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Power

Google announces first nuclear site to power its data centers

by admin August 18, 2025

Big Tech’s foray into nuclear power continues as Google announced the site of its first nuclear reactor today, as part of its 2024 deal with startup Kairos Power. Oak Ridge, Tennessee, will be home to the Hermes 2 plant, which will supply Google with 50 megawatts of power under a long-term purchase agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).

The Oak Ridge plant is the first in a 500-megawatt deal that comprises multiple small modular reactors (SMRs) to provide power for Google’s data centers in Montgomery County, Tennessee, and Jackson County, Alabama. The Hermes 2 is scheduled to begin operations in 2030.

In a statement, TVA CEO Don Moul said, “Nuclear is the bedrock of the future of energy security. Google stepping in and helping shoulder the burden of the cost and risk for first-of-a-kind nuclear projects not only helps Google get to those solutions, but it keeps us from having to burden our customers with development of that technology.”

Google’s deal with Kairos Power is expected to reach its full 500 MW potential by 2035 and was the first-ever corporate deal to buy nuclear power from SMRs. The financial specifics of the deal have not been released.

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August 18, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Why the skibidi are you adding skibidi to the Cambridge Dictionary? We think it has “staying power”, answer word boffins

by admin August 18, 2025

Skibidi. Dop, dop, dop. Yes, yes. Skibidi. Double u. Neem, neem. This is the clarion call of the modern age, the infernal message brought unto our virgin ears by the Skibidi Toilets. No, wait, keep reading! It’ll be worth it. Probably. After all, the word skibidi has now been added to the Cambridge Dictionary, and this is a reality we’ve all got to reckon with.

Skibidi Toilet, in case you’ve been living somewhere free from the influence of vertically-framed surrealism, is a long-running series of 3D animations by YouTuber Alexey ‘DaFuq!?Boom!’ Gerasimov. It generally conveys the tale of a great war between a legion of heads protruding from loos and an army of folks with cameras for heads, with help from Half-Life 2 assets and inspiration from the annals of Garry’s Mod machinima. Any 12 year olds you know probably can’t get enough of it. Or think it’s lame because they’ve already moved on to the next thing.

Anyway, as if Michael Bay spearheading efforts to make a Skibidi Toilet movie wasn’t enough reason for you to be aware of this lavatory entertainment, the folks behind the Cambridge Dictionary are adding it to their great tome of words this year. I should stress here that it’s one of thousands of words being added to the annals. The others include the likes of tradwife, delulu, broligarchy, and mouse jiggler.

“It’s not every day you get to see words like ‘skibidi’ and ‘delulu’ make their way into the Cambridge Dictionary. We only add words where we think they’ll have staying power,” said the tradebook of terminology’s lexical programme manager, Colin McIntosh.

So, the bookish boffins clearly think the skibidi era’s more than a passing fad. I for one look forward to historians in centuries’ time blowing the dust off of tomes so they can scan through firsthand accounts of the skibidi era. Weathered folks in fields gasping in awe as their trowels unearth plastic designed to resemble part of G-Toilet’s unholy ceramic bowl. I mean, to be fair, they’re also definitely going to discover people posed like this with the likes of Stellar Blade burned into their screens. We can only pray that we’re not brought back as Futurama-style heads-in-jars to explain any of this.

At the very least, this cultural event that’s just about linked to video games has at least finally taught me what skibidi means. “A word that can have different meanings such as ‘cool’ or ‘bad’, or can be used with no real meaning as a joke”, is how the Cambridge Dictionary defines the term. The example sentence given is “What the skibidi are you doing?”.

Hang on a minute, maybe this is the sort of versatile expression Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick could use to convey the sorts of games his company are striving to make! If good is bad and great is the new great, then maybe GTA 6 can only be accurately described as skibidi.

I’m preparing to petition my co-workers to add this important term to the RPS style guide, along with an instruction that it must be used in every article that doesn’t cover uber-serious news, on pain of death. Wish me luck in climbing out of the skip Edwin, James, and Nic will rightly lob me into.

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August 18, 2025 0 comments

Ugreen Nexode Power Bank 20000mAh 165W leaning on plinth on desk with pink background

Product Reviews

UGREEN Nexode Power Bank 20000mAh 165W review: a useful charger with plenty of power but too much heft

by admin August 18, 2025

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Ugreen Nexode Power Bank 20000mAh 165W: review

The Ugreen Nexode Power Bank has 165W of power and a 20000mAh, as well as a few features aimed at improving convenience.

In line with the range in which this power bank sits, the Nexode has a dark grey finish with black accents, making it slightly more interesting to look at than other power banks. The smooth matte finish also adds a hint of elegance, giving the impression that this is a premium product.

However, this belies the actual build quality of the Nexode. Despite its heaviness, some of the panels can flex slightly; they aren’t as solid as those you’ll find on many Anker power banks, for instance, which are some of the best power banks around in terms of construction.

Still, the Nexode should suffice for travel purposes. What’s more of an issue when traveling is just how bulky it is. It might have a relatively short length but it’s quite thick, and personally I would’ve preferred the compromise to be the other way around, as a thinner bank is easier to tuck away into a bag.

However, I did appreciate the rubber feet on the back panel. I haven’t noticed their absence on other power banks before, but seeing them here has made me realize how useful they are for protecting the bank and supporting surfaces from scratches. They also prevent the bank from sliding around.

The Nexode also has a large display, although unfortunately the readout is considerably smaller than the space appears to allow for. It’s also quite dim, which, combined with the reflective screen, can make it even hard to see.

The information it does provide, though, is quite useful. As well as the battery life percentage, there’s also estimated charging times for connected devices or the bank itself, as well as an indicator showing which connections are currently active and their wattage. Pressing the power button takes you to a second screen, where you can view the voltage and amperage of each connection, too.

Perhaps the standout feature of the Nexode, though, is the retractable USB-C cable. This is easy to use, although it does have a tendency to twist around, which can make it awkward to put back in. It’s also quite thin and doesn’t feel particularly hardy, but Ugreen does claim it can endure over 25,000 retractions and over 10,000 bends.

In addition to this cable, you also get two USB ports: one Type-A and one Type-C. Like the retractable cable, the latter port is both an input and an output, while the former is output only. Both USB-C interfaces are capable of receiving and delivering 100W each, although if both are used at the same time, the port will drop to 65W. The USB-A port delivers 33W maximum.

The Nexode also supports three-way charging, but in such cases the two USB ports drop to 10W, while the retractable cable retains its 100W capability. There’s also a trickle charging mode for charging smaller devices with more sensitive batteries, such as wireless earbuds and smartwatches, activated by holding the power button for five seconds.

