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Russian volcano erupts days after monster quake shakes region

NPR News Headlines - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 16:51

The volcano may have been primed to erupt before the magnitude 8.8 quake pushed it over the edge.

(Image credit: Artem Sheldr)

Categories: News

Trump's 'Golden Share' in U.S. Steel

NPR News Headlines - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 16:09

The iconic American company, U.S. Steel was sold to Nippon Steel in Japan earlier this summer. The terms of the deal give President Trump an outsized say in the future of U.S. Steel.

Categories: News

In 'Tested,' NPR's Embedded series takes a look at gender testing in sports

NPR News Headlines - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 16:09

The series Tested from NPR's Embedded podcast and the C-B-C delved into the history of sex testing and what's considered "fair" in sports.

Categories: News

Quordle hints and answers for Monday, August 4 (game #1288)

TechRadar News - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 16:00
Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, August 3 (game #1287).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1288) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1288) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 2.

Quordle today (game #1288) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1288) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 2.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1288) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• M

• S

• C

• C

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1288) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1288, are…

  • MACAW
  • SINCE
  • COLON
  • CHIRP

MACAW took me a little while, but the second I speculatively typed MAC I knew that it was going to be the right word.

The same with CHIRP. Plus I knew Quordle couldn’t resist putting those two words together.

Daily Sequence today (game #1288) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1288, are…

  • REFIT
  • RAPID
  • DRUID
  • TWIST
Quordle answers: The past 20
  • Quordle #1287, Sunday, 3 August: MOTIF, LEERY, LOFTY, BURST
  • Quordle #1286, Saturday, 2 August: WARTY, PUPAL, CLEAR, SLICE
  • Quordle #1285, Friday, 1 August: ACTOR, MEALY, WIDTH, ADOBE
  • Quordle #1284, Thursday, 31 July: STYLE, VALET, AGONY, ALLOY
  • Quordle #1283, Wednesday, 30 July: DEBAR, ADMIN, FOLIO, USAGE
  • Quordle #1282, Tuesday, 29 July: BATCH, TOPIC, MURKY, BUNCH
  • Quordle #1281, Monday, 28 July: CANDY, TRYST, SHIRT, FORGO
  • Quordle #1280, Sunday, 27 July: TRAWL, BALER, PIANO, MINCE
  • Quordle #1279, Saturday, 26 July: MUDDY, SAINT, KINKY, POLAR
  • Quordle #1278, Friday, 25 July: BONUS, RESIN, CEDAR, MADAM
  • Quordle #1277, Thursday, 24 July: AGONY, VERVE, GLEAN, MINUS
  • Quordle #1276, Wednesday, 23 July: OZONE, PENCE, ROOMY, WIDER
  • Quordle #1275, Tuesday, 22 July: OPTIC, GIDDY, VOCAL, ADULT
  • Quordle #1274, Monday, 21 July: KNEED, SNAIL, PINTO, FEAST
  • Quordle #1273, Sunday, 20 July: GRACE, COUNT, EGRET, GIANT
  • Quordle #1272, Saturday, 19 July: EARLY, CLICK, TRITE, SPREE
  • Quordle #1271, Friday, 18 July: CINCH, FOYER, FUDGE, TAFFY
  • Quordle #1270, Thursday, 17 July: CRESS, TABOO, POWER, HATER
  • Quordle #1269, Wednesday, 16 July: UNCLE, NADIR, REMIT, BROOM
Categories: Technology

NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, August 4 (game #785)

TechRadar News - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 16:00
Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, August 3 (game #784).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #785) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

  • APHID
  • BEETLE
  • CEDAR
  • DECAY
  • EASY
  • EFFORT
  • GEO
  • TICK
  • BEECH
  • VENDETTA
  • APPLE
  • PINE
  • MITE
  • COOKIE
  • YEW
  • ZITI
NYT Connections today (game #785) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

  • YELLOW: Tiny bugs
  • GREEN: Barking up the correct ones 
  • BLUE: Spelling game
  • PURPLE: Say aloud to see the link

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #785) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

  • YELLOW: ARTHROPODS 
  • GREEN: TREES 
  • BLUE: [LETTER] (IS) FOR __ 
  • PURPLE: WORDS THAT SOUNDS LIKE TWO LETTERS 

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #785) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #785, are…

  • YELLOW: ARTHROPODS APHID, BEETLE, MITE, TICK
  • GREEN: TREES BEECH, CEDAR, PINE, YEW
  • BLUE: [LETTER] (IS) FOR __ APPLE, COOKIE, EFFORT, VENDETTA
  • PURPLE: WORDS THAT SOUNDS LIKE TWO LETTERS DECAY, EASY, GEO, ZITI
  • My rating: Hard
  • My score: 3 mistakes

Every day Connections finds a new way to either teach me or confuse me. Today it was… both.

I knew that A is for EFFORT and for APPLE, while V is for VENDETTA. But what is COOKIE doing in the [LETTER] (IS) FOR __ group? And what's with the square bracket rounded bracket? Is this an equation?

Realizing that I must be suffering from some terrible pop culture gap, a post-game Google revealed that the answer was related to the Cookie Monster from Sesame Street. I should have known.

