The teaser trailer for Toy Story 5 has been released, featuring the original cast of toys and introducing a new high-tech tablet character named Lilypad. The trailer has sparked debate online, with some praising the plot while others question the necessity of another sequel. The movie will premiere on June 19, 2026.
Key Facts
Toy Story 5 teaser trailer was released on November 11.
The franchise began with the first film in 1995, which was the first fully computer-animated feature film.
Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack are returning to voice their characters.
New cast members include Anna Faris, Ernie Hudson, Conan O’Brien, and Greta Lee.
The new character, Lilypad, is a high-tech tablet that poses a challenge to traditional toys.
Some fans are confused about Woody's return, as he left the group in Toy Story 4.
The teaser has garnered over 2.2 million views on YouTube.
Toy Story 5 is set to be released in theaters on June 19, 2026.
A few countries, mostly with strict government control, block or limit Google Maps. In some places, like North Korea and China, the service is not available. South Korea restricts Google Maps for security reasons.
Key Facts
Google Maps is blocked or restricted in several countries.
North Korea allows internet access only for select officials, with Google Maps blocked.
China blocks Google Maps through the "Great Firewall," promoting its own similar apps.
Turkmenistan restricts internet access heavily, affecting Google services.
In Cuba, Google Maps works but lacks live updates and turn-by-turn navigation.
Syria has limited map services but expects improvements after recent political changes.
South Korea limits Google Maps features due to national security, requiring data to stay within the country.
Actor Ed Helms hosts the podcast "SNAFU," where he explores historical mishaps and unusual moments from the past. The podcast features a new historical moment each episode, and it has increased its number of episodes this season. Helms is deeply curious about these stories and puts considerable effort into researching them for discussions with his guests.
Key Facts
Ed Helms, known for acting, hosts a podcast called "SNAFU."
The podcast discusses historical mishaps and mistakes.
Each episode in the new season focuses on a different historical moment.
The latest season has 30 episodes, more than previous seasons.
Helms is passionate about researching each topic deeply.
He aims to offer detailed insights to his guests and audience.
Helms enjoys talking to guests who also share a curiosity about history.
Apple has removed two popular gay dating apps, Blued and Finka, from its app store in China. This action followed an order from the Chinese government, which has strict internet regulations. A lighter version of the Blued app and some other gay dating apps remain available in China.
Key Facts
Apple removed the apps Blued and Finka from its store in China after a government order.
The Cyberspace Administration of China was behind the directive to remove the apps.
Blued is a widely-used gay dating app in China with millions of downloads.
A "lite" version of the Blued app is still accessible on Chinese app stores.
Same-sex marriages are not recognized in China, even though homosexuality was decriminalized in 1997.
In 2022, the Cyberspace Administration of China began removing apps it considered inappropriate, such as Grindr.
The Chinese government requires apps to have licenses to operate locally, affecting foreign apps.
Apple's app store in China operates under local internet laws, limiting available apps like Instagram and WhatsApp.
The UK government plans to change the law to let approved groups test AI systems to ensure they can't create child sexual abuse images. This move aims to prevent the growing number of AI-related reports of illegal content. The government wants to include child safety from the start in the design of AI systems.
Key Facts
The UK announced changes to the Crime and Policing Bill to allow testing of AI systems for child safety.
Approved testers can now assess AI models to ensure they do not produce child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
The number of AI-related CSAM reports doubled over the past year, according to the Internet Watch Foundation.
The UK plans to be the first to make creating or possessing AI-generated CSAM illegal, with penalties of up to five years in prison.
The government is working to include child protection measures in AI development from the beginning rather than as an afterthought.
Several organizations were updated, like Thorn and NSPCC, supporting the changes for more responsible AI development.
Experts raised concerns that AI tools could be used to create realistic abuse imagery, complicating policing efforts.
The measures aim to stop AI tools from being misused to create harmful content.
