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At the beginning of the war in Ukraine, President Biden told the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, that he could not have American precision missile systems. It all raises the question: Are there any conventional weapons in the American or NATO arsenals that the president would not, eventually, provide to Ukraine? Washington’s pattern of saying no before saying yes has repeated itself enough times over the past 15 months that Ukrainian officials say they now know to ignore the first answer and keep pressing. And after China’s leader, Xi Jinping, explicitly warned late last year against threatening the use of nuclear weapons, Mr. Putin has quieted down. Some experts warn that Mr. Putin hasn’t dropped his nuclear threats; just delayed them.

☆ A Bill Gates-based photovoltaic technology that may be solar energy's future
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( Tim Hornyak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Solar panels accounted for nearly 5% of U.S. energy production last year, up almost 11-fold from 10 years ago and enough to power about 25 million households. Backers of perovskite-based solar cells say they can outperform silicon in at least two ways and accelerate efforts in the race to fight climate change. Perovskite cells are very thin — less than 1 micrometer — and can be painted or sprayed on surfaces, making them relatively cheap to produce. Backing next-generation climate technologyCompanies around the world are starting to commercialize perovskite panels. CubicPV, based in Massachusetts and Texas, has been developing tandem modules since 2019, and its backers include Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy Ventures.

☆ Zelensky Lands in Japan for G7 Summit, Seeking Military Aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( David E. Sanger | Natalia Yermak | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

At the beginning of the war in Ukraine, President Biden told the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, that he could not have American precision missile systems. Washington’s pattern of saying no before saying yes has repeated itself enough times over the past 15 months that Ukrainian officials say they now know to ignore the first answer and keep pressing. White House officials insist this reflects not indecision, but changing circumstances — and changing assumptions about the risks involved. And after China’s leader, Xi Jinping, explicitly warned late last year against threatening the use of nuclear weapons, Mr. Putin has quieted down. Some experts warn that Mr. Putin hasn’t dropped his nuclear threats; just delayed them.

At the beginning of the war in Ukraine, President Biden told the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, that he could not have American precision missile systems. Washington’s pattern of saying no before saying yes has repeated itself enough times over the past 15 months that Ukrainian officials say they now know to ignore the first answer and keep pressing. But White House officials say the shifting positions reflect not indecision, but changing circumstances — and changing assumptions about the risks involved. And after China’s leader, Xi Jinping, explicitly warned late last year against threatening the use of nuclear weapons, Mr. Putin has quieted down. Some experts warn that Mr. Putin hasn’t dropped his nuclear threats; just delayed them.

☆ UK plans 1 bln pounds of semiconductor investment in new strategy
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, May 19 (Reuters) - Britain announced 1 billion pounds ($1.26 billion) of investment for its semiconductor sector on Friday in a long-awaited strategy that aims to strengthen the domestic industry and chip supply chains. Britain will invest 200 million pounds in 2023-25, growing to up to 1 billion pounds in the next decade. The emphasis of Britain's strategy was on design and research, rather than making the semiconductors, although Britain said it would announce plans to support investment in the chip manufacturing sector by the autumn. The UK strategy comes after chip shortages worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted a range of industries and hit car production, though they have now started to ease. The United States announced $52.7 billion in chip subsidies last year, while a European Union chips law proposes to bring about 43 billion euros ($47 billion) in investments.

☆ Face masks are still a good idea at the doctor’s office, study says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Jen Christensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

But they remain in many medical offices, and a study published Monday says they might still be a good idea. The study, published in the journal the Annals of Internal Medicine, also found that there wasn’t a significant difference in protection between surgical masks and N95 respirators in a health care setting. Because gold standard evidence about their protectiveness is not available, they say, masks for patients and health care personnel should be considered a good safety measure. Lab studies show that surgical masks and respirators are good at limiting the spread of aerosols and droplets from people who are sick with the flu, coronaviruses and other respiratory viruses. “We all realize the importance and utility of a mask,” Madad said.

