World News

Summary

Brazil criticized Meta's decision to end factchecking in the U.S., with Communication Minister Sidonio Palmeira calling it harmful to democracy due to unchecked misinformation.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg plans to replace factchecking with "community notes," sparking global concerns about misinformation.

Brazil's public prosecutor has demanded clarification within 30 days on whether these changes will extend to Brazil.

President Lula emphasized the dangers of disinformation and vowed to combat hate speech, recalling Brazil's strong stance on regulating social media, including past actions against Twitter/X for noncompliance.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/24577629

The founder of the website used by Dominique Pelicot to recruit strangers to rape his wife has been arrested in France.

Isaac Steidl, 44, is being interviewed by Paris detectives over the use of the website by criminals involved in more than 23,000 crimes including rape, murder and paedophilia.

France Info radio said Isaac Steidl reported to police on Tuesday morning after being summoned from his home outside the country and agreeing to fly back to Paris. He can be held for questioning for up to 96 hours.

The Coco website was shut down by the French authorities in June 2024 when an investigation was opened.

French journalist Sylvain Mercadier has been arrested by Israeli forces in Syria while covering the army's advance in the country.

According to French outlet Marianne, to which he contributed, Mercadier was accompanied by a Syrian lawyer named Mohammad Fayad at the time of his arrest, which took place in the village of al-Hmidaiah.

A Syrian journalist who was also on the scene said Mercadier was arrested while negotiating permission to film the Israeli forces that were arriving in the village.

"He was wearing a 'Press' bulletproof vest. Despite that, when the soldiers got to him, they confiscated his equipment, then beat him and called him a 'mercenary,'" Yousuf Gharibi told Marianne.

Israel says it is protecting its borders from turmoil in Syria, but critics say it is looking to expand and settle more territory.

Fresh from pouring his money and energies into helping Donald Trump win reelection, Elon Musk has trained his sights on Europe, setting off alarm bells among politicians across the continent.

The Tesla and SpaceX chief executive has endorsed the far-right Alternative for Germany, demanded the release of jailed U.K. anti-Islam extremist Tommy Robinson and called British Prime Minister Keir Starmer an evil tyrant who should be in prison.

Summary

Germany and France criticized U.S. President-elect Donald Trump after he refused to rule out military or economic actions to acquire Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory and part of the EU and NATO.

Germany stressed borders must not be changed by force, citing the UN Charter, while France warned against threats to EU sovereignty.

Trump defended his position on national security grounds, proposing tariffs on Denmark if it resists.

Denmark and Greenland rejected the idea, with Greenland's leader reiterating its desire for independence, not U.S. annexation.

Summary

The home of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been fortified with barbed wire, buses, and security personnel as authorities prepare a second attempt to arrest him following his Dec. 3 martial law decree, which led to his impeachment.

Yoon’s supporters rallied outside, and his legal team insists investigators lack jurisdiction due to the residence's sensitive military status.

Rumors of Yoon fleeing have been denied, though he vows to fight any "illegal investigation."

Authorities are intensifying preparations for the renewed arrest effort.

Israel is obstructing a UN investigation into alleged sexual violence committed during the Hamas-led 7 October attacks, according to a report by Haaretz.

The request, which was rejected by Israel, would have allowed the UN access into Israeli prisons to conduct investigations into the treatment of Palestinians held there.

Torture, rape and murder have all been reported as rife at the facility, one of several prisons where Palestinians have been mistreated for decades.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir confirmed that conditions inside Israeli prisons "have indeed worsened" since the war on Gaza began, adding: "I am proud of that.”

Summary

Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, detained in Iran since December 19, 2024, was released on January 8, 2025, after diplomatic efforts by Italy.

Sala, 29, had been held in solitary confinement at Tehran’s Evin prison following the arrest of Iranian businessman Mohammad Abedini in Italy on U.S. charges of supplying drone parts linked to a 2024 attack killing three U.S. service members.

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni credited "intense diplomatic efforts" for Sala's release, though ties to the Abedini case remain unclear.

Her release is seen as a diplomatic victory for Italy.

Summary

Donald Trump Jr. left Greenland Tuesday after less than a day, following failed efforts to promote his father's interest in purchasing the territory.

Greenlandic and Danish officials reiterated that Greenland is "not for sale," with Danish PM Mette Frederiksen citing strong local opposition to the idea.

Before departing, Trump Jr. accused Danish media of spreading "fake news" but claimed Greenlanders "love America and Trump."

Summary

Donald Trump suggested using "economic force" to acquire Canada, citing trade deficits and national security benefits.

He also claimed the U.S. "subsidizes" Canada by up to $200 billion annually.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dismissed the idea, saying, "there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell" Canada would join the U.S.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden praised Trudeau’s leadership as he prepares to leave office amidst rising U.S.-Canada trade tensions and tariff threats under Trump.

Summary

France’s foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, warned Donald Trump against threatening EU sovereign borders after Trump suggested potential military action to control Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory.

Barrot dismissed such actions as unacceptable and noted the return of “the law of the strongest.”

Trump previously called Greenland essential to U.S. economic security, though Denmark and Greenland’s leaders firmly rejected any sale.

Trump Jr.’s brief visit to Nuuk further escalated tensions.

Summary

A YouGov survey revealed 39% of Germans are concerned about the country’s political future ahead of the February 23 federal election, with frustrations centered on Chancellor Olaf Scholz's SPD-led government.

The SPD is facing "trust and competence problems," with 50% opposing its return to government and 46% blaming it for economic challenges.

Support for the SPD has dropped to 16%, while the CDU/CSU leads with 29%, followed by the far-right AfD at 21%.

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/52053191

https://archive.is/sG8JM

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/20564502

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/36706907

A Chinese actor who went missing Friday near the Thai-Myanmar border has been rescued unharmed by Thai police.

Xingxing was reported missing in the Thai border town of Mae Sot on Friday.

He vanished close to an area in Myanmar where Chinese people and ethnic armed groups affiliated with them run online scam centers.