• Resident Evil Veronica producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi has explained why the remake isn't called 'Code Veronica'
• The producer says Code Veronica is just as important as the other mainline games
• Veronica's title follows the naming convention of the remake series

If you've been questioning why Resident Evil Veronica isn't called 'Code Veronica' like the original 2000 title, Capcom has explained its reasoning, and yeah, it sounds pretty logical.

During a press Q&A at Summer Game Fest (SGF) 2026, TechRadar Gaming asked Veronica producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi why the studio decided to rename the upcoming remake, considering the original game is a spin-off and not a mainline entry.

Hirabayashi explained that Capcom sees the original Code Veronica as just as "important" to the franchise as any other mainline game, like Resident Evil 2 or Resident Evil 4.

"For our development team, and everyone at Capcom, we consider the original Code Veronica to be just as important and relevant as any other mainline entry," Hirabayashi said, "so when we tackled this remake, the question we asked ourselves was, 'How do we communicate that to our audience?'"

The producer pointed to the naming convention for the remake entries, which are typically numbered or feature a word closely associated with the game's corresponding theme, such as the recently released Resident Evil Requiem.

"What we did is we looked at how we were handling naming titles for more recent and mainline numbered entries," Hirabayashi said. "If you look at the naming conventions that we've been using more recently for mainline titles, you'll notice a pattern.

"It's usually one word that is really iconic or connected to the concept of the game [...] We wanted to take a similar approach to the title of this remake as well. So we asked ourselves, what is that one iconic work that best represents the identity of the game? And we settled on Resident Evil Veronica."

Resident Evil Veronica is planned for a 2027 release for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Series S, and PC. Hirabayashi has confirmed that the game is being handled by the same team behind Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4 remakes.

"When we approach a remake, it doesn't matter which remake it is, we do have a very similar approach that we take to that process," the producer said.

Veronica follows Claire Redfield three months after the events of Resident Evil 2. After travelling to Paris in search of her brother Chris, Claire is captured by Umbrella and transported to a remote island, where she must escape due to another biological disaster.

• Watch the Alien Autopsy Scandal on Sky/Now (UK restricted)
• Use NordVPN to stream from anywhere
• Premieres on 12 June

Sky Documentaries is set to dive deeper than ever before into one of the wildest UFO scandals of all time with The Alien Autopsy Scandal, broadcasting on Sky Documentaries and NOW at 9pm on Friday 12 June.

The hour-long documentary centers on an infamous 18-minute video that appeared in 1995, which supposedly shows three hazmat-suited officials performing an autopsy on an alien recovered from the Roswell crash site in New Mexico.

Though the video in question was debunked soon after release – with one of its creators confirming the hoax later on – the story of the Alien Autopsy video is still a remarkable one, as the video took the world by storm when it was released.

However, the video’s creators maintain that it was inspired by real, lost footage. Sky’s new documentary tells the story of the video’s two creators, Ray Santilli and Gary Shoefield, as they remember it, with all the conspiracies and secret dealings intact.

How to watch The Alien Autopsy Scandal in the UK

How to watch The Alien Autopsy Scandal from anywhere

If you’re ready to revisit the story of the infamous alien autopsy tape but you’re away from the UK, your access to the show could be geo-blocked. The answer? A good VPN, like Nord (75% discount below):

How to watch with a VPN

Using a VPN to unblock The Alien Autopsy Scandal is pretty simple with our handy guide:

1. Download and install a VPN: Our top pick is NordVPN, but any of the best VPNs will do.
2. Connect to an appropriate location: In your VPN app, click ‘choose location’, and select a UK server.
3. Go to the broadcaster’s live stream

What devices can I watch Sky Go on?

• iPhone and iPad: iOS and iPadOS 13 or later
• Android devices: Android 7.0 or later
• Apple TV: TVOS 13 or later
• Mac: MacOS 11 or later
• Windows: Windows 10 or 11
• PlayStation: PS4 and PS5
• Xbox: Xbox One, Xbox One X/S, Xbox Series X/S

What devices can I watch Now TV on?

• Smart TV: VIDAA 6.0 or later, webOS 3.5 or later, Tizen 2.4 or later, Android TV 8.0 or later
• Amazon Fire TV (2015 or newer)
• Apple TV (4th Gen or newer)
• Chromecast: Ultra, Google TV
• iPhone and iPad: iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 or newer
• Mac and Windows laptops and desktops: Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox
• PlayStation: PS4 and PS5
• Xbox: Xbox One, Xbox One X/S, Xbox Series X/S

How to watch The Alien Autopsy Scandal around the world

How to watch The Alien Autopsy Scandal in other countries

We’ve not heard any confirmation of international broadcasters picking up The Alien Autopsy Scandal for broadcast yet, but we’ll update this page as and when that changes.

For UK residents traveling abroad, you can use a VPN to access your usual TV streams from other countries – see the steps above to get started.

The Alien Autopsy Scandal FAQs

You may also like to watch…

• How to watch S4: The Bob Lazar Story
• How to watch the 2026 World Cup LIVE from anywhere
• How to watch Love Island UK 2026 from anywhere

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

• OpenAI confirms plans to acquire Ona and its agentic AI infrastructure
• Codex could benefit from Ona's infrastructure, which provides environments for long-running tasks
• Both companies have seen major rises in agentic AI users this year, marking a major shift

OpenAI has announced plans to acquire Ona, a startup that focuses on AI agents and their required environments, which could see the company get absorbed by OpenAI's Codex team.

Under the proposed deal, OpenAI would gain even more expertise to help AI agents work on long-running tasks that could even last days.

This comes as more organizations carry out agentic work over extended periods, hence the demand for more persistent infrastructure.

OpenAI announces plans to acquire Ona

"[Ona's] technology provides secure, persistent environments where agents can access the tools, systems, and context they need to make progress over time," OpenAI said in an announcement.

Ona builds secure cloud environments where AI agents can access enterprise tools and systems, retain context and continue executing even once a use closes their laptop or browser. The deal would effectively give OpenAI's Codex access to the infrastructure layer that allows agents to keep on working for much, much longer.

The ChatGPT maker also noted that Codex is evolving from a coding assistant into a much broader tool that helps more worker types – it now has five million weekly users. Ona also noted a 13x increase in weekly sessions since the beginning of the year, signalling major appetite for the tech.

After years of developing high-performance frontier models, OpenAI seems to finally be at the stage where it's now expanding investments to give agents the right tools, memory and environments, signalling a major shift from generative AI to agentic AI.

"After close, we are excited to join the Codex team and keep building toward a future where AI accelerates the economy and helps every team and every organization work more safely, more quickly, and more collaboratively," CEO Johannes Landgraf said, referencing the regulatory approval needed to proceed.

• Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina Kick-Off time: 8pm BST / 3pm ET / 5am AEST (Sat)
• Watch free on BBC (UK) / SBS (AUS) / CTV (CAN) / CazéTV's YouTube (Brazil)
• Unlock your free streams with Norton VPN (60-day money back guarantee)

It promises to be a fantastic Friday in Toronto as FIFA World Cup 2026 co-hosts Canada open their Group B campaign against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Jesse Marsch's squad is packed with exciting talents ready to shine on home soil including Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies, Villarreal winger Tajon Buchanan and Juventus striker Jonathan David, who is Les Rouges' all-time record goalscorer. Davies has been ruled out of the opening game after failing to recover from a hamstring injury, but the noises from the Canada camp suggest they are confident their captain will play some part in the group stage. Nevertheless, the co-hosts will be confident of securing their first-ever point - or three - at the finals against Bosnia after returning empty-handed from their previous two World Cup appearances.

Playing the role of party poopers will be Bosnia, who are spearheaded by 40-year-old captain Edin Dzeko. The former Manchester City striker arrives at this tournament on the back of a sensational few months in which he won promotion from Bundesliga 2 with Schalke and scored a crucial late equaliser in his country's play-off semi-final against Wales. Bosnia went on to win that game on penalties before beating Italy via the same route in the final, showing they are not here to make up the numbers.

So, read on as we show you exactly how to watch Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina for free in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

How to watch Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina for free

Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina is available to watch for free in multiple countries, including the UK, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland and Turkey.

• 🇬🇧 UK: BBC (English commentary)
• 🇦🇺 Australia: SBS On Demand (English commentary)
• 🇧🇷 Brazil: CazéTV's YouTube (no account required)
• 🇧🇪 Belgium: RTBF / VRT
• 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina: BHT
• 🇨🇦 Canada: CTV (TV login required)
• 🇫🇷 France: M6
• 🇮🇪 Ireland: RTE Player (English commentary)
• 🇮🇹 Italy: Rai
• 🇳🇱 Netherlands: NOS
• 🇪🇸 Spain: RTVE
• 🇨🇭 Switzerland: SRF Play / RTS Play / RSI Play
• 🇹🇷 Turkey: TRT

Abroad? Can't access your free stream? Unblock your free World Cup stream with Norton VPN — more on that below.

Use a VPN to watch Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina live streams

It’s the World Cup, and if you’re traveling, you might discover your usual Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina stream is suddenly unavailable due to geo-restrictions.

Don’t worry, that’s exactly where a VPN can help. A virtual private network lets you connect to servers around the world so you can securely access your usual World Cup coverage as if you were back home.

We recommend Norton VPN. Here's why:

How to watch Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina in the US

US viewers can watch Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina on Fox.

You can watch every World Cup game on Fox and FS1 which are available on cord-cutters like YouTube TV (free trial), Hulu+Live TV, Sling (select markets), Fubo or DirecTV.

Those looking for a streaming service instead can watch Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina on Fox One (3-day free trial).

Visiting the US from the UK? You can still watch your World Cup stream for free thanks to Norton VPN (try for 60 days).

How to watch Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina in the UK

UK customers are in luck as they can stream Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina for free on the BBC. Live coverage is available on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

You require a TV license and a valid UK postcode for an account (e.g. SE1 7PB).

Norton VPN can unlock your stream if you're abroad today.

How to watch Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina in Australia

Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina will be shown for free in Australia on SBS On Demand.

The streaming platform has every game of the tournament for free, making it the perfect place for your World Cup viewing.

Traveling for work or on holiday? A VPN like Norton VPN can help unlock your free stream.

How to watch Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina in Canada

In Canada, TSN and free-to-air channel CTV will be broadcasting Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina.

You can live stream via the TSN+ streaming platform, which costs CA$8 per month or CA$80 per year.

Outside of Canada? Use Norton VPN whilst you're traveling away from home to unlock your stream.

Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina: Match Information

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

• Resident Evil Veronica hits a million wishlists across PS5 and Steam on PC in under a week
• It has reached the milestone faster than Resident Evil Requiem did after its reveal
• Capcom has recently stated Veronica's importance, effectively as a mainline entry to the Resident Evil franchise

Capcom is arguably in its best run of form in decades, particularly when it comes to its beloved survival horror Resident Evil franchise, with several successful entries launching in recent years — and it looks like the upcoming remake could join the party.

Announced on X, Capcom's upcoming Resident Evil Veronica has received a million wishlists across PS5 and PC (the only two platforms currently available for wishlist), in just under a week after its Summer Game Fest reveal. It has accomplished the high figure of wishlists faster than Resident Evil Requiem did, which took two weeks.

If the name Resident Evil Veronica sounds familiar to you, that's because this is Capcom's remake of Resident Evil Code: Veronica, the original which dates all the way back to 2000. It's one of, if not the, most requested remakes from Resident Evil fans, and those wishes have now been answered.

Instead of fan favourite Leon S. Kennedy featuring as the main focus, Capcom is taking us back to 1998 and we'll be following Claire Redfield instead, set three months after the Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 remakes.

Comment from r/residentevil

Comment from r/residentevil

Capcom says its removed 'Code' from the remake's name, in attempt to align the title closer to recent titles (e.g, Resident Evil Village and Resident Evil Requiem), and frankly, while Veronica isn't a numbered title, it's still considered to be just as important as one, effectively acting as a mainline entry in the franchise.

There's plenty to be excited on what this remake will have to offer, especially because it won't simply be a graphical upgrade, but instead feature major changes to the gameplay and narrative — and unsurprisingly, the wishlists are a strong indication of fans' intrigue on what those changes will be, as evident on Reddit.

The same development team responsible for the Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4 remakes will be at the helm for Veronica, and if the success of those entries is anything to go by, we're in for a treat.

• Justin Bieber has shown off new audio products, under his SKYLRK brand
• There's no pricing or specs yet — we're at the Instagram teasing phase
• The range shows two Bluetooth speakers and set of over-ear headphones

He may get his peaches out in Georgia, but Justin Bieber gets his Bluetooth speakers from his own SKYLRK brand — aka light right from the source (yeah).

The Biebs actually put his name on a bit of audio kit over a decade ago (a pair of purple Beats by Dre JustBeats, as it happens), but this is the fist time the pop star has added any audio separates to his very own SKYLRK lifestyle brand, more regularly home to Bieber-approved apparel and sneakers.

I'm going to be honest: the headphones look a little run-of-the-mill: there are large over-ear cups and a headband, seen on the singer himself in the millennial pink color fans of SKYLRK will be used to (and more colorways are promised). They look a little bit like the Sonos Ace…

But the speakers? These I can get behind.

STAY — and take a look at these cool new Bieber Bluetooth speakers

If I were being mean, I might liken these Bluetooth speakers to medicine balls. But that's probably because I'm currently recovering from shoulder surgery and practically every novel tech prototype or wireless audio separate I see looks like a physiotherapist's torture device to me.

With my positive spectacles on, these speakers look mighty promising. That huge, cushion-like circular design is going to harbor some fairly sizeable drivers — and possibly even a stereo arrangement in the bigger unit, no? They look like the portable speakers I wish B&O would release: something bigger than the excellent five-star Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Gen.

My only gripe with that speaker was its palm-friendly size: I wanted a bigger option. And if Justin Bieber's Intentions are to bring that to the party, as seems to be the case from the main image, I'm Confident he'll be in great Company in the audio space.

I particularly like the larger of the two speakers, which can be seen below in an orange finish very similar to the new AirPods Max 2 hue. I can't help thinking they'd look very good together on a lazy Sunday at the beach.

