A legal battle between WhatsApp and NSO Group concluded with significant revelations about the use of Pegasus spyware. This article summarizes key facts and testimonies from the trial, including how the spyware worked, its targets, and NSO Group's internal practices.
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A North Korean spy attempting to secure an IT job at a crypto exchange was exposed after failing to answer simple questions about American culture and his supposed life in Houston. This incident underscores the increasing threat of North Korean agents infiltrating Western companies to generate revenue for their country's weapons programs, exploiting the rise of remote work.
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Microsoft has announced that it will continue to provide security updates and support for Microsoft 365 (M365) applications running on Windows 10 until October 2028. This extension comes even after the official end-of-life date for Windows 10, which is October 14, 2024. However, there are caveats: Microsoft will encourage users to upgrade to Windows 11, and support for issues specific to Windows 10 may be limited. This decision impacts users who are unable or unwilling to upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware limitations or other constraints.
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Microsoft is reportedly planning to lay off 3% of its global workforce, affecting over 6,500 employees. This decision comes despite a strong financial quarter, signaling a strategic shift within the company to adapt to a dynamic marketplace. The layoffs are expected to impact various levels and teams across the organization.
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Chevron is entering the AI power generation market by building natural gas power plants to supply data centers. This move highlights the increasing electricity demand from AI and follows similar initiatives by other energy companies.
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Acorns has acquired EarlyBird, a platform for investment gifting, to bolster its Acorns Early app. EarlyBird will shut down, with customer funds returned. The acquisition aims to integrate EarlyBird's digital time capsule feature and enhance Acorns' family financial wellness offerings.
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A baby with a rare genetic disorder, CPS1 deficiency, received a custom Crispr treatment in record time, showcasing the potential for personalized gene-editing therapies. The treatment, developed in just six months, has shown promising results, offering hope for other patients with rare diseases.
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Apple's user disclosure screens warning about third-party payment systems in the EU App Store have been met with viral outrage, but Apple clarifies that these warnings are not new and have been in place since March 2024 as part of their DMA compliance plan. The warnings, which appear next to apps that use external payment mechanisms, were initially perceived as a retaliatory measure following Apple's legal loss to Epic Games. However, the company states that the screens are not new and were part of the initial DMA compliance plan. The confusion arose from a recent social media post highlighting the warning, leading to widespread criticism. Apple also noted that it had intended to update the message but was instructed by the European Commission to hold off on making any changes.
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This article explores how organizations can prepare for and support remote employees during disasters. It covers key strategies such as conducting disaster simulations, protecting employee devices, helping with personal disaster recovery planning, mitigating risks across geographies, and prioritizing employee well-being.
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An analysis of the Apple TV+ adaptation of Martha Wells' 'Murderbot Diaries,' focusing on the tonal shifts and character interpretations compared to the original book series. The review explores whether the adaptation captures the essence of Murderbot's humor and the deeper themes of AI, humanity, and corporate influence.
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Experiencing the frustrating 'This Site Can't Be Reached' error? This comprehensive guide offers a step-by-step approach to diagnose and resolve the issue, covering everything from basic connection checks to advanced proxy and firewall configurations.
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TeleMessage, a Signal clone used by a Trump administration official, was hacked in 20 minutes due to a basic misconfiguration. The hacker exploited a publicly accessible heap dump, revealing usernames, passwords, and plaintext chat logs. The vulnerability stemmed from a failure to secure the Spring Boot Actuator, highlighting the risks of weak password hashing and exposed sensitive data.
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Following the alleged use of a partially 3D-printed ghost gun in a high-profile murder, the author undertakes an experiment to build the exact same weapon. The article details the process of 3D printing the frame, sourcing other components online, assembling the firearm with the help of a 3D-printed gun expert, and test-firing it. It highlights the significant advancements in 3D printing technology over the past decade and critically examines the current state of US gun control laws, revealing how easy and legal it remains in many parts of the country to create untraceable firearms, despite recent regulatory efforts.