I made two mistakes trying to get that group together. The other came earlier in the game, when I put APPLE in with the other TREES. A for annoying.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Sunday, August 3, game #784)
  • YELLOW: EMULATE COPY, ECHO, MIRROR, PARROT
  • BLUE: MANIA BUG, CRAZE, FAD, FEVER
  • GREEN: SPORTS CRICKET, GOLF, POLO, SQUASH
  • PURPLE: SINGLE ANIMAL IN A CREATIVELY SPELLED BAND NAMEBEETLE, BIRD, GORILLA, MONKEY
What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Categories: Technology

NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, August 4 (game #519)

TechRadar News - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 16:00
Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Sunday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, August 3 (game #518).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #519) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

Today's NYT Strands theme is… Cutting it close

NYT Strands today (game #519) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

  • SLICE
  • SPORT
  • STRIP
  • VEST
  • PRICE
  • FARE
NYT Strands today (game #519) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

Spangram has 10 letters

NYT Strands today (game #519) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: top, 4th column

Last side: bottom, 4th column

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #519) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #519, are…

  • RAZOR
  • CAPE
  • CLIPPERS
  • COMB
  • TRIMMER
  • AFTERSHAVE
  • SPANGRAM: BARBERSHOP
  • My rating: Easy
  • My score: Perfect

The letter Z gave today’s search an obvious starting point, with RAZOR immediately eliminating any mystery about the theme. Unless, like me, you saw the non-game word “slice” first.

I only learned recently that the origins of the traditional BARBERSHOP pole stem from the days when barbers also performed surgeries alongside their regular activities – a one-stop shop where you could have a leg amputated, your teeth pulled and a quick trim – with the red symbolizing blood and the blue veins.

Thankfully, these days barbers have narrowed down their offerings to those that can be performed using SCISSORS, CLIPPERS and a TRIMMER. If you see a saw on the counter I'd suggest you make a swift exit.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Sunday, August 3, game #518)
  • MUFF
  • WHIFF
  • ERROR
  • FAULT
  • FUMBLE
  • BOBBLE
  • BLOOPER
  • SPANGRAM: SPORTS GOOF
What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

Categories: Technology

Today's Wordle Hints, Answer and Help for Aug. 4, #1507

CNET News - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 15:00
Here are hints and the answer for today's Wordle for Aug. 4, No. 1,507
Categories: Technology

Today's NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for Aug. 4 #519

CNET News - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 15:00
Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for Aug. 4 No. 519.
Categories: Technology

Compact, well-made, and dependable, the Bosch Series 6 Air Fryer is the perfect choice for small households

TechRadar Reviews - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 14:00
Bosch Series 6 air fryer: one-minute review

German manufacturer Bosch has been a long-standing name in home appliances since it released its first refrigerator back in 1933. So, it's no surprise that the company finally took the plunge into the lucrative air fryer market with the release of the Bosch Series 6 Air Fryer.

You'd perhaps forgive Bosch for having some teething issues with its first-ever air, but the Series 6 has very few. Instead of prioritizing a surplus of extra cooking programs, modes, and features, the Series 6 offers a more streamlined experience, focusing on the quality of life features and cooking programs the average user needs rather than unnecessary add-ons.

The Bosch Series 6 doesn't have dozens of modes, but those it does offer produced consistently good results (Image credit: Vic Hood)

There are eight cooking programs, which cover the most typical food types cooked in an air fryer: Keep Warm, French Fries, Poultry, Meat, Fish, Vegetables, Bread, and Small Pastries (because who doesn't love an air-fried croissant?) We found each program to cook food consistently well, though some tweaking may be required for taste, especially when it comes to meats.

These programs are straightforward to use thanks to the air fryer's clear touch controls, while a handful of quality-of-life features make the Series 6 a joy to use. Its illuminated drawer and window allow you to check food without letting out heat, its Shake alert lets out clear, loud chirps, and its included grill rack and skewers allow you to grill food with ease. It's also generally easy to clean with minimal elbow grease and fairly compact given its 7.2-liter capacity.

The included grill rack and skewers make cooking easy (Image credit: Vic Hood)

While the Series 6 is a great appliance overall, it's not perfect. It's one of the louder air fryers this reviewer has tested (hitting 68dB in some cases), and removing the aforementioned metal grill rack and skewers from the basket safely can prove a bit of a struggle. We'd also have loved for the aforementioned grill rack to be securable within the basket to prevent rubbing on the non-stick plate. We also found that it struggled to balance keeping chicken moist inside while crispy outside.

These are minor issues, however, and the Bosch Series 6 Air Fryer provides an excellent experience otherwise. Though it is perhaps more suited to smaller households or those who only wish to cook one food item at a time.

Bosch Series 6 air fryer: price and availability
  • Price: £159.99 (roughly $212.58 / AU$329.16)
  • Available in the UK, but not available in the US and Australia
  • Regular discounts bring it down to around £100

The Bosch Series 6 Air Fryer offers top-tier quality for its budget price tag. At £159.99 (roughly $212.58 / AU$329.16), it costs £40 less than our current best budget air fryer, the Russell Hobbs Satisfry Dual Basket Air Fryer (though it offers less capacity), and is considerably more affordable than premium options, such as the Ninja Double Oven and Dreo ChefMaker.

Unfortunately, this appliance isn't currently available in the U.S. or Australia, but those in the UK can purchase it from Bosch directly or a range of trusted third-party retailers, such as Argos and Amazon.

If its current price tag is a little over your budget, don't fret. Regular discounts at Bosch and other retailers see this air fryer's price dropping to around the £100 mark, saving you nearly £60 on the usual RRP.

  • Value score: 5/5
Bosch Series 6 air fryer: specifications

Review model

MAF671B1GB

Number of baskets

1

Number of cooking programs

8

Cooking programs

Bread, Fish, French Fries, Keep Warm, Meat, Small Pastries, Poultry, Vegetables

Extra functions

Shake signal

Smart control

No

Wattage

1,800W

Capacity

7.6 quarts / 7.2 liters

Temperature range

104F-392F / 40C-200C

Time range

1 min-2 hours, up to 8 hours on keep warm or 40C-80C

Dimensions (including handles)

12.4 x 12.2 x 15.3in / 314 x 309 x 388mm

Dishwasher-safe

Yes

Weight

13lbs / 5.9kg

Bosch Series 6 air fryer: design
  • 7.2-liter capacity, but fairly combat
  • Illuminated drawer basket with window
  • Removable handle
  • Comes with metal grill rack and five skewers

The Bosch Series 6 offers a 7.2L capacity in a relatively compact design (compared to its competitors). The body of this air fryer is glossy black, with a silver rim around the top, a single drawer basket, and a removable handle. The touchscreen interface is easy to use, with the temperature adjustable in five-degree intervals.

