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July 14, 2026

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Key Takeaways

1. Microsoft is testing new updates to Windows Search that prioritize local files and app launches.
2. Users will get a cleaner search results page, with preview and distinct action buttons.
3. Microsoft will also offer an option to completely remove web results from Windows Search.

Table of Contents

Microsoft's Windows apology tour continues. After introducing sweeping changes to the Start menu and the taskbar, Microsoft's sights now turn to the infamous Windows Search box. It's no secret Windows Search is bloated with ads and web pages, among other results you likely don't want. Personally, I switched to using the PowerToys Command Palette for all my search needs. But now, Microsoft is slowly testing an updated Search Box that prioritizes local files and apps and doesn't take a century to load. If you're in the Windows Insider program, you can get in line to try the following new changes.

Windows Search has a redesigned UI focused on local search

Credit: Microsoft

Windows Search no longer shows a "Recommended" feed of web content and suggestions. Bring up Search, and what you'll see is a clean list of your recent searches. When you start typing, Microsoft will now prioritize local searches first. That means local apps, files, and folders will show up first and faster. Microsoft is also updating Search with broader parameters, so even if you misspell an app name, it should still show up in the list.

The results page also features an updated design. The results on the left have more breathing room now and show additional context, such as file type, when it was modified, and so on. You'll also see a preview of the file and metadata once you select a result, with better buttons for main actions like "Open." Microsoft is also focusing on reliability, promising a drop in crashes and random glitches. We'll only know how well that really works after testing this out for some time.

The broader search integration isn't completely gone here, however. You'll see a web results section below the local results, though this section also gets a redesign. Before, web search showed a promoted post at the top, hiding the actual result or answer until you scrolled down. Microsoft now shows the direct result at the top, and pushes the promos down below.

What do you think so far?

You can disable web and Microsoft Store suggestions in search

Credit: Microsoft

Finally, there are distinct toggles in Windows Settings to disable the entire web search and Microsoft Store suggestions section, so Windows Search can focus purely on surfacing local files and quickly launching apps. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Show Suggested Search Results and disable the toggles for Web Searches and Microsoft Store.

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In a study published in Current Biology on July 14, researchers from the South China Botanical Garden (SCBG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Guangxi Institute of Botany found that colossal karst sinkholes, known as tiankeng in Chinese, can help preserve the endangered tree Magnolia aromatica while also limiting gene flow and diminishing its long-term evolutionary potential.

In the karst mountains of southwest China, tiankeng shelter cool, humid forests at the bottom of steep cliffs. These hidden forests shield rare plants from harsh surface conditions. Magnolia aromatica, a rare karst tree distributed across fragmented limestone habitats in Guangxi, Guizhou and Yunnan provinces, grows both inside and outside these sinkholes. But until now, it has been unclear whether the isolation inside tiankeng poses genetic risks that exceed their protective benefits.

Genetic refuge with hidden costs

To answer this question, the researchers assembled a high-quality reference genome for Magnolia aromatica and resequenced 112 individuals from 26 populations across southwest China, including populations from both inside and outside tiankeng. Their population genomic analyses identified four major evolutionary lineages, with two associated with the Leye Tiankeng landscape.

The results revealed a paradox: At a broad scale, tiankeng-associated populations retained intermediate levels of genetic diversity and mutation load compared with non-tiankeng lineages, indicating that tiankeng can act as microrefugia that help maintain the species. At a finer scale, however, populations growing inside tiankeng showed lower genomic diversity and a higher burden of deleterious mutations than nearby exterior populations.

"Tiankeng are not simply safe havens," said Kang Ming from SCBG, corresponding author of the study. "They provide a buffered microenvironment that helps endangered plants persist, but their enclosed geography can also isolate populations and gradually wear away the genetic variation needed for future adaptation."

Adapted to life in shade

The researchers also found evidence that Magnolia aromatica has adapted to the deep shade of tiankeng interiors. Genes under selection in tiankeng-interior populations were enriched for functions related to photosynthesis and carbon fixation. Controlled shading experiments supported this genomic signal: Seedlings died quickly under full or strong light but survived and grew well under 50%–90% shade, performing especially strongly under deep shade.

