Artificial Intelligence
Why having “humans in the loop” in an AI war is an illusion
Summary
The availability of artificial intelligence for use in warfare is at the center of a legal battle between Anthropic and the Pentagon. This debate has become urgent, with AI playing a bigger role than ever before in the current conflict with Iran. AI is no longer just helping humans analyze intelligence. It is now an active player—generating targets in real time, controlling and coordinating missile interceptions, and guiding lethal swarms of autonomous drones. Most of the public conversation regarding the use of AI-driven autonomous lethal weapons centers on how much humans should remain “in the loop.” Under the Pentagon’s current guidelines, human oversight supposedly provides accountability, context, and nuance while reducing the risk of hacking. AI systems are opaque “black boxes” But the debate over “humans in the loop” is…
The gig workers who are training humanoid robots at home
Summary
When Zeus, a medical student living in a hilltop city in central Nigeria, returns to his studio apartment from a long day at the hospital, he turns on his ring light, straps his iPhone to his forehead, and starts recording himself. He raises his hands in front of him like a sleepwalker and puts a sheet on his bed. He moves slowly and carefully to make sure his hands stay within the camera frame. Zeus is a data recorder for Micro1, a US company based in Palo Alto, California that collects real-world data to sell to robotics companies. As companies like Tesla, Figure AI, and Agility Robotics race to build humanoids—robots designed to resemble and move like humans in factories and homes—videos recorded by gig workers like Zeus are becoming…
Defense official reveals how AI chatbots could be used for targeting decisions
Summary
The US military might use generative AI systems to rank lists of targets and make recommendations about which to strike first, which would then be vetted by humans, according to a Defense official with knowledge of the matter. The disclosure about how the military may use AI chatbots comes as the Pentagon faces scrutiny over a strike on an Iranian school, which it is still investigating. A list of possible targets might be fed into a generative AI system that the Pentagon is fielding for classified settings. Then, said the official, who requested to speak on background with MIT Technology Review to discuss sensitive topics, humans might ask the system to analyze the information and rank which targets are a priority, while accounting for factors like where aircraft are currently…
Is the Pentagon allowed to surveil Americans with AI?
Summary
The ongoing public feud between the Department of Defense and AI company Anthropic over its technology has raised a deep open question: does the law actually allow the US government to conduct mass surveillance on Americans? Surprisingly, the answer is not straightforward. More than a decade after Edward Snowden exposed the NSA’s collection of bulk metadata from the phones of Americans, the US is still navigating a gap between what ordinary people think is surveillance and what the law allows. The flashpoint in the standoff between Anthropic and the government was the Pentagon’s desire to use Anthropic’s AI Claude to analyze bulk commercial data collected from Americans. Anthropic demanded its AI not be used for mass domestic surveillance (or for autonomous weapons, which are machines that can kill targets without…
Business & Finance
Trump says U.S. will guide stranded ships from ‘neutral and innocent’ countries out of the Strait of Hormuz while hinting at positive Iran talks
Summary
U.S. President Donald Trump announced a project that will start on Monday to help stranded ships leave the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed, but offered few details. In a social media post on Sunday, Trump said “neutral and innocent” countries have been affected by the Iran war, and “we have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business.” “Project Freedom” would begin on Monday morning in the Middle East, Trump said and added that his representatives are having discussions with Iran that could lead to something “very positive for all.” Iran’s grip on the strait, imposed after the United States and Israel launched the war on Feb. 28, has shaken global…
Secret Service agent was struck by buckshot from alleged White House correspondents’ dinner shooter, not friendly fire, Pirro says
Summary
Authorities have determined that buckshot from the gun of the man charged with trying to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in an attempt to kill President Donald Trump struck a Secret Service agent, according to the federal prosecutor overseeing the investigation. Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, said last week there was no evidence the agent was hit by friendly fire during the incident at a Washington hotel on April 25, but she went beyond that Sunday in saying a shot from one of Cole Tomas Allen’s weapons hit the officer’s bullet-resistant vest. “We now can establish that a pellet that came from the buckshot from the defendant’s Mossberg pump-action shotgun was intertwined with the fiber of the vest of the Secret Service officer,” she told…
The dollar has fallen 10% under Trump. It helps big multinational companies but is a ‘hidden tax’ raising costs from vacations to groceries
Summary
A hidden force is quietly pushing up costs for everything from your summer vacation to your weekly grocery bills: a weaker U.S. dollar. The dollar has fallen about 10% against other major currencies since President Donald Trump returned to the White House, a pullback potentially playing a role in Americans’ concerns about affordability. “It’s kind of a hidden tax,” says economist Thomas Savidge of the conservative-leaning American Institute for Economic Research. “What your dollar is going to be able to buy is going to shrink.” A look at where the dollar stands and what it means for you: Historic dollar decline The U.S. Dollar Index, which measures the greenback against other major currencies, logged its steepest six-month drop in more than 50 years in the first half of 2025. Though the decline…
