Blog

  • 5 Windows Terminal features that make it better than standard PowerShell

    5 Windows Terminal features that make it better than standard PowerShell

    Windows Terminal is a modern replacement for the classic PowerShell and Command Prompt consoles, offering features that significantly enhance the command-line experience. Unlike the standard PowerShell console, which was quite limited in both interface and functionality, Windows Terminal provides a more advanced, customizable, and feature-rich environment.

    Microsoft introduced Windows Terminal as a terminal emulator in 2019, during the Windows 10 era. It can emulate the behavior and functionality of command-line shells, including Command Prompt and PowerShell, while offering features that make it superior to both.

    Related

    4 ways Windows Terminal and PowerShell are different

    They are nothing alike

    5

    Work in multiple tabs

    No more juggling multiple windows

    Screenshot of Windows Terminal with three tabs open, including Windows PowerShell, standalone PowerShell, and Command Prompt

    One of the most useful upgrades in Windows Terminal is its support for multiple tabs within a single window. In standard PowerShell, you’re limited to one session per window. If you need multiple sessions, you have to juggle several separate windows. Windows Terminal addresses this by allowing you to open new tabs for different sessions within the same window, much like a browser.

    For example, you can run multiple instances of Command Prompt alongside PowerShell, Bash, or Azure CLI, all within the same window. This level of flexibility simply isn’t possible with the classic PowerShell console.

    4

    Split panes for side-by-side tasks

    See beyond tabs

    Screenshot of Windows Terminal with two panes open side by side

    Beyond tabs, Windows Terminal also introduces split pane functionality, which the standard PowerShell interface lacks. Split panes allow you to view multiple console instances side by side within the same window.

    This is especially useful for real-time comparisons and monitoring. For example, a developer might run a build process in one pane while tailing a log file in another. Similarly, a system administrator could run PowerShell in one pane and Bash in another to execute commands simultaneously.

    Instead of manually resizing and arranging separate windows, as you would with the classic console, you can split the Terminal screen using a simple keyboard shortcut.

    3

    Multiple profiles

    Windows Terminal is a central hub for all command-line tools

    Windows Terminal running on a Windows PC, showing multiple profiles

    Windows Terminal works like a central hub for all your command-line tools. You can set up different profiles for different shells and launch them easily in the same window. Right out of the box, it supports PowerShell, Command Prompt, and any WSL distributions you have installed. So you can open an Ubuntu Bash session, fire up Azure Cloud Shell, or even connect over SSH in new tabs without ever leaving Windows Terminal.

    The old PowerShell console, on the other hand, is pretty limited. It mostly sticks to just PowerShell or cmd, with no real way to bring in other environments easily. Switching between setups in Windows Terminal is super simple, and you can even give each profile its own color scheme or icon so you can tell them apart at a glance.

    2

    Better customization and theming options

    Take full control over how things look and feel

    No one really asked for themes and customization in command-line tools, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth having. Windows Terminal gives you full control over how things look and feel. You can change the color scheme, pick custom fonts, adjust text size using Ctrl plus scroll, and even set background images or transparent acrylic effects.

    Standard PowerShell is pretty barebones in comparison. You’re stuck with basic colors and a fixed font. Windows Terminal, on the other hand, makes it easy to create or import clean, polished themes. All the settings are stored in a JSON file, so you can tweak things exactly the way you want, and it’s not just about looks. Customization can help with usability, too. For instance, you can assign a specific color profile to admin sessions to avoid mixing them up with your regular ones.

    1

    You get Unicode support and other handy features

    UTF support, Quake mode, and more

    Screenshot of Windows terminal running an elevated command using sudo

    Windows Terminal has strong Unicode and UTF-8 support, which means it is much better at handling international text and special symbols. PowerShell also has Unicode and UTF support, but you may run into problems with encoding issues, such as bugs and limitations with specific characters.

    Windows Terminal handles Unicode by default, so scripts like Chinese or Arabic, mathematical symbols, and emoji display properly without any extra setup. This is especially helpful if you work with non-English data or use cross-platform tools that output Unicode.

    Plus, Windows Terminal introduces several conveniences that the standard PowerShell does not offer. One popular feature is Quake mode. Inspired by the drop-down console in games like Quake, it lets you pull down a terminal window from the top of your screen with a single key press.

