kelemen

Summer’s heat can be brutal, especially during the Fourth of July celebrations across the U.S. Whether you’re at a barbecue, waiting for fireworks, or just running errands, staying cool is a top priority. Recently, a tiny USB-C-powered fan called the Yoshenmo mini portable fan has been making waves online—and for good reason. At just $8 during the holiday sale, it’s become one of the best budget-friendly gadgets to beat the heat this season. What makes this fan stand out isn’t just the price. It’s the combination of modern tech and practical design. The USB-C charging means you can juice it up quickly from your phone charger, laptop, or even your car’s USB port. Unlike traditional battery-powered fans, this one’s rechargeable, environmentally friendly, and always ready to go. Take Amy, a friend from Chicago, who brought the fan to her neighborhood’s July 4th barbecue. As the sun blazed overhead and people wiped sweat from their brows, Amy pulled out the Yoshenmo fan. It packs quite a...

  Apple’s iPhone 17 is just around the corner this fall, and if you’re like me—or many others—you’re already counting down the days. Even though it won’t officially launch for another two months, rumors about this new model have been swirling for almost a year. People are talking about a revamped selfie camera, faster MagSafe charging, and even new colors like purple or green. There’s even chatter that Apple might switch up its usual once-a-year release schedule to twice a year. But honestly, what most of us are really looking forward to is the iPhone 17’s screen upgrade. The iPhone screen has always been one of Apple’s signature features, and yet, with the iPhone 16, the base model still stuck with a 60Hz refresh rate display—something that feels outdated in 2025. These days, almost every phone out there—even those costing less than $300—come with 90Hz or 120Hz screens, which make scrolling smoother and gaming more immersive. Meanwhile, Apple’s base iPhone has lagged behind, with...

Buying a new car can often feel like a never-ending ordeal. No matter if you’re a first-timer or a seasoned buyer, many of us have faced those long, frustrating hours stuck at the dealership. But here’s the good news: with the right approach, you can drastically cut down your dealership time and breeze through the process. Let me share some practical tips, sprinkled with real-life stories from everyday Americans, to help you get in and out fast. First off, in 2025, the internet is your best friend for car buying. Take David from Seattle, for example. He wanted to avoid wasting time, so he did almost everything online — from finding his exact model to negotiating price via emails with the dealer. He also made sure to check all incentives and possible hidden fees ahead of time. Here’s the key: always ask for a full “out-the-door” price quote in writing. That means everything — taxes, fees, dealer add-ons like “additional dealer markup,” special coatings, or delivery charges. Many buyer...

 In the fast-evolving world of electric vehicles, the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 6 N is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about names. Recently, I had the chance to test-drive this all-new high-performance electric sedan at Hyundai’s Namyang R&D center in South Korea, and it left a lasting impression. That day was clear and bright, and along with a few friends from the U.S. and Europe who are passionate about cars, I headed to Area C—a testing ground combining a racetrack and development facilities. The track itself draws inspiration from Germany’s legendary Nürburgring. Inside a camouflaged prototype of the Ioniq 6 N, the development driver calmly briefed us: “Switch to N mode now, and you can use the paddle shifters.” My heart raced with anticipation—this was my first chance behind the wheel of what promises to be a super sporty electric sedan. As I gently downshifted with the paddles approaching a tight hairpin, the virtual tachometer climbed and the “engine” sound—a sophist...

In recent years, applications for computing degrees in the UK have dropped by about 10%, but one trend stands out: applications for artificial intelligence (AI) programs have surged by 15%. What’s even more striking is the rise in female applicants, who increased their numbers by 15%, outpacing the 12% growth among men. While AI-focused degrees still only make up around 5% of all computing applications, this shift reveals something bigger — students now see AI not just as a tech niche, but as a powerful tool that will shape tomorrow’s world. This growing interest fits well with the UK government’s recent AI Opportunities Action Plan and broader ambitions to become a global leader in AI. But the big question remains: is the UK truly leading the AI race, or already falling behind? The answer isn’t simple, but the stakes couldn’t be higher. The UK undeniably has world-class AI research. Institutions like the Alan Turing Institute, along with university research hubs in Oxford, Cambrid...

Global university rankings have become a key benchmark for measuring academic quality and influence worldwide. Yet, in recent years, these rankings have revealed troubling flaws—an overemphasis on visibility and sheer publication volume has, in some cases, encouraged questionable practices that distort the true value of research and threaten academic integrity. A recent study titled “Gaming the Metrics? Bibliometric Anomalies and the Integrity Crisis in Global University Rankings” shines a spotlight on this very issue. Researchers examined 18 rapidly growing universities—from India, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—and uncovered early warning signs of “metric manipulation,” such as a sharp decline in first and corresponding author roles. While these institutions have seen publication numbers skyrocket—some by more than 400% in just five years—this explosive growth may not be entirely organic. The study found troubling patterns: a drop in leading authorship roles,...

 Rhode Island recently revived a bold proposal nicknamed the “Taylor Swift Tax,” targeting luxury second homes valued over $1 million that aren’t primary residences. Under this plan, owners would pay an extra $2.50 for every $500 of assessed value above that threshold. For celebrities like Taylor Swift, who own multiple homes, this could mean an additional $100,000 or more in property taxes annually. But this isn’t just about the rich and famous. It’s a reflection of a growing regional backlash against vacant homes, absentee owners, and the widening gap between housing supply and affordability. Nowhere is this tension more visible than in Maine. Over 157,000 homes—more than 21% of the state’s housing stock—sit vacant, the highest vacancy rate in the country. As Maine struggles with a housing shortage, an aging population, and rising property taxes, many are beginning to wonder: Will Maine be next to implement a second-home tax? Maine has long been a haven for second-home buyers....