News Minimalist

12 Oct 2023 15:59

[7.0] EU, Gates Foundation, and EIB pledge €1 billion to end polio. — Reuters

The European Union, along with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the European Investment Bank, has announced a financing package of over 1 billion euros ($1.06 billion) to eradicate polio. While cases of polio have declined by 99% since the 1990s, the disease has proven challenging to completely eradicate, with the wild form now only endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the vaccine-derived strain more widespread. The funding will be used to support vaccination campaigns and efforts to eliminate both forms of the disease.

News Minimalist

12 Oct 2023 15:59

[7.2] Google, Amazon, Cloudflare defend against largest DDoS attack, urge updates. — Reuters

Google, Amazon, and Cloudflare have reported that they successfully defended against the largest-known denial of service (DDoS) attack on the internet. The attack, which began in late August, was three times larger than any previous attack observed and targeted servers using a new technique that exploits a weakness in the HTTP/2 network protocol. The companies are urging others to update their web servers to prevent vulnerability to such attacks.

News Minimalist

11 Oct 2023 16:43

[7.2] Obesity before pregnancy signals future heart risks, outweighing the impact of pregnancy complications like high blood pressure. — National Institutes of Health

A study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that being overweight or obese before and during early pregnancy can be a warning sign for future heart problems. Not only does obesity raise the chances of pregnancy issues like high blood pressure and gestational diabetes, but it also indicates higher risks for cardiovascular disease later in life. Interestingly, the study discovered that while pregnancy complications did increase heart disease risks, they only accounted for a small percentage when it came to long-term risks for people who were obese. This suggests that the root problem is more about obesity than the pregnancy complications themselves. On the flip side, the study found that obesity didn't raise the risk of having a preterm birth or a baby with low birth weight.

News Minimalist

11 Oct 2023 16:43

[7.3] Misinformation spreads during Israel-Hamas conflict; false claims debunked. — The Associated Press

In the midst of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, misinformation has been spreading on social media, making it difficult to discern fact from fiction. False claims include the capture of a top Israeli general by Hamas, a fabricated memo from President Joe Biden announcing $8 billion in military aid to Israel, and misleading videos of Russian President Vladimir Putin warning the US to stay away from the Gaza war. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that the claim of the general's capture is untrue, the White House confirmed that the memo is fake, and the videos of Putin are mislabeled and unrelated to the conflict.

News Minimalist

10 Oct 2023 16:55

[7.2] Extreme solar storm 14,300 years ago could devastate civilization today. — The Independent

Scientists have discovered evidence of an extreme solar storm that occurred 14,300 years ago, which would have devastating effects on human civilization if it were to happen today. The solar storm, the largest ever found by scientists, caused a dramatic spike in radiocarbon levels. If a similar event were to occur in the present day, it could knock the power grid offline for months, destroy communication infrastructure, and pose severe radiation risks to astronauts.

News Minimalist

09 Oct 2023 18:01

[7.5] Global economic growth slows, US stands out, challenges ahead. — Financial Times [$]

Global economic momentum is faltering with the US being one of the few bright spots. Key indicators, as per the Brookings-FT Tiger index, show sharp declines in economic confidence and real activity in both advanced and emerging economies, with China, Japan, and Germany notably experiencing deceleration. The IMF estimates that $3.7 trillion in total economic output has been lost globally since 2020, citing challenges like high inflation and significant public debt as ongoing concerns for a weak five-year outlook.

News Minimalist

09 Oct 2023 18:01

The Gaza-Israel conflict remains the biggest story and receives numerous updates, but the new deduplication algorithm combines them all into a single story. Since the story started 2 days ago, the new updates won’t be covered in the newsletter, unless they are different enough to form their own new story.

If you’re interested in these updates, you can read them on the website, where 152 articles covering this story are rated and summarized (search for Hamas on newsminimalist.com).

