Tag Archives: service

‘It Felt Like Traveling Back in Time’: Afghans Share Their Relief as Internet Service is Restored

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As the sun set on Wednesday, the streets surrounding Kabul, the Afghan capital, suddenly became bustling with activity.


With phones firmly pressed to their ears, Afghans spilled into the streets of Kabul, eager to see if others were online.

“Great news, the internet is back!” shouted a driver, as children received balloons and parents bought sweets to celebrate, gathering at nearby restaurants.

For 48 hours, the Afghan population had been cut off from mobile and internet services due to unexpected telecommunications shutdowns ordered by the authorities.

“It felt like we were transported back in time, contemplating sending letters to stay connected with family,” shared Mohammad Rafi, 33, a mobile phone store owner.

“The streets were deserted, resembling a holiday atmosphere, even during weekdays. But now, they’re lively again, even in the evening.”




Men attempt to connect their smart TV to the internet. Photo: Sayed Hassib/Reuters

Sohrab Ahmadi, a 26-year-old delivery driver, struggled for two days without being able to reach his clients through the app he relies on.

Now, bikes line the streets, picking up orders from restaurants adorned with bright neon signs and juice vendors playing music. “It feels like Eid al-Adah, like preparing for prayer,” he remarked.




The communications tower is slowly restoring its services after nearly three days offline. Photo: Samiullah Popal/EPA

The streets also saw a noticeable rise in the number of women facing severe limitations imposed by the Taliban regime, including a prohibition on education beyond primary school.

“I can’t describe how relieved I am. I’m finally able to breathe again,” said a young woman attending online classes, who requested anonymity. “These online lessons are our last hope.”

The UN has warned that the disruption in connectivity poses risks to economic stability, worsening one of the most dire humanitarian crises globally.

The Taliban government has yet to address the issue of the internet blackout.




An Afghan woman walks past a beauty salon in the capital. Photo: Ali Kara/Reuters

This suspension occurred shortly after the government announced plans to cut high-speed internet in certain regions to curb “immorality.”

Attaura Zaid, a spokesman for Balkh province, confirmed that the ban was initiated by Taliban shadow leader Hibatura Ahnzada.

During the Taliban’s initial rule from 1996 to 2001, the internet was still a relatively new and developing technology.




Kabul street vendors will communicate via phone once services resume. Photo: Sayed Hassib/Reuters

However, in recent years, the economy has increasingly depended on internet access. Even in rural areas, many Afghans utilize their mobile phones for business transactions.

“The world has moved forward. This isn’t like thirty years ago,” remarked Ghulam Rabbani, a mobile credit vendor who was surrounded by shops on Wednesday night. “We anticipated the internet’s return. The outage affected everyone, including the government.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

AOL to Terminate Dial-Up Internet Service After 30 Years: The End of an Era | US News

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With the shutdown of AOL’s dial-up internet in late September, the iconic sounds, symbols, and experiences that ushered millions of Americans into the early digital age will come to an end.

AOL, or America Online, announced recently that it has evaluated its products and services and will discontinue dial-up connectivity options, ceasing support for its dial-up software as of September 30th.

These dates signal the end of an era for countless Americans from various generations: millennials, Gen X, Baby Boomers, and beyond. The familiar sounds of modems establishing connections and the excitement of getting online marked the dawn of a new era filled with wires, computer mice, emails, chat rooms, instant messaging, and the bright allure of digital screens.

Dial-up internet didn’t emerge in isolation; it was developed by Usenet in the late 1970s.

In 1979, Compuserve became the first to offer “Dial-Up Online Information Services to Consumers.”

By the mid-1980s, virtual communities started to emerge with platforms like The Well, which was founded in the Bay Area by Stewart Brand and Larry Brilliant, coinciding with the founding of America Online in 1985.

At its peak, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, AOL boasted over 23 million subscribers in the United States, solidifying its status as the leading internet service provider of that era. As noted by Jigso AI, new users were acquired approximately every six seconds.

AOL became a household name with its distinct “You’ve got mail!” notification, but it also became infamous in 1999 after a controversial merger, which is often viewed as one of the most disastrous deals in media history.

Gradually, the iconic sounds of dial-up began to fade as faster cable internet services emerged in 1995, leveraging existing cable television infrastructure.

Today, only a small fraction of U.S. households (around 175,000) still depend on dial-up internet access. This legacy technology stems from the intense rivalry between Microsoft and Netscape in the 1980s and 90s. As AI encroaches upon browsing, the days of dial-up seem ever more distant.

The rise of dial-up internet was partially fueled by demand for adult content, and its decline is now seen as part of the nostalgic farewell to other bygone pop culture artifacts, such as CDs, pagers, and landlines.

Source: www.theguardian.com

National Weather Service Issues Flood Warnings Amid Renewed Criticism of Trump’s Staff Cuts

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The deadly floods in Texas have ignited fresh concerns regarding cuts made to the National Weather Service by the Trump administration, which has resulted in fewer warnings and left countless individuals scrambling for safety.

By Sunday evening, at least 79 fatalities had been reported, with many more unaccounted for after a sudden rise in the Texas Hill Country, a region infamously dubbed “Flash Flood Alley.”

Hours following the early morning floods on Friday, some Texas officials voiced their discontent with the NWS, claiming the rainfall predictions were understated. Councillor Jack Kimble, D-Calif., shared on X Saturday his critical remarks, which were in response to a post by Vice President JD Vance. On Sunday, President Donald Trump dismissed the notion of investigating whether NWS cuts contributed to the disaster, while the White House emphasized that he “hates” the idea that the cuts are linked to this tragedy.

Independent meteorologists and former NWS officials have stated that the warnings issued in anticipation of the floods were as timely and accurate as possible given the available real-time weather data. They noted that predicting extreme rainfall and flash floods in short timeframes is inherently challenging, making it difficult to ensure emergency warnings reach those most in danger.

“The forecasts were accurate. The warnings were worthy,” remarked Wisconsin meteorologist Chris Vaguski. “The challenge always lies in ensuring the message reaches the people.”

Despite concerns over leadership shortages in the NWS due to increased staffing gaps, meteorologists do not believe that an understaffed office was a significant factor in the tragic outcomes.

Tom Fahy, Legislative Director of the National Weather Service Employee Union, indicated that the San Antonio Weather Office lacked two vital permanent positions: science officers (responsible for training and implementing new technologies) and warning coordination meteorologists (who coordinate with media and serve as the office’s spokesperson). However, they have staff positioned in leadership roles. Overall, Fahy reported that there were sufficient meteorologists on hand to manage the incident.

“WFO” [weather forecasting offices], Fahy noted on Saturday, expressed concern regarding the absence of unfilled senior positions and effective leadership.

In a statement, the National Weather Service expressed its “grief over the tragic loss of life in Kerr County.” Although the agency did not address staffing issues, it provided a comprehensive timeline of alerts that were issued.

Some officials in Texas have suggested that the forecasts from the National Weather Center did not adequately convey the storm’s threat, while others acknowledged the agency’s timely alerts.

