Neil Druckmann Hasn’t Ruled Out Sequel but There’s a Huge Condition For It to Happen
Neil Druckmann Hasn’t Ruled Out Sequel but There’s a Huge Condition For It to Happen
Neil Druckmann has turned The Last of Us Part 3 speculation into performance art. One week he’s crushing souls by telling fans not to bet on another sequel. The next, he’s practically winking at cameras while discussing “concepts” that excite him. His latest Sacred Symbols podcast appearance? Pure Druckmann—equal parts hope and heartbreak.
This emotional whiplash isn’t accidental. Whether he realizes it or not, Druckmann has weaponized uncertainty to keep the franchise buzzing even when he’s not actively developing it. Genius move, really.
Druckmann clarifies his TLOU Part 3 stance with quality demands
The Sacred Symbols interview provided much-needed clarity on Druckmann’s seemingly contradictory statements about a potential The Last of Us 3. After affirming earlier this year that fans shouldn’t bet on more games, many assumed the franchise was effectively dead. That assumption proved premature.
Druckmann’s real message cuts deeper than simple yes-or-no answers. He’s essentially saying he’d rather kill the franchise himself than watch it become another soulless cash cow. Bold strategy in an industry where beloved IPs get strip-mined until nothing remains but brand recognition.
I meant what I said in the documentary… while I am the caretaker of this franchise—whatever the right title is that Sony has entrusted me with—it’s important for me that everything is of high quality. I don’t want to just make A LOT of it. I just want to be very thoughtful about everything that we make.
That “caretaker” line hits different when you consider how many franchises have been butchered by creators who forgot what made them special. Druckmann seems genuinely terrified of becoming the guy who ruins The Last of Us for a quick payday. Refreshing paranoia, honestly.
His HBO comparison reveals the method behind the madness. Instead of licensing the show to whoever offered the biggest check, Naughty Dog partnered with prestige television’s gold standard. That same philosophy apparently applies to potential sequels—quality collaborators or nothing.
So, if we WERE ever to come back to it, I want to make sure it’s a story worthy of The Last of Us. I love that world, I love these characters, and with the right opportunity—with the right idea—yeah, I would totally jump at it.
Translation: he’s got standards, and they’re non-negotiable.
A creator juggling multiple ambitious projects
Because when Earth gets boring, you must aim for stars. | Image Credit: Naughty Dog/YouTube
Neil Druckmann‘s reluctance makes perfect sense when you peek at his schedule. Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet has been consuming his creative bandwidth since 2020. Building entirely new universes from scratch demands different mental muscles than revisiting familiar territory. Add HBO showrunner duties, and you’ve got a recipe for creative burnout.
What’s genuinely impressive is how Druckmann maintains sanity amid this chaos. His recent Split Fiction playthrough with his son—praising Hazelight’s co-op mastery—shows someone who hasn’t lost sight of why games matter. The gaming industry’s notorious crunch culture has claimed many talented creators, but Druckmann seems determined to avoid that fate.
Naughty Dog currently juggles multiple unannounced projects beyond Intergalactic. Rumors suggest one might even resurrect Uncharted, though nothing’s confirmed. And it’s this ambitious slate that suggests the studio is expanding its scope rather than relying solely on established franchises.
All in all, the math simply doesn’t work for The Last of Us Part 3 right now. And rushing production to meet fan demands would contradict everything Druckmann has said about quality standards. Better to wait for the perfect storm of available resources, compelling narrative, and creative passion than deliver a mediocre sequel that tarnishes the franchise’s legacy.
What’s your take on Druckmann’s approach? Should he cave to fan pressure or stick to his perfectionist guns? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
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Microsoft Testing New AI Features in MS Paint, Snipping Tool and Notepad
Microsoft Testing New AI Features in MS Paint, Snipping Tool and Notepad
Microsoft is testing several new artificial intelligence (AI) features for first-party apps in Windows 11. On Thursday, the Redmond-based tech giant announced that it is releasing a new update to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels. The update is only for those with a Copilot+ PC. The update includes new features for MS Paint, the Snipping Tool, and the Notepad. Paint is getting a new sticker generator tool and an option to select individual elements in an image, while the company is making it easier to capture screenshots using the Snipping Tool.
New AI Features Are Coming to Windows Apps
In a blog post, the Windows maker announced multiple new AI features which are currently being tested by the company with Windows Insiders. There is no word on when these will be generally available, but considering past trends, they can be rolled out widely later this year.
Two new AI features are being added to MS Paint. First is a new Sticker Generator button that joins existing AI features in Paint, such as Generative Fill, Generative Erase, and the Cocreator tool. The new feature lets users create custom stickers using text prompts. The Sticker Generator button can be found in the Copilot menu. Once tapped, a text field opens, where users can describe their desired sticker.
Once done, Copilot will generate four variations of the sticker. Users can click on any one of them to add it to the canvas. They can also copy it to use in another app, as well as save it for later. Users can revisit the stickers by clicking the new Stickers option in the toolbar.
Paint’s Object Selection tool Photo Credit: Microsoft
Microsoft is also adding a new Object Select tool. It uses AI to intelligently isolate and select individual elements in an image that users can then edit separately. The tool can be found in the toolbar, and users can just move the cursor over an object or element in the canvas to select it. Additionally, the company is also adding a new dialogue box that provides a quick overview of the new and existing features in Paint.
Snipping Tool is also getting a couple of new features. First is Perfect Screenshot, an AI-powered tool that assists users in capturing precise screenshots, without the need to resize or crop post-capture. After opening the Snipping Tool toolbar by pressing the Print Screen keyboard shortcut, users can select the Perfect Screenshot button when in rectangle mode. As a user begins selecting a region of the screen, the tool will use AI to accurately resize the screenshot to only capture the content from the entire selection area. Users will be able to move or edit the area before they confirm the screenshot.
The second feature is called Colour Picker, and it is a tool for users to quickly inspect and find out the colour code of any part of the screen. The tool can be selected from the toolbar, and users will need to set the colour code output between HEX, RGB, or HSL values. Once done, they can move the cursor to the desired area, and the tool will show the colour code of the area. Users can also zoom the area to check the colour of a smaller region.
Finally, Microsoft is also adding a new AI feature to Notepad. Dubbed Write, this feature allows users to generate new text content in the app using AI. Users can either use the feature on a blank note or to expand a pre-written draft. After placing the cursor at the desired place, users can either right-click and choose Write or select it from the Copilot menu.
AI Powered Write Feature in Notepad Photo Credit: Microsoft
A text field will appear, and users can type a prompt describing what they want the AI to generate. After clicking Send, Copilot will generate the response on the canvas. Users can then decide whether they want to add the text to the document or refine it by entering additional prompts. They can also discard the text if they want.
To use Write in Notepad, users must be signed into their Microsoft account. Notably, the feature uses credits, similar to other AI features in Windows 11. Those on the free tier get 15 credits every month, and Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers receive 60 credits every month. Copilot Pro subscribers, on the other hand, get unlimited credits.
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*** retail sales jump by 1.2% in April — beating expectations – CNBC
*** retail sales jump by 1.2% in April — beating expectations – CNBC
*** retail sales jump by 1.2% in April — beating expectations CNBCSunny spring drives biggest jump in retail sales in Great Britain in four years The GuardianUK Retail Sales Soar Again as Brits Bask in Sunshine, ONS Says BloombergBritish retail sales rose more than expected in April Financial TimesU.K. Retail Sales Rise for Fourth-Straight Month, Boosted by Warm Weather WSJ
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Lava Shark 5G With Unisoc T765 Chipset, 5,000mAh Battery Launched in India: Price, Specifications
Lava Shark 5G With Unisoc T765 Chipset, 5,000mAh Battery Launched in India: Price, Specifications
Lava Shark 5G was launched in India on Friday. The smartphone is powered by a 6nm octa-core Unisoc T765 chipset paired with 4GB of RAM. It supports an additional 4GB virtual RAM expansion as well. The handset carries a 50-megapixel dual rear camera setup with an LED flash alongside a 5-megapixel selfie shooter. It comes with a 5,000mAh battery and is claimed to ship with clean Android 15 with no bloatware. Notably, the 4G variant of the Lava Shark lineup was unveiled in the country in March.
