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Ex-Intel CEO’s Quest to Create Christian AI: ‘Accelerate the Second Coming of Christ’ | Tech Insights

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In March, Patrick Gelsinger joined Intel’s executive team, just three months after being removed as the company’s CEO and facing litigation from shareholders. Gloo is a technology firm dedicated to what he describes as the “faith ecosystem,” providing Salesforce and chatbots for churches, along with an AI assistant designed to automate pastoral and ministry support.

Gelsinger’s transition comes at a time when the U.S. tech sector is re-engaging with political activities, as the second Trump administration revives religious conservatism in Washington, D.C. Some notable figures are funding Donald Trump’s re-election campaign and actively pursuing government contracts.

As the Executive Chairman and Head of Technology at Gloo (now free from shareholder lawsuits), Gelsinger aims to promote Christian values within the company’s initiatives. Silicon Valley, the state capital, and beyond have become focal points. He has attracted $110 million in strategic investments. His campaign encompasses a call for AI technologies that reflect Christian ethics, with high-tech products developed by Gloo designed around prevalent large-scale language models, customized to align with users’ theological beliefs.

“My life’s mission is to develop technologies that enhance the quality of life for every individual globally and accelerate the return of Christ,” he stated.

Speakers discuss trust conditioning in AI at the Gloo hackathon. Photo: Mike Mauser

Gloo claims to support “over 140,000 faith, ministry, and nonprofit leaders.” Although Gloo’s client base is smaller compared to major AI industry players, it’s worth noting that approximately 800 million users engage with ChatGPT weekly.

Gelsinger, a committed Christian, has described his “mission field” as influencing the culture of Silicon Valley. He observes a “very loud, very visible, very specifically Christian tech culture” emerging in the area. Scholars like Damian Williams from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte explore how religious beliefs shape technology, drawing parallels with figures like Peter Thiel and Andreessen Horowitz, who caution about the Antichrist’s looming presence without adherence to a particular technological framework. Katherine Boyle, closely connected with Vice President JD Vance, recognizes Gelsinger’s longstanding advocacy for Christian principles. In 2013, he founded Transforming the Bay with Christ, aimed at revitalizing the Christian spiritual movement in the region.

During a seminar co-hosted by a conservative university and the Christian Post on October 7, Gelsinger described AI’s development as “another Gutenberg moment,” a significant transformative change that parallels the Reformation. Just as Martin Luther used the printing press to ignite “the greatest age of human invention,” he perceives a similar faith-driven potential to alter history through AI today.

“The church adopted the great invention of its time to fundamentally change humanity,” Gelsinger remarked regarding the printing press. “So my inquiry today is whether we will embrace this? Can AI be molded into a technology that powerfully embodies the Church and its mission?”

Jesus Hackathon

Gloo aims to influence AI, Christianity, and faith technology beyond just Silicon Valley. The company also supports the Christian tech ecosystem through funding and events like a three-day hackathon that followed the seminar at Colorado Christian University. The event attracted over 600 participants vying for more than $250,000 in prizes, with participant numbers projected to triple by 2024.

Despite its growth, the hackathon faced challenges. Ryan Siebert, an AI product developer, discovered a vulnerability in Gloo’s latest LLM, which is not publicly available, and it provided him with a methamphetamine recipe due to prompt injection. He informed the president of Gloo AI about the issue. A spokesperson from Gloo mentioned that as the product is still in “pre-beta” development, participants were encouraged to test the new LLM and offer feedback.

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Audience at the Gloo hackathon. Photo: Mike Mauser

Meanwhile, Gelsinger indicated that his message regarding Christian AI is resonating well in Washington, D.C. In a conversation with the Guardian, he mentioned introducing Gloo’s efforts to various legal advocacy groups and Congressional members. Although he didn’t specify the organizations or politicians, he noted that some Congress members have shown interest in integrating Gloo products into church activities.

Goo’s influence also spans conservative political circles. Brandon Showalter, a journalist for the Christian Post and co-host of the seminar with Gloo, expressed hope that society would view care for transgender youth as “unthinkable as an ice pick lobotomy.” An analyst at the Heritage Foundation, which is behind Project 2025, participated in a panel moderated by Showalter, providing insights on AI regulation. On October 17th, Gelsinger delivered his “Gutenberg Moment” speech at Liberty University’s CEO Summit, alongside keynote speeches from figures like Liz Truss, Michael Flynn, and Chick-fil-A’s Chairman, Dan T. Cathy.

