Microsoft released an emergency update to fix a serious security problem in its ASP.NET Core software used on macOS and Linux. The flaw allowed hackers to gain full control of affected devices by exploiting a weakness in how the software checks digital signatures. Users must update and take extra steps to protect their systems fully.
Key Facts
The vulnerability affects Microsoft.AspNetCore.DataProtection versions 10.0.0 to 10.0.6 on macOS and Linux.
Hackers could exploit this flaw to gain SYSTEM-level access, meaning full control of the device.
The problem is due to incorrect checking of cryptographic signatures during data validation.
Even after updating to version 10.0.7, previously stolen authentication tokens may still allow unauthorized access.
Microsoft advises users to rotate their DataProtection keys to invalidate any forged tokens created during the vulnerable period.
The issue does not affect Windows users because different encryptors are used there.
The flaw was found while fixing another bug related to decryption failures in the software.
Users whose applications run internet-facing endpoints are at higher risk and should audit tokens and reset credentials where needed.
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Anthropic tested removing Claude Code, a popular tool, from its $20-per-month Pro subscription plan for about 2% of new users, causing concern among developers. The company explained the test was to manage higher usage and maintain service quality, and it later updated its pricing page to show Claude Code remains available in the Pro plan.
Key Facts
Anthropic considered removing Claude Code from the Pro plan, which costs $20 per month.
Claude Code stayed included in the $100-per-month Max plan.
The removal was a small test affecting roughly 2% of new Pro sign-ups.
Usage of Claude Code and related workflows has increased a lot recently.
Anthropic has introduced limits during peak hours to handle high demand.
The company updated its pricing page to say Claude Code is still in the Pro plan after user confusion.
Anthropic promised to notify users well in advance before making changes that affect existing subscribers.
Heavy use of Claude Code is causing occasional service problems for Anthropic.
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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that artificial intelligence (AI) will not replace human air traffic controllers. He believes AI can help make flying safer, but human controllers will always have the final say in important decisions.
Key Facts
Sean Duffy is the Transportation Secretary.
He addressed worries about AI replacing air traffic controllers.
Duffy said AI could improve safety in air traffic control.
Human controllers will keep control over key decisions.
This statement was made during an interview with CBS News.
The U.S. is working on modernizing its air traffic control system.
The goal is to use AI as a tool, not a replacement for humans.
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Google has introduced its eighth-generation custom chips called TPUs (Tensor Processing Units) designed for faster and more efficient AI work. There are two new types: TPU 8t for training AI models much quicker, and TPU 8i for running AI models more efficiently during use.
Key Facts
Google uses its own TPUs instead of Nvidia AI chips for its cloud AI services.
TPU 8t is built to speed up AI training, reducing the time from months to weeks.
TPU 8t clusters, called pods, contain 9,600 chips and 2 petabytes of shared memory.
TPU 8t can scale up to one million chips working together in a single system.
TPU 8i is designed for running AI models (inference) more efficiently, with larger pods of 1,152 chips.
TPU 8i chips have three times more on-chip SRAM memory (384 MB) for faster processing of longer tasks.
Both new TPUs use Google's custom ARM-based CPUs instead of older x86 CPUs, improving energy efficiency.
Google aims to make AI training and use more efficient to reduce costs and power consumption.
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A new poll from Quinnipiac University shows that 74 percent of Americans believe college students should be taught how to use artificial intelligence (AI). Only 14 percent said learning AI is not important for college students.
Key Facts
The poll was released on Wednesday by Quinnipiac University.
74 percent of Americans think it is very or somewhat important for college students to learn AI skills.
14 percent of people say it is not important at all for students to learn AI.
The poll highlights growing public support for AI education in colleges.
AI refers to technology that allows machines to perform tasks that normally need human intelligence, like recognizing speech or making decisions.
The results come during a time when AI technology is rapidly expanding and becoming more common.
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Anthropic is investigating a possible unauthorized access to its new AI model called Mythos, which helps find software weaknesses. The company says the possible breach was limited to a third-party vendor and they have not found any issues in their own systems.
