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• Dell, Apollo and Jera plan up to 4GW of AI infrastructure within five years
• A $15bn Tokyo project will launch Japan’s biggest AI infrastructure push yet
• Jera wants gas power and AI computing facilities developed at unprecedented speed

Japan is preparing a major expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure, with Dell, Apollo and Jera planning investments potentially reaching $140bn.

The companies intend to develop between 3GW and 4GW of AI computing facilities alongside gas-fired generation during the next five years.

Their first project is expected to cost $15bn and deliver 400MW near Tokyo, with operations scheduled to begin around 2028.

Speed and power drive the plan

A Jera executive said the companies are seeking faster development by linking electricity generation directly with computing facilities.

“The keyword is speed to power. If you see Asia outside China, Japan is a major data centre market,” said Yukio Kani, global chief executive of Jera.

Kani said Jera’s annual LNG trading volume of 35mn tonnes could support power plants serving computing facilities for planned sites.

The proposed Tokyo-area development would operate independently from Japan’s national electricity network.

Apollo will finance the initial $15bn facility, while Dell and Jera will contribute technology and energy infrastructure capabilities.

The estimated cost of $35bn to $45bn for each gigawatt places the potential programme near $140bn in investment.

The partners also intend to standardise construction methods for computing facilities and electricity infrastructure.

That approach could allow projects to be replicated elsewhere, with companies considering additional developments beyond Japan.

The planned capacity would give the partnership a substantial presence in Japan’s expanding market for electricity-intensive artificial intelligence services.

However, the proposed scale depends on delivering both generation assets and computing facilities within five years.

Japan seeks more AI capacity

The proposed facility near Tokyo is expected to become one of Asia’s largest artificial intelligence computing projects outside China when operations begin.

Its independent electricity supply could reduce reliance on the existing grid, although there are no details about generation capacity.

The partners have not limited their ambitions to Japan, saying facilities and power projects could be developed elsewhere across Asia.

Japan already hosts major operators including NTT Data and SoftBank, while Blackstone has announced a separate $30bn expansion programme in the coming years.

Despite those investments, Japan remains well behind the United States and China in electricity use associated with installed computing facilities.

According to the International Data Center Authority, US data centres consume 29.2GW of electricity, representing 43% of global data centre consumption.

China accounts for 8.5GW, while Japan consumes only 1.7GW, equivalent to approximately 12.5% and 2.5%, respectively.

However, Japan’s figure could rise as the government seeks ¥32.7tn, equivalent to $206bn, in public and private investment through 2035.

This investment forms part of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s plan to support strategically important sectors.

The programme includes cloud computing and data centre infrastructure among the areas designated for strategic investment through 2035.

These planned investments therefore give Japan a larger role in the regional expansion of AI computing infrastructure and electricity supply.

Via Financial Times

It's already October, and with Amazon officially kicking off its second Prime Day — dubbed Prime Big Deal Days — of the year tomorrow, we're getting closer and closer to the start of the holiday season. And as with other shopping events, it's an excellent time to pick up some Lego sets at generally very good prices.

Prime Big Deal Days, which runs from October 6 through October 7 for Prime members, will be ripe with discounts, but the party has started a bit early. Whether you're after savings on Lego Star Wars or Botanicals, Apple's AirPods Pro 3, the new Mac mini, or TVs of varying types and sizes, discounts are already available.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

Now, as TechRadar's resident Lego expert, I've been perusing Amazon's early deal section and the shopping giant at large for discounts on iconic Lego bricks. There are the expected discounts on the Botanicals theme, which are adorable flowers and plants that you won't need to water, as well as Star Wars, Technic, and even Ideas sets.

One surprise, though, is the first sizable discounts on Lego's first-run Smart Play sets, including the Star Wars one, which we found to be pretty, pretty fun. We even spoke with Mark Hamill about them.

So ahead, I am sharing my top picks for Lego deals this Prime Big Deal Days.

Today's best Lego deals under $10

At just $4.89 with a fresh discount, this 65-piece Lego City Police Motorcycle Chase set is 51% off. This compact set includes two Minifigures plus a buildable motorbike.View Deal

City Go-Karts and Race Drivers: was $9.99 now $8.99
Two Lego sets are better than one, and two Lego sets certainly get the job done. For just $8.99, you'll build two Go-Karts and two Minifigures thanks to this fantastic, small build. View Deal

Whether you want a smaller Lego flower build or want to expand your Botanicals collection, you can't go wrong with this set of Lego Botanicals Daisies for just under $10 on Amazon.View Deal

These Roses will look great with any Lego Flowers set, even though these aren't part of the Botanical theme! Right now, this duo is down to $11.99.View Deal

Today's best Lego Star Wars deals

Star Wars Smart Play: Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter: was $69.99 now $55.95
Now, this is the cheapest an all-in-one Lego Smart Play set has ever been. Lego's Smart Play: Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter is 20% off at just $55.95 and includes everything you need to build and play, most notably a Smart Brick is in the box.View Deal

Star Wars Smart Play: Luke’s Red Five X-Wing: was $89.99 now $71.99
Ahead of Prime Big Deal Days, Amazon is discounting the Lego Star Wars Luke's Red Five X-Wing Smart Play set by 20% to just $71.99. And yes, this set includes a Smart Brick as it's an 'all-in-one' as well as several Minifigures.View Deal

Star Wars Siege of Mandalore Battle Pack: was $22.99 now $18.39
This set is perfect for display or play. At just $18.39, the Siege of Mandalore Battle Pack has four Minifigures and two compact builds. View Deal

Star Wars Brick-Built Star Wars Logo: was $59.99 now $49.99
The opening crawl of any Star Wars film might be one of the most iconic openings in any film franchise. And now, you can finally build the iconic Star Wars logo out of Lego bricks, and the design team hid some fun details in there. This fantastic set is down to $49.99 at Amazon ahead of Prime Big Deal Days.View Deal

