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Two and a half weeks after sending tanks and ground troops into northern Gaza, Israeli forces entered a hospital early Wednesday that they claim Hamas operates out of. The Israeli army claims the militant group uses hospitals as cover for its fighters, and has set up its main command center in and beneath Shifa Hospital, the largest in the besieged territory. Both Hamas and Shifa Hospital staff deny the Israeli allegations. Both Hamas and Shifa Hospital staff deny the Israeli allegations. ISRAEL SAYS IT'S CARRYING OUT A ‘PRECISE AND TARGETED OPERATION’ INSIDE GAZA'S SHIFA HOSPITALJERUSALEM — The Israeli military says its forces have entered Gaza’s Shifa hospital, the site of a lengthy standoff.

Persons: Mohammed Zaqout, — Israel, ‘, ’, Ahmed Mhanna, ”, Jabaliya, Mhanna, NETANYAHU, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, ” Netanyahu, “, Fahrettin Koca, Koca, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Martin Griffiths, Meirav Eilon Shahar, “ Israel, ” Philippe Lazzarini, CAIRO —, Munir al, Boursh, ” Israel, Hamas ”, Paltel, Israel, ” Griffiths, Shifa, that’s, Jonas Gahr Støre, Espen Barth Eide, ” Barth Eide, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Erdogan, ” Erdogan, Israel —, Daniel Hagari, Hamas’s, ” Hagari, KHAN YOUNIS, Mohammad al, Abdallah, National Security Itamar Ben, Gvir, Nasser, Khan Younis, Catherine Russell, Russell, ” Russell, ISRAEL Organizations: Hamas, Shifa, Shifa Hospital, Health Ministry, . Security, ASEAN, AS, Awda Hospital, Awda, PEACEMAKING GROUP GENEVA, Centre, Associated Press, Iran's, Iranian, ” UN, UNRWA, United Nations, OFFICIAL, International Committee, COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, UN OFFICIAL, Health Organization, ” FIRST, NTB, ISRAEL, TEL, Israeli Defense Forces, IDF, MINISTRY, Ministry of National Security, National Security, UNICEF, JERUSALEM Locations: Gaza, Israel, Shifa, Myanmar, Washington, israel, GAZA, CAIRO, Jabaliya, GAZA ZIKIM, Israeli, Gaza City, TURKEY ANKARA, Turkey, Egypt, Rafah, Geneva, Basque, Spain, Iranian, Iran, Palestine, ”, Territories, United States, JERUSALEM, Palestinian, GENEVA, what’s, GAZA COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Norwegian, Norway, ISRAEL ANKARA, Turkish, TEL AVIV, West Bank, Ben, Khan, SHIFA

☆ Tencent logs robust revenue growth as games, advertising sales shine
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Josh Ye | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A Tencent sign is seen at the World Internet Conference (WIC) in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province, China, October 20, 2019. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsHONG KONG, Nov 15 (Reuters) - China's Tencent Holdings (0700.HK) said third-quarter revenue climbed 10%, as its games business staged a robust recovery from a regulatory crackdown on the country's tech sector and online advertising sales surged. In August, the video games sector raked in combined revenue of 29.2 billion yuan, the highest level in at least 20 months, according to CNG, a government-backed industry data firm. Tencent's online advertising business reported a 20% jump in revenue thanks to strong demand for advertising in its video content. Net profit declined 9% to 36.1 billion yuan from a year ago when the company had a strong quarter after divesting stakes in portfolio companies such as Sea.

