Dark PGT, an indie Soulslike game set in a bizarre alternate Soviet Union, is now 84% off on Steam until August 31, dropping from $4.99 to $0.79. The game features an alcoholic military serviceman navigating a world of mutated villagers and grotesque figures, with gameplay inspired by traditional Soulslikes but without a leveling system. Developer ZERO5GAMES describes it as particularly difficult, and Steam reviews confirm the challenge.

Australia's recorded music industry will ban AI-generated tracks from official charts, citing threats to artists' livelihoods. The ARIA charts will exclude wholly AI-generated music, but AI-assisted tracks are still eligible if humans wrote the song and performed vocals and primary instruments. The ban also affects eligibility for ARIA awards, reflecting a commitment to human artistry in music.

By 2026, organizations are increasingly using agentic coding tools to harness AI benefits, despite grappling with associated costs. The focus is on maximizing ROI from AI as it becomes more integrated into workers' individual use.

Apple has updated the Mac Studio with new M5 Max and M5 Ultra processors, claiming up to 4.3 times faster AI performance, 2 times faster storage, and 1.3 times faster CPU speed. The M5 Max features an 18-core CPU, up to 40-core GPU with Neural Accelerators, and up to 128GB unified memory. The M5 Ultra offers up to 36-core CPU, up to 80-core GPU, and 256GB or 512GB unified memory. Both models support up to five displays.

IIT Delhi's Continuing Education Programme (CEP) has launched a six-month Certificate Programme in Generative AI, targeting students, graduates, and professionals from engineering, computing, and STEM fields. The program, set to run from October 17, 2026, to April 2027, includes 86 hours of online classes and tutorials, with optional campus immersion. It aims to equip participants with theoretical knowledge and practical skills in Generative AI, addressing the growing demand for professionals in this rapidly expanding field.

The Suffolk Wildlife Trust (SWT) has launched the Great Suffolk Nature Survey, a first-of-its-kind initiative to gauge public attitudes towards nature and inform future conservation efforts. The survey, developed in partnership with the University of Suffolk, seeks to understand local experiences with wildlife, involvement in nature, and views on conservation and climate change. This comes in the wake of a devastating wildfire that destroyed wildlife habitats at Dunwich Heath and RSPB Minsmere. The survey aims to guide SWT's community projects and campaigns, with a student from the University of Suffolk assisting in its rollout.

Alaska's North Slope tundra, often perceived as desolate, is actually a lush Arctic jungle with dwarf trees and rhododendrons. Researchers at Toolik Field Station are studying how climate change, which is causing the Arctic to warm four times faster than the rest of the Earth, affects this unique ecosystem. The tundra's small plant life, which is influenced by the harsh winter conditions, provides valuable insights into plant growth and adaptation.

An 18-year-old student from Palo Alto, Colin Jie Chu, developed a model to estimate the health of aging EV batteries with a 2.36% prediction error. His framework, which won a finalist spot in the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search, combines equivalent circuit modeling with machine learning to infer battery degradation from electrical behavior. This advancement could enhance EV safety, maintenance, and lifespan by providing more accurate battery health assessments.

Gatik, a leader in autonomous trucking, announced a $200 million Series D financing round led by Qatar Investment Authority and Koch Disruptive Technologies, with support from Millennium Management and ARK Invest. The funding aims to accelerate the demand for driverless commercial freight across Fortune 50 retail, grocery, and CPG supply chains. Gatik has achieved over $600 million in contracted revenue, completed 85,000 fully driverless orders, and maintained a 99% on-time delivery rate. The investment is seen as a validation of Gatik's commercial leadership in autonomous freight.

Safe Software has opened registration for the Peak of Data and AI 2027, a global conference for data and AI professionals. The event will take place from March 9 to 11, 2027, at the QEII Centre in London, UK. Safe has introduced new access packages, including free passes for public sector professionals, one-day passes, and lower pricing across all pass types. Attendees will also have access to a free AI training session on the first evening. The conference aims to attract a broader range of professionals by offering more accessible options.

