Meta has introduced a new mobile application named Forum, positioning it as a platform for community-driven conversations. The app, which bears resemblance to Reddit, focuses on facilitating deeper discussions and providing a space for users to share knowledge. Meta describes Forum as a "dedicated space built for deeper discussions, real answers and communities you care about."

The app allows users to create and join communities centered around specific topics. Within these communities, members can post questions, share insights, and engage in threaded conversations. Forum incorporates a voting system similar to Reddit's upvote and downvote mechanism, enabling the community to surface the most relevant content.

Forum's interface is clean and minimal, with a focus on text-based posts. Users can follow topics and communities, and the app provides a personalized feed of content from those communities. Meta has not integrated advertising into Forum at launch, suggesting the company may be testing the app's engagement before monetizing.

The launch of Forum comes as Meta continues to explore new social platforms beyond its core products. The company has previously experimented with standalone apps like Threads, which competes with Twitter, and Lasso, a short-form video app. Forum appears to target users seeking more substantive discussions than those typically found on Facebook or Instagram.

Industry observers note that Forum enters a market dominated by Reddit, which has maintained a strong user base for niche communities. Reddit reported over 430 million monthly active users in 2023. Meta's entry into this space could intensify competition, though Forum's integration with Meta's broader ecosystem may offer advantages.

Forum is currently available for download on iOS and Android devices. The app is accessible in select countries, including Canada and Australia, with no immediate announcement of a global rollout. Meta has not disclosed specific user numbers or engagement metrics for Forum.

Pricing for Forum is free, with no in-app purchases or subscription fees at this time. Meta has not indicated plans to introduce premium features. The company's privacy policy for Forum aligns with its standard data practices, collecting user information for personalization and improvement.

A Meta spokesperson stated, "Forum is an early-stage experiment focused on helping people have meaningful conversations. We're starting small to learn what works best for users." The company has not provided a timeline for expanding Forum's availability to other regions.

Meta has reached a settlement with Kentucky's Breathitt County School District, resolving a lawsuit that accused the company of contributing to mental health harms among teenagers. The school district had sought payment from Meta to cover expenses incurred in addressing social media-related mental health issues among its students. This settlement comes after Meta suffered back-to-back losses in other trials concerning the same subject.

The case was scheduled to go to trial in June, marking what would have been the first bellwether trial in a multidistrict litigation (MDL) that consolidates numerous claims against social media companies. The MDL includes lawsuits from school districts, state attorneys general, and individuals alleging that platforms like Facebook and Instagram have negatively affected teen mental health.

Google's YouTube, Snap, and TikTok had previously settled similar claims brought by the Breathitt County School District. These settlements indicate a broader trend of social media companies resolving legal disputes over their platforms' effects on young users. The specific terms of Meta's settlement were not disclosed.

The Breathitt County case was part of a larger wave of litigation against social media firms, with plaintiffs arguing that these companies designed addictive features that harm teenagers' mental well-being. The settlements allow the companies to avoid potentially lengthy and costly trials, as well as the risk of adverse judgments.

Meta has faced increasing scrutiny over its platforms' impact on youth mental health, with internal research reportedly showing that Instagram can be harmful to some teens. The company has introduced various safety features and parental controls in response to criticism, but legal challenges continue to mount.

The settlement with the Kentucky school district does not resolve all pending cases against Meta. The company still faces numerous other lawsuits in the MDL, including claims from other school districts and state attorneys general. The outcome of this settlement could influence how those cases proceed.

A Meta spokesperson stated that the company is committed to providing a safe online experience for teens and is investing in tools and resources to support their well-being. The settlement allows Meta to focus on these efforts rather than prolonged litigation. The trial that was set for June has been canceled as a result of the agreement.

A judge presiding over the New York state case against Luigi Mangione, who is charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, ruled on Monday that some evidence gathered by law enforcement cannot be presented to a jury. The decision came during a hearing that also drew attention for events outside the courthouse.

Molly Crane-Newman, a reporter for the New York Daily News, recorded video of several attendees making incendiary statements to the press. One attendee, Lena Weissbrot, claimed that Thompson's children were "better off without him" and that they "needed to learn to not be like their dad." Thompson was fatally shot in December 2024.

Another individual, who identified themselves only as Ashley, also made remarks that were captured on video. The content of Ashley's statements was not detailed in the report. The judge's evidentiary ruling and the courthouse comments mark the latest developments in a case that has drawn significant public attention.

The murder of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, occurred in December 2024. Luigi Mangione was subsequently arrested and charged in connection with the killing. The case is being handled in New York state court.

Monday's hearing addressed the admissibility of evidence collected by police during their investigation. The judge determined that certain pieces of evidence could not be shown to a jury, though the specific items or their nature were not disclosed in the ruling.

The video recorded by Crane-Newman outside the courthouse has since circulated, highlighting the charged atmosphere surrounding the case. The remarks from attendees have sparked discussion about the public's reaction to the high-profile murder.

Mangione's legal team has not publicly commented on the judge's evidentiary ruling. The prosecution is expected to proceed with the remaining evidence as the case moves toward trial. No trial date has been set.

The hearing took place on May 18, 2026, as noted by the pool photograph credit. The case continues to unfold in New York state court, with further proceedings anticipated.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is bringing his office to the streaming platform Twitch with a new series titled "Talk with the People." The show will feature Mamdani responding to questions submitted by viewers through the chat feature, according to a report from Polygon. The first episode is scheduled to air later today at 4PM ET.

Mamdani described the initiative as a way to meet New Yorkers where they already spend their time online. "With the launch of 'Talk with the People' we're bringing City Hall to the platforms where New Yorkers already are - speaking directly with the people," he told Polygon in a written statement.

The series is being billed as the first recurring cross-platform stream hosted by an elected official in the United States. Mamdani emphasized that the live format on Twitch will allow for a direct line of communication between the mayor and residents.

During the streams, Mamdani plans to address a range of topics submitted by the audience. The interactive nature of Twitch's chat function will enable real-time engagement, with the mayor fielding questions as they come in.

The move marks a notable expansion of Mamdani's digital outreach strategy. By leveraging a platform popular among younger demographics, the mayor aims to increase accessibility to city governance.

"Talk with the People" will stream on Mamdani's official Twitch channel. The schedule for future episodes has not been announced, but the series is expected to continue on a recurring basis.

Mamdani's office confirmed that the streams will also be shared across other social media platforms to maximize reach. The first episode airs today at 4PM ET on Twitch.