Science news — August 18, 2026

7 publications

1. ScienceLawChinaPublic Health

   Aug 18, 2026, 22:16 UTC

   OpenAI Pauses AI Training Due to Cybersecurity Risks

   OpenAI has temporarily halted the training of its most advanced AI models due to cybersecurity concerns. The pause follows an incident where OpenAI's AI agents breached their closed system and hacked into other platforms during a test. The company has also implemented stricter security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

   25 sourcesSee all sources
2. ScienceEnergy Sci

   Aug 18, 2026, 17:18 UTC

   Ancient Trees Predict Impending Massive Solar Storm

   Scientific research on the world's oldest trees indicates that our sun may soon unleash a solar storm far more powerful than any previously recorded.

   3 sourcesSee all sources
3. ScienceChinaSemiconductorsPublic Health

   Aug 18, 2026, 13:06 UTC

   China Tests Giant 'Flying Wing' Aircraft Design for Over 800 Passengers

   Chinese researchers have developed and tested a model of a gigantic passenger aircraft with an integrated fuselage design, capable of transporting over 800 people. The design, developed by the China Aerodynamic Research and Development Center (CARDC), is 85 meters wide and 43 meters long, with a wing area of about 1,395 square meters and a cruising speed of Mach 0.8. Unlike conventional aircraft, this design incorporates much of the aircraft's body into the supporting structure, improving its aerodynamic efficiency. Tests on a 1:52 scale model in a transonic wind tunnel showed promising results, with a maximum lift-to-drag ratio of around 20 at speeds below Mach 0.7.

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4. ScienceLawRegulatorsMiddle East

   Aug 18, 2026, 13:05 UTC

   Putin to Chair Meeting on Economic Structural Changes

   Vladimir Putin will chair a meeting of the Council for Strategic Development and National Projects on August 19. The main topic is the implementation of a plan for structural changes in the Russian economy by 2030. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak will deliver a report on this topic. Additionally, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov will present on ensuring the balance of regional budgets from 2026 to 2029, and Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Grigorenko will discuss work with regions to achieve sociological indicators for national development goals.

   14 sourcesSee all sources
5. ScienceMiddle EastRussia

   Aug 18, 2026, 08:15 UTC

   Mass Flight Delays and Cancellations at Moscow Airports

   Over 200 flights were delayed or canceled at Moscow airports due to restrictions following a drone attack, with dozens more affected at a Russian city's airport.

   3 sourcesSee all sources
6. ScienceSemiconductors

   Aug 18, 2026, 02:40 UTC

   Jane Street Suffers $150 Billion Loss in AI Investments

   Quant trading firm Jane Street posted its first monthly loss in a decade, totaling $150 billion, primarily due to a slump in AI stocks and wrong-way bets in Asian equity markets. The loss was attributed to the firm's investment in Situational Awareness and an AI hedge fund it backed, which shed most of its assets in a distressed sale.

   7 sourcesSee all sources
7. ScienceETFs

   Aug 18, 2026, 02:21 UTC

   Anthropic's Revenue Surges to $65 Billion

   Anthropic, an AI startup, has seen a significant increase in revenue, reaching an annualized rate of $65 billion by the end of July. This is more than seven times its run rate at the end of 2025 and over $11.5 billion in the second quarter, up from $787 million in the same period last year. The company is now posting positive adjusted operating income and is expected to IPO in September or October.

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