Science & Technology

Music

Subvert music service prioritizing art over artificial intelligence

Ben Waldman 5 minute read 2:00 AM CDT

With its public launch earlier this month, a digital music marketplace called Subvert aims to live up to its name, directing more power — and more dollars — to recording artists navigating the choppy waters of the streaming wars.

Initially pitched as a collectively owned successor to Bandcamp — a popular sales interface for independent artists — and an alternative to big tech-funded streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music, Subvert (subvert.fm) was already hosting music for purchase by 20,000 artists from 120 countries as of Wednesday afternoon.

Nearly 30 of those artists — including Altona-based pop producer Daggerss, a.k.a. Laura Smith — call Manitoba home.

“To me, the co-op model is really exciting,” says Smith, a former touring member of indie rock stalwarts Said the Whale whose past projects include Rococode, a synthy duo that released music through Winnipeg label Head in the Sand Records in the 2010s. “It gives power to the people and keeps it in the hands of the people instead of us being at the beck and call of a tech company.”

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Workers operate a 3D printer that makes drone parts at the headquarters of Masssivit in Lod, Israel, March 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Demand soars for Israel’s battle-tested weapons tech despite global criticism of its wartime conduct

Sam Mednick, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Demand soars for Israel’s battle-tested weapons tech despite global criticism of its wartime conduct

Sam Mednick, The Associated Press 6 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 8:41 PM CDT

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — When Israeli defense officials approached Massivit last year about using its unique 3D printers to make military drone parts, CEO Yossi Azarzar jumped at the chance.

Although the Israeli company had been producing large set pieces and other designs for the likes of Disney, DreamWorks and Netflix, the opportunity to instead quickly churn out large drone parts for the military was too good to ignore.

“I stopped thinking about Hollywood sets,” Azarzar said. “The entertainment industry is a nice customer — defense is a necessity."

Business has been booming for the Israeli arms sector, despite widespread criticism of the country’s conduct in its wars in Gaza, with Hezbollah and with Iran. Countries that have vowed to shun Israeli weapons makers are nonetheless quietly placing orders, according to industry officials. And manufacturers, including some like Massivit with no previous military know-how, can show that their innovations are being continually combat-tested and improved.

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Updated: Yesterday at 8:41 PM CDT

Science & Technology

FILE - Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva delivers his speech during the Global Progressive Mobilization summit in Barcelona, Spain, April 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort, File)

Brazil’s Lula adds pressure on big techs by increasing their liability for illegal user content

Mauricio Savarese And Eléonore Hughes, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Brazil’s Lula adds pressure on big techs by increasing their liability for illegal user content

Mauricio Savarese And Eléonore Hughes, The Associated Press 3 minute read Yesterday at 1:49 PM CDT

SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed two decrees on Wednesday that add to the pressure on big tech companies by increasing their liability for illegal content shared by its users and paving the way for investigations by a government body into their responses to such cases.

The moves toughen the environment in Brazil for giants like Google, Meta and TikTok, who have long tried to dissociate themselves with crimes online committed by users.

The first decree makes key adaptations to government regulations to align them with a decision by Brazil’s Supreme Court making big tech companies liable if they refuse to remove content by judicial order. It also enables the country’s national agency of data protection to investigate those cases. The second decree establishes guidelines for the protection of women in the digital environment.

Brazil’s government said in a statement that from now on platforms must analyze any complaints, and if the content is deemed criminal, remove it immediately, while communicating the decision to the person responsible. Possible penalties for non-compliance include warnings, fines and temporary suspension.

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Yesterday at 1:49 PM CDT

Science & Technology

This image released by NASA shows the Voyager view of Nereid, a satellite of Neptune, obtained on Aug. 24, 1989. (NASA via AP)

Neptune’s mysterious moon Nereid may be an original, study shows

Marcia Dunn, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Neptune’s mysterious moon Nereid may be an original, study shows

Marcia Dunn, The Associated Press 3 minute read Yesterday at 1:02 PM CDT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Neptune’s far-flung moon Nereid may be the last of the planet’s original companions that managed to survive a cosmic crash, scientists reported Wednesday.

Sixteen known moons circle Neptune, our solar system’s eighth and most distant planet. Neptune’s biggest moon, Triton, barged in from the solar system’s frigid outskirts billions of years ago, scattering the planet’s original moons and putting them on destructive collision courses.

