Donald Trump contends that, in light of the uncertainty surrounding the final agreement, Tiktok is aiming to keep operating in the US while Beijing retains control over the algorithms that govern the platform’s video feed.
“There’s a deal concerning Tiktok. A number of major companies are interested in purchasing it,” Trump stated on Tuesday, though he did not provide further specifics.
The agreement, reportedly negotiated between US Treasury Secretary Scott Bescent and a Chinese deputy prime minister in Madrid, is said to involve transferring US assets of the social media platform from Chinese ownership to new American proprietors.
A key concern revolves around the fate of Tiktok’s influential algorithms that contribute to its status as one of the top online entertainment sources globally.
At a press briefing in Madrid, the deputy head of China’s cybersecurity regulator indicated that the framework for the agreement would entail “algorithm licenses and other intellectual property rights.”
Wang Jingtao noted that Bytedance will “contract Tiktok’s US user data and content security operations.”
Some analysts interpret these remarks to mean that the US spinoff of Tiktok may still possess the Chinese algorithm.
During a discussion at the Supreme Court in January, Tiktok’s lawyer informed the judge of the challenges in selling the platform to US companies, citing Chinese laws that restrict the sale of its algorithms, which are critical to the success of social media platforms.
US officials have previously expressed concerns that the algorithms determining user content could be susceptible to manipulation by the Chinese government.
Tiktok has countered that the US has not presented any evidence suggesting that China has sought to manipulate content on American platforms.
According to China’s House Selection Committee, any agreement between Beijing and Washington must adhere to laws requiring Tiktok’s sale to avoid a ban in the US.
“If the algorithm remains Chinese, it does not meet compliance. There is no algorithm shared with the US,” a spokesman for China’s House Selection Committee stated.
On Tuesday, Trump further postponed the enforcement of the Tiktok ban until December 16th, marking the fourth delay of legislation aimed at compelling Chinese owners to divest from the app. The latest delay was set to conclude on Wednesday, aligning with a law enacted in 2024 by then-President Joe Biden that aimed to close Tiktok in the US due to its Chinese ownership.
This law aims to address national security concerns linked to Tiktok’s Chinese parent company and its possible connections to the Chinese government.
Nonetheless, the 2024 election campaign heavily relies on social media, with Trump, who has expressed a fondness for Tiktok, continuing to delay the ban.
The app is under scrutiny from US officials worried about data collection practices and content manipulation. Tiktok has consistently denied sharing user data with Chinese authorities and has contested various restrictions in federal courts.
“We have a significant pool of companies interested in acquiring it,” Trump remarked.
China also confirmed what was described as a “framework” for transactions on Monday following phone calls between the two leaders.
After a Reuters inquiry, a senior White House official commented that specifics regarding the framework were “speculation unless disclosed by this administration.”
Donald Trump has warned of potential tariffs and export limits on nations that implement taxes, laws, or regulations targeting major tech firms like Google, Meta, Amazon, and Apple.
“All digital taxes, laws, rules, or regulations aim to harm or discriminate against American technology,” Trump stated in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social.
He pointed out that such measures include a 2% revenue collection, exemplified by the UK’s digital services tax, which generates approximately £800 million annually from leading tech companies worldwide.
“As the President of the United States, I stand against any country that attacks our exceptional American tech firms,” Trump remarked. “If these discriminatory lawsuits are not withdrawn, I will impose a significant additional fee on that country’s exports to the U.S., restricting access to protected technologies and chips.”
Trump’s ultimatum adds pressure on both the UK and the EU, especially regarding regulations aimed at limiting the dominance of major tech companies through the Digital Services Act.
Numerous EU nations, including France, Italy, and Spain, have already instituted digital services taxes.
U.S. officials have criticized the UK’s Digital Services Tax (DST), which has been active since 2020, though it was kept in place after a May agreement with the Trump administration.
Trump has expressed concerns over the detrimental effects DSTs worldwide have on American firms.
In February, he signed an executive order titled “Interesting Foreign Tax and Unfair Fines and Penalties” directed at U.S. businesses and innovators.
It surfaced in April that Keir Starmer proposed a reduced headline rate for U.S. tech giants regarding DST, while simultaneously taxing companies in other nations.
“American and U.S. tech companies are not the world’s ‘piggy banks’ or ‘doormats’,” Trump stated on Monday. “Respect America and our outstanding tech firms, or face the consequences.”
This warning from the president follows a recent joint statement from the U.S. and the EU committed to addressing “unfair trade barriers.”
However, the EU has not pledged to amend digital regulations individually.
