Last week California’s Attorney General accused the fossil fuel/petrochemical industries of “perpetuating a myth that recycling can solve the plastics crisis,” Reuters reports, and even launched an investigation into their role in “causing and exacerbating the global plastics pollution crisis.” And meanwhile, “The rate of plastic waste recycling in the Read more…
California energy officials on Friday issued a sober forecast for the state’s electrical grid, saying it lacks sufficient capacity to keep the lights on this summer and beyond if heatwaves, wildfires or other extreme events take their toll…. California has among the most aggressive climate change policies in the world, Read more…
After Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, “VPNs have been downloaded in Russia by the hundreds of thousands a day,” reports the Washington Post, “a massive surge in demand that represents a direct challenge to President Vladimir Putin and his attempt to seal Russians off from the wider world. “By Read more…
“Employee monitoring software became the new normal during COVID-19…” writes Australia’s public broadcaster ABC, “logging keystrokes and mouse movement, capturing screenshots, tracking location, and even activating webcams and microphones.” And now “It seems workers are stuck with it…. Surveys of employers in white-collar industries show that even returned office workers Read more…
The U.S. sanctioned a cryptocurrency swap service on Friday, part of a larger effort to crack down on North Korea’s practice of using hackers to steal money for the state. The sanctions, leveled against the company Blender.io, mark the first time that the U.S. Treasury Department has taken action against Read more…
The U.S. job market remains red-hot. Employers added 428,000 jobs in April, extending a remarkable comeback in the labor market. The unemployment rate held steady at 3.6% — matching its lowest level since the start of the pandemic. The economy has now replaced nearly 95% of the jobs that were Read more…
SFGATE reports on the alarming rise of “Buy Now, Pay Later” services that are being heavily marketed by influencers and brands on TikTok and Instagram. “Gen Z, in particular, has fallen in love with the short-term loans, spending 925% more now through point-of-sale services than in January 2020,” notes the Read more…