Here is the daily technology #threadcast for 3/10/25. The goal is to make this a technology "reddit".
Drop all question, comments, and articles relating to #technology and the future. The goal is make it a technology center.
Here is the daily technology #threadcast for 3/10/25. The goal is to make this a technology "reddit".
Drop all question, comments, and articles relating to #technology and the future. The goal is make it a technology center.
Is Physical Media Making a Comeback?
The speaker discusses the resurgence of physical media, highlighting its benefits over streaming services. They share their personal experience of using physical media, including DVDs, Blu-rays, and games, and how it provides a sense of ownership and collectibility.
The speaker also mentions the drawbacks of streaming services, such as expensive subscription fees, ads, and the lack of control over the content. They argue that physical media is not only a form of entertainment but also an investment, as some items can increase in value over time.
The speaker concludes that while physical media may not be as convenient as streaming services, it offers a unique experience and a sense of nostalgia that is hard to replicate with digital media.
Longer Summary ->
I Built the Perfect Linux PC! Here’s the How & Why.
The video showcases a custom-built Linux PC designed for gaming, productivity, and content creation. The builder, CJ, aimed to create a system that balances performance, compatibility, and affordability. He chose a Ryzen 7 5700X 3D CPU, an MSI Pro B550M VC Wi-Fi microATX motherboard, 32 GB of Corsair Vengeance DDR4 3200 CL16 memory, a 2 TB Crucial P3 NVMe SSD, and a Radeon RX 7600 XT GPU.
The system was built with a focus on Linux compatibility. The total build cost was $947, which CJ considers a great value for the performance it delivers.
The system was tested with Arch Linux, and CJ ran various benchmarks to assess its performance. He tested games like Baldur's Gate 3, Black Myth: Wukong, and Cyberpunk 2077, and was impressed with the system's smooth and reliable performance.
Longer Summary ->
Miyoo Flip Review: Good with the Right Software - SO POCKETABLE
The Miyoo Flip is a highly anticipated retro handheld gaming console from Miyoo. This clamshell device has a 3.5-inch screen and is extremely pocketable, being smaller in every direction compared to the Ambernik RG35 XSP. Despite initial software issues, the reviewer found the device to be great, especially for its portability, after installing a different operating system.
The reviewer compares the Miyoo Flip to the Miyoo Mini Plus, which they love for its comfort and pocketability. The Miyoo Flip has advantages, including a bigger screen and automatic screen protection when closed. The hinge feels good, but some users have reported issues with hinge failure. Overall, the reviewer thinks the Miyoo Flip is a great device for those seeking a pocketable retro handheld.
Longer Summary ->
Why Young People Love Old Things
The speaker, Johnny, discusses why he and many young people in their 20s are drawn to old, analog things like film cameras, vinyl records, and typewriters. He suggests that one reason is the tactile experience of interacting with physical objects, which provides a sense of connection to the real world.
Johnny also mentions that the overwhelming amount of information available on the internet can be overwhelming, and using old technology provides a break from this digital chaos. Additionally, he notes that older objects, such as classic cars and cameras, are often simpler to understand and repair, giving him a sense of control and ownership.
Longer Summary ->
How We Came to Hate Technology
The video discusses how our perception of technology has shifted from excitement and admiration to indifference and resentment. The speaker reminisces about the early 2000s, when technology was innovative and fun, with new gadgets and features being released regularly. People would camp out for new phone releases, and console launches were national events. The internet was also a new and exciting place, with diverse websites and social media platforms. However, over time, technology has become more homogenized, with every app and device looking and feeling the same. The speaker argues that this homogenization has led to a loss of excitement and innovation in the tech industry.
Longer Summary ->
Youtube Finally Did Something Good
YouTube has updated its terms of service to prohibit creators from linking to gambling sites, displaying related logos, or verbally referring to gambling services. However, sports betting and in-person gambling are excluded from this rule, although related videos will be age-restricted. The host hopes that YouTube will enforce these rules more effectively than Twitter, which has had similar rules in place for some time.
Longer Summary ->
!summarize #technology #ai
!summarize #technology #ai
!summarize #technology #ai
!summarize #technology #ai
!summarize #technology #ai
One Tech Tip: How to get started with Bluesky
#bluesky #tip #technology
!summarize #technology #ai
Nvidia sales surge in the fourth quarter on demand for AI chips
#navidia #ai #chipa #sales
Chip Ganassi Racing partners with OpenAI in first motorsports venture for AI company
#chip #ganassi #openai #jointventure
AI pioneers who channeled ‘hedonistic’ machines win computer science’s top prize
#ai #pioneers @prize #hedonistic #machines
Siemens announces $285 million investment in US manufacturing
#siemens #investment #us
Texas passes state level Bitcoin reserve
The Texas Senate passed Senate Bill No. 21 to create a state-level Bitcoin reserve, which would hold BTC and other cryptocurrencies with at least a $500B market cap, pending approval by the House and Governor.
#technology #bitcoin #crypto #texas
Crypto, My New Primary Financial Account
By using Base, Circle, and the Moonwell Card, people can now use a fully integrated crypto primary financial account that allows one to pay for everyday items while keeping their assets on-chain to earn interest.
#technology #crypto #finance
Coinbase CEO Armstrong Says He'll Hire 1,000 in U.S. as Crypto Tide Turns
After the White House Crypto Summit this past Friday, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong announced that the exchange is planning to hire a thousand people because of policy progress in the current US administration.
#technology #crypto #ceo
OCC Clarifies Bank Authority to Engage in Certain Cryptocurrency Activities
The OCC's new Interpretive Letter 1183 reaffirms that national banks can engage in crypto custody, stablecoin activities, and blockchain validation without prior regulatory approval.