Star Wars Grogu with Hover Pram: was $99.99 now $79.99
A Lego deal roundup wouldn't be complete without a set that lets you build Grogu, right? Well, right now you can build Grogu and the iconic Hover Pram for just $79.99 – a 20% discount.View Deal

Star Wars Millennium Falcon A New Hope 25th Anniversary Edition set: was $84.99 now $67.99
Lego has produced many Millennium Falcon sets, but this smaller one, which debuted for the 25th anniversary of Star Wars: A New Hope, is an excellent model and even better with a 20% discount. It's currently available at the lowest price ever, at $67.99, and makes a superb display piece.View Deal

Star Wars: The Phantom Menace Mos ESPA Podrace set: was $79.99 now $67.87
Love a podrace? You can build a diorama of the iconic scene from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace out of Lego bricks. This set is currently 15% off at $67.87 on Amazon.View Deal

Star Wars R2-D2 Building Set: was $99.99 now $79.99
R2-D2 is the most iconic droid around, and right now you can build your own out of 1,050 Lego bricks for just $79.99. That's a 20% discount from the $99.99 MSRP, and Prime members get free fast shipping. This set comes with a mini R2-D2, a display plate, and a Darth Malak minifigure.View Deal

Star Wars Ahsoka Chopper (C1-10P) Astromech: was $99.99 now $71.99
In the world of astromech's, I really do love Chopper, and with this 1,039-piece Lego set, you can build the iconic C1-10P droid. Best of all, it's 28% off at just $71.99, and you get free shipping.View Deal

Today's best Lego Botanicals deals

Botanicals Happy Plants: was $22.99 now $18.39
With over 7,000 sold on Amazon in the past month, it's clear Lego has a hit on its hands with the most joyful set in the Botanicals theme. Happy Plants are exactly what the name says – two plants with smiley faces in cute pots, one blue, one yellow. This set is already 20% off at $18.39 on Amazon right now.View Deal

This one is a personal favorite of mine, and it's the perfect display piece. The Botanicals Mini Orchid is a delightful set made up of 274 pieces. Right now, it's just $23.99 on Amazon.View Deal

The Lego Botanicals Chrysanthemum is back to just $23.99 from $29.99 ahead of Prime Big Deal Days. This is an especially vibrant Lego Botanical set and should be a fun, easy build with 278 pieces.View Deal

Botanicals Lucky Bamboo: was $29.99 now $23.99
Amazon has reduced the price of Lego Botanical Lucky Bamboo back to the lowest we've ever tracked. This delightful set is just $23.95 right now with free shipping for Prime members.View Deal

This is a really adorable one, and it's back to the lowest price we've tracked. Ahead of Prime Big Deal Days, the Lego Botanicals Flowering Cactus is 27% off at $25.55View Deal

If you're after colors, the Lego Botanicals Succulents is an excellent pickup on Amazon for Prime Day. Right now it's $34.99 – a 30% discount from $49.99 –and you'll build several plants out of 771 pieces. View Deal

Botanicals Magnolia Branches: was $49.99 now $39.00
Right now, Lego Botnicals Magnolia Branches is 22% off at $39 on Amazon ahead of Prime Big Deal Days.View Deal

Today's best Lego Technic deals

Technic Bush Plane Toy: was $27.99 now $22.49
With this Lego Technic set, you'll get 333 pieces to build a Bush Plane complete with a propeller up front and three wheels. It even features adjustable ailerons. View Deal

Technic Ford Bronco: was $64.99 now $51.99
For $51.99 on Amazon, you can build a Ford Bronco out of Lego Technic bricks. This is a fun set that lets you build detailed parts of the vehicle, including the rear axle, engine, and suspension.View Deal

Technic Planet Earth and Moon in Orbit: was $74.99 now $61.99
While you won't build a car with this Lego Technic set, you'll still get a pretty out-of-this-world result. For $61.99 on Amazon – after a 17% discount – you'll build a working model of Earth and Moon, which you can rotate to see the orbit pattern.View Deal

Today's best Lego Disney deals

Disney Moana Hei Hei: was $39.99 now $25
Hei Hei is probably one of the most iconic Disney characters, and I'd bet Moana fans agree. Right now, ahead of Prime Big Deal Days you can build Hei Hei out of 566 Lego pieces for just $25 – a 37% discount.View Deal

Disney Moana's Adventure Canoe: was $59.99 now $26.94
Don't blame us if you belt out 'How Far I'll Go' from Moana as you build the Adventure Canoe from the film. This Lego set is down to just $26.94 on Amazon after an instant 55% discount and comes with 4 figures.View Deal

Disney Cruella De Vil’s Car: was $49.99 now $34.99
Fans of 101 Dalmatians will likely love this Lego build, as you don't just get a Cruella De Vil Minifigure, but you'll build her iconic car and get one of the pups. Right now, this set is just $34.99 on Amazon after a 30% discount.View Deal

Ideas Disney Pixar Luxo Jr.: was $69.99 now $55.99
You'll not only build the iconic Pixar Luxor Jr. Lamp and ball, but you'll also discover the many Easter eggs and hidden details Lego packed into this 613-piece set. With Toy Story 5 streaming on Disney+ and a 20% discount, now's an excellent time to score this Lego set for just $55.99.View Deal

Five new Googlebooks are available now, but the company says that not every Android app will offer “smooth performance” at launch.

The new Siri AI could be taking up a lot of storage on your device.

Some of of the best kitchen gear we’ve tested from Vitamix, Moccamaster and Ninja are at all-time low prices.

• 16-year-old bug hunter gained admin access to Microsoft's internal Titan analytics service through an unsigned login token that the service never checked
• From there, an estimated 17.3 trillion stored rows and a metadata table of about 25,000 accounts were reachable, though Faav says he only sampled data, avoiding dumping records or touching customer data
• Microsoft has hardened the service's security since and paid a $5,000 bounty, downplaying the trillion-row figure as a theoretical storage estimate rather than actual exposed customer information

A 16-year-old bug hunter who goes by 'Faav' logged into Microsoft's internal Titan analytics platform using a token that no real credentials should have produced, and from an administrator's seat, he could see an estimated 17.3 trillion stored rows and a metadata table listing roughly 25,000 accounts.

