Amazon

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has unveiled a new ultraprecise satellite‑tracking method that pinpoints Earth’s center of mass with a precision of fractions of an inch. By combining GPS data with observations from low‑Earth‑orbit satellites and accounting for crustal deformation, the technique halves the previously estimated seasonal swing of the planet’s mass center. The study, published in Geophysical Journal International, shows that snow buildup in North America and Eurasia shifts the center about 3 mm toward the North Pole, while Amazon rainwater moves it 2. 2 mm toward South America, and monsoon water adds a smaller shift in Southeast Asia. These movements, driven by oceans, atmosphere, and continental water, are now measured with millimeter‑scale accuracy, matching GRACE‑FO observations. The refined reference point will enhance satellite navigation, elevation measurements, and global positioning systems used in shipping, agriculture, and mapping.

Xreal's 1S video glasses have returned to their lowest price of $399 at Amazon and the Xreal website. The glasses offer a well-rounded experience with three degrees of freedom, allowing users to anchor the screen to a spot in their room. They also feature electrochromic lenses with adjustable opacity and better sound quality than competitors. However, users with nearsightedness may need prescription lenses to achieve clear screen clarity. The 1S is a more affordable option than Xreal's $299 xbx A01 Plus, which lacks some of the 1S's premium features. The glasses are available for purchase at Amazon, Best Buy, and the Xreal website.

A new fourth‑edition report, “Forgotten Fishes of the Amazon,” led by The Nature Conservancy, documents more than 2,700 freshwater fish species in the Amazon basin—about 15 % of the world’s known species. Two‑thirds of those species are endemic. The study warns that the basin is one of the last major river systems where large‑scale biodiversity loss can still be prevented, but only if action is intensified now. Dams, deforestation, pollution, overfishing, climate change, and artisanal gold mining threaten river connectivity, water quality, and species survival. The report also highlights gaps in knowledge, with 334 species listed as data‑deficient on the IUCN Red List. It calls for coordinated, cross‑border management that formally includes indigenous peoples and community‑based fisheries, which already cover 13 million hectares and involve 1,200 communities and 21,000 workers.

In the Peruvian Amazon, thousands of people rely on gold mining, but the spread of mercury and deforestation threatens the region's biodiversity. A formalized artisanal mining operation in La Pampa is attempting to produce 'clean gold' using mercury-free technologies. Despite facing challenges such as roadblocks, violence, and government neglect, the operation seeks to prove that sustainable mining is possible. The operation's efforts are documented through a film that explores the daily lives of workers, merchants, and small-scale miners, highlighting the tensions between survival, pollution, and legitimacy in the Amazon's extractive economy. The film is supported by the Amazon Film Grant and the One World Media Fellowship. Mongabay's Video Team aims to cover topics that matter to the community, and invites readers to share their suggestions and ideas.

Apple is set to release its AirPods 5 on September 18, the same day as the Apple Watch Series 12, Ultra 4, and the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. The new earbuds come in two price points. The $129 base model now includes active noise cancellation, a feature that previously appeared only on the $179 AirPods 4 with ANC. The $149 version adds a wireless charging case, extended battery life, and touch controls. Consumers can preorder the AirPods 5 through Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Apple’s own website. The move brings high‑end audio technology to a broader price tier and offers multiple retail channels for early adopters.

In Madre de Dios, Peru, gold mining supports thousands of livelihoods but also drives mercury pollution and deforestation in the Amazon. A formalized artisanal operation in La Pampa is testing mercury‑free technologies to produce “clean gold.” The project faces a complex mix of violence, informal economies, bureaucratic hurdles and limited government backing. A film produced under the Amazon Film Grant and One World Media Fellowship follows miners, workers and local businesses as they navigate these obstacles. The story highlights how environmental protection and economic survival are tightly linked in the region, and it questions whether small‑scale mining can realistically shift toward responsible practices without broader systemic support.

The NTSB released a summary of cockpit voice recorder data from the Amazon Prime Air Boeing 767 that crashed on approach to Miami International Airport on Sunday. The data shows that, in the last 25 seconds before impact, the flight crew received seven cockpit alerts: two “sink rate” warnings and five “too low terrain” notifications. These alerts indicate that the aircraft was descending too rapidly and approaching the ground at an unsafe altitude. The NTSB’s findings highlight the rapid sequence of warnings that the pilots had to process during the final approach. The investigation will examine whether the alerts were timely and whether the crew’s response contributed to the accident.

