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Magic: The Gathering PAX Panel Previews Seriously Sinister Supervillains

CNET News - Fri, 08/29/2025 - 18:30
Following in the very big footsteps of the Final Fantasy set, Magic brings its fantastical gathering to the streets of New York City.
Categories: Technology

Garmin Fenix 8 Pro rumors swirl, and new leaks point to 4 new subscription tiers – mere months after the Connect+ debacle

TechRadar News - Fri, 08/29/2025 - 18:29
  • Garmin Fenix 8 Pro is likely to arrive soon with LTE capability
  • Rather than use a third-party data plan, leaks indicate Garmin is expanding its inReach messenger service
  • In-app code reportedly reveals four new subscription tiers

The Garmin Fenix 8 Pro looks set to be coming soon. While it's hard to improve on a five-star, super-premium watch like the Garmin Fenix 8, the 'Pro' tag seems to indicate a feature that the standard models don't already have: LTE capability.

For the uninitiated, LTE connectivity allows users to connect a device to the internet or a satellite network using a data plan. On the best Apple Watches and best Android watches, this is commonly done by extending your phone's data plan to also include your smartwatch for an additional fee.

The smartwatch user can then use their watch like a 'mini phone' of sorts, exchanging messages, accessing internet services such as email, and even taking calls without a connected mobile phone nearby. It seems like Garmin wants to get in on this action.

However, new leaks via Gadgets & Wearables seemingly reveal it's not doing this using third-party networks like other smartwatches. Instead, it sounds as though Garmin's going to be expanding its pre-existing inReach service, a satellite messaging functionality accessible on dedicated Garmin devices such as the InReach Mini 2 pictured below, used to find weather information, communicate location, and send messages outside of the reach of a normal cellphone.

Rather than streaming music and accessing emails for convenience, the Fenix 8 Pro is likely to be positioned as the best Garmin watch to keep you connected while deep on the most remote trails, able to go places other watches can't – hence the 'Pro' moniker.

(Image credit: Garmin)InReach subscription tiers

Gadgets & Wearables found, in the Garmin Connect app, lines of code detailing four new inReach tier names: Enabled, Essential, Standard, and Premium.

While nothing has been announced, this is likely a new expansion of the inReach service, and rather than allow the Fenix 8 Pro to be tied to a plan from the likes of EE or Mint Mobile, Garmin will be keeping everything in-house.

The multiple subscription tiers do, at first glance, raise eyebrows: while you pay to connect a watch to a data plan, multiple tiers means that rather than pay a set price to unlock all the LTE-enabled features on the watch, you're again paying by tier, with features artificially locked behind yet another paywall.

The situation has echoes of the backlash to the Garmin Connect+ premium tier we experienced earlier this year, when hundreds of readers emailed in to voice their displeasure that Garmin was locking features behind a paywall in its fitness app.

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Categories: Technology

Paramount+ is adding a huge 127 new movies in September 2025, including one of my favorite sci-fi flicks with 94% on Rotten Tomatoes

TechRadar News - Fri, 08/29/2025 - 17:30

Now that summer is coming to an unfortunate end, it's time to start thinking about what you're going to be streaming during the beginning of the fall months, and Paramount+ is the place to go in September 2025.

Out of all the 127 new movies, the first one that caught my eye was Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi epic Arrival (2016), a personal favorite of mine. But it doesn't end there, and if you're a horror fan, hold on to your hats.

Not only are the first eight installments of the Friday the 13th franchise arriving on September 1, you can catch other exciting horror staples including The Woman in Black (2012) and Sleepy Hollow (1999). Alternatively, if horror isn't your thing but a good comedy movie is, you can always opt for the parody flick Scary Movie (2000) – a movie I can't wait to see return for its sixth chapter.

