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Anne Hathaway, 43, Stays Private About Health Matters

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In a recent conversation with Harper’s Bazaar, Anne Hathaway gracefully sidestepped any detailed discussions about her medical history when the topic of her ageless appearance came up.

The acclaimed actress, known for her roles in films such as The Devil Wears Prada, did, however, attribute her striking looks to some lifestyle choices. She credited her decision to abstain from alcohol and her use of Shiseido skincare products, for which she is a brand ambassador, as contributing factors to her radiant appearance.

This commentary follows a wave of speculation from fans, who have suggested that the 43-year-old might have undergone a facelift, attributing her youthful glow to surgical enhancements. These rumors gained traction after Hathaway appeared on the red carpet late last year, looking remarkably youthful, reminiscent of someone in their twenties rather than their forties.

Despite the ongoing chatter, Hathaway has never publicly confirmed any cosmetic procedures. Back in 2008, she did acknowledge feeling the pressure to fit Hollywood’s beauty standards, admitting that she once contemplated a nose job in her younger years. However, she has maintained silence on the subject of any recent surgeries, allowing her natural beauty and personal choices to speak for themselves.

The Oscar-winner has never said anything to suggest she has gone under the knife, though in 2008 she stated she felt pressure to be ‘cookie-cutter beautiful’ when she was younger and had even considered a nose job.

However, in a 2024 interview with Vogue France, Hathaway said that asking about surgery is ‘an extremely intimate question’ and expressed that she doesn’t judge what other actors do, stating, ‘Whatever means they find to not live crushed by shame or a lack of self-confidence… I say bravo.’

Anne Hathaway did not want to 'discuss medical information' in her new interview with Harper's Bazaar when her youthful looks were mentioned

Anne Hathaway did not want to ‘discuss medical information’ in her new interview with Harper’s Bazaar when her youthful looks were mentioned

The Hollywood icon did credit her decision to stop drinking alcohol and using Shiseido products - she's a brand ambassador - for her amazing appearance

The Hollywood icon did credit her decision to stop drinking alcohol and using Shiseido products – she’s a brand ambassador – for her amazing appearance

And in the past she has denied ever taking injections. 

In a 2010 interview, she said she did not want Botox because she liked her face to ‘reflect a personality’ and keep the same smile she had as a child.

Despite never confirming any procedures, her youthful appearance has consistently led to speculation from fans and plastic surgeons.

This reached a fever pitch in late 2025 when publications suggested she had ‘tweakments’ like Botox, fillers or a ‘ponytail lift.’

Hathaway told the new issue of Harper’s Bazaar that she struggles with her body.

‘Some days you look in the mirror and you’re just like, “Not bad,”‘ she said.

‘And some days you look in the mirror and you’re like, “What?” And I was having a “What?” day,’ she said.

This comes after fans insisted the 43-year-old actress - who is now starring in The Devil Wears Prada 2 - looks so young because she had a facelift; seen at the Oscars

This comes after fans insisted the 43-year-old actress – who is now starring in The Devil Wears Prada 2 – looks so young because she had a facelift; seen at the Oscars

In a 2024 interview with Vogue France , Hathaway suggested that asking about surgery is 'an extremely intimate question' and expressed that she doesn't judge what other actors do

In a 2024 interview with Vogue France , Hathaway suggested that asking about surgery is ‘an extremely intimate question’ and expressed that she doesn’t judge what other actors do

‘And you know how you have your aspirational swimsuit that you keep around, just in case you have a good day? And then you have your swimsuit that’s got you no matter what? I accidentally packed the aspirational swimsuit.

‘Which I then had to wear on a “What?” day. So, I’m ready to have this great day with my family. And I am going to be in front of strangers, and people have phones. And all of the things.

‘But my family is waiting for me. And I looked and I just went, “What?” And then I looked again and I said, “You are 43.” And looking at a 43-year-old body, I was like, “Nice.”

‘When I was expecting to see something that I am not, I felt insecure. But when I actually looked at what it actually is, I was okay with it,’ she added.

‘I think you realize that worry should be reserved for the really big stuff,’ she told Bazaar.

But she said she is happier now than when she was younger. 

‘I think that very often, conversations about aging presume that the first part of life is the happiest and the most fulfilling, and I don’t necessarily think that’s true,’ Hathaway said. ‘I wasn’t expecting to find another gear at 40.’ 

Heroic Georgia Man Honored with Prestigious Award for Sacrificing Life to Save Family on Pawleys Island


PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. (WBTW) — A heroic Georgia man who tragically lost his life while saving six individuals from a rip current at Pawleys Island is being recognized with a distinguished national accolade.

Anderson “Chase” Childers has been posthumously awarded the esteemed Carnegie Medal for Heroism. He is among 18 recipients honored with this prestigious recognition, which represents the highest civilian accolade for heroism in North America.