#technology #crypto #occ #bank
The Secret Sauce of Hyperliquid
Hyperliquid has rapidly become a dominant force in decentralized perpetuals trading, capturing an unprecedented 64.71% share of total onchain perps volume with CEX-like speed, liquidity, and UX. Unlike many DEX competitors, Hyperliquid's custom blockchain enables sub-second transaction finality, 100k orders per second, and composable DeFi features. This performance is enhanced by community-centric development, including products like liquidity vaults, spot markets featuring major assets, and user-driven improvements, ensuring alignment with traders over short-term investors.
#technology #crypto #hyperliquid #dex
Nothing Ever Happens - Bitcoin and Market Musings
The narrative around a government-driven strategic reserve has faded a mere week after it was hyped by President Trump on social media. Bitcoin price action remains uncertain, characterized by immediate retracements after rallies and positioned in a “void” between significant volume ranges, indicating weak market strength. Open interest continues to trend downward despite recent price increases, suggesting limited directional leverage and potential vulnerability to further downside. External factors, including volatility in equity markets driven by tariff news, continue to suppress optimism for a sustained rally.
#technology #crypto #btc #bitcoin #analysis
PENTAGON PARTNERS WITH SCALE AI TO INTEGRATE AI IN MILITARY OPERATIONS
The Pentagon has awarded a major contract to Scale AI, Anduril, and Microsoft to develop AI agents for military decision-making. Known as the Thunderforge project, this collaboration will speed up strategic planning and improve accuracy, while ensuring human oversight remains intact. The plan is to roll out this AI system across all U.S. combatant commands, revolutionizing military workflows for years to come.
#AI #military #defense #technology
> S👁️URCE <
HyperEVM
HyperEVM, built on Hyperliquid's high-performance L1, integrates EVM compatibility with native liquidity, near-instant finality (~0.2 sec), and an efficient dual-block architecture. Despite strong early adoption and deflationary tokenomics, challenges remain in attracting top developers and expanding beyond perpetual and spot DEX offerings.
#technology #crypto #hyperevm
REVOLUTIONIZING VIDEO UNDERSTANDING WITH STORM
STORM is changing the game in video understanding. Unlike traditional models that analyze one frame at a time, STORM uses Mamba adapters and temporal attention operations to tackle long videos. This method makes it easier to answer temporal questions, something previous models struggled with. A key comparison in the research is with Qwen models, showing how STORM outperforms them in handling complex video analysis. This could be a big leap for future multimodal LLMs!
#videoanalysis #machinelearning #AI #technology
> S👁️URCE <
Gemini Embedding Model: A Game Changer in Text Processing
Gemini just dropped a new embedding model that’s making waves! It’s fast, affordable, and crushes the competition in benchmarks. Whether you’re processing tons of text or need something quick, this model handles it all with ease. It’s like upgrading from a basic car to a sports car—the difference is clear, and it’s worth it. For anyone in tech, this is a must-see!
#gemini #textprocessing #ai #technology
> S👁️URCE <
Sepolia Pectra fork incident recap
The Sepolia Pectra hardfork encountered an issue where the deposit contract's token-gated mechanics triggered unexpected events, causing nodes to mine empty blocks. A coordinated fix was deployed, first privately to restore functionality, then publicly at 14:00 UTC, successfully resolving the issue without losing finalization.
#technology #crypto #sepolia #pectra #hardfork
New Autoregressive Streaming TTS Model: Revolutionizing Speech!
Introducing a 30M parameter model that transforms any language model into a speech generator. With no need to tune the underlying model, it seamlessly adapts across different systems. Whether you're building chatbots or voice assistants, this tool lets you respond to queries with lifelike speech. Just plug it in and watch your models start talking! No more complicated setups.
#ai #machinelearning #speechgeneration #technology
> S👁️URCE <
Reintroduction to elizaOS
elizaOS 2.0 is a decentralized operating system purpose-built for AI agents, designed to autonomously manage crypto assets, coordinate DAOs, and drive decentralized economic networks. Central to elizaOS is the Eliza framework, a Typescript-based AI toolkit that rose to prominence in prior months as the top trending Github repo. The elizaOS ecosystem includes initiatives like AI-enhanced governance for DAOs, the Global Trust Marketplace for decentralized trading intelligence, and an AI-powered token launchpad.
#technology #ai #agent #crypto #dao
REVOLUTIONIZING FORECASTING WITH SEQFUSION
SeqFusion is a game-changing framework for zero-shot forecasting, minimizing data use to boost privacy while keeping high accuracy across various time patterns. Unlike traditional methods, it selects and fuses pre-trained models in sequence, making it super efficient. Imagine predicting future trends with fewer data points but still achieving reliable results. It’s like forecasting weather using just a few weather reports, yet still getting it right.
#forecasting #privacy #innovation #technology
> S👁️URCE <
NEW LAW COULD REDEFINE AI MODEL TRAINING
A groundbreaking discovery in AI could change how we approach training large language models. The "Step Law" offers a unified method to predict model performance before training, regardless of architecture or data distribution. This breakthrough helps developers optimize hyperparameters more efficiently, saving time and resources. It’s like having a cheat sheet for predicting how well an AI will perform—before you even start!
#AI #MachineLearning #Hyperparameters #Technology
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Introducing mtnCapital, a Futarchy DAO on Solana
Solana startup coworking space mtndao will launch its new token, $MTN, through MetaDAO around the end of March. It will be governed as a futarchy – a model where all key decisions are decided fully onchain. As the first DAO to debut on MetaDAO, mtnCapital aims to align closely with community-driven governance and set a new benchmark for decentralized organizational autonomy onchain.