Everything new on Paramount+ in September 2025

Arriving on September 1

A.I. Artificial Intelligence (movie)
Addams Family Values (movie)
Afflicted (movie)
Along Came A Spider (movie)
Angel Heart (movie)
Approaching The Unknown (movie)
April Fool's Day (movie)
Area 51 (movie)
Arrival (movie)
Asylum (movie)
Below (movie)
Beneath (movie)
Blade (movie)
Blade II (movie)
Blade: Trinity (movie)
Body Cam (movie)
Brick Mansions (movie)
Burke & Hare (movie)
Cesar Chavez (movie)
Cloverfield (movie)
Cursed (movie)
Daybreakers (movie)
Disturbia (movie)
Dracula III: Legacy (movie)
Face/Off (movie)
Fatal Attraction (movie)
Frida (movie)
Friday the 13th (movie)
Friday the 13th Part II (movie)
Friday the 13th Part III (movie)
Friday the 13th Part IV: The Final Chapter (movie)
Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning (movie)
Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (movie)
Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (movie)
Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (movie)
From Dusk Till Dawn (movie)
From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money (movie)
From Dusk Till Dawn 3: The Hangman's Daughter (movie)
Galaxy Quest (movie)
Gattaca (movie)
Geostorm (movie)
Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (movie)
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (movie)
I Know What You Did Last Summer (movie)
Jacob's Ladder (movie)
John Carpenter's Escape From L.A. (movie)
Kiss The Girls (movie)
La Bamba (movie)
Labor Day (movie)
Life (movie)
Like Water for Chocolate (movie)
Loosies (movie)
Margaux (movie)
Mommie Dearest (movie)
Murder On The Orient Express (movie)
National Lampoon's Animal House (movie)
Nick of Time (movie)
Nobody's Fool (movie)
O (Othello) (movie)
Overlord (movie)
Patriot Games (movie)
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (movie)
Phantoms (movie)
Piñero (movie)
Quinceañera (movie)
Road to Perdition (movie)
Safe (movie)
Scary Movie (movie)
Scary Movie 2 (movie)
Scary Movie 3 (movie)
Scream 4 (movie)
Seven Psychopaths (movie)
Sleepy Hollow (movie)
Small Soldiers (movie)
Spell (movie)
Spontaneous (movie)
Student Bodies (movie)
Super 8 (movie)
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (movie)
Sweet Dreams (movie)
Teaching Mrs. Tingle (movie)
The Addams Family (movie)
The Commuter (movie)
The Crow (movie)
The Crow: City of Angels (movie)
The Crow: Wicked Prayer (movie)
The Devil Inside (movie)
The Faculty (movie)
The Gift (movie)
The Grifters (movie)
The Haunting (movie)
The Hunter (movie)
The Island (movie)
The Last Exorcism Part II (movie)
The Longest Yard (movie)
The Loved Ones (movie)
The Mechanic (movie)
The Monster Squad (movie)
The Night Clerk (movie)
The Parallax View (movie)
The Reckoning (movie)
The Relic (movie)
The Ring (movie)
The Stepford Wives (movie)
The Sum of All Fears (movie)
The Terminal (movie)
The Uninvited (movie)
The Woman in Black (movie)
To Catch a Thief (movie)
Twisted (movie)
Universal Soldier (movie)
Up in Smoke (movie)
Vampire in Brooklyn (movie)
Venom (movie)
Vertical Limit (movie)
Virtuosity (movie)
Wes Craven Presents: Dracula 2000 (movie)
Wes Craven Presents: They (movie)
Winter Spring Summer or Fall (movie)
Witness (movie)
World War Z (movie)

Arriving on September 3

Wolves (movie)

Arriving on September 4

NCIS: Tony & Ziva (TV show)

Arriving on September 5

Old Henry (movie)
Superhero Movie (movie)

Arriving on September 7

2025 Video Music Awards (live event)

Arriving on September 8

The Wedding Banquet (movie)

Arriving on September 9

Thirst Trap: The Fame. The Fantasy. The Fallout (documentary)

Arriving on September 10

Personal Shopper (movie)
The Tiny Chef Show season 3 (TV show)

Arriving on September 12

The Reunion season 1 (TV show)

Arriving on September 14

Primetime Emmy Awards (live event)

Arriving on September 17

Air Disasters season 22 (TV show)
The Adventures of Paddington season 3 (TV show)

Arriving on September 21

Tulsa King season 3 (TV show)

Arriving on September 22

A GRAMMY Salute to Earth, Wind & Fire Live: The 21st Night of September special (TV show)

Arriving on September 23

Bodyguard of Lies (documentary)

Arriving on September 24

Survivor season 49 (TV show)

Arriving on September 25

The Amazing Race season 38 (TV show)

Arriving on September 28

60 minutes season 58 (TV show)
48 hours season 38 (TV show)

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Categories: Technology

Most of President Trump's tariffs are illegal, U.S. court rules

NPR News Headlines - Fri, 08/29/2025 - 17:07

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, in Washington, D.C., delayed enforcing its decision, which is expected to be appealed to the Supreme Court.

(Image credit: Chip Somodevilla)

Categories: News

At Trump's urging, Missouri jumps into redistricting race to help Republicans

NPR News Headlines - Fri, 08/29/2025 - 16:53

Gov. Mike Kehoe called a special session starting Wednesday to help the GOP hold onto Congress. It's part of the battle to reshape the voting map and help Trump keep a majority for his agenda.

(Image credit: Charlie Riedel)

Categories: News

With newly approved maps in Texas, GOP puts its gains with Latinos to the test

NPR News Headlines - Fri, 08/29/2025 - 16:34

President Trump and Republicans made big inroads with Hispanic voters in Texas last year. Now, a newly approved redistricting plan will test whether those gains are locked in for good.

(Image credit: Brandon Bell)

Categories: News

Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Aug. 30, #341

CNET News - Fri, 08/29/2025 - 16:24
Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Aug. 30, No. 341.
Categories: Technology

Qualcomm's new mobile CPU has something no other processors offer - onboard RFID without extra hardware, and it's a game-changing move

TechRadar News - Fri, 08/29/2025 - 16:04
  • Qualcomm unveils Dragonwing Q-6690 with onboard RFID eliminating need for external modules
  • Processor combines RFID, AI, and advanced wireless support for retail logistics and industry
  • RAIN Alliance says integration could transform operations and create new connected markets

Qualcomm has announced a new enterprise mobile processor that integrates RFID directly onto the chip, something no other mobile CPU has offered previously.

The Dragonwing Q-6690 brings together RFID with built-in 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, and ultra-wideband support.

The processor has been designed for use in devices across retail, logistics, and industrial environments, as Qualcomm says it can support rugged handhelds, point-of-sale systems, kiosks, and other commercial form factors.

