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Amazon is reportedly using Chinese suppliers with ties to forced labor

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3 years ago

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Amazon is reportedly using Chinese suppliers with ties to forced labor

Amazon is allegedly using suppliers in China with hyperlinks to pressured labor, in line with a report from the Tech Transparency Undertaking (TTP), a analysis group owned by the nonprofit watchdog group Marketing campaign for Accountability (through NBC Information). The report accuses Amazon of constant to work with these suppliers, regardless of proof of their affiliation with Uyghur labor camps.

China’s inhabitants of Uyghurs, the nation’s Muslim ethnic minority, is basically concentrated within the Xinjiang area of China. Over a number of years, the group has been topic to a lot of human rights abuses inside the nation, together with internment camps, fixed surveillance, mass sterilization, and compelled labor. Because the TTP notes, China makes use of what it calls “labor transfers” to move Uyghurs from the Xinjiang area to factories all through China, forcing them into labor packages the TTP says “are sometimes coercive and related to a community of mass internment and reeducation camps.”

The TTP pinpoints 5 corporations on Amazon’s provider checklist (accessible as a CSV file within the small print under the web page’s provide chain map) which have been publicly denounced for being “instantly or not directly” related to the pressured labor of China’s Uyghur inhabitants within the Xinjiang area. Amazon’s suppliers are accountable for making Amazon-branded merchandise, such because the Echo, Fireplace TV, Kindle, the wide selection of reasonably priced merchandise bought as a part of its Amazon Fundamentals line, and extra.

The TTP discovered that three Amazon suppliers — Luxshare Precision Trade, AcBel Polytech, and Lens Know-how — have reportedly used pressured labor themselves. Two different corporations, GoerTek and Hefei BOE Optoelectronics, are not directly concerned, and allegedly make the most of suppliers which have been accused of utilizing pressured labor. A variety of earlier experiences have implicated these corporations previously — for instance, Luxshare and Lens Know-how had been each linked to pressured labor in bombshell experiences from The Data and The Washington Put up, though these experiences pertained to Apple’s questionable historical past of suppliers.

Because the TTP factors out, Amazon’s provide chain requirements (PDF) particularly rule out pressured labor. “Amazon suppliers should not use pressured labor — slave, jail, indentured, bonded, or in any other case,” its requirements learn. “All work have to be voluntary, and staff have to be free to go away work and terminate their employment or different work standing with affordable discover.”

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Along with alleging Amazon’s use of suppliers related to pressured labor, the TTP additionally discovered a lot of accounts promoting Xinjiang-sourced cotton, the sale of which has been banned by the US authorities final yr. A variety of international locations have additionally imposed sanctions on Xinjiang, with the US shifting ban imports from Xinjiang altogether in December.

Apple and Amazon aren’t the one US-based corporations with ties to Xinjiang and compelled labor, both. Earlier this yr, Tesla confronted criticism for opening a showroom within the Xinjiang area and was additionally talked about as an alleged buyer of the aforementioned Lens Know-how firm within the TTP report from December 2020.

“Amazon complies with the legal guidelines and rules in all jurisdictions through which it operates, and expects suppliers to stick to our Provide Chain Requirements,” Amazon spokesperson Erika Reynoso mentioned in a press release to The Verge. “We take allegations of human rights abuses severely, together with these associated to the use or export of pressured labor. Every time we discover or obtain proof of pressured labor, we take motion.”

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Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellite service approved for areas hit by Hurricane Helene

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6 hours ago

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October 6, 2024

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Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellite service approved for areas hit by Hurricane Helene

The satellites have already been enabled and started broadcasting emergency alerts to cell phones on all networks in North Carolina. In addition, we may test basic texting (SMS) capabilities for most cell phones on the T-Mobile network in North Carolina. 

SpaceX’s direct-to-cell constellation has not been fully deployed, so all services will be delivered on a best-effort basis.

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A flying shopping cart could make your future grocery runs that much easier

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6 hours ago

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October 6, 2024

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A flying shopping cart could make your future grocery runs that much easier

Can you imagine cruising through the grocery store without ever dealing with a wonky wheel or struggling to turn corners with those conventional grocery carts? 

That scenario might soon become a reality, thanks to an innovative new invention called the Palletrone. 

This flying shopping cart could someday revolutionize the way we shop and move cargo around.

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Flying shopping cart  (SeoulTech)

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JUST WHEN YOU’VE SEEN IT ALL … FLYING FRUIT-PICKING ROBOTS TAKE FLIGHT

What is the Palletrone?

The Palletrone is essentially a multi-rotor drone enclosed in a protective cage, creating a hovering platform that users can push around at chest height. Developed by researchers at Seoul National University of Science and Technology, this aerial cart features a spacious flat surface for easy loading, a rear-mounted handle similar to traditional shopping carts and advanced flight control systems that keep the platform stable.

Flying shopping cart 2

Flying shopping cart  (SeoulTech)

IT’S A BIRD. IT’S A PLANE. NO, IT’S A FLYING JETSKI

How does it work?