Using the retractable USB-C cable, I managed to charge my Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4, which has a 57Wh battery, from 5% to 90% in under 90 minutes, before the Nexode depleted completely. This is quite fast, but it’s a shame it ran out before making it to 100%, and means you can’t even get one full charge out of it. Charging the bank itself from empty to full took about one hour and 40 minutes, which again is a respectable time.

The Nexode is expensive for a power bank, even one with this much power, retailing for $99.99 / £79.99 (about AU$150). The Anker Laptop Power Bank is about the same price, but has a greater capacity and two integrated cables. It’s also slightly thinner and better made than the Nexode.

We have seen it around for less than its original price, though, and if you can catch it in a sale, the Nexode might still prove a solid pick for charging your large devices.

(Image credit: Future)

Ugreen Nexode Power Bank 20000mAh 165W review: price & specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Price

$99.99 / £79.99 (about AU$150)

Capacity

20,000mAh

Total wattage

165W

Number of ports

USB-C

2 (1 x built-in)

Wireless charging

Weight

18.9oz / 535g

Power-to-weight

37.4mAh/g

(Image credit: Future)

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Ugreen Nexode Power Bank 20000mAh 165W review: Also consider

UGREEN Nexode Power Bank 20000mAh 165W : Price Comparison

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August 18, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

Death Stranding 2’s instantaneous loading times truly prove the power of the PS5

by admin June 26, 2025

Players are already impressed by the incredibly fast loading times in Death Stranding 2, which only proves the power of the PS5 console, as well as Guerrilla Games’ Decima game engine used by Kojima Productions.

Ahead of the game’s release tomorrow, players with advanced access are already sharing their thoughts.

One player posted a video to reddit, stating “Death Stranding 2 has the fastest loading time I’ve ever seen in a video game”. The video itself shows the game impressively loading from menu to gameplay in a split second.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach – PS5/PS5 Pro – Digital Foundry Tech Review – 4K HDRWatch on YouTube

When the PS5 launched, Sony touted the fast loading of the console’s SSD as a major selling point. Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart – though it released months after launch – was seen as a key example of this technology. What’s more, the Decima Engine was created by Horizon Zero Dawn studio Guerrilla Games and used for its games since PS4 release Killzone: Shadow Fall, yielding impressive results.

Yet Kojima Productions has clearly worked some magic with Death Stranding 2 – its load times really are astonishing. Take a look for yourself:

Death Stranding 2 has the fastest loading time I’ve EVER seen in a video game.
byu/NecessaryAd6735 inDeathStranding

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Digital Foundry gave its tech verdict on Death Stranding 2 earlier this week and was particularly impressed by the Decima Engine’s ability to create “truly outstanding dynamic landscapes”, as well as its lighting, weather, and other environmental effects.

“The first key improvement here stems from fine detail, with rock formations, vegetation and other natural elements holding up under closer scrutiny,” wrote John Linneman. “The game opens in a gorgeous mountain range with a level of detail reminiscent of Epic’s Nanite virtualised geometry demos, without relying on such tech.”

If you’re playing on PS5 Pro in particular, Linneman recommends opting for the 60fps performance mode as on Sony’s more powerful console, quality and performance modes are so similar in terms of image quality.

“Thankfully, both versions also feature lightning-fast loading times with virtually zero waiting,” said Linneman. “Moving from the load screen to a save game is nearly instant and you basically never actually encounter anything resembling a loading screen during the game – it’s seamless.”

There’s one particular sequence I was able to play when I previewed the game in May, which was breathtaking in its use of lighting and particles. But I won’t spoil it here.

In short, Death Stranding 2 is an exceptional technical achievement that truly shows the power of Sony’s PS5 consoles, as well as the Decima game engine.

“A busier, louder, and more emotionally resplendent take on this singular hiking sim,” reads our full Death Stranding 2 review.

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June 26, 2025 0 comments

Gaming Gear

How to safely maintain, use, and dispose of your power banks

by admin June 25, 2025

The lithium-ion battery inside your power bank isn’t designed to run forever. After years of use and hundreds of charges, its performance and capacity will decline, while the risk of more severe issues increases. There are things you can do to prolong your power bank’s lifespan, while also ensuring you can use it safely. And if it’s already a few years old, there are signs that your power bank may be reaching the end of its life and needs to be disposed of properly.

The risk of a power bank causing a fire, which is the result of a chain reaction known as a thermal runaway, is low. But when it does happen, the fires are intense, occasionally explosive, and difficult to extinguish. Anker recently recalled more than 1.1 million aging power banks, and while the company says it only received 19 reports of fires and explosions, the incidents caused multiple injuries and over $60,000 of property damage.

Knowing how to detect when a power bank has reached the end of its life can help prevent hardware failures and reduce the risk of a fire, but so can being proactive and knowing how to use the device properly.

How to safely use and prolong the life of your power bank

It may seem obvious, and it’s not foolproof, but buying a power bank from a reputable brand can increase the chances it’s made from higher-quality components and materials, and that it’s free from manufacturing defects. Cheaper power banks may seem like a bargain, but the corners that have been cut to reduce their price tag could have negative impacts on their performance and reliability.

Larger and more expensive power banks with greater capacities — like a 20,000mAh model instead of a smaller 5,000mAh one — also generally last longer, according to Anker. More capacity means a power bank has more battery cells to distribute the power load, putting less strain on them individually per charge cycle and increasing their lifespan.

The thermal runaways typically responsible for power bank fires are caused when the chemical reactions in a rechargeable battery produce more heat than can be dissipated, resulting in a rapid, uncontrolled release of energy. To help mitigate the risk of overheating, you should avoid using or storing power banks in environments where there’s extreme temperatures. For example, don’t store them in a vehicle that’s at risk of getting extremely hot inside, and avoid leaving them exposed to direct sunlight.

Storing your power banks in a cool, dry, and dark location such as a closet is a good idea, but putting them all in a single container may not be. Keeping a little space between them reduces the risk of an overheating power bank causing another one to overheat.

It’s also important to stop using a power bank and dispose of it properly if it’s been pierced or damaged, which includes accidental drops. Although it may look fine on the outside (aside from a scuff or a dent), it’s impossible to know how the battery inside has been affected, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Anker’s suggestions for extending the life of a power bank include only charging it to between 50 and 80 percent capacity to prevent accidental overcharging, and to avoid completely draining it before the next charge. It also recommends against using your power bank to charge another device while it’s being charged, which can generate excessive heat and put extra strain on the battery.

Some higher-end power banks allow for software and firmware updates, and companies will occasionally release updates that improve their performance or fix bugs that reduce their capacity or lifespan. You can check the specific manufacturer’s website to see if this is a feature offered on your model and whether updates are available for download.

How to check if your power bank is starting to fail or is at the end of its life

There are no tools that can definitively tell you when it’s time to replace a power bank, but a common symptom of batteries that have reached the end of their life is reduced performance. If it’s taking significantly longer to fully recharge the power bank than when it was new or if the number of times you can use the power bank to recharge your device has been reduced, it might be time to replace it.

