MTN Group Ltd. is seeking as many as three more strategic investors in addition to Mastercard Inc. for

BAGHDAD Iraq's telecoms ministry said it has blocked the Telegram messaging app over national security concerns and in

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 23, 2023--

Meta has launched its new “Threads” app, widely thought to be an attempt to succeed Twitter. Threads is branded as an Instagram app and built by its team, but is focused on text updates, like Twitter. Users log into the separate app using their Instagram account and can then post up to 500 character text updates, which can also include photos and videos. Meta says that it has built the foundations of the app to be “open” and “interoperable” so that it can work alongside other social networks in the future. The company intends to support the ActivityPub technology that has been developed as a way of allowing other apps – such as Mastodon and Tumblr – to work together. Twitter was not mentioned in the announcement of Threads, despite its clear competition with the app. The launch of Threads comes at a difficult time for Twitter, which has faced serious technical issues and lost some of its central functionality in recent days. Threads is just the latest in a range of apps looking to take over from Twitter amid criticism of that service. Others, such as Mastodon and Bluesky, have struggled with technical issues and other problems. The launch also comes as Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg plots a mixed martial arts fight with Mr Musk. Meta said that Threads was intended to “take what Instagram does best and expand that to text, creating a positive and creative space to express your ideas”. “Just like on Instagram, with Threads you can follow and connect with friends and creators who share your interests – including the people you follow on Instagram and beyond,” it said in its announcement. A number of those influencers and celebrities had already signed up to post on Threads, Meta said. That included everyone from Netflix to Shakira, and from mixed martial arts champion Francis Ngannou to novelty song creators Ladbaby. For everyone else, Meta said the app had been built to be easy to get started with. While users must download the separate Threads app, they can use their existing Instagram account to log in, which will bring over their username and verification status, before their profile can be customised for Threads. Other data will be carried over from the main Instagram account, including profiles that have been blocked. Other safety features include the ability to block certain words or hide particular profiles. Like with Instagram, the Threads feed will push content from creators that people have not explicitly chosen to follow. The main Instagram app has received some criticism from users over its heavily algorithmic feed, with users arguing that the algorithm is pushing content that they would prefer not to see over updates from people they have actually opted to follow. The app is available in the US and UK at launch. It is not available in the European Union, apparently because of privacy concerns over the fact that data will be shared between different Meta apps. Perhaps the biggest departure from both rival services and other Meta apps is the decision to allow the app to be interoperable with other similar social platforms. By building on the ActivityPub protocol, Threads will allow users to take their posts into another app, for instance, or follow updates from different platforms. “Threads is Meta’s first app envisioned to be compatible with an open social networking protocol – we hope that by joining this fast-growing ecosystem of interoperable services, Threads will help people find their community, no matter what app they use,” Meta said in its announcement. The company has already announced that it plans to bring similar interoperable design to its existing, more popular apps, by integrating Instagram DMs with WhatsApp, for instance. Those tools are yet to be announced. Read More Meta to launch Threads app that will rival Twitter - live Judge blocks Biden agencies from communicating with social media platforms Meta’s Twitter alternative Threads to be launched this week Instagram and Facebook reveal how their AI decides what you see Celebrity impersonators banned from Facebook protest outside Meta offices Meta rejects accusation of censorship of language around female body

Hackers have reportedly stolen $35 million in cryptocurrency from users of Atomic Wallet. According to

How often do you look at your phone a day? According to an Asurion study,

Scientists are using AI to search planets for alien life. Researchers writing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences say artificial intelligence can determine with 90 per cent accuracy whether a sample from another planet is biological or not. Scientists hope that their test could be used on samples already collected by the Mars Curiosity rover’s Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument. The findings could also help tell us more about our own planet, revealing the history of mysterious and ancient rocks found on Earth. “The search for extraterrestrial life remains one of the most tantalizing endeavors in modern science,” said lead author Jim Cleaves of the Earth and Planets Laboratory, Carnegie Institution for Science, Washington, DC. “The implications of this new research are many, but there are three big takeaways: First, at some deep level, biochemistry differs from abiotic organic chemistry; second, we can look at Mars and ancient Earth samples to tell if they were once alive; and third, it is likely this new method could distinguish alternative biospheres from those of Earth, with significant implications for future astrobiology missions.” The technique was built by giving an artificial intelligent system data about 134 known samples, with information about whether they are biotic or abiotic. To test it, it was then given new samples – including those from living things, remnants of ancient life and other abiotic samples that did not point to life, such as pure chemicals. The system also started predicting another kind of sample type, dividing the biotic ones into “living” and “fossils”. That means it could tell the difference between a freshly harvested leaf and something else that died long ago, for instance. In the future, the technology could become even more advanced and detect other aspects of life. “This routine analytical method has the potential to revolutionize the search for extraterrestrial life and deepen our understanding of both the origin and chemistry of the earliest life on Earth,” said Robert Hazen, of the Carnegie Institution for Science, one of the leaders of the research. “It opens the way to using smart sensors on robotic spacecraft, landers and rovers to search for signs of life before the samples return to Earth.” Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Delve into the origin of PewDiePie's streaming name as the former YouTube king becomes a father in Japan