Software-configurable packs

By embedding RFID directly, the processor does away with the need for separate RFID reader modules, resulting in slimmer devices.

“The Dragonwing Q-6690 combines integrated RFID, AI, and next-gen wireless capabilities in a single, scalable platform, designed to accelerate innovation across industries including retail, logistics, and manufacturing,” said Art Miller, vice president and head of retail at Qualcomm.

“We are particularly excited about working with retailers today that need platforms that are not only powerful and connected, but also adaptable to evolving customer expectations, from smarter kiosks and handhelds to real-time inventory analytics and contactless experiences.”

Qualcomm views the new platform as a tool for contactless applications such as access control, asset tracking, product authentication, and real-time inventory management.

The platform offers software-configurable packs which will allow manufacturers to customize computing power, multimedia support, camera capabilities, and peripheral options for specific devices.

These packs will be upgradable over the air, doing away with the need to redesign hardware, which should help in reducing certification demands, as well as speeding up product launches, and extending device lifecycles.

For retailers, the new chip could be used for product tracking and store operations, while for industrial and logistics settings the integration could speed up and simplify processes that rely on RFID scanning.

A number of device makers, including Zebra, Honeywell, Urovo, HMD Secure, and CipherLab, say they plan to release products powered by the processor, with commercial availability expected in the coming months.

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Categories: Technology

How to watch every Yellowstone TV show in order: from 1883 to The Madison and more

TechRadar News - Fri, 08/29/2025 - 16:00
Yellowstone Universe shows: Key Information

- There are currently 3 shows that have finished their run, and 5 planned series in the Yellowstone Universe

- Shows that have already aired are: Yellowstone, 1883 and 1923

- Future shows are: 1944, a Beth and Rip Wheeler drama, The Madison, Y: Marshals and 6666

- Paramount’s CEO told showrunner Taylor Sheridan: “We can just make this his [Sheridan’s] home for as long as he wants to tell stories.

The success of neo-Western Yellowstone has now become so mighty, that the Yellowstone Universe is now starting to rival that of DC Comics or Marvel; a host of sequels, spin-offs, prequels and other series to arrive over the next few years, all mined from the original IP.

The five-season show – fronted by Kevin Costner – kicked off on Paramount+ in 2018, and showrunner Taylor Sheridan evolved it into an even bigger pop-culture juggernaut when the first prequel series, 1883, launched in 2021.

Executive producer David Glasser told Variety at the time that there were big hopes for the Dutton Ranch franchise: “I think this universe as we’ve seen, with the success of 1883, it can grow and it can have other offshoots and build out a world around it. We’re going to keep our head down and keep making the content and hopefully audiences and our peers will recognize it the way they have been.

Keep ‘em coming, said David Ellison, Paramount’s CEO, buoyed by the roaring cowboy-centred hits: “We can just make this his [Sheridan’s] home for as long as he wants to tell stories.” In July 2025, Paramount took the commitment even further, when it was announced that Sheridan and Paramount were launching 450,000-square-foot production studios in Fort Worth, Texas.

But with so many TV shows coming from the same original series, it can get confusing as to what is what. So here, in chronological order as to when they’re set, is every show in the Yellowstone Universe, including series that have already been broadcast – and everything we know about future shows due to launch soon:

1883

1883 is the earliest of the Yellowstone prequels (Image credit: Paramount Plus)

The prequel series – set in the same year of its title – tells the story of how the Duttons managed to establish their Yellowstone ranch and the show began Paramount+ on December 2021. It starred Sam Elliott, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Isabel May and LaMonica Garrett, and had some pretty stellar guest spots too, including Tom Hanks, Billy Bob Thornton, Rita Wilson and even a cameo from the show’s creator, Taylor Sheridan.

The action follows the post–Civil War generation of the Duttons as they leave Tennessee and make the journey to Fort Worth, Texas, and join a wagon train undertaking the arduous journey west to Oregon, before finally settling in Montana.

1883 was a limited, 10-part series that finished in February 2022. Paramount’s commission of further episodes was reversed as they decided to focus on a sequel instead, 1923. Sheridan told Deadline that he considered 1883 done and dusted as the series ended: “We wanted to make a ten-hour movie that ended, and that’s what we did.”

1923

1923 only ran for two seasons. (Image credit: Paramount Plus)

Another sequel series, set 40 years after 1883, that focuses on the challenges faced by the Duttons – in this case, the spectacular duo of Helen Mirren as Cara Dutton and Harrison Ford as her husband, Jacob Dutton.

If you’ve even a passing interest in American history, you’ll know that it was a turbulent time and the shock waves of the Prohibition, a drought and the early stages of the Great Depression hit Montana just as badly as elsewhere in the country.

The cast of 1923 also boasted Brandon Sklenar, Julia Schlaepfer, Jerome Flynn, Darren Mann and Isabel May, who once again reprised her role as narrator, Elsa Dutton.

In the end, 1923 ran for just two eight-episode seasons – and the exorbitant costs might have had something to do with this. Each episode was estimated to have cost $30-35 million to make, and Sheridan told Deadline: “I would argue that 1883 was the most expensive first season of a TV show ever made. This was much more expensive. Much more expensive.”

