An abrupt change in Antarctica has caused the continent to gain ice. But this increase, documented in NASA satellite data, is a temporary anomaly rather than an indication that global warming has reversed, scientists say. Source: https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/antarctica/nasa-satellites-show-antarctica-has-gained-ice-despite-rising-global-temperatures-how-is-that-possible #nasa #satellites #show #antarctica #has #gained #ice #despite #rising #global #temperatures #how #that #possible

Pets are fantastic, but they can also be expensive. Do I want my dog to live a luxurious life of orthopedic beds and human-grade food? Of course. That’s why discounts are crucial. Right now, Amazon is throwing its annual Pet Day sale, which includes lowered prices on tons of pet supplies. The sale includes fun stuff like toys and treats, as well as expensive necessities like medications and supplements. This sale only officially goes from through May 14th, 2025, so don’t hesitate on making a purchase if you see something your favorite animal pal wants or needs. Furbo 360° Dog Camera Rotating Treat Dispenser w/ Speaker, Smart Cam — $47 (was $99) Dispatch treats from afar. Furbo See It This automated pet camera keeps tabs on your pooch from afar and allows you to watch what they’re up to with a companion smartphone app. A built-in speaker allows you to talk to your dog in real time while a treat dispenser spits out rewards for good behavior. Note: This device does require a subscription, so make sure you consider the cost of that before purchasing. Still, it’s a small price to pay in order to keep a closer eye on your furry friend. EHEYCIGA Curved Dog Stairs Ramp for High Beds — $44 (was $57) It’s useful and adorable. Amazon See It Full disclosure: I’m including a photo of this product because it made me laugh and I really like it. Despite the hilarious picture, this is actually a crucial pet accessory for some owners. This 19.7-inch set of stuffed stairs allow older dogs and dogs with limited mobility to get on couches or beds. If they slip, the padding makes the fall painless. COOLAROO The Original Cooling Elevated Dog Bed, Indoor and Outdoor, Large, Grey — $20 (was $40) The elevated bed cools your pooch from both sides. Coolaroo See It A hammock dog bed is a great way to keep your pooch cool. The elevated sleeping surface allows airflow underneath for better air flow. This model is big enough for a large dog with a 55-inch x 31.5-inch surface. If you have a smaller dog, you can get a scaled-down version for just $16. Nerf Dog Tennis Ball Blaster Dog Toy Gift Set, Tennis Ball Dog Fetch Toy Launches up to 50 ft — $22 (was $29) Make fetch more fun for both you and your dog. Nerf See It Upgrade your game of fetch for both you and your dog. This beefed-up launcher can fling a tennis ball up to 50 feet without taxing your arm. You can be the John Wick of playing fetch. Self Cleaning Litter Box, 68 L Automatic Cat Litter Box for Multiple Cats — $399 (was $599) Your cat deserves a fancier bathroom than you have. Pawtastic See It Cleaning a litterbox is the worst. This automated box scoops up after your cat and contains bad odors without intervention. There are 12 infrared sensors inside, so it knows your cat isn’t still in the box when it goes to work. It also looks a lot cooler than a grimy old sandbox sitting in the corner of your home. Amazon Pet Day deals on dog and cat supplements Wuffes Advanced Dog Hip and Joint Supplement $40 (was $50) Zesty Paws Wild Alaskan Omega-3 Blend Pollock + Salmon Oil for Dogs and Cats $29 (was $36) Pet Honesty Multivitamin Dog Supplement, Glucosamine chondroitin for Dogs $23 (was $33) Zesty Paws Probiotics for Dogs $23 (was $33) Zesty Paws Multivitamin Treats for Dogs – Glucosamine Chondroitin for Joint Support $23 (was $33) Pet Honesty Dog Allergy & Itch Relief – Advanced Itch Supplement with Probiotics for Dogs $23 (was $33) PetLab Co. Allergy & Immune Probiotics for Dogs $33 (was $43) Native Pet Dog Vitamins & Supplements – 11-in-1 Multivitamin Powder for Dogs Food Topper $42 (was $59) Native Pet Omega 3 Fish Oil for Dogs & Cats $19 (was $27) Amazon Pet Day deals on dog and cat medication and treatments Seresto Large Dog Vet-Recommended Flea & Tick Treatment & Prevention Collar for Dogs $87 (was $108) Seresto Cat Vet-Recommended Flea & Tick Treatment & Prevention Collar for Cats $87 (was $108) Seresto Small Dog Vet-Recommended Flea & Tick Treatment & Prevention Collar for Dogs Under 18 lbs. $46 (was $59) Zesty Paws Dog Allergy Relief- Dog Itching Skin Relief- Dog Probiotics for Itchy Skin and Itchy Ears $23 (was $33) FRONTLINE Plus Flea and Tick Treatment for Large Dogs Up to 45 to 88 lbs. 3 Treatments $30 (was $45) Advantage II Large Cat Vet-Recommended Flea Treatment & Prevention | Cats Over 9 lbs. | 6-Month Supply $48 (was $68) K9 Advantix II XL Dog Vet-Recommended Flea, Tick & Mosquito Treatment & Prevention | Dogs Over 55 lbs. | 6-Mo Supply $54 (was $80) K9 Advantix II Large Dog Vet-Recommended Flea, Tick & Mosquito Treatment & Prevention | Dogs 21 – 55 lbs. | 6-Mo Supply $54 (was $80) FRONTLINE Plus Flea and Tick Treatment for Small Dogs Upto 5 to 22 lbs. 3 Treatments $29 (was $45) Wondercide – Flea, Tick & Mosquito Spray for Pets and Home with Natural Essential Oils – Killer, Control, Prevention, Treatment – Lemongrass 16 oz $21 (was $27) Amazon Pet Day deals on dog and cat snacks and food deals Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach Dog Food Dry, Adult Salmon & Rice Formula, Digestive Health – 30 lb. Bag $56 (was $80) INABA Churu Cat Treats, Grain-Free, Lickable, Squeezable Creamy Purée Cat Treat/Topper $15 (was $21) Natural Farm Odor-Free Bully Sticks (6 Inch, 25 Pack), 1.3 lb. Bag $51 (was $68) Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin, Adult 1-6, Stomach & Skin Sensitivity Support, Dry Dog Food, Chicken Recipe, 30 lb Bag $67 (was $84) Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Meal Mixers- Dog Food Topper and Mixer – Made with 95% Cage-Free Chicken, Organs & Bone – Perfect for Picky Eaters – Grain-Free – 18oz $38 (was $45) IAMS Proactive Health Minichunks Adult Dry Dog Food with Real Chicken, 30 lb. Bag $35 (was $46) Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe, 24 Pound (Pack of 1) $55 (was $73) ORAVET Dental Chews for Dogs, Oral Care and Hygiene Chews (Small Dogs, 10-24 lbs.) Blue Pouch, 30 Count $28 (was $35) Purina Busy Bone Made in USA Facilities, Long Lasting Small/Medium Breed Adult Dog Chews, Peanut Butter Flavor – 10 ct. Pouch $9 (was $17) Blue Buffalo Nudges Jerky Cuts Natural Dog Treats Chicken $20 (was $28) Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Raw Single Ingredient Dog Treats, Chicken Hearts, 3.75 oz $15 (was $20) Full Moon All Natural Human Grade Dog Treats, Essential Beef Savory Sticks, 22 Ounce, 1.375 Pound $11 (was $20) Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties $51 (was $60) Afreschi Natural Turkey Tendon Strip 3 oz, All Natural Human Grade Puppy Chew $11 (was $15) Blue Buffalo Health Bars Crunchy Dog Biscuits, Oven-Baked With Natural Ingredients, Bacon, Egg & Cheese, 3.5 -lbs. Box $15 (was $21) JustFoodForDogs JustFresh Home-Cooked Chicken Dog Food with No Preservatives, Resealable Packaging, Human Grade Wet Dog Food, 12 oz – 7 Pack $38 (was $49) Full Moon Chicken Strips Healthy All Natural Dog Treats Human Grade Made in USA Grain Free, 1.5 Pound $15 (was $28) Full Moon Chicken Jerky Healthy All Natural Dog Treats Human Grade Made in USA Grain Free, 1.5 Pound $15 (was $31) Amazon Pet Day deals on dog and cat toys deals Laser Cat Toys for Indoor Cats – Rechargeable Interactive Cat Toys with Dual Laser Modes $17 (was $25) 2-in-1 Cat Puzzle Feeder – Interactive Intelligence Toy with Rolling Ball Track $28 (was $49) Catstages by Nina Ottosson Buggin’ Out Puzzle & Play – Interactive Cat Treat Puzzle $14 (was $19) Barkbox Super Chewer Tough Dog Chew Toys for Aggressive Chewers, Dental Stimulating (Turkey – Large) $13 (was $16) Nylabone Dog Gift Box, Includes 3 Strong Chew Toys and 1 Natural Treat, Gifts for Dogs, Large – Up to 50 lbs, 4 Pack $12 (was $20) Benebone 2-pack Fishbone/Wishbone Durable Dog Chew Toys, Real Fish, Real Bacon, Made in USA, Medium $17 (was $22) Nerf Dog Tire Squeak Football Outdoor Dog Toy $10 (was $13) More Amazon Pet Day deals WNPETHOME Orthopedic Dog Beds for Large Dogs, Extra Large Waterproof Dog Bed with Removable Washable Cover $32 (was $43) Veehoo Outdoor Elevated Dog Cot Bed, Cooling Raised Pet Bed for Large Dogs $32 (was $42) PETLIBRO Automatic Cat Feeder with Camera, 1080P HD Video with Night Vision $110 (was $160) Chic Threads Dog Stairs for Small Dogs, 3-Step Dog Stairs for High Beds and Couch $26 (was $33) Petory Automatic Cat Feeders Wi-Fi – 4L Dry Food Dispenser for Cats and Dogs $49 (was $65) The post The best Amazon Pet Day deals on food, supplements, toys, beds, and everything else for your dog or cat appeared first on Popular Science. Source: https://www.popsci.com/gear/the-best-amazon-pet-day-deals-on-food-supplements-toys-beds-and-everything-else-for-your-dog-or-cat/ #the #best #amazon #pet #day #deals #food #supplements #toys #beds #and #everything #else #for #your #dog #cat

Underneath miles-deep ice sheets covering Antarctica lies the largest mountain range no one on Earth has ever seen. Even though a few of its tallest points peek through in some places, relatively few people know of the entire range’s existence.However, geologists studying it have long argued about how and when these buried peaks were formed. A team of geologists propose a new explanation in an article in the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters.“The ice conceals some of Earth’s most enigmatic features,” according to the paper. One such feature is the Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains, which rises over 9,000 feet above sea level and is covered by about 10,000 feet of ice. Its highest point is considered the coldest place on Earth. The range is equivalent in size and shape to the Swiss alps.Creation of the Antarctica MountainsMany geologists think these features were created when multiple tectonic plates that include what is now known as Africa, South America, Australia, India, and Antarctica collided to create a supercontinent called Gondwana. However, beyond that event, there is less agreement.“...the timing and three-dimensional structure of the collisional zone, known as the Kuunga Orogen, remain highly controversial,” according to the paper.The new study provides a bit more detail. The authors propose that the tectonic plates collision first uplifted the Gamburtsev Mountains when they had ground together. The tectonic collision then unleashed a flow of molten rock beneath the mountains. As that molten layer became hotter and thicker, the mountains above it collapsed under their own weight. The base of the mountains now rest upon the Earth’s mantle, the layer beneath the planet’s crust.Rock Beneath the Ice SheetThe geologists tracked this massive activity by looking at tiny objects — zircon grains deposited by rivers flowing from the mountains more than 250 million years ago. These grains act as geologic timers, because they contain uranium, which decays at a rate scientists can use to measure their age.According to the grains found at various points of the range, the mountains begin their rise about 650 million years ago, reached Himalayan heights by 580 million years ago, then completed their sinking by about 500 million years ago. A massive layer of ice has covered them since, making them one of the best preserved mountain ranges on the planet, because the ice shields them from the erosion that wears down more exposed mountains.The scientists could learn more about the range’s composition by drilling through the ice to extract rock samples. However, that is a long and expensive process. They are now looking at exposed rocks from Antarctica’s east coast to get a hint of what kinds of rock might lie beneath the massive ice sheet.Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:Earth and Planetary Science Letters. Gondwanan continental collision drives gravitational spreading and collapse of the ancestral East Antarctic mountainsBefore joining Discover Magazine, Paul Smaglik spent over 20 years as a science journalist, specializing in U.S. life science policy and global scientific career issues. He began his career in newspapers, but switched to scientific magazines. His work has appeared in publications including Science News, Science, Nature, and Scientific American. Source: https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/the-largest-mountain-range-no-one-has-seen-lives-under-antarcticas-ice #the #largest #mountain #range #one #has #seen #lives #under #antarctica039s #ice #sheets

