Science and Technology

As the longshore workers' contract nears its end in late September, negotiations have hit a snag, largely because of concerns about automated equipment. These discussions affect longshore workers along the East Coast and Gulf Coast. At the heart of the dispute is a technological change at a small port in Mobile, Alabama, where trucks are now screened and allowed in without the need for unionized labor. The change has sparked considerable unrest among members of the International Longshoremen's Association, which represents more than 47,000 longshoremen. The union's president, Harold J. Daggett, has been vocal in his opposition to automation, saying…

In a dramatic turn of events late Friday, residents across Brazil found themselves cut off from the popular social network X, formerly known as Twitter. The shutdown followed a direct order from a Brazilian Supreme Court judge, marking a peak in an ongoing legal battle with X owner Elon Musk over compliance with local regulations. Legal battle intensifies The conflict has escalated in recent months after Musk said X would no longer comply with certain Brazilian court orders to suspend specific user accounts. This defiance led to threats of arrest by the courts, prompting Musk to withdraw his staff from…

In a significant development, Brazil has initiated a nationwide suspension of the social network X after its owner, Elon Musk, failed to comply with court orders to deactivate specific user accounts. The action marks a critical escalation in the ongoing conflict over online free speech and regulatory compliance. Context of the ban The decision went into effect last Saturday, impacting Brazil’s 200 million residents. The directive, issued by Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, was enforced due to X’s lack of a physical base of operations in Brazil. The legal move underscores growing tensions between domestic courts and global…

Related media - News 24 hours In a significant development on the antitrust front, Google’s recent legal setback has opened the door to more legal challenges, with Yelp becoming the latest to file a lawsuit. This action follows a landmark ruling earlier this month in which a federal judge labeled Google an illegal monopoly, marking a pivotal moment in regulatory scrutiny of the tech giant. New legal battles emerge The Google verdict has triggered a series of potential legal battles, with Yelp stepping forward to challenge Google’s practices in the local search market segment. Filed in federal court in San…

More news - Recent news In a move that has sent shockwaves through the tech industry, Pavel Durov, CEO of messaging app Telegram, has been charged in France over alleged illicit activity facilitated on the platform. The move highlights a growing trend in which tech executives face increasing legal liability for content and transactions on their platforms. Historically, top executives at internet companies in Western democracies have been largely shielded from personal liability for actions on their platforms. However, recent events point to a shift in this stance, as regulators and law enforcement agencies step up their oversight. This shift…

Related media - Latest news On Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against RealPage, a major real estate software provider. The case alleges that RealPage’s software played a critical role in allowing landlords across the country to collude and artificially inflate rental prices. The lawsuit, backed by several states including North Carolina, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Oregon, Tennessee and Washington, alleges that RealPage facilitated a pricing conspiracy that negatively impacted the rental market, affecting millions of renters. It marks a significant case in which the role of an algorithm in pricing strategies is at the forefront…

More news - Recent news In many homes today, an advanced electric meter diligently records energy use, serving as a gateway to both a sustainable future and reduced energy costs. These devices have the potential to revolutionize the way we consume electricity by providing real-time data to homeowners, utilities, and the myriad of technology companies eager to optimize energy use. However, the promise of these smart meters is undermined by a significant obstacle: the data they collect is not standardized, making it difficult to use effectively. Without a uniform format, the valuable insights that could be gleaned from this data…

Related media - Recent news In a significant escalation of its efforts to counter foreign influence in its electoral processes, the U.S. Department of Justice has launched a full criminal investigation into American individuals who have been associated with Russian state media outlets. This action underscores a proactive approach to safeguarding the integrity of the upcoming November presidential election. Earlier this month, FBI operations included raids on the residences of two well-known individuals with ties to Russian media: Scott Ritter, a former United Nations weapons inspector and a vocal critic of U.S. foreign policy, and Dimitri K. Simes, who served…

Related media - News 24 hours In a significant move, the California State Assembly’s Appropriations Committee on Thursday approved a revised version of the artificial intelligence regulatory bill, known as SB 1047. The legislation seeks to establish groundbreaking safety protocols for AI technologies, requiring companies to conduct extensive safety testing before these technologies are introduced to consumers. The bill, which is now inching closer to becoming law, would authorize the California attorney general to take legal action against companies whose AI systems cause substantial harm, such as serious property damage or loss of life. The proposed regulations have sparked heated…

More news - Latest news Cisco Systems, a leading developer of computer networking solutions based in San Jose, California, said it will reduce its workforce by 7 percent, marking its second significant reduction this year. The decision means about 6,000 job losses from its 84,900-person workforce as of July 2023. Earlier this year, Cisco had already cut its workforce by 4,000. Despite the job cuts, Cisco reported net income of $2.16 billion for the latest quarter, a 45 percent decline from the previous year, with revenue falling 10 percent to $13.64 billion. However, those numbers still beat expectations set by…