SpaceX's classified satellite network called Starshield is sending signals in a frequency range typically used for sending commands from Earth to satellites. This activity might go against international rules and could cause interference with other satellites. SpaceX and the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office, which are responsible for these satellites, have not commented on the situation.
Key Facts
SpaceX launched Starshield satellites aboard a Falcon 9 rocket in March.
Starshield signals are being sent on frequencies meant for Earth-to-space communication.
Using these frequencies for downlinking data might break International Telecommunication Union standards.
The unusual signals could interfere with other satellite operations in space.
Scott Tilley, an amateur satellite tracker, first noticed the signals by accident.
Tilley found the signal in a radio band where signals from space shouldn't occur.
Starshield is a classified version of SpaceX's Starlink satellites.
The U.S. has invested over $1.8 billion in the Starshield network.
Military veterans in the UK can now apply for a digital version of their ID cards starting Friday. This digital card, which can be downloaded to a smartphone, aims to make it easier for veterans to access various public services. The government plans to use this as a test for wider digital ID schemes for British citizens.
Key Facts
Veterans can download a digital ID card on their smartphones from Friday.
About 1.8 million veterans qualify to get this digital ID.
The digital ID will make it easier for veterans to prove their status and access services.
Physical ID cards for veterans will still be available.
The digital ID is intended as a test for a future ID system for all British citizens.
A digital ID scheme for all will be mandatory by 2029 to work legally in the UK.
The digital veteran card will be stored in the government's One Login smartphone app.
Digital government minister Ian Murray highlighted privacy and security concerns with the wider rollout.
The article discusses the importance of assessing the battery health of used electric vehicles (EVs). It highlights tools and services that can evaluate the state of a used EV's battery, which is crucial for buyers since battery condition affects the car's performance and value. The article mentions companies like Aviloo that offer detailed battery health assessments to give buyers confidence in their purchase.
Key Facts
Battery health is a critical factor for people buying used electric vehicles.
A 2021 Nissan Leaf with 29,000 miles had a battery health of 93%.
Fast charging to 100% can potentially shorten an EV battery's lifespan.
Battery analytics firms, such as Aviloo, can determine a battery's state of health with high accuracy.
Nissan Leaf models without advanced cooling systems may lose range faster over the years.
Aviloo offers two types of tests: a detailed premium test and a quicker flash test.
Aviloo's tests sometimes show different results compared to the car's built-in analytics.
An EV with a battery state of health below 80% can still perform well if priced right.
The Trump administration introduced a new $100,000 fee on H-1B visas for skilled foreign workers. The US Chamber of Commerce filed a lawsuit against this fee, arguing it would negatively affect American businesses by making it too costly to hire foreign talent. The White House defended the fee as a step toward reforming the visa program.
Key Facts
The US Chamber of Commerce is suing the Trump administration over a new $100,000 fee for H-1B visas.
The fee affects skilled foreign workers, commonly employed in the US tech industry.
President Donald Trump signed an order last month to introduce this fee, claiming the visa program was being misused.
Tech executives, including Elon Musk and Sundar Pichai, have criticized the fee for limiting access to international talent.
The Chamber of Commerce argues the fee will raise labor costs or reduce hiring of skilled employees.
White House officials argue the fee will discourage companies from lowering wages for American workers.
The new fee applies only to new visa requests.
Many H1-B visa holders come from countries like India and China.
Amazon has launched a new virtual healthcare service for children aged two to eleven. Through its brand Amazon One Medical, parents can book telehealth appointments for various medical issues, and the service includes options for prescriptions. This new offering connects with Amazon's pharmacy division for fulfilling prescriptions.
Key Facts
Amazon's service is for children aged 2 to 11 and offers virtual healthcare appointments.
The service costs $29 for a message-based visit and $49 for a video consultation.
Parents can get help for issues like pink eye, lice, and medication renewals.
Amazon One Medical, formerly One Medical, was acquired by Amazon in 2023.
Amazon Pharmacy helps fill prescriptions for this telehealth service.
The company plans to install Amazon Pharmacy vending machines in Los Angeles locations starting in December.
Amazon has expanded its healthcare presence with projects like Amazon Pharmacy and Amazon Care since 2018.
A survey by Malwarebytes found that Gen Z and millennials are most at risk of falling for AI-driven scams. Scammers use technologies like AI to create convincing schemes, such as fake voices and deepfakes, to trick people into giving away money or information.
Key Facts
Gen Z and millennials are the primary targets of AI-based scams.
70% of fraud victims in the survey were from these two age groups.
In 2024, consumers reported losses of over $12.5 billion to fraud.
58% of Gen Z respondents said they've been targeted by scams, with 28% becoming victims.
65% of those who fell for extortion scams were male.
Scammers often use AI to create fake voices and videos for more believable tricks.
Younger generations' extensive use of smartphones makes them more vulnerable to online scams.
Spotify announced it is partnering with major record labels to develop artificial intelligence (AI) tools for music that prioritize artists and songwriters. The company aims to use AI responsibly, ensuring creators receive proper credit and compensation. Spotify will collaborate with Sony Music, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group, which are the leading labels in the industry.
