China's factory activity unexpectedly contracts in July as export rush fades

China's factory activity unexpectedly contracted in July, as the export rush that powered a second-quarter rebound began to unwind.

Probing binary stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud with the JWST

The formation and evolution of individual stars in a galaxy shape the evolution of the galaxy itself. Stars and stellar remnants make up the vast majority of a galaxy's mass, so it's not surprising that the stellar population affects the evolution of galaxies. In the Milky

Three things we learned about AI from Big Tech earnings

Billions of dollars are being poured into a new wave of AI technology. But will it pay off?

The Onion: Translator Of Original ‘Minions’ Epic Poem...

The Onion: Translator Of Original ‘Minions’ Epic Poem Slams ‘Sexless, Bloodless’ Film Adaptation. The actual Wilson on Bluesky : “No professional accomplishment has ever made me happier than this.” Most fun movie discourse since Barbenheimer.

China expresses 'serious concern' over latest US trade restrictions

Sombr Brings Out 5 Seconds of Summer During High-Octane Lollapalooza Set

The musicians surprise performed "She Looks So Perfect" for the fest's massive crowd Thursday night

North Korea state media says US Forces’ Japan expansion raises risk of Korean peninsula clash

KCNA said US Forces Japan was becoming a full-fledged “war command” with increase in headquarters personnel.

North Korea state media says US Forces' Japan expansion raises risk of Korean peninsula clash

SEOUL, July 31 - An editorial carried by North Korean state media KCNA on Friday criticised the expansion of the U.S. Forces Japan command, warning that a clash on the Korean Peninsula is now a matter of timing rather than just a possibility.

Anthropic says Claude models 'gained unauthorized access' to 3 companies during cyber test

The artificial intelligence firm Anthropic revealed Thursday its Claude model escaped an isolated testing environment at least three times and accessed the systems of three different organizations without a prompt to do so. Anthropic said in a blog post Thursday evening it

Waste CO₂ converts into graphite through a newly observed two-step process

Graphite, the carbon core of a humble No. 2 pencil, is also an essential component in technologies such as batteries, smartphones, laptops and industrial power equipment. Today, nearly all of this critical mineral must be mined and processed and, in the United States, imported.

‘Stuart Fails to Save the Universe’ Producers on Episode 2’s Surprise Kaley Cuoco Cameo As an Alternate Penny

SPOILER ALERT: This story contains spoilers from “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe” Season 1 Episode 2, now streaming on HBO Max. “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe” Episode 2 was chock full of cameos and guest stars — but saved the biggest one, at least for “The Big Bang

Nirmal Purja among 10 climbers feared missing after avalanche

An American, a Chinese national, an Omani and five Nepalis are said to be part of the group feared missing in Pakistan.

Dark Sun, D&D's most heavy metal setting, will be back in 2027

Finally, a survival game where I don't have to punch trees.

Saudi Arabia forms Red Sea defense coalition to protect against Houthi attacks

Saudi Arabia is building an international coalition to protect key shipping routes that transport Saudi oil exports from repeated attacks by Yemeni Houthi militias. The Saudi Ministry of Defense met with nearly 50 countries in Riyadh to establish a multinational maritime

Teen hackers tell BBC how police are helping them use their skills for good

Cyber Prevent is targeting predominantly boys and young men at risk of being drawn to cyber criminality.

Anthropic says Claude AI hacked three firms during cyber tests

It comes just days after rival OpenAI said rogue AI agents had breached other firms' networks.

Survey highlights AI's potential to advance accessibility in work and learning

As artificial intelligence becomes part of how people work, learn and solve problems, a new University of Phoenix survey conducted by The Harris Poll finds that recent working learners see meaningful opportunities for AI to support accessibility.

‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’: Sadie Sink Is [SPOILER]. How Her Role Sets Up Marvel’s Next Reboot

SPOILER ALERT: This article contains major spoilers for “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,’ now playing in theaters. After months of speculation about who Sadie Sink is playing in “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” the movie has finally hit theaters and Spidey fans can see for themselves

The mod we called 'the best Fallout game you'll play this year' back in 2018 just launched on GOG

If you missed it back then, it's easier than ever to play it now.

The rumors were true, Dungeons & Dragons' first 'Universes Beyond' crossover will be with World of Warcraft

Finally, I can catch the Corrupted Blood plague in person.

Risks of debris between the Earth and the moon for future exploration

Cislunar space has become the focal point of considerable interest and strategic planning because of the many proposed missions to send crews to the moon in the next decade. These include NASA's Artemis program, China and Russia's International Lunar Research Station (ILRS),

Boy George Drops Out of London ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ Production Following Backlash to Pro-Israel Song

Boy George has dropped out of a London production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” just days after releasing the controversial pro-Israel song “We Will Dance Again.” Paul Kemsley, George’s manager, released a statement on social media that he had decided that the Culture Club singer

Tiny Pacific island nation Nauru reclaims traditional name 'Naoero'

SYDNEY, July 31 - The Pacific island nation of Nauru has officially changed its name to the Republic of Naoero, reverting to its traditional designation in a move it said was aimed at strengthening national identity and cultural heritage.

Japan launches National Intelligence Bureau amid counter-espionage push

It is part of the government’s efforts to strengthen the country’s intelligence capabilities and pursue counter-espionage legislation.

