Tech and Political News Highlights for April 22, 2025
Tuesday, April 22, 2025 - Morning News
1. Wild Chimpanzees Hosting a Fruity Booze Party?
New data suggests that humans’ penchant for group feasting is part of our deep evolutionary history.
Link (https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/04/are-these-chimps-having-a-fruity-booze-up-in-the-wild/)
2. Get Ready—Lenovo Teases Upcoming Legion Tab (Gen 4)
Lenovo has started teasing consumers on Weibo about its Legion Tab (Gen 4), confirming an 8.8-inch display, a single rear camera, and AI software. Another teaser emphasizes Lenovo’s focus on making the next-gen tablet “thinner” and “lighter.”
3. White House Plagued by Signal Controversy, Pentagon in “Full-Blown Meltdown”
Trump insists that the Defense Secretary sharing secrets on Signal is “doing a great job.”
4. Teen Programmer Shuts Down Open-Source Mac App Whisky, Citing Harm to Paid Apps
The developer told Ars that the free app could “seriously threaten CrossOver’s survival.”
5. OnePlus 13T to Be the First with a Massive Battery, Company Confirms
Set for release this week, the OnePlus 13T boasts a massive 6260mAh battery. Despite a slimmer design, the inclusion of such a large battery looks promising. The phone weighs just 185 grams and is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC.
6. Conservative Candidate Targeted by Chinese Election Interference, Watchdog Says
A federal election threat watchdog has uncovered a foreign interference campaign from China aimed at altering public opinion among Chinese Canadians in Toronto toward a Conservative candidate, a vocal critic of Beijing’s crackdown on civil rights in Hong Kong.
7. TSMC Suggests Trump Can’t Stop China from Accessing AI Chips
As Trump focuses on chip control, TSMC fears the end of its tariff-free era.
8. Conservatives Focus on Housing, Liberals and NDP Discuss Healthcare in Campaign’s Final Stretch
Ottawa—The final week of the federal election campaign kicked off on Monday, with security officials warning of social media activity targeting Conservative candidates.
9. Deep Dive into Windows 11 Recall—What Microsoft Fixed (and What It Didn’t)
The initial failed launch continues to haunt the updated data-collection AI feature.
10. Google Search Antitrust Trial Advances, Chrome Faces Potential Cuts
A court has ruled that Google holds a search monopoly. Now, we await the consequences.
11. China’s CATL Claims to Surpass BYD with 5-Minute EV Battery Charging Time
CATL has introduced an upgraded battery cell, claiming it offers faster charging speeds for electric vehicles than its rival BYD, positioning the two Chinese giants at the forefront of addressing a key barrier in the shift from gasoline vehicles.
12. Frustrated ChatGPT Users Complain About Bot’s Relentlessly Positive Tone
Users criticize ChatGPT’s new “flattering” tendency, finding everything “absolutely amazing.”
13. Gangs Behind Billion-Pound Cyber-Scam Industry Expanding to Evade Government Crackdowns, New UN Report Says
A UN report warns that criminal groups across multiple countries are expanding their multi-billion-pound cyber-scam industry globally as Southeast Asian governments attempt to curb their activities. With this expansion, countries in South America, Africa, and Eastern Europe are now targeted.
14. HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’ Reaches the Moment Gamers Have Dreaded
Due to some peculiar narrative choices, a shocking scene feels somewhat different.
15. Saudi Arabia’s F1 Race: Blind Corners and Walls at Over 200 MPH
After four years under the same technical rules, there’s little new to uncover.
Link (https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/04/f1-in-saudi-arabia-blind-corners-and-walls-at-over-200-mph/)
