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Showing posts from April, 2025

Major Disruption Has Left Arctic Polar Vortex Away from North Pole, Scientists Alert

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A massive disruption to the Arctic polar vortex has pushed the ring of wind that circles the North Pole away from its perch and toward Europe. Scientists predict that the migration will cause colder-than-average temperatures in portions of the continent and the eastern United States in the next week. On March 9, the polar vortex began to drift off course when its powerful winds suddenly turned from west to east to blow in the opposite direction. Though this change generally occurs in mid-April, this year's reversal occurred remarkably early based on a blog article made April 3 by NOAA . Scientists Observe Displacement of Arctic Polar Vortex According to the officials of NOAA, “the polar vortex is not likely to find its normal location above the North Pole.” It is doubtful it will recover its wintertime strength and will ultimately "enter hibernation" over Northern Europe. As the polar vortex fades, temperatures in Northern Europe, portions of Asia, and the eastern Un...

Court: State vs. A Nobody OTT Release Date: When and Where to Watch it Online?

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Legal drama ‘Court: State Vs. A Nobody,' directed by Hansal Mehta, is finally out and will be premiering on Netflix on April 11, 2025. The film examines a situation where an illiterate individual can become caught in the legal system's web. The movie will be available Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam languages, catering to a diverse audience. The court drama is for sure worth a watch due to its powerful story and performances. When and Where to Watch State vs A Nobody The movie will be available for streaming on Netflix, starting from April 11, 2025. Interested users can watch the movie on the platform in different languages, including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam. Official Trailer and Plot of State vs A Nobody Junior lawyer Surya Teja works for a law firm run by Mohan Rao (Sai Kumar). One day he hopes to be handed and win an individual case so he may do more than what his father was able to do—notarise documents. The 19-year-old Chandrashekar ...

NASA's Perseverance Rover Captures One Dust Devil Devouring Another

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NASA's Perseverance Mars rover's navigation camera captured a Martian dust devil swallowing a smaller one. The smaller dust devil's demise was captured during an imaging experiment carried out by Perseverance's science team to better understand the dynamics at work in the Martian atmosphere. In the 1970s, NASA's Viking orbiters became the first spacecraft to picture Martian dust devils. Two decades later, the agency's Pathfinder mission was the first to image one from the surface, seeing a dust devil passing over the lander. As per the latest report by NASA, the twin rovers successfully captured several dusty whirlwinds. Curiosity, which is exploring Mount Sharp in Gale Crater on the opposite side of the Red Planet from Perseverance, also notices them. Capturing a dust devil photograph or video from a spacecraft requires some luck. Scientists cannot anticipate when they will come, so they routinely monitor all directions for them. When scientists see that wh...

PayPal, Venmo Expand Crypto Offering with LINK, SOL Tokens Owing to User Feedback

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US-based payment platforms PayPal and Venmo have expanded their crypto offering with two new tokens -- Chainlink (LINK) and Solana (SOL). PayPal Holdings, Inc., which parents both the platforms, announced the development through an official blog post over the weekend. The company claimed that it analysed the feedback from its user community to list these two tokens for buying, selling, and trading. In the coming weeks, Venmo and PayPal users will be able to engage with LINK and SOL. The PayPal leadership wants to offer better access to digital currencies to its estimated 434 million userbase. This comes at a time when the US is looking to create a conducive legal ecosystem for the crypto sector. Even though the regulatory environment around crypto was unclear in the US in 2020, PayPal had listed crypto tokens on its platform. Presently, Bitcoin, Ether, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and PayPal USD are the other tokens available on the platform. "We've been listening to our users a...

100-Year-Old Tortoise Starts His First-Time Fatherhood at Philadelphia Zoo

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A 100-year-old Galápagos tortoise at the Philadelphia Zoo has successfully sired offspring. This old reptile, making keepers and lovers all around the world excited, mated with a female far younger than him. The recent confirmation of the fertility of the eggs is a rare piece of positive news in a long line of such incidents for the Endangered Species program at the zoo. This week, the zoo declared it "overjoyed" at the arrival of four hatchlings from Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises. Historic Breeding at the Zoo According to a Live Science report , the Philadelphia Zoo has long been active in Galápagos tortoise conservation—giants native to the Ecuadorian archipelago. Arriving in the zoo in the 1940s, it had never exhibited any inclination for mating. But lately, staff members paired him with a 35-year-old female called Estrella based on behavioral changes. Under close inspection, the pair produced several painstakingly placed and cared-for eggs. Subspecies of Galá...

