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A study found that Australia’s ban on social media use for under-16s has caused many teens to see less news than before. While most teens under 16 still use social media, those blocked by the ban report lower access to both local and world news, and some say they do not turn to other news sources instead.
Key Facts
Australia’s social media ban for under-16s started in December 2025.
Two-thirds of teens under 16 continue to use social media despite the ban.
About 26% of teens were heavily affected by the ban, and over half of these saw less news after it began.
Social media is the second most popular way teens get news (39%), after family (52%).
Older teens (16-17) use social media for news more (72%) than younger teens (10-12, 37%).
Teens who see much less news say they lost access to world news (47%), local news (42%), and chances to share views (45%).
Many teens do not use other news sources; 39% said they rely solely on social media.
The government is investigating social media companies for compliance, with possible fines up to $49.5 million per breach.
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Étienne Davignon, a 93-year-old former Belgian diplomat, died before he could stand trial for his alleged role in the 1961 murder of Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba. Lumumba was the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and was killed after being ousted from power in a case linked to Belgium’s colonial history.
Key Facts
Étienne Davignon was charged with war crimes related to the 1961 killing of Patrice Lumumba.
Lumumba was the first prime minister of the country now called the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Lumumba was removed from power and killed by Belgian-backed rebels in January 1961.
Davignon was accused of wrongful detention and denying Lumumba a fair trial.
He was also implicated in the murder of two Lumumba allies, Maurice Mpolo and Joseph Okito.
Davignon denied the charges and died while appealing the court’s order to stand trial.
He was the last living person charged in connection to the case, which reopened a painful part of Belgium’s colonial past.
Davignon had a long career as a Belgian diplomat, European commissioner, and businessman, and was made a count in 2018.
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he will not quit despite recent problems in his party that led to several resignations. Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, plans to run for a Labour seat and wants to change the party by shifting power from the national government to local councils. There are also debates within Labour about Brexit and the party’s future direction.
Key Facts
Sir Keir Starmer faced a week of party turmoil with five ministers resigning but remains committed to his role as prime minister.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham hopes to become a Labour MP by winning a by-election in Makerfield.
Burnham wants Labour to focus more on local government by giving councils more resources and reducing national government control.
Labour’s offer to voters has been called “not good enough” by Burnham, who wants the party to regain public trust.
There is disagreement within Labour on Brexit, with some members supporting closer ties to the EU, while the party officially supports making Brexit work without rejoining the EU.
Burnham acknowledges Brexit’s negative effects but says now is not the time to revisit the decision.
Starmer said he will back whoever Labour chooses for the Makerfield by-election and did not set a departure date if Burnham wins.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy warned that prolonged party conflict could lead to Labour losing power in the next election.
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Police in Great Yarmouth are searching for a man suspected of raping two teenage girls. One man in his 30s has been arrested, but another suspect is still being looked for.
Key Facts
Two teenage girls were reportedly raped in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.
Police were called to the scene at South Beach Parade around 12:37 a.m. on Saturday.
A man in his 30s was arrested in Northamptonshire on Sunday on suspicion of rape.
The second suspect is still at large and police are trying to find him.
The second suspect is described as white, in his 30s or 40s, with short dark hair and dark facial hair.
He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a dark green jacket with white stripes on the sleeves.
Specialist police officers are supporting the victims during the investigation.
Police have said the incidents are very distressing for the victims and the community.
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A report has raised concerns about Cuba obtaining attack drones, which might increase threats to the United States. An expert from FDD Action discussed Cuba’s connections to Russia and China in this context on CBS News.
Key Facts
A report suggests Cuba has acquired attack drones.
These drones could pose new threats to the U.S.
Cuba has ties to Russia and China, countries known for their military technology.
The topic was discussed by Connor Pfeiffer, a government relations expert at FDD Action.
The discussion took place during a segment on CBS News.
This news adds to ongoing worries about Cuba’s military capabilities and its impact on U.S. security.
