The Trump administration sent a memo instructing federal agencies to pause grant, loan, and other financial assistance programs. Its a catch-all for a wide range of programs President Donald Trump has crusaded against and its unclear what specifically is in the crosshairs with this move, but it seems to target Biden-era programs to deploy clean energy.But just before the funding freeze was set to take effect on Tuesday, a federal judge paused it until February 3rd at 5 PM, and could extend the pause after a hearing on Monday. The administrative stay will let the government continue to disburse only funds that have already been authorized. The freeze was supposed to stop funds for policies Trump rolled back through executive orders, including, but not limited to, financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal.There is no single policy in place across the federal government named the green new deal. But Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law in 2022, which created $369 billion in federal funding for climate action and clean energy. Trump, meanwhile, campaigned on a promise to rescind any unspent IRA funds. The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law also includes $50 billion to address the impacts of climate change and cyberattacks on national infrastructure, and $73 billion for upgrading the power grid. Congress approved these investments and they are not optional; they are the law.Agencies are supposed to temporarily pause disbursement of funds by 5:00PM ET today. By February 10th theyre supposed to tell the Office of Management and Budget which programs and activities are affected by the freeze. The memo calls green new deal social engineering policies and money used to advance social equity, including funds to assist transgender people, a waste of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve. Some Democratic Congressmembers are challenging the freeze as unlawful, according to NBC News, which obtained the memo. Congress approved these investments and they are not optional; they are the law, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said in a statement. They say this is only temporary, but no one should believe that. Donald Trump must direct his Administration to reverse course immediately and the taxpayers money should be distributed to the people. The Department of Energy did not immediately responded to inquiries from The Verge about what programs might be affected. In an email to The Verge, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said that its temporarily pausing all activities related to the obligation or disbursement of EPA Federal financial assistance at this time.Anticipating Trumps efforts to dismantle its programs, the Biden administration scrambled to release much of the funding from the Inflation Reduction Act before leaving office. On the unspent funds, we are at a place where were north of $9 out of every $10 of grant funding and other similar dollars that have already hit the economic bloodstream across the country, Bidens national climate adviser Ali Zaidi told The Verge earlier this month.Update, January 28th: A federal judge has temporarily paused Trumps order.See More:

Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) is a key technique in enterprise applications that combines large foundation models with external retrieval systems to generate responses that are both accurate and grounded in factual information. Unlike traditional foundation models, which are trained on massive datasets and remain static post-deployment, RAG enhances reliability by incorporating real-time or domain-specific information during the generation process. This integration addresses common issues like hallucinations or gaps in long-tail factual knowledge. RAG systems typically follow a sequential pipeline where retrieved information is provided as input to the generative model, with the overall performance depending heavily on the quality of the retrieval process. To ensure scalability, dense retrievers often use bi-encoder architectures for compressing documents and queries into fixed-size vectors, enabling efficient search algorithms. However, this efficiency comes at the cost of reduced flexibility for handling complex or multi-hop queries, which require iterative reasoning and retrieval steps based on dynamically evolving information.Recent advancements in RAG have introduced iterative retrieval-generation methods to overcome the limitations of a single retrieval step. Approaches like FLARE and ITER-RETGEN enable models to decide when and what to retrieve during generation, enhancing performance in complex reasoning tasks. Methods like IRCoT adopt chain-of-thought reasoning, refining retrieval steps recursively, while Self-RAG integrates retrieval, generation, and critique for improved factual accuracy. Scaling test-time computing has also been explored to boost RAG performance, with