Posted by BeauHD from Slashdot
From the admissions-unmasked department: A politically motivated hacker breached Columbia University's IT systems, stealing vast amounts of sensitive student and employee data -- including admissions decisions and Social Security numbers. The Record reports: The hacker reportedly provided Bloomberg News with 1.6 gigabytes of data they claimed to have stolen from the university, including information from 2.5 million applications going back decades. The stolen data the outlet reviewed reportedly contains details on whether applicants were rejected or accepted, their citizenship status, their university ID numbers and which academic programs they sought admission to. While the hacker's claims have not been independently verified, Bloomberg said it compared data provided by the hacker to that belonging to eight Columbia applicants seeking admission between 2019 and 2024 and found it matched.

The threat actor reportedly told Bloomberg he was seeking information that would indicate whether the university continues to use affirmative action in admissions despite a 2023 Supreme Court decision prohibiting the practice. The hacker told Bloomberg he obtained 460 gigabytes of data in total -- after spending two months targeting and penetrating increasingly privileged layers of the university's servers -- and said he harvested information about financial aid packages, employee pay and at least 1.8 million Social Security numbers belonging to employees, applicants, students and their family members.

Posted by BeauHD from Slashdot
From the risky-business department: An anonymous reader quotes a report from Reuters: Intel's new chief executive is exploring a big change to its contract manufacturing business to win major customers, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters, in a potentially expensive shift from his predecessor's plans. The new strategy for Intel's foundry business would mean offering outside customers a newer generation of technology, the people said. That next-generation chipmaking process, analysts believe, will be more competitive against Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co in trying to land major customers such as Apple or Nvidia.

Since taking the company's helm in March, CEO Lip-Bu Tan has moved fast to cut costs and find a new path to revive the ailing U.S. chipmaker. By June, he started voicing that a manufacturing process known as 18A, in which prior CEO Pat Gelsinger had invested heavily, was losing its appeal to new customers, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity. To put aside external sales of 18A and its variant 18A-P, manufacturing processes that have cost Intel billions of dollars to develop, the company would have to take a write-off, one of the people familiar with the matter said. Industry analysts contacted by Reuters said such a charge could amount to a loss of hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars.

< This article continues on their website >

Posted by BeauHD from Slashdot
From the user-hostile-moves department: Two accessory manufacturers have told The Verge that Nintendo has intentionally locked down the Switch 2's USB-C port using a new encryption scheme, preventing compatibility with third-party docks and accessories. "I haven't yet found proof of that encryption chip myself -- but when I analyzed the USB-C PD traffic with a Power-Z tester, I could clearly see the new Nintendo Switch not behaving like a good USB citizen should," writes The Verge's Sean Hollister. From the report: If you've been wondering why there are basically no portable Switch 2 docks on the market, this is the reason. Even Jsaux, the company that built its reputation by beating the Steam Deck dock to market, tells us it's paused its plans to build a Switch 2 dock because of Nintendo's actions. It's not simply because the Switch 2 now requires more voltage, as was previously reported; it's that Nintendo has made things even more difficult this generation.

Posted by BeauHD from Slashdot
From the AI-productivity-moves department: Grammarly has acquired the AI email client Superhuman to enhance its AI-driven productivity suite and expand AI capabilities within email communication. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed but Superhuman CEO Rahul Vohra and his team will be joining the AI writing company. TechCrunch reports: Superhuman was founded by Rahul Vohra, Vivek Sodera, and Conrad Irwin. The company raised more than $114 million in funding from backers including a16z, IVP, and Tiger Global, with its last valuation at $825 million, according to data from venture data analytics firm Traxcn. "With Superhuman, we can deliver that future to millions more professionals while giving our existing users another surface for agent collaboration that simply doesn't exist anywhere else. Email isn't just another app; it's where professionals spend significant portions of their day, and it's the perfect staging ground for orchestrating multiple AI agents simultaneously," Shishir Mehrotra, CEO of Grammarly, said in a statement.

With this deal, CEO Vohra and other Superhuman employees are moving over to Grammarly. "Email is the main communication tool for billions of people worldwide and the number-one use case for Grammarly customers. By joining forces with Grammarly, we will invest even more in the core Superhuman experience, as well as create a new way of working where AI agents collaborate across the communication tools that we all use every day," Rahul Vohra, CEO of Superhuman, said in a statement.

