August 3, 12:12

Fragment of Heidelberg Man's Skull Discovered in Central Spain

Archaeologists have discovered a fragment of parietal bone belonging to Heidelberg Man in central modern Spain. These new remains are dated to a period estimated between 224 and 160 thousand years ago. Information about this significant find was presented in the journal Journal of Human Evolution.

Heidelberg Man (Homo heidelbergensis) is one of the most difficult types of fossil humans to classify, as its definition heavily depends on the opinions of individual scientists. In a broader sense, this term encompasses archaic hominins that inhabited Earth during the Middle Pleistocene (approximately 774–129 thousand years ago). It often refers only to ancient hunter-gatherers of Europe from whom Neanderthals later evolved. Nevertheless, the diversity of Heidelberg populations observed in this region suggests the existence of several parallel evolutionary branches.

Daniel Garcia-Martinez from the Complutense University in Madrid and his colleagues from countries such as Australia, Bolivia, Germany, Spain, Poland, Portugal, and France reported on these remains. Previously, back in 2009, local residents discovered ancient animal bones in the Spanish province of Ciudad Real, located near Madrid. At this site, named Ruidera, dozens of animal bones or teeth were subsequently found, which were dated to the interval of 400–300 thousand years.

After many years of work, archaeologists began a scientific project to study this monument. In 2023, they were able to confirm the presence of archaic humans at this location. A piece of an ancient hominin skull was found in cemented rock (breccia). Analysis showed that it was a fragment of the left parietal bone measuring approximately 6.8 by 7.5 centimeters. Notably, this bone was quite massive, with a thickness of about 1.2 centimeters, which is roughly twice as thick as that of modern humans.

Since radiocarbon dating was unsuitable for determining the age of the finds from the monument, scientists applied uranium series and optically stimulated luminescence methods. The first method established a minimum age of just over 18 thousand years, while the second indicated a much deeper antiquity. Based on the rocks adjacent to the skull, it was concluded that the last remains were on the surface of the earth and were exposed to sunlight during the period between 224 ± 14 and 160 ± 10 thousand years ago.

Furthermore, researchers discovered a burial of a person in the late capital of the Xianbei state, Northern Wei, who likely belonged to the ruling elite of that time. This person's tooth was selected for ancient DNA analysis, which revealed that the remains belonged to a woman genetically related to the Han people, rather than the steppe nomads to whom the Xianbei belonged. This information was published in the journal Archaeological Research in Asia.

business-standard.comAugust 4, 19:16

Netflix marks 10 years in India: Ted Sarandos meets with writers to discuss local content

To mark the completion of its decade-long presence in India, Netflix Co-Chief Executive Officer Ted Sarandos spent an evening with a group of writers. This event confirms the company's long-held belief that the strongest creative partnerships emerge from listening to authors' opinions and investing in their ideas, according to the company statement.

Monica Shergill, Vice President of Content for Netflix India, and Sarandos held an open discussion with the writers. They discussed the evolving landscape of storytelling, future creative opportunities, and the prospects of the Indian entertainment industry.

This meeting took place following the recent launch of the NextGen India Writers' Program, which brought Netflix's global talent development initiative to India. When the platform launched this program last month, it announced that it was providing creative authors with the opportunity to bring their concepts to life in shows for Netflix for the first time.

India is the third country, after France and the Netherlands, to adopt this initiative. In a statement, Netflix emphasized that the evening also reinforces the company's commitment to supporting India's creative ecosystem, which is facilitated by the launch of the NextGen India Program.

The company stated that it will continue to support the authors whose voices will define the next chapter of Indian storytelling, as Indian stories continue to find audiences worldwide.

According to media reports, Netflix India's net profit in 2025 amounted to 85 crore rupees, and operating revenue increased by 32 percent, reaching 3,769 crore rupees.

The NextGen India Writers' Program is a two-month hybrid program that provides selected participants with mentorship, workshops, and support from industry experts.

$Refractor Studios, developer of FIFA World Cup for Netflix, ceases operations eight weeks after launch$

olhardigital.com.brAugust 4, 19:04

Refractor Studios, developer of FIFA World Cup for Netflix, ceases operations eight weeks after launch

Refractor Studios, responsible for developing FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition, reportedly ceased operations just eight weeks after the title's release on the Netflix platform. This information was disclosed by former employees on social media, who claim that the entire team was laid off after Delphi Interactive, one of the studio's owners, withdrew funding.

As of now, neither Netflix nor Delphi Interactive has issued official statements regarding the incident.

According to reports published on LinkedIn, the layoffs occurred a few days after the team finalized the development of FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition, which was made available on June 11 exclusively for Netflix's gaming service.

Barclay Chantel, art director, reported that Delphi Interactive ordered the studio's closure immediately after the project's launch, resulting in the dismissal of all collaborators. Nathan Potter, the company's full-stack developer, also stated that the funding was cut by the controlling entity shortly after the game's delivery, leading to the developer's shutdown. However, there is no official confirmation regarding the exact number of professionals affected.

The studio's closure draws attention because it happened shortly after Netflix itself classified FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition as one of its most successful releases in the cloud gaming category. Despite this positive classification from the platform, the game received criticism from both specialized press and players, especially concerning gameplay and graphics.

Even with the negative reception, the platform confirmed in July that the title was among its biggest successes in the gaming segment.

Delphi Interactive, established in 2020, focuses on intellectual property licensing and game development in collaboration with other studios. On its official website, the company states its goal is to 'redefine how AAA games are produced.' As of this article's publication, the company has remained silent about the layoffs or officially confirming the end of Refractor Studios' activities.

This incident adds to a series of cuts and closures impacting the gaming industry in recent years, even after the release of titles considered successful by distributors and publishers.

olhardigital.com.brAugust 4, 19:00

Selection of discounted gamer headsets focusing on audio quality for setups

For those looking to upgrade their gaming equipment or significantly improve audio quality, a list of gamer headsets available at good prices on Amazon has been compiled. This selection covers various profiles and price ranges, including wired and wireless models, all with positive player reviews.

Redragon Zeus Lite Black P3 H510-LT

The Redragon Zeus Lite model is recommended for users seeking a headset with P3 connection and broad compatibility. It features a comfortable design for long gaming sessions, includes an integrated microphone, and boasts a durable build, attributes that have established the Zeus line as one of Redragon's most recognized in the market.

Havit HV-H2002d — Gamer Headset with Microphone and 53mm Speaker

Havit developed this model using 53mm drivers, which provides a richer sound response, especially advantageous in action games. The connection is made via a 3.5mm P2 plug, ensuring compatibility with Xbox One and PS4, making it a simple choice for those wanting to start in the gaming world without complications.

Havit Fuxi-H3 — Wireless Gamer Headset 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, and USB-C Cable

For those who prioritize wireless freedom, the Havit Fuxi-H3 offers three connection modes: wireless via 2.4GHz to ensure low latency during gameplay, Bluetooth for use with mobile devices, and a USB-C cable for wired connections when necessary. This versatility is essential in a modern headset to keep up with different platforms and routines.

It is important to note that promotional conditions may change at any time, so it is advisable to check the links before stocks run out or prices are adjusted. Taking advantage of these opportunities allows you to elevate the sound experience during matches.