From Ars Technica · 40 stories
Ransomware Payment Dilemma Intensifies Amid Sophisticated Threat Landscape
Ransomware attacks have surged, with nearly half of victims opting to pay attackers. Many jurisdictions, including the UK, are proposing bans on public sector ransom payments due to the inefficacy of negotiations and the risk of repeated attacks. Advanced AI tools and strategic targeting increase the threat level, complicating response strategies.
Apple TV+ Announces 'Neuromancer' Premiere Date and New Trailers at Comic-Con
Apple TV+ announced that its adaptation of William Gibson's novel "Neuromancer" will premiere on January 22, 2027, with the first two episodes, followed by weekly releases for a total of ten episodes. The announcement was made at San Diego Comic-Con, where a teaser trailer was also released. Additionally, trailers for "Dark Matter" season two and the movie "Matchbox" were debuted.
China Joins SpaceX in Rocket Reuse with Long March 10B Recovery
China successfully recovered its Long March 10B rocket booster at sea, becoming the second country to achieve reusable rocket technology after SpaceX. This marks a significant milestone in China's space capabilities, potentially advancing its satellite services and global competitiveness.
Trump's Teleprompter Operator Faces Insider Trading Allegations on Kalshi Market
Gabriel Perez, former President Trump's teleprompter operator, is under investigation for allegedly making over $100,000 in insider trading on Kalshi prediction markets concerning Trump's speeches. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission and federal investigators are involved, with discussions ongoing about the return of the profits.
Microsoft Revokes Vulnerable UEFI Shims Allowing Secure Boot Bypass
Microsoft has revoked the signatures of 11 old UEFI shims signed by them, which could bypass Secure Boot on Windows and Linux systems. This security flaw, discovered by ESET, existed due to old firmware remaining signed and trusted despite vulnerabilities. Addressing this issue is critical for preventing the unauthorized execution of code during the system boot process.
Google to Offset Data Center Emissions with Major Solar Project in Arkansas
Google's electricity use surged by 37% in 2025 due to AI data center expansions. To offset emissions, Google will purchase the entire output of a large solar and battery storage project in Arkansas, boosting the grid with up to 2.45GW of solar power by 2029. This initiative reflects Google's ongoing investment in clean energy.
Philips Offers Free Replacements After Firmware Bricks Hue Bridge Pro Devices
A firmware update led to less than 100 Philips Hue Bridge Pro devices becoming inoperable. Philips has offered free replacements and issued a patch to fix the issue, emphasizing a specific update scenario as the cause.
US and Allied Nations Warn of Russian Router-Based Cyberattacks on Critical Infrastructure
US and several allied nations have issued a warning regarding Russian state-backed attempts to exploit poorly secured routers to breach critical infrastructure. The FSB's hacking groups target sectors including energy, healthcare, and communications by using known vulnerabilities and SNMP exploits. The warning underscores the need for immediate security enhancements in affected sectors.
Judge Approves Musk's $1.5M SEC Settlement Over Twitter Investment
A judge approved Elon Musk's $1.5 million settlement with the SEC concerning delayed disclosure of his Twitter stake. Despite questions regarding the fairness and potential corruption, the court ruled it couldn't block the deal. The SEC argued Musk saved $150 million by not disclosing his stake in time.
Blue Origin Raises $10 Billion in First External Funding Round for Space Ventures
Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos in 2000, is raising $10 billion in its first external funding round, valuing the company at $130 billion. Coatue Management leads with a $4 billion investment, with Bezos contributing $2 billion. This move aims to support operational readiness for its New Glenn rocket after a recent setback and to bolster its position against SpaceX.
Supreme Court Upholds Texas App Store Age Verification Law
The US Supreme Court denied requests from trade groups, including Apple and Google, to block the enforcement of Texas's App Store Accountability Act, a law requiring age verification for app users. The law mandates that app stores verify users' ages and obtain parental consent for minors, amid constitutional debates. This development impacts how app companies handle user compliance in Texas.
FCC Proposed Rule Change May Obscure Broadband Costs
The FCC is set to vote on a proposed rule change that would let ISPs list all passthrough fees as a single 'up to' amount rather than itemizing them. This change could reduce transparency in broadband costs, affecting consumers' ability to understand the true cost of services. ISPs often use these passthrough fees to elevate monthly bills above advertised rates.
NASA Launches Swift Rescue Mission with Katalyst's LINK Satellite
NASA has launched the Swift Boost mission using the LINK satellite by Katalyst Space to rescue the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory from orbital decay. LINK aims to elevate the observatory's orbit by 150 miles, extending its operational life. This joint effort highlights a rapid industry response to preserve crucial space science capabilities.