☆ This 16-year-old student invented a bulletproof backpack and is now a finalist at the world's largest high school science fair
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Peter Gelling | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The world's largest high school science fair starts Sunday in Dallas, Texas. At the world's largest science fair, which starts Sunday in Dallas, there are projects centered on clean energy, climate change, artificial intelligence — and school shootings. Both teenagers grew up in places affected by school shootings – and both said the threat feels ever-present. 'Armadillo Skin': the Bulletproof backpack insert16-year-old Ava Cotroneo with her bulletproof backpack she hopes can protect children during school shootings. Finalists at the international science fair often go on to patent their products or set up companies.

☆ Researchers found a surefire predictor of success — and what separates those who find it from those who keep failing
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-12 | by ( Susie Allen | Kellogg Insight | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Using this insight, the researchers are able to successfully predict an individual's long-term success with just a small amount of information about that person's initial attempts. Indeed, in another recent study, Wang himself found that an early career setback often set up scientists for later success. In all three datasets, an individual's second-to-last attempt did tend have a higher probability of success than their very first effort. Rather, there's a singular learning threshold that separates eventual successes from the rest. "Thomas Edison said, 'people give up because they don't know how close they are to success,'" Wang explains.

☆ China urges giant state firms to be tech 'pillars' in self-reliance drive
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

China aims to turn some state giants into leading tech companies with global influence, the science and technology ministry said, following a meeting with the state-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission. State firms controlled by the central government should play the role of "pillars" in "achieving China's high-level tech self-reliance and self-improvement," Wang Zhigang, the minister for science and technology, was quoted as saying in a statement. Big state firms should boost investment in basic research, attract more talent, strengthen technological innovation and deepen ties with universities and research institutions, he added on Wednesday. However, analysts say China's private firms are more innovative than state firms that dominate strategic industries and tend to receive more state subsidies. China has unveiled a "new whole-nation system", drawing on its political system to pool national resources to support tech projects and break the foreign "stranglehold", drawing on past successes in developing nuclear bombs in the 1960s.

☆ Germany is finally focusing on defending NATO, but its military 'lacks almost everything' it needs to do it, a former German general says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

That's the warning from a former German general who argues that Germany must refurbish its badly neglected armed forces — though this will take years to accomplish. Today, the German military is just 183,000-strong, and it can't meet its recruiting goals. In 2020, German defense spending was only 1.4% of GDP, well short of 2% goal that NATO members have pledged to hit by 2024. "Armament procurement concentrated on armored transport vehicles rather than on battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles," Vad writes. RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty ImagesDespite years of calls by France for pan-European defense, coordinating German defense procurement with other EU states — each with distinct military needs and political priorities – is difficult.

☆ This $6 million Las Vegas bunker is still looking for a buyer. It's 26 feet underground, decorated like the 1970s, and owned by a foundation that wants to freeze humans for science.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Dan Latu | Mary Meisenzahl | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

A Las Vegas house with a 15,000-square-foot underground bunker is for sale for $5.9 million. Built in 1978, the bunker is outfitted in furniture and decor to match the original time period. A Las Vegas property that fits the bill, initially listed in 2019 for $18 million, is still looking for a buyer — now for just $5.9 million. To build a comparative property, LaForge estimates it could take up to eight times the current asking price. The property is currently owned by the Stasis Foundation, which bought the site in 2015 for $1.15 million as part of a bank auction.

☆ A Harlem Institution Reimagines How Americans Interact With the African Continent
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Dionne Searcey | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Situated on an East Harlem street corner overlooking Central Park, the Center has welcomed billionaires Bill Gates and Mo Ibrahim talking about the future of African business as well as the actress Lupita Nyong’o reading from her children’s book on colorism. Hank Willis Thomas’s Afro Pick installation was situated on its plaza. The Center has hosted African presidents and prizewinning authors — and a sweaty crowd breaking into a dance party. “There are places where your behavior has to be precious,” said Iweala, speaking about his vision. But that would require significant new fund-raising and a bump in staffing, which now stands at 11 full-time positions and four part-time.

