Technology News 16.04.2026

Researchers unveil bottle-based feeder to aid wildlife as Deep Creek bushfire recovery continues

April 16, 2026, 11:35 PM EDT. Recovery efforts at Deep Creek continue after a devastating bushfire. Adelaide researchers unveiled a simple feeding device designed to help wildlife regain sustenance where habitat was lost. Invented by Bernard Stoner and led by wildlife ecologist Dr. Topa Petit, the device is made from recycled glass bottles and a vial. Officials say the Fleurieu Peninsula fires burned more than 4,500 hectares, affecting about 40% of Deep Creek National Park and habitat for the endangered southern emu-wren and western beautiful firetail, among others. Acting Premier Kyam Maher visited over Easter, praising firefighters and noting recovery work is underway as campgrounds reopen. Bookings were down (700 this Easter versus 961 in 2025). The Wildlife Recovery Fund supports on-ground habitat resilience initiatives.

Artemis II crew reports heat shield char during fiery Earth re-entry; NASA says shield performed as expected

April 16, 2026, 11:24 PM EDT. Artemis II astronauts said their re-entry was smooth, but commander Reid Wiseman noted some charring on the capsule's heat shield. The four-person crew splashed down in the Pacific on April 10 after a roughly 10-day mission that took Orion farther from Earth than any human has traveled. Entering at about 32 times the speed of sound, the descent tested the heat shield ahead of a 2027 pre-lunar flight. Wiseman and pilot Victor Glover later described two moments of a touch of char loss near the shield's shoulder. Photos showed a white mark on the heat shield edge, but NASA officials emphasized no chunks were missing and that the shield performed as expected in high-heat ground tests. Glover later cited a higher onboard speed reading of Mach 38.89; NASA plans to publish a final figure when confirmed.

Shenzhou-21 completes third spacewalk; mission extended by one month

April 16, 2026, 11:22 PM EDT. China's Shenzhou-21 crew completed their third spacewalk, and officials say the mission will be extended by one month. The extra time allows continued operations aboard the space station and the completion of planned tasks. No additional details were released. The update underscores Beijing's effort to sustain its space station program and advance long-term human presence in orbit.

Shenzhou-21 crew completes third spacewalk; mission extended by one month

April 16, 2026, 11:21 PM EDT. China's space authority said the Shenzhou-21 crew completed their third spacewalk, the latest step in operations on the Chinese space station. The mission will be extended by one month to allow more time for system tests and scientific experiments aboard Tiangong. CNSA officials provided no reports of anomalies. The extension highlights China's plan to accelerate construction and research on the orbital complex, even as crews continue to install facilities and gather data.

Artemis II crew recalls 'otherworldly' Moon voyage, global unity

April 16, 2026, 11:19 PM EDT. Six days after returning to Earth, NASA's Artemis II crew spoke at Johnson Space Center, describing a near-10-day mission that pushed humans to a record 252,756 miles from Earth. Commander Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen said the journey fostered rare global unity and pride, aiming to inspire the world. They noted the far side Moon flyby marked the first such distance since Apollo, and that re-entry was intense, with Wiseman describing a faster, hotter trajectory and officials evaluating heat shield char loss. The crew praised the capsule Integrity, calling it a magnificent machine, despite a clogged toilet. Emotion surfaced as they reflected on viewing Earth from deep space and a lunar eclipse, which Wiseman said brought tears.

Artemis II voyage forges crew bond, Hansen says

April 16, 2026, 11:05 PM EDT. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen says Artemis II deepened the crew bond. In his first sit-down with The Globe and Mail after returning to Earth, Hansen describes his mental preparation as the key to handling risk rather than fear. The four-member NASA crew-Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch alongside Hansen-completed a nine-day lunar flyby aboard the capsule Integrity, setting a distance record for humans from Earth. The mission, launched April 1 from Kennedy Space Center and splashed down in the Pacific, captured global attention with a live digital feed. Hansen noted subtle lunar features and the far side's history, from Mare Orientale to corona during a rare solar eclipse, and described the journey as a shared, almost transformative experience that left them closer than before.

Artemis II crew reports minor char on heat shield after fiery Earth return

April 16, 2026, 11:04 PM EDT. Colorado Springs astronauts on NASA's Artemis II mission reported a smooth return to Earth, but commander Reid Wiseman noted some charring on the Orion capsule's heat shield. After a 10-day flight that pushed to the Moon's far side, the crew splashed down in the Pacific, with re-entry speeds near Mach 32 and onboard displays later showing up to Mach 38.9. Wiseman and pilot Victor Glover recalled 'two moments of a touch of char loss' on the shoulder of the shield, and photos showed a white mark along the edge. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman downplayed concerns, saying 'No chunks missing' and that the shield performed as expected. Engineers will sift data as Artemis II advances readiness for a 2027 crewed lunar flight.

Artemis II crew reports heat shield charring during Earth re-entry

April 16, 2026, 11:03 PM EDT. NASA's Artemis II crew returned from a lunar circumlunar test flight with a smooth re-entry, though Commander Reid Wiseman noted some char on Orion's heat shield. The four astronauts splashed down in the Pacific on April 10 after about 10 days in space, reaching the Moon's far side. Engineers will study heat shield data, which protects crews from up to 2,760 deg C. Following the earlier Artemis I heat-shield damage, NASA adjusted the entry angle for Artemis II to reduce heat. Wiseman and pilot Victor Glover described moments of char loss at the shoulder, but NASA said no chunks were missing and the shield performed as expected. Glover cited onboard speeds up to Mach 38.89, with the official re-entry speed listed near Mach 32.

NOAA map pinpoints best places to see the northern lights tonight

April 16, 2026, 10:55 PM EDT. Skywatchers in 18 U.S. states may glimpse the aurora borealis tonight if skies stay clear, per NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. The agency's latest viewline forecast covers April 16, with peak activity expected Thursday night into Friday. Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming appear under the forecast. For updates, NOAA releases a new viewline each evening and maintains a twice-daily three-day forecast online. Users should check the Kp index, the global auroral activity gauge, and compare it with site charts to gauge how far south the display might be visible. The science: solar wind particles excite oxygen and nitrogen in Earth's atmosphere, producing green, red, blue and purple light.

Northern lights forecast pinpoints best spots to view aurora tonight

April 16, 2026, 10:54 PM EDT. NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center issues a viewline forecast showing where the aurora borealis could be visible tonight and into Friday across 18 U.S. states. If skies are clear, Alaska and states from Idaho to New York-Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming-could host the lights under favorable conditions. NOAA updates a three-day forecast each evening and recommends checking the Kp index, a global auroral activity scale, to gauge how far south the display might reach. Auroras form when solar particles collide with Earth's atmosphere, exciting oxygen and nitrogen to emit light-green, red, blue or purple. Past extreme events have reached as far south as Mexico City.

Metro 2039 unveiled: UI-free horror returns to Moscow in winter 2026

April 16, 2026, 10:32 PM EDT. 4A Games has officially revealed Metro 2039, a direct sequel that returns the series to its Moscow roots with a new voiced protagonist and a focus on psychological horror. The studio says the game will ship with an UI-free design, forcing players to consult physical maps, diaries and weapon gauges inside the world rather than digital menus. A release window is set for winter 2026 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, though no exact date was given. Development was fundamentally reshaped by the studio's experiences during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, producing what 4A calls the darkest chapter in the series. The Stranger, the new in-game voice, must navigate not only filters and oxygen but the psychological scars of a world pushed to its limit. The game emphasizes choices, actions, consequences and the cost of securing a future.

China's Shenzhou-21 crew to stay in space another month

April 16, 2026, 10:26 PM EDT. China's Shenzhou-21 crew will stay in space for another month, extending their six-month mission. The three-person team – Zhang Hongzhang, Wu Fei (the youngest Chinese astronaut to fly to space), and Commander Zhang Lu (Shenzhou-15 veteran from 2022) – were 39, 32 and 48 at launch.

China's Shenzhou-21 crew to stay in space another month

April 16, 2026, 10:16 PM EDT. China's Shenzhou-21 mission will keep a three-person crew in orbit for a total six months, with a one-month extension announced. The current team is Zhang Hongzhang, Wu Fei-China's youngest astronaut to go to space-and Commander Zhang Lu, who flew on the 2022 Shenzhou-15 mission. The three were aged 39, 32 and 48 at launch.

Infrared light trapped in a 42-nm MoSe2 lattice via bound states in the continuum

April 16, 2026, 10:00 PM EDT. University of Warsaw researchers trapped infrared light in a 42-nanometer-thick MoSe2 lattice, about 2,000x thinner than a human hair. They grew MoSe2 sheets with MBE and carved subwavelength stripes to hold photons. A BIC – a bound state in the continuum – kept light confined within a structure that would normally radiate. The MoSe2's high refractive index enabled precise grating design to host these states. The result points to flat, ultracompact devices for lasing, wavefront control and higher-order topological states of light, with potential impact on optical computing. While hurdles remain before practical use, the work shows light can be trapped and manipulated in extremely small volumes.

Google Chrome adds 'Skills' for Gemini to save and reuse prompts and automate tasks

April 16, 2026, 8:25 PM EDT. Google is expanding Gemini in Chrome with a new 'Skills' feature that lets users save prompts as reusable templates for repeated tasks. The capabilities sit in a right-hand side panel, enabling quick questions about the current page and automation across tasks-from recipe tweaks to summarizing documents-without retyping prompts. Users can store successful prompts as Skills and reuse them on other pages; Google also offers a public library of Skills so users can discover prompts created by others. However, Gemini in Chrome is not yet available in France, and Google has not announced a rollout date for Europe. The development underscores how AI tools aim to speed up routine browser tasks.