#technology #crypto #solana #dao #mtncapital
Muon: The New Game Changer in Deep Learning?
Adam has long been the go-to optimizer in deep learning, but Muon is now gaining traction as a powerful alternative. Unlike muP, Muon doesn’t need model tweaks to deliver similar results. This post dives into the theory behind Muon’s rise and its potential to shake up optimization in AI.
#deep learning #optimization #ai #technology
> S👁️URCE <
OPENAI'S AI SAFETY HISTORY: REWRITTEN?
former openai researcher miles brundage called out the company for downplaying how cautious it was with gpt-2. he says openai’s old careful approach actually mirrors its current ai deployment strategy. now, openai frames its work as a steady march toward agi, but brundage warns this could mean brushing off real safety concerns. with competition heating up, the fear is that speed could win over caution—raising big questions about the risks ahead.
#openai #aiethics #artificialintelligence #safety
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Top US banking regulator rescinds previous digital asset restrictions amid Trump's push to end crypto debanking
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has retracted previous restrictions on digital asset activities, clarifying that banks may now engage in crypto custody, stablecoin operations, and node verification, which eases the regulatory burden on banks. This move aligns with President Trump's push to end crypto debanking, aiming to position the U.S. as a crypto capital by making financial services more accessible for the digital asset industry.
#technology #crypto #regulation
THE US ARMY’S AI TOOL IS SCRUBBING DEI FROM TRAINING
the us army’s tradoc is using an ai tool called camogpt to remove dei-related terms from training materials, following a trump-era executive order. developed by the army’s ai integration center, camogpt scans documents for specific keywords and has around 4,000 users. this move is part of a broader government effort to cut dei content, using ai to streamline the process and align training with national security priorities.
#usarmy #ai #military #policy #technology
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Crypto exchange Kraken gears up for IPO as soon as the first quarter of 2026
Kraken is considering an IPO as soon as Q1 2026, having previously explored a pre-IPO raise of over $100M in 2024. It now joins other crypto firms eyeing public listings under a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment, following the SEC's recent decision to drop its case against Kraken.
#technology #crypto #kraken #ipo
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While the feline species is found in Mexico, Central America and South America, the Texas cats with striking spotted coats are believed to be the last wild population in the United States.
"Just look at the cat – why would you not want that animal to survive in nature?" said Bill Swanson, the Cincinnati Zoo's director of animal research, who has traveled the country trying to breed captive ocelots in animal institutions with sperm from wild ocelots from South Texas ranch land.
"It's not just saving the ocelot, it's saving the habitat and the ecosystem where it lives, which supports so many other animals that provide those services that let people survive on this planet," he said,
Reeves and Swanson have been working on their ocelot project since 2021. The team has tried - unsuccessfully so far - to breed ocelots two ways.
The first is via artificial insemination, in which semen collected from a cat is deposited directly into a female cat's reproductive tract.
The second is in vitro fertilization, in which oocytes, or eggs, are collected from the female cat's body and fertilized with semen in a petri dish before developing into an embryo in an incubator. The viable embryo is then surgically transferred into a cat or frozen to be transferred later.
!summarize #trump #china #trade
Of the 13 artificial inseminations and four in vitro fertilization procedures performed in recent years, none have produced a viable pregnancy.
Swanson points to decreased quality in wild ocelot sperm due to signs of inbreeding, environmental stresses like dehydration from drought and decreased motility - the ability of sperm to move - from freezing specimens.
"An ocelot usually has one kitten. That's the normal litter size," Swanson said. "And in the wild, the mother will raise that kitten for a full year until it's old enough to go out on its own. So ocelots are very slowly reproducing animals naturally."
At the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, Texas, in December, the team extracted two eggs from a five-year-old ocelot named Milla and patiently waited to see if an embryo would form after combining the eggs with wild sperm in a petri dish. After two days of waiting for a fertilized egg to cleave, or rapidly divide and develop into an embryo, the researchers were disappointed to find neither cell cleaved.
Tuesday's talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials - the first official meeting since a disastrous Oval Office encounter between Zelenskyy and President Donald Trump — are expected to focus on a bilateral minerals deal and how to end the war.
Under huge pressure from Trump, who wants the war ended at lightning speed, Zelenskyy has been at pains to show they are on the same page, despite failing to win U.S. security guarantees that Kyiv sees as vital for any peace deal.
Zelenskyy has said he will not attend Tuesday's talks with U.S. officials and that the Ukrainian delegation will include his chief of staff, his foreign and defense ministers and a top military official in the presidential administration.
Zelenskyy has also said Kyiv is ready to sign the minerals deal with the U.S., which would create a joint fund from the sale of Ukrainian minerals. Washington says it is crucial to secure continued U.S. backing.
With U.S. support in question, Zelenskyy has been urging his European allies to ramp up their support as Kyiv's battlefield position deteriorates and it faces mounting pressure to retreat from Russia's Kursk region.
Ukrainian troops that stormed into the Kursk region last summer are nearly surrounded by Russian forces, open source maps show.
Russia holds around a fifth of Ukraine's territory, including Crimea which it annexed in 2014, and its troops are also pressing in the eastern Donetsk region, having ramped up drone and missile strikes on cities and towns far from the front.
!summarize #travel #vail #skiing #sport #colorado
Wikipedia Co-founder: It's Not Neutral, Needs to Be Investigated
A co-founder of Wikipedia has called on President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency to investigate whether U.S. government officials have influenced the online encyclopedia.
