Tuesday 30 April 2019

She was captured and enslaved 400 years ago. Now Angela symbolizes a brutal history.

She was captured and enslaved 400 years ago. Now Angela symbolizes a brutal history.

Angela’s arrival in Jamestown in 1619 marked the beginning of a subjugation that left millions in chains
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2019/04/29/she-was-captured-enslaved-years-ago-now-angela-symbolizes-brutal-history/?utm_term=.f5c12be2a3fa?source=Snapzu

I Used to Work for Google. I Am a Conscientious Objector

I Used to Work for Google. I Am a Conscientious Objector

American companies continue to build surveillance tools that are used to violate human rights. Workers who refuse to comply deserve protections. By Jack Poulson.
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/23/opinion/google-privacy-china.html?source=Snapzu

A Chinese ride-hailing company is so unhappy with its fleet of 278 Tesla cars that it bought billboards in Times Square to demand refunds

A Chinese ride-hailing company is so unhappy with its fleet of 278 Tesla cars that it bought billboards in Times Square to demand refunds

The Chinese ride-hailing company Shenma Zhuanche said it took inspiration from the Oscar-winning film "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" to air its grievances against Tesla. The company said it took out three advertisements outside Reuters' Times Square headquarters to demand Tesla provide compensation and better customer service after more than 20% of the 278 cars it purchased experienced "electro-mechanical failures."
Read more: https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-criticized-in-times-square-billboards-by-shenma-zhuanche-2019-4?source=Snapzu

“Smart” Technology Is Coming for Prisons, Too

“Smart” Technology Is Coming for Prisons, Too

Makers claims that with A.I. monitors in every cell, “prison breaks will be history.”
Read more: https://slate.com/technology/2019/04/smart-ai-prisons-surveillance-monitoring-inmates.html?source=Snapzu

The Remarkable Story of a Woman Who Preserved Over 30 Years of TV History

The Remarkable Story of a Woman Who Preserved Over 30 Years of TV History

Thousands of hours of Marion Stokes's personal recordings will now be digitized, one tape at a time.
Read more: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/marion-stokes-television-news-archive?source=Snapzu

Whale with harness could be Russian weapon, say Norwegian experts

Whale with harness could be Russian weapon, say Norwegian experts

Fisherman in Norway raised alarm after white beluga whale sporting unusual strapping began harassing their boats
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/29/whale-with-harness-could-be-russian-weapon-say-norwegian-experts?source=Snapzu

Nearly all 2020 presidential candidates aren’t using a basic email security feature

Nearly all 2020 presidential candidates aren’t using a basic email security feature

Three years after Russian hackers targeted and breached the email accounts of Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, nearly all of the upcoming 2020 presidential candidates are still lagging in email security.
Read more: https://techcrunch.com/2019/04/30/dmarc-presidential-candidates/?source=Snapzu

What If the Asteroid Never Killed the Dinosaurs?

What If the Asteroid Never Killed the Dinosaurs?

An asteroid slammed down and did away with all the dinosaurs, paving the way for such developments as the human race, capitalism, and posting on the internet: it’s the story we all know and love. Yet if things had shaken out differently—if the asteroid had stayed in its place, and the dinosaurs allowed to proceed with their business—what would things have looked like?
Read more: https://gizmodo.com/what-if-the-asteroid-never-killed-the-dinosaurs-1834377309?source=Snapzu

Japan's emperor declares his abdication

Japan's emperor declares his abdication

Akihito, who said he was too old for the role, is the first Japanese emperor to stand down in 200 years.
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48020703?source=Snapzu

Venezuela's opposition leader calls for military uprising to oust president

Venezuela's opposition leader calls for military uprising to oust president

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido has taken to the streets with detained activist Leopoldo Lopez and a small contingent of heavily armed soldiers in a military uprising but the country's president was defiant, saying top military leaders have assured him of their loyalty.
Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/venezuela-guaido-final-phase-maduro-1.5116327?source=Snapzu

