News Minimalist

02 Feb 2024 16:56

[7.1] Meta announces first dividend, triples profits, and launches buyback — The Guardian

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, announced its first-ever quarterly dividend of 50 cents per share, totaling $1.25 billion. CEO Mark Zuckerberg, holding about 350 million shares, is expected to receive around $700 million annually. Despite a 22% staff reduction, Meta reported a tripling of quarterly profits to $14 billion, with $40 billion in revenues for the final quarter of 2023. The company also launched a $50 billion share buyback.

News Minimalist

30 Jan 2024 16:50

[7.0] The International Court of Justice finds Israel may be committing genocide in Gaza — The Guardian

The International Court of Justice has ruled that Israel must prevent genocide in Gaza, where 25,000 Palestinians have died since October 7. The US, a key Israeli ally, faces pressure to comply with the ruling and reconsider its support for Israel's actions.

News Minimalist

28 Jan 2024 18:43

[7.0] Congress is trying to end a COVID-era program that's awash in fraud — The Associated Press

The IRS Commissioner confirmed to senators that an estimated 95% of claims for the employee retention tax credit are fraudulent. The program, initially costing $55 billion, has surged to nearly five times that amount. The House committee passed the bill to end the program, but full congressional approval is uncertain. The IRS has paused new claims and is investigating fraud.

News Minimalist

25 Jan 2024 17:47

[7.0] Lockdowns led to significant increase in childhood obesity rates — The Guardian

A study involving over 1 million children in England revealed a 45% increase in obesity rates among four-to-five-year-olds and a 21% increase among 10-to-11-year-olds during the first year of lockdowns. The surge in childhood obesity during the pandemic could cost the UK over £8bn in additional healthcare spending. Experts emphasize the need for immediate action, especially targeting under-fives, as obesity in older children may be difficult to reverse.

News Minimalist

23 Jan 2024 19:12

[7.5] Wars and climate crisis keep Doomsday Clock at 90 seconds to midnight — The Guardian

The Doomsday Clock remains at 90 seconds to midnight, the closest since its establishment in 1947. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists cited the threat of nuclear escalation in Ukraine, modern war in Israel and Gaza, and lack of action on the climate crisis.

News Minimalist

23 Jan 2024 18:45

[7.6] World's first malaria vaccine, RTS,S, rolled out in Cameroon — The Guardian

Cameroon began administering the world's first malaria vaccine, RTS,S, to children, following successful trials in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi. The vaccine aims to reduce malaria mortality, particularly among children under five, who are most affected in Africa. Nineteen other African countries plan to introduce the vaccine, potentially reaching 6.6 million children.

News Minimalist

22 Jan 2024 15:58

[7.1] Rise in measles cases prompts vaccination campaign in England — The Guardian

England has launched a national campaign to increase measles vaccination after a surge in cases and outbreaks. The UK Health Security Agency declared a national incident, with over 3.4 million children unprotected. Despite the vaccine's effectiveness, national uptake has declined, with only 84.5% of children receiving the second dose by age five, far below the 95% target to prevent spread. Factors contributing to the decline include vaccine misinformation and Covid-19 impact.

News Minimalist

17 Jan 2024 14:59

[7.0] Apple passed Samsung as world’s top phone maker in 2023 — The Japan Times

In 2023, Apple's iPhone series overtook Samsung as the best-selling smartphone globally for the first time since 2010, with approximately 235 million units shipped, capturing 20% of the market. Samsung's shipments fell to 226.6 million. Apple's success is attributed to aggressive promotions and a shift towards premium devices, despite challenges in the Chinese market.

News Minimalist

15 Jan 2024 16:41

[7.6] Breakthrough in Parkinson's research with new diagnostic test — WIRED

The Michael J. Fox Foundation announced a breakthrough in Parkinson's disease research with the discovery of a biomarker. The new test, called the alpha-synuclein seeding amplification assay (SAA), can detect Parkinson's pathology in spinal fluid with 90% specificity before symptoms appear. This advancement is being integrated into drug trials and could change the approach to screening and predicting Parkinson's and other aging-related diseases. A simple scratch-and-sniff test has been used to identify at-risk individuals, showing a 99% accuracy rate in diagnosing Parkinson's in those with poor smell and no genetic mutation.

News Minimalist

13 Jan 2024 15:28

[7.8] Around 10,000 coronavirus deaths reported to WHO in December — The Washington Post

In December, nearly 10,000 COVID-19 deaths were reported, with a 42% increase in hospitalizations and a 62% increase in ICU admissions from the previous month. The JN.1 variant is now globally prevalent, posing a higher infection risk even for the vaccinated or previously infected.

