Wasted

Memphis Depay missed a clear scoring chance with an open goal during Internacional against Corinthians in Brazil. The Dutch forward's miss quickly became a talking point among Brazilian football fans, with many reacting to the glaring opportunity wasted in a tight match.

A scam-baiting channel has released a new episode in which a fraudster allegedly begs the host for cryptocurrency during a recorded call, a reversal of the usual dynamic where scammers demand money from victims. Episodes in this series typically feature hosts wasting scammers' time and exposing their tactics, and audiences respond strongly to moments where the con artist loses control of the conversation.

Indonesian tech reviewer GadgetIn spent Rp5 million on a 'mystery box 2026' whose contents were unknown until opening, and shared the unboxing with his audience. The stunt has drawn massive engagement, with millions reacting as viewers debate whether paying that much for unspecified items is entertainment, waste, or a savvy look at surprise-box shopping trends heading into 2026.

Scotland are playing Slovenia in a UEFA Nations League Group B1 fixture, with the match covered live by major outlets including The Guardian alongside other games such as Croatia v Spain. Fans are following predictions, kick-off times, line-ups and where to watch, while UK press highlights Scotland's hopes of cutting out wasted chances.

Commentators are pushing back on plastic straw and bag bans, arguing they do little to address ocean plastic pollution. The piece contends that most marine plastic comes from a small number of rivers in Asia and Africa, and from discarded fishing gear, meaning Western consumer bans are largely symbolic. Supporters of the bans argue they still raise awareness and reduce waste.

A developer is discussing how to build a free VIN decoding API edge service without abusing the NHTSA's official database. Calling NHTSA on every request wastes the government API's quota, while serving cached results forever can return outdated or inaccurate vehicle data. The proposed middle ground is a cache-aside pattern where misses fetch from NHTSA once and subsequent hits stay local. The conversation touches on TypeScript, API design and general web development practices.

Crypto investor Arthur Hayes says trillions of dollars are being wasted on the AI boom, and he is positioning for what comes after it. The comment, reported by CNBC, adds to a growing debate over whether massive AI infrastructure spending will deliver returns or end in a costly bust.

Researchers are highlighting the environmental dimensions of antimicrobial resistance, including how pollutants and waste spread resistant microbes and genes, the need for better surveillance, and options for mitigation. The discussion covers monitoring hotspots such as water systems and calls for coordinated action alongside efforts to preserve antibiotic effectiveness. Commentators stress that tackling resistance requires looking beyond hospitals and clinics to wider environmental sources.

A startup has unveiled a plan to produce water from air by harnessing waste heat generated by data centers. The approach, reported by WIRED, would capture humidity using excess thermal energy from computing facilities and convert it into usable water. Details about the company, its technology, and any pilot projects have not yet been made public, and it remains unclear how far the concept has progressed beyond planning.

A new government report calls for urgent immigration enforcement plans, arguing that current gaps are wasting taxpayer money. The report, covered by public media outlets, frames faster and better-coordinated enforcement as a fiscal necessity as well as a policy priority. The specific measures proposed and the government's response have not been detailed in the available coverage.

Several Italian tax stories are drawing attention at once. Proposals in Vietnam would tax 'unused land' at seven times normal rates, while in Italy businesses face the 30 September deadline for paying stamp duty on electronic invoices, with not all VAT-registered firms paying on time. In Palermo, councillor candidate Aiello of Progetto Civico urged the city not to use the tourist tax to cover waste-collection costs, criticising what he calls taxing tourism to balance the budget.

Oklahoma is facing scrutiny over the environmental toll of its large marijuana industry, with widespread coverage examining issues such as water use, energy consumption, and waste from indoor and outdoor cannabis cultivation. The story is being picked up by outlets across the region, prompting debate over how the state should regulate grow operations and balance its booming cannabis market against environmental protection.

A Washington Post column outlines three science-backed methods for helping the brain clear out metabolic waste, touching on the glymphatic system and everyday habits such as sleep that support its function. The piece distills recent neuroscience research into practical advice readers can apply.

Scotland take on Slovenia in a World Cup qualifying fixture, with the match drawing search interest across the US, UK and India. Attention centres on Scotland's performance, with discussion of Billy Gilmour's role and criticism of the team's wastefulness in front of goal. Belgium coach Sebastien Pocognoli has also commented on Scotland's improvement.

US Vice President JD Vance is defending the government's use of taxpayer-funded advertising, pushing back against criticism that public money should not be spent on promotional campaigns. Supporters argue the ads serve a legitimate public information purpose, while critics call the spending wasteful and politically motivated. The comments have reignited debate over how federal funds are used for messaging.

The US Supreme Court is hearing a case concerning how the military disposes of waste on Guam. The dispute centers on environmental and regulatory responsibilities tied to military operations on the island, and the outcome could shape federal obligations for cleanup and waste management in US territories. Residents and officials in Guam have long raised concerns about the impact of military activity on the island's land and environment.

An Oklahoma oil company has plugged a well that was potentially leaking toxic waste, following an investigation by ProPublica and The Frontier. The reporting revealed that state regulators had approved the well in violation of rules designed to protect public drinking water, raising questions about oversight of oil and gas operations and the safety of water supplies in the state.

Archaeologists and history enthusiasts are revisiting late-medieval Irish clogs from 1150-1550, carved from alder and yew wood and worn over regular shoes. The overshoe design protected wearers as they walked through mud, water and other waste covering medieval streets. Examples are held at the National Museum of Ireland, which highlights them as an early example of practical, weather-driven fashion.

A new guide outlines how farms can diversify their income by turning compost and manure into packaged retail products. It covers practical steps for processing, marketing and selling these materials directly to consumers, giving farmers a potential additional revenue stream from waste products their operations already generate.

A new application to use a site for storing industrial waste is drawing attention in the waste management sector. Waste360 reported on the proposal, which would allow industrial waste to be kept at the location. Such applications typically raise questions from local residents and regulators about environmental impact, safety and oversight, and industry watchers are tracking how the request progresses.

A case before the US Supreme Court concerning military waste disposal in Guam carries broader implications for the island's residents, Courthouse News reports. The review touches on wider questions about how federal activities affect Guam's environment and its people, making the outcome significant beyond the waste issue itself.

A local artist is creating murals that highlight ocean pollution, turning public walls into environmental messages. The work aims to draw attention to plastic waste and other threats facing the sea, using public art to reach people where they live and pass through. The artist's murals connect local communities with the broader issue of marine pollution.

The governing coalition's parliamentary groups in Germany are planning to introduce a new tax on plastics, according to DIE ZEIT. The levy would target plastic materials, adding to existing European measures against plastic waste. The proposal is drawing attention as part of broader environmental policy, with debate expected over costs for industry and consumers and how the revenue would be used.