Microsoft paid him $5,000 and has since closed the hole, prompting him to detail his findings online even as he describes the impact as hypothetical rather than a consequential breach.

He said the way in was a single missed check, which let him access a system that should otherwise have been locked to Microsoft staff behind a VPN.

A simple mistake that could have catastrophic in the wrong hands

Microsoft's Titan sits behind a "VPN required" page meant to keep its web interface to Microsoft staff, but its API was still reachable through an Azure Cloud Services host, and the Swagger file describing that API listed four access routes.

Three demanded Azure AD authentication. One, "/v2/Query", did not, and it accepted raw SQL, giving Faav a way in. He wasn't moving blind either; to learn what tables to ask for, Faav pulled 2023 snapshots of Titan's pages from the Wayback Machine and recovered an archived Apache Superset configuration listing 56 table definitions.

The deeper flaw was in how the service read login tokens. As Faav explained, Titan validated the contents of a JSON Web Token- the tenant, audience, application ID, and user- but never verified the cryptographic signature that is supposed to prove the token is genuine, offering the analogy of a hotel where every door has a working keycard reader but any keycard opens any room, making it essentially an ineffective check at best.

He submitted an unsigned token, and then, after ten days of failed logins, stopped treating the "upn" field as a real email identity and set it to the plain string admin. Titan resolved that to local user ID 1, which carried the admin role, and ran his query.

The saga has an interesting AI subplot: Faav hunts with an orchestration bot he built called Antares, which he says was running OpenAI's Codex and Anthropic's Claude. Antares did the grunt work, enumerating subdomains, mapping the attack surface, and pushing the forged token through four layers of validation, one error message at a time.

It did get stumped, however, when it tried to find a UPN; it got stuck attempting only email addresses. That is not a problem per se for what was essentially a brute-force-style approach using the most probable email addresses, but it took manual intervention from the hacker to try 'admin' instead as an alternative to finally get access.

Admin access opened Titan's platform metadata database, which, according to his tally, held about 25,000 account and email records, roughly 18,000 employee email records, 15,000 organization records, and tens of thousands of dashboards, charts, and dataset definitions.

The disclosure moved quickly once he reported it on September 5 2026 as case 144051. Microsoft asked him to stop testing and hand over his IP address between September 6 and 8, locked the endpoint on September 9, and paid out on September 17.

There is an interesting caveat, however: Faav discloses that Microsoft had editorial control over his write-up, cutting sections and figures and reshaping how it described the impact before he published, so the most authoritative account of this bug has already been shaped by the company it embarrasses. None of this makes the bug small, however: one unverified signature that made every other access control in Titan pointless is a potential security nightmare, nipped in the bud by a teenager who has had success with similar bugs at Amazon, Google, and Adobe, in addition to a prior disclosure at Microsoft.

• US financial services faced nearly 40,000 phishing URLs during H1 2026
• Attackers used 645 hosting providers to distribute financial phishing campaigns
• Free hosting carried 12.6% of phishing URLs targeting financial services

Phishing campaigns targeting American financial institutions are spreading across a fragmented web of hosting services, making fraudulent infrastructure difficult to contain.

New research from Netcraft has uncovered almost 40,000 unique phishing URLs connected to US financial services were discovered in the first half of 2026.

Behind those URLs were 645 hosting providers and 576 registrars, while newer services and automated AI tools helped attackers move quickly between platforms.

Cheap infrastructure is helping campaigns multiply

The scale of the activity becomes clearer when the services carrying these attacks are examined rather than the fraudulent websites alone.

Free developer and application hosting accounted for 12.6% of phishing URLs recorded against US financial services during H1 2026.

That means approximately one in eight observed attacks relied upon infrastructure that attackers could access without paying conventional hosting fees.

Netcraft observed significant changes in infrastructure use between Q1 and Q2, suggesting criminals were switching services as infrastructure became unavailable or less useful.

AI is making that movement easier by helping users create websites, reproduce legitimate pages and deploy malicious infrastructure with less technical effort.

Netcraft said generative AI website builders and cloning tools increasingly include free web hosting options, further reducing the work required to establish campaigns.

The financial brands being impersonated also show where attackers are concentrating their efforts across the sector during the reporting period.

Payment service providers accounted for 37.2% of observed phishing activity, with PayPal representing 80.6% of attacks within that subsector.

American Express accounted for 72.8% of observed activity involving card networks, showing how heavily campaigns can focus on recognizable financial brands.

Omegatech emerges as another source of attack infrastructure

The infrastructure picture changed further with the emergence of Omegatech, a paid hosting provider based in the Seychelles, which started operations in January 2026.

By June, Netcraft attributed roughly 3% of observed phishing attacks against US financial services to infrastructure hosted through Omegatech.

One cluster contained 16 .es domains that generated 585 unique attack URLs between March 25 and April 21 2026.

Those domains were used to impersonate 41 financial brands through subdomains, allowing one cluster to support campaigns against numerous institutions.

Registration data for many of those domains was unavailable, limiting visibility into the companies responsible for registering the infrastructure.

Omegatech's emergence came as another major campaign was winding down after targeting Fidelity Investments through the Darcula phishing platform.

That operation fell sevenfold from Q1 to Q2, after previously accounting for more than half of phishing infrastructure impersonating Fidelity.

Meanwhile, financially motivated North Korean groups and organized criminal operators continued pursuing banks, cryptocurrency services and compromised accounts.

The changing mix suggests that attackers are not relying on one platform, campaign or technique to reach financial customers.

Financial companies are advised to closely monitor newly registered domains, restrict suspicious links and strengthen employee verification procedures against impersonation attempts.

