Torvalds' typing taste test touches tactile tragedy

There’s something wrong with keyboard design, but we can’t put our finger on it

Opinion  Linus Torvalds is the global hero most of the world doesn't even know exists. There are no big movies about him, no best-selling biographies, no ardent Torvaldian cultists with home altars and gilded icons. At least, we hope not.…

Coastlines in danger even if climate target met, scientists warn
The goal of limiting warming to 1.5C is too high to avoid continued sea-level rise, scientists warn.
Gazan babies will die without aid, UN humanitarian chief warns
About 14,000 babies will die in 48 hours if aid does not reach them, a UN humanitarian chief warns.
Girl, 11, unlawfully killed after she drowned at waterpark, inquest rules
A coroner has concluded that an 11-year-old girl was unlawfully killed after she drowned at a waterpark in Berkshire in 2022.
Former teacher charged with sexual offences against teenage girls
A former teacher has been charged with sexual offences against three teenage girls.
Republican lawmakers could soon kill clean energy jobs in their home states
Renewable energy has driven a manufacturing boom in the US, but that’s all at stake as Congress weighs cuts to Biden-era tax incentives. Solar, wind, and battery companies have announced plans to either create or expand 250 manufacturing facilities since August 2022. That’s when Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), considered the biggest federal […]
Virgin Media O2 patches hole that let callers snoop on your coordinates

Researcher finds VoLTE metadata could be used to locate users within 100 meters

UK telco Virgin Media O2 has fixed an issue with its 4G Calling feature that allowed users' general location to be discerned by those who called them.…

Sesame Street heading to Netflix after Trump cut PBS funding
Netflix and Sesame Street have agreed a deal that will bring the children's show to the streaming platform's wider audience after President Trump cut federal funding for the free-to-air TV network Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).
Sciver-Brunt's eclectic journey from Tokyo to England captain
All-rounder, leader and mother, Stephan Shemilt talks to those who best know new England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt.
At least 38 killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza in half-hour period, medics say
Fighter jets hit sites including a school in Gaza City, the Hamas-run civil defence agency says.
New deal on plant sales in Northern Ireland long overdue, says garden centre owner
Garden centre owner, Robin Mercer, says the new UK-EU deal is "long overdue" as current arrangements have driven up costs.
Seven-metre tall dinosaur sculpture dividing locals in New Zealand
The seven-metre tall sauropod sculpture - named Boom Boom - has divided local opinion.
Boy, 11, becomes piano prodigy by watching YouTube
Harvey is invited to a top music school after teaching himself in just five months.
British man claims record-breaking fastest run across Australia
William Goodge ran from Perth to Sydney in 35 days, running the equivalent of 2.5 marathons each day.
Second man charged over fires at properties and car linked to Sir Keir Starmer
A second man has been charged in connection with a series of fires linked to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Second man charged over fires at properties and car linked to Sir Keir Starmer
A second man has been charged in connection with a series of fires linked to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Techies propose the Agent Name Service: It's like DNS but for AI agents

Because nobody wants a random and unverified bot tickling their APIs

To unify the proliferating set of would-be standards to govern AI agents, researchers have proposed yet another standard.…

F1 Q&A: Is Verstappen winning in an 'inferior car'?
BBC Sport F1 correspondent Andrew Benson answers your latest questions before the Monaco Grand Prix.
Arsenal's 2007 European champions - where are they now?
In 2007, Arsenal became the first English team to win the Uefa Women's Champions League. BBC Sport take a look at where their European heroes are now.
Family criticises law change on paedophiles' parental rights
Those convicted of child sexual offences may not be banned from contact with their own offspring.
Police pepper-sprayed and tasered 92-year-old disabled man, court hears
A 92-year-old disabled man was sprayed in the face with synthetic pepper spray before being hit with a baton and shot by a Taser by police officers during a callout, a court has heard.
Why Swiatek's reign as 'Queen of Clay' is under threat
After the most turbulent period of her career, Iga Swiatek is facing questions about her clay-court game before her French Open title defence.
Jeremy Bowen: Goodwill running out as UK, France and Canada demand Israel end Gaza offensive
France, the UK and Canada are among nations that have sharpened their criticism of Israel's ground offensive.
Foxconn chair predicts AI will end manufacturers' search for cheap labor

