BLUE MOON IS TURNING ITS ICONIC ORANGE SLICE INTO A GHOST PEPPER CHALLENGE FOR BEER LOVERS
Blue Moon just launched the Spicy Orange Challenge - a fiery twist on its famous orange garnish.
The limited-edition kit includes a dried orange slice coated in Frank’s RedHot and ghost peppers. The challenge is simple: bite into the super spicy slice and then drink your Blue Moon, trying to use as little beer as possible to kill the heat. A special marked glass helps track how much you end up drinking.
Only 100 kits are available across two online drops, priced at $19.95 each. They include the spicy orange, hot sauce, a custom glass, and a gift card for more beer.
This is one of the spiciest beer promotions out there. Would you try it?
COCA-COLA REVEALS NEW COKE CAN DESIGNS IN MASSIVE GLOBAL BRAND REFRESH
Coca-Cola just unveiled a major global brand refresh with updated can designs that will roll out across more than 200 markets.
The company is keeping its iconic red color and classic script logo but making everything more consistent. The biggest changes are on Coke Zero Sugar cans - they now feature much larger "Zero Sugar" text and a bold black Dynamic Ribbon. Plastic bottles will also get black caps to make them easier to spot.
The goal was simple according to Coke: "Make Coca-Cola more Coca-Cola, everywhere." The new look is already appearing in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. North America will follow later.
A nice visual upgrade that keeps the classic feel while making the lineup clearer.
HUGE DRAGON FROM GAME OF THRONES UNIVERSE SPOTTED FLYING OVER UK CITY
A massive dragon from the Game of Thrones universe was spotted soaring over Glasgow, Scotland, leaving early morning commuters stunned.
The impressive creature is actually a realistic animatronic version of Syrax - Rhaenyra Targaryen’s dragon from House of the Dragon. It was flown over the city as part of a promotion for Season 3 of the show and to celebrate the Commonwealth Games.
The dragon was built using 3D scans from the series, took around 3,000 hours to create, and features 23 moving parts. It’s controlled by a pilot on the ground using impellers for flight.
Videos of the dragon flying over the River Clyde quickly went viral, with many locals wondering what on earth they were seeing at 5:45 AM.
A perfect hype move for House of the Dragon fans.
NOAH KAHAN FANS KEEP USING CONCERT SEATS AS TOILETS DESPITE HIS PLEAS NOT TO
Noah Kahan fans are going viral for the wrong reasons again — some are still peeing and even pooping in their seats during his concerts instead of using the bathrooms.
At his recent New York show, multiple attendees reported people pulling down their pants and urinating in section 125, ruining belongings like purses and leaving a mess for those around them. One fan said her urine-soaked items had to be thrown away.
This isn’t the first time. Kahan previously begged fans on social media: “If you have to poop at a show please dear god just go to the bathroom lmao.”
The incidents are drawing strong backlash online, with many calling the behavior disgusting and feral.
Concerts are getting wild, but this is next level.
PRINGLES TEAMS UP WITH BUFFALO WILD WINGS FOR SAUCE-FLAVORED CHIPS
Pringles is releasing three new flavors inspired by Buffalo Wild Wings’ popular sauces: Parmesan Garlic, Medium Buffalo, and Asian Zing.
Parmesan Garlic brings aged parmesan, roasted garlic, Italian herbs, and a hint of spice. Medium Buffalo delivers classic cayenne heat with tangy sauce and buttery notes. Asian Zing mixes sweet and spicy with chili peppers, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and ginger.
This marks Pringles’ first collaboration with a national restaurant chain in over five years. The chips will start hitting select stores in July and go nationwide in September for $2.69 per can.
Snack fans are in for a wild ride this year.
COSTCO SHOPPERS STILL HAVE TIME TO CLAIM PART OF 14 MILLION DOLLAR LAWSUIT
Costco has agreed to a 14 million dollar settlement in Washington state over claims it sent misleading emails about limited-time sales. The company denied any wrongdoing but is still paying out.
If you’re a Costco customer in Washington state, you could be eligible for a share of the money. You have until August 24 to submit a claim on the official settlement website.
Just fill out the form with your details if you received those promotional emails. The exact payout amount per person hasn’t been confirmed yet, but it will be split among valid claimants.
This only applies to Washington residents. Customers in other states are not eligible.
Act fast if you qualify.
