News gathered 2024-02-26
(date: 2024-02-26 07:51:00)
Are screen media the new pacifiers? The role of parenting stress and parental attitudes for children’s screen time in early childhood
date: 2024-03-01, from: ETH Zurich, recently added
Brauchli V.; Sticca F.; Edelsbrunner P.; von Wyl A.; Lannen P.
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11850/649586 Save to Pocket
A convolutional neural network-based method for the generation of super-resolution 3D models from clinical CT images
date: 2024-03-01, from: ETH Zurich, recently added
Zhou Y.; Klintström E.; Klintström B.; Ferguson S.J.; Helgason B.; Persson C.
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11850/655412 Save to Pocket
Handling uncertainty in train timetable rescheduling
date: 2024-03-01, from: ETH Zurich, recently added
Zhan, Shuguang; Xie, Jiemin; Wong, S.C.; Zhu, Yongqiu; Corman, Francesco
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11850/657510 Save to Pocket
Global nutritional challenges and opportunities: Buckwheat, a potential bridge between nutrient deficiency and food security
date: 2024-03-01, from: ETH Zurich, recently added
Jha R.; Zhang K.; He Y.; Mendler-Drienyovszki N.; Magyar-Tábori K.; Quinet M.; Germ M.; Kreft I.; Meglič V.; Ikeda K.; Chapman M.A.; Janovská D.; Podolska G.; Woo S.H.; Bruno S.; Georgiev M.I.; Chrungoo N.; Betekhtin A.; Zhou M.
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11850/660083 Save to Pocket
Human cues in eHealth to promote lifestyle change: An experimental field study to examine adherence to self-help interventions
date: 2024-03-01, from: ETH Zurich, recently added
Cohen Rodrigues T.R.; de Buisonjé D.R.; Reijnders T.; Santhanam P.; Kowatsch T.; Breeman L.D.; Janssen V.R.; Kraaijenhagen R.A.; Atsma D.E.; Evers A.W.M.
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11850/660082 Save to Pocket
Socioeconomic impacts of small conserved sites on rural communities in Madagascar
date: 2024-03-01, from: ETH Zurich, recently added
Rodríguez-Rodríguez, David; Knecht, Nielja; Llopis, Jorge C.; Heriarivo, R.A.; Rakotoarison, H.; Andriamampionomanjaka, V.; Navarro-Jurado, Enrique; Randriamamonjy, Voahirana
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11850/659418 Save to Pocket
Prenatal and postnatal influences on behavioral development in a mouse model of preconceptional stress
date: 2024-03-01, from: ETH Zurich, recently added
Scarborough, Joseph; Iachizzi, Monica; Schalbetter, Sina M.; Müller, Flavia S.; Weber-Stadlbauer, Ulrike; Richetto, Juliet
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11850/659419 Save to Pocket
Multi-criteria assessment of inland and offshore carbon dioxide transport options
date: 2024-03-01, from: ETH Zurich, recently added
Oeuvray, Pauline; Burger, Johannes; Roussanaly, Simon; Mazzotti, Marco; Becattini, Viola
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11850/661076 Save to Pocket
Great Western Railway’s fully-electric train breaks UK record, paving way for cleaner travel
date: 2024-02-26, from: Electrek Feed
Entering its trial third year to study the feasibility of battery-electric rail, UK’s Great Western Railway (GWR) has hit an encouraging milestone, traveling further in the region than any battery-electric train before it. Its latest treks surpassed expectations and offered further confidence toward a more sustainable future in train travel.
https://electrek.co/2024/02/26/great-western-railways-fully-electric-train-breaks-uk-record/ Save to Pocket
Trump Appeals $454 Million Judgment in New York Civil Fraud Case
date: 2024-02-26, from: VOA News USA
New York — Donald Trump has appealed his $454 million New York civil fraud judgment, challenging a judge’s finding that Trump lied about his wealth as he grew the real estate empire that launched him to stardom and the presidency.
The former president’s lawyers filed a notice of appeal Monday asking the state’s mid-level appeals court to overturn Judge Arthur Engoron’s Feb. 16 verdict in Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit.
Trump’s lawyers wrote in court papers that they’re asking the appeals court to decide whether Engoron “committed errors of law and/or fact” and whether he abused his discretion and/or his jurisdiction.
Engoron found that Trump, his company and top executives, including his sons Eric and Donald Trump Jr., schemed for years to deceive banks and insurers by inflating his wealth on financial statements used to secure loans and make deals. Among other penalties, the judge put strict limitations on the ability of Trump’s company, the Trump Organization, to do business.
The appeal ensures that the legal fight over Trump’s business practices will persist into the thick of the presidential primary season, and likely beyond, as he tries to clinch the Republican presidential nomination in his quest to retake the White House.
If upheld, Engoron’s ruling will force Trump to give up a sizable chunk of his fortune. Engoron ordered Trump to pay $355 million in penalties, but with interest the total has grown to nearly $454 million. That total will increase by nearly $112,000 per day until he pays.
https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-appeals-454-million-judgment-in-new-york-civil-fraud-case/7502933.html Save to Pocket
Unpaid bills increase in California, nationwide
date: 2024-02-26, from: San Jose Mercury News
California’s 1.23% missed payments is highest level in a year and a half.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/02/26/unpaid-bills-increase-in-california-nationwide/ Save to Pocket
BYD launches $233K Yangwang U9 electric supercar that will smoke a Ferrari and can dance
date: 2024-02-26, from: Electrek Feed
The world’s leading EV maker, BYD, is taking aim at exotic car manufacturers like Ferrari and Lamborghini with the new Yangwang U9. BYD officially launched the Yangwang U9 electric supercar with a 0 to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint in 2.36 seconds and a $233,400 (1,680,000 yuan) price tag.
https://electrek.co/2024/02/26/byd-launches-233k-yangwang-u9-ev-supercar-ferrari/ Save to Pocket
A Quantum Trick Implied Eternal Stability. Now the Idea May Be Falling Apart.
date: 2024-02-26, from: Quanta Magazine
A series of advances seemed to promise the impossible: the existence of quantum states that would never, ever fall into disarray. But physicists are now discovering that the pull of disorder may not be so easily overcome.The post A Quantum Trick Implied Eternal Stability. Now the Idea May Be Falling Apart. first appeared on Quanta Magazine
https://www.quantamagazine.org/a-quantum-trick-implied-eternal-stability-now-its-falling-apart-20240226/ Save to Pocket
Kurtenbach: The Warriors were hit with a harsh reality check by the defending champions. They can’t afford to ignore it
date: 2024-02-26, from: San Jose Mercury News
The Dubs’ best doesn’t stack up with the West’s best. Until it does, this season will be nice but not fruitful.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/02/26/kurtenbach-the-warriors-were-hit-with-a-harsh-reality-check-by-the-defending-champions/ Save to Pocket
Greener, cheaper, what’s not to love about a secondhand smartphone?
date: 2024-02-26, updated: 2024-02-26, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)
Price tag, hardware durability underpinning ‘already lengthened replacement cycle’
Half of consumers polled in a Vodafone-backed survey are considering buying a refurbished smartphone instead of a brand-new handset, with the lower purchase price and environmental concerns cited as the main reasons.…
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/02/26/refurbished_phones_survey/ Save to Pocket
Spain takes climate action: “Flights with a rail alternative that takes less…
date: 2024-02-26, updated: 2024-02-26, from: Jason Kittke’s blog
https://kottke.org/24/02/0044053-spain-takes-climate-actio Save to Pocket
CIF NorCal soccer regionals 2024: Opening-round schedule
date: 2024-02-26, from: San Jose Mercury News
Bay Area soccer teams will open the CIF NorCal regionals on Tuesday.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/02/26/cif-norcal-soccer-regionals-2024-opening-round-schedule/ Save to Pocket
Donald Trump appeals $454 million judgment in New York civil fraud case
date: 2024-02-26, from: San Jose Mercury News
Donald Trump has appealed his $454 million New York civil fraud judgment, challenging a judge’s finding that Trump lied about his wealth as he grew the real estate empire that launched him to stardom and the presidency.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/02/26/donald-trump-appeals-454-million-judgment-in-new-york-civil-fraud-case/ Save to Pocket
Section of massive East Bay development topples into loan delinquency
date: 2024-02-26, from: San Jose Mercury News
A section of a massive East Bay development that would create a new mixed-use neighborhood has flopped into a loan default.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/02/26/east-bay-san-leandro-home-build-hotel-store-loan-real-estate-economy/ Save to Pocket
Awaiting the count – gray whales population has been declining
date: 2024-02-26, from: San Jose Mercury News
Whale experts are anxiously awaiting the 2024 count, which could hold more bad news about migratory gray whales, whose population has been declining.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/02/26/awaiting-the-count-gray-whales-population-has-been-declining/ Save to Pocket
Lenovo’s 2024 Thinkpad T14 and T16 laptops have user-replaceable parts (including batteries)
date: 2024-02-26, from: Liliputing
As laptops have gotten thinner and lighter, PC makers have moved away from including user-replaceable parts. The first to go were user-replaceable batteries, but a growing number of notebooks also have memory, and sometimes even storage, soldered to the motherboard. But a key selling point for Lenovo’s new ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 and ThinkPad T16 Gen […]
The post Lenovo’s 2024 Thinkpad T14 and T16 laptops have user-replaceable parts (including batteries) appeared first on Liliputing.
https://liliputing.com/lenovos-2024-thinkpad-t14-and-t16-laptops-have-user-replaceable-parts-including-batteries/ Save to Pocket
@Dave Winer’s linkblog (date: 2024-02-26, from: Dave Winer’s linkblog)
Every time you find yourself typing into a tiny little text box the alarms should go off.
http://scripting.com/2024/02/25.html#a154445 Save to Pocket
Tesla Model 3 Ludicrous spotted being filmed for promo
date: 2024-02-26, from: Electrek Feed
A new Tesla Model 3 Performance, likely a new ‘Ludicrous’, has been spotted being filmed for what appears to be a promotional video.
https://electrek.co/2024/02/26/tesla-model-3-ludicrous-spotted-being-filmed-promo/ Save to Pocket
GUSTO Breaks NASA Scientific Balloon Record for Days in Flight
date: 2024-02-26, from: NASA breaking news
Fifty-five days, one hour, and 34 minutes was the NASA record to beat, and the GUSTO (Galactic/Extragalactic ULDB Spectroscopic Terahertz Observatory) scientific balloon mission did just that Saturday, Feb. 24, while flying high above the icy surface of Antarctica. GUSTO is now the new record-holder for longest flight of any NASA heavy-lift, long-duration scientific balloon […]
https://www.nasa.gov/missions/scientific-balloons/gusto-breaks-nasa-scientific-balloon-record-for-days-in-flight/ Save to Pocket
Get Unstuck From Sticky Situations With AGM’s Trick Rapid Rope
date: 2024-02-26, from: Ride Apart, Electric Motorcycle News
No steel shackles, no extra attachments, no hassle. We want it.
https://www.rideapart.com/news/709773/agm-rapid-kinetic-energy-recovery-rope/ Save to Pocket
Intuitive Machines’ lunar lander tripped and fell
date: 2024-02-26, updated: 2024-02-26, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)
Still works, though, says CEO, promising pics any day now
Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus lander last week became the first American lander to touch down on the Moon in 50 years – albeit landing on its side.…
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/02/26/intuitive_machines_lunar_lander_sideways/ Save to Pocket
Redwood City: Jellyfish aquarium, pristine seafood star at new Hurrica restaurant
date: 2024-02-26, from: San Jose Mercury News
First Look: Guests can arrive via land or sea for dinner nightly, lunch five days a week
https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/02/26/redwood-city-jellyfish-aquarium-pristine-seafood-star-at-new-hurrica-restaurant/ Save to Pocket
Why is a mellow skunk hanging around a Morgan Hill trail in broad daylight?
date: 2024-02-26, from: San Jose Mercury News
This skunk seems unbothered by people, bicyclists or dogs – but is this a good thing or a bad one?
https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/02/26/why-is-a-mellow-skunk-hanging-around-a-morgan-hill-trail-in-broad-daylight/ Save to Pocket
“How First Contact With Whale Civilization Could Unfold”
date: 2024-02-26, updated: 2024-02-26, from: Jason Kittke’s blog
https://kottke.org/24/02/how-first-contact-with-whale-civilization-could-unfold Save to Pocket
Pompano Beach add Mack electric garbage truck to fleet
date: 2024-02-26, from: Electrek Feed
The streets of Pompano Beach, Florida will be cleaner and quieter than ever starting this week, thanks to a new, all-electric Mack LR waste truck that was delivered last week!
https://electrek.co/2024/02/26/pompano-beach-add-mack-electric-garbage-truck-to-fleet/ Save to Pocket
Marin’s median home price declines 7% to $1.5 million
date: 2024-02-26, from: San Jose Mercury News
The figure has wobbled between $1.5 million and $1.8 million for more than a year. In the spring of 2022, it exceeded $2 million.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/02/26/marins-median-home-price-declines-7-to-1-5m/ Save to Pocket
Auto Industry Begs U.S. To Block ‘Cheap’ Chinese EV Imports From Mexico
date: 2024-02-26, from: Inside EVs News
Plus: what’s next in the EV race from Jeep, and how Rivian can cross “the valley of death.”
https://insideevs.com/news/710108/byd-jeep-rivian-ev-sales/ Save to Pocket
Hanging out with the fantastic golf-course foxes of San Jose
date: 2024-02-26, from: San Jose Mercury News
The thieving red foxes and their pups, who inhabit a public golf course, are the fascinating subject of South Bay wildlife photographer Parham Pourahmad.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/02/26/hanging-out-with-the-fantastic-golf-course-foxes-of-san-jose/ Save to Pocket
Police Bodycam Shows Sheriff Hunting for ‘Obscene’ Books at Library
date: 2024-02-26, from: 404 Media Group
Body camera footage from Idaho reveals a sheriff hunting for a YA book he could use for a political stunt.
https://www.404media.co/police-bodycam-shows-sheriff-kootenai-idaho-hunting-for-obscene-books-at-library/ Save to Pocket
Qualcomm inserts GenAI into smartphones at industry’s mega tradeshow
date: 2024-02-26, updated: 2024-02-26, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)
Just what Android fans were missing, amirite? A 7 billion parameter LLM that accepts image and voice prompts?
MWC Qualcomm is going big on AI at MWC, where it’s showing off a 7 billion parameter large language model running on an Android phone, along with an online hub to help mobile devs blend models into their apps, and AI infused into its latest 5G modem and Wi-Fi 7 silicon.…
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/02/26/qualcomm_puts_genai_into_smartphones/ Save to Pocket
GM expands to new European markets with its luxury $93K Lyriq
date: 2024-02-26, from: Electrek Feed
General Motors is banking that Europeans will want an American-made
$93,000 SUV that has zero emissions – but the US
brand
has had plenty of trouble getting production off the ground on its
home turf.
https://electrek.co/2024/02/26/gm-expands-to-new-european-markets-with-its-luxury-93k-lyriq/ Save to Pocket
Tesla Spotted Filming At Superchargers With Non-Tesla EVs
date: 2024-02-26, from: Inside EVs News
The Ford Mustang Mach-E and GMC Hummer EV were part of the cast.
https://insideevs.com/news/709995/tesla-spotted-filiming-supercharger-nacs/ Save to Pocket
Middlemarch Madness: a schedule for finishing George Eliot’s masterpiece by April 14…
date: 2024-02-26, updated: 2024-02-26, from: Jason Kittke’s blog
https://kottke.org/24/02/0044052-middlemarch-madness-a-sch Save to Pocket
Flood Risk Is Hurting Texas Home Prices
date: 2024-02-26, from: Heatmap News
Current conditions: Mexico City’s iconic jacaranda trees have bloomed early • More than half of Australia’s Victoria state is under an extreme bushfire danger alert • It could hit 63 degrees Fahrenheit in Green Bay, Wisconsin, tomorrow. The average February high is 29 degrees.
THE TOP FIVE
- Study: Mandatory flood risk disclosures hit Texas property prices
New research offers a glimpse into how climate change continues to alter the real estate landscape in America. A recent study from Fannie May examined a Texas law, enacted in 2019 after Hurricane Harvey, that requires properties at risk of flooding be listed as such. The study found that the law has decreased prices for flood-prone homes by $15,000 on average. The study “comes as many states adopt or consider similar flood disclosure requirements,” E&E News reported. Harvey caused $155 billion in property damage. Experts say climate change is making hurricanes more destructive.