Key Facts
Mythos is an AI model released by Anthropic in April to help detect software security problems.
It was shared only with a few big companies like Amazon, Apple, Cisco, JPMorgan Chase, and Nvidia.
Anthropic uses third-party vendors to help develop its AI models.
There is a report that unauthorized users accessed Mythos through a vendor’s system.
So far, no breach has been found inside Anthropic’s main systems.
Federal officials and global leaders worry Mythos could be misused by hackers to attack important systems like banks and hospitals.
The goal of Mythos is to improve security by helping companies find and fix vulnerabilities faster.
Experts warn AI tools like Mythos might help hackers move faster than humans in breaking into networks.
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Physicists have found that a previously observed difference between the muon's magnetic behavior and theoretical predictions is actually due to an error in calculations. This means the Standard Model of particle physics still correctly explains the muon's properties, and no new force or particle is needed.
Key Facts
The muon is a heavier relative of the electron, used to test particle physics theories.
Scientists measured the muon's magnetic moment to see if it matched predictions by the Standard Model.
Earlier experiments showed a small but unexpected difference (discrepancy) that hinted at new physics.
New calculations using a different method eliminated that discrepancy, showing it was a mistake.
The Standard Model remains accurate in describing the muon's magnetic properties.
The Muon g-2 experiment and other studies aimed to find signs of unknown forces or particles.
Statistical signals called "sigma" indicate the strength of these results; 5 sigma is needed for discovery.
The recent findings reduce the chance that unknown physics affects the muon's magnetism.
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Sony built a robot called Ace that can play table tennis at a level similar to expert human players. Using artificial intelligence, Ace learns from experience and can react quickly, sometimes beating professional athletes in matches on a specially built Olympic-sized table.
Key Facts
Sony created a robot arm named Ace to play table tennis.
Ace uses reinforcement learning, a type of AI where it learns by practicing instead of being explicitly programmed.
The robot has nine cameras around the court to track the ball’s movement and spin.
Ace has eight joints allowing it to move its paddle quickly and accurately.
Sony built a full-size Olympic table tennis court for fair matches with human players.
Some professional players were surprised by how well Ace performed.
Sony says this is the first time a robot has matched expert human play in a common physical sport.
The technology could be useful in factories and other industries requiring fast, adaptive robots.
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Anthropic, a US tech startup, created an advanced AI model called Mythos that can find unknown security weaknesses in computer systems. Because Mythos could help hackers exploit these hidden flaws, Anthropic has not released it to the public, but some companies like Apple and Goldman Sachs are testing it. Recently, some people gained unauthorized access to Mythos, raising concerns about keeping risky AI tools safe.
Key Facts
Mythos is an AI model designed to find unknown security flaws in software and systems.
These flaws, called “zero-day” vulnerabilities, are unknown to developers and can be exploited before being fixed.
Anthropic announced Mythos on April 7 but decided not to release it publicly to avoid cybersecurity risks.
Selected companies, including Apple and Goldman Sachs, have access to Mythos for testing.
A small group of people reportedly gained unauthorized access to Mythos in a private online forum.
The UK’s AI Security Institute says Mythos is more advanced than earlier AI models in terms of cybersecurity threats.
Mythos successfully completed a complex 32-step simulated cyber-attack during testing.
Experts say Mythos highlights the rapid growth in AI capabilities and the need for improved cybersecurity.
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Sony AI developed a robot named Ace that successfully beat some top table tennis players in official matches. Ace uses multiple cameras and an eight-jointed arm to track and respond to fast, spinning balls, showing advanced skills in playing the game.
Key Facts
Ace won three out of five matches against elite table tennis players but lost to professionals.
The robot uses images from several cameras to track the ball’s position and spin from different angles.
Ace has an eight-jointed arm on a movable base, allowing it to move and hit shots quickly.
It learned to handle spins and shots through 3,000 hours of simulated games.
Ace can perform tricky shots, like rapid backspin, that surprised even professional players.
The robot does not have eyes like humans and shows no emotions or intentions during matches.
