Amazon has discontinued its secretive "Encore" project to develop an at-home fertility tracker, resulting in layoffs for around 100 employees. The project, part of Amazon's Grand Challenge division, aimed to launch a device and app that would predict fertility through saliva testing but was ultimately terminated to control costs. CNBC reports: The project was born out of the company's 2020 acquisition of Wisconsin-based startup bluDiagnostics, the sources said. BluDiagnostics was founded in 2015 by Weibel, Katie Brenner and Jodi Schroll, all of whom joined Grand Challenge. The startup had developed a thermometer-like device, called FertilityFinder, to help women track their fertility from home by testing their saliva and measuring two key hormones, estradiol and progesterone. The results of the test were viewable through a corresponding app. Business Insider reported on aspects of the fertility device in 2022, when its codename was Project Tiberius. The team was working to develop its own saliva collection device and mobile app, which could predict when a user might be in the fertile window. Users could also log their period symptoms, sexual activity and other data to assist with tracking their fertility. There are similar offerings on the market from companies including Inne, Oova, Ava and Mira, along with fertility and ovulation tracking apps such as Flo, Clue and Max Levchin's Glow. Amazon initially aimed to release the product this year, but the timing was pushed out after the team encountered technical issues with the device, one of the people said. It was a costly endeavor and required significant upfront investments for lab research and development, in addition to the high salaries for scientists and engineers, the sources said, adding that the team's weekly overhead was roughly $1.5 million. Amazon didn't comment on the figure. Only one project now remains active within Grand Challenge. Its focus is on health tech, the people said. "We regularly review our businesses to ensure we focus on areas where we can make the biggest difference for customers," said Amazon spokesperson Margaret Callahan. "Following a recent review, we've decided to discontinue this project within Grand Challenge, and we're working directly with employees whose roles are impacted to support them through the transition and help them find other opportunities within Amazon."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

During a public joint hearing today titled "Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: Exposing the Truth," four experts testified that the U.S. is running secret UAP programs, including crash retrieval and reverse-engineering programs for advanced nonhuman technology. Although the Pentagon maintains there's no evidence of alien spacecraft, witnesses like Luis Elizondo and Michael Gold argue that UAPs represent an intelligence enigma and call for open, stigma-free study to address potential security concerns and unknown scientific possibilities. NPR reports: Tim Gallaudet, retired rear admiral, U.S. Navy; CEO of Ocean STL Consulting, LLC "Confirmation that UAPs are interacting with humanity came for me in January 2015," Gallaudet said in his written testimony (PDF). He describes being part of a pre-deployment naval exercise off the U.S. East Coast that culminated in the famous "Go Fast" video, in which a Navy F/A-18 jet's sensors recorded "an unidentified object exhibiting flight and structural characteristics unlike anything in our arsenal." He was among a group of commanders involved in the exercise who received an email containing the video, which was sent by the operations officer of Fleet Forces Command, Gallaudet said. "The very next day, the email disappeared from my account and those of the other recipients without explanation," he said. Luis Elizondo, author and former Department of Defense official Elizondo's written testimony (PDF) was brief and alleged that a secretive arms race is playing out on the global stage. "Let me be clear: UAP are real," he wrote. "Advanced technologies not made by our Government -- or any other government -- are monitoring sensitive military installations around the globe. Furthermore, the U.S. is in possession of UAP technologies, as are some of our adversaries." Elizondo is a former intelligence officer who later "managed a highly sensitive Special Access Program on behalf of the White House and the National Security Council," according to his official bio (PDF). "By 2012, [Elizondo] was the senior ranking person of the DOD's Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, a secretive Pentagon unit that studied unidentified anomalous phenomena," his bio states, adding that he resigned in 2017. Michael Gold, former NASA associate administrator of space policy and partnerships; member of NASA UAP Independent Study Team Gold's written testimony (PDF) stressed the need for government agencies and academics to "overcome the pernicious stigma that continues to impede scientific dialogue and open discussions" about unexplained phenomena. "As the saying goes, the truth is out there," Gold said, "we just need to be bold enough and brave enough to face it." Michael Shellenberger, founder of Public, a news outlet on the Substack platform Shellenberger's testimony (PDF) ran to some 214 pages, including a lengthy timeline of UAP reports from 1947 to 2023. Shellenberger pressed the White House and Congress to act, calling for the adoption of UAP transparency legislation and cutting funds for any related programs that aren't disclosed to lawmakers. "UAP transparency is bi-partisan and critical to our national security," his written testimony stated. You can watch the proceeding here.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Donald Trump said he would staff his second White House differently. His early selections make clear how much loyalty matters this time.

