Lopetegui came into the game under pressure following some poor displays from the Hammers in recent weeks but they earned a hard-fought victory to end the Magpies’ three-game winning spell. Despite a promising opening from the hosts, Tomas Soucek headed West Ham in front before Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s first goal for the club after the break wrapped up victory. Lopetegui was pleased with his side’s display following a “tough match”. He said: “I am happy for the three points and am very happy against a good team like Newcastle, who have good players and a fantastic coach. “I think today was a tough match and we were able to compete as a team. “I think we deserved to win. Today they had many moments in the first half, but I think the second half we deserved to win and we are happy because you have to do these kind of matches against this type of team if you want to overcome them.” Newcastle started brightly and had plenty of chances in the first half especially, but the visitors responded after the break by retaining possession well. The win eases the pressure on Lopetegui, whose West Ham side face Arsenal on Saturday, and he believes the victory is an important feeling for his players. He said: “I think the only thing that is under our control is to play football, to improve, to defend well, to convince the players we are able to do better. “Today we did, but I think the only thing we can do is to do the things that are under our control, not today but every day. “So we had to keep with this mentality, but above all let me say we are happy for the players because they need this kind of feeling as a team to believe that we are able to do well as a team, to put the best for each player of the team.” Newcastle boss Eddie Howe admitted defeat was a missed opportunity for his side. The Magpies missed a series of chances in the first half, including efforts from Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff, before Alexander Isak blasted a chance off target. Anthony Gordon also rolled an effort just wide of the post after the break and Isak headed wide of goal. Three points could have seen Newcastle move into the top six and Howe admitted his side need to learn from the match. “Yes, massive because the league is so tight that a couple of wins and the whole picture looks very different,” Howe said. “We’ll kick ourselves tonight because we knew the opportunity we had, a home game, Monday night, a great moment for us potentially in our season, so we have to learn from that and come back stronger.”Racist attacks against migrants have come in the wake of the deadly Christmas market attack in Magdeburg. Observers warn of Germany's extreme-right scene mobilizing over the incident. The motive of Talib A.*, the perpetrator of the deadly Christmas Market attack in Magdeburg , is still unclear. What has been confirmed is that he is a Saudi citizen and is in custody. Nonetheless, shortly after the attack, the extreme-right scene in Germany began to antagonize migrants. "I have never experienced such a hostile and threatening environment," said a student studying automotive engineering in Magdeburg, the state capital of Saxony-Anhalt . Salam, a violence prevention center in Saxony-Anhalt, gave a similar account. The association has observed a significant increase in incidents against people seen as foreigners by right-wing extremists. According to Salam, "perceived migrants are branded as 'terrorists,' 'criminals' and 'lowlifes,' some are pushed around and spat at." Threats have gone so far that migrant communities have warned each other in WhatsApp groups and on Facebook against going out in public. That the perpetrator of the Magdeburg attack is suspected of being an Islamophobe and a right-wing extremist is a paradox, Hans Goldenbaum, a radicalization expert at Salam, told German broadcaster MDR . "It shows the power of this right extreme discourse and how sealed off he is from reality." Magdeburg attack puts pressure on German security services To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Nationwide mobilization of right-wing extremists Since the Christmas market attack, extreme-right and neo-Nazi parties, associations and individuals have mobilized across Germany. They demand the mass deportation of migrants from the country. Hundreds of neo-Nazis gathered at an extreme-right rally in Magdeburg on Sunday, two days after the attack. The demonstration saw attacks on journalists. On Monday night, participants at a rally held by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) chanted, "Deport! Deport" Deport!" One of the speakers at a rally on Sunday was Thorsten Heise. The militant neo-Nazi has several previous convictions. He once tried to run over a refugee with his car. Videos of the rally show Heise calling on the demonstrators to infiltrate associations, fire departments and authorities. Journalists and observers reported that participants in the rally shouted "Wake up Germany," a phrase used during Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler . Its usage is a punishable offense in Germany. Politicization of the attack has already begun David Begrich, a right-wing extremism expert from the association Miteinander