2 hours ago Mark Zuckerberg’s end to Meta factchecking is a desperate play for engagement

As factchecking attempts end, Meta’s platforms will become a wasteland of fake news and misinformationMark Zuckerberg craves one metric more than any other: engagement, the statistic that tracks how long social media users spend scrolling, clicking, commenting, and viewing ads. More engagement, more profit. The Meta CEO will do almost anything to keep users online for an extra two minutes – even, it seems, surrender his websites to a flood of fake news.On Tuesday, Zuckerberg announced that his company plans to fire its US factcheckers and weaken its ability to moderate disinformation on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. This new policy is meant to curry favor with the coming Trump administration. It’s also a desperate attempt to boost engagement across all Meta’s social networks. Continue reading...

Politics

1 hour ago LA fires live updates: New blaze erupts in Granada Hills as officials warn death toll will rise

Mandatory Evacuation Order in effect for the newly sparked Archer Fire in Granda Hills as the death toll continues to climb from the deadly Los Angeles County wildfires that forced evacuation orders for nearly 200,000 residents

Events

5 hours ago Biden administration imposes toughest sanctions on Russian oil and gas

Measures targeting Russian energy sector attempt to leverage peace deal for Ukraine in Trump administrationThe Biden administration on Friday imposed its broadest package of sanctions yet targeting Russia’s oil and gas revenues in an attempt to give Kyiv and the incoming administration of Donald Trump leverage to reach a deal for peace in Ukraine. The move is meant to cut Russia‘s oil revenues for the war that started in February 2022, and has killed or wounded tens of thousands and reduced cities to rubble.National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said the timing of the was chosen because “oil markets are in a fundamentally better place” and the US economy is better positioned to absorb any market disruption. Continue reading...

Politics

5 hours ago California wildfires live updates: at least 10 people killed; winds expected to pick up again

Officials warn people against returning home too soon amid continued threats to life from broken gas and power lines; details emerge about victimsAfter the fire, the insurance battles: new ordeals to comeFleeing the LA fires alone on a wheelchair: ‘I had to take my chances’Californians: have you been affected by the wildfires?An update on the Hurst fire from the US forest service has increased the acreage burned to 771 and is 37% contained.477 personnel were assigned to the fire. Continue reading...

Events

28 hours ago NHS boss issues virus warning as Brits 'demand' return of key Covid restriction

As flu and the 'mystery' HMPV virus hits the UK, health officials have stepped up warnings to stop the spread - but now Brits are demanding the return of one restriction to help keep people safe

Events

30 hours ago London charity given official warning over fundraising for IDF soldier

London charity given official warning over fundraising for IDF soldier  Yahoo News UK

Events

30 hours ago Biden administration gives $500m to Ukraine in final military aid package

US defense secretary says ‘Ukraine’s fight matters to all’ when revealing aid bundle days before Trump’s returnThe Biden administration has given its final injection of military support to Ukraine, unveiling a $500m weapons package just days before Donald Trump’s return to the White House threatens to upend western backing for Kyiv.The aid bundle – including air defense missiles and F-16 fighter jet equipment – was announced on Thursday by outgoing US defense secretary Lloyd Austin during a summit at Germany’s Ramstein air base. Continue reading...

Events

31 hours ago London charity given official warning over campaign to support Israeli army soldier

London charity given official warning over campaign to support Israeli army soldier  The National

Events

32 hours ago In their final meeting, Zelenskyy and Austin say military aid to Ukraine must continue under Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U_S_ Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin used their final meeting in Germany to press the incoming Trump administration to not give up on Kyiv’s fight, warning that to cease military support now “will only invite more aggression, chaos and war.”

Events

36 hours ago UK rejects demand from Donald Trump's new security chief to take back 'Isis Bride' Shamima Begum and other exiled British Islamists in Syria

The Foreign Secretary spoke out after a member of Trump's incoming administration signalled that he would want Britain to bring its citizens home.

Events