1944

1944 will feature the ancestors of 1923. (Image credit: Paramount Plus)

This new historical prequel will have the life-altering event of World War II at its centre, and will explore the Dutton’s family experiences during that era. But details on this series are extremely scant at the moment, and there’s only really been the confirmation of the series announced back in November 2023, when it was also announced that Yellowstone would be wrapping up.

As for plot and characters, In previous storylines, we’ve been told that Spencer Dutton fought in the first World War before 1923, meaning that it's possible that his son, John Dutton II, will fight in World War II. And we could possibly see a return from Spencer too. Actor Brandon Sklenar told Variety: “I know they're planning on doing 1944, and maybe we'll see Spencer in 1944. I would be interested in doing it. I love this character."

There's no release details as yet for this, but we'll update when we know more.

Yellowstone

The series that launched (almost) a thousand spin-offs. (Image credit: Paramount Network)

The original series that birthed the entire, hefty universe. Yellowstone – co-created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson – premiered in September 2018 on the Paramount Network, and ran for five seasons, until it ended for good in December 2024.

Kevin Costner was the star talent here, playing John Dutton III, Governor of Montana and owner of one of the biggest cattle ranches, Dutton Ranch, in America, and the audience took the tales of family, legacy and the and the clash between old and new ways of life in the American West to heart, and the show stealthily built up a huge fan base.

But Costner dropped a bombshell in June 2024, and announced he was leaving the series, saying on his Instagram account: “Thinking about Yellowstone, that beloved series that I love, that I know you love. I just realized that I’m not going to be able to continue, season five or into the future.”

A post shared by Kevin Costner (@kevincostner)

A photo posted by on

But, on the show went, the season 5 premiere pulled in 12.1 million viewers, and Costner departed at the end of part one of season 5.

Beth and Rip Wheeler drama

The as-yet-unnamed series will likely be another hit with fans. (Image credit: Paramount Network)

Not called Dutton Ranch, as some first predicted – the title is still actually still TBA – but this series, set in the present day after the end of Yellowstone, will see Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser back in their legendary roles of Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler. Finn Little who plays Carter will also be returning.

Deadline has reported that the spin-off will pick up where season five ended, which saw (spoiler alert) Dutton being sold to the Broken Rock Reservation. It will be “led by Yellowstone characters, played by the same actors in the same present-day time frame; the new offshoot shares the most DNA with the mothership of any shows in the Yellowstone universe to date.”

Bloomberg says to expect a late 2025 launch sometime in September, October and November for this one, but the network is still yet to reveal an exact date.

The Madison

The Madison will feature a very wealthy family from New York in Montana. (Image credit: Paramount Network)

The Madison – previously titled 2024 – is a present day spin-off, which will follow the McIntosh family, originally from New York City, who live in the Madison River valley of central Montana.

It’s being fronted by by Michelle Pfeiffer as Stacy Clyburn, the mother of two daughters, one who marries into the wealthy McIntosh family, and also features the likes of:

  • Patrick J. Adams as Russell McIntosh
  • Elle Chapman as Paige McIntosh
  • Matthew Fox as Paul
  • Beau Garrett as Abigail Reese
  • Amiah Miller as Bridgette Reese
  • Ben Schnetzer as Van
  • Kevin Zegers as Cade
  • Rebecca Spence as Liliana Weeks
  • Alaina Pollack as Macy
  • Danielle Vasinova as Kestrel

Filming began in September 2024 and wrapped by the end of the year, which means it won’t be long to wait until this one hits the screens, but there’s no exact date released yet. However, it's predicted for the end of 2025, or the beginning of 2026.

Deadline have also reported that The Madison has already been picked up for a second season, such is the faith that the network has in Sheridan.

Y: Marshals

Y: Marshals will focus on Yellowstone themes of family, loyalty and duty. (Image credit: Paramount)

Y: Marshals (apparently still a working title) is the spin-off with Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton. With his days at the ranch behind him, Kayce joins an elite unit of U.S. Marshals, combining his skills as a cowboy and Navy SEAL to bring range justice to Montana. Alongside themes of family, duty and loyalty – issues that run deep at the heart of every show in the Yellowstone universe – Dutton will find out, the logline promises, the “high psychological cost that comes with serving as the last line of defense in the region’s war on violence.”

Alongside Grimes, the only other cast member confirmed so far is Logan Marshall-Green (last seen as Adam in And Just Like That…) would join the cast alongside Grimes. He will play Pete Calvin, a military veteran whom Kayce befriended during his time in the Navy SEALs.

The 13-episode show will be broadcast on CBS, and is pencilled in for late 2025 or early 2026.

6666

6666 will feature a rival cattle ranch to Yellowstone. (Image credit: Paramount+)

Paramount announced back in February 2021 that 6666 (again, likely a working title) was currently in development, and slated to be broadcast on Paramount+.

“Founded when Comanches still ruled West Texas, no ranch in America is more steeped in the history of the West than the 6666,” the announcement explained of the concept behind the series. “Still operating as it did two centuries before, and encompassing an entire county, the 6666 is where the rule of law and the laws of nature merge in a place where the most dangerous thing one does is the next thing… The 6666 is synonymous with the merciless endeavor to raise the finest horses and livestock in the world, and ultimately where world class cowboys are born and made.”