There is a lot to love in Andor. It is a dense show, a big show, one that is filled with fascinatingly layered characters worth diving deep into, twisting plotlines that hold a mirror up to our world and the galaxy far, far away alike. It’s a show that, in spite of a certain reputation in contrast to other Star Wars stories, is filled with little nods to the franchise’s history old and new. But right now, at least in our moment of interest, it’s a show where Cassian Andor’s blaster pistol goes vuh-weeeeee. Just like Andor more broadly, there’s also a lot to love about Cassian’s blaster pistol. It’s a MW-20 Bryar pistol, itself one of those aforementioned little nods: the design is heavily inspired by the legendary K-16 Bryar pistol wielded by Kyle Katarn in the Star Wars video game series Dark Forces, a character with intriguing parallels to Cassian even beyond the latter in part subsuming the role of the former in modern continuity. It’s a good-looking gun design even beyond that legacy, just a flat wedge of weaponry with a handle attached—different enough to Han’s iconic DL-44 but in that sort of vein, that excellent Star Wars mix of looking just askance to a real-world gun but with a greebled, sci-fi layer. It also does a little flippy-thing with the body of the blaster that’s very cool, which brings us to that sound. The vuh-weeeeeewith incredible sound design, it’s maybe one of Andor‘s best additions to the auditory canon. It’s subtle, but pointed, a layer of Cassian’s intimidation whenever he pulls the pistol out to point at someone. Star Wars guns don’t need cocking or reloading like some actual weapons do; a blaster bolt is superheated gas condensed into a shard of pure energy. Maybe that’s the gas being primed, maybe the chamber is re-filling the flow of tibanna ready to be charged up and fired. Honestly I don’t really care to know, because while the internal mechanics of a MW-20 Bryar blaster pistol might be cool, but they’re kind of not the point. © Lucasfilm The vuh-weeeeeeka-chunk noise too, presumably of that spinning section locking back into place on the blaster, but it’s the vuh-weeeeee that really sticks in your ear, this high-pitched little whine. In Andor Cassian is the kind of man who rarely pulls out a blaster pistol to not use it: from Skeen to Cloris, when the bryar’s broken out, he means business. You hear that ka-chunk, as it settles into a vuh-weeeeee, and you know Cassian’s good to go, and that somebody’s probably about to get a bolt put through them. This high strung, intense little noise is not unlike the wielder of the weapon that makes it. After all, what is Cassian Andor if not a primed bolt of pure energy, ready to go off at a moment’s notice, ready to be aimed in the direction of something and fired at it for maximum effect? All it takes is a ka-chunk, then a vuh-weeeeee, and he’s ready to burn a hole through the structures of power he’s rebelling against. Perhaps all that’s true. But maybe it’s also just true that vuh-weeeeee sounds cool as hell, and in a show already bursting with so many ideas and details, at the end of the day, you also just need a bunch of cool spacey noises. Andor is all that character work, all that symbolism and commentary, but it’s also the vuh-weeeeee. And it wouldn’t quite be Star Wars if it wasn’t both. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who. Source: https://gizmodo.com/andor-cassian-bryar-pistol-sound-star-wars-2000601838 #love #when #cassians #blaster #does #the #thing

A federal court held the very first hearing on President Donald Trump’s wide-ranging, so-called Liberation Day tariffs on Tuesday, offering the earliest window into whether those tariffs — and potentially all of the shifting tariffs Trump has imposed since he retook office — will be struck down. The case is V.O.S. Selections v. Trump.It is unclear how the three-judge panel that heard the case will rule, but it appears somewhat more likely than not that they will rule that the tariffs are unlawful. All three of the judges, who sit on the US Court of International Trade, appeared troubled by the Trump administration’s claim that the judiciary may not review the legality of the tariffs at all. But Jeffrey Schwab, the lawyer representing several small businesses challenging the tariffs, also faced an array of skeptical questions.Many of the judges’ questions focused on United States v. Yoshida International (1975), a federal appeals court decision which upheld a 10 percent tariff President Richard Nixon briefly imposed on nearly all foreign goods. That is understandable: Yoshida remains binding on the trade court, and the three judges must take it into account when they make their decision. It is not, however, binding upon the Supreme Court, whose justices will be free to ignore Yoshida if they want. Ultimately, that means it is unclear how much influence the trade court’s eventual decision will have over the Supreme Court, which is likely to have the final word on the tariffs. At the heart of V.O.S. Selections are four key words in the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA), the statute Trump relied on when he imposed these tariffs. That statute permits the president to “regulate” transactions involving foreign goods — a verb which Yoshida held is expansive enough to permit tariffs — but only “to deal with an unusual and extraordinary threat with respect to which a national emergency has been declared.” It is likely that the trade court’s decision will turn on what the words “unusual and extraordinary threat” means. While Yoshida offered guidance on “regulate,” there appears to be few, if any, precedents interpreting what those four words mean. In his executive order laying out the rationale for these tariffs, Trump claimed they are needed to combat “large and persistent annual US goods trade deficits” — meaning that the United States buys more goods from many countries than it sells to them. But it’s far from clear how this trade deficit, which has existed for decades, qualifies as either “unusual” or “extraordinary.”Schwab seemed to flub several direct questions from the judges asking him to come up with a universal rule they could apply to determine which “threats” are “unusual” or “extraordinary.” When Judge Gary Katzmann, an Obama appointee, asked Schwab to name the best case supporting his argument that a trade deficit is neither unusual nor extraordinary, for example, Schwab was unable to do so.That said, some of the judges sounded outright offended when Eric Hamilton, the lawyer for the Trump administration, claimed that the question of what constitutes an unusual or extraordinary threat is a “political question” — a legal term meaning that the courts aren’t allowed to decide that matter. As Judge Jane Restani, a Reagan appointee, told Hamilton, his argument suggests that there is “no limit” to the president’s power to impose tariffs, even if the president claims that a shortage of peanut butter is a national emergency.The overall picture presented by the argument is that all three judges (the third is Judge Timothy Reif, a Trump appointee) are troubled by the broad power Trump claims in this case. But they were also frustrated by a lack of guidance — both from existing case law and from Schwab and Hamilton’s arguments — on whether Trump can legally claim the power to issue such sweeping tariffs.Early in the argument, Schwab appeared to be in trouble, as he faced a barrage of questions about how the Yoshida decision cuts against some of his arguments. As Restani told him at one point, the argument that a statute permitting the president to “regulate” does not include the power to impose tariffs is a nonstarter, because Yoshida held the opposite.That said, all three judges proposed ways to distinguish the Nixon tariffs upheld by Yoshida from the Trump tariffs now before the trade court.Restani, for her part, argued that the Nixon tariffs involved a “very different situation” that was both “new” and “extraordinary.” For several decades, US dollars could be readily converted into gold at a set exchange rate. Nixon ended this practice in 1971, in an event many still refer to as the “Nixon shock.” When he did so, he briefly imposed tariffs to protect US goods from fluctuating exchange rates.Yoshida, in other words, upheld temporary tariffs that were enacted in order to mitigate the impact of a sudden and very significant shift in US monetary policy, albeit a shift that Nixon caused himself. That’s a very different situation than the one surrounding Trump’s tariffs, which were enacted in response to ongoing trade deficits that have existed for many years.Restani and Katzmann also pointed to a footnote in Yoshida that said Congress enacted a new law, the Trade Act of 1974, after the Nixon shock. This footnote states a future attempt to impose similar tariffs “must, of course, comply with the statute now governing such action.” Whatever power Nixon might have had in 1971, in other words, may now be limited by newer laws.Reif also made a similar argument, pointing out that there is a separate federal statute dealing with trade practices such as “dumping,” when an exporter sells goods below their normal value. He questioned whether the president could bypass the procedures laid out in that anti-dumping statute by simply declaring an emergency, and then imposing whatever trade barriers the president wanted to impose under IEEPA.That said, none of the judges — and neither of the lawyers — were able to articulate a rule that would allow future courts to determine which presidential actions are “unusual” or “extraordinary.” Hamilton’s suggestion that courts can’t decide this question at all sunk like a pair of concrete shoes, with Katzmann arguing that the IEEPA’s “unusual and extraordinary” provision would be entirely “superfluous” if Congress hadn’t intended courts to enforce it.Schwab, meanwhile, earned a scolding from Restani when he kept trying to argue that Trump’s tariffs are such an obvious violation of the statute that there’s no need to come up with a broader legal rule. “You know it when you see it doesn’t work,” she told him — a reference to Justice Potter Stewart’s infamously vague standard for determining what constitutes pornography.The three judges, in other words, expressed serious concerns about the Trump administration’s argument for the tariffs. But it’s not clear that they have figured out how to navigate the uncertain legal landscape looming over this case.Though the bulk of the argument focused on the four key words in the IEEPA, it’s not clear that a narrow decision holding that this law does not permit these tariffs will have much staying power. Trump could potentially try to impose the tariffs again, using the somewhat more drawn out process laid out in the 1974 Trade Act, which permits the government to “impose duties or other import restrictions” after the US Trade Representative makes certain findings. So if the courts issue a narrow ruling against these tariffs, they may have to go through a very similar dog and pony show in a few months.There are, however, two controversial legal doctrines popular with conservatives — known as “major questions” and “nondelegation” — which could lead to a more permanent reduction of Trump’s authority. Broadly speaking, both of these doctrines empower the courts to strike down a presidential administration’s actions even if those actions appear to be authorized by statute.Late in the argument, Restani seemed to latch onto the nondelegation theory. Under current law, Congress may delegate power to the president or a federal agency so long as it “shall lay down by legislative act an intelligible principle to which the person or body authorized to [exercise the delegated authority] is directed to conform.” This “intelligible principle” test is famously very deferential to Congress.Nevertheless, Restani asked some questions indicating that she may think that the IEEPA is the rare law which provides so little guidance to the president that it must be struck down. She noted that the law does permit Congress to pass a resolution canceling tariffs after the fact, but argued that this kind of after-the-fact review is not a substitute for an intelligible principle letting the president know how to act before he takes