury, according to Irish Mirror journalist Paul Healy , who has been in the courtroom throughout the trial, returned a verdict that included damages amounting to around €250,000 (nearly the same in U.S. dollars). The jury returned its verdict in a little more than six hours. The jury said Lawrence did not assault Hand. During the trial, Hand’s attorney said McGregor and Lawrence made a combined effort to have Lawrence take the fall, rather than McGregor. Hand was seeking damages – general, special, aggravated, and punitive – for the incident and her inability to work due to mental health reasons, according to court documents. In the statement of the claim reported by The New York Times in 2021, Hand sought damages of $1.79 million-$2.13 million. McGregor and his legal team were in the courtroom for the verdict, as was McGregor’s wife, Dee Devlin, with whom he shares four children, the first of whom was born in late 2017. McGregor admitted under oath during the trial that he had sex with Hand during the incident in question in late 2018 but said it was consensual. McGregor has not fought since a July 2021 TKO loss to Dustin Poirier. It’s been more than eight years since he most recently held a UFC title, which was stripped from him for failure to defend. Although he was tapped to coach on “The Ultimate Fighter” opposite Michael Chandler and fight afterward, that fight has not come to fruition. Conor McGregor says he will appeal decision McGregor posted on social media that he was disappointed in the decision and that he planned to appeal. McGregor also said he was with his family and “focused on my future.” Hand spoke to reporters from a pre-written statement outside the courthouse moments after the verdict was handed down. “I’m overwhelmed. I’m touched by the support I’ve received from everybody,” Hand said. ”... (My daughter) has given me the strength and courage over the last six years throughout this nightmare to keep on pushing for justice. I want to show (her) and every other girl and boy that if something happens to you, you can stand up for yourself – no matter who the person is, and justice will be served.”Trump names Andrew Ferguson as head of Federal Trade Commission to replace Lina Khan

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Right-wing podcaster Benny Johnson reacted to the mysterious drones appearing over New Jersey in recent weeks by wondering if they were part of a "fake alien invasion" being staged to "steal Trump's swagger." Beginning late last month, large drones — some as large as six feet in diameter — have been seen nightly across New Jersey from dusk until nearly midnight. According to the state lawmakers briefed on the matter this week, the sightings have ranged from four to 180 per night. Even though the state's governor says there's no public safety threat, the appearance of the drones continues to raise alarms in the state, especially since local officials have said that the flying objects have eluded radar detection and quickly fly away when approached by police helicopters. Concerns that the drones appear to be surveilling the state's infrastructure have caused some members of Congress to worry that a foreign adversary may be involved. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) told Fox News on Wednesday morning that he believed the drones were from an Iranian... Justin Baragona

PRINCIPAL REAL ESTATE INCOME FUND CONTINUES SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAMTHESSALONIKI, Greece -- Greece’s second largest city, Thessaloniki, is getting a brand new subway system that will showcase archaeological discoveries made during construction that held up the project for decades. The 9.6-kilometer inaugural line will officially open on Nov. 30, using driverless trains and platform screen doors. Construction began in earnest in 2003 and unearthed a treasure trove of antiquities in a vast excavation beneath the densely populated city of a million residents. “This project offers a remarkable blend of the ancient and modern, integrating archaeological heritage with metro infrastructure,” Christos Staikouras, the transport and infrastructure minister, told reporters Friday on a media tour of the subway. Tunneling followed ancient commercial routes through the center of the port city that has been continuously inhabited since ancient times. It exposed a Roman-era thoroughfare, ancient Greek burial sites, water and drainage systems, mosaics and inscriptions and tens of thousands of artifacts spanning centuries, also through Byzantine and Ottoman rule. The tunnels had to be bored at a greater depth than originally planned, adding cost and delays, to preserve the ancient discoveries. Key pieces of what was found have been put on display along the underground network of 13 stations including a section of the marble-paved Roman thoroughfare at the central Venizelou Station. “The project faced substantial delays and many challenges, including over 300,000 archaeological finds, many of which are now showcased at various stations along the main line,” Staikouras said. The Thessaloniki metro was first conceived more than a century ago and its completion has been greeted with quiet amazement by residents who for years used the metro project as a punchline for bureaucratic delays and undelivered promises. Government officials said the cost of the metro so far has reached 3 billion euros ($3.1 billion) for the completed first line of the subway system and most of a second line which is currently under construction and due to be delivered in a year. The construction consortium was made up by Greece’s Aktor, Italy’s Webuild and Japan’s Hitachi Rail.