During that period, Epstein perceived the estate, owned by German waste tycoon Gunter Kiss, to be overpriced at €55m and his initial bid was so inadequate that Kiss felt insulted and declined to engage with Epstein further, a source with close ties to Epstein informed the BBC.
The recent session of discussions between the U.S. and Iran resulted in no significant advancements, with both parties deciding to prolong the talks, stated Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who characterized the negotiations as the “most intense to date.”
“We have achieved further progress in our diplomatic dialogue with the United States,” remarked Araghchi, while indicating that the two parties aimed to address crucial matters like the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Iran and “nuclear-related actions” in a more “detailed” fashion.
According to Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi, who is mediating the discussions, the parties reached “significant progress” during the high-stakes negotiations held in Geneva, Switzerland, and have agreed to reconvene next week in Vienna to focus on technical details.
Al-Busaidi is traveling to Washington to confer with Vice President JD Vance and other U.S. officials on Friday, as reported by MS Now. Vance has previously played down the chance of the U.S. engaging in a lengthy war with Iran, despite escalating military rhetoric from both Tehran and Washington.
Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump noted that Iran appears more eager to reach a “deal” than the U.S., although Tehran’s refusal to promise not to develop nuclear weapons remains a principal obstacle hindering the agreement.
In his State of the Union address this week, Trump emphasized, “They [Iran] want to agree to a deal, but we haven’t received those secret assurances: We will never possess a nuclear weapon.”
As tensions remained elevated, the U.S. amassed a sizable military presence in the Middle East, with Trump cautioning last week that “bad things” could occur if Iran does not comply with a deal regarding the future of its nuclear aspirations.
The third round of discussions this week was conducted under the leadership of U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, while Araghchi led the Iranian team.
The Wall Street Journal reported earlier on Friday that the U.S. delegation presented stringent demands to the Iranian side, which included the destruction of the three primary nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, as well as the transfer of all remaining enriched uranium to the U.S. Iranian representatives have opposed these requirements.
The U.S. team also demanded that any nuclear agreement must be indefinite with no so-called sunset clauses, according to the report citing unnamed U.S. officials.
The core of the negotiations revolves around Iran’s nuclear program, with the U.S. also pressing Tehran to limit its ballistic missile development. Tehran, however, maintains its right to enrich uranium domestically, citing its necessity for energy generation.
Immediately prior to the latest discussions in Switzerland, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Iran’s unwillingness to engage in talks about its intercontinental ballistic missile development was a major roadblock.
The Trump administration has also insisted that Tehran halt support for regional armed factions and stop repressing peaceful protests at home.
Analysts have warned of potential military confrontation in the area if the two sides fail to achieve a substantial breakthrough, which could lead to upheaval in the broader Middle East and impact oil markets.
“If there isn’t a diplomatic breakthrough in the upcoming days, the U.S. risks engaging in a military conflict with serious escalation potential,” cautioned Michael Hanna, director at the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based think tank.
Hanna further highlighted that Washington’s priorities remain uncertain as it presses a broad array of demands on Tehran: “It’s not clear whether the administration itself has a concrete vision for its desired outcome.”
Among Tehran’s priorities in the discussions is the removal of sanctions that have crippled its economy and triggered a currency crisis, igniting widespread protests against the Islamic Republic in December.
The results of this week’s indirect talks will be crucial for the direction of oil prices as traders assess potential supply disruptions if tensions escalate.
WTI futures decreased by 35 cents, or 0.24%, on Friday to $64.97 per barrel. Brent crude futures fell by 38 cents, or 0.30%, reaching $70.54 per barrel.
“The market might wait for a full reaction until the extent of potential U.S. actions against Iran becomes clearer,” explained Warren Patterson, head of commodities strategy at ING Bank, predicting that any “targeted and brief” strikes that spare energy infrastructure — reminiscent of last year’s June strikes — with limited pushback from Iran could result in a short-lived spike in oil prices.
However, if Washington opts for long-term measures coupled with more aggressive retaliation from Tehran, oil prices are likely to remain elevated due to supply concerns.
Traders will also keep an eye on the OPEC+ output decision for April this weekend.