Power banks, particularly smaller models, will always get warm when being charged or while powering other devices. But if your power bank gets so hot that it doesn’t feel safe to physically handle, that could be a sign that there are potential problems.

it’s a good idea to regularly check manufacturers’ websites for product recalls. Anker recently recalled over 1.1 million aging power banks. Image: Anker

Other symptoms that are easier to spot include physical changes like a deformation or swelling. One of the safety features of lithium-ion batteries is a sealed casing that prevents chemicals like electrolyte from leaking while also protecting internal components. Excessive heat, or the age of the battery, can cause the electrolyte material to decompose, which creates a buildup of gases, making the protective casing expand like a balloon. If it expands enough, it can cause parts of the power bank itself to bulge outward, which is easy to spot. If left too long, those expanding gases can cause a battery to burst.

Some issues are impossible to detect, so it’s also a good idea to regularly check manufacturers’ websites for product recalls. Companies like Anker and Baseus have dedicated pages where recalled products are listed. You can also search for specific brands and products on the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) website to find information about recalls.

How to safely dispose of a power bank

Even though the risk of a fire and explosions is low, power banks and other devices that use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries need to be disposed of properly and should never be thrown away with your home’s regular trash or recycling. There have been several reports of garbage truck fires caused by lithium-ion batteries getting damaged by the vehicle’s crushing mechanisms, and prioritizing convenience over someone else’s safety is irresponsible.

Some stores that sell electronics, like Staples and Best Buy, offer recycling programs, but they typically have limitations on what they’ll accept. According to Best Buy’s website, its stores won’t accept “items that present a health or safety hazard” or “any product subject to a CPSC recall.” You’ll want to first confirm what your local store is willing to accept.

If you’re trying to get rid of a power bank that’s been officially recalled or is showing signs of being at the end of its life, you’ll need to ensure you’re following local laws and regulations when it comes to proper disposal and find a recycling facility near you that’s equipped to handle electronics that are potentially dangerous.

Your local municipality may recommend specific facilities to use. In addition, the US Environmental Protection Agency website lists several organizations that can help you find a disposal facility based on your location, including Earth911, Call2Recycle, and the Consumer Technology Association’s Greener Gadgets. But as with retail locations, it’s a good idea to first contact the electronics recycling facility and confirm the types of devices that it will accept.

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June 25, 2025 0 comments

Esports

WNBA Power Rankings: Mercury ride streak up the board

by admin June 25, 2025

Michael VoepelJun 24, 2025, 09:30 AM ET
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Five weeks into the WNBA season, the Phoenix Mercury are blowing away a lot of predictions.

Questions about their roster turnover, lack of established chemistry and guard play landed them at No. 7 in our preseason rankings with a 49.8% chance to make the playoffs. Now, the Mercury are already more than halfway to the BPI’s projected 19.4 victories with 11 through their first 15 games, winning five straight to supplant the defending champion New York Liberty at No. 2 in the latest edition of our Power Rankings.

There was ample reason to expect a challenging start for the new-look Mercury. They said goodbye to two No. 1 draft picks who had become faces of the franchise — Diana Taurasi (retired) and Brittney Griner (free agency) — and returned only two players from last season in Kahleah Copper and Natasha Mack, who were both sidelined with injuries to start this campaign.

But after trading for Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas in the offseason, that hasn’t happened. Sabally leads the team in scoring (19.3 points per game) and rebounding (8.1). Thomas has brought her stat-stuffing ways from 11 seasons in Connecticut to Phoenix with averages of 14.4 points, 8.9 assists and 7.2 rebounds in 10 games after missing five with a calf injury. And despite playing only three games so far, Copper has been a strong leadership presence.

Thomas played in just one of Phoenix’s four losses — twice to each of the Minnesota Lynx and the Seattle Storm — while Copper didn’t play in any. That’s not to take away from the Lynx, who remain our No. 1 team, and the Storm, who are back in the top five. But considering how well Phoenix has done despite not having the big three of Copper, Sabally and Thomas on court together much, look out for just how high the Mercury can peak.

Previous ranking: 1

Next seven days: @ WAS (June 24), @ ATL (June 27), vs. CON (June 29)

Napheesa Collier left in the third quarter of the June 17 game against Las Vegas with a back injury and did not play against Los Angeles on Saturday. The Lynx still won both, with Courtney Williams’ 20 points leading the way against the Aces and Kayla McBride’s 29 points pushing Minnesota past the Sparks. The victory over Las Vegas clinched Minnesota’s spot in the Commissioner’s Cup final as host against Indiana on July 1. We’ll watch to see how the Lynx manage Collier’s injury situation with a jam-packed July schedule looming.

Previous ranking: 4

Next seven days: vs. NY (June 27), vs. LV (June 29)

Phoenix extended its five-win streak this past week with victories over Connecticut, New York and Chicago, putting up a season-high 107 points against the Sky. Of the Mercury’s six WNBA rookies, only Megan McConnell didn’t play professionally overseas. The 24-year-old Monique Akoa Makani and the 29-year-old Kathryn Westbeld are among their starters, with another 29-year-old rookie — Kitija Laksa — leading Phoenix in 3-pointers with 29.

Satou Sabally leads the Mercury in scoring with 19.3 points per game. Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images

Previous ranking: 2

Next seven days: @ GS (June 25), @ PHO (June 27), @ ATL (June 29)

The Liberty announced Saturday that center Jonquel Jones, last year’s Finals MVP, will miss four to six weeks with a right ankle sprain. She sustained the injury June 5 and missed two games, including New York’s first loss of the season (June 14 at Indiana), before returning with a double-double in the June 17 win over Atlanta then reinjuring it in Thursday’s loss to Phoenix. The Liberty started a four-game trip on Sunday with a loss to Seattle that Sabrina Ionescu (neck) also missed. They also are without Leonie Fiebich, who is playing for Germany as it enters the quarterfinals at EuroBasket. So, the next few weeks could continue to be a challenge for the defending champions.

Previous ranking: 3

Next seven days: @ DAL (June 24), vs. MIN (June 27), vs. NY (June 29)

The Dream had a chance to advance to the Commissioner’s Cup final but ran into the Liberty in the only game of New York’s past five that Jonquel Jones was not injured. She played 25 minutes and had 10 points and 10 rebounds in New York’s 86-81 victory on June 17. But Atlanta didn’t seem to brood on that, going on to defeat Washington and Chicago. We keep highlighting the dramatic difference in the Dream’s offense. And here’s another example: They have hit the 90-point mark five times in 14 games after reaching it just three times all of last season.

