Artificial intelligence is being used by hackers to mine unprecedented amounts of personal data from online sources, including commercial databases, to trick consumers into giving up control of their bank and corporate accounts. According to Ashkan Soltani, executive director of the California Privacy Protection Agency, AI has made it easier for hackers to “weaponize” personal … Read more
Kash Patel, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, has proposed a series of radical changes to the agency. Patel, a longtime Trump supporter and former congressman, wants to overhaul the FBI in ways that would significantly alter its role and operations. Patel has suggested shutting down the FBI’s headquarters building and dispersing its … Read more
A new lab-created powder has shown promise in absorbing carbon dioxide from the air, a potential game-changer in combating climate change. The powder, known as a covalent organic framework, can absorb and release carbon more than 100 times its own weight, making it superior to other materials used for carbon capture. Developed by chemist Omar … Read more
GitHub’s claim that its AI-powered coding tool, Copilot, produces high-quality code has been challenged by software developer Dan Cîmpianu. Cîmpianu argues that the statistical rigor of GitHub’s study on Copilot’s quality is questionable. The study found that developers using Copilot had a 56% greater likelihood of passing unit tests and wrote 13.6% more lines of … Read more
China has banned exports to the United States of critical minerals gallium, germanium, and antimony, citing national security concerns. The move strengthens existing limits on these minerals’ export and applies only to the U.S. market, further escalating trade tensions between China and the US ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. Gallium and germanium are used … Read more
The 10-year US Treasury yield surged higher Tuesday as investors weighed recent job openings data, showing 7.74 million job postings in October. The increase added 4 basis points to 4.232%, while the 2-year Treasury dipped 2 basis points to 4.177%. For context, a one basis point change equals 0.01%. The yields of Treasuries move inversely … Read more
AMD’s next-generation GPU, the RX 8800 XT, has been spotted in Seasonic’s online calculator. The listing reveals the GPU will draw 220 watts and use dual 8-pin power connectors. While it’s possible this is just a placeholder, given AMD’s upcoming release schedule for RDNA 4 graphics cards, which are expected to launch in early 2025. … Read more
Former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper is at the center of controversy after being accused of “borderline treasonous” behavior by Trump’s pick for FBI director, Kash Patel. In an interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Patel claimed that Esper’s actions were not in line with his duty as a public servant. Patel, who served with Esper … Read more
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s call to “Make frying oil tallow again” has sparked controversy among medical experts and nutrition scientists. The environmentalist and vaccine critic argues that cooking with beef tallow, rather than seed oils like corn or canola, makes Americans healthier. Kennedy claims that seed oils are toxic and that solid fats like tallow, … Read more
Bitcoin’s price has seen a sharp rally toward $100,000 despite dipping below the $95,000 level. MicroStrategy and MARA Holdings, two of the largest corporate holders of Bitcoin, have continued to build their stockpile with fresh purchases in recent weeks. The bulls are trying to maintain Cardano ADA above its $1.15 overhead resistance, signaling the resumption … Read more