Childers, a devoted husband and father of three, was on vacation at Pawleys Island last July when he responded to cries for help from a group caught in the treacherous current.

“His instincts as a first responder took over, and he immediately rushed into the water to assist,” recounted Michael Fanning, the Chief of Police at Pawleys Island.

In the wake of Childers’ passing, a GoFundMe initiative launched a week later garnered nearly $250,000. His untimely death has spurred family members to advocate for enhanced water safety training and educational programs.

“As a devoted husband and father, he displayed extraordinary courage and selflessness. In a heroic act, he saved a family of five in a moment of crisis in Pawleys Island on Sunday afternoon, putting their lives above his own,” the GoFundMe page says. “Tragically, after giving everything he had to save them, he was unable to stay above water as the rip tide swept him away, ultimately paying the highest sacrifice with his life in front of his three children and wife.”

The Carnegie Medal is given throughout the U.S. and Canada to those who enter extreme danger while saving or attempting to save the lives of others. With this announcement, the Carnegie Medal has been awarded to 10,563 individuals since the inception of the Pittsburgh-based Fund in 1904. Each of the recipients or their survivors will receive a financial grant. Throughout the 122 years since the fund was established by industrialist-philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, $46 million has been given in one-time grants, scholarship aid, death benefits, and continuing assistance.

Landmark Ruling Holds Meta and Google Accountable in Social Media Addiction Lawsuit

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In brief

  • A Los Angeles ‌jury has found Meta and Alphabet’s Google liable for damages in a landmark social media addiction lawsuit.
  • The case involves a 20-year-old woman who said she became addicted to Google’s YouTube and Meta’s Instagram at a young age.

A jury in Los Angeles has held Meta and Alphabet’s Google accountable for damages in a pivotal legal battle over social media addiction. This case sets a precedent that could impact numerous similar lawsuits targeting these tech giants.

The ruling might signal a significant shift in the global response to the alleged negative effects of social media platforms on young people’s mental health, over two decades since these platforms began to dominate.

The court ordered Meta to pay $4.2 million USD (approximately $6 million AUD) and Google $1.8 million USD (around $2.59 million AUD) in damages. Although these sums are relatively modest for companies of such immense value, the implications of the verdict are substantial.

Meta is responsible for covering 70% of the total damages, with Google accountable for the remaining 30%.

The lawsuit was brought forward by a 20-year-old woman who claims she became addicted to YouTube and Instagram at an early age, due to the platforms’ engaging and attention-capturing design.

The jury concluded that Google and Meta were ‌negligent in the design ‌of both apps ⁠and failed to warn about their dangers.

“Today’s verdict is a referendum — from a jury, to an entire industry — that accountability has arrived,” the plaintiff’s lead counsel said in a statement.

Shares of Meta closed 0.3 per cent higher, and Alphabet shares finished 0.2 per cent higher, following the verdict and damages awards.

Meta disagrees with the verdict and its lawyers are “evaluating our legal options”, a company spokesperson said.

Google plans to appeal, company spokesperson José Castañeda said.

He said the verdict misrepresents YouTube, “which is a responsibly built streaming platform, not a social media site”.

The plaintiffs in the Los Angeles proceeding focused on platform design rather than content, making it harder for the companies to avert liability.

Snapchat owner Snap and TikTok ⁠were also defendants in the trial.

Both settled with the plaintiff before it ‌began. Terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

Mounting criticism against social media companies

Large technology companies in the United States have faced mounting criticism in the last decade over child and teen safety.

The debate has now ‌shifted to courts and state governments.

The US Congress has declined to pass comprehensive legislation regulating social media.

At least 20 US states enacted laws last year on social media usage and children, according to the nonpartisan National Conference of State Legislatures, an organisation that tracks state laws.

The legislation includes bills that regulate the use of mobile phones in schools and require users to verify their ages to open a social media account.

NetChoice, a trade association backed by tech companies such as Meta and Google, is seeking to invalidate age verification requirements in ‌court.

A separate social media addiction case brought by several US states and school districts against technology companies is expected to go to trial this year in federal court in Oakland, California.

Another state trial is slated to begin in Los Angeles in July, said Matthew Bergman, one of the lawyers leading the cases for the plaintiffs.

It will involve Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat.

Separately, this week a New Mexico jury found Meta violated state law in a lawsuit brought by the state’s attorney general, who accused the company of misleading users about the safety of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp and of enabling child sexual exploitation on those platforms.


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DOJ Reports Arizona Firearms Dealer Supplied Weapons to Two Mexican Drug Cartels

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An Arizona gun dealer faces charges after a federal grand jury indicted him last week over claims he supplied arms to at least two Mexican drug cartels, as announced by the Justice Department on Wednesday.

