Drawing from multiple news sources, AI inference infrastructure startup Modal Labs is reportedly raising a new round of funding at a $2.5 billion valuation, more than doubling its valuation from just months ago. This surge in valuation reflects the growing investor interest in the AI inference space, as evidenced by recent funding rounds for competitors like Baseten, Fireworks AI, Inferact, and RadixArk.

Drawing from multiple news sources, AI inference infrastructure startup Modal Labs is reportedly raising a new round of funding at a $2.5 billion valuation, more than doubling its valuation from just months ago. This surge in valuation reflects the growing investor interest in the AI inference space, as evidenced by recent funding rounds for competitors like Baseten, Fireworks AI, Inferact, and RadixArk.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the centuries-old art of Japanese katana making is experiencing a resurgence, fueled by growing interest from younger audiences due to pop culture influences like anime and video games. Despite this renewed interest, the profession faces challenges such as an aging workforce and a demanding apprenticeship, as highlighted by swordsmith Akihira Kawasaki.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the centuries-old art of Japanese katana making is experiencing a resurgence, fueled by growing interest from younger audiences due to pop culture influences like anime and video games. Despite this renewed interest, the profession faces challenges such as an aging workforce and a demanding apprenticeship, as highlighted by swordsmith Akihira Kawasaki.

Drawing from multiple news sources, Cuba is experiencing severe fuel shortages, crippling daily life and creating a humanitarian crisis. This crisis is largely attributed to the Trump administration's aggressive policies, including threats of tariffs on countries supplying fuel to Cuba, despite conflicting messages from the administration regarding its ultimate goals for the island nation.

Drawing from multiple news sources, Cuba is experiencing severe fuel shortages, crippling daily life and creating a humanitarian crisis. This crisis is largely attributed to the Trump administration's aggressive policies, including threats of tariffs on countries supplying fuel to Cuba, despite conflicting messages from the administration regarding its ultimate goals for the island nation.

Robert Tinney, the artist who visually defined the early personal computing era through his iconic Byte magazine covers, has passed away. His airbrushed, surrealist-inspired art helped translate complex AI and networking concepts into accessible visuals, shaping how a generation understood technology. Tinney's work serves as a reminder of the power of art to communicate and popularize emerging technologies.

Robert Tinney, the artist who visually defined the early personal computing era through his iconic Byte magazine covers, has passed away. His airbrushed, surrealist-inspired art helped translate complex AI and networking concepts into accessible visuals, shaping how a generation understood technology. Tinney's work serves as a reminder of the power of art to communicate and popularize emerging technologies.

OpenAI has dissolved its safety team, which focused on aligning AI with human values, and reassigned its members. This move raises questions about the company's priorities in light of rapid AI advancements and the potential societal impacts of misaligned AI. The former head of the safety team is now the Chief Futurist, signaling a shift in focus within the company.

OpenAI has dissolved its safety team, which focused on aligning AI with human values, and reassigned its members. This move raises questions about the company's priorities in light of rapid AI advancements and the potential societal impacts of misaligned AI. The former head of the safety team is now the Chief Futurist, signaling a shift in focus within the company.

Multiple news sources report that a landmark trial in California accuses Instagram and YouTube of building "addiction machines" that harmed a minor's mental health. The plaintiff's lawyer argues the platforms intentionally designed addictive features and failed to warn users, while the defense claims the addiction stemmed from other issues. Evidence presented includes internal documents and emails from executives, highlighting the companies' focus on increasing user engagement.

Multiple news sources report that a landmark trial in California accuses Instagram and YouTube of building "addiction machines" that harmed a minor's mental health. The plaintiff's lawyer argues the platforms intentionally designed addictive features and failed to warn users, while the defense claims the addiction stemmed from other issues. Evidence presented includes internal documents and emails from executives, highlighting the companies' focus on increasing user engagement.

Multiple news sources report that actor James Van Der Beek, known for his roles in "Dawson's Creek" and "Varsity Blues," has died at the age of 48. Van Der Beek, who revealed a Stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis in late 2024, passed away peacefully, according to a statement on his Instagram page.

Multiple news sources report that actor James Van Der Beek, known for his roles in "Dawson's Creek" and "Varsity Blues," has died at the age of 48. Van Der Beek, who revealed a Stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis in late 2024, passed away peacefully, according to a statement on his Instagram page.

Drawing from multiple news sources, actor James Van Der Beek, known for his roles in "Dawson's Creek" and "Varsity Blues," has died at the age of 48. Van Der Beek, who revealed a Stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis in late 2024, passed away peacefully, according to a statement from his family.

Drawing from multiple news sources, actor James Van Der Beek, known for his roles in "Dawson's Creek" and "Varsity Blues," has died at the age of 48. Van Der Beek, who revealed a Stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis in late 2024, passed away peacefully, according to a statement from his family.

Drawing from multiple news sources, China's space program successfully tested a new reusable booster and crew capsule, the Long March 10 and Mengzhou, crucial components for their planned lunar mission by 2030. The test included an in-flight abort simulation, demonstrating the safety systems of the Mengzhou spacecraft, and is part of a broader space race with the United States to return humans to the Moon.

Drawing from multiple news sources, China's space program successfully tested a new reusable booster and crew capsule, the Long March 10 and Mengzhou, crucial components for their planned lunar mission by 2030. The test included an in-flight abort simulation, demonstrating the safety systems of the Mengzhou spacecraft, and is part of a broader space race with the United States to return humans to the Moon.

Drawing from multiple news sources, Cash App has launched payment links, a new feature allowing users to request and send money via shareable hyperlinks for easier transactions across various communication platforms. This feature, designed to streamline payments and reduce awkwardness, was developed after surveying Gen Z users and builds upon Cash App's recent additions, like an AI chatbot and a new benefits program.

Drawing from multiple news sources, Cash App has launched payment links, a new feature allowing users to request and send money via shareable hyperlinks for easier transactions across various communication platforms. This feature, designed to streamline payments and reduce awkwardness, was developed after surveying Gen Z users and builds upon Cash App's recent additions, like an AI chatbot and a new benefits program.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the U.S. faces a growing national debt, with interest payments projected to nearly double to $2.14 trillion annually by 2036, consuming roughly 5% of the nation's economy. Despite healthy revenue projections, the government's deficit is expected to balloon to $3.1 trillion by 2036, driven by increased borrowing and potentially impacted by inflationary tariffs.

Drawing from multiple news sources, the U.S. faces a growing national debt, with interest payments projected to nearly double to $2.14 trillion annually by 2036, consuming roughly 5% of the nation's economy. Despite healthy revenue projections, the government's deficit is expected to balloon to $3.1 trillion by 2036, driven by increased borrowing and potentially impacted by inflationary tariffs.

Drawing from multiple news sources, Libya's National Oil Corporation has awarded new oil and gas exploration rights to foreign companies, including Chevron and Aiteo, in its first licensing round since 2007. Despite this move to revitalize the sector after years of conflict, experts suggest the response was smaller than anticipated, likely due to ongoing political instability and insecurity concerns.

Drawing from multiple news sources, Libya's National Oil Corporation has awarded new oil and gas exploration rights to foreign companies, including Chevron and Aiteo, in its first licensing round since 2007. Despite this move to revitalize the sector after years of conflict, experts suggest the response was smaller than anticipated, likely due to ongoing political instability and insecurity concerns.