Scientists map portion of mouse’s brain

Science and Health

WASHINGTON — Thanks to a mouse watching clips from “The Matrix,” scientists have created the largest functional map of a brain to date — a diagram of the wiring connecting 84,000 neurons as they fire off messages.Using a piece of that mouse’s brain about the size of a poppy seed, the researchers identified those neurons and traced how they communicated via branch-like fibers through a surprising 500 million junctions called synapses.

Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom Gets Disappointing Fantastic Four Movie Update

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Ahead of The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ debut, fans might be disappointed to learn about where the film stands in terms of an appearance by Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom.Currently, Downey is in the early stages of filming for Avengers: Doomsday, in which he will take over the MCU’s Multiverse Saga as Victor Von Doom. He will be the Multiverse Saga’s ultimate big bad as multiversal barriers are broken and Incursions ensue, bringing together different legacies of Marvel heroes and villains.As fans are aware, Doom is also the most notable antagonist for the Fantastic Four, who will get their first MCU movie this July. That fact begs the question of whether Downey’s first MCU appearance as Doom could come before the fifth Avengers outing.Doctor Doom’s Status in the MCU’s Fantastic Four Movie
Robert Downey Jr.The Fantastic Four: First Steps director Matt Shakman spoke with Entertainment Weekly about whether his MCU film will include Robert Downey Jr.’s Victor Von Doom.While calling Doom “a great character,” Shakman admitted that the Fantastic Four villain “takes up a lot of air.” He confirmed the movie will not include both an origin story for the titular quartet and an appearance by Doom, wanting all of their stories to be told “from a fresh perspective:””Doom’s a great character, but he takes up a lot of air. Other film adaptations have done both an origin story and Doom. We’re doing neither, and that allows us to look at them from a fresh perspective.”While The Fantastic Four: First Steps currently has 10 confirmed cast members, Shakman seemed to indicate Downey would not join that list.Is Robert Downey Jr. Really Not in Fantastic Four?
Marvel ComicsWhile The Fantastic Four is already set to feature Galactus as its main villain, not having Doom in any capacity would be quite a shock for MCU fans. This is particularly true considering the solo outing will be the last movie released in theaters before Avengers: Doomsday hits the big screen on May 1, 2026.Marvel will take a different direction with this Fantastic Four movie considering it would be the first not to feature Doom in any capacity (should the quotes be true). However, considering what Marvel has done in the past, Doom could be the perfect candidate for a post-credits scene teasing his debut in Doomsday.The real question moving forward is whether Downey’s Doom is from the same universe as the MCU’s Fantastic Four, with how many universes could potentially be in play in the movie.The confirmed cast for Avengers: Doomsday could indicate the inclusion of at least three or four different timelines already, and dozens of other characters from other worlds are confirmed to be waiting in the wings. This could mean Downey’s Doom and Marvel’s First Family may have no preexisting connection with one another.Regardless, Doom is a prime candidate for a post-movie tease in The Fantastic Four, with many hoping the stage will be set for his ultimate arrival.The Fantastic Four: First Steps will blast into theaters on July 25.

David Rothenberg talks about his new book ‘Manhattan Mayhem’

Arts & Culture, Books

David Rothenberg. Photo Courtesy of David Rothenberg.
David Rothenberg chatted about his new book “Manhattan Mayhem.”

Mr. Rothenberg, 91, is a veteran theater publicist, Broadway producer, advocate, prisoners’ rights activist, and founder of The Fortune Society.  

“Manhattan Mayhem” stories capture the mood and heartbeat of the planet’s most pulsating plot of land.

Rothenberg’s checkered life…in theatre, politics and prisons, are reflected in these tales of hope, heartbreak and humor. They are as diverse and unpredictable as Times Square on a Saturday night.

The Fortune Society’s mission is to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities.

Idea to write ‘Manhattan Mayhem’

On the idea to write a book, he said, “There was a pandemic and I had nothing to do.” “Stories were floating in my head for years, and I decided to put them down on paper,” he said.

“These are the stories that I would tell people, and they would encourage me to write them but initially, I didn’t have the time. When the pandemic hit, I had the time. They were stories from my experiences at The Fortune Society,” he added.

For Rothenberg, writing is a cathartic experience

“Writing this book was like therapy,” he admitted. “I’ve been doing readings, and there are a couple of them that I cannot get through without crying.”

