Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for March 18.

By Thomas Maxwell Published March 17, 2025 | Comments (83) | Head of rural broadband program calls SpaceX Starlink "inferior" to other internet options. Justin Sullivan The head of the Commerce Departments ambitious plan to expand fiber internet access across rural America warned on Sunday that opening the door to SpaceXs Starlink would leave rural Americans worse off. Evan Feinman, who directed the program for the last three years, wrote in a departing email to staff that Starlinks satellite internet is inferior to alternatives, delivering slower speeds at higher costs to the household paying the bill. Elon Musk, along with Republications, has vociferously attacked the rural broadband program launched under President Biden, called the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program (BEAD). Three years after launch, no internet expansion projects have begun with the programs $42.5 billion in funding, though three states were awaiting final approvals just as President Trump took office. Musk has regularly used X to lambast the program, of course, while pushing his own Starlink service. Howard Lutnick, the new Commerce Secretary, has said the agency would review BEAD and remove burdensome requirements that have slowed down deployment as well as, crucially, eliminate any preference for fiber. Shovels could already be in the ground in three states, and they could be in the ground in half the country by the summer without the proposed changes to project selection, Feinman wrote in his email, adding these states should be allowed to move forward with their plans while program changes remain in flux. Internet access, being just about as important as other basic necessities, is considered by many a utility today, but internet providers have not had much incentive to expand into rural areas that would be less profitable. BEAD was meant to address this with subsidies and incentives. Starlink is fast to deploy to households, as it only requires customers order a satellite dish from SpaceX, with installation completed in minutes. Broadband fiber, conversely, is labor-intensive and costly to deploy as it requires physically laying cable on power lines and into every home. Starlink can offer some impressive speeds in the range of hundreds of megabits, but typically not the 1 Gbps (1,000 megabits) or more offered by fiber optic, and latency is an issue given the limitations of sending signals to and from space.SpaceX may not need to lay cable, but must continuously launch new satellites into space as the old ones reach end-of-life, and the company is limited by regulators in how many it can place in orbit. Competition from Amazon and others is on the horizon, but has been slow-going. Starlink is generally more expensive than broadband fiber. The satellite dish itself costs $349 (sans promotions), with service typically going for $120 per month. Feinman argues that while fiber might be more expensive to deploy upfront, households will be left with faster and more affordable internet service for years to come.Elon Musk himself said from the early days that Starlink would never replace fiber broadband for those who already have it, as the service inherently has limitations that ground-based infrastructure does not. The service is a good option for remote areas without access to fiber, and SpaceX has partnered with cruise and airline operators to offer internet in moving vehicles. Starlink is good if it is the only option. If the government supports the development of broadband in rural areas, however, it would make Starlink a harder sell. By potentially eliminating the programs preference for fiber, states might be pushed to adopt Starlink for its lower roll-out cost. Reach out to your congressional delegation and reach out to the Trump Administration and tell them to strip out the needless requirements, but not to strip away from states the flexibility to get the best connections for their people, Feinman wrote. Musk has claimed that he has not used his newfound influence in Washington for financial gain or self-dealing. Tesla sales might be falling precipitously due to his divisive brand, but President Trump recently ran a promotion for Tesla on the White House lawn. And at SpaceX, deals to replace other internet providers in government agencies seem to be moving apace. The FAA is reportedly looking to cancel a $2.4 billion contract with Verizon in favor of Starlink.Unfortunately for those in rural America, it looks like they may soon be forced to pay more for less because Musk has been able to use X as his megaphone to push his agenda and intimidate any Republicans who do not go his way.Daily NewsletterYou May Also Like By AJ Dellinger Published March 17, 2025 Kate Yoder, Grist Published March 17, 2025 By Matt Novak Published March 14, 2025 By Matthew Gault Published March 14, 2025 By Lucas Ropek Published March 13, 2025 By Matt Novak Published March 13, 2025

Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube799kFollowing the full reveal in February, Sega's upcoming release Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds held a special closed network test for the PlayStation 5.While part of the focus was on the stability of online matchmaking, there was also a lot of feedback from the community about the gameplay and how the experience was with other players online. The good news is Sega will be taking this on board ahead of the game's full release, which is apparently "coming soon".Here's exactly what the official game account shared via social media about the participation and feedback:Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube799kWatch on YouTube "THANK YOU to everyone who played in our Closed Network Test and filled out the feedback survey. Racers from over 130 regions crossed over 1 MILLION finish lines! We've read through your comments and are driving down the road to release with your feedback in mind."Although we don't know how exactly the Switch version will perform just yet, a lot of feedback about the gameplay in the PlayStation 5 build felt item balance needed to be addressed. Overall though, most participants seemed to enjoy it. You can read more about this in our first impressions round up post: Here are some thought so far...Every Sonic and SEGA character on the wayAre you excited about this new Sonic racer? Were you one of the lucky ones to experience the closed network test? What do you think Sega needs to work on before the big release? Leave your thoughts in the comments.Related GamesSee AlsoShare:00 Liam is a news writer and reviewer for Nintendo Life and Pure Xbox. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of Mario and Master Chief. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesPokmon Scarlet & Violet: Mystery Gift Codes ListAll the current Pokmon Scarlet and Violet Mystery Gift codesBest Cheap Nintendo Switch Games50 games under 20 bucksNew 18+ LEGO Mario Kart Set Is A Better Build Than We ExpectedPole position on our wishlistsStar Fox Veteran's New Game Is Channelling Serious Lylat EnergyEvery McCloud has a silver liningSplatoon 3 Version 9.3.0 Out Now, Here Are The Full Patch NotesThe first update of 2025

Beat 'em up this April.If you love beat 'em ups on the Switch and haven't tried out Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons just yet, now might be the time to finally give it a go.Maximum Entertainment has announced there's some new "free DLC" on the way in the form of two new fighters Jeff and Abore. These two characters will be joining this April, so when they drop, we'll be sure to let you know.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Waymo has been given permission to map roadways at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) via a temporary permit the first step in the Alphabet companys bid to unlock a potentially lucrative use case for its robotaxis.The temporary permit, which was announced Monday evening by San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, kicked off March 14. Waymo vehicles will not operate autonomously in the airport. Employees will manually drive the vehicles to map the area. However, the permit signals the beginning of a phased approach to Waymo eventually operating commercially there.This mapping permit is an important step toward bringing the Waymo service to the millions of people who travel to and from the city each year, according to a statement from Nicole Gavel, head of business development and strategic partnerships at Waymo. Many of those travelers have placed SFO at the top of their service expansion wish list. The permit marks a turnaround for Waymo, which failed to secure a permit in 2023 to map SFO. It also comes with some strings attached, including data sharing, according to language in the agreement viewed by TechCrunch. This language will likely be included in future agreements with the city and San Francisco Airport Commission as Waymo pushes a phased approach that starts with mapping, followed by autonomous testing with a human safety operator, driverless testing, and eventually commercial operations.Waymo has to provide specific data after each mapping session per vehicle, according to the agreement that TechCrunch viewed. This data interface agreement requires Waymo to track its vehicles as they enter and exit the airport and provide the time, geographic location, identification, trip identifier, transaction type, driver-based unique identifier, and vehicle license plate number, according to the agreement.The agreement also prohibits Waymo from using autonomous vehicles to move commercial goods. Waymo shuttered its self-driving trucks program in 2023, and the company has since redoubled its efforts to shuttle people not packages. However, the language protects against future applications of commercial delivery, which has raised concerns among The International Brotherhood of Teamsters.The restriction was sufficient to get the blessing of Peter Finn, Teamsters Western Region vice president.We would like to thank Mayor Lurie for his leadership in bringing the parties together and SFO Director Mike Nakornkhet for creating a template for the responsible implementation of new technology that takes into account the impact on safety, jobs, and the community, Finn said in a statement.Waymo ramped up efforts more than a year ago to gain access to pickups and drop-offs at SFO, according to emails viewed and reported by TechCrunch at the time.The approval process is lengthy and requires a separate approval from the San Francisco Airport Commission. Technically, permits can be issued at the airports discretion, SFO spokesperson Doug Yakel told TechCrunch last year. However, it is expected to mirror the process SFO officials went through when Uber and Lyft first sought access more than a decade ago. For now, Waymo has a temporary access agreement to map SFO airport roadways. Waymo will eventually need a ground transportation permit to operate at SFO, which has yet to be approved.

