🛩️💥 Tragedy Strikes: Flight 171 Crash

TECH

‘This was peak technology’: Gen Z is bringing back the BlackBerry

📱🕹️ Gen Z is flipping the script on modern tech by reviving a classic: the BlackBerry. Once the titan of the smartphone world, the BlackBerry is finding new life in 2025, not for its productivity features, but for its nostalgia. Teens and twenty-somethings are picking up secondhand Bold 9700s and Curve Q20s, posting proudly on TikTok with captions like “This was PEAK technology.” With physical keyboards, zero algorithmic feeds, and the charm of BBM, it’s everything today’s smartphones aren’t, and that’s the point.

As digital detox culture gains momentum, Gen Z is turning to flip phones and trackpads to disconnect intentionally. The BlackBerry presents a curious paradox: a piece of once cutting-edge technology now serving as a tool for minimalism. Rumors of a potential reboot have sparked even more buzz, but whether BlackBerry officially returns or not, the message is clear: some old tech still hits differently. Read More

Your VPN could be giving your browsing data to China, watchdog says

🔒🌐 That “free” VPN on your phone might be costing you far more than you think. A new report by the Technology Transparency Project reveals that 17 VPN apps, some still available on Apple’s and Google’s app stores, have hidden links to Qihoo 360, a Chinese cybersecurity firm sanctioned by the U.S. government. Though disguised behind developer names like Autumn Breeze and Innovative Connecting, many of these apps may route your entire browsing history straight into a legal gray zone where Chinese intelligence can access it without a warrant.

With digital privacy under constant threat, VPNs are often seen as a safe haven. But when they're owned, however indirectly, by entities with ties to a government known for aggressive surveillance, the risk multiplies. One VPN even asks users to follow “the basic principles of the Chinese Constitution.” Are tech giants turning a blind eye, or are the rules just not built for this level of deception? The next time you tap that VPN icon, it might be worth asking: Who’s really watching? Read More

Isaacman’s bold plan for NASA: Nuclear ships, seven-crew Dragons, accelerated Artemis

🚀⚛️ Jared Isaacman, entrepreneur-astronaut and once-front-runner to lead NASA, had a vision that could’ve reshaped the future of American spaceflight. Though his nomination was abruptly pulled for political reasons, Isaacman had spent six months crafting a bold modernization plan for the agency: one that included accelerating Artemis missions, reviving seven-crew Dragon flights, and reintroducing payload specialists to bring fresh energy and expertise back into orbit. He even offered to fund a mission himself. This wasn’t about prestige, it was about reigniting a mission-first culture and trimming the bureaucracy that’s held NASA back.

But the most radical part? Isaacman wanted to leap forward with nuclear electric propulsion, proposing a 100-kilowatt test vehicle, then scaling to megawatt-class nuclear spaceships within four years. These orbiters could ferry telescopes to Lagrange points or support deep-space missions far more efficiently than today’s rockets. He saw it as a new frontier for both NASA and the states invested in the aging SLS program. Now, with his vision left on the launchpad, the space community is left wondering: What if he had been given the controls? Read More

Samsung May Soon Integrate Perplexity AI Into Galaxy Devices

🤖📱 Samsung may be gearing up to shake up the AI race by teaming up with Perplexity AI. According to insider reports, the tech giant is in advanced talks to preload Perplexity’s search assistant on future Galaxy devices, starting potentially with the Galaxy S26 in early 2026. But this isn’t just another app integration. The discussions hint at something far more ambitious: embedding Perplexity’s search tech into Samsung’s browser and even revamping the long-stagnant Bixby assistant with cutting-edge AI.

Why the shift? Samsung is looking to reduce its dependency on Google’s Gemini, which currently powers much of its AI functionality. This potential partnership could signal the start of an AI diversification strategy, possibly even leading to a new AI-native operating system and a unified agent hub that works across multiple assistants. If the deal closes, it could position Samsung not just as a hardware leader but as a serious AI platform contender in 2025 and beyond. Read More

Massive June 12 internet outage explained: What we know so far

🚨🌐 On June 12, a massive internet outage sent shockwaves through the digital world, disrupting a staggering number of popular services simultaneously. Platforms like Discord, Twitch, Google-related services, Spotify, and many more faced intermittent failures starting around 2 p.m. ET, sparking confusion and a flood of reports on Down Detector. The root cause? A critical dependency failure traced back to Google Cloud, according to Cloudflare’s statement. While Google Cloud managed to restore most services within a few hours, some regions continued to experience lingering issues, keeping millions of users and tech entrepreneurs on edge.

What does this mean for the future of cloud infrastructure and digital resilience? This event underscores how deeply interconnected and vulnerable our online ecosystem has become. For tech entrepreneurs, it’s a vivid reminder to rethink disaster recovery, dependency risks, and the true cost of single points of failure in digital operations. Read More

BUSINESS

After a 12-Year-Old's Side Hustle Made Over $4,000 in 1 Day, He and His Dad Grew the Business to Nearly $50,000 a Month: 'It Takes Commitment'

🔥🏈 What started as a fun father-son hobby quickly transformed into a thriving business for 12-year-old Madden Forrest and his dad, Steven. Inspired by TikTok livestreams of card breaks, they launched Bull Island Breaks in late 2024, turning their passion for football cards into a booming side hustle. With strategic investments and a unique “team break” model, they’ve grown from making $4,000 in a single day to nearly $50,000 in monthly revenue, all while building a loyal community of collectors and fans. Their story highlights how commitment and consistency, paired with a deep love for the game, can turn a simple idea into a serious enterprise.

