The teenagers in Syracuse, N.Y., turned themselves in after the district attorney gave them 48 hours to surrender. He called the episode “hazing on steroids.”
Once a Marxist, he came to embrace hard-right positions, including the falsehood that Mr. Trump won in 2020, and to mentor Stephen Miller, later the Trump adviser.
Meta warned Wednesday that European users could face a "materially worse" experience following a key regulatory decision by the European Commission.
Meta recently introduced a "consent or pay" model which leaves users to choose between paying for a monthly subscription or letting Meta combine data it has collected on Facebook and Instagram.
Last week, the European Commision - the EU's executive - announced it had decided that the model does not comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and fined Meta €200m (£171m).
"Based on feedback from the EC in connection with the DMA, we expect we will need to make some modifications to our model," Meta said in its quarterly earnings statement.
Meta said it expected those modifications "could result in a materially worse user experience for European users and a significant impact" to its European business and revenue.
The company said those impacts could kick in as soon as the third quarter of this year, and may be in effect while it appeals the decision.
Eric Seufert, analyst at Mobile Dev Memo, said Meta may be trying to strategically turn European users into "vocal cheerleaders" for its products amid a regulatory clampdown.
"What they ultimately want to do is turn public opinion against this regulatory regime which will demonstrably degrade the product offerings that are available to EU residents," Seufert told the BBC in a phone interview after the announcement.
Meta, formerly known as Facebook, includes the social media network in addition to the photo sharing app Instagram and the messaging service WhatsApp.
The Commission has said that Meta's consent-or-pay model does not allow users to freely consent to how their data is used.
The body is currently assessing another option Meta introduced last year, which the company says uses less personal data to display advertisements.
Meta was given 60 days to comply with the DMA's recent decision, or risk further fines.
Apple was also issued a €500m (£428m) fine over its App Store practices last week.
Meta's announcement comes as it released quarterly earnings that beat Wall Street expectations.
The results showed Meta continues to bring in significant advertising revenue.
The company touted its AI tools on Wednesday.
"We're making good progress on AI glasses and Meta AI, which now has almost 1 billion monthly actives," Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a statement.
"Our community continues to grow and our business is performing very well," he said.
Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown said the results showed that Meta has gone "full throttle on investments in AI" and notes
Britzman also noted the 6% jump in daily active users.
"There had been some concerns that we might see a slowdown in new users this year, but this was a very strong start and a signal to investors that Meta's family of apps has a grip on users that's hard to displace," Britzman said.
The EC fine comes amid what Meta called "an active regulatory landscape" in its earnings report.
The company is currently defending itself at trial in a case brought by the US Federal Trade Commission which alleges that Meta runs a social media monopoly.
The FTC, the top antitrust watchdog in the US, says Meta cemented its monopoly by purchasing Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014.
Visitors to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the anniversary of the fall of Saigon said they still felt sadness and fury. And some, at last, had a sense of closure.
A National Park Service volunteer, Sam Calabrese, helps a visitor trace a name at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Wednesday, the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon.
South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, is setting up an inquiry into whether past ANC governments interfered with the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes, amid criticism from the families of victims.
A group of 25 relatives and survivors of apartheid-era deaths and violence sued the government in January, claiming that interference from “the highest levels of government” blocked investigations into cases referred to the National Prosecuting Authority by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
On Wednesday, the presidency said in a statement: “Allegations of improper influence in delaying or hindering the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes have persisted from previous administrations.
“Through this commission, President Ramaphosa is determined that the true facts be established and the matter brought to finality … President Ramaphosa appreciates the anguish and frustration of the families of victims, who have fought for so many years for justice.”
In 1999, the country’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) denied six security officers amnesty for their role in the killings of Fort Calata, Sparrow Mkonto, Matthew Goniwe and Sicelo Mhlauli. The officers were never prosecuted and are all now dead.
The families criticised Ramaphosa’s decision that an inquiry should assess their claims for “constitutional damages” – their high court case asked for 167m rand (£7.3m) to fund further investigations and litigation, as well as memorials and public education – and said that their rights were violated.
