The European Commission plans to ban children under 13 from using social media. Children aged 13 to 15 may have limited accounts controlled by parents. The commission will also propose new rules to stop social media apps from using addictive designs.
Key Facts
The European Commission will introduce a law banning social media use for children under 13.
Children between 13 and 15 can use “mini accounts” with parental controls and time limits.
The plan must be approved by the European Parliament and all 27 EU member countries before becoming law.
The Digital Fairness Act will address harmful features like addictive app designs.
The announcement was made by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during her annual state of the union speech.
Von der Leyen also spoke about other EU plans unrelated to social media, such as a heatwave plan and migrant response mechanism.
The EU faces security challenges and is considering a new emergency meeting protocol similar to NATO’s article 4.
The EU is focusing on enforcing existing sanctions on Russia instead of creating new ones amid the war in Ukraine.
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she wants Canada to become the first associated member of the European Union. This idea comes as Canada is involved in a trade conflict with the United States.
Key Facts
Ursula von der Leyen is the head of the European Commission, the EU's executive body.
She expressed a desire to make Canada the EU’s first associated member.
Canada is currently facing a trade dispute with the United States.
Associate membership would create closer ties between Canada and the EU.
This proposal is unusual because no country has this status with the EU before.
The aim is to strengthen cooperation in trade and politics.
The EU is a group of European countries that work together on laws and markets.
Trade wars involve countries imposing tariffs or restrictions on each other’s goods.
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New photos show damage to U.S. military bases in the Middle East caused by Iran. A U.S. soldier described the situation as being unexpectedly hit hard, highlighting concerns about military resources and spending related to Iran.
Key Facts
CBS News obtained new images showing damage to buildings and equipment at U.S. military positions in the Middle East.
The damage was caused by Iran.
A U.S. soldier said the situation feels like “getting punched in the face.”
This situation is raising questions about how the military manages its resources.
There is growing attention on how much the U.S. is spending related to conflicts with Iran.
The news adds to ongoing discussions about U.S. military presence and strategy in the Middle East.
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New and never-before-seen drawings by Finnish artist Tove Jansson, creator of the Moomins, will be shown in a London exhibition opening in November. The exhibit will display over 100 items including sketches, photos, films, and letters, highlighting Jansson’s work and her famous characters.
Key Facts
Tove Jansson wrote and illustrated the Moomin books from 1945 to 1977.
The Moomin series has sold about 30 million copies worldwide.
The exhibition, titled "Tove Jansson and her Families," will be at the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration in London.
This will be the UK’s first exhibition focusing mainly on Jansson’s illustrations.
The show includes early drafts and sketches never seen before, like one of Moominpappa with a giant shell.
Jansson’s stories focus on themes like nature, friendship, tolerance, and being oneself.
Moomin books have been translated into more than 60 languages and inspired films, TV shows, and theme parks.
Jansson also illustrated famous fantasy books with her own unique style, including versions of works by Lewis Carroll and J.R.R. Tolkien.
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Suffolk Police released CCTV footage showing three-year-old Noah Woods playing in a playground about 30 minutes before he went missing on Tuesday around 3:00 pm. Noah is partially deaf and does not speak, so police warned he might not respond if called.
Key Facts
Noah Woods is three years old and has partial deafness and is non-verbal.
He was last seen in a playground in Brantham, Suffolk, around 2:30 pm on Tuesday.
He disappeared at about 3:00 pm the same day.
Police showed CCTV footage of Noah running in the park shortly before he vanished.
He was with a relative before he went missing.
Police asked local people to check their CCTV and doorbell cameras for any clues.
Drivers in and around Brantham were asked to check dashcam videos from around 3:00 pm on Tuesday.
Police said Noah is unlikely to respond to his name being called due to his condition.
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Charity Ekezie, a Nigerian journalist and content creator, uses humor to challenge wrong ideas about Africa. She answers strange or silly questions about the continent with sarcasm in her online videos, drawing attention to misconceptions through comedy.
Key Facts
Charity Ekezie is a Nigerian journalist and content creator known as the "sarcasm queen."
