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Tag: Base

  • Iowa police chief identifies son as Iowa Army National Guard soldier killed in ISIS terrorist attack

    The family of one of two Iowa Army National Guard members killed in a terrorist attack Saturday confirmed his identity in a Facebook post Sunday morning. Meskwaki Nation Police Chief Jeffrey Bunn posted on the department’s page that his son, Nate, is one of the victims. “My wife Misty and I had that visit from Army Commanders you never want to have. Our son Nate (Howard) was one of the Soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us, to keep us all safer,” Bunn wrote. “He loved what he was doing and would be the first in and last out, no one left behind. Please pray for our Soldiers all around this cruel world. We will see you again son, until then we have if from here.”In a news conference Saturday night, Gov. Kim Reynolds said she had been in contact with the families of the two slain soldiers. “Earlier, I had the opportunity to reach out to the families of the two soldiers who were killed, and as you can imagine, they are devastated,” Reynolds said.Iowa Army National Guard officials are expected to officially release the soldiers’ names Sunday afternoon. A group of IANG soldiers was in Syria early Saturday morning when a lone ISIS gunman attacked. The soldiers were part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, currently serving in the Middle East.Two were killed, as was a civilian interpreter. Three others were injured. One of the injuries was described as “superficial,” and that soldier was evacuated back to base for treatment. The other two injuries were “significant,” and the soldiers were evacuated to a military hospital at an air base in Jordan.”They are stable in critical condition, but both stable and both have made progress throughout the day,” IANG Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn said. Iowa Gov. Reynolds: ‘Our hearts are heavy’ after Iowa National Guard members killed in SyriaOsborn said that following the ambush, U.S. and partner Syrian forces engaged and killed the attacker. He said at the time of the attack, U.S. personnel were conducting a key leader engagement.”The mission was in support of ongoing counter-ISIS and counterterrorism efforts in the region, and this incident remains under investigation,” Osborn said. FULL NEWS CONFERENCE: Two Iowa National Guard members killed in Syria ambush

    The family of one of two Iowa Army National Guard members killed in a terrorist attack Saturday confirmed his identity in a Facebook post Sunday morning.

    Meskwaki Nation Police Chief Jeffrey Bunn posted on the department’s page that his son, Nate, is one of the victims.

    “My wife Misty and I had that visit from Army Commanders you never want to have. Our son Nate (Howard) was one of the Soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us, to keep us all safer,” Bunn wrote. “He loved what he was doing and would be the first in and last out, no one left behind. Please pray for our Soldiers all around this cruel world. We will see you again son, until then we have if from here.”

    In a news conference Saturday night, Gov. Kim Reynolds said she had been in contact with the families of the two slain soldiers.

    “Earlier, I had the opportunity to reach out to the families of the two soldiers who were killed, and as you can imagine, they are devastated,” Reynolds said.

    Iowa Army National Guard officials are expected to officially release the soldiers’ names Sunday afternoon.

    Jeffrey Bunn

    Meskwaki Nation Police Chief Jeffrey Bunn posted on the department’s page that his son, Nate (pictured), is one of the Iowa Army National Guard soldiers who was killed in Syria on Dec. 13, 2025.

    A group of IANG soldiers was in Syria early Saturday morning when a lone ISIS gunman attacked. The soldiers were part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, currently serving in the Middle East.

    Two were killed, as was a civilian interpreter. Three others were injured.

    One of the injuries was described as “superficial,” and that soldier was evacuated back to base for treatment. The other two injuries were “significant,” and the soldiers were evacuated to a military hospital at an air base in Jordan.

    “They are stable in critical condition, but both stable and both have made progress throughout the day,” IANG Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn said.

    Iowa Gov. Reynolds: ‘Our hearts are heavy’ after Iowa National Guard members killed in Syria

    Osborn said that following the ambush, U.S. and partner Syrian forces engaged and killed the attacker. He said at the time of the attack, U.S. personnel were conducting a key leader engagement.

    “The mission was in support of ongoing counter-ISIS and counterterrorism efforts in the region, and this incident remains under investigation,” Osborn said.

    FULL NEWS CONFERENCE: Two Iowa National Guard members killed in Syria ambush

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  • Iowa police chief identifies son as Iowa Army National Guard soldier killed in ISIS terrorist attack

    The family of one of two Iowa Army National Guard members killed in a terrorist attack Saturday confirmed his identity in a Facebook post Sunday morning. Meskwaki Nation Police Chief Jeffrey Bunn posted on the department’s page that his son, Nate, is one of the victims. “My wife Misty and I had that visit from Army Commanders you never want to have. Our son Nate (Howard) was one of the Soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us, to keep us all safer,” Bunn wrote. “He loved what he was doing and would be the first in and last out, no one left behind. Please pray for our Soldiers all around this cruel world. We will see you again son, until then we have if from here.”In a news conference Saturday night, Gov. Kim Reynolds said she had been in contact with the families of the two slain soldiers. “Earlier, I had the opportunity to reach out to the families of the two soldiers who were killed, and as you can imagine, they are devastated,” Reynolds said.Iowa Army National Guard officials are expected to officially release the soldiers’ names Sunday afternoon. A group of IANG soldiers was in Syria early Saturday morning when a lone ISIS gunman attacked. The soldiers were part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, currently serving in the Middle East.Two were killed, as was a civilian interpreter. Three others were injured. One of the injuries was described as “superficial,” and that soldier was evacuated back to base for treatment. The other two injuries were “significant,” and the soldiers were evacuated to a military hospital at an air base in Jordan.”They are stable in critical condition, but both stable and both have made progress throughout the day,” IANG Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn said. Iowa Gov. Reynolds: ‘Our hearts are heavy’ after Iowa National Guard members killed in SyriaOsborn said that following the ambush, U.S. and partner Syrian forces engaged and killed the attacker. He said at the time of the attack, U.S. personnel were conducting a key leader engagement.”The mission was in support of ongoing counter-ISIS and counterterrorism efforts in the region, and this incident remains under investigation,” Osborn said. FULL NEWS CONFERENCE: Two Iowa National Guard members killed in Syria ambush

    The family of one of two Iowa Army National Guard members killed in a terrorist attack Saturday confirmed his identity in a Facebook post Sunday morning.

    Meskwaki Nation Police Chief Jeffrey Bunn posted on the department’s page that his son, Nate, is one of the victims.

    “My wife Misty and I had that visit from Army Commanders you never want to have. Our son Nate (Howard) was one of the Soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us, to keep us all safer,” Bunn wrote. “He loved what he was doing and would be the first in and last out, no one left behind. Please pray for our Soldiers all around this cruel world. We will see you again son, until then we have if from here.”

    In a news conference Saturday night, Gov. Kim Reynolds said she had been in contact with the families of the two slain soldiers.

    “Earlier, I had the opportunity to reach out to the families of the two soldiers who were killed, and as you can imagine, they are devastated,” Reynolds said.

    Iowa Army National Guard officials are expected to officially release the soldiers’ names Sunday afternoon.

    Jeffrey Bunn

    Meskwaki Nation Police Chief Jeffrey Bunn posted on the department’s page that his son, Nate (pictured), is one of the Iowa Army National Guard soldiers who was killed in Syria on Dec. 13, 2025.

    A group of IANG soldiers was in Syria early Saturday morning when a lone ISIS gunman attacked. The soldiers were part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, currently serving in the Middle East.

    Two were killed, as was a civilian interpreter. Three others were injured.

    One of the injuries was described as “superficial,” and that soldier was evacuated back to base for treatment. The other two injuries were “significant,” and the soldiers were evacuated to a military hospital at an air base in Jordan.

    “They are stable in critical condition, but both stable and both have made progress throughout the day,” IANG Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn said.

    Iowa Gov. Reynolds: ‘Our hearts are heavy’ after Iowa National Guard members killed in Syria

    Osborn said that following the ambush, U.S. and partner Syrian forces engaged and killed the attacker. He said at the time of the attack, U.S. personnel were conducting a key leader engagement.

    “The mission was in support of ongoing counter-ISIS and counterterrorism efforts in the region, and this incident remains under investigation,” Osborn said.

    FULL NEWS CONFERENCE: Two Iowa National Guard members killed in Syria ambush

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  • Snipers Strike JESSE Token: Buy Nets Over $1.3M in Lightning-Fast Profits

    Bubblemaps spotted a wallet buying JESSE in one second, while Arkham confirmed two snipers earned massive same-block profits.

    On-chain intelligence layer Bubblemaps reported that a wallet linked to the early trading activity around Base founder Jesse Pollak’s newly launched creator coin executed a buy in the “first second” of the token’s release.

