Tens of thousands of IT contractors have been hit with life-changing tax bills relating to projects they worked on over a decade ago after enrolling in remuneration schemes that saw them paid for the work they did in the form of non-taxable loans, rather than a conventional salary.These loan-based remuneration schemes were typically run by offshore employee benefits trusts (EBTs), and were often erroneously marketed as being an HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)-compliant means for contractors to bolster their take-home pay, with contractors often advised to join such schemes by respected tax advisers.In some instances, contractors were told they would be unable to work for certain organisations unless they agreed to be paid in loans, too.In recent years, however, scheme participants have found themselves in HMRCs crosshairs, thanks to the introduction of a piece of retroactive legislation known as the Loan Charge that is designed to help the government recoup the tax it claims participants avoided paying between December 2010 and April 2019.The individuals now being chased for backdated tax payments by HMRC claim they are the victims of mis-selling, given how these schemes were previously marketed to them as safe and compliant to use, and the situation has seen more than 200 MPs from various parties come out in support of their plight.In the years since the policy was introduced, and details of the toll it is taking on those in its scope have started to emerge, there have been a series of legal actions attempted to overturn the policy.There have also been calls from MPs for HMRC to stop doggedly pursuing the individuals involved, and start taking punitive measures against the employers, agencies and promotors who advised people to join these schemes in the first place.At the time of writing, though, the policy remains in place, and there are few signs from the government that it has any intention of revising its contents or how it works.The situation has drawn parallels with the Post Office Horizon IT scandal, given the people caught in scope of the Loan Charge are widely considered to be victims of mis-selling by accountants and trusted tax advisors who marketed these loan-based remuneration schemes as HMRC-approved.Sammy Wilson, an MP representing the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), drew comparisons between the victims of the Post Office scandal and the individuals affected by the Loan Charge during a January 2024 Business Committee Back Bench debate in the House of Commons.As was the case with the Post Office scandal victims, the Loan Charge story similarly involves a group of people who were acting in good faith being prosecuted and pursued when the people who absolutely knew what they were doing are getting away scot-free, said Wilson.In the case of the Loan Charge, the parties responsible for marketing and promoting these loan-based remuneration schemes are not being pursued in the same way as the individuals who participated in them, which he described as wrong.HMRC are going after those who they regard as easy targets, said Wilson. The promoters of these schemes not one penny [has been demanded from them].Despite the promoters [making] hundreds of millions of pounds of these schemes, [they] have mis-sold the schemes, [and] have disappeared when there is any attempt to get after them, he added. Those promoters are not being pursued and yet individuals are being harassed harassed to the point that many of them have taken their own lives.The Loan Charge policy was introduced as part of an ongoing anti-tax avoidance campaign by HMRC, designed to counter the surge in the number of loan-based remuneration schemes in operation.The policy was put forward by HM Treasury during the 2017 Budget as means of recouping billions of pounds in unpaid taxes the UK government claimed contractors avoided paying by opting to be paid in the form of non-taxable loans rather than receive a conventional salary.The policy terms initially stated that any contractor who participated in a loan-based remuneration scheme between 6 April 1999 and 5 April 2019 would be in-scope of the policy, and would be expected to pay back any and all tax they avoided while enrolled in these schemes.The total amounts of unpaid tax HMRC said they owed are what is referred to as the Loan Charge.An independent review of the policy, published in December 2019, concluded the timeframe the policy covers should be shortened by 11 years, so that only individuals who enrolled in schemes after 9 December 2010 would be included.It is estimated this change resulted in around 10,000 people falling out of scope of the Loan Charge policy.Much of the controversy surrounding the Loan Charge relates to the retroactive nature of the policy, with critics often taking issue with the fact it effectively introduces a retrospective tax on something in this case, a loan that was previously technically considered to be non-taxable.The timeframe the policy covers also means the final amounts of unpaid tax that individuals can end up owing can end up being life-changing, with many of those affected at risk of financial ruin or facing bankruptcy as a result.There is also the fact that many of the individuals who participated in these schemes received assurances from trusted tax advisors and accountants that receiving payment for the work they did in this way was permissible and acceptable in the eyes of HMRC.When the policy was first introduced, HMRC estimated that implementing the Loan Charge would allow it to recoup 3.2bn in previously unpaid tax over the course of five years, but that figure was later revised up to 3.4bn. However, the publication of the independent review into the policy, which resulted in several tweaks being made to how it works, is estimated to have reduced the policys overall total tax take by 620m.HMRC suggests there are around 50,000 individuals affected by the Loan Charge policy, although volunteer-led non-profit the Loan Charge Action Group (LCAG) has previously told Computer Weekly it thinks the number of people affected is far, far higher.Those affected include a disproportionate number of IT contractors, as well as NHS workers, public sector agency staff, teachers and individuals working in the oil and gas sector.While the concept of loan-based remuneration schemes pre-dates the onset of the IR35 regulations, the number of these schemes in operation markedly increased in the wake of HMRC introducing these revamped tax avoidance rules in 2000.The IR35 regulations were introduced as part of a disguised employment push by the government that would see contractors having their engagements classified as being either inside or outside IR35 based on the kind of work they do and how it is carried out.Contractors that are determined to be working inside IR35 are considered to be employees for tax purposes, meaning they are liable to pay the same employment taxes and national insurance contributions (NICs) as a salaried employee, but are not entitled to employment benefits such as paid sick leave or pension contributions.In many cases, contractors were offered the opportunity to side-step the IR35 regulations entirely by opting to close down their limited company and sign on to become the employee of an umbrella company instead.Some of these umbrella companies operated in a non-compliant manner by promising contractors they could increase their take-home pay by agreeing