The Living Archives

Meta Confirms Layoffs at Instagram and WhatsApp Amid Cost-Cutting MeasuresMeta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has announced another round of layoffs as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce costs and streamline its operations. This latest restructuring affects key teams within Instagram and WhatsApp, two of the company's most popular platforms.The layoffs, confirmed by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, are part of a broader strategy to focus on efficiency and profitability as the company navigates a challenging economic environment. While the exact number of employees affected has not been disclosed, it is expected to impact hundreds of workers across various departments.In a statement, Meta emphasized that the decision was driven by the need to optimize resources and focus on its long-term vision, including advancements in artificial intelligence, the metaverse, and enhancing user experience across its platforms. "We’re restructuring our workforce to ensure we can continue to innovate and grow while maintaining financial discipline," the statement said.Instagram and WhatsApp have both seen significant growth in recent years, but Meta's broader operations have been facing increasing scrutiny due to rising operational costs and competition from other tech giants. The company has previously cut budgets for several projects, including virtual reality initiatives, and closed down studios as part of its overall cost-cutting drive.This round of layoffs is part of Meta’s plan to cut tens of thousands of jobs globally, following previous workforce reductions earlier this year. Despite these moves, Meta remains committed to expanding its influence in areas such as AI, augmented reality, and digital commerce.The news has raised concerns among employees and industry experts, with many questioning how these layoffs might affect innovation and future development at Instagram and WhatsApp. However, Meta assured users that the platforms' core functionalities and future updates will not be compromised.As Meta continues to reshape its workforce, investors are keeping a close eye on how these moves impact the company’s stock price and overall market performance.

Hollywood icon Al Pacino, known for his legendary roles in films like The Godfather and Scarface, has made headlines for a more unexpected reason — his financial woes. According to recent reports, the veteran actor found himself in a dire financial situation after spending a staggering $50 million on extravagant purchases, including 16 luxury cars, 23 cellphones, and $400,000 on landscaping.Pacino, now 84, allegedly admitted he "didn't understand how money worked," leading to an overspending spree that left him nearly broke. The report claims that the actor had no idea how quickly his fortune was dwindling as he indulged in high-end cars, lavish home improvements, and multiple cellphones, which he replaced frequently due to habit or losing them.Financial advisors reportedly warned Pacino about his spending habits, but it was too late to reverse the damage. This revelation has stunned fans who always viewed Pacino as a shrewd and disciplined figure, both on and off the screen.Despite this financial misstep, Pacino continues to act and remains a beloved figure in the entertainment industry. However, his story serves as a cautionary tale of how even Hollywood's elite can fall victim to financial mismanagement.

In a bold move to secure its energy future, Amazon has announced plans to invest in the construction of three nuclear power plants. This decision comes as the tech giant grapples with the growing energy demands of its artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives and cloud services, which have skyrocketed in recent years.The company’s AI programs, including machine learning algorithms, generative AI models, and data-driven cloud services, require massive computing power, translating to a surge in energy consumption. Traditional energy sources have proven inadequate to keep pace with the increasing load, leading Amazon to explore alternative solutions.Amazon’s investment in nuclear energy marks a strategic shift toward sustainable, long-term power generation. These nuclear facilities, expected to come online over the next decade, will provide a reliable and carbon-free energy source, aligning with Amazon's broader climate pledge to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

Rescue teams continue to search for dozens of missing residents in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene tore through the state, leaving behind a trail of destruction. The Category 4 storm, which made landfall earlier this week, has caused widespread flooding, power outages, and extensive damage to homes and infrastructure.Local authorities report that nearly 50 people remain unaccounted for, particularly in coastal areas where the storm surge was most severe. Emergency responders have been working around the clock to locate survivors amidst the rubble of collapsed buildings and submerged neighborhoods.Governor Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency before the hurricane hit, allowing resources to be mobilized quickly. Despite this, the sheer intensity of Helene overwhelmed some areas, with many residents forced to evacuate at short notice."Every hour counts in finding these missing people," Governor Cooper said during a press conference. "We’re doing everything we can to get people to safety and provide relief to the affected communities."

K-pop sensation Fifty Fifty has officially announced their highly anticipated debut U.S. tour, sending fans into a frenzy! The rising girl group, known for their chart-topping hits and dynamic performances, is set to hit stages across major U.S. cities starting this December 2024.Fifty Fifty’s tour will include stops in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and more, giving fans across the country a chance to experience their electric live shows. This marks the group’s first-ever tour in the U.S., and fans can expect a mix of their viral hits, high-energy choreography, and stunning visuals.Tickets for the tour are available now through official platforms, and demand is expected to be sky-high, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out. As K-pop continues to take over the global music scene, Fifty Fifty's U.S. tour promises to be one of the hottest events of the year.

In a significant development in the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, Israeli forces have claimed responsibility for killing Yahya Sinwar, the prominent Hamas leader. Sinwar, who has led Hamas in Gaza since 2017, was a central figure in the group's political and military operations, making him one of Israel's most-wanted targets.According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the strike took place as part of a broader military operation targeting senior Hamas figures following the recent surge in hostilities. The IDF did not provide specific details regarding the time or location of Sinwar's death but emphasized that this was a "precise and targeted" operation.As of now, Hamas has not officially commented on Israel's claims. Yahya Sinwar's death, if confirmed, would be a major blow to the leadership of Hamas, further intensifying the conflict between the two sides.

