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Andor season 2 is halfway through its 12-episode run, so one of the best, if not the best, Star Wars TV shows doesn't have much road left to run.

Nonetheless, there are six more episodes to enjoy this week and next. You'll want to know when you can watch them.

Below, I'll reveal the launch date and time for episodes 7, 8, and 9 of Andor's second and final season. There's also a full release schedule before the end of this piece, too, which will show you when the final three installments will arrive.

What time are episodes 7 to 9 of Andor season 2 released in the US?

Star Wars fans are ready to witness one of Mon Mothma's most iconic moments in season 2 act 3 (Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney+)

US fans of Lucasfilm's iconic galaxy far, far away can tune into Disney+ for three new episodes on Tuesday, May 6 at 6pm PT / 9pm ET. That's the same time the previous six entries dropped on one of the world's best streaming services.

All three episodes will be released at the same time, too, so you can stream them back-to-back-to-back if you so desire.

When can I watch Andor season 2 episodes 7 to 9 in the UK?

Dedra will personally oversee events that transpire in this batch of episodes (Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney+)

Andor season 2's next act will be available on Disney+ UK on Wednesday, May 7 at 2am BST.

If you don't plan to stay up until then or set an alarm to wake up and stream as soon as they're released, you'll want to mute certain hashtags or phrases on social media.

As I noted in my spoiler-free review of Andor season 2, I've seen all 12 episodes. So, believe me when I say this: you don't want someone ruining the next three episodes' most significant moments on X, Instagram, and more before viewing them.

What date will the next three episodes of Andor season 2 be available in Australia?

Ghorman takes center stage in episodes 7, 8, and 9 (Image credit: Lucasfilm/Disney+)

Andor season 2's penultimate batch of episodes will be released Down Under on Wednesday, May 7 at 11am AEST.

Like your British counterparts, you'll want to stay off social media, or mute any words or hashtags relating to Star Wars and Andor if you won't be watching them as soon as they air. That way, you'll preserve the biggest surprises for one of the best Disney+ shows' next three chapters.

When will new episodes of Andor season 2 come out on Disney+?

As I've mentioned a couple of times in this article, there are only three more entries of one of 2025's new Star Wars TV shows. So, read on to find out when chapters 10, 11, and 12 will launch on Disney+ wherever you live.

• Andor season 2 episode 1 – out now
• Andor season 2 episode 2 – out now
• Andor season 2 episode 3 – out now
• Andor season 2 episode 4 – out now
• Andor season 2 episode 5 – out now
• Andor season 2 episode 6 – out now
• Andor season 2 episode 7 – May 6 (US); May 7 (UK and Australia)
• Andor season 2 episode 8 – May 6 (US); May 7 (UK and Australia)
• Andor season 2 episode 9 – May 6 (US); May 7 (UK and Australia)
• Andor season 2 episode 10 – May 13 (US); May 14 (UK and Australia)
• Andor season 2 episode 11 – May 13 (US); May 14 (UK and Australia)
• Andor season 2 episode 12 – May 13 (US); May 14 (UK and Australia)

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• Apple files an appeal to App Store ruling
• This comes just days after it was ordered to change some core App Store rules
• Apple disagreed and now it's taking action

Apple filed an appeal on Monday to the US District Court Judge's ruling that forced it to stop charging developers some commission fees.

Just days after Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers accused Apple of lying and not complying with an earlier injunction, the tech giant has filed an appeal that may forestall the application of this new ruling, one that demanded, among other things, the company stop charging a 27% commission on in-app purchases made outside of Apple's App Store transaction system. The fee applied to apps that were downloaded through the Apple App Store, but which then pointed users to in-app purchases that could be completed through third-party transactions.

Also at issue was Apple's insistence that its own transaction system be offered alongside these third-party options.

The ruling that Apple is appealing painted a not-too-flattering picture of how Apple answered the original injunction, claiming, "To hide the truth, Vice-President of Finance, Alex Roman, outright lied under oath. Internally, Phillip Schiller had advocated that Apple comply with the Injunction, but Tim Cook ignored Schiller and instead allowed Chief Financial Officer Luca Maestri and his finance team to convince him otherwise."

What's next

Apple's appeal, which was brought to our attention by The Verge, doesn't offer any more details on how Apple plans to fight this latest ruling. At the time, Apple was said to "strongly disagree" with the ruling, but Apple representatives also said, "We will comply with the court's order and we will appeal."

The original case was launched in 2020 by Fortnite maker Epic in its quest to open up iOS to third-party app stores, and to open the Apple App Store to outside transaction systems.

With last week's ruling, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney announced Epic would be returning to the app store, and other app developers claimed that they might be lowering prices because of reduced commission fees.

As of this writing, it's unclear whether Epic still plans to return and if consumers are about to see cheaper apps and in-app purchases. What is clear, though, is that Apple not done fighting this ruling.

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Philips’ range of Hue Play gizmos have been illuminating my front room for years. I bought the company’s first HDMI sync box back in 2020, and now I’m lucky enough to have owned its 8K successor for the past six months. And let me tell you, it’s been a luscious light show treat.

While I still own this AV gadget’s 4K predecessor, the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box, the big problem with the original model is that it’s restricted to HDMI 2.0. That means you’re limited to a max signal output of 4K 60Hz. Now, while this obviously isn’t a big deal if you just watch the best Netflix movies on your TV, it’s far more of an issue if you want to play some of the best PS5 games on the PS5 Pro – more and more of which now support 4K 120fps modes.

The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K (catchy, right?) solves this problem by fully supporting HDMI 2.1, a feature found on most of the best TVs. Far more future-proofed than the older box, the new model can support both 8K 60Hz signals and, crucially for gamers, 4K 120Hz ones, too. As someone who owns one of the best gaming PCs, the latter is a massively welcome addition.

I’ll get to why the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K is a dream piece of kit for the admittedly hugely niche market of gamers who play PC titles on a living room TV in a bit, though. In the meantime, let me tell you why watching movies and shows with a streaming device hooked up to the sync box provides instantly immersion-upping experiences.

By mimicking the on-screen colors of the content displayed on your screen, the Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K essentially makes the wall behind your TV an extension of your display.

Ramp up the intensity settings in the Philips Hue Play app on your smartphone or tablet and the subsequent light show that is beamed onto your wall – either via the company’s smart lights or one of its gradient lightstrips – creates the sensation of a larger screen area. During particularly colorful scenes the effect is pretty dang stunning.

Your mileage is obviously going to vary on the Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K’s eye-catching light action. Yet if you dig smart lights, I’d be surprised if you didn’t adore this accessory’s seamless color syncing.

Performant but pricey

The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K bests its predecessor by adding support for 4K 120Hz (and 8K 60Hz) pass-through on its HDMI 2.1 ports (Image credit: Future)

Responsive and capable of syncing on-screen action more accurately than the 4K model, the admittedly expensive 8K upgrade is better than the HDMI 2.0 version in pretty much every way. Although if you want to get the most out of Philips’ showy splitter, you’re looking at an outlay of $349/£299 for the device itself, then at least an additional $180/£150 for a Hue Play gradient lightstrip depending on the size of your TV. That’s a lot of cheddar cheese to illuminate your entertainment center.

There’s no denying the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K is a niche device. Then again, you could make the same statement of any TV-related smart light accessories. From my perspective, though, now that I’m so accustomed to watching the action from my favorite movies and games being synced and then projected onto my lounge’s wall, I simply couldn’t part with my 8K sync box.

Not that I actually own an 8K display, of course. While the best 8K TVs are gradually becoming more aggressively priced, there’s such a dearth of worthwhile 8K content out there in 2025 that buying one still makes about as much sense as scuba diving with sharks in a pair of lead flippers. Unless you’re a dedicated gamer who is fortunate enough to own either a PS5 Pro or a seriously beefy PC, you’d probably be better off with the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 4K that retails for around $250/£230.

To the more expensive 8K version's credit, it does bring quality of life improvements that can still be felt on a 4K set. For one thing, I’ve found the newer box is plagued with far less temporary screen blackouts when switching between devices. This is an annoying issue that crops up quite a lot on the older 4K HDMI sync box in my experience, and there’s no question the updated 8K version feels more reliable.

Over the last few months living with Philips’ latest sync box, I’ve also found it more accurately… well, “syncs” whatever you’re watching/playing. While the color-replicating results can be most keenly appreciated on a wall-mounted TV in a dark room, it’s still easy to make out distinct hues in a well-lit lounge during the day.

Sync or swim Image 1 of 4

I don’t even like butternut squash yet my Philips sync box’s screen-mimicking colors have still left me drooling. (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 4

The wedding ceremony of Mon Mothma’s daughter in Andor season 2 squeezes a lot out of the Hue Play Sync Box 8K. (Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 4

The endlessly vibrant action Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man provides is a perfect match for Philips’ device. (Image credit: Future)Image 4 of 4

The eye-catching red and orange tones Havoc often delivers makes it a good movie to help flex the sync box’s muscles. (Image credit: Future)

I do the vast majority of my movie viewing and binge watching on the Apple TV 4K (2022). Crew Cupertino’s Ultra HD streaming box is capable of delivering incredible pictures, and on-screen action is made even more thrilling when piped through my Philips sync box.

Recently, I’ve been watching a bunch of films and shows across Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video, with some of the subsequent sync experiences being nothing short of spellbinding. I’ve been dazzled by fiery shades of orange, be it with a delicious-looking butternut squash soup on Netflix’s Chef’s Table Legends or the legendary lightsaber duel on Mustafar in the recently released Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith.