to be paid in non-taxable loans issued by EBTs that were marketed as HMRC-compliant.HMRC, however, has always maintained that it has never approved the use of a loan-based remuneration scheme, and has also been of the view that such schemes do not work. In addition to that, it has also been repeatedly claimed by many of those affected by the Loan Charge policy that they were unwittingly enrolled in these schemes by umbrella companies that promised them too-good-to-be-true amounts of take-home pay without disclosing they would be paid in loans.While HMRC has repeatedly stated that no one in-scope of the Loan Charge will be forced to sell their main home to cover the amounts it claims they owe in unpaid tax, Computer Weekly has heard anecdotal reports from IT contractors who have done exactly that.HMRC has previously stated that it has no intention to make the individuals in-scope of the Loan Charge policy bankrupt, and that insolvency will only be considered as a last resort if the person involved is actively avoiding paying what they owe or are at risk of accruing further debt.Even so, members of the Loan Charge APPG have repeatedly spoken out about the toll the policy is taking on the health and well-being of those affected.There have also been 10 suicides linked to the Loan Charge to-date, as confirmed by HMRC, in a letter signed by its CEO, Jim Harra, in January 2023.The missive states that HMRC has had cause to refer itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct on 10 occasions where a customer has sadly taken their life and had used a disguised remuneration scheme.This question is key to understanding the Loan Charge policy. Loans are typically not considered to be a form of taxable income, but according to HMRC the recipients of these loans should pay tax on them because they were never intended to be repaid.Furthermore, many contractors who participated in these schemes were of the understanding they would never be asked to repay the loans they received.But as extensively documented by Computer Weekly several attempts have been made in recent years by different parties to recall the loans contractors received, meaning in addition to HMRC they have also been asked to repay these loans in full, plus interest.In instances such as this, HMRC has restated that any individual that repays a loan they received during the timeframe covered by Loan Charge policy will still need to repay the tax it claims they still owe.This is an outcome few, if any, loan scheme participants have ever budgeted for, adding further pressure to their finances. Some individuals caught in the policys scope have sought settlements with HMRC to bring the matter to a close for them, although there are also anecdotal reports of people who went down this route and then received further payment demands from HMRC afterwards.There have been numerous legal challenges attempted to overturn the policy, as well as requests made to HMRC to consider letting those unable to pay off the full amounts owed pay a reduced settlement figure, so the government tax collection agency gets some money rather than none.MPs have also repeatedly called on the government to do more to tackle the people responsible for marketing these schemes, to prevent new schemes from emerging. There are further calls to also spread the tax burden on to the promoters, agencies and employers that encouraged individuals to join these schemes.During the Autumn Budget 2024, the government confirmed there would be a second independent review of the policy to bring the matter to a close for all those affected.This was on the back of representations made to Treasury Minister James Murray during a meeting facilitated by the APPG in August 2024, where various individuals in-scope of the policy outlined the toll the Loan Charge was taking on their health, well-being and their finances.At the time of writing, HM Treasury is yet to confirm the scope of the review and who will be tasked with overseeing it.In the meantime, Computer Weekly has learned that HMRC is offering to pause the settlement activity of anyone caught by the Loan Charge until the review has concluded.

As we wait for Black Friday and Cyber Monday to roll around, deals on different devices are already appearing everywhere. Robot vacuums are just one category seeing major pricing discounts in preparation for the year's biggest shopping event. ZDNET is gathering the best and most legitimate deals available right now, so you don't have to worry about wading through the madness that is deal hunting.I test different types of robot vacuums daily and have grown exceedingly familiar with each brand's strengths and weaknesses, as well as their price fluctuations. As a result, I've realized that this is the best time to buy that robot vacuum you've had your eye on all year or as a holiday gift for that family member who's always wanted one. Here are my picks for the best early Black Friday robot vacuum deals.Shop deals at AmazonOur favorite early robot vacuum deals for Black Friday 2024iRobot Roomba Vac Essential robot vacuum: $225 (save $25 at Amazon): This Roomba is ZDNET's pick for thebest budget-friendly iRobot vacuumavailable.iRobot Roomba j7+ robot vacuum: $356 (save $444 at Amazon): This discount ona self-emptying Roombapowered by RobotOS is a deal you can't miss. You can also get theRoomba Combo j7+variation,with a fully retractable mop pad, at 18% off for $899.Roborock Q7 Max+ robot vacuum and mop: $360 (save $510 at Amazon): Besides a Q7 robot vacuum and mop, the Max model includes a self-emptying dock that you don't have to worry about for up to seven weeks.Dreame X30 Ultra robot vacuum and mop: $1,000 (save $400 at Amazon): The Dreame X30 Ultrawas ZDNET's top pick for thebest 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop, dethroned only by its successor,the X40 Ultra.Yeedi M12 Pro+ robot vacuum and mop: $570 (save $430 at Amazon): Have you ever heard the phrase "high-end features for a mid-range price?"This hands-free robot vacuum and mopdoes all the work for you, with flagship features like an extending mop pad to reach corners and under cabinets and 11,000Pa of suction.iRobot Roomba Essential Combo robot vacuum and mop: $160 (save $115 at Amazon): This essential robot vacuum is an entry-level Roomba that combines powerful suction with mopping action.Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo complete robot vacuum and mop: $1,110 (save $590 at Amazon): I rely on theDeebot X2 Combo Complete robot vacuum and mop, especially because of its side-mounted cordless vacuum that empties automatically.Roborock S8 Pro Ultra robot vacuum and mop: $1,100 (save $400 at Amazon): The all-in-one S8 Pro Ultra features 6,000Pa of suction power, a self-emptying dustbin, and self-washing mop pads.OKP Life K2 robot vacuum: $90 (save $110 at Amazon): One of ourfavorite inexpensive options, the OKP Life K2 is a great entry-level, no-frills robot vacuumespecially for the price.Dreame X40 Ultra robot vacuum and mop: $1,400 (save $500 at Amazon): This ismy favorite robot vacuum and mop combinationthat I've tested, with excellent obstacle avoidance and strong suction. Beth Mauder/ZDNET Current price: $350Original price: $650The Eufy X8 Pro twin-turbine robot vacuum is perfect for pet owners. With 4,000Pa of suction power, this robot vacuum includes a self-empty station and smooth navigation to leave beautiful carpet lines behind. View now at Amazon Current price: $994Original