ELON MUSK VOWS TO RELEASE A FULLY AI VERSION OF THE ODYSSEY THIS YEAR
Elon Musk says Grok Imagine will create a full-length AI-generated movie of Homer’s The Odyssey before the end of 2026. He promises it will be historically accurate and true to the original epic.
This comes after the huge success of Christopher Nolan’s live-action The Odyssey, which has been praised for its practical effects and epic storytelling but also faced some criticism over historical details.
Musk has been vocal about Nolan’s version and now wants to offer his own AI take on the classic story.
Whether it actually drops this year remains to be seen, but Musk’s announcement has fans talking. The Odyssey clearly has everyone’s attention right now.
AMERICA’S BEST FRENCH FRIES REVEALED AFTER VOTE BUT THEY’RE NOT EASY TO GET
Del Taco has been named the winner of America’s best fast food French fries in 2026 according to USA Today’s 10Best rankings.
The crinkle-cut fries stood out for their ability to hold salt and stay crispy, especially when loaded with chili, queso, or carne asada. The ranking was decided by a panel of experts and reader votes.
Del Taco took the top spot, followed by Farmer Boys, A&W, McDonald’s, and Shake Shack.
The catch? Del Taco only operates in 18 states, so many people will have to travel if they want to try the champion fries.
Rankings like this change every year, so favorites like In-N-Out and Checkers dropped lower this time around.
Who has the best fries in your opinion?
GOOGLE HIT WITH OVER 1 BILLION DOLLARS IN EU FINES OVER SEARCH AND PLAY STORE PRACTICES
The European Commission has slapped Google with more than 1 billion dollars in fines for breaking the EU’s Digital Markets Act.
Google received two separate penalties: around 523 million dollars for favoring its own services in Search results, and 489 million dollars for restricting app developers from steering users to cheaper options outside the Play Store.
Regulators found that Google gave its own shopping, hotels, transport, and sports results better placement, visuals, and filters compared to competitors. On the Play Store side, the company blocked developers from freely promoting alternative payment methods and charged excessive fees for steering users.
The EU has ordered Google to fix these practices by treating competitors fairly in Search and allowing developers to communicate better with users. Google has already started testing some changes.
The company now has 60 days to comply or appeal, or it could face additional daily penalties. This is the latest big regulatory blow to Google in Europe.
PASSENGERS FORCE PLANE TO TURN AROUND AFTER MASS BRAWL BREAKS OUT MID-FLIGHT
An easyJet flight from Tenerife to Liverpool was forced to turn back after a massive brawl involving around ten passengers erupted on board.
The plane, flight EZY3352, departed Tenerife South Airport on July 21 but returned just 30 minutes later due to safety concerns. Spanish air traffic control said the captain made the decision because the fight posed a serious danger to the flight.
When the aircraft landed back in Tenerife, police removed eight British passengers — two adults and six minors. According to authorities, the dispute started between two families in the airport terminal before boarding and continued on the plane.
No arrests were made, but the passengers were identified. easyJet confirmed the flight returned due to disruptive behavior and emphasized that passenger and crew safety is their top priority.
The flight eventually continued to Liverpool, landing nearly two hours late.
This is yet another reminder of how quickly things can escalate at 30,000 feet.
JOSE CUERVO IS GIVING AWAY FREE MARGARITAS ALL SUMMER
Jose Cuervo is making Summer Fridays way better by giving away free margaritas. The tequila brand launched its Summer Fridays campaign running through Labor Day to help workers ditch late afternoon meetings and start the weekend early.
Here's how to get yours: Head to Cuervo’s Summer Fridays HQ online and submit a receipt for one Cuervo cocktail or pour to get reimbursed up to $10 while supplies last.
You can also enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win $1,500 for your perfect Summer Friday. Plus, up to 300 more winners will get $25 toward their next margarita.
The site is full of fun stuff like mock doctor’s notes from “Dr. Marg A. Rita,” out-of-office templates, margarita recipes, and other tools to help you log off early.
The promotion runs through Labor Day. Time to swap meetings for margaritas.
APPLE MAY LOCK YOUR FINANCED IPHONE IF YOU MISS PAYMENTS IN iOS 27
Apple is preparing a tough new feature for customers who buy iPhones on financing or leasing plans. Code found in the iOS 27 beta reveals that the company could restrict your device if you fall behind on payments.
