Superfast Drone

The drone, which resembled a rocket, flew 10 miles (16 km) at Mach 0.9 — over 680 miles per hour — using 80% of the engine's available thrust. This image is purely illustrative. (Image credit: Alexyz3d/Getty Images)




Venus Aerospace has completed the inaugural test flight of a drone fitted with its "rotating detonation rocket engine" (RDRE) — accelerating it to just under the speed of sound. The company wants to one day build superfast commercial jets using this new type of engine.


In the test flight, conducted Feb. 24, the company flew the drone, which is 8 feet (2.4 meters) long and weighs 300 pounds (136 kilograms) to an altitude of 12,000 ft (3658 m) by an Aero L-29 Delfín plane, before it was deployed and the RDRE was activated, company representatives said in a statement.


The drone flew 10 miles (16 km) at Mach 0.9 — over 680 miles per hour — using 80% of the RDRE’s available thrust. The successful flight proved the viability of RDRE and the associated onboard flight systems. Three weeks earlier, Venus Aerospace demonstrated the viability of its RDRE technology with a long-duration test burn — during which engineers showed their engine worked for the duration of this test flight.  READ MORE...

The Great Wall

 

The Rolling Stones

 

BRICS is Expanding Against USA

The origins of BRICS — a bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and, as of 2024, new members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates — can be traced back to a 2001 publication by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O’Neill titled ‘Building Better Global Economic BRICs’. O’Neill argued that Brazil, Russia, India and China were poised to play an increasingly significant role in the global economy.

His prediction was that by 2050, these countries would collectively account for 40 per cent of the world’s economic output. In reality, from 2012 to 2022 China alone has accounted for around a quarter of global GDP growth, and the BRICS countries together contributed over 45 per cent.

BRIC was officially launched in 2009 and was renamed BRICS in 2010 when South Africa joined the group. Since then, trade relations have clearly grown, but in a very unbalanced manner.

Most of the growth in trade has been China-centric, with the contribution from the rest of BRICS remaining quite flat until recently. The recent increase is mostly explained by India, which has experienced an acceleration in economic growth. BRICS members are increasingly intertwined with China as far as trade is concerned, but the remaining members have very few ties among themselves. Bilateral trade between BRICS members other than China remains extremely low.  READ MORE...

Somewhat Political

 

In The NEWS

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture
> Taylor Swift's "The Tortured Poets Department" hauls in 300 million streams on Spotify on its opening day, a Spotify record (More) | ... the album also sold 1.4 million copies on its first day, the most ever for a Swift album (More)

> Roman Gabriel, former NFL MVP and NFL's first Filipino American QB, dies at 83 (More) | Sir Andrew Davis, longtime conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, dies at 80 (More)

> Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir and Alexander Mutiso Munyao win women's and men's titles at London Marathon (More) | LSU wins its first-ever NCAA women's gymnastics championship (More)


Science & Technology
In partnership with Incogni

> Australia's Great Barrier Reef is currently experiencing the worst mass coral bleaching event on record, researchers say (More) | Phenomenon occurs when changing water temperatures cause coral to expel colorful algae, potentially leading to coral death (More)

> Researchers find evidence of cosmic ray bombardment on Earth's surface roughly 42,000 years ago, during a period when the planet's geomagnetic field temporarily flipped (More) | What we know about the Laschamp excursion (More)

> Scientists identify brain circuit governing foraging behavior in animals; decision making combined history of reward and whether waiting longer increased the amount of food available at different locations (More)


Business & Markets
> US stock markets close mixed Friday (S&P 500 -0.9%, Dow +0.6%, Nasdaq -2.1%); six-day losing streak for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq is the worst for the two since October 2022 (More)

> Tesla cuts Full Self-Driving software cost in the US by one-third ($12K to $8K) as CEO Elon Musk scraps plans on releasing low-cost electric vehicle to prioritize proliferation of self-driving technology (More)

> Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, plant vote to unionize Friday, part of United Auto Workers broader push to unionize workers at 10 foreign carmakers with plants in the US; vote at Mercedes plant in Alabama to take place next month (More)


Politics & World Affairs
> House passes $95B aid package to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan Saturday, sending bills to Senate; House bill would also ban TikTok in the US unless China-based parent company ByteDance divests (More) | See previous write-up (More)

> Fourteen people killed in Israeli military raid in the West Bank (More) | The US expected to sanction Israeli military unit Netzah Yehuda as soon as today for actions in the West Bank prior to Oct. 7 Hamas attacks (More) | See war updates (More)

> Ecuador voters head to the polls on referendum with 11 measures to expand powers of police and armed forces to combat violence and crime; crime has been on the rise, with at least a dozen politicians killed since January 2023 (More)

SOURCE:  1440 News

It Seems Clear to Me

 

It seems clear to me that everything the Dems accuse the other side of doing, they are actually guilty of doing themselves.

