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How to make employ of leftover meals to wrestle meals insecurity

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How to make employ of leftover meals to wrestle meals insecurity

Gloved volunteers take care of bins of original maintain.

Food raze and agricultural surpluses own environmental and social impacts, past meals ethical stepping into the rubbish.
Credit: Getty Photographs

We have all chanced on ourselves clutching that lonely can of forgotten pantry beans, the final of an impulse bulk receive at a warehouse membership or a vital sale on the grocery retailer. It is possible you’ll possibly most definitely additionally throw them in the trash or (hopefully) send them to your native meals bank, alongside pasta, boxed mac and cheese, and other dry items. And that’s the reason potentially where our figuring out of meals raze begins and ends.

Nonetheless the nationwide squawk of excess meals raze, and the next traipse to decrease and reallocate our nation’s excess, is vital more complex. Food rescue, or reallocation, is the umbrella term for a broad vary of initiatives that search to place meals destined for landfills and redistribute it to those in want, with the hope of lowering environmental anxiety and curbing meals insecurity. The traipse goes past ethical efforts to donate meals to those in want: It addresses overconsumption, encouraging people to donate what they’ve already grown or purchased, in preference to along side more meals into a system of raze.

And the traipse operates throughout industries, on multiple levels, addressing both higher-scale agricultural raze and smaller-scale family raze. Authorities functions serve farms and agencies to donate meals surpluses through government incentives. Food banks redistribute would-be raze to communities in want, and original tech ventures, love on-ask meals donation apps, join people to meals on an particular particular person foundation.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that the United States wastes 133 billion kilos of meals a yr as a result of components love components throughout transportation, over-ordering by retail agencies, and family raze. Food raze (or “surplus”) makes up about 24 percent of what goes into American landfills, with client-going through agencies establishing 23 million a total bunch raze and households establishing 30 million a total bunch raze each yr, in preserving with ReFED, a nonprofit that collects files on meals raze throughout the United States.

Globally, 14 percent of meals produced is lost between harvest and retail, whereas an estimated 17 percent of complete global meals manufacturing is wasted, the United Worldwide locations reports. That huge amount of meals raze is said to as much as 10 percent of greenhouse emissions, in preserving with but another 2021 chronicle from the United Worldwide locations. “Reducing meals raze would lower greenhouse gasoline emissions, unhurried the destruction of nature through land conversion and pollution, make stronger the availability of meals and thus decrease starvation and put money at a time of worldwide recession,” Inger Andersen, govt director of the UN Atmosphere Programme (UNEP), acknowledged in a converse on the time.

The USDA reports around 34 million American citizens are meals afraid. In 2021, nationwide starvation nonprofit Feeding The US estimated that more than 42 million people faced meals insecurity in the United States. And with the expiration of pandemic security procure functions love emergency Supplemental Diet Assistance Program (SNAP) advantages impacting hundreds of thousands of American citizens, that’s a form of hungry households that may possibly be fed with the billions of kilos of meals going to landfills.

Dr. Roni Neff, director of the Food Machine Sustainability and Public Properly being Program at Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future and accomplice professor on the Bloomberg College of Public Properly being, says the frenzy to rescue meals has grown over the final decade because the nation’s community of meals pantries and meals banks expanded, made decided throughout the pandemic. “There’s huge inequities in want, and that’s the reason been shown throughout COVID-19 fairly clearly,” Neff acknowledged. “I deem that the ‘abundant bang for the buck’ is in higher scale processes, but there are truly most important systems that people can attain into it.”

While meals raze and meals insecurity are no longer going to be eradicated purely by particular particular person actions, Neff says, your choices can restful befriend.

Right here is how it is possible you’ll possibly most definitely rob fragment in meals rescue on nearly each level, from donations to day-to-day choices to decrease your raze:

1. Provide your uneaten meals before it goes to raze

Venerable meals banks are the most same outdated, and veritably accessible, manner to donate your unused meals to those in want. Justin Block is the worn managing director of Digital Platform Technology at starvation nonprofit Feeding The US, a nationwide organization working to total starvation through a system of nationwide meals pantries and diet functions. It coordinates multi-level donations of would-be meals raze from people, cramped agencies, and higher corporate donors through a program known as Meal Join.

Meal Join supports meals rescue on many levels. First, there’s mealconnect.org, a web based platform for donors to submit extra, on hand meals to be claimed by meals pantries throughout the nation, Block explains. Meal Join connects donors immediately to people or transportation agencies that can bag and lift meals to the closest participating meals bank or meals pantry. It additionally distributes higher amounts of meals from restaurants, cramped agencies, and people to meals vendors, soup kitchens, and meals pantries, the employ of volunteers educated to take care of and transport meals.

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To donate meals right faraway from your individual kitchen, gain your closest Feeding The US meals pantry. The organization has a searchable database of native participating meals banks for your condominium. For meals pantries outside the Feeding The US community, are trying foodfinder.us — an interactive virtual design of meals pantries throughout the nation.

Minute industry householders who would prefer to donate unused, excess meals can register for the Meal Join program.

Also are trying other nonprofits attempting to decrease meals raze through group of workers-generated initiatives and inventive tech:

  • Transfer For Starvation teams up with agencies, licensed shifting firms, and volunteers to roam undesirable meals to native meals banks, allowing agencies and people to curb their very own raze and present meals to people in want. Founded in Contemporary Jersey, the organizations now operates in all 50 states and Canada. When you happen to are shifting and want to ranking rid of pantry items, gain a registered meals mover on Transfer for Starvation’s web location who will lift your nonperishable meals to your native meals bank.

  • Rescuing Leftover Cuisine is a nonprofit wrathful about saving meals surplus from meals vendors and locations love offices, eating halls, and restaurants. Thru a digital community of volunteers, the organization coordinates meals pickups and distribution throughout 9 branches: Atlanta, GA, Chicago, IL, Columbus, OH, Dallas, TX, Los Angeles, CA, Massachusetts, Contemporary Jersey, Contemporary York Metropolis, and Rhode Island. It is possible you’ll possibly most definitely additionally take a look at in to donate your organization’s excess meals online.

