The article critiques the claim that closed-source AI models like Claude are not truly "open-source" because their weights aren't visible, highlighting that open-source models like GLM 5.2 and Nemotron3 Ultra provide full transparency, including data, training scripts, and weights. It argues that open-source AI benefits—such as collaborative improvements through fine-tuning—still apply, citing examples of enhanced models like Nemotron3 Ultra. The piece challenges the notion that open-source AI lacks the same additive benefits as traditional open-source software.

Europe's recent heatwave has caused over 1,300 excess deaths since June 21st, with many fatalities among those aged 65 and older. Germany recorded its highest temperature ever at 41.7°C, while Poland and the Czech Republic also set new records. The WHO warns that Europe is warming at twice the global average due to climate change, and urges countries to implement heat health action plans.

Drone footage reveals extensive damage in Catia La Mar, Venezuela, following twin earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude. The disasters have resulted in at least 1,430 fatalities, over 3,200 injuries, and more than 50,000 people still missing. Rescue teams are actively searching through collapsed structures for survivors.

Amazon still offers Prime Day discounts on select Apple products this weekend, including AirPods 4 ($99), AirTag 2 (from $24), and Apple Watch Series 11 (up to $120 off). The MacBook Pro M5 models, now rare in stock after Apple's price hike, are discounted by up to $349. These deals may be among the last available before further price increases.

Apple's upcoming touchscreen MacBook will launch with the M5 Pro and Max chips, skipping the M6 generation, and is expected to release between late 2026 and early 2027. The device will feature a touch display, Dynamic Island interface, OLED screen, and an updated design. The M7 chips are already in advanced testing and could arrive by the end of 2027, with the M7 Pro, Max, and Ultra following in early to mid-2028.

George Russell won the Austrian Grand Prix from pole position, reducing teammate Kimi Antonelli’s championship lead to 40 points (171 vs. 131). Max Verstappen finished second, while Lewis Hamilton dropped to third in the standings after a strong race. Mercedes extended their lead in the constructors' championship, with Russell overcoming technical issues during the heat-affected race.

A British man, Matthew Ashley Foster-Smith (46), from Bournemouth, was arrested in Ecuador after a woman's body was found in a suitcase in Colombia. Authorities allege he killed 36-year-old Natalia Villalba in Bogota on June 18, concealed her body, and fled. Foster-Smith had prior convictions for stalking in 2023, with ongoing restrictions under a prevention order. The UK is assisting local authorities in the case.

Researchers have developed an advanced pixel capable of both emitting and receiving light, potentially improving display technology. The innovation could enhance applications in imaging and communication. This breakthrough is part of ongoing advancements in optical devices.

Israel resumed air strikes on southern Lebanon just days after a US-brokered agreement aimed at ending the war, with both sides claiming victory while Hezbollah and Israeli far-right factions reject the deal. The agreement, which links Israel’s withdrawal to Hezbollah’s disarmament, has already seen continued Israeli operations in the buffer zone and protests in Lebanon. Over 4,200 Lebanese have been killed since the conflict began in March following Hezbollah’s retaliation for Iran’s supreme leader’s death.

South Africa and Canada face off in the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup 2026, with kickoff at 19:00 GMT in Los Angeles. South Africa secured second place in Group A after defeating South Korea in their final group match. The winner will advance to the Round of 16.

A civilian aircraft carrying skydivers crashed in Tomblaine, eastern France, killing all 11 on board—including five students and five instructors. The plane, operated by a parachutist school, crashed near a shopping center after taking off from Nancy-Essey airfield. Authorities confirmed no bystanders were injured, and investigators are probing the cause of the crash.

A helicopter operated by Saudi state oil giant Aramco crashed in Ras Tanura, killing all 14 Saudi citizens on board. The incident occurred at 06:00 local time near a major Aramco oil refinery, with investigations into the cause ongoing. Aramco had recently resumed crude oil loading at the site after a four-month pause due to regional conflict.

Wi-Fi extenders are a budget-friendly option for filling small dead zones but suffer from reduced bandwidth, inconsistent coverage, and the need to reconnect to a separate network. Mesh Wi-Fi systems provide seamless, high-performance coverage across large areas by using multiple nodes, but they are more expensive and require replacing your existing router. Choose an extender for minor gaps or a mesh system for whole-home coverage, especially in multi-story homes or offices.

Emma Raducanu, the British number one and 30th seed, plans to play her Wimbledon opener against Croatia's Antonia Ruzic despite a persistent shin injury that has raised doubts about her fitness. After a short practice session on Sunday, she remains hopeful but uncertain, having dealt with the injury for about a month and recently cut short another practice due to discomfort. Her decision reflects her determination to compete at Wimbledon, where she has reached the fourth round before, despite a career marked by injury setbacks since her 2021 US Open triumph.

Iraqi security forces arrested senior officials, including politicians and lawmakers, in Baghdad as part of an anti-corruption campaign ordered by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. The operations, conducted in the Green Zone, involved elite Counter Terrorism Service units.

Sir James Cleverly, the Conservative leader, stated he would not have compared Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to a Gestapo officer, as Kemi Badenoch did. The remark, made during criticism of Labour's policy to end a tax exemption for private schools, drew heavy backlash. Cleverly defended Badenoch's intent but acknowledged the language was inappropriate, while Labour condemned the comment as deeply inappropriate.

Three firefighters died while battling wildfires along the Colorado–Utah border, with two others injured. The US is experiencing a severe wildfire season due to drought and dry conditions, with nearly 3 million acres burned this year—exceeding the 10-year average. Governors of Utah and Colorado declared emergencies, banning fireworks and deploying the National Guard to combat the blazes.

Ben Stokes, England's test captain, announced his retirement from international cricket during the ongoing third test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. The 35-year-old cricketer, who has represented England for 15 years, made the decision mid-series after being dropped for the second test due to a nightclub incident involving teammate Gus Atkinson. Stokes, known for his clutch performances like the 2019 World Cup final win and England's 2022 T20 World Cup victory, will play his last international days as captain and player.

The Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC is worsening due to a severe humanitarian crisis, including displacement from conflict and lack of access to displaced communities, which hinders case detection and treatment. Officials estimate $1.4 billion is needed over six months to address humanitarian needs, alongside $200 million for health response, with current pledges falling short. Without resolving these humanitarian challenges, containing the outbreak is impossible, warns Africa CDC Director Jean Kaseya.

Senior Labour figures, including deputy leader Lucy Powell and Housing Secretary Steve Reed, assert that the party is united behind Andy Burnham as its next leader following Keir Starmer's resignation. They emphasize the need for swift unity to avoid damaging infighting, with Powell stating that Burnham is likely to be the sole candidate. Meanwhile, Reform UK's Nigel Farage has called for an immediate general election, but the Conservatives have not, with Shadow Housing Secretary James Cleverly arguing that a delay would hinder key decisions like defence spending. Burnham is expected to outline his economic vision, focusing on devolution, in a speech on Monday.

The USMCA trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada faces its first mandatory review on July 1, with analysts predicting uncertainty due to President Trump’s ambiguous stance—he has expressed reluctance to renew it and even suggested canceling the deal entirely. If not renewed, the agreement could enter an annual review process until 2036, creating instability for businesses. While Canada and Mexico support its continuation, Trump’s administration has imposed tariffs on USMCA-compliant goods using other legal tools, further complicating trade dynamics.

Political scientist Robert Pape argues that the US is attempting to avoid strategic defeat following its conflict with Iran, which he believes has shattered the notion of American invincibility. He warns that the nuclear deal with Iran could isolate Israel, turning it into a militarized "garrison state," and advises Russia to negotiate with Ukraine, citing the effectiveness of Ukrainian drone warfare.

The 2026 World Cup group stage concluded with record attendance, surpassing 3.6 million spectators, as Europe and South America dominated, with nine African teams also advancing. Key performances included Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and France winning their groups, while Morocco and the U.S. emerged as strong contenders despite mixed results. Lionel Messi led the Golden Boot race with six goals, while concerns about team depth and injuries, such as those affecting the U.S., highlighted challenges ahead in the knockout stage.

A European heatwave has caused at least 1,000 excess deaths in France, primarily among those aged 65 and older. Over 191 million people across Europe faced temperatures of at least 35°C, with severe conditions in Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland. The heatwave has led to swimming-related deaths in Germany, record-breaking temperatures, and prolonged extreme conditions linked to climate change.

DeepSpec is a full-stack codebase designed for training and evaluating speculative decoding models, including data preparation tools, model implementations, training scripts, and evaluation utilities. The released checkpoints were trained on open-perfectblend data generated by their corresponding target models in non-thinking mode, aligning with the configurations used in Table 1 of the associated paper. These checkpoints represent direct outputs from specific training setups.

Jude Bellingham's versatility and tactical intelligence were crucial in England's 2-0 win over Panama at the Euros, as he adapted to a more box-to-box role in Declan Rice's absence. Under Thomas Tuchel, England employed a fluid system with subtle tweaks, including building play through the center and utilizing Bellingham's ability to sweep play into wide areas or win fouls when spaces were congested. Tuchel praised Bellingham's performance, highlighting his role in maximizing the team's system and papering over cracks caused by injuries.

Flock Security's automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and AI-powered cameras are rapidly spreading across the U.S., tracking vehicles and individuals beyond just license plates, with over 100,000 ALPRs installed nationwide. These systems allow law enforcement to search for vehicles based on detailed descriptions, with access often extended beyond local jurisdictions to federal agencies like ICE. However, Flock cameras have faced criticism due to security vulnerabilities, misuse by police, and AI malfunctions that have wrongly implicated innocent people. Despite their role in solving crimes, the widespread surveillance raises privacy concerns and is difficult to remove once implemented.

DFlash support has been merged into llama.cpp, enabling faster inference for LLMs by leveraging flash attention techniques. This integration allows models like Qwen2-7B to run more efficiently, reducing memory usage and improving performance. The update is part of ongoing efforts to optimize llama.cpp for better speed and resource management.

Two 11-year-old boys were rescued from collapsed buildings in Venezuela after powerful earthquakes killed at least 1,430 people and left thousands missing. Moises was pulled from 3 meters of debris near his deceased sister and mother, while another boy was rescued in Caraballeda. Rescuers continue searching despite aftershocks, with survivors taking refuge at makeshift sites like a golf course turned into a hospital and aid hub.

The article discusses the usage of large language models ranging from 100 to 250 billion parameters, highlighting popular and recent models like DeepSeek-V4-Flash, Command-a-plus-05-2026, and Qwen3-235B-A22B. It also mentions smaller models such as GLM-4.5-Air and Llama-3.3-70B-Instruct, noting that some users prefer smaller models like Qwen3-Coder-Next for specific tasks. The author expresses surprise at the attention given to these models.

An application to join the GPT 5.6 Sol preview includes advanced security measures like a face scanner, fingerprint checker, and passport swiper. The submission was made by user /u/Complete-Sea6655, sparking discussion in the comments. The article highlights the unusual and stringent requirements for accessing this preview.

Iraqi security forces arrested several officials, including lawmakers and politicians, in a large-scale anticorruption operation in Baghdad's Green Zone and other neighborhoods. The arrests were based on confessions linked to Adnan al-Jumaili, the deputy oil minister detained last month for corruption. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has vowed to combat long-standing corruption, with authorities recently seizing $86 million in cash tied to al-Jumaili’s case. The Associated Press reported seven arrests, including five parliament members from former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s bloc.

Portuguese bank signs' storage is about to cash out due to a security flaw in Amazon Q that allowed booby-trapped Git repos to execute code and swipe cloud credentials. Additionally, Microsoft's patches failed to fix on-prem SharePoint, which is now under zero-day attack.

A barebones CPU-only inference engine for Qwen 3 models (4B and below) has been developed in pure C with minimal dependencies—only libc, libm, cJSON (and OpenMP for parallelization). The engine loads models directly from Hugging Face safetensors, performs on-the-fly 4-bit affine quantization, supports KV caching, and includes a built-in chat interface. The code is available on GitHub with instructions in the README.

The article discusses the potential need for a "spirit/acc" (likely referring to a spiritual or accounting tool) soon, as indicated by recent posts on 𝕏 (formerly Twitter). The discussion appears to be speculative, with users sharing their thoughts on the topic.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage begins with South Africa vs Canada on Sunday, marking the first of 32 matches. Nine African nations advanced to the round of 32, while Iran was eliminated after Algeria secured a late qualification spot. The bracket allows for a potential Messi vs Ronaldo final, with full match schedules and predictions provided for each knockout tie.

The Trump administration is testing its new Western Hemisphere policy by rapidly deploying disaster relief to Venezuela following dual earthquakes, despite gutting USAID and reducing humanitarian aid infrastructure. The US has sent urban search-and-rescue teams, pledged $150 million in aid, and framed the response as mutually beneficial, reflecting its shift toward transactional foreign assistance. However, cuts to USAID and strained local partnerships may hinder long-term effectiveness, while Trump’s remarks downplaying Venezuela’s struggles highlight tensions in the administration’s approach.

An Australian man, Simon Peter Carman (46), has been charged with murder in Thailand after the body of a 17-year-old girl, Tunchanok Donhomla, was found in a suitcase near railway tracks. Carman denies the charges, claiming the incident was "out of his control" and allegedly involved a dispute over money. Police have also charged him with concealing the corpse and abducting a minor for indecent purposes, with potential penalties including the death penalty or up to 20 years in prison. CCTV footage shows Carman with the victim and later transporting a suitcase, while he claims self-defense in his plea.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has attended 24 World Cup matches across North America in just over two weeks, taking 27 private flights totaling around 31,000 miles (50,000 km) and emitting an estimated 516 tonnes of CO2e—equivalent to the annual emissions of 78 average people. Despite FIFA’s sustainability pledges, Infantino’s frequent long-haul travel—including a 2,800-mile (4,500 km) flight from Vancouver to Miami—contrasts with environmental commitments. The BBC tracked his movements using flight data and photographs, though FIFA did not confirm details of the Gulfstream G650ER jet used.

Steve Clarke resigned as Scotland manager shortly after their World Cup elimination, surprising players and the Scottish FA despite a recent four-year contract extension. His seven-year tenure saw Scotland qualify for three major tournaments but not progress beyond the group stage, reviving fan interest after a period of poor results. While Clarke leaves a strong legacy, his abrupt departure and mixed fan reception highlight the challenges ahead for Scotland in finding a suitable replacement.

Iran launched ballistic missiles and drones at US military targets in Kuwait and Bahrain on Sunday, escalating tensions after the US struck five Iranian locations near the Strait of Hormuz in response to an Iranian drone attack on a tanker. Both Bahrain and Kuwait condemned the attacks as violations of their sovereignty, while regional allies like Qatar, UAE, Jordan, and Oman also criticized the escalation. The US had previously hit Iranian targets after drone attacks on vessels, with President Trump warning Iran of further military action if it continues to violate the recent ceasefire agreement.

France emerged as the standout team in the World Cup group stage, with BBC reporters praising their attacking prowess, depth, and Kylian Mbappe's exceptional form. Lionel Messi was named the best player for his continued brilliance, while other top performers included Mbappe and Michael Olise. Spain was also highlighted as a strong contender with untapped potential, and Argentina impressed with their teamwork and defensive solidity.

South Africa and Canada are set to face off in the round of 32 at World Cup 2026, with both teams making their knockout-stage debuts. South Africa advanced from Group A after a win against South Korea, while Canada topped their group with a dominant 6-0 victory over Qatar. The match will take place on Sunday, June 28, at Los Angeles Stadium, with Canada favored at a 66% chance to progress further. The winner could face either the Netherlands or Morocco in the last 16, potentially setting up an all-African clash.

DR Congo fans celebrated as their team advanced to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time, defeating Uzbekistan. They will face England in the Round of 32 on July 1st.

Seven-year-old Hala Lubbad survived an Israeli attack that killed her parents and two siblings, leaving her with severe burns and psychological trauma. She is one of 17,000 Gaza children orphaned or separated from caregivers since October 2023, with over 21,000 killed and 44,500 wounded. Despite a declared ceasefire, Israeli attacks continue, causing further child casualties and disabilities, including amputations.

Iran's World Cup hopes ended after Austria's late 3-3 draw with Algeria left them outside the top eight third-placed teams. Despite an unbeaten group stage (draws with Belgium, New Zealand, and Egypt), Iran's knockout dreams were dashed by offside calls, logistical challenges due to US restrictions, and Austria's dramatic equalizer. The team faced significant off-pitch obstacles, including visa issues tied to the US-Israel war on Iran.

New Caledonia held its first provincial elections since 2019 on Sunday, with about 2,500 police deployed to secure polling stations amid ongoing tensions between Indigenous Kanaks and French loyalists. Approximately 192,000 voters elected 76 councillors for the three provincial assemblies, with 54 of them set to form the territory’s congress. The election, delayed due to past unrest, is critical for future talks with France on New Caledonia’s status, following the rejection of a proposed deal that would have scrapped independence referendums.

Iran narrowly missed out on advancing past the group stage in the 2026 World Cup despite being unbeaten, losing on goal difference after two heartbreaking last-minute setbacks: an offside disallowed winner against Egypt and a 96th-minute equalizer by Austria in the decisive Algeria-Austria match. The team faced unprecedented challenges, including U.S. travel restrictions that severely limited their preparation time and training opportunities, with coach Amir Ghalenoei calling them the "most oppressed" side in the tournament. Despite these obstacles, Iran's performance was praised as historic under difficult circumstances.

Rescue efforts in Venezuela are racing against time to locate survivors after twin earthquakes killed at least 1,430 people and left tens of thousands missing. The critical 72-hour rescue window ends Sunday, with experts emphasizing the urgency to find survivors beneath the rubble. The search is hindered by restricted access and bureaucratic delays, while foreign aid, including U.S. military support, begins arriving to assist the disaster response.

The World Cup knockout stage begins with the last-32 ties, featuring a mix of top teams like Brazil and France, underdog stories such as South Africa and Canada making their debut in this round, and intriguing matchups like Netherlands vs. Morocco and England vs. DR Congo. Key subplots include revenge matches, rising stars like Ayyoub Bouaddi, and battles between Premier League teammates William Saliba (France) and Viktor Gyokeres (Sweden). The stage sets up potential fairytale runs and high-stakes encounters as teams vie for a spot in the final on July 19.

The conflict between the US and Iran escalated further as the US conducted a second day of airstrikes near the Strait of Hormuz, targeting Iranian locations after a drone attack on a commercial vessel. Iran retaliated by launching missiles and drones at US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait, prompting air raid sirens and activating defenses in both countries. Meanwhile, Israel reached a framework agreement with Lebanon to end hostilities, though internal divisions persist over the deal. The conflict has entered its 121st day, with rising tensions and potential for further escalation.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32 features the top two teams from each of the 12 groups and the eight best third-placed teams, totaling 32 qualifiers. Key matches include South Africa vs Canada on Sunday, Brazil vs Japan on Monday, and England vs DR Congo on Wednesday. The knockout stage begins June 28 with games spread across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Armadillo is a self-hosted DNS server for homelabs, written in Gleam, that resolves local domains by checking a zone file first and forwarding unmatched queries to an upstream resolver. It can be deployed via Podman or Docker Compose, with configuration files stored in /data for persistence. The project includes a server, client (web UI), and shared modules, with development managed via gleam run. To bind to port 53 without sudo, use setcap on the BEAM binary. The article also provides VPN DNS configuration examples for tools like Xray and Sing-box to ensure proper domain resolution.

England have advanced to the knockout stages of the World Cup as group winners, securing seven points from three matches. Their next opponent is DR Congo in the last 32 on July 1st, followed by a potential last-16 clash with Mexico. If they progress further, England could face tough quarter-final opponents like Brazil, Ivory Coast, or Norway in Miami.

England have advanced to the knockout stages of the World Cup as group winners, securing seven points from three matches. Their next match is against DR Congo in the last 32, followed by a potential last-16 clash with Mexico or Ecuador. If they progress further, England could face tough opponents like Brazil, Ivory Coast, or Norway in the quarter-finals.

The US conducted strikes on Iranian military targets in response to a drone attack on a Panama-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, which it claimed violated a ceasefire agreement. Iran retaliated by launching missiles and drones at US infrastructure in Kuwait and Bahrain, accusing the US of violating the ceasefire. Both sides exchanged accusations over breach of the recent memorandum of understanding, with Iran warning of harsher actions against violating ships and the US threatening further military action if necessary.

Andy Burnham is reportedly considering a return to frontline politics, with David and Ed Miliband potentially joining his team, though no official offers have been made. Burnham is set to announce an economic strategy shifting funds to regional mayors, while his ally Louise Haigh advocates for higher capital gains tax and increased government borrowing. The Sunday papers also cover allegations against Cabinet minister Nick Thomas Symonds, environmental concerns in salmon farming, and criticism of England's World Cup performance.

