The move will force operators to find other suppliers or settle for models with lesser capabilities.

Capcom sat at the height of its creative run in 1996. Street Fighter Alpha 2 was packing arcades. Mega Man 8 and Mega Man X4 were preparing for home consoles. Breath of Fire III was taking shape as a major role-playing release. Star Gladiator was about to become the company’s first true 3D fighting game.

Resident Evil had already begun rewriting what horror could do on the PlayStation. In the middle of that surge, the company mailed a short VHS tape to members of its Japanese fan club. The tape offered something almost no one outside the company ever saw: a walk through the actual development floors where those games were being made.

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The tour begins with a warm welcome as members of the Capcom Friendly Club receive their membership cards, notebooks, and a bagpack full of extras, as well as a fan book or movie like this one every two months. The host explains the club, claiming its major goal is to keep gamers close to the individuals who create the games. The camera then takes us into the research and development building, which the voiceover refers to as Capcom’s heart.

Things begin with planning, as the producers have the final say on each project, providing precise guidelines that guide all that follows. Staff are seated at tables packed high with documents and sketches. To the outside spectator, it appears to be business as usual: people speaking, pointing to papers, and making decisions that will determine whether a game simply feels good or utterly comes apart. The narrator portrays this as difficult and time-consuming, but those engaged make it sound like it’s just part of the process of transforming a concept into something tangible.

Next, we get to the artists, where character animators work with stacks of drawings, stitching together loads of separate frames to create a fluid jump or walk from a fighter or robot on screen. Meanwhile, the background designers are busily filling out papers with small details. Even the simplest elements attract attention. There’s a time when we see the artists focusing on the small items that help to make the game environment feel full. There are pencils, rulers, and reference photos all over the workstations.

Promotional illustrations have their own section, and artists are redrawing original character art for use on posters and periodicals. Many players will encounter a Capcom character for the first time thru one of these images rather than by playing the game. The staff claims to go all out on each item so that the completed product feels as good as the game. Old-school drawing equipment are scattered across the tables, and the room is quiet, with everyone concentrating on their work.

Sound work follows, in which composers are busy producing 100 pieces of music for a single title before cutting it down to the top fifty or so. They relate it to bringing extra water for a long journey. The tape includes a sample of the sharp, rising music for a well-known Street Fighter special move. Engineers sit at mixing equipment that appears to be out of date by today’s standards, with headphones connected to their desks. There are also the customary keyboards and ancient digital gear filling up the area, but it’s clear what they want: the sound should immerse the user in the experience.

The next room over is where the programmers, or “software men,” do their job. Their goal is to get all of the animation, backgrounds, and music to work without crashing, and the screens are just one giant puzzle with lines of code that most people don’t understand. The problem is that one incorrect entry can bring the entire game to its knees. The camera shows them typing steadily, verifying the findings, and then moving on. It’s a job well done, but virtually unnoticed once the finished product reaches players.

from the ╭∩╮(-•̀_•́-)╭∩╮ dept

As expected, this didn’t take very long. Earlier this week we pointed out that Donald Trump supplanted RFK Jr. as the world’s most infamous anti-vaxxer when he vomited out a bonkers executive order that reduced the recommended childhood vaccination schedule for American children, pared down which diseases were recommended for vaccination, and demanded that the MMR vaccine be split into three separate shots on a spaced out timeline. Combined with Trump outright lying in the ceremony about how the MMR shot was the size of a soda bottle and was “lethal”, the waters around inoculating children against truly horrifying diseases became much more muddy.

The consequences for this will be the result of the actions of two different groups of people. The first are American parents. Because an EO is nothing like a federal mandate, parents will have the greatest influence on what shots their children receive, which is exactly how it should be. What shouldn’t be, however, is having an American population in which 30% proudly wear shirts and hats that say “Trump is right about everything!” and act upon that statement. Which means some not-insignificant percentage of American parents will take Trump’s EO and justifications as gospel and will refuse to get some of these shots for their children. That will endanger their own children, of course, but it will also endanger all the rest of us, too. Less vaccinations mean those that have health conditions so they can’t get vaccinated are put at risk as herd immunity disappears, while the rest of us get to sit around and wonder if the increased presence of these diseases will allow for them to evolve beyond our current immunity protections.

The other group are medical professionals themselves. Fortunately, that group at least is already giving a giant middle finger to Trump and his toilet-paper EO. Here’s a local example from Florida.

Pediatricians in Florida are pushing back on President Donald Trump’s executive order calling for changes to the childhood vaccination schedule.

And the state’s leading pediatric medical association, the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said they’re not on board.

