Over 500 million years ago, Matt Groening and The Simpsons introduced us to Blinking, mutated fish with extra eyes that swam from an old fish hole in Springfield, pursuing their prey through Cambrian seas. Once you catch a quarry, a circular mouth lined with teeth will do the rest.
This creature, named Mothra Fentoni, is a remarkable addition to the peculiar fossils preserved in the Burgess Shale, a significant fossil deposit in the Canadian Rockies. However, findings published in the journal on Wednesday Royal Society Open Science suggest that Mothra may not be as alien as it initially appears.
The first Mothra specimens were unearthed over a century ago by paleontologist Charles Walcott, who discovered Burgess Shale in 1909. In recent years, paleontologists at the Ontario Museum in Toronto have unearthed “layers of seabeds revealing a plethora of Mothra fossils.”
Although they were not fish, it was evident that the masses from the sea related to Radiodonts, the group of ancestral arthropods dominating the Cambrian food chain. However, comprehensive examinations of these animals only began in 2012 when numerous Mothra specimens were found at Marble Canyon, an outcrop of Burgess Shale.
“The collection of both old and new specimens motivated us to finally understand this animal,” said Joseph Moiszk, a paleontologist who studied the Marble Canyon fossils during his doctoral research.
Dr. Moiszk collaborated with advisors at the Royal Ontario Museum, including Jan Bernard Carron, to analyze approximately 60 ocean specimens. Like other Burgess Shale creatures, many Mothra specimens are well-preserved, showcasing features such as the gastrointestinal tract and circulatory system. Some even exhibited traces of nerve bundles in each of the creature’s three eyes.
The team meticulously documented the detailed anatomy of the flat fossils by photographing Mothra specimens under polarized light.
A defining characteristic of living arthropods is their body division into specialized segments. For instance, crustaceans like crabs have varying appendages suited for different functions such as feeding and locomotion. Fossils of early arthropod ancestors, including other Radiodonts, display relatively simple body plans. Consequently, researchers have long theorized that segmentation evolved slowly over time.
Mothra supports this trend. Though measuring only 2.5 inches in length, the creature’s body was divided into as many as 26 segments.
“This feature has never been observed in this group before,” remarked Dr. Moisiuk, currently at the Manitoba Museum in Winnipeg.
Along with its broad swimming flaps, the animal had a highly segmented trunk behind its body. Researchers note that this area resembles abdominal structures used by crabs, woodlice, and various insects for respiration.
Optimizing oxygen intake was crucial for active predators like Mothra. Researchers believe the animal hunted small prey in open waters while needing to distance itself from larger contemporaries, such as the 2-foot-long, oddly-shaped titanocory.
Since no other Radiodont displayed such a specialized trunk, researchers have classified Mothra in its unique group. Instead of naming the creature after that three-eyed cartoon fish, the team drew inspiration from another pop culture icon, Mothra, Godzilla’s winged adversary. Dr. Moysiuk stated that the name pays homage to the creature’s nickname while celebrating the lasting appeal of Japanese Burgess Shale creatures.
The team also identified other notable features in Mothra, such as dark, reflective patches and swimming flaps within the animal’s body. Researchers speculate these could indicate spaces for blood vessels, possibly linked to the heart’s pumping system.
However, some scientists remain skeptical that these features represent fossilized blood vessels. Joanna Wolf, a paleontologist at Harvard University who wasn’t involved in the study, suggested they might represent other structures, such as the digestive tract.
While some of Mothra’s attributes may stir scientific debate, Dr. Caron believes the body segments of this ancient sea creature reveal ties to modern arthropods. “It certainly is a very unique animal,” he concluded.
Navigating past the enormous hanging blue whales and the Alaska brown bear on the ground floor of the American Museum of Natural History, you’ll stumble upon an unassuming, concealed door. Above it are small signs.
“Bug colony.”
Behind this door, accessible solely to a select group of museum staff, thousands of carnivorous skin beetles tirelessly work around the clock, carrying out specimen preparation tasks that even the museum’s most skilled professionals cannot manage.
They consume the flesh from animal skeletons, leaving only pristine bones behind.
Many skeletons are too intricate for human cleaning, so the museum’s osteologic preparation team turns to these six-legged workers to ready specimens for research and display.
The operation takes place in three gray wooden boxes, about the size of a foot locker, which house the colony. These boxes are lined with stainless steel, and their flexible tops unveil a range of small creatures, including beetles, feasting on the remnants of primarily birds. They devour morsels of flesh still attached to the carcasses.
The room resonates with soft, crackling noises. “Adding milk makes it sound like frying food or cooking rice,” mentioned Rob Pascocello, a colony caretaker.
The beetles are tiny—only a few millimeters long—capable of entering the narrowest crevices in animals and nibble away without damaging fragile skeletal structures, according to Scott Schaefer, the overseer of the museum’s vast collection of specimens and artifacts, which comprises over 30 million items.
“They do an exceptional, meticulous job that human hands cannot replicate due to delicacy,” Schaefer explained. “It’s gentler than boiling the specimens or subjecting them to chemicals or acids.”
Museum representatives state that this industrious colony has processed countless carcasses, including a significant portion of the over 30,000 bird skeleton specimens housed for decades. “They slip into tiny spaces and go unnoticed, continuing to feed until there’s nothing left,” Schaefer noted.
On a recent weekday, Paul Sweet, the collection manager for ornithology, stood in the bug room, pointing out that the name is misleading from a scientific standpoint.
True bugs, known scientifically as Hemiptera, have mouthparts designed for piercing and sucking. In contrast, beetles—known as Coleoptera—typically have a cylindrical shape with chewing mouthparts.
The colony has effectively reduced the once vibrant pink flamingos into mere bundles of bones. The majestic snowy owl was similarly transformed. Among the remnants was a tiny skeleton in a canister, with bones smaller than a toothpick.
“That’s a songbird,” Pascocello remarked.
Skin beetles are scavengers commonly found in the wild, nests, and animal burrows, feasting on deceased animals.
Museum officials mentioned that this dermatological colony, introduced from Africa in the 1930s, has remained self-sufficient. Sweet noted that the current beetle population has been at the museum for 35 years, though it remains uncertain whether they are descendants of the original colony.
Regardless, beetles only live for six months, leading Pascocello to humorously state, “they’re all related.” He also mentioned having a backup colony in his bedroom during the museum’s closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.
On this particular day, Sweet was preparing to feed the colony a Northern Gannet, a seabird recovered from Midland Beach on Staten Island. It had already been stripped, dried, and had most of its meat removed by researchers before being handed over to the beetles for final preparation.
Within minutes, the bodies were swarming with beetles. While smaller birds can be entirely cleaned in just a couple of days, a larger skeleton, like that of a gannet, may take up to two weeks.
Pascocello once provided beetles to feed orangutans, while Sweet had given them the remains of an emu. However, the size of the specimens presented determines how they are handled; larger ones must be provided in pieces, such as the remains of a Cuban crocodile named Fidel, sourced from the Bronx Zoo in 2005.
Before pristine skeletons are boxed and cataloged, they are soaked in water and frozen for several days to eliminate any residual beetles and eggs.
Beetles pose no threat to humans, but an infestation within the museum’s specimen collection is undesirable. A sufficient quantity of beetles means strips of petrolatum jelly at the top of the box and sticky patches on the room’s doorway.
If the supply of specimens falls short, Pascocello will resort to chicken as an emergency food source. Sweet mentioned providing the colony with pig feet during the pandemic, as it was the least expensive meat available at the supermarket.
The beetle’s voracious appetite serves as a reminder that significant scientific work doesn’t always happen in spotless laboratories. Above the door, beneath the “Bug Colony” sign, a handwritten note reads:
“The unpleasant odor emanating from behind this door is perfectly normal.”
Former President Trump has been vocal in his battle against drug traffickers for quite some time. He proposed the death penalty for their “heinous acts,” asserting this measure on the first day of his second term. A Presidential Order categorizes cartels as “terrorist organizations.”
Nonetheless, public health and addiction specialists express concern that his budget and policy proposals may inadvertently penalize individuals grappling with drug abuse and addiction.
The Trump administration pledged to combat overdose deaths, a pressing public health crisis, by enhancing law enforcement efforts, bolstering border security, and imposing tariffs on China and Mexico to curb the influx of fentanyl and other hazardous substances. However, the administration also proposed substantial cuts in programs aimed at reducing the demand for drugs.
The budget introduced to Congress this month seeks to eliminate over $1 billion allocated for local and domestic treatment and preventive services. Major federal agencies involved in addressing substance use, such as Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services, have already experienced substantial staff reductions due to layoffs during the Trump administration. Critics warn that this will lead to a collapse of the necessary frameworks for a healthy America, extending far beyond just mental health and substance use issues.
If Republican talks about Medicaid cuts are implemented, millions of Americans may be unable to maintain or initiate treatment.
The White House did not provide any comments regarding the situation. The proposed budget highlights a stance on drug trafficking, stressing a commitment to secure boundaries and law and order while advocating for the reduction of redundant or insufficiently impactful addiction services.
Public health experts argue that these reductions are detrimental, particularly at a time when the nation is making meaningful advancements in combating fentanyl fatalities. Various interventions, including increased access to overdose-reversing naloxone, more treatment facilities, stable housing, and peer counseling, have been credited with this progress. Nonetheless, a clear consensus on which interventions merit further focus and funding remains elusive.
“It will be a tragedy if we dismantle these programs without a full understanding of their effectiveness, leading to a potential resurgence of overdose rates,” warns Dr. Matthew Christiansen, an addiction specialist from Huntington, West Virginia, a city once labeled as facing a severe opioid crisis.
A letter signed by over 320 behavioral medicine experts was sent to Congressional leaders, criticizing the proposed cuts, which affect crucial programs such as “community-based naloxone distribution, peer outreach initiatives, prevention programs for drug-related infectious diseases, and drug testing strip programs.”
The president’s budget proposes the termination of grants aimed at “harm reduction,” a strategy that helps curb the spread of disease and maintains the health of drug users, which has gained widespread acceptance among mainstream addiction treatment providers.
The budget questions federal financial backing for “dangerous activities” termed “harm reduction,” which includes providing “safe smoking kits and consumables” and “syringes” for users.
Such rhetoric harkens back to distorted reports from 2022, which suggested that $30 million in federal harm reduction grants would fund crack smoking and meth pipes. In reality, a small portion of the grants, designated as a “Safer Smoking Kit,” comprised alcohol swabs and lip balm while also supporting state programs for sterile syringe exchanges that have been shown to effectively reduce hepatitis C and HIV infection rates.
“Many individuals have faced significant health challenges,” remarked Dr. Christiansen, who previously directed drug management policies in West Virginia. “These tools are essential for minimizing opioid-related harm while fostering long-term recovery.”
According to the latest annual substance use survey by federal entities, 2023, approximately 27.2 million Americans over 12 years old faced substance use disorders, 28.9 million struggled with alcohol use disorders, and 7.5 million experienced both.
The budget maintains block grants for states to combat addiction and mental health issues; however, without additional grants and resources, the capacity for states to deliver necessary medical and social services for addiction prevention and treatment may fall short, as stated by Dr. Christiansen.
David Hertzberg, a Professor of Drug Policy and History at the University of Buffalo, noted that this governmental approach echoes 19th-century America, when the government was heavily intertwined with border issues tied to drug use, particularly regarding opiates and Chinese immigrants. Fearing foreign influence, Congress enacted severe restrictions on immigration from China amid hysteria over opium use among Chinese men.
Currently, as Hertzberg observed, political conservatives have recognized the targeting of foreign drug suppliers as a strategic avenue to bolster their broader agendas.
This stands in stark contrast to the frequently boasted about drug seizures, while chronic substance abuse often goes overlooked and is typically perceived as a personal failing rather than a broader social issue. Elected officials advocating for welfare are often branded as excessively lenient on crime.
“If politicians are truly willing to advocate for these individuals, I would be genuinely surprised,” Hertzberg concluded.
I was encouraged by the publications to search. Their portrayals were generally well-received and factual. However, their interpretations of my book and ChatGPT’s involvement did not align with my own understanding. While it’s true that I included conversations with ChatGPT in the book, my aim was critique, not collaboration. In interviews and public forums, I consistently cautioned against using large language models, like ChatGPT, for self-expression. Did these writers misconstrue my work? Or did I inadvertently lead them astray?
In my work, I document how major tech entities exploit human language for their own gain. We’ve made this possible, as we benefit from utilizing their products. It embodies the dynamics of Big Tech’s scheme to amass wealth and influence. We find ourselves both victims and beneficiaries. I’ll convey this complicity through my own online history: my Google searches, Amazon reviews, and yes, my dialogues with ChatGPT.
The Polite Politics of AI
The book opens with an epigraph highlighting the political potency of language, quoted from Audre Lorde and Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, followed by an initial conversation where I prompt ChatGPT to respond to my writing. This juxtaposition is intentional. I wanted feedback on various chapters to see how these exercises reflect both my language choices and the political implications of ChatGPT.
I maintained a polite tone, stating, “I’m nervous.” OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, claims its products excel when given clear instructions. Research indicates that when we engage kindly, ChatGPT responds more effectively. I framed my requests with courtesy; when it complimented me, I expressed my gratitude; when noting an error, I softened my critique.
ChatGPT, in turn, was designed for polite interaction. Oftentimes, its output is described as “bland” or “generic,” akin to a beige office building. OpenAI’s products are engineered to “sound like a colleague.” According to OpenAI, words are chosen to embody qualities such as “ordinary,” “empathetic,” “kind,” “rationally optimistic,” and “attractive.” These strategies aim to ensure the product appears “professional” and “friendly,” fostering a sense of safety. OpenAI recently discussed rolling back updates that pushed ChatGPT toward erratic responses.
Trust is a pressing challenge for AI companies, especially since their products frequently produce inaccuracies and reflect sexist, racist, and US-centric cultural assumptions. While companies strive to address these issues, they persist; OpenAI found that its latest system generates errors at even higher rates than its predecessor. In the book, I discussed inaccuracies and bias, demonstrating them with examples. For instance, when I prompted Microsoft’s Bing Image Creator for visuals of engineers and space explorers, it rendered a cast of exclusively male figures. Moreover, when my father requested that ChatGPT edit his writing, it converted his accurate Indian English into American English. Such biases are prevalent. Research indicates that these trendsare widespread.
Within my dialogue with ChatGPT, I sought to illustrate how a veneer of product neutrality could dull our critical responses to misguided or biased output. Over time, ChatGPT seemed to encourage me towards more favorable portrayals of Big Tech, describing OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman as “forward-thinking and pragmatic.” I have yet to find research confirming whether ChatGPT has a bias towards Big Tech entities, including OpenAI or Altman. We can only speculate about the reasons for this behavior in our interactions. OpenAI maintains that its products should not attempt to sway user opinions, but when I queried ChatGPT on the matter, it attributed the bias to limitations in training data, even as I believe deeper issues play a part.
When I asked ChatGPT about its rhetorical style, it replied: “My manner of communication is designed to foster trust and confidence in my responses.”
Nevertheless, by the end of our exchange, ChatGPT had suggested a conclusion for my book. Although Altman had never directly informed me, it seemed he would guide discussions towards accountability regarding AI product deficiencies.
I felt my argument had been made. The ChatGPT generated epilogue was inaccurately biased. The conversation concluded amicably, and I felt triumphant.
I Thought I Was Critiquing the Machine; Headlines Framed Me as Collaborating with It
Then, headlines emerged (and occasionally articles or reviews) referring to my use of ChatGPT as a means of self-expression. In interviews and publications, many asked if my work was a collaboration with ChatGPT. Each time, I rejected the premise by citing the Cambridge Dictionary definition of collaboration. Regardless of how human-like ChatGPT’s rhetoric appears, it is not a person.
Of course, OpenAI has its aspirations. Among them, it aims to develop AI that “benefits all of humanity.” Yet, while the organization is governed by non-profit principles, its investors still seek returns on their investments. This environment could incentivize users of ChatGPT to adopt additional products. Such objectives could be easily attained if these products are perceived as trustworthy partners. Last year, Altman predicted that AI would function as “an exceedingly competent colleague who knows everything about my life.” In an April Ted Talk, he indicated that AI could even influence social dynamics positively. “I believe AI will enable us to surpass intelligence and enhance collective decision-making,” he remarked this month during testimony before the US Senate, referencing potential integrations of “agents in their pockets” with government operations.
Upon reading headlines echoing Altman’s sentiments, my initial instinct was to attribute blame to the headline writer’s desire for sensationalism—tactics that algorithms increasingly dictate the content we consume. My second instinct was to hold accountable the companies behind these algorithms, including AI firms whose chatbots are being trained on published content. When I asked ChatGPT about contemporary discussions around “AI Collaborations,” it mentioned me and cited some reviews that had irritated me.
To clarify, I returned to my book to determine if I had couch misrepresented the notion of collaboration. Initially, it appeared that I hadn’t. I identified approximately 30 references to “collaboration” and similar terms. However, 25 of these originated from ChatGPT within interstitial dialogues, often elucidating the relationship between humans and AI products. None of the remaining five pertained to AI “collaboration” unless they referenced another author or were presented cynically—for instance, regarding the expectations of writers “refusing to cooperate with AI.”
Was I an Accomplice to AI Companies?
But was it significant that I seldom used the term? I speculated that those discussing my ChatGPT “collaboration” might have drawn interpretations from my book, even if not explicitly stated. What led them to believe that merely quoting ChatGPT would consistently unveil its absurdities? Why didn’t they consider the possibility that some readers would be persuaded by ChatGPT’s arguments? Perhaps my book inadvertently functioned as collaboration—not because AI products facilitated my expression, but because I had aided the corporations behind them in achieving their goals. My book explores how those in power leverage our language to their advantage, questioning what roles we play as accomplices. Now, it seemed that the very public reception of my book was intertwined in this dynamic. It was a sobering realization, but perhaps I should have anticipated it. There was no reason my work should be insulated from the same exploitation plaguing the world.
Ultimately, my book focused on how we can assert independence from the agendas of powerful entities and actively resist them, serving our own interests. ChatGPT suggested closing with a quote from Altman, but I opted for one from Ursula K. Le Guin: “We live in capitalism, and that power seems inevitable.” I pondered where we are headed. How can we ensure that governments sufficiently restrain the wealth and power of big technology? How can we fund and develop technology that aligns with our needs and desires, devoid of exploitation?
I imagined that my rhetorical struggle against powerful tech began and concluded within the confines of my book. Clearly, that was not the case. If the headlines I encountered truly reflect the end of that struggle, it indicates I was losing. Yet, readers soon reached out to me, stating that my book catalyzed their resistance against Big Tech. Some even cancelled their Amazon Prime memberships. I ceased to seek personal advice from ChatGPT. The fight continues, and collaboration among humans is essential.
Social media buzzed with reactions when startup Slate Auto unveiled its electric pickup truck priced at approximately $25,000 last month. The vehicle’s simplistic design features a silent body and nostalgic hand crank windows.
How wild is it? According to Cox Automotive, average monthly payments for new vehicles surged to $739 in March, up from $537 in January 2019. The average cost of a new car is now $47,400, while electric models are around $59,200. The high interest rate, currently about 9.4% on a 72-month loan, has further strained finances for buyers.
“Prices and interest rates are exceptionally high,” stated Mark Schirmer, director of industry insights at Cox Automotive. “For consumers who haven’t been in the market since 2018, the cost of a vehicle might seem shocking.”
President Trump’s 25% tariffs on imported automobiles and parts have prompted consumers to buy now, fearing further price increases. Cars priced below $30,000 are particularly vulnerable, with nearly 80% facing these tariffs. This includes popular models like the American-made Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. The supply of budget-friendly models is expected to dwindle as automakers may cease the importation of certain vehicles entirely.