Nvidia, the AI-chip giant, petitioned the nation's highest court after a lower court permitted a 2018 class action lawsuit to move ahead.

The nomination of Rubio, a China hawk who's been sanctioned by Beijing, comes at a tense moment in the Indo-Pacific region.

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in Nvidia’s bid to appeal a securities fraud lawsuit today, just days after… Continue reading US Supreme Court to hear bid by Nvidia to appeal securities fraud lawsuit

The post US Supreme Court to hear bid by Nvidia to appeal securities fraud lawsuit appeared first on ReadWrite.

By Hailey Gomez President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday evening that Fox News host and veteran Pete Hegseth will be his pick for secretary of defense in his upcoming administration. Since last week, Trump has been releasing names for his cabinet after winning both the Electoral College and popular vote. He announced his decision of the […]

The post Trump Taps Fox News Host, Combat Vet For Secretary Of Defense appeared first on Liberty Unyielding.

Iran hanged a 26-year-old man for a second time Wednesday months after a previous execution was halted half a minute in, an NGO said.

Two pupils were stabbed in suspected gang-related attacks at Meriti Secondary School in Rustenburg on Tuesday morning.

The following article, House, Senate Leadership Fights Dominate The Week After GOP Secures Trifecta, was first published on Conservative Firing Line.

This week the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are scheduled to choose their leadership after Republicans won majorities in the Senate and House in the 2024 elections and President-elect Donald Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris for the White House, securing the trifecta for the GOP for the first time since 2016. The Senate …

Continue reading House, Senate Leadership Fights Dominate The Week After GOP Secures Trifecta ...

In the second surprise cabinet announcement to break on Tuesday, President-elect Donald Trump announced he was picking military veteran and Fox News analyst Pete Hegseth as his nominee for secretary […]

The post Total Shocker: Trump Selects Fox News Host as Secretary of Defense appeared first on The Western Journal.

What would an election cycle be without Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren making a fool of herself? After President-elect Donald Trump made headlines Tuesday for picking veteran and Fox News host […]

The post Elizabeth Warren Insults All Service Members with Attack on Secretary of Defense Pick Pete Hegseth appeared first on The Western Journal.

President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is his pick for Director of National Intelligence. “For over two decades, Tulsi has fought for our Country and […]

The post Breaking: Trump Chooses Tulsi Gabbard for Huge Role in Cabinet as He Adds Firepower for Second Term appeared first on The Western Journal.

TOKYO, Nov. 13, 2024 — NEC Corporation has received an order for a next-generation supercomputer system from Japan’s National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), under the National Research […]

The post NEC Secures Order for Advanced Supercomputer to Drive Fusion Science Research at Japan’s National Institutes appeared first on HPCwire.

"Secret Level," an animated anthology series featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kevin Hart, Keanu Reeves and other stars, is coming to Prime Video.

President-elect Donald Trump has named Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida as his national security advisor.

For the first time, researchers were able to see inside the mummies in the Chicago Field Museum's collections. Their findings paint a more comprehensive picture of ancient Egyptian life

Called aerobraking, the technique allows the highly classified craft to change orbit without using propellant—and some are wondering why the agency has let us in on this news

A new report claims that despite overall sales declining, Apple's iPad continues to sell steadily, and is second only to the iPhone.

A Secret Service agent assigned to Barack Obama was breaching security while leading a double life, according to a memoir by the agent's former girlfriend.

President-elect Trump plans to nominate GOP Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida for secretary of state, according to sources.

Donald Trump this week tapped Pete Hegseth to be his secretary of defense -- despite the Fox News host having previously criticized him before he was elected in 2016.

