Colombia’s Constitutional Court has ruled that Meta, the parent company of Instagram, violated the freedom of expression of adult content actress Esperanza Gómez by deleting her Instagram account without clear justification. The court found that Meta’s action lacked transparency and was inconsistent in applying its policies on nudity and sexual content, as other similar accounts remained active. Gómez, a prominent figure in Colombia’s adult entertainment industry with over five million followers, argued that the account closure hindered her professional activities and was influenced by her work outside the platform. The court emphasized that social media posts are protected under Colombia’s constitution and should only be restricted proportionately. It ordered Meta to revise Instagram’s terms of use and privacy policy to ensure users are informed about moderation decision challenges and to clarify rules on implicit sexual content. The court also highlighted that if offline activities are used for content moderation, they must be explicitly stated. While the court did not specify sanctions or redress for Gómez, this ruling follows similar legal actions in South America, such as Brazil’s Supreme Court holding social media platforms directly accountable for illegal content. Meta has not yet responded to the ruling.
作者: admin
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South Africa inflict record defeat on New Zealand
In a historic showdown at the Wellington Regional Stadium, South Africa delivered a commanding performance, defeating New Zealand 43-10 in the Rugby Championship. This marked New Zealand’s heaviest defeat in history, surpassing their previous 35-7 loss to the Springboks in 2023. The world champions showcased their prowess with six tries and an impressive 36 unanswered points in the second half, bouncing back from their loss to the All Blacks just a week prior. Key players like Cheslin Kolbe, who scored two tries, and Manie Libbok, who contributed 16 points through conversions and a penalty, were instrumental in the victory. South Africa’s captain, Siya Kolisi, praised his team’s fearless approach and self-belief, crediting their success to a united effort and strategic execution. New Zealand’s captain, Scott Barrett, acknowledged the Springboks’ dominance and admitted his team’s shortcomings, emphasizing the need for improvement. Meanwhile, in another Rugby Championship clash, Argentina edged out Australia 28-26 in a tense match in Sydney, with Santiago Carreras’ accurate kicking proving decisive. As the championship progresses, South Africa and New Zealand remain in close contention, with Australia currently leading the standings.
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New Nato mission to bolster eastern flank after Russia drone incursion
In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Poland has accused Russia of a deliberate incursion after more than a dozen drones breached Polish airspace on Wednesday. The incident, described as the most serious of its kind since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, has prompted a swift response from Nato allies. Denmark, France, and Germany have pledged military support, including fighter jets and warships, to strengthen the alliance’s eastern flank. Other Nato members are expected to follow suit in the coming days.
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Mystery of British woman who disappeared from a luxury Caribbean yacht
The disappearance of British woman Sarm Heslop from a luxury yacht in the US Virgin Islands in March 2021 remains shrouded in mystery, with newly released CCTV footage offering the last recorded sighting of her. The footage, exclusively obtained by the BBC, shows Heslop and her then-boyfriend, Ryan Bane, boarding a dinghy after an evening at a bar on St. John island. Six hours later, Heslop was reported missing, and despite extensive search efforts, her body has never been found. Bane, who has never been formally questioned by police, claims she likely fell overboard or drowned while he was sleeping. However, inconsistencies in his timeline and his failure to alert nearby boats or the coastguard promptly have raised suspicions. A BBC Three documentary, ‘Missing in Paradise: Searching for Sarm,’ delves into the case, highlighting the lack of closure for Heslop’s family and friends, who believe the investigation should be reclassified as a no-body murder case. Bane, who has invoked his constitutional rights to avoid questioning and forensic searches of his yacht, remains the only person of interest in the case. Heslop’s family continues to seek answers, determined to uncover the truth behind her disappearance.
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Ivory Coast’s ‘iron lady’ – from hiding in a bunker to presidential hopeful
In a dramatic political resurgence, former Ivory Coast First Lady Simone Gbagbo has announced her candidacy for the upcoming presidential election, marking a significant turn in her tumultuous career. Once a fugitive hiding in a bunker to evade arrest, Gbagbo, now 76, has emerged as a defiant contender, promising to modernize and revitalize the nation. Her journey from the shadows of her ex-husband Laurent Gbagbo’s presidency to the forefront of Ivorian politics is a testament to her resilience and ambition. Known as the ‘Iron Lady’ for her steely demeanor, Gbagbo has long been a polarizing figure in Ivory Coast’s political landscape. Her tenure as first lady from 2000 to 2011 was marked by her influential role in her husband’s administration, where she was both revered and feared. Despite a criminal conviction and a highly publicized divorce, Gbagbo has methodically rebuilt her political base, founding the leftist Movement of Capable Generations (MGC) and positioning herself as a formidable challenger to incumbent President Alassane Ouattara. Her candidacy is not only a political milestone but also a symbolic one, as she seeks to become Ivory Coast’s first female president. Gbagbo’s campaign, fueled by her powerful rhetoric and extensive political experience, has garnered significant attention, particularly among her ex-husband’s supporters, who have been barred from backing Laurent due to his ineligibility. As the election approaches, all eyes are on Simone Gbagbo, whose potential victory would mark a historic chapter in Ivory Coast’s turbulent political history.
