China’s judicial system is becoming even more secretive

December 20, 2023
This story first appeared in China Report, MIT Technology Review’s newsletter about technology in China. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every Tuesday. The new year will be here soon! Typically, it’s a great time for a fresh start. But not always. And today I want to talk about something that’s unfortunately moving in the…

Financial Mastermind Groups: Unlocking Success Potential

December 20, 2023
Mastermind groups possess the power to propel individuals to new heights of success by connecting them with like-minded peers. These supportive environments often lead to life-changing breakthroughs. Today I share…

Rite Aid banned from using facial recognition software after falsely identifying shoplifters

December 20, 2023

Rite Aid has been banned from using facial recognition software for five years, after the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) found that the U.S. drugstore giant’s “reckless use of facial surveillance systems” left customers humiliated and put their “sensitive information at risk.” The FTC’s Order, which is subject to approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court after […]

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These minuscule pixels are poised to take augmented reality by storm

December 20, 2023
Google Glass, a prototype augmented-reality headset released in April 2013, had the makings of a hit. It promised intuitive, hands-free access to a smartphone’s most important features—video recording, navigation, and even email. Forget touch screens and buttons: the future of computing was on your face. It was a disaster.  Though beautiful in concept, Glass was…

There was some good climate news in 2023. Really.

December 20, 2023
Bad climate news was everywhere in 2023.  It’s been the hottest year on record, with January through November clocking in at 1.46 °C (2.62 °F) warmer on average than preindustrial temperatures. Meanwhile, emissions from fossil fuels hit a new high—36.8 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide, 1.1% more than in 2022.  Scientists are loudly warning…

Al Mada Ventures, the $110M fund for Africans by Africans

December 20, 2023

Al Mada Holding Group is one of Africa’s largest private investment funds. The Casablanca-headquartered private holding operates in different fields, such as banking, telecommunications, renewable energy and the food industry.  Over the years, Al Mada’s approach has centered on acquiring majority shareholdings in some of Morocco’s largest private companies, with its portfolio spanning 27 markets […]

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Electric scooter company Bird files for bankruptcy

December 20, 2023

Bird has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, capping off a turbulent year for the electric scooter company. In a press release today, Bird confirmed that it had entered into a “financial restructuring process aimed at strengthening its balance sheet,” with the company continuing to operate as normal in pursuit of “long-term, sustainable growth.” Founded in […]

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ShareChat faces large valuation cut in new funding

December 20, 2023

ShareChat is in final stages of deliberations to secure about $50 million in new funding that trims the startup’s valuation to below $1.5 billion, according to two sources familiar with the matter. Existing backers including Temasek and Tencent are among the investors in advanced stages of talks to invest in the new round, the sources […]

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