Larry Sanger, who left Wikipedia in 2002, took to social media late last month to make a request of Elon Musk, Trump's DOGE chief.
"Hi @ElonMusk. Wikipedia co-founder here. May I ask you to determine what branches of the U.S. government—if any!—have employees paid to edit, monitor, update, lobby, etc., Wikipedia?" Sanger wrote Feb. 26 on X.
"Such operations should be defunded, if any. If there are none, we'd like to know. Agree?"
A Wikipedia critic for nearly 20 years, Sanger also asked Trump to assure that the federal government does not fund Wikipedia.
Sanger's message to Musk likely did not surprise the SpaceX and Tesla CEO, who in December told his 200 million-plus followers on X not to donate to Wikipedia until "they restore balance to their editing authority," mocking it as "Wokepedia."
Court-Martial Hearing for Pentagon Leaker Begins
Jack Teixeira, sentenced for leaking classified military documents, faces a court-martial on charges of disobeying orders and obstructing justice.
Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira, who was sentenced last year to 15 years in prison for leaking highly classified military documents, is scheduled to begin his court-martial on additional charges Monday.
Teixeira pleaded guilty last year to six counts of willful retention and transmission of national defense information under the Espionage Act, following his arrest in the most consequential national security breach in years.**\
″I know Jack deeply regrets his actions and is ready to accept his punishment for his part in this situation," his mother, Dawn Dufault, wrote. "While I understand the severity of his charges and the importance of ensuring justice, I implore you, Your Honor, to consider Jack's true nature and his unique challenges, as I have observed over the years."
The security breach raised alarm over the country's ability to protect its most closely guarded secrets and forced the Biden administration to scramble to try to contain the diplomatic and military fallout. The leaks also embarrassed the Pentagon, which tightened controls to safeguard classified information and disciplined members found to have intentionally failed to take required action about Teixeira's suspicious behavior.
Rubio: 83% of USAID Programs Canceled
Trump administration scraps over 80% of USAID programs, top diplomat Rubio says
The Trump administration has canceled more than 80% of all the programs at U.S. Agency for International Development following a six-week review, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday.
"The 5200 contracts that are now canceled spent tens of billions of dollars in ways that did not serve, (and in some cases even harmed), the core national interests of the United States," Rubio said in an X post that he sent from his personal account. He then pinned it on his timeline.
The remaining approximately 1,000 programs, he said, would now be administered "more effectively" under the State Department and in consultation with Congress.
President Donald Trump returned to office on Jan. 20 and immediately ordered a 90-day pause on foreign aid pending a review of whether the programs align with his "America First" foreign policy.
Court to Hear Colo. 'Conversion Therapy' Challenge
The Supreme Court agreed on Monday to hear a Christian therapist's challenge on free speech grounds to a Democrat-backed Colorado law banning "conversion therapy" intended to change a minor's sexual orientation or gender identity.
The justices took up an appeal by licensed counselor Kaley Chiles of a lower court's decision rejecting her claim that the 2019 statute unlawfully censors her communications with clients in violation of the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment protections against government abridgment of speech. The state has said it is regulating professional conduct, not speech.
The justices are expected to hear the matter during their next term, which begins in October.
Colorado is among more than two dozen states and the District of Columbia that restrict or prohibit conversion therapy for minors.
The Supreme Court in 2023 declined to hear a similar challenge brought by a Christian therapist to Washington state's conversion therapy ban. Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh dissented from the court's decision not to take up that case.
The court is considering some other cases during its current term involving LGBT and religious rights, with rulings expected by the end of June. During Dec. 4 arguments, the conservative justices signaled their willingness to uphold a Republican-backed ban in Tennessee on gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors.
Trump Considers Redeploying Troops to Hungary
President Donald Trump may pull 35,000 U.S. troops from Germany to Hungary, straining U.S.-Europe ties, according to a report.
Such a move would "further sour" U.S.-Europe relations, The Telegraph reported Friday.
Trump "is angry that they [Europe] appear to be pushing for war," a source told the outlet.
The president has said that ending the Ukraine-Russia war is among his top goals. He also has demanded that NATO partners contribute more financially for defense.
European Union leaders Thursday backed new defense spending plans aimed at freeing up billions of euros for the continent's security, amid concern that under the Trump administration, could have to fend for itself in the future.
Later that day, Trump renewed doubts over his commitment to the NATO alliance, saying countries that are not spending adequately on their militaries do not deserve defense.
WashPost: Retailers Warn of Weak Economy
The Washington Post reported Saturday, citing reports from big-name retailers, that there won't be much growth in the economy ahead.
Companies such as Target, Best Buy, and Abercrombie & Fitch are forecasting weak sales for 2025, citing inflation, consumer fatigue, and the potential impact of President Donald Trump's tariffs on imported goods, the Post reported.
Best Buy CEO Corie Barry warned during a phone call with analysts that price increases are "highly likely" due to rising import costs.
"This is bigger than just a discussion about tariffs," Barry told the analysts during the call. "It's just kind of a volatile environment for the consumer."
Target announced it would no longer provide quarterly profit forecasts because of expected volatility. Macy's, meanwhile, projected a slight decline in comparable store sales as it struggles with long-term restructuring efforts.
2 Men Face Trial Over Iran-Backed Plot to Kill Journalist Masih Alinejad
Two men accused of being members of a Russian organized crime group will face trial in the U.S. on Monday over what prosecutors call an unsuccessful Tehran-backed attempt to kill an Iranian dissident living in New York.
Federal prosecutors say Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard Corps in 2021 hired Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov, members of a "Russian mob" sub-group, to kill an Iranian American journalist and activist who has spoken out against the Iranian government's treatment of women.
