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The Pluribus finale revealed that there’s much more to the narrative.
Tech/AI

The Pluribus finale revealed that there’s much more to the narrative.

by admin December 24, 2025
written by admin

  • Entertainment

Vince Gilligan’s unique interpretation of a post-apocalyptic world necessitated extensive groundwork.

Vince Gilligan’s unique interpretation of a post-apocalyptic world necessitated extensive groundwork.

Dec 24, 2025, 8:00 AM UTC
Pluribus_Photo_010804
Pluribus_Photo_010804
Andrew Webster
Andrew Webster is an entertainment editor focused on streaming, virtual realms, and every single Pokémon game. Andrew became part of The Verge in 2012, penning over 4,000 articles.

It’s fortunate that we already know a second season of Pluribus is in the pipeline. The season finale for the series — a sci-fi series on Apple TV, directed by Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan — indicated that the story is only just beginning. The episode wove together several essential threads and, more critically, introduced potentially explosive (literally) new avenues for future developments.

Spoiler alert for the first season of Pluribus.

To start, a quick reminder of how we arrived at this point. The triggering event of Pluribus was the release of a virus with unknown, yet extraterrestrial, origins, transforming nearly the entire human population of Earth into an interconnected hive mind. The hive is peaceful, to the extent that they won’t even harm a bug or pick an apple from a tree, and they are negatively affected by adverse emotions. A small group of individuals, around a dozen, were not influenced by the virus. Notably, this group includes an American woman named Carol (Rhea Seehorn) and a Paraguayan man named Manousos (Carlos-Manuel Vesga). For most of the season, the two have been physically apart but united in their staunch opposition to the hive’s existence while seeking a way to “save” the world by restoring it to its former state.

The finale features these two finally reuniting — but things have shifted for Carol. In the second-to-last episode, her feelings towards the hive began to mellow, primarily due to her developing relationship with her guardian Zosia (Karolina Wydra). By the time the finale commences, they are a full-fledged couple. This marks a stark contrast to the earlier parts of the series, when Carol was so adversarial to the hive that they left her and the city of Albuquerque for safety reasons.

However, Carol’s evolved perception of the hive, especially regarding Zosia, means that things unfold differently from what Manousos anticipated. Instead of encountering a like-minded ally to assist him in “saving the world,” he meets a version of Carol who is hesitant to engage with him. The situation mirrors Pluribus’s second episode, where Carol fails to persuade the other survivors to collaborate on restoring the world. Yet this time, the roles are reversed. Considering that both Carol and Manousos are quite obstinate individuals and are relying on Google Translate for communication, their meeting is anything but seamless. After their initial conversation, Manousos quietly remarks, “well this is going just great.”

By the episode’s conclusion, however, the two appear to be mostly aligned in their views. Carol comes to realize that, despite her budding romance with Zosia, the hive is still making efforts to integrate her (the episode starts with one of the other survivors becoming part of the hive through a new process). This all culminates in Carol receiving a significant package that turns out to be an atom bomb. I suppose she wasn’t kidding earlier in the season.

The first season of Pluribus has been a journey. While there are many post-apocalyptic series, there’s truly nothing quite like this peculiar, hive-mind-infected version of Earth. Throughout nine episodes, we witness Carol grappling emotionally with her new reality while also taking that time to understand the hive’s mechanisms. This, in turn, assists us, the audience, in grasping what is happening. All narratives necessitate scene-setting, but Pluribus’ distinct characteristics demand considerably more.

Nevertheless, the revelation of the atom bomb at the end implies that the narrative will take a different direction in season 2. I don’t envision Pluribus transforming into a fast-paced production suddenly; its deliberate pace is part of its charm and permits an in-depth exploration of the intricate details of the setting. However, many of the unresolved plotlines and questions necessitate more action than merely uncovering additional information about the hive. Manousos might have devised a means to extract individuals from the hive using radio signals; the hive is in the process of constructing a “giant antenna” that could be used to possibly establish contact with whoever or whatever unleashed the virus; the remaining survivors must determine their willingness to join; the hive needs to resolve their imminent food scarcity; and, not to mention, that bomb that Carol might or might not have a strategy for.

I can’t ascertain how many seasons the Pluribus saga can feasibly span, but it’s evident it required at least two, simply because there’s so much to establish. It’s akin to Apple TV’s other wonderfully peculiar sci-fi series, Severance, a show that had a similarly distinctive premise and consistently tied everything together by the conclusion of its second season. Now we’ll have to wait and see if Pluribus can achieve the same.

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December 24, 2025 0 comments
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Trump stumbles, a counterfeit clip and 10 potential accomplices - Insights from the latest Epstein documents
Global

Trump stumbles, a counterfeit clip and 10 potential accomplices – Insights from the latest Epstein documents

by admin December 23, 2025
written by admin
4 hours ago

Kayla Epstein

On Tuesday, the US Department of Justice unveiled its most recent – and most extensive – collection of Jeffrey Epstein documents.

The over 11,000 documents continue a flow of disclosure that commenced on Friday, the cutoff date stipulated by a new statute that necessitates the department to publicly disclose all of its investigative material regarding the late paedophile and financier.