Trump vows to reduce U.S. troops in Germany ‘a lot further’ than 5,000 as defense official says armed services were blindsided by move
Summary
President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the U.S. will significantly reduce its troop presence in Germany, escalating a dispute with Chancellor Friedrich Merz as he seeks to scale back America’s commitment to European security. The Pentagon on Friday had initially announced it would pull some 5,000 troops out of Germany, but when asked Saturday about the reason for the move, Trump didn’t offer an explanation and said an even bigger reduction was coming. “We’re going to cut way down. And we’re cutting a lot further than 5,000,” Trump told reporters in Florida. Earlier on Saturday, Germany’s defense minister appeared to take in stride the news that 5,000 U.S. troops would be leaving his country. Boris Pistorius said the drawdown, which Trump has threatened for years, was expected, and he said European nations…
Education
Do You Like AI Because AI Likes You? How AI Flattery Crosses Signals
Summary
Myra Cheng, a computer science Ph.D. student at Stanford University, has spent a lot of time listening to undergraduates on campus. “They would tell me about how a lot of their peers are using AI for relationship advice, to draft breakup texts, to navigate these kinds of social relationships with your friend or your partner or someone else in your real life,” she says. Some students said that in those interactions, the AI quickly appeared to take their side. “And I think more broadly,” says Cheng, “if you use AI for writing some sort of code or even editing any sort of writing, it’ll be like, ‘Wow, your code or your writing is amazing.’ ” To Cheng, this excessive flattery and unconditional validation from many AI models seemed different from…
Education Department Takes a Preliminary Step Toward Revamping Its Research and Statistics Arm
Summary
In his first two months in office, President Donald Trump ordered the closing of the Education Department and fired half of its staff. The department’s research and statistics division, called the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), was particularly hard hit. About 90 percent of its staff lost their jobs and more than 100 federal contracts to conduct its primary activities were canceled. But now there are signs that the Trump administration is partially reversing course and wants the federal government to retain a role in generating education statistics and evidence for what works in classrooms — at least to some extent. On Sept. 25, the department posted a notice in the Federal Register asking the public to submit feedback by Oct. 15 on reforming IES to make research more relevant…
What Slot Machines and Apps Have in Common to Keep You Glued to the Screen
Summary
In two landmark cases, social media companies have been found liable for endangering and harming children. Meta and Google are appealing the verdicts and disputing the idea that their products are addictive. But over the course of more than a decade, scientists have identified key features of social media and other apps meant to hold children’s attention for as long as possible. These features create a kind of superglue on the apps, says cultural anthropologist Natasha Dow Schüll at New York University, who has pioneered research in this field. “They keep us spending more time on these apps and spending more money. They drain us of our energy and ourselves.” Understanding these features offers parents a rubric for evaluating how harmful an app or device may be for kids, Schüll…
How a SCOTUS Decision on Birthright Citizenship Could Impact Education Access
Summary
Any child born on U.S. soil has a right to citizenship. It was established by the 14th Amendment in 1868, and affirmed by the U.S. Supreme court 128 years ago. On Wednesday, the high court is set to hear oral arguments in a case that could narrow or even end birthright citizenship in Trump v. Barbara. The Trump administration has argued the “privilege” has been too freely applied to children of non-citizens. “Hundreds of thousands of people are pouring into our country under birthright citizenship, and it wasn’t meant for that reason,” President Trump said last year. If this constitutionally protected right is struck down by the court, it would apply to children born on or after Feb. 20, 2025. According to a projection by the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute…
Entertainment
The Onion and Sandy Hook victims’ families finally land deal to take over Alex Jones’ Infowars and relaunch right-wing site as parody of itself
Summary
Satirical news outlet The Onion has finally landed a deal to take over Infowars, with the help of the families of Sandy Hook victims Infowars is a right-wing media platform that was run by alt-right figure and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. He gained notoriety for falsely claiming for years that the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School never happened, and in 2022 was ordered to pay nearly $1billion in damages. Jones and his company, Free Speech Systems, filed for bankruptcy protection in 2022, and Infowars went to a bankruptcy auction, where it was bought by The Onion. This included the company’s intellectual property, including the website, customer lists, inventory and certain social media accounts, and the production equipment. The amount that The Onion paid in its winning bid has not been publicly…
Zohran Mamdani’s Lucky He’s Mayor, Because His Streams Blew Up in 2025, But His Rap Royalties Do Not Pay the Bills
Summary
You know that old saying about “don’t quit your day job?” Well, that’s excellent advice for Zohran Mamdani, who has a solid gig as New York’s Mayor since his election last November. But according to the New York Times, on Thursday (April 16), Mamdani, 34, and his wife, graphic designer Rama Duwaji, released the details of their joint tax return and let’s just say it’s a good thing his new gig pays in the mid-$250K range, because the cash coming in from Mamdani’s previous rap career isn’t going to keep the couple afloat. The paper said that the couple reported a total 2025 income of $145,000, most of it coming from Mamdani’s state assemblyman salary of $131,296. A much smaller portion, $1,643, came in the form of royalties from Mamdani’s…
