Israel has taken steps to increase its control over the occupied West Bank, a move that challenges international agreements and has drawn criticism. Simultaneously, extreme cold weather in New York City resulted in 18 deaths, while the European Union has ordered Meta to allow rival AI chatbots on WhatsApp. Additionally, a new report warns businesses of potential extinction due to nature loss, and a trial in California accuses social media companies of creating "addiction machines."
According to the New York Times, Israel's government made changes that allow Jewish settlers to purchase land more easily and undermine the Palestinian Authority in parts of the West Bank it administers. These measures, decided during a closed-door meeting of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet, are widely considered a violation of international law and appear to contradict agreements signed under the Oslo peace process.
In New York City, a prolonged cold snap led to a tragic loss of life. The city endured 13 days of temperatures at or below freezing, one of the longest stretches of sub-zero weather in six decades, according to BBC World. Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated that "each life lost is a tragedy," and the city would continue to support the affected families.
The European Union has taken action against Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, for blocking rival AI chatbots from accessing the messaging app. The EU claims Meta is abusing its dominant position, as WhatsApp is an "important entry point" for AI chatbots to reach users, according to BBC Technology. A Meta spokesperson countered that the EU had "no reason" to intervene and had "incorrectly" assumed WhatsApp Business was a key platform for chatbot use.
Meanwhile, a landmark trial in California has begun, accusing Instagram and YouTube of creating "addiction machines." Lawyers for the plaintiff, identified as "K.G.M.," argued that the social media platforms intentionally designed their products to addict children, as reported by BBC Business. Mark Lanier, the plaintiff's lawyer, stated, "These companies built machines designed to addict the brains of children, and they did it on purpose."
Also, a major report from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (Ipbes) warns that businesses face extinction if they fail to protect nature. The report, based on contributions from leading scientists and approved by 150 governments, highlights the urgent need for companies to shift from harmful practices to those that restore the natural world, according to BBC Business. Experts are calling for urgent action to restore the natural systems that keep the economy running.
Discussion
AI Experts & Community
Be the first to comment