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  • Euro area quarterly balance of payments and international investment position: first quarter of 2025

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    3 July 2025

    • Current account surplus at €366 billion (2.4% of euro area GDP) in four quarters to first quarter of 2025, after a €319 billion surplus (2.2% of GDP) a year earlier
    • Geographical counterparts: largest bilateral current account surplus vis-à-vis United Kingdom (€196 billion) and largest deficit vis-à-vis China (€123 billion)
    • International investment position showed net assets of €1.61 trillion (10.5% of euro area GDP) at end of first quarter of 2025

    Current account

    The current account of the euro area recorded a surplus of €366 billion (2.4% of euro area GDP) in the four quarters to the first quarter of 2025, following a €319 billion surplus (2.2% of GDP) a year earlier (Table 1). This increase was driven by larger surpluses for goods (from €309 billion to €374 billion) and services (from €139 billion to €161 billion). These developments were partly offset by a lower surplus for primary income (from €37 billion to €10 billion) and a widening deficit for secondary income (from €166 billion to €179 billion).

    Estimates on goods trade broken down by product group show that in the four quarters to the first quarter of 2025, the increase in the goods surplus was mainly due to an increase in the surplus for chemical products (from 245 billion to €312 billion) and a reduction in the deficit for energy products (from €285 billion to €257 billion).

    The larger surplus for services in the four quarters to the first quarter of 2025 was mainly due to a widening surplus for telecommunication, computer and information services (from €179 billion to €214 billion) and a lower deficit for other business services (from €61 billion to €47 billion). These developments were partly offset by a larger deficit for charges for the use of intellectual property (from €99 billion to €131 billion).

    The decrease in the primary income surplus in the four quarters to the first quarter of 2025 was mainly due to smaller surplus in direct investment (from €101 billion to €53 billion) and a larger deficit in portfolio equity (from €172 billion to €200 billion). These developments were partly offset by a larger surplus in portfolio debt (from €58 billion to €86 billion) and other primary income (from €4 billion to €19 billion).

    Table 1

    Current account of the euro area

    (EUR billions, unless otherwise indicated; transactions during the period; non-working day and non-seasonally adjusted)

    Source: ECB.
    Notes: “Equity” comprises equity and investment fund shares. Goods by product group is an estimated breakdown using a method based on statistics on international trade in goods. Discrepancies between totals and their components may arise from rounding.

    Data for the current account of the euro area

    Data on the geographical counterparts of the euro area current account (Chart 1) show that in the four quarters to the first quarter of 2025, the euro area recorded its largest bilateral surpluses vis-à-vis the United Kingdom (€196 billion, down from €200 billion a year earlier) and Switzerland (€57 billion, down from €78 billion). The euro area also recorded surpluses vis-à-vis other emerging countries (€146 billion, down from €150 billion a year earlier), other advanced countries (€115 billion, up from €89 billion) and offshore centres (€68 billion, up from €54 billion). The largest bilateral deficit was recorded vis-à-vis China (€123 billion, up from €88 billion a year earlier) and a deficit was also recorded vis-à-vis the residual group of other countries (€110 billion, down from €124 billion).

    The most significant changes in the geographical counterparts of the current account components in the four quarters to the first quarter of 2025 relative to the previous year were as follows: in goods, the surplus vis-à-vis the United States increased from €184 billion to €253 billion, while the deficit vis-à-vis China widened from €119 billion to €160 billion. In services, the deficit vis-à-vis the United States increased from €127 billion to €172 billion, while the balance vis-à-vis offshore centres shifted from a deficit (€4 billion) to a surplus (€15 billion). In primary income, the surplus vis-à-vis the EU Member States and EU institutions outside the euro area increased from €17 billion to €41 billion, while in secondary income the deficit vis-à-vis this group increased moderately from €74 billion to €79 billion.

    Chart 1

    Geographical breakdown of the euro area current account balance

    (four-quarter moving sums in EUR billions; non-seasonally adjusted)

    Source: ECB.
    Note: “EU non-EA” comprises the non-euro area EU Member States and those EU institutions and bodies that are considered for statistical purposes as being outside the euro area, such as the European Commission and the European Investment Bank. “Other advanced” includes Australia, Canada, Japan, Norway and South Korea. “Other emerging” includes Argentina, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Türkiye. “Other countries” includes all countries and country groups not shown in the chart, as well as unallocated transactions.

    Data for the geographical breakdown of the euro area current account

    International investment position

    At the end of the first quarter of 2025, the international investment position of the euro area recorded net assets of €1.61 trillion vis-à-vis the rest of the world (10.5% of euro area GDP), down from €1.78 trillion in the previous quarter (Chart 2 and Table 2).