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Two American men were arrested in Japan after one entered the enclosure of a famous monkey named Punch at a zoo while the other filmed the event. The zoo reported no animals were harmed and is taking steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Key Facts
The incident happened at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan on a Sunday morning.
One man, a 24-year-old college student, jumped into the monkey enclosure; the other, a 27-year-old singer, recorded the stunt.
Both men deny the accusations but were arrested for obstructing zoo operations.
The monkey Punch is a nine-month-old macaque known online for hugging a stuffed toy after being rejected by his mother.
The stunt involved a person in a costume promoting a cryptocurrency jumping into the enclosure.
Zoo staff quickly removed the man and ensured no animals were injured.
The zoo plans to add more barriers, restrict filming, and temporarily stop YouTubers from filming near the enclosure.
Similar incidents have happened before with other viral zoo animals, such as a baby pygmy hippo in Thailand.
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Pope Leo XIV will release his first encyclical on May 25, focused on human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). He will launch the document alongside Christopher Olah, co-founder of the AI safety company Anthropic, highlighting concerns about AI use and its ethical impacts.
Key Facts
The encyclical is named Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity) and addresses care for human dignity in the AI era.
Anthropic co-founder Christopher Olah will participate in the formal Vatican launch event.
President Trump’s administration banned all U.S. agencies from using Anthropic’s AI technology in February and imposed penalties over military use issues.
Anthropic is suing the Trump administration, claiming illegal retaliation for limiting military use of its AI.
Pope Leo XIV is concerned about how AI is used, especially in warfare, and wants monitoring of AI technology.
The encyclical links AI challenges to past social questions from the Industrial Revolution, referencing Pope Leo XIII’s 1890 encyclical on workers' rights.
Anthropic focuses on AI safety and risk control and warns against authoritarian regimes’ use of AI for surveillance and repression.
The Vatican event will include senior Cardinals and theologians discussing the document, with Pope Leo XIV delivering a speech and blessing.
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A powerful tornado struck Howard County, Nebraska, destroying a newly-built home. A mother and daughter survived by sheltering in their basement, which was the only part of the house left standing.
Key Facts
The tornado hit Howard County, about two hours west of Omaha, Nebraska.
It caused severe damage, leveling a newly-built home.
Debris was sent flying through the air due to the strong winds.
A mother and daughter survived by staying in their basement during the tornado.
The basement was the only part of the house that remained intact after the storm.
The event was reported by Rob Marciano for CBS News.
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A cruise ship with a hantavirus outbreak arrived at the port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands for cleaning and disinfection. The ship had already let passengers leave in Tenerife and still had 25 crew members and two medical staff on board when it docked.
Key Facts
The cruise ship MV Hondius experienced a hantavirus outbreak.
Passengers left the ship earlier in Tenerife, a Spanish island.
When the ship arrived in Rotterdam, 25 crew members and two medical workers were still on board.
People wearing protective suits were seen boarding the ship for disinfection.
Authorities set up special containers near the port to manage the virus risk.
Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe.
Hantavirus is a serious virus that can be deadly and requires careful handling.
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President Donald Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and discussed Taiwan, calling arms sales to Taiwan a "negotiating chip." Despite Trump's critical remarks about Taiwan’s president and uncertainty about approving a large arms deal, Taiwanese officials say they remain calm and confident in U.S. support.
Key Facts
President Trump and Xi Jinping talked extensively about Taiwan during a recent summit.
Trump criticized Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te for seeking independence and increasing tensions.
Trump has not yet decided whether to approve a $14 billion arms package for Taiwan.
Taiwan officials want direct talks with President Trump to clarify the situation.
China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and opposes U.S. arms sales to the island.
The U.S. does not officially recognize Taiwan but is its main arms supplier and supporter.
The "Six Assurances" from 1982 promised Taiwan the U.S. would not consult China before arms sales.
Taiwanese experts believe Trump’s remarks may be aimed at a U.S. audience and not a change in support policy.
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France's justice minister Gérald Darmanin visited Algeria to discuss ways to improve cooperation and address the case of a detained French journalist. This visit shows better relations between France and Algeria after tensions caused by France supporting Morocco over Western Sahara.
