Tech News

Global wildlife contaminated by 'forever chemicals'

From pandas to sea lions to tigers, hundreds of wildlife species across the globe are contaminated by potentially harmful "forever chemicals", according to a review of hundreds of peer-reviewed studies.. The mapping of over 125 peer-reviewed scientific studies is the first global scoping of the problem in wildlife, the authors said.

EU institutions ban TikTok on work devices

The main EU governing institutions on Thursday banned their staff from installing TikTok on devices used for work amid concerns over data protection, in a move that provoked an angry response from the company.. The new rules mean staff cannot use the video-sharing app on work devices and personal devices, such as phones, that have official EU email and communication apps installed.

Vuitton accused over Joan Mitchell paintings in handbag ads

The Joan Mitchell Foundation has sent a cease and desist letter to Louis Vuitton alleging the luxury brand is using reproductions of the artist's paintings in handbag advertisements without authorization.. The Mitchell foundation vowed that if Louis Vuitton does not "cease the illegal use of Mitchell's artworks," it will pursue further legal action. mdo/bgs

Meta shutters fake account 'cheerleaders' for Cuban, Bolivian governments

Facebook parent company Meta said Thursday it had taken down two fake account networks with links to the governments of Cuba and Bolivia that were used to spread official propaganda and discredit the opposition. . In Bolivia, the probe revealed a coordinated effort "to use fake accounts to post in support of the Bolivian government and to criticize and harass (the) opposition." 

Canada's First Quantum suspends Panama mine operations

Canadian mining giant First Quantum Minerals announced Thursday the suspension of its operations at a major mine in Panama, saying it was being blocked from exporting copper abroad.. Those talks are continuing, First Quantum Minerals said Thursday. amc/mlm

Biden nominates ex-Mastercard CEO to lead World Bank

US President Joe Biden said Thursday that Washington is nominating former Mastercard Chief Executive Ajay Banga to lead the World Bank, after its current chief David Malpass announced plans to step down early.. Last week current World Bank President Malpass -- who was nominated to the post by Biden's predecessor Donald Trump in 2019 -- said he would step down nearly a year early, ending a tenure that was clouded by questions over his climate stance.

From his farm to Alaska, Jimmy Carter leaves environmental legacy

Several thousand solar panels bake under an unseasonably warm February sun in Plains, Georgia, one of the many projects that bolster the environmental record of local icon and former US president Jimmy Carter.. Today, the solar offtake from the Carter farm, which connects to Georgia Power's grid, is enough to power 40 to 50 percent of Plains on a partly sunny day, Stuckey said.

Fashion courts K-Pop and its fans at Milan catwalk shows

Milan's catwalks may be the epicentre of global fashion this week, but it's Seoul and K-Pop fans who are front and centre in the battle for new luxury customers.. The hordes of pushing, screaming fans straining for a view of their favourite K-pop or Korean film and television stars are expected to come out in force for the duration of Milan Fashion Week -- underscoring the strategic importance of the South Korean market to Italian fashion. 

Tens of millions still use Instagram in Iran despite crackdown: Meta

Meta on Thursday said that tens of millions of people in Iran are using Instagram despite government efforts to block the service due to months-long protests.. "Despite attempts to block Instagram, we're seeing tens of millions of people still finding ways to access it," Clegg said.

Core collection: Apple archive goes under the hammer

A collection of nearly half-a-century's worth of Apple computers that traces the evolution of one of the world's most influential companies is going under the hammer in California next month.. "It's very cool to see the evolution."