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Medieval plague victims likely found in mass grave in Germany
Archaeologists say they located a Black Death burial site containing some of a village's 12,000 dead. Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week. The Black Death () killed as much as half of Europe's total population between 1346 and 1353, so there are a of bodies buried across the continent. For example, contemporary accounts from Thuringia--a state in central Germany--report that about 12,000 plague victims died around Erfurt amid the city's outbreak in 1350. But despite multiple accounts attesting to this devastation, none of the 11 mass graves could be pinpointed for centuries.
Meta has closed three VR studios as part of its metaverse cuts
Apple's Siri AI will be powered by Gemini The company has axed Armature, Sanzaru and Twisted Pixel; Supernatural won't be getting any new content. Several of Meta's VR studios have been affected by the company's metaverse-focused layoffs. The company has shuttered three of its VR studios, including Armature, Sanzaru and Twisted Pixel. VR fitness app Supernatural will no longer be updated with fresh content. Employees at Twisted Pixel, which released in November, and Sanzaru, known for, posted on social media about the closures .
The five new gadgets I tried and loved at CES 2026 (that you can buy right now)
I'm a digital nomad who works on the road. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Every year, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) gives us a glimpse of what's around the corner in tech: creepy humanoid robots, robovacs that climb stairs, AI baked into everything. The Guardian's journalism is independent.
Proposed legislation opens the door to robotaxi services in New York
Apple's Siri AI will be powered by Gemini Governor Hochul is backing a pilot program to offer commercial self-driving car services in the state. Waymo, Alphabet's self-driving car company, tested its autonomous vehicles in New York City in 2025, and as part of proposed legislation from New York Governor Kathy Hochul, the company could soon offer its services across the state, reports . Governor Hochul's proposed legislation was formally announced during a State of the State address covering policy proposals for the upcoming year. The new law, if passed, would loosen the state's restrictions on self-driving car companies by forming a pilot program that would allow for the limited deployment of commercial for-hire autonomous passenger vehicles outside New York City. Applicants to the pilot program would need to demonstrate that they have local support for [autonomous vehicle] deployment and prove their adherence to the highest possible safety standards to be considered.
Amazon is blowing out LEVOIT air purifiers so you can filter out irritants
The air in your house sucks--fix it with these Amazon deals on air purifiers and humidifiers. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. If your sinuses are staging a revolt or your living room smells suspiciously like last night's stir-fry, it's probably time to call in a serious air purifier. LEVOIT's lineup routinely tops our lists because models cover everything from compact bedroom workhorses to family-room heavy hitters, and these Amazon deals are a chance to upgrade your home air quality before the next wave of wildfire smoke, pet shedding, or pollen hits. And there are also humidifiers on sale.
Why the World's Best AI Systems Are Still So Bad at Pokémon
Why the World's Best AI Systems Are Still So Bad at Pokémon Pillay is an editorial fellow at TIME. Pillay is an editorial fellow at TIME. Right now, live on Twitch, you can watch three of the world's smartest AI systems-- GPT 5.2, Claude Opus 4.5, and Gemini 3 Pro --doing their best to beat classic Pokémon games. At least by human standards, they are not very good. The systems are slow, overconfident, and often confused.
Everything Is Content for the 'Clicktatorship'
Everything Is Content for the'Clicktatorship' In the second Trump administration, online conspiracy theories are shaping real-world policies like never before. In President Donald Trump's second term, everything is content . Videos of immigration raids are shared widely on X by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), conspiracy theories dictate policy, and prominent right-wing podcasters and influencers have occupied high-level government roles. The second Trump administration is, to put it bluntly, very online. Trump and his supporters have long trafficked in--and benefited from-- misinformation and conspiracy theories, leveraging them to build visibility on social media platforms and set the tone of national conversations.
Is it illegal to own an axolotl? It depends.
Is it illegal to own an axolotl? A recent pet seizure at Chicago's O'Hare Airport illustrates ongoing confusion. Many pet axolotls are crossbred with other salamanders to create their unique coloration. Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week. The axolotl () is a confusing creature, and not simply because it looks like a real-life Pokémon .