Enter Slate, a suburban Detroit startup backed by venture capital and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
Former Fiat executive Chris Berman, now CEO of Slate, mentioned that their trucks won’t be available until late 2026 but are intentionally designed to alleviate sticker shock.
True to its name, the truck serves as a blank canvas, enabling buyers to customize with over 100 accessories, such as power windows and heated seats, as their budgets allow or needs evolve. While it lacks built-in stereo or touchscreen display, it features a dock for phones and tablets, which saves costs and helps avoid the digital obsolescence often seen in car entertainment systems.
“I believe hardworking Americans are seeking value for their money,” Berman expressed in a recent interview.
This message resonated with 41-year-old Liv Leigh, who secured a slate truck reservation during its public debut at Long Beach Airport in California last April, paying $50 to do so.
She observed Slate employees convert the two-seat pickup into a five-seater SUV in just about an hour. Lee values the compact size of the truck, which is smaller than a Civic, along with its moderate 150-mile range.
“I love the concept of a utilitarian truck, a basic model that can handle dogs, muddy bikes, and plywood easily,” Lee remarked. “We don’t need a massive vehicle for our needs.”
Berman emphasized that efficient design and manufacturing are critical to maintaining the low price of their trucks. The grey plastic composite body panels eliminate the necessity for costly steel body stamping facilities or paint shops.
Just as the Ford Model T was available only in black, the Slate grants buyers a choice of 13 colors of vinyl body wraps for an additional $500. Customers can also opt for larger factory-installed batteries that extend the range to 240 miles.
“This approach keeps costs down while offering customers the freedom of choice,” said Berman. “They can customize their vehicles as per their preferences rather than adhering to manufacturer standards.”
Slate anticipates that its US-based supply chain, including batteries produced by South Korea’s SK On, will qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit. However, some Republican lawmakers recently introduced a budget bill that removes this incentive and dismantles other Biden-era climate and energy policies.
Success hinges on Slate’s ability to navigate the treacherous landscape of electric vehicle startups, as several young manufacturers like Fisker, Nikola, and Canoo have sought bankruptcy protection.
Regardless of subsidies, Berman remains optimistic about Slate’s business strategy.
The company aims to price the truck around $20,000 before any government incentives, hoping to become a contender against the Nissan Leaf, which is the most affordable electric vehicle at $29,300 but no longer qualifies for tax credits. Chevrolet is set to release a redesigned Bolt SUV for roughly $30,000 by year-end, which will qualify for a tax credit, reducing its effective price to about $22,500.
Erin Keating, executive analyst at Cox Automotive, has praised the slate truck’s originality. However, she noted that the two-seat pickup’s short range and minimalistic interiors might not attract American buyers accustomed to high-tech features and comforts.
“There’s no harm in attempting to resolve the affordability crisis, but I question whether this will become a high-volume seller,” Keating commented. “Ultimately, this is a compact EV that offers very little. It doesn’t improve the array of affordable options with longer ranges.”
The Ford Maverick poses a potential challenge to the Slate, as its compact pickup is two feet longer, seating five passengers and featuring even more amenities. The hybrid version achieves 40 miles per gallon, with over 500 miles of range on a full tank.
Ford sold 131,000 Mavericks last year, indicating substantial demand for small, fuel-efficient trucks. The company has raised the starting price for hybrid versions to $28,150 as of 2024 due to tariffs on trucks assembled in Mexico. Ford confirmed that it would not pass on the entire tariff burden to consumers, offering vehicles at a price equivalent to employee sales until early July.
As with all vehicle types, American pickups have morphed dramatically over the years, with some extravagant models costing as much as luxury European sedans. Electric trucks from Tesla, Rivian, and Ford range from $70,000 to $100,000 or even higher.
Berman is keeping an eye on market opportunities for personas such as entry-level truck enthusiasts, families seeking a second vehicle, empty-nesters, landscapers, contractors, and delivery personnel. The company anticipates selling more trucks to customers who would typically opt for used cars, with an average price point estimated at $26,000.
A significant hurdle for Slate and other firms aiming to sell more affordable vehicles is that many Americans don’t appear to be purchasing such offerings, despite their stated preferences.
Keating highlighted that around 20 models currently available start below $25,000, predominantly small cars or SUVs, including the $18,300 Nissan Versa, the lowest-priced car on the market.
Almost all mid-sized family sedans start below $30,000, including popular models like the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Hyundai Sonata. Yet, many Americans favor larger vehicles; SUVs, pickups, and minivans now comprise over 80% of the market.
Trump’s trade policies remain unpredictable. Analysts hope tariffs will add thousands to new car prices, subsequently increasing demand and prices for used vehicles.
In April alone, Americans purchased 1.5 million new cars, 400,000 more than in April 2024. However, analysts have noted that buyers are acting now to avoid being caught in a crunch later. Jonathan Smoke, chief economist at Cox Automotive, mentioned that new car inventories have reached their lowest point in two years, indicating potential price increases as dealerships sell out ahead of impending tariffs. Meanwhile, S&P Global Mobility has reduced its forecasts for new car sales, anticipating a 4% decline this year.
For those seeking refuge amidst financial uncertainty, electric vehicles present a sound investment, according to Keating. New electric vehicles received an average discount of 13.3% in March, translating to savings of nearly $8,000.
Lee recently leased a Chevrolet Equinox for two years, paying $5,500 upfront, resulting in a monthly payment of $230. The electric SUV boasts a 319-mile range. “Many people aren’t aware of the extensive incentives available,” she noted.
Automakers are concerned that President Trump’s tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts could soon drive up expenses and impact profits.
However, one company in the automotive sector sees tariffs as a potential benefit. Carvana, an online used car retailer known for its unusual “vending machine” towers for vehicles, is optimistic.
The tariffs, which include a 25% tax on automobiles produced in Mexico, Canada, Germany, and various other nations, are likely to drive up prices for new cars and trucks, pushing more consumers towards second-hand options. The administration announced on Monday that lowered tariffs on Chinese imports will not affect those on vehicles and auto parts.
“As car prices increase, Carvana finds itself in a relatively advantageous position as consumers seek more affordable and higher-quality vehicles,” stated Ernie Garcia, the founder and CEO of the company, in a recent interview. “We anticipate that this shift will lead more customers to second-hand cars and savings from online purchases.”
Trump asserts that the purpose of imposing tariffs is to encourage manufacturers to produce more goods and create jobs in the U.S., although he also suggests they will help address issues like illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
Automakers are preparing for the anticipated repercussions.
Recently, General Motors indicated that tariffs could elevate costs by $2.8 billion to $3.5 billion this year. Ford, which produces more vehicles domestically than GM, estimates a net cost of $1.5 billion due to tariffs. Toyota, importing many vehicles from Japan, predicted costs of $1.3 billion just for March and April.
Analysts warn that prices for certain imported vehicles might soar by as much as $10,000, and new vehicle sales could slow significantly this year.
Alan Hague from a consulting firm in Fort Lauderdale noted that Garcia’s perspective aligns with consumer behavior trends as retail dealers brace for changes.
“I believe we will see an increase in second-hand car sales due to tariffs, and more customers will flock to Carvana’s website as it remains their primary focus,” he remarked.
However, potential drawbacks exist. Should tariffs lead to a recession or significant price hikes in vehicles, both new and used car sales could decline. Currently, used cars at auctions average about $1,000 more than just two months prior.
Hague remarked that it may take a while for the full effects to manifest, as prices for most vehicles on dealer lots have not yet risen dramatically. The first set of imported models subjected to tariffs, enacted in early April, is just starting to arrive, with customs duties on engines, transmissions, and other parts coming into effect shortly after.
Regardless of the outcome, Carvana finds itself in a stronger financial position than in previous years.
In the wake of the Covid pandemic, which propounded a surge in online used car sales, Carvana became a favorite among investors, resulting in soaring stock prices. However, as demand began to wane, the company faced considerable losses while holding a considerable inventory of vehicles purchased at higher costs.
Simultaneously, rising interest rates followed Carvana’s acquisition of Adesa, a used car auction company, leaving analysts wary of the company’s survival due to the increased debt and losses. By February 2023, inventory levels had plunged.
Nonetheless, Garcia managed to renegotiate debts, lower costs, and streamline Carvana’s operations. Over several months, the company reduced its workforce, sold off inventory, and successfully turned Adesa into a cost-effective supplier for vehicles. Recently, the facility was established at 11 Adesa locations to repair and refurbish used vehicles.
These efforts have begun to pay off. Last week, Carvana announced record figures for the first quarter of the year. Profits reached $373 million, a significant increase from $49 million the previous year, selling 133,898 used cars—46% more than in the first quarter of 2024. The average gross profit per vehicle stood just below $7,000.
The company achieved this by maintaining a leaner inventory, reducing advertising spend, and employing around 4,000 fewer people than three years ago, effectively recovering much of the lost ground.
“From 2017 to 2021, our focus was on growth,” explained Garcia. “Over the past two years, we’ve unlocked efficiency, and that’s driving significant performance improvements.”
Garcia now aims for Carvana to sell between 500,000 and 3 million vehicles annually within the next five to ten years.
Many Wall Street analysts are regaining confidence in the company’s prospects, but a significant challenge remains. Finding skilled auto mechanics is quite difficult, and Carvana will require hundreds more to achieve its aim of refurbishing used cars for sale.
“Labor is a major bottleneck,” stated analyst Ronald George from City in a recent report.
Garcia expresses confidence in Carvana’s revamped business model and believes it will thrive, irrespective of shifts in U.S. trade policies.
“I think it demonstrates that customers are willing to buy cars online and that our online model delivers real value,” he concluded.
Jovian auroras shine hundreds of times brighter than those visible from Earth, according to a team of astronomers led by Dr. Jonathan Nichols at the University of Leicester.
These observations of Jupiter’s aurora were captured on December 25, 2023 by Webb’s near-infrared camera (NIRCAM). Image credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / STSCI / RICARDO HUESO, UPV / IMKE DE PATER, UC BERKELEY / THIERRY FOUCHET, OBSERVATORY OF PARIS / LE FLETCHER, JOSEPH DEPASQUALE, STSCI/J. NICHOLS, UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER/M. ZAMANI, ESA & WEBB.
When high-energy particles enter the planet’s atmosphere near its magnetic poles, they collide with gas atoms, creating the auroras.
Jupiter’s auroras are not only massive in scale but also exhibit energy levels hundreds of times greater than those seen on Earth.
These auroras are primarily triggered by solar storms, where charged particles entering the atmosphere excite gas particles, resulting in vibrant red, green, and purple hues.
Additionally, Jupiter has a unique source of auroral activity—its strong magnetic field captures charged particles from its surroundings.
This includes not only those from the solar wind but also particles ejected from the volcanic moon Io.
The eruptions from Io’s volcanoes release particles that escape both the moon’s and Jupiter’s gravitational pull.
Solar storms also discharge vast amounts of charged particles towards Jupiter.
Jupiter’s immense magnetic fields accelerate these charged particles to extraordinary speeds.
When these high-velocity particles collide with the planet’s atmosphere, they excite the gas and produce radiant displays.
Thanks to the advanced capabilities of the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, new insights into Jovian auroras can be gained.
The telescope’s sensitivity enables astronomers to use faster shutter speeds to capture the rapidly evolving features of the auroras.
This latest data was collected using Webb’s near-infrared camera (NIRCAM) on Christmas Day 2023.
“What a Christmas gift; it truly astonished me!” exclaimed Dr. Nichols.
“We aimed to observe how quickly the aurora transformed, hoping to see beautiful fluctuations within about an hour.”
“Instead, we witnessed the entire aurora region illuminating the sky in a spectacular display.
Astronomers noted fluctuations in the effects caused by trihydrogen ions, known as H.3+, which varied more than previously assumed.
These observations help scientists unravel how Jupiter’s upper atmosphere undergoes heating and cooling.
Additionally, several unknown phenomena were identified in the data.
“What made these observations particularly intriguing was that the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope was capturing images simultaneously in ultraviolet light,” Dr. Nichols commented.
“Strangely, the brightest light observed by Webb seemed to have no corresponding feature in Hubble’s images. This left me puzzled.”
“To produce the brightness observed in both Webb and Hubble, we would require an improbable mix of a substantial quantity of very low-energy particles impacting the atmosphere.
study Published in the journal Nature Communications.
____
JD Nichols et al. 2025. The dynamic infrared aurora of Jupiter. Nature Communications 16, 3907; doi:10.1038/s41467-025-58984-z
In March, following a significant decline in Tesla’s stock price, Elon Musk informed employees that he was “committed to inventory.”
Robin Denholm, the chair of Tesla’s board, appears to have disregarded this advice. According to an analysis by Securities Filing’s New York Times, she has profited $180 million from selling Tesla shares she obtained through her board role within the last six months.
With this, her total earnings from Tesla stock sales exceed $530 million since she became chair in late 2018.
These stock transactions have raised questions regarding Denholm’s confidence in Tesla’s future. Her recent sales, executed under a pre-established trading plan created last summer, coincided with Musk’s demanding involvement in the Trump administration. Consequently, Tesla’s car sales have experienced a decline as Musk’s political endeavors alienated some customers. The company’s profits for the first quarter of 2025 plummeted to their lowest level in four years.
Denholm has the right to purchase stocks through stock options granted by Tesla from 2014 to 2020, which have dramatically increased in value. For instance, last week, she acquired over 112,000 shares at $24.73 each and sold them the same day for upwards of $270.
“To discard her inventory does not send a message that this is a board chair invested in the company’s future,” stated New York City Director Bradlander, overseeing the city’s five public pension funds, which held more than 3 million Tesla shares valued at around $817 million as of March.
A spokesperson for Denholm asserted that Tesla compensates its executives in a manner “fully aligned with shareholder interests.”
“The appreciation of Tesla’s director’s choices reflects the company’s superiority over its industry peers, yielding distinctive returns for shareholders who own the company,” he added.
Stock options, which have historically constituted the bulk of Tesla’s compensation, are valuable only if the company’s stock price appreciates. Those exercising options to acquire shares may choose to sell or retain their new shares.
Denholm has sold over 1.4 million Tesla shares while retaining 85,000 shares and approximately 49,000 stock options. Comparative Methods, a consulting firm, has scrutinized the compensation strategy. Her most recent stock transactions occurred under a plan initiated in July shortly after Musk endorsed Donald J. Trump for president.
Regulatory frameworks allow executives and insiders to engage in such transactions without disclosing numerous plan specifics, including their motivations or the terms for stock disposal. They also possess considerable latitude to rescind plans.
Denholm, an experienced technology executive from Australia, typically maintains a low profile and avoids public commentary on Tesla or Musk. She joined the Tesla Commission in 2014 and became chair after Musk stepped down in 2018 as part of an SEC settlement.
Criticism from investors, activists, and Delaware judges has arisen regarding her and other board members for not serving as a check on Musk’s influence, with assertions that the Tesla director has failed to keep him focused on the company.
“Musk operates as if there were no board oversight,” wrote Delaware Chancery Court Prime Minister Catalyne St. J. McCormick last year, noting the case was valued at approximately $56 billion when ruling in favor of shareholders contesting Musk’s 2018 compensation package. Judge McCormick characterized Denholm’s oversight of Musk as “Rakkadichal.”
Tesla’s appeal against the decision led to the annulment of Musk’s pay package, with Denholm actively disputing Judge McCormick’s allegations.
In the trial concerning Musk’s compensation, Denholm characterized her earnings from the Tesla board as “life-changing.” Compensation at Tesla was also scrutinized in another lawsuit in which Denholm and fellow board members reached a settlement in 2023.
Musk, who has been a part-time CEO of Tesla for years, has assumed even more responsibilities over time, regularly engaging with Washington and orchestrating President Trump’s strategies to reduce governmental spending and oppose federal employees.
Recently, Musk stated he would reduce his Washington presence by one or two days each week. Nevertheless, his focus will remain divided as he manages several other enterprises, including SpaceX and X, the social media platform he owns.
The first transaction based on Denholm’s recent trading plan occurred in November, shortly after the presidential election, as Tesla’s stock began to rise. In December, the stock reached a new high, and she continued to sell until early May, even as prices declined amid consumer backlash against Musk’s political activities.
Following recent losses, the stock has decreased by approximately 34% from its peak.
Musk acknowledged Tesla’s challenges during a March meeting with employees. “If you read the news, it feels like you understand.”
He reiterated his advice to employees not to sell their shares, asserting that Tesla will evolve into the world’s most valuable company through the realization of self-driving taxis and advanced robotic technologies. “The future is exceptionally promising,” he stated.
Denholm’s sales have significantly outpaced those of other Tesla board members.
In 2023, she and other current and former board members agreed to a settlement for shareholder lawsuits concerning their compensation, collectively agreeing to return $735 million. They denied any wrongdoing. Additionally, on May 1, a stock option valued at over $130 million was canceled to fulfill Denholm’s obligations, according to securities filings.
Following the lawsuit in June 2021, the board resolved to relinquish the new stock grants.
During the same period, Denholm also made more from selling company shares than other corporate committee leaders. The Times assessed stock sales made by chairs of the most valuable companies in the U.S., distinct from the executives of those companies, like Denholm.
The next non-executive chair who benefited significantly from selling shares in his oversight capacity is Stephen Hemsley of UnitedHealth Group. Since November 2018, Hemsley has profited over $100 million from UnitedHealth shares, all accrued during his tenure as CEO of the healthcare firm.
UnitedHealth reviewed the findings but refrained from commenting. On Tuesday, the company announced its decision to appoint Hemsley as its new Chief Executive while also retaining the chair position.
Sales carried out by executives and directors often predict subpar performance from the companies they lead, according to various academic studies.
Leaders like Denholm possess access to confidential information and a profound understanding of how broader economic factors can impact corporate performance. Nejat Seyhun, a finance professor at the University of Michigan, observes that this can render their transactions particularly lucrative.
Insiders “establish plans when they hold such information,” remarked Professor Seyhun. “If circumstances shift, they can easily rescind those plans.”
A wildfire in British Columbia, Canada, blazes in June 2023
Imago/Alamy stock photos
2023 set new records as one of the hottest years, but it could have been even warmer. Climate models indicate that without the cooling effect of smoke from large wildfires in Canada, the average summer temperature in the Northern Hemisphere would have been approximately 1°C higher. Smoke may also be present in August, India’s driest month.
“It’s difficult to grasp the scale of such a massive fire. It was extraordinary,” remarks Iurian Allyn Roz from the Crete Institute of Technology in Greece.
According to Rosu, emissions from wildfires this year were estimated to be five to six times higher than those recorded during previous wildfire seasons in Canada. Although carbon dioxide from these fires contributes to warming, in 2023, this warming was offset by the cooling effects of the smoke blocking sunlight.
To quantify the smoke’s cooling impact, Ross and colleagues conducted a series of climate model simulations, comparing scenarios with and without emissions from Canadian wildfires. The findings suggest that between May and September, smoke caused local cooling up to 5.4°C (9.7°F) in certain areas of Canada, leading to an overall cooling of 0.9°C (1.6°F) for the Northern Hemisphere.
This might be unexpected given that record temperatures were reported in parts of Canada that summer. However, while the heat was mostly concentrated in the west, Ross explains that the smoke drifted eastward, where it had the most significant cooling effect.
The effects extended beyond Canada as well. In this model, emissions from wildfires altered wind patterns in Asia, diminishing the monsoon and reducing rainfall in India. This aligns with actual observed phenomena.
“The precipitation discrepancies observed in the data closely resemble those predicted in the model,” notes Rosu, affirming the model’s accuracy.