The release of new gaming consoles has slowed compared to the past, with no PlayStation 6 on the horizon as the PS5 celebrates its fifth year. PlayStation's business head, Eric Lempel, says there is still a lot of life in the PS5, with popular games still to come. Longer game development times and strong PS5 sales contribute to the console's extended cycle.
Key Facts
New gaming consoles used to launch every five years, but this pattern has slowed.
The PS5 is five years old, and there is no sign of a PlayStation 6 being released soon.
Eric Lempel, PlayStation's business boss, says the PS5 still has a lot to offer gamers.
The PS5 faced supply chain issues at launch due to a global chip shortage but has sold over 84 million units worldwide.
Game development now takes longer, with fewer games being released per console generation.
Upcoming high-profile games for the PS5 include Marvel's Wolverine and new games from Naughty Dog.
Gamers are playing more diverse games, including smaller indie titles.
The PS5 outsells Microsoft's Series X and S consoles but not handhelds like the Nintendo Switch and its successor.
Seven top figures in artificial intelligence received the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering at St James's Palace. King Charles presented the awards. The event also featured a discussion on space robots and driverless racing cars in Abu Dhabi.
Key Facts
Seven AI experts were honored with the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering.
The award ceremony took place at St James's Palace in the United Kingdom.
King Charles presented the awards to the AI pioneers.
Professor Fei-Fei Li, often called the 'godmother' of AI, was present at the event.
Jensen Huang, the head of Nvidia, the world's most valuable company, attended the ceremony.
Talks covered the use of robots in space.
There was also coverage of driverless racing cars being tested in Abu Dhabi.
FX has decided to continue the series "Alien: Earth" with a second season due to its strong viewership and positive reception. The show, which brings the Xenomorphs of the "Alien" franchise to Earth, is set to begin filming its new season in London in 2026, with a release expected in 2027. Creator Noah Hawley will continue his partnership with FX under a new, extensive deal.
Key Facts
"Alien: Earth" premiered on FX and Hulu on August 12.
The show received a 94% critic approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The series achieved 9.6 million global views across Hulu, FX, and Disney+.
FX has approved a second season of "Alien: Earth."
New filming for Season 2 will start in London in 2026.
The new season is expected to release in 2027.
Creator Noah Hawley has an extended deal with FX worth a considerable sum.
The show mixes elements of horror with corporate power struggles involving AI and biomechatronics.
The new sci-fi drama series "Pluribus" premiered on Apple TV with its first two episodes on November 7, 2025. The show, created by Vince Gilligan, can be streamed weekly on Apple TV, with a total of nine episodes in its first season.
Key Facts
"Pluribus" premiered on November 7, 2025, with two episodes available on Apple TV.
New episodes release every Friday at 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET.
There are nine episodes in the first season, ending on December 26, 2025.
The show was created by Vince Gilligan, known for "Breaking Bad."
Rhea Seehorn plays the lead role as Carol Sturka.
"Pluribus" received a perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The storyline follows a woman aiming to save the world from endless joy.
Russia introduced its first humanoid robot with artificial intelligence, named AIdol, at a Moscow event. During the demonstration, the robot fell, prompting onlookers to hide it from view while it was being fixed.
Key Facts
AIdol, Russia's first humanoid robot, fell during its debut in Moscow on November 10.
The robot is designed with artificial intelligence to mimic human movements and interactions.
Developers said the robot's fall was due to calibration issues and occurred during testing.
AIdol is made up of 77% Russian-made components, with plans to increase this to 93%.
It operates with a 48-volt battery that lasts up to six hours and has 19 servomotors for movement.
The robot can express over a dozen basic emotions and many micro-expressions with its face.
The incident raised questions about the readiness of Russia's robotics sector for global competition.
The article explains how to turn fallen leaves into leaf mold for gardening. Leaf mold is made from just leaves and helps improve soil conditions and plant health.
Key Facts
Fallen leaves can be turned into leaf mold, which helps gardens.
Leaf mold improves soil by keeping it moist and improving drainage.