Anybody looking to get their steps in and continue their fitness goals over fall and winter — but doesn't like the idea of walking in the cold and dark, be it for comfort or safety reasons — should give under-desk treadmills or walking pads a look.

Slimmer and cheaper than normal treadmills, they can slide under a sofa or bed when not in use, so they're easy to store. They're not fast because they lack guardrails, but they're perfect for getting you moving while watching TV or working (alongside a standing desk). Having this kind of low-impact cardio fitness equipment at home makes it easy to hit step goals and keep moving, even during winter, helping you to stay healthy.

My pick of the deals so far is the Urevo Spacewalk E1L, now available at Best Buy for just $129.99 (was $189.99), saving you $60. Check out the deal in full below:

The Urevo Spacewalk E1L is portable, features five layers of shock absorbers in the belt, and supports up to 265lbs of user weight. It comes with a remote control to manage speed, and features an LED display at the head of the treadmill. No fuss, no frills, and it's usable right out the box. View Deal

While we haven't reviewed this model, we have reviewed its sibling treadmill, the Urevo Spacewalk E4w, which shot right to the top of our best under-desk treadmills buying guide. It has a similar weight, top speed, and power, so I feel comfortable recommending the E1L with the deal on, based on the quality of the E4w.

Not in the US? You can check out this UK deal from Amazon on another Urevo treadmill, the 2-in-1.

2-in-1 under desk treadmill: was £139.99 now £99.99
Save £40 on the 2-in-1 treadmill. With a similar 2.5HP motor and profile as the treadmill above, the main difference here is the treadmill's incline capability, with the capacity to go up to 9% to simulate more challenging hill walks. View Deal

Why get an under-desk treadmill?

(Image credit: LLoyd Coombes)

Whether you're looking to work on a standing desk or you're interested in getting your step count goals smashed while staying cozy at home, an under-desk treadmill is a smart health purchase, especially for exercisers who may not enjoy or be able to take part in higher-impact training. I've reviewed quite a few walking pads during my stint as TechRadar's fitness editor, and asked writers to review others for me.

They're useful gadgets. Research found that for people unable to tolerate moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, lower-intensity walking was still beneficial for improving health. If you loathe running or cycling, sticking to one of the best streaming services and settling in for a binge-watch while walking on a treadmill might be just the thing to get you exercising.

Elon Musk says he will rename the just renamed SpaceXAI to SpaceXSI to align with the White House directive.

• Guilford County, Pima County, and Charlotte are pausing new data centers, but none of the pauses currently affect projects already under construction
• Pima County, AZ, has passed a 120-day pause that does not affect existing projects, even as its legality remains disputed
• Charlotte, NC, wants to extend its 150-day pause by 11 months to October 2027, and Guilford County, NC, holds an October 15 hearing on a moratorium of up to 180 days, even though it has no pending data center applications

In less than two weeks of September 2026, three local governments in two states moved against new data centers, with one passing to date: Pima County, Arizona, adopted one on September 22 and, within a week, the Goldwater Institute said it was illegal.

Guilford County, North Carolina, voted on September 17 to hold a hearing on a moratorium on September 28, and Charlotte set a hearing on extending its own pause into October 2027, a net increase of 11 months, should it pass.

The moves come amid backlash from residents as local officials scramble to keep hyperscale campuses out of cities otherwise earmarked for large buildouts because of cheap land, electricity, lax local laws, or a desirable mix of all three.

A pause with nothing to pause

Guilford County, North Carolina, has not paused anything yet despite its Board of Commissioners voting unanimously to schedule an October 15 public hearing on a temporary moratorium of up to 180 days on new data center projects. This is for two reasons: the ordinance still needs to be drafted, heard, and potentially adopted.

The other reason, somewhat ironically, is simply because there is no actual project to stop or pause to begin with. Planning Director Leslie Bell told the board the county has no pending building permits or other requests for a new data center in its unincorporated areas, the Rhino Times reported. It seems to be laying the groundwork to prevent future legal challenges. This, however, comes as more North Carolina cities and towns push data center moratoriums, with Bell putting the number at over 18.

Pine County, Arizona, has taken a more nuanced, albeit somewhat underwhelming, approach. As the only of the three counties we are covering with an active moratorium in place, it also has one that does not address the projects residents have raised as an issue at meetings.

The moratorium passed on September 22, when its Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to pause new data center development in unincorporated areas for 120 days, fails to cover two key projects already underway: Project Blue and Project Gravel. The county's proposal still faces a potential legal challenge, as the Goldwater Institute sent a demand letter asking the county to rescind the pause altogether.

Charlotte, North Carolina, whose council voted 11-0 on June 8 to pause new data centers for 150 days, is considering buying even more time to make a final decision beyond the four months it has already spent.

On September 28, the council set an October 12 public hearing on extending the pause by 11 months, through October 11, 2027, the Charlotte Observer reported. At-large Council member Dimple Ajmera called it "one of the consequential policy decisions that we will be making."

The problem is more complex: data centers are allowed by right in eight of Charlotte's zoning districts, so they need no council approval there, and council members have raised concerns about that gap since at least 2023, but a policy review has yet to address it. As Deputy City Manager Alyson Craig told a council committee in September, there was no clear path for ordinance changes.

The problems of each county are different, but one could argue that they are considerably similar in the way that all of them are looking to address a gap in the rulebook rather than a wave of upcoming projects at a time when there is increased interest by hyperscalers to find cheap land with cheaper, readily available access to water and power.

While rulebooks can be updated, local governments have to wrestle with the tradeoff: data centers will create few long-term jobs, but they can offer high taxable value in some cases through local taxation, in addition to the power and water bills they will inevitably generate.

At the same time, residents who voted said councils in are concerned about potentially higher power bills and limited access to water, resulting in a perfect storm where legal challenges like the one from the Goldwater Institute only add to the chaos for counties that have never had the legislature to handle such issues in the past.

The animated series "Arthur" premiered on PBS Kids on Oct. 7, 1996.

