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    Elon Musk’s Neuralink reports trouble with first human brain chip

    Peter Watson
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    Elon Musk’s Neuralink reports trouble with first human brain chip
    Enlarge / Elon Musk, in Paris, France, on Friday, June 16, 2023. Musk predicted his Neuralink Corp. would carry out its first brain implant later that year. The first implantation took place in January 2024.

    The first invasive brain chip that Neuralink embedded into a human brain has malfunctioned, with neuron-surveilling threads appearing to have become dislodged from the participant’s brain, the company revealed in a blog post Wednesday.

    It’s unclear what caused the threads to become “retracted” from the brain, how many have retracted, or if the displaced threads pose a safety risk. Neuralink, the brain-computer interface startup run by controversial billionaire Elon Musk, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Ars. The company said in its blog post that the problem began in late February, but it has since been able to compensate for the lost data to some extent by modifying its algorithm.

    Neuralink touts that its invasive implant includes 64 flexible threads carrying a total of 1,024 electrodes that can detect neuronal activity. Those flexible threads—described as thinner than a human hair—are inserted individually into the brain by the company’s proprietary surgical robot. The goal is for the threads to be placed near neurons of interest so that signals detected by the electrodes can be recorded and decoded into intended actions, such as moving a cursor on a computer screen.

    On January 28, the company announced that it has surgically implanted its brain-computer interface into its first clinical trial participant, 29-year-old Noland Arbaugh, who developed quadriplegia after a 2016 diving accident. The surgery took place at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix. Musk announced on social media on January 29 that Arbaugh was “recovering well” and that the initial results were “promising.”

    Since then, Neuralink and Arbaugh have released video and livestreams of Arbaugh playing video games, using only his implant to make moves in a chess game and control characters in Mario Kart, for instance. The only hint of trouble was on March 1 when Arbaugh answered questions in an all-hands meeting with Neuralink in which he said at one point: “Sure we’re still working out the kinks and stuff. But once we get this figured out, there’s no reason for [the implant] not to be out there,” according to The Wall Street Journal.

    The Journal was the first to report that an unknown number of threads have become displaced in Arbaugh’s brain. Neuralink posted its blog confirming the problem after the Journal published the report.

    It remains unclear why the threads moved from their placement, but one hypothesis that sources told the Journal is that there was air trapped inside Arbaugh’s skull after the surgery, a condition called pneumocephalus. The sources familiar with Neuralink’s trial said that the possibility of removing the implant was considered after the problem was identified.

    Arbaugh’s safety does not appear to be negatively impacted. However, the company reported that the retraction of the threads lowered his bits-per-second (BPS) rate, which is used to measure how quickly and accurately a patient with an implant can control a computer cursor. Neuralink was able to restore the BPS rate to the level seen before retraction by modifying the algorithm that decodes the electrode signals. According to Neuralink, the tweaks included making the implant “more sensitive to neural population signals,” improving the techniques to translate these signals into cursor movements, and enhancing the user interface. The company reported improved and sustained BPS rates after the changes.

    The Journal reported that the company has told the Food and Drug Administration—which regulates clinical trials and granted approval for Neuralink to test its device in humans—that it believes it has fixes for the problem. The company is hoping to carry out two more implantations in the coming months, with a total of 10 this year.

    Eurovision: Thousands protest against Israel’s entry in Malmo

    Peter Watson
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    Eurovision: Thousands protest against Israel’s entry in Malmo
    • By Kathryn Armstrong
    • BBC News

    Image source, EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

    Image caption, Thousands of people have taken to the streets to protest Israel’s participation in Eurovision

    Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators have gathered in the Swedish city of Malmo to protest against Israel’s participation in the Eurovision song contest.

    It comes as the city prepares to host the competition’s second semi-final on Thursday night, in which Israel’s entrant Eden Golan is performing.

    A smaller demonstration in support of Israel has also taken place.

    Climate activist Greta Thunberg was among those attending the pro-Palestinian protest.

    She told the BBC that there was a “moral obligation to act” and to speak out against Israel’s military operation in Gaza.

    “If we are tens of thousands of people flooding the streets of Malmo when Eurovision is taking place, saying we will not accept this to continue, then it’s a very strong signal – and it does make a difference,” Ms Thunberg said.

    Another protester, Matilda Varatta, told Reuters news agency that she would like to see Israel disqualified as Russia was in 2022 following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

    “It’s not true that the Eurovision is not political, it has always been political, and it will always be,” she said.

    Earlier, Ms Golan said that she was “proud to represent my country” and that “nothing will deter” her.

    “I’m focused on music, on the good energy, and there are so many people supporting me, and I feel like I have such an honour to represent my country, especially in these times”.

