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  • Jordan Henderson joins Brentford on two-year contract

    Jordan Henderson joins Brentford on two-year contract

    Jordan Henderson has signed for Brentford on a two-year contract after leaving Ajax on a free transfer.

    Brentford coach Keith Andrews highlighted the 35-year-old’s experience as a key factor in the decision to sign him.

    “When we became aware of Jordan’s availability, it was a pretty simple decision,” Andrews said. “We did our due diligence around his recent games to see where he is: he’s still phenomenally fit and he’s still phenomenally motivated to achieve things in the game, having already achieved a lot.

    “With the void of experienced players leaving the building — Christian Nørgaard, Mark Flekken and Ben Mee — it was important to replace that.

    “We’ve got a pretty young squad, overall, and we’ve got a lot of club experience, which is really important, with the likes of Vitaly Janelt, Mathias Jensen, Ethan Pinnock and Josh Dasilva, who is still at the club doing rehab.

    “But what Jordan will bring is that he has been one of the most influential leaders in modern Premier League years. He’s been at the forefront of driving for titles and Champions Leagues at a fantastic football club.

    “He also has experience at international level with England and, with that, comes a level of experience, professionalism and dedication to his profession – that’s the exact way we want to be as a football club.

    “He will drive standards and be a brilliant addition to the squad.”

    Henderson has 83 England caps and has been selected in both of Thomas Tuchel’s squads since the German took over the national side in January.

    “I’m delighted that I’m here; I’m very excited to get started and get going,” Henderson said. “I’ve always had huge admiration for the club and what they’ve achieved over the last few years, in particular, how they’ve grown as a club.

    “I’ve been told how organised and well-run the club is, it’s very family-oriented, which I think is very important. When I spoke to Phil Giles, Lee Dykes and Keith, I just had a really good feeling about everything. As soon as I had that conversation, it was clear for me that I wanted to come here and it was an easy decision in the end.

    “When I spoke to Keith [Andrews] a few times, he was very good and very honest, and he’s excited to get started as well.

    “He was another big reason why I wanted to come and try to help the club keep moving forward.”

    – Transfer news: Liverpool eye Mateta move
    – Premier League fixtures schedule 2025-26
    – Premier League 2025-26 kit ranking

    Henderson joined Ajax in January 2024 after a short stint in the Saudi Pro League playing for Al Ettifaq.

    He also played for Liverpool between 2011-2023 and captained the club to their first ever Premier League title in 2020.

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  • Porsche Cayenne displays its full bandwidth at Goodwood

    Porsche Cayenne displays its full bandwidth at Goodwood




    The Cayenne, Porsche’s most versatile model, took centre stage with several major appearances at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. Among the highlights was the upcoming Cayenne Electric offering a first glimpse of its impressive dynamic capabilities on the legendary Goodwood hill.


    At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Porsche once again demonstrated the impressive versatility of the Cayenne. The spotlight was placed on the performance, comfort and off-road capabilities of the SUV model series – including a clear look towards its future. On the legendary Goodwood hill, a camouflaged prototype of the upcoming Cayenne Electric showcased the performance of the future all-electric SUV, which Porsche will offer alongside combustion-engine and hybrid variants. The new Cayenne Black Edition, a special-edition model based on the current-generation Cayenne, also made its debut appearance at Goodwood. In addition, media representatives also had the opportunity to experience the impressive off-road capabilities of the current Cayenne models firsthand during exclusive drives through Goodwood’s countryside surroundings.

    Electric prototype thrills on the Goodwood hill

    Just weeks after setting a hill climb record at Shelsley Walsh, the Cayenne Electric was once again turning heads in the UK. The strikingly camouflaged prototype took on the famous Goodwood hill several times during the Festival, driven by Gabriela Jílková, simulator and development driver for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team.

    Gabriela Jílková, simulator and development driver for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, Prototype Cayenne Electric, Goodwood, Festival of Speed, 2025, Porsche AG




    Gabriela Jílková

    It was also Jílková who recently set the new SUV record with the fully electric Cayenne on the 914-metre hill climb course at Shelsley Walsh. Her time of 31.28 seconds impressively beat the previous record by more than four seconds.

    A key contributor to how outstandingly the car drives is its Porsche Active Ride suspension system, with which the near-production prototype was equipped. It keeps the car’s body level even during heavy braking, cornering and acceleration, ensuring maximum traction and comfort. The prototype’s impressive acceleration – covering 60 feet (18.3 metres) from a standstill in just 1.94 seconds – already hints at the high level of performance of the upcoming production model.

    Cayenne Black Edition – sporty, elegant, comfortable

    The current-generation Cayenne also shared the spotlight at Goodwood. In the form of the Cayenne Black Edition, Porsche presented a new special edition that combines performance and elegance with enhanced comfort. The Black Edition is available with three powertrain variants and both body styles – the classic SUV and the SUV Coupé. Exterior details in high-gloss black, such as the Sport Design front apron, exterior mirrors and model designation badge, emphasise its exclusive appearance.

    Cayenne S E-Hybrid Coupé Black Edition, Goodwood, Festival of Speed, 2025, Porsche AG




    Cayenne S E-Hybrid Coupé Black Edition

    Inside, the cabin is characterised by elements finished in brushed-black aluminium – as well as an extensive list of standard equipment. This includes Tinted HD Matrix LED headlights, BOSE® Surround Sound System, 14-way electrically adjustable Comfort seats with memory function, and 21-inch wheels featuring coloured Porsche crests. Additional customisation options are available through Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur. Alongside the new special-edition version of the Cayenne, the new Taycan Black Edition also made its debut at Goodwood.