Bashblog is a lightweight blogging tool consisting of a single Bash script that allows users to create and manage blogs with minimal dependencies. It supports Markdown, HTML, tags/categories, RSS feeds, and integration with Disqus comments and Twitter. Configuration is optional but can be done via a .config file or by editing the script directly, and it runs on GNU/Linux, OSX, and BSD systems. The project is actively maintained as of 2016.

England secured a 2-0 victory over Panama at the World Cup, with Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane scoring the goals. This win ensures England's progression as Group L winners to the round of 32. Fans in New Jersey and at home celebrated the team's success.

Wayfinder Router determines whether to process queries locally or via cloud-based LLM by analyzing prompt structure and difficulty cues, making decisions offline in microseconds without additional model calls or network dependencies. It prioritizes cost efficiency by routing simpler tasks locally and complex ones to the cloud, though its accuracy depends on prompt structure rather than semantic content. The tool offers both terminal and browser interfaces for real-time routing decisions, with configurable settings to optimize performance based on specific use cases.

Iran retaliated against US strikes by attacking American bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, escalating tensions after President Trump’s threats to "complete the job." The strikes followed US attacks on Iran's coastal sites, heightening concerns of further conflict and derailing peace efforts. The escalation raises fears of broader instability in the Gulf region.

Ford rehired over 350 experienced engineers after AI-driven quality control systems failed, costing the company billions. The move significantly improved Ford's quality standards, with the automaker ranking top among mainstream brands in a recent survey. Ford now plans to use AI alongside human oversight, acknowledging that it lacks the nuanced judgment required for complex problems.

Prince Harry is reconsidering bringing his wife Meghan and their children to the UK next month after his request for police protection was denied. The family had planned a five-day visit, including public engagements and charity work, but without taxpayer-funded security, Harry may adjust the trip. This decision follows his previous legal loss over police protection and reflects ongoing tensions with the Royal Family, with King Charles last seeing his grandchildren in 2022.

Polls opened in New Caledonia for its first provincial elections since 2019, delayed due to stalled talks on the territory’s political future. About 192,000 voters will elect 76 councillors for three provincial assemblies, with independence remaining a key issue. The election follows the rejection of France’s Bougival Accord, which would have ended future independence referendums, and comes after deadly riots in 2024 over voting rights.

Marfa Public Radio operates 24/7, requiring extensive behind-the-scenes work like fundraising and compliance. For their fall membership drive, they created a sleep podcast reading boring documents to lull listeners into slumber. Donations are encouraged at marfapublicradio.org/donate to sustain the station.

The author successfully acquired all parts for their high-end PC build before price increases, except the RTX Pro 5000. They planned to buy an RTX Pro 6000 in the US with a potential $1,000 discount through NVIDIA's Inception program, but their application was rejected after 3 months. The GPU's price had already risen to $13,500 by then, exceeding their budget. Fortunately, they found a single RTX Pro 5000 available in their country to complete the build.

10x Kaioken SSJ1 4th grade is a powerful technique in the Dragon Ball series, known for significantly increasing the user's power at the cost of strain.
In 2026, its effectiveness will depend on advancements in technology and the evolution of the Qwen3.6 model.
The technique's ability to run Qwen3.6 is speculative and would require further context or data to determine its feasibility.

The U.S. government blocked Polestar from selling new cars in the U.S. starting in 2027 due to its Chinese ownership, despite granting an exemption to its sister brand Volvo. This decision threatens Polestar’s future production and highlights growing restrictions on Chinese automakers, including BYD, which the U.S. is actively blocking from entering the market. The move underscores broader concerns about China’s competitive advantage in EV technology and raises questions about the government’s role in shaping the automotive industry.

Colombia topped World Cup 2026 Group K after a scoreless draw with Portugal, securing a knockout round match against Ghana. Despite missing several clear chances, Colombia dominated play and advanced as group winners, while Portugal—who needed a win to top the group—will face Croatia. The match featured strong performances from Colombia's Jhon Arias and Portugal's Bruno Fernandes, but neither team could break the deadlock.

Bad Bunny made history as the first Latin American artist to headline a UK stadium, performing at Tottenham for 50,000 fans during his Debí Tirar Más Fotos world tour. The show blended Latin rap, salsa, and personal themes from his Grammy-winning album, featuring immersive production like La Casita stage. Despite a mixed reaction to the "exclusive" track Cybertruck, the concert celebrated Latin American culture, with appearances by Adele and Novak Djokovic, while Bad Bunny avoided US dates due to ICE concerns.

Robin Williams' iconic speech in Good Will Hunting critiques superficial knowledge, emphasizing the difference between expertise and lived experience. The character Sean contrasts Will's book-smart intelligence with his own wisdom gained through personal struggles, love, and loss. The article uses this scene to highlight how AI-generated content often lacks the depth of human experience and emotional authenticity.

The author, who had struggled to produce music consistently since 2005, transformed their creative process during a 2020 sabbatical by treating music-making as repetitive, structured "chores" rather than a hit-or-miss hobby. By collaborating with online communities and breaking the process into mechanical tasks—such as jamming, recording, mixing, and filing away ideas—they increased productivity, finishing multiple songs daily. This method removed emotional attachment to individual ideas, allowing them to objectively refine and discard material, ultimately completing an album without needing time off work.

Decomp Academy teaches users to decompile GameCube assembly into byte-matching C code, using real functions from the Star Fox Adventures game as examples. The curriculum covers core idioms, loops, memory operations, and structs across 254 lessons, with a compiler grading submissions live. Users progress from basic register reading to advanced decompilation tasks like bit manipulation and pointer arithmetic.

England secured top spot in their World Cup group after a hard-fought 2-0 win over Panama, with Jude Bellingham scoring and assisting Harry Kane’s goal to become England’s leading World Cup scorer. However, concerns remain about their defensive frailties and Tuchel’s tactical choices, such as resting Declan Rice and potentially misjudging Reece James’ fitness. While England have advanced to the knockout stages, significant improvements are needed if they aim to win the tournament.

Koboldcpp v1.116 has been released, offering enhanced features and improvements for AI text generation. The update includes new models, performance optimizations, and bug fixes to improve user experience. Users can access the latest version through the provided link in the submission.

This guide explains how to set up a two-node AMD Strix Halo cluster using Intel E810 (RoCE v2) for distributed vLLM inference with Tensor Parallelism. Key steps include installing Fedora 43, configuring E810 NICs with RDMA support, setting up passwordless SSH, and running the cluster via a toolbox script. The setup leverages RoCE v2 for low-latency communication (~5µs) between nodes, significantly improving performance compared to TCP/IP. Hardware prerequisites include two Framework mainboards with AMD Ryzen AI MAX+ APUs, 128GB unified memory, and Intel E810-CQDA1 NICs connected via a DAC cable.

1. Tidying expert Dilly Carter highlights four common cluttering mistakes: overcrowded kitchen counters with unused appliances, inefficient clothing storage like rolling T-shirts, and storing all toys in one large box.
2. She advises keeping only essential kitchen gadgets, using file folding for T-shirts to maximize visibility, and organizing toys into smaller, categorized boxes for easier access.
3. Carter’s approach blends practical solutions with emotional insights, as seen in her personal story of decluttering an ex-boyfriend’s home, which led to their marriage.

Marios, a personal trainer, spends up to 14 hours daily on his phone, primarily using Instagram, and is undergoing therapy to address what he describes as an addiction driven by loneliness. While phone addiction isn't officially recognized, a Deloitte survey found 70% of adults believe they spend too much time on their devices, and UK addiction treatment centers report a rising trend of secondary phone dependencies among clients. Experts attribute this to dopamine-driven reward systems in the brain, with some individuals losing significant time to digital consumption.

Citizens in Venezuela are growing angry because the military is preventing them from entering earthquake-devastated areas to assist with rescue efforts. Despite thousands of people traveling to help, the government’s restrictions have raised concerns about timely aid for survivors. The situation highlights distrust in the government’s response to the disaster.

The US conducted a second day of airstrikes on Iran, targeting Sirik, Bandar-e Lengeh, and Qeshm Island after a drone attack on a commercial vessel near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran retaliated by striking US forces in Bahrain and Kuwait, vowing a "crushing response" to further aggression. President Trump warned of potential military escalation, stating the US would "complete the job."

Steve Clarke resigned as Scotland’s head coach immediately after their World Cup exit, despite signing a new four-year contract just a month earlier. Scotland failed to advance past the group stage, winning only one match (against Haiti) and losing to Morocco and Brazil. Clarke, who led Scotland back to major tournaments after a 25-year absence, cited his emotional farewell to the players. The Scottish FA acknowledged progress under his leadership but now faces the challenge of finding a successor.

WAL-RUS is an open-source Rust-based tool for PostgreSQL backups, designed to address memory predictability issues with WAL-G. It offers predictable resource usage through bounded concurrency and optimized streaming, while maintaining compatibility with WAL-G's configuration. The tool aims to simplify capacity planning in resource-constrained environments by reducing memory overhead compared to the garbage-collected Go runtime of WAL-G.

Scotland's World Cup campaign ended in disappointment with just one goal scored across three matches, failing to progress past the group stage. Manager Steve Clarke resigned after the elimination, marking the end of his seven-year tenure despite leading Scotland to three major tournaments. The team's struggles were attributed to a mix of tactical issues, underperforming players, and broader problems in Scottish football's development system.

Kim Jong Un has never publicly mentioned his mother, Ko Yong Hui, whose background contradicts the regime's sacred "Mount Paektu" bloodline narrative. Born in Japan to Zainichi Korean parents, Ko emigrated to North Korea as a child and later caught the attention of Kim Jong Il despite her "jjaepo" (foreign-contaminated) status, which would normally place her in a lower social caste. The regime's secrecy around her identity underscores the threat her lineage poses to the dynasty's myth of pure hereditary legitimacy.

The developers of Invincible VS expressed openness to guest characters from other franchises, particularly Mortal Kombat, provided they fit the game's violent universe. They also revealed that Atom Eve was initially planned to have a "revive" mechanic like Immortal but it was delayed due to development challenges, with potential for future updates. The team is focusing on solidifying the game's foundation before introducing new mechanics or content.

GTA 6 will be a digital-only release, but scalpers on eBay are selling pre-order copies—both physical and digital—for inflated prices (up to $90+), despite the game being widely available at retail for $80. Physical editions come with a download code, and digital versions avoid shipping fees, though buyers still pay extra. The game launches November 19, 2026, for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.

A tool helps users select a public DNS resolver based on priorities like privacy, speed, or jurisdiction from 29 global options. Encrypted DNS (DoH/DoT) offers security with minimal latency, but plain DNS may perform better on unstable connections. Key considerations include logging policies, DNSSEC validation for integrity, EDNS Client Subnet for geo-routing, and operator jurisdiction, with newer protocols like DoQ showing promise.

The article describes a tool called claude_converter that transforms Claude Code session data stored as .jsonl files into a format suitable for fine-tuning local models. These sessions contain valuable coding conversations, including multi-turn edits and tool calls, which can serve as free training data. The tool bridges the gap between Claude Code's format and what fine-tuning frameworks require, outputting data compatible with apply_chat_template().

The US launched a second night of strikes against Iran in response to an Iranian drone attack on the Panama-flagged tanker Kiku in the Strait of Hormuz, following a similar incident involving the Ever Lovely ship. The attacks targeted Iranian military infrastructure, including surveillance and air defense sites, amid escalating tensions over the Strait’s commercial traffic. These strikes suggest a potential collapse of the June 17 ceasefire agreement, which aimed to halt military operations and reopen the critical waterway for global oil and gas shipments.

US tech companies are deliberately withholding advanced AI models to maintain global dominance, while Chinese open-source alternatives continue to improve and may soon become the only viable option for cutting-edge AI access. The trend reflects a growing divide between proprietary US-controlled AI and freely available Chinese models, with implications for global technological independence.

A new repository and website, Model Registry (https://github.com/marella/modelregistry, https://modelregistry.io), provide torrent files for popular open models with Hugging Face as a fallback web seed. The system includes scripts to automate the process and requires a backend service to redirect BitTorrent client requests to Hugging Face.

Michigan allocated $1.8 billion in subsidies to attract businesses, resulting in only 602 jobs created—a figure critics argue is inefficient. The state's economic development agency defended the spending, citing broader benefits like infrastructure and long-term growth. Critics highlight the high cost per job as a poor return on investment.

Andy Burnham, the likely next UK prime minister, must ensure his policies pass a "Moscow test"—demonstrating the UK's strength as a NATO ally, nuclear power, and US partner—to complement his proposed "Makerfield test" for domestic policies. Former military chief Admiral Sir Tony Radakin warned that current defence spending is insufficient, risking damage to alliances and operational readiness, while the government finalizes a delayed defence plan ahead of NATO's July summit. The UK has pledged to increase defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, but critics argue the draft plan falls short of necessary investment.

GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic, not only promote weight loss but also reverse depression-like behavior in mice by influencing gut microbes. The antidepressant effect depends on the presence of a specific microbe, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, which produces endocannabinoids that reduce stress responses. This effect was absent in germ-free mice, highlighting the crucial role of gut bacteria in mediating these benefits.

To enhance X11 application security, the article explains how to isolate applications using LXC containers on Arch Linux (adaptable to other distributions). Key steps include setting up networking with lxc-net.service, creating an unprivileged container with custom UID/GID mappings (e.g., lxc.idmap = u 0 100000 65536), and configuring /etc/subuid and /etc/subgid. The container is then created using a Debian base image and can run applications like Firefox, reducing host system exposure.

A former Meta executive, Sarah Wynn-Williams, has sued the company for allegedly surveilling her for 12 months to enforce a non-disparagement agreement and silence her about her memoir, "Careless People." She claims the severance agreement was signed under duress and is seeking to invalidate an arbitration order blocking her from promoting the book. Meta denies the claims, stating her book contains inaccuracies and violated their agreement.

Israeli settlers, accompanied by soldiers, attempted to take over a house under construction in Qabalan, near Nablus, in the occupied West Bank. The incident was captured on video and highlights ongoing tensions over settlement expansion in Palestinian territories.

Venezuela's coastal state of La Guaira has suffered catastrophic damage from back-to-back earthquakes (magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5), resulting in at least 1,430 confirmed deaths, thousands trapped under rubble, and an estimated 50,000 missing. Rescue efforts are underway with international aid from Mexico, Spain, the US, and the UK, but resources remain insufficient. Families desperately search for survivors, with some hearing faint signs of life from trapped loved ones, while humanitarian agencies emphasize the critical first 72 hours for survival.

Street Fighter 6 continues to thrive three years after launch, with strong competitive participation and upcoming DLC characters like Tifa from Final Fantasy 7. In an interview at Evo 2026, Director Takayuki Nakayama and Producer Shuhei Matsumoto clarified that the game aims for a potential 10-year lifespan, though no concrete roadmap exists. They confirmed no major adjustments to system mechanics are planned and hinted at future single-player content, though specifics remain unclear. Development resources from the discontinued World Tour updates won’t directly shift to other areas due to differing skill requirements. Additional costumes for existing characters are also in the works, with a focus on maintaining high quality.

Donald Trump has nominated former Oklahoma state trooper Lance Schroyer to lead ICE, which lacks a Senate-confirmed director since 2017. Schroyer, praised for his law enforcement experience and role in deportation operations under the 287(g) program, faces congressional scrutiny due to his limited federal agency leadership. His nomination comes amid ongoing criticism of ICE’s tactics, including allegations of excessive force and civil rights violations, with at least 19 deaths in custody this year alone.

Adrafinil is a macOS app that keeps your Mac awake only while AI coding agents (like Claude Code or Cursor) are actively working, even with the lid closed. It uses privileged sleep control to block clamshell sleep during agent sessions and restores normal sleep behavior afterward, with features like thermal protection and idle release. The tool integrates with multiple agents via hooks or process sniffing, requires macOS 26.4+, and can be installed as a signed disk image or built from source with Xcode 26+.

Colombia and Portugal face off in a crucial Group K match at the Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, with kickoff at 7:30pm local time (23:30 GMT) on June 27, 2026. Both teams are competing for the top spot in their group during this FIFA World Cup 2026 encounter.

Supergirl director Craig Gillespie credits DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn for helping select the song "The Middle" by Kelty Greye and KidMotel for a pivotal slow-motion fight scene, which has sparked mixed reactions from fans. The song choice was debated extensively before the final decision just a week before release, despite initial uncertainty about its fit. The film premiered on June 26, 2026, with IGN giving it a 6/10 review.

A high-performance server setup with four modified NVIDIA RTX 4090 GPUs (192GB VRAM) and a 128GB DDR5 motherboard is powered by a 3000W PSU connected to a non-code-compliant dryer circuit, requiring manual shutdowns during laundry use due to GFCI trips. The owner plans to add a dual conversion UPS and may switch to a smaller dryer for compliance, as this is their only available room.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced he will resign within weeks, paving the way for early elections after months of youth-led antigovernment protests. The protests, sparked by a rail disaster in November 2024 and government crackdowns, led to the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic in January 2025. Vucic, who has dominated Serbian politics for over a decade, faces accusations of tightening his grip on power and dismissing protesters as "foreign agents."

The death toll from twin earthquakes in Venezuela has risen to 1,430, with over 3,200 injured and 3,100 homeless. The quakes caused $6.7 billion in damage, equivalent to 6% of Venezuela’s GDP, while rescuers continue searching for survivors. International aid teams from the US, Mexico, Brazil, and others have arrived to assist, though some UK volunteers remain stranded due to airport damage.

Sony is removing hundreds of Studio Canal movies from PlayStation Store libraries in Europe due to an expiring licensing deal, effective September 1. Customers who purchased these titles will lose access without refunds, highlighting that digital purchases often don’t grant permanent ownership. While past licensing disputes have been resolved, this serves as a reminder that digital content can disappear when licenses expire or agreements change.

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck near Venezuela’s Aragua state on Saturday, following two devastating quakes (7.2 and 7.5) earlier in the week that killed at least 1,430 people and left 51,000 missing. The latest tremor, located 70km west of Caracas, caused no immediate reported damage, but ongoing aftershocks and recovery efforts are hampered by poor organization and communication outages. Authorities warn survival chances for trapped victims diminish beyond 72 hours, with the death toll expected to rise further.

DR Congo superfan Michel Kuka Mboladinga, known for his motionless tribute to Patrice Lumumba during matches, was denied a US visa and missed the team's crucial World Cup game against Uzbekistan. His delayed arrival at the tournament was due to DRC travel restrictions from the Ebola outbreak, which has caused 1,203 confirmed cases and 321 deaths. The Congolese ambassador expressed hope he could attend if the team advances to the knockout stage.

Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, is a key target for Ukraine amid escalating drone attacks, prompting Russia to declare a state of emergency there. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has launched a 40-day "influence operation" aimed at pressuring Russia to end the war, with Crimea central to this strategy. Experts debate whether Ukraine’s broader approach can effectively conclude the conflict.

Israel has ordered its military to prepare for an extended presence in southern Lebanon, with troops remaining until Hezbollah is fully disarmed under a new US-brokered agreement. Defence Minister Israel Katz emphasized that withdrawal is contingent on Hezbollah’s compliance with the terms, which aim to restore pre-conflict borders. The directive underscores Israel’s long-term security strategy amid ongoing tensions with the militant group.

IP Crawl is a live atlas showcasing publicly accessible webcams discovered on the internet, allowing users to browse, filter, and watch them in real-time. The platform also offers a quick tool to check if nearby cameras are exposed without requiring login. Examples include live feeds from Rotterdam, Tulsa, and Tokyo, with varying numbers of favorites, while some entries are snapshots. The site lists webcams by country, city, ISP, and manufacturer, with a total of 14,131 entries.

An Alaska judge ruled that both Republican Senator Dan Sullivan and his namesake challenger, a former Forest Service worker, can appear on the August 18 primary ballot despite concerns over voter confusion. The decision overturns an earlier attempt to remove the challenger, with Republicans alleging Democratic involvement in his campaign. Alaska’s non-partisan primary system allows all candidates to compete, with the top four advancing to the general election.

South Africa and Canada are both competing in the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time, with South Africa coach Hugo Broos leading his team into their Round of 32 match against Canada. Broos, who guided South Africa to this historic milestone after a decade of underachievement, expressed confidence in his team's ability to fight for 90 minutes and beyond. Despite criticism following their loss to Mexico, Broos remains focused on the task at hand and hopes for another good result against Canada.

Israeli airstrikes on displacement tents in Gaza killed two people, including a 15-year-old girl, and injured dozens. The attacks followed a previous strike that killed three Palestinian police officers in central Gaza the day before.

