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TikTok Ban Fuels $50K iPhone Resale Market

2025-01-25

TikTok Ban Fuels $50K iPhone Resale Market

With TikTok facing a potential US ban, users are listing phones pre-loaded with the app for exorbitant prices—up to $50,000—on eBay and Facebook Marketplace. While TikTok is temporarily accessible again, it's unavailable for download, creating a surge in demand for used devices with the app already installed. Sellers are capitalizing on this, listing iPhones and tablets with TikTok and other ByteDance apps (Lemon8, CapCut) for prices ranging from $340 to $50,000. While high-priced listings exist, most sales appear to be in the hundreds of dollars. This reflects user reliance on TikTok and the market's response to scarcity.

(apnews.com)

Tech Resale Market App Ban

UK Watchdog Probes Apple and Google's Mobile Empires

2025-01-23

UK Watchdog Probes Apple and Google's Mobile Empires

Britain's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched investigations into Apple and Google's mobile ecosystems, marking the first use of its new digital market powers. The CMA will examine whether Apple and Google are abusing their dominant market positions, including practices like pre-installing their own apps and imposing unfair app store terms. This move aims to protect consumers and businesses from unfair practices by Big Tech. Both Apple and Google stated they would cooperate with the regulator.

(apnews.com)

Tech tech regulation Apple Google

Pakistan Passes Bill Granting Sweeping Social Media Controls

2025-01-23

Pakistan Passes Bill Granting Sweeping Social Media Controls

Pakistan's parliament passed a controversial bill granting the government extensive control over social media, including imprisonment for spreading disinformation. The bill's swift passage followed a walkout by opposition lawmakers protesting the legislation, raising concerns about further suppression of free speech. Critics argue the act allows authorities to block content deemed "unlawful and offensive," and ban individuals and organizations from social media for posting it. Social media platforms must register with a new regulatory body or face bans. Spreading disinformation becomes a criminal offense, punishable by up to three years in prison and a hefty fine. Journalists' and editors' unions strongly oppose the bill, seeing it as an attempt to stifle media and free speech.

(apnews.com)

Tech Pakistan

Chirping Cosmic Waves Detected Far From Earth

2025-01-23

Chirping Cosmic Waves Detected Far From Earth

Scientists have detected unusual cosmic waves, sounding like birds chirping, in a region far beyond previous observations. Using NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) satellites, researchers picked up these 'chorus waves'—bursts of plasma—over 62,000 miles from Earth. These waves, when converted to audio, resemble high-pitched bird calls. The unexpected location of these previously observed waves in a stretched-out region of Earth's magnetic field raises new questions about their formation. The research was published in Nature.

(apnews.com)

Tech cosmic waves chorus waves space physics

Trump Announces $500B AI Infrastructure Investment

2025-01-21

Trump Announces $500B AI Infrastructure Investment

Shortly after his inauguration, the Trump administration announced a massive $500 billion investment in AI infrastructure, spearheaded by a new entity called 'Stargate,' a joint venture between OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank. The initial $100 billion investment will focus on building data centers and power generation in Texas to fuel further AI development. This is touted as a declaration of confidence in America's potential and is also linked to advancements in digital health records and disease treatment. While the project's initial planning occurred under the Biden administration, Trump is highlighting it as a key economic achievement of his new term.

(apnews.com)

Tech Trump administration

TikTok Briefly Shuts Down, Then Restored: A Presidential Order's Balancing Act

2025-01-19

TikTok Briefly Shuts Down, Then Restored: A Presidential Order's Balancing Act

A US law banning TikTok went into effect on January 18th, causing the app to briefly go dark. Apple and Google also removed TikTok from their app stores. However, President-elect Trump issued an executive order pausing the ban, giving TikTok's parent company ByteDance more time to find an approved buyer. This move, following TikTok's service restoration, sparked widespread debate about national security, free speech, and the political influence of tech companies.