Artemis II crew back on Earth after lunar flyby; postflight tests underway

April 16, 2026, 7:53 PM EDT. NASA's Artemis II crew returned to Earth after a nearly 10-day lunar flyby, saying they are still processing the moment at Johnson Space Center in Houston. Commander Reid Wiseman, along with Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canadian Jeremy Hansen, cited ongoing medical and physical assessments and noted they have not yet felt a full decompression. The Orion capsule, named Integrity, splashed down in the Pacific and showed only minor char loss on the heat shield's shoulder as officials prepared for detailed analysis. A revised entry path reduced heat during re-entry compared with the 2022 unmanned test. The crew lauded the capsule, and NASA outlined plans for a crewed Moon landing in about two years and a future lunar base.

Canada's Jeremy Hansen Reflects on Artemis II Lunar Mission

April 16, 2026, 7:17 PM EDT. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen said the historic Artemis II mission gave him a powerful sense of humanity's shared connection. At a Houston space centre news conference, Hansen recalled feeling 'small and powerless, yet powerful together' as he reflected on the mission and its place in human exploration. The remarks came at the first briefing since the crew returned to Earth.

Artemis II crew recounts historic lunar mission and tense smoke alarm aboard Orion

April 16, 2026, 6:58 PM EDT. Artemis II astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen describe a ten-day Orion voyage that stretched beyond routine. The crew became the first woman, the first Black man, the first Canadian, and the first non-American assigned to a lunar mission, traveling as far as about 406,770 kilometers from Earth. In a press briefing, Hansen said the mission was hard to grasp; Koch noted she dislikes attention but understands the impact. Glover said staying off social media was difficult as his family watched from home. Inside the three-by-five-meter cabin, camaraderie carried the team, with Wiseman noting the moment when calls home brought tears. A smoke alarm activated roughly 130,000 kilometers from Earth, adding a tense but manageable moment to a historic journey.

MIT team maps neural circuit guiding C. elegans navigation in Nature Neuroscience

April 16, 2026, 6:50 PM EDT. An MIT-led team reports an open-access Nature Neuroscience study revealing how neural circuits in the nematode C. elegans translate odors into movement. Using custom microscopes and software, researchers tracked activity in more than 100 brain neurons (out of 302 total) as worms navigated toward favorable odors and away from aversive ones. The work maps a full sensorimotor arc across the worm's nervous system, showing a sequence: forward motion, a reverse turn, a steering turn, and a return to forward movement, coordinated by the neuromodulator tyramine. Talya Kramer, PhD '25, led the doctoral work; senior author Steven Flavell of the Picower Institute at MIT emphasized that modern tools let scientists trace the mechanistic underpinnings of behavior. The findings imply worms act with intention, not by random exploration.

Artemis II crew says mission united the world and left them as best friends

April 16, 2026, 6:41 PM EDT. At NASA's Johnson Space Center, the Artemis II crew said the mission offered hope and unity. Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen said they left as friends and returned bound by an experience beyond language. More than milestones, they spoke of laughter, joy and tears that underscore shared humanity. The mission carried them farther from Earth than any humans have gone, looping behind the Moon for about nine days. Glover became the first Black astronaut to reach deep space; Koch, the first woman; Hansen, the first Canadian. They lauded the Integrity Orion and the Space Launch System as symbols of international partnership. Koch's husband described how the trip cut divisions, reminding the world that the voyage is a collective achievement.

MIT develops light-activated gel to boost conductivity in soft wearables and robotics

April 16, 2026, 5:47 PM EDT. MIT engineers have created a soft, biocompatible gel whose conductivity rises when exposed to light. The advance sits in the growing field of ionotronics (data transfer through ions, not electrons) and could bridge electronics with biological tissues, enabling soft wearables and human-machine interfaces. The team embedded photo-ion generators, or PIGs, into polyurethane rubber; light can make the material up to about 400 times more conductive. In principle, PIGs can reach around 1,000 times conductivity with light. The change in this version is irreversible, but researchers say future iterations could switch states. Lead author Xu Liu notes that many PIG, polymer, and solvent options remain. Thomas J. Wallin says the system could be self-adaptive to environmental stimuli, advancing soft devices; the work appears in Nature Communications.

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced dated for July 9, 2026, insiders say

April 16, 2026, 5:46 PM EDT. Insider Gaming reports that Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced is slated for release on July 9, 2026. Ubisoft has delayed public reveal to next week. A private briefing lasting about 30 minutes outlined a full rebuild of the pirate classic, with added content, technical upgrades, and significant gameplay updates. Early impressions praise a modernized, expanded experience centered on Edward Kenway, and view the project as among the franchise's most notable upcoming launches. In parallel, Ubisoft pursues other projects, with Codename Hexe led by Jean Guesdon at Ubisoft Montreal, a darker, more narrative-driven era; Codename Invictus focusing on multiplayer; and Codename Jade for mobile, rebooted to include co-op.

First look at METRO 2039 unveiled at Xbox event

April 16, 2026, 5:38 PM EDT. At a dedicated Xbox event, METRO 2039 was shown by A4 Games, billed as the darkest entry in the series. A trailer blends gameplay and cutscenes, offering a first look at the protagonist, The Unknown, a reclusive figure haunted by violent dreams who must return to Moscow's Metro. The campaign centers on a harsher world under the Novoreich regime, led by the Spartan Hunter, with misinformation and fear driving the story. Developers say the narrative is built around real events and tweaked by the Russia-Ukraine invasion, emphasizing choices and consequences. The game promises tense combat and a unique engine that supports a "frozen stories" approach-moments where rooms, gunfire and aftermath speak without words.

Light-activated oxytocin switch enables brain-circuit mapping

April 16, 2026, 5:36 PM EDT. University of Queensland researchers have developed a technique that acts as a light switch for oxytocin, the brain's suspected 'love hormone.' Using photocaging, scientists attach a light-sensitive group to oxytocin, keeping it inactive until a targeted laser releases it at precise brain locations. The method lets researchers release active oxytocin in specific neurons or synapses, enabling real-time observation of how the hormone shapes emotions, bonding, and social behaviour. The approach promises finer insight into which brain circuits drive trust and attachment, and could inform future treatments for conditions such as autism, depression and anxiety. The work addresses long-standing challenges in neuroscience by delivering spatially and temporally precise control over oxytocin signaling, alongside interplay with vasopressin in social behaviour.

Scientists build spring-powered computer that runs without electricity

April 16, 2026, 5:34 PM EDT. Researchers from St. Olaf College and Syracuse University built a mechanical computer that runs without external power. The device relies on the tension of springs and steel to perform logic and memory tasks. They demonstrated three mechanical subsystems-a parity gate for distinguishing even and odd inputs, a pull-counter, and a memory element that stores applied force. The team argues computation can emerge from physical movement rather than electrical signals, leveraging material memory that persists after deformation, such as rubber. Joey Paulsen, associate professor of physics, said the work shows a path to energy-free computation and durable machines suitable for harsh environments. In the future, such devices could enable battery-free pressure sensors or engine-monitoring components that use the machine's own vibration. Researchers plan to scale up to more complex mechanical systems.

Scientists revive mouse brain tissue after -196°C freezing in cryogenic study

April 16, 2026, 5:33 PM EDT. Researchers reported that brain tissue from mice can recover function after vitrification and rewarming from cryogenic temperatures as low as -196°C. In experiments focused on hippocampal slices and, to a lesser extent, whole brains, the team used rapid cooling to stop molecular motion and then observed structural integrity and restored neuronal activity, including synapses tied to learning and memory. Lead author Alexander German of University Hospital Erlangen cautioned that while slices showed clear recovery, whole brains lagged in maturity. The work, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, expands the known tolerance of brain tissue from hypothermic to cryogenic states and highlights major gaps before translating findings to humans or applications like human hibernation for long-duration space travel.

OpenAI launches biology-tuned LLM with guarded access

April 16, 2026, 5:32 PM EDT. OpenAI has tuned its biology-focused LLM to be more skeptical, aiming to curb sycophancy and better flag bad drug targets. The model, dubbed GPT-Rosalind, emphasizes multi-step reasoning while avoiding overclaiming, though OpenAI has not proven a reduction in hallucinations. Access remains limited to U.S.-based entities under a trusted deployment program due to concerns about harmful outputs such as optimizing a virus's infectivity. A narrower Life Sciences Research Plugin will be generally available. Other firms have released science-focused agents, but GPT-Rosalind is unusually biology-specific. Until early usage reports emerge, its practical utility remains unclear, with demos likely to show both valid insights and obviously erroneous suggestions.

Metro 2039: darker, more political entry with a new Stranger

April 16, 2026, 5:19 PM EDT. Metro 2039 marks a decisive shift as 4A Games presents a darker, more political chapter set beneath a world ravaged by war. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia shaped the project, with developers describing a game born from siege conditions-emergency power, portable generators, and ongoing drone attacks. Dmitry Glukhovsky co-wrote the story from exile and says the tale is louder and more urgent than prior entries. For the first time, players follow The Stranger, a new protagonist who must confront his past underground while a grim reality above ground presses on. The studio's dispersed team-based across 25 countries but largely rooted in Ukraine-speaks to a frontline ethos and a commitment to freedom, truth, and consequence.

NeoGeo AES+ returns in 2026 with original hardware, no emulation

April 16, 2026, 5:18 PM EDT. SNK's NeoGeo AES+ is slated for a November 12, 2026 release, priced at €199.99. Unlike many reissues, it uses dedicated ASIC hardware to reproduce the original arcade experience, not emulation. It accepts original cartridges, letting collectors play long-held libraries on new hardware. The console supports traditional AV output for CRT displays and HDMI up to 1080p for modern TVs. It adds modern conveniences without changing the core play: BIOS on-screen options, physical switches, and permanent high scores with improved power efficiency. At launch, ten titles ship, including Metal Slug, The King of Fighters 2002, Garou: Mark of the Wolves, Samurai Shodown V Special, Pulstar and Magician Lord. An anniversary edition (€299.99) bundles a white ice design, a wireless arcade stick, and a Metal Slug cartridge.