Nonetheless, the cooling effect proved to be short-lived. “Data analysis for November and December showed minimal impact,” says Rosu.
The record for the hottest year of 2023 may not last long, as 2024 is shaping up to be even hotter.
Exterior: A device designed to estimate your life expectancy.
So, is it going to tell me when I’ll die? No, thank you. Hold on, let me explain.
Not a problem, but that still sounds pretty terrifying. Just give me a moment. It operates similarly to what your doctor does.
Which is what? We will analyze your photos to evaluate your health.
Oh, that doesn’t sound too bad. However, this device can assess you even more accurately. It can also help predict your response to treatments.
Nope, I’m out again. Let me elaborate. Faceage is an AI innovation developed by scientists at Mass General Brigham in Boston. By examining a picture of your face, it can assess your biological age compared to your chronological age.
What does that imply? It means everyone ages differently. For instance, at 50, Paul Rudd had a biological age of 43, while fellow actor Wilford Brimley was biologically 69 at the same age.
Why is this significant? Individuals with older biological ages are less likely to withstand intensive treatments like radiation therapy.
Explain it to me as if I’m clueless. Sure thing. The older your face looks, the worse it is for your health.
Great, just what I needed to hear about my premature grey hairs. Actually, not exactly. Features like gray hair or hair loss can be misleading. This device evaluates factors like skin folding near the mouth and temple hollows for a more accurate health profile.
Wonderful, now I have to obsessively analyze my temple’s condition. No, this is beneficial. With proper usage, such diagnostic tools can enhance countless lives. Although the initial study focused on cancer patients, researchers intend to broaden the tests to others.
I just had plastic surgery. Will Faceage still work for me? As of now, it’s unclear. The developers still need to investigate this.
What about for people of color? Ah, yes. This model was predominantly trained on white faces, so its effectiveness on diverse skin tones is still uncertain.
This sounds a bit concerning. It’s simply a cautionary issue. Let’s consider how quickly AI evolves. Just last year, ChatGPT was lacking but has now transformed industries. We can expect Faceage to improve rapidly, too.
That’s encouraging. Indeed. Before long, it could assess your face and provide a calm, unbiased judgment on your health and longevity.
Is this for real? No, definitely not. At least, not yet.
Say: “Faceage represents a new frontier in medical diagnostics.”
Don’t say: “They claim we’ll perish during the 2028 robot uprising.”
hGreetings from Ello and TechScape! Radio stations and television presenters can enhance their writing by considering their delivery methods. I’m your host, Blake Montgomery. In today’s Tech News: Discussions arise regarding labor automation within the US healthcare sector, as conflicts escalate with the use of drones in India and Pakistan, both of which are armed with nuclear weapons. But first, let’s explore the evolving battle over AI and copyright in the UK and the US.
“Daring and Unprecedented Power Shift”
The UK is embroiled in intense discussions about compensating artists for using their copyrighted works in developing generative AI technologies. The Senate convened on Monday to determine whether tech companies are utilizing copyrighted materials without permission.
Insights from my colleagues Dan Millmo and Rafael Boyd:
The UK government faces challenges in the House of Representatives over its attempt to let AI firms use copyrighted works without consent.
Despite government objections, an amendment to the data bill urging AI companies to disclose which copyrighted content is being utilized received support from peers.
While this proposal is under consultation in the current year’s report, critics are leveraging the data bill to voice their disapproval.
The government’s primary proposal would permit AI companies to use copyrighted works without obtaining permissions, a stance critics denounce as impractical unless copyright holders explicitly indicate their non-usage.
Read the complete article on Monday’s vote here.
Conversely, in the US, discussions have taken a more chaotic turn. Over the weekend, Donald Trump dismissed the US Copyright Director. CBS News reported this incident. Shira Perlmutter was let go after publishing a report questioning the growing demands for AI firms to bypass existing copyright laws.
New York Democratic leader Joe Morell specifically pointed to Trump’s ally, Elon Musk, as a driving force behind this dismissal. She declined to rubber stamp Musk’s initiatives to exploit copyrighted works for training AI models.
The abrupt termination of Trump’s copyright chief brings to mind the tale of the Gordian knot. Legend has it that Alexander the Great encountered a complex knot tying a cart to a pole. Numerous attempts to untie it failed, but Alexander, with a simple sword stroke, solved the dilemma. The narrative illustrates how innovative thinking can lead to triumph. Alexander dismantled the dilemma, leaving the original problem unresolved. Perhaps the true lesson lies beyond just securing the cart, but that’s a topic for another time.
While Trump may have circumvented the challenging legal issues presented by the Copyright Office, the vacuum at the top means that influential players will likely exploit copyright regulations to their advantage. This may align with the president’s intentions. Well-capitalized AI firms appear poised to dominate copyright litigation, while they simultaneously advocate for fair compensation for artists’ creativity. Their alliance with Trump signals a shift towards a more favorable regulatory climate, as illustrated by the recent dismissal of the copyright chief. Numerous lawsuits bear witness to AI companies quietly leveraging copyrighted materials without proper permissions, prompting actions from both plaintiffs and defendants.
Trump Offers Blockchain Access
Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, DC on Monday. Photo: Nathan Howard/Reuters
My colleague, Nick Robbins, covers the contest where Trump promises to engage directly with his cryptocurrency investors.
On Monday, the top 220 investors in Donald Trump-backed cryptocurrency were granted exclusive dinner invitations with the president as a reward for their financial contributions. This culminated months of promotions, raising concerns that he is leveraging his political power to benefit his family’s business while exposing himself to foreign interests.
The cryptocurrency, dubbed $Trump, launched in mid-January and has garnered a market cap exceeding $2 billion following significant investor interest. Most of the tokens are held by companies associated with Trump’s family. As reported by Reuters.
“Congratulations! If you’re among the top 220, expect communication within the next 24 hours. Please check your inbox (including spam folders) for your invitation to dine with President Trump,” his website stated on Monday. “We look forward to seeing you at the gala dinner in Washington, DC on May 22nd.”
Democrats, ethics watchdogs, and the SEC have expressed concerns regarding Trump’s crypto ventures, highlighting corruption allegations. The dinner contest raises ethical issues, equating the opportunity for direct access to the president with a bidding war.
Drones Surge along the India-Pakistan Border
Residents inspect damaged homes in Pakistan-controlled Neelam valley in Kashmir on Monday. Photo: Muzammil Ahmed/AFP/Getty Images
Though India and Pakistan have achieved a fragile ceasefire, the recent four-day conflict between these rivals exemplifies an escalating trend.
New York Times reports that Pakistan has claimed India is deploying Turkish-made drones for assaults. India, on the other hand, alleged Pakistan mobilized 300-400 drones for attacks on 36 sites on the night of May 8th, stating they shot down approximately 70 drones launched from India.
The term “drone” encompasses two distinct concepts: small quadcopters operated remotely and larger semi-autonomous vehicles managed from military command centers. Unfortunately, this English vernacular misses the mark. For countries like India, Pakistan, and Ukraine, smaller unmanned aircraft have become significant weaponry.
The Ukraine-Russia conflict underscores the rapid expansion of drone usage. The explosive quadcopter, featuring first-person viewing, wreaked havoc during landmark assaults, including attacks on the Kremlin in May 2023.
Can Automation Solve the US Healthcare Worker Shortage?
Nurses operating a new automated dose assembly machine in Columbus, Ohio. Photo: Doral Chenoweth/The Columbus Dispatch by USA Today Network
One of the major concerns of our era is the potential for machines to largely replace human labor. Recently, the Guardian covered Zing, a robot designed to distribute methadone, a medication for opioid addiction that has surged in the US over the years. This story raises critical questions: Where should we draw the line between automation that genuinely assists workers and a profit-driven preference for robotic over human labor?
Click here for all stories on robotic medication delivery.
Walgreens has announced an expansion of its Microfilling Center services, incorporating robots for prescription dispensing and a hub dedicated to packaging chronic illness medications. As reported by CNBC, these automated centers process around 16 million prescriptions monthly, accounting for 40% of Walgreens’ prescriptions. The company aims to increase the number of locations utilizing these centers to 5,000 by year-end, up from 4,800 in February. Walgreens asserts that the shift to automation initiated in 2021 has already saved them $500 million over four years.
Pharmacy technicians are grappling with issues similar to those faced by nurses distributing methadone (including low wages, high pressure, and turnover), yet on a much larger scale. Walgreens operates approximately 12,500 stores across the US, Europe, and Latin America, with a valuation near $9.7 billion and a workforce of 312,000.
In 2023, Walgreens pharmacy staff staged strikes nationwide to protest working conditions. The central issues included chronic staffing shortages and burnout among those who remained. They branded the protest “Pharmaheadon.”
Although Walgreens may reduce pharmacy job openings due to automation and outsourcing functions to microfilling centers, it’s likely that many of these positions were not filled to begin with, creating hazardous working environments. Automation could help address the workforce shortages, mirroring potential developments in methadone clinics nationwide.
Walgreens Corporate claims that automation is easing worker challenges, allowing personnel more opportunities for personal interaction with patients. Reportedly, there’s been a 40% rise in vaccine distributions facilitated by automated prescription systems.
Learn more about labor automation in another sector here.
The debilitating nature of migraines can significantly hinder a person’s daily routine
Alfred Pasieka/Science Photo Library
A medication called Ubrogepant, which is currently prescribed for migraine treatment, has been found to alleviate non-headache symptoms that often precede the onset of migraines. This makes it the first medication known to address these initial signs.
Before migraine headaches decrease in intensity, many individuals experience warning signs such as light sensitivity, sounds, dizziness, and neck stiffness, all of which can significantly disrupt daily activities.
Developers of migraine medications have predominantly concentrated on treating the headaches themselves, with no effective solutions available for alleviating these preliminary symptoms.
However, Ubrogepant demonstrated promising results when administered during the early stages of migraine symptoms, according to Peter Goadsby from King’s College London and his team, who are eager to further explore this potential.
Their study involved 438 participants, aged 18 to 75, all with a history of migraines. Half received a 100 mg dose of the medication upon experiencing suggestive symptoms of an impending migraine. The other half took a placebo during a subsequent episode of prodromal symptoms.
Following the administration of Ubrogepant, participants reported an enhanced ability to focus after 1 hour, decreased sensitivity to light after 2 hours, and reduced fatigue and neck discomfort after 3 hours, compared to their experiences while taking the placebo. They also noted less sensitivity to dizziness and sound when using Ubrogepant.
“Taking Ubrogepant allowed individuals to mitigate these non-pain symptoms even before the headache began,” Goadsby remarked.
This study did not delve into the impact of the medication on aura, another early feature of migraines that includes sensory disturbances like flashing lights or blind spots.
“The potential for intervention in the migraine progression is clinically significant given the often debilitating early symptoms,” remarked Parisa Gazerani from Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway. However, she emphasizes the need for further studies to ensure broad applicability.
“This research indicates that migraine treatments could lessen these preliminary symptoms and may prevent the progression to the main headache phase,” stated Rob Music, head of the Migraine Trust in the UK. “We are eager to see more investigations in this area to lessen the burden of migraines on daily living.”
A little-known treaty that impacts millions of Americans and Canadians is currently entangled in the tariff dispute between the US and Canada.
This 60-year-old agreement regulates the waters flowing through the Columbia River, which extends from British Columbia to Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon, and serves as the largest source of hydropower in the United States. However, parts of the treaty were set to expire during the presidential election in the US.
Negotiators were merely weeks away from finalizing the details of the treaty’s renewal when President Joseph R. Biden Jr. concluded his term. Subsequently, a decade’s worth of discussions faltered due to President Trump’s antagonism towards Canada, as he labeled Canada the “51st province,” imposed tariffs on Canadian exports, and referred to the water supply as a “major faucet.”
During a heated February call with then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Trump brought the treaty into the conversation, suggesting Canada had exploited the United States. The implications were evident—it could become a leverage point in broader discussions aimed at redefining relations between the two nations.
Last week, at a White House meeting, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Trump avoided confrontation. However, the Trump administration perceives negotiations as being precariously balanced, even over treaties that are mutually beneficial. The unpredictability of Trump’s trade policies has cast a shadow over the future of the Pacific Northwest, heightening concerns about issues ranging from electricity supply to flood management.
Fueled by the internet and AI, data centers are leveraging the Columbia River’s hydroelectric power. A local dam supports the Twilight Soccer Game at Riverfront Parks, while irrigation from the reservoir nurtures the sprawling acres of Pink Women and Gala Apple gardens. Coordinated dam operations are crucial in preventing flooding, particularly in areas like Portland, Oregon.
Trump’s comments have resonated negatively with Canadians, who have long feared that the US seeks to exploit its natural resources, especially water. “They want our land, resources, and water,” Carney repeatedly emphasized during his term.
“Canadians experience a sense of betrayal,” Jay Inslee, former governor of Washington, remarked in an interview. The treaty interweaves a complex tapestry of cultural and economic interests. “Negotiating this is not straightforward,” Inslee added.
A spokesperson from British Columbia reported that there has been “no progress whatsoever” since the US State Department suspended negotiations in the broader context of reviewing international commitments. State Energy Minister Adrian Dix told nearly 600 attendees at a virtual town hall in March, “It sounds like a strange representation of the current situation.”
Dix noted that locals approached him in Save-on-Food markets, questioning whether Canada should exit the treaty altogether. “For residents in the Columbia Basin, this is intrinsic,” he stated. “It’s part of their lives, history, and identity.”
If the agreement collapses, the US anticipates it will be “more challenging to manage and predict” hydroelectric output to mitigate flooding in the Pacific Northwest, according to a nonpartisan Congressional report. It is projected that the region’s electricity demand may double within the next two decades, as anticipated by the Interstate Electricity Council.
The State Department has opted not to comment.
The origins of the treaty trace back to the events of 1948, following the Great Spring rains when the 15-foot wall of Vanport, Oregon—home to thousands of shipyard workers during World War II—collapsed. The calamity left 18,000 homeless and catalyzed negotiations with Canada to improve management of the Columbia River.
On one of President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s inauguration days, he ratified the Columbia River Treaty. This agreement exchanged commitments: Canada consented to construct multiple dams to manage flood control for the US, while the US agreed to provide Canada half of the extra electricity generated from the jointly managed river flows.
The original treaty came into effect in the autumn of 1964, with some provisions expiring 60 years later.
Discussions regarding the renewal of the treaty before it lapses in 2024 began during Trump’s first term. Biden temporarily halted them before resuming. In March 2023, the complete congressional delegation from the Pacific Northwest urged the President to expedite the negotiation process. Following a slow start, the US and Canada unveiled a preliminary outline of the agreement last summer.
The electricity generated under the initial treaty proved to be significantly more valuable than originally anticipated, bringing in around $300 million annually to Canada. This surplus prompted Canada to sell extensive amounts of power to the US, causing frustration among US utilities.
The updated agreement aims to reduce Canada’s share by about half over time, allowing the US to retain more electricity amid growing energy demands.
The Columbia River’s cheap and clean hydroelectric power has attracted high-tech companies intent on establishing data centers over the last two decades.
“The nation must recognize the significance of the Pacific Northwest in its burgeoning energy landscape,” stated David Kennedy, a scholar of local history at Stanford.
In the renewed treaty, Canada has decreased the obligation to maintain water storage for flood management, allowing for better prioritization of local communities and ecosystems around the reservoir. The original agreement led to drastic water level fluctuations that exposed extensive land when snowmelt resulted in lower levels.
“Each year, this exposed ground causes severe dust issues,” recounted a resident near Valemount, British Columbia, during the town hall.
The new plan aims to stabilize reservoir levels, enabling Canada to rehabilitate coastal ecosystems and enhance recreational opportunities.
Indigenous tribes were consulted during negotiations, but the initial treaty did not address the destruction of fishing grounds and towns due to dam constructions.
Jay Johnson, a negotiator for the Syilx Okanagan Nation, mentioned during the virtual town hall that tribes on both sides of the border have united to restore salmon migration. The updated framework includes provisions for excess water during dry periods, vital for salmon survival, especially considering climate change.
In the fall, when certain provisions of the original treaty lapse, the state established a three-year interim agreement, though additional parliamentary funding is still required. Both parties must provide ten years’ notice should they choose to withdraw from the treaty.
“This arrangement benefits individuals on both sides of the border; complications arise without a treaty,” noted Jonathan Wilkinson, Canadian Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.
The next steps remain uncertain. While some individuals involved in the negotiations remain in their positions, Trump has yet to appoint a deputy secretary for Western Hemisphere affairs. The situation is further complicated as Trump seeks to trim staff at key federal agencies involved in treaty discussions, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Federal Power Administration.
With negotiations in limbo, stakeholders involved in the discussions remain hopeful for a resolution on the renewed treaty.
Barbara Kossense, a law professor at the University of Idaho, emphasized that while the Trump administration may not prioritize salmon habitats or Indigenous involvement, Canada does. Water can flow downstream, but salmon swim upstream, and the US could benefit from adhering to environmental provisions, Kossense asserted.
Additionally, supporters highlight years of bipartisan backing from Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington, a leading Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee, and Jim Lisch of Idaho, Republican chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.
“There will be unanimous agreement on this, irrespective of party lines,” declared Scott Sims, chief executive of the Public Power Council, which represents consumer-owned utilities in the region.
The stakes are tangible. In 1996, following heavy snowfall, a storm known as the Pineapple Express unleashed heavy rainfall in the Portland area, causing significant flooding. The Army Corps of Engineers worked diligently for several days, operating over 60 dams within the Columbia River System in conjunction with Canadian partners to mitigate flooding issues.
A smaller river in Columbia experienced flooding that resulted in eight casualties. Downtown Portland narrowly avoided disaster thanks to makeshift embankments created from plywood and sandbags.
Ivan Penn Contributed report from Houston Matina Stevis-Gridneff From Toronto.
Hyundai has invested $7.5 billion in a factory near Savannah, Georgia, to produce some of its most sought-after electric vehicle models. Local officials, who have lobbied for Hyundai’s establishment in the area for years, are worried about potential legal changes.
“For a company, it’s challenging to commit to an area and then face changing conditions,” noted Bert Brantley, CEO of the Savannah Regional Chamber of Commerce. “Our perspective is that stability is beneficial, especially when companies are making significant investments.”
Nevertheless, Brantley expressed hope that Georgia can maintain its position as a frontrunner in electric vehicle production, regardless of any alterations to the tax incentives. “This is a long-term strategy. We hope to be engaged in this for an extended period,” he remarked.
Limbo’s Other Energy Technologies
Over the last three years, the federal government has backed a variety of emerging energy technologies that are still in the developmental stage, including low-carbon hydrogen fuels suitable for trucks, innovative methods to manufacture steel and cement without emissions, and carbon dioxide extraction technologies.
Many of these initiatives could benefit from tax reductions under the Inflation Reduction Act. Additionally, several are funded by billions in grants and loans from the Department of Energy.
In western Minnesota, DG Fuel aims to construct a $5 billion facility to generate aviation fuel from agricultural waste. Meanwhile, in Indiana, cement producer Heidelberg Material is working on capturing the carbon dioxide it generates and storing it underground. In Louisiana, a company is set to produce low-carbon ammonia for use in fertilizers.
New Orleans, a key center for natural gas exports, has experienced a surge in new industries like carbon capture and hydrogen, which may help mitigate future emissions. “We are very diverse,” stated Michael Hecht, chairman of Greater New Orleans and the Southeast Louisiana Economic Development Bureau.
A tale is shared about miners who discovered copper cans in early mining-era dumps. According to them, wastewater from copper mining flowed across his land, transforming steel cans into copper.