Poland's National Institute of Telecommunications reports external electronic warfare activities in the Baltic Sea region as the cause of GPS disruptions affecting phones, drones, and ships. Since January 2024, the frequency and intensity of GNSS band interruptions have increased, with significant disruptions recorded on 70% of days in May and June 2026. Full-scale disruptions occurred on 63% of days in August, with partial disturbances affecting 12-30% of days. The issue is expected to persist as long as military jamming signals are transmitted in the area.

Citi's Nathan Sheets warns of an 'absolutely out of control' fiscal position, discussing market trends, Treasury's bond buyback, the economy's state, and expectations from Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh at the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium.

Canadian Minister Dominic LeBlanc joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the stalled U.S.-Canada trade talks, Trump's social media posts, and the state of bilateral relations.

A lush, knee-high jungle of dwarf plants thrives in Alaska's North Slope tundra, a unique Arctic ecosystem. Researchers, including Adam Bloom and Jake Francis, study this mini-greenhouse to understand how climate change affects plant life, as the Arctic warms four times faster than the rest of the planet. The tundra's small plant life, such as dwarf birch trees and rhododendrons, offers insights into plant evolution and competition in harsh winter conditions.

Alaska's North Slope tundra, often perceived as desolate, is actually a lush, knee-high jungle with dwarf birch trees and rhododendrons. Researchers at the Toolik Field Station are studying how climate change, which is warming the Arctic four times faster than the rest of Earth, affects this unique ecosystem. The extreme cold has historically kept plant life small, but as temperatures rise, scientists are investigating how plants might evolve to either compete or cooperate in this changing environment.

Porsche is selling its IT consulting unit, MHP, to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) for $1.46 billion in a five-year partnership. TCS will acquire MHP for 320 million euros and establish an AI Mobility Centre of Excellence for Porsche. MHP will retain its brand and continue as an independent consultancy within TCS, while Porsche will focus on its core business.

Perplexity introduces Portable Computer, a local AI agent that runs on your machine for faster performance, enhanced security, and lower costs. It requires powerful hardware and operates on Linux or Windows. The agent offers all standard AI commands and features, with the option to connect to cloud services like Google Drive and Slack. Local AI is faster, more secure, and cost-effective compared to cloud-based models.

Apple unveils the new Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra, featuring up to 4.3x faster AI performance, advanced graphics, and up to 512GB of unified memory. The M5 Max includes an 18-core CPU, up to 40-core GPU, and 128GB of memory, while the M5 Ultra offers a 36-core CPU, up to 80-core GPU, and 512GB of memory. New connectivity options include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thunderbolt 5, enhancing external storage and cluster performance for AI tasks.

A new RPG game is set to release, combining the life-sim mechanics of Stardew Valley with the RPG and combat elements of Final Fantasy. This innovative blend aims to satisfy fans of both series and introduce newcomers to a unique gaming experience. The game follows the successful formula of previous titles like Harvestella and Rune Factory, which have already experimented with similar genre combinations.

California Governor Gavin Newsom is proposing a new plan to reduce the financial liability of utilities for wildfire damages, potentially limiting payouts to victims and attorneys. This comes as Southern California Edison faces claims from a recent destructive fire. Newsom's plan aims to stabilize electricity rates, which have been rising due to increased wildfire prevention and recovery costs. The proposal follows the state's history of wildfires caused by utility equipment, including the most destructive fire in California's history, which killed 85 people and was linked to Pacific Gas & Electric.

Apple unveils new Mac Mini and Mac Studio models with enhanced AI capabilities, featuring updated chips and neural engines for local AI model running and fine-tuning. The Mac Mini now includes M6 and M5 Pro chips, with the M5 Pro offering 8.5 times faster processing for large language models compared to previous Pro versions. Prices have increased, with the Mac Mini starting at $899, reflecting higher memory costs.

The WOW Supply Chain Activity Index fell to 36.4 in July 2026, down 4.4 points from June, reversing the spring rebound and indicating renewed weakness in U.S. logistics and warehousing. The decline erased much of the recovery from January's low, with the index remaining in the Contraction zone, suggesting the market has not yet found stable footing.