    Off-road adventure in the quintessential British countryside 

    During guided off-road tours in Goodwood’s country surroundings, guests also had the opportunity to experience just how confidently the Cayenne handles itself off the beaten track. The tours started on the grounds of West Dean College and led across farm tracks through the characteristic hilly landscape of the South Downs.

    Prototype Cayenne Electric, Goodwood, Festival of Speed, 2025, Porsche AG





    Along the way, the latest Cayenne models demonstrated their remarkable off-road prowess – a hallmark of the Cayenne model line since its introduction in 2002. With adaptive suspension, all-wheel drive as standard, various off-road modes, and generous ground clearance, the Cayenne remains a truly versatile all-rounder – both on the road and in the rough.

    Next stop: IAA Mobility in Munich

    The Cayenne Electric is well on its way to being ready for series production. Its next public appearance is scheduled for September 2025 at IAA Mobility in Munich. Porsche will not only showcase the prototype there but also present a technical innovation set to help shape the future of fully electric driving – and make it even more comfortable.

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  • “Insects Apartments” Help Rival Ants Keep the Peace in Fiji

    “Insects Apartments” Help Rival Ants Keep the Peace in Fiji

    Odd plants from a remote Pacific island reveal new insights into an important ecological question: how unrelated and antagonistic partners can form long-term mutualistic relationships with the same host.

    Scientists studying ant plants in Fiji have discovered one way that a host plant can keep the peace among residents that might otherwise kill each other. By providing separate chambers inside a gradually enlarging tuber — each chamber with an entry hole from the outside but no connection to any adjacent chamber — the Squamellaria plant prevents conflicts between the multiple ant species that feed it and call it home. The new research from Washington University in St. Louis and Durham University in the United Kingdom is reported July 10 in Science.

    “Our study shows that compartmentalization is one solution,” said Guillaume Chomicki, of Durham, first author of the study. “The importance of compartmentalization is clear from the deadly conflicts sparked when the partition between distinct ant species living in adjacent compartments is removed.

    “But it’s not for the good of the ants that these plants have evolved those compartments — no, it’s for their own good. Because the more ants that live inside a tuber, the more nutrients for the plant,” he said.

    “Dried Squamellaria tubers — and similar tubers, many of which have been sitting in herbaria or natural history collections since at least the 1880s — never yielded the insights Guillaume was able to gain in the field,” said Susanne S. Renner, a biologist in Arts & Sciences at WashU, senior author of the study. “One needs two things: Seeing and identifying the ants, and then understanding that the tubers contain entirely separate compartments with separate entrances to the outside, just like a condo building.”

    In biology, a symbiotic relationship, or symbiosis, is a close and long-term interaction between two different species. When this relationship is mutually beneficial, it is called a mutualism. Many symbioses involve one host species having several mutualist partners. Yet theory predicts that unrelated partners can lead to destabilizing conflict through competition for host resources.

    In the case of Squamellaria, Chomicki and Renner previously had reported on how certain specialized ants actively farm Squamellaria — by planting its seeds and fertilizing the seedlings with their feces — and then nesting in the domatia (hollow chambers) that form on each plant shortly after the unfolding of its cotyledons. Only after the ants insert a seed into a crevice in bark can Squamellaria begin to germinate.

    The farming activity is essential to the plant’s survival, as it is an epiphyte that grows on the branches of rainforest trees and has no other way to get established in the rainforest canopy. Back in 2014, during a field excursion high in the treetops of Waisali Rainforest Reserve, Chomicki pulled down a Squamellaria that revealed an even more complex set of interactions.  

    “When I dissected this plant (Squamellaria wilkinsonii), which had a domatium that was about 8 inches in diameter, I was very surprised to see two ant colonies living inside it,” he said. “My immediate thought was parabiosis, a specific type of symbiotic association where two species of ants nest together. But the nests were completely separate, which was puzzling.” 

    That observation was the impetus for his new study with Renner. Together, they describe a series of experiments designed to investigate how the plant enables more than one species of ants to live inside its hollow chambers — starting by observing what happens when the interior walls come down.

    “Removing the partition walls between two ‘apartments’ using a dissecting knife — thereby placing in direct physical contact different ant colonies — led to an immediate conflict in which workers fight to the death,” Chomicki said.  

    The scientists quantified the number of conflicts between ant workers of the relevant ant species during a 25-minute window following the removal of the partition walls. They documented high worker mortality in both ant colonies that were previously living in separate compartments.

    The new study included feeding experiments that documented that the plants were getting nutritional benefits from the multiple ant species living inside their compartments. The study also made use of computed-tomography scanning, a method that only rarely has been applied to plants. “The scanning was key in the discovery of compartmentalization of the domatia,” Renner said. “Simply by dissecting domatia, it is impossible to work out which chambers are connected to which and which is isolated. This discovery came when building 3D models from the CT scanning data.”

    The results reveal a conflict-reduction mechanism that allows the hosts to take advantage of multiple, unrelated symbionts, Renner and Chomicki said.

    “What is unique in Squamellaria is that we can visualize directly what theory has long predicted — that unrelated partners would conflict by competing for host resources,” Renner said.  “But here we also have a simple, highly effective evolutionary strategy to mitigate these conflicts: compartmentalization. So, despite being unique, these Squamellaria-ant symbioses illuminate an old, general problem in the ecology and evolution of species interactions.”

    Reference: Chomicki G, Metzler D, Naikatini A, Renner SS. Compartmentalization reduces conflict in multipartner plant-insect symbioses. Science. 2025. doi: 10.1126/science.adu8429


    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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  • Usain Bolt to visit India in September; Delhi and Mumbai on itinerary

    Usain Bolt to visit India in September; Delhi and Mumbai on itinerary

    Eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt will be in India from September 26 to 28, with Delhi and Mumbai featuring in the world’s fastest man’s itinerary.

