Threads app signs up 100m users in less than a week
Threads, the social media app aimed at rivaling Twitter, has signed up more than 100 million users in less than five days, according to new data.
It means Threads, launched by Instagram owner Meta, has beat a record set by Open AI's ChatGPT app.
Threads went live on Apple and Android app stores in 100 countries last Wednesday.
It not available in Europe due to the EU's data privacy legislation.
Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive of Meta, which also owns Facebook, said the app had 10 million users within the first seven hours of launch and more than 30 million by Thursday morning.
Around 24 hours later, that figure had more than doubled.
At 100 million, according to figures from data platform Quiver Quantitative, Threads' base stands at less than a third of the 350 million regular users that Twitter is believed to have.
Some Twitter users have become disenchanted since billionaire Elon Musk took over. Thousands of jobs have been cut under his ownership and he has announced a number of changes to help generate revenue at Twitter.
Other rivals have emerged like Mastodon and Bluesky but have struggled without an existing user base. Threads has capitalised on being linked to Instagram which has more than one billion accounts.
Source- BBC
BBC bosses set to meet police today after presenter who ‘paid teen for sexual pictures’ is suspended
A scandal has now erupted at the BBC, with the presenter suspended and an urgent investigation launched.
The broadcaster confirmed bosses will meet with the Met Police later today to decide whether or not the unnamed presenter has broken the law.
He could face charges of causing or inciting sexual exploitation of a child under the Sexual Offences Act, which carries a maximum 14-year sentence.
The presenter could also be charged with making or possessing indecent images, which has a maximum tariff of ten years.
Under the law, a child counts as someone aged under 18 even if the content was created with their consent.
Justice Secretary Alex Chalk also confirmed talks would be taking place as he suggested a further probe is needed into how the BBC handled the allegations.
Speaking to Sky News, he said: "These are very serious and concerning allegations. You ask me as a parent - I would be extremely concerned about that.
"I think in fairness, I don't know precisely what was said and at what time, but certainly you would expect allegations of that nature to be dealt with very robustly and promptly.
"I think what we are now seeing today… and I understand there is going to be a meeting with the police, and that is absolutely right.
"And it may be that in the fullness of time, there will need to be an investigation about how this allegation was handled. That is quite possible.
"But right now I think it is important, in the interest of that victim, of that complainant, that this is dealt with as quickly and fairly and robustly as possible."
It comes after Scotland Yard yesterday confirmed they had been contacted by the BBC but no formal report has been made.
A spokesperson added: "We will require additional information before determining what further action should follow."
The Sun exclusively revealed the presenter was taken off air after he allegedly paid the youngster over £35,000 when they were 17.
The mum told how the teenager used the man’s alleged funds to feed a drug addiction.
She said they had gone from a “happy-go-lucky youngster to a ghost-like crack addict” in just three years.
In an interview with The Sun on Sunday, she also claimed the family complained in May but became frustrated that the star was still on air a month later.
The family has since handed a dossier of evidence to the broadcaster’s lead investigator, ex-cop Jeff Brown.
The Government is now demanding answers from BBC chief Tim Davie as the scandal deepens.
Former Culture Minister Damian Collins said: “I think the concern will be that this was raised by the family in May this year, but what happened when the complaint was initially raised?
“Why didn’t they do something sooner, I think is a fair challenge to the BBC.”
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer sat down with Mr. Davie and said she was promised the firm was "investigating swiftly".
The chief later sent an email to staff saying he was taking the allegations "incredibly seriously".
Source- The Sun
Commonwealth Games: Broadbell produce world-leading 12.94 seconds in 110m hurdles
COMMONWEALTH Games gold medallist Rasheed Broadbell produced a personal best and world-leading 12.94 seconds (0.7m/s) to win the 110m hurdles in a stirring battle with Olympic champion Hansle Parchment during the Jamaica Athletics Administrative, Association (JAAA) National Championships at the National Stadium on Sunday.
Parchment was second with 13.12 and Orlando Bennett third in 13.19 — both season's best runs.
Broadbell's scintillating run bettered American Cordell Tinch's previous world lead of 12.96. It also broke the Jamaican's previous best of 12.99 set last year. A day earlier, Broadbill had run his season's best 13.06.
Jackson sizzle on the final day of national championships
Shericka Jackson served notice she is ready for the World Athletics Championships just over a month after she completed a fine sprint double, winning the women's 200m in a world-leading 21.71 seconds (-0.5m/s).
It was Jackson's second world leader of the weekend after her personal best of 10.65 to win the 100m on Friday.
