technology
Talking tech; debates about regulating technology, privacy laws, piracy, and the pitfalls of AI.
SpaceX launches Crew-11 astronauts to the ISS for NASA on milestone Crew Dragon flight (video)
SpaceX launches NASA's Crew-11 astronauts to the International Space Station on a historic Crew Dragon flight. SpaceX successfully launched NASA's Crew-11 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), a significant accomplishment for commercial spaceflight and international cooperation. This mission is yet another milestone in the Commercial Crew Program, a partnership between NASA and SpaceX that has revolutionized American space access since its inception. On a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the Crew-11 mission took off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Crew Dragon spacecraft, which was given the name "Endurance" and had already completed multiple missions to the ISS, was perched atop the rocket. The reliability of SpaceX's reusable spacecraft and booster systems, which continue to set new standards for cost-effective space travel, was reaffirmed by the successful launch. There are four astronauts aboard this mission, three from NASA and one from an international partner agency. Commander Michael Barratt, a NASA astronaut with two previous space missions under his belt, is in charge of the mission. Pilot Jeanette Epps, who is making her first spaceflight following years of training and delays, and Mission Specialist Matthew Dominick, a member of NASA's 2017 astronaut class, will be traveling with him. Completing the international team is Koichi Wakata of Japan’s space agency, JAXA, a veteran astronaut with several ISS missions to his name.
By GLOBAL NEWS6 months ago in The Swamp
The Media is the Message—And Monsanto Paid for It
In 2025, the truth is no longer just inconvenient—it’s unaffordable. While the mainstream press obsesses over Taylor Swift sightings and celebrity divorces, global agrochemical giants like Monsanto (now Bayer) continue a far more dangerous charade: manipulating the media, co-opting science, and rewriting reality to defend products that have quietly sickened the planet for decades. This is not a conspiracy theory. It’s a well-documented, well-funded strategy of control—backed by court records, whistleblowers, and a trail of digital fingerprints.
By Michael Phillips6 months ago in The Swamp
Construction on Trump’s $200 million White House ballroom to begin in September
President Donald Trump has unveiled an ambitious two hundred million dollar plan to build a lavish White House State Ballroom, with construction set to begin in September twenty twenty-five and finish before the end of his term in early twenty twenty-nine.
By GLOBAL NEWS6 months ago in The Swamp
Tsunami Evacuations Ordered in South America, but Worst Risk Passes for U.S. After Huge Quake
Early on Wednesday, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 8.8 struck off the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, triggering widespread tsunami warnings and mass evacuations across the Pacific Rim. Officials later determined that the greatest tsunami threat to the United States had passed, despite the frantic efforts of countries in South America to evacuate individuals. At a depth of 19 kilometers, the quake, one of the strongest in recent memory, occurred approximately 75 miles offshore from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The quake's shallowness made it particularly capable of moving large volumes of water. From Japan to Chile to Hawaii, tsunami warnings were quickly issued across the Pacific Basin. Response times to emergencies were quick in South America. Chile began evacuating vulnerable coastal areas after raising its tsunami alert level to the highest level. Authorities emphasized the danger of after-waves, reminding citizens that the first wave is rarely the most dangerous. Chilean officials coordinated with local governments to evacuate thousands from low-lying areas.
By GLOBAL NEWS6 months ago in The Swamp
Harford County Stands Up to Silicon Valley
In a move that should draw applause from parents across the political spectrum, Harford County Public Schools in Maryland is taking a courageous stand as one of six school districts selected for a bellwether trial in the Social Media Addiction Multidistrict Litigation (MDL No. 3047). At stake: the unchecked power of Big Tech and the steep price our children and schools are paying for Silicon Valley’s profit-driven addiction machines.
By Michael Phillips6 months ago in The Swamp
US-Japan trade deal gives Trump control over $550 billion in investments. It could be ‘vapor ware’ — and a model for other countries
**The US-Japan trade agreement grants Trump control over investments worth $550 billion. It Might Be "Vapor Ware" and Serve as an Example for Other Countries** Former President Donald Trump claimed in a high-profile announcement that a new US-Japan trade deal gave the United States leverage over 550 billion dollars in Japanese investment. The deal has been met with both enthusiasm and skepticism, with Trump hailing it as a landmark achievement for American manufacturing and job creation. Some have dubbed it potential "vapor ware" due to critics' claims that the numbers may be exaggerated, the agreements are non-binding, and the economic impact is speculative. Nonetheless, the way the deal is structured and presented may be used as a model for US trade negotiations in the future, especially if the administration is focused on optics and unilateral gain. At the heart of the agreement is a framework wherein Japan pledged to direct investment toward American industries — especially manufacturing, infrastructure, and emerging technologies. During his presidency, Trump put bilateral trade agreements ahead of multilateral ones and hailed the agreement as an example of nationalist economics. It is in line with his "America First" platform, which places an emphasis on bringing manufacturing jobs back to the United States and reducing reliance on supply chains from other countries. However, experts caution that the headline figure of \$550 billion is misleading. Before the agreement was signed, a significant portion of the pledged investment was already in the works. Financial analysts point out that Japanese companies like Toyota, SoftBank, and Mitsubishi have been present in the United States for a considerable amount of time. Trump can take credit for the trade deal because it simply brings together anticipated and existing investments under a new political banner. Furthermore, the agreement lacks specific enforcement mechanisms. It does not include tariff adjustments, guarantees of market access, or procedures for resolving disputes like traditional trade pacts do. Instead, it resembles a memorandum of understanding, which is advantageous from a political standpoint but has no legal force. Because of this, some economists have referred to it as "vapor ware," which refers to a policy that makes headlines but does not result in significant change. The deal's strategy reflects a larger trend in the way trade agreements are being used as political capital, despite the ambiguity. By framing the deal as a huge economic win — regardless of its actual substance — Trump leveraged it for domestic approval and international prestige. His administration argued that the mere announcement of the deal created a “confidence effect,” encouraging private-sector investment and lifting stock markets.
By GLOBAL NEWS6 months ago in The Swamp
The Echo Chamber Effect: How Algorithms Are Rewriting Human Thought
In an age where swiping has become second nature and personalized feeds dictate much of our worldview, one question continues to haunt researchers, ethicists, and digital citizens alike: Are we really thinking for ourselves — or are algorithms doing it for us?
By Tousif Arafat6 months ago in The Swamp
Afghanistan is on Fire! The World Left Astonished Yesterday
In a historic milestone for economic growth and national self-reliance, Afghanistan has taken a bold leap into the world of industrial production. Just two days ago, a grand inauguration ceremony marked the launch of one of the country’s largest vehicle and agricultural machinery production complexes. This massive factory, located in the Pul-e-Charkhi Industrial Zone near Kabul, has begun assembling dump trucks, passenger buses, Corolla-type vehicles, and a range of agricultural machines including fruit processing and packaging units.
By Keramatullah Wardak6 months ago in The Swamp