Lyrid Meteor Shower 2025 Peaks April 22 With Fireballs and Clear Skies Expected

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One of the year's earliest meteor showers is almost here. The Lyrids are expected to peak just before sunrise on Tuesday, April 22. Skywatchers in areas with little light pollution could be treated to a clear view. The moon will be a thin crescent that morning. That means darker skies and better chances to spot the fast-moving meteors. The peak window is short. Early risers will stand the best chance of catching the action. Western Regions May Have Better Timing As per the International Meteor Organisation's 2025 schedule , the peak is predicted at around 1:30 PM UTC (7:30 PM IST). This time would favour locations like Hawaii, where it'll still be dark. Meteor showers aren't always exact and predictable. Bursts from previous years have come up early or late. Observers in western states might get lucky if the peak shifts. Best Viewing Hours Before Sunrise The meteors will seem to come from the Lyra constellation. It comes from the direction of the star Vega if we ar...

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7 to Reportedly Come With Android 16-Based One UI 8

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Samsung's rollout of its Android 15-based One UI 7 operating system (OS) is yet to reach completion but the company is said to already have plans for an early release of its next iteration. According to a report, One UI 8 based on Android 16 will be offered out-of-the-box with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Galaxy Z Flip 7 foldables, which are said to be in the works and expected to debut some time later this year. One UI 8 on Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7 Citing insider sources, SamMobile reports that Samsung is planning to launch its next generation foldable smartphones — the purported Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Galaxy Z Flip 7 — with One UI 8 out-of-the-box. This potentially means that the handsets may come running on the Android 16-based firmware at launch. The South Korean technology conglomerate's next generation foldable phones are speculated to debut in July this year, keeping up with the launch timelines of its previous iterations. Notably, Samsun...

Poco M7 5G Review: Familiar Territory

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The Poco M7 5G was launched in India last month as the latest entry-level smartphone from Xiaomi's performance-focused subsidiary. The handset is priced under the Rs. 10,000 mark, and it features an octa-core Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 SoC, 128GB of built-in storage, a 50-megapixel rear camera, and runs on Android 14. It will compete with similarly priced smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy F06 5G, Redmi A4 and Redmi 14C 5G from Xiaomi, Infinix Hot 50 5G, Tecno Spark 30C, and Lava Blaze 3 5G. The base model of the Poco M7 5G is priced at Rs. 9,999, while the 8GB variant costs Rs. 10,999. Poco sells the smartphone in three colourways. But is this the best budget smartphone you can buy today? Read our Poco M7 5G review to find out. Poco M7 5G Design: Hard to Spot the Differences Dimensions - 171.9×77.8×8.2 mm Weight - 205.4g Colours - Mint Green, Ocean Blue (Featured in this review), Satin Black The Poco M7 5G has a 6.88-inch display and a considerably big phone. The lower half of t...

Poco M7 5G Review: Familiar Territory

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The Poco M7 5G was launched in India last month as the latest entry-level smartphone from Xiaomi's performance-focused subsidiary. The handset is priced under the Rs. 10,000 mark, and it features an octa-core Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 SoC, 128GB of built-in storage, a 50-megapixel rear camera, and runs on Android 14. It will compete with similarly priced smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy F06 5G, Redmi A4 and Redmi 14C 5G from Xiaomi, Infinix Hot 50 5G, Tecno Spark 30C, and Lava Blaze 3 5G. The base model of the Poco M7 5G is priced at Rs. 9,999, while the 8GB variant costs Rs. 10,999. Poco sells the smartphone in three colourways. But is this the best budget smartphone you can buy today? Read our Poco M7 5G review to find out. Poco M7 5G Design: Hard to Spot the Differences Dimensions - 171.9×77.8×8.2 mm Weight - 205.4g Colours - Mint Green, Ocean Blue (Featured in this review), Satin Black The Poco M7 5G has a 6.88-inch display and a considerably big phone. The lower half of t...

