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Professional cyclist Willie Smit went 14 years without being disqualified from a race. Then he put on a pair of smart glasses.

The 33-year-old South African veteran cyclist was removed from the opening stage of the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai after officials determined that his video-recording glasses violated Union Cycliste Internationale rules governing onboard technology. Smit, who was racing for China’s Anta-Mentech Cycling Team, announced the disqualification on X and posted footage captured from the glasses during the race.

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“Today I was disqualified for the first time in my cycling career,” Smit wrote. He said he had not known about the restriction and argued that “a warning, fine or yellow card” would have been enough.

Why did smart glasses break the rules?

The rule is fairly simple once the technical language is stripped away: Cyclists can record races, but the camera generally has to be attached to the bicycle. Riders cannot wear a recording device on their bodies unless the rules for that particular type of cycling specifically allow it.

Smit’s camera was built into his glasses, though, which meant it was sitting on his face rather than mounted on his bike. The UCI confirmed that newer smart glasses capable of recording video are therefore prohibited during its sanctioned competitions. Breaking the rule can result in a rider being prevented from starting, eliminated, or disqualified. Smit was disqualified after completing the first stage.

Smit described the restriction as a new rule introduced in April. The section of the UCI rulebook covering onboard technology was first added in 2021, although the organization has continued updating its equipment rules as cameras, GPS computers, sensors, and other devices have become more advanced.

He also questioned why cyclists at the Tour de France have been allowed to film during stages while his glasses produced an automatic disqualification. Smit pointed to footage of Lidl-Trek rider Toms Skujiņš interviewing fellow cyclist Victor Campenaerts in the middle of a Tour de France stage.

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There was one crucial difference, though: The camera used for Skujiņš’s video was mounted to his bicycle, placing it within the UCI’s rules, while Smit’s camera was sitting on his face.

Smit maintained that he used the glasses only to record his view of the race. He said their AI capabilities did not work without a connected phone and that, while he was riding, the glasses could “do nothing but record video.” There is no indication that he used them to receive coaching, performance information, or help from anyone outside the race.

Social media users immediately noticed the irony and criticized the response.

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Smart glasses are also only the latest highly specific piece of equipment to get a rider in trouble. Cyclists have recently been disqualified over an underweight bike, handlebars that were too narrow, a prohibited riding position, and clothing that did not comply with UCI rules.

Meta designed the glasses for sports

The unusual part of Smit’s disqualification is that the Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses were created specifically for athletes. Meta describes them as “Performance AI glasses” for high-intensity sports and says their wraparound shape is designed to fit underneath cycling helmets. The company even promoted the glasses during the 2026 Super Bowl, with iShowSpeed and former NFL player Marshawn Lynch wearing the Vanguard model in its ad campaign.

The glasses contain a 12-megapixel camera that can record video in up to 3K resolution, along with microphones and speakers that allow the wearer to listen to audio and speak to Meta AI. When connected to a compatible Garmin device, they can provide spoken updates about a cyclist’s heart rate, speed, and pace. They can also automatically record clips when an athlete reaches certain distances, speeds, elevations, or heart-rate levels, and add Strava data to photos and videos afterward.

Oakley Meta HSTN 3K Recording Smart AI Glasses (Light Curry, Transitions Brown Lenses) $459.84 at Amazon
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None of that means Smit was using every feature during the race. The UCI did not accuse him of receiving AI coaching or using live fitness information. Under its rules, officials did not need to prove that he was using those tools, just that he was wearing the device.

The incident comes as Meta is trying to make smart glasses more common both in sports and everyday life. In June, the company introduced 26 versions of its new Meta-branded frames, including an oval pair designed with Kylie Jenner, while continuing to sell its Ray-Ban and Oakley models.

This release has brought attention to the glasses’ ability to record people nearby. Meta says a white light on the front of every pair blinks while the camera is taking a photo or recording video and has no off switch. But those safeguards haven't been entirely effective — three women told CNN that men secretly recorded conversations with them and later uploaded the videos to social media without their consent. One said footage of her being approached in a grocery store received nearly 20 million views, even though she had asked the man not to post it.

Concern has produced restrictions. The College Board prohibits smart glasses during the SAT, the New York State court system is banning eyewear containing recording equipment beginning July 20, and a Florida school district has prohibited students from bringing the devices onto campuses or school buses. South Korean prosecutors have also brought a criminal case against a man accused of using AI-powered glasses to cheat on a national licensing exam.

On the pop-culture beat, Lorde has also criticized smart glasses from the stage at Madrid’s Mad Cool festival, calling them "not sexy."

Ultimately, the Oakley Meta Vanguard may have been built for cycling, but during a UCI race, its safest position appears to be inside the team car.

After soaring in its stock market debut, the shares of Elon Musk’s rocket and A.I. company have been rocky.

A New York school district is piloting a humanoid robot teacher to help students with summer school classes.

Announced earlier this year, Salamanca City Central school district, located in Salamanca, New York, and Toronto-based robotics company Realbotix have partnered to integrate a new AI teachers' assistant into classrooms — and potentially debut a fleet of robot tutors this fall.

The AI, called Optio, will be available for students in classrooms and outside school hours, including 24/7 homework support. The robot, part of Realbotix' M-Series and named Sally, will be present in select Salamanca City Central high school AI and Robotics courses.

SEE ALSO: Should kids use Google AI search? These experts say no.

The company explains Sally uses natural language processing, facial expressions, and live feedback to provide classroom support, with "education-specific safety guardrails" in place. The robot has a human-like appearance and will remain seated at a desk, with partial upper-body movements. Students must provide Sally with their student ID number, which the robot uses to bring up personalized student learning data.

The school is part of the the Woz ED STEM Pathway curriculum program, started by Apple founder Steve Wozniak to boost STEM education.

"This deployment in a working school district represents a landmark moment for both AI and humanoid robotics,” Realbotix CEO Andrew Kiguel, said in a press release at the time. "We are moving beyond lab demonstrations and pilots to deliver real, embodied AI directly into classrooms — supporting teachers, engaging students, and proving that advanced robotics can thrive in live educational environments. Salamanca marks the beginning of a new era where humanoid robots and intelligent AI assistants become standard tools in STEM education."

Realbotix, formerly known as Tokens.com, rebranded after acquiring the hyperrealistic sex doll company RealDoll in 2024. The company recently debuted a new line of unsettlingly lifelike robot companions.

While AI embeds itself deeper in classrooms, tech watchdogs have warned that the technology may exacerbate bias and worsen inequality, especially among already underserved populations. Critics of classroom AI also warn that the technology could be used as a subpar replacement for human educators in districts with strained resources.

Notably, the Salamanca City Central district is located in part of the Seneca Nation of Indians Reservation, and more than a third of its students are Indigenous. Around 79 percent of the district's students are economically disadvantaged, New York Focus reports.