A team led by the California Institute of Technology used NASA’s Webb Space Telescope to study Nereid. Their observations suggest that Nereid is no party crasher like Triton and likely survived by escaping into its extreme, elliptical orbit around Neptune.

“What we know about Nereid is very limited. For its size, Nereid is extremely understudied,” said study author Matthew Belyakov, of Caltech.

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Yesterday at 1:02 PM CDT

Environment

A commuter drinks water on a hot afternoon in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Heat wave empties roads and markets in north India as some farmers turn to nighttime work

Shonal Ganguly And Sheikh Saaliq, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Heat wave empties roads and markets in north India as some farmers turn to nighttime work

Shonal Ganguly And Sheikh Saaliq, The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: 5:53 AM CDT

NEW DELHI (AP) — Roads and markets have emptied during afternoons and some farmers have switched to nighttime work to avoid scorching temperatures as a heat wave grips large parts of India.

The India Meteorological Department forecast maximum temperatures Thursday of around 45 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit) in the capital, New Delhi, where authorities have opened temporary “cooling zones” to help people cope.

The weather department warned conditions will likely persist across several northern regions in the coming days, with temperatures staying well above seasonal averages. Authorities urged people to stay indoors during the hottest hours and take precautions against heat-related illnesses.

India declares a heat wave whenever temperatures are above 40 C (104 F) in the plains and 30 C (86 F) or more in its hilly regions.

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Updated: 5:53 AM CDT

Science & Technology

A Sheriff's deputy investigates a shooting scene outside the Montgomery County Courthouse, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Clarksville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Some see white livestreamer’s freedom of speech claims as cover for race-baiting

Terry Tang And Corey Williams, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Some see white livestreamer’s freedom of speech claims as cover for race-baiting

Terry Tang And Corey Williams, The Associated Press 6 minute read Yesterday at 11:05 PM CDT

A shooting involving a white livestreamer known for filming himself provoking people with racist words that left a Black man wounded has reignited debate over freedom of speech and content creators who monetize hate-filled interactions.

As more users of livestreaming social media platforms find being performative with bigoted language can draw big bucks, the line is blurring between freedom of expression and freedom for people to feel safe. Even within livestreaming communities, some assert they have a right to say whatever and earn revenue while others support having boundaries.

Racial justice advocates worry throwing money into the equation will only heighten and normalize racist antics. As for regulation, it can feel lawless out on the social media landscape. It is often left up to platforms to self-regulate and hold users accountable for obscene and abusive words. But, experts say, at some point laws for offline behavior can trump online freedoms.

Dalton Eatherly, who goes by the moniker “Chud the Builder,” is facing charges including attempted murder after allegedly shooting another man last week outside the Montgomery County Courthouse in Clarksville, Tennessee, authorities said. Eatherly, now held on a $1.25 million preliminary bond, has a full bond hearing scheduled Thursday.

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Yesterday at 11:05 PM CDT

Science & Technology

Australian eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant smiles during a conversation with former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard during the Women Deliver 2026 Conference in Melbourne, Australia April 28, 2026. (Joel Carrett/AAP Image via AP)

Australian judge fines X $465,000 for online safety breach after 3-year court battle

Rod Mcguirk, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Australian judge fines X $465,000 for online safety breach after 3-year court battle

Rod Mcguirk, The Associated Press 3 minute read Yesterday at 9:31 PM CDT

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — An Australian judge fined X Corp. 650,000 Australian dollars ($465,000) on Thursday for failing to provide information to an online safety watchdog in 2023 about how it tackled child sexual exploitation content.

Federal Court Justice Michael Wheelahan also ordered the Texas-based social media giant to pay AU$100,000 ($71,000) of eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant’s court costs within 45 days.

The ruling ends a three-year legal battle in which X had argued it was not obliged to answer eSafety’s questions.

X admitted it contravened Australia’s Online Safety Act by failing to provide a report that fully answered questions posed by eSafety in a transparency notice issued on Feb. 22, 2023, the agency’s lawyer Christopher Tran said. X had to provide the answers by March 29 that year.

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Yesterday at 9:31 PM CDT

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Science & Technology

A drone equipped with a thermal camera flies over the plants in Slippery Rock, Pa. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Ontario to ban government use and purchase of Chinese-made drones

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Ontario to ban government use and purchase of Chinese-made drones

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 10:19 PM CDT

Ontario will ban the use and purchase of Chinese-made drones by the government and provincial police amid "growing security and privacy concerns" with foreign-made technology.

