In St. Louis, a rare yellow cardinal has bird-watchers all aflutter. The striking bird, with yellow instead of the usual red feathers, is a genetic anomaly that occurs in only one in a million cardinals, as noted by the National Audubon Society. Named "Ray" by the Cardinals' director of photography, this unique bird has been captivating observers with its unusual appearance. On a recent radio show, experts discussed this rare find, along with tips for bird watching in the St. Louis region. The birding community is buzzing with excitement, especially as cold weather brings in unique avian visitors. So, keep your binoculars handy and your eyes peeled for more feathered surprises in the skies!
The U.S. Supreme Court has given the green light for Donald Trump's sentencing in a criminal case involving hush money paid to a porn star. The sentencing is set for Friday in Manhattan, with the trial judge indicating no prison time for Trump. In a 5-4 decision, two conservative justices, including Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett, sided with three liberal justices to deny Trump's last-minute attempt to halt the sentencing. The court emphasized that any trial issues could be addressed through the normal appeal process. Despite facing a guilty judgment, Trump may receive unconditional discharge without prison, fines, or probation. The decision was opposed by four conservative justices. Trump, the first former U.S. president to face criminal prosecution, plans to appeal the case. The Supreme Court's ruling comes after previous victories for Trump in other legal cases.
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, reflects on his 20-year bond with the late President Jimmy Carter, whom he considers a mentor. Tedros highlights Carter's humility and compassion, emphasizing their shared work in global health. Carter's legacy includes efforts to eradicate Guinea worm through community empowerment. Tedros credits Carter for supporting his WHO director-general campaign and emphasizes Carter's focus on capacity building and resilience in the face of setbacks. The article sheds light on the personal side of Carter, showcasing his impactful contributions beyond his public image.
In the midst of California's devastating wildfires, celebrities like Billy Crystal, Paris Hilton, and Jamie Lee Curtis are sharing their experiences and offering support. The fires have ravaged homes and businesses, leading to evacuations and tragic losses. Celebrities are using their platforms to raise awareness and assist those affected. Amid this chaos, Hollywood's awards season has been impacted, with events like the Oscar nominations being delayed. The community is coming together to support fire victims and first responders during this challenging time.
McDonald's is stepping up its game with a new value menu to entice savvy spenders. The "McValue" menu offers a tempting "Buy One, Add One for $1" deal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. To sweeten the pot, they're throwing in app-exclusive offers like free fries and chicken sandwiches. With over 13,500 U.S. locations, Mickey D's is revamping to tackle the sluggish fast-food traffic caused by home dining trends. The $5 Meal Deal, featuring favorites like McChicken and nuggets, has been extended to keep customers coming back for more. So, if you're hungry for savings, McDonald's has got you covered with their wallet-friendly menu options.
In Silicon Valley, an extraordinary opening ceremony for a nuclear fusion energy startup took place, captivating attendees with a fusion of art and technology. The event featured a mysterious and futuristic stage, a remarkable pianist, robots playing instruments, and captivating visuals. Among the audience were venture capitalists, military officials, physicists, and artists, creating a unique cultural experience. The fusion startup, Fuse, aims to revolutionize energy production and efficiency, potentially offering a sustainable energy solution. The event showcased the intersection of art, technology, and innovation, emphasizing the importance of integrating creativity into scientific advancements.
Health officials in Louisiana reported the first US death from severe bird flu in a patient who had contact with birds. While most cases result in mild symptoms, the recent death highlights the potential danger of avian influenza. Experts warn of the virus's increasing presence in the environment and its potential impact on human health. The US is experiencing an H5N1 outbreak, primarily affecting birds, with concerns about more severe cases emerging. Factors contributing to severe illness include underlying health conditions and specific virus subtypes. Vigilance and preventive measures are advised to reduce the risk of bird flu transmission.
Lenovo has introduced the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable AI PC, featuring a rollable OLED display that extends from 14 to 16.7 inches for more screen space. The laptop supports Windows 11 window snapping and offers a unique rolling animation. Despite its innovative design, it weighs 3.7 pounds and is priced at $3,499, set to ship in 2025.
Additionally, Lenovo unveiled the Legion Go S handheld gaming console running either Windows or SteamOS, providing cloud saves and streaming capabilities. The device features AMD processors and a high-refresh-rate LCD display, with prices starting at $500 for the SteamOS version and $730 for the Windows version.
Furthermore, Lenovo introduced the ThinkCentre M90a Pro Gen 6 all-in-one computer with "Lenovo Focus Sound" technology, delivering private audio through the display. This feature allows only the user to hear the audio, catering to office environments. The all-in-one starts at $2,539 and will be available this quarter.
Chinese venture capitalists are relentless in pursuing failed startup founders to reclaim their investments, a stark contrast to the U.S. where losses are typically accepted. In China, VCs are invoking redemption clauses to go after founders' personal assets, leaving some indebted and restricted from certain activities. This aggressive approach is causing concern about the impact on China's startup ecosystem, already struggling due to various challenges. The situation reflects broader issues in China's tech industry and economic landscape.
Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, claims that the company's AI chips are progressing at a faster rate than Moore's Law, which historically doubled the performance of computer chips annually. Huang stated that Nvidia's latest data center superchip is over 30 times faster for running AI workloads compared to its predecessor. By innovating across the entire system simultaneously, Nvidia can outpace Moore's Law. The CEO's assertion is crucial for AI advancement, as many leading labs rely on Nvidia's chips. Despite concerns about the cost of advanced AI models, Huang believes that improved chip performance will eventually reduce prices. Nvidia's focus on creating more potent chips has led to significant advancements, with Huang stating that their current AI chips are 1,000 times better than those produced a decade ago. Huang's optimism about Nvidia's AI chip progression signals continued growth in this technology sector.
Timekettle has launched its newest earbuds, the W4 Pro, at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. These earbuds offer real-time two-way translation for phone and video calls in 40 languages without user input. The translations come with a slight delay of three to five seconds and are louder than the original speech. The product is powered by the Babel OS, offering features like summarizing conversations and real human emotion translation. The W4 Pro earbuds will be available for purchase at $449, featuring advanced translation capabilities and onboard AI.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, known for testifying to Congress on AI dangers and claiming no equity in OpenAI, recently revealed he did hold some through a Sequoia fund, later selling it. Despite this, Altman's stake was minimal and unrelated to his role. The situation raises questions about transparency and CEO equity norms, especially as OpenAI navigates a for-profit shift amidst conflict with Elon Musk and Meta. Altman's evolving statements on equity add complexity to OpenAI's narrative and its future direction.
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