Harbor Freight’s reputation as a budget-friendly tool shop is well documented. For many, it’s the go-to place when you need something specific but don’t want to pay big bucks for it. Screwdrivers, drills, generators, saws, if you need it in your workshop or on your truck, Harbor Freight probably has it. But wander the aisles for more than a few minutes, and you’ll realize something else: Harbor Freight is a surprisingly good place to stock up on the random odds and ends that tend to grow legs in your garage and disappear when you need them.
One of the biggest mistakes people make when shopping at Harbor Freight is not paying attention to the little extras. Those smaller items you burn through, like zip ties, batteries, magnets, tarps, clamps, and shop towels, can usually be found at Harbor Freight. And in most cases, buying them here feels like paying less than full price. We chose these items based on their availability at Harbor Freight, a regular retail price of under $2, and whether they’re genuinely useful to the average person. These are the types of items where quality isn’t always the most important factor. You just need them to work as intended, and things like name-brand or premium materials matter less than a good deal. Here are 15 Harbor Freight finds under $2 that are worth buying and surprisingly well-made considering their price.
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Magnesium fire starter
Matches are a dime a dozen, and lighters are portable, cheap, and convenient. But this magnesium fire starter has its perks, too. Lighters and matches don’t work well under damp conditions, and often not at all. If that’s all you have on hand, you might get nothing more than a flicker.
This magnesium fire starter works differently. Even when it’s wet or cold, you can get a decent fire going by sparking magnesium shavings. Magnesium ignites easily, which is why it makes sense to use it as a fire starter. This fire starter from Harbor Freight includes a serrated edge to create the magnesium shavings. Place the shavings on top of dry tinder, such as grass or pine straw, then strike the flint to create sparks. The sparks will light up the magnesium and ignite your tinder. From there, you can feed the tinder pile to grow your fire bigger. Not bad for a $1.69 Harbor Freight find.
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19-gallon XXL bag
If you’re swimming in reusable tote bags from every retail store you shop at, it’s fair to wonder what makes Harbor Freight’s XXL bag different and why it’s a good buy at $0.99. Just like many other reusable tote bags, this one is made from durable propylene. It’s strong enough to carry everything from groceries to clothing to bulky items. It has two long handles that slip over your shoulder. And naturally, it’s reusable, which makes it arguably better for the environment compared to single-use plastic or paper bags.
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The real difference is in its shape. Most reusable bags you find in retail stores come in one standard boxy shape. But Harbor Freight’s XXL bag has slightly tapered sides. It’s wider than it is deep, which may help with weight distribution. The unique shape also gives it more use cases, such as carrying firewood or kindling, transporting leaves to a burn pile, collecting flowers, or bagging longer items that don’t like to sit upright in a regular bag.
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Multipurpose scissors
Scissors are one of those things you always seem to need more of. Some people keep a pair in every room in the house. They’re one of the most useful tools you’ll ever own. That might also be why scissors are one of the tools that tend to disappear the most. No matter how many pairs you have, it’s always a struggle to find them when you need them.
Harbor Freight’s multipurpose scissors are proof that a cheap pair of scissors can do the job just as well as an identical big-name brand. They’re an average size, easy to grip and hold, and work as you expect. Even better, they sell for $1.29, so you can afford to stock every room in the house if that’s your goal. Or, just get a few pairs at a time and always have a backup option when you can’t find your daily cutters.
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Super strong quick setting epoxy
Simple supplies like epoxy are things you don’t think about until you need them. And once you do need them, it’s usually when you’re in the middle of a project, and stopping to go to the store for that one item feels like the biggest inconvenience. Maybe you’re preparing a broken handle or fixing a cracked plastic part. Whatever the case, quick-setting epoxy is a lifesaver. It works reliably and consistently, and you don’t really need much experience to use it correctly.
Harbor Freight carries super strong quick setting epoxy, and it’s cheap enough that you can stock up on it now instead of when you really need it. It dries in only five minutes, according to Harbor Freight’s website, and works on a variety of materials: glass, wood, stone, ceramic, paper, plastic, and metal. The bond it forms is quick and permanent, and it dries clear, so you might be the only one who knows it’s there. You can get a two-step pack of super-strong, quick-setting epoxy from Harbor Freight for $1.79, which includes the resin and hardener.
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Super glue gel, 3 pack
Super glue is one of those household essentials that ends up solving more problems than you expect. Just a drop is all it takes to bond materials like plastic, metal, ceramic, and even wood. It cures quickly, making it perfect for repairing broken coffee mug handles, sealing a loose piece of trim, or fixing a small crack before it spreads. It works well for quick repairs around the house, and you’ll never be upset about having a few extras lying around.
Arguably, the super glue gel is a step up from normal super glue. The thicker, gel-like texture gives you a little more control over where you apply the glue. Regular super glue is thin and watery, and often ends up in places you didn’t intend. It’s even better when you can get essentials like super glue gel for cheap. Harbor Freight sells a three-pack of gel tubes for $1.99. It’s nothing fancy; just general-purpose super glue gel for those random chores that come up every now and then. According to the website, it dries in 3 seconds and doesn’t run or drip when used vertically.