Lava Shark 5G Price in India, Availability
Lava Shark 5G price in India is set at Rs. 7,999 for the sole 4GB + 64GB RAM and storage option. The phone is offered in Stellar Blue and Stellar Gold colour options. It is currently available for purchase in the country via the official e-store as well as the company’s retail outlets.
Customers will receive free at-home services alongside support at the Lava retail outlets across the country, the company confirmed in a press release.
Lava Shark 5G Specifications, Features
The Lava Shark 5G has a 6.75-inch HD+ (720×1,600 pixels) screen with a 90Hz refresh rate and a 20:9 aspect ratio. The handset is powered by an octa-core 6nm Unisoc T765 SoC, which is claimed to have an AnTuTu score of more than 4,00,000. It supports 4GB RAM and 64GB onboard storage. The phone supports an additional 4GB of virtual RAM expansion and up to 1TB of external storage via a microSD card. It runs on Android 15 out-of-the-box.
For optics, the Lava Shark 5G is equipped with an AI-backed 13-megapixel dual rear camera unit alongside an unspecified secondary sensor and an LED flash unit. The phone comes with a 5-megapixel front camera for selfies and video calls.
The Lava Shark 5G houses a 5,000mAh battery with 18W wired charging support. Although the company includes only a 10W charger in the box. The handset boasts a glossy rear panel and an IP54-rated dust and splash-resistant build. For security, it has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. Connectivity options include 5G, 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, GLONASS, a USB Type-C port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The phone measures 168.04×77.8×8.2mm in size and weighs 200g.
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Microsoft Testing New AI Features in MS Paint, Snipping Tool and Notepad
Xiaomi XRING O1 Die Shot Reveals Details of 10-Core CPU, 6-Core NPU and More
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Does a green sky mean a tornado is coming?
Does a green sky mean a tornado is coming?
A tornado forming in Wray, Colorado, under a green sky. (Getty Images/BeyondImages)
The sight of an eerie green sky before a fierce thunderstorm is sometimes perceived as a warning sign of an approaching tornado, but forecasters say that this long-standing myth might not be true.
Scientists aren’t completely sure why some intense thunderstorms turn the sky green, but research meteorologist Scott Bachmeier at University of Wisconsin-Madison says it could be linked to two factors: the color of the sky late in the day and the amount of rain in the storm.
The first factor is sunlight, particularly as evening approaches and the sun is low in the sky. Around sunset, sunlight interacts with Earth’s atmosphere in a way that can make the sky look orange or red.
The second factor is a tall thunderstorm with an abundance of rain. Bachmeier says that the way reddish light before sunset interacts with the large amount of rain in the storm could explain the ominous green clouds.
A green sky during a thunderstorm in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on July 5, 2022. (Twitter/@jkarmill)
Massive thunderstorms with enough moisture to create a green sky are often severe enough to produce large hail and sometimes even tornadoes. However, seeing a green sky does not necessarily mean that a tornado is imminent. It is also not a reliable indicator of a storm’s intensity, since the change in color is likely linked to the time of day.
So, while a green sky doesn’t always mean a tornado is coming, it is a sign that you should take cover from an approaching thunderstorm.
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PCIe 6.0 SSD with 30.25 GB/s speeds debuts at Computex, release date is still a long way off
PCIe 6.0 SSD with 30.25 GB/s speeds debuts at Computex, release date is still a long way off
There are dozens of solid-state drives with a PCIe 5.0 interface over at Computex 2025, and they no longer surprise us; however, we have seen a drive that features a PCIe 6.0 x4 interface and can potentially boast a 30.25 GB/s sequential read and write speed at the trade show.
Micron’s 9650 Pro SSD with a PCIe Gen6 interface will unlikely launch anytime soon, but for now, the unit is an important test vehicle for companies like Astera Labs, which plays an important role in developing next-gen AI platforms. At the show, Astera Labs used Micron’s PCIe 6.0 SSD to demonstrate its Scorpio PCIe 6.0 4×16 switch, Aries Bandwidth-matching Gearbox software, and Aries 6 timers.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Although Nvidia’s Blackwell GPUs feature PCIe 6.0 x16 connectivity, no CPU platforms formally support PCIe 6.0. Nonetheless, PCIe Gen6 SSDs like the Micron 9650 Pro can be quite useful when utilized with platforms featuring PCIe 6.0 switches. For example, PCIe 6.0 switches can enable peer-to-peer communications between AI GPUs and SSDs, bypassing the CPU. In addition, when paired with Astera’s Gearbox software and hardware, they can reduce the number of PCIe 6.0 lanes required to work with PCIe 5.0 hosts (e.g., to achieve a PCIe 5.0 x8 performance only for PCIe 6.0 lanes are needed) and therefore enable instalation of more drives into a box, which can be critical for some AI systems.
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Certification of PCIe 6.0 devices by PCI-SIG was delayed from mid-2024 to the second half of 2025, so while GPUs like Nvidia’s Blackwell support the technology, they have not passed official interoperability tests. As for Micron’s 9650 Pro SSD, the unit used by Astera is marked as EVT3, so this is the third revision of the Engineering Validation Test. Generally, this means that the product has undergone at least two prior engineering validation builds (EVT1 and EVT2), and the third build is undergoing further validation and testing.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
While EVT3 is still considered pre-production, by the third revision, most hardware issues should be resolved, and firmware/software should be approaching maturity. Just as a reminder, EVT1 is used for initial hardware bring up, EVT2 fixes all major hardware issues, and can be used for firmware development, and EVT3 features near-final hardware and therefore can be used for performance validation, thermals, compatibility and interoperability testing, and demonstrations at trade shows.
There are two iterations to go through: DVT (Design Validation Test) to validate the design under production conditions, and PVT (Production Validation Test) for full qualifications by customers. We do not know whether Micron will wait for the PCI-SIG to initiate interoperability tests in the second half of this year or will first start qualifications of its 9650 Pro PVT drive with select customers interested in PCIe 6.0 storage, but technically, EVT3 can be used for PCI-SIG’s compatibility validation.
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Some aid reaches Gaza as Israel lets some trucks through – DW
Some aid reaches Gaza as Israel lets some trucks through – DW
Some aid reaches Gaza as Israel lets some trucks through DWAid trickles into Gaza for first time in weeks but UN says it’s ‘nowhere near enough’ CNNIsraeli military says 107 aid trucks entered Gaza on Thursday ReutersOpinion | Humanitarian Aid Returns to Gaza—and ****** WSJMore than 100 aid trucks cross into Gaza as UN warns of ‘race against time’ to reach people in need BBC
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Microsoft Testing New AI Features in MS Paint, Snipping Tool and Notepad
Microsoft Testing New AI Features in MS Paint, Snipping Tool and Notepad
Microsoft is testing several new artificial intelligence (AI) features for first-party apps in Windows 11. On Thursday, the Redmond-based tech giant announced that it is releasing a new update to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels. The update is only for those with a Copilot+ PC. The update includes new features for MS Paint, the Snipping Tool, and the Notepad. Paint is getting a new sticker generator tool and an option to select individual elements in an image, while the company is making it easier to capture screenshots using the Snipping Tool.
New AI Features Are Coming to Windows Apps
In a blog post, the Windows maker announced multiple new AI features which are currently being tested by the company with Windows Insiders. There is no word on when these will be generally available, but considering past trends, they can be rolled out widely later this year.
Two new AI features are being added to MS Paint. First is a new Sticker Generator button that joins existing AI features in Paint, such as Generative Fill, Generative Erase, and the Cocreator tool. The new feature lets users create custom stickers using text prompts. The Sticker Generator button can be found in the Copilot menu. Once tapped, a text field opens, where users can describe their desired sticker.
Once done, Copilot will generate four variations of the sticker. Users can click on any one of them to add it to the canvas. They can also copy it to use in another app, as well as save it for later. Users can revisit the stickers by clicking the new Stickers option in the toolbar.
Paint’s Object Selection tool Photo Credit: Microsoft
Microsoft is also adding a new Object Select tool. It uses AI to intelligently isolate and select individual elements in an image that users can then edit separately. The tool can be found in the toolbar, and users can just move the cursor over an object or element in the canvas to select it. Additionally, the company is also adding a new dialogue box that provides a quick overview of the new and existing features in Paint.