The show will take place at the real 6666 (“Four Sixes”) ranch in Texas. It was featured in season 4 of Yellowstone, with Jimmy Hurdstrom (Jefferson White) sent to work there, so while no cast have been confirmed as yet, it’s likely that it will be led by White and could potentially feature Jefferson White: as Jimmy Hurdstrom and Kathryn Kelly: as Emily, Jimmy’s girlfriend. But there’s no confirmation of the period this show will be set in – a historical era, or present day.

There’s also no release date as yet, but updated news announced that it will now be broadcast on Paramount Network first, and that the series will be executive produced by Sheridan, John Linson, Art Linson, David Glasser, Ron Burkle and Bob Yari.

Categories: Technology

Peacock’s new ad-free streaming channel on Prime Video is one I'll be keeping my eye on for a great streaming deal

TechRadar News - Fri, 08/29/2025 - 15:38
  • Prime Video customers can now access Peacock Premium Plus directly through their existing app
  • The plan costs $16.99 per month or $169.99 per year
  • Prime Video sometimes does great deals on its 'channels'

As of August 28, 2025, Prime Video subscribers can now access Peacock Premium Plus directly through the app. It's part of an expanded partnership with NBC Universal, and basically means we're getting more ad-free streaming goodness. In fact, for many of us, it's the ad-free streaming goodness we're missing from Prime Video itself, but let's not complain.

In its own words, the new add-on offers "thousands of hours of on-demand entertainment, news, and sports content." Think TV shows including Poker Face, Yellowstone, and The Office's new spinoff, The Paper – all in one place alongside Prime Video's movies and shows. Dreamy.

Currently, the cost of Peacock Premium Plus (whether a standalone subscription or included with Prime Video) is $16.99 per month or $169.99 per year. But given Prime Video often has some of the best streaming deals around on its channels, just like this new Peacock option will be, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a fantastic deal on this option in the near future.

Peacock ad-free streaming on Prime Video is worth keeping an eye on for bargain prices

I already need to sort out a full Peacock subscription ahead of new episodes of The Paper, and now I'm more likely to do so through my existing Prime Video account. Currently, the Amazon streamer has one of the best free trial windows out of its competitors (30 days), a huge variety of expanded add-ons ranging from MGM+ and Starz to Paramount+, and some of the best streaming deals on the market – and as recently as July, we say some great deals on this kinds of add-ons.

Thanks to the formerly separate Freevee app that's now been fully integrated, there's even more movies you can watch at no extra cost on Prime Vudeo (as long as you're okay with a few short ad breaks). With limitless binge-worthy opportunities at rock bottom prices, ad-free streaming via Peacock is only the cherry on the cake – and I'd bet good money on plan prices coming down too.

This isn't all Prime Video has planned for its NBC Universal merger, though. You'll be able to get the Peacock app on all Fire TV devices, Xfinity X1 and Xumo customers will have seamless access to Prime Video, and more hit Universal Pictures Home Entertainment releases will be available to buy and/or rent through the streamer.

Head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios Mike Hopkins said in a statement, "At Amazon, we are always working to make customers’ lives better every day and these new agreements with Comcast NBCU are fantastic for millions of customers, who are looking for the fastest and easiest way to find all their entertainment and sports in one place.

"Adding Peacock to our growing list of subscriptions – while renewing our long-standing agreements for Fire TV, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, and Xfinity X1 – deepens an incredible working relationship with Comcast/NBCU, and we look forward to a future of mutual distribution that benefits our shared customers."

Frankly, I'm all for it. If you need me, I'm never getting up from my couch.

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Categories: Technology

'There is no message': The search for ideological motives in the Minneapolis shooting

NPR News Headlines - Fri, 08/29/2025 - 15:36

The FBI is calling the attack at a Minnesota Catholic church an act of domestic terrorism driven by "hate-filled ideology." Extremism analysts say the picture may be more complex.

(Image credit: Scott Olson)

Categories: News

IBM and NASA have built an AI model to predict solar flares which could wipe out all technology on Earth

TechRadar News - Fri, 08/29/2025 - 15:21
  • Scientists hope Surya extracts insights from the Sun’s complex magnetic processes
  • Researchers processed nine years of imagery from the Solar Dynamics Observatory
  • Surya achieved a reported 16% improvement in flare classification accuracy

IBM and NASA have introduced Surya, the first open source foundation model for solar physics.

IBM says the AI model, whose name comes from the Sanskrit word for the Sun, is trained to forecast solar activity such as flares and storms that can disrupt satellites, navigation systems, and power grids.

It has been made available through Hugging Face, GitHub, and IBM’s TerraTorch library, alongside a dataset collection called SuryaBench.

From Earth data to solar forecasts

The project comes as reliance on space-based technology expands, from aviation and communication to future deep space missions.

Predicting solar weather remains a difficult task, given that these events originate millions of miles away on a body whose physics are still only partly understood.

“We’ve been on this journey of pushing the limits of technology with NASA since 2023, delivering pioneering foundational AI models to gain an unprecedented understanding of our planet Earth,” said Juan Bernabé-Moreno, the IBM director in charge of the scientific collaboration with NASA.

“With Surya we have created the first foundation model to look the Sun in the eye and forecast its moods.”