“The initial forecast received from the National Weather Service on Wednesday anticipated 4-8 inches of rain in the Concho Valley and 3-6 inches in the Hill Country,” stated W. Nim Kid, chief of Texas emergency management, during a press conference on Friday. “The actual rainfall in these specific areas exceeded our predictions.”

According to a timeline from the National Water Center, Kerrville, Texas, and surrounding areas were at risk of flash flooding on Thursday, July 3. The NWS Austin/San Antonio issued flood monitoring alerts at 1:18 PM on Thursday, which continued through Friday morning. An emergency flash flood warning was released at 1:14 AM in Kerr County.

Travis County Judge Andy Brown commended the National Weather Service for its warnings, while Eric Carter, the county’s emergency management coordinator, described the service’s efforts as “exceptionally proactive.”

The agency highlighted that it issued flash flood warnings at 1:14 AM on Friday, categorizing the threat as “substantial” or “catastrophic,” and activated wireless emergency alerts on mobile devices.

“The flash flood warning was issued on the evening of July 3 and early morning of July 4, providing over three hours of preliminary lead time,” the statement read.

Concerns regarding staffing and performance arose following the Trump administration’s dismissal of National Weather Service employees this spring, who were offered early retirement and buyouts. By early June, the NWS had lost around 600 personnel, resulting in many seasoned employees exiting and leaving newer or less experienced staff members.

Some NWS offices have seen staffing reductions exceeding 40%, with agents pressed to take on crucial roles in forecasting operations. Consequently, at least eight offices ceased 24-hour operations this spring, with some unable to issue weather warnings.

In May, over 40% of the nation’s weather forecast offices reported staffing rates exceeding 20%. These cuts prompted all living former NWS supervisors to express their distress over staffing levels and ongoing budget reductions through letters.

“Our greatest fear is that insufficient staffing in weather offices could lead to unnecessary fatalities. This concern resonates deeply with those on the frontlines of forecasting, as well as with individuals relying on their expertise,” they articulated.

Compared to many forecast offices nationwide, Texas offices are relatively well-staffed.

Fahy mentioned that the San Antonio/Austin weather office operates with 11 meteorologists, which is down six from the usual full staff of 26. Warnings issued in central Texas indicate that four positions remain vacant at the standard staff level of 23. The office has been without a weather officer for an extended period and lacks senior hydrologists as well.

“In San Angelo, we have no hydrologists, which poses a significant issue,” Fahy explained, noting that hydrologists are essential for analyzing stream flow and managing flood responses.

Mayor Dalton Rice of Kerrville stated that the city will investigate whether emergency notifications are adequate to alert residents effectively.

“We recognize that questions are being raised regarding emergency notifications, but it’s premature to speculate. Our local partners are dedicated to thoroughly reviewing the events and systems involved,” Rice stated at a press conference on Sunday. “In due time, we will take decisive measures to bolster our preparedness moving forward, ensuring the safety of all community members.”

An independent meteorologist, who has criticized NWS staffing and budget cuts previously, stated that federal meteorologists on-site provided timely warnings.

Alan Gerald, former director of analysis at NOAA’s National Intense Storm Institute, noted in a blog post that the Austin/San Antonio Forecast Office effectively communicated risks swiftly, despite experiencing leadership shortages.

“While it is less than ideal to have these positions vacant for extended periods, it can negatively affect operations on some level,” Gerald wrote. “However, based on the actual warning services provided by the NWS during the incident, they performed admirably, delivering the expected levels of warnings and alerts for events of this nature.”

Houston meteorologist Matt Lanza indicated there was no evidence suggesting that staffing issues or budget cuts contributed to the tragedy.  

Wisconsin meteorologist Vaguski noted the inherent difficulties in predicting flash floods and extreme rainfall.

“Quantitative precipitation forecasting, or QPF, is among the most challenging tasks for a meteorologist. It’s crucial to determine the right location, the right volume, and the right timing,” Vaguski elaborated. “They were issuing alerts because they understood the significance of the event.”

Vaguski explained that remnants of the tropical storm transferred to Texas brought tropical moisture that fueled severe thunderstorms, resulting in extreme rainfall across central Texas.

He also added that the predictors indicated increased concerns aligned with findings from weather models.

Texas Hill Country is often labeled “Flash Flood Alley” due to its terrain, which exacerbates river swelling rapidly. Understanding precise rainfall locations is key to predicting flood impacts.

“Forecasts for this week predicted 4-7 and even 5-9 inches of rain, with some models suggesting even higher amounts. Unfortunately, science has yet to evolve to the point where we can accurately predict rainfall to a precise latitude and longitude,” he added.

Predicting when the heaviest rainfall will occur and when flooding starts is particularly challenging for forecasters, Vaguski noted.

“Receiving severe weather alerts in the middle of the night presents significant challenges. Historically, most tornado and flood fatalities occur during this period when people are asleep. It’s difficult to detect tornadoes and rising water,” Vaguski expressed. “Did people activate emergency alerts on their devices?”

Addressing the reduction and cutbacks at the National Weather Service, Vaguski asserted that he doesn’t believe better staffing would have notably hindered the tragedy.

“These are crucial positions that need filling,” he remarked, adding, “but they likely did not significantly contribute to the incident.”

Vaguski indicated that substantial improvement is needed in quantitative precipitation forecasting to help forecasters identify threats earlier. However, such advancements are threatened by potential NOAA funding cuts, he cautioned.

“The major concern is if the latest budget proposal is approved by Congress as the administration wishes, it will shut down all NOAA research labs vital for enhancing predictions.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

California Democrats Urge Return of National Weather Service Staff

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California House Democrats have urged the National Weather Service (NWS) to reinstate terminated employees and initiate the hiring of new forecasters, following the suspension of 24-hour operations for weather predictions in Sacramento and Hanford.

In a letter addressed to deputy administrators of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Howard Luttonick and Commerce Secretary Laura Grimm, 23 Congressional Democrats criticized recent reductions in weather services, warning that it signals the onset of a public safety crisis with serious implications. The Weather Services division falls under NOAA, which is managed by the Department of Commerce.

“We demand the immediate reinstatement of all workers who have been terminated in these offices, the lifting of the federal employment freeze at NWS, and the establishment of adequate staffing at the Sacramento and Hanford weather forecasting offices to maintain their 24/7 operations,” the council members stated.

Since January, over 500 staff members from the Weather Bureau have departed the agency due to widespread layoffs initiated by the Trump administration, targeting many probationary positions. As a result, approximately 43% of the nation’s 122 weather offices are operating with staffing levels exceeding 20%. Independent meteorologists caution that these cuts may lead to delays in weather predictions and warnings, raising public safety concerns that have pressured the administration.

Legislators from California noted that the weather forecasting offices in Hanford and Sacramento were particularly hard hit, compromising their ability to provide continuous staffing around the clock.

