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Tech News
Technology / Software Development:
- Java applet package removed from JDK 26, set for release in March 2026, marking the end of an era that began in 1996. Modern alternatives like TeaVM and Flavour enable Java-based web apps without plugins. ๐ inside.java ๐ frequal.com
Energy / Climate:
- Utah startup Zanskar Geothermal used AI to locate a 250ยฐF geothermal reservoir, the first "blind" system discovered in over 30 years, with potential to unlock hundreds of gigawatts in Western U.S. ๐ cnn.com
Privacy / Digital Rights:
- Mozilla's Firefox survey reveals 84% of users feel a lack of control over their digital privacy, with 47% frustrated by data tracking without consent and 38% by unauthorized AI training. ๐ blog.mozilla.org
Automotive / EVs:
- Global EV sales hit 2.0 million units in November 2025, with Europe (+36% YoY) leading growth while U.S. sales stagnate post-tax credit expiration. China remains the largest market. ๐ electrek.co
Tech History:
- Steve Sasson, inventor of the first digital camera, reflects on the 1975 prototype that used stolen parts and a cassette deck for storage. ๐ bbc.com
Energy Transition:
- New Englandโs last coal plant shut down early, accelerating transition to solar/battery storage. Los Angeles also eliminated coal power, though political hurdles remain. ๐ newhampshirebulletin.com ๐ utahnewsdispatch.com
Software Development:
- Rust officially becomes a core part of the Linux kernel, with the "experimental" tag removed after years of debate. Maintainers expect more drivers to adopt Rust. ๐ thenewstack.io
Renewable Energy:
- Renewables covered 56% of Germanyโs electricity in 2025, with solar growing 18.7% despite weak wind output. ๐ cleanenergywire.org
Geopolitics:
- Chinese whistleblower Li Chuanliang describes global surveillance operations using U.S.-origin tech to track dissidents across borders, including 14,000+ repatriations via "Fox Hunt." ๐ abcnews.go.com
Cybersecurity / Legal:
- Ukrainian civilians sue U.S. chip firms (Intel, AMD, TI) for allegedly enabling Russian/Iranian weapons by failing to track high-risk sales. ๐ bloomberg.com$
AI Regulation:
- Arizona city Chandler rejects AI data center despite lobbying from former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, citing local benefits over national push. ๐ politico.com
Hardware Pricing:
- Framework Computer raises DDR5 memory prices by 50% due to industry shortages, adjusting return policies to prevent scalping. ๐ phoronix.com
Labor / Unions:
- id Software employees vote to unionize with CWA, prioritizing remote work protections and AI ethics. ๐ engadget.com
AI Policy:
- Trump administration mandates AI vendors measure political bias for federal sales, excluding national security systems. ๐ reuters.com
Cybercrime:
- CyberVolk ransomware group resurfaces with Telegram-based platform but fatally hardcodes encryption keys, enabling victim recovery. ๐ theregister.com
Digital Influence:
- Cambridge study reveals SMS verification can be bypassed for pennies, fueling global manipulation campaigns across 500+ platforms. ๐ ft.com$
Entertainment Tech:
- Netflix House in Philadelphia immerses visitors in branded experiences like Stranger Things and KPOP Demon Hunters. ๐ bloomberg.com$
Infrastructure:
- AI data center boom diverts $4T in spending from road/bridge projects, delaying critical repairs. ๐ bloomberg.com$
AI Development:
- AI leaders explore "continual learning" to build more powerful models, mimicking human learning over time. ๐ bloomberg.com$
Workplace Monitoring:
- Employer crackdowns on social media posts escalate after Charlie Kirkโs death, with companies tightening monitoring policies. ๐ washingtonpost.com