    It also includes a command palette that allows you to search and run commands from a simple pop-up, similar to what you find in Visual Studio Code. There is also a focus mode that hides the title bar and tabs for a cleaner, distraction-free workspace.

    Embrace the command-line

    Command-line tools like Command Prompt and PowerShell can help you get more done in less time. For example, these six PowerShell commands are useful for troubleshooting Windows issues, while others can help automate tasks and speed up your workflow.

    Related

    11 PowerShell modules you should try out on your Windows 11 PC

    Take PowerShell’s functionality to the next level with these amazing modules

    Continue Reading

  • USA Field Hockey | USWNT Sweeps Weekend Series with New Zealand

    USA Field Hockey | USWNT Sweeps Weekend Series with New Zealand

    The Black Sticks continued to win penalty corners, with five more in the remainder of the second quarter, but were unable to convert—including when Josie Hollamon made a goal line defensive save. Just before the halftime whistle, Sanne Caarls earned a penalty corner for USA, but the flick from Caroline Ramsey was saved by New Zealand’s goalkeeper.

    New Zealand continued their onslaught of penalty corner chances with no success, faced with a stout USA defensive penalty corner unit with Kelsey Bing at the helm. In the final quarter, the Black Sticks saw an 11th and 12th chance thwarted.

    Continue Reading

  • Nuss and Brasher defend Gstaad title

    With the victory, the two became the sixth women’s team to win consecutive titles in Gstaad, joining compatriots Kerri Walsh-Jennings and Misty May-Treanor, who did it in 2002-2004 and 2006-2006, and Brazil’s Adriana Behar/Shelda Bede (2000-2001), Juliana Felisberta/Larissa França (2010-2011), Talita Antunes/Larissa França (2014-2015) and Eduarda ‘Duda’ Lisboa/Ana Patrícia Ramos (2022-2023).

    It was also their second victory in five Beach Pro Tour events in 2025 – the first was in Brasília, in April. Nuss and Brasher also won bronze in Quintana Roo and silver in Saquarema in the current season.

    Continue Reading

  • Two Opposite Paths, One Goal

    Two Opposite Paths, One Goal


    Published:

    At the Père Jégo Stadium, this Sunday at 8 p.m. (local time), Algeria begin their sixth participation in the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON against Botswana, the emerging nation in continental Women’s Football. For les Vertes it is a much-anticipated return to a tournament they are yet to conquer. For the Mares, it is confirmation that they belong to this level after a notable first appearance in 2022.

    Algeria Faces Old Demons

    Algeria have always had a tough relationship with the WAFCON. Qualifying for the first time in 2004, the team has always blown hot and cold. Since 2006, they have participated in every other edition (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and now 2024).

    This is the first time Algeria have competed in a WAFCON in North Africa. A concern? Not really. “We feel like we are not far from home. It is motivating,” sighs Imane Chebel, a key member of the team. Along with her two teammates, Morgane Belkhiter and Inès Boutaleb, she is part of the trio that took part in the 2018 edition. A tournament where Algeria showed some intent, notably in their 3-2 defeat to Mali after leading even though they were undone by inconsistency.

     

    But since 2014 when they recorded a 1-0 victory against Ghana in the opening fixture, Algeria have not won in the finals (5 consecutive defeats). Their record is significant: 15 matches, only two wins, only once by more than two goals scored. Worse, les Fennecs have never reached the quarterfinals. A milestone they hope to finally reach, after eliminating Uganda (3-2) and then sweeping Burundi (6-1) in qualifying. 

     

    Botswana, small in size, big in will

    The Mares surprised everyone in 2022. In their first-ever participation in the WAFCON, they reached the quarterfinals, where they only narrowly lost to Morocco (2-1). Their strength? A closely-knit team, a rare continuity in African Football. Of the 23 players present in Morocco, 17 were part of the 2022 adventure. Seven of them started all five matches played that year. This loyalty reflects confidence in a long-term project. “We want to prove it was not a fluke. We are coming back to do better,” explained Refilwe Tholakele, a powerful striker and co-top scorer for the Mares in the last edition with two goals.

    A tactical and mental battle

    Algeria will have to contend with an opponent who plays without complexes. More experienced in continental competitions, les Fennecs have a little more experience. But Botswana is a difficult team to maneuver – compact and capable of rapid transitions. If Algeria scores first, they will have to learn to manage their lead – something they failed to do against Mali in 2018.

