Key takeaways The average rate for the best high-yield savings accounts is 4.15% APY.Savings rates held steady all last week.We don't recommend waiting if you want to earn interest at today's rates since annual percentage yields could fall. We've been watching rates for the best high-yield savings accounts for a while now. The best rates are still over 4% annual percentage yield, or APY, but all eyes are on where savings rates will go next.Rates for some of the best accounts held steady last week as the Federal Reserve left the federal funds rate range alone for January. Historically, when the Fed raises or lowers interest rates, banks do the same for borrowing and saving.While no one knows for sure where rates are headed next, there's still time to take advantage of current APYs. We don't recommend waiting -- that could mean missing out on interest. Here's a closer look at the best savings rates and the banks that offer them.Today's best savings rates Bank APY*Min. deposit to openVaro 5.00%**$0Newtek Bank 4.70%$0LendingClub 4.50%$0Bask Bank 4.50%$0EverBank 4.40%$0Synchrony Bank 4.10%$0Laurel Road 4.00%$0American Express 3.80%$0Capital One 3.80%$0 Experts recommend comparing rates before opening a savings account to get the best APY possible. Enter your information below to get CNET's partners' best rate for your area.How to kickstart saving with a high-yield savings accountStarting a savings goal in the new year can be overwhelming, especially if you're considering which new account to open. Money coach and CNET Money expert Bernadette Joy shared some tips to help you stick to your goal."Start by naming your savings account something meaningful, like 'Peace of Mind' or 'Dream Fund,'" said Joy. "It's a psychological hack that makes it easier to stay motivated."Breaking your goal into smaller chunks can make it more manageable. For example, if you aim to save $1,000, you may start by setting aside $200 a month. If you put the money in a high-yield savings account, you'll earn interest, which can help you reach your goal faster.Joy also recommends sticking with a high-yield savings account that doesn't charge a monthly fee or require a minimum balance.You can earn up to 4.65% APY on the best CDs. Check out today's rates.Average savings rates from week to week Last week's CNET average savings APY* This week's CNET average savings APYWeekly change4.16% 4.15%-0.24% What to look for when choosing a high-yield savings accountSince credit unions and online-only banks are most likely to offer high-yield savings accounts, that may change how you manage your savings. For example, some online-only banks don't accept cash deposits and may not have physical locations for in-person assistance. Here are some other factors to consider when opening a HYSA.Account requirements: Some HYSAs require a minimum amount to open an account, typically between $25 and $100. Others don't have any minimums. You should be aware of balance requirements to ensure your account stays in good standing and continues earning interest.ATM access: Not every bank offers cash deposits and withdrawals. If you need regular ATM access, check to see if your bank provides ATM fee reimbursements or a wide range of in-network ATMs, said Lanesha Mohip, founder of the Polished CFO and another CNET Expert Review Board member.Fees: Look out for fees for monthly maintenance, withdrawals and paper statements, said Mohip. The charges can eat into your balance.Accessibility: If you prefer in-person assistance, look for a bank with physical branches. If you're comfortable managing your money digitally, consider an online bank.Withdrawal limits: Some banks charge an excess withdrawal fee if you make more than six monthly withdrawals. If you may need to make more, consider a bank without this limit.Safety and security: Make sure your bank is insured with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation -- or the National Credit Union Administration for credit unions. This way, your money is protected up to $250,000 per account holder, per category, if the bank fails.Customer service: Choose a bank that's responsive and makes it easy to get help with your account if you need it. Read online customer reviews and contact the bank's customer service to get a feel for working with the bank.MethodologyCNET reviewed savings accounts at more than 50 traditional and online banks, credit unions and financial institutions with nationwide services. Each account received a score between one (lowest) and five (highest). The savings accounts listed here are all insured up to $250,000 per person, per account category, per institution, by the FDIC or NCUA.CNET evaluates the best savings accounts using a set of established criteria that compares annual percentage yields, monthly fees, minimum deposits or balances, and access to physical branches. None of the banks on our list charge monthly maintenance fees. An account will rank higher for offering any of the following perks:Account bonusesAutomated savings featuresWealth management consulting/coaching servicesCash depositsExtensive ATM networks and/or ATM rebates for out-of-network ATM useA savings account may be rated lower if it doesn't have an easy-to-navigate website or if it doesn't offer helpful features like an ATM card. Accounts that impose restrictive residency requirements or fees for exceeding monthly transaction limits may also be rated lower.*APYs as of Jan. 31, 2025, based on the banks we track at CNET. Weekly percentage increase/decrease from Jan. 20 to Jan. 27, 2025.**Varo offers 5% APY only on balances of less than $5,000.More savings advice

