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GameStop Customer Trades Hundreds of Broken Consoles for Over $10,000 in Store Credit
A GameStop customer in Clackamas, Oregon, traded in hundreds of broken gaming consoles, including PlayStations, Xboxes, and Game Boys, receiving $10,690.06 in store credit. This event highlights GameStop's trade-in program, where store credit offers a higher value than cash for used or broken electronics.
South Korean Investors Increase U.S. Market Exposure, Including Leveraged Products
South Korean retail investors are increasing their net purchases in U.S. markets, including U.S.-listed depositary receipts of Korean companies and leveraged ETFs, while net selling domestic stocks. This trend indicates a shift in investment location rather than a change in thematic bets, with some experts noting potential speculative excess.
ABC News launches "Searched," a livestreamed show based on trending web and social topics
ABC News officially launched "Searched," a new livestreamed news program that focuses on stories trending on social media and web searches. This initiative responds to declining traditional broadcast viewership and increasing news consumption via social media platforms.
Supreme Court Rejects Verizon's $47 Million FCC Fine Refund Bid
The Supreme Court denied Verizon's petition to refund a $47 million fine from the FCC, effectively ending Verizon's legal challenge to the penalty. This decision follows an earlier Supreme Court ruling that the FCC's penalty process does not violate the Seventh Amendment, though AT&T and T-Mobile continue to challenge similar fines on different grounds.
High School Students Awarded IEEE Presidents’ Scholarships for Disability-Assisting Inventions
Three high school students received IEEE Presidents’ Scholarships for their inventions designed to assist people with disabilities. These projects, showcased at Regeneron’s International Science and Engineering Fair, include a wheelchair navigation system, a mind-controlled exoskeleton, and a rough-terrain robot, highlighting innovation in assistive technologies.
Feedly attributes weeklong slowdown to bug amid user complaints and AI pivot concerns
Feedly, a major RSS reader, has experienced a weeklong slowdown in its web app, leading to user complaints about usability and ignored support requests. The company's CEO attributed the issues to a bug and stated that fixing basic RSS functionality remains a priority despite its pivot to AI-driven threat intelligence.
Technology journalist Darryl K. Taft dies at 67
Darryl K. Taft, a technology journalist who covered development, cloud computing, AI, DevOps, and open source for over 40 years, died on August 3, 2026, at the age of 67. Taft worked at publications including eWEEK, TechTarget, and The New Stack, where he served as news editor.
Research identifies only known trebuchet casualty in history from medieval siege remains
Paleopathologist Jo Buckberry presented research identifying a skeleton, dubbed Skeleton 150, as the only known trebuchet casualty in history. The individual died during a medieval siege at Stirling Castle from a single, crushing impact by a heavy, fast-moving object, consistent with a trebuchet projectile.
Hong Kong PC Retailer Accuses Senior Staff of Running Rival Shop with Stolen Inventory
Future Technology, a PC retailer in Hong Kong, has accused two senior employees of stealing company stock for approximately a year and reselling it through a secret online store called Point Connect. The retailer has referred the case to Hong Kong police and the ICAC, with Point Connect denying the allegations and threatening legal action.
German Consumer Group Warns Against Epicooler 'Air Conditioners' as Scam
Stiftung Warentest, a German consumer organization, has labeled Epicooler's "air conditioners" as a scam, reporting that the devices are essentially PC fans with heating elements and do not cool rooms. This warning is significant because it exposes a deceptive marketing practice targeting consumers seeking affordable cooling solutions during hot weather.
Desktopcolors.com Launches as a Museum for Classic OS Solid Background Colors
Desktopcolors.com has launched, archiving solid background colors from classic operating systems like Windows 95, Mac OS 8, and Amiga Workbench. This resource provides a historical reference for the visual design of early computing environments.
St. Lucie Nuclear Reactor Unit 1 Manually Shut Down After Control Rod Drop
Unit 1 at the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant was manually shut down after three control rods dropped into the reactor core while operating at 100% power. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) classified this event as a non-emergency, and the plant was stabilized in Hot Standby mode.
US Credit Card Debt Nears Record High at $1.26 Trillion in Q2
Americans' credit card debt increased by $21 billion in the second quarter, reaching $1.26 trillion, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. This figure is just below the all-time record of $1.28 trillion set in late 2022, driven by strong consumer spending and rising prices for essentials. The rise in debt indicates potential financial strain for many households, with a notable increase in delinquency rates for balances over 90 days past due.
