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Nintendo is about to tell us a whole lot more about the Nintendo Switch sequel on April 2. Here's what we know and what we're still guessing.

For three years El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has proudly shown the world the terrible treatment given to the country's prisoners. The president and his defenders say barbaric treatment is necessary to combat a pervasive gang problem in the country. And now the U.S. is endorsing this view, sending hundreds of people removed from the U.S. to those same prisons. We hear about the triumph of Bukele's style of rule in El Salvador.

(Image credit: El Salvador Presidency)

Here are hints and the answer for today's Wordle No. 1,376 for Wednesday, March 26.

Hints and answers for Connections for March 26, #654.

• New data suggests Tesla's sales in Europe have almost halved in 2025
• BYD, Xpeng and Leapmotor have all seen an increase in sales
• The overall European EV market is up 25% with VW at the top

Tesla’s current sales woes show no sign of slowing, as new data from Jato Dynamics suggests the company’s sales in Europe fell by 45% last month, resulting in its lowest market share in five years.

The issue can be partly attributed to Tesla’s aging model line-up, as customers sit tight for the more accomplished updated Model Y to appear. But many analysts have also cited a more general cooling of demand thanks to Elon Musk’s divisive foray into politics.

Earlier this year, the Financial Times reported on the Volkswagen Group’s slashing of EV production at some of its biggest manufacturing plants, owing to slow uptake of its battery electric vehicles, many early examples of which received middling reviews from the press.

However, the German marque’s BEV sales were up 180% to under 20,000 cars in February, according to Reuters, while the BMW brand and BMW-owned Mini sold almost 19,000 BEVs in February.

Comparatively, Tesla managed to sell fewer than 16,000 cars in key European markets, including the UK, Norway and Switzerland during the same period, despite overall battery electric vehicle registrations being up by 25% in February compared to the previous month.

Although still much smaller in number, BYD also recorded an 94% rise in sales in February, with over 4,000 electric vehicles sold. Similarly, Polestar also celebrated an 84% increase and newcomers, such as Xpeng and Leapmotor, have also started registering sales.

"Brands like Tesla, which have a relatively limited model lineup, are particularly vulnerable to registration declines when undertaking a model changeover," Felipe Munoz, Global Analyst at JATO Dynamics, explained.

But many other industry experts also point to the fact that the Tesla CEO's recent behavior has triggered a backlash from buyers, due to his affiliation with a number of right-wing political parties - particularly those in Germany.

Ahmad Assiri, research strategist at the brokerage Pepperstone, told Sky News that Musk’s political endeavors were “negatively impacting Tesla's reputation among substantial segments of consumers and investors,” adding that BYD’s continued rapid growth was “increasingly attractive to consumers and investors alike”.

Analysis: Everything rides on new Model Y

(Image credit: Tesla UK)

As I have repeatedly stated, Tesla’s latest crop of vehicles is by far its finest yet, with the updated Model 3 and Model Y easily among the best electric vehicles money can buy for most people right now.

During back-to-back testing of the previous generation Model Y and the latest Model 3, the gulf in build quality, refinement, comfort and interior quality is tangible, while gains in efficiency and an increased amount of standard technology is will be welcomed by buyers.

However, the Launch Edition version of the long-awaited Tesla Model Y update is now comparatively expensive, costing a whopping £60,990 in the UK and $52,490 in the US, with many customers likely not only holding for the updated car, but also more affordable variants, which aren’t due to arrive until the summer.

This will naturally skew sales figures, while Tesla has a reputation for cyclical peaks and troughs in its quarterly sales results due to the variations in its pricing and discounting strategy.

The true test of the 'Elon effect' will be later this year, when customers will be presented with a full Model Y line-up. If sales remain slow at that point, perhaps it’ll then be time for Tesla to start panicking.

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High-profile Hollywood celebrities dot this new satirical comedy about... Hollywood.

According to a new intelligence index analysis, DeepSeek V3 is outcompeting GPT-4.5, Grok 3 and Gemini 2.0.

• Asus NUC 15 Pro+ boosts performance by 18%, but lacks Strix Halo
• Compact 0.7-liter design offers tool-free RAM and storage upgrades
• Ultra-quiet cooling reduces noise by 1.2X under heavy workloads

Asus has introduced the NUC 15 Pro+, its most advanced mini PC yet, featuring Intel’s latest 15th-generation Core Ultra 9 processors and Intel Arc graphics.

