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Brazilian Supreme Court Blocks Elon Musk’s X Over Legal Dispute

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Brazilian Supreme Court Blocks Elon Musk's X Over Legal Dispute

Elon Musk’s social media platform X has been suspended in Brazil due to his refusal to establish a legal agent, according to a copy of the decision obtained by The Associated Press.

The move intensifies the ongoing conflict between the two men over free speech, far-right accounts, and misinformation.

On Wednesday night, Justice Alexandre de Moraes warned Elon Musk that X may be barred in Brazil if he did not comply with his order to select a representative, setting a 24-hour deadline. The corporation has not had a representation in the country since early this month.

In his judgement, de Moraes allowed internet service providers and app stores five days to prohibit access to X and stated that the platform would stay barred until they complied with his demands.

He also stated that individuals or businesses who use virtual private networks, or VPNs, to access X will face a daily fine of 50,000 reais ($8,900).

Elon Musk’s Conflict with Brazilian Authorities

Elon Musk showed his total disrespect for Brazilian sovereignty and, in particular, for the judiciary, setting himself up as a true supranational entity and immune to the laws of each country,” according to de Moraes.

Brazil is a crucial market for X, which has experienced a decline in advertising since Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter in 2022. According to market research firm Emarketer, almost one-fifth of the Brazilian population, or 40 million people, use X at least once a month.

X had tweeted on its official Global Government Affairs page late Thursday that it expected de Moraes to shut it down, “simply because we would not comply with his illegal orders to censor his political opponents.”

“When we tried to defend ourselves in court, Judge de Moraes threatened our Brazilian lawyer with incarceration. Even after she resigned, he froze all of her financial accounts,” the business stated.

“Our challenges to his clearly illegal activities were either disregarded or ignored. Judge de Moraes’ colleagues on the Supreme Court are either reluctant or unable to challenge him.

X has fought with de Moraes over its refusal to comply with instructions to restrict users.

Accounts that have previously been shut down on Brazilian demands include MPs from former President Jair Bolsonaro’s right-wing party and activists accused of harming Brazilian democracy.

Elon Musk, a self-proclaimed “free speech absolutist,” has frequently argued that the justice’s actions constitute censorship, and his case has been supported by Brazil’s political right. He has frequently criticised de Moraes on his platform, describing him as a dictator and tyrant.

De Moraes’ supporters argue that his actions against X were legal, supported by the majority of the court’s complete bench, and served to protect democracy at a time when it was under threat.

His decree on Friday is based on Brazilian law, which requires international corporations to establish presence in the country so that they can be alerted of legal cases against them.

Given that operators are aware of the widely publicised standoff and their obligation to comply with de Moraes’ order, as well as the ease with which they can do so, X could be offline as soon as 12 hours after receiving their instructions, according to Luca Belli, coordinator of the Technology and Society Centre at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, a university in Rio de Janeiro.

The stoppage is not unusual in Brazil.

Lone Brazilian judges shut down Meta’s WhatsApp, the country’s most popular messaging service, three times in 2015 and 2016, citing the company’s failure to comply with police requests for user data.

In 2022, de Moraes threatened the messaging app Telegram with a statewide closure, claiming it had consistently refused requests from Brazilian authorities to deactivate profiles and give information. He ordered Telegram to appoint a local agent; the firm eventually obliged and remained online.

X and its prior incarnation, Twitter, have been banned in a number of countries, the majority of which are authoritarian regimes, including Russia, China, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Venezuela, and Turkmenistan.

Other countries, including Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt, have temporarily stopped X to address discontent and instability. Twitter was banned in Egypt following the Arab Spring uprisings, dubbed the “Twitter revolution,” but has since been reinstated.

A search on X on Friday revealed hundreds of Brazilian users looking for VPNs that could allow them to continue using the site by making it appear as if they were logged in from outside the country.

It was not immediately obvious how Brazilian authorities would control this conduct and impose the fines mentioned by de Moraes.

Mariana de Souza Alves Lima, well known as MariMoon, informed her 1.4 million X followers that she would be heading to rival social network BlueSky, tweeting a screenshot and writing, “That is where I’m going.”

