Latest from International Business Times
International Business Times
21 minutes ago
- Sport
- International Business Times
Who Is Hank Winchester? Emmy-Winning Reporter's Home Raided as Cops Probe Allegations He Sexually Abused Man During Massage
An Emmy-winning investigative TV reporter from Detroit — who co-hosts a podcast with the wife of a Los Angeles Rams player — is now being investigated himself, as his home was recently searched by authorities, who were investigating allegations that he made unwanted sexual advances toward a man during a massage. Hank Winchester, an investigative journalist for WDIV Local 4 — an NBC affiliate — and host of HelpMeHank, is married to Oakland County Circuit Judge Jacob Cunningham, according to his Instagram profile. The couple also has a young daughter. Beverly Hills Police Department along with the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, searched his Winchester home while executing a search warrant, according to Fox 2. Shocking Allegations The search was conducted as part of an investigation into claims that Winchester made unwanted sexual advances toward a man during a massage. According to sources who spoke with Fox 2, Winchester had recently been studying massage therapy. It remains unclear whether he was receiving the massage or acting as the masseur during the alleged incident. Winchester is also a co-host of The Morning After podcast alongside Kelly Stafford, the wife of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. The podcast sometimes includes well-known guests from major media outlets such as Access Hollywood and ESPN. Prior to joining the Los Angeles Rams, Matthew Stafford was the quarterback for the Detroit Lions from 2009 to 2020. Winchester shared that he had maintained a long-standing friendship with the Stafford family, as noted in a farewell message he wrote when they relocated to Los Angeles in 2021. After the "external investigation," was launched WDIV Vice President Bob Ellis confirmed that Winchester has been put on administrative leave. In a Scandalous Situation Winchester's attorney, Todd Flood, expressed confidence that the investigation will not result in any serious findings. "Hank has spent decades bringing truth to our community and fighting for our citizens. Because he holds a high-profile position in our community, that can at times generate false accusations. This investigation will end where it began – nowhere," he wrote. No charges have been filed at this time, and the investigation remains active. Winchester is not the only media personality to face such accusations in recent months. Back in April, a former Virginia weatherman was arrested after allegedly creating a sex tape and trying to blackmail his victims with it. In a separate incident last year, a TV news anchor from Louisiana stepped down after he was caught sending explicit messages to someone he believed was a 15-year-old girl — who was actually part of a vigilante group known as the "predator hunters."
International Business Times
5 hours ago
- International Business Times
Meet the Futurist Re-Engineering Tech Intimacy for the 2030s and Rewriting the Code of Love in a Lonely Age
In the middle of a recent TED conference futurist Cathy Hackl captivated audiences with an experiment that explored the blurry intersection of human emotion and artificial intelligence. Known for her pioneering work at Magic Leap, where she helped launch the virtual human Mica and introduced C-level executives to embodied AI for the first time, Hackl has long been at the forefront of human-computer interaction. Her latest experiments take that vision even further, probing how we might use AI not just to assist us, but to understand and evolve our most human experiences: connection, heartbreak, and love. Her TED journey began with a matchmaking experiment using AI, an unconventional but compelling approach that earned her an invitation to the main stage. But Hackl isn't done. In her next experiment, she'll spend a week "dating" four different AIs, allowing them to compete for her attention and even advise her on who to choose and how to end things. It's part social study, part tech demo, and part emotional audit. Recently, she also turned to AI vibe-coding tools to help navigate the emotional fallout of a breakup, effectively gamifying grief and reframing romantic recovery. All of this is in service of a bigger idea: The Tech Intimacy Scale, Hackl's soon-to-launch framework designed to help people measure and improve their digital relationships. As we shift from the attention economy to what she calls the "intimacy economy," Hackl believes that the future of tech is not about replacing human connection, but enhancing it. From low-intimacy interactions like swiping on dating apps to high-intimacy tools like immersive storytelling in augmented and virtual reality, the scale assesses not just how we use technology, but how it makes us feel. Her goal is not to vilify technology, but to encourage a more thoughtful, emotionally intelligent design and use of it. Just as Brené Brown brought the language of vulnerability and shame to the forefront of emotional literacy, Hackl is crafting a new vocabulary to measure and guide intimacy in digital environments. Brown's groundbreaking work helped people see the power of vulnerability in forging trust and belonging, Hackl takes this further by exploring how technology can either amplify or diminish those vulnerable moments. Similarly, Scott Galloway has repeatedly emphasized how macroeconomic and demographic shifts have eroded traditional relationship structures, especially among young men. In his books and interviews, Galloway points to declining male participation in romantic relationships as both a symptom and cause of broader social detachment. Hackl's ideas provide a complementary lens, while Galloway diagnoses the problem, Hackl begins to architect solutions, imagining digital ecosystems that foster emotional intelligence and nuanced human interaction through immersive tech, gamification, and AI-powered connection tools. Derek Thompson, writing in The Atlantic, has expertly unpacked the "loneliness epidemic" and its correlation to technology, noting how social platforms create an illusion of community while often leaving users feeling more isolated. Hackl acknowledges this dissonance and instead seeks to reverse the trend by advocating for intentional, emotionally aware technology that prioritizes genuine connection. Where Thompson cautions about technology's unintended consequences, Hackl outlines a roadmap for repurposing those same tools to rebuild social capital and emotional resonance. Mel Robbins, known for her practical advice and behavioral triggers like the "5 Second Rule," focuses on motivating individuals to take action in their personal and professional lives. Hackl's approach similarly invites users to be proactive, but in their digital relationships, urging individuals not to passively consume connection through endless swipes, but to "play more," engage authentically, and use immersive storytelling to build emotional presence. Robbins encourages behavior change in daily life; Hackl extends that to the virtual spaces where people increasingly spend their time. What makes Hackl's work particularly timely is that it doesn't exist in a vacuum. She is both reflecting on and contributing to a wider movement toward intentional living, vulnerability, and connection. Hackl is building a framework that acknowledges our loneliness crisis without resigning to it. Instead, she invites creators, developers, and users to take part in a more emotionally intelligent technological future one that, like the work of Brown, Galloway, Thompson, and Robbins, reminds us that connection is both a need and a skill, whether offline or on. Technology isn't the enemy of intimacy. When used with awareness and intention, it can be its greatest ally.
International Business Times
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- International Business Times
Texas Instruments Announces $60B Investment to Strengthen US Tech Backbone with Analog Chip Expansion
American semiconductor giant Texas Instruments (TI) is taking one of the industry's most substantial technology leaps in recent years. The company known for manufacturing analog chips, calculators, and digital signal processors has announced it will invest more than $60 billion to expand analog semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S. Unlike high-performing chips for artificial intelligence or gaming, analog chips play a different yet crucial role. This is because they bridge the digital world with the real world, carrying signals that represent temperature, sound, or pressure. These chips are used in cars, smartphones, medical devices, and factory equipment. Without them, even the smartest AI can't interact with physical reality. Texas Instruments plans to build or expand seven chip fabrication plants, also known as fabs, across Texas and Utah, which includes two new plants in Sherman, Texas. These fabs will play a role in ramping up production of analog and embedded chips that are crucial for sensors, power management, and signal processing on nearly every connected device. The move is not just about capacity—it's about long-term innovation. As a greater number of devices get "smart" and connected via the Internet of Things (IoT), they will require analog chips in huge quantities. From smart home devices to high-end cars with driver-assist features, analog semiconductors are built to handle the real-world inputs that digital chips, acting as generalized-purpose computers, were never able to address. TI's expansion is also about reducing risk. Currently, most of the semiconductor manufacturing takes place outside the United States. By building additional factories in the U.S., TI is creating a more reliable and secure chip supply. It also shields innovation pipelines from global disruptions. The $60 billion investment encompasses previously announced projects and new ones under the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act. The law backs making chips at home with funding and tax incentives. TI has already secured $1.61 billion in government backing for three of its proposed sites. The company has not stated how long the expansion would take but says it is part of a longer-term tech strategy.
International Business Times
7 hours ago
- Business
- International Business Times
Building AI Super Team? After Alexender Wang, Meta in Discussion to Hire Nat Friedman, Daniel Gross
Mark Zuckerberg-led technology giant Meta is stepping up its game to lead the race of artificial intelligence. After acquiring a 49% stake in Scale AI and recruiting its CEO to lead its superintelligence team, the company is in advanced-level talks with two more AI technology geniuses. These two individuals are GitHub's former CEO Nat Friedman and co-founder of Safe Superintelligence (SSI) Daniel Gross. Both of them are also well-known AI investors. Nat Friedman is already well-versed in Meta's model, as he has advised the company on technology and AI issues since 2014. Outside of GitHub, Friedman is best known for financially backing cutting-edge new companies through his fund, NFDG. His product leadership and experience in leading engineering teams, as well as investing in AI companies, position him well for being a steward of Meta's long-term AI objectives. If he comes on board, he is likely to have a wide-ranging role advising on strategy and innovation throughout the company. Friedman's partner at NFDG, Daniel Gross, is in discussions for a major role at Meta. Gross is co-founder at Safe Superintelligence (SSI), a startup designed to create AI systems that are both safe and capable. He has had stints at Apple and was a partner at Y Combinator, where he advised early-stage start-ups. If completed, the deal will leave Gross to exit SSI and focus on developing AI products directly at Meta. As part of that process, Meta is working on buying a piece of their venture fund, NFDG. This would provide Meta small stakes in many high-potential AI startups supported by the fund. This investment, according to several reports, could be more than $1 billion. In this way, Meta can build influence in the larger AI ecosystem without requiring it to actually take full control of any individual startup or raise regulatory alarm. These moves are some of Meta's latest efforts to create a team of leading AI talent. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been investing heavily in creating what he's dubbed a "Superintelligence Unit." This unit is expected to be the linchpin for Meta's AI efforts in the years ahead. Already, the company has been providing enormous signing bonuses—as much as $100 million, reportedly—to hire top minds from rival organizations, including OpenAI. While no major leak or exodus has been confirmed, the battle for AI talent has clearly heated up. As part of this larger strategy, Meta recently recruited 28-year-old founder of Scale AI, Alexandr Wang, after investing $14.3 billion in his company. Wang will head Meta's Superintelligence Unit, though he is still a part of Scale AI's board. A small team of professionals from his startup is also joining Meta along with him. By roping in high-profile executives such as Friedman, Gross, and Wang, Meta is placing itself at the forefront of the worldwide AI race. But this is more than just a hiring spree and signals that the company plans to build the next era of intelligent systems with the best minds onboard.
