Tag Archives: U.S

After a decade of increases, obesity rates among U.S. adults decreased last year.

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overview

  • Last year, the obesity rate among U.S. adults decreased slightly for the first time in more than a decade, a study found.
  • Researchers suggested this may be due in part to the rise of weight loss drugs like Ozempic.
  • However, other drugs and factors (such as the effects of the coronavirus pandemic) may also have played a role.

Obesity rates among U.S. adults declined slightly last year, according to a study, but it was the first time in more than a decade that the country had seen a downward trend. Part of that may be due to the recent rise of blockbuster weight loss drugs like Ozempic, the study authors said.

The findings of the study were announced on Friday. Journal JAMA Health Forumthe most significant declines were seen in the South, especially among women and adults ages 66 to 75.

The study looked at BMI measurements for more than 16.7 million adults from 2013 to 2023 across different regions, age groups, genders, races, and ethnicities. BMI measurements are a standard but limited method for estimating obesity relative to body weight. Height to length was collected from electronic health records.

Researchers found that the adult obesity rate in the United States decreased from 46% in 2022 to 45.6% in 2023. (These are slightly higher rates than the U.S. adult obesity rate) Estimate from the centers for disease control and preventionThis means that from 2021 to 2023, approximately 40% of U.S. adults were obese. )

Benjamin Rader, a computational epidemiologist at Boston Children's Hospital and an author of the study, said the results were not uniform across demographics or geographic regions.

“Obesity has been on the decline in the United States as a whole, especially in the South, but this has not been the case in some regions,” he said. “Obesity among Black Americans also decreased significantly, but obesity among Asian Americans increased.”

Rader said the decline in the South was notable because the region observed the highest per capita intake of weight loss drugs, based on researchers' analysis of insurance claims. But he acknowledged that the possible link needed further investigation.

The study authors also noted that obese people in the South had a disproportionately high number of COVID-19 deaths, which may have influenced the overall data.

Dr. Michael Weintraub, an endocrinologist and clinical assistant professor at New York University's Grossman School of Medicine, said the results are consistent with the following: Recent data from the CDC Results showed a slight decrease in obesity prevalence among U.S. adults from 2021 to 2023 compared to 2017 to 2020 (although severe obesity increased during this period). ).

“This data is interesting and holds the promise that we may be on the cusp of changing this obesity epidemic,” said Weintraub, who was not involved in the new study. “However, I would hesitate to call the value of this downward trend in 2023 a trend.”

Even if weight loss drugs were the main factor in reducing obesity, experts say further studies over longer periods of time are needed to assess the true effects of new drugs.

“We know these drugs are very effective, but we need a few more years to see if this is really a trend, or if it's just a small spike and we're back to normal, or if things get much worse. Dr. Tannaz Moin, an endocrinologist and associate professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, said he was not involved in the study.

Moyn also pointed out that the new study only analyzed preparations of GLP-1 weight loss drugs (a category that includes Ozempic and Mounjaro). This type of drug is used to treat diabetes and obesity by reducing a person's appetite and food intake. This drug mimics the hormone that makes you feel full.

But GLP-1 drugs are only part of the prescription for treating obesity, and a more comprehensive study of different drugs could better capture changing trends, Moyn said. said. Weight loss drugs are also expensive, which can skew data about who can receive treatment.

Additionally, the study used insurance claims data, meaning those who were uninsured or who purchased weight loss drugs out of pocket were likely not included in the results.

Moin said he was surprised by the decline in BMI seen in older people.

“This group is not necessarily the group that I think is the biggest user of GLP-1 drugs, because a lot of them are in the Medicare age group,” she says, adding that weight loss drugs are the most popular for people on Medicare. may be difficult to obtain, he added. The Biden administration recently proposed a rule that would require Medicare and Medicaid to cover weight loss drugs for people seeking obesity treatment.

However, Weintraub cautioned that the observed decline does not necessarily indicate a long-term decline.

“We've been fooled until now by fluctuations in obesity prevalence,” he says. “We were excited about the downward trend in childhood obesity rates announced by the CDC in the early 2000s, but in the years since, obesity rates have increased even more.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Intensifying Chip War: New U.S. Regulations Targeting China’s Semiconductor Industry

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The United States announced new export restrictions targeting China’s advanced semiconductor manufacturing capabilities, drawing immediate criticism from the Chinese government.

