Meta fined 798 million euros ($846m) for breaking EU antitrust rules
EU says Meta automatically ties its ad service – Facebook Marketplace – to Facebook, creating an unfair advantage. The European Union has hit technology giant Meta with a fine just shy of 800 million euros for what it called “abusive practices” involving its Facebook Marketplace online classified ads business. The EU’s European Commission issued the fine of 797.72 million euros ($846.13m) on Thursday. It accused Meta, which owns social media platform Facebook, of marketplace practices that give its own ad service an undue advantage over competitors. The advantage stems from Meta automatically tying its ad service – Facebook Marketplace – to Facebook, creating a “substantial distribution advantage”, according to the commission. “All Facebook users automatically have access and get regularly exposed to Facebook Marketplace whether they want it or not,” it said. Additionally, it said Meta imposed unfair conditions on other classified ads service providers who advertised on Facebook and Instagram, enabling it to “use ads-related data generated by other advertisers for the sole benefit of Facebook Marketplace”. Meta contended it did not “use advertisers’ data for this purpose” and has “built systems and controls to ensure that”. “It is disappointing that the Commission has chosen to take regulatory action against a free and innovative service built to meet consumer demand,” said Meta, adding it would comply with the commission’s order to end the offending conduct but also appeal. The fine is the latest in a string of hefty penalties that the commission, which regulates the 27-nation European Union, has imposed against Big Tech companies over their practices in recent years. It ranks among the 10 largest antitrust fines. The penalty takes into account the “duration and gravity of the infringement”, as well as the turnover of Meta and Facebook Marketplace, said the commission. Meta’s total revenue last year stood at around 125 billion euros ($133bn). Meta’s dominant position in the market for personal social networks comes with a special responsibility not to abuse it by restricting competition, according to the EU. Adblock test (Why?)
What does a second Trump presidency mean for Big Tech?
US President-elect Donald Trump is expected to reshape tech industry policy. Donald Trump had promised to curb the influence of Silicon Valley during his first presidency, which began in 2017. His relationship with tech leaders was marked by tension back then. He’s now won the United States presidential election for a second time, and those same executives have rushed to congratulate him on his victory. Big Tech’s wealth and power have exploded since his first term. But the industry has faced a crackdown through antitrust lawsuits under President Joe Biden. Trump’s return to the top job could signal policy changes. Spain’s floods, what’s the cost of climate inaction? Plus, why are big oil companies leaving Nigeria? Adblock test (Why?)
Texas’ uneven population boom is creating ghost towns in many rural counties
Local leaders and rural revitalization experts say Texas’ smallest towns can survive — despite a shift to urban and suburban counties — but it will take investments.
Texas names new higher education chief
Wynn Rosser will be in charge of guiding the state’s postsecondary education policies. He currently leads a foundation focused on rural East Texas and previously worked at Texas A&M.
Who are Trump’s likely top contenders to lead comms team, interact with the media?