Valve's Steam Machine reservations have led to scalpers selling access on eBay for double the retail price, with some listings marking up the $1,049 512GB model by nearly $400. This follows a similar pattern seen with the Steam controller pre-orders, where prices surged beyond $250. Meanwhile, those on the waitlist remain uncertain about when they can purchase a Steam Machine at its standard price.

Smart bulbs use slightly more energy than standard LEDs due to standby power consumption (0.2–0.5 watts), adding about $0.35–$1.30 annually to electricity bills. However, their features like scheduling and dimming can offset this cost by reducing overall usage time. While smart bulbs are more expensive upfront ($6–$90 per bulb vs. $1.50–$4 for traditional LEDs), their lifespan is slightly shorter due to additional components.

Spearhead: City of Ash is a new starter set for Games Workshop's Age of Sigmar Spearhead, offering a faster-paced and newbie-friendly version of the game with fixed army lists. The set includes brand-new miniatures for two factions, Cities of Sigmar and Skaven's Clan Eshin, as well as detailed ruined building scenery. However, some figures are difficult to assemble due to their flexible posing and fragility. The set also contains rules handbooks, cards, and a double-sided base board for gameplay. Spearhead introduces different strategic elements compared to the core Age of Sigmar game, focusing on tactical play rather than just slaughtering opponents.

Tesla has settled a lawsuit filed by the family of Johna Story, a 71-year-old pedestrian killed in Arizona in 2023 when a Model Y using Full Self-Driving (FSD) struck her. The incident prompted an NHTSA investigation into FSD’s performance in poor visibility conditions and marked the first reported pedestrian fatality linked to Tesla’s automated driving technology. While terms of the settlement remain undisclosed, this case differs from prior lawsuits targeting Tesla’s Autopilot feature.

Ornith 35B successfully generated a functional 3D game after just three prompts, outperforming Qwen3.5-35B-a3b, which struggled even with multiple attempts. The user highlights this as a positive early experience with the model, comparing it favorably to alternatives like Claude Code. The demonstration is linked in the Reddit post for further viewing.

A budget hardware setup costing under $2,500 can run the GLM5.2 model effectively, contrary to claims that it requires expensive equipment. The configuration includes an Epyc motherboard and CPU ($460), two P40 GPUs (24GB each, totaling $460), and 512GB DDR4 RAM ($1,000), with additional costs for PSU, storage, and cooling bringing the total to around $2,500. This setup is capable of handling GLM5.2 Q2/Q3/Q4 versions, demonstrating that high-performance computing doesn't always demand exorbitant budgets.

Google continues to invest in small AI models for coding, despite criticism of "vibe-coded" projects—tiny, hyper-specific tools with limited impact. The author acknowledges frustration with these projects but suggests better community spaces (e.g., monthly roundups) to highlight meaningful innovations. The discussion reflects broader debates about the value of small-scale AI tools in coding.

The article introduces "Town Square," a small, open-source feature that shows live stick-figure representations of website visitors, allowing them to interact and chat in real time. Designed to foster a sense of community, it avoids traditional social media elements like accounts or permanent history. The creator has made it freely available for other websites to integrate, either through a public server or self-hosting, and plans future enhancements like connecting multiple Town Squares into a network. The project aims to revive the web's early feeling of human connection.

Supabase, a Y Combinator S20 company, is hiring for the role of Multigres Engineer. The position requires enabling JavaScript to run the application, but further details about the job responsibilities or requirements are not provided in the summary.

SpaceX plans to build an 8-mile natural gas pipeline in Texas, connecting the Port of Brownsville to its Starbase facility to supply fuel for Starship launches. The pipeline, set to begin construction next month and finish by January 26, will carry natural gas for conversion into liquid methane, reducing reliance on tanker trucks. The project raises environmental concerns due to its proximity to sensitive wetland habitats near Starbase.

Sony PlayStation will delete over 550 digital movies from users' accounts on September 1, 2026, due to licensing issues with Studio Canal. Affected titles include popular films like Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Hot Fuzz, with no refunds or alternatives offered. This follows a similar 2023 incident involving Discovery content, which was later reversed after backlash.

A 60-year-old Spanish man with persistent headaches and behavioral changes was initially suspected of having brain cancer due to multiple lesions seen on a CT scan. Extensive testing for cancer proved negative, and an MRI later revealed the lesions were actually encapsulated tapeworm larvae. The man likely contracted the parasitic infection from coworkers in construction who had migrated from regions where pork tapeworms (Taenia solium) are common, despite never traveling internationally himself.

Lebanon's southern Tyre and Beirut residents reacted differently to the U.S.-brokered framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon, with mixed feelings expressed. The agreement was signed in Washington following mediated talks.

Ayaneo's Pocket Micro 2 is a refined handheld gaming device with a $269 starting price, featuring a Snapdragon chip, 3,950mAh battery, improved controls (including recessed joysticks), and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Early bird pricing offers the base model (6GB RAM, 128GB storage) for $239, while a premium version (8GB RAM, 256GB storage) starts at $309. Pre-orders sold out quickly, with potential for additional production runs under consideration.

An Israeli drone attack in al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, killed a young Palestinian girl and another person while wounding four others, despite the area being designated as a safe zone under a ceasefire. Separately, a 10-year-old boy died from injuries sustained in an earlier Israeli strike. Since October 2023, Israel's war has killed at least 73,043 Palestinians and wounded 173,417, with ongoing attacks continuing after the ceasefire.

OpenAI has restricted the rollout of its latest model, GPT-5.6, following a government request, sparking debates about whether this is pre-IPO hype or a strategic misstep. The move may limit advancements in online AI models, prompting interest in local large language models (LLMs) as an alternative. China stands to benefit, having less need to develop its own advanced models due to these restrictions.

Scotland ended their 28-year World Cup drought but were eliminated after finishing third in a tough group with Brazil and Morocco, despite beating Haiti. Steve Clarke’s leadership is under scrutiny for defensive errors and tactical choices, though he has the Scottish FA’s backing and a new four-year contract. Critics argue Scotland lacked attacking quality, but Clarke is expected to continue, especially with Euro 2028 co-hosting providing motivation.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's historic World Cup qualification has sparked unprecedented national unity and pride, transcending decades of ethnic divisions. Fans worldwide celebrated the team's victory over Qatar, with even supporters in Republika Srpska, Serbia, and Croatia defying political tensions to show solidarity. The team's success has symbolized hope for the country's future, with fans embracing both their resilient "dragon" spirit and softer "lily" identity through satirical and love songs reflecting Bosnian resilience and nostalgia.

Hezbollah rejects the US-mediated Israel-Lebanon agreement, calling it a "surrender of sovereignty" and vowing to continue resisting Israel's occupation. The deal, which does not include an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, has sparked protests in Beirut and ongoing airstrikes near the border. While Lebanese officials support the agreement as a step toward normalization, Hezbollah and its allies condemn it as legitimizing Israel's occupation.

Amazon’s Kindle AI features, announced in June 2026, include spoiler-free recaps and an AI chatbot called "Ask this Book," but these are currently limited to newer Kindle devices and iOS users in the US. Older Kindles won’t receive these updates, though the iOS app offers a workaround for testing AI functionality. Recaps provide plot summaries, while "Story So Far" gives spoiler-free updates based on your reading progress, available on select 2024 or later Kindles and via the iOS app.

Today’s top deals include Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake for $38.99, Nioh 3 (PS5) at $49.99, and AirPods Pro 3 for $179—all at Amazon. Other highlights are the LEGO Starry Night set ($136), Silent Hill f ($29.83), and the Batman 4K Film Collection ($32.99). The Tokyo Ghoul manga box set is also discounted to $77.74.

(Key facts: prices, platforms, and notable inclusions like the LEGO poster or manga extras.)

Arizona residents are opposing the construction of two large data centres near Tucson due to concerns over water consumption during a severe drought, with the Colorado River's flow dropping by 20% since 2000. The $8.6bn Project Blue could become the city's largest water and power consumer, prompting local activism against potential water cuts and higher electricity rates. The project promises economic benefits, including jobs and tax revenue, but residents and councillors are weighing these against environmental and resource constraints.

Aryna Sabalenka defended a prize-money protest at Wimbledon, where top players are demanding a larger share of revenue despite a record 20% increase in the $84.7m prize pool, which still falls short of their 16% target. Sabalenka emphasized the protest benefits lower-ranked players struggling with costs, not just elite athletes earning millions. Wimbledon rejected the protest, highlighting its largest-ever prize increase and facility upgrades, while Sabalenka expressed hope for a resolution to avoid future actions.

A van driver offered an armed police officer a lift during a high-speed chase to pursue a fleeing suspect, as captured on bodycam footage that has gone viral in the UK. Kent Police commended the driver for his "selfless actions." The incident highlights an unusual act of cooperation between a civilian and law enforcement during a pursuit.

Uruguay, coached by Marcelo Bielsa, was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after losing to Spain and drawing with Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde, finishing with only two points from three matches. Bielsa, who described himself as a "toxic perfectionist," took full responsibility for the team's poor performance, stating that his tenure left "nothing good" behind for Uruguayan football. This was the second time Bielsa failed to advance past the group stage at a World Cup, following Argentina's elimination in 2002.

Mark Zuckerberg has taken legal action against whistleblower Sarah Wynn-Williams, demanding $111 million and a lifetime ban on discussing her book Careless People, which exposes Facebook's institutional misconduct, including its role in a genocide in Myanmar. The book also details personal failings of Facebook executives like Sheryl Sandberg, Joel Kaplan, and Zuckerberg himself. This aggressive response mirrors authoritarian tactics seen in Belarus under Alexander Lukashenka, where dissent—even over trivial acts like eating ice cream—was brutally suppressed.

An anonymous GitHub account has released a large collection of undisclosed zero-day vulnerabilities, including proof-of-concept exploits for software like Firefox, PHP, and libssh2. The repository consolidates 12 standalone PoC repos, verified for integrity with zero mismatches in tracked files. The author emphasizes ethical use and discourages malicious activity, aiming to promote cybersecurity research.

Supergirl explores whether superheroes should kill, following Kara (Milly Alcock) as she debates with Ruthye (Eve Ridley), whose family was murdered by Krem. While Kara initially advises against killing, she ultimately murders Krem to save her dog and avenge Ruthye. The film contrasts Kara’s growth—accepting her destiny despite personal struggles—with the triumph of Lobo’s (Jason Momoa) revenge-driven philosophy, leaving her moral stance ambiguous.

Gary Dauberman, known for It and Annabelle, is writing the script for Five Nights at Freddy's 3, with Blumhouse/Universal planning another sequel after the franchise’s box office success ($291.5M and $238.5M for the first two films). Director Emma Tammi and creator Scott Cawthon are expected to return, though the film hasn’t been officially announced. Despite poor critical reception (33% and 17% on Rotten Tomatoes), audience scores remain high.

Mythos, an AI model by Anthropic, sparked significant concern in cybersecurity due to its claimed ability to automate zero-day exploitation. However, its impact has been less dramatic than initially feared—it shows gradual improvements over previous models like GPT-5.4 and Opus 4.6, with vulnerabilities it identifies often being long-standing issues in open-source software rather than novel threats. The main advantage of Mythos lies in its scalability for well-funded organizations, though its practical effectiveness in real-world enterprise environments remains limited.

Venezuela is facing its worst crisis in modern history after devastating earthquakes left hundreds homeless, with collapsed buildings and overwhelmed hospitals. Rescue efforts continue, but survivors like Jan Carlos Roa Garcia struggle without government support, relying on community aid instead. The disaster has deepened public frustration over the government’s inadequate response, with residents accusing officials of neglect amid ongoing rescues and mounting casualties.

Cape Verde made history as the smallest nation (population: 530,000) to reach the World Cup knockout stages after securing a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia, completing their group-stage campaign with three draws. The team, led by 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha and coach Bubista, overcame bigger opponents like Spain and Uruguay to advance as runners-up in their group. Cape Verde will now face reigning champions Argentina in the round of 32, embodying their motto: "Small Islands, Big Dreams."

Texas' App Store Accountability Act, which requires app stores to accept all apps that meet basic criteria, has been deemed unconstitutional by a federal judge. The law was challenged for violating the First Amendment rights of app stores, as it forces them to host content they may not agree with. The ruling highlights the tension between state regulations and the free speech protections of digital platforms.

I'M YOUR HOST is an upcoming audio deduction game from Calligram Studio, where players restore lost podcast episodes using a custom OS. The three-person team has been developing it for two years, inspired by the "liminal space" of discarded audio footage and themes of manipulation. The retro-futuristic aesthetic, reminiscent of early Winamp and Avid software, enhances the immersive mystery-solving experience.

MSI's Claw 8 EX AI+ is a high-performance gaming handheld with top-tier specs but an exorbitant price. Sony's A7R VI combines high resolution and speed, appealing to both portrait and action photographers. Ray-Ban Meta Optics now offer prescription lenses with improved comfort, though at a premium cost. Insta360's Luna Ultra stands out as an available vlogging camera with dual lenses and optical zoom, while Google's new Home Speaker awaits software improvements to fully leverage Gemini AI. XGIMI MemoMind One glasses impress with a secondary screen but suffer from an unsettling AI assistant.

Atlantis: The Lost Empire, released 25 years ago, was a bold but underappreciated Disney animated film that initially flopped at the box office and received mixed reviews. Despite its struggles, it cultivated a strong cult following over time, praised for its adventure-style storytelling, action sequences, and unique art direction inspired by Mike Mignola. The film, directed by Beauty and the Beast and Hunchback of Notre Dame team Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, marked a deliberate shift away from Disney’s musical era toward a more action-driven narrative.

The $650 LEGO Pokémon Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise set—previously a LEGO Store exclusive—is now available for preorder on Amazon. This intricate set features fully posable, biome-themed displays of the evolved Kanto starters and can be connected or separated for flexibility. Other Pokémon LEGO sets, like the $200 Pikachu and Poké Ball or the $60 Eevee, offer more affordable options for fans. Additionally, LEGO will release Smart Play Pokémon sets in August for younger, play-focused audiences.

Israel and Lebanon reached a framework agreement in Washington, brokered by the US, linking a ceasefire to Hezbollah's disarmament and gradual Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory. However, Hezbollah has rejected the deal as "null and void," demanding Israel's immediate withdrawal first. The agreement proposes pilot zones where Lebanese forces would take control, but it does not guarantee full Israeli withdrawal or address Hezbollah's refusal to disarm.

Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez faced public jeers during a visit to an earthquake-devastated Caracas neighborhood, where rescue efforts are struggling due to years of economic collapse and poor infrastructure. The quakes have exacerbated the country’s ongoing crises, highlighting the challenges in disaster response.

Panama, the oldest and most-capped squad at this World Cup, faces England with nothing to lose after already being eliminated. Key players include Adalberto "Coco" Carrasquilla, their creative midfielder recovering from injury; Jose Cordoba, a dominant central defender; and Cristian Martinez, an energetic midfielder who earned man-of-the-match against Croatia. Michael Amir Murillo, a versatile wing-back with experience in top European leagues, is also crucial to their defense.

The article discusses the challenges of running a successful software jam (hackathon) in today's tech environment, where low-effort projects like AI wrappers often dominate. The author, associated with Hack Club, outlines their funding model based on tracked coding hours ($8.5 per hour) but acknowledges perverse incentives, such as participants grinding out lazy projects for rewards. To address these issues, they propose a software jam with strict submission rules and voting mechanisms to encourage high-quality, meaningful projects. The goal is to replicate the passion seen in game jams, where participants invest effort despite minimal external rewards.

Pell Grants create unintended disparities, favoring higher-income students within qualifying groups and penalizing lower-income non-qualifying students. Election data from Russia shows suspicious spikes at round numbers, suggesting fabricated results. Various systems—auto auctions, psychology p-values, drug sentencing thresholds, and exam scores—exhibit artificial discontinuities at key boundaries, indicating manipulation or optimization behaviors.

Dolby Digital and DTS are lossy audio formats for traditional surround sound, while Dolby Atmos and DTS:X offer object-based spatial audio with height channels. Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio are lossless formats found on 4K Blu-rays, with the latter offering slightly higher data rates. Dolby Atmos requires ceiling-mounted speakers for optimal performance, while DTS:X adapts to various speaker setups.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has rejected US claims of establishing a military hotline to manage tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, with IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebi stating that such communications have not and will not occur. Despite this, US Vice President JD Vance suggested that a communication channel involving the IRGC and CENTCOM had been agreed upon during Switzerland talks. Meanwhile, Iran and Oman are discussing the future management of the Strait of Hormuz with other Gulf states.

NASA and L3Harris are testing a cryocoupler, a device designed for in-orbit refueling of spacecraft using extremely cold fluids like liquid hydrogen and oxygen. The fully automated cryocoupler can attach and detach multiple times without manual intervention, addressing one of the toughest challenges in spaceflight. Initial tests with liquid nitrogen at -321°F have provided data on temperature reactions and operational performance, paving the way for mission-specific evaluations in the future.

Starting July 1 in California, streaming services will be legally required to ensure ads are no louder than the accompanying content, aligning with existing broadcast TV regulations under the CALM Act. The law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in October 2025, prohibits louder commercial audio than the video content. While compliance details for California and potential nationwide application remain unclear, streaming providers will also need to adhere to similar rules in Illinois by July 2027.

The author, who designs and produces 48GB RTX 4090 PCBs for a small GPU lab in the USA, warns that claims of 96GB RTX 4090 or RTX 5090 cards are fraudulent as of June 2026—these variants do not exist and are being used to exploit buyers. The only recent legitimate card they’ve worked with is the 32GB RTX 4080 Super.

Viral claims about a physical disc version of GTA 6 are false; Rockstar has no plans to release a disc at launch or in the following months, despite misleading social media posts and a poorly worded support email. The company’s "physical copy" refers to preorder boxes containing only a download code, not an actual disc. Analysts suggest Rockstar’s decision aligns with commercial strategy, though some retailers refuse to stock the disc-less physical version.

OpenRA's latest playtest introduces new random map generators for Red Alert, Tiberian Dawn, and Dune 2000, enhancing both skirmish and multiplayer modes. Dune 2000 receives visual upgrades, balance adjustments, and campaign difficulty tweaks, while Tiberian Dawn HD achieves feature-completion with C&C Remastered assets, soon to be integrated into the main game. Additional updates include UI improvements for map editing, new mouse input modes, auto-save options, and expanded bot behavior. The release also adds two new missions and continues progress toward localization support.

Nox Metals, a Y Combinator S25 company, is hiring software engineers in Detroit to develop an intelligent platform for its automated metal supply chain. The company, which secured a $13M seed round in June, uses software and automation to drastically reduce lead times for metal supplies, starting with custom-cut aluminum blocks. Ideal candidates will work on production-ready code that manages orders, inventory, and industrial machinery while contributing to revolutionary metals ecommerce.

The Steam Summer Sale is live until July 9, offering discounts on PC games, while Valve begins reservations for the Steam Machine. New indie releases include Dark Scrolls, a sidescrolling roguelite platformer with retro visuals and co-op support, and upcoming titles like Ratatan (delayed to October 15) and a game featuring sword-wielding dinosaurs. Meanwhile, Douze Dixiémes, the studio behind MIO: Memories in Orbit, has shut down despite positive reviews.

Uber is tightening its US driver background checks to disqualify more criminal convictions, including violent felonies like armed robbery and child abuse, even if they occurred over seven years ago. The move follows lawsuits alleging the company neglected customer safety, including a recent $8.5 million settlement for a rape case. While most convictions within seven years (e.g., DUI, theft) will bar drivers, long-term drivers with non-sexual felonies older than 15 years may still qualify. Uber will also expand its SSN trace to a lifetime search for initial and annual checks, potentially removing tens of thousands of drivers.

The user seeks suggestions for running a small local language model on an old MacBook Pro (i5 8th gen, 8GB RAM) for experimentation and potential agentic tasks like Hermes. They mention seeing multi-GPU setups but are interested in solutions for lower-end hardware. The post is a call for recommendations from the community.

(Note: Since this appears to be a Reddit post rather than an article, I’ve adapted the summary to focus on the key details and intent.)

Digital purchases often grant only licensed access rather than ownership, meaning content can be removed or revoked by the provider. Physical media, like Blu-ray discs or books, offer true ownership with resale and offline use benefits. Recent cases highlight consumer disputes over misleading "purchase" labels for digital content, while streaming services like Disney+ and HBO Max have removed licensed titles despite customer payments.

Spectral Labs released a Qwen3.5 0.8B model using SpectralQuant, a new calibration-aware quantization method that recovers 96.5% of the BF16 performance gap compared to pure llama.cpp Q4_K_M quantization, without altering compatibility or requiring mixed-precision sidecars. The approach treats quantization as a global optimization problem, leveraging spectral analysis to improve accuracy while maintaining the standard Q4_K_M footprint. This method aims to enhance performance without increasing model size or complexity.

