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Reading students claim ‘unlimited’ energy bills cost £2k more

A university Students’ Union in the South of England is examining the cost-effectiveness of “unlimited” energy contracts for students, raising concerns about potential pressure to sign contracts with energy providers. According to research conducted by Reading Students’ Union, students on unlimited energy packages pay an average of £2,200 more annually compared to those with traditional […]

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OpenAI’s new social video app will let you deepfake your friends

OpenAI has launched an updated version of its Sora AI video generator, alongside a new social video app also named Sora, targeted for iPhone users. The app, which is currently available only by invitation to users in the US and Canada, features a video feed similar to TikTok but diverges by allowing users to create

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Bat Droppings Reveal Clues About the Viruses They Carry

Bats play a crucial role in ecosystems by controlling insect populations and pollinating plants. However, they can carry viruses that may pose risks to other species, including humans. Raina Plowright, a disease ecologist at Cornell University, has studied this issue for nearly two decades, focusing on the Hendra virus, which first emerged in 1994 and

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Microsoft is giving Copilot AI faces you can chat with

Microsoft is introducing an experimental feature called “Portraits” within its Copilot Labs, designed to provide a more engaging experience when interacting with its AI assistant. This feature is currently available in the US, UK, and Canada and includes 40 stylized human avatars that are intended to respond with natural expressions during real-time voice conversations. Mustafa

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Body cam footage reveals context behind viral video of deputy encounter

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla. — Authorities in Indian River County have clarified a viral video that appeared to show a man assaulting a deputy. Following the release of body camera footage and 911 calls, the incident has been identified as a mental health crisis rather than a violent confrontation. The event unfolded around noon on

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Italy PM tells Gaza aid flotilla to stop or risk ‘preventing peace’

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has instructed a flotilla sailing towards Gaza to halt its mission, expressing concerns that the actions of activists attempting to deliver aid could undermine a new U.S. proposal aimed at resolving the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), comprising over 40 boats and accompanied by an Italian naval frigate,

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Trump's BLS nominee floats ending monthly jobs report

Trump pulls pick to lead US jobs data agency

US President Donald Trump has retracted his nomination of EJ Antoni, a conservative economist, to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This nomination followed the dismissal of the previous BLS chief, Erika McEntarfer, who was terminated in August during her term after a disappointing jobs report. While some conservatives commended the choice of Dr.

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All hail the new Fat Bear Champion

Bear 32, known as Chunk, has been announced as the winner of Fat Bear Week 2025. This annual event, organized by Katmai National Park and Preserve in collaboration with the nonprofit Katmai Conservancy and online platform Explore.org, encourages the public to vote for their favorite brown bear through a tournament-style format. Chunk, who weighs approximately

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US influencer Garrett Gee reacts to backlash over viral cliff-jumping video with 7 year old son

Garrett Gee, a travel influencer and the creator of ‘The Bucket List Family’, has addressed criticism following a viral video of him throwing his 7-year-old son, Calihan, off a cliff into Lake Powell. The footage, which emerged in July, shows Gee encouraging Calihan before lifting and tossing him into the water below. The video has

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Indian court tells doctors to fix their handwriting

In a recent ruling, the Punjab and Haryana High Court of India highlighted the importance of legible handwriting in medical prescriptions, declaring it a fundamental right. This order arose during a case concerning allegations of rape and fraud, where the judge, Justice Jasgurpreet Singh Puri, found that a doctor’s incomprehensible medico-legal report could have dire

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