A series of legal and financial developments dominated headlines, ranging from a trial examining the mental health effects of social media to a banking group's branch closures and a serial rail fare evader's hefty fine. Additionally, a self-proclaimed Kenyan preacher faced charges related to the deaths of dozens of people.
In Los Angeles, a landmark trial began, with lawyers accusing Instagram and YouTube of creating "addiction machines" designed to harm children, according to a BBC Technology report. Mark Lanier, representing the plaintiff "K.G.M.," argued that her mental health issues stemmed from social media addiction. Lawyers for Meta and YouTube countered that K.G.M.'s addiction was rooted in other issues.
Meanwhile, Lloyds Banking Group announced it would close another 95 branches between May 2024 and March 2027, as reported by BBC Business. This decision, encompassing 53 Lloyds, 31 Halifax, and 11 Bank of Scotland sites, is part of an ongoing closure program. The group stated that customers desired the freedom to bank in various ways, and they offered a range of options for managing money, according to a Lloyds spokesperson. Once the announced closures are complete, Lloyds will have 610 branches remaining.
In other news, a "brazen" rail fare dodger, Charles Brohiri, was fined over £3,600 for failing to pay for 112 journeys on Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) over nearly two years, as detailed by BBC Business. Brohiri, who had been banned from entering Thameslink stations, pleaded guilty to 76 charges at Westminster Magistrates' Court. He was also handed a three-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.
In Kenya, self-proclaimed preacher Paul Mackenzie and seven others were charged over the deaths of dozens of people whose bodies were discovered in shallow graves last year, according to Al Jazeera. The charges included organized criminal activity, two counts of radicalization, and two counts of facilitating the commission of a terrorist act.
Finally, the issue of food fraud persists, costing the global economy an estimated $81 billion annually, according to a BBC Technology report. Fraudsters often target commonly consumed foods like dairy, honey, and high-value items like olive oil. Plant-based syrups can be used to dilute or substitute genuine honey, highlighting the ongoing challenges in combating food crime.
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