The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declined to review Moderna's application for a flu vaccine, while Apple delayed the launch of its revamped Siri, according to reports released on Tuesday and Wednesday. These developments come amid broader shifts in the tech and biotech sectors, including OpenAI disbanding its mission alignment team and a renewed interest in traditional Japanese crafts.
The FDA's decision regarding Moderna's flu vaccine application was revealed in a letter to the company, where the agency pushed back on Moderna's rationale for comparing its mRNA-1010 product to a standard dose for the seasonal flu, according to Al Jazeera. This news comes as Moderna's stock has declined, falling 29 percent in 2025, amidst a slump in COVID-19 vaccine sales.
Meanwhile, Apple's plans for a new, AI-powered Siri have been delayed yet again, according to a report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, as reported by TechCrunch. The revamped Siri, which was initially expected to launch with the iOS 26.4 update in March, will now roll out more slowly, with some features potentially postponed until the May iOS update or even the release of iOS 27 in September. Apple reportedly encountered software testing issues that necessitated the delay.
In other tech news, OpenAI disbanded its mission alignment team, which was formed in September 2024, according to TechCrunch. The team's former leader has been appointed as the company's chief futurist. The team's purpose was to communicate the company's mission to the public and employees, ensuring that artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity, according to an OpenAI spokesperson.
Beyond the tech sector, a traditional Japanese swordsmith is experiencing a resurgence in interest in the centuries-old art of katana making, as reported by Euronews. The growing popularity of Japanese swords in pop culture, including anime and video games, has drawn a new generation of fans to the craft.
In other news, an Irishman is facing an uncertain future after an ICE crackdown, according to Sky News. Seamus Culleton, who was married to an American and had a work permit, is now detained in a detention center in Texas.
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