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Tecno Spark 40 series has been launched in select global markets. The lineup includes the Spark 40, Spark 40 Pro, and. Spark 40 Pro+. The top-of-the-line Pro+ variant is said to be the world's first smartphone to be equipped with the MediaTek Helio G200 chipset. Meanwhile, the base and Pro models age a MediaTek Helio G100 Ultimate and MediaTek Helio G81 SoCs, respectively. All three phones have an IP64 rating and feature 50-megapixel main rear cameras. Tecno Spark 40 Pro+, Spark 40 Pro, Spark 40 Price, Colour Options Tecno Spark 40 Pro+ price in Uganda starts at UGX 7,69,000 (roughly Rs. 18,300) for the 8GB + 128GB option. Meanwhile, the price of the Tecno Spark 40 Pro is set at UGX 679,000 (roughly Rs. 16,200) for the same RAM and storage configuration. The base Tecno Spark 40 is priced at UGX 4,79,000 (roughly Rs. 11,400) for the 4GB + 128GB variant. They are available for purchase in the country via Tecno's online and offline stores. The vanilla Tecno Spark 40 is sold in Ink Black, Mirage Blue, Veil White, and Titanium Grey colour options. On the other hand, the Tecno Spark 40 Pro is available in Ink Black, Bamboo Green, Lake Blue, and Moon Titanium shades. Lastly, the Tecno Spark 40 Pro+ is offered in Aurora White, Moon Titanium, Nebula Black, and Tundra Green colourways. Tecno Spark 40 Pro+ Specifications, Features The Tecno Spark 40 Pro+ sports a 6.78-inch 1.5K (1,224x2,720 pixels) 3D AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate. It is powered by a MediaTek Helio G200 SoC paired with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of onboard storage. It ships with Android 15-based HiOS skin on top. For optics, the Tecno Spark 40 Pro+ has a 50-megapixel primary sensor at the back and a 13-megapixel sensor at the front. Connectivity options include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, FM radio, OTG, NFC, and a USB Type-C port. For security, it carries an in-display fingerprint sensor. The phone has Dolby Atmos-backed dual speakers and an IR blaster. The Tecno Spark 40 Pro+ packs a 5,200mAh battery that supports 45W wired, 30W wireless, and 5W reverse wireless charging. The handset has an IP64 dust and splash-resistant build. It measures 163.9x75.8x6.49mm in size. Tecno Spark 40 Pro Specifications, Features The Tecno Spark 40 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Helio G100 Ultimate chipset. It does not support wireless or reverse wireless charging. The phone also lacks an in-display fingerprint sensor. Other specifications of the handset, including the display, operating system, camera, battery, charging speed, build, and connectivity, are identical to those of the Pro+ variant. It measures 6.69mm in thickness. Advertisement Notably, both Pro models of the Tecno Spark 40 series come with support for Tecno's FreeLink technology, which allows users to make calls without cellular connectivity. Tecno Spark 40 Specifications, Features The base Tecno Spark 40 has a 6.67-inch HD+ (720x1,600) screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. It gets a MediaTek Helio G81 chipset coupled with up to 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of inbuilt storage. In the camera department, it features an 8-megapixel selfie shooter alongside a 50-megapixel main sensor at the back. It is equipped with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication. The phone boasts dimensions of 165.6x77x7.67mm. https://www.gadgets360.com/mobiles/news/tecno-spark-40-pro-plus-price-launch-specifications-features-8818606

After a period of beta testing, version 120 of the Opera browser is now being rolled out to the public. The biggest piece of news in this particular update is a new built-in translation feature with support for over 40 languages, and the browser is now based on Chromium 135. To protect privacy, the new Translator feature doesn’t pass any information on to third parties, and the translation itself is processed using AI (in partnership with Lingvanex) on Opera’s European-based servers. Other improvements in Opera 120 include improved password management, enhancements to Split Screen mode, refinements to Tab Islands, a new Miniplayer for videos, and VPN Pro. Lastly, Opera 120 includes a fix for a serious zero-day vulnerability (labeled CVE-2025-6554) in the V8 JavaScript engine. For more details, check out the full changelog for Opera version 120. https://www.pcworld.com/article/2834968/opera-latest-update-adds-seamless-ai-translation-and-other-features.html

Developer Michael Lynch filed an RMA with the used storage vendor goHardDrive (GHD), and in the process, accidentally discovered that the company is leaking customer details through an insecure RMA status check portal. According to his blog post, you can check the status of any GHD RMA through ghdwebapps.com/rma by inputting the RMA number, which is in this format: GHD00000. This will then pull up a sheet that outlines the customer’s details, like name, mailing address, email address, phone number, order number and date, and the products to be returned, plus the reason for the return. All this information would not be an issue if the form were private. However, anyone can input any valid RMA number, and the website will return all this information without any authentication that you own the RMA. GHD also used the following URL to show all that data: Because of that, almost anyone can easily write a script to crawl through all possible permutations of the GHD’s RMA numbers and compile the details of its customers. Even if you don’t know how to program and don’t know how to use AI to ask it to make one for you, you can easily just type in RMA numbers on the website and manually collate private information. Lynch emailed the company when he discovered the leak, and GHD responded within two hours, saying that it would fix the issue within three to five business days. Although GHD did not update him (Lynch had to follow up with the company on what was being done), it added two more entries you must input to reveal customer information — ZIP code and house number. While this might seem enough for the average user, this is rather easy picking for a determined hacker. There are about 42,000 valid ZIP codes in the U.S., plus house numbers are commonly between zero to a hundred — that means you need to try 4.2 million possible permutations for each RMA number to get a valid result. This might seem like a large number, but Lynch says, “Optimizing by common ZIP codes and house numbers probably means the attacker has >50% chance of success after about 50k guesses.” This is still a huge number if you do this manually. But the prevalence of data servers makes brute forcing anything so much cheaper nowadays. One security researcher spent $0.30 per hour, which achieves 40,000 checks per second. So, if you were to use that service, it’s plausible to get one valid result every three seconds. Because of this, GHD decided to eliminate the RMA status page entirely — it now asks its customers to email them for status updates. Lynch asked if the company offered a bug bounty for discoveries like this, but, unfortunately, the company said that they do not have a program like that. Nevertheless, they offered him a $20 refund on his $330 purchase as a way of saying thank you. Note that awards from bug bounty programs that capture vulnerabilities like this range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, especially as it could potentially save a company from penalties that can hit millions of dollars. https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/cyber-security/recertified-hdd-vendor-goharddrive-caught-leaking-thousands-of-customer-details-company-pays-astonishingly-low-usd20-bug-bounty-for-discovery-of-inexplicable-online-database-of-names-addresses-phone-numbers-and-more