Gelsinger appears just as at ease in these settings as he was as an honored guest at Joe Biden’s 2022 State of the Union address. Like a pragmatic industry leader, he also engages in public records and has supported political movements across party lines.

Gloo itself maintains an ecumenical tone in its messaging. The hackathon avoided political discussions and sectarian divides. In a Discord chat, participants shared plans to create an AI bot for a “biblical response” to the assassination of conservative figure Charlie Kirk, where organizers advised keeping conversations focused on Jesus, despite recognizing the relevance of politics. The hackathon team, comprised of Leah and Wes Brooks, produced open-source AI tools aimed at interoperability among faith-based and other applications, highlighting the diverse backgrounds of participants, including a female pastor. “I wasn’t even required to sign a faith declaration,” Leah Brooks remarked. Gloo also asserts it does not “prohibit” Islamic organizations from utilizing its technology.

Patrick Gelsinger. Photo: Mike Mauser

“We’re not aiming to take a theological stance. Our goal is to create a technology platform versatile enough for Lutherans, Episcopalians, and Catholics to effectively utilize it,” Gelsinger informed the Guardian. “We want to represent a broad spectrum of faith while also accommodating organizations that maintain a non-sectarian view,” such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

Gelsinger’s ambition is to integrate faith into AI technology. He leads Gloo’s Flourishing AI initiative, which assesses large-scale language models’ effects on human well-being across seven dimensions. Essentially, it evaluates whether a language model contributes positively to the religious lives of its users. This initiative draws from a research program at Harvard University’s human flourishing program. Models such as Grok 3, DeepSeek-R1, and GPT-4.1 score well on average for supporting users with financial inquiries, achieving around 81 points out of 100, but fare poorly in enhancing users’ spiritual growth, with an average score of just 35 points out of 100 according to Gloo’s metrics.

Gloo’s endeavors have yet to gain significant traction within Silicon Valley. A spokesperson stated that the IT department is “beginning to reach out” to leading AI firms.

“I want people to care,” Gelsinger remarked.

Source: www.theguardian.com

iPhone Air Review: Apple’s Quest for Ultimate Slimness

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The iPhone Air represents a stunning blend of technology and design, prompting the question, “What sacrifices are you ready to make for an ultra-lightweight, sleek device?”


More than just a marvel of engineering, the Air signifies a minimalist approach, condensing the iPhone experience into a premium chassis with essential features.

By eliminating the rear camera, reducing battery size, and forgoing stereo speakers while maximizing screen real estate, what remains is a striking combination of titanium and glass.

The cost reflects this craftsmanship. Priced at £999 (€1,199/$999/AU$1,799), the iPhone Air sits between the standard iPhone 17 at £799 and the £1,099 17 Pro variant.




The sleek design is subtly disrupted by a raised camera lens, adding to the phone’s overall thickness of around 11.3mm, reminiscent of Google’s Pixel series. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Images alone fail to showcase the Air’s beauty. Upon handling it, one immediately recognizes it as something unique. The slender 5.64 mm frame feels even lighter due to its rounded edges, making it 12 g lighter than the already featherweight iPhone 17.

The glass rear constitutes the majority of the phone’s structure, while the remainder houses the battery. Traditional iPhone buttons, including those for camera control and actions, line the sides. The top features only the ear speaker. While adequate, you’ll find the absence of stereo sound disappointing during video playback—especially since the 6.5-inch screen delivers a crisp and vibrant viewing experience.

Functionally, the Air operates like any contemporary iPhone. It features a glass-like aesthetic, runs iOS 26, offers all standard apps, includes Face ID, and boasts a highly responsive interface. However, it has a notable drawback: the iPhone Air lacks a nano SIM card tray, operating solely on eSim. In the U.S., Apple has only supported eSim since the iPhone 14, while earlier models sold in other regions included nano SIM slots.




The profiling of the phone’s edges is only marginally thicker than the buttons themselves. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Most major networks in the UK now support eSim; however, experiences with setup and transitions between devices can vary, especially among budget providers. Mobile network companies must enhance their eSim services to ensure wider accessibility.