They said in a statement that an inquiry would have no authority over these areas and would only be able to offer advice. “This fundamental shortcoming was pointed out to the president’s legal team, as well as the fact that it will likely result in the issues remaining unresolved for years. This will perpetuate the pain and trauma that the families and survivors have experienced for many years.”
South Africa’s governments have been led by the African National Congress party of Nelson Mandela since the end of apartheid over 30 years ago.
In March, Thabo Mbeki, who was president from 1999 to 2008, and the former justice minister Brigitte Mabandla applied to intervene in the families’ high court case. Mbeki has repeatedly denied interfering in decisions to prosecute apartheid-era cases.
Ukraine has a vast mining industry and large reserves of rare minerals
Both the US and Ukraine have said they are broadly ready to sign a deal which would give American firms access to Ukraine's minerals.
"We are ready to sign this afternoon if they are," US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday, adding that Ukraine "decided to make last minute changes" to the agreement.
Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko was flying to Washington on Wednesday after an apparent breakthrough in negotiations.
Earlier, BBC News saw a draft copy of the deal, which provides for the creation of a joint Ukrainian-US investment fund to search for minerals in Ukraine, and set outs how revenues would be split.
On Wednesday afternoon a US source familiar with the talks criticised Ukraine for seeking to re-open some terms that had already been agreed upon over the weekend.
Both US and Ukrainian teams worked through the night on Friday into Saturday to finalise the documents, as well as into the early morning on Wednesday, the source told the BBC.
They added that the sticking points include governance of the fund, the transparency mechanism, and steps to ensure that all funds are fully traceable.
Despite these last minute negotiations, the signing could still happen by the end of Wednesday if the US side believes that Ukraine is complying with already agreed upon terms, the source said.
"Nothing's been removed," Bessent said when asked about any changes to the deal. "It's the same agreement that we agreed to on the weekend. No changes on our side."
Technical documents were signed last week by representatives of both countries.
In Kyiv, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that Ukraine expected the deal to be signed within "the next 24 hours".
"This is truly a good, equal and beneficial international agreement on joint investments in the development and recovery of Ukraine," Shmyhal said.
EPA
Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky spoke face-to-face while they were in Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis at the weekend
Since returning to the White House, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly pushed for an agreement as a prerequisite to offering any future security guarantees to Kyiv, as Ukraine continues to fight against invading Russian forces.
Ukraine is believed to have vast reserves of critical rare minerals like graphite, titanium and lithium beneath its soil. They are highly sought after because of their use in renewable energy, military applications and industrial infrastructure.
The draft deal also appears to give the US sweeping access to Ukrainian industries beyond minerals.
While it does not specify security support that Washington is willing to provide in return, it states that the deal is "a tangible demonstration of the United States of America's support for Ukraine's security".
The agreement comes days after Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a face-to-face meeting on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral, and as talks between Moscow and Washington over a possible ceasefire in Ukraine continue.
The latest Trump-Zelensky talks appeared to be far more amicable than their meeting at the White House in February, and have led to a softening in tone from the US president towards his Ukrainian counterpart in the days that followed, as well as an increased level of criticism of Russia's attacks.
Speaking on Wednesday, Trump said: "As you know, we're looking for rare earth [minerals] all the time.
"They have a lot, and we made a deal, so we can start digging and doing what we have to do. It's also good for them."
The initial agreement was due to be signed in February, but fell apart following the heated exchange between the two leaders, when Trump accused Zelensky of "gambling with World War Three".
The agreement is intended to give the U.S. access to proceeds from Ukraine’s reserves of minerals and to help fund the rebuilding of Ukraine when the fighting stops.
Meta’s business has been robust in recent years as it has invested in using artificial intelligence to suggest different posts, videos and ads to users.
A ticket site for the gigs in Hamburg, Berlin and Cologne states that the summer shows are no longer going ahead.
A number of politicians have been calling for the band to be uninvited from some UK gigs, with Tory MP Mark Francois saying the group should not be allowed to play Glastonbury in light of the ongoing police investigation.
