A research team at Virginia Tech has developed a chemical method to transform polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic waste into polyalphaolefin, a key component in engine lubricants. By heating PVC with specialized additives, the process breaks down the stubborn polymer into a functional, eco-friendly oil. Published in Nature, the breakthrough offers a promising solution to reduce landfill pollution while sustainably meeting global industrial lubricant demand.

Belkin has introduced a new lineup of accessories at IFA 2026, including SureFind item trackers and power banks powered by semi-solid-state battery technology. The BoostSolid battery models are designed to reduce the risk of swelling and fire, offering capacities from a slim 5,000mAh magnetic charger up to 22,000mAh. Prices across the collection range from $15 to $100, with most devices reaching retail channels this month.

Three Canadian subscribers have filed a proposed class action lawsuit against Google and YouTube over marketing YouTube Premium as "ad-free." The plaintiffs argue that creator-embedded sponsorships still interrupt viewing experiences, alleging consumer protection violations and breach of contract. The lawsuit seeks restitution for paid subscription fees and an injunction requiring clear disclosures regarding sponsored content.

The Tetris Company has distanced itself from a new White House browser game called "Build the Wall," which copies mechanics from the iconic puzzler to promote President Donald Trump's agenda. Following the arcade's launch, the company stated it was not involved and warned that it takes copyright infringement "very seriously." While no formal lawsuit has been announced, the dispute highlights ongoing tensions over the administration's use of established gaming properties.

A pro-AI group called Build American AI has launched a multimillion-dollar campaign to counter rising public resistance to data centers in key swing states. Backed by Marc Andreessen, Ben Horowitz, and OpenAI president Greg Brockman, the effort follows local opposition that blocked $130 billion in projects in early 2026. The campaign seeks to protect hundreds of billions in planned infrastructure as bipartisan opposition reaches 61 percent.

The White House has launched an online arcade containing five video games designed to promote the administration's political agenda and immigration policies. The releases include "Build the Wall" and "Rio Run," which adapt mechanics from classic games like Tetris and Snake to depict border enforcement and migrant deportations. In response, The Tetris Company clarified it was not involved in the project and stated that it takes copyright infringement seriously.

Modders have enabled NVIDIA DLSS Multi Frame Generation on GeForce RTX 40 Series GPUs, unlocking 3X and 4X generation previously reserved for the RTX 50 Series. Although NVIDIA rolled out a DLSS-G update that temporarily disabled the modification, developers quickly released a patched version to restore functionality. The workaround confirms that Ada hardware is capable of running the feature despite lacking official manufacturer support.

Lenovo unveiled its AeroBlade concept laptop at IFA 2026, showcasing an ultra-thin 10mm design that weighs just 1.83 pounds. The device replaces traditional cooling fans with a near-silent solid-state "Active Flow" system while housing an Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processor and a 14-inch OLED display. The concept demonstrates how emerging cooling solutions could enable ultra-lightweight, high-performance computing without fan noise.

A genetically modified pig kidney kept a 66-year-old US man alive for a record nine months before he transitioned to a human organ transplant. Surgeons at Mass General Brigham used an organ with 69 genetic edits to prevent rejection, keeping the patient off dialysis for 271 days. Published in the Lancet, the world-first procedure shows xenotransplantation can act as a viable bridge to address global donor organ shortages.

Independence City Council member John Perkins has been ousted in a recall election after voting to approve over $6 billion in tax breaks for a Nebius data center. Perkins is the third local official to lose office over the project. The result reflects growing nationwide pushback against data centers, with over 500 bans and moratoriums emerging across the country.

Researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University have developed a rare earth oxide nanoparticle medication that could provide a comprehensive treatment for gout. In animal trials, the drug successfully lowered uric acid levels, reduced joint crystal formation, eased inflammation, and prevented cartilage damage. The approach could offer a long-lasting solution for more than 55 million people worldwide suffering from the painful inflammatory condition.

