Technology

Autonomous robot invents the world’s best shock absorber

MAMA BEAR (Mechanics of Additively Manufactured Architectures Bayesian Experimental Autonomous Researcher) is an innovative system that 3D prints small structures, tests their energy absorption by crushing them in a hydraulic press, and records the results. For the past three years, MAMA BEAR has iteratively modified and tested designs over 25,000 times, leading to a new efficiency world record of 75% energy absorption, surpassing the previous … Continue reading Autonomous robot invents the world’s best shock absorber

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Technology

AI Relies On Mass Surveillance

Meredith Whittaker, head of the encrypted messaging app Signal, criticized AI tools for their reliance on mass surveillance and control over our lives, during an interview with AFP on Thursday. Speaking at the VivaTech conference in Paris, she argued that the enthusiasm for AI overlooks its dependence on extensive data collection, a practice rooted in the 1990s US tech industry’s business model. Whittaker, a former … Continue reading AI Relies On Mass Surveillance

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Business

Sales of newly built homes tank in April

Sales of newly built homes fell 4.7% in April compared to March and dropped 7.7% from the previous year, according to the U.S. Census. March sales were also revised significantly lower. Higher mortgage rates are affecting sales, with the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate rising from the high 6% range at the end of March to 7.5% in April, reducing affordability. The median price of … Continue reading Sales of newly built homes tank in April

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Business

Crypto bill clears the House, heads to Senate

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act” (FIT21) on Wednesday evening, aiming to regulate the cryptocurrency industry. The bill classifies cryptocurrency as a commodity, exempting it from securities regulations, and outlines whether the SEC or CFTC should oversee it. The Republican-led bill, the first of its kind, passed with a 279-136 vote, supported by 71 Democrats, … Continue reading Crypto bill clears the House, heads to Senate

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Business

Mortgage rates dip below 7%

Mortgage rates declined for the third consecutive week, dropping below 7% for the first time in over a month amid ongoing home affordability challenges. According to Freddie Mac’s latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey released Thursday, the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 6.94% from 7.02% last week. A year ago, the rate was 6.57%, Fox Business reported. The average rate on a … Continue reading Mortgage rates dip below 7%

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Business

Dow slides 600 points, S&P 500 retreats from record 

Stocks fell on Thursday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping over 600 points, marking its largest single-day decline since April 30. The Dow fell by 1.5%, led by a 6.7% drop in Boeing shares. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite also decreased by 0.9% and 0.6%, respectively, despite hitting record highs earlier. Nvidia’s shares surged over 8% following better-than-expected first-quarter results and a 10-for-1 … Continue reading Dow slides 600 points, S&P 500 retreats from record 

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Business

Companies Put Record Amount In Shareholders’ Pockets

In the first quarter of 2024, companies paid a record $339.2 billion in dividends, a 2.4% increase from the same period in 2023, according to a report by asset manager Janus Henderson. This growth was bolstered by Alibaba and Meta making their first-ever dividend payments, contributing significantly with $2.6 billion and $1.1 billion respectively. The banking sector, with a 12% increase, was a major driver, … Continue reading Companies Put Record Amount In Shareholders’ Pockets

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Politics

Meloni, Le Pen hint at combining EU right wing forces

Marine Le Pen and Giorgia Meloni, prominent figures in Europe’s far-right, are hinting at a potential alliance following the upcoming EU elections, as Le Pen’s French party announced a split from its radical German ally AfD. This move could reshape nationalist party alliances in the European Parliament after the June 6-9 elections, where far-right groups are projected to gain around 37 percent of seats. Le … Continue reading Meloni, Le Pen hint at combining EU right wing forces

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Politics

Hearing in Trump classified docs case devolves into shouting match

A day of legal proceedings in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case turned tumultuous, with a morning hearing marked by a shouting match among attorneys and an afternoon session where the judge questioned the jurors’ ability to grasp legal complexities. The morning hearing, originally intended for arguments on selective charges against one of Trump’s co-defendants, spiraled into a dispute over alleged coercion by the prosecutor. Judge … Continue reading Hearing in Trump classified docs case devolves into shouting match