Laurence Gray, a 65-year-old resident of Hereford, Arizona, stands accused of deliberately selling weapons to the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG) and the Sinaloa Cartel in 2025, according to federal prosecutors.

The State Department has classified both of these cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

Firearms being displayed in Mexico

On March 9, the Mexican Army conducted a destruction ceremony at the 9th Military Zone in Sinaloa, Mexico, where they eliminated 610 long guns, 92 handguns, 5,013 magazines, and 316,036 rounds of ammunition. Gray is accused of facilitating the arms supply to these notorious drug cartels. (Photo by Jesus Verdugo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Gray faces charges of attempting to support a foreign terrorist group and conspiring to aid a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Gray, owner of Grips by Larry, a federally licensed dealer, was initially indicted last year alongside Barrett Weinberger, 73, of Tucson. Prosecutors said the pair were involved in illegal firearms transactions. 

On Feb. 22, 2025, Gray allegedly aided someone in the purchase of a Colt 1911 semi-automatic pistol. Other transactions happened in the ensuing months, court documents state. 

The charges against them at the time included trafficking in firearms, aiding and abetting the straw purchasing of firearms, and aiding and abetting material false statements during the purchase of a firearm. Last week’s indictment added material support to terrorism charges against Gray.

“Mexican drug cartels extensively use straw purchasers within the United States to legally acquire firearms and illegally smuggle them across the border,” according to the Justice Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

The case is part of “Operation Take Back America,” a Trump administration initiative that streamlines efforts and resources within the Department of Homeland Security to crack down on illegal immigration, as well as to “achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to Gray’s attorney. 

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Tragic Oversight: Officer Releases Alleged Drunk Driver Before Fatal Wrong-Way Crash with 96-Year-Old Geologist

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Left: Genise Taylor (Collier County Jail). Right: Arthur Gilbert (Town of Dorset).

In a recent twist to an ongoing legal case, a Florida woman, accused of causing a fatal accident while allegedly driving under the influence, made a surprising disclosure during a phone call. The woman, Genise Taylor, reportedly admitted that a police officer had stopped her earlier that night but allowed her to continue on her way.

Genise Taylor, 24, is facing charges of DUI manslaughter following the tragic death of Arthur Gilbert, a 96-year-old resident, near Naples. The fatal crash took place in the early hours of March 18 on the southbound lanes of Interstate 75, close to mile marker 109.

Authorities allege that Taylor was driving a Nissan Rogue in the wrong direction on the highway when she collided with Gilbert’s Volvo XC60. Although emergency personnel quickly transported Gilbert to the hospital, he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Meanwhile, a blood sample from Taylor revealed a blood alcohol concentration of .213, which is significantly above the legal limit of 0.08, according to the arrest affidavit.

Following her arrest, Taylor was read her Miranda rights and recounted her activities on the night of the incident. She claimed to have put her daughter to bed around 9:30 p.m. before heading to a bar with a friend. Later, she mentioned stopping at a Waffle House to meet someone. When questioned about her alcohol consumption, Taylor insisted she only had a single glass of wine, as noted in the affidavit.

However, when investigators pressed her on whether she had consumed more than one drink, she reportedly responded with a “smirk,” casting doubt on her earlier statement.

But her consumption of alcohol was not the only detail she failed to divulge, cops say.

Prosecutors at a bond hearing Monday revealed that in a jail phone call with a relative, Taylor said a Collier County Sheriff’s deputy pulled her over hours before the fatal crash.

“She says, yes, she was stopped, and that she knew the officer,” said Mara Marzano, assistant state attorney, according to a courtroom report from local CBS affiliate WINK. Two friends then took Taylor and her vehicle to a Waffle House.

Traffic cameras picked up Taylor’s vehicle again around 3:30 a.m. at Golden Gate Parkway and I-75.

“She’s asleep at an intersection for half an hour or more, and then proceeds to somehow get on the interstate going the wrong way,” Marzano reportedly said.

Taylor’s attorney argued that “there was no intent for this to happen” but it was a “series of events that spiraled out of control and unfortunately ended in someone’s death.”

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office told WINK that the deputy involved in the initial traffic stop, Eric Pellegrino, is a subject of an internal investigation.

A judge denied Taylor’s request for a bond and she remains in the Collier County Jail.

Gilbert, a retired geologist originally from Vermont, had just dropped his wife off at the airport before the crash.

“I said Art, ‘I love you, and you’ll be with me forever,’” Pamela Gilbert said in an interview with local NBC affiliate WBBH.

As for Taylor, the victim’s wife said her fate was up to the courts.

“This woman will live with this for the rest of her life,” she told WBBH. “The law will take care of whatever needs to happen, and I couldn’t put my energy into that anger.”