action.The major questions doctrine, meanwhile, establishes that Congress must “speak clearly” if it wants to give the executive branch authority over matters of “vast ‘economic and political significance.’” By some estimates, Trump’s tariffs are expected to reduce real family income by $2,800, so that’s certainly a matter of vast economic importance. Thus, to the extent that the IEEPA’s language is unclear, the major questions doctrine suggests that the law should be construed to not permit these tariffs.Hamilton’s primary argument against this line of reasoning is that the major questions doctrine does not apply to the president at all, only to actions by federal agencies that are subordinate to the president. But none of the three judges appeared sympathetic to this argument. Restani, in particular, seemed incredulous at the suggestion.Overall, the judges seemed interested in exploring the nondelegation and major questions factors, and repeatedly rebutted suggestions that ruling on the tariffs was beyond their power. And that suggests the trade court will likely rule against the tariffs. That outcome is far from certain, however, and the trade court is highly unlikely to have the final word on this question. But the legal case for the tariffs appeared weak before Tuesday’s hearing, and nothing that happened on Tuesday changes that.See More: Source: https://www.vox.com/economy/412966/supreme-court-tariffs-donald-trump-trade-vos-selections #the #first #federal #court #hearing #trumps #tariffs #did #not #well #for #trump

President Donald Trump is considering using a Qatari Boeing 747-8 given as a gift as Air Force One while the new presidential jet faces delays.The ruling family of Qatar gifted the US president the $400 million luxury jumbo jet, and Trump said he would "never be one to turn down that kind of offer."The potential plane deal faced pushback from critics and even some Trump allies over security concerns and the legal and ethical issues associated with using a foreign-origin aircraft as Air Force One, the president's airborne command center.Besides Air Force One, the presidential fleet includes other fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft depending on the mission. Presidential aircraft fleet A VC-25A aircraft and a VH-3D Sea King helicopter taxi following former President Joe Biden's sendoff ceremony at Joint Base Andrews. US Air Force photo by Hayden Hallman Air Force One is a call sign that refers to any US Air Force aircraft transporting the president, though it is commonly recognized by its blue-and-white livery.The Air Force has two "specially configured" Boeing 747-200B jets that are primarily used as Air Force One. The VC-25A aircraft is uniquely modified to serve as an airborne command-and-control center for the president, staff, and guests with the same level of safety and security as the White House.Other than the number of passengers it can carry, the main differences between the VC-25 and the standard Boeing 747 include more advanced electronic and communications equipment, a self-contained baggage loader, and the capability for in-flight refueling.The VC-25 also has a rest area and mini-galley for the aircrew, six passenger lavatories, and a compartment with medical supplies and equipment for minor in-flight emergencies. Marine One Nighthawk 46 arrives for the 46th president's send-off ceremony at Joint Base Andrews. US Air Force photo by Hayden Hallman For shorter distance trips, especially to and from the White House, the president flies in Marine One, which includes military helicopters like the VH-3D Sea King and the VH-60N White Hawk.In service for nearly five decades, both military helicopters are set to be phased out and fully replaced with modernized rotary-wing aircraft, the VH-92A.The next-generation Marine One is designed to be a militarized variant of the Sikorsky VH-92 Patriot. Other aircraft An 89th Airlift Wing C-40 and C-37 sit near UH-1N Iroquois helicopters and a C-17 Globemaster III at Joint Base Andrews. US Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Wallace/RELEASED The presidential fleet also includes other fixed-wing aircraft besides the modified 747. The C-32A, a modified Boeing 757-200, is better suited for smaller airports or low-profile missions.The C-40, based on the Boeing 737, can be used to fly the president but is more often used for Cabinet members or other VIP individuals.Based on General Dynamics' Gulfstream long-range business jets, the C-37 is used to transport high-ranking government and Defense Department officials for worldwide missions. 'Next Air Force One' An artist rendering of the "Next Air Force One," the VC-25B, which will succeed the current Air Force One, VC-25A. Courtesy rendering/US Air Force The two planes currently being used as Air Force One have been in service for nearly four decades. They are set to be replaced by a modernized variant dubbed the "Next Air Force One."Officially designated the VC-25B, the new presidential aircraft is set to feature "electrical power upgrades, a mission communication system, a medical facility, an executive interior, a self-defense system, and autonomous ground operations capabilities," according to an Air Force release.The two future VC-25B jets were initially scheduled to be fielded in 2024, but supply chain issues and shifting requirements could postpone their delivery to 2029.Facing pressure from the White House to have the new aircraft ready before Trump leaves office in January 2029, the Air Force and Boeing are aiming to have the new aircraft delivered by 2027, according to Darlene Costello, the Air Force's principal deputy assistant secretary for acquisition, technology, and logistics. A 'security nightmare' US President Donald Trump's motorcade is parked next to a Qatari Boeing 747 on the tarmac of Palm Beach International Airport. ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images An Air Force official told Air and Space Forces Magazine that the service is coordinating with the White House and Boeing "to further define the requirements and acceleration options while ensuring we provide a safe, secure, and reliable aircraft for the president."Trump has previously expressed his frustration with receiving the next-generation Air Force One, suggesting earlier this year that he may seek "alternatives, because it's taking Boeing too long."Despite the backlash, the president doubled down on his proposal to use the Qatari jet as Air Force One, saying he doesn't plan on using it after his term and would donate it to a future presidential library."I could be a stupid person and say, 'No, we don't want a free, very expensive airplane,'" Trump told reporters Monday.Though free in cost, there's still a major cost to overhaul and retrofit the plane with the strict security requirements needed to serve as Air Force One."Along with the obvious ethical and legal issues, a $400M gifted luxury jet is not Air Force One," US Rep. Joe Courtney of Connecticut wrote on X. "Retrofitting a plane from Qatar would create huge costs & a security nightmare that would impede the work underway to deliver the actual AF1 by 2027." Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/air-force-one-aircraft-trump-boeing-747-2025-5 #see #the #us039s #presidential #aircraft #fleet #that #trump #wants #add #with #million #gift

FBI headquarters in Washington DCShutterstock/Bob Korn The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) plans to buy radar technology that can detect people on the other side of walls, whether they are moving around, standing still or even lying down. The idea of using radar – a system that uses radio waves reflecting off objects to determine their location – in this way has been around for at least 20 to 30 years, says Hugh Griffiths at University College London. But he describes the field tests with this new system as “impressive” in demonstrating how “they’ve solved a lot of the… Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2479914-the-fbi-is-getting-new-technology-to-see-through-walls/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home #the #fbi #getting #new #technology #see #through #walls

Try, try again SpaceX test-fires Starship for an all-important next flight A notice to mariners suggests SpaceX's next Starship test flight could launch as soon as May 21. Stephen Clark – May 13, 2025 6:33 pm | 0 Starship's six Raptor engines fired for about 60 seconds Monday on a test stand in South Texas. Credit: SpaceX Starship's six Raptor engines fired for about 60 seconds Monday on a test stand in South Texas. Credit: SpaceX Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only   Learn more SpaceX fired six Raptor engines on the company's next Starship rocket Monday, clearing a major hurdle on the path to launch later this month on a high-stakes test flight to get the private rocket program back on track. Starship ignited its Raptor engines Monday morning on a test stand near SpaceX's Starbase launch facility in South Texas. The engine ran for approximately 60 seconds, and SpaceX confirmed the test-firing in a post on X: "Starship completed a long duration six-engine static fire and is undergoing final preparations for the ninth flight test." SpaceX hasn't officially announced a target launch date, but maritime warnings along Starship's flight path over the Gulf of Mexico suggest the launch might happen as soon as next Wednesday, May 21. The launch window would open at 6:30 pm local time (7:30 pm EDT; 23:30 UTC). If everything goes according to plan, Starship is expected to soar into space and fly halfway around the world, targeting a reentry and controlled splashdown into the Indian Ocean. After Monday's successful static fire test, SpaceX is in the final stretch of preparations for Starship's ninth full-scale test flight. Last month, SpaceX test-fired the rocket's massive booster stage, known as Super Heavy. The Super Heavy booster assigned to the next Starship launch will become the first that SpaceX will reuse from a previous test flight. This, alone, is a significant step for the Starship program. SpaceX wants the Super Heavy booster and Starship upper stage to become rapidly reusable, eventually operating more like an airplane than a legacy rocket. The booster slated to launch on Flight 9 made its first flight in January, when it soared to the edge of space, released SpaceX's Starship upper stage, and returned to the launch pad, where it was caught in mid-air by heavy-duty mechanical arms. SpaceX will again try to catch the Super Heavy booster on Flight 9. Righting the ship While reusing the first stage is a noteworthy milestone, the next flight is important for another reason. SpaceX's last two Starship test flights ended prematurely when the rocket's upper stage lost power and spun out of control, dropping debris into the sea near the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. With Flight 9, SpaceX hopes to get the Starship program back on track. The company aimed for as many as 25 Starship test flights this year, but will now likely fall short of that number. Near-term goals beyond Flight 9 include returning Starship from low-Earth orbit to the launch site, with a tower catch similar to the one SpaceX used to recover the Super Heavy booster. Then, SpaceX will begin flight experiments with an in-space refueling system to transfer super-cold liquid propellants between two Starships in orbit. This is an important milestone for NASA, which has a contract with SpaceX worth more than $4 billion to develop a version of Starship for landing humans on the Moon. To do that, SpaceX must launch around 10 Starship refueling tankers—the exact number remains unclear—to gas up the Moon-bound Starship lander before it can depart low-Earth orbit. SpaceX founder Elon Musk also wants Starship to fly to Mars, which will, likewise, require a mastery of in-space refueling. NASA may also soon rely on Starship and other massive commercial rockets to launch astronauts from Earth. The Trump administration has proposed canceling NASA's Space Launch System rocket after two more flights in favor of lower-cost commercial options. Starship's black heat shield tiles are visible here during the rocket's static fire test on Monday morning. Before any of this becomes possible, SpaceX must prove it has overcome the setbacks encountered on the two previous test flights. Both flights failed at roughly the same time—approximately eight minutes after liftoff—near the end of the ship's engine firing. SpaceX investigators, working