Investors Plough .1 Billion Into AI Startups Despite Economic Struggles
Technology

Investors Plough $27.1 Billion Into AI Startups Despite Economic Struggles

Related media - Breaking news In May, CoreWeave, a provider of cloud computing services for AI companies, raised $1.1 billion, followed by $7.5 billion in debt, reaching a valuation of $19 billion. Scale AI, a data provider for AI companies, secured $1 billion, at a valuation of $13.8 billion. Additionally, xAI, founded by Elon Musk, raised $6 billion, reaching a valuation of $24 billion. According to Kyle Stanford, research analyst at PitchBook, these funding rounds have increased overall deal volume in the industry, both in terms of dollar amounts and number of deals. "It's not declining anymore," he said. "The bottom has already fallen out." The surge in activity has prompted some venture capitalists to revise their outlook. Last year, IVP investor Tom Loverro predicted a...
New Haitian Leader Visits Washington Seeking More Support
World

New Haitian Leader Visits Washington Seeking More Support

More news - Breaking news Haiti's new prime minister, Garry Conille, met with top Democratic congressional leaders Tuesday to request more American assistance, after a U.S.-backed international police mission arrived to restore stability in a country besieged by criminal gangs. The Biden administration plans to allocate $100 million to the mission, with the United States as the lead donor. However, Mr. Conille told Democrats that more money is urgently needed to address basic infrastructure and services. “This is a critical point,” Mr. Conille said, stressing the need for continued investment after meeting with lawmakers and international financial institutions. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Democrat of Florida and the only Haitian-American in Congress, stressed the urgency of the situ...
Chet Hanks and the Rise of a Controversial Meme
Business

Chet Hanks and the Rise of a Controversial Meme

More news - News 24 hours In the spring of 2021, Chet Hanks, son of Tom Hanks, sparked controversy by declaring that it would be a “white boy summer.” Initially ambiguous, the phrase has since been co-opted by white supremacist groups, according to a report by the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism. This year, the slogan has appeared in thousands of Telegram posts, used by far-right groups to recruit, organize protests, and incite violence, particularly against immigrants and LGBTQ individuals. The phrase now symbolizes an unabashed celebration of white heterosexual masculinity, often at the expense of women and people of color. Wendy Via, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, noted that the meme has moved from the fringes of the Internet to mainstream p...
Kim Jong-un’s new pin symbolizes his noble personality cult
News

Kim Jong-un’s new pin symbolizes his noble personality cult

More news - Breaking news At a recent meeting with the Workers' Party in Pyongyang, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced a promising harvest and a new defense treaty with Russia. However, what attracted the most attention was the introduction of a new accessory: breast pins with the image of Kim Jong-un, as shown in photos by state media. The Kim family, in power in North Korea since 1948, has long been revered as a godlike figure. Portraits of Kim Jong Un's grandfather, Kim Il Sung, and his father, Kim Jong Il, adorn every home and office, and citizens are required to wear pins depicting these leaders. Kim Jong Un's new pin marks a significant elevation in his personal cult, previously reserved only for his grandfather and father. Now, North Koreans have three images to choose ...
Middle East Crisis: Biden Debate Progress Raises Alarm in Israel
World

Middle East Crisis: Biden Debate Progress Raises Alarm in Israel

Related media - Breaking news Israelis expressed growing concern Sunday that President Biden’s faltering debate performance could embolden the country’s Middle Eastern adversaries at a critical moment for American leadership in the region. Israeli commentators across the political spectrum have sounded the alarm that Iran and its allies could exploit Biden's apparent weakness as Israel battles Hamas in Gaza and faces the prospect of all-out conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon. U.S. officials have been working to broker a diplomatic solution to tensions between Israel and Hezbollah to prevent a broader regional war that could involve both Iran and the United States. The Biden administration is also engaged in intensive efforts with other mediators to push for a ceasefire deal ...
Costner’s Expensive ‘Horizon’ Bites the Dust at the Box Office
Business