in Magdeburg, expects a broader politicization of the Christmas market attack . The AfD political party has organized large demonstrations in Magdeburg. Begrich strongly criticized the demonstrations, saying that the focus after the attack should remain on the five victims and the 200 others wounded. "I am witnessing great bewilderment and shock in Magdeburg," he told DW. "This attack has deeply wounded the city. That also applies to me personally: my wife was one of those injured." Begrich said he thinks no one should politicize the attack as long as there are victims in the hospital: "The fate of the victims must be the main focus. The reappraisal comes afterward. Communities do not want any politicization." Despite all the fake news, speculation and attempts at politicizing the deadly attack on social media, Begrich sees his city as truly affected, "The city is coming together." *Editor's note: DW follows the German press code, which stresses the importance of protecting the privacy of suspected criminals or victims and urges us to refrain from revealing the full names of alleged criminals. This article was originally published in German.House approves $895B defense bill with military pay raise, ban on transgender care for minors
OC Transpo is well below its punctuality targets for less frequent bus routes, data presented to the city's Transit Commission show. A presentation Monday showed that an average of one in every four buses that runs at a frequency of every 16 minutes or greater was not on time in the last year. OC Transpo has a target of having 85 per cent of bus trips arriving on time. Frequent routes, which arrive every 15 minutes or less, are more likely to be on time, but the 12-month average from October 2023 to October 2024 was 83 per cent, still below target. In October 2024, one out of every five frequent buses and three out of every 10 less frequent buses was late. The on-time performance for bus routes operating every 16+ minutes has typically been below the 85 per cent target for years. According to public data on OC Transpo's website, the 12-month average was 75.5 per cent in 2020, 76.1 per cent in 2021, and 72 per cent in 2022. The data was presented as the Transit Commission as councillors voted on the 2025 draft transit budget , which includes a five per cent fare increase and an eight per cent hike to the citywide transit levy. The budget also includes reduced or eliminated discounts for youth and seniors' fares, most notably a planned 120 per cent increase to the monthly pass for seniors. Councillors have presented motions to reduce the fare hike for seniors to 60 per cent from 120 per cent, or a proposal to set the seniors' pass at the same price as the EquiPass, $58.25 per month, effectively an 18 per cent fare increase. The transit system is facing a project $120 million deficit in 2025. In addition to increases to fares and the transit levy, the budget includes $36 million in "expected funding from senior levels of government," which has not been confirmed. Dozens of people signed up to speak at the meeting Monday, mostly in opposition to increasing fares for seniors and the U-Pass for post-secondary students. This story will be updated. Please check back later for new developments. Ottawa Top Stories FREEZING RAIN WARNING | 1 to 3 mm of freezing rain possible in Ottawa-Gatineau tonight OC Transpo well below punctuality targets on 'less frequent' routes Cargo ship runs aground in St. Lawrence River near Morrisburg, Ont. OC Transpo hands out 1,900 fines to riders not paying fares in 2 months $10k worth of cannabis stolen from Renfrew, Ont. store New GM appointed for Ottawa school bus authority Katy Perry coming to Ottawa next summer Police lay more charges against pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Ottawa CTVNews.ca Top Stories 'It's just not fair': Retirees speak out on being excluded from federal rebate cheques Carol Sheaves of Moncton, N.B., says it's not fair that retirees like her won't get the government's newly proposed rebate cheques. Sheaves was among the seniors who expressed their frustrations to CTVNews.ca about not being eligible for the $250 government benefit. Canada Post says progress 'limited' at negotiating table as strike continues Canada Post says they have made 'limited progress' with the union at the negotiating table 11 days after the strike began. Montreal mayor says Friday pro-Palestinian protests were taken over by 'professional vandals' Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante told journalists 'professional vandals' took over protests and smashed windows at the Palais des Congres. Justin Trudeau defends spending record on military amid fresh criticism Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is defending his government's record on supporting national defence, following fresh criticism that Canada is failing to live up to its NATO defence-spending commitments. CEOs demand changes to Liberals' military spending plan The federal government risks jeopardizing the economy unless it meets its NATO military alliance spending obligations within the next five years, says the Business Council of Canada. Warren Buffett gives away another US$1.1B, announces plans for