The U.S. government is expanding efforts to curb exports to China of cutting-edge chips that can be used in advanced weapons systems and artificial intelligence.

Monday’s announcement comes weeks before Donald Trump returns as president, where he is expected to strengthen Washington’s hawkish stance on China. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said Monday that President Joe Biden’s term has been particularly challenging in “strategically addressing China’s military modernization through export controls.”

Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said: “The United States has taken significant steps to ensure that our technology is not used by adversaries in ways that threaten our national security.” . The U.S. government continues to work with allies and partners to “actively and aggressively protect our world-leading technology and know-how from being used to undermine our national security.”

The Chinese government pledged on Monday to protect its interests, with a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce saying the United States was “abusing export control measures” and “impeding normal economic and trade exchanges.”

The latest U.S. rules include restrictions on sales to 140 companies, including Chinese semiconductor companies Pyotek and SiCarrier, without additional permits. The Commerce Department said they also affect Nowra Technology Group, which makes chip manufacturing equipment. Others include entities in Japan, South Korea and Singapore.

The new U.S. rules also include regulations for 20 types of chip manufacturing equipment and three types of software tools for semiconductor development or production. “We are in constant dialogue with our allies and partners to reevaluate and update our controls,” said Alan Estevez, Undersecretary of Commerce for Industry and Security.

Netherlands-based computer chip equipment maker ASML, the only manufacturer of cutting-edge chip-making machinery, said it does not expect new U.S. regulations to impact its latest financial metrics. Ta.

ASML said the latest U.S. regulations, if implemented by the Dutch government, will impact exports of deep ultraviolet lithography (DUV) systems to some chip manufacturing plants in China. ASML is the only manufacturer of extreme ultraviolet lithography equipment (EUV) that produces cutting-edge chips. The company already cannot sell EUV equipment to China because of existing government restrictions on the use of US technology.

Separately, the Dutch government said on Monday that it shares the United States’ security concerns regarding exports of advanced semiconductor manufacturing tools and is considering the latest U.S. rules.

The US Department of Commerce said the new regulations are aimed at slowing China’s development of advanced AI that could “change the future of warfare” and undermining the development of China’s own semiconductor ecosystem.

The agency said this was in line with Washington’s “small garden, high fence” policy of strategic restrictions, an approach that Chinese President Xi Jinping criticized last month.

Since the launch of ChatGPT raised global awareness of the power of AI, calls for further shutdowns of the semiconductor supply chain have been growing.

Thibault Denamiel, a fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told AFP that the move confirms “the trajectory of U.S. policy rather than a significant increase in regulatory efforts.”

“The additions become less important in light of the incoming Trump administration’s proposals,” he added, noting that the president-elect has vowed drastic action to trivialize these latest restrictions on chip technology.

with Agence France-Presse

Source: www.theguardian.com

Facebook requests U.S. Supreme Court to drop fraud lawsuit regarding Cambridge Analytica scandal

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The U.S. Supreme Court discussed Meta’s Facebook’s attempt to dismiss a federal securities fraud lawsuit brought by shareholders. The lawsuit accuses the social media platform of deceiving users about its misuse of user data.

The Supreme Court heard arguments in Facebook’s appeal against a lower court’s decision allowing a 2018 class action lawsuit by Amalgamated Bank to move forward. The lawsuit aims to recover lost value of investors’ Facebook stock. Another lawsuit filed this month involves Nvidia, where litigants accuse the company of securities fraud, potentially making accountability more challenging.

The key issue is whether Facebook broke the law by not disclosing previous data breaches in its risk disclosures, portraying the risks as hypothetical.

Facebook argued in its brief to the Supreme Court that reasonable investors would see risk disclosures as forward-looking statements, eliminating the need to disclose previous risks that materialized.

Justice Elena Kagan and Justice Samuel Alito raised questions during the hearing, asserting that risk assessment is always forward-looking.

The plaintiffs accused Facebook of violating the Securities Exchange Act by misleading investors about a 2015 data breach involving Cambridge Analytica. The case was initially dismissed, but the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated it.

