Latest news with #China
Sustainability Times
27 minutes ago
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'China Achieves Unthinkable Feat': This Bold Extraction of 99.9% Ultra-Pure Rubidium from Salt Lake Brine Stuns the World
IN A NUTSHELL 🔬 Chinese scientists have developed a method to extract 99.9% pure rubidium chloride from low-grade brine, marking a significant breakthrough. from low-grade brine, marking a significant breakthrough. 🇨🇳 This achievement reduces China's reliance on foreign imports, particularly from Canada, strengthening its strategic mineral supply chain . . 💡 The new process involves innovative techniques like ore washing , rubidium leaching, and solvent extraction, offering substantial cost savings. , rubidium leaching, and solvent extraction, offering substantial cost savings. 🌍 China's advancement in rubidium extraction underscores its commitment to technological innovation and industrial resilience amid global competition. In a groundbreaking development, Chinese scientists have unveiled a novel method for extracting ultra-pure rubidium chloride from brine containing trace amounts of the metal. This achievement is a significant milestone for China's critical minerals supply, potentially reducing the country's dependency on foreign imports. As the world's largest consumer of rubidium, China has been reliant on countries like Canada for the majority of its imports. The breakthrough, reported by the Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, showcases China's growing expertise in strategic mineral extraction, promising a more self-sufficient future in high-tech and defense applications. The Significance of 99.9% Pure Rubidium The Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes (ISL), a division of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, announced this remarkable achievement. Researchers succeeded in producing rubidium chloride with an astounding 99.9% purity from potassium chloride material, which contained a mere 0.001% rubidium. Previously, this ultra-low concentration was deemed commercially unviable, but the new process has changed that perception entirely. Rubidium is a soft alkali metal with critical applications across multiple sectors. It plays a vital role in high-tech fields, including atomic clocks, perovskite solar cells, aerospace systems, and specialized glass. The importance of rubidium is underscored by its use in ultra-precise atomic clocks, which lose less than one second over 3.7 million years. Additionally, its applications extend to medical research, particularly in imaging tumor cells. Despite holding some of the world's largest rubidium reserves, China has faced challenges in domestic development, primarily because over 97% of its rubidium is locked in low-grade hard rock deposits that are difficult and costly to process. Only a small fraction of rubidium is found in more accessible forms, such as salt lake brine, predominantly in Qinghai province and Tibet. This breakthrough could mark a turning point in China's rubidium industry. 'Biggest Wind Turbine Ever': China Smashes All Records With This Colossal Machine—But a Hidden Flaw Threatens the Whole Project A First for China: Reducing Dependency In 2021, China imported over 19,500 tons of rubidium concentrate, with a dependency rate of 66.3% on external sources like Canada and Zimbabwe. The addition of rubidium to the United States' critical minerals list in 2022 heightened the geopolitical stakes surrounding mineral access. He Xinyu, in China Mining Magazine, emphasized the need for China to bolster resource security through technological innovation and diplomatic engagement. The ISL's electrochemical separation group addressed the scientific and engineering challenges of rubidium extraction. They developed a high-fidelity model to trace rubidium's distribution during potassium salt processing, identifying the reasons for rubidium's resistance to enrichment. This model not only optimizes rubidium concentration but also has potential applications in resource mapping and separation techniques. The integrated process devised by ISL encompasses ore washing, rubidium leaching, enrichment, solvent extraction, and purification. This system has been successfully tested using potassium chloride from Qinghai's Qarhan Salt Lake, one of China's largest inland salt lakes, consistently yielding 99.9% pure rubidium chloride from low-grade feedstock, which was previously considered unusable. 'China Leaves West in the Dust': Its Small Nuclear Reactor Leap Puts Beijing Years Ahead in the Future of Clean Energy Impact on Costs and Industrial Resilience Beyond its technological significance, this innovative process could result in substantial cost savings. A 2022 cost analysis by ISL scientist Gao Dandan's team found that rubidium chloride produced through this method could be manufactured at just one-third of its current market price. This economic advantage could strengthen China's industrial resilience amid growing global competition for strategic minerals. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation, CAS, and Qinghai provincial authorities, this development signifies a crucial step in China's pursuit of self-reliance in strategic mineral resources. By enhancing its capacity to produce rubidium internally, China is better positioned to withstand external pressures and maintain its lead in high-tech sectors. This breakthrough not only underlines China's commitment to technological advancement but also its determination to secure essential resources. As the global demand for strategic minerals intensifies, China's innovative approach could set a precedent for other nations seeking to bolster their mineral independence. China's Massive Nuclear Laser Project Exposed by U.S. Satellite—This Shocking Military Development Could Tip the Balance of Power The Future of Strategic Mineral Extraction The success of China's new rubidium extraction method is a testament to the country's growing capabilities in strategic minerals. As technological advancements continue to unfold, the implications for global mineral supply chains are profound. China's achievement could inspire similar innovations in other countries, potentially reshaping the landscape of mineral extraction worldwide. The Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes' approach to overcoming challenges in rubidium extraction reflects a broader trend of leveraging scientific research to enhance resource security. By reducing dependency on foreign sources, China is strengthening its position in the high-tech and defense sectors, ensuring a more stable and sustainable future for its industries. As the world grapples with the complexities of mineral supply chains, China's breakthrough prompts an open-ended question: How will other nations respond to the increasing need for strategic mineral self-reliance in the face of evolving global dynamics? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.7/5 (23)
Forbes
40 minutes ago
- Forbes
Digital Juneteenth : Breaking New Chains Amid AI
Alternative Juneteenth Flag with sunrise or sunset. Since 1865. Banner with place for text. On June 19, 1865, enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, finally learned what the rest of America had known for over two years: they were free. The Emancipation Proclamation had been signed, but information — and liberation — traveled slowly. It took until 2021 for Juneteenth to be recognized as a federal holiday in the US. Today, on this Juneteenth 2025, we face another moment when freedom hangs in the balance, not from the brutality of physical bondage, but from the subtle architecture of algorithmic control. The parallels are more than metaphorical. Just as plantation owners once claimed to know what was best for enslaved people — controlling their movement, their associations, their very thoughts — artificial intelligence systems now make similar claims about human behavior. They predict our preferences, curate our reality, and increasingly, determine our opportunities. Four short years after the recognition of a holiday commemorating freedom, it feels like people of all colors, cultures, castes and creeds are less free. The most insidious aspect of today's digital control isn't its violence — it's its seductive efficiency. Consider China's social credit system, which monitors and scores citizens based on their behavior, or how certain Western companies use AI to amplify surveillance and censorship. AI can serve as an amplifier of digital repression, making censorship, surveillance and the creation and spread of disinformation easier, faster, cheaper and more effective. But the threat runs deeper than government surveillance. to describes how people become unpaid data production units in a 'data industrial complex." Where people are the computational subjects of those algorithmic machinations, however, there is no law, present or effective, to protect them against great and propagating harms; each of us is part of a decentralized machine, feeding the production with unpaid inputs. This isn't hyperbole. Every click, every scroll, every pause in your reading creates value for tech companies while simultaneously training systems that will predict and influence your future choices. The plantation extracted labor from bodies; the algorithm extracts patterns from behavior. Both systems promised care and protection while delivering control and exploitation. Democracy thrives on chaos — messy town halls, heated debates, the slow grind of compromise. It assumes ordinary people, despite their flaws, can collectively govern themselves better than any monarch or expert class ever could. This faith in human judgment now confronts a peculiar enemy: machines that predict our political preferences before we form them. Democracy organizations worldwide document how authoritarian regimes and opportunistic politicians weaponize AI to consolidate power. In Myanmar, deepfaked videos of opposition leaders spread faster than fact-checkers could debunk them. In Brazil, micro-targeted ads exploited specific psychological triggers to suppress voter turnout in opposition strongholds. Even established democracies watch algorithmic amplification transform reasonable policy disagreements into existential tribal warfare, where compromise becomes betrayal and nuance dies in the noise. But the most sophisticated manipulation happens before we even realize we're making a decision. Corporations have weaponized what behavioral economists call "choice architecture" — the deliberate design of options to nudge specific outcomes. Netflix doesn't just recommend shows; it A/B tests thumbnails to trigger subconscious reactions, changing a drama's image to a romantic scene if the algorithm detects you're more likely to click on love stories. Amazon doesn't just suggest products; it dynamically adjusts prices based on your browsing history, purchase patterns, and even the battery level of your phone. These companies have moved beyond responding to consumer demand — they're actively manufacturing it, shaping desire itself through carefully orchestrated digital environments that feel natural but are anything but random. This represents a fundamental shift in the