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Junior Italy international feels he can develop more as a player after late inclusion to the World Cup squad

Cristian Volpato is Italian football’s make-good to Australia, a peace offering set to soothe 20 years of pain. The winger flipped allegiances so he could represent the Socceroos on the eve of the World Cup, but his career was shaped by those responsible for perhaps the greatest heartache of Australian football.

In the closest the Socceroos have come to a World Cup knockout victory, the team remembered as the “golden generation” and led by Mark Viduka were headed for extra time in 2006 against Italy when Fabio Grosso won a penalty, converted by Francesco Totti, for the eventual champions.

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The age of filmmaking has seen its fair share of titans come and go, from pioneers such as Alfred Hitchcock and Ingmar Bergman to modern visionaries like Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese , among others. These modern greats have struck the perfect balance between critical acclaim and their own unique directorial voices, while still maintaining the Midas touch at the box office. However, that list of great modern filmmakers will not be complete without mentioning James Cameron , a filmmaker held in high regard, particularly when it comes to his work in the sci-fi genre. Cameron first established himself within the genre when he directed the first two movies in the Terminator franchise, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger , and remained a part of the franchise as both a writer and producer.

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Qualcomm has set the date for its annual Snapdragon Summit: September 22 – 24.

The company is once again expected to announce all its latest silicon, with this year’s highlights the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro.

Rumors about components cost have already cast a shadow over these launches, and we’ll be curious to see how the market responds.

This year is shaping up to be a big one for Qualcomm silicon. With the launch of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 series, we’re expecting the company to finally push fabrication to the 2nm level, just as Samsung did with its Exynos 2600 . And while we still have plenty of questions about these chips — especially when it comes to what they’ll cost — we’ve finally got an idea now for when we might expect some answers.

Over on Instagram, Qualcomm shares that this year’s Snapdragon Summit is scheduled for September 22 through 24, once again in beautiful Hawaii. Android Authority will be there to bring you first-hand coverage of all the big announcements the company ends up making.

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First shared on Bluesky by Circana analyst Mat Piscatella , Sony has provided a glimpse of PlayStation's future and priorities through a written summary of its Game & Network Services Segment Small Meeting Q&A . Answers were provided by Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Hideaki Nishino, Studio business CEO Hermen Hulst, and SIE senior vice president of finance and corporate development, Lynn Azar.

The meeting took place on Friday, June 5, a month after Sony revealed it was pulling back from releasing its major singleplayer games on PC , and weeks before the Bungie bloodbath precipitated by the sunsetting of Destiny 2. Speaking as a normal guy who likes games and mostly uses his PS4 to watch Hulu, the "vision" provided during the meeting did not inspire confidence.

In fact, this unvarnished glimpse at the decision making priorities at the heights of the game industry made me actively depressed.

'Focusing more on monetizing our user base'

Responding to a question on how PlayStation will achieve Monthly Active User (MAU) growth in 2027, the group indicated that it's more focused on maximizing profit per customer, assessed through a metric with the unsettling name of Customer Lifetime Value.

As for how that happens, PlayStation's execs explained in a follow-up question: "There are multiple ways to achieve that via recurring revenue such as add-on content revenue," and rather than upping the MAU count, the group is "focusing more on monetizing our user base, which is well reflected in the strong FY2025 financial results." I love being monetized. Were I a PlayStation customer, I'd be thrilled that's such a major priority.

Elsewhere in the Q&A, they reference "record-high PS Plus profitability in FY2025." Between normal use and the streaming PlayStation Portal, the paid premium online service seems to be a key moneymaker for PlayStation. In response to a question about recouping the infrastructure costs of streaming games, the group responded that "We expect to recover the costs associated with investments and operations through revenue generated from PS Plus, which provides the streaming service."

'AI is an exciting long-term opportunity'

"For the next-generation platform, rather than simply serving as an alternative to PCs, we aim to deliver value that is unique to PlayStation.""...we are focusing more on monetizing our user base""We expect to recover the costs... through revenue generated from PS Plus"morganfreeman.gif

— @matpiscatella.bsky.social ( @matpiscatella.bsky.social.bsky.social ) 2026-06-30T00:22:56.575Z

"We also see AI as an important foundational technology supporting our strategy," said CEO Nishino as part of a message before the Q&A. "AI is already helping us across various fields by improving development efficiency, enhancing the player experience, improving content discovery, and enabling creators to build richer content."

"With our global player base, deep library of IP, and integrated ecosystem, AI is an exciting long-term opportunity for us."

