News Minimalist

06 Dec 2023 18:14

[7.2] Largest iceberg breaks from Antarctica — CNBC

The world's largest iceberg, A23a, has broken away from Antarctica for the first time in 35 years, covering an expanse of almost 4,000 square kilometers. Weighing nearly one trillion metric tons, it's on a trajectory toward the Southern Ocean.

News Minimalist

05 Dec 2023 17:47

[7.0] UK plans to reduce legal migration — Reuters UK

Britain aims to reduce legal migration by increasing the minimum salary for skilled migrants by 33%, targeting a reduction of 300,000 from the record 745,000 annual net migration in 2022. The new salary threshold is raised to £38,700 from £26,200, excluding health and social workers. Additional steps include a 66% hike in migrant health service surcharges and stricter family visa income requirements. The policy faces criticism from businesses and trade unions, highlighting labor shortages and potential adverse effects on the health sector.

News Minimalist

05 Dec 2023 17:47

[7.1] UAE pledges $270 billion for green finance — Reuters

At COP28 in Dubai, the UAE committed to a landmark $270 billion in green finance by 2030, a major stride in addressing climate finance needs. Concurrently, a report revealed that emerging markets require $2.4 trillion annually to achieve climate targets, underscoring the vast scale of investment needed for global climate initiatives.

News Minimalist

02 Dec 2023 17:28

[7.0] Babies learn language from rhythmic information, not phonetic sounds — The Guardian

University of Cambridge researchers discovered that infants learn languages through rhythmic speech, like nursery rhymes, rather than phonetic information. Their study, involving 50 infants' brain activity recordings, found that reliable phonetic processing starts around seven months. This challenges prior beliefs about language learning and suggests a potential link between rhythm perception and dyslexia or developmental language disorders. The findings emphasize the importance of singsong speech in early language development.

News Minimalist

02 Dec 2023 17:28

[7.3] World Bank to increase climate project spending — Reuters

The World Bank plans to increase its annual spending on climate-related projects to 45% of its financing from 2024 to 2025, up from the current 35%. This policy overhaul, led by new president Ajay Banga, will allocate $40 billion, $9 billion more than previously planned, to address climate change and hunger. The bank aims to expand programs and boost lending power.

News Minimalist

01 Dec 2023 18:36

[7.0] Remote work is a permanent fixture in the US — CNBC

Remote work in the US has become a permanent fixture, with 28% of paid workdays being from home in 2023, compared to 7% pre-pandemic. Office occupancy has flatlined at around 50%. Workers value remote work for its flexibility and time-saving benefits, equating it to an 8% pay raise. Companies benefit from reduced costs and better retention. Remote work is now part of a diverse "hybrid" arrangement, with 47% of employees working from home. The trend is expected to continue beyond 2025, with a potential decline only in the event of a severe recession.

News Minimalist

01 Dec 2023 18:36

[7.1] Low uptake of new Covid shots in US — CNBC

As of Nov. 18, 2023, only 15.7% of U.S. adults have received the newest Covid shots from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax. Reasons for low uptake include decreased urgency due to lower infection rates, concerns about side effects, and political polarization. Vaccine makers anticipate similar uptake in 2024.

News Minimalist

01 Dec 2023 18:36

[7.3] Long-term foreign capital exiting China due to economic concerns — Reuters

Long-term foreign capital is exiting China, with 22 major funds managing $4.3 trillion showing no positive outlook for China's economy. China recorded its first-ever quarterly deficit in foreign direct investment, with outflows exceeding $100 billion in the first three quarters of 2023. China's regulatory crackdowns and cross-border investment curbs are affecting new equity listings and mergers. Despite some recent upgrades of China's growth forecasts, manufacturing activity shrank in November.

News Minimalist

30 Nov 2023 18:32

[7.2] UK Biobank releases whole-genome sequences for research — The Guardian

UK Biobank has released the whole genomes of 500,000 individuals for global medical research, marking the largest such release to date. This expansive genetic data, paired with comprehensive health records, aims to advance understanding and treatment of diseases like cancer, heart disease, and genetic conditions. Researchers will explore gene variants linked to diseases and lifestyle factors, potentially leading to personalized risk assessments and new drug targets. Previously, only 1% of the DNA from UK Biobank volunteers was available for study. This significant scale-up is expected to uncover rarer genetic drivers of diseases.

News Minimalist

30 Nov 2023 18:32

[7.5] AI discovers 2.2 million crystal structures, revolutionizing material science — Financial Times [$]

Google DeepMind's AI tool, GNoME, discovered 2.2 million theoretical crystal structures, far surpassing the previous record of 48,000 known stable materials, which included about 28,000 discovered in the past decade. This discovery equates to almost 800 years of material science progress. In a practical application, an autonomous laboratory, A-lab, used AI to successfully synthesize 41 out of 58 targeted novel compounds, achieving a success rate of over 70%. This breakthrough demonstrates AI's potential to significantly accelerate material science and technological advancements.