Editor’s Picks

6dAlexa Philippou
4dMichael Voepel, +3 More

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Previous ranking: 6

Next seven days: vs. IND (June 24), vs. CON (June 27), @ GS (June 29)

Nneka Ogwumike will turn 35 next week, but she’s still taking the kids to school. She totaled 77 points on 71.4% shooting and 24 rebounds in Seattle’s victories over Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York last week. It was her most statistically impressive three-game stretch since joining the Storm last season, when she was selected All-WNBA for the seventh time. Seattle has won six of its past seven games.

Previous ranking: 7

Next seven days: vs. NY (June 25), vs. CHI (June 27), vs. SEA (June 29)

Which is the only team to beat the surging Storm over the past three weeks? The Valkyries, who did so June 14. Golden State followed that up with a disappointing loss at Dallas on June 17. But it rallied from a double-digit deficit to beat Indiana on Thursday then dominated Connecticut by 24 points on Sunday. Kayla Thornton is playing like an All-Star for Golden State, which has won five of its previous six.

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0:39

Kayla Thornton drills dagger 3 for Valkyries in OT

Kayla Thornton connects on a 3-pointer in the final minute to give the Valkyries a six-point lead over the Sparks.

Previous ranking: 8

Next seven days: vs. CON (June 25), vs. WAS (June 26), @ PHO (June 29)

Our staff analyzed what’s been plaguing the Aces, who are 3-5 in June. Some of their woes were abated with the return of three-time MVP A’ja Wilson, who missed three games in concussion protocol. She had 20 points and 14 rebounds in a 90-83 loss to Seattle on Friday then 24 and seven in an 89-81 victory against Indiana on Saturday. The defense that served Las Vegas so well in recent years was humming the way it used to, especially in the second half against the Fever, as the Aces avoided what would have been their first four-game losing streak under coach Becky Hammon.

Previous ranking: 5

Next seven days: @ SEA (June 24), vs. LA (June 26), @ DAL (June 27)

Sunday was bleak for Indiana basketball fans: The Fever lost their 16th consecutive game to the Aces then the Pacers lost Game 7 of the NBA Finals while Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn right Achilles tendon.

In the fourth quarters of last week’s defeats to Las Vegas and Golden State, Indiana was outscored by a combined 26 points. Caitlin Clark had 51 points and 25 assists combined in the Fever’s three games over the past seven days, but she was just 1-of-17 from 3-point range in the two most recent contests. The Fever have been without DeWanna Bonner the past four games for personal reasons, and her absence hurts their defense and depth.

Sophie Cunningham’s takedown of Jacy Sheldon near the end of the June 17 win over the Sun sent a message to teams that choose to get extra physical with Clark, while Aliyah Boston’s combined 52 points and 31 rebounds across the previous three outings was a bright spot.

Previous ranking: 10

Next seven days: vs. MIN (June 24), @ LV (June 26), @ DAL (June 28)

It was a good week for the Mystics, who nearly edged ahead of the Fever in these rankings. Washington beat Chicago and Dallas (in overtime), but arguably even more impressive was taking Atlanta to the wire on the road before falling 92-91 on Friday. Brittney Sykes scored a season-high 32 points against the Sky, Shakira Austin put up a career-high 28 versus the Dream and rookie Sonia Citron had a season-high 27 against Dallas. Citron also made the game-winning 3-pointer versus the Wings.

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Sonia Citron’s clutch OT 3 proves to be winner for Mystics

Rookie Sonia Citron drills her fourth 3-pointer of the game to give the Mystics the lead for good.

Previous ranking: 13

Next seven days: vs. ATL (June 24), vs. IND (June 27), vs. WAS (June 28)

After starting the campaign 1-11, Dallas had its best week yet with wins over Golden State and Connecticut as well as an overtime loss at Washington. That the Wings had a good chance at a 3-0 week is saying something after how much they have struggled. Paige Bueckers — who registered a combined 61 points, 15 rebounds and 16 assists over the three contests — is reestablishing herself in the Rookie of the Year race after missing time with concussion protocol and illness.

Previous ranking: 9

Next seven days: @ CHI (June 24), @ IND (June 26), vs. CHI (June 29)

The Sparks didn’t have Kelsey Plum (leg) against the Storm on Tuesday, but she returned with 15 points versus the Lynx on Saturday. Both outings resulted in losses. Los Angeles hasn’t been that bad of an offensive team, but it needs to improve on defense. The Sparks’ net rating of minus-7.1 is third worst in the league, ahead of only the Sky and the Sun.

Previous ranking: 11

Next seven days: vs. LA (June 24), @ GS (June 27), @ LA (June 29)

Chicago lost to Washington, Phoenix and Atlanta but stayed out of the Power Rankings cellar because Connecticut had a worse week. Plus, the Sky beat the Sun on June 15. A silver lining for Chicago: Kamilla Cardoso has scored in double figures over four of the past five games. Cardoso shot 69.2% from the field last week, but she still isn’t getting enough touches.

Previous ranking: 12

Next seven days: @ LV (June 25), @ SEA (June 27), @ MIN (June 29)

Connecticut has lost six in a row following an 0-4 week against Indiana, Phoenix, Dallas and Golden State that dropped the Sun to the bottom of the Power Rankings. The Sun still made headlines after the grabbing, pushing and eye poking in their contentious loss to the Fever on June 17, when Marina Mabrey shoved Caitlin Clark to the floor from the blindside but didn’t get ejected. Having the league’s lowest-scoring offense (71.8 PPG) continues to make things tough for Connecticut.

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June 25, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

This 10,000mAh Power Bank Costs Only $16, Scores 4.6/5 from 78,000 Amazon Reviews

by admin June 24, 2025

Going out without a power bank is a risk many of us can’t afford to take anymore. The fear of your phone dying at the worst possible moment is real. In the past, power banks were bulky, heavy and awkward to carry around but technology has come a long way: Today you can have the best models in your pocket, ready to charge your devices whenever you need to use them.

One of the best models available on the market today is the INIU portable charger which is among the world’s thinnest and capable of charging smartphones and tablets. There’s currently a discount on Amazon, along with an additional 10% off coupon, which reduces the price to only $16 (down from $22).

See at Amazon

Best Phone Charger

With over 78,000 reviews awarding it an average of an incredible 4.6 out of 5 stars, and the “Amazon’s Choice” stamp, this power bank is popular among consumers.

The INIU portable charger stands out with its ultra-slim design: It’s only a few millimeters thick and can comfortably fit in your pocket or the thinnest part of your bag. Despite its slim shape, it packs a huge 10,000mAh battery which can comfortably charge most smartphones two or even three times, or give a tablet a decent boost.

The charger features USB-C input and output with fast charging at 5V/3A to quickly and efficiently charge your devices. It is compatible with a huge range of devices, ranging from the latest iPhones and Samsung Galaxy to Google Pixel phones and even iPads.

