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Zuckerberg Testifies in Meta Trial and Vonn Returns After Crash

/ 02:44/E966
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified in a Los Angeles courtroom on February 18th, defending the company against claims that Instagram was designed to be addictive and harmful to children. The landmark trial features internal documents suggesting younger users were significantly more likely to remain on the platform than older cohorts. In the sports world, American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn has returned to the United States following a traumatic crash at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. Vonn, who was competing with a pre-existing ACL injury, underwent four surgeries for a shattered tibia. Additionally, the CDC has issued a Level 2 travel warning for parts of Bolivia due to a rising outbreak of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus. Finally, German political leader Friedrich Merz has voiced strong criticisms regarding the country's current fighter jet project, stating the initiative fails to meet national defense requirements. This episode covers the intersection of tech accountability, athletic resilience, and global health security.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the stand in Los Angeles to address allegations that Instagram intentionally hooks young users, a case that could redefine social media liability. This landmark trial comes as internal 2020 documents revealed that children as young as eleven were four times more likely to stay on Facebook than adults. Meanwhile, the athletic community is monitoring the recovery of skiing icon Lindsey Vonn, who returned home this week after a devastating Olympic crash that required four surgeries. Beyond the courtroom and the slopes, global health officials at the CDC are warning of a chikungunya outbreak in Bolivia, while German politician Friedrich Merz is questioning the viability of the nation's multi-billion dollar fighter jet project. This episode provides essential context on the legal, physical, and political challenges defining early 2026.

Topics Covered

  • 🎭 Tech Accountability: Mark Zuckerberg testifies in a high-stakes jury trial regarding youth mental health and social media design.
  • ⚡ Olympic Recovery: Lindsey Vonn returns to the U.S. after suffering a major tibia fracture during her final downhill race in Italy.
  • 🌍 Global Health: The CDC elevates travel warnings for Bolivia's Santa Cruz and Cochabamba departments following a viral outbreak.
  • 🏛️ Defense Strategy: Friedrich Merz criticizes Germany’s fighter jet initiative for failing to align with modern strategic needs.

Neural Newscast is AI-assisted, human reviewed. View our AI Transparency Policy at NeuralNewscast.com.

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (00:05) - Lindsey Vonn's Olympic Recovery
  • (00:05) - Meta and Social Media Litigation
  • (00:18) - Global Health and Defense News
Zuckerberg Testifies in Meta Trial and Vonn Returns After Crash

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