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“We don’t answer to this nonsense, we don’t recommend changing it,” said Dr. Rana Alissa, president of the FCAAP and an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Florida. “We go by evidence-based science, we don’t go by politics and politicians.”

This is helpful, but it won’t be enough. Still, it is a good thing that the actual medical professionals out there are informing their patients that Trump and Kennedy are medical morons and that they shouldn’t listen to them. Those doctors are going to have some heavy lifting on their hands, specifically because Trump decided to make it harder for those doctors to keep their patients healthy.

In a statement, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics Dr. Andrew Racine called the executive order “dangerous.”

The order “will do nothing to support families of children with autism or advance understanding of the condition,” Racine said in a released statement. “The only purpose of this announcement is to sow confusion so that more people doubt the importance of vaccines. Delaying or skipping shots is risky, especially as measles continues to spread and children go back to school.”

This is where I think it’s worth reminding you all that the case count of measles for 2026 is already at least 2,465, compared with last year’s total of 2,289. And I’ll add on to that the fact that 68% of those cases occurred in children 19 years or younger and 93% of all cases occur in those that are unvaccinated or in which a vaccination status cannot be confirmed.

In other words, the very group of people that are currently being the most harmed by measles are in the crosshairs of this executive order for things to get much, much worse for them. And, and I cannot stress this all, for the rest of us as well.

Filed Under: anti-vaxxers, autism, donald trump, executive order, measles, mmr vaccine, rfk jr., vaccines

An Akira ransomware affiliate disabled the endpoint detection and response (EDR) solution on a compromised system by restarting the machine into Safe Mode with Networking.

The attack occurred on August 4 after the hacker obtained initial access through an exposed SonicWall VPN device without multi-factor authentication (MFA).

Managed detection and response (MDR) services company Huntress says that roughly two hours after a successful VPN login, the attacker connected to the domain controller via RDP, enumerated Active Directory users and computers, and then moved to an application server.

They used WinRAR to archive mapped file shares and the s5cmd command-line tool to upload the stolen data to an attacker-controlled S3 bucket, before installing AnyDesk for remote access.

At that stage, the attacker used AnyDesk to force the compromised host to boot into Safe Mode with Networking and disable both the Huntress agent and Microsoft Defender’s real-time protection.

Safe Mode is a Windows startup state designed for troubleshooting and diagnostic operations. It starts Windows with a limited set of drivers and services, generally preventing most third-party software and services from loading.

For 10 minutes while in Safe Mode, “the host had no working EDR, and AV was blinded,” Huntress says.

Meanwhile, the attackers added AnyDesk to Windows’ Safe Mode registry, allowing it to start after reboot and retain their remote access to the breached machine.

However, when they attempted to launch the main ransomware payload (akira.exe) via AnyDesk in Safe Mode, it failed to execute as the system reported low virtual memory and generated out-of-memory and PowerShell errors.

A scheduled Defender scan eventually detected the Akira executable, even if real-time protection was disabled in Safe Mode, but the security tool could not remove it while the machine remained in that mode.

Defender quarantined the file only after the attacker rebooted the system into normal mode, which restored real-time protection.

Despite the failure to encrypt files, the Akira operator still managed to steal credentials and files for data extortion, all in less than five hours from initial access.

Huntress notes that other ransomware families, such as Snatch and AvosLocker, have used this tactic for years, but this incident marks the first time the company observed it in an Akira attack.

The researchers recommend adding MFA to all VPN accounts, placing credential-spraying detection measures, and monitoring for Safe Mode boot configuration changes or remote-access tools being added to the Safe Mode service registry.

Overall prevention scores can hide what happens after initial access. Once attackers are using valid credentials, prevention drops sharply.

The Blue Report 2026 measures defenses technique by technique across 338 million simulations run in customer production environments.

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Fervour for a massive valuation comes as a result of Anthropic’s rapidly growing revenue, sources told the FT.

Investors expect Anthropic to be valued at $2trn or more in its October initial public offering, potentially doubling initial targets of $1trn and dwarfing SpaceX as the largest public listing in history.

Several of the company’s investors told the Financial Times (FT) that the fervour for a massive valuation comes as a result of Anthropic’s rapidly growing revenue, which reportedly hit nearly $11bn in the second quarter of this year – more than double the $4.8bn of the first quarter.

The AI giant, which filed to go public in June, is yet to fix on a valuation, the FT reported.

The company’s backers expect the five-year-old AI giant to reach an annualised revenue of between $100bn and $120bn this year.