Key Facts
Spotify is teaming up with major record labels to develop AI music tools.
The focus is on using AI in a way that benefits artists and respects their rights.
Spotify will collaborate with Sony Music, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group.
The company plans to have upfront agreements with artists to ensure proper compensation.
Spotify has removed AI-generated music that did not have proper disclosure, like the viral song imitating Drake and The Weeknd.
AI is already used in various stages of the music-making process, such as autotune and mastering.
Spotify does not create its own music using AI but uses it for features like custom playlists.
The article discusses whether the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) in the U.S. might lead to an economic bubble. An economist from Stanford University shares insights on this potential issue.
Key Facts
The AI industry in the U.S. is growing quickly.
A possible economic bubble refers to when a product or industry is overvalued and could lead to a sudden market crash.
Jared Bernstein, an economist from Stanford University, talks about this possibility.
Bernstein was once the chief economic adviser to President Biden.
The conversation is available as an audio recording on NPR.
A recent study by Proofpoint found that almost all healthcare organizations faced cyberattacks last year, causing disruptions in patient care and significant financial costs. These cyberattacks exposed patient data and impacted patient outcomes, with many organizations planning to move to cloud operations to better secure their systems.
Key Facts
93% of healthcare organizations experienced at least one cyberattack in the past year.
Each organization faced an average of 43 cyberattacks, an increase from 40 attacks the previous year.
The average cost of the most significant cyberattack was $3.9 million.
72% of healthcare organizations reported disruptions to patient care due to cyberattacks.
Common attack methods include ransomware, cloud compromise, and email fraud.
Many healthcare systems are shifting clinical operations to cloud-based systems.
Human error was identified as a major cause of these breaches, with employees not following security policies.
Healthcare organizations increased their IT security spending, with 21% of their IT budget dedicated to information security.
A Reddit post sparked a conversation about life before smartphones, with people discussing how they used to memorize phone numbers and navigate without digital tools. The discussion highlighted how technology has changed the way people communicate and remember information.
Key Facts
A Reddit user posted about watching a 1990s TV show, leading to a discussion about life before smartphones.
The post received over 4,400 upvotes on the subreddit r/CasualConversation.
People used to memorize important phone numbers or keep address books for reference.
The first cellphones appeared in the 1980s but became more common in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Dr. Shawn DuBravac explained that humans have historically transferred memory tasks to external tools, like writing and digital databases.
The use of cellphones changed communication from a communal to an individual act.
Commenters on Reddit reflected on using maps for navigation and libraries for research before digital tools were available.
Instagram is updating its safety features for users under 18 by implementing PG-13 content guidelines. These changes are aimed at preventing teens from viewing mature content and are set to begin in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia, extending globally by 2025. Despite the updates, some parents and experts are doubtful about their effectiveness.
Key Facts
Instagram will apply PG-13 content guidelines to all teen accounts.
The update blocks teens from seeing explicit and potentially harmful content.
Teens under 18 will automatically be in the 13+ mode, requiring parental permission to change.
Instagram will restrict searches for mature topics and penalize repeated rule violators.
A stricter "Limited Content" mode will be available for more control.
These changes start in certain countries this week, with a global rollout by 2025.
Experts and parents are concerned about the effectiveness of these measures.
Instagram uses an age classification system to detect users under 18.
Comedian Rob Schneider's account on the social media platform X is no longer available, leading to speculation about whether the removal was voluntary or enforced. Schneider, known for his conservative views, had a significant following before the account disappeared. The platform, formerly known as Twitter and owned by Elon Musk, has not clarified the reason behind the account's disappearance.
Key Facts
Rob Schneider's X account, previously followed by over 2 million people, is no longer accessible.
Visitors to his X page see a message that says "this account doesn’t exist."
It is unclear if Schneider himself removed the account or if X took action against it.
An X employee mentioned that the issue with Schneider’s account was "escalated."
Schneider is a known critic of the Democratic Party and vaccine mandates.
He supported Donald Trump in the 2024 election after initially endorsing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
There is ongoing debate about X's moderation policies under Elon Musk's ownership.
Friends of Schneider indicated he might not have chosen to delete his account.
The White House and AI company Anthropic are arguing over how artificial intelligence (AI) should be regulated. Both agree on the need for some federal rules, but differ on approaches, with the White House pushing for a pause on state-level laws and Anthropic supporting state-level legislation.
Key Facts
The White House and Anthropic are in a conflict over AI regulation.
Anthropic's cofounder Jack Clark wrote about the need to seriously consider AI's potential risks.
White House's David Sacks accused Anthropic of using fear to influence regulation.
The White House wanted a 10-year pause on state AI laws, fearing many different rules would harm innovation.
Anthropic opposed the pause and backed a California AI law after the moratorium failed.
Both parties want some sort of federal AI policy, but have different views on state involvement.
The debate involves questions about potential hypocrisy from both the White House and Anthropic.