"This partnership gives all students controlled, equitable access to safe and powerful AI resources while fostering learning — not replacing it," said district Superintendent Mark Beehler.

Firmly grasp it — your wallet, that is. Lego unveiled two new SpongeBob Squarepants-themed building sets this week, its first in nearly 15 years.

The new Lego Icons SpongeBob SquarePants: Bikini Bottom set marks the inaugural SpongeBob Lego kit geared toward adults, while the new Lego BrickHeadz SpongeBob SquarePants Figure is the latest entry in its blocky line for kids. Both sets are slated for release on Sept. 1 and available for preorder now exclusively at the Lego Store.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Icons SpongeBob SquarePants: Bikini Bottom (11386) $219.99 at Lego.com
  Pre-order Here Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego BrickHeadz SpongeBob SquarePants Figure (40858) $12.99 at Lego.com
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According to a company press release, the Bikini Bottom set was made in partnership with Paramount Products & Experiences in honor of the first-ever SpongeBob Day on July 14. That's SpongeBob’s birthday in his eponymous show; this year, he turns 40. (The SpongeBob Squarepants franchise is owned by the Nickelodeon Group, a Paramount subsidiary.)

Priced at $219.99, the set contains 1,794 pieces that build into the iconic homes of Sponge boy me Bob and his neighbors, Patrick and Squidward. Each one has a decked-out living space on the inside with tiny beds, TVs, and furnishings. Squidward even gets his own bubble bath, tanning bed, clarinet, and sheet music stand.

The gang's all here. Credit: Lego

The set comes complete with minifigures of the aforementioned characters, plus SpongeBob's pet snail, Gary, and 2D evil twin, DoodleBob. Lego also throws in a brickified Boatmobile, a patch of the Jellyfish Fields, a Bikini Bottom city sign, and a bubblestand.

SpongeBob voice actor Tom Kenny showcased the set in videos posted to the official @spongebob TikTok account on Tuesday. "Whether you're an old-school collector like me or looking for a great holiday gift, this set bursts with nautical nonsense!" he said in one clip.

The minifigures come with accessories, like a jellyfishing net and an ice cream cone. Credit: Lego Take that net on over to Jellyfish Fields. Credit: Lego

Heads up that shoppers who preorder the SpongeBob Squarepants: Bikini Bottom set before July 23 will receive a free Tom Nook and Flying Present set with their order. If you're a member of the Lego Insiders loyalty program — it's free to join — you'll also get a bonus Restaurants of the World: Japan set featuring a tiny sushi bar. They're worth $4.99 and $19.99, respectively.

He's ready. Credit: Lego

The BrickHeadz figure of The Sponge is geared toward ages 10 and up. It contains 72 pieces, including a jellyfishing net, and stands a little over three inches tall. It'll cost you $12.99.

2026 isn't just the year SpongeBob celebrates the big 4-0. It also marks two decades since Lego released its very first SpongeBob-themed set: a 295-piece build of the Krusty Krab. The company came out with at least two new SpongeBob sets every year through 2012 before putting the series on hiatus — until now.

England and Argentina are playing for a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, and just as they did before Spain versus France, the internet’s astrologers are looking for clues about what might happen next.

The predictions are not perfectly aligned, pun intended. Several forecasts give Argentina the edge, with some pointing to the Leo moon and England’s weaker planetary support. Others predict an England victory, while at least one reading found the chart almost evenly divided, with only a slight advantage for the Three Lions.

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England supporters also have a larger omen to hold onto. The country’s only World Cup victory came in 1966, a Fire Horse year in the Chinese zodiac, and 2026 marks the Fire Horse’s first return in 60 years. Whether that means football is coming home or merely bringing more stress with it remains open to interpretation.

The moon and Jupiter are both in Leo on July 15, a sign astrologers associate with confidence, leadership, and players rising to a major occasion. Mercury remains retrograde in Cancer, however, which could make the match less predictable and communication more fuzzy.

Astrology cannot tell us who will score, save a penalty, or advance to the final. But it can offer another way to look at how each player may respond to the pressure of the match. Here is what the birth charts of six key players suggest about England versus Argentina.

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The players’ birth-chart information and planetary placements were sourced from Astro-Charts and Astrotheme. Because the birth times of several players are unknown, rising signs were not included. Astrology is interpretive and cannot reliably predict the result of a match.

EnglandHarry Kane: Leo sun, Sagittarius moon This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Harry Kane has 6 goals at this World Cup, according to Google, tying Jude Bellingham for the most on England and leaving both players two behind Messi. The 32-year-old’s Leo sun suits the visibility and pressure that come with captaining the team, while his Sagittarius moon points to confidence and the ability to keep believing even when a match gets difficult. Mars in Virgo adds discipline and precision, which fits a striker who can finish chances but also move back toward midfield to help create them.

Kane enters the semifinal with several favorable parts of his chart working in his favor. Jupiter is moving almost directly over his Leo sun, a connection astrologers often link with opportunity and recognition, while the moon and Mars also give his natal Jupiter some support. The picture is not entirely easy, though. Mercury is putting pressure on his Uranus and Neptune, which could bring confusion or sudden shifts in momentum, and Pluto sits opposite his sun, adding even more weight to the moment. Kane may have chances to shape the game, but he will likely have to manage plenty of pressure along the way.

Jude Bellingham: Cancer sun, Cancer moon This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Jude Bellingham scored both of England’s goals in its 2–1 quarterfinal win over Norway, including the winner in extra time. At 23, he has already become the player England looks to when a match needs to shift. His sun, moon, Mercury, and Saturn are all in Cancer, which points to a player who relies heavily on instinct and reads the mood of the game quickly. His Mars sits close to Uranus in Pisces, giving him a sudden, hard-to-predict quality that fits his ability to move from midfield into scoring positions.

Bellingham is also at the start of his Jupiter return, a cycle often linked with expansion and major opportunities. On Wednesday, Uranus makes a tense angle to his natal Mars and Uranus, which could bring sharp changes in pace or another unexpected moment. He has already shown that he can appear in the right place before anyone else sees the opening, and this chart suggests that ability could matter again.

Bukayo Saka: Virgo sun, Aries moon This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Bukayo Saka, 24, has 3 assists at this World Cup, and remains one of England’s biggest attacking threats. He plays on the right side, where he tries to get past defenders before either passing the ball into the middle or cutting toward goal himself. Norway often sent two players to stop him in the quarterfinal, but he still found ways to create chances. His Virgo sun fits the careful, controlled side of his game, while his Aries moon adds speed, confidence, and a willingness to take defenders on.

Wednesday’s astrology could help bring out both sides of his game. The Leo moon falls close to Saka’s Venus and connects well with his Aries moon, which astrologers may link to creativity and better teamwork. Mars adds more energy, although it could also make him frustrated if Argentina keeps blocking his path.

