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Camera AirPods and Smart Glasses: Apple’s Next Interface Revolution
Climate History Isn’t Debatable When It’s Drilled Out of Bedrock
Google’s Pixel 10a Play Is Less About Phones and More About Timing
War Games, Real Markets: The Defense Build-Up Investors Pretend Not to See
CISA’s Exploited Vulnerability List Keeps Growing — and So Does the Burnout
In Singapore, traders were already updating their screens before the sun rose. Futures fell slightly, then precipitously, in response to a tariff announcement made in Washington hours earlier rather than a central bank decision. Coffee cups on trading desks remained unopened. The market value had already vanished by the time…
Spotlight
A young man is seen squinting, zooming, and rotating his phone toward a station map on a packed commuter train. The routine is the same: take out the device, finish the task, put the device back in your pocket. Apple seems certain that this small dance is only a passing phase, a clumsy transition from the era of screens to something more subdued. The idea that the next interface won’t be held in the hand is suggested by its reported push into smart glasses, AirPods with cameras, and even a pendant. They’ll wear it. The company’s strategy, which should be implemented by 2027, depends on integrating cameras and microphones into commonplace accessories. The concept is simple but ambitious: Siri will learn context and react to what users are looking at in addition to voice commands. Asking “What is this building?” while looking up might finally result in a response that…
A young man is seen squinting, zooming, and rotating his phone toward a station map on a packed commuter train. The routine is the same: take out the device, finish the task, put the device back in your pocket. Apple seems certain that this small dance is only a passing phase, a clumsy transition from the era of screens to something more subdued. The idea that the next interface won’t be held in the hand is suggested by its reported push into smart glasses, AirPods with cameras, and even a pendant. They’ll wear it. The company’s strategy, which should be implemented by 2027, depends on integrating cameras and microphones into commonplace accessories. The concept is simple but ambitious: Siri will learn context and react to what users are looking at in addition to voice commands. Asking “What is this building?” while looking up might finally result in a response that…
Markets used to believe that war would never break out because it was tragic, unstable, and eventually contained. That presumption is being undermined. As if geopolitics were background noise, equity analysts continue to discuss rate cuts and consumer sentiment despite the fact that defense budgets are increasing in German factory towns and Brussels policy corridors with a seriousness not seen in decades. Investors might be tied to the protracted peace that followed the Cold War, when globalization reduced prices, spurred economic growth, and rendered war appear economically illogical. Capital moved in the direction of efficiency for forty years. Across continents, supply chains extended. Defense factories either consolidated or shrank. The peace dividend influenced investor psychology and business strategy in addition to being political rhetoric. The concept of significant industrial mobilization seemed archaic outside of the former Soviet bases that were now used as logistics centers. Just-in-time inventory, software, and outsourcing…
Olympiakos has climbed to second place in the Euroleague standings following a dominant 109-77 victory over Virtus Bologna at home, while rival Panathinaikos dropped to eighth position after suffering a disappointing 78-62 defeat at Partizan Belgrade. The contrasting Euroleague results this week highlight the diverging fortunes of Greece’s two basketball powerhouses as the season progresses toward the playoffs. The double-week conclusion confirmed Olympiakos is on track for a top-four finish with 17 wins in 26 games, while Panathinaikos faces mounting challenges if it hopes to compete in the Final Four it will host in May. The Athens-based Greens now hold a 16-11 record, raising concerns about their postseason prospects. Olympiakos Dominates with Convincing Performance On Friday at the Peace and Friendship Stadium, Olympiakos delivered one of its most convincing performances of the season against the Italian side. According to reports, Virtus Bologna initially led during the first eight minutes before…
The Milan Cortina Olympics opening ceremony takes place Friday night at Milan’s iconic San Siro stadium, marking the start of the 2026 Winter Games with a nearly three-hour spectacle expected to draw millions of viewers worldwide. The ceremony begins at 9 p.m. CET and will feature performances by international stars including Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli, with approximately 60,000 spectators attending in person. In a departure from tradition, the opening ceremony will incorporate multiple locations across Italy. According to organizers, the Parade of Athletes and other ceremony elements will be conducted simultaneously in Cortina in the Dolomite mountains, Livigno in…
The NBA trade deadline concluded Thursday with Giannis Antetokounmpo remaining in Milwaukee despite widespread speculation about his future with the Bucks. The league witnessed one of its busiest trade periods in two decades, with 28 deals completed in the week leading up to the deadline and 18 finalized on the final day alone. However, the most prominent NBA trade deadline rumors involving Antetokounmpo and Memphis guard Ja Morant ultimately did not materialize into actual moves. According to reports, the Milwaukee Bucks had begun listening to offers for the two-time MVP and nine-time All-NBA selection ahead of the 3 p.m. deadline.…