Snipping Tool is also getting a couple of new features. First is Perfect Screenshot, an AI-powered tool that assists users in capturing precise screenshots, without the need to resize or crop post-capture. After opening the Snipping Tool toolbar by pressing the Print Screen keyboard shortcut, users can select the Perfect Screenshot button when in rectangle mode. As a user begins selecting a region of the screen, the tool will use AI to accurately resize the screenshot to only capture the content from the entire selection area. Users will be able to move or edit the area before they confirm the screenshot.
The second feature is called Colour Picker, and it is a tool for users to quickly inspect and find out the colour code of any part of the screen. The tool can be selected from the toolbar, and users will need to set the colour code output between HEX, RGB, or HSL values. Once done, they can move the cursor to the desired area, and the tool will show the colour code of the area. Users can also zoom the area to check the colour of a smaller region.
Finally, Microsoft is also adding a new AI feature to Notepad. Dubbed Write, this feature allows users to generate new text content in the app using AI. Users can either use the feature on a blank note or to expand a pre-written draft. After placing the cursor at the desired place, users can either right-click and choose Write or select it from the Copilot menu.
AI Powered Write Feature in Notepad Photo Credit: Microsoft
A text field will appear, and users can type a prompt describing what they want the AI to generate. After clicking Send, Copilot will generate the response on the canvas. Users can then decide whether they want to add the text to the document or refine it by entering additional prompts. They can also discard the text if they want.
To use Write in Notepad, users must be signed into their Microsoft account. Notably, the feature uses credits, similar to other AI features in Windows 11. Those on the free tier get 15 credits every month, and Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers receive 60 credits every month. Copilot Pro subscribers, on the other hand, get unlimited credits.
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Daily Telegraph to be sold to US firm RedBird
Daily Telegraph to be sold to US firm RedBird
American buyout firm RedBird has agreed a deal to take control of the Daily and Sunday Telegraph after a two-year ownership vacuum.
RedBird Capital will buy the stake owned by Emirati royal Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Sultan al-Nahyan who had bankrolled an earlier bid.
That bid was rejected by the previous government, which passed a law preventing foreign governments owning British newspapers or news magazines.
The current proposed deal will need regulatory approval.
Both Telegraph titles and the Spectator magazine were put up for auction by Lloyds Bank, who seized them from the Barclay family for non-payment of outstanding debts.
In a bold but ultimately unsuccessful move, a consortium of RedBird and Sheikh Mansour’s IMI paid off the Barclay brothers’ debts in full hoping to shortcut the auction process.
However, the fact that the consortium was almost entirely funded by IMI saw the government intervene and prevent it taking majority ownership.
It is thought that IMI will retain a ********* stake of less than 15% in the two papers.
Meanwhile, the Spectator was sold to hedge fund billionaire Sir Paul Marshall last year for £100m.
The BBC understands the purchase price will see RedBird IMI get its money back in full.
It brings to an end a two-year limbo ******* which the Telegraph staff found unsettling and left them concerned that sufficient investment and direction was lacking.
RedBird founder Gerry Cardinale told the BBC he has plans to expand the Telegraph’s reach and subscriber base in the US, believing there to be a gap in the market.
Among other investments, RedBird Capital owns the Italian football team AC Milan.
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Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra With XRING 01 SoC, 12,000mAh Battery Launched: Price, Specifications
Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra With XRING 01 SoC, 12,000mAh Battery Launched: Price, Specifications
Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra has been launched in China alongside the Xiaomi 15s Pro. Just like the smartphone, the new Android tablet also runs on Xiaomi’s in-house 3nm XRING 01 chipset. The tablet boasts a 14-inch OLED display with 3.2K resolution and a 3:2 aspect ratio. The Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra has a 12,000mAh battery with 120W fast charging support. It comes with eight speakers with Dolby Atmos support and features a 50-megapixel rear camera.
Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra Price
The Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra is priced at CNY 5,699 (roughly Rs. 67,000) for the base 12GB RAM + 256GB storage model. The 12GB + 512GB, 16GB + 1TB RAM and storage models are priced at CNY 5,999 (roughly Rs. 71,000) and CNY 6,799 (roughly Rs. 80,000), respectively.
The Soft Light edition of the Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra is priced at CNY 6,599 (roughly Rs. 80,000) and CNY 7,399 (roughly Rs. 87,000) for the 12GB + 512GB, 16GB + 1TB RAM AND storage variants, respectively. The new tablet is up for ***** in China in ****** and Misty Gray Purple colourways.
Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra Specifications
The newly launched Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra runs on Xiaomi HyperOS 2 and features a 14-inch 3.2K (2,136×3,200 pixels) OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, 240Hz touch sampling rate and 275ppi pixel density. The display is touted to deliver 1,600 nits peak brightness, 3:2 aspect ratio, and it has Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra is equipped with Xiaomi’s 3nm ten-core XRING 01 chipset alongside 16GB of LPDDR5T RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage.
At the rear, the Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra sports a 50-megapixel camera. It has a 32-megapixel front camera for selfies and video calls. The tablet has eight speakers with Dolby Atmos support. It can be paired with a floating keyboard and a stylus (sold separately). The magnetic keyboard is made of magnesium alloy material and the stylus provides 8,192 pressure levels.
Connectivity options available in the Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra include 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port. Sensors on board are a accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light sensor, flicker sensor, hall sensor, side-mounted fingerprint sensor, geomagnetic sensor, IR control and Z-axis linear motor. The tablet supports WPS Office, CAJViewer and other PC-level software. It also ships with AI-enhanced features.
The Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra houses a 12,000mAh battery with 120W fast charging support. The battery is claimed to offer up to 16.9 hours of video playback on a single charge. The tablet measures 305.82×207.47×5.1mm and weighs 609g.
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A Complete List of Everything in the Republican Bill, and How Much It Would Cost or Save
A Complete List of Everything in the Republican Bill, and How Much It Would Cost or Save
Depreciation allowance for qualified production property
Allow immediate deductibility of 100 percent of the cost of certain new factories and improvements
$148 bil.
Business interest deduction
Change calculation of adjusted taxable income
$40 bil.
Depreciation allowance for certain property
Allow immediate expensing of 100 percent of the cost of qualified property acquired from 2025 to 2030
$37 bil.
Expensing of certain depreciable business assets
Increase dollar limitations
$25 bil.
Deduction of domestic research and experimental expenditures
Allow immediate deductibility for expenditures paid or incurred from 2025 to 2030
$23 bil.
Charitable contributions to organizations with scholarships
Provide new tax credit for gifts to organizations that provide scholarships. For calendar years 2026-2029.
$20 bil.
“MAGA accounts”
Create new savings accounts for children, with a government contribution of $1,000 per child born from 2024 to 2028
The name was changed to “Trump accounts”
The name was changed to “Trump accounts”
$17 bil.
Small manufacturing businesses
Change accounting rules
$15 bil.
Low-income housing credit
Modifies credit allocations and bond-financing thresholds, and gives a basis boost to Indian and rural areas
$14 bil.
Reporting threshold for payments
Increase thresholds for reporting payments to independent contractors and other payees
$13 bil.
Employer payments of student loans
Make the exclusion from gross income permanent and index for inflation
$11 bil.
Opportunity zones
Renew and make changes to the existing program
$5.5 bil.
Adoption tax credit
Make credit partially refundable and change rules for tribal governments
$2.3 bil.
Interactions between provisions
$1.8 bil.
Firearm silencers
Eliminate transfer tax
A last-minute change would deregulate silencers and eliminate a manufacturer tax on them.
A last-minute change would deregulate silencers and eliminate a manufacturer tax on them.
$1.4 bil.
Loans secured by rural or agricultural real estate
Partially exclude interest on certain loans
$1.1 bil.
Certain income earned in the U.S. Virgin Islands
Exempt income for the purposes of a “GILTI” deduction
$0.9 bil.
Employer-provided child care credit
Permanently increase, add a new separate amount for small businesses, index for inflation
$0.7 bil.
Repeal excise tax on indoor tanning
This provision was removed from the bill.
This provision was removed from the bill.
$0.4 bil.
Sound recording productions
Increase ability to expense certain costs of producing sound recordings
$0.2 bil.
529 savings plans
Expand allowed expenses
$0.1 bil.
Disaster-related personal casualty losses
Extend rules
$0.1 bil.
