LawZero: A Trustworthy AI Created to Safeguard Against Unruly Operatives
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Read MoreThe outcast spies of Slough House are set to make their comeback soon — and, based on the initial glimpse of Season 5 of *Slow Horses*, things are bound to get chaotic in the most entertaining manner.
Apple TV+ has just revealed the first look at (and the official release date for) the new installment of its beloved spy series, the Emmy- and BAFTA-acclaimed espionage drama featuring Gary Oldman as the beautifully disheveled Jackson Lamb. The show is primed to unleash another wave of turmoil, dark humor, and profoundly dysfunctional espionage when it returns this fall. The new season is set to premiere worldwide on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, launching with two episodes, followed by weekly releases until October 22.
The fifth season carries on the show’s blend of investigation, wit, and overall disorder. This time, the narrative revolves around *London Rules* — book #5 in Mick Herron’s Slough House series of spy novels. The focus shifts to tech genius Roddy Ho, who grabs attention with an unexpectedly glamorous new girlfriend. However, as unusual occurrences begin to unfold across London, unusual even by Slough House measures, it falls upon Lamb’s mismatched crew of disgraced agents to unravel how everything is interconnected.
In classic *Slow Horses* style, it’s likely they’ll end up causing an explosion or offending someone significant along the way. The real enjoyment, however, consistently comes from witnessing the team bumble their way towards heroism under the ever-unimpressed glare of their HR nightmare of a spymaster.
Oldman, who has received numerous accolades for his performance, heads a returning cast for the forthcoming season that features Kristin Scott Thomas, Jack Lowden, Saskia Reeves, and others. Season 5 also introduces *Ted Lasso’s* Nick Mohammed as a guest star, bringing another talented addition to an already impressive lineup.
I’ve mentioned this in a prior review, but it bears reiterating: Slough House is almost a character in its own right within this remarkable drama — Slough House being the dilapidated outpost near the Barbican where the “slow horses” themselves operate, in a space resembling more of a janitor’s closet than an office. Overflowing bins, stale takeout boxes, and secondhand technology (except for Roddy’s prized computer setup) form part of the backdrop, all supervised by Lamb — a burping Cold War relic in ill-fitting attire who appears to detest everyone under his command, yet consistently proves to be the sharpest intellect in the room.
The agents who linger in these damp corridors are characterized not by sleek suits or James Bond-style gadgets, but by hangovers, regrets, and just enough resilience to still effect change. In the realm of *Slow Horses*, the spies are failures and has-beens. Yet, these failures also sometimes evolve into unwilling heroes, clumsily stumbling their way into salvaging the situation. As Season 5 draws near, it seems they will once again demonstrate that no matter how far one has fallen, a spy can still excel beyond expectations in the shadows.
Read More**Pokémon Legends: Z-A – A New Chapter in the Pokémon Universe**
The Pokémon franchise, a cornerstone in the gaming industry, is poised to broaden its scope with the forthcoming launch of “Pokémon Legends: Z-A” for the Nintendo Switch 2. Set for release on October 16, 2025, this title aims to provide a novel and engaging experience for both veteran fans and those new to the franchise.
**A New Era in Pokémon Gaming**
“Pokémon Legends: Z-A” is expected to expand upon the achievements of its forerunner, “Pokémon Legends: Arceus,” by presenting an open-world exploration that dives deeper into the mythology of the Pokémon universe. Players will set out on an adventure in a fresh region, discovering varied landscapes and meeting a range of Pokémon species, some of which are exclusive to this edition.
**Innovative Gameplay Features**
The game is likely to present a number of groundbreaking gameplay features that elevate the classic Pokémon experience. These may comprise:
– **Dynamic Weather and Day-Night Cycles:** These environmental variations will influence Pokémon behavior and presence, introducing a strategic dimension to exploration and combat.
– **Advanced Trainer Customization:** Players can modify their trainer’s look and skills, providing a more personalized gaming experience.
– **Enhanced Battle System:** The combat mechanics are anticipated to be improved, granting more depth and strategy in Pokémon skirmishes.
**Story and Setting**
Although specific information regarding the plot is still under wraps, “Pokémon Legends: Z-A” is rumored to investigate the beginnings of legendary Pokémon and their ties to the region’s heritage. Players will uncover secrets and encounter challenges that evaluate their abilities as Pokémon trainers.