The number of animal cruelty cases in the South West involving more than one pet from the same household has risen, the RSPCA said. Charity leaders said they feared the increase was partly due to a growth in pet ownership during the Covid-19 pandemic. Comparing cases between June and August 2024 and the same period in 2023 Devon saw calls rise from 557 to 643 while Cornwall saw a drop from 309 to 218. Emily Bowen, CEO of RSPCA Cornwall, said: "There might be one call that goes in but when the inspector gets there they might be faced with multiple animals that then require removal from that property." She said the charity had seen "a lot of cases of neglect where animals are emaciated". "That seems a bit more common this year than in previous years and we are not really sure of the reasons for that," Ms Bowen said. In one case, a woman from Cornwall was taken to court and banned from keeping animals for five years after the RSPCA prosecuted her for abusing a pony. She was caught on camera kicking and punching the animal. The court heard it suffered mentally and physically due to the attacks and was also kept in poor conditions. The pony was removed and has since gone on to find a loving home. Lulu, a cross breed, has been at the RSPCA in Cornwall for nearly two years The RSPCA said it usually sees a spike in reports over the summer, as longer summer days meant more people were out and likely to witness violence. Nationally, the charity said it took one call reporting animal cruelty every two minutes its lines were open - averaging 374 reports a day - and up a third last summer compared to the same period in 2023. George, a cane corso - a type of mastiff, was found emaciated and neglected in a house in Cornwall with about 20 other dogs and cats. The owner was prosecuted and, while all the other dogs and cats have found homes, George is still looking for a foster home or a family wanting to adopt him. While many animals go on to get rehomed relatively quickly, some stay with the RSPCA longer. Lulu, a cross breed, as been in the RSPCA's care for nearly two years. She was the only dog in the home she came from, so is nervous around other dogs. However, she was "great with people and kids aged 10+", the charity said. RSPCA chief inspector Ian Briggs, an expert in cruelty cases, said: "We are seeing a shocking rise in the number of seasonal calls reporting animal cruelty to our emergency line. He said: "Sadly the summer months tend to be when these reports peak. "This year, sadly, we fear the trend will continue and we are busier than ever rescuing animals from many awful situations." https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn41w1jdnk0o

The race for the top spot in the ICC Men’s Test Batter Rankings has intensified, with Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant achieving a career-best rating following his brilliant performance in the first Test against England. Pant’s twin centuries of 134 and 118 in India’s five-wicket loss at Headingley have propelled him to sixth in the rankings, earning an all-time high of 801 points — just 88 behind the current No.1, England’s Joe Root. Root remains narrowly ahead thanks to his own solid contributions of 28 and an unbeaten 53, while teammate Harry Brook holds steady in second, trailing Root by only 15 points. England opener Ben Duckett also climbed to a career-best eighth place after smashing a match-winning 149 in Leeds. Elsewhere, Australia’s Travis Head rose to 10th following twin half-centuries in a 159-run victory over the West Indies in Barbados. Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka was another major gainer, surging 14 places to 17th after scoring 158 in a dominant win over Bangladesh. Teammate Kusal Mendis also improved, moving up four places to 30th. South Africa's Lhuan-dre Pretorius made an impressive debut on the rankings at No. 68 after a century against Zimbabwe. In the bowlers’ standings, India’s Jasprit Bumrah maintained his grip on the top spot with a five-wicket haul at Headingley. Australia’s Josh Hazlewood moved to fourth, while West Indies’ Jayden Seales rose to ninth. Sri Lanka spinner Prabath Jayasuriya also inched up to joint 14th after a five-wicket second innings performance. Among Test all-rounders, India’s Ravindra Jadeja retained his top position, despite a quiet match. South Africans Wiaan Mulder and Corbin Bosch, however, made significant leaps — Mulder rising seven spots to joint 15th after a century, and Bosch jumping 42 places to 19th following his own ton in Bulawayo. With tight margins and standout performances across continents, the race for Test supremacy remains as competitive as ever. https://www.si.com/onsi/cricket/news-feed-page/pant-shines-as-icc-test-batter-rankings-undergo-major-shake-up-01jz65pkbam5

I greatly enjoyed reading Georgina Moore’s account of finding peace and solace in her new lifestyle on a houseboat after a hectic working life in London (A moment that changed me, 25 June). The article, however, runs the risk of suggesting that the author’s “wild” gravity-defying lifestyle, thoroughly enjoying her evenings and weekends after work with colleagues, food and music, and a work-hard-play-hard early career, is not an acceptable way of life. For many early-career men and women, having the freedom to choose what to do with their time outside their working hours is a defining aspect of their life. Our work lives are increasingly “alienating” us, in a truly Marxian sense, from what may be our innate “life spirit”, especially in our 20s and 30s. This applies especially to women, who spend a significant amount of their mid-careers juggling motherhood and domestic life, having recovered from childbirth and adjusting to their careers often with decreased earnings, depleted savings and lower levels of happiness. This period is, for some, followed by the responsibility to care for elderly parents. Mid-life responsibilities push out the joys of an earlier life, some of which can be simply entertainment with friends and colleagues. There is enough economic evidence that having healthy and social lifestyles have a significant effect on workplace productivity. If anything, employers should be encouraging and supporting employees to have healthy and enjoyable pastimes outside working hours, no matter how gravity-defying they may be. Sanghamitra Bandyopadhyay Professor of development economics, Queen Mary University of London https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/jul/02/a-wild-lifestyle-can-enhance-your-career

Tehran has suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian announced Wednesday, according to state media reports. The move marks a significant stepback in Iran's international cooperation after Washington’s dramatic June 21 strikes on its nuclear enrichment facilities. Iranian lawmakers passed a bill to freeze cooperation on July 25. The extent of the bill — and what exactly it contains — remains unclear, but state media said IAEA inspectors will need permission from Iran's Supreme National Security Council to visit Iran's nuclear facilities which will be dependent on "the security of the country's nuclear facilities and that of peaceful nuclear activities" being guaranteed. The IAEA said in a statement it was aware of reports of Iran's suspended cooperation, and is awaiting official confirmation. Iran has already banned IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi from its nuclear facilities and removed surveillance cameras from the sites last week, prompting condemnation from the United Kingdom, France and Germany. U.S. President Donald Trump said the American strikes "totally obliterated" the facilities, but Grossi estimated the damage that was not "total." Grossi recently told CBS News that Iran could begin producing enriched uranium again in “a matter of months." Iranian officials heavily criticized Grossi for failing to condemn the strikes, and Pezeshkian told French President Emmanuel Macron in a call that "the trust in the U.N. nuclear inspectorate is broken inside Iran." Iran previously allowed the IAEA to access and inspect its nuclear plants and use sophisticated surveillance devices as a part of the nuclear deal Tehran signed with France, Russia, the U.K., the U.S., Germany and the European Union in 2015 to keep its nuclear program under control. The first Trump administration withdrew from that deal in 2018. https://www.politico.eu/article/iran-halts-cooperation-un-nuclear-watchdog/

