More from Evan Hummel
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NYC sues social media owners, alleges Big Tech made platforms addictive
In January, New York City became the first major U.S. city to declare social media an “environmental toxin.” On Wednesday, Feb. 14, Mayor Eric Adams announced that New York City has filed a lawsuit against five social media companies, alleging Facebook, Instagram, Google, YouTube and Snapchat knowingly made their platforms addictive for teens. The lawsuit… -
Ukraine says it sank another warship, disabled 1/3 of Russian Black Sea fleet
Ukraine’s military claims its attack drones sank a Russian warship in the Black Sea. The announcement on Wednesday, Feb. 14, came following the release of a video allegedly showing three Magura V5 drones attacking the Caesar Kunikov — an amphibious Russian ship — resulting in an explosion and plume of smoke coming from the vessel.… -
Robotaxi vandalism raises questions about autonomous vehicle safety
A video posted to social media showing a Waymo self-driving taxi being vandalized and engulfed in flames in San Francisco is sparking debate over autonomous vehicles. The incident happened on Saturday, Feb. 10, in the Chinatown area of the city. The San Francisco Fire Department did not report any injuries from the vandalism. However, the… -
Images show Venezuela military buildup along border with oil-rich Guyana
Tensions are escalating between Venezuela and Guyana over claims to the oil-rich region of Essequibo, with both nations accusing each other of violating a recent peace agreement signed in December. Satellite imagery confirms that Venezuela is strengthening its military operations along the disputed border, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Essequibo… -
US warns against travel to Jamaica and Bahamas amid violent crimes
In response to a reported wave of violent crime, the U.S. State Department issued travel advisories for Jamaica and the Bahamas in late January. Jamaica’s travel advisory is more stringent than the Bahamas’, stating that tourists should “reconsider travel,” while the Bahamas’ advisory suggests that tourists should “exercise increased caution.” The State Department noted that… -
NY officials propose restricting social media algorithms for kids
Gov. Kathy Hochul, D-N.Y., is throwing her support behind legislation that limits the power of social media algorithms for its youngest users. The proposed legislation would also require age verification for anyone under 18. On Oct. 11, 2023, Hochul announced the state would pursue legislation that would limit the power of Big Tech algorithms and… -
Scientists hopeful AI may lead to decoding the language of nature
Chirps, howls, clicks, whistles and the pulsed calls of whales — even the screech of a bat may sound like nothing more than noise to many people. However, for scientists studying the communication of different species, those noises are a complex language, more diverse than previously thought. Now, by harnessing the power of artificial intelligence… -
Black family held at gunpoint by officers receives $1.9 million from Aurora, Colo.
The city of Aurora, Colorado, has awarded a Black family held at gunpoint by Aurora police officers $1.9 million. The money is part of a settlement between the the city and Brittney Gilliam. Gilliam’s lawyer, David Lane, said the settlement was agreed upon because a trial would make Gilliam and the four girls relive the… -
As nearly 2,000 universities scrap ACT and SAT, Dartmouth reverses course
Nearly 2,000 U.S. colleges and universities have made the SAT and ACT optional for admission. However, Dartmouth University recently announced that it is reinstating the requirement of submitting ACT and SAT scores for admission. The renewed requirement will begin for the class of 2029. Dartmouth’s decision to reinstate standardized testing requirements is going against the… -
President Biden, world leaders react to King Charles III cancer diagnosis
Royal U.K. officials announced that King Charles III is being treated for cancer. The diagnosis, disclosed Monday, Feb. 5, comes just over a year into his reign after the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. President Joe Biden and other world leaders reacted to the announcement of King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis. According to… -
How Taylor Swift ‘shakes off’ her tour to make it to Super Bowl LVIII
Taylor Swift may not be Juliet, and Travis Kelce may not be Romeo, but a love story is unfolding nonetheless. The first hurdle in their romance may be Swift’s unconfirmed journey to Super Bowl LVII between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas, Nevada. The award-winning artist has yet to announce… -
Gas truck explosion sparks inferno, kills several, injures hundreds in Kenya
An explosion from a truck loaded with liquified petroleum gas caused an inferno, killing at least three people and injuring nearly 300 individuals in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Feb. 1, according to authorities and first responders. The Kenya Red Cross confirmed that 24 of the individuals injured were in critical condition. The Associated Press reported that… -
‘Dior bag scandal’: Video of alleged graft threatens S. Korea president’s reelection
A hidden camera allegedly captured South Korean first lady Kim Keon-hee accepting a lavish bag as a gift from Korean American Pastor Choi Jae-young. The incident, dubbed the “Dior Bag Scandal,” has become a flashpoint in South Korea’s political culture as President Yoon Suk Yeol’s conservative People’s Power Party (PPP) seeks to recapture the majority…