It uses advanced chip technology to protect your devices from overcharging, overheating and short-circuiting. This means you can charge your phone or tablet with confidence and knowing that your precious electronics are safe. The charger also has a clear LED indicator of how much battery is left so you’ll never be in doubt when the power bank itself should be recharged.

Don’t miss this limited-time deal, power banks this good at this price don’t last long.

See at Amazon

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June 24, 2025 0 comments

Esports

Way-Too-Early NBA Power Rankings – A post-Finals look at all 30 teams for 2025-26

by admin June 23, 2025

Jun 22, 2025, 10:50 PM ET

The 2024-25 NBA season has officially come to a close as the Oklahoma City Thunder are crowned the new champions of the league and claim their first NBA title after defeating the Indiana Pacers in an exciting seven-game series.

Editor’s Picks

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After making their first Finals appearance in over 10 years, the Thunder retain the top spot in our Way-Too-Early rankings. But after an unpredictable postseason, where did all 30 teams end up as we head into the summer?

As we close the door on another exciting NBA season, our writers reflect on all 30 teams, what to expect this offseason, and put down the groundwork for what should be another competitive, unpredictable 2025-26 season

Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Michael C. Wright, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk, Chris Herring, Kevin Pelton and Zach Kram) think teams belong after the 2024-25 NBA season.

Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTA | WAS

The Oklahoma City Thunder had the best regular season record in 2024-25 at 68-14. ESPN Illustration

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

2024-25 record: 68-14
Previous rank: 1
Result: NBA Finals champions
2025 draft picks: No. 15 (via MIA), No. 24 (via LAC), No. 44 (via ATL)

We might need to get used to watching the Thunder play in June. Oklahoma City won the championship with a core that consists of ascending talent. MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is just entering his prime at 26. All-NBA sidekick Jalen Williams, 24, and likely future All-Star Chet Holmgren, 23, are still scratching the surface of their potential. All three of Oklahoma City’s foundational pieces will likely sign lucrative, long-term contract extensions this summer. The Thunder will add a lottery pick to the mix next season in guard Nikola Topic, who had a redshirt rookie season while recovering from a knee injury. GM Sam Presti has to figure out what to do with the two second-round picks the Thunder have in this draft, part of Oklahoma City’s deep trove of draft assets in the coming years. — Tim MacMahon

2. Minnesota Timberwolves

2024-25 record: 49-33
Previous rank: 11
Result: Eliminated in Western Conference finals
2025 draft picks: No. 17 (via DET), No. 31 (via UTAH)

The Wolves looked like a contender until they ran into the buzzsaw that is the Thunder in the conference finals, losing in five games.

Because Julius Randle and Naz Reid both have player options for next season, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker is a free agent this summer, the Wolves have some major roster decisions to make. — Dave McMenamin

3. Denver Nuggets

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The Nuggets made their biggest changes before the end of the regular season when they fired coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth. That sparked a run to the second round where Denver lost in seven games to Oklahoma City after Aaron Gordon was severely limited by a hamstring injury. Though the Nuggets might wonder how far they could have gone had they been healthy, they also need to improve the roster around Nikola Jokic. After David Adelman was officially named head coach, he said the Nuggets needed to get in better shape and to continue to focus on defense.

Denver needs more depth, especially to help win the non-Jokic minutes. And with Russell Westbrook declining his player option and entering free agency, Denver might have to find another veteran sparkplug off the bench. With only a first-round pick in 2031 or 2032 available to trade, Michael Porter Jr. is probably their best trade option if they decide to make a splash in the offseason. — Ohm Youngmisuk

4. Cleveland Cavaliers

2024-25 record: 64-18
Previous rank: 2
Result: Eliminated in second round
2025 draft picks: No. 49 (via MIL), No. 58

Cleveland’s magical season came to an abrupt halt at the hands of the Indiana Pacers, who went on to win the Eastern Conference crown after shocking the basketball world with miracle comebacks against New York and Oklahoma City.

Part of that early exit had to do with guard Darius Garland, who averaged 18 points on 42% shooting (28.6% from 3) in the playoffs after averaging 20.6 points on 47.2% (40.1% from 3) during the regular season. Garland underwent surgery on his left big toe, which limited him in the postseason, but the Cavs say he is expected to be ready for training camp. — McMenamin

5. Houston Rockets

2024-25 record: 52-30
Previous rank: 4
Result: Eliminated in first round
2025 draft picks: No. 10 (via PHX), No. 59 (via OKC)

The Rockets showed they’re just an offensive engine away from making a deeper run in the postseason. The club had hoped one of its young, talented players would step into that role. Instead, Houston added Kevin Durant on the last day of the NBA season, sending Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and draft picks — including No. 10 in this week’s draft — back to the Suns. Durant and coach Ime Udoka worked together while with the Brooklyn Nets, and the 15-time All-Star adds a veteran leader to a young team that finished No. 2 in the West but fell in the first round to the seasoned Warriors. — Michael C. Wright

6. Indiana Pacers

The Pacers were one win away from one of the most unlikely upsets in NBA Finals history, but the aftermath of Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles injury puts a major question mark on one of the league’s most exciting teams. Haliburton went to the floor with a noncontact injury in Game 7 of the Finals and did not return, though the team has yet to reveal the severity of the injury. The Pacers made an improbable run through the Eastern Conference playoffs en route to their first Finals appearance in 25 years, and their young core will make them as well-positioned as anyone to compete for years to come, though Haliburton’s 2025-26 season is almost certainly in jeopardy. — Jamal Collier

7. New York Knicks

In his statement announcing the firing of coach Tom Thibodeau, Knicks president Leon Rose wrote in the opening sentence, “Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans.” That line, and the move to oust Thibodeau three days after New York’s deepest playoff run in 25 years, told you everything you need to know about the club’s expectations going forward, regardless of who it hires to take the coaching job. The Knicks reached the conference finals with a highly talented starting five — albeit one that was outscored during the second half of the season and in the playoffs — and a thin bench. One group or the other, if not both, will need an upgrade to win it all next season. — Chris Herring

8. Golden State Warriors

The Warriors go into the offseason wondering how far they could have gone had Stephen Curry’s hamstring remained healthy. With that in mind, the Warriors want to add around Curry, Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Green. They need more size, more two-way wings who can shoot and more depth.

Jonathan Kuminga will be a restricted free agent and GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. said the Warriors want Kuminga back. But Kuminga’s playing time was inconsistent all season, though he played some of his best basketball in the second-round series against Minnesota — he averaged 24.2 points in Games 2 through 5 with Curry out. Coach Steve Kerr has said that if Kuminga returns, he will commit to playing him with Curry, Butler and Green to see if it can work better early in the season. The Warriors can match offers or potentially work out a sign-and-trade. — Youngmisuk

9. Los Angeles Lakers

After not playing Jaxson Hayes in their series-ending Game 5 loss to Minnesota in the first round, the offseason priority for L.A. remains finding a center.

