News

Facebook is still leading users to COVID-19 misinformation

Accurate data is paramount to stopping the spread of the deadly virus

Published

August 20, 2020

Luigi Leonardo

With the coronavirus pandemic still ongoing, accurate data is paramount to stopping the spread of the deadly virus. That said, politicized false news should ideally give way to scientifically backed information during this critical period. Of course, a large chunk of the burden lies with popular social media platforms today. However, according to new research, Facebook is still leading users to COVID-19 misinformation.

Reported by research firm Avaaz, health-related misinformation has reached 3.8 billion views for a year. This includes both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research pinpointed around 80 “popular” health-related Facebook accounts that initially spread the misinformation articles. The account’s followers then spread the articles to their own circles. Most critically, the secondary followers will start seeing more and more of the same misinformation on their feeds because of Facebook’s algorithm — regardless of whether they believed the initial article or not.

Of note, Facebook has previously promised to curb misinformation a few years ago and for the current pandemic. However, despite the mandate, health-related misinformation still pervades, racking up “almost four times as many views” as the top ten globally recognized health institutions. Further, the platform even admits that 125 million Facebook accounts are fake but still active on the site, further creating an algorithm that misinformation accounts can easily capitalize.

As it stands, Facebook has not caught 84 percent of the misinformation articles tested by the firm. This includes a COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy theory supposedly perpetrated by Bill Gates. It also includes a fake directive that doctors were instructed to overreport infection numbers, 5G-related conspiracies, and a number of fake cures.

In the end, the report suggests a “detoxifying” strategy for the current algorithm. Though the platform already promises to label factually incorrect information, massive amounts of misinformation still slip through the cracks. If the world hopes to bounce back, social media needs to step up.

Entertainment

Neon Genesis Evangelion is getting another anime series

Nier’s Yoko Taro is helming the project.

Published

February 24, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

For an anime franchise that surely belongs in greatest-of-all-time lists, Neon Genesis Evangelion seems to thrive on controversy. From the polarizing ending of the original series to the controversial introduction of Mari Makinami in the Rebuild trilogy, there’s a lot to talk about between Evangelion fans. Now, the series has something new coming. Neon Genesis Evangelion is getting yet another series.

Most recently, the Rebuild of Evangelion completed its arc of rebooting the entire franchise with a more conclusive ending. It was a near conclusion, especially for those who grew dissatisfied with the previous attempts’ endings. Now, an upcoming series might take the franchise to new grounds.

To celebrate the franchise’s 30^th anniversary, Neon Genesis Evangelion is getting a new series helmed by Nier’s Yoko Taro, which you might also know as the guy who wears a creepy moon on his head. Kazuya Tsurumaki, who directed the Rebuild films, will return to direct some episodes. Series creator Hideaki Anno is, unfortunately, not writing this story.

Right now, no one knows what story the series will tell. The franchise is notorious for retelling the same story over and over but with different endings. It’s unclear whether the upcoming series will do the same, tell an entirely new story, or pick up where the series left off.

News

Nothing releases first look at Phone (4a)

The phone is still scheduled to launch on March 5.

Published

February 24, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Judging by their irreverent advertising as of late, Nothing wants to upstage Apple during the scheduled launch of the iPhone 17e. Specifically, the brand is launching the Nothing Phone (4a) a day after Apple’s event. Now, it looks like the wait got too long, even for the company itself. Ahead of the launch, Nothing has just revealed our first official look at the upcoming phone.

There is a lot riding on this phone. Earlier this year, Carl Pei confirmed that the brand will not launch the Phone (4) series this year. Instead, Nothing’s flagship spot for 2026 (or, at least, closest to it) will be reserved for the Phone (4a).

Like the previous years of the (a) series, the Phone (4a) is a notch below the flagship series but can still stand on its own. For one, it’s expected to launch with the latest Snapdragon 7 series chipset.

However, for the released photo, we got a look at the device’s rear. Like the Phone (3a), the Phone (4a) will have a center-aligned camera island.

Built different.
Phone (4a). 5 March, 10:30 GMT. pic.twitter.com/n3ZtbTmYIv

— Nothing (@nothing) February 23, 2026

There is a bit more going on with the phone, though. The photo teases the new Glyph Bars, the latest iteration of Nothing’s iconic lighting system. There’s also the red square usually prevalent in the flagship series.

As for aesthetic, the Phone (4a) looks simpler than its predecessors. We’re still getting the faux machinery designs, but there’s less lines and angles. It looks the closest to the flagship series than any of its predecessors.

Thankfully, the wait for the reveal isn’t long. Nothing is scheduled to launch the series on March 5.

Gaming

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are coming to the Switch

Both games will be available starting February 27.

Published

February 20, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Millennials, prepare to have your nostalgia get hit right in the feels. Nintendo has officially announced that Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are coming to the Switch.

This year, the Pokémon franchise is celebrating its 30^th anniversary. Naturally, with Pokémon Day coming up, it’s only right to celebrate the event with something huge. Finally, two of the most prolific titles in the series are coming to a modern console.

Originally released in 2004, Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen were remakes of the original Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue. At the time, the two titles reimagined the older games for the Game Boy Advance. Additionally, they introduced new post-game content set in the Sevii Islands, where Ho-Oh, Lugia, and Deoxys reside in the Kanto region.

Based on the short teaser trailer, the upcoming Switch versions will feature all of both games’ content. It will likely be remastered for the Switch’s larger screen.

To showcase more of the Switch version, Nintendo is hosting a Pokémon Presents on February 27. The brand has not mentioned anything about a potential physical version yet. However, they do promise that both games will be available on the Nintendo eShop as soon as next week’s Pokémon Presents concludes. Each game will cost US$ 19.99.