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Politics

Greene Claims DOJ, FBI Planning to Assassinate The Don

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene accused President Joe Biden of planning to assassinate former President Donald Trump in a tweet. Trump, facing charges in New York, made the claims about the Department of Justice authorizing lethal force during a search of his property Mar-a-Lago. Greene amplified Trump’s accusation, suggesting she informed him about the alleged plot and condemning the Biden administration’s actions, Mediaite reported. Despite the … Continue reading Greene Claims DOJ, FBI Planning to Assassinate The Don

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Politics

13 conservative counties in Oregon approve ballot measures to join Idaho

Thirteen discontented counties in Oregon, frustrated with the state’s liberal policies, have voted in favor of exploring the possibility of seceding and joining Idaho, a more conservative state. The movement, known as the ‘Greater Idaho Measure,’ aims to redraw the Oregon-Idaho border, incorporating 14 counties and parts of others into Idaho. Supporters argue that this shift would offer residents lower taxes and better governance, free … Continue reading 13 conservative counties in Oregon approve ballot measures to join Idaho

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Politics

Rishi Sunak announces UK general election for Thursday 4 July

Rishi Sunak, aiming for a fifth term for the Conservatives, surprised many by calling an early UK general election for July 4th. Despite Labour’s leads in opinion polls, Sunak pledged to “fight for every vote.” The announcement, made outside 10 Downing Street amidst rain, diverged from expectations of an autumn poll. Sir Keir Starmer of Labour emphasized the need for change away from “Tory chaos.” … Continue reading Rishi Sunak announces UK general election for Thursday 4 July

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U.S. News

Justice Department sues Oklahoma over a new immigration law

The Justice Department has sued Oklahoma over a new immigration law that penalizes migrants without legal documentation with fines and jail time. Filed in U.S. District Court, the lawsuit argues that the law infringes on the federal government’s constitutional authority over immigration and border control. Additionally, the law is said to violate a constitutional clause limiting state regulation of international movement. Set to take effect … Continue reading Justice Department sues Oklahoma over a new immigration law

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U.S. News

Man charged with murder in deaths of 3 Oregon women found in different locations days apart

A grand jury indicted 39-year-old Jesse Lee Calhoun on murder charges for the deaths of three Oregon women whose bodies were found in 2023, according to the Multnomah County District Attorney. Calhoun faces three counts of second-degree murder and three counts of second-degree abuse of a corpse for the deaths of Charity Lynn Perry, 24, Bridget Leanne Webster, 31, and Joanna Speaks, 32. Their bodies … Continue reading Man charged with murder in deaths of 3 Oregon women found in different locations days apart

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U.S. News

Hunter Biden tax trial postponed to September

Hunter Biden’s criminal tax trial in California has been moved from June to September by Judge Mark Scarsi of the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The delay came after Hunter Biden’s attorneys requested more time during a pre-trial hearing, arguing against the initial June 20 start date. Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to three felonies and six misdemeanors related … Continue reading Hunter Biden tax trial postponed to September

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U.S. News

Missing Kansas women’s bodies found in ice chest buried in cow pasture, according to court documents

The bodies of two Kansas women, Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, who disappeared in the Oklahoma Panhandle in March, were discovered in a chest freezer buried in a cow pasture, according to court records. They vanished on March 30, and their remains were found on April 14 on a property in Texas County, Oklahoma, about ten miles from where they were last seen. … Continue reading Missing Kansas women’s bodies found in ice chest buried in cow pasture, according to court documents

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U.S. News

At least 5 killed, dozens injured by Iowa tornadoes as powerful storms slam Midwest

At least five people were killed and dozens injured as powerful tornadoes hit Iowa, particularly devastating the small city of Greenfield, officials said Wednesday. The tornadoes destroyed homes, businesses, and trees, following a previous series of tornadoes that had already struck other parts of the state. Nebraska also experienced severe weather, including torrential rain, high winds, and large hail. The Iowa Department of Public Safety … Continue reading At least 5 killed, dozens injured by Iowa tornadoes as powerful storms slam Midwest

