Susan Crawford Secures Seat on Wisconsin Supreme Court, Why it Matters

In a high-stakes and historic election, Susan Crawford secured a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, defeating Republican-backed Brad Schimel and preserving a 4-3 liberal majority on the court until at least 2028. Crawford, known for her legal advocacy on union rights, abortion access, and voting laws. The race shattered spending records, surpassing $99 million, and became a national proxy battle involving figures like Trump, Musk, Obama, and Soros. The election drew the highest voter turnout for a state Supreme Court contest in Wisconsin history, signaling the heightened political stakes. The court is expected to weigh in on crucial issues such as abortion rights, redistricting, voting laws, and future presidential election disputes in this pivotal swing state.

U.S. Justice Department Seeks Death Penalty in UnitedHealthcare CEO Assassination Case

Attorney General Pam Bondi has formally directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty against Luigi Mangione, accused of assassinating UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December. This marks the first time the Justice Department is pursuing capital punishment since President Trump returned to office and reinstated the federal death penalty. Mangione, a 26-year-old from a wealthy Maryland family, allegedly targeted Thompson in a politically charged shooting outside a Manhattan hotel. Authorities claim Mangione expressed anti-insurance sentiments and had scrawled phrases associated with industry criticisms on his ammunition.

Automakers Report Strong Q1 Sales Ahead of Trump’s 25% Auto Tariffs, But Slowdown Looms

Several major automakers, including General Motors, Hyundai, Honda, and Nissan, posted notable sales increases in the first quarter of 2025 as buyers rushed to dealerships ahead of President Trump’s newly announced 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and parts, set to begin April 3. GM led with a 17% year-over-year increase, while Hyundai and Kia each reported double-digit gains. Analysts credit the surge partly to a pre-tariff buying rush, as consumers sought to avoid anticipated price hikes, though most agree that the tariff’s late-March announcement meant its immediate effect was limited. Experts warn that, despite strong March numbers, the industry could face a sales slump later in 2025 as prices rise and inventories shrink. Automakers like GM and Hyundai are now scrambling to boost U.S. production to cushion the blow.

Meta’s High-End "Hypernova" Smart Glasses

Meta is reportedly set to release a more advanced version of its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, codenamed Hypernova, by the end of 2025. According to Bloomberg, the new glasses will include a built-in screen visible in the lower-right quadrant of the right lens, allowing users to run apps and view photos through hand gestures and touch controls on the frame. Priced between $1,000 and $1,400, Hypernova is expected to feature an upgraded camera and integrate Meta's AI-powered chatbot directly into the wearable experience. Unlike Meta's upcoming Orion glasses, which aim for full-fledged augmented reality, Hypernova will occupy a mid-tier space, similar to other smart glasses showcased at CES but at a much higher price point due to the inclusion of the Orion-linked "neural" wristband controller, known internally as Ceres. Meta is also working on Hypernova 2, a successor featuring dual screens, targeted for release in 2027.

Google’s DeepMind Restricts AI Research Publications

DeepMind, once known for its open, academic approach to AI research, is increasingly restricting the release of scientific papers, causing concern among staff and AI experts. The company recently blocked a paper exposing security vulnerabilities in OpenAI’s ChatGPT, reportedly fearing it would be seen as an aggressive move in the escalating AI competition. Although DeepMind claims to follow a responsible disclosure policy — allowing companies time to fix issues before publication — employees say the internal approval process for publishing has become significantly more stringent. Insiders suggest the shift is tied to DeepMind's growing focus on commercializing its AI breakthroughs, particularly through its Gemini product suite, which competes directly with rivals like OpenAI. CEO Demis Hassabis has made clear that DeepMind is a business first and will prioritize projects with direct commercial value. Critics argue this clampdown on research transparency helps protect DeepMind's competitive edge but risks limiting the broader AI community's ability to learn from and address critical security vulnerabilities. The restrictions have reportedly led to the departure of several researchers, frustrated by the barriers to sharing their work with the scientific community.