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Meta takes action against Chinese propaganda threat ahead of 2024 US election
International desk
01 Dec 2023, 19:37
Meta revealed on Thursday that it had taken down numerous Facebook accounts from China, purportedly impersonating Americans and engaging in discussions on contentious issues such as abortion and healthcare, CNN reported.
The tech giant issued a warning about “foreign threat actors attempting to reach audiences” in anticipation of the 2024 US election. The fabricated accounts replicated social media posts verbatim from both Republicans, including presidential candidate Ron DeSantis, and Democrats like former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
While Meta did not attribute the network to a specific entity in China, it does reflect a broader trend of increased Chinese propaganda targeting American audiences. This development comes amid growing concerns about potential foreign influence in the 2024 presidential election, according to CNN.
Furthermore, the report noted that US national security officials suspended their efforts to flag foreign influence operations on social media platforms due to a legal challenge. Meta executives confirmed that government agencies hadn’t shared information related to foreign election interference since July, with the US Supreme Court set to address the case.
Before the court case, “there are a number of times when a tip from government has enabled us to take action … quickly” against covert foreign influence operations, Nathaniel Gleicher, Meta’s head of security policy, told reporters.
Importantly, Meta took down the Chinese network before it gained any engagement from real users on its apps.
“This is the most notable change in the threat landscape compared with 2020,” Ben Nimmo, Meta’s global threat intelligence lead, told reporters on Wednesday, referring to an increase in Chinese online influence operations in the last year aimed at audience around the world.
The company highlighted the evolving threat landscape, emphasising a significant change compared to 2020, with a notable increase in Chinese online influence operations on a global scale.
While Russia’s interference in the 2016 US elections showcased the use of trolls and bots to amplify divisions, China traditionally avoided such direct tactics. However, recent incidents, including the use of AI-generated images and a substantial online disinformation operation, suggest a shift in China’s approach.
According to a recent CNN review of court documents and public disclosures by social media companies, the Chinese government has amassed the world’s largest known online disinformation operation. This operation is reportedly employed to harass US residents, politicians, and businesses, occasionally resorting to threats of violence against its targets.
Despite these findings, China consistently denies allegations that troll farms operate from its soil.
Despite Meta’s efforts to protect elections, concerns persist about the company’s direction. This includes reported layoffs in the team countering misinformation and Meta’s decision to allow political ads questioning the outcome of the 2020 presidential election on its platforms.
Source: The Print
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CERT-IN Issues / Warning for Google Chrome Users
Chrome, the most used web browser developed by Google, has become the target of hackers.
Recently, India's Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN) found several vulnerabilities in the old version of Google Chrome.
The company has advised users of Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems to update Google Chrome to protect themselves from hacker attacks.
It has been warned that users of the previous version of Chrome 129.0.6668.70/.71, update quickly. The old version of Google Chrome has so many vulnerabilities that it can be attacked by hackers at any time. As a result, the important information of the users may be leaked.
Hackers exploiting the security vulnerability will first send a specially crafted request message, according to the warning about the type of attack. Cybercriminals can launch Denial-of-Service or DOS attacks once run on a computer-laptop system by the users. After the attack, all Chrome Bowsers are likely to crash. As a result, control will be completely in the hacker's hands.
World Teachers' Day 2024: What It Is, Why Is It Celebrated
Teachers are our second parents. They love us, nurture us, guide us, and impart wisdom. They teach us the skills and values that we require to navigate through life in the later stages. Teachers are our gurus and with their teachings, we can cross every hurdle that comes in front of us. Every year, World Teachers' Day is observed to pay our respects to the teachers who taught us the basics of life, and who broke the barriers of a classroom and taught us how to do life.
Date
Every year, World Teachers' Day is observed on October 5. This year, the special day falls on Saturday.
History
World Teachers' Day was established by UNESCO in 1994. In 1996, it commemorated the signing of - Recommendation Concerning the Status of Teachers. The recommendation focused on the rights, responsibilities, training, employment, and working conditions of the teachers. Since 1994, this day has been observed with each year focusing on a unique theme related to the advancements or the challenges faced by teachers all over the world.
Theme
The theme for this year’s World Teachers' Day is - Valuing Teacher Voices: towards a new social contract for education. According to the official website of UNESCO, this year's World Teacher's Day will focus on “the urgency of calling for and attending to teachers' voices to address their challenges but, most importantly, to acknowledge and benefit from the expert knowledge and input that they bring to education."
Why is it celebrated?
Teachers all over the world go through multiple challenges – from low wages to poor working conditions to the absence of quality education. This day focuses on the problems faced by them and raises awareness about the importance of the role that teachers play in our lives. It also serves as a day when students can express their gratitude for the teachers, and how they helped in shaping the lives of the ones they teach.