“Should we expect de-escalation between the U.S. and Iran, it should allow weaker fundamentals to translate into a lower flat price — particularly if OPEC+ proceeds with supply increases starting in April, which we anticipate they will agree to this weekend,” Patterson stated.
Netflix is abandoning negotiations to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery’s studio and streaming properties after the WBD board determined on Thursday that a revised bid from Paramount Skydance was a more advantageous proposition.
Earlier this week, Paramount increased its offer for the complete acquisition of WBD to $31 per share, up from $30 per share, in cash only. This was another revision of Paramount’s numerous proposals in recent months — and after advancing with a hostile attempt to acquire the firm — and it has now displaced the arrangement between WBD and Netflix for selling the legacy media corporation’s studio and streaming assets for $27.75 per share.
Last week, Netflix provided WBD with a seven-day waiver to reinitiate discussions with Paramount, which led to the increased offer. Paramount’s proposition encompasses the entirety of WBD, including its paid TV channels, such as CNN, TBS, and TNT.
Netflix was allotted four business days to amend its own bid based on Paramount’s superior offer, as stated by the WBD board on Thursday.
Instead, the streaming giant’s decision to withdraw concludes a prolonged narrative that featured revised propositions from both parties.
“Netflix is an outstanding company and during this ordeal Ted, Greg, Spence, and all the team there have been remarkable collaborators to us. We wish them the best in the future,” WBD CEO David Zaslav expressed in a statement, referring to Netflix co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters, along with CFO Spencer Neumann. “Once our Board casts its vote to approve the Paramount merger agreement, it will generate significant value for our shareholders. We are enthusiastic about the prospects of a united Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery and are eager to commence our collaboration in narrative creation that captivates the globe.”
Netflix’s stock surged 10% in after-hours trading on Thursday, while Paramount’s shares rose by 5%. Shares of Warner Bros. Discovery dipped by 2%.
“The arrangement we deliberated would have delivered shareholder value with a clear pathway to regulatory confirmation,” Sarandos and Peters stated in a declaration. “Nonetheless, we have always adhered to our principles, and at the price needed to meet Paramount Skydance’s latest proposal, the agreement is no longer financially appealing, hence we are opting not to match the Paramount Skydance offer.”
The latest Paramount proposition included a $7 billion breakup fee should the suggested merger fail to secure regulatory approval. The firm also consented to cover the $2.8 billion breakup fee that WBD would owe Netflix if that arrangement did not materialize.
Sarandos informed CNBC’s Julia Boorstin in an interview last week that Netflix provided WBD the waiver to resume discussions with Paramount to offer shareholders transparency.
“Paramount had been creating a lot of noise, inundating the situation with confusion for shareholders… including presenting all these hypothetical proposals and communicating directly with the shareholders while bypassing the Warner Bros. Discovery board,” Sarandos remarked at that time. “Thus, we granted the chance to deliver those shareholders precisely what they merit, which is comprehensive clarity and certainty.”
However, Sarandos had refrained from commenting on whether Netflix would raise its own offer to match the revised Paramount proposal.
And on Thursday, Sarandos participated in meetings at the White House to discuss the potential collaboration.
“Warner Bros. is a premier organization, and we thank David Zaslav, Gunnar Wiedenfels, Bruce Campbell, Brad Singer, and the WBD Board for conducting a fair and rigorous process,” the Netflix co-CEOs articulated in their statement.
“We believe we would have been strong guardians of Warner Bros.’ iconic brands, and that our agreement would have bolstered the entertainment industry while preserving and creating more production jobs in the U.S.,” they expressed. “But this transaction was always a ‘nice to have’ at the appropriate price, not a ‘must have’ at any cost.”
Dario Amodei, the CEO, made his statement just under 24 hours prior to the deadline set in the Pentagon’s ultimatum.
Dario Amodei, the CEO, made his statement just under 24 hours prior to the deadline set in the Pentagon’s ultimatum.
Less than 24 hours prior to the deadline imposed by the Pentagon’s ultimatum, Anthropic has declined the Department of Defense’s request for unrestricted access to its AI.
