Nonprofit creates tool to report obstructions directly to Philadelphia Parking Authority
The nonprofit created a new tool called Laser Vision where people can report sidewalk, crosswalk and bike lane parking obstructions directly to the Philadelphia Parking Authority's Mobility Access Violation form, the website said.
Philly Bike Action said the tool will help make the streets and sidewalks safer and more accessible.
From a smartphone, people can take a photo, follow the prompts and then submit the violation.
"Laser Vision will record the date, time, and location of the obstruction, as well as the make and model of the vehicle," Philly Bike Action! said on the website.
To use Laser Vision, the user has to create a PBA account.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Dover NASCAR Cup results
Denny Hamlin scored his series-best fourth win of the Cup season Sunday at Dover in double overtime. Joe Gibbs Racing went first and second with Chase Briscoe placing second. MORE: Dover results Alex Bowman finished third and Kyle Larson placed fourth for Hendrick Motorsports. Ty Gibbs completed the top five. Chase Elliott was sixth. Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing drivers took the top six spots. Bubba Wallace was seventh. Ty Dillon will race Ty Gibbs for $1 million at Indy in NASCAR In-Season Challenge final Ty Dillon, the lowest seed in the 32-driver field, continued his Cinderella run Sunday at Dover. Dustin Long, Ty Dillon finished 20th to advance to the finals of the In-Season Challenge next weekend at Indianapolis. Dillon will race against Ty Gibbs for $1 million at Indy after Gibbs eliminated Tyler Reddick.
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Microsoft alerts businesses, governments to server software attack
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Microsoft has issued an alert about "active attacks" on server software used by government agencies and businesses to share documents within organizations, and it recommended security updates that customers should apply immediately. The FBI on Sunday said it is aware of the attacks and is working closely with its federal and private-sector partners, but offered no other details. In an alert issued on Saturday, Microsoft said the vulnerabilities apply only to SharePoint servers used within organizations. It said that SharePoint Online in Microsoft 365, which is in the cloud, was not hit by the attacks. The Washington Post, which first reported the hacks, said unidentified actors in the past few days had exploited a flaw to launch an attack that targeted U.S. and international agencies and businesses. The hack is known as a "zero day" attack because it targeted a previously unknown vulnerability, the newspaper said, quoting experts. Tens of thousands of servers were at risk. Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In the alert, Microsoft said that a vulnerability "allows an authorized attacker to perform spoofing over a network." It issued recommendations to stop the attackers from exploiting it. In a spoofing attack, an actor can manipulate financial markets or agencies by hiding the actor's identity and appearing to be a trusted person, organization or website. Microsoft said on Sunday it issued a security update for SharePoint Subscription Edition, which it said customers should apply immediately. It said it is working on updates to 2016 and 2019 versions of SharePoint. If customers cannot enable recommended malware protection, they should disconnect their servers from the internet until a security update is available, it said. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Forbes
17 minutes ago
- Forbes
U.S. vs Hong Kong Stablecoin Regulation: A Battle For Global Dominance
TOPSHOT - US President Donald Trump displays the GENIUS Act (Guiding and Establishing National ... More Innovation for US Stablecoins Act), which codifies the use of stablecoins — cryptocurrencies pegged to stable assets like the US dollar or US bonds — after signing it in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on July 18, 2025. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP) (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images) The global stablecoin market, surpassing $250 billion, is being reshaped by regulatory frameworks that will define competition and innovation. The U.S.'s Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act (GENIUS Act), passed by the House and signed into law by President Trump on July 18, 2025, and Hong Kong's Stablecoins Ordinance, enacted on May 21, 2025, and effective August 1, 2025, present contrasting approaches to governing fiat-referenced stablecoins. As an industry practitioner immersed in global policy and market dynamics, I am closely observing how these regulations will influence issuers, investors, and geopolitical strategies. Let's take an analytic look at their competitive impact, spotlighting Hong Kong's role in advancing China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) through stablecoin adoption in Global South economies. Regulatory Frameworks: Contrasting Visions The U.S. GENIUS Act establishes a tiered regulatory structure. Issuers with over $10 billion in circulation face federal oversight by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) or banking regulators, while smaller issuers can opt for state-level regulation, subject to Treasury approval. Reserves must be 1:1 backed by high-quality liquid assets (e.g., U.S. Treasuries ≤ 93 days, cash), with bans on yield-bearing stablecoins and lending activities. AML/KYC compliance under the Bank Secrecy Act is stringent, with penalties up to $100,000 per day for violations. Hong Kong's Stablecoins Ordinance, part of the LEAP framework (Licensing, Education, Application, Protection), requires issuers to be locally incorporated with a minimum capital of HKD 25 million (USD 3.2 million), though banks are exempt. Reserves must be 1:1 backed by liquid assets, with the flexibility to issue stablecoins pegged to any official currency, such as HKD, USD, or offshore RMB, leveraging Hong Kong's currency peg. The Ordinance focuses on fiat-referenced stablecoins (FRS), excluding algorithmic stablecoins due to their lack of effective stabilization mechanisms, aligning with Financial Stability Board recommendations. AML/CFT requirements meet FATF standards, with penalties up to HKD 5 million (USD 640,000) and seven years' imprisonment. Competitive Impact: Consolidation vs. Selective Innovation U.S.: Consolidation and Dollar Dominance The GENIUS Act prioritizes financial stability and U.S. dollar dominance, creating a high-compliance environment that favours large issuers like Circle (USDC). Federal oversight for issuers exceeding $10 billion, coupled with costly AML/KYC and audit requirements (estimated at $5M–$10M annually), drives market consolidation. For a $100 million issuance, a 0.5% operational cost equals $500,000 in expenses, challenging smaller issuers' profitability without significant scale. Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images The ban on algorithmic stablecoins and restrictions on high-risk activities, such as lending, limit DeFi innovation, pushing issuers toward a banking-like model. This constrains growth loops in retail adoption but attracts institutional players, leveraging the U.S.'s leading position in the stablecoin market, driven by USD-pegged tokens like USDC and USDT. Requiring U.S. Treasuries in reserves aligns with national interests, boosting government borrowing power. However, high costs and lack of international coordination risk regulatory arbitrage, with issuers eyeing more flexible jurisdictions like Hong Kong and the UAE. Hong Kong: Selective Innovation and Regional Hub Hong Kong's Stablecoins Ordinance balances compliance with innovation but favours larger issuers. The HKMA's plan to issue a 'single-digit' number of licenses in 2025, as stated by Secretary Christopher Hui, signals a selective process prioritizing well-capitalized firms with robust compliance frameworks. While the HKD 25 million capital threshold is accessible, compliance costs (0.3%–0.5% of issuance, e.g., HKD 3M–5M for a $100M stablecoin) and stringent licensing criteria (e.g., monthly audits, AML/CFT) challenge smaller issuers, limiting their competitiveness. The exclusion of algorithmic stablecoins and lack of support for DeFi applications focus innovation on fiat-backed models, such as tokenized bonds and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization under LEAP's application pillar. Photo by Chen Yongnuo/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images The Ordinance's flexibility to issue stablecoins pegged to any official currency, including HKD, USD, or offshore RMB, enhances Hong Kong's competitiveness, attracting issuers targeting Asia-Pacific and global markets. This aligns with China's BRI by facilitating cross-border transactions in multiple currencies. The Bill's clarity and FATF-aligned standards position Hong Kong as a compliant hub, competing with Singapore and the UAE. However, the local incorporation requirement and selective licensing may deter smaller foreign firms, favouring established players with regional presence. Geopolitical Implications U.S. Dollar Dominance through Stablecoins The GENIUS Act is a strategic tool to extend U.S. dollar dominance into the digital realm, reinforcing the dollar's role as the world's reserve currency. By mandating that stablecoin reserves be backed 1:1 by high-quality liquid assets, primarily U.S. Treasury bills and cash, the Act ensures that USD-pegged stablecoins, which dominate over 90% of the $250 billion market, directly bolster U.S. government debt. For example, a $100 billion stablecoin issuance backed by Treasuries increases demand for U.S. debt, effectively funding government borrowing. This creates a powerful feedback loop: as stablecoin adoption grows for cross-border payments and digital transactions, so does the global demand for USD and Treasuries, cementing U.S. financial hegemony. This strategy, however, has triggered global pushback. The requirement for USD stablecoin holders - whether individuals, businesses, or institutions - to indirectly finance U.S. debt via Treasury-backed reserves is viewed unfavourably in jurisdictions seeking monetary sovereignty. Countries are countering with their own stablecoin regimes to promote local currency-pegged tokens: These regimes aim to protect sovereign currencies and assert financial autonomy in a digital transaction world increasingly powered by US dollar backed stablecoins. Hong Kong and the Belt and Road Hong Kong's stablecoin framework can be seen as an extension for China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a $1 trillion infrastructure and trade network spanning 150+ countries, particularly in the Global South. Stablecoins offer a transformative solution for cross-border payments, which often incur 5%–7% fees in BRI corridors. A $10 million trade settlement via HKD-, USD-, or RMB-pegged stablecoins could save $500,000, enhancing efficiency for projects like ports in Pakistan, railways in Kenya, or energy hubs in Indonesia. By enabling stablecoin issuance in multiple currencies, including the offshore RMB, Hong Kong strengthens China's financial influence in regions with volatile local currencies, supporting BRI's goal of fostering trade and investment. Stablecoins also advance BRI's digital transformation objectives. In Global South economies, where trust in local banking systems is low, regulated stablecoins provide a stable medium for trade, remittances, and project financing. For instance, African exporters or Southeast Asian SMEs could use RMB- or USD-pegged stablecoins for instant, low-cost transactions, reducing reliance on Western financial networks. The LEAP framework's education pillar promotes blockchain literacy, while its application pillar encourages tokenized asset adoption, positioning Hong Kong as a financial bridge between China and BRI partners. Potential integration with China's digital yuan could create hybrid payment systems, amplifying China's role in global digital finance and challenging U.S. dominance. Conclusion: Navigating a Fractured Digital Financial Future The U.S. GENIUS Act, signed into law on July 18, 2025, and Hong Kong's Stablecoins Ordinance, effective August 1, 2025, represent divergent paths in the global stablecoin race. The U.S. drives market consolidation and dollar dominance through leveraging USD-pegged stablecoins' market leadership and tying stablecoin reserves to U.S. Treasuries strengthens its financial hegemony, though global pushback from different jurisdictions may signal a general shift toward sovereign stablecoin regimes. Hong Kong's selective licensing favours established issuers, with its flexibility to peg stablecoins to any currency, including the offshore RMB, enhancing its role as a BRI-driven hub. This multi-currency approach positions Hong Kong to capture Asia-Pacific markets and support China's global financial ambitions. Issuers face a stark choice: navigate the U.S.'s rigid but dominant market or Hong Kong's selective yet innovative ecosystem. As stablecoins reshape global finance, this regulatory rivalry underscores a broader battle for digital currency supremacy, with profound implications for economic sovereignty and cross-border trade.