The province says Chinese law may require companies incorporated in China to disclose data even if it's stored abroad, and drones could access or store sensitive information.

Ontario says it will immediately ban Chinese-made drones from highly sensitive provincial police operations, prohibit their purchase for government use and gradually replace existing government drones with technology made in Canada or approved jurisdictions.

The government says the move aligns with other government organizations, including the Canadian Armed Forces and the RCMP.

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Updated: Yesterday at 10:19 PM CDT

Science & Technology

CEO of NVIDIA Jensen Huang signs a DELL machine at Dell Technologies World event happing in Las Vegas on Monday, May 18, 2026 (AP Phot/Ty ONeil)

Nvidia Q1 results surpass Wall Street expectations thanks to massive AI chip demand

Barbara Ortutay, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Nvidia Q1 results surpass Wall Street expectations thanks to massive AI chip demand

Barbara Ortutay, The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 4:29 PM CDT

Artificial intelligence chipmaker Nvidia's quarterly results surpassed Wall Street's expectations once again, fueled by massive demand for its high-end AI chips.

The company said Wednesday it earned $58.32 billion, or $2.39 per share, in the February-April period, up from $18.78 billion, or 76 cents per share, in the same period a year earlier. Excluding one-time items, Nvidia earned $1.76 per share.

Revenue jumped 85% to $81.62 billion from $44.01 billion.

Analysts, on average, were expecting earnings of $1.75 per share and revenue of $78.91 billion, according to a poll by FactSet. Nvidia's results have exceeded the analyst projections that shape investors’ perceptions since Nvidia’s high-end chips emerged as AI’s best building blocks three years ago.

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Updated: Yesterday at 4:29 PM CDT

Science & Technology

5.8 magnitude earthquake hits Peru, damaging buildings and injuring 27

The Associated Press 1 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 4:09 AM CDT

LIMA, Peru (AP) — A 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Pacific region of southern Peru late Tuesday, injuring 27 people and damaging buildings, officials said. No deaths were reported.

The U.S Geological Survey said the quake's epicenter was 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) east-southeast of the town of Pampa de Tate, in the Ica region, at a depth of 56.5 kilometers (35 miles).

Peruvian Defense Minister Amadeo Flores visited the city of Ica and visited some damaged buildings, including San Luis Gonzaga University.

Earthquakes are common in Peru, as the country lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes and fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.

Science & Technology

Schools evacuated as magnitude 5.6 quake hits eastern Turkey

The Associated Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 1:41 AM CDT

ISTANBUL (AP) — Eastern Turkey was struck by a magnitude 5.6 earthquake Wednesday, emergency services said.

It hit the Battalgazi district of Malatya province at 9 a.m. and the depth was 7 kilometers (4.3 miles), according to the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency.

There were no immediate reports of damage, but TV images showed schools being evacuated and residents rushing outside.

Turkey sits on top of major fault lines and earthquakes are frequent.

Environment

A tanker and other vessels pass through the San Francisco Bay, Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Annika Hammerschlag)

San Francisco turns to AI to avoid collisions between ships and whales searching for food

Annika Hammerschlag, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

San Francisco turns to AI to avoid collisions between ships and whales searching for food

Annika Hammerschlag, The Associated Press 6 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 7:02 PM CDT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Ferries, cargo ships and tankers cut through choppy waters in the San Francisco Bay Tuesday as a whale surfaced nearby, its spout barely visible against the white caps. Until now, whales could easily go unnoticed by mariners, but an AI-powered detection network launched this week is designed to track them day and night.

The system, called WhaleSpotter, scans the bay around the clock for whale blows and heat signatures up to 2 nautical miles away, alerting mariners to slow down or reroute when whales are nearby.

“They'll be able to make adjustments way before they get anywhere close,” said Thomas Hall, director of operations for San Francisco Bay Ferry. “It will also allow us to track data over time and see where the whales are camping out so we can adjust our routes during whale season to avoid those areas completely.”

The effort comes amid an alarming rise in gray whale deaths in the bay. Last year, 21 dead gray whales were found in the wider Bay Area — the highest number in 25 years, according to The Marine Mammal Center — with at least 40% killed by ship strikes. At least 10 more have died in the Bay Area so far this year.

