Tech
1X (formerly Halodi Robotics), backed by OpenAI, introduced NEO Beta, a consumer-focused humanoid robot designed for household tasks. Standing at 1.65 meters and weighing 30 kg, NEO can walk (1.12 m/s), jog (3.35 m/s), climb stairs, and carry up to 20 kg. Its muscle-like, non-hydraulic design ensures safe interaction with humans, while its “embodied AI” integrates perception and physical action to handle complex chores like organizing dishes, cooking assistance, and fetching items (e.g., retrieving a drink from the fridge based on verbal commands) .
DeepSeek’s Open-Source Week (February 24–28, 2025) marked a significant milestone in AI infrastructure development, as the Chinese AI firm released five critical projects aimed at optimizing AI workflows and democratizing access to advanced tools. Each day unveiled a new open-source contribution. The initiative aimed to lower technical barriers, foster global collaboration, and challenge NVIDIA’s dominance in AI hardware-software integration. Experts praised the move as a strategic push to establish DeepSeek’s ecosystem and influence global AI standards, while aligning with China’s broader goal of leading open-source AI innovation.
Xiaomi unveiled the SU7 Ultra electric car on February 27, 2025, at a launch event in Beijing. Priced at 529,900 yuan, the SU7 Ultra features a triple-motor setup delivering 1,548 horsepower. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 1.98 seconds and boasts a top speed of 350 km/h. The car is equipped with a 93.7 kWh battery, offering a 630 km range. Xiaomi aims to sell 10,000 units in 2025. The event also highlighted a limited Nürburgring Edition priced at 814,900 yuan, following the car’s impressive performance at the Nürburgring Nordschleife track.
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra generated significant buzz ahead of its 2025 launch, with leaks highlighting groundbreaking design and performance upgrades. Early renders revealed an ultra-narrow bezel design, surpassing even the iPhone 16 Pro’s screen-to-body ratio, paired with a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display featuring Corning Gorilla Armor 2 for enhanced durability 47. Code leaks hinted at a 3000nit peak brightness display and A/B seamless updates for smoother system upgrades.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) unveiled the Ocelot quantum chip, marking a significant step in quantum computing. Ocelot uses cat qubits to reduce error correction costs by up to 90%, enhancing scalability and efficiency. This chip integrates all components of cat qubit technology with error correction elements on a single microchip, a first in the industry. AWS believes scaling Ocelot could require as little as one-tenth the resources of traditional methods, potentially accelerating the timeline for practical quantum computers by up to five years. The innovation positions Amazon competitively alongside Google and Microsoft in the quantum race.
Bybit, a major cryptocurrency exchange, suffered a record-breaking hack, losing nearly $1.5 billion in ether. The breach occurred when hackers exploited a vulnerability during a transfer from a cold to a warm wallet. The incident highlighted security vulnerabilities, particularly in Bybit’s reliance on SAFE wallets. Despite attributing the hack to North Korea’s Lazarus Group, Bybit replenished its reserves through emergency loans and deposits, ensuring continued operations. However, recovering the stolen assets remains challenging, with only a fraction of the funds traced or frozen by other platforms.
Global
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy abruptly left the White House after a contentious meeting with President Donald Trump. The Oval Office encounter devolved into a shouting match, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticizing Zelenskyy for his handling of the conflict with Russia. Trump accused Zelenskyy of being “disrespectful” and not appreciative of U.S. support. The meeting was intended to finalize a minerals agreement, but it ended without signatures. Trump threatened to cut off U.S. support if Ukraine does not make concessions, further straining relations between the two nations.
The U.S. plans to launch a $5 million “gold card” visa, replacing the EB-5 program. This new visa offers permanent residency and a path to citizenship for affluent investors. Announced by President Trump, it aims to attract high-net-worth individuals and streamline citizenship routes while addressing criticisms of the EB-5 program. The initiative is part of a global trend to enhance visa programs for investment.