Mars Express captures ash 'dark tide' spreading across Utopia Planitia

April 16, 2026, 5:14 PM EDT. ESA's Mars Express release pairs a 1976 NASA Viking image with a new Mars Express High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) frame to show Mars in motion. The two views reveal a dark, ash-rich swath across Utopia Planitia, darker than the surrounding terrain and rich in minerals such as olivine and pyroxene. A 15-kilometre crater and surrounding basins are shown in detail, with features indicating buried ice and wind-driven exposure. A 3D rendering lets users fly over the scene and a color map traces how the ash follows low areas and erodes, revealing a slowly evolving landscape. The sequence demonstrates that Mars can change on human timescales, driven by surface processes that uncover or bury material.

Artemis II astronauts laud public support as Orion returns from Moon orbit

April 16, 2026, 4:57 PM EDT. NASA's Artemis II crew-Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canadian Jeremy Hansen-spoke in Houston about a mission that took humans to the Moon's vicinity for the first time since 1972. The Orion capsule splashed down in the Pacific off San Diego after a ten-day flight. Koch, the first woman to leave Earth's orbit and circle the Moon, thanked people worldwide for their support: 'the hearts of everyone were aboard the voyage.' Wiseman stressed teamwork and calm during launch, saying there was no visible anxiety among the crew. Glover, the first Black person to travel beyond Earth orbit, noted that downtime outside family calls was scarce-only a 15-minute call felt like a teleportation away. Hansen, the first non-American to orbit the Moon, reflected on the vastness of the galaxy and how it reinforces a sense of smallness.

Artemis II returns from lunar voyage after '14 glorious minutes' of reentry

April 16, 2026, 4:53 PM EDT. Artemis II concluded a high-stakes return from lunar orbit with a dramatic reentry, the crew calling it 'glorious' after the phase dubbed the '14 minutes of glory.' The Orion capsule withstood nearly 2,500-degree heat on its thermal shield and endured up to 4G during the descent from roughly 40,000 km/h. A communications blackout during plasma briefly cut contact with Earth, but NASA later confirmed the four astronauts were safe. Victor Glover described the final impact with the Pacific as 'like jumping backwards from a skyscraper' after parachute deployment. The mission traveled more than 250,000 km, topping Apollo 13 and marking the first crewed Moon circuit in over 50 years. NASA will analyze heat-shield performance to inform future Artemis flights.

Artemis II crew faces questions after historic lunar mission

April 16, 2026, 4:52 PM EDT. Four astronauts of Artemis II-Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen-took questions Thursday after returning to Earth a week ago from a 10-day lunar voyage. NASA streamed the briefing on its YouTube channel. The crew, the first to orbit the Moon since the final Apollo flight in 1972, also pushed farther than any humans before, surpassing the Apollo 13 record. Wiseman said the global outpouring of support moved the crew; Koch called it as important as achieving technical goals. Glover recalled the jolt of reentry, including a six-minute communications blackout as the capsule hit hot plasma. Officials noted a suboptimal heat shield during reentry and described a moment of potential char loss on the shield.

Artemis II crew takes questions after historic moon mission

April 16, 2026, 4:51 PM EDT. The four Artemis II astronauts held a postflight news conference, one week after their return from a 10-day loop around the moon. NASA livestreamed the session as Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Jeremy Hansen fielded questions about the journey that marked the first lunar trip since 1972 and pushed farther into deep space than Apollo 13. Wiseman said the global response surprised the crew, who sought to unite people through the mission. On reentry, the crew endured a six-minute communications blackout and described the moment as visceral, likening it to a dive off a skyscraper. The Orion capsule carried a suboptimal heat shield, with the team noting a possible char loss while heat dissipation protected the cabin.

Ink traces found in Martian meteorites prompt call for tighter sample prep

April 16, 2026, 4:45 PM EDT. Researchers found traces of ballpoint pen ink in Martian meteorites, a contamination arising from Earth-based handling rather than Mars. The paper, published in Applied Geochemistry, uses six slices of post-processed meteorites from 2001-2014 studied by researchers at the University of the Basque Country. Despite ultrasonic cleaning and diamond-saw trimming to remove outer crust, the team identified contamination that could obscure original mineralogy. As sample-return efforts ramp up, experts urge contamination-aware preparation protocols to protect the integrity of analyses. Leire Coloma, a chemistry PhD student involved in the work, notes that atmospheric entry already alters rocks and forms a crust; removing it is essential but not straightforward. The finding highlights the fragile balance in handling precious extraterrestrial materials and the need for standardized methods.

Veg-06 probes plant-bacteria partnerships in microgravity

April 16, 2026, 4:28 PM EDT. Veg-06 studies how plants and beneficial bacteria work together in microgravity, measuring whether nitrogen fixation partnerships form and how plant health and growth fare when nutrients come from bacteria. Led by Norman Lewis of Washington State University, the project also tracks changes in lignin, the structural polymer that helps plants stand upright on Earth. Earth applications include better understanding of soil nitrogen dynamics and the economic case for growing nitrogen-fixing crops alongside others, while modifying lignin could benefit agriculture and forestry. In space, the work could advance methods to grow food for long missions, reduce reliance on fertilizers, and simplify recycling of inedible plant parts for future space crops. NASA's Biological & Physical Sciences Division funds the research.

Veg-06: Plants and beneficial bacteria study in microgravity

April 16, 2026, 4:27 PM EDT. Veg-06 investigates how plants and beneficial bacteria work together in microgravity. Researchers will assess whether partners that pull nitrogen from air-nitrogen fixation (bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into plant-ready forms)-also support plant health and growth when nutrients come from microbes rather than soil. They will track growth and examine changes in lignin (the structural polymer that stiffens stems) under space conditions. Earth benefits include better understanding of soil nitrogen use and potential crop rotations; space goals include growing food for long missions with less fertilizer and easier recycling of inedible plant parts. The work directly informs plans for future exploration and sustainable farming in space and on Earth.

PRAGMATA tested across 14 GPUs: AMD, Intel and NVIDIA compared

April 16, 2026, 3:56 PM EDT. PRAGMATA, Capcom's new game, is evaluated in a wide hardware sweep at the Ferme du Hardware. The test pits 14 graphics cards from AMD, Intel and NVIDIA against the game on the RE Engine. The dossier measures performance at 1080p, 1440p and 2160p, comparing classic rendering with the engine's heavy options, including Path Tracing, DLSS, FSR and XeSS. It looks at how different architectures behave with the engine's features and how drivers and game optimizations affect real-world results. Beyond raw numbers, the piece assesses visual quality, atmosphere and the impact of enabling heavy features. The goal: identify which card delivers smooth gameplay across resolutions and settings.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced leak points to 2027 release, day-one Ubisoft+ Premium

April 16, 2026, 3:54 PM EDT. Ubisoft is advancing a slate of Assassin's Creed projects, including the Hexe title and a remake of Black Flag. The latter, billed as Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced, appears delayed into Ubisoft's current fiscal year ending March 31, 2027, despite early-year expectations. Leaks describe a version that reduces present-day elements, adds new characters and missions, and delivers a larger, more immersive open world. A first look surfaced via a Ubisoft+ Premium banner showing Edward Kenway, suggesting a warmer, more detailed redesign while keeping the pirate's core silhouette. The remake is in the hands of Vantage Studios, with teasers circulating as a near-term announcement looms. Possible showcases included a State of Play that didn't materialize and chatter about an Xbox-focused reveal, with day-one Ubisoft+ Premium fueling talk of a tie to Game Pass.

Housemarque reveals PS5 Pro optimizations for Saros ahead of 2026 launch

April 16, 2026, 3:37 PM EDT. Saros, Housemarque's upcoming single-player action game, will launch on April 30, 2026 with enhanced PS5 and PS5 Pro support. The studio showcased a new trailer highlighting PSSR upscaling to near-4K clarity, improving world exploration in Carcosa. On PS5 Pro, a higher base render resolution yields crisper imagery even before upscaling, while dynamic resolution keeps 60fps during action and preserves image detail. Cinematics run at 30fps to emphasize visuals, with improved lighting and post-processing. The sound also improves via Tempest 3D AudioTech, delivering immersive audio for headphones and surround systems. Haptics grow through deeper Adaptive Triggers and DualSense feedback, intensifying combat and atmosphere. Fast SSD allows near-instant loading and immediate respawns after defeats. Saros aims to be a marquee PlayStation 2026 title.

Epic Games gives away The Stone of Madness, a strategy game set in 18th-century Spain

April 16, 2026, 3:25 PM EDT. Epic Games Store is again offering a free PC title. The Stone of Madness is a real-time strategy and stealth game set in an 18th-century Spanish monastery, where players command a group of prisoners escaping using distinct abilities. The title emphasizes morale and sanity, with prisoners fearing darkness or avoiding mirrors. The project began at Teku Studio, later acquired by The Game Kitchen, with development completed in January 2025. Gamers have seven days to claim the game via the Epic Games Store app or website, with the window closing on April 23. If that hits, next week's free game will be Doomblade, a 2D metroidvania-style title. Epic's weekly freebies continue to drive engagement for PC players.

Nanomedicine turns cells into drug factories from the inside

April 16, 2026, 3:24 PM EDT. Canadian researchers and global scientists are turning nanomedicine into inside-the-body therapy. By guiding RNA to produce protein-based drugs, nanotech could tune protein production, enabling personalized treatment at the molecular level. The approach leverages nanomaterials to influence levels of proteins such as Factor VIII, keratin, collagen, and ApoC3, which govern clotting, structure, and fat metabolism. The goal is to correct imbalances that lead to bleeding disorders or cardiovascular risk. The story frames cells as factories: DNA contains blueprints, mRNA carries instructions to ribosomes in the cytoplasm, where amino acids assemble into proteins-the central dogma: DNA → RNA → protein. In short, nanomedicine seeks to dial protein production up or down to treat disease from inside out.