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – President-elect Donald Trump is on a Cabinet announcement spree just a week after his massive win against Vice President Kamala Harris, with his eyes locked on who he will announce to head up his White House communications team. Karoline Leavitt is the leading name for press secretary after she worked as the Trump campaign’s national press secretary throughout the high-stakes election cycle. Alina Habba, Trump’s legal spokeswoman and adviser, was also viewed as a front-runner for the position but said Thursday she would “be better served in other capacities.” “While I am flattered by the support and speculation, the role of Press Secretary is not a role I am considering. Although I love screaming from a podium I will be better served in other capacities. This adminstration is going to be epic! So proud of the Trump team, the latest appointments and 47!” she posted to X on Thursday morning. Speculation has mounted that in addition to Leavitt – and previously Habba – Trump could potentially announce former President George W. Bush aide and CNN contributor Scott Jennings for the role, or longtime Trump adviser and ally Jason Miller, or campaign spokesman and adviser Steven Cheung. Other names floated as potential contenders include former ESPN host Sage Steele, RNC spokeswoman Elizabeth Pipko and former Trump administration official Monica Crowley. TRUMP’S PICKS SO FAR: HERE’S WHO WILL BE ADVISING THE NEW PRESIDENT During Trump’s first administration, the communications team saw, at times, a revolving door of press secretaries and communications directors. TRUMP’S VICTORY IS THE ‘REVENGE OF THE WORKING-CLASS AMERICAN,’ SAYS CNN’S SCOTT JENNINGS Back in 2016, Trump announced Sean Spicer as his first press secretary, who served in the position from Jan. 20, 2017 to July of that year. Spicer resigned after Trump named Anthony Scaramucci as communications director in a communications team shake-up. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who currently serves as governor of Arkansas, took over the position from July 2017 until July 2019. Scaramucci served as communications director for about 10 days before he was shown the door and has since been a top critic of the former and upcoming president. Spicer had also served as acting communications director during Trump’s first administration and was followed by Scaramucci, Hope Hicks, Bill Shine and finally Stephanie Grisham as communications directors. TRUMP’S SPEEDY CABINET PICKS SHOW HIS ‘PRIORITY TO PUT AMERICA FIRST,’ TRANSITION TEAM SAYS On the press secretary front, Grisham followed Sanders as press secretary, notably serving in the role in the early days of the pandemic before Kayleigh McEnany took over the role, serving in the position until President Biden’s inauguration in 2021. Trump’s second administration is already coming together at a much faster pace than during his 2016 transition phase, with Trump announcing 20 individuals for key Cabinet and administration positions as of Thursday. “The American people re-elected President Trump by a resounding margin, giving him a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail — and his Cabinet picks reflect his priority to put America First. President Trump will continue to appoint highly qualified men and women who have the talent, experience and necessary skill sets to Make America Great Again,” Leavitt told Fox News Digital when asked about Trump’s speedy roll-out of Cabinet picks earlier this week. LOYALTY MATTERS: TRUMP PICKS ALLIES AND SUPPORTERS TO FILL OUT HIS ADMINISTRATION Trump tapped Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., for example, to serve as his national security adviser, announcing that pick on Tuesday, about three days ahead of his announcement for the same role in 2016, when he chose former Army Gen. Mike Flynn for the position about 10 days after Election Day. Trump also announced he chose former New York Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, a pick Trump did not make until Dec. 7, 2016, when he tapped Scott Pruitt to serve in the role. Trump’s first pick for his administration, Susie Wiles for chief of staff, was announced the day after the election, while his 2016 announcement of Reince Priebus as chief of staff was made five days after the election. Trump has made one communications appointment announcement, revealing on Wednesday that Taylor Budowich will serve as an assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel. Trump did not announce his first press secretary pick back in 2016 until Dec. 22, 2016, though this year’s pick is anticipated to be publicly announced much sooner, similar to his Cabinet announcements.
Democrat senator reacts to Gaetz nomination: ‘Red alert moment’
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., warned Tuesday that President-elect Trump’s selection of former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., to be U.S. attorney general signaled Trump’s intention to follow through on promises to persecute his opponents. Murphy called the firebrand Floridian “dangerously unqualified” to lead the Justice Department, noting that Gaetz urged the need to abolish the FBI and other law enforcement agencies that do not get in line with conservative priorities. “Gaetz has been Trump’s chief defender when it comes to Trump’s assault on democracy. His attempt to overthrow the government on January 6th. And he has openly called for the abolition of law enforcement agencies if they don’t get in line with conservative political priorities,” Murphy said. MATT GAETZ RESIGNS FROM CONGRESS OVER TRUMP NOD TO BE ATTORNEY GENERAL, JOHNSON SAYS “This is going to be a red alert moment for American democracy. Matt Gaetz is being nominated for one reason and one reason only: Because he will implement Donald Trump’s transition of the Department of Justice from an agency that stands up for all of us to an agency that is simply an arm of the White House designed to persecute and prosecute Trump’s political enemies.” Trump sent shock waves through the political world on Wednesday, when he tapped Gaetz, who has never worked in law enforcement, to be the nation’s top law enforcement officer. In a statement, Trump lauded Gaetz as “a deeply gifted and tenacious attorney” who “will end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations and restore Americans’ badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department.” JOHNSON BLASTS DEM ACCUSATIONS HE VOWED TO END OBAMACARE AS ‘DISHONEST’ Murphy noted that several Republican senators have already signaled their opposition to the controversial now ex-congressman, who was previously under a yearlong investigation stemming from accusations he had a sexual relationship with a minor. The Department of Justice ultimately did not press charges. “You could literally hear the jaws dropping to the floor of Republican senators who are now going to be in a position to stand up to Donald Trump in a way that they have been unwilling to,” said Murphy. WHAT HAPPENS TO THE GAETZ HOUSE ETHICS REPORT? However, he added the announcement was “not surprising” since “Trump told us during the campaign that he was going to use the White House to go after people who politically opposed him.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “It seems that this pick for the head of the Department of Justice is very much in line with the promises he made during the campaign.”
