World News Daily(2024-08-28) : Chinese Hackers Target US Internet Firms via Startup Vulnerability
Chinese Hackers Target US Internet Firms via Startup Vulnerability
Chinese hackers, backed by the state, breached US and Indian internet firms. They exploited a bug in Versa Networks, a California startup. Lumen's Black Lotus Labs identified the breaches, linking them to Volt Typhoon. This campaign targets critical US infrastructure, including water facilities and the power grid. Versa has issued a patch for the bug, but concerns persist about US vulnerability to cyberattacks.
ScoresPolitics
France Launches Mobile Phone Ban Trial in Schools for Under-15s
France plans to implement a mobile phone ban in 197 schools for children under 15, requiring phones to be handed in at reception. This trial, aimed at creating a "digital pause," builds on a 2018 law that only restricted phone use, not possession. If successful, the ban will be extended nationwide in January.
A presidential commission has warned about the detrimental effects of screen time on children's health and development. Their report links digital devices to issues such as sleep disturbances, sedentary habits, and obesity.
ScoresU.N. Calls for Review of China's Xinjiang Policies Amid Human Rights Concerns
U.N. urges China to review Xinjiang policies. Two years after a critical report, the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights calls for a full review of laws and policies in Xinjiang, citing ongoing human rights concerns.
The U.N. team discussed China’s criminal justice system and policies, sparking allegations of abuses against Uyghurs and Tibetans. Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the human rights office, highlighted the need for a human rights perspective on national security and counterterrorism laws, and stronger protection against discrimination for minorities.
Allegations of torture and human rights violations require thorough investigation. The U.N. faces challenges monitoring the situation due to limited access and fear of reprisals.
Rights groups accuse Beijing of detaining and abusing Uyghurs and other Turkic-Muslim minorities, including forced labor and internment camps. Beijing denies these allegations, framing the programs as anti-terrorism measures.
Rayhan Asat, a human rights lawyer, praised U.N. rights Commissioner Volker Turk for his commitment but noted little progress since the 2022 report. The report concluded that China’s treatment of Uyghurs may constitute crimes against humanity. Despite Chinese pressure, the U.N. Human Rights Council narrowly voted against debating the report.
Other U.N. expert committees also allege rights abuses. A recent U.N. review found Beijing increasingly rejecting recommendations and limiting access to Xinjiang.
ScoresIOM Chief Calls for Climate Migration Pathways
NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga — Amy Pope, head of the International Organization for Migration, urges more nations to create migration pathways for climate refugees. She highlights Australia’s visa treaty with Tuvalu, allowing 280 Tuvaluans yearly entry to escape rising seas.
Pope emphasizes the need for balanced migration, avoiding the depletion of skilled workers from source countries. She advocates for resilience-building and training in island communities.
The IOM focuses on the Pacific as a testing ground for global climate migration strategies. Pope notes that climate-driven displacements now exceed those from conflict.
Remittances, money sent home by migrants, offer a development tool. Pope cites Somalia’s community funding model and Walmart’s zero-fee remittance service as promising initiatives.
Efforts to lower remittance costs could significantly boost local economies. Pope’s vision is clear: proactive migration policies and strategic use of remittances can aid climate-affected communities.
ScoresSociety
Gradiant: Water Treatment Startup Reaches Unicorn Status
Gradiant, a water treatment startup, has now become a unicorn. They've raised $228 million. Their technology recycles wastewater, cutting costs in half. They claim to recover 99% of water, unlike others who manage 50-60%.
Their process mimics rain. Wastewater heats, turns to vapor, leaving contaminants behind. The vapor then mixes with cool water, condensing into fresh water. They save 1.7 billion gallons daily, enough for 48 million people.
Clients include Coca-Cola, BMW, Pfizer. They've secured over $500 million in orders this year. Investors like General Innovation Capital Partners support them. They also have backing from Warburg Pincus, M&G Investments, and others.
Scaling is tough. Gradiant offers a full solution, a rarity in the industry. Their growth attracts more funding, promising a cleaner future.
ScoresTelegram Founder Pavel Durov Arrested in Paris on Multiple Charges
Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has been arrested in Paris. Charges against him include aiding drug trafficking, money laundering, and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Telegram's lax moderation and refusal to cooperate with law enforcement have been highlighted.
Durov faces 12 charges, grouped into four categories:
- Complicity in illegal activities.
- Non-cooperation with law enforcement.
- Unreported cryptographic features.
- Membership in a criminal association and money laundering.
