France's parliament has passed a law banning children under 15 from using social media platforms like TikTok, making it the first European country to do so. The government aims to start enforcing the ban by September 2024, with full restrictions on existing accounts by 2027, to protect children’s mental health online.
Key Facts
The ban applies to children under 15 years old and covers major social media apps such as TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.
New accounts created by under-15s will be blocked starting September 1, 2024. Existing accounts will be blocked from January 2027.
Age verification tools will be used to enforce the ban, requiring everyone in France to prove their age for social media access.
Exceptions are made for educational sites and online encyclopedias.
The ban comes after studies showed social media can harm adolescents’ mental health, especially girls.
The law also includes a ban on mobile phones in high schools starting at the new school year.
Some lawmakers had different opinions on how strict the ban should be, but the final decision was a full ban without parental consent.
The European Commission supports gradual age limits and has developed an age verification app for use across EU countries.
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A new study found that spending time with pets generally makes people feel better, but interacting with cats during stressful moments may be linked to slightly more negative feelings. Researchers say this does not mean cats cause stress, but that the relationship between pets and stress relief is more complex than people thought.
Key Facts
The study tracked 188 pet owners for five days, checking their mood and stress several times a day.
Spending time with pets was linked to more positive emotions overall.
During stressful moments, pet interactions did not clearly reduce stress.
Cat owners who interacted more with their cats during stress reported a small increase in negative emotions.
Researchers suggest this might be because people seek cats when already feeling stressed, not because cats cause stress.
Cats and dogs may comfort owners in different ways; dogs often encourage physical activity, cats offer quieter companionship.
Experts say the findings are not definite and more studies are needed to understand pets’ effects on stress.
Cat owners who find comfort in their pets during stress should continue their routines and pay attention to what feels helpful.
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President Donald Trump said Lebanon has been treated unfairly after meeting with Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun. President Aoun asked for Israeli troops to leave southern Lebanon, and President Trump promised to help Lebanon receive fair treatment.
Key Facts
President Trump met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
President Aoun requested the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon.
President Trump said Lebanon has been "badly treated."
Trump pledged to help Lebanon get fair treatment.
The issue involves the presence of Israeli forces in Lebanon’s southern area.
The meeting took place on a Tuesday.
CBS News reported on the discussion and the pledges made.
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Pope Leo XIV called for peace and nuclear disarmament amid rising conflict between the U.S. and Iran. At the same time, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. plans to increase military actions against Iran to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons.
Key Facts
Pope Leo XIV urged people to seek peace and reject war, especially the current conflict escalating since February 28.
The pope emphasized that true peace requires truth and cannot be achieved by war or political talk alone.
President Trump said Iran wants to negotiate a ceasefire but that the conflict is not over.
Trump warned that the U.S. would target any site related to Iran’s nuclear program, mentioning an underground complex called Pickaxe Mountain.
Trump claimed the U.S. has dealt Iran damage that would take 20-25 years to recover from.
Three U.S. service members died recently in the Middle East due to an Iranian missile and drone attack.
Trump blamed others for a security failure in Jordan where the attack happened but did not specify who.
The U.S. is maintaining a strict military blockade of Iranian ports, described by Trump as a "steel wall."
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The Netherlands will ban imports of goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories starting September 22. This decision makes the Netherlands one of several European countries taking independent steps to restrict trade linked to these settlements, which are considered unlawful under international law.
Key Facts
The Dutch government approved a decree to ban the import, purchase, and sale of goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the Palestinian Territories.
The ban takes effect on September 22 and also prohibits Dutch companies from helping trade in these goods.
The Dutch lower house parliament supported these measures last year.
Other EU countries like Belgium, Spain, and Ireland have also taken similar unilateral actions.
The Netherlands views Israeli settlements in the West Bank as unlawful under international law.
The ban includes agricultural products such as avocados, dates, oranges, grapes, and herbs, as well as goods from the occupied Golan Heights.
Research shows the Netherlands accounts for about one-third of agricultural exports from these settlements to the EU.
The trade involved is worth tens of millions of euros annually, though the exact amount is unclear.
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Plas Johnson, a US jazz saxophonist famous for playing the solo on The Pink Panther Theme, has died at age 94. He passed away on July 15 in Granada Hills, Los Angeles, shortly before his 95th birthday.