Further into the Q&A, the lone specific example of AI use in development was the classic placeholder assets, something that has gotten studios like Sandfall Interactive and Pearl Abyss in trouble when they make it into a final product.

"This is less about cost efficiency and more about improving quality and development speed, which we see as highly valuable," the execs said. "At the same time, we are experimenting at a more fundamental level with smaller, AI-first initiatives, while remaining realistic about near-term efficiency gains. These efforts position us to stay at the forefront as AI continues to evolve, both in development process and in shaping future player experiences."

'Deliver value that is unique to PlayStation'

As a primarily PC gamer, I found PlayStation leadership's understanding of why players prefer the platform to be illuminating. In response to a question about winning back PC players who switched from PlayStation, the group described it as a matter of form factor.

"PlayStation has long been strongly associated with the idea of playing in the living room. However, in recent years, more users globally have been using personal monitors," said the group. "In response, we are selling peripherals such as monitors and speakers to break away from the fixed perception that 'PlayStation equals the living room' and to broaden usage scenarios.

"For the next-generation platform, rather than simply serving as an alternative to PCs, we aim to deliver value that is unique to PlayStation. This includes not only technological advancements but also an expansion of usage styles, enabling a seamless experience that can be enjoyed naturally beyond the living room."

Much as I love my desk and my high refresh monitor, they're not the main reasons I prefer PC to console: I'm here because of the PC's nature as an open platform, with access to more of gaming history and the frontiers of independent development than any single console or console service like Game Pass or PlayStation Plus.

In 2026, would you rather own a Steam or GOG library that was started in 2014, or a collection of PS4 games from around the same time? How valuable or relevant will a PS5 library look compared to a PC one 12 years from now?

The PC is the only platform where more than 50% of revenue comes from games outside the top 20 best sellers . Sony seems to view its first party lineup as a crown jewel that PC players should be desperate to access, but the reality is that it's just a small subset of a much deeper, more interesting catalogue. There's only one Sony exclusive I've personally held a candle for in the past 20 years, and not even loyal PlayStation customers are getting their Bloodborne fix.

Handheld and small form factor builds can extend the PC's potential past the desk, but PlayStation will always be a closed loop no matter the form factor, one that requires users to maintain a premium online subscription to fully utilize the electronics they already purchased, all on top of the internet access they pay for.

This disconnect may help explain why SIE pulled back from PC despite its ports raking in major profits : The company's leadership thinks converting PC players into PlayStation owners is a matter of form factor and quality exclusives. It isn't, and with yet more AI-induced hardware price increases on the horizon, I think that reality will hit SIE's bottom line sooner rather than later.

2026 games : All the upcoming games

Best PC games : Our all-time favorites

Free PC games : Freebie fest

Best FPS games : Finest gunplay

Best RPGs : Grand adventures

Best co-op games : Better together

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Police in California have poked fun at an EV driver who ran out of juice.

The Audi e-tron GT was left stranded and used a generator to recharge.

The 2026 model starts at $127,700 and offers up to 300 miles of range.

The California Highway Patrol’s Truckee branch embraces the lighter side of policing and they’ve gone viral for mocking an Audi e-tron GT owner.

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The wayward driver ran out of juice on the highway, so they had to pull over to the side of the road. Instead of getting towed to a nearby charging station, they opted to use a generator to slowly recharge the vehicle.

Review: Driving The 2026 Audi RS e-Tron GT Performance Feels Like Falling Into A Black Hole

That’s less than ideal and the California Highway Patrol joked, “Thoughts and prayers won’t add miles to your battery… but thankfully they brought their own generator.” They also posted an image of the incident set to Bon Jovi’s Livin’ On A Prayer.

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On a more serious note, the highway patrol noted that “Mountain driving, elevation changes, and higher speeds can drain your EV battery much faster than expected.” They went on to encourage visitors to plan ahead, charge up, and leave yourself a little extra range. If you fail to heed their advice, you might end up like this driver and need an “unscheduled stop on the shoulder.”

The 2026 Audi S e-tron GT starts at $127,700 and features a 105 kWh battery pack that feeds a dual-motor all-wheel drive system developing up to 670 hp (500 kW / 679 PS). It enables the model to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 3.3 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 152 mph (245 km/h).

Buyers will also find a respectable range of up to 300 miles (483 km). That wasn’t enough for this driver, but the 320 kW DC fast charging capability can take the battery from 10% to 80% in as little as 18 minutes.