(apnews.com)

Tech

Medicare to Negotiate Prices for 15 Popular Drugs

2025-01-17

Medicare to Negotiate Prices for 15 Popular Drugs

The Biden administration announced that 15 commonly used drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy, will be included in Medicare's price negotiation program. This marks the first time the U.S. government will directly negotiate drug prices with manufacturers, and is expected to save taxpayers billions of dollars. While Ozempic and Wegovy have drawn scrutiny for their high costs, Medicare currently only covers them for diabetes treatment, not weight loss. The incoming Trump administration will decide whether to implement a proposed rule to cover these medications for obesity. This brings the total number of drugs subject to Medicare price negotiations to 25, covering a third of prescription drug spending. The pharmaceutical industry has sued over the program, but groups like the AARP say they will fight to uphold the law.

(apnews.com)

Tech Drug Price Negotiation

Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban: National Security Trumps Free Speech

2025-01-17

Supreme Court Upholds TikTok Ban: National Security Trumps Free Speech

The Supreme Court unanimously upheld a federal law banning TikTok unless its Chinese parent company sells it. The ruling prioritizes national security concerns over free speech arguments, citing risks posed by TikTok's ties to China. While President-elect Trump suggested a negotiated solution and the Biden administration indicated it wouldn't enforce the ban immediately, the decision leaves TikTok's future in the US uncertain. The court found the law did not violate petitioners' First Amendment rights.

(apnews.com)

Tech US-China Tech Rivalry

Sweden Rethinks Tech-Heavy Education, Brings Back Books and Pencils

2025-01-15

Sweden Rethinks Tech-Heavy Education, Brings Back Books and Pencils

Concerns over declining basic skills among Swedish students have prompted a shift in the country's digital education strategy. Years of emphasizing tablets and digital tools in schools have come under scrutiny following a drop in reading scores. In response, the government is increasing investment in physical books and encouraging a return to traditional teaching methods like handwriting practice and quiet reading time. While some experts support this back-to-basics approach, others argue it's an overreaction, emphasizing that technology is just one factor in a complex educational ecosystem.

(apnews.com)

Tech Sweden

TikTok Ban Looms, US Users Flock to Xiaohongshu

2025-01-15

TikTok Ban Looms, US Users Flock to Xiaohongshu

With a potential TikTok ban looming in the US, users are migrating en masse to the Chinese social media app Xiaohongshu, propelling it to the top of the US app download charts. Calling themselves "TikTok refugees," some users are joining Xiaohongshu as an act of protest against the impending ban. The US Supreme Court is set to rule on a law mandating TikTok divest from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, by January 19th or face a US ban over national security concerns. After hints the court may uphold the law, a wave of TikTok users created Xiaohongshu accounts, using hashtags like #tiktokrefugee. Xiaohongshu, meaning "Little Red Book," combines e-commerce, short videos, and social media features. Popular in China and among Chinese diaspora communities, it boasts 300 million monthly active users, mainly young women using it as a search engine for product, travel, and restaurant recommendations, as well as beauty tutorials. Many American users openly stated their move to Xiaohongshu was a protest against the potential TikTok ban. Chinese users have generally welcomed the influx of Americans, offering help and advice. Despite Xiaohongshu's surge in popularity, it remains uncertain if it can fully replace TikTok's established ecosystem of e-commerce and advertising.

(apnews.com)

Tech Xiaohongshu US-China Tech

BepiColombo Delivers Stunning Close-Ups of Mercury's North Pole

2025-01-11

BepiColombo Delivers Stunning Close-Ups of Mercury's North Pole

The European-Japanese BepiColombo spacecraft has completed its sixth and final Mercury flyby, sending back the most detailed images yet of the planet's north pole. Flying as close as 295 kilometers above Mercury's night side, the spacecraft captured stunning views of permanently shadowed craters, neighboring volcanic plains, and Mercury's largest impact crater. These images provide invaluable data for understanding Mercury's formation and evolution. BepiColombo is on track to enter Mercury's orbit next year for a more extensive study.