ArgentinaLionel Messi: Cancer sun, Gemini moon This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Lionel Andrés Messi, 39, has scored 8 goals and added two assists at this World Cup, bringing his career tournament total to a record 21 goals. His Cancer sun, Mercury, and Mars reflect his instinctive style, while his Gemini moon points to quick thinking and adaptability. Messi can change direction, find a pass, or create a shot before defenders ever have time to react.

Wednesday’s sun falls almost exactly on Messi’s natal Mars, the planet astrologers connect with competition, energy, and taking action. Mercury retrograde is also close to his natal Mercury and Mars, making that part of his chart especially active. Astrologers may see this as a sign that Messi will be heavily involved (as usual), although the retrograde could also make the match harder to control.

Julián Álvarez: Aquarius sun, Sagittarius moon This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Julián Álvarez, 26, is one of Argentina’s main forwards and plays close to goal, where he looks for open space and chances to shoot. He can also move deeper or toward either side of the field to help create an attack, making him difficult for defenders to track. His Aquarius sun fits that versatile style, while his Sagittarius moon points to boldness and a willingness to keep making runs toward goal.

Álvarez also has some of the strongest astrology in the match. Right now, Jupiter sits almost exactly on his North Node at 3 degrees Leo, a point astrologers connect with destiny and major opportunities. Along with Mars supporting his sun, that could help him break through England’s defense, force an error, or appear in the right place when Argentina needs a goal.

Alexis Mac Allister: Capricorn sun, Pisces moon

Alexis Mac Allister, 27, plays in the center of Argentina’s midfield, where he helps win the ball and pass it forward to the team’s attackers. His Capricorn sun fits his steady, disciplined style, while his Pisces moon points to strong instincts and an ability to read where the game is moving.

On Wednesday, Mars sits directly opposite Mac Allister’s Mercury, which astrologers may connect with quick thinking, sharp passes, and faster decisions. It could also make him rush or become frustrated under pressure. Venus makes a more supportive connection to his sun, however, which may help him stay composed and work smoothly with his teammates.

The lawsuit highlighted concerns that the privacy of Apple’s iCloud allows illegal material to be easily stored and shared on the service.

Yesterday, Hinge founder Justin McLeod shared more details about his next venture, an AI matchmaking service called Overtone.

McLeod announced his departure from Hinge back in Dec. 2025 to focus on Overtone, which he plans to launch later this year in select locations. (You can put yourself on the waitlist if you're interested.)

SEE ALSO: Your friends can now add to your Hinge profile

"Overtone is not a dating app," McLeod wrote in the latest blog post. "By that I mean it's not a social platform with profiles that reduce people to stats, quotes and photos. There are no opaque, algorithmic feeds trained on split-second impulses. And there’s no juggling likes, matches and chats across many people at once."

Rather, the post goes on, Overtone is a service. McLeod promises Overtone will make only introductions "worth making" and will explain why someone is a match. He wants to bring back matchmaking, a longtime practice. These days, it's pretty limited to those who can spend thousands of dollars on a personal matchmaker, like in the movie Materialists.

"But this time with the reach and diversity of modern networks, the collective wisdom of relationship science, and the conviction that when it comes to options, all you need is less™," he wrote (yes, including the trademark).

Details of what Overtone will look like are scarce, but McLeod also announced the company has raised $18 million from FirstMark Capital, Pace Capital, and Match Group. The latter is the dating app conglomerate that owns Hinge.

Additionally, Match Group and Tinder CEO Spencer Rascoff has joined the board, as have executive leadership adviser and founder of The Signal Institute, Diana Chapman, and famed relationship psychotherapist Esther Perel (who partnered with Hinge last year).

Overtone will come at a time when some daters are skeptical about using AI to find them a match. When Bumble founder and CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd announced earlier this year that Bumble is killing the swipe and ushering in an AI matchmaker, the reaction online was largely negative. But there are budding AI matchmakers out there, such as Sitch Matchmaking and Ditto AI.

Asus will sell a standalone version of its upcoming OLED Xbox Ally X20, according to a report from The Verge, walking back earlier plans that would have required buyers to purchase the handheld bundled with a pair of Xreal AR glasses.

An Asus spokesperson confirmed the change to The Verge, saying, "We are actively discussing the release schedule for a standalone version of the new Ally. Please stay tuned for upcoming announcements."

Our big Guessing Game is back! Enter now for a chance to win an Apple Watch.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft cuts 3,200 Xbox jobs, spins off four studios in major layoffs Credit: Asus

The Verge's Sean Hollister, who spent two hours testing the device at Asus's California offices, wrote that the OLED Ally could prove competitive with the recently released MSI Claw 8 EX AI Plus. The review also highlighted ergonomic upgrades over last year's Xbox Ally X, including new rubberized grips, quieter face buttons, and a reworked cooling system. Hollister singled out a "transforming" D-pad that can rotate between eight-way and four-way configurations, saying it made a noticeable difference in games like Hollow Knight: Silksong.

The Verge did not report specific pricing or a release date for the standalone OLED Ally, though Hollister noted the device will likely cost more than the current $1,000 Xbox Ally X. The bundle with the ROG Xreal R1 Gaming Glasses could cost up to $2,000, though no price or launch date has been confirmed yet.

Internet, meet the nine brand new emoji that will be coming to your keyboards.

The Emoji Standard and Research Working Group at the Unicode Consortium will soon introduce nine new emoji, and these additions are now being revealed ahead of World Emoji Day on July 17. (Why is July 17 known as World Emoji Day? If you check the calendar emoji, you'll see the 17th date of the month is displayed.)

Our big Guessing Game is back! Enter now for a chance to win an Apple Watch.

The new emoji class of 2026 includes:

• Lighthouse

• Eraser

• Leftwards Thumb Sign

• Rightwards Thumb Sign

• The Cracked Smiling Face

• Net with Handle

• The Meteor

• The Pickle

• The Monarch Butterfly

Here are the nine new emoji coming to your keyboard by next Spring. Credit: Did Someone Say Emoji? Substack

A sneak peek at the designs was shared by Unicode Emoji Subcommittee-Chair Jennifer Daniel on her Substack newsletter, "Did Someone Say Emoji?" Daniel says they should arrive on your keyboard by next spring.

Some of these new emoji additions are interesting. For example, it's hard to believe that there wasn't already a Lighthouse or Eraser emoji. Pro wrestling fans will likely get some use out of the leftwards and rightwards thumb signs, as they are perfect for Rob Van Dam's infamous signature pose when used in tandem. The phallic Pickle is sure to be popular for sexting.

However, the Cracked Smiling Face will surely run away as the true crowd-pleaser of the bunch, just like Hairy Creature (aka Bigfoot) was a fan favorite in the new 2025 emoji. Cracked Smiling Face looks like the perfect emoji to sum up 2026. Yes, the emoji won't come out until next year. But that'll be perfect timing for the emoji to sum up 2027, 2028, and then every year beyond that as well. Interestingly, the Cracked Smiling Face is the absolute newest even among its debuting peers. When these nine new emoji were proposed by Unicode earlier this year, the Cracked Smiling Face was originally a completely different emoji known as Smiley Face with Squinting Eyes.

