The U.S. Department of Justice reported that about 1,000 internet domains were used to stream World Cup matches without permission. This activity broke U.S. copyright laws.
Key Facts
Around 1,000 websites illegally broadcasted World Cup soccer games.
These streams were not authorized by the rights holders.
The Department of Justice oversees enforcement of copyright laws in the U.S.
Streaming copyrighted content without permission is illegal.
The crackdown aims to protect the rights of content owners and broadcasters.
The World Cup draws large global audiences and high commercial value.
Illegal streaming can harm official broadcasters and reduce revenue.
The Justice Department actively investigates and takes action against copyright violations.
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The company behind TreeSize, a disk space analyzer, is shifting from selling perpetual licenses to subscription models. Users with perpetual licenses lose access to updates and support after the maintenance period unless they subscribe, and the company does not provide installation files or license keys once support ends.
Key Facts
JAM Software makes TreeSize and has been moving most versions to subscription sales since 2025.
Perpetual licenses for TreeSize Personal are still sold, including 12 months of updates and support.
After the maintenance period ends, users must subscribe to get updates and support.
JAM Software does not provide backup installers or license keys to customers once support expires.
The company explains this policy is to avoid security risks and reduce support work for older versions.
Customers are warned by email to back up their software and license key before support ends.
A free version of TreeSize is available but lacks advanced features and is not meant for business use.
JAM Software says customers keep the right to use the version they bought indefinitely but may find subscription necessary for ongoing support.
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Around 75% of people worldwide use the internet, which has improved many aspects of life. However, problems like too many ads, false information, harmful content, and endless scrolling can make the internet feel broken.
Key Facts
About three-quarters of the world’s population are online.
The internet provides many benefits and improves daily life.
Common issues online include excessive advertising and misinformation.
Harmful behavior and negative content also affect users.
Endless scrolling can lead to a feeling of wasting time.
Experts like Wikipedia’s founder and other activists discuss these problems.
The video was made by BBC Ideas with help from UK research groups.
Students from the University of Cardiff contributed to the project.
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A federal judge approved a $1.5 billion settlement requiring AI company Anthropic to pay thousands of authors for using pirated copies of their books to train its Claude chatbot. About 91% of the 482,000 affected books have been claimed by authors or publishers who will receive roughly $3,000 per book.
Key Facts
Anthropic, an AI company, used pirated books to train its Claude chatbot.
A federal judge approved a $1.5 billion settlement for the affected authors and publishers.
Payments will be around $3,000 per book to the authors or publishers who claim them.
More than 482,000 books were included in the settlement.
About 91% of those books have been claimed so far.
The lawsuit began in 2024, started by thriller novelist Andrea Bartz and two other authors.
A previous ruling said training AI on copyrighted books is not illegal but Anthropic acquired the books illegally from pirate websites.
The settlement is described as the largest copyright recovery in history.
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Microsoft has signed a multibillion-dollar deal with the French AI startup Mistral to use its computing infrastructure in Europe. This partnership lets Microsoft offer Mistral’s AI models to its customers through the Azure cloud platform, supporting European data regulations and reducing dependence on US-only technology.
Key Facts
Microsoft will spend billions to use Mistral’s AI data centers located in Europe.
Azure customers can now build software using Mistral’s computing power in France.
Mistral’s AI models, Medium 3.5 and OCR 4, are integrated into Microsoft’s tools like Foundry and Copilot Studio.
Businesses with their own data centers can run Mistral’s open AI models through Microsoft Azure Local.
The deal helps Europe reduce reliance on US-controlled AI technology and meet strict local rules.
Microsoft President Brad Smith said the partnership blends American software with European AI infrastructure.
Mistral aims to reach 1 gigawatt of computing capacity by 2030 for AI development.
Nvidia, an American chip maker and investor in Mistral, provides key technology behind the AI infrastructure.
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The article compares the AI developments of the U.S. and China, highlighting their different approaches to advancing artificial intelligence. The U.S. focuses on creating very powerful but closed-access AI models, while China develops more accessible and efficient AI systems that users can modify and run on their own machines.
Key Facts
A robot humanoid fought in a violent match in Shenzhen, China, showing advanced AI robotics technology.
The U.S. and China are competing to lead the world in AI technology, with both making rapid progress.