This collaboration follows earlier work by IBM and NASA on AI-driven models for Earth and weather prediction, which led to the development of the Prithvi model that analyzed satellite data to aid studies of climate and atmospheric systems.

With Surya, they are attempting something similar for the Sun, turning years of high-resolution solar imagery from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory into a kind of digital twin.

Scientists hope the model will allow forecasts that go beyond whether a flare will happen.

Early reports suggest Surya can generate high-resolution visual predictions of flares up to two hours before they occur, doubling the lead time of traditional methods.

That would mean additional preparation time for astronauts and operators of critical infrastructure on Earth.

To build Surya, researchers processed nine years of imagery from the Solar Dynamics Observatory, which captures the Sun every 12 seconds at multiple wavelengths.

They employed a long-short vision transformer with spectral gating to manage the immense data load.

The model was trained not only to analyze current conditions but to infer what future observations would look like, testing its accuracy against real data.

“We want to give Earth the longest lead time possible,” said Andrés Muñoz-Jaramillo, a solar physicist at the Southwest Research Institute and a lead scientist on the project.

“Our hope is that the model has learned all the critical processes behind our star’s evolution through time so that we can extract actionable insights.”

Like other large language models and AI tools, Surya raises questions about whether its outputs should be treated as discovery or as augmentation of human expertise.

However, its backers emphasize automation and efficiency, pointing to a claimed 16% improvement in flare classification accuracy.

Still, forecasting remains far from certain, as the Sun’s activity involves many processes that remain poorly understood.

While Surya is described as a step toward better anticipation of solar threats, researchers are careful not to present it as a final answer.

Instead, they frame it as a bridge that may help scientists work with massive data more effectively.

As with any AI writer or LLM, its predictions are limited by the data it has been trained on and the assumptions built into its design.

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Categories: Technology

COVID vaccine guidance has changed — again. A doctor tackles your questions

NPR News Headlines - Fri, 08/29/2025 - 15:11

The Food and Drug Administration approved the next round of COVID-19 vaccines, but they come with restrictions. NPR wants to know your questions about the new guidance.

(Image credit: Scott Olson)

Categories: News

There's a Lunar Eclipse Coming, but You Might Not Be Able to See It

CNET News - Fri, 08/29/2025 - 15:06
North and South America aren't invited to the party this time around, but will still be able to see the blood moon.
Categories: Technology

After reviewing countless ultrabooks, the elegance of the Honor MagicBook Art 14 2025 truly stands out

TechRadar Reviews - Fri, 08/29/2025 - 15:01
Honor MagicBook Art 14 2025: 30-second review

The Honor MagicBook Art 14 2025 is a direct update to last year's impressive MagicBook Art 14 2024, and as you would expect, it boosts almost every aspect of the specifications and performance.

The new model is just as slim and light; however, the performance takes a huge leap forward. When it comes to the performance, it's worth noting that the "Art" is more in the name rather than indicating a creative focus for its use.

The ultrabook's slimline profile and weight are key features, which meant that throughout the review period I was able to take it comfortably with me without it adding too much weight or bulk; an additional kilo really doesn't feel like a great deal in a backpack.

There's also the build quality to consider, which once again feels good and robust. The main chassis is made from aerospace-engineered magnesium alloy, while the keyboard utilises titanium. The ceramic-style surface also gives the machine one of the best aesthetic finishes I have seen, especially with the way it reflects the light.

Away from the build and style of the machine, the performance is equally impressive. Although the "Art" label is once again a little confusing, this really refers to the art of the machine rather than it being aimed at the creative market, such as the ASUS ProArt series.

This laptop is aimed at those looking for a high-end office, lifestyle or general machine that looks great and has a decent amount of power to match.

Through the benchmark and real-world tests, the high-level performance became apparent, and there was no doubt about just how good the new Intel Core Ultra CPUs are. Microsoft Office apps ran quickly, with the high-resolution display affording greater screen real estate for spreadsheets and Word documents. Likewise, utilising cloud-based office applications proved strong with a stable internet connection.

Used for general office work, the machine is exemplary, keeping up with demands placed on it as well as enabling superb audio for media playback. The integrated Arc graphics handled all day-to-day tasks with ease, although it did start to struggle under more intensive tasks such as video production and gaming.

However, as an office-focused machine that's slimline, lightweight and looks great, there is little to fault in one of the best ultrabooks (and best-looking) on the market.

HONOR MagicBook Art 14 2025: Price & availability
  • How much does it cost? $950 / £950
  • When is it out? Available soon
  • Where can you get it? Widely available

The Honor MagicBook Art 14 2025 will be available soon with several different iterations. No US pricing is available yet, but in the UK, it's retailing for £1499.99.

You can check it out on Honor's official site by clicking here.

  • Value: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Honor MagicBook Art 14 2025: Design

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Specifications

CPU: Intel Core Ultra 5 225H / Ultra 7 255H
Graphics: Intel Arc Graphics 140T (integrated)
RAM: 32 GB LPDDR5x
Storage: 1 TB or 2 TB SSD
Left Ports: Webcam dock, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, Thunderbolt 4
Right Ports: USB‑A 3.2, HDMI 2.1, 3.5 mm audio
Connectivity: Wi‑Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Audio: 6-speaker setup, DTS spatial audio
Camera: 1080p removable magnetic webcam
Size: 316.8 × 223.6 × 11.3 mm
Weight: 1.03 kg
OS installed: Windows 11 Home
Accessories: USB-C charger, cable, webcam, documentation

The quality of the build, style, design and materials really do stand out. Like the previous version that offered an attractive matte green surface, my review sample of the Art 2025 features a white ceramic finish that accents colours in different environments. It's instantly striking, sometimes looking like a flat colour and other times as though there's a gradient.

