Hey, Kid News fans.
Are red pandas like giant pandas?
Not really.
They're closer relatives to skunks, weasels and raccoons than they are to those awesome black and whites.
And technically speaking, bananas are berries, but strawberries aren't.
Fascinating, right?
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That's theweekjunior.com slash fun facts.
Good morning and welcome to Kid News.
I'm Kim.
Today is Wednesday, December 10th, 2025.
And we begin with that sweeping social media crackdown we told you about in Australia, now in full force.
As of midnight, the country became the first in the world to ban anyone under 16 from 10 major apps, including TikTok YouTube Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook.
Platforms that don't block underage accounts face fines of up to 33 million.
The ban is being closely watched by other countries due to the growing concern about the impact of social media on the health and well-being of today's kids.
In a video message that Sky News Australia said would be played in schools this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke directly to the millions of Australian teens and tweens impacted.
Make the most of the school holidays coming up rather than spending it scrolling on your phone.
Start a new sport, learn a new instrument or read that book that has been sitting there for some time on your shelf.
End of the year honors are rolling in.
Yesterday, Time Magazine named hoop star Asia Wilson its 2025 Athlete of the Year.
Asia, who plays for the Vegas Aces, is the first player in WNBA or NBA history to win a championship and be named Finals MVP, League MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, all in the same season.
The Associated Press is also getting in on the action but breaks up the award by gender.
Today, it'll name its Female Athlete of the Year.
Yesterday, it bestowed the honor on Showtime's Shohei Otani of the Dodgers.
It's the two-way player's fourth AP win, tying him with other sports greats LeBron James, Tiger Woods and since-disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong.
Don't mess with school buses.
Waymo's robo taxis are getting a safety tune up, after the self-driving cars were caught on camera driving around buses with their stop arms out.
The Hill is reporting at least 25 incidents that occurred near schools this year around Austin, Texas and Atlanta Georgia.
Last month, one driverless vehicle stopped briefly, only to then move forward while a student was still crossing the street.
While no injuries have been reported, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation, citing concerns by parents and the police.
Waymo says they'll fix the problem by updating the car's software without needing to pull them out of service.
Another kid news notes, soccer's biggest stage is adding a built-in water break.
Beginning next summer at the FIFA World Cup, all players will get three minutes to hydrate during each half of every match, no matter the weather.
In past tournaments, water breaks only happen when temperatures were extreme, as determined by match officials.
Officials say the change was made with athletes' safety in mind, to help players stay sharp, avoid cramps and handle the physical stress of non-stop play.
Three-year-olds typically stack up blocks, not chess ratings.
But one three-year-old boy in India has become the world's youngest officially rated chess player.
According to the World Chess Federation,
Sarwaga Singh Kushwaha began playing at age two and a half and earned his rating by scoring points against at least five rated chess players, all in their 20s, at sanctioned events.
The pint-sized player practices the game four to five hours every day.
And a tiny new panda cub just made a very big debut.
Rio was born on November 27th at Taman Safari in Indonesia, which is home to two giant pandas, on loan from China as part of a conservation program.
Newborn pandas are extremely small and delicate, and while the species is no longer officially endangered, they are still considered vulnerable.
We put a link on our website so you can check out Rio for yourself.
Still to come, a fast food holiday drop that's turned into something of a holiday flop.
But first we want to wish avid listener Eve Ersling of Jacksonville, Florida a very happy birthday one week early.
Eve turns 11 on the 17th and her mom, dad and big sister Gray, tell us she is an incredibly kind creative, super smart, curious student of the world and an amazing soccer star.
Eve, they are so proud of you.
Happy birthday from our entire team.
Now, today's Kid News quiz.
Where did a sweeping social media ban just kick in for kids under 16?
Australia.
What kind of vehicle did some Waymo cars pass when they should have stopped?
School buses with their stop arms out.
How many rated players did three-year-old Sargawa have to score against to earn his official rating?
At least five.
Who is Time's Athlete of the Year?
Aces hoop star Asia Wilson.
In today's Kid News Kicker, the Grinch is striking again, this time at the drive-thru.
McDonald's has launched a limited edition Grinch-themed holiday meal, which has proved to be so popular that it's almost impossible to find.
Frustrated fast food fans have turned to social media to air their gripes and post sold-out signs at their local restaurants.
The special meal includes dill pickle, salt that gets shaken onto the fries and a pair of colorful holiday socks.
McDonald's confirmed that the meal would only be available while supplies last, but the lack of supply has left lots of hopeful customers feeling as grumpy as the Grinch himself.
Thanks again to the Ersling family of Jacksonville, Florida for sponsoring today's quiz.
Happy early birthday to Eve and hello to her teacher, Mrs Smith, and all her fifth grade friends at Riverside Presbyterian Day School.
Before we go, shout out time for some of our Kid News classrooms.
Mrs. Selly's Pirates at Oakwood in Hannibal, Missouri.
Mr. Eberhardt's Falcons at Gus Franklin Jr.
STEM School in Victorville, California.
Mr. Schulte's Hawks at Holmes in Oak Park, Illinois.
And Mr. Burns Eagles at Easterly Parkway School in State College, Pennsylvania.
Thanks for listening.
If you have a moment, please rate and review us wherever you get your podcasts.
And we'll see you back here for more kid news tomorrow morning.