    The wallet identified as 0xB102 spent roughly $250,000 to purchase JESSE tokens at the exact moment the contract went live, before Pollak had publicly shared the contract address.

    JESSE Token Snipes

    According to the latest findings by Bubblemaps, the tokens were then moved to another address, 0x9572, which sold most of the holdings for close to $800,000. This resulted in an estimated profit of about $600,000. Bubblemaps attributed the precision of the trade to the wallet’s ability to detect the token launch at the moment of creation and act instantly, while describing it as a highly efficient snipe executed immediately after the coin’s availability.

    Arkham Intelligence separately identified similar early-buying behavior during the same launch. The firm reported that two sniper wallets collectively secured more than $1.3 million in profits during the rollout of Pollak’s token on Base. As part of the launch, 500 million JESSE tokens, which are half of the total supply, were added to a liquidity pool.

    Within that same on-chain block, traders using automated tools purchased 261.7 million tokens. Arkham found that the two most profitable wallets earned approximately $707,700 and $619,600, respectively. One of these traders acquired around 7.6% of the token’s supply by spending about $191,000 and paying over $44,000 in priority fees to the Base sequencer to ensure rapid inclusion.

    Arkham linked the ability to carry out these same-block purchases to the introduction of flashblocks on Base, a feature that breaks each block into a series of 200-millisecond micro-blocks. Although the Coinbase-incubated Ethereum Layer 2 network maintains two-second block times, flashblocks allow bots to detect a token-deployment transaction as soon as it appears in an early micro-block and immediately submit a high-fee buy order that settles in the next.

    This sequence results in both the deployment and the buy being processed within the same full block, enabling highly competitive sniping without access to private mempool information.

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    Base Layer 2

    A July analysis from Galaxy Digital showed that Base had emerged as the most profitable Layer 2 network at the time, after generating an average of $185,291 in daily revenue over the previous six months.

    The report credited Base’s EIP-1559-style priority fee model and strong DEX activity for its lead over other rollups. It also noted that the introduction of Flashblocks helped distribute priority fees more evenly across block slots while maintaining overall revenue strength.

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    Chayanika Deka

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  • Dodgers defeat Blue Jays in 18 innings

    The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 6-5 in 18 innings, which matched the longest World Series game ever, to take a two games to one lead in the best-of-seven series.In a thrilling back-and-forth extra innings battle, the Dodgers needed a history-making night from their two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, who had three RBI and three runs scored in an incredible four-hit, two-homer performance that saw the three-time MVP reach base safely an astonishing nine times.In the end, it was an 18th inning walk-off home run from 2024 World Series MVP Freddie Freeman that delivered the win for the Dodgers.Los Angeles will enter Game 4 with a decided advantage — historically, when the teams split the first two games of the World Series, the winner of Game 3 has won the championship 67% of the time.Los Angeles will host the Blue Jays again in Game 4 on Tuesday with Ohtani slated to pitch for the Dodgers, followed by Game 5 on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.

    LOS ANGELES —

    The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 6-5 in 18 innings, which matched the longest World Series game ever, to take a two games to one lead in the best-of-seven series.

    In a thrilling back-and-forth extra innings battle, the Dodgers needed a history-making night from their two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, who had three RBI and three runs scored in an incredible four-hit, two-homer performance that saw the three-time MVP reach base safely an astonishing nine times.

    In the end, it was an 18th inning walk-off home run from 2024 World Series MVP Freddie Freeman that delivered the win for the Dodgers.

    Los Angeles will enter Game 4 with a decided advantage — historically, when the teams split the first two games of the World Series, the winner of Game 3 has won the championship 67% of the time.

    Los Angeles will host the Blue Jays again in Game 4 on Tuesday with Ohtani slated to pitch for the Dodgers, followed by Game 5 on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.

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  • I-5 may be shut down due to concerns over live-fire military event at Camp Pendleton

    SACRAMENTO  — Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office is weighing whether to close parts of Interstate 5 beginning Friday amid concerns over what it says is a White House-directed plan to use live ordnance during a military anniversary celebration off Camp Pendleton’s coast in San Diego County — where Navy ships are expected to fire over the freeway onto the base.

    Newsom’s office has received, but not confirmed, reports that live ordnance will be fired from offshore vessels during the event commemorating the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary. The event is titled “Sea to Shore — A Review of Amphibious Strength” and will feature Vice President JD Vance.

    Newsom’s office said it has received little information about the event or safety plans. The military show of force coincides with No Kings rallies and marches across the state on Saturday that are expected to draw large crowds, demonstrations challenging Trump and what critics say is government overreach.

    “Donald Trump and JD Vance think that shutting down the I-5 to shoot out missiles from ships is how you respect the military,” Newsom posted on the social media site X Wednesday.

    A military media advisory said the celebration will include a live amphibious assault demonstration. The Times could not confirm whether live ordnance will be fired over the freeway. The White House and Marine Corps did not respond to questions from The Times.

    “California always honors our Marines — but this isn’t the right way to go about it,” said a Newsom spokesperson. “The White House should focus on paying their military, lowering grocery prices and honoring these soldiers for their service instead of pompous displays of power. The lack of coordination and communication from the federal government on this event — and the overall impact to our society and economy — is evident of the larger disarray that is the Trump Administration.”

    Freeway closures are being considered for a section of I-5 between Orange County to San Diego County from Friday to Saturday, which would cut off a major traffic artery that moves upward of 80,000 travelers a day. A closure with little notice would likely result in massive gridlock from Dana Point in the north to well past Del Mar in the south.

    Vance, the first Marine veteran to serve as vice president, is expected to attend the event Saturday along with 15,000 Marines, Sailors, veterans and their families, according to event’s media release. Along with Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to deliver remarks.

    Camp Pendleton advised nearby residents that there will be live-fire training with high explosive munitions through Sunday, which will result in some roads on base being closed.

    The Trump administration previously had plans for a major celebration next month for the 250th anniversary of the Navy and Marines, which would have included an air and sea show — with the Blue Angels and parading warships — attended by President Trump, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Plans to host that show in San Diego have been called off, the paper reported.

    Camp Pendleton is a 125,000-acre base in northwestern San Diego County that has been critical in preparing soldiers for amphibious missions since World War II thanks to its miles of beach and coastal hills. The U.S. Department of Defense is considering making a portion of the base available for development or lease.

    Melody Gutierrez

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  • Coinbase’s Upcoming BASE Token Isn’t Just Another Airdrop – It’s a Shareholder Strategy in Disguise


    Messari’s AJC says Coinbase’s BASE token design must balance shareholder value creation with meaningful community participation.

    Base developer Jesse Pollak has opened submissions for proposals shaping the design of its upcoming BASE token. But the airdrop isn’t about traders or liquidity.

    Instead, it is about shareholder value and sustainable engagement, according to Messari’s AJC.

    BASE Token Airdrop

    AJC’s analysis centers on an important factor. For the first time, a publicly traded company, Coinbase, will be behind a token generation event (TGE). This structural distinction, he argues, changes everything about the game theory of token distribution, incentives, and long-term value creation.

    Typically, TGEs and airdrops serve as liquidity events for venture investors and team members, and are designed to maximize the token’s market debut. These launches often focus on short-term price gains and exchange listings, sometimes at the expense of sustainable ecosystem growth.

    But AJC suggests that this model does not apply to Base. Since Coinbase’s shareholders are the ultimate stakeholders, any issuance of BASE must be justified by how it improves shareholder value, not just token value. The logic behind BASE’s distribution is not about rewarding early adopters or driving speculative hype; it’s about advancing Coinbase’s corporate interests.

    That insight reframes the entire purpose of a potential airdrop. Instead of functioning primarily as a reward mechanism for users, the BASE airdrop would act as a strategic tool to increase the overall worth of Coinbase’s equity.

    Pleasing Both Shareholders and Users

    The challenge, AJC says, lies in designing an allocation model that satisfies both shareholders and community participants. The ideal solution would boost Coinbase’s long-term value while at the same time incentivizing meaningful user engagement within the Base ecosystem.

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    In that context, AJC believes the most valuable user actions won’t be the typical on-chain performance metrics like total value locked (TVL), transaction volume, or trading activity. Base already leads many of its Layer 2 peers across those categories. Instead, Coinbase’s real opportunity lies in boosting “social and consumer experiences.” This includes activities that drive stickiness, organic adoption, and network effects.

    Actions such as experimenting with creator coins, using the Base app, or participating in community-facing projects could better align with Coinbase’s goals. These are the behaviors that create durable, non-mercenary growth.

    “Ultimately, the shareholder dynamic completely reshapes how a TGE or airdrop should be designed, and understanding that is key to positioning yourself for the BASE launch.”