In June, Canada repealed its Digital Services Tax, described as a “direct and blatant” move to facilitate smoother negotiations with its neighbors.
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Devices for tracking individuals implanted beneath the skin, robots designated to manage inmates, and unmanned vehicles for their transport are among the solutions proposed by technology firms to ministers seeking approaches to address the crisis in the UK’s judicial system.
This proposal arose during last month’s gathering of over 20 high-tech companies in London, chaired by Attorney General Shabana Mahmood, as highlighted by meeting notes reviewed by The Guardian. In light of a critical shortage of prisons and probation officers, struggling under immense pressure, the minister solicited ideas for utilizing wearable technology, behavioral surveillance, and geographical data to establish “prisons beyond the walls.”
Participants included representatives from Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Palantir, who collaborate closely with the US military as well as the NHS. IBM and Serco, a private prison operator, were also present, along with firms specializing in tagging and biometrics, in response to their freedom of information request.
Mahmood stated to the technology firms, “We seek to deepen cooperation between government and industry to confront the prison capacity crisis, reduce recidivism, and enhance community safety.” She expressed the need to “scale and improve” the current application of tagging technologies “to encourage rehabilitation, mitigate crime, and enhance surveillance.” Prison minister James Timpson advocated for a “technology-driven approach to justice.”
This initiative represents the latest move by the Labour government to integrate the tech industry into efforts to achieve cost efficiency across public services, from schools to healthcare. In January, Keir Starmer asserted that AI could significantly “transform public services” and spoke about an “entire overhaul of government.”
The Ministry of Justice’s advocacy continues after last month’s Judgment review where former Attorney General David Goke emphasized the need for shorter sentences and a greater utilization of AI in public spaces to alleviate the overcrowded prison population by almost 10,000.
During a recent meeting convened by industry lobby group Tech UK, the minister questioned tech companies about the vision for a “digital, data, and technology-enabled judicial system” by 2050. Proposals included “real-time behavioral monitoring and subcutaneous tracking” to facilitate “behavioral management” for individuals within the criminal justice system, as well as AI support for criminal rehabilitation. Robotics were suggested for the movement and management of inmates, including self-driving vehicles for transporting them.
Human rights advocates described the concept as “a troubling dystopia,” cautioning at the conference that the government appeared “too aligned with tech giants.” A follow-up meeting with tech firms is scheduled for Tuesday, where Lord Timpson is expected to hear a 20-minute presentation of an innovative proposal during the “Innovation Den.”
Government officials emphasized that the ideas discussed thus far are hypothetical considerations aimed at enhancing public safety and stimulating dialogue about the future of criminal management.
The Attorney General previously indicated that he does not shy away from employing technologies like “gait recognition,” a biometric method capable of analyzing unique human movement patterns.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice commented, “We are continually exploring technologies that aim to reduce crime, monitor offenders effectively, and ensure the safety of our citizens, as the public rightly expects.”
Donald Campbell, advocacy director at the nonprofit organization FOXGLOVE, which campaigns for equitable technology usage, labeled the ideas as “surprisingly dystopian.” He remarked, “It’s concerning that the Minister of Justice is considering using robots to manage inmates and embedding devices in people’s skin to monitor their behavior or ‘predict’ future actions.”
Other recommendations from tech firms included deploying powerful quantum computers to “analyze historical data to foresee future behavior” and automate decision-making processes for overburdened probation services.
Nevertheless, there are worries about the implications of over-reliance on technology. Meeting notes recorded the sentiment that “if misapplied, these methods could yield dystopian results that are challenging to rectify.”
Campbell further stated, “The notion that tech companies can create tools to ‘predict’ crime has been met with skepticism on several occasions. It’s unfortunate to see this push being made.”
Tech UK, the organization that hosted the conference, mentioned that its initiatives aim to cultivate a more equitable, improved, and efficient justice system. “It’s crucial that the future of justice is developed with transparency, accountability, and public trust at its foundation,” a representative noted.
Google, Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, and Palantir did not respond to inquiries for comments. Serco stated, “We will not provide commentary on this initiative.”
Nigel Farage has announced that he will accept donations via Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
He made his appearance at the Bitcoin Conference in Las Vegas, where he was introduced as a “British presidential candidate.” Farage stated:
He mentioned that the reforms are set to introduce crypto assets and digital finance legislation, aiming to reduce the tax on cryptocurrency transactions from 24% to 10%, thereby transforming the UK into a “crypto powerhouse.” He further noted that the cryptocurrency framework established by his party includes the “Bank of England’s Bitcoin Digital Reserve.”
