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Meta has significantly relaxed its restrictions on discussions surrounding gender and sexual identity, a decision that has raised alarms among advocacy groups concerned about potential increases in hate speech. This policy shift coincided with the company's announcement to end its third-party fact-checking program in the U.S., opting instead for a crowd-sourced model to address misinformation, akin to practices on the platform formerly known as Twitter. The updated community guidelines now allow users to make derogatory claims about mental health based on gender or sexual orientation and remove previous prohibitions against referring to women as "household objects" and other dehumanizing terms. Advocacy leaders, including GLAAD's Sarah Kate Ellis, argue that these changes jeopardize the safety of marginalized communities, while CEO Mark Zuckerberg contended that the prior restrictions were out of touch with mainstream discourse. Critics, including the nonprofit CyberWell, condemned the move as a dangerous lowering of standards against hate speech and harassment. 
Published: Jan 09 2025, 10 ameznews.inA Los Angeles millionaire CEO has ignited public outrage after posting a plea for "private firefighters" to protect his Pacific Palisades mansion amid a devastating wildfire that forced over 100,000 residents to evacuate. Keith Wasserman, co-founder of Gelt Venture Partners, took to X, asking for immediate assistance as flames ravaged the area, stating, "Will pay any amount." His post, which quickly garnered over a million views before being deleted, faced fierce backlash, with users criticizing his perceived insensitivity during a crisis that has already claimed at least five lives. Commenters condemned his request as tone-deaf, suggesting that lifesaving resources should not be diverted to protect his insured property while thousands were in danger. The fire has engulfed homes of celebrities and destroyed parts of the city's iconic landscape, as Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described the situation as "the big one" during a press conference.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 9 pmeznews.inGoogle CEO Sundar Pichai has underscored the importance of unity among employees as devastating wildfires ravage Southern California, prompting a Google initiative to aid relief efforts. The wildfires, described as the worst in Los Angeles history, have engulfed homes of celebrities and iconic landmarks, causing extensive damage across the region. Google.org is stepping in with funding and an employee matching campaign to support recovery efforts. The company is providing critical information through its platforms, including SOS alerts and wildfire boundaries via Google Search and Maps, while Waze offers road closures and emergency shelter locations. The Los Angeles Fire Department has issued evacuation orders for various areas, including Hollywood, as multiple wildfires continue to overwhelm firefighting resources. The Palisades fire alone has consumed over 15,000 acres, devastating structures and racing towards the Pacific Ocean.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 6 pmeznews.inIn December, Google unveiled significant developments in artificial intelligence, hardware, and extended reality, outlining its vision for 2025. The tech giant is focusing on enhancing user experiences through advancements in AI, including more intuitive search capabilities and smarter virtual assistants. Additionally, Google plans to introduce innovative hardware designed to integrate seamlessly with its software ecosystem, promoting a more connected lifestyle. The company is also investing in extended reality technologies, aiming to create immersive environments for work and play. These initiatives reflect Google's commitment to staying at the forefront of technological innovation while addressing user needs and preferences. As the company prepares for the future, it emphasizes the importance of privacy and security, ensuring that advancements are accompanied by robust protections for users. Overall, Google's announcements signal a transformative approach to technology that could significantly impact how people interact with digital services in the coming years.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 7 pmeznews.inChina is expanding its consumer trade-in scheme to stimulate demand in its sluggish household sector by adding more home appliances, such as microwave ovens and dishwashers, to the list of eligible products. Consumers trading in old items will receive subsidies ranging from 15% to 20%, with the government allocating 81 billion yuan ($11 billion) for the initiative in 2025. Initially launched in March with a budget of 150 billion yuan, the program has already seen 36 million participants, generating significant sales in both home appliances and cars. While the scheme has produced "visible effects" in boosting consumer spending, some economists caution that it may merely shift future demand rather than create sustainable growth. As China grapples with weak consumer demand and a property crisis, experts emphasize the need for broader policies to enhance consumption, especially ahead of the anticipated announcement of the country's 2024 economic growth figures.