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Zuckerberg’s Meta Faces Competition Lawsuit in U.S.

The trial will extend until July 2025. If the FTC wins this first phase, a second and even tougher stage would begin, aiming to argue that forcing Meta to sell Instagram and WhatsApp would directly benefit competition and consumers.

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Zuckerberg is back in the news, this time not to announce the purchase of another company, but quite the opposite.

Union Rayo, reported that this time, Zuckerberg has had to defend himself in a trial that could redefine the history of digital business.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken Meta (the parent company led by the mogul) to court, accusing them of eliminating competition through “killer acquisitions” (buying the competition to shut it down).

That’s exactly the case here, and Zuckerberg might have to say goodbye to his last two purchases: WhatsApp and Instagram. How legal is it to buy your competitors so they won’t outshine you? That’s for a judge to decide.

This trial has been open since April 14, and it has revealed some incredible facts, such as that the purchase of those last two social networks, WhatsApp (one billion dollars) and Instagram (19 billion dollars), could be an illegal strategy.

On the stand, Zuckerberg himself admitted that Facebook is no longer used to connect with family and friends. Want to know more about what’s happening to Meta? We’ll tell you below.

Facebook no longer serves its original purpose”

During his testimony, Zuckerberg admitted that the social network that made him a billionaire is no longer what it used to be.

Today, he explained, Meta is no longer about personal relationships.

Meta is focused on content, discovering viral trends, and following global conversations.

He said it himself: what used to be a platform to share pictures of your cat with distant relatives or childhood classmates is now a showcase where the algorithm is in charge.

Justifying the most controversial acquisitions

The trial also focused (a lot) on Meta’s two most controversial acquisitions: Instagram (in 2012) and WhatsApp (in 2014). Zuckerberg defended both decisions.

He said those platforms wouldn’t have survived without Meta’s investment, and now they’re essential tools for billions of people. Basically, his argument was: “We didn’t destroy them, we made them bigger”

The FTC’s accusations: a strategy to eliminate competition?

In search of a solo reign? Of course, the FTC didn’t see it that way at all.

During the trial, internal emails were shown where Zuckerberg described Instagram as a “terrifying threat” that had to be neutralized “at all costs”.

A rejected 6 billion dollar offer for Snap in 2013 was also revealed, which, according to prosecutors, proves a systematic policy of eliminating rivals.

Was it then a strategy to get rid of the competition? Naturally, the ghost of monopoly is hanging over them, since they have 2 billion direct users between WhatsApp and Instagram alone, with these two companies generating more than half of Meta’s advertising revenue.

“We are not a monopoly”

Meta insists it’s not acting alone. Platforms like TikTok, Reddit, YouTube and X (formerly Twitter) are cited as direct competition.

The company also reminds everyone that all of its acquisitions were legally approved at the time. And of course, undoing them now would just be changing the rules of the tech game.

What’s coming: a battle

The trial will extend until July 2025. If the FTC wins this first phase, a second and even tougher stage would begin, aiming to argue that forcing Meta to sell Instagram and WhatsApp would directly benefit competition and consumers.

What’s at stake?

Basically, the future of how large digital platforms work.

If Meta loses, it wouldn’t be surprising if other giants like Google or Amazon start facing similar lawsuits.

Pressure against big tech isn’t new, but this time, the one on the ropes is Zuckerberg. And this time, there’s no “like” button to save him

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International

Nigeria remains committed to religious freedom – Tinubu replies Trump

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to religious freedom amid the allegation of genocide against Christians in the country by the Donald Trump administration.

In a statement he personally signed and shared by Bayo Onanuga his spokesman,Tinubu said his administration had since 2023, maintained open and active engagement with both Christian and Muslim leaders to strengthen national unity and address security challenges affecting communities across the country.

“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality. Nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians,” Tinubu said.

He reiterated that religious freedom and tolerance have long been “a core tenet of our collective identity,” adding that Nigeria “opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.

”Tinubu emphasised that his government remains committed to working closely with the United States and other international partners “to deepen understanding and cooperation on the protection of communities of all faiths.

”Read the full statement below:

Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.Since 2023, our administration has maintained an open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges which affect citizens across faiths and regions.

The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians.

Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.

Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths.

Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths.

BOLA AHMED TINUBUPRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

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International

Trump orders US Military to resume nuclear weapons testing

Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately,” Trump posted.

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President Donald Trump on Thursday directed the United States military to resume nuclear weapons testing, ending a 33-year break.

The announcement came on Truth Social, minutes before he met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea.

” Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately,” Trump posted.

“Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.

”The move appears aimed at both Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia recently carried out a series of nuclear-related tests, though the Kremlin said none involved actual nuclear explosions.

“Until now, we didn’t know that anyone was testing ” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, adding that Russia would only test in response to another country doing so.

No nuclear power other than North Korea has conducted explosive testing in over 25 years. The U.S. last tested in 1992, Russia in 1990, and China in 1996.

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International

UK: King Charles strips his brother, Andrew of ‘Prince’ title, mansion

Andrew, 65, the second son of the deceased Queen Elizabeth II, has faced growing scrutiny over his relationship with the late sex offender Epstein.

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Britain’s King Charles has stripped his younger brother, Andrew, of his title of prince and ordered him to vacate his Windsor home, Buckingham Palace.

The move seeks to further distance the royal family from Andrew’s ties to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

Andrew, 65, the second son of the deceased Queen Elizabeth II, has faced growing scrutiny over his relationship with the late sex offender Epstein.

Earlier this month, he was directed to stop using his title of Duke of York.

The king has now taken tougher measures by removing all of Andrew’s remaining titles, meaning he will henceforth be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

According to the palace, a formal notice has been issued requiring him to surrender the lease of his Royal Lodge mansion on the Windsor Estate. He is expected to relocate to private accommodation on the Sandringham estate in eastern England.

The decision, which comes as King Charles continues cancer treatment, is seen as one of the most decisive actions taken against a senior royal in modern British history.

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