Certain purchases of employee-owned stock
Disregard for purposes of foundation tax on excess business holdings
—
Exclusion of research income from unrelated business taxable income
Limit to publicly available research
—
I.R.S. Direct File program
Replace program with a public-private partnership to offer free tax filing
—
Increase penalties for unauthorized disclosures of taxpayer information
—
Postpone tax deadlines for those wrongfully detained abroad
—
Restrict regulation of contingency fees
—
Terminate tax-exempt status of certain organizations
Organizations that “provided more than a minor amount of material support or resources to a listed terrorist organization”
—
Wagering losses
Permanently extend limit
—
Qualified bicycle commuting reimbursement
Permanently eliminate the exclusion
–$0.2 bil.
American opportunity and lifetime learning credits
Require that students or taxpayers filing on behalf of students include their Social Security Numbers on tax returns
–$0.9 bil.
Sports franchises
Limit amortization deductions for certain sports-related intangibles
–$1.0 bil.
Increase penalties connected to Covid-related employee retention credits
–$1.6 bil.
Unrelated business taxable income of a tax-exempt organization
Increase by amount of certain fringe benefit expenses for which deduction is disallowed
–$2.7 bil.
Name and logo royalties
Treat as unrelated business taxable income
–$3.8 bil.
Tax on excess compensation within tax-exempt organizations
Expand application of tax
–$3.8 bil.
Mortgage, casualty loss and other itemized deductions
Permanently lower the home mortgage interest deduction to the first $750,000 in debt, limit the casualty loss deduction to losses resulting from federally declared disasters and terminate miscellaneous itemized deductions
–$6.2 bil.
Investment income of certain private colleges and universities
Increase excise tax for wealthier institutions
–$6.7 bil.
Excise tax for tobacco products
Limit drawback of taxes paid with respect to substituted merchandise
–$12 bil.
Moving expenses exclusion and deduction
Permanently eliminate both, except for active-duty military
–$14 bil.
Earned income tax credit
Make changes to prevent duplicate claims and create a program integrity task force
–$15 bil.
Compensation paid to certain high-earning employees
Change deduction limitation rules
–$16 bil.
Investment income of tax-exempt private foundations
Increase excise tax rates
–$16 bil.
Charitable contributions made by corporations
Establish a floor of one percent of taxable income on deduction
–$17 bil.
Excise tax on on money sent abroad
Impose new excise tax on remittance transfers by those who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals
–$22 bil.
Limitation on excess business losses by noncorporate taxpayers
Make permanent
–$27 bil.
De minimis entry privilege
Repeal the privilege, which currently allows shipments under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free
–$39 bil.
New limitation on itemized deductions
Permanently change
–$41 bil.
Raise certain taxes to retaliate against “unfair foreign taxes”
–$116 bil.
State and local tax deduction
Permanently cap itemized deductions for state and local taxes at $30,000 per household. The current cap is set to expire next year, so any cap imposed would save the government money.
Late negotiations increased the SALT cap to $40,000. That change is not reflected in the savings shown here.
Late negotiations increased the SALT cap to $40,000. That change is not reflected in the savings shown here.
–$916 bil.
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England squad: Ivan Toney recalled by Thomas Tuchel for Andorra and Senegal games matches
England squad: Ivan Toney recalled by Thomas Tuchel for Andorra and Senegal games matches
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Burnley)
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Dan Burn (Newcastle), Trevor Chalobah (Chelsea), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Kyle Walker (Ac Milan, on loan from Manchester City)
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Conor Gallagher (Atletico Madrid), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
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Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra With XRING 01 SoC, 12,000mAh Battery Launched: Price, Specifications
Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra With XRING 01 SoC, 12,000mAh Battery Launched: Price, Specifications
Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra has been launched in China alongside the Xiaomi 15s Pro. Just like the smartphone, the new Android tablet also runs on Xiaomi’s in-house 3nm XRING 01 chipset. The tablet boasts a 14-inch OLED display with 3.2K resolution and a 3:2 aspect ratio. The Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra has a 12,000mAh battery with 120W fast charging support. It comes with eight speakers with Dolby Atmos support and features a 50-megapixel rear camera.
Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra Price
The Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra is priced at CNY 5,699 (roughly Rs. 67,000) for the base 12GB RAM + 256GB storage model. The 12GB + 512GB, 16GB + 1TB RAM and storage models are priced at CNY 5,999 (roughly Rs. 71,000) and CNY 6,799 (roughly Rs. 80,000), respectively.
The Soft Light edition of the Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra is priced at CNY 6,599 (roughly Rs. 80,000) and CNY 7,399 (roughly Rs. 87,000) for the 12GB + 512GB, 16GB + 1TB RAM AND storage variants, respectively. The new tablet is up for ***** in China in ****** and Misty Gray Purple colourways.
Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra Specifications
The newly launched Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra runs on Xiaomi HyperOS 2 and features a 14-inch 3.2K (2,136×3,200 pixels) OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, 240Hz touch sampling rate and 275ppi pixel density. The display is touted to deliver 1,600 nits peak brightness, 3:2 aspect ratio, and it has Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra is equipped with Xiaomi’s 3nm ten-core XRING 01 chipset alongside 16GB of LPDDR5T RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage.
At the rear, the Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra sports a 50-megapixel camera. It has a 32-megapixel front camera for selfies and video calls. The tablet has eight speakers with Dolby Atmos support. It can be paired with a floating keyboard and a stylus (sold separately). The magnetic keyboard is made of magnesium alloy material and the stylus provides 8,192 pressure levels.
Connectivity options available in the Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra include 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port. Sensors on board are a accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light sensor, flicker sensor, hall sensor, side-mounted fingerprint sensor, geomagnetic sensor, IR control and Z-axis linear motor. The tablet supports WPS Office, CAJViewer and other PC-level software. It also ships with AI-enhanced features.
The Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra houses a 12,000mAh battery with 120W fast charging support. The battery is claimed to offer up to 16.9 hours of video playback on a single charge. The tablet measures 305.82×207.47×5.1mm and weighs 609g.
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ASX ekes out gains on Trump’s latest move
ASX ekes out gains on Trump’s latest move
Cautious investors helped drive the *********** sharemarket higher on the back of a retreat in US treasury yields and low trading volumes.
The benchmark ASX200 index finished slightly higher, up 12.20 points or 0.15 per cent to finish the week up 8,360.90.
Meanwhile, the broader All Ordinaries also finished in the green up 15.30 points or 0.18 per cent to 8,586.70.
The Aussie dollar is trading around US64.34c.
On Wall Street overnight, there was a sizeable reversal in the US10-year yield which helped drive the overseas market higher.
Camera IconASX jumps on Trump’s tariff play. Photo: Gaye Gerard / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia
This helped drive a mixed day on the *********** market.
Six sectors finished in the green, while five fell, with the gains led by information technology and energy stocks.
WiseTech jumped 1.33 per cent to $100.05, while it was a good day for Technology One Limited, up 1.61 per cent to $38.61 and Life360 which grew 1.08 per cent to $31.56.
It was also a strong day for the financial sector, with all four major banks rising during Friday’s trading.
Commonwealth Bank jumped 0.65 per cent to $173.84, while NAB was up 0.88 per cent to $37.70, ANZ finished 0.76 per cent higher at $29.07 and Westpac eked out a gain up 0.064 per cent to $31.24.
Meanwhile the nuclear energy sectors were the major winners driving the energy sector.
Boss Energy was the best performing share on the local bourse surging 12.12 per cent to $3.98 while Deep Yellow jumped 8.260 per cent to $1.24 and Paladin Energy finished 6.654 per cent higher to $5.77.
The surge in uranium stocks came on the back of the latest White House executive order aimed at jump-starting the nuclear energy industry.
Camera IconOn a mixed day 6 of the 11 sectors finished higher. NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers Credit: News Corp Australia
Moomoo market strategist Jessica Amir said the *********** uranium players grew despite not having direct exposure to the US market.
“The companies that are operating in Australia aren’t really selling to the US, but a rising tide lifts all boats,” Ms Amir said.
“It doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re going to be beneficiaries of what he’s announced, but I will say we need to consider who the biggest companies in this space are … including Constellation Energy and Vistra.”
Despite the overall jump in shares, Ms Amir said it was many defensive sectors including gold miners that were helping to drive the ASX on Friday.
“The theme of the week is government debt and of course the White House is closer to passing the ‘big beautiful Bill’, which potentially will see them increase the debt limit while also cutting taxes,” she said.
In corporate news, shares in Origin Energy fell 1.1 per cent to $11.05 after flagging LNG price cuts which will impact future profitability.
