New Zealand

Core Summary The New Zealand government announced it will introduce the Online Safety Bill to parliament, banning under-16s from using social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said social media was exposing children to harmful content, addictive technology, and pressures they are not equipped to deal with. Non-compliant platforms could face fines up to 10% of their global revenue. Event Details Legislative Background and Motivation Prime Minister Luxon stated that social media was affecting children’s family life, mental health, sleep, and education. “We have protections to keep children safe in the real world and we need them in the virtual world too,” he said. ...

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has survived a second leadership challenge just 12 weeks before the general election, saying he has the ‘full support’ of his party.

Core Summary New Zealand actor Sam Neill has died at the age of 78, according to Al Jazeera. Neill gained global fame for his role as paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park film series and was one of New Zealand’s most successful international actors. His passing has prompted widespread mourning from fans around the world. Event Details Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1947, Neill moved to New Zealand as a child. He began his acting career in the late 1970s, gaining recognition in New Zealand and Australian cinema. In 1993, he became a global star through his role in Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park, one of the most commercially successful sci-fi adventure films in cinema history. ...

India and New Zealand have officially signed a bilateral free trade agreement covering goods, services, investment, and intellectual property, marking a significant milestone in their economic relationship.