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An in-depth interview with Bluesky CEO Jay Graber, exploring the platform's journey from a Twitter experiment to a rapidly growing decentralized social network. Graber discusses the core principles and technology of the AT Protocol, its potential to foster a diverse ecosystem of interconnected apps, plans for new features like communities and verification, monetization strategies, and her vision for a more democratic and open social internet, distinct from traditional centralized platforms and blockchain-based Web3.
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Bluesky is launching a beta feature during the NBA playoffs that highlights live game posts from the official NBA account with a 'live' border. Clicking the profile picture redirects users to the event being promoted, often off-platform. This strategy, which contrasts sharply with Twitter's past attempts to host live streams, aims to attract the highly engaged 'Sports Twitter' audience by focusing on discovery and utility rather than keeping users locked within the app. The feature is also planned for WNBA games.
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Austin Russell, the founder and billionaire CEO of lidar company Luminar, has been replaced by former Nuance chief Paul Ricci. The board cited a code of business conduct and ethics inquiry as the reason for Russell's resignation, which was effective immediately and announced alongside the company's first-quarter earnings. Russell will remain on the board. The day after the announcement, board member Jun Hong Heng also resigned. The details of the ethics inquiry remain undisclosed, though the board stated it does not impact financial results. The leadership change introduces uncertainty as Luminar navigates the competitive autonomous vehicle sensor market.
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A video by popular YouTuber MrBeast, featuring exploration of the ancient Maya city of Chichén Itzá, has drawn sharp criticism and threats of legal action from Mexico's culture secretary and the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). The video allegedly depicted violations of site rules, including climbing structures and filming at night, sparking a debate about responsible tourism and content creation at sensitive historical locations.
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This article delves into the phenomenon of MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson), the YouTube star known for his extravagant stunts and large-scale acts of charity, using the example of his video funding cataract surgeries for 1,000 people. It explores his rise to fame, his unique content formula, the economics behind his massive giveaways, and the ethical debates surrounding his blend of entertainment and philanthropy.
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Following the alleged use of a partially 3D-printed pistol in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, WIRED journalist Andy Greenberg built and tested an exact replica of the weapon. The experiment revealed how significantly 3D printing technology and the accessibility of firearm components have advanced in the last decade, while federal gun control laws have largely failed to keep pace. The author successfully printed, assembled, and fired the Glock-style ghost gun, highlighting the ease with which untraceable firearms can be created legally in many parts of the US, raising significant concerns about public safety and the future of gun regulation.
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Google announced at Google I/O 2025 the rebranding of its 3D teleconferencing platform, Project Starline, to Google Beam. The platform, designed for corporate use, is set to ship to early customers like Deloitte, Salesforce, Citadel, NEC, and Duolingo later in 2025 through a partnership with HP. Beam utilizes a combination of hardware, including a six-camera array and custom light field display, and AI to create a realistic 3D rendering of the user, aiming for a more natural and immersive conversational experience. It will integrate with major videoconferencing services like Google Meet and Zoom. Despite a trend towards return-to-office, Google believes there is still demand for advanced solutions like Beam, particularly for office-to-office communication, citing testing by around 100 companies.
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Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the company's intention to launch its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, as early as June. This move represents a pivotal moment in Tesla's long-standing pursuit of fully autonomous transportation and the realization of the 'Tesla Network' vision.
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TikTok's 'SkinnyTok' trend, promoting extreme weight loss and disordered eating, is widely accessible and impacting young users. Despite platform efforts, this content persists, amplified by algorithms and the popularity of weight loss drugs. In response, some creators are employing humor and direct challenges to debunk harmful messaging, offering alternative perspectives and encouraging recovery, though experts caution about the potential for shaming.
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President Trump publicly criticized Walmart after the retailer warned that tariffs would necessitate price increases. Trump urged Walmart and China to 'eat the tariffs' rather than pass costs to consumers. Walmart's CFO highlighted the unprecedented speed and magnitude of price hikes, while the company stated it would work to keep prices low despite thin retail margins. This incident underscores the broader impact of tariffs on U.S. businesses and consumers, with other companies like Microsoft, Mattel, and Ford also signaling potential price increases.