Telegram's new digital currency, Stars, and its conversion to Toncoin, a cryptocurrency, raise suspicions of money laundering. The app's built-in crypto wallet and Toncoin transactions complicate matters.
Durov's arrest is unrelated to the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA). French President Emmanuel Macron denies political motives. Durov's detention can last up to 96 hours, after which the court must decide on formal indictment and potential custody.
Explanation of Terms:
- CSAM: Child Sexual Abuse Material.
- DSA: Digital Services Act, EU regulation governing digital platforms.
- Toncoin: Cryptocurrency used by Telegram for various features.
Solar and Battery Storage Lead U.S. Energy Growth in 2024
In 2024, solar and battery storage are the leading drivers of U.S. energy growth. The EIA reports that 80% of new power comes from these sources. From January to June, 20.2 gigawatts of new capacity came online, with solar accounting for 60%. Key players include Texas and Nevada, both states with abundant sunshine.
Battery installations surged, reaching 4.2 gigawatts, over 20% of the total. California leads, but Texas, Arizona, and Nevada also make significant contributions. Notable projects include Nevada's Gemini and Arizona's Eleven Mile.
Wind energy added 2.5 gigawatts, although it lags behind solar and batteries. The largest projects, Canyon Wind and Goodnight, are located in Texas. Nuclear energy saw modest growth with Georgia's Vogtle reactor.
The EIA forecasts a strong second half, with over 42.6 gigawatts expected, mostly from solar and battery sources. This surge is pushing 2024 towards nearly zero-emission power generation.
China's early achievement of its 2030 renewable energy target underscores the global momentum. U.S. power plant retirements have slowed, with natural gas and coal leading the reductions.
ScoresEconomy
Uber and BYD Announce Strategic Alliance for Sustainable Mobility
Uber and BYD forge a strategic alliance. Focus: Global low-carbon transport. Plan: Integrate 100,000 BYD EVs into Uber fleets. Markets: Europe, Latin America, then Middle East, Canada, Australia, New Zealand. Also: Joint development of autonomous driving tech.
Insight: This partnership signals a significant shift towards sustainable mobility solutions in the ride-hailing industry, leveraging BYD's electric vehicle expertise and Uber's extensive global network.
ScoresXpeng Launches Affordable Electric Car, Shares Surge
Xpeng, a Chinese electric car company, launched a new model, the Mona M03, priced at $16,812. Orders exceeded 10,000 within an hour of its launch. Shares surged 6.5% in New York and nearly 2% in Hong Kong. Founder He Xiaopeng invested nearly $10 million in company stock, increasing his stake to 18.8%. Analysts highlight China's increasing dominance in affordable car manufacturing.
ScoresBitcoin Surge Creates Over 84,000 New Crypto Millionaires
Crypto millionaires surged by 95% over the past year, with now 172,300 individuals holding over $1 million in crypto assets. Bitcoin's dominance has doubled its millionaire count to 85,400.
Crypto wealth has expanded across various levels: there are now 325 centi-millionaires and 28 billionaires. Bitcoin ETFs, managing $50 billion in assets, have fueled this growth.
Bitcoin's price increased by 45% this year, boosting the crypto market cap to $2.3 trillion. Six new crypto billionaires have emerged, five of whom are from bitcoin.
Changpeng Zhao, founder of Binance, leads with an estimated $33 billion. Despite legal challenges, his wealth has increased by $10.5 billion.
Institutional acceptance, ranging from BlackRock to Morgan Stanley, promises further wealth creation. Crypto's influence extends to lifestyle choices, with the wealthy seeking tax-friendly havens.
Henley & Partners tracks these trends, ranking crypto-friendly countries. Singapore tops the list, followed by Hong Kong and the UAE.
The rise of crypto is not just about wealth; it's reshaping global finance and personal decisions.
ScoresLego's 2024 Revenue Surges 13% Amid Strong Global Sales and Sustainability Efforts
Lego's revenue surged 13% in the first half of 2024, reaching 31 billion Danish krone ($4.65 billion). CEO Niels Christiansen attributes the strong performance to robust sales across Lego Icons, Lego Creator, and the Lego Fortnite collaboration. Despite inflationary pressures, Lego has experienced volume growth rather than merely price increases.
Competing toy companies Mattel and Hasbro faced challenges, with Mattel's sales declining by 1% and Hasbro's by 21%. Lego's extensive product range, spanning from Harry Potter to Star Wars sets, has maintained high demand.