Boomtown given green light until 2030, despite objections from campaigners
Summary
Boomtown Festival will continue to take place in the South Downs National Park until 2030, despite objections from residents and environmental campaigners. The festival takes place at the Matterley Estate near Winchester every August and the capacity has been capped at 75,999, with an extra 1,000 festivalgoers on the Sunday. The application was approved unanimously by the South Downs National Park Authority, despite objections from some locals and those who opposed it on environmental grounds. Local resident Alisson Mathews, who lives just two miles from the site, told the BBC that she “heard the bass beat almost constantly in our house and garden” across the five-day festival and her family would be left “exhausted by the lack of sleep” by the Sunday night. “As a former member of the national…
Live Nation Verdict: Jury Says Concert Giant Is An Illegal Monopoly in Total Defeat
Summary
A jury found Wednesday (April 15) that Live Nation and Ticketmaster violated federal and state antitrust laws by dominating the live music industry, capping off a blockbuster trial with a verdict that could ultimately see the two concert giants broken up. After a five-week trial in Manhattan federal court, jurors sided with a coalition of state attorneys general who sued Live Nation, per Bloomberg. The states argued during closing statements that the concert giant was a “monopolistic bully” that had harmed competition and driven up ticket prices for fans. In its verdict, the jury handed Live Nation a total defeat — finding that the company illegally monopolized the market for ticketing services, concert ticketing and the use of amphitheaters, and that it illegally tied the use of its venues to…
Environment & Sustainability
Should Roundup labels warn users about the cancer risk? It’s up to the Supreme Court.
Summary
Since 2018, when it bought the chemical manufacturer Monsanto, the German conglomerate Bayer has set aside billions to settle legal claims that the active ingredient in the company’s weedkiller Roundup has caused cancer and other health issues among its users. More than 100,000 plaintiffs across the U.S. have filed lawsuits alleging a cancer link, and in February the company agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit for $7.25 billion. Last week, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in one case that didn’t reach a settlement. John Durnell first sued Monsanto in 2019, arguing that he developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma because of persistent exposure to glyphosate in Roundup, which he had regularly sprayed throughout his neighborhood for twenty years. In 2023, the Missouri jury found Monsanto liable for failing to warn users of…
Sungchan Jeong
Summary
Sungchan Jeong NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow Affiliation: NASA Ames Research Center Division: Earth Science Division (SG), Biospheric Science Branch (SGE), NASA Earth Exchange (NEX) Email: sungchan.jeong@nasa.gov Professional Biography Dr. Sungchan Jeong is a NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) Fellow at NASA Ames Research Center starting in December 2025. He conducts research on monitoring terrestrial ecosystem dynamics by integrating multi-source satellite observations with machine learning models. He is currently working on the harmonization of geostationary and low-Earth-orbit satellite observations to better understand global vegetation changes. Before joining NASA Ames Research Center as an NPP Fellow, he was a postdoctoral researcher at Seoul National University. He graduated from Korea National University of Education with a B.S. in Environmental Education in 2020. He received his M.S. in Landscape Architecture in 2022 and his Ph.D.…
NASA Artemis II Crew Rings Nasdaq Closing Bell
Summary
NASA/Bill Ingalls Nasdaq Chair and Chief Executive Officer Adena T. Friedman, left, and NASA’s Artemis II crewmembers CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, and NASA astronauts Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Reid Wiseman, right, ring the closing bell of the Nasdaq market session, Thursday, April 30, 2026. NASA’s Artemis II mission took Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth earlier in April 2026. Image credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls The post NASA Artemis II Crew Rings Nasdaq Closing Bell appeared first on NASA Science. NASA/Bill Ingalls Nasdaq Chair and Chief Executive Officer Adena T. Friedman, left, and NASA’s Artemis II crewmembers CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, and NASA astronauts Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Reid Wiseman, right, ring the…
NASA Shares SpaceX Crew-13 Assignments for Space Station Mission
Summary
From left to right, NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Joshua Kutryk, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov. NASA As part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 mission, four crew members from three space agencies will launch no earlier than mid-September to the International Space Station for a long-duration science expedition. NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney will serve as spacecraft commander and pilot, respectively. They will be joined by CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Joshua Kutryk and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov, who will serve as mission specialists. After arriving at the orbiting laboratory, Crew-13 will become members of the space station’s Expedition 75. Read the full release here. The post NASA Shares SpaceX Crew-13 Assignments for Space Station Mission appeared first on NASA Science.
