Author: Liam Porter

Graham FraserTechnology ReporterRobloxShooting, chasing, exploring – hit video games tend to have themes that set the pulse racing.One of the world’s most popular new titles, however, is about something considerably more sedate – gardening.Grow a Garden involves players slowly developing a little patch of virtual land. It’s something that, earlier this month, more than 16m people – many of them children – chose to spend their weekend doing.That smashed a record for concurrent players set by the somewhat more adrenalin-filled Fortnite.What is it about this plant-growing simulation that has got so many people hooked – and could it persuade more…

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has named three new governors-at-large to its Board of Governors: Haifaa Al-Mansour (directors branch), Effie T. Brown (producers branch) and Annie Chang (production and technology branch). Each will begin a three-year term with the start of the Academy’s 2025–2026 fiscal year. “We’re thrilled to welcome Haifaa, Effie and Annie to the Academy’s Board of Governors,” said Academy President Janet Yang in a statement. “Their wealth of experiences, perspectives and dedication will be vital to our ongoing global and industry outreach efforts.” Yang also thanked outgoing governors-at-large DeVon Franklin and Rodrigo García for…

Though he’s built an empire on glamorous eveningwear, with this resort collection Elie Saab sought to prove that he’s just as serious about daywear. The lineup included trans-seasonal staples such as flared jeans; wide, high-waisted trousers; a double-breasted jacket in gabardine; and a roomy blouson in chocolate-colored leather, shown here with the designer’s latest takes on the safari skirt, in twill or buttery black leather. A trench coat played it classic or feminine thanks to side zippers designed to reveal or conceal a splay of accordion pleats.With an eye to easy layering, Saab put his own spin on hero pieces…

The announcement of a new inquiry into maternity care failures in England, including the shockingly higher risk of mortality faced by black and Asian mothers, indicates an overdue recognition that improvements are needed. From the devastating 2015 review of a decade of failure at Morecambe Bay, to last year’s birth trauma report from MPs, there is no shortage of evidence that women face unacceptable risks when giving birth on the NHS. The question is whether a review chaired by Wes Streeting himself can achieve what previous ones have not.His role as chair is not the only novel aspect of this…

Ramona ShelburneJun 23, 2025, 11:30 AM ETCloseSenior writer for ESPN.comSpent seven years at the Los Angeles Daily NewsTHE PHOTO ITSELF is one of many that hang in Sam Presti’s office. Legendary football coach Bill Walsh is laying on the ground, hands behind his head, seemingly at peace with whatever was about to happen in the Super Bowl his San Francisco 49ers were about to play. Not because he was eminently confident that his team would win.Because he was prepared.For as long as Presti has worked from that office as the executive vice president of the Oklahoma City Thunder, that photo…

As Iran’s foreign minister arrived in Moscow on Monday, President Vladimir Putin pledged that Russia would “provide assistance to the Iranian people” in the wake of US attacks. While Russia has condemned Israeli and US strikes on Tehran, experts say the conflict could work in the Kremlin’s favour. 

Orcas’ Killer Skin-Care Routine Relies on Kelp—And HelpMassaging one another with kelp could help orcas keep their skin healthyBy Elizabeth Anne Brown edited by Sarah Lewin FrasierThe southern resident killer whale J41 holds kelp in her mouth. New research suggests orcas nuzzle each other with kelp, possibly for its exfoliation effect. Center for Whale Research, NMFS/NOAA permit 27038Step aside, primates and crows. Thanks to new drone footage, killer whales have joined an exclusive club: the short list of animals that make and use tools.Scientists have discovered that southern resident killer whales—an extended family of orcas that live off the coast…

A senior British politician has called for a controversial Marilyn Manson concert in her city to be cancelled amid allegations of sexual assault by the singer.Manson – whose real name is Brian Warner – is set to kickstart the UK leg of his new tour at the Brighton Centre in October. But the concert has become a topic of debate, with campaigners urging Brighton and Hove city council, which owns the venue, to cancel the performance.Now, the MP Siân Berry has expressed concerns in an open letter to the local council leader, arguing the concert goes against “the city’s well-renowned…

Next, Zara and H&M all benefited from extra sales when their rival Marks & Spencer was forced to halt orders on its website for almost seven weeks after a major cyber-attack that weighed on its own sales.Clothing sales at M&S slumped by a fifth in the four weeks to 25 May compared with the same period a year before after the website, which usually accounts for a third of M&S’s clothing and homeware sales, stopped taking orders. Sales had soared 11.5% in the prior three months, according to the latest figures from analysts at Kantar.M&S was forced to stop trade…

US congressional staffers have reportedly been told that they’re no longer allowed to use on government devices. The House of Representatives’ chief administrative officer (CAO) is said to have informed workers on Monday that the app — including the mobile, desktop and web-based versions — is not permitted on House-managed devices.”The Office of Cybersecurity has deemed WhatsApp a high risk to users due to the lack of transparency in how it protects user data, absence of stored data encryption and potential security risks involved with its use,” the CAO wrote in an email, according to . Microsoft Teams, Wickr, Signal…