April 12 (Reuters) - Abortion opponents on Tuesday urged a U.S. appeals court to allow the suspension of Food and Drug Administration's approval of the abortion pill mifepristone, in a case with potentially far-reaching impact on how the government regulates medicine. The abortion opponents' requests came one day after the U.S. Department of Justice urged the appeals court to put U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk's April 7 order voiding the FDA's approval on hold through the appeals process. It is not clear when the 5th Circuit will rule on extending the stay. Twelve of the 16 5th Circuit judges who hear cases are Republican appointees. Circuit Court of Appeals, No.

[1/4] A pack of birth control pills is displayed in this illustration picture taken in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., July 11, 2022. REUTERS/Hannah Beier/IllustrationApril 10 (Reuters) - Over 300 biotech and pharmaceutical industry executives, including Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) CEO Albert Bourla, signed an open letter on Monday calling for reversal of a federal judge's decision to suspend sales of the abortion pill mifepristone. Last week's ruling by Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk undermines the FDA's authority, the letter's authors wrote, adding that it ignores decades of scientific evidence and legal precedent. The ruling could open the possibility to the banning of vaccines and contraception for women, said Levin. "It's the single worst threat to the industry in over 50 years."

☆ Pfizer CEO signs letter in support of FDA after federal judge suspends approval of abortion pill
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Pfizer 's CEO signed on to an industry letter in support of the Food and Drug Administration's authority to regulate drugs after a federal judge in Texas suspended the agency's approval of the abortion pill mifepristone. Albert Bourla was among the more than 200 pharmaceutical company executives who signed the letter after U.S. Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk's controversial ruling on Friday. Kacsmaryk sided with an anti-abortion group, arguing that the FDA rushed its approval process and violated federal standards. Kacsmaryk's decision conflicts with a ruling by a federal judge in Washington state. The dueling orders by two federal judges create a complicated legal standoff that could potentially escalate to the Supreme Court.

☆ Giant 'holes' dozens of times the size of our planet are appearing on the sun. Here's how they could affect Earth.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Marianne Guenot | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Two huge coronal holes, dozen of times the size of the Earth, have appeared on the sun. These coronal holes can spew solar winds at 1.8 million mph toward our planet, which can cause stunning auroras and disrupt satellites. Coronal holes aren't actually holes in the sunA coronal hole rotates across the face of the sun, streaming solar wind towards Earth, February 1, 2017. Coronal holes happen in the "corona," the atmosphere of the sun, and can only be seen in UV or X-ray light. We could see this month's coronal holes again next monthThe coronal hole came into view as the sun rotated.

☆ With ChatGPT hype swirling, UK government urges regulators to come up with rules for A.I.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

In the white paper, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) outlined five principles it wanted companies to follow. Rather than establishing new regulations, the government is calling on regulators to apply existing regulations and inform companies about their obligations under the white paper. "When parliamentary time allows, legislation could be introduced to ensure regulators consider the principles consistently." On Monday, Secretary of State Michelle Donelan visited the offices of AI startup DeepMind in London, a government spokesperson said. Not everyone is convinced by the U.K. government's approach to regulating AI.

That caused the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, to make a rare appearance in skies across the US. The colorful lights were seen as far south as Arizona, much further than what was forecast. They normally occur in the Arctic, but powerful eruptions on the sun caused them to stretch as far south as Phoenix, Arizona before sunrise on Friday, according to images shared by photographers and skywatchers on social media. "Most people when they're seeing that far south... they're seeing it on the horizon," Young said. NWS La CrosseAnchorage, AlaskaAuroras in Anchorage, Alaska, on March 24, 2023.

☆ An asteroid nearly the size of a skyscraper will whiz between the Earth and the moon on Saturday in a once-in-a-decade event
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A large asteroid is set to pass by the Earth on Saturday in a once-in-a-decade event. The asteroid will pass between Earth and the moon's orbit, bringing it relatively close. The asteroid is expected to pass by around 108,000 miles away from the Earth, which is a little closer than half way between the planet and the moon. The asteroid will be closest to Earth at around 3:50 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday, according to EarthSky. EarthSky said its close proximity to Earth may make it appear like a "slow-moving star."

