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Tag: sources

  • Video Games At 30,000 Feet? Starlink's Airline Rollout Is Making It Reality

    Video Games At 30,000 Feet? Starlink's Airline Rollout Is Making It Reality

    In-flight Wi-Fi has long been notorious for being slow, spotty, and expensive. Well, that’s until Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starlink entered the skies three years ago. The low-Earth orbit satellite service has ignited a race among airlines to install high-speed, low-latency terminals, transforming the passenger experience. Now, gaming or even logging into a Bloomberg Terminal mid-flight is possible. 

    Bloomberg reports a rapid adoption of Starlink among airlines, including United Airlines, Air France, Qatar Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and now Alaska Air. Sources say British Airways is also in talks to adopt the service, which delivers up to 200 Mbps download, 8 Mbps to 25 Mbps upload, and latency under 99 ms. This is a far cry from the dial-up speeds still common on most commercial jets.

    According to the media outlet, Starlink’s next target is to be an early mover of high-speed internet for premium Gulf carriers such as Emirates, FlyDubai, Gulf Air, and Saudia. This would be a significant win for the company and game-changing for the massive long-haul fleets. 

    Starlink faces fierce global competition from EchoStar, Viasat, SES, and Intelsat. These rivals are defending market share and revamping strategies to strike new deals as the race over the $100 billion satellite communications market accelerates ahead of the 2030s. 

    The cost to install a Starlink aviation receiver on a Boeing 737 is approximately $300,000, while a 787 Dreamliner model totals around half a million per aircraft, according to documents reviewed by Bloomberg. Airlines pay upwards of $120 per seat monthly for the service, with an additional $120 for live television. 

    What’s important to note is that Starlink is a first-mover in the high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi market that airlines are rapidly adopting. Competition from Amazon’s Project Kuiper is not even a discussion at the moment. 

    At the moment, Starlink remains a division of SpaceX and has not filed for an IPO. No underwriters have been appointed, and there’s no confirmed timetable, despite Musk’s recent comments about a public offering “at some point in the future.” 

    Starlink has introduced a new $5-per-month “Standby Mode,” giving customers unlimited low-speed data for calls, texts, and instant reactivation during emergencies or in dead zones, according to a new company email.

    The feature appears aimed at retaining subscribers who might otherwise cancel month-to-month service and only reactivate when needed. By keeping accounts active, Standby Mode could help stabilize Starlink’s subscriber base. This is likely a move that may carry weight ahead of a potential IPO.

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  • Trump Calls For RICO Charges Against Soros Over Violent Protest Support; Gates Foundation Abruptly Severs Ties With Rogue Arabella Advisors

    Trump Calls For RICO Charges Against Soros Over Violent Protest Support; Gates Foundation Abruptly Severs Ties With Rogue Arabella Advisors

