Technology
Coverage of Technology in the Nexus archive.
- U.S. widens Iran crackdown to encompass crypto, gold, shipping and technology
The U.S. has decided to expand its crackdown efforts targeting Iran. This widening of sanctions and scrutiny now encompasses several key sectors: crypto, gold, shipping, and technology.
- New safeguard in place to protect emergency communications on Hatteras, Ocracoke islands
A new safeguard has been put in place to protect emergency communications on Hatteras and Ocracoke islands. These connections are critical, as communication can be a lifeline during emergencies such as calling 911.
- Hackers infecting Android car systems to build proxy botnet
Malware is being used to infect Android-based car systems, turning these devices into components of a botnet. Hackers are exploiting these systems to build a proxy botnet.
- CISA orders urgent patching of actively exploited Zimbra flaw
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has ordered U.S. government agencies to patch a vulnerability. This directive addresses an actively exploited flaw found in Zimbra Collaboration Suite (ZCS), requiring action within three days.
- Kettering University student sues Genesee County, alleges they withheld records on Flock cameras
Joshua Tewolde, a student at Kettering University, filed a lawsuit against Genesee County alleging the county illegally withheld records regarding Flock automated license plate reader cameras. The FOIA request sought information on contracts with Flock Group, system logs, and local policies governing surveillance technology. Tewolde's lawyers argue that the county incorrectly claimed ownership of data collected by the camera system, noting that the contract indicates Genesee County retains legal ownership of all captured footage.
- Chesapeake warns of new email scams impersonating the Planning Department
Chesapeake city officials have warned residents about a new type of scam. This fraud uses fake emails and invoices that impersonate the Planning Department director regarding development project fees.
- UK statistics agency turns to AI to cut costs and improve data
The UK statistics agency plans to utilize AI and technology to improve data quality and cut operational costs. ONS stated that employing advanced technology will help save thousands of hours annually as the agency works to strengthen its core output.
- African nations join the space race
African nations are joining the space race. Greater access to satellite systems means that the continent can now utilize more data than ever.
- Zelenskyy details rift with Ukraine's dismissed Defense Minister Fedorov
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy detailed a dispute with dismissed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, stating that while he retains a positive attitude toward him, his actions were misguided. Zelenskyy also disclosed Ukraine's growing shortage of Patriot air-defense missiles and highlighted battlefield gains in the Dnipropetrovsk region. He linked problematic defense spending decisions to an awkward encounter with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Starlink.
- India’s Foreign Minister to Visit Russia Amid US Tariff Threat
India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will visit Russia to co-chair the 27th India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission meeting. This commission will focus on collaboration across trade, science, technology, and culture.
- E-bike battery explosion leaves home destroyed, cat dies in fire
An August 13 fire occurred in Denver, and firefighters identified an electric vehicle battery as its source. The incident resulted in a home being destroyed and a cat dying. Consequently, a family was forced to stay temporarily in a hotel.
- Hackers abuse FTP server banners to deliver new Windows malware
Threat actors are currently abusing FTP server banners to conceal commands. This method is used to deliver two previously undocumented types of malware, namely the remote access trojans E4del and PINHOLE, which target Windows.
- California set to ban ‘addictive’ social media features to protect teens
California is planning legislation to ban 'addictive' social media features specifically for the purpose of protecting teens. Advocates state that this measure, originating in the nation’s most populous state, will hold significant weight within the national movement aimed at curbing technology's influence on young people.
- Schools are starting to teach AI literacy. For many, that means helping kids see chatbots’ flaws
Schools are beginning to teach AI literacy, which involves helping students recognize flaws within chatbots. This shift reflects the current difficulties these chatbots pose for teachers.
- London’s cabbies prepare to battle the robotaxis
In London, traditional cab drivers are preparing to confront robotaxis. Some of these drivers are reportedly considering using tactics described as 'skulduggery' to challenge the capabilities and operational limits of autonomous vehicles.