Urges world leaders to pay attention because he’s already building factories in which GenAI is acing scutwork

Computex  Foxconn chair Young Li has predicted the combination of generative AI and robotics will destroy low-end manufacturing jobs and called on world leaders to recognize inevitable geopolitical shifts that will follow.…

UK now best placed country on trade, says Reeves
The chancellor tells the BBC the latest trade agreements with the EU, US and India will boost economic growth.
Postecoglou's second-season success - what and how has he won?
"I always win things in my second year," said Ange Postecoglou, who hopes to guide Tottenham to glory in the Europa League final.
British teen Bella Culley is behind bars in Georgia. What is life like inside her prison?
Bella Culley, 18, is being held in a Georgian prison after being charged with drug offences.
Stolen Jim Morrison graveside bust found by chance after 37 years
French police came across the statue by chance during an unrelated investigation.
Residents plagued by 'a million bees' in their road
People, pets and tradespeople are stung as the problem is traced back to beehives at one property.
The £100m final Man Utd cannot afford to lose?
Manchester United play "the most financially important match in the club's history" against Tottenham on Wednesday - BBC sports editor Dan Roan explains why it is one they cannot afford to lose.
'Comedy is a massive healer': Sir Lenny Henry returns to stand-up after 16 years
The Birmingham comedian and actor will be headlining a one-off show at the end of May.
Tesla battery maker sees shares jump on Hong Kong debut
China's CATL makes more than a third of electric vehicle batteries sold worldwide and also supplies VW and Toyota.
Sutton Hoo bucket believed to be cremation vessel
Archaeologists find human and animal remains in the base of the bucket, confirming their beliefs.
The Papers: 'UK condemns Israel' and 'Brexit reset'
Reaction to the UK's new trade deal with the EU dominated the front pages of Tuesday's papers.
Starmer joins condemnation of Israel over Gaza
The UK, France and Canada "strongly oppose" Benjamin Netanyahu's expansion of military operations.
Sesame Street heads to Netflix after Trump pulled funding
The platform will offer a new season and 90 hours of previous episodes to its 300 million subscribers.
Man arrested on suspicion of murder after teenager dies in Bury
A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a teenager died in what police have called a "targeted attack" in Bury.
Chris Mason: EU deal a reminder of an uneasy relationship
Our political editor reflects on the UK's deal with the EU to smoothen frictions in trade.
MSI’s new Claw A8 is powered by AMD
MSI has revealed its latest iteration of its Claw PC gaming handheld — and this time, it’s powered by AMD. The company showed off the Claw A8 BZ2EM at Computex 2025, which comes with an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip along with up to 24GB of DDR5 memory. That’s a bit less than the 32GB […]
Russia and Ukraine to 'immediately' start ceasefire talks, says Trump
The US president holds talks with leaders of both countries in the latest efforts to end the fighting.
Trump signs TAKE IT DOWN law meant to stop revenge porn

Fine-print is vague and broad, could easily be abused to blunt protected speech

President Donald Trump officially signed Monday the TAKE IT DOWN Act, a bill to criminalize revenge porn - both real and AI-generated. But internet rights groups have repeatedly warned the law is overly broad and vague, and could be used to order the takedown of protected speech.…

How longer term weather forecasts could become more accurate - thanks to the cloud
The Met Office has transferred to a new off-site supercomputer - which could make 14-day forecasts as accurate as seven-day equivalents.
US to pay $5m to family of Capitol rioter shot by police
It would settle a wrongful death suit brought by the family of Ashli Babbitt, who was fatally shot by police while breaching the US Capitol.
Man killed in Bicester fire went to help firefighters, family say
A man who was killed in a fire at a former RAF base was trying to help firefighters tackle the blaze, his family said.
Scientists in a race to discover why our Universe exists
Researchers in the US and Japan are competing to explain the existence of the planets, stars and galaxies.
My AI therapist got me through dark times: The good and bad of chatbot counselling
With NHS mental health waitlists at record highs, are chatbots a possible solution?
Post Office data breach victims to get compensation
Hundreds of sub-postmasters had their names and addresses accidentally published online last year.
Elgato is letting you stick a Stream Deck on anything
Elgato announced a new “Stream Deck Everywhere” strategy at Computex, which includes a software-based virtual Stream Deck for PCs, an ethernet dock accessory, unbranded Stream Deck modules that can bring its keys into other products, and even new scissor-switch keys for a more precise, keyboard-like feel. “With these launches, we’re opening up Stream Deck to […]
CISA has a new No. 2 ... but still no official top dog