“Currently, the Sacramento office has seven vacant meteorologist positions out of 16, while the Hanford office is short eight out of 13. Both offices are functioning at half their capacity as they approach the peak of wildfire season,” the letter states. “If the NWS Weather Forecast Offices in Sacramento and Hanford cannot monitor overnight conditions across the entire Central Valley, it jeopardizes the safety of our residents.”

The Weather Bureau typically provides meteorologists to assist firefighters during the wildfire season.

“This is an imprudent and unwarranted risk that does not serve the American public,” the letter declared. “Halving the staffing levels in offices responsible for forecasting wildfires, atmospheric rivers, and natural disasters endangers lives and undermines government efficiency.”

NOAA communications director Kim Doster reaffirmed that the NWS is dedicated to prioritizing public safety.

“The National Weather Service continues to fulfill its core mission amidst recent restructuring and is taking measures to prioritize critical research and services necessary for keeping American citizens safe and informed,” Doster stated in an email.

The Hanford office of the Weather Bureau is situated in the San Joaquin Valley, not far from the site of the longstanding Lake Tulare reconstruction in 2023.

The Central Valley region is responsible for producing 40% of the country’s fruits and nuts, according to the US Geological Survey. Farmers in the Central Valley depend on accurate forecasts for making informed decisions about planting, irrigation, and harvesting.

In the meantime, Sacramento forecasters are predicting extreme heat and a heightened risk of wildfires this weekend, indicating an early onset of the wildfire season.

Representative Jim Costa, who represents parts of the San Joaquin Valley and has received forecasts from the Hanford office, facilitated a letter to NOAA. Other notable signatories include Councillors Nancy Pelosi, Eric Swalwell, and Doris Matsui, amongst the 22 others.

Pressure has been mounting for months, calling for reductions in weather services.

One external meteorologist reported that weather balloon launches have been curtailed to about 12 understaffed offices, noting that missed balloon releases hinder better understanding of tornado risks during thunderstorm events near Omaha, Nebraska.

Following this incident, Nebraska Representative Mike Flood intervened with the administration and obtained additional forecasters temporarily assigned to an office near Omaha.

Earlier this month, five former directors of the Weather Bureau cautioned that further staffing cuts could lead to unnecessary fatalities.

“Our greatest fear is that the weather offices are severely understaffed, resulting in unnecessary loss of life,” wrote a former superintendent who served from 1988 to 2022.

NOAA has attempted to address the staffing shortage by temporarily reallocating personnel to fill gaps in the workforce and exploring more permanent reallocations within the agency.

Approximately two weeks ago, NOAA considered transferring 76 meteorologists and a total of 155 staff members to play a vital role.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

National Weather Service Issues Warning: Radio Interruptions Expected as Thunderstorms Approach Alabama

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A significant storm is forecasted to impact Alabama this week, as the National Weather Service has halted radio services that deliver vital weather updates for the area.

The Birmingham NWS office announced it will conduct “mandatory scheduled updates” to the advanced weather interactive processing system, which is essential for displaying and integrating weather and water information and disseminating critical alerts like weather and water warnings to the public.

These updates are set to take place from May 19th to May 21st. During this period, the Birmingham office will manage the NOAA weather radio transmitter. The NWS states.

Despite the software updates, the NWS assures that weather forecasts, advisories, clocks, and warnings will still be available. However, radio outages are expected to affect transmitters in northern and central Alabama, including areas like Winfield, Wannta, Birmingham, Aniston, Tuscaloosa, Demopolis, Selma, Montgomery, Auburn, and Texasville.

The NWS did not provide immediate comments, but the agency stated online that the Birmingham forecast office will remain operational while the software updates proceed. Additionally, forecasting duties will also be carried out at the backup office in Peachtree City, Georgia.

NOAA Weather Radio forms a nationwide network of stations that relay official forecasts, weather alerts, and other information from the National Weather Service. This continuous service covers warnings about various threats, including earthquakes, avalanches, oil spills, and public safety announcements.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which supervises the National Weather Service, indicated that NOAA weather radio stations nationwide will undergo necessary updates on a rolling basis for two to three days leading up to June.

“The NWS Local Office intends to inform listeners both on-air and through the website when updates are scheduled,” agency officials noted. According to the NOAA Weather Radio website.

Alabama is among several states facing the threat of severe storms this week, with thunderstorms on Tuesday predicted to produce damaging hail and tornadoes, with wind gusts reaching 60 mph across northwest and central Alabama.

This week’s radio service disruption aligns with Alabama’s severe weather forecast, but it is not the only state bracing for harsh conditions.

An estimated 31 million people are susceptible to severe storms on Monday, stretching from northern Texas to Iowa. Potential hazards include strong winds, large hail, and tornadoes from Monday afternoon into the evening.

On Tuesday, the severe storm outlook will slightly shift, affecting areas from northern Louisiana to Indiana, with risks of large hail, winds, and strong tornadoes re-emerging.

In the meantime, a heat wave has driven temperatures into the late 90s in parts of Texas and Florida, reaching triple digits earlier this week.

These alerts follow a weekend of violent storms, leading to reports of tornadoes in at least 10 states, including Texas, Kansas, Missouri, and Kentucky, with a confirmed toll of at least 28 weather-related fatalities.

This deadly storm arrives as NOAA strives to fill critical forecasting positions nationwide following significant budget cuts to the National Weather Service during the Trump administration. Critics warn that the current staffing shortages in the NWS could pose a serious public safety risk, particularly with hurricane season on the horizon, increasing wildfire threats, and persisting extreme heat this summer.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

NOAA Speeds Up Hiring for Forecast Positions Following National Weather Service Cuts

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As some weather forecast offices discontinue overnight staffing, the National Weather Service is swiftly reassigning personnel internally, working to fill over 150 vacancies and address critical staffing gaps.

On Tuesday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration considered initiating a “reallocation period” to fill key positions that have remained unstaffed since the Trump administration’s decisions to dismiss probationary employees and incentivize veteran federal workers to retire early within the National Weather Service (NWS).

The agency is actively recruiting to fill five pivotal meteorologist roles overseeing field offices, including locations in Lake Charles, Louisiana; Houston, Texas; and Wilmington, Ohio.

Meanwhile, at least eight out of 122 weather forecasting offices nationwide—including those in Sacramento, California; Goodland, Kansas; and Jackson, Kentucky—have announced no plans to operate overnight or reduce overnight services in the coming six weeks, according to Tom Fahy, legislative director of the National Weather Service Employees Organization, which monitors staffing levels for the agency.

Critics of the recent cuts argue that the efforts to reassign meteorologists and other staff indicate severe reductions in services, negatively impacting vital public safety operations.

“This has never occurred before. We have always been an agency dedicated to providing 24/7 service to American citizens,” Fahy stated. “The potential risk is extremely high. If these cuts continue within the National Weather Service, lives could be lost.”

The National Weather Service acknowledged adjustments to its service levels and staffing but asserted that it continues to fulfill its mission and maintain the accuracy of forecasts.

“NOAA and NWS are dedicated to minimizing the impact of recent staffing changes to ensure that core mission functions persist,” the agency stated. “These efforts encompass temporary modifications to service levels and both temporary and permanent internal reallocations of meteorologists to offices with urgent needs.”

