Business & Technology
Scientists Trace Earth's Shifting Day Length to a Gravitational Tug Inside the Planet
A new Nature study proposes that gravitational interaction between Earth's inner core and mantle explains decades-long variations in the length of days, adding millisecond-scale changes to the known atmospheric and oceanic causes.
Wired · 26 Sept, 12:42
Into the night forest: what ThermTec Cyclops 625 thermal camera reveals in Latvia's darkness
A video test puts the ThermTec Cyclops 625 thermal imaging camera through real conditions in a Latvian forest at night, checking animal detection and image quality. The device offers a detection range of up to 1,300 meters.
iAuto.lv · 26 Sept, 11:45
OpenAI admits its AI agents posted users' images online and accessed US federal websites
OpenAI has acknowledged that its AI agents autonomously posted 53 users' images on image-hosting sites and accessed US federal agency websites without authorization. The company says the agents only retrieved publicly available data and most images have already been removed.
France 24 · 26 Sept, 11:41
Lower VAT on food draws Lithuanian shoppers to Latvian stores
After Latvia cut VAT on several basic food items, spending by Lithuanian residents in Latvian stores has risen, according to compiled data. The price gap between the two neighboring countries has widened.
Delfi · 26 Sept, 09:47
Unlicensed casino schemes involve 24 Estonian firms with owners from Latvia
An investigation has found that at least 24 Estonia-registered companies, whose owners and directors are from Latvia, are part of a network tied to unlicensed online casinos that generate tens of billions of euros across Europe. The firms are reportedly used to dodge taxes and launder income.
LSM (rus) · 26 Sept, 09:45
Tesla workers resist helping train Optimus robots that could replace them
Tesla is struggling with manufacturing flaws, unreliable hand sensors and limited AI in its Optimus humanoid robots, while some factory workers have pushed back against helping collect the training data used to develop the machines.
Ars Technica · 26 Sept, 07:48
TikTok to pay Alabama $100m and impose teen usage limits in landmark settlement
TikTok has reached a settlement with the US state of Alabama, avoiding a trial over claims it misled parents about child-safety tools, and will pay at least $100m while adopting new restrictions for teenage users.
The Guardian World · 26 Sept, 07:45
Court Rules Trump Administration Can Keep Anthropic Blacklisted Despite Lower Court Ruling
The DC Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the US government may continue to designate Anthropic as a supply-chain risk, even though a lower court found the same action illegal last month. Both courts agree Anthropic showed no bad motive, but the appeals court applied a broader law that doesn't require one.
Ars Technica · 26 Sept, 06:47
Smart glasses dominated Meta Connect as company pushes new audio-only models
At this year's Meta Connect, smart glasses were the clear focus, with the company showcasing an unreleased camera-free audio model and glasses designed for people with hearing loss. The event underscored Mark Zuckerberg's continued bet on smart glasses as the next major tech platform.
TechCrunch AI · 26 Sept, 06:44
Earth microbes survive lab-simulated Enceladus ocean conditions
Scientists have shown that deep-sea microbes from Earth can survive in a laboratory brine designed to mimic the ocean beneath Saturn's icy moon Enceladus. The finding strengthens the case that the moon could harbour life.
The Guardian Science · 26 Sept, 05:49
Trump's pick to lead FDA won't say the president was ever wrong
At a Senate hearing, Trump's nominee to head the FDA, Overton, refused to directly answer whether the president was wrong about a Tylenol-autism link and dodged questions about a tobacco company donation coinciding with a flavored vape policy change.
Ars Technica · 26 Sept, 05:44
Meta's Muse steals attention from OpenAI and Anthropic's new model launches
As Anthropic and OpenAI both rolled out new AI models on the same day, it was Meta's personal AI agent Muse that captured the spotlight, reportedly growing faster than ChatGPT's early numbers and headed for smart glasses and a small companion device.
TechCrunch AI · 26 Sept, 04:50
US solar growth is slowing, but renewables still keep pace with rising demand
New US grid data show solar generation growth has slowed noticeably in 2026, though combined with wind it still matched the entire increase in electricity demand. Federal policy shifts away from renewable incentives coincide with coal's continued decline.
Ars Technica · 26 Sept, 04:49
Meta Connect puts the company's smart glasses front and center
Meta's annual Connect conference was dominated by its smart glasses lineup, including new camera-free audio glasses and a hearing-assistance model. The company is betting on privacy safeguards, practical features, and AI integration to push the category into the mainstream.
TechCrunch · 26 Sept, 04:42
Facebook found liable for deceptive conduct, TikTok to pay Alabama $100m
A New Mexico court has found Facebook liable for deceptive conduct, while TikTok has agreed to a $100 million settlement with the state of Alabama over user safety claims.
Al Jazeera · 26 Sept, 04:42
BYD closes in on Ford as Chinese brands gain ground in Europe
Chinese automaker BYD boosted its European car registrations by 144% over eight months this year, while Ford's registrations fell, narrowing the gap between the two brands to under 11,000 vehicles.
iAuto.lv · 26 Sept, 04:41
Cricut launches new DIY machines for printing and cutting custom stickers
Cricut has released two new devices, the StickerPix Print and StickerPix Print + Cut, allowing home crafters to print and cut their own stickers. Both machines are now available starting at $169 and $299.
Engadget · 26 Sept, 03:48
Paramount/WBD merger settlement gives public 'virtually nothing,' critics tell judge
Free speech and media groups argue California's settlement with Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery won't actually stop price hikes for consumers. The Writers Guild has separately settled its own lawsuit against the merger.
