Judge bars Arizona from regulating prediction market operators and pauses prosecution of Kalshi
PHOENIX (AP) — A judge has temporarily barred Arizona from enforcing its gambling laws against predictive market operators like Kalshi. The judge ruled Friday in a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration after state prosecutors filed criminal charges that alleged Kalshi is running an illegal gambling operation in Arizona. The ruling also halted Arizona’s criminal case against Kalshi, which was scheduled for an arraignment hearing Monday. The federal Commodity Futures Trading Commission had sued Arizona in response to Arizona’s enforcement. Kalshi maintains it’s a financial marketplace rather than a gambling operation.
China’s state media turns to social media and AI to tell its story — and often mock the US
BEIJING (AP) — The messaging from China’s Communist government may once have been rigid, but not anymore. Beijing is using social media and AI to make its messaging more appealing, especially to younger audiences. China is using AI-generated animations to mock the U.S. as a global bully. One animated short shared by state media frames out an allegory for the war in Iran modeled on classic martial arts movies. The animations aim to simplify complex geopolitical issues and have gained popularity online as part of China's strategy to enhance its messaging and counter Western narratives, both at home and abroad. Experts say this method is becoming a routine part of China's global information strategy.
From 'BuddhaBot' to $1.99 chats with AI Jesus, the faith-based tech boom is here
CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) — The faith-based AI market is expanding, with tools for various religions. For example, there's an AI Jesus that — for $1.99 per minute — will offer words of prayer and encouragement. As AI tools designed with religion in mind become increasingly common, many are reckoning with how these technologies shape their relationship to faith and spiritual guidance. Concerns include misinformation and data privacy as well as spiritual and ethical implications. Some worry about AI's potential to exploit religious users, while others see it as a tool for spiritual exploration.
Police arrest a suspect in a Molotov attack at OpenAI CEO's San Francisco home
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Police and OpenAI officials say a 20-year-old man suspected of throwing a Molotov cocktail at CEO Sam Altman's San Francisco home has been arrested. The police department says the incident occurred shortly after 4 a.m. Friday and that the thrown device set an exterior gate on fire. Police say the suspect fled on foot. Less than an hour later, police were called to OpenAI headquarters, where they said the same person was threatening to burn down the building. No one was hurt, and OpenAI says it is assisting with the investigation. Police haven't publicly identified the man they arrested.
One Tech Tip: A new generation is reviving the iPod for distraction-free listening
The iPod is undergoing a revival, with secondhand sales surging. Young people in particular are drawn to its retro look and the focused music experience it offers, free from smartphone distractions. Though Apple discontinued the music player in 2022, you can find refurbished and secondhand models for sale online. Or perhaps someone you know has left one forgotten in a drawer somewhere. You'll need a cable, which is available from aftermarket manufacturers. You can use iTunes on Windows or Apple Music on a Mac to manage the iPod's music files.
Russia's internet crackdown leads to a spring of growing discontent
Anger and frustration is growing in Russia over government restrictions on the internet that have disrupted daily life, hurt businesses and brought condemnation from both Kremlin critics and supporters alike. The intensifying crackdown has shut down regular cellphone internet connections, blocked popular messaging apps and throttled thousands of other websites and digital services. Activists have organized small rallies, filed lawsuits and plastered posters to voice rising discontent over the measures. Industry leaders have pleaded with the government to reconsider, saying the restrictions harm daily life and businesses. Russia aims to control the internet and block virtual private networks, pushing users to use government-controlled apps.
Greece moves to protect minors from social media with new ban for kids under 15
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece has become the latest European Union country to unveil plans for a total social media ban for kids 15 and under. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis took his message directly to kids, telling them in a social media video that the ban is for their own good because parents and young people themselves have confided in him that endless hours on social media platforms have induced, stress, anxiety and sleeplessness. He said the new law is expected to take effect on the first day of the new year. It will target social media platforms that enable the user to create profiles, interact with others and share content, such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
A 1.9 billion-year-old bedrock will soon house the world's first permanent nuclear waste site
OLKILUOTO, Finland (AP) — The world-first facility for permanently disposing spent nuclear fuel is set to begin operations in Finland after decades of construction. Construction of Onkalo — which means “cave” in Finnish — began on the west coast in 2004 as the site for the final resting place for tons of dangerous radioactive waste. Costing 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion), the authorities are expected to grant a license within months for operations to begin. The site of the repository — on the island of Olkiluoto, near three of Finland’s five nuclear reactors — was chosen for its stable migmatite-gneiss bedrock. But experts have safety concerns, especially for future generations.
Shaky ceasefire unlikely to stop cyberattacks from Iran-linked hackers for long
WASHINGTON (AP) — An uncertain ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. and Israel may do little to stop cyberattacks from hackers allied with Tehran. American authorities warned this week that groups supporting Iran are seeking to disrupt critical infrastructure like energy and water plants by hacking into vulnerable networks. Cybersecurity experts say the attacks are likely to continue, and possibly expand, as hackers supporting Tehran look to compensate for Iran's military disadvantages by using digital tactics to undermine and frustrate its adversaries. One network has vowed to continue its efforts against the U.S. when the time is right, demonstrating again how digital warfare has become ingrained in military conflict.
States are struggling to meet their clean energy goals. Data centers are to blame
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nevada's largest utility company says it may not meet its 2030 clean energy goals due to the demands from data centers. NV Energy, which serves 90% of the state, may need to build thermal fossil fuel energy to accommodate dozens of proposed data centers that would require more energy than three cities the size of Las Vegas. Nevada isn't alone; states across the country are struggling to meet their clean energy goals due to the increase in demand, but data centers say they're doing their part.