Numerous documents made public on Tuesday are redacted, with names and information obscured, including the names of individuals whom the FBI seems to identify as potential co-conspirators in the Epstein case.

The justice department is encountering backlash from legislators across the political spectrum concerning the volume of redactions, which the law explicitly mentions can only be applied to safeguard the identities of victims or ongoing criminal probes.

President Donald Trump’s name surfaced more prominently in these newly released documents compared to prior disclosures. Many were derived from media articles referencing him, but one significant email from a federal prosecutor suggested Trump flew on Epstein’s aircraft.

The justice department stated that some documents “include false and sensational claims” regarding Trump.

Being referenced in the Epstein documents does not imply guilt. BBC has solicited comments from individuals cited in our report.

Correspondence between ‘A’ and Ghislaine Maxwell regarding ‘girls’

Among the thousands of pages in this latest release, a 2001 email dispatched by a person designated as “A” is particularly noteworthy.

The communication, addressed to Epstein’s associate and confidant Ghislaine Maxwell, indicates that “A” is at “Balmoral Summer Camp for the Royal Family”.

“A” subsequently inquires of Maxwell, who received a 20-year sentence in 2022 for sex trafficking minors and other charges: “Have you recruited some new unsavory companions?”

In another message sent later the same day, Maxwell responds: “I regret to disappoint [sic] you, but the truth must be conveyed. I have only been able to locate suitable acquaintances.”

The “A” email was dispatched from the address [email protected], with the sender’s name appearing as “The Invisible Man”.

An image from an earlier Epstein file release displayed a different, yet similarly structured email – [email protected] – recorded in Epstein’s phone book under a contact named “Duke of York”.

Another communication in the new files between Maxwell and “The Invisible Man” discusses a journey to Peru.

In October, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor lost his Duke of York title following scrutiny of his associations with Epstein.

He has consistently denied any misconduct, asserting he did not “observe, witness, or suspect any behavior that later resulted in his [Epstein’s] arrest and conviction”.

The BBC has reached out to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s team for a reaction.

FBI email identifies 10 purported co-conspirators of Epstein

US Department of Justice An undated photo released by the US justice department shows Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell seated close together outside a wooden home, appearing to be a cabin of some kind in a wooded area.US Department of Justice

Included in the documents released are emails seemingly exchanged among FBI personnel in 2019 that reference 10 alleged “co-conspirators” of Epstein.

The emails indicated six of the 10 co-conspirators had received subpoenas. This encompassed three in Florida, one in Boston, one in New York City, and one in Connecticut.

Four subpoenas were pending when the emails were sent, including one directed at a “wealthy businessman in Ohio”.

Another email addressed to FBI New York provides an update regarding the co-conspirators. This instance seems to reference multiple names. Most remain redacted in the file.

Two names were left unredacted – (Ghislaine) Maxwell and Wexner.

One email states, “I am unaware of Ohio contacting Wexner”.

The email presumably pertains to former Victoria’s Secret CEO Les Wexner, who had a prominent friendship with Epstein. In 2019, Wexner expressed his “embarrassment” regarding his associations with the financier.

Wexner’s legal representatives informed BBC News that “the assistant U.S. attorney leading the Epstein investigation stated at the time that Mr. Wexner was neither a co-conspirator nor a target”.

“Mr. Wexner fully cooperated by supplying background information on Epstein and was never contacted again,” they indicated.

Identifying potential co-conspirators in Epstein’s offenses is a crucial focus for his victims, as well as for multiple lawmakers who have demanded increased transparency from the DOJ.

“There are potentially 10 co-conspirators that we were entirely unaware of that the DOJ had been investigating,” Democrat Congressman Suhas Subramanyam remarked to BBC News on Tuesday.

Subramanyam, a member of the House Oversight Committee, expressed concern over the extent of the redactions that shield the identities of attorneys and individuals not classified as victims. Legislators from both parties stated they are exploring legal avenues to compel greater transparency.

The law enacted by Congress and endorsed by President Trump specifies that names and information that could be embarrassing or detrimental to reputation are prohibited from redaction, and specifically requests the justice department for internal communications and memos that detail who was investigated and the determinations made regarding “to charge, not charge, investigate, or decline to investigate Epstein or his associates”.

Justice Department claims Epstein letter to Larry Nassar is fraudulent

Getty Images Larry Nassar from the shoulders up, wearing square framed glasses with wire rims and orange jumpsuit, looks off to his leftGetty Images

A letter featured in the released collection garnered significant online attention. However, the justice department has labeled it as fake.

The handwritten correspondence and envelope initially seemed to depict Epstein writing to Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics doctor currently serving decades in prison for sexually abusing young female athletes.

“As you are probably aware, I have chosen the ‘short route’ home. Best wishes!” the fraudulent letter claims. “We shared one connection…our affection & concern for young women and the aspiration they achieve their utmost potential.”

The writer concludes with, “Life is unjust, Yours, J. Epstein.”

The letter was marked undeliverable and returned to a Manhattan facility where Epstein was held prior to his demise.

The FBI was notified regarding the returned correspondence and requested an evaluation of it. That request was also part of the released document collection.

On Tuesday, the justice department dismissed the letter as a fake, citing multiple irregularities in the note and its envelope.

