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Since Valve increased the price of its Steam Deck handheld gaming PC in May, sales have dropped sharply. The device, which used to be a top seller, now ranks much lower on sales charts, and estimated weekly sales have decreased by about 80%.
Key Facts
The Steam Deck launched in 2022 and was regularly one of Valve’s top-selling products.
In May, Valve raised the Steam Deck’s price from roughly $400-$649 to $789-$949.
Sales rankings fell from 5th place in late May to around 12th-14th place by early July.
Estimated weekly sales declined from about 11,000–18,000 units to 1,400–3,000 units.
Valve has reported “intermittent shortages” of the Steam Deck in some regions since February.
Higher prices and ongoing supply issues likely caused the drop in demand.
Consumers might be looking at competing handheld gaming PCs in the same price range, such as ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and MSI Claw.
Valve’s challenges with hardware component costs may make launching a more powerful Steam Deck model expensive.
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Many U.S. states are proposing new laws to limit the power of big companies that buy many single-family homes. These companies, often backed by investors, make it harder for regular families to buy starter homes and increase rent prices.
Key Facts
Pennsylvania introduced House Bill 2704 to limit how many single-family homes investors can own and to require more information from corporate landlords.
Both Democrats and Republicans support measures against large investment firms buying multiple homes.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at stopping Wall Street firms from outbidding families for homes.
Big investors have increased their role in home buying since the 2007-2009 Great Recession.
States are considering rules to limit corporate-owned homes, regulate rent algorithms, and protect renters.
The laws aim to help first-time homebuyers by reducing competition from cash-rich institutional buyers.
California is also planning new regulations for large housing investors, though details are still being worked out.
Experts say the issue is mainly in local markets where investors concentrate and outbid people who want to live in the homes.
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Christopher Nolan’s film The Odyssey, starring Matt Damon, made $264.1 million worldwide in its first weekend. The movie also sparked attention for Damon’s physique and Anne Hathaway’s maternity fashion during the press tour. A Newsweek analysis found no clear link between the size of Damon’s biceps in his movies and their box office success.
Key Facts
The Odyssey earned $264.1 million globally in its opening weekend, Nolan’s biggest debut.
Matt Damon plays Odysseus and lost weight to look lean and strong for the role.
A female stunt performer doubled for Damon in some scenes requiring forced perspective.
Newsweek gave Damon’s films biceps scores based on visibility, size, activity, and story importance.
Damon’s highest biceps scores were in Jason Bourne movies, Elysium, Invictus, The Great Wall, and The Odyssey.
Movies like Good Will Hunting and Ocean’s Eleven had low biceps scores but made strong box office returns.
Statistical analysis showed almost no connection between Damon’s arm size in films and how much money they earned.
Damon joked that the female stunt double had the best arms on set, making the analysis less precise.
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Over 20 U.S. states have introduced or passed laws to limit the use of software that helps landlords set rent prices based on data and algorithms. These laws aim to stop the artificial increase of rental costs and protect renters from rapidly rising housing prices.
Key Facts
More than 20 states in the U.S. have acted to regulate algorithmic rent-setting software as of mid-2026.
New Jersey recently passed the FAIR Act to provide additional renter protections and control rent-setting algorithms.
New York was the first state to pass a law specifically targeting algorithmic rent price-fixing in residential housing.
Algorithmic rent-setting software uses data like occupancy and market trends to advise landlords on rent prices.
Some lawmakers believe this software causes rents to rise too high, making housing less affordable.
The National Apartment Association says these tools help landlords make better decisions and reduce vacancies.
Legislative efforts vary: some laws ban using these algorithms entirely, others focus on preventing unfair competition or price coordination.
Not all proposed bills have passed; some were vetoed or delayed in states like Colorado and Rhode Island.
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The U.S. government, under President Donald Trump, announced a $700 million plan to support coal plants and revive the coal industry, including funding for a coal terminal in Oakland, California. Local residents and environmental groups oppose the terminal because of health concerns related to coal dust and pollution.
Key Facts
Oakland residents have long suffered from health problems due to pollution from trucks and freight at the nearby port.
In 2013, plans were made to convert part of the Oakland port into a coal terminal to export coal from western U.S. states to Asia.
Local activists, led by Margaret Gordon, fought the coal terminal project for over a decade through lawsuits and city laws.
President Trump announced support for 14 coal plants and $75 million to revive the Oakland coal terminal as part of a $700 million package.
The plan aims to lower energy costs and create 14,000 jobs, mostly in coal-dependent states.
Environmental and community groups in Oakland continue to oppose the coal terminal due to its impact on public health.