This comes right after reports that Apple plans to launch its new “Apple Upgrade” leasing program in the US with Klarna, allowing monthly payments for iPhones, Macs, iPads, and Watches.
What “Restricted Mode” Means
Instead of a full lock, the iPhone would enter a “Restricted Mode.” Most apps would become unavailable, but you’d still have access to essentials like:
- Phone
- Messages
- Clock
- Settings
- App Store
- Wallet
- Health
- and a few others
Critical alert apps (safety, medication, etc.) may also stay usable. Subscriptions in the App Store would continue charging even if the apps themselves are blocked.
Who Controls the Lock?
The financing provider decides when to trigger restrictions based on their own rules — not Apple automatically after a set number of missed payments.
Apple is also adding a new “Partner Finance Lock” that prevents erasing, restoring, or reselling the device while the financing agreement is active. It ties into Find My but won’t share your location with the lender.
The feature is still in beta and could change or be removed before the final iOS 27 release. Apple hasn’t officially confirmed it yet.
This could make financed iPhones much riskier if your payments slip — turning your expensive phone into a very limited device. Stay tuned for updates.
**Russian plumbing company hosts “Game of Thrones” contest involving toilet drinking and sitting**
A Russian plumbing brand staged a promotional contest in which participants drank from toilets and sat on them for hours in an attempt to win a cash prize.
The event, organized by EvaGold at a Domix store in Stavropol, was titled “Game of Thrones.” The winner stood to receive 100,000 rubles (approximately $1,276).
In the first round, contestants competed to finish a non-alcoholic sparkling drink placed inside brand-new toilet bowls, using large straws. Participants were divided into groups of seven, with the fastest drinker from each group advancing.
The seven finalists then had to remain seated on closed toilet seats for as long as possible. After ten hours, only two people had withdrawn, leaving five still competing.
Organizers maintained that the challenge was hygienic, stating the drinks were poured into separate cups with straws before being placed inside clean, unused toilets. Videos of the contest nevertheless drew widespread criticism online, with many viewers describing it as degrading. Some local residents also accused the company of harming the city’s image.
It is unclear who ultimately claimed the prize. The stunt succeeded in generating attention for the brand, though much of the reaction was negative.
**Twitch introduces parental controls to block teens from streaming and private messaging**
Twitch has launched optional parental controls that allow guardians to prevent teenage users from going live or sending private messages, known as Whispers.
The tools are available for accounts belonging to users aged 13 to 17. Teens must invite a parent or guardian to link the accounts. Either party can unlink them at any time, so the restrictions cannot be permanently locked by a parent. Accounts automatically disconnect once the user turns 18.
Through a new Family Center dashboard, parents can:
- Prevent the teen from streaming
- Disable Whispers (private messages)
- Set daily time limits that apply across devices
- Restrict visibility of content labeled Gambling, Mature-Rated Games, or Sexual Themes
- Control which streams appear in searches and recommendations
Parents also receive a weekly email summarizing the teen’s activity, including channels watched and total hours spent on the platform.
Twitch said the controls are optional for now and that additional features may be added later.
The ability to disable Whispers is notable given the feature’s role in one of the platform’s most significant controversies. Guy Beahm, known as Dr Disrespect, was permanently banned from Twitch in 2020. He later confirmed the ban stemmed from inappropriate Whispers exchanged with a minor in 2017.
**Lost Game Freak documentary reveals more than 100 scrapped Diamond and Pearl Pokémon designs**
A private Game Freak documentary chronicling the development of *Pokémon Diamond and Pearl* has been released online, uncovering more than 100 early and abandoned Pokémon designs that had remained unseen for nearly two decades.
The internal film, titled *Pokémon Diamond and Pearl: Behind the Scenes DVD MAKE ALL*, follows the games’ two-year development period beginning in January 2004. It was produced for Game Freak staff and documents the creation of Sinnoh’s mythology as well as the challenges of building the series’ first 3D environments.
For years the only public reference to the documentary was a 2007 blog post by director Junichi Masuda, who noted that employees watched it together during a Pokémon Day event. A copy briefly appeared on the Japanese marketplace Mercari in February 2026 and sold for ¥82,000 (approximately $500). Collector Neos later obtained another copy, enabling archivists led by Pokémon historian Lewtwo to preserve and release the material on July 22.
