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The FDA posted their latest updated guidance for "Influenza (Flu) Antiviral Drugs and Related Information" for public awareness, current for the tail end of the year 2019. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) noted that there are "a number of drugs" of which they approve of for "the treatment and prevention of influenza" but that NONE of them are "a substitute for yearly vaccination." They might stop your cough, but the FDA still recommended (and continues to recommend) that all people get their yearly flu vaccine ASAP.

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China is cracking down on the creation of fake news and 'deepfakes' with new laws that will make publishing this content without an advisory a criminal offense. The move comes amid growing concerns over the effects AI-generated fake content can have on spreading false information and propaganda across social platforms. The move follows a similar bill recently passed in California.

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Uber has found itself in the sights of Transport for London again today, and not in a good way. Transport for London has decided not to renew the company's license to operate, citing a "pattern of failures" on the part of Uber that put the safety of passengers at risk. This isn't as bad as seems on the surface, as Uber now has the chance to appeal and can continue to operate while that appeals process plays out.

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California is the first state in the US to introduce an earthquake early warning system. The launch of the system coincides with the 30th anniversary of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, which claimed 63 lives and caused another 3,757 injuries. In addition to delivering traditional emergency alerts, the new system also utilizes a smartphone app.

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Spire describes their business as "a data and analytics company that collects data from space to solve problems on Earth." Per a release from the FCC today (October 18, 2019), Spire was granted regulatory rights to launch up to 636 satellites in low-earth orbit "operating at orbital altitudes from 385 to 650 km and inclinations ranging from equatorial to polar sun-synchronous (98 degrees)." What will Spire do with all of these satellites in a wide-reaching constellation surrounding our planet?

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Amid all the privacy debates we've seen in recent years, one consistent complaint is that companies don't face harsh enough punishments to discourage the misuse of user data. Today, US Senator Ron Wyden from Oregon introduced new legislation that could change that. Dubbed the "Mind Your Own Business Act," this bill would empower the FTC to levy harsher punishments for privacy violations and give end users more power when it comes to determining what happens with their data.

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In May of this year, IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig made a comment about releasing future guidance on the taxation of cryptocurrency in the USA. Today that guidance was revealed. This is the first guidance released by the IRS on this subject since their relatively thin set of comments on the matter all the way back in the year 2014. A lot has changed in cryptocurrency since the year 2014, including the two most major rises and falls of Bitcoin since the dawn of the blockchain.

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US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has announced new legislation that aims to cap the amount of nicotine that can be used in vaping liquids. Assuming the legislation passes, the FDA will retain the right to lower the maximum nicotine concentration in these liquids in the future if necessary. The move is intended to reduce the addiction potential of nicotine-based vaping liquids, some of which contain very high concentrations.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published its latest update on the vaping lung injury cases, revealing that nearly 300 new cases were reported over the last week. As of October 3, the number of probable and confirmed cases across the United States have climbed to 1,080, underscoring a startling increase in a condition that some researchers speculate may be caused by toxic fumes.

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Nebraska and New Jersey are the latest states to report deaths caused by a severe lung condition linked to the use of electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices. Officials in Nebraska disclosed the death on September 30 followed by a similar disclosure from the New Jersey Department of Public Health earlier today. Both deaths involved adults, one of whom was over the age of 65.

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Public health officials in Georgia and Florida reported two vaping deaths this week, bringing the nationwide total to 11. Both cases involved individuals suffering from the severe lung condition that has appeared in hundreds of people who reported recent use of electronic cigarettes or other vaping products. In at least one of these newly disclosed fatal cases, the victim is said to have used nicotine products.

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Facebook's history of attempts to acquire and/or overcome Snapchat have reportedly appeared in a file created by Snap called "Project Voldemort." Neither of the companies have made this document official, and all sources have remained anonymous in their efforts to make this document known. The files paint Facebook as the enemy of the modern world courtesy of a character from J.K. Rowling's global blockbuster book series: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

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