(Image credit: WGBH Educational Foundation, WildBrain and Marc Brown Studios)

• A majority of US voters (61%) now oppose AI data center construction
• Trump voters support construction, but only at 49%, versus 47% opposing
• Polling took place in early September 2026

The majority of US voters have expressed their opposition to further AI data centers, as newly published research by The New York Times and Siena University found 1,503 likely US midterm voters have major concerns over the direction of travel with AI data center construction.

However, the survey found the data center issue is not a priority for most US voters, where economic and foreign policy matters are more prominent.

Reaction to the polling is likely to be minimal, but it appears to underpin the growing discontent with the approval of increasingly expansive data centers. Concerns over the environment (such as wildlife, water use, and impact on nearby communities) dominate the responses to the poll.

The data center question

The question that has attracted the most attention from the poll (paywalled) – which covers a range of issues rather than just AI – was worded “In general, do you support or oppose the construction of data centers to support artificial intelligence, also known as AI, technology in the U.S.?”

An overall response of 61% opposing to 34% supporting highlights how fed up voters are with the AI issue. Data centers are perhaps the most tangible, visible element of the technology for voters to focus their ire on, given the impact the facilities have on local communities and ecology.

Perhaps the most interesting factor of the overall response to the main question was how the result is split. Based on 2024 voting, 49% of Republicans support AI data center construction versus 47% who do not; 18% of Democrats support construction, while 75% do not. (Among independent supporters, the result is 36% support, 60% oppose, and all three measures accommodate the “don’t knows.”)

Regulatory supporters

While the survey explored many topics, it spent some time quizzing the respondents further on AI. Here, some nuance can be found, with 56% of voters in favor of limits to AI data centers, whereas 38% supported a total ban on further construction. Interestingly, a slight majority (42% vs 40%) trusted the Republicans to handle the data center matter.

Those polled expressed support for key concerns surround data center construction, with 32% citing water usage or the environment as the biggest worry. The impact on local communities and resources was expressed by 21%, while 18% had a general distrust or dislike of AI. Impact on local economies and jobs was 9% of those polled, while 10% had concerns over AI regulations.

The poll was completed before President Trump’s statement against guardrails, which he believes would hamper America in the AI race with China.

• Chinese brands dominate new global EV sales charts for August
• The Tesla Model Y still tops the tables
• Battery EVs are outselling plug-in hybrids

The global EV sales figures are in — and while Tesla’s Model Y still dominates the list of August’s best-selling pure electric vehicles, models from Chinese automakers Geely and BYD are closing in fast.

According to CleanTechnica’s detailed report on the electric and plug-in hybrid market, the Geely Xingyuan (also badged EX2 in markets outside of China) and the BYD Song (Seal U) are rapidly catching up with Tesla’s best-selling electric crossover.

In fact, Chinese automakers now account for a huge proportion of the world's best-selling EVs, with BYD, Geely and a growing collection of younger brands filling out the top 20.

Leapmotor, MG, Fang Cheng Bao (FCB), Qiyuan, Li, Wuling and Xiaomi all now offer models that outsell established global players like Toyota.

There's also a growing divide between battery electric vehicle sales and hybrids. According to the data, BEVs experienced a 13% year-on-year growth, while PHEVs witnessed a 12% year-on-year decline.

(Image credit: CleanTechnica)

Tesla still comfortably tops the table when it comes to the best-selling electric vehicles in the world, with the Model Y almost doubling the sales of its closest rival, the BYD Song/Seal U, in August.

But its grip is slipping as one of the top auto brands in the world when it comes to EV sales, with BYD comfortably topping that chart in August. BYD's sales volume was 375,373, compared to Tesla's 141,996.

It’s an indicator that offering just two models, the Model 3 and Model Y, could be holding Tesla back.

Analysis: Chinese manufacturers are accelerating

(Image credit: Geely)

Delving into the manufacturer rankings tells an even more compelling story than sales for individual models.

BYD remains the world's biggest EV manufacturer when it comes to 2026 year-to-date sales figures through August, accounting for 20.3% of global plug-in vehicle sales year to date.

Geely is second with 9.9%, while Tesla sits third with 8.3%. Volkswagen Group follows with 7%, with SAIC in close fifth at 6.3%.

But look further down the table and the traditional automotive hierarchy looks like it is being rewritten.

Wuling, Xpeng and Fang Cheng Bao have also usurped the likes of BMW, Kia and Volkswagen in the top auto brands in the world for EV sales in August.

(Image credit: TechRadar / Myriam Joire)

However, the data reveals one of the biggest surprises in the August rankings: what has become of Tesla's other biggest seller.

The Model 3 has traditionally been a fixture near the top of the global EV sales charts for years, but its position is becoming increasingly vulnerable as Chinese manufacturers expand.

Not only was it out-sold by Geely's EX2, but three more BYD models are closely trailing it.

Regardless, Tesla doesn't appear to be going anywhere soon, as still occupies two of the top positions among EVs produced outside of China, with the Model Y comfortably leading the table. But the cars immediately behind them are also shifting.

(Image credit: Tesla)

Toyota's surprisingly popular bZ4X has risen to third among non-Chinese EVs and is only just behind Tesla’s Model 3, while BMW's iX1/X1 PHEV combination and Skoda's Elroq are closing in.

All of this data appears to point towards the fact that the battle for EV sales is no longer simply about building the fastest, longest-range or most technologically advanced EV.

Some of the biggest sellers are small, affordable electric cars.

For Tesla, which now only offers two relatively expensive vehicles in its line-up, that could be a particular issue.

Lenovo's IdeaPad Slim 3i is a laptop built for everyday tasks, and this 16GB Core i5 configuration is now under $500 at Best Buy, but the clock's quite literally ticking on this laptop deal.

• Best for: Students and remote/hybrid workers who want a reliable Windows laptop for productivity, browsing, and streaming that won't break the bank.

