03 World

‘Funflation’ is back and hitting gaming and streaming services– www.cnbc.com

pgnewser July 13, 2026 0

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For decades, video games have been a go-to hobby for Alyx Green. But in recent years, Green has felt priced out.

Instead of buying the biggest releases, the Illinois graduate student has opted for cheaper alternatives from smaller studios or turned to board and card games. In some cases, the 31-year-old watches videos of others playing hot games on YouTube in lieu of actually playing.

“The price has been going up,” Green said. “It’s just hard to keep up.”

U.S. consumers have for years grappled with “funflation,” used to describe the sharply higher prices for live experiences like concerts or sporting events that were halted during pandemic lockdowns.

America Is Improvising Its Way Through AI Governance | American Enterprise Institute– www.aei.org

pgnewser July 13, 2026 0

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The last few weeks should end any illusion that the United States can improvise its way through frontier AI policy. What we have witnessed was not serious governance. It was vibe policymaking: ad hoc, deal-by-deal reactions with no clear standard, public explanation, or predictable process. The result was not just confusion. It exposed a deeper weakness: the United States has no reliable way to measure frontier AI risk, no agreed process for acting on it, and no institution built to do either.

In early June, Anthropic released Mythos 5 and its restricted consumer version, Fable 5, models that write complex code and find software vulnerabilities with minimal prompting. Days later, the Administration ordered Anthropic to cut off access to all foreign nationals, effective immediately. Unable to verify nationality in real time, Anthropic pulled the models entirely. OpenAI, meanwhile, held back its own GPT-5.6 series at the government’s request.

Iran launches attacks on American military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait after fresh US strikes – Middle East crisis live | US-Israel war on Iran– www.theguardian.com

pgnewser July 13, 2026 0

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Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said this morning they targeted American ⁠military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait, ⁠destroyed radar systems in Oman and ​struck fuel tanks and ammunition depots at Prince Hassan air base in Jordan as part of its retaliatory strikes against the US.

Jordan said a few hours ago that it intercepted and downed four missiles fired from Iranian territory, while Kuwait’s military said it was intercepting “hostile aerial targets” in the country’s airspace.

The strikes marked an escalation in the recent tit-for-tat attacks between the US and Iran as Tehran seeks to assert sovereignty over the strategic strait of Hormuz, which it sees as its biggest leverage in negotiations with Washington.

Scientists warn invasive Asian mantises are threatening Europe’s wildlife– www.sciencedaily.com

pgnewser July 12, 2026 0

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Praying mantises have fascinated people for centuries. Across different cultures, they have been viewed as everything from mystical guides that help lost travelers find their way home to ominous creatures associated with bad luck. Beyond the legends, native mantises also play an important ecological role by serving as indicators of healthy, biodiverse ecosystems.

Now, however, scientists say two Asian mantis species are becoming a growing threat to Europe’s native wildlife.

Poland, France hold first consultations on nuclear umbrella project — MFA – World– tass.com

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MOSCOW, July 11. /TASS/. Polish and French officials have held the first consultations to discuss French President Emmanuel Macron’s `nuclear umbrella’ initiative, Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

“As a follow-up to the French president’s proposal to engage in a strategic dialogue on forward deterrence with European partners, Poland and France held the first consultations of the Steering Group for Nuclear Cooperation, which took place in Paris on 10 July 2026,” the Polish MFA said in a post on X.

Warsaw did not elaborate, saying only that the two delegations “focused on Europe’s current security situation.”

How Türkiye went from problem child to power broker in NATO — RT World News– www.rt.com

pgnewser July 12, 2026 0

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Ankara used the summit to prove it can deliver what others cannot: access, leverage, and channels to Trump, Damascus and Moscow

When NATO’s 36th summit opened at the Bestepe Presidential Complex on July 7, the official agenda read like every other alliance gathering of the past few years: defense spending targets, support for Ukraine, industrial capacity, adaptation to new threats. But for the host nation, the meeting was never only about the communiqué. It was a stage, and Türkiye had spent months building the set.

The guest list alone signaled the stakes. Alongside the leaders of all 32 member states, Ankara welcomed US President Donald Trump, South Korea’s Lee Jae-myung, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. On the sidelines, ministers met with partners from the Gulf and from Australia, Japan and New Zealand. The final declaration reaffirmed what NATO calls its ironclad commitment to collective defense under Article 5, and allies pledged roughly €70 billion – about $80 billion – in military equipment, assistance and training for Ukraine in 2026.

