Australia has banned the use of social media by those under 16. The country's upper house of parliament, the Senate, approved the law on Thursday (November 28).

The news agency Reuters reported that it will be implemented at least a year later, in 2025. The law provides for fines against Meta-owned Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Companies that violate the law will be fined at least 50 million Australian dollars.

The new process will initially start next January and will be implemented within a year.

However, critics say questions remain about how the ban will be enforced. In addition, it is not clear how it will affect privacy and social connections.

Prime Minister Albanese introduced the law in the lower house of parliament last week. At the time, he said, "This is a global problem. We want young Australians to have a real childhood. We want parents to have peace of mind.’

Meanwhile, critics also say that the ban could lead to an increase in VPN use. Because anyone in Australia can easily access banned social media using a VPN. In addition, it is not certain whether the technology the government plans to use for age verification will work properly.

In addition, the law does not specify which social media will be banned. These decisions will be made later by the Australian Communications Minister. In this case, he will seek advice from the e-safety commissioner.

However, gaming and messaging platforms will be exempt from the ban. In addition, sites that can be accessed without an account, such as YouTube, may also be exempt from the ban.

Residents of southern Lebanon have begun returning to their homes as the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah takes effect. Although there are concerns about whether the ceasefire will lead to a permanent solution to the fighting, there is relief among the country's residents.

The Qatar-based media outlet Al Jazeera reported that residents of southern Lebanon have begun returning to their homes with joy within hours of the ceasefire, which began at 4am local time on Wednesday (November 27).

This caused traffic jams on the highway connecting the capital Beirut with the south. Residents were returning with their belongings on their cars. The heavy pressure of vehicles blocked traffic at the northern entrance to the port city of Sidon. Some began returning to the coastal city of Tyre on motorcycles.

The Lebanese army, which is responsible for implementing the ceasefire, said in a statement that preparations are being made to deploy troops in the south of the country. In addition, they have requested residents of border villages not to return to their areas until the Israeli troops have withdrawn.

Meanwhile, local authorities said that at least 42 people were killed in Israeli attacks in Lebanon on Tuesday. Hezbollah also fired rockets into Israel in response.

It is worth noting that at least 3,823 people have been killed and 15,859 injured in Israeli attacks in Lebanon since the war in Gaza began last October. 

Israel has agreed to a ceasefire with the Lebanese-based armed Islamist group Hezbollah. Under pressure from close allies the United States and France, Israel has finally agreed to a ceasefire. If all goes well, Israel will soon announce a ceasefire in Lebanon.

On Tuesday (November 26), CNN reported, citing the Times of Israel, that on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will order approval of a 60-day ceasefire proposal with Hezbollah. This period will be extended later depending on the situation.

However, Israeli officials do not believe that Israel's war with Hezbollah is ending.

An Israeli official said, "We do not know how long this ceasefire will last. It could be a month, it could be a year."

US President Donald Trump's national security adviser John Kirby said at a briefing on Monday that "we can't say for sure until everything happens, but we are close to a ceasefire agreement."

A statement from the French president's office also gave similar information.

Meanwhile, in a speech to the Israeli parliament Knesset on November 18, Netanyahu said that even if a ceasefire proposal is accepted in Lebanon, Israeli forces will continue to operate to achieve specific objectives.

In the speech, Netanyahu said, "What is on paper is not important. Even if the paper (ceasefire proposal) is signed, we (Israel) will have to continue attacking in the north. Even if a ceasefire is declared, I cannot guarantee that it will be respected."

The Israeli cabinet will vote on a ceasefire agreement with the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah on Tuesday (November 26). The information was given to CNN by Netanyahu's spokesman after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave his "in-principle" approval to the ceasefire agreement.

The source said that Netanyahu signaled his support for a possible ceasefire during a security consultation with Israeli officials on Sunday night. His spokesman told CNN on Monday that the Israeli cabinet will vote on the proposed agreement on Tuesday and that it is likely to be approved.

Sources familiar with the ceasefire talks between the two sides said that the talks appear to be progressing positively. However, they also acknowledged that Israel and Hezbollah continue to attack each other, so the talks could collapse at the slightest mistake.

However, a Lebanese official familiar with the talks said on Monday evening that a ceasefire could be announced within the next 24 hours.

The British media outlet BBC reported that the United States has proposed a 60-day ceasefire to end the fighting between Israel and the Iranian-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah. It is understood that it includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the end of Hezbollah's presence in the area.

The BBC quoted a Western diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity as saying that the deal would strengthen the Lebanese army's presence in areas vacated by Israel and Hezbollah.

However, Israel's hard-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gavi opposed the ceasefire agreement, calling it a serious mistake on social media. He said that now is a historic opportunity to militarily push back and destroy Hezbollah.