Auschwitz survivors commemorate 80 years since liberation
It has been 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz, one of the most notorious death camps run by the Nazi regime during World War II. Survivors of the camp gathered Monday, Jan. 27, to commemorate the somber anniversary in a special ceremony.
Nazi forces murdered around 1.1 million people at the site in southern Poland. The region was under German occupation during World War II.
Most of the victims were Jews, but the Nazis also killed many Poles, Roma, Soviet prisoners of war, gay people and others targeted for elimination in Nazi racial ideology.
Survivors described Auschwitz as “hell on Earth.”
Among those at Monday’s ceremony were presidents, prime ministers and royalty from Poland, Germany, France, Canada, Britain, Spain, Denmark and Norway.
U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnic represented the U.S.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is Jewish, also traveled to Poland for the memorial.
Politicians were not asked to speak this year by the event’s organizers since the survivors are all elderly. The youngest survivor was 80 years old. Instead, they made the survivors the center of the observances.
7 French families suing TikTok over alleged content promoting suicide
Seven French families are suing the social media company TikTok. The families allege the company failed to remove harmful content they said led to two of the families losing their 15-year-old children to suicide.
The families claim in the lawsuit that TikTok’s algorithm exposed their teens to content promoting suicide, self-harm and eating disorders.
One of the mothers involved in the lawsuit told The Associated Press in a report published on Thursday, Jan. 23, that TikTok’s algorithm led her 15-year-old daughter down a rabbit hole of videos promoting suicide methods, tutorials and comments that encouraged users to end their lives.
TikTok responds to the allegations
In response to the lawsuit, TikTok told The Associated Press it has guidelines banning any promotion of suicide. The company also said it employs 40,000 trust and safety professionals globally to remove posts deemed harmful.
The Chinese-owned company said it refers people who search for suicide-related content to mental health services. Officials also claimed that 98.8% of harmful videos were flagged or removed between April and June of last year.
The CEO of the Center for Digital Hate, Irman Ahmed, dismissed the claim of 98.8% of harmful content being removed between April and May. Ahmed argued code words and ambiguous language could bypass moderation efforts.
The lawyer representing the families also pointed out that TikTok’s Chinese version features stricter content controls for younger users than its American and European counterparts. The lawyer noted Beijing’s version has a “Youth Mode” required for users under the age of 14 years old. The mode limits screen time to 40 minutes a day and shows only approved content.
A study commissioned by French President Emmanuel Macron found certain algorithmic features on social media platforms were addictive. The study said those features should be banned from any app in France.
The study also recommended restricted use for users under the age of 15 years old. However, neither policy recommendation has been adopted to date.
Psychology professor Gregoire Borst, who helped conduct the study, said social media platforms must take additional steps to protect young users.
“Like any toy that goes to market, at least the European market, it needs to adhere to certain standards,” Borst said.
Legislative action against TikTok
Other countries have already taken action, like Australia. The country enacted a law in December that bans social media accounts for children under the age of 16 years old.
Along with Facebook and Instagram’s parent company, Meta, TikTok faces hundreds of lawsuits in the U.S. Many of the lawsuits accuse the companies of creating addictive features to bring millions of children to their platforms and harming their mental health in the process.
If someone you know needs mental health help, call or text the national suicide and crisis lifeline by dialing 988. There is also help online at 988lifeline.org, and outside the United States there is help at this website.
Why Macron fears Iran’s nuclear program is nearing ‘point of no return’
French President Emmanuel Macron warned the world on Monday, Jan. 6, that Iran is nearing “the point of no return” when it comes to procuring potential nuclear weapons. Macron said during his address to French ambassadors that Tehran has enough enriched uranium to power a handful of nuclear warheads, and called Iran the biggest strategic threat that Europe faces.
It’s not just Macron who said Iran is increasing its enriched uranium stockpile. The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog said in December that Iran was “dramatically” accelerating enrichment, and roughly 90% of its uranium stockpile was at bomb-grade level.
France was part of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, which fell apart in 2018 when the first Trump administration withdrew the United States. Under that deal, Iran had agreed to pull back on its nuclear program in exchange for international sanctions being lifted.
As a result of the U.S. backing out, Iran began enriching uranium at higher levels, which reportedly shortened the time needed to make a nuclear device from months to weeks.
President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House on Monday, Jan. 20, is also reportedly raising fresh concerns after he drew a hardline with Tehran during his first term.
Macron said he is still debating whether more sanctions may be the answer to deterring Tehran from further enhancing its nuclear program and will talk with the incoming Trump administration about the “Iranian question.”
Trump’s trip to Notre Dame ceremony gives leaders chance to build closer ties
The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is reopening the weekend of Dec. 7. And while the ceremonies will be an emotional moment for the French public, the events will also be a major opportunity for world leaders to meet.
With President-elect Donald Trump being among the roughly 50 world leaders to attend, it’s a chance for other countries to try to curry favor. It’s his first trip abroad as president-elect. Trump will attend events in Paris this weekend, as will First Lady Jill Biden.
