A new report from the Reuters Institute shows that in 2026, more people worldwide get their news from social media and video platforms than from traditional sources like TV, newspapers, or radio. Younger audiences, especially people aged 18-24, mostly use these new platforms, which challenges old media companies' ways of making money.
Key Facts
In 2026, 54% of people worldwide said they got news from social media or video platforms, more than traditional news sources.
Including AI chatbots like ChatGPT raises this number to 56%.
Traditional TV news was used by 52% of people, newspaper apps or websites by 51%, and radio by 21%.
Younger people (18-24 years old) rely on social media or video platforms for news twice as much as older age groups.
People mainly visit platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube to find news, while on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, news is often found by accident.
Traditional media apps and websites are no longer the first choice for news for any age group under 55.
Only 17% of those surveyed pay for news online, making it hard for media companies to earn money.
Big companies like Google and Meta take a large share of online advertising money, which used to go to traditional news media.
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Helium-3 is a rare and expensive gas used in advanced physics experiments, quantum computing, and potentially clean nuclear fusion energy. Currently, it mainly comes from nuclear weapons but researchers and companies are exploring ways to mine it from the moon, where samples suggest it exists in higher amounts.
Key Facts
Helium-3 costs about $2,000 per liter and is stored in special containers at Lancaster University.
The gas is produced mainly from the decay of tritium inside nuclear weapons.
Demand for helium-3 could rise, exceeding current supply from nuclear sources.
Moon dust collected by Apollo missions contains helium-3 at higher levels than on Earth.
Helium-3 is used to create extremely low temperatures needed for quantum computing.
It could be a fuel for future nuclear fusion reactors that produce clean energy.
Interlune, a Seattle-based company, plans to mine helium-3 on the moon using robotic machines.
Interlune aims to start lunar mining missions by 2027, with equipment tested in zero-gravity flights.
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Isar Aerospace, a German rocket startup, has delayed the launch of its Spectrum rocket multiple times due to technical problems. The latest delay happened when issues were found in the rocket’s fluid systems during preparations for a test flight at a spaceport in Norway.
Key Facts
Isar Aerospace is working on its Spectrum rocket, which is 92 feet tall and has two stages.
The company has attempted to launch the Spectrum rocket four times in five months but had to cancel each time.
The most recent launch was stopped due to problems detected in the rocket’s fluid systems.
Previous launch delays were caused by a valve problem, rising fuel temperatures, and suspected fuel tank leaks.
The launch site, Andøya Spaceport in Norway, is also used for military missile testing and is near important fishing areas.
Local fishermen have had conflicts with launch operations because they need to work in the same waters and have sometimes stayed in restricted zones.
Isar Aerospace aims to compete in Europe’s commercial rocket industry alongside other companies like Rocket Factory Augsburg, MaiaSpace, and PLD Space.
The first test flight of the Spectrum rocket in March 2025 ended shortly after launch due to a crash.
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A US judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by Elon Musk’s AI company xAI against OpenAI, which claimed OpenAI stole trade secrets related to chatbots. The judge said xAI did not provide enough proof that OpenAI encouraged a former xAI engineer to share confidential information.
Key Facts
The lawsuit accused OpenAI of stealing secrets about xAI’s Grok chatbot.
US District Judge Rita Lin dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be filed again.
The judge said OpenAI’s discussions with the engineer during job recruitment were normal and did not prove any secret theft.
This was the second legal loss for Musk against OpenAI in a month.
Another Musk lawsuit against OpenAI about betraying a nonprofit mission was also recently rejected by a jury.
xAI is a company owned by Elon Musk that focuses on AI technology, part of his larger SpaceX business.
OpenAI said it did not hire the engineer or obtain any secrets from xAI.
The former xAI engineer, Xuechen Li, is facing a separate lawsuit from xAI and denies any wrongdoing.
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A Chinese rocket’s upper stage broke apart in space, creating debris near the orbit of the International Space Station and many SpaceX Starlink satellites. The U.S. Space Force is tracking the debris and says there is no current threat to human spaceflight, but the debris could affect Starlink satellites.
