New Mexico Jury Finds Meta Violated State Law on User Safety

Lagguadia Airport Crash Investigation Intensifies

A devastating collision at New York’s LaGuardia Airport between an Air Canada flight and a fire truck has claimed the lives of two pilots, Captain Antoine Four and First Officer Mackenzie Gunther. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the crash, which also injured at least 40 others. Early findings reveal a critical 12-second window where air traffic control cleared the fire truck to cross the runway just before the plane landed. Investigators also confirmed the fire truck lacked a transponder, a device that would have triggered an airport warning system.

The NTSB identified that two air traffic controllers were on duty during the incident. The agency previously raised concerns about the fatigue associated with this specific mid-shift, which spans the circadian low point of the day when individuals are typically most tired. NTSB Chairwoman Homendy emphasized that multiple safety layers are designed to prevent accidents, meaning that “when something goes wrong, that means many, many things went wrong.”

Passengers described a terrifying experience, with one, Rebecca Liquori, recalling a turbulent landing followed by a loud screeching sound and a violent jolt. She believes the pilots’ actions, possibly hitting the brakes, may have lessened the impact of the crash, potentially saving lives. The runway at LaGuardia was expected to be shut down for days as the investigation continues.

Homeland Security Funding Talks Show Signs of Hope

Amidst a partial government shutdown causing chaos at airports nationwide, there are growing signs of a potential deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Sources familiar with the negotiations tell NBC News that Senate Republicans are optimistic about a path forward, with Democrats reportedly open to a Republican proposal.

The proposed deal, according to reporting, has two main parts. First, it would fund most of DHS, excluding certain parts of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that handle deportations. Second, Republicans would attempt to pass the remaining ICE funding through a reconciliation process, which allows for passage with a simple majority. However, some initial pushback has emerged. Democrats are reportedly rejecting the plan, stating it lacks necessary reforms for ICE. Meanwhile, a couple of Republicans have expressed reservations about a plan that doesn’t fully fund ICE in one package.

President Trump has indicated he will review the proposal, stating, “We’re going to take a good hard look at it.” A significant sticking point for Democrats is the inclusion of voter ID laws, part of the Save America Act, which Republicans are pushing. The Senate confirmed Mark Wayne Mullin as the new Secretary of Homeland Security, who takes over during this turbulent period with thousands of DHS employees working without pay.

Airport Delays Persist Amidst Funding Uncertainty

The ongoing government shutdown continues to impact air travel, with TSA staffing shortages leading to long security lines at many airports. While some airports, like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, have seen temporary lulls, others, such as Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, are still experiencing waits of three hours or more.

The CEO of United Airlines warned that ticket prices may need to increase by as much as 20% if fuel prices remain high. Despite the deployment of ICE officers to assist at over a dozen airports, the impact on overall wait times remains inconsistent. Travelers are increasingly uncertain, leading many to arrive hours earlier than necessary, only to find shorter lines, while others risk missing flights due to unexpected delays.

This uncertainty is expected to continue until TSA officers are paid normally and return to work in full numbers. The situation highlights the broader economic consequences of the government shutdown, affecting not only federal employees but also industries reliant on smooth government operations.

American National Freed from Custody in Afghanistan

An American national, academic researcher Dennis Coyle, has been released and is on his way home after more than a year in custody in Afghanistan. The Taliban-run government stated Coyle was freed following an appeal from his family and a ruling by the Afghan Supreme Court. The specific laws Coyle was accused of violating were never officially stated.

Coyle’s release comes weeks after the U.S. accused Afghanistan of engaging in “hostage diplomacy,” a practice the U.S. believes some countries use to extract concessions. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo thanked the UAE and Qatar for mediating the talks that led to Coyle’s release. His sister reported that Coyle had been studying languages in Afghanistan for nearly two decades and had returned in 2021 after the Taliban takeover to continue his work, despite limited communication and being largely confined to his residence.

Tensions Rise in the Middle East Amidst Troop Deployment

President Trump plans to send over 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East as tensions continue to escalate in the region. Reports indicate that at least 290 U.S. service members have been injured in the ongoing conflict, with 15 Americans losing their lives. The conflict has also resulted in over a thousand deaths in Iran and Lebanon, and dozens more across the region.

Pakistan is emerging as a potential mediator, with Gulf officials stating that the country has been relaying messages between the U.S. and Iran. Sources suggest Pakistan could even host an in-person meeting between the two nations in its capital. Meanwhile, strikes continue, with video footage showing rescue efforts following the destruction of a building outside Tehran.

President Trump expressed confidence that Iran has agreed not to pursue nuclear weapons, a statement that has been met with some confusion, as Iran has consistently maintained this position. The U.S. had previously demanded Iran give up its entire stockpile of enriched uranium, a much higher hurdle. The President also mentioned Iran offering the U.S. a “very valuable gift” related to oil and gas, possibly signaling a de-escalation or a willingness to engage.

Gulf nations are increasingly concerned about Iran’s potential to strike, despite the U.S. military presence in the region. While some Gulf officials expressed worries about leaving Iran angry and capable of lashing out, they also rely on U.S. military power for their own security. Qatar, despite its history of mediating between the U.S. and Iran, has indicated it is not interested in joining potential negotiations at this time, emphasizing the importance of its security partnership with the United States.

Secretary of State Testifies in Venezuela Lobbying Trial

In a rare court appearance, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo testified in the trial of a former friend and roommate, Miami Congressman David Rivera. Prosecutors accuse Rivera of secretly lobbying on behalf of Venezuela’s government, using his connections to persuade the White House to ease its hardline stance on Venezuela. Rivera denies these allegations.

Pompeo, who served with Rivera in the Florida Legislature for six years, testified about their close relationship. The prosecution presented a 2017 meeting between Pompeo (then a U.S. Senator) and Rivera as evidence of Rivera’s ability to influence policy and gain access to high-level officials. Pompeo stated that Rivera influenced the phrasing in a speech he gave on the Senate floor and shared information that Pompeo then conveyed to the White House.

While the testimony may illustrate Rivera’s alleged influence, Pompeo also noted that Rivera had been a staunch opponent of the Venezuelan and Cuban regimes throughout his career, a stance consistent with Pompeo’s own. This aspect of the testimony could raise questions about Rivera’s alleged motivations for working with the Venezuelan government.

Meta Ordered to Pay $375 Million in New Mexico Lawsuit

A jury in New Mexico has ruled that social media giant Meta violated state law concerning child sexual exploitation and user safety. The company was ordered to pay $375 million in damages. Meta has stated it respectfully disagrees with the verdict and plans to appeal, asserting its efforts to keep users safe and its confidence in protecting teens online.

This ruling comes as a jury in California is still deliberating in a separate, high-profile trial against Meta and Google. The New Mexico case was brought by the state’s Attorney General under a consumer fraud statute, arguing that Meta’s platforms, including Instagram and Facebook, were breeding grounds for sexual predators and that the company knowingly concealed these dangers from consumers. The jury’s finding of liability indicates they agreed with this assessment.

The $5,000 per violation penalty in New Mexico requires a showing of willful conduct, suggesting the jury found Meta acted purposefully to maximize profits. The deliberations in the California trial, which has already lasted eight days, are more complex, involving two defendants, Meta and YouTube. The jury there has asked for further guidance from the judge, indicating potential disagreements on specific defendants, and is continuing deliberations.

Source: Hallie Jackson NOW – March 24 | NBC News NOW (YouTube)