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Meta rolls out Plus plans for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp globally, will test $7.99/mo. and $19.99/mo. Meta AI plans, a $49.99/mo. creator plan, and more (Sarah Perez/TechCrunch)

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Sarah Perez / TechCrunch : Meta rolls out Plus plans for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp globally, will test $7.99/mo. and $19.99/mo. Meta AI plans, a $49.99/mo. creator plan, and more   —  Meta is doubling down on its subscription offerings.  On Wednesday, the social networking giant announced it's now rolling … from Techmeme https://ift.tt/nK0HOYb

OpenAI announces partnerships to combat election misinformation, offering cybersecurity products to state officials and backing legislation to curb deepfakes (Maria Curi/Axios)

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Maria Curi / Axios : OpenAI announces partnerships to combat election misinformation, offering cybersecurity products to state officials and backing legislation to curb deepfakes   —  OpenAI is announcing new partnerships to combat misinformation, offering its cybersecurity products to state officials … from Techmeme https://ift.tt/5Bi0TzZ

The 20 states where people are having the most trouble paying for their homes

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Louisiana is third among states with the highest increase in delinquent mortgages. Cavan-Images/Shutterstock WalletHub ranked US states based on mortgage delinquency. Its list shows which states had the biggest increases in delinquent mortgages between 2025 and 2026. Vermont and Delaware had the highest increases, the analysis found. In recent years, the economy hasn't been kind to homeowners and those looking to buy. Many potential buyers simply can't afford to buy a home, with the average 30-year mortgage rate over 6%. For the people who bite the bullet on a home loan, other costs are waiting. From property taxes and insurance to repair costs, Americans — some of whom face more challenging job markets — are paying more in home expenses than a simple monthly mortgage payment. Whatever the reasons, some homeowners are failing to pay their mortgage payments on time. When a payment is at least 30 days late, it's reported to the credit bureaus as delinquent. A WalletHub stud...

Why the internet is joking that Anthropic hired Pope Leo

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Co-founder of Anthropic, Chris Olah, shakes hands with Pope Leo. Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP via Getty Images Pope Leo XIV presented a sweeping letter about AI alongside Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah. Olah's presence sparked jokes online that Pope Leo is Anthropic's latest high-profile hire. Both Olah and the pope warned of the dangers of AI in their speeches at the Vatican. No, Pope Leo XIV — the 267th Bishop of Rome, who leads over 1.4 billion Catholics — isn't joining Anthropic. After the Vatican invited Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah to help unveil the pope's big letter warning about AI — and he publicly thanked Olah — the internet started joking that one of Silicon Valley's hottest AI startups had recruited the head of the Catholic Church. Breaking: Pope Leo just announced he’s leaving papacy and will join Anthropic as a member of technical staff. https://t.co/4BLW1X1S7P — Mike Sapiton πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦ (@sapitonmix) May 25, 2026 During his speech, the pope thanked Olah — who...

What smart people are saying about Pope Leo's letter on AI

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Pope Leo XIV. Simone Risoluti - Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images Pope Leo XIV shared his first encyclical, or a letter to the church, on Monday. He wrote about AI-related issues, from monopolies to employment concerns. Tech leaders, politicians, and journalists are now speaking out in response. Big names in tech, politics, and more are responding to the pope's lengthy letter about AI. Pope Leo XIV released his first encyclical, or a letter to the church about a relevant social issue, on Monday. His writing spans 245 paragraphs and covers AI-related monopolies, employment concerns, ethics, and more. He titled the letter: "Magnifica humanitas: on safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence." Now, a wide range of people are sharing their thoughts on his stance. Here's what they're saying. David Sacks David Sacks, former White House AI czar, expressed some skepticism over Anthropic's mythos warnings. Matt McClain/The Washington...

A look at the UK's AI Safety Institute, whose researchers probe AI models for safety gaps, as its work becomes a blueprint for other governments' AI policies (New York Times)

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New York Times : A look at the UK's AI Safety Institute, whose researchers probe AI models for safety gaps, as its work becomes a blueprint for other governments' AI policies   —  The government's A.I. Security Institute, staffed by alumni from OpenAI and Google, is becoming a model for countries grappling with A.I.'s emerging risks. from Techmeme https://ift.tt/J3d2nWf

Memorial Day gas prices are the highest in years as Trump says he's close to a deal with Iran

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Gas prices are at a four-year high in the US this Memorial Day. Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images Nearly 40 million Americans will drive at least 50 miles from home during Memorial Day weekend. Memorial Day weekend gas prices, meanwhile, have reached a four-year high. That's largely the result of Trump's conflict with Iran. Your jaunt to the beach on Memorial Day will cost you. The current national average for regular gas is $4.51, the highest it's been since 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, causing a spike in oil prices. The current price of gas is 4 cents higher than a month ago and $1.32 higher than the same time last year. As of Sunday, California has the highest average at $6.11, while Indiana has the lowest at $3.93. Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, and millions of Americans will travel to cookouts, parties, and vacation destinations to celebrate. AAA projects almost 40 million people will drive at least 50 miles fro...