Stunning Cop’s Courtroom Battle: A Fight for Justice and Freedom

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In a dramatic courtroom appearance, a former Massachusetts police officer defended herself against serious accusations, claiming she never intended to harm her colleagues during a tense incident. The officer, Kelsey Fitzsimmons, now 29, is charged with assault with a deadly weapon stemming from an event that took place in June 2025.

Fitzsimmons, addressing the court on Wednesday, recounted the chaotic day when fellow officers attempted to serve her with a restraining order on behalf of her fiancé, Justin Aylaian, a firefighter aged 32. She testified that her aim was not to threaten others but to turn the gun on herself, as her personal life was unraveling rapidly.

During the incident, North Andover Police officer Pat Noonan discharged his weapon, striking Fitzsimmons after she allegedly raised her service firearm towards the officers. Fitzsimmons, however, maintains that her actions were misunderstood and that she harbored no intention of shooting anyone else.

Her testimony painted a picture of a life in disarray, where she feared losing not only her fiancé and their home but most critically, her four-month-old son. Her voice trembled with emotion as she told the jury, “I saw my baby go, my fiancé, my dog, my house, and I knew that it was going to be my job, too,” reports Boston.com.

‘I saw my baby go, my fiancé, my dog, my house, and I knew that it was going to be my job, too,’ she said in her testimony as she grew visibly emotional, per Boston.com

Fitzsimmons, who was on maternity leave from the police department, said she was blindsided by Aylaian’s decision to leave her and only ‘realized our relationship was over when a restraining order was handed to me.’ 

But the couple’s relationship had been deteriorating and hit a low point in June, after they attended a boozy joint bachelor and bachelorette party in Maine where they both accused each other of drinking to excess.

Former Massachusetts cop Kelsey Fitzsimmons, 29, took the stand in her own defense on Wednesday, saying her life was spiraling out of control when she allegedly pointed a gun at her colleagues, which she denies

Former Massachusetts cop Kelsey Fitzsimmons, 29, took the stand in her own defense on Wednesday, saying her life was spiraling out of control when she allegedly pointed a gun at her colleagues, which she denies

The chaotic episode unfolded in June 2025, when Fitzsimmons' firefighter fiancé Justin Aylaian served her with a restraining order and alleged that she had threatened him and their four-month-old son

The chaotic episode unfolded in June 2025, when Fitzsimmons’ firefighter fiancé Justin Aylaian served her with a restraining order and alleged that she had threatened him and their four-month-old son 

Fitzsimmons told the court that they had a bitter argument about caring for their son while she did CPR training just hours before she was served. 

Fitzsimmons said Aylaian did not want to pick up their baby which forced her to take him with her.

She testified that while driving home, she saw her fiancé’s truck outside a friend’s property surrounded by other vehicles she recognized from the bachelor/bachelorette party which roused her suspicions.

She claimed that she then realized her phone number had been blocked by Aylaian.  One of his friends allegedly tried to reassure her the vehicles she saw were only gathered at the property to pick up items left behind from a party.

She said she knew ‘something was going on’, and parked in a school parking lot near her home so he would not know she was home in case Aylaian came back. 

Soon after Noonan and two other officers arrived at her home. 

In her testimony, she admitted that she lied to the officers about where her service weapon was when they showed up at her home to serve her with the document. 

She said she intended to use the gun to kill herself, testifying: ‘I made that decision as I realized I had just lost everything in a 15-second conversation with my coworker.’  

Her testimony came the day after Noonan took to the stand to claim that he was forced to shoot her because he feared she was trying to kill her fiancé. 

Fitzsimmons was seen flashing a filthy look in court as her former colleague testified that he was forced to shoot her because he feared she was trying to kill her fiancé

Fitzsimmons was seen flashing a filthy look in court as her former colleague testified that he was forced to shoot her because he feared she was trying to kill her fiancé

Pat Noonan, pictured, is the police officer who shot Kelsey Fitzsimmons during the fiery confrontation with her ex-fiancé, a court was told

Pat Noonan, pictured, is the police officer who shot Kelsey Fitzsimmons during the fiery confrontation with her ex-fiancé, a court was told 

Fitzsimmons stared down her former North Andover Police colleague in court as he testified.

Noonan told the court: ‘I think I was standing in her way for her to get downstairs and kill Justin.’ 

Fitzsimmons was seen at that moment staring at Noonan, before turning to her attorney and appearing to mouth the word, ‘What?’  

Fitzsimmons was hit in the chest by Noonan after she allegedly drew her weapon, and was hospitalized for weeks with a collapsed lung. She was charged with assault when she was released. 

Noonan alleged that Fitzsimmons pointed her service weapon at him and pulled the trigger, but said it made a ‘click’ noise because the gun was jammed. 

He said he had no choice but to shoot her because she then ‘tap racked’ the gun, a move to clear a jam that feeds a bullet into the chamber. 