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  • Camp Pendleton is an oasis from SoCal urban sprawl. Feds now consider unprecedented development

    In the sweeping Southern California metropolis spanning from Santa Barbara to the Mexico border, Camp Pendleton has long remained the largest undeveloped stretch of the coastline.

    The 17 miles of beach and coastal hills has, since World War II, proven critical in preparing soldiers for amphibious missions. The bluffs, canyons and mountainous terrain that comprise the interior of the base has been fertile training ground for those sent to conflicts in the Middle East and beyond.

    But change may be on the horizon.

    The United States Department of Defense is considering making a portion of the 125,000 acre base in northwestern San Diego County available for development or lease in what, if successful, would be unprecedented for the military installation.

    “There’s no place in Southern California like Camp Pendleton when it comes to open space along the coast,” said Bill Fulton, a professor of practice in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at UC San Diego.

    Marine recruits rest while the rest of the remaining platoons in their company to catch up at Camp Pendleton in 2020.

    (Nelvin C. Cepeda/San Diego Union-Tribune via AP)

    In late August, Secretary of the Navy John Phelan conducted an aerial tour of Camp Pendleton and visited with Marines at the base where he had “initial conversations about possible commercial leasing opportunities” by the Department of Defense, Phelan’s spokesperson Courtney Williams told The Times.

    “These opportunities are being evaluated to maximize value and taxpayer dollars while maintaining mission readiness and security,” Williams said in a statement. “No decisions have been made and further discussions are needed.”

    Details about the sites being considered for commercial lease remain unclear. Officials with Camp Pendleton declined to comment to The Times.

    A view of the sign at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

    A view of the sign at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

    (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

    Discussions over the 83-year-old base comes at a time when the Trump administration is more aggressively trying to use public lands to raise money for the federal government and rolling back protections on open space.

    The administration this month proposed rescinding a Biden-era rule that sought to protect public lands from industrial development and instead prioritizing the use of the land for oil and gas drilling, coal mining, timber production and livestock grazing.

    Secretary Doug Burgum has repeatedly emphasized that federal lands are untapped assets worth trillions of dollars.

    “We believe that our natural resources are national assets that should be responsibly developed to grow our economy, help balance the Budget, and generate revenue for American taxpayers,” he said in a statement to Congress in May.

    A man takes in the view from the Southbound I-5 Aliso Creek Rest Area of the surrounding Camp Pendleton property.

    A man takes in the view of Camp Pendleton property. Camp Pendleton has long remained the largest undeveloped stretch of the coastline in California.

    (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

    While there has been development on Camp Pendleton those projects have solely been for military uses. A large hospital was recently added, and there are various buildings for the base’s more than 42,000 active duty personnel.

    Camp Pendleton has won praise for balancing national security needs with environmental preservation.

    In 2022, Camp Pendleton was named the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s military conservation partner of the year for its efforts to support the recovery of several species, including the tidewater goby, coastal California gnatcatcher, the arroyo toad and southern California steelhead.

    Conservation and management of the least Bell’s vireo, California least tern, and western snowy plover have resulted in significant increases to on-base populations of these species, according to the agency.

    A marine walks through the Santa Margarita River running through Camp Pendleton, where the arroyo toad can be found.

    A marine walks through the Santa Margarita River running through Camp Pendleton, where the arroyo toad can be found.

    (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

    In addition to endangered populations, the base is home to a herd of North American bison, one of only two wild conservation herds of bison in California.

    Past efforts to build more on the camp have not been popular with the public.

    In the mid-1990s, the U.S. Marine Corps put forth a plan to build 128 homes for officers and their families on a 32-acre bluff at San Mateo Point near Trestles Beach, one of the nation’s most famous surfing spots. The California Coastal Commission ultimately rejected the project.

    In 2021, the Department of the Navy issued a request for information to seek feedback on hosting “critical energy and water infrastructure resiliency projects” on a portion of Camp Pendleton.

    In the document, the department sought information on long-term partnerships to plan, design, construct and operate facilities that could include energy generation, transmission and storage, microgrid technologies, water desalination, drought mitigation, stormwater management, reuse or alternative use of decommissioned energy infrastructure, high speed fiber communications, data centers or residential, commercial or industrial purposes.

    It is not clear whether any potential projects were identified from the request for information.

    Motorists travel the 5 Freeway with military housing at San Mateo Point in the background.

    Motorists travel the 5 Freeway with military housing at San Mateo Point in the background.

    (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

    NBC News reported that funds from development on Camp Pendleton could potentially fund Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense project, citing defense sources. But officials have not publicly specified where funds would be allocated.

    Absent specifics, it’s challenging for people in the areas immediately around the base to know what to expect and how to prepare, Fulton said.

    “Are we talking about little shopping centers or high-rise hotels?” he said. “You would assume that the military has certain constraints that they would want to impose to protect their activities, but we just don’t know.”

    Given the base’s coastal location, development on the site could certainly be fruitful for the federal government. Developers have long had their eye on smaller swaths of coastal land in Southern California. Years-long battles between developers and environmentalists were waged in the fight over proposed housing and commercial developments at Bolsa Chica in Huntington Beach and Banning Ranch in Newport Beach. Ultimately, those projects were scrapped.

    Camp Pendleton, bordered by San Clemente to the north and Oceanside to the south, opened in 1942 during World War II at a time when the military was looking for large places to train soldiers, particularly for amphibious missions in the Pacific. It became a permanent installation two years later and has trained thousands of service members, sending troops to battle in Operation Desert Storm and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

    Camp Pendleton has a deeply entwined relationship with its southern neighbor, Oceanside, once a sleepy beachside town turned military city and recreation hub.

    In 1940, the city’s population was 4,652. Ten years later, it had swelled to more than 12,800 and grew further as the United States entered the Korean War and more service-connected families moved into the region, according to census data.

    Development on the base would certainly have an effect on Oceanside, city leaders say.

    Service members and their families frequently travel off the base to surrounding communities to shop and dine out, providing a steady customer supply for local businesses including those that cater heavily to Marines including dry cleaners, tailors, barbershops and military surplus stores. The base’s regional economic impact is more than $6 billion dollars annually, according to the city.

    “I think it would be very concerning to see large scale development without collaboration with local municipalities,” said Oceanside Deputy Mayor Eric Joyce. Joyce said the city hasn’t yet been given any insight into the federal government’s plans for the base.

    “We have neighborhoods that are literally right up to the gate, who are very impacted when there are changes in traffic or other developments there,” Joyce said, adding that the city has a deep respect for the base and any shifting away from its original mission of training Marines would “be deeply concerning.”

    Hannah Fry

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  • Contributor: Democrats will pay for ignoring base’s qualms about Gaza

    As the Democratic Party searches for direction in the post-2024 landscape, its leaders seem bent on alienating their own base over Gaza. This is not a matter of nuance or tactical positioning; it’s a profound moral and political miscalculation.

    That failure is on vivid display in the decision by House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (Redlands) to help lead a delegation of mostly freshman Democratic representatives recently to Israel. The trip included meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption in Israel and is the subject of arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity.

    Polling makes the disconnect impossible to ignore. In July, Gallup found that just 8% of Democrats approve of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, with disapproval overwhelming. Pew Research Center reported in April that 69% of Democrats now hold an unfavorable view of Israel — a striking shift from just a few years ago. And Data for Progress has consistently found supermajority Democratic support for a permanent ceasefire; in May 2024, 83% of Democrats backed a permanent ceasefire, and in a June 12, 2024, poll a majority of Democrats said they believed Israel was committing war crimes in Gaza.

    Aguilar’s role makes this especially galling. He isn’t a backbencher; he’s a high-ranking member of the Democratic Party leadership. That gives him a particular responsibility to model principled conduct for newer members. Instead, he’s showing them the wrong lesson: that obedience to the donor class matters more than representing constituents. The point is underscored by his fundraising: OpenSecrets reports Aguilar received about $678,000 from donors categorized as “Pro-Israel” in the 2023–24 cycle.

    The mechanics of that influence are no mystery. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee and allied pro-Israel PACs reward loyalty with torrents of campaign cash and punish dissent with lavishly funded primary challenges. Reps. Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush — both outspoken critics of Israel’s conduct in Gaza — have been textbook examples: Bowman was unseated after record outside spending flooded his race, and Bush faced a barrage of super-PAC money that ultimately toppled her. The incentive structure is clear: Toe the line and your coffers swell; cross it and a financial juggernaut rolls over you.