• The deal: The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i 15.6-inch laptop is now $500 (was $900) at Best Buy.

• Why it matters: Probably the best-priced laptop deal for anyone who wants a machine for work and study. Lenovo's laptop features a 13th-gen Intel Core i5-1335U with 16GB of RAM, which is double the memory you often get at this price, plus a 15.6-inch Full HD screen, USB-C and a privacy shutter on the webcam.

IdeaPad Slim 3i: was $899.99 now $499.99
Intel Core i5-1335U | 16GB RAM | 256GB SSDView Deal

Why we recommend it

We've tested a number of IdeaPad Slim 3i models, and all of them have fared well in reviews - even the Core i3 / 8GB model scored 4 stars. But this laptop deal has even better specs, coming equipped a Core i5 chip and 16GB of RAM that should handle multitasking and everyday office work more comfortably than that entry-level setup. Notably, Best Buy shoppers have rated this model 4.4 out of 5 across more than 1,300 reviews.

Price Context & Historical Value

At $499.99, this is $400 off the $899.99 list price, but treat that headline saving with caution, since the list price could be slightly inflated. Still, we think this is a very fair price for a 16GB Core i5 laptop. Especially considering many laptop deals we've seen recently at the $500 mark tend to have 8GB memory.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i if...

You need a rock-solid Windows laptop for day-to-day office and studying workloads, and the 16GB memory is going to make multi-tasking feel a lot smoother.

❌ Skip the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i if...

You want a laptop you can push to its limits, as there's no discrete GPU here for graphics-intensive workloads and gaming.

• Shop all laptop deals at Best Buy.

• 38% of workers who regularly use AI have admitted to “hoarding” prompts to gain a professional advantage
• Meanwhile, 21% have hidden their AI use from their manager in order to appear more efficient
• Many just don't want their colleagues to gain the same advantage to productivity

New research has claimed nearly two-thirds (62%) of workers using AI regularly believe having better AI skills gives them an edge – and 38% are keeping productive prompts to themselves to to gain a professional advantage.

A Use.AI survey of employees with regular AI users in the workplace found that of this number, nearly half (44%) didn’t want their colleagues to gain the same advantage to productivity, while 31% claimed that it was they who had invested the time and effort into developing the prompt and didn’t want to give away their advantage.

While the use of AI for productivity boosts can unlock advantages, the survey indicates a proprietary attitude, with workplace “gatekeepers” potentially hoarding the best AI prompts.

AI teamwork?

A trend of gaining an advantage in the workplace through developing AI skills seems to be the takeaway from this survey, which quizzed 13,276 adults who use AI in the workplace, based in organizations in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, the EU, and Latin America.

As well as unearthing a habit of keeping AI productivity shortcuts a secret, the survey also underpins a growing pattern of anxiety around the technology’s impact on a worker’s performance. It found that 41% of AI users in the workplace were worried about colleagues and managers finding out how much time and effort the technology was saving them. They were also concerned that they would be expected to achieve the same levels of productivity and speed in future.

It also found that 36% had hidden their AI use from coworkers, with 21% hiding their new-found productivity skills from their manager.

AI-generated tensions

Many criticisms of AI at the point of use (as opposed to data centers) tends to dwell on the issues surrounding generative AI and its impact on creative industries. In a non-creative industry, there is the reliability of the results to consider – but Use.AI’s survey seems to point at a new issue.

Ihor Herasymov is a Co-Founder & CEO of Use.AI, and says that the survey suggests “tension” is developing in the workplace around AI.

“When a useful AI method becomes part of someone’s personal edge, sharing it is no longer a neutral act. Companies may need to think more carefully about how they reward people who turn private know-how into shared capability, because employees will notice quickly when openness helps the organization while weakening their own position.”

In short, the companies that find this secretive AI prompt culture developing may find that the metrics with which judge employee performance will have to change.

Ninja is best known for its air fryers and smoothie machines, but it also produces some excellent coffee makers, including the Ninja Luxe DualBrew System, which is now just £169.99 (was £249.99) at Amazon. This all-in-one coffee station makes both drip coffee and espresso, and remains one of my all-time favorites one year after its release thanks to its sheer versatility.

My favorite part of the DualBrew System is the drip coffee maker, which sits on the left-hand side of the unit. It has two filter baskets so you can choose your brew size, plus a timer, and a smart hotplate that keeps your drink hot without stewing it. It works much better than the insulated carafes of some premium coffee makers (Fellow Aiden, I'm looking at you).

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

The espresso part of the Ninja DualBrew System uses coffee pods, which I don't usually care for, but it uses Nespresso Original-style capsules rather than Nespresso Vertuo, which means you're not tied to Nespresso's own roasts and blends. Nestlé no longer owns the patent to the Original pods, so even tiny producers can package their coffee in them. I bought some pods from a local roaster near me, and the coffee tasted almost as good as if I'd brewed it the old-fashioned way.

Today's best Ninja Prestige DualBrew System deals

Prestige DualBrew System: was £249.99 now £169.99
Capable of preparing perfectly brewed drip coffee and quick espresso, this is one of the most versatile coffee makers I've ever tested, and it's a spectacular value with £80 off ahead of the October Amazon Prime Day sale.View Deal

The DualBrew system hasn't received a good Prime Day discount in the US, but you can score $100 off the Ninja Luxe Café Premier instead. This is the original version of the Luxe Café, without a tamping lever on the side, and it's a great value.View Deal

Ninja's designers added several nice little features that I really came to appreciate while testing the DualBrew System. For example, if you don't want to prepare a whole carafe full of coffee, take the jug away and you'll find a fold-down drip tray where you can place a regular or travel mug instead. It also has a drip-stop valve to prevent coffee from splashing onto the hotplate, which is a welcome addition.

You can also adjust the drip tray height, so you can use anything from a tiny espresso cup to a huge mug without worrying about splashes.

FutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFuture

The only part of the DualBrew System I didn't love was the fold-out milk frother, which is just a rotating electric whisk. It doesn't heat your milk like a steam wand, so you need to follow the 'recipe' guide stuck to the side of the machine, which explains how long to microwave and whisk your milk to get the right consistency for different drinks.

Not sure whether the DualBrew System is right for you? Take a look at my full review for more details. I've also rounded up my top three De'Longhi coffee makers today, along with the best Prime Day deals on each one.

• Microsoft’s X account was hijacked to promote the suspicious $CLIPPY cryptocurrency token
• Attackers amplified the scam with fake Microsoft-branded statements and apology posts
• Microsoft confirmed unauthorized access, removed the posts, and secured the account

Cybercriminals managed to briefly take over Microsoft’s X account and used it to promote a cryptocurrency-themed scam. To make matters even worse, they later tried to make it seem as if Microsoft reclaimed its account and issued a fake apology tweet.

The wonderful world of cryptocurrency has a subculture called “meme coins”. These are obscure, practically pointless tokens that emerge quickly as part of an ongoing trend, and disappear just as fast. For example, there was a token called SQUID that emerged while the Squid Game series was popular, and there was one called HAWK that rose while the “Hawk Tuah” girl was popular on the internet.

While not a rule, these coins are also often scams. Community members purchase them, allowing the creators to extract value before disappearing. SQUID was worth around $2,800 per token at its peak, and collapsed to $0.0008 within minutes, while HAWK lost around 90% of its value almost immediately after launch.

Enter Clippy

It seems that the latest meme coin to be used this way is called CLIPPY - based on the infamous virtual assistant that was introduced with Office 97.

For those of younger age, earlier versions of Microsoft Office came with a virtual assistant that would pop up at the bottom right of the screen and ask if the user needed any help. It was designed as a large paperclip with eyes, and was discontinued a few years later for being practically useless and annoying.

Since then, however, Clippy has become an internet meme, and something to be fondly remembered, particularly in today’s world of cold, calculated, heartless AI agents. Clippy has become a symbol of warmer, more humane time of computing, and as such it, too, was abused in a scam.

As part of the scam, the fraudsters created a Clippy X account, called “ClippyMSFTCo”, and posted a call to action: “How many likes to bring Clippy back? @microsoft give us a number, please.” Then they hijacked Microsoft’s official account and retweeted this post to their audience of 13 million.

But promoting an obvious scam to millions of people trusting Microsoft was only half of the ruse. They later deleted the original post and issued a bizarre public apology:

"We are aware of a cryptocurrency token being promoted in connection with $MSFT stock, including the unauthorized use of the Clippy brand and Microsoft-related intellectual property,” the scammers wrote. “Microsoft has not authorized, sponsored, endorsed, or granted permission for the creation, promotion, or use of any cryptocurrency token associated with Clippy, Microsoft, or $MSFT."

This post was later deleted, as well.

Build your own Clippy

Musk’s social network has later disabled the fraudulent @clippymsftcto account. However, researchers from Cybernews later found a different account - @ClippyMSFT, still promoting the $CLIPPY token, stating it “has a liquidity pool paired directly with $MSFT.”

“For the first time ever, everyone’s favorite paperclip has a liquidity pool paired directly with $MSFT, the company that built him is now the floor under his bags,” one tweet reads. A separate tweet also promoted software that allows users to “build their own Clippy” which, if this author has learned anything over the years, sounds a lot like a way to distribute malware. In this particular case - possibly a cryptocurrency stealer.

Microsoft has later spoken up, telling the media that its account was compromised and abused in a scam: “We have confirmed unauthorized access to our account on X, including posts that did not come from Microsoft,” Microsoft spokesperson Brent Colburn said. “The account has been secured and the unauthorized posts have been removed, and we are continuing to investigate the circumstances.”

Today is James Bond day. And as a 007 super-fan and home office expert, there was only one item I wanted to see get a discount at Amazon: the iconic Parker Jotter ballpoint featured in GoldenEye. Now, this one won't explode after three clicks, but I can't fault the smooth writing experience here.

• Best for: Professionals, double-O agents, and those of discerning taste who want an affordable, elegant writing solution issued by Q Branch.

• The deal: The Parker Jotter refillable ballpoint pen is now $11 (was $13) at Amazon. In the UK, the Jotter is down to £15 (was £17).

• Why we like it: When it comes to movie memorabilia, I always like gear that looks like it's in-universe - not plastered with logos that remove the illusion. And this is the exact model Pierce Brosnan used in his 007 debut. I have more than one of these on my desk. It's a great price, and I especially like that it's refillable.

Jotter Ballpoint Pen: was $12.82 now $10.89
As seen in GoldenEye, the Parker Jotter is a must for Bond fans and anyone looking to bring understated elegance to the workspace.

In the UK: now £15 (was £17)View Deal

Why we recommend it

This has to be one of the most affordable gifts to celebrate James Bond day. It's not just that this Parker pen was seen in a James Bond film that appeals to me. I genuinely enjoy writing with this pen. It delivers a smooth writing experience across the page, which is ideal you take a lot of notes at work. I also like that it's refillable, which means you can bring it back to pristine condition after the ink runs dry. Pair it with a Moleskine or Leuchtturm1917 notebook for the best experience.

Price context & historical value

The Parker Jotter is already an affordable pen, so this discount is a welcome extra. From my investigations, this is about the average price to pay - it's a long time since I've seen this as cheap as its lowest ever price of $6, and it's around 50 cents more than it was during the July Prime Day sale. Of course, Q hasn't packed this one full of his 'special ingredients', which helps keeps the cost down.

For more WFH gear, we're tracking the best Prime Big Deal Days home office upgrades.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Parker Jotter if...

You're a Bond fan who wants the same pen Bond would definitely recommend using when infiltrating a villain's lair, or you take a lot of notes.

❌ Skip the Parker Jotter if...

You'd prefer a model packed with explosives. Those are only issued to officers with a Licence to Kill.