Again, I wish I had further specs and pricing to share, but these types of social media drip-feed reveals just don't work like that. For now, we wait (hopefully not for 10,000 Hours, but you know, patience is a virtue).

• Paramount+ releases first teaser trailer for Lioness season 3
• Release date is confirmed for August 2, 2026
• Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman, Morgan Freeman, and creator Taylor Sheridan will all return

The first teaser trailer for Lioness season 3, returning to Paramount+ on August 2, has been released.

The explosive and incredibly chaotic 60-second first look confirms series leads Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman, and Morgan Freeman will all be reprising their roles in new episodes.

As the official synopsis explains, "Joe (Saldaña) walks the line between duty and home as unseen forces circle her world. Patterns appear where they shouldn’t, names vanish, and paths rearrange.

"Guided by Kaitlyn (Kidman) and Westfield (Michael Kelly), Joe confronts enemies operating in the shadows, leaving her to reckon with a war that now reaches into every part of her life."

Taylor Sheridan is returning to write the series, as well as acting as an executive producer.

You can catch up with the Lioness season 3 trailer below — but after Landman season 2, Marshals, and Dutton Ranch already airing this year, you can't afford to overlook it.

Opinion: Lioness season 3 trailer makes absolutely no sense — but you have to look at what isn't being shown

Watch the above, and you'll be bombarded with explosions, kidnappings, and the Lioness squad armed with guns storming into abandoned buildings. At first glance, that's exactly like the previous two seasons, with little difference.

But if something isn't broken, you don't fix it — and Lioness delivering more of exactly what fans want is what might make it the strongest and most underrated Taylor Sheridan show of the bunch.

However, there could be a huge change on the horizon... just have to look at what isn't being shown. Joe and husband Neal (Dave Annable) were having serious marital problems in season 2, and judging by their sparse dialogue in the teaser, that could be about to get even worse.

"I'm scared for you... scared the way it became this world," Neal says, with Joe responding, "The world didn't become this way... it's always been this way."

It's another stark reminder of just how different their worlds and opinions are, and I don't know if their relationship is strong enough to survive Joe's genuinely life-or-death missions.

We'll know more on August 2, though we're yet to know just how season 3 episodes will be released.

• Toys for Bob says Activision Blizzard didn't push back on the studio's decision to go independent again
• Studio head Paul Yan says, "Leadership on both sides was very open to the idea"
• Yan says the process was "complex" to navigate while also planning Spyro: A Realm Beyond

Spyro: A Realm Beyond developer Toys for Bob has said there was no "pushback" from Activision Blizzard when it chose to become independent, but the process was "complex."

In 2024, one year after Microsoft officially acquired Activision Blizzard and almost 20 years after being purchased by the latter, Toys for Bob announced that it would split from its parent company and return to its "roots" as an independent studio.

Now, during a press Q&A at Summer Game Fest 2026 while promoting Spyro: A Realm Beyond, Studio Head Paul Yan shared that the team didn't meet any resistance from Activision Blizzard or Microsoft and that "leadership on both sides was very open to the idea."

"It was just complex," Yan said, "because we were talking about navigating many things in a very compressed amount of time, so just the logistics and legality of how do you separate from a company in that way has never been done before."

"I've never done it before, so I'm asking for something that's going to need a ton of coordination across many teams, across two new organizations that don't even know each other," he added, referring to the company's acquisition by Microsoft, "or they've just got married for the most part.

"Meanwhile, we're also trying to navigate a pitch for this game [Spyro: A Realm Beyond], so we're trying to get all that happening at the same time."

Yan said this was "the biggest challenge" overall, reiterating that no one was against Toys for Bob becoming independent again, although the process was something "we've never seen done before."

Associate creative director Lou Studdard added that it was difficult to navigate the process while also "preserving the continuity of the team experience of the team," and making sure it wasn't "such a big culture shock for the studio."

"It's been a tremendous effort to make sure that around two years ago, and this happened when we really started, it was kind of like another day in the office in a good way, and that we are a continued development team that knows how to work with each other and focus on our projects," Studdard said.

Spyro: A Realm Beyond is Toys for Bob's first game since becoming an independent studio again, and it launches in Spring 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Series S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.

• NordVPN's next-gen antivirus blocked 96% of phishing sites in the 2026 AV-Comparatives test
• The software perfectly distinguished between active malicious links and 200 legitimate banking URLs
• Detection rates jumped by 6% compared to the previous test in May 2025

When you're searching for the best VPN to secure your online traffic, you increasingly need an app that does more than just encrypt your data. As phishing attacks grow more sophisticated, top providers are evolving into robust, all-in-one cybersecurity suites, and independent testing shows these built-in tools are making a real impact.

In the newly released 2026 Anti-Phishing Comparative Test by independent cybersecurity evaluation authority AV-Comparatives, NordVPN’s next-generation antivirus achieved a massive 96% phishing detection rate.

Even better for users who hate annoying pop-ups blocking safe internet browsing, the software managed this impressive high block rate with absolutely zero false positives.

The results highlight a steady improvement for the provider. Compared to the last AV-Comparatives test of this sort in May 2025, NordVPN’s phishing detection has improved by 6%.

Putting the antivirus to the test

To put the software through its paces, AV-Comparatives ran its testing between May 11 and May 22, 2026. Assessors threw 275 active phishing URLs at the most recent product version of NordVPN’s next-gen antivirus available at the time. These malicious links specifically targeted personal data across popular platforms, including PayPal, online banking portals, email services, and social media networks.

To ensure the antivirus wasn't just blindly blocking everything, the testers also introduced 200 legitimate banking URLs to validate the false positive results. NordVPN safely allowed the real sites through while neutralizing the threats.

"Phishing sites today are sophisticated enough to fool almost anyone, and most people shouldn't have to become cybersecurity experts just to stay safe online," said Domininkas Virbickas, product director at NordVPN. "Results like these are exactly the kind of protection that makes a real difference in people's daily lives."

This isn't the first time the company has impressed the ISO-certified independent testing firm. Back in June 2024, NordVPN became the first VPN service provider to be approved for the AV-Comparatives anti-phishing protection badge. To earn this certification, software must detect and block at least 85% of phishing URLs without causing any false alarms on legitimate banking and related sites.

How to recognize phishing websites

While utilizing a premium service, like the next-gen antivirus available with a NordVPN Complete subscription, is a powerful safeguard, threat actors are constantly evolving their tactics. Maintaining good digital hygiene remains crucial.

Alongside using reliable cybersecurity software, NordVPN recommends users follow a few simple tips to avoid being caught out:

• Verify the URL: Always inspect your browser’s address bar. Watch out for subtle variations in a domain name, suspicious prefixes, or being unexpectedly redirected to a subpage instead of a homepage.
• Read the text carefully: If an unsolicited email or message is urging you to act immediately or trying to induce panic, take a step back. Look closely for typos or other mistakes.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Adding a second step, such as a one-time code sent to your phone, ensures that even if a hacker steals your password, they won’t be able to access your account.
• Check the website’s protocol: Ensure the site uses a secure HTTPS connection. Look for the padlock icon in the address bar; spoofed URLs often only use unsecured HTTP protocols.

