Daily Newscap

Meta faces an Australian class action alleging that Facebook and Instagram harmed young users through addictive features and harmful content. Reuters reported on October 22 that law firm MinterEllison had filed the Federal Court proceeding that month on behalf of eight plaintiffs seeking compensation for harm allegedly suffered before they turned 18. These are allegations in a newly reported case, not findings of liability. According to Reuters, a court order made on Monday restricted identification of the applicants and publication of the statement of claim. The publicly available report therefore does not provide a basis for describing every pleaded allegation or the private circumstances of the people involved. Meta did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment on the lawsuit. The case arrives against the background of Australia’s social-media minimum-age rules, but those rules and this damages claim address different questions. A restriction on holding an account do...

Key points A Google Cloud disruption on October 20 affected services at several European banks. Google said a power event at a third-party facility in its London-area network caused the disruption and that service was restored. Financial regulators are seeking details about the impact and how the banks responded. European financial regulators are asking Google for more information after a cloud outage left customers of several banks unable to use important services for hours on October 20. The incident provides a concrete test of how banks and technology suppliers manage a shared failure in infrastructure on which many financial services depend. Reuters reported on October 21 that Revolut, Lloyds and HSBC were among the institutions affected. Google said a power event at a third-party facility in the europe-west2 cloud region caused the disruption, which had been resolved. The company's explanation identifies the reported immediate cause; a fuller technical analysis was stil...

Strong financial markets can still be vulnerable to a sudden change in confidence, the International Monetary Fund warned in material released around its October annual meetings. Its Global Financial Stability Report identifies artificial-intelligence valuations, rising government-bond yields and cyber incidents as possible triggers for wider stress. An IMF briefing account published on October 14 says earnings strength, better-than-expected growth and optimism about AI have supported investors’ appetite for risk. The concern is that these favourable conditions may coexist with weaknesses that become more visible when prices fall or financing becomes harder to obtain. Three possible triggers The IMF’s briefing describes an AI-related correction if ambitious investment plans and earnings expectations prove too optimistic. It also highlights higher bond yields and cyber threats capable of disrupting financial services or damaging confidence. These are risk scenarios, not a prediction tha...

3 October 2026. US President Donald Trump is expected to give Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton an additional role as a senior adviser on artificial intelligence, according to media reports cited by Reuters. The White House has not confirmed the appointment and said official personnel announcements would come from the president. Key points The prospective appointment is reported, not officially confirmed. Clayton is expected to retain his intelligence role if selected. The position’s authority, staff and relationship with existing technology advisers remain unclear. Why the distinction matters Personnel reports often emerge before a formal announcement, but plans can change. Until the White House issues a statement or the president names the adviser, the correct description is that Clayton is expected or reported to be selected. Calling him the new AI adviser as an established fact would go beyond the available evidence. Clayton’s present intelligence position would make t...