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Mark Zuckerberg appeared in court Wednesday to defend Meta against allegations it targeted children and teenagers. Lawyers presented internal documents suggesting the company prioritized younger users. Zuckerberg said the communications were misrepresented. This was his first jury appearance after years of criticism of Meta, which owns Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. YouTube is also part of the trial, which could influence thousands of similar lawsuits. TikTok and Snapchat settled shortly before the trial, with terms undisclosed. Meta maintained it protects young users and blocks accounts under 13. Still, lead plaintiff lawyer Mark Lanier presented emails and research showing Meta employees discussed…
Top alpine skiers have raised alarm over accelerating glacier loss during the Winter Olympics in Cortina.Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin said the glaciers they trained on as children have largely disappeared.They described the changes as immediate and impossible to ignore. Italy, the host nation, has lost more than 200 square kilometres of glacier area since the late 1950s.Scientists report that the decline has sped up sharply in the past two decades.Glaciers once visible from Cortina have shrunk into small ice patches high in the Dolomites. Athletes rely on glaciers for early-season training and consistent snow.Many now face exposed rock, crevasses…
Preparing for the ETS2 Launch EU countries have agreed to update the rules of their carbon market to prevent sudden spikes in carbon prices ahead of a new tax on cars, vans, and buildings. The updated mechanism will extend beyond 2030 to ensure that when the system comes into effect in 2028, prices remain manageable for households and businesses relying on fossil fuels for heating and transport. While some member states, including Slovakia and the Czech Republic, have called for delays due to social concerns, countries such as Sweden, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg have pushed back. They warn…
Midland County has officially proclaimed National Public Schools Week, honoring educators and celebrating student achievements across the region. Local officials voted to recognize the contributions of teachers, staff, and students to the county’s public education system. The proclamation emphasizes the role of public schools in shaping future generations. Officials note that educators provide essential skills, guidance, and support that help students succeed academically and personally. During National Public Schools Week, Midland County plans to highlight student accomplishments in academics, arts, and extracurricular activities. Schools will host events and activities to showcase learning achievements and foster community engagement. County leaders said…
“Life is becoming more expensive,” says Alexander, an advertising specialist from Moscow who works for a large corporation. His monthly food budget jumped by more than 22% in one month, rising from 35,000 roubles to 43,000 roubles. Russia’s economy now wavers between stagnation and decline, and citizens increasingly feel the financial impact of the war in Ukraine as it approaches its fourth year. Alexander noticed price increases for almost all essential goods in supermarkets, including eggs, chicken fillets, and seasonal vegetables. Journalists changed all names in this report to protect sources. Even his daily Americano on the way to work…
Brussels Considers Independent Ban The European Union is prepared to impose a full ban on maritime services for Russian oil tankers even if G7 nations fail to reach a joint agreement, Valdis Dombrovskis said. The EU aims to approve its 20th sanctions package by 24 February, marking four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. If enacted, the ban would override the G7 price cap on Russian oil within the EU, preventing European companies from servicing Russian tankers regardless of the Urals crude price, which currently sits at $44.10 per barrel. Dombrovskis emphasized that coordination with the G7 is preferable,…
Senior UK bank executives will meet this week to begin creating a domestic payments network to rival Visa and Mastercard.The project aims to protect the economy if access to US-owned systems is ever disrupted. The meeting will be chaired by Vim Maru of Barclays and will include major lenders and payment firms.The industry-funded, government-backed plan has been discussed for years but gained urgency amid geopolitical tensions and fears over reliance on US infrastructure. About 95% of UK card payments run through Visa or Mastercard.Executives warn that losing those networks would severely disrupt daily transactions in a largely cashless economy.Sanctions that…
US President Donald Trump said he will be indirectly involved in talks between Iran and the United States starting later Tuesday in Geneva. He spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One and said he believes Iran wants to reach a deal on its nuclear programme. The second round of talks in Switzerland follows repeated US military threats against Iran over its deadly crackdown on anti-government protests and the ongoing dispute over its nuclear programme. On Monday, Iran’s foreign ministry said it believes the US position has shifted toward a more realistic approach. Iran Pushes for Sanctions Relief While US Broadens…
Volkswagen aims to cut costs by 20% by 2028 as competition from Chinese carmakers intensifies.Plant closures remain a possible part of the restructuring. Chief executive Oliver Blume and finance chief Arno Antlitz outlined the savings plan to senior managers.The goal is to secure sustainable profits despite falling sales, high costs and rapid industry automation. An earlier overhaul already included 35,000 job cuts by 2030 and a €10bn savings target.Volkswagen says previous measures have saved tens of billions of euros and helped offset geopolitical pressures such as US tariffs. The push comes as the EU trade deficit with China continues to…
U.S. Signals Support for Orbán U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to Budapest to deliver a message of support from former President Donald Trump to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose ruling Fidesz party is trailing in polls ahead of April’s elections. At a press conference, Rubio praised Orbán’s personal rapport with Trump and credited it for strengthening U.S.–Hungary relations, citing last year’s one-year exemption from U.S. sanctions on Russian oil imports as an example of tangible benefits. Rubio’s visit followed the Munich Security Conference and included Slovakia, where he met Prime Minister Robert Fico, another Trump supporter. In…