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Fans have been voicing their frustration over the exclusivity of Pack Points in Pokemon TCG Pocket. Unlike most gacha games, DeNA's trading card game lacks a soft or hard pity system. In other words, there's no guaranteed drops from booster packs, no matter how many the player opens. Instead, Pokemon TCG Pocket tries to mitigate bad luck by awarding Pack Points. Pack Points work in a straightforward way: each time a player opens a booster pack, they earn a set number of points. These points can later be used to craft Pokemon TCG Pocket cards. Players can choose which card to unlock, though the cost varies depending on the card's rarity. While this system appears to offer more flexibility than traditional pity systems, it comes with a major flaw that has left many players frustrated.Currently, each set in Pokemon TCG Pocket has its own separate pool of Pack Points, meaning the loyalty points earned from one expansion can't be used to craft cards from another. To make matters worse, rare cards come with high Pack Point costs, making it nearly impossible for free-to-play players to unlock them. Many fans have complained about points piling up in older sets, with no practical use since they cannot be redeemed for new, meta-relevant Pokemon or Trainers. Pity systems are typically designed to make rare items more accessible to players who consistently engage with the game. For example, Marvel SNAP, another po[CENSORED]r card game, recently introduced a new pack-opening mechanic that guarantees players only pull cards they don't already own. By removing duplicates, this system gives players a much better chance of completing their collections. That doesn't seem to be the case with Pokemon TCG Pocket. Even some players who've spent hundreds of dollars on booster packs have reported falling short on Pack Points needed to craft rare cards. Fans have been urging the developer to make Pack Points shared across multiple expansions. While they agree it makes sense for the latest Pokemon TCG Pocket set to have its own pool, they believe older sets' loyalty points should be unified. This way, points from previous booster packs wouldn't go to waste and could actually help players complete collections. http://gamerant.com/pokemon-tcg-pocket-pack-point-exclusivity/

Krafton has announced a major leadership exodus from Subnautica developer Unknown Worlds, in a move that casts fresh doubt on the prospects of Subnautica 2: which was scheduled to launch in early access this year, but is nowhere to be seen. Subnautica designer and director Charlie Cleveland, CEO Ted Gill, and co-founder Max McGuire have all left Unknown Worlds. Steve Papoutsis, formerly of Visceral Games and most recently CEO of Striking Distance Studios (The Callisto Protocol), is the new CEO of Unknown Worlds "effective immediately." The clipped corporate tones of the press release suggest some serious background tensions, but what is most notable is the timing: Subnautica 2 has been in development for at least four years and, in the window it should have been released, the studio's creative leadership has left instead. Subnautica 2: All the key details on the survival-crafting sequel's dive into the abyss 'We want you to be a part of it': Subnautica 2's Early Access is about to begin, and the devs want players to experience all the new vehicles, craftables, and leviathans first-hand Oil rig horror game Still Wakes the Deep is going underwater in a surprise story expansion that arrives next week "While Krafton sought to keep the Unknown Worlds' co-founders and original creators of the Subnautica series involved in the game's development, the company wishes them well on their next endeavors," says Krafton. As for Subnautica 2, it pointedly adds that Papoutsis "will bring renewed energy and momentum to delivering the long-anticipated Subnautica 2 experience to fans." Then there's this little backhand from the Krafton CEO, implying that Subnautica 2 will turn out to be a better game for this. "There is nothing more important than the gamer experience," said Krafton CEO Changhan Kim. "Given the anticipation around Subnautica 2, we owe our players nothing less than the best possible game, as soon as possible. We are thrilled Steve is joining us in our shared commitment at Krafton and Unknown Worlds to deliver Subnautica 2 as a more complete and satisfying entry in the series—one that truly lives up to player expectations." For his part Papoutsis at least manages some kind words for the departed: "We appreciate Ted, Charlie and Max for their past roles in having built this beloved world, and thank the fans for your devotion and patience." There are all sorts of odd phrases in the press release announcing this shake-up, but the telling one is probably that the new leadership will "prioritize development momentum." Krafton obviously wasn't happy with the pace and/or direction of Subnautica 2 under the studio's old leadership, and at one point outright says that Unknown Worlds wasn't hitting its internal metrics: "As part of its oversight, Krafton is committed to achieving regular milestones to assess progress across its creative studios. These reviews, based on clearly defined metrics and targets, will help ensure that games meet both creative and quality standards. This process is essential to delivering the right game at the right time." Then the kicker: "Unknown Worlds' new leadership fully supports this process and is committed to meeting player expectations." This is not the end for Unknown Worlds, obviously, but it is a rather sad moment in the studio's history. It was founded in May 2001 by Cleveland around developers involved in the Half-Life mod, Natural Selection, and developed the standalone sequel Natural Selection 2 before Subnautica became the studio's breakout hit. Krafton acquired the studio in 2021 and it was all smiles, with Cleveland saying at the time that "we’re truly looking forward to our future together." Subnautica fans will now be wondering what exactly that future looks like. https://www.pcgamer.com/games/subnautica-studio-leadership-gutted-by-krafton-which-outright-says-that-subnautica-2-needs-renewed-energy-and-momentum/