My corneas have also been treated to a full-on optical tan thanks to frequent brilliantly bright flashes of color in Disney Plus’ Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man or the dizzying post-wedding rave scene in episode 3 of the pitch-perfect Andor season 2. As much as I value the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K elevating my gaming playthroughs, it’s upped my streaming sessions just as much.

There’s no getting around it, though. First and foremost, the premier HDMI smart light sync box on the market has primarily been designed with gamers in mind. If you’re a hardcore PS5 Pro player or can’t get enough of the best PC games, Philips’ device is a revelation.

A great gaming upgrade Image 1 of 4

The warm colors of GTA V: Enhanced Edition’s LA-inspired Los Santos look superb beamed through this 8K sync box. (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 4

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remaster might be super-janky, but its colorful world is well suited to my Philips HDMI gadget. (Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 4

The otherworldly diving adventures of Abzu look spectacular on PC through the Hue Play Sync Box 8K. (Image credit: Future)Image 4 of 4

Prepare to singe your pupils the first time you drive through a blinding sandstorm in breezy arcade racer Forza Horizon 5. (Image credit: Future)

I may have been forced to sell my spleen to afford it, but hot damn the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 is an astonishing GPU. The “supercar of graphics cards” can run PC games at ludicrously fast frame rates, and all that raw horsepower means I can enjoy some of my favorite titles in 4K at 120 frames per second. Even the most eye-alluring games on Sony’s supercharged PS5 Pro can’t match the visual splendour my high-end PC can provide.

Before I got the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K, PC gaming on my LG G3 OLED was a no-go due to the limitations of HDMI 2.0 on its 4K older sibling. Prior to selling semi-vital body parts to fund my 5090 purchase, I owned the RTX 4090 – a card that was still more than capable of running most modern PC games at 4K 120fps. Being restricted to 60 frames at 4K therefore meant I was never going to pair my old Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 4K with my gaming rig.

That’s obviously changed now that I have the 8K sync box in my life. The upgrade to HDMI 2.1 is a literal game-changer, and now I can enjoy games in Ultra HD at 120Hz, the max refresh rate my LG OLED supports.

And hoo-boy, have I enjoyed some great, light up my life PC playthroughs this year. It may be blighted with serious tech woes, but I still got a kick from staggering out into the almost blindingly green open world forests of the recent Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remaster. Stellar Xbox racer Forza Horizon 5 – which was just recently released on PS5 – also serves up the sort of searing hues Philips' new(ish) HDMI sync box revels in reproducing.

I’ve been so impressed with what the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K has added to my gaming sessions of late, I’ve taken the plunge and dragged my 65lb PC into my living room for daily usage – yes, I’m sad enough I actually jumped on my set of scales cradling it like a gigantic baby to weigh the thing. My poor, poor shattered knees.

Philips’ latest HDMI accessory is the best device I’ve ever paired with a TV. Not only has it made PC gaming on my main TV viable at long last, it also makes streaming shows on my 77-inch OLED screen a constant, immersion-adding pleasure.

Be it watching Tom Hardy’s detective prowl around inner city streets as cop car lights cause my sync box to alternate between startling shades of red and blue in Gareth Evans’ unflinching action flick Havoc on Netflix or being dazzled by the neon splendour of Cyberpunk 2077’s Night City, the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K is a knockout – albeit expensive – TV accessory.

My eyes can’t get enough of it.

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• Anker's docking station's ultra-fast Thunderbolt 5 supports up to 120 Gbps for video and data transfer
• Includes HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1, but only one video port works natively at once
• Two extra Thunderbolt ports let you connect 8K monitors

Anker has introduced a new laptop docking station that uses a primary Thunderbolt 5 connection to the host machine, along with two additional Thunderbolt ports for peripherals such as 8K monitors.

Thunderbolt 5 offers backward compatibility with earlier Thunderbolt and USB standards and supports up to 120Gbps bandwidth under optimal conditions, so a single cable handles data, power, and video, helping reduce desktop cable clutter.

MiniMachines reports the dock targets users who need extensive I/O flexibility, supporting high-resolution multi-monitor setups and a wide range of peripherals.

Multiple connectivity options

The dock includes a range of connectivity options: 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, three USB 3.2 Type-A ports, two USB 3.2 Type-C ports, a 3.5mm combo audio jack, and SDXC card readers.

It also features HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1 outputs, although only one can be used at a time for native video output unless additional monitors are connected via Thunderbolt or USB protocols.

The external power supply is rated at 180 watts, with up to 140 watts delivered to a connected laptop - ideal for powering devices while handling demanding workloads, all without a separate charger.

A subtle LED ring on the top edge provides status feedback. The dock is housed in a sandblasted aluminum chassis, though passive cooling alone isn’t sufficient - so a compact internal fan is included.

While fan-based cooling is common in mini PCs, prolonged use could lead to issues like fan misalignment or increased noise.

The dock also does not appear to be user-serviceable, which could be a drawback for users concerned with maintenance or long-term durability.

Priced at €419 (about $474), it’s not the most budget-friendly option, but it may appeal to users seeking a premium, all-in-one docking solution for high-end displays and performance-focused peripherals.

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Age is just a number, or so people entering late middle age like to say. It's also inevitable. No matter where you are on life's journey, you are growing up, getting older, slouching toward expiration. It's only natural that we turn to the most readily available technology for answers about the inevitable. And no, I'm not talking about those ridiculous light masks. Instead, I'm asking AI to ponder my deterioration.

I'm not the only one. Multi-millionaire Bryan Johnson is turning his quest to forestall death into a religion and one that has a deep connection to AI.

In a recent interview with MIT Technology Review, Johnson outlined his plans for a new "Don't Die" religion and how AI could factor into our longevity. He wants to train models on things like conflict resolution, which I assume could help us avoid wars that lead to, tragically, lots more death.

But for Johnson, who has invested deeply in extending his own life, AI will not only change how we treat ourselves, it may also impact how we view religion. AI's ubiquity (and growing influence and power) may lead people to think of their bodies as "God."

Heady stuff, I know. More practically, though, Johnson said he's feeding his body data into an algorithm. "I’ve been testing the hypothesis that if I get a whole bunch of data about my body, and I give it to an algorithm, and feed that algorithm updates with scientific evidence, then it would eventually do a better job than a doctor. So I gave myself over to an algorithm," he told MIT.

Like Johnston, I'm deeply invested in my longevity, but without the millions to spend on it. I do, though, have access to myriad AIs that are all, I presume, ready and willing to guide me on my physical journey.

Even though I haven't fed all my physical data into these AI systems, I assumed each one of them could offer some useful advice and maybe help me turn back the hands of time, if only a little bit.

A question of age

I posed the same question to ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, and Claude AI: "What's the best way to combat aging?"

ChatGPT leaped right into some well-worn advice, telling me:

"Staying active, eating a balanced diet, and keeping a positive mindset can really help. Regular exercise and maintaining strong social connections are also important. And don’t forget to keep your brain engaged with new challenges and learning opportunities. Is there any specific area you’d like to focus on?"

This is all good and unsurprising advice, and since it asked, I followed up with, "How do I look younger?"

As I expected, ChatGPT talked about hydration, sunscreen, eating fruits and vegetables, sleep, and exercise. One thing I didn't know is that vitamin C can help.

AI is my Copilot

I switched to Microsoft's platform (which, like ChatGPT, is based on OpenAI models).

Seeming to understand my anxiety, Copilot started by talking me down off the proverbial ledge:

"Aging is a natural part of life, but focusing on a few key areas can help you age gracefully. Staying active keeps your body strong, while a balanced diet filled with fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and healthy fats nourishes your skin and cells. Don't underestimate the power of staying mentally sharp, too, whether that's through learning new things or keeping social connections alive. How about a creative hobby or meditation for a mental boost?"

I like the "aging gracefully" part. Copilot knows we're not talking about trying to live forever, as I think Johnston may be trying to do, but decaying with grace (and maybe courage). Its advice was a bit more general than ChatGPT's, but it, too, mentioned my diet and physical activity.

AI anti-aging aswers. From left-to-right, ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude AI, and Gemini. (Image credit: Future) Claude's textbook approach

Unlike ChatGPT and Copilot, Anthropic's Claude AI can't answer in voice, so its response was far less conversational and offered a more textbook approach to anti-aging:

"There are many evidence-based approaches to combat aging and promote longevity. Here’s what science currently suggests:

1. Dietary strategies - Caloric restriction, intermittent fasting, and Mediterranean or DASH diets have shown longevity benefits

2. Regular exercise - Both aerobic and resistance training help maintain muscle mass, cardiovascular health, and cognitive function

3. Sleep optimization - 7-8 hours of quality sleep supports cellular repair and immune function

4. Stress management - Chronic stress accelerates aging through inflammation and telomere shortening

5. Social connection - Strong relationships are consistently linked to longer lifespans

6. Cognitive engagement - Learning new skills and mental challenges support brain health

7. Supplements - Some show promise but with varying evidence (NAD+ precursors, resveratrol)

8. Lifestyle choices - Avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol, and minimizing UV exposure protect against premature aging

To be honest, this was some of the best advice. I appreciate the detail around lifestyle choices, perhaps because they align with some of my own.

