News Minimalist

01 Mar 2024 22:11

[7.5] El Niño to cause record-breaking temperatures in 2024 — The Guardian

El Niño is expected to bring record heat globally in 2024, with the Amazon, Alaska, and coastal regions like India's Bay of Bengal at high risk. The phenomenon, which releases heat from the Pacific Ocean, contributed to making 2023 the hottest year on record. Scientists predict a 90% chance of new global temperature records in the first half of 2024. The heat may cause severe wildfires, tropical cyclones, and persistent marine heatwaves.

News Minimalist

29 Feb 2024 16:49

[6.8] Biden issues executive order to shield Americans’ sensitive data from foreign foes — The Associated Press

President Joe Biden signed an executive order to protect Americans' personal data from foreign threats like China and Russia. The order aims to prevent large-scale data transfers to "countries of concern" and sets up safeguards against sensitive data access. It targets data brokers who sell personal information, which can be used for surveillance or blackmail. Enforcement mechanisms are pending, with rulemaking processes expected to take months.

News Minimalist

25 Feb 2024 18:21

[7.2] Sudan's economy collapses due to 10-month war — FRANCE 24 English

In Sudan, 10 months of conflict have severely damaged the economy, with international trade dropping by 23% in 2023. High taxes, paramilitary extortion, and a communications blackout have compounded the crisis. The World Bank states that Sudan's development is set back by decades, and the IMF foresees years of reconstruction ahead. Over six million people are displaced, and famine looms, with agriculture, once 35-40% of GDP, now crippled.

News Minimalist

22 Feb 2024 18:59

[6.8] Apple is launching post-quantum encryption in iMessage — WIRED

Apple is introducing PQ3, a post-quantum cryptographic protocol, to iMessage in its upcoming iOS and iPadOS 17.4 and macOS 14.4 updates. This marks a significant step in encryption, aiming to safeguard data against future quantum computer attacks. Quantum computers, which are still in development, could potentially break current encryption methods. The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology is leading efforts to create quantum-resistant cryptography. Apple's update, requiring only an OS update from users, is part of a broader movement to prepare for quantum computing advancements.

News Minimalist

22 Feb 2024 18:59

[6.9] UN agency pauses Gaza food aid deliveries after looting and gunfire — The Guardian

The UN's World Food Programme halted food aid convoys to northern Gaza due to public disorder and looting. Gaza's 2.4 million residents face famine, with infrastructure damage from months of conflict. Hospitals struggle with power cuts and shortages, and two-thirds of Gaza is under evacuation orders.

News Minimalist

21 Feb 2024 00:29

[6.8] NHS England launches screening program for Lynch syndrome — The Guardian

The NHS in England is starting a pioneering screening program for people with Lynch syndrome, a condition that raises cancer risk. This initiative, the first of its kind globally, aims to catch cancer early, making treatment more effective. Those with Lynch syndrome will have bowel checks every two years, which could prevent 40-60% of them from developing bowel cancer. Currently, 10,000 people are on the register, with 1,100 bowel cancer cases linked to the syndrome annually. The NHS is also expanding genetic testing to identify more individuals with the condition.

News Minimalist

21 Feb 2024 00:29

[6.9] China cuts key interest rate in latest move to boost its ailing property sector — The Associated Press

China's central bank reduced its 5-year loan prime rate by 0.25 basis points to 3.95%, while the 1-year rate stayed at 3.45%. This is the largest cut for the 5-year rate and the first since May. The move aims to support the struggling property market, following a crackdown on high borrowing. Despite the cut, analysts believe more measures are needed to boost the sector. The property market is crucial for China's economy, but developers face defaults and financial challenges. The market's response to the rate cut was minimal.

News Minimalist

17 Feb 2024 18:12

[6.9] Google announces Android 15 with focus on privacy and performance — The Verge

Google unveils Android 15, focusing on improved hardware-software communication and privacy. Developer preview out now, public betas between March and April, aiming for platform stability in June. Updates include Dynamic Performance Framework for better power management, privacy enhancements, partial screen recording, and improved camera experience in third-party apps.

News Minimalist

17 Feb 2024 18:12

[7.1] OpenAI's valuation triples to over $80 billion — The New York Times

OpenAI's valuation has soared to over $80 billion, nearly tripling in under 10 months. Employees can sell shares through a tender offer led by Thrive Capital. This makes OpenAI one of the top-valued tech startups, trailing only ByteDance and SpaceX.

News Minimalist

16 Feb 2024 17:50

[6.8] Ukraine's Zelenskyy signing security agreements with Germany, France as Kyiv shores up support — The Associated Press

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a security agreement with Germany, securing a 1.1 billion-euro military aid package, and plans to sign another with France. The German accord, valid for 10 years, promises long-term military support and economic measures against future Russian aggression. Germany has become the second-largest military aid supplier to Ukraine after the U.S.

News Minimalist

16 Feb 2024 17:50

[7.0] OpenAI introduces Sora, its text-to-video AI model — The Verge

OpenAI has introduced Sora, a new AI model that generates videos up to one minute long from text prompts. Sora can create detailed scenes with multiple characters and motions, and can also work with still images and edit existing videos. While the technology shows promise, OpenAI acknowledges limitations in simulating complex physics and cause-and-effect relationships. Currently, Sora is being tested for potential risks by selected users, including visual artists and filmmakers.