    Chart 2

    Net international investment position of the euro area

    (net amounts outstanding at the end of the period as a percentage of four-quarter moving sums of GDP)

    Source: ECB.

    Data for the net international investment position of the euro area

    The €170 billion decrease in net assets was mainly driven by larger net liabilities in portfolio equity (up from €3.27 trillion to €3.68 trillion). This development was partly offset by increased reserve assets (up from €1.39 trillion to €1.51 trillion) and larger net assets in portfolio debt (up from €1.44 trillion to €1.54 trillion).

    Table 2

    International investment position of the euro area

    (EUR billions, unless otherwise indicated; amounts outstanding at the end of the period, flows during the period; non-working day and non-seasonally adjusted)

    Source: ECB.
    Notes: “Equity” comprises equity and investment fund shares. Net financial derivatives are reported under assets. “Other volume changes” mainly reflect reclassifications and data enhancements. Discrepancies between totals and their components may arise from rounding.

    Data for the international investment position of the euro area

    The developments in the euro area’s net international investment position in the first quarter of 2025 were driven mainly by negative exchange rate (€183 billion) and price changes (€105 billion), which were partly offset by positive other volume changes (€63 billion) and transactions (€55 billion) (Table 2 and Chart 3).

    At the end of the first quarter of 2025, direct investment assets of special purpose entities (SPEs) amounted to €3.71 trillion (29% of total euro area direct investment assets), slightly up from €3.70 trillion at the end of the previous quarter (Table 2). Over the same period, direct investment liabilities of SPEs increased from €3.15 trillion to €3.17 trillion (32% of total direct investment liabilities).

    Gross external debt of the euro area amounted to €16.97 trillion (111% of euro area GDP) at the end of the first quarter of 2025, up by €240 billion compared with the previous quarter.

    Chart 3

    Changes in the net international investment position of the euro area

    (EUR billions; flows during the period; non-working day and non-seasonally adjusted)

    Source: ECB.
    Note: “Other volume changes” mainly reflect reclassifications and data enhancements. 

    Data for changes in the net international investment position of the euro area

    Publication of new breakdowns of portfolio investment debt securities positions  

    This statistical release introduces, for the first time, additional breakdowns of portfolio investment debt securities positions. The dimensions covered (for assets, unless specified otherwise) include: (1) nominal valuation (assets and gross external debt indicators); (2) currencies (e.g. pound sterling, Swiss franc); (3) issuer country or entity (e.g. Cayman Islands or OPEC); (4) resident and counterpart issuer sectors (e.g. insurance corporations); (5) original and residual maturities across six brackets; (6) risk type using ratings (assets and liabilities); and (7) securities type (green bonds and other sustainable debt securities). Read more about the methodology in the following publication: The more the merrier: enhancing traditional cross-border portfolio investment statistics using security-by-security information.

    Data revisions

    This statistical release incorporates revisions to the data for the reference periods between the first quarter of 2021 and the fourth quarter of 2024. The revisions reflect revised national contributions to the euro area aggregates because of the incorporation of newly available information.

    Next releases

    • Monthly balance of payments: 18 July 2025 (reference data up to May 2025)
    • Quarterly balance of payments and international investment position: 7 October 2025 (reference data up to the second quarter of 2025)

    For queries, please use the Statistical information request form.

    Notes

    • Data are neither seasonally nor working day-adjusted. Ratios to GDP (including in the charts) refer to four-quarter sums of non-seasonally and non-working day-adjusted GDP figures.
    • Hyperlinks in this press release lead to data that may change with subsequent releases as a result of revisions.

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  • Senegal Introduces Hexavalent Vaccine into its National Immunization Programme – GPEI

    Senegal Introduces Hexavalent Vaccine into its National Immunization Programme – GPEI

    Dakar – On July 1, 2025, Senegal officially launched the introduction of the hexavalent vaccine into its Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). Following in Mauritania’s footsteps, Senegal is part of this regional dynamic of vaccine innovation. This vaccine is a combination that protects against six diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), and poliomyelitis. It replaces the pentavalent and inactivated polio vaccines (IPV), previously administered separately.

    The introduction of hexavalent meets three major scientific objectives. Firstly, to reduce the number of injections infants undergo at each visit: a single injection now replaces the two previously required for Penta and IPV. Secondly, to reinforce protection against polio by increasing the number of doses of inactivated vaccine from two to three before the age of 6 months. Thirdly, to introduce an essential booster dose at 15 months, in line with the latest recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO), to consolidate herd immunity and optimize the vaccination schedule.