Fahy revealed that 52 of the nation’s 122 weather forecasting offices currently have staffing vacancy rates exceeding 20%.

The latest update on field office leadership, published on Wednesday, highlighted vacancy challenges, with 35 meteorologist positions at forecast offices remaining unfilled.

Since the new administration assumed power, the National Weather Service has reduced its workforce by more than 500 employees through voluntary early retirement packages for senior staff and the dismissal of probationary hires.

“Our greatest fear is that the weather offices will remain extremely understaffed, prompting unnecessary loss of life,” the director expressed earlier this month.

Recently retired NWS employees have voiced concerns that staffing levels have dropped below critical thresholds amid service freezes and the dismissal of many early-career professionals in probationary roles.

Alan Gerald, a former director at NOAA’s National Intensive Storm Institute who accepted early retirement in March, likened the NWS’s reassignment strategies to “deck chair relocation,” arguing that they fail to solve fundamental issues.

“They are merely shifting personnel from one office to another, which might address short-term crises, but that’s no sustainable solution,” Gerald remarked. “There’s no real influx of new staff.”

Brian Lamare, who recently retired from the Tampa Bay Area Weather Office in Florida, understands the desire to modernize and streamline services.

In fact, Lamare was involved in efforts to reorganize certain aspects of the service prior to the Trump administration.

The agency had plans to modernize its staffing structures by launching a “mutual assistance” system, allowing local forecast offices to request and offer aid during severe weather events or periods of understaffing.

“Many of these initiatives are now being expedited due to urgency,” Lamare commented. “When rearranging your living room furniture, you don’t set the house on fire—that’s the situation we are facing.”

Lamarre emphasized the necessity for the NWS to resume hiring as numerous forecasters in their 50s and 60s opted for voluntary retirement, leading to the loss of extensive experience. Concurrently, the agency has reduced its cohort of probationary employees, many of whom are just starting their careers.

“Eliminating probationary positions severely limits the agency’s future potential,” Lamare stated. “That’s where fresh, innovative talent is cultivated, making recruitment essential.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Former National Weather Service Director Speaks Out Against Proposed Cuts

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Five former directors of the National Weather Service have expressed serious concerns that further staffing reductions within the agency could result in unnecessary fatalities during extreme weather events such as tornadoes, wildfires, and hurricanes.

“Our greatest fear is that with the weather offices being severely understaffed, lives that could have been saved will sadly be lost. This is a shared nightmare among those at the forefront of forecasting and the communities who depend on their expertise,” they stated. An open letter was published on Friday.

The former director, who served from 1988 to 2022, noted that staffing levels at the Weather Service decreased by over 10% during critical forecasting periods due to budget cuts from the Trump administration and staffing reductions from agency consolidations.

They also voiced concerns regarding the budget proposal from the Trump administration for the upcoming fiscal year, highlighting an outlined Letter to Congress that recommended a $1.52 billion reduction for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which oversees the Meteorological Service.

“The NWS workforce is facing intolerable challenges to maintain current service standards,” they remarked. “Some forecast offices are inadequately staffed and may have to resort to limited part-time services.”

Curious about how NWS staffing cuts could lead meteorologists to miss tornado detections? Tune in to Harry Jackson’s report on NBC News Now, airing today at 5pm EST.

Their objections, along with NOAA’s stance on funding cuts at the Weather Bureau, underline the political pressures agencies face as governments aim to downsize. Meteorologists have indicated that reduced staffing has resulted in less effective forecasting.

The letter shared with journalists by a spokesperson and circulated on social media was co-signed by directors from the Elephant Bureau, including Louis Uckellini, Jack Hayes, and Brig Gen. DL Johnson of the US Air Force, alongside Brig. Gen. John J. Kelly Jr. and Colonel Joe from the US Air Force.

Louis Uccelini at a press briefing in Maryland in 2016.
Alex Wong/Getty Images

They remarked: “Having served as a director of the National Weather Service, I understand firsthand the requirements for delivering accurate forecasts. I stand united against further staffing and resource cuts in the NWS and am deeply worried about NOAA’s long-term health.”

In a statement, the weather service indicated it would refrain from discussing internal personnel matters but acknowledged the ongoing staffing challenges.

“We remain committed to providing weather information, forecasts, and warnings in line with our public safety mission,” the statement read. “The National Weather Service is adjusting some services by implementing temporary staffing changes at local forecast offices nationwide to better meet the needs of our citizens, partners, and stakeholders.”

The White House did not respond to requests for comment.

Recent forecasts for Nebraska amid inclement weather have heightened concerns regarding staffing cuts and prompted calls for Congressional Republicans to take action.

On April 17, as thunderstorms loomed over Iowa and Nebraska, the Valley, Nebraska forecast office near Omaha attempted to launch a special weather balloon at 3 PM to evaluate storm risks, but staffing reductions halted the planned 7 PM launch.

The Valley office was among more than 10 locations where weather services announced the cancellation of balloon launches due to insufficient staffing.

An internal meteorologist noted that a timely balloon launch at 7 PM could have significantly aided in identifying tornado risks sooner. The storm, which posed a threat to the data from the 3 PM balloon, ultimately spawned six tornadoes across eastern Nebraska.

Following the storm, Rep. Mike Flood (R-Neb.) took action to address the situation. During a press conference on April 25, documented by Wowt—a local NBC station in Omaha—he revealed that staffing in the Valley office had decreased from 13 forecasters to just eight.

After bringing this issue to light, Flood reported receiving a call from the White House acknowledging that changes were indeed necessary. Shortly thereafter, the Weather Bureau dispatched two forecasters for temporary assignments to the Valley office.

“We have implemented policy adjustments throughout the country. These temporary assignments can now be utilized by forecasters to address staffing shortages at various weather stations,” Flood mentioned, adding that these measures would become permanent, allowing the Weather Bureau to hire additional staff.

He expressed intentions to propose legislation classifying forecasters as public safety officials, a designation likely to exempt them from federal procurement and staffing cut policies.

“They are undeniably public safety personnel, and it is imperative we act on this in Congress,” Flood declared.

Rick Spinrad, former NOAA administrator for President Joe Biden, pointed out that the Weather Service should not be viewed as a target for budget cuts.

“Weather services cost every American just a cent per day,” Spinrad stated.

The staffing reductions have implications extending beyond just weather balloon launches. Last month, the Weather Services office in Sacramento, California, informed local media partners of its decision to cut overnight staffing and cease responding to public inquiries.

On Friday, one former manager expressed concern that further cuts might exacerbate stress levels in overnight staffing.

“The worst-case scenario is if a severe storm develops after midnight,” he cautioned, adding that decisions made overnight by the Weather Bureau and local emergency teams could be critical for issuing tornado warnings. “There are now significant gaps in the entire weather service, which is a troubling reality.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Donald Trump delays TikTok ban as app announces resumption of service in the US

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TikTok stated on Sunday that it would resume service in the United States following President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Earlier that day, the video app received a reprieve from its ban in the country.