International Business Times
7 hours ago
- Politics
- International Business Times
Netanyahu Says Israel Is Capable of Striking Iran's Highly Secretive Fordow Nuclear Site Buried Under a Mountain Without Help from US
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly suggested that Israel has all the capabilities to strike all of Iran's nuclear sites — including the highly secretive Fordow Fuel Enrichment Facility, which is believed to be buried deep underground, nearly half a mile beneath a mountain. Netanyahu insisted that Israel "will achieve all our objectives," even though several military analysts have time and again questioned whether the Jewish state has the capability to destroy the highly secretive nuclear facility buried under a mountain. "We will achieve all our objectives and hit all of their nuclear facilities. We have the capability to do that," Netanyahu said when asked by a reporter about Fordow specifically. Netanyahu's Indirect Threat Israel has targeted several Iranian nuclear sites, including a major installation in Natanz and others near Tehran and Isfahan, since launching its "Operation Rising Lion" air campaign against the Islamic Republic. The Israelis have also eliminated more than a dozen high-ranking Iranian scientists and senior military officials. Meanwhile, the Fordow facility has played a major role in influencing President Donald Trump's deliberations on whether the United States should get involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran. Several military experts believe that the United States is the only ally Israel has with advanced bombers capable of reaching the region and delivering heavy bunker-busting bombs powerful enough to destroy the hidden Fordow facility. However, there is ongoing debate among analysts about whether even those powerful weapons would be enough to completely eliminate the site. On Thursday, Trump announced that he would make a final decision within the next two weeks on whether to launch a strike against Iran, as he is still holding out hope for diplomatic talks. "Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks," Trump said in a statement delivered by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. The president is also facing backlash from within his MAGA support base over the conflict, with key figures like Steve Bannon and Tucker Carlson publicly urging the U.S. to avoid getting involved in the fast-growing crisis. Netanyahu Leaves It to the US Netanyahu said that the decision of whether the United States joins the conflict is "entirely" in Trump's hands. "He'll do what's good for the United States, and I'll do what's good for the State of Israel," the prime minister said, adding, "as the saying goes — every contribution is welcome." Over the weekend, Netanyahu stood by Israel's decision to launch strikes against Iran and dismissed concerns regarding Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard's earlier testimony, in which she said that the intelligence community had assessed "Iran is not building a nuclear weapon." "The intel we got and we shared with the United States was absolutely clear — was absolutely clear — that they were working in a secret plan to weaponize the uranium," Netanyahu said on a special edition of Fox News' "Special Report with Bret Baier" Sunday. "They were marching very quickly. They would achieve a test device and possibly an initial device within months and certainly less than a year," he added. "I think we have excellent intel in Iran." Trump later told reporters he believes Iran is close to making a nuclear weapon, contradicting Gabbard's earlier assessment. In response, Gabbard downplayed any perceived disagreement between her and the president on the matter. Netanyahu, for years, has repeatedly warned that Iran was on the verge of completing a nuclear weapon. Prior to Israel's recent strikes, Iran had been enriching uranium to 60 percent purity. While weapons-grade uranium is typically enriched to 90 percent, experts at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have pointed out that the jump from 60 percent to 90 percent is significantly easier than reaching 60 percent in the first place. Iran has denied pursuing nuclear weapons, claiming its uranium enrichment efforts are solely for peaceful purposes. However, enrichment at 60 percent is not required for civilian nuclear energy. Last week, the IAEA released a 22-page unclassified report on Iran's nuclear activities. While the report didn't confirm that Iran is developing a nuclear bomb, it did raise concerns about the high levels of uranium enrichment. "The Agency has no credible indications of an ongoing, undeclared structured nuclear program of the type described above in Iran and notes the statements of the highest officials in Iran that the use of nuclear weapons is incompatible with Islamic Law," the report said.