One section of the footage shows dozens of design sheets scattered across the floor of Game Freak’s offices. Because the video is low-resolution and many drawings are partially covered, researchers performed a frame-by-frame analysis, combining shots and adjusting contrast to reconstruct the designs.
Some sheets show early versions of Pokémon that made it into the final games. Turtwig began as a Grass-type armadillo, Infernape was originally a heavy-set baboon with a flaming tail, Piplup once wore a crown and full parka, and an early Purugly more closely resembled Glameow while keeping the coiled tail that later became its collar.
Other concepts were abandoned entirely. The documentary includes a planned Lapras pre-evolution, a Delibird evolution, a Stantler pre-evolution, a possible third evolution for Swellow, and apparent baby forms shared by Plusle and Minun. Completely original ideas include a two-stage sandcastle family, a saber-toothed jackal with icicle fangs, a constantly sleeping bear named Yasuraguma, and a rocky Pokémon resembling a train. Some of these designs later found echoes in later generations, including Sandygast and Chien-Pao.
The DVD also contains early gameplay footage, development clips, original Japanese commercials, and material documenting the creation of the Underground and online features. A full English translation of the documentary is planned.
**Linus Tech Tips calls Valve’s Steam Machine the best desktop PC he’s ever used**
After weeks of daily use, Linus Sebastian of Linus Tech Tips has described Valve’s Steam Machine as the best desktop PC he has ever used, praising its hardware design and SteamOS experience over pure gaming performance.
In a recent video, Sebastian said the compact system delivers a polished desktop environment that feels closer to a Mac Mini than a traditional Windows PC. “Maybe the best desktop PC that I’ve ever used,” he said. “The thoughtful hardware design and the seamless integration with Valve’s Steam OS makes this the closest thing that I have ever experienced to a PC Mac Mini.”
He noted that the device has shifted his view of Linux. “It’s made me go from, ‘Well, I’d like to like Linux,’ to ‘I don’t know how I can go back to Windows.’”
Sebastian highlighted SteamOS’s clean interface, simple settings, window management, application installation, and overall responsiveness. He credited Valve’s integration of technologies such as Arch Linux, KDE Plasma, and Flatpak for creating a cohesive experience.
Despite the praise, he pointed out several limitations. The lack of USB4 and DisplayPort over USB-C restricts compatibility with modern docking stations and accessories. He also questioned the inclusion of only a standard gigabit Ethernet port rather than 2.5Gb networking. Software issues included problems transferring large files from an iPhone, missing network file previews, and difficulties with Google Drive in Chrome. He also noted the absence of proper middle-mouse auto-scrolling, a feature he relies on daily.
Sebastian acknowledged that SteamOS’s immutable design can frustrate advanced users who want to install unsupported software, but said it also protects less experienced users from breaking their systems. He argued the overall experience feels more user-focused than Windows, with fewer prompts, advertisements, and interruptions.
He asked Valve to add an official option to boot directly into desktop mode without a terminal command. Earlier reviews had criticized the Steam Machine’s price and gaming performance relative to the PlayStation 5, but after extended desktop use, Sebastian now views its primary strength as the polished SteamOS experience rather than gaming.
**Brazilian influencer Miss Tattoo and boyfriend found shot dead on rural roadside**
Brazilian goth influencer Ulissias Marcelli, known online as Miss Tattoo, and her boyfriend Vinícius Souza de Carvalho have been found shot dead on a rural road in Bahia.
The bodies of Marcelli, 30, and Carvalho, 28, were discovered by a farm worker in the Vera Cruz district of Porto Seguro on July 18. Police believe the pair were killed the previous day. Both had suffered fatal gunshot wounds. Investigators recovered seven spent bullet casings at the scene. Marcelli’s phone was seized for analysis; Carvalho’s phone was missing.
Authorities are examining whether the killings were linked to an alleged debt connected to drug trafficking or narcotics sales involving a local criminal organization. No motive has been officially confirmed, and no arrests have been announced.
Marcelli had nearly 20,000 Instagram followers and shared content related to her goth style, tattoos, motorcycles, and work as a fire performer. She described herself as a four-time Miss Tattoo winner and was active in Porto Seguro’s alternative music scene. She had recently been announced as a presenter for the Rock Gaya Festival, scheduled for July 25.