under the oversight of the Federal Aviation Administration, determined the Starship test flight in January failed after propellant leaks led to fires in the rocket's aft compartment, or attic. This led to the early shutdown of the rocket's engines and eventual breakup. Engineers concluded the leaks were most likely caused by vibrations during the ship's climb into space. The vibrations were in resonance with the vehicle's natural frequency, intensifying the shaking beyond the levels SpaceX predicted. For the next test flight on March 6, SpaceX made changes to the ship's feed lines routing fuel to its Raptor engines, made adjustments to propellant temperatures, and flew the engines at a new throttle setting. But that didn't solve the problem. Once again, Starship's engines cut off too early, and the rocket broke apart before falling to Earth. SpaceX said "an energetic event" in the aft portion of Starship resulted in the loss of several Raptor engines, followed by a loss of attitude control and a loss of communications with the ship. The similarities between the two failures suggest a likely design issue with the upgraded "Block 2" version of Starship, which debuted in January and flew again in March. Starship Block 2 is slightly taller than the ship SpaceX used on the rocket's first six flights, with redesigned flaps, improved batteries and avionics, and notably, a new fuel feed line system for the ship's Raptor vacuum engines. SpaceX has not released the results of the investigation into the Flight 8 failure, and the FAA hasn't yet issued a launch license for Flight 9. Likewise, SpaceX hasn't released any information on the changes it made to Starship for next week's flight. What we do know about the Starship vehicle for Flight 9—designated Ship 35—is that it took a few tries to complete a full-duration test-firing. SpaceX completed a single-engine static fire on April 30, simulating the restart of a Raptor engine in space. Then, on May 1, SpaceX aborted a six-engine test-firing before reaching its planned 60-second duration. Videos captured by media observing the test showed a flash in the engine plume, and at least one piece of debris was seen careening out of the flame trench below the ship. SpaceX ground crews returned Ship 35 to the production site a couple of miles away, perhaps to replace a damaged engine, before rolling Starship back to the test stand over the weekend for Monday's successful engine firing. Now, the ship will head back to the Starbase build site, where technicians will make final preparations for Flight 9. These final tasks may include loading mock-up Starlink broadband satellites into the ship's payload bay and touchups to the rocket's heat shield. These are two elements of Starship that SpaceX engineers are eager to demonstrate on Flight 9, beyond just fixing the problems from the last two missions. Those failures prevented Starship from testing its satellite deployer and an upgraded heat shield designed to better withstand scorching temperatures up to 2,600° Fahrenheit (1,430° Celsius) during reentry. Stephen Clark Space Reporter Stephen Clark Space Reporter Stephen Clark is a space reporter at Ars Technica, covering private space companies and the world’s space agencies. Stephen writes about the nexus of technology, science, policy, and business on and off the planet. 0 Comments Source: https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/05/spacex-test-fires-starship-for-an-all-important-next-flight/ #spacex #testfires #starship #for #allimportant #next #flight

Table of Contents Table of Contents Another step toward a true Sonos alternative Between HomePod and Era 100 Still no AirPlay Tomorrow, Wiim will announce its first wireless speaker, the Wiim Sound. It looks like a lot like Apple’s HomePod, with an almost cylindrical shape that’s wrapped in a fabric grille and topped with a set of touch controls. But the detail that will likely get the most attention is its built-in, 1.8-inch circular touchscreen. The hi-res screen offers the same album displays and controls as the one on the front of the Wiim Ultra, the company’s flagship network music streamer. As with all of Wiim’s products, its core feature set is designed to work seamlessly with the rest of the affordable Wiim ecosystem, giving Sonos owners even more reason to make a switch. Recommended Videos The Wiim Sound is set to debut at High End Munich 2025, an audiophile-centric audio show in Germany. Wiim hasn’t released pricing or specific availability yet, noting only that the Wiim Sound will arrive in “Q3 2025 on Amazon and at select retailers.” For now, it’s only available in black. Related Wiim The Wiim Sound isn’t the first Wiim-compatible wireless speaker. Earlier in 2025, the company announced it had partnered with Swedish brand, Audio Pro to create Wiim Edition versions of its A10 Mk II and C10 Mk II wireless speakers, which can be discovered and controlled natively within the Wiim Home app. However, the Wiim Sound marks an important milestone in the company’s evolution as it begins to build out an ecosystem of in-house designed products that let it compete more directly with Sonos. It’s not difficult to imagine that Wiim will continue this expansion, eventually working its way into the rest of Sonos’ categories, such as soundbars, Bluetooth speakers, and possibly headphones. Wiim Physically, the Wiim Sound straddles the line between the Apple HomePod and the Sonos Era 100. Its footprint (5.7 x 5.7 inches) is almost exactly the same as the HomePod, while its height, at 7.5 inches is slightly taller than the Era 100 (7.18 inches). The presence of the circular touchscreen will no doubt renew speculation about Apple’s next HomePod, which has been widely rumored to include some kind of display. Internally, the Wiim Sound is much closer to Sonos’ speaker, with a 4-inch woofer and two balanced-mode radiator (BMR) tweeters. Thanks to those dual tweeters, Wiim says the Sound can reproduce two-channel stereo, though like the Era 100, getting true stereo separation may be tricky. Wiim hasn’t revealed the amplifier layout details, but it claims there’s 100 watts of combined power on tap. On the bottom of the speaker are ports for power, and 10/100 Ethernet, plus a 3.5mm jack for analog