The drawer is illuminated, meaning a light (which you can turn off and on at the touch of a button) comes on when you remove it, and thanks to an oven-like window, you can easily check your food without stopping the cooking process.

The drawer is illuminated, and the fryer has a clear window so you can check on your food during cooking (Image credit: Vic Hood)

The included physical user manual is thorough, making it easy to set up and use this appliance – even if you're a beginner. A physical food guide is also included, which provides a rough cooking guide and tips for each of the air fryer's eight programs. We do wish the food guide were slightly more detailed and included more food types, especially when it comes to cooking vegetables.

The food guide does come with a QR code, though, that leads you to a Quick Start Guide that features a handful of excellent recipes for this specific air fryer. We just wish there were more of them.

The basket and its crisper plate are dishwasher-safe, though we generally prefer to hand-wash anything with a non-stick coating (Image credit: Vic Hood)

This air fryer also comes with a metal grill rack accessory and five skewers that fit into the grill rack. These are a welcome addition for grilling, but we found removing the hot grill rack difficult after cooking due to the depth of the basket and its metal design. We also wish the grill rack could be locked into the basket's plate to avoid it moving around and potentially damaging the plate's non-stick coating long-term.

While the 7.2L basket is a bit bulky, it's easy to hand wash with minimal elbow grease – though, inside the window is slightly trickier to reach. Fortunately, the basket and its plate are dishwasher-proof, though we at TechRadar tend to recommend hand washing anything with a non-stick coat.

The main design drawback of this air fryer is its volume. We logged a max 68dB reading when the appliance was running at its maximum temperature, making it loud enough that we couldn't hear our kitchen TV and could hear it from our living room next door. This is particularly loud for an air fryer (based on those we've tested) and several decibels louder than the 63dB Bosch claims.

  • Design score: 4/5
Bosch Series 6 air fryer: performance
  • Quality performance across cooking programs
  • Useful Shake alert
  • Some foods could be crispier

We found the Bosch Series 6 air fryer performed consistently well across its eight cooking programs: Bread, Fish, French Fries, Keep Warm, Meat, Small Pastries, Poultry, and Vegetables.

We started our testing with 500g of frozen fries , utilizing the air fryer's French Fries preset, while tweaking the time slightly as recommended by the food guide. After 23 minutes, we had fairly evenly cooked fries (a couple were slightly over for my taste), but overall, the fries were fluffy inside and golden outside.

Image 1 of 2

A couple of the frozen fries were slightly overdone for my liking, but for the most part they were golden and crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside (Image credit: Vic Hood)Image 2 of 2

Home-made fries turned out well too, and unlike some other air fryers, the Bosch didn't burn the ends (Image credit: Vic Hood)

Following the frozen fries, we tried 700g of handmade fries, soaked and with one tablespoon of oil, on the same setting, using the exact preset time and temperature. Again, the fries were fluffy inside and golden outside but could have been a little crispier. Unlike other air fryers, however, the Bosch Series 6 didn't leave our fries with overdone ends – a common issue we've encountered with testing.

Next, we tested the grill and skewer accessories. We loaded up each of the five skewers with chicken, onion, tomato, and peppers – but may have overloaded them a little as the five skewers struggled to fit beside each other. My advice: make sure your cuts of veggies and meat are smaller to avoid this.

Make sure the meat and vegetable pieces threaded onto the skewers aren't too large (Image credit: Vic Hood)

The skewers sit on indents in the grill rack, which is placed in the basket. We've mentioned our issues with the grill rack generally, but despite the overcrowding, we found our skewers cooked well on the Poultry preset, though some of the vegetables were becoming overdone and the chicken slightly overdone, so we had to remove them a few minutes early. You likely need to adjust this timing based on what you skewer.

We also tried cooking a couple of chicken breasts on the grill rack (with some seasoning and a tablespoon of oil) on the Poultry preset. They came out slightly dry and with not quite enough crisp on the outside for our taste, but overall very tasty.

Image 1 of 2

Chicken turned out tender, though the outside wasn't quite as crisp as I would have liked (Image credit: Vic Hood)Image 2 of 2

Chicken turned out tender, though the outside wasn't quite as crisp as I would have liked (Image credit: Vic Hood)

We had this same crisping issue with drumsticks prepared using a Bosch recipe and dry-rubbed wings (my go-to Cosori recipe), both cooked well and were juicy inside, but the skin didn't crisp up quite enough. The pre-baked petit pains we cooked on the Bread preset, too were soft inside, but not quite crunchy enough outside.

The Bosch recipes are a great starting point for this air fryer, and we particularly enjoyed its roasted cauliflower and egg omelette muffin recipes (both turned out perfect). The apple turnover recipe, while very tasty, resulted in turnovers with overly soggy bottoms – though that's likely down to chef error on my part.

Image 1 of 3

Roasted cauliflower turned out brilliantly (Image credit: Vic Hood)Image 2 of 3

Bosch's recipe for omelette muffins was a success as well (Image credit: Vic Hood)Image 3 of 3

Apple turnover wasn't such a success, but that may have been due to user error (Image credit: Vic Hood)

Other presets may require some tweaking of the timings. Sausages on the Beef preset were slightly underdone after seven minutes, which may be down to the fact that they were chunky Cumberlands.

Vegetables, too, like most air fryers, require some experimentation. The food guide isn't very detailed on how long to cook certain vegetables and just covers "Grilled Vegetables." While this was the perfect preset for my chantanay carrots, my broccoli, onions and peppers needed to be removed early to avoid becoming too charred. Again, this is something we've encountered with several air fryers.