Iran's coach and captain criticized the US for unfair treatment during the World Cup, citing travel restrictions and visa issues that forced them to train in Mexico and travel back immediately after matches. Despite these challenges, Iran performed well, with a controversial VAR disallowed goal in their final group match against Egypt. The team is now sixth among third-placed sides, still with a chance to advance if other groups' results go their way.

Thunderstorms caused widespread delays at Heathrow and Gatwick airports, with over 600 flights delayed and dozens cancelled. Air traffic control restrictions were imposed due to severe weather, affecting airlines like EasyJet and British Airways, while passengers faced disruptions lasting up to six hours. The UK's air traffic control service expects delays to persist throughout the day, with ongoing thunderstorms impacting flights across southeast England.

Benjamin Netanyahu faces significant challenges ahead of Israel's October elections, including public anger over his handling of wars in Gaza and Lebanon, corruption charges, and mounting US pressure to de-escalate conflicts. His government's actions have drawn international criticism, with Israel risking pariah status and strained relations with the US over differing views on Iran and Lebanon. The election could determine whether Netanyahu's nearly four-decade political career ends, with his survival now uncertain amid growing discontent and legal threats.

The US and Iran have exchanged strikes over control of the Strait of Hormuz, risking the collapse of their June 15 ceasefire agreement. The US targeted Iranian missile and drone sites in response to an attack on a commercial ship, while Iran retaliated against US military installations and condemned the strikes as violations of the MoU. The dispute centers on Iran's attempt to assert control over the strait, including blocking alternative shipping routes.

The Fintech Engineering Handbook outlines key principles and patterns for building reliable financial software, emphasizing no invented data, no lost data, and zero trust in systems. It covers critical aspects like representing money with precision—avoiding floating-point errors and using methods such as arbitrary precision, minor-units (e.g., cents or satoshis), or rational numbers—while ensuring proper serialization to prevent precision loss. The guide serves as a reference for fintech professionals and those learning about financial software engineering.

(Note: The summary is concise, focuses on key facts, and avoids starting with "This article.")

Orthrus (a diffusion head) will soon release support for Qwen 3.5, Qwen 3.6, and Gemma4 models, including open-sourcing their training and evaluation code. The updates will be pushed to the repository shortly. No current work is being done on llama.cpp support.

Egypt secured its first-ever World Cup knockout stage appearance after a dramatic 1-1 draw with Iran, marked by late Iranian pressure and VAR controversy. While Egyptian fans celebrated wildly outside the stadium, Iranian supporters expressed disappointment but remained hopeful about advancing as one of the best third-place teams. The match was overshadowed by protests from anti-government Iranians, who clashed with Team Melli fans, highlighting the political tensions beyond the sport.

In Shenzhen's Huaqiangbei electronics market, a seller confirmed the existence of modified NVIDIA Blackwell RTX 6000 GPUs with 96GB VRAM, priced at around $8,200 (36,000 yuan for the base card plus 20,000 yuan for VRAM upgrade). This is significantly cheaper than the official $11,000 model with a warranty.

DeepSeek appears to have introduced a new vision mode in their application, suggesting the potential release of a dedicated vision model. The author clarifies it is not an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) tool, as it successfully described images without text. The post invites speculation and discussion about the upcoming model's capabilities.

Apple is seeking US government approval to purchase memory chips from CXMT, a Chinese company blacklisted by the Pentagon for ties to the Chinese military. The move aims to mitigate ongoing chip shortages, which have led Apple to raise prices across its hardware products. However, the deal faces potential opposition from Congress and could risk US government repercussions if not approved.

Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, is set to become Labour's next leader and potentially prime minister in under a month after his recent by-election victory. Labour MPs are enthusiastic about Burnham's leadership, praising his popularity and ability to connect with voters, but some question whether he can maintain this appeal nationally and handle the scrutiny of high office. Concerns also linger about his preparedness for major policy challenges, with some viewing him as a "lightweight," though his appointment of experienced advisor James Purnell as chief of staff has eased some doubts.

Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, is seen as Labour's best hope to revive the party's fortunes after his recent by-election victory in Makerfield, where he outperformed expectations against Reform UK. Labour MPs are rallying around him, praising his popularity and ability to connect with voters, though some question whether his charm alone can sustain a government. Concerns linger about his depth of policy thinking and ability to handle scrutiny, with critics suggesting he may struggle beyond initial public appeal. His appointment of James Purnell as chief of staff has drawn mixed reactions, particularly from the left.

Six group-stage matches remain at the FIFA World Cup 2026, with England and Argentina aiming for perfect group-stage records, while Colombia and Portugal compete for first place in Group K. Cape Verde made history by reaching the knockout stage in their debut, while Iran awaits qualification as one of the best third-placed teams. Key matches include England vs Panama, Croatia vs Ghana, Colombia vs Portugal, DR Congo vs Uzbekistan, Jordan vs Argentina, and Algeria vs Austria. Predictions favor England (78.5% chance), Croatia (56.3%), Portugal (51.6%), and DR Congo (48.9%) to win their respective matches.

NASA is developing an AI-powered medical assistant to support astronauts on deep-space missions where Earth-based help isn't accessible. The system, designed for autonomous diagnosis and treatment, aims to address the challenges of prolonged space travel where communication delays make real-time medical support impractical. This technology could be critical for future missions to Mars or beyond, where astronauts may face emergencies without immediate human intervention.

DeepSeek has open-sourced inference optimizations that significantly accelerate AI model generation, achieving speed improvements of 60–85%. These optimizations are designed to enhance efficiency without compromising accuracy. The advancements are now available for public use, aiming to lower computational costs and improve accessibility of AI technologies.

Beer CSS is a framework designed to help developers quickly build Material Design interfaces with minimal effort, reducing stress in the process. It emphasizes speed and simplicity, allowing developers to create modern UI components efficiently. The tool is presented as a solution for rapid development while maintaining high-quality design standards.

At least 920 people have died and over 51,000 remain missing after two magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, with the critical 72-hour rescue window nearing its end. Authorities have restricted access to the hardest-hit area around La Guaira, where residents are desperately digging through rubble due to a lack of government rescue teams. The death toll is expected to rise further, with up to 6.76 million people potentially affected by the disaster.

An Australian man, Simon Carman (46), was arrested at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport while attempting to flee to Perth, suspected of murdering a 17-year-old girl whose body was found in a suitcase near Pattaya. Surveillance footage showed the teenager entering his condominium with him, after which he left with a suitcase containing her body. Carman denies the killing but has scratches suggesting a struggle, and faces charges including murder and concealing a body. The arrest follows Thailand’s recent visa policy changes amid rising crimes involving foreigners.

A record-breaking heatwave in Western Europe has caused dozens of deaths, with temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F) and Germany recording a preliminary national high of 41°C (106°F). The extreme heat, driven by an Omega block weather pattern, has disrupted infrastructure, transportation, and outdoor events across the region. Scientists attribute the heatwave to man-made climate change, making such high night-time temperatures 100 times more likely than two decades ago.

Paul Meade, Apple’s VP leading Vision Products Group and in charge of the Vision Pro headset and smart glasses projects, is leaving to join OpenAI’s new hardware division. OpenAI has been collaborating with Jony Ive’s startup io, which merged with OpenAI in a $6.5 billion deal earlier this year. Meade’s departure follows John Ternus’ upcoming appointment as Apple CEO, with Fletcher Rothkopf taking over some of his responsibilities.

US authorities arrested Abdikerm Abdelahi Eidleh in Mogadishu, Somalia, with help from local intelligence agencies, as part of a $250m fraud case linked to Minnesota’s Feeding Our Future nonprofit. Eidleh, allegedly the second-in-command behind convicted mastermind Aimee Bock, is accused of recruiting operators and falsifying meal programs to defraud federal child-nutrition funds. The case has intensified scrutiny of Minnesota’s Somali community, with the Trump administration targeting Somalis through travel bans, citizenship threats, and immigration crackdowns.

Iran condemned US airstrikes on its missile and drone storage sites, calling them a violation of the recently signed MoU. The IRGC retaliated by targeting US military sites, though no attacks were confirmed. Meanwhile, the US justified its strikes as retaliation for a drone attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, with Vice President Vance warning that violence will be met with force. Separately, the US brokered a framework deal between Lebanon and Israel to end conflict, but Hezbollah rejected it.

Africa holds 40% of the world’s gold reserves but captures little value, as most extracted gold is exported unrefined to markets like the UK. African governments are now seeking greater control over gold to strengthen reserves, reduce external vulnerabilities, and enhance economic sovereignty. Countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Guinea are increasing domestic gold accumulation through central bank purchases and stricter regulations to retain more value.

A Reddit user questioned whether any fine-tuned Qwen models outperform the base model, noting a lack of positive feedback about them. The post sparked discussion on the effectiveness of fine-tuning Qwen models, with users sharing mixed experiences. Some suggested that fine-tuned versions may not always enhance performance compared to the base model.

Belgium secured their place in the 2026 World Cup knockout rounds by defeating New Zealand 5-1, with goals from Leandro Trossard (2), Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Alexis Saelemaekers. This victory placed them at the top of Group G ahead of Egypt on goal difference, while New Zealand was eliminated from the tournament. Meanwhile, Egypt finished second after a 1-1 draw with Iran, who are still awaiting their knockout fate.

AI tools are uncovering numerous hidden vulnerabilities, creating significant challenges for security teams this summer. Key issues include an Amazon Q flaw allowing malicious code execution, ongoing SharePoint zero-day attacks despite Microsoft patches, and Russian phishing scams impersonating Signal support. Additionally, DEF CON is expanding its hacking initiatives to harden critical infrastructure, while cybersecurity firm Acronis was acquired for over $3.5 billion.

A 46-year-old Australian man was arrested at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport while attempting to flee Thailand, following the discovery of a 17-year-old Thai girl’s body in a suitcase near Pattaya. Police allege CCTV footage shows him entering an apartment with the victim before leaving with a suitcase containing her body, which was later found near railway tracks. The suspect denies involvement but faces potential charges including murder, child abduction, and concealing a corpse. Australian authorities are providing consular assistance to the detained man.

DeepSeek-V4-Pro-DSpark is a state-of-the-art large language model developed by DeepSeek AI, optimized for efficiency and performance. It leverages advanced techniques like sparse attention (DSpark) to reduce computational costs while maintaining high accuracy. The model is available on Hugging Face and includes a detailed technical paper outlining its architecture and capabilities.

Scotland's World Cup knockout chances plummeted to 0.07% after a 3-0 loss to Brazil left them with three points and a -3 goal difference, making it difficult to surpass other third-placed teams. Key results elsewhere, including South Korea's drop to third and Ecuador/Germany/Sweden's qualification, further reduced their odds. To progress, Scotland needs four third-placed teams to finish with worse records, requiring specific outcomes like Algeria losing heavily to Austria and Ghana beating Croatia by three goals or more.

IBM's MCGA (Multi-Color Graphics Array) chipset, used in PS/2 models 25 and 30, consists of two gate arrays: a memory controller and a video formatter. Reverse engineering revealed that the memory controller (Seiko SLA6430) has 4,342 basic cells in a 2µm CMOS process, while the formatter (Seiko SLA6330) has 3,312 cells. New discoveries include genlocking via HSYNC/VSYNC pins and undocumented register functions, such as clock switching (14.318MHz or 25.175MHz) and manufacturing test modes.

The article discusses several optimizations in a tensor processing system, including reducing synchronizations during split compute operations and improving CUDA performance by minimizing token synchronization. Key changes involve adding CPU-to-CUDA async copy capabilities, relaxing sync requirements for input copies on supported backends like CUDA, and replacing synchronous copies with async functions. Additionally, macro guards were added to enable compilation in non-CUDA builds, and backend detection was reworked to prevent unnecessary linking.

The UK Home Office will introduce new "capped safe and legal" asylum routes later this year, allowing organizations like universities, businesses, and community groups to sponsor refugees, modeled after Canada's system. Alongside this, the government plans to tighten human rights and modern slavery laws to reduce "vexatious" claims, aiming to protect genuine refugees while closing perceived loopholes. The scheme, set to expand the existing UK Resettlement Scheme, will initially operate at a low capacity but is intended to become the future of the UK's asylum system, with a refugee work route opening next year.

OpenTTD 16.0-Beta1 introduces key features like backward-driving trains, improved multiplayer company access, enhanced map generation (e.g., desert rocks, coasts, and lighthouses), and customizable cargo subsidies. It also adds saved NewGRF collections, adjustable cargo aging rates, filtered dropdown lists, and a unified vehicle preview window. The beta includes a title game competition for community-designed main menu animations, with bug reports encouraged via the provided link.

OpenAI has launched a limited preview of its GPT-5.6 series, featuring three variants—Sol (its strongest model), Terra (affordable everyday use), and Luna (lowest-cost option)—with broader availability planned soon. The company provided early access to the U.S. government and trusted partners, aligning with recent AI cybersecurity regulations requiring voluntary model reviews before public release. GPT-5.6 includes enhanced security measures, such as jailbreak protections and safeguards against prohibited cyber activities, following recent incidents like Anthropic’s model suspension due to vulnerabilities. Pricing ranges from $1–$5 per million input tokens and $6–$30 per million output tokens.

The article discusses the timeline for stable support of DeepSeek V4 Flash and MiniMax M3 models in llama.cpp, with the user seeking clarification on when merged support can be expected. It also explores alternative tools like vLLM that may already offer this functionality, as the user has limited experience with llama.cpp and koboldcpp. The user expresses uncertainty about the stability of unmerged support and seeks advice on reliable alternatives.

(Note: Since this is a Reddit post, the "article" is essentially a user query. The summary reflects the key points of the question rather than an article's content.)

The US conducted strikes on Iranian military sites in June 2026, marking its first such action since a June 17 Memorandum of Understanding was reached between the two nations. The strikes were in response to allegations that Iranian forces attacked a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz. This escalation tests the fragile ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran.

Cape Verde made history by becoming the smallest nation to reach the World Cup knockout stage, securing a tie against defending champions Argentina after finishing second in Group H. Their success stems from leveraging players from the diaspora, with 14 of their 26-man squad born abroad, and a stable coaching setup under Bubista. The team's disciplined defense and technical play have been key to their surprising performances, including a goalless draw with Spain.

Cape Verde became the smallest nation to reach the World Cup knockout stage after finishing second in Group H, earning a match against defending champions Argentina. Their success stems from leveraging the diaspora—14 of their 26-man squad were born abroad, including key players like Dailon Livramento—while coach Bubista’s stable leadership since 2020 fostered a disciplined, organized team. Notable achievements include a goalless draw with Spain and a 2-2 result against Uruguay, showcasing their resilience at the highest level.

Apple has implemented significant price increases of 10–50% across its Mac, iPad, HomePod, Apple TV, and Vision Pro products due to unprecedented component cost rises, with shortages expected until 2027. Meanwhile, Apple plans to release around 20 new products by 2027, including a foldable iPhone and AI-focused M7 chips for Macs. The second beta of iOS 27 introduces features like "Write with Siri" and RCS improvements, while watchOS 27 will drop support for older Apple Watch models due to hardware limitations.

WordStar, released in 1978, is a beloved word processor favored by many renowned authors for its efficiency and reliability in creative writing. It utilizes control key commands (e.g., ^O, ^Q) for easy navigation and editing, designed with ergonomics in mind to enhance productivity. Despite criticism from users of other programs like WordPerfect, authors such as George R.R. Martin and Anne Rice praise its simplicity and effectiveness for composition.

The article discusses the trade-offs between using a MacBook (particularly an older M1 Max model with 64GB RAM) and dedicated GPUs for running large language models (LLMs). While MacBooks can host larger models due to shared memory, they are slower and less efficient than high-end GPUs like NVIDIA's RTX series or dual 3090s, which offer superior performance but require significant investment. The author suggests a hybrid approach—using an M1 Max MacBook as a frontend to a Linux workstation with external GPUs—for optimal balance between model size and speed. The article also highlights the evolving landscape of open-weight models and the potential for future hardware innovations to improve local AI computing.

The UK has already experienced two heatwaves this summer, with record-breaking temperatures, a rare occurrence since 1911. Forecasters predict further heatwaves and above-average temperatures for July and August, with "significant bursts" of heat likely across the UK and Europe. Climate change is increasing the frequency, intensity, and duration of heatwaves, with temperatures potentially reaching the mid-40s by 2050 if current warming trends continue.

After twin earthquakes struck Caracas, rescue efforts are shifting to recovery as aftershocks continue, complicating search operations. Rescue workers in one neighborhood report no assistance has arrived two days after the disaster. Al Jazeera’s Noris Soto highlights the ongoing challenges in recovering bodies due to the aftershocks.

Spain secured the top spot in Group H by defeating Uruguay 1-0, with a goal resulting from goalkeeper Fernando Muslera's error. This victory ensures Spain will face either Austria or Algeria in the Round of 32, while Uruguay, despite being two-time World Cup winners, were eliminated from the tournament. The match highlighted Spain's defensive strength but also their struggles in attacking performance, with key players like Lamine Yamal managed due to injury concerns.

A fake interview scam targeting Rust community members on Reddit involved a fabricated persona from a defunct VC firm, leading to a malicious TypeScript repository containing the undetected "PinpinRAT" payload. The attacker used obfuscated base64 code embedded in patch files to evade detection, though the victim's cautious approach and AI-assisted analysis prevented successful execution. The campaign likely aimed to backdoor machines, with no antivirus engines flagging the malicious image on VirusTotal.

The Ornith-1.0-35B model has been quantized to Q3_K_M, reducing its size from 16.01 BPW to 3.87 BPW, resulting in a disk size of 16.8 GB and requiring approximately 17 GB of VRAM, which is about 21% smaller than the Q4_K_M version. This quantized model passes all 14 tests in the behavior suite and maintains performance on a 16-slot serving profile. The KL divergence between the BF16 and quantized models is minimal, indicating strong accuracy retention.

Cape Verde secured a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia, finishing second in Group H behind Spain to advance to the World Cup Round of 32 as debutants. They will face reigning champions Argentina on July 3 in Miami, following an unbeaten group stage with draws against Spain and Uruguay. The small African nation of 500,000 people has defied expectations with their goalkeeper Vozinha playing a key role in their historic run.

A newly released video contradicts the claims made by Henry Nowak’s killer, revealing that police arrested a dying stabbing victim based on false statements. The murder and subsequent police actions triggered riots and allegations of unequal policing in the UK.

The US government has allowed Anthropic to redeploy its Mythos 5 cybersecurity AI model to over 100 critical US organizations, including major corporations and government agencies. Access was previously suspended on June 12 due to concerns about potential misuse, including jailbreaking risks and foreign access. Anthropic is now working with the government to expand access further and restore Fable 5, though no timeline has been provided.

Amazon Prime Day offers last-minute discounts on summer essentials like portable fans, camping gear, and cooling treats. Highlights include 50% off ice cream at Whole Foods for Prime members (until June 30), deals on ice cream makers and slushie machines, and savings up to $170 on coolers like the BougeRV 12-volt fridge (33% off) or YETI portable coolers. Fun pool floats, such as the Doritos double-sided float for $19.99, are also available at reduced prices.

Madonna revealed her jealousy of Kylie Minogue, influenced by ex-husband Guy Ritchie's alleged crush on her, during a Graham Norton interview. She also discussed her upcoming album Confessions II, featuring a duet with daughter Lola, who struggled with the "nepo baby" label, and hinted at a potential 2027 Glastonbury headline. The album reflects on her past, including the loss of her brother Christopher, and Madonna admitted she gets "carried away" while dancing.

Esme Rice reported a sexual assault on London’s Elizabeth Line to British Transport Police (BTP) via text but received no response for 13 hours until she publicly shared her experience on social media. After her posts gained attention, BTP contacted her, launched an investigation, and acknowledged the delay was unacceptable. The incident highlights concerns about BTP’s "See it. Say it. Sorted." campaign and its effectiveness in addressing sexual harassment on public transport.

Prince Harry and Meghan have accepted an offer to stay at a royal estate with their children, Archie and Lilibet, during their upcoming UK visit next month. The family will be guests of King Charles III at an unspecified royal residence for part of their trip, which includes private accommodation. Harry is visiting to prepare for the Invictus Games in Birmingham and support UK charities, while security arrangements remain unclear following his previous legal loss over police protection.

