The EU has launched an investigation into Elon Musk’s X – formerly known as Twitter — over its alleged spreading of disinformation, “in particular the spreading of terrorist and violent content and hate speech” over the recent Hamas attack on Israel. It will be the first inquiry conducted in relation to the European Union’s recently implemented tech regulations and will also scrutinise the procedures at X for managing complaints. Earlier, X announced that it removed numerous accounts associated with Hamas from its platform. In a statement on Thursday, the EU said that “the European Commission services sent to X a formal request for information under the Digital Services Act (DSA)”. “This request follows indications received by the Commission services of the alleged spreading of illegal content and disinformation, in particular the spreading of terrorist and violent content and hate speech. The request addresses compliance with other provisions of the DSA as well.” The EU’s industry chief Thierry Breton clashed online with Mr Musk after telling him in a letter that “violent and terrorist content” had not been taken down from X despite warnings. Mr Breton refrained from giving more specific details about the disinformation mentioned in the letter. However, he noted that instances of “fake and manipulated images and facts” were widely documented on the social media platform. Mr Musk hit back on X saying: “Our policy is that everything is open and transparent, an approach that I know the EU supports. Please list the violations you allude to on X, so that the public can see them.” TikTok and Meta have also received warnings from the European Union for their alleged failures in addressing disinformation on their social media platforms. The EU is requesting that X provide information related to its investigation by 18 October. Mr Breton had initially written that Mr Musk should respond within 24 hours. Mr Breton also reminded Mr Musk that the DSA “sets very precise obligations regarding content moderation,” and that X needs “to be very transparent and clear on what content is permitted under your terms and consistently and diligently enforce your own policies”. He added that he expects X “to be in contact with the relevant law enforcement authorities and Europol, and ensure that you respond promptly to their requests”. “I remind you that following the opening of a potential investigation and a finding of non-compliance, penalties can be imposed,” Mr Breton wrote. Linda Yaccarino, CEO of X, announced on Thursday that the platform had taken action to remove hundreds of Hamas-affiliated accounts and had also initiated steps to either remove or label tens of thousands of pieces of content since the attack that occurred on Saturday. Read More Israel-Hamas war live: UN alarmed by north Gaza evacuation order as IDF ‘fires white phosphorus on Strip’ Hamas’s hostages: What to know about Israelis abducted by the militant group France has banned pro-Palestinian protests and vowed to protect Jews from resurgent antisemitism EU asks Elon Musk to ‘walk the talk’ on X/Twitter disinformation over Hamas attack Viral WhatsApp warning of cyberattack targeting Jewish people is fake Microsoft revised deal to buy Call of Duty maker Activision cleared by watchdog

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Katharine McPhee has revealed that she and husband David Foster have suffered a “horrible family tragedy”. The singer, 39, shared a statement to Instagram on 11 August to announce that she’ll be missing the rest of her husband’s tour in Asia, where she’s been performing as a guest, due to a family emergency. Although she didn’t specify what the tragedy was, she wrote that she’ll be heading home to be with her loved ones, while implying that her husband will still be doing the shows this weekend. “Dearest Jakarta fans, it’s with heavy heart I announce I have to miss our final two shows of our Asian run,” she wrote. “David and I have had a horrible tragedy in our family and at least one of us needs to get back home to our family.” She concluded: “Please know how sorry I am and how much I wish to return someday and perform for you all. Love, Katharine.” Many friends and fans of the couple took to the comments of McPhee’s post to send her kind messages amid the family tragedy. “Sending my love and prayers for your family,” Masked Singer judge Nicole Scherzinger wrote, while Linda Thompson added: “Sending you and David love, & hoping that everything is okay.” “Sending you loads of love. I’m thinking of you guys,” Amanda Kloots also wrote. Foster, 73, is still set to play at the Sentul International Convention Centre in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 11 August and 12 August, according to his official website. He will then be on a hiatus from his tour, before returning to the stage on 1 November in Warren, Michigan. The Independent has contacted a representative for McPhee and Foster for comment. Foster and McPhee made their official debut as a couple in 2018, before officially tying the knot the next year. They welcomed their first child, Rennie, in February 2021. Since then, they have continued to post about their son on social media, hinting that he also has a musical side. In June, Foster shared a video on Instagram of Rennie playing the drums, alongside the caption: “PROGRESS!! Two years three months.” During an interview with Entertainment Tonight in October, Foster acknowledged that although his youngest child has developed an interest in drumming, it’s still soon to tell if he’ll become a musician like his parents. “You know when you look at somebody like Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, their kids are very talented... but they’re not tennis players, so we don’t know,” he said “He’s so young.” McPhee also agreed, adding: “It makes sense that he’d be musical, but we’re not really sure. He’s certainly obsessed with the drums! Or imaginary drums, for that matter.” Read More Katharine McPhee reveals whether she and David Foster want more children David Foster opens up about raising a toddler at age 73 Katharine McPhee defends husband David Foster after backlash over postpartum body comment Gemma Atkinson slams trolls who called her ‘fat’ just three weeks after giving birth Mother diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, anorexia and incurable cancer 7 ways for parents and carers to ease back-to-school worries

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