Greece’s women’s water polo team secured a bronze medal at the European Championships in Portugal, mirroring the achievement of their male counterparts from last month. The world champions defeated Italy 15-8 in the third-place match on Thursday in Funchal, claiming their sixth European medal in the competition’s history. Coach Haris Pavlidis led his squad to the podium finish after a campaign that followed a strikingly similar pattern to the men’s tournament in Belgrade. The Greek women dominated the group stage with a perfect record of five consecutive victories before their medal hopes were altered in the knockout rounds. Greece Women’s…
Greece’s soccer federation has announced a last-minute venue change for the Greek Cup Final, moving the match from Athens to Volos after a dispute with Olympic stadium management. The EPO confirmed that the Cup Final will now take place on April 25 in the central Greek city following what it described as an unacceptable breach of agreement by Athens Olympic stadium officials. According to the EPO statement, stadium management informed the federation that only 20% of the approximately 80,000 seats would be available for fans if the match were held at the Athens venue. The limited capacity was attributed to…
In Singapore, traders were already updating their screens before the sun rose. Futures fell slightly, then precipitously, in response to a tariff announcement made in Washington hours earlier rather than a central bank decision. Coffee cups on trading desks remained unopened. The market value had already vanished by the time European markets opened. Central bankers had remained silent. Monetary policy has dominated world markets for the majority of the last ten years. In order to find hints regarding interest rates and liquidity, investors analyzed every word the Federal Reserve said. It’s a different rhythm. Politics started to move more quickly than policy in 2025, and markets learned to respond instantly. Key TopicPolitics and Financial MarketsCore IssuePolitical events influencing market volatility faster than central bank actionsMajor DriversTariffs, elections, geopolitical conflict, trade policiesNotable Events2025 tariff shocks, Ukraine war energy disruption, election volatilityMarket ReactionsRisk-off trading, gold demand, bond yield swingsSafe-Haven AssetsGold, US TreasuriesAffected…
Once, columns of armor, fighter jets slicing across the horizon, and radio bulletins interrupting afternoon routines were all signs that war was coming. These days, it frequently starts with a slight buzz. A drone that can fit in a car’s trunk hovers over a waiting tanker, a radar site, or a refinery. No announcement, no show. Only a radar screen flicker, followed by a smoke plume a few seconds later. Unmanned aircraft are now used in modern conflicts because they reduce the cost of violence while increasing its scope. For hours, a drone can linger, transmitting live video while evading…
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Mistral AI, the French artificial intelligence company last valued at $13.8 billion, has completed its first acquisition by purchasing Koyeb, a Paris-based startup specializing in AI app deployment infrastructure. The deal marks a significant expansion for the OpenAI competitor as it moves beyond large language model development to become a full-stack AI infrastructure provider. Founded in 2020 by three former Scaleway employees, Koyeb developed a serverless platform that enables developers to deploy and scale applications without managing underlying infrastructure. The acquisition brings Koyeb’s 13-member team, including co-founders Yann Léger, Edouard Bonlieu, and Bastien Chatelard, into Mistral’s engineering division. Strategic Move…
A new traffic light system designed to reduce urban congestion is being implemented in Granada, located in Spain’s southern Andalusia region. The innovative system features traffic signals that briefly display both red and orange lights simultaneously before turning green, marking a significant departure from traditional traffic light sequences used across most of Spain. The combined red-and-orange signal aims to provide drivers with advance warning that the light is about to change. This allows motorists to prepare their vehicles to move immediately when the green light appears, according to local authorities managing the rollout. Traffic Light Innovation Builds on European Models…
Three former SpaceX engineers have secured $50 million in Series A funding for Mesh Optical Technologies, a Los Angeles-based startup focused on manufacturing optical transceivers for AI data centers. Travis Brashears, Cameron Ramos, and Serena Grown-Haeberli announced the investment round led by Thrive Capital on Tuesday, bringing their expertise from developing optical communications for Starlink satellites to address critical supply chain challenges in the artificial intelligence infrastructure market. The co-founders identified the opportunity while working on compute-intensive satellite designs at SpaceX, where they recognized significant limitations in the current optical transceiver market. According to CEO Brashears, the devices convert optical…
As hyperscalers prepare to invest billions in new artificial intelligence data centers, DRAM chip prices have surged approximately seven times over the past year, according to market data from TrendForce. While discussions about AI infrastructure costs typically center on Nvidia and graphics processing units, memory orchestration has emerged as a critical factor that will determine which companies can operate profitably in the evolving AI landscape. The rapid price increase in DRAM chips comes at a time when efficient memory management is becoming essential for AI operations. Companies that master the discipline of directing data to the right agent at the…
