Al Jazeera English
Canada introduces bill to ban social media for children under 16
Canada is moving to bar children under 16 from social media platforms through new legislation, marking one of the most aggressive government interventions into youth online access in the country's history. The bill also takes aim at AI chatbots, seeking to establish a dedicated digital regulator empowered to set and enforce safety standards. If passed, the legislation would position Canada among a growing number of nations treating children's online safety as a matter of legal obligation rather than industry discretion.
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Iran announces Strait of Hormuz closure after US launches new strikes
Iran has announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz following new U.S. military strikes, warning that vessels attempting passage will face direct fire. The move threatens one of the world's most critical shipping lanes, through which roughly 20 percent of global oil supply flows. Markets and energy analysts are bracing for significant disruption as the standoff escalates.
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US-Iran war to pull global economy to post-COVID low: World Bank
A potential US-Iran conflict could drag global economic growth to its lowest point since the COVID-19 pandemic, with the World Bank slashing its forecast to 2.5 percent. The projection reflects cascading pressures from surging energy prices, persistent inflation, and elevated borrowing costs that are squeezing economies worldwide. The warning underscores how geopolitical instability in the Middle East carries consequences far beyond the battlefield.
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‘Negotiate with bombs’: Hegseth defends second night of US strikes on Iran
The Pentagon launched a second consecutive night of strikes against Iran, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defending the campaign as a form of coercive diplomacy. US Central Command framed the attacks as a direct response to what it called Iran's "unwarranted and continued aggression." The strikes signal a significant escalation in US-Iran tensions, with Washington betting that military pressure will bring Tehran to the negotiating table.
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US and Iran exchange strikes across Middle East for second day in a row
US forces struck military targets in southern Iran for the second consecutive day, marking a dramatic escalation in direct confrontation between the two nations. Tehran retaliated swiftly, launching attacks on American military assets across Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. The exchange signals a dangerous new phase in regional hostilities, with US allies now directly in the crossfire.
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