Mali rebels attack convoy of Russian reinforcements headed to besieged military camp– www.france24.com

pgnewser July 12, 2026 0

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Tuareg separatists and their jihadist allies attacked a convoy of Russian mercenaries and Malian soldiers Thursday morning as they travelled to help cohorts holed up at a northern military camp in the town of Anefis.

Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM jihadists and Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) Tuareg separatists launched coordinated attacks in Mali on Saturday and have claimed control of Anefis. Anefis is vital to maintaining a grip on the strategic northern town of Kidal, a city about 100 kilometres away that remains a stronghold of the Tuareg group.

US National Intelligence acting head announces another staff reduction – World– tass.com

pgnewser July 12, 2026 0

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“US National Intelligence is operating more efficiently and effectively than ever before, and today, we started a third round of reducing redundant, or non-critical, personnel,” Pulte said in a statement on X without specifying the exact number of the axed staff.

The US National Intelligence Service had previously resorted to a number of cuts regarding its personnel. US-based broadcaster CNN reported in June that US President Donald Trump, appointing Pulte as the acting US Director of National Intelligence, hoped that he would reduce hundreds of people.

Iran Struggling To Fight Back As US Military Pounds Persian Nation– trendingpoliticsnews.com

pgnewser July 12, 2026 0

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The United States and Iran traded some of their heaviest fire since last month’s ceasefire agreement, but the latest round of fighting has exposed just how badly Tehran is struggling to match American firepower.

U.S. forces have landed most of the blows in the latest volley, pounding roughly 170 targets over two days while Iran’s retaliatory strikes on U.S.-linked bases in the Middle East were limited and largely intercepted by air defenses.

The U.S. military said its strikes targeted Iranian military infrastructure tied to Tehran’s attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Ukraine Drone Attack: Ukraine launches 400+ drones at Moscow after deadly Russian strikes ahead of Nato summit– timesofindia.indiatimes.com

pgnewser July 12, 2026 0

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Ukraine launched one of its biggest drone offensives against Russia overnight, sending more than 400 drones towards Moscow and carrying out missile strikes on the Belgorod region, Russian officials said on Tuesday.The attacks came just hours after a deadly Russian missile and drone barrage killed dozens in Ukraine and on the eve of a key Nato summit in Turkey.Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said more than 430 Ukrainian drones were launched towards the Moscow region between Sunday evening and early Tuesday morning.

“Most were neutralised by air defence forces at distant approaches. Thirty-six enemy UAVs were destroyed on approach to Moscow,” he wrote on the state-backed MAX platform, according to news agency AFP.Russian authorities later reported around 14 drones had been intercepted near the capital, with emergency crews deployed to sites where drone debris fell.No casualties or major damage were immediately reported in Moscow.

US delegation in Lebanon to discuss Israel ‘pilot zone’ withdrawal: Official– www.channelnewsasia.com

pgnewser July 12, 2026 0

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BEIRUT: A United States military delegation has met with Lebanon’s army in Beirut to discuss the implementation of Israel’s withdrawal from one of the “pilot zones” in occupied territory, a Lebanese military official told AFP on Saturday (Jul 11).

Under a framework agreement reached on Jun 26, Israel will gradually withdraw from areas of southern Lebanon where it has sent troops as part of its military campaign against Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Shia movement that has long battled Israel.

As part of the agreement, the long-disempowered Lebanese military will take full control of two small areas dubbed pilot zones.

IRGC-Tied News Posts Direct Regime Threat Against U.S. Leaders – PJ Media– pjmedia.com

pgnewser July 12, 2026 0

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An Iranian news agency infamous for its close connection with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — the regime’s terrorist military and brute squad — has published a direct threat once again against President Donald Trump

Fars interestingly did not apparently post the threat on its English language X channel, at least as of Saturday morning. It did, however, makes the threat its pinned post on its Persian language channel.

The message is allegedly from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, presuming that the son of the late mass murderer Ali Khamenei is actually still alive. The statement does express the official regime position. Grok’s translation of the Persian says, “We pledge to take revenge for the pure blood of the martyred Leader and all the martyrs of these two wars from the criminal and disgraced killers.”

Trump administration subpoenas journalists over Air Force One story– www.channelnewsasia.com

pgnewser July 12, 2026 0

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Journalism advocacy groups criticised the subpoenas as a threat to press freedom and constitutional rights.

The National Press Club urged the Justice Department to “immediately” withdraw the subpoenas.

“When federal agents arrive at the homes of journalists with subpoenas, it is not ordinary law enforcement,” the club said in a statement. “It is an extraordinary assault on the freedom of the press that strikes at the heart of the First Amendment.”