Half of adults who have conversations with strangers online do not check how old they are, research suggests. A survey of 2,558 people over the age of 16 for child protection charity the Lucy Faithfull Foundation found that a quarter of adults in the UK chat to people they do not know, with 55% not checking their age. The poll also suggested that one in 10 men (11%) over the age of 25 would not immediately stop the conversation if they discovered that they were talking to a child under the age of 16. Our message to all adults having online conversations with anyone under 16 is to be crystal clear about your boundaries and the law. These are your responsibility. Online sexual conversations with under-16s are illegal – no ifs, no buts, no excuses Donald Findlater, Stop It Now! The charity has warned that while it is not illegal for an adult to speak to a child online, any sexual communications are against the law and come with a potential two-year prison sentence. It runs a helpline Stop It Now! aimed at stopping offenders or potential offenders from abusing children. Director of Stop It Now! Donald Findlater said: “Our message to all adults having online conversations with anyone under 16 is to be crystal clear about your boundaries and the law. “These are your responsibility. Online sexual conversations with under-16s are illegal – no ifs, no buts, no excuses.” There can be many different reasons why people offend online, but there are no excuses. To prevent harmful and illegal behaviour and protect children, we must recognise these reasons and help people to stop the behaviour and ensure it stays stopped Dr Alexandra Bailey, Lucy Faithfull Foundation More than two-in-five (44%) of those surveyed said it could be difficult to determine what constituted online grooming, while more than a third (37%) said they would not know what to do if they caught someone having a sexual conversation with a child online. In the past two years, Stop It Now! has seen a 64% rise in the number of people getting in touch with concerns about their own or a loved one’s behaviour. Dr Alexandra Bailey, a psychologist for the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, said: “There can be many different reasons why people offend online, but there are no excuses. “To prevent harmful and illegal behaviour and protect children, we must recognise these reasons and help people to stop the behaviour and ensure it stays stopped.” Stopping online offending taking place in the first place is of course the ideal, and the Lucy Faithfull Foundation carries out an extremely important service in preventing this criminality Wendy Hart, National Crime Agency Wendy Hart, deputy director for child sexual abuse at the National Crime Agency, said: “We see first-hand the life-shattering effect these online interactions can have on victims, as well as the devastation this brings to the family of the perpetrator. “Stopping online offending taking place in the first place is of course the ideal, and the Lucy Faithfull Foundation carries out an extremely important service in preventing this criminality. “However, if you do go on to commit abuse, we will work relentlessly to ensure you are arrested and brought to justice. “You and only you will be responsible for the life-changing impact your offending has on the victim and your family.” The Stop It Now! helpline is available by calling 0808 100 0900 or online. – 2,558 adults over the age of 16 were surveyed online by Kantar between September 26 and October 2. Read More Businesses embracing generative AI but fear cyberattacks, survey finds Young Britons turning to AI chatbots for help with school and work – survey Police to trial use of drones as first responders to emergencies Apple to adopt system to improve texting between iPhones and Android devices ICO seeks permission to appeal against Clearview AI tribunal ruling Users of iPhones can now check bank balance from Wallet app

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 5, 2023--

NYC311 has fielded calls involving everything from goats to ghosts.

