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SAN FRANCISCO – Twitter has dropped state-affiliated and government-funded labels from media accounts, according to a review by AFP on Friday of many high-profile pages on the platform.

Many major media outlets from Western nations, Russia, China and other countries that previously had either of those tags no longer displayed them, according to AFP.

They included the accounts of National Public Radio in the United States, Chinas official Xinhua news agency, RT from Russia, and Canadas CBC.

Twitter, acquired by the mercurial billionaire Elon Musk last year, had long labelled accounts linked to state media or government officials, especially from China and Russia.

It said that policy focused on entities that are the official voice of the nation state abroad.

Recently, however, the labels were applied to news organisations that received public funding but were not controlled by any governments.

NPR stopped using Twitter thereafter, and CBC followed suit.

Radio New Zealand also threatened to leave Twitter this week over the government-funded label, while Swedens public Sveriges Radio said it would stop tweeting.

But all the tags were gone as of Friday.

The change appeared soon after Twitter began the mass removal of its blue ticks on Thursday, a symbol that previously signified a verified account.

Mr Musk, who has seen his US$44 billion (S$59 billion) investment in the platform shrivel, changed the system to allow anyone who pays US$8 a month to get the badge.

Mr Musks tumultuous ownership of Twitter has seen thousands of staff made redundant and advertisers fleeing the platform.

Users have complained that hate speech and misinformation have proliferated, and accounts with extreme views are gaining traction due to less content moderation. AFP More On This Topic Twitter begins removing check marks from accounts Twitter is broken. Thanks, Elon

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Entertainment

Grammys red carpet fashion 2025: All the best looks from the stars and nominees

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Grammys red carpet fashion 2025: All the best looks from the stars and nominees

Nominees and celebrity guests hit the red carpet in style at this year’s Grammy Awards.

With a focus on supporting relief efforts following the devastating Los Angeles-area wildfires the tone was a little more muted, but the fashion as exciting as ever.

Here are some of the looks from the Grammys red carpet.

Kacey Musgraves brought some gold sparkle to the night. She's up for four gongs. Pic: AP
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Kacey Musgraves brought some gold sparkle to the night. She’s up for four gongs. Pic: AP

Read more: Everything to know ahead of the show

Kelsea Ballerini working monochrome. Pic: AP
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Kelsea Ballerini working monochrome. Pic: AP

As a big fan of keeping warm, I applaud St Vincent's sock-forward fashion choice here. Pic: AP
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As a big fan of keeping warm, I applaud St Vincent’s sock-forward fashion choice here. Pic: AP

Billie Eilish in black and white - a popular choice for the evening. Pic: AP
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Billie Eilish in black and white – a popular choice for the evening. Pic: AP

Jaden and Willow Smith both in black - their dad Will will be performing tonight. Pic: AP
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Jaden and Willow Smith both in black – their dad Will will be performing tonight. Pic: AP

Chappell Roan - who is up for six awards - went back in time to walk the red carpet. Pic: AP
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Chappell Roan – who is up for six awards – went back in time to walk the red carpet. Pic: AP

Sabrina Carpenter in powder blue and feathers. Pic: AP
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Sabrina Carpenter in powder blue and feathers. Pic: AP

Kanye West and Bianca Censori, who later stripped off her fur coat to reveal a very sheer dress... Pic: Reuters
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Kanye West and Bianca Censori, who later stripped off her fur coat to reveal a very sheer dress… Pic: Reuters

Sheryl Crow in shimmering asymmetric print paired with a killer smile. Pic:AP
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Sheryl Crow in shimmering asymmetric print paired with a killer smile. Pic:AP

Flying the flag for the UK, Raye in a diamanté adorned black silk gown. Pic: AP
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Flying the flag for the UK, Raye in a diamanté adorned black silk gown. Pic: AP

Gracie Abrams giving strong bridal vibes. Pic: AP
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Gracie Abrams giving strong bridal vibes. Pic: AP

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend looking elegant in black. Legend is presenting an award tonight. Pic: AP
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Chrissy Teigen and John Legend looking elegant in black. Legend is presenting an award tonight. Pic: AP

Maggie Rose in a burst of gold and green. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Maggie Rose in a burst of gold and green. Pic: Reuters

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Politics

Sir Keir Starmer to urge EU nations to ‘shoulder more of the burden’ on defence spending

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Sir Keir Starmer to urge EU nations to 'shoulder more of the burden' on defence spending

Sir Keir Starmer will urge European countries to commit more in defence spending as he heads to Brussels for security talks.

The prime minister will call on Europe to “step up and shoulder more of the burden” to fend off the threat posed by Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

Sir Keir, the first prime minister to meet all the leaders of the 27 EU nations in Brussels since Brexit, will argue the bloc needs to capitalise on the weak state of the Russian economy by continuing with its sanctions regime.

The prime minister will meet NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday afternoon before travelling to meet with the leaders of the 27 EU member states at an informal meeting of the European Council.

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Sir Keir Starmer with Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, whom he hosted at Chequers on Sunday. Pic: PA

Sir Keir is expected to say: “We need to see all allies stepping up – particularly in Europe.

