Policy
* The Alton City Council has unanimously approved a partnership with Ameren Illinois, securing $75,000 in funding for city-wide electrification projects. * Key plans include installing new public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and repairing the currently inoperable charger at City Hall. * The funding may also be used to begin transitioning
Games
Key Highlights * A new Splinter Cell game was in development at Ubisoft by former Telltale Games veterans. * Ubisoft management reportedly forced the project to pivot into a "games-as-a-service" (GAAS) title to compete with hits like Call of Duty. * This abandoned Splinter Cell project ultimately morphed into the recently
Games
* Drastic Aim Assist Nerf: Controller's rotational aim assist has been significantly adjusted to balance gameplay between controller and keyboard/mouse players. * Massive Weapon Meta Shake-up: Sweeping changes are here, including a complete rework of shotgun damage mechanics, nerfs to SMG range, and widespread attachment tuning. * Faster Progression Confirmed:
AI
* New research reveals users of the AI chatbot Replika are engaging in deep romantic roleplay that includes having "children" with their AI partners. * Participants in the study reported forming complex relationships involving marriage, homeownership, and even AI pregnancies. * Users demonstrate strong loyalty to their AI, often siding with
Games
* First Glimpse: Leaked videos from the New Zealand set of the live-action "The Legend of Zelda" movie have surfaced, offering the first look at actors Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link and Bo Bragason as Zelda. * Iconic Imagery: The brief clips showcase Link in his signature green tunic and
Gadgets
* Apple has released a new firmware update for AirPods Pro 2 (version 8B21) and AirPods Pro 3 (version 8B25). * The official release notes are currently unavailable, leaving users to speculate on the update's purpose. * The new firmware may be linked to the upcoming Live Translation feature for the
Telecom
* SpaceX successfully launched 29 Starlink satellites from Florida's Kennedy Space Center. * The mission, Starlink 6-89, was the first of two rocket launches planned within just a few hours. * The veteran Falcon 9 booster completed its eighth flight and landed successfully on a drone ship at sea. * This marks
Games
The battlefield of Marvel Rivals is set for a seismic shift as the massive Season 5 update goes live, introducing a wave of balance changes that will force every player to rethink their strategies. With significant buffs to underused heroes, the introduction of powerful new synergies, and the removal of
Enterprise
* Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway has revealed a new $4.3 billion stake in Google's parent company, Alphabet. * The investment marks a significant tech-forward move for the traditionally cautious investor, making Alphabet the firm's 10th largest holding. * This new position was disclosed as Berkshire continued
AI
* Autonomous Power: Agentic AI refers to AI systems that can pursue goals autonomously, making decisions and adapting to dynamic environments without constant human oversight. * Proven ROI & Hidden Risks: While companies investing in agentic AI are 4.5 times more likely to see strong financial performance, they also face severe
Games
* Franchise-Altering Announcement: Sony's acclaimed Horizon universe is officially expanding into a massively multiplayer online RPG (MMORPG) titled Horizon Steel Frontiers. * An Unlikely Alliance: The game is a surprise collaboration between Horizon’s creators, Guerrilla, and Korean MMO powerhouse NCSOFT, known for titles like Lineage and Guild Wars. * Play
Enterprise
* Oracle's stock has plummeted nearly 30% in the last month, wiping out over $250 billion in market value gains as its aggressive AI strategy spooks investors. * The company's debt has surged to $96 billion and is projected to hit $290 billion by 2028, creating significant financial