Author: Tom Becker

TikTok is at a critical crossroads as it faces the possibility of a US ban. Today, the popular social media app, used by 170 million Americans, will have just 15 minutes to persuade a federal appeals court to reject a law that could remove the app from personal devices across the United States. The law, signed by President Joe Biden, could take effect as soon as January and requires TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app to a non-Chinese company. The Law Behind the Ban The US law that threatens TikTok’s future was fast-tracked through Congress earlier this year.…

In an ongoing conflict in Yemen, the Houthi rebel group has reported downing another U.S.-made MQ-9 Reaper drone, making it the third such incident within a week. The rebels released video footage purportedly showing a missile striking the unmanned drone, with its remains scattered in Yemen’s Dhamar province, an area frequently hit by clashes. The U.S. military acknowledged the report but has yet to confirm the downing. While previous Houthi claims have sometimes been exaggerated, the accompanying video gives credence to this particular incident. In the video, armed fighters gather around the drone wreckage, with one individual attempting to handle…

Sony has officially announced the launch of its upgraded PlayStation 5 Pro, the most powerful version of the popular gaming console to date. Set to hit the shelves on November 7, the PS5 Pro will come with a price tag of $700, marking a 40% increase over the original PlayStation 5’s launch price in 2020. Pre-orders for the new console are scheduled to begin on September 26. The PS5 Pro offers significant improvements over its predecessor, including enhanced computing power and faster game rendering. The new console is expected to deliver up to 45% faster game rendering, which will provide…

In a major step towards sustainable shipping, the world’s largest wind-powered cargo ship, “Anemos”, has completed its maiden voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. The 81-meter (265 feet) long and 13-meter (42 feet) high vessel embarked on this historic journey on August 16, setting sail from Le Havre, France, with its final destination in New York. The ship’s cargo included nearly 1,000 pallets of high-end goods, such as wine, cognac, jam, and luxury swimwear. Among the cargo were products from Pernod Ricard, the French liquor giant known for brands like Absolut Vodka, Jameson Irish Whiskey, and Beefeater Gin. This voyage marks…

A rare bipartisan consensus among 42 state attorneys general has led to a unified demand for Congress to require Surgeon General warning labels on social media apps. This initiative aims to combat the growing addiction and mental health crisis among young adults linked to excessive social media use. The move marks a significant step toward increasing public awareness of the potential dangers these platforms pose to young users. The attorneys general have expressed serious concerns about the harmful effects of algorithm-driven social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat. They argue that these apps threaten the safety and…

Rachael Gunn, known in the breakdancing world as Raygun, retains her position as the number one female breakdancer globally, despite a highly controversial performance at the Paris Olympics. Representing Team Australia, Gunn’s zero-score result in all three competition rounds left fans and fellow competitors divided, sparking intense online debate about her ranking and qualifications. However, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF), the governing body responsible for breakdancing rankings, stands by its methodology, explaining why Gunn remains at the top of the global table. Ranking System Controversy In the wake of the Olympic Games, the WDSF faced mounting criticism over the transparency…

The European Union has once again taken a firm stance against Big Tech, as Europe’s top court delivered critical rulings against both Apple and Google. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) upheld substantial penalties against the tech giants, reinforcing the EU’s commitment to regulating dominant global corporations. Apple, the world’s most valuable company, now faces a €13 billion ($14.4 billion) tax bill owed to Ireland. This ruling stems from a 2016 decision by the European Commission, which found that Apple had benefited from illegal state aid. In a separate case, Google was ordered to pay a €2.4 billion ($2.6 billion)…

Tonight, at 9 p.m. Eastern in Philadelphia, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are set to engage in a long-awaited debate that promises to be one of the defining moments of the 2024 U.S. presidential race. As voters watch the candidates go head-to-head for the first time, the debate offers a unique opportunity to compare their contrasting visions for America’s future. The high-stakes debate follows a turbulent summer in U.S. politics, marked by major shifts that have reshaped both campaigns. After a disappointing performance in the June debate, President Joe Biden withdrew from the race, paving the…

Apple is set to introduce its latest iPhone model today, unveiling the highly anticipated iPhone 16 during the company’s annual hardware event. With few significant changes to its exterior, Apple is betting on powerful internal upgrades to capture the attention of consumers. Central to the announcement is the integration of generative artificial intelligence (AI), a first for iPhones, which is expected to enhance the user experience in a number of ways. The event, teased with the mysterious tagline “it’s glow time,” has kept many guessing about what Apple has in store, but all eyes are on the iPhone 16 and…