President Trump has threatened more sanctions on Russia and it’s clear that’s got Putin rattled. We know that he’s worried about the state of the Russian economy.

“I’m here to work with our European partners on keeping up the pressure, targeting the energy revenues and the companies supplying his missile factories to crush Putin’s war machine.

“Because ultimately, alongside our military support, that is what will bring peace closer.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Ukrainian soldiers have message for Trump

Sir Keir’s suggestion that EU countries should spend more on defence is likely to open him up to criticism from the Conservatives, who have urged the government to increase defence spending to 2.5% of national income.

The prime minister said at the end of last year that he would “set out a path” to lift defence spending to 2.5% of national income in the spring.

The UK says it currently spends around 2.3% of GDP [gross domestic product] on defence.

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy  meet at 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, Oct. 10, 2024. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at 10 Downing Street in October. Pic: Reuters

Last year EU member states spent an average of 1.9% of EU GDP on defence, according to the European Defence Agency, a 30% increase compared with 2021.

Earlier this week European Council President Antonio Costa said the 23 EU members who belong to NATO are likely to agree to raise the defence spending target above the current 2% of national output at the next NATO summit in June.

Read more:
Starmer must delicately balance his risky EU reset
Builder shortage challenging Labour’s growth plans

However, Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised NATO – the military alliance consisting of 30 European countries and the US and Canada – arguing that his country is contributing too much to the alliance’s budget while Europeans contribute too little.

During the US election campaign, President Trump said America would only help defend NATO members from a future attack by Russia if they met their spending obligations.

He also said members of NATO should be contributing 5% of their GDPs to defence spending – rather than the previous target of 2%.

The session of the Informal European Council comes as the government seeks to reset its relationship with the EU and boost areas of cooperation, including on defence and tackling illegal migration.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Starmer hosts German chancellor

On Sunday the prime minister hosted German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at his country residence Chequers, where the two leaders agreed on the “importance of scaling up and coordinating defence production across Europe”, Downing Street said.

However, the government has repeatedly said that a closer relationship with the EU will only be sought within its red lines – meaning there will be no return to freedom of movement and rejoining the customs union or single market.

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UK

Sir Keir Starmer to urge EU nations to ‘shoulder more of the burden’ on defence spending

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Sir Keir Starmer to urge EU nations to 'shoulder more of the burden' on defence spending

Sir Keir Starmer will urge European countries to commit more in defence spending as he heads to Brussels for security talks.

The prime minister will call on Europe to “step up and shoulder more of the burden” to fend off the threat posed by Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

Sir Keir, the first prime minister to meet all the leaders of the 27 EU nations in Brussels since Brexit, will argue the bloc needs to capitalise on the weak state of the Russian economy by continuing with its sanctions regime.

The prime minister will meet NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday afternoon before travelling to meet with the leaders of the 27 EU member states at an informal meeting of the European Council.

xxx
Image:
Sir Keir Starmer with Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, whom he hosted at Chequers on Sunday. Pic: PA

Sir Keir is expected to say: “We need to see all allies stepping up – particularly in Europe.

President Trump has threatened more sanctions on Russia and it’s clear that’s got Putin rattled. We know that he’s worried about the state of the Russian economy.

“I’m here to work with our European partners on keeping up the pressure, targeting the energy revenues and the companies supplying his missile factories to crush Putin’s war machine.

“Because ultimately, alongside our military support, that is what will bring peace closer.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Ukrainian soldiers have message for Trump

Sir Keir’s suggestion that EU countries should spend more on defence is likely to open him up to criticism from the Conservatives, who have urged the government to increase defence spending to 2.5% of national income.

The prime minister said at the end of last year that he would “set out a path” to lift defence spending to 2.5% of national income in the spring.

The UK says it currently spends around 2.3% of GDP [gross domestic product] on defence.

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy  meet at 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, Oct. 10, 2024. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at 10 Downing Street in October. Pic: Reuters

Last year EU member states spent an average of 1.9% of EU GDP on defence, according to the European Defence Agency, a 30% increase compared with 2021.

Earlier this week European Council President Antonio Costa said the 23 EU members who belong to NATO are likely to agree to raise the defence spending target above the current 2% of national output at the next NATO summit in June.

Read more:
Starmer must delicately balance his risky EU reset
Builder shortage challenging Labour’s growth plans

However, Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised NATO – the military alliance consisting of 30 European countries and the US and Canada – arguing that his country is contributing too much to the alliance’s budget while Europeans contribute too little.

During the US election campaign, President Trump said America would only help defend NATO members from a future attack by Russia if they met their spending obligations.

He also said members of NATO should be contributing 5% of their GDPs to defence spending – rather than the previous target of 2%.

The session of the Informal European Council comes as the government seeks to reset its relationship with the EU and boost areas of cooperation, including on defence and tackling illegal migration.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Starmer hosts German chancellor

On Sunday the prime minister hosted German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at his country residence Chequers, where the two leaders agreed on the “importance of scaling up and coordinating defence production across Europe”, Downing Street said.

However, the government has repeatedly said that a closer relationship with the EU will only be sought within its red lines – meaning there will be no return to freedom of movement and rejoining the customs union or single market.

Continue Reading

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