Specifications

  • Screen: 6.5 inch Super Retina XDR (120Hz OLED) (460ppi)

  • Processor: Apple A19 Pro (5 core GPU)

  • RAM: 12GB

  • Storage: 256, 512GB, or 1TB

  • Operating System: iOS 26

  • Camera: Rear 48MP, 18MP front

  • Connectivity: 5G eSim only, Wi-Fi 7, NFC, Bluetooth 6, Thread, USB-C, Satellite, UWB, GNSS

  • Water Resistance: IP68 (30 minutes at 6 meters)

  • Size: 156.2×74.7×5.64mm

  • Weight: 165g

A19 Pro Chip




The Air takes approximately 105 minutes to charge fully, reaching 60% within 35 minutes using a 20W or higher USB-C power adapter (sold separately). Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The Air is equipped with the same A19 Pro chip found in the iPhone 17 Pro, though it contains one less GPU core—resulting in somewhat slower performance during gaming and graphics-intensive activities. For routine tasks, it feels swift, yet the camera protrusions can cause it to warm up noticeably when under strain.

The reduced battery capacity marks a significant trade-off for the Air’s thin profile, despite much of the structure being allocated for the battery. Battery life is less than other iPhones, but surprisingly adequate. A moderate day with 5 hours of usage for browsing and video streaming on Wi-Fi saw the Air comfortably last 40 hours between charges.




A Qi2 or MagSafe magnetic wireless charger, like the Twelve South Power Bug, could significantly enhance daily usage of the Air. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

On more hectic days filled with photography, 5G navigation, music streaming, messaging, and videos, the Air maintained about 30 hours of life, ending the day with around 25% of the battery remaining. A full overnight charge should suffice for most daily demands, but those heavily into gaming or intense tasks might find themselves requiring low-power mode.

Sustainability




The sleek design of the Air includes a replaceable battery that may require changing after about 1,000 charge cycles. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The battery lasts over 1,000 full charge cycles with at least 80% of its original capacity remaining; replacement costs £109 and is not covered by warranty. The screen repair costs £349. iFixit rated the iPhone Air a 7 out of 10 for repairability.

The Air comprises over 35% recycled materials, including aluminum, cobalt, gold, lithium, rare earth elements, steel, tin, titanium, and tungsten. Apple outlines the environmental implications of mobile devices in its annual report, and offers trade-in and complimentary recycling options, even for non-Apple products.

Camera




While functioning like other iPhone cameras, the Air is somewhat limited due to the absence of ultra-wide and telephoto options. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The camera represents a significant compromise. It features a single 48MP camera at the back and an upgraded 18MP selfie camera at the front, using Center Stage technology from the iPhone 17 series.

The primary camera parallels that of the standard iPhone 17 rather than the larger sensor of the 17 Pro, yet it delivers commendable performance. It captures impressive photos and videos in good lighting and handles dim indoor environments reasonably well. At times the images may appear soft and grainy. While it doesn’t often win awards, it typically produces satisfactory photos. A 2x crop zoom is available, excellent for brightly lit scenes, but further zooming reveals the downsides of a digital zoom—textures and distant subjects tend to lose clarity.




The Air’s zoom capacity is satisfactory in bright conditions, but is prone to detail loss when focusing on further objects. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The absence of ultra-wide and telephoto capabilities restricts creative options for photography. The only other iPhone model with a single rear camera is the more budget-friendly iPhone 16e.

The 18MP front camera dynamically pans and zooms to capture group shots, allowing you to take landscape selfies without rotating your device. This feature is particularly useful. Moreover, it enables simultaneous video recording from both the front and rear cameras, placing you in the frame within a small window.

Price

The iPhone Air starts at £999 (€1,199/$999/AU$1,799) and includes 256GB of storage.

For perspective, the iPhone 16e comes in at £599, the iPhone 17 at £799, the iPhone 17 Pro at £1,099, the 17 Pro Max at £1,199, and the Google Pixel 10 retails for £1,199. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge sells for £899 and the Fairphone 6 is priced at £899, with the Fairphone 6 available for £499.

Verdict

The iPhone Air is a notable design that effectively addresses a specific need. Many have wished that contemporary smartphones would focus on being thinner rather than just emphasizing battery life or camera quality.