Doctor Gemini

Of all the AI chatbots I spoke to, only Gemini added a big and, I think, important caveat at the beginning and end of its generative advice:

"This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional.

While aging is a natural process, there are ways to promote healthy aging. A balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management techniques can help. Prioritizing quality sleep and staying socially connected can also make a big difference. And of course, don't forget the importance of regular checkups with your doctor.

Just a reminder that I don't provide medical advice or diagnoses. You should always talk to a medical professional."

Sure, the lawyers probably made Google add that, but it's a good reminder that while AIs like Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and others are always looking to help, their advice should always be taken with a grain of salt.

Consult your doctor

It's not just that AIs can still hallucinate, but what they know about our bodies and health is still a compendium of fact and opinion-based information pulled from countless sources and training. The models and algorithms meld it to give you the best possible advice. As you can see, most of it is accurate, but, for now at least, these AIs do not know you and may not know, for instance, that you have a Vitamin C allergy or that physical activity is difficult for you because of a disability.

Ultimately, you have to take their advice as suggestions and then, as Gemini says, consult a professional.

There may come a time when, as Bryan Johnson predicts, we're pouring all of our data into these systems and they know more about us than a doctor and have more information at their fingertips than any one healthcare professional ever could. But we are not there yet. So while Johnston relies on AI to help him make anti-aging choices, you should still talk to your doctor first.

Also, I think I need to start using moisturizer.

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The UK Government's ambitious AI Action Plan is heralding a new era of digital innovation, promising transformative advancements across various sectors. However, its implications for the UK's power and utilities landscape are both profound and complex.

These expanding technological needs come at a critical time when the UK is fundamentally reshaping its approach to energy production and consumption. Additionally, the surge in demand for more data centers presents an extra layer of complexity for an energy grid that is simultaneously trying to become more sustainable and more resilient.

Navigating this intricate interplay of technological advancement, environmental targets and infrastructure limitations will define the challenges and opportunities for the UK's power and utilities sectors in the coming years.

The energy infrastructure challenge: A collision of ambition and reality

One of the biggest challenges to have emerged for the UK’s energy sector is the increased demand of data centers. Powering AI requires data, and powering data requires large amounts of electricity and water. This puts further pressure on the energy grid as the UK speeds ahead with net zero plans. In fact, according to a Gartner report, 40% of existing AI data centers are predicted to be operationally constrained by power availability by 2027.

While renewable energy sources like wind and solar are crucial for reducing carbon emissions, their power output is entirely reliant on weather conditions. Unlike traditional power plants that can generate consistent amounts of electricity, renewable energy depends on unpredictable natural factors like wind and sunlight.

To ensure that electricity output remains consistent and stable, it is crucial for the energy sector to continue to develop new and innovative solutions. For instance, in the case of a sudden drop in renewable energy production due to unexpected weather changes, the grid needs to have backup power sources or energy storage systems to maintain consistent electricity delivery to be able to balance supply with demand. In addition, there is a large opportunity to apply AI technology to controlling demand itself, allowing it to be part of the solution to balancing a volatile system.

Grid limitations, often referred to as ‘constraints’, also remain a significant obstacle. The situation is becoming more complex with the emergence of energy-intensive sectors like artificial intelligence. With the added pressure of the UK government's AI Action Plan, rapid expansions in energy and water supply are now required to support new data centers. This growing demand, combined with the inherent variability of renewable energy, creates an urgent need to modernize the energy grid.

Additionally, the growth in data centers will also impact the water sector. These facilities require substantial amounts of water for cooling purposes, adding another layer of strain on existing resources, particularly in regions already facing water stress.

Addressing the energy infrastructure challenge therefore requires a holistic approach that considers both power and water supply in the context of the UK's net zero objectives. Without substantial technological advancements and innovative power solutions, the UK risks limiting its sustainability goals and its ability to support emerging technologies.

Policy and regulatory imperatives

Combating these challenges will require proactive policy and regulatory reforms to ensure the energy demands of the AI sector do not outpace supply capacity or compromise sustainability goals. Ofgem has already begun to make significant strides in this area by developing connections reform in 2024, with plans to implement these changes in a phased form in 2025. The goal is to create more flexible regulations that can quickly adapt to the rapidly changing energy landscape, especially as technological innovations like AI drive increase demand for electricity.

Moreover, initiatives like the Data Sharing Infrastructure (DSI) in the energy sector and similar pushes in water management further underscore the importance of data sharing and transparency. By facilitating the exchange of data across different stakeholders, DSI promotes better decision-making and resource allocation, which are essential for optimizing operations and improving overall system resilience.

Additionally, these efforts are particularly vital in the context of integrating AI and renewable energy sources into existing infrastructure. AI technologies can leverage vast amounts of data to optimize energy production and consumption patterns, enhancing efficiency and reducing operational costs.

This integration is crucial for meeting sustainability goals by minimizing carbon footprints and maximizing renewable energy utilization.

The opportunity to invest and innovate

The AI Action Plan presents both challenges and exciting opportunities for investment and innovation in the UK's power and utilities sectors. As the country continues to increase its use of solar and wind energy, it will need to improve the flexibility of its energy systems. This includes expanding battery storage and adopting strategies that focus on managing the demand for electricity, instead of just increasing supply, to help balance the grid.

Due to the uncertain nature of renewables, balancing supply and demand is more difficult. To address this, battery storage becomes essential as well as other longer-duration storage technologies which are in development. These capture excess renewable energy produced when there is more power than needed (like during sunny or windy days) and store it for later use, such as during periods of high demand or when renewable generation is low. This helps keep the grid stable and flexible, ensuring that there is always enough power available when it’s needed most.

The deployment of smart grids will be key to improving how energy is distributed and used. Smart grids use advanced technology like sensors, communication tools and data analytics to monitor and control the flow of electricity more efficiently. These technologies help ensure that energy is distributed in the most effective way, allowing for the smooth integration of distributed renewable energy (like solar panels and wind turbines) into the grid.

Additionally, ensuring flexibility on the demand side will be critical. This refers to encouraging consumers to adjust when and how they use electricity based on signals from the grid or price incentives. For example, if the grid is overloaded or renewable energy is scarce, consumers might be asked to reduce their energy use or shift it to times when there’s more available power. By doing this, consumers can help balance energy supply and demand, making the grid more stable and efficient.

AI-powered tools are creating many new opportunities for innovation in the energy and utilities sectors in the UK. These technologies use advanced algorithms and machine learning to analyze vast amounts of data, which can lead to significant improvements in how energy systems operate.

One of the key areas AI can have a critical impact is predicting how much energy will be needed at different times. Given AI’s capability for analyzing historical data, weather patterns and other factors, more accurate forecasts can be made. This helps utilities better plan for peak demand times and ensure there is enough supply to meet customer needs without overloading the system. It can also be used to understand the opportunities to alter demand to manage peak times – such as pre-cooling a refrigeration unit or delaying a manufacturing process.

Moreover, real-time management of the energy grid can be further optimised by AI, enabling the dynamic adjustment of energy flows to swiftly respond to fluctuations in demand and supply. This is becoming increasingly crucial with the integration of renewable energy sources like solar and wind, as waste is minimized, the reliability on the energy grid is enhanced, while certain risks of outages are pre-emptively addressed.

Finally, the ways in which energy companies interact with their customers is set to be enhanced using AI. By analyzing customer data, AI can offer personalized recommendations for energy savings, such as suggesting when to use appliances or adjusting energy usage based on pricing signals. AI can also improve customer service by providing quicker and more accurate responses to enquiries, and by helping consumers track their energy consumption more effectively.

Navigating a future powered by intelligence and sustainability

As the UK embraces the transformative potential of its AI Action Plan, the power and utilities sectors stand at a critical juncture. The increased energy and water demands from expanding data centers, coupled with the ongoing transition to renewable energy, present profound and complex challenges. Addressing these challenges requires strategic policy reforms, significant investments in grid modernization and energy storage, and the widespread adoption of innovative technologies, including AI itself.

By proactively addressing the energy infrastructure challenge and seizing emerging investment and innovation opportunities, the UK can ensure that its AI ambitions are powered sustainably. This approach will pave the way for a future where technological advancement and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.

We've featured the best AI chatbot for business.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

• Chinese threat actor TheWizards observed running a SLAAC attack since 2022
• The attack delivers tainted software updates
• Most victims are in China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and UAE

A threat actor called TheWizards has been running SLAAC spoofing attacks to target organizations, cybersecurity researchers ESET have revealed, claiming the group is aligned with the Chinese government.

In the campaign, the attackers would use a tool called Spellbinder to send fake Router Advertisement (RA) messages to their targets.

These messages trick devices into thinking the attacker’s system is the legitimate router, causing them to route all their internet traffic through the hacker’s machine. Since this method manipulates the Stateless Address Autoconfiguration (SLAAC) process, the entire attack was dubbed “SLAAC spoofing”.

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Once TheWizards start controlling the traffic, they use Spellbinder to intercept DNS queries for legitimate software update domains and redirect them.

As a result, the victims end up downloading trojanized versions of software updates, containing the WizardNet backdoor.

This piece of malware, ESET further explained, grants TheWizards remote access to the victim devices. It communicates over encrypted TCP or UDP sockets, and uses a SessionKey based on system identifiers for AES encryptions.

Besides loading and executing .NET modules in-memory, WizardNet can extract system data, list running processes, and maintain persistence.

