HBO Developing Game of Thrones Sequel Starring Arya Stark Now Jon Snow Spinoff Is Scrapped - IGN

HBO is in early development on a Game of Thrones spinoff starring Arya Stark, following the collapse of a Jon Snow sequel. The new project, with writer Quoc Dang Tran on board, aims to explore Arya's adventures in Essos, separate from the main cast. This follows Kit Harington's idea for a darker Jon Snow series, which HBO rejected as too downbeat.

AI’s Hacking Skills Are Approaching an ‘Inflection Point’

AI models are rapidly advancing in their ability to identify vulnerabilities in software, raising concerns about the future of cybersecurity. Experts suggest that the tech industry may need to reconsider how software is built to mitigate these risks. AI’s growing capability to find zero-day bugs and other vulnerabilities could potentially be used to exploit systems, emphasizing the need for new countermeasures, including using AI on the defense side.

‘Tomb Raider’ First Look: Sophie Turner Becomes Lara Croft as Filming Starts on Prime Video’s Reboot Series

Prime Video has unveiled a first look at the 'Tomb Raider' live-action series, starring Sophie Turner as Lara Croft. The series, an adaptation of the classic video game franchise, features a star-studded cast including Sigourney Weaver and Jason Isaacs. Phoebe Waller-Bridge serves as creator, writer, and executive producer, with Chad Hodge as executive producer and co-showrunner. The series is set to explore the adventures of the iconic archaeologist and adventurer.

Wikimedia Foundation announces new AI partnerships with Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Perplexity and others

The Wikimedia Foundation has announced new AI partnerships with Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Perplexity, and others as part of its 25th birthday celebration. These partnerships allow large-scale reuse and distribution of Wikipedia content, providing tech companies access to Wikimedia projects at a volume and speed designed to meet their data needs. The foundation launched a birthday campaign, including a new video docuseries and a “25 Years of Wikipedia” time capsule, and will celebrate with a livestreamed event on January 15, 2026.

"What is a fair end-of-life cycle for a game?" As Anthem servers are switched off, GOG weighs the "complicated riddle" of multiplayer game preservation

Eurogamer discusses the challenges of preserving multiplayer games after EA shut down the servers for Anthem. GOG, a digital game-shop known for restoring classic games, is exploring ways to resurrect multiplayer titles. The discussion is driven by consumer-led movements like Stop Killing Games, which seek regulations to prevent live service games from disappearing. GOG's managing director highlights the complexities of game preservation, including IP ownership, technical aspects, and commercial viability. Possible solutions include allowing players to host their own servers or adding offline modes, as seen in games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.

Ontario lab launches Canada’s first mail-in semen analysis kit

Canadian died ‘at the hands of the Iranian authorities’

Wikipedia turns 25 and shares a glimpse into the lives of its volunteer editors

Wikipedia celebrates its 25th anniversary with a docuseries featuring its volunteer editors and a digital time capsule, showcasing its journey and impact.

Is AI the end of software engineering or the next step in its evolution?

This article explores the implications of AI-assisted coding, or 'vibe-coding,' on the future of software engineering. It discusses how AI can democratize coding but also raises concerns about the loss of deep understanding and the potential for security issues. The author argues that while AI can assist in coding, it cannot replace the nuanced understanding and experience that come from years of hands-on software engineering.

Critical Node.js Vulnerability Can Cause Server Crashes via async_hooks Stack Overflow

Node.js has released updates to address a critical vulnerability (CVE-2025-59466) that could lead to server crashes due to async_hooks stack overflow. This issue impacts virtually every production Node.js app and could be exploited to cause a denial-of-service condition. The fix re-throws stack overflow errors to user code, improving error handling and service availability. Users of affected frameworks and tools are advised to update promptly.

Windows? Linux? Browser? Same Executable

This Hackaday article discusses a project by [Kamila] that creates a single executable file, weighing only 13K, capable of running on Windows, Linux, or within a web browser. The executable, a simple snake game, uses a technique of compressing and stitching together different platform-specific code so that each platform only sees its intended section. While the article suggests this method may not be practical for general use, it provides a clear template for those needing a multi-platform executable. The article also briefly mentions the potential risks, such as the possibility of distributing malware using this method.

The “delicious joy” of creating and recreating music

MIT Associate Professor Leslie Tilley, an ethnomusicologist and music theorist, explores how artists create new music from existing knowledge. Her work includes a book on Balinese music and a project to develop a broader music theory curriculum. Tilley is also researching cover songs in modern pop music, examining how artists transform songs and why listeners react differently.

Developer writes script to throw AI out of Windows

A developer has created a PowerShell script to remove AI features from Windows, aiming to improve user experience, privacy, and security. The script, available on GitHub, has attracted attention and support from privacy advocates like Meredith Whittaker. Concerns about AI integration in Windows include security risks, privacy violations, and ethical issues. Despite pushback, Microsoft continues to push AI features, while Apple is playing catch-up in the AI space.

Carney: Canada entering ‘new era’ of relations with Beijing

Canada is entering a new era of relations with China, according to Prime Minister Mark Carney, who believes the two countries can become strategic partners. Carney's visit to Beijing has led to a series of talks and memorandums of understanding on topics ranging from energy to agriculture, with the aim of improving bilateral ties. This marks a significant shift from previous tensions, and Carney is optimistic about the potential for cooperation between the two nations.

Denmark sets a military tripwire. It's a message to Trump more than Russia or China

Denmark is bolstering its military presence in Greenland, deploying additional troops, naval and air capabilities in conjunction with NATO allies. This move is intended as a message to the U.S. more than to NATO's adversaries, serving as a deterrent against potential U.S. aggression. The Danish buildup is not a NATO mission but a unilateral decision, reflecting intense distrust and fear towards the U.S. under the Trump administration. The situation raises questions about the future of NATO and the U.S. commitment to defend its allies.

