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Multiverse Computing Releases Quasar 438B, a New Enterprise AI Reasoning Model
Multiverse Computing has released Quasar 438B, its first large reasoning model, designed for enterprise agents and coding. The model scores 43 on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index, making it the highest-scoring European model, and demonstrates competitive speed for its class.
MrBeast Partners with Google to Promote Gemini AI and Google Health
YouTube creator MrBeast, also known as Jimmy Donaldson, has entered a multi-year partnership with Google to promote its Gemini AI assistant and Google Health products. The collaboration begins with a video on September 5 where MrBeast uses Gemini for wilderness survival, with future content integrating Fitbit Air.
Microsoft to Enable Memory Integrity Security Feature on More Windows 11 Devices
Microsoft will enable the memory integrity security feature on additional Windows 11 devices next month, a kernel-level protection designed to prevent malicious code. This change may impact PC gaming performance, particularly on older processors, as it restricts untrusted kernel-mode code and drivers.
US Military Uses High-Energy Laser to Down Three Suspected Cartel Drones
The U.S. military shot down three drones suspected of being operated by Mexican cartels using an Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser System. This event marks a continued deployment of directed-energy weapons for border security and counter-surveillance operations against illicit activities.
Dropbox users affected by security breach due to SSO authentication flaw
Dropbox notified users of unauthorized account access between August 4 and August 21, 2026, stemming from a vulnerability in its single sign-on (SSO) integration with Lenovo IDs. Attackers exploited a missing email verification step in Lenovo's process to create rogue Lenovo IDs, which Dropbox then implicitly linked to existing user accounts without further authentication. This incident highlights critical flaws in federated identity management and the need for robust verification during SSO setup.
Acer Unveils New Predator and Nitro Monitors, Including 1,000Hz 1080p Display
Acer introduced eight new monitors at IFA 2026, expanding its Predator, Acer Nitro, and Acer ProDesigner lines. Key releases include the 24-inch Predator XB253Q U1, Acer's first 1080p monitor with a 1,000Hz refresh rate, and several models featuring Mini LED backlighting, OLED panels, and tri-mode resolution/refresh rate options. These updates provide new choices for gamers and professionals seeking high refresh rates and advanced display technologies.
Cloudflare introduces task-based OAuth consent with scope customization
Cloudflare has launched OAuth scope customization, allowing users to deselect optional scopes during authorization. This change moves from an all-or-nothing consent model to a more granular, task-based approach, enhancing user control over application permissions.
Tectonic Crypto Platform Suffers $6 Million Exploit, Cronos Blockchain Halted
The Tectonic decentralized lending platform experienced a security incident where fraudsters manipulated the price of its TONIC token, inflating it over 100 times to borrow assets. Approximately $6 million in Ethereum was stolen, leading the Cronos blockchain to halt activity and then restart, with an additional $68 million prevented from leaving the platform.
SpaceX begins in-house turbine blade manufacturing to accelerate AI data center generator deployment
SpaceX has started manufacturing turbine blades and vanes in-house to reduce delays in acquiring gas-powered generators for AI data centers. This move aims to cut generator delivery times by 18 months, addressing a bottleneck caused by high demand for turbines in AI infrastructure development.
Xbox CEO Confirms Project Helix as a "Family of Devices," Not a Single Console
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma clarified that Project Helix, previously described as Microsoft's "next generation console," will actually be a "family of devices." This indicates a broader hardware strategy for the next Xbox generation, potentially including multiple console variations or form factors.
Hasbro discloses data breach affecting employee personal and financial information
Toy manufacturer Hasbro has disclosed a data breach impacting an undisclosed number of employees, with personal and financial information exposed. This incident follows a separate cyberattack in March that caused $25 million in revenue loss, though Hasbro has not linked the two events.
Microsoft-backed AI DataOne facility accused of operating dozens of unpermitted generators
The DataOne AI data center in New Jersey, backed by Microsoft, is accused of violating federal law by operating at least 45 gas-powered generators without permits. This facility, part of a $17 billion deal with Nebius, has faced ongoing controversy regarding noise and zoning, and its unpermitted operations could lead to fines and a cease-and-desist order.
Samsung Introduces LPDDR5X-PIM Memory with In-Memory Logic for AI Inference
Samsung introduced LPDDR5X-PIM memory, which integrates processing logic directly into low-power memory, at Hot Chips 2026. This technology aims to accelerate AI inference tasks by performing calculations in-memory, reducing bottlenecks associated with traditional processors and offering a more cost-effective alternative to HBM-PIM.
EPA proposes removing public input requirement for some air pollution permits, impacting data centers
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to eliminate the requirement for states to seek public feedback on certain air pollution permit applications, a change that could significantly affect data center construction. This move is concerning as local communities increasingly oppose AI data center developments due to their environmental impact, and removing public input could reduce transparency in the approval process.
Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 DNS service optimizes cache, saving 100TB memory
Cloudflare's Big Pineapple platform, which powers the 1.1.1.1 DNS service, implemented five changes to its DNS cache entry storage. These optimizations reduced the per-entry memory footprint by over 50%, freeing up approximately 100 terabytes of memory across its fleet and improving cache performance.
UK Actors Call for Legislation to Protect Voices from AI Cloning
Over 80 UK performers, including Matt Lucas and Hugh Bonneville, have urged the UK government to introduce legislation granting individuals legal ownership of their voices to protect against AI cloning. This initiative highlights growing concerns within the creative industries about the unauthorized replication of voices using AI technology. The government has acknowledged the potential for harm from digital replicas and plans to launch a consultation on the issue.
Anthropic and HHMI Janelia Research Campus Launch Model Hardware Standard Research Preview
Anthropic and HHMI Janelia Research Campus have launched a research preview of the Model Hardware Standard (MHS), a shared specification for AI agents to operate physical devices. MHS aims to standardize communication between AI agents and diverse lab and manufacturing instruments, reducing integration time and enabling autonomous workflows.
World Liberty Financial, a Trump family crypto venture, receives conditional banking charter approval
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has granted conditional approval for World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture controlled by the Trump family, to operate like a bank. This approval allows the company to issue its USD1 stablecoin tokens directly in the United States, bypassing intermediaries. The decision has drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who view it as an act of self-dealing due to the Trump family's financial interests in the venture.
Trump Order Declares National Emergency to Block Foreign Backdoors in US Power Grid
President Trump issued Executive Order 14420, declaring a national emergency to address vulnerabilities in the US bulk power system from foreign-supplied electrical equipment. The order prohibits the acquisition, import, transfer, or installation of certain foreign-produced bulk-power equipment after August 26, 2026, if deemed to pose security risks. This aims to mitigate supply chain risks and potential embedded hardware backdoors in critical infrastructure.
Salesforce Integrates CRM Directly into Anthropic's Claude with "Claudeforce" Plugin
Salesforce and Anthropic have expanded their partnership, introducing "Claudeforce," a plugin that embeds Salesforce's CRM platform directly within Anthropic's Claude CoWork. This integration allows users to query, update, and act on live CRM data using Claude, potentially reducing the need to open the Salesforce application directly. The plugin launches with 37 pre-built sales skills and is available to select pilot customers, with an open beta planned for September.
Cerebras Introduces CS-4 System for AI Inference, Claiming Up to 30x Faster Than GPUs
Cerebras has launched the CS-4, a new rack-scale AI solution that integrates three WSE-3 Turbo wafers per system and is designed for hyperscale deployment. The company states the CS-4 delivers up to 30 times faster inference compared to GPUs and offers enhanced throughput and interactivity for large AI models.
Okta Exceeds Q2 Estimates, Reports Increased Demand for AI Identity Security
Okta surpassed Wall Street's fiscal second-quarter earnings and revenue estimates, driven by increased demand for identity security solutions related to AI agents. The company's shares rose 20% in extended trading, reflecting strong financial performance and strategic moves in the evolving AI security landscape.
GPUThor Rowhammer Attack Bypasses NVIDIA ECC on Ampere GPUs for Root Access
Researchers at the University of Toronto developed GPUThor, a new Rowhammer attack that bypasses NVIDIA's ECC protections on Ampere-class GPUs, enabling denial-of-service and root-level privilege escalation. This attack significantly increases bit-flip rates compared to previous methods, making exploitation practical within minutes.
Amazon to shut down Mechanical Turk crowdsourcing platform by September 2026
Amazon announced it will discontinue its Mechanical Turk (MTurk) crowdsourcing platform by September 30, 2026, after 21 years of operation. The closure reflects the platform's decline amid advancements in AI and increased competition from specialized data labeling services, impacting a significant number of data workers.
Australia's ARIA Charts Ban AI-Generated Songs, Requiring Substantially Human-Made Music
The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) has banned songs predominantly created by AI from its music charts, requiring all eligible releases to be "substantially human made." This change follows a controversy involving an AI-assisted track that topped the dance singles chart and aims to promote human artistry in music.
MS Paint and Photos embed invisible GUID watermarks in AI-generated images
Microsoft's Paint and Photos applications invisibly watermark AI-generated images, even those created locally, with a GUID after sending prompts to a remote server for moderation. This occurs regardless of visible watermark settings and applies to images saved in C2PA-preserving formats like PNG, JPEG, GIF, and .paint. The practice raises questions about user privacy and the traceability of AI-generated content.
AnonyMousKIT PhaaS uses AI voice agents to phish iPhone passcodes and disable Activation Lock
A new phishing-as-a-service (PhaaS) platform named AnonyMousKIT automates the retrieval of iPhone passcodes and disables Apple's Activation Lock feature. This service facilitates a criminal ecosystem for selling stolen iPhones, harvesting Apple IDs, and accessing iCloud backups and Keychain credentials.