Amirov, 45, and Omarov, 40, have pleaded not guilty to murder for hire and attempted murder in aid of racketeering.
"Mr. Omarov is presumed innocent," Omarov's lawyer, Elena Fast, said in a statement
Amirov's lawyers did not respond to a request for comment.
In court papers, lawyers for both men have said it was "inaccurate" to refer to them as members of the Russian mob.
Prosecutors say a Revolutionary Guard brigadier general named Ruhollah Bazghandi began monitoring Alinejad in July 2021. They say Bazghandi later hired Amirov, an alleged Russian mob leader living in Iran at the time, to kill her. Omarov and Mehdiyev are also part of the mob, prosecutors said.
Bazghandi was also charged, but is not in U.S. custody.
Mehdiyev, 26, pleaded not guilty to murder-for-hire charges in February 2023, but the status of his case is unclear. Prison records show he was released from U.S. custody on May 19, 2023.
Neither a Justice Department spokesperson nor a lawyer for Mehdiyev responded to requests for comment.
New Canada PM Carney: Will 'Win' US Trade War, 'Never' Will Be State
Canada's incoming prime minister Mark Carney struck a defiant note as the former central banker vowed to win President Donald Trump's trade war, saying his country will "never" be part of the United States.
Canada's incoming prime minister Mark Carney struck a defiant note as the former central banker vowed to win President Donald Trump's trade war, saying his country will "never" be part of the United States.
Carney lost no time standing up for "the Canadian way of life" after the Liberal Party overwhelmingly elected him on Sunday to succeed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
"We didn't ask for this fight. But Canadians are always ready when someone else drops the gloves," Carney told party supporters in Ottawa.
"So the Americans, they should make no mistake, in trade as in hockey, Canada will win," he said.
Congress GOP Unites to Pass Bill, Avoid Govt Shutdown
Congress aims to pass a bill to prevent a shutdown, with President Donald Trump supporting it despite Senate Democrats' concerns over spending.
The Republican-controlled Congress looked set to move ahead this week to keep the government funded and avert a partial shutdown beginning on Saturday, as Washington is rocked by President Donald Trump's rapid moves to slash federal agencies.
Hardline members of the fractious 218-214 House Republican majority — who over the past year repeatedly bucked Speaker Mike Johnson's plans — have signaled support for the bill, which would keep the government funded at its current levels through September 30, when the current fiscal year ends.
Moderate Democrat Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania said he would not reject the measure, adding, "That's chaos. I'll never vote for chaos."
Similarly, liberal Democrat Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, signaled support, saying, "Shutdowns are a bad idea. I'm not a shutdown guy."
Not all were supportive. Moderate Senator Elissa Slotkin, who delivered her party's rebuttal to Trump's speech to Congress last week, said she saw little reason to support the bill at a time when Trump and Musk's cost-cutting campaign is ignoring prior congressional direction on spending.
"Until I see some assurances that whatever we pass next week is going to ensure that the money is spent the way Congress intends... I'm going to withhold my vote," the Michigan Democrat told NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday.
Trump's Renewed Interest in Greenland Lacks Respect, Says Prime Minister
U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland during his address to Congress last Tuesday, painting a picture of prosperity and safety for the incredible people of Greenland.
U.S. President Donald Trump has not treated Greenlanders with respect since expressing his renewed interest in acquiring the vast, mineral-rich Arctic island, Greenland's prime minister was quoted on Monday as saying.
Trump reiterated his interest in acquiring the island during his address to Congress last Tuesday, painting a picture of prosperity and safety for the "incredible people" of Greenland, an autonomous territory of the kingdom of Denmark.
Trump reaffirmed that message in a Truth Social post early on Monday, writing: "We will continue to keep you safe, as we have since World War II. We are ready to invest billions of dollars to create new jobs and make you rich."
Sen. Hawley Reintroducing Bipartisan Child Labor Bill
The Senate confirmation vote Monday for President Donald Trump's labor secretary pick Lori Chavez-DeRemer is coming along with a reintroduction of the Senate's bipartisan Preventing Child Labor Exploitation in Federal Contracting Act.
The bill, first introduced in 2023 by Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., seeks to bar companies from federal funding if they are violating child safety laws.
"Companies that illegally employ children should not be rewarded with lucrative federal government contracts that make corporations millions," Hawley, who raised issue in Chavez-DeRemer's Senate confirmation hearing, wrote in a statement. "This bipartisan legislation would hold companies accountable for engaging in child labor exploitation and rightfully ensure offenders face consequences."
Deaths March 8, 2025
Junaedi Abdillah [id], 77, Indonesian footballer (Persija Jakarta, Persebaya Surabaya, national team).[10]
Ayo-Maria Atoyebi, 80, Nigerian Roman Catholic prelate, bishop of Ilorin (1992–2019).[11]
Khasan Bakayev, 66, Russian historian.[12]
Philippe Bär, 96, Dutch Roman Catholic prelate, bishop of Rotterdam (1983–1993).[13]
A H M Touhidul Anowar Chowdhury, 87, Bangladeshi gynaecologist and obstetrician.[14]
Athol Fugard, 92, South African playwright (Blood Knot, "Master Harold"...and the Boys), actor, and political activist.[15]
Harbans Jandu, Indian lyricist.[16]
Isabel Miranda de Wallace, 73, Mexican social activist.[17]
Attila Monostori, 54, Hungarian Olympic water polo player (1996).[18]
V. Ramaswami, 96, Indian jurist, judge of the Supreme Court (1989–1994) and chief justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court (1987–1989), cardiac arrest.[19]
Naima Samih, 71, Moroccan singer.[20]
Nota Schiller, 88, American-born Israeli rabbi.[21]
Ella Zeller, 91, Romanian table tennis player.[22]
Deaths March 8, 2025
WashPost Editor Quits Over Opinion Column Not Run
Washington Post editor and opinion columnist Ruth Marcus resigned over CEO William Lewis' decision not to run her column respectfully dissenting from the newspaper's new editorial policy.