Florida-based Lonestar Data Holdings has contracted Polish startup Ares Shield to protect its off-Earth data centers with high-power microwave weapons, in a deal worth up to $6 million. Lonestar's CEO Stephen Eisele emphasized the importance of securing mission-critical data and the unique benefits of Ares Shield's technology, which avoids space debris. Lonestar has previously tested its data-storage technology on four space missions, including two to the moon, and is developing its first commercial space-based offering, StarVault, which combines advanced cryptographic key escrow capabilities with space-based data storage.

FGV Capital, the venture arm of FGV, has closed its $35 million Fund II, oversubscribed from its $25 million target. The fund, led by Marcos Fernandez, Drew Glover, Alex Harris, and Rohit Ramkumar, will support early-stage companies at the nexus of financial technology, financial access, and AI innovation. FGV Capital aims to differentiate itself from traditional AUM-driven venture firms.

Apple has announced a new Mac mini with either the M6 or M5 Pro chip, offering significant speed improvements, especially in AI performance. The M6 model is $899, while the M5 Pro starts at $1,699. Both models feature Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and macOS 27 Golden Gate with Apple Intelligence and Siri AI. Pre-orders begin today with shipping starting September 22.

Google is partnering with Delaware to offer free AI and career training to residents. The initiative, in collaboration with the Delaware Department of Labor and Libraries, provides no-cost access to Google Career Certificates and AI courses. These self-paced online programs cover various fields such as cybersecurity, data analytics, and UX design. Over 70% of graduates report positive career outcomes within six months. Delaware residents can apply for a no-cost learning license through the Department of Labor.

The Flowtica Scribe, an AI-powered voice recording pen, was expected to simplify note-taking but instead made the user forget how to talk and feel self-conscious. The pen's design and functionality, including its request for access to the user's personal calendar, did not meet the user's expectations for seamless integration and comfort. The user prefers typing over handwriting and is concerned about the AI's understanding of their personal life.

Apple has announced a new Mac mini with significant performance improvements, featuring the M6 and M5 Pro chips. The M6 chip, Apple's first 2nm processor, offers up to 40% faster multithreaded performance and includes a 12-core CPU with Neural Accelerators for enhanced AI and graphics performance. The M5 Pro chip, previously seen in the MacBook Pro, also features a 12-core CPU. Both configurations start with 16GB of unified memory, upgradable to 32GB, and offer faster memory bandwidth.

Practifi has launched Sentir, an AI-native intelligent CRM designed for wealth management. Sentir centralizes client work, ensuring clear ownership and facilitating follow-ups to strengthen relationships. It automatically updates users on account statuses, prepares work, suggests next steps, and integrates relevant external context.

Apple unveils the Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra, enhancing AI performance, storage, graphics, and CPU speed. The new Mac Studio offers up to 4.3x faster AI, 2x faster storage, 1.8x faster graphics, and 1.3x faster CPU speed, while maintaining Apple's compact design for professional workflows.

Apple has announced the new Mac Studio with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips, focusing on local AI performance and heavy professional workloads. The new Mac Studio offers up to 4.3x faster AI performance, 1.8x faster graphics, 1.3x faster CPU speeds, higher memory bandwidth, and twice the storage speed of its predecessor. It includes Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thunderbolt 5 ports, and runs macOS 27 with Apple Intelligence. Pre-orders start today with units arriving September 22. Prices range from $2,299 for the M5 Max model to $5,099 for the M5 Ultra, with the top configuration expected in late October.

Apple has refreshed the Mac mini and Mac Studio with new M6 and M5 Ultra chips, respectively. The Mac mini now starts at $899 with the M6 chip, while the Mac Studio starts at $2,499 with the M5 Max. The M5 Ultra-equipped Mac Studio will cost at least $5,499. The M6 chip features a 12-core design with two super cores, four performance cores, and six efficiency cores, doubling the AI processing power of the previous M5 chip. The new GPU configuration is claimed to be up to four times faster for AI processing and twice as fast for gaming compared to the M4 Mac mini.

Apple has unveiled the M5 Ultra, an 80-core GPU processor, and the M6, both built on a 2-nanometer process, for its new Mac mini and Mac Studio. The M5 Ultra features a quad-die configuration with up to 36 cores, offering significant performance improvements over the M3 Ultra. It supports up to 512GB of high-bandwidth unified memory. The M6 is Apple's first processor using the 2-nanometer process technology. These chips are designed to enhance AI capabilities and 8K video processing.

