The European Union has fined Meta €797.72 million for violating antitrust laws by integrating Facebook Marketplace into its social media platform, giving it an unfair advantage over competitors.

The European Commission accused Meta of abusing its dominant position by automatically granting Facebook users access to Marketplace and imposing unfair trading conditions on rival classified ad providers advertising on Facebook.

“This behavior is illegal under EU antitrust rules. Meta must now stop,” said Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s competition commissioner.

Meta announced plans to appeal the decision, arguing it misrepresents competition in Europe.

“Users choose to engage with Marketplace voluntarily,” Meta stated, dismissing allegations of leveraging competitor ad data for Marketplace’s benefit.

The fine, one of the EU’s largest against Big Tech, reflects the “duration and gravity” of the violations. It comes as the EU intensifies its regulatory scrutiny through measures like the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act.

This decision follows earlier actions against Meta, including accusations of forcing users into data-sharing agreements under a “pay or consent” system.

To address regulatory concerns, Meta recently introduced less targeted ads for free users in the EU and reduced prices for its ad-free subscriptions.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred the national honor of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) posthumously on the late Chief of Army Staff, General Taoreed Lagbaja.

The honor was presented during his funeral at the National Cemetery in Mogadishu, Abuja, on Friday, November 15.

In his tribute, President Tinubu praised General Lagbaja as a trusted advisor and a leader who prioritized the nation and his troops. “His legacy of service will be cherished forever,” Tinubu said, adding that Lagbaja was one of his finest appointments.

The president urged Nigerians to emulate the late general’s principles, highlighting his courage and dedication to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.

“For his sacrifice and leadership, General Lagbaja will forever reside in the pantheon of military greats,” he concluded.

Mike Ejiofor, a former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), has revealed that the insurgent group Lakurawa, recently flagged for attacks in Nigeria’s North-West, has existed for years with roots in Niger Republic and Mali.

Speaking on Sunrise Daily by Channels Television, Ejiofor refuted claims of the group being new, tracing its origins to a vigilante initiative under Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara, the former military Head of State of Niger Republic.

Following Maïnassara’s death, neglect by the Nigerien government led to the group scattering and evolving into a threat.

He added that the group was invited into Sokoto State for security assistance but later exploited the situation, prompting efforts to expel them by 2018.

Ejiofor emphasized that unlike Boko Haram, Lakurawa remains localized, offering an opportunity for the government and military to neutralize the group and tackle escalating insecurity in the region.