A class-action lawsuit filed in US District Court for the Eastern District of New York alleges that Amazon discriminated against pregnant warehouse employees by denying basic accommodations. Four women, who worked for Amazon while pregnant, claim they were denied bathroom breaks, extra time off, and the option to sit while working. The lawsuit states that the women were unlawfully terminated from their jobs at Amazon facilities in New York between April 2025 and July 2026. After taking medically necessary breaks or absences, the women were punished by having their unpaid time off deducted. Once they depleted their limited bank of unpaid time off, Amazon threatened to terminate them. The lawsuit seeks to represent Amazon workers throughout the US.

Prime Video has rolled out a new AI‑powered tool that aligns actors’ mouth movements with the English dub of the German series Maxton Hall. The system blends machine learning with visual‑effects techniques to make the translated dialogue appear natural and synchronized. The feature is currently limited to this single title, but the service announced plans to extend it to other shows in the future. Amazon’s announcement follows similar moves by Meta and YouTube, which introduced auto‑dubbing and lip‑sync options for creators. By tightening the visual‑audio match, Prime Video aims to improve the viewing experience for audiences who prefer dubbed content, while also demonstrating the practical application of AI in post‑production workflows.

Microsoft’s September security update set a new record by addressing 972 vulnerabilities, including 112 that were classified as high‑critical. The company’s patch count has climbed steadily, from 570 two months ago to 620 last month, and now tops the previous peak. The surge mirrors similar releases from Google and other major vendors, all of whom have recently published record numbers of fixes. Two weeks earlier, a coalition of 100 companies—including OpenAI, Anthropic, Amazon Web Services, Google, and Microsoft—issued an open letter warning that the window for patching is narrowing ahead of a projected wave of AI‑enabled attacks that could exploit these weaknesses first. Researchers at the Zero Day Initiative describe the current spike in patch activity as the “new normal” and caution that AI‑assisted attacks may ultimately cause substantial damage.

Mongabay reporters found the Matsés, an Indigenous group in the Peruvian Amazon, battling a surge of malaria and hepatitis B. The illnesses, new to the community, emerged after the Matsés first contacted outsiders in 1969, exposing them to pathogens they had no immunity against. Climate change and prolonged drought have worsened the situation: dry weather creates ideal breeding grounds for malaria‑carrying mosquitoes, while reduced river flow cuts off the Matsés’ only route to medical care. The community has travelled to the nearest city to petition the Peruvian government for assistance, but reports of state neglect persist. The epidemic underscores how environmental shifts can directly threaten the health of isolated populations and strain limited public health resources.

New findings confirm that mercury pollution in the Beni River endangers more than 160 Indigenous settlements in Bolivia’s Amazon basin. The contamination originates from mining activities upstream and has spread along a 41‑kilometer stretch of the river, affecting five communities that the study visited: Puerto Yumani, Carmen Soledad, Puerto Motor, Eyiyoquibo, and Buena Vista. Residents of the Tacana, Leco, and Ese Ejja peoples rely on river fish as a staple food, but the fish are now contaminated with mercury. Despite the health risks, villagers continue to catch and eat the fish because alternative protein sources are unaffordable. The presence of mercury in the food chain poses a serious public‑health threat, potentially leading to neurological damage and other chronic conditions among community members who depend on the river for sustenance.

An Amazon-branded Boeing 767‑300 cargo aircraft, flight 21 Air 7598, overran the runway at Miami International Airport during landing at about 2 p. m. local time on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026. The aircraft struck parked vehicles, causing multiple injuries. The plane had departed from Luis Muñiz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, earlier that day. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a statement confirming the overrun and the injuries, and the incident led to the grounding of all flights at the airport while authorities assessed the damage and investigated the cause.

A Boeing 767 cargo plane, owned by Amazon, crashed after overshooting the runway at Miami International Airport. The aircraft departed from San Juan, Puerto Rico, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Details of the incident are still emerging, but the cause of the crash is not yet known. The plane was carrying a cargo shipment, but there were no reports of injuries or fatalities. The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) leading the probe. The NTSB will examine the circumstances surrounding the crash to determine the cause and make recommendations for preventing similar incidents in the future.

