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Submission + - Our Sun Is Becoming More Active And NASA Doesn't Know Why (sciencealert.com) 1

iAmWaySmarterThanYou writes: "At the end of the last solar cycle in 2019, the official predictions were that the next cycle would be just as mild as its predecessor.

Those predictions were wrong. The current Solar Cycle 25 turned out far stronger than NASA and NOAA expected. Now, scientists say that the Sun's activity is on an escalating trajectory, outside the boundaries of the 11-year solar cycle. In fact, a new analysis of the data suggests that the activity of the Sun has been gradually rising since 2008."

Submission + - Trump: 'It's no longer free speech.' (politico.com) 1

sysrammer writes: The president doubled down on his claims that critical media coverage of him is "illegal." ...
President Donald Trump on Friday reiterated his claim that critical television coverage of him is “illegal” and pushed back on criticisms that his administration was taking actions that chill free speech.
“When 97 percent of the stories are bad about a person, it’s no longer free speech,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, complaining about an apparent asymmetry between his victory in the 2024 election and his treatment by media organizations. It was not immediately clear what statistics or laws he was referencing.

Submission + - Could plastic in your food be fueling Azheimer's? (sciencedaily.com) 1

alternative_right writes: Plastic particles from everyday items like Styrofoam cups and take-out containers are finding their way into the brain, where they may trigger Alzheimer’s-like symptoms. New research shows that mice carrying the Alzheimer’s-linked APOE4 gene who consumed microplastics exhibited sex-dependent cognitive decline, mirroring the differences seen in human patients.

Submission + - Tails 7.0 Linux distribution debuts with Debian 13 and GNOME 48 (nerds.xyz)

BrianFagioli writes: Tails 7.0 has officially arrived, marking the first release of the privacy-focused, Linux-based operating system based on Debian 13 âoeTrixieâ and GNOME 48 âoeBengaluru.â This update delivers faster startup times, refreshed applications, and stronger hardware support.

One of the most noticeable improvements is boot speed. Thanks to a switch from xz to zstd compression, Tails now starts 10 to 15 seconds quicker on most machines. The tradeoff is a slightly larger image size, but for users with reliable USB sticks the difference in speed is worth it. The developers caution that low-quality USB drives could still cause slower boots.

Software updates are a major part of this release. GNOME Terminal has been replaced by GNOME Console, and GNOME Image Viewer has been swapped for GNOME Loupe. Key applications have been updated as well, including Tor Browser 14.5.7, Tor client 0.4.8.17, Thunderbird 128.14.0esr, Electrum 4.5.8, KeePassXC 2.7.10, GIMP 3.0.4, Inkscape 1.4, and Audacity 3.7.3. The Text Editor and Document Scanner also get substantial upgrades.

GNOME itself sees a wave of improvements. The Settings app now has redesigned sections for sound, accessibility, and input. New accessibility features include Overamplification and always-visible scrollbars. Other changes include a workspace indicator replacing the Activities button, better screen reader navigation, and an option to extend battery life in laptops. While GNOME 48 is a polished release, itâ(TM)s worth noting that GNOME 49 was released just yesterday, which makes Tails 7.0 feel slightly behind the curve from day one.

Some older tools have been removed, such as unar, aircrack-ng, and the Power Statistics utility, but alternatives remain. File Roller still handles most RAR archives, and aircrack-ng can be reinstalled if needed using Additional Software.

Under the hood, the Linux kernel has been updated to 6.12.43, boosting compatibility with newer graphics cards and Wi-Fi hardware. Memory requirements have also increased from 2GB to 3GB, though the developers expect this will affect very few users.

Tails 7.0 is a huge step for anyone who values privacy and security. With faster performance, updated apps, and better hardware support, it continues to be one of the most important Linux-based tools for staying anonymous online.

Submission + - Taiwan issues handbook to prepare citizens for Chinese invasion (telegraph.co.uk)

fjo3 writes: The 29-page booklet begins by noting that the country’s safety “hinges on our will to defend ourselves” amid the “threat of aggression from China”.

Shen Wei-chih, the director of the All-Out Defense Mobilisation Agency, which is the reserve body for the defence ministry, explained that the government was not releasing the handbook “to create panic”.

He said: “The earlier you are prepared, the earlier you study [the booklet], the earlier you will be safe.”

Submission + - Who killed Charlie Kirk? And was the Internet involved? (bbc.com) 1

shanen writes: Surprised the story hasn't appeared already. Technical link is going to be the drive to insanity via the Web. Already some mention of social media websites.

My basic premise is that killing a human being is insane. Even in cases where the victim has a death wish.

And yet too many people rationalize killing. Even in extremely cold blood like this case. Real self-defense is quite rare, but claims of various forms of extended self-defense are far too abundant. Especially on today's Web.

Not much potential for Funny in this story, eh?

Submission + - Toxic "forever chemicals" found in 95% of beers tested in the U.S. (sciencedaily.com)

alternative_right writes: Forever chemicals known as PFAS have turned up in an unexpected place: beer. Researchers tested 23 different beers from across the U.S. and found that 95% contained PFAS, with the highest concentrations showing up in regions with known water contamination. The findings reveal how pollution in municipal water supplies can infiltrate popular products, raising concerns for both consumers and brewers.

Submission + - Conservative activist Charlie Kirk killed in outdoor event (apnews.com) 11

rufey writes: Authorities say conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed by a single shot in an apparent targeted attack during an outdoor event Wednesday at Utah Valley University in Orem Utah. Kirk co-founded the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA and was at the University as part of the American Comeback Tour hosted by the organization.

Its estimated more than 3000 people were in attendance at the event when the single shot range out and hit Charles Kirk in the neck, causing a massive loss of blood and ultimately his death.

Twelve hours after the incident the suspected shooter is still at large, though at least two people had been detained after the shooting for questioning, but were determined to not be involved in the shooting.

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