News Minimalist

11 Jan 2024 16:14

[7.1] Global renewable energy capacity grew by 50% in 2023 — The Guardian

In 2023, global renewable energy capacity surged by 50% to 510 GW, marking the fastest growth in two decades, as reported by the International Energy Agency. Solar power, predominantly from China, represented three-quarters of this increase. The IEA predicts renewables could surpass coal in electricity generation by 2025 and cover over 42% by 2028. This progress aligns with climate targets set at the Cop28, aiming to triple renewable capacity by 2030 to reduce fossil fuel use.

News Minimalist

10 Jan 2024 16:51

[7.0] New battery material that uses less lithium found in AI-powered search — The Washington Post [$]

Microsoft's team used AI and high-performance computing to analyze 32.6 million potential battery materials in 80 hours, a process that would have taken 20 years manually. They discovered new materials for batteries with reduced lithium reliance, sharing top candidates with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The research, yet to be peer-reviewed, was posted on arXiv and is part of a three-year collaboration to innovate in battery technology.

News Minimalist

10 Jan 2024 16:51

[7.0] AI-driven misinformation threatens global elections and the economy — The Guardian

The World Economic Forum warns that AI-driven misinformation could disrupt global politics and economies, especially with elections in countries comprising 60% of global GDP this year. Their report, based on 1,400 expert opinions, highlights a 30% risk of a global catastrophe within two years and a two-thirds chance within a decade. Short-term risks include misinformation, extreme weather, and societal polarization, while long-term concerns focus on climate change and environmental issues.

News Minimalist

09 Jan 2024 16:52

[7.0] EU invests €4bn in green tech to counter China — The Guardian

The EU is investing €4bn in green technology factories to boost electric battery, heat pump, and solar panel production, countering cheap Chinese imports. The investments follow previous schemes totaling €9.1bn and aim to keep production in Europe. The EU has also suspended tariffs on electric cars to compete with Chinese firms like BYD, now the top hybrid and battery vehicle producer.

News Minimalist

09 Jan 2024 16:52

[7.7] 2023 was the warmest year in 150 years — The New York Times [$]

In 2023, Earth experienced its hottest year on record since the 19th century, with global temperatures averaging 1.48°C higher, according to the European Union climate monitor. Each month from June to December set new heat records, surpassing 2016 as the previous warmest year. Scientists attribute this to ongoing greenhouse gas emissions.

News Minimalist

02 Feb 2024 16:56

[7.3] Global cancer cases to increase 77% by 2050 — Voice of America - VOA News

The World Health Organization's cancer agency reports that new cancer cases are expected to increase from 20 million in 2022 to over 35 million by 2050. The rise is more pronounced in countries with lower development indices, with a predicted 142% increase in low human development index countries. Key factors contributing to the rise include tobacco, alcohol, obesity, and air pollution.

News Minimalist

30 Jan 2024 16:50

[7.0] Neuralink implants computer in human brain for thought interaction — The Independent

Elon Musk's Neuralink has successfully implanted a computer in a human's brain, allowing interaction with a computer using thoughts. The first human trial was announced by Musk on X, with promising initial results. Neuralink, formed in 2016, aims to create a brain-computer interface. The company has been secretive about its work but has revealed successful tests, including a monkey playing Pong using the system.

News Minimalist

28 Jan 2024 18:43

[7.2] World-first blood test for brain cancer may increase survival rates, say experts — The Guardian

Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a new blood test that can accurately diagnose brain tumors. This non-invasive test, called TriNetra-Glio, detects tumor cells in the blood, offering a quicker and safer alternative to surgical biopsies. It promises to speed up treatment and could improve survival rates for brain cancer patients. Further studies are planned, with potential patient benefits within two years.

News Minimalist

25 Jan 2024 17:47

[7.0] WHO issues measles warning as yearly cases in Europe rise more than 30-fold — The Guardian

The World Health Organization has issued an urgent warning about a 30-fold rise in measles cases across Europe, with over 30,000 cases reported in 2023 compared to 941 in 2022. Two in five cases were in children aged 1-4, and one in five in people aged 20 and over. The WHO attributes the rise to falling vaccination rates and increased international travel.

News Minimalist

23 Jan 2024 18:45

[7.2] Blood test detects Alzheimer's 10-15 years before symptoms — The Telegraph

Researchers have developed a blood test that can detect Alzheimer's disease 10-15 years before symptoms appear by measuring p-tau217 protein levels. This test could be cheaper and as accurate as current methods like PET scans or lumbar punctures. A study involving 800 participants showed over 95% accuracy, suggesting potential for routine screening in individuals over 50. The UK, with nearly one million people expected to have dementia by 2030, could see significant benefits from early treatment if this test is widely adopted.

