-
AI code-testing startup Blacksmith’s valuation jumps almost 10x in less than a year
Blacksmith, an AI code-testing startup, has raised $45 million in a Series B funding round led by Peak XV Partners, taking its valuation to $550 million. The sharp rise reflects investor confidence that, as AI tools accelerate code generation, testing and verification will become a more important constraint in software development. Founded in 2024, Blacksmith…
-
China spy suspect was ‘member of elite Labour donors circle with access to party’s top figures’
David Taylor, a former Labour adviser arrested earlier this year on suspicion of spying for China, has been revealed as a member of Labour’s “Rose Network,” an elite donors’ circle offering privileged access to senior party figures. He was detained by counter-terrorism police in London on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service, and is…
-
Spotify to add label for AI-generated artists and remove them from recommendations
The new feature, starting from mid-September, will tell listeners if an artist is AI-generated.
-
Xbox promises that the causes of the recent outage, which rendered even game discs unplayable, have been fixed
Xbox says it has fixed the underlying problems behind its major July outage, which prevented users from accessing digital content and, in some cases, playing games on physical discs. The incident matters because it exposed how dependent modern consoles are on online licensing systems, even for games bought on disc. The outage began with a…
-
The Job Interview Tattoo Guy Everyone Got Mad at Finally Explains Himself
Jordan Zietz, cofounder of AI startup LemonLime, says a widely criticised LinkedIn post overstated what happened at a party where he offered interviews to people who got tattoos. He insists nobody was required to get the company logo tattooed, and that any attendee who wanted an interview could have one; the incident matters because it…
-
Exceleration Music partners with Christian hip-hop label Reach Records
Exceleration Music has formed a strategic partnership with Atlanta-based Christian hip-hop label Reach Records, providing worldwide physical and digital distribution through Redeye Worldwide. Reach will retain its existing leadership and team, while Exceleration supplies capital, infrastructure and operational support, potentially expanding the label’s ability to develop artists and reach audiences. The agreement applies to new…
-
Pylon Bill Discounts and Unmarried Couples Reform Considered
On 12 August, the government identified more than 40 locations expected to fall within its new electricity Bill Discount Scheme, intended to compensate households close to new or substantially upgraded overhead transmission infrastructure, including pylons. Subject to legislation and final project details, eligible homes within 500 metres could receive up to £250 a year for…
-
Fortnite Unstable Story Moment live event countdown: Exact start time and date
Fortnite’s Unstable Story Moment live event will conclude Chapter Seven, season three and help set up the following season, Override. It matters chiefly to players following the game’s narrative, as it is expected to bring together the season’s story quests and reveal how the storyline moves forward. The event begins simultaneously worldwide at 1pm Central…
-
‘No better group’: Veteran says special ops should get same concealed carry permit as retired cops
Retired Army special operations veteran Gavin Glasenapp is urging Congress to extend nationwide concealed-carry privileges to qualified former special operators, similar to those available to retired US law-enforcement officers under LEOSA. He argues that these veterans are specially selected, extensively trained and capable of protecting themselves and the public, making them suitable for the same…
-
Billionaire Elon Musk scores latest win over frequent eSafety sparring partner seeking tougher rules for X
Australia’s Federal Court has rejected an appeal by the eSafety Commissioner in a case connected to X, marking another setback for the regulator in its long-running disputes with Elon Musk’s platform. The ruling matters because it confirms that an informal eSafety request to X to review a user’s post can be challenged through a merits…