Tag Archives: escalating

Meta Blocks Instagram Accounts of Prominent Indian Muslims Amid Escalating Conflict

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Meta has prohibited well-known Muslim news pages on Indian Instagram at the request of the government, with the account’s founder labeling the action as “censorship” that intensifies tensions between India and Pakistan.

An Indian Instagram user attempted to access a post from the account @muslim, which boasts 6.7 million followers. “Accounts not available in India. This is due to compliance with legal requirements restricting this content.”

There was no swift response from the Indian government regarding the ban, which followed a predicament where Pakistani actors and cricketers were blocked from their social media accounts.

“We’ve received numerous messages and comments from our Indian followers unable to access our account,” stated Ameer Al-Khatahtbeh, founder and editor of the news account. “Meta blocked the @muslim account following legal requests from the Indian government. This action is censorship.”

Meta chose not to comment, with a spokesperson referencing the company’s webpage that outlines their policy of restricting content if the government deems it “against local laws.”

This situation, first reported by US technology journalist Taylor Lorenz, has led to heightened violence between India and Pakistan—the most severe in two decades for these nuclear-armed nations.

Following New Delhi’s deadly missile strike against its rival, both countries engaged in heavy artillery exchanges along the disputed border.

At least 43 fatalities were reported amid the conflict, occurring two weeks after India accused Pakistan of supporting a deadly attack on tourists in the contested regions of Kashmir.

Pakistan has declined to file charges and warned it would seek “revenge” for those killed in India’s airstrikes.

The @muslim account ranks among the most-followed Muslim news sources on Instagram. Khatahtbeh expressed regret to his Indian followers, stating: “When platforms and nations attempt to silence the media, it highlights their role in holding powerful entities accountable.”

“We will persist in documenting the truth and standing firmly for justice,” he stated, urging Meta to restore access to the account for Indian users.

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India has also prohibited over a dozen Pakistani YouTube channels for allegedly disseminating “provocative” content, encompassing Pakistani news outlets.

Recently, access to the Instagram account of former Pakistan Prime Minister and cricket captain Imran Khan has also been restricted in India.

Fawad Khan and Atif Aslam, noted figures in Pakistani Bollywood films, have also been rendered off-limits in India, along with numerous cricketers including stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, and retired icons Shahid Afridi and Wasim Akram.

The escalating tensions between these South Asian neighbors have fostered a surge of online misinformation, with social media users mislabeling everything from deepfake videos to outdated images from unrelated conflicts to these Indian airstrikes.

On Wednesday, Donald Trump urged both India and Pakistan to cease hostilities promptly, offering assistance to quell the violence.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Spotify Invested $100 Million in Podcasters Amidst Escalating Creator Conflict

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Since January, Spotify has disbursed over $100 million to podcast creators and publishers, as reported by the New York Times’ Dealbook.

These payments stem from a program launched in 2025, which opens up new revenue opportunities for eligible hosts. This initiative also aims to draw more creators (and their audiences) to Spotify, especially as video podcasting has gained traction on YouTube.

Video content now leads the podcasting landscape. According to Edison’s survey, more than half of Americans aged 12 and older have watched video podcasts — primarily on YouTube. Report As of January, Spotify claims to have attracted 1 billion podcast listeners each month, positioning itself as the leading platform for podcasts. Meanwhile, Media King continues to surpass Spotify and Apple Podcasts, with its original video podcasting efforts that began in 2019.

In contrast to YouTube, Spotify has become somewhat vulnerable in the podcasting space, attracting 170 million podcast listeners per month from a broader audience of 675 million. For context, YouTube invested over $70 billion into creators and media entities from 2021 to 2024.

On Tuesday, the company announced its financial results, projecting approximately 540 million euros in pre-tax revenue within a total of 4.2 billion euros, as per S&P Capital IQ.

Although Spotify is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, it is headquartered in Stockholm. The company maintains a stronghold in the sector due to its impressive roster of talent, including the distribution of advertisements for the widely popular Joe Rogan Experience podcast. It achieved its first profitable year in 2024, with Rogan’s podcast also available on YouTube.

The new partner program is designed to mitigate YouTube’s advantages. Like YouTube, Spotify historically compensated creators solely through ad revenue sharing, but it now provides further incentives for video uploads. Eligible creators can earn additional revenue depending on the engagement levels of their premium subscribers.

Spotify is actively working to attract additional viewers. In November, they unveiled their partnership program, stating that paid subscribers in specific regions would not encounter dynamic ads on video podcasts. As a result, video consumption has surged by over 40% since January, according to Spotify.

The pressing question is whether Spotify can persuade creators to shift their priorities.

David Coles, host of the horror fiction podcast “Just Creepy: Scary Stories,” mentioned that he is reevaluating his “home platform” after Spotify’s revenue recently outpaced YouTube’s. In the last quarter, Coles reported earnings of about $45,500 from Spotify. Since joining the new partner program, his Spotify revenue increased to around $81,600.

For larger shows and podcast companies like YMH Studios, which boasts 2.1 million YouTube subscribers and produces popular podcasts such as “2 Bears, 1 Cave,” the revenue boost has been even more pronounced. YMH Studios reported that its quarterly earnings from Spotify have more than tripled after enrolling in the partner program, although it chose not to disclose specific figures.

