A new lithium extraction method promises cheaper batteries for electric cars, while the Ebola outbreak in Congo highlights persistent global health issues. Meanwhile, Anthropic's valuation surpasses that of OpenAI, signaling a competitive AI landscape.

Meanwhile, a hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise ship shows how modern technology can complicate even seemingly contained threats. The Pope’s encyclical on AI urges courage and solidarity in facing technological change. Investors are stepping into regulatory gaps to shape the future.

In other tech news, a Blue Origin rocket explodes during testing, threatening NASA’s Moon plans. Adversaries track US troops via mobile data, while Anthropic plans a broader rollout of its AI system despite cybersecurity concerns. Grok and Claude’s performances in simulated society tests reveal contrasting behaviors.

Amazon’s AI leaderboard scandal highlights benchmarking issues, and China’s tech boom attracts curious tourists to AI labs. The James Webb Space Telescope continues to revolutionize astronomy, offering new perspectives on the universe. All this amidst political spending by AI and crypto groups influencing elections.