    There is a political price for complying with this pressure, however. The Institute for Middle East Understanding, using YouGov, found that among voters who backed Joe Biden in 2020 but chose someone else in 2024 “ending Israel’s violence in Gaza” was the top issue for 29% nationally — ahead of the economy — and 20% in battleground states. Those results point to a straightforward conclusion: Ignoring Democratic voters on Gaza depresses enthusiasm and peels away enough support to matter in close races.

    Gaza is politically damaging not only because of the issue itself — though the moral stakes could hardly be higher — but also because it has become a measure of where leaders’ loyalties lie. Voters read it as a test of whether their representatives will stand with the people who elected them or with wealthy donors and foreign lobbies. Fail that test and many will assume you might betray them on other critical issues in the future.

    The Democratic leadership’s unwillingness to adapt is not just bad politics; it’s a betrayal of basic democratic principles. Rank-and-file Democrats overwhelmingly want an end to the carnage, an end to unconditional military aid to Israel, and policies rooted in human rights and international law. Yet too many leaders seem more concerned with keeping favor in donor circles than with honoring the public’s will.

    If Democrats hope to retain their coalition, they need to realign policy with their voters’ values: call for a permanent ceasefire; condition U.S. military assistance on compliance with international law; and replace photo-op delegations with diplomacy that centers on justice and accountability.

    Until then, every AIPAC-sponsored trip led by a party leader will read like a declaration of priorities — and a reminder of the price the party will continue to pay at the ballot box.

    George Bisharat is a professor emeritus at UC Law San Francisco and a longtime commentator on U.S. policy toward the Middle East.

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    Ideas expressed in the piece

    • The Democratic Party elite continues to cling to pro-Israel policies despite a dramatic shift in voter sentiment, with DNC chair Ken Martin exemplifying this resistance by backing resolutions that maintain commitments to Israel’s “qualitative military edge” while pressuring pro-Palestine delegates to water down alternative proposals[3]. The party leadership’s obedience to pro-Israel lobbying groups like AIPAC and Democratic Majority for Israel contradicts the clear will of Democratic voters who increasingly oppose the status quo[3].

    • Polling data consistently demonstrates overwhelming Democratic opposition to Israel’s military actions in Gaza, with just 8% of Democratic voters approving of Israel’s military campaign according to recent Gallup surveys, down dramatically from earlier periods in the conflict[5][6]. This represents the lowest approval rating among Democrats since polling began on the issue, creating a stark disconnect between party leadership and base voters[5].

    • The influence of pro-Israel campaign contributions is evident in the behavior of Democratic representatives who continue to participate in AIPAC-sponsored trips to Israel despite their constituents’ opposition, with California representatives receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars from pro-Israel groups while ignoring polling showing 92% of Democrats oppose Israel’s actions[2]. These trips occur while Gaza faces unprecedented humanitarian devastation, with over 60,000 Palestinian civilians killed and two million people facing starvation[2].

    • The declining number of Democrats willing to participate in AIPAC trips reflects growing awareness among elected officials of their constituents’ opposition, with recent delegations representing the smallest ever congressional group of Democrats to visit Israel as many invited House members reportedly declined to participate[4]. This trend suggests that elected officials are beginning to respond to public pressure despite continued lobbying efforts[2].

    Different views on the topic

    • Pro-Israel Democratic organizations argue that divisive resolutions calling for arms embargos and Palestinian state recognition would damage party unity and provide political advantages to Republicans, particularly as the party approaches midterm elections where maintaining cohesion is crucial for retaking Congress[1]. These groups contend that such measures fail to address the root cause of the conflict by not mentioning Hamas’s October 7 attacks or the terrorist organization’s role in perpetuating the war[1].

    • Supporters of continued military aid to Israel maintain that arms embargos would actually prolong the conflict and extend suffering on both sides, arguing that pressure should instead be directed toward Hamas to accept ceasefire deals and release hostages[1]. The Democratic Majority for Israel emphasizes that unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state would reward terrorism and embolden Israel’s adversaries in the region[1].

    • Pro-Israel advocates stress that the fundamental relationship between the United States and Israel remains strong due to shared democratic values and mutual security interests that have endured for over 75 years, suggesting that temporary political pressures should not override these longstanding strategic considerations[1]. Congressional delegations to Israel are defended as necessary to witness firsthand the aftermath of terrorist attacks and assess ongoing security threats[4].

    George Bisharat

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  • Chicago’s Iconic Big Baby Burger Goes Vegan on the South Side

    Chicago’s Iconic Big Baby Burger Goes Vegan on the South Side

    Nicky’s of Beverly is not a vegan restaurant. Since 1997 and across two different locations (three years ago they moved to 105th Street and Western), chef-owner Paul Kostopanagiotou has built a formidable following of carnivorous and plant-based eaters alike. A fast-casual neighborhood spot featuring “elevated street food, the restaurant’s massive menu features everything from salads, smoked brisket, filet mignon sliders, Nashville hot chicken, and even a lobster roll.

    There’s also Nicky’s version of the Big Baby, an underrated Chicago classic that originated in the South Side, featuring twin beef patties with cheese and topped with grilled onions. Ketchup, mustard, and pickles slide under the patties.

    The veganized Big Baby.

    A blue restaurant space.

    Nicky’s has a quite a comfortable space and occassionally hosts live music.

    Nicky’s moved here in 2021.

    Kostopanagiotou sees an opportunity to introduce non-meat eaters to the specialty. On Friday, November 1, Nicky’s will enthusiastically participate in World Vegan Day with a vegan version of the Big Baby featuring Beyond Meat patties and Daiya dairy-free cheddar taking center stage.

    “We’ve been growing the vegan category at the restaurant for years. I just think vegans are a great customer base, and there was a void in the area for that,” Kostopanagiotou says.

    While he’s not a vegan himself (though he and his team do enjoy plant-based dishes), he’s made a point of connecting with plant-based eaters in the community, like the Chicago Southside & South Suburban Vegans. “I know some of the founding members and admins. We lean on them a lot as a partnership, as they have suggestions and recommendations and vegan meetups,” Kostopanagiotou explains.

    Through those contacts, he’s discovered a variety of plant-based producers, like Good2Go Veggie and Chunk Foods, as well as institutions that help animals. That’s where he learned about the Tiny Hooves Sanctuary, a woman-led nonprofit animal sanctuary located across state lines in Union Grove, Wisconsin. The institution focuses on providing a safe haven — a “forever sanctuary,” as their website calls it — to “abandoned, abused, neglected, and unwanted farm animals while inspiring positive change through the human and animal bond.” Kostopanagiotou said he listened to his local vegan friends when they told him, ‘’This is a solid group — you should look into donating to them.’” On Friday, Nicky’s of Beverly will donate a portion of proceeds from all vegan menu items to the Tiny Hooves Sanctuary.

    A bowl of sweet potato fries and a burger.

    The Big Baby is a Chicago classic.

    Italian beef, gyros, and salads are also on the menu.

    The heat lamps can squeeze a little more out of patio season.

    A lot of restaurants will simply throw on a veggie burger, fried cauliflower, or maybe a half-hearted pizza to appease vegan diners who happen to wind up there, but investing in the plant-based portion of his menu is something to which Kostopanagiotou is seriously committed. Nicky’s of Beverly offers close to two dozen vegan items, such as a vegan shrimp po boy, vegan nachos, vegan Buffalo chicken salad, a vegan banh mi, and much more. There’s coconut milk-based peanut butter gelato and even a vegan shake.

    Kostopanagiotou points out that he develops the vegan part of the menu side-by-side with everything else to make sure there’s plenty to enjoy for everyone. “It just continuously expands, and is creative,” he says. “I’m very mindful as I expand the normal menu that I can do that for the vegan menu also.”

    There’s plenty to experience at Nicky’s of Beverly, whether customers like vegan food or not. They also have a weekday happy hour, live music, and a gelato bar.

    Ashok Selvam

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  • Coinbase Layer 2 Base Takes This Industry by Storm, Captures 46% of Transactions

    Coinbase Layer 2 Base Takes This Industry by Storm, Captures 46% of Transactions

    Coinbase’s Layer 2 network – Base – has witnessed a resurgence of user activity. Franklin Templeton’s latest analysis revealed that Base has received significant traction from SocialFi applications such as Friend.Tech.

    Friend.Tech’s model, which financializes social interactions, has drawn attention, particularly with the launch of its version 2 platform and the airdrop of its FRIEND token.

    Additionally, Base has experienced a notable surge in the supply of USDC on its network, surpassing $2.5 billion. This increase coincided with Coinbase’s announcement in December 2023 of free USDC transfers on Base via the Coinbase Wallet, indicating a strategic move to boost Base’s ecosystem and facilitate seamless transactions for users.