  • Food Rescue US‘ community of meals donors, movers, group of workers organizations, and meals banks distribute meals right faraway from donors to people in want in 24 states and the District of Columbia. It is possible you’ll possibly most definitely additionally register online to be a pickup and transport volunteer, start a Food Rescue US position for your condominium, or contact a local chapter’s director to vary into a donor.

  • Food Rescue Hero is a meals rescue app, on hand on the Apple Retailer and Google Play, providing a platform for retail-basically basically based mostly meals rescue networks of meals rescue and starvation reduction nonprofits. The app serves 15 meals rescue partners covering over 25 communities.

  • Ruin No Food is a nonprofit online “marketplace” for agencies, farms, and nonprofits to join in repeat to decrease and redistribute uneaten meals. It is possible you’ll possibly most definitely additionally register as a donor yourself (basically for industry, farm, or grocery retailer householders), or take a look at in as a volunteer. Charities or nonprofit organizations are impressed to register with Ruin No Food to claim excess meals throughout the organization’s online system.

  • Tall Harvest is a nonprofit that encourages people to decrease their meals raze by donating excess maintain from dwelling and higher-scale gardening initiatives. Those eager on both rising or donating already-grown meals can take a look at in online. It is possible you’ll possibly most definitely additionally additionally search a meals pantry close to you.

Or it is possible you’ll possibly most definitely roam vital more hyperlocal by donating your meals immediately to your neighbors. Shall we deliver, group of workers fridge functions — mutual lend a hand initiatives where volunteers defend publicly-accessible fridges launch 24/7 — settle for a broad vary of meals, both cooked and nonperishable. It is possible you’ll possibly most definitely additionally gain a design of fridges close to you on Freedge.com, an global nonprofit supporting group of workers fridges throughout the sphere.

Every organization has its own systems for meals security and donations. Nonetheless, broadly, Neff says that persons are immediate to throw out meals long before or no longer it is in fact depraved, and that’s the reason along side to our raze squawk. “Or no longer you’ll doubtless be able to must acknowledge that nearly all date labels are no longer about meals security. They’re the producer’s easiest estimate of when quality could additionally decline, but it no doubt veritably is declining at an imperceptible amount,” Neff explains. The USDA’s files to meals security labels explains that “easiest if worn by” or “employ by” dates — which in overall are no longer required by federal guidelines — are easiest indicators of a product’s quality, no longer meals security. Other than for decide products love dinky one system, “if the date passes throughout dwelling storage, a product must restful be safe and wholesome if handled effectively,” the USDA explains.

Additionally, many meals agencies are now abiding by voluntary alternate systems, Neff says. In these systems, “easiest if worn by” is worn to stamp the typical date for the immense majority of meals (love the USDA explains). Where these systems diverge are with “employ by” labels, which many grocers and meals retailers are now the employ of to stamp a smaller portion of products where security will doubtless be a squawk if consumed after the date.

When you happen to are uncertain, consult with meals rescue organizations for converse steering on their donation protocols. Tall Harvest recommends the employ of its ProducePedia to search out nutritional and storage facts about diversified meals items before donating.

2. Give your money and time to nonprofits and rescue initiatives

No meals to present? No worries. Neff says money and time create the largest affect in lowering raze, serving to organizations with their efforts in meals rescue, environmental activism, and starvation reduction to create huge-reaching, long-term alternate.

While donating money over meals could additionally seem a dinky bit disconnected, or could additionally no longer “in actual fact feel as upright as giving some concrete product,” Neff says, “the money can veritably roam a for a long way longer manner.” Hoping on the organization, monetary donations can additionally befriend toughen meals rescue networks, funding more transportation, storage facilities, or other working costs wanted to delay throughout the nation. Donations additionally enhance political outreach for environmentally pleasant policies, and can fund initiatives that offer tutorial sources to communities addressing meals raze and insecurity, she says. Volunteering equally helps organizations delay their skill to receive and distribute mass amounts of meals raze, explains Neff.

  • Remember volunteering with Feeding The US to befriend Meal Join’s work with participating, nearby meals banks. Volunteers befriend kind and pack meals, workers meals pantries, and lift meals immediately to properties.

  • Monetary donations to Tall Harvest will doubtless be made as single “exhaust once” contributions of a can or box meals or as same outdated contributions to AmpleHarvest.org “to create a sustainable and recurring different for native growers to fragment their harvest with neighborhood meals pantries.” It is possible you’ll possibly most definitely additionally additionally sponsor a single meals pantry for your condominium.

  • Transfer for Starvation operates off of donations to fund its transportation products and services, meals drives, and more. Most contemporary donations roam toward the organization’s efforts to take care of meals insecurity attributable to rising costs and cuts to SNAP advantages. In accordance to the organization, a $25 donation affords sufficient sources to lift 63 meals. It is possible you’ll possibly most definitely additionally additionally volunteer with the organization as a mover, be part of a marathon fundraiser, or register your group of workers in the Transfer for Starvation community to facilitate neighborhood donations.

  • Rescuing Leftover Cuisine wants volunteers to roam donations. The organization additionally accepts monetary donations that roam in direction of the transportation and present of excess meals. It is possible you’ll possibly most definitely additionally donate immediately to a rescue division for your condominium.

  • Food Rescue US uses a sturdy volunteer community to befriend with meals rescue throughout participating states, workers group of workers kitchens reusing meals surplus, and lift meals immediately to those in want. The organization additionally accepts monetary donations that roam in direction of working costs as effectively as meals transportation. It is possible you’ll possibly most definitely additionally additionally donate immediately to one in every of its native chapters from the identical page.

  • It is possible you’ll possibly most definitely additionally donate to the founding organization in the lend a hand of the Food Rescue Hero app, 412 Food Rescue, which additionally delivers would-be meals raze to a community of nonprofits combating meals insecurity. Donations fund the organization’s transportation and present costs, as effectively as its accomplice functions, along side a monthly grocery subscription that distributes “grotesque” maintain and a program that turns salvaged meals surplus into original meals.