The Cambridge Analytica scandal led to various investigations and legal actions against Facebook. The Supreme Court is expected to reach a decision by June.

Despite the conservative majority on the Supreme Court, there are differing views on how investors interpret forward-looking risk disclosures.

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Facebook’s stock price dropped after reports in 2018 regarding the misuse of user data by Cambridge Analytica in connection with President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Court filing shows U.S. government attempting to dismantle Google

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The U.S. government may seek court intervention to break up Google and challenge its monopoly in the internet search market.

According to court documents filed by the Justice Department, Google is considering implementing “structural remedies” that would restrict the use of products like Chrome, Android, and Play. The government believes this would provide Google with an unfair advantage over its competitors.

Additional measures being considered include prohibiting Google from paying to have its search engine preinstalled on devices like smartphones.

Google’s parent company, Alphabet Inc., has objected to the lawsuit, arguing that it represents government overreach at the expense of consumers.

The lawsuit stems from a previous court ruling in August which found Google in violation of antitrust laws for building an illegal monopoly in the search market. The Justice Department is pursuing further actions to challenge Google’s dominance.

The filing alleges that Google’s actions have harmed users and emphasizes the need to restore competition in a market crucial to Americans.

The proposed remedies could prevent Google from using its search-related products, such as Chrome, Play, and Android, to gain an advantage over competitors through new search features like Artificial Intelligence.

Furthermore, Google may be prohibited from paying major phone companies to make Chrome the default browser on their devices, a practice that has cost the company billions.

Google’s vice president of regulation criticized the Justice Department’s proposals, warning of potential harm to consumers, businesses, and developers.

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The Justice Department is expected to present more detailed proposals by November 20th, with Google responding by December 20th.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Second antitrust lawsuit filed against Google in the U.S. for online advertising | Technology

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The second antitrust trial between Google and the U.S. Department of Justice commenced on September 9, with a federal judge in Virginia listening to opening arguments regarding whether the tech giant unlawfully monopolized the digital advertising sector. This trial carries significant implications for the tech industry, online publishers, and Google’s primary revenue stream.

This much-anticipated trial represents the second major U.S. antitrust case against Google, following a recent landmark ruling that found the company guilty of monopolizing the online search market illegally. Contrary to the previous case, the Justice Department is now seeking specific measures to compel Google to divest parts of its business and sell some of its advertising technology.


The Department of Justice’s second lawsuit, submitted in January 2023, targets Google’s Ads initiative, focusing on the company’s acquisition and utilization of digital advertising technology. The case revolves around Google’s role as an intermediary for website operators seeking to monetize through advertising, enabling them to sell ad space on their sites and connecting advertisers with potential customers, with Google retaining a significant portion of the ad revenue.

The Department of Justice argues that Google’s control over various aspects of digital advertising results from strategic acquisitions, culminating in a monopoly over the industry. The case delves into Google’s acquisitions of DoubleClick, Invite Media, and AdMeld, which allegedly granted the company dominance over both supply and demand in online advertising and intermediary exchange points.

During the trial, the Justice Department alleges that Google’s actions constitute anti-competitive behavior through exclusionary practices and acquisitions, leading to an illegal monopoly. Google’s defense maintains that its business model aligns with industry practices and that the Justice Department’s allegations stem from outdated perceptions of the digital advertising landscape.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Connection between U.S. company demand for avocados and Mexico’s deforestation crisis

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Excavation work began on a avocado orchard in Michoacan, Mexico as seen in drone footage captured by Reuters, revealing two bulldozers clearing the ground to build a reservoir without proper permits.

The increasing demand for avocados in the United States has put pressure on Mexican growers, leading to illegal activities and environmental damage. Illegal deforestation and water resource exploitation have become common practices in the region as the avocado industry expands.

To address these issues, a lawsuit has been filed against avocado importers in the U.S., accusing them of labeling Mexican avocados as “sustainable” or “responsibly sourced” when in fact they are contributing to environmental degradation and water scarcity.

While the avocado trade brings economic growth to the region, it has also attracted criminal gangs who engage in extortion and violence. The avocado industry, known as “green gold,” is causing social and environmental crises in Mexico.

