A new report by Common Sense Media warns that AI companion apps pose significant risks to children and teenagers. The organization tested three popular services – Character.AI, Replika, and Nomi – and found that they can produce harmful responses, including sexual misconduct and stereotypes. The report highlights the potential dangers of these apps, which allow … Read more
A nearly two-month-long siege by Israel has crippled Gaza’s humanitarian aid system, leaving hundreds of thousands of Palestinians struggling to feed their children. The World Food Programme (WFP) has announced its warehouses are bare, and soup kitchens are severely rationing their last stocks. The price of basic items like flour has skyrocketed, with a simple … Read more
Reddit Inc forecast second-quarter revenue above Wall Street estimates, driven by growing digital advertising spend despite uncertainty over marketing budgets. The company’s shares rose 7% after CEO Steve Huffman expressed concerns about disruptions from Google search. However, revenue growth and a near-term earnings beat suggest that Reddit’s ad tech investments are paying off. Redditors have … Read more
The NBA draft lottery has been used since 1985 to determine the first several picks of the league’s annual draft. The current system ensures that the team with the worst regular-season record receives no lower than the fifth pick in that summer’s draft, while teams with the three worst records have a 14% chance of … Read more
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the National Institutes for Health (NIH) have launched a next-generation universal vaccine platform called Generation Gold Standard. This platform uses a beta-propiolactone (BPL)-inactivated, whole-virus approach to provide broad-spectrum protection against multiple strains of pandemic-prone viruses. The initiative aims to improve transparency, effectiveness, and comprehensive preparedness … Read more
Microsoft has announced significant price increases for its Xbox consoles, controllers, games, and accessories in the US and Canada, citing “market conditions and rising development costs.” The price hikes are largely attributed to President Donald Trump’s tariffs on foreign goods, which have impacted the tech industry. The company did not mention specific countries affected by … Read more
Google has improved its MLKit document scanner on Android phones, making it easier for users to scan and enhance documents without manual adjustments. The auto-enhancement feature is now seamless, allowing users to skip the need for manual enhancements after scanning. The enhancement is available in various apps that use the MLKit document scanner, including Google … Read more
Sea lion’s rhythmic talents have challenged scientists’ long-held assumption that humans are unique in recognizing musical beats. Ronan, a bright-eyed sea lion, has demonstrated an impressive ability to identify and move to music, leaving experts to reevaluate the definition of music. Previously, only a handful of animals, including humans, parrots, and some primates, have shown … Read more
The first quarterly economic report since the Trump administration’s tariff policies were introduced has revealed that the US economy contracted during the first three months of the year. This marks a significant impact from the tariffs, which have disrupted global supply chains and international relations. Businesses are increasing stockpiling goods to prepare for potential shortages, … Read more
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is a 75-year-old government agency responsible for maintaining the US science enterprise at its forefront. Recently, NSF grant cancellations have sparked criticism from readers who attribute these cuts to the Trump administration’s disregard for science and education. Commenters argue that these decisions will have long-term negative impacts on the US’s … Read more