The remarkably thin design feels distinctive at first, but the novelty quickly diminishes. Similar to Samsung’s equally slender Galaxy S25 Edge, the primary advantage lies in reducing weight, enhancing comfort during use and storage. Despite its expansive screen, the Air remains compact and easy to carry.

Battery longevity exceeds expectations; while it performs adequately on most days, it might not hold up as well over several years. Apple offers a smart MagSafe battery that can increase its capacity by an additional 65%. However, using it can compromise the device’s thin, lightweight advantages, as would placing it in a case.

A significant limitation is the sole rear camera; the absence of ultra-wide and telephoto features can be restricting for users who rely on their phones for photography.

If you’re an Apple enthusiast seeking a slim, eye-catching device that’s easy to maneuver, the iPhone Air is a remarkable option. Otherwise, there are alternatives that might be more suitable.

Pros: Ultra-thin and lightweight, excellent display, impressive single rear camera, enhanced center stage selfie camera, superior performance, long-term software updates, and Face ID.

Cons: Lacks ultra-wide and telephoto capabilities, high price point, comparatively short battery life, best suited for use without a case, and lacks cutting-edge AI features.




The iPhone Air is visually striking and offers a unique feel compared to other models in the iPhone lineup. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ghost of Yōtei Review: A Stunningly Brutal Samurai Revenge Quest | Gaming

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The Ghost horse of Yotei, named Mokizuki, translates to the traditional Japanese term for “full moon.” I truly believe she is the most unfortunate creature in all of the North. The button needed to summon her is alarmingly close to the one used to heal my samurai during combat, leading to frequent mishaps where I inadvertently call her into a Koittic 7-on-1 skirmish. Mochizuki often intercepts arrows with her fur and deflects sword strikes from my outlaw adversaries to keep them at bay. At times, she simply stands at the fringes of the conflict, quietly waiting to steady my nerves so that I can dispatch the villains and return to picturesque escapades in the Ezo region.

Ghost of Yotei serves as a sequel to Ghost of Tsushima, a revered samurai action game from the American studio Punch released in 2020. Visually, it consistently impresses, regardless of your undertaking. Yet, the majestic framing typical of open-world titles can appear somewhat absurd when you accidentally summon horses for battle or ignite flames, as they don’t quite mesh with the whimsical nature of players.




For the ride… Yotei’s ghost. Photo: Sony Interactive Entertainment

I realized that the ghosts of Tsushima were not only breathtaking but also peculiarly superficial. Their protagonist, Jin, frequently expressed his discomfort with the act of stealthily taking down Mongol invaders to save his island. In contrast, the heroine of Yotei, Ats, embraces her role as the vengeful specter much more comfortably. The narrative isn’t particularly groundbreaking; Ats’ family falls victim to a group of masked outlaws known as the Yotei Six, prompting her to hunt them down for vengeance. Star Erika Ishii delivers a stellar performance as a stoic killer, making me completely invested in Atsu’s quest for blood. Despite several other characters serving as reminders of retribution, she relentlessly eliminates her foes, giving off an impression that she relishes in it.

Honestly, I find it enjoyable. Yotei’s ghostly battles are both exquisite and brutal. You quickly grasp the mechanics of evasion, substitution, and timing while exploring Ezo, equipping yourself with dual katana, a spear, a bow, and the massive Yamato sword for more engaging fights. The setup for confrontations maintains a consistent level of challenge. Atsu faces opponents often twice her size, with some strikes sufficient to end her battles. I enjoy numerous challenging action games, from Monster Hunter to Elden Ring, yet despite over 20 hours of dueling and exploration, I still feel my enemies succumb to me with minimal effort, thus keeping the experience fresh.




Comfortable battle… Yotei’s ghost. Photo: Sony/Sucker Punch

Among this year’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows, also set in historical Japan, Yotei’s Ghost ranks as one of the most visually stunning games I’ve encountered. The stunning natural beauty of Japan, with its ginkgo trees, distant mountains, and fish-filled rivers, is digitally honored (you can spear them for dinner). It is a world crafted for admiration. Navigate with your senses rather than the map on your screen; the wind guides you on where to go next in the story, enabling leisurely exploration. Intriguingly, with your PS5 controller, you can roast fish over a fire, strum a Shamisen, or dab ink onto a canvas. Revisiting Atsu’s memories in familiar places allows for a reflection on her life before it spiraled into violence.

