Internal Meta communications reportedly acknowledged that restrictions negatively affected Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s Instagram accounts during the election campaign. The messages also noted that the platform recommended the profile of his runoff opponent, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, and Bolsonaro’s WhatsApp channel. Lula’s party said some of the president’s posts had reduced reach and lacked features such as sharing, reactions, audio, and playback-speed controls. Meta responded that the technical problems were already known, and that the internal discussions concerned how severe they were - not political interference. The company rejected claims that it favored either candidate.
The disclosures come as Lula, a left-wing incumbent, prepares to face the right-wing Bolsonaro in an October 25 runoff after the senator performed better than expected in the first round. Lula had complained to Brazil’s top electoral court that Meta’s algorithms and AI restrictions disadvantaged his campaign. A judge ordered the company to provide equal treatment to both candidates, barring reductions in political content distribution, search restrictions, or post removals that create an imbalance. Meta must also apply identical standards to both campaigns through its AI tools. Failure to comply could bring a daily fine of 500,000 reais, about $98,700.
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From August 2028, universities in England will pay £925 ($1,200) annually for each international student above an exemption threshold of 220, including current and new students. The government expects the levy to raise revenue for education, while university leaders warn it could strain finances and push up tuition fees. (africa.businessinsider.com)
The Pentagon is developing a plan for major U.S. bases to sustain essential operations independently for 90 days, including power, water, fuel, and communications. Separately, Britain is advising households to keep enough food, water, and cash for three days of disruption; officials say the efforts are not coordinated and do not signal an imminent war. (fortune.com)
“Buy, borrow and die” lets wealthy investors hold appreciating assets, borrow against them instead of selling, and pass them to heirs, who may receive a higher tax basis. The strategy can reduce capital-gains taxes while creating demand for loans secured by investments. (wsj.com)
The US fired an estimated 609 missile interceptors defending Israel from October 2023 through September 2026, including 186 SM-3s and 378 THAADs. The analysis estimates the interceptors cost $11 billion, exceeding Israel’s own use of ballistic-missile defenses. (stephensemler.com)
Microsoft is offering voluntary exits to 60,000 employees at level 70 or below in the U.S., India, Canada, and the UK. The program has prompted speculation that further layoffs are coming, but the post does not confirm that connection. (twitter.com)
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