    “I’m excited to return to India. The energy, the people and the passion for sports here is truly unmatched. I have a lot of fans in India and am really looking forward to my visit there later this year,” Bolt said about his impending visit.

    This will be Bolt’s second visit to India, with his maiden trip to the subcontinent coming way back in 2014.

    Back then, the Jamaican visited the country for a sponsor’s promotional activities and played an exhibition match with Indian cricket icon Yuvraj Singh at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

    He also raced Yuvraj in a 100m dash during his previous visit.

    The Jamaican’s latest sojourn to the subcontinent is also owing to promotional activities for a sports experiences and travel platform.

    Bolt will visit Mumbai and Delhi as part of his upcoming trip and is slated to feature in various fan engagements and cultural events.

    The centrepieces of the tour will be a nationwide sprint challenge for school students, which will culminate in a final showdown in front of the Olympic champion.

    Bolt is a bona fide athletics legend and world record holder in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m. He retired from competitive sport back in 2017 but is still one of the most recognisable faces in the world of sport globally.

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  • Banyoles to Host the 2026 Europe Triathlon Multisport Championships

    Banyoles to Host the 2026 Europe Triathlon Multisport Championships

    Europe Triathlon is pleased to confirm that the city of Banyoles, Spain will host the 2026 Europe Triathlon Multisport Championships in July 2026. Known as the ‘Capital of Triathlon’ in Spain, Banyoles has been selected in close collaboration with the Spanish Triathlon Federation (FETRI) and the City Council of Banyoles.

    All events will take place in a single, iconic venue: the area surrounding the Estany de Banyoles, a setting that combines natural beauty with a long-standing tradition of hosting international triathlon competitions.

    Competition Schedule – July 2026

    • 11 July

    • 12 July

    • 14 July

    • 16 July

    • 18 July

    • 19 July

    All disciplines will be staged in one unified venue, with swim, bike, and run segments designed around the legendary lake and its surrounding landscapes.

    A Proven Legacy of Hosting

    Banyoles has been a key player in European triathlon for more than a decade. Since 2011, the city has hosted a series of successful international and national triathlon events under the Europe Triathlon calendar. In 2021, Banyoles was officially designated a “Preferred Triathlon City” by FETRI, becoming the only permanent venue on the Spanish national calendar. As FETRI noted, “Banyoles is the only permanent venue on our national calendar, thanks to its unique natural environment and the strong collaboration between federation and city.”

    A Championship of Unity and Inclusion

    The Europe Triathlon Multisport Championships represent the spirit of our community—bringing together age group athletes, elite competitors, and paratriathletes in one place, over two weeks of celebration and competition. This event reinforces Banyoles’ role as a continental hub for multisport and provides a significant boost to local tourism, visibility, and economic impact.

    The strategic alignment between Europe Triathlon, FETRI, and the City of Banyoles ensures a world-class experience for athletes, teams, and spectators alike.

    Marc D’hooge, President of Europe Triathlon, expressed his enthusiasm for the announcement: “Banyoles is a place where our sport thrives—on a competitive, organisational, and community level. We are proud to return to this iconic venue for the 2026 Multisport Championships. The commitment shown by the local authorities and FETRI is exemplary, and we are confident that this edition will once again reflect the very best of European triathlon.”

    Europe Triathlon would like to thank FETRI and the City of Banyoles for their continued trust, partnership, and dedication to the development of our sport. Their shared vision makes events like this possible and inspires the future of multisport in Europe.

    We invite all athletes, federations, coaches, and fans to join us in Banyoles in July 2026 for a historic celebration of European multisport in one of its most emblematic venues.

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  • How WTCS Hamburg shook up the 2025 WTCS rankings

    How WTCS Hamburg shook up the 2025 WTCS rankings

    It was a weekend of contrast for the men’s and women’s WTCS standings. One saw the consolidation of the top places and the deepening of the divide between the stars of the early season and the rest. The other, meanwhile, was almost completely reshaped at that sharp end of the table. With three races left ahead of the Series Final in Wollongong, find out exactly how the rankings now look below.


    The Women’s Series Rankings

    Hamburg precipitated quite a shift at the top of the women’s rankings. Lisa Tertsch (GER) entered the weekend in the top spot having led since her victory at the season opener in Abu Dhabi. Yet she would leave ranked down in 3rd place.

    Assuming the leadership of the Series is Beth Potter (GBR), back on the top spot for the first time since the WTCS Final in 2023. Potter now has 2360.05 points to her name and is one of three women to have claimed two medals this season. An 8th place in Alghero will need to be improved upon if she is to win back the world title, but she certainly has the experience and class to make that happen.

    Leonie Periault’s marvellous win in Hamburg vaults her up three places, just like Potter, to 2nd overall. The French athlete now has 2325.68 points and so is only a smidge off the overall lead. Periault has been consistent this year with a 5th place finish in Alghero and a 4th place in Abu Dhabi; unfortunately for her, that latter result is worth fewer points as it was still on the 2024 scoring system. Periault, then, will also need at least one more medal to stay in the overall podium hunt come the Series Final.

    Slotting into 3rd overall is Tertsch. After recording her lowest finish of the Series this year, Tertsch’s total of 2282.82 remains unchanged. Like Potter, she has won two medals already and so is only one result away from being back on top. Conversely, like Periault, one of those high finishes was her win in Abu Dhabi which was only worth 750 points; the rest of the races in the regular season are worth 1000 points for a win. Tertsch may therefore actually need two more big results to push for the world title.

    Jeanne Lehair (LUX) also lost two spots following Hamburg but nonetheless closed the gap to Tertsch. Her 7th place showing in Hamburg replaces her 7th place at the lesser-valued WTCS Abu Dhabi. In total, that leaves the WTCS Yokohama winner on 2252.80 points.

