Latest news with #Möbius
Straits Times
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Will the conspiracists cultivated by Trump turn on him over Epstein?
There is a feeling among some longtime supporters of Mr Donald Trump's that their shared journey has reached the terra incognita. WASHINGTON - After years spent spreading spidery conspiracy theories for his own political gain, US President Donald Trump has found himself wrapped up in the stickiest one of them all. For more than a week, the political movement he created has been convulsing with righteous fury over things he and his attorney general have been saying and doing – or rather, not doing – as it relates to the life and death of Jeffrey Epstein . Mr Trump keeps commanding his supporters to move on from their fixations over the disgraced financier and registered sex offender. But many of his supporters simply cannot swallow the anticlimactic conclusion that the Department of Justice put forth a week ago when it basically said there was nothing to see here, folks. By the week's end, a rabble of conspiracists who've been hand-fed for years by Mr Trump broke into open revolt against him. The fallout is testing the power the president holds over his most loyal followers, the ones who have trusted him all along and who believed they would learn a whole lot more about the Epstein saga if they returned Mr Trump to office. It is entirely too soon to know what the revolt will mean or if and when it might sputter out, but the nature of it was stunning to behold. It was like a Möbius strip of paranoia and distrust: A political movement that galvanised and exploded around a conspiracy theory – lies about Mr Barack Obama's birthplace were central to Mr Trump's political rise – cannibalising itself over the mother of all modern conspiracy theories. And in a twist, Mr Trump's usual playbook for getting himself out of trouble seemed not to be working this time – in fact, it was only making his predicament worse. In his social media post on July 12, he tried to cast the blame for any unresolved Epstein mysteries on Mr Obama, Ms Hillary Clinton and Mr Joe Biden. But the base was not buying it. 'People are really upset at the outright dismissal of it,' said Ms Natalie Winters, the 'War Room' correspondent and 24-year-old protege of Mr Steve Bannon. 'I have a good pulse on these people,' she said of Mr Trump's base. 'I have never seen such sustained wavering.' Asked about the backlash on July 14, a White House spokesperson, Mr Harrison Fields, did not comment on specifics but said that Mr Trump was focused on 'protecting civil rights, safeguarding communities, holding criminals accountable and defending victims'. Still, there is a feeling among some longtime supporters of Mr Trump's that their shared journey has reached the terra incognita. 'Trump's persuasive power over his base, especially during his first term, was almost magical,' Mr Mike Cernovich, the prolific pro-Trump social media commentator, wrote in a post on the social platform X on July 13. 'The reaction on Epstein should thus be startling to him. No one is buying it. No one is dropping it.' Inside the White House, there is a kind of battle-hardened sangfroid among staff members, who see this outrage as just another controversy that will blow itself out like all the others. One person close to Mr Trump conceded that even by July 13 the president had yet to fully grasp how deep and wide the discontent was because he does not spend much time on the internet where Epstein conspiracy-mongering plays out. Despite his social media presence, Mr Trump is a 79-year-old man whose media diet consists primarily of cable news and print newspapers. But by July 14, news networks like CNN were devoting much more airtime to the uproar. This is not the first time his base has been upset with him. There was much disillusionment after he encouraged Americans to take Covid vaccines, and there has been outcry over his hawkish foreign policy moves, such as when he ordered the US strike that killed Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, or, more recently, dropped bombs on Iranian nuclear facilities . But the conjecture around Epstein's crimes and death is a many-layered mania that can not really be compared to anything else. The shadowy concepts that undergird the whole thing go to the 'very foundation of Maga,' as Ms Winters put it, because, in her view and the view of people like her, 'it gets to the heart of who is in control of the country.' She summed up the movement's sense of betrayal this way: 'I just think it's frankly very grifty to have spent your entire career promoting, even if it weren't the Epstein thing directly, but the idea that there is this deep state, the idea that there's this unelected class of, you know, bankers, corporation, countries, intel agencies, blah, blah, blah. And then finally, you have the power to expose it, and either you're not, because there's nothing there, in which case it makes you a liar – and I don't believe that – or you're ineffective, or you're compromised.' This twisted tale has raised fundamental questions about the limits of Mr Trump's abilities to control the conspiratorial forces he has plied in his pursuit of the presidency. He sprang to power at a time of deep mistrust in this country following two wars and a financial crisis, selling himself as the only one who could be trusted to tell the truth about a corrupt uniparty cabal that sold out the country. One phrase he repeated constantly during that first run for president was 'believe me'. He said it about all sorts of situations and subjects. Believe me. Believe me. Believe me. He was the one who would expose the hidden hand squeezing them all. But now that he is the one in control of the government, he is telling his supporters to move on from all of that. It has left many of them mystified. 'Honestly, I don't know,' Ms Winters said when asked why she thought Mr Trump posted what he did July 12. 'It's bizarre. I just don't know.' NYTIMES
