WhatsApp introduces "Strict Account Settings," a new feature designed to safeguard high-risk users like journalists from cyberattacks by automatically blocking unknown senders' media and calls. This enhanced security measure, developed in response to past spyware incidents, also limits profile visibility and group additions, providing a robust defense against sophisticated cyber campaigns, though it's recommended only for those facing credible threats.

WhatsApp introduces "Strict Account Settings," a new feature designed to safeguard high-risk users like journalists from cyberattacks by automatically blocking unknown senders' media and calls. This enhanced security measure, developed in response to past spyware incidents, also limits profile visibility and group additions, providing a robust defense against sophisticated cyber campaigns, though it's recommended only for those facing credible threats.

Anker's MagGo Wireless Charging Station (Foldable 3-in-1), a device capable of charging iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods simultaneously, is available for $49.99 at Woot through January 30th. This multi-device charger utilizes MagSafe and Qi charging technologies, offering up to 15W for iPhones and fast charging for newer Apple Watch models, streamlining the charging process and potentially reducing e-waste from multiple single-device chargers.

Anker's MagGo Wireless Charging Station (Foldable 3-in-1), a device capable of charging iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods simultaneously, is available for $49.99 at Woot through January 30th. This multi-device charger utilizes MagSafe and Qi charging technologies, offering up to 15W for iPhones and fast charging for newer Apple Watch models, streamlining the charging process and potentially reducing e-waste from multiple single-device chargers.

Growing concerns over U.S. sanctions and technological dominance are pushing Europe to re-evaluate its reliance on American tech. The case of a sanctioned ICC judge highlights the potential for disruption, prompting European leaders to seek alternatives and reduce dependence on U.S. systems. This shift could reshape the tech landscape, fostering innovation and competition from European companies.

Growing concerns over U.S. sanctions and technological dominance are pushing Europe to re-evaluate its reliance on American tech. The case of a sanctioned ICC judge highlights the potential for disruption, prompting European leaders to seek alternatives and reduce dependence on U.S. systems. This shift could reshape the tech landscape, fostering innovation and competition from European companies.

OpenAI's new Prism workspace, integrated with GPT-5.2, offers scientists an AI-powered research tool for tasks like claim assessment and literature review, potentially accelerating scientific discovery. This launch reflects the growing trend of AI assistance in scientific research, highlighted by recent AI applications in mathematics that have yielded debated but promising results. As AI models become more integrated into research, the intersection of AI and science may soon mirror the impact of AI on software engineering.

OpenAI's new Prism workspace, integrated with GPT-5.2, offers scientists an AI-powered research tool for tasks like claim assessment and literature review, potentially accelerating scientific discovery. This launch reflects the growing trend of AI assistance in scientific research, highlighted by recent AI applications in mathematics that have yielded debated but promising results. As AI models become more integrated into research, the intersection of AI and science may soon mirror the impact of AI on software engineering.

Google is expanding its AI offerings with the launch of a more affordable "Google AI Plus" plan, priced at $7.99/month in the US, aiming to capture a broader market segment. This expansion, reaching 35 new countries, provides access to Gemini Pro and Nano, 200GB of storage, and family sharing, potentially impacting the competitive landscape of AI-powered services and driving wider adoption of Google's AI technology.

Google is expanding its AI offerings with the launch of a more affordable "Google AI Plus" plan, priced at $7.99/month in the US, aiming to capture a broader market segment. This expansion, reaching 35 new countries, provides access to Gemini Pro and Nano, 200GB of storage, and family sharing, potentially impacting the competitive landscape of AI-powered services and driving wider adoption of Google's AI technology.

Researchers have identified a neural pathway connecting the brain and immune system that influences heart attack severity in mice, offering potential for novel therapeutic interventions. By disabling specific parts of this circuit, scientists observed significantly improved heart attack outcomes, highlighting the potential of neuroimmune modulation for treating heart disease, a concept supported by prior research on vagus nerve stimulation. This discovery builds upon decades of research into the nervous and immune systems, potentially paving the way for innovative treatments like implantable vagus nerve stimulators.

Researchers have identified a neural pathway connecting the brain and immune system that influences heart attack severity in mice, offering potential for novel therapeutic interventions. By disabling specific parts of this circuit, scientists observed significantly improved heart attack outcomes, highlighting the potential of neuroimmune modulation for treating heart disease, a concept supported by prior research on vagus nerve stimulation. This discovery builds upon decades of research into the nervous and immune systems, potentially paving the way for innovative treatments like implantable vagus nerve stimulators.

Recent reports from Iran detail a brutal crackdown on protesters, with many individuals personally knowing victims of the violence, highlighting the severe human cost of the government's response. Despite near-total internet shutdowns, accounts shared with the BBC reveal a significant escalation in lethal force, marking one of the deadliest periods of anti-government unrest in the Islamic Republic's history and raising concerns about human rights and freedom of expression.

