Category:
Investing
Category:
Investing
Category:
Investing
2026-01-15 11:30:00|
Engadget
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying the Crew-11 astronauts has splashed down into the ocean after they left the ISS a month earlier than planned due a medical issue. Its the first time NASA cut a mission short due to a medical concern. The agency didnt name the crew member and their condition but stated that they were stable and that it wasnt a case of medical evacuation. NASA merely decided to end the mission early out of an abundance of caution, because the ISS didnt have the tools for a proper diagnosis. NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman, JAXAs Kimiya Yui and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov the members of Crew-11 left for the space station on August 1 and were supposed to stay there until February. Despite the mission being cut early, they still stayed 167 days in space before they made their way back home. The Dragon capsule carrying the members splashed down off the coast of San Diego, California at 3:41AM on January 15. A SpaceX medical doctor was the first person who checked in on them, though that is routine procedure and not because of one members medical issue. With Crew-11 back on Earth, there are now only three people aboard the orbiting lab. Two are Russian cosmonauts, while the other one is NASA astronaut Chris Williams. NASA is now looking at options to be able to send Crew-12 to the ISS earlier than its planned February 15 launch. LIVE: After undocking from the @Space_Station, Crew-11 is on their way back to Earth. Tune in to watch them splash down off the coast of California, scheduled for 3:41am ET (0841 UTC). https://t.co/mIUojli3XW NASA (@NASA) January 15, 2026
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/iss-mission-splashes-down-after-medical-issue-103000302.html?src=rss
Category:
Marketing and Advertising
Mattel's latest addition to its Barbie Fashionistas line addresses a glaring gap in toy aisles and popular culture: authentic representation of autistic children, particularly girls. Developed over 18 months with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Autistic Barbie features elements that reflect experiences common to many autistic individuals. These include articulated joints that enable stimming movements, an averted eye gaze and accessories like noise-canceling headphones and a communication tablet. The doll's loose-fitting purple dress minimizes sensory discomfort, while a functional fidget spinner offers a tactile outlet. Every detail emerged from consultations with the autistic community rather than outsider assumptions about their needs. Mattel also donated over 1,000 dolls to pediatric hospitals serving children on the autism spectrum. The initiative builds on research conducted with Cardiff University, showing that doll play activates brain regions involved in empathy and social processing findings that apply to neurotypical and neurodivergent children alike. As expressed by autistic advocate Madison Marilla, who has collected Barbie dolls since age four, the representation resonates: "This autistic Barbie makes me feel truly seen and heard."TREND BITEOverwhelmed with options, parents and children seek products that feel intentionally designed for them rather than mass-produced for an imagined average. By partnering with the autistic community to create a doll that reflects specific sensory needs and communication styles, Mattel demonstrates that meaningful curation requires going beyond demographic checkboxes. The result is a product that empowers autistic children to see their experiences as valid and valued, turning a toy into a tool for building confidence and self-recognition.
Category:
Marketing and Advertising
2026-01-15 00:14:30|
Engadget
X says it is changing its policies around Groks image-editing abilities following a multi-week outcry over the chatbot repeatedly being accused of generating sexualized images of children and nonconsensual nudity. In an update shared from the @Safety account on X, the company said it has implemented technological measures to prevent the Grok account from allowing the editing of images of real people in revealing clothing such as bikinis.The new safeguards, according to X, will apply to all users regardless of whether they pay for Grok. xAI is also moving all of Groks image-generating features behind its subscriber paywall so that non-paying users will no longer be able to create images. And it will geoblock "the ability of all users to generate images of real people in bikinis, underwear, and similar attire via the Grok account and in Grok in X" in regions where it's illegal.https://t.co/awlfMjX6FS Safety (@Safety) January 14, 2026
The company's statement comes hours after the state of California opened an investigation into xAI and Grok over its handling of AI-generated nudity and child exploitation material. A statement from California Attorney General Rob Bonta cited one analysis that found "more than half of the 20,000 images generated by xAI between Christmas and New Years depicted people in minimal clothing," including some that appeared to be children. In its update, X said that it has "zero tolerance" for child exploitation and that it removes "high-priority violative content, including Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and non-consensual nudity" from its platform. Earlier in the day, Elon Musk said he was "not aware of any naked underage images generated by Grok." He later added that when its NSFW setting is enabled, "Grok is supposed [sic] allow upper body nudity of imaginary adult humans (not real ones) consistent with what can be seen in R-rated movies on Apple TV." He added that "this will vary in other regions" based on local laws. Malaysia and Indonesia both recently moved to block Grok citing safety concerns and its handling of sexually explicit AI-generated material. In the UK, where regulator Ofcom is also investigating xAI and Grok, officials have also said they would back a similar block of the chatbot. Have a tip for Karissa? You can reach her by email, on X, Bluesky, Threads, or send a message to @karissabe.51 to chat confidentially on Signal.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/x-says-grok-will-no-longer-edit-images-of-real-people-into-bikinis-231430257.html?src=rss
Category:
Marketing and Advertising