A new Volkswagen Passat lease deal offers UK drivers access to a range-topping plug-in hybrid estate car for just £249.42 per month. The offer, available through DreamLease via the Auto Express Buy A Car service, features the premium Black Edition model with a 62-mile electric range and extensive luxury equipment. The three-year Volkswagen Passat lease agreement requires an initial payment of £3,292.03, equivalent to 12 monthly installments, according to the deal terms. The standard mileage allowance is capped at 5,000 miles annually, though drivers can upgrade to 8,000 miles per year for £275.63 monthly with a higher initial payment of…
Volkswagen has been spotted testing the upcoming T-Roc R on snowy roads, marking the return of the performance compact crossover to the automaker’s lineup. The new Volkswagen T-Roc R brings hot hatch power to the brand’s popular SUV segment, featuring significant updates to its exterior design and mechanical components. Test prototypes reveal modifications to the front bumper design and the addition of distinctive performance features that set it apart from standard T-Roc models. The test vehicle showcases changes including a revised lower grille treatment and camouflaged front bumper edges, according to recent spy photographs. The performance crossover will retain the…
Sixteen of nineteen national defense investment plans submitted by European Union member states have received final approval, unlocking access to initial funding under the bloc’s Security Action for Europe program. The European Commission’s SAFE initiative aims to bolster continental defense capabilities amid growing security concerns, with approved plans now totaling over 110 billion euros in committed investments. On Tuesday, February 17, EU finance ministers greenlit the national defense plans of eight additional member states, releasing 74 billion euros in funding. The approved proposals came from Estonia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Finland, according to Euronews. Poland Leads European…
Iran partially closed sections of the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday as indirect nuclear talks with the United States commenced in Geneva, escalating tensions in a critical global shipping lane. The elite Revolutionary Guards conducted military drills as a security precaution, according to Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency, while diplomatic efforts to resolve the nuclear standoff began in Switzerland. The strait closure affected one of the world’s most strategically important waterways, through which approximately one-fifth of global oil supplies pass. Tehran has previously warned it could block commercial shipping through the strait if faced with military attack, underscoring the high…
The Oslo Energy Forum 2026 concluded at the historic Holmenkollen venue, bringing together international leaders to address energy security challenges and opportunities amid global uncertainty. Former U.S. Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey R. Pyatt, now Senior Managing Director of Energy and Critical Minerals at McLarty Associates, delivered key interventions on critical minerals supply chains, transatlantic cooperation, and the geopolitical dimensions of the current energy transition. The forum convened under the theme “Energy and Security in Unpredictable Times – A New Global Order?” and featured participation from Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, and ambassadors from across…
Greece has finalized a landmark offshore hydrocarbon exploration agreement with Chevron and Helleniq Energy to significantly expand natural gas and oil exploration around Crete and the Peloponnese. According to Greek Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou, the strategic deal doubles the country’s exploration area and reinforces Greece’s role in European energy security. The agreement was signed at the Greek Prime Minister’s office with the Prime Minister in attendance. It expands Greece’s offshore hydrocarbon exploration territory from 48,000 to 96,000 square kilometers, marking a substantial increase in the nation’s energy development footprint. Strategic Importance of Offshore Hydrocarbon Exploration Papastavrou emphasized…
Tesla Model Y and Model 3 vehicles now feature Grok, an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by xAI, a company founded by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The integration of Grok into Tesla vehicles brings advanced AI assistance to drivers, offering customizable personalities that range from family-friendly options to adult-rated modes, marking a significant step in automotive AI integration. The Grok AI chatbot is currently being rolled out to Tesla Model Y SUVs and Model 3 sedans, with plans to extend the technology to Model S and Model X vehicles through over-the-air software updates. According to Tesla, owners must have a Premium…
The United States and Iran are scheduled to hold high-stakes indirect nuclear talks in Geneva on Tuesday, as escalating military tensions threaten to overshadow diplomatic efforts. The negotiations, mediated by Oman, come amid a significant U.S. military buildup in the Middle East and Iranian military exercises in strategic waterways. According to Reuters, U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will participate in the discussions alongside Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. President Donald Trump stated he would be involved indirectly in the talks and suggested Tehran was motivated to reach an agreement, telling reporters that Iran does not want to face…