Titan's seas could produce 10-foot waves from a breeze, MIT-WHOI model shows

April 16, 2026, 3:23 PM EDT. Scientists used a new model called PlanetWaves from MIT and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to simulate Titan's hydrocarbon seas. The moon's seas host liquids like ethane and methane, not water, and Titan's gravity and thick atmosphere create wave dynamics unlike Earth. The team found that even the smallest breeze could spawn 10-foot waves across Titan's surface. By incorporating a liquid's surface tension, viscosity and density, PlanetWaves offers a more complete look at wave behavior than gravity alone. The findings help explain why shorelines might erode and how waves could shape the landscape, despite temperatures around -178°C. The work highlights how different liquids and environments alter familiar ocean physics.

NASA approves ROSA implementation for ESA's Rosalind Franklin Mars rover mission

April 16, 2026, 2:58 PM EDT. NASA has authorized the ROSA project to begin implementation for ESA's Rosalind Franklin mission, extending cooperation on a Mars rover that will search beneath the surface for signs of life. ESA leads the mission, supplying the carrier module, lander platform and rover; ROSA delivers launch services, braking engines, radioisotope heater units, electronics and a mass spectrometer to analyze organics at Oxia Planum. The move follows a 2024 memorandum of understanding and successful Preliminary Design Review milestones. SpaceX's Falcon Heavy has been chosen to launch from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A, with a no-earlier-than late-2028 target. NASA's Launch Services Program manages the contract under the LSP II framework, reinforcing the agency's international collaboration.

Metro 2039 trailer and details reveal apocalyptic shooter from 4A Games

April 16, 2026, 2:57 PM EDT. 4A Games' Metro 2039 will drop on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC next winter, a single-player, story-driven shooter set in the Moscow metro. The game's direction shifted after COVID-19 and the Ukraine war, with Ukrainian developers infusing the narrative of oppression, war's cost and freedom. Players follow a new figure, The Unknown, who returns underground amid visions. A fascist regime, the Novoreich, led by The Hunter, promises an outside world free of pollution but enslaves people with propaganda. Gameplay blends action with choices; frozen-moment sequences reveal histories of locales. The studio promises a visually stunning experience powered by an enhanced 4A engine, including advanced path-traced lighting. Trailers hint at a dark, atmospheric Metro, heavy on consequence.

Samsung extends S26 AI advantages to the S25 via One UI 8.5

April 16, 2026, 2:37 PM EDT. Samsung confirms that the Galaxy S26's advanced AI features will reach the Galaxy S25 through a software update. The upgrade, delivered via One UI 8.5, centers on Agentic AI, capable of planning and executing multi-app tasks-such as organizing a group dinner by checking calendars, suggesting restaurants, and sending invitations automatically. For productivity users, three core features emerge: Now Nudge, a contextual assistant; Generative Editing 2.0, upgrading image processing to alter textures or remove reflections; and Call Screening, with more natural voices and concise summaries. Hardware still matters: the S26 uses a faster Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 NPU, while the S25 may rely on cloud processing for some tasks. In Portugal, beta testing runs in April ahead of a global rollout on April 30.

PlayStation Plus adds April lineup to Extra and Premium, plus Wild Arms 4; some games depart

April 16, 2026, 2:30 PM EDT. Sony has announced April additions to PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium, available from April 21 at no extra cost for subscribers. Highlights include The Crew Motorfest, an open-world driving game set in Hawaii, and Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered with the Complete Edition and The Frozen Wilds expansion. Football Manager 26 Console lands for PS5, while Warriors: Abyss blends action with roguelite elements. Also joining are Squirrel with a Gun, The Casting of Frank Stone, and Monster Train for PS5, with Wild Arms 4 added to the Classics catalog for Premium. Several titles will depart on April 21, including EA Sports PGA Tour, Dave the Diver and TowerFall Ascension, giving players a final window to try them.

Housemarque outlines Saros on PS5 Pro: PSSR upscaling, DualSense haptics, and 60 FPS focus

April 16, 2026, 1:58 PM EDT. Housemarque outlined how Saros will exploit PS5 and PS5 Pro hardware ahead of its April 30 launch. On PS5 Pro, Saros will use the latest PSSR upscaling, delivering image quality approaching native 4K while keeping 60 FPS. The studio also lifts the base render resolution before upscaling and keeps dynamic resolution to preserve performance in intense battles. Cinematics stay at 30 FPS to protect character visuals, lighting, and post-processing. Immersion gets a boost from Tempest 3D Audio on PS5, and the DualSense controller adds nuanced haptics: adaptive triggers map to different fire modes based on L2 pressure. The SSD enables near-instant loads when returning to action. This follows related previews and a forthcoming in-depth analysis.

Galaxy A54 beta launches for One UI 8.5 with Android 16 QPR2 in India

April 16, 2026, 1:32 PM EDT. Samsung has started a beta program for One UI 8.5 on the Galaxy A54, delivering Android 16 QPR2. The rollout began in India, and a post by Tarun Vats on X confirms immediate access to early beta builds. The update comes in a sizable package exceeding 2.7 GB, signaling a major refresh to system components and performance. The firmware is labeled A546EXXUJZZD5, bringing visual changes, along with standard security patches ahead of a formal launch. While the beta may expand to other regions in the coming weeks, users should proceed with caution: back up data fully before installation, as pre-release builds can introduce issues that affect daily use. This beta phase aims to surface bugs prior to wide release.

Technology deepens nature watching, from ISS live feeds to aurora alerts

April 16, 2026, 1:31 PM EDT. Technology now lets people notice the natural world in new ways. A live, overhead view from the International Space Station connects with a smartphone user's lens via NASA's spot the station app, letting viewers track the station's path and see its perspective as it passes overhead. Smartphone tools identify planets, nearby satellites and upcoming supermoons, while simulations could evoke the overview effect, a profound sense of awe from viewing Earth from space. In May 2024, the aurora borealis lit up parts of the UK after a solar-wind alert from NOAA's Deep Space Climate Observatory, sparking rapid sharing via social media and prompting crowds to look up. Digital tools help preserve darkness and reconnect people with the night sky.

NEOGEO AES+ returns in 2026 with original-cartridge compatibility; pricing and pre-orders

April 16, 2026, 1:25 PM EDT. PLAION REPLAI unveils NEOGEO AES+, a new retro console that mirrors the original AES and supports original cartridges from Metal Slug, Garou: Mark of the Wolves and others. The device uses ASIC hardware for a faithful arcade-like experience, with HDMI 1080p output for modern screens and an AV output to preserve CRT gameplay. An official ecosystem arrives with about ten launch titles, including Metal Slug, The King of Fighters 2002, and Samurai Shodown V Special. Availability begins November 12, 2026, with pre-orders on the official site. Pricing lists €199.99 for the Original Edition (black console) and an Anniversary Edition bundle with white styling and accessories.

Vivo X300 Ultra debuts as a camera-obsessed flagship with steep pricing

April 16, 2026, 1:17 PM EDT. Vivo unveiled the X300 Ultra, a premium Android phone pitched to photography enthusiasts. The device weighs about 240 grams and features a prominent camera module, a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, 16 GB of RAM and a 6,600 mAh battery. The headline sensor is a 200 MP main sensor (1/1.12" size) that bins pixels to 12 MP for better contrast and dynamic range, with an option for native 200 MP output. Its secondary periscope telephoto at 200 MP delivers up to 3.7x optical zoom and notable portrait rendering. The native app supports 4K at 120 FPS in 10-bit and AI tools for object removal and image expansion. Accessories include an external mount case and a grip with extra battery. The X300 Ultra targets enthusiasts rather than mass-market users, and pricing is steep.

PRAGMATA performance preview highlights Path Tracing and DLSS 4 MFG on lunar mission

April 16, 2026, 1:11 PM EDT. Capcom's PRAGMATA, due April 17, 2026, gets a performance-focused rundown. Set aboard a lunar station, Hugh teams with Diana, an android, to outwit a malevolent AI and reclaim a way home. The game runs on the RE Engine and showcases contemporary rendering tech, including Path Tracing, DLSS 4 MFG, XeSS, and FSR. Players control Hugh and Diana in tandem-Hugh moves, jumps and shoots, Diana hacks enemies-through a modular level that reconstitutes Earthlike environments. A chapter on screenshots compares RTX off and RTX on, with DLSS 4 Quality + MFG X4, highlighting sharper shadows, enhanced suit reflections, and improved overall fidelity. Capcom promises a unique two-character system and a looping narrative about love, loss, and survival on a forgotten lunar outpost.

Neo Geo AES+ revives SNK's iconic arcade console with true hardware replication, arrives Nov 12, 2026

April 16, 2026, 12:59 PM EDT. PLAION and SNK revive the Neo Geo AES+, a hardware-based return of the console. Unlike emulation, it uses dedicated circuits to reproduce original behavior and stays compatible with AES cartridges. The unit offers AV output for CRTs and HDMI up to 1080p, plus BIOS options to adjust language, speed and display modes. It adds permanent score storage and lower power use. Launch on 12 November 2026 includes ten titles: Metal Slug, The King of Fighters 2002, Garou: Mark of the Wolves, Big Tournament Golf, Shock Troopers, Samurai Shodown V Special, Pulstar, Twinkle Star Sprites, Magician Lord, Over Top. Prices: Standard €199.99; Anniversary Edition €299.99 with special design, wireless controller, exclusive Metal Slug cartridge and memory card; Ultimate Edition €899.99 with numbered console, two arcade sticks, extra controller and all ten games. Reservations open on the official site.

NASA seeks commercial and exploration links for new Earth science missions EAGLE and FALCON

April 16, 2026, 12:26 PM EDT. At NASA's Ignition event on March 24, the agency unveiled two proposed Earth science missions, EAGLE (Explorer for Artemis Geology Lunar and Earth) and FALCON (Fleet for the Atmosphere Linking Commercial Observations with NASA). The plans aim to address topics from the latest Earth science decadal survey while moving faster and cheaper than traditional missions. EAGLE would carry a hyperspectral instrument to perform surface biology and geology observations, with potential applications Earth-orbit first, then lunar or Mars missions, aligning NASA's mission as an integrated program. FALCON would test NASA lidar and radar to study clouds and convection; industry could add radiometers and participate via an RFI. EAGLE is slated for a 3-year development, around $310 million; FALCON cost and schedule targets are still in development. The 2027 budget proposal did not include final funding for them.