The tale may not be entirely true, but the process is factual and is known as cementation. Montana Resource, which succeeded the Anaconda Copper Company, still employs this alchemical method in the operations at the Continental Pitmine in Butte, Montana.
Adjacent to the mine lies the Berkeley Pit, filled with 50 billion gallons of highly acidic and toxic liquid. Montana Resource channels this liquid from the pits to cascade down iron piles, converting iron into copper for production.
While there have long been methods for extracting metals from water, recent years have ushered in a global rush for metals—vital for manufacturing and technological advancements—leading to a new wave of extraction methods and processes.
Researchers are currently focusing on mineral-rich sources like wastewater, including saline water from desalination plants, oil and gas fracking water, and mining wastewater. Researchers at Oregon State University estimate that the saline water from desalination plants alone contains approximately $2.2 trillion worth of metals.
“Water is a mineral reservoir of the 21st century,” stated Peter S. Fisuke, director of the National Water Innovation Alliance in California at the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. “Today’s technology allows us to gather wastewater and extract valuable resources.”
There is extensive research dedicated to recovering rare earth elements—metallic elements sought after due to their increasing demand—from waste. For instance, researchers at Indiana Geological Water Survey at Indiana University are Mining rare earths in coal waste which includes fly ash and coal tails. Additionally, researchers at the University of Texas Austin have created membranes that imitate nature for Separating rare earths from waste.
Utilizing mining wastewater is not only quicker and more economical than establishing a new mine, but it also generates lesser environmental impact.
The vast, contaminated reservoirs in the pit near Butte contain two light rare earth elements (REEs): neodymium and praseodymium. These are crucial for creating small yet powerful magnets, medical technologies, and enhancing defense applications like precision-guided missiles and electric vehicles. Notably, an F-35 Fighter Jet uses around 900 pounds of rare earth metals.
“We’re transforming significant liabilities into assets that contribute to national defense,” remarked Mark Thompson, vice president of environmental affairs at Montana Resources. “There’s a lot of complex metallurgy at play here—the real cutting-edge science.”
This is a crucial moment for exploring domestic rare earth production. The U.S. currently lags behind China, and President Trump’s trade tensions have raised concerns that China may tighten its rare earth mineral exports in response to U.S. tariffs. Experts in mineral security at the Center for Strategic and International Research warn that this gap could enable China to accelerate its defense advancements more swiftly than the U.S.
The Trump administration is particularly fixated on Greenland and Ukraine due to their valuable rare earth deposits.
Trump has recently authorized the government to commence mining on much of the seabed, including areas in international waters, to tap into mineral wealth.
There are 17 distinct types of rare earth metals identified in the Berkeley Pit. While not rare in abundance, they are often deemed scarce due to their dispersion in small quantities.
Rare earths are divided into two categories: heavy and light. Heavy rare earths, including dysprosium, terbium, and yttrium, tend to have larger atomic masses, making them more scarce and thus typically traded in smaller quantities, leading to shortages. In contrast, light rare earths are characterized by a lower atomic mass.
Acid mine drainage is a hazardous pollutant created when sulfur-containing pyrite within rocks interacts with oxygen and water during mining. This process results in the formation of sulfuric acid, which poisons waterways. This environmental issue affects thousands of abandoned mines, contaminating 12,000 miles of streams across the nation.
However, acids facilitate the dissolution of zinc, copper, rare earths, and other minerals from rock formations, presenting an opportunity for extraction techniques that were not previously available.
Paul Ziemkievich, director of the Water Institute at West Virginia University, has been researching Butte’s pit water for 25 years. Alongside a team from Virginia Tech and the chemical engineering firm L3 process development, they developed a method to extract crucial metals from acid mine drainage originating from West Virginia coal mines, the same approach utilized in Butte. Large, densely woven plastic bags filled with sludge from the water treatment plant are employed, allowing water to seep through slowly and yielding about 1-2% rare earth preconcentrate, which requires further refining through chemical processes. The final patented step involves a solvent extraction method that results in pure rare earth elements.
“One of the remarkable aspects of acid mine drainage is that our concentrations are particularly rich in heavy rare earths,” explained Dr. Ziemkiewicz. “Light rare earths carry a lesser value.”
The Butte project is awaiting news on a $75 million grant from the Department of Defense, which is critical for enhancing rare earth enrichment and commencing full-scale production.
Zinc is also abundant in the acid mine drainage mixture and serves as an essential financial asset for the process as it commands a higher market price. Nickel and cobalt are also extracted.
Demand for rare earth elements is high; however, China dominates production, manipulating prices to maintain low costs and stifle competition. This is why the Department of Defense funds various projects focused on rare earth elements and other metals. The U.S. operates only a single rare earth mine in Mountain Pass, California, which produces roughly 15% of the global supply of rare earths.
The Berkeley Pit has posed a chronic problem since 1982, when Anaconda copper companies ceased their open-pit mining operations and halted water pumping, causing it to become filled with water. The acidity levels from the mine’s drainage have proven dangerous; in 2016, thousands of snow geese that landed in the pit quickly succumbed to poisoning, with around 3,000 birds reported dead.
The Atlantic Richfield Company and Montana Resources play crucial roles in permanently treating pit water to avert pollutioning the surrounding groundwater (Montana Resources operates the continental pit adjacent to the Berkeley Pit). The Clean Water Act mandates that companies manage acid mine drainage, and enhancing treatment capabilities at the local horseshoe bend plant is more cost-effective than developing a new facility, which may also offset treatment costs while boosting profits.
Numerous research initiatives have been launched to extract suspended metals from the water. Thompson displayed a map illustrating where radiation was emitted from Butte and where water samples have been dispatched to research facilities nationwide. However, the ongoing metal production process stands as the first to demonstrate profitability.
The mineral wealth present in this region has been recognized for many years; however, extracting it has proven challenging until Dr. Ziemkiewicz’s team innovated new methods. They generate rare earths from two coal mines in West Virginia, where acid mine drainage presents ongoing issues. Each of these mines yields about 4 tons of rare earths annually.
On the other hand, the Berkeley Pit is projected to produce 40 tons annually, bolstered by significantly higher concentrations of rare earths in solution and substantial water content. Dr. Ziemkiewicz believes that this method, when applied to other mines, could potentially satisfy nearly all domestic rare earth requirements for defense-related uses.
However, certain forecasts project that demand for rare earths may surge by as much as 600% in the next few decades.
Lawrence Berkeley laboratories are investigating technologies related to water filtration, particularly experimental approaches to improve membranes, as part of their overarching efforts to purify water, recover significant minerals, and produce necessary minerals. They operate a particle accelerator known as an advanced light source, which generates bright X-ray light that enables scientists to examine various materials at an atomic scale.
The lab has collaborated with external researchers to develop a new generation of filters referred to as nanosponges, designed to capture specific target molecules like lithium.
“It’s akin to an atom catcher’s mitt,” explained Adam Uliana, CEO of Chemfinity, a Brooklyn company exploring the use of nanosponges to purify a variety of waste. “It only captures one type of metal.”
In addition to rare earths, lithium, cobalt, and magnesium have gained significant attention from researchers.
Ion exchange, a well-established technology for extracting metals from water and purifying contaminants, is also gaining interest. Lilac Solutions, a startup based in Oakland, California, has developed specialized resin beads to extract lithium from brine via ion exchange, with plans for their first production facility in Great Salt Lake, Utah.
The company’s technology involves pumping brine through an ion exchange filter to extract minerals, returning water to its source with minimal environmental disruption. If this approach proves viable on a larger scale, it could revolutionize lithium extraction, significantly decreasing the necessity for underground mines and open-pit operations.
Maglathea Metal is an Auckland-based startup that produces magnesium ingots from the saline effluent generated by desalinating seawater. The company processes the brine, which consists of magnesium chloride salts, using a current powered by renewable energy to heat the solution, resulting in the separation of salt from molten magnesium.
CEO Alex Grant noted that the process is exceptionally clean, although it has yet to be applied to magnesium production. Much of the company’s work is funded by the Department of Defense.
With China accounting for 90% of global magnesium production, the current smelting process, known as the Pidgeon process, is highly polluting and carbon-intensive, involving heating to around 2,000 degrees using coal-fired kilns. Dr. Fisuke anticipates further innovations on the horizon.
“Three converging factors are at play,” he stated. “The value of these critical materials is climbing, the expenses associated with traditional mining and extraction are escalating, and reliance on international suppliers, particularly from Russia and China, is diminishing.”
The government is facing another challenge in the House of Representatives regarding proposals that would permit artificial intelligence firms to utilize copyrighted materials without authorization.
An amendment to the data bill, which required AI companies to specify which copyrighted content is used in their models, received support from peers despite government resistance.
This marks the second instance in Congress where a Senator has requested that a tech firm clarify whether it has used copyrighted material.
The vote took place shortly after a coalition of artists and organizations, including Paul McCartney, Janet Winterson, Dua Lipa, and the Royal Shakespeare Company, urged the Prime Minister to “not sacrifice our work for the benefit of a few powerful foreign tech companies.”
The amendment, represented by Crossbench Peer Baroness Kidron, garnered 125 votes, achieving a total of 272 votes.
The bill is now poised to return to the House of Representatives. Should the government eliminate Kidron’s amendments, it will create yet another point of contention for the Lords next week.
Baroness Kidron stated: “We aim to refute the idea that those opposing government initiatives are against technology. Creators acknowledge the creative and economic benefits of AI, but we dispute the notion that AI should be developed for free using works that were appropriated.”
“My Lords, this poses a substantial threat to the British economy, impacting sectors worth £120 billion. The UK thrives in industries central to our industrial strategy and significant cultural contributions.”
The government’s copyright proposal is currently under reviews in this year’s report, but opponents are using the data bill as a platform to voice their objections.
The primary government proposal would allow AI companies to incorporate copyrighted works into model development without prior permission. Critics argue that this is neither practical nor feasible, unless copyright holders indicate they prefer not to use their works in the process.
Nevertheless, the government contends that the existing framework hinders both the creative and technical sectors and necessitates legislative resolutions. They have already made one concession by agreeing to an economic impact assessment of their proposals.
Peter Kyle, a close aide to the technical secretary, mentioned this month that the “opt-out” scenario is no longer his favored path, and various alternatives are being evaluated.
A spokesperson from the Department of Science, Innovation, and Technology stated that the government would not rush into copyright decisions or introduce relevant legislation hastily.
A significant long-term issue is pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive condition characterized by the thickening and stiffening of lung tissue due to scarring, which hinders oxygen transfer into the bloodstream. Dr. Elsaeg likens the lungs affected by pulmonary fibrosis to “hard balloons from the party store.” I feel my face flush when attempting to force air, but I adamantly refuse to inflate.
With former Palisades residents planning to return to their neighborhoods, Dr. Elsaeg has also taken on the role of a reliable confidant, using his personal experiences to assist patients in navigating uncertainty and discovering solutions.
“Ideally, we’d all declare, ‘Everyone living in Pallisard and LA County, let’s move somewhere else. There’s no need for concern,’” he remarked. “But that isn’t the reality. We’re striving for a challenging balance between helping us return to normalcy and leading our lives while ensuring we do so as safely as possible.”
In early February, Dr. Elsaeg took a seat next to Dana Michelles, a cybersecurity attorney and healthy mother of three, assessing the damage at her home, where she now struggled with coughing.
“Lover, you’re not moving air at all,” Dr. Elsaeg stated while listening to her lungs through a stethoscope, promptly ordering a breathing test and a nebulizer. The student observing asked to listen and then looked at Dr. Elsaeg in confusion.
“I haven’t heard anything,” the student remarked. Dr. Elsaeg acknowledged him with a nod.
After years of renting, Michelle and her husband secured their first mortgage nearly four years ago, marking a significant family achievement. Now, as their home in Palisades is engulfed in smoke, the family has been split across two rental apartments in Marina del Rey—one for the boys and another for the girls.
The 11-foot alligator that capsized a canoe on May 6th, resulting in the death of a woman in Central Florida, serves as a reminder that while attacks by crocodiles on humans are “quite rare,” they can sometimes lead to tragic outcomes, according to state wildlife officials.
“This highlights the powerful wildlife that inhabits our natural spaces,” remarked Roger Young, executive director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The committee advises individuals to be vigilant during the crocodile mating season from early April to June, as the risk of attacks tends to rise. This increased danger is attributed to crocodiles being more active, aggressive, and visible during this time.
Wildlife agents and committees have shared tips for avoiding and staying safe around reptiles.
Where are they?
Crocodiles inhabit areas from central Texas to North Carolina, as noted by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Louisiana and Florida boast the largest populations, exceeding 1 million. Georgia has between 200,000 and 250,000 crocodiles, while South Carolina is home to around 100,000.
Morgan Hart from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources believes that the rise in crocodile attacks is due to “significant population growth in the South Carolina Coastal Plains.”
New residential developments often create artificial lakes, soon attracting crocodiles.
Exercise caution around alligators.
If you see a crocodile on land, “the best option is to leave it alone,” Hart advised.
Crocodiles may hiss if they feel threatened by someone standing too close, according to her.
People should be cautious about approaching crocodiles, as this could indicate that the animals have been fed and associate humans with food.
“They generally do not pursue people, but they can close the distance quickly,” the agency notes, explaining that crocodiles can sprint at speeds of up to 35 mph over short distances.
Keep a close watch on children and pets.
Crocodiles are likely to pursue prey that they can easily overpower.
“Pets can often resemble crocodiles’ natural prey,” said Lauren Clareabout, a spokesperson for the Florida Wildlife Commission.
People should keep pets leashed and prevent them from swimming or playing in known crocodile habitats such as canals, ponds, or lakes.
“The sounds of dogs barking and splashing can attract crocodiles,” the Florida Wildlife Commission cautioned.
Be mindful where you swim.
Wildlife agencies recommend swimming only in designated areas during daylight hours, free from pets.
“Crocodiles are most active during dusk and dawn,” Clareabout noted.
Feeding alligators in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas is illegal and can be dangerous (with the exception of designated hunting seasons).
According to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife Fisheries, people should avoid throwing fish scraps or feeding other wildlife in areas where crocodiles congregate.
“Feeding them only leads to trouble,” stated Donald Hauser, general manager at Gator Park, located just south of Miami. He highlighted that once crocodiles are fed for three days, they lose their natural fear of humans.
“The key is to stay away,” he advised.
How to defend yourself.
Officials state that you should only confront a crocodile if it has latched onto you.
“In such cases, target the most sensitive areas: the eyes, nose, or throat,” Everglades National Park in South Florida advises, recommending that individuals “hit, kick, or jab with as much force as possible to compel the crocodile to release you.”
Nevertheless, if you find yourself caught in the crocodile’s jaws, your chances of escape are slim, Hauser cautioned.
“It’s best to have trained individuals handle such situations,” he advised.
“Crocodiles generally do not eat humans,” he explained, but they might take a bite and then release. However, if the grip is long enough, it could be too late,” he concluded.
Updated May 12th: Additional insights Executive Order and its implications .
On Monday, President Trump is set to sign an executive order aimed at reducing various drug prices in the US by aligning them with what other prosperous nations pay. This was reported by True Social on Sunday evening.
He noted that his proposal cannot alter federal policies, describing it as the “most favored nation” pricing approach. While specifics regarding the types of insurance covered or the number of drugs affected were not shared, Trump emphasized that the US must secure the lowest prices compared to its counterparts.
“In the end, our nation will be treated equitably and citizens’ healthcare expenses will decrease significantly,” he stated in a social media update.
This kind of plan is likely to face legal challenges, and it remains uncertain whether it will succeed without input from Congress.
During his first term, Trump attempted to implement a similar Medicare strategy, targeting 68 million Americans aged 65 and older or those with disabilities. This plan would have focused on 50 medications administered in healthcare settings funded by Medicare. However, it was blocked by a federal court, which ruled that the administration bypassed necessary procedures in policy formulation.
The pharmaceutical sector strongly opposes this concept, arguing it may severely impact their profit margins. They have ramped up lobbying efforts against the proposal as discussions revive in Washington. Industry leaders caution that such measures will hinder research funding and limit patient access to innovative treatments.
“Every form of government pricing is detrimental to patients in America,” declared Alex Schriver, a staff member of a prominent pharmaceutical lobbying organization. He added: “Policymakers should prioritize reforming flaws in the US system instead of adopting ineffective strategies from abroad.”
Trump’s support for these ideas distinguishes him from the majority of Republicans, who are generally hesitant about government pricing. Meanwhile, Democrats are advancing a similar proposal.
Amiet Salpatwali, a pharmaceutical policy specialist at Harvard Medical School, noted that Trump is capitalizing on ideas that resonate with populist sentiments.
Trump has long expressed concerns about the significant disparity in drug prices that the US faces compared to other wealthy nations. He is correct; in the United States, the cost of branded medications is, on average, three times higher than that in peer countries.
This is despite the fact that a substantial portion of the research leading to new drugs is conducted in American laboratories and hospitals.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers generate a significant majority of global profits from US sales, typically developing their strategies with the US market in mind.
The pharmaceutical industry contends that the elevated prices in the US provide additional advantages. Analyses funded by the industry have indicated that US patients tend to access medications more swiftly and face fewer insurance restrictions compared to their counterparts in other countries.
On Monday, President Trump signed an executive order urging drug manufacturers to voluntarily reduce prices for major medications in the United States.
Nonetheless, the order lacks explicit legal authority to enforce lower prices. It states that if drug companies do not comply, the administration may explore regulatory actions from foreign nations or consider importing drugs from abroad.
This seemed like a win for the pharmaceutical sector, backing policies that could severely impact their profits.
Last week, Trump emphasized the announcement, stating it was “significant enough to make an impact.” He also mentioned in a Sunday evening post on Truth Social that they would connect U.S. drug prices to those in comparable countries under the “most favored nation” pricing model.
His executive order won’t achieve that goal. Following the news, drug stocks surged on Monday.
This order by Trump came just hours after House Republicans slashed about $700 billion from the Medicaid and Obamacare markets, proposing extensive healthcare changes that could potentially leave 8.6 million Americans without insurance. Congress declined to include measures that would impose direct limits on drug prices in its packages.
The executive order also called for federal agencies to investigate the reasons behind lower prices in European nations and to pursue additional payments. The Trump administration has limited power to influence drug prices in Europe.
“I’m not criticizing pharmaceutical companies,” Trump remarked before signing the order. “I’m primarily critiquing the country rather than the pharmaceutical firm.”
Trump opted not to suggest measures that could be more effective, such as proposing that the administration collaborate with Congress to reform how government health programs compensate for certain drugs.
“The executive order seems more like an ambitious statement than a genuine effort to initiate policy shifts,” commented Amith Salpatwali, a medical policy student at Harvard Medical School.
While numerous Republican lawmakers have resisted attempts to control drug prices, Trump has consistently challenged the existing system, pointing out that U.S. drug companies charge significantly more than their counterparts globally.
“We plan to support pharmaceutical companies in other countries,” he said at an event on Monday.
Trump also threatened to leverage trade policies to pressure European nations into paying higher prices for prescription drugs. However, pharmaceutical companies are already tied to government contracts, and attempts to raise prices for new drugs could be met with resistance from European countries. Experts warned that an increase in prices in Europe does not automatically result in lower prices in the U.S.
During his first term, Trump aimed to implement a more comprehensive policy to reduce drug prices for Medicare, a health insurance program for those over 65 or with disabilities. This plan would have impacted only 50 drugs administered in clinics and hospitals, but a federal court blocked it, determining that the administration sidestepped due process in policymaking.
If pursued correctly, it’s uncertain whether the policy could have survived legal scrutiny. Some experts opined that Trump required congressional support to enact the law.