“The stories are not all sad; a couple of them are funny. I hope they are funny. I wrote them hoping they would evoke humor or laughter but a couple of them are very tough,” he elaborated.

Career-defining moments

On his career-defining moments, Rothenberg shared, “There were a lot of moments that helped define me. Working in the theater certainly had a great impact, and working with formerly incarcerated people also had an impact.”

“There was drama every day at The Fortune Society, especially with people’s lives on the line,” he said.

“My first book was a memoir, and I was asked by the inmates to come in as an observer, and that was certainly lifechanging,” he said.

“When you go from being an advocate to a participant in a historic and tragic event, it changes you,” he added.

The digital age

Rothenberg addressed his views and thoughts on the digital age. “I don’t recognize it. I still communicate by carrier pigeon,” he said with a sweet laugh.

“I am learning how to use a cell phone,” he said. “My life’s ambition is to come back as a 15-year-old girl and walk down the street oblivious of everyone, and walking into people and walking into traffic. I don’t understand the digital age.”

“Certainly, the digital age makes things convenient for people, but I have to measure what we’ve lost by what we’ve gained,” he acknowledged.

Rothenberg is a firm believer of the following quote by Winston Churchill: “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

“Right now, one of the most impressive books I’ve ever read is ‘The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich’ by William L. Shirer, and if you read it today, it’s a blueprint for what is happening to America, which is kind of terrifying.”

For hopefuls who wish to go into the theater industry professionally

“We have an arts program at The Fortune Society, and over the years, many people have through it. Theater classes give people an opportunity to kick into their own emotions by digging in to other characters.”

“Some people have come out of Fortune and they have had careers in theater and television. Charles Dutton, who was ‘Roc’ on TV and he was in the original Broadway play ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,’ and he was put in solitary confinement when he was in a Maryland prison. They gave him one book and it was a book of plays.”

Rothenberg continued “He started reading them out loud in his solitary prison cell and he said ‘I can do that,’ and when he sent a letter to the Yale Drama School and he was very clever. He said I want to go from Jail to Yale, and they gave him a scholarship.”

“Then, he came to Broadway and then he had a television career and he made a lot of movies,” he said.

“I encourage people all the time to give it a try,” he said. “While it is a competitive industry, so is everything in life. If this is really what you want to do, you don’t have to ask about doing it, you just do it.”

Julie Harris

He recalled working with the grand doyenne of American theatre, the late but great Julie Harris, for two productions.

“I’ve learned that from some of the most dedicated artists I’ve work with, which included the late but great Julie Harris,” he said.

“I worked with her on two shows, and she was clear about that, and that’s what she wanted to do at a young age. Whenever she got on stage, she was prepared and powerful,” he underscored.

“This is what she always wanted to do… nothing else,” he added.

Stage of his life

On the title of the current chapter of his life, he said, “I am in my Twilight Years.”

“I have a lot of memories at 91,” he admitted. “I’ve outlived the people that I grew up with; they are not there. I have a lot of young friends, and I am always fearful that my stories will bore some people. There are always young people who have a great deal of curiosity of what cam before.”

“Sometimes, I’m an almanac,” he said. “I was born during the Great Depression, and I lived through World War II, and through the Korean and Vietnam Wars.”

‘As far as the theater is concerned, when I name-drop some people that I’ve worked with, everyone is shocked because it was so long ago,” he added.

Success

Regarding his definition of the word success, Rothenberg said, “Being able to fall asleep at night. That’s a tough question. It’s an essay question.”

“In America, it is based on your bank account… isn’it it? It is looking in the mirror and being satisfied with who you see, and that is not easily achieved,” he acknowledged.

“I also wonder if Donald Trump has trouble going to sleep at night. Well, that’s not success; that’s no conscience,” he added.

Closing thoughts on the book

For fans and readers, he said, “I want people to get a range of emotions out of this book. Life is a roller coaster of tears and happiness.”

Rothenberg remarked, “I have one story for all that time; I fictionalized it but it is based on a real story of a man that I met through The Fortune Society, who took his own life, which was something I saw coming. I urged him to seek help, but he put a gun in his mouth and killed himself, and that was very painful.”

“So, basically, I want people to get the roller coaster of life of laughter and tears,” he concluded.

“Manhattan Mayhem” is available on Amazon by clicking here.

