News Minimalist

20 Mar 2025 18:27

Hey everyone 👋

I have decided to stop posting news on this channel.

I tried running a Telegram channel as a way of promoting the site, but it doesn't grow organically and I'm not ready to buy ads for it.

I will continue sending the newsletter.

It currently has just over 9000 subscribers, and just like the Telegram channel, it doesn't have ads and I only send it once every few days.

If you want to continue getting only significant news, you can see previous issues and subscribe here:

https://newsletter.newsminimalist.com/

News Minimalist

04 Mar 2025 18:33

[5.9] Over half of adults predicted to be obese by 2050 — bbc.com

A new study predicts that by 2050, over half of adults will be obese or overweight, affecting more than 3.8 billion people globally. This marks a significant increase from the current figures of 2.1 billion adults and 493 million young people.

China, India, and the USA are projected to have the largest populations of overweight or obese individuals. However, sub-Saharan Africa is expected to see a 250% rise, with Nigeria's numbers tripling by 2050.

The study, funded by the Gates Foundation, stresses the need for countries to improve access to healthy diets. Specific populations in regions, such as Europe and South Asia, may require targeted interventions to prevent worsening obesity trends.

News Minimalist

02 Mar 2025 17:51

Highly covered news with significance over 5.5:

[5.6] Countries agree to raise $200 billion annually for biodiversity by 2030 (theguardian.com + 9)

[5.6] Firefly Aerospace achieves first private successful moon landing (clickondetroit.com + 52)

News Minimalist

02 Mar 2025 17:51

[6.3] Iowa removes gender identity protections from civil rights — apnews.com

Iowa has become the first U.S. state to remove gender identity protections from its civil rights code. Governor Kim Reynolds signed the bill into law, which will take effect on July 1. This follows years of efforts by Iowa Republicans to restrict transgender rights.

The new law defines male and female based on reproductive organs at birth and eliminates protections for transgender individuals. It passed quickly after being introduced last week, despite opposition from some lawmakers and advocacy groups.

News Minimalist

27 Feb 2025 18:10

Highly covered news with significance over 5.5:

[5.8] Britain plans to increase defense spending to 2.5% GDP (bbc.com + 195)

[5.8] North Korea sends more troops to support Russia (reuters.com + 22)

[5.7] Total Amoc collapse unlikely this century, study finds (theguardian.com + 5)

[5.6] European Commission proposes 100 billion euros for clean tech (reuters.com + 19)

[5.5] SpaceX rocket launches private moon lander and NASA 'trailblazer' to search for lunar water (space.com + 45)

News Minimalist

27 Feb 2025 18:10

[6.1] US and Ukraine nearing economic deal on mineral rights — apnews.com

Ukraine and the U.S. are close to signing an economic deal focused on Ukraine's rare earth minerals. The agreement could be finalized as soon as Friday, with plans for President Zelenskyy to meet President Trump in Washington.

The deal will allow joint ownership of a fund for future proceeds from Ukraine's resources, but it does not include security guarantees. This was a point of contention in previous discussions between the two leaders.

News Minimalist

25 Feb 2025 18:03

[5.9] Israel demands demilitarization of southern Syria — bbc.com

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded the full demilitarisation of southern Syria, particularly in Quneitra, Deraa, and Suweida. He stated that Israel would not allow the forces of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham or the new Syrian army to enter this region.

This announcement marks a shift in Israel's approach, indicating that it will retain its presence in the territory it seized since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad. Previously, Israel considered its military position temporary, aimed at preventing extremist groups from advancing.

Syria's new interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has expressed a desire to avoid conflict with Israel and to uphold a disengagement agreement from 1973. However, Netanyahu remains skeptical of Sharaa’s assurances, reflecting concerns over Israel's security and regional stability.

