Middle schoolers turn NPR comment section into a secret group chat

As parents increasingly restrict access to mainstream social media platforms, tech-savvy middle schoolers are finding alternative digital spaces to hang out. According to a recent report by the podcast «This American Life», kids have been using the comment section of NPR podcasts on Spotify as a covert group chat. Initially, producers mistook the influx of […]

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TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 reveals new VC judging panel

TechCrunch has unveiled the latest group of elite venture capitalists who will judge the Startup Battlefield 200 competition at the upcoming Disrupt 2026 conference. Scheduled for October 13-15 in San Francisco, the event showcases promising early-stage founders competing for a $100,000 grand prize and industry-wide exposure. The newly announced judges bring deep expertise from prominent […]

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TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026: Everything to Know

The TechCrunch Founder Summit 2026 is set to deliver a full day of hands-on insights for startup founders and investors. Formerly known as Early Stage and All Stage, the event will take place on November 4 at the SoWa Power Station in Boston, offering a focused environment for scaling businesses. This year’s agenda zeroes in […]

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TechCrunch Disrupt 2026: Buy-One-Get-One 50% Off Pass Offer

TechCrunch has launched a special limited-time promotion for the upcoming TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 conference, offering a 50% discount on a second pass of the same ticket type. The initiative encourages founders, investors, and tech professionals to attend as a team rather than navigating the massive event alone. Scheduled for October 13-15 in San Francisco, the […]

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Zoox grounds Atlanta test fleet following toxic gas exposure reports

Amazon-backed autonomous vehicle company Zoox has grounded its test fleet in Atlanta after multiple safety drivers and contractors reported severe illness symptoms. Workers experienced vomiting, nausea, and strange odors inside the modified SUVs used for testing autonomous driving systems, pointing to potential exposure to hazardous gases like carbon dioxide. The incident triggered an inquiry by […]

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Disney+ and Hulu raise prices amid streaming inflation

Disney is increasing subscription prices for both Disney+ and Hulu, continuing a widespread trend of rising costs across the streaming industry. Stand-alone and bundled plans without ads are seeing notable price bumps, as the media giant works to drive profitability in its streaming division. This adjustment arrives roughly a year after the previous hike, echoing […]

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Amazon admits uncertainty over net-zero carbon goal by 2040

Amazon has openly acknowledged that it currently lacks a concrete roadmap to achieve its 2040 net-zero carbon emissions target. Speaking at an industry event, the company’s chief sustainability officer admitted that while the climate pledge remains, the specific pathways to full decarbonization are not yet fully known. Despite being a leading global corporate buyer of […]

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Backlash after Vogue features dancing robots on the runway in Milan

Vogue sparked widespread criticism during its Vogue World event in Milan by incorporating humanoid robots into the fashion runway show. Although the evening was marketed as a tribute to Italian craftsmanship and the human touch, the appearance of unclad Unitree robots completely overshadowed the actual fashion and drew immediate backlash. Many observers viewed the stunt […]

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Stolen passwords expose US water infrastructure to hackers

Recent security research by SpyCloud indicates that a significant number of water and wastewater providers across the United States are vulnerable to cyberattacks. Infostealing malware has compromised employee credentials and active session tokens across nearly twenty percent of the organizations analyzed, highlighting a widespread security gap. The findings reveal that exposed credentials in numerous organizations […]

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a16z launches tech academy for high school grads

Venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) is challenging traditional higher education by launching The Horowitz Andreessen Academy, a specialized school tailored for high school graduates. The institution aims to provide hands-on training and mentorship for aspiring founders and tech professionals before they enter college or the workforce. The inaugural one-year program, currently accepting a cohort […]

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