strategies such as retrieving more documents or using long-context LLMs, as seen in LongRAG and IterDRAG. Tree-of-Thought (ToT) and STaR extend reasoning capabilities by leveraging structured exploration and intermediate training states, though these approaches increase token consumption and response latency. Newer methods, like Search-o1, integrate open-source models with active search mechanisms, further advancing RAGs potential in knowledge-intensive tasks.Researchers from Microsoft Corporation and the Renmin University of China introduced CoRAG (Chain-of-Retrieval Augmented Generation), a method for training RAG models to iteratively retrieve and reason before generating answers. Unlike conventional RAG systems, CoRAG dynamically reformulates queries based on the evolving reasoning state. The approach uses rejection sampling to augment datasets with intermediate retrieval chains, enabling fine-tuning of open-source models. CoRAG achieves state-of-the-art results on benchmarks like KILT, particularly excelling in multi-hop reasoning tasks by addressing retrieval bottlenecks. It supports diverse decoding strategies, adjusts test-time retrieval dynamically, and demonstrates robustness to varying retriever quality, offering a pathway to more grounded and factual AI models.The CoRAG framework enhances RAG models through three key components: retrieval chain generation, model training, and test-time scaling strategies. Retrieval chains are generated using rejection sampling, where intermediate sub-queries and sub-answers are iteratively formed, and the chain with the highest log-likelihood score is selected to augment datasets. Using a multi-task learning framework, the model is trained on these augmented datasets for sub-query, sub-answer, and final answer prediction. At test time, decoding strategies like greedy decoding, best-of-N sampling, and tree search allow for controlling token consumption and retrieval steps. These approaches optimize the trade-off between performance and compute efficiency.The evaluation of CoRAG was conducted using two benchmarks: (1) multi-hop QA datasets, including 2WikiMultihopQA, HotpotQA, Bamboogle, and MuSiQue, to test multi-hop reasoning, and (2) the KILT benchmark for generalization across knowledge-intensive tasks. Fine-tuning was performed on Llama-3.1-8B-Instruct using retrieval chain-augmented datasets. CoRAG-8B significantly outperformed baselines in most multi-hop QA datasets, except Bamboogle, where limited instances and outdated retrieval data caused variability. In the KILT benchmark, CoRAG achieved state-of-the-art performance across tasks, except for FEVER, where a larger model slightly surpassed it. Performance scaling experiments showed improvements with increased retrieval chain lengths and sampling strategies.In conclusion, the study presents CoRAG, a framework that trains LLMs to retrieve and reason through complex queries iteratively. Unlike traditional RAG methods that rely on a single retrieval step, CoRAG dynamically reformulates queries during retrieval, enhancing accuracy. Intermediate retrieval chains are automatically generated using rejection sampling, eliminating the need for manual annotations. At test time, adaptive decoding strategies balance performance with computational efficiency. CoRAG achieves state-of-the-art results on multi-hop QA datasets and the KILT benchmark, outperforming larger models. Detailed analysis highlights its scaling and generalization capabilities, paving the way for advancing factual, grounded, and trustworthy AI systems in challenging tasks.Check out the Paper. All credit for this research goes to the researchers of this project. Also,dont forget to follow us onTwitter and join ourTelegram Channel andLinkedIn Group. Dont Forget to join our70k+ ML SubReddit. Sana Hassan+ postsSana Hassan, a consulting intern at Marktechpost and dual-degree student at IIT Madras, is passionate about applying technology and AI to address real-world challenges. With a keen interest in solving practical problems, he brings a fresh perspective to the intersection of AI and real-life solutions. Meet 'Height':The only autonomous project management tool (Sponsored)

London gallery Serpentine has announced that architect Marina Tabassum and her Dhaka, Bangladesh-based firm, Marina Tabassum Architects (MTA), will design the 2025 Serpentine Pavilion. The installation, titled A Capsule in Time, will open to the public on June 6 and marks a quarter-century of architectural innovation since Zaha Hadids inaugural pavilion in 2000.Photo Marina Tabassum Architects (MTA) Courtesy: SerpentineAn exterior view of a design render of the Serpentine Pavilion 2025 designed by Marina Tabassum, Marina Tabassum Architects (MTA).The Serpentine Pavilion is a prestigious annual architectural commission that takes place in Kensington Gardens at Serpentine South, one of the two buildings that makes up the gallerys London footprint. Its