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.
Turkey’s parliament debates a bill to restrict access to social media for children under 15
ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkish lawmakers have kicked off a debate on a draft law package that includes restricting access to social media platforms for children under 15. The development makes Turkey the latest country to seek measures to protect young people from dangerous online activity. It's unclear how long the debate, which began on Tuesday, will last. If it becomes law, the bill would force social media platforms to install age‑verification systems, provide parental control tools and require companies to rapidly respond to content deemed harmful. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government says the proposal aims to mitigate the online risks to children’s safety and privacy.
Inside a huge compound on Thailand-Cambodia border where 10,000 workers scammed people globally
O'SMACH, Cambodia (AP) — Scam compounds have mushroomed across Southeast Asia since the pandemic. Inside these industrial-scale complexes are workers who attempt to lure unsuspecting targets from countries all across the world in sophisticated online-based scams. The latest estimates from the U.N. office on Human Rights are that around 300,000 workers are caught up in the industry regionally. Thailand’s military invited journalists to a huge scam complex it seized in December during its border conflict with Cambodia. An AP reporter shares an inside look at the scam complex in the O’Smach Resort complex, right by the Thailand-Cambodia border.
Appeals court rebuffs Anthropic in latest round of its AI battle with the Trump administration
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court on Wednesday refused to block the Pentagon from blacklisting artificial intelligence laboratory Anthropic in a decision that differed from the conclusions reached in another judge’s ruling on the same issues.. The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., rejected Anthropic’s request for an order that would shield the company from the fallout stemming from a dispute over how the Pentagon could deploy its AI technology. The ruling followed another judge’s order that forced President Donald Trump’s administration to remove a label tainting the company as a national security risk.
Kara Swisher examines the science, tech and business of living longer in new CNN docuseries
NEW YORK (AP) — Kara Swisher begins her new CNN series on longevity and health in a cemetery, reflecting on her father's death. The series, “Kara Swisher Wants to Live Forever,” explores how health and tech can extend life. It premieres Saturday. Swisher investigates wellness trends and tech innovations, from AI companions to gene editing. She remains skeptical of quick fixes and critiques the wellness industry's lack of hard science. Swisher's journey includes visits to South Korea, where she examines its high life expectancy. She also creates a 3D clone of herself, exploring the implications of living for generations.