I Didn’t Realize The Money Advice My Parents Taught Me Was Sabotaging Me — Until I Started a Business

Business News

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
When I started my first business, I had everything going for me. To be sure, I was terrified, but I was also young and full of grit and determination. Being confident that you’ll succeed is sometimes half the battle — so is having the courage to work hard, and being raised on a farm in Idaho toughened me early. As a child I was entrusted on a daily basis with responsibilities that would daunt many adults.I also knew my industry. I’d put myself partway through college working for an electric sign company, and now I was founding one of my own. Basically, I convinced myself that these two factors — a diehard work ethic and expertise in the work involved — would carry the day. Don’t get me wrong — they’re vastly important qualities, and no entrepreneur will succeed without them.But I soon discovered what every new business owner will learn eventually: preparing for every setback is impossible. There will always be a surprise waiting in the wings to steal the spotlight at the worst possible moment.

Related: What Is a Good Credit Score and How Do I Get One?What I learned the hard wayMy business did pretty well out of the gate, so I figured financing would be a cinch. I was wrong. I got turned down for an SBA loan within a month of hanging out my shingle. Adding insult to injury, the idea of receiving good-faith credit from vendors was laughable.

Who was I, after all? The world is full of hard-working kids with big ideas, and you can bet that whatever business you’re in, there will be plenty of established companies that can provide the same service faster and better. With no financing or credit to draw on, I was forced to pay for every expense with precious cash out of my own frequently empty pocket.When I was an employee of a sign company, cash flow seemed to take care of itself. Being a boss was a whole different story. There was no one to take care of it but me, and finding the cash to pay for every expense on the fly became a nightmare. No matter how well the business did, I stayed cash poor. On any given day, I’d have literally hundreds of thousands of dollars owed to me in accounts receivable, but zero in the bank to pay accounts payable.I’ll never forget the sleepless nights; the stress headaches; the dark fantasies wherein I was unable to make payroll, unable to pay rent. And this is the chief thing they never tell you: a new business owner can be killing it on paper and still spend his nights pacing the floor.What I did to fix the problemThe vendors who turned me down didn’t dislike me personally. The SBA didn’t deny my loan application because the government disapproves of Idahoans. My difficulties were owed to one thing and one thing only: I had no credit history. I’d been taught from childhood that debt of any kind is an objective evil, and I’d never applied for so much as a credit card.

I’d paid for all my adolescent needs, including automobiles, in cash. The consequences were beautifully ironic: what I’d once done ignorantly but voluntarily, I was now forced to do. Potential lenders had no way of knowing whether I was the type of client who paid his bills. Credit bureaus had no clue I existed.My career didn’t take off until I faced this difficulty head-on and took deliberate steps toward building flawless personal and business credit history. It wasn’t easy, but it didn’t take long to realize that achieving good credit scores is more a matter of developing good habits than reinventing the wheel; though reliable information was much harder to come by back then, I hustled and did my homework and eventually mastered the topic.Related: 5 Simple Ways to Improve Your Credit Score and Help Your BusinessIn today’s world, no fledgling business owner has an excuse for ignorance about the basic building blocks of finance. The internet is a treasure trove of clear, energetic advice regarding how to improve your credit and reputation simultaneously. Alongside the internet, businesses are devoted to helping business owners understand and access their credit data. It’s not much of an exaggeration to say that in the old days, I’d have cut off a finger to access the wonderful services and tools that most of us now take for granted.

The rewards for capitalizing on such blessings are real. Take a look at some of the advantages of an impressive credit score — tell me they don’t coincide with what you already assume are fundamental steps to fruitful entrepreneurialism:Borrowing money: A good credit score can help business owners get loans at a lower interest rate with better terms.Trade credit: Trade credit allows business owners to grow their inventory without paying immediately, which is ideal for cash flow.Lines of credit: Speaking of cash flow, lines of credit can keep the pipes well-lubricated during the crises, major and minor, that ensure that running a business is never boring.Insurance: A solid credit score can mean lower insurance rates and better coverage.Lease rates: Similarly, business owners with great credit can get far better lease rates on must-haves like equipment, office space and work vehicles.Customers: An impressive credit score is essential for building a business-like reputation. Large companies and government entities require a minimum business credit score to award contracts to smaller enterprises.Relationships: Business is all about relationships, and a high credit score will go a long way towards convincing future suppliers and business relationships that you are the real deal.Payment processing: Strong business scores mean a better discount rate on merchant processing fees.The list goes on, and the perks evolve, but the message is as steadfast as if written in stone. Without robust credit scores, a small business will never do any heavy lifting, much less hope to survive in one of the most competitive arenas known to humankind.