Cupra’s ambitious DarkRebel concept sports car remains under consideration for production, according to recent statements from the brand’s leadership. The electric two-door shooting brake, which showcased Cupra’s design direction at the 2023 Munich Motor Show, continues to generate enthusiasm within the company despite no immediate plans for market launch. This potential halo sports car would represent a significant step for the performance-focused brand as it seeks to establish its identity in the electric vehicle market. Sven Schuwirth, Executive Vice-President for Sales and Marketing, acknowledged the appeal of bringing the DarkRebel concept to reality. According to Schuwirth, a sports car would…
A new Ford Capri lease deal offers drivers the chance to get behind the wheel of the controversial electric coupé-SUV for just £227.99 per month. According to Auto Express, the entry-level model with a 52kWh battery pack provides a competitive 242-mile range while keeping monthly costs remarkably low for an electric vehicle in this segment. The deal comes from Lease Car UK through the Auto Express Buy A Car service and requires an initial payment of £3,083.88 for a 12-month period. The three-year factory-order contract includes an annual mileage allowance of 5,000 miles, though drivers can increase this to 8,000…
Volkswagen has launched a new customisable camper van option that offers buyers a blank canvas for their conversion projects. The Volkswagen Multivan Camper, priced from £52,680 including VAT, provides customers with a stripped-back alternative to the fully-equipped California models, featuring only swivel front seats and a pop-up roof with an empty rear cabin. The new offering represents a significant saving of almost £12,000 compared to the entry-level California Beach, which currently starts at £64,417. According to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, the vehicle comes without rear seating, kitchen facilities, or even floor covering in the cargo area, making it ideal for professional…
BMW is preparing a significant facelift for its M5 Touring, less than three years after the current model’s debut. Prototype testing in Arctic conditions has revealed the high-performance estate will receive comprehensive exterior and interior updates, with the revised BMW M5 Touring expected to arrive in showrooms during 2027. The updates will be applied across the entire 5 Series lineup as part of a mid-cycle refresh. Spy photographs show the prototype wearing heavy camouflage, though the most substantial changes are concentrated at the front of the vehicle. According to reports, the updated model will adopt design language inspired by BMW’s…
Uber Eats is preparing to enter the Greek delivery market in 2026, marking a significant development in the country’s competitive food delivery landscape. According to a senior executive of the American company, Greece has been included in an expansion plan covering seven new European markets, a move that has already sparked considerable interest among industry observers and existing market players. The announcement comes as Greece’s food delivery sector has matured significantly, with established companies having invested tens of millions of euros to build their customer bases. The ready-to-eat food and coffee delivery market is estimated to approach or exceed €1.5…
Over the past week, senior Trump administration officials have repeatedly positioned Greece as a central hub in the United States’ evolving energy strategy in Europe, citing recent agreements in Athens as a model for expanding American LNG exports across the continent. The message surfaced first at a forum hosted by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington and was reiterated days later at the Munich Security Conference, where White House energy officials publicly praised Greece’s role in advancing the Vertical Corridor linking Southern and Eastern Europe to U.S. supply. Taken together, the appearances offer a clearer view of how…
Greece’s public debt continues to decline as a share of gross domestic product, extending a multiyear trend of fiscal consolidation that has drawn praise from international creditors. However, the country is projected to maintain the highest debt-to-GDP ratio in Europe through at least 2036, according to the latest European Commission debt sustainability report. While short-term and long-term risks are considered low, medium-term vulnerabilities remain elevated due to the scale of outstanding obligations and the economy’s sensitivity to external shocks. The latest projections show general government debt falling below 140 percent of GDP in 2026, reaching 138.2 percent, its lowest level…
Viva.com has launched a new banking service for tourism businesses at the HORECA 2026 exhibition, introducing reservation prepayments via factoring to help small and midsize seasonal enterprises secure working capital during the off-season. The European technology bank unveiled the service as a continent-wide first, specifically designed to address liquidity challenges faced by tourism operators before peak season begins. The company is showcasing the innovative solution at HORECA 2026 in Hall 2, Stand 25, where representatives are engaging with tourism industry professionals. According to the announcement, viva.com operates in 24 countries and positions itself as Europe’s leading technology bank for businesses.…
A former energy minister of Cyprus has issued a strong warning about the future of the Great Sea Interconnector, claiming that local interests are sabotaging efforts to link the island to Greece’s electricity grid. Giorgos Papanastasiou told Cypriot newspaper Politis that vested interests are portraying any new electricity source entering the small Cypriot market as a threat, particularly if it is not controlled locally. Cyprus remains the only European Union member state not connected to any other national electricity grid, relying entirely on domestic power generation. Papanastasiou emphasized that a country in energy isolation must find ways to achieve interconnection…