Farage asserted that the new bill would prohibit banks from criticizing customers who engage in cryptocurrency trading.
On Thursday, the reform website underwent updates to facilitate cryptocurrency donations, with a disclaimer specifying that all contributions must comply with Election Commission regulations, and anonymous donations are prohibited.
During the conference, Farage referred to the acceptance of political donations in digital currencies as “innovative” and later commended the United States for being a “pioneer” in its approach to digital assets.
“My message to the British public, especially the youth, is to help guide our nation into the 21st century,” he said. “We must acknowledge that cryptocurrency and digital assets are here to stay.”
In his address, Farage criticized the inaction of previous Conservative governments concerning the current Labour government and the cryptocurrency landscape. He remarked: “Rishi Sunak delivered one speech about cryptocurrency when he was briefly Prime Minister. What has changed regarding London’s status as a global financial hub? Just one speech and nothing more.”
A spokesman for Reform UK confirmed that the party will accept cryptocurrency donations, with further details anticipated to be disclosed on Friday.
Reform UK is categorized under corporate governance as a private entity led by individuals, rather than functioning as a member-driven association like other political parties. The organization overseeing Reform UK is identified as Reform 2025, a nonprofit with just two members and two directors.
Donald Trump has threatened to implement a 25% tariff on iPhones if they are not produced in the United States.
The president wiped out approximately $70 billion (£52 billion) in company stock following a post about the Truth Social platform, emphasizing that iPhones sold in the US must be manufactured within the country.
Trump stated: “I have notified Apple’s Tim Cook that I expect iPhones available for sale in the United States to be produced domestically, rather than in India.”
Following Trump’s comments, Apple’s stock dropped by 2.6%, slightly below the company’s valuation, coming in just under $3 trillion.
Apple is not the only one affected. In statements made to a White House reporter on Friday, Trump either imposed a 25% tariff on Samsung and other phone manufacturers producing outside the US or labeled it as “unfair.”
“When they set up plants here, there will be no tariffs; hence, they will build here,” Trump remarked.
Last month, Trump cautioned Apple investors with a series of tariff announcements targeting Chinese products, with the cumulative tariff reaching 145%. However, shortly afterward, his administration announced an exemption for smartphones and computers.
Reports indicated that Apple intended to relocate all iPhone assembly for the US market to India, trying to mitigate the repercussions of Trump’s trade conflict with China.
Apple’s CEO, Cook, mentioned in a revenue call this month that the majority of iPhones sold in the US during the June quarter had “India” as their country of origin. While the company keeps its production details confidential, analysts suggest that around 90% of smartphones are assembled in China.
The US constitutes Apple’s largest iPhone market, with over 60 million mobile phones sold annually.
This month, Trump criticized high-tech companies and their CEOs via social media. “I had a slight issue with Tim Cook,” he remarked. “We aren’t interested in you producing in India; India can manage on its own… We want you to manufacture here.”
Experts caution that relocating iPhone production to the United States could be prohibitively costly, citing the lack of facilities and flexible labor for Apple to utilize compared to China. Financial services firm Wedbush Securities noted last month that an iPhone produced in the US would cost three times more than the current price of $3,500.
National Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emphasizes that addressing the “epidemic” of chronic diseases is fundamental to his health agenda, often citing unexpected statistics as a compelling reason for public health reform in the nation.
Recently, President Trump proposed a budget that includes a nearly 50% reduction in funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This plan includes the complete elimination of the Chronic Disease Center, leaving many state and city health officials stunned.
“A significant portion of Americans suffers from some form of chronic illness,” noted Dr. Matifha Frathschwei Davis, the health director for the city of St. Louis.
In discussing the proposed cuts, she questioned, “How can we justify this as a step toward making America healthy again?”
Last month, the Federal Health Administration eliminated 2,400 positions from the CDC. The National Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, which operates with the largest budget within the CDC, was affected greatly by these changes.
Several initiatives, including those addressing lead poisoning, smoking cessation, and reproductive health, were discontinued amid the reorganization.
The proposed budget slashes CDC funding to around $4 billion, down from $9.2 billion allocated for 2024.
Notably, the budget plan does not account for the $1.2 billion set aside for the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which could mean even deeper cuts than Trump’s initial proposal indicates.
Additional programs aimed at preventing injuries, including those from firearms, HIV surveillance and prevention initiatives, and grants for state preparedness in public health emergencies, will also be eliminated.
The budget outlines that these reductions aim to eliminate “duplicate, DEI, or unnecessary programs.” While Congress will draft a federal budget, it’s uncertain how much influence Trump’s proposal will wield, given the current Republican majority and his allegiance to the former president.