Shares in retailer Myer leapt 5.41 per cent to $0.78 on Friday after the department store owner reported growth in its own stores, while its newly acquired Apparel Brands from Premier Investment saw revenue slide.
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Republicans aim to punish states that insure unauthorized immigrants
Republicans aim to punish states that insure unauthorized immigrants
President Trump’s signature budget legislation would punish 14 states that offer health coverage to people in the U.S. without authorization.
The states, most of them Democratic-led, provide insurance to some low-income immigrants — often children — regardless of their legal status. Advocates argue the policy is both humane and ultimately cost-saving.
But the federal legislation, which Republicans have titled the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” would slash federal Medicaid reimbursements to those states by billions of dollars a year in total unless they roll back the benefits.
The bill narrowly passed the House on Thursday and next moves to the Senate. While enacting much of Mr. Trump’s domestic agenda, including big tax cuts largely benefiting wealthier Americans, the legislation also makes substantial spending cuts to Medicaid that congressional budget scorekeepers say will leave millions of low-income people without health insurance.
The cuts, if approved by the Senate, would pose a tricky political and economic hurdle for the states and Washington, D.C., which use their own funds to provide health insurance to some people in the U.S. without authorization.
Those states would see their federal reimbursement for people covered under the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion cut by 10 percentage points. The cuts would cost California, the state with the most to lose, as much as $3 billion a year, according to an analysis by KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News.
Together, the 15 affected places cover about 1.9 million immigrants without legal status, according to KFF. The penalty might also apply to other states that cover lawfully residing immigrants, KFF says.
Two of the states — Utah and Illinois — have “trigger” laws that call for their Medicaid expansions to terminate if the feds reduce their funding match. That means unless those states either repeal their trigger laws or stop covering people without legal immigration status, many more low-income Americans could be left uninsured.
The remaining states and Washington, D.C., would have to come up with millions or billions more dollars every year, starting in the 2027 fiscal year, to make up for reductions in their federal Medicaid reimbursements, if they keep covering people in the U.S. without authorization.
Behind California, New York stands to lose the most federal funding — about $1.6 billion annually, according to KFF.
California state Sen. Scott Wiener, a Democrat who chairs the Senate budget committee, said Mr. Trump’s legislation has sown chaos as state legislators work to pass their own budget by June 15.
“We need to stand our ground,” he said. “California has made a decision that we want universal health care and that we are going to ensure that everyone has access to health care, and that we’re not going to have millions of undocumented people getting their primary care in emergency rooms.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, said in a statement that Mr. Trump’s bill would devastate health care in his state.
“Millions will lose coverage, hospitals will close, and safety nets could collapse under the weight,” Newsom said.
In his May 14 budget proposal, Newsom called on lawmakers to cut some benefits for immigrants without legal status, citing ballooning costs in the state’s Medicaid program. If Congress cuts Medicaid expansion funding, the state would be in no position to backfill, the governor said.
Newsom questioned whether Congress has the authority to penalize states for how they spend their own money and said his state would consider challenging the move in court.
Utah state Rep. Jim Dunnigan, a Republican who helped spearhead a bill to cover children in his state regardless of their immigration status, said Utah needs to maintain its Medicaid expansion that began in 2020.
“We cannot afford, monetary-wise or policy-wise, to see our federal expansion funding cut,” he said. Dunnigan wouldn’t say whether he thinks the state should end its immigrant coverage if the Republican penalty provision becomes law.
Utah’s program covers about 2,000 children, the maximum allowed under its law. Adult immigrants without legal status are not eligible. Utah’s Medicaid expansion covers about 75,000 adults, who must be citizens or lawfully present immigrants.
Matt Slonaker, executive director of the Utah Health Policy Project, a consumer advocacy organization, said the federal House bill leaves the state in a difficult position.
“There are no great alternatives, politically,” he said. “It’s a prisoner’s dilemma — a move in either direction does not make much sense.”
Slonaker said one likely scenario is that state lawmakers eliminate their trigger law then find a way to make up the loss of federal expansion funding.
Utah has funded its share of the cost of Medicaid expansion with sales and hospital taxes.
“This is a very hard political decision that Congress would put the state of Utah in,” Slonaker said.
In Illinois, the GOP penalty would have even larger consequences. That’s because it could lead to 770,000 adults‘ losing the health coverage they gained under the state’s Medicaid expansion.
Stephanie Altman, director of health care justice at the Shriver Center on Poverty Law, a Chicago-based advocacy group, said it’s possible her Democratic-led state would end its trigger law before allowing its Medicaid expansion to terminate. She said the state might also sidestep the penalty by asking counties to fund coverage for immigrants. “It would be a hard situation, obviously,” she said.
Altman said the House bill appeared written to penalize Democratic-controlled states because they more commonly provide immigrants coverage without regard for their legal status.
She said the provision shows Republicans’ “hostility against immigrants” and that “they do not want them coming here and receiving public coverage.”
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said this month that state programs that provide public coverage to people regardless of immigration status serve as “an open doormat,” inviting more people to cross the border without authorization. He said efforts to end such programs have support in public polling.
A Reuters-Ipsos poll conducted May 16-18 found that 47% of Americans approve of Mr. Trump’s immigration policies and 45% disapprove. The poll found that Mr. Trump’s overall approval rating has sunk 5 percentage points since he returned to office in January, to 42%, with 52% of Americans disapproving of his performance.
The Affordable Care Act, widely known as Obamacare, enabled states to expand Medicaid to adults with incomes of up to 138% of the federal poverty level, or $21,597 for an individual this year. Forty states and Washington, D.C., expanded, contributing to the national uninsured rate dropping to historic lows.
The federal government now pays 90% of the costs for people added to Medicaid under the Obamacare expansion.
In states that cover health care for immigrants in the U.S. without authorization, the Republican bill would reduce the federal government’s contribution from 90% to 80% of the cost of coverage for anyone added to Medicaid under the ACA expansion.
By law, federal Medicaid funds cannot be used to cover people who are in the country without authorization, except for pregnancy and emergency services.
The other states that use their own money to cover people regardless of immigration status are Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington, according to KFF.
Ryan Long, director of congressional relations at Paragon Health Institute, an influential conservative policy group, said that even if they use their own money for immigrant coverage, states still depend on federal funds to “support systems that facilitate enrollment of ******** aliens.”
Long said the concern that states with trigger laws could see their Medicaid expansion end is a “red herring” because states have the option to remove their triggers, as Michigan did in 2023.
The penalty for covering people in the country without authorization is one of several ways the House bill cuts federal Medicaid spending.
The legislation would shift more Medicaid costs to states by requiring them to verify whether adults covered by the program are working. States would also have to recertify Medicaid expansion enrollees’ eligibility every six months, rather than once a year or less, as most states currently do.
The bill would also freeze states’ practice of taxing hospitals, nursing homes, managed-care plans, and other health care companies to fund their share of Medicaid costs.
The Congressional Budget Office said in a May 11 preliminary estimate that, under the House-passed bill, about 8.6 million more people would be without health insurance in 2034. That number will rise to nearly 14 million, the CBO estimates, after the Trump administration finishes new ACA regulations and if the Republican-led Congress, as expected, declines to extend enhanced premium subsidies for commercial insurance plans sold through Obamacare marketplaces.
The enhanced subsidies, a priority of former President Joe Biden, eliminated monthly premiums altogether for some people buying Obamacare plans. They are set to expire at the end of the year.
KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism.
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Scientists find rare double-star system where one star orbited inside the other
Scientists find rare double-star system where one star orbited inside the other
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Two stars orbit each other in a binary system in this illustration. | Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/Chris Smith (USRA)
Astronomers may have discovered a rare type of binary star system, where one star used to orbit inside its partner.
In the new study, astronomers investigated a pulsar known as PSR J1928+1815 located about 455 light-years from Earth. A pulsar is a kind of neutron star, a corpse of a large star that perished in a catastrophic explosion known as a supernova. The gravitational pull of the star’s remains would have been strong enough to crush together protons and electrons to form neutrons, meaning a neutron star is mostly made of neutrons. That makes it very (very) dense.
Pulsars are spinning neutron stars that emit twin beams of radio waves from their magnetic poles. These beams appear to pulse because astronomers see them only when a pulsar pole is pointed at Earth. The researchers estimate this particular pulsar was born from a hot blue star more than eight times the sun’s mass.