Image 1 of 1

Our sausages were a little underdone at the end of the cooking time, but that may be because they were particularly chunky (Image credit: Vic Hood)

Now, if you've read our air fryer reviews before, you'll know we love an air fryer that can bake. The Bosch Series 6 can manage that feat for small cakes and muffins, so we used our usual Ninja muffin recipe with the Muffin preset to test its capabilities. It was perhaps the best result I've had for this test, with the muffins perfectly golden on top, not too dry inside, and little to no overspill.

Overall, the Bosch Series 6 performs brilliantly; however, you may need to experiment a bit to get the right balance of crispness and doneness for certain foods.

  • Performance score: 4.5/5
Should you buy the Bosch Series 6 air fryer?Bosch Series 6 Air Fryer report card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

This air fryer is excellent value for its price tag, and thanks to regular sales, you can pick it up for closer to £100.

5/5

Design

The design is pretty compact for its 7.2L capacity, plus it's easy to use and clean. While the accompanying grill rack and skewers are welcome accessories, we wish they could lock into the basket plate and were easier to remove after cooking. This is also one of the louder air fryers we've reviewed.

4/5

Performance

Performance across all eight cooking programs is solid, though some foods could be slightly crispier on the outside. You may need to experiment a bit for optimal results on certain presets.

4.5/5

Buy it if

You want a decent capacity air fryer, but haven't space for a dual-basket

The Bosch Series 6's 7.2L capacity is pretty sizeable, and while it's not compact enough to be counted as a small air fryer, it's nowhere near as big as some competitors. Plus, the handles are detachable, making it slightly easier to store.

You're looking for a solid, budget air fryer

With its £159.99 price tag, the Bosch Series 6 is already great value for money, but regular discounts see that price knocked down to roughly £100, making it an ideal choice for those on a £100 budget.

You want a streamlined air frying experience

The Bosch Series 6 is a great entry-level air fryer for those who want a straightforward, streamlined experience. It comes with enough features to make it pleasant to use without overwhelming you with extras.

Don't buy it if

You want to cook more than one food at once

The Bosch Series 6's capacity means you can fit a decent amount of food in, but if you've got a larger household that plans to make larger quantities or food or you want to cook more than one type of food at once, you may struggle with this.

You want a bunch of extras

This is down to personal preference. While this air fryer comes with a grill rack, it only air fries, and the cooking programs cover the basics. If you want features like smart control, synced cooking, or different cooking modes (like grilling and steaming), then this may not be the best choice for you.

How I tested the Bosch Series 6 air fryer

I used the Bosch Series 6 air fryer for a week, cooking a wide variety of foods including fries, sausages, fresh vegetables, and pastries. I tested all the air fryer's various modes and cleaned the air fryer in line with the instructions provided in the manual. For more details, see how we test, rate, and review products at TechRadar.

Categories: Reviews

Canada wildfires cause poor air quality in the midwest and northeast U.S.

NPR News Headlines - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 13:47

Health officials from Minnesota to Maine have issued alerts warning of poor air quality from wildfires burning in Canada. People are advised to limit outdoor exposure.

(Image credit: Ashlee Rezin/AP)

Categories: News

Potentially tens of thousands of faulty Nvidia AI chips end up in these obscure Chinese repair shops — it may mask something even more vital

TechRadar News - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 13:33
  • AI chip repair firms in China are thriving due to heavy demand surge
  • Smuggled GPUs fuel a booming underground repair market amid US export restrictions
  • Chinese shops simulate data centers and fix hundreds of chips monthly at scale

A quiet but growing business has emerged in China that focuses on repairing Nvidia’s advanced AI chips, despite strict US export controls.

Reports from Reuters found around a dozen small firms, mainly based in Shenzhen, claiming they service large numbers of Nvidia’s H100 and A100 GPUs, even though these chips were officially banned from sale to China in 2022.

One company told the news agency it repairs up to 500 Nvidia AI chips every month - and with roughly 12 similar firms operating year-round, that could amount to tens of thousands of chips annually.

Significant demand

Many of these units are worn down from heavy use, especially as some have run around the clock for years in AI training workloads.

“There is really significant repair demand,” Reuters was told by the co-owner of a Shenzhen firm that moved into AI hardware in late 2024.

That demand led to the creation of a second company purely to handle AI chip repair.

Their facility includes a server room that can simulate data center conditions with up to 256 servers.

Another shop that shifted from GPU rentals to repairs told Reuters it fixes around 200 chips per month, typically charging about 10% of the original purchase price.

Repairs can include fan replacement, circuit board fixes, memory diagnostics, and software testing.

Nvidia cannot legally support or replace restricted GPUs within China. An Nvidia spokesperson said only the company and approved partners are authorized to offer the necessary service and support, adding that running restricted chips without full infrastructure is not viable long-term.

The potentially high failure rate raises concerns about what will happen to tens of thousands of aging A100s and earlier GPUs once they fail.

The existence of such a repair sector is down to the widespread smuggling of banned chips into China, something we’ve reported on previously.

While Nvidia recently began offering the H20 GPU in China to comply with export restrictions, many customers there still prefer the banned H100 for training LLMs.

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Premier League Summer Series: Stream Man United vs. Everton From Anywhere

CNET News - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 13:00
New signing Bryan Mbeumo is set to make his debut as the Red Devils look to seal the series with a win over the Toffees.
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I tested the Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 projector, and it’s got a bright picture, but it's pricey for an all-in-one

TechRadar Reviews - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 12:00
Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 : One minute review

The Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 is a very capable projector. It comes in one of the more stylish designs I’ve seen for this class of projector, separating itself even from the latest group of more design-conscious models.

The Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 features a powerful RGB laser projection system that beams a bright enough picture for use in different environments. Its color is excellent, and it benefits from an optical zoom for more flexible placement.

