Mobility

Skoda unveils DuoBell bicycle bell audible to people wearing noise-cancelling earphones

Czech automaker Skoda has unveiled a bicycle bell called DuoBell designed to alert pedestrians even if they are wearing noise-cancelling earphones. The bell produces two types of sound, including a tone tuned to 780 Hz, a frequency it said is harder to cancel. It also emits very fast, irregular sounds intended to outpace earphone processing. Skoda said tests in London found pedestrians could detect a bike from 22 metres away.

Crypto

Bitcoin rises despite worsening U.S. indicators as $73,000 hopes grow

Bitcoin extended gains and regained the $72,000 level despite signals of rising U.S. inflation and slowing growth. The move was seen as reflecting investors shifting toward scarce assets amid growing recession risk and a weaker dollar. Markets also weighed expectations of liquidity support and doubts over the Federal Reserve’s ability to prevent a downturn without stoking inflation. Rising oil prices and fragility in a U.S.-Iran ceasefire were cited as risks that could undermine risk appetite.