Sunday, March 15, 2026

Rivian stock gets shocking upgrade as Iran fears raise the stakes

Rivian Automotive's stock has been upgraded by TD Cowen, which raised its price target to $20, highlighting the potential of the upcoming R2 platform. This shift comes as Rivian prepares for its first customer deliveries in the second quarter of 2026, aiming to transition from a premium niche to a more scalable segment of the electric vehicle market.

A Florida Trucking Company Raised $158 Million From 2,000 Investors by Promising 200% Monthly Returns – Here Is Exactly How It Worked and Why Every Small Carrier Needs to Read It

Sanjay Singh's Royal Bengal Logistics, a Florida trucking company, raised $158 million from approximately 2,000 investors by falsely claiming it was a profitable operation generating $1 million monthly. Federal investigations revealed that the company was losing money from the start, with investor funds used to pay returns to earlier investors, a classic Ponzi scheme. Singh was convicted of multiple fraud charges and sentenced to 23 years in prison, highlighting the risks of trusting seemingly legitimate investment opportunities.

AI Czar David Sacks wants Trump to ‘get out’ of Iran

David Sacks, the White House's AI czar, has called for the U.S. to withdraw from the conflict in Iran, citing catastrophic risks to the AI industry and regional stability. On the All In podcast, he warned that Iranian aggression could damage critical oil and gas infrastructure, as well as desalination plants, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis. Sacks, who has financial interests tied to market stability, noted that the ongoing war poses direct threats to the AI sector, particularly after drone strikes forced QatarEnergy to cease production of liquefied natural gas and helium, essential for electronics manufacturing.

AI companies want to harvest improv actors’ skills to train AI on human emotion

AI companies are increasingly turning to improv actors to enhance their models' understanding of human emotions. Handshake AI, a key player in this space, is seeking performers to engage in unscripted sessions designed to teach AI how to authentically recognize and express emotions. This initiative comes as the demand for specialized training data has surged, raising concerns among professionals about the potential impact on their careers.

36-year-old moved from Chicago to Spain, works 16 hours a week and is semi-retired: 'You get one life. Live it right'

Gigi Gonzalez, a 36-year-old financial educator, relocated from Chicago to Valencia, Spain, in 2025, allowing her to work just 16 hours a week while enjoying a semi-retired lifestyle. This move significantly reduced her living expenses, enabling her to achieve a better work-life balance and focus on personal well-being, all while maintaining a solid retirement savings plan that exceeds $220,000.

Price caps, taking the stairs, and short-sleeved shirts: How countries are coping with the Iran war energy shock

As the Iran war continues into its third week, countries worldwide are implementing various measures to mitigate the resulting energy shock. Governments are enforcing fuel export bans, such as China's halt on refined fuel exports, and considering price caps, with Japan planning to limit gasoline prices to 170 yen per liter. These actions reflect a broader effort to stabilize domestic fuel supplies and manage rising costs amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

EXCLUSIVE: Silver's Wild Swings Haven't Broken The Bull Market, Says Texas Precious Metals CEO

Despite recent volatility, Texas Precious Metals CEO Tarek Saab believes the bull market for silver is still strong, provided it remains above the critical $50 resistance level. This level has historically represented a significant barrier, and Saab suggests that maintaining it could signal a new cyclical bull market, fueled by ongoing industrial demand in sectors like solar energy and electronics.

Wiz investor unpacks Google’s $32B acquisition

Google has finalized its acquisition of cybersecurity company Wiz for $32 billion, making it the largest acquisition in the company's history and the biggest ever for a venture-backed startup. Shardul Shah from Index Ventures, Wiz's largest shareholder, highlighted the company's strategic positioning at the intersection of AI, cloud, and security as key factors in its appeal, noting the strong leadership team behind its rapid growth and innovation.

Rivian’s RJ Scaringe thinks we’re doing robots all wrong

RJ Scaringe, founder and CEO of Rivian, has launched a new robotics startup called Mind Robotics, which recently raised $500 million in Series A funding. The company, valued at approximately $2 billion, aims to develop robots capable of performing human-like tasks while minimizing complexity, a departure from traditional industrial robotics. Scaringe's vision for Mind Robotics stems from his insights into future manufacturing needs as Rivian prepares to scale its operations with the upcoming R2 SUV.

F-35 Software Upgrades ‘Stagnated’ as Jets Fly Iran Missions

The Pentagon's testing office has revealed that software upgrades for the F-35 jets have stagnated, with no new combat capabilities delivered in the past year. The TR-3 upgrade, which is meant for jets currently flying missions over Iran, was mostly unusable due to stability problems and ongoing deficiencies, highlighting significant challenges in enhancing the fighter's operational effectiveness.

Apple’s Liquid Glass Interface Isn’t Going Anywhere Anytime Soon

Apple's Liquid Glass interface is set to remain in its product lineup despite recent upheavals in the company's design team. Additionally, ongoing issues with Siri have caused further delays in the rollout of the smart home hub, while iOS 27 is poised to bring new features tailored for the foldable iPhone.

Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are the choice — if you have a Galaxy phone

Samsung's Galaxy Buds 4 Pro represent a solid upgrade over the previous model, offering enhanced sound quality and active noise cancellation. However, to unlock their full potential, users must pair them with a Galaxy device, limiting their appeal to a broader audience. While they perform well with Galaxy phones, users with other devices will miss out on key features.

