Author: admin@primenews

An antitrust lawsuit from 17 states and the Federal Trade Commission this week against Amazon represents the US government’s biggest regulatory challenge yet against the e-commerce juggernaut. The landmark case targets Amazon’s retail platform, alleging that it’s harmed shoppers and sellers alike on a massive scale. Through an alleged “self-reinforcing cycle of dominance and harm,” the plaintiffs claim, Amazon has run an illegal monopoly in ways that are “paying off for Amazon, but at great cost to tens of millions of American households and hundreds of thousands of sellers.” In response, Amazon has argued the case is “wrong on the…

Round discs of barren dirt known as “fairy circles” look like rows of polka dots that can spread for miles over the ground. The phenomenon’s mysterious origins have intrigued scientists for decades — and they may be far more widespread than once thought. Fairy circles were previously spotted only in the arid lands of Southern Africa’s Namib Desert and the outback of Western Australia. But a new study has used artificial intelligence to identify vegetation patterns resembling fairy circles in hundreds of new locations across 15 countries on three continents. This could help scientists understand fairy circles and their formation…

The Department of Labor is investigating meat and chicken processors Perdue and Tyson Foods following a New York Times magazine report of minors working at their facilities. Earlier this year, the federal government committed to ratcheting up efforts to root out child labor law violations. “There are currently [Wage and Hour Division] investigations open at Perdue and Tyson Foods,” a Department of Labor spokesperson told CNN. “No additional details can be provided as the investigations are ongoing.” Earlier this month, the Times Magazine published the story of a migrant child who was severely injured while working for a sanitation company contracted by a Perdue…

This Friday is arguably the best day of the year: It’s National Coffee Day. Coffee shops, large and small, celebrate it annually with free (what else?) coffee and other deals. Peet’s is even offering a “Disloyalty Program” that incentivizes customers of its rivals to switch. Sixty-seven percent of Americans drink coffee every day — more than any other beverage, including water — according to National Coffee Association (NCA). A recently released NCA report also said that coffee consumption continues to “bounce back” from the Covid-19 pandemic, notably with at-work consumption growing as companies compel their workers return to the office. In fact,…

High-profile presenters should be allowed to express views on issues and policies but stop short of political campaigning, a new BBC report says. New rules have been published for BBC flagship presenters following a row over Gary Lineker’s social media posts. It comes after a review into BBC social media guidelines was published by former ITN boss John Hardie. Lineker responded on X, formerly Twitter, by saying the new rules were “all very sensible”. Those who work in BBC news and current affairs, such as news presenters, are already subject to stricter rules around impartiality when using social media. The…

When Ludovica Sannazzaro Natta introduces herself to new people, she always leads with the key facts: She’s 21, about to turn 22. She’s Italian. She’s a “very proud Scorpio.” She studied musical theater in Los Angeles and New York. Then, she’ll add an unexpected extra detail into the mix: “I live in a castle full time.” Growing up in a castle Sannazzaro Natta moved into the 45-roomed, turreted, fairytale Castle Sannazzaro when she was four years old. Sannazzaro Natta is descended from Italian nobility and her father is a count. This medieval fortress, located in picturesque countryside near Giarole, northern…

Glaciers in Switzerland are shrinking at a “mind-blowing” rate. A total of 10% of their ice volume has disappeared over a period of just two years as a combination of low snowfall and soaring temperatures cause unprecedented melting, according to figures released Thursday. In 2023, the country’s glaciers lost 4% of their total volume, according to data from the Swiss Commission for Cryosphere Observation of the Swiss Academy of Sciences. This level melting is second only to the record set in 2022, when 6% of glaciers were destroyed. To put this into perspective, Swiss glaciers have lost as much ice over this…

China has declined to comment on its defense minister’s whereabouts as questions swirl over his status a month after he was last seen in public. Gen. Li Shangfu’s absence since late August has fueled rumors about his fate, but during a regular press briefing Thursday, Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said he was “not aware of the situation” when asked whether the minister was under investigation. Li’s disappearance follows a series of unexplained personnel shakeups that have roiled the upper ranks of China’s ruling Communist Party this summer, including the ousting in July of former Foreign Minister Qin Gang. Days later, Beijing…

The White House plans to introduce a highly anticipated executive order in the coming weeks dealing with artificial intelligence, President Joe Biden said Wednesday. “This fall, I’m going to take executive action, and my administration is going to continue to work with bipartisan legislation,” Biden said, “so America leads the way toward responsible AI innovation.” Biden offered no details on the contents of the coming order, which the White House had first announced in July. But his remarks offer greater insight into his administration’s timing. Biden’s signing of the order would build on an earlier administration proposal for an “AI Bill…

Ryanair has announced cuts to its winter schedule due to delays in the delivery of Boeing aircraft, but Europe’s largest airline by passenger numbers said its full-year traffic forecast was unaffected “as yet.” Ryanair (RYAAY) said in a statement Thursday that it had expected to receive delivery of 27 aircraft between September and December. But due to production delays at the Spirit Fuselage facility in Wichita, Kansas, combined with Boeing’s repair and delivery delays in Seattle, Ryanair now expects to receive only 14 aircraft during the three-month period. Flight cancellations will take effect from the end of October, and will be communicated to…