In cross examination of Noonan, Fitzsimmons’ attorney Timothy Bradl argued that the police officer did not need to shoot her in the chest and alleged he used excessive force. 

Bradl claimed that Fitzsimmons lifted the gun in an attempt to shoot herself in the head, saying she was going through a mental health crisis and feared losing custody of her son. 

Fitzsimmons's attorney argued that she never intended to shoot her police colleagues and only wanted to shoot herself during the confrontation

Fitzsimmons’s attorney argued that she never intended to shoot her police colleagues and only wanted to shoot herself during the confrontation 

Prosecutors alleged that Fitzsimmons lied about where her service weapon was during the incident, alleging that she abruptly grabbed it and pointed it at officers. She claims she only intended to shoot herself

Prosecutors alleged that Fitzsimmons lied about where her service weapon was during the incident, alleging that she abruptly grabbed it and pointed it at officers. She claims she only intended to shoot herself 

He accused Noonan of unnecessarily shooting her, saying: ‘You know it’s prohibited for someone to use deadly force on someone who is only exhibiting harm to themselves?’ 

Noonan, a SWAT team trained cop, responded: ‘Absolutely.’ 

Asked why he didn’t tase her instead, Noonan said: ‘We meet deadly force with deadly force.’ 

In her own testimony, Fitzsimmons said she tried to move Noonan into another room before shooting herself, saying she ‘knew if I pulled out my firearm in front of a police officer, I would get shot.’ 

‘I’m not dumb, I was a police officer. If someone takes out a gun in front of you, yes, that’s a threat, yes, that’s somebody that you probably feel threatened from,’ she said. 

‘Even looking back now, reflecting for nine months, I think my decision to do it to myself was selfish to everybody who loves me,’ she said. ‘I wanted to kill myself. Me and my gun. No one else involved.’

Bradl said Fitzsimmons was suffering from postpartum depression and was on maternity leave during the shooting incident. He said her life ‘imploded’ when Aylaian filed a restraining order against her. 

Aylaian, a local firefighter in North Andover, Massachusetts, previously alleged that Fitzsimmons threatened him and their newborn. 

The former police officer was shot in the chest during the incident and suffered a collapsed lung

The former police officer was shot in the chest during the incident and suffered a collapsed lung 

He previously testified in her trial on Monday, saying that he decided to move out of their home and try to gain full custody of their son over fears that she may harm herself or their family. 

The first witness in the trial on Monday was North Andover Police Lt. Sean Daley, who testified that he joined Aylaian and two other officers to serve Fitzsimmons with the restraining order and waited outside while the others went inside. 

Daley said he did not see Fitzsimmons bring out her weapon, but heard Noonan saying from inside the home, ‘Don’t do it Kelsey.’

He said he began running up the stairs and heard gunshots, then saw Fitzsimmons on the ground with a gunshot wound.

He said she told the officers as she lay injured on the ground: ‘I’m sorry, I want to die.’

The crux of the trial rests on whether Fitzsimmons pulled her gun on herself or on the other officers, with Bradl arguing in his opening statements this week that the episode was a tragic suicide attempt.

He noted that officers were heard yelling ‘Kelsey, no, Kelsey, no’, saying that ‘you don’t say that when you’re staring at the muzzle of a gun pointed at you. You say that to a person who has a gun to their head.’

‘And you don’t shoot someone in the chest when they are seeking clearly to only harm themselves,’ he added.

Fitzsimmons was a North Andover Police officer for just over a year before the shooting incident in June 2025. She was fired following the incident

Fitzsimmons was a North Andover Police officer for just over a year before the shooting incident in June 2025. She was fired following the incident 

Massachusetts does not have a state law requiring police departments to wear body cameras and the North Andover Police Department officers at the scene were not wearing cameras that would have shown the episode in Fitzsimmons’ home.

Bradl alleged that officer Noonan tried to ‘adjust the narrative’ after the shooting in order to protect himself and argued that he did not need to shoot Fitzsimmons in the chest. 

He described Fitzsimmons as a panicking mother who thought her life was spiraling out of control as she faced losing custody of her child.

‘She made a decision for herself and it’s a decision that takes your breath away,’ Bradl said.

‘She decides to end her life with her firearm in her bedroom. She knows her firearm is in her bedroom, and she tells police something else.

‘She tells them the guns are in the basement, because she doesn’t want to involve them. The idea of harming them, the evidence will show, is ludicrous.

‘She’s trying to get them away from her.’

Prosecutors disputed Fitzsimmons’ version of the incident, claiming that the only reason it did not turn deadly was because there was no bullet in the chamber of her gun and because of Noonan’s SWAT team training.

Fitzsimmons said she was terrified of police taking her baby away from her

Fitzsimmons said she was terrified of police taking her baby away from her 

They said Noonan was with Fitzsimmons when she then went into her bedroom, and he ‘noticed that her demeanor changes and she gets upset, at that point she lunges to her right.’