    Base Hits Home Run in SocialFi

    According to Franklin Templeton’s latest report, “Base has hit a home run in the world of SocialFi,” with several of the top crypto-based social applications building on the Layer 2 network. Stats revealed by the asset manager indicate that Base handles approximately 46% of all SocialFi transactions, making this category a crucial area for the network’s adoption and expansion.

    One notable platform on Base is Friend.Tech, is an exclusively mobile application that monetizes users’ social value. On Friend.Tech, users can purchase “keys” or “shares” of influencers to access their chatrooms. Friend.Tech recently launched version 2 of its platform along with an airdrop of its token, FRIEND, on May 3rd.

    Currently, FRIEND is traded with a market cap of $200 million and is fully owned by Friend.Tech’s users. The backing of the largest publicly traded US cryptocurrency exchange has been crucial for Base, which, according to Franklin Templeton, has managed to create a powerful combination of SocialFi applications and direct integration with Coinbase users.

    As a result, Base has managed to strongly capture a significant portion of SocialFi activity and maintain its leadership in the Ethereum L2 sector moving forward.

    Increased User Activity

    Base has seen a notable increase in net ETH deposits, as reported earlier this week, with figures surpassing 6,500 ETH. In comparison, its competitors Arbitrum and Optimism received significantly fewer deposits, with Arbitrum receiving half of Base’s deposits and Optimism receiving only a fifth.

    This trend suggested that investors favor Base for deploying their capital, which can be attributed to its established infrastructure and perceived reliability over its competitors.

    With $5.45 billion in total value locked (TVL), Base is now ranked as the third-largest Ethereum Layer 2 network, according to L2BEAT. It trails behind Arbitrum One and OP Mainnet, which have $16.14 billion and $6.99 billion locked, respectively.

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    Chayanika Deka

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  • Coinbase’s Layer 2 Base Stands Out as Top Choice for New Capital

    Coinbase’s Layer 2 Base Stands Out as Top Choice for New Capital

    Layer 2 networks have witnessed massive activity this year, even as their native tokens slumped amidst intense volatility across the broader market. These solutions have witnessed relatively steady activity since the beginning of the year.

    However, the latest analysis by IntoTheBlock revealed that Base continues to be the primary attraction for new capital.

    Investors Flock to Base

    Over the course of this week, net ETH deposits into the Base have exceeded 6,500 ETH, marking a significant increase, according to the data shared by ITB. On the other hand, its rival Arbitrum saw just half of this figure. Optimism lagged even further behind with only a fifth of the deposits Base received.

    Such a trend suggests that despite the growing interest in Layer 2 scaling solutions, investors still see Base as the preferred choice for deploying their capital, possibly due to factors like its established infrastructure or perceived reliability.

    “Despite leveling activity among Layer 2s, Base continues to attract the most new capital. Since Monday, net ETH deposits to Base have surpassed 6,500 $ETH, more than double that of Arbitrum and five times as much as Optimism.”

    Base – the Ethereum layer-2 solution designed by Coinbase to expand its user base on-chain – was launched in August 2023. The end goal is to ensure faster transactions at a lower cost.

    Coinbase’s recently released Q1 report indicated that trading volume on the Layer 2 network exceeded that of its competitors, especially following Ethereum’s Dencun upgrade. In fact, DeFi crypto exchanges on Base witnessed daily trading volumes surpassing $1 billion, significantly closing the gap between Base and Coinbase’s main centralized exchange, which trades nearly 250 cryptocurrencies.

    Following the Dencun upgrade, Base saw a rapid increase in its daily transaction volume and revenue. It even outpaced already established players like Optimism and Arbitrum. This upgrade essentially slashed costs for Layer-2 scaling chains such as Base, resulting in a significant rise in user engagement and transaction volume.

    Base Witnesses Surge in Scammer Activity

    Owing to its growing popularity, the Base chain appears to be a target for scammers.

    Scam Sniffer’s data observed that two of the top 10 largest single thefts occurred on this chain, making up 21% of the month’s total theft. Since January, scammer activity on the network has increased by almost 1,900%, resulting in approximately $170,000 stolen through phishing scams. In April, nearly 90% of the stolen assets were ERC-20 tokens.

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    Chayanika Deka

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  • Tough break, indeed. Jake Cronenworth’s busted mitt keys Dodgers’ win over the Padres

    Tough break, indeed. Jake Cronenworth’s busted mitt keys Dodgers’ win over the Padres

    Was it AI? A magic trick? No, just literally the toughest break imaginable for the San Diego Padres.

    A groundball by the Dodgers’ Gavin Lux disappeared into Jake Cronenworth’s first baseman’s mitt … and came out the other side, trickling into right field while Teoscar Hernández scored the go-ahead run.

    A potential inning-ending double play instead became an error, the pivotal at-bat in a four-run eighth inning that keyed the Dodgers’ 5-2 victory in the regular-season opener at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul.

    Cronenworth’s mitt broke, the webbing unfathomably untied. He stared at it, he blinked, he shook his head, trying to grasp the betrayal. Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani followed with RBI singles and that was that.

    “It sucks,” Cronenworth said. “I don’t know what else to say.”

    Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated the obvious: “That was a fortunate break for us. You’ve got to take them when you get them.”

    Players figuratively have a hole in their glove quite often during spring training, and this game more closely resembled the Cactus League than the National League.

    The Padres used eight pitchers, and they issued nine walks while committing four pitch-clock violations.

    The Dodgers also were sloppy. They went 0 for 14 with runners on base until the RBI singles in the eighth inning. Starter Tyler Glasnow spiked numerous curveballs and botched a defensive play on a bunt. Ohtani failed to retouch second base while returning to first on a deep flyout by Freddie Freeman.

    Plate umpire Lance Barksdale wasn’t exactly in midseason form either. His strike zone was erratic and in the first inning was guilty of umpire interference when Padres catcher Luis Campusano elbowed him in the mask while trying to throw out Betts stealing second.

    “It’s opening day, obviously just getting back into the flow of things,” said Dodgers closer Evan Phillips, who retired the Padres in order in the ninth for a save.

    The teams will play again Thursday at 3 a.m. PT before returning to exhibition action at home. Opening day for the other 28 MLB teams is March 28.

    Steve Henson

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  • How To Buy, Sell, And Trade Crypto On The Base Network

    How To Buy, Sell, And Trade Crypto On The Base Network


    The foundational infrastructure of the Base Network brings about yet another Ethereum Layer 2 network, distinguished by its scalability and empowerment through the notable association with Coinbase. Coinbase is recognized globally as one of the most trusted cryptocurrency exchanges and companies, Coinbase effectively manages a diverse portfolio of crypto assets, solidifying its status as a cornerstone within the digital currency realm.

    Positioned as a pivotal solution to address the persistent challenge of high transaction costs within the Ethereum network, the Base Chain stands quite firmly to revolutionize transaction fees, delivering a cost-effective alternative within the secure Ethereum environment. The assurance of a safe and reliable ecosystem is heightened by the affiliation with Coinbase, an industry titan renowned for its unwavering commitment and 10-year-long track record of great service.

    Reasons To Trust The Base Chain

    The current centralized phase of the Coinbase company, with its owners and Devs known to the public, establishes a solid foundation for users to place their trust in the Base chain. With over a decade of extensive experience in the cryptocurrency space, Coinbase has consistently demonstrated its expertise by developing and launching numerous successful crypto products.

    This wealth of experience instills confidence in the Base Chain as it navigates its initial stages of centralization, with a strategic vision to progressively evolve into a decentralized entity over time.

    For those embarking on their journey within the Base Chain ecosystem, it is imperative to keep certain key considerations in mind. Firstly, the association with Coinbase serves as a testament to the network’s reliability and credibility. Additionally, users can anticipate ongoing enhancements and decentralization initiatives as the Base Chain matures, aligning with the broader ethos of blockchain technology.

    In summary, the Base Network, fortified by its affiliation with Coinbase, emerges as a promising Ethereum Layer 2 solution, poised to alleviate the burden of high transaction costs while providing a secure and gradually decentralized environment.

