undefined 29, 2025
The agonizing task of turning Europe's power back on
A massive blackout hit Spain and Portugal at 12:30 pm Monday, halting trains, traffic lights, and airport operations, with millions affected and parts of France also impacted. People were stuck in elevators, cities were gridlocked, and only cash was accepted in some shops. Recovery is ongoing via a slow "black start" process, with no clear cause confirmed. Portugal blames extreme temperature-induced vibrations; Spain has yet to agree. Full restoration could take days.
If A.I. systems become conscious, should they have rights?
Tech columnist Kevin Roose explores the growing debate over A.I. consciousness, sparked by Anthropic's research into “model welfare.” While current A.I. systems like Claude aren’t believed to be conscious, researchers are considering ethical treatment in case future models develop awareness. Though many remain skeptical, some believe it's worth studying A.I. welfare alongside safety and alignment, just in case. Roose, a humanist, stresses the focus should remain on protecting people first.
Starlink’s got company, and orbital overcrowding is a disaster waiting to happen
Amazon launched 27 Project Kuiper satellites on April 28, entering the race against SpaceX's Starlink and others to build massive satellite constellations. With thousands of satellites from Amazon, OneWeb, China’s Guowang and Qianfan projects, and more, concerns are rising over orbital overcrowding. ESA warns that if trends continue, nearly 50,000 objects over 10cm could be in low-Earth orbit by 2050, increasing collision risks and space debris.
Source: interestingengineering
Bolivia’s long-dormant ‘zombie’ volcano coming back to life after 250,000 years
Bolivia’s Uturuncu volcano, dormant for over 250,000 years, shows signs of life like earthquakes and gas emissions, earning it the nickname “zombie” volcano. A new study using seismic tomography reveals that its activity is likely caused by geothermally heated fluids and gases beneath the surface, not imminent eruption. Researchers from China, the UK, and the U.S. say the findings help assess volcanic hazards and can aid in studying other seemingly inactive volcanoes.
‘I didn’t eat or sleep’: a Meta moderator on his breakdown after seeing beheadings and child abuse
Solomon, a content moderator for Meta in Accra, Ghana, was traumatized by daily exposure to extreme violence and abuse online, including beheadings and child abuse. Employed by Teleperformance, he developed major depression and attempted suicide, later alleging poor living conditions and inadequate psychological support. Another moderator, Abel, was fired for defending Solomon and described similar emotional deterioration. Both claim the job profoundly damaged their mental health. Teleperformance stated they offered alternative roles and support, which Solomon declined, and accused him of trying to extort the company.
Source: interestingengineering
Postage stamp-sized artificial leaf converts CO2 into fuel using sunlight
Researchers at Berkeley Lab and global partners have developed an artificial leaf that uses only sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into liquid fuels and other valuable chemicals. Mimicking natural photosynthesis, the device combines light-absorbing perovskites with flower-shaped copper electrocatalysts to produce carbon-carbon (C2) molecules—key precursors for fuels and plastics. The breakthrough, part of the DOE-funded Liquid Sunlight Alliance, marks a major step toward sustainable, scalable solar fuel technology, using durable materials and efficient solar-to-chemical conversion in a compact, postage stamp-sized system.
Drinking white wine could reduce risk of cardiac arrest
A major new study suggests that thousands of sudden cardiac arrests could be prevented through healthier lifestyles and better awareness. Researchers analyzed data from over 500,000 people and found that drinking white wine or Champagne in moderation, eating more fruit, staying positive, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing blood pressure can significantly reduce the risk. Poor sleep, inactivity, high BMI, and low education levels were linked to higher risk. Published in the *Canadian Journal of Cardiology*, the study identified 56 risk factors, estimating that up to 63% of sudden cardiac arrests may be preventable.
How the world’s largest language family spread — and why others go extinct
Three new books explore the origins and fate of the world’s languages, revealing both the widespread dominance of Indo-European and the quiet disappearance of rarer tongues. *Proto* by Laura Spinney and *The Indo-Europeans Rediscovered* by J.P. Mallory delve into how genetic and archaeological evidence has reshaped our understanding of the Proto-Indo-European language family, now believed to have spread from the Pontic–Caspian Steppe about 5,000 years ago. Meanwhile, *Rare Tongues* by Lorna Gibb shifts the focus to endangered and extinct languages, examining why some vanish while others flourish. Together, they offer a fresh perspective on how language shapes, and is shaped by, human history.
'Hell ant' with scythe-like jaws may be oldest ant fossil ever discovered
Scientists have identified the oldest known ant fossil — a 113-million-year-old “hell ant” discovered in northeastern Brazil — marking a major breakthrough in our understanding of ant evolution. Named Vulcanidris cratensis, the ancient insect had scythe-like jaws that likely helped it trap prey, revealing that complex predatory features evolved early in ant history. Preserved in limestone rather than amber, this fossil predates previously known ant specimens and shows that ants were already globally distributed far earlier than assumed. The discovery underscores both the speed of early insect evolution and the value of overlooked museum collections.
Duolingo will replace contract workers with AI
Duolingo CEO Luis von Ahn announced the company will become “AI-first,” phasing out contractors for tasks AI can handle and emphasizing AI use in hiring, reviews, and staffing. The move aims to automate repetitive work, boost creativity, and scale content faster. Von Ahn stressed the shift isn’t about replacing staff but removing bottlenecks to enhance productivity and better serve learners.