CDC officials were informed that the Chronic Disease Center’s functions are to be absorbed by a new division under the Department of Health, called Management for a Healthy America.
Moreover, the newly released proposal seems to earmark $500 million for the Health Secretary to focus on “nutrition, physical activity, healthy lifestyle, medication, and treatment.”
However, the Chronic Disease Center’s budget at the CDC had nearly tripled previously. Plus, even if some chronic disease programs are revived under AHA, it’s doubtful that CDC scientists from Atlanta will be included.
“The true experts in managing these programs might no longer be with the CDC,” stated Dr. Scott Harris, state health officer with the Alabama Department of Public Health. “My state certainly lacks the same level of expertise.”
The Department of Health and Human Services has yet to respond to requests for comments.
The CDC’s Chronic Disease Center has spearheaded initiatives to prevent cancer, heart disease, diabetes, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s disease. The center has also launched programs that range from developing hiking trails in rural areas to advocating for healthier food options in airports and promoting wellness in underserved communities.
Dr. Davis noted that her department is already feeling the impact of cuts aimed at reducing smoking and lead poisoning, as over $11 billion in funding previously provided by the CDC to the state’s health department has been withdrawn.
“I’m going to be back in the COVID-19 cycle with everything happening,” Dr. Davis remarked.
Under the proposed budget, the administration suggests that responsibilities of eliminated programs would be better handled at the state level. Yet, the state’s health department already administers the majority of chronic disease programs, with 75% of the funding from the CDC supporting these efforts.
Dr. Harris described the loss of funds as “devastating for us.”
Alabama ranks among the states with the highest rates of chronic disease, with about 84% of the Department of Public Health’s budget reliant on the CDC, according to Dr. Harris. Approximately $6 million is allocated for programs addressing chronic diseases, such as blood pressure screenings, diabetes nutrition education, and promoting physical activity.
He added, “I really don’t know where these funds would come from if these cuts happen.” “No one truly seems to know what to expect, and our input isn’t being sought.”
Minnesota’s health department has already reduced its workforce by 140 employees, with more potential layoffs looming if additional CDC funds are lost. Cutting chronic disease prevention resources jeopardizes nursing homes, vaccination clinics, and public health programs for Native Americans in the state.
“Federal actions have left us in precarious situations without support,” noted Dr. Brooke Cunningham, the state health commissioner.
Recently, Dr. Cunningham observed, “There was a shared understanding at the local, state, and federal levels that investing in health was crucial.”
The impact of the CDC’s Chronic Disease Center extends into many unexpected areas of American life.
In Prairie Village, Kansas, Stephanie Bar was made aware of the center’s resources while working as an uninsured waitress fifteen years ago when she discovered a lump in her breast.
Through the CDC’s National Early Breast and Cervical Cancer Detection Program, she received mammograms and ultrasounds, and staff assisted her in signing up for Medicaid after her biopsy revealed cancer. “It was caught just in time,” said Barr, now 45 and cancer-free.
Since its 1991 inception, the program has conducted over 16.3 million screenings for more than 6.3 million individuals, offering vital services to those without affordable access.
One such organization, 530 Health, has petitioned lawmakers to reject the proposed HHS budget, which would reduce discretionary spending by about one-third. The signers expressed that such cuts would “devastate” the nation’s research and public health systems.
The budget also suggests dismantling the disease registry and surveillance frameworks.
“Without gathering data and maintaining these surveillance systems, we lose sight of health trends,” explained Dr. Philip Fan, director of Dallas County Health and Human Services in Texas.
“You lose all historical context,” he added.
In his former role as the Director of Chronic Diseases in Texas, Dr. Huang collaborated closely with CDC experts who successfully curbed tobacco use among Americans. “Dismantling smoking and health initiatives is irrational if you aim to address chronic illnesses,” he stated.
Smoking continues to be a leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., claiming over 480,000 lives annually, as per CDC data.
Although more than 10% of Americans smoke regularly, usage rates differ significantly by region, and CDC monitoring helps identify areas that require intervention programs.
“While smoking rates have declined, tobacco companies are poised to exploit any federal laxity,” warned Erica Seward, vice president of advocacy for the American Lung Association.
She cautioned that tobacco companies are continuously developing new products, like nicotine pouches, adding, “Reining this back in will cost significantly more.”
The CDC Chronic Disease Center collaborates with community and academic institutions to promote effective health initiatives, leading nutrition classes and fitness programs to engage rural youths in Iowa as well as training members of Black churches in Columbia, South Carolina.