This compact system is designed for professional workloads and content creation, positioning itself as one of the most powerful computers in its category.

It delivers an 18% performance boost over previous-generation NUC models with AI-enhanced processing and improved thermal efficiency, but the absence of AMD’s Strix Halo APU raises doubts about its ability to compete with high-performance mini PCs from smaller brands.

Meet the NUC 15 Pro+, Asus's fastest mini PC ever

With support for up to four 4K displays, the NUC 15 Pro+ is designed for multitasking, photo editors, and high-resolution workflows, featuring two HDMI 2.1 supporting 4K at 60Hz and two Thunderbolt 4 ports.

It also supports a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, a USB 2.0 Type-A port, an RJ45 LAN port for wired networking, and a Kensington lock for security.

This workstation features Intel Wi-Fi 7 with speeds of up to 46 Gbps, and Bluetooth 5.4, enabling data transfer at up to 2 Mbps with a connection range of 240 meters.

It features a proximity sensor that locks or wakes the system based on user presence, an advanced cooling system that reduces noise by 1.2X compared to previous models and its US MIL-STD-810H certification guarantees 24/7 reliability in extreme conditions.

Asus is positioning the NUC 15 Pro+ as a direct competitor to Apple’s Mac Mini M4, combining a compact 0.7-liter chassis with premium build quality as well as an easy-access design for quick RAM and storage upgrades without tools.

Via TechPowerUp

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The former TV doctor made it through a tight vote in the Senate Finance committee with only Republican support.

(Image credit: Anna Moneymaker)

Belkin BoostCharge Pro GaN Dual Wall Charger 45W review

OK, let me take a deep breath… the Belkin BoostCharge Pro GaN Dual Wall Charger 45W… whew… is a two-port model that can get your phone and a second device back to life in no time. That is if they’re not too power hungry.

This model supports 45W single-port charging, or up to 25W via Port 1 and 20W through Port 2 in double-charge mode. That’s enough to activate fast charging on devices like the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, which I personally own, but won’t be enough to charge more demanding alternatives – like the Honor Magic V3 or modern MacBook models, for instance – at their maximum allowed wattage.

But if that 45W is going to be enough for you, then you’ll likely be satisfied by performance here. I tried charging the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE alongside the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro and my phone got back to 100% from 0% in less than 80 minutes – very impressive. That’s the sort of speeds I’d expect from the best iPhone chargers and best Android phone chargers.

Something that’s worth noting, however, is I did have to use my own USB-C cables for testing. There’s nothing in the box – at least for those of you that, like me, reside in the UK. Sure, it’s not always a given to get a cable in the box, but this would have added a lot of value points for this charger. It is still moderately priced overall, in fairness though, coming in at $34.99 / £29.99 (about AU$55).

Something that was more disappointing for me was the lack of foldable prongs on the UK edition of this charger. If you want to slip the charger into your pocket, it’s impractical to have the prongs poking out. But having said that, this is a super-compact, diminutive model that will easily slot into a bag. It should be able to slot into tight spaces as well, although the ports being positioned on the outward-facing side of the charger does mean that USB-C cables will stick out a bit.

Another thing I picked up on during testing was that this model could get fairly warm when pushed to its limits – perhaps unsurprising given its limited size. It wasn’t getting dangerously hot or anything, but some may wish for the added security of more heat-resistant models like the UGreen Nexode Pro 65W.

But that’s enough moaning. This is a decent looking charger with a glossy white finish. But it’s also available in Black if you want to change things up a bit – that optionality is something I welcome, even if it’s two relatively basic-looking variants. Its solid design, minuscule size and solid performance given power restrictions do make this a tempting option. Of course, it's not without flaws and won’t have enough juice for some of you out there, but if 45W sounds about right for you, this model may well be worth your consideration.

(Image credit: Future) Belkin BoostCharge Pro GaN Dual Wall Charger 45W review: Price & specs

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Belkin BoostCharge Pro GaN Dual Wall Charger 45W? Buy it if…

You’re short on space
If your power socket is close to, say a bedframe or desk, this tiny Belkin charger could be a neat charging companion. It’s very diminutive, meaning it will likely slot into those tight spaces. It’s worth noting, though, that the ports are positioned on the outside of the charger rather than on its underside – so the USB-C connectors may stick out a little – worth keeping in mind.