News Minimalist

29 Nov 2023 17:37

[7.2] WHO investigates pneumonia clusters in China — South China Morning Post

The World Health Organization requested information from China about clusters of "undiagnosed pneumonia," reminiscent of the early stages of the pandemic. China denied a cover-up and promptly provided data to the WHO, attributing the spike to multiple known pathogens, including Covid. Experts link the outbreak to an "immunity debt" from reduced exposure to common pathogens during Covid restrictions.

News Minimalist

28 Nov 2023 18:35

[7.0] Forced sales ahead for indebted global real estate markets — Reuters

M&G Real Estate forecasts increased forced selling in global property markets due to higher financing costs and lower returns. China, Germany, and Sweden's property developers are particularly affected. Nearly 40% of British commercial real estate loans are due to mature in 2024-2025, with values falling over 20% since mid-2022. The global office market is impacted by rising vacancies, with the U.S. facing a worse situation than Asia or Europe.

News Minimalist

28 Nov 2023 18:35

[7.1] 37% increase in US drug overdose deaths — The Conversation

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a 37% increase in drug overdose deaths in the US from May 2022 to May 2023 compared with the 12-month period ending in May 2020, with over 112,000 fatalities. Adolescents' overdose deaths differ from adults' in terms of gender, race, and drugs involved. Fentanyl is the key culprit in adolescent overdoses, with 84% of fatal overdoses involving it. Only 1 in 10 teens who died from a drug overdose had a history of treatment for a substance use problem.

News Minimalist

27 Nov 2023 17:43

[7.2] AI equation predicts rogue waves, protecting ships — Livescience.com

Scientists have developed an AI-based equation to forecast rogue waves, which are at least twice as high as surrounding waves and can devastate ships. Using 700 years of ocean data, the team created a model that can predict the likelihood of a rogue wave forming. The AI's methods were refined using symbolic regression, revealing that around 100,000 rogue waves occur daily worldwide. This breakthrough can help protect ships by predicting and avoiding rogue wave formation.

News Minimalist

27 Nov 2023 17:43

[7.2] UK school pupils ‘using AI to create indecent imagery of other children’ — The Guardian

Experts warn that British schoolchildren are using AI to create realistic indecent images of other children, constituting child sexual abuse material. UK Safer Internet Centre reports a need for urgent action in implementing better blocking systems against such material. The Internet Watch Foundation emphasizes the illegal nature of AI-generated child sexual abuse imagery, which is becoming increasingly realistic and threatening to overwhelm the internet.

News Minimalist

06 Dec 2023 18:14

[7.4] Mathematics, reading skills in unprecedented decline in teenagers — Reuters

In a global study, the OECD reported a significant decline in teenagers' mathematics and reading skills across many countries. Testing nearly 700,000 youths in 82 countries, the 2022 study showed average drops of 10 and 15 points in reading and maths, respectively, since 2018. This decline equals roughly three-quarters of a year's learning. While COVID played a role, structural issues in education systems were highlighted as major factors. In contrast, countries like Singapore excelled, leading in maths, reading, and science, significantly outperforming their peers.

News Minimalist

05 Dec 2023 17:47

[7.1] AT&T selects Ericsson for ORAN network, impacting Nokia — Reuters

AT&T selected Ericsson for a $14 billion, five-year deal to build a U.S. telecom network using ORAN technology, aiming to cover 70% of its wireless traffic by late 2026. This move will significantly increase Ericsson's market share, diminishing Nokia's presence in North America. Ericsson's stock rose 9%, while Nokia's fell 8%. ORAN, a cost-efficient, cloud-based technology, contrasts with traditional proprietary systems.

News Minimalist

05 Dec 2023 17:47

[7.3] Countries pledge to cut cooling emissions by 68% — Reuters

At the UN climate summit in Dubai, 63 countries, including the US, Canada, and Kenya, committed to the Global Cooling Pledge to cut cooling-related emissions by at least 68% by 2050 from 2022 levels. This initiative, the first of its kind, targets emissions from refrigeration and air conditioning. Progress will be monitored annually until 2030.

News Minimalist

02 Dec 2023 17:28

[7.1] Olaf Scholz launches Climate Club at COP28 — Reuters

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced the launch of an international Climate Club to aid developing nations in decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries. The club has 36 members and aims to standardize CO2 intensity calculation, define near-zero emissions for steel and cement, and match needs with technical and financing instruments. This initiative was revealed at the UN COP28 climate summit in Dubai. The club will provide investment signals and guidance for other countries.