a unique temporary structure thats unveiled each summer and remains open to the public through October. Over its 25 year history, it has showcased both starchitects and emerging talents alike, including people like Frank Gehry, Rem Koolhaas, Bjarke Ingels, Dibdo Francis Kr, and Frida Escobedo, who was later tapped to lead the expansion of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New YorkTabassum is a fitting addition to this all-star roster. Her practice is known for socially-conscious and environmentally responsible work, including the celebrated Khudi Bari project which developed modular homes for communities living on Bangladeshs riverbanks. Recently named one of TIME Magazines 100 Most Influential People of 2024, she represents a new generation of architects addressing climate change and social inequality through design.Asif SalmanA portrait of architect Marina Tabassum.Her firms 2025 pavilion will feature four arched timber canopies with a central court aligning with Serpentines bell tower. One of these canopies will be reconfigurable, allowing it to move and completely transform the space.At the structuresheart stands a mature tree, which will bring the park inside the pavilion, according to a press release.A Capsule in Time celebrates the temporary nature of the project. When conceiving our design, we reflected on the transient nature of the commission which appears to us as a capsule of memory and time, Tabassum notes. The relationship between time and architecture is intriguing: between permanence and impermanence, of birth, age and ruin, architecture aspires to outlive time.Photo Marina Tabassum Architects (MTA) Courtesy: SerpentineA road view of a design render of the Serpentine Pavilion 2025 designed by Marina Tabassum.The design is inspired by the vernacular architecture of the Bengal delta, where buildings must adapt to shifting river courses, and the traditional Shamiyana tents used in South Asian celebrations.The archaic volume of a half capsule, generated by geometry and wrapped in light semi-transparent material will create a play of filtered light that will pierce through the structure as if under a Shamiyana at a Bengali wedding, Tabassum notes.Julia CancillaEngagement EditorJulia Cancilla is the engagement editor (and resident witch) at ELLE Decor, where she manages the brand's social media presence and covers trends, lifestyle, and culture in the design world. Julia built her background at Inked magazine, where she grew their social media audiences by two million, conducted interviews with A-list celebrities, and penned feature articles focusing on pop culture, art and lifestyle. Over her five years of digital media experience, Julia has written about numerous topics, from fashion to astrology.

One of my favorite iPhone features StandBy, which turns your iPhone into a smart display when its in landscape orientation and charging. One of the best ways to take full advantage of StandBy is with an upright wireless charger.Head below for a closer look at some of my favorite MagSafe stands for iPhone, perfect for StandBy.Table of contentsWhat is StandBy mode?The StandBy feature was introduced in iOS 17 as a new lock screen mode that activates when an iPhone is charging and positioned on its side, in landscape orientation. Its similar to the Apple Watchs Nightstand Mode, providing a convenient display of information when the phone is not in active use.StandBy mode is also highly customizable, you can choose between showing Photos, widgets, different clock designs, and more. It features an interactive and customizable photos screen, where you can select specific themes like Nature, Pets, Cities, and People, or specific albums from your Photos library to be displayed. The clock screen in StandBy mode offers various themes, such as Digital, Analogue, World, Solar, and Float, some of which display additional information like temperature or your next alarm. Notifications, Live Activities, and Siri responses are also integrated into StandBy mode and appear in a full-screen design. Another intelligent feature of StandBy is its MagSafe location awareness, which remembers your preferred screen and widget configuration based on the location of your charger.You can enable StandBy mode and manage its options by going to the Settings app on your iPhone and tapping the StandBy mode menu.My favorite MagSafe-enabled iPhone stands for MagSafe Belkin 2-in-1 Wireless Charger with MagSafePrice: $99.99Belkin makes a number of my favorite Apple accessories, so its only fitting theyre also my go-to for an iPhone charger for StandBy. The Belkin MagSafe 2-in-1 Wireless Charger packs a stand that can charge your iPhone at 15W, alongside a Qi charging pad integrated into the base for charging AirPods.There are three things I really like about Belkins 2-in-1 MagSafe Wireless Charger. First, it features a premium design with a solid base and a modern chrome finish. Second, its