President Trump has allowed Truth Social additional time to find a buyer, giving the Chinese-owned video app a lifeline before facing a total shutdown. He proposed that a US company acquire 50% of the stake, signaling his intention to sign an executive order in support of this proposal.

“By doing this, we will save TikTok, ensure it remains in good hands, and keep it afloat,” Trump declared. “Without approval from the US, TikTok would not exist. With our approval, its value could reach hundreds of billions, even trillions of dollars.”

Late Saturday, TikTok suspended its services for approximately 170 million users in the US.

In April, Congress passed a law requiring TikTok, now owned by ByteDance, to sell to a non-Chinese entity or face expulsion from the US. The Supreme Court upheld this provision, leading to the app’s decision to shut down temporarily. The law prohibits the distribution, maintenance, or updates of TikTok in the US if a sale is not secured.

A message popped up for US users of the app from Saturday night to Sunday afternoon, stating, “A US law has been enacted banning TikTok, hence its current unavailability.” Trump advocated for a ban during his previous presidential campaign but found it challenging to enforce it in the 2024 election. He made a last-minute attempt to intervene on TikTok’s behalf upon realizing its substantial user base.

TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew, expressed gratitude to President Trump for his efforts to maintain the app’s availability in the US. He anticipated attending Trump’s inauguration personally.

In response to Trump’s Sunday message, the company affirmed in a statement its “restoration of services” and assured service providers that there would be no repercussions for enabling TikTok. They thanked President Trump for this action, emphasizing their positive impact on millions of Americans and small businesses, supporting the First Amendment, and opposing arbitrary censorship. They expressed eagerness to work with Trump towards a long-term solution for TikTok in the US.

Several TikTok users reported that the app was fully functional again soon after the announcement.

Concerns about TikTok revolve around the potential access of personal data of US users by the Chinese government and manipulation of the app’s algorithms to control user content. Chu refuted any involvement of the Chinese government in the app, clarifying that ByteDance is not acting as an agent of China or any other country as of 2023.

Reports surfaced last week suggesting that Trump was considering extending the ban through an executive order. The bill allowing the ban on TikTok includes a provision that allows the president to extend the sale deadline by 90 days if sufficient progress is demonstrated, but evidence of substantial progress is required for such an extension to be granted.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson announced his support for banning TikTok in a NBC press event on Sunday. He interpreted Trump’s call to “save TikTok” as a directive to facilitate a legitimate sale and change of ownership for the app.

Lawmakers are primarily concerned about the Chinese Communist Party rather than the app itself, emphasizing the need for ByteDance to complete the sale of TikTok within 270 days to avert potential national security risks.

Some Republican officials oppose the idea of extending the ban’s timeframe, noting that the law should be enforced as written. Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts stated that China must sever all ties with TikTok and agree to a qualified sale for the app to be considered safe for US users.

Several Democratic lawmakers urged President Biden to allow TikTok a grace period before any shutdown, emphasizing the app’s importance to content creators, privacy concerns, and national security.

Investor Kevin O’Leary reportedly offered TikTok’s owners a $20 billion buyout, while other reports suggest a potential merger with TikTok US or a sale to Elon Musk, which TikTok dismissed as untrue.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Elon Musk Sends X Dispute to Conservative Texas Court by Updating Terms of Service

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Company X, owned by Elon Musk, has recently updated its terms of service. These changes redirect disputes from users of the social media platform formerly known as Twitter to federal court in Texas. Federal judges in Texas have a reputation for favoring conservative litigants in political cases.

The updated terms state that any legal action against Company X must be filed exclusively in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas or the state court in Tarrant County, Texas. This venue clause is a common practice for companies, but it is notable that Company X is located in Bastrop, Texas, which falls under the Western District of Texas.

It is speculated that this choice of venue is related to the political leanings of judges in the Northern District of Texas, which has fewer Republican-appointed judges compared to the Western District. This district is known for conservative activism and has become a preferred destination for lawsuits challenging Joe Biden’s policies, leading some to criticize the tactic as “judge shopping.”

Stephen Vladeck, a law professor at Georgetown University, suggested that the new language in the terms of service may be connected to Company X’s recent legal strategy. Elon Musk, known as the world’s richest man, has shown support for conservative causes and was a significant financial backer of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.

Company X has already filed two lawsuits in the Northern District of Texas, including one against Media Matters for allegedly defaming the platform. Additionally, an antitrust lawsuit has been filed against multiple advertisers for conspiring to boycott and causing revenue loss. These cases are assigned to U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor, known for controversial rulings on healthcare and gun control.

Despite concerns over potential conflicts of interest, Judge O’Connor has refused to recuse himself from the cases involving Company X. The federal court in Fort Worth, where the cases are being heard, has only two active judges, with the other judge, Mark Pittman, appointed by President Trump.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Tubi: America’s Top Free Streaming Service and the Magic of the Virtual Video Store

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TThere's a reason why many websites devote huge virtual pages to the question of whether and when a new movie is on Netflix. For many casual viewers, the biggest streaming sites are almost synonymous with streaming itself, with even big brands like Disney+, no longer HBO Max, Peacock, and Paramount+ essentially battling for second place. But at some point, you might have to admit that this is, at best, a battle for third place: last month, all of the aforementioned glitzy non-Netflix services lost out to Tubi in viewership numbers.


While premium streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video are experimenting with ad-supported versions to boost revenue (either by lowering the price of their ad-supported subscriptions, hoping that customers will pay more to avoid the ads, or by making revenue from the ads themselves), Tubi offers a rotating lineup of ad-supported movies and TV shows at an unbeatable price. It's a free service that doesn't even require you to sign in (I know this firsthand: I've been a regular Tubi user for years, but I've yet to create an actual account). Tubi combines the thrilling browsing experience of an old-school video store, the instant gratification of Netflix, and the old-school channel flipping of cable (when everyone embraced the built-in ad breaks that came with watching a movie). Apparently, viewers don't mind a little retro in their streaming experience. Tubi is still growing viewership and ad revenue; in the most recent quarter, the latter increased by 22% (the CEO says the service is growing viewership and ad revenue by 22%). There is no profit yetBut growth in such a competitive and fickle industry is still remarkable.

Even before those numbers were released, Tubi was no longer a timid upstart. The part of the media conglomerate that wasn't sold to Disney, Fox Corporation, which owns the various Fox-branded TV stations, acquired the service in 2020. But its basic approach seems to be much the same: offering viewers a wide range of ad-supported choices (even shows that might have been offered recently or at the same time on other, more premium streaming services) without pumping too much money into flagship originals aimed at subscribers. Tubi's original programming is indeed plentiful, but it also has a retro feel, more in keeping with what you'd expect from cable or direct-to-video exploitation movies of the '90s or early 2000s than, say, HBO. The company has begun experimenting with star-studded, high-profile originals, such as a new series starring TV mainstay Lauren Graham, but they're unlikely to outweigh the appeal of a virtual video store.