Smaller leaves break down faster than larger leaves like oak.
Black walnut leaves should be avoided because they contain a harmful chemical.
Leaf mold can be created with simple setups like wire surrounds or plastic bags.
Adding water and nitrogen fertilizer can speed up the leaf mold's creation.
Once ready, leaf mold can be used like mulch or compost in gardens.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk suggests that the company's work in robotics and artificial intelligence could significantly change the U.S. and global economies. At a shareholder meeting, Musk highlighted the potential of Tesla's Optimus robot, predicting it may make human labor optional and could lead to widespread prosperity. Musk and others believe advancements in AI may require new financial safety nets like universal basic income.
Key Facts
Elon Musk predicts Tesla's Optimus robot could become the most significant product and help eliminate poverty.
Musk discussed the potential for a universal basic income due to advancements in AI and robotics.
Key business leaders like Bill Gates and Jensen Huang also see AI as having a strong impact on working and living conditions.
Some concerns exist about AI potentially disrupting the workforce and creating a need for new social support systems.
During the shareholder meeting, Musk spoke about possible global deployment of "tens of billions" of Optimus robots.
Musk suggested AI and robots could make traditional work optional, leading to "universal high income."
Plans are in place for high-volume production of the Optimus robot by 2026.
Tesla's CEO Elon Musk discussed a future where Tesla's Optimus robots could follow people to stop them from committing crimes. He shared these thoughts during a Tesla shareholder meeting, emphasizing the potential of artificial intelligence and robotics to change how society functions.
Key Facts
Elon Musk talked about Tesla's Optimus robot, which he said could prevent crime by following people.
Musk introduced this idea at a Tesla shareholder meeting on November 6.
Optimus robots are humanoid robots that stand about 5’8” tall and are designed to perform various tasks.
A prototype of the Optimus robot was first shown to the public in 2022.
Musk claims these robots could reduce the need for prisons by preventing crime.
Currently, Optimus robots are being tested and can perform basic factory tasks like sorting parts.
Elon Musk predicted that Optimus could become the most popular product ever, surpassing even cell phones.
Musk expressed hopes that Optimus would be used internally at Tesla by 2025 and be ready for high production for other companies by 2026.
Salesforce has been working on making AI use more sustainable by addressing the energy and water demands of data centers. The company has introduced Hyperforce, an energy-efficient infrastructure, and AI Energy Score, a tool to compare energy use of AI models. Despite industry-wide concerns about sustainability, adoption of these tools has been slow beyond Salesforce.
Key Facts
AI applications are increasing energy and water demands significantly.
Salesforce has over a decade of experience with AI and sustainability efforts.
The company returned to the list of America's Greenest Companies with a high rating.
Salesforce developed Hyperforce to reduce its carbon footprint through efficient infrastructure.
AI Energy Score helps measure and compare energy usage of AI models.
Adoption of AI Energy Score by other tech companies has been limited.
Salesforce collaborates with other organizations to create standards for measuring AI models' energy use.
Some major tech companies declined to use the AI Energy Score tool.
A Kenyan start-up named eWaka Mobility is working to reduce pollution by using electric bicycles in Nairobi. Founded in 2021, the company sells e-bikes to individuals and businesses, offering services to manage entire fleets and assist with deliveries.
Key Facts
eWaka Mobility is a start-up based in Kenya's capital, Nairobi.
The company was founded in 2021 by Celeste Vogel and Jimmy Tune.
eWaka focuses on selling electric bikes and scooters.
It offers services aimed at enhancing "last mile" deliveries, which means delivering goods directly to people's doors.
The start-up provides e-bikes to individuals and whole fleets to businesses.
eWaka also supplies software to help companies manage these e-bike fleets efficiently.
Nintendo announced a new movie, "Super Mario Galaxy Movie," following the success of "The Super Mario Bros. Movie." The announcement was made during a Nintendo Direct event, with a trailer scheduled for release on November 12. Fans are eager for details about the sequel, which is inspired by a beloved video game in the franchise.