Audi also offers an even more powerful RS e-tron GT performance for $170,500. It has 912 hp (680 kW / 925 PS) and hits 60 mph (96 km/h) in 2.4 seconds. However, the range drops to 278 miles (447 km).

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One of the U.S. Air Force’s B-2 bombers fired an AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) during a recent live-fire sinking exercise (SINKEX) in the Western Pacific. The stealthy LRASM was not previously known to be in the B-2’s arsenal. Integration of the AGM-158C offers a huge boost in capability for the B-2, creating a penetrating fleet-killing platform that could be especially valuable in a future high-end fight in the Pacific against China .

“The Pacific Air Forces successfully conducted a live-fire Sinking Exercise using the B-2 Spirit north of the Mariana Islands. The B-2 deployed the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, demonstrating enhanced ability to achieve strategic objectives within range of potential threats,” according to a press release today from Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). “With the deployment of the LRASM from the B-2 Spirit, the Pacific Air Forces takes a major step forward in countering maritime threats. This milestone showcased impressive high-end innovation reinforcing the US military’s commitment to safeguarding national interests and maintaining global security.”

Air Force personnel prepare to load an AGM-158C onto a waiting B-2 bomber. USAF

The release does not provide any further details about the SINKEX, but PACAF confirmed to TWZ directly that the B-2 fired the LRASM at the ex-USS Juneau , a decommissioned Austin class amphibious warfare ship , as part of Exercise Valiant Shield 2026. U.S. and allied forces taking part in the exercise pummeled the Juneau with various munitions this weekend, sending it to the bottom of the Pacific, roughly 200 nautical miles off the coast of Guam. An unnamed Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) submarine appears to have delivered the final blow with a heavyweight torpedo. The B-2’s involvement was not mentioned until today.

The ex-USS Juneau is hit by a torpedo from an unnamed Japanese submarine during the SINKEX during Exercise Valiant Shield on June 27, 2026. USN/Seaman Apprentice Anthony Vilardi

“Exercises like Valiant Shield allow U.S. Pacific Command the opportunity to integrate forces from all branches of service and with our allies to conduct precise, lethal, and overwhelming multi-domain effects that demonstrate the strength and versatility of the Joint Force and our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” a PACAF spokesperson told TWZ .

A B-2 bomber takes off from Andersen Air Force Base on Guam on a sortie as part of Exercise Valiant Shield 2026. USAF

As noted, the B-2’s ability to fire LRASM at all does not appear to have been previously disclosed. When reached for comment, Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) told TWZ that all details about the integration of the missile onto the B-2 were classified, as was whether or not the SINKEX represented any kind of first for the bomber.

A review of the Pentagon’s 2027 Fiscal Year budget proposal does not appear to show any mention of LRASM integration on B-2, or plans to do so in the future. The only cleared launch platforms explicitly mentioned are the Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters and the U.S. Air Force’s B-1 bombers . Work has already been publicly underway to integrate LRASM onto the F-15E Strike Eagle, F-15EX Eagle II , F-16C/D Viper , at least certain variants of the F-35 , and the P-8A Poseidon . Budget documents also mention plans to integrate the missile on the B-52 bomber .

A LRASM is seen under the wing of an F/A-18, with another missile in the foreground. USN

The Air Force previously highlighted other efforts to expand the B-2’s anti-ship capabilities in the form of Quicksink precision-guided anti-ship bombs , which leverage the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kit. You can read more about Quicksink here .

A B-2 bomber drops a Quicksink bomb during a test in cooperation with the Royal Norwegian Air Force in 2025. A Norwegian F-35A is seen flying alongside. Royal Norwegian Air Force

The AGM-158C is derived from the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) family of land-attack cruise missiles. The baseline AGM-158A JASSM and AGM-158B JASSM-Extended Range (JASSM-ER) are already known to be integrated onto the B-2 . The B-2 is also known to be able to carry up to 16 AGM-158As, and is very likely capable of carrying the same number of JASSM-ERs and LRASMs, as all of these missiles have the same general form factor.

A B-2 drops a JASSM. USAF

In terms of its general mode of operation, LRASM uses GPS-assisted Inertial Navigation System (INS) guidance to navigate first to a designated target area. The missile is highly autonomous, thanks to a built-in route planning capability that is linked to an onboard electronic support measures (ESM) package. The missile has the ability to automatically change course in response to the sudden emergence of enemy defenses based on their radio-frequency emissions, as well as use those signals to better detect potential targets.