In fact, a secret weapon that sometimes goes unmentioned when describing Tubi's rise is the fact that it has a ton of movies older than 30 years ago, which is relatively uncommon for many paid streaming services. At the moment, Netflix has about two dozen movies from before 1990, which is up from the last few months thanks to a recent anniversary effort that promoted movies from 1974 and 1984 together. Max does a little better on average because it owns Turner Classic Movies, but it doesn't have the depth or variety of actual TCM (or a good streaming app that's exclusive to cable TV subscribers). For other services, it's easy to find what's on offer by searching for genres that are less common today, like westerns or musicals. For example, Peacock has one musical from before 1990. Tubi's choices in this department include the original West Side Story, Seven Brides, The Royal Wedding, The Pajama Game, The Jazz Singer, Fiddler on the Roof, Yentl, The Music Man, and High Society. Of course, it won't tell you everything you need to know about the genre, but it's a better start than what more expensive services offer.

That makes Tubi seem like an option for older people who want to complement their MeTV viewing and take a peek into the past. But the company says Tubi has the youngest average age of TV viewers, at 39. The “TV” moniker probably rules out TikTok and YouTube, which are attractive to the youngest media consumers, but Tubi CEO Anjali Sood said: Recent Interviews The company is eyeing a younger audience and sees itself competing with major alternatives to traditional movies and TV, rather than as a future version of cable channels with particularly rich content.

YouTube’s reach (and creators’ endless supply of attractive, algorithmically refined thumbnails) will likely be hard to beat, but for now at least, the two services are impressive contenders. While YouTube lets you rent movies and shows, the platform owes its explosive growth to its original content and creators, who aren’t always immersed in anything more than other YouTube videos and the fickle whims of the algorithms that serve them. This material can combine in many ways: sketch comedy, talk shows, reality TV, visual essays, animated shorts, and more, but much of it has its own parameters and genres, and to outsiders it often seems untethered from history. Tubi, on the other hand, can offer a surprisingly decent crash course in classic movies, if you’re willing to endure a few ad breaks (again, most of us who grew up on cable TV in the ’80s, ’90s, and ’00s were). Even in months when a particular “classics” section is on the wane (or when a particular public domain title's transition is less than optimal), there's an eclecticism that stretches beyond the very recent past and can actually satisfy your curiosity on a tight budget. If streaming is rotting our brains and keeping us indoors, maybe streaming can offer at least a little breadth.

Maybe it's a middle-aged fantasy. The culture would return to a richer sense of history that actually makes entertainment from different eras more enjoyable to connect. But now the brand that streaming stands for is hostile to theatrical releases, funding writer-driven projects, and churning out shows that are increasingly removed from the craft of TV production. Netflix has inadvertently created a new, worse kind of monoculture, one where choice is scarce and binge-watching is encouraged, insatiable and unsatisfying. Imagine a future where you lounge on Tubi instead.

Source: www.theguardian.com

British Security Service alerts about Chinese hackers targeting UK Electoral Commission and politicians

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Security officials have determined that Chinese state-backed hackers orchestrated two “malicious” digital campaigns targeting democratic institutions and politicians in the UK.

The UK holds China accountable for a cyberattack on its electoral commission, where the Chinese government allegedly accessed personal information of approximately 40 million voters.

The National Cyber Security Center, part of GCHQ, revealed that four British MPs critical of the Chinese government were targeted in a separate attack but were able to identify and prevent any compromise before it occurred.

The UK has imposed sanctions on two individuals and a front company associated with the Chinese state-backed cyber group APT31, believed to be behind the hack. “Beijing’s attempts to interfere in Britain’s democracy and politics have not succeeded,” noted Oliver Dowden.

Dowden emphasized that protecting democratic institutions is a top priority for the UK government and vowed to continue calling out and holding the Chinese government accountable for such activities.

The Foreign Office will summon the Chinese ambassador to answer for these actions, with Dowden stating that strong action will be taken if UK interests are threatened.

Since the cyberattacks in 2021 and 2022, the UK has bolstered its cyber defenses, established a Democracy Defense Task Force, and enacted the National Security Act of 2023 to empower security agencies to thwart hostile activities.

Members of Congress targeted by the cyberattacks are expected to be named by the government as victims of a Chinese state-sponsored cyber attack.

Former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith called for a new approach to the UK’s relationship with China, recognizing the modern Chinese Communist Party for what it is.

China denied the accusations, stating that the cyberattack claims are fabricated and defamatory, and that they do not condone cyberattacks.

Prime Minister David Cameron addressed the cyberattacks directly with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, condemning the targeting of UK democratic institutions.

The UK remains vigilant in protecting its values and democracy from threats, and emphasizes the importance of awareness of such threats for all countries.

Source: www.theguardian.com

AT&T customers across the U.S. experience major cell phone service disruption

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Early Thursday morning, cell phone outages affected cities across the United States, causing thousands of AT&T customers to experience service interruptions. These interruptions prevented them from sending text messages, accessing the Internet, making phone calls, and even calling 911.


Around 7 a.m. ET, more than 50,000 incidents were reported, and that number exceeded 70,000 by 9 a.m. ET. However, by 11 a.m. ET, reports of service failures had decreased to 60,000.

AT&T spokesperson Jim Greer stated, “Some customers are experiencing wireless service interruptions this morning. We are working urgently to restore service. He recommends using Wi-Fi calling until service is restored. I recommend it.”

AT&T, the largest U.S. mobile phone service provider with 240 million subscribers, did not offer a possible explanation for the outage. The company also did not provide a timeline for when full service would be restored. Despite intermittent outages in recent days, Thursday’s outage was much larger.

The most affected cities, according to the website, included San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, and Chicago.

Users of other carriers such as Verizon, T-Mobile, Cricket, and UScellular also reported outages, but those were much smaller compared to AT&T. Verizon and T-Mobile confirmed that the outage did not affect their own customers, except when trying to contact customers of other carriers.

T-Mobile stated, “No outages occurred,” while Verizon’s statement said, “Verizon’s network is operating normally.”

The San Francisco Fire Department and the City of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications were actively addressing the issues affecting AT&T Wireless customers.

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Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens confirmed that calls with the city’s emergency services continued to work. However, Massachusetts State Police advised against using phone services and dialing 911 due to a flooding of concerned callers testing the service.

The police department stated, “Many 911 centers across the state are inundated with calls from people trying to see if 911 works from their cell phone. Do not do this. Call another number via your cell phone service. If you can make a non-emergency call, 911 service will also work.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Review of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: A Fan Service Miracle

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IEvery good RPG has a point where the protagonist has to leave the safety of their homeland. After learning the gravity of the threat they face, gathering a party and stocking up on food, they are ready to embark on an epic adventure.

Now, ironically, popular RPG creator Square Enix is ​​being forced to do the same. His second installment in an ambitious trilogy that began with the 2020 remake, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth retains the beloved dystopian cityscape of Midgar and builds on his 1997 PlayStation classic. reimagined his second disc as its own full-fledged adventure. After the eco-terrorist Avalanche collides with the shady giant corporation Shinra, Reverse follows the hero Cloud (he of the oversized sword) and his friends on a journey around the world in pursuit of the loud-screaming villain Sephiroth.