    Moving up to 5th place is the silver medallist in Hamburg, reigning world champion Cassandre Beaugrand (FRA). With two medals from two races, Beaugrand is the best ranked athlete with only two scores to her name. She now sits on 1925 points and will have a free hit, so to speak, at her next event. Another medal will lift her back into the Series lead for the first time since last year.

    As things stand, the top-5 are clear of rest. Next in line is Tilda Månsson (SWE), who rose three places into 6th with 1674.46 points after clocking the best result of her WTCS career. Similarly, jumping up four places to 7th is Jolien Vermeylen (BEL). She now has 1671.35 points after her own career-high Series finish. Both have two top-10s this year and another will make them strong candidates to finish in the overall top-10 for the first time.

    Further back in the rankings, Taylor Spivey (USA) was a big climber. She gained six places to assume 12th place with her third appearance of the season. Nina Eim (GER) also jumped seven to 15th after her second WTCS outing of 2025, while Kate Waugh (GBR) made up twenty-places to take 16th overall following her second race of this year’s Series. Finally, Emma Lombardi (FRA) was the highest new entry in 31st after making her first start of the year.


    The Men’s Series Rankings

    Whereas the women’s Series was all change at the top, the men’s top-3 remains as it was prior to Hamburg, save for one minor detail. Matthew Hauser (AUS) has extended his lead and has climbed from 2618.75 to a daunting 2925 points following his second win of the year. A perfect record of three wins would have left him with 3000 points, but he is close enough. Hauser will now head home and prepare for the Wollongong WTCS Final in Wollongong with the knowledge that he will likely lead into the event.

    While Hauser is in firm control at the top, Miguel Hidalgo (BRA) and Vasco Vilaca (POR) further secured their holds on 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Hidalgo’s 4th place in Hamburg slots in with results of 1st and 3rd for 2647.08 points altogether. For his part, Vilaca’s silver medal was his third of the year, the most of any athlete after Hauser’s four. The Portuguese athlete has 2491.72 points, but a key point to note is that one of his scores comes from Abu Dhabi. Consequently, he has more room to improve than Hidalgo. Both men, though, will hope for one more podium ahead of the Final to protect their positions.

    Shifting into 4th place overall is Csongor Lehmann (HUN), who shot six places up the leaderboard. Lehmann, though, only has 1708.91 points, highlighting the gap between the top-3 and the rest. At the same time, the top-3 cannot rest on their laurels. One major factor that could change things is that Olympic champion Alex Yee (GBR) has yet to race and will have three opportunities to accrue points ahead of the Final.

    Next in the standings is Ricardo Batista (POR). He maintained his 5th place by improving his total to 1670.25 points. Right behind him as another mover in the rankings. David Cantero del Campo (ESP) is up three places to 6th and 1658.58 points with another top-10 finish. Like Lehmann and Batista, Cantero is yet to medal in the Series this year but all have logged three top-10 finishes and should be confident of fighting for the top-5 overall in Wollongong.

    While Leo Bergere (FRA) lost ground by not racing, he remains the best man with two scores. His 1647.08 points leaves him in 7th place overall. Thereafter, Max Stapley (GBR) gained seven places to occupy 10th place overall. A place behind him in 11th is Henry Graf (GER), who climbed fourteen places and is the next best man with two scores. Across the weekend, Alessio Crociani (ITA) was the highest new entry of either Series in 23rd overall thanks to his bronze medal.


    The World Triathlon Championship Series is set to return at a new location in the French Riviera next month. Stay up to date with all the latest developments until then across all World Triathlon channels.

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  • Senegal joins growing list of countries that have eliminated trachoma

    Senegal joins growing list of countries that have eliminated trachoma

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Senegal as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. Senegal becomes the ninth country in WHO’s African Region to have achieved this feat.

    “I commend Senegal for freeing its population from this disease”, said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This milestone is yet another sign of the remarkable progress being made against neglected tropical diseases globally, and offers hope to other countries still working to eliminate trachoma.”

    Trachoma has been known in Senegal since the early 1900s and was confirmed as a major cause of blindness through surveys in the 1980s and 1990s. Senegal joined the WHO Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma in 1998, conducted its first national survey in 2000, and completed full disease mapping by 2017 with support from the Global Trachoma Mapping Project and Tropical Data. Trachoma control was consistently integrated into national eye health programmed, first under the National Program for Blindness Prevention (PNLC) and later through the National Program for the Promotion of Eye Health (PNPSO) – maintaining its commitment to trachoma elimination.

    “Today we celebrate our victory against trachoma, 21 years after the one against dracunculiasis” said Dr Ibrahima Sy, Senegal’s Minister of Health and Social Action. “This new milestone reminds us that our overarching goal remains a Senegal free from neglected tropical diseases. We are fully committed to this, and we are making good progress, notably against human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) and onchocerciasis”.

    Senegal implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy to eliminate trachoma with the support of partners, reaching 2.8 million people who needed them across 24 districts. These activities included provision of surgery to treat the late blinding stage of the disease, conducting antibiotic mass drug administration of azithromycin donated by Pfizer through the International Trachoma Initiative, carrying out public awareness campaigns to promote facial cleanliness, and improvement in access to water supply and sanitation.

    Trachoma is the second neglected tropical disease to be eliminated in Senegal. In 2004, the country was certified free of dracunculiasis (Guinea-worm disease) transmission. Globally, Senegal joins 24 other countries that have been validated by WHO for having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. These are Benin, Burundi, Cambodia, China, Gambia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Ghana, India, Iraq, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Togo, Vanuatu and Viet Nam. These countries are part of a wider of group of 57 countries that have eliminated one or more neglected tropical diseases.