Using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) in China, the world’s largest single-dish telescope, the astronomers discovered PSR J1928+1815 had a companion, a helium star with about 1 to 1.6 times the sun’s mass. This star has lost most — or all — of its outer layers of hydrogen, leaving behind a core made up mostly of helium.
These stars in this pair are currently only about 700,000 miles (1.12 million kilometers) apart, or about 50 times closer than Mercury is to the sun, study co-author Jin-Lan Han, chair of the radio astronomy division of the National Astronomical Observatories of the ******** Academy of Sciences in Beijing, told Space.com. They complete an orbit around each other in just 3.6 hours.
PSR J1928+1815 is a millisecond pulsar, which means it whirls extraordinarily rapidly, spinning nearly 100 times a second. Millisecond pulsars typically reach these dizzying speeds as they cannibalize nearby companions — the inrushing material makes them gyrate faster and faster.
Previous research suggested that, as millisecond pulsars feed on their partners, these binary systems may experience a “common envelope” phase, in which the pulsar orbits within the outer layers of its companion. However, scientists have never detected such exotic binaries — perhaps until now.
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Using computer models, the researchers suggest the members of this newfound binary started at a distance from each other about twice that between Earth and the sun (185 million miles, or 299 million km), Han said. The pulsar would have then started siphoning off its companion’s outer layers, forming a common envelope around them both. After roughly 1,000 years, the pulsar would have spiraled close to its partner’s core, which likely flung away the last of this envelope, leaving behind a tightly bound binary system.
Based on the estimated number of binary stars in the Milky Way that roughly match this newfound system, the researchers suggest only 16 to 84 counterparts of PSR J1928+1815 and its companion may exist in our galaxy. (For context, the Milky Way hosts about 100 billion to 400 billion stars.)
The scientists detailed their findings online May 22 in the journal Science.
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Horoscope for Friday, May 23, 2025 – Chicago Sun-Times
Horoscope for Friday, May 23, 2025 – Chicago Sun-Times
Horoscope for Friday, May 23, 2025 Chicago Sun-TimesHoroscopes Today, May 23, 2025 USA TodayYour Daily Work Horoscope for May 23, 2025 YahooZodiac Forecast May 23: Daily Horoscope for All 12 Sun Signs Deccan HeraldHoroscope for Friday, 5/23/25 by Georgia Nicols CT Insider
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#Horoscope #Friday #Chicago #SunTimes
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Shocking video of teen being beaten during Marrickville, Sydney home invasion
Shocking video of teen being beaten during Marrickville, Sydney home invasion
WARNING: Disturbing content.
A group of youths filmed themselves as they brutally beat and stabbed a defenceless teen during a Marrickville home invasion earlier this year, as the confronting vision can be revealed for the first time.
Police were called to a Frazer Street home in Sydney’s inner west on April 16, responding to reports of a group of people bursting into the property and assaulting a 16-year-old boy.
The boy was taken to hospital after being cut and stabbed and three 15-year-olds and a 16-year-old were arrested over their alleged roles in the incident.
Video of the incident obtained by NewsWire shows the group of youths pull the 16-year-old to the ground and viciously assault him.
Camera IconThe moment the gang bursts into the backyard. Supplied. Credit: SuppliedCamera IconThe teen in the white shirt was pulled to the ground and beaten. Supplied., Credit: Supplied
In the video, the group are seen climbing over a wall into the property, with one of them saying “what c***, what” as they chase down the victim and pull him to the ground as he attempts to escape over a back fence.
One of the youths, who are all wearing face coverings, strikes the victim in the head as he’s pulled to the ground.
“My knife broke lad, no,” the youth filming the video says as he picks up the blade which had snapped off the handle.
The group punch, slap, stomp and kick the defenceless teen and berate him as he puts his hands over his head to defend himself.
Camera IconThe defences teen attempted to shield himself from the blows. Credit: SuppliedCamera IconThe teen was stabbed and beaten in the attack. Credit: Supplied
At one point, the boy’s dog attempts to come to his aid.
“Don’t talk s***, yeah,” one of the youths says in the terrifying two minute and 10 second video.
“I swear to f***ing God if you talk ***** again I’m going to stab your f***ing head,” he says as they leave the boy lying on the ground with blood flowing from a cut on his arm.
The group can then be seen in the video making their way through the property and exiting out the front door.
One of the 15-year-olds was charged with a string of offences including affray, enter enclosed land without a lawful excuse, armed with intent to commit an indictable offence and custody of a knife in a public place.
Another 15-year-old was charged with affray, enter enclosed land without a lawful excuse and participating in a criminal group.
The other 15-year-old has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, affray, trespass and participating in a criminal group.
The 16-year-old boy was charged with affray, trespass and participating in a criminal group.
They all remain before the courts.
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MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience 2025: South Africa’s Ultimate Showdown Is Back!
MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience 2025: South Africa’s Ultimate Showdown Is Back!
Ready your controllers. Strap in your VR headset. It’s time to level up — because South Africa’s biggest gaming event is back, and it’s coming in hot.
The MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience 2025 has officially respawned, and it’s bringing next-level energy, high-stakes competition, and over R250,000 in prizes to malls across Mzansi. Whether you’re a FIFA beast, a Beat Saber rhythm god, or a joystick junkie just looking for your shot — this is your battleground.
Huge shoutout to MTN for leading this incredible initiative — not only are they fuelling the competitive scene with lucrative and enticing prizes, but they’re also helping grow the next generation of pro gamers in South Africa. This isn’t just a tournament — it’s a platform. A launchpad. A celebration of skill, heart, hustle, and the power of gaming to unite and uplift. With every VR swing and every clutch goal, players are proving just how much talent, dedication, and passion lives in this country.
Kicking off 18 May and running all the way to the National Finals at Canal Walk from 17–21 September, this five-month gaming gauntlet is bringing the heat with two national titles on the line:
EAFC 25 National Football Tournament MTN Beat Saber Challenge (VR edition!)
This isn’t just about clutch plays and combos — it’s a celebration of South African gaming culture. Expect eight malls, dozens of tournaments, daily prizes, and thousands of players battling it out for glory, respect, and (let’s be real) some seriously awesome loot.
Where and When?
Here’s your full tournament mission log. Pick your stage — qualify online, then show up to dominate in person:
• Rosebank Mall Online Qualifier: 18 May | In-Centre Event: 23–25 May
• Somerset Mall Online Qualifier: 25 May | In-Centre Event: 30 May–1 June
• Woodlands Online Qualifier: 8 June | In-Centre Event: 13–16 June
• The Glen Online Qualifier: 22 June | In-Centre Event: 27–29 June
• Table Bay Mall Online Qualifier: 13 July | In-Centre Event: 18–20 July
• Clearwater Mall Online Qualifier: 3 August | In-Centre Event: 8–10 August
• Capegate Mall Online Qualifier: 31 August | In-Centre Event: 5–7 September
• Canal Walk (National Finals & Last Qualifier) Online Qualifier: 7 September | In-Centre Event: 17–21 September
What’s in the Game?
R50 000 for the EAFC 25 Final Champion
A R50 000 Gaming PC for Beat Saber’s top slasher
Weekend R1 000+ gift card giveaways
Tournaments in Tekken, Street Fighter 6, Rocket League, Brawlhalla, Minecraft & COD Mobile
SuperSprint lap challenges with Toyota Gaming Engine
PC Gaming Zone powered by PCBuilder
COD Mobile showdowns with Carry1st
Even the under-18 crew has their moment with school tournaments every Friday featuring Minecraft builds, EAFC face-offs, and more.
About Hyprop
This experience wouldn’t be possible without Hyprop, the real estate powerhouse bringing it all to life. As a JSE-listed Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), Hyprop is focused on creating spaces and connecting people. By owning and managing dominant retail centres in South Africa’s top urban precincts, they’re not just building malls — they’re building communities, moments, and memories.
Learn more at www.hyprop.co.za
Gaming Is Culture
Gaming today is more than just play — it’s community, identity, passion, and power. It’s where friends are made, talents discovered, and dreams pursued. With initiatives like the MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience, the line between casual and pro gets thinner, and more South Africans are stepping into the spotlight. Whether it’s a 10-year-old Rocket League prodigy or a VR warrior slicing through beats — this is how gaming culture grows. This is how legends begin.
Ready to Join?