circular design means it has a small footprint and doesnt take up too much space on my desk, despite being able to charge two devices at the same time. Third, its MagSafe certified by Apple. As I mentioned above, you should consider choosing a StandBy charger that supports Apples MagSafe technology. This is because MagSafe-enabled iPhone stands can remember your StandBy preferences. For instance, I have a MagSafe-enabled iPhone stands on my desk and my nightstand, with different StandBy settings for each one. With MagSafe, StandBy can remember my preferences and automatically show the right widgets and options on each stand.You can buy the Belkin MagSafe 2-in-1 Wireless Charger on Amazon today. The company also sells a 3-in-1 version with an integrated Apple Watch charger, if thats more your speed.Satechi Aluminum 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging StandPrice: $59.99If youre looking for something similar to the Belkin 2-in-1 stand, but with an aluminum design and a lower price point, Satechi has you covered. The Satechi Aluminum 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand features an upright iPhone charging stand alongside a Qi charging pad integrated into the base.Two things to keep in mind. First, iPhone wireless charging maxes out at 7.5W because this one doesnt support MagSafe. Second, youll need to provide your own 18/20W power adapter, as Satechi doesnt include one in the box.If youre okay with those compromises, you can pick up the Satechi 2-in-1 wireless charger on Amazon. Like Belkin, they also sell a pricier 3-in-1 version with Apple Watch charging built-in.Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafePrice: $134.95If there was an award for the having the most clever design, Ankers 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe would take the prize. It can charge your iPhone at 15W, fast charge your Apple Watch, and charge your AirPods, all in a small and foldable cube.You can pick up the Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe on Amazon today. Read our full review over at 9to5Toys.Price: $100If youre looking for an ultra-premium option for your iPhones StandBy charger, our friends at Nomad have you covered. The Nomad Stand One features an upright design made from solid metal and glass, plus an integrated braided USB-C cable for charging. Its MagSafe certified with charging speeds of up to 15W.With a 21-degree viewing angle, the Nomad Stand One is great for StandBy mode. The biggest downsides here are that its on the higher-end in terms of price, and can only charge your iPhone.You can pick up the Nomad Stand One from Amazon today. Read our full review here.Nomad also sells the Nomad Stand One Max, which comes in at $180 and can charge your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch. Read our full review here. Twelve South HiRise 3 DeluxePrice: $149.99Last but not least, and the most recent addition to my setup, we have the Twelve South HiRise 3 Wireless Charger.Wirelessly charge iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods (or second phone) from one single outlet 40W International Power Adapter includedAdjust iPhone anglein portrait or landscape toview notifications, videos orturn your iPhone into a bedside clock in StandBy ModeBuilt with official 15W MagSafe Charger for iPhone, Apple Watch Fast Charger, and a Qi-certified 7.5W wireless charger for AirPods or a second phoneSpace-saving vertical design has a footprint smaller than an iPhone Pro MaxYou can order the Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe from Amazon. Twelve South also sells a more affordable 3-in-1 HiRise 3 wireless charger, which you can find on Amazon.More optionsHere are a few other iPhone charging stands that would be perfect for use with iOS 17s StandBy mode: Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

News of Chinese AI company DeepSeek's success continues to send ripples throughout the West, tanking Nvidia's stock valuation, spawning endless discourse, and embarrassing President Trump.Now, even American startup gurus are starting to jump ship. Pat Gelsinger, the former CEO of tech superpower Intel, says that after seeing DeepSeek's tech, his new church startup called, no joke, Gloo is foregoing OpenAI's tech in favor of an in-house model."My Gloo engineers are running [DeepSeek's] R1 today," Gelsinger told TechCrunch. "They couldve run [OpenAI's] o1 well, they can only access o1, through the APIs."Gelsinger who left Intel under a dark cloud last year as the chipmaker's financial woes deepened enthused that DeepSeek will lower the cost to develop similar models, decreasing the barrier to entry in the industry.And the godly CEO isn't alone. Tech journalists have been quick to note DeepSeek's faster and cheaper performance compared to OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google. Even Trump admitted to eating a certain amount of crow, calling DeepSeek