Meta Faces Antitrust Trial Over Instagram and WhatsApp Acquisitions
A landmark antitrust trial against Meta began on Monday, with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alleging that the company unlawfully stifled competition by acquiring Instagram and WhatsApp.
The FTC claims Meta chose to eliminate rivals instead of competing, noting that the company overpaid for Instagram in 2012 ($1 billion) and WhatsApp in 2014 ($19 billion), Reuters reported.
Meta defended its position by claiming that the FTC had already authorized these purchases and that YouTube and TikTok are competitors.
A decision in the FTC's favor would cause Meta to disband, which might compel CEO Mark Zuckerberg to sell up Instagram and WhatsApp. The trial will probably last for a few weeks, and both Zuckerberg and former COO Sheryl Sandberg are anticipated to testify.
Hamas Weighs Ceasefire Proposal as Death Toll in Gaza Rises
Hamas is reviewing a new Israeli ceasefire proposal and will respond soon, though it firmly rejects any suggestion of disarmament, according to spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes continue across Gaza, killing at least 15 Palestinians on Monday, with attacks targeting tent shelters, Al Jazeera reported.
Gaza’s Health Ministry reports over 50,983 deaths and 116,274 injuries since the war began, while the Government Media Office estimates the death toll has exceeded 61,700, including those missing under rubble.
The war was triggered by the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which killed 1,139 people and saw over 200 taken captive.
Hungary Curbs LGBTQ Rights With Constitutional Amendment
Hungary's parliament has passed a controversial amendment bill that puts restrictions on LGBTQ plus community this has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and members of the community.
While parliament was voting on the amendment, several demonstrators attempted to break into the parliament building in disobedience. The new modifications to Hungary's constitution will provide legal support to the rule prohibiting public displays of homosexuality and pride parades, according to BBC.
As a result of the vote, the Fundamental Law now stipulates that a person can only identify as either male or female. The law comes three months after U.S. President Donald Trump, an ally of Orban, issued an executive order recognizing only two sexes.
With the exception of the right to life, the Hungarian bill asserts that children's right to a healthy physical, mental, and moral development overrules all other fundamental rights, including the freedom to assemble, BBC reported.
Additionally, if a Hungarian is judged to be a threat to public order, public security, or national security, the amendment permits them to have their dual citizenship in a non-European Economic Area country suspended for a maximum of ten years.
Trump threatens new tariffs on smartphones days after exempting them
Donald Trump claims that Chinese-made cellphones and other devices would not be spared from tariffs, stating that they are just going into a separate "bucket" of levies.
As stated by BBC, European stock markets rose on Monday morning following Friday's official declaration that some of these products would be exempt from levies of up to 145%.
China has urged Donald Trump to "completely cancel" his tariffs regime and "return to the right path of mutual respect".
However, US sources stated on Sunday that products would be subject to a "semiconductor tariff", with Trump set to announce further information later, BBC reported.
China to impose reciprocal visa restrictions on US personnel involved in egregious behavior related to Xizang issues
In response to the United States' claim that it will limit visas for Chinese officials who create and implement rules that limit international access to Xizang, Chinese International Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated Monday that Xizang issues are internal Chinese affairs.
The US, by imposing unwarranted visa restrictions on Chinese officials over Xizang-related issues, has seriously violated international law and fundamental principles of international relations, Lin said according to the Global Times.
In accordance with the relevant provisions of the "Law on Foreign Relations" and the "Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law," China has decided to take reciprocal visa restriction measures against US personnel who have exhibited egregious behavior regarding Xizang-related issues, Lin said.
Former King Gyanendra Shah’s statement objectionable: UML
The ruling CPN-UML has accused former King Gyanendra Shah of still having a desire to reinstate monarchy.
During the party’s Secretariat meeting, the UML concluded that former King Gyanendra’s state was objectionable.
Making public his statement on Sunday, former King Gyanendra described the March 28 incident as the political awakening among the people.
UML Deputy General Secretary Pradeep Gyawali said that the UML has taken his statement seriously.
The UML concluded that the criminal incident occurred in Tinkune on March 28.
“The criminal incident occurred on that day. A person was burnt alive. A house was set on fire. The incident caused damage to public and private property. Media outlets were also attacked. All these are criminal activities,” Gyawali said.
South Korea's ex-president denies insurrection at criminal trial
The criminal trial of South Korea’s ousted leader Yoon Suk Yeol began on Monday, with prosecutors accusing him of leading an insurrection by declaring martial law late last year, sparking months of unrest.
Prosecutors claimed Yoon lacked the legal authority to declare martial law and accused him of attempting to paralyze state institutions including parliament.
Yoon has stated that martial law was necessary to demonstrate how the main opposition party was engaging in "legislative dictatorship" by consistently obstructing his government's agenda, but he had no intention of crippling the nation, Reuters reported.
Although South Korea hasn't carried out an execution in decades, the impeached leader faces an insurgency charge that carries a life sentence or possibly death.
One held with 894 kg 'Shaligram Sheela' in Mustang
Police have arrested a person with a large cache of 'Shaligram Sheela' or the ammonite stone in Mustang.
The arrestee has been identified as Kunsang Ranging Gurung (41) of Surkhang of Loghekar Damodarkunda-5, Mustang.
The Shaligram Sheela is a fossilized stone or ammonite collected from the riverbed or banks of the Kali Gandaki, a tributary of the Gandaki River.
The Hindus consider the Shaligram as a form of their god Vishnu.
The Kali Gandaki River flows through sacred places such as Muktinath and Damodar Kunda, enhancing the spiritual significance of these 'Shaligrams'. Collection of a large amount of Shaligrams is prohibited.
The Area Police Office, Chhusang Check Post at Baragung Muktikshetra-3, Mustang has seized 894 kg 'Shaligram Sheela' packed in 34 white sacks during a regular security check, according to the District Police Office, Mustang.
Information Officer at the District Police Office, Mustang, Police Inspector Bishal Adhikari, said that the Shaligram Sheela was confiscated from a Bolero jeep (Ga 3 Cha 8152) heading towards Jomsom from Loghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipality-3 in Mustang.
According to the District Police Office, Mustang, Gurung, the jeep and the Shiligram Sheela have been handed over to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Office, Jomsom.
Meanwhile, ACAP Jomsom said that it has already handed over Gurung, the jeep, and Shaligram Sheela to Annapurna Conservation Area Project's Head Office in Pokhara for investigation, said Office Chief Rajesh Gupta.