You want to charge multiple devices simultaneously
One of the big benefits this model offers is dual-port charging. You can take advantage of both ports at once, with a maximum of 25W in Port 1 and 20W in Port 2, which should be enough to get fast charging on a lot of handsets released in recent years, like the iPhone 15.

Don't buy it if…

You have a more power hungry phone or laptop
One issue this charger faces up to, is that it doesn’t have enough power to enable some modern smartphones and laptops to charge near their maximum levels. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra can manage 45W wired charging and the OnePlus 13 can go as far as 80W. Of course, you can get 45W out of this model – but only in single-port mode. If you want a bit more power, I’d recommend going for the excellent value UGreen Uno 100W charger.

You want to use your old USB-A cables
In some regions, like my native UK, there’s no USB-C cable included in the box – which is a shame. And you may not have one of these lying around – though I’d expect you have some old USB-A ones kicking about. But unfortunately, you can’t use these here. Having said that, USB-C is more efficient, and if you really want to use your USB-A cables, there are alternatives that support them, like the Anker 323 Charger (33W) or Anker 335 Charger (67W).

Belkin BoostCharge Pro GaN Dual Wall Charger 45W: Also consider

UGreen USB-C 40W
The UGreen USB-C 40W may not be as powerful as this Belkin model, but I prefer it overall. It looks a bit more premium, has foldable prongs on the UK model and didn’t get particularly hot during testing. Again, this model has two USB-C ports and there aren’t any cables included in the box, but it’s cheaper than this Belkin alternative, meaning it's a great value rival. Read our full UGreen USB-C 40W review.

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The breach left military and intelligence experts asking the same questions as the public: Why would top U.S. officials use a free messaging app to discuss classified military plans?

(Image credit: Anna Moneymaker)

The next U.S. head count's accuracy would likely be undermined by a census question about citizenship status that GOP lawmakers and President Trump have pushed to add, a new peer-reviewed study finds.

(Image credit: Mandel Ngan)

Beats headphones are among the most coveted on the market. Thanks to Amazon's Big Spring Sale, you can enjoy them for $70 off, a rare discount.

A tour of a grow facility in Maryland reveals the wide variety of scents from different cannabis strains.

(Image credit: Pien Huang)

It's time for an unexpected party. The Lord of the Rings Shire Lego set is set to release in less than two weeks, and there is so much to see and do.

• Seagate has debuted a new NVMe hard disk proof of concept
• Prototype system pairs NVMe HDDs, SSDs, DPUs, and AIStore for AI workloads
• NVMe HDDs use less power, with better efficiency, and reduced storage costs

In late 2021, Seagate unveiled a proof-of-concept hard disk drive that used the NVMe protocol and a PCIe interface - two technologies typically reserved for solid state drives.

Demonstrated at the Open Compute Project Summit in a custom JBOD enclosure with twelve 3.5-inch drives, the NVMe HDD featured a proprietary controller that supported SAS, SATA, and NVMe natively, without the need for a bridge.

Seen as a way to simplify data center infrastructure by unifying storage devices under a single interface, the drive promised performance improvements, lower TCO, and considerable energy savings.

Combined

Fast forward to GTC 2025, and Seagate has demonstrated a new proof-of-concept system combining NVMe HDDs and SSDs with Nvidia’s BlueField 3 DPU and AIStore software to show how NVMe can help address common storage challenges in AI environments.

While other vendors are reportedly exploring similar such concepts, Seagate appears to be the only firm showing off a functional system.

(Image credit: Seagate) Working with customers and partners

“Unlike SAS/SATA-based hard drives, NVMe hard drives remove the need for HBAs, protocol bridges, and additional SAS infrastructure, making AI storage more streamlined,” Seagate says.

“These drives allow AI workloads to scale seamlessly by integrating high-density hard drive storage with high-speed SSD caching in a unified NVMe architecture.”

The prototype Seagate showcased featured eight NVMe hard drives, four NVMe SSDs for caching, Nvidia BlueField DPUs, and AIStore software, all housed inside a hybrid array.

The team demonstrated that direct GPU-to-storage communication, via NVMe hard drives and DPUs, reduced latency in AI workflows. Eliminating legacy SAS/SATA overhead also simplified system architecture and improved storage efficiency.