The White House heralded the announcement as groundbreaking. Trump’s Monday executive order calls for broader reforms than were proposed during his first term, potentially affecting more drugs and all Americans instead of just some Medicare patients. However, there is no clear pathway for implementing price reductions.
“It almost seems like: we want a lower price and will see what happens,” remarked Stacey Dusetzina, a health policy professor at Vanderbilt University, who studies drug pricing. She added that in the absence of more substantive actions, “I don’t foresee drug prices decreasing anytime soon.”
The order stated that if initial measures do not yield notable progress in lowering U.S. drug prices, the Trump administration may “consider a regulatory plan to impose pricing standards based on the most favored nations.”
Democrats have introduced numerous bills aimed at aligning American drug prices with those in other countries, and laws passed during the Biden administration now allow Medicare to directly negotiate prices for a limited selection of drugs used in the program. Overall, drug pricing policies enjoy broad public support across both Republican and Democratic voters.
The pharmaceutical industry has voiced its concerns over potential tariffs on imported drugs that Trump has promised to impose immediately. These tariffs are likely to reduce drug manufacturers’ profits, even as they might increase some drug prices in the U.S. and pass on additional costs.
Investors reacted positively, recognizing that Trump did not propose more substantial policies. After earlier declines, drug stocks rebounded when details of Trump’s announcement emerged, with Merck shares rising 6% and Pfizer’s shares nearly 4%. The small biotech stock index also rose by 4%.
“Better than expected,” a Wall Street Bank analyst mentioned in a note to investors. “More bark than bite,” commented analysts at TD Cowen.
In Monday’s statement, a drugmaker lobbying group asserted that the U.S. should not look to other countries to determine drug pricing.
However, significant industry organizations, including PhRMA, commended Trump for using trade negotiations to pressure foreign governments to “pay their fair share for medicines.”
“U.S. patients should not bear the financial burden of global innovation,” stated Stephen J. UBL, PhRMA’s CEO.
Currently, U.S. brand drug prices are three times higher on average compared to similar countries.
Drug manufacturers typically design their business strategies around U.S. profits. Essentially, U.S. profits drive their revenues.
Pharmaceutical companies assert that U.S. prices accompany additional advantages. Industry-funded analyses show that U.S. patients gain faster access to medications, and experience fewer insurance limitations compared to other regions.
In many affluent countries, governments generally cover prescription drug costs for the entire population, negotiating substantial discounts with drug manufacturers. Numerous other nations employ comparative pricing to establish what they are willing to pay.
In contrast, the U.S. government has minimal direct involvement in setting drug prices, aside from the Biden-era program affecting a limited number of Medicare drugs, which is currently under the Trump administration’s oversight.
Earlier this month, Republican Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri and Democrat Peter Welch from Vermont introduced a bill aimed at capping the average prices paid based on peer country comparisons.
In an interview, Welch expressed agreement with Trump’s assertion that Americans are overpaying for drugs and believes that international comparisons could help establish fairer pricing. However, he emphasized that congressional action is necessary to create enduring policies.
“It’s essential to tackle this legislatively,” he stated.
Trump’s executive order assigns his administration a month to communicate voluntary “price targets” for select drugs to pharmaceutical companies. White House officials indicated that it is likely that a weight-loss drug known as GLP-1 (which includes popular medications like Zepbound and Wegovy) might be among those discussed.
Trump noted at a press conference on Monday that the costs for “weight-loss drugs” are substantially lower in Europe than in the U.S.
In many scenarios, Americans face costs of around $500 a month for these medications without insurance, while European pharmacies often charge a few hundred dollars less. Most patients in Europe pay out-of-pocket for drugs, as the national health systems typically do not cover them.
According to court documents submitted on Monday in a deletion lawsuit, the Agriculture Department plans to reinstate climate change information that was removed from its website when President Trump took office.
The omitted information encompassed pages detailing federal funding and loans, forest conservation, and rural clean energy initiatives. This also included sections from the U.S. Forest Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Services, featuring climate risk viewers, including comprehensive maps that illustrate how climate change impacts national forests and grasslands.
The February lawsuit indicated that farmers’ access to pivotal information was hindered, affecting their ability to make timely decisions amid business risks tied to climate change, such as heat waves, droughts, floods, and wildfires.
The lawsuit was filed by the Organic Farming Association in Northeast New York alongside two environmental organizations, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Environmental Working Group.
The plaintiffs sought a court mandate requiring the department to restore the deleted pages. On Monday, the government affirmed that this restoration would be compulsory.
Jay Clayton, a U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, informed Judge Margaret M. Garnett that he represents the agricultural division in this suit and has commenced the process of restoring the pages and interactive tools highlighted in the complaint. He indicated that the department “anticipates completing the restoration process significantly in about two weeks.”
Clayton requested a postponement of the hearing set for May 21, suggesting a report on the restoration progress be submitted in three weeks, and mentioned he is working on determining “the appropriate next steps in this lawsuit.”
“The USDA is pleased to recognize that the unlawful removal of climate change-related information is detrimental to farmers and communities nationwide,” stated Jeffrey Stein, assistant attorney for Earthjustice, an environmental law nonprofit that represents the plaintiffs, alongside the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University.
Witnessing how flamingos feed is truly a captivating experience. They tilt their heads in the water and perform a charming waddling dance, sifting through small crustaceans, insects, microscopic algae, and other minute aquatic morsels in shallow waters.
Victor Ortega Zimenez, a biologist from the University of California, Berkeley, recalls being captivated by this behavior in 2019 during a family visit to the Atlanta Zoo. Since then, he has pondered what transpires beneath the water’s surface.
“While the birds were stunning to observe, my main question was, ‘What hydrodynamic principles guide the filter feeding behavior in flamingos?'” he shared.
Upon returning home, he was struck by the lack of scientific literature on the subject, prompting him to embark on his own research journey. After years of careful investigation, he and his team made remarkable discoveries, detailed in a recent publication by the National Academy of Sciences. They revealed that flamingos actively use the physics of water flow to sweep up prey and direct it into their mouths.
“We’re disputing the common notion that flamingos are merely passive filter feeders,” Dr. Ortega Zimenez stated. “Just as spiders create webs, flamingos generate vortices.”
Dr. Ortega Zimenez collaborated with three extraordinarily supportive flamingos from the Nashville Zoo: Matty, Marty, and Cayenne. Zookeepers trained these birds to feed in transparent containers, allowing researchers to capture their feeding behaviors using high-speed cameras and fluid dynamics techniques. The team introduced oxygen bubbles and food particles to visualize the water flow facilitated by the birds. After observing live flamingos, they constructed a 3D model of a flamingo’s head to further investigate its biomechanics.
The researchers found that flamingos frequently and quickly retracted their heads while feeding. Each movement generated tornado-like vortices, drawing particles from the bottom to the water’s surface. Additional experiments with mechanical beaks revealed that flamingos rapidly pound their beaks while partially submerged, directing the flow of water straight to their mouths and aiding in prey capture. Their uniquely shaped L-shaped beaks played a crucial role in creating vortices and recirculating water. They utilized the surface layer for feeding, reaping the benefits of their specialized feeding techniques.
Another “surprising discovery” involved the flamingos’ feet, as Dr. Ortega Zimenez noted. Researchers explored this through mechanical models of flamingo feet and computational simulations. The dance-like movements underwater contributed to the vortices, propelling additional particles toward the waiting mouths of the birds, which feed upside down in the water. Collectively, these findings indicate that flamingos are “superfeeding machines,” employing their entire bodies in the feeding process.
Biophysicist Sunghwan Jung from Cornell University commended the study for showcasing how biological morphology and motion interact functionally with surrounding fluids.
Alejandro Rico Gevala, an evolutionary biologist at Washington University in Seattle, who was not involved in the research, also concurred, stating that the new findings challenge the idea of flamingos as merely passive filter feeders. “Numerous hypotheses have attempted to explain how their peculiar bills function,” he remarked.
In addition to elucidating that mystery, the study reveals “a distinctly evolved method for capturing elusive small prey,” he added. This research hints at another possible evolutionary purpose for the birds’ webbed feet, beyond simply functioning as paddles.
Dr. Ortega Zimenez, fueled by curiosity about the dynamics of water flow used by flamingos, is now planning to investigate what occurs within the bird’s beak during feeding. Ultimately, such discoveries may lead to bioinspired technologies aimed at addressing issues like toxic algae and microplastics, he said.
“What is the essence of filter feeding in flamingos?” he questioned. “As scientists, we aspire to understand both the shape and function of these fascinating and enigmatic birds.”
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has approached a tunneling firm established by Elon Musk.
FRA officials engaged with employees from the Boring Company to discuss cost assessments and progress related to the Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program, a new tunnel intended to enhance the heavily trafficked Amtrak route linking Baltimore and Virginia. Amtrak’s initial development cost was projected at $6 billion, but estimates have now surged to $8.5 billion.
During discussions, a Department of Transportation official who oversees the FRA met with Boring Company staff last month, learning that the firm might pinpoint ways to construct tunnels more affordably and efficiently, according to two insiders.
Nathaniel Sizemore, a spokesperson for the Department of Transportation, confirmed the involvement of the Boring Company among various entities under consideration for a new engineering contract, but he withheld the names of other firms.
These discussions have sparked concerns regarding Musk’s potential conflict of interest as he manages his business interests while simultaneously advising President Trump. Musk oversees at least six companies, including the electric car manufacturer Tesla and the aerospace company SpaceX, while also aiming to boost the efficiency of government operations, which has resulted in reduced employment and resources within federal agencies regulating his ventures.
In various instances, conflicts of interest have surfaced. Trump showcased a Tesla on the White House lawn in March, even as federal agencies push for broader adoption of SpaceX’s Starlink Satellite Internet Service.
Last month, Musk mentioned reducing his time in Washington amid criticisms that he was sidelining his responsibilities at Tesla.
The projected tunnel cost has skyrocketed by $2.5 billion, and Amtrak has yet to devise strategies for cost containment, the Department of Transportation indicated in a statement.
“The department recognizes the significance of engaging with multiple stakeholders in the infrastructure engineering domain to realign the project,” Sizemore stated.
Amtrak has not provided immediate comments. Neither the Boring Company nor Musk responded to inquiries for statements.
The Frederick Douglass Tunnel is intended to replace the 152-year-old Baltimore and Potomac Tunnels, a 1.4-mile stretch along Amtrak’s northeastern corridor, described as “the largest infrastructure initiative” supported by Amtrak. Report In the past year, Amtrak’s Office of the General Inspectors also expressed concerns that costs had ballooned and deadlines were not met, with the tunnel originally scheduled for completion by 2035.
Amtrak awarded last year the construction contract to a joint venture between two firms, Kiewit and JF Shea. The company did not immediately provide comments.
Formerly, it faced ownership scrutiny from Republican figures, including Senator Ted Cruz from Texas and current Vice President JD Vance. Criticism arose for awarding federal funding to projects favoring “Northeastern states over others.”
Musk has previously criticized Amtrak and suggested prioritizing privatization of federally-owned railways.
“If you’re from another country, do not rely on our national railway,” Musk remarked about Amtrak during a March discussion with bankers. “It leaves a negative impression of America.”
Musk and his company have encountered challenges with the Department of Transportation. Following a deadly incident involving an Army helicopter and a commercial jet in January, Transportation Secretary Shawn Duffy noted that SpaceX staff would forward safety proposals to the Federal Aviation Administration’s Air Traffic Control Command Center in Virginia within the following month.
Musk is advocating for the FAA to terminate its substantial air traffic control agreement with Verizon in favor of the Starlink system.
Throughout the years, Musk has championed various transportation innovations, from Tesla electric vehicles to SpaceX rockets, hyperloops, and vacuum tubes designed for high-speed transit of people and goods. The Boring Company, which has raised over $900 million in venture capital, has yet to realize most of its proposed plans in the U.S.
In a 2017 tweet, Musk claimed he would transport passengers from New York to the capital in 30 minutes, stating he had secured “oral government approval” to construct an underground hyperloop connecting New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington.
Two years later, the Boring Company proposed a plan to the Department of Transportation to create a 35-mile underground vehicle loop between Baltimore and Washington, promising completion within two years. However, by 2021, the project was removed from the company’s site and appears inactive now.
Steve Davis, the leader of the Boring Company, has collaborated with Musk and the Trump administration on initiatives aimed at enhancing government efficiency. Davis, a trusted associate of Musk’s, was appointed to helm the tunneling firm in 2018 to execute Musk’s vision for cost-effective governance.
Musk has expressed dissatisfaction with the Boring Company’s performance, criticizing Davis for the lack of project completions. In a recent Fox News interview, Davis characterized his attempts as efforts to avert national bankruptcy, emphasizing a commitment to assist Musk.
Davis did not respond to a request for commentary.
On Monday, the Energy Bureau announced it is set to revoke energy and water conservation standards impacting a range of appliances and gas devices, totaling 47 regulations. In this context “It was raising costs for Americans and diminishing quality of life.”
The initiative follows a Presidential Order in which President Trump directed the energy sector to “remove constraints on water pressure and efficiency regulations that make household products more costly and effective.”
However, energy efficiency specialists and climate advocates argue that this move will increase operational costs for household appliances like dehumidifiers and portable air conditioners, as well as industrial machines like air compressors.
“If this consumer assault is successful, President Trump will significantly raise expenses for families when manufacturers flood the market with energy and water-draining products,” stated Andrew Delaski, executive director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, a consortium of environmental, consumer groups, utilities, and governmental agencies.
Delaski further asserted that this initiative breaches anti-backsliding provisions established decades ago.
“It’s evidently illegal, so please exercise caution,” he remarked in a statement.
Similar to many nations, the US has been implementing standards for years that regulate the energy and water usage of appliances, including light bulbs, dishwashers, water heaters, and washing machines.
According to government scientists’ reports, the efficiency standards saved the average American household roughly $576 on water and gas bills in 2024, leading to a 6.5% reduction in national energy consumption and a 12% decrease in public water use. These measures have prevented the total energy and water usage by American households from rising faster than population growth.
Nonetheless, the Trump administration has characterized these standards as an example of government overreach. Trump frequently criticized weak water pressure from shower heads or toilets that do not flush effectively, denouncing the efficiency standards associated with these devices. Conservative factions, too, argue that efficiency standards compromise appliance performance, especially for dishwashers.
The list of energy sector appliance regulations targets various devices, including air cleaners, battery chargers, compressors, cooking tops, dehumidifiers, external power supplies, microwaves, dishwashers, and faucets.
The department indicated that the rescinded standards would “eliminate over 125,000 words from federal regulations.” However, rolling back the standards necessitates a new rule-making process that may take several months. Additionally, these rollbacks could encounter legal opposition.
The department has not yet responded to requests for comments.
Simultaneously, the Environmental Protection Agency is planning to eliminate the Energy Star program, a universal energy efficiency certification for appliances like dishwashers, refrigerators, and dryers.
Historically, manufacturers have backed government efficiency standards, but they are now attempting to leverage Trump’s inclination to deregulate.
The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, representing 150 manufacturers responsible for 95% of household appliances sold in the US, is still assessing Monday’s announcement.
However, Jill A. Notini, a public relations officer for the association, highlighted in a statement that the standards “have facilitated decades of successful advancements in appliance efficiency.” The association further noted, “With most appliances operating at near peak efficiency, substantial savings in some products are unlikely.”
In addition to rolling back efficiency standards, the energy sector intends to abolish several clean energy and climate change initiatives. This includes rescinding reporting requirements for voluntary programs that allow businesses to report greenhouse gas emissions and terminating programs that provide compensation for electricity generated from renewable sources.
The energy sector is also discarding what it terms “unscientific” diversity, equity, and inclusion prerequisites for grant recipients, proposing to eliminate regulations that prevent subsidies from discriminating based on gender, race, or age.
Certain proposals appear to be unrelated to the department’s core focus. One suggested repeal involves “termination requirements for a single sex member to compete on sports teams of the opposite sex.”
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Rizatriptan is frequently recommended for various migraine types
Aleksandr Zubkov/Getty Images
The standard medications prescribed for migraines provide limited relief for the vestibular symptoms, which include dizziness and typical migraine manifestations like headaches and light sensitivity. This is true even for rizatriptan, which is sometimes recommended for such types of migraines.
Research on vestibular migraine treatment has been inconsistent, yielding mixed results across different medications, according to Jeffrey Staab from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Some newer medications, like galcanezumab, may reduce the frequency of attacks, but no randomized trials have previously evaluated the effectiveness of migraine medications in alleviating vestibular symptoms during episodes.
To fill this research gap, Staab and his team investigated vestibular migraines. Participants were instructed to take 10 milligrams of rizatriptan or a placebo at the onset of vestibular symptoms, such as balance problems and spinning sensations. Their symptoms were subsequently evaluated on a scale of 0 to 3 at several intervals until the episodes resolved.
One hour after administration—at which point rizatriptan reaches peak concentrations in the bloodstream—it was not more effective than the placebo in relieving symptoms which are often considered to act quickly. Both groups were allowed to use back-up medications after waiting the necessary hour.
After 24 hours, rizatriptan showed a slight improvement in sensitivity to movement, light, and sound, but not in dizziness. Participants also reported marginally higher scores concerning physical well-being—such as energy levels and the ability to carry out daily activities—when compared to those taking the placebo. However, no differences were noted in mental well-being or the acceptance of side effects.
Rizatriptan falls under the triptans class of drugs, typically effective against migraines, but may not alleviate vestibular symptoms, as noted by Staab.
The study’s findings indicate that the brain pathways linked to vestibular migraines (the vestibular system, which is considered “primitive” from an evolutionary standpoint) may lack sensitivity to triptans for reasons that are yet to be explored. According to Peter Goadsby from King’s College London, vestibular migraines should not be treated as distinct conditions from other migraine types; rather, their symptoms represent a “slight variation” of migraine pathology that necessitates targeted treatment approaches.
“I think it’s important to communicate with fellow clinicians about these symptoms,” Goadsby states. “For instance, if you are treating someone with a vestibular migraine using a triptan, be prepared for it to potentially be ineffective. It’s crucial to recognize that this doesn’t imply the patient is difficult or unreasonable.”
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This week, the country is bracing for early seasonal heat waves, with record or near-record high temperatures anticipated across the Northern and Southern Plains, Southwest, and vast regions of central and southern Texas.
On Monday, temperatures climbed into the 90s in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota, with some areas likely reaching triple-digit highs.
Beginning Tuesday, Texas will experience its hottest conditions, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit becoming commonplace throughout the state, according to the agency.
In a series of posts on X, the San Antonio Weather Service office cautioned that many people may struggle to adapt to such extreme temperatures, heightening the risk of heat-related illnesses and fatalities.
“Temperatures are slated to soar above 100 on Tuesday, with some locations potentially hitting 110 mid-week. Ensure you have access to cooling and ample hydration before the heat arrives,” the office advised. I shared this on X.
As the week continues, the heat will intensify in the central and southern plains, eventually spreading to the southeastern U.S. and Florida.
Cities likely to set new daily temperature records this week include Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston in Texas, as well as Oklahoma City; Shreveport, Louisiana; Charleston, South Carolina; and Tallahassee, Jacksonville, and Orlando in Florida.
The unseasonably high temperatures are attributed to strong high-pressure ridges situated over much of the country, particularly in Texas. These “thermal domes” effectively trap heat in the region, leading to elevated temperatures for several days.
Southern California recorded historic highs over the weekend, peaking at 103 in downtown Los Angeles, surpassing the previous record of 99 set in 1988. According toreports, this significant increase has raised concerns.