nature of free will. Traditional advertising tried to convince you to want something you'd already considered. Modern AI-driven influence creates the wanting itself, often for things that never would have occurred to you. It's the difference between a salesperson answering your questions and a puppet master pulling strings you can't see. The business implications are staggering. Companies that understand this inflection point will either become architects of human flourishing or unwitting accomplices to digital dystopia. The organizations that thrive will be those that recognize AI not just as a tool for optimization, but as a technology that shapes the very fabric of human freedom. Here's where the story becomes complex: AI isn't inherently evil. It can be used for social good. Prosocial AI refers to AI systems that are deliberately tailored, trained, tested and targeted to bring out the best in and for people and planet. Taking this back to the context of freedom versus slavery, some organizations are already using algorithms to combat modern slavery, tracking forced labor in supply chains and supporting survivors with ethical AI applications. AI can help tackle the pressing societal issue of slavery, for a more resilient and sustainable global supply chain, and ethical AI to support modern slavery survivors and improve policy outcomes. The trick is that it requires humans to fulfill that potential. The technology that threatens to enslave us also holds the key to deeper liberation. The same pattern recognition that enables surveillance can expose human trafficking networks. The same data processing that enables manipulation can reveal systemic inequities. The question isn't whether to embrace or reject AI, but how to ensure it serves human flourishing rather than human subjugation. The path forward requires more than technical solutions — it demands a fundamental reimagining of how we relate to technology and each other. Research on AI bias shows that discriminatory algorithmic decision-making isn't just a technical problem but a reflection of deeper societal inequities. Dealing with discriminatory bias in artificial intelligence requires new approaches to natural intelligence. This Juneteenth reminds us that freedom isn't a destination — it's a practice. The enslaved people of Galveston didn't just receive news of their liberation; they had to claim it, fight for it, and continuously defend it against those who would roll back their gains. Similarly, our digital freedom won't be handed to us by benevolent tech companies or well-meaning regulators. It must be claimed, fought for, and continuously defended. The most powerful corporations in history now shape human consciousness at scale. They decide what information we see, whom we connect with, and increasingly, what opportunities we receive. This concentration of power would have been unimaginable to the founders of democracy — and it's antithetical to the vision of self-determination that Juneteenth represents. As we mark this day of delayed liberation, we must ask: what news of freedom are we failing to deliver today? What systems of control have we normalized in the name of convenience or efficiency? The answer lies not in smashing the machines, but in fundamentally restructuring the relationships of power they enable. This means designing AI systems that enhance rather than erode human agency, creating economic models that distribute rather than concentrate value and building democratic institutions capable of governing technologies that move at the speed of light. What would it mean to truly liberate human potential in an AI-infused era? The following four components, addressed at the micro, meso, macro and meta arena can help us to rethink our place in the hybrid social fabric that underpins both – freedom and slavery. Individual: Regularly audit your digital diet — what algorithms are shaping your dreams? Interpersonal: Create spaces for unfiltered conversation about hopes and fears Community: Support local media and institutions that reflect community values, not engagement metrics Global: Advocate for international standards that protect cultural diversity from algorithmic homogenization Individual: Practice digital mindfulness — notice when technology manipulates your emotions Interpersonal: Prioritize face-to-face connections that can't be commoditized Community: Build local support networks that don't depend on platform algorithms Global: Support regulations that limit emotional manipulation in digital spaces Individual: Seek diverse information sources and question algorithmic recommendations Interpersonal: Engage in respectful disagreement without echo chamber reinforcement Community: Invest in education that teaches algorithmic literacy alongside traditional literacy Global: Demand transparency in AI systems that shape public discourse Individual: Make choices that surprise the algorithm — act unpredictably Interpersonal: Create offline traditions and rituals that strengthen human bonds Community: Support businesses and organizations that prioritize human autonomy over engagement metrics Global: Build alternative digital infrastructures that serve human flourishing over profit extraction The Juneteenth proclamation traveled slowly because those in power had little incentive to spread news of liberation. Today, the tools of our potential freedom — open-source AI, decentralized networks, democratic governance models — exist but require our active participation to flourish. The choice is ours: will we be subjects of algorithmic plantations, or architects of our own digital liberation?