They’ll have the taxpayer’s midlevel exception available (approximately $5.6 million) to fortify the position. Rui Hachimura ($18.3 million), Gabe Vincent ($11.5 million) and Maxi Kleber ($11 million) are all on expiring contracts, as well, giving L.A. some salary to work with in the trade market. — McMenamin

10. LA Clippers

2024-25 record: 50-32
Previous rank: 9
Result: Eliminated in first round
2025 draft picks: No. 30 (via OKC), No. 51 (via MIN)

The Clippers exceeded expectations last season after letting Paul George walk in free agency and had a more balanced and better defense-minded team. James Harden produced at a third-team All-NBA level while Kawhi Leonard was out. Ivica Zubac emerged as a force inside at both ends and Norman Powell played like an All-Star in the first half of the season. Harden has a player option, and if he becomes a free agent, the Clippers probably will look to bring back the point guard with a deal aligned with the two years left on Leonard’s deal. The Clippers will look for ways to improve and remain competitive and will do that by seeing what transpires in the trade market this offseason. — Youngmisuk

11. Detroit Pistons

The 2024-25 season was an unreserved success for the Pistons: They increased their win total by 30 (from 14 to 44), gave the Knicks all they could handle in a close first-round playoff loss and saw Cade Cunningham make the All-NBA team for the first time in his career. The franchise will rely on its young players to keep taking steps forward. Cunningham will need to reduce his turnovers and improve his scoring efficiency. Jaden Ivey should bounce back from a broken leg, Jalen Duren will improve his defense and Ausar Thompson should develop into more of an offensive force, like his twin brother in Houston.– Zach Kram

12. Boston Celtics

2024-25 record: 61-21
Previous rank: 3
Result: Eliminated in second round
2025 draft picks: No. 28, No. 32 (via WAS)

In the wake of Jayson Tatum’s Achilles tear, there are few teams with a more consequential offseason in front of them than Boston. The current roster puts the team $23 million over the second apron, and shedding salary could happen in multiple moves. The Celtics have to decide which direction they want to go with a roster that won a championship in 2024 and will most likely look different next season. — Tim Bontemps

13. Orlando Magic

2024-25 record: 41-41
Previous rank: 15
Result: Eliminated in play-in tournament
2025 draft picks: No. 25 (via DEN), No. 46, No. 57 (via BOS)

The Magic are done waiting patiently for a slow climb up the Eastern Conference hierarchy; they’re ready for a giant leap up the standings. After injuries ruined their 2024-25 season, with Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs sharing the court for only six games, they traded four unprotected first-round picks, a lightly protected swap and two role players for Desmond Bane. A career 41% 3-point shooter, Bane should boost an offense that ranked 30th in 3-point makes and accuracy in 2024-25, while splitting playmaking duties with Orlando’s incumbent stars. — Kram

14. Dallas Mavericks

The Mavs’ long-term concerns — on the court and financially — in the wake of the Luka Doncic deal were mitigated by their amazing lottery luck to land Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick. He will arrive in the NBA with a chance to win immediately alongside Anthony Davis and eventually Kyrie Irving, who will sit out at least the 2025 part of next season while recovering from a torn ACL.

Finding a replacement for Irving who can transition into a key reserve role upon his return will be one priority for Mavs GM Nico Harrison. Dennis Schroder, Malcolm Brogdon, Tyus Jones and Chris Paul are among the possibilities if Dallas fills that void via free agency. The Mavs also hope to work out a new deal for Irving, who has a decision to make about his $44 million player option. — Tim MacMahon

15. Memphis Grizzlies

2024-25 record: 48-34
Previous rank: 12
Result: Eliminated in first round
2025 draft picks: No. 16 (via ORL), No. 48 (via GS), No. 56 (via HOU)

A tough stretch late led to upheaval on the coaching staff that changed Memphis’ style of play in the postseason. Now that the club has taken the interim tag off Tuomas Iisalo’s title, the coach has a chance to spend the entire offseason implementing his systems. General manager Zach Kleiman has expressed confidence in Iisalo moving forward. But the core duo of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. has won only one playoff series. Memphis recently traded Desmond Bane to Orlando for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four picks, and a pick swap. It appears more moves are on the way as the Grizzlies are looking to retool. — Wright

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Shams: Giannis trade could make for the craziest offseason ever

Shams Charania tells “The Pat McAfee Show” this offseason could be wild, with a possible Giannis Antetokounmpo move leading the headlines.

16. Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee could be one of the biggest subplots in the league this summer. The Bucks lost in the first round of the playoffs for the third consecutive season, a five-game dismantling by the Pacers that highlighted how far the team sits from championship contention. Combine that loss with an Achilles injury to Damian Lillard and the Bucks have a lot to figure out this offseason, including what kind of team they can build to fulfill Antetokounmpo’s desire to compete for championships in Milwaukee or whether his time with the Bucks is coming to an end. — Collier

17. San Antonio Spurs

2024-25 record: 34-48
Previous rank: 23
Result: Missed postseason
2025 draft picks: No. 2, No. 14 (via ATL), No. 38

Gregg Popovich calls himself “El Jefe” (the boss). But Popovich is no longer the coach as Mitch Johnson heads into his first offseason at the helm. With Victor Wembanyama entering his third season, Stephon Castle coming off being voted Rookie of the Year and the trade deadline addition of De’Aaron Fox, the Spurs enter a pivotal offseason with expectations in 2025-26 to advance to the postseason for the first time since 2018-19. Sitting with the No. 2 pick in the upcoming draft, the Spurs are expected to add talent, such as prospect Dylan Harper, to an already talented young group. — Wright

18. Miami Heat

After again landing in the play-in tournament — only to be routed by the Cavaliers in the first round — the Heat have a lot of work to do to return to the level of competitiveness the franchise has been accustomed to over the past 30 years under Pat Riley’s leadership. But, it’s probably going to take a lot more than one offseason for Miami to close that gap, given how far away it looks. — Bontemps

19. Atlanta Hawks

2024-25 record: 40-42
Previous rank: 18
Result: Eliminated in play-in tournament
2025 draft picks: No. 13 (via SAC), No. 22 (via LAL)

Fresh off Atlanta’s front office shakeup, the team’s brass has a sizable decision on its plate regarding four-time All-Star Trae Young, who’s eligible for an extension this summer. He’s coming off a third consecutive season in which he averaged 25 points and 10 assists or better. But the reason there has to be at least some hesitation before offering another max deal is simple: Since the team’s 2020 surprise run to the conference finals, the Hawks — who’ve been in the play-in tournament four seasons in a row — haven’t been particularly close to breaking through again, even with Young’s efforts.