OMB Director Russell Vought to gain veto power over all NIH grants via executive order
An executive order is being drafted to grant Russell Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), veto power over every individual grant awarded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This move would centralize control over the NIH's $47 billion budget, potentially shifting funding decisions from scientific merit to political considerations.
Trump administration considers new tariffs on semiconductors and tech products
The Trump administration is reportedly considering new tariffs on semiconductors and products containing them, which could be implemented in the coming weeks or months. The tech industry warns these tariffs could significantly harm US AI innovation and lead to substantial economic losses.
Moderna and Merck's mRNA cancer vaccine succeeds in Phase 3 melanoma trial
Moderna and Merck announced their individualized mRNA-based cancer vaccine, intismeran (mRNA-4157), was effective in a late-stage clinical trial for melanoma patients. This marks a significant development for mRNA vaccine technology and personalized cancer treatments, potentially offering a new therapeutic approach for a deadly form of skin cancer.
Heidi Overton Expected to Be Nominated as Next FDA Commissioner
Heidi Overton, a conservative policy aide, is expected to be nominated by President Trump to lead the Food and Drug Administration. This nomination is significant as Overton's past policy positions, particularly on abortion pills, could influence future FDA regulatory decisions.
US military apps found with Chinese and Russian code raise data security concerns
A study found that over 12% of mobile apps aimed at US military personnel contain code from Chinese and Russian companies, increasing risks of data harvesting by adversary nations. This poses potential risks to service members' safety and operational security, particularly as previous investigations highlighted vulnerabilities in location tracking of troops.
Deputy Sheriff Accused of Taking Inappropriate Photos of Nude Prisoners
Bucks County Deputy Sheriff Ryan Gaffney allegedly photographed nude prisoners and shared the images with coworkers. Investigation revealed he obscured his bodycam during the incidents, raising significant concerns about misuse of law enforcement authority.
Google-backed FireSat satellites launch for enhanced wildfire detection
Three satellites in the FireSat program launched from California, capable of detecting wildfires earlier. This initiative aims to improve wildfire response in affected regions like the US, Australia, and Europe.
FCC Commissioners Accepted Gifts from Paramount Amid $8 Billion Merger Approval
Federal Communications Commissioners Olivia Trusty and Brendan Carr received expensive gifts from Paramount while approving the company's $8 billion merger with Skydance Media. This raises ethical concerns regarding conflicts of interest, as such gifts may influence regulatory decisions.
HP fined $14.4 million for cartelization in India over ink cartridges and PCs
The Competition Commission of India has fined HP India 1.4 billion rupees for colluding with resellers to increase bid prices for government contracts, impacting the costs of PCs and printing supplies. This ruling highlights important legal repercussions for anti-competitive practices in the technology sector.
Xona Space Systems' Pulsar satellites to launch for enhanced navigation by 2026
Xona Space Systems is set to launch six production satellites in October 2026, offering stronger navigation signals than traditional GPS. Their low-Earth orbit constellation is expected to improve location accuracy significantly, especially in challenging environments like urban areas and indoors, while also countering GPS jamming.
US military employs explosive drone boats in combat for the first time
The US military has deployed explosive-laden drone boats in combat, striking an Iranian submarine and naval port. This significant shift marks the first combat use of sea drones by the US and highlights evolving naval warfare techniques.
Ukrainian drone strikes halt Russian shipping in Sea of Azov
Ukrainian drone strikes have forced Russia to cease all shipping operations in the Sea of Azov, effectively blocking vital maritime corridors. This has resulted in further isolation of the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula and potential disruptions to Russian grain exports, impacting global wheat prices.
Study analyzes health impact of RFK Jr.'s vaccine policy change for toddlers
A study published in JAMA Network Open analyzes the detrimental effects of a recent policy change regarding the MMRV vaccine. The panel, selected by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., voted to strip federal recommendations for the vaccine without a comprehensive review, which will affect children’s access amid rising health risks.
Astronomers achieve most precise measurement of Earth's Lense-Thirring effect
A team led by Ignazio Ciufolini has reported the most accurate measurement of Earth's Lense-Thirring effect, reducing uncertainty from a few percentage points to 0.2%. This measurement was achieved using the LARES-2 satellite, which is designed to minimize the impact of external forces.