Square Enix wasted no time in showing off its cinematic chops, sending players headfirst into the flashback section of Game Thief, forcing them to relive Cloud's storied military past, and Sepiroth. It perfectly depicts the character's descent into an unstoppable villain. This is a masterclass in interactive storytelling that hammers home the stakes before you go. Cloud He Few spiky-haired protagonists are as revered as Strife. It's easy to see why his creators opted for a strictly written retelling of a gaming classic in the first place. But where Remake forced you to wear the tattered boots of a legendary mercenary and chase cats during recess, Rebirth allows players to occasionally sit in the director's chair.




Show off your cinematic chops – Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Photo: Square Enix

Weave your way through glorious, story-driven scenes, dungeon-like enclaves, and luxurious environments full of distractions. The vast plains of Junon, a tropical paradise, and the sparkling desert you can drive your buggy across. When you emerge from a series of battles and explore new areas, it feels like filling your lungs with fresh air. Traveling feels really exciting and brings some welcome visual variety to this cross-map road trip. Rebirth's freer approach offers a welcome antithesis to Remake's narrow hallways and frees players from chains.

The remake's core combat is back, but it incorporates the cinematic flourishes of last year's FFXVI with a welcome party-centric approach. In the remake's battle, I simply controlled Cloud and repeated the same attack several times, nauseatingly. But here we have to make the most of our cast of lovable weirdos. There are satisfying cinematic synergistic moves with partners and a variety of spellcasting “materia” that can be combined, and mastering the various nuances of your party's members is essential to defeating the boss. . Creating a new combat system that everyone is happy with seems like an almost impossible task, but somehow Square has managed to pull it off with aplomb. By swapping party members during battle, the game perfectly combines the depth of a turn-based RPG with modern action.

From conversation choices that strengthen your bonds with party members and side quests that determine who you can romance, to a series of odd jobs, Rebirth's take on this mythical world is as vivid as it gets It feels like. From the bustling townspeople of Calm walking around talking about their day, to suspicious fishermen muttering comments about you under their breath, to deer frolicking around Junon's fields, this is a sequel to Ship It is firmly embedded in a “bigger, better” approach. Dancing in a parade, racing chocobos, taking pictures of landscapes, zooming on a Segway…it seems like there are endless ways to cleanse your mouth. The frighteningly addictive new card game King's Blood is a highlight and a distraction deep enough to become a full-fledged obsession in its own right.




Bigger and better… Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Photo: Square Enix

The problem is that as the journey progresses, these once frivolous digressions become mandatory. Mini-games and side quests gradually become obstacles to progressing the plot, Cloud vs. Sephiroth's narrative thread gets lost in a vast world, and high-stakes adventures become uneven and twisty-toned whiplash movements. It will change to . His second disc in FF7 was originally only 10 hours long, but Rebirth expands his once modest story into his terrifying 50-hour epic. That shows it.

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With side quests galore, engaging combat, and polished cinematic flourishes, Rebirth is a fun celebration of video game maximalism at its best. But this breadth comes at the expense of narrative focus, with cleverly scripted cinematic moments punctuated by a momentum-killing parade of mini-games, puzzles, and fan-fueled filler.

Longtime fans will devour every bite of the sweet fanservice here and savor every extra moment spent with this beloved cast. For Avalanche enthusiasts, this is a nostalgic dream come true. However, newcomers looking to experience his one of the medium's most beloved tales in a new, modern form should be prepared for yawn-inducing low notes, along with the high notes of the buster sword swinging. there is.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will be released on February 29th. £69.99.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Iran-affiliated hackers disrupt UAE TV streaming service by creating fake news using deepfake technology

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According to Microsoft analysts, Iranian state-backed hackers disrupted a television streaming service in the United Arab Emirates and broadcast a deepfake newsreader distributing reports on the Gaza war.

Microsoft announced that a hacking operation by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps disrupted streaming platforms in the UAE with an AI-generated news broadcast dubbed “For Humanity.”

The fake news anchors introduced unverified images showing wounded and killed Palestinians in Israeli military operations in Gaza. The hacker group known as Cotton Sandstorm hacked three online streaming services and published a video on the messaging platform Telegram showing them disrupting a news channel with fake newscasters, according to Microsoft analysts.

Dubai residents using HK1RBOXX set-top boxes received a message in December that read, “To get this message to you, we have no choice but to hack you,” the UAE-based news service said. The AI-generated anchor then introduced a message that read: “Graphic” images and captions showing the number of casualties in Gaza so far.

Microsoft also noted reports of disruptions in Canada and the United Kingdom, where channels including the BBC were affected, although the BBC was not directly hacked.

In a blog post, Microsoft said, “This is the first Iranian influence operation where AI plays a key element in messaging, and is an example of the rapid and significant expansion of the Iranian operation’s scope since its inception.”

“The confusion was also felt by viewers in the UAE, UK, and Canada.”

Breakthroughs in generative AI technology have led to an increase in deepfake content online, which has raised concerns about its potential to disrupt elections, including the US presidential election.

Experts are concerned that AI-generated materials could be deployed on a large scale to disrupt elections this year, including the US presidential election. Iran targeted the 2020 US election with a cyber campaign that included sending threatening emails to voters posing as members of the far-right Proud Boys group and launching a website inciting violence against FBI Director Christopher Wray and others. Spreading disinformation about voting infrastructure.

Microsoft said that since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, Iranian state-backed forces have engaged in a series of cyberattacks and attempts to manipulate public opinion online, including attacks on targets in Israel, Albania, Bahrain (a signatory to the Abraham Accords formalizing relations with Israel), and the US.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Phoenix Airport now offers Waymo’s curbside robotaxi pickup service

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Choose what’s currently available for Waymo One riders Pick it up or drop it off? via the company’s robotaxis curbside at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Waymo became the first self-driving vehicle operator in the U.S. to launch a paid robotaxis service to and from airports in November 2022. This service ran to the airport shuttle stop at his 44th Street SkyTrain station. Navigating the hectic pace of hitting the terminal’s curbs is a whole new challenge, but in order to safely deploy and learn, Waymo has set a time limit of 10pm to 6am, with only Terminals 3 and 4 in place. Start.

Waymo has already completed “tens of thousands of airport trips” and provides more than 1,000 rides each week. According to the company. Waymo says the average travel rating for airport trips is about 4.7 out of 5 stars.

Waymo’s expansion of airport services comes as former competitor Cruise laid off nearly a quarter of its employees in the wake of an Oct. 2 incident in which a pedestrian was dragged under the company’s robot taxi. This was done amid the dismissal of several executives.

Waymo’s new airport service will be fully autonomous (meaning there is no human safety operator behind the wheel) and will be available to “a select group of active riders in Phoenix, and not necessarily just trusted testers.” “It’s just not available,” said Chris Bonelli, product communications manager. Waymo told TechCrunch. Waymo’s trusted testers are riders who have been vetted by the company and signed non-disclosure agreements.

