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Australia Bans Social Media Use For Children Under-16

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Australia’s parliament on Thursday passed a world-first law banning social media for children under 16, putting tech companies on notice to tighten security before a cut-off date that’s yet to be set.

The ban came following the passage of a groundbreaking law in parliament.

The new law was drafted in response to what the Labor Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, described as a “clear, causal link between the rise of social media and the harm [to] the mental health of young Australians.”

“We want our kids to have a childhood and parents to know we have their backs,” Albanese told reporters afterwards.

The new law, passed by the Senate with 34 votes to 19, prohibits platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, X, and Reddit from allowing users under 16.

Companies found in violation could face fines of up to AU$50 million (US$32 million). YouTube has been excluded from the ban due to its educational content.

While the law has been hailed by some as a bold move to protect children, it has drawn criticism from academics, advocacy groups, and tech experts.

Concerns have been raised that the legislation could drive teenagers to unsafe spaces like the dark web or lead to increased isolation.

Questions about enforcement have also surfaced, with critics warning that rushed implementation could create privacy risks if companies require extensive personal data for age verification.

Amnesty International has recommended that the bill be reconsidered, arguing “ban that isolates young people will not meet the government’s objective of improving young people’s lives.”

The bill received over 15,000 public submissions in a single day, many opposing the measure, after tech billionaire Elon Musk drew attention to the proposal on X.

The law will take effect in 12 months, allowing time for the government to trial age-verification technologies.

BIG STORY

We Never Seized Her Passport — NIS Denies Natasha’s Allegation

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The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has rejected claims by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central that its personnel seized her passport in an alleged attempt to stop her from travelling.

Speaking to Channels Television on Tuesday, NIS spokesperson Akinsola Akinlabi responded shortly after the senator released a video alleging she was being prevented from flying. He explained that the situation was a normal part of airport immigration clearance.

According to Akinlabi, “NIS didn’t seize the distinguished senator’s passport, but rather she went through routine immigration checks and was allowed to travel.” He emphasized that the officers were carrying out standard duties and acted within the law.

He further stated that immigration officials sometimes take passports temporarily to conduct necessary checks, but that does not amount to confiscation. “The NIS officers needed to conduct their checks. They may take your passport to do so, but that doesn’t mean it was seized as alleged.”

Akinlabi noted that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan completed her checks and travelled as planned. He added that the senator may have assumed she was being stopped because she was waiting for the process to be concluded. “She has since been allowed to travel. Perhaps while waiting for the checks to be completed, she assumed she was being stopped from travelling.”

He pointed out that the senator’s video was recorded during the routine process, and she did not provide an update after clearance was granted. “She has travelled since then. The video was made while she was going through the checks, not after. The passport was never seized,” he said.

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Firm Seeks ‘Remote Prayer Warrior’ For N500k A Month

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A company has advertised a job vacancy for a “dedicated and spiritually grounded” prayer warrior who will serve as a corporate intercessor for its executive leadership and business operations.

The listing was posted on the recruitment platform Indeed by Betafans NG, which is identified on the website as a firm operating in the broadcast media sector.

According to the advert, the ideal applicant must be a Christian prayer warrior who will offer consistent prayer support, spiritual guidance and prophetic covering to help ensure “divine alignment, peace, and progress” across multiple business ventures.

The responsibilities outlined in the posting include leading daily and weekly intercessory prayers for the leadership team and ongoing projects; preparing and observing a structured prayer calendar with themes such as growth, protection, wisdom, partnerships and expansion; and hosting remote prayer meetings or vigils via Zoom or other virtual platforms.

The successful candidate will also be required to maintain a private prayer journal documenting topics, scriptures, insights and testimonies; provide periodic spiritual briefings on prayer focus areas; uphold confidentiality and discretion in all company-related issues; and offer spiritual support during special moments such as new product launches, crisis periods or major business decisions.

Other expectations include a strong personal commitment to a consistent prayer routine with at least three prayer sessions daily, prior experience as an intercessor or prayer coordinator, and high moral standards and humility.

The firm indicated that preference will be given to applicants with verifiable experience praying for individuals, organisations or ministries, as well as familiarity with business or startup environments, and prior ministry or intercessory background.

Spiritual mentorship was listed as an added advantage.

The advert states that the role will attract monthly pay ranging from N400,000 to N500,000.

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Tinubu Nominates Enugu Commissioner As Minister

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated a member of the Enugu State Executive Council to serve as a Minister in the Federal Government.

This development comes three weeks after Governor Peter Mbah left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The nomination was disclosed on Tuesday via an official WhatsApp platform of the Enugu State Government.

According to the announcement, the nominee is Kingsley Udeh, the Enugu State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

A message accompanying the announcement stated: “…Gov Peter Mbah is connecting Ndi Enugu to the centre.

“It’s more development, more dividends of democracy. APC all the way.

“Ndi Enugu, this is why we ALL MUST support APC and Gov Mbah’s leadership.”

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