EU sets 2027 deadline for removable smartphone batteries: no glue, no software blocks, five years of spare parts

April 16, 2026, 12:25 PM EDT. EU details the 2027 framework to make smartphones' batteries easily removable and curb e-waste. The consolidated Regulation on Batteries defines easily removable as possible with commercially available tools and without specialized jigs; if a dedicated tool is required, manufacturers must provide it for free with the device or spare part. The rules ban any glue-based fixation and prohibit removal methods that use heat, solvents, or patented tools. They require clear, online guidance on extraction and replacement. The software side cannot obstruct replacement; so-called parts pairing that locks health readings or compatibility is prohibited. Regulators also push for an energy label reflecting reparability and ensure at least five years of spare parts availability. The package tightens the right to repair and redesigns internal layouts.

PS5 sales surge before price hike as US demand hits 2026 peak

April 16, 2026, 12:15 PM EDT. Global price increases rolled out April 2, 2026, but US PS5 sales surged in the week of March 30-April 5. Circana, a market research firm, analyst Mat Piscatella, citing data, said PS5 sales hit peaks for 2026 in the United States as buyers moved ahead of the price hike announced March 27. In the US, the standard PS5 rose by $100 to $650, while the PS5 Pro climbed $150 to $900. Sony had shipped more than 92 million PS5 units worldwide through December 31, 2025, still trailing the PS4 by about 2 million at the same stage, but the PS5 remains highly profitable. Across consoles, US hardware spending nearly doubled year over year in the week, helped by a rebound for Nintendo Switch 2 after Pokémon Pokopia.

Canada's Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II crewmates set for news conference

April 16, 2026, 12:14 PM EDT. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen and his NASA crewmates will hold a news conference Thursday after completing the Artemis II lunar mission. The four-person crew – commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and mission specialists Christina Koch and Hansen – returned from a 10-day flight that traveled farther from Earth than any humans and marked a first lunar approach in more than five decades. They underwent medical checks before transfer to Houston for postflight reconditioning and debriefings. The 2:30 p.m. ET briefing at the Johnson Space Center will be the first since their return. Hansen, 50, became the first non-American to travel beyond low Earth orbit and the first to speak French en route to the Moon. NASA says Artemis II met its primary objectives.

Battlefield 6 2026 roadmap reveals naval combat, classic map returns and permanent servers

April 16, 2026, 12:11 PM EDT. Battlefield Studios outlined a 2026 roadmap for Battlefield 6 and the REDSEC Battle Royale. The plan focuses on community requests, including proximity chat, squads, and a server leaderboard browser. May brings Season 3, reviving Railway to Golmud and Cairo Bazaar, plus Ranked Play in REDSEC (Quads) with divisions and exclusive rewards. Redsec also gains Solos in Battle Royale. Season 4 in July reintroduces naval combat with Tsuru Reef and Wake Island, plus a dynamic wave system that makes the sea feel alive and could enable daring moves. The studio will improve custom lobbies and add a new in-game mode, along with new weapons. Season 5 is slated for fall with three new maps. Ongoing balance, visibility, matchmaking, and progression tweaks are planned, with map tweaks to New Sobek City and Blackwell Fields.

Apple and Google accused of promoting AI apps that strip people from photos

April 16, 2026, 11:55 AM EDT. Tech Transparency Project (TTP) finds 18 apps on the Apple App Store and 20 on Google Play that use AI to strip people from photos. They appear in search results for terms like undress, and together have about 483 million downloads and $122 million in revenue. TTP director Katie Paul told Bloomberg that platforms aren't just failing to vet these apps; they are directing users toward them. The findings follow the Grok controversy on X, which prompted Apple to threaten banning the AI company's app. The European Parliament seeks to ban AI that manipulates explicit imagery of real people without consent. (Lusa)

ISS reboost raises orbit as crew advances new science experiments

April 16, 2026, 11:54 AM EDT. The International Space Station reboosted to a higher orbit after Progress 93 fired its engines for about five minutes, aligning for Progress 95's cargo resupply to Expedition 74. The arrival of Cygnus XL freed the crew to unpack thousands of kilograms of science gear, samples and supplies. NASA flight engineers Jack Hathaway, Jessica Meir and Chris Williams ran cardiovascular and infectious-disease experiments, set up a portable glovebag, and installed the Multi-use Variable-g Platform (MVP) to study biology in microgravity. Meir and Williams loaded heart-tissue and bacteria samples for analysis under the MVP. Hathaway installed lighting for Veggie and collected data for Veg-06, while ESA's Sophie Adenot assisted and helped install a quantum physics module expanding the Cold Atom Lab (CAL). Roscosmos crews kept up maintenance in Zvezda and prepared AI tools for crew ops.

Two-dose nasal spray shows promise against brain aging, Texas A&M study says

April 16, 2026, 11:44 AM EDT. Neuroinflammaging is a chronic brain inflammation linked to memory decline. Researchers point to overactivation of immune pathways such as the NLRP3 inflammasome and the cGAS-STING axis, with inflammatory signals including type 1 interferons. Tiny particles from lab-grown human neural stem cells, extracellular vesicles, carry microRNAs that may dampen this inflammation. Texas A&M University scientists led by Dr. Ashok Shetty tested a nasal spray designed to deliver these signals to the brain. In early experiments, two doses reduced brain inflammation, restored energy-producing mitochondria in neurons, and improved memory in model systems, with effects appearing in weeks and lasting months. The study, published in the Journal of Extracellular Vesicles, points to a noninvasive path for brain aging and possibly post-stroke recovery.

BET inhibitors stumble in cancer trials as BRD2 and BRD4 roles diverge

April 16, 2026, 11:41 AM EDT. New MPI-IE study explains why BET inhibitors, a decade-long cancer drug pursuit, have underdelivered in patients. Rather than acting as a single target, BRD2 and BRD4 perform different tasks at different stages of gene activation. BRD2 helps assemble the transcription machinery earlier, while BRD4 releases RNA Polymerase II to begin transcription later. Blocking both at once may cause unpredictable effects, undermining outcomes. Asifa Akhtar notes the need to treat BET proteins as a family with sequential roles, guiding more precise therapies. The work relies on super-resolution microscopy. The finding suggests future strategies should target specific steps in gene activation to improve efficacy and reduce side effects.

Artemis II crew holds post-mission briefing after splashdown

April 16, 2026, 11:39 AM EDT. Artemis II astronauts, including Canadian commander Jeremy Hansen, prepared for a post-mission briefing at 2:30 p.m. ET. NASA and partners released video of the crew's return to Earth, with Navy divers opening the Orion hatch to welcome them. CTV National News highlighted the historic mission, and the crew delivered moving speeches after splashdown. Helicopters ferried the crew to recovery sites as teams documented the recovery. NASA officials framed the mission as a milestone for crewed lunar exploration, with Hansen and teammates outlining lessons learned and next steps for Artemis. The coverage also captures rapid post-flight rituals and the recovery timeline.

PlayStation Plus adds seven titles to Extra and Premium catalog for April

April 16, 2026, 11:21 AM EDT. Sony reveals seven new titles joining the PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium catalog this month, effective April 21, with additional classics for Premium. The lineup for Extra and Premium includes The Crew Motorfest (PS4/PS5), an open-world racing festival across Hawaii with more than 700 vehicles and themed playlists. Also in the mix is Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered (PS4/PS5), a remastered action RPG that bundles The Frozen Wilds expansion and upgrades for PS5. Football Manager 26 Console (PS5) adds a modern football-management experience with UI tweaks and new transfer tools, including women's football in the ecosystem. The article notes seven total titles, with further entries not fully shown in the excerpt, ending with a truncated entry such as Warriors: A.

NASA aims to put nuclear reactors on the Moon by 2030 to power bases and propulsion

April 16, 2026, 11:09 AM EDT. NASA aims to put nuclear reactors on the Moon by 2030 under the Fission Surface Power project, with a plan to launch a 40-100 kilowatt reactor into orbit by 2028. The initiative, developed with the DOE and DoD, follows new OSTP guidelines for space nuclear tech. Rationale: solar power falls short for long-term bases-the lunar night lasts about 14 Earth days, and present storage limits impede exploration of permanently shadowed regions near the south pole. Nuclear power provides continuous electricity for years, enabling habitats, labs, and resource extraction, plus potential nuclear electric propulsion for long-duration missions. The system would operate autonomously, be modular and scalable, and serve as a test bed for future crewed missions to Mars while keeping a strategic edge over rivals.

France's private-copy tax expansion could hit computers for the first time, with new levies up to €36 for laptops and €28.80 for desktops

April 16, 2026, 10:56 AM EDT. France's private-copy tax, designed to compensate creators for private copying, could rise again and now move to computers for the first time. A Ministry of Culture meeting on April 15 heard rights bodies such as SACEM and SACD push steeper rates, backed by studies from CSA-France's consumer-behavior research body. For smartphones and tablets, the levy could jump 71% to 86% depending on storage. New numbers would set 36 € for a new laptop (21.60 € refurbished) and 28.80 € for a desktop (17.28 € refurbished). If rights-holders win the full package, revenue could top 400 million euros. Tech industry and consumer reps are negotiating counter-proposals; no decision yet. Higher rates would raise prices for French shoppers, even as benefits to creators are debated.

AI-generated video of Moon and Earth from Artemis II window debunked

April 16, 2026, 10:52 AM EDT. A viral clip circulating on Facebook and Instagram claims to show the Moon and Earth from the window of Orion during the Artemis II mission. It is false. The footage appears to be AI-generated. A reverse search uncovers similar clips, some bearing a Gemini watermark. There are no official NASA videos matching the clip. The analysis tool Hive Moderation flags the media as AI-generated with 99.7% probability. Artemis II launched in early April from Florida, and the crew of four aboard Orion conducted a successful lunar flyby. The incident shows how unverified posts fuel space-related disinformation; Lupa's check mirrors parallel work by Aos Fatos.