The Penn State Berks International Klub will host its second annual Diwali Garba Night on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. in the Beaver Athletics and Wellness Center. The event will include Garba dancing, music, refreshments and crafts. This event is free and open to the public but advanced registration is required.  

Nompumelo Nene is facing disciplinary proceedings and has launched several applications in an attempt to stop them.

It was also learnt that India A players have reported in Perth and will be part of the intra-squad match.

Officials in southern China ramped up security on Wednesday at the site of the country's deadliest attack in a decade, snuffing out makeshift memorials to the 35 people killed when a man drove a car into a crowd at a sports complex.

Two years ago, Jack Smith was appointed as an independent special counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland and was responsible for overseeing two preexisting Justice Department criminal investigations into former president Trump, three days after

Donald Trump on Wednesday nominated Florida senator and outspoken China hawk Marco Rubio for secretary of state.

Pete Hegseth, 44, is a TV host, media panellist and military veteran best known for his eight-year tenure with Fox News.

World Diabetes Day 2024: In this article, we discuss how certain foods can increase your risk of diabetes.

1. Bangladesh To Be Islamic Nation Soon? Attorney General’s Plea Wants ‘Secular’ Word Out Of Constitution  News18
2. 90% of Bangladesh Muslim, remove 'secular' from Constitution: Top law officer  India Today
3. Bangladesh Attorney General calls for major constitutional changes, wants 'secularism' removed  The Economic Times
4. Bangladesh top official calls for removing ‘secular’ from Constitution, citing 90% Muslim population  Hindustan Times
5. Attorney General: Bangabandhu undisputed leader of the nation  Dhaka Tribune

[GroundUp] Nompumelo Nene is facing disciplinary proceedings and has launched several applications in an attempt to stop them

[Parliament of South Africa] The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Ms. Pemmy Majodina, has assured Parliament and the country that there is currently no threat to South Africa's water security.

The Federal Government says it will collaborate with the private sector in raising a portion of the $10bn needed to ensure the provision of consistent and reliable electricity across the country. This initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to address the country’s chronic power supply challenges and is expected to span a period

The United States opened a new air defense base in northern Poland on Wednesday, an event the European nation's president said showed the country was secure as a member of NATO even as Russia wages war in neighboring Ukraine.  Situated in the town of Redzikowo near the Baltic coast, the base has been in the works since the 2000s.   At a time when Donald Trump's election victory has caused jitters among some NATO members, Warsaw says the continued work on the base by successive U.S. presidents shows Poland's military alliance with Washington remains solid whoever is in the White House.  "The United States... is the guarantor of Poland's security," President Andrzej Duda said.  He said the permanent presence of U.S. troops at the base showed that Poland, a communist state until 1989, was "not in the Russian sphere of influence."  The Kremlin on Wednesday called the base a bid to contain Russia by moving American military infrastructure nearer its borders.  The opening comes amid a nervous reaction among some NATO members to the election of Trump, who has vowed not to defend countries that do not spend enough on defense.   However, Poland says it should have nothing to fear as it is the alliance's biggest spender on defense relative to the size of its economy, and conservative Duda has stressed his warm ties with Trump.  The U.S. base at Redzikowo is part of a broader NATO missile shield, dubbed "Aegis Ashore," which the alliance says can intercept short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles.  Other key shield elements include a site in Romania, U.S. navy destroyers based in the Spanish port of Rota and an early-warning radar in Kurecik, Turkey.  Moscow had already labeled the base a threat as far back as 2007, when it was still being planned.   NATO says the shield is purely defensive.  Military sources told Reuters the system in Poland can now only be used against missiles fired from the Middle East and the radar would need a change in direction to intercept projectiles from Russia, a complex procedure entailing a change of policy.  Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said on Monday the scope of the shield needed to be expanded, which Warsaw would discuss with NATO and the United States.  NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will meet Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw later on Wednesday. 

