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Meta's recent shift from a fact-checking program to a crowdsourced model prioritizing "free expression" has ignited significant controversy regarding its potential impact on misinformation and hate speech. This change comes just days before Donald Trump's reinstatement as President and appears to be a response to conservative criticism that Meta's previous policies suppressed right-wing voices. Trump has previously warned CEO Mark Zuckerberg against interfering in the 2024 election, prompting Zuckerberg to seek a more amicable relationship, including appointing conservative Joel Kaplan as global policy chief. Under Kaplan's leadership, Meta will adopt a Community Notes model, reminiscent of Elon Musk's approach at X, where users monitor content instead of experts. Critics argue this shift could exacerbate misinformation and hate speech, with experts asserting it undermines the platforms' responsibility to protect users while aligning with Trump's agenda. The changes will affect Meta's vast user base across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. 
Published: Jan 09 2025, 12 ameznews.inIn a candid interview with USA Today, President Joe Biden expressed confidence that he could have defeated Donald Trump in a hypothetical re-election bid but acknowledged concerns about his stamina for another four-year term at 86. The 82-year-old Democrat reflected on the challenges his successor may pose, considering pre-emptive pardons for Trump critics like former Congresswoman Liz Cheney and Dr. Anthony Fauci, amidst Trump's threats to investigate Fauci over his pandemic critiques. Biden recounted a meeting with Trump after the November election, where he urged the former president to avoid retaliatory actions, noting Trump was receptive but non-committal. Additionally, Biden defended his pardon of son Hunter, citing his recovery from addiction and tax compliance. Ultimately, Biden stated that while he believed he could win against Trump based on polls, he had no desire to serve as president at such an advanced age.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 3 pmeznews.inAn influential Republican Congressman, Andy Biggs, has reintroduced a bill in the US House of Representatives aimed at revoking Pakistan's status as a major non-NATO ally. The legislation stipulates that the President should only certify this designation if Pakistan demonstrates a commitment to curbing the movement of militants, particularly the Haqqani Network, which operates from its territory. The bill requires assurances that Pakistan is actively conducting military operations against these groups and coordinating with the Afghan government to limit their activities along the border. Originally introduced in January 2019, this bill has seen no legislative progress in previous sessions, yet it reflects ongoing concerns in Washington regarding Pakistan's role in regional security and counterterrorism efforts.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 12 pmeznews.inStarbucks' iconic logo, featuring a twin-tailed mermaid or "siren," has a rich and somewhat eerie history that dates back to the company's founding in 1971. Designed by artist Terry Heckler, the original logo depicted a bare-chested siren, inspired by ancient mythology, symbolising the irresistible allure of coffee. This choice reflects the siren's mythological role in luring sailors to their doom, serving as a metaphor for the captivating nature of the beverage. Over the years, the logo has been modernised, yet the siren remains central, embodying themes of mystery and seduction while maintaining a connection to the sea. Although today's design is more subtle, the logo's intriguing origins continue to fascinate many, as highlighted by YouTuber Zack D Films, who notes the logo's transformation from a 'creepy' image to a symbol of allure and charm in the coffee industry.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 1 pmeznews.inDuring a press briefing on the devastating wildfires in Southern California, President Joe Biden awkwardly announced that he had become a great-grandfather, eliciting nervous laughter from attendees. His eldest granddaughter, Naomi Biden Neal, welcomed a son, William Brannon Neal IV, confirmed by First Lady Jill Biden on Instagram. Biden, 82, is the first sitting US president to achieve great-grandfather status. Amidst this personal news, he expressed concern for his family's safety, revealing that his son had received notice that their home might have been destroyed, although it was reportedly still standing. The wildfires have resulted in at least five fatalities and the evacuation of tens of thousands, with the Palisades Fire becoming the most destructive in Los Angeles history, burning over 15,800 acres. Biden, who canceled a planned trip to Italy, affirmed his commitment to addressing the crisis, stating, "We're doing everything we can."