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Updated: Yesterday at 7:02 PM CDT

Science & Technology

Members of the Samsung Electronics labor union hold up their cards during a rally demanding higher bonuses at its computer chip complex in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Thursday, April 23, 2026. The letters read

Samsung’s union puts off strike after reaching last-minute wage deal with management

Kim Tong-hyung And Hyung-jin Kim, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Samsung’s union puts off strike after reaching last-minute wage deal with management

Kim Tong-hyung And Hyung-jin Kim, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:48 AM CDT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Samsung Electronics’ labor union said Wednesday it’ll hold off on launching a planned strike and put a tentative wage deal with management to a vote, alleviating immediate concerns about the operation of the world’s largest memory chip maker.

The announcement was made after a last-minute government-mediated negotiation with management over how much bonus payouts must be provided to employees to reflect soaring profits fueled by the global boom in artificial intelligence.

Union leader Choi Seung-ho told a televised briefing that the union agreed not to go ahead with an 18-day strike that he earlier said would start from Thursday. He said union members will vote on the tentative agreement from May 22-27.

“We would like to express our apologies to the people for causing concerns due to our internal conflicts,” Choi said. “The agreement is the result of our all-out struggle spanning about six months.”

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Updated: Yesterday at 9:48 AM CDT

Environment

This photo provided by the Pacific Whale Foundation in May 2026, shows the tail markings of a humpback whale that was spotted at breeding sites in Australia and Brazil. (Pacific Whale Foundation via AP)

Two humpback whales set records swimming between Australia and Brazil

Adithi Ramakrishnan, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Two humpback whales set records swimming between Australia and Brazil

Adithi Ramakrishnan, The Associated Press 3 minute read Tuesday, May. 19, 2026

NEW YORK (AP) — Scientists have spotted two humpback whales that made separate, record-breaking crossings between Australia and Brazil.

The whales were identified by their distinctive tail markings at the two locations about 9,000 miles (14,500 kilometers) apart. They traveled in opposite directions and journeyed farther than any humpback known so far.

“It’s a very rare event, but it is a really wonderful demonstration of just how wide-ranging these animals are,” said Phillip Clapham, former head of a NOAA whale research program who was not involved with the new findings.

Humpback whales are known for roaming long distances across major oceans in predictable patterns, typically following migration routes learned from their mothers. They feed on krill and small fish in the warmer months and breed in tropical waters over winter.

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Tuesday, May. 19, 2026

Science & Technology

The thermal energy storage facility in Big Stone City, S.D., at top center, under construction in October 2025. (Bart Pfankuch/South Dakota News Watch via AP)

One of world’s largest energy storage plants launches in South Dakota

Bart Pfankuch/south Dakota News Watch, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

One of world’s largest energy storage plants launches in South Dakota

Bart Pfankuch/south Dakota News Watch, The Associated Press 6 minute read Tuesday, May. 19, 2026

This small city in rural northeastern South Dakota has established itself as an energy hub for the entire Great Plains region, and that reputation has received a big boost by landing what will be among the world’s largest energy storage projects.

In a groundbreaking project, South Dakota-based POET has partnered with Antora Energy of California to launch a thermal energy storage system adjacent to POET’s ethanol plant in Big Stone City.

The 5 gigawatt-hour thermal energy storage facility will absorb excess, low-cost energy from wind turbines that might otherwise be lost due to capacity limits on the existing power grid and store it in carbon blocks for use when needed.

Officials said the new technology will be a major economic and environmental boost to South Dakota while also pioneering the use of a new energy technology for potential use across the country and the world.

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Tuesday, May. 19, 2026

Science & Technology

Appeals court judges appear to be divided over Pentagon’s legal dispute with AI company Anthropic

Michael Kunzelman, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Appeals court judges appear to be divided over Pentagon’s legal dispute with AI company Anthropic

Michael Kunzelman, The Associated Press 4 minute read Tuesday, May. 19, 2026

WASHINGTON (AP) — A panel of appellate judges appeared to be divided on Tuesday over a legal dispute between the Pentagon and technology company Anthropic, which claims Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unlawfully and falsely branded it as a national security risk for raising ethical and safety concerns about AI usage in war.

Three judges from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit didn't indicate how soon they would rule on Anthropic's appeal, but some of their questions and remarks hinted at how they might decide the case.

Judge Karen LeCraft Henderson said she sees no evidence to support the Pentagon's determination that Anthropic poses a supply-chain risk to national security.

“To me, this is just a spectacular overreach by the (Defense) Department,” said Henderson, who was nominated by Republican President George H. W. Bush.

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Tuesday, May. 19, 2026

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