distributing $147B fortune after death Investor Warren Buffett renewed his Thanksgiving tradition of giving by announcing plans Monday to hand more than US$1.1 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock to four of his family's foundations, and he offered new details about who will be handing out the rest of his fortune after his death. U.S. driver makes wrong turn to Canadian border, gets arrested for unlawfully possessing a gun A 62-year-old man from the U.S., who took a wrong turn to the Canadian border thanks to his GPS device, is now facing a firearms-related charge. Toronto mother now facing murder charge in death of four-month old baby Toronto police say they have charged a mother with second-degree murder following the death of her infant, who was found with critical injuries in midtown Toronto last week. 'Embarrassing:' NHL team ditches bus and walks to Scotiabank Arena amid gridlock The Utah Hockey Club got the full Toronto experience Sunday night ahead of their first-ever matchup against the Maple Leafs—bumper-to-bumper traffic that forced the team to walk to the game. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. Editor's Picks 27 Of The Absolute Best Stocking Stuffers For Men 24 Of The Best Host And Hostess Gifts You Can Find Online Right Now 21 Of The Absolute Best Stocking Stuffers For Kids (And They're All From Amazon Canada) Home Our Guide To The Best Nespresso Machines in Canada in 2024 (And Where to Get Them) Our Guide to the Best Jewellery Boxes You Can Find Online Right Now 16 Home Gadgets That'll Make Your Life Easier Gifts 19 Of The Best Tech Gifts Under $100 17 Gifts Your Husband Actually Wants 23 Gifts, Add-Ons, And Stocking Stuffers For Anyone Who Spends A Lot Of Time In Their Car Beauty 20 Anti-Aging Skincare Products That Reviewers Can’t Stop Talking About 12 Budget-Friendly Makeup Brushes And Tools Worth Adding To Your Kit If You Suffer From Dry Skin, You'll Want To Add At Least One Of These Hydrating Moisturizers To Your Cart Deals From Anthropologie To Adidas: Here Are The Best Early Black Friday Deals On Clothing And Accessories These Apple Products Are Majorly On Sale On Amazon Canada Right Now, So It Might Be Time To Upgrade Your Tech Black Friday Has Begun On Amazon Canada: Here Are The Best Deals Atlantic 'It's just not fair': Retirees speak out on being excluded from federal rebate cheques Carol Sheaves of Moncton, N.B., says it's not fair that retirees like her won't get the government's newly proposed rebate cheques. Sheaves was among the seniors who expressed their frustrations to CTVNews.ca about not being eligible for the $250 government benefit. Man charged with unsafe storage of a firearm in Tyson MacDonald homicide: RCMP A 61-year-old man is facing unsafe storage charges in connection with the homicide of 17-year-old Tyson MacDonald on P.E.I., last December. From cellphones to dentures: Inside Halifax Transit’s lost and found Every single item misplaced on a bus or ferry in the Halifax Regional Municipality ends up in a small office at the Halifax Transit Bridge Terminal in Dartmouth, N.S. Toronto Doug Ford government passes bill to limit bike lanes Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government has passed a controversial bill that will force municipalities to seek approval for installing new bike lanes on arterial roads and could see some existing lanes torn up. Toronto mother now facing murder charge in death of four-month old baby Toronto police say they have charged a mother with second-degree murder following the death of her infant, who was found with critical injuries in midtown Toronto last week. 'Embarrassing:' NHL team ditches bus and walks to Scotiabank Arena amid gridlock The Utah Hockey Club got the full Toronto experience Sunday night ahead of their first-ever matchup against the Maple Leafs—bumper-to-bumper traffic that forced the team to walk to the game. Montreal Montreal mayor says Friday pro-Palestinian protests were taken over by 'professional vandals' Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante told journalists 'professional vandals' took over protests and smashed windows at the Palais des Congres. Teen girls engage in more risky behaviour than boys: Quebec study Fewer young people in Quebec secondary schools are drinking alcohol, consuming sugary drinks and eating junk food, but not all their habits are improving. More of them are also inactive, taking action to change their weight and not eating breakfast before going to school, according to a recent study. 