SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Video snippet sharing sensation TikTok on Wednesday said it is cracking down on hateful content, banning anti-Semitic stereotypes and white nationalism posts. Expanded rules against promoting hateful ideologies at TikTok include barring “misinformation and hurtful stereotypes” about Jewish, Muslim and other communities, the company said in a blog post. “This includes misinformation about notable Jewish individuals and families who are used as proxies to spread anti-Semitism,” TikTok said. […]
Tag: lifestyle
Netflix reports slowing subscriber growth; shares slide
by Glenn CHAPMAN Agence France Presse Netflix shares slid on Tuesday after the US streaming television titan reported that subscriber growth slowed in the recently ended quarter, after booming in the early days of the pandemic. While Netflix added 28.1 million paying subscribers so far this year, only 2.2 million of them came in the third quarter, the company said in an earnings release letter. “We think this is primarily due to our record […]
Apple joins 5G revolution with four new iPhones for fast networks
by Julie JAMMOT / with Rob Lever in Washington SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Apple joined the move to 5G on Tuesday, unveiling four new iPhones that use the new standard in what could be a turning point for the high-speed wireless technology. “Today is the beginning of a new era for iPhone,” Apple chief executive Tim Cook said during a streamed launch event from the company’s headquarters in California. “This is a huge […]
First 5G iPhone expected at Apple online event Sept 15
SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Apple on Tuesday fired off invitations to a September 15 online event expected to star the first iPhone tailored for superfast 5G telecom networks. The typically tight-lipped technology titan revealed only that the presentation would be streamed starting at 1700 GMT from its headquarters in Silicon Valley. Copies of the emailed invitation spread quickly on social media, featuring a video-snippet version of the Apple logo in blue that unraveled […]
On burrowed time: hunting with Ireland’s last rabbit catcher
by Joe STENSON Agence France-Presse CARNDONAGH, Ireland (AFP) — Steven McGonigal crosses a pockmarked field in the north of Ireland with a box of unruly ferrets while his dog, Fudge, sniffs out rabbit warrens. As the lurcher does his work, McGonigal covers the openings with nets before releasing a single ferret down the hole to flush out the occupants inside. For five minutes, the ferret races around the underground tunnels, poking its head out of […]
Samsung upgrades folding smartphone in move to rev up sales
by Glenn CHAPMAN SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Samsung on Wednesday unveiled a second-generation folding smartphone along with other new gadgetry aiming to jump-start sales in a market hit hard by the global pandemic. The consumer electronics colossus unveiled its latest lineup at a streamed “Galaxy Unpacked” event, aiming directly at remote work and education trends supercharged around the world by the coronavirus outbreak. “Our mission is to give you new ways to communicate; […]
Defying virus, Latvian ocean rower plans next adventure
by Imants LIEPINSH Agence France-Presse RIGA, Latvia (AFP) — After spending 140 days rowing across the ocean without seeing another human being, Latvian adventurer Karlis Bardelis has some valuable tips for those learning to cope with coronavirus lockdowns. Bardelis started his nearly two-year journey in Peru in July 2018, reaching French Polynesia after nearly five months and finishing in Malaysia in June of this year. Along the way, he was rammed by sharks off Papua […]
Australian PM: no evidence of TikTok misusing data
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Tuesday there was no evidence that Chinese-owned TikTok had abused the data of its hundreds of millions of users. “We have had a good look at this, and there is no evidence for us to suggest… that there is any misuse of any people’s data,” he told the Aspen Security Forum meeting in Aspen, Colorado. “There are plenty of things that are on TikTok […]
Disneyland Paris reopens, but no hugs for Donald
MARNE-LA-VALLEE, France (AFP) — Disneyland Paris, Europe’s biggest private tourist attraction, reopened its gates Wednesday after four months of coronavirus lockdown, albeit with limited access and a ban on hugging the famous characters. As festive music played, Mickey, Pluto and other Disney characters greeted the first visitors — all sporting face masks and some the trademark Mickey Mouse ears — while keeping a safe distance from the guests. Despite the merry mood, things at Disneyland […]
Virus won’t stop Eiffel Tower high life, says top French chef
by Olga NEDBAEVA PARIS, France (AFP) — The ebullient French chef Frederic Anton is having none of the talk that the world will not be the same again after the coronavirus. From the kitchen of his Jules Verne restaurant perched high on the Eiffel Tower 125 metres (410 feet) above Paris, the combative cook is determined that it will make not one iota of difference to the glories of French gastronomy. “Nothing is going to […]
US approves first ‘digital therapeutic’ game for ADHD
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US health officials have approved the first game-based treatment for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, part of a trend toward “digital therapeutics” or software to address certain conditions. The Food and Drug Administration said Monday it approved the sale by prescription of the game EndeavorRX from health tech startup Akili Interactive for children aged 8-12 who have been diagnosed with ADHD. The FDA said this was the first digital […]
Welcome baby X Æ A-12: Musk and Grimes do it their way
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Fans hoping for clarity and perhaps some pronunciation tips were left floundering Wednesday after Elon Musk’s girlfriend, the musician Grimes, explained their newborn son’s name — X Æ A-12. Musk, the outspoken Tesla chief, announced the birth of the couple’s first child earlier this week, before Grimes broke down the unusual moniker. “X, the unknown variable. Æ, my elven spelling of Ai (love &/or Artificial intelligence). A-12 = precursor […]