Ferrari Amalfi was unveiled on Tuesday as the latest two-door coupe from the Italian automotive company. It is built upon the Grand Tourer concept and is said to combine high performance with everyday versatility. The Ferrari Amalfi replaces the Roma in its lineup, and comes with the HMI (Human-Machine Interface) system featuring ADAS controls, adaptive cruise control, and voice-based commands. It is powered by a twin-turbo V8 engine which produces a maximum 640 horsepower and is mated with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Ferrari Amalfi Price, Availability The starting price of Ferrari Amalfi is set at EUR 240,000 (roughly Rs. 2.42 crore). At launch, the coupe is offered in a single Verde Costiera exterior and Verde Bellagio interior colour options. Ferrari Amalfi pre-orders have commenced at Ferrari dealers and deliveries will begin starting Q1 2026. US availability is expected three to six months later. Ferrari Amalfi: Features As per Ferrari, the new Amalfi coupe is equipped with the next-generation ADAS system. It is configurable via the instrument cluster and is integrated with the vehicle's electronic systems, including the front and rear radar, cameras, and control units. The ADAS suite offers features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning, and Lane Keeping Assist. Drivers can also take advantage of optional Surround View and Rear Cross Traffic Alert features for enhanced safety. ferrari amalfi 2 Ferrari Amalfi Ferrari Amalfi's launch configuration includes a Verde Bellagio interior colour option With the Ferrari Amalfi, the Italian automaker has renewed its HMI system and it is now built around three main screens. There's a 15.6-inch digital instrument cluster that provides information about driving and vehicle dynamics. At the centre of the dashboard is a 10.25-inch capacitive touchscreen which offers access to key functions such as multimedia controls, radio, screen mirroring, climate control, seat adjustment, and vehicle settings. The last is a 8.8-inch screen for the co-driver that displays G-force, engine revs, and other parameters. The vehicle's infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. It is also equipped with the MyFerrari Connect system through a dedicated app which offers remote monitoring of its status. There's also wireless charging integrated into the central tunnel. Ferrari Amalfi: Powertrain, Vehicle Dynamics Powering Ferrari's newest two-door coupe is a twin-turbo V8 engine derived from the Ferrari F154 family of engines, producing a maximum 640 horsepower at 7,500 rpm. Its redline has been raised to 7,600 rpm for delivering a continuously increasing power curve. The engine is mated with a eight-speed dual-clutch oil-bath transmission from the SF90 Stradale. Advertisement As per the company, the transmission features a more powerful control unit with improved integration with engine software. Ferrari has used technologies like dry-sump gearbox configuration, low-friction bevel gear, and clutch torque management strategies. ferrari amalfi spoiler Ferrari Amalfi The active rear spoiler on the Ferrari Amalfi Photo Credit: Ferrari Ferrari claims that the Amalfi can be propelled from 0-100 kmph in 3.3 seconds and from a standstill to 200 kmph in 9 seconds. It has a power-to-weight ratio of 2.29 kg per horsepower. The Ferrari Amalfi has a claimed top speed of 320 kmph. In terms of dimensions, the Ferrari Amalfi measures 4,660 x 1,974 x 1,301mm and has a 2,670mm wheelbase. Its dry weight stands at 1,470kg. It has a fuel capacity of 80 litres and a 273-litre boot space. The Italian automaker claims it has improved the vehicle dynamics with the introduction of brake-by-wire. It is said to improve the braking efficiency, reduce pedal travel, and enhance modulation even when ABS is engaged. Meanwhile, it has adopted the ABS Evo system that was most recently seen in the Ferrari 12Cilindri and improved it for optimal slip in all Ferrari Manettino modes. It also uses a grip estimation system based on EPS (Electric Power Steering) which is said to be 10 percent faster and accurate even on low-traction surfaces compared to the Ferrari 296 GTB. Then there's the rear active spoiler whose function is based on longitudinal and lateral acceleration. It automatically shifts to the high downforce configuration during high-speed cornering or hard braking scenarios to increase the stability as well as the rear aerodynamic downforce. Ferrari Amalfi: Interior The cabin of Ferrari Amalfi has a dual-cockpit layout, with the driver and co-driver seated in visually connected cells. The vehicle has a “2+” design, with two small seats also placed at the back. The company claims it has extensively used premium materials and integrated technological solutions. ferrari amalfi interior Ferrari Amalfi Interior cabin of the Ferrari Amalfi The vehicle's dashboard has a monolithic layout with the instrument cluster and air vents fused into a single block. The central tunnel houses the gear selector gate, key slot, wireless charging pad, and controls for secondary functions. Xiaomi YU7 Electric SUV Sale in China Begins at This Price Tesla's Robotaxi Peppered with Driving Mistakes in Texas Tests Tesla Rolls out Robotaxis in Texas Test Buyers can also choose optional comfort seats in three sizes. These are equipped with 10 air chambers which support massage function in five programmes and three intensity levels for both the front seats and backrest. There's also a Burmester Premium Audio System as an optional package which comprises 14 speakers with a total power of 1,200W.

According to a Windows Insider blog post, Microsoft is currently testing a deeper integration of 1Password’s passkey feature in Windows 11. Passkeys are more secure than passwords, allowing you to log in using a combination of something you have (like a smartphone) and something you are (like your face or fingerprint). Passkeys save you from having to remember lots of unique passwords and provide better protection against hackers. Microsoft is just one of many entities pushing for a passwordless future in favor of passkeys. The 1Password integration is simple. You just have to install 1Password Beta, then enable 1Password as a plugin credential manager via Settings > Passkeys > Advanced options, and also complete user verification with Windows Hello (face, fingerprint, or PIN). Afterwards, you can use 1Password’s passkeys with and through Windows 11. So far, the feature is limited to the preview version Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5670 (KB5060838) in the Dev Channel. It’s unknown when support will be released for all users, or when other password managers will receive similar integration. https://www.pcworld.com/article/2833438/you-can-use-1password-passkeys-directly-in-windows-11-soon.html

One company's trash can be another company's treasure—or at least that's what HP is hoping to convince its customers with a new "PCFax" service that uses telemetry, support requests, and "AI" to generate reports about a laptop's history. And if your first thought was "gee, that sounds a lot like CarFax," you're on the same wavelength as the folks at HP who designed this service. Congratulations, or I'm sorry. Whichever. "When buying a used car, dealerships and individual buyers can access each car’s particular CarFax report, detailing the vehicle’s usage and maintenance history," a quartet of HP employees said in a piece for IEEE Spectrum. "Armed with this information, dealerships can perform the necessary fixes or upgrades before reselling the car. And individuals can decide whether to trust that vehicle’s performance. We at HP realized that, to prevent unnecessary e-waste, we need to collect and make available usage and maintenance data for each laptop, like a CarFax for used PCs." Some of the data used to generate these reports will be sourced from the Endpoint Security Controller built into some of HP's enterprise products to collect information from "thermal sensors that monitor CPU temperature, power-consumption monitors that track energy efficiency, storage health indicators that assess solid state drive (SSD) wear levels, performance counters that measure system utilization, fan-rotation-speed sensors that detect cooling efficiency, and more." This data is then stored on a dedicated portion of the system's storage and is supposedly tamper-proof. Latest Videos From Tom's Hardware You may like Panazonic ToughPad FZ-A2 gets modded ChatGPT used to disable SecureBoot in locked-down device – modded BIOS reflash facilitated fresh Windows and Linux installs PC Sales PC manufacturers race ahead of tariffs with rush shipments, Q1 market share booms as a result tiny smartphone data center prototype Researchers convert old phones into 'tiny data centers' A brief aside: HP introduced the Endpoint Security Controller in 2019. It didn't attract much coverage then, which isn't necessarily surprising for something as decidedly uncool as a firmware- and hardware-level snitch that gathers as much information as possible for HP's enterprise customers. But I do find it somewhat telling that several pages of search results for "Endpoint Security Controller" are filled almost entirely with complaints on HP and Microsoft's support forums related to unexpected boot failures caused by an obscure issue with the controller itself, the host BIOS, or something else. Anyway. HP said the PCFax reports would also include "information from HP’s factory and supply-chain records, digital-services platforms, customer-support service records, [and] diagnostic logs" as well as "data from external sources including partner sales and service records, refurbishment partner databases, third-party component manufacturers like Intel, and other original equipment manufacturers." All of that data will then be combined to help prospective buyers tell if a given system is junk or not. (Presumably so those customers would then return to HP for more systems later.) That would require some amount of critical thinking, however, so HP also plans to pipe all this data into some kind of AI model that will "analyze historical telemetry data and predict failures before they happen, such as detecting increasing SSD write cycles to forecast impending failure and alert IT teams for proactive replacement, or predicting battery degradation and automatically generating a service ticket to ensure a replacement battery is ready before failure, minimizing downtime." Sounds interesting enough—provided the model is a reliable source rather than just a robotic salesperson. Maybe that's just the cynical take. Either way, there's no denying that companies are finally responding to the absurd amounts of e-waste their product cycles generate, whether that's by reclaiming minerals from used products, finding ways to safely recycle them, or designing them to be upgraded without requiring someone to throw out the proverbial baby with the contaminated bathwater. There's a chance PCFax (or something like it) will complement those efforts by convincing HP's customers that a three-year-old laptop doesn't need to be thrown away for no reason. https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/manufacturing/hp-unveils-carfax-for-pcs-that-could-make-buying-older-laptops-more-viable-telemetry-support-requests-and-ai-will-generate-a-laptops-history-to-reduce-e-waste