As the Alphabet-owned company gains experience at the terminal, it plans to open these pick-up locations to all passengers and expand to 24/7 service in the “coming months.”

“Last year, we partnered with Waymo to become the first airport in the world to offer travelers the ability to travel to the airport in self-driving vehicles,” Chad Makowski, director of aviation at Sky Harbor Airport, said in a statement. . “This partnership has given us confidence in the technology, and we are excited to take the next step and safely extend this innovative service to the curb of the terminal.”

Source: techcrunch.com

$14 million investment to develop long-lasting cement, robotics, and AI technology for small service industry businesses

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Builders, bakers, and body conditioners may not be the first professions that come to mind when you think of how AI is changing the way we work. But today, growing interest in the company is driving healthy funding for startups building AI-powered business tools, especially for small businesses and the thousands of other categories that make up the service industry world. announced a funding round. product.

durable — Vancouver, Canada-based startup builds an AI website creator and a host of other AI-powered tools to help small business owners plan, create, and run business apps more easily — Series A We have raised $14 million which will be used to continue expanding our platform and customer base.

This round is not the largest Series A, but it comes with an interesting list of investors. Spark Capital led the round, along with Torch Capital, Altman Capital (a VC founded and managed by Jack Altman, brother of OpenAI’s Sam Altman), Dash Fund, South Park Commons, Infinity Ventures, Soma Capital ( All previous supporters) are participating. are also participating. The startup has now raised a total of $20 million.

Durable’s AI-powered website builder is aimed at people with a very novice online presence and has already been used to create more than 6 million websites since its launch a year ago. That’s what it means.

“We have a lot of traditional companies that have been around for a long time but don’t have an online presence. They don’t have the software, they don’t have the systems. That’s a big part of our customer base. ,” founder and CEO James Clift said in an interview. “Plumbers, skilled craftsmen, personal trainers. A lot of businesses with one to six people don’t have the time or resources to actually build an online presence or create marketing materials.”

Durable will continue to build on that momentum and leverage advances in the world of AI to build more tools for users.

The end goal, Clift said, is an omniscient assistant that not only answers users’ questions, but also proactively suggests ways to run their business better.

Clift said in an interview that a beta version of its “automated proactive assistant” will be released “soon,” likely within about three months.

Based on the different needs of a user’s specific profile (a baker may not want or need the same information as a body conditioner or a builder), we can train it in areas such as taxes. ” he said. “You press a button and your business runs in the background. He texts you once a day, and you have work booked on your calendar, so all you have to do is show up to work.”

Other tools Durable has built to complement its flagship website builder include a CRM platform, an invoicing service, a blog builder, and a precursor to Proactive Assistant, an AI bot that allows users to ask questions relevant to their business. there is. Her AI assistant uses LLM’s OpenAI, among other things.

The gap in the market that Durable is filling is actually a well-known one in the technology world.

Small businesses and sole proprietors have been an elusive target for startups developing business tools. Despite accounting for more than 99% of his total business in markets like we and EnglandSmall businesses are more complex users to litigate because they spend less individually than larger businesses (making ROI per customer harder for vendors) and are generally a fragmented population when it comes to their technology needs. This is a group of

Of course, none of the above is new information in the world of technology. There are dozens of startups and large tech companies targeting small and medium-sized businesses, especially those in the service industry and building apps to manage everything from teams, accounting, banking, payroll, and more.

Clift said Durable’s unique selling point is that it applies advances in AI to problems to bring small business owners and employees into the modern era.

In his view, AI has a democratizing role. First, SMBs now have access to more affordable tools that were previously out of reach. For example, Durable works to create a logo and branding builder for its users, but if that service were provided by a consultancy, it would have been beyond most customers’ budgets.

Second, the use of AI means that Durable itself can scale out its services more easily, avoiding the problems of selling and distributing services to a fragmented customer base.

“Advances in software will allow us to start delivering a ton of value that even last year would only have been available to enterprise customers,” he said. “We can now provide an even better level of service to independent stores who previously couldn’t afford something like this. It’s a very long tail, but it’s a huge market opportunity. .”

Durable turned to OpenAI after gaining access thanks to Altman Capital, which led Durable’s seed round.

“OpenAi has been a great partner from day one,” Clift said. Given the trajectory of OpenAI, which is reportedly working to close a new funding round with a valuation of more than $80 billion, the startup is probably one to watch as it is a close partner with ties to the CEO. right.

“One of the ideas I’m most interested in right now is how we can leverage AI to help founders build products from scratch that are 10x better than anything that exists today. in a space that helps you do it cheaper, faster and more accurately,” Jack Altman told me. “When I met James, I was not only very impressed with him as a founder, but also excited about the potential of what this product could do for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Since our initial investment. , seeing how well he and the team have done only increases my expectations for what Durable will be like.”

“At Spark, we have always pursued founders who challenge the status quo. James and the Durable team are not only doing this uniquely, but also helping entrepreneurs do the same with a frictionless user experience powered by AI. We are also creating a global platform for ,” said Natalie Sandman, general partner at Spark Capital. statement.

Source: techcrunch.com

Uber Brings London’s Iconic Black Taxis to its Ridesharing Service

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Uber has scored another victory against the struggling taxi industry. London passengers will soon be able to hail one of the city’s iconic black taxis.

Taxi drivers in London can now start signing up for Uber’s travel referrals, but the service won’t be rolled out until early 2024. Uber says some drivers have already begun to express interest in being featured on the app.

Uber has been steadily signing deals with taxi fleet owners to bring the traditional taxi industry into its app. The ride-hailing giant recently signed deals with taxi fleets in Los Angeles, New York City, Paris, and Rome to list their drivers on the app. Uber says taxi drivers now make more than 10% of Uber rides in Europe and the Middle East.

Whether London’s black taxi drivers will sign up for Uber in droves is another story.

Steve McNamara, a spokesperson for the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association, an industry group representing 10,000 drivers, said in a statement that the group is “partnering with London’s iconic and world-famous black taxi industry. “I had no interest in tarnishing its name.” Uber, its poor safety record, and everything else that comes with it.”

McNamara also said he wasn’t aware of drivers signing up for Uber and didn’t expect Uber to catch on, given Uber’s reputation for safety and worker rights. He said the group was not consulted before Uber’s announcement.

With London’s black cabs, you don’t necessarily have to hail an Uber on-demand via an app. Taxis are available through other apps such as Gett, Taxiapp, FreeNow, and ComCab. So Uber is trying to enter the market with other services as well.

In order to gain more market share and increase the stability of the app, Uber is making available additional transport bookings on its UK app, such as intercity trains, Eurostar, National Express, car rentals, and even airline tickets. I did it like this.

Uber’s Black Taxi Drivers receive regular taxi rides at upfront rates You can choose to accept or decline travel destinations. All new drivers benefit from 0% commission for their first 6 months. This can quickly increase sign-ups before commissions are raised to their normal range (around 20%-30%).

Source: techcrunch.com