The campaign has been ongoing since at least 2022, ESET added, mainly targeting people and businesses in China, Hong Kong, Cambodia, the Philippines, and the UAE.

Apparently, the crooks are currently tricking people into downloading a fake Tencent update: “The malicious server that issues the update instructions was still active at the time of writing,” ESET said. Most of the corporate victims seem to be in the gambling vertical.

ESET also said that Spellbinder is monitoring for domains belonging not just to Tencent, but also Baidu, Xunlei, Youku, iQIYI, Kingsoft, Mango TV, Funshion, Yuodao, Xiaomi, Xiaomi Miui, PPLive, Meitu, Quihoo 360, and Baofeng.

The best way to mitigate the risk is to monitor IPv6 traffic, or turn off the protocol if it’s not required in the environment, ESET concluded.

Via BleepingComputer

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The impact that the new US administration’s sweeping global tariffs will have on building out the country’s AI infrastructure is a hot topic. This is not least because US tech giants continue to announce huge budgets for sprawling data centers, with a recent report estimating that Microsoft, Google and Meta plan to spend a combined $325 billion on new data centers.

Analysts are focusing mainly on the rising cost of steel, copper, and other precious metals needed to expand physical infrastructure, as well as the specialized semiconductor and GPU chips essential to data centers. By some estimates, construction costs for commercial projects may rise by as much as 5% under the new US global tariff regime.

While these estimates may be correct, the analysis - at least in terms of data centers - is missing a crucial element. Debates over importing steel, GPUs, servers, and networking equipment assume that meeting rising computing demand means we must continuously build. The reality, however, is that we are significantly underutilizing the computing resources we already have.

The resource utilization problem

What we have here is a manufacturing solution being proposed for a distribution problem. Building additional facilities to meet the growing demand for AI computing not only requires enormous capital investment, but this centralized model creates vulnerabilities in terms of single points of failure and malicious actors.

Meanwhile, vast computing resources are sitting idle worldwide. Indeed, we are wasting tremendous computing power. According to the SPECpower benchmark, 20% to 60% of the power consumed by computers connected to the public cloud is idle and so unattributable to active utilization. This means that a significant amount of cloud and GPU computing power is likely being unutilized globally.

In China, the situation is markedly worse. Due to the country’s recent AI infrastructure “gold rush”, billions of dollars were spent on data centers, around 80% of which are now sitting idle, according to a report published by The MIT Technology Review.

This is because the recent release of Chinese AI LLM DeepSeek has revealed a startling truth: AI doesn’t need $30,000 GPU chips with enormous computing power to operate. Indeed, as the release of DeepSeek V3 has just shown, an AI LLM can be run on a Mac computer.

This serves to underline the enormous inefficiencies in global computing power that have persisted for years simply because we have not sought to aggregate and redistribute existing resources. Rather than building entirely new infrastructure, we can tap into reserves of existing computational power. All we need to do is rethink computing infrastructure.

Utilizing existing infrastructure

Harnessing unused computational power is the most efficient way to meet the demands of AI, and Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePINs) offer innovative solutions. Rather than building more centralized facilities, DePIN cloud models can connect buyers with suppliers of unused computing power through a globally distributed network that is not reliant on single data centers.

One might think of this as the "Airbnb of Compute" - a way to connect those who need GPU space with those who have GPU space to spare.

This approach, which is able to utilize the world’s idle computing power, has the potential to meet the needs of businesses and individuals without spending billions of dollars on new physical infrastructure.

By taking advantage of underutilized GPU power, cloud computing DePIN platforms can offer high-performance computing at prices significantly lower than established providers like AWS and Azure, and this structural advantage makes tariff concerns largely irrelevant.

Rather than spending billions of dollars on new facilities that will - as China’s dilemma demonstrates - be underutilized, DePIN models maximize existing resources. As DeepSeek has shown, the distribution of computing power can also widen participation in AI tools, enabling small and medium enterprises to leverage machine learning technology without prohibitive costs.

Computing without constraints

Globally, we have come to realize the drawbacks of centralization. In the cloud space, by pivoting from large, centralized data centers, we can build networks that are resilient to trade wars or pandemics. These distributed systems respond to demand naturally – expanding when needed, contracting when not needed – without requiring vast new facilities.

For business leaders and policymakers, this represents an opportunity to rethink assumptions about infrastructure development. Rather than subsidizing more gigantic data centers, leaders could focus policies on incentivizing the better utilization of existing resources.

In the US especially, rather than poring over the potential increase in costs of importing more steel, copper, and computational hardware, the Stargate Infrastructure Project might focus on the vast unused capacity the country already has. And, as cost-cutting is a core focus of this administration, this approach would be fully aligned.

Perhaps of even more interest to such a conservative administration would be the savings in energy costs that such an approach would bring. Distributed computing networks typically consume less energy than large data centers and, more importantly, in a way that does not negatively impact communities and businesses in the area.

Innovation through efficiency

Most importantly, though, distributed computing networks enable faster innovation cycles by lowering barriers to access. They create new economic opportunities for resource providers previously excluded from the AI economy - and innovation and entrepreneurship are nothing if not the raison d'etre of Republican idealism.

Ultimately, current debates around tariffs and their impact on data center construction costs distract from a glaring opportunity. By embracing decentralized computing models, the world can meet growing AI demands without being constrained by infrastructure limitations. The technology exists today, and the economic case is compelling. The only remaining question is how quickly businesses and policymakers will recognize this.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

• Nvidia’s again rumored to have RTX 5080 and 5070 Super variants inbound with 24GB and 18GB of VRAM
• They might also be highly overclocked and could boost performance by as much as 15% versus their vanilla versions
• Pricing will be crucial, and Nvidia may be so worried about AMD’s RX 9000 family that it might stick with the same MSRPs as the RTX 5080 and 5070

We’re hearing more gossip from the GPU grapevine about what Nvidia might have incoming in the way of Super variants of its RTX 5080 and 5070 graphics cards.

Following rumors about these potential upgrades to the existing Blackwell GPUs floating around last week – insisting the RTX 5080 Super will boost the amount of video RAM to 24GB (from 16GB) – we’ve heard from a regular leaker on YouTube on this topic.

In a new video (see below), Moore’s Law is Dead is quick to point out that none of the information he has represents concrete plans from Nvidia – which also goes for previous rumors – but nonetheless it’s interesting to chew over the purported thinking inside the company right now.

Which is, according to a source at one of Nvidia’s graphics card making partners, that there have been RTX 5080 GPUs with 24GB and RTX 5070 boards with 18GB in labs since last year.

In other words, testing on such models has been going on for half a year (or more – and various rumors go back some way, too). However, Nvidia told card manufacturers that these variants are ‘on hold’ until either the situation around pricing for video RAM improves – to make the price tags on these supposed Super models suitably palatable for PC gamers – or until Nvidia sees if these variants are really needed based on what AMD is doing.

There’s been a new development last week, though, in that the source claims Nvidia is now saying that RTX 5080 and 5070 Super graphics cards are now ‘likely’ to happen at some point in 2025.

These will apparently be highly overclocked versions of these two GPUs with the respective 24GB and 18GB loadouts that have already been heavily rumored (up from 16GB and 12GB currently).

Of course, be cautious about this assertion, but be even more careful with the speculation around the performance boost that this could provide. The source believes we’ll be looking at Super graphics cards that are between 7% to 15% faster than the vanilla RTX 5080 and 5070.

What about pricing? That isn’t yet confirmed, as you’d guess given that we’re not near launch yet. However, according to the source, Nvidia could be looking at keeping the MRSP the same as the current price tags for the RTX 5080 and 5070, or alternatively, applying a slight increase (maybe 10%, or 20% perhaps for the RTX 5080 24GB, the YouTuber guesses).

Analysis: Priming the big guns to fire back at AMD?

A performance gain in the order of 10% to 15% would be impressive for Super variants that use the same core counts as the vanilla RTX 5080 and 5070. That’s because those (theoretical) gains are coming entirely from the VRAM increase and pushing up clocks (by a fair bit, I’d guess – which will also ramp up power usage, it should be noted).

It’s further worth remembering that ratcheting up VRAM by 6-8GB could make quite a difference with certain games in some scenarios, where that capacity matters more. And that the mentioned performance gain would bring the RTX 5080 Super up to more or less match the frame rates delivered by the RTX 4090.

If Nvidia really is considering maintaining pricing at the same level as the RTX 5080 and 5070 while giving gamers that kind of boost, it does show that this is certainly all about firing back at AMD. As the source indicates, the RX 9000 series has ‘spooked’ Nvidia and we’re certainly seeing Team Red gaining GPU turf in the battle of the current-gen graphics cards.

I’m not surprised that Nvidia is therefore feeling the heat, and might be considering launching RTX 5080 and 5070 Super versions that hit the shelves as much more tempting potential purchases. The latter is particularly needed, because as we’ve seen, the RTX 5070 vanilla GPU received a lukewarm reception, and it looks like sales have been shaky – and that’s the key mid-range battleground with AMD.

There’s actually RTX 5070 stock around now at major retailers, and pricing isn’t too bad for these models either. Although, of course, if a compelling RTX 5070 Super arrives, pitched at the same MSRP (or maybe just 10% more), that could create quite a splash. And then Nvidia would need to ensure a robust supply, or face criticism all over again on the stock front.