She uses humor and sarcasm to respond to inaccurate or silly questions about Africa.
Her goal is to fight negative stereotypes about Africa by making people laugh.
She has built a large online audience worldwide through her videos.
Ekezie shares her experiences in an interview with the BBC.
The article was published recently and highlights African topics.
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The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed making Canada the first "associate member" of the European Union. This move aims to strengthen economic and security ties between Canada and the EU, reducing Canada’s dependence on the United States, especially after recent trade tensions under President Trump.
Key Facts
Canada and the EU currently have a free-trade deal removing tariffs on about 99% of goods.
The proposed associate membership would deepen cooperation in defense, manufacturing, technology, energy, and Arctic issues.
Canada is testing whether it can become less reliant on the U.S. by building closer links with Europe.
President Trump’s trade policies included tariffs and trade threats that targeted Canadian industries like dairy, alcohol, and autos.
Canada is the world’s fourth-largest oil producer and a major supplier of critical minerals.
Nearly half of Canada’s territory lies in the Arctic, a region of increasing global interest for security and trade routes.
Canada is currently the only non-European country in the EU’s SAFE defense procurement program, giving it certain defense contract advantages.
The full details of what associate membership means for Canada’s rights and obligations in the EU are not yet clear.
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A thinktank linked to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK is preparing a report that may propose large tax cuts for wealthy people by removing inheritance and capital gains taxes. The report is also expected to suggest deregulation in the financial sector and changing the Treasury’s responsibilities. The thinktank denied some reported details and said the final report would not include unfunded tax cuts.
Key Facts
The Centre for a Better Britain (CFABB) is connected to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party.
CFABB plans to release a 200-page document outlining economic policies before the next UK election.
The report reportedly suggests abolishing inheritance tax and gradually removing capital gains tax.
UK inheritance tax raised £8.5 billion and capital gains tax £24 billion in recent years.
CFABB may also suggest deregulating financial services, similar to the 1980s "Big Bang" reforms.
The thinktank denies the current draft is final and says there will be no unfunded tax cuts.
Reform UK recently received two large donations (£72 million total) from crypto billionaires, raising concerns about outside influence.
Former Reform UK policy head James Orr was suspended due to allegations about breaking electoral laws on donations.
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Ukraine has launched a counteroffensive called “Operation Vivaldi” in the eastern Donbas region, making significant advances against Russian forces near the city of Lyman. Ukrainian commanders confirmed they have cleared large areas of territory, disrupting Russian supply lines and weakening Russia’s position in the area.
Key Facts
Ukraine’s 3rd Army Corps Commander Brigadier General Andrii Biletskyi confirmed details of Operation Vivaldi.
Ukrainian forces have cleared about 32 square miles of territory northwest of Lyman and more than 77 square miles overall.
The operation has targeted Russian 20th and 25th Combined Arms Armies, causing heavy damage.
Ukrainian drone strikes have disrupted Russian supply hubs and pipelines supplying occupied areas.
The Lyman salient, a strategic area, has been cleared, easing pressure on Ukraine’s heavily fortified defensive line.
Russian forces are struggling to hold and recapture positions near Lyman as a result of Ukraine’s offense.
The counteroffensive may delay Russian plans to attack the city of Slovyansk.
Analysts note Ukrainian advances have slowed recently but still represent important progress.
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A large search is happening in a Suffolk village for a missing 3-year-old boy named Noah Woods, who has autism and is non-verbal. Police and volunteers are working together, using videos, dogs, and helicopters to find him, while asking people to avoid dangerous areas like railways and water.
Key Facts
Noah Woods is a 3-year-old boy with autism, who cannot speak and is partially deaf.
He went missing on Tuesday afternoon after being separated from a relative in Brantham village.
Police say there is no sign of anything criminal or harmful but are keeping an open mind.
CCTV shows Noah running near a playground and into an alley toward a new housing estate.
The search involves police, fire, coastguard, rescue teams, sniffer dogs, and a helicopter.