For gamers, the VisionMaster Pro 2 can switch to a low-latency mode or even drop down to 1080p resolution to run at 240Hz. Alas, its speakers don’t quite live up to the visual performance, but that’s typical even for the best projectors.

All that capability comes at a price, with the VisionMaster Pro 2 listed for $2,999. This places it on the high end for this type of compact enthusiast home projector, even surpassing the Hisense C2 Ultra, which is nearly as capable and features an integrated gimbal stand and an additional speaker. Because of that, I’d point most people to the Hisense instead, but the VisionMaster Pro 2 still has the edge in terms of connectivity and looks, and it doesn’t disappoint when it comes to picture quality.

Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 review: Price & release date

Valerion's remote control is larger and more polished-looking than the ones you’ll typically find on Android and Google TV projectors (Image credit: Future)
  • Release date: December 2024
  • Price: $2,999

The Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 was released at the end of 2024. It launched with a price of $2,999, but has seen some discounts since then, including the July Amazon Prime Day sales event, where it dropped to the $2,599 range. The VisionMaster Pro 2 is available directly from Valerion as well as from Amazon.

Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 review: Specs

Screen sizes supported:

40-300 inches

Brightness (specified):

3,300 ISO lumens

HDR support:

Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG

Optical technology:

Three-laser DLP

Smart TV:

Google TV

Connections:

2x HDMI 2.1, 1x HDMI 2.0 (with eARC), 1x USB-A 3.0, 1x USB-A 2.0, Ethernet, 3.5mm audio out, optical digital audio out

Dimensions (H x W x D):

7.30 x 10.20 x 9.20 inches

Weight:

15.4 pounds

A mute switch is provided on the projector's top surface for turning off the built-in mic used for Google voice commands (Image credit: Future)Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 review: Design & features

The projector's extensive connections include two HDMI 2.1 ports plus a third with HDMI eARC support (Image credit: Future)
  • Elegant design with a simple kickstand
  • Built-in speakers and Google TV
  • Optical zoom

The Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 is gorgeously built. It has a metal chassis with ribs wrapping all around the sides and top of the device, giving it the appearance of a metal heat sink. The front and back are simpler, flat slabs of what feels like high-quality plastic (almost to the point that it could be glass).

Interestingly, Valerion includes a cover on the back to conceal its ports. This does give it a cleaner look, but only when it’s not in use, as you can’t even plug in the power if the cover is in place.

The VisionMaster Pro 2 includes a simple, heavy-duty foot underneath near the front that can prop it up to adjust the angle, and the back has two more little feet that can screw out to adjust the tilt. This isn’t quite as useful as the gimbal stands found on some competitors like the Hisense C2 Ultra, but Valerion does sell a quality metal unit of its own (a $139 option) that can attach to the VisionMaster Pro 2 and give it full-range tilting capabilities, and even the option to flip completely upside-down — helpful if you’re doing a mantel or bookshelf placement).

While the gimbal or foot can help adjust the projection somewhat, the projector’s optical zoom can be even more useful. This lets the VisionMaster Pro 2 shift from a 0.9:1 throw ratio up to 1.5:1. The projector can perform plenty of automated setup adjustments, like focus, keystone correction, and obstacle avoidance as well.

The VisionMaster Pro 2 supports the Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range formats and is IMAX Enhanced. The projector offers Wi-Fi 6E connectivity for fast and stable wireless networking, though Ethernet is also available.

For this class of projector, the VisionMaster Pro 2 has a surprising selection of ports. Where many competitors would offer just two HDMI ports, the VisionMaster Pro 2 has three: two HDMI 2.1 and one HDMI 2.0 with eARC support. There’s also a 3.5mm audio jack, an optical digital audio output, and two USB-A ports for data or powering dongles.

Like other laser projectors, the VisionMaster Pro 2 has an eye protection feature that is meant to dim the laser if someone stands in its path. But this feature proved incredibly inconsistent in my use. Sometimes the system's eye protection feature activates for no reason, and other times it's not nearly sensitive enough about things obviously out in front of it. Even when it seems to be working as intended, it’s rather slow to kick in.

To get up and running quickly, the projector offers Google TV and has a pair of built-in speakers, giving you everything you need to start streaming. And since this is the kind of projector you might take on the go, Valerion has included a carrying case made out of rigid styrofoam.

Valerion has put a bit of extra effort into its remote control, which is larger and more polished-looking than you’ll typically find on Android and Google TV projectors. It offers the standard navigation controls, a Google Assistant button, volume buttons, shortcuts to a handful of streaming services, and a dedicated input source button. There’s even some backlighting, but it doesn’t cover all of the buttons. The volume buttons are also not differentiated from a handful of other buttons, so you can’t just feel them out without also memorizing where they are.

The projector can also listen for voice commands, responding to a quick “Hey, Google.” And if you don’t want the projector to listen, there’s a mute switch on the top.

  • Design & features score: 4/5
Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 review: Picture & sound quality

An RGB laser light engine gives the picture the potential for dazzling color (Image credit: Future)
  • Bright and colorful picture
  • Strong contrast
  • Smooth-running operating system

The Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 beams an excellent-looking picture. It's plenty bright for even fairly well-lit rooms, though dark scenes don’t look as good. It also has strong contrast that can be further enhanced by changing some of the default picture settings.

The triple-laser light source has the same advantages I’ve seen from other projectors like the Hisense C2 Ultra and Hisense PX3-Pro, giving the picture the potential for truly dazzling color. The VisionMaster Pro 2 isn’t inclined to overdo the color in its main HDR and SDR picture presets, however, instead keeping it more balanced and natural.

