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  • Meta to Build $13 Billion AI Data Centre North of Edmonton, Marking Its First Facility in Canada

    Meta to Build $13 Billion AI Data Centre North of Edmonton, Marking Its First Facility in Canada

    Meta has announced plans to invest more than C$13 billion in the construction of its first artificial intelligence data centre in Sturgeon County, just north of Edmonton, making it the company’s first data centre in Canada and its largest outside the United States.

    The massive facility is expected to play a central role in Meta’s expanding artificial intelligence infrastructure, supporting advanced AI models and digital services used across its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The project represents one of the largest technology investments ever announced in Alberta.

    According to Meta, the one-gigawatt data centre will be designed with the capacity to scale up to 1.8 gigawatts in the future. The company also plans to invest approximately C$60 million in local infrastructure improvements, including roads and water systems, to support the project and surrounding community.

    Construction is expected to create more than 3,000 jobs at peak activity, while the completed facility will support hundreds of permanent positions in operations and maintenance. Provincial officials believe the investment will generate significant long-term economic benefits for Alberta through employment, tax revenue, and increased technology development.

    The Alberta government has welcomed the announcement, describing it as a major milestone in the province’s strategy to attract large-scale technology investments. Officials have spent several years promoting Alberta’s abundant energy resources, cool climate, and business-friendly environment to global technology companies seeking locations for AI infrastructure.

    Meta said the facility will feature a closed-loop cooling system designed to minimize water consumption while improving energy efficiency. Initially, electricity will be supplied by existing natural gas generation, with additional dedicated power infrastructure planned as the project expands.

    Despite the economic optimism surrounding the announcement, environmental organizations have expressed concerns about the project’s reliance on natural gas and its potential impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Critics argue that future data centre developments should prioritize lower-carbon energy sources as demand for AI computing continues to grow.

    Meta’s investment reflects the company’s broader global push to expand AI computing capacity as competition intensifies among major technology firms investing heavily in artificial intelligence infrastructure. The Alberta facility will become Meta’s 33rd data centre worldwide once completed.

    Swifteradio.com

  • Anne Hathaway Announces Pregnancy, Expecting Third Child

    Anne Hathaway Announces Pregnancy, Expecting Third Child

    Oscar-winning actress Anne Hathaway has revealed that she is expecting her third child with husband Adam Shulman.

    The 43-year-old actress shared the news on Instagram on Friday, posting a cheerful video that showed off her growing baby bump. In the clip, Hathaway smiles at the camera before quickly stepping out of view. She captioned the post with the words “Baby, I’m yours,” accompanied by the classic Barbara Lewis song of the same name.

    When media outlets sought official confirmation, a spokesperson for Hathaway responded humorously, saying, “I think the video is pretty obvious.”

    Hathaway and Shulman are already parents to two sons, Jonathan and Jack Shulman. The couple, who married in 2012, have generally kept their family life private while occasionally sharing personal milestones with fans.

    The pregnancy announcement comes during a particularly active period in Hathaway’s career. The acclaimed actress is set to appear in several highly anticipated films in 2026, including The Devil Wears Prada 2, Mother Mary, and The Odyssey.

    Hathaway, who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Les Misérables, remains one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars, balancing a successful acting career with family life.

    Fans and fellow celebrities quickly flooded social media with congratulatory messages following the announcement, celebrating the upcoming addition to the Hathaway-Shulman family.

  • Judge Rules Mark Zuckerberg Not Personally Liable in Lawsuits Over Social Media’s Impact on Children

    In a significant ruling, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has dismissed 25 lawsuits accusing Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg of personally concealing the mental health risks associated with social media use, particularly among children. The federal judge determined that the plaintiffs failed to provide concrete evidence linking Zuckerberg directly to the alleged harm caused by Facebook and Instagram, stating that “control of corporate activity alone is insufficient” to establish personal liability.

    The lawsuits, filed across 13 states, accuse Zuckerberg and his company of knowingly downplaying the serious mental health risks of excessive social media use, such as addiction, anxiety, and depression, which have disproportionately affected young users. The plaintiffs have argued that Zuckerberg was the “guiding spirit” behind these efforts to conceal the risks, despite internal warnings about the platforms’ potential harms.