Sales in the U.S. and Europe are strong, but those in China remain stagnant. Lego intends to open 40 new stores worldwide in the second half of 2024, including 20 in China, banking on long-term growth potential.
Lego's commitment to sustainability is noteworthy. The company has nearly doubled the use of renewable and recyclable materials in its products this year. Christiansen highlights Lego's dedication to paying a premium for sustainable materials, aiming to drive industry transformation.
Lego plans to source half of its raw materials sustainably within the next few years. This emphasis on sustainability, coupled with a diverse product portfolio, positions Lego favorably despite economic challenges.
ScoresTechnology
X/Twitter Introduces Video Conferencing Feature
X/Twitter is adding a video conferencing tool, X Conference. It's similar to Zoom and Teams, already supports voice chats, and will now include video. The tool will feature spatial audio and automatic subtitles for English speakers. Likely, it will allow selective video streaming, where some users can opt to show video while others don't. This move seems natural for X, given its history of expanding features.
ScoresOpenAI to Launch Advanced AI Model 'Strawberry' This Fall
OpenAI is set to unveil a new AI model, codenamed "Strawberry," this fall. This model is expected to surpass current AI capabilities in solving complex problems, including novel math and programming issues. It's designed to handle subjective queries, like product marketing strategies, given sufficient "thinking" time.
Strawberry's potential extends to reducing "AI hallucinations," where models provide incorrect responses due to ambiguous training data. This could enhance reliability in critical applications.
The model's development is part of OpenAI's broader strategy to maintain its lead in AI innovation and revenue growth. OpenAI's monthly revenue from sales and subscriptions has tripled to $283 million, with a current valuation of $860 billion.
However, the future hinges on the success of Orion, a new flagship language model aimed at improving upon GPT-4. Competitors are also advancing, with Google DeepMind claiming its AI could outperform most humans in the International Mathematical Olympiad.
The article highlights the critical balance between AI innovation and safety, a theme increasingly relevant as AI systems become more integrated into various sectors. The success of Strawberry and Orion will likely influence OpenAI's trajectory and the broader AI industry's direction.
ScoresAmerican companies have introduced anode materials with high silicon content, helping electric vehicles achieve a range exceeding 1000 kilometers.
The electric vehicle market is booming, leading to a surge in demand for lithium batteries. Traditional lithium batteries often use graphite for the anode, with an energy density of about 250Wh/kg, which is difficult to meet future needs. Silicon-based materials, due to their high theoretical capacity, have garnered significant attention, but they face challenges such as low conductivity, large volume expansion, and poor cycling performance.
American company Paraclete Energy has introduced SILO Silicon™, a silicon anode material with a silicon content as high as 83%, achieving an energy density of 520Wh/kg, triple that of traditional graphite anodes. This material employs a polymer matrix to effectively control electrode expansion and enhance ionic conductivity, addressing the main issues with silicon-based anodes.
SILO Silicon™ material can reduce battery costs to $35 per kilowatt-hour, increase charging speeds, and extend the range to over 1000 kilometers. Paraclete Energy plans to begin deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2024, expected to outpace competitors by several years.
This technology meets market demands for long range, fast charging, and low cost, accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles.
ScoresTiny Brain-Machine Interface Chip Achieves High Text Conversion Accuracy
Swiss researchers at EPFL have developed a tiny brain-machine interface (BMI) chip, smaller and more efficient than Elon Musk's Neuralink. This micro BMI (MiBMI) measures just 8 square millimeters, contrasting with Neuralink's 23 x 8 millimeters. It's designed to read brain activity and convert it into text on a screen.
The MiBMI operates with minimal power, is minimally invasive, and processes data in real-time. Unlike Neuralink, which requires 64 electrodes and external processing, the MiBMI uses a compact, integrated system.
Key to its success is a unique neural code (DNC) system that simplifies data. Instead of processing thousands of bytes per letter, it handles just 100 bytes per DNC, a shorthand for each letter. This innovation boosts efficiency and reduces training time for users.
Currently, the MiBMI decodes 31 characters, a record for integrated systems, with potential to expand to 100. It aims to aid communication for those with severe motor disabilities, like ALS patients.
Researchers are also exploring its use in speech decoding and movement control, aiming for a versatile BMI tailored to various neurological conditions.
The breakthrough is detailed in the IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits.
ScoresVideo Game
Balatro Announces Game Collaborations with The Witcher, Among Us, and More
Balatro's day begins with a bang. Nintendo's Indie World Showcase launches with exciting news: Balatro collaborates with The Witcher, Vampire Survivors, Dave the Diver, and Among Us. Four partnership projects are released today.