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Steel detail brush
Whether you own your home or rent, you know there’s no shortage of things that need cleaning. The more you clean, the more things you find that need a good scrubbing. Those dirty spots tend to stick out more once you start cleaning the things around them. Some things only get cleaned a few times a year, or less, not because they don’t get dirty, but because they’re hard to access (and no one wants to do the job). That’s often the case with things like sliding door tracks, windowsills, outdoor furniture, swing sets, and just about anything else exposed to the elements.
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Detail brushes are the unsung heroes for these types of jobs. You can usually find detail brushes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials, and they’re usually just a couple of bucks each. Some are better suited for specific jobs than others. For example, this steel detail brush uses stiff metal bristles that can scrub through rust and paint. Use it as a prep tool before you paint, or to remove caked-on dirt and grime and make it look new again. Harbor Freight sells this brush for $0.99, and has many other types of detail brushes for around the same price. You can build up a whole set of brushes for just about any task for pretty cheap.
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Tack cloth
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Tack cloth might not be on your normal shopping list, but it’s cheap enough at Harbor Freight for you to give it a try. And once you do, you might be surprised at how often you reach for it. A tack cloth is a lightly sticky cloth designed to pick up fine dust, lint, sanding residue, or other debris that regular cloths tend to leave behind. If you’re sanding wood, cutting tile, prepping trim for paint, or cleaning a surface before finishing, for example, a quick wipe with a tack cloth helps remove the tiny particles that can make your project look less professional. It grabs the dust instead of moving it around, so this is an easy way to make sure your surface is truly clean.
Since tack cloths are usually used once and then tossed, you don’t want to spend a lot of money on them. That’s one good reason to buy it from Harbor Freight. A tack cloth here costs $1.49. It doesn’t leave residue behind, despite being sticky to the touch. It’s a small, inexpensive, and incredibly handy accessory to have nearby.
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Tub of orange hand soap
When your hands are covered in grease, oil, or grime, you’ll be glad to have the right soap on hand. Anyone who’s worked with yucky gunk knows that not all soaps are created equal. Some are made to cut through the nastiest substances; others will take several minutes and multiple washes and still not leave you with a fresh, clean feeling.
Soap with orange oil in it has been the mechanic’s go-to for decades. The citric acid breaks down oil and grime without taking off layers of your skin. It’s gentle on your hands but also effective. Harbor Freight sells a big tub of orange soap for $1.99. There’s no petroleum or solvents, so it’s safer for the planet and your skin. And because it’s something you’ll reach for again and again, it makes sense to buy it in a large amount. In this case, it’s a 1-pound tub.
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Utility blades with dispenser
Sometimes, the simplest tools end up being the most useful. A utility blade dispenser is a good example. Utility blades come in handy for many types of tasks, from scraping paint to trimming tape to opening boxes or removing stickers. Most DIYers keep a box of blades on hand for whatever use comes up.
But it’s the dispenser that makes the real difference. Utility blades are sharp, and keeping them loosely organized in a box isn’t safe. No one wants to reach into a box full of blades and try to grab one with their bare hands. This dispenser makes it safer to switch to a new blade without risking your skin. When you need a new blade, just gently slide one out. The others stay in place until you’re ready for them, and they won’t tip or spill. The blades are a standard size and fit most regular utility knives. They’re also a good option if you’re building a mobile workbench and want to keep all your dangerous tools and accessories contained.
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Mini pick and hook set
Some tools don’t look like much, but once you use them, you start reaching for them more and more. That’s often the case with this mini pick-and-hook set. When you see it, you might not think you have a use for it. But at $1.99, it’s cheap enough to pick up without a plan. Buy now and figure out what to use them for later.
These mini picks and hooks work well for jobs that need precision. Think tasks like pulling off gaskets, chipping away the dirt and grime from tools, or cleaning out tight grooves, for example. The bright orange handles make them easy to spot in a crowded toolbox. This set includes tools with various tips and angles, so you can fix a problem from whatever position works best. This cheap set can actually solve dozens of small but frustrating problems around the house, and it will quickly prove its value after just a few uses.
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3-pack magnetic bulldog clips
Magnetic bulldog clips are simple items that are surprisingly useful. These all-metal clips come with a sturdy magnet on the back, allowing you to attach papers, forms, notes, or photos to any metal surface. You can easily turn any filing cabinet, refrigerator, toolbox, or metal storage rack into a message board with this type of clip. Because they’re small and easy to lose, it makes sense to have some extras lying around on purpose. Buying a few packs makes sense, especially when you can find them on the cheap.
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Harbor Freight sells a three-pack of magnetic bulldog clips, each a slightly different size. They’re made of steel with a zinc-plated finish, so they’ll resist rust and last for a long time. The heavy-duty magnets help to keep the clips from slipping or moving when you don’t want them to. And at $1.99, it’s a decent value for something you’re likely to use every day.
