What to read this weekend: Celestial Lights and If Destruction Be Our Lot
Here's what we read (and liked) this week.
Milan to Moon: NASA astronauts may wear Prada spacesuits during Artemis III mission
The haves and have nots of the AI gold rush
The vibes around the current AI boom aren't great, even in the tech industry.
Marketing operating system Nectar Social raises $30M Series A led by Menlo
AI-powered marketing platform Nectar Social announced Thursday that it raised a $30 million Series A round led by Menlo Ventures and its Anthology Fund, which was created alongside Anthropic.
SpaceX is reportedly getting ready to go public as early as June
Reuters reported that SpaceX could make the initial announcement by next Wednesday.
Research repository ArXiv will ban authors for a year if they let AI do all the work
ArXiv is doing more to crack down on the careless use of large language models in scientific papers.
Engadget review recap: Razr Fold, Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker, Ultrahuman Ring Pro and more
A roundup of recent reviews published by Engadget.
OpenAI is offering ChatGPT Plus to citizens of Malta for a year
Residents will have to go through a course on artificial intelligence before activating the subscription.
The offline desk gadget that actually got me to sit up straight
Deep Care's $350 device is pricy, but it runs offline and helps you improve your posture and movement habits
This week's science news.
OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman reportedly takes charge of product strategy
OpenAI's latest shakeup comes as the company reportedly plans to combine ChatGPT and its programming product Codex.
NASA's Psyche spacecraft just got an assist from Mars on the way to its asteroid namesake
Its target asteroid could give us insight on how Earth's core came to be.
$60B AI chip darling Cerebras almost died early on, burning $8M a month
Cerebras Systems was 2026's biggest tech IPO so far. But years ago, it burned through hundreds of millions working on a chip many believed impossible.
A chemist's accidental sweet taste in 1879 sparked a food revolution. Constantin Fahlberg discovered saccharin, the world's first artificial sweetener. This low-cost sugar substitute became vital during wartime shortages. Saccharin's discovery opened doors for artificial sweetness, transforming food production and flavor design. It remains a significant milestone in food history.
In 1938, German chemists Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann made a groundbreaking discovery. Their experiments with uranium revealed barium, an element much lighter than expected. This unexpected finding challenged existing scientific laws. It led to the understanding of nuclear fission, a process that releases immense energy. This pivotal moment ushered in the atomic age and forever changed science.
An ancient Spanish coin, minted 2,000 years ago, was mistakenly used as bus fare in Leeds in 1950. Discovered by a cashier, it remained a family heirloom for seven decades before being donated to Leeds Museums. Experts identified it as a Carthaginian artifact depicting the god Melqart and tuna, highlighting ancient trade routes and the coin's incredible journey.
Roman Camp Recasts Expansion: Peaceful Frankfurt find challenges conquest myth; artefacts show trade
Archaeologists unearthed a Roman military camp from the year zero in Frankfurt, challenging the traditional narrative of violent Roman expansion. Instead of weapons, the site yielded evidence of trade and cultural exchange, suggesting Romans sought cooperation with locals. This discovery highlights a soft Roman expansion focused on integration and shared identity.
Renovating their English countryside home, Robert and Betty Fooks unearthed a 17th-century coin hoard. Buried during the English Civil War's chaos, this Poorton Coin Hoard of gold and silver coins was a desperate act to safeguard wealth from sequestration. The discovery highlights a harrowing historical reality of survival and lost fortunes.
Japan Beach Mystery Sphere: Viral bomb fears end in a buoy; web panic over steel ball
A mysterious metal sphere washed ashore in Japan, sparking global panic and wild online speculation about spy devices. However, officials confirmed it was a harmless oceanographic buoy, highlighting how easily fear and misinformation spread in our hyper-connected world. The 'threat' will now be recycled, a stark reminder of reality versus online hype.
Plus, a game with a perfect Tamagotchi pun for a name.
Old Oil and Gas Wells Could Find Second Life Producing Clean Energy
States across the US are looking to take major sources of pollution and use them to generate much-needed power.
Microsoft lets Insiders choose their Windows 11 Start menu size
The company is also testing the ability to reposition the Windows 11 taskbar.
Construction work in Pombal, Portugal, unearthed a colossal dinosaur skeleton. This sauropod, possibly Europe's largest, measured 82 feet long and 39 feet high. The rib cage remained in its original position, suggesting a unique fossilization. This discovery highlights Portugal's rich prehistoric past and the potential for ancient wonders beneath ordinary backyards.
In the late 18th century, New York farmer John Masten discovered enormous prehistoric bones in marl pits. Artist Charles Willson Peale acquired these remains, embarking on a monumental effort to excavate and assemble America's first mounted fossil exhibit. This discovery of an American Mastodon challenged European notions of American degeneracy and showcased the nation's capacity for grand discoveries.