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hasbro cuts 3% of workforce
This story was originally published on Retail Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Retail Dive newsletter. Hasbro has laid off 3% of its workforce, or around 150 employees. The toy company has been undergoing a turnaround effort, which includes a $1 billion cost-savings objective. 'We are aligning our structure with our long-term goals,' a Hasbro spokesperson said in a statement to Retail Dive regarding the cuts. The company recently stated that the Trump administration's tariff policies could result in layoffs. 'Ultimately, tariffs translate into higher consumer prices, potential job losses as we adjust to absorb increased costs and reduced profits for our shareholders,' CEO Chris Cocks said on a call with analysts in April. The toy industry in particular faces high exposure to levies because nearly 80% of toys imported to the United States come from China. The two countries last week reached an agreement that the U.S. would impose 55% tariffs on imports from China, and China would maintain a 10% duty. The deal is subject to final approval by President Donald Trump and China President Xi Jinping. Hasbro announced its turnaround plan, dubbed 'Playing to Win,' earlier this year. Goals include driving mid-single-digit revenue growth between now and 2027 and expanding its reach while delivering cost savings. 'Our new strategy is grounded in the key insights which will drive Hasbro's evolution into a modern play company: serving fans of all ages around the world at every price point, and meeting fans where they are playing, which is increasingly online,' Cocks said in February. The company has undergone other rounds of layoffs, including cutting around 1,000 positions, announced in January 2023, followed by another 1,100 announced later that year. Hasbro's Q1 revenue increased 17% year over year to $887 million, driven by 46% growth in its Wizards of the Coast and Digital Gaming segment. Recommended Reading Etsy to sell music gear marketplace Reverb Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
19 People Becoming Billionaires In The AI Boom
Artificial intelligence (AI) is perhaps the most significant technological step forward since the introduction and proliferation of social media networks and ecommerce platforms, both in terms of its impact on the business world as well as society writ large. Read More: Find Out: It's no secret that the rapid rise of AI models — and the companies which either build, provide hardware to power, or simply leverage these tools in the marketplace — has led to a massive creation of capital. Who, exactly, are the most prominent new billionaires to profit from the AI boom? Forbes provided a few details outlining these personalities. Perhaps the most prominent of these newly minted AI billionaires, Alexandr Wang is the founder and CEO of Scale AI, a company which engaged in data labeling for other tech juggernauts such as OpenAI, Google and Meta. His current net worth was pegged at approximately $2 billion as of April, per Forbes. After dropping out of MIT at the age of 19, Wang is now poised to make another controversial move. According to TechCrunch, Wang received a very enticing offer to join Meta's AI team as the social media company redoubles its efforts to build a 'superintelligence' capable of dethroning competitors in the AI arms race. Founder and CEO of Chinese AI company DeepSeek, Wenfeng's firm rose to fame as a disruptor in the AI space, making headlines for months earlier this year due to the release of its free artificial intelligence tools which were said to rival paid options coming from OpenAI, among others. Wenfeng's estimated net worth as of April was about $1 million. Perhaps best known as CEO of one of the world's most famous tech companies, Google, since 2019, Pichai was in the driver's seat for Google's entry into the AI revolution via the release of its Gemini model. With Google shares having enjoyed a rapid increase in valuation — and despite the fact that Pichai owned just 0.02% of the company's total shares in April — at that time his net worth was pegged at around $1.1 billion. Splitting from OpenAI to form competitor Anthropic (known for its family of AI models, Claude), Amodei – alongside his sister, Daniela, in addition to Tom Brown, Jack Clark, Jared Kaplan, Sam McCandlish, Christopher Olah, all formerly of OpenAI — in 2021, Amodei's net worth was sketched out to rest at approximately $1.2 billion. His co-founders are reputed to have roughly equal the amount of wealth, as of April. Forbes also listed Michael Intrator, Brian Venturo, Brannin McBee, and Jack Cogen (CoreWeave); Joe Lonsdale (Palantir); Phil Shawe (TransPerfect); Yao Runhao (Paper Games); and Luis von Ahn as well as Severin Hacker (Duolingo) as part of the AI billionaire cast. More From GOBankingRates These Cars May Seem Expensive, but They Rarely Need Repairs This article originally appeared on 19 People Becoming Billionaires In The AI Boom
South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Canada to ‘adjust' counter-tariffs on US metals if no deal with Trump in 30 days
Canada will 'adjust' its 25 per cent counter-tariffs on US steel and aluminium in response to a doubling of US levies if a bilateral trade deal is not reached within 30 days, Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Thursday. Advertisement 'Canada will adjust its existing counter-tariffs on US steel and aluminium products on the 21st of July, at the end of that 30-day period,' he said. Carney also announced a raft of measures to support the Canadian steel and aluminium sectors facing 50 per cent US tariffs, including procurement rules that favour domestic suppliers and anti-dumping measures. Canada is the largest supplier of foreign steel and aluminium to the United States, and Carney earlier this month had denounced the doubling of US tariffs on Canadian imports of steel and aluminium, calling them 'unjustified' and 'illegal'. At the same time, Canada and the United States launched 'intensive discussions' to rewrite Canada-US trade relations. 01:44 China vows to take 'all necessary measures' after imposition of latest US tariffs China vows to take 'all necessary measures' after imposition of latest US tariffs G7 leaders at the Group of Seven summit in Canada on Monday pushed US President Donald Trump to back away from his punishing trade war.