This is the culmination of a heated exchange of public statements, social media discussions, and clandestine negotiations, pivoting on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s wish to renegotiate existing contracts with AI labs linked to the military. Yet, Anthropic remains firm on its two established boundaries: no mass surveillance of U.S. citizens, and no lethal autonomous weaponry (or arms allowed to eliminate targets without human intervention). OpenAI and xAI have reportedly accepted the new stipulations, while Anthropic’s refusal led to CEO Dario Amodei being called to the White House this week for discussions with Hegseth, where the Secretary allegedly presented an ultimatum for the CEO to acquiesce by the end of the business day Friday or face consequences.
In a statement released late Thursday, Amodei stated, “I have a profound belief in the critical role of employing AI to protect the United States and other democratic nations, as well as to overcome our autocratic rivals. Accordingly, Anthropic has proactively endeavored to implement our models for the Department of War and the intelligence community.”
He noted that the company has “never objected to specific military missions or sought to restrict the utilization of our technology in an arbitrary way,” but in “a limited number of scenarios, we believe AI can weaken, rather than support, democratic principles” — specifically pointing to mass domestic surveillance and completely autonomous weaponry. (Amodei remarked that “partially autonomous weapons … are essential for safeguarding democracy” and that fully autonomous arms may sometime “become vital for our national defense,” emphasizing that “currently, cutting-edge AI systems are simply not dependable enough to operate fully autonomous weaponry.” He did not exclude the possibility of Anthropic submitting to military usage of fully autonomous weapons in the future but indicated they are not prepared at this time.)
The Pentagon had already reportedly urged major defense contractors to evaluate their reliance on Anthropic’s Claude, a move that could mark initial steps to label the firm a “supply chain risk” – a public warning the Pentagon has recently issued (a designation usually reserved for national security threats). Additionally, the Pentagon was reportedly contemplating invoking the Defense Production Act to ensure compliance from Anthropic.
In his statement, Amodei asserted that the Pentagon’s “threats do not modify our stance: we cannot, in good faith, comply with their demands.” He further added, “If the Department opts to sever ties with Anthropic, we will strive to ensure a seamless transfer to another provider, mitigating any disruption to current military strategies, operations, or essential missions. Our models will remain accessible under the broad terms we have proposed for as long as necessary.”
It’s now well established that as modern humans moved out of Africa they encountered and interbred with Neanderthals, leaving a substantial amount of Neanderthal-derived DNA scattered across our genomes. Less commonly noted is that some Neanderthal genomes we’ve sequenced also contain stretches of modern human DNA.
Not every modern person carries the same Neanderthal segments; individuals inherit different fragments by chance. There are also regions, called “Neanderthal deserts,” where traces of Neanderthal ancestry appear absent. The most notable desert is the entire X chromosome, which raises questions about whether this pattern reflects selection on genes there or mating behaviors.
Researchers Alexander Platt, Daniel N. Harris, and Sarah Tishkoff at the University of Pennsylvania performed the reverse analysis by inspecting the X chromosomes from the few complete Neanderthal genomes available. They found a strong enrichment of modern-human sequences on the X as well, and interpret this pattern as evidence of biased mating — with Neanderthal males preferentially mating with modern human females and their descendants.
Because modern humans and Neanderthals evolved separately for a long time, some degree of genetic incompatibility is plausible. Many proteins work together in complex interaction networks, and the genes in those networks coevolve — a change in one gene often leads to compensatory changes in others. Over time, reintroducing the original version of a gene can disrupt the network and reduce fitness.
Consequently, introducing certain Neanderthal alleles into modern-human genomes (or vice versa) could be disruptive and lower carriers’ fitness, so those alleles would be selected against and lost over generations. At the same time, some segments would vanish by chance — the genome is large, and an expanding modern human population could dilute the genetic contributions of other groups. Disentangling the effects of selection versus random drift can be challenging.
Perplexity has introduced “Computer,” a new service that lets users delegate tasks and watch them executed by a system that coordinates multiple agents using different models.
The company says Computer, currently available to Perplexity Max subscribers, is “a system that creates and executes entire workflows” and “capable of running for hours or even months.”
