NASA Captures Spectacular Image of Black Hole Devouring Star 600 Million Light-Years Away

In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Microsoft founder Bill Gates accused billionaire Elon Musk of jeopardizing global health by cutting funding to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Gates stated that these funding cuts threaten to revive diseases like measles, HIV, and polio. "The picture of the world's richest man killing the world's poorest children is not a pretty one," Gates remarked, urging Musk to witness the effects of such financial decisions firsthand. Gates also announced his commitment to give away 99% of his wealth through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, with a pledge of an additional $200 billion over the next two decades. The foundation has already donated over $100 billion to combat global health and poverty issues. According to his blog, Gates stated the foundation plans to cease operations by December 31, 2045, emphasizing, "There are too many urgent problems to solve for me to hold onto resources." With a personal fortune of $168 billion, Gates remains one of the wealthiest individuals globally and aims to address significant societal challenges through his philanthropic efforts.

Bill Gates, co-chairman of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, announced plans to donate 99% of his remaining wealth—valued at approximately $113.5 billion—to the foundation, which is scheduled to close in 2045. This pledge ranks among the largest ever made in philanthropy, exceeding historical contributions by figures like John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie when adjusted for inflation, according to Forbes. Gates stated in an interview with The Associated Press that the donation will allow the foundation to allocate an additional $200 billion over the next two decades toward global health initiatives and education. Gates emphasized the urgency, saying, "20 years is the right balance... now this money will be gone," reflecting a strategic commitment to significant philanthropic impact within a defined timeframe. The foundation has reportedly reduced childhood deaths by half from 2000 to 2020, as noted by the United Nations. With a robust endowment built through contributions from Gates, ex-wife Melinda French Gates, and Warren Buffett, the foundation aims to advance its mission in combating diseases and improving nutrition worldwide.

A groundbreaking silicon-based quantum computer, named Bell-1, has been introduced by the startup Equal1, blending the advantages of quantum computing with the practicality of traditional high-performance computing (HPC). Unveiled on March 16, the six-qubit machine is designed to easily integrate into existing data center environments, weighing approximately 200 kilograms (440 pounds) and fitting into standard server racks, as company representatives stated. Unlike other quantum computers that require extreme cooling or specialized infrastructure, the Bell-1 operates at a remarkable 0.3 kelvin (minus 459.13 degrees Fahrenheit) due to its self-contained cryo cooling unit. The device leverages advanced semiconductor fabrication technologies and employs spin qubits, which are smaller and potentially allow for higher qubit densities than conventional qubits. This innovative platform incorporates error correction and machine learning capabilities with traditional processing units, highlighting its scalability and ease of deployment. Future plans announced by the company involve enhancing the system to support more qubits, ensuring its adaptability as technology evolves. Equal1's developments follow prior research demonstrating superior performance in silicon qubit assignments, establishing a new standard in quantum computing.