A coalition of 13 states and the District of Columbia has initiated legal action against TikTok, alleging that the app's algorithm is designed to be intentionally addictive, particularly impacting the mental health of children. The lawsuits claim that features such as personalized content, push notifications, and endless scrolling keep young users engaged for extended periods, contributing to rising rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among minors. New York's attorney general emphasized the need to protect children, stating that the mental health crisis among youth is significantly exacerbated by social media. The states are pursuing financial penalties against TikTok, which has countered the allegations by highlighting its safety measures, including screen time limits for minors.

In a separate initiative, President Biden announced a plan to replace lead pipes in water utilities across the nation within the next decade. This announcement, made at a rally in Milwaukee—home to the fifth highest number of lead pipes in the U.S.—comes in the wake of the Flint water crisis, which raised awareness about the dangers of lead exposure. Lead is known to be a neurotoxin that poses serious health risks, especially to children. The new rule, described as the most stringent in nearly 30 years, aims to prevent up to 1,500 premature deaths annually while also creating jobs and improving public health.

Meanwhile, UK security officials have raised alarms over a surge in assassination attempts linked to Russia and Iran. MI5 Director General Ken McCollum reported that his agency has thwarted 20 Iran-backed plots since 2022 and warned that escalating violence between Iran and Israel could provoke further aggression from Iran within the UK. He also noted that Russian military intelligence is engaged in a campaign of chaos across British and European streets, with increasing incidents of arson and sabotage. Additionally, McCollum highlighted concerns regarding the resurgence of the Islamic State group, referencing a recent deadly attack in Moscow as evidence of its ongoing capabilities.