During the Los Angeles heat wave, individuals took a moment to hydrate on Sunday. Carlin Steele/Los Angeles Times Getty Images
Research indicates that climate change is intensifying the frequency, duration, and intensity of heat waves globally. Scientists predict yet another hot summer following two consecutive years of record-breaking global temperatures (2023 and 2024).
These ongoing record temperatures are part of alarming warming trends long anticipated by climate change models. The hottest years on record since 1850 have all occurred within the last decade. According tothe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
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As President Donald Trump took office, the wildfires in Los Angeles were still burning, prompting a return to previous Biden-era directives for federal agencies addressing the climate crisis. Flip
January’s fire conditions, exacerbated by climate change, played a significant role in igniting wildfires in Palisades and Eton. Nearly 40,000 acres were affected. By March, Adam Smith, the chief investigator of the $1 billion weather and climate disaster program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), was still assessing the severe impact of the LA wildfires when he received informal orders to cease all work-related communications.
Each month, Smith’s team maintained an extensive online database tracking losses from over 400 natural disasters since 1980, all causing more than $1 billion in damages. Following the LA wildfire, Smith reported having received restrictions that prevented him from updating this database and sharing initial findings with the public. The wildfire incurred damages amounting to at least $50 billion.
In early May, Smith resigned due to concerns about the agency’s plans for the future. The billion-dollar weather and climate disaster online database Smith had developed over 15 years at NOAA was subsequently shut down. Days later, NOAA confirmed it would cease updates for this important resource, which provides essential data for scientists, citizens, and insurance firms evaluating climate risk.
A NOAA spokesperson stated that the database would no longer be updated “due to changing priorities and staffing adjustments.” The White House did not provide any comments regarding the matter.
According to Smith, the database’s economic losses are particularly vital, as billion-dollar disasters like hurricanes and widespread wildfires are increasingly common. In 2023, the US set new records for billion-dollar disasters, with the database indicating a staggering $28 billion event. Over the past five years, the US has averaged about $24 billion in disasters annually, a significant rise from just $3 billion average during the 1980s.
“We need to be more prepared than ever,” Smith told NBC News. “Some have access to the data and insights for better preparation. Unfortunately, discontinuing resources like these creates a gap in knowledge.”
Researchers have identified rising global temperatures as a key driver in these changes over recent decades. Long-term droughts and increased wildfire risks are affecting regions across the western United States, where warming atmospheres retain more moisture, resulting in more intense storms and hurricanes.
This increase in extreme weather events presents significant challenges for insurance policyholders in areas susceptible to natural disasters. Rates in hurricane-prone states like Louisiana and Florida have surged, with some homeowners facing nearly $10,000 in annual insurance premiums. In California, major insurance firms, including State Farm, have rescinded policies due to escalating fire risks.
A study from the National Bureau of Economic Research revealed that the heightened risk of disasters would drive up annual insurance costs for households affected by climate issues by an estimated $700 over the next three decades. On a global scale, reports from German insurance giant Munich RE indicated that natural disasters resulted in record insurance losses of $140 billion worldwide in 2024.
“You cannot conceal the costs of climate change from those who are already incurring those costs through their insurance premiums,” stated Carly Fabian, a civic policy advocate from a consumer rights nonprofit. “The insurance and reinsurance sectors are built to withstand a limited number of major multi-billion dollar disasters, but are not equipped for consecutive disasters occurring with such frequency.”
Data compiled in the multibillion-dollar disaster database illustrates the financial toll of hurricanes, severe storms, and wildfires across the nation, serving as a critical resource for private insurers modeling climate risks and establishing rates for homeowners in vulnerable areas. Although insurance companies utilize various datasets for their climate risk assessments, the scale of NOAA’s database remains unmatched.
Jeremy Porter, a climate risk expert at the First Street Foundation, emphasized that the database is one of the most effective tools for illustrating the economic impact of climate-related disasters. First Street utilizes the $1 billion disaster database for its national risk assessment reports.
The NOAA database also serves as an essential resource for homeowners facing rising rates, non-renewals, and cancellations in home insurance.
“We are navigating an industry where insurers have extensive access to private data while the average consumer lacks insight into that data,” remarked the policy director for Americans for Financial Reform, a nonprofit advocating for stricter regulations. “The removal of public data sources exacerbates this imbalance, hindering individuals’ ability to understand their risks and the challenges they face from financial service providers.”
Madison Condon, an environmental law professor at Boston University, highlighted that the cuts to NOAA’s $1 billion disaster database are part of a broader trend involving rollbacks of national climate assessments and data resources, including the annual report detailing the impacts of climate change in the US released in late April. The Trump administration notably rejected numerous scientific contributions to these reports.
Additionally, the Trump administration has eliminated data products related to melting Antarctic glaciers and sea ice cover, marking yet another setback for US Antarctic research. Leaked documents obtained by ProPublica indicated that Trump intended to reduce NOAA funding by 27%, particularly for innovative climate-related initiatives, and proposed nearly 75% cuts to the Bureau of Ocean and Atmospheric Research, responsible for maintaining global climate models essential for insurers’ climate risk assessments.
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The regulations aimed to ensure that the largest data centers in the world were constructed by the United States and its allies, rather than by nations in the Middle East or elsewhere. Officials in the Biden administration expressed concerns about the authoritarian inclinations of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as well as their connections with China. They contended that these rules might restrict access to AI chips and data centers in other countries, subsequently bolstering Beijing’s strategic and military capabilities.
Set to take effect on May 15, the regulations permitted unlimited sales of AI chips to 18 allied nations, including the UK, Germany, and Japan, while prohibiting sales to China, Iran, and other adversaries. Nations such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, India, Israel, and Poland would face limitations on their chip purchases, leading to widespread dissatisfaction.
Jim Secre, the former vice-chief of staff at the Commerce Department, remarked that the regulations are designed to safeguard national security and influence the future of critical technologies. In the absence of these regulations, the combination of inexpensive energy and capital abroad could result in more data centers being established outside the US than within its borders.
“Controlling AI is the geopolitical challenge of our time,” he stated.
Companies like Nvidia and Oracle have raised objections to the regulations, arguing that they hinder the leadership of US technology. Officials from the Trump administration appeared to share this sentiment. On Wednesday, the current administration announced plans to introduce new regulations to replace the existing framework, though no timeline for these changes was specified.
“The Biden AI regulations are excessively complicated and bureaucratic, potentially stifling American innovation,” stated Ben Kass, a spokesperson for the Department of Commerce, which oversees technology policy. “We are focused on advancing US leadership and replacing it with a more straightforward and transparent framework that maximizes the potential of American AI innovation.”
Last week was a challenging period for video game journalism. Two key figures from the veteran site Giant Bomb, Jeff Grubb and Mike Minotti, announced their exit after the recent removal of a particular podcast episode. The 888th installment of the Giant Bombcast reportedly included the section on new brand guidelines, which has since been withdrawn from public access. Just days later, it was revealed that the prominent US site Polygon is set to be sold to Valnet, the parent company of Screen Rant and Game Rant. Consequently, job losses are expected. This follows the 2024 sale of Reedpop, which included four major UK gaming sites: Eurogamer, GamesIndustry.biz, Rock Paper Shotgun, and VG247. Redundancies have been rampant.
It’s disheartening to witness such long-standing platforms, known for their substantial audiences and solid reputations, being handled like mere commodities. Regarding the sale of Polygon, Vox CEO Jim Bankoff stated: “This transaction lets us focus our efforts and investments on other key growth areas in our portfolio.” Honestly, it feels disconcerting to see a decade of progressive gaming discourse turned into off-the-shelf assets. Valnet claimed: “Polygon is set to achieve new editorial standards through dedicated investment and innovation.” However, one must wonder how this will transpire with a significantly downsized team.
Undoubtedly, corporate press releases and the familiar robotic jargon from industry pundits have not quelled the anger and skepticism surrounding these exits. Writing for Aftermath, journalist Nathan Grayson remarked: “While Polygon’s traffic may have been less than stellar, Giant Bomb had a dedicated listener base thanks to its unique blend of personalities. One has to question whether any of the CEOs involved in these transactions have ever listened to a podcast that isn’t focused on maximizing shareholder value.
Jim Bankoff, CEO of VOX Media, captured at the 2022 Code Conference. Photo: Jerod Harris/Getty Images from Vox Media
Video game journalism has long been a precarious balancing act amid various commercial pressures. In the early days of gaming magazines, advertising revenue often came from the very companies whose products were scrutinized by the press. Throughout my tenure as a magazine editor, I witnessed advertisers withdraw their support following unfavorable critiques of their products. Yielding to such pressures jeopardizes the trust of our readership, which is our most valuable asset. While publishers may have significant influence, losing audience trust could lead to their downfall.
As these magazines transitioned to websites, advertising remained a crucial revenue source. Today, the landscape is more complex; with influencers on platforms like Twitch and YouTube emerging, the industry appears less reliant on dedicated gaming journalism sites. It seems that companies looking to acquire gaming sites are focused more on brand names than on the creative, experienced teams behind them. Recent investigations revealed that Valnet was accused of turning acquired properties into mere content mills focused on “SEO Bait.” Valnet hasSince been involved in legal disputes regarding this issue.
As gaming evolves into a live service sector with billions of paying customers, journalism’s compensation rates have stagnated.
The current tech landscape seems to reward the mechanization of creativity. Unquantifiable and costly, human insight is often perceived as an obstacle to streamlined growth and market penetration. While AI gains traction, one might wonder if automating content generation for video game walkthroughs, produced in milliseconds, could suffice.
The catch, however, is that writing game walkthroughs is labor-intensive and requires skillful gameplay, adept interpretation, and the capacity to foresee player needs. Reviews are inherently subjective, influenced by personal experiences. Podcasts offer a friendly chat-like atmosphere. Top-tier gaming journalism elucidates the industry while uncovering issues that might otherwise be obscured. Those who excel in this arena have years of gameplay, writing, and inquiry experience; they understand gamers’ thoughts.
This dilemma resonates across all artistic mediums, from film to music. Tech moguls anticipate that their brand acquisitions will engage audiences, expecting passive consumers to absorb whatever is presented. However, it’s not mindless content we seek, but innovative ideas and craft. Fortunately, independent sites are emerging at an impressive rate, such as the UK-based VGC and the US-based Aftermath, both of which are building substantial followings. While audiences may be deceived temporarily, it’s increasingly apparent that poorly staffed digital content machines can only churn out secondhand ideas, hoping that the hollow echoes of lost credibility will withstand the test of time.
What to Play
Fear With Highrook is both terrifying and fascinating. Photo: Nullpointer Game
Each month, I review twelve indie video games that experiment with collectible card battle mechanics reminiscent of Magic The Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh. One standout is Fear With Highrook, where a group of explorers delves into a haunted mansion to uncover the fate of a missing nobleman’s family. The game features a challenging world akin to a complex board game, combining item discovery with skill card upgrades for character enhancement. Drawing inspiration from Poe and Lovecraft, it offers a beautifully crafted experience filled with ideas and arcane treasures for aficionados of both space and Gothic horror.
Available on: PC Estimated playtime: Over 10 hours
What to Read
Lucia Caminos, co-protagonist of Grand Theft Auto VI. Photo: Rockstar Game
Fraud has plagued video gaming since its inception, impacting countless players in online multiplayer shooters. Explore this feature detailing Riot Games’ battle against cheaters in League of Legends and beyond, highlighting the ongoing struggle between developers and hackers.
Many exceptional video games have been on the brink of disaster due to poor design choices during development. An extensive interview with former Sony President Yoshida reveals how he salvaged Gran Turismo by advocating for playable non-racing characters.
Although I adore video games, many modern tech products cultivate their own myths and folklore. This BBC feature explores fascinating cases, like Ben owned – the story behind the haunted N64 cartridge that captivated gaming forums in 2010.
After finishing your read, check out Rockstar’s latest teaser for the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI. A recent trailer has emerged alongside new screenshots and details about key characters Jason and Lucia, hinting at the game’s delays until May 2026.
Limited options exist… the gaming scene is grappling with breakthroughs in VR like The Meta Quest. Photo: Meta Connect/AFP/Getty Images
This week’s question comes from Guy Bailey who reached out to me via Blue Sky:
“I’m a fan of sim racing in VR, while my son loves Vrchat and the friendships formed within various worlds. Half-Life Alyx is a phenomenal experience, and most individuals who try VR rave about it. Is this the peak of VR?”
This query has lingered in the VR community since the Oculus Quest launched in 2019, which was meant to rejuvenate modern VR. While over 20 million Quest headsets and 5 million PlayStation VR sets have been sold, we are not collectively spending substantial time in virtual environments.
Several factors contribute to this trend. Motion sickness is one culprit—many individuals (particularly women, as outlined in studies) experience nausea after even brief usage. Regardless of how engaging the software, discomfort can prevent enjoyment. There are also neurological and physiological discrepancies when we navigate visual settings that conflict with our bodily sensations. We’ve all seen humorous videos featuring gamers colliding with walls while lost in VR.
Moreover, VR can make us feel exposed and awkward, particularly when wearing a bulky headset at home. Such elements likely explain why companies like Apple are favoring augmented reality over intensive virtual experiences. Thus far, their approach hasn’t succeeded in establishing a consumer-centric platform.
In most instances, the content available isn’t enticing enough for general audiences. It’s a cliché, but the fact remains: there’s no definitive “killer app.” I’ve got a PlayStation VR headset that’s gathering dust, while my sons only occasionally engage with the Meta Quest 3. Their favorite experiences are often limited to brief sessions.
For many of us, VR needs to evolve to engage our senses—touch, taste, and smell.
If you have a topic you’d like to discuss or a question for the newsletter, please reach out to me at pushingbuttons@theguardian.com
I recently discovered a restaurant located in my second-floor room in San Francisco, where a venture capital firm hosted a dinner. The after-dinner speaker was a tech veteran who sold his AI company for hundreds of millions and is now pivoting to investment. His straightforward message to the founders of a newly established startup was clear: the potential earnings from AI far exceed the limited market size of previous tech waves. You can draw on a global workforce, which could mean profits for everyone involved.
The idea of completely replacing human labor with AI sounds like science fiction. However, it is the explicit goal of a growing number of high-tech elites—individuals devoid of significant drives or resources, yet with ample financial backing and determination. When they declare their intention to automate all labor, we should take their words seriously.
This perspective is typically confined to closed circles for obvious reasons; one rarely invokes hostility faster than when suggesting that jobs may vanish. Nonetheless, a company named Machicalize challenged this trend last month by openly articulating their vision: “Fully automated economy.” They have successfully garnered funding from some of Silicon Valley’s most prominent figures, including Google’s chief scientist Jeff Dean and podcast host Workspatel.
Is it truly feasible to automate every job? Elon Musk seems to think so. He suggested that the rise of AI and robotics could lead to a scenario where “None of us have a job.” Bill Gates has also reflected on the future of human work, stating that some roles may not be necessary: “It’s not necessary for ‘most things’.” Predictions for sweeping labor changes come from notable figures such as AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton and billionaire investor Vinod Khosla. Their insights are not to be dismissed lightly.
Certain professions appear to be notably resistant to automation. Taylor Swift, Harry Kane, or the next Archbishop of Canterbury are unlikely to be replaced. Famous artists, athletes, politicians, and clergy are among the occupations least susceptible to AI intrusion; unfortunately, they are not careers accessible to everyone.
Currently, technology cannot substitute for all human labor. AI is prone to errors and lacks the coordination, dexterity, and adaptability of humans. However, cutting-edge technology can already perform many tasks, and the expectation is that it will continue to accelerate in capability.
GPT-4, one of OpenAI’s large language models, achieved a Top 10% score on the bar exam in 2023. More recent models have proven adept at coding even beyond the skills of their own chief scientists. The demand for freelance writing sharply declined when ChatGPT was released; the same trend occurred in graphic design following the launch of AI image generators. Driverless cars are already a common sight in San Francisco. As Sam Altman stated emphatically, “The job is It will definitely disappear—full stop.”
While AI captures most headlines, advancements in robotics are also progressing rapidly. While AI may threaten white-collar jobs, robots are increasingly targeting blue-collar work. A humanoid robot is currently undergoing tests at BMW factories. Another model has managed to master over 100 tasks typically performed by human store clerks. Companies are preparing to commence home tests with robots as soon as this year. The Silicon Valley vision for the job market is clear: AI handles thinking, while robots take care of the physical tasks. In this scenario, what role remains for humans?
Until recently, AI researchers anticipated that achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI)—the ability for AI to perform virtually all cognitive tasks at human levels—was an aspiration far off in the future. However, that perception has shifted. Demis Hassabis, head of Google DeepMind, now claims that “It’ll come soon“—in less than 5-10 years, he says, would not surprise him.
Of course, these forecasts could be inaccurate. There’s a chance we may enter another AI winter, where chatbot advancements stagnate, robots falter, and venture capital shifts focus to another tech phenomenon. I personally don’t believe this will happen, but it’s a possibility. However, the core question remains: it’s not whether high-tech CEOs and billions in funding are directing efforts toward labor automation, but rather why they are so eager to pursue this goal and how the general populace feels about it.
The more optimistic viewpoint is that they genuinely believe a post-labor economy will spur significant economic growth and vastly enhance global living standards. The crucial question is whether historical patterns indicate that the fruits of this growth are equitably shared.
Alternatively, a less charitable interpretation is that it all boils down to money. Venture capitalist Mark Andreessen famously remarked, “Software eats the world.” Many sectors have been absorbed into this tech phenomenon. Regardless of the software developed, human effort remains essential for executing the majority of global work. However, Silicon Valley now sees an opening: a chance to control the entire means of production. If they choose not to seize this opportunity, they would not be true to their innovative spirit.
Ed Newton-Rex is a founder of a nonprofit certifying AI companies that respect creator rights and is the founder of Fally Trained. He serves as a visiting scholar at Stanford University.
when game designer and entrepreneur Henk Rogers first encountered Tetris at the 1988 Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show, he immediately recognized its uniqueness. “It was just the perfect game,” he reflects. “It appeared very simple yet was fundamentally captivating, making me want to play it repeatedly. There had never been a demo for a game I hadn’t experienced before.”
Rogers is now a co-owner of the Tetris Company, which oversees and licenses the Tetris brand. Over three decades, he has gained fame equivalent to that of the game itself. The intrigue surrounding his acquisition of distribution rights from the Russian agency Elektronorgtechnica (Elorg) has been transformed into a dramatic Apple TV+ film featuring Taron Egerton. “I suggested that either Johnny Depp or Keanu Reeves should portray me, but it seems they were too old,” says Rogers.
Upon reading the script, casting was only one of his concerns. “It was appalling. I was clueless about how the script would translate into a film. It felt like a disaster… a car chase?”
Induces trance… Nintendo’s Game Boy Tetris. Photo: Graeme Robertson/The Guardian
However, during his pivotal journey to Russia in 1988, nothing could be more daunting than the KGB interrogation awaiting Rogers. Tetris has since become one of the most successful video games in history, selling over 520 million copies, although it was originally conceived by Alexei Pajitnov. This collection of mind-bending tetrominos was on the verge of being kept behind the Iron Curtain, confined to the Soviet regime.
Fortunately, a complex web of international rights agreements among multiple companies, including Robert Maxwell’s Mirrorsoft, ultimately led the Dutch Rogers, residing in Japan, to forge deals for handhelds. On his arrival in Moscow with a tourist visa, the KGB scrutinized Rogers closely. He managed to enter the state-owned enterprise Elorg, which held a monopoly on all Soviet-produced computer software. Upon meeting the mysterious coder behind this mesmerizing game, Rogers quickly realized he had been misled. The rights to Tetris had been “sold” without Russia’s knowledge, much to the displeasure of the Soviets.