Jackson took charge of the race off the curve and powered her way home, beating her previous season's best of 21.98 seconds and Julien Alfred's previous world lead of 21.91.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce ran a season's best 22.26, beating the 22.39 she ran in Saturday's semi-finals, while Lanae-tava Thomas was third in 22.55.
Andrew Hudson retained his men's 200m title, running a season's best 20.11 (-0.2m/s) and beating Rasheed Dwyer (20.26). Tyquendo Tracey was third with a season's best 20.48.
Yohan Blake, the second-fastest man of all time over the distance, was fourth in 20.51. He will miss the World Championships.
Olympic Games women's 100m hurdles bronze medallist Megan Tapper produced a solid display of hurdling as she got off to a flying start and held off NCAA champion Ackera Nugent.
Tapper, who had run a lifetime best 12.44 in Saturday's semi-finals, won with 12.64 (-1.9m/s). Nugent clocked 12.67, while former World Champion Danielle Williams snatched the third spot with 12.82.
Sean Bailey won the highly anticipated battle with Antonio Watson to take his second national men's 400m title, running 44.48 — just off his personal best of 44.43 set earlier this season.
Watson lowered his personal best for the second time in just over a month, clocking 44.54 to take second place. Jevaughn Powell was third with 45.19.
Powell is yet to achieve the World Championships qualifying mark of 45.00 seconds, which could lead to Zandrion Barnes, who finished sixth, getting the nod along with Bailey and Watson for spots on the team to Hungary.
Bailey said while he was satisfied with the victory, there are things to fix.
"I haven't felt like myself throughout the rounds," he told the Jamaica Observer.
"I just talked to my coach about it and fixed it in the finals. I felt great the first 100 meters so I'm like, 'Okay, let me just relax.' I know Antonio Watson's a great finisher so I just wanted to have something to come home with because I know he'd be finishing strong," Bailey said.
Nickesha Pryce won her first women's title as she held off the hard-charging Janieve Russell, the 400m hurdles champion, to win in a new personal best of 50.21.
Russell also lowered her lifetime best to 50.76 while last year's champion, Candice McLeod, was third in 51.01.
Rajay Hamilton won his first national title, securing the men's 800m in 1:47.28 minutes while beating last year's champion and national record holder Navasky Anderson (1:47.67). Tyrese Reid was third in 1:48.45.
Natoya Goule-Toppin won her ninth national championships, clocking 1:58.89 and finishing comfortably ahead of Adelle Tracey who was second in a season's best 2:01.11. Jessica McLean was third in 2:05.76.
Elvis Graham won the men's javelin throw with 74.19m, finishing ahead of Zaavan Richards (70.91m) and Devon Spencer (65.78m).
Source- JamaicaObserver
New Lotus Emira: Mercedes-AMG four-cylinder version to debut at Goodwood
It’s Lotus’ 75th anniversary this year and the firm will have quite the presence at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed with Evija, Eletre and Emira all in attendance - the latter will also be shown off in four-cylinder guise for the first time.
Lotus says customer deliveries of the four-cylinder Lotus Emira will begin later this year, the new version joining the existing V6 model. With a mid-engined, rear-wheel drive setup the Emira goes up against the likes of the Alpine A110 and the Porsche Cayman in the sports car segment.
“It’s a bespoke rear-wheel drive variant of the transmission developed by Lotus in collaboration with AMG. On top of that, the gearshift strategy has been defined by the Hethel team as part of the car’s performance attributes. It is unique to the Emira,” explains Gavis Kershaw, director of Attributes & Product Integrity and long-standing chassis guru at Lotus.
Features such as 20-inch lightweight forged wheels with three colour options, 12-way adjustable heated seats, rear parking sensors, climate control, cruise control, keyless start and selectable drive modes are standard. There is also Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity along with a premium audio system.
First Edition buyers also receive three option packs thrown in, including the Driver’s Pack, which gives customers the choice of two suspension options and tyre choices. Softer Tour suspension comes with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport tyres, while the Sport suspension option comes with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.
The standard-fit Design Pack adds privacy glass, Alcantara headlining and a choice of brake calliper colour, plus Lotus-branded mats. The Convenience pack adds front parking sensors, a reversing camera, rain-sensing wipers and auto-dimming mirrors. Options include the £1200 Black pack which brings lots of black detailing and a £1,800 six-speed paddle-shift automatic gearbox for the V6 model.
Customers are also offered seven no-cost interior colour choices with either Nappa leather or black Alcantara (the latter with different coloured stitching). Six exterior paint colours are available, with more to be added throughout 2022.
