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Meta news ban intensifying Canadians' legacy media break – The Daily Star
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As Canada heads into an election this month, voters looking for campaign news on Facebook or Instagram will find material filtered through online creators and influencers — and no links to articles from major media outlets.
For more than a year, social media giant Meta has cut access to news websites on its sites, rebuffing Canada’s government over a law called the Online News Act and its requirement that platforms compensate journalism outlets for their content.
Because of the quirks of how this blockage is applied, users can still find news content on Meta-owned platforms in screenshots, memes and videos, but sometimes lacking the context of traditional reporting.
“It’s just not necessarily coming from those highest quality sources,” said Angus Lockhart of the Dais public policy think tank at Toronto Metropolitan University.
With more people getting information from platforms, the ban appears to further undermine the role of traditional journalism in an election cycle.
Aengus Bridgman, director of the Canadian Media Ecosystem Observatory, found users’ engagement with content from news media was never strikingly high but said now, many lack even a peripheral exposure to outlets’ coverage of current events.
He said these shifts in consumption will lead to “less and less broad understanding of politics and more and more hyper-focused issue orientations.”
Other countries have seen similar declines in legacy media, but Chris Arsenault, chair of the journalism and communications program at the University of Western Ontario, said the ban is exacerbating the process in Canada.
“It’s leading candidates themselves and often citizen journalists or influencers to spread their messages to voters directly on social media platforms,” he said.
– Navigating the echo chamber –
Jasmin Laine is a Manitoba-based content creator whose political commentary videos get hundreds of thousands of views on Instagram.
She told AFP she found mainstream news to be overly critical of Canada’s Conservative Party.
“Being transparent about my viewpoint doesn’t mean I’m abandoning accuracy,” she said.
Laine said users were looking for different angles to receive news heading into an election while she found traditional outlets were too quick to label alternative forms of media as misinformation.
Toronto Metropolitan University’s Lockhart said misinformation levels across platforms are not easy to track, but noted that a belief in false or misleading claims appears to be associated with a preference for social media as a news source.
A reliance on political commentary from secondary sources “increases the risk of existing in an echo chamber if someone else is filtering the news for you,” he said.
Rachel Gilmore repackages her independent reporting into short-form videos and said she was encouraged to see mainstream news outlets utilizing YouTube and TikTok to reach voters with election updates.
But she was still nervous about how news content on these platforms was sourced and fed to users.
“There’s so many people out there who are delivering the news who might not necessarily be journalists — some of them are doing a great job. Some of them aren’t and that’s hard for Canadians to navigate,” she said.
– Remove barriers –
TikTok and X do not currently have obligations under the law which triggered Meta’s news block, while Google paid out a multi-million dollar sum to a Canadian journalism fund this year.
Meta’s newest platform, Threads, does not appear to adhere to the ban, and some video content from news organizations and individual journalists also evades restrictions, particularly on Instagram.
Christopher Curtis, founder of The Rover, which covers local issues in Quebec, recently started posting videos explaining his reporting — sometimes speaking while he practices boxing.
“We are letting them in on the reporting process and that we’re finding really helps,” he said
His award-winning outlet took an engagement hit after The Rover’s account was blocked by Meta, but Curtis said the thousands of followers its contributors had accrued showed people are hungry for local coverage.
Going into the election, Curtis said he hopes his reporting provides a contrast to more toxic, hyper-partisan content.
“Present a more nuanced, calmer, more interesting version of the truth and I sincerely believe that that’s the antidote,” he said.
‘আমরা আশা করি, অনতিবিলম্বে কর্মকর্তা-কর্মচারীরা কর্মস্থলে ফিরে যাবেন এবং আইনবিরোধী ও জাতীয় স্বার্থ বিধ্বংসী কর্মকাণ্ড থেকে সরে আসবেন।’
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Angry N.J. union leaders lose vote to lower health care costs for state workers – NJ.com
Union members hold signs during a rally at the Statehouse annex in Trenton, NJ on Monday, April 21, 2025. The unions that represent some 75,000 public sector workers in N.J. demand action, call for legislation to ensure affordable healthcare and improved governance and transparency of New Jersey's public sector workforce.Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance
A state panel that oversees health insurance coverage for hundreds of thousands of state employees rejected a proposal Wednesday aimed to reduce reimbursement rates for doctors and hospitals next year.
