Elon Musk announced on Friday that X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, will dramatically limit the ability of users to block other accounts, a move that critics say will allow harassment to flourish on the platform. “Block is going to be deleted as a ‘feature’, except for DMs [direct messages],” Mr Musk wrote in a post on X on Friday. “It makes no sense.” Critics quickly pounced on the move. “I thought the old Twitter was a pretty negative force for American society, I’m glad it was ‘disrupted’, but removing the ability to block will just encourage the kind of pile-ons that made it bad,” wrote journalist Nate Silver in an X post. Monica Lewinsky wrote a post of her own tagging Mr Musk and X CEO Linda Yaccarino, saying, “please rethink removing the block feature. as an anti-bullying activist (and target of harassment) i can assure you it’s a critical tool to keep people safe online. - that woman.” Even some X investors like Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao seemed sceptical. “X should really solve the bots & spam problems before removing blocks,” he wrote on X. “Just my 0.02.” As X users flagged in a community note, the removal of the blocking feature, which allows X users to block certain accounts from appearing in their feeds or being visible to others interacting with their content, could run afoul of the policies of the Apple and Google app stores. “It’s a downward spiral that cannot be good for the long term success of X,” Louis Jones of the Brand Safety Institute told CNBC. The potential change to the policy is the latest tweak Mr Musk has made to the service since taking it over last year. Earlier this week, users noticed the X logo had changed on Apple operating systems, appearing with a grunge-style effect over the company’s X symbol. “The cracks & scratches better represent this product that I love,” Mr Musk wrote of the new design. The concern over changing the block feature follows a report from The Washington Post that X has been throttling traffic to news sites and competitors. Read More Elon Musk says ability to block other X accounts may be removed in future Elon Musk’s X now sorts posts on accounts based on number of likes, not by chronology Elon Musk’s Twitter slows down access to rival websites X now sorts posts on accounts based on number of likes, not by chronology Musk’s Twitter takeover sparks mass exodus of climate experts Elon Musk’s Twitter slows down access to rival websites

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 25, 2023--

By Shashwat Chauhan (Reuters) -European shares reversed earlier losses on Wednesday, helped by a jump in insurers after positive results

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has accused referees of stealing the spotlight from players following last weekend’s VAR controversy in the Premier League. The 52-year-old has sympathised with rivals Liverpool after the Reds had a goal against Tottenham incorrectly disallowed for offside following a VAR review. It was arguably the most contentious of all decisions taken since the technology was introduced and prompted the Merseyside club to issue a strong statement saying “sporting integrity” had been undermined. Guardiola is concerned that such incidences are detracting from the game’s main actors. He said: “I understand completely how upset Liverpool must be in that case. “They will have to find a system where the main roles are the players and the game itself. In all the countries, not just here. The referees and the VARs are the leading roles. And the Oscar goes to. “They have to make a step back, be more humble and leave the players to do what they have to do, and they will be better.” Guardiola did not have any suggestions himself on how the system could be improved. “I am not a professional at that,” the Spaniard said. “I rely on the people and we have to apply it as best as possible. I am not involved and I don’t care. They will have to find a system where the main roles are the players and the game itself. In all the countries, not just here. The referees and the VARs are the leading roles. And the Oscar goes to. They have to make a step back, be more humble and leave the players to do what they have to do, and they will be better Pep Guardiola on referees “Everyone knows they made a mistake and Liverpool suffered the big consequence of that. In this type of game it is so important. But, no worries, the consequences will dictate the players and the managers.” Guardiola was speaking to the media via a Zoom call after City were forced to rearrange their travel plans for Wednesday’s Champions League game at RB Leipzig. He had been due to hold a pre-match press conference at the RB Arena on arrival on Tuesday afternoon but their flight was rescheduled for evening due to strong winds in the German city. Guardiola brushed off the impact of the disruption ahead of the Group G encounter. He said: “It’s no problem. That it’s safe to fly and land, that’s the important thing.” John Stones and Bernardo Silva were due to travel with the squad having recently returned to training following injury. Stones has not played since the Community Shield due to a thigh problem while Silva has missed the last three games with a knock. Guardiola said: “They feel better, Bernardo better than John. Both travel and we’ll decide tomorrow. We’re really happy they’re back.” Rodri, who still has one game of a domestic suspension to serve, will feature before being given time off ahead of the upcoming international break. The Spain midfielder was sorely missed in last weekend’s defeat at Wolves and his absence will again be felt at Arsenal on Sunday but Guardiola hopes some good can come from the situation. He said: “You always have to take the positive. Rodri’s going to play the game tomorrow and then I’ll give him a rest, go to the Maldives for four or five days before joining the national team.” Guardiola, wearing a black armband, also paid tribute to former City player and chairman Francis Lee, who died this week. He said: “We are here (because of) people like Franny Lee, Mike Summerbee, Colin Bell, part of the generation that created a part of this organisation, this club. “On behalf of the team, to his wife and all the family, a huge hug.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Reece Topley ‘undercooked’ as England prepare for World Cup opener Jonathan Humphreys urges Wales not to ‘go off-script’ against Georgia Pep Guardiola says Manchester City flight to Leipzig being delayed ‘no problem’

A convicted murderer who is suspected of slaughtering dozens of other women was found dead in his Texas jail cell early Tuesday, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The TDCJ said Billy Chemirmir’s cellmate was identified as the assailant. Billy Chemirmir was found guilty of capital murder in October 2022 in the death of 87-year-old Mary Brooks. His first case for another murder ended in a mistrial.

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In Pokémon Scarlet And Violet, unlike the evolution stones, the King’s Rock is also a hold item you can give to your Pokémon.

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