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Breaking down Trump’s big gift to the AI industry

President Donald Trump’s plan to promote America’s AI dominance involves discouraging “woke AI,” slashing state and federal regulations, and laying the groundwork to rapidly expand AI development and adoption. Trump’s proposal, released on July 23rd, is a sweeping endorsement of the technology, full of guidance that ranges from specific executive actions to directions for future research. Some of the new plan’s provisions (like promoting open-source AI) have garnered praise from organizations t

The Download: saving the US climate programs, and America’s AI protections are under threat

Nonprofits are trying to preserve a US effort to modernize greenhouse-gas measurements, amid growing fears that the Trump administration’s dismantling of federal programs will obscure the nation’s contributions to climate change. The Data Foundation, a Washington, DC, nonprofit, is fundraising for an initiative that will coordinate efforts among nonprofits, technical experts, and companies to improve the accuracy and accessibility of climate emissions information. It will build on an effort to

Court Rules Mike Lindell Doesn’t Have to Pay $5 Million in Hacked Voting Machine Bet

Mike Lindell, the founder and CEO of MyPillow, could be considered a loser in many ways, but not in a way that will cost him $5 million. The New York Times reports that a federal appeals court ruled on Wednesday that Lindell will not have to pay out the prize money for his “Prove Mike Wrong” challenge, which offered up a $5 million reward to anyone who could sufficiently debunk his baseless claim that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump. Lindell offered up the prize money in 2021 dur

White House unveils sweeping plan to “win” global AI race through deregulation

On Wednesday, the White House released "Winning the Race: America's AI Action Plan," a 25-page document that outlines the Trump administration's strategy to "maintain unquestioned and unchallenged global technological dominance" in AI through deregulation, infrastructure investment, and international partnerships. But critics are already taking aim at the plan, saying it's doing Big Tech a big favor. Assistant to the President for Science and Technology Michael J. Kratsios and Special Advisor f

Ukrainians arrest alleged admin of major crime forum XSS

Yesterday, Ukrainian authorities arrested the suspected administrator of a notorious Russian-language crime forum, XSS.is. In an X post, the Paris Prosecutor's Office announced that Ukrainian authorities detained the suspect after an investigation conducted with French authorities' and Europol's help that began almost exactly four years ago. XSS has been "one of the main hubs of global cybercrime" since 2013, French authorities said, allowing "the sale of malware, access to compromised systems

Trump unveils his plan to put AI in everything

is a senior policy reporter at The Verge, covering the intersection of Silicon Valley and Capitol Hill. She spent 5 years covering tech policy at CNBC, writing about antitrust, privacy, and content moderation reform. Ensuring AI reflects “objective truth,” slashing onerous regulations, disseminating US AI tools around the world, and fast-tracking AI infrastructure: this is all part of President Donald Trump’s vision for AI policy. The White House unveiled its “AI Action Plan” Wednesday ahead o

Trump Releases His All-American Action Plan for AI

Donald Trump on Wednesday revealed “America’s AI Action Plan,” a collection of more than 90 policy recommendations designed to ensure that the country remains competitive when it comes to the development of artificial intelligence, some of which would loosen regulations around the development of data centers and encourage rapid adoption of the technology across different sectors. “We believe we’re in an AI race,” David Sacks, the White House AI czar, said during a call with reporters. “We want t

Trump’s AI Action Plan aims to block chip exports to China but lacks key details

The Trump administration wants its AI technology to be considered an industry leader both on home soil and abroad. But it also doesn’t want the U.S.’s AI prowess to empower or embolden a foreign adversary. That’s quite the balance to strike. If President Trump’s AI Action Plan, which was released on Wednesday, is any indicator, the administration seems to still be figuring out the right course of action to achieve those goals. “​​America currently is the global leader on data center construct

This Window AC Keeps My Home Cool Even During Record-Breaking Heatwaves

CNET's key takeaways The Windmill AC normally costs $349 for 6,000 BTUs, but you can often find it on sale on Windmill's website Amazon Home Depot Not only is the Windmill AC the easiest unit I've ever installed, it's the only AC unit I've tried that effectively kept my older and not well-insulated home cool during a heat wave. Bonus: It's actually stylish. Although, I still would have paid for an ugly one that works. Its normal price is higher than some other window AC units, but I've paid

I replaced my Pixel 9 Pro with this $700 Android phone for a week - and it did some things better

Redmagic 10 Air ZDNET's key takeaways The Redmagic 10 Air Android phone is on sale now for $700. The Redmagic phone is as elegant as it is powerful and can handle some of the more challenging games. This camera system isn't necessarily flagship level, and you'll want to pay attention to network band support. $699 at Amazon I've held lots of Android phones in my hand, some feel awkward because of their size, while others fit just right. That Goldilocks effect is real, and in my experience, Red

