GSA Reverses Course: After Laying Off Thousands, Agency Now Hires Hundreds of Employees in Major Turnaround

As the dust settles on a tumultuous period marked by significant layoffs and restructuring efforts within the General Services Administration (GSA), the agency is now poised to make a major comeback. In a stunning about-face, GSA’s Public Building Service (PBS) division has announced plans to hire hundreds of new employees, a move that marks a significant shift from the widespread cuts implemented just last year.

According to an email obtained by WIRED, PBS chief of staff Donna Dix informed employees that the agency is hiring “approximately 400 positions” across its facilities management, acquisition, and project management teams. This latest development comes as welcome news for many who had been affected by the previous rounds of layoffs, which saw thousands of federal employees lose their jobs.

SpaceX Fires Back at Amazon: Alleges Violation of Orbital Debris Requirements

In a recent letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), SpaceX has accused Amazon, its rival in the satellite broadband industry, of violating orbital debris requirements by launching satellites into initial altitudes that are too high. According to SpaceX, this violates approved plans and poses an unmitigated risk of collisions with other operational systems and inhabited spacecraft.

The dispute centers around Amazon’s Kuiper Systems, which is launching a constellation of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink system. SpaceX claims that Amazon’s initial launch altitudes are significantly higher than authorized, increasing the risk of collisions and potentially creating new space debris. This comes on the heels of two recent Starlink satellite failures that created new debris in Earth’s orbit.

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right iPad: Models, Features, and What to Avoid

As technology enthusiasts, we’re often faced with the daunting task of selecting the perfect device for our needs. When it comes to Apple’s iPads, the options can be overwhelming, especially with four main models available in various sizes. To make things easier, this guide breaks down the current iPad lineup, highlighting the key differences between each model and what to look out for when purchasing a used or refurbished device.

Perplexity's 'Incognito Mode' Exposed: Lawsuit Reveals AI Search Engine Shares Users' Conversations with Google and Meta

As technology continues to advance, concerns about online privacy have become increasingly pertinent. Recently, a proposed class action lawsuit has raised eyebrows by alleging that Perplexity’s AI-powered search engine engages in dubious practices that compromise user confidentiality. The complaint claims that the company’s “Incognito Mode” is nothing more than a facade, failing to protect users’ sensitive information from being shared with third-party entities like Google and Meta.

At the heart of the lawsuit are concerns about how Perplexity handles conversations between its users and AI agents. According to the allegations, when users engage in chat sessions, their initial prompts are always shared, regardless of whether they have signed up for a Perplexity account or not. This includes follow-up questions that users click on, which are also transmitted to Google and Meta without their knowledge or consent.

AI-Prescribed Psychiatric Medications: A Double-Edged Sword in Utah

Utah has taken a bold step by allowing an AI system to prescribe psychiatric drugs without human oversight. This marks only the second time in the country’s history that such clinical authority has been delegated to artificial intelligence. While proponents argue that this could bring costs down and ease care shortages, critics warn of the risks involved in automating routine aspects of psychiatric care.

The one-year pilot program, announced last week, will enable Legion Health’s AI chatbot to renew certain prescriptions for psychiatric medications. The San Francisco-based startup claims its platform can provide “fast, simple refills” through a $19-a-month subscription. However, the scope of this program is deliberately narrow, limited by the types of medications and conditions that qualify.

NASA's Artemis II Mission: Four Astronauts Embark on Historic Journey Around the Moon

As the world watches in awe, NASA’s Artemis II mission has taken a giant leap forward with four astronauts now bound for the Moon. The Orion spacecraft successfully fired its main engine for 5 minutes and 50 seconds on Thursday, propelling the crew of Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen into a free-return trajectory around our celestial neighbor.

For NASA, this marks a significant milestone in human spaceflight, as it’s been nearly five decades since humans last ventured beyond low-Earth orbit. The Artemis II mission is a critical step towards the agency’s goal of returning humans to the Moon by 2024 and establishing a sustainable presence on the lunar surface. This historic journey is not only a testament to human ingenuity but also a reminder of the incredible achievements that can be accomplished when nations come together in pursuit of scientific discovery.

NASA's Artemis II Marks the End of an Era: A New Frontier for Private Space Companies

As NASA’s Artemis II mission successfully sends three Americans and one Canadian on a historic journey around the moon, it marks not only a significant milestone in space exploration but also the end of an era. For the first time in 54 years, humans have ventured back to the moon without major assistance from Silicon Valley-based companies like SpaceX or Blue Origin. This development signals a new frontier for private space companies, which will now play a crucial role in NASA’s lunar campaign.

Telehealth Giant Hims & Hers Exposed: Customer Support System Hacked, Thousands May Be Affected

A recent data breach at telehealth company Hims & Hers has left thousands of customers potentially exposed to sensitive information theft. The California-based firm, which offers weight-loss drugs and sexual health prescriptions, confirmed that its third-party customer service platform was hacked between February 4 and February 7. According to a notice filed with the California attorney general’s office, an unknown number of individuals may have had their personal information compromised.

Amazon Slaps Sellers with 'Fuel Surcharge' Amid Global Energy Crisis

As the war in Iran continues to roil global energy markets, e-commerce giant Amazon is passing on some of the increased costs to its sellers. The company has introduced a 3.5% fuel surcharge for merchants who use its Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service, effective April 17. This move will impact the vast majority of third-party sales on Amazon’s platform.

The war in Iran has sent shockwaves through global oil markets, with gas prices in the United States spiking significantly. As a result, transportation costs have skyrocketed, and companies like Amazon are feeling the pinch. According to Amazon spokespersons, “Elevated costs in fuel and logistics have increased the cost of operating across the industry.” The company has absorbed these increases so far but is now implementing a temporary surcharge to partially recover these costs.

Reddit Ditches R/All: A Shift Towards Personalization

Reddit is taking a significant step towards simplifying its platform by deprecating r/all, one of its most prominent feeds showcasing popular posts. As part of the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance personalization in the Home feed, users will no longer see r/all in their sidebar or through app links.

The move marks the culmination of an experiment that began in January, where Reddit removed r/all from its apps and limited access to desktop users. The decision to deprecate r/all was made after the experiment concluded, with links now redirecting to the Home feed. Interestingly, r/all is not entirely disappearing; users accessing older versions of the site will still be able to access the feed.