“The handwriting does not seem to correspond with Jeffrey Epstein’s,” remarked the justice department on X.

“The return address did not specify the facility where Epstein was held and lacked his inmate number, which is mandatory for outgoing correspondence,” they added.

Officials noted the envelope had a postmark from northern Virginia – highlighting that Epstein was in custody in New York. Additionally, it was postmarked on 13 August 2019, three days following Epstein’s death.

Even before the justice department proclaimed it as fake, the documents prompted immediate inquiries.

The sender was identified as “J. Epstein” at “Manhattan Correctional” – but the correct designation for the now-closed jail was “Metropolitan Correctional Center”.

The documents made public on Tuesday also reveal the FBI’s analysis request.

A request from the FBI laboratory indicated that in August 2019, a sender identified as “J. Epstein” at “Manhattan Correctional” attempted to send a letter to “Larry Nassar at 9300 S. Wilmot Road, Tucson, Arizona, 85756”, the address of a federal correctional institution.

Nassar is presently incarcerated in Pennsylvania, according to the Bureau of Prisons.

Trump’s journeys on Epstein’s private aircraft

Getty Images A younger unsmiling Trump on the left in a suit with red tie, next to Melania in low-cut black dress with spaghetti straps, who has her eyes closed and is leaning her head toward Jeffrey Epstein, who looks out at the camera wearing a polo shirt and blazer and has his arm around the waist of Ghislaine Maxwell, who looks toward the group and is wearing a short denim halter top with beaded fringeGetty Images

Trump’s name features more prominently in these documents compared to other sets released by the justice department.

Significantly, in a January 2020 email, a federal prosecutor in New York noted that newly obtained flight logs “indicate that Donald Trump traveled on Epstein’s private jet much more frequently than had previously been disclosed (or that we were aware of)”.

The recipient of the email was redacted.

Trump was recorded as a passenger on “at least eight flights between 1993 and 1996”, with Ghislaine Maxwell aboard at least four of those flights, according to the prosecutor. Trump was also “noted as traveling with, among others and on different occasions, Marla Maples, his daughter Tiffany, and his son Eric”.

Trump was previously wed to Marla Maples, mother of Tiffany, from 1993 to 1999.

The prosecutor also mentioned that “on a flight in 1993, he and Epstein are the sole two passengers listed; on another, the only three passengers are Epstein, Trump, and then-20-year-old”, with the third passenger’s name concealed.

“For two other flights, two of the passengers, respectively, were women who might serve as witnesses in a Maxwell prosecution.”

The timing of these flights corresponds with years in which federal authorities were scrutinizing Maxwell’s conduct and journeys as part of their criminal case against her. Ultimately, she was convicted of colluding with Epstein to recruit and sexually prey upon minors.

However, throughout the documents released on Tuesday, numerous mentions of Trump’s name appear merely in news articles citing him, his campaigns, and other related events.

Trump has continually denied any illegal activity related to Epstein.

In a statement accompanying Tuesday’s release, the Department of Justice stated that the new files “hold false and exaggerated allegations directed at President Trump that were presented to the FBI just prior to the 2020 election”.

“To clarify: the accusations are baseless and untrue, and had they possessed even a sliver of credibility, they would have undoubtedly been utilized against President Trump by now,” the justice department asserted.

Included fake video of Epstein

Among the more bizarre elements in Tuesday’s document release was a fake video depicting an Epstein-like figure in a prison cell, raising concerns over how it ended up in the department’s official files.

Additional documents indicated that an individual from Florida had emailed federal investigators in March 2021 a link to the video, inquiring if it was authentic; it is not.

BBC Verify employed a reverse image search to discover that a version of the video was uploaded to YouTube in October 2020. The user who shared it claimed the clip was made using 3D graphics.

According to a 2023 report from the Bureau of Prisons, no video recording from within Epstein’s cell on the day of his death exists.

The inclusion of the fake video in this release highlights the inquiries that federal agencies have been receiving from the public, many of whom, influenced by conspiracy theories or longstanding suspicions, seek clarity regarding Epstein’s life and passing.

Shayan Sardarizadeh contributed to this report.

December 23, 2025 0 comments
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Trump administration prevents ex-EU official and researchers combating disinformation and hate from entering US
Tech/AI

Trump administration prevents ex-EU official and researchers combating disinformation and hate from entering US

by admin December 23, 2025
written by admin

The five individuals who were sanctioned included Thierry Breton and Imran Ahmed, who had a dispute with Elon Musk.

The five individuals who were sanctioned included Thierry Breton and Imran Ahmed, who had a dispute with Elon Musk.

Dec 24, 2025, 12:11 AM UTC
Visit by EU Commissioner Thierry Breton to Lusatia
Visit by EU Commissioner Thierry Breton to Lusatia
Richard Lawler
Richard Lawler is a senior editor who covers topics related to technology, culture, policy, and entertainment. He became part of The Verge in 2021 after spending several years as a news reporter at Engadget.