European authorities arrest alleged admin of notorious Russian crime forum XSS

In Brief European officials have confirmed the arrest of the alleged administrator behind XSS.is, one of the longest-running Russian-language cybercrime forums. Per Europol, the alleged administrator was arrested in Ukraine on Tuesday. A law enforcement notice on XSS now reads: “This domain has been seized.” According to a statement by prosecutors in Paris, French authorities obtained a court order to conduct surveillance on a Jabber server used by the administrator for instant messaging. The

Trump’s AI Action Plan Is a Crusade Against ‘Bias’—and Regulation

On Wednesday, the Trump Administration unveiled its new artificial intelligence action plan geared at keeping US efforts competitive with China. With over 90 policies recommended, it’s a wide-ranging document that, if followed, would give Silicon Valley’s most powerful companies even more leeway to grow. “We believe we’re in an AI race,” White House AI czar David Sacks said on a call ahead of the action plan’s release. “We want the United States to win that race.” The Office of Science and Tech

Meta is adding new safety features to child-focused Instagram accounts run by adults

Meta is adding some of its teen safety features to Instagram accounts featuring children, even if they're ran by adults. While children under 13 years of age aren't allowed to sign up on the social media app, Meta allows adults like parents and managers to run accounts for children and post videos and photos of them. The company says that these accounts are "overwhelmingly used in benign ways," but they're also targeted by predators who leave sexual comments and ask for sexual images in DMs. In

Aardman’s Pokémon show is a delightful-looking romp that follows Sirfetch'd and Pichu

We knew that Aardman, the animation studio behind Wallace & Gromit, was prepping a Pokémon show , but now we have some juicy details and actual footage. Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d and Pichu, as the name suggests, follows the sword-wielding Sirfetch'd and the baby pre-evolution of Pikachu. It looks extremely charming, as one would expect from Aardman. The trailer is on the shorter side, but shows the dynamic duo getting involved in some cutesy shenanigans as an oblivious Wool

California backs down to Trump admin, won’t force ISPs to offer $15 broadband

A California lawmaker halted an effort to pass a law that would force Internet service providers to offer $15 monthly plans to people with low incomes. Assemblymember Tasha Boerner proposed the state law a few months ago, modeling the bill on a law enforced by New York. It seemed that other states were free to impose cheap-broadband mandates because the Supreme Court rejected broadband industry challenges to the New York law twice. Boerner, a Democrat who is chair of the Communications and Con

Killing the Mauna Loa observatory over irrefutable evidence of increasing CO2

Column When you don't like the message, what do you do? You shoot the messenger, of course. That's the strategy being employed by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration as it works to avoid, ignore, or bury data that prove the reality of anthropogenic global warming and its evil twin climate change. Case in point: The Trump administration recently released its draft budget [PDF] for the country's premier analytical agency focused on Earth systems, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adm

I know genomes and I didn’t delete my data from 23andMe

As word spread last year that 23andMe was about to go bankrupt, many of their millions of customers wondered if they should delete their data. Social and conventional media were quick to offer advice, sometimes coming from experts in genetics and genomics–my field, I should note–on how to go onto the 23andMe website and delete all of your data. In March of this year, the California attorney general issued a warning that 23andMe was “in financial distress,” and he told Californians that they oug

Aardman’s ‘Pokémon’ Show Looks Absolutely Delightful

Late last year, the Pokémon Company revealed a surprise animation collab: it would work with the legendary British studio Aardman—the team behind Chicken Run, Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, and more—to create a new Pokémon series. Now, we’ve had a delightful first look, and it is going to be a suitably British-feeling adventure into the world of Pocket Monsters. During today’s Pokémon Presents livestream, Aardman revealed that its series would be called Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of S

California DMV Seeking 30-Day Tesla Sale Suspension for Unrealistic 'Autopilot,' 'Full Self-Driving' Claims

The California Department of Motor Vehicles has brought suit against electric car manufacturer Tesla, alleging false advertising and misleading customers with its "Autopilot" and "Full Self-Driving" features. The DMV is angling for a 30-day suspension of the automaker's license to sell EVs in California for at least 30 days while the courts hash out whether fines or retribution should come next. Tesla is, of course, looking to fight the allegations. What does this mean for you? If the CA DMV's

I know genomes. Don't delete your DNA

As word spread last year that 23andMe was about to go bankrupt, many of their millions of customers wondered if they should delete their data. Social and conventional media were quick to offer advice, sometimes coming from experts in genetics and genomics–my field, I should note–on how to go onto the 23andMe website and delete all of your data. In March of this year, the California attorney general issued a warning that 23andMe was “in financial distress,” and he told Californians that they oug