News Minimalist

08 Oct 2023 18:37

[7.2] China finds niobobaotite; may end reliance on imported niobium. — South China Morning Post

China has discovered a new type of ore, named niobobaotite, in the world's largest rare earth deposit. The ore contains niobium, a metal crucial to the steel industry and known for its superconducting properties. Currently, China imports 95% of its niobium, mostly from Brazil, which dominates global production; the new discovery could potentially make China self-sufficient in niobium.

News Minimalist

08 Oct 2023 06:38

[7.2] Israel declares war following major Hamas attack. — The Washington Post

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel is at war and will emerge victorious as the country's air force launched strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza in response to a surprise attack by Hamas militants on the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Yom Kippur war. The militants infiltrated Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip, using methods such as paragliding and sea crossings, and fired over 2,200 rockets. The confrontation, resulting in at least one death and numerous injuries in Israel, marks one of the most significant escalations in years following weeks of heightened tensions along the border. Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif has issued a rare statement, urging Palestinians in Israel and neighboring Arab countries to join the fight.

News Minimalist

06 Oct 2023 18:48

[7.4] Weather disasters displace 43.1 million children in six years. — FRANCE 24 English

From 2016 to 2021, climate-driven disasters displaced 43.1 million children in 44 countries, with 95% attributed to floods and storms, according to a specialized UNICEF report created in collaboration with the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center. The data, likely an underestimation and lacking nuance between preemptive and forced relocations, indicates an average of 20,000 child displacements per day. China, India, and the Philippines experience the highest volumes due to their populous and geographically vulnerable positions, while proportionally, Africa and small island nations like Dominica face the most significant risks.

News Minimalist

05 Oct 2023 17:55

[7.0] Android 14: Customization, accessibility, and privacy updates for supported devices. — TechCrunch

Google has unveiled Android 14 at its Made By Google event, introducing new customization options and accessibility features. The update is rolling out to supported Pixel devices today and will be available on other devices later this year. Android 14 includes features such as an updated customization picker, AI-generated wallpapers, improved photo and camera quality, enhanced accessibility options for low-vision and hard-of-hearing users, and more control over data privacy.

News Minimalist

05 Oct 2023 17:55

[7.3] Unctad warns central banks of recession risk, calls for pro-growth approach. — The Guardian

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) has warned that central banks risk pushing the global economy into a recession unless they relax their 2% inflation targets and adopt a more pro-growth stance. Unctad pointed to evidence of a looming debt crisis in poor countries, stating that the sharp rises in interest rates from major central banks since 2021 have increased inequality and reduced investment without effectively combating inflation. The report also highlighted that global growth is expected to slow from 3% in 2022 to 2.4% in 2023, with little sign of a rebound next year.

News Minimalist

05 Oct 2023 17:55

[7.4] South American monsoon at risk due to deforestation and global heating. — The Guardian

The South American monsoon, which plays a crucial role in determining the climate of the continent, is approaching a "critical destabilisation point" due to deforestation in the Amazon and global heating, according to a study published in Science Advances. The study warns that if the tipping point is reached, it could result in up to 30% less rainfall, a dieback of the forest, and a severe impact on food production. The researchers urge policymakers to take urgent action to prevent this scenario.

News Minimalist

04 Oct 2023 19:57

[7.6] Climate change is reversing public health gains and increasing disease rates. — The New York Times

Despite advancements in healthcare and disease treatment, climate change is posing a significant threat to public health. Malaria deaths, which had decreased to fewer than 600,000 in 2021 from about 900,000 in 2000, are rising again due to the expansion of warm habitats suitable for disease-carrying mosquitoes. A recent study noted that more than two billion people were exposed to fire-related air pollution annually between 2010 and 2019, reversing some gains made against respiratory diseases. Climate change is also linked to increased instances of heat waves, wildfires, and floods, affecting public health on multiple fronts.