Think you’ve got what it takes? Or just wanna soak up the hype IRL? Entries are now open — head to to qualify online and then show up in-centre to flex your skills.
From joystick warriors to rhythm ninjas, SHIFT is where South African gamers show up and show off.
It’s time to press start on the ultimate experience.
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The birds on this tiny, remote island are so full of plastic their bellies crunch
The birds on this tiny, remote island are so full of plastic their bellies crunch
On a remote, crescent-shaped island surrounded by crystal-clear ocean live some of the most plastic-contaminated birds in the world. They have bellies so full of fragments, they crunch when touched.
Lord Howe Island — a speck of land about 370 miles off mainland Australia, home to just a few hundred people — is the breeding ground for tens of thousands of sable shearwaters: dark brown-colored, long-winged ocean birds with strong hooked bills.
Scientists from the ocean research group Adrift Lab have been visiting for nearly two decades to monitor these birds’ exposure to plastic pollution. Every year they find more contamination, but this year was shocking, said Jennifer Lavers, a marine biologist and coordinator of Adrift Lab, who recently returned from the island.
Shearwaters were found with levels of plastic far exceeding anything the scientists had seen before. They discovered an extraordinary 778 pieces of plastic inside one chick alone, smashing the previous record of 403 pieces.
It “left us all speechless,” Lavers said. The scientists are now trying to solve the mystery of why this year was so bad. Plastic pollution is on the rise but “does that explain a doubling in 12 months? Absolutely not,” she told CNN. “So there’s something else going on.”
Seabirds are often referred to as sentinels for ocean health, and the story they’re telling is alarming.
Global populations have declined 70% over the last 50 years as they grapple with multiple threats, including from invasive species, the fishing industry and climate change.
Plastic pollution is yet another danger and a particularly “insidious” one as its impacts are so hard to detect, said Richard Phillips, a seabird ecologist at the British Antarctic Survey.
Lord Howe Island, Australia, is a breeding ground for sable shearwaters. – Neal Haddaway
Lord Howe Island offers a unique natural laboratory for studying seabirds.
The shearwaters reliably come back to the same breeding colony each year , usually within inches of the same burrow, allowing scientists to track individual birds’ progress. “There’s nowhere else in the world that I can think of where we could do a study like this,” Lavers said.
The scientists visit every April and May, when the chicks are leaving their burrows for the first time and preparing to take their first big migration to the Sea of Japan.
Shearwaters are nocturnal, so every dawn, the scientists go to the beach to find chicks that were too weak and emaciated to make the flight. They bring them back to the lab to examine them. “We often see high levels of plastic in these birds,” said Alix de Jersey, a researcher at the University of Tasmania.
The scientists return to the beach at night to analyze the healthier birds getting ready to fly. They “lavage” them using a feeding tube, gently pumping water into their stomachs to make them vomit up the plastic.
The process may not be pleasant, de Jersey said, but “it’s just fantastic knowing that that bird is starting its migration without this huge load of plastic within its stomach.”
Alix de Jersey and Jennifer Lavers (left to right) perform a lavage on a Sable Shearwater chick to flush out ingested plastics. – Dr Jack Rivers-Auty
Most of the plastic found in the birds this year was made up of unidentifiable fragments but they also found bottle caps, tile dividers and large amounts of plastic cutlery, de Jersey told CNN.
The plastic accumulates inside the birds’ bodies and can form a kind of brick. The pollution is so crammed into some shearwaters, it’s audible. “You can hear the crunching of the bottle caps and the shards and things shifting and moving against each other,” Lavers said.
The scientists believe most plastic is ingested due to parents accidentally feeding it to their chicks, instead of the fish and squid that make up their usual diet.
Plastic may smell good to birds because of the algae that can coat it, said Matthew Savoca, a marine ecologist at the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation and Stanford University. “Other times, birds may eat something that has already eaten plastic,” he told CNN.
Shearwaters are particularly vulnerable because, while some birds will regularly throw up what they cannot digest, shearwaters “only tend to regurgitate when feeding their chicks. The structure of their gut also means that plastic items are retained for a long time,” said Bethany Clark, senior seabird science officer at the conservation group BirdLife International.
Scientists are still trying to unpick the health impacts; many are largely invisible.
The Adrift Lab scientists take blood samples and dissect the dead birds. This year, as soon as they opened up the shearwaters, it was obvious there were “systemic issues,” de Jersey said. She found scarring on the birds’ kidneys and hearts.
Plastic can block birds’ intestines or cause starvation, but there are also “sub-lethal” effects, Lavers said. “They don’t kill the animal instantly, but they do cause it to have a shorter life span (and) lots of pain and suffering.”
Big pieces of plastic can dig into the birds’ stomachs, causing excessive amounts of scar tissue. Microplastics might pass through the birds but leave a trail of toxic chemicals.
The Adrift Lab team have even found eating plastic can cause “dementia-like” brain damage in shearwater chicks.
Over the last decade, the team has seen a very consistent decline in the birds’ body mass, wing length and other measures. Lavers used to consistently find chicks too heavy for her 1 kilogram scales (2.2 pounds), but now the very heaviest top out at about 800 grams (1.8 pounds).
An 80-day-old Sable Shearwater chick having body data taken for long-term monitoring. – Neal Haddaway
What’s happening to the birds on Lord Howe Island is “truly troubling,” said Kimberly Warner, senior scientist at Oceana, an ocean conservation organization.
Global plastic pollution is only getting worse, especially as cheap, single-use plastics — the vast majority made from planet-heating fossil fuels — continue to flood the market.
An estimated 33 billion pounds of plastic waste enter the oceans each year, roughly equivalent to two garbage trucks-full dumped in every minute, according to Oceana. It takes centuries to break down.
Horrifying images of dead albatrosses with clusters of colorful plastic spilling from their bodies, turtles eating plastic bags and whales entangled in plastic fishing nets are testament to how this pollution is affecting marine life.
“It’s a crisis, and it’s rapidly worsening,” said Lavers, who is still reeling from what they found on Lord Howe Island this year. “I don’t have words. I don’t know how to explain what it is that I’m seeing.”
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MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience 2025: South Africa’s Ultimate Showdown Is Back!
MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience 2025: South Africa’s Ultimate Showdown Is Back!
Ready your controllers. Strap in your VR headset. It’s time to level up — because South Africa’s biggest gaming event is back, and it’s coming in hot.
The MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience 2025 has officially respawned, and it’s bringing next-level energy, high-stakes competition, and over R250,000 in prizes to malls across Mzansi. Whether you’re a FIFA beast, a Beat Saber rhythm god, or a joystick junkie just looking for your shot — this is your battleground.
Huge shoutout to MTN for leading this incredible initiative — not only are they fuelling the competitive scene with lucrative and enticing prizes, but they’re also helping grow the next generation of pro gamers in South Africa. This isn’t just a tournament — it’s a platform. A launchpad. A celebration of skill, heart, hustle, and the power of gaming to unite and uplift. With every VR swing and every clutch goal, players are proving just how much talent, dedication, and passion lives in this country.
Kicking off 18 May and running all the way to the National Finals at Canal Walk from 17–21 September, this five-month gaming gauntlet is bringing the heat with two national titles on the line:
EAFC 25 National Football Tournament MTN Beat Saber Challenge (VR edition!)
This isn’t just about clutch plays and combos — it’s a celebration of South African gaming culture. Expect eight malls, dozens of tournaments, daily prizes, and thousands of players battling it out for glory, respect, and (let’s be real) some seriously awesome loot.
Where and When?
Here’s your full tournament mission log. Pick your stage — qualify online, then show up to dominate in person:
• Rosebank Mall Online Qualifier: 18 May | In-Centre Event: 23–25 May
• Somerset Mall Online Qualifier: 25 May | In-Centre Event: 30 May–1 June
• Woodlands Online Qualifier: 8 June | In-Centre Event: 13–16 June
• The Glen Online Qualifier: 22 June | In-Centre Event: 27–29 June
• Table Bay Mall Online Qualifier: 13 July | In-Centre Event: 18–20 July
• Clearwater Mall Online Qualifier: 3 August | In-Centre Event: 8–10 August
• Capegate Mall Online Qualifier: 31 August | In-Centre Event: 5–7 September
• Canal Walk (National Finals & Last Qualifier) Online Qualifier: 7 September | In-Centre Event: 17–21 September
What’s in the Game?