Volunteers are asked to report to a coordination center and avoid dangerous places like railways and open water.
The police advise not to approach Noah directly if found, but to call emergency services with his location.
Noah’s father asked volunteers on social media to widen their search beyond the village area.
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Ed Sheeran explained that he did not decide to remove rapper Macklemore from his tour. The decision to drop Macklemore happened because of the tour promoters. This came after Macklemore made statements supporting Palestine during a show.
Key Facts
Macklemore showed support for Palestine in a statement during a concert.
After these statements, Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour.
Ed Sheeran said he was not the one who made the decision to remove Macklemore.
The tour promoters were responsible for the choice to drop Macklemore.
Ed Sheeran addressed the situation publicly on Tuesday.
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A magazine from 1894, checked out from a New Hampshire library over 130 years ago, was recently returned by an 84-year-old man using a fine amnesty program. The magazine is a historic issue of The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine, which covered history, literature, and current events in the late 19th century.
Key Facts
The magazine was borrowed from Concord Public Library in 1894 and returned more than 130 years later.
An 84-year-old man named John Hanson brought the magazine back during a library fine amnesty, avoiding a potential late fee of $12,055.
Hanson inherited the magazine during a house move in 1966 and does not know who originally borrowed it.
The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine was published from 1881 to 1930 and included history, literature, poetry, and news.
The returned copy contained a library bookplate and noted it could be kept for only one week.
The September 1894 issue included articles about the need for outdoor playgrounds for city schoolchildren and product advertisements from that time.
The library staff were surprised and curious about why the magazine was never returned earlier.
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Four copies of Earl Spencer’s new book about his sister, Princess Diana, were stolen from a truck in the Netherlands. The book, which tells Diana’s life story from Earl Spencer’s point of view, is set to be officially released soon, and Dutch police are investigating the theft.
Key Facts
The stolen books are the Dutch editions of Earl Spencer’s unreleased book about Princess Diana.
The books were taken from a truck while it was parked during a driver’s mandatory break.
The theft happened somewhere in the Dutch countryside, but the exact location is not confirmed.
The Dutch police know about the incident and are looking into it.
The book is called “Swan Song: Diana, My Sister” and will be released globally and in the UK soon.
Earl Spencer wrote the book to share his own memories and truth about Diana, especially ahead of the 30th anniversary of her death.
Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris in 1997 at age 36.
Earl Spencer previously spoke about Diana in a famous funeral speech, praising her and criticizing the media treatment she received.
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Colonel Samantha Shepherd was found not guilty of mishandling abuse allegations made by a teenage soldier who later died by suicide. The soldier, Gunner Jaysley Beck, had reported being sexually assaulted by a sergeant before her death in 2021.
Key Facts
Colonel Shepherd and Major James Hook faced charges over their handling of soldier Beck’s abuse complaint.
A military panel cleared Colonel Shepherd due to insufficient evidence of wrongdoing.
Gunner Jaysley Beck, 19, reported sexual assault by Battery Sgt Michael Webber in 2021.
Beck took her own life later that year while stationed at Larkhill Camp.
Michael Webber was sentenced to six months in jail for the assault.
Officials said the military failed to properly listen to and support Beck after her report.
The Army has expressed regret and aims to prevent similar failures in the future.
The trial for Major Hook is still ongoing.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is ready to pause attacks on energy infrastructure as part of a ceasefire with Russia. He spoke about the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia in an interview with CBS News.
Key Facts
President Zelenskyy spoke exclusively to CBS News about the war with Russia.
He mentioned Ukraine's readiness for an energy ceasefire, meaning stopping attacks on power and energy facilities temporarily.
The goal is to reduce damage to critical infrastructure during the conflict.
This statement comes amid ongoing fighting between Ukraine and Russia.
The interview was conducted by CBS News correspondent Aidan Stretch.
No specific details about when or how the ceasefire might happen were given.
Energy infrastructure includes power plants, electric grids, and other systems vital for electricity supply.
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Patricio Guzmán, a Chilean filmmaker known for documenting Chile’s political struggles in the 1970s, has died at age 85. He made famous films like The Battle of Chile that show the impact of Augusto Pinochet’s coup and Chile’s later social issues.
Key Facts
Guzmán died in Paris from cardiorespiratory arrest.
He focused his films on Chile’s political conflict after Pinochet’s 1973 coup against President Salvador Allende.
The Battle of Chile is a documentary in three parts showing the coup and its effects.
Guzmán was supported by French filmmaker Chris Marker during the making of The Battle of Chile.
Guzmán was arrested but released, while his cinematographer Jorge Müller was tortured and disappeared.
After years in exile, Guzmán returned to Chile to continue making political and poetic documentaries.
Later films like Nostalgia for the Light explored Chile’s history using natural landscapes.
His last film, My Imaginary Country, covered Chile’s 2019 protests.
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Hashim Thaçi, former president of Kosovo, was sentenced to 25 years in prison by a tribunal in The Hague for war crimes committed during the Kosovo war in the late 1990s. Thaçi and three other former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders were found guilty of murder, torture, and illegal detention of civilians and political opponents.
Key Facts
Thaçi was convicted by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, a court based in The Hague supported by Europe.
He was sentenced to 25 years for war crimes including 96 murders, torture, and cruel treatment.
Three other former KLA leaders were also sentenced: Jakup Krasniqi (25 years), Kadri Veseli (18 years), and Rexhep Selimi (13 years).
The crimes happened during the Kosovo war for independence from Serbia in 1998-99.
Thaçi resigned as president nearly six years ago to face these charges.
The court said Thaçi used his leadership position to encourage the crimes.
The trial focused on criminal acts, not the legitimacy of Kosovo’s fight for independence.
Thaçi faces a separate trial for allegedly intimidating witnesses.
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New photos show the damage caused by Iranian attacks at several U.S. military sites in the Middle East. These images reveal the extent of destruction from recent conflicts involving Iran and U.S. forces.
Key Facts
CBS News obtained exclusive photos of damage at U.S. positions due to Iranian attacks.
The attacks happened at multiple U.S. military bases in the Middle East.
The images highlight how widespread the damage is.
Aaron MacLean, a national security analyst, discussed the photos and the situation.
The information shows ongoing tensions between Iran and U.S. forces in the region.
The photos provide visual evidence of the scale of the attacks.
The report is focused on security and military impacts from the attacks.
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Bonnie Greer, a British-American author, playwright, and cultural commentator, died at age 77 after a short illness. She was known for her work on culture, race, and public institutions and held several important roles in the UK arts scene.
Key Facts
Bonnie Greer was 77 years old when she passed away.
She was an author, playwright, critic, and cultural commentator.
Greer worked on topics related to culture, race, and public life.
Born in Chicago in 1948, she studied theatre and trained at the Actors Studio in New York.
She moved to the UK in 1986 and served on boards of major arts institutions like the British Museum and Royal Opera House.
Greer appeared frequently on UK TV programs such as Newsnight Review and Question Time.
She was awarded an OBE in 2010 for her service to the arts.
In 2022, she became a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
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Rachida Dati, a former French minister, is on trial in Paris for allegedly taking money from car company Renault-Nissan in exchange for political favors. She denies the claims, but prosecutors say payments for legal work were actually for lobbying.
Key Facts
Rachida Dati was justice minister under President Nicolas Sarkozy and culture minister under President Emmanuel Macron.
She received about €900,000 from Renault-Nissan between 2009 and 2013.
A 2009 contract said the money was for legal services, but prosecutors claim it was for lobbying.
Renault-Nissan’s former CEO Carlos Ghosn is also on trial and denies wrongdoing; he is not in court because he fled to Lebanon in 2019.
If found guilty, Dati could face up to 10 years in prison, a large fine, and a ban from holding public office.
Dati has been mayor of Paris’s 7th district since 2008 but lost a recent mayoral race for all of Paris amid this controversy.
Anti-corruption groups say the case shows the need for stronger rules on political lobbying in France.
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