price: $1,399The flagship Roomba j9+ features powerful suction and a self-emptying dustbin, perfect for pet owners. This combo option also has a retractable mop pad that stores itself on top of the robot when not in use, ensuring your carpets stay dry and your hard floors stay mopped. View now at Amazon Maria Diaz/ZDNET Current price: $850Original price: $1,200The Deebot T30S combo is fairly new but lives up to the hype that only a three-in-one robot vacuum could garner. This has become my go-to upstairs robot vacuum and mop because it functions as a cleaning hub, made complete by the self-emptying cordless vacuum that charges right on the robot's charging station. View now at Amazon Roborock/ZDNET Current price: $380Original price: $870You can snag the Roborock Q7 Max+ for a limited time for $380. As a vacuum mop combo, this machine features 4,200Pa suction power and 300g mopping pressures, promising a smooth and efficient clean. With its self-empty dock, you can have hands-free vacuuming for up to seven weeks. Thanks to Roborock's PreciSense LiDAR Navigation, you can rest assured that this robot vacuum will clean where it's supposed to and when it's supposed to. View now at Amazon Current price: $394Original price: $530If you're like me and love the idea of your floors being cleaned by someone orsomethingelse, you can't go wrong with this deal. The Roomba j5 is a robot vacuum that intelligently maps and navigates your home, avoiding obstacles like cords and pet waste.Also:Roomba Combo J7+ review: A 2-in-1 robot vacuum done (almost) right View now at Amazon Best early Black Friday iRobot robot vacuum dealsiRobot Roomba Combo i3+ robot vacuum and mop: $330 (save $100 at Amazon): This is a perfect midrange, self-emptying robot vacuum for homes with different floor types, including with pet residents.iRobot Roomba j7+ robot vacuum: $356 (save $444 at Amazon): This discount ona self-emptying Roombapowered by RobotOS is a deal you can't miss. You can also get theRoomba Combo j7+variation,with a fully retractable mop pad, at 18% off for $899.iRobot Roomba Vac 2 Essential robot vacuum: $350 (save $50 at Amazon): This is an introductory offer on iRobot's brand new entry-level robot vacuum, featuring the AutoEmpty dock, for self-emptying.iRobot Roomba Combo j5 robot vacuum and mop: $393 (save $137 at Amazon): The Roomba Combo j5 is built for everyday vacuuming with occasional mopping.iRobot Roomba Vac Essential robot vacuum: $225 (save $25 at Amazon): This Roomba is ZDNET's pick for thebest budget-friendly iRobot vacuumavailable.Best early Black Friday Roborock robot vacuum dealsRoborock S8 Pro Ultra robot vacuum and mop: $1,100 (save $500 at Amazon): The all-in-one S8 Pro Ultra features 6,000Pa of suction power, a self-emptying dustbin, and self-washing mop pads.Roborock Q7 Max robot vacuum and mop: $200 (save $400): At over 63% off, this is one of the best discounts you'll find on a Roborock through Black Friday.Roborock S8+ robot vacuum and mop: $620 (save $380 at Amazon): The Roborock S8+ features 6,000Pa of suction power, a self-emptying dustbin, and the company's Sonic Mop system.Roborock Flexi Lite wet/dry vacuum and mop: $300 (save $100 at Amazon): This outstanding wet/dry vacuum and mop lets you tackle wet and dry messes in one fell swoop.FAQsWhen is Black Friday?Black Friday is a big shopping event that occurs each year on the day after Thanksgiving. This year, it falls on Nov. 29.Since Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday, many people are off through the weekend, so retailers have capitalized on this day, the last national holiday before Christmas. This makes Black Friday a great chance to finish checking off your holiday shopping list.When is Cyber Monday?Cyber Monday happens on the Monday following the Thanksgiving holiday. This year, Cyber Monday falls on Dec. 2.Are robot vacuum deals really better on Black Friday?Robot vacuums are cheaper during big shopping events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Amazon Prime Day. The fact that Black Friday is one of the last major shopping events of the year results in some retailers giving big discounts on the current product stock in preparation for new devices launching in the new year.What's the difference between Black Friday and Cyber Monday?Though there are many online deals, Black Friday has been historically a mostly in-person shopping event where people visit a brick-and-mortar store. With most big box stores featuring an online store, Black Friday online shopping has become as common as Amazon Prime Day shopping. Cyber Monday began and remains an online shopping event for online stores to capitalize on customers who may have missed a Black Friday deal and can shop from home or work on Monday.How did we choose these Black Friday deals?As a robot vacuum tester at ZDNET, I've become familiar with these devices' unique features and tested different models in every price range. This experience has made me realize that the robot vacuum market is saturated with competition. It also helps me discern which robot vacuums are worth their retail price and when a discount is a good deal.I check robot vacuum deals often, always choosing the ones that deliver the most features for the least money. Using our expertise and different tools to track deals, we can determine when a deal is worth it and ensure we only cover those. This list of deals will be updated as new deals appear and others sell out.Where can you shop the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals?While retailers hold store-specific shopping events throughout the year, like Amazon with Prime Day, you can expect Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals to appear everywhere. This includes your local businesses and big box stores. Black Friday is a huge shopping event, both in-person and online, with stores like Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon, Target, Costco, and more offering eye-popping discounts on different products.Top holiday deals

Roborock introduced me to the wondrous world of robot vacuums almost six years ago when few companies offered 2-in-1 robot vacuum mops. I'd just had my second baby and was looking for a way to check some chores off my list without breaking my back or taking away my already-divided attention from my very little ones. So I spent a couple hundred dollars on a Roborock E2 during a Black Friday sale.Since then, I've had another kid, moved states, lived in several houses, gotten a dog, and even became a robot vacuum tester-- all with that Roborock in tow. But also since then, robot vacuum and mop combinations have boomed, taking what started as a dripping microfiber pad dragged along your floors behind the vacuum and transforming into self-washing rotating mop pads, self-washing mop rollers, and self-emptying robots.This large offering of products has flooded the robot vacuum market, making it harder for buyers to choose the right one. With many discounts available as we approach the holiday season, I'm rounding out the best Roborock deals so you, like me, can have your own Roborock become part of your family for years to come.Shop deals at AmazonOur favorite early Roborock deals for Black Friday 2024Roborock Q7 Max+ robot vacuum and mop: $360 (save $510 at Amazon): In addition to a Q7 robot vacuum and mop, the Max model includes a self-emptying dock that you don't have to worry about for up to seven weeks.Roborock S8 Pro Ultra robot vacuum and