The union leaders wanted to force the state to renegotiate prices for care with hospitals and other medical providers to mitigate the rising health care costs.
With double-digit insurance premium increases expected for the fourth consecutive year and Gov. Phil Murphy demanding $100 million in savings from the plan by the end of 2025, union leaders insisted their members be spared from having to pay more for coverage under the State Health Benefits Program.
Union members submitted a resolution at the program’s monthly meeting of the program’s Design Plan Committee, that would have capped most medical reimbursements to health care providers at double the price of what Medicare pays to treat people 65 and older. Hospitals and doctors, who treat state workers, often charge three times what the Medicare program pays, according to a 2021 study by the nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization Rand.
PBA representative Kevin Lyons said this “reference-based pricing” model could save as much as $500 million dollars a year.
Murphy’s six appointees on the committee voted no, cancelling out the six yes votes by union members. The measure failed.
Assistant State Treasurer Andrea Spalla, who voted no, said approving the resolution was “well outside the legal authority” of the committee. She predicted doctors and hospitals, if they didn’t flee, would sue the state. The abrupt change would disrupt thousands of people’s treatment.
“There would be fewer doctors to choose from and longer wait times for appointments and surgeries,” Spalla said.
Lyons said bypassing contract negotiations isn’t legal either.
“The state’s decision is clearly in the interest of their carrier and hospital conglomerates and not the people of New Jersey,” Lyons said after the vote.
Lyons predicted Murphy’s decision, backed by Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex and Senate President Nicholas Scutari, D-Union, will ultimately lead to workers paying more for their coverage.
“Hospitals and insurance companies have a racket and we need to reform that,” said Steven Tully, executive director for Council 63 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
“We have asked for this proposal before and each time management votes no,“ Tully said. ”What are your solutions?”
The state health benefits program for state workers is estimated to cost $2.9 billion next year. It’s not clear how the governor and legislative leaders decided that $100 million must be cut from the program by the end of the year.
But extracting savings from the program became a last-minute point of contention as the state’s three top elected officials met privately Monday to negotiate the $58.1 billion state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Lawmakers are expected to introduce their version of Murphy’s budget sometime this week.
The annual cost of public worker coverage in New Jersey was $22,000 in 2023, according to a recent state Treasury Department that called for broad change to the plan to save it. That’s 60% more than average cost of private and public sector plans nationally.
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Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on X @SusanKLivio.
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Army provides updates on Bello Turji, reveals bandits leader’s whereabouts – Daily Post Nigeria
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The Nigerian military has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, assuring the public that he is under constant surveillance and will soon be neutralized.
Major General Emeka Onumajuru, the Chief of Defence Operations, made this assertion on Monday during an interview on Channels TV’s The Morning Brief, stating that Turji is currently in hiding but is being actively tracked by the military.
“First, I need to let you know that there is absolutely no back-and-forth between Bello Turji and the Armed Forces,” Onumajuru said.
“As I speak, Bello Turji is completely in hiding, and the Armed Forces are tracking him. Very soon, he will be eliminated.”
He urged Nigerians to remain patient, explaining that targeting and neutralizing bandit leaders requires time due to their constant movement. However, he assured the public that Turji’s reign of terror in the North-West would soon come to an end as military operations intensified.
Onumajuru also addressed claims made by Sokoto State lawmaker Aminu Almustapha Boza that Turji has been extorting residents of Sabon Birni Local Government Area by imposing illegal levies.
He called on affected communities to resist such demands, assuring them of military protection. He emphasized that security forces are actively safeguarding the region and urged residents not to succumb to intimidation by criminal elements.
“Talking about Bello Turji imposing fines, remember I spoke about protecting vulnerable communities. These communities need to trust that the Armed Forces are there for them. If someone demands protection money, reject it because the Armed Forces are on the ground to protect you,” he stated.
Onumajuru reassured the public that troops are ensuring the security of farmlands and enabling residents to carry out their daily activities without fear.
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France monitoring Mathias Lessort’s fitness ahead of EuroBasket – BasketNews.com
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France’s national team remains optimistic that center Mathias Lessort will be fully recovered from a fibula fracture in time for EuroBasket 2025. After limited minutes in May, he’s included in the 18-man squad and closely monitored by club and national staff.