  • To befriend Ruin No Food’s mission, take a look at in as a transportation or outreach volunteer, fragment of the organization’s efforts to signal up more meals surplus donors. Volunteers can befriend roam meals to nonprofits or attain out immediately to meals agencies and farms to signal up them in native meals rescue efforts. It is possible you’ll possibly most definitely additionally additionally donate money immediately, which goes in direction of transportation and present costs for volunteer deliveries. Join with the organization to search out up-to-date records on volunteering and donating.

For more organizations to enhance, ReFED’s Resolution Provider Directory lists more than 1,500 organizations working to prevent, rescue, and recycle meals surpluses.

3. Give a grab to environment and people-focused policies

These particular particular person actions are ethical a cramped fragment of the resolution to a nationwide squawk. As Neff explains, meals rescue initiatives are most important but act easiest as non permanent and restricted solutions. “Or no longer it is something we fully must finish, but infrequently we more or less over-romanticize what it can finish,” she says. “If we in fact want to take care of starvation, or no longer it is no longer the least bit times about amassing chunks of meals and giving it to people, or no longer it is about addressing the muse causes of starvation.”

So, alongside these non permanent actions, raze-acutely aware customers can suggest for federal policies that be privy to things love employment, residing wages, universal long-established earnings, and support functions love SNAP, Neff says. The mass amount of meals raze going to landfills each yr proves that meals insecurity is no longer the made of meals scarcity, she adds. Phase of the squawk is merely an absence of cash to aquire diversified, nutritious meals before it goes to raze. Supporting federal functions love SNAP and the Particular Supplemental Diet Program for Girls folks, Infants, and Younger people (WIC) helps present low-earnings households with this procuring vitality, Neff says.

Folks can additionally serve their representatives to construct guidelines focusing on meals raze immediately. Policies love Vermont’s Standard Recycling Legislation restrict meals raze from residential and commercial trash, encouraging meals to be donated or composted in environmentally-pleasant systems. Or put a ask to your legislative representatives to enhance original federal-level meals rescue initiatives. In 2019, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) ran the Food Restoration Challenge, a mission to incentivize partners to lower the nation’s meals raze in half of by 2030. The squawk gathered 600 participants and endorsers to divert over 1.2 million a total bunch wasted meals from coming into landfills or incinerators.

In ReFED’s 2021 Roadmap to 2030 chronicle — outlining the major causes of meals raze and seven solutions to curb raze over the next 10 years — the organization bolstered the want to incentivize meals rescue initiatives with tax credits for rescue functions. Angel Veza, ReFED’s capital, innovation, and engagement senior manager, says these tax credits would befriend both meals agencies and meals rescue organizations, which she says require this originate of enhance to make self-sustainable industry models past ethical charitable donations. Federal tax incentives offer a stronger platform for agencies to prioritize meals rescue interior their operations, and people must serve their representatives to integrate these advantages into native climate and health coverage when that it is possible you’ll possibly most definitely imagine, in preserving with ReFED. Veza additionally says people must suggest for elevated prison responsibility protections — love the federal Bill Emerson Fair correct Samaritan Food Donation Act that protects meals donors from upright prison responsibility — for meals agencies and organizations that distribute or resell rescued meals.

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And to befriend prevent meals raze before it even occurs, ReFED emphasizes the want for a federally supported meals raze training — whether in the originate of vital-scale tutorial campaigns or integrated into the college system itself. The USDA currently affords records on meals storage and raze on MyPlate.gov.

Folks can start doing this work themselves, instructing their households, friends, and coworkers about the affect of meals raze and how they may be able to enhance meals rescuers. Look at out ReFED’s Insights Engine to learn more about the nation’s meals system, read about solutions, and calculate the environmental and social affect of meals raze yourself.

UPDATE: Aug. 5, 2023, 5:00 a.m. EDT At the origin printed in April 2021, this chronicle has been updated with aloof figures and extra records.

Scurry sits in front of a green framed window, wearing a cheetah print shirt and attempting to her ethical. On the window's glass pane reads

Scurry joined Mashable’s Social Fair correct crew in 2020, covering online reports about digital activism, native climate justice, accessibility, and media illustration. Her work additionally touches on how these conversations manifest in politics, standard tradition, and fandom. In most cases she’s very droll.

Sahil Sachdeva is the CEO of Level Up Holdings, a Personal Branding agency. He creates elite personal brands through social media growth and top tier press features.

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Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Faces Formal Investigation; Bail Set at $5.56 Million

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Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Under Formal Investigation in France; Bail Set at $5.56 Million

 

Telegram founder Pavel Durov is now under formal investigation in France and is barred from leaving the country, as announced by a French prosecutor in a statement released Wednesday night.

 

The Russian-born billionaire faces scrutiny for several alleged offenses linked to criminal activities on the platform. These include complicity in illegal gang transactions, money laundering for organized crime, and failing to provide information to authorities.

 

Durov is subject to judicial supervision, with bail set at $5.56 million (5 million euros). He is also required to check in with the French police station twice a week.

 

Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Released from Custody; Formal Investigation Launched in France

 

Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, was released from police custody in France earlier today and transferred to court for questioning, following his dramatic arrest at a Paris airport earlier this week.

 

The formal investigation announced on Wednesday evening does not imply guilt but suggests that prosecutors believe there is sufficient basis for a thorough examination of the case. Durov has not been formally charged at this stage.

 

The prosecutor’s office also revealed that the French National Office for Minors reported a “near absence of response” from Telegram regarding court requests related to offenses such as trafficking, online hate speech, and crimes involving pedophilia.

 

The investigation includes suspected involvement in ‘complicity in the administration of a platform facilitating illegal transactions within an organized gang,’ a charge that could result in a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

 

Pavel Durov, 39, was detained at Paris’s Bourget Airport on Saturday under a warrant related to Telegram’s moderation practices. He faces investigation for charges involving alleged complicity in crimes facilitated through the platform, including fraud, drug trafficking, and the distribution of child pornography.