inputs. Wireless connectivity is supported by both Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. Wiim calls the Sound a smart speaker, but since there’s no built-in mic and no native voice assistant, that might be stretching the term. You can, however, use it as Amazon Alexa device via the included voice remote. For the Wiim Sound, the company has created a modified version of it Siri-remote clone, the Wiim Voice Remote 2. Alternatively, the Wiim Sound is compatible with Google Assistant and can respond to those voice commands if you own an Assistant-capable smartphone or other device. As with the rest of Wiim’s ecosystem, the Wiim Sound has an impressive array of streaming and EQ features, including: Hi-res audio support up to 24-bit/192 kHz Chromecast (Google Cast), Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, DLNA, or Alexa Cast 24 preset EQ profiles, a 10-band graphic equalizer, and an optional parametric EQ interface Room correction via a smartphone running the Wiim Home app You can control the Wiim Sound as part of a larger multiroom audio system within the Wiim Home app. This includes grouping the Sound with other Wiim components for synchronized playback as well as the ability to stereo-pair two Wiim Sounds. Interestingly, a single Wiim Sound can be used as center channel speaker, or two can be used as surround speakers within a 5.1 configuration. To do this, you’ll need a 5.1 source of sound — either a 5.1 audio recording that lives in your personal library on your home network, or from a TV plugged into one of Wiim’s HDMI-ARC compatible devices (Wiim Ultra, Wiim Amp, Wiim Amp Pro). For reasons known only to Wiim and Apple, the Wiim Sound is now the third Wiim streaming product to launch without support for Apple’s AirPlay 2 wireless streaming protocol. When the Wiim Ultra debuted without AirPlay, it was believed to be a temporary omission — one that would be rectified with a firmware update. This failed to happen, and then Wiim launched the Amp Pro, also without AirPlay. While AirPlay is a useful feature for iPhone users, letting them stream audio on their home Wi-Fi networks from any any app that supports it, its popularity among Wiim’s users is unclear. AirPlay 2 introduces lossy compression, which audiophiles consider an unacceptable tradeoff. Moreover, the trend toward streaming apps building their own version of AirPlay (Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect) plus the availability of Google Cast, reduces the need for AirPlay under most circumstances. Even on an iPhone when streaming Apple Music, Bluetooth can serve as an acceptable AirPlay alternative on Wiim’s products. Source: https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/exclusive-wiims-first-wireless-speaker-takes-on-apple-and-sonos/ #exclusivethis #wiims #first #wireless #speaker

Choose wisely! The correct answer, the explanation, and an intriguing story await. Correct Answer: $20,000 A little background Although it wasn't initially intended for the general public, the first commercial audio CD recorder made its debut in 1991 at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Convention in Las Vegas (later simply known as the NAB Show). Japanese electronics maker Denon introduced the DN-770R, a pro-grade Compact Disc recorder designed to appeal to radio stations and audio production facilities. These institutions could use the device to master demo discs, archive broadcasts, or distribute pre-recorded content to affiliate stations more efficiently than analog tape allowed. According to an article written by The Syracuse Newspapers at the time, the Denon DN-770R was the first of its kind and was being tendered by the electronics maker for $20,000: "Denon DN-770R audio CD recorder debuts as the first of its kind...The CDs it produces can be played on any CD player." However, the DN-770R was far from a plug-and-play solution. Contemporary reports noted that to make the system fully functional, users also needed around $100,000 worth of ancillary equipment, such as digital audio processors, mastering consoles, and synchronization gear. The cost of consumables added further barriers: blank CDs sold for approximately $35 to $40 each and could only be recorded once. Unlike cassette tapes, which were cheap, reusable, and ubiquitous in both professional and consumer audio environments, CD-Rs were a costly and rigid medium at the time. Despite the early limitations, the introduction of CD recording technology marked a turning point in digital audio. Until then, the compact disc – first launched commercially in 1982 – had been a strictly read-only format used for music distribution. The arrival of CD recording devices opened new possibilities for content creation and data storage. Denon's innovation was clearly aimed at a niche audience and focused solely on audio playback. The first modern CD burners were introduced between 1991 and 1992, when Sony, Philips, (the two creators of de CD format) and Yamaha each released CD recorders around the same time. The Philips CDD521, Sony CDW-900E, and Yamaha YPR-201 were some of the entry-level professional models still sold for over $10,000. Throughout the early 1990s, CD recorders remained out of reach for most consumers, however the landscape began to change rapidly in the years that followed. In 1995, Hewlett-Packard introduced the HP SureStore 4020i, one of the first CD-R drives marketed to consumers. Priced at $995, it was a significant milestone in making CD recording accessible to small businesses, hobbyists, and eventually the mass market. The 4020i could write both data and audio CDs. This democratization of CD recording paved the way for a surge in home media production during the late 1990s and early 2000s. It enabled users to burn custom music CDs, back up data, and share multimedia content in a way that had previously required professional studio equipment. As the price of CD-R drives and blank media continued to fall, the format became an essential part of personal computing and digital media until it was gradually overtaken by DVD, flash storage, and eventually cloud-based solutions. Source: https://www.techspot.com/trivia/85-how-much-did-first-cd-recorder-cost/ #trivia #how #much #did #the #first #recorder #cost