energy
How politicians and governments around the world are dealing with climate change, solar energy and harnessing renewable resources.
U.S. Government to Take Cut of Nvidia and AMD A.I. Chip Sales to China
**U.S. The government will reduce AMD and Nvidia's AI budgets. China Chip Sales** The leading semiconductor companies Nvidia and AMD must give China 15% of sales revenue from specific AI products sold in the Chinese market in exchange for permission to export those chips. The chips in question are Nvidia's H20 model and AMD's MI308, both of which are designed to deliver high performance in AI training and inference workloads. These models were previously restricted under U.S. export rules due to concerns that their capabilities could enhance China's artificial intelligence and military technologies. This arrangement marks a significant departure from traditional export control practices The U.S. government halted sales of these chips to China earlier this year, citing national security risks. The freeze put a lot of pressure on both Nvidia and AMD because the Chinese market is so important to their revenue streams. China is one of the biggest consumers of AI hardware in the world, and a long sales ban would have cost billions of dollars. A compromise between the companies and the government allows limited exports but comes with a 15% revenue cut that goes to the U.S. Treasury. Officials argue that permitting some level of controlled exports keeps U.S. technology integrated into Chinese systems, preventing complete reliance on alternative suppliers such as domestic Chinese chipmakers or competitors from other nations. This foothold could in theory preserve long-term influence in the global AI technology ecosystem. Critics, on the other hand, view the decision as contradictory. They argue that if the chips are truly a security risk, then no percentage of revenue should justify allowing their sale. Additionally, the precedent of monetizing access to sensitive For Nvidia alone, Chinese demand for the H20 could reach several billion dollars per year, making the government's cut a substantial source of revenue. AMD's exposure is less certain, but still potentially significant given the growing demand for high-end AI accelerators in China. This revenue may benefit federal coffers, but the lack of clarity over how it will be used has raised transparency concerns among lawmakers and policy experts. Industry analysts have calculated that the 15% levy could result in billions of dollars flowing to the U.S. The ability to reenter the Chinese market and offset the lower profitability of Chinese sales will determine the financial impact on Nvidia and AMD. Stock market reactions have been mixed up to this point, with some shareholders welcoming any return to sales while others worry that the terms of the agreement could serve as a model for future government demands in other markets or industries. Observers speculate that the agreement may be part of a larger negotiation package, possibly involving concessions on rare earth minerals or other strategically important resources. While no formal link has been established, the timing suggests it may be a factor. The agreement comes amid broader U.S. China trade discussions. The decision raises fundamental questions about whether the best way to manage competition with China is through outright restrictions or through controlled engagement that simultaneously serves economic and strategic goals. How this policy plays out will shape not only the balance between these two global powers but also the rules of the game for technology trade in the years ahead. It reflects the increasingly complex intersection of commerce, technology, and geopolitics in the age of artificial intelligence. It underscores how strategic technologies are now both tools of national power and valuable commodities.
By GLOBAL NEWS5 months ago in The Swamp
Box Office Battle: Weapons Roars to the Top, Freakier Friday Follows in Strong Second
Start ## Box Office Competition: "Weapons" Takes First, "Freakier Friday" Comes in Second Strongly The horror-thriller "Weapons" has taken a commanding lead in a thrilling summer box office battle, opening with an impressive $18.2 million on Friday. In contrast, Disney's "Freakier Friday" had a strong debut, debuting in second place with $12.7 million. ### All of the cylinders are hit by "weapons." *Weapons*, directed by Zach Cregger, smashed into more than 3,200 theaters and made $5.7 million just from previews on Thursday. After just a few recent standouts, it ranks among the highest-grossing opening days for original horror films in the post-pandemic era with its combined Friday total. In a market that is frequently dominated by sequels and superhero blockbusters, industry analysts are now projecting a domestic opening weekend in the range of $42–47 million, a remarkable achievement for an original title. The film is already well on its way to profitability with a production budget of approximately 38 million dollars. The response from critics and the public has been particularly strong. CinemaScore users gave the movie an A–, a remarkable achievement for a horror movie. More than 60% of viewers would "definitely recommend" it to others, according to post-screening polls. Critics have praised the story because of its combination of tense atmosphere, shocking twists, and deeper emotional themes. They see it as more than just another entry in the genre. Cregger, best known for the surprise hit "Barbarian," has once more demonstrated his ability to combine originality and suspense. Not only does "Weapons" provide a few moments of pure terror, but it also tells a multilayered story about grief, loss, and how people deal with their deepest fears. ### "Freakier Friday" Strikes a Sadistic Note Even though "Weapons" took the top spot, "Freaker Friday" also made a big splash. Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis are back in the beloved comedy sequel, which brought the story to a new generation and pleased longtime fans. The movie opened on Wednesday in a few markets and made 3.1 million dollars in previews before it did well on Friday. It now has weekend projections of $30–32 million, which is a great return for a family comedy with a reported $40 million production budget. The film received a positive response from audiences, earning an "A" CinemaScore and high audience ratings across major review platforms. The film has received praise from viewers for retaining the original's charm while introducing new comedic setups and heartfelt scenes. The body-swapping antics that drive the plot are bolstered by the emotional weight of Lohan and Curtis's chemistry, which is still as engaging as ever. Reminiscence-based marketing also contributes to the film's popularity. In its marketing campaign, Disney used callbacks, Easter eggs, and cast photos side-by-side to evoke fond memories of the 2003 film. Many theaters reported sell-out performances on Friday night, indicating that the strategy worked. ### Two Different Routes to Achievement There is no greater contrast between the two films. *Weapons* is aimed squarely at thrill-seekers and fans of horror, and it thrives on atmosphere, dread, and shocking narrative turns. On the other hand, "Freaker Friday" attracts audiences of all ages with its warmth, humor, and family-friendly appeal. Both are thriving at the box office despite their differences. *Weapons* should continue to gain momentum in the coming weeks due to strong word-of-mouth from horror enthusiasts and genre critics. Family audiences and repeat viewers are likely to support "Freakier Friday" throughout its run. *Weapons* has already begun to amass a respectable international following, with its initial day of sales bringing in more than $11 million from international markets. In just 24 hours, it has reached nearly $30 million globally in addition to its domestic haul. In the coming weeks, "Freakier Friday" will expand internationally, where its appeal to people of all generations could generate additional revenue. ### Summer box office increases The results this weekend show how different moviegoers' tastes will be in 2025. When done with care and creativity, original, high-concept horror can still sell out theaters, and a well-executed sequel with a strong nostalgic pull can attract a sizable audience. *Weapons* is a clear win for Warner Bros.' investment in original, director-driven projects and another summer success story. "Freaker Friday" demonstrates for Disney the value of providing audiences with a satisfying continuation of a story they already love and the enduring power of beloved properties. *Weapons* is expected to win the weekend with just over $43 million, while *Freakier Friday* is likely to come in second place with $31 million. Both films win in the end, demonstrating that in today's competitive box office environment, there is room for heartwarming laughs as well as terrifying scares. writing...
By GLOBAL NEWS5 months ago in The Swamp
Gold futures trade off highs as White House to issue clarification on bullion tariffs
After the White House indicated that it would issue a formal clarification regarding the tariffs that are affecting imported bullion, gold futures saw a decline from their record intraday highs on Friday. The move followed a volatile morning in which U.S. gold futures briefly surged past three thousand five hundred thirty dollars per ounce, driven by confusion over whether certain gold bars would be subject to new import duties.
By GLOBAL NEWS5 months ago in The Swamp
Intel’s CEO, Under Attack From Trump, Is Already at Odds With His Board
**The Trump-attacked CEO of Intel Already Disagrees With His Board** Trump's attacks on Intel's CEO have already put him at odds with his board. Intel’s CEO, under attack from Trump, is already at odds with his board. Trump's attacks on Intel's CEO have already put him at odds with his board. Intel’s CEO, under attack from Trump, is already at odds with his board. Intel’s CEO, under attack from Trump, is already at odds with his board. Intel’s CEO, under attack from Trump, is already at odds with his board. Intel’s CEO, under attack from Trump, is already at odds with his board. Intel’s CEO, under attack from Trump, is already at odds with his board. Intel’s CEO, under attack from Trump, is already at odds with his board. Intel’s CEO, under attack from Trump, is already at odds with his board.