He’s not the easiest player to build around on defense, and his trade value probably would reflect that reality, which raises the question of whether it’s worth striking a more nuanced deal with him that allows more flexibility to find that roster balance. Atlanta has a decent start in that regard with Dyson Daniels, who led the NBA in steals and deflections by far last season. — Herring

20. Sacramento Kings

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The Kings will have more time to rebalance this summer after remaking their roster by swapping De’Aaron Fox for Zach LaVine just before the trade deadline. New GM Scott Perry called the lack of a true point guard an “obvious need.” How Sacramento gets one is less obvious. Sacramento sent a lottery pick to Atlanta to complete the Kevin Huerter trade and might not have access to the entire non-taxpayer midlevel exception. It’ll depend on new contracts for reserves Keon Ellis (who would be unrestricted next summer if the Kings exercise his team option), Jake LaRavia and Trey Lyles. — Kevin Pelton

21. Philadelphia 76ers

2024-25 record: 24-58
Previous rank: 26
Result: Missed postseason
2025 draft picks: No. 3, No. 35

Philadelphia got lucky in the lottery, landing the No. 3 pick and keeping its top-six protected selection. Now, as a result, the focus for the 76ers will not only be on who they select with that pick, but whether a roster devastated by injury last season can bounce back. Star Joel Embiid played in only 19 games last season, and the 76ers also played without Tyrese Maxey, Paul George and rising rookie Jared McCain because of season-ending injuries. — Bontemps

22. Portland Trail Blazers

After extending the contracts of coach Chauncey Billups and GM Joe Cronin, the Blazers are hoping to parlay their 23-18 second half into playoff contention in 2025-26. Portland has developed a competitive core of young talent led by forwards Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara. Still, the Blazers’ top-three defensive rating in that span might be tough to maintain. Opponents shot just 34% on 3s in those games, second lowest in the league, and that typically doesn’t carry over. Denver, Miami and Washington gave up the lowest 3-point percentages in the 2023-24 second half. None ranked better than 14th in 2024-25. — Pelton

23. Chicago Bulls

2024-25 record: 39-43
Previous rank: 20
Result: Eliminated in play-in tournament
2025 draft picks: No. 12, No. 45 (via SAC)

The Bulls have finished with the same record in consecutive years and have lost in the play-in tournament to the Heat in three straight years. But don’t expect big changes in Chicago this offseason. The Bulls will look to re-sign Josh Giddey, who will be a restricted free agent, and hope to build off a strong final two months with their collection of young players around him, including last year’s lottery pick, Matas Buzelis and the No. 12 pick in this year’s draft. — Collier

24. Phoenix Suns

2024-25 record: 36-46
Previous rank: 21
Result: Missed postseason
2025 draft picks: No. 29 (via CLE), No. 52 (via DEN)

Phoenix’s thorough coaching search concluded with the hiring of 40-year-old Jordan Ott, a first-time head coach — and the team’s fourth in the past four years. Though Ott was critical to the Cavaliers’ stellar 2024-25 season and is considered a bright young mind in the sport, he will have to figure out how to balance three ball-dominant guards after Kevin Durant was traded to Houston in a package centered on Jalen Green, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Green will be joining a team with Devin Booker and Bradley Beal already on the roster — and we already saw how that trio worked with Durant, a better off-ball player than Green is. — McMenamin

25. New Orleans Pelicans

2024-25 record: 21-61
Previous rank: 27
Result: Missed postseason
2025 draft picks: No. 7, No. 23 (via IND)

Joe Dumars said he has spoken extensively to Zion Williamson about accountability and the responsibility that comes with being the face of the franchise. Availability is a part of that, too, as Williamson has played in 70 games only once in his five seasons. The Pels have the draft assets and controllable contracts to swing a significant trade. Will Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones return by the start of next season? With Dejounte Murray expected to be out until January, the Pels probably will be looking in the draft or free agency to add a lead guard and a big man. — Wright

26. Toronto Raptors

2024-25 record: 30-52
Previous rank: 24
Result: Missed postseason
2025 draft picks: No. 9, No. 39 (via POR)

Over the past 18 months, the Raptors have completely reshaped their roster. But as OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet have left to become part of elite teams in New York, Indiana and Houston, respectively, the question is whether Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett and the rest of the Raptors on the roster can return the franchise to the top of the East. Or if Masai Ujiri and his front office will try to make another splash this summer. — Bontemps

27. Brooklyn Nets

2024-25 record: 26-56
Previous rank: 25
Result: Missed postseason
2025 draft picks: No. 8, No. 19 (via MIL), No. 26 (via NYK), No. 27 (via HOU), No. 36

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 2025 NBA champions! Here’s everything to know about their seven-game triumph:

• Finals takeaways: Breaking down every game
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The Nets could move Cameron Johnson, a skilled two-way forward who’d seemingly fit with any contender, for additional draft capital in this cycle or a future one.

The other player they’ll need to decide on is 23-year-old restricted free agent Cam Thomas, who averaged 24 points this past season as one of the league’s most effortless scorers, but is still working to build out his playmaking and defensive skills.

Brooklyn would like to be involved in any future conversations involving Giannis Antetokounmpo should he become available. But with the chatter suggesting that he’s staying put, so, too, might the Nets’ assets — for now. — Herring

28. Charlotte Hornets

2024-25 record: 19-63
Previous rank: 28
Result: Missed postseason
2025 draft picks: No. 4, No. 33, No. 34 (via NO)

As uncomfortable as it is, the conversation has to be had: Is the franchise still clearly viewing 23-year-old LaMelo Ball as a cornerstone? This past season was the third straight in which he failed to appear in at least 50 games. He also logged career worsts in field-goal percentage, 3-point percentage and effective field goal rate. Coach Charles Lee would certainly love to see his core together more often, as he got only six games with his starting five of Ball, Josh Green, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges and Mark Williams this past season. — Herring

29. Utah Jazz

2024-25 record: 17-65
Previous rank: 30
Result: Missed postseason
2025 draft picks: No. 5, No. 21 (MIN), No. 43 (via DAL), No. 53 (via LAC)

New president of basketball operations Austin Ainge was adamant that the Jazz, who landed the No. 5 pick after having the league’s worst record last season, would not tank by manipulating minutes or using creative license with the injury report. That does not necessarily mean that winning will be Utah’s priority next season.

The Jazz listened to offers for Lauri Markkanen before signing the one-time All-Star forward to a five-year, $238 million extension last summer. With Utah early in a rebuild, could the 28-year-old be had for the right priced deal in the trade market? The Jazz are expected to continue talking trade possibilities for veterans Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson and John Collins. — MacMahon

30. Washington Wizards

2024-25 record: 18-64
Previous rank: 29
Result: Missed postseason
2025 draft picks: No. 6, No. 18 (via MEM), No. 40 (via PHX)

Watching Oklahoma City in the NBA Finals gives the Wizards the blueprint for what a long and complete rebuild can look like. But an 18-win season with the second-worst record in the league last season didn’t yield a top-three pick but rather the No. 6 pick.

