American photo and video sharing platform owned by Meta Platforms
Authorities report a rise in back-to-school anxiety as autumn terms begin. Experts say sleep disruption, organisation struggles, and worries about coursework signal adjustment challenges. Mindful routines and early school-engagement help families navigate the transition.
Meta's AI smart glasses are facing intensified backlash over privacy concerns, with outlets reporting a spate of covert filming incidents. Meta has rolled out privacy updates, including an LED indicator and hardware privacy protections, while venues and regulators consider tighter rules.
A police pursuit ends in a fatal crash on a northeast England dual carriageway. Seven people, including two police officers, have died; one of the victims had previously posted dangerous-driving videos. Government urges TikTok and others to remove such content as investigations continue.
New Zealand's government has introduced a bill requiring social media platforms to verify users are over 16, with penalties of up to 10% of global revenue for non-compliance. The measure is debated in Parliament, with coalition partners divided and opposition undecided, as lawmakers race to act ahead of elections.
A roundup of recent reports shows Americans face higher living costs and tighter budgets. Survey data indicate many households lack emergency savings, while inflation remains above the Fed's target. Analysts warn about potential changes to Social Security COLA and the long-run funding of the program.
OpenAI unveils a privacy-centric safety monitoring approach, while Anthropic maintains a 30-day data retention policy for its covered models, prompting enterprise concerns and competitive tension in the AI safety space.
Instagram head Adam Mosseri has testified in a federal trial in Oakland where 29 US states accuse Meta of designing addictive features that harm children and violating child privacy laws. States are seeking large damages and structural changes; prosecutors have shown internal documents and low adoption of safety tools. Mosseri defended improvements and said some tools initially had low uptake.
A collage of recent pieces shows how people treat pets as family, how pet influencers are rising, and how animals appear in public events—ranging from dog festivals in Northumberland to cathedral blessings and Downing Street lore. The coverage highlights evolving human-animal relationships and the social roles animals play.
Meta has agreed to paid settlements in the US totaling up to $16.68-18 billion and to implement stricter controls on Facebook and Instagram, including two-hour daily limits for under-18s and nighttime blocks. The deal, which still requires court approval, marks a rare regulatory constraint on a major platform, with debates extending globally as other jurisdictions consider similar rules.
Michael Marra and Joe Fagan are vying to lead Scottish Labour. In speeches and interviews, Marra pledges to deliver change from the opposition, while Fagan emphasizes leadership style and unity. The race remains open with a mid-September result expected.
A speedboat captain has been arrested and charged after a capsizing off New York’s Statue of Liberty killed a 5‑month‑old and a 27‑year‑old. Investigators say the vessel was overcrowded, lacked infant life jackets, and the operator entered the U.S. illegally. He is in ICE detention and faces potential deportation and prison time.
Carlos Alcaraz has confirmed he will return to competitive tennis at the US Open after missing more than four months with a right wrist injury. The 23-year-old is seeded second at Flushing Meadows, where organisers have increased the total prize fund to a record $108m and will launch a grand slam player advisory council after the tournament.
The US Open has announced Serena Williams will partner Carlos Alcaraz in the mixed doubles main draw. The pair will compete in the revamped two-day, 16-team format with a $1 million prize. Williams is not planning singles, while Alcaraz is returning from a right wrist injury.
Emma Garner, who has long balanced acting with business, has joined Once Upon a Farm’s growth as its stock market debut signals a new phase for the brand and Garner’s second act.
A jury in Alabama has ruled The New York Times liable for defaming Kai Spears, a former University of Alabama basketball walk-on, in a 2023 report that wrongly identified him at the scene of a fatal shooting. The Times has issued an editor’s note and is weighing legal options after the nine-day trial.
The Bayern Munich forward Jamal Musiala has disclosed a temporary, treatable absence seizure diagnosis. Bayern confirms the condition was present before last season and is adjusting his treatment. Kompany says Musiala is making progress and will train individually as Bayern prepare for the Supercup and Bundesliga opener.