"This helps explain why Magnolia aromatica can thrive in the dim, humid forests at the bottom of tiankeng," said Zhu Xianliang from SCBG, first author of the study. "The species appears to be strongly dependent on shaded environments, especially during early seedling establishment."

Climate risks and conservation links

The researchers then assessed future vulnerability under climate change. Their forecasts suggest that future habitat suitability may shift across the species' range, while some populations may face increasing maladaptation risk. More importantly, the burden of deleterious mutations is projected to rise over time, meaning that genomic erosion could compound the effects of climate change.

According to the researchers, the study provides one of the first genome-scale demonstrations that karst tiankeng can both preserve and constrain evolutionary potential in an endangered tree. It also offers a broader lesson for conserving species in isolated microrefugia: Places that protect biodiversity today may not be sufficient to safeguard the evolutionary future of species under rapid environmental change.

The scientists also highlighted the need for conservation strategies that go beyond protecting individual tiankeng. While tiankeng interiors should be protected as important microrefugia, nearby exterior populations and potential dispersal routes also need attention because they may help maintain genetic connectivity and adaptive potential.

"Our results suggest that conservation should protect both the shelter and the connections around it," Kang said. "For endangered karst plants, maintaining gene flow among populations may be just as important as preserving the special habitats where they survive."

Publication details

Karst Tiankengs preserve but constrain evolutionary potential in the endangered tree Magnolia aromatica, Current Biology (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2026.06.051

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Citation: Haven or trap? Study finds sinkholes protect endangered tree at evolutionary cost (2026, July 14) retrieved 14 July 2026 from https://phys.org/news/2026-07-haven-sinkholes-endangered-tree-evolutionary.html

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In April over 400 racing figures put their names to an open letter sent to Lisa Nandy, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, calling for the assessments to be scrapped, with the racing industry and bookmakers suggesting the measures will increasingly force people into using the black market and have dire consequences for the future of the sport.

However, while no date has been set for their full introduction, it has now been confirmed that a "streamlined approach to identifying and supporting high-spending customers in financial difficulties" will come into force.

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Sarah Gardner, acting chief executive of the Gambling Commission, said: "We are confident that our approach, using high-quality data, will enable support for high-spending customers in financial difficulties, while reducing friction for customers who are not in financial difficulties by removing the need for unnecessary and unpopular document checks to understand financial risk.

"We have listened to feedback throughout the pilot process which has led to us deciding to carefully proceed. We will work with key partners to make sure that they are implemented in the most effective way for consumers and operators."

In a strongly worded statement reacting to the news, the BHA's chief executive Brant Dunshea branded the decision "one of self-harm on an immense scale".

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He said: "We are hugely disappointed that the Gambling Commission will implement affordability checks which will have severe financial implications for British racing and the UK economy and subject racing bettors to unwarranted levels of intrusion.

"Over a number of years, and through several consultations, British racing has engaged in a spirit of huge goodwill to honestly advise the Government about the potential impact this policy would have on our sport and its fanbase.

"These concerns were shared by the betting industry, politicians, campaigners and policy makers, who warned of devastating unintended consequences on two major industries that are worth billions of pounds to the UK economy and employ more than 200,000 people across Britain. We understand these checks have been proven by the Gambling Commission's own pilot to not be 'fully frictionless' as originally promised by successive Government ministers.

"Rather than protecting consumers, these checks will have the opposite effect: driving more customers to the illegal market - which puts them at much greater risk of gambling-related harm - and starving the Treasury of much needed tax revenue.

"Objective evidence from across the globe makes clear that this decision is one of self-harm on an immense scale that will have damaging economic and societal implications."

The statement went on to say the decision was a "clear abdication of duty by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport" and that it is "the latest in a long chain of events that shows how little the DCMS has done for the country's second-favourite sport".

The BHA added it will now seek to work with the DCMS, the Gambling Commission and the betting industry to find ways to mitigate the worst impacts of the policy.