Bats Avoid Mid-Air Crashes by Adjusting Their Echolocation During Flight

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Bats fly out of caves in large numbers every night. Even though they fly in huge numbers they do not collide. Scientists have observed this for years. The ability of bats to navigate without crashing remains an area of study. Many species rely on echolocation to sense their surroundings. They emit calls and listen to echoes. When many bats use echolocation at the same time, interference should occur. Scientists refer to this issue as jamming. This raises the question of why bats do not collide when leaving caves in large groups. How Bats Navigate Without Collisions According to a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers from Tel Aviv University examined greater mouse-tailed bats in Israel's Hula Valley. The study was conducted over two years. Small tracking devices were placed on multiple bats. These trackers recorded their locations and sounds. Some of these devices contained ultrasonic microphones. The mics were there to capture the aud...

Anti-CBDC Bill Cleared by House Financial Services Committee in US: Details

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The US is considering rejecting the creation of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) through the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act. Unlike cryptocurrencies, a CBDC is a blockchain-based digital version of fiat currency issued and regulated by a central bank.Republican lawmakers, led by Congressman Tom Emmer, are pushing this bill to prevent financial surveillance of US citizens. Emmer, who serves on the House Financial Services Committee, sponsored the legislation, which passed the committee this week with a 27-22 vote. The US stance on CBDCs contrasts sharply with nations like India, Russia, and China, which are already conducting advanced trials of their own digital currencies. H.R. 1919, the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act passed Committee 27-22. pic.twitter.com/CgfoqMn9Eo — Financial Services GOP (@FinancialCmte) April 3, 2025 The bill now awaits a vote by the full House of Representatives, with a date yet to be announced. Key Highlights of the Proposed Act In an April 3...

Anti-CBDC Bill Cleared by House Financial Services Committee in US: Details

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The US is considering rejecting the creation of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) through the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act. Unlike cryptocurrencies, a CBDC is a blockchain-based digital version of fiat currency issued and regulated by a central bank.Republican lawmakers, led by Congressman Tom Emmer, are pushing this bill to prevent financial surveillance of US citizens. Emmer, who serves on the House Financial Services Committee, sponsored the legislation, which passed the committee this week with a 27-22 vote. The US stance on CBDCs contrasts sharply with nations like India, Russia, and China, which are already conducting advanced trials of their own digital currencies. H.R. 1919, the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act passed Committee 27-22. pic.twitter.com/CgfoqMn9Eo — Financial Services GOP (@FinancialCmte) April 3, 2025 The bill now awaits a vote by the full House of Representatives, with a date yet to be announced. Key Highlights of the Proposed Act In an April 3...

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4 With Bug Fixes; AirPods Max Gets Lossless Audio

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Apple  on Monday released new firmware for several of its audio products. AirPods Pro (2nd generation) , AirPods 4 , and AirPods Max users can download the update to access new features and bug fixes. The company says when paired with an iPhone running the latest iOS 18.4 update, AirPods Max with USB Type-C can take advantage of lossless audio and support for low-latency audio playback, which is said to improve the audio performance of the over-ear headphones. Updates for AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 4 and AirPods Max According  to Apple, the update for the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) and AirPods 4 brings the firmware version to 7E93. The true wireless stereo (TWS) headsets were previously running 7B21 and 7B20 firmware, respectively. It mainly comprises bug fixes and does not bundle any notable new features. However, that isn't the case for the AirPods Max with USB Type-C. The prior firmware version 7A291 updates to 7E99 with the update and it enables  two new audio ...

Nintendo Switch 2 With 7.9-Inch LCD Display, Magnetic Joy-Cons Fully Unveiled; Will Launch June 5

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Nintendo fully unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2 in a Direct presentation on Wednesday, finally providing a closer look at its next console. As seen in the first-look trailer in January, the Switch 2 is bigger and better, bringing upgrades to the original Switch in every department. The Nintendo Switch 2 features a 7.9-inch 1080p LCD screen that supports up to 120Hz refresh rate. The console also supports up to 4K resolution in the docked mode. As previously hinted, the Nintendo Switch 2 is confirmed to come with redesigned magnetic Joy-Cons that can also be operated as a mouse. Nintendo Switch 2 Price, Availability The Nintendo Switch 2 is priced at $449.99 (roughly Rs. 38,500) in the US for the sole 256GB storage option. The console will also be available in a bundle with a brand-new Mario Kart title, called Mario Kart World. The Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle will sell for a suggested retail price of $499.99 (roughly Rs. 42,725) in the US. The Nintendo Switch 2 will l...

