Technology

YouTube has suspended the channels of British comedian and actor Russell Brand due to a violation of its “creator responsibility policy,” following allegations of rape and sexual assault against Brand, which he denies. The BBC has removed some programs featuring Brand, while Rumble continues to carry advertisements on his content, allowing him to continue earning revenue. Brand’s company has seen a significant increase in net assets despite the controversy. There is speculation that Brand may launch an independent, subscription-based platform.

Scientists and researchers are exploring innovative ways to enhance crop productivity in response to global food shortages, with initiatives like the Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) project and Wild Bioscience making significant progress in genetically modifying plants to improve their photosynthetic capabilities. However, challenges and uncertainties remain, and the potential impact of gene editing on crop yields in different regions and varieties is still uncertain. Nonetheless, these innovative approaches offer promising solutions to address food insecurity and meet the growing global demand for sustenance.

Four Japanese conglomerates are considering investing in Coherent Corp’s silicon carbide business, potentially helping to alleviate the company’s financial burden and support its expansion plans. The valuation for the investment is estimated to be between $4 billion and $5 billion, and discussions are ongoing to establish a partnership. No deal has been confirmed yet, and Coherent declined to comment on the matter.

BBC Three’s investigation reveals that TikTok’s algorithm and design may be contributing to online frenzies and anti-social behavior in the real world, raising concerns among former employees about the app’s growth taking precedence over addressing these issues.

Apple has issued an urgent security update for its iPhone, Mac, and other products, aimed at fixing three critical security flaws that have already been exploited, and users are strongly urged to install this update as soon as possible through the Settings app to secure their devices.

Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite, has agreed to pay $245 million in refunds to parents in the US as part of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over allegations of tricking players into unintended purchases and breaching privacy. The FTC is contacting approximately 37 million people who may be eligible for compensation, which will cover a range of in-game purchases. Additionally, Epic Games will face a $275 million fine, the largest ever imposed by the FTC for rule violations, due to allegations of collecting data on users without parental consent. The settlement aims to hold the company accountable for its deceptive interfaces and default settings that violated privacy. While there is no similar agreement in the UK, Epic Games intends to refund parents in that region as well. Affected players have until January 2024 to submit refund requests, and the FTC will oversee the distribution of compensation. Despite the controversy, Fortnite remains popular, and the settlement is seen as a significant step in protecting consumer rights in the gaming industry and promoting transparent and responsible practices.

A recent study challenges the prevailing belief that suppressing negative thoughts is detrimental to mental well-being, suggesting that actively suppressing fearful thoughts could potentially be beneficial and calling for a reassessment of existing assumptions in the field of mental health.

A recent study on COVID-19 patients reveals that approximately one-third of long COVID patients experienced damage to multiple organs even five months after infection, with higher rates of lung, brain, and kidney injuries compared to a control group. The severity of the infection, age, and underlying conditions played a role in determining the extent of organ damage, and patients with more than two affected organs were more likely to report severe impairment. The study emphasizes the need for longer-term follow-up services to address the specific needs of individuals who have suffered organ damage from COVID-19.

The parents of FTX founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, are facing a lawsuit accusing them of receiving money improperly from the cryptocurrency firm before its collapse, which has raised concerns about alleged exploitation of access and influence within FTX. The lawsuit alleges that the parents capitalized on their positions within the company, enriching themselves by millions of dollars. Bankrupt firm managers are seeking to recover the money, and the case has brought attention to the need for increased transparency and accountability within the cryptocurrency industry.

Scientists at the University of Surrey have made a significant breakthrough in the development of perovskite solar cells, addressing the decrease in efficiency during manufacturing and making them suitable for mass production, potentially accelerating the global transition to renewable energy sources.