The blend of traditional Japanese instruments with old Western rhythms marks the game as set in 1600s Japan through an American lens. While it may feature more action, blood, and death-defying climbs than typical samurai movies, is that truly a downside? If anything, Tsushima’s ghosts were hampered by a rigid adherence to a somber tone that conflicted with the game’s high body count. Yotei doesn’t complicate matters as the assassin’s creed does, making it fairly straightforward and enjoyable. Whenever I grew weary of pursuing one target, it was easy to find another.




Part of the landscape… the ghost of Yotei. Photo: Sony/Sucker Punch

As Atsu’s legend amplifies, the Ezo populace begins to leave offerings for the vengeful onryō (Bloodthirsty Ghost), seeking to rid the land of its oppressors. As you traverse Ezo, you truly start to feel a connection to it; Atsu engages in battles alongside wolves and chases elusive foxes to discover hidden places in nature. Once her quest for vengeance concluded, I found myself pondering what lay ahead for Ats. She struggles to envision a life beyond this path.

While the story may be simple at its core, it captivated me more than any other historical action game. Even after countless hours, I still feel a rush of excitement as Atsu deliberately unsheathes her sword at the onset of battle. The conclusion would be bittersweet.

Ghost of Yotei is available now for £69.99

Source: www.theguardian.com

Genuine Scientific Discoveries from Brian Johnson’s Quest for Immortality

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Brian Johnson slows or even reverses his body’s aging for more than six hours a day

Agaton Strom/Redux/Eyevine

After completing his 6.5-hour morning routine, Brian Johnson connects to Zoom on a preset 15-minute phone call, a restriction his team describes as part of his “crazy” schedule.

The tech billionaire has emerged as a pioneer of longevity while standing against the concrete walls of his California residence. With a helmet-like headset, wires trailing from the screen, and a black T-shirt that reads “Don’t Die,” his appearance evokes a blend of a luxurious Bali villa and a sleek Apple-designed VR store.

This article is part of a special issue focused on achieving a healthier and happier year. Click here for more details.

While the concept of immortality has fascinated humans for millennia, few have pursued it with the determination that Johnson does. His headset is part of an experiment designed to enhance cognitive function, utilizing specific brain region stimulation via infrared rays. He has committed to a 10-minute daily use of the device over the past two weeks to evaluate its impact on his cognition.

Johnson’s remaining 6 hours and 20 minutes are dedicated to his daily longevity protocol, which includes focused breathing exercises, temperature measurement, hair growth serum application, strength and balance training, a 20-minute sauna session, and treatments like red light therapy and hypoxia therapy. His diet consists of ground nuts, seeds, blueberries, extra virgin olive oil, pomegranate extract, cocoa, collagen, pea and hemp protein, cinnamon, omega-3, omega-6, grape seed extract, macadamia milk, and more. “All this is to turn back the clock [using data and science].”

“People often hear this and think ‘It’s crazy,'” he remarks. “The best way to view it is to see me as a professional rejuvenating athlete—an Olympic athlete, but for longevity.”

Now 48, Johnson embarked on his longevity quest following a series of midlife events: the end of his marriage and the sale of his mobile payment company, which provided him with millions to fund his endeavors.

Project Blueprint

He announced the launch of Project Blueprint in 2021—a mission aimed at measuring organs and reversing biological ages to the “maximum.” He also operates a startup, Blueprint, which markets supplements, blood tests, and other products, facing multiple controversies. Johnson asserts that his bone density ranks in the top 0.2% and his cardiovascular fitness exceeds that of 85% of 20-year-olds, combined with fertility metrics reflecting that of a 20-year-old.

Among his fellow tech billionaires, engaging in extreme and often unproven methods to pursue longevity is not unusual. However, with a strict eating schedule that includes a last meal at 11 a.m., Johnson stands out as the most radical participant in the longevity race, supported by a team of 30 specialists in various fields. “We’re seeking expertise across all domains… brain, mind, protein patterns,” he explains. “This project is experimental and playful.”

Rapamycin Testing

“Very experimental” aptly describes Johnson’s regimen, which may incorporate medications like rapamycin—initially administered as an immunosuppressant post-organ transplant. While animal studies reveal promising results, he ceased taking it last year due to side effects and subsequently discovered a study indicating rapamycin could accelerate aging in humans.