Speaking on RTÉ's Prime Time on Tuesday, the band's manager said "moral hysteria" had taken hold and that the band are being held to a higher moral standard than politicians.
Daniel Lambert claimed a "concerted campaign" against the group is "solely about de-platforming artists".
"It's about telling the next young band, both through the music industry and through the political class, that you cannot speak about Palestine," he said.
On having gigs cancelled, the band's manager said: "It's not for us to worry, it's for us to have the strength of conviction that we did the right thing."
He added that going to Coachella was the right thing to do, and "all of this has emerged from that".
TV personality Sharon Osbourne called for the band's US work visas to be revoked after their performance at the Coachella music festival in California earlier this month, where they described Israel's military action in Gaza as a US-funded genocide.
Which Kneecap gigs have been cancelled?
Scheduled appearances at Hurricane and Southside festivals, also in Germany, were cancelled last week.
On Tuesday, an Eden Sessions Limited spokesperson said: "Ticket purchasers will be contacted directly and will be fully refunded."
The band are set to support Fontaines DC at Boucher Playing Fields, Belfast, in August.
Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster's The Nolan Show, councillor Jim Rodgers said "serious consideration should be given" on whether the concert should go ahead.
"I've already spoken to some of the council officers and I'm hoping that the necessary action will be taken. We have to lead by example," he said.
"We would be sending out the wrong message if we were to allow this group to go ahead with their event."
A Belfast City Council spokesperson said: "Use of the venue for these events is managed via a legal agreement between the council and the promoter. Events programming remains a matter for the organisers.
"Any matter that an elected member wishes to raise would be considered by the relevant committee and full council."
Who are Kneecap?
Getty Images
The group go by the stage names of Móglaí Bap, Mo Chara and DJ Próvaí
Kneecap are an Irish-speaking rap trio who have courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and merchandise.
The group was formed in 2017 by three friends who go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí.
Their rise to fame inspired a semi-fictionalised film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender.
Last week, a video emerged of the west Belfast trio at a November 2023 gig appearing to show one person from the band saying: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP."
The daughter of the Conservative MP David Amess whose father was stabbed to death at a constituency surgery called for Kneecap to apologise.
In a statement on X, the band said that "an extract of footage, deliberately taken out of all context, is now being exploited and weaponised, as if it were a call to action".
They also called some of the backlash a "smear campaign" and said it was "a transparent effort to derail the real conversation" away from their messages of "love" and support for Palestine.
They added: "To the Amess and Cox families, we send our heartfelt apologies, we never intended to cause you hurt."
Getty Images
Jo Cox, the former Batley and Spen MP, was killed by far-right terrorist Thomas Mair in 2016, a week before the EU referendum vote
On Tuesday, the husband of murdered MP Jo Cox called on Kneecap to give a "real apology".
Brendan Cox, whose wife was killed in June 2016, said this was "only half an apology".
None of the members of Kneecap have been charged with any offences.
The sale of Royal Mail's parent company to a Czech billionaire has been cleared by shareholders.
The approval of the £3.6bn deal, first proposed a year ago, will see the 500-year institution taken over by Daniel Kretinsky's EP Group.
Just over 80% of the shareholders of International Distribution Services (IDS), Royal Mail's owner, voted in favour of the takeover on Wednesday afternoon.
Mr Kretinksy said "the pathway to success for IDS lies in taking a truly long-term view of the future".
While the government of Canada may not have changed hands, the federal election results are anything but business as usual.
Party leaders lost their own seats, the New Democratic Party (NDP) now faces the possibility of life on the sidelines and the Liberal Party pulled off a dramatic turnaround in fortunes, all while led by a prime minister who wasn't even a member of Parliament (MP).
Preliminary results from Elections Canada show that 17% of seats - 59 out of 343 - changed hands in this election, up from just 7% - 22 out of 338 - in 2021.
The rise in the number of available seats in the House of Commons, from 338 to 343, reflects a new political map which accounts for changes in population.
Leaders from three of the five parties represented in the House of Commons failed to win their seats.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre - who was on course to become prime minister three months ago when his party held a double-digit lead in the polls - lost his seat in Carleton, Ontario to the Liberals.
