Social Networks

Presented by Nokia By GABRIEL GAVIN GOOD MORNING and welcome to this Tuesday edition of Brussels Playbook. I’m Gabriel Gavin. It’s International Holocaust Remembrance Day, commemorating the 6 million Jews and millions of others who died as a result of Nazi persecution during World War II. More on how Brussels is marking the date below. DRIVING THE DAY ART OF THE DEAL: The future of a mammoth trade deal with Washington is up in the air after the European Parliament’s top trade lawmakers failed to agree on ratifying the EU-U.S. pact. The clock is ticking for MEPs to sign off on the agreement, even amid the bloc’s fraying relationship with Washington. If lawmakers allow their lingering resentment over Donald Trump’s NATO-testing play for Greenland to get in the way of the deal, the EU won’t be able to drop its tariffs to 0 percent for American goods, as agreed with the U.S. president, in exchange for 15 percent on EU goods. That could set the stage for more transatlantic conflict and spark retaliation from Trump. **A message from Nokia: 78% of European business leaders fear the region may not deliver the connectivity AI needs. Without urgent investment in the digital backbone, Europe risks

Tuesday January 27, 2026 3:22 am PST by Tim Hardwick Meta plans to test premium subscriptions across Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, the company has told TechCrunch . The subscriptions will reportedly include exclusive features to aid creativity, productivity, and expanded AI capabilities. Meta says each app will have its own distinct set of premium features, giving users "more control over how they share and connect, while keeping the core experiences free." However, it sounds as if Meta hasn't yet settled on what each sub will offer, with the company planning to experiment with various bundles. For Instagram, for example, premium subscribers could create unlimited audience lists, see which followers don't follow them back, and view Stories anonymously. Paid features on WhatsApp and Facebook are likely to provide equivalent functionality. Meta also intends to incorporate Manus, an AI agent it recently acquired for a reported $2 billion, into its subscription plans. The company will continue selling Manus subscriptions to businesses separately. AI-powered video appears to be another upcoming offering, courtesy of Meta's Vibes feature, which targets creators and businesses with verification badges and priority support. Vibes has been free since it launched last year, but Meta now plans to offer freemium

NEED TO KNOW Kim Kardashian made a surprise appearance on her daughter North West's Instagram Live on Monday, Jan. 26 In the livestream, North called her mom "the G.O.A.T." The 12-year-old's Instagram Live comes after Kardashian recently opened up about the criticism surrounding her parenting style Kim Kardashian is keeping an eye on her daughter North West's social media presence. On Monday, Jan. 26, Kardashian, 45, made a surprise appearance on her 12-year-old daughter's Instagram Live. "Guys, I think my mom's coming," North, 12, said as Kardashian, 45, could be heard entering the frame of the livestream. "Why are you watching my Live?" "I don't want to be on camera," Kardashian could be heard saying offscreen while laughing. North then announced to her viewers on the platform, on which she boats two million followers, "Guys, the G.O.A.T. is here." The acronym stands for the "greatest of all time." North West and Kim Kardashian in 2024. Allen Berezovsky/Getty "Hey you guys ... I hope someone recorded that," replied Kardashian, adding, "She called me the G.O.A.T. I don't know if I'll ever get that again ... Just kidding, I love you Bubs." "I love you, too," North, who was sporting blue hair

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Speedrunning, or blitzing through a game as fast as you possibly can, is something that began in arcade games during the 1980s. Players wanted to see how quickly they could complete the game, almost adding it as a new mechanic to enjoy. Originally, a lot of speedruns relied on glitches. They depended on developers making mistakes in games to allow faster progression. However, by the 2000s and 2010s speedruns had become a communal activity with people watching on platforms like Twitch. For many it was a curiosity to see how quickly their favorite games could be completed. Many were surprised to discover that games that had taken them 50 or 100 hours to play through could be done in just one or two.  Roots in the arcades As mentioned, speedrunning had its roots in the arcades. Many players tried to run through games like Super Mario Brothers and Pac-Man as quickly as they could. What was interesting was that many of them found glitches in the underlined. For example, Pac-Man had a kill screen at level 256 that a lot of players looked for ways to get around.  Interestingly, some game developers supported these speed run tactics. Many nudged people

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France's National Assembly approves banning under-15s from social media President Emmanuel Macron is urging France to follow Australia, whose ban for under-16s on social media platforms including Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube came into force in December. French President Emmanuel Macron speaks to the media ahead of a summit of EU leaders to discuss transatlantic relations following US President Donald Trump's threats to impose new tariffs on a list of EU countries over his demand to acquire Greenland, in Brussels, Belgium January 22, 2026. (photo credit: REUTERS/YVES HERMAN) By REUTERS JANUARY 27, 2026 05:35 France's National Assembly on Monday backed legislation to ban children under 15 years old from social media on Monday, amid growing concerns about online bullying and mental health risks. The bill proposes banning under-15s from social networks and "social networking functionalities" embedded within broader platforms, and reflects rising public angst over the impact of social media on minors. Lawmakers voted 116 to 23 in favor of the bill. It now passes to the Senate before a final vote in the lower house. President Emmanuel Macron has pointed to social media as one factor to blame for violence among young people. He is urging France to follow Australia, whose

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Innovation Conference march 12–18, 2026 austin, tx About The SXSW Innovation Conference provides an opportunity for the global community of creatives to encounter cutting-edge ideas, discover new interests, and network with other professionals who share a similar appetite for forward-focused experiences. Featuring a variety of tracks that focus on the most important breakthroughs in technology and culture, SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together. dates & deadlines The SXSW Innovation Conference runs from March 12-18, 2026. With so many options, it's easy to forget a few important dates and details that go along with the SXSW experience. Take a look below to stay in the SX Know. October 1, 2025 - First speakers announced, including The All-American Rejects, President and CEO of PBS Paula Kerger, Futurist Amy Webb, and AI expert Timnit Gebru. December 2, 2025 - First Keynote speaker announced for SXSW 2026, Jennifer B. Wallace. January 20, 2026 - Newly announced Keynotes and Featured Speakers for the SXSW 2026 Innovation Conference: author and journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin and CEO Lucy Blakiston.  » Read More

Live Stream Link: https://vimeo.com/event/5127968. Recorded Video Link: https://vimeo.com/1083718761. To send flowers to the family of Iordanka ...