The family of 16-year-old Murray Dowey, who died by suicide after being blackmailed on Instagram, is suing Meta, the platform’s owner. The lawsuit alleges Meta prioritized profit over safety, despite knowing about features that could prevent sextortion. Murray was a victim of online sextortion in December 2023, where he was tricked into sending intimate images and subsequently threatened. Meta has responded by acknowledging the “horrific crime” of sextortion while highlighting safety features, such as blocking suspicious accounts and restricting teen accounts, aimed at combatting the issue.
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China is implementing a 13% value-added tax (VAT) on condoms and contraceptives starting January 1st, reversing a three-decade exemption, as part of its efforts to boost the birthrate and modernize its tax laws. This move, included in a 2024 VAT law, follows the relaxation of the one-child policy and the introduction of various incentives like childcare subsidies, despite having a marginal impact on the country’s birth rate. While some experts believe this tax will have a negligible effect on fertility, others express concern about the message it sends, particularly for women, and highlight that the revenue generation is not the primary motivation. The tax change may be a shift towards less direct encouragement and an attempt to codify the tax system further.
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Authorities are investigating a possible connection between the mass shooting at Brown University, where two students were killed and nine others wounded, and the killing of an MIT professor in Brookline, Massachusetts. Investigators have identified a person of interest in the Brown University shooting, and are actively searching for them. Despite the extensive investigation, the attacker at Brown has managed to evade capture. Experts note that in high-profile shootings, the perpetrators often either die by suicide or are quickly apprehended, making this case unusual.
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has established a tip line to report suspected violations of the state’s bathroom ban, which mandates public building restroom use based on birth-assigned sex. Paxton claims the law protects women and girls, despite research showing no increased safety risk from transgender individuals using gender-affirming facilities. The law, which carries hefty fines for non-compliant institutions, has already caused issues, like student relocations at the University of Texas San Antonio. Critics, including the ACLU, argue the tip line promotes privacy violations and over-policing based on gender.
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Ukraine’s counteroffensive turns Kupiansk into a symbol of defiance. It’s truly something, isn’t it? To see a city like Kupiansk, a place of such strategic importance, become a focal point in this ongoing conflict. It’s not just about the rail lines, the logistics, or the military maneuvers anymore. It’s about something far more profound: defiance.
The fact that Ukraine is still standing, still fighting, against all odds, is the most powerful symbol of defiance imaginable. Think about it: they’ve been publicly humiliated, seen aid come and go in fits and starts, been told to give up, and yet, they persevere. The world has watched as they’ve faced immense challenges, but Kupiansk embodies their resolve.… Continue reading
Pulitzer Prize-winning war correspondent Peter Arnett has passed away at the age of 91. Arnett, known for his fearless reporting, covered conflicts from the Vietnam War, where he won a Pulitzer Prize in 1966, to the Gulf Wars, becoming a household name. He was also known for his exclusive interviews and his controversial comments during the Iraq War led to his dismissal from NBC. Arnett’s career spanned decades and various news outlets, leaving a lasting impact on journalism.
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NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, along with his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder, tragically died in a plane crash in North Carolina. The Cessna C550 private jet, owned by Biffle’s company, crashed at Statesville Regional Airport, killing all seven passengers, including friends Craig Wadsorth, Dennis and Jack Dutton. Biffle, known for his successful NASCAR career and philanthropic efforts, was remembered as a champion driver and a beloved member of the NASCAR community. The crash occurred during an attempted landing, prompting an investigation and leaving the community to mourn the loss of the Biffle family and the other victims.
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As influenza activity increases in the US, health officials are urging widespread vaccination and the use of antiviral medications, particularly as a concerning new variant circulates and pediatric deaths reach record highs. The CDC is monitoring the H3N2 virus subclade K and has highlighted policy changes in vaccine recommendations. Last year’s flu season was exceptionally severe, with a high number of hospitalizations, especially among children, where vaccine effectiveness ranged from 63% to 78% in preventing hospitalization. Despite early indications suggesting the new variant could impact vaccine effectiveness, health officials emphasize vaccination remains critical.
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US military says it conducted a strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific, killing four men. Honestly, the headline itself is a bit of a shocker. It’s almost surprising it didn’t involve some location near Venezuela, considering the current geopolitical climate. It makes you wonder, are we just straight-up killing people now? It’s a question that hangs heavy in the air.
“Eastern Pacific” feels like a purposefully vague term, doesn’t it? It’s the right half of the Pacific Ocean, which, let’s be real, is a massive body of water. The headlines lately read like movie scripts, but the endings aren’t always so neat and tidy.… Continue reading
The article examines a group of individuals, “Cassandras,” who were early to recognize the dangers of political trends and are now advocating for a more assertive response. These individuals are characterized by their clear thinking, strong values, and courage, often clashing with “anti-alarmists” who prioritize cynicism and a “savvy” approach. The Cassandras criticize the media’s complacency and urge Democrats to adopt a more aggressive stance against rising authoritarianism. This perspective has resonated with a growing base of Democratic voters, emphasizing the need for decisive action and a willingness to “fight” to protect core values. Ultimately, the article celebrates the courage of the Cassandras for speaking up and inspiring others to do the same.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood