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  • Return to Moria developer Free Range Games has laid off 80 people

    Return to Moria developer Free Range Games has laid off 80 people

    The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria developer Free Range Games has reportedly laid off the entire development team of an unannounced game, which totaled around 80 employees.

    Via LinkedIn, multiple developers shared the news and announced their job searches over the past week. This includes senior UX/UI designer Quinn Le, senior technical narrative designer James Binns, executive producer Jacob Van Rooyen, quest designer Tracy Runanin-Telle, and senior producers Adrienne Daniel and Joseph Knox.

    “On Monday, the project I’ve been working on for the last 4 years was pulled from our hands, and our entire development team was laid off,” Lee wrote. “We are all saddened, off-balance, but most of all, looking to the future.”

    Knox said that the project had “its publisher pull funding,” which has affected “80 devs.” Daniel also mentioned this figure in their farewell post. Runanin-Telle’s profile mentions an unannounced project, in which the designer did “content creation for multiple quests in an open-world setting,” amidst a myriad of other tasks.

    Free Range Games is yet to make an announcement acknowledging the latest reported layoffs. Two weeks ago, at least five developers wrote a post saying they were now seeking new work opportunities. Four of them used the same messaging, which reads as follows: “Hi everyone! I’m seeking a new role and would appreciate your support. If you hear of any opportunities or just want to catch up, please send me a message or comment below.”

    Related:Xbox closes The Initiative and cancels its Perfect Dark reboot

    Shortly after, one of them, lead quest designer Adam Alim, wrote, “here we are again with the layoffs,” sharing details about their past experience alongside a portfolio.

    Free Range Games previously laid off employees in April 2025

    According to the company’s LinkedIn profile, there are at least 117 employees associated with it. The reported layoffs mark the second time the company has let go of workers this year. The first took place three months ago, which the studio announced via social media.

    The company didn’t disclose the exact number of employees affected in the earlier layoffs, but it did say that “some of them” had “chosen to share their profiles” along with the announcement. The list included 13 people across multiple departments.

    The studio is currently working on an online skateboarding game called Wrekless, which is set to release “soon” on Steam Early Access. It’s unclear if this is the project that was reportedly shut down. The studio has previously served as an external developer on games like The Callisto Protocol and Oddworld: Soulstorm.

    Related:Former Ubisoft execs convicted for sexual assault, psychological harassment

    Game Developer has reached out to Free Range Games for comment on the matter.


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  • The end of the Universe could come much sooner than expected

    The end of the Universe could come much sooner than expected

    Scientists have long predicted that the Universe’s lifetime is effectively forever – specifically, 101100 years.

    But scientists from Radboud University have found that the Universe is decaying much quicker than previously thought, calculating that the last remnants of stars will perish in just 1078 years instead.

    More mind-bending science

    Credit: Marck Garlick / Science Photo Library / Getty Images

    “The ultimate end of the Universe comes much sooner than expected, but fortunately it still takes a very long time,” says Heino Falcke, black hole expert and lead scientist on the research.

    The researchers arrived at this shorter timeframe by considering evaporation due to Hawking radiation.

    Credit: PixelParticle / Getty Images

    Hawking radiation and the end of the Universe

    Hawking radiation, proposed by Stephen Hawking in 1974, is a phenomenon where particles and radiation can escape from the immense gravitational pull of a black hole.

    If a black hole is emitting particles and radiation, it means that over time it will decay.

    Contentious among physicists, the theory implies a rare contradiction with Einstein’s theory of relativity, which suggests black holes can only grow. 

    The 1078 figure represents the time it would take for a white dwarf star to decay when considering the impact of Hawking radiation.

    White dwarfs are the dense, final evolution of stars that aren’t big enough to form black holes or neutron stars, and represent the most long-lived objects in the Universe.

    An illustration showing what generates Hawking radiation.
    An illustration showing what generates Hawking radiation. Credit: Getty Images

    What will the end of the Universe look like?

    But what does the end of the Universe look like?

    Its ultimate fate is still unclear to scientists, but can be boiled down to three main candidates: freeze, crunch or rip.

    The research by Falcke and his team fits into the Big Freeze picture: all the matter and energy in the Universe will eventually evaporate, spreading out into an endless, timeless void (or ‘heat death’).

    That’s hardly a cheering thought, but it’s one that shouldn’t give us too much to worry about; 1078 years is still vastly longer than the current age of the Universe from the Big Bang to today: 13.89 years. 

    The team hope to use this interdisciplinary study – which brought together mathematicians, quantum physicists and astrophysicists – to learn more about the Universe’s mysteries. 

    “By asking these kinds of questions and looking at extreme cases, we want to better understand the theory, and perhaps one day, we will unravel the mystery of Hawking radiation,” concludes Walter van Suijlekom, co-author of the study.

    When our current Universe ends, could we simply hop across to another? Credit: David Wall / Getty Images
    When our current Universe ends, could we simply hop across to another? Credit: David Wall / Getty Images

    A Universe reboot?

    Words: Chris Lintott

    Cheer up, there’s no need to let the sooner-than-expected decay of the last stellar remnants get you down!

    Even when the cosmos is no more than a sea of expanding radiation and particles, we’ll still get to witness the never-before-seen and incredibly rare process of proton decay play out.

    Only once the last proton goes pop will we reach the final state of the Universe.

    But, like an ageing movie franchise, the story might not be over.

    Some cosmologists believe our Universe might produce daughter universes.

    So instead of being stuck in this decaying cosmos, we can jump across to a reboot and experience the exciting first 25 billion years or so again and again and again.

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  • Convexity Commonplace in Both Human and Machine Learning, Researchers Say — and Could Boost AI

    Convexity Commonplace in Both Human and Machine Learning, Researchers Say — and Could Boost AI

    Researchers from the Technical University of Denmark believe that artificial and natural intelligences may share more in common than we thought, at least in terms of the way they learn — thanks to a concept called “convexity.”

    “We’ve developed new tools to measure convexity within the complex latent spaces of deep neural networks,” explains first author Lenka Tětková of the team’s work. “We tested these measures across various AI models and data types: images, text, audio, human activity, and even medical data. And we found that the same geometric principle that helps humans form and share concepts — convexity — also shapes how machines learn, generalise, and align with us.”

    Researchers suggest that “convexity,” in which related ideas form shared conceptual spaces, may apply to both human and machine learning. (📷: Tětková et al)

    The concept of “convexity” in cognitive science was originally proposed by Peter Gärdenfors, and is based on the mathematical concept of the same name — but rather than applying to geometry is instead used to refer to the formation of “conceptual spaces,” or “convex regions,” where related ideas cluster together. It’s key to the way the human mind can generalize from a small number of examples — and may also apply to how machine learning and artificial intelligence (ML and AI) models are trained, too.

    “We found that convexity is surprisingly common in deep networks and might be a fundamental property that emerges naturally as machines learn,” says project lead Lars Kai Hansen. “Imagine that a concept, say, a cat, forms a nice, well-defined convex region in the machine before it’s even taught to identify cats specifically. Then it’s more likely to learn to identify cats accurately later on. We believe this is a powerful insight, because it suggests that convexity might be a useful indicator of a model’s potential for specific learning tasks.”

    By scoring models based on their convexity, it may be possible to better understand — and improve — AI models. (📷: Tětková et al)

    “By showing that AI models exhibit properties (like convexity) that are fundamental to human conceptual understanding,” Tětková continues, “we move closer to creating machines that ‘think’ in ways that are more comprehensible and aligned with our own. This is vital for building trust and collaboration between humans and machines in critical applications like healthcare, education, and public service. “While there’s still much to explore, the results suggest that the seemingly abstract idea of convexity may hold the key to unlocking new secrets on AI’s internal workings and bringing us closer to intelligent and human-aligned machines.”

    The team’s work, which was part of a Novo Nordisk Foundation-funded project dubbed “Cognitive Spaces — Next Generation Explainable AI,” has been published in the journal Nature Communications under open-access terms.

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  • South African Air Force seeks PAF’s expertise in Warfare Training

    South African Air Force seeks PAF’s expertise in Warfare Training


    RAWALPINDI, JUL 2 /DNA/ – Lieutenant General Wiseman Simo Mbambo, Chief of the South African Air Force, called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force at Air Headquarters, Islamabad.

    Upon his arrival, a smartly turned-out contingent of Pakistan Air Force presented Guard of Honour to Lieutenant General Wiseman Simo Mbambo.

    During the meeting, Chief of the Air Staff emphasized the shared values and aspirations that form the foundation of the deep-rooted friendship between Pakistan and South Africa. The Air Chief reiterated PAF’s commitment to bolster aerial combat capabilities of the South African Air Force through tailored training and capacity-building initiatives. Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo lauded PAF’s robust operational readiness, its multi-domain warfare capabilities and its success in maintaining a credible deterrence posture. Recognizing the shared values and interests between the two Air Forces, the South African Air Chief articulated a strong desire to further strengthen and institutionalize the formal relationship between South African Air Force and PAF. One of the central themes of the discussions was the revamping of South African Air Force’s training regime. In this context, Lieutenant General Mbambo sought Pakistan Air Force’s support in developing a modern and comprehensive training framework, commencing at the academy level. The visiting dignitary also expressed his earnest desire of participation of South African Air Force officers as observers in PAF’s major operational exercises. Acknowledging the technical excellence and cost-effective maintenance capabilities offered by PAF’s engineering infrastructure, he also conveyed the intent of South African Air Force to undertake the inspection and maintenance of its C-130 fleet in Pakistan.