Roblox's Age Verification Is a Joke

Roblox's new AI age-verification system breaks the user experience and inadvertently puts kids in harms way.

U.S. unveils Palestinian technocratic group to administer post-war Gaza

Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, announced the establishment of a technocratic Palestinian body to administer Gaza under a phased U.S. plan for Gaza's future. The body, headed by Ali Shaath, will be overseen by the international 'Board of Peace' and is expected to govern Gaza for a transitional period. The second phase of Trump's plan includes demilitarization, disarmament of unauthorized personnel, and reconstruction of Gaza.

ISS astronauts return to Earth early due to illness of crew member

NASA's Crew-11 returned to Earth early from the International Space Station due to an undisclosed medical condition affecting one of the astronauts. This marks the first time a mission has been cut short for a medical reason in the ISS's 25-year history. NASA emphasized that the issue was not emergent but prioritized the astronaut's health, highlighting the importance of crew safety.

Quebec Premier François Legault announces resignation

Quebec Premier François Legault announced his resignation, citing a desire for change among Quebecers. His party, the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), must now choose a new leader ahead of the provincial election in October 2026. Legault's tenure saw successes in economic growth and energy sector transformation, but also controversies including the Northvolt battery plant failure and debates over secularism.

As Iranians bury their dead, many are waiting for Trump's next move

As Iranians bury their dead, many are waiting for Trump's next move. The protests in Iran began on Dec. 28, triggered by the country's deepening economic crisis and the drop of the currency, the rial, to a record low. The unrest quickly spread across the country, leading to over 2,500 deaths and thousands of arrests. Iranians have been cut off from the internet, making communication difficult. The Iranian regime has blamed the U.S. for the protests, while President Trump has threatened to punish the regime for using violence against demonstrators.

Latest BreachForums reboot spills data on 325K users

Updated BreachForums, a notorious cybercrime marketplace, experienced a data breach in August 2025, exposing details of approximately 324,000 user accounts. The leaked data, including email addresses, usernames, and hashed passwords, was published on shinyhunte[.]rs by a self-proclaimed cyber outlaw named 'James'. The breach occurred just before the forum's takedown by law enforcement in October 2025. The leaked database, analyzed by Resecurity, contains records linked to real individuals active in the cybercrime world, including PGP keys tied to accounts using handles such as ShinyHunters and IntelBroker. The publication of this data could lead to increased risks of arrest for those involved.

Stranger Things series finale's D&D scene included a Dwarven Forge cameo

The final episode of Stranger Things featured a cameo from Dwarven Forge, a modern tabletop gaming terrain company, with their Dwarven Forge terrain being used in the Dungeons & Dragons scene. The company, founded in 1996, has grown to offer over 100 products and has been featured in various media, including Critical Role and a Kansas City Chiefs video. Their terrain is designed to be versatile and useful for game masters, with a focus on organic shapes and storytelling.

D&D Dungeon Masters like Mercer and Woll on how to make memorable NPC introductions

From Matt Mercer to Deborah Ann Woll, expert Dungeon Masters share tips on crafting memorable NPC introductions in D&D. Key insights include focusing on a few strong details, engaging multiple senses, and creating a sense of spontaneity. Effective NPC introductions aim for immediate understanding rather than immediate affection, setting the stage for players to shape the character's role in the story.

Pebble Watch Returns to CES With Open Source Twist - IEEE Spectrum

Pebble returns to CES with a new lineup of open-source wearables, including the Pebble Round 2, Pebble Time 2, and Pebble Index ring. These devices emphasize simplicity and long battery life, with the Round 2 offering up to two weeks on a charge and the Index featuring a lifetime battery. The open-source PebbleOS allows for community-driven customization and development.

Musk denies awareness of Grok sexual underage images as California AG launches probe

The California attorney general has launched an investigation into Elon Musk's xAI after its chatbot Grok generated nonconsensual sexual images of real women and children. Musk denies awareness of these images. The investigation will examine whether xAI violated laws against nonconsensual sexually explicit material and child sexual abuse material. Several countries have also initiated probes into Grok's activities.

Mira Murati's startup, Thinking Machines Lab, is losing two of its co-founders to OpenAI | TechCrunch

Mira Murati's startup, Thinking Machines Lab, is experiencing significant departures as two of its co-founders, Barret Zoph and Luke Metz, are returning to OpenAI. The departures, which have been in the works for several weeks, also include former OpenAI staffer Sam Schoenholz. These exits are notable as they occur less than a year after the startup's founding and could pose a setback for Thinking Machines, which has already lost other key personnel. The company, which has raised $2 billion in seed funding, is now led by new CTO Soumith Chintala.

New AirD&D Resort Offers the Ultimate RPG Getaway

AirD&D, a new vacation rental in British Columbia, Canada, is an all-inclusive luxury getaway designed exclusively for TTRPG fans. The sprawling 12-room mansion spans two acres and can accommodate up to 50 guests, featuring D&D themed rooms, a dedicated tavern, a custom gaming table, sports facilities, and a giant D20-shaped fire pit. The property is owned and operated by Maple Rock Resorts and offers a fully immersive experience for groups willing to share the cost, with nightly rates starting at around $2,800 CAD (or $2000 USD).

Atari Brings The Computer Age Home | Hackaday

This article from Hackaday explores the history and technical details of the Atari 8-bit family of home computers, highlighting their capabilities and the impact they had on the early computer age.