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Zhipu AI's open-weight GLM-5.3 outperforms Anthropic and OpenAI models in cost-efficiency test

A benchmark suite of 28 real-world agentic tasks, evaluated across coding, data, security and tool-use, found that the open-weight GLM-5.3 model matched or exceeded pass rates from leading closed models like Anthropic's and OpenAI's offerings. Notably, it did so at roughly one-fifth the cost per task, based on measured run costs and latency across the test suite.

Study links public nudity practices to improved body image

A review of naturism's history and modern research suggests that spending time nude among others, whether at clubs, beaches or organized events, can improve how people feel about their own bodies. The report traces the practice from ancient Greek athletics and indigenous customs through the rise of formal naturist societies in Britain, the US and colonial India in the early 20th century, noting a documented surge in social nudity's popularity in the 1970s.

Waymo reveals custom 5nm chip powering its sixth-gen robotaxi system

Waymo disclosed it built a proprietary 5-nanometer ASIC chip that pre-processes the massive stream of sensor data—including feeds from 13 cameras—before it reaches its self-driving system's core computer. The company says the chip delivers more than 1,000 TOPS of processing power, putting it near the performance level of Nvidia's DRIVE AGX Thor chip, and is a key part of the vehicle now rolling out to all riders in Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Francisco.

Sal Khan admits Khanmigo AI tutor failed to spark classroom revolution

Chalkbeat reporting found Sal Khan and his Chief Learning Officer Kristen DiCerbo conceding that Khanmigo, the AI tutoring chatbot launched three years ago with sweeping ambitions, barely got used by students and hasn't transformed education. Commentator Dan Meyer separately chronicled the project's decline from bold TED talk claims and philanthropic backing to shrinking usage projections despite major advantages like early OpenAI access and Microsoft support.

Osaka researchers show coconut oil jet fuel matches kerosene efficiency in engine tests

Scientists at Osaka Metropolitan University produced aviation biofuel from coconut oil using a low-energy 'co-solvent' method that mixes acetone, alcohol and coconut oil instead of relying on high heat and pressure. When burned in a small jet engine, blends of this biofuel with standard jet fuel matched pure kerosene's thermal efficiency while cutting unburned hydrocarbon emissions, though they consumed slightly more fuel and produced marginally more carbon monoxide. Carbon dioxide levels in the exhaust remained roughly the same as with pure kerosene across all blend ratios tested.

SimCity 4's Network Addon Mod update 50 fixes 23-year-old Eternal Commuter Loop bug

The volunteer-maintained Network Addon Mod for SimCity 4 has released version 50, resolving the long-standing 'Eternal Commuter Loop' issue that broke regional pathfinding across city boundaries. The update also adds new infrastructure options like diagonal streets, tunnels for street networks, and tighter building placement, while shrinking the mod's codebase by roughly 90% through a new DLL implementation.

Apple, Google and Samsung set 2026 end-of-support dates for popular smartwatches

Several widely-used smartwatches, including Google's Pixel Watch 2, Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5 and 5 Pro, and multiple Apple Watch models, will lose software support in 2026. The devices will continue basic functions like fitness tracking and notifications but won't receive further feature updates or, in some cases, security patches. Apple is reportedly retiring five watch models in a single watchOS release, one of its largest support cuts to date.

Flock Safety CEO defends license-plate cameras amid bipartisan backlash

Garrett Langley, CEO of surveillance firm Flock Safety, has been giving media interviews urging a 'compromise' between privacy and public safety as scrutiny of his company's cameras and license plate recognition tools intensifies. The pushback follows a Washington Post investigation citing 46 cases of police officers allegedly misusing Flock's technology to track partners or exes, prompting Langley to apologize while denying his company caused the abuse.

Thought Experiment Proposes 'Universal Housing' Model Ending Land as Investment

A conceptual housing framework called 'Universal Housing' was outlined, guaranteeing every citizen a free home for life while keeping construction and improvement subject to market competition. Under the model, residential land stays nationally owned, occupants earn homes via lottery when demand exceeds supply, and there's no ability to accumulate housing as an investment asset.

Apple to refresh iMac with M6 chip and new colors by year-end, Gurman says

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports Apple is preparing a new iMac powered by the M6 chip, its first Mac processor built on a 2nm process, along with some unspecified new color options. The redesigned iMac is expected to ship before the end of the year, ending a roughly two-year gap since the last update and skipping the M2 and M5 generations entirely.

Classic essay 'How Complex Systems Fail' outlines roots of catastrophic failure

The widely cited treatise by Richard Cook argues that hazardous complex systems—like healthcare, aviation, and power generation—are inherently risky and are protected by multiple layers of technical, human, and organizational defenses. Catastrophic failure rarely stems from one cause; instead it emerges when several small, often latent failures align simultaneously to overwhelm those defenses. Most failure trajectories are stopped before they cascade, largely thanks to human operators catching problems in real time.

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