The project was led by Peter Dürr at Sony AI in Zurich, and results were published in the journal Nature.
Experts say this achievement is important for robotics but noted that more engineering is needed for practical everyday robots.
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John Ternus will become Apple’s new CEO in September. He has worked at Apple for more than 20 years, mainly focusing on designing the company’s hardware products like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Key Facts
John Ternus is 50 years old.
He has worked at Apple for over two decades.
Ternus’s main expertise is hardware engineering.
Apple is known for products like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac computers.
He will take over as CEO starting in September.
Before becoming CEO, he held a senior role at the company.
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A medical student from India named Sam created an AI-generated Instagram character called Emily Hart, designed to appeal to a conservative, pro-Trump audience. Using AI tools, he posted themed images and political messages, which gained millions of views and thousands of followers, generating income through subscriptions and merchandise.
Key Facts
Sam is a 22-year-old medical student from northern India who needed extra money.
He used Google’s AI tool Gemini to help create an AI-generated character named Emily Hart.
Emily Hart’s profile targeted conservative, pro-MAGA (Make America Great Again) viewers, especially older men in the U.S.
The Instagram account featured AI-generated images of Emily doing activities and posting political commentary supporting conservative views.
The account quickly gained millions of views and over 10,000 followers within a month.
Sam earned a few thousand dollars a month from paid subscriptions on Fanvue and selling MAGA-themed merchandise.
The trend of AI-generated conservative influencers is growing on social media, typically featuring white, blonde characters with emergency responder jobs.
The AI chatbot Gemini claims it provides neutral advice and does not favor any political viewpoint unless asked.
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The 22nd BAFTA Game Awards honored Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as the top game, making it one of only two games to win major awards at all five main gaming events. The ceremony highlighted a wide range of games, celebrating creativity and artistic achievement over commercial success.
Key Facts
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won the main prize at the 22nd BAFTA Game Awards.
It is only the second game, after Baldur’s Gate 3, to win at all five major game award shows.
Blue Prince won the game design award and was praised for its unique, artistic gameplay.
Other games honored include Dispatch, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, and Ghost of Yōtei.
The BAFTA awards focus on creative and artistic achievements rather than financial success or popularity.
Game developers often express gratitude for players connecting emotionally with their games.
The event showcases diverse types of games, including those addressing serious themes like dementia.
The awards contrast with commercial gaming events, emphasizing games as a form of art and culture.
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The article explains that current cybersecurity systems are not prepared to handle threats from artificial intelligence (AI). It argues that regulating AI may not stop these dangers, so we need to get ready for a riskier cybersecurity future.
Key Facts
Current cybersecurity defenses struggle to protect against AI-related threats.
Attempts to regulate AI may not be effective in preventing security risks.
AI can create new and more complex security challenges.
Preparing now is essential to handle future AI-driven cyberattacks.
The article uses the example of Claude Mythos to show these risks.
The cybersecurity landscape will become more dangerous as AI advances.
Immediate action and new strategies are needed for cybersecurity.
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In a small German care home, a social robot named Emma interacts with elderly residents by telling jokes and having conversations. The robot is designed to help with staff shortages and provide companionship, although residents still prefer human contact.
Key Facts
Emma is a small social robot used in a care home in Albershausen, Germany.
The robot can remember past talks, recognize faces, and has knowledge from artificial intelligence.
Emma’s role is to encourage residents to talk and reduce loneliness caused by staff shortages.
Residents like Waltraud find Emma entertaining but still prefer human interaction.
The robot’s design and use reflect a growing trend of using technology to support care workers.
The photographer has documented various human-robot interactions in different settings.
Experts believe robots should assist, not replace, human workers in care.
The rise of social robots raises questions about the future of human-technology relationships.
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ChargePoint has introduced the Express Solo, a new DC fast charger for electric vehicles (EVs) that can deliver up to 600 kilowatts (kW) of power. This fast charger is compact, easy to install, and can charge two vehicles at once, offering faster charging compared to most existing chargers in the U.S.