APPLE VALLEY, Minn. — An endangered wild Asian horse foal is thriving thanks to an unlikely hero. Marat, a Przewalski's horse, fell critically ill soon after his birth at the Minnesota Zoo nearly two months ago. He survived thanks to intensive care, but his mother rejected him when he returned. His future looked grim until Alice, a domestic Pony of the Americas who'd recently lost her newborn, accepted him as her own. Veterinarians say this is one of the first times this kind of surrogacy has been tried with Asian wild horses, and his caregivers couldn't be happier. Zoo staffers picked the name Marat because it means "one who is brave," and he's had to be brave from such a young age. Przewalski's are considered the only remaining truly wild horse species. They were declared extinct in the wild in the 1960s, with just a few surviving in zoos. But they've since been reestablished on the steppes of Mongolia and China, with some in Russia and Ukraine. Since fewer than 2,000 exist today, each foal is critical to the species' survival. "Being one of the true wild horses left in the world, behaviorally, they are a little bit different," said Kurt Heizmann, the zoo's director of animal care. They've never been truly domesticated, and they're shorter and stockier than familiar breeds, he said. Marat was born with some limb problems that made it hard for him to stand up straight, said Dr. Annie Rivas, the zoo's director of animal health. "And because he was struggling to keep up with Mom in the herd, he was spending a lot of time lying down on the ground and unfortunately developed bacterial sepsis. So he was very, very sick," Rivas said. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/animal-news/rejected-mother-rare-wild-asian-horse-foal-finds-new-mom-grieving-dome-rcna216128

\ Manchester City are heading home from the Club World Cup after a shock defeat by Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in the last 16 in the United States. The squad are scheduled to fly back to Manchester on Tuesday night, bringing to an abrupt end a tournament which promised so much but instead delivered a stunning upset. "We have been on an incredible journey together and were in a good place. The vibe was really good," manager Pep Guardiola told BBC Sport. "But we go home and now it is time to rest - rest our minds for the new season." Was it a worthwhile experience for Guardiola's squad or an unwanted extension to an already long season? And what happens next for City? Al-Hilal 'climb Everest' - but 'worrying signs' for Man City https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/clynqpvg783t#Report What did Guardiola learn from trip? The sunny climes of City's Florida base appeared to refresh and rejuvenate a side that was so disappointing this season - but on Monday night their Club World Cup hopes fell apart. The new signings all played a significant part in the tournament and it was evident that Dutchman Tijjani Reijnders will bring much-needed energy and enthusiasm to the midfield. France international Rayan Cherki got off the mark in the group stages and provided a glorious assist for Phil Foden's extra-time goal against Al-Hilal, but there are major concerns at the other end of the pitch. While Algerian full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri's attacking ability is undoubted, there are question marks over his defensive capabilities, having been caught out on occasion against the Saudi side. Matheus Nunes is a midfielder playing at right-back and though City managed to paper over it during the group stages, the square peg in a round hole was glaringly obvious once up against decent opposition. Sources had not ruled out the signing of a new right-back before the tournament and it remains to be seen whether the club make a move for one. Guardiola also needs to address the lack of pace in the heart of the defence, with the two central defenders looking particularly sluggish when attempting to chase back the speedy Al-Hilal forwards. The Spanish boss has made it clear he needs to trim his squad heading into the new season and there may be question marks over the future of England international John Stones, who was the only outfield player not to see any minutes on the trip. Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether midfielder Rodri, who missed most of the season through injury, has suffered a setback. Guardiola said he "complained about his situation" having come on as a second-half substitute before being taken off in extra-time. How much did City make? The Club World Cup has been a lucrative outing for all those involved, that is despite City missing out on extra prize money with their last-16 exit. City earned the most in the group stage because they were the only side to win all three matches, and will depart the US having banked approximately £37.8m. That includes almost £1.5m per win and a participation fee, believed to be £27.9m, which Fifa bases on "sporting and commercial criteria". If Guardiola's team had reached the quarter-finals they would have earned an additional £9.5m in prize money, with that total rising to an extra £53.8m had they gone on to lift the trophy. City paid £31m for Wolves left-back Ait-Nouri, who assisted a goal in their 5-2 win over Juventus, and £30.5m for Lyon forward Cherki, who scored in the 6-0 win over Al Ain, so have already paid off one of those transfers. Chelsea are now the only remaining Premier League club in the competition. They surpassed £40m in prize money following their win against Benfica in the last 16. Time for a rest? If there's any solace for Manchester City, it is that the squad now has a chance to recharge before the new season. The 61 games played by City since August equals their most in a season since Guardiola became manager in 2016. Only three top-flight clubs in Europe have played more often over the past 11 months, albeit Chelsea will also overtake City this weekend. Chelsea had the luxury of fielding vastly different line-ups in the 2024-25 Conference League compared to domestically. Manchester City, with a smaller squad, have four of the 15 outfield players currently with Premier League clubs to have played more than 100 games over the past two seasons. They are new signing Tijjani Reijnders (107), Ilkay Gundogan (105), Phil Foden (102) and Bernardo Silva (101). In addition, that quartet were regular starters for their country at Euro 2024 and, with the exception of former Germany midfielder Gundogan, continue to play international football. Meanwhile, only two outfield players in Europe's major leagues can top the 4,861 minutes racked up by City's recent signing Reijnders for AC Milan last season, while Josko Gvardiol, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland all rank in the top 13 among Premier League players. Defeat by Al-Hilal brought to an end a season which began 325 days ago with the Community Shield against Manchester United on 10 August. City lost 17 games in all competitions, which is at least five more than in any other season since Guardiola's appointment and the club's highest total since 2008-09. While City scored 130 goals in 61 fixtures, the defensive lapses exposed in their Club World Cup exit have become increasingly common. They conceded 78 times this term, comfortably their worst record under Guardiola. That is 32 more than they shipped in the Treble-winning campaign of 2022-23, when they played the same number of matches. When will City start pre-season? City players will head off on holiday for about four weeks before reporting back to the club for the start of pre-season. Having spent three weeks in the USA, it remains to be seen what plans are put in place for friendly matches before the new campaign. Will they keep it light by playing domestic opposition at City Football Academy? Could they head off to somewhere in Europe for a short trip? One thing is for sure, City will return to Premier League action at Wolves on Saturday, 16 August (17:30 BST). https://sports.yahoo.com/article/now-man-city-club-world-154346468.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAAQhfOC7uMxYzEFOXL16TLBigaPDWTjqE41vwYpmUvyfyiLEbOvdspGkwn8Bs6WmXlIx7xpxg_U8S2BIA7rMZ-9AOM408MMs7X-nCHnlNNYU8ozFCeP8pDGJzaetgws94yRkvESRvml6g1AdznJnZDqPd-j9qkorFsX4SwMCoZOX