In rural Missouri, numerous walking trails have been developed in the “boot heels” region, an area marked by high obesity and diabetes rates, as noted by Dr. Ross Brownson, a public health researcher at Washington University in St. Louis, who is allied with the CDCC to steer the Center for Prevention Research.
“There’s robust evidence that enhancing community walkability can increase physical activity,” affirmed Dr. Brownson. “While there are no health clubs in the countryside, residents can appreciate nature and walk, and land is relatively affordable.”
In Rochester, New York, CDC funding supports training for deaf individuals to lead wellness programs tailored for other members of the deaf community who might struggle to engage in traditional gym classes.
In San Diego, researchers are exploring methods to shield farm workers from UV and heat-related ailments.
“When they mobilize and begin to take action, they become self-sufficient and are no longer reliant on government support,” commented Allison Bey, who recently lost her position overseeing such initiatives at the CDC.
The CDC reorganization has also resulted in the cancellation of the lead poisoning program, a significant concern as lead exposure represents “one of our major public health threats in Cleveland,” noted Dr. David Margolius, the city’s public health director.
Although the CDC does not directly fund the lead program in Cleveland, which relies on state funding, Dr. Margolius emphasized, “We depend on federal expertise to guide us toward a future free of lead exposure. This shift will have major repercussions for us.”
National Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emphasizes that addressing the “epidemic” of chronic illness is fundamental to his vision for American health, frequently citing alarming statistics as a pressing need for reform in public health across the nation.
On Friday, President Trump proposed a budget that would nearly halve funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, completely eliminating the Chronic Disease Center, a move that left many state and city health officials in disbelief.
“Most Americans suffer from some form of chronic illness,” stated Dr. Matifha Frathschwei Davis, health director for the city of St. Louis.
Addressing the proposed cuts, she asked, “How do you reconcile this with an effort to make America healthy again?”
Last month, the Federal Health Administration eliminated 2,400 jobs at the CDC. The Chronic Disease Center, which handles the largest budget within the CDC, was particularly impacted.
In a reorganization last month, programs focused on lead poisoning, smoking cessation, and reproductive health were discontinued.
The proposed budget would slash CDC funding to around $4 billion, down from $9.2 billion in 2024.
Moreover, the budget plan does not account for the $1.2 billion Prevention and Public Health Fund, suggesting that the cuts could surpass what Trump has proposed.
Programs targeting injury prevention, including those related to firearms, along with HIV surveillance and public health emergency preparedness grants, would also be affected.
According to the budget proposal, reductions aim to eliminate “duplicate, DEI, or simply unnecessary programs.” While Congress will formulate a federal budget, it remains uncertain how Trump’s proposal will evolve given the Republican majority and his allegiance to Trump.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of the Department of Health and Human Services at the White House last month.credit…Eric Lee/The New York Times
CDC officials have been informed that the functions of the Chronic Disease Center will be relocated to a new entity within the health department called Management for a Healthy America.
Additionally, the proposal released on Friday seems to allocate $500 million to the Health Secretary for initiatives focusing on “nutrition, physical activity, healthy lifestyle choices, medications, and treatments.”
Yet, the Chronic Disease Center’s budget at the CDC was nearly tripled. Even if some chronic disease centers are revived under AHA, it’s unlikely that CDC scientists, who have relocated from Atlanta, will be involved.
“The actual subject matter experts managing the program may no longer be at the CDC,” remarked Dr. Scott Harris, Alabama’s state health officer. “We certainly don’t have the same level of expertise in my state.”
The Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to requests for comment.
The CDC’s Chronic Disease Center has launched programs aimed at the prevention of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s disease. However, it also supports initiatives beyond traditional boundaries, like developing walking trails and ensuring healthy food options are available in airports.
Dr. Davis from St. Louis indicated that her department has already been impacted by cuts that affect smoking cessation programs, lead poisoning initiatives, and health equity efforts, with a loss of over $11 billion in funding that the CDC previously provided to the state’s health department.
Diabetes Prevention Program at the Bronx YMCAcredit…Benjamin Norman from New York Times
The center is involved in various initiatives, from developing walking paths to ensuring that healthy food options like salads are available at airports.credit…Tony Senicola/The New York Times
“I’m going to see the impacts of COVID-19 reflected in our current situation,” Dr. Davis emphasized.
In the proposed budget, the administration claims that discontinued programs could be more effectively managed at the state level. However, the state’s health department already oversees most chronic disease initiatives, with approximately three-quarters of the CDC Center’s funding dedicated to these programs.