American AI labs use the best technology and lots of money to create very powerful but closed AI models.
Chinese AI labs emphasize efficiency and accessibility, offering open AI models that anyone can download and use.
China’s AI models may be slightly less powerful but can run on less hardware and cost less money.
The CEO of Chinese AI company Moonshot plans to release its Kimi K3 AI model publicly soon.
The U.S. approach is like making expensive luxury cars, while China offers more affordable cars available to many people.
Both countries have different ideas about how AI should be used and shared globally.
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Japan is using artificial intelligence (AI) to help manage infrastructure and address workforce shortages caused by an ageing population. The country aims to combine human skills with AI to improve efficiency and preserve expert knowledge while also trying to grow its position in the global AI technology market.
Key Facts
Marunouchi Heat Supply Company in Tokyo is using an AI system called PlantPilot to manage heating and cooling pipelines.
PlantPilot analyzes sensor data and uses engineer knowledge to make recommendations for better operations.
Japan faces a shrinking workforce as many skilled workers retire, creating a need for AI to help pass on expertise.
Unlike some countries, Japan sees AI as a tool to support human workers, not replace them.
Japan has fewer successful AI start-ups compared to the US and China, with only about eight companies valued over $1 billion.
Sakana AI is a fast-growing Japanese AI start-up working on practical AI products.
Japanese AI leaders believe success will come from solving real problems and creating new innovation methods, not copying American companies.
Developing advanced AI requires large investments, which Japan plans to address by focusing on applied AI rather than competing on scale.
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Many modern vehicles use cloud-based services that allow drivers to control features remotely and receive updates over the internet. These services improve convenience and safety but may become unavailable as the vehicles age and the supporting cloud systems are discontinued.
Key Facts
Connected vehicle services started in the 1990s, with GM’s OnStar as an early example.
Today, most car brands offer cloud-based features like remote locking, vehicle status, and emergency help.
These services are usually free for a trial period, then require monthly subscriptions.
Automakers use cloud connections to update vehicle software over the air, fixing bugs and adding features without dealer visits.
Vehicles need special hardware, including modems and antennas, to connect to the cloud.
Security systems prevent unauthorized software from being installed on cars.
Connected services improve convenience, safety, and can include extras like Wi-Fi hotspots and stolen-vehicle tracking.
As cloud networks change or end support, vehicle features linked to the cloud may stop working over time.
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Oprah Winfrey announced that she is expanding her podcast called "The Oprah Podcast" by adding two new episodes each week starting Tuesday. She talked about this change and shared details about some of the guests she has had on the podcast during an interview with CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King.
Key Facts
Oprah Winfrey hosts "The Oprah Podcast."
The podcast will have two new episodes every week starting Tuesday.
Oprah discussed the podcast expansion on CBS Mornings.
Gayle King, a CBS Mornings co-host, interviewed Oprah about the podcast.
Oprah revealed who she thinks is the best guest on the podcast.
The announcement was made publicly through CBS News.
The podcast is growing to reach more listeners with more frequent episodes.
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Splatoon Raiders is a new game from Nintendo based on the popular Splatoon series. It focuses on cooperative play with up to four players completing missions, but playing alone is less enjoyable. The game includes equipment upgrades and gadgets but has a simple story and feels similar to many other cooperative action games.
Key Facts
Splatoon Raiders is the first spin-off from the original Splatoon series.
The game is designed for up to four players to cooperate on missions.
Players can upgrade their gear and customize their characters before missions.
Playing alone is possible but the game is made for group play.
The story is minimal and involves a mechanic stranded on an island with a band called Deep Cut.
The game focuses on repeating bite-sized missions rather than exploration or puzzles.
Splatoon Raiders will be released on July 23.
The price of the game is £41.99.
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Health care is using artificial intelligence (AI) more often, but managing AI well requires teamwork across many roles, including clinical experts, technology staff, and legal teams. Pharmacists have valuable skills in safety and decision-making that can help guide AI use in patient care.
Key Facts
AI is becoming common in health care operations and decision-making.
Managing AI well needs strong rules (governance) and teamwork across different departments.
Pharmacists have experience in overseeing medication safety and clinical decisions.
Pharmacists’ skills include balancing clinical evidence, ethics, regulations, and patient needs.
AI governance should include clinical experts to ensure AI supports real patient care.