Key Facts
The rocket was the Zhuque-2E, launched by Chinese company LandSpace on June 9.
The upper stage broke into about 100 to 150 pieces of debris shortly after reaching orbit.
The debris orbits between 208 and 263 miles above Earth, crossing the International Space Station’s orbit.
Aerodynamic drag is expected to pull most debris down to burn up in the atmosphere within months.
Starlink satellites flying at lower altitudes could be at greater risk from the debris.
China has increased its number of rocket bodies in long-lasting orbits by over 150% in the last five years.
Rocket bodies can explode in orbit, creating more debris that is hard to remove.
The U.S. Space Force is monitoring the debris to keep space operations safe.
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AMD has removed a security feature called Transparent Secure Memory Encryption (TSME) from its consumer Ryzen CPUs without warning. The feature, which protects data stored in memory from physical attacks, is now only available on AMD’s Pro-level processors.
Key Facts
TSME encrypts data in a computer’s memory to prevent physical theft of information.
AMD added TSME to lower-cost Ryzen consumer CPUs over time, but recently removed it silently.
The removal was discovered by a user checking security features on his Ryzen 7 9700X CPU.
Older AMD firmware versions enabled TSME on consumer CPUs, but newer firmware (AGESA 1.2.7.0) disables it.
Pro-level Ryzen CPUs still have TSME enabled with all firmware versions.
AMD stated TSME “is a security feature only applied to PRO CPUs” but has not explained why the change was made.
The change is significant because it removes a security feature from consumer CPUs without alerting users.
An open question remains if this was intentional or an accidental firmware bug; AMD has not clarified.
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Anthropic, an AI company, will meet with senior officials from the US Department of Commerce to discuss concerns over the company’s latest AI tool, which the government has restricted access to for foreign users. The company paused public access to the tool after the government raised security issues, including a possible way to bypass the tool’s safety measures.
Key Facts
Anthropic plans to meet with the US Department of Commerce in Washington DC on Monday.
The meeting will include Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
The government banned Anthropic from allowing foreign nationals to use the new AI tool.
Anthropic blocked public access to its newest AI tool version, called Fable 5 or Mythos 5, due to security concerns.
Fable 5 is available to the public with extra safeguards, while Mythos 5 is limited to select organizations.
The government discovered a potential “jailbreak” vulnerability that could let users bypass safety controls in the AI tool.
Anthropic says it only has verbal reports about the jailbreak risk, not full proof.
Earlier this year, Anthropic sued the US Department of Defense over disagreements on how its AI models are used.
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Senior staff from Anthropic, an artificial intelligence company, will meet with White House officials. This meeting comes after a recent disagreement about the safety measures Anthropic uses in its AI work.
Key Facts
Anthropic is an AI company working on technology safety.
The company’s senior staff plans to meet with officials from the White House.
The meeting is related to a dispute over Anthropic’s AI safety practices.
The report about this meeting was shared by Axios, a news outlet.
Maria Curi, a tech reporter for Axios, provided information on this event.
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The UK government plans to ban children under 16 from using social media platforms starting in early 2027. The ban will affect apps like TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and X, while some messaging and gaming apps will be exempt. The goal is to improve online safety for children.
Key Facts
The ban will come into effect in spring 2027 after regulations pass, possibly before Christmas 2024.
Platforms affected include TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and X.
Messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal, and online games like Roblox, will not be banned.
Users over 16 may need to verify their age to continue using social media.
Features such as livestreaming and contact from strangers will be limited for under-16s.
Social media companies have expressed concerns about the ban pushing children to less safe, unregulated sites.
The government will consider limits on features like infinite scroll and curfews for 16- and 17-year-olds.
Intimate and sexual chats with AI will be prohibited for users under 18.
The ban comes amid calls from campaigners and bereaved families for stronger child safety measures online.
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The FBI warned Microsoft 365 users about a new scam called Kali365. This scam steals special access codes to get into Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and OneDrive accounts without needing a password or multi-factor authentication.
Key Facts
The FBI issued an urgent alert to Microsoft 365 users.
The scam is named Kali365.
