The Starling desktop environment has released Starling Office v0.1, an AI-generated office suite written in Swift using Claude Code. This new tool, which includes a word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation editor, supports Microsoft Office formats and is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows. This release joins a broader trend of AI-generated software clones, such as the ArtCraft suite, which targets Adobe and Microsoft products.
A Financial Times investigation reveals that A7, a Kremlin-backed fintech established by sanctioned Moldovan businessman Ilan Shor, moved at least $6.9 billion through global banks using an industrial-scale forgery operation. Backed by Russia’s state-owned Promsvyazbank, A7 utilized front companies in the UAE, Hong Kong, and Kyrgyzstan to bypass Western sanctions. The network expanded into Nigeria and Zimbabwe in September 2025, opening offices in Lagos and Harare, though the extent of its operations there remains unclear. Major banks including Standard Chartered, Citigroup, and JPMorgan Chase handled these flows, with Standard Chartered in Hong Kong alone receiving $1.1 billion from A7-linked entities. The scheme involved altering transaction details and removing Cyrillic characters to evade sanctions checks, with most funds ultimately flowing to Chinese bank accounts. UK regulators have warned that this case exposes critical gaps in periodic compliance checks, urging continuous monitoring of international payment networks.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Madison Square Garden wedding was widely celebrated, but some guests deemed the buffet setup tacky for the ~1,000 attendees, citing long lines and limited seating; despite the hiccup, the ceremony featured Adam Sandler officiating and star-studded performances by Paul McCartney, Stevie Nicks, and Swift, with Lena Dunham delivering a controversial joke and champagne rumors eventually denied by a family member. Overall, the event was portrayed as a remarkable, memorable day for the couple.
NASA is funding and launching the LINK spacecraft, a three‑armed robot, to intercept and retrieve the aging Swift space telescope as its orbit decays, with the aim of lifting it back to a stable altitude in an unprecedented, high-risk rescue that could keep Swift studying extreme cosmic events.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce donated a combined $26 million to 20 charities across New York, Rhode Island, Kansas City and national organizations ahead of their wedding at Madison Square Garden, with recipients including food banks, youth programs and hospitals; the exact amounts per charity were not disclosed, and the gifts drew gratitude from beneficiaries as the couple’s wedding approaches.
The Bears passed on Day 3 running backs in the 2026 NFL Draft, betting that D'Andre Swift's contract year and Kyle Monangai give them present depth while planning for a 2027 RB upgrade via the draft to maximize rookie-contract value.
Aging NASA observatory Swift is losing altitude, triggering a high-stakes, privately led effort to intercept and dock with the spacecraft in orbit to extend its life; if successful, the mission could redefine satellite servicing and maintenance in space while proceeding on a tight, months-long timeline with a modest $30 million budget.
The Bears' strong running game, led by Swift and Monangai, has been crucial to their success, and their special teams made a notable play in their recent win. They are preparing for a key matchup against the Packers, emphasizing their ground attack and team effort.
Swift is integrating a blockchain-based shared ledger into its infrastructure to enable instant, secure, and transparent cross-border payments, involving over 30 global banks and aiming to enhance digital finance capabilities worldwide.
The article reports that Swift is planning to launch a blockchain platform in response to the increasing popularity of stablecoins, aiming to modernize its payment infrastructure and stay relevant in the evolving financial landscape.
Swift is integrating a blockchain-based shared ledger into its infrastructure to enable instant, 24/7 cross-border transactions at scale, involving over 30 global financial institutions, to enhance digital finance and interoperability across digital ecosystems.
SWIFT is exploring a new instant, fee-free cross-border payment system potentially utilizing blockchain technology and Ethereum's Layer 2 solution Linea, aiming to improve speed and reduce costs. This move could impact Ripple's XRP, which positions itself as a SWIFT alternative, but SWIFT's extensive global network remains a significant advantage.
Apple's Swift programming language is expanding to support Android app development through the creation of an 'Android Working Group,' aiming to establish official support, improve compatibility, and develop best practices for Swift on Android, despite existing third-party tools and prior interest from Google.
Apple has launched a new webpage called "Develop in Swift Tutorials" with step-by-step guides for developers learning to use Xcode, Swift, and Swift UI, aimed at beginners with no prior coding experience. The tutorials cover topics such as installing Xcode, creating projects, building apps, and experimenting with code. The content is organized into chapters and includes tutorials on data modeling and creating apps for visionOS, accessible through the Apple Developer portal.