Amazon rainforest. In the photo: Rio Negro, located in the state of Amazonas.gettyAs the world celebrates International Day of Forests on March 21, 2025, with the theme "Forests and Food," the urgent crisis of deforestation continues to threaten global food security. This article explores how forest degradation impacts food availability, highlighting the critical need for conservation and sustainable management to secure future food resources.Loss of Forests and Its Impact on Global Food SecurityForests are integral to maintaining climate stability and supporting food systems worldwide. According to Forests News, the world lost 5.4 - 6.4 million hectares of forest in 2024 alone, disrupting food production reliant on stable climates, pollinators, and healthy soils. According to the United Nations Global Forest Goals Report, 1.6 billion people depend on forests for food, shelter, medicine, and income. Additionally, forests regulate the effects of climate change by absorbing one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring their environmental significance.Deforestation, driven by agricultural expansion, mining, and logging, exacerbates food insecurity. According to Global Canopy, in Indonesia, palm oil production is a leading cause of deforestation. Bolivia experienced a 351% increase in forest loss between 2015 and 2023 due to agricultural expansion, while illegal logging and wildfires continue to threaten the Amazon despite Brazils efforts to reduce deforestation by 61% in 2023.Effects of the Degradation of ForestsAn officer of the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) takes ... [+] part in an operation against Amazon deforestation at an illegal mining camp, known as garimpo, at the Yanomami territory in Roraima State, Brazil, on February 24, 2023. (Photo by ALAN CHAVES / AFP) (Photo by ALAN CHAVES/AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty ImagesDeforestation leads to soil degradation, which negatively impacts agricultural yields. Forests enhance soil fertility by preventing erosion and maintaining organic matter. According to the FAO, 33% of global soil is already degraded, with deforestation accelerating this trend. Farmers in affected regions rely on costly fertilizers, exacerbating environmental and economic challenges.Forests regulate the hydrological cycle, influencing rainfall and water availability. Deforestation disrupts precipitation patterns, leading to droughts that impact food production, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa and Central America. Additionally, forests provide habitat for 80% of terrestrial species, including pollinators essential for fertilizing 75% of global crops, according to a 2025 World Health Organization report. The loss of pollinators threatens food diversity and economic stability.Strengthening Conservation of Forests for Food SecurityConservation of forestsgettyStrengthening conservation policies is essential to combat food insecurity. The United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) focuses on preventing and reversing ecosystem degradation. The Forest and Landscape Restoration approach emphasizes avoiding degradation, reducing damage, and restoring degraded land to ensure long-term food security. Protecting forests is crucial for global food security. Conservation policies, sustainable agricultural practices, and responsible consumer behavior can help mitigate the negative effects of deforestation on food systems. For further insights on forests and climate resilience, stay tuned for Article 2: Forests, Climate Resilience, and Sustainable Agriculture.

AI digital twins allow decision makers to move from reactive to proactive, building resilient, ... [+] innovative cities that benefit residents and regions alikegettyThe emergence of cities in the cloud, also known as digital twins, marks a significant shift in urban management. These sophisticated virtual replicas offer the potential to revolutionize urban planning, infrastructure management, and emergency response. With over half the global population now residing in cities, and urban built environments projected to double within the next 50 years, the economic consequences of maintaining traditional practices are immense. Relying on outdated planning and design methodologies, especially amidst rapid climate and demographic shifts, poses a risk of catastrophic financial losses worldwide. Coastal cities, which are both vital economic centers and home to a substantial portion of the global population, face particularly acute vulnerabilities. Without the ability to adapt swiftly, to simulate real-time scenarios, and to respond effectively to potential disruptions, cities will face escalating costs associated with reactive measures, lost productivity, and a decline in voter/investor confidence.Digital Twins Are No Longer A Nice To HaveStatic models are obsolete. To navigate the complexities of modern urban life, we need dynamic, data-driven simulations: AI-powered digital twins. This multi-billion dollar market is more than pretty visualizations; its about key insights and actionable intelligence. By integrating real-time data, advanced analytics, and immersive visuals, digital twins empower decision-makers to understand and manage increasingly complex and vulnerable interconnected urban systems with unprecedented clarity. Time is of the essence. This technology allows us to optimize resource allocation, preemptively mitigate risks, and construct resilient urban environments- critical in a world of rapid change. From simulating the flow of people, goods, utilities and other life support systems to predicting emergency impacts, digital twins provide a vital, real-time lens into urban complexities. We must move beyond outdated 'predict and provide' guesswork and embrace the foresight that AI digital twins offer. The future of our cities depends on it.Decoding the AI Digital Twin: Core Technologies and ProcessesBuilding an AI digital twin is a sophisticated process, demanding precise data acquisition from sensors and surveys, the creation of highly detailed 3D models, and the seamless integration of diverse, real-time data streams. This dynamic, data-driven approach unlocks unprecedented insights into increasingly complex urban systems, far beyond the reach of traditional, manual methods. The foundation of these digital replicas lies in Building Information Modeling (BIM), which