The United States’ officially designated “Global War on Terrorism” began 22 years ago, just three days after the Sept. 11 attacks. The U.S. ostensibly launched that war to combat terrorism, and went on to wage it in at least four different countries, which were often falsely homogenized into “the Middle East” to simplify the government’s messaging. President George W. Bush’s rhetoric at the time insisted that the war on terror was about eliminating terrorist threats to America’s security, freedom, and way of life — though in truth, the word “threat” was applied loosely, and “guilty by proximity” replaced “guilty by association.” The war ultimately lasted 20 years and functionally ended, after a protracted semi-occupation of Afghanistan by U.S. forces, with an unceremonious retreat in 2021 — though low-level combat operations continue to this day in other regions.
Appeals Court Finds Biden White House Violated the First Amendment
10.09.2023 - 21:41 / pcmag.com
A federal appeals court ruled Friday that the Biden administration likely violated the First Amendment with some of its communications with social media companies.
Specifically, the US 5th Circuit Court of Appeals found that some White House administration officials such as the Surgeon General, FBI, and US Centers for Disease Control “coerced or significantly encouraged social media platforms to moderate content” to curb COVID-19 disinformation, a move that violated the First Amendment.
That said, the judge found that a preliminary injunction issued on July 4th by a judge in Louisiana that prohibited the Biden administration from communicating with social media companies are certain types of content was “both vague and broader than necessary to remedy the Plaintiffs’ injuries, as shown at this preliminary juncture.”
The suit was originally filed by the states of Louisiana and Missouri as well as the owner of a conservative website and four individuals that opposed how the administration handled COVID-19.
In addition to determining the original injunction was over-broad, the judge also thought that included more agencies that were appropriate and removed some agencies from the order, namely the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency, and the State Department.
Specific concerns named in the suit include the administration asking platforms to take down posts dealing with election fraud, the pandemic, and yes, Hunter Biden’s laptop.
The Biden administration has claimed that the administration should have the power to discuss the removal of content when it impacts important things such as election security and public threats, including COVID-19.
Left in place by the 5th Circuit is part of the injunction that bars officials from “threatening, pressuring, or coercing social-media companies in any manner to remove, delete, suppress, or reduce posted content of postings containing protected free speech,” but argued that the injunction needs to be adjusted to target specifically illegal conduct given “those terms could also capture otherwise legal speech.”
In a post on X, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry called the ruling a “major win against censorship”
The 5th Circuit left the order on pause for 10 days so it could potentially be appealed to the Supreme Court.
“DOJ is reviewing the court’s decision and will evaluate its options in this case," the White House said in a statement. "This administration has promoted responsible actions to protect public health, safety, and security when confronted by challenges like a deadly pandemic and foreign attacks on our elections. Our consistent view remains that social media platforms have a critical
SMIC, Which Made The Kirin 9000S, Is Just Four Years Behind The Most Advanced Node, U.S. Sanctions Were Aimed To Limit Capabilities By 10 Years
The U.S. sanctions did not impede the progress of Chinese semiconductor manufacturer SMIC in mass producing the Kirin 9000S, which is now found in Huawei’s flagship, the Mate 60 Pro, though it is no secret that its 7nm process is several generations behind the most advanced node. However, a report states that with the latest SoC launch, China is at most four years behind, and the export controls executed by the United States intended to keep the region up to 10 years behind in the chip race.
Disney Lorcana Will Reprint The First Chapter In Time For The Holidays
Lorcana is the all-new Disney trading card game that has been quite the hit since it finally officially launched over the summer. That has been both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because, well, it's pretty great and it's encouraging to see so many people getting into it. A curse because the limited stock has been predictably bought up by scalpers and is now being sold for inflated prices. Ravensburger already confirmed The First Chapter will be getting a reprint, but now that good news has become great news.
New trucking game adds the one thing American Truck Simulator was missing: human drama
Finally, Truck Driver: The American Dream is here to bring us the one thing that American Truck Simulator was missing: a robust story campaign filled with human drama.
Apple asks Supreme Court to reverse app store ruling won by Epic
Apple Inc. said it has asked the US Supreme Court to review a judge's ruling from two years ago that could diminish the billions of dollars in revenue its App Store generates by letting app developers direct users to alternative payment methods.
Epic files appeal to Supreme Court in antitrust case against Apple
Along with laying off hundreds of employees, Epic Games remains embroiled in a years-long legal battle with Apple. Recently, the Unreal Engine creator filed a writ of certiorari asking the US Supreme Court to review its lower court ruling made during the antitrust case between the two developers.
Epic files another Supreme Court appeal against Apple
Epic Games has asked the Supreme Court to review a lower court ruling clearing Apple of violating antitrust laws on its App Store.
Epic Games asks the Supreme Court to hear its case against Apple’s App Store rules
By Richard Lawler, a senior editor following news across tech, culture, policy, and entertainment. He joined The Verge in 2021 after several years covering news at Engadget.
Like a telecommunications policy-focused Justin Timberlake, the FCC is bringing net neutrality back
Five years after the elimination of net neutrality regulations in the US, FCC chairwoman Juliana Rosenworcel has begun the process of bringing them back, saying that restoring the FCC's authority over broadband service in the US is needed to ensure the internet «is not only open, but fast and fair, safe and secure.»
US to introduce 'guardrails' to ensure that companies benefitting from CHIPS Act funding spend it where they should be
The US government is soon to begin awarding up to $52 billion in subsidies for domestic semiconductor manufacturing. The funding is a part of the CHIPS and Science Act that President Joe Biden signed into law in August 2022. But before the funds are given, the US Commerce Department is introducing rules to ensure beneficiaries of the funding don't spend it elsewhere, and it particularly doesn't want it feeding back to China.
One of Lance Reddick’s last movies is a fantastic-looking courtroom thriller
There aren’t nearly enough courtroom dramas at the movies these days. What was once one of the most popular genres in the United States, during the heyday of movies like A Few Good Men or A Time to Kill, is now all but vanished, or worse, relegated to television shows that are six-hours longer than they need to be. But The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, which released a trailer on Thursday, is here to fix that. The movie is set to be released on Oct. 6 on Paramount Plus with Showtime.
Is The Bear’s Jeremy Allen White Related to Gene Wilder?
With gaining popularity, many fans want to know if the series’ lead is related to, due to them looking so alike. Is he a close relative of the late Willy Wonka star, which would explain why they look like one another? Here’s all you need to know.