February 2, 2025Tuberculosis Outbreak, Highly Pathogenic Bird Flu Strain and Polar Bear HairIn this weeks roundup, catch up on the spread of bird flu in the U.S., a tuberculosis outbreak in Kansas and lessons from fossilized vomit.By Rachel Feltman & Madison Goldberg Anaissa Ruiz Tejada/Scientific AmericanSUBSCRIBE TO Science Quickly[CLIP: Let There Be Rain, by Silver Maple]Rachel Feltman: Happy Monday, listeners! For Scientific Americans Science Quickly, Im Rachel Feltman. Hope your February is off to a great start. Lets kick off the week by catching up on all the science news you might have missed.First, a quick note on some presidential moves that might impact health and science. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced at least some bipartisan pushback during confirmation hearings for his nomination for secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. On Thursday the chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Republican Bill Cassidy, pressed Kennedy to take a definitive pro-vaccine stance. Cassidy, who practiced medicine for decades, claims he has constituents who credit Kennedyat least in partfor their decision not to vaccinate.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.After a lot of back and forth, Cassidy asked Kennedy to agree that if he were to be confirmed, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration would not deprioritize or delay review and/or approval of new vaccines and that vaccine review standards will not change from historical norms. Kennedy replied in the affirmativebut its important to note that the nominee has a long history of promoting vaccine misinformation.You can read more about RFK Jr.s health care track record at ScientificAmerican.com, and well keep you updated on the confirmation hearings as they proceed.Last week was also pretty chaotic in terms of executive orders, a federal funding freeze and more. As of last Friday afternoon, there were reports of webpages disappearing from government health agency sites. Stat News reported that data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, a large national survey on youth behavioral habits that includes information on gender and sexual identities, had disappeared and was no longer accessible to researchers. The CDC's Social Vulnerability Index, which highlights groups particularly vulnerable to disasters because of factors like poverty, also appeared to be down on Friday, as did some resources about HIV. Thats not an exhaustive list by any means, and this story was very much still developing as of the time of this recording on the afternoon of January 31. Were working on a deeper dive on these changes and their implications for this weeks Friday episode, so let us know if you have any specific questions. You can send those over to us at sciencequickly@sciam.com.[CLIP: It Doesnt End Here (Instrumental), by Nehemiah Pratt]Feltman: Now lets get into some public health news. You may have seen some headlines last week about a record-breaking outbreak of tuberculosis in Kansas. Initial reports dubbing it the nations largest TB outbreak since the CDC started keeping track of cases seem to have stemmed from an incorrect statement from the state health department. After the CDC refuted that, a state health official offered clarification, claiming this outbreak has seen the countrys highest case numbers over a one-year period.The discrepancy has led to some confusion about the nature of thisvery real and seriousoutbreak. The health department says that as of January 31, more than 60 people in Wyandotte and Johnson counties have been diagnosed with active TB associated with the outbreak, though some have completed treatment since their diagnoses; active refers to a type of tuberculosis, not whether someone currently has the illnessmore on that shortly. According to a state official, two people have died in the outbreak. Here to unpack the situation for us is Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga, a health equity reporter for the Kansas News Service and KCUR.Bek Shackelford-Nwanganga: The first cases related to this specific outbreak were, weve been told, recorded in January of 2024. There was a pretty large spike over the summer, which is actually when the state came in and started assisting, and thats when the CDC also came in and started assisting.[CLIP: Those Rainy Days, by Elm Lake]Shackelford-Nwanganga: Theyre pretty confident that theyve got the situation under control. They do expect to find more cases. They have to do a lot of contact tracing and a lot of investigations to try and figure out who is in touch with who. But for the most part they are happy with how numbers are trending downward, and they are monitoring it pretty closely.Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection. It can settle in other places in your body, but typically it settles in a persons lungs. You know, when that person coughs or is singing, things like that, it can spread that way. Tuberculosis requires a lot of extended, close contact with a person to catch it.And then there are two types of tuberculosis. Theres one thats known as active tuberculosis. This is when a person is displaying symptomsyou know, persistent cough, coughing up blood, pain in the lungs, and then things like night sweats and fevers and weight loss. That means they have an active infection and they can spread it to others. For the other version of tuberculosis, latent tuberculosispeople sometimes call it sleeping tuberculosisthis means that someone has the bacteria in their body, but its not causing an