Could Vice President Kamala Harris make a run for California governor in 2 years?
Nearly half of voters in Vice President Kamala Harris’ home state of California say they would be open to supporting her if she decided to run for governor in two years. Forty-six percent of Golden State registered voters said they would be very likely or somewhat likely to back Harris for governor, according to a poll from the University of California at Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times. Forty-two percent of respondents said they would be very unlikely or somewhat unlikely to support the vice president. WHAT BIDEN TOLD TRUMP WHEN THEY MET AT THE WHITE HOUSE The poll, released on Wednesday, was conducted Oct. 22-29, before former President Donald Trump’s sweeping Electoral College and popular vote victory over Harris in the White House race. Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom is term-limited and cannot seek a third term in 2026. HERE ARE THE DEMOCRATS WHO MAY RUN FOR THE WHITE HOUSE IN 2028 The race to succeed Newsom in steering the nation’s most populous state is expected to grab plenty of national attention. In a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans by a roughly two-to-one margin and where no Republican has been elected governor in nearly two decades, the race is expected to draw interest from top politicians. Harris, a California resident, served as San Francisco district attorney and state attorney general before winning election in 2016 to the U.S. Senate representing her home state. The vice president and Democratic Party presidential nominee easily captured California’s 54 electoral votes in last week’s election, and with nearly 87% of the vote counted in her home state, she leads Trump by just over 20 points. After replacing President Biden on the Democrats’ 2024 ticket in July, Harris was repeatedly criticized by Trump as he blamed the vice president for the crime, high prices and other ailments facing California. Additionally, he repeatedly argued that Harris and her policies had contributed to the ruin of San Francisco. Trump held a large rally last month in California, which has not voted for a Republican in a presidential election in more than 35 years. Harris, who grew up in the state’s Bay Area, keeps a home in the West Los Angeles neighborhood of Brentwood with her husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff. There has been plenty of speculation about what Harris will do when she leaves office in two months, but the vice president has not publicly discussed any potential future plans. Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis of California, a longtime Harris ally, is already running to succeed Newsom. Kounalakis launched her 2026 gubernatorial bid over a year ago.
Delhi: All primary schools closed, classes shifted to online mode due to rising pollution levels
The decision comes hours after the central pollution watchdog imposed restrictions under the third stage of the GRAP in Delhi-NCR.
California Democrat Josh Harder declares victory in House race
California Democrat Rep. Josh Harder has declared victory over his Republican opponent, Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln, who has conceded the race. “While the results are not what we hoped for, I remain incredibly proud of the journey we’ve shared,” Lincoln said in a statement. Though Republicans will control the House, Fox News projects, Harder’s win shifts the balance of power to 219 seats for Republicans and 209 for Democrats. REPUBLICAN KEN CALVERT WINS RE-ELECTION TO US HOUSE IN CALIFORNIA’S 41ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Eight other races have not yet been decided. The results of three others in California remain outstanding, in addition to one in Oregon, one in Ohio, one in Maine, one in Alaska and one in Iowa. Republicans will also control the Senate and White House, delivering President-elect Donald Trump a trifecta.
Delhi: AAP’s Mahesh Khichi elected mayor as party defeats BJP in MCD polls
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Leader Mahesh Kumar Khichi has been elected as the new Mayor of Delhi, as the party won the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) polls against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by three votes.