    WHO is supporting Senegal’s health authorities to closely monitor communities in which trachoma was previously endemic to ensure there is no resurgence of the disease.

    “Trachoma has cast a shadow over communities in Senegal for more than a century. This long-awaited validation is not only a milestone for public health but a powerful tribute to the tireless dedication of frontline health workers, communities, government leaders, and partners who never gave up,” said Dr Jean-Marie Vianny Yameogo, WHO Representative in Senegal. “Today, we close a chapter that began over a hundred years ago, united with pride, gratitude and resolve. WHO remains committed to supporting Senegal as the country continues to lead in sustaining this hard-earned achievement.”

    Disease prevalence

    Trachoma remains a public health problem in 32 countries, with an estimated 103 million people living in areas requiring interventions against the disease. Trachoma is found mainly in the poorest and most rural areas of Africa, Central and South America, Asia, the Western Pacific and the Middle East. WHO’s African Region is disproportionately affected by trachoma, with 93 million people living in at-risk areas in April 2024, representing 90% of the global trachoma burden.

    Significant progress has been made in the fight against trachoma over the past few years and the number of people requiring antibiotic treatment for trachoma in the African Region fell by 96 million from 189 million in 2014 to 93 million as of April 2024, representing a 51% reduction.

    There are currently 20 countries (Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe) in WHO’s African Region that are known to require intervention for trachoma elimination. A further 3 countries in the Region (Botswana, Guinea-Bissau and Namibia) claim to have achieved the prevalence targets for elimination.
     

    Editor’s note

    Trachoma is a neglected tropical disease. It is caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, which spreads from person to person through contaminated surfaces , fomites and flies that have come into contact with discharge from the eyes or nose of an infected person.

    Environmental risk factors for trachoma transmission include poor hygiene, overcrowded households, and inadequate access to water and sanitation.

    To eliminate trachoma as a public health problem, WHO recommends the SAFE strategy: a comprehensive approach to reduce transmission of the causative organism, clear existing infections and deal with their effects. The SAFE strategy consists of surgery to treat the blinding complication (trachomatous trichiasis); antibiotics to clear the infection, particularly mass drug administration of the antibiotic azithromycin (which has been donated by the manufacturer, Pfizer, to elimination programmes through the International Trachoma Initiative); facial cleanliness; and environmental improvement, particularly improving access to water and sanitation.

    The road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030 targets the prevention, control, elimination and eradication of 20 diseases and disease groups by 2030. Progress against trachoma and other neglected tropical diseases alleviates the human and economic burden that they impose on the world’s most disadvantaged communities.

     

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  • Best Samsung Galaxy Watch deal: Save $130 on Galaxy Watch 7

    Best Samsung Galaxy Watch deal: Save $130 on Galaxy Watch 7

    SAVE $130: As of July 15, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is on sale for $199.99 on Amazon. That’s a 39% saving on the list price.


    You know what happens when a new device is launched? The older models go on sale. Fresh from the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 announcement, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is back on sale at Amazon. And this time it’s at its lowest-ever price. As of July 15, you can save $130 with the new price of $199.99.

    This version of the Samsung Galaxy Watch benefits from Galaxy AI. This includes starting your day with a personalized Energy Score, a stat based on what you did the day before, how you slept, and how much activity you’ve done. It includes all the usual data you’d expect from a smartwatch, such as sleep monitoring, fitness levels, and heart rate tracking, but at a much more advanced level.

    SEE ALSO:

    Pre-ordering the new Samsung Galaxy Watch 8? Here’s how to get a free $50 Amazon gift card.

    With sleep tracking, this watch can signal whether you may be suffering from sleep apnea. While you sleep, the watch tracks your breathing patterns and oxygen levels, using AI to identify issues that may indicate episodes of sleep apnea. Galaxy AI also improves the fitness tracking too, using your previous workout data to give you an idea of how you are progressing. Whether you’re running, cycling, swimming, or whatever else, the Galaxy Watch 7 will give you great stats and insights.

    Mashable Deals

    Get it now while it’s at its lowest-ever price.

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  • The Business Buyer’s Guide to XReal Enterprise AR

    The Business Buyer’s Guide to XReal Enterprise AR

    Could the growing selection of XReal Enterprise AR solutions be exactly what your business has been searching for? Maybe. Augmented reality in the workplace is still growing up. We might have plenty of smartphones and tablets that can handle AR experiences, but truly immersive smart glasses are often much harder to find. That’s where XReal has an edge.

    Rather than following in Meta and Apple’s footsteps in building VR and mixed reality headsets, XReal (previously Nreal) has gone all-in on smart, lightweight specs.

    Over the past 18 months, they’ve done what many hardware startups never do: evolve without alienating, scale without bloating, and start speaking the language of business without losing the product simplicity that made them interesting in the first place.

    In early 2024, XReal closed a $60 million funding round, positioning itself to compete directly against the Apple’s Vision Pro and Meta’s Ray-Ban Meta collaboration. Then the company rolled out it’s Air 2 Pro and Ultra glasses, followed by the XReal One collection. Now it’s working hand-in-hand with Google on Project Aura – specs powered by Android XR.

    While the consumer crowd continues to test the boundaries of immersive media, enterprise buyers are asking a different question: can XReal tech make our teams faster, safer, smarter?

    Let’s find out.

    XReal Enterprise AR: Who is XReal?

    XReal didn’t just stumble into the AR spotlight. It built there, starting with entertainment and gaming, then shifting toward scalable hardware that could do more than entertain. Founded in Beijing in 2018 under the name NReal, XReal was one of the first companies to ship consumer-grade AR glasses at scale. By 2024, XReal had sold more than 350,000 pairs of AR glasses worldwide.