One UI 9: Samsung's update policy hints at which Galaxy devices will get the next skin

April 16, 2026, 10:45 AM EDT. Samsung has not published an official One UI 9 roadmap. Based on its current update policy and the number of Android versions promised per family, a solid estimate maps which Galaxy devices should receive One UI 9. The list includes Galaxy S26, S25, S24 and S23 families; foldables such as Z Fold 7/6 and Z Flip 7/6/5; A-series 5G and LTE models; and tablets like Tab S11, S10, S9 and Tab A11, plus Active tablets. Regional variations could alter the lineup. Samsung usually finishes One UI 8.5 before opening beta for One UI 9, with a formal announcement expected late in the year. The pattern suggests newer S-series, recent foldables, many A-series and premium tablets are likely to join the update window.

Samsung unveils Galaxy A57 5G and A37 5G in Latin America with practical AI, durability and up to six years of updates

April 16, 2026, 10:36 AM EDT. Samsung Electronics announced the arrival of the new Galaxy A57 5G and Galaxy A37 5G in Central America and the Caribbean. The latest Galaxy A series adds a more practical AI, longer durability and long-term updates. The phones expand Awesome Intelligence to automate tasks, including Voice Transcription in the Voice Recorder app, which transcribes and translates recordings. AI Select2 is easier to access from the Edge Panel and supports Drag and Drop in Multi-Window to move images to Samsung Notes or the Photo Editor for faster editing. The lineup offers up to six generations of OS updates and six years of security updates, addressing a demand for devices that stay current longer. Cameras are enhanced with AI-driven improvements for lighting, color and focus.

DJI Osmo Pocket 4 debuts with larger body, 1-inch sensor and fixed storage

April 16, 2026, 10:35 AM EDT. DJI unveiled the Osmo Pocket 4 in late April 2026 after months of leaks and competitive pressure from Insta360. The camera keeps the 1-inch sensor but broadens the dynamic range and packs 107GB of internal storage. Two new physical buttons emerge when the display is in landscape, reducing reliance on the touchscreen, and the device gains a little weight and height-about +11g and minor volume growth-without a complete redesign. The review notes the grip remains slightly awkward for quick presses, and the updated subject tracking performs better but not dramatically transformative. With rivals and a potential Pro variant in the orbit, the question is whether the updates justify purchasing now. The unit tested was loaned by DJI.

Vivo X300 Ultra launches in Spain with pro camera kit and premium price

April 16, 2026, 10:31 AM EDT. Vivo unveiled the X300 Ultra in Spain with a professional-grade camera kit that far exceeds its predecessor. The phone features a 6.82-inch AMOLED display at 144 Hz, a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, 16 GB of RAM (plus extended mode), and 1 TB of UFS 4.1 storage. Its camera array centers on two 200 MP sensors (main and telephoto) plus a 50 MP ultrawide, offering 8K video and 4K at 120 fps. The 6,600 mAh battery supports 100W fast charging and 40W wireless. Android 16 with OriginOS 16 is installed. IP68/IP69 water resistance and a teleconverter, rig, and tripod adapter are included. Price: €2,399, with the camera kit and video rig.

Scientists explore how trees survived Hiroshima and Nagasaki blasts

April 16, 2026, 10:03 AM EDT. After Hiroshima and Nagasaki, scientists revisit how flora regrew much faster than expected. A new review in Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology examines the hibakujumoku, the A-bombed trees that survived the blast. The authors contrast the acute, high-dose radiation in 1945 with the chronic, low-dose zones at Chernobyl and Fukushima, arguing that constitutive resilience-pre-existing survival strategies-helped certain plants endure and regrow. The work highlights the symbol of resilience in Hiroshima's city center and frames these trees as biological archives of extreme radio-tolerance. The study underscores gaps in our understanding of plant responses to acute radiation events and invites further research.

Google launches Windows app similar to Spotlight with Google Lens integration

April 16, 2026, 9:49 AM EDT. Google has released a Windows app that mirrors macOS Spotlight. The tool, invoked with Alt + Space, unifies local file search, Google Drive content and web results in a single interface. It appears as a floating, customizable search bar on the desktop, movable and resizable. A key highlight is Google Lens integration, which lets users select screen images to translate text in real time or solve equations. The app supports familiar search modes – general, images, shopping, video – and offers a generative-AI option. It requires signing in to a Google account and currently ships only in English. The company has not announced when support for additional languages, including Portuguese, will arrive. The download is available now, with these language limitations at launch.

New measurement sharpens the Hubble tension as expansion rate pegged at 73.50 km/s/Mpc

April 16, 2026, 9:47 AM EDT. An international collaboration, the H0 Distance Network (H0DN), published in Astronomy & Astrophysics, reports the universe's expansion at 73.50 ± 0.81 km/s/Mpc – a precision better than 1%. The result reinforces the Hubble tension, the mismatch between late-universe (distance ladder) and early-universe (CMB) estimates of the Hubble constant. Using a distance network that draws on a global set of observatories-including NSF's Cerro Tololo and Kitt Peak-scientists moved beyond measurements relying on supernovae alone. The finding suggests the discrepancy is real rather than a statistical fluke, underscoring the need for new physics or revised models of the cosmos.

Samsung expands One UI 8.5 beta to more Galaxy devices, adds AirDrop-style sharing

April 16, 2026, 9:40 AM EDT. Samsung is widening the One UI 8.5 beta to more Galaxy phones, including the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Fold5, Galaxy Z Flip5, Galaxy S23 FE and, for the first time, the Galaxy A36. The beta rollout is in phased waves across selected markets such as India, Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. In collaboration with Android, Samsung is adding AirDrop-style sharing via Quick Share, enabling cross-platform file transfers for Galaxy users on devices like the S25, S24, Z Fold7, Z Flip7, Z Fold6 and Z Flip6. The company plans to extend the beta to additional devices later this month, with registrations via the Samsung Members app.

CNRS awards 26 Silver Medals for 2026

April 16, 2026, 9:14 AM EDT. France's CNRS has awarded 26 silver medals for 2026. The honor recognizes researchers who have advanced science and technology. The awards underscore CNRS's commitment to supporting talented researchers at various career stages and to sustaining breakthrough work across disciplines.

Artemis II crew, including Canada's Hansen, to hold news conference after lunar mission

April 16, 2026, 8:54 AM EDT. The four-person Artemis II crew — commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen — will hold a news conference at NASA's Houston center after returning from a 10-day lunar flight. The crew splashed down in the Pacific Ocean last Friday, underwent medical checks and postflight reconditioning, and were flown to Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center. Hansen, Canada's first non-American to travel beyond low Earth orbit and the first to speak French en route to the Moon, helped set a historic tone. A news conference is set for 2:30 p.m. EST at the space center. The mission tested life-support systems and Orion piloting, completed a lunar flyby, and underlines Artemis as groundwork for a sustained human presence on the Moon and future Mars missions.

NASA-linked study narrows Earth's habitable window to about 1 billion years as atmospheric oxygen declines

April 16, 2026, 8:47 AM EDT. NASA-linked researchers revisited a 2021 Nature Geoscience study that models Earth's oxygen-bearing atmosphere. Kazumi Ozaki and Christopher T. Reinhard ran about 400,000 biogeochemical-climate simulations to estimate how long the atmosphere remains rich in oxygen. They find an average lifetime of roughly 1.08 billion years for atmospheres with O2 levels above ~1% of today, with a statistical margin. The result follows a sun that grows brighter, driving deoxygenation via long-term carbonate-silicate cycling and reduced atmospheric CO2. The team says Earth's habitability would shrink by about half over that interval, contradicting earlier bets of ~2 billion years. Importantly, they note the scenario targets biosphere viability, not directly human civilization. The work underscores how solar evolution could induce a biosphere-ending transition before a moist greenhouse state.

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 review: best bone-conduction sound with simple controls

April 16, 2026, 8:46 AM EDT. Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 delivers strong sound quality for bone-conduction listening, but keeps controls deliberately simple. The right earcup houses two buttons for power and volume, while a single multifunction button on the left handles navigation, calls, and voice assistant. A long press on the volume pair switches between EQ presets. The headset supports only the SBC codec, with no fast pairing or LE Audio, reflecting a trade-off between simplicity and modern wireless features. Multipoint connectivity works reliably, easing switches between a phone and a connected smartwatch. The Shokz app adds a lightweight layer-an editable EQ and firmware updates-but it does not enable custom command mapping or other advanced tweaks. Overall, sound remains the standout, while software and codecs stay basic.

CNRS Unveils 46 Bronze Medals for 2026

April 16, 2026, 8:44 AM EDT. France's National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) has awarded 46 bronze medals for 2026, a mark of institutional recognition for researchers advancing science. The awards aim to spotlight talent across disciplines and support scientists at different career stages. Recipients span life sciences, physical sciences and engineering, reflecting CNRS's broad mandate. The move underscores the agency's commitment to visibility, talent development and sustained investment in research.

Microsoft gives away Wasteland Remastered on Xbox and PC

April 16, 2026, 8:27 AM EDT. Microsoft is giving away Wasteland Remastered, the 2020 remaster of the classic post-apocalyptic RPG, on the Microsoft Store. Players on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC can add it to their account for free. The original Wasteland released in 1988 from Interplay influenced later RPGs, including Fallout. Director Brian Fargo later founded inXile Entertainment, which Microsoft acquired; inXile produced Wasteland 2 (2014) and Wasteland 3 (2020). Wasteland Remastered, developed by Krome Studios, launched February 2020 with a €14.99 price and remains €14.99 on Steam; GOG currently sells it on sale at €5.39. The remaster updates visuals and sound, expands the soundtrack, adds quality-of-life improvements and fixes bugs in the 2087 setting.