On Tuesday, the Trump Administration enacted a promised retaliation aimed at foreigners involved in content moderation. The State Department declared sanctions prohibiting US access for former EU commissioner Thierry Breton, alongside four researchers, while also issuing a deliberately intimidating warning to others, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserting, “The State Department stands prepared to expand today’s roster if other foreign entities do not change their behavior.”

One of the researchers identified by the State Department as banned and now subject to deportation is Imran Ahmed, who leads the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), an organization focused on identifying and countering hate speech online that Elon Musk attempted and failed to suppress with a lawsuit that was dismissed in early 2024. In his ruling, Judge Charles Breyer stated that X’s motivation for the lawsuit was to “penalize CCDH for its publications that criticized X Corp. — and possibly to deter others.”

Breton is regarded as “a key architect of the Digital Services Act” by US Under Secretary of State Sarah Rogers, who specifically mentioned a letter he sent to Elon Musk prior to a livestreamed event with Donald Trump, indicating X’s legal responsibilities under the DSA concerning illegal content and misinformation.

The other researchers include Anna-Lena von Hodenberg and Josephine Ballon, heads of HateAid, a nonprofit that attempted to sue X in 2023 for “not removing illegal antisemitic content,” along with Clare Melford, who leads the Global Disinformation Index, which works on “repairing the systems that allow for disinformation.”

The press release announcing the sanctions is entitled “Announcement of Actions to Combat the Global Censorship-Industrial Complex,” which was cited by Republicans like House Judiciary Committee leader Jim Jordan, as they have fought against efforts to implement fact-checking and misinformation research on social media platforms. Earlier this month, Reuters reported that the State Department instructed US consulates to consider denying H-1B visa applicants involved in content moderation, and just days ago, the Office of the US Trade Representative threatened action against European tech companies like Spotify and SAP over allegedly “biased” actions in regulating US tech platforms.

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Email from 'A' at 'Balmoral' requested Ghislaine Maxwell for 'disreputable acquaintances', Epstein documents reveal
Global

Email from ‘A’ at ‘Balmoral’ requested Ghislaine Maxwell for ‘disreputable acquaintances’, Epstein documents reveal

by admin December 23, 2025
written by admin
7 hours ago

Cachella Smith

PA Media A landscape view of Balmoral CastlePA Media

An email originating from an individual identified as “A”, who claims to be at Balmoral and requesting Ghislaine Maxwell for “unacceptable acquaintances”, is part of the recent batch of Epstein documents released on Tuesday.

The correspondence, sent to Maxwell on 16 August 2001, starts with: “I am currently at Balmoral Summer Camp for the Royal Family.” Later, the sender inquires: “How’s LA? Have you discovered some new unacceptable acquaintances for me?” before concluding with “see you A xxx”.

Balmoral Castle serves as a royal residence.

The emails do not suggest any illegal activities. The BBC has reached out to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s representatives for their feedback. The ex-prince has consistently denied any misconduct.

He has also previously stated he did not “see, witness or suspect any actions of the kind that eventually led to his [Epstein’s] arrest and sentencing”.

The message was dispatched from the email “[email protected]” with the subject “The Invisible Man” and is among the over 11,000 records published on Tuesday.

In a reply sent to this address on the same date, Maxwell stated: “I apologize for disappointing you, but the truth must be shared. I have only been able to locate suitable acquaintances.”

US Department of Justice A screenshot of the email, which reads: From: To: “Ghislaine Maxwell (E-mail)” Subject: Summer Camp Sent: Thu, 16 Aug 2001 11:09:45+0100 I am up here at Balmoral Summer Camp for the Royal Family. Activities take place all day and I am totally exhausted at the end of each day. The Girls are completely shattered and I will have to give them an early night today as it is getting tiring splitting them up all the time! How’s LA? Have you found me some new inappropriate friends? Let me know when you are coming over as I am free from 25th August until 2nd Sept and want to go somewhere hot and sunny with some fun people before having to put my nose firmly to the grindstone for the Fall. Any ideas gratefully received! See ya A xxx” class=”sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA”>US Department of Justice

Another email address – [email protected] – is recorded in Epstein’s contact list under a name labeled “Duke of York”, as shown in a previously released image.

An additional correspondence between Maxwell and “The Invisible Man” also published on Tuesday reveals the alias linked to both email addresses.

The exchanges, dated February 2002, talk about a visit to Peru.

Maxwell initially sent an email to “The Invisible Man” at [email protected] detailing plans for a trip to the South American nation inquiring “What do you think [?]”.

The forwarded email originates from an address named “Juanesteban Ganoza” and proposes possible activities including a light lunch and horseback riding.

It also inquires: “Regarding the girls… how old is he? I doubt he will find someone here, but we may give it a shot.”

A response from “The Invisible Man” is sent to Maxwell via the alternate address “[email protected]” containing remarks such as: “Concerning food, I am very accommodating and will adapt to whatever he organizes […] As for the girls, I will entrust that entirely to you and Juan Estoban!”

The sender signs off as “Masses of love A xxx”.

In a subsequent exchange, in March 2002, Maxwell forwards an email to [email protected], which commences: “Thought you would like to see what I sent.”

The email seems to reiterate a note sent to another individual starting: “I just provided Andrew your telephone number [sic].