After a challenging return from injury, French international center Mathias Lessort is back in the spotlight. Lessort, who suffered a fractured fibula in December 2024, made his brief comeback during the EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi but sat out the Greek League Finals as he continued his rehabilitation with Panathinaikos.
Mathias Lessort
| Team: | Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens |
| Position: | C |
| Age: | 29 |
| Height: | 206 cm |
| Weight: | 113 kg |
| Birth place: | Martinique, France |
Now, Lessort is among the 18 players called up by French NT head coach Frederic Fauthoux to begin preparations for EuroBasket 2025 (August 27–September 14). Despite uncertainty over his match fitness, the French staff is optimistic about his recovery timeline.
General Manager Boris Diaw, speaking to BasketEurope.com, confirmed that the national team has been in close and constant contact with Lessort’s club medical staff.
“We’ve been monitoring Mathias throughout the season,” said Diaw. “Our medical team is regularly updated, and the club doctors are fully engaged in his recovery. Yes, he’s coming back from injury, but we are confident he’ll be 100% by the tournament start.”
Diaw emphasized that no risks will be taken and all precautions will be in place to ensure Lessort is fully fit before he returns to competition.
France will compete in Group D of EuroBasket in Katowice, facing hosts Poland, along with Slovenia, Belgium, Iceland, and Israel—a tough group where Lessort’s physicality and defensive presence could prove critical.
Meanwhile, the French staff is also navigating uncertainty around their NBA players, with possible contractual negotiations during the offseason threatening to disrupt preparations. Diaw explained that the team has maintained open communication with NBA-based players and their agents to minimize potential conflicts.
“If any players change teams, we’ll immediately get in touch with their new clubs,” Diaw said. For Guerschon Yabusele, who’s expected to sign with Philadelphia, the hope is that his contract will be finalized before the training camp begins in late July.
Fauthoux’s squad still lacks clarity in several areas—whether to bring three or four point guards, how to balance the backcourt and frontcourt, and who will serve as captain. With Lessort working toward full recovery, his status will be one of several key decisions shaping France’s ambitions for EuroBasket glory.
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Supreme Court rejects challenge to Obamacare mandate task force – ABC News – Breaking News, Latest News and Videos
Supreme Court rejects challenge to Obamacare mandate task force ABC News – Breaking News, Latest News and Videos
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Prayers pour in as Deion Sanders shares promising health update – MARCA
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It’s unclear what’s been ailing Coach Prime
Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, has once again become a symbol of resilience and strength. Known for his charisma and passion on and off the field, Sanders recently shared a new health update that has fans and fellow athletes flooding social media with support and prayers.
On Saturday, Sanders posted a heartfelt message alongside his son, Deion Jr., saying he’s “coming to a stadium sold out soon.” The photo and caption highlighted the unwavering support he’s received from his family, particularly his son.
“Every little step I take, my son @deionsandersjr has been there so we’ve decided to keep on stepping!”
This update came shortly after another positive message earlier in the week, where Sanders declared:
“One step closer every day, I’m walking it out! Our team is working their butts off, so I’ve got to match that fire they have!”
Sanders’ words suggest both a physical recovery and a mental recommitment to coaching. Though he hasn’t revealed the full extent of his current condition, his journey has struck a chord with supporters everywhere.
The inspirational messages prompted a flood of well-wishes online. NFL legend Barry Sanders wrote, “Thinking about you brother.” Actor Terry Crews added, “Praying for you brother .” Fans also joined in: “We are with you Coach! Love you,” and “Continued prayers for God’s healing grace – Jesus.”
Another supporter gave a nod to his son’s devotion: “Bucky is always the good ole son… His family and the world needs him!! Coach Prime is such a blessing from God!”
This isn’t the first health battle for Sanders. In 2021, he had two toes amputated due to severe blood clots and came close to losing his foot. In 2023, he underwent another surgery to remove additional clots, a procedure that again raised concerns about possible amputation.
While Sanders has chosen not to share specific details this time, his recent use of weighted vests and walking support has raised speculation about lingering leg or foot issues.
Despite those challenges, Sanders has shown remarkable spirit. In May, he mentioned on a podcast that he’d lost 14 pounds but was determined to use this time to truly heal.
With the college football season approaching, fans are hopeful he’ll return to the sidelines at full strength. Until then, they remain united-lifting him in prayer and celebrating every step forward Coach Prime takes.
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