Artemis II crew recounts 'lifeboat' Earth moment after lunar loop

April 16, 2026, 8:10 AM EDT. NASA's Artemis II mission, described in a Curious Universe episode, left four astronauts in awe and quiet. Commander Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen traveled 1.1 million kilometres, looped around the Moon and returned through a fiery re-entry at about 35 times the speed of sound. They described six minutes of signal blackout before recovery from the Pacific Ocean. Wiseman said no one down on Earth will know what they went through; Glover spoke of gratitude and scale that cannot fit in one body; Koch called Earth 'a lifeboat' in the vast universe; Hansen said 'we are a mirror reflecting you.' The mission underscored that exploration belongs to all of us, even as the crew processes the experience.

Nintendo hears calls for gender-neutral pronouns in Tomodachi Life update

April 16, 2026, 8:09 AM EDT. Nintendo has heard requests for gender-neutral pronouns in Tomodachi Life: A Dream Life. The title, tied to the Switch ecosystem, is released today, April 16, 2026, amid a broader update cycle following a visual refresh of Miis. Nintendo's European support team says it has forwarded player complaints so they can be considered in future updates; no confirmation on availability yet. The company signaled a more open stance than usual on the issue. The announcement follows a Nintendo Direct that shared new details, including previously confirmed same-sex relationships, non-binary characters, and image-sharing restrictions, with further updates after the demo. Our team published an analysis and early impressions; readers can weigh in via comments.

Young Sun-like stars dim X-ray output earlier, easing exoplanet habitability prospects

April 16, 2026, 7:54 AM EDT. A study using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory finds Sun-like stars shed high-energy X-ray radiation far earlier than feared, boosting prospects for habitable planets. Analyzing eight clusters aged 45-750 million years, researchers report Sun-like stars emit only about a quarter to a third of expected X-ray output. This calmer phase, linked to waning magnetic activity, can help planets retain atmospheres and form life-supporting molecules. The work, published in The Astrophysical Journal, also used Gaia and ROSAT data to map early stellar evolution. Lead author Konstantin Getman notes the dimming is a natural, not fictional, process, contrasting with sci-fi premises like Project Hail Mary. The finding sharpens target lists for future exoplanet surveys seeking worlds around young suns.

Harbor seal whiskers reveal how they track prey by sensing water trails

April 16, 2026, 7:38 AM EDT. Researchers, led by Yvonne Krüger at the University of Rostock, trained a harbor seal named Filou to test how whiskers function in hunting. The animal's about 100 facial whiskers act as sensory hairs, detecting water movements left by fish. Seals can infer direction and even distinguish between different prey patterns. In experiments, Filou faced rainbow trout that bend into a C-shape, creating opposing underwater vortex rings. The slightly smaller ring travels with the fish's path, potentially confusing the seal and aiding its pursuit. Krüger says whiskers translate water disturbances into prey data. The work, reported in the Journal of Experimental Biology, supports the idea that seals use whisker sensing to outmaneuver evasive fish.

Canada's Hansen, NASA crew to hold postflight briefing after Artemis II lunar mission

April 16, 2026, 7:24 AM EDT. NASA will host a 2:30 p.m. EST news conference at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, the first since the crew's return. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen-the first non-American to travel beyond low Earth orbit and the first to speak French en route to the Moon-is part of the four-member Artemis II team. The mission advanced postflight reconditioning and debriefings, and NASA outlined life-support checks, manual piloting of Orion, lunar flyby maneuvers and a safe re-entry. In messages before liftoff, Hansen said, 'We are going for all humanity.' The crew also spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who called the mission hugely inspiring. The initiative aims to establish a sustained lunar presence and lay groundwork for crewed Mars missions, following the historic Artemis program.

Honor 600: iPhone-inspired design meets midrange upgrades

April 16, 2026, 7:23 AM EDT. Honor's 600 positions itself as a midrange device that borrows the iPhone 17 Pro's visual language but forges its own path. The phone, pitched against Galaxy A57 and Pixel 10a rivals, blends a slim 7.8 mm profile and light 185 g with a new fiber composite back and a metal frame. Honor touts SGS 5-star drop resilience and IP68/IP69K sealing. The bezel around the display is impressively thin-under 1 mm-while the back module uses a transparent plastic frame rather than an all-in-one design. Internals have evolved from the Honor 400, including a brighter screen, a newer processor, a larger battery and smarter photo features. If the price stays near €499, it could earn a notable midrange foothold.

Rain lifts mood: scent of rain linked to clearer air and mood boost after heatwave

April 16, 2026, 7:06 AM EDT. An outdoor theatre workshop in New Milford, Connecticut, endures a heatwave before a shelf cloud and thunderstorm deliver a burst of rain. After the downpour, participants laughed, cooled, and found the air fresher. The piece ties the mood lift to sensory cues associated with rain, including the distinctive smell of rain, cleaner air, and greener foliage. The observer reports clearer thinking and reduced brain fog following the storm, raising questions about whether the relief came from the cooling effect of rain, the adrenaline of seeking shelter, or a broader mood boost from rain itself. The article notes that humans are unusually sensitive to the smell of rain-a claim linked to sensory biology that contrasts with other animals, like sharks responding to blood.

Xiaomi 18 Pro leaks hint at AI-side button, rear display and 200 MP cameras

April 16, 2026, 6:52 AM EDT. Renders of the Xiaomi 18 Pro show a small rear display and a new physical AI button on the side. GSMArena sketches also reveal a rear triple camera module, with two 200 MP sensors and a 3× telephoto, plus a 6.3-inch screen. The chassis suggests a battery exceeding 7000 mAh, with wireless charging and full IP-rated water and dust resistance. The AI button would be a quick shortcut to Xiaomi ecosystem, potentially controlling smart home devices and even compatible electric cars. Release is still several months away, and there's no certainty about a Portugal launch, as the Xiaomi 17 Pro did not reach the market there. Official confirmation remains pending.

Wasteland Remastered free on Xbox and PC; grab it before it disappears

April 16, 2026, 6:34 AM EDT. Wasteland Remastered is available for free on Xbox Store for Xbox One, Series X|S, and PC. The offer appears to be a pricing error or an unannounced promotion and could vanish at any moment. Players can add it to their library and keep it if claimed in time. The remaster updates graphics, sound and includes an expanded soundtrack, while preserving the core of the 1988 RPG, set in 2087 after nuclear war. Players join the Desert Rangers, tasked with keeping order in a post-apocalyptic world filled with raiders and mutants. If you enjoy classic RPGs, act quickly to claim before the price returns to normal.

NASA's Parker Solar Probe finds protons and heavy ions accelerate differently near the Sun

April 16, 2026, 6:18 AM EDT. NASA's Parker Solar Probe, flying closer to the Sun, observed a sun-directed jet of particles that reveals protons and heavy ions are accelerated in different ways. The team, in the Astrophysical Journal, found protons spread wide like a torch beam, while heavier ions remained narrowly focused, contradicting theories of a single acceleration path. The finding sharpens models of magnetic reconnection, the process that snaps and reconfigures solar magnetic fields to hurl particles into space. By clarifying how solar storms gain power, scientists aim to improve predictions of space weather that can disrupt satellites, power grids, and communications on Earth. The probe continues to sample the solar wind and magnetic fields from within the corona, where temperatures exceed a million degrees Celsius.

UBC biodegradable fruit wash removes up to 96% of pesticides, study finds

April 16, 2026, 6:06 AM EDT. Researchers at the University of British Columbia developed a biodegradable fruit wash made from starch, iron and tannic acid. The trio forms sticky, sponge-like clusters that bind and lift pesticide residues from fruit surfaces, removing up to 96% in tests on apples at real-world concentrations. The method outperforms water, baking soda or plain starch. An added edible coating helps slow browning and moisture loss, potentially extending shelf life for apples and grapes. The work, described in ACS Nano, aims for a simple, safe, affordable option to improve both food safety and quality.

'Dancing jets' from black hole reveal their immense power

April 16, 2026, 6:02 AM EDT. New Curtin University-led research used a global radio telescope array to image the jets from Cygnus X-1, showing their power equals about 10,000 Suns. By watching the jets bend as winds from the companion star buffeted the system while the black hole orbited, scientists measured the jets' instantaneous power for the first time. The jets travel at roughly half the speed of light, about 150,000 km per second. The study, published in Nature Astronomy, was led by Curtin's Institute of Radio Astronomy and ICRAR, with the University of Oxford. Lead author Dr Steve Prabu described the phenomenon as dancing jets. They estimate that about 10% of the accretion energy goes into jets, confirming a common assumption in simulations. The work anchors jet physics for black holes across scales as SKA Observatory rises in the West.

Dancing jets from black hole reveal their immense power

April 16, 2026, 5:52 AM EDT. Australian researchers led by Curtin University used a transcontinental radio telescope array to image the jets from Cygnus X-1 and measure their instantaneous power, in a paper published in Nature Astronomy. By tracking how the jets bend under the winds of the companion supergiant star as the black hole orbits, the team estimated jet power at about 10,000 Suns. The speed of the jets is about half the speed of light, ~150,000 km/s. Lead author Dr Steve Prabu described the dancing jets as repeatedly deflected by stellar winds. The result confirms that roughly 10% of the energy released as matter falls toward the black hole escapes via jets, a long-standing assumption used in simulations. Co-authors include Professor James Miller-Jones; the work was done at Curtin's CIRA and ICRAR, with collaborators at Oxford.

Wind from a massive star bends black-hole jets in Cygnus X-1, study shows

April 16, 2026, 5:50 AM EDT. Cygnus X-1 is a binary where a black hole about 21 solar masses orbits a massive companion star. The pair completes an orbit every 5.6 days. For about 20,000 years the black hole feeds on material from the star's stellar wind, launching jets that approach light speed and extend about 16 light years, inflating a bubble of hot gas in interstellar space. In a study published by Nature Astronomy, researchers used very long baseline imaging-combining telescopes thousands of kilometres apart, a technique akin to the Event Horizon Telescope-to resolve the jets. They show the star's wind is powerful enough to bend the jets as the system orbits, revealing that winds from massive stars can shape jet behavior. This marks the first direct measurement of the winds' influence on jet dynamics.