mop: $1,100 (save $500 at Best Buy): This is a great time to save on what's typically a splurge robot vacuum and mop by purchasing the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra at $1,100.Roborock S8+ robot vacuum and mop: $620 (save $380 at Amazon): The Roborock S8+ features 6,000Pa of suction power, a self-emptying dustbin, and the company's Sonic Mop system.Roborock Flexi Pro wet/dry vacuum mop: $380 (save $120 at Roborock): I've tested and loved the "lite" version of this Roborock wet/dry vacuum and mop. The larger Flexi Pro features a larger battery and smart mobile app integrations.Roborock Qrevo Plus robot vacuum and mop: $650 (save $280 at Roborock): This is the perfect midrange robot vacuum and mop for hands-free floor cleaning -- especially at $650. (It's also our pick for the best midrange Roborock.) Roborock/ZDNET Current price: $360Original price: $870For a limited time, you can snag the Roborock Q7 Max+ at a discount for $360. As a vacuum mop combo, this machine features 4,200Pa suction power and 300g mopping pressures, promising a smooth and efficient clean. With its self-empty dock, you can have hands-free vacuuming for up to seven weeks. Thanks to Roborock's PreciSense LiDAR Navigation, you can rest assured that this robot vacuum will clean where it's supposed to and when it's supposed to. View now at Us.roborock Beth Mauder/ZDNET Current price: $360Original price: $450The Roborock Q5 Max+ robot vacuum is perfect for anyone looking for a self-emptying unit that can go up to seven weeks between emptying.Also:The best Roborock vacuums of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed View now at Amazon Maria Diaz/ZDNET Current price: $300Original price: $400The Roborock Flexi Lite is a great wet/dry cordless vacuum and mop that can tackle both wet and dry messes. It may sound too good to be true, but I assure you it's real. Thanks to a self-propelled system, the Flexi Lite is easy to push around your floors and can pick up spilled milk, crumbs, pet hair, juice, and anything else that fits its nozzle.Review: Forget Dyson: I tested Roborock's wet-dry hand vacuum and it left my floors spotless View now at Us.roborock Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET Current price: $1,100Original price: $1,600One of the best two-in-one machines on the market, the Roborock S8 Max Ultra is now $1,100. It's a pretty penny, but the simplicity and efficiency make this robot worth the money. You could fill the clean water tank, empty the dirty water tank, and set a schedule to tackle your home without having to do anything for a couple of days. Even then, all I had to do was refill and empty the tanks. Having freshly vacuumed and mopped floors daily is a big win. View now at Amazon FAQsWhen is Black Friday?Black Friday is a big shopping event that happens each year on the day after Thanksgiving. This year, Black Friday is on Nov. 29.Since Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday, many people are off through the weekend, so retailers have capitalized on this day, the last national holiday before Christmas. This makes Black Friday a great chance to finish checking off your holiday shopping list.When is Cyber Monday?Cyber Monday happens on the Monday following the Thanksgiving holiday. This year, Cyber Monday is on Dec. 2.Are Roborock deals really better on Black Friday?Robot vacuums are cheaper during big shopping events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Amazon Prime Day. The fact that Black Friday is one of the last major shopping events of the year results in some retailers giving big discounts on the current product stock in preparation for new devices launching in the new year.What's the difference between Black Friday and Cyber Monday?Though there are now many online deals, Black Friday has been historically a mostly in-person shopping event where people visit a brick-and-mortar store. With most big box stores featuring an online store, Black Friday online shopping has become as common as Amazon Prime Day shopping. Cyber Monday began and remains an online shopping event for online stores to capitalize on customers who may have missed a Black Friday deal and can shop from home or work on Monday.How did we choose these Black Friday deals?As a robot vacuum tester at ZDNET, I've become familiar with these devices' unique features and tested various models in every price range. This experience has made me realize that the robot vacuum market is saturated with competition. It also helps me discern which robot vacuums are worth their retail price and when a discount is a good deal.I check robot vacuum deals often, always choosing the ones that deliver the most features for the least money. Using our expertise and different tools to track deals, we can determine when a deal is worth it and ensure we only cover those. This list of deals will be updated as new deals appear and others sell out.Where can you shop the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals?While retailers hold store-specific shopping events throughout the year, like Amazon with Prime Day, you can expect Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals to appear everywhere. This includes your local businesses and big box stores. Black Friday is a huge shopping event, both in-person and online, with stores like Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon, Target, Costco, and more offering eye-popping discounts on different products.Top holiday deals

IRVING, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 14: Mike Tyson gets on scale during Weigh-In at the Toyota Music Factory in ... [+] Irving, Texas on November 14, 2024 ahead of his match with Jake Paul for heavyweight world titles of the Premiere Boxing Championship which will be on November 15 Friday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, United States. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)Anadolu via Getty ImagesMike Tyson and Jake Paul are set to fight on Friday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The fight card is underway, but were still a few fights away from the main event.IMPORTANT INFO ON MIKE TYSON VS. JAKE PAUL ON NETFLIXThe Netflix stream will begin at 8 pm ET, and three fights will be broadcast before Tyson and Paul climb into the ring. Tyson and Paul will likely walk to the ring around 11:15 pm ET, and the fight will start around 11:30 pm.According to MVP Promotions, the gate for Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul, co-headlined by Amanda Serrano vs. Katie Taylor 2, has already surpassed a $17.8 million gate. That total sets a record for the state of Texas.Its almost twice the amount Canelo Alvarez and Billy Joe Saunders generated for their fight in 2021. The gate is also higher than any UFC event outside Las Vegas, besides the Conor McGregor vs. Eddie Alvarez pay-per-view at UFC 205 in Madison Square Garden.MORE FOR YOUAccording to MVP, more than 70,000 fans will be in attendance for the event, and the numbers on the free streams on YouTube are already staggering. Just after 7 pm ET, Netflix Sports live stream of the prelims had 289,000 fans watching. You can view that here:MVP Promotions live stream of the prelims had 389,000 people watching. Thats presumably nearly 700,000 people watching prelims of fighters they may not have heard of before this week.As an FYI, here is the list of the fights on the card.Mike Tyson vs. Jake PaulKatie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2Mario