Jan. 7, 2025

7.1-Magnitude Earthquake in Tibet Leaves 53 Dead, Over 1,000 Homes Destroyed

A devastating 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Dingri County in Tibet near the Himalayan border with Nepal on Tuesday morning, leaving at least 53 people dead and destroying over 1,000 homes. The quake, which occurred at a depth of 6.2 miles, also triggered tremors in neighboring Nepal, causing panic in Kathmandu. Rescue efforts are underway in affected regions, including Shigatse, a city considered sacred in Tibetan Buddhism. Aftershocks continue to be felt, compounding fears of further damage and avalanches in the mountainous areas. The region, prone to seismic activity, recalls the catastrophic 2015 Nepal earthquake that claimed nearly 9,000 lives.

Notes: The Himalayan region sits on the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, making it one of the most earthquake-prone areas globally.

Source: The New York Times

Justin Trudeau Resigns as Liberal Party Leader

Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation as the leader of Canada’s Liberal Party, signaling the end of his nine-year tenure as prime minister. While he will remain in office until his party selects a new leader, Trudeau cited internal divisions and the need for a strong contender in the next election as reasons for his decision. His announcement comes amid falling poll numbers for the Liberals, the recent resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, and growing tensions over proposed U.S. tariffs. Former Bank of Canada and Bank of England head Mark Carney is seen as a possible successor. The Canadian general election is scheduled for no later than October 2025.

Source: The Independent

Nvidia Unveils Project Digits, A Desktop AI Supercomputer

At CES, Nvidia announced Project Digits, a compact AI supercomputer designed for developers, researchers, and students. Powered by the new GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip, the system delivers the capability to process advanced AI models of up to 200 billion parameters, with a starting price of $3,000. Project Digits fits on a desk, runs on a standard power outlet, and boasts specs such as 128GB of memory, up to 4TB of storage, and 1 petaflop of AI performance. Designed for both local and cloud-based workflows, it provides access to Nvidia’s extensive AI software ecosystem, including tools like PyTorch and Nvidia RAPIDS. The device represents a leap in accessibility for AI computing, rivaling much larger systems in power efficiency and capability.

Notes: By drastically reducing the cost and size of AI supercomputers, Project Digits lowers the barrier to entry for AI development, encouraging innovation across industries.

Source: The Verge

Meta Adds UFC’s Dana White to Board in Strategic Move to Court Conservatives

Meta has appointed Dana White, president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and a close ally of President-elect Donald Trump, to its board of directors. White joins other new appointees, including John Elkann of Exor and Charlie Songhurst, a technology investor. This move is part of Meta's broader effort to strengthen ties with the incoming Trump administration, adding prominent Republican-aligned figures to its leadership. White's influence, particularly with younger male voters, has been credited with bolstering Trump’s support in the 2024 election. Meta is also transitioning leadership roles in its global affairs and policy teams, further aligning itself with Republican perspectives after years of criticism from conservatives regarding alleged platform bias.

Source: The Washington Post

Toyota Ventures Into Space with Investment in Rocket Development

Toyota is expanding its ambitions beyond automotive technology, announcing a $44.4 million investment in Japanese private spaceflight company Interstellar Technologies Inc. through its “Woven by Toyota” subsidiary. The move aligns Toyota with the development of orbital rockets for satellite deployment, marking its entry into the competitive commercial space sector. Chairman Akio Toyoda emphasized the importance of diversifying mobility innovations beyond Earth, echoing comparisons to Tesla and SpaceX. Toyota aims to leverage its expertise in mass production to streamline rocket manufacturing, positioning itself as a rival to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan's space market.

Notes: SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets dominate global satellite launches, pushing competitors like Mitsubishi and now Toyota to innovate in cost efficiency and reliability.

Source: CNBC