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Reuters
22-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Exclusive: FTC probes Media Matters over Musk's X boycott claims, document shows
May 22 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has demanded documents from Media Matters about possible coordination with other media watchdogs accused by Elon Musk of helping orchestrate advertiser boycotts of X, according to a document seen by Reuters on Thursday. The civil investigative demand seen by Reuters seeks information about Media Matters' communications with other groups that evaluate misinformation and hate speech in news and social media, including a World Federation of Advertisers initiative called Global Alliance for Responsible Media. X has ongoing lawsuits against both organizations. The probe marks an escalation in U.S. government scrutiny of whether groups like Media Matters helped advertisers coordinate to pull ad dollars from X after Musk bought the social media site formerly known as Twitter in 2022. The demand seeks all documents Media Matters, a Washington, D.C.-based liberal advocacy group, has produced or received in the X lawsuit related to advertiser boycotts. FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson, who was appointed by President Donald Trump to run the agency, highlighted the potential for a probe in December. "We must prosecute any unlawful collusion between online platforms, and confront advertiser boycotts which threaten competition among those platforms," Ferguson said in a statement on an unrelated case. The U.S. House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Republican member Jim Jordan, accused the Global Alliance for Responsible Media last year of coordinating an illegal group boycott. The initiative was shut down in August. A spokesperson for the FTC declined to comment. Media Matters and the World Federation of Advertisers did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An investigative demand is not proof of wrongdoing, and not all investigations result in the FTC taking enforcement action. Advertising spending on X is set to increase in 2025 for the first time since Musk bought it in 2022, research firm Emarketer said in March, but it remains below its pre-Musk level. The Tesla (TSLA.O), opens new tab CEO was a major donor to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and runs his initiative to slash the federal workforce. Last year, X sued the World Federation of Advertisers and a group of major brands in federal court in Texas, accusing them of illegally conspiring to curtail ad spending. The group has asked a judge to dismiss the lawsuit, contending that advertisers chose other platforms based on their concerns about X's commitment to brand safety. Media Matters and X are battling each other in federal courts in Texas and California. X sued Media Matters in 2023, accusing the organization of defaming it in an article that said ads for major brands had appeared next to posts on X that touted far-right extremist content. Media Matters has denied the allegations, and sued X, accusing it of abusive, costly and meritless lawsuits to punish the group for its reporting on advertising on X after Musk purchased the site. The organization has said defending against X's claims has cost it millions of dollars.
Morocco World
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
EU Gulf Envoy Commends Morocco's Two-State Solution Leadership
Doha – The European Union's special envoy for the Gulf, Luigi Di Maio, praised Morocco's pivotal role in advancing the two-state solution during the fifth Global Alliance meeting in Rabat on Tuesday. The former Italian foreign minister expressed gratitude for Morocco's 'generous hospitality' in co-organizing the gathering with the Netherlands. Di Maio described the Rabat meeting as the 'first joint initiative outside the initial group of co-organizers' of the alliance working toward lasting regional peace. He called for 'concrete actions' supporting Palestinian state sovereignty. The alliance aims to prepare for the high-level conference on the two-state solution scheduled at UN headquarters in New York next month, which will be co-organized by Saudi Arabia and France. 'We are fully committed to collaborating with the Kingdom of Morocco and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as well as with all partners gathered here,' Di Maio stated. He warned that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the alarming situation in the West Bank risk seriously compromising the viability of the two-state solution. More than 50 countries and international organizations participated in the Rabat discussions. Palestinian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Farsin Aghabekian Shaheen also thanked King Mohammed VI for his efforts in supporting the Palestinian cause. She said Morocco's hosting of the meeting reflects the country's sustained efforts to make Palestinian statehood a concrete reality. 'We rely enormously on this kind of meetings,' she noted, particularly during Palestine's current delicate situation, plagued by genocide. The meeting contributes to efforts to implement the two-state solution and enrich preparations for the New York conference. On his turn, Arab League Deputy Secretary-General Hossam Zaki affirmed that the two-state solution forms the foundation of the Arab Peace Initiative. 'We still believe in this solution and continue to support it as the basis for peace in the Middle East,' he said. Zaki reminded attendees of Gaza's catastrophic situation due to continued Israeli aggression and attempts to forcibly displace the population. He called this out as a violation of international law and humanitarian principles. 