SnS MAG

By Andreas Rinke

German school kids react to Germany mulling social media ban for minors

STUTTGART, Germany, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Germany's ruling conservatives on Saturday passed a motion to ban social media use for under 14s and introduce more stringent digital verification checks for teenagers, building momentum for such ‌limits in Germany and elsewhere in Europe.

At a party conference in the city of Stuttgart, Chancellor Friedrich Merz's ‌Christian Democratic Union also called for fines for online platforms that failed to enforce such limits, and European Union-wide harmonisation of age standards.

A growing number of ​countries, including Spain, Greece, France and Britain, are looking at similar social media bans or restrictions on accessing platforms like TikTok or Instagram.

It follows the example of Australia, which last year became the first country to force platforms to cut off access for children.

European nations are more broadly ratcheting up pressure on social media companies, risking a backlash from the United States. President Donald Trump has threatened ‌tariffs and sanctions if EU countries impose new ⁠tech taxes or online regulations that hit U.S. firms.

"We call on the federal government to introduce a legal age limit of 14 for the use of social networks and to address the special ⁠need for protection in the digital sphere up to the age of 16," said the motion that passed on Saturday.

Merz's coalition partners the Social Democrats have also backed social media curbs for children. Pressure from both parties in the coalition makes it increasingly likely that the ​federal ​government will push for restrictions.

However, under Germany's federal system, media regulation is ​a state‑level responsibility and states must negotiate with ‌each other to agree consistent nationwide rules.

SCHOOLCHILDREN IN BONN DISCUSS THE BAN

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The ban could affect children like those at the Cardinal Frings Gymnasium in the city of Bonn, several of whom a day earlier were scrolling on their phones in the school grounds.

"I think it's fair, but I think it should be up to the parents to decide whether to forbid it, not the state," said 13-year-old Moritz, who says he only watches YouTube.

"For children under 12 it should be forbidden, but from age 12 onwards ‌I think children can already distinguish between what is fake news and ​what is not."

His classmate Emma, 13, almost exclusively uses Snapchat, but has ​a time limit on her phone.

A ban would be "kind ​of unusual, because you get used to sending your snap in the morning before school, or what ‌my friends do, like just scrolling through Instagram or ​TikTok for a bit," she said.

Ella, ​12, scrolls through social media several times a day.

"So I have TikTok and Instagram myself, but I understand that it's all addictive, and the more you scroll, the more you want to see."

Teacher Till Franke said that for ​many of the children, "it would be a ‌shock at first, because of this daily use of social media".

But eventually, the students would get used to it, ​he said, "because they would find other niches where they could communicate with each other".

(Andreas Rinke, Stephane Nitschke ​and Petra Wischgoll; Writing by Matthias Williams; Editing by Jan Harvey)

LONDON (AP) — Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says the U.K. and its European allies should immediatelydeploy noncombat troopsto Ukraine to show Russian President Vladimir Putin that Western nations are truly committed to the nation's freedom and independence.

Speaking ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scaleinvasion of Ukraine, Johnson told the BBC that the troops should be sent to peaceful regions in non-fighting roles. The comments from Johnson, who was one ofUkraine's staunchest supportersas Britain's leader during the first months of the conflict, were contained in excerpts of an interview that will be broadcast on Sunday.

If adopted, the proposal from Johnson would mark a major policy shift for the U.K. and its allies. While the "coalition of the willing" isworking on plansto send troops to Ukraine, such a deployment would only take place after an agreement to end the fighting and would be designed to police the ceasefire.

"If we are willing to do it in the context of a ceasefire, which of course puts all the initiative, all the power, in Putin's hands, why not do it now?'' Johnson said. "There is no logical reason that I can see why we shouldn't send peaceful ground forces there to show our support, our constitutional support for a free, independent Ukraine."

Western military planners have avoided discussing such a move publicly out of concern that Russia would see it as an escalation of the conflict.

Putin in September rejected Western proposals for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine, saying that any troops deployed to the country would be "legitimate targets."

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But Johnson said Putin shouldn't be able to dictate terms to Ukraine and its allies.

"It's about whether Ukraine is a free country or not," he said. "If it's a vassal state of Russia, which is what Putin wants, then obviously it's up to Putin to decide who comes to his country. If it's not, then it's up to the Ukrainians."

When asked about Johnson's comments, Britain's Ministry of Defense said the government was continuing to work with the coalition of the willing to prepare for the deployment of troops to Ukraine after a ceasefire.