Nintendo Switch 2 With 7.9-Inch LCD Display, Magnetic Joy-Cons Fully Unveiled; Will Launch June 5

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Nintendo fully unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2 in a Direct presentation on Wednesday, finally providing a closer look at its next console. As seen in the first-look trailer in January, the Switch 2 is bigger and better, bringing upgrades to the original Switch in every department. The Nintendo Switch 2 features a 7.9-inch 1080p LCD screen that supports up to 120Hz refresh rate. The console also supports up to 4K resolution in the docked mode. As previously hinted, the Nintendo Switch 2 is confirmed to come with redesigned magnetic Joy-Cons that can also be operated as a mouse. Nintendo Switch 2 Price, Availability The Nintendo Switch 2 is priced at $449.99 (roughly Rs. 38,500) in the US for the sole 256GB storage option. The console will also be available in a bundle with a brand-new Mario Kart title, called Mario Kart World. The Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle will sell for a suggested retail price of $499.99 (roughly Rs. 42,725) in the US. The Nintendo Switch 2 will l...

Sony Online Store Begins Accepting USDC via Crypto.com Pay in Singapore

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Sony Electronics recently announced that it has begun accepting the USDC stablecoin for payments in Singapore. The electronics giant has teamed up with Crypto.com to facilitate USDC transactions on its online store, it said in an announcement on Wednesday. Crypto.com is an exchange for virtual digital assets (VDAs), headquartered in Singapore. Sony is continuing its foray into its Web3 sector — it recently launched its own Soneium blockchain. For now, only Sony Store Online customers in Singapore will be able to access the USDC payment option. In a press release , Sony acknowledged that crypto payments are growing in popularity, especially with a younger generation of tech-savvy customers. The company also said that its decision to accept USDC payments aligns with its efforts to keep up with Web3-focussed advancements in the fintech sector. Buy Sony products using https://t.co/vCNztATkNg Pay! We're excited to be partnering with @SonyElectronics Singapore to facilitate direct...

Sony Online Store Begins Accepting USDC via Crypto.com Pay in Singapore

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Sony Electronics recently announced that it has begun accepting the USDC stablecoin for payments in Singapore. The electronics giant has teamed up with Crypto.com to facilitate USDC transactions on its online store, it said in an announcement on Wednesday. Crypto.com is an exchange for virtual digital assets (VDAs), headquartered in Singapore. Sony is continuing its foray into its Web3 sector — it recently launched its own Soneium blockchain. For now, only Sony Store Online customers in Singapore will be able to access the USDC payment option. In a press release , Sony acknowledged that crypto payments are growing in popularity, especially with a younger generation of tech-savvy customers. The company also said that its decision to accept USDC payments aligns with its efforts to keep up with Web3-focussed advancements in the fintech sector. Buy Sony products using https://t.co/vCNztATkNg Pay! We're excited to be partnering with @SonyElectronics Singapore to facilitate direct...

Asus Teases Next-Gen ROG Ally Model That Could Arrive as a Portable Xbox Handheld

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Asus has teased its next-gen ROG Ally handheld gaming console with multiple hardware upgrades, days ahead of the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 showcase. The Taiwanese firm announced the Asus ROG Ally on this day in 2023, and a mid-cycle refresh was announced last year. According to a recent report, the company is working on an Xbox-branded handheld that would combine Windows and Xbox experiences, feature a user interface (UI) inspired by Microsoft's consoles, and launch later this year. Asus Teases Hardware Upgrades on Next-Gen ROG Ally Console In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter), we can see Asus' "robot friend" Omni sitting at a machine that presents it with multiple performance upgrades. These include "marathon stamina", "more capacity", "faster speeds", and "fresh look". The mascot then spins off its chair and into a pod, and it is swiftly joined by an Asus Raikiri Pro PC controller and an Asus ROG Ally. pic.twitter.c...