The Wow! Signal: A Strong Narrowband Radio Detection from 1977 Remains Unexplained
On August 15, 1977, Ohio State University's Big Ear radio telescope detected a strong, narrowband radio signal from the constellation Sagittarius, which was later named the "Wow! signal." Despite its characteristics suggesting an extraterrestrial origin, the signal has never recurred, and its source remains unidentified, limiting definitive conclusions about its nature.
Cornell Threatens to Cut Funding for Pro-Palestine Students Facing Deportation
Cornell University is requiring two graduate students, Momodou Taal and Amandla Thomas-Johnson, to return to the U.S. for on-campus teaching or lose their funding, despite their concerns about potential immigration detention due to past pro-Palestine protest activities. This decision reverses a previous understanding that allowed them to continue their studies abroad with funding, raising questions about the university's support for students facing visa and immigration challenges.
Satellite Images Show Europe's Landscapes Scorched by Summer Heatwaves
Satellite images reveal the impact of recent heatwaves on Western Europe, showing shrunken glaciers, scorched land from wildfires, arid fields, and lower river levels. This visual evidence confirms the region experienced its hottest June-to-July period on record, with climate change contributing to more intense hot spells.
First At-Home Test for Infected Ticks Could Improve Lyme Disease Diagnosis
A new at-home test for infected ticks is being developed to help identify Lyme disease earlier. This development could improve early diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease, which is critical for preventing long-term complications.
EEG Recordings Suggest Brain Prioritizes Internal Sensory Information During REM Sleep
A Swiss study using EEG recordings found that during REM sleep, the brain reduces processing of external sensory input while maintaining or enhancing internal bodily signals. This research provides a partial explanation for how the brain reorganizes sensory information processing as consciousness shifts from wakefulness to REM sleep.
Artist Justin Blinder creates 'Ground Truth' device that alters bike resistance based on housing affordability
Artist Justin Blinder developed "Ground Truth," a device that attaches to a bicycle and adjusts pedaling difficulty based on the housing affordability of the rider's current location. The device makes cycling harder in areas with higher housing costs, aiming to physically represent economic inequalities. This project translates abstract economic data into a tangible, physical experience for the rider.
Apple Removes Controversial iPhone Billboard in Milan After Watchdog Criticism
Apple removed a billboard in Milan featuring a toddler holding an iPhone after Italy's children's rights watchdog, AGIA, criticized it for normalizing "electronic babysitting." The ad was part of Apple's "Relax, it's iPhone" campaign, which highlights device durability.
Texas Man Arrested for Saying "Bullshit" at County Meeting
A Texas radio host and activist was arrested for "tumultuous behavior" after using the word "bullshit" at a Tarrant County Commissioner's Court meeting. The arrest occurred a week after the incident, stemming from his comments regarding proposed polling center reductions.
US cancer surgery wait times increased for six cancer types between 2012 and 2023
A new study found that wait times for cancer surgeries in the US have consistently increased over the last decade for six common cancer types. This trend indicates a worsening aspect of cancer care despite advancements in treatment and outcomes.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Adds Free Apple TV or Apple One Credit
Chase has added new benefits to its Sapphire Preferred credit card, offering cardholders a free year of Apple TV or a monthly credit towards Apple One. This change makes premium Apple services more accessible to users of the Sapphire Preferred card, which has a lower annual fee than the Sapphire Reserve card.
Cisco shares drop 9% despite exceeding Q4 earnings and Q1 revenue guidance
Cisco's stock fell 9% after its Q4 earnings and Q1 revenue guidance surpassed analyst expectations. Wall Street analysts expressed concerns about the company's conservative guidance and potential peak growth, despite strong performance driven by AI infrastructure orders.
Apple to reopen redesigned Oracle store in Reading, UK, as Basingstoke store closes
Apple is reopening its Oracle Shopping Centre store in Reading, UK, in December with a new design, while its Festival Place store in Basingstoke will close in November. This change is part of Apple's ongoing strategy to update its retail locations globally, offering customers updated facilities and services.
San Francisco Bay Area Estate Sells for $70M to AI Industry Buyer, Setting Local Record
A luxury estate in Hillsborough, south of San Francisco, sold for $70 million to an unnamed buyer from the AI industry, marking the most expensive sale in the town's history and northern California this year. This transaction highlights a growing trend of increased real estate activity and rising prices in Silicon Valley, driven by new wealth generated within the artificial intelligence sector.
Apple hires American Airlines executive Nate Gatten as VP of Government Affairs
Apple appointed Nate Gatten, formerly of American Airlines, as its new Vice President of Government Affairs, effective August 31. This hire fills a key leadership role following previous transitions and aims to align with current political administrations.
