Jeff Bezos nears deal to buy stake in Liverpool FC, thieves use drone to steal VW badges

A consortium including the Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is closing in on a deal to buy a roughly one-third stake in Liverpool Football Club. Sky News has learnt that Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the Anfield club’s controlling shareholder since 2010, is preparing to make an announcement about a transaction as soon as this week. The deal will see Mr Bezos participate in an investor group alongside Eduardo Saverin, one of the co-founders of the social network Facebook. Sky News 

Think our tech is getting a little too smart for its own good? You’re not alone. In the past few weeks, TechRadar brought you three key updates on the invasion of your privacy without consent, owing to the AI learning models nestled in our gadgets and appliances. In case you missed the latest missives, new LG TVs can record you in the background and will ask you to notify anyone who comes into your home, to comply with “wiretapping” laws. Next up, Nothing’s new earbuds offer a ‘squeeze the stems to record calls’ feature being called Audio Snapshot, which is tantamount to phone-hacking in cute packaging. And finally, there’s the continued backlash over Meta’s AI glasses. Tech Radar

A sophisticated crime spree, possibly involving drones, has seen around 70 Volkswagen car badges and radar sensors stolen across south-east London in just four days. Victims reported that the distinctive ‘VW’ front badges, which incorporate radar sensors, could be removed in under five seconds. The thefts occurred between 15 and 19 July, affecting vehicles on 29 streets in areas including Catford, Forest Hill, Ladywell, Honor Oak, East Dulwich, and Lewisham, according to The Times. The Metropolitan Police have confirmed they are investigating about 70 reported incidents. Independent 

Google will launch the Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro family of smartphones this week. The new smartphones will show the direction Google is taking the smartphone ecosystem through its new AI features, premium hardware choices, and controversial Android upgrades. How will the Pixel 11 set the trends for the next twelve months and beyond? Android Headlines’ Kristijan Lucic reports on the potential pricing of the new Pixel 11 models. “…the prices start at $899/€999 for the Pixel 11 and reach $1,899/€1,999 for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. Forbes 

For years, executives at various AI companies have insisted that the technology will ultimately mean people spend less time working. An engineering director at Google said four years ago that AI would deliver a four-day work week by 2025. Earlier this year, OpenAI took up the challenge, formally urging companies to start testing out a four-day work week (with no change in pay). However, a former OpenAI technical employee who left the company last year told the BBC the firm never actually trialled the four-day week. Instead, they described a gruelling work culture marked by frequent “crisis meetings”, working on weekends, and “super cut-throat” performance reviews. BBC 

It was hardly an offensive video. Amid the buzz of the Tour de France finale, Oliver Hooson filmed himself whipping up a delicious-looking flat white for a fellow cycling enthusiast. But after posting the footage on social media, the comments that soon rolled in were a real shock. “PERV,” read one. “Out here pushing creep glasses,” said another. His mistake? Documenting the moment with Meta’s “spy glasses”. Despite being marketed as the latest must-have gadget, Meta’s smartglasses, which can record video footage while being worn, have faced a vicious backlash. Guardian