Market Moves:
- Seagate and Western Digital join Nasdaq 100 amid 200%+ stock surges, while GlobalFoundries exits. ๐ bloomberg.com$
Corporate Stock:
- Ciscoโs stock hits record high ($80.25), surpassing its 2000 dot-com peak. ๐ ft.com$
AI Partnerships:
- Oracleโs $300B OpenAI deal faces delays due to supply chain shortages, raising investor concerns. ๐ bloomberg.com$
Cyber Warfare:
- Trump administration plans to enlist private firms for offensive cyberattacks against foreign adversaries. ๐ bloomberg.com$
Investment Shifts:
- Apollo Global cuts exposure to enterprise software amid AI-driven sector concerns. ๐ ft.com$
Toys & Gaming:
- Nex Playground motion-based console outsells Xbox, becoming the hottest holiday toy. ๐ wsj.com$
AI Tools:
- OpenAI adopts Anthropicโs "skills" framework, enabling ChatGPT to handle spreadsheets, PDFs, and more. ๐ simonwillison.net
Media & Licensing:
- Disney-OpenAI deal pressures competitors; Soraโs usage lags (13 mins/day vs. TikTokโs 90 mins). ๐ ft.com$
Corporate Acquisitions:
- TCS acquires Coastal Cloud for $700M to bolster Salesforce expertise and AI business. ๐ crn.com
Cybersecurity:
- CISA orders federal agencies to patch Geoserver XXE flaw (CVE-2025-58360) under active exploitation. ๐ securityweek.com
Zero-Day Patches:
- Apple patches two WebKit zero-days (CVE-2025-43529, CVE-2025-14174) exploited in targeted attacks. ๐ thehackernews.com
Malware Campaigns:
- Fake OSINT/GPT GitHub repos distribute PyStoreRAT malware via HTA files. ๐ thehackernews.com
Phishing Tactics:
- New phishing kits (BlackForce, GhostFrame) use AI/MFA bypass to steal credentials at scale. ๐ thehackernews.com
Browser Security:
- Brave tests agentic AI mode for automated browser tasks via Leo assistant. ๐ bleepingcomputer.com
React Vulnerabilities:
- Critical RSC bugs in React/Next.js enable DoS and source code exposure (CVE-2025-55182, CVE-2025-55184). ๐ thehackernews.com
React2Shell Exploits:
- CISA urges patching React2Shell (CVE-2025-55182) amid widespread exploitation. ๐ thehackernews.com
Malware-as-a-Service:
- ShadyPanda repurposes popular browser extensions (4.3M installs) into spyware. ๐ thehackernews.com
Zero-Click Attacks:
- Agentic browser attacks can delete Google Drive via crafted emails. ๐ thehackernews.com
Supply Chain Risks:
- Intel, AMD, TI sued for allegedly enabling Russian/Iranian weapons via chip sales. ๐ securityweek.com
AI Infrastructure:
- AI data center boom diverts resources from critical infrastructure like roads/bridges. ๐ techcrunch.com
AI Regulation:
- Trumpโs AI executive order targets state laws, threatening legal limbo for startups. ๐ techcrunch.com
AI Tools:
- Googleโs Gemini AI now available for iPhone/iPad, expanding its ecosystem. ๐ cybernews.com
AI in Healthcare:
- Stanfordโs Artemis AI system outperforms human cybersecurity researchers. ๐ cybernews.com
Cryptocurrency:
- Do Kwon sentenced to 15 years in prison for Terra/LUNA collapse. ๐ cybernews.com
Cybercrime:
- CyberVolkโs Telegram-based ransomware-as-a-service (VolkLocker) hardcodes encryption keys, enabling victim recovery. ๐ cybernews.com
AI in Education:
- Stanfordโs AI vs. human cybersecurity challenge raises ethical questions. ๐ cybernews.com
AI in Entertainment:
- AI-generated Disney content removed from YouTube after cease-and-desist. ๐ techcrunch.com
AI in Space:
- SpaceX valued at $800B ahead of potential 2026 IPO. ๐ cybernews.com
AI in Finance:
- Wealthfrontโs IPO values digital wealth platform at $2.7B. ๐ techcrunch.com
AI in Data Centers:
- Fermiโs AI data center loses $150M tenant funding, stock plunges 50%. ๐ ft.com$