News Minimalist

22 Jan 2024 15:58

[7.0] Experimental use of pig liver to filter blood externally offers hope for patients — The Guardian

The University of Pennsylvania successfully tested a genetically modified pig liver to filter blood outside a human body, a potential breakthrough for liver failure treatment. This xenotransplantation experiment used a device to maintain the liver, which functioned well for 72 hours. The FDA is considering human trials for pig organ transplants, as over 10,000 Americans await liver transplants.

News Minimalist

17 Jan 2024 14:59

[7.0] China’s population falls for a 2nd straight year as births drop even after end of one-child policy — The Associated Press

China's population decreased by 2 million in 2023, marking the second consecutive year of decline. Births continued to fall for the seventh year, while deaths increased by 690,000 to 11.1 million, partly due to COVID-19 and an aging population. China's total population is now 1.4 billion, with India surpassing it as the most populous country. Despite incentives and relaxed family planning policies, China's birth rate remains low, with only 9 million babies born in 2023. The working-age population is shrinking, and the proportion of elderly citizens is rising, posing economic and social challenges.

News Minimalist

15 Jan 2024 16:41

[7.1] World's five richest men have doubled their wealth since 2020 — CNBC

An Oxfam report reveals that the wealth of the world's five richest men, including Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, surged from $405 billion in March 2020 to $869 billion by November 2023. The report, coinciding with the World Economic Forum in Davos, highlights increasing wealth disparities, with the richest 1% owning 43% of global financial assets.

News Minimalist

13 Jan 2024 15:29

[7.1] Novel oral polio vaccine prequalified by WHO for distribution — News-Medical.Net

The World Health Organization has prequalified the novel type 2 oral polio vaccine (nOPV2), which has been distributed in 950 million doses globally. Prequalification allows easier access for WHO member countries, enhancing the vaccine's reach, especially in developing nations. The nOPV2 is designed to be more stable than previous vaccines, reducing the risk of the virus mutating into a harmful form.

News Minimalist

11 Jan 2024 16:14

[7.0] SEC approves first spot bitcoin ETFs — Financial Times

The US Securities and Exchange Commission has authorized the first spot bitcoin ETFs. Ten ETFs, including those from BlackRock, Invesco, Fidelity, Grayscale, and Ark Invest, received approval and are expected to begin trading soon. The SEC's decision marks a U-turn after resisting spot bitcoin ETFs for nearly a decade.

News Minimalist

10 Jan 2024 16:51

[7.0] Global minimum tax effective Jan 1 to boost state revenues — Financial Times [$]

The OECD reports that tax havens like Ireland and the Netherlands may see up to a 34% increase in state revenue from multinationals due to the new global minimum tax. This tax, effective from January 1, ensures a minimum 15% tax rate on large multinational profits. The overall additional tax revenue from the global minimum tax is now estimated to be between $155bn and $192bn annually. High-income countries are also expected to see a revenue increase, albeit smaller.

News Minimalist

10 Jan 2024 16:51

[7.0] "Mr Bates vs the Post Office" led to exoneration and compensation — The Guardian

ITV's drama "Mr Bates vs the Post Office" has prompted the UK government to propose legislation to exonerate and compensate over 700 sub-postmasters wrongfully accused of fraud due to faulty accounting software. The series, which attracted 3.5 million viewers, has been influential in highlighting the miscarriage of justice, leading to a petition with over one million signatures calling for the former Post Office CEO to return her CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire). The show's impact is considered unprecedented in British TV history, potentially leading to swift justice for those affected.

News Minimalist

10 Jan 2024 16:51

[7.0] Global economy faces "wasted" decade with weakest growth — The New York Times [$]

The World Bank warns of a potential "wasted" decade with the slowest growth in 30 years due to pandemic recovery, wars, and climate risks. Global economic growth is projected to decrease to 2.4% in 2024, with the current decade on track to be the weakest in recent history.

News Minimalist

09 Jan 2024 16:52

[7.0] H5N1 bird flu devastates South America, threatens Antarctica — ABC News

The H5N1 bird flu strain is causing widespread fatalities in South America, with a suspected case now near Antarctica. A study revealed a 70% mortality rate among elephant seal pups in Argentina due to the outbreak. Experts fear the virus's potential spread in the Antarctic, which could have catastrophic effects on unique wildlife. Over half a million birds and 50,000 mammals have died in South America since H5N1's detection.

News Minimalist

07 Jan 2024 17:37

[7.2] Escalating attacks from Iran-allied groups threaten US and allies — The Associated Press

The United States, Israel, and allies face escalating attacks from Iran-allied militant groups in the Middle East. Groups include Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthi rebels in Yemen, and Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria. The groups aim to aid Hamas and distract Israel and the US. The situation poses a risk of wider conflict. Islamic State and Al-Qaeda also threaten retaliation. The US is working to contain the militias.