It looks like Meta is having a rough Friday morning. Starting shortly before 10 AM ET, reports began to spike from users unable to access both Facebook and WhatsApp, with the number of complaints continuing to climb.

The initial issues appear to be concentrated on WhatsApp, where users were reporting that the app's main screen failed to load. Since then, though, Facebook has been the main brunt of Meta's issues this AM – I myself got something that went wrong, then just the classic logo, and then an empty feed that still hasn't loaded. Down Detector reports have quickly spiked to over 100,000 for Facebook issues.

So to track the ongoing disruptions affecting Facebook, WhatsApp, and potentially other Meta platforms, TechRadar is spinning up a live blog.

A look at Down Detector

It's clear that many of Meta's platforms are having some issues currently, as you can see at the top of Down Detector in the United States.

Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram are at the top of the list, with the first currently leading with over 120,000 reports.

Right now, I still can't get Facebook on the desktop to load; parts of the interface appear, like the main sidebars, but the actual content is missing. Now, I'm in New Jersey experiencing this, but my TechRadar colleagues in the UK are seeing a similar situation, with some posts appearing and then the feed appearing blank.

Let me know what you're seeing in the comments down below.

It does appear that Meta's engineers and other teams might have figured out the issue pretty quickly, though, as Facebook is again loading for a few of my colleagues, and reports on Down Detector are starting to drop for issues with Facebook and Messenger.

Facebook does appear to be recovering a bit. I was able to load the homepage and saw a few posts in the feed, but when I tried to click into one, I just saw the logo centered and Meta at the bottom, so it appears there might still be some issues with parts of the platform.

Let me know what you're seeing in the comments below.

On iOS, the Facebook app is still experiencing issues, mainly with the top story bar appearing empty and the feed serving older stories. For my colleague Josephine Watson in the UK, she's getting a 'Try Again' error at the top of her feed.

Meta confirms four issues with 'business products'

While Facebook is recovering and loading in a much closer to normal form than what we're seeing closer to the top of the hour, Meta's business products status page is showing an active disruption for 'Facebook Ads Manager,' 'Messenger API for Instagram,' 'Messenger Platform,' and 'WhatsApp Business Platform.'

Suffice it to say, it's clear that the issues affecting Meta span platforms – Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp included.

Down Detector reports are dropping

While reported issues with Facebook on Down Detector were over 120,000 nearly an hour ago, that number has fallen pretty sharply as the service has begun to recover. In the last update at 10:47 AM ET on Down Detector, Facebook reports were at 12,286. It's worth noting that it slightly spiked back up, but it's still a massive drop from the height of this issue.

Even so, 12,000 reports are certainly higher than what we normally see on a normal day with Facebook, with no issues.

• World Cup 2026: Thursday, June 11 – Friday, July 19
• Watch World Cup 2026 free on BBC iPlayer & ITVX (UK) / SBS (Australia)
• Stream on Fox/FS1 via YouTube TV and Fubo in the US
• Unlock your stream with Norton VPN (60-day money back guarantee)

World Cup 2026 live streams are underway as the biggest sporting event on the planet takes centre stage across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Today, attention turns to the tournament's two other host nations. Canada kick off their World Cup campaign against Bosnia and Herzegovina at 3pm ET (8pm BST), before the USA get their journey underway against Paraguay at 9pm ET (2am BST).

Be sure to tune in early, too, with the opening ceremonies set to begin around 90 minutes before kick-off.

So read on as we explain how to watch World Cup 2026 live streams online, on TV and potentially for free wherever you are. We've also listed today's fixtures, the full schedule and the group standings.

World Cup 2026 fixtures today

(All times ET/BST)

▶︎ 3pm/8pm – Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand
▶︎ 9pm/2am (Sat.) – USA vs Paraguay | BBC iPlayer, SBS on Demand, Tubi

Can you watch World Cup 2026 for free?

Yes. Every World Cup 2026 game is free-to-air on SBS on Demand in Australia and either BBC iPlayer or ITVX in the UK.

Find the full list here of every country showing all 104 games for free:

• 🇬🇧 UK: BBC / ITVX (English commentary)
• 🇦🇺 Australia: SBS On Demand (English commentary)
• 🇧🇷 Brazil: CazéTV's YouTube (no account required)
• 🇧🇪 Belgium: RTBF / VRT
• 🇮🇪 Ireland: RTE Player (English commentary)
• 🇳🇱 Netherlands: NOS
• 🇨🇭 Switzerland: SRF Play / RTS Play / RSI Play
• 🇹🇷 Turkey: TRT

Outside your usual country for this World Cup? You can use Norton VPN to watch the World Cup for free as if you were right at home.

Use a VPN to watch World Cup 2026 live streams

If you’re travelling, you might discover your usual World Cup stream is suddenly unavailable due to geo-restrictions.

Don’t worry, that’s exactly where a VPN can help. A virtual private network lets you connect to servers around the world so you can securely access your usual World Cup coverage as if you were back home.

We recommend Norton VPN. Here’s why:

How to watch World Cup 2026 live streams in the USA

In the US, World Cup 2026 is split between Fox and FS1 with Spanish language coverage available on Telemundo.

Fox is showing 70 games, including the final, both semis and all four quarters. The other 34 games will be available to watch on FS1.

If you don't have the channels on cable, they're both available through Sling – specifically the Blue plan, which starts at $45.99/month. You can also access it via YouTube TV (free trial), Fubo (free trial), and DirecTV.

Alternatively, you can live stream all 104 World Cup games via Fox One, which costs $19.99/month after a 3-day FREE trial.

To access Telemundo you can also purchase one of the above cord-cutters or get a Peacock plan from $10.99/month.

Visiting the US for the World Cup? Use Norton VPN to tap into your free coverage.

How to watch World Cup 2026 live streams in the UK

World Cup coverage is shared between ITV and BBC channels in the UK, which means all 104 games are free-to-air.

ITV1, ITV4, BBC One and BBC Two will be the terrestrial channels required for viewing.

Live streaming is available via the ITVX and BBC iPlayer websites and mobile apps.

Outside the UK? Check out Norton VPN and follow the instructions above.

How to watch World Cup 2026 live streams in Canada

In Canada, all 104 games of World Cup 2026 are being shown by TSN.

You can live stream them via the TSN+ streaming platform, which costs CA$8 per month or CA$80 per year.

45 games, including the World Cup final and both semi-finals, will also be available to watch on CTV.

Not in the Great White North this summer? Use Norton VPN whilst you're traveling away from home to unlock your stream.

How to watch World Cup 2026 live streams in Australia

Free-to-air SBS is showing World Cup 2026 in its entirety in Australia, with live streaming available via SBS on Demand.

You will need an account with a valid Australia postcode (e.g. 2042).

Outside of Oz? You can use Norton VPN to access your usual World Cup coverage.

World Cup 2026: Need to Know

World Cup 2026 Preview

With the start of World Cup 2026, the tournament’s familiar spell is already visible everywhere: in its ability to drag Neymar back from the edge of a seemingly fading international career; in the almost cruel delight it takes in convincing England, the Netherlands, Belgium and others that this might finally be their Sisyphean breakthrough; in the tight grip it still holds over Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal.