Barrios vs. Abel RamosNeeraj Goyat vs. Whindersson NunesShadasia Green vs. Melinda WatpoolLucas Bahdi vs. Armando CasamonicaBruce Carrington vs. Dana CoolwellTyson and Paul drew a few more eyeballs on Thursday night when the former slapped the latters face during the faceoff. It appeared Paul may have intentionally stepped on Tysons toe, which is rumored to be injured and part of why he pulled out of the fight in July.Here is a look at the first viral celebrity slap since Will Smith hit Chris Rock at the Oscars.Watch for a full breakdown of the co-main event and the main event following the show. Dont get to the Tyson-Paul main event too late. You could miss the entire show.While longtime boxing fans have become accustomed to saying that about Tysons fights because of his penchant for early knockouts during the prime of his career, Im mentioning that for this fight because it is only scheduled for eight rounds, and those frames are just two minutes.Traditionally, mens professional boxing matches are scheduled for three rounds, and the fighters use 12-ounce gloves. Tyson and Paul will be wearing 14-ounce gloves during their fight. Will we see a knockout or something that has everyone talking because it is wildly disappointing?Well know sooner rather than later.

Star SurfacegettyMemories, both volatile and non-volatile are a critical element in various computing and logic devices, since that is where the data lives that is being processed. The mass market for memory technologies serves consumer, industrial and enterprise applications (including in data centers), but computing at temperature extremes, both very cold temperatures and very high temperatures are important for quantum computing (generally at very cold temperatures) and for extreme temperature and environmental applications.I have written in the past about possible technologies to enable quantum computing memories. In this article we will talk about memories for extreme temperature applications.This article is based upon a recently published Nature Reviews Materials article, Materials for High Temperature Digital Electronics. This review article goes into depth on the various factors that to into creating volatile and non-volatile memories for extreme temperature applications, particularly for high temperature applications.Consumer memories begin to lose performance around 85C, begins to degrade around 150C and rapidly degrades at 210C. These temperatures are acceptable for most computer applications, but not in extreme environments.The table below, from the article, gives some insights into applications with temperatures up to 1,000C. Electronic packaging with organic materials is only good up to about 150C, beyond that temperature various ceramic packaging technologies are required. These applications include logic and computing devices for automotive, oil exploration and geothermal applications, interplanetary exploration, nuclear reactors and aerospace applications.MORE FOR YOUTemperatures versus applicationsNature Article AuthorsRegarding non-volatile memory, NVM, for very high-temperature applications, the figure below shows several important memory characteristics as a function of temperature for the mostly likely memory technologies for higher temperatures. These are data retention, in seconds), read endurance, in cycles and on/off ratio.Magnetic random-access memory (MRAM) and phase change memories are limited by their Curie temperatures and phase change temperatures, although MRAM products are now available as embedded memory for automotive applications. The best non-volatile memory candidates for high temperatures, the green regions in the figures below are special types of NOR flash, ferroelectric memories and resistive memories.High temperature metrics versus non-volatile memory technologiesNature article authorsIn particular, nitride ferroelectric NVM, particularly in wurtzite-structured nitrides and oxides, appears to be the most promising technology. However more work needs to be done with these memories, particularly in the on/off ratio.It should be noted that for these high temperature applications traditional silicon substrates wont work. For these applications wide bandgap semiconductor materials are required such as SiC and GaN, especially to support device operation at 850C or higher.The chart below shows feature size scaling trends for regular commercial semiconductors and high temperature semiconductor devices. Packaging and interconnect as well as technical issues and particularly the low demand for high temperature electronic devices limit the feature size and thus the achievable density for semiconductors operating at very high temperatures.Comparison of high temperature electronics features sizes to mass market productsNature article authorsIt is obvious that high temperature devices tend to lag silicon devices operating at lower temperatures, on a logarithmic scale. The various issues in making high temperature semiconductor devices limits their use to aerospace, avionics, automotive, oil/gas exploration and nuclear power applications. The low volume of these applications slows the miniaturization and performance of these applications compared to higher volume applications.High temperature volatile and non-volatile memories are important for aerospace, avionics, automotive, oil/gas exploration and nuclear power applications but these applications require new materials, interconnects, packaging and manufacturing processes

IdeasBy Otto BartenNovember 15, 2024 7:11 AM ESTOtto Barten is director of the Existential Risk Observatory, a nonprofit aiming to reduce existential risk by informing the public debate.Technological progress can excite us, politics can infuriate us, and wars can mobilize us. But faced with the risk of human extinction that the rise of artificial intelligence is causing, we have remained surprisingly passive. In part, perhaps this was because there did not seem to be a solution. This is an idea I would like to challenge.AIs capabilities are ever-improving. Since the release of ChatGPT two years ago, hundreds of billions of dollars have poured into AI. These combined efforts will likely lead to Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), where machines have human-like cognition, perhaps within just a few years. Hundreds of AI scientists think we might lose control over AI once it gets too capable, which could result in human extinction. So what can we do? Read More: What Donald Trump's Win Means For AIThe existential risk of AI has often been presented as extremely complex. A 2018 paper, for example, called the development of safe human-level AI a super wicked problem. This perceived difficulty had much to do with the proposed solution of AI alignment, which entails making superhuman AI act according to humanitys values. AI alignment, however, was a problematic solution from the start.First, scientific progress in alignment has been much slower than progress in AI itself. Second, the philosophical question of which values to align a superintelligence to is incredibly fraught. Third, it is not at all obvious that alignment, even if successful, would be a solution to AIs existential risk. Having one friendly AI does not necessarily stop other unfriendly ones.Because of these issues, many have urged technology companies not to build any AI that humanity could lose control over. Some have gone further; activist groups such as PauseAI have