ScoresEntertainment
Cainiao Logistics launches the Greater Bay Area import e-commerce express line, with next-day delivery from Hong Kong to Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai.
Cainiao Logistics has partnered with Hong Kong International Airport and Zhuhai Airport to create the "HongZhu Express" model, enabling imported e-commerce goods to reach Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai from Hong Kong as quickly as the next day.
This new model leverages the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge for transit and combines with the belly-hold transport of passenger planes at Zhuhai Airport, surpassing traditional land transport by more than a day and reducing costs compared to direct flights.
In the future, "HongZhu Express" will also support exports, promoting the development of cross-border e-commerce.
*HongZhu Express: A new logistics model for imported e-commerce, enhancing logistics efficiency through rapid transit between Hong Kong and Zhuhai.
ScoresTikTok's Rise in Live Shopping: A Modern Twist on Traditional Retail
TikTok's For You Page is now bustling with live sales events, reminiscent of the '90s TV shopping channel QVC. Made By Mitchell, a makeup brand, earned $1 million in just 12 hours through a TikTok live stream. Live shopping, which has been popular in China, is gaining traction in the UK and US. TikTok Shop, launched in 2022, is driving this trend.
Live selling flourishes on the immediacy and sense of community it creates. Josh Reais, from Luxe Collective, observes the daily engagement of viewers who negotiate prices, make purchases, and bond over luxury fashion. This format combines the convenience of online shopping with the camaraderie of in-store experiences.
Whatnot, another platform, targets collectors. Daniel Fisher, its General Manager, emphasizes their focus on passion rather than just purchases. As traditional shopping declines, live shopping provides a dynamic and interactive retail experience.
ScoresHealth
FDA Approves First Automated Insulin Delivery Device for Type 2 Diabetes
The FDA has approved the first automated device for insulin delivery in type 2 diabetes. This device adjusts insulin levels automatically, based on real-time data.
Previously, type 2 diabetes management involved manual insulin injections or doses via pumps. This new device simplifies that process, reducing the need for constant monitoring and adjustment by the patient.
The approval marks a significant step forward in diabetes care. It promises to make treatment more efficient and less burdensome for patients. This could improve adherence to treatment plans and overall health outcomes.
In essence, the device acts as a personal, automated insulin dosing system. It continuously monitors and adjusts insulin levels, ensuring they remain within safe and effective ranges.
This advancement reflects a broader trend in healthcare towards more personalized, data-driven treatments. It underscores the potential of technology to transform chronic disease management, making it more precise and patient-friendly.
ScoresSports
NFL Approves Private Equity Investment in Teams
NFL owners voted to allow private equity firms to purchase up to 10% stakes in teams. This decision, supported by 31 out of 32 owners, signifies a change in the league's financial framework.
The approved firms, which include Ares Management and Sixth Street Partners, intend to invest $12 billion. This capital injection aims to bolster team operations and improve fan experiences.
Each firm is permitted to engage with up to six teams, with an average investment of $500 million per team. Investments are required to remain for a minimum of six years.
This move comes after years of deliberation and represents the NFL's tentative step into private equity financing, contrasting with other major sports leagues that permit up to 30% equity ownership.
The decision could alleviate financial pressures on existing owners, particularly as team valuations rise. It also presents opportunities for new stadium developments, enhancing team infrastructure.
ScoresFood
Plant-Based Meats: Eco-Friendly and Healthier Alternatives
Plant-based meats outperform real meats in terms of eco-friendliness and health, primarily. A Food Foundation study indicates that fake meats emit less greenhouse gas and consume less water. They also contain fewer calories, less saturated fat, and more fiber.
The study examined 68 plant-based and 36 meat products. Some newer, processed alternatives have higher salt content and lack iron and vitamin B12. For instance, Richmond's meat-free sausages contain excessive salt.
Plant-based meats have lower protein levels but this is not a significant issue. The UK already consumes sufficient protein. The market for non-meat foods continues to expand. Analysts predict substantial growth until 2030. The Green Alliance estimates the sector could be worth £6.8 billion and create 25,000 jobs in the UK by 2035.
Traditional alternatives include tofu, seitan, and tempeh. Quorn and Linda McCartney Foods produce new generation products. Beans and grains are the most affordable, healthiest, and eco-friendliest options. They offer the most fiber and the least saturated fat, calories, and salt.
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