active infection. It has to become active for it to spread to others. And if you have a latent case, you wont be experiencing symptoms.People that have diabetes, people who drink heavily, people with HIV and people that are immune-compromised, theyre at a greater risk of developing the illnessand especially people that maybe travel to countries that have larger outbreaks.You know, our health officials right now are not raising alarm bells for the general public. For right now, public health officials are saying theyre safe and that unless they interact with someone who has tuberculosis or they experience any prolonged symptoms, they should be in the clear. Its really important for people who maybe hear that they were exposed to TB to comply with what the health department wants of them. It can be deadly, and so its justif youre aware of the fact that you could possibly have it or youve been exposed, it is important to take it seriously and to comply with treatment and with testing.Feltman: Thanks so much for that update, Bek. Listeners, you can find more information about the outbreak on the Kansas health departments website. Well be talking more about TB next month, when well have author John Green on the pod to chat about his new book, Everything Is Tuberculosis. But for now, lets move on to a bird flu update.[CLIP: The Farmhouse, by Silver Maple]Feltman: U.S. officials recently informed the World Organization for Animal Health about the first reported appearance of highly pathogenic H5N9 bird flu in U.S. poultry. This is a separate, less-common strain of bird flu than H5N1, which is the type thats been making headlines for its spread among birds and cattle. H5N9 has been found in U.S. birds before, but authorities say this is the first time a version of the virus that's more likely to make birds seriously sick has infected U.S. poultry. In this case, H5N9 turned up on a duck farm in California that also had birds test positive for H5N1. Nearly 119,000 ducks have reportedly been killed, with the goal of limiting the viruss spread.Separately, last Tuesday one of the countrys largest egg producers confirmed avian flu deaths among its flocks. Rose Acre Farms, which has facilities across seven states, said on social media that workers had noticed chickens dying at an Indiana location on January 25. Now, storing and cooking eggs properly should prevent the spread of bird flu to human consumersbut the need to cull sick chickens is having its own impact. On January 24 the Food Price Outlook report from the U.S. Department of Agricultures economic research arm predicted that egg prices would increase by more than 20 percent in 2025.But last week also brought some good news on the bird flu front. In a study published Thursday in Science researchers described an antibody-based immune therapy that helped protect monkeys who were later infected with H5N1 from becoming seriously ill. The researchers say this antibody targets a part of the influenza virus that doesnt really change as the microbe mutates. In the study on monkeys the protection against serious illness and death seemed to hold up for eight to 12 weeks. The scientists suggest this could serve as a protective measure for first responders and other caregivers at the start of an H5N1 outbreak. For a deeper dive on the state of bird flu in the U.S., check out our January 15 episode.[CLIP: None of My Business, by Arthur Benson]Feltman: Now, this next story is technically health newsbut its pretty out of date. Basically, a fossil hunter seems to have found some 66-million-year-old puke. The amateur fossil fiend spotted traces of ancient sea lilies, which only look flowery; theyre actually invertebrates related to sea stars and urchins. Further examination suggested they were gnawed on by some animal before being, lets say, rejected.Curators at Denmarks East Zealand Museum recently announced the finding to the press. To be clear, this precious artifact hasnt been described in a peer-reviewed journal, so we shouldnt get too excited about the implications of the ancient vom quite yet. But perhaps unsurprisingly, the story has been making international headlines anyway. Danish paleontologist Jesper Miln told the BBC that the specimen is the world's most famous piece of puke ever.Paul Olsen, a professor of Earth and environmental sciences at Columbia University, told NPR that while fossilized vomit, technically known as regurgitalite, isnt actually rare, this one is an especially nice example. He also noted that it was probably more of a spitting situation, like someone chewing on sunflower seeds and getting rid of the shells, than a true upchuck.Well wrap up with some new research on polar bears, who apparently thrive on bad hair days. A study published last Wednesday in Science Advances reveals that sebum made of cholesterol, diacylglycerols and fatty acidsalso known as greasekeeps ice from accumulating on polar bear hairs. When researchers washed their samples of polar bear fur in the lab, the strands lost their ice-resistant superpowers.[CLIP: Theme music]Feltman: Thats all for this weeks news roundup. Well be back on Wednesday with tips for how to avoid a phenomenon sometimes known as outrage fatigue.Science Quickly is produced by me, Rachel Feltman, along with Fonda Mwangi, Kelso Harper, Madison Goldberg and Jeff DelViscio. Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck fact-check our show. Our theme music was composed by Dominic Smith. Subscribe to Scientific American for more up-to-date and in-depth science news.For Scientific American, this is Rachel Feltman. Have a great week!