Coal production in the U.S. has significantly declined since 1990, leading to fewer coal jobs.
California lawmakers are working on bills to require more environmental reviews and limit funding for coal projects.
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A small group of Republican lawmakers in the U.S. Congress are opposing President Donald Trump’s approach to the war with Iran. This disagreement comes as the conflict between the U.S. and Iran has recently escalated and may affect political battles ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Key Facts
Fighting between the U.S. and Iran increased after a ceasefire ended in July 2026.
Pakistan is trying to mediate peace talks, but no solution is visible yet.
The conflict has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, an important route for global oil.
Most Americans oppose the war, which Democrats are using as a key issue for the 2026 elections.
Most Republicans support President Trump’s actions in the war, but a few, including some moderates and libertarians, have opposed it.
Seven Republican members of Congress voted for resolutions limiting the president’s military powers over Iran.
Representative Tom Barrett, a Republican in a competitive district, stated Congress should decide on the war’s rules and limits instead of the president alone.
The White House says it has been open with Congress and stresses the goal is preventing Iran from getting nuclear weapons.
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James Desborough, a convicted killer, denies murdering two friends whose burned and cut-up bodies were found near his cabin in Cornwall. He says he found their bodies on his land and admitted to hiding them while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Desborough also admitted to killing a prison cellmate but denies killing his two friends.
Key Facts
James Desborough is on trial for the murders of Claudio Aquilino and Daniel Coleman.
The bodies of Aquilino and Coleman were found burned and dismembered near Desborough’s cabin in Cornwall.
Desborough claims he found Aquilino hanging from a tree and Coleman’s body naked in a stream on his land.
He admits to disposing of their bodies while high on several drugs and alcohol.
Desborough also admitted to killing a cellmate while in prison, but said the cellmate’s snoring was not the reason for the killing.
He described himself as homeless, unemployed, and struggling with addiction.
Desborough said he took money from the deceased friends and likely spent it on beer and drugs.
He denied enjoying killing and called a note saying “I’m a killer” creative writing.
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Homeowners face high costs for HVAC repairs and replacements due to rising equipment prices and inflation. Extended warranties and service plans are often sold to help reduce future expenses, but not all plans offer good value. Preventive maintenance plans are generally worth the cost, while some extended warranties and retailer protection plans may not provide meaningful savings.
Key Facts
Repairing or replacing HVAC systems is becoming more expensive due to higher equipment costs, inflation, and labor prices.
Many homeowners consider extended warranties or service plans to avoid large future repair bills.
Preventive maintenance plans usually include tune-ups, cleaning, inspections, refrigerant checks, and repair discounts.
Regular maintenance helps HVAC systems run efficiently and last longer, potentially saving money over time.
Extended warranties that cover both parts and labor can be worth it if they offer protection beyond the manufacturer’s warranty.
Some retailer protection plans duplicate manufacturer warranties and may have many exclusions or limits, reducing their value.
Before buying any extended coverage, it is wise to compare the new plan carefully with existing warranty protections.
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Scientists warn that up to 13 million people in the UK could face coastal flooding in the long term due to rising sea levels caused by climate change. Even if current efforts to reduce carbon emissions succeed, more people will be at risk by 2200 and 2300, making proactive planning and flood defenses essential.
Key Facts
Up to 13 million people in the UK might be at risk of coastal flooding in the long term.
Even if current global carbon-cutting promises are met, 1.4 million more people will be at risk by 2200, and 1.7 million more by 2300.
Sea levels around the UK have already risen about 20 cm in the last century and are rising faster.
By 2100, sea levels are expected to rise another 40 to 60 cm, putting an additional half-million people in danger.
Some areas, like Lincolnshire and the Humber estuary, face especially high risks.
A worst-case scenario could cause up to 15 meters of sea level rise by 2300, flooding large parts of London and other areas.
Scientists say flood defenses and managed relocation of communities will be necessary to handle future risks.
The study did not include future storm surges, population growth, or changes in flood defenses, meaning the actual risk could be higher.
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The Trump administration has stopped more than $1 billion in Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota due to concerns about fraud. This is the second time the administration has taken action against the Democratic governors of these states regarding Medicaid fraud.
Key Facts
The Trump administration paused over $1 billion in Medicaid funds.
The funds were meant for California and Minnesota.
The action is based on concerns about alleged Medicaid fraud.
California's governor is Gavin Newsom.
Minnesota's governor is Tim Walz.
Both governors are members of the Democratic Party.
This is the second time the Trump administration has targeted these two states with similar accusations.