Does he fear experimenting with interventions lacking robust scientific backing?

“I flip that notion,” Johnson replies. “Many people view my experiments as risky, yet they indulge in fast food, late nights, and alcohol, which pose greater risks than my lifestyle. I maintain a healthy diet, ample sleep, and consistent exercise, minimizing my overall risk.”

Some scientists appreciate Johnson’s self-experimentation, while others challenge his terminology. Richard Shiou, Director of Aging Research at King’s College London, notes that some aging-related “biomarkers” can be reversed, including blood metrics, lung volume, lipid profiles, and inflammation markers. However, he argues that this does not equate to suggesting that a person possesses the metabolism of a 25-year-old at 40, given the absence of comprehensive datasets illustrating average biomarkers by age. Longevity clinics providing such tests often rely on limited datasets, according to SIOW. “The numbers may sound appealing for marketing, but they lack clinical sense.”

Conversely, Johnson’s research team maintains that he accurately knows his organ’s biological age through rigorous testing and monitoring, employing methods like MRI scans, ultrasound, blood tests, and genetic assessments (e.g., epigenetic clocks). While these findings are reported via X, they’ve yet to undergo peer-review.

Notably, SIOW appreciates Johnson’s willingness to self-experiment in ways typically not feasible in clinical trials due to ethical constraints.

Optimal Tips for Achieving a Century

Despite his tech innovations, Johnson’s fundamental advice for anyone aspiring to reach 100 is surprisingly straightforward. “Lower your resting heart rate before bed,” he suggests, as it impacts sleep quality, which in turn affects exercise, nutrition, and overall health, creating a positive feedback loop.

To achieve a reduced resting heart rate, he advises refraining from eating four hours prior to bedtime, engaging in calming activities such as reading, walking, meditating, and avoiding screens for an hour before sleep. Additionally, he cautions against stimulants like caffeine. “The most significant is anxiety. Just thinking about being angry, worried, or fixated can elevate your heart rate by 5-25 beats per minute,” he adds.

Johnson practices what he preaches, yet the longevity he aims for may be less about years and more about enhancing quality of existence.

When asked about his lifespan expectations based on current biomarkers, he responds, “The average lifespan isn’t my focus.” Part of his “not die” initiative includes uploading his consciousness to an AI model, allowing him to exist beyond a quantifiable timeframe. “This is the first instance of genuine immortality. Indeed, we can train human models. The advancements we’re witnessing in AI are astonishing, outpacing the 40-50 years I might have left.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Months After the Deadly Texas Flood, Congressman Continues Quest for Answers

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Nearly two months following the devastating July 4 flood in Texas, which claimed over 130 lives, D-Texas Rep. Lloyd Doggett continues to seek clarity on fundamental issues related to the federal response.

What emergency personnel were deployed by the National Weather Service on the night of the flood? How effectively did the agency prepare for the storm? And how did vacancies in critical local National Weather Service positions, like warning adjustment meteorologists, impact the situation?

In four letters sent to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, along with a fifth from the Commerce Department, Rep. Doggett requested records that could shed light on the events of July 4th.

“I have yet to receive any written response,” Doggett expressed, accusing the agency of evasion.

This push for transparency highlights the lack of public accountability regarding that day’s events. Shortly after the flood, an internal meteorologist indicated that the National Weather Service provided a timely warning, citing the constraints of their forecasting technology during flash flooding.

However, it remains unclear how effectively the agency communicated with emergency managers and other ground stakeholders when risks became evident. A former NWS meteorologist commented on the difficulties faced when their forecasts are compromised by staff shortages or overwhelming workloads.

Lloyd Doggett at the U.S. Capitol in 2024.
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images File

“If there’s nothing to conceal, and if Trump’s budget cuts haven’t impacted weather services, then they need to create logs,” Doggett remarked regarding the records he seeks. “Drawing public attention to this issue may be the only way to prompt a response from the administration.”

Neither NOAA nor the Commerce Department has responded to requests for comment.

Doggett wrote his initial letter to NOAA on May 20, prior to the flood, raising concerns about staffing levels in the Austin/San Antonio weather office. This office is responsible for forecasts and communications in areas that faced significant impacts from the July storm.