'Mixed bag' of wet weather headed to Montreal this week A 'mixed bag' of precipitation is in store for the Greater Montreal area, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada. Northern Ontario Elliot Lake, Ont., woman charged with choking neighbour's dog An intoxicated woman in Elliot Lake has been charged with breaking into her neighbour's apartment and choking their dog. Winter weather advisory in effect for most of northeastern Ont. Environment Canada has issued a winter weather advisory for areas in and around Greater Sudbury, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and Timmins. Drug bust after a suspect pointed handgun at victim at northern Ont. gas station Three people have been charged with numerous drug and weapons offences following an incident at a gas station in Bruce Mines, Ont., on Nov. 21. Windsor 'Active investigation' underway in Windsor Windsor police are on the scene of what's being called an, "active investigation." "Expect a sustained police presence in the area," read a post on social media. Alleged impaired mom found asleep at the wheel with two kids in the backseat Windsor police arrested two motorists for impaired driving in separate incidents over the weekend, including a mom with two small children in the backseat. Unknown man allegedly commits indecent act outside McKay Avenue home Windsor police are asking for the public’s help identifying a suspect who allegedly committed an indecent act outside a McKay Avenue home. London Three of five former junior hockey players in attendance for court proceedings Three of the five players from Canada's 2018 world junior hockey team, charged as part of a 2018 sexual assault investigation, appeared in a London court room on Monday. Stabbing and robbery being investigated by London police, 3 suspects wanted Around 1:15 a.m. on Sunday, police said three men on an ATV approached a man on his cell phone in the area of Hilton Avenue and Whiteny Street. Fatal crash reported in Huron County Around 6:20 a.m. on Saturday, emergency services responded to Harriston Road in Morris-Turnberry. When crews arrived, they saw a damaged SUV with one person inside. Kitchener Waterloo reviews most collision-prone areas to improve safety The City of Waterloo is trying to make its roads safer by putting together a report on some of the locations with the most crashes in the past five years. Driver warned after police receive complaints about car decked out in Christmas lights in Waterloo Drivers are being reminded not to take the holiday spirit too far after police received complaints about a distracting vehicle in Waterloo. Kitchener, Ont. doctor officially claims second Guinness World Record A Kitchener, Ont. emergency room doctor has officially earned his second Guinness World Records title. Barrie 'James deceived us,' Slain Collingwood, Ont. woman's family speak ahead of husband's sentencing James Schwalm sat in the prisoner’s box Monday morning weeping as friends and family members told the court about the devastation he caused when he murdered his wife, Ashley Milne, two years ago inside their Collingwood, Ont. home. Novice driver charged with speeding 95km/h over limit on Hwy 11 accused of being impaired A Thornhill resident accused of driving at a high rate of speed along Highway 11 in Muskoka while impaired faces charges. 2 women hospitalized after being struck by vehicle, police seek witnesses Police are investigating a collision in Newmarket that sent two women to the hospital over the weekend. Winnipeg Winnipeg police shoot, kill suspect after officer stabbed in the throat Manitoba’s police watchdog is investigating a deadly police shooting at Winnipeg's Unicity Shopping Centre Sunday evening. Mounties looking for missing car in connection with suspicious death Manitoba RCMP are looking for a missing car connected to an investigation into human remains discovered north of Winnipeg. $4.2M from feds to create Indigenous-led family care centre in Winnipeg A new Indigenous-led family care centre will be coming to Winnipeg, with more than $4.2 million for the project coming from the federal government. Calgary Alberta seeks to 'de-risk' oil, gas pipeline investments in wake of Trump victory Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government is looking for ways to encourage pipeline companies to boost capacity and increase Alberta's oil and gas export volumes to the U.S. Calgary's Green Line discussions focus on alignment Premier Danielle Smith says she is continuing to meet with Mayor Jyoti Gondek about Calgary's Green Line project and her government remains committed to bringing the line all the way to Seton. Court hearing legal arguments in sex assault case of five hockey players A London, Ont., judge is set to hear legal arguments today in the sexual assault case of five members of Canada's 2018 world junior hockey team. Edmonton Alberta seeks to 'de-risk' oil, gas pipeline investments in wake of Trump victory Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government is looking for ways to encourage pipeline companies to boost capacity and increase Alberta's oil and gas export volumes to the U.S. Alberta aiming to create test site to support new drilling technologies Alberta’s government says it will invest up to $50 million to support the creation of a first-in-Canada drilling test site to support technology development in the oil, gas, geothermal and lithium industries. Death of worker in Edmonton smokehouse leads to 26 charges against food processing company An Ontario-based food processing company is facing 26 charges under Alberta Occupational Health and Safety legislation in connection with the death of a worker at an Edmonton facility in 2023. Regina Sask. Party prioritizes affordability, civility with opposition in Throne Speech The Saskatchewan Party government said it will prioritize affordability in the coming months during its Throne Speech on Monday, that