It is also seems clear to me that the only way the Dems know that they can beat Trump in 2024 is to weigh him down in legal battles some of which might but him in jail because of a biased Judge, Prosecutor, and Jury.

It also seems clear to me that the DOJ and the FBI have been weaponized by the Dems to go after anyone that opposes their beliefs.

It also seems clear to me that mainstream media favors the Dem points of view and will support and promote damn near any agenda that the Dems want.

It also seems clear to me that the REPUBLICANS in Congress, both in the House and the Senate, DO NOT HAVE WHAT IT TAKES to govern the United States of America.

It seems clear to me that our colleges and universities are brainwashing students into believing that the USA is evil and should be destroyed or replaced by another form of government that may be controlled by a foreign government.

It seems clear to me that the USA is DYING in the sense that it is NO LONGER the Democratic Republic that it was intended to be.

It seems clear to me that the Dems are trying to create a situation in this country where the Republican Party will NEVER AGAIN gain control of the House or Senate or Presidency -  thus creating a one party government.

It seems clear to me that all branches of our military are in dire need of refurbishment and that Congress has no desire to improve the situation.

It seem clear to me that the ELITES and the WEALTHY control this country and have no desire to protect the middle class.

What seems clear to me will make itself known by 2030 or earlier, depending upon who wins the presidential election in 2024.

Better Off

Rocketstar Creates Nuclear Fusion

RocketStar has announced the first successful demonstration of their nuclear fusion-enhanced pulsed plasma FireStar™ Drive. They have enhanced electric drive space propulsion.

Electric propulsion drives create small amounts of thrust but are significantly more fuel-efficient than conventional chemical rockets. Electric propulsion are ion and hall effect drives. They are like the tortoise to the chemical rocket hare. The electric drives keep thrusting for months or years while the chemical rockets have the fuel for a few minutes.

This type of fuel-to-thrust ratio is particularly important for vehicles that are intended to remain in orbit for long periods of time while also retaining the ability to maneuver when needed. Electric propulsion drives are also ideally suited for missions to the outer reaches of the solar system since they can combine the power collected from the sun with a small amount of propellant to travel vast distances.  READ MORE...

AI Trump

 

James Webb Telescope

 

New Material Goldene

Researchers have managed to create “goldene”, an incredibly thin version of gold.

The work follows the successful production of graphene, which is made out of a single layer graphite atoms. That has been hailed as a miracle material: it is astonishingly strong, and much better at conducting heat and electricity than copper.

Goldene is built on the same principle, with researchers spreading out gold so it is just one atom layer thick. And, similar to graphene, scientists say that the process gives it a variety of new properties that could lead to major breakthroughs.    READ MORE...

Skateboarding

 

Second Amendment Firearms

393 million

Based on NICS background data and manufacturing records, it is estimated that there are 393 million civilian-owned firearms in the U.S. Only 6.06 million firearms are registered in America (NFA registrations and states with permits to purchase) Estimates show that 82,880,000 people own at least one firearm in 2023.

It is hard to believe there are than many firearms in America...

Americans are armed to the teeth or so it would appear.

Not all of those who own firearms are simply collectors - I would suspect that 80% of those individuals who own firearms are for HUNTING and PROTECTION.

My guess is that most of the firearms that are owned are owned by people who DO NOT LIVE IN THE CITY but those who live in suburbs or in the country.

I base this comment on the state of Tennessee where I currently live.  It is not unusual to see people in malls walking around with handguns in hip holsters since we have carry permits in this state as well.

It would also be my belief that those who carry guns know how to use them and are not afraid to use them either.

Gun sales in America have increased since the illegal immigrants have increased their numbers and while large cities tolerate these illegals, that will not be the case with most southern states.

It is possible that there will be an increase in violence and an increase firearms related deaths as these illegal immigrants begin to steal in order to feed themselves and their families.