(apnews.com)

Tech

1.2 Million-Year-Old Ice Core Retrieved from Antarctica

2025-01-10

1.2 Million-Year-Old Ice Core Retrieved from Antarctica

An international team of scientists has achieved a groundbreaking feat by drilling nearly 2 miles (2.8 kilometers) into the Antarctic bedrock, retrieving one of the oldest ice cores ever discovered—at least 1.2 million years old. The Beyond EPICA project, coordinated by Italy, involved four years of drilling in average temperatures of -35°C (-25.6°F). Analysis of this ancient ice is expected to reveal crucial information about Earth's atmospheric and climate evolution, shedding light on Ice Age cycles and the impact of atmospheric carbon on climate change. This discovery provides invaluable data for understanding and addressing the current climate crisis.

(apnews.com)

Tech Antarctica ice core drilling

Trudeau Resigns: Canada's Liberal Party in Turmoil

2025-01-06

Trudeau Resigns: Canada's Liberal Party in Turmoil

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation as Liberal Party leader and Prime Minister on January 6, 2025. The move, following growing public dissatisfaction with his leadership and the abrupt departure of his finance minister, signals significant turmoil within the Canadian government. Trudeau will remain Prime Minister until a new Liberal leader is chosen. Opposition parties plan a no-confidence vote when Parliament resumes in late March. In his resignation speech, Trudeau criticized opposition leader Pierre Poilievre's policies and stated that Canada needs a functioning Parliament.

(apnews.com)

Politics Canadian Politics Trudeau Liberal Party

Tesla's First Annual Sales Decline in Nine Years

2025-01-02

Tesla's First Annual Sales Decline in Nine Years

Tesla reported a 1.1% drop in global sales for 2024, marking its first annual decline in at least nine years. While the fourth quarter saw a 2.3% increase in deliveries (reaching 495,570 vehicles), this wasn't enough to offset a sluggish start to the year, despite incentives like 0% financing, free charging, and low-priced leases. Full-year deliveries totaled 1.79 million, down from 1.81 million in 2023. The fourth-quarter growth came at the cost of lower average selling prices, expected to fall below $41,000 – the lowest in at least four years. This doesn't bode well for Tesla's Q4 earnings. Tesla's previous prediction of 50% annual sales growth was hampered by an aging model lineup and intensified competition from China, Europe, and the U.S. Analysts suggest most early adopters of EVs in the U.S. already own them, while mainstream buyers remain concerned about range, price, and charging infrastructure. Fourth-quarter deliveries missed Wall Street expectations. Increased competition and the sales decline pose a challenge to investors who have driven up Tesla's stock price since the election, betting on the incoming Trump administration to ease EV regulations and support Tesla's autonomous driving ambitions.

(apnews.com)

Tech Sales Decline

Venezuela Fines TikTok $10 Million Over Deadly Challenges

2025-01-01

Venezuela Fines TikTok $10 Million Over Deadly Challenges

Venezuela's Supreme Court fined TikTok $10 million for failing to prevent viral video challenges that allegedly led to the deaths of three Venezuelan children. The court cited negligence and ordered TikTok to establish a local office to oversee content and comply with Venezuelan laws. This highlights Venezuela's strict online content regulations and growing concerns over social media platform accountability.

(apnews.com)

Tech Venezuela Online Regulation

South Korea Plane Crash Kills 179, Prompts Nationwide Mourning and Safety Review

2024-12-30

South Korea Plane Crash Kills 179, Prompts Nationwide Mourning and Safety Review

A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 carrying 181 passengers crashed at Muan Airport in South Korea, killing 179 people, marking the country's worst aviation disaster in decades. The accident occurred amidst political turmoil following the impeachment of both the president and prime minister, raising concerns about the government's ability to effectively respond to the crisis. South Korea has ordered safety inspections of all 737-800 aircraft and a comprehensive review of Jeju Air's safety standards. Investigators are examining factors such as a possible landing gear malfunction, potential hydraulic failure, and the safety design of the airport's runway barriers. The tragedy has prompted a seven-day national mourning period and highlighted the need for enhanced aviation safety and improved disaster response capabilities.