Even those who have already climbed to the top are not immune. Lionel Messi was expected to bow out after Argentina finally crossed the line four years ago, though not without controversy over several key refereeing decisions. Instead, he chose to extend his international story, combining one last campaign with an ambassadorial role in the United States.

Kylian Mbappé, meanwhile, was just 19 when he carried France to glory eight years ago. In Qatar, he topped the scoring charts and famously struck a hat-trick in the final. Now, despite only two World Cup appearances, he stands on the brink of potentially becoming the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with five more goals this summer. Yet he also finds himself in the strange position of needing success partly to quiet criticism from Real Madrid’s vast supporter base.

Adding to the intrigue are Lamine Yamal and Erling Haaland, two of club football’s most devastating talents, both poised to make a defining impact on the global stage. Even with a recent hamstring setback, the sheer presence of the 18-year-old Yamal in Spain’s squad reinforces their status among the favourites heading into the tournament.

World Cup 2026 groups

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• BBC reveals trailer and first-look images for new legal drama The Split Up
• The series is a spinoff of popular 2018 drama The Split starring Nicola Walker
• New cast includes Ritu Arya, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Aysha Kala, Arian Nik and Danny Ashok

BBC has dropped the trailer and first-look images for new legal drama The Split Up, which will be a spinoff series of the popular drama The Split starring Nicola Walker.

Across six episodes, the new drama is set to follow a family story set inside the high-pressure world of Manchester’s high-net-worth divorce circuit.

In short, we're combining all the heart of The Split but with a new setting, characters and storylines.

Created by Ursula Rani Sarma rather than original show creator Abi Morgan, The Split will be used as a springboard for new material rather than The Split Up being a continuation.

Watch the trailer below, and I'm sure you'll agree that the new series looks even more intense than what we've seen before, and means an unmissable binge-watch is on our hands.

The Split Up trailer is a world away from BBC's The Split, but the stakes feel even higher

In the above clip, we follow Aria Kishan (Ritu Arya), a fast-rising star of Kishan Law. She's poised to step up and take the mantle from her father Dhruv (Sanjeev Bhaskar) and Aria’s siblings Maya (Aysha Kala), Kav (Arian Nik), and partner Neal (Danny Ashok).

As the BBC explains: "The death of Aria’s mother has cast a new light over succession plans for Dhruv, who has begun to wonder if his daughter can, or should, take on this responsibility single-handedly.

"Aria’s relationship is placed under scrutiny too, with the wedding to long-term partner Neal on the horizon, but with their personal and professional lives so entwined it’s unclear if their relationship can withstand any more pressure — a problem further compounded when a former secret flame (Dimitri Leonidas) arrives in Manchester unexpectedly.

It continues, "Alongside her siblings Maya and Kav, whose own relationships and loyalties are far from straightforward, Aria must navigate the splits that divide family and those we love — and ask herself: who should you live your life for?"

Tense! On top of that, we can expect guest star appearances from Lenny Henry, Jane Horrocks and Jameela Jamil.

The Split Up is set to arrive on BBC and BBC iPlayer later in 2026.

• Amnezia VPN rolls out version 4.8.18.0 to thwart recent Russian blocking
• The update fixes a bug that exposed the VPN to alleged targeted attacks
• Attacks targeting VPNs continue to escalate in Russia

If you’re looking for the best VPN that’s truly committed to fighting censorship, Amnezia VPN’s latest update might point you in the right direction.

In its newest release, the open-source VPN says it has fixed a bug in its AmneziaWG protocol that left its infrastructure vulnerable to a recent coordinated cyberattack, allegedly carried out by Russia's media regulator, Roskomnadzor (RKN).

Available on all platforms, version 4.8.18.0 can be downloaded from Amnezia’s website, GitHub, and the Android and iOS app stores.

Critical security fixes

Last week, Amnezia reported that Russian media regulatory authorities had attacked its VPN infrastructure, causing the system to shut down completely.

The incident prevented users of Amnezia's Free and Premium services from switching between servers and prolonged the recovery process by several days.

According to the company, the latest update patches the vulnerability that RKN likely exploited to carry out the attack.

Mazay Banzaev, founder of Amnezia VPN, told TechRadar that RKN had likely developed a high-level protocol identification system capable of detecting and blocking Amnezia VPN traffic.

The regulatory authority then allegedly used the filter to identify a specific vulnerability in Amnezia’s software and launch targeted attacks against its infrastructure.

"The key challenge lies precisely in the RKN’s new approach to blocking," Banzaev tells TechRadar. "Whereas previously they simply blocked protocols, they now use protocol fingerprints to identify servers and block them automatically on a case-by-case basis."

According to Banzaev, RKN’s new approach makes debugging protocols much more difficult: the system still works, but within a few hours or days, the server may crash completely. Therefore, even a single user running an outdated version of the protocol can compromise the entire server, causing it to crash.

Therefore, the VPN service says it remains focused on improving the service’s long-term resilience, and announced that it will soon be publishing more in-depth technical analyses on its blog.

"Right now we can confirm that AmneziaWG’s developments continue; we have no intention of giving in to the difficulties," Banzaev says.

An ongoing fight

The founder calls the recent incident "one of the most serious in the project’s history." The alleged RKN coordinated attacks happened on multiple sides — from changes in approaches to restricting VPN traffic, searches for the VPN’s protocol signatures, DDoS attacks, phishing, and API scanning.

"We were forced to adapt many technical components to the new operating conditions," he explains. "But the pressure on our services continues to grow."

AmneziaVPN is not the only service facing these challenges. Russian users have recently reported issues with Telegram's cryptographic protocol to bypass blocks, while other VPN services, such as BlancVPN, also claim to have suffered disruptions in May. Although Russian authorities recently extended the deadline for imposing fees on VPN usage, they are instead stepping up their restrictions on VPNs.

In the case of Amnezia, its AmneziaWG 2.0 custom protocol was specifically built to mimic normal traffic to evade censorship detection in unrestricted regions. However, its very own nature and purpose mean it requires continuous updates and fixes to maintain its resilience.

"This is a difficult path we have consciously chosen," Banzaev admits. "These principles allow us to operate effectively in countries with strict restrictions on access to information, and to keep pace with censors technologically," he notes.

On the good side, its persistence appears to have been rewarded by its supporters, with Amnezia claiming to have received a huge number of comments and messages of support after the incident.

"For us, this is no less important than the technical results of the team's work, and it is precisely this that gives us the confidence that we are moving in the right direction," Banzaev says.

• Toys for Bob says Spyro: A Realm Beyond is designed to be "accessible" and "approachable"
• The game won't be as "hardcore" as Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time
• The studio says Spyro has always been more about "discovery and exploration"

Toys for Bob wants Spyro: A Realm Beyond to be an "approachable" new entry in the series, for both long-time fans and new players.

In a press Q&A at Summer Game Fest (SGF) that TechRadar Gaming attended, associate creative director Lou Studdard was asked about Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time, designing a difficulty level that stayed true to the long-time series, and if the studio was also conscious of doing the same for A Realm Beyond.