News Minimalist

20 Feb 2025 17:34

Highly covered news with significance over 5.5:

[5.7] NATO conducts major combat drills in Romania as US stance on Europe shifts (apnews.com + 12)

[5.7] Google develops AI co-scientist to aid researchers (reuters.com + 9)

[5.7] Tens of thousands of Palestinians flee homes in northern West Bank as Israeli military operations escalate (apnews.com + 12)

[5.6] US health agency revises definitions of male and female to align with Trump order (reuters.com + 4)

[5.6] Israel creates directorate to assist Palestinian emigration from Gaza (irishtimes.com + 164)

[5.5] Trump shifts blame for Ukraine war from Russia to Zelensky in new narrative (nytimes.com + 556)

News Minimalist

20 Feb 2025 17:34

[6.4] Microsoft unveils chip it says could bring quantum computing within years — theguardian.com

Microsoft has introduced a new chip that could accelerate the development of quantum computers from decades to just a few years. This chip uses a topoconductor, a novel material that creates a new state of matter, allowing for smaller and more reliable quantum systems.

The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has selected Microsoft's topoconductor as one of two promising pathways for building practical quantum computers by 2033. This approach contrasts with other methods, such as PsiQuantum's silicon-based technology.

News Minimalist

18 Feb 2025 17:38

[5.9] Japan increases nuclear power target to meet rising energy demands — bbc.com

Japan has announced a significant shift in its energy policy, increasing its reliance on nuclear power. The new plan aims for nuclear energy to supply 20% of the country's electricity by 2040, up from 8.5% in 2023.

This change comes as Japan faces rising energy demands from sectors like AI and semiconductors. The country currently operates 14 nuclear reactors, down from 54 before the Fukushima disaster in 2011, which had a major impact on public perception of nuclear energy.

News Minimalist

18 Feb 2025 17:38

[6.0] North Korea rejects US and allies' denuclearization pledge as 'absurd' — reuters.com

North Korea's foreign ministry has rejected a recent denuclearization pledge from the U.S., South Korea, and Japan, calling it "absurd." The ministry stated it will continue to strengthen its nuclear capabilities, citing threats from the U.S. and its allies.

The joint statement was made after a meeting of the three countries' foreign ministers in Munich. South Korea's foreign ministry responded by urging North Korea to halt its weapons programs and return to denuclearization efforts.

News Minimalist

15 Feb 2025 17:33

[6.1] Trump announces new global tariffs targeting major trading partners — nytimes.com

President Trump has ordered new global tariffs that could impact nearly every country, with India, Japan, and the European Union likely facing the most significant effects. The tariffs may take effect on or after April 2.

These tariffs will be based on the trade practices of other countries, including their tariffs on U.S. goods. Trump aims to encourage companies to manufacture in the U.S. by offering no tariffs for domestic production.

This move marks a shift from decades of U.S. tariff negotiations through international bodies like the World Trade Organization. Critics view it as a potential trade war against major U.S. trading partners.

News Minimalist

13 Feb 2025 17:40

Highly covered news with significance over 5.5:

[5.8] Physicists detect record-breaking neutrino near France (theglobeandmail.com + 16)

[5.6] UN estimates up to 1,400 killed in Bangladesh protests crackdown (clickondetroit.com + 31)

[5.5] Romanian President Klaus Iohannis resigns under pressure from populist groups (apnews.com + 5)

[5.5] Russia's defense spending surpasses total of all European nations, study reveals (ft.com + 7)

[5.5] EU announces $206 billion investment in artificial intelligence to compete globally (theverge.com + 4)

News Minimalist

13 Feb 2025 17:40

[6.1] Meta develops AI model that translates brain activity into sentences with 80% accuracy — pcgamer.com

Meta has developed an AI model that can translate brain activity into sentences with 80% accuracy. This marks a significant advancement in thoughts-to-text technology, which the company first discussed in 2017.

The research involved 35 healthy volunteers using a large, $2 million MEG scanner to record brain signals while typing. This method outperformed traditional EEG systems, but the equipment is not practical for everyday use.

News Minimalist

10 Feb 2025 17:57

Highly covered news with significance over 5.5:

[5.8] Israeli troops withdraw from Netzarim Corridor, allowing Palestinians to return to northern Gaza (bbc.com + 247)

[5.7] France announces 109 billion euro investment in AI ahead of global summit (cnbc.com + 116)

News Minimalist

04 Mar 2025 18:33

Highly covered news with significance over 5.5:

[5.8] UN report details sexual violence against children in Sudan (bbc.com + 13)

[5.6] EU launches $840 billion defense spending initiative (cbsnews.com + 864)

News Minimalist

04 Mar 2025 18:33

[6.1] Trade wars erupt as Trump hits Canada, Mexico, China with steep tariffs — irishtimes.com

President Trump has imposed steep tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, effective immediately. This move targets trade worth $2.2 trillion, citing concerns over fentanyl imports.