 

The scrutiny extends to Telegram’s role in enabling content for terrorist groups and far-right extremists due to its limited content moderation.

 

Durov was held in custody for up to 96 hours, the maximum period allowed under French law before formal charges must be filed.

 

His arrest has sparked a debate on freedom of speech, drawing significant concern in both Ukraine and Russia. The app is highly popular in both countries and serves as a critical communication tool amid the ongoing conflict between Moscow and Kyiv.

 

Russia has condemned Durov’s detention, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticizing France for allegedly violating international norms on free speech. She claimed that the French actions reveal a disregard for these principles.

 

In response to fears about Telegram’s future, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has attempted to reassure Russian users, advising them not to delete sensitive messages from the app amid the ongoing controversy.

 

‘Absolutely No Political Motives’

French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Monday that the decision to charge Pavel Durov was ‘in no way political,’ marking a rare direct intervention by a French leader in a judicial matter.

 

Telegram, founded by Durov and his brother Nikolai in 2013, now boasts over 950 million users, according to a recent update from Durov. The app’s encryption means that law enforcement and Telegram itself have limited visibility into user content.

 

Durov, born in the Soviet Union in 1984, gained prominence as the ‘Mark Zuckerberg of Russia’ and left the country in 2014. He now resides in Dubai, where Telegram is headquartered, and holds French citizenship. His net worth is estimated at $9.15 billion, according to Bloomberg, and he has led a high-profile, globetrotting lifestyle.

 

While Telegram is praised by free speech advocates for enabling secure communication in restrictive regimes, critics argue that it has also become a refuge for illicit activities, including those by the terrorists behind the 2015 Paris attacks.

 

As Durov noted to CNN in 2016, ‘You cannot make it safe against criminals and open for governments. It’s either secure or not secure.’

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Telegram Messaging App CEO Arrested: What You Need to Know

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Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Arrested in France: What You Need to Know

 

The arrest of Pavel Durov, the Russian-born CEO of the popular messaging app Telegram, over the weekend has brought significant attention to both the app and its founder. Durov was detained at Paris’s Bourget Airport on a warrant related to Telegram’s alleged lack of content moderation.

 

French prosecutor Laure Beccuau revealed that the charges against Durov include accusations that Telegram has been used to facilitate fraud, money laundering, drug trafficking, and the distribution of child sexual exploitation material. Durov is also accused of failing to provide requested information or documents for the investigation.

 

Telegram has recently faced criticism for its use by extremist groups and terrorists. The arrest has ignited a debate over internet freedom and responsibility for online content. Russian lawmaker Maria Butina, who was convicted of spying in the US, has labeled Durov as a “political prisoner,” while French President Emmanuel Macron has asserted that the arrest is a judicial matter and not politically motivated.

 

Macron emphasized that the arrest is part of a broader investigation into criminal activities associated with Telegram, which has led to 12 separate charges since July 8. Telegram maintains that it complies with EU laws and that Durov has “nothing to hide.”

 

Here’s what you need to know about Telegram and the issues surrounding its CEO’s arrest.

 

What You Need to Know About Telegram

Telegram, launched in 2013 by Pavel Durov and his brother Nikolai, is an encrypted messaging service with over 950 million users, according to a recent update from Durov. The app has become one of the world’s most popular messaging platforms, serving a wide range of functions from everyday communication and sharing photos and documents to distributing official government messages in various countries.

 

Telegram’s encryption means that neither law enforcement nor Telegram itself can easily monitor user activity on the platform. This level of privacy has made it a valuable communication tool in countries with restricted freedom of speech, including Russia, Iran, and India. It is also widely used in Ukraine for sharing war-related news and air raid warnings.

 

However, these same privacy features have attracted illicit activities, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and extremist content from groups like White supremacists and ISIS. Telegram supports large chat groups, accommodating up to 200,000 users, which facilitates the rapid spread of misinformation. This contrasts with other encrypted services like WhatsApp, which have stricter group size limits.

 

In March, Durov announced that Telegram was approaching profitability following the introduction of advertising and subscription options, and hinted at the possibility of an initial public offering.

 

A Platform That Has Sparked Controversy

 

Aside from its association with criminals and extremists, Telegram has drawn criticism for its involvement in significant conflicts and political events, as well as its steadfast commitment to encryption.

 

In 2018, Moscow sought to ban Telegram after the platform refused to provide decryption keys to Russian security services, which would have enabled state authorities to access private messages. Despite the ban, Durov remained resolute in defying it, and the ban was eventually lifted in 2020.

 

In 2021, Telegram gained popularity among Trump supporters and followers of the QAnon conspiracy theory as mainstream social media platforms, like Facebook, tightened their policies on false claims about the 2020 US presidential election. This shift raised concerns among law enforcement about potential real-world violence stemming from disinformation.

 

Last fall, Telegram took steps to restrict access to several channels linked to or operated by Hamas during the group’s conflict with Israel. Earlier this month, the platform began actively removing content inciting violence after reports that it was being used to organize far-right, anti-immigrant riots in the UK.

 

Telegram spokesperson Remi Vaughn stated that the company’s moderators are actively monitoring the platform, utilizing both AI tools and user reports to enforce its rules against violent content. Telegram has maintained that it is unreasonable to hold the platform or its owner accountable for abuses of the service, emphasizing that calls to violence are explicitly banned by its terms of service.

 

Who Is Pavel Durov?

Pavel Durov, Telegram’s billionaire founder and CEO, was born in the Soviet Union in 1984. He has noted that he demonstrated a strong aptitude for math and coding from a young age.

 

In 2006, at just 21 years old and freshly graduated, Pavel Durov founded Vkontakte (VK), a social media platform that soon earned him the nickname “Mark Zuckerberg of Russia.” However, in 2013, when VK was used by protesters in Kyiv to organize demonstrations against Ukraine’s pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych, Durov faced a request from the Kremlin to hand over private data of Ukrainian users. 