**Visuals and Soundtrack**
Utilizing the advancements of the Nintendo Switch 2, “Pokémon Legends: Z-A” is predicted to showcase breathtaking graphics and an engaging soundtrack that animates the world. The game’s visuals will likely highlight intricate environments and smooth animations, enriching the overall gameplay experience.
**Conclusion**
As the release date draws nearer, anticipation continues to swell for “Pokémon Legends: Z-A.” With its pledge of innovative gameplay, an intriguing narrative, and improved visuals, this game is set to be a noteworthy addition to the Pokémon franchise. Fans are eagerly looking forward to the chance to discover a new region and unveil the mysteries it holds.
Read MoreFor many years, astronomers have held the belief that the destiny of the Milky Way was linked to our closest massive galactic neighbor, the Andromeda galaxy. Nonetheless, a recent study claims that the anticipated merger of the Milky Way may not be as assured as scientists once thought.
For over a century, astronomers have maintained that the fates of the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxy are intertwined. Long ago, they discovered that Andromeda was progressively approaching us. While the radial velocity of the larger galaxy was utilized for this determination, this new research argues that Andromeda’s transverse velocity was not adequately considered.
Radial velocity plays a crucial role in understanding the forward motion of a galaxy, but transverse motion is vital for gauging the lateral movement that a galaxy undergoes. Earlier investigations into the likely merger presupposed that Andromeda’s transverse motion was negligible, thereby significantly increasing the likelihood of a Milky Way merger. However, the latest results indicate a different story.
It is noteworthy that the team behind this novel study, published in Nature Astronomy, does not arrive at their conclusions based on exclusive and novel data. Instead, they assert that they have approached the data from a renewed perspective by analyzing existing observations from the Hubble Space Telescope and the now-defunct Gaia mission.
In contrast to earlier research that examined this same data, the current researchers are not making assumptions. They are incorporating the uncertainties of the measurements into their results. By simulating thousands of possible paths for both galaxies, they concluded that a merger between the Milky Way and Andromeda is not assured.
Certainly, it is still very much a possibility, with half of the simulations indicating a merger between the two galaxies. However, the other half showed no merging signs for the next 10 billion years. Without precise measurements for transverse velocity, though, these conclusions remain theoretical.
Nonetheless, this raises further questions regarding the dynamic nature of our universe, as well as our approach to comprehending it. Galaxy mergers occur frequently, rendering them feasible. However, assuming we possess all the necessary data can lead to incorrect findings just as easily as if we had disregarded the data entirely.
Read MoreBen Affleck and Matt Damon enthusiasts will need to be patient a bit longer for the pair’s upcoming project. Netflix has announced that The Rip, a highly anticipated crime thriller featuring and produced by the longtime collaborators, won’t debut until next year. The new worldwide release is scheduled for January 16, 2026, meaning what was poised to be one of Netflix’s most significant film events this year is still over seven months away.
That’s disappointing, undoubtedly, particularly given the caliber of talent involved. Besides Affleck and Damon, The Rip also boasts a remarkable cast that includes Steven Yeun, Kyle Chandler, Teyana Taylor, Catalina Sandino Moreno, and Sasha Calle, with Joe Carnahan at the helm (recognized for his intense action thrillers like Narc and Smokin’ Aces). Furthermore, it’s being developed by Artists Equity, the creator-focused studio founded by Affleck and Damon in 2022.
In terms of narrative, The Rip draws inspiration from a real-life acquaintance of Carnahan’s — a father and the former head of tactical narcotics at the Miami-Dade police department. “It’s partially inspired by his life and … by my lasting admiration for those classic ‘70s cop thrillers that truly emphasized character and interpersonal dynamics, becoming benchmarks of that period — films like Serpico and Prince of The City and more recently, Michael Mann’s Heat,” Carnahan expressed to the streaming service’s Tudum.
The film’s plot kicks off when a group of Miami officers uncovers a significant cache of money concealed in a stash house. That revelation swiftly ignites a chain reaction of distrust, as both internal and external forces begin to converge, leading to unraveling loyalties. The title, Carnahan notes, derives from street jargon used by Miami law enforcement; a “rip” refers to the act of confiscating contraband from suspects.
In essence, the stakes in The Rip are both personal and professional, entrenched in a realm where even the heroes can lose their sense of right and wrong.
For his part, Carnahan has characterized collaborating with the two actors-turned-producers as one of the most rewarding filmmaking experiences of his career. He acknowledges them not merely as studio leaders but as partners who “supported my choices at every juncture.” To sum it up: The delay may be disappointing, but given the various components that make up this film — a combination of 1970s-style cop drama, real-life inspiration, and the classic Damon-Affleck synergy — The Rip remains a film to look forward to. Now we just need to hold on a bit longer to experience it.