    When NReal officially rebranded to XReal in 2023, it didn’t just change its name. It said the “X” in the title was reflective of its mission to building augmented reality for everyone. Not just consumers, but professionals, educators, and field workers too.

    Since then, the company has expanded rapidly across Europe, the US, South Korea, and Japan, tapped into new partnerships (most recently with Google), and increased its enterprise focus. In fact, at CES 2025, XReal highlighted new and renewed collaborations with industry leaders from BMW, to Qualcomm, T-Mobile, Bose, and more.

    It even drew attention to the fact that it was the only AR company in 2024 to rank among the top five global brands by market share in the ARVR industry. XReal is growing  up, and fast.

    XReal Enterprise AR: The Hardware Lineup

    Despite a heavy focus on simplicity, XReal has quietly begun to build one of the most versatile hardware portfolios in AR today. The XReal enterprise AR lineup covers everything from affordable, straightforward glasses like the Air collection, to the Immersive XReal One specs, the AI-powered upcoming Aura glasses, and even accessories, like the XReal Beam Pro.

    The XReal Air Series

    This is where most users start with XReal enterprise AR, and for good reason. The XReal Air, Air 2, and Air 2 Pro look like premium sunglasses but deliver crisp visuals with built-in micro displays. Most models weigh less than 80 grams, and high-end models like the XReal Air 2 Pro even features a proprietary optic engine, as well as three levels of immersive control.

    While features depend on the version you get, even the relatively affordable Air 2 Pros (costing around $500), boast some pretty impressive features. They might not have spatial computing capabilities, but they do have built-in audio, refresh rates of up to 120hz, and they’re compatible with various external tools and software apps.

    The Air 2 Ultra glasses, introduced at CES 2024, are even more advanced, layering in spatial computing via Samsung processors, and a custom computing unit. They come with head and hand tracking, 6DoF tracking, dual greyscale cameras for capturing content, and even SDK support.

    XReal One Series

    The XReal One Series are where XReal Enterprise AR glasses really started to redefine what “smart glasses” mean. These glasses take computing power a step further, with an enhanced version of XReal’s custom X1 chip. Both versions, the One, and One Pro, support 3DoF, three immersion models, 4 million pixels, and Optic Engine for processing power.

    They also come with built-in speakers from Bose – perfect for immersive collaboration sessions. The One Pro brings better battery life and improved thermal performance, allowing for extended use in fast-paced environments.

    XReal Accessories: The Beam Pro, Eye, and Hub

    Think XReal just offers smart glasses? Think again. The XReal Beam Pro is one of XReal’s most popular accessories (bought in a bundle with about 70% of the company’s glasses). This pocket-sized device connects your XReal glasses to almost anything: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, even consoles. It acts as a translator and power hub.

    There’s even a touchscreen, Android 13 OS, and the ability to run apps natively. For companies without a mobile device strategy in place, it’s a full-stack AR solution that fits in your pocket.

    Then there’s the XReal Hub—a simple but cost-effective device for charging your glasses and connecting them to other devices in real time. Plus, XReal is now working on a new accessory—the “Eye”—designed to let users take immersive photos straight from their specs.

    Project Aura: XReal Enterprise AR with Google

    If XReal’s Air and One lines are about comfort and compatibility, Project Aura is about ambition. This isn’t an accessory. It’s a full computing platform shaped like a pair of glasses.

    Unveiled at Google I/O 2025, Aura is XReal’s first pair of glasses to natively run Android XR. It is powered by an onboard Snapdragon XR processor, integrated AI functions, and a redesigned UI for spatial interaction. Project Aura is still in its early stages, but it’s exciting.

    These glasses should introduce us to specs with voice, vision, and contextual awareness baked in from the start. Plus, companies will have access to millions of Android apps, more immersive and engaging than ever before.

    XReal Enterprise AR: How The Tech Works

    XReal has made a name for itself by keeping things deceptively simple. But under that minimal aesthetic is a surprisingly adaptable and forward-looking tech stack.

    Let’s start with the basics. XReal’s hardware is designed for comfort-first deployment, but there’s nuance in what each device delivers.

    • Field of view: Ranges from 46° (Air, One) up to 57° (One Pro), with the Air 2 Ultra sitting comfortably in the middle at 52°. It’s not wraparound immersive, but it’s perfect for contextual overlays, spatial browsers, or side-by-side apps in a 3D layout.
    • Weight: A consistent strength across the lineup: all glasses clock in between 72g and 80g. That makes them some of the lightest in the AR category, easy to wear in meetings, on factory floors, or in customer-facing environments without making anyone self-conscious.
    • Tethering and power: Options vary. Most glasses rely on USB-C connections, using the Beam Pro, or compatible mobile devices for content and power. The One series is tether-free, thanks to its onboard computing, while the Beam Pro allows for wireless streaming or even standalone Android use.
    • OS compatibility: Thanks to the Beam line, XReal glasses can integrate with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and even gaming consoles. It’s rare to find an AR device that works across so many environments out of the box.

    Plus, with Project Aura, XReal is stepping into native Android XR, running a spatial version of Android directly on the glasses. That opens the door for seamless integration with Google apps, AI tools, and the entire Android app ecosystem.

    Software Ecosystem and Third-Party Integrations

    XReal Enterprise AR solutions have a lot going for them from a software perspective, too. The core operating system, Nebula, is Android-based and powers most XReal experiences today. It supports spatial browsers, floating windows, and virtual multi-monitor setups. For enterprise dev teams familiar with Android, building for Nebula is approachable, but not frictionless.

    Plus, thanks to the Beam Pro, users have access to endless apps, built-in casting capabilities, and mirroring, without the need for custom coding. As mentioned above, the Android XR collaboration will only extend XReal’s ecosystem even further, making it easier for companies to tap into Google-approved apps and features without an external device.