The Israeli military said Thursday it was looking into whether Hamas’ top leader Yahya Sinwar was killed in a military operation in Gaza. Authorities were conducting DNA tests on a body to determine if it is him, an Israeli security official said.The military said in a statement that three militants were killed during operations in Gaza, without specifying where or elaborating further. It said the identities of the three were so far not confirmed, but it was “checking the possibility” that one of them was Sinwar.The security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation, said the tests on the body had not yet confirmed if it was Sinwar’s.There was no immediate comment by Hamas on the report.Sinwar was one of the chief architects of Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and Israel has vowed to kill him since the beginning of its retaliatory campaign in Gaza. If confirmed, Sinwar’s death could be a heavy blow to the militant group. He has been Hamas’ top leader inside the Gaza Strip for years, closely connected to its military wing while dramatically building up its capabilities.Sinwar was chosen as Hamas’s top leader after his predecessor, Ismail Haniyeh, was assassinated in July in an apparent Israeli strike in the Iranian capital Tehran. Israel has also claimed to have killed the head of Hamas’ military wing Mohammed Deif in an airstrike, but the group has said he survived.President Joe Biden has been briefed on Israel’s investigation into whether it killed Sinwar, and U.S. officials have been in close contact with Israeli officials throughout Thursday morning, according to a senior administration official.The report came as Israeli forces continued a more than week-old major air and ground assault in the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza. On Thursday, an Israeli strike hit a school sheltering displaced Palestinians, killing at least 15 people, including five children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.Fares Abu Hamza, head of Gaza Health Ministry’s local emergency unit, said dozens of people were wounded. He said the nearby Kamal Adwan Hospital was struggling to treat the casualties.“Many women and children are in critical condition,” he said.The Israeli military said it targeted a command center run by Hamas and Islamic Jihad inside the school. It provided a list of around a dozen names of people it identified as militants who were present when the strike was called in. It was not immediately possible to verify the names.Israel has repeatedly struck tent camps and schools sheltering displaced people in Gaza. The Israeli military says it carries out precise strikes on militants and tries to avoid harming civilians, but its strikes often kill women and children.In a separate development, a building in central Beirut that houses offices of the Al Jazeera news network and the Norwegian Embassy was evacuated after a warning.Mazen Ibrahim, Al Jazeera’s Lebanon bureau chief, said the building’s administration received three calls telling everyone to leave the building, which he said also houses the embassies of Norway and Azerbaijan, as well as dozens of offices. He said it was unclear who called in the warning.Norwegian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ragnhild Simenstad said the building was evacuated after a “bomb threat,” without elaborating.Israel has ordered the evacuation of several buildings, as well as entire cities, towns and villages, as it strikes what it says are targets linked to the Hezbollah militant group.

The Walt Disney Co. is set to pilot a new pass for guests to get on rides faster at its domestic theme parks, but the cost might be a bit out of reach for some people.Disney said Wednesday that its Lightning Lane Premier Pass, which will be available in limited quantities, is set to debut at Disneyland on Oct. 23 and Disney World on Oct. 30. The pass is for one-time entry to each available Lightning Lane experience at the theme parks, and guests will still need to purchase a separate admission ticket to enter the parks.The pass is similar to Disney’s existing Lightning Lane Single Pass and Lightning Lane Multi Pass in that it lets guests skip the standby line and use the Lightning Lane entrance to join what is typically a shorter line. Many guests like to use such passes to try to save time so that they can attempt to ride more attractions and partake in more park experiences, like shows and character meet and greets. The new pass, which is similar to offerings at other rival theme parks, is meant to provide a convenience that some guests have been requesting.One of the perks for guests who purchase the Lightning Lane Premier Pass is that they will not have to choose a specific arrival time for an attraction. This is different from Disney’s Lightning Lane Single Pass and Lightning Lane Multi Pass options, which require guests to select a specific arrival time.At Disneyland in Anaheim, California, the Lightning Lane Premier Pass will cost $400 per person, per day for visits to both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure through the end of the year as long as the guest also has a valid admission ticket with a Park Hopper benefit. Starting next year, pricing will vary by date and demand within a $300 to $400 range, the company said. Guests will be able to see pricing in the Disneyland app up to two days before a park visit.At Disney World in Orlando, Florida, the Lightning Lane Premier Pass will be available to guests staying at its deluxe resorts, deluxe villa resorts and certain other hotels. Pricing will vary, depending on the date and which theme park is being visited (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios). Disney said that prices will range from $129 to $449 per pass at launch, with the highest prices occurring on a limited number of days over peak travel periods.The Lightning Lane Premier Pass for Disney World will give guests one-time entry to each available Lightning Lane entrance in one park for one day. There is currently no option to use the pass at multiple Disney World parks on the same day.Aside from the various passes that Disney offers, guests will still be able to use standby lines at most of its attractions and experiences. A virtual queue is also available for a limited number of rides, and those rides don’t have standby lines.