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Today’s topics

• Elon Musk's X now offers payments too.

• U.S. Treasury Department Restricts Investments in Chinese Military Technologies

• Astronomers Discover Super-Earth That May Support Life

• AI Designs a Glowing Protein Beyond Nature’s Limits

• Trump Renames Gulf of Mexico, Google Adopts the Change

  and more…

Elon Musk's X now offers payments too.

Elon Musk’s X is now aiming to be your bank. Teaming up with Visa, the platform has launched "X Money Account," a digital wallet for sending, receiving, and storing money—essentially a Venmo rival. This marks Musk’s first real step toward his vision of an “everything app.” After navigating regulations for a year, X Payments LLC is now licensed in 41 states. The plan includes direct creator payouts and potentially high-yield accounts in the future. Set to roll out early this year, it’s yet another bold move in Musk’s ever-expanding empire.

Microsoft Eyes TikTok Amid Takeover Talks

Donald Trump confirmed that Microsoft is in talks to buy TikTok and hopes for a “bidding war” over the app. He claimed multiple companies are interested, calling TikTok a hot commodity. Meanwhile, Microsoft remains tight-lipped, saying it has “nothing to share,” while TikTok stays silent.

DeepSeek’s AI Challenges ChatGPT and Shakes Up Wall Street

DeepSeek’s AI Assistant has surpassed ChatGPT on Apple’s U.S. App Store, signaling a major shift in the AI landscape. While American tech giants pour billions into AI, DeepSeek developed its latest model in just two months for a mere $5.6 million. With Wall Street on edge, major players may need to rethink their strategies to stay ahead.

U.S. Treasury Department Restricts Investments in Chinese Military Technologies

In a move to prevent the Chinese military from gaining a technological edge, the U.S. Treasury Department has issued a rule to restrict and monitor American investments in China, focusing on key areas such as artificial intelligence, computer chips, and quantum computing. This measure, effective January 2, 2025, requires American entities to inform the U.S. government of transactions involving technologies that may pose national security risks, with violators facing significant fines. The rule has bipartisan support in Washington, though it has been criticized by China's government and Hong Kong's leader, who highlight potential harms to global trade and the U.S. economy.. Read more

U.S. Cybersecurity Measures in Response to Global Threats

The United States has been actively engaged in cyber activities to counter global threats. Notably, in June 2019, American hackers from the United States Cyber Command planted malware potentially capable of disrupting the Russian electrical grid. Additionally, in June 2023, the National Security Agency and Apple were accused by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) of compromising thousands of iPhones, including those of diplomats from various countries. These incidents underscore the ongoing cyber warfare efforts by the U.S. to protect national security interests.. Read more

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Astronomers Discover Super-Earth That May Support Life

Astronomers have identified a super-Earth, HD 20794 d, that orbits in and out of its star's habitable zone, raising the possibility of sustaining life. This discovery comes after 20 years of observations using the world’s top telescopes, with findings published in Astronomy & Astrophysics. Since the first exoplanet was found 30 years ago, over 7,000 have been identified, with billions more awaiting discovery. HD 20794 d brings us one step closer to answering the age-old question: Are we alone in the universe?

Private U.S. Spacecraft Captures Stunning Earth Images

A private U.S. spacecraft, Blue Ghost, developed by Firefly Aerospace, has captured spectacular images of Earth one week into its mission to the moon. Launched from Florida by SpaceX on January 15, the lunar lander is currently en route to the moon, with an expected touchdown on March 2. Blue Ghost carries NASA experiments aimed at supporting the agency's efforts to return astronauts to the moon this decade. Another lunar lander, Resilience, sponsored by the Japanese company ispace, is also en route to the moon, with a planned landing in late May or early June. This mission marks Firefly's first attempt at a moon landing and ispace's second, following a crash landing in 2023. The remarkable images and videos from Blue Ghost provide a stunning view of our planet from space. Read more.

AI Designs a Glowing Protein Beyond Nature’s Limits

AI has engineered a glowing protein, esmGFP, that scientists say would have taken nature 500 million years to evolve—if it ever could. Currently existing only as computer code, esmGFP is a novel type of green fluorescent protein, similar to those in glowing jellyfish and corals. Its genetic sequence is just 58% similar to its closest natural counterpart, requiring 96 mutations to evolve naturally—an evolutionary feat that would take eons. Read more

U.S. Offshore Wind Energy Developments

The U.S. offshore wind industry has encountered significant challenges. President Donald Trump suspended new federal offshore wind leasing as part of an environmental and economic review, impacting the industry's growth. This decision coincided with Ørsted's announcement of an impairment charge due to delays in a U.S. offshore project. Despite these setbacks, state officials in North Carolina, California, and New Jersey have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing offshore wind energy projects. Currently, the U.S. has four operational offshore wind projects, with additional projects under construction and in development.. Read more

Legal Actions Against Phthalates in Food Packaging

A coalition of environmental groups has filed a lawsuit against the FDA for its continued approval of phthalates in plastic food packaging, despite evidence of the chemicals' severe health risks. Phthalates are linked to developmental harms, birth defects, and reproductive issues, especially in children. The plaintiffs seek a judicial order to ban the use of these chemicals in food packaging to protect public health. Read more

Indiana's Sports Betting Landscape

Since legalizing sports betting in September 2019, Indiana has established a robust market with retail and online sportsbooks like BetMGM, bet365, DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars Sportsbook. The state offers a variety of betting options on major sports, including motorsports like the Indianapolis 500, and fantasy sports, contributing to its high sports betting revenue. Read more

Trump Renames Gulf of Mexico, Google Adopts the Change

Former President Donald Trump has renamed the Gulf of Mexico, and Google has embraced the new designation. The change has sparked attention as it highlights Trump's continued influence on public discourse. While the move raises eyebrows, the tech giant's quick adoption of the new name showcases its responsiveness to high-profile developments.

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