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President Donald Trump met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and promised U.S. help for Lebanon, but did not give a clear plan or timeline for Israel to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon. The U.S. and Lebanon signed a framework agreement aiming to reduce hostility between Lebanon and Israel by disarming Hezbollah, and Trump expressed willingness to talk directly with Hezbollah if asked.
Key Facts
President Trump met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House.
Trump promised U.S. support for Lebanon but gave no concrete policy or timeline for Israel’s withdrawal.
Israel continues to occupy parts of southern Lebanon despite claims of redeployment.
The U.S. announced a "pilot zone" where the Lebanese army would deploy, but the area was not under Israeli control.
Lebanon and Israel signed a framework agreement linking Israeli withdrawal to Hezbollah’s disarmament.
Trump suggested Syria should intervene militarily to disarm Hezbollah, a plan rejected by Syria.
Trump expressed willingness to speak directly with Hezbollah if requested by Lebanon’s president.
Lebanese President Aoun praised the U.S.-brokered agreement and thanked President Trump for the visit.
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A union representing railway workers plans to strike against East Midlands Railway (EMR) over safety concerns with its new trains. EMR and the train maker Hitachi Rail say the trains meet safety standards but admit there are some performance and maintenance issues.
Key Facts
The RMT union is planning strikes on three Saturdays starting August 1.
The dispute began in April after new Hitachi Rail Class 810 trains (called Aurora) were introduced.
The union says the trains have faults that may cause safety systems to fail temporarily.
EMR denies that the trains fail safety standards but acknowledges reliability and maintenance problems.
Problems reported include broken toilets, air conditioning issues, and catering equipment failures.
The new trains started service in December 2025 after a three-year delay.
EMR is working with Hitachi Rail to fix the issues and will continue gradually introducing the new trains.
Hitachi Rail is supporting the train rollout with extra testing and improvements at a rail innovation center.
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Google has introduced new versions of its Gemini AI models, including Gemini 3.6 Flash and a cybersecurity-focused Gemini 3.5 Flash Cyber. These models improve coding ability, efficiency, and speed, with some designed for specific uses such as cybersecurity, though certain versions are only available to trusted partners.
Key Facts
Google released Gemini 3.6 Flash, an updated AI model that is slightly better at coding and more efficient than Gemini 3.5 Flash.
Gemini 3.6 Flash uses about 17% fewer tokens, which helps save costs for developers and Google.
The cost of using Gemini 3.6 Flash’s API is lower for output tokens compared to 3.5 Flash.
Google also launched Gemini 3.5 Flash Lite, a very fast and cost-effective AI model for scaling applications.
Gemini 3.5 Flash Cyber is Google's first AI model tuned specifically for cybersecurity but won’t be publicly available due to safety concerns.
The cybersecurity model will be accessible in limited form via Google DeepMind’s CodeMender tool for trusted governments and partners.
The delayed Gemini 3.5 Pro model, expected in June, has not yet been released.
Gemini 3.6 Flash and Flash Lite models are available now in the API and Gemini app, and the Lite version is used to improve Google search AI responses.
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A man named Carl Isom-McDaniel was attacked by a bison at Yellowstone National Park and thrown 8 feet into the air. He broke his leg and is recovering in a Montana hospital, while people nearby helped scare the bison away.
Key Facts
The attack happened at Yellowstone National Park earlier this month.
Carl Isom-McDaniel, 65, was walking with his grandson when a bison charged at him without warning.
The bison threw Isom-McDaniel in the air and caused serious injuries, including a femur broken in multiple pieces.
Witnesses, including Mike MacLeod who filmed the attack, helped chase the bison away.
This is the second recorded bison attack at Yellowstone this year; a 12-year-old was also hurt in June.
Park rules advise staying at least 100 feet away from bison or watching from inside a vehicle.
Bison can be unpredictable and may defend their space if they feel threatened.
Officials remind visitors that wild animals like bison carry risks in national parks.
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President Donald Trump said the U.S. will soon bomb Pickaxe Mountain in Iran, a suspected nuclear site. He indicated no interest in a ceasefire right now and is considering escalating military actions against Iran.
Key Facts
Pickaxe Mountain is a deep underground site in Iran suspected of possible nuclear activity.
The U.S. and Israel suspect Iran may have stored centrifuges there, but there is no confirmed record.
Centrifuges are machines that can enrich nuclear material.
Israel gave intelligence to the U.S. suggesting thousands of centrifuges have been moved to Pickaxe Mountain.
It is uncertain if the U.S. has bombs strong enough to fully destroy the underground site.