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China-Russia gas pact heightens Western sanctions risks
The recent agreement to construct the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline, set to transport 50 billion cubic meters of Russian natural gas to China annually via Mongolia, marks a pivotal shift in global geopolitics and energy markets. Analysts from both China and the West highlight the deal’s potential to redefine energy dynamics in Eurasia. On September 2, China, Russia, and Mongolia signed a legally binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance the project, with Russia offering China a discounted gas price and China accepting the Mongolian route—a compromise that had previously been a sticking point due to concerns over energy security. The pipeline, expected to be operational by 2031–2032, will elevate Russia-China gas trade to 106 billion cubic meters annually, meeting approximately one-fifth of China’s current gas demand. The deal also promises economic benefits for Mongolia, including transit fees, job creation, and reduced air pollution, while bolstering its geopolitical standing. However, risks remain, including potential Western influence and Mongolia’s “Third Neighbor” policy, which seeks to diversify its international partnerships beyond China and Russia. The project underscores Russia’s strategic pivot to Asia amid strained relations with Europe, particularly following the Ukraine conflict, which has drastically reduced Russian gas exports to the EU. While China welcomes the economic and strategic advantages of the deal, it remains cautious about upsetting its relations with Europe. Western analysts warn that the pipeline could undermine efforts to contain Russia’s war in Ukraine, prompting calls for targeted sanctions against Russian energy companies and their Chinese partners.
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United Airlines flight makes emergency landing in Japan, two people injured
A United Airlines Boeing 737-800 en route from Tokyo’s Narita Airport to Cebu, Philippines, was forced to make an emergency landing at Kansai International Airport in Osaka on September 12, 2025, following concerns of a potential fire in the cargo hold. The aircraft, carrying 135 passengers and seven crew members, was evacuated using emergency slides. Two individuals sustained minor injuries and were transported to a hospital for treatment. United Airlines confirmed that an initial maintenance inspection revealed no evidence of a fire. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff, prompting the diversion to Osaka. Authorities, including Kansai Airport officials, local police, and fire departments, were unavailable for comment outside regular business hours. The airline has not yet disclosed further details regarding the cause of the emergency or the nature of the injuries. The event underscores the importance of swift emergency response protocols in aviation safety.
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Exclusive: Neil Kinnock says Palestine Action are not terrorists in split with Starmer
In a rare public dissent, former Labour Party leader Neil Kinnock has openly criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s decision to designate Palestine Action as a terrorist organization. Speaking exclusively to Middle East Eye, Kinnock argued that the move has weakened Britain’s anti-terror laws by conflating activism with terrorism. Palestine Action, a group advocating for an end to Israel’s military operations in Gaza, was proscribed on July 4 after its activists vandalized RAF Brize Norton air base. The designation places the group alongside notorious organizations like al-Qaeda and ISIS, making support for it punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Kinnock, who abstained from voting on the proscription in the House of Lords, emphasized that protesting against the dire situation in Gaza does not equate to terrorism. He also expressed concern over the mass arrests of nearly 900 demonstrators in London, including elderly individuals and Holocaust survivors’ relatives, on terrorism charges. The Labour government, however, has defended its decision, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood praising the Metropolitan Police’s handling of the protests. The controversy has exposed a significant divide within Labour ranks, with only 10 MPs voting against the proscription in the House of Commons. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate, with over 64,000 Palestinians killed since October 2023 and famine declared by the UN-backed global hunger monitor. While Kinnock acknowledged Israel’s war crimes in Gaza, he refrained from labeling the conflict as genocide, citing the need for legal proof. The ongoing war has drawn international condemnation, with Israel facing charges of genocide at the International Court of Justice. Despite Hamas’s acceptance of a US-backed ceasefire proposal, Israel’s recent failed airstrike on Doha has further complicated efforts to end the conflict. Kinnock commended Israeli protesters for their courage in opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes.
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BOJ should watch out inflation risks from weak yen, ex-Japan FX diplomat says
In a recent interview with Reuters in Tokyo, Toyoo Gyoten, Japan’s former vice minister of finance for international affairs, highlighted the risks posed by Japan’s ultra-low interest rates and the prolonged weakness of the yen. At 94, Gyoten, who played a pivotal role in the 1985 Plaza Accord, emphasized that the Bank of Japan (BOJ) must remain vigilant about the potential acceleration of inflation driven by higher import costs due to the yen’s depreciation. ‘Japan’s interest rates have been excessively low, and this is undeniably contributing to the yen’s weakness,’ Gyoten stated. He urged the BOJ to consider the broader economic implications of this situation. The BOJ ended its decade-long stimulus program last year and raised short-term rates to 0.5% in January, aiming to sustainably achieve its 2% inflation target. However, consumer inflation has consistently exceeded this target for over three years. BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda has adopted a cautious approach to rate hikes, citing uncertainties surrounding U.S. tariffs on Japan’s economy. The yen hit a 38-year low of 161 per dollar last year and has remained weak, currently trading around 147 per dollar. Gyoten, now an honorary advisor to Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, suggested that Japan could correct the yen’s weakness by gradually tightening monetary policy, thereby narrowing the interest rate gap with the United States. Reflecting on the 1985 Plaza Accord, Gyoten noted that Japan’s response to the yen’s appreciation at the time—massive monetary easing—fueled asset bubbles that later burst, leaving lasting economic scars. He argued that Japan should have embraced a stronger yen as an opportunity to reduce its reliance on exports and transition to a new growth model. Gyoten also observed a shift in sentiment among export-oriented industries, which now recognize the importance of considering the impact of a weak yen on ordinary consumers facing rising living costs.
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As Russian army inches closer, Ukrainians must decide to stay or go
In the war-torn town of Bilozerske, eastern Ukraine, the White Angels—a specialized police unit—embark on a perilous mission to evacuate civilians amidst relentless Russian drone attacks. The town, once home to 16,000 residents, now lies in ruins, with only an estimated 700 inhabitants remaining. The White Angels’ armored van, equipped with a steel cage and drone-jamming technology, offers scant protection against the ever-present threat of Russian drones. Despite the dangers, the team presses on, navigating shattered streets and burned-out homes to rescue those willing to leave.