Variations of the Smiley Face with Squinting Eyes from the Unicode Consortium's proposal for the emoji. Credit: Unicode Consortium

Some of these new additions might look familiar. You may be checking your keyboard for the Pickle, Monarch Butterfly, and Meteor emoji. You won't find them. But you will find a Cucumber, a Morpho Butterfly, and a Comet emoji.

As Daniel writes in her Substack, these are all very different emoji, and some changes will be made to the existing emoji to make them all much more visually distinct. For example, the Morpho Butterfly is just a blue butterfly, whereas the Monarch Butterfly will actually look like the majestic orange-and-black butterfly. The Comet emoji and Meteor emoji will also be distinct, with the former showing as a blue streak rocketing through the sky and the latter looking like a flaming meatball.

SAVE $501.99: As of July 15, get the Ecovacs Goat A2000 Robotic Lawn Mower for $1,498 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,999.99. That's a discount of 25%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Ecovacs Goat A2000 Robotic Lawn Mower $1,498 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $501.99   Get Deal

It's summer, the grass is growing higher than your kneecaps, and you don't have the energy to deal with it. If you want a great-looking lawn without all the muss and fuss, it's time to outsource your grass-cutting needs to a robot lawn mower. It's the same great strategy as using a robot to vacuum your floors, only this time it's happening outside with your grass.

As of July 15, get the Ecovacs Goat A2000 Robotic Lawn Mower for $1,498 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $1,999.99. That's $501.99 and a discount of 25%.

SEE ALSO: The best robot lawn mowers in 2025

This wire-free robot lawn mower is all about getting things done, and it has a wide range of features to ensure you aren't the one doing them. Just set it up and let it go on its own, as its HoloScope 360-degree Dual-LiDAR system can automatically map your yard and figure the rest out. It uses 2 cm positioning to figure out where it should and shouldn't be as it makes its way through your yard.

It has built-in edge trimming for clean borders as well as a high-power 32V platform to cut through even thicker grasses that less powerful robot lawn mowers can't. Whether it's uneven terrain, thick grass, or other challenges, this model can handle just about everything and then some. Plus, it charges up quickly back to 100% in about 50 minutes, so you aren't left waiting for it to be usable again.

This machine can truly handle it all, and you won't have to lift a finger to have great grass. Be sure and snatch yours up while it's still affordable, since it's one of the higher-end models out there.

The latest reason to side-eye the salad aisle is microscopic.

Cases of an intestinal illness that can leave people sick for weeks are rising across the United States, and health officials still do not know exactly what people are eating or drinking that is causing the infections. So far, the investigation has produced thousands of cases, several possible leads, and one deeply unhelpful answer for anyone standing in the produce section: The culprit is still unclear.

Since May 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has received reports of 1,645 confirmed domestically acquired cases of cyclosporiasis across 34 states. The agency is also reviewing more than 5,100 additional cases that may be connected. At least 141 people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.

The official count may represent only a fraction of the illnesses. The confirmed total is already significantly higher than it was at the same point last year, when 249 cases had been reported nationally. People with milder symptoms may never seek medical care, cyclosporiasis requires a specific laboratory test, and several weeks can pass before illnesses appear in federal data.

Michigan has emerged as the center of the surge. The state reported 3,762 cases as of July 15, a remarkable increase for a state that typically records only 40 to 50 cases during an entire year.

Health officials believe more than 400 infections across Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia may be part of one connected multistate outbreak. Other clusters are being investigated separately, meaning several contaminated foods or sources may be circulating all at the same time.

The outbreak appears to be spreading through produce, while uncertainty—and memes—spread just as quickly across the internet.

What is cyclosporiasis?

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis, a microscopic parasite. People generally become infected after consuming food or water contaminated with the parasite, which has frequently been associated with raw fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

The parasite is tiny, but the illness it causes can be anything but brief. Its hallmark symptom is prolonged watery diarrhea, but people may also experience stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, fatigue, gas, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Some people develop body aches, vomiting, or a low fever, according to the CDC.

Symptoms usually begin about one week after exposure but can appear anywhere from two days to two weeks later, making it particularly easy to mistake for a stomach bug that has finally packed its bags. Without treatment, they can continue for several weeks or more than a month, making cyclosporiasis considerably more persistent than the average short-lived stomach bug.

The parasite does not usually pass directly from one person to another. After leaving an infected person’s body, Cyclospora must remain in the environment before it becomes infectious, so health officials are focusing on contaminated food and water rather than casual contact with sick people.

Lettuce and other produce are under scrutiny

Investigators have not identified a specific food, farm, processor, supplier, restaurant, or grocery store responsible for the increase. In Michigan, however, early interviews with people who became sick have repeatedly pointed investigators toward lettuce and salad greens.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has completed more than 1,000 interviews with people who tested positive. Lettuce regularly appeared in their recent food histories, although officials have stressed that other foods remain possible and that no particular variety, grower, or supplier has been identified.

Tracing the source is complicated by the parasite’s incubation period. Someone may not develop symptoms until two weeks after eating a contaminated product and may not get tested until even later. By the time an investigator asks what that person ate, they may be trying to recall an unremarkable salad or sandwich from nearly a month earlier.

Produce distribution adds another hurdle. The same lettuce may be sent to restaurants, grocery stores, cafeterias, and other businesses across several states, exposing people with no obvious connection to the same product.

The Food and Drug Administration currently lists several active Cyclospora investigations involving products not yet identified. The agency has begun tracing products through their supply chains, but it has not announced a recall or issued a nationwide warning against a specific item connected to the broader spike.

Previous U.S. outbreaks have been tied to raspberries, basil, cilantro, snow peas, lettuce, bagged salad mixes, and other fresh produce. In 2018, McDonald’s pulled salads from thousands of restaurants during an outbreak eventually traced to a salad supplier.

State, federal health officials probe possible Taco Bell link

Taco Bell entered the story before health officials publicly named any restaurant. Last week, customers began sharing photos of notices posted at locations around Metro Detroit saying the restaurants were unable to serve lettuce, cilantro-onion blends, pico de gallo, and guacamole because of a “nationwide recall.” The signs quickly circulated on Reddit and through local news reports, even though the FDA had not announced a nationwide recall involving those ingredients.

That discrepancy immediately raised questions. The company did not initially identify which locations were affected, where the ingredients had come from, or why the action appeared concentrated in Michigan, the state at the center of the outbreak.

The local speculation became a national story on July 14, when The Washington Post reported that federal and state health officials were investigating whether Taco Bell restaurants played a role in at least part of the outbreak. The report cited two people familiar with the ongoing investigation, one of whom said some patients had told investigators they ate at Taco Bell before becoming sick. Others had not, indicating that the chain could not account for the broader surge even if investigators eventually establish a connection.

