Kona

Konami's president has publicly downplayed the significance of artificial intelligence, pushing back against the industry-wide enthusiasm for the technology. The remarks come as games companies face pressure over how far AI should be used in development, with many players and studios wary of its impact on jobs and creativity.

French triathlete Vincent Luis is in focus as the Ironman World Championship takes place in Kona, Hawaii. Swiss and French media recount his rise to world champion status, while French athletes Guillaume, a gendarme from the Var, and Alsatian Nathan Guerbeur describe the extreme heat and humidity they face. For Luis, a native of Vesoul, the race is being framed as possibly the last great challenge of his career.

History enthusiasts are marking the anniversary of the birth of Emperor Go-Shirakawa, the 77th emperor of Japan, born on this day in 1127. Go-Shirakawa reigned in the 12th century and later exerted cloistered rule over Japanese politics for decades, shaping the transition toward samurai dominance. Posts linking the date to sites such as Japan's ancient kofun burial mounds have drawn modest interest among travel and history readers.

Liverpool FC are reportedly monitoring Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck as a potential signing, with the club's defensive plans drawing attention. The reports come amid ongoing questions over the future of centre-back Ibrahima Konate, whose contract situation has kept the French defender at the centre of transfer speculation linking Liverpool with reinforcements at the back.

Go-Tsuchimikado, the 103rd emperor of Japan, died on this day in 1500. His reign, lasting from 1464 to 1500, was one of the longest in Japanese history and spanned the turmoil of the Onin War. History enthusiasts are marking the anniversary, with attention turning to Japan's ancient imperial burial sites, including kofun-era tombs, where rulers were traditionally laid to rest.

A golf question circulating in Japan asks where a player should aim when facing a second shot from a lie with the toe of the club below the feet, a slope that tends to pull shots. The topic is being shared among Japanese golf fans alongside tags about irons, approach shots and swing technique, prompting discussion of aim and club selection on uneven lies.

Japanese golfers are sharing a short instructional tip on how to easily get out of a plugged bunker shot, sometimes called a 'fried egg' lie in the sand. The advice, circulated within Japan's online golf community, focuses on a basic technique using an iron or wedge. It is drawing interest from recreational players looking to fix one of the game's trickiest situations.

The Iranian Navy announced that US forces attacked the Konarak naval base in Baluchestan province early this morning, saying two rounds were fired at a 35mm gun at the facility. The claim has not been independently verified, and there has been no immediate confirmation from the United States. The report is drawing attention amid already heightened tensions between Iran and the US.

Konami's leadership has publicly argued that artificial intelligence cannot replace the human chemistry behind great video games, pushing back on the industry's rush toward AI-driven development. The remarks position the Japanese publisher alongside a growing number of developers and executives who insist creative collaboration between people remains essential to making memorable games, even as AI tools spread across the industry.

Konami's president has stated that artificial intelligence will not transform the video game industry, pushing back against widespread predictions that AI is set to revolutionize how games are made and played. The comment puts the Japanese publisher at odds with much of the games business, where studios and investors have been racing to adopt generative AI tools for development and content creation.

A Japanese golf instruction guide covering how to hit fairway woods is being shared online, billed as a complete reference for players. The material is associated with golfer Kashiwagi Kona and touches on related topics like irons, approach shots and swing technique, drawing interest from Japan's golf community, including women golfers.