Food & Travel
The Best Sun Protection Shirts Our Editors Tested for Summer Adventures
Summary
Warmer days are upon us, and that means spring and summer outdoor adventures are in full swing. It’s hard to stay inside on a sunny day, with warm and dry weather typically offering the best conditions for activities like hiking, biking, and even water sports. The flip side to perfect weather, however, is that you’re increasing your exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays. In order to best protect yourself, it’s important to dress appropriately – and for many outdoor activities, that means wearing a sun shirt. This is particularly true if you’re heading to the beach, as scientists have found that a chemical found in many sunscreens (oxybenzone) is converted by coral into a substance that actually harms them. If you want to protect the ocean, you’ll need to…
Book Your Travel Early: Flight Prices Are Rising as Fuel Costs Surge
Summary
As oil and jet fuel prices climb due to the war in Iran that’s disrupting shipping lanes in the Middle East, airlines are warning that ticket prices will rise, too. Jet fuel costs have jumped sharply since the conflict began on February 28. According to reporting from the Associated Press. Fuel is one of the airline industry’s biggest expenses, typically accounting for about a fifth to a quarter of operating costs. Threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea and is the sole sea passage from the Gulf to the open ocean, is having the biggest impact on pricing pressures. Nearly 20 percent of global oil supply moves through that chokepoint, and although the waterway is…
Is Mexico Safe Right Now? What US Travelers Should Know
Summary
Mexico is experiencing localized travel disruptions after a federal security operation in Jalisco on February 22, according to reporting by the Associated Press. The country remains open to tourism, but there are developments travelers should be aware of. Mexican authorities confirmed the operation targeted a senior leader of the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). In the hours that followed, roadblocks and vehicle fires were reported in parts of Jalisco, the western Mexican state that includes the beach resort of Puerto Vallarta and the city of Guadalajara. Mexico’s Defense Secretariat confirmed the operation and said intelligence cooperation with the United States took place, noting that information “was provided” by US authorities while Mexican forces conducted the mission. President Claudia Sheinbaum said that “in most of the national territory, activities are developing…
Dodging the “King of Fruits”: Inside the Dangerous Durian Plantations of Raub, Malaysia
Summary
People in the United States usually only mention durian in the form of a punchline. It’s the spiky “King of Fruits” that’s banned on trains and in hotels thanks to a potent sulfur, sewage, rotting smell. The sweet-savory custard flavor that makes it so appealing despite the aroma is often forgotten in the viral videos and meme-ready headlines. So too is the multi-billion dollar (and growing) economy behind this fruit that sends massive shipments from Southeast Asia into China and around the world. The biggest oversight, however, is of the farmers and families who have built a life around durian. Ian Poh Jin Tze has spent years documenting the people and places behind Southeast Asia’s most iconic ingredients. In his book, “Behind The Scenes: Lives of These Unsung Heroes,” the…
Gaming
GameStop Makes $55.5 Billion Offer to Buy eBay
Summary
GameStop has announced it has made a $55.5 billion offer to buy eBay at $125.00 per share in cash and stock. CEO Ryan Cohen, who would become CEO of the combined company should the deal go through, told The Wall Street Journal he wants to make eBay a “legit competitor to Amazon,” as he bids to grow his business beyond games and merchandise and hit a $35 billion payout in the process. GameStop said the cash part of the offer is expected to be funded from a combination of cash and liquid investments on GameStop’s balance sheet, which totaled $9.4 billion as of January 31, 2026, and “third-party acquisition financing,” with up to $20 billion in debt financing from TD Securities. GameStop did not say exactly where this third-party acquisition…
GameStop CEO Announces Shocking Buyout Offer For eBay, Priced At $56 Billion
Summary
The latest chapter in video game retailer GameStop's tumultuous story is unfolding, as the company has announced plans to buy eBay for $56 billion. CEO Ryan Cohen told The Wall Street Journal that he plans to offer $125 per share in cash and stock to buy eBay, and that's about a 20% premium over where eBay's shares closed on Friday. "There is nobody who is more qualified, based on my experience, to run the eBay business," he said. "eBay should be worth--and will be worth--a lot more money. I'm thinking about turning eBay into something worth hundreds of billions of dollars," he said. Continue Reading at GameSpot The latest chapter in video game retailer GameStop's tumultuous story is unfolding, as the company has announced plans to buy eBay for $56…
After days of speculation over hard-coded anti-goblin bias from OpenAI, the company had to release an official memo on ‘Where the goblins came from’
Summary
Tuesday, a report from Wired dug into a strange instruction patched into Codex CLI, an AI coding tool: "Never talk about goblins, gremlins, raccoons, trolls, ogres, pigeons, or other animals or creatures unless it is absolutely and unambiguously relevant to the user’s query." I'm always whispering this to myself so I don't get kicked out of Dollar Tree again, but it's a weird thing for an AI model to have to be specifically told. It was, apparently, distractingly prevalent: one X post quoted in that article notes it frequently referred to bugs and "gremlins" and "goblins" and continued to following the update that was meant to curb the goblin talk. OpenAI has broken its silence on the matter, and published a blog Thursday titled "Where the goblins came from." "Model…
GameStop Reportedly Preparing to Make an Offer to Buy eBay
Summary
GameStop is reportedly interested in buying eBay and is preparing to make an offer. The Wall Street Journal reported that GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen wants to turn the retailer into a $100 billion plus “juggernaut” that moves beyond video games and merchandise. GameStop had a market value of $11 billion at the close after shares jumped 6.33% on the news. eBay has a market value of $46 billion, and saw its shares jump over 11% on the news. While on face value it seems impossible for GameStop to buy a company with a market value four times as big as itself, it is sitting on $9 billion in cash. If eBay isn’t receptive, Cohen may take the offer directly to eBay’s shareholders, The Wall Street Journal added. As The Wall…
Health & Wellness
Researchers develop AI tool to predict patients at risk of intimate partner violence
Summary
NIH-funded, automated clinical decision support could facilitate timely interventions for at-risk patients years before they might otherwise seek help. NIH-funded, automated clinical decision support could facilitate timely interventions for at-risk patients years before they might otherwise seek help. NIH-funded, automated clinical decision support could facilitate timely interventions for at-risk patients years before they might otherwise seek help. NIH-funded, automated clinical decision support could facilitate timely interventions for at-risk patients years before they might otherwise seek help.