- First U.S. Jeep EV coming soon
Eco-conscious Jeep lovers have been waiting patiently for a fully-electric version of their favorite vehicle, and their wait will soon be over. Jeep’s first EV – the Wagoneer S SUV – is entering production in the second quarter of 2024 and could be delivered to customers by July, the company’s CEO Antonio Filsosa said. It will be the first EV to sit on Stellantis’ new STLA Large EV platform. An electric Recon (which is inspired by the Wrangler) could be available by the end of the year. Stellantis-owned Jeep saw a 6% drop in U.S. sales last year, and is slashing prices on some of its best selling vehicles to combat the dip. It is no doubt hoping the EV push will help turn things around. “They’ve suddenly got a lot more competition than they traditionally have had,” Sam Abuelsamid, an e-mobility analyst at market research firm Guidehouse Inc., told The Detroit News. “There’s certainly opportunity for them to grow their share, but it’s not going to be easy.”
The
Wagoneer
SJeep
- UN Environment Assembly kicks off in Nairobi
The sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) gets underway in Nairobi, Kenya, today. Member states will consider 19 draft resolutions on issues including climate change, pollution, and biodiversity. At the last meeting, in 2022, the group adopted 14 resolutions, including one on ending plastic pollution, which was called “the most significant environmental multilateral deal since the Paris Agreement,” according to The Associated Press. “UNEA-6 won’t solve the world’s problems overnight,” said Inger Andersen, executive director of the UN Environment Programme. “What it will do is unite nations under the banner of environmental action, focus minds and energies on key solutions and guide the work of UNEP in this critical period for people and planet.” The meeting runs until March 1.
- Farmer protests escalate in Brussels
The streets of Brussels are clogged with nearly 1,000 large tractors today as farmers descend on the city to protest environmental policies being discussed by EU agriculture ministers. Piles of tires were set on fire and manure was dumped onto the streets. Some tractors plowed through barricades. Police fired water cannons. Farmers across Europe have been protesting for weeks, demanding that policymakers do more to help out the agriculture sector, including scrapping some policies aimed at significantly reducing the bloc’s emissions by 2040. “We are not against climate policies,” the head of one farming organization told Reuters. “But we know that in order to do the transition, we need higher prices for products because it costs more to produce in an ecological way.” The protests may be working: The EU has already back-tracked on cutting farming emissions, and nixed plans to urge citizens to eat less meat.
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- Walmart reports Scope 3 emissions milestone
This went slightly under the radar last week, but is
worth highlighting: Retail giant Walmart has
hit
a 2030 goal of reducing its Scope 3 emissions – six years early.
Through the company’s “Project Gigaton” initiative, Walmart suppliers
have removed 1 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from
their value chains by reducing emissions, sequestering them, or avoiding
them altogether. Project Gigaton launched in 2017. It’s a voluntary
program that asks suppliers to set science-based emissions reduction
targets in areas like waste, packaging, energy use, and transportation.
Nearly 6,000 suppliers have signed up, and nearly 75% of net U.S. sales
now come from Project Gigaton suppliers,
reported
The Wall Street Journal.
Scope 3 emissions – which
come from a company’s supply chain and also from the ways consumers use
its products – usually represent about
70%
of a company’s carbon footprint. The Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) was set to require all U.S.-listed companies to disclose their
Scope 3 emissions, but appears poised to
roll
back this rule, leaving companies and individual states to take the
initiative. Already California is requiring large companies doing
business in the state to report Scope 3 emissions by 2027.
THE KICKER
“We live in the narrow window where the severity of the problem is known, but there is yet time to act.” –Climate researchers Delvane Diaz, Steven Davis, and Zeke Hausfather writing about climate optimism for The Hill
https://heatmap.news/climate/texas-flood-disclosure-property-price Save to Pocket
Kandi’s new collapsible electric golf cart is the latest tiny EV coming for your neighborhood
date: 2024-02-26, from: Electrek Feed
Golf carts aren’t just for golfers anymore. In fact, they’re getting much more use away from the golfing green as an alternative to cars in neighborhoods all over the US. Now Kandi America’s new collapsible mini golf cart is trying to reframe the concept of low-impact urban transportation.
https://electrek.co/2024/02/26/kandis-new-collapsible-electric-golf-cart-is-the-latest-tiny-ev-to-take-over-your-neighborhood/ Save to Pocket
NASA’s LRO Images Intuitive Machine’s Odysseus Lander
date: 2024-02-26, from: NASA breaking news
On Feb. 22, Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lander, called Odysseus, completed a seven-day journey to lunar orbit and softly landed near crater Malapert A in the South Pole region of the Moon at 6:24 p.m. EST. On Feb. 24, NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spacecraft passed over the landing site at an altitude of about 56 miles […]
https://www.nasa.gov/missions/lro/nasas-lro-images-intuitive-machines-odysseus-lander/ Save to Pocket
More AI for cell networks as Intel rolls out vRAN platform
date: 2024-02-26, updated: 2024-02-26, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)
Plus fresh edge compute system that may be able to run on existing infra
MWC Intel’s opening day at MWC is all about networks and edge compute, specifically a dedicated edge platform, a developer kit for AI models for vRAN, and a power management tool for 5G infrastructure.…
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/02/26/intel_edge_ai_mwc/ Save to Pocket
Dell Precision 3280 CFF is a small form-factor PC with up to NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada graphics
date: 2024-02-26, from: Liliputing
The Dell Precision 3280 Compact Form Factor (CFF) is a compact desktop computer that Dell says “is the world’s smallest workstation that supports Tensor Core GPUs,” with support for up to NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada graphics. It’s also designed to support 65W Intel Core processors that have been adjusted to run at 80 watts. Dell hasn’t […]
The post Dell Precision 3280 CFF is a small form-factor PC with up to NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada graphics appeared first on Liliputing.
https://liliputing.com/dell-precision-3280-cff-is-a-small-form-factor-pc-with-up-to-nvidia-rtx-4000-ada-graphics/ Save to Pocket
Upgraded Tesla Model 3 Performance Spotted Without Camouflage
date: 2024-02-26, from: Inside EVs News
The market launch of the new Performance version is expected within months.
https://insideevs.com/news/710079/upgraded-tesla-model3-performance-spotted/ Save to Pocket
Read Write Own, Reviewed
date: 2024-02-26, from: Dave Karpf’s blog
Chris Dixon’s Read Write Own has a few problems. And the biggest problem is Dixon himself.
https://davekarpf.substack.com/p/read-write-own-reviewed Save to Pocket
AT&T’s apology for Thursday’s outage should stretch to a cup of coffee
date: 2024-02-26, updated: 2024-02-26, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)
Check your service level agreements to make sure you’ll at least get a slice of cake when your vendor goes down
The $5 credit AT&T is offering to customers affected by last week’s major outage highlights that compensation when a provider suffers downtime is unlikely to get even close to the inconvenience or cost to business.…
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/02/26/at_and_t_outage_apology_plus_5/ Save to Pocket
@Dave Winer’s linkblog (date: 2024-02-26, from: Dave Winer’s linkblog)
Behind Taylor Lorenz’s ‘painful, agonizing’ interview of the Libs of TikTok activist.
https://www.poynter.org/commentary/2024/taylor-lorenz-chaya-raichik-libs-tiktok-interview/ Save to Pocket
TECNO Pocket Go handheld gaming PC-in-a-controller comes with AR glasses for a display
date: 2024-02-26, from: Liliputing
Chinese phone maker TECNO is the latest company making a play for the handheld gaming PC. But the company’s new TECNO Pocket GO is a little different from… anything else on the market. That’s because instead of a small screen surrounded by a set of controllers, the handheld itself looks like a somewhat chunky game controller […]
The post TECNO Pocket Go handheld gaming PC-in-a-controller comes with AR glasses for a display appeared first on Liliputing.
https://liliputing.com/tecno-pocket-go-handheld-gaming-pc-in-a-controller-comes-with-ar-glasses-for-a-display/ Save to Pocket
How Much Stormwater Can We Actually Capture?
date: 2024-02-26, updated: 2024-02-26, from: The LAist
A lot of it runs out to the ocean, but we do manage to capture hundreds of thousands of acre-feet a year.
https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/how-much-stormwater-can-we-actually-capture Save to Pocket
How Air Pollution Delayed A Surge In Extreme Rain
date: 2024-02-26, updated: 2024-02-26, from: The LAist
Aerosol pollutants have masked the effects of global warming. Without them, the U.S. is about to get a lot wetter.
https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/how-air-pollution-delayed-a-surge-in-extreme-rain Save to Pocket
The EV Shift Could Prevent Millions Of Childhood Asthma Attacks
date: 2024-02-26, updated: 2024-02-26, from: The LAist
For children living near U.S. highways, a transition to zero-emission electric vehicles will mean reduced exposure to dangerous exhaust.
https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/ev-shift-could-prevent-millions-of-childhood-asthma-attacks Save to Pocket
Is Triumph Working On An Upcoming Tiger Rally 660?
date: 2024-02-26, from: Ride Apart, Electric Motorcycle News
There’s been no official word yet, but there’s reason to believe it could be.
https://www.rideapart.com/news/709933/triumph-tiger-rally-660-rumors/ Save to Pocket
A news desert in the desert
date: 2024-02-26, from: Marketplace Morning Report
They say all politics is local. But what are voters to do to get reliable, fact-checked information about local issues and politics when they have few news coverage options? As part of this week’s “Democracy in the Desert” series, we travel to Val Verde County, Texas, to hear how voters get their news ahead of Super Tuesday. Plus, AT&T will give a $5 credit to customers most affected by last week’s network outage.
https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-morning-report/a-news-desert-in-the-desert Save to Pocket
Data watchdog tells off outsourcing giant for scanning staff biometrics despite ‘power imbalance’
date: 2024-02-26, updated: 2024-02-26, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)
2,000 employees at 38 facilities had data processed ‘unlawfully’, ICO says
A data protection watchdog in the UK has issued an enforcement notice to stop Serco from using facial recognition tech and fingerprint scanning to monitor staff at 38 leisure centers it runs.…
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/02/26/uk_data_protection_watchdog_halts/ Save to Pocket
Boeing delays could hit ticket prices in Europe
date: 2024-02-26, from: Marketplace Morning Report
From the BBC World Service: Europe’s biggest low cost airline, Ryanair, is warning of a 10% rise in ticket prices this summer because delayed deliveries of new aircraft from Boeing could affect capacity. We’ll discuss. Plus, how is Russia’s economy faring after two years of sanctions? Then, we’ll discuss the death of Zong Qinghou, the billionaire beverage magnate who was China’s richest man.
https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-morning-report/boeing-delays-could-hit-ticket-prices-in-europe Save to Pocket
@Dave Winer’s linkblog (date: 2024-02-26, from: Dave Winer’s linkblog)
Republican Opposition to Birth Control Bill Could Alienate Voters, Poll Finds.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/26/us/politics/republicans-birth-control-ivf.html?unlocked_article_code=1.YU0.7Zrt.IUOPsiZPjlYX&smid=url-share Save to Pocket
Apple Announces Post-Quantum Encryption Algorithms for iMessage
date: 2024-02-26, updated: 2024-02-23, from: Bruce Schneier blog
Apple announced PQ3, its post-quantum encryption standard based on the Kyber secure key-encapsulation protocol, one of the post-quantum algorithms selected by NIST in 2022.
There’s a lot of detail in the Apple blog post, and more in Douglas Stabila’s security analysis.
I am of two minds about this. On the one hand, it’s probably premature to switch to any particular post-quantum algorithms. The mathematics of cryptanalysis for these lattice and other systems is still rapidly evolving, and we’re likely to break more of them—and learn a lot in the process—over the coming few years. But if you’re going to make the switch, this is an excellent choice. And Apple’s ability to do this so efficiently speaks well about its algorithmic agility, which is probably more important than its particular cryptographic design. And it is probably about the right time to worry about, and defend against, attackers who are storing encrypted messages in hopes of breaking them later on future quantum computers…
https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2024/02/apple-announces-post-quantum-encryption-algorithms-for-imessage.html Save to Pocket
New York Is Raising the Minimum Age to Operate ATVs Because…Reasons
date: 2024-02-26, from: Ride Apart, Electric Motorcycle News
It has the right intentions, but the wrong execution.
https://www.rideapart.com/news/709041/new-york-atv-child-legislation-laws/ Save to Pocket
Fiat unveils 5 new boxy ‘Panda-inspired’ concept cars
date: 2024-02-26, from: Electrek Feed
Fiat just unveiled a new set of Panda-inspired concept cars at the Geneva Motor Show, including a new city car and a pickup truck. As Fiat has just launched its 500e in the US, some EV versions of these vehicles could be on their way stateside.
https://electrek.co/2024/02/26/fiat-unveils-5-new-boxy-panda-inspired-concept-cars/ Save to Pocket
Fox News ‘hacker’ turns out to be journalist whose lawyers say was doing his job
date: 2024-02-26, updated: 2024-02-26, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)
Also, another fake iOS app slips into the store, un-cybersafe EV chargers leave UK shelves, and critical vulns
in brief A Florida journalist has been arrested and charged with breaking into protected computer systems in a case his lawyers say was less “hacking,” more “good investigative journalism.” …
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/02/26/in_brief_security/ Save to Pocket
Multiple billions up for grabs as UK government launches cloud services tenders
date: 2024-02-26, updated: 2024-02-26, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)
Two major procurement initiatives aim to beef up public sector tech
UK government has launched two tenders for cloud services that could jointly see up to £7.5 billion ($9.5 billion) spent under framework agreements.…
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/02/26/uk_gov_cloud_services/ Save to Pocket
@Dave Winer’s linkblog (date: 2024-02-26, from: Dave Winer’s linkblog)
A new leader for Press Forward, at a pivotal moment for journalism.
https://www.cjr.org/the_profile/dale-anglin-profile-press-forward-new-leader.php Save to Pocket
The self-created risk in Broadcom’s big VMware kiss-off
date: 2024-02-26, updated: 2024-02-26, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)
Arise, the new Migration Nation
Opinion It looked like the most cynical corporate move of the last couple of years, at least in IT. A year and a half after it was announced, so it has proved to be. Broadcom’s $61 billion buyout of VMware was expected to follow a familiar formula – price hikes, product abandonment, complete ecosystem devastation – and the creation of two classes of people.…
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/02/26/opinon_column_broadcom_vmware/ Save to Pocket
Save Ukraine and free Russia: Countering Putin requires concerted action
date: 2024-02-26, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p>Saturday marks the two-year anniversary of Russian despot Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, after Moscow’s military forces took control of Eastern Ukraine and Crimea in 2014. When he launched his “special military operation” in 2022, Putin expected his tanks to roll into Kyiv within days, a proof of concept for his vision of a reconstituted Soviet Union.</p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/26/opinion/save-ukraine-and-free-russia-countering-putin-requires-concerted-action/ Save to Pocket
Consumers are increasingly pushing back against price increases — and winning
date: 2024-02-26, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p>WASHINGTON — Inflation has changed the way many Americans shop. Now, those changes in consumer habits are helping bring down inflation.</p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/26/nation-world-news/consumers-are-increasingly-pushing-back-against-price-increases-and-winning/ Save to Pocket
After South Carolina, Trump’s march to the nomination quickens
date: 2024-02-26, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p>CHARLESTON, S.C. — The reality has been clear for weeks, since former President Donald Trump trounced his opponents across the frozen fields and icy highways of Iowa. But his overwhelming victory on Saturday in South Carolina, where he defeated Nikki Haley in her home state, makes it all but official.</p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/26/nation-world-news/after-south-carolina-trumps-march-to-the-nomination-quickens/ Save to Pocket
US Moon landing marks new active phase of lunar science
date: 2024-02-26, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p>For the first time since 1972, NASA landed a craft on the surface of the Moon in February 2024. But the agency didn’t do it alone – instead, it partnered with commercial companies. Thanks to new technologies and public-private partnerships, the scientific projects brought to the Moon on this craft and on future missions like it will open up new realms of scientific possibility.</p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/26/opinion/us-moon-landing-marks-new-active-phase-of-lunar-science/ Save to Pocket
The spy war: How the CIA secretly helps Ukraine fight Putin
date: 2024-02-26, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p>Nestled in a dense forest, the Ukrainian military base appears abandoned and destroyed, its command center a burned-out husk, a casualty of a Russian missile barrage early in the war.</p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/26/nation-world-news/the-spy-war-how-the-cia-secretly-helps-ukraine-fight-putin/ Save to Pocket
Police arrest 15 for DUI
date: 2024-02-26, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p>During the week of Feb. 12-18, Hawaii Island police arrested 15 motorists for DUI.</p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/26/hawaii-news/police-arrest-15-for-dui-14/ Save to Pocket
Most insurance-related bills to help those in Lava Zones 1, 2 have stalled
date: 2024-02-26, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p>Efforts in the state Legislature to forestall an impending explosion of property insurance costs in lower Puna appear to have largely petered out.</p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/26/hawaii-news/most-insurance-related-bills-to-help-those-in-lava-zones-1-2-have-stalled/ Save to Pocket
Strong turnout for initial food distribution effort for veterans, active duty personnel
date: 2024-02-26, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p>High grocery prices, low pay and a lack of options have caused many Hawaii Island veterans to face food insecurity.</p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/26/hawaii-news/strong-turnout-for-initial-food-distribution-effort-for-veterans-active-duty-personnel/ Save to Pocket
Netanyahu says a cease-fire deal would only delay ‘somewhat’ an Israeli military offensive in Rafah
date: 2024-02-26, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p>TEL AVIV, Israel — An Israeli military offensive in Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah could be “delayed somewhat” if a deal is reached for a weekslong cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday, and claimed that total victory in the territory would come within weeks once the offensive begins.</p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/26/nation-world-news/netanyahu-says-a-cease-fire-deal-would-only-delay-somewhat-an-israeli-military-offensive-in-rafah/ Save to Pocket
How this AP photographer captured a unique splash at the swimming worlds with an underwater camera
date: 2024-02-26, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p><strong>WHY THIS PHOTO</strong></p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/26/nation-world-news/how-this-ap-photographer-captured-a-unique-splash-at-the-swimming-worlds-with-an-underwater-camera/ Save to Pocket
Republicans struggle to respond as Democrats emphasize the Alabama IVF ruling
date: 2024-02-26, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p>More than a week after the Alabama Supreme Court declared that frozen embryos produced for in vitro fertilization were people with legal rights, upending fertility care in the state, the ruling is reverberating nationally, putting Republicans on the defensive.</p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/26/nation-world-news/republicans-struggle-to-respond-as-democrats-emphasize-the-alabama-ivf-ruling/ Save to Pocket
Drug drastically reduces children’s reactions to traces of food allergens
date: 2024-02-26, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p>A drug that has been used for decades to treat allergic asthma and hives significantly reduced the risk of life-threatening reactions in children with severe food allergies who were exposed to trace amounts of peanuts, cashews, milk and eggs, researchers reported Sunday.</p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/26/nation-world-news/drug-drastically-reduces-childrens-reactions-to-traces-of-food-allergens/ Save to Pocket
A decade after crash of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, planes still at risk of vanishing off the map
date: 2024-02-26, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p>“Good Night. Malaysian Three Seven Zero.” Those six words were the last radio transmission from the cockpit of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, less than an hour after the aircraft took off late at night from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014. Minutes later, the plane disappeared from air-traffic control radar screens.</p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/26/nation-world-news/a-decade-after-crash-of-malaysia-airlines-flight-370-planes-still-at-risk-of-vanishing-off-the-map/ Save to Pocket
Ending The Ivy League’s Tax Dodge
date: 2024-02-26, from: The Lever News
As efforts mount to finally tax private universities’ massive endowment funds, wealthy institutions are fighting back.