The prosecutor alleged that she picked up her service weapon from in her bedroom, pointed it at the officers and pulled the trigger, but it did not fire.

He alleged that she then tried to rerack the gun and raised it up, leading Noonan to shoot at her twice. One missed her and the other hit her in the chest.

Fitzsimmons was a North Andover Police officer for just over a year before the shooting incident in June 2025. She was fired following the incident.

She requested a bench trial instead of facing a jury, meaning a judge will decide her fate. The judge in her trial expected that he would hear evidence and come to a verdict within a week.

Impact of Legal Rulings on Social Media Giants: Unanswered Questions Remain


SANTA FE, N.M. – In a significant development, two jury verdicts have been delivered against social media companies, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal battles that claim these platforms pose risks to children’s mental health.

The cases, which involve tech giant Meta in New Mexico and both Meta and YouTube in California, have resulted in financial penalties totaling $381 million. These decisions underscore a growing awareness and scrutiny regarding the responsibility of social media companies to ensure the safety of young users.

However, it’s uncertain at this stage whether these legal outcomes will lead to fundamental changes in how social media and messaging services operate, or if they will alter the sophisticated algorithms that influence the content seen by billions of people globally.

As more lawsuits head toward trial, several critical questions linger.

One pressing issue is whether these verdicts will impact Meta’s business operations and financial standing.

The answer is not really — or, at least, not yet.

Meta — the owner of Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp — says it had $201 billion in sales last year.

That revenue stream dwarfs the $375 million in civil penalties imposed on Tuesday by a jury in New Mexico with a verdict that Meta knowingly harmed children’s mental health and concealed what it knew about child sexual exploitation on its social media platforms.

Meta said it disagrees with the verdicts and plans to appeal the jury’s finding that it violated the state Unfair Practices Act.

And tech companies still are shielded from legal responsibility for posted content, based on Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act.

Investors are shrugging off the verdicts. Meta’s stock closed slightly higher Wednesday, although it is down about 8% year-to-date.

Does Meta have to make changes now to its design or algorithm?

The verdicts this week don’t mandate specific changes to the design of social media platforms, nor to the algorithms that make them tick.

But a second phase of the New Mexico trial in May, before a judge with no jury, could spell out changes for Meta’s platforms for local users by court order.

A state district court judge will determine whether Meta created a public nuisance — and could impose restrictions and order the company to pay for programs that remedy potential harms to children.

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez, who filed the lawsuit against Meta in 2023, says his office wants improvements to Meta’s enforcement of minimum age limits and removal of sexual predators — in part by lifting encryption on communication that can interfere with police work.

Meta says it continuously works to improve safety and already has made changes that phase out encryption on Instagram and limit access to explicit content by teenagers, block unsolicited messages to children from adults and help young users manage time spent on its platforms and avoid sleep disruptions.

Both the California and New Mexico trials highlighted the addictive properties of platform algorithms and the negative impacts on child mental health.

How much money do Meta and YouTube have to pay?

In New Mexico, a jury in Santa Fe arrived at the $375 million fine against Meta by endorsing the maximum penalty of $5,000 per violation of state consumer protection law — multiplied by thousands of social media accounts for children under 18.

Prosecutors intend to pursue more damages in that trial’s second phase, while an appeal could delay payment — or reverse penalties.

In California, the jury ruled that Meta and Google’s video streaming platform YouTube must pay at least $3 million in damages to a 20-year-old woman who says she became addicted to social media as a child, exacerbating her mental health struggles. TikTok and Snap settled before the trial began.

California jurors recommended an additional $3 million in punitive damages pending a judge’s final review.

Google defends YouTube as a responsibly built streaming platform, and not a social media site.

More trials to come on social media safety

The California verdict has much broader legal and financial implications. The case was designated as a bellwether test that might guide the resolution of other lawsuits. There are thousands of those lawsuits pending, including hundreds in California.

The New Mexico verdict may be an early indicator for lawsuits brought by other publicly elected prosecutors.

Attorneys general in more than 40 states have filed suit against Meta, claiming it is contributing to a mental health crisis among young people. Most are pursuing remedies in U.S. federal court.

Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Thrilling Clash: Bayern Munich’s Pernille Harder Stuns Manchester United in Women’s Champions League Quarter-Final

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When Pernille Harder ended her tenure at Chelsea with a decisive goal against Manchester United in the 2023 FA Cup final, many in the Manchester red camp likely hoped it would be the last they’d see of the formidable Danish forward.

However, fate had other plans. Harder returned to the spotlight with a stunning brace, complemented by a third goal from Momoko Tanikawa in the 84th minute, leaving United with a steep challenge as they prepare to face Bayern at the Allianz Arena next week.