Posted by BeauHD from Slashdot
From the clock-is-ticking department: An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: Last week, OpenAI raised objections in court, hoping to overturn a court order requiring the AI company to retain all ChatGPT logs "indefinitely," including deleted and temporary chats. But Sidney Stein, the US district judge reviewing OpenAI's request, immediately denied OpenAI's objections. He was seemingly unmoved by the company's claims that the order forced OpenAI to abandon "long-standing privacy norms" and weaken privacy protections that users expect based on ChatGPT's terms of service. Rather, Stein suggested that OpenAI's user agreement specified that their data could be retained as part of a legal process, which Stein said is exactly what is happening now.

The order was issued by magistrate judge Ona Wang just days after news organizations, led by The New York Times, requested it. The news plaintiffs claimed the order was urgently needed to preserve potential evidence in their copyright case, alleging that ChatGPT users are likely to delete chats where they attempted to use the chatbot to skirt paywalls to access news content. A spokesperson told Ars that OpenAI plans to "keep fighting" the order, but the ChatGPT maker seems to have few options left. They could possibly petition the Second Circuit Court of Appeals for a rarely granted emergency order that could intervene to block Wang's order, but the appeals court would have to consider Wang's order an extraordinary abuse of discretion for OpenAI to win that fight.

< This article continues on their website >

Posted by msmash from Slashdot
From the while-you-were-sleeping department: A California jury has ordered Google to pay $314.6 million to Android smartphone users in the state after finding the company liable for collecting data from idle devices without permission.

The San Jose jury ruled Tuesday that Google sent and received information from phones while idle, creating "mandatory and unavoidable burdens shouldered by Android device users for Google's benefit." The 2019 class action represented an estimated 14 million Californians who argued Google consumed their cellular data for targeted advertising purposes.

Posted by msmash from Slashdot
From the app-graveyard department: Amazon plans to shut down its standalone Freevee app in August, according to an in-app notice to users. From a report: The free, ad-supported streaming service is directing viewers to continue watching Freevee content on Prime Video.

"Prime Video is the new exclusive home for Freevee Tv show, movies, and Live TV," the notice to readers states. "The Freevee app will be accessible until August 2025. Continue watching your favorite Free Originals and our library of hit movies, shows, and live TV on Prime Video for free, no subscription needed. Download Prime Video to get started and sign-in with your Amazon account."

Posted by msmash from Slashdot
From the big-brother department: China will launch digital IDs for internet use on July 15th, transferring online verification from private companies to government control. Users obtain digital IDs by submitting personal information including facial scans to police via an app. A pilot program launched one year ago enrolled 6 million people.

The system currently remains voluntary, though officials and state media are pushing citizens to register for "information security." Companies will see only anonymized character strings when users log in, while police retain exclusive access to personal details. The program replaces China's existing system requiring citizens to register with companies using real names before posting comments, gaming, or making purchases.

Police say they punished 47,000 people last year for spreading "rumours" online. The digital ID serves a broader government strategy to centralize data control. State planners classify data as a production factor alongside labor and capital, aiming to extract information from private companies for trading through government-operated data exchanges.

Posted by from MMO Champion
Announcing Changes to Warcraft Rumble Support - No New Content

Originally Posted by Blizzard
(Blue Tracker / Official Forums)

Dear Warcraft Rumble Community,  

We have an important update on the future of Warcraft Rumble. After much deliberation, we’ve arrived at an extremely hard decision. Moving forward, we'll continue supporting Rumble with updates focused on regular, systemic in-game events and bug fixes, but no new content.  

Warcraft Rumble began development nine years ago as a love letter to Azeroth and launched back in 2023, reflecting input from enthusiastic players around the globe and the effort of a passionate team—some of whom continue to support Rumble or other Blizzard games, and some we’ve had to sadly part ways with. Since launch, Rumble has struggled to find its footing relative to our ambition for its long-term success, and for some time now the team has been listening to player feedback, refocusing in certain areas, and exploring different options. Some of that work showed signs of progress, but ultimately wasn’t enough to put the game on a path to sustainability.  