Anthropic’s Claude AI products are repeat headline-makers as it competes for leadership in the space with its biggest rival OpenAI – which also hopes to go public – and the more recent crop of Chinese-made models taking the industry by storm with their cheaper alternatives.

Confident backers – including venture capitalists, other industry giants and institutional investors – have poured nearly $100bn into Anthropic just this year, fuelling the business as it looks to build its own AI chips to keep up with surging demand.

Last month, AMD pledged $5bn to Anthropic in a deal that also allows the AI giant access to 2GW of AMD’s latest-generation chips. In April, Amazon announced plans to pour up to $25bn into Anthropic, which in turn pledged to spend around $100bn over the next 10 years on the e-commerce juggernaut’s cloud technologies.

While Anthropic does not share details of how many use Claude, Statista placed it at around 245m monthly users as of June this year. Comparatively, OpenAI’s ChatGPT reached 1bn users in May.

Despite this, Anthropic trumped OpenAI’s valuation earlier this year, owing to its growing share of the more lucrative enterprise sector, where it has been capturing a higher volume of first-time users.

Earlier this year, the US government temporarily banned Anthropic from exporting two of its highly capable cybersecurity models over security concerns.

While that ban was eventually lifted after a little more than two weeks, sources told the FT that Anthropic’s June revenue suffered as a result. The company, however, rebounded at an “extraordinary rate” once the ban was lifted, they said.

Anthropic is separately embroiled in an ongoing legal battle with the US government over the banning of its products for official use.

Don’t miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic’s digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.

You’re not alone if you just received an “Apple Threat Notification” saying it detected a “mercenary spyware attack targeted at your iPhone.”

Some users on Reddit are reporting that they received these alerts today after Apple sent out a new batch of threat notifications on August 13, but the feature itself is not new.

Apple has been sending these threat notifications multiple times a year since 2021, when it detects highly targeted mercenary spyware attacks.

It’s also worth pointing out that Apple does not identify the spyware behind individual alerts, so there’s no evidence that today’s notifications are specifically related to Pegasus.

However, Apple itself cites NSO Group’s Pegasus as an example of mercenary spyware historically associated with this type of attack, and forensic investigations into previous Apple threat notifications have confirmed Pegasus infections in some cases.

In a support document, Apple previously confirmed it sends threat notifications to users in more than 150 countries after detecting highly targeted mercenary spyware attacks against specific iPhone users.

The list of potential targets includes journalists, activists, politicians, and diplomats, who have historically been among those targeted by this type of spyware.

These attacks are expensive, highly sophisticated, and typically aimed at a very small number of people.

“Mercenary spyware attacks cost millions of dollars and often have a short shelf life, making them much harder to detect and prevent,” Apple explained.

“The vast majority of users will never be targeted by such attacks.”

The company does not attribute individual alerts to a specific government, company, or geographical region.

Apple says threat notifications should be taken seriously

Apple relies on its own threat intelligence and investigations to identify suspected mercenary spyware activity, which means these notifications are “high-confidence alerts” and not just a regular warning.

“Although our investigations can never achieve absolute certainty, Apple threat notifications are high-confidence alerts that a user has been individually targeted by a mercenary spyware attack, and should be taken very seriously,” Apple noted.

“We are unable to provide information about what causes us to issue threat notifications, as that may help mercenary spyware attackers adapt their behavior to evade detection in the future.”

If Apple detects this activity, it sends an email and iMessage notification to the email addresses and phone numbers associated with the user’s Apple Account. 

The emails are usually from threat-notifications@email.apple.com, and Apple also warns users about fake versions of these alerts.

You can verify whether a threat notification is genuine because Apple will not ask you to click a link, open a file, install an app or profile, or provide an Apple Account password or verification code.

You can also check the alert by signing in directly to account.apple.com. If Apple sent you a threat notification, it will appear at the top of the page after you’re logged in.

If you believe you’ve been affected, you should enable Lockdown Mode and reach out to a cybersecurity expert.

Apple recommends taking these alerts seriously because receiving one means it has high confidence that the user was individually targeted.

BleepingComputer has contacted Apple for a statement on the Threat Notifications, but we have not received a response at the time of publication.

Overall prevention scores can hide what happens after initial access. Once attackers are using valid credentials, prevention drops sharply.

The Blue Report 2026 measures defenses technique by technique across 338 million simulations run in customer production environments.

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The fintech space is moving along at an alarming pace, and these skills for staying informed and capable should be kept in mind.