The size and weight of ultrabooks are always important factors, and here the machine measures 316.77 x 223.63mm x 11.5mm and weighs approximately 1.03kg, much the same as the previous version. Once again, the chassis is made from aerospace-grade magnesium alloy with a triangular topology that helps provide the strength of the design. Titanium alloy is used for the keyboard, and there's an aluminium alloy fan inside, helping to keep the components cool while also keeping the weight down.

Around the edges of the machine, there's a small but good selection of ports including USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, USB4/Thunderbolt 4, USB-A 3.0, HDMI 2.1 and 3.5mm audio jack.

The screen is one of the big features of this machine. At 14.6 inches with a resolution of 3120x2080, it's also a touchscreen and offers a massive 1600 nits of brightness, making it a great solution for use at a café or other outdoor venue.

While the laptop isn't designed for creative use, it still offers decent colour accuracy with 100% DCI-P3, 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and 60/120Hz refresh rate.

Another feature I liked in the previous model that once again appears here is the removable webcam. This inserts into the side of the laptop and can be removed and popped on top as required. This means there's no break in the screen or thick bezel to house the camera, it's a great solution and one that obviously increases security as well.

On biometrics, the laptop features a dedicated fingerprint recognition key in the top right of the keyboard, enabling fast access when needed.

  • Design: 5 / 5
Honor MagicBook Art 14 2025: Features

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Delving into the features of this ultrabook, there's a little bit more to this machine than most. Firstly, there's the ultra-slim design that houses the Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 255H and integrated Intel Arc 140T GPU. The machine is available in a series of configurations depending on your needs, with the review sample featuring a 1TB SSD and 32GB of LPDDR5x 8400MT/s.

One of the fetaures that I liked when I reviewed the precious version was the small detachable magnetic webcam. While the quality is relatively low at 2.1MP and a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080, this is more than enough for most conference calls. What I do like is that it can also be placed to face forward or backwards.

The screen is superb and fully touchscreen, and the hinge has been designed to enable easy one-hand opening and offers a good range of movement, although it won't lie fully flat.

In use, complementing the screen are the six small DTS audio speakers that give good depth of sound in line with other premium laptops.

Despite the sleek design, the keyboard and touchpad are full-sized, with only the up and down cursor key half sized. The touchpad is also large and responsive, with several preset gestures for volume, brightness, screenshots and more.

Alongside the impressive array of features, there's enough processing potential to take the workflow beyond spreadsheets. As this machine offers the latest AI-enabled CPU, it can handle more than most machines of this size. HONOR has ensured the internal cooling can cope and it stays impressively quite at just 3dB.

Overall, when it comes to features, from aesthetics, build materials to ports and connectivity, this is a machine clearly focused on those looking for a premium work laptop with plenty of power.

  • Features: 5 / 5
Honor MagicBook Art 14 2025: Performance

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

CrystalDiskMark Read: 7114.89MB/s
CrystalDiskMark Write: 6352.79MB/s
Geekbench CPU Multi: 2659
Geekbench CPU Single: 13615
Geekbench GPU: 32073
PCMark Overall: 5752
Cinebench CPU Multi: 14375
Cinebench CPU Single: 1970
Fire Strike Overall: 8436
Fire Strike Graphics: 9128
Fire Strike Physics: 27605
Fire Strike Combined: 3233
Time Spy Overall: 4323
Time Spy Graphics: 3933
Time Spy CPU: 9884
Wild Life Overall: 25169
Steel Nomad Overall: 839
Windows Experience Overall: 8.4

From the outset, the MagicBook Art 14 2025 impressed, especially with Windows 11 Home edition installed as standard. Opening apps and general use felt fast and responsive, and the quality of the screen and touchscreen responsiveness stood out.

One aspect that impressed me was the power of the small speakers, that despite the slim chassis, they delivered a decent depth of sound.

Opening large spreadsheets, I found that the increased resolution enabled easier viewing of more content than expected from a laptop this size. The screen throughout is a strong feature, with the 1600 nits maximum brightness allowing it to be seen in most situations, even outside a café. However, as is common with office-focused machines, the reflective surface did reduce visibility in bright environments.

For office and Windows-based tasks, including web browsing and multimedia playback, this machine performs as well as any I've used. This was reflected in a Windows Experience score of 8.4, one of the highest I've recorded.

RAM and storage are well balanced, and during testing, the machine easily handled switching between multiple apps. When using CapCut to edit a quick video, the speed of the SSD really stood out. While it doesn't quite reach PCIe 5.0 speeds, with read speeds of 7114MB/s and write speeds of 6352.79MB/s, it is still one of the fastest laptop SSDs I've used, this also means it boots up exceptionally fast.