President Trump is deciding between a 10-day ceasefire and a large military campaign with Israel.
Trump dismisses the idea of negotiations with Iran at this time.
The U.S. has not completed its military operations and plans to continue pressure on Iran.
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Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi was arrested during protests against the government's handling of a student-led movement demanding education reform. The protests, called the "Cockroach" movement, continued despite police using force and detaining multiple activists.
Key Facts
Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders were detained during a sit-in outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence.
The protests began as a student movement but have grown to include professionals and families.
Police responded with tear gas, canes, and batons, injuring nearly 180 people including protesters and security personnel.
Protesters are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over exam system failures.
The "Cockroach" movement started as a response to a Supreme Court judge calling India’s youth "cockroaches."
Prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike became a symbol of the protests before police took him to a hospital.
Protesters remain determined to continue until their demands are met despite the crackdown.
Gandhi publicly called for the resignation of Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the Education Minister.
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A Human Rights Watch report says civilians in Ecuador suffered abuse during joint military operations by the US and Ecuador aimed at fighting organized crime. The report highlights cases of torture, unlawful detention, and attacks on fishermen, and calls on the US Congress to increase oversight of President Donald Trump’s security cooperation with Ecuador.
Key Facts
The US and Ecuador carried out joint military operations near the Colombia border between March 1 and 6, 2026.
Four dairy farm workers were detained and allegedly tortured by Ecuadorian soldiers; no charges were made against them.
Evidence showed the targeted properties were not camps for armed groups but included an active dairy farm and abandoned locations.
Human Rights Watch reviewed photos, videos, satellite images, medical records, and other documents to investigate the incidents.
The US has provided equipment, training, intelligence, and direct military support to Ecuador in crime-fighting efforts under President Trump.
Ecuadorian fishermen near the Galapagos Islands were attacked between January and March 2026; one boat disappeared with 8 crew members.
Crews of attacked fishing vessels said armed personnel in US military-style uniforms detained them and handed them over to the Salvadoran Coast Guard.
Human Rights Watch calls for US Congress to demand more transparency and safeguards in the US-Ecuador security partnership.
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The U.S. Justice Department said that the University of California San Diego School of Medicine showed bias in how it accepted new students. The DOJ says the school favored Black and Hispanic applicants unfairly in its admissions process.
Key Facts
The Department of Justice made the claim on Monday.
The accusation is about racial discrimination in medical school admissions.
The medical school allegedly favored Black and Hispanic applicants.
The DOJ says the school used “race-neutral” methods to increase admissions for these groups.
The investigation was done by the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division.
The school is part of the University of California system.
The DOJ’s action focuses on fairness in admissions and civil rights laws.
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ESPN has started laying off employees following its acquisition of NFL Network and related digital assets. The layoffs affect mostly production and behind-the-scenes staff, though some on-air personalities were also impacted.
Key Facts
ESPN acquired NFL Network, NFL Fantasy, and RedZone distribution rights last year.
The deal gave the NFL a 10% ownership stake in ESPN.
Regulators approved the acquisition in January 2026.
NFL Network employees officially became part of ESPN on April 1, 2026.
Layoffs began soon after to integrate the NFL assets and streamline operations.
Some well-known ESPN figures, including analyst Ryan Clark and broadcaster Karl Ravech, were laid off.
The layoffs are part of larger cost-cutting measures at the Walt Disney Company, ESPN’s parent company.
ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro emphasized empathy and support for affected employees during the transition.
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Republican political groups, including MAGA Inc., have raised significantly more money than Democratic groups ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. MAGA Inc. alone raised over $400 million by mid-2026, contributing to a large financial lead for Republican fundraising compared to Democrats.
Key Facts
MAGA Inc., a pro-President Donald Trump political group, raised over $400 million by the end of June 2026.
Major donors to MAGA Inc. include the Winklevoss twins ($10 million in Bitcoin), Diane Hendricks ($25 million), and NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman ($10 million).
Total pro-Republican PACs had about $677 million in cash by the end of June, while Democrats had around $136 million.
Other Republican groups like the RNC, National Republican Senatorial Committee, and National Republican Congressional Committee also hold large sums.
Democrats’ national committee had significantly less money, with the Democratic National Committee holding about $14.8 million and owing $18.3 million at the end of its reporting period.
MAGA Inc. has spent around $21 million in 2026, mainly supporting Republican election campaigns.
Republicans hold slim majorities in the House and Senate and hope to keep these in the midterms.
Election forecasts give Democrats a 71% chance to win the House and a narrow lead in the Senate.
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