Using the Palletrone is surprisingly intuitive. The operator simply grips the handle and applies force in the desired direction. The cart’s smart systems translate those movements into flight trajectories while maintaining a level platform. A porous enclosure protects users from the spinning rotors while still allowing enough airflow for stable flight. The Palletrone can even tackle stairs with ease, making it far more versatile than wheeled carts.

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Flying shopping cart 3

Flying shopping cart  (SeoulTech)

THE WORLD’S FIRST ELECTRIC FLYING CRAFT IS SET FOR LIFT OFF 

Current limitations

While the Palletrone shows incredible promise, it does have some drawbacks in its current form. One significant issue is the noise generated by the drone motors, which can be distracting in quieter environments. Additionally, its carrying capacity is limited to about 6½ pounds, which may not be sufficient for larger grocery trips or heavy office supplies. The restricted flight time due to battery life also poses challenges for extended use.

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Flying shopping cart 4

Flying shopping cart  (SeoulTech)

Future applications

Beyond grocery shopping, the Palletrone has potential uses in various fields, such as logistics and warehousing, where it could streamline operations by transporting goods more efficiently. It could also serve as an office supply transporter or even as a flying camera platform for filmmakers seeking flexible shooting angles. The research team is exploring the possibility of developing in-flight recharging systems to extend Palletrone’s operational time.

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Flyin shopping cart  (SeoulTech)

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Kurt’s key takeaways

While there are still hurdles to overcome, the potential benefits for the Palletrone are are immense. Imagine effortlessly gliding through stores or easily moving items up flights of stairs without breaking a sweat. As technology continues to improve, we may soon see flying carts become a common sight in our daily lives.

What potential challenges or concerns do you foresee with the widespread adoption of flying carts like the Palletrone in public spaces? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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Trailers of the week: Nosferatu, The Franchise, and Squid Game 2

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14 hours ago

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October 6, 2024

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Trailers of the week: Nosferatu, The Franchise, and Squid Game 2

Can you feel it? There’s a slight chill in the air, the Sun is retiring earlier, and the leaves are beginning to change (at least in my Midwestern city). We’re wading right into the time of year when everyone starts posting the vampire Kermit the Frog meme to show how ready they are for Halloween. I’m even starting to eye that Shudder re-subscribe button.

October has its own vibe at the cinema, and theatrical releases this month include Operation Blood Hunt, a movie about 1944 special forces fighting werewolves in the Pacific theater, and Seven Cemeteries, a Danny Trejo-starring film about a guy who hires a witch to resurrect his posse to save a woman’s ranch. And let’s not forget Rumours, which I’m very excited for.

So I’ve got a couple of this week’s scary movie trailers for you to check out below, along with two streaming series. Enjoy!

1922’s Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror was a Dracula movie in all but name. So much so that Bram Stoker’s heirs got a court order to have the movie’s copies destroyed, yet some copies survived. Now, over 100 years after its release, Nosferatu is getting a remake starring Bill Skarsgård as the vampire Count Orlok, AKA Nosferatu. Lily Rose-Depp and Willem Dafoe also star.

The newest trailer does a great job setting up the atmosphere of terror that the townsfolk feel toward Count Orlok, but Focus Features isn’t showing us Orlok himself quite yet. Nosferatu hits theaters on December 25th.

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Companion

I don’t know what the heck is going on with Warner Bros.’ Companion. The teaser for this Drew Hancock-directed movie starts with a head fake, making you think it’s a love story. Then it quickly devolves into what looks like a thriller about a woman (Sophie Thatcher) being held captive by a man (Jack Quaid).

I think that’s a head fake, too. There’s a bizarre moment, at the end of the trailer, where Thatcher’s character holds an unshaking hand over a candle until her arm catches fire. She’s crying, so she clearly feels pain, but the movie’s classification — it’s a sci-fi thriller — makes me wonder what’s going on underneath.

I hoped that by texting the number in the description on the trailer’s YouTube page I would glean a little more. It involves a questionnaire to “Find Your Companion today” that includes a request for a selfie. I got this at the end:

This is a lie; I love magicians.
Image: New Line Cinema
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That didn’t answer any questions for me, but at least I’ll be getting marketing texts now. Anyway, Companion hits theaters on January 10th next year.

Three years after the first hit season of Squid Game ended and spawned a reality show spinoff, the Netflix show is returning with its second season on December 26th. A new teaser this week showed Gong Yoo’s Salesman preparing for work (and probably to do some slapping). It ends with him talking directly to the camera as he asks “Sir, would you like to play a game with me?”

The Franchise, HBO’s new series following the making of a fictional comic book-style movie, looks like a delightful takedown of Hollywood’s ongoing superhero obsession. It’s written by Jon Brown, who also wrote Succession, and stars Himesh Patel and Lolly Adefope as Daniel and Dag, two production workers on the film. Daniel Brühl is in there too — a bit of fun casting, given his role as Zemo in multiple Marvel productions. The Franchise begins streaming tonight at 10PM ET on Max.

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