- Denver police letting ShotSpotter contract expire after more than a decade of gunshot detection
The Denver Police Department is set to let its contract with ShotSpotter expire at the end of 2026, potentially ending more than a decade of automated gunshot detection in the city. The DPD stated it is evaluating whether another vendor can provide greater public safety benefits and will begin phasing out coverage in Sun Valley and Park Hill neighborhoods. Critics have raised concerns about community involvement and the equity of sensor placement.
- America’s Muslim allies are hedging against Washington
America’s traditional allies in the Islamic world are adjusting their reliance on Washington, building alternative partnerships instead of fully depending solely on U.S. security arrangements. While these nations still require American technology, intelligence, and military support, they are no longer betting everything on the U.S.
- Elon Musk renews his battle with Delta after it snubbed Starlink for Jeff Bezos' Amazon Leo
Delta Air Lines opted for Amazon Leo over Starlink for its in-flight WiFi service, a decision that has prompted criticism from Elon Musk regarding potential customer loss. Delta CEO Ed Bastian explained this choice by citing Amazon Leo's significantly lower price point and the potential for a broader partnership with Amazon beyond just internet access. Meanwhile, Delta's main rivals, United and American Airlines, have chosen or plan to implement Starlink.
- CISA warns of hackers exploiting critical MLflow vulnerability
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) warned federal agencies that threat actors are currently exploiting a critical vulnerability. This vulnerability resides within the MLflow open-source AI engineering platform.
- War: Watt Is It Good For?
Military analysts are studying how war's material nature is changing in Ukraine, noting that technologies like unmanned systems and on-board AI are transforming conflict tactics. These tools have captured Russian infantry units and battered ships, enabling autonomous strikes deep into enemy areas. This technological shift democratizes military capability, allowing a country to resist an invader much larger than itself.
- Former officer jailed after allegedly doing more than 350 Flock searches of same license plate
A former Sarasota Police Department officer was arrested and fired after an investigation alleged misuse of law enforcement databases. Cory Waiters faces felony charges, including offenses against computer systems and official misconduct, related to 358 searches of a single license plate using the Flock system.
- Madison Heights debates removal of Flock camera pointed at dispensary
A debate has occurred in Madison Heights regarding the removal of a Flock camera pointed at the JARS dispensary located on 12 Mile Road. The original placement was required as part of an agreement between JARS and the city, with the final revised agreement slated for a City Council vote. Following a viral backlash concerning privacy issues, the company placed up a "No Flock Zone" sign to block the camera lens.
- 'No serious dispute' that Comey's seashell post could be read as a Trump threat, prosecutors say
The Justice Department is defending its prosecution of James Comey, asserting that his social media post featuring seashells could be interpreted as a threat against President Donald Trump. Prosecutors also questioned Comey's explanation regarding the number arrangement and suggested his Instagram post was an attempt to sell copies of a forthcoming novel. Meanwhile, Comey’s lawyers contend that investigators misled judges and failed to prove he intended a physical threat.
- Did AI write this newsletter?
The article questions whether a newsletter was written by AI. It observes that as detectors identify human prose, the central issue shifts from determining the author to assessing the general quality of the writing.
- Staffing Stocks Defy Gravity After Analysts Warned of AI Demise
Professional staffing firms are experiencing strong performance in the stock market, achieving some of their best years-best performances. This positive trend occurs despite analysts expressing concerns that artificial intelligence might cause a decline for these companies.
- AI phobia is America’s new consensus
The article asserts that AI phobia has become America’s new consensus. It further reports that Trump is characterized as being uncharacteristically deaf to the fears expressed by voters concerning this technology.
- Scooters aren’t the biggest threat to Denver kids
According to traffic fatality data in Denver, drivers, not riders on bikes, scooters, or pedestrians, account for the majority of deaths on the streets. While social media often blames youth for accidents, statistics show that automobile drivers and passengers are statistically responsible for the highest number of fatalities. The article advises people concerned about street safety to focus on improving driver habits by slowing down and following laws.
- With creativity and play, Thomas Jefferson STEM camp nurtures the next generation of engineers
Thomas Jefferson University hosts an annual, free three-week STEM camp focusing on science, technology, engineering, and math to nurture future engineers. During the camp at the East Falls campus, a 12-year-old named Aarna Channappagoudar tested a drone she designed and built. She demonstrated that even after equipment failure, experimentation and troubleshooting are key parts of the design process.
