TikTok has uncovered and shut down a secretive operation to influence Irish users and whip up social conflict. The covert influence operation (CIO) network comprised 72 accounts with a total following of almost 95,000 users. The video sharing platform’s work to find and remove the accounts was detailed in a report to the European Commission. TikTok is a signatory of an EU code of practice aimed at combatting disinformation and misinformation online. Ireland from March to June 2023" data-source=""> The latest report covered the timespan from January to June this year. “The network targeted Irish audiences,” TikTok said of the CIO in Ireland. “The individuals behind this network created inauthentic accounts; hyper-posted content with divisive views related to nationalism in Ireland, Japan, Russia, and Taiwan; and hyper-posted comments with similar low-quality content in an attempt to redirect TikTok users off-platform and to intensify social conflict.” TikTok moved against similar covert influence operations in Russia, Poland and Germany. The report also revealed that from March to June 2023, TikTok removed 67,013 fake accounts in Ireland. Those accounts were followed by 296,274 users. In the first half of the year, TikTok removed 218,158 fake followers on accounts in Ireland and prevented 26,034,349 fake follow attempts. There were also 144 accounts banned under TikTok’s impersonation policies. A total of 2,165 videos were removed in Ireland because of violation of harmful misinformation policy. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Spotify will not ban all AI-powered music, says boss of streaming giant Vehicle scam reports surged by 74% in the first half of 2023, says Lloyds Bank Standard Life confirms plans for pensions dashboard

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It has been quite a few weeks for Jarrod Bowen – the family man and England international who welcomed twin daughters into the world last month before delivering Europa League Conference success for West Ham. Described by his first boss as a “manager’s dream”, Bowen’s last-minute winner in a closely-fought final against Fiorentina on Wednesday night provided an unforgettable end to West Ham’s 43-year wait for a major trophy. The 26-year-old, whose partner is reality TV star Dani Dyer, has a down-to-earth demeanour which has seen him become a firm favourite among team-mates and the club’s supporters since he relocated to London in 2020. “The best moment of my career” was how Bowen summed up the 90th minute at Prague’s Fortuna Arena when he latched on to a through-ball and beat the press to run in on goal and finish coolly to clinch a 2-1 victory and get manager David Moyes dancing. Exactly a year earlier, the former Hereford and Hull player had come off the bench for England in their Nations League draw away to Germany. It was his second cap in a number of days following a first international call-up after a fine season for the Hammers. The World Cup was in sight for a man who had never been capped at any age-group level, but it was not to be, another career setback that Bowen would use as fuel to keep moving forward. “I am disappointed I didn’t go to the World Cup, but three years ago I was playing for Hull City in the Championship. You have to look at it in different ways,” he said after missing the cut for Qatar. “It’s about your mindset and the person you are to keep going and know what you can do. It’s just been about keeping going, never hide from it, never slump and keep always looking forward.” Bowen featured in every Premier League game for West Ham this season, struggling, as much of the team did, in the early stages of the campaign. But this is a forward fired up by unsuccessful trials at Aston Villa and Cardiff, determined to prove he is still worth being in the conversation when Gareth Southgate and Steve Holland pick their next England squad. Peter Beadle worked with Bowen in the Hereford academy and took him along for the ride when he was appointed manager of the first team. Bowen’s rise to European trophy success will not have come as a shock to his old boss. “He’s done nothing but go from strength to strength since and I’m not surprised one bit,” he told West Ham’s website when Bowen completed his move to the London Stadium in 2020. “He’s a very humble human being. He comes from a very strong footballing background with his dad and he’s had a great upbringing. He’s honest and hard-working – a manager’s dream really.” Last month Bowen announced the arrival of twin daughters with his partner Dyer, whose actor father Danny Dyer would have been just as jubilant when he saw Bowen run through on Wednesday night to win a trophy for his beloved Hammers. Bowen is one of the most popular members of the West Ham dressing room but one of its quieter players. However, actions spoke far louder than words when he tucked home past Pietro Terracciano to secure his place as a West Ham hero. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Paul McGinley: PGA Tour players will feel like the losers out of golf merger Declan Rice set to leave West Ham after Europa Conference League success Women’s World Cup win would earn England’s players more than £200,000 each

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MARLTON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 5, 2023--

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Pep Guardiola is recovering well from his recent back operation, Manchester City assistant boss Juanma Lillo has said. The City manager is currently out of action after undergoing surgery last week but is expected to return after the upcoming international break. Lillo took charge of the side for the treble winners’ Premier League trip to Sheffield United last week and remains at the helm for Saturday’s visit of Fulham. “I speak very regularly with him, not just in footballing terms but professional terms,” Lillo said at a press conference on Friday. “He’s much better and things are taking place in the way that they should do. All of us are delighted and are really looking forward to him getting back.” Lillo was in contact with Guardiola throughout City’s victory at Bramall Lane last Sunday and during preparations for this weekend’s encounter. “It’s the same as the previous game,” said Lillo. “With Pep there would be more energy but we’re in contact with him all the time. “We share our responsibilities well, we have our roles very well defined by him and we will continue on the right path but he obviously continues to have input. “We’re not quite finished in our preparation for the game.” Defender John Stones is nearing a return to action after a thigh injury. The England international was expected to be sidelined until after the international break but Lillo has delivered a positive update on his condition. Phil Foden and Manuel Akanji have recovered from illness but Kevin De Bruyne is a long-term absentee. Lillo said: “Phil is completely recovered from his illness, Manu’s problem was more for prevention rather than anything serious. He’s more or less there and John is more or less there as well.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live AZ Alkmaar among Aston Villa’s opponents in Europa Conference League group stage Rasmus Hojlund fit to make Manchester United debut at Arsenal – Erik ten Hag Liverpool reject £150m Mohamed Salah bid as Brighton sign Barcelona’s Ansu Fati

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Catalina Usme scored the only goal as Colombia kept their Women's World Cup charge on track Tuesday by beating Jamaica 1-0 to secure a maiden...