The global monkeypox outbreak has so far led to more than 24,000 cases in more than 80 countries, and the World Health Organization has warned that the chance to contain the disease and prevent it from becoming endemic outside Africa is fast approaching. Vaccines are a potentially critical measure.
Monkeypox vaccines are already being deployed around the world, and news reports have described a “battle” as countries desperately try to secure some of the limited number of doses available. There are concerns that poorer countries will have to do without. At the same time, there’s a lot we don’t know about how effective the vaccines are likely to be. We spoke to vaccine manufacturers, virologists and epidemiologists to get answers to the most pressing questions. Read the full story.
—Jessica Hamzelou
The must reads
I’ve scoured the internet to find today’s funniest/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.
1 Kansas Voted Overwhelmingly To Protect Abortion Rights
It is a major victory for pro-choice groups in the conservative state. (BBC)
+ The decision is good news for Democrats. (The Atlantic Ocean $)
+ The backlash after Roe could affect the midterms. (CNN)
+ Where to get abortion pills and how to use them?. (MIT Technology Review)
2 Weibo Succumbed To An Influx Of Users Following Nancy Pelosi’s Plane
Chinese internet users are closely following her controversial trip to Taiwan. (Bloomberg $)
+ She is going to meet the chairman of Taiwan’s largest chipmaker. (WP $)
+ An article explaining how Chinese people can buy cheap houses in Taiwan ‘after reunification’ has gone viral. (Shame)
+ 7-Eleven store TVs in Taiwan were hacked to display anti-Pelosi messages. (Insider)
3 Earth Recorded Shortest Day Ever In June 🌏
It suddenly turned faster, completing its spin in 1.59 milliseconds in less than 24 hours. (the guard)
4 Uber makes money for the first time
It has only taken 13 years and $25 billion in losses. (FT $)
+ Ride-hailing platform bookings have reached an all-time high. (the guard)
+ The allegations of fraud against the company’s former security chief have been dismissed. (Reuters)
+ The gig workers fighting back against the algorithms. (MIT Technology Review)
5 We are making progress in beating HIV
It will take time and money, but experts are optimistic that the virus is under control. (Economist $)
6 Your Favorite Gadget Is Made To Die
Irreplaceable, glued-on batteries are to blame, and consumers are expected to just suck it up. (WP $)
+ Here are some of the worst offenders, and some that can be fixed (for a price). (WP $)
7 Thousands of Solana crypto wallets have been emptied
To the tune of approximately $8 million in funds. (CoinTelegraph)
+ Robinhood has been fined $30 million for violating anti-money laundering rules. (The register)
+ A man who threw £150m worth of bitcoin in a landfill plans to pick it up with robot dogs. (the guard)
8 Lab-Made Collagen Isn’t Just For Vegans
Scientists want to use it as a basis for making new proteins. (NYT $)
9 In The Candy Racket On Amazon With A Sour Twist 🍭
Sellers complain that rivals are undercutting “drop-shipping” directly from companies. (Bloomberg $)
10 Judges Consult Wikipedia Before Making Decisions
Despite the fact that there is no way to verify edits before they are made. (wired $)
+ Wikipedia has had enough of people messing around with the entry for ‘recession’. (Bloomberg $)
+ This algorithm browses Wikipedia to automatically generate textbooks. (MIT Technology Review)
Quote of the day
“The party is definitely over now.”
—Serkan Toto, founder of video game consultancy Kantan Games, said: Reuters that the golden age of gaming heralded by the pandemic has stalled, with the number of gamers playing and paying for games plummeting.