Persons: Aly, Tencent, Josh Ye, Miyoung Kim, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: World Internet Conference, REUTERS, Tencent Holdings, HK, Riot Games, Thomson Locations: Wuzhen, Zhejiang province, China, HONG KONG

☆ Palestinian officials say harder to update Gaza casualty toll as health system buckles
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] A makeshift operating theater area is seen inside Al Shifa hospital during the Israeli ground operation around the hospital, in Gaza City November 12, 2023. Ahmed El Mokhallalati/via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsRAMALLAH, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Palestinian health authorities said on Wednesday it was becoming increasingly difficult to obtain accurate casualty figures from Gaza due to the collapse of the hospital and health system in parts of the Israeli-besieged enclave. The Palestinian health ministry has been issuing a constantly updated total of the casualties from the Israeli bombardment of Gaza, launched in the wake of the deadly attack on Israel by Hamas gunmen on Oct. 7. The latest total since Oct. 7 shows 11,320 people killed, including 4,650 children or minors. An official from Hamas, the Islamist movement that controls the Gaza Strip, said on Tuesday that 25 of the 35 hospitals in the enclave were out of use due to the bombardment.

Persons: Al, Ahmed El Mokhallalati, Ali Sawafta, James Mackenzie, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: Gaza, Hamas, Thomson Locations: Al Shifa, Gaza City, RAMALLAH, Gaza, Israel

☆ Israeli Troops Deepen Search at Main Gaza Hospital for Evidence of Hamas
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

Israeli troops forced their way into Al Shifa hospital in the early hours of Wednesday and spent the day deepening their search, the army said. "The troops continue to search the hospital in a precise, intelligence-based, manner," army spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said at a press briefing late on Wednesday. "We have repeatedly called for a committee from the United Nations, the World Health Organization and the Red Cross to verify the lies of the occupation." Gaza health officials, considered reliable by the United Nations, say about 11,500 Palestinians are confirmed killed, around 40% of them children, and more are buried under the rubble. The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday called for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses in fighting for a "sufficient number of days" to allow aid access.

Persons: Nidal, Emily Rose, Israel, Daniel Hagari, Ezzat El Rashq, Al Shifa, Nidal al, Grant McCool, Howard Goller Organizations: Hamas, United Nations, World Health Organization, United Nations Security Locations: Emily Rose GAZA, JERUSALEM, Gaza's, Al Shifa, Qatar, Israel, Gaza, Egypt, U.N, Jerusalem

More than 1,200 people in Israel died, most of them in the Hamas attack, and about 240 hostages were taken from Israel into Gaza by Palestinian militants. The army said Tuesday that it has captured Gaza’s legislature building, the Hamas police headquarters and a compound housing Hamas’ military intelligence headquarters. Israeli news sites showed pictures of Israeli soldiers hoisting the Israeli national flag and military flags in some of the buildings. The Israeli military did not give a reason for her death, while Hamas said she was killed in an Israeli strike. On Nov. 5, the Israeli military struck a car on the road between the southern Lebanese towns of Ainata and Aitaroun.

Persons: —, Gilad, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Lula, ” Lula, “, Lynn Gottlieb, KNTV, WASHINGTON, Janet Yellen, Shelly Shem Tov, Omer Shem Tov, Benjamin Netanyahu, JERUSALEM — Vivian Silver, Silver, Yonatan Zeigen, ” Zeigen, Noa Marciano, Marciano, ”, Israel, Iqbal Abu Saud, Ramzi Kaiss, Israel’s, KFAR, Ayelet, David Kachko Kazir, Aftonbladet Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, Health Ministry, “, FIRE, Jewish, Peace, Berkeley, Consulate, Grand, Station, New York, Islamic, Treasury Department, TEL, JERUSALEM TEL, Israel, JERUSALEM, Israel Radio, Rights Watch, Israel — Residents, DR Locations: Gaza, Israel, Gaza City, Palestinian, Gaza's, Detroit, israel, ISRAEL, GAZA, JERUSALEM, DE JANEIRO, Brazil, “, CALIFORNIA, FIRE OAKLAND, California —, Oakland , California, Chicago, New York, United States, Islamic Jihad, Iran, Lebanese, United Kingdom, U.S, TEL AVIV, JERUSALEM TEL AVIV, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Canadian, BEIRUT, Lebanon, Ainata, Rights Watch Lebanon, KFAR AZA, Israel —, Kfar Aza, SWEDEN, DENMARK, COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Sweden, Danish, Egypt

