Facebook behemoth Meta officially will launch Threads, its text-based rival to Twitter, on Wednesday -- but its release in Europe has...

From developing his own Squid Game to giving out thousands of dollars to complete strangers, MrBeast has done it all

BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023 Challengers Stage results live and up-to-date at the final CS:GO Major.

Meta said it will start allowing users to delete or deactivate their Threads accounts without also closing down their Instagram accounts. Instagram boss Adam Mosseri said in a Threads post that the change is rolling out on the platform. Threads was launched in the summer as a rival to Twitter, with Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg hoping to scoop up Twitter users unhappy with Elon Musk’s changes to and management of the app, which is now known as X. Despite early success, with millions of people signing up, many voiced their frustration due to Threads requiring an Instagram account to complete registration, which also meant anyone wishing to delete their Threads account also had to shut down their Instagram account. We heard feedback that you want more control over the experience, so we’re rolling out a way to opt out of being featured outside Threads Instagram boss Adam Mosseri Mr Mosseri said in the weeks after launch that Meta was looking to changing the requirement, and in a post to Threads, the Instagram boss confirmed a new option in the app’s settings will enable users to close their Threads profile only. He said the update is “based on feedback from our Threads community”. He said a second update is also rolling out to users, which will allow them to switch off a recent feature that sees Threads post also appear on the feeds of other Meta apps – Facebook and Instagram. “We heard feedback that you want more control over the experience, so we’re rolling out a way to opt out of being featured outside Threads,” Mr Mosseri said.

A study of 150 stones dating back 1.4m years shows early humans were deliberately crafting spherical shapes – but nobody knows why. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem made findings after analysing the limestone balls which were unearthed in Ubeidiya, a dig site in Israel’s Jordan Rift Valley. Scientists have previously speculated that the stones, which were discovered in the 1960s and serve no discernable purpose, became round after being used as hammers. But the university’s team reconstructed the steps required to create the so-called spheroids and found they were part of a “preconceived goal to make a sphere”. The researchers used 3D analysis to retrace how they were made based on the markings and geometry of the spheroids. They concluded that the objects were intentionally “knapped”, the technique used to shape stone by hitting it with other objects. Antoine Muller, a researcher at the university’s Institute of Archaeology, said: “The main significance of the findings is that these spheroids from ‘Ubeidiya appear to be intentionally made, with the goal of achieving a sphere. “This suggests an appreciation of geometry and symmetry by hominins 1.4 million years ago.” Early humans clearly had some reason for making the balls, but what exactly that is remains a mystery. He said: “We still can’t be confident about what they were used for. A lot of work needs to be done to narrow down their functionality.” Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Selena Gomez is the latest celebrity meme template after an image of her looking cosy in a blanket when viral online. It all started when a photo of the singer and Only Murders in the Building star wrapped in a blanket and as she stared off into the distance in a candid shot that looked both mysterious and dramatic. The snap was shared on the Instagram Story of her friend Dominic J West but soon found its way on social media as it became the new viral meme on X, formerly known as Twitter. The photo below is the one that has everyone meme-ing: Here is a round-up of the best memes: The meme has become so viral that it has managed to reach Gomez who was able to laugh at herself and the different memes from her candid photo - so much so that she even shared some to her Instagram Stories - here are the two she shared: Good to see she's loving the people's creativity with the meme. Elsewhere, 26 of the funniest memes about Trump's latest indictment, the funniest Kane memes as he completes Bayern Munich transfer, and ‘Girl Math’ is the funniest money meme of 2023. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Former employees of Twitter Africa who were laid off as part of a global cost-cutting measure after Elon Musk's acquisition have not received any severance pay more than seven months since leaving the company, several sources told CNN.

xQc explained that while moving is a laborious process, it also helps an individual develop some crucial skill sets

A solar storm predicted to hit Earth on Friday (December 1) may cause internet blackouts, according to forecasters. Radio and GPS could also be affected due to the solar storm, also known as a coronal mass ejection (CME), which is caused by interference with Earth’s magnetic field. "A Direct Hit! The impressive #solarstorm launched in the Earth-strike zone has been modeledmodelled by NASA," space weather physicist Dr Skov posted on Twitter/X. "The storm is predicted to hit Earth by midday December 1. Along with two earlier storms already en route means we have a 1,2,3-punch. If the magnetic field is oriented correctly, expect #aurora to reach deep into mid-latitudes." She added: "Amateur #radio & #GPS reception issues are likely, especially on Earth's nightside. G3+ conditions are possible with this storm series." A solar storm can have substantial effects on the Earth, taking place when the sun emits powerful bursts of energy which come from solar flares and CME that contain charged plasma. During which, a stream of an electromagnetic field is directed towards Earth and this causes the aurora borealis. Three solar storms were predicted to advance towards Earth – and some may merge, resulting in increased disruptions to Earth’s magnetic field, according to The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). “Along with two earlier storms already en route [this] means we have a 1,2,3-punch,” Dr Skov said. Consequently, she added there are “excellent chances” of strong G3-level magnetic storms and auroras on Earth. The way the strength of a solar storm is measured is with the letter G and then a number system from 1-5 (1 being the weakest, to 5 being the strongest). So a G3 level storm means radio, internet and GPS could be affected due to the strength of these events. Solar storms are also known to cause electrical grids and knock out satellites, depending on their strength. Meanwhile, experts have warned the solar storm thought to occur today may impact communication systems in high latitudes. “With 3 CMEs already inbound, the addition of a 4th, full halo CME has prompted SWPC forecasters to upgrade the G2 Watch on 01 Dec to a G3 Watch. This faster-moving halo CME is progged to merge with 2 of the 3 upstream CMEs, all arriving at Earth on 01 Dec,” the NOAA said. “G3 (strong) conditions are now likely on 01 Dec,” it added. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Steam Decks are getting price cuts! Here's where you can buy one.

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 16, 2023--

Elon Musk on Wednesday launched his own artificial intelligence company, xAI, as he seeks to compete with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT -- a program he accuses of...