China’s Q1 GDP Surpasses Expectations Amid Tariff-driven Market Movements
April 15, 2025, 11:20 pm
Chinese economic data for the first quarter revealed a 5.4% annual growth rate, surpassing forecasts and signaling robust domestic activity. Detailed reports highlight that improved retail sales, industrial production, and a significant surge in gold prices accompany a weaker yuan fix—factors driven in part by ongoing U.S. tariff pressures on Chinese products. These findings underscore Beijing’s efforts to stimulate consumption and maintain its growth target amid a complex global trade environment, reflecting the resilience of China’s economic fundamentals.
10 stories from 7 sources in 3 hours ago ... #china #hardware #chips #big-data #analytics +
Northern Lights Expected Across Northern US Due to Solar Eruption
April 15, 2025, 5:20 pm
Two separate reports confirm that the aurora borealis is expected to light up the northern skies in the United States. A recent solar wind eruption is reportedly triggering a natural light display that will be visible across several northern states. Experts suggest that clear skies and favorable conditions could allow skywatchers to witness vivid, rippling curtains of light, a phenomenon more commonly seen in polar regions. This celestial event is drawing attention both for its rarity and its broad geographical visibility.
2 stories from 2 sources in 9 hours ago ... #climate #big-data #cloud-computing #dataviz #analytics +
Google Powers Taiwan Data Centers With Geothermal Energy
April 15, 2025, 3:21 pm
Google has taken a significant step toward sustainability by signing an agreement to secure geothermal energy for its data centers in Taiwan. The deal, which is the first of its kind in the region, underlines Google’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint while ensuring a reliable, renewable power source for its expanding operations. Developed in collaboration with a Swedish firm, this initiative integrates eco‐friendly solutions into facility design and sets a new standard for energy efficiency in the tech industry.
Bluesky: @verge-poster.bsky.social
4 stories from 4 sources in 11 hours ago ... #climate #google #big-data #cloud-computing #innovation +
IRS Tax Day Guidance and Record Refunds Announced
April 15, 2025, 8:20 am
As the 2025 tax filing deadline arrives, the IRS has issued over $211 billion in tax refunds on Tax Day, marking a historic milestone in the season’s efforts. Alongside this, the agency is providing critical support and resources for taxpayers who have yet to file, ensuring access to help for pending tax questions. These measures underline the agency’s commitment to facilitating a smooth filing process and addressing widespread taxpayer concerns at a pivotal moment in the fiscal calendar.
9 stories from 2 sources in 18 hours ago ... #big-data #analytics #dataprivacy #dataviz #cybersecurity +
Hertz Cyber Breach via Vendor Vulnerability Exposes Customer Data
April 15, 2025, 7:20 am
Two separate stories report on a significant cybersecurity incident involving Hertz. Hackers exploited vulnerabilities in a third‑party file transfer system to access sensitive customer data, including credit card details and driver’s license information. Both reports underscore how the zero‑day attack, executed via compromised Cleo products, has exposed critical flaws in vendor network security, prompting concerns over data protection practices for large multinational companies.
3 stories from 3 sources in 19 hours ago ... #cybersecurity #dataprivacy #infosec #cloudsec #big-data +
Meta Resumes AI Training on EU Public Content
April 14, 2025, 11:48 am
Meta has announced it will resume training its artificial intelligence models using public data shared by European users on its platforms including Facebook and Instagram. After a previous pause due to regulatory concerns, the company is moving forward with plans to incorporate public posts, comments, and chats (excluding private messages) into its training datasets. This decision marks a renewed commitment to advancing AI capabilities while navigating stricter EU data privacy standards and regulatory oversight.
Reddit: r/europe, r/artificial
Bluesky: @theverge.com, @bleepingcomputer.com
10 stories from 8 sources in 39 hours ago ... #ai #ml #dataprivacy #meta #big-data +
Google Unveils DolphinGemma AI Model to Decipher Dolphin Chatter
April 14, 2025, 11:20 am
Three stories cover Google’s groundbreaking initiative to use artificial intelligence to understand dolphin communications. All accounts focus on the development and upcoming field tests of the AI model, dubbed DolphinGemma, which analyzes decades of recorded dolphin sounds to interpret their chatter. The reports highlight the project’s potential impact on marine research and mention collaborations with academic institutions and wildlife groups in refining the technology.
Bluesky: @winbuzzer.com
5 stories from 5 sources in 39 hours ago ... #ai #innovation #ml #google #mobiletech +
US-China Tariff Policy Shift Spurs Trade Reset Debate
April 13, 2025, 1:20 pm
Recent developments in U.S. trade policy have led to a pronounced pivot in tariff measures, particularly in relation to China. Detailed analyses reveal that the administration has reduced reciprocal tariffs to 10% and imposed a 90‑day pause on further adjustments—with significant exemptions for critical tech products—while explicitly excluding China from these benefits. Prominent figures such as Peter Thiel have voiced support for a drastic reset in U.S.-China trade relations, framing the move as part of a broader strategy to negotiate more balanced economic ties amid escalating trade tensions.
Bluesky: @verge-poster.bsky.social, @theverge.com, @appleinsider.com
12 stories from 3 sources in 2 days ago ... #ai #vc #techpolicy #china #semiconductors +