US Court Blocks New Jersey From Regulating Kalshi Prediction Market

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A federal appeals court has ruled that New Jersey regulators cannot block Kalshi from offering its prediction market services in the state, marking a significant development in the legal battle over the regulation of event-based trading.

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals determined that oversight of Kalshi’s contracts falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), rather than state gaming authorities.

Kalshi allows users to trade contracts tied to real-world outcomes, including sports and political events. While states like New Jersey argue these resemble gambling and should be subject to local laws, Kalshi maintains that its products qualify as financial derivatives regulated at the federal level.

The court’s 2–1 decision sided with Kalshi, affirming that its event contracts are legally classified as “swaps” traded on a CFTC-approved platform. This classification effectively preempts state-level restrictions under existing federal law.

The ruling represents a key precedent in an ongoing nationwide dispute, as multiple states attempt to regulate or restrict prediction markets. Some courts have issued conflicting decisions, and further legal challenges are expected.

New Jersey officials have indicated they are reviewing their options, which could include seeking a rehearing. Meanwhile, the case underscores the growing tension between traditional gambling regulation frameworks and emerging financial-style betting platforms.

Investors Pressure Big Tech Over Data Center Water, Power Use

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Major investors are increasing pressure on Amazon, Microsoft and Google to disclose more information about the environmental impact of their rapidly expanding data center operations in the United States.

The scrutiny comes as several large-scale data center projects have faced community opposition, forcing companies to reconsider or abandon multibillion-dollar developments. Concerns center on rising electricity demand and water consumption driven by artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Investor groups, including Trillium Asset Management, have filed shareholder resolutions seeking clearer reporting on emissions targets and sustainability strategies. Despite prior commitments—such as Google’s goal to halve emissions by 2030—investors note that emissions have instead increased significantly.

Water usage has become a focal issue. Data centers in North America consumed nearly one trillion liters of water in 2025, raising concerns about local resource strain. While companies are adopting more efficient cooling systems, such as closed-loop technologies, reporting standards vary widely across firms.

Meta Platforms has disclosed partial data showing rising water use, while Microsoft reports aggregate figures without site-level breakdowns. Amazon provides efficiency metrics but not total consumption, and Google’s disclosures omit some third-party facilities.

Investors argue that detailed, site-specific data is essential to evaluate operational risks and environmental impact, particularly in regions where water scarcity is a growing concern.

The pressure reflects a broader shift in how shareholders assess Big Tech, balancing strong growth from AI-driven infrastructure with long-term environmental and regulatory risks. As data center expansion accelerates, transparency and community engagement are becoming critical factors in sustaining that growth.

WhatsApp Introduces Noise Cancellation Feature for Voice and Video Calls in Android Beta

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WhatsApp has reportedly begun testing a new noise cancellation feature for its Android beta users, aiming to enhance the clarity of both voice and video calls. Initially noticed in development earlier this year, the feature is designed to filter out background sounds like traffic, wind, and chatter in real time, while keeping the speaker’s voice intact. This move aligns with WhatsApp’s ongoing focus on improving call quality, particularly for users who often communicate in noisy or outdoor environments.

According to reports from WABetaInfo, the feature is currently available to a limited group of Android beta testers running version 2.26.14.1. Users who have access to the update can see the noise cancellation option directly in the call menu, where it appears to be enabled by default. This automatic activation ensures that calls benefit from the enhanced audio quality without requiring extra effort, though users do have the option to disable it if needed.

The feature could be especially valuable for frequent travelers or professionals who rely on WhatsApp for remote meetings. By minimizing distracting background sounds, conversations become clearer and more focused, improving overall communication. The implementation in beta testing also allows Meta to gather feedback and refine the technology before a broader rollout to all users.

While the rollout for general users has not been officially announced, the inclusion of real-time noise suppression in WhatsApp signals a significant step forward in the platform’s call experience. As beta testers continue to explore its functionality, expectations are high that the feature will eventually be extended to both Android and iOS users, offering a more seamless and professional-quality calling experience across the platform.