You don’t need to be very altruistic to stop an epidemic
Summary
Reducing social contact is widely understood to slow disease spread, but because there is no personal health benefit gained from self-isolating, this would seem to require some concern for others. But how much do you have to care about others before you would choose to self-isolate when sick? Even people who are only barely altruistic still choose to self-isolate when infected, suggesting it may be a natural survival strategy, finds a new University of Warwick-led study. Reducing social contact is widely understood to slow disease spread, but because there is no personal health benefit gained from self-isolating, this would seem to require some concern for others. But how much do you have to care about others before you would choose to self-isolate when sick? Even people who are only barely…
Rising temperature may shift sex ratios at birth, analysis of five million births finds
Summary
"Temperature and sex ratios at birth," a new study led by researchers at the Department of Sociology at the University of Oxford and published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, provides new evidence that higher temperatures can influence the sex ratio at birth, with important implications for population health and gender balance in a warming world. The study analyzes more than five million births across 33 sub-Saharan African countries and India. By linking large-scale survey data with high-resolution temperature records, the authors examine how exposure to heat during pregnancy affects the sex ratio at birth. "Temperature and sex ratios at birth," a new study led by researchers at the Department of Sociology at the University of Oxford and published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, provides…
New imaging technique could transform precision of vocal fold injection procedures
Summary
Researchers at Stanford University, in collaboration with scientists at the German Cancer Institute, have shown for the first time that shortwave infrared (SWIR) imaging can be used to visualize injectable filler materials during injection laryngoplasty, a common procedure used to treat vocal fold paralysis and other forms of glottic insufficiency. The findings, published in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, of this novel visualization technique could pave the way for precision-guided techniques in laryngeal surgery. Researchers at Stanford University, in collaboration with scientists at the German Cancer Institute, have shown for the first time that shortwave infrared (SWIR) imaging can be used to visualize injectable filler materials during injection laryngoplasty, a common procedure used to treat vocal fold paralysis and other forms of glottic insufficiency. The findings, published in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck…
Lifestyle
You’re About to See Less Slop on Instagram
Summary
Instagram ain't what it used to be. What started as a simple platform to share retro-inspired photos with friends and family quickly turned into a social media mega-app. You can still share photos, sure, but the platform now offers just about everything, from livestreams to short-form video feeds. In fact, for some users, the Instagram algorithm has turned their feeds into bona fide meme machines, with low-effort videos, images, and carousel posts dominating their experience as they scroll through the app. If you use Instagram, you may have a similar experience—especially if you have a taste for quirky, niche, or otherwise alternative internet humor. Instagram is putting slop on notice That's likely changing in the near future. As reported by TechCrunch, Instagram is cracking down on "unoriginal" content—or posts from…
Google Translate Now Helps You Practice Your Pronunciation
Summary
Despite many intermittent attempts throughout the years to learn another language, I currently speak only English. I understand some words and phrases in Spanish and Portuguese, but I can't have a conversation in either, and I'd like to change that. As it happens, Google Translate's newest feature might be able to help me a bit on my language learning journey—even if it is a bit brutally honest along the way. How Google Translate's new pronunciation tool works As reported by TechCrunch, Google Translate now offers pronunciation practice as part of its experience, a la Duolingo. Like Duoligno, Google Translate can listen to your attempt at speaking a specific word, phrase, or sentence, and will offer feedback based on how its AI thinks you did. The app can even offer pronunciation…
You Can Now Talk to YouTube’s AI About What Kinds of Videos You Want to Watch
Summary
Searching for a video on YouTube hasn't changed much in the past 20 years: You launch the site, bypass the algorithmic recommendations, and enter your query. I've found this to be a relatively reliable method for finding a video I'm looking for. In my experience, if it doesn't pop up in a search, that usually means YouTube doesn't have the video in question. But we're now in 2026, which means I can only wonder: Why isn't YouTube search powered by AI? How YouTube's new AI search works Sarcasm aside, AI search is of course something Google is working on. As reported by The Verge, the company is testing a new search experience that takes a page from its "AI Mode" feature in Google Search. The idea, as the company sees…
Here’s What We Know About OpenAI’s Rumored Smartphone
Summary
There are many generative AI apps and services out there, but ask most people what "AI" means to them, and they'll likely say "ChatGPT." As of this article, the chatbot remains the most-downloaded free app on both the iOS App Store and the Google Play Store, beating out competitors like Claude, Gemini, and Meta AI. But it's one thing to download a free AI program; it's another entirely to buy a phone built around that AI. What would a ChatGPT phone look like? On Monday, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo made headlines by reporting that OpenAI might be working on its own smartphone. As part of this process, Kuo says OpenAI may be collaborating with MediaTek, Qualcomm, and Luxshare—major players in different elements of smartphone manufacturing. MediaTek and Qualcomm would be responsible…
Marketing & SEO
Google confirms AI headline rewrites test in Search results
Summary