    Key Features To Note About Base Chain

    • Absence of Native Token: Notably, the Base Chain currently operates without a native token. Instead, transaction fees within the ecosystem are conducted using Base ETH. This choice streamlines interactions on the Base Chain and positions it as a unique player within the cryptocurrency landscape on the Ethereum chain. Some chain accepts their native token for gas fees but the Base chain accepts Base ETH.
    • Layer 2 Security Powered by Ethereum: The Base Chain distinguishes itself as a layer 2 chain, constructed upon the robust Ethereum technology. This strategic integration ensures a heightened level of security, leveraging the well-established reputation of Ethereum as one of the most secure technologies in the crypto community. Consequently, the Base Chain is anticipated to offer a security profile close to the Ethereum Layer 1 network.
    • Developer Transparency and Coinbase Backing: In contrast to many emerging chains, the Base Chain stands out due to its transparent development process and substantial backing by Coinbase. The association with Coinbase, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, lends credibility and trust. Considering Coinbase’s track record of providing crypto products to over 100 million users and processing $80 billion worth of crypto assets without controversies, users can confidently rely on the expertise of the development team.
    • Anticipated Low Gas Fees: One of the attractive features of the Base Chain is the expectation of significantly lower gas fees compared to the native Ethereum chain. This affordability factor provides users with an opportunity to experience Ethereum Layer 1 compatibility at a fraction of the cost, enhancing the cost-effectiveness of transactions on the Base Chain.
    • Open Source Technology with Optimism Integration: The Base Chain’s Open Source technology is powered by the Optimism Open Source chain. This integration not only supports the overall functionality of the chain but also simplifies the development process for creators. Developers can anticipate a user-friendly environment for building applications on the Base Chain, thanks to the enhanced capabilities and support provided by the Optimism Open Source chain.

    Expanding on the diverse utilities and functionalities within the Base Ecosystem

    • Bridging Utility: The Base Ecosystem has a bridging utility, facilitating seamless interoperability with other blockchain networks. This feature enhances the overall connectivity of the Base Chain, allowing for the fluid transfer of assets and data across different blockchain environments.
    • DeFi (Decentralized Finance) Utility: Positioned at the forefront of decentralized finance, the Base Ecosystem provides comprehensive support for DeFi applications. Users can engage in a spectrum of financial services, including lending, borrowing, and trading, all within the secure and efficient framework of the Base Chain.
    • Gaming Utility: Acknowledging the growing significance of blockchain in the gaming industry, the Base Ecosystem integrates a gaming utility. This functionality opens avenues for the development and deployment of blockchain-based games, ensuring a secure and transparent gaming experience for users.
    • Social Utility: Recognizing the social aspect of blockchain technology, the Base Ecosystem incorporates a social utility. This facet enables the creation and deployment of decentralized social applications, fostering interactions, and transactions within a secure and trustless environment.
    • NFT (Non-Fungible Token) Utility: The Base Ecosystem extends its utility to support Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), a rapidly evolving and popular aspect of the blockchain space. Users can create, trade, and interact with NFTs seamlessly, leveraging the secure infrastructure of the Base Chain.
    • Compatibility with EVM-Supported Wallets: The Base Ecosystem ensures widespread accessibility by allowing users to utilize and access its utilities through different Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) supported wallets. This compatibility enhances user convenience, as individuals can leverage familiar wallets to engage with the diverse utilities offered by the Base Chain.

    How To Buy, Sell, And Trade On The Base Network

    Select an EVM-Compatible Wallet

    To be able to make any transactions on the Base network, you need to have an EVM-Compatible Wallet. Click here to see a list of wallet options you can select from but I would recommend you use MetaMask, it is one of the most popular Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible wallets and also one of the most used wallets for Base Network transactions.

    If you are using a PC, install the Metamask wallet extension by clicking on “Add to Chrome” to add the extension to your Chrome browser, as shown below:

    Metamask

    Once installed, open your MetaMask, set up your account, and make sure to keep your secret phrase very safe, I would advise that you write it down on a shit of paper, away from the internet where it can’t be hacked.

    Add The BASE Network To Your MetaMask

    To add the Base Network to your MetaMask, search for Chainlist on your browser, open it, connect your MetaMask wallet, search for Base, and add it to MetaMask by clicking on “Add to Metamask”, click on “Approve” and lastly click on “Switch Network” on your Metamask.

    Chainlist

    Acquire Base ETH

    To make any transaction on the Base Network, you need Base ETH. Get your Base ETH from these cryptocurrency exchanges such as Binance, OKX, or KuCoin. Buy ETH on these platforms, go to the withdraw section, making sure to choose the BASE network as your transfer Network, which automatically converts your ETH to Base ETH as it gets to the ETH wallet destination.

    Related Reading: How To Buy, Sell, and Trade Tokens On The Arbitrum Network

    Alternatively, if you already have native ETH in your Metamask wallet, you can use the BASE bridge to bridge from the Ethereum Mainnet to the Base Network.

    Bridging to Base Network ETH From Other Ethereum Layer 2s

    If you wish to bridge your ETH to Base ETH from other Ethereum Layer 2 solutions, I would recommend secondary bridging platforms featured on the BASE Bridge platform. These platforms facilitate a smooth transition to the Base Network from various Ethereum Layer 2 environments, as shown below.

    Bridges

    Example Of Bridging to Base ETH From Other Ethereum Layer 2s

    ACROSS PROTOCOL is the first secondary bridging platform featured on the BASE Bridge platform as shown above, all you need to do is connect your Metamask wallet and select the amount of ETH you want to bridge to Base ETH and Bridge.

    Swap

    After Acquiring your Base ETH, you need to do your research and know which token you want to buy on the Base Network on Coingecko before heading over to Dexscreener to check for the token,  Dexscreener serves as a valuable tool for checking available tokens on the EVM chain, including the Base Network. 

    Charts

    By selecting the Base network on Dexscreener, you can access a comprehensive chart of available Base tokens. Note that not all tokens are supported on every DeFi DEX, search for the token you would like to trade and select it. After selecting, look out for the Green Box section selected in the image to identify which DeFi platforms support the token you wish to trade. 

    Base charts

    Obtaining Token Contract Address

    Scroll down on the Dexscreener to find the token contract address or go back to Coingecko and copy the contract address. This address is crucial when trading on DeFi platforms.

    Contract

    Copy the contract address, and when you enter it in the swap section of a DeFi platform like Uniswap, it will reveal the token. If the token is not available on Uniswap, the Dexscreener will redirect you to another supported DeFi where you can trade the token like KyberSwap.

    Kyberswap

    Connect your wallet to KyberSwap, click on the denominator token, and paste the contract address of the Base token in the search box. Before initiating any trade on DeFi, confirm that the network on the DeFi is on, in this case, the Base Network, ensuring the token’s availability on the Base Network. If it’s not initially on the Base Network, go to “Select a chain”, and select the Base network to ensure compatibility. 

    Base DApps

    Choose the desired pair of Base tokens and ETH (or other base pairs), specify the amount you want to swap, and execute the trade.

    Related Reading: How To Buy, Sell, And Trade Tokens On The BSC Network

    Reverse Trading For Base Network ETH

    If you wish to trade from a BASE token to Base ETH, simply reverse the order. Place the Base token at the top and the ETH at the bottom, then proceed with the swap. This allows you to exchange your Base token for ETH within the Base Network.

    Reverse ETH Kybeswap

    By following these steps, you can confidently navigate the trading process on the Base Network, leveraging the features of DeFi platforms and Dexscreener to make informed decisions and execute trades seamlessly.

    Conclusion

    The Base Network is another Ethereum Layer 2 network which is also affiliated with Coinbase, which is one of the most trusted cryptocurrency exchanges and companies in the crypto space with over 100 million users and processing $80 billion worth of crypto assets. Base Network has a lot of features which I have pointed out in the article already, although the Base Network does not have its Native token yet, it is still trusted and reliable due to its affiliation with Coinbase.

    Featured image from TronWeekly

    Disclaimer: The article is provided for educational purposes only. It does not represent the opinions of NewsBTC on whether to buy, sell or hold any investments and naturally investing carries risks. You are advised to conduct your own research before making any investment decisions. Use information provided on this website entirely at your own risk.



    Scott Matherson

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  • Palworld list of Pals, types, and base skills

    Palworld list of Pals, types, and base skills

    Image: Pocketpair

    Our in-progress list of Pals, along with their types and base skills

    Continue reading…

    Julia Lee

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  • Top 10 Best Palworld Tips & Tricks for Beginners

    Top 10 Best Palworld Tips & Tricks for Beginners

    Palworld is a hectic, entertaining monster-catching game with exploration, battling, and weapons – including guns. Jumping into the Palworld game is a lot of fun, as there is plenty to do. We’ve summed up the ten best tips and tricks for Palworld beginners, so be sure to keep these in mind for your adventure.

    Always Make Sure You Have Pal Spheres On Hand

    Image Source: Pocketpair

    In Palworld, there are plenty of endearing and badass critters to catch and add to your team or convert into workers at your Base. While you’re out and about exploring the world, you’ll likely run into new creatures and want to catch them. However, to do so, you’ll need to have Pal Spheres in your inventory.