Apple unveils M6 chip for Mac mini and M5 Ultra for Mac Studio, marking a significant performance and AI advancement. The M6 chip, Apple's first 2-nanometer chip, enhances every compute block with a 12-core CPU, the fastest CPU core, a 12-core GPU with Neural Accelerators, a Dual 16-core Neural Engine, and up to 170GB of storage.

CoreX, an Elite ServiceNow Partner, has introduced CoreX AI Horizon, a new initiative to help organizations navigate the expanding possibilities of AI-native work on the ServiceNow AI Platform. The approach aims to enhance workplace experiences, improve efficiency, reduce operating costs, and encourage responsible exploration of future AI advancements.

NSF has introduced NSF Certified Compact Product, a new certification for products that minimize environmental impact by optimizing material use for transportation efficiency without compromising safety, performance, or usability. This standard is open to all manufacturers and retailers, aiming to provide credible verification of environmental claims.

Apple unveils M6 and M5 Ultra chips, featuring a 2 nm process, 12-core CPU, 12-core GPU, Dual 16-core Neural Engine for M6, and a quad-die architecture with up to 36-core CPU and 80-core GPU for M5 Ultra, marking significant advancements in performance and AI capabilities.

ASUS ExpertBook Ultra is a business laptop that combines power with portability, featuring a slim, lightweight design with a 14-inch OLED display, AI-accelerated performance, and enterprise-grade security. It offers a minimalist aesthetic in Jet Fog and Morn Grey, is made from durable materials, and includes a full suite of I/O ports. The laptop is ideal for professionals who are constantly on the move, providing a reliable and efficient work tool.

Recent spending data indicates that enterprise users are favoring cheaper AI models over Anthropic's flagship Fable 5, with only 11% of AI spending going to it. This trend suggests a shift away from Anthropic's high-cost, high-complexity models towards more affordable alternatives, potentially challenging the business model of leading AI labs that focus on developing larger models. The preference for cost-effective solutions over Anthropic's Fable 5, despite its advanced capabilities, could impact Anthropic's anticipated multitrillion dollar IPO.

The Supreme Court of India expressed serious concerns over private firms selling Income Tax Return (ITR) and Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) data without consent. A Public Interest Litigation highlighted that these firms are bypassing standard verification processes to access sensitive financial information for commercial purposes. The Court questioned the lack of data safeguards and directed the Central Government to address the issue promptly.

Brazilian programmers are using Chinese humanoid robots to test AI, soccer strategies, and motion-control software at the second World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing. Team Brazil, composed of young researchers from five universities, is competing in 5-on-5 humanoid robot soccer using robots from Booster Robotics. The focus is on developing algorithms for perception, coordination, and decision-making rather than hardware design. The T1 humanoid robot, with 23 degrees of freedom and equipped with cameras and sensors, serves as a development platform for advancing embodied AI in robotics.

Poetry is emerging as a potent tool for climate communication, offering a speculative and emotional approach to understanding and engaging with the climate crisis. While scientific knowledge provides a foundation for grasping potential futures, poetry personalizes these concepts, making them more relatable and impactful. Research suggests that eco-poetry can alter our perception of the environment and inspire action. However, its influence is subtle, shaping ideas and responses rather than directly reducing emissions or influencing policy. Experiments show that poetry can evoke strong emotional responses, indicating its potential to resonate deeply with individuals.

Dick's Sporting Goods shares dropped by over 18% after the company missed Wall Street expectations and lowered its annual guidance for Foot Locker. The retailer reported a 53.4% increase in net sales to $5.59 billion in Q2 2026, but this fell short of the expected $5.64 billion. Earnings per share were $3.50, down from $4.71 in the previous year. The Dick’s business segment saw a 4.9% comp sales growth, while the Foot Locker segment experienced a 3.6% decline in proforma comps due to challenging conditions in the athletic footwear marketplace.

QAnon conspiracy theories, which began on 4chan in 2017, have infiltrated American politics, with traces found on government social media during Trump's second term. Despite Q's cessation of posts in 2022, the movement persists, influencing election campaigns and political discourse. The theories, which falsely accuse political elites of a satanic cabal, continue to divide the nation amidst ongoing social and economic crises.