A Los Angeles jury has found Alphabet’s Google and Meta Platforms liable for $3 million in damages in a social media addiction lawsuit, a ruling that could set a precedent for thousands of similar cases. The lawsuit focused on the platforms' addictive design, which the plaintiff argued contributed to her addiction to YouTube and Instagram from a young age. This case, which highlights the growing concerns over social media’s impact on mental health, could influence future legal actions brought by parents, school districts, and attorneys general against tech giants. The plaintiff, a 20-year-old woman, claimed that the attention-grabbing features of the apps led her to develop an addiction, marking a significant legal focus on the platforms' design rather than the content itself. The lawsuit was filed amid mounting criticism of social media companies for their role in the safety of children and teens. At least half of American teenagers use platforms like YouTube and Instagram daily, amplifying concerns over the prolonged exposure to these platforms. Snapchat and TikTok were also named in the case but settled with the plaintiff before the trial commenced. Despite the ruling, Meta and Google have expressed their disagreement with the verdict, with Meta already evaluating further legal options. The ruling has minimal impact on the companies’ stock prices, as shares of Meta rose slightly, while Alphabet’s stock remained largely unchanged. The case adds to the growing body of lawsuits focused on social media addiction, with other similar cases expected to go to trial in federal and state courts. Critics have long called for more stringent regulations on social media use, but Congress has yet to pass comprehensive legislation on the matter. Meanwhile, numerous states have enacted laws governing social media use among children, with some requiring age verification for account creation, a measure that tech trade associations are challenging in court. As the debate intensifies, the impact of this verdict on future legislation and lawsuits against tech companies remains to be seen. The ruling could be a crucial step in holding companies accountable for the design of platforms that contribute to addiction and harm, particularly among vulnerable youth populations.

Severe storms sweeping across the state of New Jersey caused dramatic damage to rail infrastructure after a tree crashed through the cab of a moving train, narrowly avoiding serious injuries. The incident occurred on the Atlantic City Rail Line, highlighting the intensity of the overnight weather conditions that battered parts of the region. According to officials, the tree struck the engineer’s cab during the height of the storm. Despite the severity of the impact, the train engine

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has denied the viral rumors claiming a shortage of ghee for preparing the famous Srivari Laddu prasadam. This clarification follows the circulation of a video showing an accident involving a ghee tanker, which allegedly contained ghee meant for the temple. Social media posts claimed that the spill had disrupted laddu preparation, creating concerns among devotees. However, TTD dismissed these claims, urging the public to refrain from believing such fals

On March 10, 2026, the Lok Sabha took up an opposition resolution to remove Speaker Om Birla from office, citing allegations of bias towards the ruling party. The motion was introduced by Congress legislator Mohammad Jawed, along with MPs K Suresh and Mallu Ravi. As Jawed read out the notice for the resolution, a heated debate began regarding the presiding officer during the proceedings. AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi raised a point of order questioning the legitimacy of Jagdambika P

The United States has reportedly suffered nearly $2 billion in military equipment losses during the first four days of escalating hostilities with Iran following a joint US–Israel military campaign. Data compiled from defence assessments and open-source intelligence indicates that multiple American installations across the Middle East were damaged in retaliatory strikes launched by Tehran after the operation that resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. One

The wedding of Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda in Udaipur has been the talk of the town, especially after glimpses of their regal wedding outfits were revealed. The couple tied the knot on February 26, 2026, at the luxurious ITC Mementos hotel, adhering to a beautiful blend of Telugu and Kodava traditions. Their outfits, designed by the renowned Anamika Khanna, were a perfect reflection of understated royalty.

JCP&L has deployed more than 2,500 linework personnel across its service region as the utility continues efforts to restore electricity following a powerful winter blizzard that caused widespread outages. Officials reported that the number of customers without power has dropped to about 15,000, marking significant progress in the restoration campaign. Crews remain heavily focused on OceanCo, where the storm brought down more than 60 trees and damaged critical infrastructure. Utility crew

Felix Auger-Aliassime, the top seed at the ATP 500 event in Dubai, had to dig deep before overcoming Zhang Zhizhen in the first round. Despite having six match points, the Canadian finally clinched a 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) victory. Auger-Aliassime admitted that he lost count of the match points, as the frustration built up. "Having match points is the position you want to be in as a player, but it's weird how the mind plays a trick on you," Auger-Aliassime said. "It's much further for me from losing

The highly anticipated wedding celebrations of Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda have officially commenced. The couple, who have kept their pre-wedding events intimate and modern, shared exclusive glimpses of the early festivities on social media, revealing a delightful mix of fun, relaxation, and sophistication. Their celebrations kicked off with a lively poolside party, where close friends joined in to set a cheerful tone for the days ahead. The couple also made sure to capture the mo