In the rapidly evolving STEM space, it can sometimes feel as though the moment you have mastered a new skill or overcome an obstacle, a larger, more pressing challenge takes its place. It can be extraordinarily difficult to stay up to date on industry changes, but for ambitious jobseekers and professionals, falling behind is not an option.

The fintech space is no different. Modernisation, particularly in the area of digital assets and financial infrastructure, has resulted in an ecosystem where the vast majority of the work has moved online and the skills needed to stay informed have become increasingly complex.  

But that doesn’t mean that it is impossible to do so – in fact, now more than ever there are a myriad of fun, innovative and convenient ways to upskill, without breaking the bank. 

With that in mind, as part of SiliconRepublic.com’s August fintech and financial infrastructure coverage, here are some of the skills that you should definitely keep on your radar if you envision a long and successful career in this space. 

Keep it real

To start off, it is critical that in an evolved, automated and complex environment, where often you are dealing with deeply sensitive information, you have an arsenal of interpersonal skills. Many professionals or jobseekers in finance might assume that to get ahead, all you need are the technical skills and a decent understanding of the lingo. 

While this is an equally important component of a fintech or finance-based career, professionals looking for a robust skillset should ensure that they have strong communication skills, that they can address challenges and concerns with empathy, that they engage with private information ethically and that they can adapt to a rapidly changing sector. 

This adaptability will be evident in how you engage with new policies, tools, techniques and shifts in workplace expectations. Remember, your education, experience and qualifications are often what gets you the interview, but it is the soft skills and your attitude that indicate whether you are a good fit, not just for the industry but also the company or institution you are applying for, which will have its own set of values. 

Keep it relevant

Financial literacy is the bedrock of an education or career in fintech and financial infrastructure, as it enables the student or professional to understand core concepts and make informed decisions. Financial literacy gives those who possess it an evergreen, foundational knowledge of key topics such as budgeting, investing and borrowing, and it allows individuals to better understand an evolving marketplace. 

Online courses teaching financial literacy are an ideal resource, as are books, videos and essays covering the subject. Fintech applications and community organisations can also give professionals or students a learning outlet that feels more ‘real’, in comparison to a book or course, as activity occurs in-person or in real-time. While the industry is always changing, many of the core concepts stay the same, so don’t get distracted by the shiny new tools to the point that you forget the basics. 

Keep it skilful 

Since the evolution of coding towards a landscape where ‘vibe-coding’ and AI-powered programming do much of the work, some might consider traditional coding skills less important now. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. As more and more roles become cross-collaborative and skill expectations evolve, coding capabilities give finance professionals an edge in an ecosystem that thrives on niche or under-represented skills.

Languages such as Python, Java and JavaScript are often used in the development of fintech platforms. Having the know-how to build an app and then deploy, maintain and use it has the potential to create an invaluable employee who is useful across multiple areas of an organisation. And it looks great on a CV or in a job interview, as it shows you are not confined by the typical skills expectations of a role. 

Keep it standing 

What is the point in having people skills, foundational skills or coding skills geared towards a fintech or finance-based career if your knowledge of the sector’s infrastructure is inherently weak?

Students and professionals eager to develop a strong career in this space should ensure that they have a strong understanding of the industry’s infrastructure. That includes, but isn’t limited to, banking systems (traditional and neo-banks), payment platforms, and the risk and compliance organisations that govern it all. Areas to prioritise include financial analysis, finance modelling skills, increased awareness of regulatory and political factors, and complex project management, among others.  

All in all, as long as you can say you are continuously learning and can show that you aren’t allowing your skills to atrophy, a good employer, who is serious about ensuring a candidate is a good fit, will reconsider the potential you bring. 

Don’t miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic’s digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.

Tim Cook will step down as Apple CEO on September 1, and he has shared that others will define his legacy, but he’d like to be viewed as a “good and decent man.”

John Ternus will be Apple’s CEO starting on September 1 and Tim Cook will become the Executive Chairman. Cook’s legacy will be defined and litigated for decades to come, but he won’t be entering the conversation himself.

According to an interview on CNBC, Cook doesn’t want to try to define his own legacy. He says that others will define his legacy for him, but that he hopes that he will be seen as a “good and decent man.”

The clip is short, but here it is:

Cook will still be around to handle matters as a special government liaison for Apple. While he won’t be appearing in keynotes, he will likely be seen at select press events for some time to come.

While there will always be some debate around Cook and his time as CEO, but his record is clear. As was shared with his last earnings call, the company earned $109 billion for the quarter, which surpassed what the company earned in the entire first year Cook was CEO.

Strands is the NYT’s latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it’s great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc’s Wordle today page for the original viral word game.