The Taco Bell lead also lined up with what Michigan investigators were finding elsewhere. After interviewing more than 1,000 people who tested positive, state officials said lettuce or salad greens repeatedly appeared in their food histories. That does not identify Taco Bell’s lettuce, or any specific lettuce, as the source, but it does explain why they “voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients at select restaurants” as a precaution.

Still, the combination of a recognizable fast-food chain, mysterious “recall” signs, and a reported federal investigation was enough to send Crunch Wrap Supreme-fans into a frenzy. Shares of parent company Yum Brands fell as much as 4.5 percent after the Post report.

Can washing produce remove Cyclospora?

Health officials are not advising everyone in the country to stop eating fresh produce. Instead, they recommend extra care, particularly for lettuce and salad greens, in areas with high case numbers.

The CDC recommends washing fruits and vegetables under clean running water before eating or preparing them, including produce labeled prewashed. Firm items such as cucumbers, melons, and potatoes can be rubbed by hand or scrubbed with a clean produce brush.

Washing may reduce contamination, but it cannot guarantee that Cyclospora has been removed, particularly from leafy greens, herbs, and delicate berries. Soap, bleach, detergent, and household cleaning products should not be used on food, and the parasite can resist some chemical sanitizers.

Michigan officials recommend purchasing whole heads of lettuce rather than precut lettuce, bagged mixes, or salad kits. Consumers can remove the outer two or three layers and wash the remaining inner leaves under running water.

Cooking offers more protection. Heating food to at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius) kills Cyclospora, making cooked vegetables a lower-risk choice than raw produce. Peeling fruits and vegetables after washing them can also help remove potentially contaminated outer surfaces.

What to do if you develop symptoms

People who experience persistent or recurring watery diarrhea should contact a healthcare provider, especially if they are also dealing with dehydration, severe fatigue, nausea, appetite loss, or weight loss.

Patients may need to mention cyclosporiasis specifically. Standard tests for diarrhea do not always include Cyclospora, and the parasite can be difficult to detect in a single stool sample. The CDC has asked clinicians to request Cyclospora testing when they suspect an infection, particularly for patients with prolonged or relapsing symptoms during the spring and summer.

The recommended treatment is a seven- to 10-day course of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, an antibiotic combination commonly sold under the brand names Bactrim and Septra. Staying hydrated is also important because frequent diarrhea can lead to dehydration.

Officials expect case numbers to continue rising while investigators work backward through weeks of meals and complex supply chains for produce. Until they identify the source, washing a salad is still worthwhile, but cooking dinner may offer a little more peace of mind.

Where to find the latest case numbers

The CDC’s cyclosporiasis surveillance page provides the latest national case count and the number of states reporting infections, while its outbreak page tracks the cluster currently linked to cases in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Because federal numbers can lag behind state reporting, readers should also check their state or local health department’s website for more recent regional totals.

The FDA’s active outbreak-investigation table is the best place to check whether officials have identified a food, launched a traceback investigation, or announced a recall.

Yeti deals at Amazon Best overall deal Yeti Hopper M Backpack $260 at Amazon (save $65) Get Deal Best Yeti daypack deal Yeti Ranchero Backpack (18 liters) $160 at Amazon (save $40) Get Deal Best personal Yeti cooler deal Yeti Hopper Flip 12 (firefly yellow) $200 at Amazon (save $50) Get Deal

With summer heat taking over, it's time to cool down. Get out of the house and into a shady forest, sit next to the lake-side breeze, or take to the local pool for some cooling relief. In addition to the cool air, pack the chilled beverages along in a Yeti cooler.

One of the top outdoor brands makes a worthwhile range of coolers, and Amazon has a handful of models on sale for 20% off. Snag one of these before your next outing and you'll have cool drinks and snacks ready to go. Check out some of our favorite deals.

Best overall Yeti deal Opens in a new window Credit: Yeti Yeti Hopper M Backpack $260 at Amazon
$325 Save $65   Get Deal Why we like it

A fan favorite, the Yeti Hopper M backpack is packed with functional design elements. The closed-cell foam keeps items chill while the external kangaroo pocket is perfect for keys, wallet, or a phone. Plus, the soft backpack straps make it comfortable for carrying around in the heat.

Best Yeti backpack deal Opens in a new window Credit: Yeti Yeti Ranchero Backpack (18 liters) $160 at Amazon
$200 Save $40   Get Deal Why we like it

While it's on sale for $40 off, upgrade to the Yeti Ranchero Backpack. The 18-liter model is on sale for $160, down from the normal price of $200. It has quick-access zippers to everything you packed along for the day, and it can stand up on it's own. Keep in mind, this model isn't designed to keep items cold, but instead is a well-designed backpack.

Best Yeti personal cooler deal Opens in a new window Credit: Yeti Yeti Hopper Flip 12 $200 at Amazon
$250 Save $50   Get Deal Why we like it

Designed to hold up to 12 cans plus ice, the Hopper Flip is great for keeping drinks cool for a day spent outside. The leak-proof HydroLok zipper means a drip-free experience. Plus, the high-density fabric is UV-resistant and can handle punctures.

GET $40.99 OFF: Right now, you can get the Namii 2 clitoral suction stimulator and vibrator for $119, down from $159.99, at biird and Hello Nancy.

Opens in a new window Credit: biird Namii 2 $119 at biird
$159.99 Save $40.99   Get Deal

If you're not a sex toy nerd (like I am), you probably didn't notice that around seven-ish months ago, one of biird's most popular products (the Namii) disappeared from its website. I was devastated, of course. The Namii has always been one of my favorite clitoral suction toys, so when it was no longer available on the site — or anywhere else for that matter — I reached out to their PR team but couldn't get a concrete answer.

Now, nearly a year after its release, the Namii 2 (the upgraded version of the Namii) is available on both the biird site and Hello Nancy (also the makers of one of my other favorite clit suckers), and it's on sale for $119. That's a $40.99 price cut, and a damn good deal for a toy that you will literally never get tired of.

SEE ALSO: I've tested 100+ sex toys. Here are the 15 most mind-blowing toys I've ever owned.

I kid you not, this toy has permanent residence on my nightstand. Not only is its mood light charger super cute, but its performance is well beyond that of other toys I've tested. It's ideal for foreplay (especially if you struggle with getting warmed up), edging, having an all-day solo sesh, pleasuring yourself while you give your partner head... the list goes on.

There are seven suction intensities and six vibration modes, and with its wider mouth, it covers every inch of your clit in the best way possible. It also comes with a travel charger (you WILL need that; I accidentally broke my first mood light charger while traveling with it), a storage pouch, and the cutest packaging you'll ever see a sex toy come in.

SAVE UP TO $180.04: As of July 15, two pairs of Beats headphones worn by World Cup star Erling Haaland are on sale for up to 51% off. His Beats Studio 4 are marked down to $149.95 (typically $199.99), while his Beats Studio Pro are as low as $169.95 (normally $349.99).