UK to use Ukraine battlefield data to train AI for critical infrastructure protection
The UK has partnered with Ukraine to use battlefield data from Ukraine's Avengers AI lab to train AI models for protecting UK defense sites, railways, and energy plants. This initiative aims to identify threats like protesters or hostile state attacks using AI-optimized sensors in fiber-optic cables, with private companies also gaining access to the data.
Qualcomm Details Snapdragon C Specifications and Battery Performance Claims
Qualcomm released detailed specifications for its Snapdragon C system-on-a-chip, an ARM-based platform for $300 laptops, and provided battery performance benchmarks. The company claims the Snapdragon C offers significantly better battery efficiency and performance compared to Intel's N250 processor in battery-powered scenarios, which could impact the budget laptop market.
Thomson Reuters Develops Proprietary AI Model for Legal and Tax Work
Thomson Reuters has developed its own AI model, named Thomson, for legal, tax, and compliance tasks, trained on its proprietary content. This model will power specific features within products like CoCounsel, while the company continues to use third-party models like Anthropic's Claude for other functionalities. This approach allows companies with extensive proprietary data to create specialized AI without building a foundation model from scratch.
NHTSA increases scrutiny on GM EV brake problems after hundreds of incidents
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has upgraded its investigation into brake problems affecting over one million General Motors (GM) vehicles, including EVs, to an "engineering analysis." This escalation follows hundreds of reported incidents, over 20 crashes or fires, and at least six injuries, indicating a potential widespread safety defect in GM's eBoost brake-by-wire system.
ReliaQuest employee targeted in social engineering attack by ShinyHunters
Cybersecurity firm ReliaQuest confirmed that an employee was targeted in a social engineering attack by the ShinyHunters group, which attempted to gain access to internal systems. Although one employee entered credentials on a fake SSO page, device-trust controls prevented the attackers from accessing applications or customer data. This incident highlights the ongoing threat of social engineering and the importance of multi-layered security controls.
Apple Releases Sixth RCs for macOS Sonoma 14.8.8 and Sequoia 15.7.8 with Security Updates
Apple has released the sixth set of Release Candidates for macOS Sonoma 14.8.8 and Sequoia 15.7.8, focusing on security improvements. These follow a series of RCs prompted by AI-related security risks.
Pixel 11 Pro Series Introduces HiLight LED for Call and Gemini Notifications
Google has launched HiLight, an ambient LED array on the Pixel 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL, and 11 Pro Fold, which provides visual cues for incoming calls from favorite contacts and acts as a Gemini assistant indicator. This feature integrates with the Phone by Google app and WhatsApp for call notifications, offering five color options for contacts and visual feedback for Gemini's states.
Apollo Global Management Confirms Data Breach Affecting Personal Information
Private equity firm Apollo Global Management confirmed a data breach where hackers stole personal information from its cloud systems between July 6 and July 10. The incident involved a social engineering attack and is part of a wider hacking campaign targeting financial institutions.
Slovakia discovers Russian backdoors and vulnerabilities in 279 new traffic cameras
Slovakia's national security service, the NBU, found SMS-activated Russian backdoors and passwordless live feed access in 279 new NERO R-ONE speed cameras. These cameras, suspected to be rebranded Russian CORDON PRO.M units, were part of a €30 million EU-funded modernization project and have since been deactivated. The discovery highlights significant national security and privacy risks associated with critical infrastructure procurement.
ToxicPanda 2.0 Android Malware Expands Global Banking and Cryptocurrency Targeting
The Android banking malware ToxicPanda has been updated to version 2.0, significantly expanding its targeting scope to over 140 banking and cryptocurrency applications globally, up from 16. This new version includes 167 remote commands, improved credential harvesting, and new methods for privilege escalation and evading battery optimization policies, posing an increased threat to Android users.
Nvidia reportedly plans over 15% price hikes for AI server customers next year
Nvidia is reportedly increasing prices for servers containing its AI chips, such as Vera Rubin and Grace Blackwell, by over 15% for some major customers, with these changes taking effect on systems shipped next year. This adjustment is attributed to the rising costs of memory chips, which are crucial components for Nvidia's GPUs and systems, impacting the overall cost structure for AI infrastructure.
New technique "skitter-creek-bath-salts" bypasses DRAM memory protections on AMD CPUs
A new technique called "skitter-creek-bath-salts" allows manipulation of DRAM controller registers to scramble platform memory, bypassing security features like the Platform Security Processor, System Management Mode, and CPU microcode. This method was developed and tested on AMD Family 16h CPUs, which are the last generation with publicly documented DRAM controller translation registers.
OpenAI Advocates for Stronger Safeguards in California's AI Safety Bill SB 53
OpenAI has called for California to strengthen its AI safety bill, SB 53, by adding requirements for monitoring frontier models during training and enhancing cybersecurity protections. This marks a shift in OpenAI's stance, as it previously opposed the bill, and now supports a "reverse federalism" approach for AI regulation.