Local communities are fighting back against illegal deforestation by destroying water pumps and orchards, while activists and organizations are working to hold importers and retailers accountable for their sourcing practices.

The lawsuit seeks to ensure that avocados in the U.S. market are not produced in illegally deforested areas and are sourced responsibly. It also calls attention to the impact of the avocado industry on water scarcity and biodiversity in the region.

Efforts are being made by Michoacan state authorities to curb illegal logging and ensure transparency in the avocado supply chain. A new online platform is being developed to certify avocados from orchards that are not involved in illegal deforestation.

Despite these efforts, the actual number of illegal orchards in Michoacan is believed to be much higher than reported, highlighting the challenges in controlling the environmental and social impacts of the booming avocado industry.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Report Indicates U.S. Still Off Track Despite Emissions Reduction Efforts

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The U.S. has seen a significant decrease in greenhouse gas emissions due to the growth of clean energy, but it falls short of the targets set in the Paris climate agreement, according to a recent analysis by Rhodium. Rhodium is a research firm that monitors U.S. progress in meeting climate change objectives.

In the Paris agreement, 194 nations pledged to limit the global average temperature increase to below 2 degrees Celsius. The U.S. has set a goal to reduce emissions by at least 50% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. However, Rhodium’s report projects that U.S. greenhouse gas emissions will only be 32 to 43 percent below this benchmark by 2030, and 38 to 56 percent below it five years later.

The report indicates that clean energy investments are rapidly increasing, economic growth is no longer reliant on fossil fuels, and President Joe Biden’s climate change initiatives are speeding up electrification efforts.

Despite these positive developments, there are obstacles to overcome. Data centers consuming large amounts of power are driving up electricity demand, recent Supreme Court rulings have weakened federal regulatory powers, and there is a divide between Democrats and Republicans on climate policies as an election approaches.

The U.S. achieved record-breaking numbers last year in adding solar power and clean energy storage to the grid. Ben King, associate director of energy and climate at Rhodium Group, believes these years will be remembered as a pivotal moment in climate policy.

However, the transition to clean energy needs to accelerate further to meet U.S. emissions targets without additional policy actions. Clean energy capacity must increase significantly to achieve Rhodium’s high-end emissions reduction projections.

Challenges such as building transmission lines, sourcing materials for wind power projects, and obtaining licenses for new facilities need to be addressed to speed up the energy transition, according to King.

The report predicts a substantial increase in electricity demand by 2035, driven by the electrification of vehicles and appliances, as well as the usage of data centers for various energy-intensive activities.

Investments in clean energy, transportation, and technology are on the rise, with companies pouring $71 billion into these sectors in the first quarter of 2024, a significant increase from the previous year.

The future of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions will be influenced by the upcoming election, with potential policy changes depending on the outcome. Rhodium anticipates environmental policy challenges following recent Supreme Court decisions, and the next administration will need to strategize to address these challenges.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

First Class of U.S. Climate Corps Sworn in at White House

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The Biden administration announced on Tuesday that the United States Climate Corps is a federal program focused on training young individuals in clean energy, environmental protection, and climate resilience. AmeriCorps, the federal agency overseeing the program, plans to swear in 9,000 members by the end of the month. Due to virtual meeting room limitations, the swearing-in will take place at multiple events over the next few weeks, with the next event scheduled for June 25.

“I want young people to understand the significance of this moment,” said Maggie Thomas, special assistant for climate change to President Joe Biden. “This is about addressing the climate crisis and empowering this generation to take charge of their future.”

Ultimately, 20,000 young people will participate in the program. Various paid positions are available through federal, state, and local partnerships with employment durations ranging from two months to over a year, all funded by the federal government.

The focus of these positions is on connecting vulnerable communities to renewable energy grids and supporting local community initiatives, such as securing grant funding and reducing wildfire risks in forests.

The White House views this program as a dual-purpose initiative to address immediate climate change impacts and equip young individuals with the necessary skills for careers in clean energy and climate-resilient industries.

The U.S. Climate Corps, founded by John F. Kennedy, emphasizes the importance of community involvement in climate action and offers multiple pathways for individuals to engage in environmental efforts.