- AI and the Risks of Tearing Down an Old System
Operation Epic Fury demonstrated that AI is central to American warfighting, with Central Command using Claude through Palantir’s Maven Smart System platform to generate and prioritize roughly 1,000 targets in the first 24 hours. This pace exceeded the opening phase of the 2003 Iraq invasion, reaching 13,000 total strikes over 38 days. The article raises concern about whether the department can properly evaluate deployed AI technology.
- Documents show how feds spied on protesters, left-wing organizations and unions during Metro Surge
Federal agents secretly spied on protesters and progressive groups during Operation Metro Surge, according to documents filed in a federal case. The surveillance efforts included recording conversations, infiltrating Signal chats, and obtaining financial records from organizations like the Service Employees International Union using administrative subpoenas. A defense attorney argued that this broad collection of private records violates both the First Amendment and organizational privacy rights.
- New partnership aids storm response in Baton Rouge
The American Red Cross of Louisiana and The Gardere Initiative have formed a partnership to address technological gaps in disaster response. This collaboration aims to provide crucial technology and power resources necessary for storm preparedness and response efforts.
- From grid hardening to grid intelligence: The next era of wildfire resilience
Across the country, hundreds of wildfires are burning, leading to smoke-filled skies and evacuation orders. Addressing this crisis requires evolving infrastructure from grid hardening toward grid intelligence. Technology is noted as a tool helping to mitigate impacts on the grid.
- Ukraine takes aim at Russia’s economy and morale by attacking online retailer
Ukrainian drones have been repeatedly attacking giant depots belonging to Wildberries, a major online retailer in Russia over recent weeks. These attacks are burning estimated billions of dollars worth of merchandise. Ukraine is taking this aim at targeting Russia’s economy and morale.
- America needs to stop turning every purchase into an uncomfortable tip request
The article analyzes how tipping, once a reward for exceptional service, has become an uncomfortable financial expectation across various American transactions. It argues that businesses are utilizing digital payment screens as behavioral marketing tools to make it difficult for customers to opt out, thereby allowing them to pass higher labor costs onto consumers without transparently raising their prices. Tipping now permeates almost every corner of life, from coffee shops and bakeries to airport kiosks.
- Is Norfolk City Council trying to silence Flock opponents?
Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander is enforcing a City Council speaker policy designed to limit repetitive public comments. This action occurs as advocacy groups protest the city's automatic license plate reader cameras, which have raised privacy concerns during monthly council meetings.
- Has your vehicle been searched by Flock cameras? Here’s how to check
The website HaveIBeenFlocked allows users to check if agencies using Flock surveillance cameras have performed searches of a specific license plate number, utilizing publicly available Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) data. The article notes controversy surrounding the technology, including concerns about immigration enforcement access and reports of law enforcement misusing the system for personal tracking. In response, Flock CEO Garrett Langley announced changes, including a tool to flag abnormal search behavior.
- Ukrainian HIMARS crew fires and moves on as it tries to avoid detection, in photos
AP journalists photographed members of a Ukrainian HIMARS crew, including those from the 148th brigade. The crew was observed firing rockets at Russian positions while attempting to evade detection by enemy reconnaissance drones along the front line in eastern Ukraine.
- Pflugerville ISD returns to class with campus closures coming
Superintendent Quintin Shepard addressed the closure of four Pflugerville ISD elementary schools due to a $20 million budget shortfall. He also discussed district initiatives aimed at teacher recruitment, technology, and student career paths as the area returns to class.
- Kids keep getting hurt and killed on e-bikes. Should parents be held responsible?
Traumatic injuries and deaths are continuing to surge among young e-bike riders, leading officials nationwide to pursue varied paths to tackle this growing epidemic. The issue raises questions about whether parents should be held responsible for these increasingly frequent accidents.
- ‘Enablers’ are the AI sweet spot for investors
Investment attention is focused on 'Enablers,' which are considered an AI sweet spot for investors. Because demand for the technology far exceeds supply, infrastructure providers within this sector are predicted to be highly sought-after.