US soldier charged with using classified intel to win $400K Polymarket bet on Maduro raid
WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. soldier involved in the military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been charged with using classified information about the mission to win more than $400,000 in an online betting market. Federal officials unsealed the indictment Thursday. Gannon Ken Van Dyke was part of the work to capture Maduro in January and used his access to classified information to make money on the prediction market site Polymarket, the federal prosecutor’s office in New York said. He has been charged with unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain, theft of nonpublic government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud, and making an unlawful monetary transaction.
Meta slashes 8,000 jobs, or 10% of its workforce, as Microsoft offers buyouts
In the latest round of tech industry job cuts, Meta is laying off about 8,000 workers and Microsoft is offering buyouts to a similar number. Meta confirmed Thursday it plans to cut about 10% of its workforce in an effort to invest in other parts of its business and for efficiency, as first reported by Bloomberg. Microsoft is taking a different approach by offering voluntary buyouts to thousands of its U.S. employees.
More countries are turning to nuclear power 40 years after the Chernobyl disaster
The 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster fueled global fears about nuclear energy and slowed down its development in Europe and other regions. But four decades after the accident, nuclear power is seeing a global revival. Over 400 nuclear reactors are operational in 31 countries, and about 70 more are under construction. Nuclear power accounts for about 10% of the world’s electricity, equivalent to about a quarter of all low-carbon power. International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol said that while Chernobyl and the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan diminished the appetite for such sources of power, it was clear years ago that there would probably be a revival.
Trump administration vows crackdown on Chinese companies 'exploiting' AI models made in US
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is vowing to crack down on foreign tech companies’ exploitation of U.S. artificial intelligence models, singling out China at a time that country is narrowing the gap with the U.S. in the AI race. In a Thursday memo, Michael Kratsios, the president’s chief science and technology adviser, accused foreign entities “principally based in China” of engaging in deliberate, industrial-scale campaigns to “distill,” or extract capabilities from, leading AI systems made in the U.S. and “exploiting American expertise and innovation.” China’s embassy in Washington said it opposed “the unjustified suppression of Chinese companies by the U.S.”
Turkish parliament passes bill to restrict social media access for under-15s
ISTANBUL (AP) — State-run media says Turkish lawmakers have passed a bill that includes restricting access to social media platforms for children under 15. The legislation is the latest in a global trend to protect young people from dangerous online activity. Its passage late Wednesday comes a week after a 14-year-old boy killed nine students and a teacher at a middle school in Kahramanmaras, southern Turkey. Police are investigating the online activity of the perpetrator in a bid to uncover his motivation for the attack. The bill will force social media platforms to install age‑verification systems, provide parental control tools and require companies to rapidly respond to content deemed harmful, the state-run Anadolu news agency said.
One Tech Tip: Logging on at a cafe? Privacy and security guidelines for remote workers
Digital nomads often work from cafes, co-working spaces or airports, thanks to reliable internet and the rise of remote work. This lifestyle, however, comes with privacy and security risks. It's important to check company policies on remote work, including guidelines for working in public. Some companies discourage working in crowded places due to data privacy concerns. When working in public, find a secluded spot to prevent others from seeing your screen. Avoid public Wi-Fi networks without passwords, as they pose cybersecurity risks. Use a mobile hotspot or VPN for security. Always be aware of your surroundings to protect your devices.
A robot is beating human pros at table tennis. Its maker calls it a milestone for machines
A paddle-wielding robot is so adept at playing table tennis that it is posing a tough challenge to elite human players and sometimes defeating them, according to a new study in the journal Nature that shows how advances in artificial intelligence are making robots more agile. Japanese electronics giant Sony built the robotic arm it calls Ace and pitted it against professional athletes. Ace proved a worthy adversary, though one with some non-human attributes: nine camera eyes positioned around the court and an uncanny ability to follow the ball’s logo to measure its spin.
Trump media company replaces ex-congressman Nunes as CEO after stock plunge that wiped out billions
NEW YORK (AP) — The Trump business behind Truth Social is replacing a former congressman and big supporter of the U.S. president as leader of the social media platform after a stock collapse in the past year. Devin Nunes, a former California congressmen in Donald Trump’s first term, is being replaced temporarily by digital media executive Kevin McGurn as chief executive officer. The company, Trump Media & Technology, didn’t give a reason for Nunes leaving. After soaring following Trump’s re-election in November 2024, stock in the company plunged 67%, wiping out more than $6 billion in investor wealth.
SpaceX says it can buy AI coding tool Cursor for $60B later this year
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — SpaceX says it has the rights to buy artificial intelligence coding tool Cursor for $60 billion later this year as Elon Musk’s space exploration and AI company looks for ways to compete with rivals Anthropic and OpenAI ahead of a planned Wall Street debut. SpaceX said that, alternatively, it could pay $10 billion to “work together” with Cursor. SpaceX announced the deal Tuesday on the social platform X, which along with the AI chatbot Grok is part of a constellation of properties that Musk has merged into his rocket company.
Florida's attorney general launches criminal probe into ChatGPT over FSU shooting
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Florida's attorney general has opened an investigation into OpenAI's ChatGPT. The probe, announced Tuesday, examines the AI app's interactions with a gunman charged with a fatal shooting at Florida State University last year. Attorney General James Uthmeier says prosecutors reviewed chat logs between ChatGPT and the gunman, Phoenix Ikner. They aim to determine if the app aided or abetted the crime. Florida's Office of Statewide Prosecution has subpoenaed OpenAI for records. Ikner faces charges of murder and attempted murder, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty. An OpenAI spokeswoman called the FSU shooting a tragedy but said the company had no responsibility.