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Jumbo bike/utility hook
If you’re struggling to park your car in your garage because of bicycles, canoes, kayaks, and other big toys taking up space, you’ll appreciate the simplicity and the price of these jumbo bike/utility hooks. Each hook is just $1.99 at Harbor Freight, and they’re one of the quickest solutions to cleaning up your garage and allowing you to reclaim your parking spot.
The large hook screws directly into the wall or into overhead rafters. You can position them just about anywhere you like. Each hook is coated with a no-mar PVC coating that won’t scratch your belongings, and each can hold up to 100 pounds. Use them to hang bikes, fishing gear, toys, water skis, boat tubes, garden hoses, folding chairs, or anything else that’s cluttering your garage. If it’s bulky and awkward to store neatly, it might be better off hanging. These hooks are an inexpensive way to make use of your vertical space and clear the floor.
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Ultrabright portable LED work light
Any DIYer will agree that there’s no such thing as too many flashlights. There’s always a need for good lighting when you’re working, and sometimes you just can’t find a flashlight when you need one. This ultrabright portable LED work light and flashlight solves that problem. They’re cheap enough so you can buy one for every toolbox and every room in the house without feeling the financial crunch.
This small but mighty flashlight and work light can run for up to 48 hours. And unlike many portable LED lights that now run on rechargeable batteries, this one just takes three AAA batteries. If it dies on you, you don’t have to wait hours for a charge to start using it again. And unlike most regular flashlights, this one includes a magnetic base and a swivel mounting hook, so you can set it up and use it hands-free. Stock up on these at Harbor Freight for $1.79 each. It’s one of many examples of how Harbor Freight’s cheap alternatives beat other, more expensive versions.
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QuikFind tape measure
Kind of like flashlights, there’s no such thing as too many tape measures. That’s because, also like flashlights, these tools have a habit of disappearing the moment you need them. While you might not need one for every room in the house, finding a good, cheap tape measure gives you the flexibility to buy a few extra to stash away for later.
This QuikFind Tape Measure is $1.97 and measures up to 16 feet. It has a few surprising features for being so cheap, including a thicker blade for longer standout, a wrist strap for carrying, a thumb lock, and a thick casing to withstand drops. This item is currently a clearance item, so it’s unclear whether it will be continued at Harbor Freight. If it does disappear from shelves, there are several other cheap alternatives for under a few dollars that come in varying lengths. Harbor Freight keeps churning out new products every month, too, so there are likely to be other alternatives in the future.
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Swivel twist-focus headlamp
You might think you look ridiculous wearing a headlamp. But if it works, and it helps you do whatever job you’re doing better, is it still ridiculous? Probably so, but hey, at least you’ll be able to see what you’re doing while keeping your hands free.
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This swivel twist-focus headlamp from Harbor Freight is about as inexpensive as they come at $1.97. It gives you light exactly where you need it, plus you can keep both hands free to handle whatever task you’re doing. The adjustable headband fits any head and keeps the lamp in place while you work. It runs on two AA batteries, so there’s no waiting period to recharge your light. There’s also a large on/off button on the side, which is easy to feel for without removing the headlamp. This is another item on clearance, and it’s not clear if it’s just being repackaged or going away forever. If it’s the latter, rest assured, similar options are available for under $5.
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How We Chose These Cheap Harbor Freight Finds
PJ McDonnell/Shutterstock
We only considered items that were available at Harbor Freight and cost under $2. We deferred to the online price for these items for consistency, but we acknowledge that local store prices may vary between locations. Beyond the basics, we also only considered items that are genuinely useful and have earned multiple 4-star and 5-star ratings from customers. The final list includes items that most customers could find useful, regardless of whether you own or rent your home or whether you’re a frequent DIYer or handle one-off projects on occasion.
Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, any opinions expressed below belong solely to the author.
Since last year, Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower has been trying to help fresh graduates in their job search by periodically publishing a list of entry-level vacancies available in the country, and what the expected pay brackets are for each job.
While this list lags the market by about three months, with Dec figures only published in Mar, it still serves as a good indicator of where the openings appear, what jobs are worth looking at and how much they pay—both at the bottom and top end.
This data is collected from companies employing at least 25 people—so not micro businesses—and the figures are rounded up to the nearest 10.