(apnews.com)

Tech South Korea plane crash Aviation safety

Prison-Born Board Game 'Poleana' Takes Mexico by Storm

2024-12-29

Prison-Born Board Game 'Poleana' Takes Mexico by Storm

Poleana, a board game originating in Mexican prisons nearly a century ago, is experiencing a surge in popularity. Combining chance and strategy, the game demands quick thinking and calculations as players navigate the board, aiming to 'escape' the prison it symbolizes. Despite its origins, the game's unique appeal has drawn diverse players, leading to large-scale tournaments. Poleana is more than just a game; it's a testament to cultural preservation and social inclusion.

(apnews.com)

Game board game Mexico

Mastodon Jaw Unearthed in New York Backyard

2024-12-22

Mastodon Jaw Unearthed in New York Backyard

A New York man's gardening project took an unexpected turn when he discovered what he initially thought were baseballs, but turned out to be giant teeth. These teeth, unearthed in his upstate New York backyard, were identified as belonging to a mastodon. Subsequent excavation by the New York State Museum and SUNY Orange revealed a complete, well-preserved adult mastodon jaw, a toe bone, and a rib fragment. This is the first complete mastodon jaw found in New York in 11 years, offering invaluable insights into the Ice Age ecosystem. The fossils will be carbon-dated and analyzed, with plans to put them on public display in 2025.

(apnews.com)

Misc mastodon fossil

Argentine Rodents Thrive in Dubai Oasis

2024-12-19

Argentine Rodents Thrive in Dubai Oasis

A surprising new population of Patagonian mara, rabbit-like rodents from Argentina, has established itself in the Al Qudra Lakes oasis outside Dubai. These long-legged, large-eared animals now roam the desert landscape, typically home to gazelles. Their arrival remains a mystery, possibly stemming from escaped pets of the wealthy. Despite the harsh desert climate, the oasis provides a suitable habitat, and the lack of natural predators has allowed the mara to flourish and reproduce for several years. The thriving population suggests successful adaptation and breeding in their unexpected environment.

(apnews.com)

Misc Dubai Patagonian mara wildlife

Popeye, Tintin, and Literary Classics Enter the Public Domain

2024-12-16

Popeye, Tintin, and Literary Classics Enter the Public Domain

In 2025, iconic comic characters Popeye and Tintin, along with numerous novels by literary giants like Faulkner and Hemingway, will enter the US public domain. This means these works can be freely used and adapted without permission or payment to copyright holders. The list includes Faulkner's 'The Sound and the Fury' and Hemingway's 'A Farewell to Arms,' among others whose copyrights expired after 95 years. Early Mickey Mouse cartoons also join the public domain, including those where Mickey speaks for the first time. This expansion of public domain works offers creators a wealth of material and invigorates cultural preservation.

(apnews.com)

Misc public domain cultural heritage

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Impeached Over Martial Law Decree

2024-12-14

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Impeached Over Martial Law Decree

South Korea's parliament impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday over his controversial six-hour-long martial law declaration. The National Assembly voted 204-85 in favor of impeachment, suspending Yoon's powers and duties. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo assumed presidential authority. The Constitutional Court has 180 days to decide whether to remove Yoon from office; a new election would follow within 60 days if he is dismissed. The impeachment followed days of political turmoil and widespread protests, with public opinion overwhelmingly in favor of removing Yoon. While Yoon declared the martial law as a measure against the opposition, his actions are seen by many as an attempt to undermine democratic processes. The US and Japan expressed support for South Korea's democratic process.

(apnews.com)

Misc South Korea Impeachment Yoon Suk Yeol