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  • Sindh seeks WHO help to combat mosquito virus outbreak

    Sindh seeks WHO help to combat mosquito virus outbreak

    The Sindh government has officially contacted the World Health Organization (WHO) to help control the worsening outbreak of mosquito-borne diseases across the province, especially in Karachi.

    Due to recent rains, large pools of stagnant water have formed, leading to a sharp increase in mosquitoes across Sindh, which has caused a surge in dengue, malaria, and chikungunya.

    In a letter to the WHO, the Sindh Health Department requested urgent technical assistance for case management, diagnosis, medical staff training, and indoor insecticide spraying in high-risk areas.

    Officials warned that the virus outbreak could spiral out of control if not handled immediately. They stressed the need for strong international cooperation and expert support from global health bodies.

    READ: Malaria, Dengue cases surge across Sindh, Karachi worst affected

    So far this year, over 65,000 malaria cases and around 300 dengue cases have been reported across Sindh. Karachi, in particular, has seen a dangerous spike in mosquito-related illnesses.

    The Health Department said that monsoon rains have worsened the crisis. Pools of rainwater and garbage are creating perfect conditions for mosquito breeding in many urban neighborhoods.

    The lack of proper spraying campaigns has made the situation worse. The Health Department said local resources are not enough, which is why they have reached out to the WHO for help.

    Health experts have urged citizens to take basic precautions, such as closing windows, removing stagnant water, and using mosquito repellents, especially in the evenings and during night hours.

    Doctors also advised people to keep drinking water covered and avoid outdoor activities at night, when mosquitoes are most active and dangerous.

    The provincial government said the WHO’s help is essential to control the spread, protect vulnerable communities, and avoid a full-blown public health emergency in the coming weeks.

    Follow Times of Karachi on Google News and explore your favorite content more quickly!

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  • Fonseca equals best Slam run, reaches Wimbledon R3 – ATP Tour

    1. Fonseca equals best Slam run, reaches Wimbledon R3  ATP Tour
    2. Federer footage helps Fonseca find his feet  Wimbledon
    3. Fonseca races through Wimbledon debut: Key is to ‘Work, believe, dream’  ATP Tour
    4. Joao Fonseca copying unusual Jack Draper tactic ahead of Wimbledon debut  Daily Express
    5. Jacob Fearnley loses to Joao Fonseca, the rising star of men’s tennis  The Telegraph

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  • Ugandan military helicopter crashes at Somalia’s Aden Adde airport in Mogadishu

    Ugandan military helicopter crashes at Somalia’s Aden Adde airport in Mogadishu

    A Ugandan military helicopter crashed and caught fire at the main international airport in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, killing five people on board.

    The pilot, co-pilot and flight engineer survived with “serious injuries and severe burns”, Ugandan military spokesman Maj Gen Felix Kulaigye said, adding that an investigation into the cause of the crash was under way.

    “We heard the blast and saw smoke and flames over a helicopter. The smoke entirely covered the helicopter,” Farah Abdulle, one of the staff at the airport, told Reuters news agency.

    Somalia’s state-run news agency reported that the fire was quickly contained by the emergency services at the Aden Adde International Airport.

    Ugandan troops are part of an 11,000-strong African Union (AU) force helping the government fight the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group, which has been waging a brutal insurgency in Somalia for more than two decades.

    The helicopter that crashed had been conducting a “routine combat escort mission”, Maj Gen Kulaigye said, without giving further details.

    The head of the Somali Civil Aviation Authority, Ahmed Maalim, told the BBC that the helicopter had come down in the airport’s military section after flying in from the Balidogle airbase in the Lower Shabelle region, about 90km (56 miles) north-west of Mogadishu.

    The crash delayed the departure of a Turkish Airlines passenger plane, but domestic flights continued to operate normally.

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  • Gandapur challenges state to topple K-P govt constitutionally

    Gandapur challenges state to topple K-P govt constitutionally

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    Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has challenged the state, asserting that if it can legally topple his government through constitutional means, he will leave politics if they succeed.

    “Don’t do anything unconstitutional — and even through constitutional means, you cannot do anything. Our government, our power, and everything belong to Imran Khan. He can instruct us to topple the government whenever he wishes. Our government cannot be overthrown through constitutional methods,” he said.

    Following a meeting of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) parliamentary party, Gandapur held a joint press conference with PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar, Salman Akram Raja, and other leaders on Wednesday.

    He described the state, often viewed as a “mother,” as behaving tyrannically. “I challenge the state and all its institutions. You attempted conspiracies and failed. You used unconstitutional means and still could not succeed,” he stated.

    Gandapur criticised the state’s actions, saying, “You failed in your conspiracies and unconstitutional measures. You imposed martial law and governor’s rule in the past. Now, I challenge your power and authority. Put our people in jail, use all your might, and try to topple the K-P government.”