News Minimalist

09 Feb 2024 16:05

[7.0] Chinese hackers infiltrated plane, train and water systems for five years, US says — The Guardian

A joint statement from US and allied intelligence agencies revealed that a Chinese hacker group, Volt Typhoon, has targeted critical US infrastructure for at least five years. The group infiltrated aviation, rail, mass transit, highway, maritime, pipeline, water, and sewage networks. The group's focus on sabotage rather than espionage has raised concerns. The statement was co-signed by cybersecurity agencies of Britain, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

News Minimalist

05 Feb 2024 20:54

[7.1] Chinese scientists complete detailed Han Chinese genome — South China Morning Post

Chinese scientists have created the most detailed human genome to date, using DNA from a Han Chinese male. This new reference genome, named T2T-YAO, is expected to improve diagnoses and treatments for Asian populations, which were underrepresented in previous genetic research. The T2T-YAO genome includes unique genetic sequences and variations, aiding precision medicine and understanding of genetic characteristics within the Chinese population.

News Minimalist

05 Feb 2024 20:54

[7.6] Caribbean sponges show human activity raised global temperatures by 1.7°C — The New York Times [$]

A team of scientists has used centuries-old Caribbean Sea sponges to reveal that human activity has raised global temperatures by about 1.7 degrees Celsius, higher than the commonly accepted 1.2 degrees Celsius. This new information challenges previous estimates and serves as a wake-up call. The researchers examined the sponges' skeletons to piece together a more accurate history of early warming.

News Minimalist

02 Feb 2024 16:56

[7.0] Google's Bard chatbot gets the Gemini Pro update globally — TechCrunch

Google's Bard chatbot now uses Gemini Pro globally, supporting over 40 languages. Launched in December, Gemini Ultra, "lite" Gemini Pro, and Gemini Nano aim to improve understanding, summarization, reasoning, brainstorming, writing, and planning. Bard, previously powered by LaMDA and PaLM 2, now operates in over 230 countries. Google also introduced a "Double check" feature and image generation support through Imagen 2. Bard's images will have a SynthID digital watermark.

News Minimalist

01 Mar 2024 22:11

[7.5] Global obesity rates surpass one billion — Financial Times

Global obesity rates have more than doubled in adults and nearly quadrupled in children since 1990, affecting over 1 billion people. The Lancet study, involving 220 million individuals from 200 countries, shows obesity prevalence in women rose from 8.8% to 18.5%, and in men from 4.8% to 14%. The U.S. has high rates, with 43.8% of women and 41.6% of men obese. The rise is linked to unhealthy diets, lack of exercise, and urban planning not conducive to physical activity. New weight-loss drugs like Wegovy show promise but are costly and not widely available.

News Minimalist

29 Feb 2024 16:48

[7.1] Gaza Health Ministry says over 30,000 Palestinians killed — The Associated Press

An airstrike in Gaza City killed at least 70 people, raising the death toll to over 30,000 since the Israel-Hamas conflict began. The strike targeted Palestinians awaiting aid, which has been scarce due to the war. The U.N. reports that a quarter of Gaza's population faces starvation, with 80% displaced. International efforts are underway to negotiate a ceasefire before Ramadan.

News Minimalist

25 Feb 2024 18:21

[7.7] Google blocks unverified app installs in Singapore — The Straits Times

Google is set to block Android users in Singapore from installing apps from unverified sources starting the week of Feb 21. This move aims to combat malware, which caused over $34 million in losses in 2023. The trial, in partnership with the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, will enhance the existing Google Play Protect service. Users won't be notified of the change but will see blocked installation attempts.

News Minimalist

22 Feb 2024 18:59

[6.8] Google releases smaller, powerful open-source AI models Gemma 2B and 7B — The Verge

Google has launched Gemma 2B and 7B, smaller, open-source AI models derived from its larger Gemini model. Unlike the closed Gemini, Gemma can run on personal computers and is aimed at simpler applications like chatbots and summarizations. Google claims Gemma outperforms larger models in benchmarks. Gemma is accessible to all developers with a commercial license and includes a responsible AI toolkit for safety. It currently works best with English language tasks, with plans to expand.

News Minimalist

22 Feb 2024 18:58

[7.0] COVID-19 vaccines linked to small increases in health conditions — ScienceAlert

A global study of nearly 100 million COVID-19-vaccinated people in eight countries found small increases in health conditions involving the brain, blood, and heart. The study confirmed links between COVID-19 vaccinations and low risks of myocarditis, pericarditis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. The study also identified rare safety signals that smaller studies might miss.

News Minimalist

21 Feb 2024 00:29

[6.8] Zimbabwe launches emergency polio vaccination campaign due to mutated virus — The Washington Post [$]

Zimbabwe launched an emergency polio vaccination campaign for over 4 million children under 10 after detecting a mutated virus from an oral vaccine in sewage samples in Harare. The country is using a new vaccine designed to prevent such mutations. The campaign aims for two rounds of over 10 million doses. Globally, vaccine-linked polio cases outnumber wild virus cases, with over 500 in various countries, mostly in Africa.

