Slash

An extreme budget diet challenge is drawing attention online, in which a person eats only food they have won through competitions, games or prizes rather than buying groceries. The idea of living on prize meals as a way to slash food costs has sparked discussion about how far people will go to save money.

Amazon has slashed 18% off the top-spec Google Pixel 11 Pro XL with 1TB of storage, knocking $300 off the price in the flagship's first discount since launch. Tech writers say the deal makes Google's big 2026 phone a far more tempting proposition for buyers who had balked at the premium configuration's full price. Coverage is focused on whether the early discount signals softer demand or simply aggressive holiday-season pricing.

PhoneArena reports that Apple has slashed production plans for the iPhone 18 Pro, with the outlet suggesting there is a significant problem behind the decision. No further details are given beyond the headline, and it is not yet clear what the issue is or how large the production cut would be. The claim concerns a device Apple has not released, so it would affect the company's 2026 lineup if accurate.

Walmart has dropped the price of an MSI gaming PC from $1,599 to $899, a discount of $700. Reports say more than 1,000 shoppers have already bought the machine at the reduced price, making it one of the retailer's fastest-moving electronics deals. Bargain hunters are sharing the offer widely as gamers look for affordable desktops ahead of the holiday shopping season.

Google has added a new Map tool to the Gemini app on Android and iOS, helping users make location-based prompts more easily. Alongside the feature, the app is preparing to replace the forward slash command for skills with an @ symbol, a change that alters how people invoke tools within the assistant. Tech watchers are noting the update as another sign of Google steadily expanding Gemini's everyday usability.

Fangoria has revealed exclusive details about Slasher Trash, a new documentary examining the lesser-known and underdiscussed corners of slasher cinema. The film aims to spotlight obscure and forgotten entries in the genre rather than its famous hits. Horror fans are sharing the news, with interest driven by the genre's enduring popularity and the documentary's focus on overlooked material.

A theatrical production of Lourdes is being staged at the Dublin Theatre Festival with what the Guardian describes as a Vegas glow-up, and its staging includes scenes in which canvases are slashed. The Guardian is covering the show as part of its festival coverage, drawing attention to its extravagant visual treatment of the religious subject matter in an Irish theatre setting.

Apple has reportedly reduced orders for the iPhone 18 Pro by 15% to 20% for October. The reported cut is drawing attention as a possible signal of softer-than-expected demand for Apple's next flagship phones, though the company has not commented and the full reasons behind the reduction remain unknown.

Coalition frontbencher Angus Taylor has announced a migration plan to slash net migration to 100,000 a year, require international students to study offshore, and introduce social media checks for applicants. The policy is framed as an attempt to outflank One Nation on immigration, with the Coalition claiming it is budget-neutral despite unreleased parliamentary costings. Critics point to the absence of modelling on skills shortages, aged care and other labour needs, and question the economic impact of cutting the international education sector.

A Wall Street Journal report says a price war among leading AI providers is intensifying, with OpenAI gaining ground on rival Anthropic. Falling model prices are becoming a competitive weapon as companies slash costs to win developer and enterprise customers. The report suggests OpenAI's pricing moves are shifting market share in its favor, raising pressure on competitors to respond with their own discounts.

Walmart has slashed prices on a wide range of robot vacuums, with some deals starting at just $5 — a price so low the retailer's own promotion notes it is 'not a typo'. Shoppers are browsing steep discounts across multiple models as the retailer clears stock, with budget buyers particularly drawn to the rock-bottom entry price.

Amazon has cut the price of the XGIMI Elfin Flip Laser projector by 20%, bringing it down to $599, its lowest price to date. The deal highlights the device's 1080p laser projection, pitched as a good fit for small rooms. Shoppers looking for a compact projector at a discount are taking note of the limited-time offer.

AT&T is offering up to $1,200 off the iPhone 18 Pro, with the discount reportedly available even on devices with cracked screens, alongside four other promotions. The unusually broad trade-in terms are drawing attention from shoppers and tech deal watchers comparing carrier offers.

New analysis from UCLA Anderson Review finds that the widely predicted 'AI jobpocalypse' for recent college graduates has not materialised. Despite concerns that artificial intelligence would slash entry-level hiring, the expected collapse in opportunities for new grads has not arrived. The findings challenge a popular narrative that AI was already displacing young workers at the start of their careers.

The European Commission is pleading with EU member state governments not to make deep cuts to the bloc's next long-term shared budget. According to the Financial Times, Brussels is warning capitals against slashing the upcoming multiannual budget, as negotiations loom over how the EU will fund its priorities in the years ahead. The appeal sets up a fight between the Commission and member states over spending levels.