https://www.levernews.com/ending-the-ivy-leagues-tax-dodge/ Save to Pocket
Starting over: Rebooting the OS stack for fun and profit
date: 2024-02-26, updated: 2024-02-26, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)
Making full effective use of new persistent memory means tearing up the rulebook
FOSDEM Non-volatile RAM is making a comeback, but the deep assumptions of 1970s OS design will stop us making effective use of it. There are other ways to do things.…
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/02/26/starting_over_rebooting_the_os/ Save to Pocket
Tamuning homicide investigation still open
date: 2024-02-26, from: Guam Daily Post
The Guam Police Department continues to investigate the fatal shooting and robbery at Thai Thai Healthy Cuisine restaurant on Valentine’s Day.
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/tamuning-homicide-investigation-still-open/article_fd6e4cf4-d44c-11ee-86ce-bff8145bdb45.html Save to Pocket
Delegate meets with FEMA on power grid, Sanchez High issues
date: 2024-02-26, from: Guam Daily Post
Guam Del. James Moylan met with Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell last week to discuss Guam’s infrastructure resiliency, with discussion primarily around Moylan’s Typhoon Mawar Reconstruction Act, or H.R. 6478, the delegate’s office stated in a press release.
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/delegate-meets-with-fema-on-power-grid-sanchez-high-issues/article_f35648a4-d445-11ee-a372-d3123db2bf13.html Save to Pocket
Court orders writ of prohibition against CSC over legal concerns
date: 2024-02-26, from: Guam Daily Post
The Civil Service Commission is currently determining the impact of a writ of prohibition ordered by the Superior Court of Guam regarding, in part, lay representation and the practice of law at the commission.
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/court-orders-writ-of-prohibition-against-csc-over-legal-concerns/article_bcee07fa-d1e0-11ee-99d9-3f8c8fd2c672.html Save to Pocket
Ex-officer charged with assault, allowed to use nonlethal weapons
date: 2024-02-26, from: Guam Daily Post
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/ex-officer-charged-with-assault-allowed-to-use-nonlethal-weapons/article_1d86359a-d445-11ee-86a8-9f24b95c4405.html Save to Pocket
4 lasers pointed at aircraft since Feb. 9
date: 2024-02-26, from: Guam Daily Post
In the past 2-1/2 weeks, there have been four incidents of lasers pointed at military aircraft landing at Andersen Air Force Base.
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/4-lasers-pointed-at-aircraft-since-feb-9/article_3dcfa78a-d442-11ee-a104-4b355072849f.html Save to Pocket
Jose Rios Middle School, partners host community outreach event
date: 2024-02-26, from: Guam Daily Post
Saturday afternoon was a productive one for Jose Rios Middle School students, teachers and staff who engaged the community by connecting them with resources needed in and out of the classroom.
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/jose-rios-middle-school-partners-host-community-outreach-event/article_ba65d082-d43b-11ee-b298-cb94a912e48c.html Save to Pocket
Dismissals possible for 3 out of 5 men charged in fatal stabbing
date: 2024-02-26, from: Guam Daily Post
Three of five men accused in the fatal stabbing of Kifirston Aiken in 2022 may have their cases dismissed.
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/dismissals-possible-for-3-out-of-5-men-charged-in-fatal-stabbing/article_552c4680-d439-11ee-8b7e-d368ce6d3a40.html Save to Pocket
Less than 60 percent of the vote in South Carolina? Sheesh. Trump continues to do poorly in Republican caucuses and primaries
date: 2024-02-26, from: Robert Reich on Substack
Why is the mainstream media referring to them as “big victories” for Trump?
https://robertreich.substack.com/p/less-than-60-percent-of-the-vote Save to Pocket
February 25, 2024
date: 2024-02-26, from: Heather Cox Richardson blog
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/february-25-2024-96f Save to Pocket
Renault 5 Returns As Retrolicious EV With Up To 248 Miles Of WLTP Range
date: 2024-02-26, from: Inside EVs News
The modern reinterpretation of the Renault Le Car can power your appliances and has Google Maps and Waze built-in.
https://insideevs.com/news/709693/renault-5-ev-2024-specs-details-official/ Save to Pocket
Amazing projects direct from social media | #MagPiMonday
date: 2024-02-26, from: Raspberry Pi News (.com)
Here’s a selection of some of the awesome things we got sent this month – and remember to follow along at the hashtag #MagPiMonday
The post Amazing projects direct from social media | #MagPiMonday appeared first on Raspberry Pi.
https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/amazing-projects-direct-from-social-media-magpimonday/ Save to Pocket
Classifieds – February 26, 2024
date: 2024-02-26, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)
The Daily Trojan features Classified advertising in each day’s edition. Here you can read, search, and even print out each day’s edition of the Classifieds.
The post Classifieds – February 26, 2024 appeared first on Daily Trojan.
https://dailytrojan.com/2024/02/26/classifieds-february-26-2024/ Save to Pocket
Today in SCV History (Feb. 26)
date: 2024-02-26, from: SCV New (TV Station)
1923 – U.S. release of Charles Chaplin film “The Pilgrim,” partially shot at Saugus Train Station and Newhall First Presbyterian Church. [watch
https://scvnews.com/today-in-scv-history-feb-26/ Save to Pocket
Kaufman’s ‘Fresh Sesh’ welcomes new dancers
date: 2024-02-26, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)
The class of 2027 showed off its talent, rhythm and creativity Thursday night.
The post Kaufman’s ‘Fresh Sesh’ welcomes new dancers appeared first on Daily Trojan.
https://dailytrojan.com/2024/02/26/kaufmans-fresh-sesh-welcomes-new-dancers/ Save to Pocket
Innovative artistry drives student composers
date: 2024-02-26, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)
Thornton Symphony played students’ abstract musical compositions Friday night.
The post Innovative artistry drives student composers appeared first on Daily Trojan.
https://dailytrojan.com/2024/02/26/innovative-artistry-drives-student-composers/ Save to Pocket
DPS honors life-saving students
date: 2024-02-26, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)
Two graduate students won a DPS award for treating a student’s critical wounds.
The post DPS honors life-saving students appeared first on Daily Trojan.
https://dailytrojan.com/2024/02/26/dps-honors-life-saving-students/ Save to Pocket
University reaches new sustainability goal
date: 2024-02-26, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)
USC received a gold star sustainability rating for 2023, up from silver in 2021.
The post University reaches new sustainability goal appeared first on Daily Trojan.
https://dailytrojan.com/2024/02/26/usc-sustainability-ranking/ Save to Pocket
Beach volleyball outlasted at Outrigger
date: 2024-02-26, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)
USC was the runner up to UCLA in its season-opening tournament in Hawai’i.
The post Beach volleyball outlasted at Outrigger appeared first on Daily Trojan.
https://dailytrojan.com/2024/02/26/202327/ Save to Pocket
Let’s accept our generational history
date: 2024-02-26, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)
We have been idolizing our ancestors for too long, and it’s time to retire the legends.
The post Let’s accept our generational history appeared first on Daily Trojan.
https://dailytrojan.com/2024/02/26/always-tell-the-truth-about-your-family/ Save to Pocket
‘Drive-Away Dolls’ runs out of gas before Tallahassee
date: 2024-02-26, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)
Ethan Coen’s solo directorial debut leaves much to be desired.
The post ‘Drive-Away Dolls’ runs out of gas before Tallahassee appeared first on Daily Trojan.
https://dailytrojan.com/2024/02/26/drive-away-dolls-runs-out-of-gas-before-tallahassee/ Save to Pocket
Dell Latitude 7350 Detachable is a 2-in-1 business tablet with Intel Meteor Lake
date: 2024-02-26, from: Liliputing
Dell is refreshing its business PC lineup with a new line of Latitude and Precision-branded notebooks, mobile workstations, and desktop computers powered by Intel Meteor Lake processors. And one of the most interesting is the new Dell Latitude 7350 Detachable, which is a 2-in-1 tablet with a 13.3 inch, 2880 x 1920 pixel 3:2 aspect ratio […]
The post Dell Latitude 7350 Detachable is a 2-in-1 business tablet with Intel Meteor Lake appeared first on Liliputing.
https://liliputing.com/dell-latitude-7350-detachable-is-a-2-in-1-business-tablet-with-intel-meteor-lake/ Save to Pocket
Men’s basketball stuns the Bruins
date: 2024-02-26, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)
Against UCLA Saturday, the Trojans won their first road game since Dec. 19.
The post Men’s basketball stuns the Bruins appeared first on Daily Trojan.
https://dailytrojan.com/2024/02/26/202319/ Save to Pocket
Social media is just a highlight reel
date: 2024-02-26, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)
The online world markets false authenticity, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and mental health issues among consumers.
The post Social media is just a highlight reel appeared first on Daily Trojan.
https://dailytrojan.com/2024/02/26/social-media-is-just-a-highlight-reel/ Save to Pocket
San Nicolas: ‘We need a new hospital now’
date: 2024-02-26, from: Guam Daily Post
Sen. Dwayne San Nicolas said he voted for Bill 185-37 on Friday to benefit the people of Guam, and because the island is in need of a new hospital. The senator issued his statement Monday, following a request for comment.
https://www.postguam.com/news/san-nicolas-we-need-a-new-hospital-now/article_f78d874a-d475-11ee-b2e4-bfdd8b7ad20d.html Save to Pocket
Lenovo debuts AI PCs that have specs a lot like vanilla PCs with this year’s accelerated CPUs
date: 2024-02-26, updated: 2024-02-26, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)
While you ponder that, look – or try to – at a concept transparent lappie
Lenovo has used Mobile World Congress (MWC) to debut a clutch of updated ThinkPads for business users that it claims are AI PCs – but which look a lot like just PCs that ship with AI-capable processors.…
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/02/26/lenovo_ai_pcs_transparent_concept/ Save to Pocket
Energy credit extension now law
date: 2024-02-26, from: Guam Daily Post
Acting Gov. Josh Tenorio has signed into law another round of the Prugråman Ayuda Para I Taotao-ta Energy Credit Program, now known as Public Law 37-66, granting $100 monthly credits for power billings from January through March.
https://www.postguam.com/news/energy-credit-extension-now-law/article_fe88a510-d471-11ee-955e-4f53fc1b5119.html Save to Pocket
TCL expands its NXTPAPER 3.0 tablet lineup, announces pricing and availability
date: 2024-02-26, from: Liliputing
TCL’s NXTPAPER 3.0 display technology offers a paper-like viewing experience on tablets with a full-color LCD display. Unlike E Ink displays, you can see millions of colors at high refresh rates. But NXTPAPER displays are less shiny than even most matte LCD displays, offering a more comfortable, glare-free viewing experience. TCL says version 3.0 of […]
The post TCL expands its NXTPAPER 3.0 tablet lineup, announces pricing and availability appeared first on Liliputing.
https://liliputing.com/tcl-expands-its-nxtpaper-3-0-tablet-lineup-announces-pricing-and-availability/ Save to Pocket
Who needs the cloud? Qualcomm emphasis on-device AI features for smartphones and Windows PCs
date: 2024-02-26, from: Liliputing
AMD recently launched its second generation of PC processors with integrated neural processing units, or NPUs. And Intel’s new Core Ultra processors based on Meteor Lake architecture also have built-in NPUs for hardware-accelerated AI. So we’re seeing a growing number of PC makers position their latest systems as “AI PCs.” But ARM-based chip makers have […]
The post Who needs the cloud? Qualcomm emphasis on-device AI features for smartphones and Windows PCs appeared first on Liliputing.
https://liliputing.com/who-needs-the-cloud-qualcomm-emphasis-on-device-ai-features-for-smartphones-and-windows-pcs/ Save to Pocket
It’s crazy but it’s true: Apple rejected Bing for wrong answers about Annie Lennox
date: 2024-02-26, updated: 2024-02-26, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)
Cupertino only wanted to be with Google for search – despite the prospect of buying Bing outright
Bad search results for the query “Annie Lennox first band” were among the reasons Apple rejected an approach from Microsoft to use the Bing search engine as the default in its Safari browser – and also discarded the idea of a joint venture to make Bing better or even the chance to buy the search engine outright.…
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/02/26/google_antitrust_defense_apple_bing/ Save to Pocket
If we plug this in without telling anyone, nobody will know we caused the outage
date: 2024-02-26, updated: 2024-02-26, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)
The whole incident could have been avoided by spending some spare change on a fastener
Who, Me? What? Monday? Again? Didn’t we do Monday last week? OK, fine. Welcome once again to your soft landing pad into the working week – the oasis we call Who, Me? in which Reg readers unburden themselves with tales of tech tribulations.…
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/02/26/who_me/ Save to Pocket
Gen AI and cloud optimization help Asian SuperApp Grab turn a profit
date: 2024-02-26, updated: 2024-02-26, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)
Headcount down 18 percent as content creation time shrinks from 99 hours to 90 minutes
Singapore-based superapp Grab logged its first ever positive net profit late last week, and revealed it was helped by cutting cloud costs and adopting generative AI.…
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/02/26/grab_profitable_quarter/ Save to Pocket
Santa Clarita to discuss indoor pool, Parks commission, needs assessment
date: 2024-02-26, from: The Signal
The Santa Clarita City Council is expected to discuss a contract for its first indoor community pool, its needs assessment, and another new commissioner for its Parks, Recreations anf Community Services Commission at its Tuesday meeting. The city of Santa Clarita received seven applications after it reopened the appointment process for a vacancy on the […]
The post Santa Clarita to discuss indoor pool, Parks commission, needs assessment appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.
https://signalscv.com/2024/02/santa-clarita-to-discuss-indoor-pool-parks-commission-needs-assessment/ Save to Pocket
Microsoft trying to stop Copilot generating fake Putin comments on Navalny’s death
date: 2024-02-26, updated: 2024-02-26, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)
Plus: US Department of Justice has hired its first chief AI officer
AI in brief Microsoft is investigating fictional press statements about the death of political prisoner Alexei Navalny, written by its AI Copilot and falsely attributed to Russian president Vladimir Putin.…
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/02/26/ai_in_brief/ Save to Pocket
February 25, 2024
date: 2024-02-26, from: Heather Cox Richardson blog
The last several days have seen a Republican stampede to distance the party from the Alabama Supreme Court’s decision of a week ago, when it ruled that embryos frozen for in vitro fertilization (IVF) should be considered children and that their injury can be treated like injury to a child. That decision has led major healthcare providers in Alabama to stop IVF procedures out of fear of prosecution.