"The multinational force Ukraine under UK leadership will secure peace for the long term, with the Prime Minister being clear that we will put British troops on the ground following the end of hostilities," the ministry said in a statement.

Johnson said the war in Ukraine was the result of the West's failure to support Ukraine after theinvasion of Crimeain 2014, as well as its inability to punish Bashar al-Assad forusing chemical weaponsagainst his own people in Syria and the debacle of theU.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

"I think Putin was emboldened by a Western failure in Syria to punish Assad for using chemical weapons," he said.

"I think Putin was further emboldened in February 2022 by what he'd seen in Afghanistan, and a sort of general sense that the West was on the back foot. He'd seen those appalling pictures of Americans being forced to flee Afghanistan and the UK pulling out as well, and that really did embolden him."

The U.S. has officially logged982 measles cases in 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. It's more than four times the number of cases as this time last year, when alarge outbreak was just beginning in West Texas.

Twenty-six states have reported cases so far this year. Large outbreaks continue to grow inUtah, Arizonaand, most notably, South Carolina, where the virus has been spreading since the fall. As of Friday, the state had reported nearly 800 cases since January, bringing the outbreak's total to 973.

It's thelargest single measles outbreakthe U.S. has seen in a generation. South Carolina state epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell said that at least 20 people had been hospitalized.

"These hospitalizations involve both adults and children," Bell said during a call with reporters on Wednesday. "Additional cases required medical care for measles but were not hospitalized."

According to the CDC, more than 1 in 10 measles cases in 2025 resulted in hospitalization. Most of those were children and teenagers.

In Florida, cases are also rising: The state's health department has reported 92 cases since the beginning of the year. Sixty-six of those cases are in Collier County, and largely clustered at Ave Maria University, near Naples.

Graduate student Blaise Carney toldNBC affiliate station WBBHthat he was one of the first on campus to get sick last month.

"It started with an ear infection," Carney said. "And then it proceeded with sniffles, sore throat and all the rest. And then I just progressively got worse, until I was in the ER and had a full-body rash."

Carney said he was diagnosed with measles and strep throat at the same time and got intravenous fluids in the ER. He didn't need to be admitted to the hospital, and instead isolated himself in his dorm, where he said he stayed in bed for a week.

Carney said he had been vaccinated against the virus as a child.

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Two doses of measles vaccine — one given around age 1 and the second around age 5 — are97% effective in preventing measles, usually for life, according to the CDC. That means that 3% of people can get measles even after vaccination.

Despite his illness, Carney said, the statistics overwhelmingly favor the shots.

"If you're not vaccinated, go ahead and get vaccinated," he said. "It might not protect you 100%, but it's your best shot."

The vast majority of measles cases are among unvaccinated people.

Though most people recover, some developlong-term health problemsafter their telltale rash clears. The virus targets cells that play key roles in a person's immune system, leaving them vulnerable to subsequent illnesses.

In rare cases, people can go on to develop dangerous brain inflammation seven to 10 years after a measles infection. The condition, called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, or SSPE, is almost always fatal.

On Saturday, doctors at Children's Hospital of Orange County in California described the details of one casein the New England Journal of Medicine.

It involved a 7-year-old boy who went to the hospital following several months of seizures and cognitive problems that were progressively getting worse.

The boy had gotten measles as an infant while living in Afghanistan, where the virushas not been eliminated. (The U.S. couldlose its elimination statusas soon as this year as vaccination rates fall and the virus regains a foothold.)

Doctors wrote that when the boy arrived at the hospital, he couldn't speak and his body's muscle reflexes weren't working normally — signs of significant neurological problems. He was diagnosed with SSPE. Within a year of his first symptoms, he died.

Before measles was eliminated in the U.S., the CDC estimated that7 to 11 people out of every 100,000 were at risk for SSPE. That risk may be higher in people infected with measles before their second birthday.

MILAN (AP) — Canada has not decided whether injured captain Sidney Crosby will play inthe gold medal gameat the Olympicsagainst the U.S.on Sunday, coach Jon Cooper said Saturday.

APTOPIX Milan Cortina Olympics Ice Hockey

Crosby skated in practice, which was closed to reporters to maintain ashroud of secrecyaround the status of the 38-year-old center who is the most decorated player on the team with two Olympic gold medals and three Stanley Cup rings and was a key contributor before getting hurt.

"Obviously we'd love to have him," Cooper said. "He won't put himself in harm's way, and he's not going to put the team in harm's way."