officially kicked off a short two-week sitting inside the legislature. Regina commits to clearing all 'high priority roads' of snow by Tuesday morning Following a second significant dump of snow in less than a week, the City of Regina says it plans to have all high priority roadways cleared by 7:00 a.m. Tuesday. Canada Post says progress 'limited' at negotiating table as strike continues Canada Post says they have made 'limited progress' with the union at the negotiating table 11 days after the strike began. Saskatoon Sask. Party prioritizes affordability, civility with opposition in Throne Speech The Saskatchewan Party government said it will prioritize affordability in the coming months during its Throne Speech on Monday, that officially kicked off a short two-week sitting inside the legislature. Saskatoon's second big snowfall in a week won't trigger emergency response: City City crews and contractors are at it again — clearing roadways after another major snowfall. Two dead after crash on Saskatchewan Highway 4 Two people are dead following a two-vehicle crash on Highway 4 Friday evening. Vancouver Canadian border agents seize 246 kilos of cocaine in B.C. Canadian border officials in British Columbia have seized nearly a quarter-tonne of cocaine that was coming into the province in three separate smuggling incidents in recent weeks, according to the agency. Vancouver Whitecaps drop head coach Vanni Sartini Two weeks after the Vancouver Whitecaps’ playoff run ended in the first round, the team has fired head coach Vanni Sartini. Orcas surprise ferry passengers in Vancouver's False Creek The people aboard a ferry in Vancouver were treated to a rare sight Sunday. Vancouver Island Canadian border agents seize 246 kilos of cocaine in B.C. Canadian border officials in British Columbia have seized nearly a quarter-tonne of cocaine that was coming into the province in three separate smuggling incidents in recent weeks, according to the agency. B.C. teen donates Taylor Swift tickets, raises $26K in charity raffle A dad and his 10-year-old daughter from Prince George, B.C., will be heading to the Eras Tour in Vancouver next month after winning highly coveted Taylor Swift tickets in a charity raffle. B.C. health minister promises revamped approach to overdose crisis after addictions portfolio scrapped British Columbia's new health minister says she's aiming for more treatment beds and fewer deaths in a revamped approach to the province's drug overdose crisis. Kelowna Man in hospital following targeted shooting in Kamloops Police are appealing for information on a targeted shooting that resulted in the hospitalization of a man in Kamloops. Police cleared of fault in fatal 2023 crash in B.C.'s Interior British Columbia's independent police watchdog has cleared officers of wrongdoing in a crash where three people were killed south of Kamloops in July of last year. B.C. woman sentenced for stealing $14K in funds raised for schoolkids A B.C. woman who stole more than $14,000 in volunteer-raised funds that were supposed to be spent on school supplies and programs – including hot meals for vulnerable kids – won't spend any time in jail. Stay Connectedurban-gro, Inc. Receives Nasdaq Notification of Non-Compliance with Listing Rule 5250(c)(1)
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The Federal Railroad Administration, a branch of the U.S. Department of Transportation, has awarded $49.7 to support the proposed high-speed train across the Pacific Northwest, a group of Washington legislators announced in a press release last week. The long-discussed rail project would provide train service between Portland, Oregon, Seattle, and Vancouver, British Columbia, at speeds reaching 250 mph. In the press release, state legislators said passengers would be able to travel between Seattle and Portland in under an hour. "The Cascadia corridor is home to 10 million people and growing—bringing high speed rail speed to the region will be transformative, allowing Washingtonians to travel much faster and more easily between Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, and communities in between," Senator Patty Murray stated in the press release. While the award is a boon for the project, it will only cover the planning phase. "This federal award is an important step forward for the Cascadia High-Speed Rail project and will support critical planning, community engagement, and initial design activities," Murray stated. Still, a Washington State Department of Transportation spokesperson said the funding will go a long way towards making the project a reality. "I think it gives it a strong likelihood, as long as the programs continue to be supported, and there's a lot of support," WSDOT Cascadia High-Speed Rail and Interstate 5 Program Administrator Ron Pate told McClatchy in a phone call. According to the press release, the money from the award will be used to determine the best route for the railroad, identify long-term construction projects that it would require and fund community outreach efforts. Officials will now begin working with residents of the region, including tribes, to come up with a plan for the high-speed rail. "This funding will enable the state to work with