This Is the Only Window AC That Keeps My Two-Story Home Cool All Summer Long

CNET's key takeaways The Windmill AC normally costs $349 for 6,000 BTUs, but you can often find it on sale on Windmill's website Amazon Home Depot Not only is the Windmill AC the easiest unit I've ever installed, it's the only AC unit I've tried that effectively kept my older and not well-insulated home cool during a heat wave. Bonus: It's actually stylish. Although, I still would have paid for an ugly one that works. Its normal price is higher than some other window AC units, but I've paid

EPA says it will eliminate its scientific research arm

The Environmental Protection Agency said on Friday that it would eliminate its scientific research arm and begin firing hundreds of chemists, biologists, toxicologists and other scientists, after denying for months that it intended to do so. The move underscores how the Trump administration is forging ahead with efforts to slash the federal work force and dismantle federal agencies after the Supreme Court allowed these plans to proceed while legal challenges unfold. Government scientists have b

EPA says it will eliminate its scientific reseach arm

The Environmental Protection Agency said on Friday that it would eliminate its scientific research arm and begin firing hundreds of chemists, biologists, toxicologists and other scientists, after denying for months that it intended to do so. The move underscores how the Trump administration is forging ahead with efforts to slash the federal work force and dismantle federal agencies after the Supreme Court allowed these plans to proceed while legal challenges unfold. Government scientists have b

Trump’s Cabinet Is Cashing in on Crypto

Congress’s big “Crypto Week” might have faded into the background a bit due to cryptic messages Donald Trump left in a birthday note to Jeffrey Epstein, but Republicans in the House and Senate did, in fact, manage to pass a couple of laws that will establish loose, industry-friendly regulations for cryptocurrency. Which means it is a perfect time to be reminded that the Trump administration is packed with people who stand to benefit from cryptocurrency being mainstreamed. Trump himself, of cour

No Central Air? No Sweat. This Window AC Cools My Two-Story Row House All Summer Long

CNET's key takeaways The Windmill AC normally costs $349 for 6,000 BTUs, but you can often find it on sale on Windmill's website Amazon Home Depot Not only is the Windmill AC the easiest unit I've ever installed, it's the only AC unit I've tried that effectively kept my older and not well-insulated home cool during a heat wave. Bonus: It's actually stylish. Although, I still would have paid for an ugly one that works. Its normal price is higher than some other window AC units, but I've paid

Best AV Receiver for 2025

AV receivers are notoriously complex, with reams of features and confusing technical specifications. (For example, what's 4K/120Hz anyway?) Yet, what are the things that really matter when buying a new model? I'm going to sum up the most important ones right here. HDMI inputs With most TVs and set-top boxes supporting HDMI, you should buy a receiver that has as many of these HDMI input ports and outputs as possible. Front-mounted HDMI ports are kind of like a human appendix -- unneeded, becaus

Trump Lets Polymarket Off the Hook, Ends Probe Into Crypto Betting Platform

If you bet “Donald Trump ends an investigation into a Peter Thiel-backed cryptocurrency platform,” you can claim your winnings. According to Bloomberg, two investigations into the prediction market Polymarket have been shut down by the Trump administration, just in time for Republican lawmakers’ planned “Crypto Week.” The probes, which were launched toward the end of the Biden administration, included an investigation by the Department of Justice into whether Polymarket was allowing U.S.-based

Window Air Conditioners Get a Bad Rap -- but I Found One That Actually Works

CNET's key takeaways The Windmill AC normally costs $349 for 6,000 BTUs, but you can often find it on sale on Windmill's website Amazon Home Depot Not only is the Windmill AC the easiest unit I've ever installed, it's the only AC unit I've tried that effectively kept my older and not well-insulated home cool during a heat wave. Bonus: It's actually stylish. Although, I still would have paid for an ugly one that works. Its normal price is higher than some other window AC units, but I've paid

Species at 30 makes for a great guilty pleasure

Earlier this month, Hollywood mourned the passing of Michael Madsen, a gifted actor best known for his critically acclaimed roles in Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill, and Donnie Brasco, among others. Few obituaries have mentioned one of his lesser-known roles: a black ops mercenary hired to help hunt down an escaped human/alien hybrid in 1995's Species. The sci-fi thriller turns 30 this year and while it garnered decidedly mixed reviews upon release, the film holds up quite well as a not-quite-campy B

This HDMI mod lets you play Nintendo Switch Lite on a big screen

If you can't get your hands on the latest Nintendo Switch 2, you might be able to keep the FOMO at bay in the meantime with a clever mod for your Switch Lite. Retro Remake's co-founder, Taki Udon, posted a video showing off a working version of the SUPER5 OLED Touch HDMI mod. As the lengthy name suggests, this third-party mod adds an OLED display, a glass touchscreen and HDMI output to the Switch Lite. The Nintendo Switch 2 is barely a month old so it's too early to expect any news on a Switch