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Read MoreIf you’re still utilizing an iPhone from the mid-2010s, you may have just lost access to one of the most widely-used mobile applications ever. According to MacRumors, YouTube has rolled out an update to its iOS application, now at version 20.22.1. While the release notes don’t provide specifics, it appears that this software update terminates support for devices operating on iOS 15 and iPadOS 15.
### iPhone and iPad models losing access to the YouTube app
For the majority of Apple device users, this won’t pose a problem; however, there exists a selection of devices that cannot upgrade beyond iOS 15 and iPadOS 15. Consequently, the following models of iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch will no longer be able to access the YouTube app:
– iPhone 6s
– iPhone 6s Plus
– iPhone 7
– iPhone 7 Plus
– iPhone SE (1st generation)
– iPad Air 2
– iPad mini 4
– iPod touch (7th generation)
Even the most recent device on this list (the last iPod touch) is six years old, making it somewhat remarkable that YouTube has supported them for this extensive time. An iOS enthusiast has been tracking every update in the YouTube app for quite some time, and interestingly, it’s been nearly a full year since version 19.21.2 was released, which ended support for iOS 14.
The positive news is that these devices can still access YouTube through a web browser. If you wish to watch YouTube videos on any of these mobile devices, visit m.youtube.com in your preferred browser. The experience may not be as refined, but at least you’ll still be able to watch videos without needing to invest in a new phone or tablet.
Regarding support for older devices, Apple is set to unveil iOS 26 next week. Based on the information available, we anticipate that the upcoming version of iOS will be compatible with all the same iPhone models as iOS 18, which extends back to the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max. That being said, we’ll confirm this when Apple presents at WWDC 2025.
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Read MoreApple is preparing for an important week with the start of WWDC 2025, where the company is anticipated to present a redesigned iOS 26. This event signifies a crucial moment for Apple, particularly regarding its Apple Intelligence platform, which has encountered criticism since its launch with iOS 18.1. Initially introduced with features such as Writing Tools and a Clean Up Tool, the platform garnered tepid reactions due to subpar performance.
Even with updates like iOS 18.2, which added Genmoji and ChatGPT integration, users continued to be unsatisfied with the AI’s accuracy when compared to rivals. The Clean Up Tool, meant to eliminate distracting elements from images, failed to fulfill expectations, although enhancements in iOS 18.5 have improved its reliability.
The iPhone 16 Pro, equipped with the A18 Pro chip utilizing second-generation 3-nanometer technology, highlights Apple’s progress in hardware. Featuring a 16-core Neural Engine and increased system memory bandwidth, the device offers improved graphics and efficiency, catering to both Apple Intelligence and gaming functionalities. As Apple strives to enhance its AI capabilities, the forthcoming WWDC 2025 will be vital in showcasing the company’s advancements and future trajectory.
Read MoreFruit Flies and Cocaine: A Genetic Advancement
Fruit flies, despite their diminutive size and annoying presence, have become essential in scientific exploration due to their genetic parallels with humans. With around 75% of genes linked to human diseases reflected in fruit flies, they serve as an outstanding model for investigating various biological functions, including substance addiction.
Historically, fruit flies have exhibited a dislike for cocaine, a characteristic that presented a hurdle for researchers wishing to examine addiction. The flies consistently opted for sugar water instead of cocaine-infused choices, likely owing to their evolutionary adaptations aimed at steering clear of plant toxins, of which cocaine is one. This avoidance mechanism is aided by taste receptors in their legs, enabling them to sense and reject harmful substances prior to ingestion.
In an innovative study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, researchers aimed to bypass this inherent aversion by genetically altering the fruit flies. By examining the sensory nerve reactions to cocaine and modifying specific genetic elements, they succeeded in overcoming the flies’ taste-based protective responses.
The outcome was a successful initiation of cocaine intake in fruit flies, although initially in minimal amounts. Notably, after just 16 hours of exposure, the flies showed a preference for cocaine, exhibiting addiction-like behaviors. This progress not only emphasizes the potential of genetic modification in research but also paves the way for new understanding of the genetic and neurological foundations of addiction in humans.
This study highlights the significance of fruit flies in scientific inquiry and the promise of genetic engineering to reveal fresh insights into human health and ailments.
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