Jagmeet Singh resigned as NDP leader after finishing third in his British Columbia seat of Burnaby Central, while the Green Party's co-leader Jonathan Pedneault came fifth in Outremont, Quebec.
Only Yves-François Blanchet of the Bloc Québécois and Elizabeth May, the other Green co-leader, retained their seats while Mark Carney became an MP for the first time.
All 59 seats that flipped went to either the Liberals or Conservatives.
The NDP lost 17 of the 24 seats they were defending - 10 to the Conservatives and seven to the Liberals - and fell short of the 12 seats required for official party status.
This means the loss of parliamentary funding for things like office budgets and technology equipment, as well as fewer chances to ask questions of the government and sit on committees.
NDP losses were part of a wider shift away from Canada's smaller parties.
The Bloc Québécois had 35 seats going into Monday's vote, taking into consideration the impact of boundary changes on 2021 results - calculated by Elections Canada - and last year's victory in the LaSalle-Émard-Verdun by-election.
It lost 13 of them in Quebec, with all but one going to the Liberals.
Terrebonne, a suburb of Montreal, flipped from the Bloc to the Liberals by just a few dozen votes.
Meanwhile, the Greens lost their Kitchener Centre riding, the first Ontario seat in their history, to the Liberals.
Despite making overall gains it was still a turbulent night for incumbents in the two largest parties.
The Liberals gave up 16 seats - all to the Conservatives - which was twice as many as the eight they lost in 2021.
Nine of the 16 losses came in Toronto and the surrounding "905" - places that all share the same area code.
The Conservatives saw 12 of their MPs suffer defeat including Poilievre, up from nine four years ago.
All 12 were won by Liberals, including Toronto St Paul's which the Conservatives previously flipped in a 2024 by-election.
It remained unclear whether the diplomatic effort was a genuine bid by the White House to address the plight of the immigrant, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia.
His films, including “First Blood” and “Weekend at Bernie’s,” covered a range of genres. He was later an executive producer of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”
Soon after her officer training in Washington, she was recruited to a classified code-breaking team. She kept her work secret for decades, even from her family.
People were deceived. Accusations of dishonesty and even illegality flew. But the man behind the book defends it, calling it not a prank but a “philosophical experiment.”
The cover of the book, with its authorship attributed to an invented philosopher.
South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, is setting up an inquiry into whether past ANC governments interfered with the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes, amid criticism from the families of victims.
A group of 25 relatives and survivors of apartheid-era deaths and violence sued the government in January, claiming that interference from “the highest levels of government” blocked investigations into cases referred to the National Prosecuting Authority by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
On Wednesday, the presidency said in a statement: “Allegations of improper influence in delaying or hindering the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes have persisted from previous administrations.
“Through this commission, President Ramaphosa is determined that the true facts be established and the matter brought to finality … President Ramaphosa appreciates the anguish and frustration of the families of victims, who have fought for so many years for justice.”
In 1999, the country’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) denied six security officers amnesty for their role in the killings of Fort Calata, Sparrow Mkonto, Matthew Goniwe and Sicelo Mhlauli. The officers were never prosecuted and are all now dead.
The families criticised Ramaphosa’s decision that an inquiry should assess their claims for “constitutional damages” – their high court case asked for 167m rand (£7.3m) to fund further investigations and litigation, as well as memorials and public education – and said that their rights were violated.
They said in a statement that an inquiry would have no authority over these areas and would only be able to offer advice. “This fundamental shortcoming was pointed out to the president’s legal team, as well as the fact that it will likely result in the issues remaining unresolved for years. This will perpetuate the pain and trauma that the families and survivors have experienced for many years.”
South Africa’s governments have been led by the African National Congress party of Nelson Mandela since the end of apartheid over 30 years ago.
In March, Thabo Mbeki, who was president from 1999 to 2008, and the former justice minister Brigitte Mabandla applied to intervene in the families’ high court case. Mbeki has repeatedly denied interfering in decisions to prosecute apartheid-era cases.
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