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World News

Congo names third American in a foiled coup plot as mourners gather in Utah to remember plot leader

Congo’s army spokesman, Brig. Gen. Sylvain Ekenge, revealed the third American involved in the foiled coup plot in Kinshasa as Taylor Thomson, though it was unclear if he was arrested or killed during the weekend attack on the presidential palace. Family in Utah mourned Christian Malanga, the eccentric leader of the failed coup, who was killed after resisting arrest. The State Department could not confirm … Continue reading Congo names third American in a foiled coup plot as mourners gather in Utah to remember plot leader

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World News

Russia begins exercises for battlefield nuclear weapons

Russian troops have commenced major exercises to prepare for the potential deployment of tactical nuclear weapons, citing threats from Western allies. The Russian Ministry of Defense shared a video showing troops affixing missiles and warheads onto fighter jets and armored trucks. This marks the first stage of “practical testing” of these weapons in Russia’s southern military district, which includes regions bordering Ukraine. The training involves … Continue reading Russia begins exercises for battlefield nuclear weapons

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World News

Germany says it will arrest Netanyahu

Israel’s Ambassador to Berlin, Ron Prosor, was rebuffed by the German government after appealing on social media for Germany to reject the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) legitimacy. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s spokesman, Steffen Hebestreit, confirmed that Germany would comply with an ICC arrest warrant against Prime Minister Netanyahu for alleged war crimes. Prosor criticized this stance on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing that it challenges Germany’s … Continue reading Germany says it will arrest Netanyahu

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World News

Palestinian state is recognized by several European countries

On Wednesday, Norway, Ireland, and Spain announced their recognition of a Palestinian state, a historic move that was celebrated by Palestinians and condemned by Israel. In response, Israel recalled its ambassadors from Norway and Ireland and was considering doing the same with its ambassador to Spain. The recognition will officially take effect on May 28, as confirmed by Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, CBS … Continue reading Palestinian state is recognized by several European countries

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World News

China begins military drills around Taiwan as ‘punishment’

China launched two days of military drills around Taiwan on Thursday, claiming it was a “strong punishment” for the island’s “separatist acts” following the inauguration of Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te, who made a speech China condemned as a “confession of independence.” Beijing, which considers Taiwan part of its territory and has vowed to reclaim it by force if necessary, announced that the exercises involve … Continue reading China begins military drills around Taiwan as ‘punishment’

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Business

BMW imported 8,000 Mini Coopers with banned Chinese parts into U.S.

A U.S. Senate report released on Monday revealed that German automaker BMW imported over 8,000 Mini Cooper vehicles into the United States with electronic components sourced from a banned Chinese supplier. The report, from Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden’s staff, disclosed that BMW continued importing products with these banned parts until at least April, despite a 2021 law prohibiting such imports. BMW Group responded, … Continue reading BMW imported 8,000 Mini Coopers with banned Chinese parts into U.S.

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Politics

Michael Cohen admits he stole from Trump Org. during heated cross-examination

Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s former lawyer, testified for a third day in the former president’s criminal trial, admitting to deceiving Trump and his company for money while asserting that Trump approved the hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. Trump’s attorney indicated that Trump is unlikely to testify and plans to call two brief witnesses before resting the defense. Cohen discussed his conversations with Trump on … Continue reading Michael Cohen admits he stole from Trump Org. during heated cross-examination

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Archaeology

Revolutionary War barracks burned by the British discovered in Colonial Williamsburg

Archaeologists in Colonial Williamsburg have made a significant discovery, uncovering the remains of barracks and various artifacts dating back to the Revolutionary War. Historical documents and maps from the 18th century provided clues about military housing near the current visitor center location in eastern Virginia. Excavations last year revealed bricks used in the construction of the barracks between 1776 and 1777. This period coincided with … Continue reading Revolutionary War barracks burned by the British discovered in Colonial Williamsburg

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