Tollywood star and Hindupur MLA Nandamuri Balakrishna has taken a significant personal step by beginning construction of his new home in Hindupur, located in Sri Sathya Sai district of Andhra Pradesh. On Friday, Balakrishna and his wife performed the traditional Bhoomi Puja ceremony, marking the formal start of the house construction. The actor-turned-politician expressed happiness and emotional connection with the town, stating that Hindupur will now become his new permanent address. Balakrishna has represented Hindupur as a Telugu Desam Party MLA for three consecutive terms, reflecting the strong bond he shares with the people of the constituency. He acknowledged the unwavering support and trust shown by the residents, which played a key role in his decision to build his home there. According to Balakrishna, the people of Hindupur have always treated him as the rightful successor to his father, legendary actor and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. T. Rama Rao. Balakrishna also recalled his father N. T. Rama Rao’s historic political victory from Hindupur in 1985, which later led to his rise as Chief Minister. This legacy has added deeper meaning to Balakrishna’s association with the constituency. He expressed gratitude for the continued support of the people and emphasized that building a home in Hindupur reflects his commitment and dedication to serving the community. Despite his active political career, Balakrishna confirmed that he will continue working in films while fulfilling his responsibilities as an MLA. His ability to balance both cinema and politics has made him one of the most influential personalities in Andhra Pradesh. The decision to establish his residence in Hindupur further strengthens his connection with the region and signals his long-term commitment to the people who have supported him throughout his political journey.

Sitara Ghattamaneni, the 13-year-old daughter of Tollywood superstar Mahesh Babu and actress Namrata, has been garnering considerable attention due to her growing presence at public events. Known for her poise and maturity beyond her years, Sitara is currently the brand ambassador for a jewellery label and recently attended a promotional event in Hyderabad, further solidifying her place in the public eye. Despite her fame, Sitara is not rushing into the world of acting, a field that

At least 21 people were killed and more than 70 others were injured after a devastating collision between two high-speed passenger trains in Spain’s southern Andalusia region on Sunday evening. The incident has been described by national authorities as one of the deadliest rail disasters in recent years, triggering a large-scale emergency response and a nationwide investigation into rail safety. According to information released by the country’s rail infrastructure operator Adif

Scott Adams, the cartoonist whose comic strip “Dilbert” became a defining satire of modern corporate life before his career unraveled amid controversy, has died at the age of 68. His death was announced Tuesday by his former wife, Shelly Miles, during a livestream posted on Adams’ social media accounts. She said he died at his home in Northern California, where he had been receiving hospice care. Adams had revealed in 2025 that he was suffering from prostate cancer that had me

Congress adjourned for the year without renewing enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, a decision expected to significantly affect health coverage across Ohio beginning in 2026. State health policy analysts warn that as many as 140,000 Ohio residents could lose insurance coverage as premiums rise sharply following the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits at the end of 2025. The Affordable Care Act has provided premium tax credits since 2014 to help eligible individuals a

YouTuber Adam the Woo, a well-known travel and theme park content creator, has died at the age of 51 after being found unresponsive at his home in Celebration, Florida, authorities confirmed. The creator, whose legal name was David Adam Williams, was pronounced dead on Monday, Dec. 22, at his residence in the Orlando-area suburb. According to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, deputies initially responded to Williams’ home earlier in the day for a well-being check. At that tim

A migratory seagull carrying a Chinese-made GPS tracking device was found along Karnataka’s Karwar coast, raising questions due to the location’s proximity to the strategic INS Kadamba naval base. Locals first spotted the bird near Timmakka Garden in Uttara Kannada district and alerted the marine division of the forest department. The discovery drew attention because INS Kadamba hosts key Indian Navy assets and is undergoing expansion that will make it one of the largest naval bases in th

A severe storm swept through the city of Guaba in Brazil’s southern state of Rio Grande do Sul on December 15, causing the collapse of a towering replica of the Statue of Liberty installed outside a local Havan megastore. The dramatic incident occurred as strong winds battered the region, drawing widespread attention after videos of the structure toppling were shared on social media. According to Brazil’s civil defence authority, Defesa Civil, wind speeds during the storm reache

A five-year pollution analysis has revealed alarming findings for Delhi residents, showing that the city’s evening commute is the most harmful time of day for lung exposure. The study reports that people traveling home from work inhale nearly 40 percent more PM2.5 particles and 23 percent higher levels of PM10 compared to morning travelers. Conducted by researchers from Netaji Subhas University of Technology and AARC Engineers and Consultants India, the data highlights how real-time polluti

Nail biting, or onychophagia, is a habit many dismiss as harmless, especially when seen in children or teens. While occasional nail biting may seem mild, experts warn that chronic and compulsive nail biting can severely impact physical health, oral hygiene and emotional well-being. Over time, the behaviour becomes automatic, arising during stress, boredom or even without awareness. Studies show that if left unmanaged, the habit can damage nails, introduce infections, cause dental complication

Russia is confronting an unexpected challenge in its human spaceflight program after significant damage was discovered at the country’s primary crewed launch facility in Kazakhstan. The incident occurred moments after the successful liftoff of the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft, which departed from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on November 27 carrying two Russian cosmonauts and a NASA astronaut to the International Space Station. Although the mission reached orbit without complications, the condition of