Israeli Settlers Raid West Bank Village, Set Fire to Homes
Here are Saturday’s latest updates from Israel, Gaza, the West Bank and the Middle East:
■ U.S. president Donald Trump invited about 60 countries to join the Board of Peace,several sources told Haaretz.
■ The board’s charter, obtained by Haaretz, suggests that Trump has begun steps to position it as a rival to the United Nations, citing the “courage to depart from… institutions that have too often failed.”
■ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the gaza Executive Board’s composition was not coordinated with Israel and is against Israeli policy.
■ Netanyahu approved the composition of the Gaza Executive Board and is protesting for the optics, a source privy to the matter told Haaretz.
■ U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei needs to be replaced, saying, “It’s time to look for new leadership.”
■ The U.S. State Department said Washington has received reports that Iran is preparing “options for retaliation.”
Meta Faces Antitrust Lawsuit Over Instagram and Threads
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The U.S. Department of Justice and multiple state attorneys general filed an antitrust lawsuit against Meta Platforms on Tuesday, alleging the company illegally maintained a monopoly in the social media market through its acquisition of instagram and its efforts to stifle competition from emerging platforms like TikTok.The lawsuit seeks structural remedies, perhaps including the forced divestiture of Instagram and Threads.
Key Allegations
- Monopolization: The DOJ argues Meta controls over 60% of the social media market, leveraging its dominance to suppress rivals.
- Instagram Acquisition: The lawsuit claims Meta acquired Instagram in 2012 to eliminate a notable competitor, rather than to foster innovation.According to the complaint, internal Meta documents demonstrate the company viewed Instagram as a threat.
- Threads Strategy: The government alleges Meta launched Threads in 2023 specifically to counter TikTok, employing tactics to limit TikTok’s growth.
- Data Advantage: The complaint details how Meta uses data collected across its platforms - Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp – to create an unfair advantage and hinder competitors’ ability to gain traction.
Statements from Officials
“Meta has repeatedly used its market power to stifle competition and protect its monopoly in social networking,” said Attorney general Merrick garland in a press conference. “our complaint alleges that Meta illegally acquired Instagram and has taken steps to suppress emerging rivals, ultimately harming consumers.”
The lawsuit was joined by eight state attorneys general: California, colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, and new York.
Meta’s Response
Meta released a statement calling the lawsuit “meritless” and asserting that its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp were properly reviewed and approved by regulators at the time. The company plans to vigorously defend itself in court.
Potential Outcomes
If successful, the lawsuit could force Meta to spin off Instagram and Threads, creating autonomous companies.legal experts suggest the case could take years to resolve, and the outcome is uncertain. This action represents the Biden management’s most significant antitrust challenge against a major tech company to date.
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