Marcus' decision came less than two weeks after Post owner Jeff Bezos said the newspaper's opinion pages would emphasize "personal liberties and free markets."
"It is with great sadness that I submit my resignation as columnist and associate editor of The Washington Post," Marcus wrote in a letter to Bezos and Lewis, according to New York Times reporter Ben Mullin.
After saying she "cherished my four decades at the Post" in various roles, Marcus added that as "an opinion writer, I was equally honored to offer commentary that readers could be assured constituted my best independent judgment of the topic at hand."
It is not known if the person was connected to the fenced lot, Duecy said.
"That was a scary moment," Duecy said. "Someone does not want us to be here and to show these vehicles, but that's in fact what we're doing."
Since Tesla CEO Elon Musk began overseeing the Department of Government Security, protests against Tesla have sprung up throughout Seattle.
In one day in February, multiple protests against Musk and DOGE were held in Seattle, including one outside a Tesla store with people holding signs that labeled Teslas as "Swasticars," according to the Seattle Times.
Ontario's 25 Percent Tariff on US Electricity Begins
A 25% tariff on electricity sent by Ontario, Canada, to the U.S. began Monday.
A 25% tariff on electricity sent by Ontario, Canada, to the U.S. began Monday.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford last week said his province would slap a 25% export tax on electricity it sends to 1.5 million homes in New York, Michigan, and Minnesota, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The move is to counter President Donald Trump's 25% tariff on Canadian imports.
"And honestly, it really bothers me we have to do this," Ford told CNN on Thursday. "I don't want to do this. I want to send more electricity, more critical minerals, more oil. That's what we want to do."
Trump's long-threatened tariffs against Canada and Mexico went into effect Tuesday, putting global markets on edge and setting up costly retaliations by North American allies of the U.S.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada will impose 25% tariffs on $107 billion worth of U.S. goods if the Trump administration follows through with its proposed tariffs on Canadian goods.
According to the Canada Energy Regulator, 2022 revenue from Canadian electricity sales to the U.S. topped $5.8 billion, an all-time high, with Quebec and Ontario leading other provinces.
Ford said he plans to match the U.S. tariff, dollar for dollar.
According to a report by H2 View, MOL aims to produce roughly 100Nm3 (200 liters) of MCH in 2025. The firm also wants to supply electricity generated using hydrogen to facilities in Tokyo’s central breakwater area.
The company is also working towards supplying hydrogen. It is also investigating the possibility of demonstrating a larger vessel for the Wind Hunter Project, with a view to it going operational by the early 2030s.
The great benefit of hydrogen is that it can be used to generate electricity and heat without emitting carbon dioxide. As it can be extracted from water, it is abundantly available. However, as with all renewable energies, the world faces a great challenge in lowering the cost of hydrogen production.
It would allow buildings to passively heat or cool themselves, which could reduce reliance on traditional energy-intensive HVAC systems.
Moreover, Flint Engineering envisions a future where buildings become self-sufficient energy hubs using IsoMat technology in conjunction with thermoelectric generation.
Through the IsoMat roof cladding integration, buildings can effectively capture ambient temperature differences. This captured thermal energy, rather than simply being dissipated, could be converted into usable electricity through thermoelectric generators. Such a building could potentially harvest enough energy from the air to power an entire home, dramatically reducing energy consumption.
In commercial refrigeration, IsoMat shelves replace traditional air circulation, chilling items through direct contact.
Is Europe Ready to Stand on Its Own After 80 Years of NATO
President Donald Trump’s stance on Ukraine and NATO is reshaping European security discussions, forcing EU leaders to reconsider their defense strategies.
President Donald Trump’s stance on Ukraine and NATO is reshaping European security discussions, forcing EU leaders to reconsider their defense strategies.
Trump’s position on NATO has further unsettled European allies. He has repeatedly criticized NATO members for not spending enough on defense, warning that the U.S. might not honor Article 5’s collective defense clause if they fail to meet financial commitments.
These developments highlight a pivotal shift in European security architecture, as leaders seek greater independence from U.S. policy fluctuations and prepare for an increasingly uncertain geopolitical landscape.
World’s largest tire maker LEGO to use 30% recycled rubber material in product line
LEGO has begun incorporating its new, sustainably-made tires into current sets.
Kids’ favorite LEGO vehicles are getting a greener upgrade. The LEGO Group has just announced a major step in their sustainability journey: new tires made with over 30% recycled materials.
LEGO is taking waste products that would otherwise have negative environmental impacts and giving them a new life in their iconic toys.
These materials fishing nets, ropes, and recycled engine oil are now being used sustainably. LEGO takes these discarded materials, processes them, and combines them into a new, durable material called rSEBS (recycled styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene).
As per the company’s announcement, LEGO has begun incorporating its new, sustainably-made tires into current sets.
Cutting down environmental impact
You will be surprised to know that Lego is the world’s largest tire producer. Despite being a toy company, it reportedly produces over 300 million units annually.
They offer a diverse range of over 65 tire sizes and styles, from small motorcycle tires to large off-road ones.
Synthetic rubber production is an energy-intensive process that can result in environmental pollution. And the LEGO products eventually end up in landfills.
