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Google Pixel 11 launch: Live updates as the company unveils new devices, AI features and more
Google is due to unveil its latest Pixel devices and AI features at a hardware launch event in New York on 12 August. The event matters because it should provide official confirmation of products that have already been teased and widely rumoured. Expected announcements include the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro Fold…
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Iran war and high living costs fueling last-minute holiday bookings, Tui says
Tui says the war in Iran and pressure on household budgets are prompting more people to delay holiday bookings until the last minute, creating uncertainty for Europe’s largest travel company. The conflict has already cost Tui €60m, while weaker demand, high fuel prices and intense competition contributed to a sharp fall in quarterly profits. Two…
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Father, 56, was killed in street brawl sparked by deadly turf war between rival biker gangs that has seen horrific violence across Britain
A father of grandfather age died after a mass street brawl in Pontnewynydd, near Pontypool in south Wales, which police believe was sparked by a violent turf war between rival motorcycle gangs. Anthony “Tony” Jones, 56, was found with a serious head wound after roughly 20 people, some armed with machetes, axes and hammers, clashed…
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The Elder Scrolls 6 Demo to Xbox Leadership Included a Giant Inflatable Rat, Placed Outside Bethesda Offices in Protest at Microsoft’s Mass Layoffs
Bethesda staff and former employees staged a protest outside the studio’s Rockville offices while Xbox leadership visited to watch a live demonstration of The Elder Scrolls 6. The action highlighted anger over Microsoft’s recent Xbox layoffs and matters because employees say the cuts could damage morale and affect development of the long-awaited game, although Bethesda…
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Just 20 of 6,600 Defra staff working on climate adaptation amid drought and wildfires
A freedom of information request has found that only 20 of Defra’s 6,613 staff are working on climate adaptation, despite warnings that England is poorly prepared for worsening heatwaves, droughts, floods and wildfires. Critics say the small team reflects a lack of government focus on protecting communities, food security and nature from the effects of…
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Why Journey’s last song was the hardest for Austin Wintory to compose
Composer Austin Wintory says the final track for *Journey*, “Apotheosis”, was the most difficult piece of the game’s score to create. Its challenge reflected the importance of concluding the game’s emotionally intense journey in a way that satisfied both Wintory and the development team. In an interview with Polygon, Wintory explains that the project’s opening…
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HBO’s 10/10 ‘Downton Abbey’ Replacement Officially Returns in 2026
HBO has confirmed that The Gilded Age will return for a fourth series later in 2026, giving viewers a firm release window for Julian Fellowes’s period drama. The announcement matters because the show has become a prominent successor to Fellowes’s Downton Abbey, combining high-society intrigue with a large ensemble cast. A new HBO preview included…
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Baby Lasagna Shares Blistering New Track ‘Face On Your Phone’
Baby Lasagna has released ‘Face On Your Phone’, a new track that moves into modern-metal territory with heavy riffs, harsh vocals and a prominent breakdown. The song addresses online abuse, presenting itself as an empowering response to people who direct hate at others from behind screens. The artist said two and a half years in…
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Great Britain faces electricity supply shortfall during solar eclipse
Great Britain’s grid operator has warned of an anticipated electricity supply shortfall on Wednesday evening as a near-total solar eclipse sharply reduces solar generation while hot weather raises demand for cooling. The National Energy System Operator said the notice was precautionary and that customers’ electricity supplies were not at risk, but it may need to…