Best Indoor Garden Systems: I've Been Testing All Year (2026)
Grow a backyards worth of greens and vegetables in your house with a vertical hydroponic garden. Here are a few that might be worth the investment.
After Struggling With EVs, US Automakers Pivot to Energy
Ford and GM are backing away from electric vehicles and moving into the battery storage business. And it all comes back to AI.
A significant ancient artifact, the Venus of Willendorf, was unearthed in Austria in 1908. This small statue, made from stone transported over 450 miles, challenges previous beliefs about Ice Age societies. New research shows its composition matches rock from Italy. The figurine's unique features and origin highlight the advanced skills and extensive travel of Gravettian hunters and gatherers.
A chance discovery in Poland in 1933 revealed a prehistoric settlement. This ancient site, preserved for over two thousand years, showcased advanced urban planning and engineering. The settlement offered a unique glimpse into life between the Bronze and Iron Ages. Today, Biskupin stands as a significant archaeological open-air museum, reminding us of forgotten civilisations beneath ordinary landscapes.
Some Asexuals Are Using AI Companions for Intimacy Without the Sex
Ive got one hand on the keyboard, one hand down below, an artist who role-plays with their chatbot tells WIRED. But some asexual advocates arent thrilled about the association.
Scientists uncover a 60-mile hidden network beneath Africa that is still growing
Scientists have discovered a vast, interconnected network of magma sills, stretching over 100 kilometers beneath Africa's Afar Depression. This complex underground system, revealed by satellite data tracking subtle earth tremors, is actively feeding the formation of a new ocean. This groundbreaking finding reshapes our understanding of how continents rift and new oceanic crust is born.
Asteroid 2026 JH2 Is About to Fly Right Past EarthRelatively Speaking
On May 18, an asteroid about the size of Chicagos Cloud Gate will fly four times closer to Earth than the moon.
YouTube's AI deepfake detection tool is now available to all creators 18 and older
Even new creators can sign up for access.
UK media regulator says X promises to crack down on terrorist and hate content
Elon Musks social media platform X is pledging to crack down on hate and terrorist content in Britain
Tech CEOs summoned to Congress for another hearing on social medias risks for children
Social media CEOs have been called to testify before Congress amid growing pressure to protect young users
Arm Holdings to face U.S. antitrust probe over chip tech: Report
The FTC is investigating whether Arm is trying to illegally monopolise parts of the semiconductor market, the report said
Artisanal communities: how this platform empowers creativity and entrepreneurship
In this photo essay, we feature highlights from the Colour Play edition of Sunday Soul Sante in Bengaluru.
AT&T Promo Codes and Bundle Deals: Save $50 in May
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Sportsman's Warehouse Promo Code: Save in May 2026
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The Chromebook era is over: Google unveils Googlebook AI laptop
Google has officially signalled the end of the Chromebook era after 15 years, unveiling the Googlebook, a new category of artificial intelligence (AI)-native laptops designed to replace the traditional operating system with what Google calls an intelligence system. The Googlebook represents a strategic merger of Androids app ecosystem and ChromeOSs browsing speed, creating a new Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
YouTube, Snap and TikTok settle school district's social media addiction claims
The companies have denied the allegations and say they take extensive steps to keep teens and young users safe on their platforms
Rapido raises $240M at $3B valuation; Inside Equinitis India plans
The ride hailing company said the capital will be used to expand into newer markets and strengthen its presence in existing markets.
Snap and YouTube have reportedly settled another major social media addiction lawsuit
The companies are facing numerous other legal challenges.
New crash data highlights the slow progress of Tesla's robotaxis
Two crashes since July 2025 involved robotaxis being driven by remote operators.
The Best Outdoor Deals From the REI Anniversary Sale 2026
Its the best time of year to pick up all the outdoor gadgets, tents, sleeping bags, and other gear youll need for summer fun.
RJ Scaringe has raised more than $12 billion across three startups and investors still want more
Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe has a knack for raising money. So far, his three startups have raised more than $12.3 billion.
General Catalyst posted VC rage bait and it worked, especially on a16z
Compulsive X user Andreessen himself couldn't resist responding, many, many times.
Tesla Reveals New Details About Robotaxi Crashesand the Humans Involved
Remote operators (slowly) drove the automakers autonomous vehicles into a metal fence and a construction barricade, Tesla says.
California lawmakers are working on a bill to preserve access to online games
Game preservation group Stop Killing Games advised on the bill.
Summer Games Done Quick returns this July, schedule out now
Who's up for a Jak & Daxter / Half-Life hybrid?
Marathon's future includes duo queues, more PvE modes and better onboarding
Bungie details how it plans to grow its extraction shooter.
Three's a party: US, China, and now Russia are on the prowl in GEO
Instead of running silent and deep, most satellites easily stand out against the blackness of space.
Ebola outbreak with uncommon strain erupts in Congo and Uganda; 65 deaths
WHO learned of potential cases May 5; US CDC said it just heard about it yesterday.