    At the pro-Israel demonstration, people could be heard singing Hurricane in support of Ms Golan amid a significant police presence.

    “I’m not that interested in Eurovision,” one demonstrator, Yael Sages Wahlström, told Sweden’s Svenska Dagbladet newspaper.

    “But since there has been such a huge storm of hate against Israel, I wanted to support”.

    Image source, EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

    Image caption, Crowds of people supporting Israel have also gathered in Malmo

    The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation, which organises the country’s contest entry, says it has asked the European Broadcasting Union to prevent a repeat of Wednesday’s booing incident.

    The Swedish authorities say they have heightened security in place and are prepared for potential unrest.

    Israel is currently engaged in a military campaign in Gaza, which they launched as a response to Hamas’ cross-border attack on southern Israel on 7 October.

    About 1,200 people were killed and 252 others were taken hostage.

    More than 34,900 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.

    Akshaya Tritiya 2024: 6 items you should purchase for good luck – Lifestyle News

    Peter Watson
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    Akshaya Tritiya 2024: 6 items you should purchase for good luck – Lifestyle News

    For Hindus and Jains in India and globally, the auspicious muhurat of Akshaya Tritiya 2024 will start at 5:33 a.m. and end at 12:18 p.m. on May 10, 2024. People generally celebrate Akshaya Tritiya on the third day of Shukla Paksha during the Vaishakha lunar month. Considering the terms ‘Akti’ or ‘Akha Teej’, this day is considered auspicious and associated with perpetual prosperity.

    Akshaya Tritiya is an important annual festival, considered an auspicious moment to initiate new beginnings in life in terms of establishing a venture or purchasing a new item. According to Astrologer Pandit Jagannath Guruji, people can consider purchasing various items on this auspicious occasion.

    Purchasing Property: Akshaya Tritiya is often considered an auspicious moment to purchase items related to the real estate sector. Thus, owning land or property on Akshaya Tritiya 2024 sounds like a good option. It will not only improve your financial situation, but it will also bring positivity into your life for a brighter future.

    Mud Pot: A mud pot is a lucky charm that might bring you prosperity. Fill the earthen pot with akshat (uncracked rice) and haldi (turmeric) and let it remain until the next year. Performing puja on the clay pot is very important.

    Gold – On this auspicious day, Lord Kuber is said to have been tasked with protecting the heavens’ wealth. Purchasing gold and performing rituals to honour Lord Kuber could bring wealth and success to a family. Gold, with its immense worth and significance, is highly rooted in tradition.

    Purchasing Utensils – Those who wish to spend money on purchasing utensils for their home can also be a great option on Akshaya Tritiya. As per Vedic astrology, bringing home new utensils on this day, specially made of brass or copper, is considered auspicious. They are known to welcome good vibes and luck.

    Seeds: Seeds are a symbol of hope and the ability for growth. The ritual of planting seeds on Akshaya Tritiya signifies the prayer of positive energy and the desire of the divine in future efforts.

    Yantras: People should purchase Yantras on Akshay Tritiya as they are extremely auspicious and effective on this day. Yantras are geometrical patterns representing different gods or cosmic powers. They are used during Puja ceremonies to concentrate the mind and direct spiritual energies.

    Why the Phillies can’t — and won’t — get ahead of themselves despite start as MLB’s best team – NBC Sports Philadelphia

    Peter Watson
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    Why the Phillies can’t — and won’t — get ahead of themselves despite start as MLB’s best team – NBC Sports Philadelphia

    And, on the forty-third day of the longest season, the Phillies rested.

    It has likely come to your attention that, while in repose waiting to begin their weekend series against the Marlins at loanDepot Park, your Fightins’ woke Thursday in possession of the best record (26-12) in all of Major League Baseball.

    To put a slightly finer point on it, they’ve clearly accomplished their stated spring training goal of getting off to a fast start.

    Which made a comment from Rob Thomson after Saturday night’s two touchdowns-to-a-field goal win over the Giants interesting. It wasn’t in response to a specific question. It was an offhand remark, almost as if he was thinking out loud.

    “We’ve got to stay humble and keep going,” the manager said.

    With that in mind, before the Phillies closed out a hugely successful homestand with a 5-3 loss to the Blue Jays that ended their winning streak at seven Wednesday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park, Thomson was asked if his antennae are up for signs of overconfidence.

    “Absolutely,” he said. “This game will humble you in a hurry if you think you’re better than what you really are. We’ve got a good club. But we just need to keep grinding, keep playing, keep being ourselves.”