“Some sightseeing, some two-legged sightseeing (interpreted as intelligent, pretty, fun, and from good families) will ensure he is very pleased.”

US Department of Justice Graphic showing an email header and body, with the header showing the email was from “The Invisible Man” (aace@dial.pipex.com) to “G. Max” (gmax1@mindspring.com) with the subject “RE:” 
and sent on 3 March 2002. It reads: US Department of Justice

In October, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor forfeited his titles as prince and Duke of York after facing scrutiny over his connections with Epstein.

The US Department of Justice has been disclosing documents, called the Epstein files, pertinent to two criminal probes involving the convicted sex offender during his lifetime.

Congress enacted a law requiring the full disclosure of these files by 19 December.

Not all files have been made public yet.

Andrew has appeared in earlier documents. Being mentioned in photos or documents does not, in itself, imply wrongdoing.

Included in the newly revealed documents is an official request from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) dating back to April 2020 seeking cooperation from British authorities “to interview H.R.H Prince Andrew Albert Christian Edward” concerning two criminal investigations.

One of these pertained to Epstein.

Concerning the Epstein probe, the DOJ’s note states “the investigation so far indicates that Prince Andrew might have been a witness to and/or participant in certain incidents of interest to the ongoing inquiry”.

The document emphasized that Andrew was not a “target” of the investigation and that no evidence had been collected indicating he had committed any crimes under US law.

Enclosed within the document is a list detailing the areas US authorities aimed to address during an interview – it covered names and identifying characteristics of any females Prince Andrew encountered via Epstein and/or Maxwell, alongside the history of his association with both.

US President Donald Trump has also been mentioned in the documents from this latest release, including a reference in a 2020 email from an assistant US attorney suggesting he had flown on Epstein’s private jet “many more times than previously reported (or that we were aware of)”.

In 2024, Trump wrote: “I was never on Epstein’s Plane”. He has denied any illegal conduct regarding Epstein.

The DOJ has also indicated that some files disclosed on Tuesday “contain false and sensational claims” against Trump.

December 23, 2025 0 comments
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China has just conducted its second reusable launch attempt in three weeks
Tech/AI

China has just conducted its second reusable launch attempt in three weeks

by admin December 23, 2025
written by admin

For the second time this month, a Chinese reusable rocket reached low-Earth orbit on its maiden flight Monday, overcoming the long odds that typically accompany new launch vehicle debuts.

The inaugural Long March 12A, similar in height and diameter to SpaceX’s Falcon 9 workhorse, launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 9:00 pm EST Monday (02:00 UTC Tuesday).

Under ten minutes later, the methane-fueled first-stage booster plummeted through the atmosphere at supersonic speed, striking a remote area roughly 200 miles downrange from the Jiuquan spaceport in northwest China. The booster did not perform a braking burn to slow for touchdown at the prepared site near the edge of the Gobi Desert.

The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the state-owned enterprise that leads the country’s space sector, said the Long March 12A’s upper stage behaved as expected, reaching the mission’s “predetermined orbit.”

“The first stage failed to be successfully recovered,” the corporation said in a statement. “The specific reasons are currently under further analysis and investigation.”

A fleet of reusable rockets

This outcome mirrors the results of the maiden flight of another medium-class Chinese vehicle, the Zhuque-3, on December 2. Built by the private startup LandSpace and comparable in size and performance to the Long March 12A, the Zhuque-3 also reached orbit on its first launch, but its recoverable booster crashed during a downrange landing attempt. The Zhuque-3’s first stage came down next to its landing zone, while the Long March 12A appears to have missed by at least a few miles.

“Although this mission did not achieve the planned recovery of the rocket’s first stage, it gathered vital engineering data under actual flight conditions, laying an important foundation for subsequent launches and dependable stage recoveries,” CASC said. “The research and development team will promptly carry out a comprehensive review and technical analysis of this test, fully investigate the cause of the failure, continuously refine the recovery plan, and continue progressing verification of reusable technologies.”

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Leaked Avengers: Doomsday teaser is out now
Tech/AI

Leaked Avengers: Doomsday teaser is out now

by admin December 23, 2025
written by admin

Though Downey Jr. takes on a new part, Marvel is essentially reuniting its ensembles here. The story unfolds 14 months after the events of this year’s Thunderbolts*. That brings back Avengers staples like Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the current Captain America (Anthony Mackie), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), Falcon (Danny Ramirez), and Loki (Tom Hiddleston). On the Wakandan side there’s Shuri as the new Black Panther (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), and Namor (Tenoch Huerta Mejia).

Of course the Thunderbolts* (aka New Avengers) show up: John Walker/US Agent (Wyatt Russell), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bob/Sentry (Lewis Pullman), Red Guardian (David Harbour), and Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen). The Fantastic Four are on hand as well: Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), and Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn). The original X-Men also return: Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), Beast (Kelsey Grammer), Magneto (Ian McKellen), Mystique (Rebecca Romijn), Nightcrawler (Alan Cumming), and Cyclops (James Marsden).

Marvel also adds Gambit (Channing Tatum) and Xu Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) for good measure. Expect numerous cameos, including a recently revealed Steve Rogers appearance. We can likely spot (at least briefly) Peggy Carter, Spider-Man (Tom Holland), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), and Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), among others.