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/february-25-2024 Save to Pocket
@Dave Winer’s linkblog (date: 2024-02-26, from: Dave Winer’s linkblog)
Newsom launches abortion ads in Republican states to fight ‘war on women.’
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/25/gavin-newsom-abortion-ads-republican-states Save to Pocket
Dragons and Dancers Parade Through Manhattan’s Chinatown for Lunar New Year
date: 2024-02-26, from: VOA News USA
New York — Dragons took a starring role at the Lunar New Year parade in Manhattan’s historic Chinatown on Sunday — it’s the Year of the Dragon, after all — as hundreds of revelers filled the cold clear air with the sound of drums, cymbals and puffs of confetti.
Lions and red lanterns were interspersed with around a dozen groups displaying traditional dragon puppets, which stretched up to 20 meters (65 feet) long, in interconnected segments held by up to 11 people walking beneath.
Two people also held up a giant golden picture frame with the Chinese character for “Dragon” on a red background.
Other staples of the parade included waves of red lanterns, a file of classic cars, as well as formations by local civic organizations, businesses, New York City agencies, and politicians. Many marchers yelled “Happy New Year” in English, mixing in traditional greetings in Mandarin and Cantonese wishing financial prosperity.
Asian communities across the world started ringing in the Lunar New Year on Feb 10, celebrating the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac. Fireworks, parades and other Lunar New Year rituals are centered around removing bad luck and welcoming prosperity.
In New York, there have already been major celebrations in larger Chinese immigrant enclaves in Queens and Brooklyn. While the symbolic new lunar cycle ended earlier this week with the full moon, Manhattan’s parade was scheduled for the weekend.
https://www.voanews.com/a/dragons-and-dancers-parade-through-manhattan-s-chinatown-for-lunar-new-year/7502463.html Save to Pocket
@Dave Winer’s linkblog (date: 2024-02-26, from: Dave Winer’s linkblog)
Robert Hur is probably not a name familiar to you, and that's a failing of the American journalism. He's a presidential assassin.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_K._Hur Save to Pocket
@Dave Winer’s Scripting News (date: 2024-02-26, from: Dave Winer’s Scripting News)
Went
out to eat, nice pizza place in
Phoenicia.
There was a guy wearing a brand new Trump hat. I’ve never seen that in a
public place. Otherwise he looked perfectly normal. I wondered what kind
of weirdo has that kind of hate in his heart. Is he listening to what
Trump is saying these days? I didn’t want to ask him. These are our
Nazis. They’ve hated us their whole lives. Until now, I never knew they
existed. And now they get to parade around in public with these obscene
hats on. When will the swastikas start appearing on the hats. I wonder
if this is the first of many. Like the
Germans
partying at
Rick’s
place in
Casablanca.
One more thing. Have you heard about the
Civil
War movie coming out later this year. Watch the
trailer. Maybe
wait till morning, because you might have trouble sleeping.
http://scripting.com/2024/02/25.html#a022925 Save to Pocket
@Dave Winer’s linkblog (date: 2024-02-26, from: Dave Winer’s linkblog)
A Pilot Drew a Penis in the Sky and Wrote ‘See Ya’ During a 6-Hour Flight. And that's the way it is on February 25, 2024.
https://gizmodo.com/pilot-drawing-penis-see-ya-sky-ohio-flightradar24-1851285185 Save to Pocket
VMware’s end-user compute unit reportedly headed to private equity firm KKR
date: 2024-02-26, updated: 2024-02-26, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)
As users report Broadcom massively hikes license costs, consultant advises negotiation tactics used for Oracle or Microsoft will apply
VMware’s end-user compute business unit is set to be acquired by private equity firm KKR, according to a Reuters report that claims the deal will see $3.8 billion change hands.…
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/02/26/kkr_vmware_euc_acquisitioj/ Save to Pocket
‘Past Lives,’ ‘American Fiction’ And ‘The Holdovers’ Are Big Winners at Independent Spirit Awards
date: 2024-02-26, from: VOA News USA
https://www.voanews.com/a/past-lives-american-fiction-and-the-holdovers-are-big-winners-at-independent-spirit-awards/7502443.html Save to Pocket
Kayakers Paddle in Death Valley After Rains Replenish Lake
date: 2024-02-26, from: VOA News USA
DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, Calif — Kayakers have been paddling in one of the driest places on Earth after a series of record rainstorms battered California’s Death Valley and replenished Lake Manly.
Park Ranger Nichole Andler said Badwater Basin at Death Valley National Park, which runs along part of central California’s border with Nevada, “is normally a very beautiful, bright white salt flat.”
This year it is a lake.
In the past six months, Death Valley has received more than double its annual rainfall amount, recording more than 12.45 centimeters (4.9 inches) compared to a typical year that gets about 5.08 centimeters (2 inches). Temperatures at or above 54.44 C (130 F) have only been recorded on Earth a handful of times, mostly in Death Valley.
Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America at 85.95 meters (282 feet) below sea level and has been a favored spot for tourists to take selfies and briefly walk along the white salt flats ringed by sandy-colored mountains.
“It’s the lowest point, in North America. So it’s going to collect water, but to have as much water as we have now — and for it to be as deep and lasting as long as it has — this is extremely uncommon,” Andler said. “If it’s not once-in-a-lifetime, it’s nearly.”
Andler said kayakers should come soon since water levels are expected to drop in a matter of weeks, though the lake “will probably be here into April. If we’re lucky, May. And then it’ll be a muddy, wet mess, and then it’ll dry out into those gorgeous white salt flats.”
On Thursday, Heather Gang of Pahrump, Nevada, and her husband, Bob, were among hundreds of visitors playing in the water. Most waded into the lake, though the couple and others paddled where the water reached up to about a foot (0.3 meters) deep in parts.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to kayak Lake Manley,” Heather Gang said.
It was a sharp contrast to the Death Valley of the past where they figured they had once stood around the same spot and looked at the chalky salt flats for as far as the eye could see.
The couple has been eyeing the lake’s evolution ever since last year’s storms started filling the lake. In the fall, they drove out to see it re-emerge as a lake but they said it wasn’t deep enough for kayaks like now. This time the water reached up to the boardwalk.
The lake, which is currently about 9.66 kilometers long and 4.83 kilometers wide, is still nowhere near its original state thousands of years ago after it formed during the Ice Age and covered a significant part of the park and was several hundred feet deep.
Bob Gang said he had heard the lake had filled up to the point that boaters could go on it about 20 years ago, so he didn’t want to miss out on the experience this time.
“It’s a lot of fun,” said Bob Gang, who gave a girl a ride on his kayak. “It’s good to see the little kids out here enjoying this and seeing something totally unique.”
It could be another 20 years before boaters return, he added, but “with climate change, who knows, maybe this will be the normal.”
Guo Yu, an assistant research professor of hydrometeorology at the Nevada-based Desert Research Institute, said the lake’s size is a “simple natural phenomenon.”
It’s linked to a wet winter from a strong El Nino — a natural and occasional warming of part of the Pacific Ocean that can lead to more precipitation than usual in California — plus climate change, which brings more intense atmospheric rivers to the area more frequently, Yu said.
Scientists need to study Lake Manly now, he said, to see if they can harness the water for other uses in the future, such as drinking water throughout the dry Southwest.
Tiffany Pereira, an associate research scientist at the institute, said the lake’s size now can be beneficial to local flora and fauna.
Certain seed species endemic to the area, meaning they only naturally exist in Death Valley, have lain dormant for a decade or more and are now beginning their short-lived life cycle because there is enough water to sustain them.
“They hang out, they do their thing, and as soon as it dries up, that’s it. They’re done,” she said.
For now, friends Trudell Artiglere and Sheri Dee Hopper of Las Vegas will enjoy paddling through the lake. At the end of the day on Thursday, Artiglere said, their salt-encrusted kayaks looked like “glazed donuts.”
https://www.voanews.com/a/kayakers-paddle-in-death-valley-after-rains-replenish-lake/7502428.html Save to Pocket
Trouble in Trumpland?
date: 2024-02-26, from: Dan Rather’s Steady
A deeper dive indicates where and how Trump is vulnerable
https://steady.substack.com/p/trouble-in-trumpland Save to Pocket
US Airman Sets Himself on Fire Outside Israeli Embassy in Washington
date: 2024-02-26, from: VOA News USA
WASHINGTON — A U.S. military service member set himself on fire, in an apparent act of protest against the war in Gaza, outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington on Sunday afternoon, authorities said.
The man was transported to an area hospital after the fire was put out by U.S. Secret Service officers, DC Fire and EMS posted online. The man remains in critical condition, a Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson said Sunday afternoon.
An Air Force spokesperson confirmed that the incident involved an active-duty airman.
“I will no longer be complicit in genocide,” said the man, wearing military fatigues, in a video he broadcasted live over the internet, according to The New York Times.
He then doused himself in a clear liquid and set himself on fire, screaming “Free Palestine,” the Times reported.
Local police and Secret Service are investigating the incident.
Israel’s embassy has been the target of continued protest against the war in Gaza.
The war in Gaza has led to pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protests in the United States.
The protests started after Oct. 7 when Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist group that rules Gaza, killed 1,200 Israelis and seized 253 hostages in a cross-border attack.
Since then, Israeli forces have waged a military campaign against the coastal enclave, laying much of it to waste, with nearly 30,000 people dead, according to Palestinian health officials.
In December, a protester set herself on fire outside the Israeli Consulate in Atlanta.
https://www.voanews.com/a/man-sets-himself-on-fire-outside-israeli-embassy-in-washington/7502421.html Save to Pocket
Lenovo’s ThinkBook Transparent Display Laptop concept has a 17.3 inch see-through micro-LED screen
date: 2024-02-26, from: Liliputing
As expected, Lenovo is showing off the first laptop that might actually be able to claim a truly bezel-free display, because the screen is a transparent micro-LED display that looks like a sheet of clear glass when there’s nothing on the screen. But turn the laptop on and the 17.3 inch Micro-LED display can show […]
The post Lenovo’s ThinkBook Transparent Display Laptop concept has a 17.3 inch see-through micro-LED screen appeared first on Liliputing.
https://liliputing.com/lenovos-thinkbook-transparent-display-laptop-concept-has-a-17-3-inch-see-through-micro-led-screen/ Save to Pocket
Kenwood Village Issues
date: 2024-02-26, from: Santa Barbara Indenpent News
Building, mandates, descriptions, compatibility, and choices
The post Kenwood Village Issues appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.
https://www.independent.com/2024/02/25/kenwood-village-issues/ Save to Pocket
Residents get informed on brush clearance program
date: 2024-02-26, from: The Signal
Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel had an informational meeting at Santa Clarita City Hall to discuss concerns and provide transparency to local homeowners about the county’s brush clearance program on Saturday. Sixty local homeowners trickled in and out of City Hall, and spoke with Fire Department personnel and asked questions about how they could […]
The post Residents get informed on brush clearance program appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.
https://signalscv.com/2024/02/residents-get-informed-on-brush-clearance-program/ Save to Pocket
India’s homebrew RISC-V CPU goes on sale in new development board
date: 2024-02-26, updated: 2024-02-26, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)
PLUS: Huawei’s tablets beat iPad sales; Japanese supermarket’s long ransomware fight; Do Kwon extradited
Asia In Brief India’s home-grown DIR-V VEGA RISC-V processors have debuted in development boards.…
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/02/26/asia_tech_news_roundup/ Save to Pocket
Biden to Summon Congressional Leaders to Discuss Ukraine, Government Funding
date: 2024-02-26, from: VOA News USA
Washington — President Joe Biden will convene the top four congressional leaders at the White House on Tuesday to press lawmakers on passing an emergency aid package for Ukraine and Israel, as well as averting a looming government shutdown next month, according to a White House official.
The top four leaders include Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
During the meeting, the president will discuss the “urgency” of passing the aid package, which has bipartisan support, as well as legislation to keep the federal government operating through the end of September, said the White House official, who was granted anonymity to discuss a meeting not yet publicly confirmed.
The Republican-led House is under pressure to pass the $95 billion national security package that bolsters aid for Ukraine, Israel as well as the Indo-Pacific. That legislation cleared the Senate on a 70-29 vote earlier this month, but Johnson has been resistant to put the aid bill up for a vote in the House.
“This is one of those instances where one person can bend the course of history. Speaker Johnson, if he put this bill on the floor, would produce a strong, bipartisan majority vote in favor of the aid to Ukraine,” Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week.”
Sullivan stressed that Ukrainians need weapons and ammunition to fend off Russian forces, and that in his personal conversations with the speaker, he “has indicated that he would like to get the funding for Ukraine.”
Separate from the national security package, the first tranche of government funding is due to expire Friday. The rest of the federal government, including agencies such as the Pentagon, Department of Homeland Security and the State Department, expires on March 8.
In a letter to his colleagues sent Sunday, Schumer said there was not yet an agreement to avoid a partial shutdown of the agencies whose funding expires this week. That includes the departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture and Veterans Affairs.
“While we had hoped to have legislation ready this weekend that would give ample time for members to review the text, it is clear now that House Republicans need more time to sort themselves out,” Schumer wrote in the letter. The Senate majority leader called on Johnson to “step up to once again, buck the extremists in his caucus, and do the right thing” by greenlighting funding to keep the government open.
https://www.voanews.com/a/biden-to-summon-congressional-leaders-to-discuss-ukraine-government-funding/7502402.html Save to Pocket
Monday 26 February, 2024
date: 2024-02-26, from: John Naughton’s online diary
Sky’s the Limit A Norfolk beach on Friday afternoon. Quote of the Day ”I do not have a psychiatrist and I do not want one, for the simple reason that if he listened to me long enough, he might become … Continue reading
https://memex.naughtons.org/monday-26-february-2024/39173/ Save to Pocket
Viterbi students celebrate National Engineers Week
date: 2024-02-25, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)
Viterbi students found ways to explore engineering and other facets of their lives.
The post Viterbi students celebrate National Engineers Week appeared first on Daily Trojan.
https://dailytrojan.com/2024/02/25/daily-trojan-national-engineers-week/ Save to Pocket
Biden, Utah’s Governor Call for Less Bitterness, More Bipartisanship in Politics
date: 2024-02-25, from: VOA News USA
Washington — President Joe Biden and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox disagree on many issues but they were united Saturday in calling for less bitterness in politics and more bipartisanship.
“Politics has gotten too personally bitter,” said Biden, who has practiced politics since he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1972. “It’s just not like it was.” The Democratic president commented while delivering a toast to the nation’s governors and their spouses at a black-tie White House dinner in their honor.
Biden said what makes him “feel good” about hosting the governors is “we have a tradition of doing things together. We fight like hell, we make sure that we get our points across. At the end of the day, we know who we work for. The objective is to get things done.”
Cox, a Republican and chairman of the National Governors Association, preceded Biden to the lectern beneath an imposing portrait of Abraham Lincoln above the fireplace in the State Dining Room.
The Utah governor said the association “harkens back to another time, another era, when we did work together across partisan lines, when there was no political danger in appearing with someone from the other side of the aisle and we have to keep this, we have to maintain this, we cannot lose this,” he said.
Cox leads an initiative called “Disagree Better” that aims to reduce divisiveness. He had joked earlier in the program that he and Biden might be committing “mutually assured destruction” by appearing together at the White House since they’re both up for reelection this year.
He told Biden that as state chief executives, governors “know just a very little bit of the incredible burden that weighs on your shoulders. We can’t imagine what it must be like, the decisions that you have to make, but we feel a small modicum of that pressure and so, tonight, we honor you.”
Biden said he remembered when lawmakers would argue by day and break bread together at night. He is currently embroiled in stalemates with the Republican-controlled House over immigration policy, government funding and aid for Ukraine and Israel.
Cox went on to say that his parents taught him to pray for the leader of the country.
“Mr. President, I want you to know that our family prays for you and your family every night,” he said. “We pray that you will be successful because if you are successful that means that United States of America is successful and, tonight, we are always Americans first, so thank you.”
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat who is the association’s vice chairman, also offered a toast.
“We have a lot more in common and a lot more that brings us together as Americans for love of country and love of the people of our country,” he said.
Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, were among Cabinet secretaries and White House officials who sat among the governors. The group included North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who in December ended his bid to become the Republican presidential nominee and challenge Biden.
Guests dined on house-made burrata cheese, an entree choice of beef braciole or cod almandine and lemon meringue tart with limoncello ice cream for dessert.
After dinner, the program moved to the East Room for a performance by country singer Trisha Yearwood.
The governors, in Washington for their annual winter meeting, heard from Biden and Harris on Friday during a separate session at the White House.
https://www.voanews.com/a/biden-utah-s-governor-call-for-less-bitterness-more-bipartisanship-in-politics/7502023.html Save to Pocket
‘One Love’ Gets More Box Office Love, No. 1 for Second Week
date: 2024-02-25, from: VOA News USA
Los Angeles — For a second straight week, biopic “ Bob Marley: One Love” continues to exceed expectations by claiming the No. 1 spot at the box office, overcoming two debut films and Sony’s “Madame Web” that’s still producing subpar numbers.