Unreleased details of Assassin's Creed Shadows' story and characters have leaked out via an adult cartoon website. Read more

It looks like Pokmon TCG Pocket will offer all players a guaranteed rare card for the franchise's annual Pokmon Day. Read more

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Contents hide Destiny 2 fans are in for a busy February, and it all starts with the launch of Episode Heresy. There is a lot for D2 players to anticipate about this new chapter from Bungie, including the simultaneous launch of a crossover with Star Wars. The release date and time countdown for when Destiny 2 Episode Heresy will start is right around the corner, and Bungie has outlined the official maintenance schedule.Destiny 2 Episode Heresy release dateThe release date for Destiny 2 Episode Heresy is February 4th. This is the same day the crossover with Star Wars will launch, too.Ahead of the new chapters launch, Bungie has provided fans with a lot of details. The developer has announced a new weapon Tome, theyve announced some mega buffs and new perks, and theyve also announced a popular OP weapon archetype getting nerfed so its no longer great at killing everything.Following the launch of Heresy, fans then have the Bungie Game2Give charity fundraiser livestream on February 6th, and then theres the Sundered Doctrine Dungeon Racestarting February 7th.When does Destiny 2 Episode Heresy start?The start time for Destiny 2 Episode Heresy is 9AM PT/12PM ET/5PM GMT on February 4th. This is when the update will be available across all platforms and regions for players to experience, with fans able to log back into D2.Unfortunately, at the hours listed above, players might be placed in a queue and encounter issues logging in due to background maintenance still continuing. Maintenance will fully conclude at 11AM PT/2PM ET/7PM GMT, so any possible issues should no longer be encountered by these times. Must-Listen: Publishing Manor Lords w/ Joe Robinson VideoGamer Podcast Listen Now Destiny 2 Episode Heresy start time US9AM PT on Tuesday, February 4th12PM ET on Tuesday, February 4thDestiny 2 Episode Heresy release time UK5PM GMT on Tuesday, February 4thCountdownBelow is a visual countdown to when the chapter will launch:D2 maintenance scheduleBelow is the official maintenance schedule courtesy of Bungie:February 3rd:Background maintenance starts at 10AM PT/1PM ET/6PM GMTBackground maintenance ends at 2PM PT/5PM ET/10PM GMTFebruary 4th:Maintenance starts at 6:30AM PT/9:30AM ET/2:30PM GMTDestiny 2 is brought offline at 7:45AM PT/10:45AM ET/3:45PM GMTUpdate 8.2.0 will be available across all platforms/regions, D2 players able to log back in at 9AM PT/12PM ET/5PM GMTMaintenance fully concludes at 11AM PT/2PM ET/7PM GMTImage credit: BungieCheck out Bungies sever and update status webpage for more information.As for more Destiny 2, check out our guide to thebest Legendary weaponsalong with thebest weapons for PvP.Destiny 2Platform(s):Google Stadia, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Web, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/XGenre(s):Action, Adventure, First Person, Massively Multiplayer, Shooter8VideoGamerSubscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

The best hotels in New York City offer a few key features: sweeping views of the skyline, attentive service, and proximity to the citys buzziest neighborhoods and sightsCentral Park, Fifth Avenue, Greenwich Village, Soho, Chelsea, and (dare we say it) Times Square. It feels like theres a luxury hotel around every corner, and you wouldnt be entirely wrong. From the picture frame windows and mood lighting of the PUBLIC Hotel to the regency-style interiors of The Pierre, theres plenty to write home about from these post card-worthy lodgings.Choosing just one spot to check off the boxes on your travel to-do list is a very tall order, but you might be surprised what youll find in the city that never sleeps. Location really makes a difference here, and in an effort to help you navigate the vibrant world of New York City hotels, we pulled together some of our favorite design-forward stays from all over the subway map. At AD, we love a good interior, so we highlighted a curated selection of spots to satisfy