Google is testing AI-generated headline rewrites in Search results, describing it as a small, narrow experiment for now. What’s happening. Google confirmed to The Verge (subscription required) that it’s testing AI-generated titles in traditional Search results, not just Discover. The test is “small” and “narrow,” and not approved for broader rollout. It impacts news site but isn’t limited to them. The goal is to better match titles to queries and improve engagement, Google said. One example showed Google replacing original headlines with shorter or reworded versions, sometimes changing tone or intent (e.g., reducing “I used the ‘cheat on everything’ AI tool and it didn’t help me cheat on anything” to “‘Cheat on everything’ AI tool.”). Why we care. Google Search is already sending fewer clicks. Now you also have to…
Yahoo CEO: Google AI Mode is the biggest threat to web traffic
Summary
Yahoo CEO Jim Lanzone said AI-powered search — especially Google’s AI Mode — is putting the open web’s core traffic model at risk and argues AI search engines must send users back to publishers. “I think that the LLMs are one big reason that they’re under threat, with AI Mode in Google being the biggest challenge.” “Those publishers deserve [traffic], and we’re not going to have the content to consume to give great answers if publishers aren’t healthy.” Why we care. Many websites are seeing less traffic from answer engines like Google and OpenAI — and I think it’ll only get worse. So it’s encouraging to see Yahoo trying to preserve the “search sends traffic” model. As he said: “We have very purposefully highlighted and linked very explicitly and bent…
Meta is passing Europe’s digital taxes directly to advertisers
Summary
Starting July 1st, Meta will add “location fees” to ad buys targeting users in six countries — effectively offloading the cost of European digital services taxes onto the advertisers themselves. The numbers. Fees will match each country’s digital services tax rate: France, Italy, Spain: 3% Austria, Turkey: 5% UK: 2% How it works in practice. Per Meta’s email to advertisers — “$100 in ads delivered to Italy will cost $103, plus any applicable VAT on top of that.” The fine print. The fees apply to where the ad is delivered, not where the advertiser is based — meaning a US brand running campaigns targeting French users will pay the French rate regardless. Why we care. This is a direct, unavoidable cost increase hitting European campaigns on July 1 — with…
Court restricts Perplexity’s AI shopping bot from accessing Amazon
Summary
Perplexity AI must stop using its Comet browser agent to make purchases on Amazon. A federal judge sided with Amazon in an early ruling over AI shopping bots. Why we care. The case targets a core promise of AI agents: completing tasks like shopping on a user’s behalf. If courts restrict how agents access sites, AI agents could face strict limits when interacting with logged-in accounts on major websites. What happened. U.S. District Judge Maxine Chesney granted Amazon a preliminary injunction Monday in San Francisco federal court. The order blocks Perplexity from using its Comet browser agent to access password-protected parts of Amazon, including Prime subscriber accounts. Chesney wrote that Amazon presented “strong evidence” that Comet accessed accounts “with the Amazon user’s permission but without authorization by Amazon.” The ruling…
Politics & Society
CDC Director Susan Monarez ousted just weeks after confirmation
Summary
Susan Monarez, the longtime government scientist recently confirmed as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has been let go from her position after less than a month in the role. A source familiar with the situation confirmed to The Hill that Monarez is ousted as CDC director. The Senate confirmed her on July 29. The Washington Post was first to report Monarez's firing. The Hill has reached out to the Department of Health and Human Services for comment. Prior to being nominated to lead the CDC, Monarez had served as acting CDC Director shortly after the start of the second Trump administration. She previously served as deputy director at the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). President Trump chose Monarez as his second choice after…
Suspected Minnesota shooter’s rifle magazine had ‘Kill Donald Trump’ inscription
Summary
The suspected shooter who killed two children at a Minnesota church on Wednesday wrote incendiary messages on gun magazines, including one that read “Kill Donald Trump.” The images appeared in a manifesto posted online around the same time as the shooting on Wednesday morning. The manifesto included a lengthy written note from the suspected shooter as well. The video had been taken down from YouTube as of late Wednesday afternoon. The video also showed messages written on rifle magazines that said "For the Children" and "Where is your God." "This level of violence is unthinkable," said Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, in a post on X where she discussed the messages. "Our deepest prayers are with the children, parents, families, educators, and Christians everywhere. We mourn with them,…
Trump ramps up DC power grab
Summary
President Trump is ramping up his power grab over Washington, D.C., on everything from the city’s law enforcement to a takeover of its transportation hub and key cultural center. He’s called for the death penalty in D.C. murder cases, cleared out homeless encampments, and is promising to fix everything from fences to light fixtures in what he calls a “beautification” of the city. On Wednesday, his Transportation secretary also announced a takeover of managing Union Station, where National Guard troops have been stationed for weeks. It marked the latest escalation by Trump to encroach on the city’s key institutions and landmarks, and that timing, according to a source close to Trump World, is no coincidence ahead of Congress coming back. “Trump is on very firm political footing on this issue.…
Nvidia revenue jumped 56 percent last year, beats Wall Street expectations
Summary
Nvidia reported a solid jump in second-quarter revenue Wednesday, beating Wall Street expectations for its highly anticipated earnings report. The chipmaker reported $46.7 billion in second-quarter revenue, up 6 percent from the previous quarter and 56 percent over the past year. Wall Street analysts had forecasted revenue of roughly $46 billion, according to consensus estimates. Nvidia has become one of the most powerful and richest U.S. technology companies amid the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, including generative AI chatbots and image generators, which use immense computing power. Nvidia has risen to prominence as the top U.S. manufacturer of the semiconductor chips widely used to run AI programs. The company has also found itself caught in the crossfire of the U.S-China battle over AI. Nvidia and AMD, another major U.S.…