Brain drain, budget cuts, constant cyberthreats - who wouldn't want this job?

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has a new No. 2: Madhu Gottumukkala, stepping in as the nation's lead civilian cyber agency faces budget cuts, a brain drain, and the never-ending task of defending critical infrastructure.…

Drake pushes for Tory Lanez to be pardoned after prison attack
Lanez, convicted of shooting Megan Thee Stallion, was stabbed 14 times by a fellow inmate in a California prison.
Wait goes on as Salah bids to break Premier League records
Mohamed Salah's wait goes on in his bid to beat the Premier League's goal involvement and assist records - but he has one more chance this season.
Trump's call with Putin exposes shifting ground on Ukraine peace talks
Statements from both world leaders reveal two very different realities about ending the war in Ukraine.
England must 'shoot for the stars' - McCullum
England's men's Test side are ranked second in the world but want to reach the next level, says head coach Brendon McCullum.
Show us your face: New Orleans PD reportedly got secret facial recognition alerts

Police took Big Easy attitude to the rules, says WaPo

Since early 2023, facial recognition cameras run by a private nonprofit have scanned New Orleans visitors and residents and quietly alerted police, sidestepping oversight and potentially violating city law, according to a new report.…

Pop star says Combs threatened to kill her if she spoke about violence
A former pop star has told a court Sean "Diddy" Combs was "frequently" violent with his ex-partner Cassie Ventura, and that he threatened her life if she spoke out about it.
Diddy smashed on Cassie Ventura's door with hammer, trial told
Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial heard more allegations of violence against his former girlfriend.
UK-EU deal moves us on from Brexit rows, Starmer says
The deal covers defence, trade, fishing, and a possible youth scheme, in the first big reset since Brexit.
'Writing on the wall' - what does future hold for Grealish?
Manchester City midfielder Jack Grealish may have to leave the club this summer with "the writing on the wall" for him, says their former goalkeeper Shay Given.
Trump 'surprised' public wasn't told about Biden's cancer diagnosis 'a long time ago'
Donald Trump has said he is "surprised" the public wasn't "notified a long time ago" after Joe Biden was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
Israel lets aid into Gaza after 11-week blockade but UN calls it 'drop in ocean'
The UN's humanitarian chief welcomes the move but says it is only "a drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed".
The best Garmin watches for training and everyday life
Few brands are as synonymous with outdoor sports as Garmin. You’ll find these fitness trackers and smartwatches on dozens of wrists at any 5K, marathon, or Ironman. You’ll also find Garmin devotees among divers, thru-hikers, golfers, kiteboarders — you name it. But these devices aren’t just for athletes. The company’s made significant strides in its […]
AI doesn't know 'no' – and that's a huge problem for medical bots
Many AI models fail to recognise negation words such as “no” and “not”, which means they can’t easily distinguish between medical images labelled as showing a disease and images labelled as not showing the disease
Here are the best streaming service deals available right now
So far, 2025 has been a great year for watching new, must-see TV shows and movies on subscription services. But if you, like many of us, have more concurrent subscriptions than you care to admit, you’ll agree that keeping up with the latest each month is expensive. They may not cost as much as most […]
De Bruyne 'second-best' passer after Messi - Guardiola
Pep Guardiola says Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne is the "second-best" passer he has worked with - after Argentine great Lionel Messi.
Arthur Ashe Stadium to get revamp under $800m plan
Arthur Ashe Stadium - the US Open's showcase court - is set to be expanded as part of an $800m renovation project at Flushing Meadows, the United States Tennis Association has announced.
Mexico mourns Navy cadets killed in Brooklyn Bridge ship crash
América Sánchez, 20, and Adal Jair Maldonado Marcos, 23, died when the tall ship lost power and drifted into the bridge.
Peers demand more protection from AI for creatives
MPs have already overturned calls for more copyright protection for artists against AI once before.
Spotify’s iPhone app will now let you easily buy audiobooks
It’s finally possible to purchase an audiobook from Spotify’s iPhone app with just a few taps. On Monday, Spotify announced that Apple approved an update that allows users in the US to see audiobook pricing within the app and buy individual audiobooks outside the App Store. The update also lets Spotify Premium subscribers purchase additional […]
WizKids’ Baldur’s Gate 3 mini figures look like they’ve been through the hells
WizKids did Baldur’s Gate 3 dirty with its new D&D Icons of the Realms collection of miniature figures. The anticipated collection based on the beloved RPG (my personal 2023 GOTY) launched in April, and some buyers noticed that the characters look nothing — and I mean nothing — like how they were advertised. These cursed […]
Microsoft adds Grok - the most unhinged chatbot - to Azure AI buffet