As I started to push the system further, the CPU performance boost became clear. The Cinebench Multi result of 14375 showed that CapCut, Lightroom and Photoshop were all handled easily. Even with multiple layers and high-resolution images from the Canon EOS R5 C, performance remained good. However, storage became an issue, and I needed an external SSD. Fortunately, the Thunderbolt 4 port enables ultrafast SSDs, such as the LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5, to be connected.

Impressed by the image enhancement, I moved on to video editing. iPhone 15 Pro 4K footage was handled well in CapCut, allowing fast social media edits with some complexity. However, switching to Log3 footage from a Sony A7 IV pushed the machine to its limits, and performance began to falter.

Having reached the limits for work, I tested a few games. I was initially surprised that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle loaded, but while initially playable, there were plenty of dropped frames and frequent crashes. Other newer titles also struggled, though I did manage a round of DiRT Rally.

When pushed, the fans do kick in, but they remain well-balanced and quiet.

The final note is on the 60W battery, which provided around 4 to 6 hours during multimedia, office and light creative work. For pure office use, I'd expect closer to the quoted 10 hours. Gaming would naturally yield much less.

  • Performance: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)HONOR MagicBook Art 14 2025: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Honor MagicBook Art 14 2025 is an impressive ultrabook that will suit anyone looking for a powerful, premium machine for office and general use.

The aesthetics are stunning, and I think that this is one of the best-looking ultrabooks available, with a slimline design and lightweight build that means it will easily slip into a backpack or laptop bag without adding much bulk.

In the office or on the move, there are plenty of connectivity options, and while there's no network port, Wi-Fi speed and signal strength proved impressive during testing.

In use, the screen really impressed with its large, bright, crisp display and touchscreen functionality. I just wish it would fold flat or, better yet, fold over to be used as a straight tablet.

The power for most tasks is impressive. As long as you don't plan on playing the latest games or editing high-bitrate, high-resolution video, it can handle most creative applications. When it comes to Windows and Microsoft Office, this laptop handles everything with ease with the best Windows Experience score I've seen which was ultimately reflected in the real world use.

If you're after a premium ultrabook, the MagicBook Art 14 2025 is a great option.

Should I buy a HONOR MagicBook Art 14 2025?

Value

A premium laptop with a price and build quality to match

4

Design

The materials ensure that the laptop remains lightweight and strong, with one of the nicest finishes I've seen

5

Features

A strong set of features for a powerful laptop for general use, while remaining compact

5

Performance

Keeping in mind this is a high-performance office machine, it supplies power where needed

4.5

Overalls

Outstanding machine for office and general use with a great look and premium feel

4.5

Buy it if...

You need a work-focused machine.

Everything from the premium build to the hardware configuration has been optimised for business use and portability.

You need something small and ultra-light

The fact that this laptop is so thin and light makes it ultra-portable, yet it still offers good levels of connectivity.

Don't buy it if...

You're a creative

While this machine packs plenty of power, it shouldn't be seen as a creative option, as that integrated GPU and the storage will struggle.

You want to play games.

Again, while the Intel Arc graphics are exceptionally good for all-around use, they lack the power required for modern gaming.

For more professional picks, we've reviewed the best business computers and best business laptops around.

Categories: Reviews

Today's NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for Aug. 30, #811

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Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for Aug. 30, #811.
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Today's NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for Aug. 30 #545

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Categories: Technology

Today's Wordle Hints, Answer and Help for Aug. 30, #1533

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Categories: Technology

AI could already be stealing jobs from young US workers

TechRadar News - Fri, 08/29/2025 - 15:00
  • Workers between 22-25 years old seem to be most affected by AI
  • Software development and customer service are highly affected
  • Roles subject to higher automation are most at risk

A new paper by researchers at Stanford University has uncovered six truths about AI’s effects on the workforce, and it might not be so good for younger workers.

The data shows that younger workers, aged 22-25, in the most AI-exposed jobs have seen substantial declines in employment since late 2022 – this includes roles like software development and customer support.

This, the researchers say, has led to stagnant youth employment overall despite total US employment rates continuing to rise.

AI could be taking younger workers’ jobs

By July 2025, for example, employment for software developers in this age group was down nearly 20% compared with late 2022. On the whole, employment in the most AI-exposed roles declined by around 6% for this young demographic, but older workers (defined as 35-49) saw a 6-9% increase.

The Stanford paper goes some way to explaining why youth employment has been relatively flat despite some overall national growth.

Brynjolfsson, Chandar and Chen – the researchers behind the paper – go one sterp further by splitting AI into two distinct categories – automation and augmentation.

Younger workers were most affected by AI as automation, which substitutes tasks and leads to declines in entry-level jobs.

In contrast, older workers were more likely to be affected by AI as augmentation, where it supports human work. In this case, the researchers saw no decline, and sometimes even growth.

They found employment rates to be hit harder than wages in most cases, with headcount reductions more likely to occur than pay cuts. Already this calendar year, the tech industry has seen over 81,000 layoffs, though this is down from a 2023 high of 264,000+ (for the full year).

However, the paper suggests that all hope may not be lost, pointing to previous trends such as the IT revolution that “ultimately led to robust growth in employment and real wages following physical and human capital adjustments.”

With that in mind, it’s possible that AI could indeed enhance the labor market all-round, but only after an initial period of turbulence that affects lower-skilled workers disproportionately.

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