Author: HeraldStar

Texas has initiated a lawsuit against TikTok, alleging that the popular social media platform violated children’s privacy rights and state law by sharing minors’ personal identifying information without obtaining consent from their parents or legal guardians. The lawsuit, filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, aims to secure an injunction against TikTok and seeks civil penalties that could amount to $10,000 for each violation of the state’s Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment Act (SCOPE Act). In his statement, Paxton emphasized that TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, fails to provide adequate tools for safeguarding children’s privacy…

Southwest Airlines (LUV.N) director Rakesh Gangwal made headlines on Wednesday after purchasing over $100 million in the airline’s stock, amid increasing pressure from activist investor Elliott Investment Management for significant changes in the company’s leadership. Gangwal, who co-founded India’s low-cost carrier InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo), bought approximately 3.6 million shares at prices between $29 and $30 each on September 30 and October 1, according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The timing of Gangwal’s purchase coincided with the reopening of the trading window for company insiders, highlighting his confidence in the airline’s potential despite the current tumult. His…

The U.S. dollar surged to a six-week high on Thursday, buoyed by strong economic data and safe-haven demand amid rising tensions in the Middle East. The dollar index increased by 0.33% to 101.98, reaching a peak of 102.09, the highest level since August 19. This upward movement comes as the U.S. services sector reported significant growth, with activity in September hitting a 1.5-year high, although employment figures showed signs of a slowdown. Traders are now closely monitoring the upcoming jobs report, scheduled for release on Friday, which is expected to influence Federal Reserve policy decisions. Economists predict an addition of…

Thousands of protesters gathered in Vienna on Thursday, voicing their concerns over Austria’s political landscape following the recent general election, where the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) achieved a historic victory. The FPO garnered 29% of the vote, marking a significant milestone for the Eurosceptic and Russia-friendly party, founded in the 1950s under controversial circumstances, including ties to Nazi leadership. Despite its electoral success, the FPO fell short of an absolute majority, necessitating a coalition to govern. The conservative People’s Party (OVP), which finished second in the election, has expressed a willingness to consider an alliance with the FPO, albeit with…

As the Nov. 5 presidential election nears, former President Donald Trump and several Republicans have raised alarms about the potential for noncitizens to vote in significant numbers, a scenario they claim could favor Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. However, a review of various studies and state officials’ reports reveals scant evidence of noncitizen voting in recent U.S. elections, raising questions about the validity of these concerns. According to the left-leaning Brennan Center for Justice, an analysis of 23.5 million votes from the 2016 election identified only 30 instances of noncitizens casting ballots. In a similar vein, the conservative Heritage Foundation documented…

In a tragic incident that underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding migration in Mexico, six migrants lost their lives after Mexican soldiers opened fire on a group traveling in a pick-up truck on Tuesday evening. According to the Mexican defense ministry, the incident occurred while the group of 33 migrants attempted to evade a military patrol on a highway near Huixtla, located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Tapachula, close to the Guatemalan border. The deceased included nationals from Egypt, Nepal, Cuba, India, and Pakistan, although their specific nationalities were not disclosed. The defense ministry reported that soldiers, responding to what…

Japan’s newly appointed Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has named Katsunobu Kato, a supporter of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s “Abenomics” policies, as the new finance minister. This strategic appointment comes as Ishiba seeks to address concerns over the future direction of the cabinet’s economic policy. Kato, 68, has a rich background as a finance ministry bureaucrat and has held several key positions, including health minister, under the Abe administration. His selection signals a potential shift back toward expansionary fiscal and monetary policies, which Ishiba has recently downplayed in favor of fiscal discipline. In a statement during his campaign, Kato expressed…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) stated on Thursday that the Bank of Japan (BOJ) should continue to adopt a data-dependent approach and gradually raise its policy rates in alignment with inflation trends. This recommendation underscores the IMF’s confidence in the BOJ’s ability to steer Japan’s economy back toward its inflation target of 2% per year. IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack, speaking at a regular news briefing, emphasized the importance of a measured response to inflation data. “Our advice is that the BOJ should continue to be data-driven and to gradually raise the policy rate over its policy horizon, if the inflation…

Palestinians in Gaza fear that the ongoing crisis in Lebanon, marked by escalating clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, is diverting global attention away from their own conflict, where Israeli airstrikes have killed dozens in recent days. Many in Gaza are concerned that the focus on Lebanon is diminishing already slim hopes for a ceasefire in the war with Israel, now stretching into its second year. The conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began in October last year, has devastated Gaza. With the Lebanese front grabbing headlines, Gazans like Hussam Ali, a resident of Gaza City, worry that the war in…

Kenya’s government has formally requested the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to conduct an official assessment of its corruption and governance issues, according to sources familiar with the matter. This move follows pressure from Western nations and aims to address concerns over whether governance vulnerabilities and corruption are undermining the country’s financial stability and revenue generation. The request seeks the IMF’s “governance diagnostic,” a specialized assessment that examines a country’s susceptibility to corruption and the effectiveness of its governance structures. The diagnostic will investigate how corruption and weak governance practices could be draining public resources or contributing to fiscal inefficiencies. IMF…