[1/5] Several volunteers give Spanish classes to migrants outside the Las Raices Camp in La Laguna, Spain, November 5, 2023. The mix-up shows just how overwhelmed the Spanish archipelago is, Canary Islands president Fernando Clavijo told Reuters, after a record 32,000 migrants came so far this year. At Tenerife's Las Raices adult migrants' centre in San Cristobal de La Laguna, Camara and his friend from the voyage, 16-year-old Modou Lamin Jarju from Gambia, sat around with dozens of other west Africans. Reuters GraphicsOne of the most strained of the eight Canary Islands is El Hierro, its population of 9,000 more than matched by the arrival of 11,000 migrants this year. At its largest minors' centre on a recent day, some 300 children ate breakfast on a basketball court before Spanish lessons.

Persons: Borja Suarez, Moussa Camara, Camara, Classing, Fernando Clavijo, Fran Morenilla, Salaoum Colley, Amparo Morales, Clavijo, El Hierro, Corina Pons, Horaci Garcia, Charlie Devereux, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: REUTERS, CRISTOBAL, LA LAGUNA, Reuters, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Las, Amnesty, Canaries, San Cristobal de La Laguna, Camara, Thomson Locations: La Laguna, Spain, Guinea, Europe, Islands, Spanish, Almeria, Canary, San Cristobal de La, Jarju, Gambia, El Hierro, European Union, Africa, Senegal

The humanitarian office, known as OCHA, says only one hospital in the north is capable of receiving patients. Israel carries out frequent airstrikes from north to south, hitting what it says are militant targets but often killing women and children. With Israeli forces fighting Palestinian militants in the center of Gaza City, the territory's main city, both sides have seized on the plight of hospitals. Both Hamas and Shifa Hospital staff deny the Israeli allegations. Palestinian militants.

Persons: ”, Daniel Hagari, Israel, ___ Magdy, Amy Teibel Organizations: Gaza’s, Hamas, Shifa Hospital, Health Ministry, International Committee, ., Health, Associated Press Locations: DEIR, Gaza, Israel, Gaza City, Shifa, Al, Quds, Israeli, The U.S, Palestinian, Cairo, Jerusalem, israel

☆ Juul Labs raises $1.3 bln in funding
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Juul brand vaping pens are displayed for sale at a Juul shop in Jakarta, Indonesia, December 30, 2019. REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana Acquire Licensing RightsNov 13 (Reuters) - Juul Labs said on Monday it has raised about $1.3 billion in funding, months after the e-cigarette maker revealed plans to lay off about 250 people in a bid to reduce its operating costs. Juul disclosed in a regulatory filing it had raised $1.27 billion in funding from a total offering amount of $1.6 billion. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment on how it plans to use these funds. Marlboro maker Altria (MO.N) also exited its stake in Juul earlier this year, days before announcing a purchase of e-cigarette startup Njoy Holdings for about $2.8 billion.

Persons: Juul, Bhanvi, Shounak Dasgupta Organizations: REUTERS, Juul Labs, Juul, District of Columbia, Holdings, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, New York, California, Marlboro, Altria, Bengaluru

He said that so far, 20 cousins and other relatives have been killed since the start of Israel's campaign against Hamas following the militant group’s deadly Oct. 7 incursion into southern Israel that set off the war. More than 1,200 people in Israel died, most of them in the Hamas attack, and about 240 hostages were taken from Israel into Gaza by Palestinian militants. They now live in the United States. The two communicate via text messages because listening to her tear-filled voice as the war rages is difficult, Shehada said. “The house next to my sister was struck by a missile where I had 12 relatives living there,” he said.

Persons: Emad, Mohammad Khrais, Khrais, Shehada, it’s, “ It’s, ” Shehada, “, ” Organizations: Hamas, Health Ministry, WXYZ, Wayne State University Locations: ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich, Detroit, Gaza, Israel, Palestinian, Rochester Hills, Kuwait, Syria, United States, U.S

The Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza disputed that, and said the fuel would have provided less than an hour of electricity. Political Cartoons View All 1240 ImagesFor Palestinians, Shifa evokes the suffering of civilians. Thousands of people displaced by airstrikes that have destroyed entire city blocks have sought shelter in its darkened corridors. A U.N. health official said many displaced families and patients with moderate injuries fled Shifa as Israeli forces encircled the hospital over the weekend. Palestinian militants are holding nearly 240 hostages seized in the raid, including men, women, children and older adults.

