More information Adding us as a Preferred Source in Google by using this link indicates that you would like to see more of our content in Google News results. While the earliest lighthouses were little more than large bonfires on hilltops, their underlying principle has always been the same for thousands of years. These towering coastal sentinels have helped sailors from around the world navigate vast oceans, avoid dangerous shoals, and sometimes simply find their way home. However, it's sometimes difficult to comprehend just how crucial the buildings remain for maritime crews--but one fascinating (and frequently hypnotic) online mapping project vividly illustrates humanity's ongoing reliance on lighthouses. Aaron Becker Mapped.earth is an all-things-geospatial website from digital analyst Aaron Becker monitoring winds, rainfall, UV index, and more.

Microsoft has released Windows 11 26H2. Here’s how your Windows 11 PC can get the next major Windows update, and here are the ISO files available for direct download.

Robots are a crowd-pleasing example of American innovation and global technological leadership. The latest press release of Boston Dynamics' executing the'Ghost Rabona' soccer kick highlights the increasingly natural movements of humanoids ( 1). At the other end of the spectrum, academic researchers are redefining the limits of miniaturization and building robots at the micrometer scale ( 2). Private and government funding propel foundational research forward, leading to breakthroughs in both hardware and software across U.S. labs and corporations ( 3, 4). Such progress reaffirms the U.S. as an intellectual and innovative powerhouse, a reputation that carries large geopolitical weight.

Battery installations hit a new record in the US in the second quarter of 2026. In total, 20.2 gigawatt-hours of new capacity came online, according to a new report. That's enough to supply the daily electricity needs of about 700,000 homes. The surge is putting the country on a trajectory to see 71 gigawatt-hours of batteries installed in 2026, a 20% increase over last year. This growth is being driven by a combination of cheaper batteries and an urgent need for more energy storage capacity as renewables such as solar and onshore wind power are added to the grid.

PCWorld reports that Microsoft has changed how Windows 11 handles updates, now bundling drivers and firmware together with monthly security patches. This means users will likely only need to restart their PC once a month during the regular Patch Tuesday cycle, reducing interruptions. The change applies to versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1, though critical Microsoft Defender security fixes may still trigger immediate restarts when necessary. Microsoft now bundles updates for drivers, the .NET Framework, and firmware together with the regular security updates that go out on Patch Tuesday every month. This consolidation brings one huge advantage to Windows users: your Windows 11 PC now only needs to be restarted once a month to remain up-to-date and secure.

I installed Aura Glass, opting for the full Monty of features. I did find a noticeable hit on performance; however, I was running GNOME as a virtual machine with only 3 GB of RAM and 2 CPU cores. Give it at least twice the amount of RAM and cores, and you'll hardly notice it (which is impressive, given how much blur it adds).

I wore the world's first HDR10 smart glasses TCL's new E Ink tablet beats the Remarkable and Kindle Anker's new charger is one of the most unique I've ever seen I wore the world's first HDR10 smart glasses TCL's new E Ink tablet beats the Remarkable and Kindle Anker's new charger is one of the most unique I've ever seen I asked Canonical if Ubuntu on Windows will outgrow native installs as rumored - it's a no There's some confusion about Ubuntu's popularity on Windows Subsystem for Linux, so I asked Canonical's Jon Seager directly. Linux on WSL is popular for enterprises and AI developers. WSL helps programmers work across Windows and Linux. There have been reports that Ubuntu on Windows may one day outgrow native Ubuntu installs. I interviewed Jon Seager, Ubuntu Linux parent company Canonical's VP of engineering, and he told me, No, not really, only that the growth rate is faster!

U.S. military bases lack sensor systems and counter-drone defenses to stop attack drone swarms, a senior commander warns as the Pentagon pursues laser and microwave weapons.

I wore the world's first HDR10 smart glasses TCL's new E Ink tablet beats the Remarkable and Kindle Anker's new charger is one of the most unique I've ever seen I wore the world's first HDR10 smart glasses TCL's new E Ink tablet beats the Remarkable and Kindle Anker's new charger is one of the most unique I've ever seen The Linux desktop's popularity is growing fast, and there are a few reasons why. The Linux desktop continues to grow in popularity. AI is a big reason why more people are turning to Linux. Web traffic analysis site StatCounter recently showed that desktop Linux had reached an all-time high of 10.65% in the North American desktop market . Many people, even many Linux fans, dismissed this proportion as fake news.

Fire rages after drone strikes Libya's largest oil refinery Firefighters in Libya are battling a massive blaze at the Zawiya refinery following a drone attack, with the country's national oil company warning it may declare a force majeure and shut down operations if attacks continue. Libya's Ambulance and Emergency Service said in a statement on Tuesday there were no "serious injuries" from the fire, with most patients treated for smoke inhalation. It is located about 40km (25 miles) west of the capital, Tripoli. The National Oil Corporation (NOC) said in a statement on Facebook that the fire broke out on Monday evening at tank number 402-T, belonging to the Brega Oil Company. It said the tank, which contained about 4.5 million litres (1.2 million gallons) of gasoline, was "directly targeted, resulting in a severe fire before the tank completely collapsed".