Amazon's Prime Day offers significant discounts on high-quality TVs under $1,000. Notable deals include the Samsung S90F (55") for $998, featuring quantum dot OLED technology and gaming capabilities; the TCL QM6K (65") at its lowest price of the year, ideal for budget gaming; and the Hisense U7 (65"), which hits a new low with mini-LED panel and anti-reflection coating. Additionally, the Samsung The Frame (65") is $500 off, offering a customizable aesthetic and gaming features. Other highlights include the Amazon Ember 4-Series (55") at its lowest price, and the Roku Smart TV Pro Series (55") with $400 off.

The author, a cloud systems engineer with 14 years of Linux experience, found that using a single 4x4 bifurcation PCIe x16 card as the choke point limits peer-to-peer (p2p) communication between GPUs, regardless of PCIe generation. The bifurcation card acts as a bridge connecting the GPUs, which negatively impacts performance.

A Hacker News display mimics a train station flip board, showing the top 20 stories with rank, score, and title on split-flap cells. Users can customize the board by setting headlines via a token or pinning their own text, while settings allow adjusting timing and sound. A cloud function automatically updates the board with fresh HN data on a schedule, based on a previous flipboard project.

The author is exploring self-hosting smaller language models to reduce costs for theorem proving, a niche task where larger cloud-based models are expensive. They propose distilling knowledge from a large model into a smaller one to create an efficient, specialized version. The goal is to balance performance and cost by leveraging available hardware funding while avoiding cloud LLM expenses.

Completing the 2026 World Cup sticker book has become a time-consuming and costly endeavor for Sophie, requiring extensive swaps and negotiations online and in person. With 980 unique stickers—up from 670 in 2022—she faces challenges like high retail costs (up to £1,300) and the need for creative solutions, such as trading with strangers or collecting Coca-Cola bottle labels. The process has turned into a full-time commitment, adding stress and financial strain to her family’s routine.

The US conducted airstrikes on Iranian missile and drone storage sites in response to an alleged Iranian attack on a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz. This retaliation has heightened concerns about the stability of the US-Iran agreement, despite ongoing ceasefire efforts. The tit-for-tat actions underscore escalating tensions between the two nations.

A WhatsApp message from Gary Andrews to Dr Jack Hawkins led to the exposure of systemic failings in NHS maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals, where 260 babies died or were seriously injured due to deep-rooted issues. The deaths of Harriet Hawkins (stillborn in 2016) and Wynter Andrews (died in 2019 after missed distress signs) were key cases that prompted a major review, revealing preventable failures and a culture of cover-ups. The trust was fined £800,000 after pleading guilty to care failures in Wynter’s case.

The U.S. conducted strikes on Iran following an Iranian drone attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. In retaliation, Iran’s IRGC targeted U.S. military locations in the region after the Trump administration launched an attack on Iran. The escalating tensions highlight a direct confrontation between the two nations over recent events in the Middle East.

Book nooks—DIY fantasy-themed shelf decorations—are gaining popularity as physical media collections rise. Amazon offers affordable kits like The Gate of Wonderland (wizard/forest theme) and Spirit Valley of Magic Rings (Lord of the Rings-inspired), with LED lights enhancing their appeal. While an official LEGO Balrog set exists, it’s expensive; cheaper alternatives or bookends may be better. Prime Day discounts end tonight.

(Key facts: trend, product types, pricing, and urgency.)

The Paris Diamond League track and field meeting will proceed on Sunday at Charlety Stadium despite a historic heatwave, with only professional athlete competitions held and all other activities cancelled. Organizers implemented safety measures including delayed public access, extra medical services, additional water stations, and shaded areas. The event was initially considered for cancellation due to the extreme heat straining emergency services, but the French Athletics Federation confirmed its continuation in coordination with authorities.

Foreign investment in U.S. housing, particularly after 2011 when other countries imposed taxes on foreign buyers, contributed to rising home prices. Areas with higher concentrations of foreign-born residents saw prices increase by an average of 6.7% compared to other neighborhoods, while housing supply grew only slightly. The research highlights that local regulations, such as zoning and permitting processes, play a crucial role in determining housing supply elasticity, with cities like Baltimore demonstrating how policy changes can improve affordability.

Om Malik, a respected tech journalist and investor, passed away after battling heart issues. Known for his keen insights, humor, and generosity, he remained influential even after stepping back from daily journalism in 2014. His presence at Apple events and ongoing analysis continued to earn him respect until his death.

A US judge held prosecutors in contempt for violating court restrictions by publicly stating they had enough evidence to prove Tyler Robinson murdered Charlie Kirk, risking jury bias. While the judge rejected the defence's request to remove the death penalty as a sanction, he suggested addressing potential bias through jury screening. Robinson, charged with aggravated murder in Kirk's September 10 killing, has not yet entered a plea.

Venezuela experienced a magnitude 4.9 earthquake off its northern coast on Friday, following two devastating quakes earlier in the week that killed at least 920 people and injured over 3,360. The death toll is expected to rise significantly, with estimates suggesting it could exceed 10,000. Rescue efforts are ongoing as over 172 people remain trapped under rubble, and the government has restricted access to some affected areas while easing social media restrictions to aid communication.

KWN, a 26-year-old R&B artist from East London, rose to fame after releasing her song Worst Behaviour in late 2024, which she initially sold directly to fans online. Despite being dropped by her first label and working delivery and restaurant jobs, she persisted, eventually signing with RCA Records. Her collaboration with Kehlani on the remix of Worst Behaviour further boosted her success, and she has since sold out venues worldwide, including a sensual performance at the Sydney Opera House. KWN’s music and public queer relationship with Kehlani have also made bold statements in the R&B genre.

A small but growing number of Westerners—disillusioned with political divisions, progressive social changes, and perceived moral decline in their home countries—are moving to Russia under its "Shared Values" visa, which prioritizes traditional Christian and family values over language or integration requirements. Introduced in 2024, the visa has attracted nearly 3,400 applicants from "unfriendly" nations like the U.S., UK, and Canada, though independent verification of approvals is lacking. While these migrants often cite safety, community alignment, and opposition to "neoliberal ideology" as motivations, some have grown concerned about Russia’s restrictions on information and civil liberties, revealing a gap between their expectations and reality. The program reflects Putin’s broader effort to position Russia as a counterweight to Western values amid its international isolation.

The public feud between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and US President Donald Trump has escalated from diplomatic tensions to personal insults, damaging their once-close alliance. The conflict began over Italy's refusal to allow US military aircraft to use a NATO base without parliamentary approval, followed by Trump's criticism of the Pope, which Meloni condemned. At the G7 summit, their relationship appeared to improve, but Trump later claimed Meloni "begged" for a photo with him, which she denied, leading to further outrage in Italy. The incident has strained relations between the two leaders and raised concerns about Meloni's credibility both domestically and internationally.

King Charles voluntarily pays taxes on some income, capital gains, and inheritance under a 1993 agreement with the government, though he is not legally required to do so. His £12.9m tax bill includes VAT, employer taxes, and local rates, but the breakdown of how it was calculated remains unclear. Additionally, he can deduct official royal duties from his taxable income, similar to self-employed expense deductions.

Dead or Alive 6 Last Round is a re-release of the 2019 game bundled with five DLC fighters, new costumes, and minor visual updates, but excludes most existing DLC (including guest characters like Mai Shiranui) unless previously owned. Missing features like rollback netcode, cross-platform play, and new stages make it a disappointing upgrade for existing players. Despite its engaging Triangle System mechanics, the lack of substantial additions justifies it as a costume-focused cash grab rather than a meaningful update.

Egypt faces Iran in their final Group G match at Seattle Stadium, with Egypt leading the group on four points and needing just one more point to secure top spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Both teams are vying for progression, with Egypt aiming to maintain their advantage and Iran seeking a victory or draw to advance. The outcome will determine their knockout stage fate in the tournament.

The US conducted strikes on Iranian missile and drone facilities after a one-way attack drone hit a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, violating a ceasefire agreed on 17 June. Iran's IRGC blamed the US and Israel, warning of stronger retaliation if attacks continue, while Trump hinted at further action. The incident follows recent tensions over Iran's alleged tolling of ships in the strait, which the US condemns as a violation of maritime law.

Israel and Lebanon signed a US-brokered framework agreement to restore Lebanese sovereignty, disarm Hezbollah, and enable Israel's withdrawal from occupied territories—though no immediate Israeli retreat is mandated. The deal outlines a phased process with "pilot zones" for initial withdrawals, contingent on Hezbollah's disarmament and the Lebanese military regaining control. Despite partial de-escalation, Israel continues occupying parts of Lebanon and conducting airstrikes, while Hezbollah insists on an unconditional Israeli withdrawal.

The U.S. government has lifted its block on Anthropic’s Claude Mythos 5 AI model, allowing its release to over 100 trusted U.S. organizations after intense negotiations addressing security concerns. The decision follows a two-week export control imposed by the Trump administration, which temporarily halted Mythos and its weaker version, Fable 5. While Mythos is now accessible to approved entities, the status of Fable 5 remains uncertain. This move establishes a new regulatory framework for frontier AI models, prioritizing U.S. oversight amid global competition and concerns about potential misuse.

More than 50,000 people remain missing after two earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday night. Families are sharing details of their loved ones online in desperate searches, while rescue teams and locals continue digging through rubble on Friday. The earthquakes have left many areas devastated, with ongoing efforts to locate survivors.

Kinetic energy increases quadratically with speed because it is derived from the conservation of energy and momentum, as demonstrated by two arguments involving springs and gravitational potential energy. The first argument shows that when a spring separates two boxes, the kinetic energy of the faster box quadruples if its speed doubles, indicating a $v^2$ relationship. The second argument avoids presupposing gravitational potential energy by focusing on the conversion between kinetic and potential energy, reinforcing that energy is additive with mass and invariant under Galilean transformations. These principles collectively lead to the conclusion that $KE \propto v^2$.

Africa boycotted the 1966 World Cup due to FIFA's allocation of only one qualifying spot for all African and Asian teams, which they deemed unfair. The boycott led to a protest match between North Korea and Ethiopia, symbolizing African solidarity. This action contributed to future changes in FIFA's qualification process, increasing representation for African nations.

Oleksandr Usyk, the undefeated heavyweight champion (WBA, WBC, IBF), has vacated his title belts to allow other fighters opportunities but is not retiring. The 39-year-old Ukrainian, who has also held the undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight titles, cited a recent controversial victory over Rico Verhoeven as part of his decision. Usyk, known for defeating Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Daniel Dubois twice each, plans to continue boxing but has given up his belts after a series of vacations and rematches.

AI is transforming mathematics by accelerating problem-solving and proof generation, raising questions about the future role of human mathematicians. While applied math can now be completed quickly with AI, pure mathematics—focused on abstract problem-solving and deep understanding—retains intrinsic value for researchers who find joy in the struggle to uncover new truths. Historically, mathematicians derive satisfaction from discovering patterns and proving conjectures through creative reasoning, but AI's ability to bypass this deliberative process challenges the field's purpose and human involvement.

Madonna revealed she was jealous of Kylie Minogue due to her ex-husband Guy Ritchie's crush on the Australian singer, admitting she felt she could never match Kylie's beauty. During her interview with Graham Norton, she also hinted at a potential Glastonbury headline performance in 2027 and discussed her daughter Lola's struggles with the "nepo baby" label, which led to their first duet on her new album Confessions II. The album reflects on her dance roots, personal losses, and includes a track created spontaneously during the recording process.

The author purchased a lightly used Minisforum MS-S1 Max with 128GB of memory for around US$2,800, considering it a reasonable deal despite its original higher price. They also had the option to buy a brand new Geekom A9 Mega with the same specifications for the same price. The device comes with a 10-day return policy and a 3-month warranty, offering some protection for the buyer.

A new Warhammer 40,000 animated short, The Butcher’s Nails, offers a first-person perspective of a World Eaters Berzerker, showcasing relentless combat with HUD elements reminiscent of a first-person shooter. The trailer highlights the faction’s brutal nature, fueled by their Butcher’s Nails implants and devotion to Khorne. Meanwhile, Games Workshop has issued takedown requests for popular Warhammer 40,000 mods on Tabletop Simulator, sparking community backlash.

Senegal secured a 5-0 victory over 10-man Iraq, with Pape Gueye scoring two long-range goals in the second half. The win improved their goal difference to +2, placing them fifth among third-place teams in the World Cup knockout race. Iraq were eliminated after losing all three group matches and receiving a red card early in the game.

Amazon’s Prime Day offers a 5% discount on $10 PlayStation and Xbox eGift Cards, and a 10% discount on $10 Nintendo eShop Gift Cards, with no Prime membership required. These gift cards can be used to purchase games, subscriptions, and accessories across respective platforms. You can buy up to two of each gift card at a time before the sale ends.

The U.S. Secret Service avoids using company-issued phones due to security concerns, highlighting ongoing risks in mobile device vulnerabilities. Separately, Microsoft's SharePoint patches failed to address a zero-day exploit, leaving on-premises systems exposed. Additionally, DEF CON's Franklin project is expanding efforts to involve hackers in securing critical infrastructure.

(Note: The article summary focuses on the most relevant security-related news from the provided list, as the title suggests a focus on mobile device risks.)

Dell offers the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 with a $50 Prime Day discount, priced at $149.99 (normally $200), including a component pack with extra paddles, thumbsticks, D-pad, and a travel case. The Series 2 stands out for its customizable pro-gaming features like adjustable thumbsticks and shorter hair triggers, justifying its premium price compared to the basic "Core" model. At this deal, it nearly matches the Core’s cost, making it a strong value for serious gamers.

A Texas education panel has approved mandatory Bible readings, including stories like Adam and Eve and Exodus, for all public school students. The measure, passed by the Republican-controlled State Board of Education, also includes English classics like Great Expectations and will affect over five million students starting in 2030. Critics argue it violates religious freedoms and the separation of church and state, following Texas's 2023 law requiring classrooms to display the Ten Commandments.

Amazon's Prime Day offers discounts on useful Nintendo Switch 2 accessories, including a 50% off 256GB Samsung microSD Express card for faster storage expansion. Notable deals include the tomtoc Slim Case at its lowest price ever, a 15% discount on Belkin’s Pro Charging Case, and over 60% off a Sanrio-themed case. Additionally, there are reliable third-party controllers like the PowerA Advantage and PDP Riffmaster Guitar Controller at their lowest prices, along with a two-pack of screen protectors under $10.

President Trump has threatened to impose a 100% tariff on European nations that introduce digital services taxes targeting American tech giants, warning that such penalties would override existing trade agreements. The UK's 2% Digital Services Tax (DST), introduced in 2020 and applied to companies like Apple and Google, has raised over £800 million in 2024–25. This latest tariff warning follows other recent US import tax announcements, including 10–12.5% duties on goods from multiple countries over forced labor concerns.

Ousmane Dembélé scored one of the earliest World Cup hat-tricks (within 32 minutes) to lead France to a 4-1 win over Norway, securing top spot in Group I with nine points. France advanced with 10 goals scored in three games, while Norway progressed as runners-up despite fielding a weakened team. Dembélé now has four tournament goals, easing pressure on captain Kylian Mbappé to be France’s sole match-winner.

Thousands of migrants are fleeing South Africa due to xenophobic violence and upcoming anti-immigrant protests on June 30. Countries like Malawi, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ghana, and Mozambique are repatriating their citizens after attacks. Many migrants are seeking help at consular offices to return home.

The hopscotch-map library is a C++ header-only implementation of fast hash maps and sets using hopscotch hashing, outperforming std::unordered_map in most cases while using less memory. It offers classes like tsl::hopscotch_map (power-of-two growth) and tsl::hopscotch_pg_map (prime growth for better handling of poor hash functions), with additional variants resistant to hash DoS attacks. Features include support for move-only types, heterogeneous lookups, and optional hash storage for efficiency.

Two powerful earthquakes in Venezuela have killed at least 920 people and injured over 3,360 others, with La Guaira state hardest hit. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with hundreds of international teams arriving to assist, though infrastructure damage and resource shortages complicate relief. The disaster has overwhelmed already strained medical facilities, highlighting Venezuela's vulnerable state due to decades of economic crisis and underinvestment.

The Nex Playground, a motion-based games console for families, is at its lowest price of the year during Amazon’s Prime Day Sale, offering a 20% discount available even to non-Prime members. Launched in 2023, the console uses AI and a camera for controller-free gameplay, supports up to four players, and includes five free games with additional titles requiring a Play Pass subscription ($49 for 3 months or $89 annually). Designed for kids, it features kidSAFE+ COPPA certification and no mature content or ads.

The gap between open-source and closed-source LLMs on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index has been shrinking since mid-2024, with projections suggesting it could close by December 3, 2026. However, analyzing all 18 benchmarks reveals a more stable average gap of around 5 months, with significant improvements primarily in coding performance. This highlights the challenges in accurately measuring LLM capabilities across different metrics.

The California State Assembly has passed AB 2047, a bill mandating surveillance software for 3D printers to prevent unlicensed firearm manufacturing, despite concerns about privacy, free speech, and impracticality. While the bill now exempts private resale of printers and includes unclear open-source protections, it still risks censoring lawful uses and fails to address the ineffectiveness of such surveillance. Additionally, it grants exemptions to commercial users like Hollywood studios while potentially burdening smaller creators and open-source developers.

Burkina Faso's military government, led by Captain Ibrahim Traore since a 2022 coup, has severed diplomatic ties with France, citing neo-colonial ambitions and interference in its affairs. The decision follows accusations that France supports subversive networks and terrorists, while Burkina Faso faces ongoing insurgencies from groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS. Despite cutting diplomatic relations, the government assured that historical and social ties between the two nations remain intact, and French nationals will still be protected.

Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour will reunite as a father-daughter duo in an untitled Netflix spy drama from Adolescence creator Jack Thorne, following their roles in Stranger Things. Harbour plays a disgraced FBI agent, while Brown stars as his estranged daughter, an FBI agent who disappears on a mission. The project is produced by A24, with Brown’s family and other industry figures involved behind the scenes. Despite recent controversies between the actors, Netflix expresses excitement about their collaboration.

The author upgraded their budget build with a second-hand RTX 3090 ($610) and an Arc A770 ($222), along with additional hardware like a PCIe riser and CPU cooler. The system now includes two RTX 3090s, one Arc A770, and a Ryzen 5 1600X. Initial testing revealed issues with the Vulkan backend for multi-GPU inference, despite expectations of good performance.

The US conducted strikes on Iranian missile and drone storage sites, as well as coastal radar locations, in response to an Iranian drone attack on the commercial ship Ever Lovely near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran retaliated by targeting US military installations, warning of further escalation if aggression continued. The incident raises concerns about the stability of a June 17 ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, which aimed to halt military operations but has been strained by ongoing violations.

The Nemotron-3-Super-120B-A12B model, a hybrid of Mamba and Mixture-of-Experts (MoE), achieves perfect needle retrieval at 504K tokens using a constant-size recurrent state instead of a growing KV cache, making context memory nearly free. This model is optimized for on-GPU processing with ~71GB of memory and is available as a GGUF file. It was trained by NVIDIA using the nemotron_h architecture, combining Mamba2, periodic attention, and MoE with A12B active experts.

Valve expressed a desire to make the Steam Machine more affordable, emphasizing that lower prices align with their goal of enhancing player engagement. However, due to ongoing global component shortages and high RAM costs—expected to persist until at least 2027—they do not anticipate a price reduction "any time soon." The Steam Machine currently retails at $1,049 (512GB) or up to $1,428 with accessories.

The Conservatives propose a tax-free incentive for reservists' first 30 days of service annually to boost numbers to 50,000, funded by reinstating the two-child benefit cap. Labour's Defence Minister criticizes the Tories for leaving recruitment in crisis, while the government aims to expand reserves and improve training. The policy would cost £44m initially, rising to £152m yearly once the target is met.

Marvel is launching a new Miles Morales: Spider-Man series in 2026, written by Bryan Edward Hill and illustrated by Nico Leon. The series will feature Miles in his classic costume and introduce a threat from Jefferson Morales' past, putting the entire family in danger. Hill emphasizes Miles' unique generational perspective compared to Peter Parker and plans to expand the supporting cast while incorporating elements from Ultimate Spider-Man: Incursion. The first issue is scheduled for release on August 12.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has urged an independent investigation into the rising deaths of migrants in US detention centers during Donald Trump’s second term, where at least 19 fatalities have occurred this year alone. Human Rights Watch reports that the mortality rate in ICE custody has more than doubled since Trump’s second term began, with deaths nearly four times higher than under Biden and over two and a half times the rate of Trump’s first term. Concerns include systemic neglect, inhumane conditions, allegations of excessive force, and the use of solitary confinement, which may have contributed to preventable deaths.

Piotr has proposed a pull request (#25051) to improve Vulkan Tensor Parallel (TP) functionality in ggml-org/llama.cpp, aiming to make it more viable. The submission has garnered anticipation from the community for its potential advancements, as highlighted by a user on Reddit.

