After 19 Days, West Texas Oil Well Finally Plugged; Experts Slam Oversight and Contractor Liability
A Kinder Morgan-operated oil well in West Texas has been sealed after 19 days of uncontrolled emissions, an episode that reignited criticism over the environmental risks posed by so-called “orphan wells” — abandoned sites without a responsible operator. The leak occurred about five miles west of Toyah in Reeves County, where workers reported visible discharges […]
EU wants key sectors to use made-in-Europe AI
The EU on Wednesday told European businesses in critical sectors to ramp up their uptake of artificial intelligence and pushed for the bloc to cut its dependence on foreign AI providers. Although the European Union is falling behind the United States and China, Brussels believes the bloc can still compete in the global AI race. […]
White House promises US-controlled TikTok algorithm
The White House on Monday said a US version of TikTok would feature a homegrown model of the app’s prized algorithm, potentially clearing one of the main obstacles to keeping the Chinese-owned platform online in the United States. Often described as TikTok’s “secret sauce,” the fate of the video-sharing app’s algorithm was one of the […]
YouTube to reinstate creators banned over misinformation
YouTube is set to reinstate creators previously banned for promoting Covid-19 misinformation and false election-related content, according to a letter sent Tuesday by parent company Alphabet to a Republican lawmaker. The policy reversal marks a victory for the conservative allies of US President Donald Trump, who have long accused tech platforms and professional fact-checkers of […]
Trump allies to control TikTok under new US deal
Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order laying out a proposed deal for a US version of TikTok that would see Chinese ownership reduced to 20 percent and put control in the hands of the president’s allies. At a signing ceremony at the White House, Trump said the US version of the app would […]
US federal workers apply for loans as shutdown hits military morale
Now into its second week, the US government shutdown has started impacting federal workers, prompting some to take out new loans to help make ends meet. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees have been furloughed since the shutdown began on October 1, while others deemed essential — including some military personnel — have been required […]
Canada launches AI Task Force with 30-day sprint for national strategy
Canada is putting itself on a deadline. At the ALL IN conference in Montreal this week, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Minister Evan Solomon announced a new AI Task Force that has just 30 days to deliver recommendations for the federal government’s national strategy. The group will focus on how the country can strengthen research, boost […]
Amazon faces US trial over alleged Prime subscription tricks
Amazon goes to trial on Monday in a US government lawsuit that accuses the e-commerce giant of using tricks to enroll millions of customers in its Prime subscription service and then making it nearly impossible to cancel. The Federal Trade Commission’s complaint, filed in June 2023, alleges that Amazon knowingly used designs known as “dark […]
Australia says social media ban will not age test all users
Australia will not require social media giants to verify the ages of all users under its ban on under-16s using the platforms, Canberra said Tuesday. But platforms like Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube are expected to take “reasonable steps” to stop children from accessing the apps, it said. Australia has been a leader in global […]
Protesting Peru residents block trains to Machu Picchu
Train services to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, Peru’s main tourist attraction, were suspended Monday as protesting residents placed logs and rocks on the tracks, police and PeruRail said. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, the ancient fortified complex receives some 4,500 visitors on average each day, many of them foreigners, according to the […]