R50 000 for the EAFC 25 Final Champion
A R50 000 Gaming PC for Beat Saber’s top slasher
Weekend R1 000+ gift card giveaways
Tournaments in Tekken, Street Fighter 6, Rocket League, Brawlhalla, Minecraft & COD Mobile
SuperSprint lap challenges with Toyota Gaming Engine
PC Gaming Zone powered by PCBuilder
COD Mobile showdowns with Carry1st
Even the under-18 crew has their moment with school tournaments every Friday featuring Minecraft builds, EAFC face-offs, and more.
About Hyprop
This experience wouldn’t be possible without Hyprop, the real estate powerhouse bringing it all to life. As a JSE-listed Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), Hyprop is focused on creating spaces and connecting people. By owning and managing dominant retail centres in South Africa’s top urban precincts, they’re not just building malls — they’re building communities, moments, and memories.
Learn more at www.hyprop.co.za
Gaming Is Culture
Gaming today is more than just play — it’s community, identity, passion, and power. It’s where friends are made, talents discovered, and dreams pursued. With initiatives like the MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience, the line between casual and pro gets thinner, and more South Africans are stepping into the spotlight. Whether it’s a 10-year-old Rocket League prodigy or a VR warrior slicing through beats — this is how gaming culture grows. This is how legends begin.
Ready to Join?
Think you’ve got what it takes? Or just wanna soak up the hype IRL? Entries are now open — head to to qualify online and then show up in-centre to flex your skills.
From joystick warriors to rhythm ninjas, SHIFT is where South African gamers show up and show off.
It’s time to press start on the ultimate experience.
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North Korean leader furious over failed destroyer launch, vows to arrest those responsible – AP News
North Korean leader furious over failed destroyer launch, vows to arrest those responsible – AP News
North Korean leader furious over failed destroyer launch, vows to arrest those responsible AP NewsKim Jong Un’s New Warship Capsizes at Launch Due to ‘Absolute Carelessness’ WSJKim Jong-un Vents Fury After Botched Launch of North Korean Destroyer The New York TimesNorth Korea launches probe into accident during warship’s launch ReutersFailed Launch and Damage of the Second Guided Missile Destroyer Beyond Parallel
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How Mike Johnson doused a GOP dumpster fire
How Mike Johnson doused a GOP dumpster fire
Speaker Mike Johnson bet it all on “one big, beautiful bill.” With a heavy assist from President Donald Trump in the final hours, he delivered.
The bill’s House passage early Thursday morning was at least temporary vindication for a series of strategic decisions championed by the Louisiana Republican — chiefly, that packaging a massive suite of tax cuts together with other sundry GOP priorities would make it easier to move ambitious legislation with his tiny governing majority.
Johnson had to battle for months with factions of his own conference, and with the Senate, at multiple key junctures. But he plowed through and moved a host of Trump’s campaign promises closer to the president’s desk after a final flurry of negotiations and a rare, overnight session on the House floor.
“There was a few moments over the last week when it looked like the thing might fall apart,” Johnson told reporters shortly after the vote, adding he visited the House chapel to pray on it.
In essence, Johnson spent months fighting fires. His job, in conjunction with other GOP leaders, was to manage flare-up after flare-up as various groups inside the House ranks battled over trillions in tax cuts and politically explosive reductions to social safety-net spending.
Johnson might not have succeeded in putting out every blaze, but he kept them from growing into a conflagration that even Trump couldn’t extinguish. He’ll probably have to do it again later this year after the Senate sends back revisions to the megabill.
The outlook for the legislation looked bleak throughout the past week, as various bands of holdouts resisted coming aboard.
On Wednesday night, for instance, Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) — a conservative hard-liner — suggested the bill would potentially “have to fail” on the floor for leaders to realize it should be reworked. Moderate Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) said he was “not happy” with changes the conservatives had secured to more quickly eliminate clean-energy tax credits he’d been working to defend.
Neither ended up voting for the bill. Davidson was one of two House Republicans who voted “no” Thursday, and Garbarino missed the vote.
But Johnson had spent the week peeling off almost every other member — moving methodically between holdout groups, patiently working through a seemingly endless litany of issues.
On Monday night, after tentatively approving some key demands from fiscal hawks who had delayed a key Budget Committee vote, Johnson faced ire from the other side of the conference in a closed-door meeting.
Several Republicans in the Main Street Caucus told Johnson they were frustrated that he was once again appearing to entertain politically explosive cuts to Medicaid — cutting the federal share of funding to states, known as FMAP — after the speaker had seemed to rule them out.
Some of the centrist-leaning Republicans in the room pressed the speaker to publicly take the proposal off the table for good this time — and send a message to the hard right not to push further.
Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio), a former Trump aide, spoke up to air his own irritation with how Johnson had managed the whole megabill process.
Indeed, the speaker and his team’s tactics had grated on many GOP members. They believed he had unwisely delayed settling the biggest battles until the final hours and had given disingenuous assurances to some at-risk Republicans that the Senate would intervene and block some of the bill’s most unpalatable provisions.
Johnson jotted down notes as members spoke. A few minutes later, as he walked back to his office, he told reporters, “FMAP has not been on the table — it’s been off the table for quite some time.”
He had extinguished another fire. But it was time for Johnson to call in backup.
The next morning, Trump made a rare journey to the drab, poorly-lit Capitol basement to make his wishes clear. It was uncertain if he’d stanch the disputes or toss more fuel onto them.
The visit came just a few days after the hard-liner rebellion had blocked the bill in the Budget Committee vote over concerns that the megabill would add trillions of dollars to the national debt.
Before he even walked into the meeting, Trump appeared to be looking to stoke conflict — dismissing the hard-liners’ deeply held beliefs.
“I’m a ******* fiscal hawk — there’s nobody like me,” he told reporters alongside Johnson, in response to a question about some of the hard-right concerns.
Inside the meeting, the president took on a kind of Rodney Dangerfield persona, House Republicans said — telling barbed jokes at lawmakers’ expense.
He laced into the fiscal hawks and “SALT Republicans” pushing for the expansion of a key tax break — calling out “grandstanders” by name who sought to stand in the way of his “one big, beautiful bill.”
“He insulted several people with a great intensity,” said one bewildered House Republican, who like others was granted anonymity to speak candidly about private meetings and conversations.
Trump’s tongue lashings and Johnson’s hardball approach to muscling the bill through this week rattled some even long-time GOP lawmakers. It was clear there was no room for dissent.
“I could never have imagined when I started in politics that we would have this kind of a scenario,” one House Republican said of the our-way-or-the-highway approach. “But who else do we turn to, besides Johnson?”
Near the end, the speaker needed to douse one last blaze: The hard-line House Freedom Caucus was balking and pushing for concessions on Medicaid that other Republicans simply would not accept.
A White House meeting was arranged with the holdouts, and Johnson sat in with top lieutenants as Trump unleashed the fire hose — pressing Reps. Chip Roy of Texas, Andy Harris of Maryland and other hard-liners to vote for the bill.
“It was tough. There was no back and forth,” said one Republican briefed on the meeting. “He let them have it.”
Johnson returned to the Capitol triumphant. “The plan is to move forward as we expected,” he told reporters.
Roy and Harris then huddled through the night with White House officials including Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair and Legislative Affairs Director James Braid. The hard-liners pushed for, and said they secured, promises for executive orders to address Medicaid and other items on their wish list.
Meanwhile, as night turned to morning over the course of a nine-hour vote series, Johnson huddled one-on-one with several previously balking members on the floor.
Rep. Michael Cloud of Texas, a fiscal hawk who a few days earlier had said the bill “fell short,” spoke to Johnson around 3 a.m. Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia, who won a key concession ending the taxation of gun silencers, sat with the speaker later in the morning.
And just before Republicans passed the massive bill a little before 7 a.m., the speaker and Miller spoke for several minutes, ending their conversation with a handshake.
Unlike several prior high-stakes votes during Johnson’s speakership and predecessor Kevin McCarthy’s, there were no dramatic scenes wrangling last-minute votes from the assembled hard-liners.
His team was confident the tough tactics had worked. “They always fold,” one senior GOP aide said.
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Dollar under pressure as US fiscal anxiety rises
Dollar under pressure as US fiscal anxiety rises
Worries about the US’s debt pile continue to drive global investors, leading the greenback for a weekly fall and keeping long-dated Treasury yields elevated.
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