Like many other projectors, the VisionMaster Pro 2 comes out of the box with some unfortunate motion smoothing enabled. This may serve to smooth out panning shots in movies, but it also introduces so many weird motion artifacts that it calls for disabling. The lowest motion setting, Film, avoids the most distracting artifacts while still looking smooth with camera movement. The projector also provides an option to customize the motion smoothing with two adjustable settings, letting you dial it in as you like.

Black levels are decently low, but not low enough that the letterbox bars in widescreen movies look truly black. But with a few tweaks to the settings, specifically enabling active contrast and dynamic laser luminance, the overall brightness can dim down for wonderfully deep black levels in dark scenes. This doesn’t play well with subtitles, however, as they’ll sometimes brighten the picture up.

The display is also up to snuff for gaming. It can deliver 4K 60Hz with reasonably low input lag in its game mode. And for those who want to really dial up the gaming performance, it can drop down to 1080p and run at up to 240Hz for ultra-smooth visuals.

Two adjustable feet can be used for tilt correction during setup (Image credit: Future)

The speakers inside the VisionMaster Pro 2 aren’t bad, putting out enough sound to fill a small room. They sound fairly full, too, but there’s little getting around the narrow soundstage they present. Even simple stereo sound isn’t presented well. And occasionally, deeper voices can sound a little resonant, giving them an unnatural quality.

One easy-to-overlook aspect of projector performance that the VisionMaster Pro 2 deserves credit for is its operating system. It runs Google TV like many other projectors, but appears to have a faster processor and more memory to help it run smoother than some of its competition. This makes it much easier to use the projector, whether you’re browsing Google TV or just want to quickly switch over to another input.

  • Picture and sound quality score: 4/5
Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 review: Value

The projector's sturdy styrofoam case can be used for transport (Image credit: Future)
  • Highly integrated package
  • On the expensive end for projectors in this class
  • All-in-one design enhances value

The Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 is expensive, but you get a lot for that money. It presents a more colorful and bigger image than most TVs, and compared to 100-inch TVs, it’s not so expensive. That said, it is on the expensive side for this category of projector. The Hisense C2 Ultra is just as pricey, though it has an integrated gimbal stand. It has also seen more discounts in the time since its launch than the VisionMaster Pro 2 has.

Still, the VisionMaster Pro 2 can do plenty. Its projection system is flexible, and it’s good for casual viewing in bright rooms, while delivering cinematic quality in dark rooms. You can opt for 4K with broad HDR support or zoom along at 1080p 240Hz for high-speed gaming. Also, having the Google TV smart TV system baked in never hurts, especially when it runs as smoothly as it does here.

It’s just a shame the VisionMaster Pro 2’s speakers aren’t better, and that it doesn’t come with a more adjustable stand.

  • Value score: 4/5
Should I buy the Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2?

(Image credit: Future)Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 review

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design and features

Simple but elegant design, and packs plenty of features for a fully-integrated system. The remote could be better, as could the eye protection

4/5

Picture and sound quality

An excellent picture with plenty of tools to adjust it to your liking. It even runs Google TV well, but the speakers don’t keep up

4/5

Value

Faces the diminishing returns of high-end products, but is still a good value thanks to its ability to beam a huge, bright, and colorful image from an all-in-one device.

4/5

Buy it if...

You want a powerful and flexible
The VisionMaster Pro 2 has an excellent projection system. It beams brightly and has rich color and strong contrast. Thanks to its zoom lens, you should have an easier time placing it without having to crop the imageView Deal

You want a gaming projector
While the VisionMaster Pro 2 is fantastic for home cinema, it’s also strong for gaming. If you want a projector that can do both quite well, it has you covered.View Deal

You like your tech to be pretty
One thing that sets the VisionMaster Pro 2 apart is how elegant it looks. The metal chassis is something to behold, and the remote looks pretty classy as well. View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You’re not too picky about visuals
The VisionMaster Pro 2 provides an excellent picture, but it comes at a high price. If you don’t need all the brightness and color this projector offers, there are much cheaper models that can otherwise tick a lot of the same boxes.View Deal

You don’t care for Google TV
For some, Google TV will be an advantage. But if you don’t need it, the Hisense C2 Ultra offers just about everything that the VisionMaster Pro 2 does, has a few extra features (like a “subwoofer” and gimbal stand), and tends to be cheaper.View Deal

You want one projector to handle everything
The VisionMaster Pro 2 is brilliant as far as visuals go, and it even has a good, smooth-running streaming platform. But its speakers don;t come close to matching the projection quality.View Deal

Also considerComparison: portable projectors

Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2

BenQ GP520

Hisense C2 Ultra

JMGO N1S Pro 4K

Price:

$2,999

$1,499

$2,999

$1,999

Screen sizes supported:

40 to 300 inches

50 to 180 inches

65-300 inches

85 to 180 inches

Brightness (specified):

3,000 ISO lumens

2,600 lumens

3,000 lumens

2,400 lumens

HDR support

HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision

HDR10+, HLG

Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG

HDR10, HLG

Optical technology:

RGB Laser DLP

LED DLP

RGB Laser DLP



RGB Laser DLP

Smart TV:

Google TV

Google TV

Vidaa OS

Google TV

Connections:

2x HDMI 2.1, 1x HDMI 2.0 with eARC, 1x optical, 1x 3.5mm

2x HDMI 2.1 (1 with eARC), 1x USB-C (PD Out, DP In, 2x USB-A 1x 3.5mm

2x HDMI 2.1 (1 with eARC), 2x USB-A, 1x S/PDIF, Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm, Bluetooth

HDMI x2 (x1 eARC), USB-A (power), 3.5mm

BenQ GP520

At half the price, the BenQ GP520 naturally makes some trade-offs. It’s not as elegant, not as bright, not as colorful, and doesn’t have as extensive support for HDR formats. But if you just want to go big with 4K, it can do that job pretty well.