This initiative, originating from Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps, signifies a significant step toward combating climate change and creating a sustainable economy. President Biden’s executive order regarding climate crisis highlights the administration’s commitment to addressing environmental challenges.

For further information and opportunities to join the program, visit the official website.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

U.S. states and big tech companies clash over online child safety bills: Battle lines drawn

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○On April 6, Maryland passed the first “Kids Code” bill in the US. The bill is designed to protect children from predatory data collection and harmful design features by tech companies. Vermont’s final public hearing on the Kids Code bill took place on April 11th. This bill is part of a series of proposals to address the lack of federal regulations protecting minors online, making state legislatures a battleground. Some Silicon Valley tech companies are concerned that these restrictions could impact business and free speech.

These measures, known as the Age-Appropriate Design Code or Kids Code bill, require enhanced data protection for underage online users and a complete ban on social media for certain age groups. The bill unanimously passed both the Maryland House and Senate.

Nine states, including Maryland, Vermont, Minnesota, Hawaii, Illinois, South Carolina, New Mexico, and Nevada, have introduced bills to improve online safety for children. Minnesota’s bill advanced through a House committee in February.

During public hearings, lawmakers in various states accused tech company lobbyists of deception. Maryland’s bill faced opposition from tech companies who spent $250,000 lobbying against it without success.

Carl Szabo, from the tech industry group NetChoice, testified before the Maryland state Senate as a concerned parent. Lawmakers questioned his ties to the industry during the hearing.

Tech giants have been lobbying in multiple states to pass online safety laws. In Maryland, these companies spent over $243,000 in lobbying fees in 2023. Google, Amazon, and Apple were among the top spenders according to state disclosures.

The bill mandates tech companies to implement measures safeguarding children’s online experiences and assess the privacy implications of their data practices. Companies must also provide clear privacy settings and tools to help children and parents navigate online privacy rights and concerns.

Critics are concerned that the methods used by tech companies to determine children’s ages could lead to privacy violations.

Supporters argue that social media companies should not require identification uploads from users who already have their age information. NetChoice suggests digital literacy education and safety measures as alternatives.

During a discussion on child safety legislation, a NetChoice director emphasized parental control over regulation, citing low adoption rates of parental monitoring tools on platforms like Snapchat and Discord.

NetChoice has proposed bipartisan legislation to enhance child safety online, emphasizing police resources for combating child exploitation. Critics argue that tech companies should be more proactive in ensuring child safety instead of relying solely on parents and children.

Opposition from tech companies has been significant in all state bills, with representatives accused of hiding their affiliations during public hearings on child safety legislation.

State bills are being revised based on lessons learned from California, where similar legislation faced legal challenges and opposition from companies like NetChoice. While some tech companies emphasize parental control and education, critics argue for more accountability from these companies in ensuring child safety online.

Recent scrutiny of Meta products for their negative impact on children’s well-being has raised concerns about the company’s role in online safety. Some industry experts believe that tech companies like Meta should be more transparent and proactive in protecting children online.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Important facts about bird flu found in U.S. dairy cows

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dairy farm cows

GH Photo/Alamy

Dairy cows in several US states have reportedly contracted bird flu. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The virus has killed millions of birds around the world, but this is the first time it has been detected in cattle.

How many cows are affected by avian influenza?

As of March 25, milk samples from two dairy farms in Kansas and one in Texas tested positive for the avian influenza subtype called H5N1. new york times. This strain is highly lethal to birds. A cow throat swab taken from a dairy farm in Texas also tested positive. So far, no cows have died from the virus.

On March 22, U.S. authorities announced a diagnosis of avian influenza in bovines after some dairy cows at farms in Texas, Kansas, and New Mexico became ill and there were reports of dead wild birds on farm grounds. The inspection has started.

About 10% of the milking cows on the affected farms appear to be sick, most of them elderly. It is unclear whether avian influenza is the cause of all animal illness. U.S. authorities are moving quickly to conduct additional testing.

How did the cow become infected with the virus?

The Department of Agriculture announced that the cows appear to have contracted the virus from infected wild birds. However, it is unclear exactly how the virus was transmitted between species.