The user specifies a desired outcome—examples include “plan and execute a local digital marketing campaign for my restaurant” or “build me an Android app that helps me do a specific kind of research for my job.” Computer then decomposes the goal into subtasks, assigns them to multiple agents as necessary, and runs the models Perplexity judges best for each task.
The core reasoning engine runs Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.6, while Gemini is used for deep research, Nano Banana handles image generation, Veo 3.1 covers video production, Grok takes on lightweight tasks where speed matters, and ChatGPT 5.2 is used for “long-context recall and wide search.”
That best-model-for-the-task strategy differs from some competing products like Claude Cowork, which rely solely on Anthropic’s models.
All of this runs in the cloud with prebuilt integrations. “Every task runs in an isolated compute environment with access to a real filesystem, a real browser, and real tool integrations,” Perplexity says.
The concept mirrors what some power users were already cobbling together and aims to make that approach accessible to people who don’t want to handle the setup themselves. Users had been combining multiple models and matching them to particular tasks based on perceived strengths, sometimes using MCP (Model Context Protocol) to grant those models access to data and applications on local machines. Perplexity Computer takes a different path but pursues the same objective: have AI agents using carefully chosen models to work with your own files, services, and applications.
There is also OpenClaw, which can be seen as an immediate predecessor to this idea.
If you haven’t been following the OpenClaw craze, here’s a quick recap: originally named ClawdBot and later Moltbot, OpenClaw was an agentic AI tool that leveraged large language models to run autonomously in the background on your local machine, handling everything from sorting through your email history to building websites — essentially whatever you could imagine.
The leaked Lenovo Legion Go Fold appears to be a versatile device that can function as a foldable with split-screen capabilities, a laptop, or a handheld featuring two different screen dimensions.
The leaked Lenovo Legion Go Fold appears to be a versatile device that can function as a foldable with split-screen capabilities, a laptop, or a handheld featuring two different screen dimensions.
Lenovo’s upcoming gaming laptop may take the form of an adaptable foldable known as the Legion Go Fold, which can serve as both a laptop and a handheld gaming PC featuring two screen sizes, as detailed by WindowsLatest. Leaked visuals of the product depict it connected to a keyboard and controllers, with a hinge situated in the center of the POLED display, enabling an expansion from 7.7 inches to 11.6 inches.
Users can attach controllers whether the display is folded or unfolded, utilize the display in a vertical split-screen setting, or connect it to the keyboard in laptop mode, resulting in a total of four distinct configurations merged into a single device. Even the controllers are versatile: the right-hand controller can function as a vertical mouse in “FPS Mode,” much like the mouse feature on the Legion Go 2 or the Nintendo Switch 2. The right controller also boasts a built-in display that exhibits performance data and preferences and serves as a touchpad.
The Legion Go Fold is rumored to feature an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 48 Whr battery. According to WindowsLatest, Lenovo is expected to unveil it as a concept product at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona next week, although it may not be available for purchase right away, if at all.
Individuals saved from the Athi Rivers facility last September disclosed that they had entered into agreements with a certain foreign employment agency, pledging to pay as much as $18,000 (£13,000) for visas, travel expenses, lodging, and other arrangements, according to the police.
In collaboration withEY
For many years, the transformation towards Industry 4.0 has focused on the merging of clever technologies such as AI, cloud computing, IoT, robotics, and digital twins. Industry 5.0 signifies a crucial transition from merely integrating new technologies to scaling and orchestrating them effectively. The aim of this interconnected network of technologies in Industry 5.0 becomes more refined: to enhance human capabilities rather than only automating tasks, while also promoting environmental sustainability.
Industry 5.0 has brought forth a dramatically new style of collaboration among humans and machines, one that breaks down data silos and optimizes infrastructure, operations, and resource utilization to challenge traditional business models and generate innovative forms of enterprise value. However, without diligent tracking of value creation, investments might be squandered on marginal efficiency improvements rather than on strategic expansion.
