Waymo Recalls Robotaxis Over Risk They’ll Drive at Speed Into Freeway Construction Zones

Waymo has filed its fourth safety recall since February 2024, after its driverless cars were caught entering closed freeway-construction zones. The recall, filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on June 17, appears to affect Waymo’s entire US fleet, covering 3,871 vehicles running Waymo’s 5th Generation automated driving system (ADS). NHTSA estimates 100…

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The Gemini-Powered Google Home Speaker Is Finally Here

The last time Google released a smart speaker, the world was in the throes of a pandemic. Yes, it’s been six years since the company trotted out a dedicated speaker. However, this newest Google Home Speaker brings a big change with it: The device has been redesigned to showcase the new Gemini assistant instead of…

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I Found 22 Early Prime Day Deals That Are Worth Shopping Now

Photograph: Luke Larsen Photograph: Luke Larsen Photograph: Luke Larsen Photograph: Luke Larsen Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Apple MacBook Air (M5, 2026) Our favorite laptop for most people, the MacBook Air is deceptively powerful with the update to the M5 chip. (Did you know the GPU in the M5 Air is as powerful as…

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Around the World, These Building Solutions Keep Things Local

In a place where most contemporary buildings are constructed of concrete and cooled via standard air conditioning units, Issoufou’s work demonstrates that traditional techniques and site-derived materials are not only better for the environment, but also a high-performance option for the people who will occupy them. Light-Touch Living in New Zealand “Māori, New Zealand’s indigenous…

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The Kratom Civil War Is Heating Up, and MAHA Has Picked a Side

A decade ago, kratom advocates fought a surprisingly successful campaign against a proposed Drug Enforcement Administration ban that claimed the obscure Southeast Asian plant posed “an imminent hazard to public safety.” They won bipartisan allies from Bernie Sanders to Rand Paul, and helped create a billion-dollar industry out of kratom, which has pain-relieving effects they…

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19 Best Gifts for Plant Lovers and Gardeners (2026)

Suppose your giftee loves growing mushrooms but has graduated to more challenging varieties. In that case, North Spore makes an automated monotub ($150) that can be paired with either substrate or the brand’s fruiting blocks. It keeps the growing environment with the proper airflow and humidity, and I’ve grown so many mushrooms in mine that…

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