Persons: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Shifa, Mohammed Zaqout, Melanie Ward, Christos Christou, ___ Magdy Organizations: Hamas, Health Ministry, Health Organization, Aid, CBS, Health Locations: DEIR, Gaza, Gaza's, Palestinian, Israel, Shifa, U.K, U.S, Lebanon, Cairo, ___, israel

HEAVY FIGHTING NEAR SHIFA HOSPITALPolitical Cartoons View All 1240 ImagesIn Gaza City, residents reported heavy airstrikes and shelling overnight, including in the area around Shifa Hospital. Israel, without providing evidence, has accused Hamas of concealing a command post inside and under the hospital compound, allegations denied by Hamas and hospital staff. “We spent the night in panic waiting for their arrival,” said Ahmed al-Boursh, a resident taking shelter in the hospital. Israel’s military confirmed clashes outside the hospital, but Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, a spokesman, denied Shifa was under siege. Netanyahu said Gaza would be demilitarized and that Israel would retain security control, with the ability to enter Gaza freely to hunt down militants.

Persons: KHAN YOUNIS, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, “, ”, Ahmed al, Mohammed Abu Selmia, Daniel Hagari, Shifa, Robert Mardini, Crescent, NETANYAHU, Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, Ebrahim Raisi, ___ Magdy Organizations: Israel, Hamas, Health Ministry, World Health Organization, International Committee, Red Cross, Palestinian, Palestinian Authority, West Bank Locations: Gaza, Gaza City, Israel, United States, Saudi Arabia, London, SHIFA, Shifa, “, al, Quds, Hamas, U.S, Iran, Egypt, Rafah, Tel Aviv, Caesarea, Netanyahu's, Lebanon, Cairo, ___, israel

The discussions at the Dubai International Air Chiefs’ Conference, held ahead of the biennial Dubai Air Show this week, shows the delicate balancing act the federation of seven sheikhdoms faces. The UAE maintains diplomatic ties with Israel despite widespread and growing anger in the Arab world over the civilian casualties from Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip against Hamas. The Air Chiefs' Conference demonstrates how those ties continue, particularly as Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., an Israeli defense manufacturer, was a sponsor of the summit. Sunday's summit drew attendees from across the world, though it did not appear there were any Israeli military officials on hand. While staying away from discussing the Israel-Hamas war, U.S. Air Force Brig.

Persons: Israel, Rafael, David A, we're, ” Mineau, ”, Mineau, “, Luca Goretti, Goretti Organizations: United Arab Emirates, Sunday, United, Dubai International Air Chiefs ’ Conference, Dubai Air, Hamas, The Air Chiefs, Conference, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd, Dubai Air Show, Israel Aerospace Industries, IAI, Health Ministry, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Houthi, U.S . Air Force, America, American military's, Command, Italian Air Force Locations: DUBAI, United Arab, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Israel, Gaza, West, Saudi Arabia, Iran, India, Stockholm, Qatar, Saudi, Abu Dhabi, Tehran, Sunday's, Western, China, U.S, NATO, Ukraine

☆ Meta and Snap must detail child protection measures by Dec. 1, EU says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of Meta Platforms' business group is seen in Brussels, Belgium December 6, 2022. REUTERS/Yves Herman Acquire Licensing RightsBRUSSELS, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Facebook owner Meta Platforms (META.O) and social media company Snap (SNAP.N) have been given a Dec. 1 deadline by the EU to give more information on how they protect children from illegal and harmful content, the European Commission said on Friday. The request for information on the measures the companies have taken to improve the protection of minors comes a day after a similar message by the European Union to Alphabet's (GOOGL.O) YouTube and TikTok. The Commission last month also sent companies including Meta, X and TikTok urgent orders to detail measures taken to counter the spread of content related to terrorism, violent content and hate speech on their platforms. The Commission can open investigations into the companies if it is not satisfied with their responses.

