From Ars Technica · 40 stories
US Army's unlimited AI tokens face restrictions due to high consumption
The US Army has exhausted its allocation of AI tokens just months after announcing unlimited use. This restriction affects access to the Ask Sage AI platform, used for various tasks including personnel reclassification.
Ukraine employs drones to deploy ground robots in battle
Ukraine has utilized flying drones and drone boats to deploy armed ground robots into combat. This strategy aims to circumvent difficult terrain and Russian defenses while reducing risks to Ukrainian soldiers in direct assaults.
Range Rover introduces the GT, a new non-SUV electric vehicle
Range Rover is developing the GT, its first non-SUV model, using the new EMA flexible platform. The GT will launch as a battery-electric vehicle with plans for a hybrid variant to follow.
Fugitive hiding as biotech exec arrested after 20 years on the run
Ronald Fischer, a fugitive for over 20 years, was arrested in New York after being discovered as a biotech executive. He initially fled during his 2005 trial for sexual assault, and has been a wanted criminal since then.
Sony releases final trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day ahead of theatrical release
Sony Pictures has released the final trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, set to premiere in two weeks. This film continues the storyline from 2021's No Way Home and aims to launch a new trilogy starring Tom Holland as Spider-Man.
Nintendo argues against customer tariff refund lawsuit in court
Nintendo filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit seeking tariff refunds for customers, stating they have no legal entitlement to such refunds. Plaintiffs allege unfair practices after the company raised prices due to tariffs, but Nintendo argues that customers voluntarily paid the existing prices for their products.
Naked mole-rat queens suppress rivals' fertility via chemical signals
Researchers discovered that naked mole-rat queens use olfactory signals to inhibit the breeding of other females in the colony. This finding shifts the understanding of their complex social structure, moving away from physical aggression to chemical communication.
Steam Deck sales decline sharply following May price increase
Sales of the Steam Deck have dropped significantly since a price hike in May, falling from fifth to fourteenth place on sales charts. Estimates suggest weekly unit sales have decreased by 80%, signaling a notable slowdown for the once-popular handheld device.
TreeSize limits support for perpetual licenses, shifting to subscription model
JAM Software will cease support for TreeSize perpetual licenses beyond their maintenance period unless users subscribe. This policy change has caused dissatisfaction among users, who can no longer access installers or updates for the versions they purchased.
2027 Kia Seltos launches with competitive pricing and new powertrain options
Kia has unveiled the 2027 Seltos, a subcompact SUV starting at $24,990. It features a new design and engine options, including a 2.0L four-cylinder and a forthcoming 1.6L hybrid variant.
Drones to Aid Firefighting Efforts Amid Increasing Wildfire Risks
Drones capable of spraying water and fire retardants are undergoing testing in California and Alaska to combat wildfires. This technology aims to enable quicker responses to small fires before they escalate, as wildfires become an almost year-round threat due to climate change.
US Space Force seeks up to $30 billion for rocket launches
The US Space Force announced plans to increase its National Security Space Launch contract maximum to $17 billion from $5.6 billion. This move reflects the Pentagon's growing need for military satellite launches, enabling more procurement and competition among commercial launch providers.
AT&T loses bid to stop mandatory basic phone service in California
A federal judge ruled that California can enforce mandatory basic phone service rules for AT&T. This decision impacts AT&T's plans to stop offering basic service to new customers and could affect its existing customer base.
Machine learning algorithms impact F1 performance at Belgium Grand Prix
The Belgium Grand Prix highlighted issues with Formula 1 cars' performance, exacerbated by machine learning algorithms. Current 2026 F1 battery technology limits power delivery, leaving cars less powerful than F2 counterparts during races.
Expanded mosquito ranges highlight need for improved monitoring programs
Climate change is causing mosquito species to migrate to historically temperate regions, increasing disease risks. Connecticut's monitoring program, which tracks invasive species, exemplifies the need for improved national surveillance systems.
Pentagon's Space Development Agency to be folded into Space Force amid satellite launch
The Pentagon's Space Development Agency (SDA), created in 2019 to expedite military satellite deployment, is set to be integrated into the Space Force as it launches its first operational satellites. This decision comes amid bipartisan congressional support for the agency's closure, aiming to streamline military procurement processes.
ADA Faces Criticism Over Ouster of Scientists at Annual Meeting
Five scientists were removed from the ADA annual meeting for distributing a critical editorial against the Trump administration. The subsequent release of new opinion articles alleges prior knowledge of the incident by ADA leadership and raises concerns over editorial freedom.
Fubo increases subscription prices by $15 after restoring some NBCUniversal channels
Fubo has increased subscription prices by $15 per month following a new deal to restore select NBCUniversal channels. This adjustment follows a previous price reduction due to a channel blackout, and many channels remain inaccessible to subscribers.
US report advances climate attribution science, raising fossil fuel industry concerns
The US National Academies of Science released a report affirming the maturity of climate attribution science, enabling better analysis of extreme weather events linked to climate change. This progress raises liabilities for fossil fuel companies, prompting political pushback aiming to cut funding for the Academies.
Lucid Launches 2026 Gravity Touring SUV Starting at $82,000
Lucid has introduced the 2026 Gravity Touring SUV, priced from approximately $82,000 with various high-end options. This model features a range of luxury upgrades and a driving range of 337 miles, appealing to the electric SUV market.
Trump health nominees face Senate hearing scrutiny, struggle with confirmation
Erica Schwartz and Sean Kaufman, Trump administration nominees, faced tough questioning during a Senate hearing. Schwartz, nominated for CDC director, was challenged on her stance against anti-vaccine rhetoric, while Kaufman, vying for ASPR head, struggled with his unflattering reputation in public health preparedness.