    This change is also a response to regional issues, as some derived poliovirus variants are still circulating in Africa, and the WHO recommends two-dose IPV coverage to deal with this.

    Funding for this introduction is provided mainly by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which covers most of the costs associated with the supply of doses. The Senegalese government is contributing a further 20%, demonstrating its commitment to the sustainability of this program.

    This is a game-changer for children’s health in Senegal, as the teams not only protect children more effectively but also strengthen the fight against polio, which remains a global public health emergency of international concern.

    In his speech, Dr Ibrahima Sy, Minister of Health and Social Action, underlined the significance of this reform: “For the past 18 months, our teams have been working tirelessly to prepare this transition. Hexavalent embodies our commitment to offering Senegalese children simplified and reinforced protection. Thanks to this vaccine, we expect to avoid 2,300 hospitalizations a year from targeted diseases by 2030.” The Minister also paid tribute to the technical partners and health workers whose dedication has made this breakthrough possible.

    The WHO has played a central role in the success of this transition. Nearly 6,000 health workers, including district management teams (ECD) and regional management teams (ECR), have been trained in the specifics of the new vaccine. This intensive training covered the rigorous management of the cold chain, as hexavalent must be kept between +2°C and +8°C and never frozen. Agents were also certified on precise intramuscular administration techniques in the right thigh of infants, and on the protocol for monitoring benign side effects such as local redness or transient fever. To ensure a smooth transition, the WHO provided real-time monitoring tools enabling each vial to be traced throughout the country.

    WHO also supported the development of interpersonal communication materials, enabling health workers to better explain the change to parents, reassure them of the vaccine’s safety, and stress the importance of adhering to the vaccination schedule.

    Dr Jean-Marie Vianny Yameogo, WHO Representative in Senegal, hailed this historic milestone: “This launch marks 46 years of evolution for the Senegalese EPI. Hexavalent is not simply a scientific advance, it is an act of equity that protects every child, whatever their origin. By reducing the burden of preventable diseases, we are unleashing the potential of an entire generation.”

    As a long-standing EPI partner, UNICEF has also contributed to the supply, logistics, and awareness-raising around this essential vaccine. Dr Jacques Boyer, UNICEF Representative in Senegal, underlined: “This introduction marks a decisive turning point for the survival and well-being of children. By strengthening access to a more complete and convenient vaccine, we are bringing Senegal closer to a future where every child has an equal chance to grow up healthy.”

    This initiative positions Senegal as a key player in vaccine innovation in sub-Saharan Africa. By merging several antigens into a single product, the country is demonstrating how to optimize healthcare systems with limited resources. Reducing the number of injections not only improves the experience of children and parents, but also simplifies logistics, cuts storage costs, and boosts immunization coverage rates. According to projections, this strategy will make a significant contribution to achieving the goals of the WHO’s IA2030 Agenda, which aims to save 50 million lives through immunization by the end of the decade. Several neighboring countries, such as Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, are already studying this model for their own programs.

    Version française

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  • Digital transactions key to bringing transparency to economy: PM – RADIO PAKISTAN

    1. Digital transactions key to bringing transparency to economy: PM  RADIO PAKISTAN
    2. Digital transactions key to bringing transparency to economy: PM Shehbaz Sharif  Ptv.com.pk
    3. PM Shehbaz pushes for cashless economy to boost transparency  The Express Tribune
    4. SBP plans to ease digital payment mechanisms for traders  Business Recorder
    5. PM reviews progress on cashless economy plans  Mettis Global

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  • Targeting Mitochondrial Processes To Treat Melanoma

    Targeting Mitochondrial Processes To Treat Melanoma

    Melanoma remains the most aggressive form of skin cancer. Despite major advances in immunotherapy, effective treatments for patients with advanced melanomas are still limited. Now, an international team, led by researchers from Lund University, has identified that certain aggressive melanoma tumours rely heavily on two critical mitochondrial processes. Their findings, published in the scientific journal CANCER, provide new hope for treating melanoma by repurposing drugs already approved for other medical uses.

    Mitochondria have long been recognised as the ‘powerhouse’ of the cell due to their crucial role in energy production. However, their involvement in melanoma progression has previously received limited attention. This new study shows that rapidly growing melanoma tumours frequently exhibit overactive mitochondrial protein synthesis and energy production pathways, driving their aggressive growth.

    The researchers mapped the mitochondrial signature of melanoma tumours, uncovering a unique biological fingerprint indicating heightened mitochondrial activity.

    The research group behind the study focuses extensively on understanding mitochondrial roles in melanoma and other cancers.