Persons: Yves Herman Acquire, Bart Meijer, Sharon Singleton Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Meta, EU, European Commission, European Union, YouTube, Digital Services, Thomson Locations: Brussels, Belgium, Rights BRUSSELS

Parts of a ghost gun kit are on display at an event held by U.S. President Joe Biden to announce measures to fight ghost gun crime, at the White House in Washington U.S., April 11, 2022. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with a group of firearm owners, gun rights groups and manufacturers in declaring the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' 2022 rule "unlawful." "ATF, in promulgating its final rule, attempted to take on the mantle of Congress to 'do something' with respect to gun control," he wrote. The administration has said that ghost guns are attractive to criminals and others prohibited from lawfully buying firearms, including minors. There were about 20,000 suspected ghost guns reported in 2021 to the ATF as having been recovered by law enforcement in criminal investigations - a tenfold increase from 2016, according to the White House.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, Biden, Donald Trump, Kurt Engelhardt, Cody Wisniewski, Nate Raymond, Michael Perry Organizations: U.S, White, REUTERS, Circuit, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives, Republican, Gun Control, U.S . Department of Justice, Coalition Action Foundation, ATF, Biden, Thomson Locations: Washington U.S, New Orleans, Texas, U.S ., Boston

☆ Omegle was a relic of the old internet. I'm not sad it's gone.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Katie Notopoulos | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Gen-Z beloved site Omegle has shut down. The headline: "Omegle: Children expose themselves on video chat site." As K-Brooks' message said, all platforms are susceptible to bad actors — and child predators certainly exist on other social sites, too. According to K-Brooks's post, Omegle had worked with law enforcement and "there was a great deal of moderation behind the scenes, including state-of-the-art AI operating in concert with a wonderful team of human moderators. Omegle punched above its weight in content moderation, and I'm proud of what we accomplished," he said in his statement Thursday.

Persons: Omegle, —, Leif K, Brooks, you'd, Brooks didn't, hank y, ake, ault, lear, ince, ike, ong — Organizations: Service, BBC, AP, ust Locations: Oregon, uman

☆ Federal appeals court calls Biden’s ‘ghost gun’ limits unlawful
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

"Ghost guns" seized in federal law enforcement actions are displayed at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) field office in Glendale, California on April 18, 2022. A federal appeals court on Thursday ruled that the Biden administration lacked authority to adopt a regulation aimed at reining in privately made firearms called "ghost guns" that are difficult for law enforcement to trace. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with a group of firearm owners, gun rights groups and manufacturers in declaring the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' 2022 rule "unlawful." The administration has said that ghost guns are attractive to criminals and others prohibited from lawfully buying firearms, including minors. There were about 20,000 suspected ghost guns reported in 2021 to the ATF as having been recovered by law enforcement in criminal investigations — a tenfold increase from 2016, according to the White House.

Persons: Biden, Donald Trump, Kurt Engelhardt, Cody Wisniewski Organizations: Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives, Circuit, Republican, Gun Control, U.S . Department of Justice, U.S, Coalition Action Foundation, ATF, Biden Locations: Glendale , California, New Orleans, Texas, U.S .

☆ Omegle shuts down after its founder acknowledges 'unspeakably heinous crimes'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Founder Leif K-Brooks acknowledged "lowlights" of the random chat site in a letter to users. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementAdvertisementOmegle — the site that matched random strangers and served as entertainment for some Gen Z sleepovers, but also had a disturbing side — will shut down. When he launched Omegle as in 2009, then-18-year-old founder Leif K-Brooks saw the internet as a "global village," he said in a long post Thursday. "There can be no honest accounting of Omegle without acknowledging that some people misused it, including to commit unspeakably heinous crimes," K-Brooks wrote.

