The European Union (EU) has proposed a ban on social media for children under the age of 13, a measure that has received support from child safety advocates. The plan was announced by Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, who emphasized that the initiative aims to control when and how social media platforms can access minors, rather than simply restricting their access. The EU plans to implement its own verification system and require app stores to enforce access controls. For children aged 13 to 15, access to social media would be limited to one hour per day through “mini accounts” created by a parent or guardian. Experts believe this approach could be more effective than similar efforts in other countries, though some critics worry about privacy concerns linked to the need for personal information to access platforms. A new $15.5 million fund has been launched to help end female genital mutilation (FGM), a harmful practice that affects millions of girls worldwide. While the number of girls at risk has decreased over the past decade, an estimated 4.4 million are still in danger each year, putting the global goal of eliminating FGM by 2030 at risk. The Her Horizon Fund, supported by $14 million from the Wallace Global Fund and an additional $1.5 million from an anonymous donor, aims to provide direct funding to frontline organizations working to combat the practice. This comes at a time when donor support for health agencies focused on ending FGM has declined sharply, leaving many groups struggling with limited resources. Chile has become the first country in South America to eliminate dog-transmitted rabies as a public health issue, following Bhutan’s recent achievement. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized Chile’s success, which follows over 50 years of efforts including canine vaccination, disease surveillance, and access to post-bite treatment for humans. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called it a “historic achievement,” highlighting the importance of sustained investment in public health. This marks a significant milestone in global efforts to eradicate rabies, a disease that has long been a public health concern in many parts of the world. A life-extending drug for patients with incurable breast cancer has now been approved for use in England, two years after it was initially rejected. Enhertu can add an average of seven months to a patient’s life, with some living up to three years longer. While Scotland and 26 EU countries have already made the drug available through their health systems, England’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) had previously declined approval due to the drug’s high cost. After a two-year campaign by patients and charities, NICE reversed its decision. Breast Cancer Now, one of the advocacy groups, welcomed the change and urged Wales and Northern Ireland to follow suit, offering hope to thousands of women living with advanced breast cancer. Iceland’s government has announced a review of its whaling laws, which could lead to a permanent ban on the practice. Iceland, along with Japan, Norway, and the Faroe Islands, remains one of the few countries still allowing commercial whaling, despite a global moratorium since 1986. This season, 80 adult fin whales have already been hunted in Icelandic waters, prompting calls for an end to the practice. The Humane World for Animals, a nonprofit organization, praised the government’s move, highlighting the growing public and political support for a ban and the ethical and environmental reasons behind the push. Bristol has become the latest UK city to ban advertisements for fossil fuels and other polluting products. The Green-led council passed a measure that prohibits ads for fossil fuels, flights, SUVs, and ultra-fast fashion on council-owned billboards. The move aims to support the city’s efforts to improve air quality, protect nature, and promote public health. Similar bans have been introduced in cities like Amsterdam, Cardiff, and Edinburgh. While corporations have criticized such measures as restrictions on commercial freedom, supporters argue they encourage healthier behaviors and reduce the visibility of harmful products. New research from the University of Cambridge has linked reading to improved mental health, greater empathy, and a lower risk of dementia. The study analyzed data from thousands of adults and children, finding that reading is associated with a 33% reduction in the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The research also showed that reading supports both literacy and mathematical skills, as both rely on similar cognitive processes. University of Cambridge professor Barbara Sahakian emphasized the lifelong benefits of reading, urging people to start reading at any age to support brain health and overall wellbeing. Singapore has introduced a new initiative to encourage more people to read instead of mindlessly scrolling through their phones. The Read SG platform allows users to track their reading habits and earn rewards for reading, aiming to strengthen the country’s reading culture. Melissa Tam, chief of Singapore’s national library board, noted that the abundance of digital content can blunt cognitive function and reduce attention span. The initiative encourages people to read for just 15 minutes a day, whether on the bus, before bed, or during lunch, to build healthier habits over time. The cost of solar power has plummeted to record lows, with Chinese-made photovoltaic panels now costing around $0.12 per watt – a dramatic drop from $6 per watt in 2000. According to the Financial Times, this steep decline makes solar energy “offensively cheap.” The falling costs have led to record-breaking installations worldwide, especially as the conflict in the Middle East has driven up fossil fuel prices. Experts suggest that renewable energy, particularly solar and wind, offers the most promising solution to global energy needs, as 97% of the world’s population lives in countries where solar and wind potential far exceeds current electricity demand. The number of plastic bags found on UK beaches has decreased by 80% since the introduction of charges for single-use carrier bags, according to the Marine Conservation Society. The charity launched its annual beach clean, which revealed that while the proportion of beach litter made of plastic has risen from 75% in 1995 to 87% in 2025, targeted policies can make a significant impact. Catherine Gemmell, from the charity, highlighted the success of the plastic bag charge and called for similar measures to reduce litter from drinks containers, which will be addressed by a new deposit return scheme starting in 2027. However, she emphasized that plastic bottles are just the “tip of the iceberg” and urged stronger legislation to tackle the broader issue of single-use plastics.