Beats Solo 4 $149.95 at Amazon
$199.95 Save $50   Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Best Buy Beats Studio Pro $169.95 at Walmart
$332.01 Save $162.06   Get Deal at Walmart Get Deal at Amazon Get Deal at Best Buy

Norwegian striker Erling Haaland may not have gone home from the FIFA World Cup with the Golden Boot, but he did score a legion of new fans (... and a taxidermy raccoon). The 25-year-old footballer was the breakout star of this year's tournament, juxtaposing an intimidating on-pitch presence with off-duty charm and goofiness — not to mention, some major style moments. If you're coveting Haaland's Birkin collection, you've got some serious saving to do. But if you want to own his go-to headphones, you only need around $150.

Haaland is a Beats by Dre ambassador who's been seen wearing the brand's Solo 4 and Studio Pro headphones. At the time of writing, both pairs happened to be on sale for up to 51% off, depending on the color and retailer.

SEE ALSO: FIFA World Cup schedule today: Games, kickoff times, livestream info for July 15

Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart have the Solo 4s marked down to just $149.95, or 25% off their usual price of $199.99. Each retailer has at least three colors in stock at that discount; for his part, Haaland seems to be partial to the Matte Black ones.

Meanwhile, the Matte White Studio Pros that Haaland donned before a game last spring were going for just $169.95 at Walmart. (That's over half off their regular sticker price of $349.99.) The Navy, Black, Brown, and Sandstone pairs were down to $199.95 at Amazon and Best Buy — a 43% savings.

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The Solo 4s are our favorite Beats headphones for shoppers on a budget and those who value long battery life: At up to 50 hours of listening time per charge, they have the most stamina of any Beats cans. Mashable contributor Alex Bracetti liked their "sleek" on-ear design and thought they "[delivered] a prominent midrange that extends vocals on instrumental-heavy recordings."

Reporter Alex Perry reviewed the over-ear Beats Studio Pro a couple years ago and rated them an excellent 4.5/5 for their "fantastic" sound quality and "tremendous" noise cancellation. They're winners of our coveted Mashable Choice Award, the honor we dole out to the absolute best products we test.

Perry was especially impressed by the Studio Pros' almost-perfect parity across iOS and Android. In other words, you don't miss out on any features if you don't have an iPhone. (Beats is owned by Apple, hence Perry's surprise.) "It's hard to find a pair of over-ear headphones with a better all-around experience than Beats Studio Pro," he wrote.

For what it's worth, Haaland curated an official Apple Music playlist of all the classical tunes he listens to during workouts. But might I also suggest Solomun's 2015 Boiler Room set?

Firehouse Subs just became the Official Sub of Major League Baseball, which means two things. First, you'll likely start seeing more Firehouse Subs logos while you're watching baseball games and, more importantly, you can score free subs.

To celebrate the brands' first national sports league deal in its 31-year history, as well as the start of the back half of baseball season, Firehouse Subs is launching a season-long "Extra Innings, Extra Subs" promotion. Starting Friday, July 17, fans can buy a medium sub and get another medium sub for free any time an MLB game goes into extra innings on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. The freebie is redeemable the following Monday through Wednesday through the app or website using the promo code EXTRA.

Chief Marketing Officer Carolina Berti calls the promotion "a way for us to share more of our delicious subs back to the communities that show up for us all season long" in a press release.

Credit: Firehouse Subs / MLB

Beyond the free sub promotion, Firehouse Subs will also serve as Official Partner of the MLB PLAY BALL initiative and Presenting Partner of MLB Pitch, Hit & Run. "Through MLB's youth programs – PLAY BALL and Pitch, Hit & Run – we get to invest in the next generation of fans across the U.S. and Canada," Berti adds.

By getting more eyes on Firehouse Subs every week via baseball games, more subs will be sold, which means more money will be put towards the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. A portion of every purchase goes into supplying lifesaving equipment and resources to public safety organizations.

I, for one, will be taking advantage of this deal as much as possible. That sweet and spicy meatball sub is calling my name.

SAVE $50.25: As of July 15, get the Anker Prime Foldable MagSafe Charger for $99.74 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $149.99. That's a discount of 34%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Anker Prime Foldable MagSafe Charger $99.74 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $50.25   Get Deal

If you've got multiple devices to charge, you know the unique annoyance that is looking for an outlet for each one. In 2026, it's all about thinking smarter, not harder, so you can either stay at home or travel with everything you need to make charging a breeze, even if you use multiple Apple products at once. We've found just the product to help you accomplish all of that.

As of July 15, get the Anker Prime Foldable MagSafe Charger for $99.74 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $149.99. That's $50.25 off and a discount of 34%.

SEE ALSO: The best portable chargers and power banks in 2025

This folding charger is perfect for travel, but it's also great for anyone with a cluttered nightstand. It's a 3-in-1 charging station that can juice up your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at once, all around the size of an iPhone 17 Pro Max. Set it up in your bedroom with a permanent spot or pack it in your bag for your next outing, and you'll be good to go.

It uses special AirCool temperature control to keep all of your devices charging at once, and remains very quiet. It offers up to 25W of magnetic wireless charginig with Qi2.2 technology so it can juice up your phone to 50% in just 26 minutes, and that's up to 5 tims faster than usual 5W chargers. All you have to do is drop everything on the pad, and your tech will be back to usable charges in no time.

If you're ready to simplify a multi-item charging situation, pick up this gadget while it's heavily discounted. You'll be glad you did.

TL;DR: Owala is giving shoppers a free water bottle with any Sun-Day Tote purchase from July 15-22.

Opens in a new window Credit: Owala Sun-Day Tote $89.99 at Owala
Comes with free Owala bottle. Get Deal

If your summer plans involve beach days, farmers' markets, road trips, or simply carrying way too much stuff around, Owala has a new reason to grab a tote.

The brand is launching a limited-time offer that bundles its new Sun-Day Tote with a free Owala bottle, giving shoppers a chance to score one of its popular hydration essentials at no extra cost.

Owala’s FreeSip bottles have gained a loyal following for their unique dual-drinking design, which lets users sip through a straw or drink from a wide-mouth opening.

Credit: Owala How to get Owala bottle for free

Getting the freebie is pretty simple: from July 15-22, shoppers who purchase any Sun-Day Tote will receive a free Owala bottle with their order. The offer is available exclusively through Owala’s website, so you’ll need to shop directly to claim the bonus.

Consider the Sun-Day Tote as the bag you grab when you’re not sure what the day has planned. Owala designed it as an all-purpose carry-all that can hold up to 40 pounds and has enough room for up to six beach towels, three bags of groceries, three outfits, or two yoga mats.

The tote is made with durable, water-friendly materials that make cleanup easier after sandy beach days or accidental spills. A removable splash-resistant pouch helps keep smaller essentials like your phone, wallet, and keys organized, while soft-touch handles and an adjustable shoulder strap make it easier to carry when the bag is packed.