Economic Key
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Key
Garena Free Fire Celebrates 8th Anniversary with Massive Rewards, Exclusive Items, and Stylish Battle Experiences
Garena Free Fire, the world's most downloaded mobile game, is marking another milestone with its 8th anniversary! From Jun 20 to Jul 14, fans and players around the world are invited to join an epic, month-long celebration unfolding under the theme of 'Infinity and Celebration.' Inspired by the fascinating Möbius strip and the infinity symbol (∞), this year's anniversary theme reflects Free Fire's core commitment to delivering fresh, player-first experiences — celebrating the limitless ways players can flaunt their creativity, forge meaningful and lasting camaraderie, and immerse themselves in original, ever-evolving gameplay. Throughout the anniversary period, players can explore a new Infinity Ring battle arena, collect Infinity Items, and check out Free Fire's first-ever customizable lobby. In the lead-up to the big day, players can also enjoy early treats with Infinity Airdrops and Infinity Cakes in Battle Royale mode — special goodies to whet their appetite before the full event launches on Jun 20. The biggest reward drop of the year has arrived Starting Jun 20, players can unlock an array of free, stylish, and limited-time rewards. At the heart of Free Fire's 8th anniversary reward drop is the Beyond Infinity Male Bundle, a sleek train conductor-inspired outfit designed with the anniversary's Infinity theme in mind. This fashion item serves as the event's grand prize and can be claimed by completing a set of in-game missions. Players can also lay their hands on the exclusive Gloo Wall – 8th Anniversary, co-designed and chosen by the community earlier this year. Bursting with vibrant colors and featuring a striking anime-style rendition of Kelly, this player-created design captured the hearts and topped thousands of entries to claim the spotlight. From Jul 18, players can earn this coveted collectible by teaming up with friends in the Gloo Wall Relay — a beloved anniversary mode making its return by popular demand. New Gameplay: Battle for Infinity Battle Royale, Reimagined Free Fire's signature Battle Royale mode is getting a fresh twist: instead of the usual airplanes, players will now drop into the game aboard themed Infinity trains — a new take on match entry for the anniversary celebrations. These exclusive trains will later reappear across eight train stations on the map. At any given time, only two trains will be active, with each train limited to a single team. Players will hence need to move fast and compete for control of a station to board and gain access to the Infinity Ring — a dynamic 8th anniversary-exclusive combat zone. Within this arena, players can claim the Infinity Items, granting powerful perks such as unlimited Gloo Wall deployment for aggressive, high-momentum plays, Revival Cards that protect gear upon respawn, and Upgrade Chips and Inhalers to sustain their edge in battle. This added layer of strategy brings fresh tension and tactical depth to every drop. Clash Squad gets two special gameplay updates Players can check out two exciting anniversary-exclusive additions arriving in Clash Squad — Infinity Items such as a Gloo Maker, Inhalers, and Upgrade Chips that can be unlocked by accumulating points, as well as Special Infinity Train Rounds designed for fast-paced, high reward gameplay. During Clash Squad matches, players will encounter one of the three Special Infinity Train Round variations, each bringing a unique advantage: 1. As the Boost Express pulls into the station, players can collect enhancements for movement speed, damage, and HP recovery. 2. The Weapon Express will roll in loaded with new Infinity weapons. 3. The Gloo Wall Express delivers valuable Gloo Wall fragments players can use to replenish their Gloo Wall reserves to better withstand enemies' advances. Introducing Free Fire's first-ever customizable train lobby For the first time in Free Fire history, players will also have access to a fully customizable train lobby. They can decorate their trains with personal achievement boards, themed train skins, sky, and ground customizations, and unique visual effects. Players can even generate unique train designs with an in-game AI tool that integrates their own character outfits, adding a deeper, more immersive touch to the experience. Infinity-themed anniversary collections await More collectibles will be launched in the Free Fire Luck Royale, blending nostalgia with fresh, themed designs. These include: ● Top Criminal (Golden): An iconic evolution of the fan-favorite Criminal series, reimagined in radiant gold. This legendary outfit features reactive elements that change color and texture as players run in-game, making it a standout for both new and long-time fans. ● New Evo Gun – P90 Gilded Corrosion: A powerful addition to the lineup, the first-ever P90 Evo Gun in Free Fire offers enhanced visuals and effects to