SHOCKING TURN OF EVENTS: UK Finally Ditches Coal, Citing Climate Emergency
- The UK has finally put an end to its long history of coal-fired power, a move hailed by environmentalists as a massive step forward in the fight against climate change.
- The closure of the Ratcliffe-on-Soar power plant marks a milestone in the UK’s shift towards cleaner energy sources, as the government seeks to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
- Critics of the move have accused the government of "betraying" coal miners, who will lose their jobs as a result of the closure.
- The irony of the UK, a country that once pioneered coal-fired power, is now leading the charge in phasing it out is not lost on observers.
APPLE’S NEXT BIG MOVE: Rumored Smart Display to Launch in 2025
- Apple is reportedly set to release a smart display, featuring its new homeOS operating system, in 2025.
- The device, which is said to resemble a miniature version of Apple’s TV, will feature a robotic arm for tilting the screen and cost upwards of $1,000.
- Industry experts are hailing the move as a game-changer for the smart home industry, as Apple seeks to expand its presence in the market.
INDIA’S DIGITAL DYSTOPIA: Government Shuts Down Internet a Record 138 Times This Year
- India has set a new record for the highest number of internet shutdowns in a year, with a total of 138 reported instances since January.
- Critics have slammed the government’s tactic as a tool for crushing dissent and suppressing free speech, with marginalized communities particularly hard hit.
- Activists are calling for urgent action to be taken to protect digital rights and freedoms in India.
VETTEL’S 4G GAMBLE: Subsidizing Phones for 700,000 2G Subscribers
- Vietnamese operator Viettel is subsidizing 4G feature phones for 700,000 2G-only subscribers, a move aimed at helping them transition to the latest technology.
- The initiative, which will cost the equivalent of R210-million, is seen as a bold gamble by the operator, as it risks cannibalizing its own revenue streams.
MAZDA’S SUBSCRIPTION SHOCK: Car Maker Sparks Backlash with $10 Remote Start Fee
- Mazda has sparked a heated debate after announcing a subscription fee of $10 per month for its remote start feature, a service previously offered free of charge.
- The move has been slammed as a cynical cash grab, with many owners accusing the company of trying to gouge them for a feature they had grown accustomed to.
BENDABLE CHIPS: Breakthrough Microprocessor Costs Less Than a Dollar to Make
- A British start-up has developed a bendable 32-bit microprocessor that can run machine-learning models and costs less than a dollar to make.
- The Flex-RV chip, which is based on the open standard Risc-V architecture, has been hailed as a major breakthrough in the field of microprocessors.
ASTEROID HUNTERS: Space Agencies Prepare for the Next Big Impact
- As the world faces the increasing threat of asteroid impacts, space agencies are working to develop new technologies to identify and deflect potential threats.
- A giant camera with a resolution of 3,200 megapixels and nuclear weapons for deflection are among the arsenal being deployed to protect Earth from asteroid collisions.
CALIFORNIA PASSED A LAW TO PROTECT YOUR BRAIN DATA
- California has become the first state to pass a law protecting consumer brain data, a move aimed at safeguarding individuals’ privacy in the age of neural interfaces and cognitive health apps.
- The new law requires companies to obtain consent before collecting and using brain data, and sets standards for the security and protection of such data.