your aesthetic cravings, with plenty of other perks to make it a visit to remember. Whether youre looking for Art Deco style, an otherworldly spa that sets you on a whole nother plane of relaxation, some Michelin-worthy dining options, or a rooftop bar that looks out onto the heart of the city, weve got options for you.We broke the following picks down into three budget categoriesbecause you dont need us to tell you that staying in the Big Apple can be expensive. Consider this your official travel guide for finding the most luxurious place to lay your head at night.The Best Hotels in New York City, by Category:Under $500 a NightCourtesy of the Ludlow HotelThe Ludlow HotelPerks: Rain-style showers, in-room living spaces, a fitness center, and accommodations for petsNeighborhood: The Lower East SideLocated in the hip Lower East Sidewhere young, cooler-than-thou locals and buzzy shops like Colbo and Coming Soon convergelies the Ludlow, a boutique hotel designed by a trio of renowned New York City hoteliers: Sean MacPherson, Ira Drukier, and Richard Born. It includes 175 spacious guest rooms spanning studios, terraces, loft spaces, and a penthouse suite that feature exposed beams, chairs clad in sheepskin rugs, and old-school four poster beds. The oak-paneled lobby is one of his coziest gathering places, from the grand limestone fireplace offset with squelchy leather seating to the garden terrace where French cuisine is served under a constellation of colorful glass pendants. From $389 per night.BOOK NOWPhoto: Matt DutileWythe HotelPerks: Dedicated workspaces, exposed brick, fitness center, room service, concierge serviceNeighborhood: Williamsburg, Brooklyn

No, it was not a Sputnik moment. The launch last month of DeepSeek R1, the Chinese generative AI or chatbot, created mayhem in the tech world, with stocks plummeting and much chatter about the US losing its supremacy in AI technology. Yet, for all the disruption, the Sputnik analogy reveals less about DeepSeek than about American neuroses.The original Sputnik moment came on 4 October 1957 when the Soviet Union shocked the world by launching Sputnik 1, the first time humanity had sent a satellite into orbit. It was, to anachronistically borrow a phrase from a later and even more momentous landmark, one giant leap for mankind, in Neil Armstrongs historic words as he took a small step on to the surface of the moon.It was a significant moment in the cold war, too. A confidential White House report worried that American prestige had sustained a severe blow, giving the USSR clear advantage in the cold war. That fear spurred Washington into reshaping its space programme, and catalysed the Apollo missions, culminating with Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin becoming, on 20 July 1969, the first humans to walk uponanothercelestial body.DeepSeek, sponsored by a Chinese hedge fund, is a notable achievement. Technically, though, it is no advance on large language models (LLMs) that already exist. It is neither faster nor cleverer than OpenAIs ChatGPT or Anthropics Claude and just as prone to hallucinations the tendency, exhibited by all LLMs, to give false answers or to make up facts to fill gaps in its data. According to NewsGuard, a rating system for news and information websites, DeepSeeks chatbot made false claims 30% of the time and gave no answers to 53% of questions, compared with 40% and 22% respectively for the 10 leading chatbots in NewsGuards most recent audit.The figures expose the profound unreliability of all LLMs. DeepSeeks particularly high non-response rate is likely to be the product of its censoriousness; it refuses to provide answers on any issue that China finds sensitive or about which it wants facts restricted, whether Tiananmen Square or Taiwan.The true impact of DeepSeek is not on the technology but on the economics of AI. It is a chatbot as capable, and as flawed, as other current leading models, but built at a fraction of the cost and from inferior technology. The US ban on the sale to China of the most advanced chips and chip-making equipment, imposed by the Biden administration in 2022, and tightened several times since, was designed to curtail Beijings access to cutting-edge technology. Paradoxically, it