Summer carry upgrade unlocked: Grab the Sun-Day Tote and claim your free Owala bottle.

Christopher Nolan is an exceptional genre-hopper.

The filmmaker has dabbled in everything from science fiction (Interstellar) to biographical dramas (Oppenheimer), superhero stories (The Dark Knight trilogy) to thrillers (Memento). At each step, he manages to make a genre undeniably his own, infusing it with his trademark sleekness and dedication to scale. Even his period pieces — The Prestige, Dunkirk, and Oppenheimer — feel cut from the same cloth as his more future-leaning works.

SEE ALSO: 'The Odyssey' trailer gives us our best look yet at Zendaya's Athena

But with The Odyssey, Nolan lands upon his greatest genre challenge yet: a fantasy epic that's arguably the most influential story of all time. Homer's Odyssey comes with the baggage of thousands of years of scholarship, myriad translations, and a legion of anyone who's ever had a Greek mythology phase having very strong opinions about how each of the poem's iconic moments should play out. And that's all before we get to the meat of The Odyssey itself, with its monsters and sorceresses and battles.

So, how does Nolan approach his first foray into epic fantasy? How does he fare when turning his lens to antiquity and one of its foundational myths?

The answer, in a word, is spectacularly. Nolan eschews the sleek modernity that's come to define his filmography. Instead, he gives himself up to a grimy, haunting take on The Odyssey that weaves myth and history into a devastating, unforgettable reckoning for Odysseus (Matt Damon) himself.

How does Christopher Nolan adapt The Odyssey? Credit: Melinda Sue Gordon / Universal Pictures

Nolan's signature non-linear storytelling fits perfectly with the structure of Homer's Odyssey, which sees multiple narrators take over the epic with their own recollections. The film focuses on two primary storylines, from which Nolan flashes back liberally.

In the first, Ithaca's Queen Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and her son Telemachus (Tom Holland) wait for King Odysseus' return, all while weathering a storm of unwanted suitors, including walking slimeball Antinous (Robert Pattinson). They've been hounding Penelope's halls for years, taking advantage of her hospitality in the name of Zeus' law, a tenet that reminds hosts to respect and provide for their guests, as any of them could be a god in disguise. Naturally, the suitors abuse this mandatory hospitality with their constant drinking, feasting, and harassing of the locals, leaving Penelope and Telemachus in an impossible situation. Do they continue to accept these indignities? Or do they push back and risk angering the gods?

SEE ALSO: 'The Odyssey' sails into rave reviews and online backlash

As Penelope and Telemachus wait out their eternal nightmare, they, along with Odysseus's loyal swineherd Eumaeus (John Leguizamo), recall the king who has been missing for almost 20 years. This is how we first meet Odysseus: not as a cunning warrior, but as a family man and an honorable mentor to Ithaca's youth. Later, when Telemachus visits King Menelaus (Jon Bernthal) in Sparta, he'll hear stories about his father's Trojan Horse scheme, and how he ended the Trojan War.

These are the bits and pieces we get of Odysseus, meted out bit by bit by Nolan and deft editing from Jennifer Lame. But what of the man himself? Who is the reality behind the myth?

By the time we meet the true Odysseus, not someone filtered through memory or oral storytelling, he's an aimless man. He's stranded on the island Ogygia with the nymph Calypso (Charlize Theron), with little memory of what came before. He's restless, though, and as Calypso prompts him to recount his journey, out spill the most iconic events of The Odyssey: cyclopes, sirens, and more.

The Odyssey's fantasy is both extremely Nolan and extremely grotesque. Matt Damon in "The Odyssey." Credit: Melinda Sue Gordon / Universal Pictures

The challenges Odysseus' faces on his journey have become familiar cultural touchstones, across thousands of years in art, film, TV, literature, video games, theatre, and more. Yet Nolan, in 2026, still manages to put his own twist on them.

In Inception, the dreams Nolan conjured up never shifted too far from our reality, instead warping familiar landscapes. The same goes for The Odyssey's understated fantasy elements, which blend into the film's rocky crags and vibrant shrubbery. (Seriously, this is Nolan's lushest film, brought to life by cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema.) Sirens are glimpsed from afar. The monster Scylla's true form appears in fragments. The Earth-feared gods appear only as natural phenomena — claps of thunder, raging storms — leaving viewers to wonder whether these are truly acts of providence or not. The exception here is Zendaya's goddess Athena, who counsels Odysseus, but even she isn't carrying out acts of divine intervention willy-nilly.

While this more grounded approach to fantasy is pure Nolan, what really sets his Odyssey apart, especially in his own filmography, is his willingness to lean in to the grotesque absurdity of the myth.

You heard me right: Nolan gets grotesque. Once, I would have found this unthinkable. For the most part, Nolan's films shine with a clean composure. Men in sharp suits. Glossy tech. Even the soldiers in Dunkirk aren't overly bloodied, and Interstellar's dust storms don't stick to the protagonists for long.

SEE ALSO: 'Moana' review: Disney transforms a cinematic masterpiece to kids' stuff

Yet The Odyssey revels in the muck and oddity of its mythic Bronze Age. The Trojan Horse wait leaves soldiers silently trapped in filthy water and their own waste. During a trip to Hades, shades rise from dark sands and drink sacrificial blood, delivering hard truths with dirtied faces. The Goya-inspired cyclops Polyphemus' (Bill Irwin) twisted face and disconcerting movements turn him into a creature not just to be feared, but to be fascinated by, even empathized with.

However, this willingness to get weird and gross elevates The Odyssey's fantastic elements. Look no further than Odysseus' crew's standout encounter with Circe (Samantha Morton), a sorceress who turns unwelcome visitors into animals. Circe wields no wand here. Instead, she transforms through sculpting, kneading, and molding men's flesh like clay. The sequence is visceral body horror, unlike anything Nolan has done before.

Does The Odyssey fix Christopher Nolan's woman problem? Mia Goth and Anne Hathaway in "The Odyssey." Credit: Melinda Sue Gordon / Universal Pictures

The meeting with Circe, while brief, also proves that Nolan has comes leaps and bounds when it comes to the role of women in his films, a weak point across his work. (Granted, he's drawing from source material that features several complicated women. He's also using a translation by Emily Wilson, who reckoned with women's role in The Odyssey.) Here, Nolan makes sure to emphasize the women of The Odyssey's complexities, as opposed to letting them linger on the sidelines or in dead wife montages. Most importantly, he lets them be angry.

Morton is extraordinary as Circe, simmering with magic and a rage that suggests deeper wounds, all without Nolan feeling the need to graphically spell out her trauma. Elsewhere, Lupita Nyong'o burns in her twin roles of Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra, two queens who have been grievously wronged, and Hathaway is magnificent as Penelope. Forced to remain polite to her suitors, Penelope simmers with a quiet fury, and her moment of catharsis, when it comes, is show-stopping.