Bike Bureau Launches App for Reporting Bike Lane Obstructions
Bike Bureau released an application that allows users to report obstructions in bike lanes by taking a photo, which automatically captures location and license plate data. The app anonymizes data and compiles reports into a public map to support advocacy for improved bike infrastructure and enforcement.
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang Ranks No. 1 on Glassdoor's 2026 Best CEOs List
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang has been ranked No. 1 on Glassdoor's 2026 Best CEOs list, with 99% employee approval. This recognition highlights leadership's impact on employee experience and company reputation, especially as Glassdoor reintroduced the list after a five-year hiatus.
Lab-Made Alternative Developed for Horseshoe Crab Blood in Medical Testing
Scientists have developed a lab-made alternative to horseshoe crab blood, which has been used for decades to test medicines and medical devices for bacterial contamination. This development addresses concerns about the declining horseshoe crab population, which is impacted by the biomedical industry's demand for their blood.
IEEE Summit Supports Bhutan's Digital Transformation and Engineering Education
IEEE collaborated with the government of Bhutan to host an Engineering Education, Research, and Innovation Summit in Paro. The event focused on aligning engineering education with digital transformation and sustainable development in Bhutan, aiming to develop a high-value knowledge economy.
Apple Pay and Wallet Leader Jennifer Bailey to Retire in October
Jennifer Bailey, Apple's Vice President of Apple Pay and Wallet, will retire in October after two decades with the company. Bailey launched Apple Pay in 2014 and oversaw the Apple Online Store team, with her departure noted internally as a significant loss.
Study Suggests Ancient Colombian Canal Network Built Without Hierarchical Leadership
A new study published in Communications Sustainability suggests that the ancient Zenú hydraulic systems in Colombia, a 2,000-square-mile canal network, were built through collective labor rather than top-down hierarchical organization. Researchers used satellite imagery and modeling to estimate that the construction could have been completed with low labor costs, challenging assumptions about the necessity of elite leadership for large-scale ancient engineering projects.
Bluesky's Mobile App User Base Declines While Focus Shifts to AT Proto Protocol
Bluesky's mobile app saw a 27.2% year-over-year decrease in monthly active users to 10.4 million in June 2026, and a 25.6% decline in daily active users in July. This decline occurs as the company expands its focus beyond the Bluesky app to developing the underlying AT Proto protocol for other social applications and services.
Manus to become independent company, requiring data deletion for some users
Manus is transitioning back to an independent company, which necessitates the deletion of data generated by certain users on or after December 29, 2025, due to regulatory requirements. Affected users must back up their data by August 23, 2026, and can restore it starting August 25, 2026.
US policy to combat cartel money laundering negatively impacts border businesses
A Trump administration policy requiring financial service businesses near the US-Mexico border to report cash transactions over $200, down from $10,000, has reportedly harmed small businesses and immigrant communities. Business owners and legal experts state the measure, intended to curb cartel money laundering, has instead deterred customers from using vital financial services due to privacy concerns and fear of government surveillance.
Amazon order confirmation emails now list only item categories, not specific products
Amazon has changed its order confirmation emails to display only general item categories instead of specific product names, requiring customers to visit the Amazon website to identify purchases. This change, which began in July, has led to customer complaints about difficulty tracking orders and emails resembling spam or phishing attempts.
Undersea Cable Rerouted to Avoid Harry Potter Filming Location After Fan Complaints
The Greenlink Connector, a $580 million undersea power cable between Ireland and Wales, was rerouted after Harry Potter fans protested its planned path through the Freshwater West filming location of Dobby's grave. The project manager was unaware of the site's significance to fans, leading to hundreds of complaints that ultimately changed the cable's route. This incident highlights the unexpected influence of cultural landmarks on infrastructure projects.
France to ban unsolicited telemarketing calls starting August 11
France will implement a ban on unsolicited telemarketing calls next week, requiring businesses to obtain prior consumer consent for contact. This new law aims to protect consumers from intrusive sales pitches and fraudulent practices, responding to years of complaints about frequent unwanted calls.
Jeff Bezos Reportedly Pursuing Stake in English Soccer Team Liverpool
Jeff Bezos, along with other investors including Eduardo Saverin, is reportedly seeking to acquire at least a 30% stake in the English soccer team Liverpool, valued at £1.35 billion. This potential investment would mark Bezos's first in a sports team and reflects a trend of American billionaires investing in U.K. football clubs.