The Paramount film starring Kingsley Ben-Adir pulled in $13.5 million during its second week of release. The project, which was produced for about $70 million, already eclipsed that mark, grossing nearly $72 million domestically in North America.
It’s an impressive achievement for the Reinaldo Marcus Green-directed Marley’s musical biopic that’s focused on the Rastafarian legend’s story during the making of his 1977 album “Exodus” while leading up to his impactful concert in his native Jamaica.
“Some of his greatest hits came out nearly 50 years ago, but his music still resonates through this film,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for data firm Comscore.
“One Love” drew nearly $2 million more than “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba - To the Hashira Training” which placed No. 2. The latest installment in the Japanese anime series from Crunchyroll and Sony debuted with $11.7 million.
“Demon Slayer” scored the impressive opening number from only 1,949 locations — far less than “One Love” with 3,597 and 3,020 for “ Ordinary Angels ” — a faith-based Lionsgate film starring Hilary Swank that placed third at the box office with an estimated $6.5 million.
“There might not be any huge blockbuster films recently, but there some real gems out there for moviegoers to see,” Dergarabedian said.
All three of those films outperformed better than “Madame Web,” which has struggled to find its footing after the superhero movie flopped last week. It was thought the Spider-Man spinoff would draw strong numbers — especially with Dakota Johnson starring as the film’s lead Marvel character.
But so far, it hasn’t lived up to the hype, producing just $6 million in its second week and grossing a little more than a disappointing $35 million.
After its 10th weekend, Universal’s animated “Migration” rounded out the top five with $3 million, bringing its domestic total to $120 million. “Argylle” placed sixth with $2.8 million barely outpacing “Wonka,” which reeled in $2.5 million. Paul King’s musical starring Timothee Chalamet as a young Willy Wonka has grossed more than $214 million in 11 weeks.
The Ethan Coen-directed “Drive-Away Dolls” debuted eighth with $2.4 million ahead of “The Beekeeper” and “The Chosen” season four, a Christian series focused on Jesus Christ.
Dergarabedian called this past week a slow one. But next week, he expects it’ll pick up greatly with the highly anticipated “Dune: Part Two” making its long-waited debut, which should end the top spot reign by “One Love.”
“It’s the calm before the sandstorm,” he said.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
“Bob Marley: One Love,” $13.5 million.
“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba - To the Hashira Training,” $11.5 million.
“Ordinary Angels,” $6.5 million.
“Madame Web,” $6 million.
“Migration,” $3 million.
“Argylle,” $2.8 million.
“Wonka,” $2.5 million.
“Drive-Away Dolls,” $2.4 million.
“The Beekeeper,” $1.9 million.
“The Chosen,” Episodes 4-6, $1.7 million.
https://www.voanews.com/a/one-love-gets-more-box-office-love-no-1-for-second-week/7502019.html Save to Pocket
@Dave Winer’s linkblog (date: 2024-02-25, from: Dave Winer’s linkblog)
Trump gives chilling CPAC speech on presidential agenda.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/feb/24/donald-trump-cpac-speech Save to Pocket
Surreal Places That You Won’t Believe Exist in LA
date: 2024-02-25, from: The Signal
By Ashlyn Davis Secret Los Angeles If international travel seems a little out of reach, allow us to turn your attention to the spectacular wonders that are right in our own backyard. It’s no secret that Los Angeles is utterly brimming with diversity and creativity, so why not take the time to discover and rediscover […]
The post Surreal Places That You Won’t Believe Exist in LA appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.
https://signalscv.com/2024/02/surreal-places-that-you-wont-believe-exist-in-la/ Save to Pocket
Trump Moving Closer to Election Rematch With Biden
date: 2024-02-25, from: VOA News USA
https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-moving-closer-to-election-rematch-with-biden/7501994.html Save to Pocket
Science Secrets for Smooth Winter Skin
date: 2024-02-25, from: The Signal
Insights from a chemist to break free from dry skin woes If the dropping temperatures instantly make your skin feel dry and uncomfortable, you’re not alone. Between the frigid air outside and overheated air inside, the winter months are loaded with skin stressors that can put your skin on a seemingly endless dry skin roller […]
The post Science Secrets for Smooth Winter Skin appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.
https://signalscv.com/2024/02/science-secrets-for-smooth-winter-skin/ Save to Pocket
Heads Up!
date: 2024-02-25, from: City of Santa Clarita
Heads Up! City Manager Ken Striplin Since City incorporation in 1987, public safety has remained a top priority for the City of Santa Clarita. As the weather warms up and more residents take to the streets and sidewalks for cycling and walking, it is important to be a Heads Up! driver and pedestrian. Recently, we […]
The post Heads Up! appeared first on City of Santa Clarita.
https://santaclarita.gov/blog/2024/02/25/heads-up/ Save to Pocket
4 Tips to Get High Cholesterol Under Control
date: 2024-02-25, from: The Signal
(Family Features) Heart disease is the nation’s leading cause of death for men and women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but many people aren’t aware they may be at elevated risk. More than 71 million adults in the United States have high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and nearly 50 million don’t […]
The post 4 Tips to Get High Cholesterol Under Control appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.
https://signalscv.com/2024/02/4-tips-to-get-high-cholesterol-under-control/ Save to Pocket
@Dave Winer’s linkblog (date: 2024-02-25, from: Dave Winer’s linkblog)
An increasingly detailed picture of former President Donald Trump’s second-term agenda is emerging — one that would make the near-daily shocks of his norm-shattering first White House tenure look tame.
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/25/second-trump-term-00140488 Save to Pocket
Santa Barbara County Women Winemakers and Culinarians Raise Their Hands to Celebrate and Support Other Women
date: 2024-02-25, from: Santa Barbara Indenpent News
Annual food and wine fundraiser expands to three days of festivities, with new events at Fess Parker Winery and The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern.
The post Santa Barbara County Women Winemakers and Culinarians Raise Their Hands to Celebrate and Support Other Women appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.
https://www.independent.com/2024/02/25/santa-barbara-county-women-winemakers-and-culinarians-raise-their-hands-to-celebrate-and-support-other-women/ Save to Pocket
Scopetrex
date: 2024-02-25, from: Microcores blog
Since I started hacking on computer hard- and software in the 1980s, Motorola’s 6809 processor is one of my favorite 8-bit CPUs. The 6809 is the last generation of Motorola’s 8-bit CPU family, which started with the 6800 in 1974 and also was used in a number of microcontrollers of the 6805, HC11 and 9S12 families. The latter are still used in automotive applications today. If you know the 6502, the 6809 feels quite familiar, since it has an identical bus interface and very similar assembler programming model without some of the constraints of the 6502 such as an 8-bit stack pointer or a lack of 16-bit address registers. This is not really surprising, since a number of Motorola 6800 engineers left the company to develop the 6502 and then joined MOS.
However, the 6809 only came to the market in 1978 - only a year before the 68000 - and thus was quite late (and also rather expensive compared to the 6502 and Z80). Only a few home computers used the processor, e.g. the Dragon 32 and 64, the Tandy Color Computer and Thompson’s MO5 and TO7.
Another system which used the 6809 was a quite special game console, the Vectrex. Instead of a standard raster-based screen, the Vectrex used its CRT as a vector display by controlling the X and Y deflection as well as the intensity of the CRT’s electron beam directly. This is done by generating analog voltages for the X and Y position using an 8-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC0808). Since DACs were quite expensive back then, the single DAC analog output is multiplexed using a CD4052 analog multiplexer to the various connectors. The rest of the Vectrex hardware is rather simple. A 6522 VIA connects to the DAC and some control functions and a AY3-8912 chip generates sound and provides another 8-bit port to interface to the Vectrex controllers. The remaining chips are an 8 kB ROM, 1 kB of SRAM (32 kB in the Scopetrex), some 74-series glue logic and a number of op-amps and other analog chips to generate the analog signal outputs.
Vectrexes were only built for about two years and unfortunately have become highly sought after (read: expensive) collector’s items. Luckily, since the Vectrex uses only standard components, it is rather simple to build a clone. The software situation is also quite nice, since Jay Smith, then head of Smith Engineering (the designer of the Vectrex), allowed new hard/software development on a fee- and royalty-free basis and has also allowed duplication of the original Vectrex software on a not-for-profit basis.
Such a Vectrex clone is available in form of the Scopetrex by TubeTime. This is not a 100% replica since it uses a different PCB form factor and a 32 kB SRAM instead of the original 1 kB, but is perfectly compatible with all original software. It’s a good project to get started with a more complex hardware build if you have some soldering experience and most of the parts are still available new from vendors such as Digikey or Mouser. The 6809 CPU (you will need at least the 1.5 MHz version 68A09, a 68B09 will also work fine - both the versions with internal clock generator and the one without that has the “E” suffix can be used) and the sound chip (a AY3-8910 or YM2149 can also be used) can be easily found on aliexpress.
My Vectrex build worked out of the box, now I only need to find a suitable vector display. You can use an oscilloscope in X-Y mode, but most modern scopes no longer feature a Z (intensity) input, so the display is disturbed by vectors which should not be drawn (intensity = 0). If you have an old analog Hameg 203, this will work nicely… A picture of the successful bringup is shown below.
By concidence, a colleague in Germany has also started building Scopetrexes. Small world…
Tags: Scopetrex, Vectrex, Clone, Motorola, 6809
http://multicores.org/blog/scopetrex.html Save to Pocket
USC vs. Utah — as it happened
date: 2024-02-25, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)
Henry Mode reports live from Galen Center.
The post USC vs. Utah — as it happened appeared first on Daily Trojan.
https://dailytrojan.com/2024/02/25/usc-vs-utah-live-updates-2/ Save to Pocket
I have a new* website
date: 2024-02-25, from: Manu - I write blog
Well, kinda. It’s not really new as you can see. The typeface is—probably—still the same, the layout is mostly the same but lots of things have changed. Let me go through them
Typefaces
This site is now—potentially—using web fonts. I’m saying potentially because if you’re reading this on a Mac or on something running iOS you’re probably seeing a system font. My old site was designed around the Iowan typeface but that’s only available on iOS and Mac so most people were seeing a different version using one of the other available serif typefaces. That choice was because I went through a phase where I was trying to push my site toward extreme minimalism. And if you ask me, I had quite the success in that regard. My site was just 1 single HTTP request, the CSS was stupidly optimized and everything was stupid fast and stupid lightweight. But the designer in me was bothered by this and I decided to bring back a web font. If you’re on Windows or Android you’re now getting served Iowan as a web font. I’m also now using a sans-serif font for a couple of small details. I have no idea what you’re seeing because I’m defaulting on a system font.
I also messed with the typography a little bit and changed a few things here and there but the site should still feel mostly the same. I’m not done fine-tuning all this and I’m sure I’ll keep changing little things here and there for months but I had enough and I decided to push it live.
New “Where do you go from here?” section
Back when I designed my site, that section between the content of the post and the archive was meant to be a place to store my contact info and not much else. But it ended up being a place to dump all sorts of stuff and there were just too many links and I didn’t want to add more to make things worse.
That’s why I decided to rethink that section entirely and it’s now a lot more organised but still quite minimal. All the old links are still there but now there’s direct access to two new things.
Guestbook
The first of those two new things is a guestbook. I thought about making one months ago but back then I didn’t want to mess with my site. But now it’s here and I can’t wait to see what you people out there are going to write on it.
Supporters
The second is the supporters page. I don’t want kindness to go unnoticed and I plan to make that page a lot more useful and structured. I want to provide as much value as possible to those who are kind enough to support what I do and that’s going to be just one of the places where I plan to do it.
Closing thoughts
I’m quite happy with this subtle refresh. My site’s been the same for almost 7 years at this point but I still think it works quite well so I don’t want to completely redesign it. At least not yet. Maybe in another 7 years.
As always, my inbox is always open so if you want to share your thoughts you know what to do. And don’t forget to sign my guestbook!
https://manuelmoreale.com/@/page/o0nUfTu4za34SM9D Save to Pocket
Lisp in Small Processors
date: 2024-02-25, from: Microcores blog
While AI is all the rage again, the previous AI wave was focusing on languages like Lisp and Prolog and even built hardware with special processors optimized to execute Lisp code, made by companies such as Symbolics, Lisp Machines, Inc., and the Explorer Series by Texas Instruments. The machines used OSes written in Lisp and provided the user with large, bitmapped screens to operate a mouse-based GUI and networking.
Lisp machines originated at MIT’s AI Lab and were influential for a number of reasons. A certain Richard Stallman was a graduate student at the AI Lab and unhappy with the commercialization of the Lisp technology by LMI and Symbolics, started to develop Free Software such as Emacs and the gcc compiler and started the Free Software Foundation. The LMI LAMBDA machine was based on Western Digital’s NuBus bus system and was subsequently acquired by TI to create the Explorer.
The NuBus was, in turn, used by Motorola 68k-based Macintosh and early PowerPC systems as well as the NeXT Cube. These NuBus-based Macs were subsequently used to create personal Lisp workstations which employed a VLSI integrated Lisp chip and used the Mac as I/O system. Both Symbolics and TI offered such a system, MacIvory and MicroExplorer, respectively. The latest development is an emulator of Symbolics Lisp machines, the Genera OS.
If you own a MacIvory or MicroExplorer card you want to sell, please get in touch
However, there were also efforts to implement Lisp on smaller machines, including popular 8-bit CPUs. The August 1979 issue of BYTE magazine was dedicated to Lisp and did not only provide a lot of background on the language and its application, but also published the implementation of a Lisp interpreter written by S. Tucker Taft in assembly for the Motorola 6800. Unfortunately, the space in that issue was constrained, so only a part of the interpreter source code was published and the complete code could be ordered from BYTE. 45 years later, this is no longer possible, so I thought the code was lost…
Thanks to the power of Mastodon, Pablo Marx (thanks a lot!) managed to find the original listing of that Lisp implementation and sent me the scanned document as PDF as well as a link to his github repository with the 6800 Lisp code.
If you are interested to know how a low-level implementation of a Lisp VM, including the REPL, lambdas, and a garbage collector works, I can recommend taking a look at this article and the accompanying source code. I’m thinking of porting the VM to my Scopetrex Vectrex game console clone. This is a fascinating piece of hardware based on Motorola’s 6809 CPU, the successor of the 6800, which is not binary compatible. However, the assembler source code can be easily converted. The Vectrex and the Scopetrex clone use a vector CRT display, which makes developing software for the system quite interesting.
Automatic conversion of the assembly code should also be possible, e.g. there is a 6502 to 6809 converter.
Tags: Lisp, Motorola, BYTE, 6800
http://multicores.org/blog/lisp-in-small-processors.html Save to Pocket
Become a Wikipedian in 30 minutes
date: 2024-02-25, from: Tilde.news
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRRHR1NEOqE Save to Pocket
Election Countdown, 254 Days to Go: A Step Away from the ‘No Labels’ Brink.
date: 2024-02-25, from: James Fallows, Substack
In US presidential politics, third-party campaigns are always and only spoilers. That risk for the 2024 election receded this week, as did some other threats.
https://fallows.substack.com/p/election-countdown-254-days-to-go Save to Pocket
@Dave Winer’s Scripting News (date: 2024-02-25, from: Dave Winer’s Scripting News)
There’s a Beatles song, by John Lennon, that was written by cribbing promotional items from a 19th-century circus poster. It’s kind of like asking ChatGPT to give you some random phrases and presenting that as your creativity. I think I’m going to try that now. I asked ChatGPT to write a poem using ideas from a random song written by John Lennon. It chose Imagine. I asked that it write a poem using the ideas in Day Tripper. And finally I asked it to write a song based on the story of The Matrix.
http://scripting.com/2024/02/25.html#a173654 Save to Pocket
I spy Pi Wi-Fi with my little eye
date: 2024-02-25, from: RiscOS Open
It’s the number two most popular bounty we’ve ever run (by votes) and following a surge in pledges this year, we’re excited to be able to confirm Wi-Fi to RISC OS 5 now underway.
Visitors to the MUG Christmas market last December will already have seen the proof-of-principle driver targetting the Raspberry Pi. Drivers aren’t the most visually exciting part of the OS, but they’re the foundation on which higher level functionality is built.
http://www.riscosopen.org/news/articles/2024/02/25/i-spy-pi-wi-fi-with-my-little-eye Save to Pocket
@Dave Winer’s linkblog (date: 2024-02-25, from: Dave Winer’s linkblog)
When Media Outlets Shutter, Why Are the Websites Wiped, Too?
https://slate.com/business/2024/02/messenger-gawker-vice-media-layoffs-sites-deleted-why.html Save to Pocket
This Kigumi Suzuki Hayabusa Puzzle May Take 2,500 Years To Put Together
date: 2024-02-25, from: Ride Apart, Electric Motorcycle News
The perfect centerpiece for your miniature moto collection.
https://www.rideapart.com/news/709770/kigumi-suzuki-hayabusa-collectible-puzzle/ Save to Pocket
Woman Rescued After Surviving Fall from Isla Vista Bluff
date: 2024-02-25, from: Santa Barbara Indenpent News
Santa Barbara County firefighters responded to the 6700 block of Del Play Drive late Saturday night to rescue the woman and three men who tried to save her.
