July 21, 2026
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Research finds dad jokes strengthen family ties
Dad jokes, characterized by puns, literalization, and pedantic humor, not only entertain but also serve as a mechanism for bonding between fathers and children, according to recent research. Studies show that shared laughter from these jokes strengthens relationships, uplifts emotions, and helps regulate stress. People tend to relate more to jokes involving family or animals and prefer lighthearted topics, while humor addressing heavy subjects like politics is less favored. Experts suggest that the playful nature of dad jokes fosters kindness, creativity, and social connection in children.
Anthropic defies the Pentagon on AI for autonomous weapons
Anthropic has refused a Pentagon demand for full access to its AI tool Claude, citing ethical concerns over autonomous weapons and mass domestic surveillance. The standoff follows tensions after Anthropic questioned the use of its technology in a military raid and disagreed with the Pentagon on contract terms. While the Pentagon claims it seeks only lawful applications, it has not agreed to ban these specific uses, prompting Anthropic to stand firm ahead of a deadline that could see it cut from future military contracts. CEO Dario Amodei emphasized the company's commitment to its ethical boundaries and urged the Pentagon to reconsider.
By Meera Kulkarni