The AI industry is growing rapidly, driven by the idea of exponential growth, which means that progress happens quickly and then speeds up even more. Companies are investing a lot of money, betting that AI can improve itself and continue to grow. However, there are concerns that AI's growth could hit limits due to environmental, financial, or societal challenges.
Key Facts
Exponential growth means things progress quickly and then even faster.
The AI industry expects that AI technology will continue to improve rapidly.
Companies like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic believe that making AI models bigger will make them better.
This growth has attracted trillions of dollars in investment.
There are concerns that AI might eventually reach growth limits due to various factors.
Examples of possible limits include environmental impacts and financial issues.
Some people worry that AI's promises might not be fully realized, causing disappointment.
Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan are working together on a project. They have created a story called "Remain," which is both a book and an upcoming movie. Sparks is known for his romantic novels, while Shyamalan is a filmmaker known for his unique film styles.
Key Facts
Nicholas Sparks wrote a new novel called "Remain."
M. Night Shyamalan is adapting "Remain" into a movie.
"Remain" is described as a different type of love story where the characters cannot touch.
The collaboration aims to attract both Sparks' readers and Shyamalan's movie fans.
Sparks enjoys seeing his work referenced in popular culture.
Sparks compares his impact to that of other famous authors like J.K. Rowling and Stephen King.
The idea for the collaboration came about through discussions between Sparks' and Shyamalan's teams in Hollywood.
A meeting to discuss the project took place at Shyamalan's place in May 2023.
Data centers in Scotland, used for artificial intelligence (AI) tasks, consume a large amount of water, enough to fill 27 million half-liter bottles each year. These centers have been using more water since 2021, prompting discussions about finding sustainable water use solutions. The increased demand for AI computing has led to more energy and water usage by these facilities.
Key Facts
AI data centers in Scotland use water equivalent to 27 million half-liter bottles annually.
The number of Scottish data centers has grown, with 16 centers currently in operation.
Water consumption by these centers has quadrupled since 2021.
Data centers use water to cool their power-hungry equipment and prevent overheating.
Scottish Water suggests using alternative cooling methods that conserve tap water.
Open-loop systems in data centers require a constant supply of fresh water.
Transitioning to closed-loop systems can save water but may increase energy use.
More data centers, including a large AI park in Irvine, Scotland, are planned for the future.
Scientists are studying "death fold" proteins that cause cells to self-destruct, with hopes to control them for treating diseases like Alzheimer's and cancer. These proteins play a role in programmed cell death, a process critical for both the development and maintenance of healthy tissues. Researchers aim to find ways to make harmful cells die on time and protect healthy brain cells from premature death.
Key Facts
"Death fold" proteins can cause cells to self-destruct.
Researchers study these proteins to control when cells die.
Programmed cell death is important for health, but malfunctions can lead to diseases.
Alzheimer's disease involves brain cells dying too soon.
Cancer cells often avoid cell death, multiplying uncontrollably.
Scientists compare the protein reaction to a chain reaction in reusable hand warmers.
YouTube experienced a global outage affecting its video streaming services, including YouTube Music and YouTube TV. The issues started in East Asia and spread to other regions before YouTube announced that they had fixed the problem.
Key Facts
YouTube had a global outage affecting its streaming services.
The problem also impacted YouTube Music and YouTube TV.
The disruption started in East Asia around 7am local time.
Users across Asia, Europe, and North America reported issues.
Most error reports came from users in the United States.
In the U.S., YouTube received a peak of 393,038 error reports.
Error reports for YouTube Music and YouTube TV were under 5,000 each in the U.S.
Microsoft has released its first-ever handheld Xbox console, named the ROG Xbox Ally. The device functions as a portable computer running Windows, allowing it to play many digital PC games, alongside Xbox's Game Pass titles. It costs £499, with a more powerful version available for £799.
Key Facts
Microsoft launched the first handheld Xbox console called the ROG Xbox Ally.
This console is compatible with Xbox's Game Pass subscription service, providing access to many games.
The console operates as a portable Windows computer, allowing most digital PC games to run.
The standard version costs £499, while a more powerful version is priced at £799.
The handheld features a standard LCD display instead of a higher-end OLED screen.
It handles most modern games at a decent resolution, although some high-demand games require lower graphics settings.
The device runs Windows 11, which helps in resolving compatibility issues with certain games.
A new animated series called "Splinter Cell: Deathwatch" based on a video game by Tom Clancy is releasing on Netflix. It will be available to stream starting October 14, 2025, with all eight episodes released at the same time. Viewers will need a Netflix subscription to watch the series.
Key Facts
"Splinter Cell: Deathwatch" is an animated series based on a video game by Tom Clancy.
The series features the voice of actor Liev Schreiber as the main character, Sam Fisher.
All eight episodes will be available on Netflix on October 14, 2025.
The episodes will be released simultaneously at Midnight Pacific Time (PT) or 3 AM Eastern Time (ET).
A Netflix subscription is required to watch the series, with prices starting at $7.99 per month for a plan with ads.
The series is produced by Ubisoft, along with filmmaker Derek Kolstad and studios like Sun Creature and Fost.
Episode titles include "Up from the Grave" and "Dinner First, Talk Later."