Read our BenQ GP520 review View Deal

JMGO N1S Pro

If you’re watching in a dark room anyway and don’t mind a little slower Google TV experience, the JMGO N1S Pro will let you save a good deal of money while still getting a gorgeous 4K picture from an RGB laser projection system. You’ll miss out on optical zoom and 1080p 240Hz capabilities, though.

Read our JMGO N1S Pro reviewView Deal

Hisense C2 Ultra

Almost the VisionMaster Pro 2’s equal in every way (including price), the Hisense C2 Ultra is a solid alternative. It runs its own VIDAA OS, but it’s a quick one. It also has a built-in gimbal stand and a bonus “subwoofer” speaker. And since the C2 Ultra is a little bit older (don’t worry, not by much), it has had an opportunity for discounts.

Read our Hisense C2 Ultra reviewView Deal

How I tested the Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2
  • Tested at home in multiple, real-world viewing conditions
  • Presented the display with a variety of media and formats
  • I have tested numerous projectors and displays over the last half-decade

I tested the Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 at home, in real-world conditions. This saw it faced with ambient light coming in from numerous windows, in-room lighting, as well as ambient noise that both the projector and speaker systems had to overcome. The projector was tested both against a bare, white wall and an Akia Screens CineWhite screen. It was presented with streamed nsd Blu-ray content, HDR and non-HDR, and PC gameplay.

My testing evaluates the projector’s performance with respect to its price and competition from other models I and colleagues at TechRadar have tested.

I have been testing projectors since 2021 and displays for even longer.

Categories: Reviews

Premier League Summer Series: Stream Bournemouth vs. West Ham From Anywhere

CNET News - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 11:43
The tournament heads to Atlanta as the Cherries take on the Hammers.
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Wacom's unique MovinkPad 11 Android tablet with Pro Pen 3 support gets its first review, and aspiring illustrators will love it

TechRadar News - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 10:25
  • The Wacom Pro Pen 3 delivers precision drawing without needing a battery or Bluetooth pairing
  • Wacom MovinkPad 11 uses a matte screen that reduces glare and enhances pen control significantly
  • Android’s lack of Photoshop and Illustrator support continues to limit mobile creative workflows overall

Wacom’s MovinkPad 11 is an unusual addition to the Android tablet space, not because of its processing power or app ecosystem, but due to one standout feature: support for the Wacom Pro Pen 3.

According to PCWatch, this device costs just under 70,000 yen (approximately $471), making it cheaper than many competing tablets, and includes the same pen technology trusted by professional artists.

Still, its appeal seems tailored to a very specific audience, and it’s worth asking whether its strengths truly outweigh its compromises.

A familiar pen, now in a standalone tablet

The MovinkPad 11 comes with the Wacom Pro Pen 3, which, unlike many battery-powered options, uses EMR (electromagnetic resonance) to achieve low-latency, battery-free performance.

It’s long been favored by digital artists working with pen displays like the Cintiq and Intuos Pro.

Now, with this Android tablet, Wacom appears to be targeting users who want to practice professional-level pen input without needing a full computer setup.

From a usability standpoint, the experience is generally fluid, particularly when using drawing apps like CLIP STUDIO PAINT DEBUT, which comes pre-installed.

However, the lack of Android versions of Adobe’s photo editing software remains a limitation for users who rely on tools like Photoshop or Illustrator.

This device features an 11.45-inch display with a resolution of 2200 x 1440, and it also uses a matte finish that resists glare and fingerprints.

This surface, combined with the Pro Pen 3’s fine pressure sensitivity, does offer a more natural feel than the glossy panels found on many mainstream tablets.

For illustration software, where pen glide and surface resistance matter, this hardware combination is a major advantage.

But as an Android tablet, the MovinkPad 11 is less impressive because it runs on a midrange MediaTek Helio G99 processor with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage.

That’s sufficient for drawing and basic multitasking, but not exceptional.

Despite its salient selling points, Wacom’s software decisions raise valid questions.

The custom interface, Wacom UX, allows for quick access to a sketching app called Wacom Canvas, even when the device is locked.

This might appeal to beginners eager to sketch instantly, but the lack of biometric authentication and broader Android productivity features may feel restrictive.

Likewise, while it’s handy that third-party EMR pens also work with the device, the software ecosystem surrounding Android remains limited for serious graphic design software users.

The MovinkPad 11 feels more like it fills a niche and neither stands as a powerful Android tablet, nor is it aimed at established professionals.

Instead, it’s an accessible entry point for students and hobbyists hoping to develop their skills using the same tools found in professional environments.

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It looks as though Google's fresh new Pixel 10 color will reach the Pixel Buds Pro 2 as well

TechRadar News - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 08:30
  • The Pixel Buds Pro 2 may get a new shade
  • It's the Moonstone color linked to the Pixel 10
  • New gadgets are arriving on August 20

In the various Google Pixel 10 leaks we've come across recently, there's been a lot of a particular color involved: a grayey-bluey type of shade which is apparently called Moonstone. Now it seems the shade will be rolling out to Google's other gadgets too.

As spotted by 9to5Google, the existing Pixel Buds Pro 2 wireless earbuds are now listed as being available in Moonstone, if you switch to the 3D view – though it's possible the change may have been rolled back by the time you're reading this.

What's more, the light green known as Wintergreen looks to be going away, as Moonstone replaces it in the listing. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 were launched in August last year, so it's perfectly possible that they're getting a refresh after 12 months.

There's no doubt that Google is keen on this Moonstone color: so far we've only seen one official teaser for the Pixel 10 launch event on Wednesday, August 20, and it shows off what we think is the Pixel 10 Pro in the Moonstone shade.

What we've heard so far

An official snap of the Pixel 10 Pro... in Moonstone (Image credit: Google)

Another leak has shown off everything we're expecting on August 20 in Moonstone: the Pixel 10, the Pixel Watch 4, and the Pixel Buds 2a. Other colors will of course be available, but it looks like this is going to be the primary one.