may have spurred Chinese researchers into becoming more innovative.Had DeepSeek been created by geeks at a US university, it would most likely have been feted without global tumultDeepSeek is also free to use, and open source. The combination of low cost and openness may help democratise AI technology, enabling others, especially from outside America, to enter the market. There is a certain irony that it should be China that is opening up the technology while US firms continue to create as many barriers as possible to competitors attempting to enter the field.And here lies perhaps the biggest impact of DeepSeek. It has ripped off the veil of mystique that previously surrounded AI. Silicon Valley has nurtured the image of AI technology as a precious and miraculous accomplishment, and portrayed its leading figures, from Elon Musk to Sam Altman, as prophets guiding us into a new world. The technology itself has been endowed with almost magical powers, including the promise of artificial general intelligence, or AGI superintelligent machines capable of surpassing human abilities on any cognitive task as being almost within our grasp.Last April, Musk predicted that AI would be smarter than any human by the end of 2025. Last month, Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, the driving force behind the current generative AI boom, similarly claimed to be confident we know how to build AGI and that in 2025, we may see the first AI agents join the workforce.Almost a decade ago, the Nobel prize-winning computer scientist Geoff Hinton urged nations to stop training radiologists, and similar medical technicians, because its completely obvious within five years, deep learning [AI] is going to do better. Dario Amodei, the CEO of Anthropic, a corporation founded by former OpenAI employees, has claimed that AI could double the human lifespan within five to 10 years. These fantasy claims have been shredded by critics such as the American cognitive scientist Gary Marcus, who has even challenged Musk to a $1m bet over his smarter than any human claim for AI.Nevertheless, for all the pushback, each time one fantasy prediction fails to materialise, another takes its place. Such claims derive less from technological possibilities than from political and economic needs. While AI technology has provided hugely important tools, capable of surpassing humans in specific fields, from the solving of mathematical problems to the recognition of disease patterns, thebusiness model depends on hype. It is the hype that drives the billion-dollar investment and buys political influence, including a seat at the presidential inauguration.skip past newsletter promotionSign up to ObservedFree weekly newsletterAnalysis and opinion on the week's news and culture brought to you by the best Observer writers Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.after newsletter promotionIt is also an approach that seeks to advance AI less through major scientific breakthroughs than through a brute force strategy of scaling up building bigger models, using larger datasets, and deploying vastly greater computational power. The disruptive quality of DeepSeek lies in questioning this approach, demonstrating that the best generative AI models can be matched with much less computational power and a lower financial burden.The hype around DeepSeek is in part a reflection of the hype around AI. It is a reflection, too, of geopolitical tensions. Had DeepSeek been created by geeks at a US university, it would most likely have been feted but without the global tumult of the past two weeks. Beneath the panic lies fear of DeepSeeks Chinese origins andownership.Yet, too great an obsession with the geopolitics of DeepSeek can distort the lessons we take from it. The promise of more open access to such vital technology becomes subsumed into a fear of its Chinese provenance. Concerns about privacy, censorship and surveillance, rightly raised by a model such as DeepSeek, can help obscure the reality that such issues bedevil all AI technology, not just that from China. Particularly at a time of threatened trade wars and threats to democracy, our capacity to navigate between the hype and the fear assumes new importance.