indeed proposed an international treaty that would pause development globally. That is not seen as politically palatable by many, since it may still take a long time before the missing pieces to AGI are filled in. And do we have to pause already, when this technology can also do a lot of good? Yann Lecun, AI chief at Meta and prominent existential risk skeptic, says that the existential risk debate is like worrying about turbojet safety in 1920.On the other hand, technology can leapfrog. If we get another breakthrough such as the transformer, a 2017 innovation which helped launch modern Large Language Models, perhaps we could reach AGI in a few months training time. Thats why a regulatory framework needs to be in place before then.Fortunately, Nobel Laureate Geoffrey Hinton, Turing Award winner Yoshua Bengio, and many others have provided a piece of the solution. In a policy paper published in Science earlier this year, they recommended if-then commitments: commitments to be activated if and when red-line capabilities are found in frontier AI systems.Building upon their work, we at the nonprofit Existential Risk Observatory propose a Conditional AI Safety Treaty. Signatory countries of this treaty, which should include at least the U.S. and China, would agree that once we get too close to loss of control they will halt any potentially unsafe training within their borders. Once the most powerful nations have signed this treaty, it is in their interest to verify each others compliance, and to make sure uncontrollable AI is not built elsewhere, either. One outstanding question is at what point AI capabilities are too close to loss of control. We propose to delegate this question to the AI Safety Institutes set up in the U.K., U.S., China, and other countries. They have specialized model evaluation know-how, which can be developed further to answer this crucial question. Also, these institutes are public, making them independent from the mostly private AI development labs. The question of how close is too close to losing control will remain difficult, but someone will need to answer it, and the AI Safety Institutes are best positioned to do so.We can mostly still get the benefits of AI under the Conditional AI Safety Treaty. All current AI is far below loss of control level, and will therefore be unaffected. Narrow AIs in the future that are suitable for a single tasksuch as climate modeling or finding new medicineswill be unaffected as well. Even more general AIs can still be developed, if labs can demonstrate to a regulator that their model has loss of control risk less than, say, 0.002% per year (the safety threshold we accept for nuclear reactors). Other AI thinkers, such as MIT professor Max Tegmark, Conjecture CEO Connor Leahy, and ControlAI director Andrea Miotti, are thinking in similar directions.Fortunately, the existential risks posed by AI are recognized by many close to President-elect Donald Trump. His daughter Ivanka seems to see the urgency of the problem. Elon Musk, a critical Trump backer, has been outspoken about the civilizational risks for many years, and recently supported Californias legislative push to safety-test AI. Even the right-wing Tucker Carlson provided common-sense commentary when he said: So I dont know why were sitting back and allowing this to happen, if we really believe it will extinguish the human race or enslave the human race. Like, how can that be good? For his part, Trump has expressed concern about the risks posed by AI, too.The Conditional AI Safety Treaty could provide a solution to AIs existential risk, while not unnecessarily obstructing AI development right now. Getting China and other countries to accept and enforce the treaty will no doubt be a major geopolitical challenge, but perhaps a Trump government is exactly what is needed to overcome it.A solution to one of the toughest problems we facethe existential risk of AIdoes exist. It is up to us whether we make it happen, or continue to go down the path toward possible human extinction.

KEY TAKEAWAYSMichael Saylor envisions Bitcoin as a cornerstone of US financial reserves, comparing it to historical strategic purchases like gold and the Louisiana Purchase.Saylors prediction of Bitcoin reaching $100K aligns with growing institutional interest but faces skepticism from market analysts.Despite criticism from figures like CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju, Saylor asserts Bitcoins long-term potential as a hedge against economic instability.Michael Saylor, co-founder of MicroStrategy and a Bitcoin mega-bull, is making waves again.Hes confident that Bitcoin wont see prices lower than $60K anytime soon.Why? Because according to Saylor, Bitcoin is becoming a strategic reserve asset, similar to how the US government historically stockpiled essentials like oil and gold.Will Bitcoin Hit $100K? A Party or a Pop?Michael Saylor is already planning his $100K Bitcoin party, confidently predicting the milestone could arrive as early as New Years Eve.Trading expert Keith Alan of Matrial Indicators is equally bullish, suggesting Thanksgiving (November 28) might be the day Bitcoin reaches six figures.But not everyone shares their optimism. Ki Young Ju, CEO of CryptoQuant, cautions against popping the champagne too early.He predicts Bitcoin could fall below $59K by years end, warning that the overheated futures market might trigger a sell-off.Source: XThis skepticism highlights Bitcoins unpredictable nature while optimism is high, its volatile price action has slashed hopes before.No Near-Term Threats for BitcoinIt looks like, for now, theBitcoin market is relatively calm,with $BTC currently trading around$89,948.Source: CoinbaseSaylor cited strong institutional buying and the lack of bearish catalysts as reasons why Bitcoin wont tumble back to $60k.Translation: fewer people are selling Bitcoin, and more companies are buying it for their balance sheets.MicroStrategy itself has purchased more than 150K $BTC since 2020, cementing its position as one of the biggest corporate holders.Saylor believes this trend of accumulating Bitcoin by both private firms and governments will only grow, pushing prices higher.Bitcoin as a Strategic Reserve Whats Next for Crypto?Saylor also believes that the US should embrace Bitcoin as a strategic reserve. This would echo historical examples of large-scale acquisitions like the Louisiana Purchase or Alaska.Speaking at the Cantor Crypto, Digital Assets & AI Infrastructure Conference, Saylor emphasized that holding Bitcoin could offer the US unprecedented economic benefits.He cited the governments potential $16T return from its 1M $BTC purchase under Senator Cynthia Lummis proposed bill.This plan (introduced by Lummis in July) advocates for the gradual acquisition of Bitcoin to bolster the countrys existing 200K $BTC holdings.The best way to protect the dollar is make sure you retire the debt and become richThe next best way to protect the dollar is to make sure that if anybody ever considers a different capital asset other than the treasury bill, you own it Michael Saylor at the Cantor Crypto, Digital Assets & AI Infrastructure ConferenceComparing Bitcoin to past strategic purchases of gold and oil, Saylor called it the manifest destiny of the US. He envisioned even greater gains under a Trump Max scenario involving 4M $BTC and an $81T return.If implemented, this plan could redefine how nations approach financial reserves.However, the plans