Key Facts
Gérald Darmanin is France’s justice minister.
He traveled to Algeria for talks on cooperation and a French journalist's detention.
France and Algeria had strained relations because France backed Morocco's claim on Western Sahara.
The visit signals a warming of diplomatic relations between France and Algeria.
Improving judicial cooperation is a key goal of the visit.
The diplomatic thaw aims to help both countries work together better on legal and political issues.
Western Sahara is a disputed region claimed by both Morocco and the Sahrawi people.
The visit comes amid broader efforts for peace and partnership in the region.
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Cuba’s president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, warned that any US military attack on Cuba would cause massive violence and harm regional peace. This statement came after reports said Cuba bought over 300 drones and planned attacks on US sites like the Guantanamo Bay naval base and Key West, Florida.
Key Facts
Cuban president Díaz-Canel said Cuba is not a threat but warned the US against military action.
A news report claimed Cuba acquired more than 300 military drones and planned to use them against US targets.
Cuba’s foreign minister emphasized the country’s right to self-defense under international law.
The US cut off energy supplies to Cuba after arresting Venezuela’s president, Cuba’s ally, in January.
Cuba faces fuel shortages and electricity outages lasting several hours a day.
US prosecutors are reportedly planning to charge former Cuban leader Raúl Castro for a 1996 incident where Cuban forces shot down two planes.
The Trump administration increased pressure on Cuba, labeling its government as corrupt and pushing for political changes.
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Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the U.S., is projected to see its water levels fall about 20 feet below the previous record low by summer 2027. This decline threatens water supplies for 25 million people, reduces hydroelectric power from Hoover Dam, and raises conflicts over water use among the western states.
Key Facts
Lake Mead’s water level is expected to drop to 1,020 feet by July 2027, 20 feet below the 2022 record low of around 1,040 feet.
The reservoir provides drinking water to about 25 million people in several western states.
Falling water levels may reduce power generation at Hoover Dam, which normally serves 1.3 million people.
If levels drop to 1,035 feet, only five of the dam’s 17 turbines can work, cutting hydroelectric power.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation now forecasts lower water levels than earlier predictions for late 2027.
Prolonged drought, warmer temperatures, and reduced mountain snowpack have contributed to declining water.
States in the Upper Basin (Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico) say they already use less water than allowed and don’t want more cuts.
Lower Basin states (Arizona, California, Nevada) face pressure to reduce water use as Lake Mead falls.
The current water use guidelines for the Colorado River expire at the end of 2024 without a new agreement, risking water security for seven states.
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Congo plans to open three new centers to treat Ebola patients in the Ituri province because a rare type of the virus is spreading. The World Health Organization (WHO) has sent experts and supplies to help Congo handle the outbreak.
Key Facts
Congo will open three Ebola treatment centers in eastern Ituri province.
The outbreak involves a rare Ebola strain that has no approved treatments or vaccines.
The WHO declared this Ebola outbreak a global health emergency.
Over 300 suspected Ebola cases and 88 deaths have been reported in Congo.
Two deaths have also occurred in neighboring Uganda.
Ebola cases have spread to Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, and the eastern city of Goma.
Hospitals in the affected areas are already overwhelmed with patients.
Congo’s health minister said the new centers will help increase treatment capacity.
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Iran has created a new organization to oversee the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global oil shipments. This move comes while peace talks between Iran and the United States have not made progress. The new group may require ships passing through the strait to get permission and provide detailed information about their ownership, insurance, crew, and cargo.
Key Facts
Iran established a new body to manage the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is an important route for international trade and oil transport.
Peace talks between Iran and the United States are currently stalled.
Iranian media reported that vessels passing the strait might need to apply for permits.
Ships may have to disclose ownership, insurance details, crew members, and cargo to this new body.
The exact role and powers of the new managing body are not yet clear.
The announcement comes amid ongoing regional tensions and related conflict news.
