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Embattled German chancellor chooses papal pageturner for his beach read
German chancellor Friedrich Merz is reportedly taking Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical on artificial intelligence, *Magnifica humanitas*, on holiday as he faces historically low popularity and political turmoil. The choice highlights the tension in Merz’s approach to AI: he sees it as vital to Germany’s economic recovery, while the Pope’s text calls for strict ethical limits…
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Best Vacuum Cleaners (2026): Cordless Vacuums, Robot Vacuums, Dysons
WIRED’s 2026 guide compares vacuum cleaners across cordless stick, robot and budget categories, based on home testing by its staff. – Shark PowerDetect Speed is named best cordless stick vacuum, offering 350W power, intelligent floor detection and up to 60 minutes’ runtime. – Dyson Gen5Detect is the preferred Dyson stick model, praised after comparative testing…
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DJI Osmo Pocket 4P adds 3x telephoto lens
DJI’s Osmo Pocket 4P adds a 3x telephoto lens to the Pocket 4, making the compact video camera more versatile while increasing its size, weight and cost and slightly reducing battery life. The reviewer judges it a better-value choice than Insta360’s dual-lens Luna Ultra for most buyers, with strong image quality and useful zoom, although…
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GTA 6 news coming in August, leaker says, as more evidence points to the game’s official website getting a backend update
An industry insider has suggested that Rockstar may share a significant amount of Grand Theft Auto 6 news in August, while recent changes to the game’s official website have fuelled speculation that an announcement is being prepared. The claim is unconfirmed, but it matters because Rockstar has released little new material since the latest trailer…
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Profits boost for defence firms as governments beef up spending
Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems have raised their profit forecasts as governments increase defence spending amid heightened global security concerns. The upgrades underline how the sector is benefiting from demand for military equipment, surveillance systems and weapons, alongside Rolls-Royce’s recovery in civil aviation and growing demand for power generation. Rolls-Royce now expects underlying operating profit of…
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Hims & Hers accused of sharing health secrets and hiding the cancel button
The US Federal Trade Commission has sued telehealth company Hims & Hers, alleging it shared customers’ sensitive health information with advertising platforms including Meta and Snap, despite promising a private and secure service. The regulator also claims the company used misleading billing and cancellation practices, raising concerns over patient privacy and consumer protection in online…
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7 Best Shower Filters of 2026 Are WIRED-Tested and -Approved
WIRED’s 2026 guide ranks shower filters tested for reducing chlorine and related compounds in shower water, noting that performance can vary according to local water treatment. It highlights products combining effective filtration with practical features such as easy installation, spray settings and longer-lasting filters. – Weddell Duo ($90) is the top pick for chlorine and…
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Cyberpunk 2077 Quest The Hunt, With Its Creepy Cartoon and Disturbing Braindance, Was Meant to Feel Like True Detective
CD Projekt developer Paweł Sasko said Cyberpunk 2077’s side quest “The Hunt” was deliberately designed as a psychological thriller inspired by True Detective. The quest matters because it shows the studio’s approach to using investigation, environmental storytelling and unsettling themes rather than combat to create tension. Players investigate serial killer Anthony Harris alongside River Ward,…
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Lloyds Bank to cut £2bn in costs as part of AI-powered strategy
Lloyds Banking Group plans to cut a further £2bn in costs over four years while investing £13bn by 2030 in technology, including artificial intelligence, to improve efficiency and growth. The strategy signals a broader shift beyond traditional lending, but raises questions over staff roles and branches because the bank has not specified potential job losses.…
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BeamNG.drive, Steam’s finest car pancake maker, gets its biggest update yet with overhauled graphics, fresh rally stages and a sporty new coupe
BeamNG.drive has released version 0.39, which its developers describe as the vehicle-destruction sandbox’s largest update so far. The update significantly improves the game’s visuals and adds new rally, vehicle and aerodynamic features, reinforcing its appeal as a detailed, moddable driving simulator. The graphics overhaul addresses shadow and sunlight issues, adds HDR support on Vulkan and…