feasibility hinges on political will and market volatility. This leaves room for debate on whether Bitcoin can truly fulfill such lofty expectations.Critics Weigh In, but Saylor Stands FirmWhile some critics, such as CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju, question Saylors unshakable faith in Bitcoin, hessticking to his guns.His theory rests on two pillars: Bitcoins growing acceptance as a store of value and its potential role in government reserves.Whether or not the US buys into this vision, Saylors strategy has already turned MicroStrategy into a Bitcoin whale.And it looks like at least for now, Bitcoin believers can rest easy. According to Saylor, the only way is up.ReferencesClick to expand and view sourcesBitcoin Price on Coinbase (Coinbase)3 of the Biggest Land Deals in History (Investopedia)Crypto, Digital Assets & AI Infrastructure Conference (Cantor)Michael Saylors post on X (X)Ki Young Jus post on X (X)Add Techreport to Your Google News Feed Get the latest updates, trends, and insights delivered straight to your fingertips. Subscribe now! Subscribe now Anya Zhukova is a tech and crypto writer with 8+ years of experience creating practical, easy-to-understand content for top publications like MakeUseOf, Online Tech Tips, Help Desk Geek, Switching to Mac, and Make Tech Easier.An advocate for financial freedom, Anya covers the latest in cryptocurrency, tech trends, and product reviews to keep readers informed and empowered.Through her work with brands like Framework, Insta360, Redmagic, Inmotion, Secretlab, Kodak, and Anker, she brings a hands-on perspective to her reviews, helping people get the most out of new tech. View all articles by Anya Zhukova Our editorial processThe Tech Reporteditorial policyis centered on providing helpful, accurate content that offers real value to our readers. We only work with experienced writers who have specific knowledge in the topics they cover, including latest developments in technology, online privacy, cryptocurrencies, software, and more. Our editorial policy ensures that each topic is researched and curated by our in-house editors. We maintain rigorous journalistic standards, and every article is 100% written byreal authors.

QUICK TAKESThe Best Wallet Token presale quickly surpassed its $250K milestone, signaling strong investor demand.Its crypto wallet sets itself apart from industry leaders (like MetaMask and TrustWallet), offering early-bird access to other presales and airdrops.Further attracting attention is $BEST, granting governance rights, reduced transaction fees, and high APY staking rewards.Disrupting the thriving crypto wallet sector, the Best Wallet Token presale has already beaten its $250K milestone.The tokens ability to unlock early-bird access to other presales and attractive airdrops in the pipeline is bolstering its demand.As Bitcoins value hovers above $90K, theres no better time to get involved. FOMO is perking up the crypto industry, with investors scrambling to enter early positions with long-term profit potential.$BEST is a low-cap option for retail traders. Its packed with cutting-edge features and tools not available by crypto wallet leaders like MetaMask and TrustWallet.Source: Best Wallet (X)With the presale already garnering much attention, dont wait to buy $BEST. Its value will rise above its current cost, $0.022575, in just over 24 hours.Best Wallet Already Supports 1M Crypto HoldersBest Wallet has already supercharged the performance of over 1M crypto holders wanting to safeguard their assets. Its modern tech offers an abundance of high-growth opportunities.$BEST is the core of the ecosystem, easily obtained through the Best Wallet app by clicking Upcoming Tokens.Alongside $BESTs high demand, the apps user base is continuously growing. This is partly due to providing early access to other moonshot investments before they hit the mainstream market.Its the worlds first crypto wallet that gives users the chance to partake in other vetted presales prior to widespread acceptance.Jacob Bury (a famous crypto analyst) particularly likes that the token gives holders governing opportunities. They can have a say in the Best Wallet ecosystems future trajectory.Other bonus points include having its own decentralized exchange (DEX) and an upcoming crypto-friendly debit card.Token holders can also benefit from reduced transaction costs and access higher APY staking rewards via Best Wallets very own staking aggregator.Wrapping up its mission of ecosystem enrichment, the token also unlocks extra perks within Best Wallets integrated apps. These include four major casino partnerships, giving $BEST holders free spins, deposit bonuses, and loot box access.Wallet Tokens Hit $1.81B Market CapGiven wallet tokens overall performance, which have a total market cap of $1.81B and a 24-hour trading volume of $133M, Best Wallets surging interest isnt out of the ordinary.Wallet tokens are poised to capture major user growth over the coming year especially considering millions of new Web3 users are expected to be onboarded over the coming six months.All blockchain users need a wallet, especially when partaking in high-octane Web3 gaming activities that have characterized this years crypto landscape.Many wallet tokens have posted alluring gains since the start of November.TradingViewTelcoin ($TEL), an EVM-compatible, telecommunication-oriented wallet coin, has witnessed notable gains, rallying +70% over the past two weeks.During the same period, Bitget Token ($BGB) made headlines with a +54% growth, closely followed by Carbon Browser ($CSIX), which rose by +38.6%.Best Wallets most significant rival, Trust Wallet (TWT), surged +3.67% in November. It has a lofty $414M market cap 1,650X greater than $BEST with a $250K+ entry point.Lower-cap wallet tokens like $BGB and $CSIX have also outperformed, suggesting that $BEST might undergo rapid escalation compared to its higher-cap rivals after its debut.Joining the Best Wallet Token presale is super straightforward. First, download the app (from Google Play or the Apple App Store). Then, select Upcoming Tokens on the home page.Nows thebuy $BEST before its low-cost price continuously goes up. Surpassingly, its easy to purchase using whichever cryptocurrency is in your Best Wallet.To learn more about the projects developments and the upcoming airdrops, join the community on X and Discord.Visit Best Wallet.Add Techreport to Your Google News Feed Get the latest updates, trends, and insights delivered straight to your fingertips. Subscribe now! Subscribe now Leah is a seasoned British journalist with nine years of expertise who specializes in Web3 reporting. Her insightful contributions have graced the pages of respected publications, including Coinbound, Cointelegraph, Bitcolumnist, NFT Lately, and NFT Plazas. With a keen eye for detail, she offers distinct perspectives on the ever-evolving blockchain industry. View all articles by Leah Waters (Alger) Our editorial processThe Tech Reporteditorial policyis centered on providing helpful, accurate content that offers real value to our readers. We only work with experienced writers who have specific knowledge in the topics they cover, including latest developments in technology, online privacy, cryptocurrencies, software, and more. Our editorial policy ensures that each topic is researched and curated by our in-house editors. We maintain rigorous journalistic standards, and every article is 100% written byreal authors.