Tourist entry to Thailand is going digital – here’s what is changing

Travel

The changes will come into force from 1 May and the forms can be completed online
Travellers visiting Thailand will soon need to apply for a visa waiver online before arriving in the country. The Immigration Bureau of Thailand has announced that all foreign visitors will have to fill in their details on a website, for the soon-to-launch Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC).From 1 May 2025, the new system will replace paper arrival cards – known as TM6 forms – which are currently necessary for entry to Thailand.The online TDAC website will launch on 28 April to accommodate those arriving from the start of May.It’s a continuation of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) ‘Smart Tourism’ initiative, which aims to integrate technology, improve safety, and boost the country’s ability to attract foreign visitors.In a statement seen by The i Paper, Worapa Ankhasirisap, the Director of TAT London, explained the change, saying the “streamlined, paperless system makes the arrival process more efficient allowing travellers to start their journey in Thailand with ease”.“By embracing digital innovation, we are not only improving border procedures but also gathering valuable insights to better understand travel trends and enhance our tourism offerings,” Ankhasirisap added.The change will affect all foreign nationalsAs of 1 May, all international travellers who do not hold a Thai passport, entering Thailand by air, land, or sea for both leisure or business purposes, must apply online for the TDAC before they enter the southeast Asian nation.Thailand welcomes millions of visitors every year to the likes of Koh Samui island, made even more famous by the recent series of White Lotus set there (Photo: Sandro Bisaro/Getty Images)The process is mandatory and free to complete – and the only exceptions for non-Thai passport holders are for those who are transiting or transferring in Thailand without going through immigration control.It’s possible to apply for the digital arrival card up to three days before your arrival date to the country; if you have access to wifi on your arrival in Thailand, you can also apply at the port before you queue to go through immigration.Officials do recommend completing the application before travelling to make the process easier, however.Travellers can submit a TDAC as an individual or as part of a group. Once the form is completed online, they’ll receive a QR code. Along with passports, this QR code must be shown, either on a device or printed out, to the immigration officer on arrival to Thailand.Have details on hand before you applyTo apply for a TDAC, travellers will need to visit the official website at https://tdac.immigration.go.th.When accessed, you’ll need to follow the step by step guide for ‘Arrival Card’. To complete the form, you’ll need details of the following:
Passport details

Flight and accommodation details

Names of countries visited within two weeks of arrival to Thailand (for health declaration purposes)

A working email address
If you’re travelling in a group, additional passengers can be added to an application, following the same steps. Tourists visiting Thailand will have to jump through more hoops going forward
(Photo: TAT)
On accepting the terms and conditions, the QR code will be displayed and sent to the supplied email address.Thailand has strict immigration rules in placeA TDAC – and its paper predecessor – is not a visa.Currently, British citizens are able to travel to Thailand for 60 days visa free, and stays can be extended by an additional 30 days at a cost of 1,900 Thai Baht (about £43).For travellers planning to work or study while in the country, a specific visa must be obtained before entry, via the relevant Thai embassy or consulate. Rules can change quickly and with little warning, so it’s worth checking the Foreign Office’s (FCDO) advice page for Thailand before you book a trip. In March, Thai officials announced they plan to halve the number of days foreign tourists can stay in the country without a visa from 60 days down to 30.It’s part of a clamping down on travellers allegedly exploiting the visa waiver to carry out illegal business activities.Thai press cited concerns from local travel and hospitality associations over visitors renting out accommodation without the correct, official authorisation.That decision – which has yet to be enacted in law – came as a surprise to many.Last summer, Thailand upped the number of tourists allowed to stay for 60 days from 57 countries to 93. Those measures were put in place in part of an effort to boost visitors. Tourism is big business for the country. In December, TAT announced that international tourist arrivals have surpassed their target of 35 million visitors in 2024. Between 1 January to 27 December 2024, Thailand welcomed 35,047,501 international visitors – and expects to receive up to 39 million in 2025.If that does happen, numbers will surpass 2019’s, when 39.8 million arrived, and Thailand received the fourth highest tourism earning worldwide. The UK remains one of Thailand’s largest tourist markets. According to TAT, from 1 January to 31 October 2024, the country saw 739,837 British visitors, and put in place a year-end target of one million.One rule has been in place for years – and isn’t going anywhere.If holidaymakers overstay their 60 days in Thailand, there can be serious consequences. This includes fines of 500 Baht (£11.40) per day up to a maximum of 20,000 Baht (£455.90), and offenders may also face a ban from re-entering Thailand for up to 10 years.The FCDO also warns that those who overstay risk being held in detention and deported at their own expense. A statement on the website adds that “conditions in detention centres can be harsh,” and that “detainees have died in custody”.