Chevron Corp. is set to sign agreements on Monday, February 16, granting the U.S. energy giant rights to explore and potentially exploit hydrocarbons in four offshore blocks in Greece. The contracts will be signed at noon at the Acropolis Museum in Athens, marking one of the most significant entries by an American energy major into Greece’s upstream sector in recent years. The agreements follow Chevron’s victory last October in a tender conducted by the Hellenic Hydrocarbons and Energy Resources Management Company, according to reports. Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou and HEREMA CEO Aris Stefatos will sign on behalf of…
A senior Trump administration energy official has praised recent energy cooperation agreements between the United States and Greece, highlighting their strategic importance for European energy security. Jarrod Agen, executive director of the National Energy Dominance Council, delivered the remarks Saturday at the Munich Security Conference, emphasizing Greece’s role in US LNG distribution to Europe. During his address at the high-profile international security gathering, Agen specifically recognized Greek Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou, who was present in the audience. The executive director singled out the minister for what he described as an adulatory acknowledgment of Greece’s energy partnership efforts. Vertical…
Five European governments have concluded that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was killed by poisoning with a deadly toxin while imprisoned in an Arctic penal colony in February 2024. Britain, France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands announced in a joint statement on Saturday that laboratory analyses of samples from Navalny’s body confirmed the presence of epibatidine, a lethal neurotoxin naturally found only in South American poison dart frogs. The governments stated their findings were based on comprehensive testing that “conclusively” identified the toxin, which does not occur naturally in Russia. Navalny, a prominent Kremlin critic, died while serving a lengthy…
Spotlight
A young man is seen squinting, zooming, and rotating his phone toward a station map on a packed commuter train. The routine is the same: take out the device, finish the task, put the device back in your pocket. Apple seems certain that this small dance is only a passing phase, a clumsy transition from the era of screens to something more subdued. The idea that the next interface won’t be held in the hand is suggested by its reported push into smart glasses, AirPods with cameras, and even a pendant. They’ll wear it. The company’s strategy, which should be implemented by 2027, depends on integrating cameras and microphones into commonplace accessories. The concept is simple but ambitious: Siri will learn context and react to what users are looking at in addition to voice commands. Asking “What is this building?” while looking up might finally result in a response that…
A young man is seen squinting, zooming, and rotating his phone toward a station map on a packed commuter train. The routine is the same: take out the device, finish the task, put the device back in your pocket. Apple seems certain that this small dance is only a passing phase, a clumsy transition from the era of screens to something more subdued. The idea that the next interface won’t be held in the hand is suggested by its reported push into smart glasses, AirPods with cameras, and even a pendant. They’ll wear it. The company’s strategy, which should be implemented by 2027, depends on integrating cameras and microphones into commonplace accessories. The concept is simple but ambitious: Siri will learn context and react to what users are looking at in addition to voice commands. Asking “What is this building?” while looking up might finally result in a response that…
Markets used to believe that war would never break out because it was tragic, unstable, and eventually contained. That presumption is being undermined. As if geopolitics were background noise, equity analysts continue to discuss rate cuts and consumer sentiment despite the fact that defense budgets are increasing in German factory towns and Brussels policy corridors with a seriousness not seen in decades. Investors might be tied to the protracted peace that followed the Cold War, when globalization reduced prices, spurred economic growth, and rendered war appear economically illogical. Capital moved in the direction of efficiency for forty years. Across continents, supply chains extended. Defense factories either consolidated or shrank. The peace dividend influenced investor psychology and business strategy in addition to being political rhetoric. The concept of significant industrial mobilization seemed archaic outside of the former Soviet bases that were now used as logistics centers. Just-in-time inventory, software, and outsourcing…
Olympiakos has climbed to second place in the Euroleague standings following a dominant 109-77 victory over Virtus Bologna at home, while rival Panathinaikos dropped to eighth position after suffering a disappointing 78-62 defeat at Partizan Belgrade. The contrasting Euroleague results this week highlight the diverging fortunes of Greece’s two basketball powerhouses as the season progresses toward the playoffs. The double-week conclusion confirmed Olympiakos is on track for a top-four finish with 17 wins in 26 games, while Panathinaikos faces mounting challenges if it hopes to compete in the Final Four it will host in May. The Athens-based Greens now hold a 16-11 record, raising concerns about their postseason prospects. Olympiakos Dominates with Convincing Performance On Friday at the Peace and Friendship Stadium, Olympiakos delivered one of its most convincing performances of the season against the Italian side. According to reports, Virtus Bologna initially led during the first eight minutes before…