Key Facts
Plas Johnson was known for the tenor saxophone solo on The Pink Panther Theme, recorded in 1963 with composer Henry Mancini.
The Pink Panther score won three Grammy awards and was nominated for an Oscar for best original score.
Johnson began his music career singing with his family and played several types of saxophones.
He moved to Los Angeles in 1954 and worked as a session musician with famous artists like BB King, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole.
Johnson’s solo on The Pink Panther Theme was recorded in just two takes.
He made his recording debut in 1950 with his brother for DeLuxe Records.
Johnson died at home in Granada Hills, Los Angeles, six days before his 95th birthday.
News of his death was shared by his hometown newspaper and family members on social media.
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In Ukraine, protests are growing as people demand President Volodymyr Zelensky to bring back the former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and to remove General Oleksandr Syrsky, the military chief of staff. The protests began after Zelensky dismissed Fedorov, following disputes between officials, and criticized Syrsky for harsh tactics and corruption.
Key Facts
Protesters want President Zelensky to reinstate Mykhailo Fedorov as Defence Minister.
They also want General Oleksandr Syrsky to be fired from his military leadership role.
Fedorov was removed last week due to conflicts with other officials.
General Syrsky helped stop Russian forces from capturing Kyiv in 2022.
Syrsky is now unpopular because of harsh military actions and accusations of corruption.
The political crisis is causing increasing unrest in Ukraine.
The situation highlights tensions within the Ukrainian government and military leadership.
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Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with President Donald Trump, who promised to provide significant support to Lebanon. Aoun asked the U.S. to back efforts to disarm the armed group Hezbollah and promote peace with Israel.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump pledged to help Lebanon "a lot."
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun requested U.S. support to disarm Hezbollah.
The meeting took place in Jerusalem.
The visit signals a fragile attempt to promote peace between Lebanon and Israel.
Hezbollah is an armed group based in Lebanon.
The meeting was seen as an unexpected move by some, particularly Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The region is experiencing tensions involving Lebanon, Israel, Iran, and the U.S.
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Hungarian prosecutors raided data servers used by the Fidesz party, led by former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, as part of an investigation into suspected misuse of government grant money. Six officials face charges related to the alleged embezzlement of about $53.5 million from a cultural fund during Orbán’s time in office.
Key Facts
Prosecutors and tax investigators raided offices housing Fidesz party data servers in Hungary.
The raid is linked to a probe into the misuse of funds from Hungary’s National Cultural Fund.
About 17 billion forints (roughly $53.5 million) are involved in the alleged embezzlement.
Six current and former officials have been charged but deny any wrongdoing.
Money was reportedly distributed in a non-transparent way to artists connected to Fidesz.
The investigation is conducted by the Bács-Kiskun County prosecutor's office, south of Budapest.
Fidesz claims the raid is a political attack by the current governing Tisza party.
Since losing power in April, Orbán’s Fidesz accuses new leaders of trying to dismantle their system.
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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a young tech expert, after a clash with General Oleksandr Syrskyi, who leads Ukraine's armed forces. This move caused protests and highlights tensions between modern military innovations and traditional command methods during the ongoing war with Russia.
Key Facts
Mykhailo Fedorov, 35, was Ukraine's youngest defense minister and a tech entrepreneur before taking the role six months ago.
Fedorov modernized Ukraine's drone program and changed military purchasing rules to reduce corruption.
Fedorov helped limit Russian access to Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service.
General Oleksandr Syrskyi, 60, trained in the Soviet military system, commands Ukraine's armed forces with a traditional leadership style.
Syrskyi led key military victories, including the defense of Kyiv and the counteroffensive in Kharkiv.
Fedorov accused Syrskyi of blocking reforms needed for the changing nature of the war.
Syrskyi is nicknamed "the Butcher," linked to heavy losses in battles like the defense of Bakhmut.
Zelenskyy's dismissal of Fedorov sparked public protests, reflecting a divide between new tech approaches and old military methods.
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The French parliament has approved a law that bans children and teenagers under 15 from using social media. France is the first country in the European Union to make this kind of restriction.
Key Facts
France’s lawmakers passed a law to stop social media use for people under 15 years old.