In response, Studdard said that Toys for Bob was focused on designing the upcoming Spyro game as a more approachable entry for the broader audience, with less of the "hardcore" mechanics players would typically find in Crash Bandicoot.

"For Spyro: A Realm Beyond, we are very much focused on making it an accessible adventure, and so that means really focusing in on those difficulty levels, as well as just the general notion of how you play the game," Studdard said. "Spyro definitely is less of a hardcore, or precision-based game; Crash is definitely much more in that line of thing.

"For us, for Spyro, we have had a very focused effort on making sure that it is an accessible, approachable entry, and that goes, hand in hand with the audience that we want to serve, we want this to be something where this could be someone's first Spyro game, and fall in love with our favorite little purple dragon, and be along for the ride from there."

Toys for Bob Chief Creative Officer and Studio Head, Paul Yan, echoed the same sentiment, saying Spyro has always been a very approachable experience.

Both Yan and Studdard agreed that Crash Bandicoot is more about "hard checks" and executing perfectly timed jumps, with Studdard explaining that "precision execution based platforming" was what the team used to build, but not for the new Spyro game.

For the Spyro games, Yan added, it's more about "discovery and exploration" and is more "relaxing" to play, so the team wanted to "preserve its tonal core" for A Realm Beyond.

"I will say that taking flight and moving in a three-dimensional space, as opposed to on the ground, is just inherently more complex than running on the ground, right?" Yan said. "So we spend a lot of effort to make that as approachable as possible. It will be a little bit more complex, just navigating through the air, where we're doing everything that we can to make sure that it is an approachable experience, and that it is engaging and you're making interesting decisions while you're up in the sky."

Spyro: A Realm Beyond launches in Spring 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Series S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.

• A Google executive has teased the new Google Home Speaker's imminent arrival
• The new smart home hub could go on sale as soon as next week
• It would be Google's first smart speaker in six years

We've been waiting for Google to announce a new Google Home Speaker since the device was teased at the tech giant's Made by Google event almost a year ago, and now it looks like it could be arriving — and within a matter of days.

In an email sent out yesterday (June 11) to Gemini for Home early access testers, Google thanked participants for their feedback, which it said resulted in over 2,500 bug fixes and a wider launch to 20 countries in 10 different languages. Google has also been consistent with software updates, which also saw the return of the much-loved Continued Conversation feature.

As noted by 9to5Google, Chief Product Officer for Google Home & Nest, Anish Kattukaran, sent out the email to users stating the following:

“I’m writing to you from my living room, surrounded by the same speakers, displays, thermostats and cameras in many of your homes. With over 100 of my own smart home devices connected around me and my family, I am deeply aware of the incredible potential and occasional inconveniences of smart home life”.

Since the early access program launched, it’s garnered a staggering 3.5 million sign-ups from users who’ve wanted to get a taste of what the new Google Home Speaker will have to offer, and Kattukaran is still encouraging users to send feedback.

But he signed off his email with what looks very like confirmation that the new Google Home Speaker will be announced next week.

At the bottom of the email, Kattukaran says “for those of you who have been patiently waiting for a certain speaker… keep a very close eye on your inbox next week,” which I think can only be referring to the launch of a new Google Home Speaker.

I imagine that, like us, you’ve also been keeping your eyes peeled for signs of the new speaker since the company officially announced it in October 2025.

At the time, Google teased a "spring 2026" release date, and it could still meet that deadline, technically, as while most people go by the meteorological definition of spring, which is March-May in the northern hemisphere, astronomical spring doesn't end until June 21.

As of now the new Google Home Speaker is prominently displayed at the Google Store, where you can sign up to be notified by email when it goes on sale — and we've had a hint as to when that might be. Best Buy Canada recently slipped up when it listed the device along with a June 25 release date label.

Shortly after, Nest Mini and Nest Audio speakers started mysteriously vanishing from the Google Store and third-party retailers, which suggested a new speaker was on the way.

It’s been six years since Google came out with the Nest Audio and a lot has changed in the realm of the best smart home devices on both the hardware and software fronts, so the bar is set high. But from the feedback from Gemini for Home users and the device features list on the Google Store, there’s a chance that Google could actually hit this one out of the park.

June is shaping up to be a fantastic month for the best streaming services, with plenty to keep us entertained across all genres.

Whatever you're in the mood for, we're sure you'll find it here. Some of our highlights this week include a Jemaine Clement and Nicola Walker-led comedy drama about a strained friendship, a scorching slow-burn summer romance, and Netflix's World Cup coverage led by the biggest names in the world of football.

We're spoiled for choice here. Without further delay, let's take a look at our streaming recommendations this weekend (June 12 - 14). — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

Alice and Steve (Hulu, Disney+)

Alice and Steve examines what happens when a long-term friendship rapidly falls apart. As far as catalysts go, this one is especially shocking, as Alice (Nicola Walker) learns that Steve (Jemaine Clement) has started dating her 26-year-old daughter.

If you winced reading that, you're not alone. Alice and Steve certainly lures us in with a controversial plot line, even if it doesn't always nail the execution. In my review, I noted that the lack of chemistry might leave you frustrated, but you'll have to be the judge of that.

All episodes are streaming now, and it's one worth binging on Disney+ as the shocks just keep on coming. As do the laughs, to be fair. — LB

• Watch Alice and Steve on Disney+

Every Year After (Prime Video)

Loved Off Campus and can't get enough of Prime Video's banging young adult drama streak? Well, Every Year After is the binge for you.

The show is based on the novel Every Summer After by Carley Fortune. We'll follow Percy Fraser (Sadie Soverall) and Sam Florek (Matt Cornett) as they fall in love, and then join them one weekend, years later, as they come back together to confront a "heartbreaking mistake," according to Amazon.

It's a gorgeous slow-burn romance in an even more gorgeous setting. Frankly, it's exactly how I want to spend my weekend while the weather is absolutely abysmal. — Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter

• Watch Every Year After on Prime Video

Sweet Magnolias season 5 (Netflix)

We've waited for over a year, but now Sweet Magnolias season 5 is finally making its return to Netflix.

The big news is Maddie's (JoAnna Garcia Swisher) new publishing career in New York City, testing her relationship with Cal (Justin Bruening). But Helen's (Heather Headley) engagement has also set the stage for a potential big wedding this season, with Dana Sue (Brooke Elliott) also trying to balance her growing kitchen business.

But surely the girls have to get back to Serenity at some point, don't they? Regardless, I'm completely here for their feel-good vibes (and routine drinking schedule). — JV

• Watch Sweet Magnolias season 5 on Netflix

It Ends with Us (Hulu)

If you haven't heard of It Ends With Us, I'm going to assume that you don't have access to any form of 21st-century technology (which means, how are you reading this?).

Based on the popular Colleen Hoover novel of the same name, the movie follows florist Lily Bloom (Blake Lively) as she builds a new life in Boston, where she falls for charming neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni).

When Lily's first love, Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar), appears out of thin air, she's forced to confront the cycle of abuse in her life and make a difficult choice for her future as well as her daughter's safety.

It's not exactly a light-hearted watch, and frankly, neither is the real-life drama surrounding it. But as far as I'm concerned, it's a 2020s cultural staple. — JV

Proud (HBO Max)

We've gone incredibly European for this week's HBO Max pick, courtesy of Polish-language original drama, Proud.

