Republican Plan to Sell $88 Billion of Radio Spectrum Faces Fight
The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved language Wednesday authorizing 600 megahertz of sales to private industry, which would generate an estimated $88 billion in revenue over a decade. That's particularly attractive to Republicans because the revenue wouldn't come from politically painful tax increases or benefit cuts elsewhere.
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The Hill
20 minutes ago
- The Hill
Texas Democrat seeks to force Epstein vote ahead of expected passage of new map
Texas Democrats are looking to put Republicans on defense ahead of the expected passage of a GOP-friendly map by putting an amendment to a vote concerning the Jeffrey Epstein files. Texas House Minority Leader Gene Wu (D) is introducing an amendment that would allow a new House map to take effect only after Attorney General Pam Bondi publicly releases files related to the disgraced financier. Wu's amendment says the maps won't be adopted until Bondi 'makes publicly available in a searchable and downloadable format all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials in the possession of the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Attorneys' Offices, that relate to Jeffrey Epstein.' The Texas House is convening at 11 am E.T., where the lower chamber is expected to pass a new House map that would allow Republicans to net five seats ahead of 2026. The Epstein files have been a thorn in President Trump's side, with both Republicans and Democrats calling for the release of more documents around Epstein, who pled guilty to several state charges in Florida pertaining to solicitation of prostitution. He also faced sex trafficking and conspiracy charges before he died in jail in 2019. Officials have determined Epstein died by suicide though there's been skepticism among the public regarding the actual cause of his death. Trump said on the campaign trail he would declassify documents around Epstein — a figure who the president has sought to distance himself from — though some, including among Trump's most loyal supporters have been upset over the administration's handling of the Epstein case. The Wall Street Journal reported that Bondi told Trump his name appeared in the Epstein documents, among other notable names, though that does not mean the president is guilty of any wrongdoing. But that hasn't stopped Democrats from putting pressure on Republicans over the issue. 'Trump is in those files, and that's why he's fighting to keep them hidden,' Wu alleged in a statement. 'At the same time he's demanding Abbott ram through racist maps, he's making sure Congressional Republicans block the release of files that could expose his decades-long relationship with a child sex trafficker,' he added. 'This amendment forces Republicans to choose between their loyalty to Trump and their obligation to expose sexual predators.'
Wall Street Journal
21 minutes ago
- Wall Street Journal
TNB Tech Minute: Elon Musk Pumps the Brakes on Plans to Start a Third Political Party - Tech News Briefing
Full Transcript This transcript was prepared by a transcription service. This version may not be in its final form and may be updated. Ariana Aspuru: Here's your morning TNB Tech Minute for Wednesday, August 20th. I'm Ariana Aspuru for The Wall Street Journal. We are exclusively reporting that Elon Musk is quietly pumping the brakes on his plans to start a third political party. That's according to people with knowledge of his plans. The billionaire told his allies that he wants to focus his attention on his companies and is reluctant to alienate powerful Republicans. This is a switch from early last month where he said he would form what he called the America Party to represent U.S. voters who are unhappy with the two major political parties. But Musk's allies also say he hasn't formally ruled out creating a new party and that he could change his mind as the midterm elections near. Plus, OpenAI has rolled out its cheapest offering of the ChatGPT chatbot to-date with an India-only subscription plan. This comes as the company seeks to drive user growth in the world's most populous country. OpenAI said the plan called ChatGPT Go aims to provide wider access to the chatbot's advanced features at 399 rupees a month, which equals $4.57. The company's chief executive, Sam Altman, recently said that India is OpenAI's second-largest market globally and may become the biggest in the near future. News Corp, which owns The Wall Street Journal, has a content licensing partnership with OpenAI. Finally, we are also exclusively reporting that the supply chain tech firm Overhaul raised $105 million in a Series C funding round. The company is looking to capitalize on growing demand for freight tracking services, partially to combat cargo theft. Its customers include tech giant Microsoft and computer manufacturer Acer. Overhaul will use the funding to invest in artificial intelligence technology and make acquisitions. Just this week it acquired the Supply Chain Technology Company FreightVerify for an undisclosed amount. That's your TNB Tech Minute. Join us again this afternoon for more.
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tesla patents mind-blowing technology that could redefine electric vehicles as we know them — here's what we know
Tesla has taken another step toward making its long-delayed new Roadster one of the fastest and most advanced production cars ever built. According to Teslarati, a recently filed patent outlines an active aerodynamic system that uses fans and deployable skirts. The system would generate low-pressure zones beneath the car, increasing traction during extreme acceleration and high-speed cornering. When the Roadster was first revealed in 2017, Elon Musk promised a blistering 0-60 mph time of 1.9 seconds. Since then, Tesla's Model S Plaid has nearly matched that, hitting 1.99 seconds, for a fraction of the Roadster's expected price. In early 2024, Musk raised the stakes, saying Tesla was aiming for a sub-one-second 0-60 mph time, describing it as the "least interesting" feature of the vehicle. While such acceleration is possible in specialized dragsters, no street-legal car has come close. If Tesla's new aero system works as intended, it could help keep the Roadster firmly planted during these extreme launches. Beyond the engineering feat, this innovation could help Tesla reassert its leadership in an EV market where competition is growing fast. It might also bolster interest in a brand that's faced headwinds in 2025: Tesla's second-quarter revenue fell 12% to $22.5 billion — its steepest drop in over a decade — while vehicle deliveries slid 13% year over year. For drivers, the benefits go beyond speed. Better aerodynamic control can improve efficiency by reducing drag in certain conditions, extending range and lowering charging costs. And because EVs produce no exhaust pollution, advances that make them more appealing could accelerate the shift away from gas-powered cars. Pairing an EV like the Roadster with home solar can make ownership even more cost-effective. Charging with solar energy is cheaper than using public stations or the grid, and EnergySage makes it simple to compare quotes from vetted local installers and save up to $10,000 on installation. Tesla has not confirmed when the new Roadster will launch, but the car could set a new benchmark for what's possible in a street-legal EV if this patent becomes reality. Would you buy an EV if it only took you five minutes to charge? Sign me up Depends on the cost No way I already have one Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