Avengers: Doomsday opens in theaters on December 18, 2026. Avengers: Secret Wars is scheduled for release on December 17, 2027, and will mark the conclusion of the MCU’s Phase Six.

December 23, 2025 0 comments
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Fed chair nominee Hassett asserts that the U.S. is significantly lagging in reducing interest rates.
Economy

Fed chair nominee Hassett asserts that the U.S. is significantly lagging in reducing interest rates.

by admin December 23, 2025
written by admin

On Tuesday, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett remarked that the Federal Reserve is not promptly reducing interest rates, despite the U.S. economy expanding at a significantly quicker-than-anticipated rate in the third quarter.

Hassett, a prominent candidate to take over as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell when his term concludes in May, stated that the artificial intelligence surge is enhancing economic growth while also exerting downward pressure on inflation.

“When you observe central banks globally, the U.S. is significantly lagging in terms of rate reductions,” the leading White House economic advisor told CNBC during a “Money Movers” interview.

U.S. economic growth hit an annual rate of 4.3% in the third quarter, outpacing the Dow Jones forecast of 3.2%. Hassett mentioned that 1.5% of this growth stemmed from President Donald Trump‘s tariffs decreasing the U.S. trade deficit.

The Fed reduced interest rates by a quarter point on Dec. 10, marking the third reduction this year, but hinted that future cuts may proceed at a slower pace.

Three Fed governors opposed the quarter-point adjustment, recording the highest level of dissent since 2019. Following this month’s meeting, Powell remarked that the decision to lower rates by a quarter point was a “close call.”

Trump has frequently criticized the Fed for not cutting rates as swiftly as he desires. Concerns have been raised among some Fed observers about Hassett’s candidacy being too aligned with the president.

Hassett informed CNBC last week that the Fed’s autonomy is “extremely important.”

In a national address last week, Trump announced that he would soon reveal his nominee for Fed chair, asserting that he would select “someone who strongly supports significantly lower interest rates.”

The president’s prime-time speech centered on affordability. His economic approval rating was at 37% in a CBS News/YouGov poll released on Sunday.

When questioned about Trump’s declining approval rating, Hassett noted that public perception frequently does not align with economic indicators.

“Ultimately, it seems that much of it relates to news coverage and how individuals are interpreting their insights of the world around them,” Hassett said.

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Citadel set to distribute $5 billion in earnings to investors, according to a source
Economy

Citadel set to distribute $5 billion in earnings to investors, according to a source

by admin December 23, 2025
written by admin

Citadel is set to return approximately $5 billion in profits accrued in 2025 to investors at the start of next year, as per an individual who is informed about the situation.

The company’s prominent multistrategy fund, referred to as Wellington, recorded a 9.3% increase over the year leading up to last week, according to the individual, who preferred to remain unnamed while discussing performance specifics.

The profits being returned do not encompass the total generated in 2025, the individual mentioned, but rather reflect a strategy to manage capital more effectively in line with what the firm anticipates as the opportunity landscape heading into the new year. Consequently, Citadel will commence 2026 with $67 billion in assets, a decrease from the current $72 billion under management, the individual stated.

A representative for Citadel chose not to provide comments.

The firm does not implement profit distributions annually; however, since 2017 (including the anticipated return this year), Citadel has distributed $32 billion in profits to its investors.

According to LCH Investments, Citadel has been recognized as the most profitable hedge fund based on net gains since its inception. Up until 2024, Citadel has amassed $83 billion in net gains since its establishment in 1990. It is expected that this figure will rise to over $88 billion when new rankings are released in January.

December 23, 2025 0 comments
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Researchers are impregnating organoids with human embryos.
Tech/AI

Researchers are impregnating organoids with human embryos.

by admin December 23, 2025
written by admin

Upon initial observation, it seems like the beginning of a human pregnancy: A spherical embryo gently presses against the welcoming lining of the uterus and then secures itself, burrowing in as the initial strands of a forthcoming placenta become visible.

This event is implantation—the instant that pregnancy officially starts.

Yet none of this is taking place within a body. These visuals were taken in a laboratory in Beijing, within a microfluidic chip, while scientists observed the process unfold.

a microfluidic chip with channel measurements marked in mm
This clear microfluidic chip is utilized to cultivate an organoid that replicates the lining of a uterus.
COURTESY OF THE RESEARCHERS

In three studies released this week by Cell Press, scientists are presenting what they describe as the most precise attempts to simulate the initial moments of pregnancy in the laboratory. They have taken human embryos from IVF facilities and permitted these to combine with “organoids” composed of endometrial cells, which create the uterus lining.

The publications—two from China and one involving collaboration among researchers from the United Kingdom, Spain, and the US—demonstrate how scientists are employing engineered tissues to gain deeper insights into early pregnancy and possibly enhance IVF results.

“You possess an embryo and the endometrial organoid together,” states Jun Wu, a biologist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, who contributed to both Chinese studies. “That’s the main takeaway from all three publications.”

As indicated in the studies, these 3D combinations serve as the most complete replicas of the early days of pregnancy and should be beneficial for exploring why IVF treatments frequently do not succeed.