In perfect time for Pride Month, the series tells the story of a young, carefree, drug-loving gay man who is suddenly forced to take care of his niece after a family tragedy.

It's been tipped as a "perfect story about imperfect people," and potential viral comparisons to Heated Rivalry are already being thrown about online. In short... if you don't want to, you'll likely get FOMO. — JV

• Watch Proud on HBO Max

They Will Kill You (HBO Max)

They Will Kill You seems to have fallen under the radar, which can be forgiven due to the myriad new horror movies that arrived in May alone.

You need to get one this one ASAP, though (and now you have no excuse not to). We follow a woman who answers a cryptic ad for a housekeeping job at a luxurious New York City apartment, only to discover that residents there have vanished without a trace for decades.

Add in some satanic cult behavior and high-stakes violent action, and you're in for a rip-roaring time. Just never answer a cleaning advert again. — JV

• Watch They Will Kill You on HBO Max

The Rest is Football (Netflix)

Football's coming home thanks to Netflix, which has a brand new talk show that's set to become your World Cup companion. Every day during the tournament, there'll be "witty debates and unfiltered takes" from legendary names like Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards.

The talk show will be available globally and features game analysis, special guests, interviews, and insights into the on- and off-field action. Although it broadcasts live at 6 a.m. BST / 1 a.m. ET / 10 p.m. PT, you can watch episodes on demand too, so you're not going to miss out.

Wherever you are in the world and whoever you're supporting, these guys have got you covered. — LB

• Watch The Rest is Football on Netflix

• Alien: Isolation 2 will take place months after the events of the first game
• Creative Director Al Hope says the sequel is still inspired by the first Alien movie
• Hope adds, "Our goal is to stay really true in spirit to that first movie"

Creative Assembly has confirmed that Alien: Isolation 2 will take place months after the first game and is once again inspired by the first Alien movie.

Speaking in an interview with TechRadar Gaming at Summer Game Fest 2026 (SGF), Creative Director Al Hope and Animation Director Simon Ridge shared how the studio is expanding the world of Alien in the upcoming sequel, confirming the movies are still the "groundwork."

"We really love the Aliens universe, obviously," Hope said. "I think for us, the first game really was close to the first movie in look and feel, in [the protagonist] Amanda [to Ripley], but in Isolation 2, which takes place months after the events of the first game, we're still in that wonderful space that we absolutely adore.

"We feel the first movie is still a really rich vein for us to tap into and explore and expand. It felt like a really good opportunity to just keep pushing, going deep in that part of the IP."

Ridge added that the first Alien movie was "such an important way of guiding us" when the team made the first game, and was the "ground" for everything it built.

"Keeping that in mind again with the sequel to make sure that we're making something that offers a similar experience, because that's your groundwork, but then also with the new parts are added to it," Ridge said, which he and Hope mentioned included the new exterior environments, which the first movie doesn't feature.

"We're really very serious about creating something that feels very authentic," Hope continued, explaining how the team is still creating "new elements" to "expand" the world.

"Our goal is to stay really true in spirit to that first movie," he said. "Authenticity is the lens we do everything through."

Alien: Isolation 2 is now in development and will launch on PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.

• Crusoe "paused" development of Wyoming data center
• Pressure from Google likely contributed to the halt on development
• Other development partners will likely seek to buy out Crusoe's interest in the site

Crusoe has “paused” a data center development plan after key customers such as Google raised concerns over cost and construction time.

Bloomberg reporting, citing people familiar with the matter, claims Crusoe was set to build a datacenter in Cheyenne, Wyoming, that would have a peak consumption of 1.8GW - enough to power Denver.

“At the request of our customer, Crusoe has paused its development activities,” the company said in a statement.

Crusoe’s interest likely to be bought out

The planned data center development had also seen interest from energy utility Black Hills Corp., who have also announced that the development of the data center would be moving forward without Crusoe.

But in a statement to Bloomberg, a Crusoe spokesperson said that local approvals had been secured by a Crusoe subsidiary, meaning that Crusoe’s interest in the site will likely be bought out by the other development partners.

A Crusoe employee, who spoke to Bloomberg on conditions of anonymity, said that there was still interest in the project, and that a prospective customer had been presented a budget by Crusoe, and the budget fell within the range of that of the customer.

Tech companies looking to remain at the forefront of the AI boom are desperate to secure extra computing power, hence the recent spike in both construction of and opposition to new data centers.

• PureVPN has launched an integrated ChatGPT Co-Pilot
• It enables users to ask ChatGPT for user recommendations
• The LLM aims to handle manual configurations

Do you love using the best VPNs to watch your favourite series, but hate spending hours on Google trying to find out which server you need to access it? Then you’ll be pleased to know that PureVPN has found a new way to eliminate those tedious manual steps and help you focus solely on your heavenly VPN experience.

The VPN has announced an integration with ChatGPT, allowing its users to submit service-related requests to the LLM and have manual configurations handled by the AI assistant — ready to be applied with a single click.

The PureVPN app is now available on ChatGPT Apps Directory for users across the US, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland, and the UAE.

How does PureVPN's ChatGPT Co-Pilot work?

Even if you already know how to use a virtual private network (VPN), finding the right server or settings can be tricky and time-consuming, especially for those who aren’t particularly tech-savvy.

PureVPN’s integration with ChatGPT aims to enable its users to resolve any configuration palaver without having to resort to manual trial and error after hours on Reddit.

Previously, ChatGPT could only provide general advice and instructions, but was unable to guide users through effective Pure VPN’s manual configurations. With the new release, the AI can interact with PureVPN’s infrastructure from start to finish.

Specifically, by typing @pureVPN while using ChatGPT to send a request related to any VPN configuration on PureVPN, the AI will determine suitable settings, including which server or location, or any additional optimised configuration required for that task.

ChatGPT will then generate a single button, allowing users to launch the VPN app with those settings already configured via secure deep links.

PureVPN provides various examples of how ChatGPT can immediately solve users' problems. For example, a remote worker using a public Wi-Fi network asking ChatGPT for a secure connection will see the AI select a highly-encrypted local node and display a 'Connect Now' button to instantly protect the user’s privacy.

Similarly, a streamer asking for a server optimised for video traffic to watch their favourite show will be presented with a 'Watch Now' button, with the show ready to stream.

Privacy first

If your concerns revolve around privacy and whether your VPN configurations might be exposed while using ChatGPT, Shoaib Usman, manager at PureVPN, puts your mind at rest and says the integration follows strict data isolation boundaries.

"OpenAI cannot see into PureVPN: ChatGPT purely acts as the initial guidance layer," he tells TechRadar. "The moment a user clicks the deep link, control shifts 100% to our native application."

Basically, all the encryption process and network routing happen locally on the user's device, completely insulated from OpenAI’s servers.

The system ensures privacy in both directions, as PureVPN cannot see into ChatGPT either, as OpenAI’s ecosystem strictly sandboxes third-party applications.

"PureVPN has zero access to the user’s broader chat history, account data, or other conversations. We only receive the specific text explicitly directed to use via the PureVPN mention," Usman adds.

