12 – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Jess Weatherbed

Jess Weatherbed

News Reporter

News Reporter

    More From Jess Weatherbed

    Jess Weatherbed
    Jess Weatherbed
    Phranque-ly hilarious.

    It was great to see how motion capture was used by the cast of the upcoming God of War Laufey game in Sony’s behind-the-scenes video. Jack Quaid was especially in character for his portrayal of Phranque, a sentient gelatinous cube. 10/10, no notes.

    Jack Quaid performing the motion capture for Phranque in God of War Laufey.
    Looking forward to your edgy performance, Mr Quaid.
    Image: Sony / Santa Monica Studio
    Jess Weatherbed
    Jess Weatherbed
    Meta’s Marketplace evades the EU’s Big Tech crackdown.

    The EU’s General Court said the European Commission’s decision to designate Facebook Marketplace as a gatekeeper service under Digital Markets Act rules “lacks sufficient reasoning,” and that it should be exempt from the regulation. Meta also tried to appeal Messenger’s designation, but that decision stands firm.

    Jess Weatherbed
    Jess Weatherbed
    Shrinking Kevin O’Leary’s mammoth Utah data center project.

    Utah Senate president J. Stuart Adams is calling for a 75 percent reduction, bringing the project from 40,000 acres to approximately 10,000, alongside demands for greater transparency and stronger conservation commitments. O’Leary says the reduced proposal is like “selling you a house, and you get to live in the upstairs toilet.”

    Jess Weatherbed
    Jess Weatherbed
    Meta scales back its employee tracking / AI training tool.

    The “Model Capability Initiative” that records staff’s computing activity for AI training is being updated following backlash. Now, Meta employees can pause MCI for up to 30 minutes, and staff who handle sensitive content, work remotely, or have concerns regarding bandwidth or device battery can be exempt from using it.

    Jess Weatherbed
    Jess Weatherbed
    New X feature for reaction streamers.

    iOS users now have the option to “React with Video” under the reposting symbol on the X app, allowing you to respond to clips and static images by recording yourself. You can choose between green screen, split screen, or picture-in-picture recording styles.

    A screenshot of X’s new React with Video feature.
    Here’s the green screen reaction option, which looks very similar to recording features that have long been available on TikTok.
    Image: X
    Jess Weatherbed
    Jess Weatherbed
    Amazon Prime subscribers are getting early Spider-Man screenings.

    Prime members in the US will have the chance to watch Spider-Man: Brand New Day in select theaters on July 29th, two days before the movie is widely released stateside. Tickets will be available here, and you can sign up to be notified when they go on sale.

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