US-Bangla Airlines Job Circular 2024 for 'Cabin Crew'
US-Bangla Airlines, the country's largest private airline is inviting Female and Male Bangladeshi Candidates to submit applications for the post of 'Cabin Crew' based on the following criteria-
Education
Minimum HSC or Equivalent, with minimum GPA 3.00/5.00 in SSC & HSC or Equivalent. No Third division or the equivalent result will be accepted in any examination.
For a Diploma Degree, a CGPA of 2.80/4.00 is required.
For 'O' Level- Max 05 subjects with average grade 'D' and A Level-Max 02 subjects with average Grade 'D'. GED is not acceptable.
Candidates with a Graduation Degree are preferred.
Height
168 cm/5 feet 6 inches (minimum) for males.
158 cm/5 feet 2.5 inches (minimum) for females.
Arm reach 212 cm while standing on tiptoes.
Weight
Should be proportionate to Height.
For Male (BMI: 18-25).
For Females preferably (Female:18-22), but in the case of exceptional candidates even a BMI up to 25 is acceptable.
Age
Fresher- 18 to 27 years (as of the day of application deadline). She experienced Candidate-Max 35 years. No affidavit will be accepted.
Eyesight
Applicants must have a visual acuity of 6/6 without spectacles. Vision correction up to 6/6 is acceptable, including using clear contact lenses. Candidates with color blindness will not be considered.
Swimming
Candidates having swimming skills will be given preference. Finally, selected candidates must learn to swim in the initial training period.
Language Skill
Fluent in both Bengali & English (both written & spoken); Other language competencies will be an added advantage.
Medical Fitness
Good physical health and medically fit to meet
Cabin Crew requirements
Physical AppearanceStrong, upright; Appealing Personality with no visible tattoos or marks on the body
Attitude & bearing
Should be impressive
Residency Requirement
Must reside adjacent to/around Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) like Nikunja, Uttara Model Town (Sector-01 to Sector-14) after joining.
Job Description
Attending pre-flight briefings.
Welcoming passengers on board and directing them to their seats
Ensuring that all emergency equipment is in working order before take-off and explaining, and demonstrating safety procedures and equipment to passengers
Ensuring that all hand luggage is securely stored away
Checking all passenger seat belts and galleys are secured before take off.
Clearing and collecting the meal trays from passengers
Distributing landing cards and other documentation where necessary
Administering first aid
Dealing with emergencies
Benefits :
Cabin crew members, enjoy a unique compensation package that reflects the demanding nature of their job and the industry's competitive standards. Cabin crew often receive a range of benefits and one of the most appealing perks is the opportunity to travel extensively, both domestically and internationally. This enables cabin crew to explore the world, experiencing diverse cultures and destinations. Moreover, they typically receive allowances for meals and accommodations during layovers. The combination of competitive salaries and these appealing benefits make a career as a cabin crew not only financially rewarding but also personally fulfilling for those who are passionate about aviation and travel. So, join our winning team and enjoy a lucrative salary package (including flying and layover allowance) initially up to Tk. 70,000/- per month with the following additional benefits-
Pick & drop service during duty times in Uttara area.
Festival Bonus
Special Note :
Those who have applied previously are discouraged from applying.
Disclaimer :
Please note that US-Bangla Airlines never charges applicants in any step of recruitment. If you are asked for MONEY as part of any US-Bangla Airlines recruitment, please do not pay & report it to feedback@usbair.com with all accompanying documents.
Any kind of persuasion will be treated as a disqualification of the candidate.
US-Bangla Airlines reserves the right to change, amend, subtract, hold, or revoke any clause of the recruitment/circular.
Deadline: 15th October, 2024.
Circular Link: Click here
Apply Link: Click here
Court Orders Google to Open Android to Rival App Stores
Tech giant Google will have to open its Android smartphone operating system to rival app stores, a US judge has ordered. A California jury decided on Monday that Google wields illegal monopoly through its Android Play store.
This is yet another setback for the company after a different federal judge in August found that Google's search engine was also an illegal monopoly.
What does the verdict mean?
According to the order, Google cannot prohibit the use of in-app payment methods for three years and must allow users to download competing third-party Android app stores.
The order also restricts Google from making payments to smartphone makers to preinstall its app store, as well as from sharing revenue generated from the Play store with other app distributors.
The judge has also ordered the creation of a three-person technical committee to oversee the implementation of the changes and resolve any disputes that may arise. The order was effective starting November 1, the judge said, with some provisions given until July 1 to be implemented.
How did Google react?
Google is appealing the order. It argued that the changes which the judge ruled must be implemented would "cause a range of unintended consequences that will harm American consumers, developers and device makers."