Biohacking is the latest wellness trend taking the internet by storm, with TikTok witnessing a staggering 316 per cent increase in searches. More notably, Bryan Johnson, the founder of KernelCo and Blueprint, has contributed to the intrigue after investing approximately $2 million per year to reduce his biological age. The 46-year-old tech tycoon recently made headlines for tracking his nighttime erections, in an attempt to reach the level of an 18-year-old. How exactly does he do that, you may ask? Well... He gives himself electric shocks in his private area. Johnson told Steven Bartlett on The Diary of a CEO podcast that nighttime erections "are actually a meaningful health indicator" because they "represent psychological health, cardiological health." While that's one extreme measure of biohacking, there are other methods behind the trend. A spokesperson for Snusboss said: "Biohacking refers to the practice of making changes to one’s biology, typically through self-experimentation and the use of technology, to enhance physical and cognitive abilities, optimize health, and achieve personal goals." “Currently #biohacking has 791 million views on TikTok, and continues to gain popularity, particularly with Millennials and Generation Z who are becoming more interested in the scientific research behind their health and wellbeing and are also open to experimenting with new techniques," he continued. Biohacking is essentially an unconventional experimental biotechnology that is believed to help improve overwell wellbeing. Here are several ways people are implementing into their lives: Ice cold plunge "Cold plunging is an aspect of cold-water therapy or cold-water immersion, which involves immersing oneself in cold water temperatures. "It is recommended to complete 11 minutes of cold-water exposure per week, which can be broken into three minutes per session. "Studies suggest 50 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 15 degrees Celsius) to be an optimal temperature range for cold plunges focused on reducing muscle soreness. "Doing this will also help to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and enhance recovery after exercise. It is also shown to boost the immune system, improve sleep quality and help with stress management." Optimise your sleep "If you are getting around seven to nine hours of sleep a night, you will encourage muscle growth and repair, help keep your brain alert, improve your blood sugar levels and even enhance your lifespan. "Whilst there are several tips on social media such as eating certain fruits before bed, avoiding electronic devices and avoiding alcohol, one of the most important rules of optimizing sleep is maintaining a good circadian rhythm. "This means going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends. To do so, try maintaining a routine and try to spend time outdoors during daylight, especially in the morning. This is because natural light exposure helps regulate your body's internal clock and promotes alertness during the day. "To measure progress, you can use devices such as smartwatches that track sleep duration and quality." Regular saunas "Saunas, small rooms heated with hot air or steam, are said to have cardiovascular health benefits. "When exposed to high temperatures, the body then works to cool itself down by increasing heart rate, blood flow, and cardiac output. This is known to decrease blood pressure, leading to benefits for cardiovascular health and longevity. "For best results from this biohack, choose a temperature between 175-195F (80-90C) with 10-20 per cent humidity for 30 minutes at least three times a week." Himalayan salt in water "Electrolyte levels are important for the body to function properly. They help to balance the amount of water in your body, balance your acid/base (pH) levels and move nutrients into your cells. "Your body makes electrolytes naturally, as well as obtaining them from food, drinks and supplements. "However, if your levels drop, mineral-rich Himalayan salt contains lots of electrolytes and is proven to help detox the body, supporting kidney and liver functions. "Therefore, around one teaspoon of Himalayan salt added to one litre of water is recommended per day. "Not only will it keep you feeling energised, but also help to boost your metabolism." Moderate coffee intake "Low to moderate doses of caffeine (50–300 mg) are scientifically proven to cause increased alertness, energy, and ability to concentrate. "Science also suggests drinking two cups of coffee a day could help ward off heart failure when a weakened heart has difficulty pumping enough blood to the body. "Both regular and decaf coffee have a protective effect on the liver. Research shows that coffee drinkers are more likely to have liver enzyme levels within a healthy range than people who don’t drink coffee. "Experts say it is healthy to drink a maximum of 2.5 cups of coffee per day." Breathwork "We breathe every single day, but we often don’t even think about how we are breathing. "In times of stress, our breath automatically responds by shortening and speeding up and this can cause further strain on the body. "With breathwork practice, the body can be trained to automatically control breathing and utilize it as a calming tool during times of stress. "Breathing also directly affects how much oxygen our cells are getting, so when we deepen and slow down the breath from its usual pattern, we allow more oxygen to enter each cell. "To practice breathwork, inhale for 4 seconds and exhale for 6 seconds. Repeat this for around 10 minutes per session. For best results, do this once in the morning and once in the evening." Red Light Therapy (RLT) "Red light therapy (RLT) is a popular method used to optimize overall skin health. RLT also helps to boost muscle recovery, reduce pain and inflammation, support nervous system health, and generally increase energy levels. "For those who experience inflammation and pain with Achilles tendinitis, and have signs of skin ageing and skin damage, research shows RLT may smooth your skin and help with wrinkles. RLT is also known to help with acne scars, burns, and signs of UV sun damage. "To complete the treatment, lie in a full-body LED red light bed or pod or be treated by a professional with a device that's outfitted with panels of red lights. "Professionals recommend trying red light therapy three times per week for 10 minutes each time for a minimum of one month." How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.