1 year ago
As we previewed overnight, Elon Musk’s X has been ordered ‘immediately suspended’ by Brazilian Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes, citing the company’s refusal to comply with a legal order to censor the judge’s political opponents, Bloomberg reports. Officially, the ruling was due to Musk’s refusal to name a legal representative for the social network (after the judge froze his last attorney’s bank accounts). On Thursday, X’s global government affairs account said that it would “not comply in secret with illegal orders,” and said that it would publish Moraes’ demands and related court documents for transparency. When we attempted to defend ourselves in court, Judge de Moraes threatened our Brazilian legal representative with imprisonment. Even after she resigned, he froze all of her bank accounts. Our challenges against his manifestly illegal actions were either dismissed or ignored. Judge de Moraes’ colleagues on the Supreme Court are either unwilling or unable to stand up to him. We are absolutely not insisting that other countries have the same free speech laws as the United States. The fundamental issue at stake here is that Judge de Moraes demands we break Brazil’s own laws. We simply won’t do that. In the days to come, we will publish all of Judge de Moraes’ […]
1 year ago
SpaceX’s Starlink “Direct to cell” service, in partnership with mobile carrier T-Mobile, will be offered free worldwide for connecting to emergency services. “After thinking it through, SpaceX Starlink will provide emergency services access for mobile phones for people in distress for free,” SpaceX CEO Elon Musk wrote on X, adding, “This applies worldwide, subject to approval by country governments. Can’t have a situation where someone dies because they forgot or were unable to pay for it.” Musk’s comments come as SpaceX has asked the Federal Communications Commission to let it begin commercial operations of its “direct to cell” technology, as AT&T and Verizon have demanded the FCC terminate the request on the premise Starlink satellites will generate an abundance of radio interference. Here’s how the direct to cell works: Already tested. “Specifically, AT&T’s technical analysis shows that SpaceX’s proposal would cause an 18% average reduction in network downlink throughput in an operational and representative AT&T PCS C Block market deployment,” the legacy mobile carriers told the FCC in a report earlier this month. SpaceX sent a letter to the FCC refuting AT&T and Verizon’s claims, adding the carriers are attempting to derail consumer access to Starlink’s direct-to-cell technology. Click here to read more.
1 year ago
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, in collaboration with the National e-Learning Center, has launched a specialized training program aimed at introducing artificial intelligence (AI) to students, technology professionals, and anyone else who are interested in learning it. The program seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental concepts of AI. It covers a wide range of topics, including the history of AI, its types and basic principles, and its applications in healthcare, education, finance, and technology. The primary goal is to promote awareness and continuous learning about AI, enabling participants of all ages and levels of experience to gain a profound understanding of this subject. Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive a certificate. Those interested in the program can register at https://mcit.futurex.sa.
1 year ago
As Mohamed Elmasry, emeritus professor of computer engineering at the University of Waterloo, watched his 11 and 10-year-old grandchildren tapping away on their smartphones, he posed a simple question: “What’s one-third of nine?” Instead of taking a moment to think, they immediately opened their calculator apps, he writes in his book “iMind Artificial and Real Intelligence.” Later, fresh from a family vacation in Cuba, he asked them to name the island’s capital. Once again, their fingers flew to their devices, “Googling” the answer rather than recalling their recent experience. With 60 percent of the global population—and 97 percent of those under 30—using smartphones, technology has inadvertently become an extension of our thinking process. However, everything comes at a cost. Cognitive outsourcing, which involves relying on external systems to collect or process information, may increase one’s risk of cognitive decline. Habitual GPS (global positioning system) use, for example, has been linked to a significant decrease in spatial memory, reducing one’s ability to navigate independently. As AI applications such as ChatGPT become a household norm—with 55 percent of Americans reporting regular AI use—recent studies found it is resulting in impaired critical thinking skills, dependency, loss of decision-making, and laziness. Experts emphasize cultivating and prioritizing innate human skills that technology cannot replicate. […]
1 year ago
Russia is demanding answers following the arrest Pavel Durov, the billionaire co-founder and CEO of messaging app Telegram. He was detained by French authorities at the Bourget airport outside of Paris Saturday evening after arriving in his private jet. The Russian embassy in Paris has demanded that the French government explain itself, and has so far said that French authorities are being uncooperative. The latest reports say Durov is expected to appear before a judge Sunday evening. The embassy said of the 39-year-old Russian-born billionaire that “as soon as the news of Durov’s arrest broke, we immediately addressed the French authorities for clarification on the reasons for it and demanded that they ensure the protection of his rights and provide consular access to him.” He not only has Russian citizenship by virtue of his birth there, but also holds dual citizenship in France and the UAE. Russian diplomats say there has been no reply from Paris: “The French side has so far been avoiding cooperation on this issue,” a statement said. Russian lawmakers have gone so far as to say he is now a “political prisoner”. Russian member of parliament Maria Butina said on Sunday, “Pavel Durov is a political prisoner – a victim of a witch-hunt by the West. “The arrest of Pavel […]
1 year ago