Domestically, Macron is facing trouble after the resignation of prime minister Michel Barnier and collapse of the parliamentary government. However, Macron may be able to strengthen ties between France and President-elect Trump. The two overlapped as leaders during Trump’s first term.
Trump has met or spoken with a number of leaders since winning last month’s election, including U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau came to the president-elect’s residence at Mar-a-Lago for talks last weekend. Trump has warned he will implement tariffs on many goods from Canada because of concerns about U.S. border security.
The first ceremony occurs Saturday afternoon. The archbishop of Paris will start things off by knocking on the doors to reopen them. The ceremony will include prayers, songs and remarks by President Macron to a crowd including the dozens of world leaders who accepted his invitation.
Trump to travel to Paris for reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral
President-elect Donald Trump announces plans to travel to Paris, his first trip overseas since winning the election. And a judge rejects Elon Musk’s bid to restore his $56 billion pay package. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.
Trump to travel to Paris for reopening of Notre Dame cathedral
Trump posted his travel plans to his Truth Social platform Monday night, Dec. 2, saying in part, “President Emmanuel Macron has done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so. It will be a very special day for all!”
A massive fire broke out at the cathedral in April 2019 and although it is not yet fully restored, visitors will be allowed back beginning Dec. 7. According to Paris police, Saturday’s reopening is expected to draw some 50 heads of state. Sources told CNN Trump was invited to the event by the French government.
https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1yoJMyjEyQXJQ
Macron is slated to deliver remarks at the ceremony. The French president was the first foreign leader to congratulate Trump on his victory last month, posting on X that he was ready to work with Trump again for peace and prosperity.
The news of Trump’s trip to Paris comes just days after the president-elect selected real estate mogul Charles Kushner, his son-in-law’s father, to serve as the ambassador of France during his second administration.
In 2020, Trump pardoned Charles Kushner, who had pleaded guilty in 2005 to 18 counts of tax evasion, witness tampering and making illegal campaign donations. He served 14 months in prison.
Trump’s visit to Paris would be his first known trip outside of the U.S. since he visited his golf courses in Ireland and Scotland in May 2023.
Biden makes history as first US president to visit Angola
Biden’s visit is centered on the U.S.-backed Lobito corridor railway redevelopment project in Angola, Zambia and Congo. It’s meant to counter China’s influence on the continent.
This morning, I met with Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva of the Republic of Cabo Verde to discuss our growing relationship, the vibrant Cabo Verdean diaspora in the U.S., and ways we can work together to support democratic freedoms and climate resilience. pic.twitter.com/gMQQDKphsD
The goal is to increase the U.S.’ presence in the region which is rich in the critical minerals used to make things like electric vehicle batteries and other electronic devices, as well as clean energy technologies.
On his way to Angola, Biden stopped in the island nation of Cape Verde for a short, closed-door meeting with that country’s prime minister.
Raskin challenges Nadler for top Democratic House Judiciary Committee spot
Raskin is a former constitutional law professor who served as the Democrats’ lead prosecutor in the Trump impeachment trial after the Jan. 6 attack. Nadler has held the top job on the committee since 2019 and is currently serving in his 17th term in Congress.
Raskin, who is the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said in a statement Monday that come next year, the Judiciary under his leadership would become “the headquarters of congressional opposition to authoritarianism.”
Judge rules Elon Musk’s $56B Tesla pay package can’t be reinstated
On Monday, a Delaware judge ruled Tesla failed to prove its fiscal plan for the CEO was fair, saying the board was under too much influence from Musk when it approved the massive payout in the form of stock options. The package was the largest compensation plan in U.S. history for a public company executive.
In a post on X, which Musk also owns, Tesla said it plans to appeal the decision.
A Delaware judge just overruled a supermajority of shareholders who own Tesla and who voted twice to pay @elonmusk what he’s worth.
The court’s decision is wrong, and we’re going to appeal.
This ruling, if not overturned, means that judges and plaintiffs’ lawyers run Delaware…
2,500 giant panda sculptures on display in Hong Kong
It was “panda-monium” at the Hong Kong International Airport on Monday as 2,500 giant panda sculptures were on display. It was all part of a launch ceremony for the panda-themed exhibition called “PANDA GO! FEST HK.”
Starting Saturday, the sculptures will be on the move throughout Hong Kong visiting various landmarks. The designs of six special editions were inspired by the half-dozen giant pandas currently living in Hong Kong.
What is “brain rot?” According to Oxford, the definition is the “supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as a result of overconsumption of material — particularly online content — considered to be trivial or unchallenging.”
Oxford says it selected “brain rot” after a vote of 37,000 people, public discussion, and analysis. The publisher said “brain rot” has gained new prominence this year as a term used to reference the impact of consuming excessive amounts of low-quality online content.
Police reportedly used tear gas against protesters as officers in riot gear pushed back demonstrators. Activists accuse Israel of war crimes as the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry reports more than 43,000 Palestinians have now been killed in the war. One activist declared, “We are not afraid of the police.”
At least one pro-Palestinian protest is expected to be held about 1.5 miles from the match on Thursday. The group leading the demonstration called Urgence Palestine is calling on the Israeli soccer team to be banned from competition over the war in Gaza.