Recent reports from Iran detail a brutal crackdown on protesters, with many individuals personally knowing victims of the violence, highlighting the severe human cost of the government's response. Despite near-total internet shutdowns, accounts shared with the BBC reveal a significant escalation in lethal force, marking one of the deadliest periods of anti-government unrest in the Islamic Republic's history and raising concerns about human rights and freedom of expression.

WhatsApp is introducing "Strict Account Settings," a new optional security feature designed to combat cyberattacks by restricting account functionality. This feature enhances privacy by limiting interactions with unknown contacts, disabling link previews, and strengthening existing protections like two-step verification, offering a lockdown-style approach particularly beneficial for high-profile users. The rollout will occur in the coming weeks, accessible via the Privacy settings.

WhatsApp is introducing "Strict Account Settings," a new optional security feature designed to combat cyberattacks by restricting account functionality. This feature enhances privacy by limiting interactions with unknown contacts, disabling link previews, and strengthening existing protections like two-step verification, offering a lockdown-style approach particularly beneficial for high-profile users. The rollout will occur in the coming weeks, accessible via the Privacy settings.

TikTok's U.S. infrastructure recovery is ongoing following a data center power outage that coincided with the platform's transition to a U.S.-based entity, causing disruptions to user experience, including posting content. While progress has been made with their U.S. data center partner, users may still experience technical issues as TikTok works to restore full functionality, highlighting the complexities of separating infrastructure for regulatory compliance.

TikTok's U.S. infrastructure recovery is ongoing following a data center power outage that coincided with the platform's transition to a U.S.-based entity, causing disruptions to user experience, including posting content. While progress has been made with their U.S. data center partner, users may still experience technical issues as TikTok works to restore full functionality, highlighting the complexities of separating infrastructure for regulatory compliance.

Pornhub's parent company, Aylo, will block access to its platforms in the UK starting February 2nd, citing concerns that the Online Safety Act (OSA) has failed to protect minors and has jeopardized user privacy by driving traffic to unregulated sites. Aylo opted for a complete block rather than implementing age verification measures mandated by the OSA, while UK regulator Ofcom maintains that effective age verification solutions are available and that services can choose to comply with the law. This decision impacts millions of UK users and raises questions about the effectiveness and unintended consequences of online safety regulations.

Pornhub's parent company, Aylo, will block access to its platforms in the UK starting February 2nd, citing concerns that the Online Safety Act (OSA) has failed to protect minors and has jeopardized user privacy by driving traffic to unregulated sites. Aylo opted for a complete block rather than implementing age verification measures mandated by the OSA, while UK regulator Ofcom maintains that effective age verification solutions are available and that services can choose to comply with the law. This decision impacts millions of UK users and raises questions about the effectiveness and unintended consequences of online safety regulations.

Recent data indicates a shrinking price difference between Waymo robotaxi services and traditional ride-hailing options like Uber and Lyft in the San Francisco Bay Area, driven by Waymo's price reductions and increases in Uber/Lyft fares. This shift suggests Waymo may need to further adjust its pricing strategy to maintain competitiveness as the novelty of autonomous rides diminishes, potentially impacting the broader ride-hailing market. Obi's analysis of over 94,000 simulated ride requests shows Waymo's average fare at $19.69, compared to Uber's $17.47 and Lyft's $15.47 during the study period.

Recent data indicates a shrinking price difference between Waymo robotaxi services and traditional ride-hailing options like Uber and Lyft in the San Francisco Bay Area, driven by Waymo's price reductions and increases in Uber/Lyft fares. This shift suggests Waymo may need to further adjust its pricing strategy to maintain competitiveness as the novelty of autonomous rides diminishes, potentially impacting the broader ride-hailing market. Obi's analysis of over 94,000 simulated ride requests shows Waymo's average fare at $19.69, compared to Uber's $17.47 and Lyft's $15.47 during the study period.

Pornhub will restrict access in the UK starting February 2nd due to challenges complying with the Online Safety Act's age verification requirements, which aim to protect children from accessing explicit content. The move follows a significant drop in UK traffic to the site and highlights the tension between regulatory demands and platform accessibility, potentially impacting the broader online content landscape. Only users with pre-existing accounts will be able to access the site.

Pornhub will restrict access in the UK starting February 2nd due to challenges complying with the Online Safety Act's age verification requirements, which aim to protect children from accessing explicit content. The move follows a significant drop in UK traffic to the site and highlights the tension between regulatory demands and platform accessibility, potentially impacting the broader online content landscape. Only users with pre-existing accounts will be able to access the site.