Core Viewpoint - Meta Platforms is facing scrutiny for prioritizing profit from its virtual-reality platform over user safety, particularly concerning children being exposed to inappropriate content [1][3]. Group 1: Whistleblower Testimonies - Former Meta researchers testified that the company was aware of children using its VR products and being exposed to sexually explicit material, yet chose to suppress this information [1][7]. - Researchers reported being instructed not to investigate the harms to children using VR technology, allowing Meta to claim ignorance of the issues [7]. - Instances of children being bullied, sexually assaulted, and solicited for nude photographs were encountered by the whistleblowers during their work [7]. Group 2: Congressional Response - Members of Congress have criticized Meta, with Senator Marsha Blackburn emphasizing the need for the Kids Online Safety Act, which aims to enhance protections for children online [6][8]. - The whistleblower accounts have intensified calls for legislative action to ensure the safety of children using online platforms [6][8]. Group 3: Meta's Defense - A Meta spokesperson claimed that the allegations are based on selectively leaked documents and that there was never a blanket prohibition on conducting research involving young users [8]. - Meta has stated that the examples reported were inconsistent with its policies and have since been removed [4][8].

Core Viewpoint - The ongoing conflict between United Airlines and Spirit Airlines highlights the challenges faced by low-cost carriers, particularly Spirit, which is currently in bankruptcy and struggling with its business model and financial viability [1][3][6]. Company Analysis - United Airlines' CEO Scott Kirby has criticized the ultra-low-cost airline model, labeling it as a failed experiment and expressing skepticism about Spirit's ability to continue operations due to customer dissatisfaction [2][3]. - Spirit Airlines has filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in a year, indicating ongoing financial instability and a failure to achieve a sustainable business model after a previous reorganization [3][8]. - Spirit's operational adjustments include discontinuing service to 11 U.S. cities to reduce cash burn, reflecting a strategic retreat from certain markets [6]. Financial Performance - Spirit Airlines reported total operating expenses of $1.2 billion in the latest quarter, which represented 118% of its quarterly revenue, indicating a significant cost structure issue [7]. - The financial troubles of Spirit Airlines have created opportunities for competitors like United Airlines to capture market share, as evidenced by United's recent ticket sales for new flights to cities where Spirit operates [4].

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon claimed on Tuesday the US economy “is weakening” after the Labor Department slashed nearly 1 million jobs from its initial employment estimates for the year ending March 2025.The head of the nation’s largest bank told CNBC that the “big revision” by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to lower its non-farm payrolls data by 911,000 pointed to stuttering US growth.“I think the economy is weakening,” Dimon said at an event to mark the opening of the banking giant’s new $3 billion Manhattan ...

Apple on Tuesday unveiled its new iPhone 17 lineup, including the new, super-thin iPhone Air – its first major redesign in years.The sleek, slim device has a “space grade” titanium frame and is just 5.6 millimeters thick, available in white, gold, black and sky blue colors.Yet it’s more durable than previous iPhones, according to Apple, and has a new, second-generation chip that gives it three times the GPU computing power as last year’s phones. 3 Apple CEO Tim Cook unveiled the next generation of iPhones ...

The US jobs market in the year leading up to the spring was significantly weaker than previously thought — raising jitters about the overall health of the economy and all but sealing the case for the Federal Reserve to finally cut rates next week.The Bureau of Labor Statistics on Tuesday revised downward the number of jobs created during the 12 months ended in March by a staggering 911,000 — the biggest downward adjustment since 2000, including last year’s monster markdown of 818,000 jobs.Wall Street had ex ...

Cracker Barrel on Tuesday abruptly suspended its restaurant remodels and promised to keep its cherished “old country store” vibe following a furious backlash that forced the chain to walk back plans for a new logo that cut out its beloved “Uncle Herschel.”The announcement was made a day after The Post reported that Cracker Barrel workers were upset with CEO Julie Felss Masino, claiming she gutted kitchen jobs, slashed hours to avoid offering health insurance, and now passes off frozen, microwaved food as “h ...