elevate the combat experience. ● Stylish 8th Anniversary Unlimited Train-themed outfits: Specially designed male and female character bundles that let players battle in signature Free Fire style. An animation video will be released on Jun 20, presenting the 8th anniversary theme song. Titled 'Infinity,' the cyber-infused pop rock track conveys memorable moments in Free Fire, bound to excite players and evoke emotional resonance. The animation video also pays tribute to classic bundles launched over the years — which will be recrafted in the Infinity theme this anniversary. Finally, fans and players can catch a glimpse of a shadowy, iconic ninja silhouette at the end of the video — an Easter egg for what is ahead in the weeks to follow. For further information and updates please follow Garena Free Fire MEA Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Free Fire can be downloaded on both the Apple iOS App and Google Play store. About Garena Garena is a leading global online games developer and publisher. Free Fire, its self-developed mobile battle royale title, is the most downloaded mobile game in its genre for six consecutive years, according to Sensor Tower App Performance Insights. The title was also the world's most downloaded mobile game in 2019, 2021, and again in 2023 and 2024. Garena is run by passionate gamers and has a unique understanding of what gamers want. It exclusively licenses and publishes hit titles from global partners – such as Arena of Valor and Call of Duty: Mobile – in selected markets globally. Garena champions social and entertainment experiences through games, enabling its communities to engage and interact. Garena is also a leading esports organiser and hosts some of the world's biggest esports events. Garena is a part of Sea Limited (NYSE:SE), a leading global consumer internet company. In addition to Garena, Sea's other core businesses include its e-commerce arm, Shopee, and digital financial services arm, Monee. Sea's mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology. تم نسخ الرابط
Time Out
16-05-2025
- Business
- Time Out
Urban Revivo
With over 400 stores worldwide, Chinese fast-fashion brand Urban Revivo (UR) finally made its way to our city with its first Hong Kong outlet in Harbour City. Spanning across an 813 sqm space, the shop features a large-scale floral art installation inspired by the Bauhinia flower, with its roots designed to resemble a Möbius strip to symbolise UR's "infinite vitality in Hong Kong's fashion landscape". Offering a curated selection of nearly 1,000 products, shoppers can browse through the latest collections of womenswear, menswear, footwear, as well as a range of accessories like bags, hats, and sunglasses.
Telegraph
01-04-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Massive monument to celebrate Christianity will finally be built... near the M6
A 169ft-high monument to celebrate Christianity is expected to finally be built this summer – near the M6. The Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer, which will be more than twice the size of the Angel of the North, is to be built in Coleshill, on the outskirts of Birmingham. The project was expected to be built in 2022, but construction was delayed by rising inflation during the cost of living crisis, as well as other 'unforeseen' costs and design 'complexities'. In an email sent to supporters, the charity behind the monument - also called the Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer - added that it was 'getting closer and closer to work starting'. The charity revealed that it had 'an urgent and immediate £65,000 shortfall', but that a scale model had passed wind testing. It will be visible from up to six miles away and be seen by thousands of people each week as they drive past on the motorway. People in cars on the M6 and M42 will be able to glimpse the monument on their journeys, as will those on flights to and from Birmingham Airport. Richard Gamble, the monument's founder, told The Telegraph that building work was scheduled to begin over the summer and the landmark will formally open in autumn 2027. Built in the shape of an infinity loop, and resembling a mathematical Möbius strip, the wall will represent how 'God has no beginning and no end'. It will feature a million bricks, with each one digitally linked to a story 'revealing how Jesus has answered a specific prayer for an individual'. 'I would get funny looks' The project has cost around £10 million in total, with the vast majority of funding coming from the public. Speaking to The Telegraph, Mr Gamble described the journey to completion as 'brutal but a privilege'. 'I've never built a national landmark, so part of the delay has been my own naivety, not realising that something so complex would take so long,' he said. 'Now, we are hoping to start building in summer once the final testing stages are completed.' Mr Gamble became a Christian in 1990 and told the Telegraph that he had the idea for the wall in 2004. He said that the concept came to him while carrying a wooden cross on his back to mark Easter, which he 'recognised as God'. 'I just had this flash of a thought that came through my mind, which I recognised as God, of building a wall made of a million bricks where every single brick would represent the story of answered prayer,' he said. 