Which is why if these Super refreshes really are happening, I’m anticipating that they won’t be arriving until later in 2025. Not unless Nvidia really is sweating about how much discrete GPU market share AMD is gobbling up (and Team Green has the ability to crank production lines suitably, too).

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Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Monday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Monday, May 5 (game #1197).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1198) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1198) - hint #2 - repeated letters Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.

Quordle today (game #1198) - hint #3 - uncommon letters Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1198) - hint #4 - starting letters (1) Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1198) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• U

• S

• F

• P

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1198) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1198, are…

• UNITE
• SOGGY
• FILET
• PORCH

It was a choice between UNTIE and QUITE on my final word, but as it turned out both were wrong and UNITE was the word I was looking for.

Up until this point I’d been very lucky with my guesses, so I don’t feel too bad about my error.

I’m not sure about using PROUD as a start word, but this is the third day out of four where we’ve had a word beginning with P, so I’m sticking with it for now.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1198) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1198, are…

• BASIC
• CRIED
• RESIN
• GLAND

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1197, Monday, 5 May: WREAK, COWER, STEAD, QUEUE
• Quordle #1196, Sunday, 4 May: PINCH, SMOKE, SCARY, CANNY
• Quordle #1195, Saturday, 3 May: PLUSH, VERGE, WROTE, CONDO
• Quordle #1194, Friday, 2 May: CAUSE, RISEN, MACAW, SMELT
• Quordle #1193, Thursday, 1 May: IDIOM, EXILE, SPOOF, DRAPE
• Quordle #1192, Wednesday, 30 April: BATON, TORSO, ANNEX, DROWN
• Quordle #1191, Tuesday, 29 April: HOVER, HENCE, OCTAL, COPSE
• Quordle #1190, Monday, 28 April: JAUNT, ALLOW, FRUIT, BURNT
• Quordle #1189, Sunday, 27 April: PRIOR, YOUTH, CREDO, CHIDE
• Quordle #1188, Saturday, 26 April: LINGO, LOCUS, THROW, CLICK
• Quordle #1187, Friday, 25 April: SHALT, WRATH, MAMBO, HUMPH
• Quordle #1186, Thursday, 24 April: CHOKE, COLOR, FRAME, CAIRN
• Quordle #1185, Wednesday, 23 April: VALET, PUPAL, CREEP, DRIFT
• Quordle #1184, Tuesday, 22 April: POUTY, CHEST, BROOM, TEPEE
• Quordle #1183, Monday, 21 April: SHARD, PRINT, SUMAC, LEACH
• Quordle #1182, Sunday, 20 April: DINER, HORDE, SHONE, FUGUE
• Quordle #1181, Saturday, 19 April: GRADE, LAUGH, RAINY, EXULT
• Quordle #1180, Friday, 18 April: DEBUT, GLADE, BASTE, PESTO
• Quordle #1179, Thursday, 17 April: SPRAY, RAMEN, SHELF, COURT
• Quordle #1178, Wednesday 16 April: STUMP, GRAFT, CHORD, INPUT

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Monday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, May 5 (game #694).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #695) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• HUSH
• RIBBON
• BABY
• TOY
• MINUTE
• MOCKINGBIRD
• GAME
• RAZZMATAZZ
• STILL
• SET
• COMPACT
• PEACE
• MATCH
• CALM
• KIDNEY
• TOURNAMENT

NYT Connections today (game #695) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Tranquility
• GREEN: Wimbledon words
• BLUE: Tiny
• PURPLE: Roasting at the start

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #695) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: SILENCE
• GREEN: TENNIS COMPETITION UNITS 
• BLUE: COMPARATIVELY SMALL 
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "TEASE" 

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #695) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #695, are…

• YELLOW: SILENCE CALM, HUSH, PEACE, STILL
• GREEN: TENNIS COMPETITION UNITS GAME, MATCH, SET, TOURNAMENT
• BLUE: COMPARATIVELY SMALL BABY, COMPACT, MINUTE, TOY
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "TEASE" KIDNEY, MOCKINGBIRD, RAZZMATAZZ, RIBBON

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

I did think that there was a group about teasing today, but in mine I had TOY and BABY rather than the clever gathering of STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR “TEASE”.

I love that Connections features this kind of wordplay, I just wish that I could see it more easily.

I got today’s groups in order of difficulty, which always makes me feel an inner sense of PEACE. The SILENCE words came quickly; my only doubt was originally thinking that they had something to do with meditation and that SET belonged in the gang.

TENNIS COMPETITION UNITS was easy, too, thanks to the umpire’s pronouncement of “Game, set, and match” being permanently etched on our brains regardless of whether we like tennis or not.

Personally, I’m in and out. I like the tantrums more than the actual games.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Monday, May 5, game #694)

• YELLOW: GLIDE COAST, CRUISE, DRIFT, FLOAT
• GREEN: ASSOCIATED WITH COUNT DRACULA BAT, CAPE, CASTLE, FANG
• BLUE: STOP CHANGING FLATTEN, LEVEL, PLATEAU, SETTLE
• PURPLE: THINGS THAT ARE LONG AND CYLINDRICAL BATON, CIGAR, HOAGIE, TORPEDO

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Monday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, May 5 (game #428).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #429) - hint #1 - today's theme What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… I'm in lobe

NYT Strands today (game #429) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• DRONE
• ROPE
• GAIN
• NEAR
• GLUE
• CHOP

NYT Strands today (game #429) - hint #3 - spangram letters How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 8 letters

NYT Strands today (game #429) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: bottom, 4th column

Last side: top, 3rd column

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #429) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #429, are…

• STUD
• CUFF
• HOOP
• CHANDELIER
• PLUG
• CLIPON
• TEARDROP
• SPANGRAM: EARRINGS

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

CHANDELIER was so snaky – going from the top all the way to the bottom of the grid – that I thought it was going to turn yellow.

Instead, it was EARRINGS, a spangram which I needed to get as in my ignorance I tapped out EARDROP and missed the letter T.

STUD was the first word I looked for, which after getting it immediately exhausted my knowledge of the many types of ear adornments.

Like clip-on ties and clip-on moustaches, there is something comical about CLIP-ON earrings. Largely because they are the type of thing you’d put on as a child and wear while doing impressions of your mother and her friends gossiping about the neighbors at a Tupperware party. No? Just me then!

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Monday, May 5, game #428)

• STEAK
• HOME
• CURLY
• WAFFLE
• CRINKLE
• SHOESTRING
• SPANGRAM: FRENCH FRIES

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

• Asustor won’t force users into branded drives - you pick the parts, they stay compatible
• Lock-in means landfill - Asustor’s open NAS avoids waste and keeps your hardware relevant longer
• Want to load 360TB in your NAS? Asustor says go ahead with no restrictions

Asustor is taking a firm stand against vendor lock-in with a renewed pledge to keep its NAS devices fully open and unlocked.

While not naming any competitors, the move clearly takes aim at brands like Synology, which restrict hardware compatibility through proprietary firmware.

Asustor says it tests a wide range of third-party components for inclusion in its compatibility list but stops short of enforcing limitations. “We do not believe in treating our customers like children,” the company says. Instead, Asustor trusts users to make their own choices when selecting drives, memory, or even operating systems.

Freedom of choice without firmware walls

The company does not guarantee support for every model on the market but said that any drive compatible with the physical interface should work in theory. This includes many of the top NAS hard drives available today.

Asustor says the goal is to provide “the best experience” without locking users into a narrow ecosystem that could degrade over time.

There’s also an environmental advantage. Devices from vendors with strict restrictions are more likely to become obsolete when in-house drives are discontinued, leading to unnecessary e-waste.

“Another side effect of vendor lock-in is disposability. Because Asustor NAS devices do not lock you in, this means longer longevity, as there is no risk of losing functionality due to the termination of manufacturing of in-house drives,” the company explained in a blog post.

Additionally, users are free to install alternate operating systems even after official support ends, something few NAS makers allow. While Asustor does not provide direct support for third-party OSes, it respects users’ rights to choose what works best for their systems.

In terms of performance and flexibility, vendor-neutral NAS devices offer significantly more room to grow. With no firmware-level restrictions on storage capacity, users can install the latest large-capacity drives, such as 36TB models, and build arrays up to 360TB in a 10-bay Asustor unit.

Devices with hard-coded limitations, by contrast, may not support such upgrades. This freedom is crucial, especially when certain drives or capacities become difficult to source. “Sometimes availability is an issue, and the specifications you want might not even be available,” Asustor explains.

Ultimately, this reflects a broader philosophy: users should truly own the hardware they purchase. For those pairing their NAS with a portable hard drive or other third-party components, it’s a reassuring sign that their setup won’t be artificially limited.

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• Socket found seven malicious packages on PyPI
• The packages were abusing Gmail and WebSocket
• They were removed from the platform

Several malicious PyPI packages were recently observed abusing Gmail to exfiltrate stolen sensitive data and communicate with their operators.

Cybersecurity researchers Socket, who found the packages, reported them to the Python repository and thus helped get them removed from the platform - however the damage has already been done.

According to Socket, there were seven malicious PyPI packages, some of which were sitting on the platform for more than four years. Cumulatively, they had more than 55,000 downloads. Most are an imitation of the legitimate Coffin package, with names like Coffin-Codes-Pro, Coffin-Codes, NET2, Coffin-Codes-NET, Coffin-Codes-2022, Coffin2022, and Coffin-Grave. One was called cfc-bsb.