The recent Salt Typhoon cyberattack, orchestrated by Chinese attackers, finally gave US officials the much needed nudge to start endorsing strong end-to-end encryption, instead of wanting to undermine it! In this hack, the Chinese infiltrated major American telecommunications networks and, worst of all, they are still in the systems and can not be removed. For US officials, it wasnt just another cyberattack; it was a wake-up call. For years, cybersecurity experts have warned about the risks posed by insecure and outdated communication systems, and the devastating consequences of Salt Typhoon underline how bad the situation has become.The Salt Typhoon hack, also labeled as the worst hack in US history, led to a notable and long-overdue policy shift in the USA.Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has now recommended using end-to-end encrypted services for secure communications, and best of all especially those that dont harvest or store metadata. This move is significant not only because it validates what privacy advocates have been saying for years but also because for the first time US government officials ask everyone to use encryption. In its Mobile Communications Best Practice Guidance CISA recommends:1. Use only end-to-end encrypted communicationsCISA specifically names the Signal chat app as a secure alternative, not only because of its quantum-resistant, end-to-end encryption, but also because users should evaluate the extent to which the app and associated services collect and store metadata which in Signals case is very little.Battle against end-to-end encryptionHistorically, the US government has had a much different relationship with end-to-end encryption.Politicians and governmental agencies alike have often portrayed encryption as a barrier to law enforcement rather than a safeguard for individual privacy. Again and again, politicians tried to force tech companies offering secure encryption for backdoor access stating that access for the good guys should be possible to prevent terrorist attacks or the sexual exploitation of children.Efforts to undermine strong encryption have been persistent for as long as end-to-end encryption has existed.The Crypto Wars of the 1990sIn the early days of the internet and shortly after the invention of PGP encryption which for the first time allowed individuals to send encrypted emails over the internet, the US government pushed against the export of such technology. The US government argued that technology like PGP would allow anyone including foreign adversaries - to protect their communication from prying eyes, in particular, from US secret services.Consequently, US government export regulations banned the export of cryptographic systems with 128-bit keys, like PGPs AES/RSA encryption. The attitude towards encryption in the US was split: On one side, military cryptography experts entirely focused on preventing adversaries from accessing sensitive information, making sure to use strong encryption for such information. On the other side, officials wanted access to foreign communications.However, a backdoor to encryption was never introduced to PGP, and strong end-to-end encryption is being used to this day, now even with quantum-resistant algorithms.Apple vs. FBI (2016) US government wanting backdoor access to iPhones from Apple. Hackers, repressive regimes etc. standing in line to also get access.The FBIs demand that Apple should create a backdoor to unlock the iPhone of the San Bernardino shooter sparked a national debate in the USA. Apples refusal highlighted the fundamental tension between individual privacy and governmental surveillance.To this day, Apple is able to offer strong end-to-end encryption to its users.The EARN IT Act (2020)Under the guise of combating child exploitation, the US government wanted to force companies offering encrypted services to undermine this encryption by enabling scanning mechanisms with the help of the EARN IT Act.Critics warned it would effectively outlaw strong encryption, and the EARN IT Act never got passed.The Lawful Access to Encrypted Data Act (2020)Introduced as a measure to ensure law enforcement could access encrypted data during investigations, the Lawful Access to Encrypted Data Act sought to mandate that companies create backdoors in their encryption systems. Proponents argued it was necessary for public safety, but critics pointed out that such backdoors would weaken encryption for everyone, exposing users to cyberattacks and surveillance.The proposal faced significant opposition from privacy advocates and the tech industry and ultimately failed to gain traction in Congress.Every attempt to break encryption has consistently led to a very controversial debate about encryption in the United States during the last few decades.But every time anyone demands backdoor access to encryption, one thing comes out crystal-clear:Any deliberate weakening of encryption not only compromises privacy but also exposes users to the same kinds of attacks demonstrated by Salt Typhoon.Salt Typhoon: A wake-up callSalt Typhoons success was rooted in exploiting weaknesses in (old and outdated) telecommunications networks. While much of the focus has been on the scale of the hack, its implications are even more alarming. This attack revealed that attackers could access sensitive communications, gather