X stated that it intends to disclose what it calls de Moraes’ “illegal demands” and accompanying court documents “in the interest of transparency.”

Also on Thursday evening, Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service provider, announced on X that de Moraes blocked its finances this week, preventing it from conducting any transactions in the country, where it has over 250,000 users.

“This order is based on an invalid finding that Starlink should be held liable for the unconstitutional fines issued against X. It was given in secret, without providing Starlink with the due process mandated by the Brazilian Constitution. Starlink stated that it intends to take legal action in the case.

Elon Musk responded to users who shared tales of the freeze, adding insults to de Moraes. “This guy @Alexandre is an outright criminal of the worst kind, masquerading as a judge,” she tweeted.

Elon Musk later said on X that SpaceX, which operates Starlink, will provide free internet service in Brazil “until the matter is resolved” because “we cannot receive payment, but don’t want to cut anyone off.”

In his ruling, de Moraes stated that he ordered the freezing of Starlink’s assets because X did not have enough funds in its accounts to satisfy escalating fines, and that the two companies belong to the same economic group.

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Salman Ahmad
Salman Ahmad is a seasoned freelance writer who contributes insightful articles to VORNews. With years of experience in journalism, he possesses a knack for crafting compelling narratives that resonate with readers. Salman's writing style strikes a balance between depth and accessibility, allowing him to tackle complex topics while maintaining clarity. His commitment to thorough research ensures his pieces are well-informed and thought-provoking. Salman's contributions enrich VORNews' content, offering readers a fresh perspective on current events and pressing issues.
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Telehealth May Be Able to Stop Suicide in High-Risk Individuals.

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HealthDay

(VOR News) – The results of a recent study suggest that telehealth therapy may lower the risk of suicide. In the United States, a study was conducted.

The results of a study that was published in the journal JAMA Network Open on November 12 indicate that cognitive behavior therapy can help lower the number of suicide attempts and thoughts.

US Telehealth researchers conducted the study.

This predicament is still true even when therapy is delivered via telehealth for a little period of time. As a result of the information they discovered during the investigation, the researchers finally reached this conclusion.

According to a study conducted by clinical psychologist Justin Baker, a researcher at Ohio State University, this is information that should be promoted.

According to Baker, this is a result of the fact that, at this specific point in history, therapy is increasingly being delivered via the use of virtual methods.

Baker was said to have stated, “The nearly overnight shift from mostly in-person to mostly virtual therapy appointments following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic was the impetus for this research question.” Ohio State published a press release that contained this message.

In making this claim, Baker was alluding to the fact that the shift occurred very immediately after the outbreak began. Baker was referring to the changes brought about by the pandemic outbreak spreading significantly.

It has long been thought that patients who are deemed to be at high risk are not suitable candidates for virtual healthcare. This is because the use of virtual healthcare is linked to both accountability and the possibility of harm.

We randomly assigned the following telehealth programs to 96 Americans:

They received instruction on how to control and alter the disturbing ideas and bad notions they were experiencing through telehealth cognitive behavioral therapy, with a special emphasis on suicide. They received this instruction while participating in the activity.

A treatment method called present-centered therapy is used to help patients deal with the difficulties they are currently confronting in their life.

The results of the study conducted by the researchers demonstrated that a present-focused approach to treatment is a successful way to reduce depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts. Research has shown that therapeutic approaches that focus on the present moment are useful.

However, the results of this study show that when it came to reducing the proportion of patients who attempted suicide while getting telehealth services, cognitive behavioral therapy outperformed present-centered therapy.

Furthermore, the results showed that both treatments were effective in lowering the number of suicidal thoughts that patients thought about taking their own lives. The effectiveness of both therapies served as evidence for this.

Craig Bryan, a researcher and the chairman of telehealth Ohio State University’s Suicide Prevention Program, says, “We have good, tested treatments that will lead to significant symptom reduction and improved quality of life for those who are suffering from suicidal thoughts and behaviors.”

In addition, Bryan is currently the program’s leader. Additionally, Bryan is currently in charge of the program. “We have treatments that have been proven to be effective.”

Bryan said that a considerable percentage of therapists are still maintaining some aspect of their telemedicine practice following the epidemic, even though limitations are being loosened.

This leads to the scenario even when boundaries are being loosened. “The results of this study have the potential to expand access to essential treatments that are supported by evidence for people living in rural and difficult-to-reach areas.”

You should call the telehealth Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 if you or a loved one is experiencing an emotional or suicide crisis if you are experiencing emotional distress. They are available to listen to your issues as well as offer support.

SOURCE: USN

SEE ALSO:

Trudeau Government Forces Port Workers Back to Work

The Main US Inflation Tracker Increased For The First Time Since March.

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Salman Ahmad
Salman Ahmad is a seasoned freelance writer who contributes insightful articles to VORNews. With years of experience in journalism, he possesses a knack for crafting compelling narratives that resonate with readers. Salman's writing style strikes a balance between depth and accessibility, allowing him to tackle complex topics while maintaining clarity. His commitment to thorough research ensures his pieces are well-informed and thought-provoking. Salman's contributions enrich VORNews' content, offering readers a fresh perspective on current events and pressing issues.
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The Main US Inflation Tracker Increased For The First Time Since March.

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Inflation

(VOR News) – The challenging road to lower levels is demonstrated by the fact that one of the most important measures of inflation in the United States has increased for the first time since March.

The consumer price index (CPI), a metric that gauges price inflation across a variety of goods, at an annual rate of 2.6% as October reached its peak. The CPI has never been higher than it was at this time.

According to reports, the rate was 2.4% last month, the lowest in over three years. This rate is higher than the one that was noted the month before.

Eliminating food and energy, “core” inflation stayed at 3.3%.

This occurred upon completion of the computation. Following this stage, the index underwent a thorough analysis. A reading was considered accurate if it agreed with the estimates provided by economists.

Even though inflation has somewhat decreased since reaching its greatest level in four decades in the summer of 2022, many Americans still face financial hardship as a result of years of rising prices. This can be attributed to the fact that inflation peaked in the summer of 2022.

According to exit poll results, a significant number of Republican voters expressed dissatisfaction with their own financial circumstances as well as the state of the US economy.

Their voiced displeasure was a reflection of their dissatisfaction. A significant factor that contributed to the election was the ire generated by the rising cost of living. This rage was among the most important factors.

Concerns have been expressed regarding the real effects that these reforms would have on the inflation rate. Donald Trump proposed tax cuts and tariffs as workable answers throughout his campaign, but there have been questions raised over the real effects of these measures.

The next president has promised to levy tariffs on all U.S. imports that are at least 10 percent higher than the current rate, according to the results of a research by Yale’s Budget Lab.

The implementation of this strategy, which many industry experts believe would almost surely result in an increase in inflation of up to 5.1%, has already been made public.

It was the first time in four years that the Federal Reserve started lowering interest rates in September, which marked the first time in four years they had done so.

This was the first time they had ever implemented inflation.

The Federal Reserve has reached a significant turning point in its attempts to control inflation at this particular moment. Additional interest rate cuts were implemented Monday, lowering them to their lowest point since February 2023. Since February 2023, they have not been this low.

The Federal Reserve’s chairman, Jerome Powell, said the Fed “has gained confidence that we’re on a sustainable path down to 2%,” the target it has set for its inflation rate.

He hosted a news conference where he made this declaration. Considering the previously mentioned, he added that “the task is incomplete.”

As part of its “dual mandate,” the Fed is working to keep inflation from rising while also keeping the unemployment rate from rising. This is being done from the Federal Reserve’s point of view.

Over the past few months, the labor market has been significantly slowing down; in October, the United States created just 12,000 new jobs.

This suggests that there is a downturn in the labor market. In October 2023, the unemployment rate was 4.1%, which was a low figure that was similar to levels before the sickness started. Since the illness had not yet spread, this was the situation. This occurred following a reduction in the rate, which came to 3.4% in February 2023.

In response to a query concerning the impact of the election on the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decisions, Powell said that officials “do not know the timing or substance of any policy changes.”

Powell was questioned on the significance of the election. As a consequence, we are unable to determine the possible economic impact of this. The current circumstances are to blame for this.

SOURCE: TG

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author avatar
Salman Ahmad
Salman Ahmad is a seasoned freelance writer who contributes insightful articles to VORNews. With years of experience in journalism, he possesses a knack for crafting compelling narratives that resonate with readers. Salman's writing style strikes a balance between depth and accessibility, allowing him to tackle complex topics while maintaining clarity. His commitment to thorough research ensures his pieces are well-informed and thought-provoking. Salman's contributions enrich VORNews' content, offering readers a fresh perspective on current events and pressing issues.
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Trudeau Government Forces Port Workers Back to Work

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Trudeau, strike, port workers
The Canadian Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon forced striking union workers back to work.

The Trudeau government has invoked federal authority to halt union strike actions at the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, and Montreal, claiming economic damage and the loss of trading partners.

This is the second time in a few months that the Trudeau government has intervened to end a labor conflict. In August, Trudeau ordered work stoppages at the country’s two main railway corporations to cease.

Canadian Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon stated that the supply chain has been damaged and that it will take weeks to clear the container congestion affecting Canadian and US companies. He informed reporters that he had ordered the country’s industrial relations board to end the strike and impose binding arbitration.

“As the economic losses threaten the country and begin to mount, it is up to the government to ensure that … we can get on with the economic life of this country and avoid layoffs and other carnage,” he stated during a news conference.

“Canadians have a limited tolerance right now for economic self-harm.”

The issue, which MacKinnon claimed was hurting more than C$1.3 billion ($932 million) in goods every day, has already hampered shipments of canola oil, forest products, and other goods. Business organizations applauded the announcement.

Union Strike Action Heads to Court

International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514, representing supervisory longshore workers at the core of the British Columbia conflict, has announced that it will submit a legal challenge to the minister’s instructions.

“We will fight this order in the courts,” stated Frank Morena, president of ILWU Local 514.

“And we will not forget how these employers and this federal Liberal government have attacked not only the ILWU but all of labor.”

MacKinnon said the Canada Industrial Relations Board, which is independent but reports to Ottawa, will issue the required orders in a few days.

The left-leaning government has previously declared that it prefers to resolve labor problems through collective bargaining. MacKinnon said he was forced to interfere when federal mediators reported that discussions in Montreal and Vancouver had reached a stalemate.

The left-of-center opposition New Democrats, a pro-union group supporting the minority Liberal administration, accused Ottawa of giving in to employers.

“Back-to-work orders suppress wages for all Canadians, so billionaires get richer, and the rest of us fall further behind,” leader Jagmeet Singh said in a statement but did not mention bringing the Liberals down.

Trudeau Government Sends Dangerous Message

The Teamsters union, representing employees at the two major train companies, has launched court challenges to labor board judgments that ordered them back to work.

“The government is sending a dangerous message: employers can bypass meaningful negotiations, lock out their workers, and wait for political intervention to secure a more favorable deal,” the Canadian Labour Congress said.

After rejecting a final offer for a new labor deal, the Montreal Longshoremen’s Union called a lockout. As a result, canola oil and forest products exports from West Coast ports, including Vancouver, have ceased.

“These work stoppages are impacting our supply chain, hundreds of thousands of Canadian jobs, our economy, and our reputation as a reliable international trading partner,” said MacKinnon, who said employers and unions had not acted quickly enough.

“I’ve directed the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order that all operations and duties at the ports resume and to assist the parties in settling their collective agreements by imposing final and binding arbitration,” he told reporters.

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Geoff Thomas
Geoffrey Thomas is a seasoned staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. With his sharp writing skills and deep understanding of SEO, he consistently delivers high-quality, engaging content that resonates with readers. Thomas' articles are well-researched, informative, and written in a clear, concise style that keeps audiences hooked. His ability to craft compelling narratives while seamlessly incorporating relevant keywords has made him a valuable asset to the VORNews team.
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