Europe launches next-generation weather satellite MTG-S1
Europe’s new-generation weather satellite, Meteosat Third Generation-Sounder 1 (MTG-S1), was successfully launched into space from the U.S. Cape Can...
A former Meta executive, Sarah Wynn-Williams, testified before U.S. senators on Wednesday, alleging that the company compromised national security to build a lucrative business in China.
Wynn-Williams, who previously served as Meta's global public policy director, claimed that company executives allowed the Chinese Communist Party to access Meta user data, including that of American citizens, as part of efforts to expand its operations in China.
Meta, however, strongly disputed Wynn-Williams's accusations. "Sarah Wynn-Williams' testimony is divorced from reality and riddled with false claims," said Meta spokesperson Ryan Daniels. He added that while CEO Mark Zuckerberg has publicly expressed interest in operating in China, Meta does not currently offer its services there. Nevertheless, Meta does generate significant advertising revenue from Chinese advertisers.
During her testimony before the Senate judiciary subcommittee, Wynn-Williams also accused Meta of working closely with Beijing to develop censorship tools. She specifically cited the company’s decision to delete the Facebook account of Chinese dissident Guo Wengui, who lives in the U.S., after pressure from Chinese authorities. Meta maintains that Wengui's account was unpublished and suspended for violating its Community Standards.
Wynn-Williams described her personal experiences with the company's collaboration with the Chinese government, stating, "One thing the Chinese Communist Party and Mark Zuckerberg share is that they want to silence their critics."
In addition to her testimony, Wynn-Williams released a memoir, "Careless People," in March, which includes critical claims about her time at Facebook. Meta had sought to block the promotion of the book, calling it "false and defamatory."
Senator Josh Hawley, who led Wednesday’s hearing, accused Meta of trying to prevent Wynn-Williams from speaking out. He claimed the company had threatened her with financial penalties, alleging Meta intended to impose $50,000 in punitive damages each time she publicly mentioned Facebook.
Wynn-Williams shared that the ordeal had taken a personal toll on her, describing the decision to testify as incredibly difficult. "The last four weeks have been very difficult," she told the committee.
Meta's spokesperson did not directly address whether the company would pursue financial penalties in response to Wynn-Williams's testimony, but clarified that she was not prohibited from testifying before Congress. The ongoing legal disputes and accusations reflect growing tensions over the company's practices, both domestically and internationally.
The U.S. economy faces a 40% risk of recession in the second half of 2025, JP Morgan analysts said on Wednesday, citing rising tariffs and stagflation concerns.
China has ramped up efforts to protect communities impacted by flood control measures, introducing stronger compensation policies and direct aid from the central government.
Severe rain in Venezuela has caused rivers to overflow and triggered landslides, sweeping away homes and collapsing a highway bridge, with five states affected and no casualties reported so far.
A malfunction in the radar transmission system at the Area Control Center in Milan suspended more than 300 flights at the weekend, across northwest Italy since Saturday evening according to Italy's air traffic controller Enav (National Agency for Flight Assistance).
Thousands of protesters rallied in Bangkok on Saturday, demanding Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra resign as political and economic tensions mount.
Europe’s new-generation weather satellite, Meteosat Third Generation-Sounder 1 (MTG-S1), was successfully launched into space from the U.S. Cape Canaveral base.
Over the past year, 162 asteroids flew closer to Earth than the Moon. NASA and ESA warn only 40% of dangerous objects have been identified, with one asteroid posing a small risk of hitting the Moon in 2032.
A Chinese firm has launched what it claims is the country’s first 24/7 intelligent laser weeding robot, aiming to phase out chemical herbicides and cut agricultural pollution at its source.
Set on top of Chile’s Cerro Pachón mountain, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory will soon embark on a ten-year survey, using cutting-edge technology to uncover new secrets of the universe.
Scientists at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences have identified a genetic 'dimmer switch' that controls how genes turn on and off during embryo formation, offering insights for future therapies.
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