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Here are the latest findings:
List of entry-level PMET job opportunities for fresh graduates (Dec 2025)
Industry
Job Title
Vacancies
Median Min. Salary ($)
Median Max Salary ($)
Transportation & Storage
Computer engineer
20
S$5,000
S$10,000
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
Sports coach
10
S$4,250
S$8,250
Financial & Insurance Services
Financial/Investment adviser
70
S$5,000
S$8,000
Financial & Insurance Services
Operations officer
30
S$4,000
S$8,000
Public Admin & Education
Research and development manager
190
S$4,500
S$7,000
Public Admin & Education
Secondary school teacher
40
S$4,000
S$7,000
Information & Communications
Software developer
240
S$4,500
S$6,550
Manufacturing
Process engineer
70
S$4,000
S$6,000
Manufacturing
Mechanical engineer
60
S$3,800
S$6,000
Wholesale Trade
Sales manager
30
S$3,800
S$6,000
Financial & Insurance Services
Financial compliance officer/Risk analyst
50
S$4,000
S$6,000
Public Admin & Education
Research officer
220
S$4,000
S$6,000
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
Film, stage and related directors and producers
10
S$4,200
S$6,000
Professional Services
Resident technical officer
70
S$4,800
S$5,800
Construction
Building construction engineer
280
S$3,500
S$5,500
Information & Communications
Systems designer/analyst
110
S$4,000
S$5,500
Real Estate Services
Premises and facilities maintenance manager
50
S$4,000
S$5,200
Construction
Quantity surveyor
340
S$3,500
S$5,000
Construction
Civil/Structural engineering draughtsman
140
S$3,500
S$5,000
Professional Services
Auditor
80
S$4,000
S$5,000
Health & Social Services
Registered nurse and other nursing professionals
200
S$3,000
S$5,000
Manufacturing
Quality control/assurance engineer
70
S$3,500
S$4,800
Wholesale Trade
Electrical engineer
10
S$3,500
S$4,800
Transportation & Storage
Assistant mechanical engineer
10
S$2,400
S$4,800
Accommodation
Sales manager
30
S$4,000
S$4,800
Retail Trade
Retail manager
30
S$3,500
S$4,550
Transportation & Storage
Logistics/production planner
40
S$3,000
S$4,500
Real Estate Services
Quantity surveyor
20
S$3,500
S$4,500
Administrative & Support Services
Management executive
60
S$2,800
S$4,500
Administrative & Support Services
After sales adviser/Client account service executive
40
S$3,500
S$4,500
Health & Social Services
Social worker
180
S$3,820
S$4,500
Health & Social Services
Pre-primary education teacher
120
S$3,000
S$4,500
Food & Beverage Services
Food and beverage operations manager
40
S$3,150
S$4,350
Food & Beverage Services
Retail manager
10
S$3,100
S$4,150
Accommodation
Hotel operations/Lodging services manager
30
S$3,500
S$4,100
Accommodation
Customer service manager
10
S$3,450
S$4,000
Real Estate Services
Premises and facilities maintenance officer
90
S$3,100
S$4,000
Information & Communications
IT support technician
120
S$2,800
S$3,800
Administrative & Support Services
Business development executive
30
S$2,900
S$3,800
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
Exhibition/Conference/Event planner
10
S$3,200
S$3,800
Food & Beverage Services
Management executive
60
S$2,800
S$3,700
Wholesale Trade
IT support technician
20
S$2,800
S$3,500
Retail Trade
Merchandising/Category executive
30
S$2,800
S$3,500
Retail Trade
IT support technician
20
S$2,800
S$3,300
Professional Services
IT support technician
80
S$2,600
S$3,200
Right off the bat, you can see a surprising entry at the very top of the list—a computer engineer—not in the IT industry but in Transportation & Storage.
This could be a good tip, since most computer science graduates may be looking for a job in tech when there might be a more attractive position available in a different sector.
In second place, we have another unexpected profession: a sports coach. Unfortunately, MOM doesn’t say specifically what kind of “sport” we’re talking about here and what the expectations are, but it is still quite informative that fresh entrants could see offers paying over S$8,000 per month.
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Further down the list, we have more predictable vacancies in Finance, but, as it turns out, S$7,000 could be earned in Public Administration jobs under Research & Development and as a Secondary School Teacher.
Then, at the very bottom, we have IT support technicians in non-tech industries and other support roles.
When it comes to the quantity of openings, by far the most are still in construction, with a few hundred Quantity Surveyors and Construction Engineers needed. There are also shortages in Nursing, Teaching, Social Work, and, despite murmurs of a crisis, Software Development.
Youth unemployment in Singapore among the lowest in the world
The vacancy list coincided with the release of a MOM report dedicated to the employment situation of Singapore youths (that is, people aged 15 to 24). While most in this age bracket still pursue education, the ones who have already completed it and joined the labour force have mostly found employment.
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While the unemployment rate among them is 6.6%—so, a bit more than twice the 3.0% for the entire country—it is considerably below the 14.3% average reported by OECD, and would place Singapore among the best performing countries:
Source: Youths in the Labour Market 2025/ Singapore Ministry of Manpower
This figure has largely stayed at the same level over the years, with the exception of the pandemic period:
Source: Youths in the Labour Market 2025 / Singapore Ministry of Manpower
What’s more, Singapore also does very well in long-term unemployment statistics, as only 1.1% of local youths looking for work are out of a job for six months or longer.
Source: Youths in the Labour Market 2025 / Singapore Ministry of Manpower
The labour market may be becoming more competitive as companies invest in AI and offload unnecessary workers, but compared to other developed economies, Singapore still seems to be doing very well.
Read other articles we’ve written on Singapore’s current affairs here.