extensive metadata, and potentially disrupt critical infrastructure.The breach is a stark reminder that secure communication is not a given, we must make smart decisions to make sure our online communication is secure by choosing encrypted services like Signal and Tuta Mail as it has now been recommended by CISA.Victory for privacyWe at Tuta highly welcome CISAs new recommendation we do not only welcome it, we call it a long-awaited victory for privacy.This recommendation by CISA marks a significant and overdue shift in US policy towards prioritizing privacy and security in digital communications. For years, experts have emphasized the importance of end-to-end encryption and minimal metadata retention. Its the only safe method we have to make sure our communication can not be monitored. It is encouraging to see this is finally being understood at such a high governmental level. CISAs recent statement is the loudest endorsement of encryption that we have ever heard from an agency of the US government.At Tuta, our goal is to give users full control over their data. By implementing strong, quantum-safe encryption algorithms, by using a zero-knowledge architecture and by storing as little metadata as possible about our users, we make sure that our users data stays safe, online and offline.Why privacy mattersPrivacy is often framed as necessary only for those with something to hide. But this narrative ignores the fundamental role privacy plays in a democratic society. Privacy matters because without it, free speech and freedom of expression, even freedom of thought are at risk. Journalists, activists, and whistleblowers rely on secure communication to expose corruption and injustice.But thats only one part. If we are able to keep our data private and confidential, we can protect it from any kind of prying eyes not just from political opponents, but also from economic adversaries. Businesses depend on privacy through end-to-end encryption to protect sensitive data from competitors, business espionage and bad actors.Salt Typhoon demonstrated what can happen when these safeguards are absent. This breach mainly affected politicians spied upon by Chinese attackers but anyone could fall victim to it: individuals, businesses, NGOs, anyone. The Salt Typhoon hack affects national security and global trust in critical communications infrastructure and the only method that can keep us safe is end-to-end encryption.Calling on politicians to end the crypto warsCISAs recommendation of using end-to-end encryption is a step in the right direction, but it must be followed by action. Policymakers need to resist future attempts to weaken encryption or to undermine it with backdoors for the good guys.The crypto wars must finally come to an end!Instead, politicians must actively support end-to-end encryption and the development of secure technologies in their own interest.Lets build a more secure digital future. Lets fight for privacy together!

McDonald's At HomeThis new gacha game is absolutely ripping off your favourite anime, but it's so blatant you can't help but applaudOriginality? Who needs it!Image credit: Unicorn Whale Technology Limited News by Oisin Kuhnke Contributor Published on Feb. 3, 2025 There's a new gacha game on the scene, and it's so obviously copying some of the biggest anime around, all you can do is laugh.Is creativity dead? Well, no, there's so much good stuff coming out these days I'm struggling to keep up, but if I were to only look at Enigma of Sepia, I'd certainly think it was. I can't really tell you what kind of game Enigma of Sepia is - it's certainly a gacha game, it's definitely coming to mobile devices, and it claims to be an RPG, but there's hardly a lick of gameplay available despite supposedly releasing this coming February 14 (yes, Valentine's Day). There are a couple of trailers available, one technically being a cinematic trailer, the other showing off characters you collect with a bit of gameplay in the background, but right off the bat you can see that some of them look familiar.Watch on YouTubeIn that character trailer alone you can see a ripoff of what I think is meant to be Kirito from Sword Art Online, Shinji from Neon Genesis Evangelion (who is just straight up wearing EVA Unit-01 as an outfit), Roy Mustang from Fullmetal Alchemist, and Yuji from Jujutsu Kaisen. That's not to mention characters shown off on the game's Twitter, like Satoria, who is definitely not Jujutsu Kaisen's Gojo Satoru, and Chronis, who absolutely isn't Jotaro and Star Platinum from Jojo's Bizarre Adventure. Hell, there's even Denise, who isn't Denji from Chainsaw Man at all!To see this content please enable targeting cookies. One thing I'm sure you'll have also noticed by now is that all of these characters are typically men, but instead are now hot anime women with giant you-know-whats, which is certainly a creative choice that has been made. It appears to be the debut title of Unicorn Whale Technology Limited, and it certainly looks like it, but hey, maybe it's the next breakout hit! Maybe.

Baldur's Gate 3's Patch 8 stress test went live last week, and thanks to it, a thing exists. Yep, the actual patch isn't even out yet, and someone's already used the new photo mode to create a perfect bear sex-themed twist on the distracted boyfriend meme. Come on, you know the one. Read more