Jernej Barbič, a computer science professor at the University of Southern California, has received a 2025 technical achievement Academy Award for creating Ziva VFX, software that simulates realistic muscle, fat and skin for digital humans and creatures. The technology, launched in 2016 through his startup Ziva Dynamics and later acquired by Unity Technologies in 2021, has appeared in more than 60 films including Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
spectrum.ieee.org
· 2026-08-28
A writer recounts how her sister Annie and partner Jack, after moving into a California home, began feeding an American Crow with a limp they named Sal. The bird's shyer companion, dubbed Pal, soon joined in, and both crows started visiting the couple regularly in exchange for peanuts. Over months, the birds and humans developed a recognizable daily routine of greetings and visits.
audubon.org
· 2026-08-28
A California district judge ruled that the Defense Department's decision to designate Anthropic a supply chain risk earlier this year violated the First Amendment. The court found the move came after Anthropic refused to drop restrictions barring its AI from being used for mass surveillance of Americans or fully autonomous lethal weapons systems, part of a broader Pentagon push to renegotiate AI vendor contracts.
theverge.com
· 2026-08-27
Meta agreed to pay $16.7 billion to resolve a consolidated lawsuit brought by 51 state attorneys general over allegations its platforms fostered social media addiction among young users. The deal came just over a week into trial, before CEO Mark Zuckerberg was expected to testify, and California AG Rob Bonta said it does not shield Meta from further legal exposure. Florida's attorney general called the sum too small for a company of Meta's size and said his state will continue pursuing its own separate lawsuit.
cnbc.com
· 2026-08-27
Meta reached a settlement with a coalition of state attorneys general, led by California, resolving claims that it downplayed mental health risks to children on Facebook and Instagram. Under the proposed consent judgment, Meta will pay $16.7 billion total, with California potentially receiving up to $2.1 billion, and must implement daily usage limits, nighttime blocks for teens, stronger age verification, and new parental control tools. Texas did not join the settlement, and both sides waived rights to appeal once the court approves it.
cnbc.com
· 2026-08-26
Researchers sequenced high-quality genomes from several Myotis bat species, including M. lucifugus and M. velifer, using field-collected tissue and cell lines to capture full sex-chromosome data. They combined this genomic data with lab experiments on PKR antiviral proteins in engineered human cells to study how bats' immune genes evolved under viral pressure.
nature.com
· 2026-08-26
Billionaire investor Mark Cuban has publicly criticized California's Proposition 40, a proposed 5% wealth tax targeting billionaires. Cuban argues the measure would disproportionately harm startup founders whose net worth is tied up in illiquid company equity rather than cash, making it difficult for them to pay a tax based on paper wealth.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-08-25
As robotaxi fleets grow in cities like New York, Washington DC, and San Francisco, local officials and lawmakers are moving to impose new restrictions, including vehicle caps, per-mile fees, and stricter citation powers. Governor Hochul shelved a plan to expand driverless taxis beyond NYC after union and legislative opposition, while San Francisco's mayor now backs tougher rules following traffic disruptions caused by Waymo vehicles. Federal regulators have also warned AV makers about safety risks when interacting with emergency responders.
theverge.com
· 2026-08-24
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