a "wake-up call" at a House GOP meeting.The newly-minted president further sang DeepSeek's praises, admitting the R1 model could be "very much a positive development" if American companies could leverage the model to cut down on their own astronomical costs.Not everyone is as excited for the Chinese tech as Trump, though.After several days of brooding in silence, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman delivered a retort: "We will obviously deliver much better models and also it's legit invigorating to have a new competitor!"The now right-wing Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg was likewise in a frenzy, reportedly assembling several "war rooms" worth of engineers to pick apart the Chinese software for the corporation's own purposes.Elon Musk, meanwhile, took a break from slamming Altman to complain alongside Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang that DeepSeek is lying about having only 20,000 H100 graphics cards, an accusation that neither CEO has backed with evidence."My understanding is that DeepSeek has about 50,000 H100s, which they can't talk about, Wang posited on CNBC, "because it is against the export controls that the United States has put in place."Startup investor Joshua Kushner took to X-formerly-Twitter to follow Musk's lead."'Pro America' technologists openly supporting a Chinese model that was trained off of leading US frontier models," he whined, "with chips that likely violate export controls, and according to their own terms of service take US customer data back to China." (DeepSeek can run on local hardware rather than the company's app, a choice most US companies don't give users, from whom theyabsolutely do harvest data.)Vaguely xenophobic accusations aside, no amount of mewling online can change the fact that DeepSeek has shaken up the game. The onus is now on the American tech sector to demonstrate why they still deserve the most lavish infrastructure investment in the history of mankind.More on tech bro cope: OpenAI Developer Seethes at Success of DeepSeekShare This Article

Image by Erik McGregor / LightRocket via Getty / FuturismDevelopmentsPresident Donald Trump's White Houseinsists in a new memo that its federal funding freezeshouldn't affect anyone's Medicaid butstate officials seem to be suggesting otherwise.Earlier in the week,the White House Office of Budget and Management (OMB) sent a memo to all federal agencies temporarily pausing all federal loans and grants as part of a pushback against various mostly-imaginary foes like "Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering."Soon after that directive came down, lawmakers began raising alarm bells about the order after discovering that state Medicaid officials across the country had been locked out of Payment Management Services, the Department of Health and Human Services portal they use to track and allocate the federal money that keeps their departmentsIndeed, the portal website now warns that due "to Executive Orders regarding potentially unallowable grant payments, PMS is taking additional measures to process payments.""Reviews of applicable programs and payments will result in delays and/or rejections of payments," the PMS site warning reads.As news of the strange blackout began to sow chaos online,the Trump administration launched an unconvincing attempt at damage controlthat seemed to contradict the payment portal itself."Mandatory programs like Medicaid and SNAP will continue without pause," explained a second OMB memo that was sent to Capitol Hill on Tuesday,perABC News.White House press secretary Karoline Leavittinitially sounded baffled when asked whether Medicaid payments would be affected, telling reporters that "I'll check back on that and get back to you."Later in the day, she told CBS that the PMS issue isn't related to the funding freeze, but didn't elaborate on what might be causing it instead.Later still, she wrote on X that the White House expects that "the portal will be back online shortly."We've reached out to both her office and the OMB to ask for clarity about this whole fiasco.For anyone who remembers the first week of Trump's first presidency, this level of ineptitude and disruption is relatively par for the course.With these orders coming down at lightning and perhaps algorithmic speed, however, it seems Trump 2.0 is doing a speedrun of the havoc it wreaked last time.More on Trump chaos: Trump Administration Throws Cancer Research Into TurmoilShare This Article