    In that spirit, here are some helpful reminders that the 2024 season is just now starting to get warmed up. That more than three-quarters of the schedule remains. That having the best record in baseball on May 9, along with 11 bucks, will get you a roast pork sandwich at Di Nic’s in the Reading Terminal Market.

    Not to be a buzz kill. Just numbers that underscore Thomson’s pragmatism.

    On this date in baseball history, for the last four full seasons, here are the teams that were No. 1 in the overall standings – and where they finished – followed by the eventual World Series winner and its overall position at the same time.

    Spoiler alert. All made the postseason. None advanced to the World Series, much less won it.

     May 9, 2019 — Minnesota Twins, 23-12 (.657)

    • Rest of the way: 78-49 (.614)
    • Finished first in AL Central, lost in division series
    • Hoisted the trophy: Nationals, on May 9: 15-22 (.405), 26th (tie)

    May 9, 2021 – Boston Red Sox, 22-13 (.629)

    • Rest of the way: 71-57 (.555)
    • Finished second in AL East; lost in LCS
    • Hoisted the trophy: Braves, on May 9: 14-16 (.467), 17th

    May 9, 2022 – Los Angeles Dodgers, 19-7 (.731)

    • Rest of the way: 92-44 (.676)
    • Finished 1st in NL West, lost in division series
    • Hoisted the trophy: Astros, on May 9: 18-11 (.621), 7th (tie)

    May 9, 2023 – Tampa Bay Rays, 29-7 (.806)

    • Rest of the way: 70-56 (.556)
    • Finished 2nd in AL East, lost in wild card round
    • Hoisted the trophy: Rangers, on May 9: 21-13 (.618), 4th

    The last time a team with the best record at this juncture went on to win it all was 2018 when the Yankees and Red Sox were tied at 25-10 (.714). There’s no reason why the Phillies can’t follow in those footsteps. This is just to say that they haven’t clinched a dang thing yet. Including dethroning the Braves at the top of the NL East.

    They have a 2-game lead over the team that has won the division six straight seasons. They’ve also had a remarkably favorable early schedule. Since opening the season with a head-to-head series against the Braves, the Phillies haven’t played a team that’s currently above .500. Other than Atlanta, they haven’t faced a single team with one of the Top 10 records in baseball.

    In addition to the Phillies, Atlanta has played the Dodgers, Indians, Red Sox, Mariners and Rangers – all winning teams. That imbalance will even out over the next four-and-a-half months.

    Injuries can dramatically alter the MLB landscape between now and the end of September. So can the trades teams make – and don’t make – before the deadline.

    One final date point: The Phillies are 15-6 at Citizens Bank Park where their home winning streak ended at 11 on Wednesday. The back half of the schedule is backloaded with road games when 44 of 78 (56.4 percent) of the dates are denoted by white squares on your handy pocket schedules.

    Again, the Phillies have put themselves in a terrific position. But Thomson has been around long enough to know that there are no guarantees in May. He understands there can be a hobgoblin around almost any corner, even against a Marlins team with the third-worst record in baseball.

    “Now we go into Miami. There probably won’t be many people at the ballpark. So you’ve got to create your own energy internally,” he said. “And we have a good group of people who can do that. They tend to bring it every day. So that’s really the only thing for me.

    “What happened the last two years at the end (losing to Houston in the ’22 World Series, losing to Arizona in the ’23 NLCS) is really motivating for this group. I think the entire room is competitive and they feed off each other that way. These guys come to play every day. They are tough. And they have fun at the same time. So it’s a special group. It really is.”

    Exactly how special, though, won’t be determined until October.

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    Footprints in China suggest new megaraptor that roamed with dinosaurs

    Peter Watson
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    Footprints in China suggest new megaraptor that roamed with dinosaurs

    An international team of researchers estimated that the fossilized footprints found in China were left by a dinosaur that would be among the largest raptors ever discovered.

    play

    The Velociraptors of “Jurassic Park” were terrifyingly large, merciless killing machines.

    The stuff of nightmares, yes. The stuff of reality? Not so much.

    Scientific research has long held the real Velociraptors were a far cry from the predatory beasts depicted in the film series, growing to be not much larger than wolves and covered in not-so-scary feathers.

    But a team of paleontologists said they may have identified a close cousin to the Velociraptor, a so-called megaraptor, that is much closer to the size of the dinos depicted in the films. In fact, the international team of researchers estimated that the fossilized footprints found in China were left by a dinosaur that would be among the largest raptors ever discovered.

    While it may dwarf the raptors of “Jurassic Park,” researcher Anthony Romilio said the creature has some key differences from its fictional counterpart.