LEGO’s new tire material achieves two key goals: it reduces waste, and it lessens the company’s reliance on new fossil fuel-based materials.
“The introduction of this material, known as rSEBS*, is part of the company’s broader efforts to make LEGO Group bricks and packaging from more sustainable materials,” the company noted in the press release.
The company has explored 600 different materials so far to increase the use of renewable and recycled resources in its products.
37% emission reduction by 2032
In 2021, LEGO worked on an ambitious project to create prototype bricks from recycled PET plastic bottles.
However, after two years of research and development, the company faced an unexpected challenge. New Atlas reported that transitioning to this new manufacturing process would actually increase LEGO’s carbon footprint. And the company dropped the plan.
The global toy brand is determined to transition its iconic bricks to more sustainable materials. Furthermore, LEGO has set a target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 37% by the year 2032.
But LEGO’s commitment to sustainability doesn’t stop with tires. They’re also using bio-polyethylene made from sugarcane, “recycled artificial marble” for transparent elements (like windows), and exploring innovative materials like e-methanol and ePOM.
It included a solar-thermal collector (STC), thermal storage tank (TST), ASHP, sand-based thermal storage floor (STSF), and water pumps, with the floor containing pipes embedded in a 200-millimeter layer of sand for efficient heat retention.
“When solar radiation is sufficient, the sand absorbs a substantial amount of heat and releases it into the room,” the researchers say. “During period of insufficient solar radiation or at night, the stored heat is gradually released into the room, thereby extending the duration of solar heating.”
This not only enhances the system’s solar energy utilization but also significantly reduces the ASHP’s operating time in low-temperature, high-humidity conditions at night, ultimately boosting overall efficiency.
“This suggests that optimizing the operational mode according to local electricity pricing policies can minimize the operating costs,” they conclude. “For rural households, mode 3 is the more economical option under peak-valley pricing, while mode 4 offers a more sustainable solution for energy conservation and emission reduction from the national government perspective.”
Xpeng aims to expand Iron’s role beyond manufacturing. The company plans to deploy the humanoid robot as a personal assistant for tasks such as administration and customer service in retail stores, offices, and homes.
XPeng is expanding into humanoid robotics, with China’s industry progressing toward Level 3, where robots can function independently in most scenarios but still need human oversight for complex tasks. According to the firm, by 2026, humanoid robots with entry-level Level 3 capabilities are expected to enter moderate-scale commercial production, reports China Daily.
Germany roots for boosting Europe’s security with France, UK’s 550+ nuclear weapons
He also clarified that such a move should not replace the United States’ nuclear assets already in Europe, merely complement it.
Friedrich Merz, Germany’s chancellor-elect, has suggested that France and the United Kingdom share their nuclear deterrent with Germany. He also cautioned that such a bold move should not replace the existing United States nuclear umbrella.
“The sharing of nuclear weapons is an issue we need to [discuss],” Merz said in an interview on Sunday with the broadcaster Deutschlandfunk (DLF). “We have to be stronger together in nuclear deterrence,” he added.
This suggestion parallels that of France’s President Emmanuel Macron, who has also proposed extending France’s nuclear deterrent to other European nations.
One option, Haroche suggests, is to locate French nuclear capable assets, like aircraft, in other European nations like Germany or Poland. The final decision to use such weapons would remain entirely with France, but their presence would undoubtedly send a strong message to potential aggressors.
Another option on the table is to have French nuclear bombers constantly patrol the European borderlands. This would be a more straightforward “fix” as France already patrols its borders today.
While an interesting suggestion, such a move would require France and the UK to reform their nuclear doctrines. France, for example, would explicitly need to state that “vital interests” also cover European allies.
The drone’s Return-to-Signal feature, or RTS, also enables it to retrace its flight path if the live video feed or radio signal drops.
This means it can safely retreat to the pilot’s location, mitigating the danger of losing a valuable asset in complex environments.
Field tests of the drone and industry feedback
Josh Hogan, a site supervisor for a green energy services group in California, has used Elios 3 to inspect wind turbines. “So far I think it catches more—you really don’t miss anything with that drone,” Hogan says, comparing it to traditional manual inspections.
“With the drone you get video, you could see a lot more detail than a human going down there with a flashlight and possibly missing something that’s crucial.”
“The first time that [China] publicly disclosed a capability on orbit to do refueling and servicing and that’s a game-changing technology,” Lerch said at Chatham House, a London-based think tank.
The US has explored similar technology. In 2019, aerospace giant Northrop Grumman became the first company to refuel satellites, extending their operational lives by five years. NASA had a related project, but it was canceled last year due to technical issues, cost overruns, and delays.
Stealth technology and military expansion
Beyond refueling, China is developing advanced stealth technology that could alter the balance of power in space. Lerch warned about the risks associated with China’s rapid advancements.
New York Giants News: Paulson Adebo is signing a deal in NFL Free Agency to join Joe Schoen, Brian Daboll and the NY Giants. The Giants adding Paulson Adebo to the Giants depth chart at cornerback is a massive move that should help this team in the 2025 NFL Season. We discuss the Giants cap space, Giants free agency news and NFL free agency tracker. Giants Now by Chat Sports host tells you why the Paulson Adebo contract is a move that can make the Giants NFC East contenders again!
!summarize #china #aiagent #manus
Bitcoin falls as much as 6.5% as volatility continues after Trump's bitcoin reserve plan
President Donald Trump's executive order to create a U.S. strategic bitcoin reserve disappointed investors.
Bitcoin fell on Monday as volatility in the price of the world's largest cryptocurrency continues following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump to create a strategic bitcoin reserve for the United States.
