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Author: Sanjay Patil

Sanjay Patil is a ReturnByte journalist who writes about technology. Follow him on Twitter at @sanjaypatil
The Central Office of Cyber-Crime Bavaria Chief Public Prosecutor Nino Goldbeck at his office in Bamberg, Germany, on May 4. (Bloomberg) News 

Search for Cyber Criminals in Germany Following Billions of Euros in Fraud

Sanjay Patil

Initially, the position appeared to be a lucrative finance job. However, it ultimately resulted in a costly addiction, with a monthly expenditure of $10,000 on drugs, and confinement in a prison in Germany. This is the story of Tal-Jacki Z.F, who was involved in an e-commerce fraud and in 2021 confessed to defrauding Germany, Austria and other European countries of almost 9 million euros ($9.8 million). He was a cog in the machine and helped establish and maintain highly professional call centers in Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia…

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The company has agreed to comply with the regulator's request to deploy fewer robotaxis. News 

California DMV Examining Cruise Robotaxi Crash with Fire Truck

Sanjay Patil

Cruise is reducing the number of autonomous vehicles in San Francisco temporarily as authorities investigate recent incidents involving their fleet. The California Department of Motor Vehicles has requested that Cruise cut its fleet in half following a collision between one of their robotaxis and a fire truck. The fire truck was responding to an emergency with its sirens and red lights on, while the robotaxi had passengers on board who suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Additionally, a Cruise vehicle became stuck in wet concrete a few days prior to the collision. The…

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The video was captured just after the landing module and propulsion module separated. (PTI) Space 

Vikram Lander Captures Video of Earth and Moon Together

Sanjay Patil, ,

The excitement surrounding Chandrayaan-3’s mission to successfully land on the moon is growing exponentially as it progresses. Today, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) released videos taken by the Vikram lander. One video, recorded on August 15 by the Lander Position Detection Camera (LPDC) while attached to the propulsion module, offers a clear view of Moon craters. Interestingly, another video captured by the Lander Imager (LI) Camera-1 reveals a glimpse of a tiny Earth in the distant background. Additionally, the first video shows the Moon’s dark side, where the lander…

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YouTube has added new features for Shorts on mobile which has made it a popular rival to Instagram's Reels and TikTok. News 

Q&A Stickers Now Available on YouTube Shorts for Mobile

Sanjay Patil

YouTube has started testing Q&A stickers for Shorts for mobile devices. “To make it even easier for Shorts creators to build communities with their audiences, we’re experimenting with stickers that allow creators to ask questions of their viewers,” the company said on its “YouTube Test Features and Experiments” page. Author questions can be edited, and viewers can respond to comments. “Audience responses will be visible to other viewers who will see them when reading comments posted on Shorts where the sticker was used,” the platform said. This feature is currently…

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Chandrayaan-3's Lander Module begins deboosting process, poised for historic soft landing on moon's south pole. (ISRO) News 

Chandrayaan-3 Lander to Begin Descent for Moon Landing

Sanjay Patil,

India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission has made a major advancement in its ambitious lunar endeavor. The Lander Module, which carries the Pragyan rover, has effectively detached from the Propulsion Module, marking a crucial milestone. This separation maneuver has set the mission on course for an extraordinary gentle touchdown on the moon’s south pole, slated for August 23. Preparing for landing The Lander Module consisting of the Vikram lander and the Pragyan driver is now ready to enter a lower orbit, pulling it closer to the lunar surface. The eagerly awaited soft landing…

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Asteroid 2023 PD1 belongs to the Amor group of Near-Earth Asteroids. (REUTERS) Space 

NASA Seeks Public Assistance in Tracking Asteroid Heading Towards Earth

Sanjay Patil,

Asteroids typically orbit the Sun in their own elliptical paths, with the majority residing in the main asteroid belt positioned between Jupiter and Mars. However, it is intriguing to understand how they manage to approach Earth. NASA explains that this occurrence can transpire when an asteroid is deflected from its intended trajectory due to the gravitational force exerted by a massive planet. Additionally, the nature of their orbits can bring them remarkably close to our planet. While these near encounters may pose a potential threat to Earth, they also present…

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The sequel will debut with modernized versions of every original 'Modern Warfare 2' (2009) multiplayer map. Gaming 

‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III’ to Feature Largest Zombies Map in Series History

