The French lower house of Parliament voted to ban children under 15 from using social media due to concerns about online bullying and mental health. The bill passed with 130 votes for and 21 against and will proceed to the Senate for further consideration. President Emmanuel Macron supports the measure, seeing it as necessary to protect young people.
Key Facts
The French lower house approved a social media ban for children under 15 years old.
The vote count was 130 in favor and 21 against the bill.
The Senate will review the legislation next before a final vote in the lower house.
President Macron called the move a significant step in protecting young people.
Platforms will need to verify users' ages according to EU law.
If enacted, platforms have until December 31 to deactivate accounts violating the age rule.
A related survey showed 73% of the French public supports the ban.
Similar social media restrictions are being considered in other countries like the UK, Denmark, and Spain.
Quinton Aaron, an actor known for his role in The Blind Side, is facing serious health issues due to a severe blood infection. A GoFundMe campaign set up to help with his medical expenses has raised over $37,000. He is undergoing significant treatment and recovery remains uncertain.
Key Facts
Quinton Aaron, an actor from The Blind Side, has a severe blood infection.
He collapsed in his apartment and requires extensive medical care.
A fundraiser by Veterans Aid Network has raised over $37,000 to help with expenses.
Aaron is on life support and is undergoing medical tests.
He will need a wheelchair and therapy once released from the hospital.
Quinton Aaron is 41 years old and also acted in Mothers and Daughters and Half Way.
The fundraiser highlights Aaron's positive influence and his military family background.
Quinton Aaron's role in The Blind Side brought him recognition, acting alongside Sandra Bullock.
Scientists from the University of Bonn found that eating an oatmeal-heavy diet for just two days can sharply lower bad cholesterol levels in people with metabolic syndrome. The study revealed that after eating mostly oatmeal for two days, participants had lower LDL cholesterol, which is linked to heart issues; these improvements lasted for six weeks. The results suggest that gut bacteria play a role in this cholesterol-lowering effect.
Key Facts
Researchers conducted the study at the University of Bonn in Germany.
Participants with metabolic syndrome ate primarily oatmeal for two days.
The oat-based diet led to a 10% drop in LDL cholesterol in 48 hours.
Participants lost about two kilograms on average, and blood pressure decreased slightly.
Six weeks later, LDL levels remained low even after resuming regular eating habits.
The study showed increased beneficial gut bacteria after the oatmeal diet.
The research focused on people with metabolic syndrome, but the general process might apply to more people.
Firefighters in Victoria, Australia, are dealing with major fires during a severe heatwave. The fires are causing emergency warnings and pose risks to communities in the affected areas. Health officials warn that the extreme heat can lead to health risks for certain people.
Key Facts
Firefighters in Victoria, Australia, are battling at least six big fires.
Two fires are at "emergency level" and affecting local communities.
The Bureau of Meteorology reported record-high temperatures, reaching 48.9°C in some places.
Melbourne recorded a temperature of 41°C during the heatwave.
Experts worry about ember showers, small burning pieces of wood, creating more fires.
Some homes may have been destroyed, but details are unclear.
A total fire ban is in place in Victoria, and South Australia is on alert for extreme fire risk.
The heatwave can cause severe health problems, especially for vulnerable groups like the elderly and children.
A dog owner who thought their rescue dog, Kea, was a mix of husky and Australian shepherd discovered through a DNA test that the dog had a different genetic background. The test showed Kea had ancestry from more than seven breeds, with American pit bull terrier being the most significant part. This highlights how shelters often make educated guesses about dog breeds based on appearance.
Key Facts
The dog's name is Kea, and she was initially thought to be a husky-Australian shepherd mix.
A DNA test showed Kea's largest breed percentage is American pit bull terrier at 24.9%.
Other breeds in Kea's mix include Chow Chow, Rottweiler, Labrador retriever, German shepherd, and Doberman pinscher.
"Supermutt" is a term used for dogs with very mixed ancestry that can't be accurately traced to one breed.
Shelters often identify dog breeds based on visual characteristics due to a lack of background information.