    That said, the enterprise app ecosystem is still maturing. If you’re looking for prebuilt integrations with Salesforce, ServiceNow, or Workday, you’ll need to either wait or invest in partnerships with XR development shops.

    Spatial Computing and Gesture Control Features

    Spatial computing is where XReal starts to differentiate itself within the “lightweight AR” category. Plenty of smart glasses out there offer great visuals or audio but no actual “spatial interactions,” including some of XReal’s early Air models.

    But XReal is diving deeper into the spatial computing space. The One Series of glasses handles 3DoF tracking. That’s perfectly adequate for display-based tasks: multi-screen setups, virtual dashboards, data overlays, and guided walkthroughs.

    The Air 2 Ultra, however, introduces 6DoF with dual grayscale cameras. That means the glasses know where you are in space, not just where you’re looking. It enables basic room mapping, object anchoring, and spatial model interaction. For training, design, or simulation tasks, this adds a lot of power without jumping to a heavier headset.

    With Project Aura, spatial capability is expected to scale even further. Because it’s built for Android XR, Aura will use Google’s new spatial APIs, including environmental understanding, object occlusion, and persistent AR. In short, it aims to do what Apple’s Vision Pro does for iOS but in an open ecosystem.

    XReal Enterprise AR Use Cases

    You can talk about AR’s potential in the workplace all day, but what really matters is who’s using it, why, and what it’s helping to change. That’s where XReal enterprise AR starts to prove its worth.

    XReal is already working with companies like BMW to bring AR experiences to the future of in-car entertainment. Its wide range of products also supports a wide selection of enterprise-ready applications such as:

    Remote Collaboration in Engineering and Design

    When teams are spread across cities, or continents, traditional video calls just don’t cut it for reviewing spatial work. Several design firms and engineering departments have adopted XReal to view 3D models, blueprints, and CAD files together, in real-time.

    As AR smart glasses continue to prove themselves for field workers, companies will discover new ways to use specs like the XReal One Pro and Air 2 Ultra glasses for collaboration, onboarding, prototype design, and even maintenance.

    Immersive Training and Onboarding

    Manufacturing, healthcare, and heavy industry all share one problem: training new workers in complex environments is expensive, inconsistent, and often risky.

    With XReal, businesses deploy guided simulations, virtual safety procedures, and step-by-step onboarding overlays. The hardware’s light profile allows new hires to move freely, perform mock tasks, and get used to real-world layouts, all in AR. With integrations for collaborative apps, teams can even access support from colleagues in real-time.

    Enhanced Productivity

    Imagine walking into a hotel room or satellite office and deploying a full multi-monitor workstation, without packing a single screen. That’s what finance teams, developers, and data analysts use XReal for.

    Using Beam or Beam Pro, they can open multiple windows, pin dashboards in their visual space, and toggle between tools without minimizing or tabbing out. For teams that live in spreadsheets or code, this is a major time saver and a productivity booster.

    Customer-Facing Experiences

    Since they’re more affordable (and often more comfortable) than hefty headsets, XReal enterprise AR smart glasses are great for customer-facing experiences too. Luxury retailers could use them to allow customers to try outfits on or explore product configurations from a store location.

    In real estate, customers could use smart glasses to attend an open house and explore a building from a distance, before they even consider buying. Architects could even walk clients through a property that’s not built yet, furnished, finished, and scaled to life.

    How XReal Compares in the Real World

    Enterprise AR adoption might not be as big as VR or MR adoption right now, but there are still some major players fighting for attention.

    There are legacy players like Magic Leap and Microsoft (with the now-discontinued HoloLens 2 headset), proving that augmented reality does have a role in the enterprise landscape. Those devices featured industrial-grade spatial computing, rock-solid IT infrastructure, and many exciting features, but they were expensive and somewhat bulky compared to the headsets we know today.

    Then we have more modern options, like Lenovo’s ThinkReality A3 glasses, specs from innovators like Vuzix, Rokid, and Realwear, and the infinitely popular Meta Ray Ban glasses.

    All of these alternatives have their benefits:

    • Lenovo brings excellent IT management and rugged durability.
    • Vuzix and RealWear offer voice-first interfaces for hands-busy fieldwork.
    • Meta Ray-Bans are sleek, social, and smarter than most people realize, with AI and voice baked right in.

    But the question that matters to most business buyers isn’t “Which headset is flashiest?” It’s “Which one is actually wearable, flexible, and scalable for my team?”

    Where XReal Enterprise AR Stands Out

    XReal’s Enterprise AR glasses might not be as robust as some alternatives. There are no native MDM solutions yet. Gesture input is minimal (for now), and 6DoF and spatial computing features are limited to a few devices.

    But suppose you’re launching a pilot project, scaling AR across a frontline team, enhancing design reviews without blowing your budget, or just want something people will wear for more than ten minutes. In that case, XReal makes a very compelling partner.

    XReal is a great fit for:

    • Mid-Sized Businesses with Distributed Teams: if you’ve got people working across locations, designers in the office, trainers in the field, retail staff on the floor, XReal is an easy way to deliver consistent, immersive content without shipping headsets the size of a toaster, or spending a fortune.
    • Companies with Android-Based Workflows: If your tools already live in the Android ecosystem (or you’re using tablets/phones on Android), XReal slots in beautifully, especially with Beam Pro or Project Aura. You’ll get faster deployment, easier support, and more app compatibility out of the gate.
    • Innovation and Training Teams: If your job is to explore what’s next or onboard people faster, XReal delivers just enough AR to make a real impact without overwhelming your team or your procurement lead.

    XReal Enterprise AI Deployment: Strategy Tips

    You’ve found the device. You’ve tested the glasses. People actually like wearing them. But then reality hits: How do you deploy this thing across 50 people? 500? How secure is the data? What’s it really going to cost? Here are a few things to remember as you tackle your deployment.