Festival organizers issued a tribute, writing: “On Thursday, we joyfully shared that Ulissias would be part of the Rock Gaya Festival as one of our presenters. Today, with profound sadness, we say goodbye to her presence among us.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
**Bryan Johnson says he created a “newborn” cellular clone for anti-aging research**
Anti-aging influencer Bryan Johnson has announced that scientists used cells from his blood to create what he describes as a “clone” of himself in a petri dish, intended for future body repair and organ development.
Johnson, known for extreme longevity experiments that include plasma transfusions from his son and a regimen of more than 80 daily pills, shared the development on X. He said the lab-grown cells could eventually allow him to test therapies on his own genetic material, grow replacement tissue or organs, and inject younger cells into his body.
“I just cloned myself… as a newborn,” Johnson wrote. “With this clone, I can: become my own blood boy, test therapies on the clone, grow organs for transplantation, develop new treatments, inject young cells. This baby-Bryan lives in a petri dish for now.”
He noted that the cells are not a full human embryo or cloned person but a cellular model derived from his own DNA. Because the material matches his genetic profile, he believes any future transplants or therapies would face lower rejection risks than donor organs.
Johnson argued the approach reflects an emerging direction in regenerative medicine. “This may be scary to some people… a dystopian future. But, for others, they will see it as the inevitable future of health,” he said. “Clinical trials are already using this technology to restore dopamine neurons for Parkinson’s, heart health and eyesight.”
The announcement follows Johnson’s recent disclosure of a chronic illness, which he has said is accelerating his search for new ways to repair and strengthen the body.
**All weapon buffs and nerfs in Black Ops 7 and Warzone Season 5**
Season 5 of *Black Ops 7* and *Warzone* has arrived with a substantial round of weapon balancing updates designed to reshape the current meta.
The update also adds new maps, the FG42 assault rifle, and the Drone Labs point of interest in Verdansk. Below is a breakdown of the major weapon adjustments.
### Black Ops 7 changes
**Assault Rifles**
- **AN-94**: Maximum damage reduced from 30 to 24. Maximum damage range extended from 24.1m to 36.8m. Medium damage range removed.
- **DS20 Mirage**: Maximum damage increased from 27 to 28. Dual Fire Kit now improves movement speed and sprint-to-fire time rather than reducing them. Fire modes now share ammunition.
**SMGs**
- **Carbon 57**: Fabricator Mag now has a one-second delay before refilling ammo.
- **Ryden 45K**: Fixed iron sights misalignment issue in ADS.
**Marksman Rifles**
- **Swordfish A1**: Burst fire delay increased from 280ms to 300ms. MFS Penta Burst Mod recoil increased and its delay reduction lowered from 20% to 10%.
- **M8A1**: New neck multiplier of 1.15x added. 16.5" Deadeye Barrel neck multiplier raised to 1.5x.
**Other**
- **A.R.C. M1**: Can now use the Assault Frame via the Flyswatter Wildcard.
- **Executioner’s Duet**: Fixed slower-than-intended melee attack speed.
- **CODA 9**: Fixed unintended damage falloff with the MFS Deltacell Bulk Mag.
### Warzone changes
**Assault Rifles**
- **AK-27**: Across-the-board damage and range reductions, plus lower bullet velocity.
- **AN-94**: Minimum damage increased to 32, headshot multiplier raised to 1.3x, faster ADS, and reduced recoil.
- **M15 MOD 0**: Damage and range increases across all ranges, plus higher bullet velocity.
- **MXR-17** and **X9 Maverick**: Significant damage, range, ADS, and velocity nerfs.
**SMGs**
- **Carbon 57** and **Dravec 45**: Damage and range reductions.
- **Sturmwolf 45**: Damage increases and faster ADS.
- **Rev-46**: Higher headshot multiplier and improved ADS speed.
- **VST**: Extended medium and minimum damage ranges.
**Marksman Rifles**
- **Swordfish A1**: Same burst delay and recoil nerfs as in multiplayer.
### Black Ops Royale pool updates
Several ground loot, exotic, gulag, and default loadout weapons have been swapped. Notable replacements include the FG42 and Gremlin entering the ground loot pool, along with adjustments to default Enforcer and Infiltrator loadouts.
These changes take effect with the Season 5 launch and are expected to shift popular loadouts in both multiplayer and battle royale.