By GLOBAL NEWS5 months ago in The Swamp
These Are The Sectors That Will Be Most Hit By Trump's 50% Tariffs
The doubling of US tariffs on Indian goods, now reaching an effective 50% following an executive order by President Donald Trump, marks a structural inflexion point in India-US trade relations. The tariff, justified by the United States on the grounds of India's continued crude oil imports from Russia, has been condemned by India's Ministry of External Affairs as "unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable".
By Kristen Orkoshneli5 months ago in The Swamp
Wednesday Season 2’s Surprising Rotten Tomatoes Score
Wednesday Season 2 has arrived on Netflix and the reaction from critics has been unexpectedly positive with a Rotten Tomatoes score that surprised both fans and industry insiders alike Early reviews have given the season a fresh rating in the low 80s surpassing Season 1’s score of 73 percent and signaling that the show is finding stronger footing with critics The season began with Part 1 of its new story arc released on August 6 2025 consisting of the first four episodes of the season With just over 50 reviews counted the critical consensus places Wednesday Season 2 between 79 and 84 percent depending on the source Some publications report an 81 percent score while others cite 82 or even 84 giving the season a Certified Fresh label on Rotten Tomatoes This improvement may not seem dramatic at first glance but in the world of streaming television where sequels often struggle to retain freshness and originality a jump of 8 to 11 percent is considered a notable achievement For fans of the series the news confirms what they have long believed Wednesday is not just a viral sensation but a show capable of critical growth and narrative depth Jenna Ortega once again anchors the show with a performance that critics are calling darker sharper and more emotionally nuanced than her breakout in Season 1 Her portrayal of Wednesday Addams continues to be the soul of the series with many reviews praising her command of dry wit combined with increasingly complex emotional stakes The second season leans more heavily into horror elements and expands its world with more Addams family involvement which reviewers have described as bold creative and sometimes even gothic in scope Despite the acclaim not all reviews are glowing Some critics argue that the pacing remains uneven and that the show occasionally buckles under the weight of its multiple plotlines One review called the story formulaic another said the tone sometimes shifts too quickly from quirky to grim But these critiques are currently outweighed by the praise as evidenced by the overall Rotten Tomatoes score which suggests broad approval across a diverse group of outlets Compared to Season 1 which debuted in late 2022 with 105 critic reviews and a 73 percent score the early momentum for Season 2 suggests it could ultimately finish with a higher overall average especially once Part 2 of the season drops in September The structure of Season 2 split into two parts has also helped build anticipation Netflix confirmed that Part 2 will premiere on September 3 2025 offering viewers the rest of the season and likely prompting another wave of reviews and possibly an updated Rotten Tomatoes rating Interestingly Netflix renewed the show for a third season in July 2025 before Season 2 was even released indicating strong internal confidence in the series The early Rotten Tomatoes performance only reinforces that bet with many outlets already referring to Season 2 as a creative success and a sign of growth not decline The Rotten Tomatoes score has become an increasingly influential benchmark for streaming success and while viewership numbers remain important critical reception can significantly impact the longevity of a series In this case Wednesday has managed to both retain its massive fan base and improve its standing among critics an increasingly rare feat for serialized streaming content where second seasons often falter Wednesday’s Season 2 has proven it can evolve beyond its debut season’s novelty embracing more ambitious storytelling and deeper character development while still delivering the macabre humor and stylistic flair that fans love Jenna Ortega’s performance remains a centerpiece but stronger ensemble work more dynamic writing and more daring creative risks appear to be paying off With only half the season released the critical conversation is likely just beginning but based on the current Rotten Tomatoes score Wednesday Season 2 is off to a better than expected start and could cement the show as one of Netflix’s most valuable original properties in the long term Whether the final episodes sustain or elevate the early praise remains to be seen but for now Wednesday’s return is not just successful it’s surprisingly well received by critics too
By GLOBAL NEWS5 months ago in The Swamp
Why America Has Its Eye on Pakistan: Oil, Jets, and a Shifting Alliance
In recent years, subtle yet striking signals from Washington have shown a surprising tilt in American interest toward Pakistan. While India has long been a U.S. strategic ally, recent developments suggest that America is looking at Pakistan not just with fresh eyes—but possibly with renewed ambition.
By Leah Brooke5 months ago in The Swamp