'It was just a thought that came in, that was not my own, that interrupted my thought pattern. I've learnt that it is from God,' he told the Telegraph. He said that his idea was greeted by scepticism for 10 years, explaining: 'I would talk to people about it and just get funny looks'. But in 2016, Mr Gamble quit his job running a software business and launched a crowdfunding campaign, initially raising £47,000 to fund a competition sponsored by the Royal Institute of British Architects. The panel selected the infinity loop designed by Southampton-based Snug Architects. 'Landmark will serve as a place of hope' It was given the green light in 2020 after North Warwickshire Borough Council granted planning permission. Andy Street, then the mayor of the West Midlands, said: 'This landmark will serve as a place of hope for many, and one that will help us remember the Christian heritage of our nation'. The team have been collecting messages detailing stories of answered prayers since 2018, which they say increased in number over lockdown. Mr Gamble said: 'The idea behind Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer has always been to build a crowd-created piece of public art that will make hope visible.' 'We're not building this landmark to have something nice to look at, we're building a community-focused structure that carries a legacy; generations in hundreds of years' time will see it and be inspired.' Commenting on the monument, MP Stephen Timms described it as an 'inspiring idea' and a 'fantastic design'. He added: 'I think it will make a big impact on the national consciousness. 'It's a reflection of the fact that many, many people in Britain today, as well as in our history, have experienced answered prayer.'
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Never seen before quantum state discovered in graphene could advance computing
Graphene, also known as the wonder material, continues to surprise scientists. This time, it has revealed new quantum states. A team of researchers has found peculiar topological electronic crystals in twisted graphene layers. Their study highlights a special way to arrange electrons in graphene, where they freeze into a perfectly ordered pattern. Surprisingly, while staying locked in place, all the electrons spin together like ballet dancers performing synchronized pirouettes without moving. This unusual quantum behavior allows electric current to flow smoothly along the edges of the material while the interior remains non-conductive because the electrons are stuck in place. In the future, such quantum states can be utilized for the development of energy-efficient electronic devices and fault-tolerant quantum computing applications. Topology is the study of shapes and spaces that don't change even if they are stretched, twisted, or deformed—without cutting or gluing. 'An everyday example of topology is the Möbius strip—a simple yet mind-bending object. Amazingly, no matter how you try to manipulate the strip, you cannot untwist it back into a normal loop without tearing it apart,' the study authors note. A material exhibiting topology is of great importance because it has the uncanny ability to remain unaffected by external factors. Such a material can demonstrate robust quantum behavior, as its quantum states in such material are immune to small disturbances. For instance, topological electronic crystals like the one mentioned in the current study are quite special. In these unique crystals, electrons move in a very stable way, no matter if there are small defects or impurities in the material. What makes them special is that their stability comes from the material's internal structure and not from outside influences like temperature or pressure. However, these crystals are rare because only certain materials have the right atomic arrangement to support topological electron behavior. The study authors began with two thin layers (flakes) of graphene, a material made of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb pattern. Normally, electrons in graphene move freely, similar to how they do in metals like copper. Next, they stacked the two graphene layers on top of each other but rotated one slightly. This small twist created an interesting pattern called a moiré pattern, where some carbon atoms from both layers were aligned perfectly, but others were misaligned. When electrons moved through this twisted structure, their behavior completely changed. 'For example, the electrons slow way down, and sometimes they develop a twist in their motion, like the vortex in the water at the drain of a bathtub as it is draining out,' Joshua Folk, one of the study authors and a physics professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC), said. This behavior resulted in a strange electronic effect. Inside the material, electrons became frozen in place, making it act like an insulator. However, along the edges, electrons moved effortlessly, allowing electricity to flow without resistance. Generally, when electrons freeze and settle down such a structure is called the Wigner crystal. However, in this case, the rotational motion of electrons along the edges resulted in something different — the topological electronic crystal. 'The rotation of the electrons in the crystal is analogous to the twist in the Möbius strip and leads to the remarkable characteristic of the topological electronic crystal never before seen in the rare cases where electron crystals have been observed in the past,' the study authors said. This rare discovery could contribute to the development of highly efficient electronic and quantum computing applications. The study is published in the journal Nature.