T-Mobile cancels free-line promotions in forced plan migration due to technical errors
T-Mobile canceled free-line promotions for some customers during a forced migration to new plans, leading to complaints. The company acknowledged the issue, citing technical errors, and is working to restore benefits to affected users.
2026 Toyota RAV4 Debuts Plug-in Hybrid with Enhanced Battery Capacity
Toyota has unveiled the 2026 RAV4 plug-in hybrid with a 22.7 kWh battery, allowing it to operate on all-electric power for daily drives. This model features a new powertrain with significant improvements over its predecessor, maintaining Toyota's strong market presence in the SUV sector.
China and Russia reportedly devise plan to counter SpaceX's Starlink
A joint investigation reveals China and Russia are enhancing military cooperation targeting SpaceX's Starlink. Documents indicate plans for space weapon development and strategies to neutralize the satellite network, with implications for military satellite operations worldwide.
Bethesda employees protest Xbox layoffs at Zenimax HQ
Hundreds of employees protested against job cuts at Xbox's parent company, Zenimax. The rally demanded Microsoft resume contract negotiations with union workers and criticized the lack of bargaining over layoffs.
Buzz Aldrin auctions historic pen used during Apollo 11 mission for $857,600
A felt-tip marker and piece of plastic from Apollo 11 sold for $857,600 at Sotheby’s. The items were crucial in solving a potential mission-ending problem during their lunar landing, exemplifying the intersection of history and memorabilia sales.
Sheetz migrates 11,000 VMs from VMware to StorMagic
Sheetz is migrating 11,000 virtual machines from VMware's vSphere to StorMagic’s SvHCI across 838 locations. This decision was driven by VMware's shift to a subscription model under Broadcom's management, increasing cost uncertainty for Sheetz.
Judge Blocks Trump's Visa Policy Targeting Content Moderation Researchers
A federal judge halted a Trump-era policy aimed at deporting non-citizens engaged in content moderation and disinformation efforts. The ruling is significant as it safeguards the immigration status of these researchers amidst concerns of potential political bias in enforcement.
NASA flight surgeon Anil Menon achieves dream of going to space
NASA flight surgeon Anil Menon, who faced rejection in his astronaut applications, successfully traveled to space. His journey illustrates resilience and adaptability in pursuing one's dreams, inspiring others in the field.
Sotheby's Auctions T. Rex Skeleton 'Gus' for Up to $30 Million
Sotheby's auction for a 67-million-year-old T. rex skeleton, named Gus, raises concerns about private fossil ownership hindering scientific research. Gus is expected to sell for as much as $30 million, reflecting the growing trend of private collectors at auction.
US Expats in DRC Face Travel Restrictions Amid Ebola Outbreak, Sent to Germany for Care
Two Americans in the Democratic Republic of Congo have tested positive for Ebola and are being treated in Germany. The Trump administration has imposed strict travel restrictions, requiring US citizens in DRC to spend 21 days in a third country before returning home. The outbreak, led by the Bundibugyo strain, is the third largest recorded and highlights ongoing global health coordination challenges.
Penn State develops paintable e-tattoos for enhanced biomonitoring
Researchers at Pennsylvania State University have created a conductive ink that can be painted onto the skin to form functional biomonitoring electrodes. This innovation potentially overcomes existing limitations of traditional e-tattoos, such as sensitivity to surface irregularities and movement during physical activity.
Boomers lead decline in alcohol consumption, surpassing Gen Z
A study shows that 71% of baby boomers reduced alcohol consumption in the last six months, while 74% of Gen Z have increased their drinking. This trend challenges the perception that younger generations are responsible for falling alcohol sales globally.
NYU researchers solve Feynman's reverse sprinkler puzzle using silly sprinklers
Researchers at NYU's Courant Institute addressed the reverse sprinkler problem using experimental designs of silly sprinklers. This work contributes to understanding fluid dynamics and the interactions of forces in real-time applications.
Colorado ballot to propose constitutional right to sell natural gas
A proposed amendment in Colorado could enshrine the right for fossil fuel companies to sell natural gas, impacting state climate goals. Initiative 177 aims to counter local efforts to reduce gas usage in favor of electrification.
Hackers demonstrate Doom ports running on Neo Geo despite past claims of impossibility
Two projects have successfully made progress on running Doom on Neo Geo hardware, countering previous claims that it was impossible. These efforts showcase the potential of retro coding and innovation on legacy systems, although with significant graphical compromises.
Concerns Grow Over SpaceX Crew Dragon's Availability for Future Missions
Industry officials express concerns about the limited availability of SpaceX's Crew Dragon for future astronaut transport. With Boeing's delayed Starliner and NASA's push for private space stations, reliance on Crew Dragon has heightened as future missions approach.
Discovery of WD 1856 b: A planet orbiting a white dwarf
Astronomers have confirmed WD 1856 b as the only known planet that survived a Sun-like star's death, now scrutinized with the James Webb Space Telescope. Findings indicate its proximity and unusual transit behavior challenge existing models of stellar evolution.
New BLM regulations aim to increase grazing while limiting public input
The Bureau of Land Management is proposing new rules to expand livestock grazing on 155 million acres of public lands while reducing public participation in the decision-making process. This overhaul, the first since 1995, could exacerbate environmental concerns regarding overgrazing and limit oversight by non-ranchers.
Google develops constant recalibration method for quantum processors
Google has discovered a method for constant calibration of superconducting qubits during quantum computations. This innovation uses data from error correction processes to adjust settings in real-time, addressing calibration drift in long algorithms.