Never mind the chatbot's recent erratic behavior

Microsoft has added xAI's Grok 3 family to its Azure AI Foundry platform, seemingly unfazed by the firm's rivalry with Microsoft investee OpenAI or the chatbot's recent descent into conspiracy territory.…

Trump signs bill combating deepfakes and revenge porn
The new law makes it illegal to post real or AI-generated "intimate images" online without the individual's consent.
Brexit reset deal is a TBC agreement with a lot still to be worked out with EU
Sir Keir Starmer used the opulent surroundings of London's Lancaster House to declare with certainty that this is a "landmark deal" that will grow the British economy and put money in people's pockets.
Royals and dogs shine at Chelsea Flower Show
The horticultural event welcomes royals, celebrities and dogs, showing rewilding and pet-friendly designs.
US Supreme Court lets Trump end deportation protections for 350,000 Venezuelans
Temporary Protected Status allows people to live and work in the US legally if their home countries are deemed to be unsafe.
SAG-AFTRA files complaint over Fortnite’s AI Darth Vader
SAG-AFTRA, the organization that represents voice, motion, and screen performers, has filed an unfair labor complaint against Epic Games. The complaint stems from the company’s recent introduction of an AI programmed to sound like James Earl Jones’ Darth Vader that can respond to a player’s actions and questions. SAG-AFTRA wrote in a statement that it […]
Trump signs the Take It Down Act into law
President Donald Trump signed the Take It Down Act into law, enacting a bill that will criminalize the distribution of nonconsensual intimate images (NCII) — including AI deepfakes — and require social media platforms to promptly remove them when notified. The bill sailed through both chambers of Congress with several tech companies, parent and youth […]
Fire chief took own life after harassment and questions over qualifications, inquest told
Wayne Brown was being investigated over claims he had lied on his CV when he died last year, aged 54.
SEC SIM-swapper who Googled 'signs that the FBI is after you' put behind bars

Proving yet again that crims are bad at search hygiene

An Alabama man who SIM-swapped his way into the SEC's official X account, enabling a fake ETF announcement that briefly pumped Bitcoin, has been sentenced to 14 months in prison and three years of supervised release.…

How to manage your bookmarks in Google Chrome
There's a lot to look at, watch, and listen to on the web. Fully utilizing the bookmarks feature in Google Chrome can be a real help in staying on top of everything. Chrome is the browser I use most often, and I've got a huge number of bookmarked sites inside it: long reads I want […]
Iran and Britain summon envoys over alleged spying in UK
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper says there's been a rise in Iran-linked operations on UK soil.
Google releases its NotebookLM mobile app
Google’s NotebookLM app for Android is out now, as reported by 9to5Google, and is expected to launch for iOS and iPadOS on May 20th, according to the app’s App Store listing. The app appears to offer similar functionality to the desktop version of NotebookLM, including the ability to upload sources of information that the app […]
Huge challenges await new president of divided Romania
"Fear managed to defeat fury" is how one analyst interpreted liberal Nicusor Dan beating hard-right George Simion to the presidency.
Aussie rocket foiled by premature fairing pop