Apple and Google promote AI nude-creation apps through search and ads, study finds

April 16, 2026, 5:48 AM EDT. An investigation by the Tech Transparency Project, tied to Campaign for Accountability, finds that the search and advertising systems behind Apple's App Store and Google's Play Store actively promote apps that digitally remove clothing from photos using artificial intelligence. The report concludes the stores do more than host such apps; their search results, autocomplete suggestions and paid ads push them to users. AppMagic data show 483 million downloads and over $122 million in revenue from the nudification tools, 31 of which are rated suitable for minors. The research notes that Apple and Google both serve paid ads for nudification apps and steer users toward more via autocomplete. In total, testers found about 40% of returned apps could generate nude images from clothed photos. The firms declined comment.

Apple and Google promoted nude-generating apps via search and ads, study finds

April 16, 2026, 5:47 AM EDT. An investigation by the Tech Transparency Project found that Apple's App Store and Google Play promote nude-generating apps through their search and advertising systems, not merely host them. The study says AI can remove clothes from images of real people without consent, and searches for terms such as nudify or deepnude return multiple apps. Using data from AppMagic, researchers report 483 million downloads and more than $122 million in revenue from these apps; 31 are deemed suitable for minors. The firms also run paid ads and autocomplete suggestions that push more such apps. In tests, roughly 40% of results could generate nude imagery from clothed photos. The findings underscore ongoing concerns about deepfake abuse and platform responsibility.

Juice mission could sharpen planetary defence after comet 3I/ATLAS skimmed the Sun

April 16, 2026, 5:30 AM EDT. European Space Agency's Juice spacecraft, en route to Jupiter, turned its cameras on comet 3I/ATLAS as it skimmed the Sun in November 2025, illustrating how deep-space missions could provide early warning of potential threats. 3I/ATLAS is an interstellar comet, born outside our Solar System and estimated to be at least 7-10 billion years old. Juice, due to reach Jupiter in July 2031 to study Europa, Ganymede and Callisto, could help detect distant objects before they pose a risk to Earth. The observation feeds into ESA's Planetary Defence team and follows the NASA DART mission's demonstration that deflection is possible with timely detection.

Replaced review: a striking visual debut that hints at deeper systems

April 16, 2026, 5:15 AM EDT. Replaced delivers a visually arresting debut from Sad Cat Studios, blending neon-soaked retro-futurism with melancholic cyberpunk realism. Its pixel art 2.5D, cinematic lighting, bold color treatment, and purposeful composition fuse to create a world that feels alive and coherent rather than decorative. The standout is its direction: every scene, transition, and cut seems intentional, building atmosphere rather than presenting spectacle. This is a game that aims to be more than a screensaver; it communicates through language of cinema, not just gameplay. Yet its strength is more aesthetic than systems depth. The soundtrack reinforces mood-haunting, restrained-without overpowering moments. If the world and tone hold, Replaced could deepen with future updates, but as a debut it already announces a confident identity.

Google launches Windows desktop app that works like Spotlight, without Chrome

April 16, 2026, 4:57 AM EDT. Google has released a Windows desktop app that activates with Alt+Space to search the web, local files, installed apps and Google Drive from a floating window, without opening a browser. After a beta that began in September 2025 for English speakers in the United States, the app is now globally available for Windows 10+ machines in English. The tool includes Google Lens-powered on-screen search, including element selection, translation and study aids, plus AI Mode that returns AI-generated answers with web links and follow-ups. Google positions the product against Spotlight on macOS and Copilot on Windows, aiming to reduce browser dependence as Windows holds about 60.8% of the PC market as of March 2026.

Canada's Hansen to join NASA crew at news conference after Artemis II Moon mission

April 16, 2026, 4:43 AM EDT. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen and his NASA crewmates are set to hold a news conference in Houston after returning from the Artemis II lunar mission. The four-person crew – commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialists Christina Koch and Hansen – splashed down in the Pacific last Friday after a 10-day flight that pushed humans farther from Earth than ever before. NASA says the team has begun postflight reconditioning and lunar science debriefings. The Thursday briefing, at 2:30 p.m. EST at the Johnson Space Center, marks the first news conference since return. Hansen, 50, became the first non-American to travel beyond low Earth orbit and the first to speak French en route to the Moon. The mission advances plans for a sustained lunar presence ahead of Mars.

Hadfield on Final Orbit, Artemis II and the Future of Space

April 16, 2026, 4:42 AM EDT. Retired astronaut and novelist Chris Hadfield joins Whitney Terrell and V.V. Ganeshananthan to discuss space exploration, geopolitics, and his new book, Final Orbit. He recalls watching Apollo 11 as a child and explains the dangers of reentry and splashdown for Artemis II, while highlighting the scientific promise and political stakes of a renewed Moon program. Hadfield weighs the ethics of public versus private space travel and the idea of a future lunar settlement. He traces how he uses real history-from the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project to Cold War tensions and China's early ambitions-to craft Final Orbit, describes his research process, and teases whether the Apollo Murders series will continue. He reads from Final Orbit.

Xiaomi 18 Pro leaks hint at triple rear cameras, rear display and AI button

April 16, 2026, 4:36 AM EDT. New leaks on X point to the Xiaomi 18 Pro's design and features. An image shared on the platform, later deleted, and cited by GSMArena shows a rear triple-camera array and a top-area display, plus a side button likely dedicated to AI functions. Rumors peg a 6.3-inch screen, a 200MP main camera, a 200MP telephoto and a battery above 7,000mAh with wireless charging. Xiaomi reported selling more than 165 million phones in 2025, with mid-range devices remaining the driver. The side button could launch the chosen AI assistant or trigger AI features on the rear screen. Official confirmation is pending, and release timing remains unclear.

Choosing budget fitness trackers: bands vs smartwatches near 100 euros

April 16, 2026, 4:26 AM EDT. Budget-conscious buyers weigh fitness bands against smartwatches. Bands offer thin screens, long battery life-up to two weeks-and basic health tracking at roughly €20-€150. Smartwatches deliver larger displays and broader features, including health metrics, notifications, music control, apps, and phone integration, with prices from about €90 to €450 (some models exceed €1,000). Battery life tends to be shorter on watches, depending on apps and features used. The choice hinges on needs, preferences, and budget. If you want discrete wearables with longevity, bands call the shot; if you want on-wrist communication and richer apps, smartwatches are the path. Buyers should balance function against power use and cost.

Healthcare's quiet revolution: why investors are overlooking a sector with solid fundamentals

April 16, 2026, 4:11 AM EDT. In a market captured by technology, the health sector has slipped from the investment spotlight. The slide isn't tied to weaker fundamentals, say analysts, but to a shift in market focus toward sectors with more momentum, led by AI breakthroughs. The piece argues that healthcare fundamentals-growth in digital health, biotech, and AI-enabled care-remain solid, even as investors chase faster narratives. With sentiment turning toward innovation outside of healthcare, the sector risks underpricing long-term value. The analysis emphasizes potential catalysts, including regulatory clarity, clinical trial advancements, and the convergence of AI with patient care. In short, the market's enthusiasm for disruptive tech is obscuring a quiet opportunity in healthcare.

Bathtub ring hints at ancient Martian ocean contours, scientists say

April 16, 2026, 3:02 AM EDT. New data from NASA's Mars Global Surveyor and other missions strengthen the case that Mars hosted an ancient northern ocean. Researchers identify a ring-like boundary-a Martian bathtub ring-that may mark a coastline and define a broad coastal shelf. Lead author Abdallah Zaki of the University of Texas says rivers dumped sediment, waves rearranged it, and sea levels rose and fell as the ocean fluctuated. The study, published in Nature, compares Martian topography with Earth's continental shelves and estimates the ocean once covered about a third of the planet, about 13% of Earth's ocean area. The work builds on earlier shoreline hints and radar findings from China's Zhurong rover. The water's fate remains debated as Mars cooled and dried.

Steam launches Lovecraftian Days 2026 with 24 free demos from April 10-16

April 16, 2026, 2:47 AM EDT. Steam is hosting Lovecraftian Days 2026, a festival spotlighting cosmic horror inspired by H.P. Lovecraft. The event, led by Fulqrum Publishing, runs on Steam from April 10 to 16, 2026, with a technical end around 2 a.m. on April 17. It features a mix of new horror titles and classic demos, offering 24 playable demos at no cost. Highlights include narrative games like Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss, MineGeon: Renegades, and It Consumes, alongside demos for established games such as The Darkside Detective and Sker Ritual. To claim them, open Steam, click the Lovecraftian Days banner, filter to demos, and download each title's demo before the deadline.

Samsung expands mid-range in Spain with Galaxy A57 5G

April 16, 2026, 12:52 AM EDT. Samsung launched the Galaxy A57 5G in Spain, expanding its mid-range line. The phone goes on sale from April 10 at a starting price of €529. It runs One UI 8.5 with enhanced AI features, including automatic voice transcription, translation and intelligent content selection, plus Bixby and Gemini for task management. The camera system centers on a 50 MP main sensor with a triple camera array, aided by improved image processing and a stronger night mode. Performance targets fluid streaming, gaming and editing through upgraded CPU, GPU and AI processing, powered by a 5,000 mAh battery and a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with up to 120 Hz refresh. Samsung emphasizes IP68 durability and a pledge of six years of security updates and six generations of OS, with Knox privacy protections.

PS Plus Extra and Premium add seven new games in April

April 16, 2026, 12:38 AM EDT. Sony has announced the PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium lineup for April. Seven titles join from April 21, headlined by The Crew Motorfest (PS5/PS4) and Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered (PS5). The list spans racing, action, horror and roguelite genres: Warriors: Abyss (PS5/PS4); Squirrel with a Gun (PS5); The Casting of Frank Stone (PS5); Monster Train (PS5); and Wild Arms 4 (PS5/PS4) for Premium subscribers. The mix broadens options across tiers, from open-world driving to strategy, platforming and classic JRPGs. Premium retains access to Wild Arms 4 as an added perk.