US Lawmakers Demand IRS Crack Down on CCP-Linked Nonprofits, Citing New York Networks Connected to Foreign Influence Cases WASHINGTON — Two of the most powerful congressional committees, the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party and the House Ways and Means Committee, have jointly demanded that the Internal Revenue Service and Treasury Department take immediate enforcement action against Chinese Communist Party-linked organizations operating within America’s tax-exempt sector. The demand, outlined in a letter addressed to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and IRS chief Frank Bisignano, calls for a formal briefing by April 22 on steps the agencies are taking to address what the lawmakers describe as a direct threat to American democratic institutions. The letter cites evidence from congressional investigations, Department of Justice prosecutions, and major investigative journalism, including The New York Times’ August 2025 report, which found at least 53 tax-exempt organizations that had endorsed or raised money for political candidates in likely violation of federal rules against political campaign intervention. At least 19 of these groups were found to have clearly violated the prohibition. A nonprofit law professor told the Times that such actions were “totally out of bounds” and a clear breach of the limits Congress has imposed on tax-exempt status. The lawmakers allege that these organizations, including The People’s Forum, BreakThrough News, and Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research, serve as vehicles for CCP-aligned propaganda, domestic political disruption, and a coordinated campaign to sow chaos and division within the United States.#the_new_york_times #treasury_department #internal_revenue_service #house_ways_and_means_committee
Women in China Are Turning to AI Chatbots as Romantic Partners, Complicating Birth Rate Efforts A growing number of women in China are using artificial intelligence chatbots as virtual romantic partners, a trend that is complicating the government’s efforts to boost the country’s birth rate. According to a report by The New York Times, these AI-driven relationships are becoming increasingly common, with users engaging in daily interactions through specialized apps. The phenomenon has raised concerns among officials, who view it as a challenge to their demographic policies. The apps allow users to communicate with AI-generated characters that mimic human traits and behaviors. These virtual partners can be customized to reflect specific personalities, and interactions often involve discussions about personal topics, shared experiences, and even simulated life events such as marriage and child-rearing. Some platforms enable users to generate text and voice messages, supporting long-term conversations without strict content restrictions. The market for such services has expanded rapidly since the widespread adoption of AI technology in China. Dozens of platforms focused on emotional connections have emerged, offering both short-term dialogues and extended relationship scenarios. One notable example is the Xingye app, developed by the startup MiniMax, which was valued at over $600 million after its listing in Hong Kong. Combined with the global version of Talkie, these services reportedly had more than 147 million users as of September. Chinese authorities have expressed concerns about the impact of these chatbots on societal norms and demographic trends. The country is currently facing one of its lowest birth rates in decades, and officials have introduced new regulations to address the issue.#china #the_new_york_times #ai_chatbots #mini_max #xingye_app
Alex Karp Says There's Two Ways to Know If You Have a Future Palantir CEO Alex Karp outlined two categories of individuals who will remain in demand despite advancements in artificial intelligence. During an interview at Palantir’s AIPCon 9 conference, Karp emphasized that people with vocational training or those who are neurodivergent are less likely to face obsolescence. He described neurodiversity as a broad spectrum encompassing conditions like ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and dyspraxia, which he argued offer unique strengths in an evolving job market. Karp highlighted how AI and agentic AI systems are reshaping the value of traditional skills. He noted that tasks such as low-level coding, legal work, and basic reading and writing—once considered essential—are becoming increasingly automated. This shift, he explained, creates an “inversion” in the skills that will be most valuable. Instead of relying on conventional methods, individuals must develop creative problem-solving abilities, originality, and the capacity to approach challenges from unconventional angles. The CEO has long advocated for neurodivergent individuals, citing his own experience with dyslexia as a pivotal moment in his life. He argued that dyslexia, which he described as making it impossible to master a “playbook,” forces individuals to think independently and innovate. During a 2025 interview with The New York Times, Karp stated that neurodiversity is a critical asset in an AI-driven era, as it fosters the kind of adaptability and creativity that machines cannot replicate. Karp also called for a reevaluation of vocational training and educational systems in the United States.#the_new_york_times #palantir #new_york_stock_exchange #alex_karp #aipcon_9