RISC-V Inside: DeepComputing recently announced the DC-ROMA RISC-V mainboard, a limited-edition platform providing a unique way to experiment with the RISC-V instruction set. The Chinese company designed the new device for industry and business customers interested in making modular computer platforms. DeepComputing has partnered with Framework and Cooler Master to provide cases to accommodate the new motherboards. Some Chinese and Hong Kong ventures have deeply invested in the RISC-V open standard chip architecture. DeepComputing, founded in 2022 by self-declared RISC-V enthusiasts, is now exploring the DIY way with a new motherboard for modular devices. The company says that the DC-ROMA RISC-V mainboard offers "premium" RISC-V hardware, which means it uses a StarFive JH7110 SoC with SiFive U74 cores clocked at up to 1.5 GHz. It also supports an integrated Imagination GPU.Basic specs include 8GB of memory and a 64GB SD card. However, the board has several tiers so customers can opt for more capable models. The cheapest tier is $200, which includes two USB-C expansion cards and a Framework or Cooler Master case and is enough to build a fully functional Linux mini-PC. There's also an expensive $1,000 "Enterprise" tier with additional ports and expansion cards.The DC-ROMA RISC-V Mainboard is a limited initiative designed to give enterprise customers a taste of the RISC-V technology, DeepComputing confirmed. The company plans to start mass manufacturing new models of the motherboard in 2025, thus providing an upgrade path to early adopters. The Chinese venture is open to "valuable feedback," although they will only listen to customers who are paying for the aforementioned value-added services.The board is a limited initiative designed to give enterprise customers a taste of RISC-V technology, DeepComputing confirmed. The company plans to start mass manufacturing new models of the motherboard in 2025, thus providing an upgrade path to early adopters. The is asking for "valuable feedback," although they are only open to customers paying for the bundled value-added packages.DeepComputing has been making new computing hardware based on the RISC-V instruction set for quite some time. Earlier this year, the company built the first RISC-V laptop designed to run Ubuntu Linux using the same JH7110 SoC as the DC-ROMA RISC-V Mainboard. The DC-Roma RISC-V Pad II tablet, announced a few months ago, employs the K1 SoC developed by the Chinese company SpacemiT. // Related Stories

A growing concern: Chinese cyberattacks on the US have surged in recent years, targeting critical infrastructure, government systems, and private corporations. These sophisticated campaigns often aim to steal sensitive data, conduct espionage, and disrupt operations, posing significant threats to national security and economic stability. On Wednesday, the US government confirmed that Chinese hackers breached several US telecommunications service providers. The threat actors compromised wiretap systems used for law enforcement surveillance. The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a statement describing the campaign as "broad and significant," implicating a state-sponsored hacking group from the People's Republic of China (PRC).The attackers infiltrated wiretap systems, raising severe national security and privacy concerns. While the FBI and CISA did not list specific providers, the Wall Street Journal reported in early October that AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies were among the carriers the hackers hit. The intrusions, which may have lasted for months, enabled the exfiltration of sensitive data, including customer call records and the internet traffic of millions of Americans.The hackers, identified as "Salt Typhoon." It is part of a larger colective called "Typhoon," which has several splinter cells, including Volt Typhoon and Flax Typhoon. Salt reportedly exploited vulnerabilities in the telecommunications networks to gather intelligence. While the bad actors presumably had carte blanche access to the systems, US officials said the compromised data only included private communications from a limited number of individuals, primarily those involved in government or political activities.Although the agencies were reluctant to name names, CNN reported in the lead-up to the US presidential election that high-profile individuals, including President Donald Trump and running mate Senator JD Vance, may have been targeted as part of the hacking campaign. The hackers also copied information related to US law enforcement requests, potentially undermining critical ongoing investigations. // Related StoriesThe CISA and the FBI emphasized that they continue to assist affected companies and encourage other organizations to report suspicious activity."[We] continue to render technical assistance, rapidly share information to assist other potential victims, and work to strengthen cyber defenses across the commercial communications sector," the agencies stated. "We encourage any organization that believes it might be a victim to engage its local FBI Field Office or CISA."TechCrunch notes that the breach is the latest in a series of sophisticated cyberattacks attributed to China-linked "Typhoon" hacking groups targeting critical US infrastructure. Experts warn that the campaign demonstrates heightened strategic targeting by PRC-affiliated actors, who increasingly focus on sensitive government and communications systems.China has denied involvement, with a spokesperson stating that the country "opposes cyberattacks in all forms." However, US officials and cybersecurity experts remain vigilant, warning of the potential for further espionage and disruptive activities.