    The study involved detailed analyses of 151 tissue samples from healthy skin and melanoma tumours, sourced from both living patients and deceased donors. Researchers discovered notably increased mitochondrial activity – particularly energy production (oxidative phosphorylation) and mitochondrial protein synthesis – in the most treatment-resistant melanoma cases, notably in patients with metastatic disease and genetic mutation in the BRAF gene. 

    Using existing approved drugs, the team successfully inhibited these tumour-driving mitochondrial processes in laboratory experiments. Treatment of melanoma cells with specific mitochondrial inhibitors and commonly used antibiotics (doxycycline, tigecycline, azithromycin), typically prescribed to disrupt bacterial protein synthesis, resulted in the effective elimination of melanoma cells while sparing healthy skin cells.

    The researchers believe that these results strengthen the case for targeting mitochondrial activity as part of future treatments for advanced melanoma. Since the drugs used are already approved for use in humans, the findings open up the possibility of repurposing them for a new use, which could accelerate the process of reaching clinical trials.

    “The results apply to laboratory studies in cells and analyses of patient tumours. The findings point to a promising avenue for combination therapy with drugs already approved and available for other indications. But we have not conducted any clinical trials; those will be needed to see if this will also work in humans. So, this is a first step, but it shows that mitochondria are not only part of the cancer process – they may also be the tumour’s Achilles’ heel,” says Jeovanis Gil.

    Furthermore, the researchers suggest that mitochondrial activity could serve as an early biomarker, helping clinicians predict the risk of melanoma relapse and identify patients who could benefit from such treatment even at an early stage.

    “These signatures can be measured in standard biopsy samples, providing a valuable tool for early identification and targeted intervention. We see that the signature is present from the beginning.” 

    Reference: Kim Y, Doma V, Çakır U, et al. Mitochondrial proteome landscape unveils key insights into melanoma severity and treatment strategies. Cancer. 2025;131(13):e35897. doi: 10.1002/cncr.35897

    This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source. Our press release publishing policy can be accessed here.

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  • Dozens killed in Gaza, 38 while waiting for aid, as Hamas seeks truce guarantees

    Dozens killed in Gaza, 38 while waiting for aid, as Hamas seeks truce guarantees


    JUBA: With South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir undergoing medical tests abroad after years of rumors about his health, analysts say a long-gestating plan has been set in motion to secure his succession.


    Kiir returned from at least 10 days in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday, with state media saying he had been “exploring new avenues for economic cooperation.”


    But members of his entourage, speaking on condition of anonymity, previously told AFP he was there for medical tests — reinforcing long-held concerns about the 73-year-old’s health.


    The world’s youngest country, South Sudan has been plagued by poverty and violence since gaining independence in 2011, including a civil war that killed some 400,000 people in 2013-2018.


    After a few relatively calm years, the country has been thrown back into turmoil in recent months, prompted, say analysts, by Kiir’s declining health and his efforts to install his heir-apparent, businessman Benjamin Bol Mel, in power.


    Bol Mel is a controversial figure, who gained prominence as a construction magnate and was said to handle the Kiir family’s finances.


    He was placed on a sanctions list by the United States in 2017 for corruption.


    For months, Kiir has been manoeuvring to sideline rivals.


    His old foe, Riek Machar, against whom he fought the civil war, was placed under house arrest in March and many of his political allies disappeared into detention.


    Kiir’s forces have attacked Machar’s military bases and other armed groups drawn from his ethnic group, the Nuer.


    More than 700 people were killed in clashes between January and March alone, according to the United Nations.


    Rumours about Kiir’s health have long circulated but the topic is absolutely off-limits for discussion in official circles.


    “If you want to visit a grave quickly, talk about it,” said a local activist, requesting anonymity for safety reasons.


    Nonetheless, the frailty was obvious in April when Kiir hosted Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who walked briskly despite his 80 years while Kiir moved in tiny steps.


    In May, the foreign ministry had to issue a statement assuring that the head of state was still alive following rumors to the contrary on social media.


    State media footage of Kiir’s return from the UAE on Wednesday cut away every time he was about to take a step.


    During his absence, it was Bol Mel — who was named second vice president in February and deputy head of the ruling party in May — who chaired last week’s cabinet meeting.


    “It seems to be a script written a long time ago and being implemented in phases,” said Wani Michael, a former activist now in exile.


    “They had to take away Riek Machar to pave the way for Bol Mel because… Riek would give Bol Mel a hard time,” he added.


    In October, Kiir also fired his intelligence chief, Akol Koor, another potential rival who held that post for 13 years.


    Bol Mel “has taken control of the security forces by installing loyalists. He has taken over the security and financial apparatus since last November-December,” said a diplomat based in Juba, also speaking on condition of anonymity.