"We look forward to continuing to make our case on appeal, and we will keep advocating for what is best for developers, device manufacturers and the billions of Android users around the world," said Lee-Anne Mulholland, the company's regulatory affairs vice president.
Phones using the Android software constitute some 70% of the world's smartphone market. Smartphone makers can install the Android app for free under the condition that the Play app store remains on the home page, and that other Google apps are pre-installed.
Committee Formed to Assess Spending on New Curriculum Implementation
A committee has been formed by the Ministry of Education to determine how much money has been spent on the implementation of the widely discussed and criticized new curriculum.
Confirming the matter on Wednesday, October 9, Professor Dr. A K M Riazul Hasan, Chairman of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), stated that a five-member committee has been formed to ascertain the total expenditure on implementing the new curriculum thus far. The committee will be led by a member of the NCTB and supported by four other members. Their task is to investigate and report how much money has been spent on the new curriculum implementation up to this point.
Earlier, on September 1, the Ministry of Education issued a notification stating that the new curriculum is not feasible for implementation. A revised curriculum will be taught from 2026.
The notification also mentioned that with the collaboration of education experts, curriculum and assessment specialists, education administrators, and representatives from civil society and parents, the final version of the revised curriculum will be completed in 2025 and fully implemented in 2026. It also stated that teaching and assessment will follow the curriculum from 2012 until then.
Nobel Prize in Literature to be Announced Today
The Nobel Prize winners are announced annually on the first Monday of October. Accordingly, last Monday (October 7), Tuesday (October 8), and Wednesday (October 9), the names of Nobel laureates in medicine, physics and chemistry were announced respectively. The name of the Nobel laureate in literature will be announced today (October 10) at 5 pm Bangladeshi time.
In 2023, Norwegian writer and playwright Jon Fosse won the Nobel Prize in Literature. Appreciating his plays and literature, the Swedish Academy said Jon Fosse brought out many things that remained unspoken in his writings.
All information about the award announcement can be seen directly on the Nobel Prize website. All announcements of this year's Nobel Prizes are broadcast live on nobelprize.org and the Nobel Prize Committee's YouTube channel.
Two American scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun were jointly announced on Monday as the 2024 Nobel Prize winners in medicine or pharmacology.
The Karolinska Institute's Nobel Assembly said the prize was awarded to them 'for the discovery of microRNAs and their role in post-transcriptional gene regulation'.
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences on Tuesday decided to jointly award the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics to John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton.
"The award was given to them for 'fundamental discoveries and innovations that enable machine learning with artificial neural networks," the academy said.
The Academy on Wednesday announced US scientist David Baker for computational protein design and British scientists Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper as joint winners of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 'protein structure prediction'.
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has been awarding this prize every year since 1901, 5 years after the death of Alfred Nobel, the Swedish scientist, and inventor of 'Dynamite'. The award is given in his name and legacy. The prize money is handed over to the winners every year on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death. Prize winners in each case receive a gold medal, a diploma with a certificate, and currently 11 million Swedish krona.
A shortlist of 300 people is made every year for the Nobel Prize. After the screening, the award is given to one or more people in different categories. French poet and essayist Sully Prudhomme (1839–1907) won the first Nobel Prize in Literature in 1901.
Japanese organisation Nihon Hidankyo Awarded Nobel Peace Prize 2024
The Norwegian Nobel Committee on Friday awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization representing survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, known as Hibakusha. The grassroots movement was honored for its tireless efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and for its powerful witness testimony.
Nihon Hidankyo, established in 1956, is composed of survivors who have long campaigned for disarmament and the complete abolition of nuclear weapons. Through their first-hand accounts of the horrors experienced during and after the bombings in 1945, the group has sought to highlight the profound humanitarian impact of nuclear arms as morally unacceptable.
The Nobel Committee praised Nihon Hidankyo for their unwavering efforts to generate and sustain global opposition to nuclear weapons, noting that their testimony has provided a unique, first-hand understanding of the incomprehensible pain and suffering caused by such weapons.
"The Hibakusha help us to describe the indescribable, to think the unthinkable," the Committee said in its announcement.
Despite nearly 80 years passing since the bombings, nuclear weapons continue to pose a global threat. With countries modernizing arsenals and new threats emerging, the Committee warned that the nuclear taboo is under pressure.
“At this moment in human history, it is worth reminding ourselves what nuclear weapons are: the most destructive weapons the world has ever seen,” the statement added.
Next year will mark 80 years since the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which killed an estimated 120,000 people instantly, with thousands more succumbing to injuries and radiation exposure in the years that followed. The Hibakusha’s stories, delivered through witness accounts, public appeals, and annual delegations to the United Nations, have played a crucial role in advancing nuclear disarmament efforts.
Source: HT