News Minimalist

03 Oct 2023 19:09

[7.0] WHO approves Oxford's anti-malaria vaccine, reduces cases by 75%. — The Washington Post

The World Health Organization has approved a new anti-malaria vaccine developed by Oxford University. The R21/Matrix-M vaccine is the second vaccine to be recommended by the WHO and has shown to reduce symptomatic cases by 75% in areas with high seasonal malaria transmission. The vaccine is expected to be available by mid-2024 at a cost of $2-4 per dose.

News Minimalist

12 Oct 2023 15:59

[7.0] OpenAI plans cost-cutting updates and vision capabilities for developers. — Reuters

OpenAI is set to introduce significant updates next month aimed at making it more cost-effective and efficient for developers to build applications using its AI models. The new offerings include memory storage features that could cut costs for developers by up to 20x and vision capabilities that allow for image analysis, broadening its applicability in sectors ranging from entertainment to medicine. These updates will be announced at OpenAI's first-ever developer conference on November 6, as part of the company's strategic objective to become indispensable to businesses developing AI-powered applications.

News Minimalist

12 Oct 2023 15:59

[7.5] AI tool EVEscape predicts viral variants before they emerge. — Harvard Gazette

Researchers at Harvard Medical School and the University of Oxford have developed an artificial intelligence tool called EVEscape that can predict new viral variants before they emerge. The tool combines a model of evolutionary sequences with detailed biological and structural information about the virus to make predictions about the most likely variants to occur as the virus evolves. In a study published in Nature, the researchers demonstrated that EVEscape accurately predicted the most frequent mutations and identified concerning variants for SARS-CoV-2, as well as making accurate predictions for other viruses such as HIV and influenza.

News Minimalist

11 Oct 2023 16:43

[7.2] Researchers urge education on xylazine in US opioid supply. — The Guardian US

Medical researchers are calling for increased education about the presence of the animal tranquilliser xylazine in the illicit opioid supply in the US. Xylazine, which is often mixed with heroin and fentanyl, has been associated with increased deaths and severe ulcers and wounds requiring amputation. The combination of xylazine and fentanyl, known as "tranq dope," has been found in 48 states, with an estimated one-quarter of the fentanyl powder supply containing the tranquilliser.

News Minimalist

10 Oct 2023 16:55

[7.0] Stroke deaths to increase by 50% globally, costing $2 trillion. — STAT

The number of stroke deaths worldwide is projected to increase by 50% to nearly 10 million by 2050, with most cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries, according to a report from the World Stroke Organization. The report also estimates that disability-adjusted life-years due to stroke will grow by 30% to reach 190 million by 2050, and the economic costs of strokes will more than double to $2 trillion per year.

News Minimalist

10 Oct 2023 16:55

[7.3] California passes law requiring large companies to disclose carbon emissions. — The Guardian US

California has passed a groundbreaking law that will require large companies, including major global corporations, to disclose their carbon emissions. The law, the first of its kind in the US, will apply to companies with annual revenues exceeding $1 billion and will require them to publicly disclose their emissions by 2026, including emissions generated by their supply chains and customers. The move comes as federal regulators have been slow to implement similar rules at the national level.

News Minimalist

09 Oct 2023 18:01

[7.9] Deadly earthquakes hit Herat, Afghanistan, killing thousands. — Reuters

The deadliest earthquakes in years hit Herat, Afghanistan, leaving at least 2,400 people dead according to the Taliban administration, with ongoing aftershocks forcing residents out of their homes. Aside from the loss of life, the disaster affected thousands more, destroying over 1,900 houses in 20 villages, leaving approximately 10,000 people homeless. Neighboring countries like Pakistan and Iran have offered aid, but Afghanistan's already weakened healthcare system, coupled with diminishing foreign aid, is exacerbating the crisis.

News Minimalist

08 Oct 2023 18:37

[7.1] Canadian homeowners face higher mortgage rates, distress sales expected. — Reuters

Approximately 75,000 Canadian homeowners who are awaiting mortgage renewal notices next month may face a shock interest rate increase due to a global bond rally, which will further strain their tight household budgets. Renewed home loan rates could reach 7%, pushing up the average Canadian mortgage by at least a few hundred dollars per month. With around CAD 200 billion ($146.36 billion) in home loans coming up for renewal next year, mortgage brokers and lawyers are preparing for more distress sales in the property market.