-Orders rescue of collapsing Osisioma flyover Pursuant to its declaration of state of  emergency on education and other critical sectors of the state economy, the Governor Alex Otti administration of Abia State has has declared that from 1st January, 2025,  it would be an offence for any parent  in the state  to fail to send […]

The post Gov Otti makes primary, secondary school education free, compulsory  first appeared on Business Hallmark.

Iran hanged a 26-year-old man for a second time Wednesday months after a previous execution was halted half a minute in, an NGO said. Ahmad Alizadeh was arrested in October 2018 on a murder charge, which he denied, and was sentenced to death, Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR), which tracks executions in Iran, said in a statement. His death sentence was carried out on April 27 in Ghezel Hesar prison in Karaj outside Tehran. But just 28 seconds into the hanging he was brought down from the gallows when the victim's family suddenly shouted "forgiveness." His "lifeless" body was successfully resuscitated and the execution was halted, IHR said. Under Iran's sharia law, a victim's family can ask for blood money to spare the life of the perpetrator or also decide to forgive. However, in many cases the family of the condemned person cannot afford the sum set and the execution goes ahead, according to activists. Alizadeh remained under the threat of the death penalty in the absence of any deal with the victim's family for blood money. He was executed again in the Ghezel Hesar prison on Wednesday morning, IHR said. "Ahmad Alizadeh, a talented student, was hanged for the second time on charges of murder, which he denied and claimed he confessed to under torture," said IHR director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, denouncing the "execution machine of the Iranian regime." Activists accuse Iran of using the death penalty to instill fear throughout society, particularly in the wake of 2022-2023 nationwide protests which shook the Islamic authorities. According to IHR, 2024 is seeing a new surge in executions, with at least 166 executions recorded in October alone, the highest number recorded in a single month since the group began documenting executions in 2007. Activists including Amnesty International say Iran carries out more annual executions than any country other than China, for which no reliable figures are available.

washington — U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced on Wednesday he is nominating Republican Senator Marco Rubio, a senior member of both the foreign relations and intelligence committees and former political rival, to be secretary of state.  "He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries," Trump said in a statement.  Rubio, 53, is known as a China hawk, an outspoken critic of Cuba's Communist government and a strong backer of Israel. In the past, he has advocated for a more assertive U.S. foreign policy with respect to America's geopolitical foes, although recently his views have aligned more closely with those of Trump's "America First" approach to foreign policy.  In April, Rubio was one of 15 Republican senators to vote against a big military aid package to help Ukraine resist Russia and support other U.S. partners, including Israel. Trump has been critical of Democratic President Joe Biden's continuing military assistance for Ukraine as it fights Russia's invasion.  Rubio has said in recent interviews that Kyiv needs to seek a negotiated settlement with Russia rather than focus on regaining all of the territory that Moscow has taken in the last decade.  On the Gaza war, Rubio — like Trump — has been staunchly behind Israel, calling Hamas a terrorist organization that must be eliminated and saying America's role is to resupply Israel with the military materials needed to finish the job.  Rubio is a top Senate China hawk, and Beijing imposed sanctions on him in 2020 over his stance on Hong Kong's democracy protests. This could create difficulties for any attempts to maintain the Biden administration's effort to keep up diplomatic engagement with Beijing to avoid an unintended conflict.  Among other things, Rubio shepherded an act through Congress that gave Washington a new tool to bar Chinese imports over China's treatment of Uyghur Muslims and has also pushed a bill that would decertify Hong Kong's U.S. economic and trade offices.  Rubio had also become a strong Trump backer, after harshly criticizing him when he ran against the former real estate developer for president in 2016.  The three-term Republican senator should easily win confirmation in the Senate, where Trump's Republicans will hold at least a 52-48 majority starting in January.  Democratic Senator Mark Warner, chairman of the intelligence committee, quickly issued a statement praising the choice of Rubio, the panel's vice chairman.  "I have worked with Marco Rubio for more than a decade on the Intelligence Committee, particularly closely in the last couple of years in his role as Vice Chairman, and while we don't always agree, he is smart, talented, and will be a strong voice for American interests around the globe," Warner said in a statement.  Rubio, the son of immigrants from Cuba, will be the first Latino to serve as America's top diplomat. 