Earlier Monday, bitcoin prices slipped up to 6.5% to trade around $80,650 before paring most losses. By 4:12 a.m., the coin was down 0.74% at $82,050, according to Coin Metrics.
#bitcoin #market #crypto #reserve
The reserve will be funded by coins that have been seized in criminal and civil forfeiture cases and there are no plans for the U.S. government to buy more bitcoin. After the strategic reserve announcement last Thursday, crypto prices declined as investors were disappointed it wasn't a more aggressive program.
Other cryptocurrency prices also proved volatile on Monday. Both ether and XRP were trading in the green by 4:12 a.m. after earlier falling around 7.5%.
Some investors, however, said the move to establish a reserve was bullish in the long-term.
There Are Fewer Than 100 Ocelots in the US - These Scientists Are Trying to Save Them
Ocelots roamed the southwestern U.S. in the 1800s, but have since dwindled to fewer than 100 in two small breeding populations in South Texas.
In the race to save the endangered ocelot, scientists are trekking the United States, pursuing fertility treatments and striving to kickstart a new generation of the wild cat.
Ocelots roamed the southwestern U.S. in the 1800s, but have since dwindled to fewer than 100 in two small breeding populations in South Texas.
#ocelots #unitedstates #science
While President Trump has officially endorsed the coin, Fight Fight Fight is running the project and “is not distributed or sold by Donald J. Trump, The Trump Organization or any of their respective affiliates or principals,” according to the website.
In effect, the sale of the tokens permits Trump supporters to anonymously donate to the president, according to investors.
The memecoin exploits retail investors, ethics experts charge. “GET YOUR $TRUMP NOW,” President Trump posted on X in January.
Two days later, his wife, Melania Trump launched her own token, $MELANIA.
Trump Crypto Token Nets $350M Since Launch
The Donald Trump crypto meme token, $TRUMP, has netted investors $350 million since its launch, The Financial Times reports. While it is unclear what portion of this windfall has personally profited the president, it is likely to fuel concerns over conflicts of interest,
The White House and the memcoin’s website, Gettrumpmemes.com, did not respond to requests for comment, although the website states that “CIC Digital LLC, an affiliate of The Trump Organization” and Fight Fight Fight LLC, a Delaware company, own 80% of the tokens.
#trump #crypto #tokens
Upon release, $TRUMP soared to a high of $75 per token. It has since fallen about 82% to $13. According to FT analysis, the 831 million tokens held in Trump-linked wallets have a notional value of $10.8 billion.
When Melania’s token was launched, it sent the price of Trump’s memecoin plunging. As a result, the organizers spent $1 million propping up the token by buying it at $33.23 each.
“It’s something that is pretty [common] in crypto as a whole: using their own treasury to defend the charts,” says Nicolas Vaiman, chief executive officer of Bubblemaps, a cryptocurrency analytics company.
Manus, a New AI Agent From China is Going Viral—And Raising Big Questions
Manus is an autonomous agent that can analyze, plan, and execute tasks on its own. It is currently only accessible through invitation codes, which are in short supply - demand is through the roof as the AI community is raving about its capabilities. Many are now asking whether China has leapfrogged the US in AI. Manus likely achieved its impressive capabilities through innovative fine-tuning rather than core model innovation. A video introducing Manus is available in the article.
#technology #ai #china #agent
Apple Delays Siri Upgrade Indefinitely as AI Concerns Escalate
Apple is delaying updates to Siri for the foreseeable future. The company's engineers believe that the features introduced last June won't be released until next year at the earliest. Several executives have voiced strong concerns as the features didn't work as advertised in their personal testing. Apple may have to rebuild the features from scratch.
#technology #appel #siri #ai
Natural alternative to Ozempic brings results without side effects
Stanford scientists have identified a naturally occurring molecule that works like semaglutide, producing weight loss and improved glucose and insulin tolerance, when tested in mice and minipigs. The peptide, named BRP, only works in the brain, as opposed to semaglutide, which has widespread effects. It specifically acts in the hypothalamus, which controls appetite and metabolism, which could be an improvement over semaglutide. The scientists intend to move to human clinical trials for BRP.
#technology #science #stanford #ozempic
Starship Flight 8: SpaceX nails Super Heavy booster catch but loses upper stage
SpaceX's eight Starship test flight last Thursday aimed for the third successful booster recovery and the deployment of a satellite simulator. While the Super Heavy booster returned successfully to Starbase's launch tower, the mission's upper stage disintegrated during its flight. SpaceX has been reviewing the data from the flight to better understand the incident's root cause. Video of the explosion is available in the article.
#technology #space #spacex #starship
Building an Agentic System
This site provides a practical deep dive and code review into how to build a self-driving coding agent, execution engine, tools, and commands. It focuses on the systems and design decisions that go into making agents that are real-time, self-corrective, and useful for productive work. The site provides documentation on every tool and command it covers, as well as implementation details. It covers the underlying patterns that make real-time AI coding assistants feel responsive, safe, and genuinely useful.
#technology #ai #agent #guide
Microsoft’s Relationship With OpenAI Is Not Looking Good
More evidence has surfaced that Microsoft is looking to split with OpenAI. Microsoft is developing its own in-house reasoning models and has been testing models from xAI, Meta, and DeepSeek to replace ChatGPT in Copilot. Copilot has so far been received poorly in enterprise due to its high cost and limited results. OpenAI and Microsoft are quickly becoming competitors, so it makes sense that the companies would want to detach from each other. Microsoft has an interest in controlling the technologies and writing its own destiny.
#technology #ai #microsoft #openai