    However, Judge Rogers found the claims against Zuckerberg to be insufficiently specific, effectively shielding him from personal liability. While the judge ruled in Zuckerberg’s favor, the case will continue against Meta itself, as the broader allegations related to the company’s practices remain unresolved.

    This ruling is part of a wider legal battle involving several hundred lawsuits filed by children, their families, and school districts against major tech companies like Meta, Google, TikTok, and Snapchat. These cases seek to hold social media platforms accountable for their alleged role in promoting addictive behavior among young users.

    The outcome is seen as a major step in the ongoing debate over the impact of social media on children’s well-being. State attorneys general across the U.S. are also pursuing similar legal actions, linking social media use to issues like mental health struggles, academic disruption, and sleep deprivation.

    Previn Warren, a partner at Motley Rice representing the plaintiffs, emphasized that the legal team would continue gathering evidence to expose how “Big Tech has knowingly prioritized profits over the safety of our children.”

    This case is part of the broader In re Social Media Adolescent Addiction/Personal Injury Products Liability Litigation and marks a key moment in the legal scrutiny facing social media giants.

    Source: Swifteradio.com

  • The Growing Influence of Social Media Creators in the 2024 Election: Who’s Really Getting Paid?

    Social media influencers have emerged as a pivotal force in the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign. With the growing power of platforms like Instagram and TikTok, influencers are becoming key figures in shaping public opinion, often surpassing traditional celebrity endorsements. However, a regulatory loophole leaves many questions unanswered: When influencers promote a candidate or political issue, is it always clear whether they’ve been paid?

    In a notable example, influencer Mikey Angelo, known for his comedic rap videos, urged his followers to vote in a recent post. While the caption disclosed that Angelo was paid by a Democratic political action committee, he was under no legal obligation to do so. This highlights a significant gap in campaign transparency. Unlike political ads on TV, influencers don’t have to disclose payments for political content, leaving audiences to decipher whether a post is an endorsement or a genuine expression of support.

    The rise of influencer-driven campaigns reflects a larger shift in political strategy. Influencers often boast massive, loyal followings and their endorsement carries weight due to the perceived authenticity of their content. Politicians are eager to tap into this dynamic, recognizing that the trust influencers have built with their audiences is valuable for voter mobilization. Both major political parties are increasingly using influencers to sway public opinion and engage younger voters, particularly those under 30 who rely heavily on social media for news.

    Yet, despite the growing reliance on social media creators, there are no clear rules on paid political endorsements. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) recently decided not to extend its transparency rules to cover influencers, leaving the public without a straightforward way to know if influencers are being compensated for their posts. This lack of clarity creates an uneven information landscape, where posts promoting political candidates can easily blend with non-political sponsored content, further complicating an already fragmented media environment.

    As campaigns continue to embrace influencer partnerships, the need for clearer guidelines is becoming more urgent. Critics argue that transparency is vital for maintaining public trust, and while some social platforms have implemented their own rules, enforcement remains inconsistent. In the absence of federal action, political campaigns and influencers must navigate a complex ethical landscape, ensuring that when money is involved, voters are fully informed.

    Source: Swifteradio.com

  • Hamas Leader Assassination Triggers Instagram Block in Turkey: Latest Update

    Instagram Access Blocked in Turkey Following Hamas Leader Assassination

    The tension between Turkey and Israel has reached a boiling point after the recent assassination of Hamas leader, Bahaa Abu al-Ata. As a result, Instagram access has been blocked in Turkey, leaving many users outraged and confused.

    The decision to block Instagram comes as part of a wider effort by Turkey to show solidarity with the Palestinian people and condemn Israel for their actions. However, this move has sparked a debate on the extent of government control over social media and internet censorship.

    How Did It Start?

    The conflict between Turkey and Israel can be traced back to the 2018 US embassy move to Jerusalem, which was seen as an endorsement of Israeli control over the city. Since then, relations between the two countries have deteriorated, leading to Turkey publicly supporting Palestine and condemning Israel’s actions.

    The latest escalation occurred with the targeted killing of Bahaa Abu al-Ata, a senior commander of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group. This sparked a wave of retaliatory attacks from Palestinian militants, resulting in numerous casualties on both sides.

    As a response, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the attack and called for solidarity among Muslim countries. He also declared three days of national mourning and ordered flags to fly at half-mast. However, his strongest action came in the form of blocking.

    Source: Skynews