locals to develop the best possible high-speed passenger rail route and someday give Washingtonians the option to skip the highway and reach their destination faster," Sen. Cantwell stated in the press release. According to DOT's Pate, the funding will allow the project to move to its second phase. "First, we were awarded in the [Corridor Identification and Development] program, $500,000 to work through step one. And in step one, you develop the scope, schedule and budget to do the service development plan, to really look at how this system would function in two countries and two states," Pate said. With the new funding, Pate said the team working on the project can start developing the plan itself. "The service development plan work can start now, we've obligated those funds," Pate said. "So our team is getting ready to go right after the first of the year to start doing a project management plan for that, and then work through the tasks that FRA (Federal Railroad Administration) has required for a service development plan." While Pate said there isn't a set timeline for the project as a whole, he estimates that this next step will take four to five years. While the goal of the project is to connect the Portland, Seattle and Vancouver metropolitan areas, it would also include "points between and beyond," according to WSDOT. Cascadia Rail, a nonprofit that advocates for the project, mentions potential stops in Kelso, Centralia, Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle, Everett, Mount Vernon and Bellingham in its preliminary map of the project. In the meantime, there are other train options currently in the region, though they don't run as quickly or go as far. Amtrak Cascades features six stops between Portland and Seattle — Vancouver, Kelso-Longview , Centralia, Olympia-Lacey, Tacoma and Tukwila. It also stops in Edmonds, Everett, Stanwood, Mount Vernon and Bellingham on the way to British Columbia. The high-speed rail would presumably have fewer stops in order to ensure faster travel speeds, although some of those areas will likely see stops as well. Commuter train Sound Transit features 12 Sounder light rail stops between Everett and Lakewood, including Seattle, Puyallup and Tacoma. In addition to making travel more convenient, proponents of the project argue that it would increase economic activity and travel across different parts of the Pacific Northwest, while reducing carbon emissions and traffic along I-5. "Connecting the Cascadia region with modern, efficient transportation will create jobs, boost economic growth, and reduce emissions, all while making travel faster and more convenient," Congresswoman Suzan DelBene stated in the press release. A 2019 WSDOT analysis estimated that the rail line would serve between 1.7 and 3.1 million riders a year once it opens, while creating $355 million in economic growth for the region in the long run and reducing carbon emissions by six million metric in its first four decades. According to reporting in the Urbanist, polling indicates that the project has relatively widespread support although it does have some opponents who are worried about its cost. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Election 2024: Taoiseach 'can't commit' to decriminalising cannabis
This Christmas song never seems to die, still number 1, 40 years laterNutanix to Present at Upcoming Investor Conference
A Merrimack County Superior Court judge delivered an early-but-significant victory to Attorney General John Formella’s sweeping lawsuit that accuses Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, of using marketing methods that mentally and physically harm young children. Lawyers for Meta had moved to dismiss the suit Formella brought last October, but denial of that motion means the five-count claim will go forward. Judge John Kissinger cited the clout of these platforms in making a critical finding that the state has “sovereign interest” and jurisdiction over Meta’s designs due to the potential impact on the mental health of young people. “13.49% of the under-eighteen population are active monthly Facebook users and 35% are active monthly Instagram users,” Kissinger wrote in a detailed 56-page ruling. “Teenagers in New Hampshire have also suffered from declining mental health since 2011. The state has an interest in protecting the mental health of its youngest population. The court sees no reason to distinguish between physical and mental health in this context.” In another key decision, Kissinger said the First Amendment gave Meta no immunity from lawsuit because the state was targeting the design of the platform and not the specific content on social media. He also decided that the product liability and consumer protection laws applied in this case because the design of the platform was by itself a commercial product. “Thus, because Meta has designed a product, placed that product in the stream of commerce, marketed it, and profited from it, Meta has a duty to reasonably design the Social Media Platforms,” Kissinger ruled. The decision also rejected Meta’s argument it was exempt from liability under the federal Communications Decency Act because the suit targets the company’s design of addictive features