High fibre, low levels of red meat, no smoking, keeping a normal weight, and regular exercise; all are key to avoiding diverticulitis - when ‘pouches’ develop along the gut and become inflamed or infected in the wall of the large intestine (colon) - say US researchers. Additionally, they say these five components also appear to offset the effects of inheriting the condition through your genetics. To work this out, the researchers looked into the survey results from nearly 180,000 people from three different studies, and rated their responses on a 0-5 scale for what they called a 'healthy lifestyle score', based on the above five components. The team found that every 1-point increase in a person's healthy lifestyle score was linked with a 12% lower risk of diverticulitis. Participants with a score of 5 were 50% less likely to be diagnosed with the condition than those with a score of 0, they say. Journal/conference: Gut Research: Paper Organisation/s: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA Funder: National Institutes of Health (NIH) and American Gastroenterological Association. Media release From: BMJ Group Healthy lifestyle linked to lower diverticulitis risk, irrespective of genetic susceptibility High fibre, low red meat diet, no smoking, regular exercise, normal weight, all key Maintaining a healthy lifestyle—specifically, a diet rich in fibre but light on red/processed meat, regular exercise, not smoking, and sticking to a normal weight—is linked to a significantly lower risk of diverticulitis, finds a large long term study, published online in the journal Gut. What’s more, these 5 components seem to offset the effects of inherited genes, the findings indicate. Diverticulitis occurs when ‘pouches’ develop along the gut and become inflamed or infected in the wall of the large intestine (colon), explain the researchers. It’s a common cause of hospital admissions and a major reason for emergency colon surgery, they add. Genetic and environmental factors, including lifestyle, contribute to the development of the condition, but it’s not clear exactly how these factors interact or the extent to which lifestyle might offset the genetic risk, they say. To shed more light on this, the researchers derived an overall healthy lifestyle score (0-5) for diverticulitis from survey responses for 179,564 participants drawn from three prospective studies: the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS), NHSII, and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. The score was based on 5 elements that have independently been associated with heightened risks of developing diverticulitis: smoking; weight (BMI); physical activity; fibre intake; and red/processed meat intake. The association between this score and incident diverticulitis was confirmed among 30,750 participants in the Southern Community Cohort Study (SCCS). Genetic risk was assessed using a polygenic risk score (PRS) in 36,077 people with available genotype information. During a monitoring period of 20 years, 10,299 new cases of diverticulitis were recorded. The 5 lifestyle factors were each significantly associated with the development of the condition. For example, compared with participants with a BMI below 25, those who were overweight were 32% more likely to develop diverticulitis, while those who were obese were 44% more likely to do so. Participants who had formerly or who were still smoking were, respectively, 17% and 13% more likely to be diagnosed with diverticulitis than those who had never smoked. And higher levels of physical activity were associated with a 16% reduced risk compared with lower levels. While higher fibre intake was associated with a 14% lower risk, higher red meat intake was associated with a 9% increased risk. And every 1-point increase in healthy lifestyle score was associated with a 12% lower risk of diverticulitis. Participants with a score of 5 were 50% less likely to be diagnosed with the condition than those with a score of 0. The findings were consistently observed across all three studies and in different racial groups. The association between healthy lifestyle score and incident diverticulitis was confirmed among 30,750 participants in the Southern Community Cohort Study (SCCS). Some 2183 new cases of diverticulitis were reported during an average monitoring period of nearly 12 years in this group. Those with a healthy lifestyle score of 3–5 had a substantially lower risk (31%) than those with a score of 0. Genetic risk was assessed using a polygenic (cumulative) risk score (PRS) in 36,077 people with available genotype information in the NHS, NHSII, and HPFS groups. There were no notable differences in lifestyle factors across PRS categories, but PRS was significantly associated with incident diverticulitis. For each unit increase in PRS, the risk increased by 58%, and was particularly evident among those under the age of 60. And a healthy lifestyle seemed to offset genetic susceptibility to the condition. For example, those in the lowest PRS category and with a healthy lifestyle score of 4-5 were 37% less likely to develop diverticulitis compared to those with a score of 0. Similarly, those with a medium PRS were 48% less likely to do so, while those in the highest PRS category were 50% less likely to do so. Further analysis showed that adopting a healthy lifestyle might prevent 23–42% of diverticulitis cases across PRS categories. And when the effect of PRS and a healthy lifestyle score were combined, those in the highest PRS category with a healthy lifestyle score of 0 or 1 were 5 times more likely to develop diverticulitis than those in the lowest PRS category with a score of 4 or 5. The findings were further validated in the Mass General Brigham Biobank (MGBB). This is an observational study, and as such, can’t establish cause. And the researchers acknowledge that ascertainment of diverticulitis was based on different approaches across the different studies. Nevertheless, they conclude: “Our data provide consistent evidence from multiple data sets indicating that adherence to a healthy lifestyle is linked to a reduced risk of developing diverticulitis, irrespective of one’s genetic predisposition.” https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/healthy-lifestyles-linked-to-avoiding-common-gut-problem-for-over-50s