Australia can be powered 100% by renewables by early 2030s, says Garnaut

Australia can be powered 100% by renewables by early 2030s, says Garnaut

Leading economist and climate change policy expert Professor Ross Garnaut says that Australia could be powered 100 per cent by “intermittent” renewables by the early 2030s, and have a grid that is both reliable and secure and cheaper than it is now.
Read more: https://reneweconomy.com.au/australia-can-be-powered-100-by-renewables-by-early-2030s-says-garnaut-16846/?source=Snapzu

Nora Roberts files ‘multi-plagiarism’ lawsuit alleging writer copied more than 40 authors

Nora Roberts files ‘multi-plagiarism’ lawsuit alleging writer copied more than 40 authors

After weeks of anger, bestselling novelist is suing Brazilian author Cristiane Serruya for ‘rare and scandalous’ level of plagiarism
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/apr/25/nora-roberts-files-multi-plagiarism-lawsuit-alleging-writer-copied-more-than-40-authors?source=Snapzu

Woodstock Organizers Cancel 50th Anniversary Festival

Woodstock Organizers Cancel 50th Anniversary Festival

“It’s a dream for agencies to work with iconic brands and to be associated with meaningful movements. We have a strong history of producing experiences that bring people together around common interests and causes which is why we chose to be a part of the Woodstock 50th Anniversary Festival. But despite our tremendous investment of time, effort and commitment, we don’t believe the production of the festival can be executed as an event worthy of the Woodstock Brand name while also ensuring the health and safety of the artists, partners and attendees."
Read more: https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/festivals/8509091/woodstock-50-festival-cancelled?source=Snapzu

Winner Of French Scrabble Title Does Not Speak French

Winner Of French Scrabble Title Does Not Speak French

The Scrabble career of Nigel Richards went from great to astounding this week, after he won the French-language Scrabble World Championships. A New Zealand native, Richards has won several English-language titles; his new victory follows weeks of studying a French dictionary.
Read more: https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/07/21/424980378/winner-of-french-scrabble-title-does-not-speak-french?source=Snapzu

The Top Cloud Storage Options

The Top Cloud Storage Options

If you are looking for more online storage space, here is a list of top cloud storage options to get you pointed in the right direction.
Read more: https://www.zdnet.com/article/whats-the-best-cloud-storage-for-you/?source=Snapzu

Sri Lanka Bans all Face Veils After Easter Bombings

Sri Lanka Bans all Face Veils After Easter Bombings

As of Monday, Muslim women in Sri Lanka will no longer be allowed to wear face veils in public. All types of face coverings that could hide someone’s identity are now banned in the country under an emergency law. The measure was imposed a week after more than 250 people were killed in a series of bombings that targeted churches and hotels. “President Maithripala Sirisena took this decision to further support the ongoing security and help the armed forces to easily identify the identity of any wanted perpetrators,” read a news release from the president’s office.
Read more: https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/04/burqa-ban-sri-lanka-bans-face-veils-easter-bombings.html?source=Snapzu

Monday 29 April 2019

'You did not act in time': Greta Thunberg's full speech to MPs

'You did not act in time': Greta Thunberg's full speech to MPs

My name is Greta Thunberg. I am 16 years old. I come from Sweden. And I speak on behalf of future generations. I know many of you don’t want to listen to us – you say we are just children. But we’re only repeating the message of the united climate science. Many of you appear concerned that we are wasting valuable lesson time, but I assure you we will go back to school the moment you start listening to science and give us a future. Is that really too much to ask?
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/23/greta-thunberg-full-speech-to-mps-you-did-not-act-in-time?source=Snapzu

Loyal dog watches over owner for two days after he dies by river

Loyal dog watches over owner for two days after he dies by river

A loyal dog stayed with her owner for almost two days after he fell to his death while hiking. Daisy was found with the 64-year-old man's body in bush near the town of Eatonville, about 60 miles south of Seattle in Washington. The pair went hiking on Wednesday but had not returned by dark, prompting the man's worried wife to call for help.
Read more: https://news.sky.com/story/loyal-dog-watches-over-owner-for-two-days-after-he-dies-by-river-11706301?source=Snapzu

Microsoft is now a $1 trillion company

Microsoft is now a $1 trillion company

Strong earnings push Microsoft toward a new milestone.
Read more: https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/25/18515623/microsoft-worth-1-trillion-dollars-stock-price-value?source=Snapzu