'The only option where there are no losers' For Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, the two-state solution is positioned as the cornerstone for Middle East stability. He described it as 'the only option where there are no losers' because Palestinians gain freedom and dignity, Israelis gain security and stability, and the entire region benefits from development opportunities. Bourita insisted the solution requires a concrete roadmap with precise timelines and clear, responsible steps. The minister rejected treating the two-state solution as an empty slogan or diplomatic maneuvering. He noted that extremists from all sides lose with implementation because they feed off conflict. Morocco maintains this vision under King Mohammed VI's leadership as head of the Al-Quds Committee. The North African country's diplomacy works determinedly to bring viewpoints closer and increase chances for just peace. Morocco's approach to Palestinian support combines diplomatic initiatives with practical ground projects. The Bayt Mal Al-Quds Agency strengthens Jerusalem residents' resilience through projects covering daily life aspects, including food, medical care, and education. Bourita stressed that economic support cannot substitute for political solutions. The country seeks fundamental conflict treatment rather than temporary pain relief. The Global Alliance operates on three main axes. First, it draws from past successes to converge toward a promising future. Second, it strengthens institutional support for the Palestinian National Authority under President Mahmoud Abbas. Third, it anchors economic dimensions in the peace process. Bourita called economic foundations essential for sustainable peace, while maintaining that sovereignty cannot be conditioned. The meeting produced concrete political recommendations supporting diplomatic efforts and strengthening conditions for two-state solution implementation. The Global Alliance launched during the UN General Assembly's high-level week in September 2024. This fifth meeting follows previous gatherings in Riyadh, Brussels, Oslo, and Cairo. The initiative positions itself as a diplomatic platform dedicated to effectively relaunching the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Tags: Morocco and Palestinetwo-state solution
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
In light of its Chairmanship of Al-Quds Committee, Morocco Sees Two-State Solution as Cornerstone to Regional Security and Stability- Morocco's Foreign Minister
Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates Mr. Nasser Bourita affirmed on Tuesday in Rabat that the Kingdom of Morocco, in light of its historical responsibility and its chairmanship of the Al-Quds Committee, considers the two-state solution as the cornerstone for ensuring the security and stability of the region. Speaking at the opening of the fifth meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution—organized by the Kingdom of Morocco in partnership with the Kingdom of the Netherlands under the theme "Sustaining Momentum for the Peace Process: Lessons Learned, Success Stories and Steps Forward", MFA Bourita noted that the Two-State solution "is the only option where there are no losers, as everyone gains: Palestinians gain their freedom and dignity, Israelis their security and stability, and the entire region gains opportunities for development and progress." The Minister stressed that the Two-State solution is neither an empty slogan nor a pretext for diplomatic posturing, but a moral commitment and a realistic political option that can no longer be postponed or subject to hesitation. "In this context, wars have been waged and violence has afflicted all parties, never bringing about peace or lasting security. Today, it is imperative to translate this choice into a roadmap with a clear timeline and responsible steps,' he added. According to MFA Bourita, it is evident that "some do lose from the implementation of this solution: extremists on all sides, who thrive on the conflict and live in its shadow. Also among the losers are those who trade in slogans and claim to support the Palestinian people without offering even a bag of rice, simply because they prefer the comfort of opposition over the responsibility of action." He emphasized that the Two-State solution is not a fleeting idea but a historic choice endorsed by the international community for decades. Despite successive crises, this option remains the only viable path toward a just and lasting settlement, enabling the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Al-Quds as its capital. Throughout the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Bourita recalled, this horizon has sometimes seemed within reach, and at other times more distant, but it remains the guiding compass toward a peaceful resolution for the benefit of both peoples and the wider region—one that ensures the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within internationally recognized borders. In this regard, the Minister affirmed that Morocco, under the leadership of its Sovereigns, has always remained faithful to this vision. From the reign of the late His Majesty King Hassan II, may God rest his soul, to the reign of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, Moroccan diplomacy has consistently worked with determination and calm—sometimes in silence but always with wisdom and effectiveness—to bring viewpoints closer and increase the chances for a just peace. MFA Bourita emphasized that His Majesty the King clearly outlined the parameters for overcoming the current deadlock in His address at the recent Arab Summit in Baghdad. These include the immediate cessation of military operations, viewed as both a humanitarian and political priority, and the need to confront attacks in the West Bank, including demolitions and forced displacements. He added that it is also essential to ensure the unhindered and unconditional delivery of humanitarian aid, to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) so it can continue its humanitarian mission, and to launch an integrated reconstruction plan in accordance with the conclusions of the recent Cairo Summit, under the supervision of the Palestinian Authority and with Arab and international oversight. Furthermore, MFA Bourita highlighted that the approach of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution rests on three main pillars. The first involves drawing on past successes to move toward a promising future. "We do not recall previous peace agreements to justify failures but to prove that peace is not a mirage, but a realistic prospect when the will to achieve it exists," he stated. The second pillar aims to strengthen institutional support for the Palestinian National Authority, he added, noting that, the Authority under the leadership of President Mahmoud Abbas, remains the only viable partner, and reinforcing its capacities and legitimacy is essential to the success of the Two-State solution—not as a precondition for recognizing the Palestinian state, but because the sovereignty of peoples should never be conditional. Regarding the third pillar, MFA Bourita stated that it involves embedding the economic dimension in the peace process, emphasizing that there can be no peace without a solid economic foundation. "The economy of peace" must serve as a vehicle for integration, a lever for coexistence, and a platform for launching joint projects, he said. In this regard, he