Dr. Harris expressed that the funding loss is “devastating for us.”
Alabama has one of the highest chronic disease rates nationwide, with upwards of 84% of the Department of Public Health’s budget sourced from the CDC, Dr. Harris noted. Approximately $6 million is estimated to support chronic disease initiatives, including blood pressure screenings, diabetes education, and promoting physical activity.
If these funds are cut, he added, “I have no idea now where the funding will come from.” “No one truly seems to know what to expect, and we are not solicited for input on these matters.”
The Minnesota health department has already terminated 140 positions, with hundreds more potentially at risk if CDC funding reductions continue. Cuts to chronic disease prevention have direct repercussions on nursing homes, vaccination clinics, and public health efforts for Native Americans in the region.
“Federal decisions have left us unsupported in a fragile situation without a safety net,” stated Dr. Brooke Cunningham, the state health commissioner.
Dr. Cunningham noted that until recently, there seemed to be a shared understanding at all levels of government regarding the importance of investing in health.
In 2023, Dr. Brooke Cunningham, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health.credit…David Joles/Star Tribune via the Associated Press
The impact of the CDC Chronic Disease Center is felt in many surprising facets of American life.
In Prairie Village, Kansas, Stephanie Barr learned about the center when she worked as a waitress without health insurance and discovered a lump in her breast 15 years ago.
Thanks to the CDC’s National Early Breast and Cervical Cancer Detection Program, she received mammograms and ultrasounds, with staff assisting her in registering for Medicaid for treatment after a biopsy revealed the mass was cancerous, Barr recounted.
“It was caught just in time,” said Barr, now 45 and cancer-free.
Since its inception in 1991, the program has provided over 16.3 million screenings for more than 6.3 million individuals, with no other affordable options available.
The organization 530 Health has circulated a petition urging lawmakers to reject the proposed HHS budget, which could cut discretionary funding by approximately one-third. The signers contend that these cuts would “effectively devastate” the nation’s research and public health infrastructure.
The budget also suggests dismantling the disease registry and surveillance system.
“Without collecting data or maintaining these surveillance systems, we lose sight of trends,” mentioned Dr. Philip Fan, director of Dallas County Health and Human Services in Texas.
“You’re losing all historical context,” he explained.
In a previous role as Director of Chronic Diseases in Texas, Dr. Huang worked closely with CDC specialists who effectively decreased tobacco use among Americans.
“Abolishing smoking cessation efforts is utterly irrational if you aim to address chronic illnesses,” he stated.
The Chronic Disease Center’s programs target cancer, heart disease, diabetes, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s disease.credit…Tony Leon of the New York Times
Smoking continues to be a leading cause of preventable deaths in the U.S., causing over 480,000 fatalities annually, according to the CDC.credit…Jenny Kane/Applications
Smoking remains a top contributor to preventable deaths in the United States, leading to over 480,000 deaths each year, per CDC data.
More than one in ten Americans smoke regularly; however, rates vary significantly by region, and CDC monitoring is crucial for targeting areas where cessation programs are most necessary.
“While smoking rates have declined, if the federal government eases regulations, tobacco companies are poised to regain ground,” cautioned Erica Seward, vice president of advocacy for the American Lung Association.
She highlighted that tobacco firms continually innovate new products, such as nicotine pouches. Usage among teenagers doubled last year. “It would be significantly more challenging to reverse this trend,” she added.
The CDC Chronic Disease Center collaborates with both community and academic organizations to promote effective programs, ranging from engaging youth in rural areas of Iowa to training members of Black churches in Columbia, South Carolina.
In rural Missouri, numerous walking trails have been established in the Bootheel region, an area with high obesity and diabetes rates, as noted by Ross Brownson, a public health researcher at Washington University in St. Louis, who is partnering with the CDCC to lead the Center for Prevention Research.
“Research indicates that enhancing walkability in a community can significantly increase physical activity levels,” Dr. Brownson commented. “Though there may be no fitness centers in rural areas, residents can enjoy nature and outdoor walking, and land is relatively affordable.”
In Rochester, New York, CDC support is training both deaf and hearing individuals to lead exercise and wellness programs targeted at others who are deaf and often excluded from mainstream fitness classes.
In San Diego, investigators are exploring strategies to shield farmworkers from ultraviolet and heat-related health issues.
“When they initiate these efforts from the ground up, they’re community-driven and not reliant on government support,” commented Allison Bey, who recently lost her position overseeing such initiatives at the CDC.
The CDC’s reorganization has also resulted in the termination of the lead poisoning program. Lead poisoning is “among our most significant public health challenges in Cleveland,” pointed out Dr. David Margolius, the city’s public health director.