Silicon Valleys vacationland needs a new energy provider just as AI is driving prices up
Lake Tahoe, Silicon Valley's favorite ski spot, is about to get hit with higher energy prices as AI drives demand for electricity.
Spencer Pratt Is Creating Panic Over Super Meth. Its Not Even Real
The LA mayoral candidate and former reality TV star is fueling his campaign with fears about an ultra-potent meth. Experts say its drug war propaganda.
Tesla reveals two Robotaxi crashes involving teleoperators
Newly un-redacted crash reports reveal some of the troubles Tesla has had as it tries to scale its robotaxis.
Greg Brockman Officially Takes Control of OpenAIs Products in Latest Shake-Up
OpenAI is once again reorganizing its executive ranks as part of its effort to unify ChatGPT and Codex into one core product experience.
Making cement from a different type of rock could clean up emissions
Limestone might not be the only source for Portland cement.
The cute VR platformer Moss and its sequel are heading to consoles
A bundle of both games, along with some DLC, arrives this summer.
The Chinese App That Puts Instagram to Shame
In the ancient city of Dali, I saw firsthand how RedNote has evolved from a lifestyle platform into the tool that powers the countrys tourism industry.
Bill to block publishers from killing online games advances in California
Publishers would have to offer independent play patch or refunds after server shutdowns.
OpenAI launches ChatGPT for personal finance, will let you connect bank accounts
Once users connect their accounts, they will see a dashboard of their portfolio performance, spending, subscriptions, and upcoming payments.
Power prices are up 76% on Americas biggest grid, and a watchdog is pointing fingers
Prices have nearly doubled in the largest U.S. grid thanks to surging demand from data centers.
The Nest app is down for many users
The official Nest status page claims everything is running smoothly.
US orders travelers on Air Force One to throw away gifts, pins, and burner phones after China trip
People who travelled to Beijing for a summit between the United States and China had to throw away items they received during the trip before boarding Air Force One, presumably for security reasons.
Lego 2K Drive will vanish from digital storefronts on May 19
The racing game's multiplayer servers will remain live for another year.
Companies Keep Slashing Employees Benefits for the Worst Reasons
Workers are getting worse health care, parental leave, and retirement benefits, showing once and for all that your job doesnt love you back.
X, a bastion for hate, claims it will reduce hate content in the UK
Ofcom says X has committed to reviewing reported posts more quickly.
Freshworks experts reveal the three signs your IT team is ready to modernize
Freshworks experts Vish Mehta and Reddy Ramprakash break down what it takes to modernize IT service management without adding more chaos.
Rocket Report: Russia claims success with new ICBM; spaceplane dj vu in Europe
SpaceX's upgraded Starship is set to launch on its first test flight as soon as Tuesday, May 19.
Karnataka is accelerating plans for a new drone testing facility near Bengaluru as the state pushes to position itself at the center of Indias rapidly expanding drone economy.
Govt releases first cheques under Rs 1 lakh crore RDI Fund, five deep tech startups make the cut
India has released the first funds under its Rs 1 lakh crore RDI Scheme, backing five deep tech startups working across space, robotics, batteries, drones and advanced healthcare.
Routine vaccines may cut dementia riskexperts have startling hypothesis on how
Vaccines may be training a part of our immune system long thought to be untrainable.
Engadget Podcast: Who needs Googlebooks?
We also dive into all the new features in Android 17.
Runway started by helping filmmakers. Now it wants to beat Google at AI.
AI video generation startup Runway is betting that video generation is the path to world models. And that being an AI outsider is an advantage, not a liability.
Pennsylvanians use town hall meeting to rail against data center boom
This is a public trust and transparency issue.
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan chairs Bharat Innovates 2026 deep-tech roundtable
With France emerging as a key innovation partner and the IndiaEU FTA strengthening strategic alignment, Bharat Innovates 2026 s
A plant that does math: Scientists uncover hidden Voronoi patterns inside Chinese money plant leaves
Philip Ii Tomb Identification: forensic study settles royal mystery; fascination enters new phase
A scientific study has solved a long-standing mystery. King Philip II of Macedon is confirmed to be buried in Tomb I at Vergina. This discovery uses modern forensics to identify skeletal remains. It reveals injuries matching historical accounts of Philip's life. The findings also identify other royal burials, including Alexander the Great's half-brother and son.
Even GoPro is pivoting to defense
The action camera maker, like so many other companies these days, is looking to defense applications as it evaluates a possible sale.
Discovery Of Nagatitan: Thai sauropod is regions largest; find links giants to past warming
Scientists have unveiled Nagatitan Chaiyaphumensis, a colossal plant-eating dinosaur found in Thailand. This titan, the largest ever in Southeast Asia, roamed 113 million years ago. Its discovery sheds light on prehistoric ecosystems and the impact of a warmer Earth. Nagatitan's immense size offered protection from predators. This find adds a significant chapter to our understanding of ancient life.