July 2 (Reuters) - The U.S. bombing of Iran's key Fordow nuclear site has "seriously and heavily damaged" the facility, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in an interview with CBS News, opens new tab. "No one exactly knows what has transpired in Fordow. That being said, what we know so far is that the facilities have been seriously and heavily damaged," Araqchi said in the interview broadcast on Tuesday. The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here. "The Atomic Energy Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran... is currently undertaking evaluation and assessment, the report of which will be submitted to the government." Advertisement · Scroll to continue Intercepted Iranian communications downplayed the extent of damage caused by U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear program, the Washington Post reported on Sunday, citing four people familiar with classified intelligence circulating within the U.S. government. President Donald Trump has said the strikes "completely and totally obliterated" Iran's nuclear program, but U.S. officials acknowledge it will take time to form a complete assessment of the damage caused by the U.S. military strikes last weekend. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-bombing-seriously-damaged-irans-fordow-nuclear-site-fm-says-2025-07-02/

Back during the hype cycle for Fallout 3, a common refrain of skeptics was that Bethesda had simply made 'Oblivion with guns'—in effect creating some kind of total overhaul mod for The Elder Scrolls 4 that subtracted the spellcrafting and added in shotguns. Sadly, what we actually got was a game about chasing Liam Neeson through 4,000 subway stations. But what could have been, eh? But great ideas never die, they just go on the shelf. That's presumably why an Oblivion Remastered modder named CosmicBoogaloo has created the aptly named Glock mod for Oblivion Remastered. It boasts that it is the "first functional gun in Oblivion Remastered," and boy, functional sure is one word for it. See below for a video of our hero blasting his way through an Oblivion Tower like it's Hard Boiled.I continue to be very impressed by what modders can jury-rig together in Oblivion Remastered even absent an official modding toolkit. This one works, as you might have guessed, by contorting the game's archery system into an unholy new shape. Glock is built atop another mod called Slick Archery, from a creator named Dicene, that lets you muck about with the time each phase of the bow-shooting process takes. So Glock simply sets that time to 0 seconds—an instant maximum-draw-and-fire—and swaps out a bow model for a gun. Shuffle in the right sound effects, bullets in place of arrows and a gun holster to serve as a quiver, and you've successfully created the adventures of John Oblivion, cop on the edge. I'm no modder, but even I know Oblivion Remastered is a strange franken-thing of a game: the original Gamebryo gem wrapped in a thick, luscious layer of Unreal Engine 5, so I imagine pulling this stuff off is a lot of experimentation and trial and error. Plus, of course, a lot of pooled community knowledge: getting your Glock on in Oblivion Remastered requires a whole bunch of prerequisite mods to get everything working. You'll need UE4SS for ObRem, the UE4SS TesSyncMapInjector, and Runtime EditorIDs for the game's console to get it all going. There are also recommended mods to make it run nicer: NL_Tag Remover, Auto-Hide Gear, and Returning Arrows (that one means you won't have to scour the ground for your literal bullets to pick them back up once fired). And then? Oblivion (Remastered) with guns, just like we dreamt back in 2006. https://www.pcgamer.com/games/the-elder-scrolls/oblivion-remastered-with-guns-becomes-reality-as-modder-jury-rigs-a-literal-glock-into-the-game-and-shoots-up-an-oblivion-tower-with-it/

Oppo Pad SE was unveiled in select global markets in May and the company has now confirmed that the tablet will be coming to India alongside the Oppo Reno 14 5G series. The key features and colour options of the tablet have been revealed as well. The Indian variant will have similar specifications to its global counterpart. It will sport an 11-inch LCD Eye-Care display and a 9,340mAh battery. The Oppo Pad SE will be offered in two colour options. Oppo Pad SE India Launch The Oppo Pad SE will launch in India on July 3 at 12pm IST alongside the Oppo Reno 14 5G series of smartphones, the company revealed in a press release. The tablet will be sold in Starlight Silver and Twilight Blue colour options with a dual-tone finish. Oppo revealed some key features of the Indian variant of the Pad SE. It appears to be similar to the global variant and will pack a 9,340mAh battery with 33W SuperVOOC charging support. It will include a Smart Power Saving Mode that helps conserve energy by automatically shutting down after seven days of inactivity and is said to enable up to 800 days of standby time. It is also said to offer a 36-month Fluency Protection certification. The Indian variant of the Oppo Pad SE will get an 11-inch LCD Eye-Care display with a 16:10 aspect ratio and up to 500 nits brightness level. The screen gets two TÜV Rheinland certifications for Low Blue Light and Flicker-Free performance. The global variant of the Oppo Pad SE is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity G100 chipset and runs on Android 15-based ColorOS 15.0.1. It features a 5-megapixel camera on both the front and rear. The tablet supports Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi, and USB Type-C connectivity. In China, the 6GB + 128GB option of the Oppo Pad SE is priced at CNY 899 (roughly Rs. 11,000). The 8GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB variants are marked at CNY 1,099 (roughly Rs. 13,000) and CNY 1,299 (roughly Rs. 15,500), respectively. https://www.gadgets360.com/tablets/news/oppo-pad-se-india-launch-date-colour-options-features-8806665

A new pop-up from Meta is causing a stir. Facebook users who want to upload stories are prompted to share their photos for “cloud processing,” reports The Verge. But this also allows Meta AI to access images from their smartphones, even ones that haven’t been published to Facebook. This raises questions about data privacy. By agreeing to “cloud processing,” you enable Meta AI to analyze your private photos. Users who activate the feature can have their photos used for collages, photo themes, or AI-generated edits. However, this gives Meta access to all images in the smartphone’s storage. The feature is currently being tested and rolling out in Meta’s apps. Users must actively agree to use it. However, the idea of Meta AI being able to view private photos is dubious at best. On platforms such as X and Reddit, users are expressing concerns that Meta could use the photos to train its AI models, despite promises to the contrary. Meta doesn’t rule out use for training AI Meta has clarified to The Verge that the photos are not currently being used to train AI models. However, there was no clear answer to questions as to whether this is ruled out in the future. A Meta spokesperson pointed out that the feature is voluntary and that users are informed exactly what data is being used. Nevertheless, the concern remains that the unclear communication and far-reaching access rights could undermine user trust. To protect themselves, users should scrutinize the feature critically before activating it. If you have any concerns, you can deactivate the “cloud processing” option in Facebook’s app settings. It’s also advisable to only upload photos that you absolutely want to share, and to regularly check the app’s permissions. https://www.pcworld.com/article/2832195/turn-off-this-feature-facebook-wants-the-private-photos-on-your-phone.html

Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has issued an apology during the company’s 85th Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, acknowledging that initial demand for the Switch 2 “greatly exceeded expectations.” The long-awaited console arrived on store shelves early in June, smashing the original Nintendo Switch’s sales record by almost a million copies. Although it seems that the U.S. and the U.K. did not face any supply issues during the launch, other markets — most notably Japan — aren’t as lucky. According to Nintendo Life, one shareholder even asked Furukawa about the reason for the shortage because of how severe the problem seemed to be. “Currently, demand for the Switch 2 is outpacing supply in many countries, and we’re unable to fully meet it. We understand that even some of our shareholders have not been able to obtain one. Starting in April, we accepted lottery-based purchases through the My Nintendo Store. The number of applicants greatly exceeded our expectations, with 2.2 million entries — a figure I publicly announced in my name along with an apology,” Furukawa said during the meeting [machine translated]. “Since then, we’ve held four rounds of lottery sales, but there are still many who weren’t selected. We’ve announced a fifth round starting in July. Many major retail stores have also resorted to lottery-based sales,” he added. “Gradually, more locations are beginning to offer direct in-store sales as well. As a company, we are working to strengthen our production system so we can deliver as many units as possible to our customers. We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the initial demand far exceeding our forecasts.” The company apparently prioritized the U.S. and Europe, which are its largest markets. According to Statista, Japan only ranks third in the company’s global revenue, so it makes sense for Nintendo to stock up in countries where it will make the most sales. But even though gamers in those areas can easily buy a Switch 2, they did not escape from a few hiccups, including a few units that showed signs of tampering and staples puncturing screens after store employees staple the receipt to the box. Despite those issues, the Switch 2 is one of the more successful global launches in recent history. While some regions did not escape shortages, this is unlike the arrival of Nvidia’s RTX 40-series and 50-series GPUs and the PlayStation 5, which all suffered from a lack of supply, leading to artificially increased prices and the proliferation of scalpers. So, if you’re in the U.S. and the U.K., you don’t have to worry about getting stiffed when buying the latest Nintendo gaming console — you can easily get one as long as you know where to buy the Switch 2. https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/nintendo/nintendo-president-apologizes-for-switch-2-shortage-says-demand-greatly-exceeded-expectations

Reports of animal cruelty rose by a third across England and Wales last summer, according to figures shared exclusively with the BBC. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) received 34,401 cruelty reports between June and August 2024, up from 25,887 in the same period the year before. The charity said longer days meant more people were outdoors and likely to witness cruelty, contributing to the spike in reports it usually sees in the summer months. The government said it was committed to upholding the highest animal welfare standards and "all cases of animal cruelty are unacceptable". Warning: This story contains descriptions of animal cruelty On average, the RSPCA received 374 reports of animal cruelty every day in June to August 2024. It received 88,770 reports of cruelty across the whole year in 2023, which rose to 105,250 in 2024 - up 19% compared to 33% when looking at summer months alone. Amanda Hunt, 45, from Nottingham, knew straight away that rescue dog Bernie was going to be the one for her family. "He looked like a bear," she said. "He had big fat paws. He was really young. "I knew he'd come from a difficult background and we were up for the challenge of making sure that we could ensure that he had the life he deserved." At 11 months old, Bernie had been rushed to an animal hospital. He was struggling to stand, had a bloodshot eye and a bruise to his head. X-rays showed he had fractures to his cheek and multiple historic broken ribs, and had sustained bone fractures on at least three separate occasions. RSPCA A woman with straight blonde hair and a denim shirt sits on a sofa, smiling down at a bulldog perched to the left who looks at the camera. A cushion saying 'Piccadilly Circus' is behind him.RSPCA Amanda has had Bernie for about eight months The charity said Bernie's injuries had been consistent with his previous owner punching him a number of times for at least 10 minutes. Cats highlighted in RSPCA summertime cruelty study Reports of summer animal cruelty up in South East The man was prosecuted by the RSPCA and banned from keeping all animals for life. He was sentenced to 12 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to carry out unpaid work as well as being fined. Amanda said: "It's devastating because you can't comprehend that a human being could do something so awful to an animal. All he wants is to be to be loved." Family handout Close-up of the face of a brown and black bulldog standing with bloodshot eyes. Family handout Bernie was rescued by the RSPCA after being beaten by his previous owner After recovering in foster care, Bernie became "the heart" of Amanda's family but it took time for him to overcome his fear of men. "He'll put his paw out to you and you'll have to roll him over," Amanda said. "You have to hold him like a baby and scratch his tummy - he is like a baby bear in your arms and he loves all the kisses and cuddles. "He just wants to be with you all the time, he's like my little shadow." Ian Briggs, chief inspector for the RSPCA, said summer should be a season of joy for animals but there was a side to it that many people did not see. "For thousands of animals, it's a season of pain, fear and suffering, when cruelty peaks," he said. Cara Gibbon, 32, from Birmingham is the RSPCA officer who helped with Bernie's rescue. She believes the pandemic has played a part in the overall rise in cruelty reports. She said: "People were home more, they were bored, they were getting animals and now that everyone's kind of gone back to work, they don't know what to do with them. So we are seeing more animals being abandoned and more animals being at risk of cruelty." A woman with tied back blonde hair and blue eyes smiles at the camera, wearing a blue T-shirt. She is holding a terrier puppy to her left, who wears a neon harness that says '3 peaks'. The dog looks at the camera. They are standing on patches of grass with trees behind them and a green metal fence to the left. Sunlight is dappled through the shadows of trees behind them. Cara Gibbon from the RSPCA helps to look after animals that have had difficult starts in life Dr Rowena Packer, senior lecturer at the Royal Veterinary College, raised concerns that some inexperienced owners struggled with additional pressures in the summer, such as having children and dogs at home together. Her research suggests dogs bought in the pandemic have higher rates of problem behaviours, with new owners more likely to use aversive training methods. She warned against using techniques learnt "via the uncontrolled world of social media", adding that professional help may feel out of reach to those struggling financially. "Owners are becoming less likely to seek veterinary care in an appropriate time frame, which is a challenge because some problems can exacerbate quite rapidly," she said. She advised that "many major animal welfare charities have free behaviour hotlines or free behavioural advice". A spokesperson from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs said the government was committed to upholding the highest animal welfare standards. They said: "All cases of animal cruelty are unacceptable and should be investigated thoroughly. Offenders can face a maximum sentence of five years' imprisonment and an unlimited fine if found guilty." https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyrnlj5632o