Social media’s impact on kids merits big debate - US expert

‘Kids are spending far more time with media and technology than they are with their families or in school’:

Facebook's big stock offering on Wall Street must be followed by an intensive debate on Main Street about social media's powerful impact on children, an expert on the topic says. Jim Steyer, founder of Common Sense Media, a San Francisco think tank focusing on media and families, said the technology that Facebook represents is having “an enormous impact” on youngsters, families and schools worldwide.

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Seven killed in Japan hotel blaze

Seven people died after a fire swept through a Japanese hotel on Sunday morning, the local police and fire department said. “Seven people - three men and four women - are dead,” said a local police officer, giving no further details with identities yet to be confirmed.

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Debt crisis boom for Italian aperitivo buffets

As Italy’s austerity measures hit home, the “aperitivo” is on the rise with more and more Italians heading for lavish happy hour buffets instead of traditional sit-down restaurants to save money. Drinks priced at between six and 10 euros ($8 and $13) in a growing number of bars give customers unlimited access to a range of snacks ranging from crisps and mini-pizzas to elaborate sandwiches, pasta dishes and meat platters.

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