    The CM added that they cannot remove his government through legal and constitutional means because they cannot break his members. “No one has the power to break those who stand with Imran Khan.”

    He further stated, “Today’s meeting sends a message to those who think we’re divided. We are fully committed, body and soul, to securing the release of PTI’s founder. I was arrested before May 9. They claim we committed excesses on May 9, but the conspiracy against PTI’s founder began before that.”

    Gandapur pointed out that the 26th Constitutional Amendment is an attack on the judiciary, and that PTI will work to reverse it when they return to power.

    Regarding a meeting with the incarcerated former PM, he said, “Imran Khan requested a meeting, and it’s our right to meet with him as he is the head of the party. However, I sense that this meeting might not be arranged.”

    In response to a question, he said that Imran Khan has never refused to negotiate. “We want to talk to those who truly hold power. Right now, the country is being run with batons, and everyone knows the real worth of the PML-N and PPP.”

    Concerning PTI’s future actions, Gandapur announced that the party plans to launch a nationwide political movement after Muharram and will intensify its efforts. He warned, “If bullets are fired at us, the response will be the same, the response will be similar.”

    During the press conference, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar emphasised that all party actions, including negotiations and protests, have been in line with the directives of the PTI founder.

    “We are here because of his vote and his leadership,” he said, adding that the purpose of the meeting was to send a unified message. “Any future plan will be made public only after the founder’s approval,” he added.

    He criticised the state’s refusal to allow meetings with the founder for vital matters such as K-P’s budget, noting that similar requests for Sindh, Punjab, and federal consultations were also rejected. “Our MNAs were unseated, references were filed, and sentences were handed out. This is not democracy,” he said.

    Gohar concluded by asserting that PTI remains the legitimate government in K-P and dismissed any attempts of a no-confidence motion. “Those seeking to bring down our government simply don’t have the numbers. PTI is and will remain in power,” he said.

    Moreover, Salman Akram Raja spoke of long-standing political exploitation and injustice. “For eight decades, this nation has been looted. The people of Pakistan have been silenced,” he said.

    Referring to last year’s general elections on February 8, he termed it a “historic day when people exercised their democratic right.” “Our struggle is for dignity and fundamental rights. We will continue to fight the battle of the PTI founder and victory is our destiny,” Raja declared.


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  • Beijing launches cities alliance to boost global digital economy ties-Xinhua

    BEIJING, July 2 (Xinhua) — A global alliance of over 40 cities was launched in Beijing on Wednesday as part of efforts to enhance multilateral cooperation on the digital economy.

    The Global Digital Economy Cities Alliance was initiated by Beijing — alongside partner cities in Europe, North America, the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Latin America — during the Global Digital Economy Conference 2025, which opened on the same day.

    The alliance aims to institutionalize multilateral collaboration beyond bilateral projects, focusing on key issues such as digital infrastructure, cross-border data governance, AI ethics and smart city applications.

    The move follows the launch of Beijing’s Global Digital Economy Partner City Cooperation Initiative in 2023, and its joint efforts with partner cities to adopt six action plans to implement the initiative in 2024. The alliance was established this year with support from international bodies including the UN Institute for Training and Research, the International Telecommunication Union and the International Trade Centre.

    Organized by the Beijing municipal government, the Cyberspace Administration of China, the National Data Administration, Xinhua News Agency and the United Nations Development Programme, this year’s conference will run through July 5 and feature an opening ceremony, six main forums and multiple thematic sessions, with over 1,000 participants in attendance. ■

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  • DLA Piper advises the underwriters, led by TD Cowen and William Blair, in Allot’s US$40 million public offering

    DLA Piper advised the underwriters, led by TD Cowen and William Blair as joint book-running managers, in a US$40 million public offering by Allot Ltd., a global provider of innovative network intelligence and security solutions for service providers and enterprises worldwide.

    “It was a privilege to advise our clients TD Cowen and William Blair and the rest of the underwriting syndicate on this cross-border public offering and to demonstrate the comprehensive capabilities of our capital markets team,” said Christopher Paci, the DLA Piper Partner who co-led the deal team.

    In addition to Paci, the core deal team was co-led by Partner Stephen Alicanti (both New York) and included Partners William Bartow (Philadelphia), Jana del-Cerro, Samuel Knowles (both Washington, DC), and Katie Lee (New York), Of Counsel Christie Lehr (Raleigh), and Associates Zach Altman (Boston), Jordyn Giannone (New York), and Frances Asbury (Austin).

    DLA Piper’s global capital markets team represents issuers and underwriters in registered and unregistered equity, equity-linked and debt capital markets transactions, including initial public offerings, follow-on equity offerings, equity-linked securities offerings, and offerings of investments grade and high-yield debt securities.

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