However, it is important to emphasise that the decision to share information with ChatGPT, including your intentions regarding your personal use of the VPN, remains entirely up to you and is not PureVPN’s responsibility.

While for streamers and gamers, the convenience of letting ChatGPT configure the VPN might outweigh any privacy concerns, more privacy-conscious users might prefer to stick to more old-school methods for their manual configurations.

While PureVPN claims to be "the first VPN" to commercially transform an AI-powered interface into an interactive control panel, the AI hype has recently been catching on with more and more VPNs — with ExpressVPN and NortonVPN being at the forefront of AI agents' integrations. And we expect this trend to continue.

• Watch NBA Finals 2026 free on YouTube (India) / CCTV5 (China)
• Stream on ABC via Sling TV (US) / Sky Sports (UK)
• Unlock your stream with Surfshark (4 months extra free)
• NBA Finals Game 5: Sat, Jun 13, 8.30pm ET / 5.30pm PT / 1.30am BST (Sun.)

Watch NBA Finals 2026 live streams, as the action returns to Frost Bank Center for Game 5, with the Knicks one win away from securing their first championship title in 53 years. It's not just that New York have a 3-1 lead – it's the sensational manner in which they built it.

They had to pull off the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history to overturn a 29-point deficit in Game 4, and they did it, right in the nick of time. The Knicks led for just 53.8 seconds, OG Anunoby applying the finishing touch with 1.2 seconds left on the clock. His understated reaction, as Madison Square Garden erupted all around him, was the cherry on top.

To compound the Spurs' misery, Victor Wembanyama is now one flagrant foul away from a suspension.

The Spurs took a gruelling route to the NBA Finals, playing 18 games including a seven-game series against holders Oklahoma that wrapped up just three days before the Finals tipped off. By contrast, the Knicks entered the series off the back of nine days of rest, having only played 14 times this postseason. They swept both Cleveland and Philadelphia.

And yet the Spurs entered the series as the clear favorites. That's largely down to Wembanyama, the NBA's first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year – who's also San Antonio's top offensive threat. It certainly doesn't help New York's cause that their own big man Mitchell Robinson is dealing with a broken finger. Not only is he on Wemby duty, but he's also one of the NBA's best rebounders.

It's worth remembering, however, that when these teams met in the NBA Cup final in December, the Knicks ran out 124-113 winners. They also destroyed the Spurs to the tune of 114-89 when they faced off at the MSG in March. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns dazzled on both occasions. San Antonio, meanwhile, won 134-132 when they clashed at Frost Bank Center in December.

One of the main reasons the Knicks have fared so well against the Spurs this season is that they're well-equipped to combat Wembanyama. Dominating the paint has been a feature of New York's offense, but that isn't an option with the 7ft 4in towering over the basket. A good thing, then, that they've been the most prolific 3-point shooters through the NBA Playoffs.

San Antonio won their '99 series 4-1 to secure the first of five NBA championships (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014). It's been so long since two-time champions New York last went all the way (1970, 1973) that they've never actually laid hands on the Larry O'Brien trophy. Look back at the old pictures and you'll see its predecessor, the Walter A Brown trophy, which was retired in 1976.

Here's how to watch Knicks vs Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals from anywhere in the world.

NBA Finals schedule 2026

Wednesday, June 3
Knicks 105-95 Spurs

Friday, June 5
Knicks 105-104 Spurs

Monday, June 8
Spurs 115-111 Knicks

Wednesday, June 10
Spurs 106-107 Knicks

Saturday, June 13
8.30pm – Game 5 @ Spurs | ABC, ESPN Unlimited

Tuesday, June 16
8.30pm – Game 6 @ Knicks | ABC, ESPN Unlimited (If needed)

Friday, June 19
8.30pm – Game 7 @ Spurs | ABC, ESPN Unlimited (If needed)

(All times ET)

Can you watch NBA Finals 2026 for free?

Yes. Game 5 is available to watch for free on the NBA YouTube channel in India.

Select games are also free-to-air on CCTV5 in China.

In the UK, the NBA Finals are being shown on Prime Video, which comes with a 30-day free trial for new customers.

The NBA Finals are available to watch in their entirety on Kayo Sports in Australia, which offers new users a 7-day free trial.

In the US, YouTube TV (21 days), Fubo (5 days) and DirecTV Stream (5 days) each carry ABC and offer a free trial to new subscribers.

Traveling abroad right now? You can use a VPN to watch NBA Finals 2026 for free as if you were right at home.

Use a VPN to watch NBA Finals 2026 live streams

A VPN is handy piece of software that can make your device appear as if it's back in your home country, so you can unlock your usual service. The best VPN right now? We recommend Surfshark – it does everything and comes with 4 months extra free right now.

Using a VPN to watch the NBA Finals is really straightforward.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, Surfshark is our top pick of the options.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For example, if you want to watch ABC via Sling TV this weekend, select 'United States' from the listed countries.

3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to Sling TV and tune into the Knicks vs Spurs.

How to watch NBA Finals 2026 live streams in the USA

Basketball fans in the US can watch Knicks vs Spurs in the NBA Finals on either ABC or ESPN Unlimited.

If you don't have ABC on cable, it's available through Sling – specifically the Blue plan, which starts at $45.99/month. It includes ABC, NBC and Fox in select locations, plus FS1, USA Network and FX.

Alternatively, ABC is also carried by Fubo, YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV, each of which offers a free trial to new users.

ESPN Unlimited costs $29.99/month or $299.99/year, but you can bundle it with Disney Plus and Hulu for $35.99/month.

Outside of the US? Use a VPN whilst you're traveling away from home to unlock your stream.

How to watch NBA Finals 2026 live streams in the UK

The NBA Finals are being shown on Prime Video in the UK.

Prime Video offers a 30-day free trial to new users. A subscription then starts at £8.99/month, or £95/year.

Alternatively, they're also available to watch on NBA League Pass, which starts at £16.99 for the rest of the season.

If you're out of the UK but still want to tune in, explore the VPN route set out above, which will help you access your subscriptions from anywhere.

How to watch NBA Finals 2026 live streams in Canada

In Canada, NBA Finals coverage is shared between Sportsnet, TSN and CTV.

TSN (showing Games 1, 3, 5, 7) is available to live stream via TSN+, which costs CA$8/month or CA$80/year, and the same is true of Sportsnet with Sportsnet Plus (Games 2, 4, 6), which starts at CA$29.99/month or CA$249.99/year.

Not in Canada? Use Surfshark if you're away from home, in order to tap into your preferred Knicks vs Spurs coverage from anywhere.

How to watch NBA Finals 2026 live streams in Australia

The NBA Finals are being shown on ESPN via Foxtel (streamed via Foxtel Now) in Australia.

All ESPN games can also be streamed through your choice of the excellent sports streaming platform Kayo Sports (from $30/month after a 7-day free trial or your first month for $1) or Disney Plus (from AU$15.99/month or AU$159.99/year).

There's also NBA League Pass, which starts at AU$24.99 for the rest of the season.

Not in Australia right now? Use a VPN if you're away from home, in order to tap into your preferred NBA Finals 2026 coverage from anywhere.

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