In every instance, the experiments were concluded when the embryos reached two weeks of age, if not earlier. This is due to legal and ethical regulations that typically prevent scientists from proceeding beyond 14 days.

In a standard IVF operation, an egg undergoes fertilization in the lab and develops into a spherical embryo known as a blastocyst—a process lasting a few days. The blastocyst is then implanted into a patient’s uterus with the hope that it will secure itself there and ultimately develop into a baby.

two embryos growing in placental tissue
Two blastoids, or artificial embryos (circles), develop within an organoid.
COURTESY OF THE RESEARCHERS

However, this is a frequent failure point. Many patients discover that their IVF procedure was unsuccessful because an embryo did not attach.

In the recent studies, it is that initial connection between the mother and embryo that is being replicated in the laboratory. “IVF denotes in vitro fertilization, but now this represents the stage of in vitro implantation,” remarks Matteo Molè, a biologist at Stanford University whose findings with collaborators in Europe are included in today’s publications. “Given that implantation is a barrier [to pregnancy], we have the potential to enhance success rates if we can model it in the lab.”

Typically, implantation is completely concealed from view as it occurs within someone’s uterus, according to Hongmei Wang, a developmental biologist at the Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, who co-led the effort there. Wang often conducts studies on monkeys because she can interrupt their pregnancies to gather the necessary tissues for observation. “We have always aspired to understand human embryo implantation, but we have lacked a method to do so,” she states. “It all occurs within the uterus.”

In the Beijing research, investigators examined approximately 50 donated IVF embryos, but they also conducted a thousand additional experiments using so-called blastoids. The latter are replicas of early-stage human embryos produced from stem cells. Blastoids can be generated in large quantities and, because they are not true embryos, face fewer ethical restrictions regarding their use.

“The inquiry was, if we possess these blastoids, what can we utilize them for?” asks Leqian Yu, the leading author of the report from the Beijing Institute. “The obvious subsequent step was implantation. So how do you achieve that?”

For the Beijing group, the solution was constructing a soft silicone chamber with tiny channels to supply nutrients and a place for the uterine organoid to grow. Afterward, blastoids—or actual embryos—could be introduced through an opening in the device, allowing the “pregnancy” to commence.

“The crucial question we aim to explore is what constitutes the first cross-talk between the embryo and the mother,” states Yu. “I believe this may be the first occasion we can observe the entire process.”

Medical uses

This is not the first instance researchers have attempted using organoids for this type of investigation. At least two startup companies have secured funding to commercialize comparable systems—in certain cases presenting the organoids as a tool to predict IVF success. In addition to Dawn Bio, a startup located in Vienna, there is Simbryo Technologies in Houston, which announced last month that it would begin providing “personalized” predictions for IVF patients utilizing blastoids and endometrial organoids.

To conduct that assessment, doctors will perform a biopsy of a patient’s uterine lining and cultivate organoids from it. Subsequently, blastoids will be added to the organoids to determine if a woman is capable of supporting a pregnancy or not. If the blastoids fail to begin implantation, it could imply that the patient’s uterus is not receptive and that is the reason IVF isn’t succeeding.

The Beijing team believes that the pregnancy organoids could also be utilized to identify medications that may assist those patients. In their paper, they detail how they created organoids from tissue taken from women who have experienced repeated IVF failures. They then examined 1,119 approved drugs on those samples to ascertain if any exhibited improvements.

Several appeared to have beneficial effects. One compound, avobenzone, an ingredient in certain types of sunscreen, raised the likelihood that a blastoid would begin to implant from merely 5% to approximately 25%. Yu mentions that his center aims to eventually initiate a clinical trial if they can discover the right medication to test. 

Artificial womb?

The Beijing group is exploring methods to enhance the organoid system to make it even more realistic. Currently, it lacks critical cell types, such as immune cells and a blood supply. Yu states that a next step he is working on involves incorporating blood vessels and miniature pumps into his chip device, allowing him to provide the organoids with a rudimentary form of circulation.

This implies that in the near future, blastoids or embryos could potentially be cultivated for longer durations, provoking questions about how far researchers will be able to extend pregnancy within the laboratory. “I believe this technology does raise the possibility of extending growth periods,” remarks Wu, who notes that some regard the research as a preliminary step toward creating infants entirely outside the body.

Nonetheless, Wu emphasizes that incubating a human to term in a laboratory remains unattainable for now. “This technology is certainly connected to ectogenesis, or development outside the body,” he states. “However, I don’t believe it is anywhere close to an artificial womb. That remains within the realm of science fiction.”

December 23, 2025 0 comments
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How social media promotes the most negative aspects of AI enthusiasm
Tech/AI

How social media promotes the most negative aspects of AI enthusiasm

by admin December 23, 2025
written by admin

Demis Hassabis, the head of Google DeepMind, expressed his thoughts in three words: “This is embarrassing.”  

Hassabis was reacting on X to an overly enthusiastic post by Sébastien Bubeck, a research scientist at competitor OpenAI, who proclaimed that two mathematicians had leveraged OpenAI’s most recent large language model, GPT-5, to unlock solutions for 10 previously unsolved mathematical dilemmas. “The acceleration of science through AI has officially commenced,” Bubeck proclaimed.