We (Americans) did not invite these illegal immigrants here, our government did, and we (Americans) will not be afraid to let these illegal immigrants know how we feel.

If these illegal immigrants are smart, they will take their butts up north and stay away from southern states.    This includes those illegals who illegally came into the USA to commit crimes.

I am 76 years old and I do not own a handgun, but all my neighbors, who are veterans own handguns and don't really care for illegals...   However, legal immigration is more than welcomed and is encouraged because LEGALS usually have something positive to contribute and speak English.
 

Dog Wash

 

Warp Factory Simulator

International Thinktank Applied Physics (AP) has released its “Warp Factory” simulator and toolkit to help scientists and engineers move closer to building a real-world Star Trek-style warp drive. 

Having already established itself in the nascent field of warp mechanics with the previous release of its “” design in 2021, AP is now offering its expertise to the broader community to advance the development of existing and future warp drive concepts. physical warp drive

The Public Benefit Corporation is also putting its money where its mouth is by offering warp field theorists a chance at $500,000 worth of grant money, a commitment the organization describes as an example of its “firm grounding in humanitarian and commercial scientific solutions.  READ MORE...

Pluto

 

In The NEWS

Israel, Iran appear to downplay reported Israeli airstrike in central Iran.
Iranian air defenses intercepted at least three drones over the central city of Isfahan overnight Thursday after Israel appeared to launch a limited strike in the region, where a military air base and nuclear facilities are located. Analysts say Israel and Iran's muted responses signal they seek to prevent a wider Middle East conflict.



At least nine people killed in Ukraine after Russian airstrike.
The Ukrainian military said it downed a Russian bomber for the first time since the war began after the aircraft launched a missile strike in Ukraine's eastern region of Dnipro. Three children were among those killed; more than a dozen others were wounded. Russia said the aircraft crashed after a technical malfunction.



Biden administration expands Title IX protections in revised rules.
Title IX is a federal civil rights law first enacted in 1972 and originally created to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in schools and other educational settings (see history). The new regulations codify protections for LGBTQ+ and pregnant students and update how schools respond to alleged sexual misconduct.



Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say.
The study, published in the journal Science, found 45% of China's urban areas are sinking over 3 millimeters per year, while 16% are sinking over 10 millimeters per year. The researchers used satellite data from 2015 to 2022 and said the cause of the sinking was partly due to the weight of buildings and groundwater extraction.



Tesla recalls all 3,878 Cybertrucks due to accelerator issue.
The federal safety regulator said the Cybertruck's accelerator pedal can dislodge and become trapped by interior trim, causing the vehicle to unintentionally accelerate. Tesla said it will replace or repair the faulty accelerator pedals. Deliveries of the Cybertruck—Tesla's first pickup truck—began last November.



Grammy-winning singer Mandisa Hundley dies at age 47.
Hundley was a contemporary Christian singer who gained attention after finishing ninth on "American Idol" in 2006. She released her debut album in 2007, receiving a Grammy nomination for best pop and contemporary gospel album. Hundley later won a Grammy in 2014 for best contemporary Christian music album.

SOURCE:   1440 News

Forcing Citizens to Buy EVs

 

If I am not mistaken, Canada has just passed a law that states no gasoline vehicles will be sold after 2035 - about a decade from now.  A lot can happen in 10/11 years.

I also remember reading articles where there were some Democratic Governors who were trying to push for the same outcome here in the US.

Car Dealers have tried to sell EVs and the general public (both Democrats and Republicans) refused to buy them for several reasons:

1. Cost of the EV
2. Charging Times
3. Not Enough Charging Stations
4. Cost of battery replacement
5. Low resale value

If sales are forced on the consumer, it would be my belief that people will keep their old gasoline cars rather than spend all that money on an EV.

If that happens, then the government would retaliate with higher and higher gasoline prices in an effort to box the general public into a corner.

There is one thing about most Americans, including new generations, they do not like being TOLD WHAT TO DO.

Consequently, Americans will vote Republicans into office so that the gasoline will continue to flow...  and, until they can lower the price of EVs so that the average American can afford them.

Raising wages to compensate will not work, because companies will just either lay off workers or raise their prices to the point that the wage increase makes no difference at all.

The only way to stop that from happening is for the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT to take possession of all businesses...  and I doubt our capitalistic society will allow that to happen.

Somewhat Political