Russia said Wednesday it had successfully conducted the first test launch of its new intercontinental ballistic missile as Russian President Vladimir Putin said it would give countries that "threaten" Moscow something to think about. Appearing on Russian television, Putin boasted that the missile, which has been under development for years, is capable of overcoming Western anti-missile defense systems. "This truly unique weapon will strengthen the combat potential of our armed forces, reliably ensure Russia's security from external threats and provide food for thought for those who, in the heat of frenzied aggressive rhetoric, try to threaten our country," Putin said,…

A.I. researchers are making progress on a long-term goal: giving their programs the kind of knowledge we take for granted. A few years ago, a computer scientist named Yejin Choi gave a presentation at an artificial-intelligence conference in New Orleans. On a screen, she projected a frame from a newscast where two anchors appeared before the headline “CHEESEBURGER STABBING.” Choi explained that human beings find it easy to discern the outlines of the story from those two words alone. Had someone stabbed a cheeseburger? Probably not. Had a cheeseburger been used to stab a person? Also unlikely. Had a cheeseburger…