 

Durov refused, leading to his resignation as VK’s CEO, the sale of his shares, and his departure from Russia in 2014. “I don’t want to take orders from anyone,” Durov has said about his decision to leave.

 

He launched Telegram in 2013 and now resides in Dubai, where Telegram is headquartered. Durov also holds French citizenship.

 

In addition to managing Telegram, Durov has gained a following as an online influencer, frequently sharing travel photos and shirtless images on Instagram. He has also claimed to have fathered over 100 children through sperm donations made over the past 15 years.

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Tech Entrepreneur Mike Lynch Among the Deceased in Superyacht Tragedy

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The body of Mike Lynch, the 59-year-old British tech investor, has been recovered from the sunken Bayesian superyacht, according to Massimo Mariani from the Italian Interior Ministry, who spoke with Reuters on Thursday.

 

Lynch, who co-founded the tech company Autonomy—which Hewlett-Packard acquired for $11 billion in 2011—was aboard the luxury yacht that sank off the coast of Sicily early Monday morning after being struck by a tornado.

 

Lynch amassed significant wealth from Autonomy, with his net worth recently estimated at around $450 million. However, the acquisition quickly became troubled, with HP writing down Autonomy’s value by $8.8 billion within a year. The deal, intended to boost HP’s software business, was mired in legal issues, culminating in a high-profile fraud trial.

 

Prosecutors had accused Lynch and former Autonomy finance executive Stephen Chamberlain of inflating Autonomy’s revenue before the sale. Lynch was acquitted of 15 charges, including conspiracy and wire fraud, in a San Francisco court this June. The verdict was a significant relief for Lynch, who described it as a momentous shift from what could have been a devastating outcome, according to the Times.

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Autonomy, founded in 1996, grew to become Britain’s largest software company and a prominent member of the FTSE 100 index. Mike Lynch, the company’s co-founder, was highly regarded by academics and scientists and served as an advisor to the British government on technology and innovation.

 

Lynch was on the Bayesian, a 56-meter yacht connected to his wife, Angela Bacares, who was among the survivors. Ownership records from maritime information service Equasis reveal that the yacht is registered to Revtom Limited, a company owned by Bacares.

 

As of Thursday, Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter, Hannah, remains missing, according to Mariani. Divers continue to search the area where the yacht sank. Earlier in the day, a fifth body was recovered from the wreckage and transported to ambulances at the Sicilian port of Porticello, as reported by a CNN team on-site.

 

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Who is Mike Lynch? The Tech Entrepreneur Among the Missing After Superyacht Sinks

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Mike Lynch, a 59-year-old British tech entrepreneur, is among those missing after a tornado caused the luxury superyacht he was aboard to sink off the coast of Sicily, Italy, early Monday.

Lynch, who co-founded Autonomy, a tech company sold to Hewlett-Packard (HP) for $11 billion in 2011, has a reported net worth of around $450 million. The acquisition, one of the largest British tech deals at the time, soon faced controversy. HP wrote down Autonomy’s value by $8.8 billion within a year, leading to a series of legal challenges.

Lynch and former Autonomy finance executive Stephen Chamberlain were accused of inflating Autonomy’s revenue before the sale. However, Lynch was acquitted of 15 charges, including conspiracy and wire fraud, in a San Francisco court in June. Reflecting on the verdict, Lynch noted, “When you hear that answer, you jump universes. If this had gone the wrong way, it would have been the end of life as I have known it in any sense,” he told The Times, a UK newspaper.

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Autonomy, established in 1996, rose to become Britain’s largest software company and was listed on the prestigious FTSE 100 index. Lynch earned acclaim from academics and scientists and was invited to provide technological and innovation advice to the British government.

The yacht on which Lynch was traveling, the Bayesian, is connected to his wife, Angela Bacares, who was among the survivors. Maritime records from Equasis indicate that the 56-meter yacht is owned by Revtom Limited, a company registered in the Isle of Man and owned by Bacares.

Fifteen people were rescued from the incident, including one child who was airlifted to a children’s hospital in Palermo. Eight individuals were hospitalized, and the Coast Guard reported that one body was discovered on the yacht’s hull.

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China Cracks Down on Antimony Exports: Latest Move in Strategic Mineral Control

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China to Restrict Antimony Exports for National Security: New Limits Affect Key Military and Industrial Uses

 

China will implement new export limits on antimony and related materials starting September 15, according to the Commerce Ministry. This move is part of Beijing’s broader strategy to control critical minerals where it holds a dominant position.

 

Last year, China produced nearly half of the world’s antimony, a vital metal in military technology including ammunition, infrared missiles, nuclear weapons, and night vision gear, as well as in batteries and solar equipment. The ministry stated that these restrictions are aimed at protecting national security and fulfilling international obligations, such as non-proliferation.

 

The restrictions encompass six types of antimony-related products, including ore, metals, and oxides, and also prohibit the export of gold-antimony smelting and separation technology without prior approval.

 

Experts like Christopher Ecclestone from Hallgarten & Company see this move as a strategic play to prioritize domestic needs over international sales, potentially intensifying pressure on US and European militaries.

 

Dual-purpose

 

Exporters of affected products must obtain export licenses for dual-purpose items and technologies—those with both military and civilian applications—according to the new regulations.

 

In response, the US and other nations are accelerating efforts to reduce their dependence on China for essential materials, implementing policies and support measures to bolster their own critical minerals industries, including rare earths.

 

In an April research note, analysts from China Securities predicted that rising demand for arms and ammunition, driven by ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions, would likely lead to stricter controls and increased stockpiling of antimony ore.

 

Perpetua Resources, which is developing a US-based antimony and gold project with backing from the Pentagon and the US Export-Import Bank, had initially planned to start production by 2028, pending final permits. However, China’s recent actions have prompted the company to explore ways to accelerate antimony production.

 

Jon Cherry, CEO of Perpetua, told Reuters, “We are exploring measures to expedite antimony output during construction to address these strategic needs.” He added that the US Department of Defense is acutely aware of antimony’s critical importance and the growing supply constraints.