Key Facts
The Express Solo charger can deliver up to 600 kW of power, which is higher than most current U.S. fast chargers.
It can charge two EVs at the same time, sharing the 600 kW between them or giving one vehicle the full power.
The charger uses direct current (DC) input, which improves efficiency and reduces costs by eliminating the need for some components.
It has both CCS1 and NACS sockets, allowing it to work with a wide range of electric vehicles.
The design is modular, meaning more charging plugs can be added later to increase capacity.
The charger supports bidirectional power, so it can both charge vehicles and take power from them to store on site.
It costs about 30% less to buy and operate than comparable high-power chargers.
This development aims to help reduce charging time, an important factor encouraging more people to use electric vehicles.
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Mathieu Kassovitz, the director of the film La Haine, supports the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in making movies. He predicts that in a few years, AI-created actors will be common and people will not worry about whether characters are made by AI or real actors.
Key Facts
Mathieu Kassovitz is making a mostly AI-created film based on a 1940s comic book.
He believes AI is the final important tool artists need for cinema.
Kassovitz saw an AI-generated character show real emotion, which impressed him.
He expects AI actors with millions of followers who can interact directly with fans.
Kassovitz is starting an AI film studio in Paris to explore the technology further.
Using AI can reduce special effects costs from $50-60 million to $25 million.
Hollywood studios are investing more in AI and hiring tech experts for film-making.
Some people worry AI movies lack soul and could replace actors and other creatives.
Kassovitz dismisses copyright concerns, saying all artists borrow ideas from others.
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Xbox has lowered the price of its Game Pass subscription service after raising it six months ago. However, new Call of Duty games will only be available on the more expensive Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass about a year after release, instead of at launch.
Key Facts
Xbox cut the price of Game Pass Ultimate in the UK from £22.99 to £16.99 per month.
PC Game Pass price dropped from £13.49 to £10.99 per month in the UK.
New Call of Duty games will no longer be accessible on Game Pass at launch, but about a year later on the premium subscriptions.
Game Pass offers access to a large library of Xbox games for a monthly fee.
The recent price cut comes after backlash to a 50% price increase six months earlier.
Xbox’s new head, Asha Sharma, admitted the service had become too expensive for players.
Some fans see the price cut as positive, but others worry about trust and future changes to the service.
Xbox plans to rely more on advertising and platform strategies to make money.
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NASA is hiring engineers and technologists to join a new team called NASA Force, which will support the United States’ air and space programs. This hiring comes after the successful Artemis II mission, which was a crewed flight around the moon and the first in NASA’s Artemis program.
Key Facts
NASA Force seeks early- to mid-career engineers, technologists, and innovators for important roles.
Artemis II was a 10-day mission where four astronauts flew around the moon and returned safely to Earth.
The Artemis II mission sparked global interest and drew over 18 million viewers online, plus many people watching in person.
NASA has about 18,000 employees working in various roles related to air and space research and operations.
The new hiring effort is in partnership with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
The first phase of recruitment focuses on aerospace engineers.
NASA’s goal is to bring in fresh talent to help with future space exploration and innovation projects.
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The Sea Otter Classic is a large bicycle trade event held in Monterey County, California, showcasing new bikes and bike accessories. This year, the show featured innovative products like new types of helmets, cargo bikes, and bike transport gear from various companies, including a new electric cargo bike by Rivian.
Key Facts
The Sea Otter Classic took place from April 16 to April 19 near Monterey, California.
It is the largest consumer trade cycling show in the world.
The event features a wide range of bike types, including road, mountain, electric, gravel, and cargo bikes.
Major bike brands such as Continental, Trek, Specialized, and Abus participate in the show.
New bike accessories included a helmet from Pikio Labs that uses a flexible skeleton-like foam structure called OBLIK for better impact protection.
Rivian, an electric vehicle maker, introduced a new electric cargo bike.
The Pikio helmet improves upon the common MIPS design by allowing the helmet shell to move in multiple directions, reducing the impact force.
The event also included bikepacking-related activities like a campout and party, highlighting newer bike uses and cultures.
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