Category: News

China announced that several provinces will cut electricity costs by up to half for data centers that use home-grown AI chips. Local governments in regions like Gansu, Guizhou, and Inner Mongolia launched special incentives for tech firms that drop foreign-made hardware and switch to domestic silicon from companies such as Huawei and Cambricon. The change comes after many firms complained that Chinese chips use far more power than imported ones. Companies that continue using foreign chips will not qualify for the discount. China is accelerating efforts to reduce its dependence on foreign technology and strengthen its local semiconductor industry. With cheaper power, its tech companies gain an edge in cost and scale, while global chipmakers face growing competition from within China.

A new study suggests that adults who used the sleep aid melatonin for a year or longer faced a much higher risk of heart problems. Researchers compared more than 130,000 adults diagnosed with insomnia and found that long-term melatonin users had about a 90 percent greater chance of being diagnosed with heart failure over five years compared to those who did not use it. The study also found that melatonin users were over three times more likely to be hospitalized for heart failure and nearly twice as likely to die from any cause during the same period. Experts stressed that the results do not prove melatonin causes heart failure. The research was observational and may have missed details such as exact dosage or consistent use. Melatonin is widely used and often seen as safe for short-term sleep support, but these findings suggest that long-term, routine use may carry hidden risks that deserve closer attention.

Vladimir Putin ordered his top officials to prepare plans for restarting nuclear weapons tests. The move followed recent remarks from U.S. leaders suggesting that America might resume its own testing program. Russian officials mentioned the Arctic’s Novaya Zemlya test site as a possible location for future detonations. They also said Moscow would only proceed if Washington first ended its testing pause. If either side restarts live detonations, others could follow—raising the risk of a new arms race and eroding global stability.

U.S. stock futures fell sharply early Tuesday after top Wall Street bank chiefs warned of a possible market pull-back.The CEOs of major firms said stocks may see a 10-15% drop within the next 12-24 months.Futures tied to the S&P 500 dropped about 1%, and Nasdaq futures slid roughly 1.3%.Technology companies that drove recent gains also weakened ahead of key earnings reports.The warning comes amid concerns that tech valuations are stretched and investor sentiment is shifting.

Federal officials today alerted U.S. utility companies to the rise in cyberattacks targeting smaller firms, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. They stressed that hackers are already probing networks and gaining footholds via overlooked software gaps. The warning outlined how these attacks could disrupt services and drain resources. Utility operators were urged to upgrade their defense systems, share threat data with federal agencies, and review vendor contracts for weak links.

Early this morning, several drones flew near the Kleine Brogel Air Base in northeast Belgium, a site known to store U.S. nuclear weapons. The drones appeared in two phases over Saturday and Sunday night, first small ones testing radio signals, then larger ones apparently to disrupt the area, according to Belgium’s defense minister. Authorities are treating the incident as a possible espionage operation. The minister noted the drones used their own radio frequencies, which implied professional planning and control. Security measures were activated, but no shoot-down occurred because the drones were not directly over restricted zones. The air base is part of NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangement and thus holds strategic significance. The incident caused increased concern among allied countries about airspace security and drone defense capabilities. Belgium’s minister lamented that stronger drone counter-measures should have been purchased years ago.

The Federal Reserve, often called “the Fed,” is the central bank of the United States. It was created in 1913 to make the nation’s financial system safer, more stable, and better able to respond to economic crises. At its core, the Fed’s job is to manage the supply of money and credit in the economy. It does this mainly by setting interest rates, buying or selling government securities, and regulating banks. When the economy slows and unemployment rises, the Fed often lowers interest rates to encourage borrowing and spending. When inflation climbs too high, it raises rates to cool things down. The Federal Reserve is made up of three main parts: the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C.; twelve regional Federal Reserve Banks across the country; and the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), which sets national monetary policy. The Board of Governors oversees the system and reports directly to Congress, though the Fed operates independently of political control to avoid short-term influence on long-term decisions. Besides controlling interest rates, the Fed supervises banks to make sure they are financially sound and protects consumers in their dealings with lenders. It also provides financial services—like clearing checks and transferring money—to banks and the federal government. Ultimately, the Federal Reserve’s goal is to promote stable prices, maximum employment, and a healthy financial system. It doesn’t control the economy directly, but its decisions strongly shape the environment in which businesses, consumers, and investors operate.

Today in New Jersey, candidates Jack Ciattarelli and Mikie Sherrill stepped up efforts across the state in the last hours before the election. They held back-to-back public rallies to appeal to undecided voters and boost early turnout. Officials report nearly 1.2 million ballots have been cast early, setting a record pace for this type of election in the state. Polling stations remained busy today, especially in suburban and urban districts. Ciattarelli emphasized tax relief and stronger law enforcement in his speeches. Sherrill stressed investment in schools and public transit. Each urged supporters to “make their voice heard” before polls close tomorrow. Campaign analysts say the narrow gap between the candidates underscores how much hinges on turnout. The state’s economy, infrastructure and education policies are all in play.

Many residents of the kibbutz Nahal Oz, near Israel’s border with Gaza, remain reluctant to go back despite the government ending housing subsidies.The community was attacked on October 7, 2023, leaving lasting trauma.About half of its roughly 400 residents have returned so far.The government has stopped paying for evacuees’ temporary housing outside the area, signaling a push to rebuild the community.Many returning residents say they’re torn—wanting closure but still feeling unsafe living just meters from the border.Their hesitation comes as subsidies end, infrastructure remains damaged, and memories of the attack weigh heavily.

The U.S. federal government has now been shut down for 34 days. The stalemate is led by Donald Trump’s administration and Congress, unable to agree on a funding bill. During the shutdown, benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — serving about 42 million Americans — have been delayed. Two federal judges recently ordered the administration to tap contingency funds to keep the aid flowing. Meanwhile, President Trump is pressing Republicans to scrap the Senate filibuster rule so funding can pass without Democratic votes. Congress has scheduled no major vote this week to end the freeze. The shutdown is now on track to become the longest in U.S. history if it continues beyond this week.