The Animal Humane Society states that most shelter dogs are mixed breeds.
As dogs grow, their appearance can change, affecting breed identification.
Breed labels give limited insight into a dog's identity, which also depends on training and environment.
Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have decided that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte can stand trial for alleged crimes against humanity related to his anti-drug campaign. The court has scheduled a hearing on February 23 to decide if the charges are strong enough for a trial. Duterte's lawyers argued he is unfit for trial, but ICC judges disagreed.
Key Facts
The International Criminal Court (ICC) ruled that Rodrigo Duterte is fit to stand trial.
Duterte is accused of being responsible for numerous killings during his "war on drugs."
The ICC will have a hearing on February 23 to determine if the case should go to trial.
Duterte's lawyers argued that he is unfit due to health reasons, but the ICC disagreed.
Rodrigo Duterte led the Philippines as president from 2016 to 2022.
He was detained in The Hague since March of the previous year.
Duterte's arrest happened in March 2025 at Manila airport.
His arrest has caused division among people in the Philippines.
Chinese state media reported that China's warship, CNS Taiyuan, encountered and drove away a foreign naval vessel during a training exercise. This incident is part of China's broader efforts to modernize its navy and project power in disputed waters in the Indo-Pacific region. The location and details of the encounter were not provided.
Key Facts
A Chinese warship, CNS Taiyuan, met a foreign naval vessel during a training exercise.
The encounter took place in undisclosed waters.
China claims its navy successfully drove the foreign ship away.
China has the largest navy in the world by number of ships.
The incident reflects China's efforts to assert claims over disputed waters such as the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea.
The CNS Taiyuan is a Type 052D destroyer capable of carrying up to 64 missiles.
China has been expanding its naval presence and conducting escort missions beyond East Asia.
The U.S. sees China as the second most powerful country in the world, behind itself.
The article discusses the rise in antisemitism affecting Jewish communities in Europe and the United States. The author argues that despite measures like adopting definitions and strategies to combat antisemitism, these efforts have not effectively protected Jews. The proposal is to grant Jews a special protected minority status similar to the Sami people, offering more substantial legal and cultural protections.
Key Facts
Jewish communities in Europe and the United States face increasing antisemitism.
Measures like the IHRA definition of antisemitism exist but are seen as ineffective in practice.
The Holocaust significantly reduced Europe's Jewish population from 9.5 million to under 2 million today.
Many Jews feel unsafe due to violence and discrimination and some are choosing to emigrate.
The article suggests looking at protections afforded to the Sami people as a model for Jewish communities.
The Sami are recognized with rights that help preserve their culture and language.
The author calls for Jews to receive a special protected minority status to ensure their safety and cultural preservation.
Poland plans to strengthen 125 miles of its border with new defenses by the end of the year. This effort is part of Poland's Eastern Shield initiative to protect against potential Russian advancements. These fortifications will include a mix of natural and man-made barriers.
Key Facts
Poland aims to build new defenses along 125 miles of its border with Russia and Belarus by the end of the year.
The project is part of Poland's Eastern Shield initiative to secure NATO territory near Russia.
The defenses will include trenches, anti-tank obstacles, anti-drone systems, and shelters.
About 38% of Poland's eastern and northern borders will have these defenses by year-end.
Poland is NATO's top military spender in terms of GDP.
NATO has increased its military presence along its eastern edge, including in Poland, in response to Russian activities.
The Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) are also building defenses along their borders.
Shelley Cowlin, who lost her home to coastal erosion in Thorpeness, Suffolk, is asking visitors to stop coming to the area to watch and take items from the affected properties. The local council urges people to stay away as more homes face demolition due to erosion.
Key Facts
Shelley Cowlin's home of 48 years was demolished because of coastal erosion.
She is now living in a holiday rental, which doesn't feel like home to her.
Visitors have been coming to the area to see the damage, even taking items from properties.
East Suffolk Council has asked people to avoid visiting the erosion-affected areas.
Four homes have been demolished this winter, with six more set to be demolished soon.
