From Ars Technica · 40 stories
Trump's Executive Order to Split MMR Vaccine Draws Criticism from Public Health and Pharma
A recent executive order by Donald Trump proposes splitting the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine into three separate shots, which would increase the number of required vaccinations for children. This proposal has been met with strong opposition from public health organizations and the pharmaceutical industry, citing scientific and practical concerns.
Leonardo's SignalTrace links mobile device signals to license plate readers for tracking
Leonardo's SignalTrace system integrates with automatic license plate readers to associate mobile device signals with vehicles and their movements. This technology allows investigators to track patterns of movement and associations before identifying individuals, potentially shifting police investigative methods.
White House Executive Order Reduces Recommended Childhood Vaccines, Citing Autism Concerns
President Trump signed an executive order reducing the number of federally recommended childhood vaccines from 18 to 11. The order cites concerns about autism and vaccine overload, despite scientific evidence consistently finding no link between vaccines and autism.
US Court Orders Restart of Wind Project Approvals After DoD Halted Participation
A US District Court in Oregon has ordered the US government to resume the approval process for wind projects, which had been on hold since August 2025 due to the Department of Defense (DoD) ceasing its participation. This ruling mandates the DoD to re-engage in the legally required process for evaluating and mitigating radar interference from wind turbines, impacting all new wind development in the US.
Explosive Drone Found Near Ukrainian Cargo Aircraft at German Airport
German police disarmed an explosive-laden drone found near Ukrainian cargo aircraft at Leipzig airport, leading to a counterterrorism investigation. The incident also involved a mid-air collision with a possible second drone, forcing the airport to close and diverting flights.
Blue Origin identifies main oxygen valve as origin of New Glenn rocket anomaly
Blue Origin confirmed that the catastrophic New Glenn rocket anomaly in May originated at the main oxygen valve on one of its BE-4 engines. The company is making small modifications to the valve and aims to return the rocket to flight by the end of the year, despite not yet identifying the root cause.
Erica Schwartz Confirmed as CDC Director by Senate Vote
The US Senate confirmed Erica Schwartz as the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in a 51–44 vote. This confirmation fills a nearly yearlong vacancy at the agency, which has faced staff reductions and budget cuts.
EVgo to deploy licensed Tesla V4 Superchargers in the US this fall
EVgo announced it will begin deploying EVgo-made Tesla V4 Superchargers across its US network later this fall. These chargers will support both NACS and CCS1 plugs and will be integrated into Tesla's in-car navigation, marking a significant expansion of the Supercharger network beyond Tesla's direct control.
D-Wave Validates Dual-Rail Qubit Entanglement for Gate-Based Quantum Computing
D-Wave published a paper in Nature validating a key step in its dual-rail qubit technology, demonstrating that two qubits can be entangled while maintaining their error-detection capabilities. This development is significant because dual-rail qubits simplify error correction in gate-based quantum computers by making photon loss, the most common error, easily detectable.
Senators urge CFTC to ban wildfire prediction markets due to public safety concerns
US Senators have written to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) requesting a crackdown on prediction markets that allow betting on wildfires. The senators cite concerns about minimizing suffering, potential for arson, and public safety risks associated with such markets.
Trump administration reinstates Digital Equity Act grant program after court ruling
The Trump administration will reinstate a broadband grant program from the Digital Equity Act of 2021 following a court ruling. This decision allows for the distribution of $1.25 billion in competitive grants, though the government cannot allocate funds based on race or ethnicity.
US Company Auterion Integrates AI Target Tracking into Ukrainian Shrike Drones
The Ukrainian military is upgrading its SkyFall Shrike drones with an AI system from US company Auterion, enabling them to autonomously track and engage moving targets. This upgrade allows for "fire-and-forget" terminal guidance, even if the drone loses connection with its operator, and operates without GPS, which is crucial in environments with GPS jamming.
UNAM requires 58,000 students to retake AI-proctored remote entrance exam due to cheating concerns
Mexico's largest university, UNAM, is requiring approximately 58,000 applicants to retake their entrance exam in person after a remote, AI-proctored version led to an unprecedented surge in high scores, suggesting widespread cheating. A commission recommended the control exam to ensure fairness and certainty in the admissions process. This incident highlights the challenges and potential vulnerabilities of AI-supervised remote testing.
SpaceX Nears Deal to Acquire 130,000 Acres of Louisiana Marshland for Starship Launches
SpaceX is close to finalizing an agreement with the state of Louisiana to acquire approximately 130,000 acres of marshland southwest of Lafayette, known as Pecan Island. This acquisition would provide SpaceX with an additional launch site to support its goal of thousands of Starship flights annually, which is crucial for expanding its orbital operations.