In Singapore, traders were already updating their screens before the sun rose. Futures fell slightly, then precipitously, in response to a tariff announcement made in Washington hours earlier rather than a central bank decision. Coffee cups on trading desks remained unopened. The market value had already vanished by the time European markets opened. Central bankers had remained silent. Monetary policy has dominated world markets for the majority of the last ten years. In order to find hints regarding interest rates and liquidity, investors analyzed every word the Federal Reserve said. It’s a different rhythm. Politics started to move more quickly than policy in 2025, and markets learned to respond instantly. Key TopicPolitics and Financial MarketsCore IssuePolitical events influencing market volatility faster than central bank actionsMajor DriversTariffs, elections, geopolitical conflict, trade policiesNotable Events2025 tariff shocks, Ukraine war energy disruption, election volatilityMarket ReactionsRisk-off trading, gold demand, bond yield swingsSafe-Haven AssetsGold, US TreasuriesAffected…
In the past, there were three shifts on the Duisburg, Germany, factory floor. With their boots still warm from welding all night, workers poured out at dawn, tapping against the concrete. Parts of that same building are now silent, with gray tarps covering the machines as they wait for orders that aren’t coming in as frequently. China is rarely brought up directly by managers, but it permeates discussions like humidity. China is currently the world’s largest producer of manufactured goods, and this is no coincidence. State-directed investment, low-interest loans, and subsidies helped build millions of factories, many of which were…
The change did not occur all at once. It happened quietly, almost courteously, as Apple usually does when making a significant change. Inside its glass-walled Cupertino headquarters, engineers allegedly started refocusing their efforts on creating something smaller, lighter, and oddly more intimate—glasses that are meant to help you understand the world rather than just show it. Perhaps that sounds innocuous. Another device. However, it seems that the purpose of these glasses isn’t really display. Their focus is on observation. CategoryDetailsCompanyApple Inc.HeadquartersCupertino, California, United StatesProduct (Rumored)AI-powered Smart Glasses (Code-named N50)Expected LaunchEstimated around 2027Core TechnologyComputer vision cameras, microphones, speakers, Siri integrationPurposeContext-aware AI…
Brazilian cinema did not appear out of nowhere. People talk about it as though one standing ovation at a European festival switched everything on. That is not what happened. Brazilian film has been working for decades. Sometimes it made noise. Sometimes it moved quietly. The films that catch international attention are rarely the ones that top the local box office. They tend to be the difficult ones. Political films. Personal films. Films that sit with Brazil’s contradictions and do not look away. In this part of the Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series, I want to trace that path. How Brazilian cinema…
A federal district court in Northern California has ordered OpenAI to stop using the name “Cameo” in its artificial intelligence products, handing a significant legal victory to the celebrity video message platform Cameo. The ruling, filed Saturday, concluded that OpenAI’s use of the trademarked name in its Sora 2 video generation app was likely to cause consumer confusion. OpenAI had been using “Cameo” to describe a feature within Sora 2 that allowed users to insert digital likenesses of themselves into AI-generated videos. However, the court rejected OpenAI’s argument that the term was merely descriptive, stating instead that “it suggests rather…
The California Department of Motor Vehicles has decided not to suspend Tesla’s sales and manufacturing licenses after the electric vehicle maker ceased using the term “Autopilot” in its marketing materials within the state. The decision, announced late Tuesday, allows Tesla to continue operations in California without interruption and formally closes a regulatory dispute that began nearly three years ago. California represents Tesla’s largest market in the United States, making the DMV’s ruling particularly significant for the company’s business operations. According to the DMV’s statement, Tesla took corrective action to avoid the 30-day license suspension that had been recommended by an…
Jack Altman, founder of Alt Capital and younger brother of OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman, is joining prestigious venture capital firm Benchmark as a general partner, according to an announcement made today. The move marks a significant shift in the venture capital landscape, as Altman will be leaving his own successful VC firm to join one of Silicon Valley’s most renowned early-stage investors. Benchmark confirmed the appointment in a social media post, welcoming Altman to the firm. Notably, Altman’s teammates from Alt Capital will also be joining him at Benchmark, representing an unusual departure from the firm’s traditional structure. Benchmark has…
Ford is preparing to launch an affordable electric truck next year with a starting price of $30,000, aiming to compete directly with Chinese automakers while maintaining profitability. The company announced Tuesday that the affordable EV truck will leverage innovative manufacturing techniques including 3D-printed components, Formula 1 engineering expertise, and an internal efficiency bounty program to achieve this ambitious price target. The announcement comes as Ford seeks to recover from a $19.5 billion financial hit in December and the discontinuation of its battery-electric F-150 Lightning production. The automaker’s new EV strategy centers on making electric vehicles accessible to a broader customer…
