Netflix released its quarterly report: Between January and June, users watched 95 billion hours of video content, generating $11 billion in revenue. I checked the most-watched titles and surprisingly, I hadn’t seen a single one of the top movies. The only series I’d watched was “Zero Day.”
Topping the list was the UK psychological crime thriller “Adolescence,” logging 145 million views. South Korea followed with “Squid Game” Season 2 and Season 3 at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, ahead of the US political thriller, “Zero Day.”
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Did you know it took 443 years between the invention of glasses and the idea to attach arms so they’d stay on our ears? This week saw another overdue innovation: auto-focusing glasses. Finnish company IXI has developed smart eyewear using liquid crystal lenses and eye-tracking sensors that adjust focus based on your vision needs—whether near or far.
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Biodesigner Chris Bellamy cultivated 125 million microalgae in nutrient gel and turned them into “Sympoiesis,” a fashion line showcased at Paris Haute Couture Week. The algae-based garments live and change color dynamically.
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In an attempt to block Ukrainian drones using Russia’s own mobile networks, Russia has imposed severe restrictions on communications infrastructure. In affected regions, mobile payments and even ATMs have stopped functioning.
Two more connected developments:
- A new internet law in Russia imposes a $65 fine on anyone who searches for banned or “sensitive” content using search engines or AI tools. (There are 5,500 banned topics.) Using a VPN now carries a fine of $2,500 for individuals, and $12,800 for companies.
- The Russian government also asked WhatsApp to shut down and leave the country, citing it as a “security threat.” Citizens were encouraged to use the domestic alternative MAX.
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The “Air Grand Touring” electric vehicle by Lucid Motors set a new Guinness World Record, traveling 1,205 km (749 miles) on a single charge. The luxury sedan is priced at $112,000. (I’d chance to drive the Lucid during my time in California, such a great experience)
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This week’s most remarkable health news comes from the UK: Since 2017, eight babies have been born through a process that uses three genetic parents. The method combines the mother’s DNA nucleus, the father’s sperm, and a healthy donor egg, helping prevent inherited diseases. Five of the eight children are reportedly in perfect health. The oldest, a pair of twins, just turned two.
The new procedure, approved in the UK in 2015, uses DNA from the mother’s egg, the father’s sperm and a small amount of healthy mitochondrial DNA from a donor’s egg. This has led to the controversial but widely used term “three-parent babies”, though only about 0.1% of the baby’s DNA comes from the donor.
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Japan destroys internet speed record with new fiber optic technology. The NIICT in Japan has set a groundbreaking record: a data transmission rate of 1.02 petabits per second (around 127,500 GB/s) over 1,802 kilometers (about 1,120 miles). That’s around 350,000 times faster than the average US fixed broadband internet connection, which was around 289 Mbps according to Speedtest as of May 2025. At this new record-breaking speed, you could download the entire Netflix library in under a second.
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Researchers in Germany have successfully created a material that has never existed before, a stable alloy made from carbon, silicon, germanium, and tin. This new compound, known as CSiGeSn, is being hailed as a potential game-changer for the future of electronics, optics, and quantum computing. The team behind the discovery includes scientists from Forschungszentrum Jülich and the Leibniz Institute for Innovative Microelectronics (IHP). For years, combining these four Group IV elements into a single, stable crystal lattice was considered virtually impossible due to their vastly different atomic sizes and bonding behaviors.
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New York streetwear brand Bravest has released a unique new product. It is a large backpack called ‘AIRPACK’ inspired by Apple’s AirPod case. With a spacious capacity of 44 liters and practicality, this bag goes beyond simple parody and adds functions for real users.
The biggest feature of the Airpack is its exterior that resembles an AirPod case and the dome-shaped mini pouch inside. These pouches are inspired by the AirPod earbuds and are empty inside, so they can store bulky items. Users can separate the pouches, and the space where the pouch is removed becomes deeper, making it suitable for storing various items. In addition, it faithfully performs the role of a basic bag, with a laptop sleeve, adjustable strap, and handle.
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Marcus Aurelius Statue Returns to Türkiye After 60+ Years. The Cleveland Museum of Art is sending a statue worth $20 million back to Turkiye. The ancient Greek or Roman sculpture, previously thought to depict emperor Marcus Aurelius, was ordered seized in 2023 by a New York judge. The move was part of an investigation involving antiquities illegally removed from Turkiye and trafficked through Manhattan.