Every new woke product seems to bomb harder than the last these days and that’s a good sign for the future. Video game players, a market which now dwarfs movies and TV streaming, are rejecting woke material en masse. Case in point: Dustborn. The aggressively advertised game features a cast of queer activist “punk rock” characters that set out on a road trip across an America controlled by “conservative oppressors” that are really uncool. Set in North America in 2030, The American Republic is under the iron fist of “Justice” and The Puritans, a fascist police force presided over by President Samuel Ward. California has gained independence and is now Pacifica, a corporatocracy ruled by the wealthy few. Texas has seceded, rebranding itself as the libertarian Columbia. Hilariously, players fight the fascist government by using the “power of words” to gain allies and divide their enemies. Characters can also build up their “trigger meter” to really punch the patriarchy. Impossible to parody pic.twitter.com/IBQtfomNdM — LA\/ENDER (@LavenderGhast) August 22, 2024 As the developer, Red Thread Games, notes: “Dustborn’s story is a story about being different, about being an outcast and outsider, about having to hide who and what you are from […]
1 year ago
Bahrain.bh and its Unified Application App, which serve as a one-stop gateway for accessing government services and information, are poised for a significant redesign. According to the Information & eGovernment Authority, the revamp aims to make the portal experience smoother and more engaging for residents while providing easier access to government services and information. Launched in 2008, Bahrain. bh has played a crucial role in advancing digital governance in the country. The upcoming upgrade will focus on a complete redesign to enhance both platforms’ usability and appeal. A standout feature of the current portal is its e-Services platform, which enables citizens and residents to handle various administrative tasks online, including renewing licenses, paying bills, and applying for permits. The overhaul is expected to increase public engagement by simplifying the way users access and utilize government services, fostering a more connected and informed community. The initiative will involve creating a new roadmap and detailed guidelines for user interface (UI) design, ensuring that both the National Portal and the Unified Mobile Application are intuitive and visually appealing. A key component of the redesign will be developing a fresh set of branding guidelines. These will encompass icons, images, illustrations, fonts, and a cohesive […]
1 year ago
Bahrain has emerged as a leading force in the Arab world for digital business readiness, according to two key global economic reports. These reports illustrate Bahrain’s growing role in the region, particularly regarding its digital infrastructure and the ease of conducting online business. Bahrain’s global ranking of 16th in digital readiness among emerging markets reflects its expanding influence in the digital economy. In the Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index, which looks at countries based on their logistics infrastructure and digital economy growth, Bahrain holds the 16th spot worldwide. This puts it just behind Oman, which is 13th, and ahead of Kuwait, which is 17th. The UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia also made strong global rankings, with the UAE in first place, Qatar in fourth, and Saudi Arabia in sixth, showcasing the Gulf region’s strong digital transformation. Bahrain’s achievements were further recognised in a CEOWORLD magazine report, ranking Bahrain fourth among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in the 2024 Ease of Digital Business Index. The UAE topped the Gulf region, followed by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and then Bahrain. This reflects Bahrain’s competitive digital landscape, which continues to draw investment and support a growing tech sector. The CEOWORLD report, part of the […]
1 year ago
Apple’s iPhone 16 lineup could be right around the corner. Keeping this in mind before upgrading your iPhone could help you save some cash — or prevent you from experiencing a serious case of buyer’s remorse. Generally speaking, buying a new iPhone right before the next model launches isn’t a wise move. Even if you don’t care about having the latest and greatest technology, there are good reasons to wait. Holding off means you’ll have a better sense of whether it’s worth upgrading to the newest model, or if you’re better off snagging the previous-generation iPhone for a little less money. Apple never discusses new products before it’s ready to announce them, so it’s impossible to know the company’s future plans for the iPhone. But historically, Apple has introduced new iPhones in mid-September, with availability beginning the week following the company’s launch event. Here’s a closer look at Apple’s typical product release timeline, what to expect from the iPhone 16 and more. The best time to buy a new iPhone There really isn’t a “best” time to buy a new iPhone. Apple doesn’t change its pricing structure very often, and carriers and retailers usually offer similar trade-in discounts throughout the year. However, the fall […]
1 year ago
In a significant update to the United Arab Emirates’ judiciary approach to crypto, the Dubai Court of First Instance recognizes salary payments in crypto as valid under employment contracts. Irina Heaver, a partner at UAE law firm NeosLegal, explained that the ruling in case number 1739 of 2024 shows a shift from the court’s earlier stance in 2023, where a similar claim was denied because the crypto involved lacked precise valuation. Heaver believes this shows a “progressive approach” to integrating digital currencies into the country’s legal and economic framework. Heaver said that the case involved an employee who filed a lawsuit claiming that the employer had not paid their wages, wrongful termination compensation and other benefits. The worker’s employment contract stipulated a monthly salary in fiat and 5,250 in EcoWatt tokens. The dispute stems from the employer’s inability to pay the tokens portion of the employee’s salary in six months. In 2023, the court acknowledged the inclusion of the EcoWatts tokens in the contract. Still, it did not enforce the payment in crypto, as the employee failed to provide a clear method for valuing the currency in fiat terms. “This decision reflected a traditional viewpoint, emphasizing the need for concrete […]
11 hours ago
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