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  • Major plumbing headache haunts $13 billion U.S. carrier off the coast of

    03/08/2026 6:14:49 PM PDT · by daniel1212 · 46 replies
    npr.org/ ^ | January 17, 2026 | Steve Walsh
    New documents show the crew on board the United States' newest aircraft carrier are growing increasingly frustrated by design flaws that lead to regular failures in the ship's toilet system. The USS Gerald R. Ford has been deployed for seven months since it left Norfolk in June. On board the carrier, the crew is battling a toilet system that the General Accountability Office reported in 2020 was undersized and poorly designed. The system continues to fail during deployment, forcing the crew of 4,600 sailors to live with a system that randomly breaks down during their months at sea. NPR has...
  • 28 powerful Sony World Photography Awards 2026 honorees

    03/07/2026 7:14:21 AM PST · by Diana in Wisconsin · 14 replies
    Popular Science ^ | March 7, 2026 | Popular Science Team
    From the beaches of Galápagos to the forests of Cameroon. In the Congo Basin, two groups of wild western lowland gorillas encounter photographer Hugo Hebbe. One group is familiar with humans, reacting with indifference to the attention. The other remains cautious, scamping off when humans approach. The images captured during the encounter (seen below) document “an evolving story of fear, patience and trust,” the photographer explains. The images, part of a series called “Guardians of the Jungle,” were honored at the 2026 Sony World Photography Awards, Professional division.
  • 26 Everyday Objects From the ’80s You Totally Forgot About

    03/06/2026 5:45:07 PM PST · by nickcarraway · 138 replies
    UltimateClassicRock. ^ | Stephen Lenz
    After our look at the forgotten everyday items of the 1970s — remember the rabbit ears, the pull tabs, and other "You did what with what?" things that would confuse the heck out of Gen Zers today — it only felt right that would keep the time machine grooving and Jazzercize ourselves into the 1980s. After our look at the forgotten everyday items of the 1970s — remember the rabbit ears, the pull tabs, and other "You did what with what?" things that would confuse the heck out of Gen Zers today — it only felt right that would keep...
  • Russia’s drone pipeline: How Iran helps Moscow produce an ever‑evolving unmanned fleet

    03/06/2026 6:42:57 AM PST · by daniel1212 · 5 replies
    theconversation.co ^ | January 28, 2026 | theconversation.co
    With Russian ground troops bogged down in a grinding war of attrition, Moscow is striving to press home its advantage in the skies – through an ever-evolving army of drones, courtesy of Iran. In early January, wreckage of a drone found in Ukraine hinted at a new high-speed model of drone being deployed by Russia in the conflict. It prompted Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to air fears over failing to keep pace. Share article Russia was initially unable to produce large numbers of kamikaze drones,...Tehran had the expertise Russia needed. It also had an existing defense relationship with Russia. Moreover,...
  • FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2026 Live Thread.

    03/05/2026 12:09:14 PM PST · by Carriage Hill · 53 replies
    Formula One ^ | 3.5.2026 | Carriage Hill
    Circuit: Albert Park First Grand Prix: 1996, Number of Laps: 58, Circuit Length: 3.295 km, Race Distance: 306.124 km, Lap Record: 1:19.813 Charles Leclerc (2024)
  • How many frying pans does it take to stop a bullet?

    03/05/2026 5:58:24 AM PST · by nuconvert · 28 replies
    Just an entertaining video. Enjoy
  • DeSoto Police ‘Drone as First Responder' program finds missing boy

    03/03/2026 9:57:27 PM PST · by nickcarraway · 3 replies
    NBC DFW ^ | 3/3 | Noelle Walker
    A 4-year-old boy who has autism and is non-verbal went missing from his DeSoto home Sunday afternoon. A police drone spotted him and directed officers to his rescue.The 200 block of Jordan Drive in DeSoto was a buzz of activity on Sunday afternoon, as neighbors joined in a search for a missing 4-year-old boy with autism who is non-verbal, who had wandered away from his home. "Mom radar is all the way up, and I'm just consoling her on the side, because I'm just imagining how she's feeling," neighbor Kandice Middleton said. "It felt like years that we were looking...
  • Are these dimensions correct for tri-point ("Y") screwdrivers or bits?