Data centers’ energy demand increases costs for US manufacturers
Growing energy demand from data centers is significantly raising electricity costs for US manufacturers, particularly in the Rust Belt. This trend threatens the financial stability of manufacturers essential to President Trump's "Made in America" initiative while supporting the booming AI data center sector.
Chemical accidents increase as Trump administration proposes safety rule rollbacks
The Trump administration plans to weaken safety rules related to industrial chemical releases. An analysis shows a 57% increase in chemical accidents from 2021 to 2025, raising safety concerns for affected populations.
Supreme Court Rules Government Requires Warrant for Geofence Warrants
The Supreme Court ruled that government access to a user’s location history requires a warrant. This ruling underscores the Fourth Amendment's protections for digital privacy, limiting law enforcement's ability to utilize geofence warrants without substantial proof of necessity.
Apple Accused of Collaborating with Trump Administration to Remove ICE-Tracking Apps
US Representative Jamie Raskin accused Apple of removing ICE-tracking apps from its App Store at the behest of the Trump administration, despite a lack of evidence that these apps endangered officers. Raskin stated that Apple is working with the government to violate customers' First Amendment rights to record government activity. This action follows Apple's explanation that the apps were removed after a fatal shooting at a Dallas ICE office, though Raskin disputes any connection between the shooter and the apps.
NASA Orders Two Additional Boeing Starliner Missions Amid SpaceX Dragon Retirement Plans
NASA plans to order two more Boeing Starliner crewed missions and assist with Starliner's thruster fixes and new rocket certification. This decision follows SpaceX's indication that it will retire its Crew Dragon spacecraft by 2030, leaving NASA reliant on Starliner for routine astronaut missions.
Trump Administration Finalizes Reduced Fuel Efficiency Standards for Vehicles
The US Department of Transportation finalized a rule setting the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard to 34.9 miles per gallon by model year 2031. This replaces a previous target of 50.4 miles per gallon and eliminates emissions credits and plug-in vehicles from fleet average calculations starting in model year 2028. The change is projected to save automakers money but is criticized by consumer, health, and environmental groups for potentially increasing fuel costs for consumers and contributing to air pollution.
AliExpress uses hidden Web Audio API for fingerprinting, disrupting Bluetooth multipoint audio
AliExpress website scripts create hidden Web Audio API contexts that interfere with Bluetooth multipoint audio connections, even when no audible media is playing. This behavior is attributed to Alibaba's anti-abuse tooling, which uses the Web Audio API for browser fingerprinting.
New Research Reveals Faster Classical Method to Break RSA Cryptosystem
New research has uncovered a novel classical computing method that significantly reduces the security level of the RSA cryptosystem by enabling signature forgery without factoring. This method decreases the computational resources required to break RSA keys by orders of magnitude, making 1024-bit RSA breakage more feasible and reducing the security of 2048-bit and 4096-bit keys to unacceptable levels.
Republican Bill Proposes Mandating ISPs, DNS Providers, and VPNs Block Piracy Sites
US Representative Darrell Issa introduced a bill requiring internet service providers, DNS services, and VPNs to block foreign piracy websites based on judicial orders. This legislation aims to accelerate copyright enforcement for rights holders, particularly for live content, but faces opposition over concerns about censorship and potential disruption to legitimate businesses.
U.S. Appeals Court Upholds Pentagon's Blacklisting of Anthropic as Supply Chain Risk
A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., upheld the Pentagon's designation of AI company Anthropic as a supply chain risk. This decision prevents the U.S. military and its contractors from using Anthropic's Claude AI models, impacting the company's ability to work with defense agencies.
Tesla's Optimus Robot Production Faces Challenges, Requires Manual Assembly
Tesla is reportedly producing "several hundred" Optimus robots weekly, falling short of its 20,000-unit goal, due to manufacturing snags from repurposing car production lines. The humanoid robots still require manual assembly for hands and forearms, impacting production efficiency and delaying broader deployment.
Two Unvaccinated Individuals Die from Measles in Pennsylvania Amidst Rising Cases
Two unvaccinated individuals in Pennsylvania have died from measles, marking the first measles deaths in the state in 35 years and the first in the US in 2026. These deaths occur as national vaccination rates decline and measles cases surge, with 2,777 cases reported in the US in 2026, the highest total since 1991.
Lawsuit Filed Against CBP for Alleged Data Copying from Traveler's Phone
An Argentinian-American writer and immigration advocate sued the U.S. federal government, alleging Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents copied data from his phone without consent during re-entry to the United States. The lawsuit demands the deletion of any data obtained, raising concerns about traveler privacy rights at borders.