Put on your math caps for a moment, and let’s delve into what this dispute from mid-October was really about. It serves as an excellent illustration of the current issues surrounding AI.

Bubeck was thrilled that GPT-5 appeared to have miraculously resolved several challenges known as Erdős problems.

Paul Erdős, a highly prolific mathematician of the 20th century, left numerous puzzles behind upon his passing. To help track which ones have been resolved, Thomas Bloom, a mathematician at the University of Manchester, UK, establishederdosproblems.com, which catalogs over 1,100 problems and indicates that approximately 430 of them include solutions. 

When Bubeck celebrated GPT-5’s advances, Bloom was quick to call him out. “This is a significant misrepresentation,” he commented on X. Bloom clarified that a problem isn’t necessarily deemed unsolved just because this website doesn’t list a solution. It merely indicates that Bloom was not aware of one. Given the multitude of mathematics papers available, no one has read them all. However, GPT-5 likely has.

It was revealed that rather than developing original solutions to 10 unsolved problems, GPT-5 had searched the internet for 10 existing solutions that Bloom had not previously encountered. Oops!

There are two key insights here. One is that exaggerated declarations about major breakthroughs should not be made on social media: More thoughtful consideration is needed.

The second point is that GPT-5’s capacity to locate references to prior work that Bloom did not recognize is also remarkable. The excitement overshadowed what should have been an impressive feat in its own right.

Mathematicians are keen on utilizing LLMs to sift through enormous amounts of existing findings, François Charton, a research scientist who examines the application of LLMs to mathematics at AI startup Axiom Math, shared with me during our discussion about this Erdős oversight.

Nevertheless, literature reviews lack the thrill of true discovery, particularly for the ardent advocates of AI on social media. Bubeck’s mistake isn’t the only instance.

In August, a duo of mathematicians demonstrated that no LLMs at the time could tackle a math conundrum known as Yu Tsumura’s 554th Problem. Two months later, social media exploded with claims that GPT-5 could now solve it. “Lee Sedol moment is approaching for many,” one commenter stated, referencing the Go master who was defeated by DeepMind’s AI AlphaGo in 2016.

However, Charton noted that resolving Yu Tsumura’s 554th Problem isn’t regarded as a significant achievement by mathematicians. “It’s a problem you might assign to an undergraduate,” he mentioned. “There’s a tendency to exaggerate everything.”

Meanwhile, more balanced evaluations of the capabilities of LLMs are surfacing. Simultaneously to the online debates among mathematicians regarding GPT-5, two novel studies were published that examined in depth the use of LLMs in the fields of medicine and law (two areas where model creators claim their technology excels).

Researchers found that LLMs could accurately make certain medical diagnoses, but they were deficient in treatment recommendations. In the legal field, researchers discovered that LLMs frequently give inconsistent and erroneous advice. “The evidence so far does not convincingly meet the burden of proof,” the authors concluded.

However, that’s not the kind of message that resonates well on X. “There’s this buzz because everyone is communicating at an extraordinary pace—nobody wants to miss out,” Charton remarked. X is where much AI news is initially released, where new results are celebrated, and where influential individuals like Sam Altman, Yann LeCun, and Gary Marcus publicly engage in debates. It’s challenging to keep abreast of developments—and even harder to ignore.

Bubeck’s blunder was embarrassing primarily because it was exposed. Many errors remain unnoticed. Unless there’s a shift, researchers, investors, and general supporters will continue to set each other up. “Some of them are scientists, many are not, but they all share a passion for the field,” Charton explained to me. “Grand claims thrive on these platforms.”

*****

And there’s a postscript! I drafted everything you’ve just read for the Algorithm column in the January/February 2026 issue of MIT Technology Review magazine (coming very soon). Just two days after this went to print, Axiom announced that its own math model, AxiomProver, had solved two open Erdős problems (#124 and #481, for the math enthusiasts). That’s remarkable for a small startup established only a few months ago. Indeed—AI evolves rapidly!

But that’s not the end of it. Five days later, the company revealed that AxiomProver had conquered nine out of 12 challenges in this year’s Putnam competition, a collegiate-level math challenge that some consider more difficult than the better-known International Math Olympiad (which LLMs from both Google DeepMind and OpenAI mastered a few months earlier). 

The Putnam outcome received praise on X from notable figures in the field, such as Jeff Dean, chief scientist at Google DeepMind, and Thomas Wolf, cofounder at the AI firm Hugging Face. Once again, familiar discussions unfolded in the replies. A number of researchers observed that while the International Math Olympiad requires more creative problem-solving, the Putnam competition assesses mathematical knowledge—which makes it notoriously challenging for undergraduates but theoretically easier for LLMs that have absorbed vast amounts of internet content.

How should we appraise Axiom’s accomplishments? Not through social media, at least. And the attention-grabbing competition victories are just the beginning. Evaluating how proficient LLMs are at mathematics will necessitate a deeper examination of precisely how these models operate when tackling complex (read: challenging for humans) mathematical questions.

This article first appeared in The Algorithm, our weekly newsletter on AI. To receive stories like this in your inbox first, sign up here.

December 23, 2025 0 comments
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