The characters of Athena and Calypso are outliers here. The latter role is fairly underwritten, while the former's quiet presence doesn't truly coalesce until the end. But both Zendaya and Theron bring a deep gravity to these roles, worthy of each character's otherworldliness.

Matt Damon is tremendous, as is the rest of The Odyssey's cast. Matt Damon in "The Odyssey." Credit: Melinda Sue Gordon / Universal Pictures

Rounding out his already starry ensemble, Nolan has assembled the most "who's-who" of casts since the powers combined of Barbenheimer. None of his stars rest on their laurels or their A-list status. All deliver.

Holland's boyishness is the perfect fit for Telemachus' princely woes, and a nice foil for Pattinson's scummy turn as the craven Antinous. Himesh Patel is an astounding, grounding force as Odysseus' second-in-command Eurylochus, and Leguizamo gives a heartbreaking performance as the ever-loyal Eumaeus.

But The Odyssey, of course, belongs to Odysseus. And what an Odysseus Damon is. He plays all shades of Odysseus: the king, the myth, the broken man. Often, he shifts between these aspects in the blink of an eye, one change in posture carrying years' worth of history. At once mesmerizing and human, it's a performance worthy of such a legendary character.

Featured Video For You What It Was Like Shooting One of Oppenheimer’s Most Remarkable Moments

Notably, both Nolan and Damon refrain from lionizing Odysseus as an almighty hero. They brilliantly pick at his pride, his errors, his guilt over leaving his family and the steady loss of his crew mates. This remorse compounds over the course of the film, building to a shattering moral reckoning that turns The Odyssey on its head.

The Odyssey's magnificent conclusion would not work if Nolan didn't hold audiences close to the action every step of the way. Yes, the film is a glorious spectacle, boasting vast ocean vistas, armies of giants, and even the occasional sea monster. But Nolan doesn't just want The Odyssey to be epic. He wants it to be human, too. There's been so much pre-release discourse about Telemachus calling Odysseus "Dad," and the film's language not being archaic or formal enough. (Again, likely influenced by Wilson's straight-shooting translation.) But this familiar language is more symbolic of Nolan's broader mission. He has no desire to mystify an already deified text with overly formal language. Instead, he takes us right into the heart of The Odyssey, fantasy, muck, and all. The result is nothing short of masterful.

The Odyssey hits theaters July 17.

Tomb Raider is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, marking three decades since Lara Croft first strapped on her thigh holsters and went searching for ancient artefacts around the world.

To mark the occasion, game developer Crystal Dynamics has partnered with glasses company Gunnar to create a pair of spectacles inspired by one of Lara's most iconic looks.

SEE ALSO: Best blue light glasses for combatting digital eye strain

Gunnar has unveiled its new Tomb Raider Croft glasses, the eyewear company's own version of Lara's signature accessory from her 1996 debut. These glasses aren't a 1:1 recreation of the pair in the game, with Gunnar having updated the design for a more modern aesthetic. However, they do take some clear cues from Tomb Raider's original design, such as its rounded shape and metal frames. It also includes details such as patterning around the rim, which wouldn't have been possible to render with '90s video game graphics.

Credit: Gunnar

The Tomb Raider Croft glasses are available with Gunnar's Amber, Amber Max, or Sun lenses, as well as their Amber Sun Shift transition lenses. Of these, the orange Amber Max lenses are by far the closest in appearance to Lara's original red aesthetic. The glasses come with a microfibre pouch, a cleaning cloth bearing the Croft coat of arms, and a case reminiscent of a utility pouch. You'll also get a fortunately less functional Dagger of Xian pin, the artefact at the centre of Tomb Raider II.

Credit: Gunnar

These glasses aren't just for looks though, as Gunnar specialises in spectacles that make staring at a screen for hours a bit more comfortable. As such, while all of the Tomb Raider Croft glasses' lens options offer 100 percent UV protection, they also block varying levels of blue light.

Blue light is a type of electromagnetic wave generated by the sun, light bulbs, and LED screens — including those found in computer monitors and mobile phones. Long hours at your desktop can suppress your body's melatonin, disrupting your circadian rhythm and making it harder to sleep.

Featured Video For You Dua Lipa's lifestyle is building an internet empire.

If you're unwilling to cut back your late night gaming, at least partially blocking blue light should help you maintain a healthier sleep cycle. Gunnar claims that its Amber Max lenses block the most blue light at 98 percent, recommending it for managing migraines and helping to improve sleep, while the Amber lenses block 65 percent and are more geared toward general computer use.

Both the Amber and Amber Max lenses also have "Gunnar Focus," which is simply an +0.2 diopter lens. This gentle power is intended to give your eyes a little extra help focusing, helping relax muscles and reduce eye strain. Gunnar states that this option is suitable for anyone with 20/20 vision, or who wears contact lenses.

Credit: Gunnar

Crystal Dynamics sells an official version of Lara's sunglasses as well, offering both her round red lens look and her black Angel of Darkness pair for $39.90 each. However, these appear to be more geared toward cosplay, as the product description offers no information regarding their effectiveness against UV light, much less blue light. No matter how dark a pair of glasses' lenses are, they still require UV-blocking treatment to be effective as sun glasses. As such, Gunnar's glasses offer a more functional, elevated option for Tomb Raider fans.

Gunnar's Tomb Raider Croft glasses start at $99 for Amber, Amber Max, or Sun lenses, or $135 for Amber Sun Shift transition lenses.

SAVE 22%: As of July 15, you can preorder the unreleased Bluetti Elite 100 V2 solar generator kit (which comes with a 200W solar panel) for $698.98, down from $899.

Bluetti Elite 100 V2 $698.98 at Amazon
$899 Save $200.02   Get Deal at Amazon

There's nothing quite as panic-inducing as a sudden summer storm knocking out your power (and possibly your trees), only to leave you sweating in the dark and praying that your phone battery holds out and the milk in your fridge doesn't rot. The only way to make sure this doesn't happen is to buy a generator.

SEE ALSO: Upgrade your home with the Bluetti FridgePower while it's on sale for almost $200 off

And, right now, you can get Bluetti's newest solar generator kit for just $698.98, down from $899, at Amazon. It hasn't even officially hit the market yet (it releases on July 20), so getting it for 22% off right off the bat is a pretty good deal.

It features a 1024Wh capacity and a 1800W output, which is enough to run 90 percent of your everyday essentials — think laptops, mini-fridges, drones, or a coffee maker when you're desperate. It also has a built-in 10ms UPS switchover, meaning if the power grid fails while you're working from home, it automatically takes over fast enough to keep your WiFi router and PC from crashing. Plus, it only takes 70 minutes to reach a full charge.

If you're completely off-grid or dealing with an extended blackout, you can plug in the included 200W solar panel to get it to an 80 percent charge in about four hours.