But success hasn’t come without hurdles. From navigating TikTok’s tricky rules to managing inventory and customer expectations, the Forrests emphasize the importance of adaptability and daily hustle. Madden’s vision of opening his own card shop one day fuels their growth, and with 7,000+ orders and $180,000 in sales within six months, the future looks bright. For tech entrepreneurs, their journey offers a powerful lesson: passion-driven projects, when nurtured with dedication, can scale far beyond initial expectations. Curious how a hobby can evolve into a full-fledged business? Bull Island Breaks might just be your next case study. Read More

Female founder of Dacora Motors tells us why her $500K model will shake up the industry

🚗✨ Kristie D’Ambrosio-Correll, the visionary female founder of Dacora Motors, is redefining luxury electric vehicles with a $500,000 model that blends cutting-edge engineering and vintage artistry. Drawing inspiration from 1930s American coachbuilding, Dacora’s sleek EV features stunning black walnut interiors and tactile physical controls that revive the tactile feel of classic cars.

Positioned alongside luxury giants like Rolls-Royce and Bentley, the car offers unprecedented customization, even seasonal upholstery swaps and patented dog-friendly interiors, bringing a fresh, personal touch to ultra-high-end automobiles. But the journey hasn’t been without its hurdles. Kristie highlights the challenges of gaining trust as a newcomer in the luxury car world and balancing her dual passions for engineering and art. Partnering with iconic designers like Pininfarina, Dacora Motors is already gaining traction with 79 reservations and ambitious plans to scale production. Read More

Tesla bulls have been waiting years for this day: Elon Musk finally reveals date for his robotaxi pilot launch

🤖🚗 Tesla bulls, get ready, Elon Musk has finally announced a tentative June 22 launch date for the highly anticipated Tesla robotaxi pilot. After nearly a decade chasing full self-driving dreams, this could be the moment that transforms the autonomous ride-hailing market. Tesla’s bold, camera-first AI approach sets it apart from competitors like Waymo, enabling rapid scaling of its fleet without relying on expensive lidar and radar sensors. The viral video of a driverless Model Y cruising Austin streets already has millions captivated, fueling excitement about what’s next.

What makes this launch truly game-changing is Tesla’s foresight in equipping every new car with advanced AI hardware, ensuring seamless over-the-air updates to enable self-driving capabilities when ready. Musk calls it Tesla’s “ChatGPT moment”, a potential leap that could revolutionize transportation and skyrocket Tesla’s market value. While safety remains top priority and the date might shift slightly, this pilot could mark a pivotal step in autonomous driving history. How will Tesla’s risk-taking strategy reshape the future of mobility? Read More

Startup plane maker says it will create 14,500 jobs in North Carolina

✈️🌱 JetZero is making a bold move to revolutionize sustainable air travel by pledging to create 14,500 jobs and establish its manufacturing hub in North Carolina near Greensboro's Piedmont Triad International Airport. With a planned $4.7 billion investment and support from industry giants like Delta, United Airlines, and the U.S. Air Force, JetZero’s cutting-edge blended-wing-body aircraft promises up to 50% greater fuel efficiency than traditional planes. This initiative, backed by a $1 billion incentives package from the state, marks the largest economic development opportunity in North Carolina’s history, sparking excitement about the future of eco-friendly aviation.

What’s truly fascinating is how Greensboro’s PTI airport is becoming a magnet for next-gen aerospace startups, joining the ranks of HondaJet and Boom Supersonic. JetZero’s ambitious plan to hire thousands between 2027 and 2037 highlights a remarkable blend of manufacturing and R&D roles, signaling a new era for high-tech jobs in the region. Yet, with groundbreaking innovation comes risk. Will JetZero successfully navigate the challenges ahead and reshape the commercial aviation landscape? Read More

The UK risks becoming a stepping stone for tech, not a destination

The UK faces a crucial moment as major tech firms like Wise and Alphawave shift their focus away from the London Stock Exchange, raising concerns that the country risks being just a stepping stone rather than a tech destination. Despite its deep pool of talent and entrepreneurial spirit, the UK’s financial ecosystem struggles to support startups beyond early growth, especially at the scale-up and public listing stages. With UK tech funding lagging far behind the US, $16.2 billion versus $65 billion, the market lacks the appetite and capital needed to fuel the next generation of breakthrough companies.

To turn this around, the UK must evolve its entire investment landscape, from banks and pension funds to institutional backers, to champion innovation with conviction. Proposals like relaxed listing rules and unlocking pension capital show promise, but momentum is slow while the US continues to offer superior valuations and investor support. The stakes are high: without a compelling path for startups to scale and stay, the UK risks losing ground in fintech, AI, and biotech. Read More

GOOD TO KNOW

On This Day: On this day in 2000, South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung met North Korean leader Kim Jong Il in a summit that marked the first meeting between heads of the two countries, helping earn Kim Dae-Jung the Nobel Peace Prize.

Fun Riddle: Because of the Mayan calendar, people believed the end of the world was in:

QUOTE

LEISURE READS

A Forgotten Cancer Is Surging in Young People, And Experts Are Puzzled: Read

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Anker is recalling over 1.1 million power banks due to fire and burn risks: Read

ANSWER TO RIDDLE

Question: Because of the Mayan calendar, people believed the end of the world was in:

Answer: 2012