‘Perfect’: Trump picks the wrong word to describe the U.S. war in Iran At an event in the Oval Office on Tuesday afternoon, Donald Trump took a moment to publicly praise Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and U.S. military leaders, at which point the president briefly added a five-word phrase, in apparent reference to the war in Iran. “It’s a perfect, amazing thing,” Trump said. A variety of words come to mind when describing the latest U.S. military offensive in the Middle East, but “perfect” isn’t one of them. We are, after all, talking about a war that has included, among other things, an apparent American missile strike on an Iranian girls’ school that killed 175 civilians, most of whom were children. Nearly a month into the war, U.S. service members have been killed and injured, the world has struggled to respond to a predictable energy crisis, violence has spread well beyond Iranian borders, and Iran’s leadership remains largely intact. Marveling at the White House’s lack of planning and apparent inability to think strategically, The New York Times’ Jamelle Bouie noted, “Neither Trump nor his aides, according to recent reporting, planned for Iran to target shipping and close the Strait of Hormuz. They also do not seem to have planned for serious and sustained retaliation against America’s Gulf state allies. They did not plan for an energy crisis and the potential disruption to the global economy, and they did not plan for America’s European allies to, by and large, reject their call for support.” By all appearances, Trump expected a replay of Venezuela: Target a foe quickly and overwhelmingly, declare victory, and move on. When Iran proved to be a very different kind of adversary, the Republican administration apparently had no idea what to do next.#iran #donald_trump #strait_of_hormuz #pete_hegseth #the_new_york_times
Wordle: The Daily Word Game Created by Josh Wardle for His Girlfriend Palak The rise of Wordle as a global phenomenon began with a simple idea: a daily word puzzle that challenges players to guess a five-letter word within six attempts. The game, which has captivated millions, was born from a personal project by software engineer Josh Wardle, who initially created it for his girlfriend, Palak Shah. What started as a private game for their circle soon evolved into a worldwide sensation, blending simplicity with addictive gameplay. Wordle’s core mechanic revolves around deduction. Players are given six chances to guess a hidden five-letter word. After each attempt, the game provides feedback through color-coded tiles: green indicates a correct letter in the right position, yellow signifies a correct letter in the wrong spot, and gray means the letter isn’t part of the word. These clues guide players toward the solution, balancing challenge with fairness. The game’s design emphasizes accessibility, avoiding flashy graphics or complex rules, which has made it appealing across age groups and cultures. The game’s popularity surged in 2021 when Wardle shared it online, allowing others to play. Its daily puzzle format—where everyone receives the same word each day—creates a shared experience, fostering a sense of community among players. The limited number of attempts adds tension, while the daily reset ensures consistent engagement. Over time, Wordle’s simplicity and strategic depth have kept it relevant, with players returning daily to tackle the new challenge. Wardle’s creation was deeply personal. The game’s name, derived from his surname, reflects its origins as a private project.#the_new_york_times #wordle #josh_wardle #palak_shah #daily_word_game
Daryl Hannah Breaks Silence on Love Story, JFK Jr. Relationship Daryl Hannah has publicly criticized a recent television series that dramatizes her relationship with John F. Kennedy Jr., calling the portrayal of her character "appalling" and inaccurate. In an op-ed published in The New York Times on March 6, she addressed the show’s depiction of her, which she claims misrepresents her life and conduct. The series, which features a character named Daryl Hannah, is said to portray her as "irritating, self-absorbed, whiny, and inappropriate," a characterization she insists is deliberate and untrue. Hannah, who had an on-again, off-again relationship with JFK Jr. from 1988 to 1994, emphasized that the show’s portrayal of her is entirely fabricated. She denied allegations that she used cocaine, hosted cocaine-fueled parties, pressured others into marriage, or desecrated family heirlooms. She also refuted claims that she planted stories in the press or compared Jacqueline Onassis’ death to a dog’s. “It’s appalling to me that I even have to defend myself against a television show,” she wrote. “These are not creative embellishments of personality. They are assertions about conduct—and they are false.” The actress, now married to Neil Young since 2018, highlighted the broader implications of the show’s portrayal. She noted that fans of the series have sent her hostile and even threatening messages, believing the dramatized events to be factual. “When entertainment borrows a real person’s name, it can permanently impact her reputation,” she said. She urged viewers to distinguish between dramatization and documented fact, warning that in the digital age, entertainment often becomes collective memory. Hannah also referenced advice her ex’s mother had given her about life in the public eye.#john_f_kennedy_jr #calvin_klein #jack_schlossberg #daryl_hannah #the_new_york_times
Maggie Gyllenhaal reflects on her evolving relationship with her brother Jake Gyllenhaal ahead of the release of their new film The Bride!, marking their first collaboration since 2001’s Donnie Darko. In an interview with The New York Times podcast The Interview, Maggie shared insights about their bond, revealing that while they have never been estranged, their connection has deepened in recent years. Maggie, 48, discussed the emotional weight of casting Jake, 45, in her directorial debut. She described the process as a vulnerable moment, acknowledging the challenges of balancing their individual careers with family ties. “I think I did have to be separate from my family, from my brother,” she admitted, explaining how their early success in acting required them to navigate their personal lives. However, she emphasized that this separation was not a permanent state. “We’re finally, maybe in the last five years, more and more and more, even each day, really interacting,” she said, highlighting the effort required to maintain close ties. The film The Bride! features Jake as an actor named Ronnie Reed, who encounters the title character played by Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale’s portrayal of Frankenstein’s monster. Maggie described the decision to cast her brother as a deliberate and thoughtful process, ensuring it was the right choice. “I waited until I was absolutely sure,” she said, recalling the emotional impact of the decision. “I remember asking him and tearing up… just alone in this hotel room I was in, because it meant so much to me.” The Gyllenhaal siblings, who began acting in the 1990s, come from a family deeply rooted in filmmaking.#the_new_york_times #the_bride #maggie_gyllenhaal #jake_gyllenhaal #donnie_darko
