Magnetars produce heavy elements through rapid neutron capture (r-process) nucleosynthesis during giant flares. These flares release extreme energy, triggering nuclear reactions where atomic nuclei rapidly capture neutrons and undergo radioactive decay, forming heavier elements like gold and platinum.

The 2004 flare from magnetar SGR 1806-20 provided the first direct evidence of heavy element creation via delayed gamma-ray signals matching radioactive decay patterns. This confirmed magnetar flares as a major source of heavy elements, accounting for up to 10% of such materials in the universe.

CVE-2025-3928 is a vulnerability in the Commvault Web Server that allows remote, authenticated attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems. This vulnerability can be exploited to create and execute webshells on affected servers, potentially leading to full system compromise without requiring administrative rights[1][3][5].

The breach involved a nation-state threat actor exploiting CVE-2025-3928 in Commvault's Azure environment. Commvault has confirmed that there is no evidence of unauthorized data access and is actively assisting affected customers. This incident highlights the importance of addressing vulnerabilities promptly to prevent such breaches[2].

Subscription hopping is the practice of strategically rotating your streaming services throughout the year. It involves pausing or canceling and re-subscribing to services based on the content you want to watch each month. This approach can significantly reduce costs by focusing on one or two services at a time, rather than maintaining multiple subscriptions simultaneously.

Streaming bundles combine multiple services into a single subscription, often at a lower cost than purchasing each service individually. Bundles like the Disney+/Hulu bundle or Verizon's Disney Bundle can offer significant savings by packaging popular services together.

The EZVIZ HP7 features a 2K resolution, a 7-inch color touch screen, remote door/gate unlock, smart human motion detection, and two-way talk with a voice changer feature. It also includes a built-in doorbell and supports smart RFID unlock with included tags.

EZVIZ enhances home security by integrating advanced features like smart human motion detection, remote access, and compatibility with major smart home ecosystems. Products like the HP7 Pro offer high-resolution video and intelligent image processing, ensuring users can monitor and interact with their surroundings effectively.

Robby the Robot was constructed using a variety of materials including metal, rubber, wood, Perspex, and Royalite plastic. The spheres on Robby were made of Lumarith (acetate). The robot's design was pioneering for its time, utilizing vacuum-forming techniques for the plastic parts.

Robby the Robot was one of the first film robots to display a distinct personality, moving beyond the typical mechanical 'tin can' depiction. His design, featuring complex mechanisms like the dome gyros and blinking lights, set a new standard for robot characters in science fiction films.

Notable VR games releasing in May 2025 include Final Fury and Surviving Mars: Pioneer, both set to launch on platforms like Meta Quest and PC VR[1].

VR (Virtual Reality) immerses users in a completely virtual environment, while MR (Mixed Reality) combines virtual elements with the real world. MR games, like those on Meta Quest 3, allow users to interact with both virtual and real-world objects simultaneously[2][4].

AI-powered phishing attacks are more effective because they can build detailed psychological profiles of targets, craft messages that exploit individual fears and vulnerabilities, and adapt in real-time based on responses. This results in a higher click-through rate compared to human-crafted phishing emails.

AI agents automate social engineering by gathering intelligence through Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), scanning social media and public records to profile targets, and then crafting personalized phishing messages. They continuously learn and adapt based on interactions, making each subsequent attack more effective.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Tesla's board had initiated a search process for a new CEO, potentially to replace Elon Musk, citing concerns over his time commitment to Tesla and his political activities. Musk and Tesla's chair, Robyn Denholm, vehemently denied these claims, labeling the report as false and an ethical breach.

Elon Musk's political activities and leadership style have led to a consumer backlash, damaging Tesla's sales and brand image. His involvement in other ventures, such as DOGE, has also raised concerns among investors about his time commitment to Tesla. Despite these challenges, Tesla's board has expressed confidence in Musk's leadership.

Classifying AI as 'normal technology' means viewing it as a tool under human control, comparable to transformative general-purpose technologies like electricity or the internet, rather than as an autonomous or superintelligent entity. This framing is controversial because skeptics argue current AI systems already exert significant societal influence through recommendation algorithms, decision-making automation, and potential job displacement, which challenges the notion of AI being 'just another tool' requiring no exceptional governance[1][2][3].

Proponents argue that treating AI as normal technology emphasizes continuity with past technological revolutions, focusing on institutional adaptation rather than dystopian or utopian extremes. However, critics counter that this view underestimates AI's unique risks, such as its capacity to automate complex decision-making (e.g., medical diagnoses or transportation) and amplify systemic biases, which demand proactive regulatory frameworks beyond those used for earlier technologies[1][2][3].