    02/26/2026 3:13:09 PM PST · by Paul R. · 32 replies
    Me | 2/26/2026 | Paul R.
    I have yet another(!) electronics' modification project going, and ran across a slight dilemma: None of my several "Security Bit" sets have a bit that fits the Tri-Point (or "Y") screw heads in the gear to be modified, even though 2 sets do have Tri-Point bits. However, I found this screwdriver set on Amazon: https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/5113Evt3D0L._AC_SL1000_.jpg The question is, looking at that image, are those the correct diameters for the "Y" designation given? Basically, the 3mm for example, would be very close to the circumference of the outer circle the "fins"* of the bit would define. I ask this question because...
  • Napoli Fan 'Stabbed by Wife' at Home After VAR Decision Sparks Domestic Dispute

    02/24/2026 5:59:40 PM PST · by nickcarraway · 12 replies
    Euronews ^ | 24/02/2026 | Kieran Guilbert
    The 40-year-old man was stabbed by his wife after a misunderstanding while watching a Napoli game at their home, according to Italian media. A Napoli supporter was allegedly stabbed by his wife at their home after an argument broke out when he lost his temper while watching a match on TV, Italian media reported. The 40-year-old became frustrated as his side lost 2-1 to Atalanta in Serie A on Sunday, according to L'Unione Sarda daily newspaper. He reportedly shouted insults at the TV after a controversial VAR decision overturned a penalty that had been awarded to Napoli. The man's 35-year-old...
  • Why Adults Who Still ‘Play’ Are Happier, Healthier, and Less Stressed

    02/17/2026 3:49:53 PM PST · by nickcarraway · 45 replies
    Study Finds ^ | Feb 17, 2026 | Steve Fink
    Research led by Scott Duncan (Auckland University of Technology) and Melody Smith (University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau)In A Nutshell Play isn’t just for kids: Playful adults cope better with stress, feel more positive emotions, and report higher life satisfaction. Design matters: Cities and social norms often discourage adult play, but embedding playful spaces into everyday life could boost community well-being. It’s a mindset, not a toy box: Adult play is about curiosity and spontaneity, whether through humor, movement, creativity, or social interaction. Play strengthens relationships: It builds empathy, emotional intelligence, and even bridges generational divides. Somewhere along the...
  • Behold My Weekend BBQ Wings Fest!

    02/16/2026 10:04:17 AM PST · by PJ-Comix · 35 replies
    Self | February 16, 2026 | PJ-Comix
    WOW! On Sunday I had perhaps the BEST BBQ wings of my life. You can see them above in a big circle around my new BBQ accessory. I dry brined the wings on Saturday with a mix of kosher salt and baking powder to keep the salinity level low. I kept them on raised two wire racks in the fridge overnight. The next day I put the wings in a big bowl and added a few table spoons of olive oil. Then I thoroughly coated the wings with about a 50/50 mix of Polynesian Pineapple rub and smoked paprika. I...
  • Selloff wipes out nearly $1 trillion from software and services stocks as investors debate AI's existential threat

    02/14/2026 2:33:30 PM PST · by fireman15 · 17 replies
    Reuters ^ | February 4, 2026 | Chibuike Oguh, Danilo Masoni and Medha Singh
    Selloff wipes out nearly $1 trillion from software and services stocks as investors debate AI's existential threat Summary: Companies: Software stocks fall on AI disruption fears, but selling intensity eases Scramble to shield portfolios as AI muddies valuations, business prospects Selloff has been overdone, analyst says Software and service stocks shed $830 billion in market value in six trading days Feb 4 (Reuters) - Investors were assessing on Wednesday whether a selloff in global software stocks this week had gone too far, as they weighed if businesses could survive an existential threat posed by artificial intelligence. The answer: It's unclear,...
  • Drake Says He's 'Off' Sports Gambling After Losing $1M Super Bowl Bet on Patriots

    02/13/2026 3:33:51 PM PST · by nickcarraway · 29 replies
    Bleacher Report ^ | Feb 12, 2026 | Andrew Peters
    After losing another massive Super Bowl bet, Drake has decided to stay away from sports gambling. The Canadian rapper wrote on his Instagram that he's "off sports betting" and is instead "sticking to what" he knows, accompanied by a video of him playing online roulette. Ahead of Sunday's Super Bowl, Drake revealed that he placed a $1 million bet on the New England Patriots to beat the Seattle Seahawks. "Bet against me if you dare," he wrote on Instagram (h/t People's Clare Fisher), seemingly playing into the "Drake Curse." Had the Patriots won, Drake would have taken home about $2.95...
  • The Super Bowl now plays like America’s divorce proceedings

