Social media giants face tougher fines over Australia’s under-16 ban; Shark drones to patrol NSW beaches year-round; In the World Cup, Harry Kane makes history as England beats Panama.
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TRANSCRIPT
- Social media giants face tougher fines over Australia’s under-16 ban.
- Shark drones to patrol NSW beaches year-round.
- In the World Cup, Harry Kane makes history as England beats Panama.
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Big tech companies could face fines of almost 99 million dollars for failing to keep children under 16 off social media.
The federal government is introducing new legislation to double the maximum penalty for systematic breaches of Australia’s social media age ban.
The eSafety Commissioner will also get stronger powers to force platforms and age-check providers to hand over evidence of what they are doing to block underage users.
The Coalition has cautiously welcomed the move, with Nationals MP David Littleproud urging tougher action against tech companies.
"While I welcome the fact they're going to increase the penalties you've got to use them, you've got to have a consequence and there hasn't been a consequence ye for these big tech companies. The reality this isn't the silver bullet in itself there's a whole suite of measures that need to come in but it's a tool."
The crackdown comes as research suggests up to 85 per cent of children under 16 are still accessing social media despite the ban.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will keep troops inside southern Lebanon under a new U-S brokered agreement.
The framework deal signed in Washington allows for a phased Israeli withdrawal from some areas, with the Lebanese army to take control.
But Netanyahu says Israeli forces will remain in a security zone until Hezbollah is disarmed and no longer poses a threat.
Hezbollah has rejected the deal, calling it a surrender that undermines Lebanese sovereignty.
"This is a massive blow to Iran and Hezbollah. I stood firm on our vital interests and forcefully opposed the notion of forcing a withdrawal upon us. Lebanon, Israel, and the U.S. are essentially saying to Iran: This is none of your business. You have no status here. You have no involvement and no role, not you, not Hezbollah, and not any terrorist organisation."
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A 45-year-old Australian man has spoken from custody after being charged in Thailand over the death of a teenage girl.
Police allege Simon Carman picked up 17-year-old Tunchanok Donhomla in Pattaya before taking her to his hotel room.
Her body was later found inside a suitcase dumped beside a railway line, about 10 minutes from where he had been staying.
Thai police say Carman was arrested at Bangkok airport while allegedly trying to board a flight to Australia.
He made this comment in a recorded message to the girl’s family.
"I feel bad for what happened to your daughter, it was out of my control, I know you'll be very upset - same, same me."
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Shark-spotting drones will patrol New South Wales beaches year-round after a serious shark attack at Coogee Beach earlier this month.
Thirty-four-year-old Leah Stewart lost an arm after being bitten by a suspected great white while swimming between the flags.
The state government is investing an extra 34 million dollars to expand surveillance to around 70 beaches, with all Sydney ocean beaches covered from July first.
Premier Chris Minns says the extra monitoring will help detect sharks earlier and warn swimmers.
"This is important because we hope it gives extra detection we believe it will give extra detection of shark warnings in NSW beaches earlier, it will also give a measure of confidence that want to use our beautiful beaches and tourists and swimmers that want to swim between the flags."
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Tens of millions of people are bracing for extreme temperatures across Europe, as a deadly heatwave moves east.
Some relief is expected in western Europe, but several eastern countries have issued red alerts as temperatures continue to climb.
Germany, Denmark and the Czech Republic all recorded their highest-ever temperatures on Saturday, while Switzerland had its hottest June day on record.
In Hungary, thousands joined Budapest’s annual Pride march despite 38-degree heat.
Marcher Virág Réka Végh who was carrying a large water pistol, says water was essential in the crowd.
"There's a huge crowd, and an extreme heat, so we thought water would be a good idea. You definitely need water and a fan here.”
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And in sport...
England has finished top of its World Cup group after a two-nil win over Panama.
Jude Bellingham opened the scoring and was later named man of the match.
Harry Kane added the second, becoming England’s leading World Cup goalscorer with his 11th finals goal.
England now moves into the Round of 32, while Croatia has also progressed after beating Ghana two-one.
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