Sanjay Patil, ,

Activision has disclosed details about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, providing further insights into the upcoming installment of the revamped series. Notably, enthusiasts of Call of Duty’s Zombies mode can anticipate an exciting experience. Activision guarantees the largest map ever seen in this mode, allowing players to join forces with other squads and confront “massive hordes” of zombies in their quest for survival. While Sledgehammer Games is leading the development of Modern Warfare III, a number of other Activision studios are lending a hand. Treyarch, one of the core…

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SIM card dealers will now require mandatory police verification. (Pixabay) News 

Government Implements Strict Regulations on SIM Card Vendors, Bulk Connections Prohibited

Sanjay Patil

The Government of India has announced measures to tackle fraudulent activities involving multiple SIM cards by implementing stricter regulations on the provision of bulk mobile connections. According to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, SIM card dealers will now be required to undergo mandatory police verification before being authorized to engage in such transactions. Bulk connection hacking, SIM card shops The minister said the government has disconnected nearly 52,000 million mobile phones in an effort to reduce scams and fraud. By using multiple SIM cards, criminals can even use multiple WhatsApp accounts…

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It'll be equipped with Windows 11 and supposedly use AMD's new Phoenix processors. Gaming 

Leaked Lenovo Legion Go Combines Features of Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch

Sanjay Patil, ,

According to a leak from Windows Report, Lenovo is rumored to be preparing the launch of a gaming handheld device called the Legion Go. This device aims to compete with Windows models such as the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally. Similar to the Nintendo Switch, the Legion Go will have removable controls. It is expected to run on Windows 11 and be equipped with AMD’s new Phoenix processors. Additionally, the Legion Go will come with features like a kickstand, microSD slot, and two USB-C ports. No specs were leaked,…

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OnePlus has launched its new flagship, the Ace 2 Pro, in the Chinese market. It gets 24GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC News 

OnePlus Unveils Ace 2 Pro With 24GB RAM and 1TB Storage

Sanjay Patil

OnePlus has launched the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro – a high-end flagship phone in China. The main highlights of the device are its 24GB LPDDR5X RAM, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 flagship processor and a feature that allows users to use the device even when the screen is wet. The design of the device is similar to the OnePlus 11, but with several upgrades, including a 1TB version. OnePlus Ace 2 Pro specifications and features The flagship OnePlus Ace 2 Pro has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset paired…

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Mahindra’s fleet of electric vehicles will feature over 75 meticulously crafted sounds. (Mahindra) News 

AR Rahman to Compose Music for Mahindra Electric Vehicles

Sanjay Patil

Mahindra Electric Automobiles Limited, a subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra, has partnered with renowned music composer AR Rahman to create a unique sound for its electric vehicle fleet. Unlike traditional vehicles, electric vehicles operate silently due to their battery-powered motors. While this is beneficial for the environment by reducing reliance on fossil fuels, it can pose a safety risk for pedestrians. To address this, companies incorporate artificial sounds to enhance the safety of these quiet vehicles. In an effort to do the same, Mahindra has now teamed up with music…

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The Luna-25 entered the moon's orbit at 11:57 a.m. (0857 GMT), Russia's space corporate Roskosmos said. (AP) Space 

Russia’s Luna-25 Spacecraft Reaches Lunar Orbit, Announces Space Agency

Sanjay Patil

On Wednesday, Russia’s lunar spacecraft successfully achieved lunar orbit, marking a significant milestone in their pursuit to become the first nation to reach the moon’s south pole in their quest for frozen water. Luna-25 entered lunar orbit at 11:57 a.m. (0857 GMT), Russia’s space agency Roskosmos said. Luna-25 will orbit the moon, Earth’s only natural satellite, for about 5 days, then change course for a soft landing at the moon’s south pole, scheduled for August 21. India’s Chandrayaan-3 entered lunar orbit earlier this month ahead of its scheduled touchdown at…

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Agencies reportedly have 30 days to remove the app from devices. News 

NYC Prohibits Government Employees from Using TikTok

Sanjay Patil, ,

According to The Verge, it has been reported that TikTok will be prohibited on government devices in New York City. City agencies have been given a 30-day deadline to uninstall the app, which is owned by ByteDance, from their devices. Effective immediately, employees are not permitted to download or utilize TikTok on their city-approved technology. This action follows a previous ban by New York state in 2020, as stated by Times-Union. The NYC Cyber Command, a subset of the Office of Technology and Innovation, spurred the decision after reporting to…