Featured Image Credit: kandal stock/ Shutterstock.com
For more than 40 days and 40 nights, the US Congress failed to come to a deal that would restart paychecks for many Department of Homeland Security employees. The evidence is all over the country’s airports, in the form of hours-long waits to go through security.
Workers with the Transportation Security Administration have been forced to call out as they struggle to pay for gas, rent, childcare, and groceries, according to officials from the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents some 47,000 TSA agents. Nearly 12 percent of agents called out on Thursday, compared to a usual average of 4 percent.
On Friday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing DHS to pay TSA workers; the department said employees could see paychecks “as early as Monday,” though union representatives said it could take longer than a week for agents to receive back pay. (Congress still hasn’t voted to fund the department and fully reopen the government.) But it’s unclear whether airports can avert disaster over the upcoming spring holiday weekend. Record-setting long lines still snake around some of the nation’s largest airports.
So if you’re flying, show up early and be prepared to wait. Emphasis on “prepare.” WIRED’s got some especially WIRED-y ideas to pass the time.
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Consider TSA PreCheck
Photograph: The Washington Post/Getty Images
Think of a line as a sort of ritual liminal space, a threshold specially made for contemplation. Ponder, perhaps, your mistakes. Top of the list: Not signing up for TSA PreCheck. If you’re already in line, it’s too late right now, but it need not always be so. Those who can swing the $80 fee—good for five years—get expedited boarding, and therefore the right to stand in the security lines that seem to be moving the quickest right now. The online sign-up process takes just a few minutes. What a great way to kill some time!
Applicants then have to sign up for (or walk into) 10-minute in-person document check meetings at local Enrollment Centers, which are located everywhere from airports to local Office Depot and Staples locations. After that, actual enrollment can take anywhere from three to 60 days, the TSA says.
Read WIRED
You’re here already! Nose around. Check out our latest magazine package, The War Machine, which examines how technology has changed how the world fights and then tries to recover. Or head to the Gear homepage to read about the latest in gadgets and gadget trends. If you’re feeling more nostalgic, check out this list of some of WIRED’s best stories from the past 30 years.
Breathe Easy
Just because you’re nice and calm right now doesn’t mean that everyone around you is acting the same way. Escape with some deep breathing, your headphones, and, perhaps, a meditation app. Some options are right here.
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While You’ve Got Those Headphones Out
Turn on a podcast! WIRED just updated its list of top ones. Best tech- and science-related recommendations include Flesh and Code, about the dark side of AI love; Your Undivided Attention, a pod hosted by tech-industry veterans about the downsides to living online and how we might make it better; and Ologies, which delights in taking listeners down various scientific rabbit holes. Oh, and Uncanny Valley, WIRED’s insider look at the people, power, and influence of Silicon Valley.
Organize Your Photos
Is your photos folder a hellscape? Us, too. What a great time to tackle the task of deleting what no longer serves you. Going through pictures one-by-one is always an option, but WIRED has also tested—and liked!—two apps to help phone users declutter. Rodeo organizes screenshots by location, and helps you organize reminders and lists to share with friends and family. Swipewipe is the Tinder for photos: Just swipe left to remove images from your phone forever ever.
Finally Figure Out How to Solve a Rubik’s Cube
Photograph: Getty Images
This one requires some forethought, but a Rubik’s Cube might be the perfect line-waiting companion. No flailing limbs, loud noises, or even screens. It’s just you, your fingers, and sheer geometric logic. Here’s our step-by-step guide.
Belatedly Hear the Gospel of Horizon Worlds (on Mobile!)
Meta’s Horizon Worlds is going through some weirdness, as the tech giant shifts away from its (titular) metaverse and VR bets to focus on AI. After announcing Horizon Worlds would be sunset in virtual reality, Meta reversed course just a day later. Whatever: It’s definitely around on mobile! Visit a comedy club! Make some friends! Avoid the children (unless you yourself are a child)!
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Ski (Digitally)
There are plenty of mobile gaming options. WIRED senior writer Jeremy White especially loves Grand Mountain Adventure and Grand Mountain Adventure 2 (Android, iOS), open-world skiing and snowboarding games that take you to the most beautiful mountains and ski resorts to cliff hop, slalom, or even cruise the backcountry. We have more mobile game recs here.
Ponder the Line
Photograph: Vital Pictures/Getty Images
If you’d rather spend your time contemplating the world in front of you, there has perhaps never been a better time to learn about the theory behind perfect queues. There’s a whole cottage industry of crowd-science consultants and scientists working out the math and psychology behind the most efficient way to get a bunch of people from here to there. Learn about them here, then consider how your own airport could be doing this better.
Disavow Airport Theory
Last year, TikTokers fell for “airport theory,” the idea that life could be better (?) and more relaxing (??) if flyers arrived at the airport as late as possible, rolling right through security to the boarding line. This gives us angina, and—look around!—feels like an especially bad idea right now. Here are other airport hacks to consider on your next trip, hopefully after Congress has decided to pay federal employees for their work.