“The 22% vacancy rate in the local NWS jeopardizes the timeliness of forecasts and alerts that communities depend on,” Doggett stated, inquiring about how the agency would address staff shortages and fulfill their operational roles.

Following the flood disaster, Doggett subsequently contacted NOAA on July 8 with 15 more questions about their responses. He reported having a video conference with agency director Ken Graham on July 11.

In a letter sent after their July 11 meeting and a follow-up on July 24, Doggett requested call logs, chat logs, radar archives, and shift logs from the agency.

“He mentioned that providing these was straightforward,” Doggett noted, recalling Graham’s remarks during the Zoom call. “I’ve been following up since then, but there’s been no satisfactory explanation.”

The agency is permitted to respond at its discretion to queries from Congress members overseeing it. Interpretation of the Department of Justice Law. Nonetheless, agencies often voluntarily address congressional inquiries.

Doggett has persistently contacted NOAA via phone and text, and in a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Luttonick on August 27, he accused the Secretary of suppressing responses that he believes NOAA was ready to provide.

“I recommend that responses to my inquiries be prepared, but these have been withheld by your office,” Doggett wrote. “There’s no documentation demonstrating NWS’s preparation, communication, or response—perhaps indicating that some aspects of this tragedy are being concealed.”

Doggett mentioned that four children from Austin lost their lives in the floods and has called for an investigation similar to those conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board after significant disasters.

“If 27 children perish in a plane crash, the NTSB conducts a thorough investigation of all involved parties at state, federal, and local levels,” Doggett remarked.

NBC News has submitted multiple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to NOAA seeking records from NWS. Some of these requests might yield records that address Doggett’s inquiries, but thus far, there has been no response.

According to the Commerce Department’s Public Records website, one of the requested chat logs and communications between forecasters is currently “assigned for processing.” The agency indicated that information regarding staff cuts and recruitment will be managed in batches alongside other similar requests related to the Texas flood.

“We aim to provide a provisional release by early September, with additional releases occurring periodically through the end of the year,” wrote Julia Swanson, FOIA Coordinator, in an August 18 status update. “To effectively allocate limited staff resources, all other FOIA requests are temporarily set aside to prioritize addressing flood-related inquiries in Texas.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Review: Meta Quest 3S: The Ultimate VR Experience at an Affordable Price

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Meta’s latest virtual reality headset, the Quest 3S, offers almost all the features of the Top Model but at a more affordable price point of £290 (€330/$300/AU$500). This makes it around 40% cheaper than the Quest 3 and even cheaper than the 2020 Quest 2.

Positioned between the Quest 2 and Quest 3, the Quest 3S utilizes the same high-performance Qualcomm VR chip found in the Quest 3 while maintaining a similar design and feel to the Quest 2 to keep costs down.

Well-designed straps, rotating arms, and a well-cushioned faceplate make it easy to get a comfortable fit. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The Quest 3S has adjustable straps, rotatable arms, and a foam faceplate that make it one of the most comfortable headsets for extended wear. Additional straps and faceplates are available for users seeking a customized fit.

Featuring speakers in the arm, the Quest 3S provides decent spatial audio, but users can also opt to connect Bluetooth headphones or use a USB-C headphone adapter for wired audio.

The Quest 3S boasts the same screen and lens as the Quest 2, delivering sharp images at up to 120 frames per second. However, the use of fresnel lenses with limited distance settings may lead to blurriness at the edges when looking around.

The headset comes with industry-leading hand controllers for precise and intuitive interactions. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Two hand controllers, light and comfortable, feature capacitive buttons that respond to finger movements without accidental presses. Each controller uses a standard AA battery, with rechargeable options recommended for cost-effectiveness and sustainability.

The Quest 3S also includes spacers for glasses and offers prescription lenses for an additional cost.

Specifications

  • Screen: 120Hz LCD (1832×1920 per eye)

  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2

  • RAM: 8GB

  • Storage: 128GB or 256GB

  • Operating System: Horizon OS (Android)

  • Connectivity: WiFi 6E, Bluetooth, USB-C with Oculus Link, stereo speakers, microphone

  • Headset Dimensions: 191.5×102×142.5mm

  • Headset Weight: 514g

  • Controller Weight: 103g (excluding batteries)

Source: www.theguardian.com

Odysseus’ quest to become the first privately funded lunar lander delayed

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A Houston-based company’s planned launch of a spacecraft to the moon, aimed at becoming the first commercially built spacecraft to land on the moon, has been postponed.