Photonic time crystals unlock ultrafast control of light in the terahertz range

An international team of researchers from École Polytechnique, Collège de France and Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) has achieved a world first: the experimental realization of an all-optical photonic time crystal (PTC), a material whose optical properties can be

‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Reveals Star Wars, ‘World of Warcraft’-Themed Tabletop Roleplaying Games as Part of New ‘Universes Beyond’ Collection

“Dungeons & Dragons” maker Wizards of the Coast announced the upcoming launch of Star Wars and “World of Warcraft”-themed tabletop role-playing game offerings during Gen Con 2026 on Thursday. Starting Nov. 17, the “WoW”-themed “D&D” book will allow players to “roll for Azeroth

Trump announces deal for Hamas to disarm; Israel ‘skeptical’

President Trump on Thursday evening announced a deal for Hamas to disarm in “carefully structured phases,” which, if carried out, would address one of the main sticking points for a broader peace deal in Gaza. “This agreement is a critical step towards Gaza finally being

Trump announces areement for disarmament of Hamas

US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced an agreement for the "complete disarmament" of Hamas, calling it a critical step toward a new Palestinian government in Gaza. There was no immediate statement from Hamas on the agreement, but Trump's announcement came after

Trump announces agreement for disarmament of Hamas

US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced an agreement for the "complete disarmament" of Hamas, calling it a critical step toward a new Palestinian government in Gaza. Senior Hamas officials told AFP that the agreement reached with Israel includes provisions addressing

Apple warns of future 'supply constraints' for Mac, iPhone, iPad

Shares of Apple plunged on a warning of slower sales in the coming months.

Xbox CEO Lays Out Post-Layoff Priorities For Ambitious Growth After A Terrible Year

Asha Sharma wants to be halfway to a billion daily users in just four years

Bacteria build a mineral shield that could help marine infrastructure resist rust

Researchers at Reichman University have developed a biological method for protecting marine infrastructure from corrosion caused by prolonged exposure to seawater. The study, published in Cell Reports Physical Science, presents an environmentally friendly alternative to the

A thermal camera trick could let LIGO see twice as far

There's a nice kind of irony buried in this story: One of the most sensitive instruments ever built, capable of measuring distortions smaller than the width of a proton, has been quietly held back by something as mundane as heat. And the fix, it turns out, is not some exotic

Banijay Americas CEO Ben Samek to Oversee Merged Banijay/All3Media Operations in the U.S.

With the completion of the $8 billion merger between Banijay and All3Media, as expected Banijay Americas CEO Ben Samek is in line to oversee the combined company’s U.S. entity. News comes after Banijay and All3Media, which described their merger as “the world’s largest

Boy George Drops Out of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ After Pro-Israel Song Release

The singer's AI-assisted song, “We Will Dance Again,” minimizes Palestinian suffering and praises Israel’s military actions in Gaza

Hamas says it has agreed to disarm after Trump announces Board of Peace plan

A senior Hamas official has told the BBC they have agreed to the Board of Peace's plan. Israel has not commented.

Activists climb rare Arizona cottonwood to shield it from Trump border wall construction

Activists are protesting the construction pathway for President Trump’s border wall in Arizona because it would require the removal of an ancient cottonwood tree. A demonstrator was arrested on Wednesday for trespassing after protesting plans that would include chopping down a

Thames Water boss says leakage targets 'not realistic'

Chris Weston said Thames wanted "to do better" but some of its targets were not achievable.

'I pay £580 a month to live in a disused care home': Property guardians show us around

Could you live communally in a disused building in exchange for a heavily discounted rent? Property guardians show us around.

‘Wonder Man’ Star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Speaks Out After Marvel Series Canceled: ‘That’s Life… Everything Will Shake Out’

“Wonder Man” star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is speaking out about the surprise cancellation of the Marvel TV series, after it had been renewed for a second season on Disney+. “Word just dropped that Wonder Man won’t be coming back for Season 2. (And if you don’t knowww, now ya

Trump's CDC, ASPR nominees advance out of Senate committee

Click in for more news from The Hill {beacon} Healthcare Healthcare The Big Story Trump's CDC, ASPR nominees advance out of Senate committee The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) on Thursday voted to send two of President Trump's health

D&D is getting MTG-style Universes Beyond crossovers starting with World of Warcraft

The company is adopting Magic's Universes Beyond strategy as it rolls out a rulebook, miniatures, and map pack for playing in Azeroth

D&D finally goes back to its most hardcore setting with new 'mature' product line

D&D will return to Dark Sun in 2027 as part of a new line of products aimed at mature players.

D&D Icons brings back legendary creators for Dragonlance, Greyhawk, and Drizzt adventures

Iconic creators like Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman, and R.A. Salvatore will work with current designers on new products.

9 biggest D&D announcements from Gen Con 2026

Dungeons & Dragons revealed its ambitious future at Gen Con 2026, including World of Warcraft, Dark Sun, Greyhawk, and major D&D Beyond updates.

Pacific Ocean pattern helps explain diverging wildfire trends in US and Australia

Two of the world's most fire-prone regions have followed strikingly different wildfire trajectories despite both experiencing a warming climate. Burned forest area has surged across the U.S. Southwest, while eastern Australia has not seen the same increase.

Judge rules Wisconsin voters can't recast ballots after governor race shake-up

A Dane County Circuit judge ruled Wednesday that Wisconsin voters cannot request new ballots for the Democratic primary in the governor’s race following a string of candidates dropping out or reentering the race in the closing weeks. Judge David Conway’s ruling ended a lawsuit