Persons: YouTubers, Leif K, Brooks, —, Z, Omegle, They'd, Gen Zers, Emma Chamberlain, Gen Z Organizations: AP, Service, New York Times, YouTube Locations: Oregon, Omegle

“Namely, long-standing and well recognized fundamental rights of freedom of speech, expression, due process, and parental rights. Two advocacy groups and an attorney who works with sexual assault victims sued the state and Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador over the law earlier this year. They also argued that the law infringes on the Fourth Amendment right to travel between states, as well as the right to travel within Idaho. “The state can, and Idaho does, criminalize certain conduct occurring within its own borders such as abortion, kidnapping, and human trafficking. The prosecutors did not invoke the so-called “abortion trafficking” law in that case.

Persons: Grasham, Raul Labrador, Lourdes Matsumoto, ”, wasn't Organizations: Debora, Fund, Indigenous Idaho Alliance, Prosecutors Locations: U.S, Idaho, Nampa, Northwest

NEW YORK (AP) — Omegle, a video chat service that connects users with strangers at random, is shutting down after 14 years following ample misuse of the platform — particularly the sexual abuse of minors. “Virtually every tool can be used for good or for evil,” Brooks wrote. Political Cartoons View All 1237 Images“Operating Omegle is no longer sustainable, financially nor psychologically,” Brooks wrote. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who used Omegle for positive purposes, and to everyone who contributed to the site’s success in any way. As of Thursday morning, the Omegle website remained live with Brooks' statement, but its online video chat function was no longer visible.

Persons: —, Leif K, Brooks, Omegle, ” Brooks, “ Organizations: BBC Locations: Oregon

☆ Omegle Shuts Down as Founder Acknowledges Crime on Video Chat Site
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Eduardo Medina | More About Eduardo Medina | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Mr. K-Brooks, who founded the website at 18 years old, did not explicitly mention problems with pedophilia on the website in the letter. The end of Omegle comes as lawmakers and law enforcement agencies continue to examine the role of technology and social media in the explosion of online child sex abuse in recent years. While the problem predates the internet, smartphones, social media and cloud storage have worsened the issue, and several lawsuits and criminal cases have argued that Omegle enabled abusers to meet children for anonymous messaging and coercion. Such businesses face the problem of addressing rampant criminal activity on their platforms, sometimes with limited resources to stop it. They also face threats of criminal charges if they do not comply with requests from the authorities for data that could prove such activity.

Persons: Brooks, Omegle, Michele Bush Organizations: Loehrs Forensics

☆ YouTube, TikTok must detail child protection measures by Nov 30, EU says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] A 3D printed Youtube and Tik Tok logo are seen placed on keyboard in this illustration taken, September 15, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBRUSSELS, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Alphabet's (GOOGL.O) YouTube and TikTok have been given a Nov. 30 deadline by the European Union to reply to an information request on how they protect children from illegal and harmful content, the European Commission said on Thursday. Google and TikTok did not immediately reply to a request for comment. The information request comes days after Breton told TikTok Chief Executive Officer Shou Zi Chew to spare no effort to counter disinformation on its platform, owned by China's ByteDance. "Based on the assessment of the replies, the Commission will assess next steps", the Commission said.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Thierry Breton, Breton, Shou Zi Chew, China's ByteDance, Sundar Pichai, Tassilo Hummel, David Evans Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, YouTube, European Union, European Commission, Big Tech, Digital Services, Google, Reuters, Wednesday, TikTok, DSA, Thomson Locations: Rights BRUSSELS, Breton

OHIO ABORTION RIGHTSOhioans voted to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, Edison Research projected, which will render moot a six-week abortion limit signed into law by Republican Governor Mike DeWine. The ban is currently on hold pending litigation at the conservative state Supreme Court. The success of Ohio's ballot measure initiative, which put the question of abortion rights to voters directly, adds to a string of ballot measure victories for abortion rights supporters since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. PENNSYLVANIA SUPREME COURTThe race for a new state Supreme Court justice will not alter the liberal tilt of Pennsylvania's highest court but could have future implications for abortion rights and election laws in the state. Democrats have a 4-2 majority in the partisan state court, with one vacant seat to be filled in this election.