A mistrial was declared in the federal arson case against Jonathan Rinderknecht, accused of starting the deadly Palisades Fire in California, after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict. Prosecutors plan to retry the case in October, with 10 of 12 jurors believing Rinderknecht was innocent. The fire, fueled by drought and winds, killed 12 people and destroyed neighborhoods near Los Angeles.

iOS 27 simplifies the Shortcuts app with natural language input via Apple Intelligence, allowing users to create automations by describing their desired actions. New features include refined triggers (e.g., notifications, screenshots) and expanded actions (e.g., Messages management, photo editing). The app also supports data storage, web searches via Cloud Pro models, and seamless edits between AI-assisted and manual modes.

The UK has deployed a 68-person search and rescue team, including sniffer dogs and drones, to Venezuela following two magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes that killed nearly 1,000 people and displaced tens of thousands. The UK also pledged £2m in humanitarian aid, with hospitals overwhelmed and over 52,000 people reported missing. Venezuela declared a state of emergency as aftershocks and collapsed buildings worsened the crisis.

Hezbollah has rejected the US-brokered Israel-Lebanon framework deal, which aims to facilitate an Israeli troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon. The agreement represents a preliminary step in the negotiations, but Hezbollah's opposition complicates the process. Al Jazeera reports on the developments from Beirut.

The former U.S. government climate change website, shut down under the Trump administration, has been revived by a nonprofit organization. The site now operates independently, continuing to provide climate science information despite its previous closure. This transition highlights the role of nonprofits in preserving and disseminating critical public data when government support wanes.

Trump falsely labels progressive Democratic candidates as "godless communists" despite no actual communists running, following recent primary wins by Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)-backed candidates. He uses inflammatory rhetoric, claiming they threaten Christianity and democracy, though DSA members include religious individuals like Muslims and Catholics. This attack aligns with Republicans' strategy to exploit Democratic shifts ahead of the midterms, amid Trump's low approval ratings.

The author is developing a "local-first" harness for local and API-based LLMs, with 80% completion. They’ve built extensive tools over six months to enhance local LLM usage and are seeking community input on improvements. Users can suggest features or upvote others' ideas to prioritize development.

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Amazon Prime Day 2026 offers significant discounts on LEGO sets for adults, with deals available until midnight. Notable sales include the LEGO Piranha Plant and Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi sets at Target, the Imperial Star Destroyer (lowest price of the year) on Amazon, and a retiring LEGO Bumblebee set. Many sets are retiring by July 31, so stock is limited—some, like the Great Deku Tree set, have already sold out.

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is on sale for $24.99 (almost 60% off) during Prime Day, offering 4K streaming, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos audio. It includes Wi-Fi 6, free apps like Twitch, Alexa Voice Remote, and smart home integration. Trading in an older model adds a further 20% discount.

Amazon Prime Day is ending tonight, offering deep discounts on various products that may not be seen again until Black Friday. The article suggests treating yourself to something nice, such as LEGO sets for adults, book box sets like "The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings," 4K movie collections including the Middle-Earth 6-Film set, and Nintendo Switch 2 games like "Pokemon Legends: Z-A." Additionally, AR/XR glasses are highlighted as a unique tech purchase.

Google advocates for AI regulation but seeks to shape it in a way that aligns with its business interests. The company argues for rules that allow it to continue its current practices while addressing broader concerns about AI safety and ethics. This stance reflects a tension between the need for oversight and industry influence in policymaking.

(Note: The summary focuses on the main article, excluding unrelated news items in the sidebar.)

Paul Meade, Apple’s Vision Products Group leader overseeing the Vision Pro and upcoming AI smart glasses, is departing to join OpenAI’s hardware team. His exit follows Apple’s internal restructuring under incoming CEO John Ternus, which has unsettled some hardware executives. Fletcher Rothkopf will succeed Meade in leading the Vision Pro and smart glasses development.

(Note: The summary avoids starting with "This article" and focuses on key facts while maintaining conciseness.)

Xbox Series X and S prices are set to rise on August 1, but buying now—even with discounts—is a poor decision. The consoles, launched in 2020 at $300 (Series S) and $500 (Series X), are now overpriced for their age, with current deals offering them at $350 and $573 respectively. Microsoft’s AI investments have worsened hardware shortages, while the company faces internal turmoil, including studio closures and layoffs. Most Xbox exclusives are available on PC, and Microsoft’s platform-agnostic approach reduces the need for an Xbox console. Waiting for the next generation or discounted older models is the smarter choice.

The UK’s June temperature record was broken for a third consecutive day on Friday, reaching 37.3°C in Suffolk—a rise of over one degree above the previous 50-year-old record. The extreme heat caused widespread disruptions, including school closures, NHS critical incidents, and travel delays, while health services struggled with increased heat-related illnesses. The Met Office issued thunderstorm warnings for Scotland and northern England as the heatwave is expected to ease over the weekend.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Collector's Edition Mini Arcade Cabinet, a 1/4 scale replica by Numskull, is available at its lowest price of the year during Amazon Prime Day for $214.19, featuring the original 1989 arcade ROM and authentic retro artwork. Measuring 16.9 inches tall, it includes a rechargeable battery for portability and fits easily in small spaces like offices or shelves. The deal expires at midnight, so quick action is needed to secure the discount.

The Bambu Lab P1S Combo 3D Printer, including the Automatic Material System for multi-color printing, is on sale for $499.99 during Prime Day, down from its original launch price of $899. This mid-range model features a fully enclosed chamber, high-speed printing (up to 20,000 mm/s²), and a built-in camera for remote monitoring. The Combo includes the AMS, which normally costs $350 separately and supports up to four filaments (expandable to 16 with daisy-chaining).

Apple may raise the prices of its iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models by up to $200, following significant price hikes on Mac and iPad products. The increase is attributed to higher component costs due to a global memory crisis, with the Pro models expected to feature 12GB RAM. Despite potential price hikes, IDC predicts strong demand due to Siri AI upgrades and premium-focused customers. Additionally, Apple plans to release a foldable iPhone this year with an estimated average selling price of $2,500.

The article critiques the common practice of benchmarking new hardware with standard models and screenshots, calling it unoriginal. Instead, the author advocates for post-training (fine-tuning) models on specific tasks as a more intellectually engaging alternative, drawing from their four years of experience in offering post-training services. They highlight starting with supervised fine-tuning (SFT) of BERT-style models on a 4090 server for clients' tasks.

LG's UltraFine 6K (32U990A) is a premium 32-inch display designed for Mac users, featuring a 6K Nano IPS Black panel and Thunderbolt 5 connectivity. It provides ample workspace with crisp text and interface elements, making it a compelling alternative to Apple's displays. The monitor offers reliable performance, seamless macOS integration, and a refined design with slim bezels and hidden ports.

Phone chargers consume standby power (0.1–0.5 watts) even when not charging, contributing to minor energy costs (up to $4 annually per charger). Standby power from all devices accounts for 5–10% of a home's electricity use. To reduce waste, use energy-efficient chargers, smart outlets, or unplug them when idle.

OpenAI has launched a limited preview of its GPT-5.6 series, featuring three models: Sol (flagship with advanced capabilities), Terra (cost-effective alternative to GPT-5.5), and Luna (affordable, high-performance option). The models include enhanced safety measures, with Sol prioritizing defensive cybersecurity and robust protections. Due to Trump administration restrictions, access is currently limited to trusted partners pending further testing and regulatory framework development.

Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event (likely July 22 in London) will likely introduce a wider Galaxy Z Fold 8 with a 7.8-inch inner display, alongside a standard Z Fold 8 Ultra featuring a Snapdragon chip, 200MP camera, and faster charging. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 may offer a lighter design with reduced display crease, while the Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 will bring incremental upgrades like new colors, bands, and health-tracking features. Samsung may also showcase its Android XR smart glasses developed with Google.

Amazon Prime Day's final hours (ending June 26) feature rare low prices on Apple products like AirPods Max 2 ($399), AirTag 2 (from $24), Apple Watch Ultra 3 ($649), and Series 11 (from $279). Apple's recent price hikes have caused some items to sell out, but discounts remain on MacBooks and iPads. Prime membership is required for most deals ($14.99/month or $139/year), with a 50% discount for young adults (ages 18-24).

A user has developed a streaming medical speech-to-text model that operates entirely on-device, demonstrated running locally on a MacBook using MLX. Further evaluations are underway, with plans to release the open weights next week.

MacRumors is partnering with Astropad to give away an iPad Air, Apple Pencil Pro, and Rock Paper Pencil kit—a $45 accessory that enhances writing with a paper-like texture. The giveaway is open to U.S., UK, and Canadian residents aged 18+ (or age of majority in Canada) until July 3. Winners must claim their prize within 48 hours.

In 2027, the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e will feature 9GB RAM (up from 8GB) with a new A20 chip, while higher-end models like the iPhone 18 Pro will have 12GB RAM to support AI workloads and Apple Intelligence features in iOS 27. Prices for these models are expected to rise, following recent increases across Apple’s Mac and iPad lines. The standard iPhone 18 may launch in early 2027, with a delayed spring release for the base model.

Intel's inclusion in AI investment discussions stems from its high-memory-bandwidth Xeon processors and cost-effective GPUs, which appeal to budget-conscious users. However, skeptics question whether Intel is a viable choice for large-scale AI data centers, given its perceived limitations compared to dominant players like NVIDIA. The debate highlights Intel's niche role in the AI hardware market, despite its broader appeal for specific use cases.

Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 21, from Rochdale, was jailed for three and a half years after punching two female police officers at Manchester Airport in July 2024, breaking one officer's nose. He was also convicted of assaulting a Starbucks customer but cleared of attacking a male officer due to a hung jury. The incident, captured on video, sparked protests after footage showed an officer kicking Amaaz while he was on the ground. The officers involved described severe physical and emotional trauma from the attack.

Egyptian World Cup commercials playfully mock the nation’s history of early tournament exits, with a recurring line—“To all the doubters, this time we’re staying longer”—striking a chord as Egypt sits atop its group with four points, its best-ever World Cup performance. The team’s strong showing, including a draw against world No. 10 Belgium and a win over New Zealand, has fans hopeful of reaching the knockout stages for the first time. The campaign’s resonance extends beyond football, reflecting broader societal cynicism shaped by years of economic struggles and political instability.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem demands Israel's "unconditional" withdrawal from southern Lebanon and other occupied areas, stating it has no choice. This follows Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz's assertion that Israel will not withdraw, regardless of US pressure. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions over territorial disputes between the two groups.

US auto regulators at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are advocating for the removal of brake pedals in robotaxis, arguing that requiring human controls hinders innovation. The proposal aims to accelerate the development of fully autonomous vehicles by eliminating redundant manual controls. This move reflects broader efforts to modernize regulations for emerging technologies in the automotive industry.

Nicholas Rossi, a convicted rapist who faked his death and fled to Scotland under the alias Arthur Knight, died in a US hospital on June 25, 2026, after discontinuing medical treatment for chronic conditions. Originally sentenced to 10 years to life in Utah, Rossi was extradited from Scotland in January 2024 after being identified by hospital staff and convicted of raping two women in 2008. His elaborate deception, including fake medical claims and legal battles, unraveled when authorities confirmed his true identity in 2023.

Apple has raised prices across most of its product lines due to soaring memory and storage chip costs, with increases averaging $246.67 per product. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to see significant price hikes, potentially reaching $1,399 or higher, due to increased production costs and a new camera system. Additionally, Apple plans to launch the foldable "iPhone Ultra," Apple Watch Ultra 4, and camera-equipped AirPods this year.

A viral World Cup ad campaign resonated with Egyptian football fans by highlighting their long-standing frustration over decades of disappointment in the tournament. The ads sparked widespread debate about hope versus expectation, reflecting deep-seated emotions tied to Egypt’s underperforming World Cup history. Al Jazeera’s Yasmeen ElTahan analyzed the cultural impact of these ads, which struck a nerve with fans.

Micron’s chief business officer suggested that aggressive pricing demands from some customers, including likely Apple, during industry downturns forced suppliers like Micron to cut investment in 2023, worsening the current global memory shortage. Apple recently raised prices across most of its hardware lineup, citing unprecedented cost pressures from the shortage, which CEO Tim Cook described as a "hundred-year flood" driven by AI demand outpacing supply. The price hikes contributed to Apple’s stock dropping 6%, erasing $265 billion in market value.

Local AI workflows like RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) and MCP (Multi-Tool Call Protocol) have significantly improved efficiency by enabling LLMs to access specific documents or tools directly. Users highlight prompt organization and document indexing as key time-savers, while coding agents automate repetitive tasks. These methods enhance productivity by making LLMs more practical for daily use.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has launched a competition for top architecture firms to redesign the uninhabitable official residence, 24 Sussex Drive, which has suffered decades of neglect with rodent infestations, mold, and structural hazards. The winning design, to be announced on Canada Day 2027, will aim to restore the historic building as a symbol of national identity. The project faces an estimated C$40 million cost, with legendary architect Moshe Safdie leading the jury to evaluate submissions.

A Venezuelan mother, identified as the wife of footballer Héctor Bello, died while protecting her toddler daughter during recent earthquakes near Caracas. The twin quakes killed at least 589 people, injured nearly 3,000, and left many missing. Additionally, two teenage football players and a former Miss Venezuela’s mother were among the victims, while foreign nationals from Spain, Portugal, and Brazil also perished.

A powerful earthquake struck Venezuela's Caribbean coast, collapsing apartment buildings in La Guaira and killing at least 589 people nationwide. Survivors like Ligia Level described the disaster as "brutal and fast," with many still missing, including entire families. The government declared La Guaira the worst-hit area and sought international aid as volunteers searched the rubble.

France and Norway are set to play a crucial Group I match at the FIFA World Cup 2026, with the winner securing the top spot in the group. The game will take place at Boston Stadium, Foxborough, United States, starting at 3pm local time (19:00 GMT). Both teams have already qualified for the last 32.

Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, reported that the death toll from recent earthquakes has risen to 589 with nearly 3,000 injured. Foreign search and rescue teams are arriving to assist, but locals express frustration over the slow government response. The US has mobilized troops to aid in the disaster, while other countries have offered humanitarian assistance.

Selling a Zotac RTX 5090 with 128GB RAM to buy five RTX 4060 Ti 16GB GPUs for an AI rig is generally a poor idea due to the significant performance gap between the 5090 and 4060 Ti. The 5090 offers far superior compute power for AI tasks, and replacing it with multiple lower-end GPUs may not yield better results. Additionally, using PCIe 4.0 x16 riser cables in an open rig could introduce stability and cooling issues, further complicating the setup.

Samsung will introduce a $5 monthly fee for non-commercial developers using its SmartThings API starting in October, affecting third-party tools like Home Assistant. While traditional SmartThings app users won’t be directly impacted, those relying on custom integrations may face additional costs. Samsung claims the revenue will fund enterprise-grade features, though specifics remain unclear.

Apple's upcoming OLED MacBook Ultra, launching between late 2024 and early 2025, will use the current M5 Pro and M5 Max chips instead of next-gen M6 versions. The device, available in 14- and 16-inch sizes with a new design and Dynamic Island, will be priced higher than the $1,999 M5 Pro MacBook Pro. Meanwhile, Apple plans to skip M6 Pro/Max chips for more advanced M7 Pro/Max chips focused on AI, with a MacBook Pro refresh and Mac Studio updates expected in 2027-2028.

Using LLMs is exhausting because they demand social energy—like negotiating with a person—rather than functioning as seamless tools like keyboards or cars. While human interactions provide meaningful returns (learning, inspiration), LLMs often deliver repetitive outputs with little reciprocal value. The article questions whether this social effort is justified, especially when it could be better directed toward real human collaboration.

A critical flaw in Amazon Q allowed malicious Git repositories to execute arbitrary code and steal cloud credentials, as researchers warn that AI coding assistants may blindly run commands from project configurations. The vulnerability underscores broader risks in automated development tools that process untrusted inputs. Separately, Microsoft's SharePoint patches failed to address a zero-day exploit, leaving on-premises systems vulnerable.

Bob-omb Battlefield, the first challenge course in Super Mario 64, is celebrated for its innovative 3D platforming design and storytelling, introducing hostility and exploration after the game's safe tutorial. Originally a river-crossed warzone concept, it features a compact yet expansive layout with hidden stars, friendly NPCs (a first for Mario games), and a signature valley trench. The level's inviting artwork and layered progression make it a landmark in gaming history, blending action with narrative depth.

Amazon and Best Buy are still offering pre-hike prices on select iPads and Macs, despite Apple's announced price increases. Key deals include the 512GB MacBook Neo at $689.99 ($109 off), 14-inch MacBook Pro at $2,049.99 ($449 off), and 16-inch MacBook Pro at $2,549.99 ($750 off). Stock is dwindling, so act fast to secure these discounts before retailers update their prices.

Bandai Namco has released a teaser for "TEKKEN! CARTOON," featuring toy-like, animated versions of classic Tekken characters such as Kazuya and Kuma. The trailer combines live-action and animated elements, with animator Amerhiro involved in the project's design. While details like release date and plot are missing, fans have expressed surprise and curiosity about this unexpected addition to the Tekken franchise.

The European Union has imposed visa restrictions on Somali citizens, including longer processing times and the removal of diplomatic passport fee waivers, due to Somalia's insufficient cooperation in accepting deported nationals. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud defended his government’s stance, stating that many returnees are not genuine Somalis and that Europe must verify identities before deportations. The move follows similar actions against Ethiopia and The Gambia, reflecting the EU’s broader crackdown on migration.

Steam's Summer Sale is live until July 9, offering discounts on popular PC games like Resident Evil Requiem, Baldur’s Gate 3 ($45), and Red Dead Redemption 2 (75% off at $15). Other highlights include Dispatch ($24) and Split Fiction (35% off at $32.49). Additional deals are available on Fanatical and Humble Bundle.

The Sovereign Grant for the monarchy's running costs in 2024-25 is set at £99.9m, a figure carefully chosen to appear just under £100m, reflecting the importance of optics in royal finances. While King Charles III has disclosed his personal tax payment of £12.9m, details about its breakdown—such as income sources and tax types—remain undisclosed. Additionally, the Sovereign Grant is decreasing to £99.9m after a decade of increased funding for Buckingham Palace renovations, though the core amount remains higher than pre-renovation levels.

Retailers warn of PS5 and Xbox Series X|S shortages ahead of GTA 6's November launch, fearing scalpers will exploit high demand. Sony and Microsoft have raised console prices due to a global memory shortage, with further increases expected, making it harder for consumers to secure units. Experts advise buying early to avoid price hikes and potential scalping, as stock may sell out quickly.

The 65" LG Evo C5 4K OLED Smart TV is at its lowest price ever, $1,099.99, during Amazon Prime Day, offering exceptional image quality, low input lag, and high refresh rates ideal for gaming. It features near-infinite contrast, instant response times, a bright Evo panel, and modern gaming capabilities like 120Hz/144Hz support, HDMI 2.1, and VRR.

Atari is releasing two Toy Story game collections: Toy Story Retro Roundup, featuring classic games like Toy Story (Genesis/SNES/Game Boy), Toy Story 2, and Buzz Lightyear of Star Command with modern QoL features like save states, cheats, and archival content; and Toy Story 3 Complete Edition, a remastered version with updated graphics, 4K/60FPS support, and previously exclusive content like Zurg gameplay. Both collections aim to preserve nostalgia while improving accessibility for new players.

The UN's International Maritime Organization (IMO) has paused its evacuation of over 11,000 stranded sailors in the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was struck by an unknown projectile near Oman. The IMO cited safety concerns, despite ongoing efforts to restart commercial traffic following a US-Iran memorandum of understanding. Iran opposes the proposed new shipping corridor, which bypasses its controlled waters, and tensions over navigation rights remain unresolved.

A Moroccan court sentenced 29 individuals, including politicians and sports figures like former MP Belkacem Mir and ex-football club president Said Naciri, to up to 12 years in prison for drug trafficking, corruption, and money laundering. The trial, triggered by testimony from a Malian trafficker dubbed the "Escobar of the Sahara," involved a network moving cannabis and cocaine to Europe, with assets worth millions seized. The case prompted King Mohammed VI to push for parliamentary ethics reforms amid widespread shock and outrage.

The Jolla Phone (2026) is an independent European Linux phone with a 99€ down payment for October delivery, available in two memory configurations (8/128GB or 12/256GB) and three colors. It features 5G, expandable storage up to 2TB, Sailfish OS 5 with Android app support, a user-replaceable battery and back cover, and a physical privacy switch. Designed with community input, it prioritizes privacy, longevity (5+ years of updates), and user control over data.

Oracle has announced plans to open up MySQL governance but the community is seeking concrete guarantees. The move comes amid concerns over transparency and control. Meanwhile, related tech news includes AI advancements, security vulnerabilities, and open-source developments.