The First Edition models will eventually make way for ‘entry-level’ models using both engines. Lotus has already confirmed a starting price of £59,995 for the four-cylinder, although we’ve seen prices for the Emira shoot up since that announcement was made.
The V6 version of the Emira is powered by a supercharged version of Toyota’s 2GR-FE 3.5-litre V6 engine, which produces 395bhp and 420Nm of torque. That torque figure rises to 430Nm in the automatic version.
Lotus says this is enough for a 0-62mph time of 4.3 seconds, or 4.2 seconds with the automatic model. The top speed is 180mph, while power goes through the rear wheels in all versions.
Joining the 3.5-litre V6 version of the Emira, the four-cylinder version of the brand’s last ever combustion car uses the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine as the Mercedes-AMG A 45 hot hatch. In the Lotus, it develops 360bhp, a little down on the output of the A 45. Drive goes to the rear wheels via an eight-speed DCT automatic gearbox with paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel.
Performance figures have not been confirmed, but the four-cylinder model will almost certainly be lighter, certainly so compared with the automatic version of the supercharged V6 car, and its power deficit stands at only 25bhp.
More can come from this Mercedes engine - it develops up to 415bhp in the ‘S’ version of the current A 45 super hatch. As such, it could eventually supersede the V6 as the most powerful option.
Source- AutoExpress
July 3rd was officially the hottest day ever recorded globally
The entire planet sweltered to the unofficial hottest day in human recordkeeping on July 3, according to University of Maine scientists at the Climate Reanalyzer project.
High-temperature records were surpassed on July 3 and 4 in Quebec and northwestern Canada and Peru. Cities across the U.S. from Medford, Oregon to Tampa, Florida have been hovering at all-time highs, said Zack Taylor, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Beijing reported 9 straight days last week when the temperature exceeded 35 C (95 F).
This global record is preliminary, pending approval from gold-standard climate measurement entities like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. But it is an indication that climate change is reaching uncharted territory. It legitimately captures global-scale heating and NOAA will take these figures into consideration when it does its official record calculations, said Deke Arndt, director of the National Center for Environmental Information, a division of NOAA.
“In the climate assessment community, I don’t think we’d assign the kind of gravitas to a single day observation as we would a month or a year,’’ Arndt said. Scientists generally use much longer measurements — months, years, decades — to track the Earth’s warming. In addition, this preliminary record for the hottest day is based on data that only goes back to 1979, the start of satellite record-keeping, whereas NOAA’s data goes back to 1880.
But Arndt added that we wouldn’t be seeing anywhere near record-warm days unless we were in “a warm piece of what will likely be a very warm era” driven by greenhouse gas emissions and the onset of a “robust” El Nino. An El Nino is a temporary natural warming of parts of the central Pacific Ocean that changes weather worldwide and generally makes the planet hotter.
Human-caused climate change is like an upward escalator for global temperatures, and El Nino is like jumping up while standing on that escalator, Arndt said.
The global daily average temperature for July 3 came in at 17.01 degrees Celsius or 62.6 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the University of Maine’s Climate Reanalyzer, a common tool often used by climate scientists for a good glimpse of the world’s condition. The analyzer is based on a NOAA computer simulation intended for forecasts that use satellite data. It is not based on reported observations from the ground. So this unofficial record is effectively using a weather tool that is designed for forecasts, not record-keeping.
This average temperature may not seem that hot, but it’s the first time in the 44 years of this dataset that the temperature surpassed the 17-degree Celsius mark.
Hotter global average temperatures translate into brutal conditions for people all over the world. In the U.S., heat advisories are in effect this week for more than 30 million people in places including portions of western Oregon, inland far northern California, central New Mexico, Texas, Florida, and the coastal Carolinas, according to the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center. Excessive heat warnings are continuing across southern Arizona and California, they said.
Source- Fortune
Murder Investigation Launched
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are investigating the circumstances that led to
the murder of a male victim earlier today (Wednesday 05 th July 2023).
Based on preliminary information a call was placed to the Police Control Room at around 1:24
a.m. indicating that the lifeless body of a male was laying on the ground, at a location in Five
Cays, Providenciales.
When officers arrived they saw the decapitated body of a male.
A few hours later, at around 7:45 a.m., officers received further information and went to an area
known as Club Med in Five Cays, where they discovered the head of a male victim.
The RTCIPF can confirm the body is that of DESMOND ARTHUR.
ARTHUR, 48, aka PIE and GOMER resided in Five Cays and was last seen around 11 p.m.
yesterday (Tuesday 04th July).