☆ The Northern Lights could dazzle the skies from Washington to New York on Friday, blown by winds from a giant 'hole' on the sun
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Chris Panella | Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | Jessica Orwig | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Northern Lights could appear in the skies over some northern US states on Friday. The lights could be dazzling thanks to solar winds blowing from a giant coronal hole on the sun. NOAA/Space Weather Prediction CenterThese solar winds are coming from a giant coronal hole on the sun. As that giant hole spread across the corona, it blasted strong, high-speed solar winds into space, in the direction of Earth. They have previously driven the aurora lights as far south as New York and Idaho.

The sun is sporting a giant coronal hole that could fit 20-30 Earths across, back-to-back. Coronal holes blast rapid solar winds into space that travel 500-800 kilometers per second. Coronal holes are cooler in temperature, so they don't glow as bright and therefore look black against the rest of the sun. In this case, the solar winds from this coronal hole are scheduled to reach Earth by the end of this week. But coronal holes — even large ones like this — are far less violent.

☆ Fact Check-‘Adrenochrome’ keg is an art project, not a Heineken barrel transported by Shell
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

A keg with “adrenochrome” embossed on its rim was created as part of an art project exhibited in London in 2018; images of the keg have recently been misrepresented online alongside false claims that it is among Heineken barrels filled with adrenochrome and transported worldwide by Shell. The keg image and claims circulated following Feb. 22 reports that Bill Gates bought a 3.76% stake in Heineken Holding NV (here). Reuters could not source the exact photograph in the posts, but it matches others depicting an art project exhibited at the University of the Arts London (UAL) in 2018. Reuters found no credible media reports to support the claim that Heineken barrels were used to transport the substance or that Shell conveyed them. This photograph shows an object created as part of an art project exhibited in London in 2018, not a Heineken barrel transported by Shell.

☆ Neuralink competitor Science launches new platform to accelerate medical device innovation
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Ashley Capoot | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Biotechnology startup and Neuralink competitor Science on Monday launched a new platform that aims to make it easier for other companies to quickly develop and produce medical devices. For many startups, that cost is too much to bear, but Hodak is hoping Science Foundry can help. The company's new platform Science Foundry aims to support companies working on similarly ambitious ideas. The cost of using Science Foundry is comparable to the cost of working with academic facilities, which are "cheap to get started," Hodak said. Hodak said the platform will benefit Science and the broader industry as a whole.

☆ Lunchables are going to be rolled out directly to students. Here’s what’s in them
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Parija Kavilanz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

New CNN —Kraft Heinz has succeeded in getting its ready-to-eat packaged Lunchables into school lunch programs starting this fall, in a major new initiative. The USDA referred CNNBusiness to Kraft Heinz for further details about the cost and nutritional content of its Lunchables for schools. Kraft Heinz declined to provide additional details about the cost and other nutritional content, including sodium and saturated fat content. School food nutrition guidelines getting stricterKraft-Heinz says that Lunchables will minimize school "labor needs and costs" in its promotional materials. “As school nutrition guidelines get increasingly complex, we’ve seen companies leaving the K-12 segment, said Pratt-Heavner.

☆ UK finance minister and Bank of England work to contain SVB fallout
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Bank of England on Friday said it was seeking a court order to place SVB UK into an insolvency procedure. Advisory firm Rothschild & Co is exploring options for SVB UK as insolvency looms, two people familiar with the discussions told Reuters. More than 250 UK tech firm chief executives signed a letter addressed to Jeremy Hunt, the British chancellor of the exchequer (finance minister), calling for government intervention, a copy seen by Reuters shows. "The recent news about SVB going into insolvency represents an existential threat to the UK tech sector," the letter said. Sky News had reported earlier on Saturday that a British clearing bank, the Bank of London, was considering a rescue bid for the UK arm of SVB.

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