Amazon‑owned robotaxi operator Zoox has added Las Vegas International Airport to its service area, a few weeks after it began charging customers for rides. The airport is a key hub for regional and national travel, making it a strategic location for autonomous vehicle deployment. Zoox’s expansion follows its recent rollout of paid robotaxi services in other markets, indicating a shift from free testing to commercial operations. The company will now offer its self‑driving vehicles to passengers arriving at or departing from the airport, potentially easing ground‑transport congestion and providing a new mobility option for travelers.

The hosts of Amazon Prime's popular car show 'The Grand Tour' have been revamped. In a recent interview, the new hosts shared their enthusiasm for the reboot, which promises to bring fresh energy to the series. The hosts discussed their love for cars and the show's future direction, hinting at a more dynamic format. With the reboot, fans can expect a mix of high-octane action and engaging storytelling. The new hosts' chemistry and camaraderie are already generating buzz among car enthusiasts. The reboot's release date has not been officially announced, but it is expected to premiere soon on Amazon Prime.

Researchers examined 102 plots of natural regeneration across four Pará municipalities and found that 15 to 25 tree species—such as embaúba, tatapiririca, ingá-vermelho, and araticum-bravo—make up almost half of the trees and half of the carbon stored in these secondary forests. The study highlights that a short list of hyperdominant species can guide assisted restoration and enrichment strategies. Brazil’s Amazon contains over 140,000 square kilometers of regrowing forest, much of which can recover without planting. Monitoring remains essential to control fires and cattle ranching. The results provide a concrete path toward meeting the 12‑million‑hectare restoration goal by 2030.

Amazon has updated its AI assistant to help users identify genuine emails, texts, and phone calls from the company. The feature uses AI to compare incoming messages against Amazon's records and analyze their content, formatting, and sender. The assistant will only confirm a message's authenticity if it is 'completely certain'. This update aims to combat impersonation scams and provide users with a safer experience.

Since mid‑August, almost 200 people have entered the Ituna/Itatá Indigenous Land in Pará, breaking through Funai gates, removing warning signs and setting up camps. The surge followed the creation of the APA Bacajaí environmental protection area, a state law that overlaps the entire Indigenous territory and has created legal confusion that land‑grabbers use to justify cattle ranching and other agriculture. Funai had issued temporary land‑use restriction orders since 2011 and renewed the precautionary measure in 2025. Federal prosecutors and the Public Defender’s Office warn of an imminent risk of violent confrontation and possible genocide against the isolated Igarapé Ipiaçava people. The APA covers 142,400 hectares and was enacted on August 12, 2026, by state deputy Francisco Torres de Paula Filho.

A severe drought is exacerbating a long-standing health crisis among the Matsés Indigenous people in Peru's Amazon Rainforest. The community, which had limited contact with outsiders until the 1960s, has struggled with deadly diseases since making contact with missionaries. Roberto Necca Tumi Unan, one of the community's last surviving elders, recalled how the Matsés would hide from outsiders and rival groups to avoid confrontation. The community's decision to make contact with missionaries in 1969 brought some peace, but also marked the beginning of a decades-long struggle against diseases such as influenza and pneumonia. The drought has further strained the community's resources, making it harder for them to access basic necessities like clean water and food.

Amazon has launched a new scam‑detection capability within its Alexa for Shopping service. The feature lets users confirm whether suspicious emails, text messages, or other communications truly originate from Amazon. By cross‑checking message content against Amazon’s own records, the system can flag potential phishing attempts or fraudulent offers. The update is part of Amazon’s broader effort to secure customer interactions and reduce the risk of fraud. Users can activate the check through the Alexa app or voice command, and the system will provide a quick verification result.

Microsoft and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have collaborated to simplify cloud connections for the AI era. This move aims to make it easier for developers to integrate their applications with cloud services. The partnership will enable seamless communication between Microsoft's Azure and AWS, allowing developers to leverage the strengths of both platforms. This collaboration is expected to accelerate the adoption of AI and machine learning technologies.