Estimates from the Betting and Gaming Council recently stated that as many as 120,000 people could be asked to provide documents to prove their identity, but the Gambling Commission stated the "vast majority of customers will never require a Financial Risk Assessment".

The first stage of the implementation will see see the checks carried out by the largest operators when a £5,000 net deposit in a rolling 24-hour period is met.

Once fully implemented, the assessments will be applied to customers aged 25 years or older with net deposits exceeding £1,000 in a rolling 24-hour period or £3,000 over a rolling 90-day period. For under 25s, these thresholds will be reduced to £750 in a rolling 24 hours or £2,000 in a rolling 90 days.

Gambling Minister Baroness Twycross said: "I welcome the Gambling Commission's decision to implement financial risk assessments in a careful, phased way. Attention must now turn to successful implementation, so that financial risk assessments work for consumers, gambling operators and the wider ecosystem.

"The right balance must be struck so that assessments protect those in financial difficulties from the risk of gambling-related harm but do not create unnecessary burdens for the industry or consumers." %!s()

The Sprint marked its five-year anniversary at the British Grand Prix, one of six of this season's events staging the alternative race weekend format.

The format, which features a separate qualifying session on Friday followed by the 100km Sprint itself on the Saturday ahead of qualifying and the race for the main Grand Prix, grew to six Sprints per season from 2023 and has provided a boost to track attendance figures and global television audiences.

• Sprint format explained: 2026 schedule, points, rules
• F1 2026 standings | F1 2026 Calendar | F1 Gossip Column
• Download the Sky Sports app for expert analysis, best video & more📱
• Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺

In a wide-ranging interview with Sky Sports at Silverstone, in which he also provided an update on hopes for the remainder of the 2026 schedule following April's cancelled races, Domenicali said it made sense to grow the Sprint number again.

"If you remember in the beginning, people were always sceptical of what we're doing, and I think that we have the duty to be, in a way, brave and to think out of the box," said Domenicali on the first five years of Sprints.

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The schedule on Sprint weekends

Friday
Practice
Sprint Qualifying

Saturday
Sprint
Grand Prix Qualifying

Sunday
Grand Prix

"I think you see the effect. With the [150,000] people we had on Friday at Silverstone, if you don't give something that has an action it would be wrong.

"Therefore, I think that this is the way to go, and we are on the process of announcing the bigger number for the future and this will come when we announce the calendar very, very soon.

Also See:

• F1 in 2026: The full race schedule

• Stream every F1 race with no contract

• Listen to The F1 Show podcast

• Get Sky Sports on WhatsApp

"Stay tuned."

Sky Sports understands the number of Sprints for 2027 is likely to be nine or 10.

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In terms of the overall race calendar for next season, F1 has previously confirmed that the Portuguese Grand Prix and Turkish Grand Prix are returning for 2027.

The Dutch Grand Prix drops off after this year, while Barcelona goes into rotation with Belgium and next returns in 2028.

Formula 1's summer run continues with the Belgian Grand Prix at legendary Spa-Francorchamps on July 17-19, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime %!s()

Fery added to a day of English sporting heroics on Monday after improbably becoming the first home wild card to reach the quarter-finals.

The 23-year-old entered the tournament ranked 114, with only two Grand Slam victories to his name and never having won a five-set match.

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• Latest Wimbledon scores and results 🎾
• Men's singles draw I Women's singles draw I Order of Play📝
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• Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract 📱

Who is British tennis star Arthur Fery?

Born in Sevres, France, Fery grew up in London and attended King's College School in Wimbledon.

Tennis is in his blood. Fery's mother, Olivia Fery (née Gravereaux), was a former player on the WTA Tour and played at the French Open in the early '90s.

His father, Loic Fery, is the current president at FC Lorient, who compete in the French Ligue 1.

Fery went to Stanford University, where he majored in Science, Technology and Society, as well as becoming one of the best tennis players in the country.

Fery played main-draw doubles at Wimbledon in 2021 and 2022 before winning his first main-draw match at Wimbledon in 2025 and then sealing his first Challenger singles title in Barranquilla.