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Compromised hosting accounts

The researchers explained that once the package is installed on the victim device, it connects to Gmail using hardcoded credentials, and contacts the C2 server.

It then creates a tunnel using WebSockets, and since Gmail’s email server is being used for communication, the communication bypasses most firewalls and other security measures.

As a result, the attackers are able to send commands, steal files, run code, and even access systems remotely.

However, it seems that the crooks were mostly interested in crypto theft, since one of the email addresses the malware was reaching out to had the words “blockchain” and “bitcoin” it it:

“Coffin-Codes-Pro establishes a connection to Gmail’s SMTP server using hardcoded credentials, namely sphacoffin@gmail[.]comand a password,” the report says.

“It then sends a message to a second email address, blockchain[.]bitcoins2020@gmail[.]com politely and demurely signaling that the implant is working.”

Socket has warned all Python users running any of the packages in their environment to remove them immediately and rotate keys and credentials as needed.

The researchers also urged everyone to watch for unusual outbound connections, “especially SMTP traffic”, and warned them not to trust a package just because it was a few years old.

"To protect your codebase, always verify package authenticity by checking download counts, publisher history, and GitHub repository links,” they added.

“Regular dependency audits help catch unexpected or malicious packages early. Keep strict access controls on private keys, carefully limiting who can view or import them in development. Use isolated, dedicated environments when testing third-party scripts to contain potentially harmful code.”

Via BleepingComputer

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• Japanese researchers hit 106Gbps per core with plastic fiber breakthrough
• Multicore plastic fiber slashes costs and complexity for AI data centers
• Bit error rate drops 100,000-fold versus traditional glass-based systems

A team of researchers at Keio University in Japan has developed a breakthrough plastic optical fiber (POF) technology that could transform short-range, high-speed communications in next-generation AI data centers.

Announced ahead of the Optical Fiber Communication Conference (OFC) 2025, the group revealed a multicore graded-index POF capable of transmitting data at up to 106.25Gbps per core.

Led by Professor Yasuhiro Koike and Lecturer Kenta Muramoto at the Keio Photonics Research Institute, the project addresses a growing bottleneck in AI infrastructure: the need for ultra-high-capacity, low-latency interconnects between GPUs and accelerators in dense computing environments.

Faster, more scalable AI infrastructure

Unlike traditional glass fibers, which require complex ribbonization and multicore connectors, the team’s method allows for multicore POFs to be manufactured in one step using extrusion molding. This dramatically reduces costs and complexity, by a factor of 10 to 100, according to the researchers.

The new extrusion technique allows for mass production of multicore fibers regardless of core count or arrangement, making it adaptable to a wide range of data center designs.

Testing confirmed even after 30 meters of transmission at 106.25Gbps PAM4, signal integrity remained high, with minimal degradation in TDECQ. Bit error rates (BER) were reduced by up to 1/10,000 to 1/100,000 compared to conventional glass fibers.

According to the researchers, "GI-type POF has a property in which the fine non-uniform structure formed inside the core reduces the coherence of light, functioning as a volumetric noise reduction effect throughout the entire optical fiber."

This fine-grained internal structure diffuses optical coherence and acts as a volumetric noise reduction mechanism.

The team’s multicore GI-POF, including a 61-core circular version and a 4-core rectangular variant, reportedly demonstrated high manufacturing reliability and stable transmission across all cores.

Combined with VCSELs (vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers), the system achieved 106.25Gbps PAM4 signal transmission over 30 meters without significant degradation.

Two papers detailing this work have been accepted at OFC 2025. With increasing demand for efficient, high-performance interconnects, Keio’s multicore plastic fiber technology could be key to unlocking faster, more scalable AI infrastructure in the years ahead.

Via PC Watch

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• A bug that broke jump links in the Start menu was previously flagged up with Windows 10’s April update
• That glitch was actually floating about in earlier updates (going back to February)
• Microsoft has fixed the problem, which related to a change to bring a Microsoft account-related panel to the Start menu in Windows 10

Remember that odd Windows 10 problem where the April update for the OS broke part of the Start menu for some people? The good news is that Microsoft has resolved this bug.

If you missed this one, it was a glitch that meant jump lists – extra options that pop up with a right click on an icon – no longer worked properly for some apps in the Start menu.

Windows Latest caught an update from Microsoft about the issue, which both confirmed that this bug is (or was) present in Windows 10, and also that it’s now fixed, thankfully.

In a release health dashboard update, in the known issues section, Microsoft acknowledged the bug and admitted it was more widespread than just the most recent April cumulative update for Windows 10. In fact, this Start menu faux pas has been present since the February preview (optional) update.

Microsoft explains that the problem related to bringing in Microsoft account “control experiences” to the Start Menu, a limited rollout that began in March 2025. (So, it would also have been present in the late February update, which was a preview of the March full release.)

Whatever was happening with introducing that feature caused the jump list functionality to vanish for some Windows 10 users. Upon realizing this, Microsoft paused the rollout of that Microsoft account-related addition to the Start menu on April 25. A fix was piped through, as well.

Microsoft says: “This [jump link] issue was resolved by a service change that was rolled out on April 25, 2025. If you are still facing this issue, please ensure that your device is connected to the internet to receive the automatic resolution that has been rolled out. After the next reboot, this issue should be resolved.”

(Image credit: Microsoft) Analysis: Backporting blues

Windows Latest, which experienced this problem on some of its Windows 10 PCs, has confirmed that the bug is now cured on those devices, so that’s good to hear.

While jump lists – which provide extra context-sensitive abilities for certain apps on the Start menu, like opening recently used files, ‘jumping’ straight to them – might sound like a pretty minor thing, some people use them a lot. And this functionality getting broken really messed with the workflows of those Windows 10 users, and seriously annoyed them (as you could see from some of the complaints aired online).

Back when this bug was first reported, I guessed that it could be the result of backporting features from Windows 11, and that turned out to be the case. The Microsoft account panel being introduced to the Start menu is already in Windows 11, and is being brought to Windows 10 – or it was, anyway, though that work is now paused.

It may be (and probably is) still inbound, then, although I’m not quite sure why Microsoft is providing additions for Windows 10 at this point, when the operating system has less than half a year left on the clock before support runs out. Perhaps that’s a measure of just how important the company feels it is to promote visibility for Microsoft accounts.

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The recent controversy known as “Signal-Gate” has exposed a glaring truth: even the highest-ranking national security officials sometimes behave like everyday people scrambling through a group chat. In this case, top Trump administration figures unwittingly invited The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, to a Signal thread discussing a live military operation in Yemen. Details ranged from takeoff times for F-18 strikes to surveillance data on key Houthi targets. By any traditional measure, this is precisely the type of information meant for restricted channels—and absolutely off-limits to random add-ins.

Administration leaders insisted that the conversation—despite its clear operational value—was never formally classified. If the Secretary of Defense says it’s “unclassified,” so be it. But for those of us who’ve worked in military or intelligence operations, that’s a semantic sidestep, not a legitimate defense. Revealing real-time strike data isn’t just a security lapse; it could easily compromise missions and endanger lives. Encryption on Signal might protect messages from hackers, but it offers no defense against carelessness—like adding the wrong person to a conversation.

Jeffrey Goldberg, the accidental observer of this unfolding operation, says he originally assumed the messages were fake. A hoax or maybe a foreign intelligence plant. But then the details in the chat began to line up with real-world airstrikes. What started as disbelief gave way to concern—and yet, Goldberg stayed in the thread for days before bowing out. Critics say he should’ve left immediately.

Others argue he was within his rights to confirm what was happening before acting. Legally, he likely did nothing wrong. He didn’t sneak in. He didn’t steal access. He simply opened an invitation that should never have arrived. But ethically, the water’s murkier. If you believe you’re witnessing a potential breach in real time, do you alert someone? Or do you wait it out and report when the story is whole?

Deeper problems

The deeper problem here isn’t just Goldberg’s decision-making, or even the apparent nonchalance of senior officials discussing war like weekend logistics. It’s a familiar pattern in the United States: a kind of bipartisan amnesia when it comes to accountability for mishandling sensitive information. Before Signal-Gate there was the controversy behind Hillary Clinton’s private email server. Clinton, a former secretary of state, infamously used personal email for official business, with federal agencies ultimately finding that hundreds of her emails contained information that should have been deemed classified.

While her actions caused a political firestorm, she was never prosecuted. The broader pattern repeats across presidencies and party lines: from Donald Trump’s boxes of documents in Mar-a-Lago to Joe Biden’s classified files in a Delaware garage parked next to his corvette. We’ve seen it all—top-secret records stored in bathrooms, basements, and glove compartments. And through it all, one thing remains consistent: no one goes to jail.

We tell ourselves that classification matters. That secrecy protects lives. That mishandling classified information is serious. But when violations occur at the highest levels, we treat them like PR problems instead of national security failures. Federal employees have been fired or prosecuted for far less than what’s now become routine for political leaders.

And in this case, there was no dark-web intrusion or zero-day exploit. Just a group chat. Just one mistaken invite. That’s all it took to put the details of a live military operation into the hands of a journalist. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was reportedly posting blow-by-blow updates: drone deployments, missile launch schedules, surveillance feeds.

