Assistive TechnologySoftware Guides

Ollama Expands GPU Support With Experimental Vulkan Backend For AMD and Intel Hardware

The popular AI framework Ollama has introduced experimental Vulkan support, significantly expanding GPU compatibility beyond NVIDIA hardware. This development could enable broader AI acceleration across diverse hardware configurations, particularly benefiting users of AMD and Intel graphics solutions on Linux platforms.

Ollama Broadens AI Hardware Compatibility

The AI framework Ollama has rolled out experimental Vulkan support that reportedly expands GPU acceleration capabilities to a wider range of hardware, according to reports from industry sources. This development potentially enables enhanced AI inference performance across AMD and Intel graphics processors, moving beyond the traditional NVIDIA-centric approach that has dominated the AI acceleration landscape.

Economy and TradingPolicy

UK Chancellor Faces £22bn Fiscal Shortfall as IFS Warns Against “Scrabble Bag” Approach

Chancellor Rachel Reeves must address a £22bn shortfall in UK public finances, according to Institute for Fiscal Studies forecasts. The analysis suggests significant tax increases or spending cuts will be needed to meet fiscal targets, with experts warning against relying on smaller measures.

Substantial Fiscal Challenge Emerges Ahead of Budget

Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces a significant £22bn hole in UK public finances that must be addressed in next month’s Budget, according to analysis from the influential Institute for Fiscal Studies. The think-tank’s forecasts indicate that without new tax increases or spending cuts, borrowing in 2029-2030 could be approximately £22bn higher than previously projected by the Office for Budget Responsibility.

Assistive TechnologyAutomobility

Waymo Selects London for European Robotaxi Launch in 2026 Expansion

Alphabet’s Waymo will bring its fully autonomous robotaxi service to London in 2026, establishing its first European foothold. The expansion comes as the company scales operations across multiple U.S. cities and partners with mobility fintech firm Moove for fleet management.

Waymo’s European Expansion Strategy

Waymo, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Alphabet, will launch its first European robotaxi service in London sometime in 2026, according to reports from the company. Sources indicate the California-based company plans to operate a fleet of electric Jaguar I-PACE SUVs without human backup drivers, marking a significant milestone in its global expansion strategy.

Assistive TechnologyBusiness

BlackRock, Nvidia-Backed Consortium Acquires Aligned Data Centers in $40 Billion AI Infrastructure Deal

An investor consortium including BlackRock, Microsoft, and Nvidia has purchased Aligned Data Centers in a landmark $40 billion transaction. The deal represents the first major acquisition for the AI Infrastructure Partnership formed last year to secure computing resources for artificial intelligence development.

Major AI Infrastructure Acquisition

An investor group backed by financial and technology giants including BlackRock, Microsoft, and Nvidia has acquired Aligned Data Centers in a massive $40 billion deal, according to reports confirmed Wednesday. The transaction represents one of the largest infrastructure purchases in the data center industry’s history and signals intense competition for computing resources to power artificial intelligence systems.

Arts and EntertainmentGaming Hardware

Intel Enters AI GPU Arena With 160GB Xe3P Crescent Island Graphics Card

Intel has unveiled its Xe3P architecture-based Crescent Island graphics card featuring 160GB of VRAM specifically optimized for AI inference workloads. The new GPU, reportedly set for release in late 2026, enters an increasingly competitive AI hardware landscape where Nvidia and AMD are also preparing next-generation offerings. Industry analysts suggest this could reshape the AI infrastructure market currently dominated by Nvidia solutions.

Intel Challenges AI Hardware Status Quo

According to recent reports, Intel has announced its next-generation Crescent Island inference-optimized GPU based on the Xe3P architecture, marking a significant entry into the competitive AI hardware space. Sources indicate this new graphics card will feature up to 160GB of VRAM and is specifically designed to accelerate AI inferencing workloads, potentially challenging Nvidia’s current dominance in the sector.

GovernmentPolicy

UK Government Releases Evidence in Dropped China Espionage Case

The UK government has published evidence from the collapsed case against two men accused of spying for China. Witness statements from the deputy national security adviser reveal assessments about China’s threat level to national security.

Government Releases Evidence in Collapsed Espionage Case

The UK government has published witness statements submitted in the now-collapsed case against two men accused of violating the Official Secrets Act while allegedly spying for China, according to reports from legal sources. The case against Christopher Cash, a former parliamentary researcher, and Christopher Berry was unexpectedly dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service last month, with both men having consistently denied the allegations.

Gaming HardwareSoftware Guides

Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3 Director Teases “New Gaming Experience” For Trilogy Conclusion

Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3 will deliver a “new gaming experience” according to director Naoki Hamaguchi. The third installment is reportedly on schedule and will conclude the ambitious remake trilogy. Developers suggest the game will differ significantly from both the story-driven first part and open-world second installment.

Trilogy Director Reveals Final Installment’s Unique Direction

According to reports from the Brasil Game Show 2025, Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3 will offer players what director Naoki Hamaguchi describes as “a new gaming experience.” Sources indicate this concluding chapter of the ambitious remake project will take a different approach from its predecessors while aiming to satisfy both longtime fans and newcomers to the series.

BusinessTelecom

Altice France Rejects $19.8 Billion Joint Bid from Rivals, Sparking European Telecom Consolidation Debate

Altice France has reportedly rejected a 17-billion-euro joint offer from French telecom rivals Bouygues Telecom, Iliad’s Free, and Orange for most of its SFR assets. The rejected bid had sparked hopes for increased consolidation in the European telecommunications market, with French regulators indicating they would closely scrutinize any potential deal.

Major French Telecom Bid Rejected

Altice France, the owner of telecommunications firm SFR, has reportedly rejected a substantial joint bid from three French rivals, according to internal communications obtained by Reuters. CEO Arthur Dreyfuss informed staff through a memo that the company immediately turned down the non-binding offer valued at 17 billion euros ($19.8 billion) for most of Altice France’s assets, which would have valued the entire company at approximately 21 billion euros.

Economy and TradingPolicy

UK Chancellor Reeves Weighs Tax Increases and Spending Cuts in Upcoming Budget

Britain’s finance minister Rachel Reeves has indicated she is evaluating both tax increases and spending cuts for the upcoming budget. The announcement comes as the government faces significant economic challenges requiring difficult fiscal decisions.

Budget Considerations Amid Economic Pressures

Britain’s finance minister Rachel Reeves is reportedly considering both tax increases and spending cuts as part of the upcoming budget statement, according to recent reports. The Chancellor of the Exchequer made these comments during an interview with Sky News, indicating the government’s approach to addressing the country’s economic challenges.

Earth SciencesEnvironment

Global Research Initiative Uses Smartphone Tech to Monitor Vital Peatland Ecosystems

Researchers worldwide are collaborating through the PeatPic Project, using standardized smartphone photography to monitor peatland ecosystems. This innovative approach provides critical data on vegetation changes and carbon storage potential in these vital wetlands.

Global Research Initiative Uses Smartphone Tech to Monitor Vital Peatland Ecosystems

International scientists are harnessing smartphone technology and global collaboration to better understand peatland ecosystems, which represent some of Earth’s most crucial carbon storage systems despite covering only a small fraction of the planet’s land surface, according to recent reports.