Up until Tanikawa’s late goal, which reinstated Bayern’s lead, United had been on the cusp of a commendable draw, having shown resilience and determination throughout the match. Now, with a deficit looming over them, the upcoming second leg seems far more intimidating.

Reflecting on the match, a member of the United squad remarked, “Tonight has given us a taste of what we must do to go into the second leg and try and attack Bayern. We’re still in the tie, for sure.”

This encounter marked United’s debut in a Women’s Champions League knockout game. Unfortunately, due to UEFA regulations, they are required to play their home knockout matches at Old Trafford, a decision that added a layer of complexity to their campaign.

Leigh Sports Village, while undoubtedly missing the grandeur and history of United’s century-old stadium, remains an imposing place for teams to travel to, helped in no small part by the proximity of the stands to the pitch.

Until Tanikawa restored the perennial German champions' lead late on, United were on the verge of heading home with their heads held high

Until Tanikawa restored the perennial German champions’ lead late on, United were on the verge of heading home with their heads held high

Pernille Harder's brace – and a third from Tanikawa in the 84th minute – has given United an almighty task to carry with them to the Allianz Arena next week

Pernille Harder’s brace – and a third from Tanikawa in the 84th minute – has given United an almighty task to carry with them to the Allianz Arena next week

Here at Old Trafford on a near-freezing Wednesday night, only one of the four stands was open, and the noise generated by those in the Sir Matt Busby Stand struggled to linger.

Perhaps this contributed to the palpable nervousness around the ground before kick-off, and in just 98 seconds, United’s greatest fears came true.

A fizzing pass from Bayern’s Arianna Caruso from deep dropped in front of Maya Le Tissier. The United captain misjudged the trajectory of the ball and found herself wrong-footed and caught in a frantic chase with Bayern’s Pernille Harder.

The inevitability of former Chelsea forward Harder, whom United remember with dread for scoring the match-winning goal that denied them their first major silverware in 2023, returned to haunt them. The 33-year-old Dane latched onto the ball and buried it home.

United have been made of sterner stuff in the last couple of seasons, though, and refused to keel over despite having the wind knocked out of their sails.

In fact, they had the better chances in the moments that followed – and had a helping hand from Bayern defender Glodis Perla Viggosdottir just 20 minutes later.

Lea Schuller, who has had a stuttering start to her career in red since her high-profile move from Bayern in January, picked up a wonderful pass from the returning Hinata Miyazawa on the wing and drove towards the box.

Her unconvincing shot towards goal was parried away by the right arm of the retreating Viggosdottir, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

United have been made out of thicker stuff in the last couple of seasons though, twice fighting back to draw the scores level despite going behind

United have been made out of thicker stuff in the last couple of seasons though, twice fighting back to draw the scores level despite going behind

Even more unconvincing was Le Tissier’s penalty. The Lionesses centre-back scuffed her shot, and Bayern goalkeeper Ena Mahmutovic should have done better to get down in time, but the scores were level, and that was all that mattered to those in red.

In the second half, Harder struck again. Her goal, an almost carbon copy of her first, was buried into the left-hand corner of Phallon Tullis-Joyce’s net once more.

United’s Hanna Lundkvist popped up with a header to bring the scores level again, but Bayern were keen to make before Tanikawa delivered a sweet finish in the 85th minute to restore the Germans’ lead.

‘I never thought I would score two goals at Old Trafford,’ childhood United fan Harder said after the match. ‘When I was a kid, there was no women’s team, so it would not even be possible. So of course it’s a dream come true, but most of all, I’m really happy with the win also.’ 

For those in red, their dreams appeared to be slipping away before their eyes. The damage is not final, but it certainly won’t be easy.

Shaquille O’Neal Clarifies Allegations of Sending Inappropriate Messages to Sabrina Carpenter

Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal has responded to the widespread rumor suggesting he sent direct messages to Sabrina Carpenter.

“First of all, ladies, the diesel has way more game than that,” O’Neal, 54, remarked during the March 20 episode of his “Big Podcast” show after reading the supposed flirtatious messages. “Just putting it out there.”

Earlier this month, social media was abuzz with screenshots of risqué messages allegedly sent to the 26-year-old Carpenter from an Instagram account that appeared to be O’Neal’s.

“Damn, baby, I would keep your farts in a cologne bottle and spray it on me every day,” O’Neal recited, quoting the purported messages. “Just kidding, I’m Shaq. What’s your name, baby? To which Sabrina reportedly replied, ‘I know who you are. You’re way too famous to be sending messages like that.’”

Shaquille O Neal Attempted to Shoot His Shot With Female Reporter During Live TV Interview

In a separate interview, Shaquille O’Neal displayed his charm while speaking with a female reporter. During a candid discussion with Fox 26 Houston reporter Jade Flury on January 14, O’Neal, 53, reflected on life’s challenges, noting that “there’s no manual on how to handle certain things.”