If the Houthis had gained access to this chat—even hours before the first strike—the outcome could’ve endangered lives or compromised the operation. That data should have never seen the light of day, let alone appeared on a consumer messaging platform. It’s the kind of information you’d expect locked down in a SCIF—where digital devices are banned, access is tightly controlled, and no one accidentally adds a reporter to the call sheet.

Heroes and villains

Signal, for what it’s worth, isn’t the villain here. The app boasts strong end-to-end encryption and has even been endorsed by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). CISA’s 2024 guidance specifically lauded end-to-end messaging apps like Signal for “highly targeted officials,” emphasizing that no single tool is foolproof but that strong encryption can significantly mitigate threats. Yet the meltdown here wasn’t about hacking—it was about a reckless group chat invitation. If even the most advanced secure platforms can’t guard against user errors, do we have any hope of fully protecting sensitive data?

This is not just a government issue. Corporate America is just as guilty of letting convenience trump security. Financial data gets sent over Slack. Trade secrets get texted instead of encrypted. Confidential reports accidentally go to the wrong “Steve” in Gmail. We’ve built a culture that prizes speed over caution, where “just shoot me a quick note” is the norm—even when it involves details that could cost companies millions or, in the case of Signal-Gate, risk a classified operation.

At the end of the day, no one in this saga is likely to be prosecuted. The White House swiftly brushed off accusations, claiming no official classification was assigned, and the Yemen strike itself was an outstanding success. Jeffrey Goldberg’s slow departure from the chat may raise eyebrows, but his decision to document it all likely remains protected journalism. The entire drama serves as a reminder that humans, no matter their rank, are prone to careless oversights when it comes to handling precious information.

If we want stricter accountability, we need more than sporadic outrage. We need consistency in enforcing rules and a cultural shift that values caution over convenience. It’s easy to point fingers, but the next data breach—be it from a top official or a small-town entrepreneur—could be just one careless invite away. Signal-Gate might become a footnote in the broader saga of national security mishaps, but it leaves us with one unassailable truth: if even the national-security leadership of the world’s most powerful country can’t secure a chat, the rest of us need to double-check before we hit “send.”

Signal is one of the best encrypted messaging apps for Android - see more.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

The effects of the recent cyberattack against Co-op could be much more damaging than previously thought after the apparent hackers boasted of stealing huge amounts of company data, including customer information.

The "DragonForce" hackers contacted the BBC, sharing screenshots of their communication with the company, where they claim to have stolen "customer database, and Co-op member card data".

Co-op later appeared to confirm the theft, saying in a statement to BleepingComputer, ""As a result of ongoing forensic investigations, we now know that the hackers were able to access and extract data from one of our systems."

Co-op customer data stolen

"The accessed data included information relating to a significant number of our current and past members," Co-op's statement continued.

"This data includes Co-op Group members' personal data such as names and contact details, and did not include members' passwords, bank or credit card details, transactions or information relating to any members' or customers' products or services with the Co-op Group."

In an attempt to prove itself, the BBC says DragonForce shared databases including usernames and passwords of all Co-op employees, as well as a sample of 10,000 customers data including Co-op membership card numbers, names, home addresses, emails and phone numbers.

The hackers say as many as 20 million people have registered, or have registered in the past, with the Co-op's rewards program, meaning the range of affected users could be huge.

DragonForce said they contacted Co-op's head of cybersecurity and other executives via Microsoft Teams, sharing screenshots of the extortion messages with the BBC.

Co-op had told employees to keep their cameras on while using Microsoft Teams for meetings, as well as being told not to record or transcribe calls, and to verify that all participants were genuine Co-op staff - which suggested the hackers were indeed able to access internal systems.

Co-op has more than 2,500 supermarkets as well as 800 funeral homes and an insurance business, and employs around 70,000 staff across the UK.

The attack on Co-op was the third in a range of incidents to affect major UK retailers, with Marks and Spencer and Harrods also hit in recent days.

DragonForce told the BBC they were also responsible for other attacks, but apparently did not share any evidence proving this, and refused to elaborate.

How can I stay safe?

While it's still not yet known how accurate the DragonForce claims are, Co-op customers should be cautious over the next few days just to be on the safe side, and to get ahead of any repercussions if their information has been affected.

In an incident like this where it isn't clear what, if any, data has been affected - the first thing to do is to change your password linked to your Co-op account, as well as any other sites with the same credentials - we’ve put together a guide on how to create a secure password to make sure you’re as safe as possible.

The next, and probably most important step, is keeping vigilant. With your name and email address, a criminal can send sophisticated social engineering attacks, aimed to trick you into handing over more information, or into inadvertently downloading malware.

Make sure you double check any unexpected communications and email addresses - especially cross referencing these against the legitimate email addresses (these can be found on Google).

Be especially wary of any email that asks you to enter any information, click a link, or scan a QR code. Phishing attacks using QR codes are becoming more common, and are more dangerous than ever before, so make sure anything you scan is verified beforehand.

If a criminal does email you, there will most likely be signs. The first, is the email address the communication comes from - if it's G00gle or M1crosoft instead of their legitimate addresses, just delete the email. If you get an unexpected text, email, or phone call from anyone claiming to be a “friend”, from a number or address you don’t recognise, especially one that asks you to sign in, send money, buy a gift card, be very very suspicious.

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Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2: key information

- Coming to Disney+ in December
- Filming has officially wrapped
- No official trailer, but a short teaser announcement
- Main cast to return
- Lots of new cast announcements revealed
- Already renewed for season 3

Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2 is on its way — and it's set for a December release date on Disney+. Based on the iconic teen fantasy novels by Rick Riordan, Percy's story was brought back to life on the streamer, after movie adaptations fell a little short.

And what a life it's had so far, quickly becoming one of the best Disney Plus shows and topping charts as one of the top five most-watched original series across all streaming upon season 1's release. And so, one of the best streaming services is bringing the show back for more. Here's everything we know about Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2 from release date, to cast, to plot, rumors and more.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2: is there a release date?

A post shared by Percy Jackson (@percyseries)

A photo posted by on

Disney officially announced that Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2 would debut on the streamer in 2025.

And, as per Deadline, it has been announced that the show will land in December. Though no specific release date has been revealed yet, we'll update here as soon as we know.

But, filming has wrapped. In February 2025, Percy Jackson author Rick Riordan revealed in a Bluesky post that principal photography was complete, so all good signs for December.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2: has a trailer been released?

There's no full trailer for Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2, but for now, there is a teaser. Though it's mainly filled with clips from season 1, it does confirm one thing that was highly suspected and that's that season 2 will follow Riordan's second Percy Jackson novel, The Sea of Monsters. Once there's a full trailer, we'll be sure to share it.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2: confirmed cast

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A photo posted by on

With the cast and crew having officially wrapped filming for Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2, a post on the show's Instagram confirmed some of the main cast returning and there's been plenty of cast announcements for new characters, too:

• Walker Scobell as Percy Jackson
• Leah Sava Jeffries as Annabeth Chase
• Aryan Simhadri as Grover Underwood
• Charlie Bushnell as Luke Castellan
• Dior Goodjohn as Clarisse La Rue
• Daniel Diemer as Tyson
• Tamara Smart as Thalia Grace
• Courtney B. Vance as Zeus
• Timothy Simons as Tantalus
• Sandra Bernhard, Kristen Schaal, and Margaret Cho as the Grey Sisters
• Rosemarie DeWitt as C.C.
• Aleks Paunovic as Polyphemus
• Beatrice Kitsos as Alison Simms
• Kevin Chacon as Chris Rodriguez

A post shared by Percy Jackson (@percyseries)

A photo posted by on

As far as new cast announcements are concerned, there's been a lot. Firstly, Daniel Diemer is joining as a series regular role playing Percy's half-brother Tyson, a Cyclops and son of Poseidon, as revealed by Deadline.

Deadline also shared that Tamara Smart has joined the cast as Thalia Grace, daughter of Zeus. And there's been a recasting following the death of Lance Reddick who played Zeus, as Courtney B. Vance will be taking on the role.

In a statement on an official Instagram post, executive producer Dan Shotz said: "Finding someone to step into this role going forward was not an easy task, but when icon Courtney B. Vance answered the call, we knew the Gods were listening."

Other cast announcements include Timothy Simons as Tantalus, as revealed by Variety, as well as Sandra Bernhard, Kristen Schaal, and Margaret Cho as the Grey Sisters. And there's Rosemarie DeWitt as C.C., Aleks Paunovic as cyclops Polyphemus, Beatrice Kitsos as Alison Simms and Kevin Chacon as Chris Rodriguez.

In the final piece of exciting news, Andra Day will play Annabeth's mother, the goddess Athena, as seen above.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2: story synopsis and rumors

Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2 follows the second book, The Sea of Monsters (Image credit: 20th Television/Disney Plus)

Full spoilers for Percy Jackson and the Olympians seasons 1 to follow. Plus, potential spoilers for season 2.

The second season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians will follow on with Rick Riordan's award-winning series. This time, adapting his second novel, The Sea of Monsters.

For this, Percy will return to Camp Half-Blood a year later to find everything a little bit... off. As per the book's official synopsis, it's revealed: "Percy Jackson's seventh-grade year has been surprisingly quiet. Not a single monster has set foot on his New York prep-school campus.

"But when an innocent game of dodgeball among Percy and his classmates turns into a death match against an ugly gang of cannibal giants, things get . . . well, ugly. And the unexpected arrival of Percy’s friend Annabeth brings more bad news: the magical borders that protect Camp Half-Blood have been poisoned by a mysterious enemy, and unless a cure is found, the only safe haven for demigods will be destroyed."

