The government probably took too much of your paycheck this year – here’s how to get it back

US taxpayers will have a “gigantic refund year in the first quarter” of 2026, the treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, recently said in an interview.Given all the untruths that come out of the current administration, you wouldn’t be blamed if you don’t believe him. But you should. This year, there will be a significant amount of tax refunds. Why? Well, it’s not tariff cash

The cost of AI slop could cause a rethink that shakes the global economy in 2026

The US dictionary Merriam-Webster’s word of the year for 2025 was “slop”, which it defines as “digital content of low quality that is produced, usually in quantity, by means of artificial intelligence”. The choice underlined the fact that while AI is being widely embraced, not least by corporate bosses keen to cut payroll costs, its downsides are also becoming obvious. In 2026, a reckoning with reality for AI represents a growing economic risk.Ed Zitron, the foul-mouthed figurehead of AI scepticism, argues pretty convincingly that, as things stand, the “unit economics” of the entire industry – the cost of servicing the requests of a single customer against the price companies are able to charge them – just don’t add up. In typically colourful language, he calls them “dogshit”

‘Just an unbelievable amount of pollution’: how big a threat is AI to the climate?

Defenders say AI can do good to fight the climate crisis. But spiralling energy and water costs leave experts worriedThe Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more.During a golden sunset in Memphis in May, Sharon Wilson pointed a thermal imaging camera at Elon Musk’s flagship datacentre to reveal a planetary threat her eyes could not

Reddit overtakes TikTok in UK thanks to search algorithms and gen Z

Reddit, the online discussion platform, has overtaken TikTok as Britain’s fourth most visited social media service, as search algorithms and gen Z have dramatically transformed its prominence.The platform has undergone huge growth over the last two years, with an 88% increase in the proportion of UK internet users it reaches. Three in five Brits online now encounter the site, up from a third in 2023, according to Ofcom.Its popularity is rising fastest with younger internet users. It is now the sixth most visited organisation of any kind by UK users aged between 18 and 24, up from 10th a year earlier

‘The Glastonbury of sport’: Luke Littler effect takes darts to new heights

A peak audience of 2.5m watched the world championship final on Sky as Luke Litter defended his titleIf further proof was needed about the burgeoning popularity of Luke Littler and darts, it came with early viewing figures from Barb that showed the 18-year-old’s second world title victory on Saturday night was watched by a peak audience of 2.5m on Sky.They are huge numbers in a sport that, not so long ago, would have been delighted with anything over a million. That is the Littler effect in action

‘We’re seen as the underdogs’: the Australian skiers out on their own chasing an Olympic dream | Kieran Pender

Reilly Flanagan is on the brink of history. If the Canberran aerial skier qualifies for the Winter Olympics, which begin in Italy next month, it will mark the first time Australia have contested the discipline’s team event at the global showpiece. After Flanagan and his teammates finished fourth at the world championships in March and won bronze at a World Cup last January, they have every chance of going for gold at Milano-Cortina.Standing between Flanagan and a spot in Australia’s illustrious Olympic history is the small matter of qualification. To be eligible for the mixed team event, the former gymnast must qualify for the individual discipline too