Amazon has rolled out a new Alexa capability, “Update Me When,” that delivers personalized alerts when new products, tours, books, shows, or other events that could prompt a purchase become available. The feature uses Alexa’s existing voice‑assistant platform to push notifications directly to users’ devices, allowing shoppers to stay informed about releases that match their interests. Users can activate the service through the Alexa app and tailor the types of events they want to track. By turning the assistant into a proactive shopping companion, Amazon expands its ecosystem of services that keep consumers engaged and ready to buy.

Amazon and other retailers are offering significant savings on various products ahead of Labor Day. Velotric's official Labor Day Sale features up to $550 off e-bikes, including the Discover 2 Comfort Commuter e-bike at a new low of $1,499. EcoFlow's second phase of Labor Day power station sale offers up to 55% initial discounts, free gifts, and a bonus savings code, starting from $299. Additionally, Jackery's 72-hour Labor Day flash sale features three 3,584Wh+ solar generator bundles with free gifts, starting from $2,459. Other deals include Greenworks tool sales, an indoor herb garden, and an outdoor electric smoker.

Federal regulators and 22 states have filed a lawsuit against Amazon, alleging the company earned billions by manipulating the amount brands and sellers pay for advertising on its platform. The complaint claims Amazon’s practices distorted competition and inflated ad costs. The suit follows a prior federal action, marking a renewed legal challenge to the retailer’s advertising model. If the court sides with the plaintiffs, Amazon may be required to overhaul its ad pricing mechanisms and provide clearer disclosure to advertisers. The case could set a precedent for how large e‑commerce platforms manage advertising revenue.

The U. S. Federal Trade Commission and attorneys general from 22 states have filed a lawsuit against Amazon, alleging the company concealed unfair charges that secretly inflated prices in its digital advertising auctions. The complaint claims Amazon engaged in deceptive and unfair practices that raised costs for advertisers in its online search advertising auctions. The suit marks the first legal challenge to Amazon’s ad pricing model, seeking to halt the alleged hidden surcharges and compel the company to disclose its pricing mechanisms. If successful, the case could force Amazon to change its ad auction practices and protect advertisers from undisclosed fees.

A Mongabay investigation shows that high gold prices have driven illegal mining in the Amazon, prompting criminal groups to shift from Brazil’s tightened controls to a laundering route through Venezuela. Journalists from Colombia, Ecuador and Peru collaborated to document the trade, combining field reporting, satellite imagery and legal records. Investigations editor Daniela Quintero, who coordinates Mongabay’s Nature Crimes Fellowship, led the effort, highlighting how environmental crimes cross national borders. The study details how gold is smuggled into Venezuela, laundered, and then exported overseas, revealing a loophole that undermines Brazil’s regulatory tightening.

YouTube has rolled out a new feature that lets creators embed Amazon product tags directly into their videos. When viewers click a tag and purchase the item, the creator earns a commission. The update turns product recommendations into a more direct revenue stream for creators, while giving Amazon a foothold inside one of the most popular video platforms. The move expands Amazon’s reach to millions of YouTube viewers and provides creators with a new monetization channel tied to their content.

Amazon is tripling its Nvidia GPU order, adding 2 million chips to its data centers over the next two years, according to a TechCrunch report. The move reflects surging demand for AI‑driven services and signals a deepening partnership that extends beyond mere chip purchases. By securing a larger supply, Amazon can accelerate the deployment of machine‑learning models, enhance cloud offerings, and maintain competitive advantage in the growing AI market. Nvidia, meanwhile, benefits from a steady, high‑volume customer, potentially easing its own production planning.

Brazil has temporarily relaxed an environmental rule for the Belo Monte hydropower plant on the Xingu River, allowing its operator, Norte Energia, to lower the reservoir’s minimum flow from 300 to 100 m³/s until 30 November. The change aims to keep electricity production steady while sustaining the required water volume that Indigenous and riverine communities need for fishing, transport and daily life along the Volta Grande do Xingu. The reduced flow raises concerns about poorer water quality and potential impacts on aquatic life downstream. Norte Energia will monitor water quality and fish movements and report findings to regulators. IBAMA says significant social or environmental effects are not expected, but the measure will be reviewed after the dry season.