News Minimalist

01 Dec 2023 18:36

[7.0] Global markets optimistic despite economic concerns — Reuters

Global markets are optimistic about a soft landing for the world economy despite concerns. The U.S. economy grew 5.2% in Q3, but unemployment is rising. Inflation slowing quicker than expected has led to bets on central bank rate cuts. Corporate defaults have nearly doubled in 2023. Oil prices have dropped around 14% in the past two months.

News Minimalist

01 Dec 2023 18:36

[7.1] Tech companies and UK government unite against online fraud — Reuters

Eleven major tech companies, including Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, will sign an agreement with the British government to combat online fraud. The "Online Fraud Charter" aims to block and remove fraudulent content from their platforms. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak highlighted the importance of this initiative, as fraud is now the most common crime in the UK. The measures include quick reporting routes and increased verification on online platforms.

News Minimalist

01 Dec 2023 18:36

[7.1] China-linked fake accounts aim to sow discord — The Associated Press

Meta identified nearly 4,800 fake social media accounts from China, aiming to sow discord in the U.S. ahead of the 2024 elections. The accounts shared content from various political sources to exaggerate partisan divisions. Meta couldn't definitively link the network to the Chinese government but determined its origin in China.

News Minimalist

01 Dec 2023 18:36

[7.3] $30 billion climate fund announced by UAE President — Reuters

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, President of the United Arab Emirates, announced the creation of a $30 billion climate fund at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai. The fund aims to address the climate finance gap and stimulate $250 billion of investment by 2030.

News Minimalist

30 Nov 2023 18:32

[7.5] 2D material reshapes 3D electronics for AI hardware — Washington University in St. Louis

A team of international researchers published a breakthrough in computer chip technology in Nature Materials. They developed a monolithic 3D-integrated chip using six atomically thin 2D layers, each serving a unique function. This innovation significantly reduces processing time, power consumption, latency, and physical footprint, enhancing AI computing efficiency. The technology promises to revolutionize multifunctional computing hardware, potentially impacting a wide range of applications from autonomous vehicles to medical diagnostics.

News Minimalist

29 Nov 2023 17:37

[7.0] Hamas and Israel exchange hostages and prisoners — The Associated Press

Hamas and Israel exchanged hostages and prisoners under a fragile cease-fire, with 60 Israelis and 180 Palestinians released. International mediators in Qatar worked to extend the truce, while the U.S. urged Israel to protect Palestinian civilians. The cease-fire allowed humanitarian aid into Gaza, where over 234,000 homes were damaged. The war has killed over 13,300 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis.

News Minimalist

29 Nov 2023 17:37

[7.6] Haiti's gang violence threatens food access, displaces thousands — The Guardian

Haiti's gang violence has spread to key farming areas, displacing 22,000 people and impacting food access. Gangs are burning houses, stealing crops, and carrying out kidnappings and sexual violence. The UN urges immediate international security assistance and highlights the severe humanitarian crisis, with nearly half the country going hungry.

News Minimalist

28 Nov 2023 18:35

[7.0] Ukraine strains to bolster its army as war fatigue weighs — Reuters

Amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, families of soldiers face growing psychological toll. Ukrainian society shows a darker mood as the war drags on. Army chief seeks more reserves to avoid stalemate. Families demand clear timeline for troops' discharge. Ukraine's military relies on US and allies' support, but faces dwindling resources. Draft dodging and corruption cases add to the strain. Public mood turns gloomier as trust in government declines. Women form groups to advocate for demobilization of war veterans.

News Minimalist

28 Nov 2023 18:35

[7.1] European Central Bank reports first decrease in bank lending since 2015 — Reuters

In November 2023, the European Central Bank (ECB) reported a 0.3% decrease in bank lending to businesses in the euro zone, the first decline since 2015. Household lending growth also slowed to 0.6%, the lowest since 2015. The M3 money supply contracted by 1.0%. The ECB's rate hikes aimed to control inflation, but concerns arise that it may have gone too far, potentially deepening the recession.

News Minimalist

27 Nov 2023 17:43

[7.1] International agreement on AI safety emphasizes security measures — Reuters

The US, UK, and 16 other countries have unveiled the first detailed international agreement on AI safety. The non-binding 20-page document emphasizes creating AI systems "secure by design" and includes recommendations for monitoring, data protection, and vetting suppliers.

News Minimalist

27 Nov 2023 17:43

[7.2] Meta accused of knowingly having millions of underage users — Business Insider

Newly unsealed documents reveal Meta knowingly has millions of underage users on Instagram. Thirty-three states claim Meta "routinely continued to collect" children's personal information. The company reportedly closed "only a fraction" of those accounts. Under US law, each violation is subject to fines of up to $50,120. Meta denies the allegations, stating it has measures in place to remove underage accounts. If proven, Meta could face unprecedented fines.