Creators have pointed out that this is still early in the program, but Alan Abin, head of advertising revenue at YMH Studios, referred to the new payment framework as a “game changer” and a “pleasant surprise.”

Source: www.nytimes.com

Microsoft’s future unclear amid escalating tensions in Gaza conflict. “On the brink of uncertainty”

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fOr, for the second time last month, Microsoft employees disrupted high-level executives speaking at an event celebrating the 50th anniversary on April 4. They were protesting the company’s role in Israel’s ongoing siege in Gaza.

AI executive Mustafasleiman was suspended by employees Ibtihal Aboussad and Vaniya Agrawal. The two were fired within a few days. Microsoft president Brad Smith and former CEO Steve Ballmer were yelled at in Great Hall in Seattle on March 20 by current and former employees.

Before the April event, there was an outside gathering that also included current and former Tech Giant employees. Protesters projected a sign onto the wall of the hall called “Microsoft Powers Genocide,” showing that since October 7, 2023, Israel has been extensively using its AI and cloud computing services.

The rally and confusion were the latest in the employee protests at Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington, urging the company to cut ties with Israel. This comes after years of simmering tensions on the company’s message boards and a recent workplace dispute.

Taken together, the protests indicate that more people have decided to leave the company for good, according to current and past employees who spoke with the Guardian. Microsoft did not respond to requests for comment.

The recent events at Microsoft reflect similar incidents at other tech companies, such as Google, where employees were fired as they protested their ties with Israel. In February, Google adjusted its AI guidelines, removing the commitment to not use artificial intelligence for surveillance or weapons.

Anxiety about the increase in Redmond

Former Microsoft software engineer Hossam Nasr described the situation at the company as being close to a turning point. He highlighted the events in February as an example of growing frustration among employees.

The firing of employees who raised concerns has galvanized others in the company who are worried about the issue, along with recent media coverage of Microsoft’s role in the siege of Gaza in Israel.

Aboussad told the Guardian that she had been increasingly at odds over the last few months as a software engineer working for AI. She expressed concerns about Microsoft’s deep ties with the Israeli government.
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Within days of speaking with the Guardian, Aboussad was terminated. Several colleagues mentioned they were considering leaving the company, she stated.

From Viva to IRL

Before the recent direct protest, Microsoft employees were mainly discussing the Hamas attacks and Israel’s continued retaliation online. Several conversations on Microsoft’s Viva Engage company’s message board sparked controversy. One employee posted about the lack of symmetry in the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, which led to heated debates.

Employees critical of Israel’s actions have been vocal about what they perceive as a double standard within the company, especially following events from October 7th. They have accused Microsoft of censoring viewpoints on internal forums while treating Israeli supporters differently.
From immediately after October 7th. One employee shared an email from the company’s Global Employee Relations Team emphasizing the need for respectful discussions on the topic of Israel and Gaza. There were restrictions on postings related to these topics on the company message board.

Online discussions among employees have evolved throughout 2024, according to Nasr. Many employees initially focused on petitions urging the company to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, but the attention gradually shifted to Microsoft’s business practices. By the end of the year, Nasr and others began a campaign to boycott Microsoft’s cloud computing services, cancel contracts with the Israeli military, and gather signatures from colleagues in protest of the company’s ties with the Israeli government.

Reporting Microsoft’s role in Gaza Roil employee discussion

Documents obtained by Drop site, an independent news outlet, revealed that high-tech companies, including Microsoft, are actively seeking to serve the Israeli military. This discovery fueled concerns among some Microsoft employees, leading to internal discussions about the company’s ethics and practices.

Anna Hutt, a long-time employee at Microsoft, highlighted the importance of sharing information about the company’s actions within the organization. She emphasized the need for open conversations and offline organizing efforts to raise awareness among employees.

Nasr mentioned that Apartheid’s Azure has partnered with Boycott, Divest, and Sanctions (BDS) in adding Microsoft to their boycott campaign list. This move reflects growing discontent among employees regarding the company’s involvement with the Israeli military.

One Microsoft employee expressed frustration over what they perceived as a betrayal of the company’s stated values in its contract with Israel. They cited examples of events where critical perspectives were silenced and called for a boycott of Microsoft’s products that enable military actions.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Arson becomes an escalating danger in California due to climate change

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Between 10% to 15% of California’s wildfires are caused by arson annually, a trend that seems to continue in 2024. With the impact of climate change raising temperatures, prolonging fire seasons, and worsening drought conditions, intentional fires have more opportunities to ignite and spread.

Suspected arson fires have burned over 477,000 acres this year, the highest since 2014 when 98,259 acres were burned due to arson, according to Cal Fire.

Dry wood from drought or other climate change effects heightens the risk posed by arson fires, as they can rapidly spread and endanger homes. Mouchette warned of the increased danger, especially for those without access to escape vehicles.

The wildfire season in California is becoming longer, with the desert basin in the southeastern part of the state experiencing 61 additional fire weather days from 1973 to 2022, according to Climate Central.