Specialist-trained officers of the RTCIPF are supporting his family through this traumatic loss.
Head of Crime, Safeguarding, and Public Protection Superintendent Dean Holden said: “Whilst
we have no definitive motive at this time, we remain open-minded. However, a key line of
inquiry is whether this could have been some form of retribution as a result of the victim's
apparent involvement in local crime.
“We are also aware of apparent footage on social media of the victim’s body. The circulation of
such imagery is appalling and demonstrates a complete lack of respect for the victim's family
and friends. I am urging people not to view, share, or continue to post any material of this
nature.
“Should you have any information which can assist in the advancement of this investigation,
kindly contact the nearest police station, 911, or TCI Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 and give any
information on this incident or any other illegal activity anonymously”.
TCI'S THURSDAY AND FRIDAY WEATHER FORECAST
FORECAST FOR THURSDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY, HOT, AND A BIT BREEZY WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS POSSIBLE.
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS
SEAS: 4 TO 6 FEET
SUNRISE: 6:11 AM
SUNSET: 7:35 PM
HIGH TIDE: 10:13 AM (2.3 FT) 10:52 PM (3.0 FT)
LOW TIDE: 04:30 AM (0.7 FT) 04:26 PM (0.3 FT)
FORECAST FOR FRIDAY
WEATHER: PARTLY SUNNY, HOT, AND A BIT BREEZY.
WINDS: EAST TO SOUTHEAST AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS
SEAS: 4 TO 6 FEET
SUNRISE: 6:11 AM
SUNSET: 7:35 PM
HIGH TIDE: 11:09 AM (2.3 FT) 11:43 PM (2.6 FT)
LOW TIDE: 05:18 AM (0.7 FT) 05:22 PM (0.7 FT)
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK: TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS.
Thousands flee refugee camp after Israel carries out deadly raid on Palestinian city of Jenin
Thousands of people have fled a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank after Israel launched a deadly military operation on Monday.
At least 10 people have been killed and dozens wounded in the Palestinian city of Jenin after Israel carried out a wave of drone strikes and sent in hundreds of troops.
Several cities in the West Bank have reportedly declared a general strike for Tuesday in solidarity with Palestinians in the Jenin camp, which had been home to around 14,000 people.
It is Israel's most intense military operation in the West Bank in nearly 20 years and it's reminiscent of its military tactics during the second Palestinian uprising in the early 2000s.
The operation comes at a time of growing domestic pressure for a harsh response to recent attacks on Israeli settlers, including a shooting last month that killed four Israelis.
Airstrikes started at 1.14 am on Monday using armed drones and destroyed a target in the center of Jenin's refugee camp, close to UN-funded schools.
Israel described it as a joint operations center "used as an advanced observation and reconnaissance center, a place where armed terrorists would gather before and after terrorist activities, a site for the armament of weapons and explosives, and as a hub for coordination and communication among the terrorists".
On Tuesday, a senior aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel was close to completing its Jenin operation.
The Islamic Jihad faction claimed four of the dead as its fighters. Hamas, another Islamist faction, claimed a fifth. It was not immediately clear if the other five fatalities - males aged 17 to 23 - were combatants or civilians.
he Israeli military said it had confirmation of nine Palestinians killed by its forces. All were combatants, it said.
Offices and businesses across the occupied West Bank were expected to close on Tuesday in response to calls for a general strike to protest the operation, which the Palestinian Authority of President Mahmoud Abbas has described as a "war crime".
Source- Sky News
Ex-Liverpool midfielder named manager of Saudi Pro League Al-Ettifaq
Former England and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard has been named manager of Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq.
The 43-year-old had said in June he had been invited over to the country to "look at a potential offer" but that he would not be taking it up.
"Without a doubt, Gerrard's presence will be an addition and a quantum leap to our league," said Khalid Al-Dabal, the club's chairman.
Gerrard has signed a two-year contract with the Saudi club.
Al-Ettifaq was seventh in the 16-team Saudi Pro League last season, finishing 35 points behind champions Al-Ittihad.
Gerrard has been out of work since being sacked as Aston Villa's manager in October last year.
The former England midfielder's move to Saudi Arabia follows a summer of heavy investment by Pro League clubs as several top European players have joined Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo in the Middle East.
Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves, and Chelsea trio N'Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Edouard Mendy are among those to move to Saudi Arabia, with Inter Milan's Marcelo Brozovic to Al-Nassr the most recent deal to be completed.
Fulham-managed Marco Silva has also reportedly turned down a £17m offer to coach Al-Hilal.