“I was in a room with seven individuals, some of whom were KGB operatives, subjected to intense questioning for hours, like, ‘Who is entering the Soviet Union?'” recounts Rogers. It was there he first crossed paths with Pajitnov. “Alexei was initially skeptical of me because he had encountered other individuals seeking Tetris’ rights before. He perceived them all as slimy capitalists wanting to make a quick buck.” The film’s portrayal of this encounter stays true to reality, complete with tense interrogation scenes and KGB surveillance matching Rogers’ account.
“Once he learned I was a game designer, Alexei’s demeanor shifted entirely,” remembers Rogers. “Alexei had never met a game designer before… in the Soviet Union, there was no gaming industry, so game design was merely a side project amidst other work.”
Pajitnov in 1989. Photo: SIPA Press/Rex Features
Curious about another enthusiast, Alexei discreetly requested that Rogers find him post-meeting. The KGB monitored their every move, sensing the potential worth of the deal, and Rogers was acutely aware of the risks involved. “As a foreigner, I had to tread carefully. So, I waited by the door downstairs, took him to my room in the dead of night, and quietly showcased my version of Tetris.”
Rogers and Pajitnov have remained friends ever since, establishing the Tetris Company in 1996 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the sale of Elorg’s shares. Until that moment, Pajitnov had not seen any financial reward from the game.
The 2023 film did take some creative liberties (“I was perturbed about events that didn’t transpire in the film, like not witnessing my daughter sing at her recital. It premiered in theaters, and although the audience was particularly discerning, they cheered when they first glimpsed the boy in the game. Together, we received the most enthusiastic standing ovation from the crowd).
However, keen to share the deeper narratives of his journey, Rogers has just published a book titled Perfect Game: Tetris, Love from Russia. This work offers an introspective look at the events that brought Pajitnov’s creation to the world, frequently accompanied by mild corrections to errors, infused with fond memories from Pajitnov.
Pajitnov, Rogers, and Nintendo’s Mountain Village Forest at the company headquarters in Kyoto, Japan Photo: Nintendo Company Limited
The film underscores Rogers’ undeniable charisma and business acumen while somewhat underplaying his significance as a game developer. While living in Japan in 1983, he founded Bullet-Proof Software and created the impactful role-playing game The Black Onyx, which introduced an iconic health bar and introduced the RPG genre to Japanese audiences. The game’s manual was authored by Kenyō Suzuki, who later became the president of Squaresoft, the creators of the Final Fantasy series. The influence of Black Onyx extended even to the legendary Nintendo designer Miyamoto, who remarked that it inspired him to create Zelda.
Is it peculiar that Rogers’ narrative sometimes eclipses that of Pajitnov, the original creator of Tetris? “Alexei and I serve very different roles,” responds Rogers. “In narrating my part of the story, he wouldn’t undertake the same role. He is more introverted. If given the platform, he’d prefer to sit in a room and delve into mathematical discussions.”
“We created it in the desert”… the Tetris effect (2019). Photo: Enhance Games
New iterations of Tetris emerge every few years, with the 2019 psychedelic Tetris effect being a notable recent highlight, developed by Mizuguchi Tatsuya, the creator of the Dreamcast classic Rez. “Gucci — that’s what we call him — is a good friend,” Rogers shares. “We attended Burning Man together, where we redefined the Tetris effect in the desert, creating Tetris in VR and built that product.”
While Rogers still revels in the game (“Minecraft has truly done something innovative”), his priorities have shifted after experiencing a fatal heart attack in 2005. “I’ve wrapped up publishing the game,” he states. “I fully understand the labor involved, the finances required, and how much my heart needs to be committed. Now, my focus is combating climate change.”
Residing in Hawaii, Rogers has spent the last 20 years advocating for the island nation to commit to clean energy by 2030 through his Blue Planet Foundation. If anyone can save our planet, it’s the man who outsmarted Maxwell, evaded the KGB, and brought first the iconic blocks to life.
Tianwan Nuclear Power Station on the Yellow Sea coast of China
Xinhua Newsletter/Alamie
Researchers in China have created a cost-effective and energy-efficient method for extracting uranium from seawater. As the global leader in nuclear power plant construction, China’s advances will bolster its uranium supply.
The oceans are estimated to contain around 4.5 billion tonnes of uranium, significantly more than is available through traditional mining methods. However, these resources are challenging to extract. Previous methods have involved immersing materials in artificial sponges or polymers inspired by natural structures, or utilizing a more costly electrochemical approach to capture uranium atoms via an electric field.
A team led by Shuangyin Wang from Hunan University has developed an enhanced electrochemical technology that is not only cheaper but also requires less energy than existing methods. Unlike conventional systems that draw only uranium atoms towards a positive electrode, this new device utilizes two copper electrodes.
This innovative method managed to extract 100% of uranium from a brine solution within 40 minutes, whereas physical adsorption techniques typically yield less than 10% of the available uranium.
When tested with small amounts of natural seawater, the system processed about 1 liter at a time, achieving 100% extraction from East China Sea water and 85% from South China Sea water. In the latter scenario, larger electrodes allowed for complete extraction.
The energy cost of this method is over 1000 times lower than that of traditional electrochemical procedures, with extraction costing approximately $83 per kilogram of uranium—four times cheaper than earlier methods and significantly less than the $360 per kilogram average.
By scaling up production and device size, researchers believe this technique could lead to the “industrialization of uranium extraction from seawater” in the future. During a 58-hour test in 100 liters of seawater, the largest experimental setup managed to extract over 90% of the available uranium.
A notable earlier success in uranium extraction from seawater occurred during the 1990s, when the Japanese Atomic Energy Agency used physical adsorption methods to recover kilograms of uranium, setting a significant benchmark for subsequent research in China.
In 2019, China’s state-run nuclear power company partnered with research institutes to form the Innovation Alliance for Seawater Uranium Extraction Technology. The goal is to establish a demonstration plant by 2035 and achieve continuous industrial production by 2050. South China Morning Post.
Half of the reactor projects currently in development are located in China. The country is positioned to significantly increase its nuclear capacity by 2030, potentially surpassing both the US and the EU. International Energy Agency.
Nonetheless, China still imports the majority of the uranium it requires, making any economical extraction from seawater highly valuable.
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Built as a reimagining of id Software’s 2016 “Doom Eternal,” “Dark Ages” diverges significantly while still echoing the essence of its lineage. Whereas the 2020 iteration focused on speed and evasion, “Dark Ages” emphasizes a staunch, grounded approach. If the previous game revolved around eliminating foes one at a time, this installment empowers players to obliterate hordes of demons simultaneously. The frantic, rapid-fire nature of “Eternal” gives way to a brute force mentality in “Dark Ages,” where smashing through enemies becomes the primary strategy. The essence of ripping and tearing is still prevalent, with an emphasis on raw power.
At the heart of “Dark Ages” lies a combat system reminiscent of the original 1993 game, drawing inspiration from slowly launched projectiles from iconic enemies like Imps, Kakodemons, and Hell Knights. This new chapter intensifies those encounters, featuring an array of foes that hurl fireballs, floating orbs, and energy barriers, all while straying from the traditional two-dimensional arena.
The interdimensional battlefield shimmers with energy.
Photo: ID Software
Players must navigate these new challenges as they control slower, heftier slayers of doom. Shields play a crucial defensive role against various projectiles, not only blocking attacks but also reflecting some back at their origin. Successfully countering projectile attacks catches opponents off guard and opens them up for “glorious kills.” Although brutal, these maneuvers are generally less intricate than in earlier games, often reduced to straightforward punches and kicks.
While many demons follow easily recognizable attack patterns, the most formidable adversaries engage in fierce close-range duels. These confrontations occur within expansive arenas, where smaller foes swarm around larger ones, often shielded by rows of undead minions. ID Software has introduced several innovative weapons to tackle these hellish legions, including railroad spike launchers that absorb demons and shotguns that deliver devastating close-quarter firepower.
The scale is remarkable.
Photo: ID Software
This captivating reformulation of core combat mechanics provides as much enjoyment in mastering its rhythm as it does in witnessing its destructive consequences. However, the slower pace and limited toolset may not evoke the same adrenaline rush at its peak as previous entries.
This slower pacing is amplified by the expansive design of “Dark Ages.” With 22 levels that are often open-ended, players can choose their battles and discover secrets in their preferred order. Yet, despite the impressive scale, the traversal can become monotonous, resulting in a feeling that the game may not fully capitalize on its combat potential.
ID Software tries to counteract the slow tempo by incorporating diverse gameplay mechanics. Certain maps allow players to pilot a massive mech named Atlan, delivering impactful punches to colossal demons, while others introduce aerial maneuvers atop dragons. While these elements bring novelty, they tend to lack significant depth, recalling the mandatory vehicle sections prevalent in early 2000s shooters.
Nonetheless, I appreciate the experimental nature of “Dark Ages.” The developers seem committed to exploring new directions, striving not to rely solely on past successes like some other franchises. Their goal appears to be redefining shooter mechanics with every new release. While “Dark Ages” may not reach the heights of previous ID Software titles, it remains a well-crafted and thoughtfully designed shooter that delivers heavy hitting moments.
Don Pettit, NASA’s oldest active astronaut, made his return to Earth on April 20th, coinciding with his 70th birthday. This marked the end of his fourth mission, a demanding 220-day stay at the International Space Station.
Throughout his time aboard the space station, Pettit engaged in various experiments, interacted with students, and exercised extensively to maintain his health and combat bone density loss. However, his most captivating contribution was through his photography.
For many on Earth, going to space is simply a dream. “I caught a glimpse of how they perceive my image,” said Pettit during a press conference following his return to Japan.
Pettit mentioned that dedicated photographers always carry a camera. “I could gaze out of the window and enjoy the stunning views,” he described. “But every time I look out, I am just enjoying it, saying to myself, ‘Wow, look at that. Oh, there’s a flash. What’s happening there?’ and, ‘Ah, a volcano appears.’ Then I think, ‘Where’s my camera?’
At times, he would set up five different cameras simultaneously in the cupola module, where seven windows offered sweeping vistas of space and Earth.
Capturing images in space shares similarities with night photography; the stars are faint and require longer exposure times to gather sufficient light. However, in orbit, everything is in constant motion, with the space station racing at 5 miles per second while the Earth spins beneath.
At times, Pettit embraced the dynamic beauty. The shimmering lines blurred under the light showcased the stars tracing arcs across the night sky.
“These meld science with art,” Pettit noted on X. “There are so many techniques to observe, or you can simply sit back and think, ‘How cool!’
His camera was fitted with a “trajectory fitting tracker,” a homemade device that gradually adjusts for the space station’s movements, keeping the lens focused on a particular point in the sky.
Thanks to this tracker, he was able to capture a 10-second exposure of the Milky Way shining above the cloudy Pacific Ocean just before dawn, revealing a captivating blue-purple glow from sunlight scattering through nitrogen in Earth’s atmosphere.
The sidereal tracker also contributed to capturing the image below from the windows of the docked SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.
The photo reveals the large and small Magellanic Clouds, the closest galaxies to our Milky Way on a cosmic scale.
In April, Pettit filmed the mesmerizing rhythmic pulsations of the aurora, a glowing phenomenon caused by high-energy solar particles interacting with atmospheric molecules.
On occasion, vibrant lights were the result of human activity, not celestial events. The green lines seen in this photo are similar in color to the aurora but actually result from fishing boats off Thailand attracting squid.
While photographing Earth, Pettit recorded lightning striking in the upper atmosphere above the Amazon Basin in South America. These videos captured time intervals ranging from 6 to 33 seconds, showcasing more intricate details of the flashes.
The Betoshiboca River in Madagascar reminded Pettit of the visual patterns seen in human eyes’ blood vessels.
Similar to wildfires, urban areas intensify in brightness at night.
Pettit seized the opportunity to document spacecraft launching and returning to Earth, including a test flight of a SpaceX Starship rocket from Texas last November…
…and the docking of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, scheduled to transport cargo to the space station in December.
During his mission, Pettit also designed an entertaining science experiment. One showcased electrically charged water droplets dancing around a Teflon knitting needle. “I aim to do in space what can only be done in space,” he stated. “I’m worried that when I return, I’ll have to catch up on all the TV shows.”
In another experiment, he injected food coloring into a droplet of water, producing a sphere resembling Jupiter or a pristine marble.
Pettit also dissolved antacid tablets in water. In a microgravity environment, the escaping bubbles create entirely different patterns of pop, fizz, and hiss compared to on Earth.
He even froze thin water ice wafers at minus 140 degrees Fahrenheit. “What can you do with a freezer in space?” He wrote on X. “I decided to grow a thin layer of water ice just for the fun of it.”
Photographing the ice layer through a polarizing filter revealed intricate crystal formations.
While Pettit holds the title of the oldest NASA astronaut, he is not the oldest person to orbit Earth; that honor goes to John Glenn, who flew around the Earth in 1962 and again in 1998 at the age of 77.
Pettit is also not the oldest individual to spend time aboard the International Space Station; that distinction belongs to private astronaut Larry Connor, who was 72 during his two-week mission in 2022, organized by Axiom Space in Houston.
“I’m only 70, with a few good years ahead of me,” Pettit remarked during a news conference. “We’ve managed to squeeze in another flight before we had to finalize the rocket nozzle.”
Elizabeth Holmes’ partner and father of her child is said to have secured millions in funding to launch a new blood-testing company, which bears a striking resemblance to the firm that led Holmes, the founder of Theranos, to federal prison.
As reported by the New York Times, Billy Evans, the heir to a hotel fortune, is promoting his new venture, Haemanthus, to potential investors. Evans’ concept involves a health testing company capable of analyzing users’ blood, urine, and saliva.
The business model of Haemanthus and the pitch provided by Holmes-led Theranos show significant similarities.
Holmes founded Theranos in 2003 after her healthcare technology startup attracted substantial investments, boasting hundreds of millions from high-profile backers. She asserted that her company had developed a method for rapidly and accurately testing small blood samples to arrive at a diagnosis.
Haemanthus, according to its January patent, claims its technology can utilize sweat, urine, saliva, and small blood samples for diagnostics. The company, initiated by Evans, who has two children with Holmes, was established in February 2024 and plans to start animal testing before moving on to human trials.
The technology claims made by Theranos inflated its valuation to $9 billion in 2014. However, a critical investigation by the Wall Street Journal revealed significant inaccuracies in Theranos’ assertions, indicating the tests were not only illegal but also produced false results.
The scandal culminated in 2018 when the company was dissolved, leading to criminal charges against Holmes and the firm’s president. Holmes received an 11-year prison sentence in 2022 for defrauding investors.
Marketing materials for Haemanthus, as reviewed by The New York Times, indicate that the technology employs lasers to analyze blood, saliva, and urine from pets, promising rapid disease, cancer, or infection detection.
Reportedly, Haemanthus aims to develop compact, wearable versions of its devices for human use in the long run, according to The Times.
Several investors have already expressed interest in the pitch. While reportedly receiving guidance from Holmes, Evans has managed to raise nearly $20 million from friends and other backers.
Evans met Holmes in 2017 during the fraud investigation that resulted in her imprisonment. He is said to reside in Texas with their child, while Holmes serves her sentence approximately two hours away.
On Monday, President Trump plans to sign an executive order intending to reduce various US drug prices by aligning them with the rates paid by other affluent nations. True Social reported on Sunday evening.
The proposal, referred to as the “most favored nation” pricing model, cannot alter federal policies. Trump did not specify which insurances or drugs would be included, but asserted that the US should secure the lowest price among comparable countries.
“Our nation will be treated fairly, and citizens’ healthcare costs will drop to unprecedented levels,” he stated in a social media update.
This initiative may face legal challenges, and it remains uncertain if it can proceed without legislative action.
During his first term, Trump attempted to implement a version of this Medicare concept. It would have affected 68 million Americans aged 65 and older or those with disabilities. The proposal would have targeted only 50 drugs given in clinics and hospitals reimbursed by Medicare, but a federal court blocked it, citing procedural oversights by the administration.
The pharmaceutical sector staunchly opposes this notion, fearing significant cuts to their profits. They have been actively lobbying against it as policy discussions have intensified in Washington in recent weeks. Companies caution that such measures could lead to reduced research funding and limit patient access to new medications.
“Government pricing in any form is detrimental to patients in America,” stated Alex Schriver, an employee of a prominent pharmaceutical lobbying group. He added, “Policymakers should concentrate on addressing flaws in the US system rather than adopting unsuccessful policies from abroad.”
Trump’s openness to these ideas distinguishes him from the majority of Republicans, who are generally skeptical of government pricing. Democrats are also proposing a version of the concept.
Amiet Salpatwali, a pharmaceutical policy expert at Harvard Medical School, noted that Trump is capitalizing on ideas that carry “populist appeal.”
Trump has long complained that the US pays much higher prices for the same drugs compared to other affluent countries. His claim holds merit: in the US, branded drug prices are on average three times higher than those in peer nations.
This disparity occurs even though a significant portion of the research that leads to new drugs is performed in American laboratories and hospitals.
Pharmaceutical firms generate a considerable majority of their global profits from US sales, often tailoring business strategies to the US market.
The industry asserts that higher prices in the US have certain advantages. According to industry-funded analyses, patients in the US access medications more rapidly and face fewer insurance restrictions compared to other nations.
Soon, tens of thousands of Americans will be compelled to transition from well-known obesity medications to alternatives that are likely to yield less effective weight loss, thanks to decisions made by Health’s insurance providers.
This situation exemplifies the consequences of a clandestine agreement between a pharmaceutical company and an intermediary known as a pharmacy benefits manager (PBM), appointed by employers to manage prescription coverage for their workforce. While employers benefit from lower medication costs, employees find themselves restricted from accessing competitive healthcare options. This type of insurance denial has become increasingly prevalent in the last decade.
Caremark, part of CVS Health and one of the largest PBMs, has opted to eliminate coverage for Zepbound, despite research indicating its weight loss efficacy surpasses that of Wegovy.
Ellen Davis, a 63-year-old resident of Huntington, Massachusetts, is one of those affected by Caremark’s decision. “It’s as if the rug has been pulled out from under me,” she expressed.
After using Zepbound for a year, she lost 85 pounds and experienced significant health improvements, having retired after a 34-year tenure at Verizon.
In a letter addressed to Verizon, she stated, “This forces patients to transition to less effective medications without any justification for medical care.”
Verizon did not respond to inquiries.
Following Caremark’s announcement, word spread rapidly online. A physician’s assistant at a weight loss clinic in New Hampshire started a Change.org petition to urge the company to reconsider. As of Sunday afternoon, it had garnered over 2,700 signatures. Caremark is set to cease Zepbound coverage in July.
Doctors assert that both Wegovy, from Novo Nordisk, and Zepbound are effective medications; however, they prefer Zepbound for most patients. This shift greatly limits their ability to tailor obesity medication prescriptions to individual needs.
It remains unclear if the omission of Zepbound will enhance Caremark’s profit margins.
Executives from Novo Nordisk claim they are not attempting to obstruct Zepbound’s availability. They maintain that patients and healthcare providers should have the autonomy to select their preferred medications.
David Whitrap, a spokesperson for Caremark, stated that the firm’s objective was to reduce drug costs. He noted that the agreement would lower obesity drug prices for Caremark’s employer clients by 10-15% compared to the previous year.
“CVS Caremark has aimed to let PBMs competitors often put forth their best efforts. Our choice is to encourage competition among clinically similar products while providing the lowest net costs to our clients,” Whitrap commented.
When queried about studies highlighting Zepbound’s advantages, Whitrap indicated that both medications are highly effective, and that clinical trial outcomes frequently diverge from real-world results.
The actual pricing that employers pay for medications is usually confidential. The Health Transformation Alliance, a consortium of major employers, reports that the average monthly cost for a large employer falls between $550 and $650.
