World News

Scientists at the Wuhan Institute of Virology have identified a new bat coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2, which can enter human cells using the ACE2 receptor, similar to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.

• Discovery: Found in anal swab samples from a Pipistrellus bat.
• Human Infection Potential: No reported human infections; laboratory tests show it can infect human cells but less efficiently than SARS-CoV-2.
• Treatment: Existing antiviral medications effective against SARS-CoV-2 also...

https://mfame.guru/new-bat-coronavirus-identified-by-wuhan-scientists/

• China’s EAST reactor sustained a stable fusion reaction for 17 minutes and 46 seconds, breaking its 2023 record.
• If harnessed successfully, fusion power could provide an infinite, carbon-free energy source.
• Research from EAST will contribute to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in France.

China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), often called an “artificial sun,” has set a new world record by maintaining a stable nuclear fusion reaction for nearly...

https://mfame.guru/chinas-artificial-sun-burns-bright-a-new-era-of-power-generation/

• Jack Ma’s Public Comeback Signals Beijing’s Support for Private Sector.
• Xi Jinping Urges Private Entrepreneurs to Drive Economic Growth.
• Tech Leaders Gather as China Eyes Innovation Leadership by 2030.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Feb 17 presided over an unusual gathering at the Great Hall of the People with leaders of China’s tech giants. Attending was Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma, resplendent in a black Mao suit and a beaming smile. His return to the stage is a signal that there might be a...

https://mfame.guru/jack-ma-appears-at-meeting-with-chinese-leaders-and-tech-executives/

• Intel Considers Divesting Manufacturing Operations Amid Struggles.
• TSMC Eyes Stake in Intel’s U.S. Manufacturing Plants.
• Intel Explores Sale Options with TSMC for Chip Production Facilities.

Intel is said to be in talks with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for the possible sale of its chip manufacturing business, as reported by Bloomberg and The New York Times. The action is supported by the Trump administration and could include Intel’s U.S. factories, with the option of...

https://mfame.guru/intel-in-talks-to-sell-chip-manufacturing-operations-to-tsmc/

• Mount Tai Introduces Robotic Legs to Aid Exhausted Hikers.
• AI-Powered Exoskeletons Debut at Mount Tai for Chinese New Year.
• Lightweight Robotic Device Eases Leg Strain During Mount Tai Climbs.

Standing at 5,000 feet tall and with more than 7,000 steps, China’s Mount Tai in Shandong has a reputation for tiring even the healthiest hikers. Tourism authorities have sought to make climbing more manageable by launching AI-driven robotic exoskeletons, reports CNN Travel.

https://mfame.guru/mount-tais-steep-climb-gets-high-tech-boost/

The U.S. Coast Guard has released an audio recording of the Titan submersible‘s fatal implosion from June 18, 2023, reports gCaptain.

On February 12, 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard released an audio recording capturing the fatal implosion of the Titan submersible, which occurred on June 18, 2023, during a dive to the Titanic wreck site. The recording was captured by a NOAA moored passive acoustic recorder located approximately 900 miles from the...

https://mfame.guru/uscg-releases-audio-recording-of-titan-submersibles-fatal-implosion/

• Russian missile strikes on Ukraine’s state-owned gas assets have reduced Naftogaz’s output by up to one-third, forcing the country to import gas from the EU.
• Ukraine will need to buy 1 billion cubic meters of gas, impacting supply amid high European gas prices.
• Stockpiles remain stable, but Naftogaz plans imports to prepare for future war-related challenges.

Russian missile strikes have severely impacted Naftogaz Group, Ukraine’s primary natural gas producer, cutting its output by as much as a...

https://mfame.guru/ukraine-forced-to-buy-eu-gas-after-russian-airstrikes/

• Tariffs on key materials like steel, aluminum, copper, and rare earths aim to reduce foreign dependence and strengthen national security.
• The tariffs may increase costs and cause delays in defense programs, particularly shipbuilding and aerospace.
• Experts warn about supply chain disruptions and higher prices affecting defense acquisition.
• Domestic production of materials, such as rare earths, could be incentivized by the tariffs.

The Trump administration’s consideration to impose tariffs on...

https://mfame.guru/experts-caution-that-trumps-tariffs-could-harm-the-military/

A new bill introduced by Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) is raising significant concerns over the growing influence of Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, particularly DeepSeek, within the U.S. The bill, filed last week, seeks to prohibit any advancements of AI technology within China by U.S. entities. If passed, this legislation could lead to a complete ban on the use of DeepSeek, a rising AI competitor from China, in the United States.

Hawley’s proposed...

https://mfame.guru/deepseek-download-could-mean-20-years-in-prison-100m-fine/

US stock futures and the dollar declined, while Hong Kong shares retreated from recent highs. This downturn was triggered by escalating trade tensions between the US and China, with both countries imposing new tariffs on each other, raising concerns about a wider and more damaging trade conflict, reports Reuters.

The S&P 500 futures initially rallied on news of last-minute deals between Mexico and Canada to avoid U.S. tariffs. However, this momentum quickly reversed, with...

https://mfame.guru/markets-volatile-as-us-china-trade-war-intensifies/