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Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced a return to full-time office work starting January 2, 2025, reversing the previous three-day-a-week policy. This decision has sparked significant backlash among employees, who express concerns over work-life balance and company culture. The move aims to enhance collaboration and reduce bureaucracy within the organization.
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Meta has announced a global ban on Russian state media outlets, including RT and Rossiya Segodnya, across its platforms. This decision follows U.S. allegations of foreign interference and disinformation campaigns linked to the Kremlin, particularly in relation to the upcoming presidential election.
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Labour's Jonathan Reynolds has announced plans for an Employment Rights Bill aimed at enhancing workers' rights, including a default right to flexible working and protections against unfair dismissal. This comes as Amazon mandates a full return to office work, igniting a debate on workplace culture and productivity.
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Instagram is launching new 'teen accounts' for users under 18, defaulting to private settings and limiting interactions. This move comes amid increasing regulatory pressure and aims to enhance safety for young users. Parents will gain more control over their children's accounts, including time limits and messaging oversight.
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The U.S. Department of Justice is pursuing an antitrust case against Google, alleging the company maintains a monopoly in digital advertising. The trial, which began on September 9, 2024, could lead to significant changes in Google's advertising business, including potential divestitures of key assets. The case is expected to last several weeks.
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Recent findings reveal that X, formerly Twitter, hosts numerous groups promoting eating disorders, with nearly 200,000 members. Critics argue that the platform's moderation fails to address harmful content, raising alarms about user safety and mental health. Elon Musk acknowledged that the algorithm may amplify toxic content based on user interactions.
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Apple has launched the iPhone 16, its first AI-powered smartphone, featuring a new camera control button and the promise of Apple Intelligence. However, key AI features will not be available until next month, leading to mixed reactions from consumers and analysts amid rising competition from Huawei and others.
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The U.S. has indicted two employees of Russian state media RT for allegedly funding a $10 million disinformation campaign aimed at influencing the 2024 presidential election. This follows a broader crackdown on foreign interference, particularly from Russia, which has been accused of using state media to sow discord among American voters.
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Elon Musk is projected to become the world's first trillionaire by 2027, with a wealth growth rate of 110%. Gautam Adani and others may follow by 2028. The report raises concerns about wealth inequality and environmental impact.
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In a recent interview, Donald Trump revealed that Mark Zuckerberg called him to express admiration after Trump's assassination attempt at a rally in July. Zuckerberg reportedly stated he could not support a Democrat in the upcoming election. However, Meta clarified that Zuckerberg has not endorsed any candidate.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans to introduce legislation imposing age limits for social media access, likely between 14 and 16 years. This initiative aims to protect young people's mental health and will include an age verification trial. The legislation is expected to be introduced before the next election.
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A recent Ofcom study reveals that for the first time, online news sources have overtaken television in popularity among UK adults, with 71% accessing news online compared to 70% via TV. Despite this shift, traditional media remains more trusted than online platforms.
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Researchers have developed MarioVGG, an AI model that generates video sequences for Super Mario Bros. based on user inputs. While still in early stages with glitches and slow performance, the model shows potential for future game development innovations. This follows Google's GameNGen AI's success in creating playable Doom versions.
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Ireland's Data Protection Commission has launched an inquiry into Google's Pathways Language Model 2 (PaLM2) to assess compliance with GDPR. The investigation focuses on whether Google evaluated the risks to individuals' rights from processing personal data for AI development. This scrutiny reflects a broader trend of regulatory oversight on AI systems in Europe.
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Meta has announced plans to use UK users' public Facebook and Instagram posts to train its AI models, despite ongoing privacy concerns. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) will monitor the initiative, which allows users to opt out of data usage. The plans remain paused in the EU due to regulatory issues.
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Amazon has announced a new policy requiring corporate employees to return to the office five days a week starting January 2, 2025. This decision, which reverses the previous hybrid model, aims to enhance collaboration and preserve company culture, but has sparked significant employee discontent.
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Instagram has launched new 'Teen Accounts' with stricter privacy settings for users under 18. These accounts will be private by default, limit messaging to known contacts, and include features like sleep mode to mute notifications overnight. The changes aim to enhance online safety amid growing concerns over social media's impact on youth.
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A Microsoft report reveals that Russian disinformation campaigns are targeting Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the November elections. Fake videos and websites have been created to discredit her and her campaign, reflecting a strategic pivot by foreign adversaries as the election approaches.
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On September 18, 2024, Ukraine's Security Service conducted a drone strike on a Russian military warehouse in Toropets, Tver region, reportedly destroying a significant cache of missiles and munitions. The attack resulted in a massive explosion and fire, showcasing Ukraine's enhanced long-range strike capabilities amid ongoing conflict.