 

Perpetua’s shares surged as much as 19% on Thursday, reaching their highest level in three years.

 

Expanding restrictions

 

China’s new restrictions build on a series of measures introduced over the past year.

 

In December, China implemented a ban on exporting technology for producing rare earth magnets, adding to existing prohibitions on technology for extracting and separating these critical materials. Additionally, Beijing has tightened controls on graphite products and imposed new restrictions on gallium and germanium exports, which are essential for the semiconductor industry.

 

Antimony prices have reached record highs this year, driven by tight supply and increasing demand, particularly from the photovoltaic sector where the metal enhances solar cell performance.

 

This surge has significantly boosted the stock prices of Chinese producers such as Hunan Gold (002155.SZ), Tibet Huayu Mining (601020.SS), and Guangxi Huaxi Non-Ferrous (600301.SS), which have seen gains of 66% to 93% in 2024.

 

An antimony producer in Hunan province, speaking anonymously due to media restrictions, noted that while they are awaiting the impact of the latest restrictions, they anticipate short-term price support from a rush of stockpiling by international buyers.

 

Despite being the largest supplier of refined antimony, China remains a net importer of antimony concentrates, sourcing ore from countries like Thailand, Myanmar, and Russia. Customs data reveals a significant drop in imports from Russia this year.

 

Jack Bedder, co-founder of consultancy Project Blue, highlighted that the current antimony market is characterized by a lack of concentrate feedstock.

 

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How Elon Musk Transformed X into a Pro-Trump Platform

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Nearly two years after Elon Musk acquired Twitter and rebranded it as X, the billionaire is leveraging the platform’s real-time news capabilities to influence the 2024 presidential election in favor of former President Donald Trump.

 

Musk has been vocal in the political arena for months, promoting controversial views including racist conspiracy theories about Biden’s immigration policies, fixating on the so-called “woke mind virus,” and forecasting national crisis if a “red wave” doesn’t occur in November.

 

Now, Musk—owner and the most-followed user on X—has adopted a more direct approach, actively campaigning for Trump. This marks a notable departure from the typical stance of major tech leaders, who usually avoid overtly steering public opinion or influencing election outcomes. Social media platforms have previously been used to build campaign support and have faced criticism for election-related interference, but owners have generally refrained from directly swaying voter decisions.

 

Elon Musk has repurposed the $44 billion platform he acquired into a personal political tool, aiming to sway his 190 million followers and amplify political messaging. 

 

Last month, Musk officially endorsed Donald Trump in a post that garnered 2.3 million likes. On Monday, he hosted Trump for a two-hour livestream on X, during which the former president made at least 20 unchallenged false statements on topics ranging from crime and immigration to tax policy.

 

The conversation served as a major fundraising opportunity for Trump, with his campaign promoting it as a chance to achieve record-breaking contributions. Meanwhile, X capitalized on the event by sending notifications featuring Trump’s profile photo, encouraging users to subscribe to the platform.

 

Trump later criticized the media on Truth Social for focusing on technical issues rather than the substantial viewership, denouncing the coverage as unfair. CNN has reached out to both X and the Trump campaign for comments.

Powerful Tools for Spreading Disinformation

Musk’s political posts come amid controversy over X’s allowance of false claims about immigration in the UK, with Musk himself declaring that “civil war is inevitable.” British officials have criticized the platform, suggesting that the rhetoric, amplified by Musk, contributed to violent far-right riots across the country. This situation underscores the real-world consequences of online misinformation, particularly when propagated by one of the world’s wealthiest and most influential figures.

Wendy Weiser commented, “The more prominent and trusted the person spreading misinformation, the greater the damage. Musk’s vast platform, financial resources, and high profile are powerful tools for disseminating disinformation and conspiracy theories.”

 

After his conversation with Trump, Musk expressed willingness to host a similar event with Kamala Harris, who has not granted an interview since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee. Musk conveyed to Trump his belief that “we’re in massive trouble” under a Harris administration and emphasized the importance of Trump’s victory “for the good of the country.

 

X’s Evolving Culture

Under Musk’s ownership, X has undergone a broader rightward shift in its culture, influenced by several changes he has implemented. These include reinstating White supremacists and conspiracy theorists, as well as simplifying the process for politicians and political candidates to qualify for newsworthiness exemptions. This adjustment allows their content to bypass the platform’s usual restrictions or removal policies.

 

Additionally, X recently labeled the account ‘White Dudes for Harris’ as spam and locked it, despite the group’s efforts to fundraise and support Vice President Harris’s campaign. This has raised concerns about the platform’s adherence to Musk’s professed commitment to ‘free speech’ and whether it is suppressing viewpoints that diverge from his own.

 

Moreover, Musk’s AI chatbot Grok, accessible through X, faced criticism from a group of secretaries of state for disseminating ‘false information’ regarding Harris’s eligibility to appear on the 2024 presidential ballot in key battleground states. The secretaries have called for Musk to ‘immediately implement changes’ on the platform.

 

Lara Cohen, the former vice president of marketing at Twitter who left after Musk’s acquisition, commented on Threads ahead of the Trump event, reflecting on the shift: ‘I remember when Twitter led the industry by halting political ads. Freedom of speech didn’t equate to freedom of reach. Tonight’s Trump infomercial shows the platform and its owner sinking lower every day.’

 

Eyeing a Position in Trump’s Administration

 

For Musk, the opportunity to influence Trump’s administration could significantly enhance his global power and benefit his extensive business interests, which heavily rely on government contracts and favorable policies.

 

In May, The Wall Street Journal reported that Musk and Trump had discussed a potential role for Musk in a second Trump administration, although Musk initially disputed the claim.

 

However, during their conversation on X Monday night, Musk expressed his willingness to contribute by joining a commission focused on government efficiency. ‘I think it would be great to have a commission that ensures taxpayer money is spent wisely,’ Musk said. ‘I’d be happy to assist with such an initiative.’