Paris police say 4,000 officers will be working with 2,500 police officers around the event, and 1,500 officers in positions across the city.
Authorities also said only French and Israeli flags will be allowed inside the stadium.
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to attend the match as a symbol of “fraternity and solidarity” in the wake of the violence in Amsterdam. Attendance is expected to be low with reportedly only around a quarter of the 80,000-seat stadium to be filled.
Bells of Notre Dame sound in Paris for the first time since 2019 fire
April 2019 saw the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris burn, with the iconic spire collapsing as the metal roof fell. Now, a little over five years later, the cathedral is about to reopen to the public.
French President Emmanuel Macron set an ambitious goal to have the building reopened in five years back in 2019. Now, just a little over five years later, the renovated cathedral’s bells rang for the first time on Friday, Nov. 8.
Notre Dame’s eight bells did not fall during the original disaster, which could have caused much further structural collapse. Experts say the bells could have acted like wrecking balls, destroying both towers, and the entire cathedral with them.
Old bells were replaced in 2013, due to some older bronze bells becoming discordant with time. One new bell joined older survivors of the fire for use during the Paris Olympics in July 2024.
Reuters
Onlookers and residents of Paris heard the bells on Friday ring one at a time, until they all chimed in harmony for around five minutes. The cathedral will be fully reopened to the public on Dec. 8. Macron will speak to mark the occasion on Dec. 7.
The bells of Notre Dame in Paris rang out together on Friday for the first time since a 2019 fire that devastated the historic cathedral, AFP reporters said.https://t.co/P7BQwDtrLZpic.twitter.com/zvjTbnlvsP
Now that the bells are back, the next thing to be finished is the famous organ, which did not sustain fire damage. The organ did have water damage due to firefighters putting out the flames, but it was saved and restored. Every piece was dismantled and cleaned or decontaminated. The organ will be played at the reopening ceremony later this year.
Paris saw nearly 20,000 people displaced before Olympic Games: Report
A coalition of more than 100 community groups accused Parisian authorities on Monday, Nov. 4, of removing nearly 20,000 people including 4,500 minors from shelters and tents to make way for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on Monday, Nov. 4. The advocacy coalition is now calling for the Olympic hosting model to be reevaluated and suggesting a permanent site for future Olympic Games as well as for authorities to take steps to prevent forced removals.
The group’s data showed evictions grew by 41% from April 2023 to September 2024 compared to the same period in 2021 and 2022.
Advocates for the homeless community say forced removals amount to “social cleansing,” alleging it was a concerted effort to keep migrants and squatters out of the view of the Olympic Games, facilities and Olympic sites.
The report did note that the numbers of those displaced may be inflated because some people may have been evicted several times.
Straight Arrow News reported in July about efforts by the French government to bus out homeless migrants ahead of the Olympics. Around 5,000 people were reportedly evicted under a program busing homeless migrants out of Paris and into other French towns.
French President Emmanuel Macron claimed the program was voluntary and denied the effort was connect to the Olympic Games.
Telegram alters privacy policy, says it will give user info to authorities
Telegram is making major changes. The social media platform once known for its strong privacy stance has announced a significant update in its user data policy.
The platform will now share users’ phone numbers and IP addresses with law enforcement agencies in response to valid legal requests, marking a departure from its previous approach.
To maintain transparency, Telegram plans to publish quarterly reports detailing instances where user data is shared with authorities.
These changes come after French authorities arrested CEO Pavel Durov in August. Paris prosecutors have levied 12 offenses against Durov, including allegations of allowing child exploitation and drug trafficking and refusing to cooperate with authorities investigating criminal activities on Telegram.
There have also been growing national security questions. Ukraine’s National Coordination Centre for Cybersecurity (NCCC) has banned Telegram on all government, military, and critical infrastructure devices, citing national security concerns.
In response to mounting pressure, Durov also announced that Telegram, aided by artificial intelligence, will remove problematic content from the platform’s search feature.
Telegram’s recent decision to share user data with authorities has sparked widespread concern among its user base of nearly a billion users worldwide.
At least 13 dead after migrant boat capsizes in English Channel
At least 13 people died after a boat carrying around 70 migrants capsized in the English Channel. Multiple coast guards launched a search-and-rescue operation and are currently searching for possible survivors using air and sea resources.
The boat left France and was heading to Britain, according to the French interior minister.
The boat experienced difficulty in the English Channel with the number of people on board likely contributing to the boat’s structural failure. According to authorities, the boat ripped open.
Authorities pulled about a dozen people from the waters of the channel and they are in critical condition.
The overcrowding of vessels, a common occurrence in such crossings, poses severe risks to migrants.
Officials with the U.K. government said more than 2,000 migrants arrived in Britain during the week of Aug. 25. Most of the migrants came on small boats like the one that capsized.
According to the International Organization for Migration, at least 30 migrants died or went missing while trying to cross the English Channel this year.
Last week, both French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged to work together to end migrant smuggling routes between France and Britain.
