OpenAI and Microsoft Launch GPT-4o Mini: Affordable AI Model Dominates Competitors

OpenAI and Microsoft have launched the GPT-4o Mini, an affordable AI model excelling in reasoning tasks and multimodal capabilities, priced at 15 cents per million input tokens. With superior performance over competitors and enhanced safety features, it aims to strengthen OpenAI's market position and benefit investor Microsoft.

Techcrunch + 23 • AI • Tech

German and British researchers have detected phosphine and ammonia in Venus' clouds, fueling speculation about potential microbial life.While not definitive proof, this discovery has prompted NASA and ESA to plan future missions to Venus, reigniting interest in extraterrestrial life.

The Guardian + 21 • Space News • EU News

Ford is investing $3 billion to retool its Oakville plant in Ontario for Super Duty truck production, responding to high consumer demand.The move adds 1,800 jobs and expands the Windsor facility, while an electrified Super Duty is planned for the future.

NYTimes + 11 • Financial Markets • US News

Bitcoin spot ETFs in the U.S. saw a robust influx, totaling $422.5 million, marking the strongest trading day in over a month.BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust leads with reserves surpassing $20 billion, as CEO Larry Fink legitimizes bitcoin, now priced at $65,470.

Coindesk + 1 • Bitcoin

New research reveals that powerful earthquakes, not just volcanic activity, contributed to the fatalities during Pompeii's 79 AD disaster. Evidence from skeletons in a villa indicates both a wealthy man and his slave were crushed by collapsing buildings, underscoring the disaster's societal impact.

NYTimes + 7 • Science

US military officials, including Generals Kruse and Whiting, warn of increasing threats from Russia and China's aggressive space activities. They stress the urgency to reassess US strategies as Russia eyes space-based nukes and China invests heavily in anti-satellite technology.

SCMP + 3 • Space News