of its apps and not as a publisher of content. “This ruling is the first step toward holding Meta accountable for its actions in New Hampshire. This is a clear victory for the people of New Hampshire, particularly our children, who are increasingly vulnerable to the addictive and harmful features embedded in social media platforms,” Formella said in a statement. “Meta’s business model thrives by exploiting teenagers’ attention, and today’s decision sends a message that the court will allow the State’s case seeking accountability from the social media giant for its harmful conduct to proceed.” Earlier in 2023, 33 other attorneys general brought a similar joint action against Meta in a California federal court, charging the company with hooking young children on their platforms, which prosecutors maintain has led to higher rates of anxiety, depression and insomnia. New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Vermont are among eight states and the District of Columbia that brought their own suits in state courts. “New Hampshire will not stand by while our children’s mental and emotional health is put at risk for the sake of profit,” Formella added. Meta is the world’s largest social media company. Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram each has more than a billion users. Last June, the state brought a similar suit against the makers of TikTok, the wildly popular platform that allows users to create, share and distribute short videos. Gov. Chris Sununu said these suits were Formella’s response to the executive order he signed in the spring of 2023 that directed state agencies to develop curriculum aimed at reducing social media harms. klandrigan@unionleader.comVancouver-based bookkeeping service Bench Accounting has announced its sudden closure, putting hundreds of staff out of work and forcing clients to seek alternatives just days from the end of the year. The company that has described itself as North America’s largest bookkeeping service for small businesses posted a “notice of service closure” on its website. It said that as of Friday the platform was “no longer accessible.” “We know this news is abrupt and may cause disruption, so we’re committed to helping Bench customers navigate through the transition,” it said. Bench has previously said it had more than 600 employees, more than 12,000 U.S.-based customers and had received investor funding of US$113 million. It said it moved to Vancouver and changed its name to Bench in 2013, having started out in 2012 as 10sheet Inc in the U.S. Calls to Bench’s Vancouver office went to voice mail and did not immediately receive a response. B.C.‘s Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Diana Gibson said in a statement Friday that “our thoughts go out to the people who have lost their jobs, especially during the holidays.” “It’s disappointing any time we hear of a business closing ... as this is a private business, I don’t have any information about why it’s closing,” she said. She added that B.C. had a “strong financial tech sector,” and the government would continue to support those businesses. Bench’s website said customers would be told how to access their data by Dec. 30, and that the material would be available for download until March 7. ”(You’ll) be able to enter your Bench login credentials to download your current and prior year-end financials, as well as any documents you’ve uploaded such as receipts and bank statements,” it said. It said customers should file for a tax extension to get extra time to find a new bookkeeper to file their taxes. The company’s former CEO and co-founder Ian Crosby released a statement on social media on Friday, saying he was “very sad” about the closure. But Crosby, who said he was ousted by the company’s board about three years ago, said there was a lesson in the fate of the company. “I hope the story of Bench goes on to become a warning for VCs (venture capitalists) that think they can ‘upgrade’ a company by replacing the founder. It never works,” he said. The University of British Columbia Sauder Business School alumnus said he had been avoiding speaking publicly about Bench since his exit, but wanted to make a statement in light of the company’s demise. He said that in 2021 he had been battling with some board members over their strategy for a “new direction” that he thought was a “very bad idea.” “Rather than continuing to fight with me, they opted to just replace me, thinking that they could run the company better themselves,” he said. “I was totally convinced that their approach would destroy the company. I opted to resign rather than fight.” Kaz Nejatian, COO of Bench investor Shopify, agreed with Crosby. “Bad investors destroyed a great Canadian company by replacing the founder with so-called professionals,” Nejatian said on social media platform X. Other bookkeeping companies were quick to reach out to Bench’s former clients, with rivals such as Acuity and Better Bookkeeping making reference to Bench’s closure in social media pitches. Rival companies also commented on complaints by Bench clients, offering their services. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 27, 2024.
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