Ryan Atwood, a farmer in Mount Dora, Florida, is struggling to run his farm that produces blueberries and strawberries. He needs over 100 workers, but finding local help has been challenging. To address this, he's turned to the H-2A visa program to hire workers from other countries, which is very costly—around $250,000 each year for travel, food, housing, and other expenses. The shortage of workers is causing some farms to miss big orders, leading to cancellations from companies. It's becoming increasingly difficult due to recent deportations, prompting many families to move away and leaving even fewer workers available.
A new study suggests that Earth may be located within a massive, matter-deficient area in space known as the KBC supervoid, which spans 2 billion light-years. This underdensity could help explain the Hubble Tension, the discrepancy between the universe's expansion rates. Distant observations indicate a slower expansion rate of 67 km/s/Mpc, while closer measurements show a faster rate of 73 km/s/Mpc. Researchers think the supervoid's gravitational effects might distort our view, making nearby galaxies seem to move faster than they actually do. Moreover, this finding challenges the standard model of cosmology, which assumes a uniform distribution of matter and relies on dark matter. Instead, it aligns more closely with Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND), an alternative theory that adjusts gravity laws. If confirmed, this could represent a significant shift in cosmology since Einstein, suggesting that our location in the universe might influence how we perceive its expansion. Upcoming missions like Euclid and Roman are set to test this intriguing idea. **Research Paper:** Sergij Mazurenko et al., “A simultaneous solution to the Hubble tension and observed bulk flow within 250 h⁻¹ Mpc,” MNRAS (2023)
A U.S. team providing aid after the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar was unexpectedly fired while still in the disaster zone, where they were sleeping outside and assisting those affected. The earthquake has claimed over 3,300 lives, with many more injured or missing. According to a report from the Associated Press, the three USAID workers were informed of their job loss during a call with their bosses while they were actively working to help others. This decision aligns with recent cuts to foreign aid from the U.S. government, sparking outrage among many who believe it's inappropriate to reduce assistance during such a critical time when lives are at stake.
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Rmbl is a thoughtful social platform where I can share my posts for a fee, which helps eliminate mindless spam. The 'Rmbl brain' quickly refines my thoughts, ensuring my ideas stand out instead of getting lost. There’s no clutter or ragebait—just real conversations that I can control.
Democratic Congressman Jake Auchincloss criticized Donald Trump's tariffs, claiming they serve a "corrupt" purpose. He suggested that Trump's transactional nature allows for potential bribery, as businesses and foreign nations might seek exemptions in exchange for payments. Auchincloss emphasized that this undermines economic stability and confidence among U.S. manufacturers, who are hesitant to invest due to the unpredictable tariff rates. He called for a full-scale investigation into these tariffs, arguing they will harm the U.S. economy and consolidate power in the White House. Auchincloss believes Congress needs to act quickly to repeal these tariffs and remind Trump of his presidential responsibilities.
A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration must return Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father who was mistakenly deported to a prison in El Salvador. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis stated that his deportation was an "illegal act" and "without legal basis." She emphasized the importance of the case to Garcia and his family, ordering his return by April 7. The Trump administration admitted in court that Garcia's removal was due to an "administrative error," despite him being granted protected status after fleeing violence in El Salvador. They accused him of having ties to MS-13, but his attorneys have denied these claims, arguing there is no evidence supporting the allegations. Judge Xinis criticized the lack of a formal legal process for such serious accusations, highlighting the need for due process. It's crucial to ensure that the administration complies with the judge's ruling, as an innocent man's life is at stake.
Tesla investors are preparing for another year of declining sales as backlash against CEO Elon Musk intensifies. Following the company's first-ever sales decline in 2024, Musk promised a return to growth, but recent factors suggest the opposite may happen. Protests against Musk's political involvement, particularly regarding his ties to Donald Trump's administration and far-right politics in Europe, have negatively impacted Tesla's brand image. This backlash contributed to a 13% drop in quarterly deliveries, marking the weakest performance in nearly three years. Analysts are now forecasting a 9% decrease in Tesla deliveries for 2025, despite hopes that a refreshed Model Y and a potential new, cheaper car could boost sales. While there are whispers of new models, specifics remain unclear. The first-quarter delivery numbers have already set a challenging tone for the upcoming year, and some analysts warn that if the anticipated cheaper vehicle ends up being a stripped-down version of an existing model, it could further hurt Tesla's sales and profits. The stock has reacted negatively to these developments, closing down 5.5% recently and dropping significantly from its peak in mid-December. Vandalism at Tesla locations and calls for boycotts by protesters also highlight the mounting pressures on the brand. As one protester noted about Musk's leadership: "He could have found efficiency. Instead, he just fired people." This turbulent environment raises questions about Tesla's future growth potential under Musk's leadership.
It seems like Fox News is adjusting the footage of Trump to make him look less like an Oompa Loompa, and I can't help but hope they get caught doing it. It's pretty funny to think about! 🤣 Lmfaoooo
This Saturday, April 5, the "Hands Off!" protests are set to take place in all 50 states, marking one of the largest progressive demonstrations in recent years. Organized by groups like Indivisible and MoveOn, these rallies aim to push back against President Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk's sweeping policy changes. Protesters are voicing their concerns over cuts to Social Security and Medicaid, anti-immigrant measures, attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, and what they see as a dangerous consolidation of power. With over 250,000 RSVPs for more than 1,100 events nationwide, major cities like Washington D.C., New York, and San Francisco are expected to host significant marches. The protests also call attention to Musk's controversial role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which critics argue has undermined public services for the benefit of billionaires. Advocacy groups like Planned Parenthood and various labor unions have joined forces to demand an end to policies they believe erode democracy and harm working families. The grassroots energy and scale of "Hands Off!" reflect a united resistance against policies that prioritize corporate interests over ordinary citizens, with hopes of influencing Congress ahead of important votes on voting rights and economic reforms.
