The cryptocurrency reserves of the United States.

Today’s topics

• TikTok Back in Action in the U.S., Credits Donald Trump

• Ancient Luxury: 2,000-Year-Old Spa Unearthed in Pompeii

• Planet Parade to Light Up the Night Sky This Week

• U.S. and China Renew Science Cooperation Agreement Amid Security Concerns

• EPA Delays Rules for Existing Natural Gas Power Plants

• and more…

TikTok Back in Action in the U.S., Credits Donald Trump

TikTok is once again operational in the United States after a brief outage over the weekend due to a ban linked to national security concerns. The app began coming back online Sunday, following former President Donald Trump's assurance that it would resume by Monday.

In a public statement, TikTok expressed gratitude to Trump for offering "clarity" to its service providers, alleviating fears of potential penalties for continuing to support the platform. Trump also announced an extension of the ban deadline to allow for negotiations aimed at safeguarding U.S. user data. Read more

Trump Considers Establishing a U.S. Crypto Reserve

Former President Donald Trump is reportedly exploring the idea of creating a U.S.-focused cryptocurrency reserve. The reserve could feature coins like USD Coin, Solana, and XRP, while Bitcoin might be left out.

According to The New York Post, Trump is “receptive” to prioritizing U.S.-based cryptocurrencies over the globally dominant Bitcoin. Speculation intensified after Trump hosted a dinner with Ripple executives, including CEO Brad Garlinghouse, who described the meeting as a “strong start to 2025.” Read more

Ancient Luxury: 2,000-Year-Old Spa Unearthed in Pompeii

Archaeologists in Pompeii have uncovered a 2,000-year-old luxury spa that reveals how ancient Romans indulged in royal-style bathing before their lavish feasts.

Located in the heart of the city, this extravagant thermal bath complex was part of a grand household. The discovery highlights the owner's flair for hosting opulent gatherings and offering guests an unparalleled experience of relaxation and luxury. Read more

Stargate AI Initiative: A New Era for U.S. Technology

President Donald Trump has announced the Stargate AI initiative, a substantial investment aimed at bolstering artificial intelligence infrastructure across the United States. This initiative, unveiled on January 21, 2025, represents a collaborative effort between the U.S. government and major technology firms, including OpenAI, Oracle Corp., and SoftBank Group Corp. Read more

Planet Parade to Light Up the Night Sky This Week

This week, six planets will align in a stunning celestial display. Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars will be visible to the naked eye, offering skywatchers a rare treat.

The optimal time to catch this planetary lineup is approximately 45 minutes after sunset, with the spectacle lasting for a few hours. Read more

U.S. Sets Sights on Mars, Igniting New Space Race

In his inaugural address, President Donald Trump announced an ambitious goal to send American astronauts to Mars, marking a significant shift in U.S. space policy. This declaration has intensified the competitive dynamic between the United States and China, reminiscent of the Cold War-era space race. China aims to establish a lunar base by 2030 to extract rare minerals and develop space-based solar power, with a prototype expected by 2035. Read more.

U.S. and China Renew Science Cooperation Agreement Amid Security Concerns

The Biden administration has renewed the U.S.-China Science and Technology Agreement (STA), introducing strict national security measures despite Republican objections. This agreement, in effect for 45 years, facilitates collaboration in various scientific fields, including earthquake monitoring and weather data sharing. The renewal comes amid concerns over intellectual property protections and data exchange reciprocity. The updated deal excludes critical and emerging technologies, aiming to protect U.S. interests while allowing mutual scientific benefits Read more

Environmental Policy Shifts in the United States

In a series of decisions over the past two years, the U.S. Supreme Court has significantly curtailed the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) authority to regulate pollution and enforce environmental protections. Notably, the Court struck down the EPA's "Waters of the United States" rule, which aimed to protect wetlands, before it was finalized. Additionally, the Court limited the EPA's ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, even before the proposed rule had taken effect. These rulings have raised concerns about the future of environmental regulations and the EPA's capacity to address climate change. Read more

EPA Delays Rules for Existing Natural Gas Power Plants

The EPA has delayed planned rules for existing natural gas plants that emit harmful air pollutants and contribute to global warming. This decision has been met with criticism from environmental groups who argue that it undermines efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. Read more

Charles Barkley Declines NBA All-Star Game Invitation

Charles Barkley has announced he will not attend the 2025 NBA All-Star Game in San Francisco, referring to the city as "rat-infested." During TNT's "Inside the NBA," Barkley expressed his distaste for San Francisco, contrasting sharply with his colleague Kenny Smith, who called the city beautiful. Despite his harsh remarks, Barkley attended a game in San Francisco last year for an alternate broadcast. This year's game will feature a new format with TNT analysts drafting players for a four-team tournament.Read more

Two College-Age Brothers Create NYC's Favorite Congestion Pricing Tracker

Two college-age brothers transformed a school project into New York City's go-to tool for tracking congestion pricing. Their innovative tool uses real-time Google Maps data to track how traffic times have changed since the implementation of congestion pricing on January 5. The results? Spoiler alert—it’s actually working

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