Biden Blasts Trump Over Misinformation About Hurricanes Milton and Helene
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United States President Joe Biden has issued a strong condemnation of the spread of misinformation regarding Hurricanes Milton and Helene, labeling it as “un-American.” During a press briefing at the White House, Biden particularly criticized his predecessor, Donald Trump, for disseminating false claims about the government’s response efforts to the storms. Biden expressed concern that misleading information could jeopardize the lives of those in need of help during the crises.
Biden highlighted Trump’s baseless claim that federal disaster relief funds had been diverted to support migrants as an example of the falsehoods being spread. “What a ridiculous thing to say. It’s not true,” Biden stated emphatically. He also mentioned that promoting such disinformation, especially in the wake of natural disasters, is “reckless, irresponsible, and relentless.” As Hurricane Milton neared landfall in Florida, Biden emphasized the need for accurate information to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected.
Trump Vows to Eliminate Income Taxes for Americans Living Abroad
Bloomberg ,
In the final stretch of his 2024 presidential campaign, former President Donald Trump has announced his plan to end U.S. income taxes for American citizens living overseas. This latest tax proposal is aimed at simplifying the tax obligations of approximately 9 million expatriates who are required to file tax returns with both the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the country in which they reside.
Currently, U.S. citizens living abroad must comply with federal tax filing requirements, even if they don’t owe money to the IRS. However, under Trump’s proposed policy, expatriates would no longer be subject to U.S. income taxes. This would particularly benefit those who are required to pay taxes both in the U.S. and in their country of residence, a situation often referred to as “double taxation.” Trump framed the move as part of his broader campaign to “put America First,” calling on overseas Americans to register to vote and support Republican candidates. The proposal, which would need congressional approval to be enacted, was first reported by The Wall Street Journal and is seen as a significant shift in tax policy for Americans abroad.
Who is Bitcoin’s Satoshi Nakamoto? HBO Film Speculates on Creator’s Identity
Axios,
A new HBO documentary titled Money Electric: The Bitcoin Mystery has reignited speculation about the true identity of Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. The film suggests that Canadian software developer Peter Todd, who was an early contributor to the Bitcoin project, could be the elusive figure behind the world’s first cryptocurrency.
Although the documentary presents circumstantial evidence, such as suspicious forum posts from 2010 and a leaked email chain, there is no definitive proof linking Todd to Nakamoto. In the film’s finale, Todd sarcastically admits, “Well, yeah, I’m Satoshi Nakamoto,” but this is in line with his habit of invoking the claim in jest. Todd has repeatedly denied being Satoshi in public forums, including a prior email to CoinDesk where he stated, “Of course I’m not Satoshi.”
The documentary, directed by award-winning filmmaker Cullen Hoback, explores the mystery surrounding Nakamoto’s identity and the potential impact on Bitcoin’s value should the creator’s 1 million dormant coins be moved. Despite the buzz generated by the film, the price of Bitcoin remained relatively stable, signaling that the market is unfazed by the latest round of speculation.
India Mourns Ratan Tata as Hundreds Gather to Pay Last Respects
Reuters,
India is in mourning following the death of Ratan Tata, one of its most respected and iconic business leaders, who passed away at the age of 86. Hundreds of mourners, including corporate executives, politicians, and celebrities, gathered in Mumbai on Thursday to pay their final respects to the former chairman of the Tata Group. Known for his business acumen and philanthropy, Tata led the conglomerate for over two decades, overseeing a period of substantial growth and diversification.
As Tata’s body, draped in the Indian national flag, was kept at a cultural center in Mumbai, tributes poured in from around the globe. U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti described Tata as “a giant with a giant heart,” while Google CEO Sundar Pichai praised his role in mentoring modern business leaders in India. Although Tata had stepped back from active management in recent years, he remained a trusted advisor on major decisions. His legacy includes a lasting impact on India’s industrial and philanthropic landscapes. Tata was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honor, and was widely admired for his modest lifestyle, integrity, and commitment to giving back to society. His funeral, conducted with full state honors, marked the end of an era in Indian business history.
Elon Musk to Unveil Tesla’s ‘Cybercab’ Robotaxi Prototype Amid High Expectations
Bloomberg ,
Tesla CEO Elon Musk is set to unveil a prototype of the company’s highly anticipated ‘Cybercab’ robotaxi at Warner Bros Studios in Burbank, California. This comes after a series of delays that have pushed the project beyond its original release date of August 2024. Self-driving cars have long been a fascination for Musk, who has made bold predictions about their potential to save lives and generate income for their owners by being rented out for rides or even overnight stays.
However, as Tesla prepares for its “We, Robot” event, Musk faces mounting pressure to deliver on his ambitious promises. The robotaxi project has drawn skepticism from some analysts, who argue that the company should focus on releasing a lower-cost electric vehicle (EV) rather than diverting resources to futuristic concepts. Meanwhile, competitors such as Waymo, owned by Google’s parent company Alphabet, have already deployed robotaxis on U.S. roads, raising the stakes for Tesla.
Musk has attributed the latest delay to last-minute changes he personally made to the vehicle, but many are expecting concrete details on the project’s timeline and operational plans. The event, which will be livestreamed on X (formerly Twitter), is expected to reveal more than just a prototype, as the public and industry experts await updates on Tesla’s broader vision for autonomous driving.
Google’s Nobel Prize Wins Stir Debate Over AI Research and Big Tech’s Influence
Reuters ,
The recent award of Nobel prizes in chemistry and physics to scientists affiliated with Google has sparked a debate about Big Tech’s growing influence in the world of scientific research. Demis Hassabis and John Jumper, researchers at Google’s DeepMind, were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their groundbreaking work in decoding protein structures. Meanwhile, former Google researcher Geoffrey Hinton received the Nobel Prize in Physics for his pioneering work in machine learning, which laid the foundation for the current AI boom.
While their achievements have been widely celebrated, some critics argue that the Nobel committee’s decision reflects the lack of recognition for fields like mathematics and computer science, pushing AI breakthroughs into other categories to reward them. Dame Wendy Hall, a prominent computer scientist, remarked that the absence of a Nobel Prize for these fields has led to creative workarounds by the committee. Despite the controversy, Google’s dominance in AI research remains undeniable, as the company continues to face competitive pressure from rivals like Microsoft-backed OpenAI, as well as increasing regulatory scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice.
The debate over how scientific advancements in AI should be recognized is likely to continue, especially as Big Tech companies like Google and Microsoft play an ever-larger role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
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