So, a whole new adventure awaits for Percy and his friends, old and new. Sure, Percy completed his quest, but there's plenty more to do.

Another epic quest for Percy, Annabeth and Grover awaits (Image credit: Disney Plus)

And the official logline matches, unsurprisingly, with the book: "[Percy's] friendship with Annabeth is changing, he learns he has a cyclops for a brother, Grover has gone missing, and camp is under siege from the forces of Kronos. Percy’s journey to set things right will take him off the map and into the deadly Sea of Monsters, where a secret fate awaits the son of Poseidon."

As the Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 1 finale concluded, viewers watched as trio Percy, Grover and Annabeth split up.

With Percy hoping to reconnect with his mother returning from the underworld, Annabeth going to see her father and Grover finally amble to embark on his quest to find Pan, they agreed to meet again at the Thalia tree after a year.

And it all seemed pretty idyllic as Percy awoke in the final scene to his mother, Sally, greeting him as promised. Of course, there's also Luke's shocking betrayal and disappearing act, the repercussions of defeating Areas, and a Zeus reunion to contend with.

But, as The Sea of Monsters sets the pathway for season 2, for any avid readers of the series, you'll know what's coming. And if you don't, then December 2025 will reveal all.

Will there be more seasons of Percy Jackson and the Olympians?

A post shared by Percy Jackson (@percyseries)

A photo posted by on

Yes, there will definitely be more from the show as Disney Plus renewed Percy Jackson and the Olympians for season 3 in March 2025. Alongside the announcement, made before season 2's launch, it was revealed that season 3 will be based on Rick Riordan's third book, The Titan's Curse.

Riordan told Disney that the third season "will be new territory for the screen, bringing fan favorites like the Hunters of Artemis and Nico di Angelo to life for the first time."

Adding: "It's a huge sign of commitment from Disney, and speaks volumes about the enthusiasm with which the fandom has embraced the TV show. Thank you, demigods worldwide."

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, co-showrunner Dan Shotz said around hopes of more seasons: "Being able to get to book five — and I know Walker loves book five — would [be amazing]. That culmination is just very exciting to think about. We have the benefit of, even in making season one, we have all those books to look forward to and tease and play into all those elements that we know are to come."

Considering there's seven books in Riordan's Percy Jackson series, if the show continues to impress on the streamer, we'd hope to see many more seasons in the years ahead.

For more Disney+ TV-based coverage, read our guides on Daredevil: Born Again season 2, Only Murders in the Building season 5, and The Bear season 4.

In 2024, the adoption of cloud computing by organizations has reached remarkable levels, with around 94% of companies now utilizing cloud-based services, according to Rightscale’s report. However, cloud solutions bring significant security challenges, as they rely on shared resources and connectivity, making them susceptible to data breaches, misconfigurations, and account hijacking. Let’s explore essential rules that can help minimize these risks and protect cloud environments effectively.

Cloud infrastructure offers organizations an average savings of 40% on physical space and reduced operational expenses. Furthermore, these environments enable faster time-to-market and improve overall business agility. Over half of organizations have stated that cloud adoption has accelerated their product and service delivery, allowing them to respond more promptly to customer needs.

Security is another major reason for businesses to migrate to the cloud. Approximately 60% of business executives believe that cloud computing enhances their security posture, particularly as it enables automated updates and reduces the risks of human error.

The common threats to cloud environments

Despite all the advantages, there are still some risks associated with cloud computing. For instance, last year, MITRE, a U.S.-based non-profit organization renowned for its work in technology and defense research, experienced a significant cloud security incident. In April 2024, attackers exploited two zero-day vulnerabilities in Ivanti’s Connect Secure VPN, gaining unauthorized access to MITRE’s Networked Experimentation, Research, and Virtualization Environment platform.

This breach resulted in the exposure of sensitive research data, including technical findings, development methodologies, and simulation results related to cybersecurity frameworks MITRE ATT&CK® and CALDER, which are widely used by government agencies and private organizations. It is unlikely that national security data was directly compromised.

Subsequent investigation revealed that the incident was perpetrated by a foreign nation-state threat actor. The successful breach was attributed to unpatched software and compromised devices, which provided the attackers with unauthorized access to sensitive areas within the cloud environment.

Another major cloud security incident in 2024 involved the popular project management tool Trello. In January, the company experienced a data breach, compromising 15 million user accounts. Hackers utilized a public API to connect an existing database of email addresses with Trello account information, which included usernames, full names, and other details.

Overall, according to the 2024 Cloud security report by Check Point Software, 61% of organizations experienced at least one security incident related to public cloud use in 2024 - a significant increase compared to the 24% figure in 2023. Out of these incidents, 21% resulted in data breaches.

Among other common vulnerabilities in cloud environments are misconfigurations, which can lead to the exposure of sensitive data if not promptly addressed, and insider threats, where employees or contractors inadvertently or maliciously compromise cloud security. Additionally, companies often struggle to keep pace with the rapid proliferation of cloud solutions, and a lack of staff skills to operate in the cloud environment becomes a significant security threat in itself.

Ways to protect your cloud

Luckily, businesses that rely heavily on cloud infrastructure can avoid such devastating attacks. The key is to follow seven essential rules. Each of them provides a specific approach to securing a critical aspect of the cloud environment, from access management and data encryption to monitoring and employee training. They complement each other and contribute to a well-rounded cloud security posture.

Rule 1: continuously monitor and log all cloud activities

In 2024, according to SailPoint, around 83% of organizations reported that continuous monitoring helped them catch security incidents early, preventing potential data leaks and system compromises​.

Effective network monitoring helps identify threats such as unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and misconfigurations that might expose sensitive data. By continuously tracking activities and analyzing logs, organizations can quickly pinpoint unusual behaviors, such as access attempts from unknown locations, unusual data transfers, or unauthorized use of privileged accounts.

Rule 2: implement strong identity and access management (IAM) policies

Effective IAM ensures that only authorized users have access to specific cloud resources. A key component of these policies is multi-factor authentication, which requires users to verify their identity through two or more authentication methods, such as a password and a one-time code sent to a mobile device. This ensures that potential attackers would need more than just a password to gain entry.

Role-based access control (RBAC) is another critical IAM strategy, assigning permissions based on user roles within an organization. For example, an employee in the finance department might have access to financial records but be restricted from viewing IT infrastructure details. With RBAC, users are given the minimum level of access required for their roles, significantly reducing the risk of misuse of sensitive data.

Rule 3: encrypt data in transit and at rest

It's important to encrypt data both when it's being transmitted (in transit) and when it's stored (at rest). This ensures that even if attackers intercept or access the data, it remains unreadable without the correct decryption keys.

To implement encryption effectively in your cloud environment, you should use both transport layer encryption (like transport layer security, TLS) for data in transit and disk encryption for data at rest. Many cloud providers offer built-in encryption tools that facilitate these practices.

Rule 4: regularly update and patch cloud resources

Cloud environments, like any other IT infrastructure, are susceptible to vulnerabilities as software ages or new exploits are discovered. When systems remain unpatched, they become easy targets for attackers who often scan for outdated software and exploit known vulnerabilities. A recent study found that approximately 60% of cloud breaches could be attributed to unpatched or misconfigured systems.

Regular updates help protect cloud resources from these risks by addressing known issues before attackers can take advantage of them. Cloud platforms typically make it easy to set up automated backups for persistent resources like databases or virtual machines. These backups ensure that, even in the event of a major attack or human error, data can be recovered without significant disruption.

Rule 5: use data retention policies

To protect against malicious attacks, such as ransomware, it’s essential to establish policies that prevent the immediate deletion of resources in the cloud. Many cloud providers offer this feature, allowing you to configure a delay period. This ensures that even if an attacker gains access to your account and attempts to delete critical resources, those resources won't be removed right away.

For instance, with a 30-day delay, a resource marked for deletion would remain recoverable for that entire period. This delay provides two key advantages: it allows time to detect and respond to unauthorized actions, and it gives you the opportunity to restore data before it is permanently lost. If your cloud provider does not offer this safeguard, it may be worth reconsidering whether they meet your security needs.

Rule 6: keep your costs down

In the event of a DDoS attack, cloud infrastructure can manage the surge in traffic by automatically scaling resources. However, this scaling can rapidly increase costs, potentially putting a strain on the company’s finances. To avoid these unexpected expenses, ensure that your cloud provider offers strong DDoS protection and mitigation options.

These measures can help absorb and filter attack traffic, minimizing the impact without leading to excessive resource scaling. If your provider’s built-in protections are inadequate, consider using third-party DDoS mitigation tools. This approach will help safeguard both your systems and your budget during an attack.

Rule 7: train employees on cloud security awareness

According to the Ponemon Institute, 82% of data breaches are caused by staff mistakes, such as clicking on phishing links, using weak passwords, or falling for social engineering attacks. To prevent these issues, it's essential to invest in ongoing, thorough security training programs. In fact, companies with comprehensive training programs can save an average of $2.66 million per breach.

What these programs might include? Phishing simulations that help employees identify suspicious emails and avoid disclosing sensitive information. Additionally, providing cloud-specific security training, which focuses on secure data handling, password management, and understanding cloud-specific threats, ensures that employees are well-prepared to handle security challenges effectively.

We've compiled a list of the best identity management software.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro