Young people from poorer families in the UK are quitting apprenticeships because government benefit rules reduce their family’s benefits when they start paid training. This happens because the system treats apprentices as independent workers, cutting child and disability benefits that parents rely on, which can cause families to lose up to £340 a week.
Key Facts
The rules call a 16-year-old apprentice an “independent worker,” so parents lose child and disability benefits.
Families can lose up to £340 a week in benefits when a child starts an apprenticeship.
If a child stays in full-time education until 18, benefits are not reduced.
Many families and young people avoid apprenticeships because of these losses.
The benefit system was designed when the school leaving age was 16 and does not fit today’s rules that require training or education until 18.
There are 957,000 young people not in education, employment, or training (called “Neets”), and youth joblessness is the highest in a decade.
The government says apprentice wages usually make up for lost benefits but acknowledges the committee’s concerns.
Expert advisers say the current rules hurt poorer children’s career choices by forcing them to choose money over training.
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Members of the UK House of Commons environmental audit committee visited Bentham, North Yorkshire, the town with the highest levels of toxic "forever chemicals" called PFAS. The committee called for urgent limits on PFAS use in everyday products like school uniforms and food packaging, warning that these chemicals build up in nature and human bodies, possibly causing health problems.
Key Facts
PFAS are chemicals that do not break down naturally and accumulate in the environment and living things.
High levels of PFAS contamination were found in Bentham due to firefighting foam production.
PFAS exposure has been linked to cancer, immune system issues, infertility, and developmental problems.
The committee recommends banning PFAS in consumer goods starting next year.
The UK government’s current plan to tackle PFAS was criticized as weak and lacking clear actions.
The committee wants restrictions on entire groups of PFAS to prevent replacing banned chemicals with similar harmful ones.
Industry should get approval before introducing new PFAS substances instead of waiting to prove harm afterward.
Some experts say the report’s recommendations cover only a small part of PFAS exposure, especially ignoring industrial uses.
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Journalists at Czech public broadcasters plan to strike if the government goes ahead with a proposal to end licence fees and fund media directly from the state budget. The move, supported by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s party, is seen as a threat to media independence and would reduce funding for Czech Television and Czech Radio significantly.
Key Facts
The Czech government wants to stop household licence fees and fund public media from the state budget.
The culture minister announced that licence fees will be cancelled.
Journalists say this change would allow political control over media content.
The new budget would cut public media funding by about £48 million in 2027.
Czech Television would lose nearly one-third of its budget; Czech Radio about one-fifth.
Thousands of university students protested against the plan in Prague.
Opposition politicians and media figures criticize the plan as a threat to media freedom.
Licence fees have remained almost the same since 2005, and the new plan would reduce real funding levels to that time.
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Israeli forces killed journalist Amal Khalil and injured another journalist, Zeinab Faraj, in southern Lebanon. The attack involved repeated strikes that also delayed rescue efforts.
Key Facts
Journalist Amal Khalil was killed in southern Lebanon.
Journalist Zeinab Faraj was wounded in the same attack.
The attack was described as a "double-tap," meaning there were multiple strikes in the same area.
Repeated strikes targeted reporters and paramedics.
Rescue efforts were delayed for several hours because of continued attacks.
The incident was reported by Lebanon’s Al Akhbar News.
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Israel and Lebanon are having talks in Washington to ask for a one-month extension of a ceasefire that is about to end. The two countries are trying to stop the ongoing war involving Hezbollah, a group supported by Iran. The United States is involved in the discussions and has imposed a naval blockade against Iranian ports.
Key Facts
Israel and Lebanon met in Washington on April 14, their first meeting since 1993, to discuss stopping the war.
Lebanon wants to extend the ceasefire by one month as it nears expiration.
Hezbollah, supported by Iran, is opposing the talks and is not participating.
The US has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Iran has fired on ships and seized others in the Strait of Hormuz, citing the blockade as reason.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other officials are part of the discussions.
The United Nations welcomed the US announcement of a ceasefire extension as a positive step.
There are no serious disagreements reported between Israel and Lebanon, but tensions remain due to Hezbollah's role.
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Ultra-Orthodox Jewish protesters in West Jerusalem burned Israeli flags and held signs against Zionism. This happened during the 78th anniversary of Israel’s founding.
Key Facts
The protest took place in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of West Jerusalem.
Ultra-Orthodox Jews led the protest.
They burned Israeli national flags.
Protesters carried banners opposing Zionism, the movement supporting Israel as a Jewish state.
The event coincided with Israel’s 78th Independence Day.
The protest shows disagreement with the national celebrations by some religious groups.
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The G7 environment meeting in Paris will not discuss climate change to avoid conflict with the United States, according to France's ecology minister. Instead, the talks will focus on ocean protection, biodiversity funding, desertification, and water pollution over two days.
Key Facts
The G7 environment meeting started in Paris without climate change on the agenda.
France left out climate change to prevent disagreement with the United States.
The US is represented by an Environmental Protection Agency official, not a minister.
President Trump’s administration withdrew the US from global climate agreements after returning to office in 2025.
The meeting focuses on ocean conservation, biodiversity funding, and preventing desert expansion.
France plans to announce $800 million for African national parks during the meeting.
Environmental activists criticized leaving climate change off the agenda.
The meeting happens shortly before a global conference in Colombia about ending the use of fossil fuels.
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A new community called Culdesac in Tempe, Arizona, has been built without cars. It includes shops, a restaurant, and a farmer’s market, and encourages walking, biking, and public transportation like free light rail and buses nearby.
Key Facts
Culdesac is a new development in Tempe, Arizona.
The community has no cars allowed inside.
It features shops, a restaurant, and a farmer’s market.
The area is designed for walking and biking.
Free light rail and bus services are available just outside the community.
The development supports environmentally friendly and sustainable living.
It was reported on Earth Day, April 22, 2026.
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In Season 5 of the TV show "The Boys," Ryan, who is Homelander's son, faces a violent attack from his father but survives. After the fight, Ryan recovers and seems to start his own journey, with future episodes likely to explore his role further.
Key Facts
Ryan is Homelander’s son and the first natural-born "Supe" with powers like his father.
In Episode 3, Homelander brutally attacks Ryan during a confrontation.
Ryan is shown injured but still alive when found by Billy Butcher.
Ryan wakes up in Episode 4 and talks with Butcher.
Butcher hints that Ryan has left to pursue his own mission, but it’s not clear where or why.
Ryan might be searching for a powerful version of Compound V, called V1, or looking for Zoe Neuman.
"The Boys" has four episodes left before the series finale airing on May 20.
Ryan is expected to have an important role in the final conflict against Homelander.
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Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has shown a video of its forces capturing a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz. This ship was one of two vessels taken by Iran on the same day.
Key Facts
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard released a video of seizing a container ship.
The ship was seized in the Strait of Hormuz, an important waterway.
Two ships were captured by Iran on that Wednesday.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key passage for global shipping and oil transport.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard is a branch of Iran’s military.
The incident increases tensions in the region, which is sensitive due to strategic shipping routes.
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The UK Parliament passed a law that bans people born after December 31, 2008, from ever buying cigarettes. The new law aims to create the first smoke-free generation by making cigarette sales illegal for future younger generations.
Key Facts
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill was approved by the UK Parliament and awaits formal approval by King Charles III.
People born after December 31, 2008, will never be allowed to buy cigarettes.
The law allows the government to regulate tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products, including flavors and packaging.
It is already illegal to sell cigarettes or vaping products to anyone under 18.
The minimum age to buy cigarettes will rise every year, expanding the ban to more youth.
About 13% of the UK population (6.4 million people) still smoke despite large declines since the 1970s.
Smoking causes around 80,000 deaths annually in the UK and is the leading preventable cause of illness and death.
Similar laws were passed in New Zealand but repealed later by a new government.
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Search teams found the body of one missing crew member from a U.S.-registered cargo ship that overturned near the Northern Mariana Islands during Typhoon Sinlaku. The search continues for the five other missing crew members, with divers and aircrews from the U.S. Coast Guard and other countries involved in the rescue effort.
Key Facts
The cargo ship, named Mariana, capsized near the Northern Mariana Islands due to Typhoon Sinlaku.
One crew member’s body was found; five others remain missing.
The U.S. Coast Guard used underwater drones to search inside the overturned ship.
Japan’s coast guard also sent divers to assist in the search.
The typhoon brought winds up to 150 mph (241 kph) and caused significant damage.
Search efforts covered an area about the size of the U.S. state of Oregon.
The Mariana lost its starboard engine and requested help on April 15 but lost contact on April 16.
Life rafts and safety equipment for the crew are a focus, as they may affect how long survivors can last.
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The article discusses uncertainty about when peace talks will begin to end the conflict involving Iran. It also mentions a new poll showing that the U.S. Congress is very unpopular with the public.
Key Facts
There is no set date for peace talks related to the war involving Iran.
The future of the conflict remains unclear.
A recent poll measures public opinion about the U.S. Congress.
The poll shows Congress has very low popularity historically.
The article was featured on CBS News's program "The Takeout" with Major Garrett.
Viewers can watch the coverage through the CBS News app or online.
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Four candidates are competing to become the next United Nations Secretary-General, promising to reform and strengthen the organization. They emphasized the importance of improving peace efforts, development support, and making the UN more efficient and trusted.
Key Facts
Four candidates aim to succeed Antonio Guterres as UN Secretary-General starting next year.
The UN is 80 years old and is considered to be in crisis, with reduced influence in recent years.
Candidates spoke before UN members and civil society, pledging reforms to improve the UN.
Rebeca Grynspan from Costa Rica and Michelle Bachelet from Chile hope to be the first female UN chief.
Candidates focus on peacemaking, better management, and cost reduction to strengthen the UN.
Rafael Grossi, head of the UN nuclear watchdog, is also a candidate.
The UN Secretary-General traditionally does not come from the five permanent Security Council members (US, UK, France, Russia, China).
The position is for five years, with a possible five-year extension.
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The news focuses on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer facing criticism and isolation within his cabinet due to the handling of Lord Mandelson’s failed security vetting for an ambassador role. It also covers concerns about stalled Middle East peace talks following Iran’s seizure of ships in the Strait of Hormuz and other separate news including UK economic issues and international developments.
Key Facts
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure over the failed security checks on Lord Mandelson for a US ambassador role.
Sir Keir’s cabinet shows signs of division and some ministers are losing confidence in his leadership.
Sir Olly Robbins was dismissed by the prime minister over the handling of the Mandelson vetting without being asked for an explanation.
Iran seized two merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions and causing doubts about peace talks in the Middle East.
The UK experienced the highest tax rise on wages among wealthy countries, raising worries about job security.
Attorney General Lord Hermer defended his role in legal cases about alleged British troop misconduct, calling claims about false allegations untrue.
Other news includes Amanda Knox expressing an interest in contacting convicted UK nurse Lucy Letby, and warnings about restricted mobile signals in the UK due to rising energy costs.
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Pope Leo XIV visited a prison in Equatorial Guinea to deliver a message of hope to inmates and called for better prison conditions and justice that respects human dignity. His visit highlighted concerns about human rights abuses and the country's controversial migration deals with the U.S. government.
Key Facts
Pope Leo XIV visited a prison in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, during his African tour.
He spoke to inmates, offering them hope and reminding authorities that justice should rebuild lives, not just punish.
Equatorial Guinea has been criticized for human rights abuses, including arbitrary detentions and a lack of judicial independence.
The visit drew attention to controversial agreements where Equatorial Guinea received migrants deported from the U.S. under the Trump administration.
More than half of Equatorial Guinea's population lives in poverty, despite some wealthy areas like Mongomo benefiting from oil money.
President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has ruled for over 40 years amid accusations of corruption and authoritarianism.
The country’s vice president, Obiang’s son, was convicted in France for corruption but has received some exemption from U.S. sanctions.
About 100,000 people attended a Mass led by Pope Leo in Mongomo before the prison visit.
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James Valentine, a well-known Australian radio host and musician, has died at the age of 64 after a cancer diagnosis. He hosted the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Afternoons program in Sydney for over 20 years and chose to end his life through Voluntary Assisted Dying.
Key Facts
James Valentine was a popular talkback radio host in Sydney for more than 20 years.
He was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in 2024 and took time off for treatment.
Valentine briefly returned to radio before retiring in February 2025.
He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family.
Valentine chose Voluntary Assisted Dying to end his life on his own terms.
Aside from radio, he was a saxophone player and performed with the band The Models.
He was honored with a Member of the Order (AM) award for his contributions to broadcasting, music, and the arts.
Australian leaders and colleagues paid tribute to his warm and positive influence on the community.
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A woman in Boston and her dog helped search for a lost stuffed animal belonging to a 3-year-old child during the Boston Marathon. This story shows how social media can bring people together to help in small but meaningful ways.
Key Facts
A 3-year-old child lost a stuffed animal at the Boston Marathon event.
A Boston woman and her dog took part in the search to find the lost toy.
The search was supported by social media, which helped gather people’s attention.
Social media's power depends on individuals choosing to help.
The story was reported by CBS News and featured by Tony Dokoupil.
The event took place in Boston during the marathon.
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Rasheed Wasiu, a Nigerian man, was jailed for over five years without a trial after being arrested during violent protests against police brutality in Lagos. He was wrongly accused, held in poor prison conditions, and finally released when a judge dismissed his case due to lack of evidence.
Key Facts
Rasheed Wasiu was arrested in October 2020 during protests against police brutality in Lagos, Nigeria.
He was initially accused of looting but later faced charges of unlawful possession of firearms.
Rasheed says he did not take part in the protests and was detained by a local vigilante group.
He spent over five years in prison waiting for his trial, which was repeatedly delayed.
Prison conditions were tough: overcrowded cells, poor food, and lack of proper healthcare.
Rasheed survived by doing small jobs like washing clothes and selling snacks inside the prison.
His case was dismissed by a judge due to lack of evidence after nearly six years in detention.
During his imprisonment, Rasheed’s mother went missing.
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Zambia's government has taken control of the body of former president Edgar Lungu, who died in South Africa 10 months ago, despite his family’s wishes. The government wants to give him a state funeral and bury him in the capital, Lusaka, but the family prefers a private burial and is fighting the decision in court.
Key Facts
Edgar Lungu was Zambia’s president from 2015 to 2021.
He died in June last year in Pretoria, South Africa, at age 68.
There is a dispute between Lungu’s family and the current Zambian president, Hakainde Hichilema.
The family wants a private burial and does not want Hichilema at the funeral.
The government wants a state funeral with full honors at the special presidential burial ground in Lusaka.
A South African court ruled last August that Zambia can repatriate Lungu’s body for a state funeral.
The family appealed, but Zambia says the appeal process ended, so they took the body.
The family’s lawyers have asked a South African court to return the body to the original funeral home.
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