The post Woman Rescued After Surviving Fall from Isla Vista Bluff appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.
https://www.independent.com/2024/02/25/woman-rescued-after-surviving-fall-from-isla-vista-bluff/ Save to Pocket
@Dave Winer’s linkblog (date: 2024-02-25, from: Dave Winer’s linkblog)
Book Review: ‘Burn Book,’ by Kara Swisher.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/25/books/review/burn-book-kara-swisher.html?unlocked_article_code=1.YE0.Qrtk.THWG5TMmn3cm&smid=tw-share Save to Pocket
Security is hard because it has to be right all the time? Yeah, like everything else
date: 2024-02-25, updated: 2024-02-25, from: The Register (UK I.T. News)
It takes only one bottleneck or single point of failure to ruin your week
Systems Approach One refrain you often hear is that security must be built in from the ground floor; that retrofitting security to an existing system is the source of design complications, or worse, outright flawed designs.…
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/02/25/security_not_different/ Save to Pocket
@Miguel de Icaza Mastondon feed (date: 2024-02-25, from: Miguel de Icaza Mastondon feed)
5 out of 7 installed, but can probably delete WhatsApp until I travel to Europe again. That, and I need to double down on the moisturizer.
https://mastodon.social/@Migueldeicaza/111992936060000796 Save to Pocket
LA County’s New Ballot Processing Center Is In An Old Fry’s Electronics. And You Can Watch The Action Live
date: 2024-02-25, updated: 2024-02-25, from: The LAist
The new, consolidated facility will process all mail-in and in-person votes cast in the March 5 primary, as well as November’s general election.
https://laist.com/news/politics/la-countys-new-ballot-processing-center-is-in-an-old-frys-electronics-and-you-can-watch-the-vote-count-live Save to Pocket
A Disaster
date: 2024-02-25, from: Santa Barbara Indenpent News
Few individuals have done more harm to our county than Das Williams.
The post A Disaster appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.
https://www.independent.com/2024/02/25/a-disaster-2/ Save to Pocket
Innovative and Effective
date: 2024-02-25, from: Santa Barbara Indenpent News
Ironically, the thing that gets Supervisor Das Williams in trouble is what we wish we saw more in politicians — his honesty.
The post Innovative and Effective appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.
https://www.independent.com/2024/02/25/innovative-and-effective/ Save to Pocket
@Miguel de Icaza Mastondon feed (date: 2024-02-25, from: Miguel de Icaza Mastondon feed)
An outstanding piece:
https://www.the-reframe.com/always-do-the-right-thing/
https://mastodon.social/@Migueldeicaza/111992752309357435 Save to Pocket
LEVER WEEKLY: Wall Street Wants To Be Your Doctor
date: 2024-02-25, from: The Lever News
Wall Street has its hands all over your pharmaceuticals, and other news from The Lever this week.
https://www.levernews.com/lever-weekly-wall-street-wants-to-be-your-doctor/ Save to Pocket
@Dave Winer’s Scripting News (date: 2024-02-25, from: Dave Winer’s Scripting News)
http://scripting.com/2024/02/25.html#a134642 Save to Pocket
Nine EVs that lease for under $400/month: Ioniq 5, Solterra, Niro, Ioniq 6, more
date: 2024-02-25, from: Electrek Feed
There’s a loophole in the stricter IRA federal tax credit that only applies $3750 rebates on North American-built cars and separately $3750 on domestic batteries. For whatever reason, all EVs get the full $7500 applied to leases, however. So that has more people leasing EVs than ever before.
The number of electric vehicle models that can be leased for less than an average monthly lease cost of $400/month has grown by 50% since last August. The list now includes nine models with factory offers that rival lease terms on low-priced ICE vehicles such as the Toyota Camry LE, Chevy Equinox LT, and Honda HR-V LX. Two of those EV models have a range of over 300 miles.
https://electrek.co/2024/02/25/10-evs-that-lease-for-under-400-month-ioniq-5-solterra-niro-ioniq-6-model-y-more/ Save to Pocket
“We Are the World”: The REAL Story
date: 2024-02-25, from: Dan Rather’s Steady
A Reason To Smile
https://steady.substack.com/p/we-are-the-world-the-real-story Save to Pocket
Don’t Miss Your Chance: Death Valley Is Open For Kayaking For Another Week. So BYOK … Plus Other Tips
date: 2024-02-25, updated: 2024-02-25, from: The LAist
Death Valley’s Lake Manly has resurfaced after the atmospheric river brought nearly a year’s worth of rainfall to Badwater Basin.
https://laist.com/news/los-angeles-activities/dont-miss-your-chance-death-valley-is-open-for-kayaking-for-another-week-so-byok-plus-other-tips Save to Pocket
What To Do If You Think You’ve Been Shadowbanned on Instagram
date: 2024-02-25, from: The Markup blog
How to appeal, check violations, and more
https://themarkup.org/automated-censorship/2024/02/25/what-to-do-if-you-think-youve-been-shadowbanned-on-instagram Save to Pocket
Demoted, Deleted, and Denied: There’s More Than Just Shadowbanning on Instagram
date: 2024-02-25, from: The Markup blog
An investigation by The Markup found that the platform demoted images of the Israel–Hamas war, deleted captions without warning, and denied users the option to appeal
https://themarkup.org/automated-censorship/2024/02/25/demoted-deleted-and-denied-theres-more-than-just-shadowbanning-on-instagram Save to Pocket
How We Investigated Shadowbanning on Instagram
date: 2024-02-25, from: The Markup blog
We found that Instagram heavily demoted nongraphic images of war, deleted captions and hid comments without notification, suppressed hashtags, and limited users’ ability to appeal moderation decisions
https://themarkup.org/automated-censorship/2024/02/25/how-we-investigated-shadowbanning-on-instagram Save to Pocket
Consumers Pushing Back Against Price Increases — And Winning
date: 2024-02-25, from: VOA News USA
Washington — Inflation has changed the way many Americans shop. Now, those changes in consumer habits are helping bring down inflation.
Fed up with prices that remain about 19%, on average, above where they were before the pandemic, consumers are fighting back. In grocery stores, they’re shifting away from name brands to store-brand items, switching to discount stores or simply buying fewer items like snacks or gourmet foods.
More Americans are buying used cars, too, rather than new, forcing some dealers to provide discounts on new cars again. But the growing consumer pushback to what critics condemn as price-gouging has been most evident with food as well as with consumer goods like paper towels and napkins.
In recent months, consumer resistance has led large food companies to respond by sharply slowing their price increases from the peaks of the past three years. This doesn’t mean grocery prices will fall back to their levels of a few years ago, though with some items, including eggs, apples and milk, prices are below their peaks. But the milder increases in food prices should help further cool overall inflation, which is down sharply from a peak of 9.1% in 2022 to 3.1%.
Public frustration with prices has become a central issue in President Joe Biden’s bid for re-election. Polls show that despite the dramatic decline in inflation, many consumers are unhappy that prices remain so much higher than they were before inflation began accelerating in 2021.
Biden has echoed the criticism of many left-leaning economists that corporations jacked up their prices more than was needed to cover their own higher costs, allowing themselves to boost their profits. The White House has also attacked “shrinkflation,” whereby a company, rather than raising the price of a product, instead shrinks the amount inside the package. In a video released on Super Bowl Sunday, Biden denounced shrinkflation as a “rip-off.”
Consumer pushback against high prices suggests to many economists that inflation should further ease. That would make this bout of inflation markedly different from the debilitating price spikes of the 1970s and early 1980s, which took longer to defeat. When high inflation persists, consumers often develop an inflationary psychology: Ever-rising prices lead them to accelerate their purchases before costs rise further, a trend that can itself perpetuate inflation.
“That was the fear — that everybody would tolerate higher prices,” said Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY, a consulting firm, who notes that it hasn’t happened. “I don’t think we’ve moved into a high inflation regime.”
Instead, this time many consumers have reacted like Stuart Dryden, a commercial underwriter at a bank who lives in Arlington, Virginia. On a recent trip to his regular grocery store, Dryden, 37, pointed out big price disparities between Kraft Heinz-branded products and their store-label competitors, which he now favors.
Dryden, for example, loves cream cheese and bagels. A 12-ounce tub of Kraft’s Philadelphia cream cheese costs $6.69. The store brand, he noted, is just $3.19.
A 24-pack of Kraft single cheese slices is $7.69; the store label, $2.99. And a 32-ounce Heinz ketchup bottle is $6.29, while the alternative is just $1.69. Similar gaps existed with mac-and-cheese and shredded cheese products.
“Just those five products together already cost nearly $30,” Dryden said. The alternatives were less than half that, he calculated, at about $13.
“I’ve been trying private-label options, and the quality is the same and it’s almost a no-brainer to switch from the products I used to buy a ton of to just the private label,” Dryden said.
Alex Abraham, a spokesman for Kraft Heinz, said that its costs rose 3% in the final three months of last year but that the company raised its own prices only 1%.
“We are doing everything possible to find efficiencies in our factories and other parts of our business to offset and mitigate further price increases,” Abraham said.
Last week, Kraft Heinz said sales fell in the final three months of last year as more consumers traded down to cheaper brands.
Dryden has taken other steps to save money: A year ago, he moved into a new apartment after his previous landlord jacked up his rent by about 50%. His former apartment had been next to a relatively pricey grocery store, Whole Foods. Now, he shops at a nearby Amazon Fresh and has started visiting the discount grocer Aldi every couple of weeks.
Samuel Rines, an investment strategist at Corbu, says that PepsiCo, Kimberly-Clark, Procter & Gamble and many other consumer food and packaged goods companies exploited the rise in input costs stemming from supply-chain disruptions and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to dramatically raise their prices — and increase their profits — in 2021 and 2022.
A contributing factor was that millions of Americans enjoyed solid wage gains and received stimulus checks and other government aid, making it easier for them to pay the higher prices.
Still, some decried the phenomenon as “greedflation.” And in a March 2023 research paper, the economist Isabella Weber at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, referred to it as “seller’s inflation.”
Yet beginning late last year, many of the same companies discovered that the strategy was no longer working. Most consumers have now long since spent the savings they built up during the pandemic.
Lower-income consumers, in particular, are running up credit card debt and falling behind on their payments. Americans overall are spending more cautiously. Daco notes that overall sales during the holiday shopping season were up just 4% — and most of it reflected higher prices rather than consumers actually buying more things.
As an example, Rines points to Unilever, which makes, among other items, Hellman’s mayonnaise, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and Dove soaps. Unilever jacked up its prices 13.3% on average across its brands in 2022. Its sales volume fell 3.6% that year. In response, it raised prices just 2.8% last year; sales rose 1.8%.
“We’re beginning to see the consumer no longer willing to take the higher pricing,” Rines said. “So companies were beginning to get a little bit more skeptical of their ability to just have price be the driver of their revenues. They had to have those volumes come back, and the consumer wasn’t reacting in a way that they were pleased with.”
Unilever itself recently attributed poor sales performance in Europe to “share losses to private labels.”
Other businesses have noticed, too. After their sales fell in the final three months of last year, PepsiCo executives signaled that this year they would rein in price increases and focus more on boosting sales.
“In 2024, we see … normalization of the cost, normalization of inflation,” CEO Ramon Laguarta said. “So we see everything trending back to our long-term” pricing trends.
Jeffrey Harmening, CEO of General Mills, which makes Cheerios, Chex Cereal, Progresso soups and dozens of other brands, has acknowledged that his customers are increasingly seeking bargains.
And McDonald’s executives have said that consumers with incomes below $45,000 are visiting less and spending less when they do visit and say the company plans to highlight its lower-priced items.
“Consumers are more wary — and weary — of pricing, and we’re going to continue to be consumer-led in our pricing decisions,” Ian Borden, the company’s chief financial officer, told investors.
Officials at the Federal Reserve, the nation’s primary inflation-fighting institution, have cited consumers’ growing reluctance to pay high prices as a key reason why they expect inflation to fall steadily back to their 2% annual target.
“Firms are telling us that price sensitivity is very much higher now,” Mary Daly, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and a member of the Fed’s interest-rate setting committee, said last week. “Consumers don’t want to purchase unless they’re seeing a 10% discount. … This is a serious improvement in the role that consumers play in bridling inflation.”
Surveys by the Fed’s regional banks have found that companies across all industries expect to impose smaller price increases this year. The New York Fed says companies in its region plan to raise prices an average of about 3% this year, down from about 5% in 2023 and as much as 7% to 9% in 2022.
Such trends suggest that companies were well on their way to slowing their price hikes before Biden’s most recent attacks on price gouging.
Claudia Sahm, founder of SAHM Consulting and a former Fed economist, said, “consumers are more powerful than President Biden.”
https://www.voanews.com/a/consumers-pushing-back-against-price-increases-and-winning-/7501705.html Save to Pocket
Registrations For 2024 Junior e-Motocross Series Now Open
date: 2024-02-25, from: Ride Apart, Electric Motorcycle News
Young riders will get to race on world class MX tracks and see their MXGP heroes in action.
https://www.rideapart.com/news/709606/2024-junior-emotocross-registrations-open/ Save to Pocket
David Hegg | We Need the Badge of Courage
date: 2024-02-25, from: The Signal
By David Hegg Long before Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion walked the yellow brick road, society understood the absolute necessity of courage. This virtue speaks to the willingness to stand firm against opposition and even advance in the name of all that is good and right. Courage is that strength of character that fights compromise […]
The post David Hegg | We Need the Badge of Courage appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.
https://signalscv.com/2024/02/david-hegg-we-need-the-badge-of-courage/ Save to Pocket
Antara Gupta | Gouged at the Pharmacy
date: 2024-02-25, from: The Signal
As someone who struggles with chronic migraines that must be managed with prescription medications, I was extremely disappointed that Congress failed to pass legislation that would reform pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, and the unfair practices they use that threaten access and lead to higher out-of-pocket costs for patients like me. It’s bad enough that […]
The post Antara Gupta | Gouged at the Pharmacy appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.
https://signalscv.com/2024/02/antara-gupta-gouged-at-the-pharmacy/ Save to Pocket
Thomas Oatway | From Hawks to Chickens
date: 2024-02-25, from: The Signal
The failure of House Republicans to approve military and financial support for Ukraine puts their democracy at great risk. But that is not the democracy that is at most risk. The greater threat is to our own constitutional republic. For weeks the MAGA Republicans have been in heated furor over the migrant invasion at our […]
The post Thomas Oatway | From Hawks to Chickens appeared first on Santa Clarita Valley Signal.
https://signalscv.com/2024/02/thomas-oatway-from-hawks-to-chickens/ Save to Pocket
Non-bike bike gear tested: Turning any helmet into a headlight with BioLite
date: 2024-02-25, from: Electrek Feed
The best way I’ve found to reduce or eliminate car usage in a city is with an electric bike. But in the winter, nights come at you early, and it’s more important than ever to ensure that as cyclists, we’re visible to the biggest danger on the roads: car drivers. I’ve been testing out a new headlamp called the that isn’t specifically meant for cyclists, but has proven perfect for me as a way to add both front and rear LED lighting to pretty much any helmet.