Peru's newly sworn-in President Keiko Sofía Fujimori Higuchi has raised concerns among environmentalists and Indigenous leaders with her plans to expand fossil fuel production and mining across the country. Fujimori, who has pledged to tackle insecurity using greater force and militarization, has promised to promote new lots in the Amazon and the northern coast for energy resource exploration and exploitation. This move is at odds with Peru's international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. Peru's NDCs aim to diversify renewable energy sources, strengthen sustainable transportation, reduce deforestation, and protect natural areas, among other mitigation priorities. Environmentalists and Indigenous leaders have expressed concerns about the government's plans, citing the potential consequences for the Amazonian peoples.

Mongabay reports that plastic particles are contaminating the Amazon from the Negro River bed to the mouth of the Amazon River, affecting rivers, streams, lakes and mangroves. Fish such as the pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) have been found ingesting microplastics, and emerging evidence shows contamination in land animals including tapirs, bats, monkeys and amphibians. While research is ongoing, significant gaps remain in understanding the full scale of pollution and its effects on biodiversity and the communities that depend on these waterways.

Alphabet’s Waymo has increased its lobbying budget to more than $1 million for the period from April to June, doubling the amount it spent a year earlier. The surge places Waymo’s federal lobbying outlay close to that of Uber and well ahead of other autonomous‑vehicle contenders such as Amazon’s Zoox and Tesla. The move comes as Waymo pushes for a rapid transition to fully driverless commercial taxi services, while Uber advocates a phased rollout that would keep human drivers on the road alongside robotaxis. The heightened lobbying effort reflects the intensifying regulatory battle over the future of ride‑hailing technology.

A security researcher discovered that ClarityCheck, a people-search tool, left over 9 million image files, including photographs of people's faces, publicly exposed. The images were stored in an unsecured Amazon S3 bucket, accessible through a URL in the company's website code. Additionally, people's email addresses and phone numbers were also exposed. ClarityCheck's website claims to help identify individuals through various searches, including photo searches.

Amazon announced that its Prime Air drone delivery service will soon cover almost 500 cities and towns across the United States, a six‑fold increase over its current footprint. The company will begin operations in the metro areas of Chicago, Syracuse, Cleveland, Atlanta, and Boise, adding Georgia, Ohio, Illinois, Idaho, and New York to the list of launch sites. These new locations join the 11 sites already offering drone deliveries, each serving roughly 175 square miles. Amazon plans to roll out additional communities later this year, aiming to provide faster, contact‑less package delivery to a broader customer base.

Einride, the Swedish autonomous trucking firm, has secured a deal to purchase 500 Tesla Semi electric trucks. The vehicles will be manufactured for Amazon and other customers, expanding Einride’s electric freight capacity and strengthening its partnership with one of the world’s largest logistics operators. The move underscores a growing trend toward electrification in long‑haul trucking and highlights the collaboration between a leading electric truck maker and a major e‑commerce player.

For the past year, booksellers have suspected that AI firms are buying and destroying rare books after scanning them for training data. 404 Media confirmed this suspicion by planting an Airtag in a rare book that was part of a bulk order. The tag was traced to an Amazon AI training facility in Las Vegas, where a team reportedly tears books from their spines and scans pages. A warehouse labeled VGT3 displayed a logo of a Tyrannosaurus rex devouring a book, underscoring the destructive process. Amazon declined to comment on the findings, issuing a statement that did not mention AI training. The incident fuels growing backlash over the cultural cost of training large language models.

Amazon has updated its terms and conditions, stating that disputes will now be resolved through arbitration. This move would prevent customers from seeking the involvement of a judge or jury in most circumstances. However, customers can still take Amazon to small claims court in certain situations, where payouts are limited. Amazon framed this change as a 'fast and efficient' way to resolve issues.

Three 2026 studies paint a nuanced picture of the Amazon’s future. A Nature paper reports the forest heals faster than previously thought, though biodiversity takes longer to rebound after extreme events. A PNAS study finds the rainforest is more fire‑resilient than expected and shows no sign of shifting to savanna, but notes that the new ecosystems emerging from recovery are more vulnerable to future climate shocks. A May Nature paper links ongoing deforestation to rising drought frequency and intensity, warning that these changes could push the biome to a tipping point by 2040. Senior INPE researcher Luciana Gatti adds that the climate has already altered enough that typical rainforest trees can no longer thrive under current water and temperature conditions.