Science
NASA Kennedy Center Director Announces Plans to Retire
Summary
Portrait of Janet Petro, center director for NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credit: NASA NASA announced Friday Janet Petro, center director for the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, is retiring. Prior to joining NASA, Petro worked in a variety of military and industry positions, ultimately beginning her career at the agency in 2007 and working her way up to center director, as well as serving as acting administrator from January to July 2025. “From the outset of her distinguished tenure at NASA, Janet has served as a profoundly influential leader, guiding both the agency and our Kennedy Space Center through some of the most significant transitions in our shared history, including playing a central role in reshaping NASA Kennedy into the nation’s premier multiuser spaceport,” said NASA Administrator…
Science in Space
Summary
NASA/Jessica Meir Astronauts Chris Williams of NASA and Sophie Adenot of the European Space Agency work together in the Kibo laboratory module’s Life Science Glovebox, processing genetic-material samples for the DNA Nano Therapeutics‑3 experiment. The investigation is exploring DNA‑inspired assembly techniques as a way to manufacture treatments—such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy—that can kill cancer cells and activate the immune system. Find out what’s happening on the International Space Station on the blog. Image credit: NASA/Jessica Meir NASA/Jessica Meir Astronauts Chris Williams of NASA and Sophie Adenot of the European Space Agency work together in the Kibo laboratory module’s Life Science Glovebox, processing genetic-material samples for the DNA Nano Therapeutics‑3 experiment. The investigation is exploring DNA‑inspired assembly techniques as a way to manufacture treatments—such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy—that can kill cancer…
NASA Celebrates Decade of University Innovation in Aeronautics
Summary
8 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) For 10 years, a NASA initiative has helped the agency produce breakthrough aeronautical innovations while fostering the aviation workforce of tomorrow – and the University Leadership Initiative (ULI) is still flying high, making awards with the potential to change 21st century air travel. Through ULI, NASA has supported more than 1,100 students at 100 schools, allowing them to pursue advancements in top priority areas for U.S. aviation, including high-speed flight, advanced air mobility, future airspace management and safety, and electrified propulsion. Many of those students have used their ULI experience as a springboard to careers in aviation. And many of their ideas — such as designing more efficient wings or building supersonic aircraft that can change shape in flight — are either being investigated further…
Liquid Lifeline: NASA Tech Could Create IV Fluid In Space
Summary
4 min read Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater) IVGEN Mini hardware is installed in a replica of the International Space Station’s Life Sciences Glovebox at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, in November 2025. The system operates by filtering drinking water on the International Space Station to produce medical-grade IV fluid for use when treating inflight medical conditions. Credit: NASA On every crewed mission, NASA packs pouches of a potentially life-saving liquid in its cargo, known as IV (or intravenous) fluid. A simple mix of sodium chloride and purified water, it can treat up to 30% of medical conditions in flight, resolving things like dehydration, burns, and more. Crewed missions beyond low Earth orbit into deep space could last up to three years and may…
Sports
Report: Argentina-PR moved, Chicago unrest cited
Summary
A friendly between Argentina and Puerto Rico, originally scheduled for next week in Chicago, has been relocated to Florida amid the immigration crackdown in the city, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday. A friendly between Argentina and Puerto Rico, originally scheduled for next week in Chicago, has been relocated to Florida amid the immigration crackdown in the city, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday. A friendly between Argentina and Puerto Rico, originally scheduled for next week in Chicago, has been relocated to Florida amid the immigration crackdown in the city, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday. A friendly between Argentina and Puerto Rico, originally scheduled for next week in Chicago, has been…
Phillies’ Schwarber 1st in NL to reach 50 homers
Summary
Philadelphia slugger Kyle Schwarber hit his 50th home run of the season, a three-run shot off reliever Justin Hagenman in the seventh inning that gave the Phillies a 7-1 lead en route to a comfortable 9-3 victory over the New York Mets on Tuesday night. Philadelphia slugger Kyle Schwarber hit his 50th home run of the season, a three-run shot off reliever Justin Hagenman in the seventh inning that gave the Phillies a 7-1 lead en route to a comfortable 9-3 victory over the New York Mets on Tuesday night. Philadelphia slugger Kyle Schwarber hit his 50th home run of the season, a three-run shot off reliever Justin Hagenman in the seventh inning that gave the Phillies a 7-1 lead en route to a comfortable 9-3 victory over the New…
Kane among those thrilled to see return of Toews
Summary
Like so many around the NHL, Red Wings forward Patrick Kane, who won three Stanley Cup championships with the Blackhawks playing alongside Jonathan Toews, is eager to see the return of his former running mate, who signed with the Jets this offseason. Like so many around the NHL, Red Wings forward Patrick Kane, who won three Stanley Cup championships with the Blackhawks playing alongside Jonathan Toews, is eager to see the return of his former running mate, who signed with the Jets this offseason. Like so many around the NHL, Red Wings forward Patrick Kane, who won three Stanley Cup championships with the Blackhawks playing alongside Jonathan Toews, is eager to see the return of his former running mate, who signed with the Jets this offseason.