While the CDC does not directly fund Cleveland’s lead program, the state provides the necessary resources. “We rely on federal expertise to guide us toward a lead-free future, so this will have a profound impact on us,” he stated.
Doordash has proposed acquiring UK rival Deliveroo for $3.6 billion (£2.7 billion), as announced by Deliveroo on Friday.
In a statement to the Guardian, Deliveroo mentioned that its board is discussing the offer with Doordash, but no formal proposal has yet been made. They noted that if shares are valued at £1.80 ($2.40), it may be a challenge to recommend such an offer to shareholders.
“We cannot confirm that Doordash’s offer to Deliveroo will materialize. At this point, shareholders are advised to refrain from taking any action concerning potential offers,” stated the company.
The proposal from Doordash is valid until May 23rd. Reuters.
Doordash is currently the leading food delivery app in the United States, boasting 42 million active users monthly in 2024 and generating $10.7 billion in revenue that same year. Founded in 2012 in San Francisco, it operates in over 25 countries.
In 2021, Doordash acquired the Finnish delivery service Wolt for 7 billion euros, equivalent to approximately $8.1 billion at the time.
Deliveroo, based in London and founded in 2013, ranks as the second largest food delivery app in the UK. In 2024, it reported an average of 7.1 million active users and earnings of £2.07 billion, as mentioned in a statement.
Both companies have expanded into grocery delivery in recent years and are exploring ways to grow their user base beyond food delivery.
In a February interview with Fortune, Doordash CEO Tony Xu described the company’s presence as feeling like a “spot of dust.”
“We are actively addressing challenges related to first-party delivery and first-party ordering,” Xu stated. “To establish yourself as a digital powerhouse, you must go beyond these fundamentals.”
Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings is hoping to encourage more researchers and students to delve into the impact of artificial intelligence on human norms. To support this cause, Hastings made a generous donation of $50 million to his alma mater, Boudine College, establishing a research initiative on “AI and Humanity,” the largest gift the liberal arts college has received since its founding in 1794.
The ultimate goal of the program, according to Hastings and school officials, is to transform Boudine into a hub for investigating the risks and consequences of AI. It also aims to equip students to address emerging technologies that are capable of producing human-like text and creating formulas for potential new medications.
The concept for this initiative stemmed from conversations between Hastings and President Boudin over recent months. They see it as an opportunity to enhance the academic experience by incorporating AI into education and research. Some of the funds will be used to hire 10 new faculty members to support professors looking to integrate AI into their teaching and research.
In a recent interview, Hastings emphasized the importance of researchers addressing these critical questions given the rapid advancements in AI and the potential disruptions it could bring to various aspects of human life, such as work and relationships.
He stressed the urgency of preparing for the transformative impact of AI, comparing it to the rapid growth of social networks that initially caught many off guard with their societal implications.
Dr. Zaki, a cognitive scientist and President of Boudin, expressed his hope that Bowdoin faculty and students will develop an ethical framework for exploring and utilizing AI technology to address fundamental questions.
He posed thought-provoking questions about the ethical dimensions of AI and stressed the moral duty of educators to engage with these issues.
As AI becomes more pervasive in daily life, millions of people are utilizing it for tasks ranging from information retrieval to generating computer code. The creators of these tools predict that even more advanced AI systems will significantly alter our daily routines.
While some tech leaders in Silicon Valley paint a positive image of an AI-driven future, the new initiative at Boudin College seeks to critically examine how AI is reshaping society for better or for worse. Hastings hopes this program will ensure that technological advancements are aligned with benefiting people and society.
Expressing his optimistic view on technology, Hastings believes that human progress is closely tied to our moral and ethical systems. He highlights the importance of strengthening these systems to guide technological development for the betterment of humanity.
Approximately 46,000 years ago, a group of Neanderthals resided in caves in what is now Spain and gathered fossils, as reported by a researcher in a paper published in the magazine Quaternary period.
Marine fossils from the Prado Vargas Cave, Spain. Image credit: Lewis others., doi: 10.3390/quat7040049.
Collecting is a form of leisure, even a passion, involving the collection, preservation, and display of objects.
When tracing its origins in literature, we are reminded of the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal (7th century BC) known for collecting books, marking the emergence of writing and the dissemination of knowledge on clay tablets.
This innate curiosity and interest in collecting stones and fossils, known as manuports, dates back to the dawn of humanity.
Archaeologists have long known that Neanderthal dwellings contained objects devoid of practical value, indicating a cultural significance attached to these items.