This law is the first of its kind in the European Union.
The rule aims to protect children's wellbeing online.
The article mentions social media platforms like Meta and TikTok.
The decision was reported from France’s National Assembly, the country’s main legislative body.
A lawyer named Philippe Coen, founder of an NGO called Respect Zone, is involved in discussing the issue.
The law reflects growing concern about children’s safety on the internet.
France hopes to lead other countries in setting similar rules.
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French lawmakers have passed a law banning children under 15 from using social media, making France the first European Union country to do so. The law also bans mobile phones in high schools and aims to protect children from harmful online content, with plans to start at the next school year in September.
Key Facts
The law bans social media use for children under 15 years old in France.
It also prohibits the use of mobile phones in high schools.
This is part of President Emmanuel Macron’s second-term initiatives.
The law still needs a constitutional review, which could delay its start.
The ban does not apply to educational websites or online encyclopedias.
Some lawmakers oppose the law, citing concerns about enforcing it and privacy issues.
France’s health report shows half of teenagers spend 2 to 5 hours a day using smartphones.
Social media use among 12- to 17-year-olds is linked to risks like low self-esteem and exposure to harmful content.
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Residents of Lukianivka, a historic neighborhood in Kyiv, continue to live there despite frequent Russian missile strikes. The area includes a Soviet-era weapons factory often targeted, and locals deal with damage by repairing and continuing their daily lives.
Key Facts
Lukianivka is one of the most frequently bombed neighborhoods in Kyiv.
It includes a Soviet-era weapons plant targeted repeatedly by Russian attacks.
The nearby Lukianivka metro station has been hit at least eight times and serves as an air raid shelter.
Residents accept the danger but choose to stay and rebuild after each attack.
Businesses operate next to damaged buildings, and cultural events move underground due to the strikes.
Damage includes blackened roofs, blown-out windows, shattered glass, and craters in streets.
A local real estate agent warns renters about the danger but promotes its benefits like affordability and good transit.
Residents expect more attacks but remain committed to living in their community.
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The bagel came to America with Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe escaping poverty and antisemitism in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It started as a specialty food in New York and has since become a popular American breakfast item found in stores and bakeries nationwide.
Key Facts
Bagels originated in Jewish communities in Poland.
Eastern European Jews brought bagels to the U.S. while fleeing hardship and antisemitism.
Harry Lender worked in a New Jersey bakery and later expanded his family’s bagel business across the country.
Bagels are known for their crunchy exterior and dense, chewy inside texture.
Popular bagel toppings include cream cheese, smoked fish, tomatoes, and onions.
Different flavors of bagels include plain, egg, poppy seed, sesame, onion, salt, and "everything."
Bagels hold cultural and religious importance in Jewish American life during celebrations and mourning.
The bagel’s rise reflects the success of immigrant families and their influence on American food culture.
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Moldova’s parliament elected Vasile Tofan, a businessman, as prime minister to help the country join the European Union. He replaces Alexandru Munteanu, who resigned after eight months in office.
Key Facts
Vasile Tofan was elected prime minister on July 21, 2026, with 53 votes in favor, 21 against, and 21 abstentions in the 101-seat parliament.
Tofan has a background in business and investment, including work at Horizon Capital and degrees from Harvard and Erasmus University.
Former prime minister Alexandru Munteanu resigned unexpectedly after eight months, without giving a clear reason.
President Maia Sandu and her party support Tofan and want a strong government to push Moldova’s EU membership bid.
Moldova is a former Soviet republic located between Ukraine and Romania, with a mix of Romanian and Russian-speaking populations.
Moldova is pursuing EU membership and recently started negotiations on key topics like the rule of law, democracy, and foreign policy.
Moldova’s west-leaning direction has made it a focus in the geopolitical struggle between Russia and Europe.
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National Geographic has released a new three-part documentary series called "Pompeii: Out of Time" featuring actor Tom Hiddleston exploring the final day of Pompeii before Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE. The series combines historical facts with drama to tell the stories of people caught in the disaster.
Key Facts
Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE, covering Pompeii and Herculaneum with ash and killing thousands.
The new docuseries stars Tom Hiddleston as a "time detective" who helps bring the story of Pompeii to life.