    “When people think of raptor dinosaurs, they most likely think of those in the ‘Jurassic Park’ movies – human-sized, muscly, aggressive hunters,” Romilio, a paleontologist at the University of Queensland, said in a statement. “But these tracks were left by a much slimmer and brainier group in the Velociraptor family.”

    Preserved footprints found in 2020 in China

    The tracks are among more than 240 footprints discovered in 2020 in an area of southeastern China where dinosaurs roamed tens of millions of years ago, the researchers said.

    The researchers found a set of five tracks that were more than 13 inches long and were immediately recognizable because the footprints featured just two toes – a characteristic unique to raptors.

    “We found this track type is distinct in shape, making it quite unique,” Romilio said.

    The team determined the footprints were likely made by a relative of the velociraptor, which they’ve named Fujianipus yingliangi as a nod to the Fujian province where the tracks were found.

    Based on the size of the tracks, the creature was estimated to have been nearly six feet tall and 15 feet long. That’s about two to three times the total length of the velociraptor, making it among the largest of the known raptors.

    Megaraptor roamed during Cretaceous period

    Finding fossilized bones would provide researchers with more insight into what exactly the animal looked like and just how imposing it was.

    But the team said they gleaned enough to determine that the megaraptor was a troodontid, a dinosaur family with legs nearly long as long as six feet, far exceeding other known raptor sizes. The birdlike raptors existed during the Cretaceous period about 145 to 66 million years ago, a few million years more recent than the Jurassic period.

    Their size makes the Fujianipus a relative outlier among its raptor brethren that mostly remained small.

    “It just goes to show the incredible size range among raptor dinosaurs,” Romilio said, “highlighting their adaptability and ecological diversity.”

    The research is published in the journal iScience.

    Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com

    How colorectal tumors increased 500 PERCENT in some age groups, per new analysis

    Peter Watson
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    How colorectal tumors increased 500 PERCENT in some age groups, per new analysis

    Colorectal cancers have risen by up to six-fold in some young age groups since 2000, research shows.

    Doctors say the cancers are likely being missed because routine screening in America is only recommended every ten years beginning at age 45.

    The average age of colon cancer patients has been getting younger in recent decades in a trend linked to junk food, obesity and toxic chemicals.

    Now, a new analysis has broken down the rise in the most granular detail yet using CDC data.

    Escalations were also found in older adults, with rates rising by 71 percent to 6.5 per 100,000 people in aged 30 to 34 and by 58 percent to 11.7 per 100,000 in ages 35 to 39 in 2020

    In 2020, only 0.6 children ages 10 to 14 per 100,000 population were diagnosed with colorectal cancer compared to 0.1 per 100,000 in 1999 – a 500 percent increase. Escalations were also found in older adults, with rates rising by 71 percent to 6.5 per 100,000 people in aged 30 to 34 and by 58 percent to 11.7 per 100,000 in ages 35 to 39 in 2020

    Researchers from the University of Missouri-Kansas City found the rate of colorectal cancers grew 500 percent among children ages 10 to 14 and 333 percent among teens aged 15 to 19.

    ‘Colorectal cancer is no longer considered just a disease of the elderly population,’ said lead researcher Dr Islam Mohamed, an internal medicine resident physician at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

    The researchers looked at rates of colorectal cancer in children and adults aged 10 to 44, and found that cases had risen in all age groups.

    ‘It means that there is a trend,’ Dr Mohamed told NBC. ‘We don’t know what to make of it yet, it could be lifestyle factors or genetics, but there is a trend.’

    While cases have shot up, the overall number of cases in people below 40 is still low, and cases in under 30s remain rare.

    For example, in 2020, the American Cancer Society estimated there were just 17,930 colorectal cancer cases in Americans under the age of 50.

    As for the rate of cases, in 2020, only 0.6 children ages 10 to 14 per 100,000 population were diagnosed with colorectal cancer compared to 0.1 per 100,000 in 1999. 

    Diagnoses in teens age 15 to 19 went from 0.3 to 1.3 per 100,000, and in young adults ages 20 to 24, cases rose from 0.7 to two per 100,000.

    Escalations were also found in older adults, with rates rising by 71 percent to 6.5 per 100,000 people in aged 30 to 34 and by 58 percent to 11.7 per 100,000 in ages 35 to 39 in 2020. 

    While the 40-to-44 age group had a lower percentage increase of 37 percent, the group had the highest incidence rate, reaching 20 per 100,000 people in 2020.

    Incidence rate is the number of new cases of a disease divided by the number of persons at risk for the disease.

    When rates are low to start with, any increase can be significant.