Boricua Tech Drives Recovery: Pacífico Group Launches AI Platform to Transform Use of Federal Funds

Technology

In an effort to tackle bureaucratic inefficiencies and improve the management of federal recovery funds in Puerto Rico and the mainland United States, Puerto Rican firm Pacífico Group has unveiled its latest innovation: Pacifico.AI, an artificial intelligence platform poised to revolutionize how recovery-funded projects are executed and reimbursed.Developed with cutting-edge machine learning technology, Pacifico.AI represents a major step forward in how municipalities, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations manage federally funded projects. Its core mission is to address one of the most persistent challenges in Puerto Rico’s post-disaster recovery efforts: ensuring technical and administrative compliance with complex federal regulations.“Pacifico.AI was born from the urgent need to simplify processes that, for years, have been synonymous with delays and frustration,” said Brian Díaz, CEO of Pacífico Group. “This tool turns complexity into manageability, and bureaucracy into efficiency—ensuring compliance and agility from day one.”From Bureaucracy to EfficiencyThe platform is designed to serve as a smart guide for subrecipients of federal funding, including those participating in FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program. Powered by an automated engine, Pacifico.AI continuously analyzes applicable regulations in real-time, flags potential issues, and assists users in preparing the documentation required for successful, legally compliant reimbursements.Beyond documentation, the platform integrates every phase of a project’s lifecycle—from planning and evidence collection to execution and reimbursement—within a secure, user-friendly interface. This centralized, structured approach minimizes human error and dramatically speeds up traditionally slow processes.Tangible Results: Speed and SavingsAmong Pacifico.AI’s most striking benefits is its ability to accelerate project execution by up to 5.5 times compared to traditional methods. This operational efficiency also brings significant financial savings: up to 85% in administrative costs, according to company data.By automating repetitive tasks, eliminating manual validations, and greatly reducing the need for technical staff and external consultants, the platform presents a clear opportunity for public sector cost-cutting. In post-disaster scenarios—where every dollar counts—this optimization becomes even more critical.“We are committed to democratizing access to high-level technology tools for all municipalities in Puerto Rico,” added Díaz. “Pacifico.AI is not just a product—it’s an investment in transparency, speed, and responsible use of public funds.”A Fully Integrated, Traceable SolutionPacifico.AI isn’t a standalone product. It has been designed to seamlessly integrate with other platforms within the Pacífico Group technology ecosystem, including Pacífico DR (for disaster management), Pacífico RMS (for fund administration), and Procure.pr (for procurement processes). This interoperability ensures full traceability at every step and delivers a comprehensive solution that enhances governance, reduces risks, and improves accountability.A Scalable ModelAlthough Pacifico.AI was created with Puerto Rico’s specific needs in mind, its applications go beyond the island. The platform is already available to entities in the continental United States and is designed to comply with federal standards, making it a scalable model for other jurisdictions facing similar challenges in public fund management.At a time when recovery and reconstruction efforts following hurricanes and other emergencies remain a central topic in public discourse, Pacifico.AI provides a data-driven, tech-powered alternative that ensures funds are used effectively—and reach their destinations in record time.Digital Transformation with Local RootsWith this launch, Pacífico Group solidifies its position as a leader in developing technological solutions for the public good. Founded in Puerto Rico, the company has emerged as a pioneer in tools that combine regulatory compliance, artificial intelligence, and operational efficiency.Pacifico.AI aims not only to streamline processes but to promote a digital transformation of government operations from the inside out—a transformation led by local talent and built by those who understand the system’s challenges firsthand. Instead of relying on imported solutions, Pacifico.AI delivers homegrown innovation with the power to transform public sector efficiency across Puerto Rico and beyond.