
01
US military says it has launched weapons into space
The gist: The U.S. military has acknowledged deploying space weapons into orbit for the first time, but has not revealed what they are or how many exist.
Big pictureSpace is increasingly being treated as a place where countries can compete and fight, not just a realm for science and communication. The disclosure signals a more open U.S. approach to military activity in orbit, alongside concerns about Russian and Chinese space capabilities.
Explain like I'm 5The military says it put tools in space that could help protect its satellites and other forces. It is like adding security guards to a neighborhood, because countries may try to interfere with one another’s space equipment.
Why it matters nowAir Force Secretary Troy Meink disclosed the deployment in a speech Monday, and the Air Force confirmed that the weapons are meant to defend against space-enabled attacks. The military still has not said what the weapons do, how many there are, or when they were deployed.
Three things to know01The weapons remain undefined
Officials have deliberately avoided identifying the systems, their capabilities, or their number, leaving unclear whether they are meant to disable, block, or otherwise counter threats to satellites.
02Russia and China drive concern
The Air Force says it has warned about Russian and Chinese weapons testing since 2007, while China is known to operate spacecraft that could damage other satellites.
03Attacks could create dangerous debris
Destroying satellites can scatter fragments through orbit, potentially threatening other spacecraft and astronauts, which helps explain why the U.S. had previously disavowed such actions.
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TechCrunch ↗

02
US data centers could consume more natural gas than Germany and Japan combined by 2035
The gist: By 2035, U.S. data centers could use 18 billion cubic feet of natural gas a day, raising concerns about energy costs and climate pollution.
Big pictureThe artificial-intelligence boom is becoming a major driver of energy demand, second only to liquefied natural gas exports in expected natural-gas growth. Higher demand could push up gas prices and utility bills while increasing greenhouse-gas emissions.
Explain like I'm 5Data centers are like huge computer factories that need lots of electricity to run. If more of that electricity comes from natural gas, these facilities could use an enormous amount of fuel and create more pollution.
Why it matters nowBloombergNEF's new forecast is nearly double its estimate from nine months ago, even after accounting for projects that may not be built. The next key question is how quickly announced data centers connect to the grid or build their own power plants.
Three things to know01The forecast changed sharply
BloombergNEF now expects data centers to consume about 18 billion cubic feet per day by 2035, nearly twice its previous prediction.
02The grid bears most growth
Grid-connected data centers are expected to add 15 billion cubic feet per day of gas demand, five times more growth than all other grid-connected sectors combined.
03Onsite plants are only part
Natural-gas plants built directly for data centers could use 2.9 billion to 3.4 billion cubic feet per day by 2035, roughly matching all data centers' current gas use.
Trusted source
TechCrunch ↗

03
OpenAI, Anthropic, Google have been in talks on AI safety for weeks
The gist: OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google DeepMind have held weeks of private talks about AI safety, while OpenAI backs independent checks for its most advanced models.
Big pictureThe talks show that leading AI companies see safety as a problem they may need to address together, not only on their own. But cooperation raises questions about competition law and how much oversight should come from government versus the industry.
Explain like I'm 5Three companies that usually compete are talking about how to make powerful AI safer. It is like carmakers agreeing to test brakes carefully, even while they still compete to sell cars.
Why it matters nowOpenAI disclosed the talks on Tuesday and said it supports a FRONTIER Act provision requiring top AI labs to allow independent safety checks.
Three things to know01Competition law complicates cooperation
The companies have worried that coordinating on safety could be viewed as suppressing competition under antitrust law, although OpenAI says a special waiver is unnecessary.
02Outside reviewers could inspect labs
The proposed FRONTIER Act provision would require leading frontier labs to admit independent verification organizations that can check whether models are being developed safely.
03Government role remains disputed
Google DeepMind’s Demis Hassabis has called for a watchdog able to screen advanced models and coordinate slowdowns, while President Trump and advisor David Sacks have rejected tighter safety rules.
Trusted source
TechCrunch ↗