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- 1Cold War espionage added $4.6 billion to East Germany's economy●Cold War espionage added $4.6B to East Germany's economy
New reporting quantifies the economic value of East Germany's Cold War spy operations, estimating that espionage activity contributed roughly $4.6 billion to the country's economy. The figure covers the Stasi's industrial and technological intelligence gathering, which was used to copy Western products and processes. Readers are debating whether spying was a rational economic strategy for the isolated state.
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WIRED has published an exclusive interview with Andrew Boyd, chief executive of spyware firm Paragon Solutions, in which he discusses how the company polices its powerful espionage tools. Boyd reportedly reveals the limits of Paragon's promise to keep bad actors from abusing its surveillance technology, raising fresh questions about oversight in the commercial spyware industry.
- 3French supercomputer maker Bull doubles output to boost Europe's AI push●EXCLUSIVE: French supercomputer maker Bull doubles output to boost Europe's AI ambitions
French supercomputer manufacturer Bull has doubled its production capacity, according to a Reuters exclusive, in a move aimed at strengthening Europe's position in the global AI race. The expansion supports European ambitions to build sovereign computing power and reduce reliance on American and Chinese technology providers for large-scale AI infrastructure.
- 4Australian Engineers Teardown Chinese Car Reveals Surprising Findings●Australia Engineers Tore Down a Chinese Car — What They Found Inside is Shocking
Australian engineers have carried out a full teardown of a Chinese-built car, and their findings are drawing wide attention. Reports suggest the inspection revealed unexpected build quality or technology inside the vehicle, challenging common assumptions about Chinese automakers. The story is fueling debate about how far Chinese car manufacturers have come and what it means for global competition in the auto industry.
- 5Regulator clears EVs to feed power back into grid●Grid agency allows electric cars to send power back to the grid, but industry says the rules are still too complicated
A grid agency has approved rules allowing electric vehicle owners to send stored power from their cars back to the electricity grid, a step towards vehicle-to-grid technology that could help balance renewable energy supply. Industry groups have welcomed the decision but say the new rules remain too complicated, warning that overly complex requirements could slow adoption of bidirectional charging by drivers and energy providers.
- 6Toyota opens $50 million EV battery lab near Saline●Toyota opens new $50M electric vehicle battery lab near Saline
Toyota has opened a new $50 million electric vehicle battery laboratory near Saline, Michigan. The facility will support research and development of battery technology as automakers accelerate their shift toward electrified vehicles. The investment strengthens Toyota's presence in Michigan and adds to growing battery-related activity in the region as the auto industry ramps up EV production.
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Germany's energy regulator has approved new rules allowing electric vehicle batteries to be used for home power supply and to feed electricity back into the grid, according to Reuters. The decision opens the door for German EV owners to monetise their car batteries as storage units, a step seen as significant for the country's energy transition and vehicle-to-grid technology.
- 8TCU fashion students develop wearable technology for real-world problems●TCU fashion merchandising tackles real-world problems with wearable technology
Texas Christian University's fashion merchandising program is working at the intersection of apparel and technology, with students designing wearable tech aimed at solving practical, real-world problems. The initiative highlights how fashion education is shifting beyond traditional design toward functional innovation. It comes as interest grows in smart clothing and technology-driven approaches across the apparel industry.
- 9Ben Affleck on Using AI Ethically in His New Film●Ben Affleck Explains His Approach to Using AI Ethically on New Movie
Ben Affleck has spoken about how he is approaching artificial intelligence on his latest movie, arguing for ethical guardrails in how the technology is used during production. The actor and director's comments come as Hollywood continues to debate AI's role in filmmaking following recent strikes and industry agreements over its use in writing and performances.
- 10Ben Affleck Says AI Was Used Extensively in Netflix's 'Animals'●Ben Affleck Used AI For “Lots Of Things” In Netflix’s ‘Animals’: “It’s A Very Human Movie”
Ben Affleck has revealed that artificial intelligence was used for "lots of things" in his Netflix film 'Animals', while insisting the result remains "a very human movie". His comments come amid ongoing debate in Hollywood over how far AI should be involved in filmmaking. Discussion is focusing on what the admission means for directors, crews and audiences as studios embrace the technology.