Aside from the colors, there have been plenty of leaks and rumors swirling around. The Pixel 10 series of phones – and there should be four of them again, like last year – are rumored to be introducing MagSafe-style wireless charging to Android for the first time.

As for the Google Pixel Watch 4, we've heard that it's going to get a rather interesting new charging system, and come in at the same sort of prices that we saw with the Pixel Watch 3 last year – with some Fitbit and YouTube promos bundled in for good measure.

We haven't heard quite as much about the Google Pixel Buds 2a, but the updated earbuds could bring with them a tweaked design if the rumors are true. We will of course bring you all the official announcements, as they happen.

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Lenovo's unknown Lecoo brand launches exciting mini PC which begs only one question to mind — when will it sell these outside of China?

TechRadar News - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 08:02
  • Lecoo Mini Pro includes Radeon 780M graphics and dual USB4 ports for GPU expansion
  • AMD’s Ryzen 7 8745H powers the system with strong Zen 4 performance across eight cores
  • Two 2.5G Ethernet jacks allow for flexible networking options rarely seen in mini PCs

Lenovo has quietly released a new Lecoo-branded mini PC in China called the Mini Pro, a system which combines relatively strong performance with a compact, low-power design.

Lecoo is not a widely known brand in Lenovo’s global portfolio, but it joins a long list of sub-brands the company manages, including Motorola Mobility, Lenovo NEC, Medion, and LOQ.

While most of these brands have defined market positions or regional focuses, Lecoo appears to be geared toward affordable consumer tech and accessories.

A compact system priced for budget-conscious users

Priced between $363 and $615 depending on configuration, the Lecoo Mini Pro enters the same market space as many affordable workstation alternatives.

This device is powered by AMD’s Ryzen 7 8745H processor, a chip that belongs to the Hawk Point family and is similar to the Ryzen 7 8745HS.

It includes the integrated Radeon 780M graphics, which means it can tackle low to mid-tier gaming workloads.

For heavier graphical use, the system’s two USB4 ports allow for external GPU connectivity, a feature becoming more common on newer business PC setups and one that extends its capabilities beyond typical office work.

Internally, the Lecoo Mini Pro supports up to 32GB of DDR5 RAM at 5600MHz and offers dual PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots for storage, pushing it close to workstation PC territory in terms of memory and drive expansion.

Despite the hardware capacity, the Lecoo Mini Pro remains a palm-sized and low-power device.

Even in its highest performance mode (70W), the thermal output is kept under control using dual fans and an aluminum chassis, and Lenovo says the noise level of this device is as low as 32 decibels in quiet mode.

Another strength of this device is connectivity, and it supports a mix of legacy and modern accessories - as it includes two USB4 ports, two 2.5G Ethernet jacks, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, and multiple USB-A ports while also supporting Wi-Fi 6 as its only wireless option.

Lenovo has confirmed the Lecoo Mini Pro will be available for global shipping, and the sales page accepts payment via PayPal.

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The cast of Providence Falls could return in the Hallmark Universe in one major way, and I think it’s incredible

TechRadar News - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 08:00

The Hallmark Channel and Hallmark+ are bringing Providence Falls to fans from August 2 in a three-part ‘event’ (think miniseries, only it’s three movies rather than episodes). The new three-part film series follows Cora (Katie Stevens), a new cop on the scene suddenly partnered with the rogue and spaced-out Liam (Lachlan Quarmby). The reason Liam’s not all there isn’t an obvious one, having been sent to Cora from their past lives in 1800s Ireland to make sure she falls in love with her fated romantic partner, Finn (Evan Roderick).

Essentially, we’ve got a period drama, police procedural and whodunnit murder mystery all happening at the same time, with one plot staying wrapped within another at all times. This will make much more sense as you watch it, and I promise the line between a satisfying payoff and having enough clues to crack without things being too confusing is an ideal balance. As these are Hallmark movies, after all, you can probably take a good guess at how the series ends.

But while the ending ties up some loose threads, does this really mean we’re leaving Providence Falls for good? I think it’s a world too rich to abandon, and when I put this to the cast, they already had their own ideas for a return.

Providence Falls could continue to exist in the wider Hallmark universe

“I hope [Providence Falls returns], it's a fun universe,” star Roderick tells me. “I think there's an opportunity to bring back the angels of destiny, and have that be the rock of the show. I mean, that would be a really, really cool concept moving forward, if the fans love it.”

As far as I’m concerned, Roderick’s elevator pitch is a Hallmark goldmine. The Angels of Destiny storyline could be applied to absolutely any character we’ve met over the past few decades, and could even work in the context of continuing shows such as The Chicken Sisters, When Calls the Heart and The Way Home. Anybody who has a dodgy run-in or awkward storyline gets a chance for redemption, even if they have to die in order to do so.

Granted, the number of people who have died in Hallmark projects is slim to none, meaning fresh recruits like Liam might need to be drafted in for Providence Falls to continue. But if the angels and main cast aren’t coming back (their storylines have basically been wrapped up, after all), there’s still the town itself. Everything we love about shows like Virgin River and Sullivan’s Crossing is now sitting in Hallmark’s lap, and they’d be silly not to utilise that.

Does Providence Falls now have the legs to be a springboard for a bigger ongoing series? I’d say absolutely. Of course, the same storyline can’t be replicated, but if Hallmark wants to replicate the out-of-the-box success of The Way Home or find a rival for Virgin River, they best start listening to Roderick’s idea.

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Pope Leo tells 1 million Catholic youths they are sign 'different world is possible'

NPR News Headlines - Sun, 08/03/2025 - 07:36

In his closing blessing for the Jubilee of Youth, Leo remembered the young people of Gaza and Ukraine and other countries "bloodied by war" who could not join their celebration.

(Image credit: Andrew Medichini)

Categories: News

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