    Farid Benstiti, the new Algerian coach, has long emphasized “defensive organization and seriousness in weak moments.” Alongside him, Chebel, Belkhiter and Boutaleb will have to guide an ambitious but still inexperienced youthful team at the highest level.

    At the Père Jégo stadium, the atmosphere promises to be subdued, but the intensity on the pitch could be fiery. 


    Continue Reading

  • ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ chomps on big $147-million Fourth of July box office weekend

    ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ chomps on big $147-million Fourth of July box office weekend

    Dinosaurs ruled the box office once again this weekend as “Jurassic World Rebirth” hauled in a strong $147.3 domestically over the five-day Fourth of July period to kick off what industry insiders hope will be an impressive month at movie theaters.

    The holiday total for “Jurassic World” in the U.S. and Canada exceeded industry expectations. Universal Pictures’ “Jurassic World” reboot was expected to gross $120 million to $130 million during its long opening weekend, according to analyst and studio projections.

    The movie unseated Apple’s Brad Pitt racing film “F1 The Movie,” which landed in second place with $26.1 million domestically, bringing its total to $109.5 million in North America, according to distributor Warner Bros.

    “Rebirth’s” 2022 predecessor, “Jurassic World: Dominion,” debuted with $145 million from its first three days of release and went on to collect $1 billion globally. The new movie carries an estimated production budget of $180 million, not counting marketing costs.

    Big-budget creature features have global appeal, as the numbers showed. Opening in 82 countries outside the U.S. and Canada, “Rebirth” grossed $171 million internationally. That included $41.5 million from China, proving that Hollywood movies can still do well in the Middle Kingdom despite the dominance of local production in the populous country.

    The global total for “Rebirth’s” opening was $318.3 million.

    Directed by Gareth Edwards (“The Creator,” “Rogue One”) and starring Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali, “Rebirth” earned unenthusiastic reviews from critics, notching a 52% approval rating on aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.

    The “Jurassic” franchise has seen multiple iterations since Steven Spielberg’s landmark 1993 blockbuster “Jurassic Park,” based on the popular Michael Crichton science fiction novel, wowed audiences with its combination of practical and computer-generated effects that gave the T. Rex and other killer dinos their stunning realism. That film spawned not only sequels but toys, theme park attractions, animated series and video games.

    Although the sequels, starting with Spielberg’s own “The Lost World,” never achieved the acclaim of the original, they continued to mint money for Universal and Spielberg’s production company, Amblin.

    Prior to “Rebirth,” the “Jurassic” movies had grossed a total of roughly $6 billion worldwide, not adjusting for inflation, according to box office website The Numbers. The first “Jurassic Park” grossed $978 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo, which is equal to $1.86 billion in today’s dollars.

    The latest “Jurassic” movie did not get a slot at Imax theaters, since those were taken up by “F1.” Next week, the valuable Imax real estate will be taken up by Warner Bros. and DC Studios’ “Superman.” Films shown on Imax often reap bigger box office numbers, aided in part by the higher ticket prices at those theaters, and because they’re viewed as more of a must-see “event.”

    “Jurassic World” is the first of three big tentpole films arriving this month in theaters. In addition to “Superman,” Walt Disney Co. and Marvel Studios’ “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” opens in a few weeks.

    July has historically been one of the strongest summer months at the box office, putting more pressure on these three films to deliver.

    Despite big box office gains in April and May, June saw a string of underperforming films such as Lionsgate’s “John Wick” spinoff “Ballerina,” Sony Pictures’ “Karate Kid: Legends” and Disney and Pixar’s original animated effort “Elio.”

    Theatrical business in June was 25% lower compared to the pre-pandemic average of June 2017, 2018 and 2019, according to David A. Gross’s FranchiseRe movie industry newsletter. It was also down 5.3% compared to last June, which saw big hits like Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” and Sony’s “Bad Boys: Ride or Die.”

    “We see this ebb and flow,” said Shawn Robbins, founder of the website Box Office Theory. “These next four to five weeks will certainly give us a sense of how to grade the summer overall.”

    Continue Reading

  • Rutto wins uphill and classic mountain race double in Chongli | REPORT

    Rutto wins uphill and classic mountain race double in Chongli | REPORT

    Kenya’s Valentine Jepkoech Rutto achieved a World Mountain Running Association World Cup double in Chongli, China, this weekend (5-6), while Germany’s Lukas Ehrle won the men’s uphill race and Kenya’s Michael Selelo topped the men’s classic race.

