A roughly two-and-a-half acre island covered in mature trees suddenly appeared in Williston Lake, a reservoir in northern British Columbia, prompting officials to initially suspect the viral footage was AI-generated before satellite imagery confirmed it was real. BC Hydro spokesman Bob Gammer said record-high water levels, the highest in 14 years, likely broke loose a mass of woody debris and vegetation from the shoreline, which then drifted into open water. The island has since continued to behave unpredictably, further puzzling researchers.
On September 29, 2016, a New Jersey Transit train failed to stop and crashed into Hoboken Terminal at about 21 mph, killing one person and injuring 110. Three months later, a Long Island Railroad train had a nearly identical failure at Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn, injuring 108 with no deaths. NTSB investigators found both engineers had undiagnosed sleep apnea and that neither train had systems capable of intervening before the crash.
President Trump shared two AI-generated clips on Truth Social depicting explosions on Kharg Island, Iran's key oil export hub, without disclosing that the footage was fabricated. A US official later confirmed no such attack had occurred, even as real US strikes hit Iran's Larak Island the same night, prompting an Iranian missile response against American bases in Jordan. Vice President JD Vance defended the posts, saying Trump was 'sending a message' to Iran.
Visitors to British Columbia's Williston Reservoir filmed a tree-covered floating mass roughly the size of two football fields drifting on the water. The island was later reported to have disappeared from view, leaving its exact fate unclear.
Apple has released the eighth developer beta of iOS 27, its most AI-centric iPhone update yet, available now to Program members via Settings. The update centers on Siri AI, a rebuilt assistant using new Apple Foundation Models that adds richer conversation, on-screen awareness, and deeper app actions, alongside a refreshed Dynamic Island interface and a standalone Siri app. Apple Intelligence features are also expanding into Photos, Safari, Mail, Messages, and other apps as the company nears a public rollout in the coming weeks.
Apple will reportedly launch new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models next week, powered by the new A20 Pro chip and a C2 modem. Rumored upgrades include a redesigned main camera module, a smaller Dynamic Island, new color options like dark cherry, and larger batteries, with the Pro Max expected to get exclusive camera and battery advantages.
Ridley Scott is releasing a post-apocalyptic survival film called 'The Dog Stars,' adapted from Peter Heller's novel about life after a devastating flu pandemic. At the same time, he's developing a new take on 'Treasure Island' starring Hugh Jackman and considering turning one of his earlier films into a musical, though he won't say which one.
Experts at the Eighth Annual Tree Diversity Conference warned that Colorado's Front Range has unusually harsh growing conditions for trees—hot summers, cold winters, alkaline soil and a shortened growing season—and that climate models show these stresses intensifying, especially at higher elevations. Speakers noted that losses of ash and cottonwood trees, combined with rising heat-island effects from pavement and dense development, are weakening urban forests and leaving them more susceptible to pests and disease.
According to a Bloomberg report, Apple may break from its usual pattern of releasing all new iPhones together, instead launching standard iPhone 18 models next spring while saving the Pro, Pro Max and a rumored foldable iPhone Ultra for a September debut. The new phones are also said to feature smaller dynamic islands and variable-aperture cameras.
The EPA issued guidance stating that the Clean Air Act's Acid Rain Program does not apply to 'islanded' power generation facilities—those not connected to the public electricity grid. The move is aimed at making it easier for companies to build dedicated power plants for data centers without triggering certain federal pollution compliance requirements tied to grid-connected generation.
Tim Curry, the versatile actor known for roles in 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show,' 'Annie,' 'Legend,' 'Clue,' 'Muppet Treasure Island,' 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars,' and the 'It' miniseries, has died at age 80. His decades-long career spanned film, television, animation and stage, making him a recognizable presence across generations of audiences.
Apple has confirmed a product event for September 9 at 10 a.m. PT, themed 'Surprise and shine,' where it plans to reveal the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and its first-ever foldable iPhone, reportedly called iPhone Ultra. Notably absent this year is a standard iPhone model, with Apple said to be shifting that release to spring 2027 alongside the iPhone 18e and Air 2.
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