    Despite an uptick in violence, the moves have not triggered renewed war as many feared.


    “It’s devastating on a humanitarian level, but it’s nothing compared to the colossal massacres of a few years ago when thousands died each month,” said the diplomat, adding that the government “has been fairly successful in subduing the various rebellions.”


    Machar’s forces have barely retaliated to attacks and his party is split on the way forward.


    But success is not guaranteed for Bol Mel, either, warned local analyst James Boboya.


    “The government has not gained legitimacy at home or internationally,” he told AFP.


    There is particular disillusionment at the failure to hold the country’s first-ever elections, which were again postponed last year to 2026.


    “Elections are the only viable way for a peaceful transfer of power,” said Edmund Yakani, president of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, a local NGO.


    “We need the power of our vote in shaping the future. Not the bullet, and not leaders imposed on us.”

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  • Israel-Hamas conflict: 94 Palestinians killed in Gaza, including 45 people waiting for aid, authorities say

    Israel-Hamas conflict: 94 Palestinians killed in Gaza, including 45 people waiting for aid, authorities say

    A Palestinian girl looks the damage at a school sheltering displaced people, following an overnight Israeli airstrike, in Gaza City, on July 3, 2025.
    | Photo Credit: Reuters

    Airstrikes and shootings killed 94 Palestinians in Gaza overnight, including 45 who were attempting to get much-needed humanitarian aid, hospitals and the Health Ministry said Thursday (July 3, 2025).

    Israel’s military did not have immediate comment on the strikes.

    Five people were killed while outside sites associated with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the newly created, secretive American organization backed by Israel to feed the Gaza Strip’s population, while 33 others were killed waiting for aid trucks in other locations across the Gaza Strip.

    Dozens of people were killed in airstrikes that pounded the Strip Wednesday (July 2, 2025) night and Thursday (July 3, 2025) morning, including 15 people killed in strikes that hit tents in the sprawling Muwasi zone, where many displaced Palestinians are sheltering and a strike on a school in Gaza City sheltering displaced people.

    Gaza’s Health Ministry said the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza has passed 57,000, including 223 missing people who have been declared dead. The Ministry doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants in its death count but says that more than half of the dead are women and children.

    The deaths come as Israel and Hamas inch closer to a possible ceasefire that would end the 21-month war.

    Mr. Trump said Tuesday (July 1, 2025) that Israel had agreed on terms for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and urged Hamas to accept the deal before conditions worsen. But Hamas’ response, which emphasized its demand that the war end, raised questions about whether the latest offer could materialize into an actual pause in fighting.

    The Israeli military blames Hamas for the civilian casualties because it operates from populated areas. The military said it targeted Hamas militants and rocket launchers in northern Gaza that launched rockets towards Israel on Wednesday (July 2, 2025).

    The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking roughly 250 hostages.

    The war has left the coastal Palestinian territory in ruins, with much of the urban landscape flattened in the fighting. More than 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million population has been displaced, often multiple times. And the war has sparked a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, leaving hundreds of thousands of people hungry.

    Published – July 03, 2025 01:31 pm IST

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  • Opera brings built-in translation to its desktop browsers and animated cursors to Opera GX in latest update

    Opera brings built-in translation to its desktop browsers and animated cursors to Opera GX in latest update

    OSLO, Norway, July 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Norway-based browser developer, Opera [NASDAQ: OPRA], is breaking down language barriers for its users with the launch of Opera Translate, a new, secure, and built-in translation feature for its flagship desktop browsers, Opera One and Opera GX. This significant update also brings powerful multitasking tools to both browsers and adds a new personalization option to Opera GX with fully customizable animated cursors.

    Opera Translate arrives in Opera One and Opera GX




    Opera x Opera GX_Built-in translation






    Opera x Opera GX_Built-in translation

    At the core of this update is Opera Translate, a built-in feature designed to break down language barriers for users across the globe. As one of the most requested features by users in Opera One and Opera GX alike, it comes integrated natively into both browsers, detecting when a webpage is in a different language than the user’s default setting in the browser and offering to translate it instantly. Supporting over 40 languages, Opera Translate makes it easier for users to explore international websites, follow global news, or navigate foreign content while traveling. Users can choose to translate a page just once, or set the browser to always translate certain languages.

    The Opera Translate feature is powered by Lingvanex and their AI-enhanced technology for natural and accurate language processing. Crucially, the translation solution is hosted on Opera’s own European-based servers, ensuring that all translated information is processed in-house and protected by the strictest privacy regulations, without being sent to third-party services.