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 7 pmeznews.inA man recently shared on Reddit how he harnessed artificial intelligence to apply for 1,000 jobs while he slept, resulting in around 50 interviews. He created a custom AI bot that analyzes candidate information, reviews job descriptions, and generates tailored CVs and cover letters for each application. This innovative approach not only streamlined his job hunt but also proved effective in navigating automated screening systems, increasing his visibility to both AI and human recruiters. While celebrating the efficiency of AI in the job application process, he expressed concerns about the potential loss of the human element in professional relationships, highlighting a paradox in the ongoing technological revolution: the drive for optimization could undermine the personal connections that often enhance workplace dynamics. His experience underscores the growing role of AI in employment, raising important questions about its implications for the future of work.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIn a scathing op-ed for the _Daily Mail_, Sir William Browder, a prominent Kremlin critic and former investor in Russia, has accused President Vladimir Putin of stealing over a trillion dollars from the Russian people, labeling him as "Putin's number one enemy." Browder, who was banned from Russia in 2005, described Putin's transformation from a "political weakling" to a "monstrous dictator" since he became Yeltsin's successor in 1999. He claimed that Putin's regime has led to nearly 800,000 casualties in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, asserting that the Russian leader has looted state resources while maintaining power through fear and repression. Browder warned that underestimating Putin could lead to severe consequences, including potential aggression against NATO, as he believes the Kremlin leader seeks total capitulation from Ukraine and will not settle for anything less.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 7 pmeznews.inAs Donald Trump prepares to begin his second term as US President, his recent comments regarding potential territorial expansion have raised alarms among NATO allies and neighboring countries. During a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump suggested using military force to acquire Greenland and the Panama Canal, alongside economic pressure to annex Canada, while proposing to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America." His remarks come amid growing concerns about his administration's intentions, particularly in light of Elon Musk's calls for regime change in Europe. Leaders in Greenland and Denmark have firmly stated that Greenland is not for sale, while Panama has dismissed Trump's claims about the canal being controlled by China. Trump's expansionist rhetoric has rekindled fears among allies, who worry about the implications for global stability, especially in the context of ongoing tensions with Russia and China.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 5 pmeznews.inA devastating wildfire in Southern California has claimed at least five lives and led to the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of residents, leaving a trail of destruction across the region. Among the casualties is a historic Starbucks building in Palisades Village, commissioned in 1924, which has been reduced to ashes, sparking widespread sorrow and remembrance on social media. The fire, now the largest in Los Angeles County, has scorched over 15,800 acres between Malibu and Santa Monica, destroying more than 1,000 structures, including key landmarks and beloved local businesses. The upscale shopping centre, once vibrant with high-end retailers, now lies in ruins, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble. Firefighters continue to battle the blaze, which is advancing towards the iconic Hollywood sign, with officials reporting “zero” chance of containment as the fire creates an apocalyptic landscape of ash and debris.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 5 pmeznews.inCatherine, Princess of Wales, celebrated her 43rd birthday on Thursday, receiving heartfelt praise from her husband, Prince William, for her resilience during a challenging year marked by her cancer diagnosis. Kate, who revealed in March that she was undergoing chemotherapy, shared that her recovery journey remains ongoing despite completing her treatment in September. Both she and King Charles III, who also disclosed his cancer treatment, took a hiatus from public life but have since returned to royal duties, albeit on a limited basis for Kate. William expressed his admiration for Kate's strength in a social media tribute, calling her an "incredible wife and mother." While the exact location of her birthday celebrations remains undisclosed, she traditionally spends this time in Norfolk with her children and William. The couple is expected to increase their public appearances in 2025, potentially including an overseas trip.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 6 pmeznews.inApple has reaffirmed that it has never sold data from its Siri voice assistant or used it for marketing purposes, following a $95 million settlement of a class action lawsuit alleging the company recorded private conversations without consent. The lawsuit claimed that Apple disclosed these recordings to third parties, including advertisers. In response to public speculation about the settlement, Apple emphasized that it does not retain audio recordings of Siri interactions unless users opt in to improve the service, and even then, the data is used solely for that purpose. The company clarified that real-time input from its servers is necessary for certain features, but it minimizes data usage to ensure user privacy. Meanwhile, a similar lawsuit involving Google’s Voice Assistant is underway in federal court, with the same law firms representing the plaintiffs.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 3 pm
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