News Minimalist

08 Oct 2023 06:38

[7.0] Avian flu detected on commercial poultry farm. — Reuters

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has reported the first case of avian flu on a commercial poultry farm since April, with a flock of 47,300 turkeys in South Dakota testing positive. Since 2022, 58.8 million U.S. chickens, turkeys, and other birds have been affected by the disease, leading to record-high prices for turkey meat and eggs last year.

News Minimalist

06 Oct 2023 18:48

[7.0] Gun-related deaths among US children increased by 87% in a decade. — The Guardian US

A new study from Boston Children’s Hospital reveals a sharp 87% increase in children's gun-related deaths over the past decade in the United States. The study, which analyzed CDC data, found the rate of deadly wound incidents rose from nearly 14 per 100,000 children in 2011 to more than 17 per 100,000 in 2021. In 2021 alone, 2,590 children died due to firearm injuries compared to 1,311 in 2011. Meanwhile, non-fatal injuries in children have decreased by over half, particularly those involving motor vehicles, which saw a 47% drop. The study also noted that this uptrend in pediatric fatalities preceded the COVID-19 pandemic but was exacerbated by it.

News Minimalist

05 Oct 2023 17:55

[7.0] Nobel Prize awarded for quantum dot discovery with various applications. — Reuters

Scientists Moungi Bawendi, Louis Brus, and Alexei Ekimov have been awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their discovery of quantum dots, which are now used in flat screens, LED lamps, and medical imaging devices. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences stated that their findings have great potential in various fields, including flexible electronics, sensors, solar cells, and quantum communication.

News Minimalist

05 Oct 2023 17:55

[7.2] Meta Platforms introduces generative AI tools for advertisers. — Reuters

Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced that it is rolling out generative AI tools for advertisers. These tools, which can create content like image backgrounds and variations of written text, were tested earlier this year and will be available in Meta's Ads Manager by next year. This move marks Meta's first step into incorporating generative AI technology into its products for generating new content.

News Minimalist

05 Oct 2023 17:55

[7.2] Climate change causing decline of amphibians, most threatened vertebrate group. — The Washington Post

A major study published in the journal Nature has found that rising global temperatures due to climate change have become the primary reason for the decline of over 100 amphibian species between 2004 and 2022. Amphibians are particularly vulnerable to climate change as they lack the ability to regulate their temperature and moisture levels in a hotter and more drought-stricken world. Over 2 in 5 amphibian species are at risk of extinction, making them the most threatened group of vertebrates.

News Minimalist

05 Oct 2023 17:55

[8.5] September 2023: Record-breaking global temperatures, urgent need to reduce emissions. — The Guardian

Global temperatures in September 2023 reached a new record, surpassing the previous record by 0.5°C, the largest jump in temperature ever seen. September was about 1.8°C warmer than pre-industrial levels, driven by high carbon dioxide emissions and the El Niño climate phenomenon.

News Minimalist

04 Oct 2023 19:57

[7.7] Global bond markets sell-off as interest rates rise, impacting various sectors. — Reuters

Global bond markets are experiencing a sell-off as interest rates rise. In the US Treasury market, 10-year bond yields have reached 16-year highs, while in Germany they are at their highest since the 2011 euro zone debt crisis. The rise in bond yields has implications for mortgage rates, loan rates, government funding costs, and global markets, with emerging markets particularly vulnerable.

News Minimalist

03 Oct 2023 19:09

[7.0] Tablet app improves early detection of autism spectrum disorder. — National Institutes of Health (.gov)

A tablet-based screening application for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has shown promise in improving early detection, according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health. The app demonstrated 87.8% sensitivity in detecting ASD and 80.8% specificity in identifying children without the condition.