“By using NVMe hard drives alongside SSDs, organizations will be able to optimize cost while maintaining performance, reserving SSDs for active datasets and using hard drives for long-term AI training data retention,” Seagate says.

From a design perspective, adding NVMe to HDDs potentially only requires a few changes, such as a PCIe interface and firmware updates, while retaining the familiar 3.5-inch form factor.

Compared to SSDs, Seagate says NVMe hard drives offer 10 times more efficient embodied carbon per terabyte, four times more efficient operating power consumption per terabyte, and lower cost per terabyte.

When, or indeed if, these drives will reach the market is anyone’s guess. Seagate says it is “working with customers and partners to explore how NVMe hard drives can fit into next-generation AI storage solutions,” but there’s no timeline for it as yet.

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The government in Nigeria is warning about the health risks of skin lightening, where potent chemicals can thin and damage skin. It's a booming business in that country and others.

(Image credit: Yagazie Emezi for NPR)

Apple might want to put a camera or two on your next Apple Watch, ostensibly to assist its AI in interpreting your environment and, perhaps, acting on your behalf: "There's a hill up ahead! You might want to accelerate your running pace, but watch out for that puddle; it might be a pothole!"

That sounds useful, but do we need a smartwatch to do a job best left to our eyes? You'll see that hill, you'll take note of the puddle, and subconsciously plan a route around it. Why would you need a camera on your wrist?

Forgive me if I am a bit against the whole concept of a wearable camera. I think that unless you're a police officer who has to record all their interactions with the public (see The Rookie for details), a chest-bound camera is a bad idea. I think most Humane AI Pin wearers (and Humane AI) quickly discovered this.

Cameras on glasses aren't as bad, perhaps because they're so close to your eyes where you are looking at and making mental notes about what you see anyway. There are privacy concerns though, and when I've worn Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, I've had a few people ask if I'm recording them. There's a little light on the frame that tells them as much, but I get the concern. No one wants to be recorded or have their picture taken without their explicit permission.

Never a good idea

We've seen cameras on smartwatches before. Back in 2013, Samsung unveiled the beefy Samsung Galaxy Gear, which I wore and reviewed. Samsung's idea for an on-wrist camera was, shall I say, unusual.

Instead of integrating the camera into the smart watch's body, Samsung stuffed it into the wristband. This was one bad idea on top of another. By placing the camera on the wristband, it forced you to position your wrist just right to capture a photo, using the smartwatch display as a viewfinder. Moreover, there was concern about damaging the wristband, which could lead to ruining the 2MP camera. It took, by the way, just passable photos.

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Apple's apparent idea for a smartwatch camera is less about capturing a decent photo and more about ambient awareness. Information that one or more cameras can glean about your environment could inform Apple Intelligence – assuming Apple Intelligence is, by then, what Apple's been promising all along.

Powerful AI works best with data, both training to build the models and real time for analysis by those same models. Our best iPhones and best smartwatches are full of sensors that tell these devices where they are, where they're going, how fast they're moving, and if you've taken a fall or been in a car crash while carrying or wearing them. The watch has no camera, and your phone does not use its camera to build a data picture unless you ask it to.

Currently, you can squeeze your Camera Control button on the iPhone 16 and enable Visual Intelligence. This lets you take a picture and ask ChatGPT or Google Search to analyze it.

An eye on your wrist

A camera on your smartwatch, though, might always be on and trying, even as you pump your arms during a brisk run, to tell you about what's around and in front of you.

It might be looking at the people running toward you, and could possibly identify people on the fly, assuming it can get a clear enough shot. The watch could then connect to your phone or AirPods and identify people: "That's Bob Smith. According to his LinkedIn, he works in real estate." I'm not sure how those other people would feel about that, though.

I get that some of this sounds very cool and futuristic, but are we really meant to know that much about everything around us? Wouldn't it be better to explore what we want to with our eyes and ignore the rest? Exactly how much information can a human take?

It needs this but...

There are no guarantees that this will happen. It's just a rumor from Bloomberg News, but it makes sense.

It's high time for Apple to do the first truly significant Apple Watch redesign in a decade. Apple also needs some exciting new technology to remind people it can still innovate. Plus, more hardware sensors open the door to more powerful Apple Intelligence, and with all the recent missteps in that space, Apple is in dire need of an AI win.

I'm fine with all of that, as long as it does not involve putting cameras on my Apple Watch.

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