A massive power outage struck Chile on February 25, 2025, affecting over 90% of the population. The blackout was caused by a failure in a high-voltage transmission line that delivers electricity from the Atacama Desert in northern Chile to the capital, Santiago. This critical infrastructure failure led to widespread disruptions across 14 of Chile’s 16 regions, impacting crucial services like transportation, mining, and communication networks.
Japan’s rice prices hit historic highs in early 2025, with a 70.7% year-on-year surge in January, following a 64.5% increase in December 2024—the largest jumps since record-keeping began in 1971. This spike stems from a convergence of factors: yen depreciation inflating import costs, extreme weather (e.g., 2024 heatwaves and earthquakes) reducing domestic yields, and rising production costs (fertilizer, labor, logistics). Japan’s low food self-sufficiency rate (35%) exacerbates reliance on imports, while agricultural cooperatives prioritize cultural preservation over efficiency, stifling modernization.
Hong Kong’s government has implemented a salary freeze for public servants, including the chief executive, judges, and lawmakers, as part of its 2025 budget measures. This freeze aims to address the city’s significant budget deficit, estimated at HK$87.2 billion. Additionally, about 10,000 civil service positions will be eliminated by April 2027. The measures are designed to reduce expenditure while maintaining public service quality. .
Economy & Finance
Mixue Group, China’s largest fresh-drink company, successfully concluded its Hong Kong IPO, raising US$444 million. The IPO set a record for retail subscriptions, attracting over US$205.9 billion, with shares oversubscribed by more than 5,100 times. Mixue plans to use the funds to enhance its supply chain, expand production, and strengthen its brand and marketing efforts. The company operates over 46,000 stores globally and aims to fuel further growth, particularly in overseas markets.
The U.S. is set to impose 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, effective March 4, 2025. These tariffs were part of a broader trade strategy aimed at addressing drug trafficking concerns. The tariffs apply to a wide range of goods, excluding Canadian energy resources, which face a lower 10% tariff. Both Canada and Mexico have announced retaliatory measures, with Canada imposing 25% tariffs on $30 billion worth of U.S. goods.
Bitcoin and Ethereum experienced significant declines in February 2025. Bitcoin fell by 25% from its recent all-time high, reaching a 120-day low of around $78,256. This drop was influenced by factors such as Trump’s tariffs, AI market instability, and regulatory tensions involving Elon Musk. Ethereum’s decline was even more pronounced, with a 33% loss, marking its worst February performance on record. Ethereum’s price dropped to $2,075, partly due to outflows from ETFs and increased competition from other blockchain networks like Solana and BNB Smart Chain.
Science
China’s Zhurong rover has uncovered compelling evidence of ancient water activity in the Utopia Planitia region, reinforcing the hypothesis that Mars once hosted a vast ocean. Using its dual-frequency ground-penetrating radar, Zhurong detected 76 subsurface sedimentary layers at depths of 10–35 meters. These structures closely resemble Earth’s coastal sediment layers formed by tidal currents, suggesting a stable, long-term marine environment in Mars’ northern lowlands billions of years ago. These findings not only advance understanding of Mars’ climatic evolution but also highlight the region’s potential for subsurface ice—a critical resource for future human missions.
Chinese researchers from Tianjin University and Tsinghua University unveiled the world’s first two-way adaptive brain-computer interface (BCI). This breakthrough, published in Nature Electronics, introduces a dual-loop system that enhances efficiency by 100 times and reduces energy consumption by 1,000 times compared to traditional BCIs. This innovation opens new possibilities for medical rehabilitation, assistive technologies, and advanced remote control systems.
Researchers have discovered that marmoset monkeys use names to refer to each other, a behavior previously observed only in humans, elephants, and dolphins. This finding suggests a complex level of social cognition and communication among these primates. The study reveals that marmosets can recognize and respond to specific vocalizations associated with individual group members, indicating a sophisticated naming system.
Nature & Environment
India is bracing for a record-breaking hot March, with temperatures expected to remain above normal throughout the month. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts maximum temperatures to surpass 40°C (104°F) in many states by the end of March. This heat poses a significant threat to India’s wheat crop, which is already facing challenges from previous years of reduced yields due to high temperatures. This comes after February 2025 was recorded as the hottest month since 1901.