Also check out

Goldeneye Ceramic Mug: $17.99
You know the name, you know the number (of coffee scoops required). Bond takes his coffee black, but this is a golden pick for the professional.View Deal

Almost as iconic as the Parker Jotter, Jack the Bulldog from Royal Doulton is an essential desk accessory for 007 fans. View Deal

• Milk Dragon uses fake ecommerce sites and social media deals to steal payment data
• Malware captures credentials and MFA codes in real time, even before form submission
• Campaign targeted victims in 66 countries, abusing trusted brands and banks

If you come across a post on social media promoting huge discounts on major brands such as Lego or Calvin Klein, be extra careful, as security researchers Group-IB have warned these could be fake, and part of an elaborate scheme to steal your money.

In their report, the researchers said they uncovered a major scam campaign run by a group they are calling Milk Dragon.

For at least a year now, this threat actor has been using a phishing kit of the same name to create spoofed versions of popular ecommerce websites, sometimes even using AI to create entirely fake listings.

Phishing with a spin

Fake ecommerce sites with offers simply too good to pass up on are not a new tactic.

Recent FTC Consumer Sentinel data shows 376,830 reports in the "online shopping and negative reviews" category in 2023, with nearly $400 million in reported losses. The median reported loss was $126, with more than half of reports involving financial losses.

What makes this campaign unique is that it abuses trusted channels - social media groups and pages - to deliver the lure. Usually, these lures would be sent out via phishing emails, but since email providers have caught up with most of the tactics and have become rather good at filtering spam, threat actors turned to the next best thing - social media.

In this case, the listings were shared on Facebook and TikTok mostly, Group-IB said, primarily in groups where users hunt for similar bargains. That way, they might not even realize they are actually being targeted by an advanced infostealer.

As Group-IB explained, the websites come with a piece of malware called BytePress which captures all of the information submitted and sends it to the attackers’ command-and-control panel.

What makes BytePress particularly dangerous is the fact that victims don’t even have to submit the information - simply typing it into the form is enough, since the malware can stream what the victim types character by character, in real-time.

When the victim finally submits the data, it gets relayed through attacker infrastructure to the legitimate website, which often returns requests for one-time passwords and similar multi-factor authentication. The request is sent back to the victim and once again picked up, defeating any multi-factor authentication they might have set up.

Buying time

In the end, the victim will get a fake order confirmation, and Milk Dragon will display what appears to be a successful purchase. That way, the victim will believe everything is in order and won’t rush to contact their bank and freeze their credit card or reset their credentials. In the meantime, crooks can use those details in whatever malicious way they please.

Milk Dragon doesn’t seem to be targeting any country, or people, specifically. It cast a relatively wide net, with victims being found in 66 countries around the world. However, according to Group-IB’s report, the majority of the victims were found in three countries: Malaysia (1,300+), Singapore (1,200+), and Thailand (1,100+).

The group also doesn’t seem to be particularly fond of any specific brand. A total of 21 popular brands were spoofed, across cosmetics & fashion, food & beverages, home & baby products, as well as toy industries. Regional supermarkets are also frequent impersonation targets, it seems, as well as 36 financial institutions and banks.

The Milk Dragon phishing kit is being sold on Telegram channels as a service, with various hacking groups paying either monthly, or yearly fees. The tool is being sold from 300 USDT (cryptocurrency) a month, with various subscription plans and add-ons.

It seemed like it might never happen, but the weather is finally starting to turn cooler — and if you're anything like me, you'll soon be reaching for your thickest socks and jumpers. I won't go as far as turning the heating on though, because the Blueair ComfortPure 3-in-1 air purifier and heater is now just £237 (was £399) in the Amazon Prime Day sale.

I'm a naturally chilly person (I keep a heated pad under my desk year-round) and I've been on the lookout for a compact fan heater to keep myself snug when working from home, and this Blueair model is perfect. Not only does it warm a small- to medium-sized room in the colder months, it also serves as a cooling fan during summer heatwaves, and filters dirt and allergens out of the air all year round.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

This three-in-one device got the seal of approval from our reviewer Becca Caddy, so I know it'll be a reliable buy. "One feature I particularly liked was the way the purifier automatically ramped up when air quality dropped and then settled back down once conditions improved," she said. "It meant the unit never felt like it needed to run at full power all the time."

That's great news considering the cost of fuel, and combined with this huge Prime Day discount, makes it a great value alternative to cranking up the central heating.

Today's best Blueair deals

ComfortPure 3-in-1 T10i Air Purifier: was £399 now £237
A heater isn't just for winter — not when it's also an air purifier to tackle allergens, and a cooling fan to keep you comfortable during heatwaves. This clever app- or remote-operated unit is all three, and with 41% off, it's great value in Amazon's pre-Prime Day sale.View Deal

ComfortPure 3-in-1 T10i Air Purifier: was $499.99 now $319.95
The same great three-in-one fan heater and purifier has received a huge price cut in the US as well, with $180 off. Stock is limited though, so you'll need to move fast to grab one. View Deal

Unlike some of the best air purifiers we've tested here at TechRadar, the T10i won't look out of place in your home office, kitchen, or bedroom. Its off-white colour and minimal styling mean it feels premium without trying too hard. We also appreciate its anti-tip sensor, which switches the unit off automatically if it's knocked over.

The mobile app is excellent too, letting you adjust the Blueair's settings, set schedules, and even set it to activate based on your location. Want your room to start heating or cooling so it's comfortable when you arrive home? You can do exactly that.

Future / Becca CaddyFuture / Becca CaddyFuture / Becca CaddyFuture / Becca CaddyFuture / Becca Caddy

You don't need to reach for your phone each time you want to change the T10i's settings, though. It also has a top-mounted control panel and remote control. Alternatively, you can link it to Amazon Alexa and control it from an Amazon Echo speaker via voice commands.

For us, the only real drawback was the price, but with this pre-Prime Day deal, that's no longer an issue.