The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is reportedly investigating ABC's "The View," sparking accusations of political intimidation, while an Arizona family faces a $6 million Bitcoin ransom demand. In other news, Discord is implementing age verification measures, and an AI startup focused on industrial supply chains has emerged from stealth. The United States also faces a potential tungsten shortage.
The FCC's investigation into "The View" is allegedly an attempt to intimidate critics of the Trump administration, according to FCC Democrat Anna Gomez. Gomez stated that the investigation is not legitimate, but rather a tool to weaponize the FCC's regulatory authority and chill protected speech. The FCC has not yet announced the investigation publicly.
Meanwhile, the search for Nancy Guthrie continues into its second week, with an alleged ransom note demanding a $6 million Bitcoin payment. A local Arizona TV station, KGUN9, reported the demand, with a deadline of 5 p.m. on Monday. Guthrie's family indicated they would pay the ransom in a video posted on Instagram. Law enforcement has not confirmed the ransom letter's legitimacy.
In the tech world, Discord is facing backlash over its new age verification measures. The platform will require all users to verify their ages to access adult content, using either video selfies or government IDs. Discord stated that it will use AI technology to verify ages on users' devices, and that data will be promptly deleted after age estimation. The global rollout is scheduled to begin in early March.
Also, Emanate, an AI startup focused on industrial supply chains, has emerged from stealth. Backed by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and led by Kiara Nirghin, the company aims to modernize the physical economy through autonomous revenue agents. Emanate, founded in 2025, has received backing from Peter Thiel, Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian, and other prominent investors.
Finally, the United States is facing a potential tungsten shortage. The country has relied on Chinese tungsten production, but this is becoming increasingly tenuous. Relatively conservative growth projections in defense and semiconductors suggest an escalation in tungsten demand. The US needs a better plan for tungsten, as it is a metal with a unique mix of properties, including a high melting point, hardness, and density.
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