Verizon will waive late fees and offer flexible payment arrangements for workers affected by the partial government shutdown. The carrier has made similar offers in the past, like during the COVID-19 pandemic when it gave customers extra mobile data at no additional cost.
The Department of Homeland Security has been hit the hardest by the partial shutdown, but Verizon’s offer covers any federal worker who’s able to offer employment verification. Verizon says employees can call 1-800-Verizon (1-800-922-0204) to get their late fees waived and set up a payment plan.
The partial government shutdown started in February after Congress failed to pass a new DHS funding bill. The lack of funding has not affected all of DHS’ sprawling organizations equally, however. While the Transportation Security Administration is no longer able to pay its employees — leading to significant delays in airport security lines over the last week — both Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection have been spared thanks to a separate funding pool established by a previous bill.
Lawmakers continued inability to fund DHS also happens to hinge on both agencies. Democratic senators and congresspeople are demanding ICE agents wear body cams and remove masks before making arrests, among other restrictions, and refusing to fund DHS until those restrictions are worked into the bill. Both Republicans and Democrats have also separately proposed funding the entire department except for ICE and CBP, but while that bill passed in the Senate, it hasn’t been taken up in the House.
CASPIR is expected to significantly enhance Ireland’s high-performance computing capacity.
Ireland is getting a new supercomputer called Computational Analysis and Simulation Platform for Ireland (CASPIR).
The computer is currently being procured by the University of Galway and the European High-Performance Computing (EuroHPC) joint undertaking (JU), and will be managed by the Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC). A hosting agreement for the supercomputer was signed last October.
Once operational, the CASPIR supercomputer is expected to significantly enhance national high-performance computing capacity and benefit the country’s research and innovation ecosystem.
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Commenting on the procurement, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless, TD said: “Ireland’s new supercomputer will provide the technological means for researchers and innovators to tackle key scientific and societal challenges in areas including health, environment and climate, artificial intelligence, materials science and transport.
“Procuring a supercomputer will be a landmark moment for research and innovation in our country.”
The EuroHPC JU is a funding entity which enables EU countries, European countries associated with the Horizon Europe programme, as well as private organisations to coordinate efforts and pool resources to build a supercomputing ecosystem.
Established in 2018, EuroHPC JU promotes the development of high-performance computing, quantum and AI innovation in involved countries. Ireland is a founding member of the funding entity.
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The Government announced last year it received European funding for a €10m AI Factory Antenna. The Antenna will be implemented by ICHEC, CeADAR – Ireland’s centre for AI – alongside enterprise accelerators, including PorterShed, Dogpatch Labs, RDI Hub and Republic of Works, as well as digital skills networks, including Innovation Technology AtlanTec Gateway and Digital Technology Skills.
Meanwhile, CloudCIX’s Cork data centre launched the ‘Boole supercomputer’ in late January this year. The Cork-based supercomputer, a joint venture between CloudCIX and AlloComp, is reportedly one of Europe’s first liquid-cooled Nvidia B200 GPU deployments in Europe – and the first in Ireland.
Months earlier, University College Dublin (UCD) announced that it was procuring a new nearly €724,000 Nvidia supercomputer expected to perform 50-times faster than UCD’s existing high-performance compute cluster.
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If you own any modern gadget, be it a smartphone, laptop, headphones or even a game controller, there’s a good chance that it will sport a USB-C port.
USB-C is quickly becoming the universal port of choice in the technology world, both for power delivery and data transfer. This universal adoption means you won’t need to worry about stocking multiple cable types, being able to use a single charger for multiple devices, which is not only more sustainable but also more convenient.
The initial universal adoption of USB-C was a slow process, especially as Apple took its time to ditch the iPhone Lightning port for USB-C, only doing so back in 2023 with the iPhone 15 series.
But what exactly is USB-C, and how does it compare to alternative connection types such as USB-A, HDMI and Lightning? Why was Apple under pressure to adopt the port in the first place? We’ve created this guide to explain everything you need to know about USB-C.
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What is USB-C?
USB-C is an industry-standard connector that can charge a device as well as transmit data, making it one of the most convenient and versatile port options currently available.
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One of the most appealing aspects about USB-C is that it offers multiple functions beyond charging up the battery. For example, the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2 use USB-C to output their display to an external TV, while USB-C can also be used to transfer data (such as documents, photos and videos) between devices.
The iPad Pro packs a useful USB-C port
Its popularity and benefits have also seen it accepted by PC manufacturers since it can transfer data at high speeds, which we’ll go into more detail with later. This is useful for transferring large video files and the like. However, because USB-C currently has restrictions on how much power can be transferred through it, the port connection is generally not used for power delivery on high-end systems like gaming laptops.
How fast is USB-C?
It’s important to note that not all USB-C connections are the same. This means the power delivery and data transfer speeds will differ between devices, depending on which iteration of USB-C is being used.
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It’s best to think of USB-C as the physical connector, while the likes of USB 2.0, USB 3.1, USB 3.2, USB4, USB4 v2, Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 5 will determine the level of performance instead.
