Author: potus

Microsoft’s Majorana 1 quantum computing chipMicrosoftIt doesn’t quite have the buzz of artificial intelligence, but quantum computing is having a moment of its own.Some of the most powerful institutions in the world, including Google, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM and the U.S. government, are spending many millions of dollars in a race to develop and build the first practical quantum computer.Startups focused on quantum technology attracted about $2 billion last year, according to a McKinsey & Co. report, as investors pile into an industry that could have nearly $100 billion in revenue within a decade.There isn’t much business today, though. In total,…

In this photo illustration, the DeepSeek logo is seen displayed on a smartphone screen and in the background, the flag of the European Union. Thomas Fuller | Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty ImagesOne of Germany’s data protection watchdogs on Friday said DeepSeek’s app illegally sends user data to China and asked Google and Apple to consider blocking the artificial intelligence service.Berlin’s data protection commissioner Meike Kamp said in a statement that DeepSeek’s transfer of German user data to China is “unlawful.” There is not a readily available way to get in touch with DeepSeek. CNBC has reached out to…

Masayoshi Son, chairman and chief executive officer of SoftBank Group Corp., speaks during the company’s annual general meeting in Tokyo, Japan, on Friday, June 27, 2025. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesSoftBank is “all in” on OpenAI, CEO Masayoshi Son said on Friday, as the Japanese tech giant looks to realize its vision of “artificial superintelligence.”This year, the Japanese multinational conglomerate has been increasing its investments in OpenAI and participating in joint ventures such as the $500 billion Stargate project. According to Son, SoftBank is now “all in” on the artificial intelligence company, with total planned investments in the company reaching…

On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that U.S. and Israeli military operations had effectively closed the Iran nuclear file: “The only thing we’d be asking for [in future talks with Iran] is what we were asking for before, about ‘we want no nuclear’—but we destroyed the nuclear.” Yet even if the president’s claims that Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities have been “completely and totally obliterated” prove to be correct (and this is far from guaranteed), the recent conflict has ushered in a period of significant nuclear uncertainty, which threatens to fester if not swiftly addressed. Iran’s nuclear program has clearly…

(The Center Square) – The Spokane Regional Health District Board voted Thursday to roll back a list of progressive equity commitments adopted in response to George Floyd’s death in 2020.The SRHD Board of Health amended its resolution that declared racism a public health crisis in 2020 to strip much of that language for a more neutral approach. The new version cuts phrases like “systematic racism” and “privilege” in favor of “equal access” and hiring “based on merit.”The change aligns with the Trump administration’s directives that states gut diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, policies or face losing federal funding. Critics argue…

The SpaceX Starbase industrial complex and rocket launch facility in Boca Chica, Texas, US, on Thursday, April 17, 2025. Mark Felix | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesA SpaceX crane collapse at the company’s Starbase, Texas facility on Tuesday has prompted an investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the federal agency told CNBC in an email.The crane collapse was captured in a livestream by Lab Padre on YouTube, a SpaceX-focused channel. Clips from Lab Padre were widely shared on social media, including on X, which is owned by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.It wasn’t immediately clear whether any SpaceX workers were…

For decades, Israel has wanted the support of the US in bombing the Iranian nuclear program. And for decades, every single US President has said no. I have always said that all options are on the table, but the first option for the United States is to solve this problem diplomatically. Military action would be far less effective than this deal in preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon to support an attack on Iran’s nuclear sites by Israel. The answer is no. And then last week, one President Donald Trump said Yes. Breaking news. And after days of uncertainty,…

(The Center Square) — A federal district court issued a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration’s attempt to block further disbursement of $5 billion set aside by Congress in 2021 for taxpayer-funded electric vehicle charging stations.The majority of the plaintiffs — 16 states plus the District of Columbia — had still not completed a single charger funded by the program over the past four years. The order excluded National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure charger funding for Minnesota, Vermont and the District of Columbia from the order, finding they had not submitted required documentation.The ruling says that because the funding is allocated according to…

After a brief pullback this week, shares of stablecoin issuer and recent IPO darling Circle were in rally mode again, soaring double-digits on a percentage basis during trading on Thursday and ending the day up close to 8%, after having moved up by more than 600% percent since its debut on the New York Stock Exchange earlier this month.  Bitcoin and ether have led a recent crypto rise, as digital assets joined the resumption of the risk-on rally, with additional factors such as the potential for lower interest rates later this year, some more moderate talk from the White House on…

(The Center Square) – Illinois drivers face another gas tax hike July 1, despite already paying the nation’s second-highest rates.Starting July 1, Illinois drivers will see the state gas tax rise to 48.3 cents per gallon—up 1.3 cents from last year—as part of an automatic inflation adjustment that keeps Illinois among the nation’s most heavily taxed states at the pump.Supporters say it’s needed for infrastructure, but critics argue it burdens consumers, drives business out of state, and hasn’t improved roads.Illinois Policy’s Dylan Sharkey says the state collects $6 billion a year for transportation, yet roads show little improvement.“The U.S. Department…