During this transition, we are focused on supporting our teammates. We’re deeply grateful to everyone at Blizzard and in the community for helping bring Warcraft Rumble to life and embracing the joy that makes this game so special. Your enthusiasm and feedback mean the world to us. 

Posted by msmash from Slashdot
From the artificial-attendance department: AI-powered note-taking apps are increasingly attending workplace meetings in place of human participants, creating situations where automated transcription bots outnumber actual attendees.

Major platforms including Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet now offer built-in note-taking features that record, transcribe and summarize meetings for invited participants who don't attend. The technology operates under varying legal frameworks, with most states requiring only single-party consent for recording while California, Florida, and Pennsylvania mandate all-party approval.

Posted by from MMO Champion
How to Earn Shaohao's Sage Serpent Mount in Modern WoW

The Mists of Pandaria Classic Pre-Expansion Patch is now live in both North America and Europe! From July 1 through July 30, players can complete the Pandaren starting experience to earn Shaohao's Sage Serpent skyriding mount in Modern World of Warcraft.

How to Earn Shaohao's Sage Serpent Mount

Install World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria Classic

Create a Pandaren character of any class.

Complete the Pandaren starting experience, including choosing the path of either Alliance or Horde.

Once complete, Shaohao's Sage Serpent will be delivered to your Collection in Modern WoW.

Posted by msmash from Slashdot
From the under-the-table department: An anonymous reader shares a report: Law enforcement officials are investigating a former employee of a company that negotiates with hackers and facilitates cryptocurrency payments during ransomware attacks, according to a statement from the firm, DigitalMint. DigitalMint President Marc Jason Grens this week told organizations it works with that the US Justice Department is examining allegations that the then-employee struck deals with hackers to profit from extortion payments, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Grens did not identify the employee by name and characterized their actions as isolated, said the person, who spoke on condition that they not be identified describing private conversations. DigitalMint is cooperating with a criminal investigation into "alleged unauthorized conduct by the employee while employed here," Grens said in an email to Bloomberg News. The Chicago-based company is not the target of the investigation and the employee "was immediately terminated," Grens said, adding that he can't provide more information because the probe is ongoing.

Posted by Tony_Bacala from The Toyark


Mezco Toys have dropped a new exclusive for their online Mezco Con 2025 today with a New 52 edition of Nightwing. He’s rocking the red accents on the gear and comes with a ton of accessories and swappables that One:12 ...

The post New 52 Nightwing – Mezco Toyz One:12 Collective Exclusive appeared first on The Toyark - News.

Posted by Tony_Bacala from The Toyark


Quick update for a pre-order which dropped earlier in the day but has since sold out in most places quick – Page Punchers Wave 9 Superboy (Return of Superman) and Wonder Woman (Wonder Woman #1).  Check the pics and details ...

The post DC Page Punchers Wave 9 Superboy & Wonder Woman appeared first on The Toyark - News.

Posted by msmash from Slashdot
From the closer-look department: An anonymous reader shares a report: From Somalia to mainland Europe, the past two years have seen some of the most ravaging droughts in recorded history, made worse by climate change, according to a UN-backed report. Describing drought as a "silent killer" which "creeps in, drains resources, and devastates lives in slow motion" the report said it had exacerbated issues like poverty and ecosystem collapse.

The report highlighted impacts in Africa, the Mediterranean, Latin America and Southeast Asia, including an estimated 4.4 million people in Somalia facing crisis-level food insecurity at the beginning of this year. It recommends governments prepare for a "new normal" with measures including stronger early warning systems.

Posted by Black Convoy from TFW2005


Takara Tomy have just updated their pre-orders for June 2025 via Amazon Japan. This time we have listings for another wave of Transformers Age Of The Primes toys, Missing Link C-01 Convoy reissue and the new Adamas Machina Lost Light Rodimus. Age Of  The Primes AOTP-16 Deluxe Micronus Prime AOTP-17 Deluxe Venin AOTP-18 Deluxe Skydive AOTP-19 Deluxe Fireflight AOTP-20 Voyager Alpha Trion Synerginex Series Transformers x Macross 7 Basara Prime Missing Link C-01 Convoy (Reissue) Adamas Machina AM-T01EX Lost Light Rodimus The Age Of The Primes figures are planned for release in Decembre, 2025 for » Continue Reading.