In the case of the Prado Vargas Cave in Cornejo, Burgos, Spain, archaeologist Marta Navazo Ruiz and her team unearthed 15 marine fossils from the Late Cretaceous period in the cave’s Mousterian level.
The fossils, primarily mollusks and a few echinoderms, hinted at a deliberate collection rather than accidental gathering by the Neanderthals.
The presence of these fossils within the cave suggests intentional behavior, possibly for social or symbolic purposes.
The researchers proposed hypotheses ranging from aesthetic appreciation to cultural identity reinforcement through these fossil collections.
This discovery elevates the Prado Vargas Neanderthals as early fossil collectors, shedding light on their efforts towards understanding and preserving natural history.
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Marta Navazo Ruiz others. 2024. Were Neanderthals the first collectors? First evidence found in level 4 of the Prado Vargas cave in Cornejo, Burgos, Spain. Quaternary period 7(4):49;doi: 10.3390/quat7040049
According to some researchers, the moon may have been captured during a close encounter between young Earth and the Earth binary (a system consisting of the moon and other rocks). new paper Published in Planetary Science Journal.
Darren Williams and Michael Zugger explored the concept of collisionless binary exchange for capturing large satellites (comparable to or larger than the Moon) around Earth-mass objects inside and outside the solar system.
During six missions to the Moon from 1969 to 1972, Apollo astronauts collected more than 360 kg (800 pounds) of lunar rocks and soil.
Chemical and isotopic analysis of the material showed it to be similar to rocks and soils on Earth. It was found to be calcium-rich, basaltic, and dated to about 60 million years after the formation of the solar system.
Using that data, planetary scientists gathered at the Kona conference in Hawaii in 1984 reached a consensus that the moon formed from debris after it collided with a young Earth.
“The Kona conference set the story for 40 years,” said Darren Williams, a professor at Penn State University.
“But questions still remained. For example, a moon formed by a collision of planets, with the debris clumped together in a ring, should orbit above the planet's equator. Earth's moon should orbit above the planet's equator. It's circling around.
“The moon is more in line with the sun than the Earth's equator.”
“In an alternative binary exchange capture theory. Earth's gravity separated the binary star and latched onto one of the objects, the moon, which became a satellite orbiting its current plane.”
“There is evidence that this is happening elsewhere in the solar system.”
“The leading hypothesis in this field is that Triton, the largest of Neptune's moons, was drawn into orbit from the Kuiper belt, where one in 10 is thought to be a binary star. There is.”
“Triton orbits Neptune in a retrograde orbit, moving in the opposite direction of the planet's rotation.”
“Its orbit is also highly tilted, making an angle of 67 degrees from Neptune's equator.”
Professor Williams and Professor Michael Zager of Pennsylvania State University argue that Earth could have captured an even larger satellite than the moon, an object the size of Mercury or Mars, but the resulting orbit would not be stable. It was determined that there was a possibility that the
The problem is that the Moon's “capture” orbit started out as an elongated ellipse, not a circle.
Over time, the shape of the orbit changed under the influence of extreme tides.
“Today Earth's tides are more advanced than the Moon's,” Professor Williams said.
“The high tide accelerates the orbit. It gives it a pulsation and gives it a little bit of a boost. Over time, the moon moves away a little bit.”
When the Moon approaches the Earth, the effect is reversed, as it was immediately after capture.
By calculating tidal changes and the size and shape of the orbit, the researchers determined that the moon's initial elliptical orbit had shrunk over a timescale of several thousand years.
The orbit also became more circular, until the moon's rotation became fixed in its orbit around the Earth, as it is now.
“At that point, the tides likely reversed and the moon began to gradually move away,” Professor Williams said.
“Each year, the Moon moves 3 centimeters away from Earth. At its current distance from Earth – 385,000 km (239,000 miles) – the Moon feels a significant pull from the Sun's gravity.”
“The moon is so far away right now that both the sun and Earth are competing for your attention. They're both being pulled by it.”
Mathematically, the researchers calculated, a satellite captured in a binary exchange could behave similarly to Earth's moon. However, it is not certain whether this is the origin of the moon.
“No one knows how the moon formed,” Professor Williams says.
“For the past 40 years, we've had one possibility as to how it got there.”
“Now we have two. This opens up a treasure trove of new questions and opportunities for further research.”
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Darren M. Williams and Michael E. Zagar. 2024. Formation of large-scale terrestrial satellites through binary exchange acquisition. Planetary Science Journal 5(9):208;doi: 10.3847/PSJ/ad5a9a
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