The 23-year-old qualified for the Miami Open and reached the semi-finals of the Zagreb Challenger before the start of the grass-court season where he made the semi-finals at the Birmingham Open and then secured his first ATP 500 quarter-final at Queen's Club.

Fery is coached by Benoit Foucher and Jeroen Benard.

Now he has won two in a row, both from seemingly hopeless positions, after beating former semi-finalist Grigor Dimitrov 7-5 3-6 4-6 6-4 7-6 (10-7).

Having recovered from 4-1 down in both the fourth and fifth sets against Zizou Bergs on Saturday, Fery again showed his resilience, battling back from two breaks down in the fourth to set up a clash with ninth seed Flavio Cobolli, whom he beat at the Australian Open.

After all the doom and gloom surrounding British tennis to start the fortnight, Fery's run has been quite the plot twist, and the Centre Court crowd roared on their new hero.

'Fery plays proper grass-court tennis'

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Jamie Murray, a seven-time major doubles champion, has been suitably impressed with Fery's performances.

Also See:

• Latest scores from the All England Club 🎾

• Wimbledon 2026: Men's singles draw ⏩

• Wimbledon 2026: Women's singles draw ⏩

• Wimbledon 2026: Order of Play 📝

"He's someone who plays proper grass-court tennis, coming forward and knowing how to play at the net, move at the net and also his composure. He has an inner-confidence about himself and I didn't think he was worried about going on to Centre Court," said the former doubles world No 1.

"He performed so well from start to finish, held his composure throughout with the experienced Dimitrov being the one who blinked at times. He should be so proud of himself.

"Fery plays the right way with good court-craft, good court awareness. He's very quick to move forward when he sees his opponents off balance which not many players can do. Some don't feel as comfortable playing at the net but he's got great hand skills, his ability to improvise, and he's moving as well as anyone left in the draw.

"He's definitely an awkward player for guys to come up and play against and hopefully he recovers well because he's gone through back-to-back five-set matches which will be the first time in his career he would have done that."

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Fery's progress has been hindered by injuries - including bone bruising in his arm, but Murray feels the Brit is a top 100 player.

He said: "A lot of people in British tennis had a lot of belief in him. What's held him back has been his body and injuries but that's been going on for a long time. His level is top 100 and he's well inside that now.

"He knows now he's going to be in all the biggest tournaments for the next six months to a year."

The 23-year-old from Wimbledon will bid to become only the fifth British man to reach the semi-finals here after Roger Taylor, Tim Henman, Sir Andy Murray and Cameron Norrie. But is he ready for the spotlight?

Murray said: "He has that inner confidence in himself and a belief in himself that he is a good player and he can do damage on the tour. I don't see why he wouldn't have a really good career on the tour.

"He's going to have a good career because he's a good tennis player and he's different to a lot of players and that's a big advantage."

Did you know...

Fery is the first player ranked outside the top 100 to reach the last eight of the men's singles at Wimbledon since No 144 Nick Kyrgios in 2014.

He is currently up to world No 63 in the ATP Live Rankings.

Fery turns 24 on men's finals day - July 12.

The last wild card to win a Grand Slam title was Goran Ivanisevic at Wimbledon in 2001 - 25 years ago.

'I'm not surprised with his level of play'

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Jamie Delgado, the coach of Dimitrov, also spoke positively regarding Fery's future, saying: "I know Arthur reasonably well so I knew he had been winning matches recently and he's a talented player. He's had quite a few injuries the last few years, so he's not been able to get a run of events and get his ranking up but I always thought he was a very good player and he could climb the rankings.

"Did I think he was going to get to the quarter-finals here? Probably not, but he's definitely someone who can win matches at tour level and capable of really good tennis.

"He does move exceptionally well. The stats are showing he's the best at retrieving balls and staying in the point so he's great at that. When you're at that height you have to be extremely talented and you have to be able to hit the ball at different heights and mix the pace well, but I'm not surprised with his level of play."

Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, live on Sky Sports or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports app, giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here. %!s()