After arriving in the target area, the missile’s imaging infrared sensor in the nose takes over for the terminal phase of flight. Using a built-in threat target library database, the seeker searches for and categorizes targets autonomously . Information in that database also helps steer the missile to hit the target ship at its most vulnerable point. As a passive sensor, the infrared seeker does not send out radio-frequency signals that an enemy could detect. It is also immune to radio-frequency jamming.

LRASM also has a datalink that allows it to get threat updates while in flight. It can also work cooperatively with other LRASMs during coordinated strikes. A C-3 variant is now in development that will feature a boost in maximum range, as well as “C++ software, [an] enhanced BLOS [beyond-line-of-sight] Weapons Data Link, [and] advanced survivability” capabilities, according to previously released Navy budget documents . The range of existing versions of the LRASM is not publicly disclosed, but is reported to be between 200 and 300 miles , in line with the AGM-158A JASSM. The C-3 version is expected to have the same reach as the JASSM-ER, which is reported to be around 600 miles .

“With the deployment of the LRASM from the B-2 Spirit, the Pacific Air Forces takes a major step forward in countering maritime threats,” according to today’s release from that command. “This milestone showcased impressive high-end innovation reinforcing the US military’s commitment to safeguarding national interests and maintaining global security.”

“The B-2’s impressive performance underscores the US military’s commitment to adaptability and flexibility in the face of emerging security challenges,” Air Force Gen. Kevin B. Schneider, head of PACAF, also said in a statement. “By prioritizing counter-maritime strike operations, we can maintain a decisive edge over adversaries, protect our national interests and ensure the free and open Pacific that underpin our global security.”

Another view of an LRASM being loaded onto a B-2 ahead of the Valiant Shield 2026 SINKEX. USAF

As we noted right up front in this story, pairing the highly survivable and hard-to-spot B-2 with LRASM presents a new penetrating anti-ship capability. Each one of the bombers could engage multiple ships simultaneously and use their other attributes to get within range of even the most high-value targets, such as the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) growing fleet of aircraft carriers and big deck amphibious assault ships . LRASM’s range means that the bombers only need to be in hundreds of miles of their targets. As mentioned, the missiles themselves offer a high degree of survivability, as well.

The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong , at left, and Liaoning , at right, sail together in the Pacific together with their escorts, as aircraft fly overhead. Chinese government

We already know that the Air Force’s B-1 bomber crews have been training for years to use large LRASM barrages to decapitate major surface naval forces.

“LRASM plays a critical role in ensuring U.S. naval access to operate in both open-ocean and littoral environments due to its enhanced ability to discriminate between targets from long-range,” then-Lt. Col. Timothy Albrecht, said following B-1 training sorties over the Black Sea back in 2020 . “With the increase of maritime threats and their improvement of anti-access/area-denial [A2/AD] environmental weapons, this stealthy anti-ship cruise missile provides reduced risk to strike assets by penetrating and defeating sophisticated enemy air-defense systems.”

A B-1 bomber drops an LRASM during a test. USAF

At that time, Albrecht was a member of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s (USAFE) 603rd Air Operations Center and the Bomber Task Force mission planner.

The adversary A2/AD threat ecosystem globally has only continued to grow in scale and scope since then, and TWZ regularly calls attention to this reality . The PLA has already established significant A2/AD bubbles in the Pacific and continues to expand on those capabilities . In this context, the public disclosure of the B-2’s LRASM capability around Valiant Shield in the Pacific can also be seen as sending a message aimed straight at Beijing, just as the U.S. military has done with previous long-range weapon tests in the region in the past.

A B-2 bomber seen along with other aircraft at Andersen Air Force Base on Guam. USAF

The fact that LRASM has been integrated onto the B-2 also points to future anti-ship capabilities on the forthcoming B-21 Raider fleet . The B-21 is notably smaller than the B-2, and will be able to carry less ordnance as a result , but the Air Force also plans to buy at least 100 of them , if not substantially more. The Raider is also expected to have extreme unrefueled range . Air Force officials talk regularly about what all this will mean for future operations compared to what is offered today by the still highly capable, but much smaller fleet of just 19 B-2s .

A pre-production B-21 Raider bomber seen from above during aerial refueling testing. USAF

What has been revealed already is that the Air Force now has a very capable, long-range, deep-penetrating delivery platform capable of delivering its most capable and hard-to-detect anti-ship missiles.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com

The post Air Force Discloses B-2 Can Launch Stealth Anti-Ship Missiles In Surprise Announcement appeared first on TWZ .