Costner’s Expensive ‘Horizon’ Bites the Dust at the Box Office

Related media - Breaking news "Inside Out 2," featuring Anxiety personified, maintained its position as the top film in North America for the third consecutive weekend. Meanwhile, "A Quiet Place: Day One," a suspenseful prequel, exceeded expectations with its strong ticket sales. However, Kevin Costner’s three-hour film “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1” was largely ignored by moviegoers. Originally intended for streaming, this supposed start to an Old West series eventually made it to theaters, but failed to attract significant interest. Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” was projected to gross $57.4 million, reaching a three-week total of about $470 million in the U.S. and Canada, according to estimates from box office analysts on Sunday. The well-received sequel is approaching $1 billion...
French far right scores big win in first round of election, polls show
News

French far right scores big win in first round of election, polls show

More news - Latest news Early projections indicate that the Rassemblement National party has won a landslide victory in the first round of elections for the French National Assembly, bringing the nationalist, anti-immigration party to power for the first time. Polling projections suggest the party won about 34% of the vote, far ahead of President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Renaissance party and its allies, who won about 21%. The scores do not reliably predict how many parliamentary seats each party will win, but National Rally is likely to be the largest force in the lower house, though not necessarily with an overall majority. A coalition of left-wing parties, the New Popular Front, won about 29% of the vote. Voter turnout was very high, over 65%, compared to 47.51% in the first rou...
Remembering Ann Lurie: From Nurse to Renowned Philanthropist
Health

Remembering Ann Lurie: From Nurse to Renowned Philanthropist

Related media - Latest news Ann Lurie, a former pediatric nurse turned prominent Chicago philanthropist, died Monday at her home. She was 79. Northwestern University, where Lurie was a trustee and major donor, announced her death without giving a cause. Raised in Miami by a single mother, Lurie was an only child and protested the Vietnam War during her college years. She initially planned to join the Peace Corps, but instead married Robert H. Lurie. Robert Lurie built a large real estate and investment business with Sam Zell, which included holdings such as The Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Cubs. He also invested in sports teams such as the Chicago Bulls and the White Sox. Robert Lurie died of colon cancer in 1990, leaving behind an estate valued at $425 million. Ann Lurie, who eve...
Orlando Cepeda, Baseball’s ‘Baby Bull,’ Dies at 86
Sports

Orlando Cepeda, Baseball’s ‘Baby Bull,’ Dies at 86

More news - News 24 hours Orlando Cepeda, the second Puerto Rican-born player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, died Friday at the age of 86. The San Francisco Giants announced his death but did not disclose a location. Cepeda played 17 MLB seasons, mostly as a first baseman, hitting 379 home runs, hitting 2,351 hits and driving in 1,365 runs with a .297 batting average. He was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1958 and the MVP in 1967, helping the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series that year. He batted over .300 in nine seasons and appeared in nine All-Star Games. His father, Pedro, known as "The Bull," was a famous professional player in Puerto Rico. Orlando earned the nickname "Baby Bull" and inspired future stars like Juan Marichal. Cepeda's reputation ...
Robots Have Chubby Faces (and Smiles), According to New Research
Technology

Robots Have Chubby Faces (and Smiles), According to New Research

Related media - Latest news In Japan, engineers are working to create robots that can mimic human expressions, particularly smiles. They developed a face mask using human skin cells, which they attached to robots using a new technique that hides the bond and is flexible enough to form expressions such as a grimace or a slight smile. The look is a mix between the disturbing Hannibal Lecter mask and the claymation character Gumby. However, scientists believe that these prototypes could lead to more advanced robots. These robots would have a durable, elastic outer layer that protects the machine while making it more human-like. The “skin equivalent,” as researchers call it, is made in the lab from living skin cells. This skin can scar, burn, and even heal itself, according to a study pu...