The MacBook Neo is ‘the most repairable MacBook’ in years, according to iFixit

Apple's MacBook Neo has been recognized by iFixit as the most repairable MacBook in about fourteen years, primarily due to its innovative battery design. Unlike previous models where batteries were glued in, the Neo's battery is secured with 18 screws, making replacements significantly easier. Additional enhancements, such as a flat disassembly tree and improved compatibility with replacement parts, contribute to its high repairability score, though concerns remain regarding soldered RAM and storage.

iOS 27 likely won’t include any major changes to Liquid Glass: report

As Apple prepares to unveil iOS 27, reports indicate that the update will not feature significant changes to Liquid Glass, which has faced criticism for its readability. Despite some minor customization options introduced in previous updates, the latest internal versions show no major design shifts, and the departure of design lead Alan Dye has left many wondering about the future direction of the interface. However, there is speculation about a potential systemwide slider for adjusting the glass effect, which could change user experience if implemented.

An engineering thesis disguised as a coupe: A history of the Honda Prelude

The Honda Prelude, set to return in 2026 after a long absence, is more than just a car; it embodies Honda's engineering philosophy of precision and innovation. Originally launched in 1978 during a challenging economic period, the Prelude showcased advanced features like four-wheel steering and variable valve timing, establishing itself as a symbol of mechanical elegance and efficiency in the automotive industry.

Is the US Jobs Market Starting to Crack? Steven Rattner on Tariffs, AI and Stagflation

Recent data indicates that the US labor market is beginning to soften, despite overall economic conditions remaining relatively stable. Steven Rattner of Willett Advisers highlights that tariffs are putting additional pressure on employers, while the influence of AI on hiring decisions is becoming increasingly pronounced. This combination of factors poses challenges for the Federal Reserve and investors alike.

US Army announces contract with Anduril worth up to $20B

The U.S. Army announced a significant 10-year contract with defense tech startup Anduril, potentially valued at up to $20 billion. This deal, which begins with a five-year base period, consolidates more than 120 previous procurement actions and includes a range of Anduril's hardware, software, and services. The Army emphasizes the importance of rapid software deployment to maintain a competitive edge on modern battlefields.

What new Google Messages features are rolling out [March 2026]

Google Messages is rolling out a series of new features aimed at improving user experience, including a Trash folder for recovering deleted chats and real-time location sharing options. The update also introduces encrypted RCS messaging between iPhone and Android devices, enhancing privacy in cross-platform communication.

Indie App Spotlight: ‘Kiosk 27’ makes your iPhone camera feel like film

Kiosk 27 is a new indie app designed for iPhone users who desire a film-like photography experience. Utilizing sensor-RAW processing, the app captures images in a way that emulates traditional film, allowing for a more authentic look. With a limit of 27 shots per roll, it encourages mindful shooting, while additional features enhance the film experience, making it a unique offering in the crowded photography app market.

Staff complain that xAI is flailing because of constant upheaval

Elon Musk's xAI is facing significant turmoil as he enacts job cuts and removes cofounders in response to underwhelming performance from its AI coding tools. Following a $1.25 billion merger with SpaceX, Musk is pushing for rapid improvements to meet a looming June deadline for a major stock market listing. However, the constant upheaval is reportedly damaging employee morale and hindering the startup's potential.

MacBook Neo makes the rest of Apple’s lineup a whole lot harder to justify

The introduction of the MacBook Neo at $599 has created a significant shift in Apple's laptop offerings, making it difficult to justify the higher prices of existing models like the MacBook Air, which now starts at $1099. The Neo combines premium features, such as a 500 nit display and a solid aluminum chassis, while lacking only a few elements like the force touch trackpad and Touch ID in the base model. This disruption could lead Apple to reconsider pricing and features across its product lineup.

Nvidia's GTC will mark an AI chip pivot. Here's why the CPU is taking center stage

Nvidia is shifting its focus from GPUs to CPUs as the demand for agentic AI workflows grows, with the company set to reveal new CPU details at its GTC conference. The Grace CPU, introduced in 2021, is now joined by the Vera CPU, which is expected to be deployed in Meta's data centers by 2027. This shift highlights the increasing importance of CPUs in handling the complex compute needs of AI applications, as Nvidia aims to optimize performance and meet surging demand.

Gemini screen automation for Android apps has free, AI Pro usage limits

Google has begun rolling out its Gemini screen automation feature for Android apps on the Galaxy S26, allowing users to automate tasks like ordering food and booking rides. Free users are limited to five requests per day, while those with AI Pro subscriptions can make up to twenty requests daily. The feature currently supports popular services such as Lyft, Uber, GrubHub, and Starbucks.

Figuring out why AIs get flummoxed by some games

A recent study reveals that AIs trained using methods effective for complex games like chess and Go struggle significantly with simpler games such as Nim. Researchers Bei Zhou and Soren Riis found that while AIs could quickly improve their performance in Nim with fewer rows, their learning plateaued dramatically as the board size increased, indicating a failure to grasp the underlying mathematical functions necessary for optimal play. This raises concerns about the limitations of current AI training methods, especially as reliance on AI for problem-solving grows.