🌞 Solar Power's New Giants, China’s Science Supremacy and Microsoft Security Woes

Happy Day! Wrap up with our curated highlights, featuring the most significant discoveries and updates in the realms of technology and AI.

Today’s pick

• Solar Power’s Giants Are Providing More Energy Than Big Oil
• China has become a scientific superpower
• Congress seeks answers from Microsoft boss after a 'cascade' of security errors 
• Google patches exploited Android zero-day on Pixel devices
• Unigrid wants to make batteries cheaper and safer using sodium 

Let’s dive in

Solar Power’s Giants Are Providing More Energy Than Big Oil

By David Fickling via Bloomberg

• Seven Chinese companies are emerging as dominant players in 21st-century energy, surpassing the influence of Big Oil's Seven Sisters from the 20th century.
• Firms like Tongwei Co., Longi Green Energy Technology Co., and Trina Solar Co. are leading the solar energy revolution, outpacing traditional oil giants like Exxon Mobil and Shell.
• The shift highlights a significant transformation in global energy dynamics, with solar power's increasing prominence over conventional oil sources.

𝕏: This is INSANE: Seven Chinese solar companies most people haven’t heard of are ALREADY providing more energy for the global economy than Exxon, Chevron, Shell, BP and the other Seven Sisters who once dominated oil production - David Fickling (@davidfickling)

China has become a scientific superpower

The Economist

• China has emerged as a scientific superpower, showcasing significant advancements in agricultural biotechnology.
• The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the world's largest research organization, is leading innovative breakthroughs in crop genetics, enhancing yields and resilience.
• China's scientific efforts are transforming global agriculture, with genetically modified crops like giant rice and improved maize becoming key examples of their impact.

𝕏: Rare for me - maybe even unprecedented - to praise the Economist but this might be the seminal article on the current status of China's scientific might. - Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand)

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Congress seeks answers from Microsoft boss after a 'cascade' of security errors 

By Joseph Menn via Washington Post 

• Microsoft faced intense scrutiny from Congress over multiple security lapses that allowed hackers to access federal officials' email accounts.
• The House Homeland Security Committee grilled Brad Smith, highlighting concerns over Microsoft's ability to maintain security as a dominant government contractor.
• Criticisms included the company's handling of a major breach involving Chinese hackers and concerns over a new feature, Recall, which could potentially expose sensitive user data to electronic intruders.

𝕏: Today, I appeared in front of the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security to discuss Microsoft's commitment and ongoing work to strengthen cybersecurity protection. - Brad Smith (@BradSmi)

Google patches exploited Android zero-day on Pixel devices

By Sergiu Gatlan via BleepingComputer 

• Google has patched a high-severity zero-day vulnerability, CVE-2024-32896, affecting Pixel devices, which was actively exploited in targeted attacks.
• The June update addressed a total of 50 security issues, including critical vulnerabilities, to enhance the overall security of Pixel smartphones.
• Users are encouraged to update their devices to mitigate the risk of exploitation and protect against potential security threats

Unigrid wants to make batteries cheaper and safer using sodium 

By Tim De Chant via TechCrunch 

• Unigrid is developing sodium-ion batteries to offer a cheaper and safer alternative to lithium-ion, utilizing abundant materials and new chemistry.
• The company aims to provide cost-effective energy storage solutions for buildings and small vehicles, particularly in regions with high temperatures where lithium-ion batteries are prone to overheating.
• Unigrid has raised $12 million in Series A funding to accelerate production and hopes to bring these batteries to market within the next five years.

𝕏: A second start-up Unigrid from @LESC_Public has completed its A series. So proud of Dr.  Darren Tan, an alum and CEO who is leading this incredible journey! - Ying Shirley Meng (@YingShirleyMeng)

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Thanks for reading to the bottom and soaking in our Newslit Daily fuelled highlights for your morning.

I hope you found it interesting and, needless to say, if you have any questions or feedback just let me know by hitting reply.

Take care and see you on Monday!

— Jose Montes de Oca