    ‘When you are starting off with a very rare disease in 15-year-olds and you add a couple cases, you are going to have a huge percentage increase,’ Dr Folasade May, an associate professor of medicine in the University of California, Los Angeles Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, told NBC.

    Erin Verscheure was 18 when she was diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer. It was 2016 and she had just graduated high school when she noticed blood in her stool

    Erin Verscheure was 18 when she was diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer. It was 2016 and she had just graduated high school when she noticed blood in her stool

    Ms Verscheure had a bowel resection, which is an operation to remove part of the small intestine, large intestine or both, followed by 12 rounds of chemotherapy. In August 2017, she was told she was in remission

    Ms Verscheure had a bowel resection, which is an operation to remove part of the small intestine, large intestine or both, followed by 12 rounds of chemotherapy. In August 2017, she was told she was in remission

    Evan White, from Dallas and the eldest of three children, was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer at the age of 24 after going into hospital to get an abscess removed from his tonsils. He is pictured above at Christmas with his then puppy, a Bernese Mountain Dog, named Lola

    Evan White, from Dallas and the eldest of three children, was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer at the age of 24 after going into hospital to get an abscess removed from his tonsils. He is pictured above at Christmas with his then puppy, a Bernese Mountain Dog, named Lola

    Dr May added that while the overall increases are worrying, it is reassuring to see that the oldest age group had the smallest percentage increase, because 40-44 year olds had the biggest number of cases to begin with.

    One such teen is Erin Verscheure, who was 18 when she was diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer.

    It was 2016 and she had just graduated high school when she noticed blood in her stool. 

    ‘I honestly did not know that colorectal cancer was a real thing, so I never did any research about it and was diagnosed very quickly,’ she said.

    One day the toilet was completely full of blood which left her ‘pretty concerned’, so she went to the doctors to get her blood work done.

    ‘I could not believe that this had become my life. I was supposed to be a newly graduated 18 year old, I had this whole new world ahead of me. But the hospital stays and chemo chair consumed me and took part of my life away.’

    Originally, doctors told her it was just a bad case of salmonella that would go away on its own, but then decided she should see a specialist for a colonoscopy, after which she was diagnosed with the disease.

    She had a bowel resection, which is an operation to remove part of the small intestine, large intestine or both, followed by 12 rounds of chemotherapy.

    In August 2017, she was told she was in remission. 

    Meanwhile, Evan White, 24, from Dallas, had just graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in finance when he was diagnosed with colon cancer after dismissing his main symptom – tiredness – for months.

    The tumor was not spotted until it had progressed to stage three, meaning it had spread outside the colon, making it much harder to treat. 

    Mr White had been on track to marry his girlfriend and move to California, but his dreams were cut short when he died after a four-year battle with the disease.

    Experts are not sure what’s behind the unprecedented rise, and are exploring whether modern diets, antibiotics or even fungal infections could be at play.

    Colorectal cancer normally begins as a small growth, called a polyp, on the inner lining of the colon or rectum — part of the large intestine. 

    Over time, the cells in these polyps can start to divide uncontrollably, triggering the cancer.

    It often doesn’t cause any or very few symptoms in the early stages, which is why doctors say everyone aged 45 and over should get screened for the cancer once a decade. It is also possible to get screened at an early age after talking to doctors.

    Early warning signs of the disease can include a change in bowel habits, blood in feces, unexplained weight loss and sudden fatigue or weakness — brought on by blood loss.

    If caught in the early stages, before it spreads to other areas, the charity Fight Colorectal Cancer says nine in ten patients will live beyond five years after their diagnosis.

    But should the cancer not be detected until stage three, the five-year survival rate drops to 71 percent. At stage four, just 14 percent of patients live for another five years.

    Barron Trump selected to be a Florida delegate at Republican National Convention

    Peter Watson
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    Barron Trump selected to be a Florida delegate at Republican National Convention

    Giorgio Viera/AFP via Getty Images

    Former US President Donald Trump (center right) stands with his wife Melania Trump (center left) their son Barron Trump (center) on January 18, 2024.



    CNN
     — 

    Former President Donald Trump’s youngest son, Barron Trump, was selected by the Florida GOP as an at-large delegate for Florida at the Republican National Convention, according to a list of delegates obtained by CNN.

    Barron, who turned 18 in March, joins several other family members – Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump – who were also selected. Steve Witkoff, Trump’s longtime friend and luxury real estate developer, along with Trump ally Sergio Gor are also listed as delegates.

    CNN has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.

    NBC News was first to report on Barron Trump’s selection.

    Before Donald Trump’s hush money criminal trial began, his attorneys had asked for May 17 off so that he could attend Barron’s graduation. The judge last month said things were moving quickly enough that he was comfortable having no court that day so Trump could attend the graduation.