More than 150 people attended a meeting to discuss how to protect the coastline.
East Suffolk Council spent £750,000 last year on maintaining sea defenses along 48 miles of coastline.
Cowlin expressed she cannot bear to visit the site of her demolished home again.
A woman discovered her senior cat, Jasper, is blind after a routine vet visit revealed surprising blood test results. The cat adapted so well to his blindness that it went unnoticed by his owner and previous vets.
Key Facts
A Reddit user took her 16-year-old cat, Jasper, to the vet for routine blood tests.
The vet discovered that Jasper is blind, which was unexpected for the owner.
The cat showed no obvious signs of vision loss and adapted well to his blindness.
Cats can lose their sight for various reasons, including age, trauma, or medical issues.
Despite losing vision, many cats rely on other senses and continue to behave normally.
The post received over 1,200 upvotes and generated discussions on sensory loss in pets.
Purina states that sudden blindness should be treated as an emergency by pet owners.
Iraq's main Shia political group has chosen Nouri al-Maliki, a previous prime minister, as their candidate for the position of prime minister. This nomination comes after significant changes in the region.
Key Facts
Nouri al-Maliki is a former prime minister of Iraq.
The dominant Shia political group in Iraq nominated him for the prime minister role.
The nomination follows major regional changes.
Al Jazeera's journalist Virginia Pietromarchi reported on this development.
Al-Maliki's potential return could affect Iraq and the surrounding area.
Take That's new documentary on Netflix revisits the band's past, detailing their rise to fame and various struggles. The film uses unseen footage and focuses on the group's dynamics but lacks contributions from former members Robbie Williams and Jason Orange. The documentary explores familiar ground already covered in a 2005 documentary but is less revealing than its predecessor.
Key Facts
Take That is a British music band that became popular in the 1990s.
The band's new documentary on Netflix explores their history and challenges.
The new documentary lacks participation from former members Robbie Williams and Jason Orange.
The film uses 35 hours of unseen footage but is considered less revealing than an earlier documentary from 2005.
The documentary showcases professional rivalries and personal relationships within the band.
Take That was initially formed in 1990 and targeted both gay audiences and teenage girls.
Robbie Williams left the band in 1995, leading to their temporary breakup.
The band reunited in 2005 and continues to perform, achieving further success since their comeback.
A winter shelter in Northampton is experiencing high demand due to a cost of living crisis and a lack of affordable housing. The Northampton Hope Centre has moved to a larger venue to accommodate more people, but still might not have enough space for everyone in need. The shelter offers beds, meals, and support to help people off the streets and aims to assist them in finding long-term housing.
Key Facts
The Northampton Hope Centre has moved its shelter to a church to provide more beds for people in need.
The new venue can accommodate up to 45 beds, but the charity expects up to 75 people seeking help daily.
The shelter is funded by West Northamptonshire Council and includes a 27-bed facility at another location.
Night shelter guests can use additional services like hot meals and showers at the charity's day centre.
The demand is increasing due to a cost of living crisis, high housing costs, and pressures on mental health.
More women and younger people are seeking help at the shelter this year.
The charity aims to help people find permanent housing by the end of the winter period.
The winter night shelter will operate until March.
India and the European Union (EU) are set to announce a major trade deal after years of negotiations. This agreement aims to enhance trade links between India and the EU amid global economic pressures. The formal signing will take place after the EU's approval processes are completed.
Key Facts
India and the EU have been negotiating a trade deal for nearly two decades.
India's Commerce Secretary confirmed that the negotiations are final.
The EU's leaders are in India for the announcement.
This deal comes in response to global trade tensions, including with the US.
President Donald Trump's tariffs on India are part of ongoing trade discussions.
The deal will increase access for Indian and European goods in each other's markets.
The EU is India's largest trading partner in goods.
Formal signing of the deal will take place after the EU approves it.
A spaniel named Ted, who lived in a cage in Ireland for four years, was rescued and adopted by Nicola McIver and her partner. Ted, who had never interacted with humans, found comfort with the family's golden retriever, Buddy, and has since become more confident and trusting. Ted's journey is being shared on social media, where it has inspired many to consider rescuing animals.
