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Marjane Satrapi, Iconic 'Persepolis' Creator, Dies at 56, Leaving Legacy of Cultural Revolution
Marjane Satrapi, noted French-Iranian author of 'Persepolis,' dies at 56, prompting global tributes. Her legacy spans graphic novels to films, advocating for women's rights and freedom of expression.

Google DeepMind Unveils Gemma 4 12B: Powerful Multimodal AI on Ordinary Laptops
Google DeepMind has launched Gemma 4 12B, a versatile AI model that operates on standard laptops with 16 GB RAM, processing text, images, and audio locally. Released under Apache 2.0, it offers a cost-effective and privacy-friendly alternative for various industries, with resources available on Hugging Face and Kaggle.
Star Wars Zero Company, a new tactical RPG from EA/Respawn, is launching on August 27, 2026, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. The game blends XCOM-style mechanics with Star Wars lore, featuring permadeath, strategic planning, and diverse species, set against the backdrop of the Clone Wars.
The Northern Lights may be visible across parts of North America, including New Jersey, on Thursday and Friday nights due to geomagnetic storm activity, according to NOAA. Viewers should seek dark skies away from city lights, monitor real-time updates, and use cellphone cameras for optimal viewing.
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Nicolas Maduro's high-profile narcoterrorism trial intensifies as he adds Anna Estevao, known for defending Sean 'Diddy' Combs, to his legal team. The defense claims his capture was an unlawful U.S. operation, raising questions about the case's legality and Maduro's potential conviction.
Waymo partners with B2U Storage Solutions to convert retired EV batteries into grid storage, boosting energy efficiency in California and Texas. This initiative aligns with a record rise in U.S. battery storage capacity, promoting cleaner energy usage and extending battery lifespan.
LEGO has launched the largest set ever, the Architecture Sagrada Família, featuring 12,060 pieces, which surpasses the previous record-holder, the World Map. The set is priced at $799.99 and targets architecture enthusiasts, with pre-orders starting immediately and a release set for November 1.
A coalition of publishers, SPUR, is expanding, adding 30 members to establish international standards for AI usage of publisher content. The move aims to push policymakers, including the French president at the G7, to address concerns over fair licensing, content protection, and sustainable economics in the AI era.
Artists at the Venice Biennale demand the removal of their names from a ballot due to concerns over transparency and accountability. With over 100 artists signing, tensions echo controversies from prior years, yet the Biennale insists on preserving names for expression and says signatories won't be eligible for prizes.
A coalition of trade groups warns of a memory chip shortage, driven by AI demand, impacting prices and supply across multiple sectors including electronics and automobiles. They urge federal action to expand domestic production and address supply chain vulnerabilities, citing potential long-term disruptions similar to COVID-19 era shortages.
Apple debuts a new Safari ad campaign touting its privacy features, showcasing tools like Link Tracking Protection and Face ID-secured private tabs. Designed with eye-catching visuals, the campaign underscores Apple's commitment to user privacy amid growing concerns over data tracking by tech companies.