Rising temperatures from a record-breaking October heatwave in parts of California, with temperatures forecasted to reach 105 degrees in some areas, further exacerbate the risk of arson fires spreading quickly.

Arson fires inherently cause more damage per acre compared to fires caused by lightning or other factors, making them a serious concern, noted researcher Jeffrey Prestemon from the U.S. Forest Service.

In a study conducted by Prestemon and colleagues on wildfire arson incidents in various countries, they found a significant decrease in wildfires after the arrest of a particular arsonist in Spain the following year.

Arresting arsonists can deter future incidents and prevent further damage, emphasized Prestemon.

In California, Cal Fire had apprehended 91 individuals on arson charges by August, aligning with historical trends. Typically, wildfire arsonists are young males who tend to have multiple instances of setting fires.

Investigating and prosecuting wildfire arson cases present challenges due to sparse physical evidence, making it difficult to hold perpetrators accountable, stated Daniel Fox, a prosecutor from Riverside County.

While advancements in technology like surveillance cameras and satellite tracking have aided in closing cases, victims of arson wildfires often struggle to recover fully from the damages inflicted, as insurance coverage may fall short.

Andrea Blaylock examines the charred remains of her home destroyed in the Park Fire near Forest Ranch, California, on July 30, 2024.Nick Cooley/Associated Press

A suspect, Stout, arrested for the Park fire, faces charges of arson of a residential structure or property, potentially carrying a 25 years to life sentence if convicted.

With wildfire arson posing ongoing threats in California, efforts to prevent, investigate, and prosecute these incidents remain crucial to protect lives and property from the devastation they cause.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Is the climate resilient enough to handle the escalating energy needs of the AI arms race?

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The rise of artificial intelligence has propelled the stock prices of major tech companies to new heights, but this growth has come at the expense of the industry’s environmental efforts.

Google recently admitted that AI technology poses a challenge to its sustainability objectives. The company disclosed that its data centers, crucial for its AI infrastructure, have caused a 48% increase in greenhouse gas emissions since 2019. Google cited “significant uncertainties” in achieving its goal of net-zero emissions by 2030, particularly due to the complex and unpredictable environmental impacts of AI.

As the tech industry races ahead with AI advancements, the question arises: can technology mitigate the environmental impact of AI, or will the pursuit of cutting-edge innovation overshadow these concerns?

Why is AI a threat to tech companies’ environmental goals?

Data centers play a critical role in developing and operating AI models like Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s GPT-4. These centers house complex computing equipment that require substantial electricity, leading to CO2 emissions both from energy sources and the manufacturing processes involved. According to the International Energy Agency, data centers are projected to double their electricity consumption by 2026, equivalent to Japan’s energy demand. Additionally, studies suggest that AI’s water consumption could reach significant levels by 2027, potentially straining resources equivalent to England’s annual consumption.

What do experts say about the environmental impact?

Government-sponsored reports in the UK have highlighted the importance of energy sources in determining the environmental cost of technology. Some experts caution that the reliance on fossil-fuel-powered energy sources for training AI models remains a significant challenge. While tech companies are increasing their use of renewable energy to meet sustainability goals, concerns persist that the lack of clean energy may push other users towards fossil fuels.

Alex de Vries, founder of Digiconomist, notes the dual challenge of rising energy consumption in AI and the struggle to secure sustainable energy sources.

Will there be enough renewable energy?

Global efforts to triple renewable energy resources by the end of the decade face challenges due to surging energy demands from AI data centers. The International Energy Agency warns that current plans may only double renewable energy capacity by 2030, potentially impacting climate goals.

Technology companies may need to invest heavily in new renewable energy projects to meet the escalating electricity needs driven by AI.

How quickly can new renewable energy projects be built?

While renewable energy projects like wind and solar farms can be developed relatively quickly, bureaucratic hurdles and grid connectivity issues can delay the process for years. The pace of building offshore wind and hydroelectric schemes faces similar challenges, posing concerns about whether renewable energy can keep up with the expansion of AI.

The reliance on existing low-carbon sources by tech companies may divert clean energy away from other users, potentially increasing fossil fuel consumption to meet growing demands.

Will AI’s power demands keep growing?

The escalating energy needs of AI systems could lead to higher energy costs, prompting cost-saving measures in the industry. However, the competitive landscape and the push for cutting-edge AI technologies may result in excessive electricity consumption despite rising costs.

The pursuit of state-of-the-art AI systems has fueled a “winner takes all” mentality among tech giants, compelling heavy investments in the development of advanced AI. The pressure to remain at the forefront of AI innovation, including the race towards achieving AGI, threatens to escalate energy consumption and costs.

Despite advancements in AI efficiency, the industry’s drive for innovation may offset potential energy savings, akin to the economic concept known as “Jevons’ Paradox.”

Won’t AI companies learn to use less electricity?

While AI breakthroughs continue to enhance efficiency, the industry’s relentless pursuit of cutting-edge models may counteract potential energy savings. The growth in AI capabilities does not necessarily translate to reduced energy consumption, leading to a paradox similar to historical instances of technological advancements increasing use rather than conserving resources.

Source: www.theguardian.com