Indonesia Plans To Move Its Capital Out Of Jakarta, A City That's Sinking

Indonesia Plans To Move Its Capital Out Of Jakarta, A City That's Sinking

It's not clear when this will happen, or where the new capital will be located. The idea has been out there for decades, though previous leaders have been unable to accomplish the ambitious plan.
Read more: https://www.npr.org/2019/04/29/718234878/indonesia-plans-to-move-its-capital-out-of-jakarta-a-city-thats-sinking?source=Snapzu

Ban on banana-eating artwork draws ridicule in Poland

Ban on banana-eating artwork draws ridicule in Poland

Poland's artists and opposition politicians are posting photos of themselves eating bananas in protest after the country's authorities called an artwork featuring the fruit...
Read more: https://www.apnews.com/c3c3e24a86bf4b9785da9e05dddd047a?source=Snapzu

Beto O’Rourke proposes $5-trillion climate plan for net-zero emissions by 2050

Beto O’Rourke proposes $5-trillion climate plan for net-zero emissions by 2050

Beto O’Rourke, who has described climate change as the top issue of his presidential campaign, released a proposal Monday that would spend trillions of dollars to wean the country off fossil fuels with a goal to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050.
Read more: https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-beto-orourke-climate-change-plan-20190429-story.html?source=Snapzu

An algorithm wipes clean the criminal pasts of thousands

An algorithm wipes clean the criminal pasts of thousands

A ground-breaking project in California could see 250,000 people freed from their criminal record this year.
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-48072164?source=Snapzu

'Overwork' kills 270 Indonesia poll staff

'Overwork' kills 270 Indonesia poll staff

Scores of election workers have died, mostly of fatigue-related illnesses, an official says.
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48083051?source=Snapzu

McDonald’s Keeps Touting Security of Mobile App After Credit, Debit Cards Hacked

McDonald’s Keeps Touting Security of Mobile App After Credit, Debit Cards Hacked

The MyMcD’s mobile app continues to plague some users who have had their payment methods compromised.
Read more: https://www.iphoneincanada.ca/news/mcdonalds-security-mobile-app-hacked/?source=Snapzu

Pastor accused of running his multimillion-dollar Taylor church as a ‘cult’

Pastor accused of running his multimillion-dollar Taylor church as a ‘cult’

To current members of Joshua Media Ministries International, the Taylor-based organization represents a path to the kingdom of God; a journey shepherded by a full-fledged prophet. To former members, though, the multimillion-dollar church at 20320 Superior Road that police monitor daily is “a slave labor cult” operating on an unholy trinity of intimidation, manipulation and greed. In February 2017, former JMMI member Chris Sorensen “was on fire for God.”
Read more: http://www.thenewsherald.com/news/pastor-accused-of-running-his-multimillion-dollar-taylor-church-as/article_c6fbaad0-4b68-11e9-ad86-df5f32aa1199.html?source=Snapzu

Duterte calls for ‘collective action’ on climate change

Duterte calls for ‘collective action’ on climate change

President Rodrigo Duterte has called on different countries to have a “collective action” on climate change amid the concerning impacts of weather disturbances on developing countries. During the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in China, Duterte thanked countries that helped the Philippines in times of calamities and called for a more “proactive measures” on climate change.
Read more: https://globalnation.inquirer.net/174946/duterte-calls-for-collective-action-on-climate-change?source=Snapzu

Ford Is Under Criminal Investigation for Emissions-Testing Program

Ford Is Under Criminal Investigation for Emissions-Testing Program

The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into concerns about Ford’s emissions certification process. The automaker announced that the investigation involves anomalies in Ford’s emissions testing process that the company disclosed earlier this year. “Our investigation continues into how Ford estimates road load as part of the U.S. fuel economy and emissions certification process,” Kim Pittel, Ford group vice president for sustainability, environment, and safety engineering, said in a statement in response to written questions from CR submitted by email Friday morning.
Read more: https://www.consumerreports.org/fuel-economy-efficiency/ford-emissions-under-criminal-investigation/?EXTKEY=AFLIP?source=Snapzu