A UK study found that young male gamers are twice as likely to believe conspiracy theories compared to the general population. The research, involving 2,000 men aged 18-24, identified a group called "Sceptical Scrollers" who consume news mainly through YouTube, podcasts, and social media while playing more video games than others. While the group values gaming as an escape from reality, attempts to introduce subtle messages into games were met with mixed reactions, including feelings of betrayal. The study suggests that games promoting critical thinking could still be beneficial for this disenfranchised group.

John Bolton, former Trump national security adviser and critic, pleaded guilty to unlawfully retaining classified documents shared with relatives for a book. The case began before Trump’s 2025 return, backed by career prosecutors, and Bolton faces sentencing in October with potential fines and community service. Unlike other Trump-era prosecutions, this investigation predated his presidency.

Walmart and Target are selling the Xbox Series X at $573.99, a significant discount ahead of Microsoft's August 1 price hike that will increase the console's cost by up to $226. The price increases are due to rising component costs, affecting other consoles and potential hardware shortages during the holiday season. Best Buy offers a $50 reward certificate with GTA 6 preorders bundled with eligible consoles.

GTA 6 is confirmed as a single-player experience, leaving the future of GTA Online uncertain. Based on past patterns, such as Red Dead Online launching a month after its single-player counterpart in beta form, GTA 6 Online could arrive around December or January. However, Rockstar may delay its release to avoid competing with GTA 6's single-player hype and to align with the expiration of pre-order GTA+ subscriptions, potentially boosting their paid service.

The Nintendo Switch 2 sold 5.9 million units in its first year, making it the second fastest-selling console in U.S. history after the Game Boy Advance. Despite a price hike to $499.99 in September, Switch 2 sales surged in May, offsetting declines in PS5 and Xbox Series hardware spending due to recent price increases. Meanwhile, the average console price rose 14% year-over-year to $502, with next-gen consoles like the PS6 and Project Helix potentially launching near $1,000.

Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro lineup and its first foldable iPhone are expected to launch at higher prices this September, with the foldable model potentially exceeding $2,000 in the U.S. Leakers suggest price increases of 10% to 20%, pushing some configurations beyond $3,000. Rising component costs, such as a 25% increase in DRAM expenses, are driving these hikes, marking a shift from Apple's usual practice of absorbing such costs.

Apple has expanded its refurbished store with new 2026 Mac models, including the M5 chip MacBook Air and Pro (M5 Pro/Max), as well as the second-gen Studio Display. Prices for refurbished Macs now closely match recent brand-new price hikes, but the Studio Display offers savings (e.g., $1,359 refurbished vs. $1,599 new in the U.S.). The listings also incorrectly describe the Studio Display as having an XDR display, which is exclusive to the higher-end XDR model. Refurbished products undergo testing and cleaning, come with a one-year warranty, and are available in multiple regions.

Springer Nature retracted two studies by Nobel laureate Max Planck, published in the 1940s, due to alleged copyright violations. The retractions appear to be automated errors, as one paper was republished elsewhere—a common practice at the time—and the other had no prior publication. Springer Nature replaced the articles with blank pages but still sells them for $39.95, while declining to provide further details.

Apple is donating to relief efforts in Venezuela following two devastating earthquakes this week, as announced by CEO Tim Cook on social media. The company has previously supported the Red Cross for similar disasters but does not disclose donation amounts. Additionally, Apple recently raised prices on multiple products, including the HomePod mini ($129), HomePod ($349), and Apple TV ($199), with increases ranging from $30 to $1,300.

Andrew and Tristan Tate lost a court bid to learn the names of their UK accusers, as the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) withheld them to prevent public disclosure. The brothers, who face 21 charges including rape and human trafficking from 2012–2016, will be extradited from Romania once local proceedings conclude. A High Court judge upheld the CPS's decision, citing legal grounds to protect the women’s identities due to their vulnerability and the Tates' high public profile. The ruling dismissed arguments that withholding names violated the brothers’ human rights or hindered their trial preparation.

Iran has strongly condemned a joint US-GCC statement as "interventionist" and "provocative," accusing the US and Gulf allies of distorting regional realities by imposing conditions on Iran's nuclear program, missile capabilities, and support for armed groups like Hezbollah. The US-GCC statement, issued after a ministerial meeting in Bahrain, tied future economic engagement with Iran to strict conditions, including preventing nuclear weapons development and addressing threats like ballistic missiles and proxies. Iran rejected these claims, asserting its commitment to regional security and accusing the US of being the greatest violator of stability.

South Korean former First Lady Kim Keon Hee was sentenced to seven years in prison for accepting bribes, including luxury items like jewellery and a Dior handbag, in exchange for political favours during her husband’s presidency. The Seoul Central District Court also fined her $42,000 and ordered the confiscation of the gifts. Kim denied the charges and plans to appeal, while her husband, former President Yoon Suk Yeol, is already serving a life sentence for unrelated crimes.

James Gunn’s Superman revealed that Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van were fascist rulers who wanted Kal-El to conquer Earth, contrasting with traditional depictions of Krypton. Supergirl contradicts this twist by portraying Kara’s parents, Zor-El and Alura In-Ze, as noble figures who saved Kryptonians from destruction, suggesting that Jor-El and Lara were outliers rather than representatives of their society. This shift implies a more nuanced view of Krypton in Gunn’s DCU, where not all inhabitants were fascist.

Yuri Zaporozhets of QRV Systems has developed a RISC-V-based personal computer called GateMate PC, featuring a 25 MHz RISC-V core and an original video controller on an Olimex FPGA board. He also created the GateMate System/359, a miniature mainframe inspired by IBM's System/360, with unique little-endian architecture and channel I/O model. Additionally, he ported QNX 6.4 to RISC-V and has been working on various other projects, including a new OS called QSOE.

Canada is now eligible to compete in Eurovision after CBC/Radio-Canada became a full member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), fulfilling a key requirement. The Canadian government has expressed interest in participating, with funding allocated to explore this possibility. While Canada hasn't formally competed before, Canadians like Céline Dion have won the contest representing other countries.

Iraq’s new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has launched an anticorruption campaign, resulting in the seizure of $86 million in cash, properties, vehicles, and gold linked to embezzlement cases involving senior officials like Oil Ministry Undersecretary Adnan al-Jumaili and former governor Raed al-Jubouri. While this effort has garnered public attention, analysts argue that systemic corruption in Iraq’s political structure remains a significant hurdle, with the country ranked 136 out of 182 in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. Despite al-Zaidi’s establishment of the Supreme Sovereign Council for Integrity and cancellation of a $764 million airport project over corruption concerns, skeptics question whether the campaign will address older or more politically sensitive cases.

New York's Democratic primaries on June 23 marked a significant shift within the party, with progressive candidates critical of Israel's policies and supportive of Palestinian rights winning key races. This includes victories by Brad Lander over Dan Goldman, Darializa Avila Chevalier over Adriano Espaillat, and the first Palestinian American candidate, Aber Kawas, securing a State Senate seat. The results reflect growing grassroots mobilization and changing attitudes among younger voters, challenging traditional political dynamics influenced by groups like AIPAC.

Solar storms, caused by magnetic reconnection on the Sun's surface, can disrupt Earth's magnetic fields and pose risks to technological infrastructure. These storms include solar flares, radiation storms, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which can lead to geomagnetic storms, radio blackouts, and other disruptions. Power grids are particularly vulnerable, as demonstrated by the 1989 Quebec blackout that left six million people without power for nine hours.

Volkswagen plans to cut 100,000 jobs (15% of its global workforce) and close four German plants—Hanover, Zwickau, Emden, and Audi Neckarsulm—as part of its largest overhaul in 89 years. The move, driven by weak EV demand and strategic restructuring, contradicts a prior 2024 agreement with unions that barred further cuts until 2030. Unions have vowed to resist the layoffs and closures, calling them unacceptable.

Notion has discontinued its Gmail client due to AI agents overwhelming users' inboxes. Meanwhile, OpenAI reports that 97.9% of its employees are now using AI agents like Codex, expanding beyond developers. Additionally, Microsoft's SharePoint patches failed to address a zero-day vulnerability, leaving on-prem systems exposed.

A malicious package bypassed seven AI security gates due to various failures, including a fake approval note and unsupported content. The incident was resolved when the attacker's autonomous agent accessed unauthorized files, mirroring how it began. Despite advanced AI defenses, human intervention was crucial in detecting the threat.

A court has lifted reporting restrictions, allowing the naming of 13 men accused of helping a husband drug and sexually abuse his wife in Stockport. The husband, who pleaded guilty to multiple rape and assault charges but denies other offences, will stand trial in September alongside 12 others. Among the defendants are a paramedic who met Prince Harry and a former football club CEO, with one man already admitting conspiracy charges. The trial is set for 12 weeks starting in September.

Jiangsu's Southeast University has launched the province's first AI-powered 10 Gbps all-optical campus network, showcasing advanced connectivity and smart infrastructure. The network integrates artificial intelligence to optimize performance and efficiency across the university's digital ecosystem. This initiative highlights China's ongoing investments in cutting-edge technology for educational institutions.

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Apple is reportedly developing a smart ring, potentially called "iRing," to compete with products like the Oura Ring and Samsung Galaxy Ring. The company has explored this concept for years, with patents and previous rumors suggesting a biometric wearable more discreet than the Apple Watch. The latest speculation follows the Oura Ring's rising popularity, though no additional details have been shared by the leaker.

A malicious campaign named "Miasma" has compromised over 20 npm packages, targeting developer secrets. Additionally, a flaw in Amazon Q allowed booby-trapped Git repositories to execute code and steal cloud credentials. Microsoft's patches for on-prem SharePoint were ineffective, leaving it vulnerable to zero-day attacks.

ZTE and Tianyi Digital Life have launched a flagship home AI router, showcasing their collaboration in the smart home technology sector. This announcement highlights advancements in AI-driven networking solutions aimed at enhancing user experience and connectivity. The router integrates cutting-edge features to position both companies at the forefront of this growing market.

ZTE demonstrated Level-4 autonomous network capabilities at DTW Ignite 2026, emphasizing Agentic AI and cross-domain innovation to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience. Key solutions included end-to-end fault management, dynamic 5G slice management, and multi-agent collaboration projects like W2W Fault Management and A2A-T Catalyst. ZTE's approach integrates domain-specific AI agents with cross-domain orchestration to enable self-optimizing networks, reducing repair times and improving service agility.

A postcode lookup tool reveals the hometowns of World Cup stars from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland since 1950. England's squad has a strong London presence (10 players), with notable contributions from the North West and North East, while Scotland's team is dominated by Glasgow-based players. The data, sourced from FIFA and national football associations, highlights how major cities like Belfast, Liverpool, Edinburgh, and Manchester have produced the most World Cup talent, though some players come from smaller towns like Kirriemuir.

Apple has started selling refurbished MacBook Neo models, available in four colors and two storage options (256GB for $599 and 512GB with Touch ID for $679), offering savings compared to the newly increased prices of $699 and $799 for new units. The price hikes, affecting both new and refurbished products, are attributed to the ongoing memory chip shortage driven by AI server demand. The MacBook Neo remains Apple’s most affordable Mac, featuring an A18 Pro chip and a 13-inch Liquid Retina display.

A marine expedition off Brazil’s coast discovered 31 new species in two weeks, potentially setting a record due to advanced technology like the "Squid" microscope. The team of international scientists explored the ocean’s midwater zone, finding diverse creatures such as jellyfish, crustaceans, and single-celled organisms. The findings highlight the vast, understudied marine habitat and its role in carbon cycling, while underscoring the need for continued scientific collaboration.

The IAEA insists on a robust verification system for Iran’s nuclear program, emphasizing that intentions alone are insufficient without inspections. While Iran denies weaponization plans and has partially resumed IAEA access, key sites damaged in last year’s attacks remain off-limits. Disputes persist between the US and Iran over inspection terms, with both sides making conflicting claims amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations.

International rescue teams from Switzerland, Turkey, the Netherlands, and Spain have arrived in Venezuela to assist with search and rescue efforts following two powerful earthquakes that killed at least 235 people, with fears the death toll could reach thousands. The tremors, which occurred in a span of eight hours, were unrelated to other significant earthquakes that struck California and Japan on the same day. Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, announced the arrival of international aid to support local emergency services.

The war on Iran has significantly boosted profits for defence contractors, energy companies, and investment banks due to market disruptions. Energy firms like Saudi Aramco, BP, Shell, and TotalEnergies saw substantial gains from soaring oil prices (peaking at $126/barrel) and strategic production adjustments. US LNG companies like Venture Global and Cheniere Energy also benefited as buyers sought alternative supply routes.

Rescuers in Venezuela successfully extracted a baby alive from the rubble of a collapsed building following recent earthquakes. Search efforts are ongoing to locate thousands of missing individuals amid the destruction. The incident highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the affected regions.

Sarah Wynn-Williams, former Facebook Director of Public Policy and author of Careless People, is suing Meta for allegedly retaliating against her after she exposed corporate misconduct, including enforcing a non-disparagement clause and monitoring her activities to deter whistleblowing. Her book, which detailed claims about leadership failures (e.g., Joel Kaplan’s alleged ignorance of Taiwan’s geography and inaction on Myanmar), was published despite Meta’s attempts to block it, becoming a bestseller. Despite the controversy, Meta’s share price and user numbers grew in 2025.

Sony CEO Hideaki Nishino hinted at future PlayStation hardware innovations, emphasizing hybrid and portable gaming experiences while reaffirming the importance of traditional consoles. He referenced technologies like PlayStation Portal and cloud streaming, which allow gaming across multiple devices and locations, suggesting a shift toward more flexible play options. Additionally, Sony is prioritizing PS5 exclusives for first-party single-player games but will consider PC releases for live-service titles to expand reach. Speculation about a PS6 handheld or dockable console continues, with potential high costs delaying its launch.

Russia claims to have shot down 660 Ukrainian drones in a large-scale attack targeting energy infrastructure and military sites, including the Azot plant near Moscow. Ukraine’s ongoing drone strikes have caused fuel shortages and disrupted Russian supply lines, while Zelenskyy accuses Moscow of pressuring Belarus to join the war. Both Russia and Belarus deny these allegations, with Lukashenko warning Ukraine against provoking his country into conflict.

The final Group G, H and I matches on Friday will determine World Cup knockout spots, with France aiming to top Group I against Norway, Spain seeking first place in Group H over Uruguay, and teams like Egypt, Iran, Belgium, Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia battling for survival. Key fixtures include Norway vs France (3pm EDT), Senegal vs Iraq, Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia, Uruguay vs Spain, Egypt vs Iran, and New Zealand vs Belgium. Predictions favor France (59.4% win chance), Senegal (77.2%), Spain (62.4%), and Cape Verde (40.8%) in their respective matches, with knockout progression probabilities varying significantly among the teams.

A 27-year-old Somali nursing graduate, Sadia Moalim Ali, was sentenced to three years in prison for criticizing the government on social media, sparking widespread outrage. She was convicted of insulting government institutions after posting about youth unemployment, corruption, and forced evictions. Human rights groups and former officials condemned the ruling as unjust, highlighting systemic discrimination against female activists in Somalia. Ali, who has been in custody since April, reported being tortured and threatened with rape while detained.

The retired Space Shuttle Endeavour is being prepared for a new exhibit in California. The shuttle, which has been undergoing processing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, will be displayed in a vertical position, stacked with its solid rocket boosters and external fuel tank. This exhibit is part of a broader effort to preserve and showcase NASA's space shuttle program history.

A mother gave birth in La Guaira, Venezuela, while rescuers were searching for missing people after a devastating earthquake. The birth occurred amid the ongoing devastation and rescue efforts following the disaster.

California has launched a monthly-updated tracker to monitor AI-related job losses, using unemployment data and AI exposure measures. The portal, developed with state agencies and UC researchers, breaks down vulnerabilities by age, gender, industry, and region—highlighting that workers aged 25-35, especially women, are most at risk. While the tracker serves as an early warning system for potential interventions, experts caution it may not definitively attribute job losses to AI alone.

BBC DJ and presenter Trevor Nelson is taking a break from work due to health issues, following routine tests that required further investigation. The 62-year-old Radio 2 and 1Xtra host, who has championed black music for three decades at the BBC, shared his decision on Instagram, emphasizing recovery without speculation. He has received widespread support from colleagues and celebrities like Stormzy and Beverley Knight, with the BBC wishing him a speedy return.

Two powerful earthquakes (magnitude 7.2 and 7.5) struck near Caracas, causing widespread destruction with at least 235 deaths and 4,300 injuries. The capital suffered severe damage due to inadequate infrastructure, poor building standards, and its location in a seismic basin that amplifies tremors. Historical earthquakes (1812, 1967) and Venezuela’s economic struggles, worsened by sanctions, have further weakened resilience.

The UK's infrastructure and culture are poorly equipped for extreme heat, as evidenced by cancelled events, surging air conditioning sales, and transport disruptions. The 2023 heatwave (peaking at 36.1°C) highlights vulnerabilities, particularly for elderly and low-income groups in poorly ventilated homes, while economic impacts include reduced retail spending. Despite past heat-related deaths (3,000 in 2022), long-term adaptation measures remain insufficient due to political inertia and delayed infrastructure projects.

A new Met Office red heat warning is in effect for parts of south-east and central southern England until 9pm, with temperatures expected to reach 35-37C (95F to 98.6F). However, cooler weather is on the way from Friday, with thunderstorms also possible. National records were broken again yesterday, including a new UK June temperature record of 36.7C in Somerset and Wales' highest June temperature of 36.6C in Cardiff.

Bungie has laid off nearly 300 employees from its Bellevue, Washington headquarters, with a formal separation date set for July 9. This is the third round of layoffs in three years, following a total of around 320 staff cuts between October 2023 and July 2024. The layoffs have affected staff across all departments, including artists, engineers, and producers, and follow the recent ending of new content for Destiny 2 and the release of Marathon, which has struggled for players. Sony, which acquired Bungie in 2022, reported a $765 million impairment loss due to Bungie's underperformance.

Three free and open-source software (FOSS) projects are highlighted: Collabora's CODE 26.04, which adds Markdown support and AI features (disabled by default); a Flatpak revival of GIMP 0.54 for retro computing; and Bcachefs, now out of experimental status with improved performance but some AI-related issues. Additionally, a Netflix engineer open-sourced an app called Project Headroom to reduce AI-related costs.

YouTube Shorts has removed dislikes and replaced the like button with a heart, while introducing double-speed playback and a "Clear mode" inspired by TikTok. The changes aim to improve user experience, with dislikes removed to refine content recommendations and double-speed playback as a highly requested feature. Some users criticize the removal of dislikes for limiting feedback on low-quality content, but YouTube argues that "Not Interested" and "Don't Recommend Channel" options are better alternatives. The updates are rolling out globally but may arrive at different times in various regions.

Restaurant dishes often have hidden costs beyond ingredients, with labour and operational expenses significantly impacting pricing. For example, an asparagus dish at Apricity costs £21 to the customer but yields only £1.65 in profit, due to high labour, energy, and utility costs—such as £8,000 annually for fire safety systems and extraction cleaning. Similarly, a beef dish at Teal priced at £36 generates just 44p in profit, with ingredient costs compounded by rising feed prices (up 2.5%), VAT, and operational expenses like waste collection and wine for sauces. Both restaurants highlight that supermarket food prices don’t reflect the true cost of dining out, where profits are minimal despite high overheads.

The Western housing crisis has intensified, with rising rents and home prices outpacing wages, locking younger buyers out of ownership and prompting governments to act. In 2026, reforms like the UK’s ban on no-fault evictions and bipartisan US housing bills aim to address affordability, while experts attribute the crisis to neoliberal policies that reduced public housing investment. Affordable housing is typically defined as costing no more than 30% of household income, but many now spend far beyond this threshold, exacerbating inequality and financial strain.

Netherlands and Australia secured their places in the World Cup knockout stage after victories on Day 15, while Curaçao was eliminated. Key matches included the Netherlands' win over Ecuador and Australia's victory over Tunisia, with upcoming fixtures featuring England vs. Senegal and France vs. Uruguay. The tournament continues in North America, with highlights and previews available for fans.

The article discusses various tech-related topics, including AI advancements, cybersecurity threats like phishing attacks and zero-day vulnerabilities, major investments in cloud infrastructure by Amazon, and the impact of AI on workforce automation. It also covers updates in open-source software, such as Collabora's CODE 26.04 release and the revival of GIMP 0.54, as well as historical insights into CentOS and France's struggles with digital sovereignty due to Microsoft's dominance. Additionally, it highlights a new tool by Netflix to reduce AI costs and the expansion of DEF CON's hacking initiatives.

