Concerns over teens' Instagram and Facebook feeds, AI-powered misinformation and global warming | Hot off the Wire … – Opelika Auburn News

On this version of Hot off the Wire:

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Meta says it will start hiding inappropriate content from teenagers’ accounts on Instagram and Facebook. That includes posts about suicide, self-harm and eating disorders. The social media giant based in Menlo Park, California, said in a blog post Tuesday that while it already aims not to recommend such “age-inappropriate” material to teens, now it also won’t show it in their feeds, even if it is shared by an account they follow. Meta’s announcement comes as the company faces lawsuits from dozens of U.S. states for harming young people and contributing to the youth mental health crisis.

LONDON (AP) — The World Economic Forum says false and misleading information supercharged with cutting-edge artificial intelligence is the top immediate risk to the global economy. In its latest Global Risks Report, the organization says misinformation and disinformation as the most severe risk over the next two years. The report also says an array of environmental risks pose the biggest threats in the longer term. The report was released Wednesday ahead of the annual elite winter gathering next week of CEOs and world leaders in the Swiss ski resort town of Davos. It’s based on a survey of nearly 1,500 experts, industry leaders and policymakers

Earth shattered global annual heat records last year and it’s flirting with the warming threshold that nations wanted to stay within to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. That’s according to Copernicus, the European climate agency, which reported Tuesday that 2023 was 1.48 degrees Celsius (2.66 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial times. That’s just a whisker below the 1.5-degree threshold nations agreed to try to stay within at the Paris climate talks in 2015. And Copernicus said this January is on track to be so warm that the world will go past that 1.5-degree threshold for the first time over a 12-month period. Climate scientists say it’s imperative that humans continue trying to hold down warming.

DETROIT (AP) — The top U.S. telecommunications regulator is asking automakers how they plan to protect people from being stalked or harassed by partners who have access to vehicle location and other data. In a letter sent Thursday to nine large automakers, Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel asks for details about connected car systems and plans to support people who have been harassed by domestic abusers. Nearly all new vehicles have features that use telecommunications to find cars in parking lots, start the engine remotely, and even connect with emergency responders. The letter asks automakers for details about the services and whether they have policies in place to remove access to connected apps and other features if a request is made by someone who is being abused.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — While electric vehicles are gaining the lion’s share of the attention for carbon-neutral technology at CES 2024, hydrogen energy has snuck its way back into the conversation thanks to two automotive giants. Hyundai signaled that it could work towards aiding a “hydrogen society” by expanding into energy production, storage and transportation. Meanwhile, automotive supplier Bosch Mobility plans to launch its first hydrogen combustion engine this year. Still, there was also a robust lineup of EV announcements from big name brands. Honda premiered two concept vehicles for a new global electric vehicle series. And Kia introduced a trio of electric vans that can quickly swap body modules from cargo haulers to taxis and other purposes.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Black, white, Hispanic and Asian adults in the U.S. largely agree that the government should focus on the economy and foreign policy issues in 2024. But recent polling shows that views diverge on some high-profile topics, including racism and immigration. That’s according to two recent polls by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and AAPI Data. About 7 in 10 adults across backgrounds name economic issues. Black adults are less likely than others to call immigration a top priority. White adults are especially likely to name issues related to politics.

ATLANTA (AP) — Bomb threats and false reports of shootings at the homes of public officials, state capitols and courthouses have surged in recent weeks, including some connected to court cases against former president Donald Trump. Judges presiding over cases against him in New York and Washington have been targeted, as well as the Justice Department special counsel handling the federal charges against him. Multiple other public officials across the political spectrum as well as state capitols and courthouses around the country have also been targeted. The FBI said Thursday it takes the widespread increase in threats seriously and every hoax threat puts people at risk and wastes government resources.

About 21 million children are likely to receive food benefits this summer through a newly permanent federal program. Thirty-five states, all five U.S. territories and four tribes opted into the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer, known as Summer EBT. Families at or below 185% of the federal poverty line will receive $120 per child total during the summer months. Some states that opted out say there wasn’t enough time to implement the program.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Cesareans are surging in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, which has one of the world’s highest rates. More than half of babies born in the territory are now delivered via surgery compared with only 32% on the U.S. mainland. That’s according to a federal report released Wednesday. Medical experts say reasons behind the surge in Puerto Rico vary and include the island’s crumbling health care system. One doctor says ob-gyns prefer to schedule a cesarean to ensure they will have all the medical personnel required for a birth. The World Health Organization recommends a cesarean rate of between 10% to 15%.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s parliament has passed a landmark ban on production and sales of dog meat, as public calls for a prohibition have grown sharply over concerns about animal rights and the country’s international image. Some angry dog farmers say they plan to challenge the bill’s constitutionality and hold protest rallies, a sign of continued heated debate over the ban. The bill would make slaughtering, breeding and sales of dog meat for human consumption illegal from 2027 and punishable by 2-3 years in prison. It doesn’t provide any penalties for eating dog meat. Most South Koreans think dog meat should be banned, and a majority no longer eat it.

Host Terry Lipshetz is managing editor of the national newsroom for Lee Enterprises. Besides producing the daily Hot off the Wire news podcast, Terry conducts periodic interviews for this Behind the Headlines program, co-hosts the Streamed & Screened movies and television program and is the former producer of Across the Sky, a podcast dedicated to weather and climate.

Lee Enterprises produces many national, regional and sports podcasts. Learn more here.