    “The internet connects the world, but language can still be a barrier to exploring its full potential. With the introduction of Opera Translate, we’re giving our users access to content and ideas from across the globe without compromising their privacy,” said Tomasz Stawarz, Director of Product at Opera.

    Opera One: Split screen now within Tab Islands

    Opera One is getting improvements to its Split Screen feature after reviewing the community’s feedback., Users can now access the toolbar in each tab while browsing in Split Screen mode. This means that users now get:

    • Access to Toolbar features: when in Split Screen mode, users can now access Pinboards, Snapshot tool, Flow, Bookmarks, Downloads, the Easy Setup menu, and any other features they choose to add to the Toolbar
    • Player in Toolbar: now users can benefit from the Music Player in the toolbar when they’re using Split Screen mode.

    This update also brings the Split Screen mode inside of the Tab Islands, which means that users can benefit from the tab grouping capabilities of Opera and add their joint tabs (in Split Screen mode) to any Tab Island.

    Opera GX launches browser booster update with custom animated cursors and better tab management

    The default mouse cursor is a relic and Opera GX is fixing that. With a new update, Opera GX is now the first and only browser that lets users fully customize their mouse cursor across the entire browser UI. In collaboration with Sweezy Cursors, Opera GX and Sweezy now offer a library of over 30 cursor packs – including both static and animated designs – that can be applied with a single click. No need to download third-party tools, change OS settings, or install risky extensions. For gamers who care about aesthetics and immersion, custom cursors bring more vibes to every click.

    “Gamers spend hours perfecting their setup – from their hardware’s RGB to their in-game skins. So why should the browser cursor remain but a boring, static arrow? With custom animated cursors, we’re giving our users another layer of personalization to make their entire online experience truly their own. It’s about bringing the same level of style and identity they have in-game to the tool they use the most,” said Maciej Kocemba, Product Director Opera GX. 

    Custom cursors are designed with several key benefits in mind:     

    • Visual consistency: custom cursors work across the entire browser, not just on web pages. The cursor doesn’t revert when hovering over tabs, menus, or settings, ensuring a fully immersive and polished experience.
    • Ease of use: users can simply browse the cursor collection in GX Store, click “apply,” and the cursor updates instantly. No configuration, no external downloads, and for free.
    • Security: unlike third-party browser extensions that may pose privacy risks (access to displayed web page content), all cursor customizations in Opera GX are hosted and executed locally and safely within the browser.
    • Performance: these custom cursors are fully integrated with Opera GX’s rendering engine, ensuring no slowdown even with complex animations.
    • Future game IP integrations: Opera plans to collaborate with gaming studios to release branded cursor packs based on popular titles – giving users another way to express their identity online.

    In addition to the cursors, the browser booster update officially brings the Tab Islands feature to the stable version of Opera GX, enhancing the browser with new organizing tools. Users can now name and assign custom colors to different Tab Islands to visually distinguish between their work, gaming, and social tabs. Furthermore, an entire Tab Island can now be saved as a single Speed Dial on the start page, making it easier than ever to revisit favorite research sessions or gaming setups with a single click.

    To experience the new Opera features, users can download the latest versions of Opera One and Opera GX or wait for the automatic update to roll out.     

    Opera One and Opera GX update:

    Description:

    Opera Translate
    • Built-in webpage translation
    • 40+ languages
    • Secure and privacy-friendly

     

    Opera One update:

    Description:

    Split Screen in Tab Islands
    • Allows side-by-side browsing inside tab islands
    • Lets users open several Split Screen instances in different Tab Islands

     

    Persistent toolbar in Split Screen
    • Toolbar stays visible for better navigation and control
    • The Music Player remains in the toolbar when entering Split Screen mode

     

    Opera GX “Browser Booster” update:

    Description:

    Tab Island enhancements

     

    • Tab Islands are now in stable version
    • Save option as a speed dial
    • New color coding option and Tab Island naming feature
    • Automatic Tab Island creation is turned off by default – can be enabled in settings

     

    Custom Cursors

     

    • Over 30+ cursor sets (static + animated)
    • Custom cursors works across whole browser UI
    • No need for additional software, extensions, fiddling with system settings
    • Integrated in browser engine for better performance
    • Available on Windows and macOS

     

    About Opera

    Opera is a user-centric and innovative software company focused on enabling the best possible internet browsing experience across all devices. Hundreds of millions use Opera web browsers for their unique and secure features on mobile phones and desktop computers. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Oslo, Norway, Opera is a public company listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol OPRA. Download the Opera web browsers and other Opera products from opera.com. Learn more about Opera at investor.opera.com.