Thunderbolt 5 is currently the most powerful version of USB-C, allowing up to 120Gbps speeds for data transmission, as well as up to 240W charging.
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Although it’s been available for some, time Thunderbolt 5 still seems reserved for more premium devices, such as the MacBook Pro M5 Pro or M5 Max. Instead, many more devices offer Thunderbolt 4 support instead. Just make sure to check the performance speeds of the USB-C connector for each individual device.
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If you’re not sure how the Gbps speed metric relates to real-world performance, Belkin claims that 10Gb/s translates to transferring a high definition feature-length film over to another device in just 30 seconds when working at peak performance.
Looking at the charging front, USB-C can go up to 240 watts. For comparison, Apple’s Lightning charger capped out at just 30W.
So while it is convenient to use the same charger between your tablet, laptop and phone, it’s also the more powerful option, which should result in less time waiting around waiting for your phone’s battery to be fully replenished.
Is USB-C the same as Thunderbolt?
USB-C and Thunderbolt are not the same thing, and so shouldn’t be mixed up.
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USB-C is just the name of the physical oval-shaped port. This means that all Thunderbolt technology uses the USB-C connector, but this isn’t true vice versa as there are other compatible connectivity standards such as USB 3.2 Gen 1 etc.
Thunderbolt has its own features and max speeds, with new iterations intermittently released as the technology improves.
Thunderbolt 5 is the latest iteration, supporting up to 120Gb/s, making data transfer even faster. Thunderbolt can also move as much as 240W of power over an interface, which further adds to its impressive speed and overall benefits.
Lightning to USB-C cable
Thunderbolt can be used to transfer large data or media files (such as 4K video) over to a computer or PC without long waiting times.
It can be seen as the supercharger version of a USB-C connector, with Intel deciding to stick to the universal connector to ensure cables are backwards compatible and can work with a large range of devices.
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What’s the difference between USB and USB-C?
We’ll start by explaining what USB actually is. Short for Universal Serial Bus, USB is a technology that’s used to connect computers to external devices such as printers, keyboards or controllers. USB is also used for charging devices via an adaptor or power bank, and transferring files from one device to another.
Most computers and peripherals will sport some kind of USB port, whether that’s USB-A, USB-B (usually reserved for printers and scanners) or a USB-C connection.
With the above in mind, the “difference” between USB and USB-C is just that the latter is a type of the former. Both are designed to connect two devices together, but USB is the umbrella term for the different types of ports, such as USB-C for example.
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Does the iPhone use USB-C?
Since the launch of the iPhone 15 back in September 2023, all iPhones have sported a USB-C port in lieu of the rather dated Lightning alternative. Apple was seemingly reluctant to move ahead with this change, however an EU court ruling essentially forced the brand, alongside other smartphone manufacturers, to opt for the USB-C port as standard.
It’s a welcome move too, as it means regardless of whether you’re an iOS or Android user, you’ll be able to use the same cables.
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USB-C port plugged into iPhone 15 Pro Max. Image Credit (Trusted Reviews)
How can I tell if my USB cable is A or C?
The easiest way to determine whether you have a USB-A or USB-C port is simply by looking at the shape. USB-A has a rectangular shape that can only plug into a port one way, whereas USB-C is more of an oval and can be plugged in either way round. While some devices do still sport USB-As, USB-C is undoubtedly more of an industry standard now.
Even so, if you have an older computer or other device with USB-A ports, it is still possible to connect your USB-C device, with the help of an external adapter.
Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.
Michiganders, today’s Connections: Sports Edition is calling your name. Players will also notice a certain primary color showing up a lot. If you’re struggling with today’s puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.
Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t appear in the NYT Games app, but it does in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.
Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups
Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.
Yellow group hint: The Great Lakes State.
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Green group hint: What happens when you’re at the plate.
Blue group hint: Not yellow or blue.
Purple group hint: Hallmark makes these.
Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups
The announcement came this week in a blog post detailing Google’s migration plan to post-quantum cryptography, a new generation of algorithms designed to withstand attacks from quantum computers. Read Entire Article Source link
Conversations about smartwatches recently took an unexpected turn. People who already own one, as well as those who are new to the scene, generally agree that the Apple Watch SE 3,priced at $219 (was $249), is a reliable model that does not break the bank or overcomplicate matters.
The S10 chip featured in higher-end watches easily performs all of the regular duties including as apps, notifications, and voice commands, ensuring rapid replies whether you’re reading your messages or starting a workout. Because processing occurs directly on the watch, you can still use Siri to get answers to quick questions like the weather or your reminders while offline, and gestures like double tapping or a flick of the wrist allow you to answer calls or scroll through apps with one hand free as needed.
HEALTH ESSENTIALS — Temperature sensing enables richer insights in the Vitals app* and retrospective ovulation estimates.* You’ll also get a daily…
GREAT BATTERY LIFE — Enjoy all-day, 18-hour battery life. Then charge up to twice as fast as SE 2* and get up to 8 hours of battery in just…
ALWAYS-ON DISPLAY — Now you can read the time and see the watch face without raising your wrist to wake the display.