The trend underlines the league's ambition to be one of the top five in the world and follows a decision in June by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns Newcastle United, to take over four leading clubs in the country. Al-Ettifaq is not one of those clubs.
Gerrard retired from playing in 2016 and his first managerial role was at Scottish club Rangers.
He took over the Ibrox side in 2018 and led the club to their first Scottish Premiership title in 10 years in 2020-21.
Gerrard then became Villa boss in November 2021 but left after 13 wins from 40 games during his time in charge.
Source- BBC
Actor behaved like a 'predator', accuser says
Kevin Spacey was a "predator" who would attack one of his accusers when the two were left alone together, a court in London has heard.
The trial of the actor heard testimony from one of the four men who accuse him of sexual assaults committed in the UK between 2001 and 2013.
The court heard the man was groped so forcefully on one occasion while driving that he swerved off the road.
Mr Spacey has pleaded not guilty to all 12 charges against him.
As the trial against him heard from its first witness, the 63-year-old sat in the dock of Southwark Crown Court and listened to his accuser detail the alleged abuse, which relates to seven of the charges against him.
Jurors were played a recording of the first complainant's police interview, before the man - who has lifelong anonymity under UK law due to the nature of the charges - was questioned in court by Mr Spacey's lawyer.
The man alleges Mr Spacey assaulted him up to 12 times, saying this happened when they were "in a car or in a lift, any time when we became alone".
"Multiple occasions he would try and grope me," he said.
He said that over a number of years, Mr Spacey's behaviour progressed from "eerie and awkward" to physical groping and how the actor would "laugh it off and change the subject".
The complainant said Mr Spacey started making him feel awkward a few weeks after they first met, adding: "Right from the get-go I would say he was grooming me."
The man added that Mr Spacey had told him he could introduce him to A-list celebrities.
When Mr Spacey groped him, the complainant said he would make it clear the actor's behaviour was wrong, but he felt Mr Spacey "was getting more excited by this".
If he attended the American actor's south London apartment, Mr Spacey would be "half-naked, if not naked" and would "try to touch me" before he left, the court heard.
He said on one occasion Mr Spacey grabbed his crotch while he was driving, forcing him to come off the road.
Mr Spacey spent significant periods of time in the UK while serving as the director of the Old Vic Theatre in south London between 2004 and 2015.
Cross-examining the complainant, defence barrister Patrick Gibbs KC questioned the timing of the alleged incident. The accuser said he was assaulted on the way to Elton John's White Tie and Tiara Ball, an annual charity event held by the singer for a number of years.
The barrister said it was "completely untrue" as Mr Spacey went to the ball once in 2001 - and the complainant said the alleged incident had taken place in the mid-2000s.
"You'll have to forgive me if I've got the dates wrong, it happened 20 years ago," the complainant responded.
The man said he would be relieved when Mr Spacey went back to the US on trips.
"I used to dread when he was coming back," the complainant told police, adding: "My heart used to sink."
The complainant said Mr Spacey was "pretending to be nice" but was a "predator" who was "aggressive".
He described Mr Spacey as a "slippery, snaking, difficult person", adding: "He would tell me he had a troubled childhood. He was a confused man. Didn't know at the time whether he was gay or straight."
The complainant alleged it was "well-known he [Mr Spacey] was up to no good" among those associated with the Old Vic theatre and young, good-looking people were warned to "be careful".
He said he now cannot bring himself to watch anything featuring the actor and it "makes me feel sick thinking about that man".
Mr Gibbs asked the man if he found Mr Spacey's behaviour "a bit exciting" or "a bit naughty", to which he replied that he has a female partner and found it "distressing".
As questioning continued, he said: "I was ashamed... after the event, yes I was ashamed."
He dismissed a question about his own sexuality as "ridiculous" and refuted any suggestion he had solicited attention from Mr Spacey or reciprocated contact.
The complainant said: "You're trying to suggest we had something going on which we... a million per cent didn't."
The man said it was "not true at all" that he reported the allegations to the police because he "saw a bandwagon coming" and decided to "hop on board".
"It was the fact that it was in the news and it was all coming back to me. It made me have those feelings that I had then, thinking some others have been brave enough to come forward. It caused me to come forward and tell the truth as well," he said.
In January, Mr Spacey - who is referred to in court proceedings by his full name, Kevin Spacey Fowler - pleaded not guilty to three counts of indecent assault, three counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.
He also previously denied four further charges of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.
It is these 12 charges which Mr Spacey is currently on trial for and he continues to deny them.
All four accusers are entitled to lifelong anonymity under the law.
The trial continues.
Source- BBC