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A new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has killed about 90 people and infected around 350. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared it an international health emergency because there is no vaccine or specific treatment for this Ebola strain.
Key Facts
The outbreak is centered in Ituri province in northeastern DRC, near Uganda and South Sudan.
Most infected people are between 20 and 39 years old, and over 60% are women.
Violence and mining activities in the region make controlling the outbreak difficult.
Cases have spread to Goma (a major city in DRC) and to Uganda, with one death reported there.
The Ebola strain causing this outbreak is called Bundibugyo, which has no available vaccine or specific treatment.
WHO declared this outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, a high-level alert.
The last major Bundibugyo outbreaks were in Uganda (2007) and DRC (2012), with death rates of 30-50%.
Monitoring and protective measures are being used to try to limit the virus's spread.
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A young mother shares her experience discovering her 3-year-old daughter had advanced kidney cancer after noticing a swollen abdomen. The child underwent scans, surgery, chemotherapy, and is set to start radiation treatment.
Key Facts
The mother was pregnant at 15 and her daughter Olivia is now 3 years old.
Olivia’s abdomen looked swollen and hard on one side, prompting a doctor visit.
Doctors found a 12-centimeter tumor on Olivia’s left kidney, plus tumors on her adrenal gland, liver, and small lung metastases.
Olivia was diagnosed with Stage 4 Wilms tumor, a rare type of kidney cancer.
She began six weeks of chemotherapy and had major surgery to remove her kidney, adrenal gland, and affected tissues.
The tumor was complicated by being wrapped around major arteries and veins.
Olivia will undergo full abdominal and lung radiation under general anesthesia for about three weeks.
After radiation, at least eight more months of treatment will follow.
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A new Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is spreading in areas with conflict and poor access. Experts highlight that the disease can still spread from the bodies of those who have died, and they emphasize the need for peace and security to effectively fight the outbreak.
Key Facts
The current Ebola outbreak in DRC involves the Bundibugyo strain, first found in Uganda in 2007.
This strain appeared in the DRC in 2012 and has now re-emerged.
Ebola can still be transmitted from deceased patients, especially through burial practices.
The outbreak is occurring in areas affected by conflict and difficult to reach for health workers.
Public health efforts face challenges because of insecurity and violence in the affected regions.
Experts say achieving peace and security is crucial to controlling the epidemic.
The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak a health emergency in DRC and Uganda.
More than 80 people have died in the recent outbreak.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns about a new outbreak of Ebola virus in Africa. Health experts are closely monitoring the situation because Ebola can cause serious illness and spread rapidly.
Key Facts
The Ebola outbreak is occurring in Africa.
The WHO has issued a warning about the outbreak.
Ebola is a virus that can make people very sick.
The virus can spread quickly and cause large health problems.
Global health officials are paying close attention to prevent the outbreak from growing.
CBS News reported on the situation with input from health experts.
Dr. Celine Gounder provided details about the Ebola outbreak.
Efforts are likely underway to control and stop the virus from spreading.
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Experts say infectious disease outbreaks like Ebola and hantavirus are happening more often and causing more harm. They warn that the world is not prepared enough to handle pandemics, due in part to climate change, conflict, poor global cooperation, and reduced funding for health programs.
Key Facts
Ebola outbreaks are currently happening in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, with at least 87 deaths reported in the DRC.
A hantavirus outbreak occurred on a cruise ship near Tenerife, Spain, leading to health measures like disinfecting passengers.
The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB) reports that infectious disease outbreaks are increasing, but investments in preparedness are not keeping up.
Factors increasing outbreaks include climate change, armed conflicts, global political divisions, and commercial interests.
Early response to Ebola was delayed due to testing for the wrong strain, allowing the virus to spread along transport routes and cross borders.
Aid cuts and reduced funding to health organizations like WHO and USAID hurt early detection and response systems.
New technologies like mRNA vaccines have advanced quickly, but access to vaccines and treatments remains unequal, especially in Africa.
Disease outbreaks reduce public trust in governments and science, which weakens societies' ability to handle future emergencies.
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