    Security & Privacy: It’s All in the Policy

    Many of XReal’s products are camera-equipped, internet-connected smart glasses. That means privacy concerns are real, especially in regulated industries or environments handling sensitive IP.

    The Air 2 Ultra includes dual grayscale cameras for 6DoF tracking. While these don’t capture high-res imagery, they still process environmental data. Enterprises need to build usage policies: where glasses can be worn, what data is visible, how recorded content (if any) is handled, and which networks the devices can access.

    There’s no native end-to-end encryption or zero-trust framework (yet), so security and privacy is on you, and your team.

    IT Management: Bring Your Own Band-Aid

    Right now, XReal does not offer full enterprise MDM (Mobile Device Management) support out of the box, like you’d get from something like Meta Quest for Business. There’s no single dashboard for updates, usage tracking, or remote lockdown.

    That said, Beam Pro runs Android, which means it can support third-party MDM tools like VMware Workspace ONE or Microsoft Intune, though integration is still in early stages and often requires technical hand-holding.

    Again, you’re going to have to figure out your own IT management policy, for now. However, you may be able to find partners who can work with you on bridging the gap.

    Proving ROI

    XReal isn’t just affordable, it’s deployable at scale without giving your finance team a heart attack.

    Most enterprise setups land between $800 and $1,000 per seat, including hardware like the Air 2 Ultra and Beam Pro. That’s a fraction of the cost of a HoloLens 2 or Magic Leap 2, which can easily hit $3,000–$3,500 each.

    You’ll still need to consider things like Android MDM licensing, light training, and some internal IT support, but many companies will see clear, measurable returns fast. Just ensure you track adoption rates, usage, and overall performance outcomes.

    Is XReal AR Enterprise-Ready?

    So, is XReal Enterprise AR ready? Or is it still just testing the waters? The company might not check every enterprise box yet, but for many businesses, it checks the ones that matter.

    The hardware is polished, wearable, and compatible across platforms. Tools like Beam Pro bring Android XR into reach with zero dev lift. And at under $1,000 per seat, it’s one of the few AR options that makes sense to roll out beyond a lab demo.

    Yes, enterprise controls like MDM and data compliance are still evolving, and Aura is still in its early days. But if you’re piloting immersive training, remote design, or customer-facing workflows, XReal enterprise AR is already delivering real ROI.

    The smartest path forward is to start small, run a focused pilot, track results, and then scale what works. AR doesn’t need to be complicated to be transformative, and XReal proves that better than most.

     

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  • Ferrocene derivative breaks 18-electron rule with unique 20-electron structure and unusual redox chemistry

    Ferrocene derivative breaks 18-electron rule with unique 20-electron structure and unusual redox chemistry

    A new derivative of ferrocene has 20 valence electrons, challenging the longstanding rule that organometallic compounds can only have a maximum of 18. The researchers highlight that the ligand structure alters the redox properties of the complex, offering improvements for current catalysts and materials.

    Organometallic compounds – species containing at least one metal-to-carbon bond – are often most stable if they have 18 valence electrons, leading to a rule that covers this. Chemists use this rule of thumb to rationalise a compound’s stability or predict a mechanistic pathway. Ferrocene – consisting of an iron atom sandwiched between two organic rings – is an energetically stable compound and the standard bearer for this rule. However, numerous examples break the rule, including the 20-electron nickelocene and certain square planar 16-electron complexes.

    A collaborative effort between researchers in Germany, Japan and Russia has now led to the synthesis of ferrocene-based complexes with 20 valence electrons. ‘[This research] was curiosity driven,’ says Satoshi Takebayashi from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Japan. ‘We just asked if [the 18-electron rule] could be breakable [with this type of complex].’

    Structures

    A tuneable ligand design allows for the reversible coordination of an intramolecular pyridine to the iron centre, increasing the electron count of the complex to 20. The researchers attribute this ability to the para-methoxy and para-amine substituents’ increasing electron density on the pyridine nitrogen, encouraging the formation of an iron–nitrogen bond. Computational studies reveal a decrease in covalent interaction between the iron centre and cyclopentadienyl rings to accommodate pyridine’s additional electrons.

    Further 18-electron complexes with the same ligand – including cationic cobaltocene and a neutral ruthenium sandwich complex – showed no bonding between the metal centre and pyridine nitrogen. Strong bonds between the metal centre and organic ring make the addition of two additional electrons unlikely. The scientists suggest that other neutral first-row transition metal complexes may be able to adopt a similar coordination to that of these newly derived ferrocene complexes.

    Owing to their unique structure, the 20-electron ferrocene derivatives exhibit unusual redox chemistry. The compounds can reversibly transition under mild conditions between Fe(II), Fe(III) and Fe(IV). The partial occupation of high-energy antibonding orbitals enables the two-electron oxidation of these ferrocene derivatives. ‘I did not expect the second oxidation [to form Fe(IV)]. It was exciting, but it makes sense because we added two electrons to the system,’ Takebayashi says.

    The team was able to use the relative ease of two-electron oxidation to create a dicationic species. ‘A ferrocene dication is normally really hard to [form] because you need highly oxidising conditions. And they can do it with this ligand set under quite mild conditions,’ notes David Mills, an inorganic chemist at the University of Manchester, UK.

    Future research will explore the catalytic properties of these 20-electron ferrocene derivatives, with the hope that they may offer improvements for catalysts, medicines and advanced materials.

    The researchers also hope to explore other unconventional compounds that defy standard chemical rules. Mills adds that ‘it’s nice to show people the exceptions, because I think that underpins why we use the 18-electron rule and why it generally works’.

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