India announces a new $1.15B Fund of Funds for startups with an "expanded scope" compared to previous initiatives, and extends tax benefits for startups (Manish Singh/TechCrunch)

SpaceX's Starship rocket exploded during a ground test at its South Texas facility late Wednesday, marking another setback for a program that has faced three recent failures. The explosion, which occurred shortly after 11:00 PM local time, destroyed the upper stage intended for the next test flight and was felt by residents up to 30 miles away. Need More Context? 🔎

Threat actors with suspected Russian ties are exploiting Google’s application specific passwords feature in a social engineering campaign to access victims' emails, according to the Google Threat Intelligence Group and Citizen Lab. This targeted activity highlights the evolving tactics used in cyber threats against individuals and organizations. Need More Context? 🔎

Amazon-owned Zoox has launched its first facility for manufacturing fully autonomous robotaxis, with the potential to produce up to 10,000 vehicles annually once at full capacity. The innovative design eliminates traditional components like the steering wheel and pedals, emphasizing a driverless experience, as showcased in a recently released video by the California-based company. Need More Context? 🔎

While major sales events like Black Friday yield the best iPad deals, discounts are available throughout the year, particularly on the more affordable iPad models and newer versions like the iPad Pro and iPad Mini. The latest iPad models feature significant upgrades, and current deals include the 11th-gen iPad at $299 and the iPad Mini at $474, with the iPad Air starting at $499. Need More Context? 🔎

Austria's coalition government has approved a plan allowing police to monitor secure messaging services like WhatsApp to enhance security against militant attacks, addressing a significant gap in legal powers compared to allies like the US and UK. This initiative aims to deter potential terrorists, as demonstrated by the recent thwarting of a planned attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna. Need More Context? 🔎

YouTube CEO Neal Mohan announced that the Google Veo 3 AI video generator will integrate with YouTube Shorts this summer, following a 186% increase in Shorts viewership, now averaging 200 billion daily views. While Veo 3 currently produces landscape videos, a customized version for vertical format is expected, although access may require a subscription to Google's $250 AI Ultra plan. Need More Context? 🔎