A fair dinkum disaster

Australia's first homegrown rocket launch has been delayed after the vehicle's fairing unexpectedly deployed on the launchpad.…

Huawei’s new foldable laptop might be the thinnest yet
Huawei just launched a super sleek folding laptop that might be as thin as your phone. The MateBook Fold, which consists of a single OLED display, is just 7.3mm (~0.3 inches) thick when unfolded and 14.9mm (~0.6 inches) when closed, as spotted earlier by Android Headlines. To compare, Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Fold measures 8.6mm (0.34 […]
Impressive Raducanu beats Kasatkina in Strasbourg
Emma Raducanu produces an encouraging display to reach the second round in Strasbourg as she continues to build momentum before the French Open.
European customers report Oracle Cloud identity outage, Big Red is silent

DownDetector reported problems for about 6 hours

Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) experienced an outage in Europe earlier today, according to users and online metrics.…

The best deals on MacBooks right now
Apple currently sells MacBooks equipped with its own M-series chips in a wide range of sizes and price points. It discontinued the M1 MacBook Air to make room for newer models, but some retailers are still selling the last-gen laptop starting at $649 — a far cry from the $2,499 starting price of the latest […]
Brexitcast: The EU-UK Deal (and our Rachel Reeves interview)
Keir Starmer says it is time to move on from “political fights” about Brexit.
Who are the winners and losers from the UK-EU agreement?
A deal between the UK and European Union (EU) has been agreed at a post-Brexit leaders summit in London.
Greggs shifts food behind counters to stop shoplifters
The High Street chain is trialling moving its self-serve goods to crack down on shoplifting.
LG’s brilliant C4 OLED is more than 50 percent off for Memorial Day
Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, but it’s also one of the best times of the year to snag a seriously good deal on a top-tier TV. Right now, for instance, you can buy LG’s C4 OLED at Amazon, Best Buy, and LG’s online storefront in the 42-inch configuration starting at an all-time […]
What does the new EU deal mean for Scotland?
The new agreement is set to affect sectors including fishing, agriculture, hospitality and defence.
EU still suffering 'wounds of Brexit', bloc's foreign affairs chief tells Sky News
Britain should have access to the EU's rearmament fund before the end of the year but "wounds of Brexit" mean some member states want it to be limited, the bloc's foreign affairs chief has said.
Amputee, 92, Tasered, pepper sprayed and hit with baton by police, court hears
Donald Burgess, who had one leg and was in poor health, was also pepper sprayed in his care home.
DARPA zaps popcorn with laser power beamed 5.3 miles through air

800-watt demo breaks distance record for optical energy transmission

Wireless power transmission is moving from lab curiosity toward real-world utility, at least if the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's latest test is any indication.…

UK-EU deal tips Britain down path towards Swiss-style arrangement
There's a trick to announcing trade agreements like the one unveiled by the prime minister on Monday: pluck out a big-sounding number and release it to the public with zero context in an effort to make this sound very impressive indeed.
Spanish PM calls for Israel ban at Eurovision
Pedro Sánchez warns against "double standards" after Russia was banned from the song contest in 2022.
Microsoft’s Edit on Windows is a new command line text editor
Microsoft is unveiling its own command line text editor on Windows today. Edit on Windows will be accessible by using “edit” in a command prompt, allowing developers to edit files within the command line. It’s part of a number of improvements to Windows developer tools at Microsoft’s Build conference today to improve the Windows experience […]
Nvidia builds a server to run x86 workloads alongside agentic AI

Wants to be the 'HR department for agents'

GTC  Nvidia has delivered a server design that includes x86 processors and eight GPUs connected by a dedicated switch to run agentic AI alongside mainstream enterprise workloads.…

Attempt to reach expert consensus on teens and phones ends in argument
There are a range of competing views on whether smartphones and social media are harmful to adolescents, and an attempt to settle the debate has instead sparked more disagreement
More...