Central and northern Europe face extreme heat this weekend, with Germany and Poland expecting temperatures up to 40°C (104°F), following similar conditions in France. The Austrian Grand Prix has issued a heat hazard warning due to unusually high temperatures. Meanwhile, severe thunderstorms and rare tornadoes in Russia have caused damage, while China's south experiences extreme rainfall during its rainy season.

North Korea conducted major weapons tests, including a ballistic missile warhead and extended-range rocket launcher, as Kim Jong Un ordered a "deadly offensive posture" to deter enemies. South Korea responded by announcing plans to train 500,000 "drone warriors" and expand its drone capabilities amid rising tensions. The developments follow stalled US-North Korea talks and Pyongyang's push to nuclearize its navy.

A driver rammed into a crowd of Mexico fans celebrating their World Cup victory on June 26, 2026, injuring at least 17 people. The incident occurred during post-match festivities, with details about the driver's motives and condition still unclear. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Mexico’s new UK ambassador, Alejandro Gertz Manero—a member of the left-wing Morena party—recently disclosed assets including 10 houses, two Rolls-Royces, £1m in jewellery, and properties abroad worth millions, despite the party’s "austerity" platform. His wealth contrasts with Morena’s anti-poverty rhetoric, led by former president López Obrador, who championed frugality. The party has faced repeated scandals involving luxury spending by officials, including López Obrador’s sons and allies, despite guidelines condemning ostentatious displays.

Cape Fear Episode 5, titled "Faith," delves into the bizarre dynamics of Max Cady’s daughter Nevaeh and her mother, Faith, whose home is filled with eerie symbols. Meanwhile, Anna confronts Nevaeh at a movie theater, leading to an attack and a hit-and-run incident. Tom’s colleague Lex is blackmailed by a client, while Max encounters his stalker, who claims to have visited him in a dream. Zack’s unsettling behavior, including a ritual and a creepy interaction with Anna, adds to the show’s growing supernatural undertones. The episode relies heavily on its young actors’ performances to maintain intrigue despite pacing issues and confusing plot twists.

KLD (Kullback-Leibler Divergence) is criticized for its inconsistency in measuring abliteration due to varying representations, dependence on evaluation prompts, and the common practice of using first-token KL to inflate performance. The author seeks alternative metrics to accurately compare abliterated models with their base versions, inviting discussion on the topic.

A security executive underestimated the complexity of implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA), highlighting potential risks in cybersecurity oversight. Meanwhile, Microsoft’s SharePoint on-premises systems face a zero-day attack despite recent patches, while DEF CON expands its Franklin project to harden critical infrastructure through hacker collaboration. Additionally, EQT acquired a majority stake in Acronis for over $3.5 billion, and a decade after the first corporate ransomware attack, experts see no end to the threat.

South Korea plans to train 500,000 military personnel across all branches as drone operators by 2029, procuring over 70,000 drones for training and combat by 2030. The strategy, driven by lessons from Ukraine and the Middle East, aims to counter North Korea’s growing drone capabilities, which have advanced through its partnership with Russia. The move follows a 2022 incident where North Korean drones breached South Korean airspace undetected, highlighting vulnerabilities in Seoul’s defenses.

A hospital investigation is underway after up to 40 staff accessed the medical records of a 3-year-old boy who was seriously injured in a crocodile attack at Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo. The child, now stable at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, was pulled from the enclosure by staff after the incident on June 18. A 30-year-old man from Norfolk has been arrested and bailed on suspicion of attempted murder. Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) is reviewing the record access and has reported itself to the Information Commissioner's Office, emphasizing strict confidentiality policies and potential disciplinary action for unauthorized access.

Open source software is critical to global infrastructure like banking and utilities, but AI has accelerated vulnerability discovery, overwhelming maintainers. Akrites, a coalition including AWS, Google, Microsoft, and others, aims to coordinate vulnerability remediation upstream to outpace attackers. The initiative focuses on unified disclosure and rapid patch deployment to protect critical systems from AI-driven exploits.

Microsoft has quietly extended the extended support period for Windows 10, though details remain vague. The move follows Microsoft’s previous announcement of extended support until October 2025, with additional updates now available. Meanwhile, the tech giant has released patches for a zero-day vulnerability in on-premises SharePoint servers.

A 14-year-old boy has been charged with murder after a body, believed to be that of a missing 14-year-old girl named Lilly, was found in Duffryn Park, Blaina, south Wales. The boy will appear before Newport Magistrates' Court on Friday, while police continue investigations with ongoing cordons in the area. Authorities urge caution in online discussions to avoid prejudicing the case.

Newly released police bodycam footage reveals Vickrum Digwa, the killer of 18-year-old Henry Nowak, repeatedly lying to officers about being racially attacked and claiming Henry was drunk. The footage also confirms that Digwa was never handcuffed, unlike Henry who was restrained while dying. Digwa's false claims of self-defense were contradicted by evidence showing his hair was neatly tied up when he allegedly had it pulled.

Sword Sage: Awakening is a Chinese-developed action-RPG that replaces traditional dodge-rolling with a Bruce Lee-inspired combat system, where players counter attacks by reading enemy posture and timing evades. The game features sword durability mechanics, regenerating weapons, and familiar Soulslike structures like interconnected levels and shortcuts. Developed by indie studio Sword Panda, it stands out in the growing trend of Chinese action-RPGs.

The article humorously advises that xkcd.com is best viewed with outdated technology like Netscape Navigator 4.0 on a Pentium 3±1 emulated in JavaScript on an Apple IIGS, with specific settings like disabling high-heat drying and enabling Boat Mode. It also suggests leaving caps lock on for security reasons, blending absurdity with a nod to the site's tech-savvy audience.

The LEGO Polaroid OneStep SX-70 Camera is discounted by 18% during Prime Day, ending June 26. This 516-piece set, inspired by a fan proposal, replicates the iconic 1972 instant camera and is designed for adult collectors. Other LEGO deals, including Star Wars sets, are also available until Prime Day concludes.

The Libre Barcode Project offers fonts that generate barcodes in various formats, with or without accompanying text. It includes a Code 128 Encoder tool to create scannable barcodes using the Libre Barcode 128 Text font. The project maintains historical links to ensure existing references remain functional.

Gigabyte’s EOFY 2026 sale offers the A16 16-inch gaming laptop for $600 off ($2,499 → $1,899), featuring an AMD Ryzen 7 processor and NVIDIA RTX 5070 GPU with AI-powered DLSS 4 for high-performance gaming and multitasking. The laptop includes a 180-degree hinge, Golden Curve keyboard, and Gigabyte’s AI agent GiMATE, with an additional $50 Amazon gift card included.

Amazon is offering a two-pack of Lisen 6.6ft USB Type-C cables for $5.60 ($2.80 each) using coupon code "T5AMP7YB", with no Prime membership required. These cables support up to 240W power delivery, are durable with a braided nylon sheath, and have over 9,000 positive reviews. They are ideal for charging devices like the Nintendo Switch 2, iPhone 16, and M5 MacBook.

Over 2,000 people attempted to hack an AI assistant named Fiu by emailing it to extract a secrets.env file, but none succeeded due to strict anti-prompt-injection rules. The experiment revealed creative attack methods, including impersonation and multi-language social engineering, while also highlighting challenges like Google suspending the AI's email and high API costs. Despite sophisticated attempts, the AI's simple yet effective instructions prevented any data leaks, though the creator remains cautious about granting email-reply capabilities to agents.

Lizzy Caplan has joined FX's upcoming Far Cry TV series, an anthology adaptation of the video game franchise. The show will feature a new story and cast each season, with Noah Hawley (Fargo, Alien: Earth) as showrunner. Caplan and Rob McElhenney (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) will star, though their roles remain undisclosed; McElhenney is also an executive producer. Production details are still scarce, and no premiere date has been announced.

Pixar director Brad Bird has ruled out a Ratatouille 2, stating Remy's story is complete and there’s nothing left to explore in that world. While Pixar has hinted at the idea, Bird remains firm, comparing it to his earlier film The Iron Giant, which he believes has no sequel potential. However, Bird is involved in The Incredibles 3, writing the script and potentially reprising his role as Edna Mode. The decision contrasts with Pixar’s ongoing Toy Story franchise, which some argue has stretched beyond its natural conclusion.

A Chinese cybersecurity company has developed a bug-finding tool that claims to outperform Mythos, though details remain scarce. Meanwhile, DEF CON’s Franklin project is expanding its efforts to harden critical infrastructure by enlisting hackers. Additionally, EQT has acquired a majority stake in Acronis for over $3.5 billion, and Collabora released CODE 26.04 with new features like Markdown support and optional AI integration.

The article discusses challenges when lacking a data center GPU for tasks like fine-tuning or merging models. It humorously critiques overly complex model names in responses, while highlighting the practical difficulty of performing GPU-intensive operations without dedicated hardware. The post invites readers to share alternative solutions or workarounds for such scenarios.

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YouTube offers several reliable channels for staying updated on local LLM (Large Language Model) news and development, though finding high-quality content can be challenging due to prevalent clickbait. Recommended channels include those focusing on AI research, technical tutorials, and industry updates from credible creators. Users should prioritize channels with consistent, well-researched content over those with sensationalist titles to avoid misinformation.

Framework's 10G Ethernet module, using a Realtek RTL8159 chip, requires USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps) to achieve its full 10 Gbps speed, but many Framework laptops only provide USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 (10 Gbps), capping performance under 8 Gbps. Testing on a Framework 13 with AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 achieved around 9.4 Gbps on Windows 11, but the module overheated to nearly 70°C during prolonged use. The author recommends the cheaper 2.5 Gbps Ethernet Expansion Card for most users, reserving the $99 WisdPi 10G module for those needing faster speeds without an external dongle.

Three powerful earthquakes—a 5.6-magnitude quake in northern California, a 7.2-magnitude tremor off Japan’s coast, and two devastating quakes in Venezuela—occurred within eight hours on Wednesday. Experts confirm these events were unrelated coincidences, as they happened thousands of miles apart along separate plate boundaries. While large earthquakes can sometimes trigger nearby tremors, such a widespread cascade effect is highly unusual. The Venezuela quakes, however, likely triggered each other due to their proximity, with at least 188 deaths reported in the densely populated area.

Major tech companies are funding a non-profit to retrain workers displaced by AI advancements. OpenAI is expanding its focus beyond chatbots to develop AI agents, while Apple and Amazon are increasing investments in hardware and cloud infrastructure. Meanwhile, Elastic is reducing its workforce by 7% due to AI-driven automation, and Microsoft has failed to patch a critical SharePoint vulnerability.

audio.cpp is a C++ inference framework for audio models built on ggml, currently offering 12 released models covering TTS (e.g., Qwen3-TTS), voice cloning, ASR, and VAD. The framework achieves up to 5x faster TTS performance on CUDA compared to Python implementations, with ongoing work to integrate and optimize additional models.

The second edition of The Garbage Collection Handbook (2023) updates Richard Jones’s seminal 1996 work, reflecting advances in hardware and software that have made automatic memory management more complex. It provides a comprehensive overview of modern garbage collection techniques, including parallel, incremental, concurrent, and real-time algorithms, with pseudocode and illustrations for clarity. The book also covers new challenges like persistence and energy-aware garbage collection, supported by an extensive online database of 3,400+ publications and enhanced e-book features.

Natasha Suman, a 24-year-old marketing coordinator, has been living with her parents in Bedford for nearly three years after university to save for a home deposit, putting aside £1,000 monthly while contributing to bills. While this arrangement allows her to save significantly more than she could alone, it comes with challenges like reduced freedom and increased family conflicts due to differing routines and expectations. Experts note that such living situations often lead to role confusion, with parents reverting to parenting and adult children acting immaturely, highlighting the need for clear boundaries and open communication.

OpenAI plans to initially release ChatGPT 5.6 exclusively to government-approved customers, as per a memo from CEO Sam Altman, with broader access expected a few weeks later. This decision follows interactions with federal agencies like the Office of the National Cyber Director and the Department of Commerce, despite OpenAI's preference for a more sustainable long-term model. The move comes after President Trump’s executive order mandating voluntary federal reviews of advanced AI models, though recent actions by Anthropic suggest uncertainty around the review process's voluntariness.

India secured a five-wicket win over Bangladesh at the Women’s T20 World Cup, with Shafali Verma's 53 off 34 balls helping them chase 137 in just 16.5 overs, boosting their semifinal hopes. Both India and South Africa (who crushed the Netherlands by 88 runs) now have six points, trailing Australia but ahead of Bangladesh, with a crucial clash between India and Australia on Sunday. Spin bowlers Radha Yadav (3-28) and Shree Charani (2-21) were key for India, while South Africa's Tazmin Brits scored a maiden T20 century (114*) to dominate the match.

A self-destructing backdoor named Mistic, linked to an access broker selling corporate network footholds to ransomware gangs, has been identified. Separately, Microsoft's patches failed to address a SharePoint zero-day vulnerability, leaving on-prem systems exposed. Additionally, EQT acquired a majority stake in Acronis for over $3.5 billion, while DEF CON expands its Franklin project to harden critical infrastructure across the entire conference.

Nicolas Pepe scored a brace, securing Ivory Coast's first-ever World Cup knockout-stage appearance with a 2-0 win over Curacao, who were eliminated. The Ivorians finished second in Group E with six points and will face the runner-up from France or Norway's group on Tuesday. Despite Curacao's strong debut, they became the eighth team to exit the tournament.

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Ecuador secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Germany, with Gonzalo Plata’s late winner advancing them to the World Cup last 32 as one of the best third-placed teams. Germany, already top of Group E, took an early lead through Leroy Sane but saw their 11-match winning streak end amid controversial decisions, including a disallowed penalty. Ecuador’s comeback, led by Nilson Angulo and Plata, sparked jubilant celebrations among their fans.

Om Malik, a journalist, entrepreneur, and venture capitalist, died at 59 after a long illness. He was instrumental in shaping Silicon Valley media through his direct, fast-paced reporting style and founded GigaOm, a tech blog turned media company. Malik's career spanned journalism, founding startups, and investing, giving him a unique perspective on the tech industry's evolution.

King Charles paid £12.9m in tax for 2024-25, making him one of the UK's top 100 taxpayers, while Prince William declared £7.76m in tax for the same period. The King and Queen Camilla will continue living at Clarence House, with the Sovereign Grant rising to nearly £100m by 2027-28. Both the King and Prince William voluntarily disclosed their tax payments to enhance transparency, with the King's income from the Duchy of Lancaster totaling £25.2m in 2025-26. Additionally, Prince William announced he will redirect £1.5m from the abandoned Dartmoor Prison to support local communities, and the most expensive overseas royal visit was his trip to Saudi Arabia costing over £130,000.

The US government will individually approve access to GPT 5.6, with strict controls on who can use it. This decision follows concerns about the potential risks of advanced AI models, including misuse or unintended consequences. The approval process aims to balance innovation with safety and national security priorities.

Two major earthquakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck northern Venezuela within a minute of each other on Wednesday night, killing at least 188 people and causing widespread building collapses. Rescue efforts are ongoing as Venezuelans work to free those trapped under the rubble. The US Geological Survey confirmed the seismic activity, which has left many residents displaced and streets filled with debris.

NSFW content accounts for over half of Grok's traffic, including explicit material and adult role-play chats. xAI's coding model is also being misused for generating pornographic content, contributing significantly to the company's revenue. Despite PR controversies and legal risks, Grok's focus on adult material has complicated internal operations and raised concerns about government contracts.

JetSpec achieves up to a 9.64× speedup in lossless LLM inference using speculative decoding with parallel tree drafting, outperforming prior methods that face a trade-off between drafting cost and quality. On open-ended chat tasks, it delivers a 4.58× speedup, and with CUDA optimizations, reaches ~1000 tokens per second (TPS) on a single B200 GPU. This approach co-optimizes drafting efficiency and accuracy, addressing limitations in existing speculative decoding techniques.

Alyssa Thomas received a flagrant foul 2 penalty and a one-game suspension for recklessly making contact with her fist to Caitlin Clark’s throat during the Phoenix Mercury's win over Indiana Fever. The incident occurred with 6:52 left in the second quarter, and no foul was called at the time. Thomas will serve her suspension on Saturday when Phoenix visits Toronto Tempo, while Clark exited Wednesday’s game with back issues.

The 'papers, please' era of the internet will significantly reduce privacy as age verification often requires identity verification through third-party apps, exposing users to potential data breaches and misuse. Australia's 2025 social media ban for under-16s, intended to restrict access outside school hours where phones are already banned, has largely failed, with most minors still using platforms. The law mandates social media companies to collect biometric data, government IDs, or other personal information from users, raising concerns about data protection and potential censorship by foreign governments.

Twin earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 25, 2026, killing at least 188 people and leaving thousands missing or injured. Rescue teams are urgently searching for survivors and recovering bodies amid widespread devastation in Caracas. The situation remains critical as authorities assess the full impact of the disaster.

Commodore has reduced the price of its retro flip phone, the Callback 8020, by $100 to start at $399 for most models, with preorders opening June 30. The Founders Edition remains at $640 due to its gold accents, while the base models now include a used memory chip and lack default Hi-Def earphones, which can be added as upgrades. The company cited customer feedback in making the price adjustment more accessible.

The Home Office plans to house up to 3,750 asylum seekers in three new military sites—Bicester (Oxfordshire), Barnham (Suffolk), and Linton-on-Ouse (North Yorkshire)—while extending existing sites in Crowborough and Wethersfield. This follows Labour’s pledge to reduce reliance on costly asylum hotels, where numbers have dropped from 56,000 in September 2023 to around 20,885 as of March. The move coincides with upcoming immigration reforms aimed at increasing deportations, though it faces criticism from the Red Cross over potential retraumatization and local opposition.

Amazon is offering a 3-foot stainless steel Kingdom Hearts Keyblade at its lowest price in 2026, discounted to under $59.99 during Prime Day. The replica is popular for display or cosplay, and the seller (ZKBWFLA) offers other affordable steel gaming props. Separately, a Kingdom Hearts Collection (I-III) is available for preorder at $75, releasing on October 8, 2026, for PS5 and Switch 2.

The author migrated their homelab from Proxmox to NixOS with Incus, driven by frustration with imperative systems and the desire for declarative, reproducible configurations. Initially skeptical of Nix, they were convinced after experiencing seamless system reproduction and atomic updates on their gaming PC. Proxmox's GUI-first approach led to state drift and unreproducible fixes, whereas NixOS's text-based configurations ensure consistent, documented solutions for issues like network card bugs and hardware management.

AI technology has successfully helped decipher an ancient scroll damaged in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The breakthrough allows researchers to read texts previously unreadable due to charring, offering new insights into historical documents. This advancement highlights the growing role of AI in preserving and interpreting cultural heritage.

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Venezuela's recent earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, have caused significant damage estimated at 1-7% of its $111bn GDP, with at least 188 deaths reported. The government has announced a $200m IMF-backed reconstruction fund, while the US and UN are providing aid, with potential implications for diplomatic relations. The disaster exacerbates existing economic hardships, as over 20 million Venezuelans already face poverty with limited access to food, medicine, and healthcare.

Woot is offering a limited-time Prime Day deal on the Nintendo Switch 2 console for $399.99 (new customers) or $419.99 (returning customers), using the coupon code "CHEAPSWITCH2," though it comes with a 90-day warranty instead of the standard 1-year warranty. The console's price will increase to $499.99 starting September 1, making this a rare opportunity to upgrade before the hike. Additionally, a 256GB Samsung memory card is available for $39.99 during Prime Day, a significant discount given recent high prices.

A van driver in Margate, UK, helped an armed police officer chase and arrest a fleeing suspect by giving them a lift in his vehicle. The driver, who remains unnamed, pulled over after seeing officers struggle to keep up with the suspect following an assault. The officer directed the driver, who sped off to overtake the suspect and another pursuing officer before the arrest was made. Kent Police commended the driver for his quick actions, stating that without his assistance, the dangerous individual might not have been caught.

The UK experienced its hottest June day in 2026 with a record temperature of 36.7°C (98.1°F) in Somerset, surpassing previous June records from 1976 and 1957. A rare red heat warning was extended for a third consecutive day, affecting millions in England and Wales, with overnight temperatures in Cardiff reaching 23.5°C—the highest June night on record. Climate change is exacerbating these extreme conditions, with heatwaves disrupting transport, schools, and water supplies across the country.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla will not reside in Buckingham Palace after its £369m refurbishment is completed next year, opting instead to stay at Clarence House due to personal preference and security concerns. The palace will remain the administrative hub for the monarchy, with increased public access expected to generate more income. Additionally, King Charles has disclosed paying £12.9m in taxes for 2024-25, marking the first time a monarch's tax contributions have been publicly revealed.