Source: Steelers sign Peppers with Elliott injured
Summary
The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed veteran safety Jabrill Peppers, a source confirmed to ESPN, after starting safety DeShon Elliott left Sunday's season opener against the Jets with a knee injury. The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed veteran safety Jabrill Peppers, a source confirmed to ESPN, after starting safety DeShon Elliott left Sunday's season opener against the Jets with a knee injury. The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed veteran safety Jabrill Peppers, a source confirmed to ESPN, after starting safety DeShon Elliott left Sunday's season opener against the Jets with a knee injury. The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed veteran safety Jabrill Peppers, a source confirmed to ESPN, after starting safety DeShon Elliott left Sunday's season opener against the Jets with a knee injury.
Technology
Redistricting and the Supreme Court have cut voters out of US House races
Summary
Article URL: https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/how-redistricting-supreme-court-have-cut-voters-out-us-house-races-2026-05-03/ Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47997468 Points: 12 # Comments: 0 Article URL: https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/how-redistricting-supreme-court-have-cut-voters-out-us-house-races-2026-05-03/ Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47997468 Points: 12 # Comments: 0 Article URL: https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/how-redistricting-supreme-court-have-cut-voters-out-us-house-races-2026-05-03/ Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47997468 Points: 12 # Comments: 0 Article URL: https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/how-redistricting-supreme-court-have-cut-voters-out-us-house-races-2026-05-03/ Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47997468 Points: 12 # Comments: 0 Article URL: https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/how-redistricting-supreme-court-have-cut-voters-out-us-house-races-2026-05-03/ Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47997468 Points: 12 # Comments: 0 Article URL: https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/how-redistricting-supreme-court-have-cut-voters-out-us-house-races-2026-05-03/ Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47997468 Points: 12 # Comments: 0
These reusable digital Polaroids are a clever way to cover a fridge in memories
Summary
You can update this photo as often as you want. I love when my friends have their fridges covered in Polaroids. It’s often a visual crash course of what’s been going on in their lives chronicling recent adventures, get-togethers, and other fun moments. But I don’t love the idea of schlepping around a clunky instant camera or paying a premium for instant film with hit-or-miss results. That’s why I’m infatuated with these magnetic digital Polaroids from a small company called VidaBay. They look like instant photos, but use NFC tech and color E Ink screens so you can change the image as often as you want without ever having to charge a battery. At roughly 4mm thick and 2.5 inches in size, the VidaBay NFC E-Paper Fridge Magnet — also…
AI music is flooding streaming services — but who wants it?
Summary
This is The Stepback, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on how AI is changing music and the music industry, follow Terrence O'Brien. The Stepback arrives in our subscribers' inboxes at 8AM ET. Opt in for The Stepback here. How it started The use of generative AI in pop music started almost as a gimmick. There was a sense of experimentalism to 2018's I AM AI by Taryn Southern and 2019's Proto by Holly Herndon, albums that were created with significant assistance from AI. Others got in on the action too, exploring the outer limits of tools like Google's Magenta and even training their own mod … Read the full story at The Verge.
Meta’s historic loss in court could cost a lot more than $375 million
Summary
Mark Zuckerberg. | Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty Images New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez won a historic sum of $375 million in a landmark child safety case against Meta earlier this year. But the next stage of the fight could be even more consequential for Meta and the social media industry at large. Beginning Monday, attorneys for Meta and New Mexico will return to a Santa Fe courthouse for a three-week public nuisance trial, where they'll argue over the changes the AG wants the judge to order Meta make to Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Those changes include adding age verification for New Mexico users, prohibiting end-to-end encryption for users under 18 and capping their use to 90 … Read the full story at The Verge.