Welcomes new challenges

Audio player loading… The executives in charge of three challenger search engines – DuckDuckGo, Ecosia and Qwant - have penned an open letter (opens in new tab) expressing concerns that Big Tech firms will find ways to bypass new rules designed to loosen their stranglehold on key markets. The letter does not refer to any specific companies by name, but is clearly targeted at the likes of Google, Microsoft and Apple, all of which enjoy dominant market positions in fields such as search, browsers and operating systems. “The EU has taken an important first step by adopting the Digital Markets Act (DMA),” wrote the trio. “However, the effectiveness of the EU’s mandates and related regulatory efforts across the globe will depend on how gatekeepers implement changes to comply with these new rules.” “Without strict adherence to both clear rules and principles for fair choice screens and effective switching mechanisms, gatekeeping firms could choose to circumvent … [Read more...] about DuckDuckGo, others warn Big Tech will attempt to weasel out of new fair play rules

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last week, ending the constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy, social media platforms have buzzed with anger, dismay, and offers of assistance, particularly from people in states with stronger abortion protections. But a particular type of offer has captured media attention. In viral tweets, TikToks, and screenshotted and reshared Instagram posts, people are opening their homes up to abortion patients who must travel for care. “If you choose to have an abortion, and need a place to stay, there is always a bed for you at my apartment in Portland. Free. No questions asked,” reads one tweet, liked more than 150,000 times and retweeted by more than 20,000 people. Providing lodging or transportation to appointments has long been part of practical abortion support, and organizations have honed their methods through decades of experience. With the fall of Roe , there’s heightened urgency from people who perhaps weren’t doing … [Read more...] about On a post-Roe v. Wade internet, unvetted abortion support is going viral

Call of Duty Warzone got its last big crossover in the form of the Godzilla vs Kong event. Now the game, alongwith Vanguard, will welcome The Terminator with its Season 4 that has kicked off with plenty of new gameplay content. There are new operators, new maps, Zombies has made a comeback to Shi No Numa and then there are the Terminator character bundles for players, set to arrive in mid-season. You could go for the T-800 one or the T-1000 one. The two sets are separate and will be time-limited. Hence, there is the T-800 Limited Time Bundle and the T-1000 Limited Time Bundle. But there is more coming, promises Activision and it just might be a Terminator-themed event, a limited time game mode or something else. “Skynet doesn’t want us to do too much thinking about these bundles – “chill out” and hold for more intel sometime later this season.”, said the developers in a blogpost. Call of Duty Vanguard and Warzone’s Season 4 is called Mercenaries … [Read more...] about cod: The Terminator is coming to Call of Duty Vanguard and Warzone

Chinese dictator Xi Jinping delivered a keynote address to the BRICS Business Forum on Wednesday that urged foreign investors to “do business in China” despite growing concerns about its costly coronavirus lockdowns, unsteady economy, unfair trade practices, human rights abuses, refusal to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and territorial aggression. BRICS is a coalition of emerging economies that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. (Describing China as an “emerging economy” is increasingly laughable given its hyperactive industrial development and titanic carbon footprint, but Xi’s government insists on milking its “emergent” designation for all that it’s worth). Xi sees BRICS as a vehicle for building the ruthlessly amoral post-American, China-dominated world order of his dreams — an order in which imperial powers like China and Russia can seize territory like Taiwan and Ukraine by force and regimes can abuse their people to retain power … [Read more...] about Xi Jinping Tries to Calm Skittish Investors with Rallying Cry to ‘Do Business in China’

Audio player loading… Key information - Stranger Things season 4 volume 2 arrives July 1 Update: Stranger Things season 4 volume 2 is out now! Go go go! Major spoilers follow for Stranger Things season 4 volume 1. Get ready, Netflix fans: Stranger Things season 4 volume 2 arrives tomorrow (July 1)! After a few weeks of waiting (how long has the wait felt, by the way?), part 2 of the hit Netflix show 's fourth season is merely hours away from dropping on the streamer. We don't know about you, but we're equal parts excited and apprehensive for what's in store. Why apprehensive? Because, if you believe the cast and crew (not to mention what's hinted at in the official volume 2 trailer), we could be about to say goodbye to a key character or two. And not just those who only showed up in Stranger Things season 4, but anyone who's been part of the furniture since the series' first season. We hope you've got enough tissues for that inevitably tearjerking … [Read more...] about Stranger Things season 4 volume 2: release date, trailer, cast, plot, and more