Betterment

Anthropic has agreed to a $12 billion deal with Akamai for AI computing capacity, according to Bloomberg. The arrangement would give the AI company access to significant infrastructure resources to support its model development, with Akamai, better known for its content delivery network, expanding into AI compute services.

New figures circulating in Italy show that 13.4% of the food produced worldwide is lost after harvest and before it reaches consumers, renewing debate about food waste. Discussions have centred on where in the supply chain the losses occur and on recipes and habits that could help households use food more fully and throw less away.

Health content in Punjabi and English is drawing large attention for explaining fatty liver disease across grades 1, 2 and 3, and how the condition can be reversed through treatment, dietary changes and exercise. The guidance covers reducing liver fat via weight loss, better eating habits and physical activity, resonating with audiences concerned about metabolic health.

Advocates and families have gathered in Lansing, Michigan, for a statewide conference focused on youth mental health. The event brings together those affected and those working on the issue to share concerns and push for better support for young people. Coverage of the gathering highlights ongoing attention to mental health challenges facing children and teens across the state.

The state is working to reduce suicide rates through new and expanded partnerships, according to state officials. The initiative aims to strengthen collaboration between agencies and community organisations to better reach people at risk. Details on which partners are involved and how the programme will operate have not yet been widely reported.

Republican lawmakers in Arizona are questioning the state Land Department over its handling of solar energy leases on state trust land, arguing that alternative uses such as grazing, mining, or development could generate better returns for the trust beneficiaries. The exchange reflects growing GOP scrutiny of renewable energy projects on public lands, with critics pushing for a broader review of how the department prioritizes solar development over other land uses.

A new report finds that trust in solar companies among U.S. homeowners has improved modestly, though skepticism remains widespread. The findings matter for an industry long plagued by complaints about aggressive sales tactics, misleading savings promises and installation problems. Industry observers say better regulation, consolidation among installers and improved consumer protections may be helping, but companies still face work rebuilding homeowner confidence as residential solar adoption slows.

NASA says weather conditions are 60% favorable for the upcoming launch of the SpaceX Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station. The figure means forecasters see a better-than-even chance conditions will allow liftoff on schedule, but the margin is thin enough that a delay remains possible. Updates are expected as the launch window approaches.

An opinion piece in the Austin American-Statesman argues that Texas should reinstate climate change as part of the core school curriculum. The author's claim is that state science education standards have moved away from teaching climate change, and that restoring it would better prepare Texas students. The piece has so far drawn little visible engagement, and the specific policy change it calls for is not detailed in available reporting.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement is purchasing modified Boston Dynamics robot dogs under a $1.3 million contract, the Boston Globe reports. The deal puts quadruped robots, better known from industrial and disaster-response settings, into the hands of the agency responsible for immigration enforcement, drawing attention to how such machines will be deployed and raising questions among critics about surveillance and the militarisation of immigration operations.

Newly released records show that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has drawn up plans to use Spot, a four-legged robot made by Boston Dynamics, in its operations. The documents have drawn attention because the robot dog, better known from industrial inspections and viral demos, could now be part of immigration enforcement work, raising questions about how such machines would be deployed.

FTI Consulting has published an analysis examining how companies' growing investments in technology are challenging traditional financial reporting. The piece argues that reporting practices need to better reflect the underlying value created by digital transformation spending, as intangible technology assets become central to corporate performance and investor decision-making.

Predator drones, aircraft better known for overseas military operations, are reportedly being flown over civilian areas in Arizona border towns. The surveillance of US communities along the Mexican border is raising questions about the expanding use of military-grade technology in domestic policing and border enforcement, and what it means for the privacy of residents living in these towns.

A new book examines the 1934 Minneapolis truckers' strike, a violent labor conflict that helped establish the city's middle class. The strike, marked by deadly clashes between workers and police, became a turning point for union rights in the United States and secured better wages and working conditions that shaped Minneapolis' economy for decades.

American truck drivers are organizing a strike for October 1, raising questions over freight disruptions and whether the Trump administration will respond. Reports say organizers are pressing for better pay and working conditions across the industry, and observers are watching whether the White House takes notice as the date approaches.

Workers at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York have voted to authorize a strike. The vote covers museum staff seeking better wages and working conditions. A walkout would disrupt one of the city's leading art institutions, and labor actions at cultural venues have drawn growing attention as museum employees across the US organize for improved pay and benefits.

Valley Bank has announced a deal with Bluevine aimed at expanding access to financial technology for small businesses. The partnership is expected to give smaller firms better digital banking tools, and coverage so far focuses on the announcement itself, with few further details or reactions available.

An analysis by HousingWire reports that newly built homes remain cheaper than existing homes across many U.S. markets, a reversal of the historical norm. Builders have been offering incentives and cutting prices to attract buyers deterred by high mortgage rates, while resale inventory stays tight. The finding is drawing attention from buyers weighing whether new construction now offers better value than existing homes.

A new write-up explores running PostgreSQL over the QUIC protocol instead of the usual TCP connection. QUIC, developed originally at Google and standardized by the IETF, promises faster connection setup, built-in encryption and better performance on unreliable networks. The project is drawing attention from database and infrastructure developers curious whether these transport-layer gains translate into real-world improvements for database traffic.

Analysts argue Bitcoin's trajectory into 2026 depends less on individual Federal Reserve meetings and more on how long interest rates stay elevated and how much liquidity circulates in the financial system. Extended high rates tighten risk appetite, and crypto markets are watching money-supply trends as a better guide for whether Bitcoin can rally next year.

The Better Business Bureau is urging consumers and small businesses to tighten their online security ahead of Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Its guidance covers strong passwords, caution with unsolicited links and emails, verifying sellers before paying, and regularly updating software. Local news outlets are passing the advice along, reminding people that scammers often ramp up activity as the annual awareness campaign approaches.

Students in France have blocked schools across the country in protests demanding more teachers, smaller class sizes and better-equipped schools. Some demonstrations escalated into clashes with police. They were joined by teachers, firefighters and other public sector workers, who marched over funding cuts and a lack of resources in public services.

The Dakota Gardener gardening column in Minot Daily News argues that a hardy plant outperforms mums for fall color in the region. The piece highlights the plant's toughness and seasonal appeal as an alternative to the chrysanthemums traditionally favored by North Dakota gardeners.

Parents and teens are being warned about 'phubbing' – snubbing someone by looking at your phone instead of paying attention to them. A new parenting piece argues the habit cuts both ways in families: teens ignore their parents, and parents ignore their teens, quietly damaging trust and connection. The advice is for families to put phones down during meals and conversations and model better attention for each other.