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The change impacts Prime members and family plan users. News 

Amazon Music Unlimited Increases Subscription Rates for Second Time

Sanjay Patil,

Amazon is once again increasing prices for Music Unlimited subscriptions, affecting both Prime members and family plan users. The rise in costs was first noticed by The Hollywood Reporter. Specifically, the Amazon Music Unlimited Individual Plan for Prime members will now be $10 per month or $99 per year, up from $9 per month or $89 per year. Additionally, the Amazon Music Unlimited Family Plan will increase to $17 per month or $169 per year, up from $16 per month or $159 per year. Those prices start right away for…

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Know all about the new sunspot that is threatening to unleash a solar storm on the Earth. (Pixabay) Space 

Concerns Raised Over Possible Solar Storm Impact on Earth Following Sunspot Discovery

Sanjay Patil,

Following a period of relative calm, the Sun is once again preparing for a period of heightened solar activity. Over the past four days, the sunspots on the side of the Sun facing Earth have been gradually dissipating without any explosive events. However, a new sunspot region called AR3405, which will soon be visible from Earth, is not following the same pattern. This sunspot has already experienced an explosion and is believed to be filled with M-class solar flares. Each of these flares has the potential to release a significant…

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Social media company X, formerly known as Twitter, delayed access to links to content on the Reuters and New York Times websites as well as rivals like Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram, according to a Washington Post report on Tuesday. News 

Musk’s X Postpones Access To Content From Reuters, NY Times, and Social Media Competitors

Sanjay Patil

Social media company X, formerly known as Twitter, delayed access to linked content on the websites of Reuters and the New York Times, as well as competitors such as Bluesky, Facebook and Instagram, according to a Washington Post report on Tuesday. Clicking on X’s link on one of the affected websites resulted in a delay of about five seconds before the webpage loaded, the Washington Post reported, citing tests it conducted on Tuesday. Reuters also saw a similar delay in tests it ran. Billionaire Elon Musk, who bought Twitter in…

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Tesla introduced new base models S and X for $10,000 or less. (REUTERS) News 

Tesla Introduces Cheaper S and X Models

Sanjay Patil,

Tesla Inc. has introduced lower-range versions of its Model S sedan and Model X sport utility vehicle, which are now available at a reduced price of $10,000 compared to their previous base prices. The Standard Range Model S starts at $78,490 and offers an estimated range of 320 miles (515 kilometers), while the Standard Range Model X starts at $88,490 and has a range of 269 miles on a charge, Tesla’s website shows. As the oldest and most expensive vehicles in Tesla’s lineup, Model S and X are not nearly…

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They’ll support most foldable phones and recent tablets and smartwatches. News 

Samsung Introducing Updated One UI Features to Older Devices

Sanjay Patil,

Samsung has announced that its latest One UI 5.1.1 update, which includes new features from the Galaxy Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5, Tab S9 series, and Watch 6 series, will soon be available for older Samsung foldable phones, tablets, and watches. This update will support most of Samsung’s foldable devices and recent tablets and smartwatches released before 2023. The One UI 5.1.1 update supports a long list of recent Samsung devices, but some may have to wait. It will be released for Samsung’s foldable phones, which are set to…

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Players who strike out won't be able to use Xbox's social or multiplayer features for an entire year. Gaming 

Xbox Introduces Eight-Strike Suspension System

Sanjay Patil, ,

Microsoft is aiming for increased transparency in its enforcement of Xbox community standards by implementing an eight-strike suspension policy, effective immediately. Every enforcement action will now involve strikes, with the Xbox Safety team determining the number of strikes based on the seriousness of the violation. Each strike will lead to a suspension from Xbox’s social features. Account suspensions are scaled according to the number of warnings. After two strikes, the player is suspended for a day. When a player hits four strikes, Xbox freezes their account for a week. Hit…

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New guidelines lay out how health content will be reviewed. News 

YouTube to Combat Misinformation on Cancer in Updated Health Policy

Sanjay Patil, ,

YouTube has recently announced its decision to combat medical misinformation, particularly regarding cancer, as part of its long-term policy plan. This move comes as the internet continues to be a platform for various content, including delicious recipes, technology offers, and misleading information. Social media sites, in particular, are often responsible for the spread of such misinformation, which YouTube aims to address. YouTube’s new guidelines for health content fall into three categories: prevention, treatment and denial of misinformation. Prevent is said to review and remove videos that contradict guidelines from trusted…

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