https://electrek.co/2024/02/25/non-bike-bike-gear-tested-turning-any-helmet-into-a-headlight-with-biolite/ Save to Pocket
Man rescued after driving off cliffs at South Point
date: 2024-02-25, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p>A man was rescued early this morning from South Point after accidentally driving his Jeep off the cliffs.</p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/25/hawaii-news/man-rescued-after-driving-off-cliffs-at-south-point/ Save to Pocket
De Fries tapped to be first Maunakea authority chief
date: 2024-02-25, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p>More than a year after forming, the state agency that will eventually take over management of Maunakea has found its first executive.</p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/25/hawaii-news/de-fries-tapped-to-be-first-maunakea-authority-chief/ Save to Pocket
Bail maintained for California man accused of domestic abuse
date: 2024-02-25, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p>A judge on Thursday declined to reduce bail for a 43-year-old Southern California man accused of breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s home, threatening her with a knife and strangling her.</p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/25/hawaii-news/bail-maintained-for-california-man-accused-of-domestic-abuse/ Save to Pocket
Possible ‘Safe Space’ site draws concerns
date: 2024-02-25, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p>Hilo residents’ concerns about the possibility that a government-sanctioned homeless camp could be created near Wailoa River State Recreation Area are premature, Hawaii County and state officials said last week.</p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/25/hawaii-news/possible-safe-space-site-draws-concerns/ Save to Pocket
Who killed Lynn Ebisuzaki? Victim in unsolved 1987 murder ‘was a very kind person’
date: 2024-02-25, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p>On Friday, May 1, 1987, Lynn Ebisuzaki, a 26-year-old Sunday school teacher, excused herself from her boyfriend’s home on the 500 block of Kanoelehua Avenue in Hilo at about 9:15 p.m. to take a shower.</p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/25/hawaii-news/who-killed-lynn-ebisuzaki-victim-in-unsolved-1987-murder-was-a-very-kind-person/ Save to Pocket
Trump wins South Carolina, easily beating Haley in her home state and closing in on GOP nomination
date: 2024-02-25, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p>CHARLESTON, S.C. — Donald Trump won South Carolina’s Republican primary on Saturday, easily beating former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley in her home state and further consolidating his path to a third straight GOP nomination.</p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/25/nation-world-news/trump-wins-south-carolina-easily-beating-haley-in-her-home-state-and-closing-in-on-gop-nomination/ Save to Pocket
Western leaders rally around Kyiv to mark 2 years since Russia’s full-scale invasion
date: 2024-02-25, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p>KYIV, Ukraine — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed Western leaders to Kyiv Saturday to mark the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, as Ukrainian forces run low on ammunition and foreign aid hangs in the balance.</p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/25/nation-world-news/western-leaders-rally-around-kyiv-to-mark-2-years-since-russias-full-scale-invasion/ Save to Pocket
The body of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been handed over to his mother, aide says
date: 2024-02-25, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p>The body of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been handed over to his mother, a top aide to Navalny said Saturday on his social media account.</p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/25/nation-world-news/the-body-of-russian-opposition-leader-alexei-navalny-has-been-handed-over-to-his-mother-aide-says/ Save to Pocket
Obituaries for February 25
date: 2024-02-25, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p>Catalina “Marcy” Cabasa, 85, of Hilo died Jan. 23, at Straub Medical Center in Honolulu. Born in the Philippines, she was a social worker for the state and devout member of The Church of God in Hilo. Visitation 9-10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 7, at Dodo Mortuary Chapel. Funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Committal service noon at East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2 Pavilion. Burial to follow. Survived by daughter, Joy (Van) Reyes of Hilo; sons, Joe (Michelle) Cabasa of Keaau and Chris (Brandy) Cabasa of Aiea, Oahu; hanai daughter, Sandra Cordeiro of Kalapana; sister-in-law, Josephina Cabanas of Kailua-Kona; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary.</p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/25/obituaries/obituaries-for-february-25-9/ Save to Pocket
Island of Hawaii YMCA plans expansion
date: 2024-02-25, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p>After decades of building its programs to serve the community, the Island of Hawaii YMCA is taking its first steps toward expansion.</p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/25/hawaii-news/island-of-hawaii-ymca-plans-expansion/ Save to Pocket
‘Let’s house our community together’
date: 2024-02-25, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p>Last July, Gerald Sarvas, a veteran and kupuna, faced the grim reality of homelessness.</p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/25/opinion/lets-house-our-community-together/ Save to Pocket
Let aid workers into Gaza
date: 2024-02-25, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p>In the battered streets of Gaza, the air is thick with despair. Families, stripped of their livelihoods due to the conflict, now plead for the most basic needs. Aid workers offer one of the few lifelines left for these families, but now they too are getting caught in the crossfire. The protection of these workers goes beyond safeguarding lives; it is directly tied to the delivery and fair distribution of vital supplies among a starving population.</p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/25/opinion/let-aid-workers-into-gaza/ Save to Pocket
Volcano Watch: Appreciating the contributions of ʻOlelo Hawai‘i to volcanology
date: 2024-02-25, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p><em>For the ‘Olelo Hawai‘i version of this article, please see http://tinyurl.com/34day2pr.</em></p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/25/community/volcano-watch-appreciating-the-contributions-of-%ca%bbolelo-hawaii-to-volcanology/ Save to Pocket
STVR bill needs community involvement
date: 2024-02-25, from: Hawaii Tribune Harold
<p>There is a huge crisis in the state of Hawaii! There are thousands of people that are not homeless but live in homes that are built for just a single family, but end up housing multiple families because that is all they can collectively afford. There is a growing sense of sadness and a loss of hope of ever owning a home in Hawaii.</p>
https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/02/25/opinion/stvr-bill-needs-community-involvement/ Save to Pocket
US Supreme Court denies stay on Boy Scouts bankruptcy plan
date: 2024-02-25, from: Guam Daily Post
The Supreme Court of the United States has denied the application for a stay filed by some claimants in the $2.4 billion settlement against the Boy Scouts of America, including those represented by a Guam law firm.
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/us-supreme-court-denies-stay-on-boy-scouts-bankruptcy-plan/article_ca430266-d230-11ee-91ba-6bfc994c6206.html Save to Pocket
Behavioral Health’s Serenity program replaced
date: 2024-02-25, from: Guam Daily Post
During the Guam Behavioral Health Planning Council meeting on Feb 15, attorney Daniel Somerfleck questioned where behavioral health officials were regarding the replacement of the Serenity Home program.
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/behavioral-healths-serenity-program-replaced/article_118f6666-d2b1-11ee-8c31-13008bd128af.html Save to Pocket
UOG to request $4.7M for financial aid programs in fiscal 2025 budget
date: 2024-02-25, from: Guam Daily Post
Each year, the University of Guam submits two budget requests, a full budget request and a Student Financial Assistance Programs request. For the latter, the university is asking for the same amount it sought last fiscal year.
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/uog-to-request-4-7m-for-financial-aid-programs-in-fiscal-2025-budget/article_70744386-d2b1-11ee-99e6-27c2d473415c.html Save to Pocket
Airport secures $21.4M grant to replace terminal roofing system
date: 2024-02-25, from: Guam Daily Post
The A.B. Won Pat International Airport has secured a $21.4 million grant to fund the replacement of its terminal roofing system, the airport announced recently in a press release.
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/airport-secures-21-4m-grant-to-replace-terminal-roofing-system/article_fbfbfc08-d20e-11ee-bce0-df653228f311.html Save to Pocket
United secures ‘gem’ air route, GVB commits to sustainability
date: 2024-02-25, from: Guam Daily Post
For the first time in 55 years of operation on Guam, United Airlines will link Guam to Haneda, Japan, a feat Guam Visitors Bureau officials said could increase revenue for the island.
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/united-secures-gem-air-route-gvb-commits-to-sustainability/article_b677d2c8-d377-11ee-9cc2-e3b8351d01a9.html Save to Pocket
Broken car lights lead to drug arrest
date: 2024-02-25, from: Guam Daily Post
A broken headlight and a broken taillight led to the arrest of a man who allegedly had nearly half an ounce of methamphetamine in his possession.
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/broken-car-lights-lead-to-drug-arrest/article_a4dcdcf2-d38b-11ee-99c6-6f40840d2130.html Save to Pocket
Suspect allegedly handed meth to police
date: 2024-02-25, from: Guam Daily Post
Officers with the Guam Police Department pulled over a man during a traffic stop, who then accidentally handed over illicit drugs and is now facing a drug possession charge.
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/suspect-allegedly-handed-meth-to-police/article_0994b33e-d38e-11ee-af0b-27e9c7883110.html Save to Pocket
AG: CAHA has broad discretion to select delegates for FestPac
date: 2024-02-25, from: Guam Daily Post
A Superior Court of Guam jury acquitted Frank “Ko” San Nicolas of criminal sexual conduct charges, but the allegations have resurfaced as people have called for his removal as a delegate to the 2024 Festival of Pacific Arts. The Office…
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/ag-caha-has-broad-discretion-to-select-delegates-for-festpac/article_2ec56926-d386-11ee-8bbf-b7766e56a364.html Save to Pocket
Sunday caption contest: Little darling
date: 2024-02-25, from: Robert Reich on Substack
And last week’s winner
https://robertreich.substack.com/p/sunday-caption-contest-225 Save to Pocket
Productivity Surge Helps Explain US Economy’s Surprising Resilience
date: 2024-02-25, from: VOA News USA
Washington — Trying to keep up with customer demand, Batesville Tool & Die began seeking 70 people to hire last year. It wasn’t easy. Attracting factory workers to a community of 7,300 in the Indiana countryside was a tough sell, especially having to compete with big-name manufacturers nearby like Honda and Cummins Engine.
Job seekers were scarce.
“You could count on one hand how many people in the town were unemployed,” said Jody Fledderman, the CEO. “It was just crazy.’’
Batesville Tool & Die managed to fill just 40 of its vacancies.
Enter the robots. The company invested in machines that could mimic human workers and in vision systems, which helped its robots “see” what they were doing.
The Batesville experience has been replicated countlessly across the United States the past couple of years. Worker shortages have led many companies to invest in machines. They’ve also been training the workers they do have to use advanced technology so they can produce more with less.
The result has been an unexpected productivity boom, which helps explain a great economic mystery: How has the world’s largest economy stayed so healthy, with brisk growth and low unemployment, despite brutally high interest rates that are intended to tame inflation but that typically cause a recession?
To economists, strong productivity growth provides an almost magical elixir. When companies roll out more efficient technology, their workers can become more productive: They increase their output per hour. A result is that companies can often boost profits and raise pay without having to jack up prices. Inflation can remain in check.
The Fed’s aggressive streak of rate hikes — 11 of them starting in March 2022 — managed to bring inflation from a four-decade high of 9.1% to 3.1%. But, to the surprise to the economists who’d forecast a recession, the higher borrowing costs have caused little economic hardship.
Perhaps the likeliest explanation is the greater efficiencies that companies like Batesville Tool & Die have managed to achieve. Before productivity began its resurgent growth last year, a rule of thumb was that average hourly pay could rise no more than 3.5% annually for inflation to stay within the Fed’s 2% target. That would mean that today’s roughly 4% average annual pay growth would have to shrink. Higher productivity means there’s now more leeway for wage growth to stay elevated without igniting inflation.
The productivity boom marks a shift from the pre-pandemic years, when annual productivity growth averaged a tepid 1.5%. Everything changed as the economy rocketed out of the 2020 pandemic recession with unexpected vigor, and businesses struggled to re-hire the many workers they had shed.
The resulting worker shortage sent wages surging. Inflation jumped, too, as factories and ports buckled under the strain of rising consumer orders.
Desperate, many companies turned to automation. The efficiency payoff began to arrive almost a year ago. Labor productivity rose at a 3.6% annual pace from last April through June, 4.9% from July through September and 3.2% from October through December.
At Reata Engineering & Machine Works, “efficiency was kind of forced on us,’’ CEO Grady Cope said. With the job market roaring, the company, based in Englewood, Colorado, couldn’t hire fast enough. Meantime, its customers were starting to balk at paying higher prices.
So Reata installed robots and other technology. Software allowed it to automate the delivery of price quotes to customers. That process used to require two weeks. Now, it can be done in 24 hours.
Many economists and business people say they’re hopeful that the productivity boom can continue. Artificial intelligence, they note, is only beginning to penetrate factory floors, warehouses, stores and offices and could accelerate efficiency gains.
Automation raises fears that machines will replace human workers, killing jobs. Some workers supplanted by robots do often struggle to find new work and end up settling for lower pay.
Yet history suggests that in the long run, technological improvements actually create more jobs than they destroy. People are needed to build, upgrade, repair and operate sophisticated machines. Some displaced workers are trained to shift into such jobs. And that transition is likely to be eased this time by the retirement of the vast baby boom generation, which is causing labor shortages.
Some of today’s productivity gains may be coming not just from advanced technology but also from more satisfied workers. The tight labor markets of the past three years allowed Americans to change jobs and find others that pay better and make them happier and more productive.
Justin Thompson, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, felt burned out by his job as a police officer, with its 16-hour workdays .”I was literally running myself into the ground,’’ he said.
Thompson’s wife saw a job posting for operations manager at a charter airline. Even without airline experience, his wife felt he could use skills he gains as a Marine Corps infantryman — handling logistics for missions — during tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
She was right. Omni Air International hired him in 2019.
Thompson, 43, loves the new job, which allows him to work from home when he’s not traveling. And his Marine experience — which included developing ways to improve efficiency — has proved invaluable.
Other workers have switched from low-skill jobs to those that allow them to be more productive.
At Reata Engineering, staffers were trained to use new sophisticated equipment.
“The whole point is not to lay people off,’’ said Cope, the CEO of Reata Engineering.”The point is to make people do jobs that are more interesting’’ — and pay better, too.
https://www.voanews.com/a/productivity-surge-helps-explain-us-economy-s-surprising-resilience-/7496538.html Save to Pocket
Today in SCV History (Feb. 25)
date: 2024-02-25, from: SCV New (TV Station)
1936 – U.S. release of Silent Era’s last feature, “Modern Times” with Charles Chaplin, partially shot in SCV. [story
https://scvnews.com/today-in-scv-history-feb-25/ Save to Pocket
@Dave Winer’s linkblog (date: 2024-02-25, from: Dave Winer’s linkblog)
This is a tale of two brains. Biden's brain is aging. Trump's brain is dementing.
https://www.salon.com/2024/02/23/dr-john-gartner-on-a-tale-of-two-brains-bidens-brain-is-aging-brain-is-dementing/ Save to Pocket
‘Oppenheimer’ Dominates SAG Awards, While Streisand Wins Lifetime Prize
date: 2024-02-25, updated: 2024-02-25, from: The LAist
‘Oppenheimer’ dominated at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards on Saturday, as several winners paid tribute to last year’s actors’ strike. Barbra Streisand was given a lifetime achievement prize.
https://laist.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/oppenheimer-dominates-sag-awards-while-streisand-wins-lifetime-prize Save to Pocket
Former President Trump Beats Former UN Ambassador Haley in Her State
date: 2024-02-25, from: VOA News USA
Former US President Donald Trump won the Republican Presidential Primary in the Southern state of South Carolina on Saturday, defeating former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley in her home state. But Haley vowed to continue her campaign through Super Tuesday in early March, when a block of US states will have their say in who runs against President Joe Biden in November. VOA’s Congressional Correspondent Katherine Gypson has more. Camera: Henry Hernandez and Ostap Yarysh
https://www.voanews.com/a/former-president-trump-beats-former-un-ambassador-haley-in-her-state-/7501648.html Save to Pocket
‘Oppenheimer,’ Lily Gladstone Win at 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards
date: 2024-02-25, from: VOA News USA
https://www.voanews.com/a/oppenheimer-lily-gladstone-win-at-30th-screen-actors-guild-awards-/7501638.html Save to Pocket
February 24, 2024
date: 2024-02-25, from: Heather Cox Richardson blog
February 24, 2024 (Saturday) It’s been a while since we took a break from the news and tonight seems like as good a time as any. Enjoy the full moon if you’ve got a clear view. It’s a beauty. I’ll see you tomorrow.
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/february-24-2024 Save to Pocket
Republican Trying to Block Party From Paying Trump’s Legal Bills
date: 2024-02-25, from: VOA News USA
COLUMBIA, S.C. — At least one member of the Republican National Committee is working to slow Donald Trump’s attempted takeover of the organization by pushing to keep the committee neutral until Trump is officially the presidential nominee and avoid picking up his legal bills.
Two draft resolutions are being circulated by Henry Barbour, a national committeeman from Mississippi, for consideration at the RNC’s upcoming March meeting in Houston. Barbour said support for the resolutions among RNC members is growing but he does not yet have the needed co-sponsors, and any resolutions would ultimately be nonbinding.
The effort comes after Trump last week publicly called to replace the RNC’s current leaders and install one of his senior campaign advisers and his daughter-in-law Lara Trump in top roles. Lara Trump suggested earlier in the week that GOP voters would support the committee paying her father-in-law’s legal bills as he faces a raft of criminal and civil indictments.
Trump senior campaign adviser Chris LaCivita, whom the former president wants to install as the party’s chief operating officer, told reporters Friday night that the RNC would not pay Trump’s legal bills.
In a statement on Saturday, LaCavita said “the primary is over and it is the RNC’s sole responsibility to defeat Joe Biden and win back the White House.”
“Efforts to delay that assist Joe Biden in the destruction of our nation,” he said. “Republicans cannot stand on the sidelines and allow this to happen.”
One of Barbour’s proposed resolutions says that the RNC and its leadership will stay neutral throughout the presidential primary and not take on additional staff from any of the active campaigns until a candidate has the needed delegates to be the nominee.
The second resolution says the organization will not pay the legal bills of any candidate for federal or state office but will instead focus its spending on efforts directly related to the 2024 election.
“The RNC has one job. That’s winning elections,” Barbour said. “I believe RNC funds should be spent solely on winning elections, on political expenses, not legal bills.”