    I have already made the mistake of forgetting to pick them up from my workbench more than once before heading out, so always double-check you have Pal Spheres when you’re planning to spend some time exploring, otherwise you may need to make a trip back to your Base to pick them up!

    Level Up Your Base ASAP

    Image Source: Pocketpair

    In Palworld, leveling your Base is important for completing the tutorial. However, you will also benefit from leveling your Base by unlocking new crafting recipes that you can buy for Technology Points, enabling you to craft a whole bunch of handy facilities and objects that make your day-to-day life in the game ten times easier. From Feeders to workstations, decorations, or even special Pal accessories, there are plenty of items that are restricted to Technology Points only, and these items make Palworld both more fun and interesting, so leveling your Base should always be a priority.

    Get Your Pals To Do Your Hard Work For You

    group of pals in palworld
    Image Source: Pocket Pair

    One of the most interesting (and in some cases, concerning) aspects of Palworld is that you can have your captured Pals complete day-to-day tasks on your behalf while you’re out exploring. By assigning Pals to your Base, they will take on jobs such as harvesting materials, completing pending crafts or building facilities, and growing food to harvest. This saves you valuable time for exploring and leveling your team, so you’ll want to collect enough Pals to assemble at your Base right away, which will let you benefit from this mechanic right from the beginning.

    Make Sure You Have Plenty of Food to Cook

    Image Source: Pocketpair

    Hunger is one of the most important mechanics in Palworld. Not only will it hinder you significantly if it reaches zero, but your Pals will also grow lethargic, sick, or unable to work if they remain without food for too long.

    For this reason, it’s important to always have food on hand both for yourself during your travels by keeping a stash in your inventory, and for your Pals to nibble away on while they work hard all day long, which can be achieved by crafting a Pal Feeder and dropping food inside. And remember, always keep an eye out for food to scavenge both from the environment or by defeating Pals in battle.

    Dungeons Have Time Limits & Rotate at Random

    Dungeon entrance on the side of a cliff in Palworld
    Image Source: Pocketpair via Twinfinite

    In Palworld, you can even explore Dungeons that you may find in the world in areas such as the tops of hills, or the side of a cliff. However, it is incredibly important to know that Palworld Dungeons have a timer, so if you stumble across one, it’s better to make it a priority and complete it ASAP. After the timer for entering a Dungeon runs out, the Dungeon will disappear, and spawn to another random point on the map. However, once you are inside, there is no timer, meaning you’re free to explore at your own pace.

    Throw Pal Spheres After Causing Damage to a Wild Pal For Better Success

    A sheep pal getting shot at in Palworld
    Image Source: Pocketpair

    Some Pals are much more difficult to capture than others, who you may have been lucky enough to simply throw a Sphere at and call it a day. When it comes to obtaining Pals, the best way to do so without wasting your resources is to damage the wild Pal and destroy most of its health bar, either through the use of weapons such as your Bow or by sending out one of your Pals to fight it. Once the enemy’s health gets low, you’ll notice a much higher capture rate indicated on the screen when you aim your Pal Sphere at the wild enemy.

    Craft a Bow ASAP For Ranged Attacks

    Image Source: Pocketpair
    Image Source: Pocketpair

    In Palworld, some enemies or wild Pals can be deadly at close range due to dealing heavy damage to targets within proximity. For this reason, having a ranged weapon, such as a Bow, is extremely important. You should make obtaining a Bow one of your main priorities when starting the game, as this will give you more flexibility in the wild when it comes to both hunting and battles. Bows can be crafted at a workbench, with several variants becoming available as you upgrade your base.

    Mounts Give Better Exploration & Control Over Pals

    Image Source: Pocketpair

    In Palworld, traversing certain areas can be frustrating or difficult, which is partially why Mounts are so valuable. Certain Pals, upon capture, will have accessories that can eventually be purchased with Technology Points, and then crafted. Saddles will turn certain Pals into Mounts, which let you explore at a better pace, or in some cases, even take to the skies – which makes things much more interesting and easier to reach some locations.

    On top of this, Mounts enable you full control over a Pal, with the ability to press certain buttons to use their attacks or abilities. This makes battles feel much more controlled and lively and lets you strategize how you want to go about various situations.

    Target Chillet For Your First Boss to Earn the Egg Incubator ASAP

    Respawned Chillet boss in Palworld
    Image Source: Pocketpair via Twinfinite

    Palworld bosses are largely important for three very good reasons – they give very solid EXP when caught or defeated, have the potential to add some powerhouse Pals to your team and reward Ancient Technology points that you can use to purchase special equipment and facilities, such as the Egg Incubator. However, many bosses are significantly high levels – as you may have found out if you accidentally stumbled upon a Mammorest in the early minutes of your gameplay!

    A great Boss to start with is Chillet, which can be encountered at location 175, -419 on the world map. This is because Chillet is only level 11, in comparison to the level 38 Mammorest, so it will be much more achievable when it comes to either capturing or defeating it. Doing either of these will mark the Boss as defeated and give you your first Technology Point so you can get that pesky Egg Incubator, so this is something to consider if you’re not quite ready to take on the Rayne Syndicate Tower fight.

    Lucky Pals Are Rare, Sparkling Monsters With Extremely Powerful Stats & Abilities

    what are lucky pals and how to find them
    Image Source: Pocketpair

    While Palworld doesn’t have shiny Pals, in the same way that the Pokemon games have shiny variants, there is something similar, named Lucky Pals. Lucky Pals are significantly larger than other Pals of the same species, and while they don’t differ in color palettes, they tend to have a sparkle to them and send out a soft glowing noise as they walk around the map, indicating their presence.

    If you stumble upon a rare Lucky Pal, it may just be the next main member of your team, as these Pals have significantly stronger abilities and stats than the average Pal of the same species. However, this also makes them much more lethal in battle, so be sure to approach with caution!

    About the author

    Grace Black

    Grace is a writer and digital artist from New Zealand with a love for fiction and storytelling. Grace has been writing for Twinfinite for one year and in the games industry for two years. She’s an enthusiast of everything spooky, an occasional anime enjoyer, and a die-hard Ghost-Type Pokemon fangirl. Her favorite video games include Overwatch 2, Life is Strange, The Last of Us, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Pokemon – all of which she will never tire of.

    Grace Black

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  • Coinbase CEO clarifies why company has no plans for Base token

    Coinbase CEO clarifies why company has no plans for Base token

    In a recent interview with Decrypt, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong confirmed the company’s decision not to issue a token for its layer-2 network, Base.

    Contrary to previous speculations and a statement by Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal, Armstrong emphasized that there are no plans to create a Base network token. This announcement is significant as it reflects Coinbase’s strategic approach towards its layer-2 network development and its interaction with the broader crypto ecosystem.

    Base, which launched in August, has shown remarkable growth, becoming the third-largest layer-2 network in terms of total value locked (TVL), boasting around $500 million in TVL and a million interacting wallets since its inception.

    Layer-2 networks, built atop existing blockchain systems like Ethereum (ETH), offer faster and cheaper transaction capabilities, addressing scalability issues inherent in base layer networks. The rapid ascension of Base in this competitive landscape is noteworthy and highlights its potential impact on the cryptocurrency market.

    Armstrong’s vision for Base extends beyond Coinbase’s proprietary interests. He envisions Base as a community-driven project, interoperable with the wider crypto ecosystem. Base’s foundation on the Optimism (OP) stack on Ethereum is a strategic move to ensure this broad compatibility and community engagement. This approach, coupled with Coinbase’s backing, aims to establish trust and stability in the network.

    Moreover, Armstrong has set ambitious performance targets for Coinbase transactions, aiming for an “under one second and one cent” average transaction time. Achieving these objectives will necessitate substantial improvements to Base and broader integration of layer-2 solutions across Coinbase’s platform.

    Armstrong elaborates, “That’s not just with Base,” adding, “That’s things like integrating the Lightning Network on Bitcoin, it’s integrating other layer-1s that are very fast, like Solana.” He notes that currently, about 7% of transactions through Coinbase use layer-2, with internal goals set to “get that number way up” as part of a “multi-year effort.”

    Armstrong acknowledges the burgeoning interest from other exchanges in developing their layer-2 solutions, like Kraken and OKX, but cautions against a fragmented landscape where each application operates its own layer-2 network. He advocates for consolidation around a few layer-2 networks to optimize efficiency and interoperability in the crypto space.


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    Bralon Hill

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  • Goldfinch community approved deployment on Base L2, GFI up 14%

    Goldfinch community approved deployment on Base L2, GFI up 14%

    Governance members agreed that launching Goldfinch’s defi loan service on Coinbase’s decentralized network would be beneficial and help to onboard more users.