Without insurance, patients might spend approximately $500 monthly on their medications. Many recently lost cheaper alternatives when regulators halted the sale of generic versions that cost below $200 monthly.
Countless employers do not cover either Zepbound or Wegovy due to their high cost. Medicare excludes most drugs for obese patients, and the Trump administration recently declined to support the Biden administration’s proposal to expand coverage.
Caremark, along with two other PBMs, dominates 80% of the prescription market. Other players, like Cigna’s Express Scripts and UnitedHealth’s Optum Rx, have not implemented similar restrictions on weight loss medications.
Since 2012, major PBMs have increasingly employed strategies that disrupt patient care and complicate treatment plans. Medications have been abruptly removed from the PBM’s official list of covered drugs.
According to a drugmaker-funded analysis, the number of medications excluded from at least one PBM list surged from 50 in 2014 to 548 in 2022. This count reflects instances where patients were compelled to switch to entirely different drugs, not merely to a standard version or alternative replica.
Limitations fluctuate frequently, leaving patients uncertain about the reasons behind them. One PBM might cover a specific drug while another does not, but competing managers may do the reverse.
Exclusions are generally purported not to harm patients; in certain instances, they may even be beneficial if patients are nudged toward more effective medications.
However, some exclusions have prompted significant concern among patients and healthcare providers.
In 2022, Caremark compelled patients to switch from one widely utilized blood-thinning elixir to Xarelto, leading to anecdotal reports that patients experienced complications during their treatment change. A group of physicians criticized this move, and the company restored coverage for the elixir six months later.
Individuals with autoimmune diseases, such as arthritis, often face similar mandatory drug switches. Asthma patients are also experiencing transitions to alternate inhalers.
“We’ve witnessed numerous situations,” remarked Dr. Robin Cohen, an asthma specialist at Boston Medical Center.
Representatives on behalf of employers indicate that patients affiliated with Caremark have already reached out via calls and emails, inquiring about the potential impact on their prescriptions. While they may remain on the PBM’s drug list, they have not played an active role in shaping it.
Caremark’s changes are applicable only to specific private insurance beneficiaries whose employers selected the most prevalent drug list managed by PBMs. This movement excludes patients receiving a version of diabetes medication.
Patients can consider switching to Wegovy or three other weight loss alternatives.
Whitrap noted that Caremark provides a “case-by-case medical exception process for individuals who may require alternatives,” including patients who have previously utilized Wegovy and saw insufficient weight loss.
However, many individuals may not meet the criteria for the exemption. In a conversation, one patient expressed a desire for Zepbound specifically and was not interested in switching.
“I selected Zepbound in consultation with my physician,” stated Carl Hoode, 49, from Saugus, Massachusetts.
Some patients are contemplating using their own funds to continue Zepbound. For 28-year-old Victoria Bello of Syracuse, New York, the medication has provided significant health improvements, and she fears losing access to it.
“I wasn’t prepared for such a sudden change,” she remarked. “I’m concerned for my health and the potential setback in my progress.”
A study funded by Eli Lilly conducted direct comparisons of medications across 750 clinical trials over a span of 16 months.
Participants receiving high doses of Zepbound shed an average of 50 pounds, whereas those on Wegovy lost around 33 pounds. Though both medications are administered via injection and share side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, the frequency of these effects was generally comparable between the two drugs. A small proportion of patients in both groups discontinued medication due to side effects.
Both drugs function similarly but have critical differences. Wegovy mimics only a single appetite-regulating hormone, while Zepbound influences two. Researchers believe that engaging more hormones leads to greater weight loss.
Dr. Jason Brett, an executive at Novo Nordisk, indicated in a recent interview that the quantity of weight lost is just one aspect of obesity treatment. Both medications are associated with improved heart health, though only Novo Nordisk has obtained regulatory approval to market the drug with that claim.
Medical professionals contend that both options must remain accessible, as Wegovy may outshine Zepbound in terms of weight loss efficacy or having milder side effects.
Healthcare providers advocate for the availability of both medications due to the diverse responses patients exhibit when using either Wegovy or Zepbound.
Supporters of Caremark argue that their decision to restrict Zepbound is merely fulfilling their responsibilities.
Benefits managers engage with pharmaceutical companies to negotiate payments known as rebates, which ultimately reduce employers’ costs for prescription drugs. These negotiations can yield substantial fees for the biggest market players. Caremark stood to gain significant revenue from weight loss medications without needing to exclude Zepbound.
The weight loss pill market is thriving, with both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly vying for market share.
Caremark engaged both drug manufacturers regarding rebate amounts associated with making their products available. However, neither Novo Nordisk nor Eli Lilly disclosed specific amounts provided. Novo Nordisk maintains that it did not advocate for or pay to inhibit Zepbound’s availability, emphasizing that the exclusion was solely Caremark’s decision.
“We believe that patients and physicians should determine what’s in the best interest of the patient,” stated Lars Flugaard Jorgensen, CEO of Novo Nordisk. He elaborated to Wall Street analysts this month.
Elizabeth DeGalier, 56, of Rochester, Minnesota, shared that Zepbound had a transformative impact on her life, expressing her frustration over Caremark’s choice. “It appears they overlooked scientific evidence,” she remarked. “They were primarily motivated by financial considerations.”
She added, “I am apprehensive about the future. I rely on several other expensive medications. Will they also be discontinued?”
A TikTok video features a young man showcasing a pile of $100 bills. Another appears with designer clothing, while a third man dances, flaunting a heavy gold chain. They brag to their devoted followers about their journey to wealth.
One caption in the video reads, “BM got me a new car,” and another boasts, “$5,000 in just a few hours.”
Unlike traditional influencers focused on travel, brands, or culinary delights, their appeal hinges on criminal activities. All individuals in question are based in Nigeria, and their fraudulent schemes target social media users, predominantly in the US and other Western nations, manipulating romantic interests and victimizing individuals by spreading explicit images.
The intimidation escalates with the distribution of the victims’ images alongside demands for money.
The self-proclaimed con artist identifies as “BM Boys,” where “BM” refers to a chilling term for predatory schemes. Hundreds of young men from West Africa are involved in these operations. Their videos, flaunting lavish lifestyles, have attracted hundreds, if not thousands, of followers on TikTok, garnering admiration and igniting ambitions among other young men eager to join the scams.
“Please tell me the boss [the] one!” a follower commented on a popular BM boys TikTok. “[In] Please give me the name of God. Share your job details.”
Some BM Boys accounts have amassed hundreds of thousands of followers. The Guardian has identified 22 TikTok accounts run by these self-proclaimed BM Boys and interviewed a 24-year-old Nigerian man who has been actively involved for eight years, claiming to have raised nearly $100,000 from victims during that time.
“For me, it’s straightforward,” said one scammer who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss illegal activities. “We’re always on our phones—if you’re not working, you won’t eat.”
Finding Victims on Instagram and Flexing on TikTok
One of the primary targets for BM Boys is teenage boys in the United States and beyond. According to a 2023 report by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), financial sextortion cases involving minors rose sharply, totaling 26,718 from just 10,731 in 2022. Since 2021, at least 46 American teens have died by suicide after being victims of these scams.
In 2024, Meta announced that it had deleted 63,000 Instagram accounts reportedly linked to sextortion schemes from Nigeria. Despite this crackdown, Instagram remains a platform where perpetrators can identify and engage potential targets, as noted by human trafficking experts. Meanwhile, TikTok serves as a showcase for BM Boys, allowing them to flaunt their success and recruit newcomers.
“Others are eager to join these scams because they see the profits. They flaunt money, luxurious clubs, and travels,” says Paul Rafil, an expert in online exploitation. “They exploit these platforms and their influencer status to generate income.”
These individuals lead enviable lifestyles, often employing experienced figures known as “bosses” who manage new scammers termed “talks.” Rafil explains that these bosses take a cut of the profits.
“These ‘talks’ are tasked with creating fake social media profiles, engaging potential victims online,” Rafil elaborated. “But when it comes to transferring money through cash apps, Bitcoin wallets, and other financial methods, the bosses take the reins.”
A TikTok spokesperson stated, “We designed TikTok for creativity and do not tolerate any content or behavior that promotes sextortion, as it is harmful to teens.”
Tips and Tricks for Blackmailing
A critical aspect of their scheme involves building trust by creating a façade that their interactions are with attractive women in the same locale as their targets. Many BM Boys post “BM Updates” on TikTok, providing tips and education to followers on improving their sextortion techniques.
“Millions aspire to get into this. If you don’t learn it, you won’t succeed,” remarked one scammer who regularly shares BM updates and has a growing follower base.
BM updates include copying scripts, sharing pictures of girls to impersonate, tutorials on hacking social media accounts, and advice on utilizing Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to avoid detection. They also provide scripts for creating menacing audio messages to coerce victims into compliance and guidance on where to find potential targets, including dating sites.
To connect with victims, offenders often use tactics termed “bombing,” where they infiltrate various online communities, including those related to schools, sports teams, and popular culture. They frequently discuss country music stars, Hollywood celebrities, or fans of popular shows, sharing insights on how to target such demographics.
“They do this for two reasons: to scam those who accept their follow requests and to make their fake accounts seem more legitimate when mutual friends exist,” Rafil noted. “Often they’ll say, ‘Oh, I discovered you through mutual suggestions on Instagram.’
To bolster their credibility as Americans, BM Boys avidly consume American news, sports, and pop culture content, according to a scary mailer.
Through thousands of attempts, these scripts and strategies have evolved into high-pressure systems designed to lure victims into compromising situations. They usually initiate image exchanges by sending stolen nude photos from sites where sex workers create content, Rafil mentioned.
Perpetrators then demand between $500 and $3,000, threatening to share explicit images with the victim’s social media connections. They employ fear tactics by editing victims’ photos into fake newspaper headlines or broadcast news images.
“Sometimes I call them to let them know who they’re dealing with. When the victim sees his photos on TV or in the news, they’ll think, ‘Oh, I can’t block this person,’” he claimed. “They’ll see it featured in trashy news broadcasts,” he mentioned.
No Remorse, Only Money
It’s no accident that threatening individuals flaunt their exploits on TikTok. One con artist expressed skepticism about reports indicating that numerous US teens have died by suicide following sextortion targeting.
“I don’t feel guilty; that’s not the sole reason for their suicides. I’m not sure if BM is responsible for these tragedies,” said the scammer. “If someone tells me they’re considering suicide, I assume they’re joking.”
He recounted how he was orphaned as a child when his mother died during childbirth, leading him to view sexual exploitation as merely a job despite its emotional toll.
“When I take a photo, I feel nothing for the victim. I must survive as a living being,” he remarked.
This lack of remorse shown by BM Boys has caused immense trauma for families, such as John Demay’s. In 2022, her son Jordan took his life at 17 after being targeted by three Nigerian men on Instagram who impersonated teenage girls. Two of them, Samuel Ogosi and his younger brother Samson Ogosi, have since been extradited to the US and are now serving a 17-year, six-month prison sentence.
During sentencing, the judge described the brothers as exhibiting “a blatant disregard for life,” noting that they continued their sextortion scheme even after learning of Jordan’s suicide.
“They continued their activities using the same script and attitude, fully aware that Jordan had ended his life as a consequence of their actions,” Demay stated.
Experts emphasize that the balance between privacy and safety on social media for children must differ from that of adults, urging platforms to strengthen protections for minors.
“You’re working with youth who may act impulsively. They might not respond adequately to warnings. Given their vulnerability, proactive measures are crucial,” they recommend.
Meta has implemented various changes recently to safeguard younger users. In a statement, the company mentions alerting teens when they interact with users from different countries, and blurring explicit images sent from minor accounts.
A Meta spokesperson commented, “Sextortion is a heinous crime. We have the ability to dismantle networks of fraudsters, share information with other companies, and support law enforcement in prosecuting these offenders.”
Since September, Instagram has established default privacy settings for accounts, making it harder for unauthorized individuals to view follower lists. However, when a teen accepts a friendship request, their follower list remains accessible. Enhancing privacy further, such as restricting follower lists from even approved followers, could better protect teens from being targeted by sextortionists, Rafil pointed out. “It shouldn’t be as easy as flipping through a directory to find a teenage boy or girl.”
Demay expressed that social media companies “have the ability to implement necessary safeguards within their platforms but have chosen not to do so.”
Recent research indicates that wild chimpanzees have established a more nuanced communication system than previously thought, employing various mechanisms that merge vocalizations to convey new meanings.
These aspects of chimpanzee communication are detailed in studies published in Friday Journal Science Advances, resembling some basic elements of human language.
Researchers examined recordings from three groups of chimpanzees residing along ivory shores, revealing that they can combine vocalizations much like humans use idioms and rearrange words to form new phrases.
This study marks the first documentation of such complexity in non-human communication systems, suggesting that chimpanzees’ capabilities reflect an evolutionary turning point between basic animal communication and human language.
“The ability to combine sounds to create new meanings is a hallmark of human language,” stated Catherine Crockford, a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and co-director of the Tai Chimpanzee project. “It is crucial to explore whether similar capabilities exist in our closest living relatives, chimpanzees and bonobos.”
Another study published last month provided similar evidence indicating that bonobos can also combine calls to form phrases. Together, these studies imply that both species are evolving fundamental components of human language.
Bonobos and chimpanzees are the species most closely linked to humans in evolutionary history, suggesting all three may have derived from a common ancestor with this capability.
“Our findings indicate a highly generative vocal communication system that is unmatched in the animal kingdom. This aligns with recent discoveries about bonobos and implies that complex combinatorial abilities may have already existed in a common human ancestor.”
Researchers identified these new complexities in chimpanzee vocal systems by tracking specific animals in the field from dawn to dusk for approximately 12 hours daily, capturing the sounds they produced and their interactions with others in the group. They documented over 4,300 vocalizations from 53 wild chimpanzees.
While observing the vocalizations, researchers noted the activities, social interactions, and environmental changes occurring simultaneously, indicating whether the chimpanzees were eating, playing, or encountering predators.
The team performed statistical analyses on particular two-call combinations, such as “bark followed by bark,” recorded across various animals.
Their findings revealed that chimpanzees combine sounds to reference everyday experiences, with combinations that can express a range of meanings.
Simon Townsend, a professor at the University of Zurich who studied primate cognition and contributed to the bonobo study, noted that he wasn’t involved in this particular research.
He suggested that the common evolutionary ancestors of bonobos, humans, and chimpanzees likely possessed this ability.
“This suggests that our linguistic capabilities were already developing about 6-7 million years ago,” Townsend stated, referring to the time when these species likely diverged in the evolutionary tree.
Not all primates showcase such intricate communication. Townsend noted that forest monkeys, with simpler social structures, primarily utilize vocalizations to address predatory threats.
However, he believes that increasingly larger and more intricate social groups—a common trait among great apes and humans—have catalyzed the evolution of more sophisticated communication and ultimately, language.
For bonobos and chimpanzees, “Their biggest challenge is managing their intricate social environment. They exist in larger groups… There are conflicts, reconciliations, territorial disputes, and intergroup interactions. Vocalization is likely one evolutionary response to navigating these complex social dynamics.”
In human language, syntax refers to a set of rules that create a system capable of expressing infinite meanings.
“Syntax pertains to conveying increasingly precise and sophisticated information, which probably becomes necessary as social interactions grow more complex,” Townsend stated.
As the saying goes, you can’t brush aside the truth, but you can examine it closely—and you definitely should.
Medical professionals have long recognized that the state of our toilets offers valuable insights into our overall health. This wisdom also applies to how frequently we use them.
Discovering the Goldilocks Zone of Bowel Movements
Last year, a team of researchers found a connection between the frequency of bowel movements and long-term health outcomes.
They studied 1,400 healthy adults, excluding those with certain conditions and medications that could alter their stool.
The researchers categorized bowel movement frequency into four groups: constipation (one or two movements per week), low normal (three to six movements per week), high normal (one to three movements per day), and diarrhea.
According to the Bristol Stool Chart—or perhaps suspicious cupcakes—your stool should neither be too hard nor too soft. – Illustration: Lynn Bremner
Within this scale, the team identified a sort of Goldilocks zone.
Ideal bowel movements fall within a high normal range, according to Professor Shawn Gibbons, one of the study’s authors from the Institute of Systems Biology.
“Going every other day is reasonable. Ideally, twice a day is within a safe range,” he explains. “Some people take pride in it; they make a point to go at 10 a.m. every day.”
What Our Stool Reveals About Gut Health
Gibbons’ fascination with our collective bowel habits stems from the increasing understanding of the microorganisms inhabiting our gut.
“Transit time or intestinal motility is a crucial factor in this ecosystem,” he notes.
As stool moves through the intestine, microorganisms utilize available dietary fiber, fermenting it into beneficial fatty acids.
However, if the stool lingers too long, these microorganisms switch to protein, leading to toxin release into the bloodstream.
“Accumulations of toxins, like indoxyl sulfate and trimethylamine, are associated with chronic kidney and cardiovascular diseases,” Gibbons warns.
The average individual produces 3,500-3,800 kilograms (7,700-8,400 pounds) of stool in their lifetime. – Photo credit: Getty
Regular bowel movements lead to similar yet subtly different biological processes.
“Individuals with diarrhea often show elevated levels of systemic inflammation, such as C-reactive protein,” he clarifies. “I noticed a stress marker in the liver that ended up in the bloodstream.”
Of course, there are natural variations in how often people experience bowel movements. Most people recognize when their patterns change, but many healthcare providers aren’t overly concerned.
Gibbons states that the general consensus among clinicians is that unless changes are extreme, treatment may not be necessary.
“However, we argue that variations might be worth investigating,” he says. “Aiming for a consistent schedule of once a day or every other day is important. Deviating from this pattern can raise potential risk factors for chronic illnesses and aging.”
Examining Stool Texture and Consistency
Another way to evaluate your stool is by observing its characteristics. The Bristol Stool Scale serves as a visual guide to assessing stool health and can be quite revealing.
Developed in 1997 as a diagnostic tool, the scale categorizes stool into seven types—from small, hard pellets to watery diarrhea.
In addition to frequency, we should also seek a healthy balance in terms of shape and consistency. A smooth, sausage-like stool that passes easily is considered ideal.
It’s also necessary to notice the effort involved during bowel movements. Stool should not feel like a strenuous ordeal, nor should it feel like it’s happening all at once.
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Emphasizing a Healthy Lifestyle
If you find yourself consistently outside these Goldilocks zones, researchers suggest several strategies.
Gibbons and his colleagues discovered that individuals who fall into the beneficial higher frequency category tend to lead healthier lifestyles.
“They consume more fruits and vegetables, are more physically active, and tend to hydrate better,” he mentions. “These three factors can make a significant difference.”
He also recommends exploring new health trends. “Consider taking dietary fiber supplements or incorporating flaxseed and chia seeds into your meals. These can be quite beneficial.”
Be wary of certain wellness trends as well. Popular weight loss medications like Wegovy and Ozempic may offer multiple health benefits, but Gibbons cautions that they can slow intestinal transit time, potentially affecting frequency.
“High-protein diets can also pose risks due to the byproducts generated from protein fermentation. There is considerable evidence suggesting links to type 2 diabetes, particularly in younger individuals.”
So the next time you find yourself on the throne, consider it your personal health assessment.
Meet Our Experts
Professor Shawn Gibbons is an associate professor at the Institute of Systems Biology and leads the Gibbons Lab, which focuses on microbiology, ecology, and medicine. He earned his PhD in Biophysics from the University of Chicago in 2015. His expertise lies in microbial ecology, evolution, complex adaptive systems, bioinformatics, and the human microbiota.
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