Here are the 15 jobs disappearing the fastest in the US

Here are the 15 jobs disappearing the fastest in the US

The average job in the U.S. will expand its workforce by 7% through 2026, but not all industries will be lucky enough to be adding staff in the future. About 17% of the 818 occupations the Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks will actually lose more workers than they add between 2016 and 2026. The number of metal and plastic machines workers is expected to drop 9% in that decade. While other careers, such as locomotive firers, typists and postmasters will suffer a worse fate.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/26/the-15-us-jobs-disappearing-the-fastest.html?source=Snapzu

Four killed when a crane being used for Google’s new Seattle campus fell

Four killed when a crane being used for Google’s new Seattle campus fell

The deadly collapse is expected to bring scrutiny about the safety of the cranes in the city, where tech companies are expanding
Read more: https://nationalpost.com/news/world/crane-collapses-in-downtown-seattle-on-saturday#Echobox=1556486659?source=Snapzu

Sunday 28 April 2019

Activists enter Abbotsford pig farm after 'troubling' footage emerges

Activists enter Abbotsford pig farm after 'troubling' footage emerges

Dozens of activists have entered a pig farm in Abbotsford, B.C., on Sunday morning, days after "troubling" footage showing conditions inside the farm sparked an SPCA investigation. The video in question, released by PETA, appears to show female pigs and their piglets living in confined gestation crates, along with the bodies of some deceased pigs in varying degrees of decomposition at the Excelsior Hog Farm.
Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/activists-enter-abbotsford-pig-farm-after-troubling-footage-emerges-1.5114497?source=Snapzu

Pope Francis donates $500,000 to migrants at US border

Pope Francis donates $500,000 to migrants at US border

The Vatican says media interest in the migrants is declining -- as is aid.
Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/International/pope-francis-donates-500000-migrants-us-border/story?id=62675582?source=Snapzu

Federal Judge Damon Keith, who authored landmark rulings on civil liberties, dies at 96

Federal Judge Damon Keith, who authored landmark rulings on civil liberties, dies at 96

Keith decided cases on some of America's most controversial issues, from school desegregation to government surveillance of citizens
Read more: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/04/28/federal-judge-damon-keith-who-authored-landmark-rulings-civil-liberties-dies-96/1848658002/?source=Snapzu

A Chernobyl 'suicide squad' of volunteers helped save Europe — here's their amazing true story

A Chernobyl 'suicide squad' of volunteers helped save Europe — here's their amazing true story

Less than two weeks after the infamous reactor meltdown at Chernobyl, officials decided to risk the lives of three men to potentially save millions of lives. A larger disaster could have spread radioactive fallout across Europe.
Read more: https://www.businessinsider.com/chernobyl-volunteers-divers-nuclear-mission-2016-4?source=Snapzu

U.S. to Consider Listing Giraffes as Endangered Species

U.S. to Consider Listing Giraffes as Endangered Species

Federal wildlife officials said Thursday that they would officially consider listing the giraffe as an endangered species, a move long sought by conservationists alarmed by the African mammal’s precipitous decline and a growing domestic market for giraffe products.
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/27/science/giraffes-endangered-species.html?partner=IFTTT?source=Snapzu

The gig economy is distorting U.S. data on inflation, wages and job growth

The gig economy is distorting U.S. data on inflation, wages and job growth

Online shopping and the gig economy haven't just disrupted traditional brick-and-mortar business, they're disrupting the way U.S. job growth, wage data and inflation are tracked, asserts a new paper from the Dallas Federal Reserve. What it means: There has been an increase in the number of workers in the gig economy who are either working as contractors or are self-employed, but report themselves as employed. These workers often have less bargaining power and lower wages than full-time employees.
Read more: https://www.axios.com/gig-economy-employment-economic-data-effect-d8ef97ff-1774-4223-9fd8-d50510fb3c9f.html?source=Snapzu

Why We Need a New Civil War Documentary

Why We Need a New Civil War Documentary

The success and brilliance of the new PBS series on Reconstruction is a reminder of the missed opportunity facing the nation
Read more: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/why-we-need-new-civil-war-documentary-180971996/?source=Snapzu

U.S. states with higher tax burdens have lower middle-age mortality rates, study finds

U.S. states with higher tax burdens have lower middle-age mortality rates, study finds