Cyclone Garance devastated the French Indian Ocean island of La Reunion, causing at least four fatalities. The storm brought intense winds reaching up to 214 km/h and torrential rains, leading to widespread destruction, including torn roofs and toppled trees. Over 180,000 households experienced power outages, and nearly 10% of the population lacked access to clean water. The cyclone was classified as one of the most severe in nearly a century.
Entertainment & Culture
Lewis Hamilton has joined Lululemon as its newest global ambassador, marking a significant partnership in the athleisure and motorsport worlds. Hamilton will collaborate with Lululemon on future designs and global advocacy projects, focusing on promoting the brand’s menswear range. Hamilton will feature in Lululemon’s “No Holding Back” campaign. This partnership reflects Hamilton’s growing influence in fashion and lifestyle beyond his racing career.
The Metropolitan Opera premiered Jake Heggie’s “Moby-Dick” on March 3, 2025, with performances running through March 29. Directed by Leonard Foglia, the production includes stunning visual effects and a powerful score. This opera, based on Herman Melville’s classic novel, follows Ahab’s obsessive hunt for the white whale, exploring themes of obsession and the human condition.
Rhiannon Giddens, an acclaimed singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, canceled her sold-out show at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., scheduled for May 11, 2025. This decision came after President Donald Trump took control of the Kennedy Center’s board, appointing himself as chairman and installing a new president. Giddens’ cancellation is part of a broader wave of withdrawals by artists and advisors from the Kennedy Center, who have also expressed concerns over the institution’s new direction.
Sports
Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo shattered the half-marathon world record at the 2025 Barcelona Half Marathon, completing the race in 56:42. This achievement marked a 48-second improvement over the previous record of 57:30. Kiplimo, 24, became the first person to finish a half-marathon in under 57 minutes. He previously held the record from 2021 to 2024. The race conditions were ideal, with no wind and a cool temperature, allowing Kiplimo to maintain an impressive pace throughout.
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) clinched his second UAE Tour title by winning the decisive Stage 7(148km from Al Ain to Jebel Hafeet) in a sprint finish, completing the race with an average speed of 44.3 km/h. The Slovenian outsprinted rivals Adam Yates and Pello Bilbao on the iconic climb, marking his third career win at Jebel Hafeet. The win solidified his dominance in the Middle East’s sole UCI WorldTour event, with a 22-second margin in the general classification.
Jonas Vingegaard won the 2025 Volta ao Algarve with a dominant performance in the final time trial, securing his first victory of the season. He finished the 19.6km hilly route in 28 minutes and 25 seconds, showcasing his superior climbing ability. Vingegaard’s Visma-Lease a Bike teammate, Wout van Aert, finished second in the stage. This victory signals that Vingegaard is back on form as he builds toward the Tour de France.
Stephen Curry delivered a stunning 56-point performance, leading the Golden State Warriors to a 121-115 victory over the Orlando Magic. Curry’s display included 12 three-pointers, just two shy of Klay Thompson’s record. He single-handedly outscored the Magic in the third quarter with 22 points. Curry’s shooting was impressive, going 16-for-25 from the field and 12-for-19 from three-point range. His performance marked his 14th career game with at least 50 points and his 26th with 10 or more three-pointers. The Warriors’ win was their fifth consecutive victory, solidifying Curry’s status as one of the NBA’s greatest shooters.
Jimmie Johnson’s performance at the 2025 Daytona 500 was a highlight of the event. Johnson, a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and two-time Daytona 500 winner, finished third in the race. This marked his best finish since his victory in 2013 and his first top-three finish in the NextGen car era. Johnson surged from 15th place with one lap remaining, navigating through a late-race wreck to secure his podium spot. Johnson’s car was partially backed by NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, who designed the vehicle after winning a free-throw competition.
The Sunday Blender is a curated weekly newspaper for curious kids who want to escape from short videos and learn about the bigger world. It’s a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Last modified on 2025-03-02