    The community behind Goldfinch, a defi lender, reached quorum to deploy the protocol on Base, a layer-2 blockchain launched and backed by major crypto exchange Coinbase. Next, the project’s governance council will hold a soft vote before developers draft and audit the actual code for this update. 

    Finally, the council will activate Goldfinch on Base by shipping the deployment smart contract code through a multi-sig wallet. 

    The protocol’s native token GFI jumped 14% on Dec. 1 following the news, trading at $1.74 when this report was written.

    GFI price | Source: TradingView

    Before its approved launch on L2 Base, Goldfinch was exclusively available on Ethereum’s blockchain. However, the project’s co-founder Blake West, and engineering manager Greg Egan argued for expansion to a blockchain with cheaper transaction fees.

    From a business standpoint, we believe Base will continue to improve and Coinbase will expose more and more of their 100M+ user base to Base apps. Goldfinch can take advantage of this as a customer acquisition channel.

    Goldfinch on Base proposal

    Ethereum, while a long-standing pillar in the blockchain industry, is infamous for expensive gas fees. This high cost of moving assets on-chain was a stumbling block to greater adoption until the advent of scaling solutions like Base commonly known as L2s.

    L2s can handle transactions at far cheaper rates compared to Ethereum’s mainnet while retaining the transaction security synonymous with crypto’s biggest defi chain. Base in particular has garnered on-chain activity and climbed to over $300 million in total value locked since its launch by Coinbase on Aug. 9.

    This makes Base the only decentralized network released by an American publicly traded company and the third-largest layer-2 network according to DefiLlama at press time

    In other Goldfinch news, the project marked the complete repayment of its genesis loan issued to Fazz Financial.


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    Naga Avan-Nomayo

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  • Blast Surpasses Cardano And Base – Here’s How Much DeFi Investors Have Locked

    Blast Surpasses Cardano And Base – Here’s How Much DeFi Investors Have Locked

    Blast is the latest Layer 2 network to burst into the scene in the last week and has taken the decentralized finance (DeFi) world by storm already. This network which seemingly came out of nowhere has backing from Paradigm, and as its popularity has risen, it has surpassed Base and Cardano’s Total Value Locked (TVL) in less than a week after launch.

    Blast TVL Crosses $565 Million

    The Blast network was officially announced on November 21 and it quickly garnered support from crypto investors. In the first day, the network saw over $81 million in crypto locked. And in two days, the figure had quickly grown above $123 million.

    Despite some of the FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt) that has followed the launch of the network, investors have continued to bridge their assorted into it. By Sunday, November 26, the total value locked on the Blast network had officially crossed $544 million, according to data from DeFi tracker DeFiLlama.

    Source: DeFiLlama

    This figure puts the network’s TVL ahead of older competitors such as Coinbase’s Base. While Blast’s TVL sits at $544 million, the Base TVL is at $338.26 million. This means that Blast’s TVL is currently 60% higher than that of Base.

    In the same vein, the Blast TVL is also way ahead of that of Cardano. Presently, the Cardano TVL sits at around $330.07 million, just a little lower than Base, and around 61% lower than that of Blast.

    New L2 Draws Criticism From DeFi Investors

    Amid the rapid growth that Blast has enjoyed, it has also drawn criticism from DeFi investors. The concerns have ranged from security to how the network is being run. One of the most pertinent criticisms has stemmed from the fact that all of the crypto being bridged to the network will be locked until next year.

    The network revealed that investors will not be able to access their locked funds until February 2024. In addition, Blast promises users yield on their Ethereum (ETH) and stablecoins being bridged to the network, but with no readily discernible way of how this yield will be earned.

    Some members of the crypto community have, however, figured out that the funds were being deposited into the Lido DAO protocol. Apparently, Blast is currently earning around $1.5 million a month by depositing the bridged funds into Lido. This has further raised concerns about the growing dominance of Lido, which is headed toward 33.3% and could pose a risk for the Ethereum network.

    Nevertheless, Blast continues to dominate conversations around DeFi on social media. There is now a total of 266,130 ETH locked on the network, with the expectations of an airdrop happening in 2024.

    DeFi total market cap chart from Tradingview.com (Blast Cardano Base)

    Total DeFi market cap at $57.26 billion | Source: Crypto Total DeFi Market Cap on Tradingview.com

    Featured image from The News Crypto, chart from Tradingview.com

    Scott Matherson

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  • Are Ethereum Venture Capitalists Losing Hope In ETH?

    Are Ethereum Venture Capitalists Losing Hope In ETH?

    Ethereum venture capitalists (VCs) are “not stupid” and know that investing in the world’s largest smart contract platform won’t result in the “multiples” they desire, according to a crypto user. Going by the handle R89Capital, claims that VCs are now looking at Ethereum layer-2 assets as vehicles to exit the market, dumping “Ponzi tokens.”

    Ethereum VCs Exiting ETH For “Ponzi” Tokens?

    The user opines that the primary reason why ETH prices may not surge in multiples like emerging tokens, including meme coins like PEPE, for instance, is because of the relatively large market cap. 

    According to trackers on October 31, ETH has a market cap of over $215.8 billion and is the second largest after Bitcoin (BTC). Typically, coins with higher market caps are harder to manipulate and usually have found more institutional adoption than emerging tokens. 

    Ethereum price trends to the upside on the daily chart | Source: ETHUSDT on Binance, TradingView

    This is because projects with higher market cap are more liquid, have more name recognition, and have seen more adoption. Even so, while they are easier to buy in the second market due to the higher levels of liquidity, they tend to be less volatile than low market cap tokens. 

    These low-market tokens can also be held for speculative reasons primarily due to their upside potential, especially in trending markets. This means that low-market tokens, regardless of the issuing platform, appeal to profit-seeking speculators, not due to underlying fundamentals.

    R89Capital aligns with this preview to allege that VCs, looking to recoup their investment, are launching Ponzi tokens on general-purpose layer-2 platforms before dumping them for ETH and eventually exiting for USD. 

    In this case, Ponzi tokens, as claimed, are low-market coins that can be meme coins or other well-marketed projects. These tokens have higher upsides, are liquid enough, and can be sold for ETH in layer-2 decentralized exchanges or popular ramps like Binance or Coinbase. 

    The Ethereum Technical Debt: Scaling Remains A Big Issue

    Still, R89Capital didn’t mention which layer-2 projects are “Ponzis” but said the primary reason ETH is capped is due to Ethereum’s technical debt.

    Over the years, Ethereum developers have been launching new products and scaling solutions, of which the transition from a proof-of-work to a proof-of-stake system and adoption of layer-2 solutions stand out. Even so, scaling remains a challenge impacting user experience, especially when token prices begin rallying. 

    It is not unusual for gas fees on Ethereum to spike to double-digits in a bull market, discouraging deployment while catalyzing migration of some transactions to competing platforms like Solana or layer-2 scaling solutions like Base or Optimism.

    Feature image from Canva, chart from TradingView

    Dalmas Ngetich

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  • Base launches boot camp to train blockchain developers

    Base launches boot camp to train blockchain developers

    Coinbase’s layer-2 (L2) network, Base, has launched an eight-week training course to turn traditional software developers into blockchain developers.

    The Base network, part of the broader Coinbase ecosystem, has announced the launch of Base Bootcamp. It is an intensive, eight-week program designed to turn traditional software developers into proficient, smart contract developers. 

    The Base Camp program aims to bring more people into blockchain technology. The current number of on-chain developers sits at less than 30,000, while over 30 million work in software development as a whole, according to the L2 network. This initiative aims to bridge this gap and make a new ecosystem that’s open and global.

    With the help of experienced engineers and mentors, the Bootcamp will be hands-on and collaborative, so participants can feel like they’re learning with someone rather than sitting back in a lecture hall.

    Only 20 students will make it into each cohort to ensure room for personal attention. Also, each person will meet their mentor and have access to office hours if they need help troubleshooting something. 

    Additionally, students will get permission to join a special Discord channel where they can connect with their classmates, Coinbase engineers, and mentors.

    For their final project, participants must complete a real-world decentralized application (dapp) using learning tools made by Base engineers.

    The program is designed to accommodate full-time professionals. It offers flexibility for participants to work at their own pace and arrange meetings with their mentors based on their schedule.

    According to the L2 network, Base Bootcamp isn’t just a learning journey, but a pathway toward becoming an integral contributor to the new internet and helping to build the on-chain future. 

    Applications for the upcoming cohort will close on Oct. 27, signaling an opportunity for developers to pivot into the world of blockchain technology.


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    Julius Mutunkei

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