The Intuitive Machines spacecraft, nicknamed Odysseus, was scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 12:57 a.m. ET on Wednesday. However, the launch was postponed because “the methane temperature before entering the methane load was outside nominal values,” according to NASA. Announced just before release.

The new launch date is scheduled for Thursday at 1:05 a.m. ET.

The lander will ride into orbit atop SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.

Odysseus was originally scheduled to spend eight days in space before landing on the moon on February 22nd. This event marks the first U.S. moon landing in more than 50 years.

Another company attempted to accomplish the same feat a month ago, but ultimately failed. The lander, built by Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic Technology, suffered a catastrophic fuel leak shortly after liftoff, forcing operators to abort the entire mission.

Astrobotic Technology and Intuitive Machines are part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Lander Services Program, which is designed to accelerate the development of lunar landers by private companies and ultimately help NASA deliver cargo to the lunar surface. The lander could also be used to transport scientific equipment.

On its next flight, the lander will carry a combination of commercial cargo and NASA scientific equipment.

Odysseus is expected to land near the moon’s south pole, an area that has long intrigued scientists because water ice is thought to be relatively abundant in craters. .

NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services Program is part of NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon in the next few years. NASA recently announced delays for two upcoming Artemis missions, pushing back a lunar circumnavigation flight that was scheduled to launch later this year to 2025 and pushing back Artemis’ first landing attempt to next year.

NASA eventually hopes to begin regular missions to the moon and build a base camp there.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Mother on a Quest to Find Trafficked Daughter Despite Instagram’s Absence

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Obin Khoury’s daughter Kristen was 15 years old when she was allowed to open her own Instagram account. “We considered ourselves responsible and did everything we could to ensure safety,” Corey says. Months later, Kristen disappeared from her parents’ home after being groomed by a criminal gang on Instagram’s direct message service and sold as prostitutes on the streets of Houston.

Colley said her daughter never recovered from the ordeal. Kristen returned to her home, but after she was trafficked again, she went missing. Her mother does not know if she is still alive.

Corey blames the gang that trafficked his daughter for destroying her life. She also blames Instagram, which she believes played a key role in the sex trafficking of her daughter. “If Instagram didn’t exist, none of this would have happened to my daughter,” she says. “Instagram made it so easy.” [for these people] do this. ”

This week, Mark Zuckerberg Wealth estimated at $139 billion The founder of Meta, the company that owns Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, received £109bn. Big Tech and the online child sexual exploitation crisis.




Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said this after addressing the audience at this week’s U.S. Senate committee hearing on online child sexual exploitation. Photo: Evelyn Hochstein/Reuters

During the hearing, Zuckerberg, along with other social media executives, was questioned about the extent of harm to children on their platforms, and said there was no “causal effect” between social media and poor mental health among young people. He denied there was any evidence that there was a relationship.

He then addressed parents gathered at a Congressional hearing and apologized to parents who had lost children to sexual exploitation and harassment for what they had gone through.

Corey doesn’t have time to hear Zuckerberg’s apology. “If she wanted to, she could stop all the harm that’s happening on her platform,” she says. “Words are not enough. He needs to act.”

She said her daughter was a “normal, happy child” until 2019, when she became the target of a criminal organization operating a prostitution ring in downtown Houston.

Boys working as gang scouts at Kristen’s school identified Kristen as a potential target, and she was flooded with messages from gang members through the direct message feature on her Instagram account.

“They promised her a Louis Vuitton bag in an Instagram message, promised her a yacht trip, things like that,” Corey says. “They say, ‘Come party with me.'”

A few months after she started receiving messages, the gang lured Kristen out of her parents’ home. Two weeks later, police found her in Houston’s red-light district.

“[When she came home] She started talking more about what they had done to her,” Corey says. “The babies’ mouths came out with horrifying stories about what they were forced to do.”

Corrie said Kristen returned to her family traumatized, frightened, angry and a different person.





“I searched for my daughter in some really dark places,” Robin Corey says. “We are conducting DNA testing on the remains that match her description.”
 Photo: Tola Olawale/The Guardian

Source: www.theguardian.com