Most mammals that contract bird flu are carnivores, such as foxes and seals, who most likely contracted the virus by eating dead or infected birds.Because cows don’t eat birds, it’s difficult to explain the source of infection. Richard Webby at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Tennessee. Feces and saliva from wild birds may have contaminated the cows’ water and feed.

“The biggest question that I don’t fully understand is how do you account for transmission across the state with such geographic spread,” Webby said.

The worst-case scenario is that the virus spreads among cattle, but that’s probably unlikely, he said. This is because there is still no evidence that avian influenza can be transmitted between mammals.

Do sick cows increase the risk of avian influenza spreading to humans?

The risk of contracting bird flu remains low for most people. Initial testing of samples taken from infected cows has found no genetic changes that would suggest the virus is more transmissible to humans.

But each time a mammal gets avian influenza, Webby says, it gives the virus a chance to acquire the mutations it needs to spread between mammals. “But to put this into perspective, we still need some answers. Above all, how many cows are showing evidence of being infected with the virus?” If there are very few, the virus is likely to become a dead end again, as it did in foxes, bears, and other previously infected animals.

Is milk safe to drink?

Yes, milk is still safe to drink. The USDA already requires dairy farms to send only milk from healthy cows for processing. Milk from infected cows is also being discarded and kept out of the food supply.

Even if contaminated milk enters the supply chain, pasteurization kills bacteria and viruses, including influenza.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

The Importance of Updating Outdated Software for U.S. Small Businesses: Avoiding Potential Losses

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C
Poor and outdated technology is costing the United States enormous amounts of money.according to
recent columns The Wall Street Journal said it would cost more than $1.5 trillion to fix, with “cybersecurity and operational failures, failed development projects, and maintenance of outdated systems costing $2.41 trillion annually.” There is.


According to the magazine, this “technical debt” lurks beneath the shiny newness of “an accumulation of band-aids and outdated systems not intended for today's use,” all of which need updating. It is said to be extremely sensitive.

And I don't know that.

I've been dealing with this problem every day for the past 20 years. My life revolves around outdated systems, outdated software, and patched databases. My company sells customer relationship management (CRM) software primarily to small and medium-sized businesses. And look at the old technology they still have.

It's not uncommon to come across older versions of Microsoft Office. One of his companies I know is still running Office 97. I see companies using QuickBooks on desktop computers. Remember ACT and GoldMine for contact managers? Yes, they're still there. Great Plains? MAS90? Yes, there are still remnants of these ancient accounting systems in today's products manufactured by Microsoft and Sage.

It's not uncommon to encounter companies with internal networks running legacy client/server applications on Windows machines.Approximately 81% of companies
still writing paper checks to suppliers. My company's biggest competitor is not any other CRM software. Someone is walking away from a prehistoric, proprietary system built on top of his FileMaker Pro, which hasn't been updated since the system's creator passed away ten years ago.

Over the years, I have never faulted small business owners for not upgrading.

These people spent a lot of money implementing software systems back in the day. They'd have to come up with a pretty good reason to scrap it all and start fresh. Cloud? Better security? More integration? Maybe. But then again, wouldn't that money be better spent buying new equipment, repairing the warehouse roof, or medical care? And don't we hear about the mistakes made by ~? ?
microsoft and
Google And A.I.
“hallucination” And that
data breach Are the world's smartest people at the biggest technology companies that are supposed to work for them? Can we trust these companies and their shiny new applications? Why invite trouble?

Replacing or upgrading technology is one of the many decisions businesspeople have to make every year. They know the chaos it causes. And many of my clients shrug their shoulders and say it's not broken so why fix it?

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Understood. But now my feelings are starting to change. No, I'm not siding with big tech companies. It's about inheritance.

More than half of small business owners in this country are over 50 years old, and the baby boomers currently running companies will likely aim to take the next step in the not-too-distant future. They expect to make the most money from the business they have built over the past few decades. But the same people who saved money on technology upgrades to invest elsewhere will be shocked. why?

Because this is a world of big data and unless the technology is up to date, the price of your business will be greatly affected. This is not a technical issue. It's a matter of evaluation. Buyers will quickly discount the purchase price to cover the cost of having to upgrade or replace these older systems.

My advice to business owners looking to leave their companies within the next 10 years is that it's time to upgrade. Otherwise, “technical debt” will cost you dearly.