Mr Clayton was recently nominated by Mr Trump to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

4K Jobs Gone to AI at Microsoft – scitechwire.com

pgnewser July 7, 2026 0

The software giant Microsoft announced it was laying off 4,000 people, primarily its X-box division. The move is designed to optimize X-box and other divisions using AI. The layoffs amount to 2.1% of its workforce. 1,600 of those layoffs are already happening, and they’re all in the X-box division.

Go Deeper

South Korea’s Goes North with Fake News Law – mindfulintelligence.news

pgnewser July 7, 2026 0

South Korea has passed a new law that penalizes journalists for sharing “fake news.” The Journalists Association of Korea said of the law, “Even if a law’s objective is legitimate, it could erode the foundations of democracy if it’s enforced in a way that discourages the media and ordinary citizens from freely criticizing and scrutinizing those in power.”

Go Deeper

Canada Goes Historic on Defense – bellwetherintel.com

pgnewser July 7, 2026 0

Canada has made the largest military procurement deal in its history, purchasing 12 submarines from Germany in a bid to build their own submarine fleet. The contract is worth “multiple billions” and follows Canada’s increase on defense spending under PM Mark Carney. He hopes to move it from 2% GDP today to 5% GDP by 2035.

Go Deeper

Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s capital kills at least 12– www.cbc.ca

pgnewser July 7, 2026 0

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Russia launched waves of missiles and drones at Kyiv early Monday, killing at least 12 people in an attack that exposed widening gaps in Ukraine’s air defences, authorities said.

The ballistic missiles launched by Russia struck their targets, underscoring Kyiv’s shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. The attack came hours after Ukraine’s president warned that a large-scale attack was imminent.

Another 60 were injured, according to local officials, as emergency workers combed through rubble looking for survivors at residential high-rise buildings in two locations that suffered direct hits.

Trump administration accuses China of nuclear proliferation after submarine missile test– www.washingtontimes.com

pgnewser July 7, 2026 0

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The Trump administration on Monday criticized China for conducting a test launch of a provocative submarine-launched, nuclear-capable missile that the State Department called a sign of Beijing’s continuing arms buildup.

China carried out the test launch on Monday of what analysts say is likely an advanced JL-2 missile or new JL-3 multi-warhead submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), a strategic weapon shown during a military parade in September.

A spokesman for People’s Liberation Army navy provided no details on the type of submarine or missile involved, or the launch and splashdown locations, or the distance traveled.

 

Canada Euthanizes a Record 17,700 People in 2025– www.lifenews.com

pgnewser July 7, 2026 0

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I predict that Canada had 17,700 reported euthanasia deaths in 2025 representing about 5.6% of all deaths and a 7.3% increase from 2024.

I am researching the 2025 Canadian euthanasia data since Health Canada is slow to release data and Canadians have the right to know.

Health Canada’s Sixth Annual Report on Medical Assistance in Dying was released on November 28, 2025 (2024 data). The 2024 data indicated that there were 16,499 reported (MAiD) Canadian euthanasia deaths representing 5.1% of all deaths which was up by 6.9% from 15,427 in 2023.

What to know about the renewed coordinated attacks across Mali | Conflict News– www.aljazeera.com

pgnewser July 7, 2026 0

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Armed groups in military-run Mali have launched renewed coordinated attacks in several towns across the country.

The assaults on Saturday targeted army positions, including a base used by its troops and Russian forces.

A separatist Tuareg-led group and a regional al-Qaeda affiliate claimed responsibility for the attacks, which took place more than two months after the capital, Bamako, and several other locations were targeted in a coordinated ⁠assault by the same groups.

Netherlands Doctors Feel Pressured to Kill People in Assisted Suicides– www.lifenews.com

pgnewser July 7, 2026 0

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The Netherlands Times reported on March 26, 2026 that there were 10,341 reported euthanasia deaths in 2025 representing 6% of all deaths, an increase of 3.8% from 9,958 in 2024.

Last week, the Netherlands Minister of Public Health, Sophie Hermans, confirmed that at least one child has now died by euthanasia in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands Times published an article on July 3, 2026 concerning a study that has examined the cultural changes that are feeding the increase in euthanasia deaths. The article states:

Lead researcher and healthcare ethicist Els van Wijngaarden of Radboudumc observes that “the euthanasia law has not changed, but its application has.” Last year, cancer was the reason for euthanasia in only about half of all cases. In the late 1990s, this was still 90 percent. Other reasons, like dementia and mental disorders, increased.

Views on end-of-life suffering have changed significantly, the researchers note. Euthanasia is more frequently a topic of conversation, and religious views play an increasingly smaller role.