 

Trump responded positively, indicating he would ‘love it’ if Musk were involved, praising him as a ‘great cutter’ for his cost-saving efforts at his own companies.

 

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Maduro Announces 10-Day Block of X in Venezuela Following Dispute with Musk Over Election Controvers

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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has declared a 10-day suspension of the social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, in Venezuela. This move follows a public feud with X’s owner, Elon Musk, over a disputed election that Maduro claimed to have won.

On Thursday, Maduro revealed he had signed a proposal with the National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel) to block the platform. He accused Musk of breaching social media guidelines by inciting “hatred, fascism, and civil war.”

The conflict erupted after Maduro and Musk engaged in a war of words over the legitimacy of a Venezuelan election. While Maduro asserts he won, the U.S. and other Western nations dispute his claims. Musk has criticized Maduro as “not a good guy” and alleged “major election fraud,” while Maduro has accused Musk of conspiring against Venezuela.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has recently escalated his criticism by targeting WhatsApp, owned by Meta. He announced plans to remove the app from his phone and urged his supporters to do the same.

 

This latest action follows the US government’s assertion that Maduro lost the popular vote in Venezuela’s July 28 presidential election. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated last week that “it is clear” Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia secured the most votes. Meanwhile, a key opposition figure has reportedly gone into hiding out of fear for her safety.

 

Maduro’s administration has dismissed the US statement as “ridiculous,” with Foreign Minister Yvan Gil accusing Washington of attempting to instigate a coup.

 

The announcement of Maduro as the election winner, with 51% of the vote, led to widespread protests across Venezuela. The electoral body, heavily influenced by Maduro’s allies, declared him victorious, intensifying tensions in a country grappling with a faltering democracy and a crumbling economy.

 

The election was highly anticipated, seen as a critical moment for Venezuela’s future. Many young opposition supporters had threatened to emigrate if Maduro was re-elected, citing the country’s economic collapse and the violent repression under his rule. The opposition, having unified around González, had shown promising polling figures and was considered the ruling establishment’s strongest challenge in decades.

 

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Tesla in ‘Full Self-Driving’ Mode Linked to Fatal Seattle Motorcycle Crash

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Seattle Tesla Model S in ‘Full Self-Driving’ Mode Hits and Kills Motorcyclist; Driver Arrested for Vehicular Homicide

 

In a tragic incident in April, a Tesla Model S operating in ‘Full Self-Driving’ mode struck and killed a 28-year-old motorcyclist in the Seattle area. The 56-year-old Tesla driver was arrested for vehicular homicide after admitting to using his cell phone while relying on the driver assistance feature. 

 

Tesla asserts that its ‘Full Self-Driving (Supervised)’ technology still requires active driver supervision and does not render vehicles fully autonomous.

 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is currently investigating, noting this case as the second known fatal accident involving Tesla’s FSD technology since August 2022. The NHTSA has confirmed it is gathering information from local authorities and Tesla.

 

While the investigation continues, experts highlight the limitations of Tesla’s camera-based and AI-driven technology, contrasting it with competitors like Alphabet’s Waymo, which employs advanced sensors such as lidar for enhanced environmental detection.

 

Challenges and Controversies Surround Tesla’s Self-Driving Technology Amid New Developments

 

Sam Abuelsamid, an analyst at Guidehouse Insights, highlights the potential pitfalls of Tesla’s camera-only system, noting issues like inaccurate distance measurement for objects. Raj Rajkumar, a Carnegie Mellon University professor, emphasizes the difficulty of collecting and managing data across diverse real-world conditions involving motorcycles, bicycles, and varying weather scenarios.

 

This year, Elon Musk pivoted from Tesla’s plans for affordable new models to intensify focus on self-driving technology. He expressed confidence that Tesla will achieve full self-driving capability by next year, envisioning a future where vehicles transform into “tiny mobile lounges” for entertainment, work, and relaxation.

 

Musk’s long-standing pursuit of self-driving technology faces increasing regulatory and legal scrutiny. The NHTSA launched an investigation into Tesla’s Autopilot in August 2021, prompted by multiple crashes involving stationary emergency vehicles. In December 2023, Tesla issued a significant recall of nearly all its U.S. vehicles to enhance software safeguards.

 

 

 

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Google’s Olympics Ad Sparks Controversy for Missing the Mark

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Remember the classic childhood experience of writing a heartfelt fan letter to your idol? (Mickey Mouse, I hope you still have that note from Disneyland in 1999.)

 

In a new ad, Google suggests that artificial intelligence can now handle that for you, but the response hasn’t been favorable.

 

The TV commercial, which aired during the Olympics, features a father highlighting his daughter’s admiration for Olympic track star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. The ad shows the girl training to emulate her hero, guided by AI-generated hurdling tips from Google’s search feature. When the father decides his daughter wants to send a letter to McLaughlin, he uses Google’s Gemini chatbot to craft the message, including a line where the girl expresses her ambition to break McLaughlin’s world record.

 

While the ad demonstrates Google’s AI tool’s ability to generate increasingly human-like text, critics online argue that it misses the mark. Many viewers took to Threads, X, LinkedIn, and other platforms to question why a child’s genuine creativity and personal expression would be replaced by AI-generated content.

 

The ad has been criticized as an example of Big Tech’s disconnection from real-life experiences. Will Leitch, writer and founder of Deadspin, described the ad as “taking a little chunk out of my soul” each time he saw it. Other critics labeled AI-generated ads as “mortifying.”

 

A Google spokesperson defended the ad, stating that the company sees AI as a tool to enhance, not replace, human creativity. The aim was to celebrate Team USA by showcasing a track enthusiast and her father, while demonstrating how Gemini can offer initial ideas or drafts for writing.

 

The backlash reflects growing concerns about AI’s role in our lives. Tech companies tout AI as a means to ease burdensome tasks and free up time for more meaningful activities. However, many early AI tools appear to replace traditional human creative tasks, such as art and storytelling, rather than complementing them.