added, the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Agency is well-positioned to play a central role in supporting the Palestinian national economy, as it has done for years in line with the directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee. "But let's be clear," he stressed, "no amount of economic support can substitute for a political solution. We do not want temporary painkillers, but rather a fundamental treatment of the conflict." On this occasion, MFA Bourita called for enriching the "Compendium," which Morocco intends to present jointly with the Netherlands. He also praised the leading role played by Saudi Arabia, Norway, and the European Union in driving this Alliance forward, while expressing Morocco's support for the Franco-Saudi co-presidency of the High-Level Conference on the peaceful resolution of the Palestinian issue and the implementation of the Two-State solution, scheduled for next month in New York. The Minister stressed that holding this meeting in a dramatic context marked by the ongoing Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip is not just another diplomatic gathering, but a message of hope addressed to the peoples of the Middle East and a concrete step toward reviving the Two-State option to make it a tangible reality through effective measures. At this crucial historical juncture, Bourita affirmed, "we believe that our Alliance can be part of the promising initiatives capable of injecting new momentum into peace efforts by proposing concrete measures and tangible actions to bring the political process to a more advanced level and thereby create the diplomatic dynamic needed to establish the Two-State solution as the only path to a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace for the Palestinian cause." Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Fifth Global Alliance for Implementation of Two-State Solution Kicks Off in Rabat
The Fifth Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution kicked off in Rabat on Tuesday, under the theme "Sustaining Momentum for the Peace Process: Lessons Learned, Success Stories and Steps Forward". Co-host by the Kingdom of Morocco and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, this meeting brings together government officials and representatives from around 50 countries and international organizations committed to the Two-State Solution. It will assess the accumulated results of past peace efforts in favor of peace in the Middle-East, strengthen the narrative of the success stories, explore how these achievements can be leveraged and used to develop concrete, time-bound measures to reinforce progress toward a Two-State Solution. The gathering will then focus on the means to build Palestinian economy. Organized into three thematic discussions, the meeting will also focus on evaluating the impact of past peace initiatives in the Middle-East, strengthening Palestinian institutions and governance, as well as economic foundations for peace. This Alliance serves as a key diplomatic platform for advancing meaningful progress toward a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. It works to translate existing diplomatic efforts and success stories into tangible, irreversible steps toward a Two-State Solution. The outcomes of this meeting will feed into the work of the High-Level Conference on the Two-State Solution, scheduled to take place at the United Nations headquarters in New York in June 2025. Launched during the High-Level Week of the UN General Assembly in September 2024, the Global Alliance is a diplomatic platform dedicated to the effective revival of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. This fifth meeting follows four previous ones held in Riyadh, Brussels, Oslo, and Cairo. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.
Morocco World
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco to Host 5th Meeting of Global Alliance for Two-State Solution
Rabat — Morocco will host a meeting on the future of Palestinian statehood on Tuesday in Rabat. The 5th meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution will bring together high-ranking political officials, special envoys, and representatives from international organizations to discuss a path forward to peace in the region that is currently under crisis due to Israel's genocidal war on Gaza and the West Bank. Morocco is organizing the meeting in partnership with the Netherlands, providing a platform for participants to address several key topics. On the agenda are discussions ranging from the impact of Middle East peace processes to efforts to support Palestinian state governance structures, as well as economic foundations for peace in the region. The meeting is also designed to be a launchpad for projects, initiatives, and achievements that contribute to and support lasting peace in the Middle East region. Organizers expect participants to form concrete policy recommendations aimed at supporting diplomatic efforts and strengthening conditions to pave the way for a smooth and efficient implementation of the two-state solution. The gathering also aims to draw conclusions that would contribute to the upcoming high-level conference also on Palestinian statehood that will be held at United Nations headquarters in New York in June 2025. Read also: Morocco Reaffirms Commitment to Palestinian Cause, Two-State Solution In September of last year, the Global Alliance launched during the UN General Assembly High-Level Week as a diplomatic platform dedicated to effectively reviving the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. This fifth meeting follows previous gatherings held in Riyadh, Brussels, Oslo, and Cairo. Morocco has always backed the Palestinian cause, reiterating the need for implementing the two-state solution. The North African country believes the two-state solution framework is the backbone of establishing security and stability in the region. Morocco's King Mohammed VI has relentlessly called for adopting the solution, which includes establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. On the ongoing Israeli genocide on Gaza, the king has recently called on parties involved in the unrest to sit down at the negotiation table. In his speech to the 34th Arab Summit in Baghdad, Iraq, the Moroccan monarch urged the immediate intervention to put an end to the 'Israeli military aggressions against the West Bank, particularly the demolition of homes and the forced displacement of peaceful, unarmed populations living in areas under Israeli security control.' Tags: GazaIsraelMoroccoPalestinetwo-state solution