Trump Administration Seeks to End Citizen Lawsuits Against Polluters
The Trump administration, in a legal filing, argued that citizens should not be allowed to enforce environmental laws, claiming enforcement should be left solely to the executive branch. This position challenges established "citizen suit provisions" in major environmental laws like the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, which have allowed individuals and groups to sue polluters for over 50 years.
Defcon 32 Badges Feature Open-Source Baochip-1x for Verifiable Hardware Security
Defcon 32 badges incorporate a new open-source microcontroller, the Baochip-1x, designed by Andrew "bunnie" Huang, which aims to improve security transparency. The chip's core module is removable and functions as a hardware security token, extending its utility beyond the conference.
Google to exempt sanctioned nations from Android developer verification checks
Google will exempt devices in sanctioned countries from its upcoming Android developer verification checks, allowing unverified developers to distribute apps in those regions. This policy means users in sanctioned areas will not benefit from the enhanced security features of the verification program.
School defends inaction in AI nude lawsuit, claims no duty to report non-child abuse images
Lancaster Country Day School (LCDS) is seeking to dismiss a lawsuit from victims of AI-generated nudes, arguing it fulfilled its reporting duties by responding to a tip from the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General and that AI images do not qualify as child abuse under state law. The school claims it could not identify specific victims from the initial tip and that all related activity occurred off-campus. This case highlights legal ambiguities surrounding AI-generated content and institutional responsibilities.
Researchers develop full-color night vision goggles using quantum dots and OLEDs
A team at the Beijing Institute of Technology has created night vision goggles that translate different infrared wavelengths into distinct visible colors, offering a full-color image instead of the traditional green monochrome. This development allows for a more natural visual representation of infrared light, improving upon existing night vision technology that primarily relies on brightness variations.
FCC faces bipartisan opposition over attempt to sanction ABC for speech critical of Trump
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is facing opposition from both liberal and conservative groups, as well as former FCC chairs, regarding its attempt to compel ABC to file early license-renewal applications. Critics allege the FCC's actions are an effort to punish ABC for speech critical of President Trump, setting a precedent that could impact future free speech on broadcast television.
Space Force-backed Victus Haze mission demonstrates satellite evasion and pursuit in orbit
The US Space Force's Victus Haze mission, involving True Anomaly's Jackal satellite and Rocket Lab's Puma satellite, publicly demonstrated satellite evasion and pursuit maneuvers in orbit. This exercise showcases the military's ability to rapidly deploy and operate satellites for defensive and responsive space operations.
Boeing CEO states Starliner propulsion system redesign is progressing well, flight possible this year
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg reported that the redesign of the Starliner spacecraft's propulsion system deficiencies is "going quite well," suggesting a potential flight this year. This update follows NASA's classification of a previous crewed flight as a "Type A" mishap due to propulsion issues, which grounded the spacecraft.
Anthropic's Mythos AI finds critical bugs in Microsoft's SharePoint faster than patches
Anthropic's Mythos AI model, provided to Microsoft as Claude Mythos Preview, is identifying software vulnerabilities in SharePoint at a rate exceeding Microsoft's patching capabilities. This initiative aims to fix bugs before adversaries can exploit similar AI tools for cyberattacks.
New AMD Linux Patch Improves Low-End Gaming Performance on Steam Deck in EPP Mode
A new patch for AMD's Linux drivers addresses frame hitches in games running on AMD-based hardware, including the Steam Deck, when operating in Energy Performance Preference (EPP) mode. This change prevents the driver from incorrectly lowering performance targets for frequently sleeping threads, which previously caused increased frame latency and longer frame generation times.
Airbus A350-1000ULR completes 24-hour test flight for Qantas ultra-long-haul routes
A new Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft completed a 24-hour, 25-minute test flight from Melbourne to Toulouse, setting a record for the longest test flight. This development supports Qantas Airways' Project Sunrise, which aims to launch nonstop commercial flights between Sydney and New York or London starting in 2027.
Federal Judge Blocks Minnesota's Ban on Prediction Markets
A federal court has issued a preliminary injunction preventing Minnesota from enforcing its ban on prediction markets, which was set to take effect on August 1. The ruling suggests that many prediction market trades are likely considered "swaps" under federal law, granting the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) exclusive regulatory authority.