provides the critical data structure for infrastructure and building twins, enriched by live data feeds.Cloud computing is indispensable, enabling the storage and rapid processing of the vast datasets these simulations require. The integration of generative AI is further adding another dimension to the field, enabling seamless incorporation of disparate multi-modal ( text, image, video etc.) datasets and facilitating more complex simulations. This is driving a shift from traditional master planning to dynamic, agent-based urban modeling of multiple systems, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of urban dynamics. In essence, AI digital twins are not simply models; they are evolving systems that provide the critical intelligence needed to manage the worlds 5,000+ urban regions. Currently less than 5% of the worlds urban regions have one, which means a massive untapped market opportunity.vCity - A human-centric platform for urban digital twins is working with several cities including ... [+] Barcelona and Kobe.vCityFrom Sci-fi to Sci-fact: AI Digital Twins in Real World ApplicationsDigital twins are proving invaluable across numerous sectors. Key leaders in this space include TwinMaster (acquired Cityzenith), Esris Geospatial AI and MetaWorldX to name a few. Here are just a few examples of the most interesting use cases to consider for your region:Smart City Operations: Security protocols and operational efficiencies are significantly improved through the dynamic monitoring and management of complex urban systems, leading to safer and more responsive cities. MetaWorldXs digital twin of NEOMs ( the futuristic, sustainable smart city development in Saudi Arabia) C2 center integrated its critical systemswater, energy, transportationwith real-time IoT data, enabling advanced threat prediction and emergency planning, resulting in a 20% incident reduction.Urban Planning and Development: Planners can now simulate the impact of new developments on traffic flow, energy consumption, and environmental factors, facilitating informed decisions that optimize urban growth. V-City is working with several cities including Barcelona and Kobe on their human-centric urban digital twins.Energy Management and Sustainability: AI digital twins are workign to optimize energy consumption in buildings and grid systems, fostering sustainable practices and reducing environmental footprints through data-driven efficiency.Environmental Management: These advanced systems are drawing from big data cloud systems and merging with AI (like Googles FireSat and Nvidias generative AI model for typhoons) to model the impact of environmental challenges from hurricanes, storms surges, invasive seaweed on tourism, predicting wildfire behavior, and optimize infrastructure during extreme weather events.NEOM's C2 center, optimized by MetaWorldX's digital twin, enabling predictive analytics and improved ... [+] emergency response.MetaworldXAs digital twin technology becomes more ubiquitous and accessible over time, city planners, policymakers, and even residents will gain access to these powerful tools. This democratization will empower individuals to better understand, plan, design, and operate their urban environments. This newfound transparency and access to real-time data will challenge those who have historically benefited from opacity, creating a more equitable and data-driven landscape for urban development.The Future of Urban Innovation: A Data-Driven EvolutionIn an era of escalating urban complexity, AI digital twins are going to be indispensable for building sustainable, resilient, and livable cities. These dynamic, data-driven replicas of the real world provide the critical foresight and imagination needed to predict, optimize, and adapt to 21st-century challenges. We are witnessing a paradigm shift: cities are no longer static document entities, but living laboratories, intelligently evolving through real-time simulations and proactive interventions. This AI-driven urban transformation moves planning from reactive to proactive, building resilient, innovative cities that benefit residents and regions alike.

Through 21 years and 10 Saw movies, nothing has been able to keep the Jigsaw killer down. After Saw X revitalized the franchise in 2023 with great reviews and $125.3 million worldwide, Saw XI was given greenlight to proceed with a September 2024 release date. That film was subsequently pushed back to September 26, 2025, but a new report suggests that the next sequel may not come out at all due to unknown issues at Lionsgate between the executives and the producers.We havent heard anything since May, Patrick Melton told The Hollywood Reporter. Melton has been with the franchise since Saw IV in 2007, and he co-wrote the script for Saw XI with Marcus Dunstan. Despite turning in their draft almost a year ago, theres been zero progress on the film since then.Recommended VideosIts stalled at a managerial level, explained Melton. It has nothing to do with the creative or anything else. Theres higher-level things at play The reason its held up is just, theres inter-squabbling between producers and Lionsgate. They just cant quite get on the same page.Please enable Javascript to view this contentThe original Saw debuted in 2004 as a low budget horror film that turned out to be extremely profitable. Since then, its gone on to become one of the best horror franchises of all time, and certainly one of the most lucrative. Its been such a success story that even killing off John Kramer (Tobin Bell), the original Jigsaw killer, in Saw 3 didnt slow down the momentum. Bell has reprised his role in some capacity in nine out of 10 Saw movies, and he had his largest on-screen time to date in Saw X, which took place before Kramers on-screen death. According to Melton, Bell would have also returned in Saw XI, which he acknowledges may never get made.Saw XI may or may not be made, but we have a very timely story in it, and I hope it gets made just because of that, added Melton. It taps into the same themes of Saw VI, where youre a citizen, you feel angry and frustrated with something, you feel like you cant do anything, and John Kramers going to do it.Editors Recommendations

Directed by Phylicia Rashad, the new play by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins heaps various resentments and revelations onto the stage as it observes a fractious family gathering.