Karoline Heintz, an incoming PennWest University freshman, was found dead in the back hatch of a Jeep near the California campus after a brief meeting with her boyfriend. Royce Moser, 18, is charged with homicide; his mother is charged with aiding in the cover-up. Investigations reveal a planned attack and a cover-up effort as authorities pursue leads across the region.
The Justice Department has reached a $400m settlement with TikTok and related entities over alleged violations of the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act. TikTok will pay $300m immediately and another $100m after a court vacates a 2019 consent decree tied to Musical.ly. The deal resolves a 2024 DOJ suit and includes stronger youth safeguards, the department says.
Dolly Parton has died; her nephew Bryan Seaver has announced the death on Instagram. The 80-year-old icon had recently faced health issues and had postponed events at Dollywood. No cause of death has been disclosed and her public health updates had indicated ongoing health challenges.
The Cockroach Janta Party has launched a peaceful march planned for Sept. 5 in New Delhi, led by families of NEET exam-affected students and victims of police violence. Protests followed the NEET paper leak and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The government has faced criticism for delaying commitments and for police action during the demonstrations.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has shared a message exchange with a plastic surgeon who offered to “fix that little spot on your nose.” She has responded by affirming her body and urging focus on meaningful topics, while continuing to lead Denmark in a time of war and geopolitical tension.
Target has pulled a children's Halloween costume and apologised after critics said the product and its promotional image evoked Jim Crow–era minstrel caricatures. The retailer has deleted the listing, opened an internal review and said the item "should never have been part of our assortment" as organisers and community leaders renew boycott calls.
Philip Jerome has been jailed for 12 months after breaching a stalking prevention order by contacting actress Piper through social media, attending events and keeping a notebook of notes. Police found images and posts about Piper on his devices; his pattern shows a long history of harassment.
Olympic and world champion Alysa Liu has announced she will not compete this season to recalibrate her artistry and further develop her skating. She says she will return later, after time to focus on personal growth and technique.
Meta has agreed to a settlement with state attorneys general that will require sweeping changes to Instagram and Facebook and pay up to $18 billion over a decade. The deal, filed during a federal trial in Oakland, includes default limits for under-18s, overnight blocks, hidden like counts, tighter age checks and new parental controls.
Nvidia has reported second-quarter revenue of $96.2bn and has forecast about 70% revenue growth for fiscal 2028, far above analyst expectations. The company has won large cloud orders, including an expanded deal with Amazon Web Services, and has moved to finance and build AI data‑centre capacity while rivals design custom chips.
Meta has agreed to safeguards for users under 18, including a two-hour daily limit, a nighttime access block, non-algorithmic feeds by default, muted notifications during school hours, and bans on extreme makeup filters. The changes apply to Instagram and Facebook in participating U.S. states, with broader adoption possible after judicial approval and potential alignment with rivals.
The Tate brothers have remained in a federal detention center in Miami since their July 18 arrest. A judge will decide if they should stay detained during a prolonged extradition process, with prosecutors arguing flight risk and defense contending wealth claims were exaggerated online.
Meta has agreed to enforce safety features for under-18s in the US, with time limits, night blocks and parental controls. The UK is watching closely as ministers propose tougher protections, including a ban on under-16s from social media. The developments may push global standards.
Federal filings show a nurse practitioner prescribed hundreds of thousands of opioid pills across more than 20 states, guiding clients on evading DEA scrutiny. The DEA has revoked her authority to prescribe controlled substances. Civil settlement reached earlier this year did not admit wrongdoing. Details tie prominent athletes and others to the operation.
A missing truck carrying 50,000 cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon has prompted Anheuser-Busch to issue an 18-day-and-44-minute deadline for its return, with a reward offered for information. Two cargo-theft incidents at the Montclair distribution center are under police investigation, with authorities linking the cases and valuing the haul at about $70,000.