O’Neal allegedly replied, “I can’t be horny and want some of that snow bunny kitty for no reason. You can’t handle big diesel anyway.”

O’Neal subsequently acknowledged that a photoshopped image of himself was added to the seemingly AI-created message.

O’Neal’s podcast guest, Jim Jones, further noted that social media is a “dangerous place.”

“It’s so crazy what people are spending their energy and time on,” Jones, 49, said. “I would think they would have better things to do.”

According to O’Neal, “youngsters” seem to “be [all] about the algorithm and going viral.”

“Social media is a great way for you to gain business and for you to market and promote your business,” Jones said. “That’s what I use it for. Everyone has their own elaborate ways and schemes that they use social media platforms. I use it for music, I use it for my content [and] I use it for pretty much everything I have going on.”

Shaquille ONeal and Monique Martin

Shaquille O’Neal cleared the air after a cuddly photo with a female friend went viral, explaining that not every picture is necessarily worth a thousand words. O’Neal, 53, posed for a snap with a friend named Monique Martin last week, wrapping his arms around her from behind as the pair smiled for the camera.  “My […]

Jones also stated that “social media is there for entertainment.”

“Whatever’s going on today, it’s not going to last past three days,” he said. “If you feel that social media is working against you, it’s never working against you. You’ve got to figure out how to make it work for you even when it is working against you ‘cause now you have millions of eyes on you.”

Neither O’Neal nor Carpenter have further addressed the fake text conversation.

O’Neal, for his part, was previously married to Shaunie Wilson from 2002 to 2011. O’Neal and Wilson, share five children. (O’Neal is also father to daughter Taahirah from a previous relationship with Arnetta Yardbourgh.)

In the years since his divorce, O’Neal has sparked dating rumors with a number of famous faces. After he was spotted with OnlyFans creator Sophie Rain on her 21st birthday, the NBA alum denied claims of a budding romance.

Shaquille ONeal Wants His Kids to Learn Respectable Nepotism Weighs In on Possible Reality Show

Shaquille O’Neal’s kids may be following in his athletic footsteps, but he’s making sure they understand their privilege in the sports world. “I want them to be model citizens. I want them to be very educated and I want them to understand nepotism, respectable nepotism,” O’Neal, 51, exclusively told Us Weekly on Monday, September 18, […]

“I don’t [date] that young but I will date your mom and give u a brother,” he wrote via Instagram comment in October 2025 after a social media user questioned the pair’s large age gap.

Rain also shut down the speculation in a statement shared with Us Weekly.

“He reached out to me after and was like damn, we are famous, haha, I don’t know why people think we are dating,” Rain exclusively told Us. “People are running with a wild story, but Shaq was nothing but respectful. It was my 21st birthday and he made it unforgettable. I laughed when I saw the rumors. Shaq’s response says it all. He was never trying to be anything more than supportive and fun.”

As for Carpenter, she’s been single since December 2024, when she and actor Barry Keoghan called it quits after nearly one year of dating.

Publicist Mao Padilha Unveils Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s Innovative Fashion Show Seating Chart Strategy


Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, once a publicist for Calvin Klein, possessed an uncanny understanding of New York’s fashion dynamics, a skill that continued to influence the industry long after her departure. Her insights were so profound that a fellow fashion publicist found them invaluable for years.

Mauricio Padilha, co-founder of MAO Public Relations, reminisces about his early visits to the designer’s showroom, experiences that shaped his future endeavors.

“I remember Carolyn noticing me studying her show seating charts. She kindly joined me and shared her strategy on arranging the seating,” he recounted.

In a social media post, Padilha detailed her methodology: “Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar were never placed side by side… Celebrities were grouped near cameras, away from press or retail representatives, to avoid any unintended remarks.” He further explained her tactic for flexible seating: “The bent stickers on the seating plan allowed for quick adjustments if a more prominent guest confirmed later.”

Bessette Kennedy’s career at Calvin Klein came to a halt as she prioritized her marriage. With John F. Kennedy Jr. emerging as a publishing powerhouse after co-founding George magazine in 1995, her friend Sasha Chermayeff told Page Six, “She stepped away from her role because everything had to center around John and George magazine.”

Her seating chart method, however, stuck with Padilha. He told Page Six he continued to use it for many years.

The last time Padilha saw her was at the Helmut Lang store in New York’s Soho neighborhood, where she was waiting for them to bag her items, he said. “I was buying [his brother and co-founder] Roger a birthday gift and she helped me pick out a cute Felix the Cat t-shirt for him. She thought it was funny,” he said.

Bessette Kennedy and JFK Jr. died in a plane crash in 1999. The 90s romance is being chronicled in Ryan Murphy’s latest project, “Love Story.”