An internal Meta research project called “Project MYST” has emerged as key evidence in a landmark social media addiction trial currently underway in Los Angeles County Superior Court. According to testimony, the study found that parental supervision and controls had minimal impact on preventing compulsive social media use among teenagers. The research, conducted in partnership with the University of Chicago, surveyed 1,000 teens and their parents about social media habits and parental oversight. The plaintiff, identified as Kaley or “KGM,” is suing Meta and YouTube alongside her mother, alleging that social media companies created addictive products that caused anxiety, depression,…
Apple is reportedly accelerating development of three artificial intelligence-powered wearable devices as the tech giant aims to compete in the rapidly evolving AI wearables market. According to Bloomberg, the company is ramping up work on AI-enabled smart glasses, a camera-equipped pendant, and enhanced AirPods, all designed to integrate deeply with the iPhone and Siri virtual assistant. The move comes as competitors including Meta and Snap push forward with their own smart wearable offerings. The Information first reported in late January that Apple was developing an AI wearable pendant roughly the size of an AirTag with integrated cameras that users could…
Thrive Capital has successfully raised $10 billion for its newest investment vehicle, marking the largest fundraise in the firm’s history and representing nearly double the size of its previous fund. The announcement confirms that $1 billion of the total will be allocated to early-stage investments, while the remaining $9 billion will focus on growth-stage opportunities, according to a statement from Thrive Capital. The fundraising effort, dubbed Thrive X, represents the firm’s 10th fund and was reportedly oversubscribed, Thrive told Bloomberg. Founded by Josh Kushner, the venture capital firm has built an impressive portfolio that includes some of the technology sector’s…
Stacy Brown-Philpot, founder and managing partner of Cherryrock Capital, is stepping into the venture capital arena with a clear mission to support underinvested founders at critical growth stages. The former TaskRabbit CEO and Google executive recently discussed her new venture firm on the StrictlyVC Download podcast, outlining her strategy for backing Series A and Series B software companies in today’s challenging fundraising environment. After spending a decade at Google and successfully leading TaskRabbit through its acquisition by IKEA, Brown-Philpot launched Cherryrock Capital to address what she identifies as a significant gap in the current venture ecosystem. Her firm concentrates specifically…
A new investment platform called Material Scale is addressing one of the most persistent challenges facing climate tech startups in the materials sector: bridging the gap between prototype development and commercial-scale production. Founded by Josh Felser, co-founder and managing partner of early-stage venture firm Climactic, the initiative uses a hybrid debt-equity investment vehicle to help materials startups secure their first major customers while scaling production capabilities. Material Scale will initially focus on climate tech startups in the apparel industry, with Ralph Lauren joining as a buyer for the platform’s launch. Investment firm Structure Climate is partnering with Climactic as a…
Anthropic has launched Claude Sonnet 4.6, the latest iteration of its midsized AI model, maintaining the company’s consistent four-month update cycle. According to the company’s announcement, the new model delivers significant enhancements in coding capabilities, instruction-following accuracy, and computer use functionality. The Claude Sonnet 4.6 release will serve as the default model for users on both Free and Pro subscription plans. The beta version of Sonnet 4.6 introduces a substantially expanded context window of 1 million tokens, representing a twofold increase from the largest window previously available for Sonnet models. Anthropic stated that this enhanced capacity is sufficient to process…
Toyota has unveiled an updated lineup for its popular RAV4 SUV, introducing enhanced trim levels and a performance-focused GR Sport variant. The new Toyota RAV4 range features the Icon and Excel trims with upgraded luxury amenities, while the range-topping GR Sport model promises increased driver engagement through chassis enhancements and sporty design elements. The updated models showcase Toyota’s continued commitment to refining one of the world’s best-selling SUVs. According to the manufacturer, the Icon trim level will include 20-inch alloy wheels, premium paint options, synthetic leather and suede seating, heated and ventilated front seats, a wireless charging pad, and a…
Greece achieved a primary surplus of 3.51 billion euros in January 2026, significantly surpassing the government’s initial target of 1.751 billion euros, according to preliminary state budget execution data. The strong fiscal performance represents a substantial improvement over the 1.98 billion euro primary surplus recorded during the same month in 2025, demonstrating continued momentum in the country’s budgetary discipline. According to the modified cash basis data, the overall state budget balance posted a surplus of 2.287 billion euros for January, far exceeding the target surplus of 543 million euros outlined in the 2026 Budget report. Net state budget revenues totaled…
Mistral AI, the French artificial intelligence company last valued at $13.8 billion, has completed its first acquisition by purchasing Koyeb, a Paris-based startup specializing in AI app deployment infrastructure. The deal marks a significant expansion for the OpenAI competitor as it moves beyond large language model development to become a full-stack AI infrastructure provider. Founded in 2020 by three former Scaleway employees, Koyeb developed a serverless platform that enables developers to deploy and scale applications without managing underlying infrastructure. The acquisition brings Koyeb’s 13-member team, including co-founders Yann Léger, Edouard Bonlieu, and Bastien Chatelard, into Mistral’s engineering division. Strategic Move…