    The Republican National Committee will hold its convention in Milwaukee in July. Last month, the RNC asked the Secret Service to keep protesters farther back from the convention than is currently planned.

    RNC counsel Todd Steggerda wrote in a letter that the city of Milwaukee’s current proposal “creates an elevated and untenable safety risk to the attending public” and places demonstrators in a one-block park that “will force thousands of peaceful attendees and demonstrators … to be in extremely close, consistent and unavoidable proximity.”

    “The operational security plan for national special security events, to include the 2024 Republican National Convention, is developed and approved through an executive steering committee made up of representatives from the Secret Service, as well as supporting federal, state, and local agencies,” said Alexi Worley, spokesperson for the Secret Service, in a statement at the time. “The operational security plan is based on a variety of thorough security assessments established in coordination with our partners, with the express mission being to ensure the highest level of safety and security for the convention.”

    Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has said he will likely announce his running mate around the RNC convention in July and has been floating several names both in public and private.

    CNN’s Kate Sullivan, Shania Shelton and Daniel Strauss contributed to this report.

    Warner Bros. Discovery Q1 Earnings Report: Streaming Loss

    Peter Watson
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    Warner Bros. Discovery Q1 Earnings Report: Streaming Loss
    Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav

    Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav


    Courtesy of Warner Bros. Discovery

    Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav on Thursday argued the future of his studio and the wider TV streaming landscape will be driven by the increased packaging and marketing of streaming products together.  

    “As we look at what happens ahead, there likely will be a restructuring of how people view content. And there’s a lot of irrationality in the market that’s getting shaken out, in terms of the amount of money spent. We said early on, it’s not how much, it’s how good, and that’s what we’re focusing on. And ultimately, the business will look very different in two to three years,” Zaslav told analysts during a morning call as rival streamers increasingly move to bundle their offerings together.

    After releasing their first quarter earnings results, WBD execs talked about proposed streaming bundle partnerships with rival studios, including a sports steaming pact with Disney and Fox, to better serve cost-conscious consumers. The goal is the media conglomerate working with rival studios to squeeze profitability out of their direct-to-consumer platforms in the face of competition against market leaders Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

    On a proposed triple-play bundle of Disney+, Hulu and Max, Zaslav told analysts:  “It will be priced well, and it will be both ad light and on ad free and for consumers in the U.S. it will be a really positive consumer experience and gives us a real advantage and opportunity when you look at the marketplace.”

    Earlier, Warner Bros. Discovery posted a first-quarter profit of $86 million for its Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) unit, which includes its streaming and premium pay-TV services, compared with a $50 million year-ago profit, after turning a full-year 2023 profit earlier this year.

    The company said Thursday that it ended March with 99.6 million global streaming subscribers, compared with 97.7 million as of the end of 2023 and ahead of Wall Street expectations. Segment revenue was nearly unchanged at $2.46 billion, helped by subscriber price increases and higher advertising revenue, driven by Max U.S. ad-lite subscriber gains.

    With Netflix profitable and being seen by some observers as the king of streaming, Wall Street has been looking for Hollywood conglomerates to make their streaming business units profitable after an initial focus on subscriber growth. Most sector giants ended 2023 with a ways to go.

    On the analyst call, Zaslav argued Disney and WBD with their triple-play content package wanted to put themselves at the center of a streaming bundling push in by the entertainment industry to reach and retain consumers. “Two of the world’s most storied content companies are joining forces to deliver consumers the best and most diverse offering of entertainment at a very attractive price,” he told analysts about the Disney+/Hulu/Max initiative.

    WBD and Disney plan to combine the Disney+, Hulu and Max streaming services, with specific pricing still to be determined, with the promise of both ad-free and ad-supported options of the bundle. Elsewhere, Zaslav touted a move by telecom giant Verizon to roll out a $10 per month deal that includes the ad tiers of both Netflix and Max. “The bundle with Netflix is doing much better than expected,” he reported.

    JB Perrette, CEO and president of global streaming and games for WBD, argued on the morning call that bundling streaming services made both financial and creative sense after an earlier streaming arms race. “What happened in the 2010s is the industry went down a very dangerous financial path of trying to invest in every type of content, in every genre, to try and be something for everyone,” he argued of Hollywood’s Peak TV experiment having left consumers with too much content at too much cost, and having to cut back.

    The Disney+/Hulu/Max bundle aims to battle increased competition in the streaming space, which has TV viewers cycling onto and out of streaming platforms to view their favorite content. “Churn is just the killer in this business, and so we have been hyper-focused on it… Certainly bundling is a big helper,” Zaslav argued.