Crosby leftthe quarterfinal game Wednesday night against Czechia with an apparent right knee injury and did not playagainst Finlandon Friday night in the semifinals.Connor McDavid wore the "C"in Crosby's absence and assisted on Nathan MacKinnon's go-ahead goal with 35.2 seconds remaining.

International rules allow teams to dress 13 forwards instead of the 12 permitted in the NHL, but Cooper cast doubt on the possibility of Crosby being in uniform just to fill a limited role.

"No. No, it's too important," Cooper said. "We don't want to have somebody in there as an inspiration when we could have a player that could be capable of helping. You never know if guys are going to get hurt in the game. He wouldn't want to do that, either."

Cooper pointed to two of his players with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Brayden Point and Anthony Cirelli, who were chosen for the roster but stayed home because they were not healthy enough to be a bigger help than their replacements. Injured defenseman Josh Morrissey has been ruled out.

"When it comes to the flag, nobody's getting in the way," Cooper said. "If they're not capable of giving what they think is optimal effort, they don't want to put the country at harm. They understand what we have here."

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Canada rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat Finland, motivated in part by giving Crosby a chance to play one more game at what could be his final Olympics.

"We've done that, and we'll see," McDavid said. "He's been around a lot. Obviously, he's been extremely positive: still contributing, even though he didn't play last game, but still being the leader he is."

Nick Suzuki, who moved into the spot playing between Mitch Marner and Mark Stone, figures to be there again in the final if Crosby is unavailable. Suzuki said Crosby "looked really good out there on the ice" and hopes the well-respected captain will be good enough to go.

"It'd mean a lot to him and probably us," Suzuki said. "He's such a big leader, big voice. Everyone looks up to him. It'd be awesome if he could play."

Mike Sullivan, who coached the Pittsburgh Penguins when they won the Stanley Cup back to back with Crosby as captain in 2016 and '17, is now behind the bench for the U.S. and does not expect his game plan to change either way.

"Sid's a tremendous player," Sullivan said. "The focus that we have is on our own team game and trying to play the game that we think sets us up for success, regardless of who our opponent is, or who's in their lineup or not."

The U.S. got an injury scare in the semifinals against Slovakia when winger Tage Thompson left after blocking a shot. Thompson, who is tied for the team lead in goals with three, practiced Saturday and did not look to be hampered at all.

AP Winter Olympics:https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Hall of Fame second baseman Bill Mazeroski died at the age of 89, the Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Saturday. He passed away on Friday, according to the team.

Mazeroski is best known for arguably the most legendary home run in baseball history, hitting a walk-off home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series against the New York Yankees. Leading off the ninth inning, the homer came off reliever Ralph Terry, breaking a 9-9 tie, at Forbes Field.

As Mazeroski rounded the bases, fans ran out of the stands to congratulate Mazeroski and round the bases with him in celebration. He was 24 years old at the time, in his fifth year with Pittsburgh. No other player has ended a World Series with a Game 7 home run.

Responsible for an iconic moment in the sport, Mazeroski was remarkably modest about his accomplishment.

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"I just thought it was another home run to win a ballgame and would never last 40 years," he said in 2000,via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

"I didn't expect that much attention, just hitting a home run to win a game," he continued. "I don't know. I just kind of wish maybe somebody else had hit it, or explained it better than I did. I just never came up with a good way."

Mazeroski later explained that he wasn't certain that he hit a home run because the left-field wall at Forbes Field was 406 feet away from home plate in the alley.

"I don't know it's out. I don't know it's a home run. But I know I'm going to end up on third if he misplays that ball off the wall," Mazeroski said in 2015,via MLB.com. "So I'm busting my tail getting around there, and by the time I hit second base, I looked down the line and the fans went crazy. From second base, I didn't touch the ground all the way in."

Mazeroski won two World Series titles with the Pirates, also playing on the 1971 champions that defeated the Baltimore Orioles in seven games. The team retired his No. 9 in 1987 and honored him with a 14-foot bronze statue outside PNC Park,unveiled in 2010.

"Maz was one of a kind — a true Pirates legend, a National Baseball Hall of Famer and one of the finest defensive second basemen the game has ever seen," said Pirates chairman Bob Nuttingin a statement.

"His name will always be tied to the biggest home run in baseball history and the 1960 World Series championship," he added. "But I will remember him most for the person he was: humble, gracious and proud to be a Pirate."

