Go Figure: After Almost Half a Century, Leonard Peltier is Free

After nearly five decades behind bars, Native American activist Leonard Peltier has been released from prison following a commutation by President Joe Biden in January, before leaving office. Convicted in 1977 for the deaths of two FBI agents during a 1975 incident on South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation—a conviction long contested by Peltier and his supporters—Peltier, now 80, has consistently maintained his innocence.

Data Viz 10: The Big Money Split

Former President Trump is now President-elect Trump. Securing his title took more than just votes. A pathway paved in dollar bills, funded by Silicon Valley and global financial investors helped propel his efforts to the White House. VP Kamala Harris also managed to nab billionaires and heavy hitters in Big Tech during her campaign, but Trump’s fundraising efforts spanned both new and old money.

Welcome to Tech City, Sierra Leone

An estimated $150 million has been allocated to establish Tech City, a digital innovation hub in Sierra Leone. The city will be built in Tikonko, Bo district, about 250 km east of Freetown, the country’s historic capital. The initial investment will be used to build data centers, device manufacturing/assembly lines, and boost digital infrastructure.

Scientists Create Living Skin for Robots

In Japan, a team of scientists have created a ‘smiley face’ robot wearing live skin. To work, the innovative material binds to a layer of collagen gel and mimics the human skin cell structure. Researchers believe the advancement will help expand the field of robotics, allowing engineers to create mechanical projects with more life-like expressions and sophisticated, sensory capabilities.