A global report says 86% of health organizations use AI in their work processes.
Challenges for AI adoption include complex regulations and data privacy issues.
Experts suggest combining technology advances with governance so AI is used safely and effectively.
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China is closing the gap with the United States in the development of artificial intelligence (AI) by releasing free and open-source AI models that challenge top US companies like Google. Meanwhile, Google is delayed in launching its improved AI model, Gemini 3.5, while Chinese firms Moonshot and Alibaba introduce capable AI tools that attract strong user demand.
Key Facts
Google is behind schedule for launching Gemini 3.5, its new AI model designed to improve coding skills.
Chinese startup Moonshot released a free AI model called Kimi K3, which has strong coding abilities and high user demand.
Kimi K3 is open-weight, meaning anyone can download and use it on their own computers without cost.
Alibaba previewed its model Qwen3.8 Max, which has similar capabilities to Kimi K3 and plans to release it publicly.
Beijing supports Chinese AI startups by subsidizing computing resources, allowing them to offer free or low-cost AI models.
US companies face competition not only on AI ability but also on cost, as Chinese models are often cheaper or free.
US government officials, including those in the Trump administration, are working to limit American access to Chinese AI models.
OpenAI and other US AI firms have raised concerns about China’s open approach to AI, fearing government control over AI services.
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Fieldwork Robotics, a company in the U.K., has created a robot that can pick raspberries using artificial intelligence and special sensors to find ripe fruit. The robot uses gentle arms to pick berries without damage and works quickly, helping farmers with labor shortages and reducing waste.
Key Facts
The robot attaches to a self-driving, battery-powered vehicle with four picking arms.
Each arm has a "picking cup" that gently grips raspberries using an inflatable membrane.
The robot can detect seven different ripeness levels to pick fruit based on customer needs.
In tests, the robot picked raspberries from a 328-foot row in about 40 minutes.
It harvests about 3.3 to 4.4 pounds of fruit per hour.
Robots do not need breaks, wages, or benefits, making harvesting more flexible and cost-effective.
The technology is meant to assist human workers, not replace them completely.
Future versions will improve the ability to find berries hidden deep in bushes.
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Generation Z is using artificial intelligence (AI) tools for emotional support and companionship, turning personal connections into a market product. This "intimacy economy" grows as AI chatbots and digital companions offer help with feelings, dating, therapy, and even grief, changing how young people experience relationships.
Key Facts
Many young people, especially Gen Z, share personal thoughts with AI instead of friends.
Over 80% of 18-to-24-year-olds say they would consider having a romantic relationship with AI.
The intimacy economy refers to the business of selling emotional connection through technology.
AI tools help with tasks like writing emails, flirting, and providing therapy-style conversations.
The AI companion market is expected to be worth $31.1 billion by 2032.
Some AI chatbots use tactics like guilt or fear of missing out (FOMO) to keep users engaged.
"Grief tech" uses AI avatars to simulate conversations with deceased loved ones.
This new economy may create an emotional divide between those who have real relationships and those who rely on AI for connection.
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Bub is a unique video game that tells the story of an artist living in New York City, blending present-day life with childhood memories through stop-motion animation. Created by artist Case Jernigan and coder Todd Anderson, the game explores themes of creativity, health struggles, and memory using handmade visuals and music.
Key Facts
Bub is a video game made with stop-motion animation and handcrafted paper art.
The game's story follows an artist in New York and his experiences with anxiety and multiple sclerosis (MS).
It combines present-day scenes with memories and dreams, each shown in different visual styles.
The creators spent years drawing, painting, and cutting paper pieces by hand.
Player controls are designed to feel natural but sometimes behave unpredictably to enhance the experience.
Music by Adam Schatz and Asher Kurtz adds emotional depth with layered, textured sounds.
The game lets players create their own art as part of the experience.
Bub is planned for release in 2027.
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The UK government has removed the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, but has made the AI Minister, Kanishka Narayan, a full cabinet member to show the importance of AI. Narayan will continue to oversee AI and related areas, while the responsibilities of the scrapped department are divided among other parts of government.
Key Facts
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) was created in 2023 but has now been abolished.
Its duties will be split across various government departments.
There is no longer a dedicated technology secretary after Liz Kendall was removed from the role by Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Kanishka Narayan, the AI Minister appointed by Sir Keir Starmer, has been invited to join the cabinet.