States with higher taxes and more government expenditures tend to have lower mortality rates among middle-aged Americans, according to new research published in PLOS One. “I am interested because longevity in the USA is stalling and falling behind dozens of other countries. This is not American exceptionalism. It is American mediocrity,” said study author Todd MacKenzie, a professor of biostatistics at Dartmouth College.
Read more: https://www.psypost.org/2019/04/u-s-states-with-higher-tax-burdens-have-lower-middle-age-mortality-rates-study-finds-53559?source=Snapzu

'Bring back McDonald's plastic straws'

'Bring back McDonald's plastic straws'

McDonald's is being called on to stop its roll out of paper straws in the UK and Ireland, amid claims that they "dissolve" in drinks. The fast food giant is switching from plastic to paper straws at their 1,361 restaurants after customer pressure. An online petition calling for a return to plastic straws has so far garnered more than 35,000 signatures.
Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-48038130?source=Snapzu

DCCC Defense of Anti-Gay, Anti-Choice Democrat Sparks Pushback

DCCC Defense of Anti-Gay, Anti-Choice Democrat Sparks Pushback

“Dan Lipinski needs to go and Marie came within 1,600 votes of defeating him with progressive support in 2018.”
Read more: https://theintercept.com/2019/04/26/dccc-blacklist-marie-newman-dan-lipinski/?source=Snapzu

A military officer dissects Jon Snow's battle strategy (and finds it lacking)

A military officer dissects Jon Snow's battle strategy (and finds it lacking)

In the second episode of the final season of Game of Thrones, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” winter has come, and with it, an army the undead. Jon Snow has devised a battle plan to defend Winterfell, and ultimately the realms of men. So what does a U.S. military officer have to say about these best-laid plans? Sadly, Jon Snow could use the help of the evil yet battle-savvy Ramsey Bolton right about now. 
Read more: https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/a-military-officer-dissects-jon-snows-battle-strategy-and-finds-it-lacking?source=Snapzu

LA City Departments Saw 40% Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions

LA City Departments Saw 40% Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The first municipal report to cover emissions from all Los Angeles city departments, operations and facilities was released Friday and found that by the end of 2017, the city had reduced its operational emissions by 40 percent relative to its 2008 baseline. The report was a collaborative effort between LA Sanitation and other city departments.
Read more: https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/LA-Reduction-in-Greenhouse-Gas-Emissions-509153431.html?source=Snapzu

$13.6 billion solar park rises from Dubai desert

$13.6 billion solar park rises from Dubai desert

Under the Arabian sun, a monumental construction effort is making headway. Located deep within Dubai's desert interior, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park -- named after the emirate's ruler and the UAE's vice president and prime minister -- continues to grow and has just passed another milestone.
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/style/article/mbr-solar-park-dubai-desert-intl/index.html?source=Snapzu

Why Ulysses S. Grant’s reputation improves as other presidents lose stature

Why Ulysses S. Grant’s reputation improves as other presidents lose stature

A monument at West Point can help Americans rediscover a leader whose moral example is much needed today.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/as-civil-war-statues-are-removed-a-new-one-goes-up--but-for-the-right-reasons/2019/04/23/3b4348c2-65e9-11e9-a1b6-b29b90efa879_story.html?source=Snapzu

The Most Commonly Hacked Passwords

The Most Commonly Hacked Passwords

Take the time to come up with a hard to break password or reap the consequences. Here are the most commonly hacked passwords...
Read more: https://www.zdnet.com/article/these-are-the-most-commonly-hacked-passwords-and-theyre-embarrassingly-weak/?source=Snapzu

Portugal Just Launched a National Space Agency!

Portugal Just Launched a National Space Agency!

Portugal just became the latest country to establish a national space agency. The country made its plans official on March 18, when its Council of Ministers signed the charter at a formal ceremony at Ponta Delgada, Portugal — the capital city of the Azores archipelago, where the new space agency will be based.
Read more: https://www.space.com/portugal-launches-space-agency.html?source=Snapzu

New app tells you when your smart speaker is spying on you

New app tells you when your smart speaker is spying on you

The "Princeton IoT Inspector" tracks all the data your devices send out.
Read more: https://futurism.com/the-byte/app-smart-speaker-spying?source=Snapzu

Saturday 27 April 2019