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If you think kids will respect a robot teacher, you have never met a kid | Dave Schilling
The article criticises a New York school district’s now-paused plan to spend $60,000 on a humanoid robot teaching assistant called Sally. The writer argues that pupils are unlikely to respect or engage seriously with a robot, and questions whether the proposal represents a useful educational investment. Sally was intended for high-school technology and robotics classes…
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Lost income, energy fears and a woolly mammoth: what Europe’s dried-up rivers have yielded
Severe heat and drought have pushed parts of the Danube and Rhine to record-low water levels, disrupting transport, electricity generation and tourism across central and eastern Europe. The situation matters because low river levels have forced nuclear reactors to reduce or halt operations, raising concerns about power shortages while shipping routes become increasingly unusable. Hungary’s…
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In the battle of Elon Musk v the press, we can’t let truth be the loser | Jane Martinson
Jane Martinson argues that Elon Musk’s combative interview with Economist editor Zanny Minton Beddoes illustrates a wider struggle between evidence-based journalism and a media environment shaped by misinformation, artificial intelligence and online hostility. She says the dispute matters because influential figures can dismiss reporting and statistics while using vast social-media audiences to attack critics, potentially…
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Masters of the Universe Soars as BE:FIRST Eyes America
Prime Video’s fantasy hit rises despite weak cinemas, while shark horror director Jeff Wadlow reveals his toughest shoot. Netflix anime arrivals and Blake Shelton’s debut anniversary also feature.
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Crimson Desert update overhauls the game’s economy with 133 new trading posts and trade goods that change in price
Crimson Desert has received an update that substantially expands its in-game economy, adding trading posts and goods whose prices fluctuate. The change matters because it introduces a more dynamic trading system, potentially giving players new ways to earn money and make strategic decisions while exploring the open world. The update adds 133 trading posts, creating…
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Watch Kylie Minogue reunite with Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds at mammoth Brighton gig
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds reunited with Kylie Minogue for an emotional performance of their 1995 duet ‘Where The Wild Roses Grow’ at a sold-out homecoming concert in Brighton’s Preston Park on 31 July. The appearance, their first joint performance of the song since 2018, was a major moment in the band’s UK-exclusive show…
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Unexpected item in the bagging area as Windows Activation error pops up at check-in
A Windows activation watermark appeared on a flight-information display above check-in signs at Heathrow Terminal 5, drawing attention to an apparent licensing or activation problem on the system running the screen. While it was unlikely to disrupt the display’s core function, the visible error could undermine passengers’ confidence in airport technology at the start of…
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‘We didn’t feel safe’: Booking.com users face battle to get money back
Booking.com users have told the Guardian they struggled to obtain refunds after accommodation problems, including being moved to unsafe or poor-quality alternatives and being charged more than agreed. The cases highlight a legal grey area: platforms say the booking contract is with the host, leaving travellers with limited practical recourse when a host refuses to…
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For sale: early access to Trump’s Truth Social posts
Trump Media & Technology Group plans to sell financial firms rapid access to selected Truth Social posts, potentially including President Donald Trump’s, before ordinary users see them. The proposal matters because Trump often announces policy on the platform and such posts can swiftly affect markets, raising concerns that paying institutions could gain an advantage over…
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Knickers in a twist: why M&S selling crotchless panties isn’t as outrageous as it seems
Marks & Spencer has faced online criticism for selling Ann Summers crotchless knickers, but the article argues the move is a relatively unsurprising extension of its broader lingerie range. It reflects M&S’s effort to offer more choice, attract younger shoppers and expand its online third-party brand strategy, rather than a fundamental break with its long…