Despite being associated with one of baseball's most famous home runs, Mazeroski became a Hall of Famerbecause of his defenseat second base. He was awarded eight Gold Gloves during his career.

"I think defense belongs in the Hall of Fame," Mazeroski said duringhis Hall of Fame induction speech. "Defense deserves as much credit as pitching and hitting, and I'm proud and honored to be going into the Hall of Fame on the defensive side and mostly for my defensive abilities."

In his 17 seasons with the Pirates, Mazeroski compiled a career average of .260/.299/.367 with 294 doubles, 138 home runs and 853 RBI. In addition to his two World Series championships, Mazeroski was an 10-time All-Star. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001, elected by the Veterans Committee.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton feels "reset and refreshed" entering the 2026 Formula 1 season.

"I'm not going anywhere, so stick with me," the 41-year-old British driver posted Saturday on Instagram.

Hamilton is coming off a disappointing debut season with Ferrari, failing to reach a single podium in 2025.

The 105-time race winner sounded upbeat as testing concluded this week at Bahrain.

"That's a wrap on testing," he posted. "It's inspiring to watch a team pull out all the stops to build a car.

"It's the most fascinating part of this job for me. Everything is built from scratch and designed and redesigned over and over. And then there are only a few of us who get to put that machine to the test. That feeling never gets old.

"I want to say a huge thank you to everyone in the team back at the factory for the hard work to get to this point!! I am truly grateful.

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"I love this job so much and I love working with my team and driving for the fans. I'm incredibly lucky to be able to do what I do, and I'm excited for the season ahead."

Hamilton's 20th F1 campaign begins with the Australian Grand Prix on March 7.

He concluded his post with a promise to his supporters that this season will be different.

"For a moment, I forgot who I was, but thanks to you and your support you're not going to see that mindset again," he wrote.

"I know what needs to be done. This is going to be one hell of a season. I've given everything to be here today. Let's go team!!!"

Hamilton's last victory was the Belgian Grand Prix on July 28, 2024. His last world championship came in 2020.

--Field Level Media

By Laila Bassam and Enas Alashray

Aftermath of an Israeli strike in Lebanon's Bekaa valley

BEIRUT, Feb 21 (Reuters) - At least 10 people were killed and 50 wounded in Israeli strikes in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, two security sources ‌told Reuters, after the Israeli military said it had targeted Hezbollah sites in the ‌Baalbek area.

The strikes on Friday were among the deadliest reported in eastern Lebanon in recent weeks and risk testing a ​fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Shi'ite Islamist group Hezbollah, which has been strained by recurring accusations of violations.

The Israeli military said in a statement that it struck Hezbollah command centres in the Baalbek area, part of eastern Lebanon's Bekaa Valley.

In a separate statement on Saturday, it said it had "eliminated several ‌terrorists of Hezbollah's missile array ⁠in three different command centres ... recently identified as operating to accelerate the organization's readiness and force build-up processes, while planning fire attacks towards Israel."

Hezbollah said on ⁠Saturday that eight of its fighters, including a commander, Hussein Mohammad Yaghi, were killed in Friday's strikes in the Bekaa area.

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CEASEFIRE BROKERED IN 2024

Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in 2024 intended to ​end ​more than a year of cross-border exchanges of fire ​that culminated in Israeli strikes that weakened ‌the Iran-aligned group. Since then, the sides have traded accusations of ceasefire violations.

U.S. and Israeli officials have pressed Lebanese authorities to curb Hezbollah's arsenal, while Lebanese leaders have warned that broader Israeli strikes could further destabilize the country already battered by political and economic crises.

Separately, the Israeli military said it also struck what it described as a Hamas command centre from which militants operated in ‌the Ain al-Hilweh area in southern Lebanon. Ain al-Hilweh ​is a crowded Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon.

Lebanese President Joseph ​Aoun condemned the overnight Israeli strikes on ​the Sidon area and towns in Bekaa as a "new violation" of Lebanon's ‌sovereignty and a breach of U.N. obligations, urging ​countries backing regional stability, ​including the United States, to press for an immediate halt to avert further escalation, the presidency said.

Hamas condemned in a statement the Israeli strike on Ain al-Hilweh and rejected Israeli ​assertions about the target, saying ‌the site belonged to the camp's Joint Security Force tasked with maintaining security.

(Addditional Reporting ​by Ahmed Tolba and Muhammad Al Gebaly in Cairo; Writing by Enas Alashray; Editing ​by Rod Nickel, Rosalba O'Brien and Alex Richardson)