Taiwan Holds Ship and Chinese Crew After Undersea Cable Cut
25 Feb

Taiwan Holds Ship and Chinese Crew After Undersea Cable Cut

News in Focus
The island's coast guard has classified a recent incident as a national-security issue, suggesting it may involve Chinese sabotage. Authorities are investigating the situation, emphasizing the potential threat to the region's stability. The coast guard's statement highlights the seriousness of the matter, indicating that further measures may be necessary to ensure safety and security. As tensions rise, the focus remains on safeguarding national interests and addressing any foreign interference. The situation underscores the ongoing geopolitical challenges faced by the island and the need for vigilance in protecting its sovereignty.  ---------------------------------- ​The island’s coast guard said the incident is a national-security…
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Drag kings take the spotlight in They Will be Kings photos
25 Feb

Drag kings take the spotlight in They Will be Kings photos

Stage
Drag show They Will be Kings celebrates masculinity through a transmasculine, non-binary, and lesbian lens, showcasing diverse expressions of identity. Part of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, the performance runs at the Loading Dock Theatre in Darlinghurst, Sydney, until February 28, 2025. The show aims to challenge traditional notions of masculinity while promoting inclusivity and self-expression within the LGBTQ+ community.  -------------------------------- ​Skip to main content Getting into costume backstage Angel Tan puts the finishing touches to their drag king character, Fine China Chris McAllister gets ready to perform as Chase Cox Backstage is abuzz with final adjustments to…
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​Investor Profiting from Zombie Malls Now Investing Heavily in Vacant Office Spaces
25 Feb

​Investor Profiting from Zombie Malls Now Investing Heavily in Vacant Office Spaces

Real Estate
New York-based Namdar Realty Group has strategically invested in office buildings across major markets following the pandemic, capitalizing on the significant decline in office property values. As remote work reshaped the commercial real estate landscape, Namdar identified opportunities to acquire undervalued assets. The firm’s approach focuses on revitalizing these properties to attract tenants and adapt to evolving market demands. By leveraging its expertise and resources, Namdar aims to reposition these office spaces, ensuring long-term value and sustainability in a changing economic environment. This proactive strategy highlights the potential for growth in the commercial real estate sector, even amidst challenges posed…
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OpenAI broadens Deep Research access to Plus users, intensifying competition with DeepSeek and Claude
25 Feb

OpenAI broadens Deep Research access to Plus users, intensifying competition with DeepSeek and Claude

Automation
OpenAI has announced the rollout of its Deep Research capability to ChatGPT Plus, Team, Education, and Enterprise users, providing significant access to advanced AI research tools. Users will receive 10 queries per month, while Pro subscribers will have 120. Deep Research utilizes a specialized version of OpenAI’s upcoming o3 model to independently analyze various online sources and generate comprehensive reports, marking a shift from traditional chatbots. This launch comes amid increased competition from China's DeepSeek, which has adopted an open-source model, challenging the subscription-based approach of Western AI. The evolving landscape presents enterprises with diverse options, each with unique philosophies…
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More proof of decreasing benefits from quality of life improvements
25 Feb

More proof of decreasing benefits from quality of life improvements

Healthcare economics
Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) often overlook diminishing marginal utility in evaluating medical technologies. Johnson et al. (2024) conducted a discrete-choice experiment on patient preferences for major depressive disorder treatments, revealing evidence of diminishing marginal utility and path dependence. Their analysis of 751 respondents indicated that short treatment durations minimized discounting effects, suggesting that findings are attributable to non-linear utilities, particularly relevant for fast-acting treatments.  -------------------------------- ​ Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) are commonly used to evaluate the impact of new medical technologies on patient mortality and morbidity. However, use of QALYs Many authors have discussed the fact that standard assumptions result…
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Grok’s new “unhinged” voice mode can curse, scream, and simulate phone intimacy
25 Feb

Grok’s new “unhinged” voice mode can curse, scream, and simulate phone intimacy

AI
xAI has launched a new voice interaction mode for its Grok 3 AI model, available to premium subscribers. Unlike ChatGPT, Grok offers various uncensored personalities, including an "unhinged" mode that uses vulgar language and insults users. Other modes include "Storyteller," "Romantic," "Meditation," "Conspiracy," "Unlicensed Therapist," "Grok Doc," and "Sexy," the latter discussing explicit content. This approach contrasts with OpenAI's more moderated stance, allowing Grok to explore topics often deemed inappropriate by other AI platforms. Users can also customize Grok's responses.  ------------------------------ ​ New cursing chatbot follows Elon Musk's plan to provide an "uncensored" answer to ChatGPT. Credit: dvoriankin via Getty…
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Google’s free Gemini Code Assist offers impressive usage limits for developers and programmers
25 Feb

Google’s free Gemini Code Assist offers impressive usage limits for developers and programmers

AI
Google's Gemini Code Assist is now available for free to individual developers, offering 180,000 code completions per month—90 times more than Microsoft's GitHub Copilot. Initially launched as an enterprise tool, it integrates seamlessly with existing development environments, providing real-time suggestions and support for public domain languages. Built on the Gemini 2.0 LLM, it can tackle complex programming challenges with a large context window, making it a powerful resource for developers.  ------------------------------ ​ Gemini Code Assist lets you do 90 times more than competing tools. Credit: Google Generative AI has wormed its way into myriad products and services, some of which…
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