    02/12/2026 10:41:59 AM PST · by Heartlander · 12 replies
    The Blaze ^ | Feb 12, 2026 | Auron MacIntyre
    The Super Bowl now plays like America’s divorce proceedingsThe country still shares one screen, but not one meaning. One side will dominate the other, or separation will harden into something more permanent.The Seattle Seahawks trampled the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX, but the postgame chatter barely touched football. Fans and pundits argued about anthems, halftime, commercials, and what the whole spectacle “said” about America.For better or worse, the Super Bowl serves as the premier civic liturgy of the American empire, a night when strangers share the same screens and offices share the same small talk. When that...
  • A New Report Says AI Layoffs Are Backfiring and Half of Companies Will Start Rehiring

    02/11/2026 11:46:08 AM PST · by fireman15 · 71 replies
    Inc. ^ | February 4, 2026 | BRUCE CRUMLEY
    A New Report Says AI Layoffs Are Backfiring and Half of Companies Will Start Rehiring, Organizations are starting to come to terms with the limits of AI. Businesses and workers are actively adopting artificial intelligence tools to automate various workplace tasks and boost their productivity in the process, surveys indicate. Still, managers should probably think twice about using the tech to replace employees anytime soon. Many companies that have swapped people for chatbots will be reversing course and hiring cut staffers back before long, according to top consultancy Gartner. Recent studies have captured the significantly increased pace with which workplaces...
  • Olympic Bronze Medal Biathlete Confesses Affair on Live TV

    02/11/2026 10:53:38 AM PST · by nickcarraway · 39 replies
    Channel News Asia ^ | 11 Feb 2026
    Norwegian biathlete breaks down after winning bronze medal and confesses to cheating on his girlfriend, saying it is “the biggest mistake of my life”.The joy of winning a bronze medal at the Winter Olympics in Antholz on Tuesday (Feb 10) turned to tears for biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid as he broke down live on air and confessed he had had an affair. Asked by Norwegian channel NRK to share his feelings after his bronze in the 20km individual, a teary Laegreid admitted he had made "the biggest mistake of my life". "There is someone who, perhaps, isn't in front of...
  • Trump’s Huge AI Project Is Running Into a Major Financial Problem

    02/08/2026 3:09:52 PM PST · by fireman15 · 64 replies
    Futurism ^ | January 26, 2026 | Joe Wilkins
    "The market has indicated this is not investment-grade debt." It’s 2026, and tech companies continue to insist they need to spend staggering amounts of money on AI data centers. Yet for all of its enthusiasm over the past few years, Wall Street is finally starting to squint at the numbers. According to new reporting by Business Insider, JPMorgan Chase is running into trouble finding investors interested in servicing billions in debt backing two of the first five Stargate data centers. Stargate is Donald Trump’s $500 billion AI project led by tech companies Oracle and OpenAI. Its vague goal, OpenAI has...
  • 16 astonishing images from the 2026 Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards

    02/08/2026 12:33:21 PM PST · by Diana in Wisconsin · 25 replies
    Popular Science ^ | February 8, 2026 | Popular Science Team
    From a tender moment between a crane and her chick to a heartbreaking image of a polar bear cub’s final moments, the finalists for the Nuveen People’s Choice Award of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest stun. Photographers from 113 countries and territories submitted more than 60,000 images for consideration. A judging panel of photography, wildlife, conservation and science experts whittled the finalists list down to 24 photographs that are now competing for votes from the public. “No matter where you are in the world, it’s time to join the jury and vote in the Nuveen People’s Choice Award...
  • North Korea executed schoolchildren for watching ‘Squid Game'

    02/07/2026 4:02:23 PM PST · by Libloather · 35 replies
    California Post ^ | 2/07/26 | Samantha Olander
    North Korea is executing schoolchildren for watching South Korean TV shows and listening to K-Pop, including Netflix’s hit series “Squid Game,” according to Amnesty International. Escapees told the human rights group that teenagers and even middle school students have been publicly executed, sent to labor camps or subjected to brutal public humiliations for consuming foreign media banned by the regime. The accounts are based on 25 in-depth interviews conducted in 2025 with North Koreans who fled the country between 2012 and 2020, the organization said. Most were between ages 15 and 25 when they escaped. One interviewee said people, including...
  • Never Before Seen Paul Harrell Video: Will Shooting the Tires on a Car Stop it?

    02/06/2026 6:06:46 AM PST · by T.B. Yoits · 52 replies
    YouTube ^ | 1/23/2026 | Paul Harrell
    Roy E. Harrel, Jr. (Paul's brother): "Welcome into the studio. No, you haven't been clickbaited. A video with Paul is coming up shortly. But before we get there, we got a couple disclaimers and yeah-buts and all those things that Paul used to say. And the first one is that this video was filmed on a closed set under close supervision of safety personnel. Do not try anything that you're going to see in this video at home or on your own personal range." "With that little bit out of the way, this is a video that Paul made in...