 

The debate over AI’s impact on creativity continues, with musicians, artists, and writers expressing fears about AI’s potential to undermine their work. Apple recently faced similar criticism with an ad depicting human creativity symbols being replaced by technology, leading to a swift apology.

 

Google has yet to comment on the specific backlash against its Gemini ad.

 

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Tech Apocalypse: How a Global Outage Brought Businesses to Their Knees

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Friday’s Global Software Outage Paralyzes Business, Healthcare, Tech, and Government Sectors in Less Than 12 Hours: Unraveling the Crash, Recovery Status, and Ongoing Impact

 

911 Centers and Transportation Services Plagued by Disruptions Late Thursday Night and Early Friday

 

Overnight from Thursday to Friday, 911 services in multiple states, including Alaska and Arizona, experience disruptions, while hospitals report technology issues, as observed by nurses on duty.

 

Between 2 and 3 a.m., the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounds all Delta and American Airlines flights, followed shortly by United and Allegiant Airlines, due to a widespread outage.

 

Spirit Airlines confirms its flight reservation system is also impacted by the outage. Later, between 5 and 6 a.m., public transit systems in the Northeast, including Washington, DC, begin reporting delays, affecting trains and buses managed by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

 

Meanwhile, in New York City, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority notes temporary disruptions in customer information systems, although train and bus services continue without interruption.

 

By 5:30 a.m., CrowdStrike, a prominent US cybersecurity firm, acknowledges software crashes affecting Microsoft Windows operating systems, crucial for blocking hacking threats for many Fortune 500 companies.

 

Between 6 and 7 a.m., the White House Launches Investigation as Global Banks Report Operational Issues

A spokesperson from the White House National Security Council told CNN they’re investigating an incident that happened, but they don’t think it was on purpose. Some big banks worldwide, like in Australia and South Africa, had problems with their services. In Portland, the mayor declared an emergency because the 911 system that handles emergency calls wasn’t working right. United Airlines said they’re starting to fly some planes again.

 

Between 8 and 9 a.m., flights begin again, but airports are preparing for a hectic day ahead.

 

Delta Air Lines has restarted some flights and offered travel waivers to affected passengers.

 

At Atlanta’s Hartsfield Jackson International Airport, systems are back online, and extra customer service staff are on hand to handle the challenges. Officials there are asking passengers to remain patient and understanding.

 

In Charlotte Douglas International Airport, a hub for American Airlines, travelers are advised to confirm their flight details before heading to the airport. Meanwhile, Miami International Airport officials caution that US Customs and Border Protection operations are slowed down, affecting international arrivals which are being processed manually.

 

From 9 a.m. to noon, federal agencies begin to take action, and President Biden receives a briefing on the situation.

 

Shortly before 9 a.m., Alaska State Troopers and the Phoenix Police Department announce that their 911 centers are operational again after experiencing disruptions.

 

Portland’s Computer Aided Dispatch system also resumes operations at 9 a.m. The mayor’s office assures the community that 911 services were never affected, and essential public safety services like Police and Fire & Rescue remain fully operational.

 

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) acknowledges reports of a system outage affecting 911 services and is collaborating with federal agencies to assess the situation.

 

President Biden receives a briefing on the CrowdStrike outage and his team is coordinating with CrowdStrike and affected organizations. Federal agencies begin escalating their involvement and reporting disruptions.

 

The US Department of Homeland Security states it is working with CrowdStrike, Microsoft, and other partners to evaluate and address the outages.

 

Social Security offices close to the public due to anticipated longer wait times on their national 800 number.

 

The US Department of Justice acknowledges some impact from the outage and is implementing workarounds, although no estimated restoration time is provided.

 

UPS and FedEx report being affected, with UPS noting operational airlines and road deliveries, though delays are possible.

 

CrowdStrike’s CEO acknowledges the situation, clarifying it was not a cyber attack but an issue with a Falcon content update for Windows Hosts.

 

During late morning through early afternoon, appointments with doctors and at the DMV are cancelled.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation informs that Registry of Motor Vehicle operations are affected, with similar impacts reported in Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, and Tennessee.

 

Simultaneously, multiple healthcare and hospital systems across the nation, including Mass General Brigham, Penn Medicine, Northwell Health, and Emory Healthcare, acknowledge being affected by the global outage. Some hospitals experience service delays while others cancel non-urgent surgeries and medical appointments. Cancer centers such as Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center adjust their schedules accordingly.

 

In British Columbia, the Provincial Health Services Authority announces their health system has also been impacted and they are implementing contingency plans to ensure patient care continues uninterrupted.

 

Later in the afternoon, further disruptions continue to affect medical services.

By around 4 p.m., the New York Blood Center, which supplies blood to about 200 hospitals in the Northeast, initiates an emergency driving operation to distribute blood due to delays in transporting test tubes by air.

 

Blood Centers of America, relying on shipping services like FedEx, also reports delays in test result reporting. They note that despite elective surgery cancellations reducing blood usage, ongoing delays could pose challenges if they persist.

 

Blood Assurance, serving hospitals across Southeast states, including Tennessee and Georgia, experiences postponed shipments of critical platelets due to flight disruptions caused by the outage. They appeal to the community for blood donations to meet demand.

 

CrowdStrike CEO Kurtz reaffirms commitment to transparency regarding the IT outage and pledges measures to prevent future incidents, as stated on the company’s website.

 

On Saturday morning, extensive delays affect numerous flights.

 

On Saturday morning, Microsoft states that the outage affected approximately 8.5 million Windows devices, which represents less than 1% of all Windows machines. Microsoft acknowledges that the widespread economic and societal impacts highlight the reliance of enterprises on CrowdStrike for critical services.

 

Various sectors continue to experience repercussions from the outage. Despite airlines largely resuming operations, they caution passengers to expect ongoing disruptions to flight schedules.

 

By noon on Saturday, FlightAware reports over 3,375 flights delayed and more than 1,200 canceled across the United States. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the busiest in the nation, remains heavily affected, with Delta Air Lines canceling over 500 flights and United Airlines canceling nearly 300 flights.

 

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