X removes article headlines in latest platform update
San Francisco (AP): X, formerly known as Twitter, has stopped showing headlines on articles shared on the platform. Now, X only displays an article's lead image and a link to the story.
Plans for the change were first reported by Fortune in August, when owner Elon Musk confirmed in a tweet that he thought the change which came from him "directly" would "greatly improve the esthetics" of posts.
Linked articles now appear as an image, and include text in the left-hand corner noting the domain of the link. Users must click on the image if they wish to visit the full article, which could lead to confusion.
Musk's platform has been the target of a lot of criticism recently, including accusations by a top European Union official who said that X has "the largest ratio of mis-or disinformation posts".
The Anti-Defamation League, a prominent Jewish civil-rights organisation, has accused Musk of allowing antisemitism and hate speech to spread on the platform.
Musk's latest decision builds on the growing rift between the platform and news organisations who for years used it to build their audiences. Among his more controversial moves was a decision to upend the site's verification system.
Under Twitter's previous leadership, journalists no matter how small their outlet could receive a blue checkmark next to their username that verified they were who they said they were. Celebrities and other public figures could also receive a verification. That changed when Musk ended the verification process and Twitter started doling out blue checkmarks to anyone who wanted one without verifying their identity as long as they pay a monthly subscription fee.
Musk has also gutted the team that had been responsible for moderating the content flowing across the platform, temporarily suspended accounts of journalists and has appeared to throttle, or slow down access to links, to media sites such as The New York Times.
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Mangaluru | Rowdy-sheeter Suhas murder: Bus Services suspended; shops shut down
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Mangaluru: In connection with the murder of rowdy-sheeter Suhas Shetty in Bajpe last night, private buses in the city have suspended operations following a bandh call issued by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad across Dakshina Kannada district.
Most shops and commercial establishments remain shut. Although a few shops and hotels had opened in the morning, they were reportedly forced to close.
Prohibitory orders have been enforced under the jurisdiction of Mangaluru Police Commissionerate. While some private vehicles are still plying, due to the halt in bus services, a bandh-like atmosphere has emerged in most areas.
Security has been tightened in key areas of the city and outskirts. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) for Law and Order, R. Hitendra, has arrived in Mangaluru and is monitoring the situation.
Incidents of stone-pelting on buses and assaults on innocent youths have also been reported from various parts of the city.
With the suspension of bus services, passengers at the KSRTC bus stand in the city have been left in distress. Students who had arrived from Mulki, Udupi, and Kundapura for college are unable to return home, as colleges have also been closed due to the bandh.