    Update (1215ET): Commentary via Peter Schweizer & Seamus Bruner of the Government Accountability Institute:The Arabella network has been exposed as a dark money machine for the radical Left. Gates has decided he doesn’t like the look. Amazing how quick these ‘Controligarchs’ change course once they feel which way the political winds are blowing. Gates isn’t suddenly a conservative hero, he’s just hedging his bets because he knows the radical Left’s grip is slipping.The Gates Foundation has funneled more than $200 million to the Arabella network funds since, according to the most recent financial disclosures.Visualize:Summary of Gates Foundation to Arabella empire, then distributed…  *   *   * The “dark money” network operated by Arabella Advisors has reportedly lost one of its top funding sources: a leftist billionaire’s foundation.Equally significant in the news cycle this morning, President Trump stated on Truth Social that George Soros and his radical leftist son, Alex Soros, “should be charged with RICO because of their support of violent protests.”Trump: “George Soros, and his wonderful Radical Left son, should be charged with RICO because of their support of Violent Protests, and much more, all throughout the United States of America.” pic.twitter.com/KBxuyAaisF
    — zerohedge (@zerohedge) August 27, 2025A New York Times report indicates that the Gates Foundation has halted funding to nonprofit funds managed by Arabella empire, choosing instead to work directly with some partners rather than through intermediaries. In its internal announcement, dated June 24 and sent to some Gates employees who oversee grant programs, foundation officials did not mention politics. Instead, they cited a desire to engage more directly with grant recipients and cut back on the use of intermediaries like Arabella entities.”Teams are increasingly working directly with programmatic partners — organizations that are deeply embedded in the communities we serve and closely aligned with our mission,” the note reads. “As we look ahead, this is a chance to build deeper, more durable relationships with those partners — and to reinforce the kind of legacy we want to leave behind.” -NYTTracing the Arabella network’s donors is tricky. But according to the NYT, the Gates Foundation has plowed $450 million into the network since 2008, which in turn funneled money into other nonprofit entities, ranging from radical leftist climate groups to abortion initiatives, and even supporting the permanent protest-industrial complex against President Trump.💰 $114.8 Million Dark Money Infusion: The Arabella Advisors network has funneled at least $114.8 million to “No Kings” protest organizers and affiliates
    according to most recent (’19-’23) financial disclosures analyzed by GAI. pic.twitter.com/qWHyuAa7Tg
    — Seamus Bruner (@seamusbruner) June 13, 2025With President Trump back in the White House and investigations focusing on corruption across the Democratic Party’s funding and nonprofit infrastructure, as well as ActBlue investigations, the risks for Bill Gates’ progressive NGO empire have never been greater. The move to cut ties could have happened even sooner, according to two people, one close to the foundation and one with knowledge of Arabella’s internal operations. Over the last few years, Arabella has become a target of conservative watchdogs because of its work with groups that funnel money toward progressive causes. With President Trump back in the White House, the political risks have only mounted. -NYTPeter Schweizer and Seamus Bruner of the Government Accountability Institute recently revealed a report that detailed how the rogue anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ front group, waging a permanent protest against all things Trump, “bagged $114.8 million from the Arabella dark money network.”  ✊🏻Indivisible Project as a Protest Vehicle: Indivisible, the official organizer of the “No Kings” protests, received $14.06 million in contributions in 2023 alone, including from dark money intermediaries like Arabella’s Sixteen Thirty Fund and billionaire donors. pic.twitter.com/gNnphNVUH6
    — Seamus Bruner (@seamusbruner) June 13, 2025The Gates Foundation told NYT that the move to sever ties with Arabella network was “a business decision that reflects our regular strategic assessments of partnerships and operating models.” NYT’s report on Arabella network comes hours after NBC News confirmed Gates met with Trump at the White House on Tuesday afternoon. More details from the report:Some nonprofits are distancing themselves from Arabella network to keep Gates funding.Several groups have started exiting Arabella’s New Venture Fund (NVF), which serves as a fiscal sponsor for 170+ projects and has funneled billions into progressive causes.While Gates once accounted for a significant share of NVF funding, in 2023 its contribution was only 2%. Still, losing Gates threatens Arabella netowrk’s influence and revenue streams.Related:Bringing ‘Dark Money’ Operatives Out Of The ShadowsDark-Money Network Funneled Millions Into ‘No Kings’ Nationwide Color Revolution OperationWhat’s clear is that Gates is moving to insulate his foundation ahead of what could be a period of intense scrutiny and crackdowns on rogue progressive philanthropic networks. Loading recommendations…

  • Google will require developer verification for Android apps outside the Play Store

    Google will require developer verification for Android apps outside the Play Store

    Google is tightening security measures around Android app distribution, the company announced on Monday. Starting next year, Google will begin to verify the identities of developers distributing their apps on Android devices, not just those who distribute via the Play Store. The changes will affect all certified Android devices once live, though the global rollout will be more gradual.

    The tech giant stresses that this does not mean developers can’t distribute outside of the Play Store through other app stores or via sideloading — Android will remain open in that regard. However, developers who appreciated the anonymity of alternative distribution methods will no longer have that option. Google says this will help to cut down on bad actors who hide their identity to distribute malware, commit financial fraud, or steal users’ personal data.

    According to its own survey, Google says that more than 50 times more malware came through internet-sideloaded sources compared with Google Play, where it has required developer verification since 2023.

    Initially, Google will allow interested developers to sign up for early access starting in October 2025 to test the system and provide feedback. In March 2026, verification will go live for all developers. By September 2026, any app installed on an Android device in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand will have to meet the new requirements. Starting in 2027, the requirements will begin rolling out globally.

    Developers will have to provide their legal name, address, email, and phone number, which could push independent developers to register as a business for their own privacy’s sake. Apple implemented a similar change for the EU App Store earlier this year to comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA), a regulation that now requires app developers to provide their “trader status” to submit new apps or app updates for distribution.

    Google notes that student and hobbyist developers will be able to use a separate type of Android Developer Console account when this system rolls out, as their needs differ from commercial developers.

    The changes could have a significant impact on the Android app ecosystem and app distribution, as Google works to cut down on the security issues and malware that have typically plagued its platform.

    Techcrunch event

    Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda

    Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $600+ before prices rise.

    Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda

    Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise.

    San Francisco
    |
    October 27-29, 2025

    REGISTER NOW

  • The Usual Suspects Exposed: Scuttled Clinton Foundation Probe Reveals Familiar Names

    The Usual Suspects Exposed: Scuttled Clinton Foundation Probe Reveals Familiar Names

    Unveiling the Trump‑Era Investigation Back‑Alley

    Hey folks, the Trump Administration just dropped a fresh batch of documents, finally spilling the beans on a bunch of old scandals. The latest release digs into why the scrutiny of the Clinton Foundation fizzled out like a backyard barbecue that lost its grill. Spoiler alert: the culprits behind shutting down the probe are nothing new – they’re the classic “usual suspects.”

    Who’s Who in the Shutdown Crew?

    • Former Acting Attorney General Sally Yates – the whistle‑blower turned gatekeeper.
    • Former Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe – the fox in the trench coat.
    • Other unnamed officials – the faceless undertakers of investigations.

    Why the Door Stayed Closed

    Picture this: a bunch of high‑ranking officials, a stack of red‑hatted files, and an agenda that had more twists than a season of a reality show. When the Trump team hit the press release button, it wasn’t just a PDF drop; it was a masterclass in how to keep certain mysteries locked for good. The documents reveal a mix of political favors, bureaucratic red tape, and a handful of questionable decisions that made the Cosmos of law less of a “world‑wide affair” and more of a “play‑by‑play” drama.

    “The Usual Suspects” – A Tribute to Claude Rains

    Claude Rains once quipped about “the usual suspects” in a classic film. Now, this phrase pops up again on a political stage, reminding us that the same personas flip the script on both law and politics. It’s like those old riddles; if you don’t have them on your side, nobody will wrap your case in the proper detective mantle.

    Bottom Line

    So, the documents unmask who keeps the gates open or closed in the great American circus that is federal investigation. Grab your popcorn and follow along, because the next chapter could very well turn out to be even more unexpected.

    “The Clinton–DOJ Dilemma: How the Office Stood Up for Donald’s Auntie Pleasures”

    Once upon a time, Hillary Clinton was juggling six‑hour dinners, a trip to the Oval Office, and a secret overseas tariff fund. The narrative that followed‑up claims she was harvesting hundreds of millions of dollars from foreign donors via the Clinton Foundation. The backlash? We’re not sure if the donors realized they’d just paid for a front‑door seat at the White House buffet.

    Sources Say, “Money, Florida Flavors”

    • Clinton Foundation staff intervened for donors right inside the State Department
    • Funds split between foundation projects, and family‑member trips (photos of Hillary and her cousin in that Beverly Hills spa, anyone?)
    • Donor streams nosedived once the Secretary of State waved goodbye

    The “Big‑Power” House Team – When Trump Comes To Play

    What’s a good show? The DOJ went on a witness hunt for the Trump crew, but gave a lukewarm “no” to a Clinton probe. Sally Yates, who powered herself to quit “fashionably early,” said a simple line at the office: “Shut it down!” Classic (and questionable) political drama, no question.

    And if you think that was all – oh, it was just the entrance music. FBI Director Kash Patel released a memo outlining the timeline of the DOJ’s transparent-ish “no‑investigate” hush‑up. That memo highlighted how:

    • McCabe (now a CNN commentator) kept the decks closed, courageously calling out four times, “no interference needed.”
    • All aimed at shutting investigations around the Clinton Foundation.

    Did Yates Stifle the Closer Findings?”

    In a hefty email dump, Yates ordered a federal prosecutor to silence the shoulders who’d been pushing the claims. A “Shut it down” blaze‑course. The Southern and Eastern districts of New York said, “We do not support the Clinton investigation” – a classic “no explanation” flag.

    What the FPS Reports Scribe? – The FBI, the DOJ, and the Counter‑Vampire Letters

    Both the FBI and the DOJ stuck a pad of additional bullet points with a surprising note: the continuation of the investigation would no longer be supported by the DOJ in February 2016, all right to the receipts: Yates, McCabe, Clinton, and Donald – that whole trio.

    RECOVERING WHAT’S DUE

    How do we feel about the time-lapse chaos that’s the backdrop here? For a quick recap, the Clinton pro‑team had Obama’s inside grace; the DOJ made a strategic “no” for the Clinton foundation; the Journalists were planning the next big bracket, but there was a broken engine. The public eye kept focusing its lens on the truth of the contradicting statements. That’s where G, D, and the reality that the big people are counting tenants still sleeps.