Photo: Science Photo Library RF
1 Iran Conflict: UN Says 20-Thousand Seafarers Are Stranded Due To Strait Of Hormuz Closure
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz is open, but only to ships from countries it doesn't consider enemies, but the United Nations says around 20,000 sailors are stuck in the Persian Gulf because of the closure. Iran sent a letter to an international maritime group saying vessels from countries not supporting the U.S. or Israel can pass, but didn't spell out the safety rules those ships would have to follow. A shipping analyst called Iran's message "clearly disingenuous," saying Iran has hit neutral ships with no ties to the U.S. or Israel. Iran's defense council has also threatened to mine the entire Persian Gulf if U.S. ground troops enter Iran.
2 Meta And YouTube Found Liable On All Counts In Social Media Addiction Trial
A jury in Los Angeles ruled yesterday that Meta and YouTube are responsible for harming a young user through addictive design, in what could be a major legal turning point for social media companies. The case was brought by a woman identified as Kaley, now 20 years old, who said she started using Instagram and YouTube as a child and became addicted to the platforms, which she said led to depression, body image problems, and suicidal thoughts. The two companies weren’t alone in the suit, but TikTok and Snap had settled before the trial started. The jury awarded her $6 million in damages; Meta said it disagreed with the verdict and was looking at its legal options.
3 The US Postal Service Wants To Put A Temporary Eight-Percent Charge On Some Shipping Products
The U.S. Postal Service is asking for a temporary 8-percent price increase on some of its most popular shipping products, including Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select. The increase would take effect April 26th and run through January 17th, 2027, if approved by regulators. The USPS says the surcharge is needed to keep up with rising transportation costs, but First-Class stamps would not be affected. The Postmaster General has also warned Congress that the agency could run out of money within a year.