    Perrette added major studios and streamers had to focus on their strengths and stay in their lanes for competitive advantage, rather than splash out on originals in all genres as part of an all-out war between studios for supremacy in the streaming space.

    “We’re now getting back to all being great at what we do and swim in the lanes that we were great at. Disney obviously is incomparable and a world leader in kids and family. We are world leaders in premium dramas, scripted drama, comedy and non-fiction verticals, and we can get back to investing in and prioritizing our lanes and our key content, and they can do that. And these bundles synthetically allow us to do that, while providing the consumer with a very attractive price for the combination of products,” he argued.

    And on the sports front, Zaslav talked briefly about Warner Bros. Discovery looking to retain NBA media rights as they come up for renewal. “We’re in continuing conversations with them (NBA) now. And we’re hopeful that we’ll be able to reach an agreement that makes sense for both sides,” he told analysts. Zaslav added WBD has matching rights to answer third party offers as the NBA hold media rights negotiations with other players.

    Should a new owner of Paramount Global auction off Paramount+, Zaslav said his studio would be ready to pick up new sports and entertainment content that came up for offer in the event of a studio breakup. “We’re always looking for great content… If we think it can provide a better consumer experience and strengthen our offering, we’re always looking at opportunities,” he told analysts.

    During the first quarter, WBD’s quarterly earnings report showed weakness at its studios and networks segments though.

    Studios results were hit by fewer TV shows delivered than in the year-ago period due to the Hollywood strikes’ fallout, as well as a weaker performance in video gaming. In the first quarter of 2023, the video game Hogwarts Legacy did very well, making for a tough comparison, while in the latest quarter, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League didn’t do well, hitting gaming revenue and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA).

    Studios revenue fell 13 percent to $2.82 billion, with EBITDA dropping 70 percent to $184 million. Games revenue was down “significantly,” WBD said, while TV revenue “declined meaningfully as production delays resulting from the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes led to fewer episodes delivered during the first quarter of this year, as well as the timing of content availabilities and licensing deals.”

    Theatrical revenue, however, “increased significantly due to Dune: Part Two and higher carryover from fourth-quarter 2023 titles,” the company noted. “Home entertainment revenue grew materially due to Wonka and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.”

    The first-quarter Studios results came after a year of major transition for Hollywood studios affected their financials in 2023.

    WBD’s networks unit was hit by continued weakness in the linear business and an advertising revenue miss, which was only partially offset by cost management initiatives. Revenue and EBITDA both decreased by 8 percent to $5.13 billion and $2.12 billion, respectively.

    Addressing analysts, Zaslav predicted more collaborations between Max and the studio’s linear TV channels following the success of ID’s Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV premiere, including on Max. “The true crime vertical has great traction on Max, and by leveraging the production scale at ID, we will be able to curate additional series very effectively and efficiently that work across Max and our other distribution platforms,” he argued.

    Ad revenue in the unit fell 11 percent, “primarily driven by audience declines in domestic general entertainment and news networks, as well as the soft linear advertising market in the U.S. and Latin America,” only partially offset by growth in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. Distribution revenue decreased by 6 percent, driven by the firm’s AT&T SportsNet exit and “declines in U.S. pay-TV subscribers, partially offset by increases in U.S. contractual affiliate rates and inflationary impacts in Argentina.”

    WBD’s first-quarter total revenue fell 7 percent to $9.96 billion, while the company reduced its expenses by 9 percent to $10.23 billion. That led to a quarterly loss of $966 million, including $1.88 billion of “pre-tax acquisition-related amortization of intangibles, content fair value step-up, and restructuring expenses.”

    Adjusted EBITDA, another profitability metric, dropped 20 percent to $2.10 billion, “primarily driven
    by the success of Hogwarts Legacy in the prior-year quarter while Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League generated significantly lower revenues in the current year quarter,” the conglomerate said.

    WBD shares were down 3.9 percent at $7.50 in pre-market trading, close to the stock’s 52-week low of $7.34 hit on May 1.

    Biden Says the U.S. Will Not Supply Israel With Weapons to Attack Rafah

    Peter Watson
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    Biden Says the U.S. Will Not Supply Israel With Weapons to Attack Rafah

    President Biden acknowledged on Wednesday that American bombs have been used to kill Palestinian civilians as he warned that the United States would withhold certain weapons if Israel launches a long-threatened assault in southern Gaza.

    In some of his strongest language to date on the seven-month war, Mr. Biden said the United States would still ensure Israel’s security, including the Iron Dome missile defense system and Israel’s “ability to respond to attacks” like the one Iran launched in April.

    But he said he would block the delivery of weapons that could be fired into densely populated areas of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians are sheltering.