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President Trump has announced a $175 billion initiative dubbed the 'Golden Dome,' a comprehensive missile defense system intended to protect the US from various missile threats. The plan, evolving from the earlier 'Iron Dome of America' concept, involves a network of space-based interceptors, surveillance satellites, and land/air-based missiles. While proponents, including General Michael Guetlein of the US Space Force, aim for operational status within three years, the project faces significant skepticism regarding its ambitious timeline, projected cost (potentially far exceeding the initial estimate), and technical feasibility against sophisticated modern arsenals and countermeasures employed by potential adversaries like China and Russia. Critics and reports from bodies like the CBO and GAO highlight the historical challenges, immense costs, and limited effectiveness of previous missile defense efforts, suggesting the Golden Dome may be more aspirational than achievable, while offering substantial financial opportunities for defense contractors.
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Lidar technology pioneer Luminar has entered into an agreement with Yorkville Advisors Global and another investor for the potential sale of up to $200 million in convertible preferred stock over 18 months. This financial maneuver comes at a critical juncture for the company, closely following the abrupt replacement of founder and CEO Austin Russell by Paul Ricci and the initiation of a third round of layoffs since spring 2024. The initial tranche of $35 million is expected to bolster Luminar's balance sheet, support general corporate purposes, and aid in debt retirement, providing a necessary liquidity runway as the company navigates significant operational and leadership transitions.
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Universal Orlando has officially announced that its highly anticipated new theme park, Epic Universe, will open its gates on May 22, 2025. The expansion features five distinct realms: the central Celestial Park, Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe, and How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk. All five areas are expected to be ready for guests on opening day, promising immersive experiences based on beloved franchises. Tickets for the new park will go on sale starting October 22.
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Following two consecutive test flight failures, the Federal Aviation Administration has granted clearance for SpaceX to proceed with the ninth test flight of its Starship rocket system. This approval comes with stringent conditions, including a significant expansion of the temporary hazard areas established for public safety. The new safety zones, based on updated analysis from SpaceX, cover a much larger region extending eastward from the Texas launch site, roughly doubling the size used for the previous flight. Additionally, the FAA is requiring the launch to occur during non-peak travel periods to minimize disruption to air traffic, a measure prompted by diversions caused by earlier mishaps. This clearance is a critical step for SpaceX as it continues to develop Starship for ambitious goals like Mars colonization, deploying its Starlink satellite constellation, and serving government missions, highlighting the complex interplay between rapid aerospace innovation and regulatory oversight.
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Bluesky has launched its verification program, enabling notable and authentic accounts to apply for a blue checkmark. The platform is also introducing a system for organizations to become 'Trusted Verifiers,' decentralizing the verification process. This move aims to establish authenticity while navigating user concerns about creating a hierarchical system, contrasting with the evolving verification landscape on platforms like Twitter/X and Threads. Bluesky also highlights its existing domain-based verification as an alternative method.
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Testimony before a UK House of Lords committee highlighted the United Kingdom's significant reliance on the United States for critical space security and military technology. Experts expressed concern over potential shifts in US foreign policy, particularly under a future Trump administration, which could impact this long-standing 'special relationship'. The UK's historical decision not to pursue full sovereign capabilities in areas like satellite launches and nuclear weapons development, relying instead on US provision, has created a structural dependence now being re-evaluated in light of changing geopolitical dynamics and US rhetoric.
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The US Federal Trade Commission's landmark antitrust trial against Meta, challenging its 2012 acquisition of Instagram and 2014 acquisition of WhatsApp, began in April 2025. The FTC alleges these deals were part of a monopolistic strategy to stifle competition in the social media market and seeks to unwind them. Meta defends the acquisitions, arguing they fueled the apps' growth, that the company faces significant competition from platforms like TikTok and YouTube, and that the FTC's market definition is too narrow. This article provides a detailed overview of the trial's key developments, witness testimonies, and legal arguments presented by both sides.
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Hinge Health, a leader in digital musculoskeletal care, recently completed its initial public offering, debuting on the NYSE with a first-day pop. However, its public market valuation settled significantly below its last private funding round valuation, placing it among a growing cohort of companies undertaking 'down round' IPOs. This article delves into the details of Hinge Health's market debut, the broader context of down rounds in the current economic climate, the competitive landscape in digital health, and the implications for the company and the sector.
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