“To harness the advantages of Industry 5.0, businesses must shift their focus from merely cutting costs and improving efficiency to emphasizing growth, resilience, and human-centered results,” states Sachin Lulla, EY Americas leader in industrials and energy transformation. “This calls for not just embracing new technologies, but also adopting novel working methods—where humans and machines work together, and value is assessed not just in savings, but in newly generated opportunities.”
A survey conducted by MIT Technology Review Insights involving 250 industry leaders globally shows that the majority of industrial investments still aim at achieving efficiency. While the data indicates that human-focused and sustainable applications deliver greater value, they remain underfunded. The research indicates that many organizations are not fully capitalizing on the potential value of Industry 5.0 due to a combination of:
• Cultural, skill, and collaboration obstacles.
• Short-term and misaligned technology expenditures.
• Use-case prioritization that emphasizes efficiency over growth, sustainability, and well-being.
According to research from EY and Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, the challenge in achieving Industry 5.0 transformation is not merely about remedying technological issues; it also involves strengthening human-oriented components such as strategy, culture, and leadership. Corporations are making significant investments in digital transformation, but often not in ways that fully unlock the human potential inherent in Industry 5.0.
“We’re not simply engaging in digital efforts for their own sake, which I refer to as ‘chasing the digital fairies,’” remarks Chris Ware, general manager of iron ore digital at Rio Tinto. “We need clarity on which projects we pursue and the reasoning behind them. Each sector has its own specific roadmap to deliver optimal value.”
This material was created by Insights, the custom content division of MIT Technology Review. It was not authored by the editorial team of MIT Technology Review. It was researched, created, and written by human authors, editors, analysts, and illustrators. This encompasses the formulation of surveys and data collection for surveys. Any AI tools utilized were confined to secondary production phases that underwent thorough human examination.
Welcome to the latest installment of The Download, our weekday newsletter delivering a daily look at the latest happenings in the technology sphere.
The United States was leading the quest to discover life on Mars. Then China entered the scene.
In July 2024, NASA’s Perseverance rover stumbled upon an unusual rocky formation on Mars marked by peculiar spots. On our planet, such markings generally indicate the presence of microbial life.
Granted, those dots aren’t irrefutable evidence of extraterrestrial life. However, they present the most compelling suggestion yet that life could be more common in the universe.
To definitively ascertain this, the only feasible option is to return a sample of that rock for analysis on Earth.
Fast forward over a year and a half, and the initiative to accomplish this is on thin ice, with no funding anticipated in 2026 and minimal support remaining in Congress. Consequently, those intriguing rocks may remain out there forever.
This means that, in the race for proof of alien existence, the U.S. has effectively surrendered its leading status to its foremost geopolitical competitor: China. The superpower is advancing swiftly with its own mission to retrieve rock samples. Their operation is more streamlined than that of the U.S. and Europe, and the Martian samples they collect may not meet the same quality standards. Yet, that detail likely won’t dominate the narrative in scientific publications and history.
Nearly a dozen insiders and scientists from both the U.S. and China shared the narrative of how America relinquished its edge in this new space competition. It’s replete with lofty aspirations and groundbreaking finds—alongside mismanagement, staggering expenditures, and ultimately, frustration and disenchantment. Discover the full account.
—Robin George Andrews
This article is also a part of the Big Story series: MIT Technology Review’s key, ambitious journalism. The stories in this collection delve deep into upcoming technologies and their ramifications for us and our world. Explore the complete series here.
A company claims a groundbreaking advancement in battery technology. Now they must validate it.
Whenever a firm asserts it has developed what essentially amounts to the ultimate battery solution, questions are bound to arise.
Excitement has been brewing since Donut Lab, a Finnish firm, revealed last month that it possesses a new solid-state battery technology, prepared for mass production. The company stated that its batteries can charge incredibly fast and have a high energy density which would enable super long-range electric vehicles. Moreover, it declared that the cells can function safely in extreme hot and cold temperatures, incorporate “eco-friendly and abundant materials,” and would be cheaper than current lithium-ion batteries.
It sounded remarkable—this type of technology could revolutionize the electric vehicle sector. However, many quickly questioned whether it was just too good to be true. Let’s explore why this company is generating buzz, the skepticism among experts, and the implications for the battery industry at this moment.