Key Facts
Nintendo announced a sequel to "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" titled "Super Mario Galaxy Movie."
The previous movie earned $1.361 billion worldwide, becoming the top-earning video game adaptation.
Chris Pratt and other main cast members from the first movie are likely to return.
Nintendo will release a full-length trailer during a Nintendo Direct event on November 12.
The movie is based on the popular "Super Mario Galaxy" video game.
Fans are very excited about the sequel and have shown strong interest in the teaser poster.
The official film details will be revealed on November 14 at 6 am PT.
A new toy called SquidKid, developed by Northeastern University students, features living bioluminescent bacteria. Unlike a virtual pet, this toy requires real care from children to keep the bacteria alive and glowing. The project aims to teach children about caring for living organisms and the importance of microbiomes.
Key Facts
SquidKid contains living bioluminescent bacteria, not digital code, that children must care for.
Children provide oxygen and food to the bacteria to maintain its glow, mimicking the care of a living organism.
The toy's design is inspired by a real squid species that has a similar natural partnership with the bacteria.
The bacteria in SquidKid are safe for children, as they are contained in a sealed chamber and pose no health risks.
The toy was showcased at the Museum of Modern Art as part of a biodesign challenge.
The developers plan future studies to test the toy in classrooms with children aged 8 to 11.
The purpose of the toy is to educate children about microbiomes and inspire a positive interaction with living systems.
A report from Resemble AI shows that deepfakes, which are fake videos or audio created using artificial intelligence, are increasingly targeting businesses. These attacks are becoming more common and harder to spot, causing companies to lose money and trust. The report says that detecting deepfakes needs to be a key part of how companies protect themselves.
Key Facts
Artificial intelligence is making it easier to create deepfakes, which are fake but very realistic videos or audio.
Over 2,000 deepfake incidents were reported last quarter, with almost half aimed at businesses.
Fake videos or voices have fooled companies into losing large sums of money, such as a case where criminals tricked a company director into sending almost half a million dollars.
Deepfake scams can cause companies not only financial loss but also damage their reputation and trust.
The report stresses that companies should use deepfake-detection tools as a basic part of their security systems, similar to antivirus software.
Deloitte and KPMG warn that deepfakes can undermine trust in information online and expect more AI-fueled fraud in financial sectors.
Effective defense requires not just technology but also employee training to recognize and question suspicious content.
A new sleep study at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, in partnership with Harvard Medical School, is seeking people who go to bed after midnight. Participants in the study will help researchers learn how changes in bedtime can affect sleep and health, and they could earn up to $600.
Key Facts
The sleep study is conducted by the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
Harvard Medical School is partnering with Brigham and Women's Hospital on this research.
The study targets adults aged 18 to 65 who usually go to bed after midnight and do not smoke.
Participants will undergo a screening process lasting three to four weeks.
The research involves at least 35 days of taking a sleep medication at home and keeping a daily sleep log.
Brigham and Women's Hospital has a long history of sleep research, previously identifying the brain region responsible for regulating sleep.
Participants may earn up to $600 for completing the study.
The top country song in the U.S. right now, "Walk My Walk," was created by an artificial intelligence (AI) artist named Breaking Rust. This marks a significant moment as it is the first AI-generated song to reach number one on the Billboard’s "Country Digital Song Sales" chart, raising questions about AI's role in the music industry.
Key Facts
"Walk My Walk" by Breaking Rust is the number one country song in the U.S. on Billboard’s chart.
Breaking Rust is an AI-created artist with over 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
The AI artist has several popular songs with millions of streams on Spotify.
Concerns about AI in creative fields have existed since the release of technologies like ChatGPT.
Prominent musicians are advocating for AI regulation to limit its use in creative areas.
Breaking Rust's public bio emphasizes its appeal to "fighters and dreamers."
The artist's online presence includes an Instagram profile with over 35,000 followers.