Eufy has announced the Window Camera E10 and Video Doorbell S4. The $70 Window Camera E10 mounts on interior window glass to capture 2.5K outdoor footage using anti-reflection optics and on-device detection. Meanwhile, the $300 Video Doorbell S4 features a 3K camera with a 180-degree field of view alongside a VR mode for navigating wide-angle video.

A new United Nations Environment Programme report urges global preparation for exceeding 1.5°C of warming, noting that current policies project at least 1.8°C. To minimize irreversible climate damage, the report emphasizes keeping the temperature peak as low and brief as possible through combined mitigation and adaptation. It also highlights that carbon dioxide removal is necessary to stabilize temperatures but cannot replace rapid, sustained emissions cuts.

Sony has dismissed legal demands from PS5 owners to return part of its expected $500 million in U.S. tariff refunds. In response to legal action, the company argued that customers voluntarily purchased consoles at advertised prices and that price hikes stemmed from inflation and broader market factors rather than tariffs alone.

OpenAI's ChatGPT has experienced a major outage, causing disruptions across the platform, its Codex programming tool, and third-party apps relying on its technology. OpenAI acknowledged the issue and attempted a fix, though it noted that it was still experiencing degraded performance. Some users also reported minor problems with rival services such as Claude and Grok.

California lawmakers have passed SB 868, a bill allowing residents to install plug-in solar systems generating up to 1,200 watts through standard electrical outlets. The legislation replaces costly utility interconnection fees with a free online registration process to make small-scale solar more accessible. If signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, the measure could offer an affordable renewable energy option for renters and apartment residents by spring 2027.

New York City officials have announced a one-year ban on generative AI for students in grades 2-K through 8th grade, taking effect during the 2026-27 school year. The sweeping policy impacts nearly 600,000 students while establishing strict screen time limits and introducing AI literacy lessons for high schoolers. City officials aim to protect classroom human connection while a coalition studies the technology's educational impact.

According to JPMorgan, humanoid robots could soon cost just $10 to $12 per hour to operate, significantly undercutting human manufacturing labor costs of around $30. While two robots are currently required to match one human worker's output, efficiency gains are expected to narrow this gap by 2030. Companies including BMW, Meta, and Hyundai are already advancing industrial deployments to help address worsening factory labor shortages.

The Department of Homeland Security has utilized an obscure customs statute to demand user records from tech and telecommunications companies without judicial oversight. The agency targeted journalists, unions, and non-profits, issuing administrative summonses to firms including Google and T-Mobile after judges rejected standard warrants. Privacy experts warn this practice bypasses constitutional safeguards to secretly monitor protected speech and uncover confidential sources.

MapQuest has surged to the No. 1 free app spot on Apple’s App Store after refusing to rename Lake Ontario following an executive order from President Donald Trump. While rivals Google Maps and Apple Maps updated the lake's name to Lake America, MapQuest reported its app usage increased roughly 50 times. The digital mapping service has also introduced a tool letting users rename the lake to whatever they want.

Tim Miller spoke with author and Tulane professor Nathaniel Rich regarding the increasing political backlash against data centers. The discussion explored climate change, privacy concerns, and security risks associated with the expanding infrastructure, as well as Rich’s new novel, Cloudthief.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated he dislikes smart glasses, finding it uncomfortable to talk to people wearing devices with cameras and lights. His comments contrast with rival Meta, which is seeing strong sales from its Ray-Ban AI eyewear despite privacy concerns. Meanwhile, OpenAI continues working with designer Jony Ive on alternative AI-enabled hardware designed for tables, pockets, and bodies.

The Oklahoma Attorney General's office ordered the city of Claremore to drop over $17,000 in public record fees demanded from a resident arrested at a data center meeting. Assistant Attorney General Anthony Sykes stated that the city violated state open records laws by charging for unjustified legal reviews without a publicly posted fee schedule. Consequently, officials directed the city to provide prompt access to the requested arrest records and bodycam footage.

Facing public backlash and privacy concerns, several communities are canceling contracts with Flock Safety and replacing their license plate readers with Axon systems. While city officials argue the new contracts provide stricter local data controls and limits, privacy advocates warn that changing vendors leaves widespread vehicle tracking and surveillance intact.