    About Opera GX

    Browser developed by Opera [NASDAQ: OPRA]. Since its inception in 2019, Opera GX has quickly become the browser of choice for millions of gamers seeking a more custom internet experience. Along with countless customization options including color themes, sound effects, background music, and a gaming-inspired design, GX includes CPU, RAM and Network Bandwidth limiters that make the browser less resource-hungry and leave more of the computer’s resources for gaming. The browser also includes a Hot Tabs Killer feature, which lets users kill the most resource-draining tabs, and GX Cleaner to purge those old unwanted files. Opera GX is the first browser that allows users to fully customize its appearance, themes, sounds, and audio effects during use, completely changing the browsing experience. Simply download one of over 9,000 mods to start enjoying a new look for the browser that suits your preferences.

    SOURCE Opera Limited

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  • Mohammed Afsal Pulikkalakath, Praveen Chithravel win titles at European athletics meets

    Mohammed Afsal Pulikkalakath, Praveen Chithravel win titles at European athletics meets

    Over in Spain, Praveen Chithravel recorded a wind-assisted 16.80m jump with tailwinds measuring 2.9m/s to win the triple jump event at the X Meeting Memorial Jose Luis Hernandez 2025 athletics meet in Pamplona.

    His other two legal jumps at the meet measured 16.40m and 16.27m.

    Cristian Napoles (15.99m) and Eugenio Camara Mane (15.25m) finished behind the Indian.

    This was Praveen Chithravel’s third competitive outing in Spain this season, but the first triple jump event. He competed in two long jump events in Guadalajara and Malaga previously.

    The Indian athlete last competed in a triple jump event at the Asian Athletics Championships 2025 in Gumi, the Republic of Korea, where he won a silver medal with a 16.90m jump.

    Praveen Chithravel holds the men’s triple jump national record, with a 17.37m leap at a meet in Cuba two years ago. He matched the mark at the Federation Cup in Kochi earlier this year.

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  • “This kind of behavior Is unhinged”: Pirate Software reacts to online criticism amid recent controversy | Esports News

    “This kind of behavior Is unhinged”: Pirate Software reacts to online criticism amid recent controversy | Esports News

    Image via: Twitch/Pirate Software

    Jason Hall, aka ‘Thor,’ the face of Pirate Software, has left Offbrand Games amid an absurd storm of internet criticism and review bombings precipitated by the stand he took against the growing Stop Killing Games (SKG) movement. This exit of Hall shows how a campaign originally aimed at preservation has moved into further encompassing the bigger option of holding a person accountable versus online outrage and parallel blurred lines of guilt by association.

    Controversy Clouds Game for the Wrong Reasons

    Rivals of Aether II was not under the spotlight as it was poorly launched or had badly designed gameplay;-it was a philosophical disagreement. On June 27, 2025, Ludwig Ahgren, Offbrand Games co-founder and huge stream personality, addressed the eerie infestation of negative reviews on the game’s Steam page and lashing in frustration:“Such a bummer Rivals 2 is getting any s**t for this… People are now review bombing the game because Pirate Software, who has no personal stake in the game, works at Offbrand Games? 😔 Feels wrong.”Although Hall had nothing to do with making the game, the mere association of his vocal presence with Offbrand’s publishing label made Rivals 2 inadvertently borne of the impact of review bombings.

    Pirate Software Responds to the Backlash

    Amid the noise, Hall made his position clear, he would be stepping away from the company to stop further harm to its portfolio:“I am no longer working at @offbrand_games. People were attacking all of the games we were publishing and trying to mass review bomb them. You can dislike the things I say, but this kind of behavior is unhinged.”He added that while he learned a lot and cherished his time at the studio, he hoped OffBrand could continue without being distracted by his presence.

    What’s Behind the Movement?

    At the eye of the controversy lies the Stop Killing Games campaign, initiated by Ross Scott of Accursed Farms. The movement is for digital game preservation, resisting companies that deactivate or remove any sort of access to games that consumers have paid for. Ubisoft’s attempt to kill The Crew in late 2023, in spite of its offline side became the prime flashpoint.

    The Fallout of Online Movements

    This issue has stirred the growing tension within the community of players, when advocacy hits the limits of absolutism, is there room left for that said character to disagree? Can an individual, in the political sense, say that he supports the kernel idea on which the movement is based wherein he does not support every method that the movement employs? That answer has become ambiguous for now.

    Pirate Software DESTROYED By Ridiculous “Stop Killing Games” Take

    Pirate Software’s escapade out of Offbrand Games represents more than just a personnel change: it is an expression of the conflict between digital activism and personal branding on the modern internet. Though the SKG movement is gaining some traction, the internal rifts and external confrontation act as a reminder: solidarity can be so thin in the internet age if the internet decides that there is but one proper way to save games.