Our Experts Written by David Carnoy Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement How we test Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He's also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Kobo e-books and audiobooks. Expertise Headphones, Bluetooth speakers, mobile accessories, Apple, Sony, Bose, e-readers, Amazon, glasses, ski gear, iPhone cases, gaming accessories, sports tech, portable audio, interviews, audiophile gear, PC speakers Credentials Maggie Award for Best Regularly Featured Web Column/Consumer See full bio What to consider Budget Determine how much you're willing to spend on workout headphones and how that lines up with quality and functionality. Noise-Isolating or Open Design? Noise canceling features in phones are great, but can impact sound quality. You need to choose which is most important to you before buying. Fit Your headphones should offer a comfortable, secure fit. Ensuring the headphones you choose fit your head help minimize any discomfort from extended wear during your workouts. Durability If you're going to spend the money, you should know the headphones will last for a while. Check out the IP rating to see how the headphones will fare in every environment. Return Policy In case the headphones aren't a great fit for your ears, it's important that the retailer offers a good return policy. Table of Contents vs Compare Back to selection Most of us enjoy listening to music, or maybe even a podcast or audiobook, while exercising. You can technically use just about any earbuds or headphones for working out, as long as they fit securely. But the best ones not only offer a secure fit, but they're also durable, sweat and water resistant and include design features that fit certain types of workouts. These include an open design for runners and bikers who want to hear the outside world for safety reasons or ear hooks or sports fins to make sure the buds stay on or in your ears. And if you're working out in a noisy gym, you might also want good noise-canceling and voice-calling performance with strong noise reduction. I've tested dozens of top earbuds and headphones from popular brands like Apple, Beats and more to narrow down the best options for a range of workout activities. All kinds of workout earbuds and headphones are included on this list, including sport buds with noise-isolating and open-ear designs, as well as the best bone-conduction headphones that leave your ears uncovered. Read more: Best True Wireless Sports Earbuds With Ear Hooks Our Picks Best everyday earbuds for sports Beats Fit Pro View details $170 at Amazon View details Best Apple workout earbuds Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) View details $190 at Walmart View details Best new open earbuds with ear hooks Shokz OpenFit 2 View details $180 at Amazon View details Best Sony earbuds with a secure fit Sony LinkBuds Fit View details $200 at Best Buy View details New Anker open wireless earbuds Anker Soundcore AeroFit 2 View details $100 at Amazon View details

Though Google Fiber is a great option for Provo residents, there are also other internet providers to consider, based on your needs. Here are CNETs top picks for home internet plans in Provo.

January 28, 20254 min readCan Trump Just Order New Names for Denali and the Gulf of Mexico?A geographer explains how maps place names, such as the Gulf of Mexico and Denali, are decidedBy Innisfree McKinnon & The Conversation US Morning light on Mt. Denali in Denali National Park. William Watson/Getty ImagesThe following essay is reprinted with permission from The Conversation, an online publication covering the latest research.President Donald Trumps executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico and Alaskas Denali, the tallest peak in the country, has resulted in lots of discussion. While for some, such renaming might seem less important than the big problems the country faces, there is a formal process in the United States for renaming places, and that process is taken seriously.Usually, so people dont get confused, official, agreed-upon names are used by the government. In the U.S., place names are standardized by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, which is part of the U.S. Geological Survey, the agency in charge of making maps.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.In his executive order, Trump asks the Board on Geographic Names to honor the contributions of visionary and patriotic Americans and change its policies and procedures to reflect that.Usually, renaming a place starts locally. The people in the state or county propose a name change and gather support. The process in each state is different.How to change a place nameMinnesota recently changed the name of a large lake in Minneapolis to Bde Maka Ska, which the Minneapolis Park Board described as a Dakota name for the lake that has been passed down in oral history for many years.The board voted to change the name and took its request to the county commissioners. When the county agreed, the request was then sent to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which made it official for Minnesota. Then, the state of Minnesota sent the request to the Board on Geographic Names, which made it official for the entire U.S.Its a lot of paperwork for something so seemingly minor, but people get passionate about place