—Casey Crownhart
This article comes from The Spark, MIT Technology Review’s weekly newsletter on climate issues. To receive it every Wednesday in your inbox, subscribe here.
Today’s essential reads
I’ve searched the web for the most enjoyable/important/scary/fascinating stories regarding technology available today.
1 Chinese authorities attempted to enlist ChatGPT to undermine Japan’s prime minister
OpenAI states that the chatbot declined to assist in organizing an online smear campaign. (Axios)
+ The user requested ChatGPT to alter reports on covert influence operations. (Bloomberg $)
2 Meta’s AI is delivering ineffective tips to child abuse investigators
These not only drain resources but also impede investigations. (The Guardian)
+ U.S. investigators are employing AI to identify child abuse images generated by AI. (MIT Technology Review)
3 A judge has dismissed xAI’s legal action against OpenAI
Elon Musk’s startup was unable to demonstrate any misconduct on the part of its competitor. (Ars Technica)
+ xAI had accused previous employees of transferring trade secrets to OpenAI. (Reuters)
+ It could potentially refile but will need to adjust its claims. (The Verge)
4 China seems to be concealing regular drone maneuvers
Which might indicate practice for a potential assault on Taiwan. (Reuters)
+ Taiwan’s “silicon shield” may be weakening. (MIT Technology Review)
5 Pro-AI super PACs are amassing significant donations in advance of the U.S. midterm elections
They are garnering substantially more funds than their pro-regulation opposites. (FT $)
+ Anthropic is supporting a regulation-friendly PAC known as Public First Action. (NYT $)
6 Specialists are concerned about the impacts of AI-generated slop videos on child development
The nonsensical content often lacks structure and confuses youngsters.(NYT $)
7 Approximately 400 million individuals are living with long covid
Its consequences extend well beyond physical symptoms. (Bloomberg $)
+ Researchers are detecting signs of long covid in blood samples, which could lead to new therapies. (MIT Technology Review)
8 Tech enthusiasts are avoiding interviews with mainstream media
And leaning towards significantly less critical online platforms. (New Yorker $)
9 The ISS is unexpectedly susceptible
There is a substantial vulnerability in its key defenses. (Wired $)
+ Data centers are venturing into space, and our regulations are not prepared. (Rest of World)
+ Meet the astronaut who is training tourists to travel to the world’s first commercial space station. (MIT Technology Review)
10 Our enthusiasm for fake meat has waned 🍔
Even makers of plant-based meat are conceding that some products do not taste pleasing. (Economist $)
+ The cost of (real) beef has surged in recent times. (The Guardian)
+ Here’s a flavor experience of a lab-grown burger. (MIT Technology Review)
Quote of the day
“We are employing both incentives and consequences.”
—Seth Besmertnik, chief executive of digital marketing startup Conductor, describes his strategy for rigorously evaluating the AI proficiency of his employees to the Wall Street Journal.
One additional note
Miniature synthetic organs may unveil the secrets of menstruation
No one completely understands how—or why—the human body orchestrates menstruation; the monthly cycle of cellular renewal, growth, and disintegration. Many individuals urgently require treatments to alleviate their menstrual cycles, but it’s challenging for researchers to develop drugs without grasping how menstruation fundamentally operates.
That clarity might be on the horizon, thanks to endometrial organoids—biomedical constructs made from strands of the tissue that lines the uterus, referred to as the endometrium. Organoids have already shed light on how endometrial cells interact and synchronize, and why menstruation is routine for certain individuals but difficult for others—some scientists are optimistic that these preliminary findings herald the beginning of a new chapter. Read the full narrative.
—Saima Sidik
We can still appreciate nice things
A source of comfort, enjoyment, and distraction to enhance your day. (Have any suggestions? Send me a message or reach out to me.)
+ The remarkable but true story of the Elder Scrolls III fans who created a world resembling a small country within it.
+ Tips on mastering the delicate skill of crafting the ideal sourdough loaf.
+ This charming Pika inspired the character Pikachu.
+ How many of these animated classics have you viewed?