Kali365 targets Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and OneDrive.
It steals OAuth device codes, which are access codes that can bypass regular login steps.
Multi-factor authentication (extra security steps) can be bypassed by this scam.
The scam does not require passwords to break into accounts.
Users should be cautious and monitor for unusual activity on their Microsoft accounts.
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Apple began working on making Mac OS X run on Intel processors around 2000 because its existing PowerPC chips had performance and heat problems. After years of developing Intel-based Macs, Apple is now ending support for these models as it fully moves to its own Apple Silicon chips.
Key Facts
In 2000, Apple engineer JK Scheinberg started a project to make Mac OS X run on Intel processors.
At the time, Macs used PowerPC processors developed by Apple, IBM, and Motorola.
Apple faced issues with PowerPC chips, particularly with heat and performance, especially for laptops.
The Intel Mac project, initially called “Marklar,” started as a hobby but became an official contingency plan.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs was unhappy with PowerPC performance and pushed for alternatives.
Intel-based Macs officially launched after 2006, improving Mac performance and compatibility.
Apple is now ending updates for Intel Mac models as it shifts entirely to Apple Silicon chips.
Rosetta software, which lets Apple Silicon Macs run Intel apps, will still be supported for some time even after Intel Macs lose macOS updates.
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Scientists studied how long life can survive on Earth as the Sun becomes hotter over billions of years. They used a new 3D computer model to explore how changes in temperature and carbon dioxide affect the planet’s plants and climate far in the future.
Key Facts
The Sun will brighten over about 5 billion years and eventually become a red giant.
Earth’s temperature and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels affect how long life, especially plants, can survive.
Weathering of rocks helps control CO2 by removing it from the atmosphere and storing it underground.
Two scenarios were studied: one where temperature stays the same but CO2 drops, and one where CO2 stays the same but temperature rises.
If weathering is weak, temperatures rise significantly in 1.5 to 2 billion years, killing most land plants.
If weathering is strong, CO2 drops very low after 1 billion years, starving plants of CO2 needed for photosynthesis.
Some plants and marine life that use bicarbonate might survive longer, up to about 1.8 billion years.
The study helps understand Earth’s long-term climate and the future of life during the Sun’s brightening phase.
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Dozens of Stanford students walked out during Google CEO Sundar Pichai's graduation speech to protest the company's work with the US government. The protests reflect broader concerns among students about artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on jobs.
Key Facts
Around 200 Stanford graduates walked out during Pichai’s speech, though the exact number is unclear.
Protesters held signs criticizing Google’s work with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) using AI.
Some students waved Palestinian flags, indicating varied protest reasons.
Pichai, a Stanford alumnus, made only brief comments about AI and did not directly address the protests.
Similar protests at other US universities have targeted tech leaders discussing AI, showing growing student unease about AI’s effects on employment.
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt was booed at the University of Arizona when mentioning AI’s rise.
Other speakers discussing AI at universities like Central Florida and Middle Tennessee State also faced hostile reactions.
Speakers often described AI as a technological revolution or tool, while students expressed fear and frustration.
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Anthropic, an AI company, sent senior technical staff to Washington, D.C. to meet with White House officials. This happened after Anthropic stopped sharing its newest AI models due to an order from President Trump's administration limiting AI technology exports.
Key Facts
Anthropic is an artificial intelligence company.
The company paused sharing its latest AI models on Friday.
The pause was in response to an export restriction order from President Trump's administration.
Senior technical staff from Anthropic traveled to Washington, D.C.
They have been meeting virtually with White House officials every day.
The meetings aim to discuss the export restrictions and related concerns.
A source close to Anthropic confirmed the staff's presence and meetings.
The discussions involve government regulation of AI technology exporting.
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"The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu" is a new cooperative horror video game that mixes team missions with a unique madness mechanic, making players unsure of what is real. Players explore a dangerous jungle, collect items, and must work together to survive while facing strange enemies and hallucinations.
Key Facts
The game is developed by ACE Team and inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s stories.
Up to four players team up to complete missions in a jungle setting.
Players follow an ox cart to gather relics and artifacts before returning to safety.