Core Viewpoint - Ford is recalling nearly two million vehicles due to a faulty rearview camera that can impair the driver's view and increase crash risk [1] Group 1: Recall Details - The recall affects approximately 1.9 million vehicles globally, including various models from 2015 to 2019 such as Lincoln MKC, Mustang, and F-Series trucks [2] - The recall includes about 1.45 million vehicles in the US, 122,000 in Canada, and 300,000 in other markets, with an estimated 2.7% of US vehicles having the defect [3] - Ford has received 44,123 global warranty claims and is aware of 18 accidents related to the faulty cameras, manufactured by Magna International [3] Group 2: Owner Instructions - Vehicle owners are advised to bring their cars to a Ford dealer for inspection and potential replacement of the cameras at no cost [4][7] - Notification letters regarding the safety risk are expected to be mailed by September 22, with additional letters to follow once a remedy is available [4] Group 3: Previous Issues and Penalties - This recall follows a previous one in April, where Ford recalled 166,000 vehicles for similar rear camera failures [4] - In November, Ford agreed to pay a $165 million civil penalty after an NHTSA investigation found delays in recalling vehicles with defective rearview cameras [6] - Magna International has also issued a recall for over 250,000 rearview cameras used in some Ford and Stellantis vehicles [6]

Google privately told a federal court that “the open web is already in rapid decline,” a sharp reversal from its public claims that search traffic is booming — and a stunning admission as the Justice Department pushes to dismantle its ad tech empire.The disclosure surfaced in a filing last week in the government’s ongoing antitrust case against Google, according to court documents flagged by Search Engine Roundtable and industry analyst Jason Kint.For months, Google executives have insisted that the web is ...

Core Points - The Murdoch family has resolved the legal battle over control of its media empire, which includes Fox Corp. and News Corp, with Lachlan Murdoch maintaining control [1][3] - A new trust, LGC Holdco LLC, will be established for the benefit of Lachlan Murdoch and his sisters Grace and Chloe Murdoch [1][7] - Rupert Murdoch will continue as Chairman Emeritus of both companies [3][4] Financial Implications - Fox Corp. stock closed at an all-time high of $62.49, while News Corp shares closed at $29.94, just under its record high of $30.75 [5][11] - The value of the family stock in the trust has increased by 68%, amounting to $3.4 billion, since Lachlan Murdoch took control in 2019 [5] - The three older siblings will receive approximately $1.1 billion once the $3.3 billion deal closes within six months [8] Trust and Governance Changes - The older siblings, Prudence MacLeod, Elisabeth Murdoch, and James Murdoch, will no longer be beneficiaries in any trust holding shares in News Corp or Fox Corp [4] - The agreement includes a long-term standstill preventing the siblings from acquiring shares in Fox and News Corp [9] - The legal battle between Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch against the three older siblings will conclude as part of this agreement [9]

Core Viewpoint - Meta has allegedly suppressed internal research regarding the safety risks of its virtual reality applications, particularly concerning the targeting of minors by inappropriate users [1][8][19]. Group 1: Whistleblower Allegations - Whistleblowers, including former Meta safety researcher Jason Sattizahn, claim that Meta stifled research into serious safety risks, including incidents of minors being propositioned [1][4]. - During a research trip in Germany, a mother expressed concerns about her children using Meta's VR headsets, only to later learn that her son had been propositioned [2][3]. - The researchers were reportedly instructed to delete evidence of these allegations, with Meta's final report downplaying the severity of the situation [3][4]. Group 2: Internal Communications and Culture - Internal communications revealed that employees were aware of a significant underage user problem, with one message suggesting that up to 90% of metaverse users might be underage [4][5]. - Meta's attorneys allegedly advised researchers to conduct sensitive research under attorney-client privilege to avoid public scrutiny [6][12]. - Employees were instructed to avoid certain language in internal studies and were discouraged from compiling data on underage users due to regulatory concerns [7][12]. Group 3: Congressional Response and Investigations - The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to hold a hearing to examine the whistleblower claims, with lawmakers expressing dissatisfaction with Zuckerberg's responses to inquiries [11][18]. - Whistleblowers allege that Meta's legal team engaged in systematic efforts to block the release of internal safety research, aiming to create plausible deniability regarding safety risks [12][15]. - Meta has faced scrutiny following previous revelations about the harmful effects of its platforms, leading to increased Congressional hearings [14][15]. Group 4: Meta's Defense and Future Direction - Meta has defended its research efforts, stating that it has approved numerous studies related to youth safety and has implemented various protective measures for minors [16][23]. - The company claims that any deletion of data would have been necessary to comply with privacy regulations, although whistleblowers contest this assertion [17][20]. - Despite the controversies, Meta has shifted its focus from the metaverse to artificial intelligence, indicating a strategic pivot in its business model [23].