names. It took 40 years to rename Denali from the name established in the late 19th century, Mount McKinley.The state of Alaska requested the name change in 1975, but the Board on Geographic Names didnt take action. Members of the Ohio congressional delegation President William McKinley was from Ohio objected over many years to requests to rename the mountain, and the board did not act on those requests.3D Render of a Topographic Bathymetry Map of the Gulf of Mexico.Frank Ramspott/Getty ImagesThe president appoints the secretary of the Interior Department. The secretary works with the heads of related agencies to appoint the Board on Geographic Names. Current committee policy states, Input from State geographic names authorities, land management agencies, local governments, and Tribal Governments are actively pursued.In 2015, President Barack Obama named a new leader for the Department of the Interior, Sally Jewell. Just as Obama made a trip to Alaska in late August 2015, Jewell declared the name change official under a law that allows the secretary of the Interior to change a name if the board doesnt act on the proposal in a reasonable amount of time.This name change recognizes the sacred status of Denali to many Alaska Natives, Jewell said. The name Denali has been official for use by the State of Alaska since 1975, but even more importantly, the mountain has been known as Denali for generations. With our own sense of reverence for this place, we are officially renaming the mountain Denali in recognition of the traditions of Alaska Natives and the strong support of the people of Alaska.If someone objects to a name change, they could ask the courts to rule on whether the name change was made legally. Going back to Bde Maka Ska, some people objected to changing the name from Lake Calhoun, so they took the state natural resources agency to court. Eventually, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that the name change was done correctly.Alaskas two U.S. senators and prominent state figures have strongly objected to Trumps renaming attempt.How not to change a place nameRenaming the Gulf of Mexico is a different kind of case, however, from renaming a geographic place within U.S. borders.The gulf is not within the territorial U.S. On the coast, the first 12 miles from shore are considered part of that country, but outside of that is international waters.The Board on Geographic Names could change the name to Gulf of America on official U.S. maps, but there is no international board in charge of place names. Each country decides what to call places. And there is no official way for the U.S. to make other countries change the name.Its possible that the U.S. could formally ask other countries to change the name, or even impose sanctions against countries that dont comply.If the names were officially changed in the U.S., the government would use the new names in official documents, signage and maps. As for all the people and companies in the world that make maps, they usually use the official names. But there is nothing that would force them to, if they believed that a certain name is more widely recognized.On Jan. 24, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Interior issued a statement on the name changes:In accordance with President Donald J. Trumps recent executive order, the Department of the Interior is proud to announce the implementation of name restorations that honor the legacy of American greatness, with efforts already underway."As directed by the President, the Gulf of Mexico will now officially be known as the Gulf of America and North Americas highest peak will once again bear the name Mount McKinley.The U.S. Board on Geographic Names, under the purview of the Department of the Interior, is working expeditiously to update the official federal nomenclature in the Geographic Names Information System to reflect these changes, effective immediately for federal use.This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

In a sudden turn of events, at least three U.S. lawmakers have raised alarms over healthcare providers being blocked from accessing the Medicaid payment portal. The issue arose after the Trump administration announced a federal funding pause, leading to confusion as the White House claimed the program was exempted.Democratic Senator Ron Wyden highlighted the critical impact, stating that the shutdown of Medicaid portals across all 50 states effectively halts access to healthcare. He described the situation as a dangerous move that could jeopardize millions of Americans' health coverage.Adding to the controversy, Senator Chris Murphy reported difficulties in his state, where providers could not receive payments. As discussions ensue about maintaining services, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt did not confirm if Medicaid was intentionally affected but promised further clarification.(With inputs from agencies.)