The game features a madness mechanic causing players to hallucinate and question reality.
Players can sometimes mistake teammates for enemies due to these hallucinations.
The game uses a progression system that all players in a session share, not just the host.
Combat strategies can be unclear, with players unsure when to fight or flee.
The preview was held via an intimate Discord server for journalists to experience multiplayer gameplay.
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Dozens of Stanford graduates walked out during Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai’s speech at Stanford University’s graduation ceremony. Some protesters carried signs showing concern about Google’s work with the US government.
Key Facts
Sundar Pichai is the CEO of Google and its parent company Alphabet.
The event took place at Stanford University’s graduation ceremony.
Many graduates left the venue as Pichai began his speech.
Protesters held signs related to Google’s controversial projects involving the US government.
Pichai himself studied at Stanford University.
He did not give any comment to the BBC about the walkout or protests.
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The UK government plans to ban children under 16 from using popular social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram by spring 2027. Some UK schoolchildren think the ban could help mental health, while others want parents to take more responsibility instead.
Key Facts
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the social media ban for under-16s.
The ban will apply to platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X.
The ban is expected to start by spring 2027.
Some students believe the ban will positively impact young people’s mental health.
Other students feel the ban is not needed and prefer parents to manage their children’s social media use.
The announcement has sparked mixed reactions among schoolchildren in Preston and Manchester.
The ban is part of wider social media regulation discussions in the UK.
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A trader on Polymarket created a computer program using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve his chances of winning in prediction markets. These markets allow people to earn money by predicting outcomes of various events, but most profits go to the top 1% of traders.
Key Facts
Polymarket is a prediction market platform where users can bet on events like sports or celebrity news.
A small group—the top 1% of traders—makes more than 75% of all profits on this platform.
A trader built an AI-powered program to help predict outcomes better and increase his winnings.
AI (artificial intelligence) means computers perform tasks that usually need human thinking.
The program helps the trader analyze data and decide when to place bets.
Prediction markets combine information from many people to forecast what might happen next.
The trader shared his experience in an interview on CBS News.
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The UK government announced a plan to ban social media use for children under 16, following a similar approach to Australia’s model. The ban will include additional restrictions for 16 and 17-year-olds, such as a possible night-time curfew, but gaming platforms will largely be exempt except for livestreaming features.
Key Facts
The UK will ban social media for users under 16 years old, based on Australia’s experience.
Additional limits will apply to 16 and 17-year-olds, possibly including a night-time curfew.
Gaming platforms will mostly be exempt from the ban, except that livestreaming will be disabled.
Enforcement may rely on social media platforms themselves rather than device stores like Apple’s App Store or Google Play.
Australia’s social media ban has faced problems because many children already had accounts before the ban started.
The UK government acknowledges the ban is not a complete solution to online safety but aims to reduce harm.
Some experts say the problem is with society, not just technology, and that banning apps might not fully fix it.
Social media has been part of young people’s lives for over 20 years, with some using it for support and community.
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Tech companies in the U.S. are increasingly turning to nuclear power to meet the high and growing demand for electricity by data centers, especially as artificial intelligence (AI) usage rises. The government supports the development of smaller, faster-to-build nuclear reactors, and several major tech firms have made deals to use nuclear energy, although some large projects face delays and local opposition.
Key Facts
U.S. data centers used 183 terawatt-hours of electricity last year, more than the entire state of Ohio.
Electricity demand for data centers grows 15 to 20 percent annually due to increased AI activity.
Tech giants like Microsoft, OpenAI, Meta, Google, and Amazon are making deals to use nuclear energy to power data centers.
The U.S. Department of Energy is funding small modular reactors (SMRs), which are smaller and cheaper nuclear plants.
Microsoft is investing over $1.5 billion to restart the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania.
Meta signed a 20-year agreement to buy power from a nuclear energy provider.
Amazon is investing $500 million and partnering with energy companies to build SMRs near its data centers.
Some large projects, like Wonder Valley data centers in Alberta and Utah, face permit issues and local resistance.
New nuclear plants usually take many years to start and cost much more than initially planned.
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