China has announced retaliatory tariffs of 10-15% on U.S. goods starting March 10. Canada plans to respond with 25% tariffs on $30 billion of U.S. imports, escalating to $125 billion if the tariffs remain after 21 days. Mexico is expected to announce its response soon.

Financial markets reacted negatively, with global stocks falling and currencies like the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso weakening against the U.S. dollar.

News Minimalist

02 Mar 2025 17:51

[5.9] Israel halts all aid entry into Gaza — nbcnews.com

Israel has stopped all humanitarian aid and goods from entering the Gaza Strip after Hamas rejected a proposal to extend a ceasefire. This decision follows the expiration of the first phase of the ceasefire on Saturday.

Prime Minister Netanyahu announced the halt after a security meeting, stating that further consequences would follow if Hamas continues to refuse negotiations. The proposal included the release of hostages but was not accepted by Hamas.

News Minimalist

02 Mar 2025 17:51

[6.6] Britain, France and Ukraine agree to work on ceasefire plan to present to US and Russia — abc.net.au

Britain, France, and Ukraine have agreed to draft a ceasefire plan to present to the United States. The decision follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's tense meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, where Trump accused him of risking a global conflict.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Zelenskyy in London after the White House meeting. The UK announced a $4.5 billion loan to support Ukraine’s defense, funded by profits from frozen Russian assets.

European leaders are gathering in London to discuss the implications of the recent US meeting. Concerns have risen about the future of American support for Ukraine, with leaders expressing alarm over the situation.

News Minimalist

27 Feb 2025 18:10

[5.9] Trump threatens 25% tariffs on EU imports — cnbc.com

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on imports from the European Union, claiming the bloc was created to harm the U.S. This announcement came during his Cabinet meeting on February 26, 2025.

Trump criticized the EU for not accepting U.S. cars and farm products while benefiting from U.S. imports. The European Commission responded, emphasizing the EU's positive impact on U.S. trade and pledging to react firmly against any unjustified trade barriers.

News Minimalist

25 Feb 2025 18:03

Highly covered news with significance over 5.5:

[5.8] Friedrich Merz wins election to become Germany's next Chancellor (time.com + 321)

[5.7] Tens of thousands mourn Hezbollah leaders at Beirut funeral (news.yahoo.com + 43)

[5.6] Japan and Philippines strengthen defense ties in response to Chinese aggression (thehindu.com + 16)

[5.6] Syria holds national dialogue conference to shape future after Assad's ouster (dw.com + 8)

[5.6] Study reveals glaciers melting at unprecedented rates with 7 trillion tons lost since 2000 (abcnews.go.com + 10)

[5.6] Google to face EU charges for violating Digital Markets Act rules (reuters.com + 6)

[5.6] Chinese warships conduct live fire exercise off Sydney's coast (smh.com.au + 30)

[5.6] Trump rescinds order on rights abuses with US-supplied weapons (reuters.com + 4)

News Minimalist

25 Feb 2025 18:03

[6.5] Europe launches advanced AI weather forecasting system — ft.com

A new AI weather forecasting system launched by the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) promises improved predictions for up to 15 days. This system is more accurate than traditional methods, offering global forecasts freely to the public.

The ECMWF's experimental model showed a 20% increase in accuracy for key predictions compared to conventional techniques. It can predict tropical cyclone paths 12 hours further in advance, enhancing warning times for severe weather events.

The ECMWF has also developed an open-source framework for AI weather systems called Anemoi. Future improvements will include higher resolution forecasts and ensemble forecasting, which generates multiple predictions to provide a range of possible outcomes.

News Minimalist

20 Feb 2025 17:34

[6.0] Nvidia launches Evo 2, largest AI system for genetic research — thehindu.com

Nvidia has launched Evo 2, the largest AI system for biological research, aimed at accelerating medical and genetic breakthroughs. The system can read and design genetic code for various organisms, learning from nearly 9 trillion genetic data points.

