That is at present’s version of The Download, our weekday publication that gives a day by day dose of what’s happening on the earth of expertise.
Chinese language hackers exploited years-old software program flaws to interrupt into telecom giants
The information: Hackers employed by the Chinese language authorities have damaged into quite a few main telecommunications companies around the globe in a cyber-espionage marketing campaign that has lasted at the least two years, in response to a brand new advisory from American safety companies.
The way it occurred: The hackers allegedly breached their targets by exploiting previous and well-known crucial vulnerabilities in standard networking {hardware}. As soon as that they had a foothold inside their targets, the hackers used the compromised units to realize full entry to the community visitors of quite a few personal firms and authorities companies, US officers stated. They didn’t identify these affected by the marketing campaign, nor clarify the influence it had.
What it means: The marketing campaign is a warning concerning the want for higher fundamental cybersecurity for a number of the most vital networks on the earth, and a dramatic illustration of the hazard software program flaws pose even years after they’re found and made public. Read the full story.
—Patrick Howell O’Neill
The aviation trade can hit emissions objectives, however new fuels have to take flight first
Chopping carbon emissions from planes goes to be tough—however not unattainable, in response to a brand new report by the Worldwide Council on Clear Transportation.
The report outlines doable paths for aviation to scale back emissions sufficient to do its half in conserving international warming at lower than 2 °C above pre-industrial ranges, the goal set by the Paris settlement. It says that about 60% of emissions reductions are projected to come back from low-carbon fuels, with the remaining coming from efficiencies, and decrease demand. Read the full story.
—Casey Crownhart
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to seek out you at present’s most enjoyable/vital/scary/fascinating tales about expertise.
1 Twitter has agreed to provide Elon Musk entry to thousands and thousands of tweets
Which may make it a lot more durable for him to again out of shopping for the corporate. (NYT $)
+ One in all Musk’s financiers is linked to a Russian tycoon. (Bloomberg $)
+ Texas’ determination to probe into Twitter’s faux accounts is a purely political one. (NYT $)
2 How Huge Tech’s knowledge hoarding harms us all
And why sharing it wouldn’t harm them, both. (Time $)
+ Collective knowledge rights can cease huge tech from obliterating privateness. (MIT Technology Review)
3 A start-up has been accused of dishing out ADHD medication too liberally
Notably in the course of the pandemic, when rules round distant prescriptions have been relaxed. (WSJ $)
4 Bumpy batteries work higher in freezing temperatures
Flat lithium-ion batteries battle within the chilly—altering the form of its parts might be an answer. (New Scientist $)
+ This startup needs to pack extra power into electrical car batteries. (MIT Technology Review)
5 South Korea is investigating the corporate behind the stablecoin crash
Over claims a employee embezzled its crypto holdings. (FT $)
+ Employees pondering of pivoting to web3 are having second ideas. (Vox)
6 Good home windows are an apparent strategy to save power 
The issue, as ever, is making them inexpensive sufficient to go mainstream. (Knowable Magazine)
7 The Caribbean’s hurricane exercise is at a historic low
And has been for a surprisingly very long time. (Hakai Magazine)
+ We would have to start out naming warmth waves the best way we do hurricanes. (Axios)
+ Tips on how to hold the facility on throughout hurricanes and warmth waves. (MIT Technology Review)
+ Monitoring vibrations may assist specialists to get forward of flash floods. (Economist $)
8 Not all NFT artwork is horrible 
It simply occurs that many of the actually well-known items are. (The Verge)
+ Bored Apes has been dethroned as the most well-liked NFT challenge. (Motherboard)
9 A saxophonist smuggled secrets and techniques into the USSR utilizing encrypted musical code 
Rendering the data indecipherable to everybody however practiced musicians. (Wired $)
10 It’s time to recover from The Present Factor
Our collective capability to neglect what we’re outraged by ought to assist. (FT $)
Quote of the day
“There’s actually not a pc in that clinic until I deliver my laptop computer from residence in.”
—Mia Raven, director of coverage at an abortion clinic in Alabama, tells NBC News she’s stepping up safety measures as a part of measures to higher defend purchasers, as the danger of Roe being repealed looms.
The large story
Ghost ships, crop circles, and smooth gold: A GPS thriller in Shanghai
November 2019
On a sultry summer time evening in July 2019, the MV Manukai was arriving on the port of Shanghai, close to the mouth of the Huangpu River. Town could be the American container ship’s final cease in China earlier than making its lengthy homeward journey to Lengthy Seaside, California.
Because the crew rigorously maneuvered the 700-foot ship by the world’s busiest port, its captain watched his navigation screens carefully. In keeping with the Manukai’s screens, one other ship was steaming up the identical channel at about seven knots (eight miles per hour). Abruptly, the opposite ship disappeared from the AIS show. A couple of minutes later, the display confirmed the opposite ship again on the dock. Then it was within the channel and shifting once more, then again on the dock, then gone as soon as extra.
Finally, mystified, the captain picked up his binoculars and scanned the dockside. The opposite ship had been stationary on the dock the whole time. Now, new analysis and beforehand unseen knowledge present that the Manukai, and hundreds of different vessels, are falling sufferer to a mysterious new weapon that is ready to spoof GPS programs in a means by no means seen earlier than. Read the full story.
—Mark Harris
We will nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction in these bizarre instances. (Received any concepts? Drop me a line or tweet ’em at me.)
+ This oompah band cover of Highway to Hell will get your Thursday off to the proper begin (Thanks Allegra!)
+ Who knew bamboo salt was so attention-grabbing?
+ Riley is an LGBTQ+ icon after our personal hearts. 
+ What it seems wish to grow a mango tree from a seed over the course of a 12 months (simply don’t anticipate it to bear fruit any time quickly.)
+ It’s asparagus season—right here’s how to cook it to perfection.