Hiddleston studied classics and visited Pompeii as a teenager, connecting him personally to the story.
The series follows three individuals—a teenage boy, a businesswoman, and a guard—during Pompeii’s last 24 hours.
Instead of usual documentary-style re-enactments, it uses scripted scenes for a more cinematic experience.
The show mixes imagination with historical facts to present a more human story of ancient life.
The approach aligns with a modern trend in archaeology that supports combining storytelling with history.
The production team includes executive producer Kevin Wright, who also worked on the Disney+ series Loki.
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A U.S. soldier named Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, aged 30 and a father of two from North Carolina, was killed in Iraq during a controlled explosion involving an Iranian drone. The Army is investigating his death, which comes amid ongoing fighting between the U.S. and Iran in the Middle East.
Key Facts
Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton died in Irbil, Iraq, during a controlled detonation of an Iranian drone.
He had served in the Army since 2017 and was part of the 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment.
Swinton's family includes his wife, Mia Gonzalez-Swinton, and two children aged 6 and 4.
He will be awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge, and posthumously promoted to staff sergeant.
Two other U.S. soldiers were recently killed in Jordan during attacks involving Iranian ballistic missiles and drones.
The conflict between the U.S. and Iran has been ongoing for 10 days, including strikes that have affected civilians and infrastructure.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said the military action aims to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
The U.S. State Department warned Americans about possible Iranian attacks worldwide.
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Thousands of young people and supporters in India are protesting for changes in the education system and government responsibility. Police used tear gas and force to stop the march near Parliament, but many protesters, including professionals and families, continue to demonstrate in New Delhi asking for the resignation of the Education Minister.
Key Facts
The Cockroach movement started two months ago after a Supreme Court judge called India’s youth "cockroaches."
Thousands marched toward Parliament and faced police tear gas and beatings.
Protesters are camping at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site, demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resign.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and Congress lawmakers supported the protests with a sit-in outside Prime Minister Modi’s home but were removed by police.
Hundreds of people were injured, including protesters and security personnel.
The government held talks with protest leaders, but no agreement was reached.
The movement gained more support after police forcibly hospitalized activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike.
Amnesty International criticized the police actions, saying peaceful protests are being suppressed in India.
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Kaylee Hottle, an 18-year-old actress known for her role in the Godzilla movies, died after a car crash in Frederick County, Maryland. The crash involved a 1995 Honda Accord that left the road and hit a culvert, with speed believed to be a factor.
Key Facts
The accident happened around 2:52 a.m. on Windsor Road in Ijamsville, Maryland.
Kaylee Hottle was a passenger in the car, which was driven by a 19-year-old man from Frederick.
The driver survived with non-life-threatening injuries and another passenger declined medical help.
Hottle was taken to a trauma center where she was later pronounced dead.
The 1995 Honda Accord left the right side of the road and struck a culvert, a structure used to allow water to pass under the road.
Investigators think the car was going too fast before it crashed.
Kaylee Hottle was originally from Atlanta and recently lived in Kyle, Texas.
She was known for playing the character Jia in "Godzilla vs. Kong" and "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" and used American Sign Language in her acting career.
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The Houthis have announced plans to block Saudi shipping in the Red Sea, reflecting Iran’s strategy to pressure Saudi Arabia using regional allies. Saudi Arabia has responded with military strikes to prevent Iran from strengthening its support for the Houthis, while maintaining a strong, integrated defense force to protect its economic interests and regional stability.
Key Facts
The Houthis plan to block Saudi ships in the Red Sea, targeting Saudi ports.
Iran supports the Houthis as part of its effort to challenge Saudi Arabia indirectly.
Saudi Arabia has avoided a wider regional war for nearly ten years as a strategic choice.
The Iranian aim is to disrupt Saudi Arabia’s economy, especially its oil exports.
Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest oil exporter and holds spare capacity to stabilize global markets.
Iran tried to reopen an air route between Tehran and Sana’a for military support to the Houthis.
Saudi airstrikes targeted Sana’a airport to stop Iran from establishing this military supply line.
Saudi-led Joint Forces Command now includes over 650,000 personnel from Saudi Arabia and allied countries, operating with integrated military technologies and coordination.
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