US battery startups find defense lifeline

U.S. battery startups are navigating a challenging landscape following the repeal of federal electric vehicle incentives. To survive the setback in commercial demand, these companies are increasingly turning to the defense sector, powering critical military equipment ranging from drones to tactical radios. Addressing supply chain vulnerabilities and national security concerns, the Department of Energy recently […]

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OpenAI urges California to strengthen AI safety legislation

OpenAI has publicly called on California lawmakers to amend and strengthen landmark AI safety legislation, advocating for deeper safeguards. In a recent statement, the company suggested expanding requirements to monitor frontier models during their training phase and enforcing tighter cybersecurity protocols throughout the development lifecycle. This stance represents a notable shift for the AI giant, […]

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Google launches new AI study tools for students in Search and Gemini

Google has unveiled a comprehensive suite of AI-powered study features integrated into both Search and Gemini, designed to assist students with interactive learning, complex problem-solving, and research. The updates introduce AI-generated visual simulations, customizable practice quizzes, and the ability to convert uploaded documents or handwritten notes into concise study guides. This rollout reinforces Google’s competitive […]

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Betting on children: Has sports gambling crossed the line?

The availability of sports betting odds on the Little League World Series, featuring children aged 10 to 12, has sparked widespread ethical outrage. While state-regulated sportsbooks and legal prediction markets prohibit wagering on minors, offshore and unregulated betting platforms continue to exploit the demand, citing massive public interest that sometimes rivals professional sports leagues. Representatives […]

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Peacock is raising prices across all of its streaming plans

Confirmed by 2 independent sources. Streaming service Peacock is increasing subscription prices across its entire tier lineup, marking the latest adjustment in a broader industry trend. The entry-level ad-supported plan rises to $8.99 per month, while the top-tier ad-free option sees the steepest jump, climbing to $19.99 monthly. The new rates take effect immediately for […]

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Apple overhauls EU App Store fees and store rules

Apple has announced a simplified commission structure and relaxed rules for the App Store within the European Union, aiming to resolve ongoing disputes with European regulators over the Digital Markets Act. Under the updated terms, the controversial Core Technology Fee per install is replaced by a flat 5% commission on digital goods distributed via alternative […]

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Etched valuation hits $21B following major AI chip funding

AI hardware startup Etched has doubled its valuation to $21 billion after securing an additional $700 million in a funding round led by Jane Street. This rapid surge—coming just a month after a $10.3 billion valuation—highlights the intense investor appetite for innovative artificial intelligence infrastructure capable of outperforming traditional solutions. The company attributes its breakthrough […]

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Amazon destroys rare books to fuel AI model training

Amazon has been purchasing and physically destroying rare books to scan their pages for artificial intelligence training data. Investigative reports revealed that the company strips the spines off out-of-print volumes at specialized facilities, feeding its large language models with exclusive offline text. This aggressive data-gathering tactic highlights the severe shortage of fresh training material facing […]

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Sound-powered fire suppression startup raises $15M

Sonic Fire Tech has secured $15 million in funding to advance an innovative acoustic fire suppression system that extinguishes flames using sound instead of water or chemicals. Traditional fire protection methods often cause extensive property damage and costly cleanup bills, a problem this new startup aims to eliminate completely. The system relies on inaudible infrasonic […]

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Disney’s D23 kicks off with Marvel’s VisionQuest trailer

Disney’s ultimate fan event, D23 in Anaheim, kicked off with major announcements and footage from Marvel Studios, highlighted by the debut trailer for the upcoming streaming series VisionQuest. The show serves as the final chapter in the trilogy that began with WandaVision and continued through Agatha All Along. The story follows a rebooted Vision on […]

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