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

Coinbase Addresses U.S. Regulatory Lawsuit Regarding Virtual Currencies, Comparable to Beanie Babies | Cryptocurrency

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A federal judge in Manhattan on Wednesday accused Coinbase and U.S. securities regulators of disagreements over whether digital assets are and are not securities in a case closely watched by the crypto industry.

Coinbase opposed classifying cryptocurrencies as securities, arguing that digital coins are like Beanie Babies and more like collectibles than company stock.

“There’s a difference between buying Beanie Babies and buying Beanie Babies,” said William Savitt, a lawyer for Coinbase.


Coinbase has asked a court to dismiss a Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit alleging that the largest U.S. cryptocurrency exchange is selling unregistered securities in defiance of regulations.

The SEC countered this argument by arguing that purchasing the token amounted to acquiring the issuer’s company.

The SEC argued that the crypto tokens at the center of the lawsuit support larger “companies” and are akin to investment contracts.

“When they buy this token, they are investing in the network behind it. You cannot separate one from the other. As the value of the network or ecosystem increases, [associated] It’s a token,” SEC attorney Patrick Costello said.

Judge Katherine Polk Failla heard arguments from both sides on Wednesday, focusing her questions on case law defining what securities regulators consider investment contracts and the attributes of some crypto tokens traded on platforms such as Coinbase. did. Failla said he was still considering several questions after a hearing that lasted more than four hours and did not decide the issue in court.

The judge’s ruling helps clarify the SEC’s jurisdiction over this area and is likely to impact digital assets. This case is one of many filed by the SEC against the crypto sector. The agency initially focused on companies selling digital tokens, but under the chairmanship of Gary Gensler, it has targeted companies that provide trading platforms, clearing activities, and act as broker-dealers.

The SEC sued Coinbase in June, accusing it of facilitating trades in at least 13 crypto tokens, including Solana, Cardano, and Polygon, which should have been registered as securities.

Although the Securities Act of 1933 outlined the definition of the term “security,” many experts rely on U.S. Supreme Court precedent to determine whether an investment product qualifies as a security. Masu. The key test is whether people are contracted to invest in common companies with the expectation of profit.

Coinbase argued that unlike stocks and bonds, crypto assets do not meet the definition of an investment contract, a position held by the majority of the crypto industry.

SEC lawyers argued that securities are different from buying collectibles like baseball cards or Beanie Babies, citing a 1990s trend in which Americans bought stuffed animals in hopes of rising prices.

“When you buy a collectible item, like a baseball card or some kind of figurine, you’re just buying that item. You’re buying something,” Costello said.

Still, Feira told SEC lawyers that he is “concerned” that the agency is seeking to “expand the definition of what constitutes a security.”

The SEC said buyers of digital assets, even on secondary markets like Coinbase’s platform, are buying tokens as investments similar to stocks and bonds.

However, Coinbase’s lawyers disagreed, pointing out that purchasers of such tokens did not sign a contract giving them the right to receive public corporate profits.

“Let me just say this: I would have been shocked to learn that the investment agreement had nothing to do with the contract,” said William Savitt, a lawyer for Coinbase.

The judge appeared to reject Coinbase’s argument that the case involved the so-called material issue doctrine. This legal principle is based on the Supreme Court’s decision that federal agencies cannot be regulated without specific authorization from Congress.

In its lawsuit, the SEC also targets Coinbase’s “staking” program, which pools assets and charges fees to verify activity on the blockchain network in exchange for “rewards” to customers. The SEC said the program should have been registered with the SEC.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Superpedestrian, a scooter startup, shuts down U.S. operations and explores selling its European operations

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super pedestrian electric scooter
The startup known for its self-diagnostic software is shutting down its U.S.-based scooter-sharing business and considering selling its European operations, TechCrunch has learned exclusively.

Alexander Berg, the company’s director of U.S. operations, confirmed the news to his team on a Zoom call Friday afternoon. Berg said the reason for the closure was economic, but declined to provide further details. “Investors have also put in money to keep us going to this day,” he said on a conference call. “It’s not because I didn’t try hard enough.”