    The World Cup made its debut in China on Saturday with a spectacular uphill race held in the scenic mountain resort of Yunding, a venue for the 2022 Winter Olympics. Runners from all over the world faced fresh temperatures, cloudy skies and mud-slicked forest trails, turning the race into an unforgettable battle of strength, strategy and endurance.

    Rutto delivered a commanding performance in the women’s race, taking the lead from the start. She crossed the finish line in 40:59, writing her name in the history books as the first-ever WMRA race winner on Chinese soil.

    Close behind was Great Britain’s Scout Adkin, the 2024 World Cup champion, who kept the pressure on and secured second place in 41:58. Rutto’s compatriot Gloria Chebet completed the podium in 43:05.

    The men’s event saw a spectacular duel between Ehrle and Selelo. The two athletes exchanged the lead multiple times on the steep climbs and slippery turns of the Chongli forest trails and ski slopes, before Ehrle edged Saoli by just one second, taking the win in 35:13.

    Italy’s Andrea Rostan rounded out the podium in 35:37, confirming his strong form this season.

    The action continued on Sunday with a classic 21.9km race featuring 1417m of ascent and matching descent.

    Under brilliant sunshine and already warm temperatures at the 7am start, the athletes tackled an immediate descent before facing a steep climb of 450m. A fast descent to the 7km checkpoint was followed by a sustained ascent back to 2100m for the race’s midpoint. Runners then remained on high ground before a heart-pounding 2km drop into the valley finish.

    In contrast to her wire-to-wire victory on Saturday, Rutto let leaders Adkin and Chebet dictate the pace during the first uphill kilometre. But on the second, longer ascent, Rutto unleashed her trademark strength – surging away and never looking back.

    Rutto’s decisive move midway, combined with her smooth downhill technique, earned her a comfortable win in 1:55:43, while Adkin and Chebet held on for second (2:01:04) and third (2:04:52), respectively.

    Selelo and Ehrle clashed again in this race, surging to the front on the opening incline, with Kenya’s Paul Machoka tagging close behind. By the 10km mark, Selelo had asserted full control, leading Machoka and Ehrle by slim margins. The Italian duo of Rostan and Alberto Vender rounded out the top five in a fierce mid-race battle.

    Selelo’s well-timed push on the final climbs and controlled descent secured him the first classic distance victory in Chongli in 1:38:19, while Machoka and Ehrle lit up the trails with a thrilling tussle for the podium. Machoka clinched second place in 1:39:38, while Ehrle was third in 1:40:17.

    Hector Rubio (WMRA) for World Athletics

    Continue Reading

  • Gachiakuta Anime to Air for Two Consecutive Cours – Crunchyroll

    1. Gachiakuta Anime to Air for Two Consecutive Cours  Crunchyroll
    2. ‘Gachiakuta’: The politics of trash and the rise of the subaltern  The Hindu
    3. Highly Anticipated Shonen Anime Called “The Next Big Thing” in First Reviews  ComicBook.com
    4. ‘Gachiakuta’ Doesn’t Just Redefine Shonen Anime, It Anoints Itself as the Next Big Thing  Gizmodo
    5. Gachiakuta: New anime blockbuster to premiere early in India ahead of global release – here’s all you nee  Times of India

    Continue Reading

  • Monkeypox Virus Disarms the Body’s Immune Alarm

    Monkeypox Virus Disarms the Body’s Immune Alarm

    A new study published in PLOS Pathogens reveals how monkeypox virus (MPXV) and its relatives outsmart the body’s early immune defenses. Infectious disease researchers from Wuhan University and the Wuhan Institute of Virology have discovered that a viral protein called OPG147 plays a key role in helping the virus hide from immune detection during the critical first hours of infection.

    OPG147 is part of the machinery that allows poxviruses to enter cells, but this study shows it has a second job: disarming the host’s immune alarm system. The research sheds new light on how MPXV and related poxviruses—including vaccinia virus (VACV), used in smallpox vaccines—avoid triggering a strong antiviral response. These findings could help scientists develop better treatments and safer, more effective vaccines.

    What Is the MITA/STING Pathway—and Why Does It Matter?

