undefined 16, 2025
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg takes stand on first day of historic US antitrust trial
Mark Zuckerberg defended Meta in a U.S. antitrust trial over its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. The FTC claims Meta bought rivals to stifle competition, citing Zuckerberg’s “buy rather than compete” strategy. Meta argues it faces strong competition from TikTok, YouTube, and others, and improved the acquired apps. The FTC must prove Meta holds monopoly power now. Meta calls the lawsuit misguided and warns breaking it up could harm U.S. innovation.
OpenAI is building a social network
OpenAI is developing a social network with a feed focused on ChatGPT's image generation, sources say. Still in early stages, CEO Sam Altman is seeking feedback, though it’s unclear if it’ll be a new app or part of ChatGPT. The move could escalate Altman’s rivalry with Elon Musk and put OpenAI in closer competition with Meta, both of which use social data to train AI. The app may use AI to help users share better content and generate its own training data.
Blue Origin launch: Space missions don't get any weirder than this
Blue Origin launched its first all-female crew, including Katy Perry and Lauren Sanchez, on a spaceflight aboard New Shepard. The mission mixed space tourism with celebrity flair, featuring designer suits, weightlessness, and moon tributes. Jeff Bezos greeted the crew upon return. While more showbiz than science, it marked a historic moment and aimed to inspire girls and women to pursue space dreams. Perry called it "putting the ass into astronauts."
Source: interestingengineering
Google’s groundbreaking tech lets humans converse with dolphins in real-time
Google has developed an AI model called DolphinGemma that could enable humans to communicate with dolphins. Built on LLM tech like Gemini, it works with a system called CHAT to interpret and mimic dolphin sounds. Still in testing, the project aims to create a shared vocabulary using artificial whistles tied to objects. Partnering with WDP and Georgia Tech, this effort builds on 40+ years of dolphin research and may mark a major breakthrough in interspecies communication.
How extinct animals could be brought back from the dead
Scientists are using CRISPR to revive extinct species like the thylacine, working with preserved DNA and editing cells from its closest relative. De-extinction company Colossal is also developing mammoth hybrids and claims to have bred dire wolves. Other efforts include cloning extinct frogs and back-breeding ancient cattle. While the tech offers hope for conservation, it raises ethical concerns about disrupting ecosystems and shifting focus from protecting species still alive.
For security, Android phones will now auto-reboot after three days
Android phones will now auto-reboot if locked for 3 days straight. This update, pushed via Google Play services, boosts security by keeping phones in a fully encrypted “Before First Unlock” state—making it harder for tools like Cellebrite to extract data. Apple added a similar feature last year. Once a phone is unlocked, more data becomes vulnerable, so forced restarts help protect user info during long periods of inactivity.
Source: interestingengineering
Aliens turned Soviet soldiers to stone for attacking their UFO: Declassified CIA file
A declassified CIA report claims aliens turned 23 Soviet soldiers to stone after a UFO was shot down in Ukraine. The 250-page KGB file, obtained after the USSR’s fall, describes humanoid beings merging into a glowing sphere that exploded, petrifying the soldiers. Only two survived. The CIA called it a “horrific picture of revenge” and warned the tech used was beyond human understanding. The event remains unverified but has resurfaced with renewed interest in UFOs.
Strange sea pigs, sea spiders and a spawning 'butterfly' discovered on Antarctic ocean floor
Scientists aboard the RSV Nuyina have discovered bizarre deep-sea creatures near Antarctica’s Denman Glacier, including pink “sea pigs,” giant sea spiders, and sea butterflies. Some may be unknown to science. The team is studying how warming waters affect the glacier while collecting marine life using a special tank to keep them alive. A sea butterfly even laid eggs onboard, offering rare insight into its development. The mission is part of broader climate research in East Antarctica.
The genetic mystery of why some people develop autism
Autism is largely influenced by genetics, with studies showing it runs in families. Some gene mutations cause severe disability, but most autism arises from the combined effects of many small genetic variations. Environmental factors like air pollution may also play a role. While some seek treatments for severe autism, others emphasize that autism is a natural part of human diversity. Research continues to focus on supporting and understanding autistic individuals, rather than seeking a cure.