Trump Reportedly Dissatisfied with RFK Jr.'s Actions on Vaccine Policy
President Trump is reportedly frustrated with US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for not taking more aggressive steps to reduce federal childhood vaccine recommendations or confirm a link between vaccines and autism. This dissatisfaction stems from Trump's belief that scaling back vaccinations could be part of his legacy, despite scientific consensus debunking the vaccine-autism link.
Biotech Firms Begin Developing Measles Treatments Amid Rising US Cases
Biotech companies and academic groups have started developing treatments for measles, including short-term protection for vulnerable individuals. This development is a response to the significant increase in US measles cases, which have surpassed last year's total by July, driven by declining vaccination rates.
Typo in Username Leads to Wrongful Conviction and 18-Month Imprisonment
A Nova Scotia man was wrongfully imprisoned for 18 months due to a single-character typo in a Kik username during a child-luring investigation. Police sought records for "fus__ro_dah" but requested "fus_ro_dah," leading to the innocent man's identification and conviction. This incident highlights the critical importance of precision in digital investigations and the severe consequences of minor errors.
5th Circuit Blocks Texas Law Requiring Websites to Filter "Harmful" Speech for Minors
The US Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit blocked a Texas law that would have required websites to monitor and filter content deemed harmful to minors. The court ruled that Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act of 1996 preempts the state law's filtering requirements, preventing its enforcement.
Verizon secures $1B dark fiber deal with Google, converts central offices for AI workloads
Verizon announced a deal exceeding $1 billion to connect Google data centers using its dark fiber infrastructure. The company is also converting its central offices into small data centers to support AI inference workloads, aiming to capitalize on growing AI-related spending.
Artist Sues AI Meme Generator for Copyright Infringement Over Comic Used as Ad Template
Artist Elmer Saflor filed a lawsuit against Memes Apps, LLC, alleging copyright infringement for using his "Running Away Balloon" comic as a template in their AI-powered ad generator without permission. This legal action aims to clarify copyright law's application to viral internet content commercialized by AI platforms.
Researchers denied TikTok API access for disinformation study ahead of Romanian election
TikTok denied researchers access to its API for studying disinformation campaigns during the 2024 Romanian presidential election, despite later identifying and acting against a network of fake accounts promoting a candidate. This denial hindered independent investigation into the platform's role in political influence operations, raising concerns about transparency and compliance with the EU's Digital Services Act.
Wildfire forces evacuation and temporary shutdown of NASA's Deep Space Network complex in Spain
A wildfire near Madrid, Spain, led to the evacuation and temporary suspension of operations at the Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex, a key part of NASA's Deep Space Network. NASA has shifted mission support to its Goldstone complex in California to maintain continuous spacecraft communication.
DOJ withdraws demands for NYT reporters' phone records after judge's criticism
The Department of Justice withdrew its demands for phone records and grand jury testimony from New York Times reporters following criticism from a federal judge. The judge stated that subpoenas to reporters should be a last resort, not a first action, leading to the withdrawal of the subpoenas.
EU Delays Public Release of Satellite Images from Strait of Hormuz Region by 24 Hours
The European Union has begun delaying the public release of satellite images from the Strait of Hormuz region by 24 hours, following a request from the US government. This change affects data from the Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellites and impacts open-source intelligence gathering related to the ongoing conflict in the region.
AlphaFold AI used to redesign gene-editing proteins, reducing off-target effects
Researchers modified AlphaFold, an AI protein-folding software, to identify and alter parts of gene-editing proteins responsible for unintended edits. This development aims to improve the safety of gene-editing therapies by minimizing off-target effects in the human genome.
Northrop Grumman Launches Mission Robotic Vehicle for Satellite Servicing in Geosynchronous Orbit
Northrop Grumman launched its Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV) and three Mission Extension Pods (MEPs) on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, initiating a decade-long mission for satellite servicing. This mission aims to provide maintenance and refueling for satellites in geosynchronous orbit, potentially extending their operational lives and enabling new capabilities in space. The MRV is considered the most advanced servicing satellite known to have been launched.
FCC eliminates rule requiring itemized ISP passthrough fees on broadband labels
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to eliminate a rule that required Internet service providers (ISPs) to itemize all passthrough fees on broadband price labels. This change allows ISPs to display an aggregate "up to" amount for fees, making broadband pricing less transparent for consumers and potentially enabling ISPs to advertise artificially low prices.
Hyundai Workers Strike Amidst Disagreement Over Humanoid Robot Deployment
Thousands of Hyundai auto workers in Ulsan, South Korea, initiated partial strikes after negotiations failed. While reports linked the strikes to concerns over humanoid robot deployment, Hyundai stated that robot deployment is not part of current labor-management discussions, which focus on compensation-related issues.