Friday☕️

21 Feb 2025 — 4 min read

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Yesterday, February 20, 2025, the U.S. Senate confirmed Kash Patel as the new Director of the FBI in a narrow 51-49 vote. Patel, a former adviser to President Donald Trump, is known for his views on reforming federal agencies and his criticisms of past FBI leadership. His confirmation follows the resignation of former Director Christopher Wray, who stepped down in January.
During the confirmation process, Patel faced opposition from Democratic senators concerned about the potential politicization of the bureau, but he has pledged to restore public trust and ensure the FBI operates with fairness and transparency. Patel has a background in law, having served as a public defender, a Department of Justice attorney, and in national security roles during Trump’s first term.

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Environment & Weather:

Space:

Yesterday, February 20, 2025, airBaltic successfully tested SpaceX’s Starlink internet on its Airbus A220-300 aircraft, making it the first European airline to adopt the service. The airline aims to equip its entire fleet with Starlink by the end of the year, offering passengers free, high-speed internet for streaming, gaming, and remote work. This partnership is expected to enhance the in-flight experience by providing seamless connectivity without the usual interruptions of traditional airline Wi-Fi.

Starlink’s extensive satellite network has made it a top choice for airlines looking to improve onboard internet services. United Airlines has committed to installing Starlink on over 1,000 aircraft, while Hawaiian Airlines is rolling out the service on its transpacific routes. Qatar Airways has also begun integrating Starlink on select flights, giving passengers access to reliable, high-speed internet in the air. As more airlines join, Starlink is rapidly becoming the preferred solution for in-flight connectivity, setting a new standard for passenger expectations.

Business:

On February 19, 2025, Nikola Corporation, a company specializing in electric and hydrogen-powered trucks, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company had been struggling with financial difficulties, including a shrinking cash reserve and challenges in securing the necessary funding to continue operations. Despite efforts to cut costs and restructure its business, Nikola was unable to stabilize its finances, ultimately leading to the decision to seek bankruptcy protection.
Bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 differs from outright bankruptcy because it allows a company to reorganize its debts rather than liquidate entirely. Instead of shutting down, Nikola will have the opportunity to negotiate with creditors, restructure its operations, and attempt to become financially stable again. Unlike Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which leads to complete dissolution, Chapter 11 provides a path for companies to recover while continuing some level of business operations.

Science & Technology:

Figure AI, a robotics company focused on building humanoid robots, has introduced Helix, its own advanced AI system designed to improve how robots think and make decisions. Previously, the company collaborated with OpenAI to integrate general-purpose AI into its robots. However, OpenAI’s models didn’t work as well as expected with Figure’s hardware, leading the company to develop its own AI. By creating Helix in-house, Figure AI ensures that its robots can learn, reason, and interact with the world more efficiently, making them better suited for real-world applications.

Helix significantly improves the abilities of Figure’s robots, allowing them to complete tasks with greater accuracy and autonomy. In a recent demonstration (video above), two humanoid robots equipped with Helix successfully worked together to organize and store groceries, showing their ability to understand objects, follow logical steps, and coordinate their movements. This is a major breakthrough, as it brings Figure AI closer to developing robots that can function reliably in workplaces, warehouses, and even homes. With Helix, Figure AI is moving toward its vision of creating general-purpose humanoid robots that can assist with everyday tasks, reducing the need for human labor in repetitive or physically demanding jobs.

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