Glances become completely effortless with this device because the display remains active while dimming its brightness just enough to save battery. You can quickly check the time, weather, and what’s on your calendar without having to raise your wrist every five seconds, which is a huge advantage during meetings or lengthy hikes. The display itself is no slouch, as it can remain bright enough to see clearly outside, and the glass is far more scratch resistant than previous entry-level models.
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The health monitoring runs quietly in the background without demanding your attention. Heart rate is tracked continuously with alerts for anything unusual, sleep tracking now delivers nightly scores with breathing pause detection, and wrist temperature data helps with cycle estimation over time. A daily vitals summary pulls all of your trends together in one place so you are never hunting through multiple screens for answers. Everything surfaces when it is relevant and stays out of the way when it is not.
Fitness tracking is equally straightforward. Built in GPS logs runs and bike rides accurately, activity rings update in real time so you always know where you stand against your daily goals, and swim tracking holds up well in the pool. Workout suggestions are tailored to your history, making the SE 3 a genuinely practical companion for anyone looking to move more or build a consistent routine without wading through complicated menus or investing in dedicated gear.
Battery life just plain holds up through a typical day of use – with notifications, workouts, and the occasional call. You can top off the charge in about 15 minutes and get a few hours of life out of it. And when you need to really stretch it out, theres low power mode to fall back on – but more often than not you’ll still have plenty left over when the day winds down, so you dont have to worry about it running out mid-afternoon.
The world’s top AI research conference, the Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems—better known as NeurIPS—became the latest organization this week to become embroiled in a growing clash between geopolitics and global scientific collaboration. The conference’s organizers announced and then quickly reversed controversial new restrictions for international participants after Chinese AI researchers threatened to boycott the event.
“This is a potential watershed moment,” says Paul Triolo, a partner at the advisory firm DGA-Albright Stonebridge who studies US-China relations. Triolo argues that attracting Chinese researchers to NeurIPS is beneficial to US interests, but some American officials have pushed for American and Chinese scientists to decouple their work—especially in AI, which has become a particularly sensitive topic in Washington.
The incident could deepen political tensions around AI research, as well as dissuade Chinese scientists from working at US universities and tech companies in the future. “At some level now it is going to be hard to keep basic AI research out of the [political] picture,” Triolo says.
In its annual handbook for paper submissions, issued in mid-March, NeurIPS organizers announced updated restrictions for participation. The rules stated that the event could not provide services including “peer review, editing, and publishing” to any organizations subject to US sanctions, and linked to a database of sanctioned entities. It included companies and organizations on the Bureau of Industry and Security’s entity list and those on another list with alleged ties to the Chinese military.
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The new rules would have affected researchers at Chinese companies like Tencent and Huawei who regularly present work at NeurIPS. The database also includes entities from other countries such as Russia and Iran. The US places limits on doing business with these organizations, but there are no rules around academic publishing or conference participation.
The NeurIPS handbook has since been updated to specify that the restrictions apply only to Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons, a list used primarily for terrorist groups and criminal organizations.
“In preparing the NeurIPS 2026 handbook, we included a link to a US government sanctions tool that covers a significantly broader set of restrictions than those NeurIPS is actually required to follow,” the event’s organizers said in a statement issued Friday. “This error was due to miscommunication between the NeurIPS Foundation and our legal team.”
Before they reversed course, the conference organizers initially said that the new rule was “about legal requirements that apply to the NeurIPS Foundation, which is responsible for complying with sanctions,” adding that it was seeking legal consultation on the issue.
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Immediate Backlash
The new rule drew swift backlash from AI researchers around the world, particularly in China, which produces a large quantity of cutting-edge machine learning papers and is home to a growing share of the world’s top AI talent. Several academic groups there issued statements condemning the measure and, more importantly, discouraging Chinese academics from attending NeurIPS in the future. Some urged Chinese academics to contribute instead to domestic research conferences, potentially helping increase the country’s influence in relevant science and tech fields.
The China Association of Science and Technology (CAST), an influential government-affiliated organization for scientists and engineers, said Thursday that it would stop providing funding for Chinese scholars traveling to attend NeurIPS and would use the money instead to support domestic and international conferences that “respect the rights of Chinese scholars.”
CAST also said it will no longer count publications at the 2026 NeurIPS conference as academic achievements when evaluating future research funding. It’s unclear if the organization will reverse course now that NeurIPS has walked back the new rule.
Most striking is that the loan is unsecured and has a 12-month term, meaning it must be repaid or refinanced by next year. This could be a signal that the lenders believe OpenAI’s highly anticipated public listing will indeed come later this year, as some outlets, like CNBC, have reported. The loan is provided by JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and four Japanese banks.
Since OpenAI’s IPO is bound to be one of the largest listings ever, if it does happen this year, that would presumably give SoftBank the liquidity to settle the debt in such a short time span. SoftBank’s new $30 billion investment in OpenAI brings its total bet on ChatGPT’s maker to over $60 billion.
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