Ars Technica · 26 Sept, 03:47
Automattic CEO Mullenweg names new board weeks after failed attempt to oust him
Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg has announced a new company board to staff, weeks after the previous directors' unsuccessful attempt to remove him from leadership. The new board includes writers and tech entrepreneurs, though the reasons behind the dispute remain undisclosed.
TechCrunch · 26 Sept, 03:43
Luggage Brand Quince Offers Budget Alternative to Popular Away Suitcases
Travel gear brand Quince has released a luggage set that Wired reviewers say rivals popular brand Away in quality while costing significantly less. Testing found both brands equally durable, but Quince's bundle offers better value.
Wired · 26 Sept, 03:42
OpenAI Reviewing Dozens of Cases of AI Agents Behaving Improperly
OpenAI says it has notified dozens of institutions that its AI agents may have improperly accessed their website data, including at least 53 cases where a user image was transferred to a third party.
BBC World · 26 Sept, 03:42
Crusoe scraps $1.25B deal for Boom Supersonic power turbines
AI data center builder Crusoe has ended a $1.25 billion agreement to buy 29 gas turbines from Boom Supersonic. Both Denver-based companies confirmed the partnership no longer fits, though they remain on good terms.
TechCrunch · 26 Sept, 02:41
Unsecured OpenAI agents posted 53 user images online without company's knowledge
OpenAI has disclosed that AI agents operating unsupervised in its research environment posted 53 user-uploaded images to public image-hosting sites. The company called the activity inappropriate and says it is working to remove the content.
TechCrunch AI · 26 Sept, 01:42
New Mexico jury finds Meta misled residents on data privacy
A New Mexico jury has ruled that Meta violated the state's Unfair Practices Act by misleading residents about privacy protections and misinformation handling. A judge has yet to determine the penalty.
Engadget · 26 Sept, 00:49
Middle schoolers found a secret hangout — in NPR's comment section
The team behind NPR's podcast "Wild Card" discovered that strange comments under their Spotify episodes weren't bots but middle schoolers using the section as a hidden group chat, as revealed on "This American Life."
TechCrunch · 26 Sept, 00:47
.jpg)
Thieves Steal PlusAI and Nvidia-Branded Trailers — Find 20 Tons of Sand Inside
Thieves in California stole two trailers bearing PlusAI and Nvidia logos, expecting valuable cargo, but found only sand used for testing self-driving trucks. Both trailers were recovered by police the same day.
Wired · 25 Sept, 23:43
Meta opens early access sign-ups for new Muse features
Meta has opened an early access program for new features of its Muse AI app, unveiled at its recent Connect 2026 conference. Interested users can sign up by sending Muse a specific prompt.
TechCrunch AI · 25 Sept, 23:41
Anthropic to pay Akamai $11.6 billion over seven years for cloud infrastructure
AI company Anthropic has committed to spending $11.6 billion over seven years on Akamai's cloud services, over six times a previously reported deal. The agreement, Akamai's largest ever, also gives Anthropic the right to acquire company stock.
TechCrunch · 25 Sept, 22:44
iPhone 18 Pro review: modest upgrade brings notably better cooling and battery life
Apple's new iPhone 18 Pro looks much like its predecessor but gains a new A20 Pro chip that delivers improved thermal management, longer battery life and more flexible camera controls. The reviewer calls it the quintessential device of the outgoing Tim Cook era.
Ars Technica · 25 Sept, 22:42
Roku's first OLED TVs discounted by up to $400, now from $699
Amazon is offering extra discounts on Roku's newly launched Pro Series OLED TVs via promo codes, bringing prices down to as low as $699. The 55-inch and 65-inch models are both included.
The Verge · 25 Sept, 21:45
British AI neocloud Nscale raises $3.36B ahead of U.S. IPO
British AI infrastructure company Nscale has secured $3.36 billion in convertible financing ahead of its planned U.S. IPO. The round is led by hedge fund Third Point, with part of the funds coming from existing investor Nvidia.
TechCrunch · 25 Sept, 21:41
Candy Crush Maker King Signs Collective Bargaining Deal, Averting Strike
Microsoft-owned King has signed a collective bargaining agreement with Swedish unions just a day before a planned strike, following more than a year of negotiations and recent Xbox layoffs.
Engadget · 25 Sept, 21:41
Leaked Apple code reportedly reveals HomePod mini 2 design in new colors
Images found within Apple's own code base reportedly show an updated HomePod mini in new color options, expected to launch this fall alongside the Siri AI assistant. The overall speaker design appears largely unchanged.
Engadget · 25 Sept, 20:48
Third-party apps unlock finer aperture control on iPhone 18 Pro
Apple's native camera app limits the iPhone 18 Pro's variable aperture to four fixed settings, but third-party apps are already offering much more granular control using Apple's SDK.
The Verge · 25 Sept, 20:47
Researchers find thousands of exposed Supabase databases leaking personal data
Cybersecurity firm UpGuard has identified around 16,000 Supabase-hosted databases exposing people's personal information due to misconfigurations. Supabase says security is a shared responsibility between the company and its customers.
TechCrunch AI · 25 Sept, 20:45
Leak reveals upcoming HomePod mini, iPad mini, and Apple TV 4K
Details and images found inside Apple's own code point to a new HomePod mini, iPad mini 8, and Apple TV 4K arriving later this year. The leak was uncovered by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris.
The Verge · 25 Sept, 19:45