In initial tests, Evo 2 identified 90% of harmful mutations in the BRCA1 gene linked to breast cancer. It was developed using 2,000 Nvidia H100 processors and is now available for free to scientists through Nvidia's BioNeMo research platform.

News Minimalist

18 Feb 2025 17:38

Highly covered news with significance over 5.5:

[5.8] Congo rebels pledge to restore order in Bukavu after looting sprees (reuters.com + 19)

[5.7] Trump seeks 50% share of Ukraine's mineral revenues for peace deal with Russia (independent.co.uk + 736)

[5.7] Trump criticizes CHIPS Act and threatens tariffs on foreign chip production (apnews.com + 6)

News Minimalist

18 Feb 2025 17:38

[6.0] Researchers identify gene linked to origins of spoken language — apnews.com

Researchers have linked a specific gene, NOVA1, to the origins of spoken language in humans. This gene variant, found only in Homo sapiens, may have played a critical role in development of communication skills that contributed to human survival.

In a study, scientists used gene editing to replace the NOVA1 protein in mice with the human variant. The altered mice vocalized differently, suggesting that this gene variant influences vocal communication.

Unlike a previously studied gene, FOXP2, which is shared with Neanderthals, NOVA1 is exclusive to modern humans. Researchers hope these findings could lead to early detection of speech and language issues.

News Minimalist

15 Feb 2025 17:33

Highly covered news with significance over 5.5:

[5.6] Study suggests intelligent life may be more common than previously thought (theconversation.com + 4)

[5.6] U.N. warns of 6 million AIDS deaths as HIV drug access declines following U.S. aid freeze (wmur.com + 13)

[5.5] US sanctions International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor following Trump’s directive (baltimoresun.com + 7)

News Minimalist

15 Feb 2025 17:33

[6.3] Zelenskyy calls for unified European army as Russia escalates military actions — politico.eu

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for a unified European army, emphasizing the need for a strong defense policy as Russia continues its war against Ukraine. He noted that Russia is increasing its military forces despite significant losses.

Zelenskyy highlighted that Russia plans to send troops to Belarus for training, which could lead to further aggression against European nations. He expressed concerns about the reliability of Russian President Vladimir Putin in any peace negotiations.

While discussions about a U.S.-led peace initiative are ongoing, Zelenskyy cautioned that Putin cannot be trusted to honor any agreements.

News Minimalist

13 Feb 2025 17:40

[5.9] Trump announces shift in US Ukraine policy, plans talks with Putin to end war — apnews.com

President Donald Trump announced a shift in U.S. policy on Ukraine, stating he and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to start negotiations to end the war. This follows a recent prisoner swap between the two countries.

Trump's discussions with Putin included a potential in-person meeting and emphasized a desire for peace. He suggested Ukraine may not be an equal participant in the negotiations, contrasting with the Biden administration's stance that Ukraine should be involved in all decisions.

News Minimalist

13 Feb 2025 17:40

[6.1] U.S. intelligence suggests Israel may target Iran's nuclear facilities by midyear — reuters.com

U.S. intelligence reports suggest Israel may launch a preemptive attack on Iran's nuclear facilities by midyear. This action could delay Iran's nuclear program but may also heighten regional tensions and risk broader conflict.

The reports indicate that Israel believes its previous strikes have weakened Iran's defenses, making a follow-up attack more feasible. The U.S. may provide support through aerial refueling and intelligence.

The U.S. previously withdrew from a nuclear agreement with Iran in 2018, leading to Iran resuming its nuclear activities.

News Minimalist

10 Feb 2025 17:57

[5.9] Engineered bacteria could break down unrecyclable nylon in clothes and fishing nets — newscientist.com

Researchers have developed a genetically modified bacterium that can break down nylon, a common plastic in clothes and fishing nets. This new method could improve recycling rates, which are currently below 5 percent.

The bacterium, Pseudomonas putida, has been engineered to metabolize chemicals from dissolved nylon and convert them into useful products, like biodegradable plastic. This process shows promise, with the bacterium consuming up to 90 percent of the nylon.

However, the technique is not yet commercially viable. The yield of useful products is only about 7 percent of the bacterial biomass.