News Minimalist

21 Feb 2024 00:29

[7.7] Global law enforcement dismantles prolific cybercrime gang LockBit — The Independent

In a major global operation, British and American law enforcement, along with 10 countries, took down the prolific cybercrime gang LockBit, responsible for ransomware attacks on Royal Mail, Boeing, and others. The gang's attacks have cost "billions" in ransomware payments and recovery costs. The operation seized the gang's infrastructure, source code, and decryption keys, effectively rendering LockBit redundant. Five Russian nationals linked to the group have been indicted, with two in custody. Over 200 cryptocurrency accounts linked to the group have been frozen. The gang's tool for stealing data, StealBit, has been seized, and more than 1,000 decryption keys have been found. Although LockBit may try to rebuild, the law enforcement action is a significant short-term blow.

News Minimalist

17 Feb 2024 18:12

[7.0] EU's Digital Services Act expands to cover all online platforms — The Verge

Starting February 17, the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) will apply to all online platforms with EU users, not just the 19 large ones already covered. This includes sites like eBay and OnlyFans. The DSA mandates clear rules for content moderation, bans targeted ads to minors, and prohibits targeting based on sensitive data. Platforms must explain moderation actions and offer dispute options. The DSA also requires transparency reports and mechanisms to report illegal content. Small services with under 50 staff and €10 million turnover are exempt. Violations can lead to fines up to 6% of global turnover.

News Minimalist

17 Feb 2024 18:12

[7.2] FDA approves first cellular therapy to treat patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma — FDA.gov

The FDA has approved Amtagvi, a new immunotherapy for adults with certain types of advanced melanoma. It's for patients who've already tried other treatments. Amtagvi uses a patient's own T cells to fight cancer. In a study, 31.5% of patients responded to Amtagvi, with some maintaining the response for up to 12 months. The treatment was fast-tracked and given priority by the FDA.

News Minimalist

16 Feb 2024 17:50

[6.8] New antibiotic cresomycin combats antibiotic-resistant bacteria — Financial Times [$]

Researchers have developed a new antibiotic, cresomycin, that shows promise in fighting antibiotic-resistant bacteria in mice. This drug candidate effectively targets several dangerous bacteria. The breakthrough addresses the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance, which contributes to 5 million deaths annually.

News Minimalist

16 Feb 2024 17:50

[7.0] (US) Louisiana's coastal wetlands face rapid sea level rise — The Washington Post [$]

A study by Tulane University scientists, published in Nature Communications, reveals that Louisiana's coastal wetlands are rapidly drowning due to sea level rise. Out of 253 sites, 87% can't keep up with rising water levels, threatening 75% of the state's natural hurricane buffer by 2070. The region has seen a 0.4-inch annual sea level increase since 2010, exacerbated by land sinking. Despite efforts to restore these wetlands, their loss could significantly impact storm protection, wildlife habitats, and carbon storage.

News Minimalist

09 Feb 2024 16:05

[7.5] Earth's temperature exceeds 1.5°C above preindustrial levels — ABC News

Global temperatures in January 2024 were the warmest on record, 1.66°C above pre-industrial levels. This extends the run of record warm months to eight. The 12-month global average temperature has surpassed the 1.5°C Paris Agreement target for the first time, with projections indicating a permanent rise above this limit within a decade. The average global sea surface temperature was also at unprecedented levels, with oceans breaking global monthly records for 10 consecutive months.

News Minimalist

05 Feb 2024 20:54

[7.1] Growing humanitarian crisis in northern Ethiopia requires urgent international action — The Guardian

UK's Africa minister Andrew Mitchell warns of an impending humanitarian disaster in northern Ethiopia due to drought, conflict, and displacement. After visiting Ethiopia, he reports that millions face hunger, with 1 million displaced and 3 million in critical food insecurity. The UN anticipates 10.8 million Ethiopians will be critically food insecure by September. The UK is responding with a £100m health program to aid over 3 million Ethiopians, focusing on malnutrition and preventable diseases.

News Minimalist

02 Feb 2024 16:57

[7.4] Scientists propose space sunshade to counter global warming — The New York Times [$]

As Earth reaches record temperatures, scientists propose a space sunshade to counter global warming. Blocking 2% of the sun's radiation could cool the planet by 1.5°C. Interest in sun shields is growing, with variations like scattering dust or creating "space bubbles." Researchers are exploring innovative solutions, such as tethering a solar shield to a repurposed asteroid.

News Minimalist

02 Feb 2024 16:56

[7.0] Toyota urges immediate recall repairs for 50,000 older US vehicles — The Guardian

Toyota is urgently recalling 50,000 US vehicles from 2003-05, including certain Corolla, Corolla Matrix, and Rav 4 models, due to potentially lethal Takata airbag inflators. The recall is part of the largest auto safety callback ever, with over 67 million inflators recalled in the US and 100 million globally after being linked to over 30 deaths and numerous injuries.