    Our bodies rely on innate immunity to recognize infections before symptoms even begin. One of the key systems in this early defense is the MITA/STING pathway. When a virus infects a cell and releases its DNA, a sensor called cGAS detects the foreign material and produces a molecule that activates MITA (also called STING, for STimulator of INterferon Genes). This sets off a chain reaction that results in the production of interferons and other antiviral proteins that help control the infection.

    In short: MITA/STING is the body’s built-in alarm system for DNA viruses. Without it, the immune system may not respond quickly enough to stop the virus from spreading.

    How the Virus Silences the Alarm

    The study shows that OPG147 from monkeypox virus—and similar proteins in other poxviruses—can directly interfere with MITA/STING. OPG147 doesn’t block the initial detection of the virus. Instead, it quietly sabotages the steps needed for MITA/STING to activate a full immune response:

    • OPG147 blocks a chemical process called ISGylation that helps MITA become fully active.
    • It prevents MITA from forming the structures it needs to send out immune signals.
    • It traps MITA inside the cell’s endoplasmic reticulum, stopping it from moving to the places where it would normally raise the alarm.

    By interfering with these processes, OPG147 allows the virus to establish infection without alerting the immune system right away.

    A Weak Spot in the Virus’s Armor

    To test how important OPG147 is for the virus, researchers created a mutated version of vaccinia virus where OPG147 could no longer interact with MITA. They found that this altered virus:

    • Triggered stronger immune responses in human cells and in mice.
    • Produced lower levels of virus in the body.
    • Caused milder disease and less tissue damage.
    • Did not lose its ability to replicate, meaning the mutation specifically weakens the virus’s ability to evade immunity—not its basic life cycle.

    These results show that OPG147 is a key virulence factor—critical for helping the virus cause disease.

    Why This Matters for Public Health and National Security

    Although mpox is no longer a rare disease, it continues to pose a public health and global security challenge, especially for immunocompromised individuals and in regions with limited access to vaccines and treatments. In addition, orthopoxviruses remain a concern for potential biosecurity threats.

    This research identifies OPG147 as a potential weak point that could be targeted by new antiviral drugs or used to develop safer, more effective vaccines. For public health agencies and global health security planners, this study provides valuable insights into how poxviruses evade immune detection—a crucial piece of knowledge for surveillance, outbreak response, and vaccine development.

    A New Direction for Vaccine and Antiviral Strategies

    What makes OPG147 especially interesting is that it works differently from other known poxvirus immune blockers. While some viral proteins destroy the molecules that signal an immune response, OPG147 directly jams the signaling machinery, making it harder for the immune system to detect the infection in time.

    This strategy shows just how sophisticated viruses can be in evading immune defenses—and it suggests that combining treatments that target multiple viral evasion proteins may offer stronger protection.


    Zhou X, Liu Z, Shi W, et al. The conserved poxvirus membrane entry-fusion apparatus component OPG147 targets MITA/STING for immune evasion. PLOS Pathogens. June 11, 2025.

    Continue Reading

  • Planned space farewell ends in deep-sea tragedy as capsule carrying ashes of 166 crashes into Pacific Ocean – MSN

    1. Planned space farewell ends in deep-sea tragedy as capsule carrying ashes of 166 crashes into Pacific Ocean  MSN
    2. 160 People Wanted to Be Buried in Space. Their Capsule Slammed Into the Ocean Instead.  Popular Mechanics
    3. Planned space farewell ends in deep-sea tragedy as capsule carrying ashes of 166 crashes into Pacific Ocea  The Economic Times
    4. Space Mission Loses Remains of 160 People  Newser
    5. Space Capsule Carrying Ashes of 166 People Crashes Into Sea  The Daily Beast

    Continue Reading

  • ISS astronaut captures a rare phenomenon from orbit — a giant 'sprite' above a thunderstorm – MSN

    1. ISS astronaut captures a rare phenomenon from orbit — a giant ‘sprite’ above a thunderstorm  MSN
    2. Seeing ‘fireworks’ on Earth from space | On the ISS this week June 26 – July 4, 2025  Space
    3. Astronaut Captures Rare Jellyfish-Like Phenomenon Above Thunderstorm Clouds: ‘Wow … I Caught This Sprite’  People.com
    4. ISS Astronauts Look Out Over the US—Can’t Believe What They See  Newsweek
    5. Cosmic fireworks: Astronaut’s vivid photo from ISS unlocks secrets of Earth’s electric skies. Watch here  Business Today

    Continue Reading