Makovsky called Trump's Defense Secretary selection of Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and Army combat veteran, a "curious appointment."

Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou on Wednesday night praised both workers and employers in the concrete sector for agreeing to the negotiation framework he has devised with the aim of bringing to an end the strikes which have been taking place in the industry over the last week. Employers, led by concrete manufacturers’ association head Costas […]

The Paris prosecutor on Wednesday requested a five-year prison sentence and a five-year ban from public office against far-right leader Marine Le Pen, at a trial where she and 24 others are accused of embezzling European Union funds. The trial, which comes almost a decade after initial investigations started, threatens to undermine her party’s efforts […]

[New Times] Achieving rapid private sector growth in Rwanda is unlikely without far-reaching reforms to economic policies, a new report released on November 13, by the World Bank has shown.

Singer Ray J exposes secret deals of Sean Diddy CombsSean Diddy Combs, American rapper and producer, is currently in deep water as his on-going controversial charges continue to get worse each day. The 55-year-old is now going through a difficult phase of his life being held at the Metropolitan...

John Krasinski knew Emily Blunt was the right one for him “the second” he met her.In an interview with People for his Sexiest Man Alive cover story, he recalled the spark he felt in him when he met her Blunt.“I don't know what happened, but I remember someone introduced us, and...

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Mari­time Affairs has prepared the draft of a new shipping policy, which includes provisions aimed at providing financial sec­u­rity to the owners of registered ships.

‘Pakistan Shipping Policy 2024’ will replace Pakistan Merchant Marine Policy 2001, as well as the amended version of 2019. The ministry organised a workshop of stakeholders on Wednesday to discuss the draft of the new shipping policy.

Maritime Affairs Secretary Syed Zafar Ali Shah, chairpersons of port authorities, senior officials of the maritime affairs ministry and stakeholders from the private sector participated in the workshop.

The policy makes it possible by legislation to furnish a bond of adequate amount to owners of any registered ship if it is detained or seized for any reason within the territorial jurisdiction of Pakistan, and it should be within 24 hours after taking the surety bond.

The secretary of maritime affairs informed participants of the workshop that the Shipping Policy 2024 has been made in accordance with the standards and rules of the International Maritime Organisation.

It was noted that the government should ensure that if the case is settled, the bail bonds are returned within one month.

In this regard, a help desk should also be established within the ministry of maritime affairs and special courts related to maritime affairs should also be set up having powers equal to high courts.

The draft proposes that the newly registered Pakistani shipping company will pay $0.75 per gross registered tonnage for five years, while currently the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) is paying $1 per gross registered tonnage on its revenue.

The rebate of $0.25 to new companies is likely to encourage domestic and national investors to show interest in maritime industry.

The draft has proposed that the registered Pakistani shipping companies would be allowed to seek financing from foreign financial institutions and banks.

A proposal to grant tax exemption for 10 years to new foreign shipping companies was brought forward by the participants of the workshop, and they stressed for assistance by state authorities to Pakistan shipping companies in opening foreign currency accounts.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2024

QUETTA: The Balochistan government has decided to develop a provincial action plan to significantly enhance governance and security across the province.

Balochistan Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan on Wednesday briefed a high-level meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, on the proposed plan.

The chief secretary said that a comprehensive strategy is being developed to effectively counter terrorism, crime, extortion and smuggling cases with a focus on enhancing enforcement measures.

The implementation of this action plan is likely to bring substantial improvements in governance and security in Balochistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Bugti emphasised the importance of integrating modern technology into the plan. He also stressed the need for strengthening the professional capacity of law-enforcement agencies to combat terrorism and crime effectively.

He said profiling of criminals should be conducted for closer monitoring and all security agencies must coordinate to ensure efficient information sharing about criminals, suspects and convicts.

He said a clear and decisive strategy would be put in place to eradicate terrorism and crime without hesitation, pledging the provision of necessary resources to law enforcement agencies while expecting tangible results in return.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2024

The 90-million-year-old resin offers a rare trace of a long-lost ecosystem.

President-elect Trump plans to "disband" or cut the Department of Education's power, likely through "block granting" to shift school control and funding to local communities, says an expert.