    The president had already halted the shipment of 3,500 bombs last week out of concern that they might be used in a major assault on Rafah — the first time since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7 that Mr. Biden has leveraged U.S. arms to try to influence how the war is waged.

    On Wednesday, he said that he would also block the delivery of artillery shells.

    “If they go into Rafah, I’m not supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah, to deal with the cities, that deal with that problem,” Mr. Biden said in an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett.

    He added: “But it’s just wrong. We’re not going to — we’re not going to supply the weapons and artillery shells used, that have been used.”

    Asked whether 2,000-pound American bombs had been used to kill civilians in Gaza, Mr. Biden said: “Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a consequence of those bombs and other ways in which they go after population centers.”

    Mr. Biden’s remarks underscore the growing rift between the United States and its closest Middle East ally over the war in Gaza, which has killed more than 34,000 people and caused a humanitarian crisis. The United States is by far the biggest supplier of weapons to Israel, and the Biden administration plans to deliver a report to Congress this week assessing whether it believes Israel’s assurances that it has used American weapons in accordance with U.S. and international law.

    Mr. Biden had resisted earlier calls to condition aid to Israel. He remains unwavering in his support of Israel’s right to defend itself, even as he speaks out forcefully against the invasion of Rafah and grows frustrated with what he once described as Israel’s “indiscriminate bombing.”

    But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has rebuffed the U.S. warnings, saying that Israel would move forward with eradicating Hamas even if it has to do so alone.

    This week, the Israeli war cabinet voted unanimously to move forward with a Rafah assault, and Israeli forces warned more than 100,000 civilians to evacuate as it started what it called “targeted strikes” against Hamas.

    U.S. officials said this week that Israel had said its operation thus far in Rafah was “limited” and “designed to cut off Hamas’s ability to smuggle weapons into Gaza,” but continued to express their concern with an escalation.

    Mr. Biden said he did not consider Israel’s operations in Rafah to date to qualify as a full-scale invasion because they have not struck “population centers.”

    But he said he considered them to be “right on the border,” adding that they were causing problems with key allies such as Egypt, which has been integral to cease-fire negotiations and opening border crossings for humanitarian aid.

    Mr. Biden said he had made it clear to Mr. Netanyahu and his war cabinet that they would not get support if they moved forward with an offensive in densely populated areas.

    “We’re not walking away from Israel’s security,” he said, “we’re walking away from Israel’s ability to wage war in those areas.”

    Mr. Biden was also asked about Gaza protests on college campuses — specifically chants calling him “Genocide Joe” — that have erupted in recent weeks.

    Asked if he hears the message of those young Americans, Mr. Biden said:

    “Absolutely, I hear the message.”

    Secure by Design Pledge | CISA

    Peter Watson
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    0
    Secure by Design Pledge | CISA

    Overview

    This is a voluntary pledge focused on enterprise software products and services, including on-premises software, cloud services, and software as a service (SaaS). Physical products such as IoT devices and consumer products are not scoped in the pledge, though companies who wish to demonstrate progress in those areas are welcome to do so.

    By participating in the pledge, software manufacturers are pledging to make a good-faith effort to work towards the goals listed below over the following year. In the case where a software manufacturer is able to make measurable progress towards a goal, the manufacturer should publicly document how they have achieved such progress within one year of signing the pledge. Where the software manufacturer is not able to make measurable progress, the manufacturer is encouraged to, within one year of signing the pledge, share with CISA how the manufacturer has worked towards the goal and any challenges faced. And, in the spirit of radical transparency, the manufacturer is encouraged to publicly document their approach so that others can learn. This pledge is voluntary and not legally binding.

    The pledge is structured with seven goals. Each goal has the core criteria which manufacturers are pledging to work towards, in addition to context and example approaches to achieve the goal and demonstrate measurable progress. To enable a variety of approaches, software manufacturers participating in the pledge have the discretion to decide how best they can meet and demonstrate the core criteria of each goal. Demonstrating measurable progress across the manufacturer’s products can take a variety of forms — such as by taking action on all the manufacturer’s products, or by choosing a set of products to first address and publishing a roadmap for other products.

    CISA acknowledges and applauds software manufacturers who already meet or exceed these goals. In such a case where a software manufacturer already meets or exceeds a goal, the manufacturer should publicly describe how they are doing so. In these cases, CISA welcomes additional efforts to go above and beyond the goals in the pledge.

    This pledge seeks to complement and build on existing software security best practices, including those developed by CISA, NIST, other federal agencies, and international and industry best practices. CISA continues to support adoption of complementary measures that advance a secure by design posture.

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