2025-03-18T04:30:01Z Read in app Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang is the face of the company supplying chips to many of the companies in the AI arms race. I-hwa Cheng/Getty This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? If you've heard about AI, you're probably familiar with Nvidia too.Booming business for the chipmaker has boosted the net worth of CEO Jensen Huang.Here's a look at the career rise of the Nvidia founder.The AI arms race has been good business for Nvidia, which supplies the highly in-demand chips used by many Big Tech giants and startups alike to train AI models.That's also been good news for Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang. In 2024, he shot into Forbes' list of the world's 10 wealthiest people as business boomed for Nvidia.Huang and fellow Nvidia founders Curtis Priem and Chris Malachowsky planted the seed for Nvidia at a Denny's in northern California in 1993. Today, it's a household name in the AI industry, and Huang is the billionaire businessman leading it.Here's a look at Jensen Huang's career rise and background.Early life, educationHuang was born in Taiwan in 1963. He spent some of his childhood there and in Thailand before his parents sent Huang and his brother to the US to live with an uncle in Tacoma, Washington.His uncle sent him to Oneida Baptist Institute in Kentucky but after Huang's parents immigrated to the US, the family lived in Oregon. He graduated from high school at age 16 before going to college. Huang got his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Oregon State University and his master's degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University.Huang got his first job at 15. He washed dishes and bussed and waited tables at a Denny's in Portland.Before founding Nvidia, Huang worked at computer chip manufacturer LSI Logic from 1985 to 1993 and at semiconductor company AMD, or Advanced Micro Devices, from 1984 to 1985. Huang, Priem, and Malachowsky founded Nvidia in 1993. I-Hwa Cheng/AFP/Getty Images Founding Nvidia, leading company as CEOAt a Denny's in 1993, Huang and his Nvidia co-founders, Curtis Priem and Chris Malachowsky, came up with the idea that would eventually lead to Nvidia's creation.In 1999, the company released the GeForce 256, which it called the first graphics processing unit, or GPU.Today, Nvidia is instrumental in the generative AI industry, supplying the coveted chips that tech companies use to train AI models.Interest in Nvidia's chips amid the AI boom has pushed the company to new heights.In one notable milestone, Nvidia's market cap passed $3 trillion in 2024 to briefly overtake Apple as the world's most valuable company.Huang's net worth is $105.4 billion, according to Forbes.Huang's management and leadership style sees him skipping 1-on-1 meetings, managing around 60 direct reports as CEO, giving feedback publicly, and sending his staff hundreds of emails a day.Current and former Nvidia employees previously told BI that Huang is a hands-on boss with high expectations and meticulous attention to detail who values owning up to your mistakes.Huang has said he has workaholic tendencies, logging 14-hour days and working on holidays.He has a tattoo of Nvidia's logo on his shoulder, which he agreed to get when the company's stock price hit $100 per share.Huang's black leather jacket has also become a famous part of his wardrobe a staple piece he often wears when giving keynotes or showing off a new product.Nvidia's other founders, meanwhile, have stayed further out of the spotlight than Huang.Priem was Nvidia's chief technical officer from 1993 to 2003, and Malachowsky is a senior technology executive at Nvidia.After Nvidia went public in 1999, Priem put more than three-quarters of his Nvidia shares into his Priem Family Foundation and by 2006, he'd sold the rest of his shares. He was left with a fortune of roughly $30 million, Forbes estimated in 2023.Jensen Huang's familyHuang met his now-wife, Lori, while still attending Oregon State University. The couple share two children: Madison Huang is a director of product and technical marketing at Nvidia, and Spencer Huang is a product line manager at the company.Huang and Lisa Su, CEO of Nvidia's rival chip giant AMD, are distant cousins.He has a home in Silicon Valley, as Nvidia is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. Nvidia plays a key role in the generative AI boom supplying highly sought-after chips used to train AI models. Patrick T. Fallon / AFP Nvidia and Jensen Huang's futureHuang has been president, CEO, and a member of Nvidia's board of directors since the company's creation. He and Nvidia haven't said much about succession planning.He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2024 and has received the Semiconductor Industry Association's highest honor, the Robert N. Noyce Award.In past years, The Economist has named Huang the world's best CEO, Fortune has dubbed him its Businessperson of the Year, and TIME has included him in its yearly list of the world's 100 most influential people.As of March 2024, Huang owned roughly 3.79% of the company's outstanding shares, according to a proxy statement. He is Nvidia's largest individual shareholder.