Published: Jan 09 2025, 1 pmeznews.inAs wildfires ravage California, prompting mass evacuations and resulting in at least five fatalities, President-Elect Donald Trump has sharply criticized Governor Gavin Newsom, claiming the situation is "all his fault" and demanding his resignation. Trump accused Newsom of mismanaging water resources, alleging that a refusal to sign a water restoration declaration has exacerbated the crisis in the state. In response, Newsom defended his administration's focus on saving lives rather than engaging in political disputes, asserting that Trump's claims about the water declaration are unfounded. Firefighters in Los Angeles County are struggling with inadequate personnel to combat the blazes, which have damaged over 1,500 structures. Outgoing President Joe Biden has also stepped in, canceling a trip to Italy to prioritize firefighting efforts, emphasizing the government's commitment to addressing the emergency.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 1 pmeznews.inIn his 'parting prescription' as the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy emphasized the urgent need to rebuild community to combat widespread pain and unhappiness. Reflecting on his father's experiences in India, where he found fulfillment through strong communal ties despite material hardships, Dr. Murthy highlighted the importance of relationships, service, and purpose as essential components of a thriving community. He noted that these elements can significantly impact health outcomes, including reducing loneliness, depression, and anxiety, which affect half of young people and a third of adults. Dr. Murthy urged a reevaluation of success and fulfillment, advocating for lives centered around meaningful connections and collective well-being. He concluded by asserting that community serves as a vital antidote to division and despair, underscoring its critical role in fostering health and happiness in contemporary society.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 1 pmeznews.inShoji Morimoto, a 41-year-old Japanese man, has turned an unconventional career into a lucrative venture by offering his services as a "rental do-nothing" companion, earning approximately $80,000 last year. After being fired in 2018 for a perceived lack of initiative, Morimoto now caters to those seeking non-romantic companionship, attending events or simply being present without engaging in conversation. His versatile services include supporting marathon runners, participating in video calls, and even attending concerts on behalf of clients. Operating on a pay-as-you-wish model, he receives around 1,000 requests annually, with past charges ranging from $65 to $195 per session. As Japan's rental services industry thrives, experts note that loneliness and social awkwardness drive many to seek such companionship, allowing individuals to circumvent the challenges of forming friendships in a culture that often avoids direct communication.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 11 ameznews.inIn a heated debate surrounding the issue of grooming gangs in the UK, Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi attributed the blame to "one rogue nation," Pakistan, a sentiment echoed by Elon Musk. This statement emerged as the UK's opposition Conservative party pushed for a national inquiry into the sexual abuse of primarily white British girls by predominantly Pakistani men over several decades. Chaturvedi criticized Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer's remarks about his past prosecution of an Asian grooming gang, while Starmer defended himself against accusations of misinformation. Amid this controversy, attention also turned to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, aimed at safeguarding vulnerable children, which progressed through Parliament following the tragic case of 10-year-old Sara Sharif, who was murdered by her father and stepmother after enduring years of abuse. The bill's advancement reflects ongoing efforts to address child protection in the UK.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 11 ameznews.inApple has reiterated its commitment to user privacy, asserting that it has never used Siri data for marketing purposes, nor sold or shared it with advertisers. This statement follows the company's recent $95 million settlement of a class-action lawsuit, which alleged that Apple recorded users' private conversations with Siri. In a bid to enhance privacy, Apple emphasized that Siri processes requests on users' devices whenever possible, minimizing data transfer to its servers. The company also clarified that audio recordings of Siri interactions are not retained unless users opt in to improve the service, and even then, users can easily opt out. Apple maintains that its design principles focus on data minimization, transparency, and strong security measures, ensuring that user experiences are both personalized and secure.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 11 ameznews.inIn a tragic incident amid rampant wildfires in Los Angeles, 66-year-old Victor Shaw lost his life while attempting to protect his family home in Altadena. His sister, Shari Shaw, recounted the emotional moment she had to leave him behind, despite firefighters urging them to evacuate. As she fled, she called out to him but received no response, ultimately prioritizing her own safety as flames engulfed their home. Al Tanner, a friend of Shaw's, later discovered his body on the driveway, still clutching a garden hose, indicative of his desperate attempt to save the residence that had been in the family for nearly 55 years. The wildfires, fueled by fierce winds, have devastated thousands of acres, destroying around 1,500 buildings and injuring numerous residents who ignored evacuation orders. Fire authorities have mandated evacuations for over 100,000 people as they grapple with the escalating crisis.
Published: Jan 09 2025, 11 am
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