Recent polls indicate that only 15% of Americans are in favor of increasing military aid to Netanyahu, yet Congress has approved Trump's plan to send an additional $8.8 billion. It feels frustrating that both Republicans and Democrats seem to prioritize AIPAC over their constitutional duty to represent the American people.
I’m not typically scared of much, but glory holes—specifically the type used in dams and reservoirs—really freak me out. They’re these massive spillways designed to safely drain excess water during storms. The thought of falling into one while in a boat is enough to give anyone chills, but it gets worse when I consider other scenarios. If I were swimming, there’s a real chance of being swept over the edge and slammed against hard concrete. The design can vary, with some edges being rounded and others sharp. Holding on for dear life while torrents of water crash over me sounds terrifying, especially knowing it could take days for the water level to drop. Then there's the fear of the dark abyss itself—potentially not seeing it until it’s too late—and the possibility of drowning. Even if I somehow survive that initial plunge, I could get trapped underwater by the flow or end up fighting my way to the surface amid rocks and debris. It’s a lot to think about, and just remembering these structures sends me into a spiral of dread. And no banana was found; it got lost in the glory hole.
Elon Musk claimed that no organization has been more transparent than DOGE, yet there's a lack of public information regarding the roles and backgrounds of its staff. According to Reuters, a top employee of Musk, who once boasted about hacking and sharing pirated software, now works at the Department of Justice.
Trump's new tariffs announced today could be a huge mistake. He’s imposed a blanket 10% tariff on all imports and added significantly higher tariffs for specific countries, like 34% on China and 20% on the European Union. This means we should expect to pay more for items like smartphones from China, European cars, and even basic necessities like clothes and food. While he calls it “Liberation Day,” it feels more like liberating money from our pockets. He was elected on promises of lowering grocery prices and tackling inflation, but these tariffs seem likely to do the opposite. Higher costs for imported goods could lead to rising inflation, leaving people with less to spend. Industries that depend on foreign materials, such as steel and aluminum, may face severe cost increases, risking layoffs or closures. Plus, his additional tariff on Venezuelan oil could mean higher gas prices. Trump claims this is a win for American manufacturing, but many people aren't buying it—especially considering his history with bankruptcies. This move risks raising prices and alienating allies, potentially throwing the economy back into turmoil after Biden's efforts to recover from previous challenges. It’s frustrating that many will feel the consequences while some supporters seem oblivious to the reality of the situation.
Elon Musk wore a cheesehead hat in Wisconsin and spent $20 million on various efforts, including paying people to sign petitions and canvas. He also organized million-dollar giveaways, held a rally, and participated in TV interviews. Despite these efforts, it seems that many people in Wisconsin didn't appreciate the influence of an oligarch trying to buy their civil liberties.
Undocumented immigrants contributed $100 billion in taxes in 2022, which is roughly the same amount it would cost to deport them all. This makes me wonder if it wouldn't be more sensible to just grant them citizenship instead. 🤷♂️
In a recent article, Steven Levy explores the ambitious goals of Anthropic, co-founded by siblings Daniela and Dario Amodei, who previously worked at OpenAI. Dario is particularly animated about creating a benevolent AI named Claude, which he believes could lead to a future where AI surpasses human intelligence in every cognitive task. Despite the emergence of a competing model from a Chinese company, DeepSeek, Dario remains confident that the value of powerful AI will only increase, pushing companies to invest more in safe and effective models. The Amodeis' journey into AI began in a childhood steeped in numbers and creativity, leading Dario to focus on how to create AI responsibly after witnessing the risks associated with advanced models. Their departure from OpenAI stemmed from concerns over safety practices, prompting them to establish Anthropic as a public benefit corporation that prioritizes ethical considerations alongside profit. They aim to set a new standard for AI safety and encourage other companies to follow suit. Anthropic has developed a unique approach to AI alignment, incorporating principles from various ethical documents and creating protocols to ensure responsible scaling of their models. While Claude has been embraced as a helpful colleague within the company, concerns about its potential for manipulation persist. As the team navigates the complexities of developing powerful AI safely, they remain aware of the urgency surrounding these advancements and the need for responsible governance in the face of rapid technological progress.
Mark Gurman recently shared some insights about the upcoming iOS 19 design during a live Q&A session. He highlighted that the major themes of this redesign will focus on consistency, a "glass effect," and improved usability across Apple devices. Gurman emphasized that the goal is to unify the user interfaces of the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, addressing existing differences in controls and menu designs. When asked if every Apple app would receive the new design, he indicated that while he couldn't confirm specifics for all apps, core applications are likely to be updated with elements that align more closely with visionOS. He believes this redesign could be the most significant since iOS 7, introducing fresh visual elements that may even respond to user movements, which could enhance the overall experience.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End has become a huge hit internationally, but Kazunori Oshima, the Editor-in-Chief of Weekly Shonen Sunday, initially had doubts about the series. He admitted in an interview that he didn't expect it to succeed, saying, "I wish the elf girl were a bit more charming," which he later recognized as a "really off-base comment" given Frieren’s current popularity. Despite his initial skepticism, the series has thrived since its 2020 debut, selling over 20 million copies and winning prestigious awards. The recent anime adaptation by Madhouse, which started airing in September 2023, has also received critical acclaim. Oshima now acknowledges the incredible work of creators Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe, reflecting on his early misjudgment with some regret. He emphasizes their dedication and humility, noting that even after the anime's success, the team remains focused on discovering new stories and writers.
It turns out that you can actually use gasoline with Tesla vehicles!