Key Facts
Ted is a red cocker spaniel that spent four years in a cage being used for breeding in Ireland.
He was rescued and adopted by Nicola McIver and her partner, Mitch Hutchcraft.
Ted struggled with anxiety and fear of humans due to past neglect.
A golden retriever named Buddy helped Ted gain confidence and feel safe.
Ted has become braver and more trusting since being adopted.
McIver and Hutchcraft share Ted's progress on social media, where his story has gone viral.
The story has encouraged many people to consider adopting rescued animals.
The article discusses the impact of road-related deaths on families in Northern Ireland and mentions recent tragic cases involving young victims. It highlights that the number of road deaths has decreased over the years, but serious injuries in crashes have increased. Also, officials in Northern Ireland are working on driving license reforms to improve road safety.
Key Facts
Jaidyn Rice, a 16-year-old, and Lucas Trainor, a 12-year-old, died in separate road crashes in Northern Ireland on the same night in 2025.
56 people died on Northern Ireland's roads in 2025, down from 69 in 2024 and 71 in 2023.
Most road deaths in 2025 involved men aged 25-64.
Road deaths have decreased over the last 50 years, but serious injuries have been increasing.
Northern Ireland plans to introduce major reforms to driving license laws to enhance road safety.
A 30-year-old man and a 51-year-old man have been charged in connection with the deaths of Jaidyn and Lucas, respectively.
The families of Jaidyn and Lucas have connected to support each other after the tragedies.
Princess Kate gave a young boy her Remembrance poppy during a visit to a children's center in London. This moment, originally from November 2022, became popular again on TikTok as users celebrated her kindness. The visit highlighted Kate's work with the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, where she supports mothers and families.
Key Facts
Princess Kate visited Colham Manor Children’s Centre in London.
She met a 3-year-old boy named Akeem who was interested in her Remembrance poppy.
Kate gave Akeem her poppy and explained its significance in remembering soldiers.
The moment went viral on TikTok, adding to a montage of her interactions with children.
During the visit, Kate represented the Maternal Mental Health Alliance.
A TikTok of the moment was viewed 1.3 million times and liked 46,200 times.
Other moments included Kate letting a baby play with her handbag during another visit.
Sian Chathyoka, a 56-year-old woman from Swansea, has a rare blood cancer called myelofibrosis and needs a stem cell transplant to survive. She is preparing for a transplant from a donor and is working to raise awareness about the importance of stem cell donations.
Key Facts
Sian Chathyoka has a rare blood cancer called myelofibrosis.
She requires a stem cell transplant and has found one suitable donor.
Before her illness, Sian led an active life, including cold water swimming.
She noticed extreme tiredness and unintentional weight loss before her diagnosis.
Sian is the only known myelofibrosis patient in Swansea and Cardiff with her specific condition.
Stem cells can change into different types of blood cells to treat various medical conditions.
Most stem cells are donated through blood, and 10% are collected from bone marrow.
The Antony Nolan and NHS Stem Cell Registry has over 2.3 million potential donors.
A photo and video project in Shropshire aims to highlight the impact of fuel poverty on people's lives. Through public exhibitions, the project seeks to raise awareness and challenge stereotypes about those affected. The project also hopes to inform policymakers and give a voice to those experiencing fuel poverty.
Key Facts
The photo and video project focuses on raising awareness about fuel poverty in Shropshire.
Exhibitions will take place at The Hive in Shrewsbury and Aston University in Birmingham.
Participants will use cameras to capture their experiences, which will be shared anonymously.
The project aims to show how fuel poverty affects health, wellbeing, and dignity.
Citizens Advice Shropshire and Aston University are involved in the project.
The project targets people aged 18 or older in Shropshire experiencing fuel poverty.
Information to help those struggling to pay energy bills will accompany the exhibitions.
The goal is to remove stigma and provide real experiences to influence public and policymaker perspectives.