The RNC was paying some of Trump’s legal bills for New York cases that started while he was president, The Washington Post reported. But current RNC Chairperson Ronna McDaniel said in November 2022 that the RNC would stop p
aying once Trump became a candidate again and started running for the 2024 presidential election.
Trump is spending millions on lawyers in civil cases and four criminal cases, but he also has legal debts that top half a billion dollars.
Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, who is Trump’s last major challenger in the GOP primary, said a family member or campaign manager should not be leading the RNC.
“I would hope that the people in the RNC know that they have a responsibility, a responsibility to put in people in the RNC who are going to look out in the best interest of all of the Republican Party, not just one person,” Haley said.
The resolutions were first reported by The Dispatch on Saturday.
https://www.voanews.com/a/republican-trying-to-block-party-from-paying-trump-s-legal-bills-/7501614.html Save to Pocket
“No one thought we’d be here.” Notre Dame-San Jose completes Cinderella run, beats Mills to capture first section title in school history
date: 2024-02-25, from: San Jose Mercury News
Notre Dame-San Jose pulled off the upset, beating Mills in overtime to capture the CCS Division III title.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/02/24/no-one-thought-wed-be-here-notre-dame-san-jose-completes-cinderella-run-beats-mills-to-capture-first-section-title-in-school-history/ Save to Pocket
Photos: Hundreds jam Jack London Square for Oakland Fans’ Fest
date: 2024-02-25, from: San Jose Mercury News
Supporters of the A’s and other Oakland sports teams and clubs turn out for annual event
https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/02/24/photos-hundreds-jam-jack-london-square-for-oakland-fans-fest/ Save to Pocket
Conflicted Oakland A’s fans make trek to Spring Training to watch their team
date: 2024-02-25, from: San Jose Mercury News
Oakland loses its spring opener 5-1 against Colorado as diehard A’s fans wonder if this is their favorite team’s last year in the Bay Area.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/02/24/conflicted-oakland-as-fans-make-trek-to-spring-training-to-watch-their-team/ Save to Pocket
Fatal Traffic Collision on East Cota Street and Santa Barbara Street
date: 2024-02-25, from: Santa Barbara Indenpent News
On February 24, 2024, around 2 a.m., the Santa Barbara Police Department Combined Communications Center received a report of an injury traffic collision occurring at the intersection of East Cota Street and Santa Barbara Street involving a vehicle and a motor scooter.
The post Fatal Traffic Collision on East Cota Street and Santa Barbara Street appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.
https://www.independent.com/2024/02/24/fatal-traffic-collision-on-east-cota-street-and-santa-barbara-street/ Save to Pocket
Ukraine on the Mind as Dozens Rally Downtown
date: 2024-02-25, from: Santa Barbara Indenpent News
Santa Barbarans gather to remember two years of war with Russia.
The post Ukraine on the Mind as Dozens Rally Downtown appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.
https://www.independent.com/2024/02/24/ukraine-on-the-mind-as-dozens-rally-downtown/ Save to Pocket
Cops & Computers
date: 2024-02-25, from: Chris Coyier blog
I watched the Netflix Documentary American Nightmare. It feels like standard fare at this point, where we dip back a decade or two to some crime story that had a few twists and turns in it and make it freshly popcorn worthy again. This was the “is this the real life Gone Girl?” case. Denise […]
https://chriscoyier.net/2024/02/24/cops-computers/ Save to Pocket
New York City Owl Flaco Dies After Crashing Into Building
date: 2024-02-25, from: VOA News USA
NEW YORK — Tributes poured in Saturday for Flaco, the beloved Eurasian eagle-owl that became a feel-good New York story after escaping its Central Park Zoo enclosure and flying free around Manhattan.
Flaco was found dead on a New York City sidewalk Friday night after apparently flying into a building. It was a heartbreaking end for the birders who documented the owl’s daily movements and the legions of admirers who eagerly followed along.
“Everybody feels the same, they’re devastated,” said Nicole Blair, a New York City artist who devoted much of her feed on the X platform to photos and memes featuring the celebrity owl with checkerboard black and brown feathers and round sunset-hued eyes.
Staff from the Wild Bird Fund, a wildlife rehabilitation center, declared Flaco dead shortly after the collision. A necropsy was expected Saturday.
Flaco was freed from his cage at the zoo a little over a year ago by a vandal who breached a waist-high fence and cut a hole through a steel mesh cage. The owl had arrived at the zoo as a fledgling 13 years earlier.
Flaco sightings soon became sport. The owl spent his days perched on tree branches, fence posts and fire escapes and nights hooting atop water towers and preying on the city’s abundant rats.
Like a true celebrity, the owl appeared on murals and merchandise. A likeness occupied a spot on Blair’s New York City-themed Christmas tree, right next to “Pizza Rat,” the infamous rodent seen in a YouTube clip dragging a slice down a subway stairwell.
“I got to see him on my birthday,” Blair said of her encounter with Flaco in Central Park in the fall. “It was kind of an unbelievable situation, and I’m like, this is the best birthday present ever.”
But she and others worried when Flaco ventured beyond the park into more urban sections of Manhattan, fearing the owl would ingest a poisoned rat or encounter other dangers.
“The vandal who damaged Flaco’s exhibit jeopardized the safety of the bird and is ultimately responsible for his death,” the zoo said in a statement Friday. “We are still hopeful that the NYPD which is investigating the vandalism will ultimately make an arrest.”
Flaco fans shared suggestions Saturday for a permanent bronze statue overlooking New York City. One requested that the owl’s remains be buried in Central Park.
“Flaco the owl was, in many ways, a typical New Yorker — fiercely independent, constantly exploring, finding ways to survive ever-changing challenges,” read a post on the X platform, reflecting a common sentiment. “He will be missed.”
David Barrett, who runs the Manhattan Bird Alert account, suggested a temporary memorial at the bird’s favorite oak tree in the park.
There, he wrote in a post, fellow birders could “lay flowers, leave a note, or just be with others who loved Flaco.”
https://www.voanews.com/a/new-york-city-owl-flaco-dies-after-crashing-into-building-/7501598.html Save to Pocket
@Dave Winer’s linkblog (date: 2024-02-25, from: Dave Winer’s linkblog)
Joe Biden gives the media a desperately needed lesson about Donald Trump.
https://www.salon.com/2024/02/24/joe-biden-gives-the-media-a-desperately-needed-lesson-about-donald/ Save to Pocket
Antioch murder leaves teenager dead, detectives launch investigation
date: 2024-02-25, from: San Jose Mercury News
Police are investigating the murder of a Pittsburg teenager who was found dead in Antioch.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/02/24/antioch-murder-homicide-police-cop-teen-dead-fatal-investigate-tupelo/ Save to Pocket
USC at UCLA — as it happened
date: 2024-02-25, from: The Daily Trojan (USC Student Paper)
Darren Parry reports live from Pauley Pavilion.
The post USC at UCLA — as it happened appeared first on Daily Trojan.
https://dailytrojan.com/2024/02/24/usc-at-ucla-live-updates/ Save to Pocket
Western leaders rally around Kyiv to mark 2 years since Russia’s full-scale invasion
date: 2024-02-25, from: San Jose Mercury News
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed Western leaders to Kyiv Saturday to mark the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, as Ukrainian forces run low on ammunition and foreign aid hangs in the balance.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/02/24/western-leaders-rally-around-kyiv-to-mark-2-years-since-russias-full-scale-invasion/ Save to Pocket
Two Years of Death, Bombs, and Heartbreak
date: 2024-02-25, from: Santa Barbara Indenpent News
Freedom is never free, but it is worth supporting – even when the oppression and injustice are half a world away.
The post Two Years of Death, Bombs, and Heartbreak appeared first on The Santa Barbara Independent.
https://www.independent.com/2024/02/24/two-years-of-death-bombs-and-heartbreak/ Save to Pocket
Death of beloved New York City owl, Flaco, in apparent building collision devastates legions of fans
date: 2024-02-25, from: San Jose Mercury News
Tributes poured in Saturday for Flaco, the beloved Eurasian eagle-owl that became a feel-good New York story after escaping its Central Park Zoo enclosure and flying free around Manhattan.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/02/24/death-of-beloved-new-york-city-owl-flaco-in-apparent-building-collision-devastates-legions-of-fans/ Save to Pocket
Where California sea otters go, coastal erosion rates slow
date: 2024-02-25, from: San Jose Mercury News
“A few otters took refuge in Elkhorn Slough,” Silberstein remembers, “and they discovered that it was like an open buffet.”
https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/02/24/where-sea-otters-go-erosion-rates-slow/ Save to Pocket
Trump Wins South Carolina, Closing In On Republican Nomination
date: 2024-02-25, from: VOA News USA
charleston, south carolina — Donald Trump won South Carolina’s Republican primary on Saturday, easily beating former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley in her home state and further consolidating his path to a third straight Republican nomination.
Trump has now swept every contest that counted for Republican delegates, adding to previous wins in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Haley is facing growing pressure to leave the race but says she’s not going anywhere despite losing the state where she was governor from 2011-17.
A rematch between Trump and President Joe Biden is becoming increasingly inevitable. Haley has vowed to stay in the race through at least the batch of primaries on March 5, known as Super Tuesday, but was unable to dent Trump’s momentum in her home state despite holding far more campaign events and arguing that the indictments against Trump will hamstring him against Biden.
The Associated Press declared Trump the winner as polls closed statewide at 7 p.m. That race call was based on an analysis of AP VoteCast, a comprehensive survey of Republican South Carolina primary voters. The survey confirmed the findings of pre-Election Day polls showing Trump far outpacing Haley statewide.
“I have never seen the Republican Party so unified as it is right now,” Trump declared, taking the stage for his victory speech mere moments after polls closed. He added, “You can celebrate for about 15 minutes, but then we have to get back to work.”
South Carolina’s first-in-the-South primary has historically been a reliable bellwether for Republicans. In all but one primary since 1980, the Republican winner in South Carolina has gone on to be the party’s nominee. The lone exception was Newt Gingrich in 2012.
Trump was dominant across the state, even leading in Lexington County, which Haley represented in the state Legislature. Many Trump-backing South Carolinians, even some who previously supported Haley during her time as governor, weren’t willing to give her a home-state bump.
“She’s done some good things,” Davis Paul, 36, said about Haley as he waited for Trump at a recent rally in Conway. “But I just don’t think she’s ready to tackle a candidate like Trump. I don’t think many people can.”
At Haley headquarters on Saturday night, supporters waved her signs in front of a large projection screen showing Trump’s speech, blocking it from view. That, of course, didn’t make the defeat any less crushing.
About an hour later, Haley took the stage and said: “What I saw today was South Carolina’s frustration with our country’s direction. I’ve seen that same frustration nationwide.”
“I don’t believe Donald Trump can beat Joe Biden,” Haley said, later adding: “I said earlier this week that no matter what happens in South Carolina, I would continue to run. I’m a woman of my word.”
She said she plans to head to Michigan for its primary on Tuesday — the last major contest before Super Tuesday. Still, she faces questions about where she might be able to win a contest or be competitive.
Trump and Biden are already behaving like they expect to face off in November.
Trump and his allies argue Biden has made the U.S. weaker and point to the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and Russia’s decision to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Trump has also repeatedly attacked Biden over high inflation earlier in the president’s term and his handling of record-high migrant crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Trump has questioned — often in harshly personal terms — whether the 81-year-old Biden is too old to serve a second term. Biden’s team in turn has highlighted the 77-year-old Trump’s own flubs on the campaign trail.
Biden has stepped up his recent fundraising trips around the country and increasingly attacked Trump directly. He’s called Trump and his “Make America Great Again” movement dire threats to the nation’s founding principles, and the president’s reelection campaign has lately focused most of its attention on Trump suggesting he’d use the first day of a second presidency as a dictator and that he’d tell Russia to attack NATO allies who fail to keep up with defense spending obligations mandated by the alliance.
Haley also criticized Trump on his NATO comments and also for questioning why her husband wasn’t on the campaign trail with her — even as former first lady Melania Trump hasn’t appeared with him. Maj. Michael Haley is deployed in the Horn of Africa on a mission with the South Carolina Army National Guard.
But South Carolina’s Republican voters line up with Trump on having lukewarm feelings about NATO and continued U.S. support for Ukraine, according to AP VoteCast data from Saturday’s primary. About 6 in 10 oppose continuing aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russia. Only about a third described America’s participation in NATO as “very good,” with more saying it’s only “somewhat good.”
Haley has raised copious amounts of campaign money and is scheduled to begin a cross-country campaign swing on Sunday in Michigan ahead of Super Tuesday on March 5, when many delegate-rich states hold primaries.
But it’s unclear how she can stop Trump from clinching enough delegates to become the party’s presumptive nominee for the third time.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., complimented Haley while speaking to reporters at Trump’s election night party in Columbia but suggested it was time for her to drop out.
“I think the sooner she does, the better for her, the better for the party,” Graham said. Later, the senator was greeted with boos after Trump called him to the stage to address those gathered.
Trump’s political strength has endured despite facing 91 criminal charges related to his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss to Biden, the discovery of classified documents in his Florida residence and allegations that he secretly arranged payoffs to a porn actress.
The former president’s first criminal trial is set to begin on March 25 in New York, where he faces 34 counts of falsifying business records related to hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels in the closing weeks of his 2016 presidential campaign.
Biden won South Carolina’s Democratic primary earlier this month and faces only one remaining challenger, Dean Phillips. The Minnesota Democratic congressman has continued to campaign in Michigan ahead of the Democratic primary there, despite having little chance of actually beating Biden.
Though Biden is expected to cruise to his party’s renomination, he faces criticism from some Democrats for providing military backing to Israel in its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Some in his party support a ceasefire as the death toll in Israel’s war has reached 30,000 people, two-thirds of them women and children. The war could hurt the president’s general election chances in swing states like Michigan, which is home to a large Arab American population.
https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-wins-south-carolina-primary-haley-to-head-to-michigan-/7501583.html Save to Pocket
‘iMessage With PQ3: The New State of the Art in Quantum-Secure Messaging at Scale’
date: 2024-02-25, updated: 2024-02-25, from: Daring Fireball
https://security.apple.com/blog/imessage-pq3/ Save to Pocket
Home Screen Advantage
date: 2024-02-25, updated: 2024-02-25, from: Infrequently (Alex Russell on browsers, standards …)
https://infrequently.org/2024/02/home-screen-advantage/ Save to Pocket
Full Circle Weekly News 354
date: 2024-02-25, from: Full Circle Magazine
Credits
- Host: @bardictriad, @zaivala
- Bumper: Canonical
- Theme Music: From The Dust - Stardust
- https://soundcloud.com/ftdmusic
- CC BY 4.0
https://fullcirclemagazine.org/podcasts/podcast-354/ Save to Pocket
Marginalia: 3 Years
date: 2024-02-25, from: Marginallia log
It’s been three years since the inception of Marginalia Search, then a dinky experiment to find where the heck the cool Internet has gone, now my full time job. While there’s always things that can be improved, it’s fair to say the search engine has never worked as well as it does right now. A great number of milestones have been reached, perhaps biggest of all the search engine has moved out of my living room and into a proper enterprise server.
https://www.marginalia.nu/log/a_101_marginalia-3-years/ Save to Pocket
A Text Oriented Web
date: 2024-02-25, from: Robert’s Ramblings
The web is a busy place. There seems to be a gestalt resonant at the moment on the web that can be summarized by two phrases, “back to basics” and “simplification”. It is not the first time I’ve seen this nor is it likely the last. This blog post describes a thought experiment about a simplification with minimal invention and focus on feature elimination. It’s a way to think about the web status quo a little differently. My intention is to explore the implications of a more text centered web experience that could coexist as a subset of today’s web.
I think the following could form the “good stuff” in a Crockford1 sense of pairing things down to the essential.
- the transport layer should remain HTTP but be limited to a few methods (GET, POST and HEAD) and the common header elements (e.g. length, content-type come to mind)
- The trio of HTML, CSS and JavaScript is really complex, swap this out for Markdown augmented with YAML (Markdown and YAML already have a synergy in Markdown processors like Pandoc)
- A Web form is expressed using GHYITS[^2], it is delimited in the
Markdown document by the familiar “
^---$” block element, web form content would be encoded as YAML in the body of the POST using the content type “application/x-yaml”. - Content would be served using the
text/markdown; charset: utf-8content type already commonly used to identify Markdown content distinct fromplain/text
I need a nice name for describing the arrangement of Markdown+YAML over HTTP arrangement. Is the descriptive acronym for “text oriented web”, i.e. “tow”, enough? Does it already have a meaning in software or the web? Would the protocol be “tow://”? I really need something a bit more clever and catchy if this is going to proceed beyond a thought experiment.
https://rsdoiel.github.io/blog/2024/02/25/text_oriented_web.html Save to Pocket
Douglas Crockford “discovered” JSON, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Crockford …↩︎