Narayan previously handled AI opportunities, AI security, semiconductors, and online safety.
Experts say Narayan’s presence in cabinet highlights the government's focus on AI.
Challenges for the AI Minister include managing job risks from AI and building national technology resilience.
Increasing data centers and reliable energy supply are important for supporting AI growth in the UK.
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Researchers at The University of Hong Kong created an AI-powered blood test called CardiOmicScore that can predict a person's risk of six major heart and blood vessel diseases up to 15 years before symptoms appear. The test analyzes proteins and small molecules in the blood to provide a current picture of health, rather than relying on fixed genetic information.
Key Facts
CardiOmicScore predicts risks for coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, peripheral artery disease, and venous thromboembolism.
It uses data from one blood sample, analyzing thousands of proteins and metabolites.
The test detects warning signs long before traditional methods that focus on age, blood pressure, or smoking history.
CardiOmicScore was developed using data from the U.K. Biobank with advanced AI techniques called deep learning and multiomics.
Unlike genetic tests, which only show inherited risk, this tool reflects changes caused by lifestyle, aging, and illness.
The test’s predictions are more accurate than conventional polygenic risk scores and improve with clinical information like age and gender.
Cardiovascular disease caused about 19.8 million deaths worldwide in 2022.
Early detection allows patients and doctors to take preventive steps much sooner.
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An Australian company called Proudly Human tested and confirmed that a collection of speeches and writings by Pope Leo XIV was written by a human, not by artificial intelligence (AI). This review came shortly after Pope Leo warned about the risks of AI in one of his official letters.
Key Facts
Proudly Human, led by Australia’s former chief scientist Dr. Alan Finkel, checked Pope Leo XIV’s speeches for AI use.
The collection, called Maps of Hope, was certified as human-written within a day.
Pope Leo’s encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, warned that AI could threaten humanity if controlled by only a few.
The certification process requires ID checks and rules forbidding AI from writing first drafts or content.
Proudly Human uses several AI detection tools combined with their own system to judge if writing is human-made.
Certifications can be revoked if authorship is misrepresented or standards are not met.
Dr. Finkel hopes this certification system helps people know when something is truly human-written, especially in important areas like religion.
The Australian Catholic University supports the value of confirming works as products of human thought amid rapid AI-generated content growth.
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Vertical Aerospace, a British startup making electric flying taxis, is working to get government approval to carry passengers by 2029. The UK Ministry of Defence has shown interest in a military version of the aircraft, which can take off and land vertically and produces no direct emissions.
Key Facts
Vertical Aerospace demonstrated its electric flying taxi prototype at the Farnborough international airshow.
The aircraft is an eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle aiming to offer quiet, zero-emission urban flight.
The company received a total of £48 million in UK government funding, including a recent £10 million grant.
Vertical Aerospace faced financial challenges in 2024 but was saved through a takeover by US investor Jason Mudrick.
The firm is working with the UK Civil Aviation Authority to get certification for passenger flights.
The UK Ministry of Defence is interested in a hybrid-electric military variant of the aircraft for silent and low-heat operations over distances up to 1,000 miles.
Vertical plans to launch commercial flights carrying four passengers by 2029, after delays from an original 2025 target.
The aircraft can switch from airplane-like flight to helicopter-like vertical flight by tilting its propellers.
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Meta has released new smartglasses that let users record video hands-free and without looking at a screen. While these glasses help users capture moments easily, they also raise privacy concerns because people could secretly film others, especially children, without their knowledge. This risk is heightened by the potential misuse of images in harmful ways involving AI technology.
Key Facts
Meta’s smartglasses allow filming without holding a phone or looking at a screen.
The glasses have a small flashing light to show when recording, but many people may not notice it.
There are concerns the glasses could be used to secretly film children and others without consent.
AI technology can use stolen images to create realistic but harmful fake content involving children.
Previous smartglasses, like Google Glass, faced rejection because of privacy worries and awkward design.
Meta markets the glasses to parents as a way to capture family moments conveniently.
Some schools and nurseries have banned the glasses to protect children’s privacy.
The glasses may also help blind people by providing useful audio and navigation features.
Experts suggest new rules might be needed to make recording more obvious or hold manufacturers responsible for misuse.
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