Persons: Andy Beshear, Jon Cherry, Daniel Cameron, Republican Donald Trump, Beshear, Tate Reeves, Democrat Brandon Presley, Reeves, Presley, Elvis Presley, Roe, Wade, Glenn Youngkin, Mike DeWine, Cherelle Parker, Republican David Oh, Jim Kenney, Sheila Jackson Lee, John Whitmire, Sylvester Turner, Daniel McCaffery, Carolyn Carluccio, Gabriella Borter, Colleen Jenkins, Lincoln Organizations: Democratic, Capitol, REUTERS, Republicans, KENTUCKY, Edison Research, Republican, MISSISSIPPI GOVERNOR Republican, Democrat, Democratic Governors Association, NEW, General, U.S, PENNSYLVANIA, New York Times, Democrats, Thomson Locations: Frankfort , Kentucky, U.S, Kentucky, Mississippi, Virginia, New Jersey, Ohio, COVID, MISSISSIPPI, Northern Mississippi, Southern, VIRGINIA, Virginia's Senate, U.S ., NEW JERSEY, Democratic New Jersey, OHIO, Philadelphia, Houston

☆ Exclusive: EU to ask YouTube, TikTok for details on measures protecting minors
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BRUSSELS, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Google’s (GOOGL.O) YouTube and TikTok will be asked by EU industry chief Thierry Breton to provide information on how they comply with new EU online content rules regarding the protection of children, a person with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Wednesday. Breton will send his request to the companies on Friday, the source added. The new EU rules known as the Digital Services Act (DSA) requires Big Tech to do more to fight harmful and illegal online content, especially content that targets minors. The DSA also forces the companies to be more transparent on their algorithmic processes, bots and targeted advertisements that amplify content and do more to tackle illegal, unsafe or counterfeit products sold on their platforms. Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Lisa ShumakerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Thierry Breton, Breton, Foo Yun Chee, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: YouTube, Reuters, EU, Digital Services, Big Tech, DSA, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS

☆ Some kids are genetically predisposed to poor sleep, study finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Kristen Rogers | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Establishing healthy bedtime habits for your child early on is vital if at least one parent has chronic sleep difficulties, suggests new research on genetics and children’s sleep disorders. It does, say experts behind the first study providing evidence that genetic susceptibility to being a “poor sleeper” can also be found early in life. Children genetically predisposed to insomnia had more insomnia-related sleep issues such as difficulty falling asleep or frequently waking up during the night, according to the study published Wednesday in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. “You would think that, sure, if it’s genetically determined, why wouldn’t it manifest earlier in life?”Good sleep hygiene for kidsThere is still hope for your child’s sleep health. “If your child is a natural late sleeper, then don’t force them to go to sleep early,” Sehgal added.

Persons: Catherine Falls, ”, Eus van Someren, —, they’re, Amita Sehgal, wasn’t, Sehgal, “, Desana, ” Kocevska, they’ve, ” Sehgal Organizations: CNN, Child Psychology, Psychiatry, Getty, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Sleep Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center Locations: Catherine, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands

☆ Albania to host no more than 3,000 migrants under deal with Italy
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An Italian Coast Guard vessel carrying migrants rescued at sea passes near a tourist boat, on the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, Italy, September 18, 2023. The figure compares with the more than 145,000 sea migrants who have arrived in Italy so far this year, a sharp increase from 2022 which Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing government is keen to contain. Announcing the deal with Albania on Monday, Meloni said as many as 36,000 migrants per year could pass through the Albanian camps, but hitting this target depends on how quickly Italy can process asylum applications. The protocol states that Italy will shield Albania from any costs from legal action against the initiative. The facilities are more than 1,000 kilometres from Lampedusa, the island where most Italy-bound sea migrants currently land.

Persons: Yara, Giorgia Meloni's, Meloni, repatriating, Alvise, Christina Fincher Organizations: Italian Coast Guard, REUTERS, Rights, Amnesty International, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Lampedusa, Italy, Albania, EU, Shëngjin

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