Policy
* Nuclear Ambitions Revealed: New photos from a Dalian shipyard show a structure strongly resembling a nuclear reactor containment, offering the clearest evidence yet that China's fourth aircraft carrier, the Type 004, will be nuclear-powered. * A Game-Changing Leap: Nuclear propulsion would grant the carrier virtually unlimited range and endurance,
Policy
* A critical lab monitoring seismic activity for over 25 years is losing its funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). * As a direct result, nine seismic stations essential for detecting tsunami-causing earthquakes are set to go offline by the end of the month. * This shutdown raises serious concerns
Policy
* The European Union is launching the "European Democracy Shield," a new initiative to counter Russia's hybrid attacks on European elections and media. * The plan involves increased financial support for independent press, especially in rural "media deserts," and a new center to coordinate defenses against
Policy
* Australia is set to ban children under 16 from creating social media accounts on major platforms starting December 10. * Tech giants like Meta, TikTok, and Reddit face fines of up to €28 million for failing to enforce the age restrictions. * The ban aims to combat a youth mental health crisis,
Policy
* The Berkeley City Council has approved a controversial plan for the police department to fully encrypt all its radio communications, ending public access. * Police Chief Jen Louis cited officer safety, victim privacy, and a 2020 state mandate as primary reasons for the switch. * The decision was met with widespread opposition
Policy
* Sling TV has settled a California data privacy lawsuit for $530,000. * The lawsuit alleged the company used a confusing and deceptive process for users trying to opt out of the sale of their personal information. * Sling TV was also cited for failing to provide adequate privacy protections for children,
Policy
* Detroit has officially broken ground on the first of several neighborhood solar farms, starting with a 42-acre project in the Van Dyke/Lynch area. * The joint project between the City of Detroit and DTE Energy aims to transform vacant, blighted land into a source of clean energy to power 127