GM Will Dawkins, who began his career in OKC, says the organization has building blocks in young players such as Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington and Kyshawn George. And they have the sixth and 18th picks in the first round. Depending on what the Wizards want to do, they have some veteran players to possibly trade in Jordan Poole, Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart. But Washington also could opt to keep some experienced players to help mentor their young talent, and also help them be a little more competitive to help stomach what could be another long season.

The Wizards have lost 67 and 64 games the past two seasons. — Youngmisuk

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June 23, 2025 0 comments

NFT Gaming

Texas Sheriffs Crack Bitcoin ATM With Power Tools to Retrieve $32,000

by admin June 21, 2025

In brief

Texas sheriffs used power tools this week in retrieving $32,000 from a Bitcoin ATM.
Images show stacks of hundred dollar bills, evidence bags, and a gas station on a rural road.
Americans over 60 years old reported $107 million in Bitcoin ATM-related losses, according to an annual FBI report.

Texas sheriffs used power tools this week in retrieving $32,000 from a Bitcoin ATM after a Jasper County family said they were scammed out of funds, according to local law enforcement.

The family said it had lost $25,000 to the fraudsters.

An image shared by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook shows sparks flying as an official uses what appears to be a circular saw to crack into a Bitcoin Depot kiosk. Other images show stacks of hundred dollar bills, evidence bags, and a gas station on a rural road.

Jasper County Sheriff Chuck Havard told Decrypt that he’s “quite certain our boys have gotten into them before” but declined to comment on whether it was the first time that authorities had used force to retrieve funds from machines that are frequently used by scammers.

“Do not give any personal information out to anybody that claims to be a law enforcement agency or a government entity, unless you verify the validity of that,” Havard said.

Crypto ATMs allow people to convert cash into Bitcoin, and in 2024, Americans over 60 years old reported $107 million in Bitcoin ATM-related losses, according to an annual FBI report. Criminals often impersonate tech support workers or government employees, the FBI found.

“When thieves, low-lifes and scammers attempt to take advantage of the citizens of Jasper County, we will work swiftly and utilize every resource at our disposal to protect our citizens and their property at all costs,” the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office said in the post.

Bitcoin Depot says that over a dozen compliance personnel, alongside “robust transaction monitoring systems,” as well as know-your-customer and anti-money-laundering programs, according to a shareholder presentation published earlier this year. The firm says it has facilitated $3 billion worth of transactions across 8,400 kiosks in North America.

“I’ve only ever seen a few people use it,” a worker at the gas station where the Bitcoin ATM is located, who asked not to be named, told Decrypt, adding that it’s been there for at least a year, well before the business’s current owner took over the store.

A Bitcoin Depot spokesperson told Decrypt that the firm “regularly collaborates with investigators to clarify when recovery may be possible,” adding that “such efforts typically involve the receiving wallet provider or exchange, not the kiosk itself.”

“We actively support and educate law enforcement agencies, particularly those less familiar with cryptocurrencies.”

One commentator on the sheriff office’s post commended authorities for “taking care of business,” while another lamented that “the owner of the bitcoin ATM is out the money and a damaged machine.”

Although some progressive lawmakers have called for greater restrictions on people’s ability to use ATMs, some conservatives have proposed putting them within federal buildings.

Local authorities said on Facebook that they received a search warrant before finding inside what appeared to be the victim’s money. In total, authorities said they retrieved $31,900, and while they have the victim’s cash, they are still trying to locate the scammers online.

Edited by James Rubin

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June 21, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

The unsung hero of my gaming PC setup: My $30 Power Tower of Destiny extension plug outlet

by admin June 20, 2025

I love that I’m so happy and hyped over a purchase as mundane as a plug extension outlet, but it’s sorted so many issues in my recent office move that I just love it. The fact that it solved so many problems and was so reasonably priced has just added to the feel-good factor. I wish all my tech purchases had the same effect.

In an increasingly digital world, the need for accessible power and charging solutions has never been greater. My latest purchase, a tower extension plug outlet with integrated USB ports, has proven to be an unexpectedly indispensable addition to my workspace. It’s more than just a power strip; it’s a central hub that has transformed the way I manage my devices and decluttered my desk. It already has a new nickname as the Power Tower of Destiny.

How many times have we risked a small meltdown by overloading sockets with multiple extensions or daisy-chaining them together to have enough power outlets available for our setup? Well, no longer, but I’d love to know what solutions or devices you use to facilitate all your tech power needs, so please feel free to leave pictures and information in the comments so I can take a look or possibly gain some insight and inspiration into other options.

Abundant Power and Charging Options

The sheer number of outlets and USB ports offered by this device is truly impressive. With 12 AC outlets and 4 USB ports, I can easily power my PC, monitor, laptop, speakers, and DAC without needing multiple wall adapters, and one of my biggest problems was access to only a single outlet in this room. The integrated USB-A and USB-C ports are a bonus game-changer, allowing me to directly charge my smartphone, wireless headphones, and other gadgets without the need for bulky charging bricks or separate adapters. This convenience means a far more streamlined charging routine at home.

Eliminating Cable Clutter

One of the most immediate and satisfying benefits of this tower outlet is its ability to significantly reduce cable clutter. Instead of a tangled mess of cords snaking across my floor and desk, the tower design centralizes all connections in one vertical unit. This not only looks tidier but also makes it far easier to identify and manage individual cables. The vertical orientation means it takes up minimal desk space, a valuable asset in my office setup, as I don’t have that much room. I’m using the tower outlet on an electric standing desk, so I bought a tower with a long cable for just a single run from the desk to the socket. Now there are no issues with the cable lengths of my devices when raising or lowering my desk.

Enhanced Safety Features

Beyond convenience, the safety features integrated into this tower outlet provide peace of mind. This model includes surge protection, safeguarding valuable electronics from power fluctuations. Overload protection and fire-resistant material construction, which is soothing to know when you can plug up to 12 devices into it. The tower is rated for up to 3,250W, which is the max capacity of the power draw of the (230/240V UK) socket. This focus on safety is crucial, especially when powering multiple expensive devices simultaneously. I don’t want any sockets glowing cherry-red and the sudden smell of burning sulphur.

Portability and Versatility

Despite its robust capabilities, the tower extension is surprisingly portable. Its compact design makes it easy to have stationed on my desk or move between rooms. Its versatility extends beyond the desk; it’s equally useful in a living room for entertainment systems, in a bedroom for bedside charging, or even in a workshop for powering various tools.

In conclusion, what might seem like a simple accessory has become an essential component of my daily life. My tower extension plug outlet with USB ports is a testament to how thoughtful design can address common frustrations and significantly enhance productivity and organization. It’s a small investment that delivers immense convenience, safety, and a welcome reprieve from the perpetual struggle against cable chaos.

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June 20, 2025 0 comments