The post New Takara Tomy Pre-Orders For June 2025: Age Of The Primes, Macross 7 x Transformers & More! appeared first on Transformer World 2005 - TFW2005.COM.

Posted by from MMO Champion
The War Within Season 3 Dungeon Testing: July 2nd - July 8th

Originally Posted by Blizzard
(Blue Tracker / Official Forums)

The War Within Season 3 dungeon testing continues on PTR today. The test period starts on Wednesday July 2nd at 12:00 PST (15:00 EDT, 22:00 CEST) and ends Tuesday July 8th at 10:00 PST (13:00 EDT, 20:00 CEST). Please note that the test period may be adjusted in the event of technical difficulties.

This week’s testing focus is on returning dungeons from The War Within:

Ara-kara, City of Echoes

The Dawnbreaker

Priory of the Sacred Flame

Operation: Floodgate

Notable updates to these dungeons include:

General

Waystones have been added to these dungeons and many checkpoints have been adjusted.

Ara-Kara, City of Echoes

Updated visuals throughout the instance and made adjustments to address the mechanical difficulty of Ki’katal the Harvester.

Trilling Attendant

Web Bolt and Resonant Barrage are now both Nature school.

Bloodstained Assistant

No longer casts Extraction Strike immediately upon entering combat

Reinforced Drone

No longer casts Grasping Slash.

Ki’katal the Harvester

○ Cultivated Poisons now targets 3 players down from 5

○ Cultivated Poisons wave initial damage reduced by 50%, and now inflicts additional damage over 5 seconds

○ Cosmic Singularity initial damage reduced by 50% and duration of Faded increased to 20 seconds.

The Dawnbreaker

Improved visual clarity on many spells in the dungeon and made adjustments to mitigate burst damage on tanks throughout the instance.

Speaker Shadowcrown

Obsidian Beam initial damage reduced by 33%

Nightfall Shadowalker

○ Umbral Rush no longer inflicts damage.

Manifested Shadow

○ No longer casts Dark Floes

Priory of The Sacred Flame
< This article continues on their website >

Posted by msmash from Slashdot
From the oops department: An anonymous reader shares a report: Lorde [a popular New Zealand singer and songwriter] fans are clearly struggling to play the CD version of her new album. Customers who purchased the special edition of Virgin released on a transparent plastic disc are reporting on Reddit and TikTok that many CD players, car stereos, and other sound systems they've tried are unable to play it.

Posted by msmash from Slashdot
From the air-we-go-again department: Air pollution has been linked to a swathe of lung cancer-driving DNA mutations, in a study of people diagnosed with the disease despite never having smoked tobacco. From a report: The findings from an investigation into cancer patients around the world helps explain why those who have never smoked make up a rising proportion of people developing the cancer, a trend the researchers called an "urgent and growing global problem."

Prof Ludmil Alexandrov, a senior author on the study at the University of California in San Diego, said researchers had observed the "problematic trend" but had not understood the cause. "Our research shows that air pollution is strongly associated with the same types of DNA mutations we typically associate with smoking," he said.

The scientists analyzed the entire genetic code of lung tumors removed from 871 never-smokers in Europe, North America, Africa and Asia as part of the Sherlock-Lung study. They found that the higher the levels of air pollution in a region, the more cancer-driving and cancer-promoting mutations were present in residents' tumors. Fine-particulate air pollution was in particular linked to mutations in the TP53 gene. These have previously been associated with tobacco smoking.

Posted by msmash from Slashdot
From the how-about-that department: An anonymous reader shares a report: In 2021, Google set a lofty goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. Yet in the years since then, the company has moved in the opposite direction as it invests in energy-intensive artificial intelligence. In its latest sustainability report, Google said its carbon emissions had increased 51% between 2019 and 2024.

New research aims to debunk even that enormous figure and provide context to Google's sustainability reports, painting a bleaker picture. A report authored by non-profit advocacy group Kairos Fellowship found that, between 2019 and 2024, Google's carbon emissions actually went up by 65%. What's more, between 2010, the first year there is publicly available data on Google's emissions, and 2024, Google's total greenhouse gas emissions increased 1,515%, Kairos found. The largest year-over-year jump in that window was also the most recent, 2023 to 2024, when Google saw a 26% increase in emissions just between 2023 and 2024, according to the report.