TikTok faces a U.S. shutdown by Jan. 19. Is this really the end? Plus, a scammer posing as Brad Pitt steals $800,000 using AI, and a $765 million bitcoin fortune stays buried in a landfill.
January 18th, 2025
50
The number of years since spring started this windy. March 2025 was the second windiest March on record across the contiguous U.S. since 1940. Michigan took gold with its windiest March ever, while nine other states logged their second windiest. Chances are your patio umbrella never stood a chance.
22,000 years old
Vehicle tracks were found in the U.S., and they might belong to a travois. That’s a sled-like frame pulled by a person or horse. If that’s the case, humans were wandering America 7,000 years earlier than we thought. Mind blown.
Kitboga exposes a shocking new scam
Scammers have a new trick up their sleeves, and Kitboga is here to break it down for us! Plus, Duolingo’s mean streak, the U.S. House has banned ByteDance apps, and Meta is planning to open-source its latest AI model.
This antivirus software is a danger to national security
Kaspersky, a Moscow-based cybersecurity company, was just banned in the U.S. If you use its popular antivirus software, here’s why it’s time to ditch it.
Social media warning labels
What if your social media app came with a warning label? The U.S. Surgeon General thinks it might be a good idea. Will it make a difference?
America's drinking water is under attack
Water systems in Kansas, Texas and Pennsylvania have already been hit by hackers in China, Russia and Iran. Plus, clothes that block 5G waves, AI coming to Alexa, and Walmart’s new digital pricing. We also chat with Joseph Cox about his book “Dark Wire,” which is about Anom, the FBI’s secret app used by criminals.
The generation of new car deniers
The average age of cars in the U.S. is now over twelve and a half years, the oldest ever. I’ll explain why people aren’t buying new ones. Plus, police using AI for surveillance, a warning about AirTag stalking, and how to use your Amazon Echo as an intercom.
Best weather apps for your phone
June has just begun, and the U.S. is already experiencing wild weather. Here are some top apps to help you stay prepared.
Use the NewsBreak app? Delete it
The most downloaded news app in the U.S. likely has ties to the Chinese military and was just caught using AI to fabricate stories. Here’s the scoop.
Get copies of all your medical records
A major cyber attack on a top U.S. hospital chain wasn’t just another hack — it was a wake-up call. Apple has just unveiled its latest line of iPads, packed with new features that are sure to impress. Plus, OpenAI’s new model and the best alternative to going to see a movie.
Get copies of all your medical records
Last week’s major cyber attack on a top U.S. hospital chain wasn’t just another hack — it was a wake-up call. Here’s what you need to do.
Our hospitals are under attack
This week’s cyberattack on one of the largest health systems in the U.S., Ascension, was bad — really bad. Plus, a controversial Apple iPad ad, more Cybertruck problems, and Roblox adds virtual billboards to the game.
This guy will get you to sleep, seriously
Can’t seem to get to bed? Benjamin Boster reads dry Wikipedia articles to help people catch some Z’s on his ‘I Can’t Sleep’ podcast. Bad sleepers say he’s changed their lives. Plus, woman duped by Keanu Reeves deepfake, U.S. military used fake Cisco routers, and new Apple iPads.
China preps to hack the U.S.
The FBI says Chinese gov-backed hackers are waiting to ‘deal a devastating blow.’ Plus, Taylor Swift’s album leaks, Meta’s AI chatbot goes live, and lots of big retailers are shutting down (so long, 99 Cents Only store).
Cyberattack paralyzes U.S. pharmacies
Can’t fill your prescription? Here’s why, and what you can do about it.
Radio remains the most listened to audio source in America
Why are AM and FM radio still king in the U.S.? Find out why lawmakers want them in every car, in just 60 seconds.