Europe

AppWizard
August 16, 2025
4J Studios has opened a new office in Edinburgh, Scotland, expanding its operations from its headquarters in Dundee. Founded in 2005, the studio employs over 50 individuals and is known for porting Minecraft to various consoles. The company is currently developing a survival sandbox game called Reforj. The video game industry in Scotland has grown significantly, with the number of companies increasing from 15 to 130 between 2010 and 2024. Chris van der Kuyl, chairman of 4J Studios, emphasized the importance of the Dice Europe event for the local industry and the need for collaboration to support talent in Scotland.
Tech Optimizer
August 15, 2025
The Crypto24 ransomware group, identified in September 2024, employs advanced tactics to disable antivirus protections before launching attacks. They use a custom variant of the open-source tool RealBlindingEDR.malware to neutralize AV defenses, sometimes uninstalling antivirus programs entirely. After gaining access to a target system, they deploy a keylogger and an encryptor, exfiltrating data to Google Drive with a specialized tool. The group has targeted large organizations in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, focusing on sectors like finance, manufacturing, technology, and entertainment. Cybersecurity experts recommend a layered defense strategy, including reputable antivirus solutions with tamper protection, real-time monitoring, firewalls, and additional anti-malware tools to mitigate risks.
AppWizard
August 14, 2025
A new wave of Android malware is targeting banking applications, utilizing techniques such as NFC relay fraud, call hijacking, and root-level exploits. Variants like PhantomCard, SpyBanker, and KernelSU are designed to infiltrate devices and manipulate transactions in real time. PhantomCard mimics legitimate NFC payment processes, SpyBanker hijacks calls from financial institutions, and KernelSU exploits kernel vulnerabilities for persistent access. This malware has affected thousands of devices, with attackers using disguises on the Google Play Store and phishing campaigns. A related variant, Anatsa, impacted over 90,000 users through fake PDF applications. The rise of such malware correlates with the increasing adoption of contactless payments, particularly in Europe and Asia. Experts recommend that banks enhance their defenses with behavioral analytics and that users enable app verification. Additionally, malware like KernelSU allows evasion of detection by operating at the system's core. Cybersecurity firms suggest a multi-layered security approach, including device encryption and AI-driven threat detection, to combat these evolving threats.
Winsage
August 12, 2025
Windows 11 KB5063878 is a mandatory update that introduces features such as Quick Machine Recovery, improved stability, and enhanced system performance. The update will automatically download and install, identified as the 2025-08 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 Version 24H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5063878), advancing systems to Windows 11 Build 26100.4946. It addresses stability issues reported after the May 2025 updates, particularly in gaming scenarios. Direct download links for offline installers (.msu) are available on the Microsoft Update Catalog. The update includes a new Settings UI with an AI-powered search bar, enhancements for handheld gaming, a redesigned Black Screen of Death (BSOD), and Quick Machine Recovery for unbootable systems. Users in Europe with Copilot+ PCs gain new AI features like Recall, which can be disabled through Privacy & Security settings. Fixes in this update include resolving Windows Firewall errors, issues with the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS), visibility problems in File Explorer, and bugs affecting the Settings app and laptop lid options. Microsoft is unaware of any current issues with the update and will continue testing.
Winsage
August 12, 2025
Microsoft has released two cumulative updates for Windows 11: KB5063878 for version 24H2 and KB5063875 for version 23H2, addressing security vulnerabilities and various issues. Users can install the updates via Start > Settings > Windows Update or download them from the Microsoft Update Catalog. For Windows 11 Enterprise or Windows Server with Hotpatch, update KB5064010 is available, sharing the same fixes with a build number of 26100.4851. After installation, the build number for Windows 11 24H2 will be 26100.4946, and for 23H2, it will be 226x1.5768. Support for Windows 11 23H2 will end on November 11, 2025. The updates include new features and fixes in the Settings app, Windows Resiliency Initiative, Start menu, Snap functionality, Windows Search, input enhancements, File Explorer, desktop icons, and notifications. Microsoft has reported no known issues with this update.
AppWizard
August 10, 2025
A team from Wrexham University has created a block-by-block replica of the 2025 National Eisteddfod in Minecraft to provide an immersive experience for those unable to attend the festival. The project, which took about three weeks to develop, has attracted 50 to 60 participants from Wales, England, and Ireland since its launch. Players can explore a virtual village featuring performance stages and craft stalls, and contribute their own designs. The National Eisteddfod is Europe's largest cultural festival, and the developers aim to promote the Welsh language in a playful environment. The server will remain active for another month, encouraging creativity from players of all ages. Minecraft, the best-selling computer game of all time, has been utilized for this project due to its accessibility and popularity.
AppWizard
August 6, 2025
McDonald’s has increased its sales in the second quarter by focusing on value and innovative offerings, particularly through the introduction of the McValue menu in January, which has revitalized customer traffic in U.S. locations. The McValue menu allows customers to purchase one item for when they buy a full-priced item, attracting a diverse clientele. Despite this success, the company faces challenges from declining traffic among lower-income consumers, particularly those with household incomes of ,000 or less, with double-digit declines noted during the April to June period. In April, McDonald’s launched a meal tied to “A Minecraft Movie” in 100 countries, marking its largest global campaign, and the associated collectible figures sold out in less than two weeks. The introduction of new chicken products has also increased chicken market share across McDonald’s ten largest markets. In contrast to competitors like Yum Brands and Chipotle, McDonald’s reported a 5% revenue increase to .8 billion for the April to June period, with same-store sales rising nearly 4%. Net income for the second quarter increased 11% to .9 billion, with adjusted earnings of .69 per share meeting Wall Street expectations.
AppWizard
August 4, 2025
TOHO Games has announced a new mobile and PC game titled Tensui no Sakuna Hime: Hinuka Junreitan, which combines rice cultivation simulation with exploration and battle RPG elements. The game will be released as a free-to-play title with optional in-game purchases and features characters Sakuna and Hinuka, voiced by Naomi Ōzora and Machico, respectively. It is developed by Edelweiss and TOHO Games, with G2 Studios leading the development and Ryōta Murayama overseeing character design. The Sakuna franchise is expanding with an anime adaptation that premiered in July 2024 and a sequel in production. The original game was released in November 2020. Additionally, a spinoff game titled Sakuna Chronicles: Kokorowa and the Gears of Creation will be published in the West by XSEED and Marvelous Europe, and a manga adaptation ran from November 2021 to November 2022.
AppWizard
July 31, 2025
Atari has entered an agreement to acquire the European firm Thunderful Group through a directed share issue valued at SEK 50 million, gaining control over 82 percent of Thunderful's outstanding shares, with Thunderful's board approving the transaction. CEO Wade Rosen highlighted the acquisition as a milestone for Atari's expansion in Europe, while Thunderful has initiated a restructuring operation aimed at achieving cost savings of SEK 6 to 8 million for the latter half of the 2025 financial year and SEK 40 to 45 million during 2026, which will involve job cuts. CEO Martin Walfisz will step down as part of this transition, marking the third round of restructuring for Thunderful in recent years.
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