A new traffic light system designed to reduce urban congestion is being implemented in Granada, located in Spain’s southern Andalusia region. The innovative system features traffic signals that briefly display both red and orange lights simultaneously before turning green, marking a significant departure from traditional traffic light sequences used across most of Spain. The combined red-and-orange signal aims to provide drivers with advance warning that the light is about to change. This allows motorists to prepare their vehicles to move immediately when the green light appears, according to local authorities managing the rollout. Traffic Light Innovation Builds on European Models…
Three former SpaceX engineers have secured $50 million in Series A funding for Mesh Optical Technologies, a Los Angeles-based startup focused on manufacturing optical transceivers for AI data centers. Travis Brashears, Cameron Ramos, and Serena Grown-Haeberli announced the investment round led by Thrive Capital on Tuesday, bringing their expertise from developing optical communications for Starlink satellites to address critical supply chain challenges in the artificial intelligence infrastructure market. The co-founders identified the opportunity while working on compute-intensive satellite designs at SpaceX, where they recognized significant limitations in the current optical transceiver market. According to CEO Brashears, the devices convert optical…
As hyperscalers prepare to invest billions in new artificial intelligence data centers, DRAM chip prices have surged approximately seven times over the past year, according to market data from TrendForce. While discussions about AI infrastructure costs typically center on Nvidia and graphics processing units, memory orchestration has emerged as a critical factor that will determine which companies can operate profitably in the evolving AI landscape. The rapid price increase in DRAM chips comes at a time when efficient memory management is becoming essential for AI operations. Companies that master the discipline of directing data to the right agent at the…
A new Volkswagen Passat lease deal offers UK drivers access to a range-topping plug-in hybrid estate car for just £249.42 per month. The offer, available through DreamLease via the Auto Express Buy A Car service, features the premium Black Edition model with a 62-mile electric range and extensive luxury equipment. The three-year Volkswagen Passat lease agreement requires an initial payment of £3,292.03, equivalent to 12 monthly installments, according to the deal terms. The standard mileage allowance is capped at 5,000 miles annually, though drivers can upgrade to 8,000 miles per year for £275.63 monthly with a higher initial payment of…
Volkswagen has been spotted testing the upcoming T-Roc R on snowy roads, marking the return of the performance compact crossover to the automaker’s lineup. The new Volkswagen T-Roc R brings hot hatch power to the brand’s popular SUV segment, featuring significant updates to its exterior design and mechanical components. Test prototypes reveal modifications to the front bumper design and the addition of distinctive performance features that set it apart from standard T-Roc models. The test vehicle showcases changes including a revised lower grille treatment and camouflaged front bumper edges, according to recent spy photographs. The performance crossover will retain the…
Sixteen of nineteen national defense investment plans submitted by European Union member states have received final approval, unlocking access to initial funding under the bloc’s Security Action for Europe program. The European Commission’s SAFE initiative aims to bolster continental defense capabilities amid growing security concerns, with approved plans now totaling over 110 billion euros in committed investments. On Tuesday, February 17, EU finance ministers greenlit the national defense plans of eight additional member states, releasing 74 billion euros in funding. The approved proposals came from Estonia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Finland, according to Euronews. Poland Leads European…
Iran partially closed sections of the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday as indirect nuclear talks with the United States commenced in Geneva, escalating tensions in a critical global shipping lane. The elite Revolutionary Guards conducted military drills as a security precaution, according to Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency, while diplomatic efforts to resolve the nuclear standoff began in Switzerland. The strait closure affected one of the world’s most strategically important waterways, through which approximately one-fifth of global oil supplies pass. Tehran has previously warned it could block commercial shipping through the strait if faced with military attack, underscoring the high…
The Oslo Energy Forum 2026 concluded at the historic Holmenkollen venue, bringing together international leaders to address energy security challenges and opportunities amid global uncertainty. Former U.S. Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey R. Pyatt, now Senior Managing Director of Energy and Critical Minerals at McLarty Associates, delivered key interventions on critical minerals supply chains, transatlantic cooperation, and the geopolitical dimensions of the current energy transition. The forum convened under the theme “Energy and Security in Unpredictable Times – A New Global Order?” and featured participation from Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, and ambassadors from across…