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  • Neanderthals ran “Fat Factories” 125,000 Years Ago

    Neanderthals ran “Fat Factories” 125,000 Years Ago

    The evidence comes from the Neumark-Nord 2 site in central Germany, dating back 125,000 years to an interglacial period when temperatures were similar to those of today. The site was situated in a lake landscape. At this location, researchers found that Neanderthals not only broke bones to extract marrow but also crushed large mammal bones into tens of thousands of fragments to render calorie-rich bone grease through heating them in water. This discovery substantially shifts our understanding of Neanderthal food strategies, pushing the timeline for this kind of complex, labour–intensive resource management back in time tens of thousands of years.

    The findings, led by archaeologists from MONREPOS (Leibniz Zentrum Archaeology, Germany) and Leiden University (The Netherlands), in cooperation with the State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt (Germany), indicate that Neanderthals operated what can be described as a prehistoric “fat factory,” carefully selecting a lakeside location to systematically process bones from at least 172 large mammals, including deer, horses and aurochs. These activities, previously believed to be limited to later human groups, now appear to have been part of Neanderthal behavior as early as 125,000 years ago.

    This discovery builds on decades of research at the ca. 30 ha large Neumark-Nord site complex already discovered in the 1980s by Jena archaeologist Dietrich Mania. From 2004 to 2009, the Neumark-Nord 2 site was excavated in year-round campaigns by a team led by MONREPOS and Leiden achaeologists. The excavations included a field school, which trained over 175 international students, including dozens of Leiden participants.  

    In 2023, the team published evidence that Neanderthals hunted and butchered straight-tusked elephants—up to 13-ton animals that could provide over 2,000 adult daily food portions. The use of fire to manage landscape vegetation and the diversity of processed species at different locations reveal a level of planning and ecological engagement previously underestimated in Neanderthals.

    ‘What makes Neumark-Nord so exceptional is the preservation of an entire landscape, not just a single site,’ notes Leiden-based author Prof. Wil Roebroeks. ‘We see Neanderthals hunting and minimally butchering deer in one area, processing elephants intensively in another, and—as this study shows—rendering fat from hundreds of mammal skeletons in a centralized location. There’s even some evidence of plant use, which is rarely preserved. This broad range of behaviors in the same landscape gives us a much richer picture of their culture.’

    ‘This was intensive, organised, and strategic,’ says Dr. Lutz Kindler, the study’s first author. ‘Neanderthals were clearly managing resources with precision—planning hunts, transporting carcasses, and rendering fat in a task-specific area. They understood both the nutritional value of fat and how to access it efficiently – most likely involving caching carcass parts at places in the landscape for later transport to and use at the grease rendering site’.

    ‘Indeed, bone grease production requires a certain volume of bones to make this labour-intensive processing worthwhile and hence the more bones assembled, the more profitable it becomes’, adds co-author Prof. Sabine Gaudzinski-Windheuser.

    The Neumark-Nord discoveries are continuing to reshape our view of Neanderthal adaptability and survival strategies. They show that Neanderthals could plan ahead, process food efficiently, and make sophisticated use of their environment.

    The authors emphasise the sheer quantity of herbivores that Neanderthals must have routinely been “harvesting” in this warm-temperate phase: beyond the remains of minimally 172 large mammals processed at that small site alone within a very short period, hundreds of herbivores, including straight-tusked elephants, were butchered around the Neumark-Nord 1 lake in the early Last Interglacial, within the excavated areas only. Other exposures in the wider area around Neumark-Nord have yielded more coarse-grained evidence of regular exploitation of the same range of prey animals, at sites such as Rabutz, Gröbern and Taubach. The last site contained cut-marked remains of 76 rhinos and 40 straight-tusked elephants. Roebroeks: ‘Safely assuming that with these sites we are only looking at the tip of the proverbial ice-berg of Neanderthal impact on herbivore populations, especially on slowly-reproducing taxa, could have been substantial during the Last Interglacial.’

    ‘The sheer size and extraordinary preservation of the Neumark-Nord site complex gives us a unique chance to study how Neanderthals impacted their environment, both animal and plant life,’ said Dr. Fulco Scherjon, data manager and computer scientist on the project. ‘That’s incredibly rare for a site this old—and it opens exciting new possibilities for future research.’

    Main Image: The Neumark-Nord 2/2B site was excavated through year-round campaigns by a core team from 2004 to 2009, alongside an international field school that included more than 175 students in total. Photo: Wil Roebroeks, Leiden University 

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