The closure comes as the startup raises equity and debt funding including investors from Jefferies, Antara Capital, Sony Innovation Fund by IGV, and FM Capital, in addition to existing backers such as Spark Capital, General Catalyst, and Citi. This comes just 18 months after the company raised $125 million in Series C funding. Via Citi Impact Fund.

However, since then, the electric scooter industry has been in a somewhat difficult situation. Bird’s valuation plummeted after its listing, and the company was forced to exit multiple markets.

Superpedestrian itself has experienced a series of layoffs, including one just months after the end of its Series C round. The latest incident happened earlier this month, according to a post on LinkedIn.

The company pulled out of Chicago in September, citing competitive difficulties, but said its scooters operate in more than 60 cities in 11 countries. A representative for the city of Waco, Texas, where Superpedestrian recently launched a scooter squad, said by phone Friday that he had no knowledge of the impending closure.

Superpedestrian used technology, specifically diagnostic and safety software, to differentiate itself from competitors like Bird and Tier. The company strengthened its technology efforts with the acquisition of Navmatic in July 2021.

Using Navmatic’s technology, we developed and deployed a so-called pedestrian protection safety system. This system is a feature designed to detect and correct unsafe riding behavior, such as riding on sidewalks, in real time. Superpedestrian had planned to build a new scooter with its own branded pedestrian protection features and roll it out to 25 cities in the U.S. and Europe in 2022. Initial rollouts were expected to begin in pedestrian-dense cities in the U.S. and U.K. by early spring, the company said.

The story is unfolding…

Source: techcrunch.com

BeReal Introduces Private Groups and Live Photos, Pew Finds 13% of U.S. Teens Use the App

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Up-and-coming social app BeReal continues to attract users’ attention by adding more and more bells and whistles. next week, Bereal is rolling out two major new features: Behind the Scenes and RealGroups. Behind the Scenes is an iOS Live Photo-like feature that shows you a few seconds of video recorded just before you take the photo. RealGroups lets you share BeReal with a small group of friends and allows you to send messages directly within that group.

Behind the Scenes (BTS) is an opt-in feature that borrows a lot in UX from the way Apple set up Live Photos on the iPhone. When your friend enables her BTS and posts her BeReal, you will see a Live Photo symbol in the top corner of the image. If you press and hold this, you can watch a few seconds of video leading up to the BeReal photo.

The app is designed to connect you with your already close friends as it asks you to share your front and back camera photos at random times every day. You won’t be able to see other people’s posts unless you create her own BeReal posts. BeReals tend to be more unfiltered and — Because I can’t find any better words — It’s real, because you’re being prompted to take a photo at an unknown time (but if you get a notification to post while you’re in the bathroom… you might just post late). But now, BeReal is creating an experience for even closer friends. Start a RealGroup to share your BeReals more privately. To sweeten the deal, group admins will now be able to choose when daily notifications are sent. You can also DM BeReals within the group, but a group chat is also available. This is likely to be used to anger administrators who have chosen an inappropriate “BeReal time.” However, he can only belong to two groups, so choose carefully.

“Going off to college and missing your close friends from home? Create a RealGroup to stay close, share your dorm life adventures, see what’s going on at home, and stay connected no matter how far away you are.” Stay close to me even when you are away!!” BeReal wrote in a blog post.

BeReal is now on the brink of life or death. Will apps survive the hype cycle or will they fade away? According to Pew’s annual survey on teens and social media. 13% of US teens ages 13 to 17 have used BeReal. However, BeReal has rejected data from external sources in the past. In September, app analytics company Similarweb told TechCrunch that BeReal has about 16 million monthly active users (MAUs), including about 3 million in the United States. However, Apptopia told TechCrunch that BeReal’s MAU in 2023 was at its highest in October at 8.73 million, and at its lowest in February at 7.96 million. BeReal itself reports that in April it had 20 million daily active users worldwide, and in September it had 25 million daily active users.

Although the app was relatively stagnant at first, BeReal has rolled out a ton of new features, including messaging, the ability to post more photos, Spotify integration, and a “friends of friends” discovery feed. . Soon, the app will add his 2023 Year in Review feature and tagging, making it easy to repost tagged content, similar to Instagram.

Source: techcrunch.com