Sparky Linux has announced the release of its new Special Edition ISO images, which include GameOver, Multimedia, and Rescue editions. These ISO images are now available for download and are built on the Debian 14 testing's "Forky" branch. This foundation allows users to enjoy a stable and updated experience with the latest packages from both Debian and Sparky's repositories. The new images come with the latest Linux kernel version 6.17, alongside recent updates to other kernels available in Sparky's blurry repositories, such as 6.18.2 and various Long-Term Support (LTS) options like 6.6.119-LTS.

Ondřej Surý has announced the release of updated PHP packages for Debian GNU/Linux, covering versions from 5.6 to 8.5. These updates are crucial for addressing security vulnerabilities that could potentially be exploited. Specifically, the updates rectify three significant security issues:

Remi Collet has announced the release of several new PHP packages aimed at enhancing security for Fedora and related distributions, including RHEL, AlmaLinux, CentOS Stream, and Rocky Linux. The updates include the latest stable versions: PHP 8.1.34, 8.2.30, 8.3.29, 8.4.16, and the newly introduced 8.5.1. These releases address four critical security vulnerabilities, making it imperative for users to upgrade their systems to mitigate potential threats.

Kdenlive 25.12.0 has been officially released, focusing heavily on enhancing user experience based on feedback collected during the Berlin sprint in September. The update introduces a range of significant improvements designed to streamline workflow and make the software more intuitive for users.

The recently released Liquorix Linux Kernel 6.17-15, developed by Steven Barrett, is a custom-built kernel that enhances the Linux desktop experience, particularly for gaming and multimedia applications. Based on the stable Linux kernel 6.17.13, this version introduces several significant improvements aimed at optimizing performance and responsiveness.

KDE neon has released its latest version, 20251218, providing users with immediate access to the newest features and software from the KDE ecosystem, all built on Ubuntu's long-term support (LTS) base. This distribution presents unmodified KDE applications and tools, ensuring users experience the software precisely as intended by developers, free from proprietary adjustments or stability patches. This approach allows enthusiasts to engage with cutting-edge features quickly and align their systems with the latest KDE development cycles.

The Linux Kernel has recently seen the release of three versions: 6.18.2, 6.17.13, and 6.12.63. These updates include critical fixes and enhancements across various kernel components, reflecting the ongoing development and commitment to improving system performance and stability.

Alpine Linux has announced the release of version 3.23.2, which features a series of maintenance updates aimed at refining its functionalities and enhancing user interactions with APKTools, the package management system. This update addresses a specific issue in BusyBox where the mount command could fail when processing unusually long lines from /proc/mounts. With this fix, the mount command is expected to operate more effectively, parsing the necessary information without errors.

Mabox Linux 25.12 has just been released, marking a notable upgrade for the distribution. The most significant change in this release is the transition from the deprecated GTK2 toolkit to the more modern GTK3, which enhances the overall user experience. This update comes with a suite of modernized applications, including pcmanfm, lxtask, lxrandr, lxinput, viewninoir, and lxappearance-obconf, all tailored to align with the new GTK3 environment.

PikaOS version 25.12.16 has been launched, featuring the latest Linux Kernel 6.18. This release promises enhanced performance for both gaming and everyday tasks, thanks to its foundation on Debian GNU/Linux and the use of custom-compiled packages optimized for speed and efficiency. Notable enhancements have been made through modern compilation techniques, including O3, LTO, and AVX2 support, which refine key components like the kernel to maximize application performance.

SparkyLinux 2025.12, codenamed "Tiamat," has been released as part of its semi-rolling distribution line, featuring new ISO images that are now available for download. This release is significant as it incorporates updates from both Debian testing (nicknamed "Forky") and Sparky's own testing repositories as of December 14, 2025. The Linux kernel has been upgraded to version 6.17.11, with additional variants available, including 6.18.1, 6.12.62-LTS, and 6.6.119-LTS.

Manjaro Linux 25.1 Anh-Linh Preview 2 has been released, showcasing an updated Plasma desktop environment with version 6.5 and offering GNOME 49 as an alternative desktop option. This release enhances graphics performance with the Mesa driver upgraded to version 25.3.1 and the Vulkan SDK at 1.4.328.1, which is particularly beneficial for gaming and creative applications. It also features a new real-time Linux kernel series (6.17-rt), marking a significant upgrade from the previous kernel version (6.16), which has reached its end-of-life.

Bazaar, the app store centered around Flatpak applications, has launched its latest update, version 0.6.3. This update primarily addresses a key issue by restoring alphabetical sorting on the installed apps page, enhancing user navigation and experience.

Linus Torvalds has announced the release of the first candidate for testing, Linux Kernel 6.19-rc1, marking a significant milestone in the kernel's development. This release came as a surprise to some contributors, particularly due to the recent yearly maintainers' summit, which left many kernel maintainers unavailable to finalize their submissions before the merge deadline.

KDE has officially announced the release of Frameworks 6.21.0, continuing its commitment to monthly updates for the KDE Frameworks series. This latest iteration introduces several enhancements aimed at improving performance and user experience. Noteworthy updates include optimizations to Baloo's file indexing system, which enhance its efficiency, and fixes for Breeze Icons, particularly related to dark icon setups in specific build configurations. Additionally, various issues concerning file handling, database connections, and user interface elements have been addressed, reinforcing the overall reliability of the framework.

Liquorix has announced the release of their latest custom-built Linux kernel, version 6.17-14, which is designed to enhance desktop performance, particularly for multimedia and gaming applications. This version, based on the stable Linux kernel 6.17.12, includes various optimizations aimed at leveraging underutilized system capabilities for improved responsiveness and overall efficiency.

The Linux kernel has recently released updates for versions 6.18.1, 6.17.12, and 6.12.62, addressing several critical issues across these versions. Notably, one significant patch resolved a potential out-of-bounds read vulnerability in the rtl8723bs module, which could lead to a system crash when receiving malicious beacon frames with erroneous Extended Service Request (ESR) information. The fix involved implementing checks to ensure that the kernel accesses only the expected buffer areas.

Kali Linux 2025.4 has been officially released, introducing a range of significant updates primarily focused on its three main desktop environments: GNOME, KDE Plasma, and Xfce. This iteration transitions to GNOME 49, bringing a modern aesthetic along with performance enhancements and the introduction of Wayland as the default window server, replacing X11 while maintaining compatibility. New features in GNOME include a streamlined app grid that organizes tools effectively, a new video player called Showtime, and a quick terminal shortcut for easier command line access.

System76 has celebrated its 20th anniversary by launching Pop!_OS 24.04 LTS, featuring the innovative COSMIC desktop environment. This release, marking a significant milestone for the company, highlights a shift towards a more customizable and user-centric operating system. COSMIC is designed specifically for the open-source community and reflects System76's commitment to user empowerment, allowing for an easy-to-modify Linux experience.

Bazzite Linux has officially launched its latest version, 43.20251210, which brings a host of enhancements aimed at gamers and streamers. This version emphasizes an improved user experience with features like built-in HDR support for better visual quality and newly designed CPU schedulers that minimize lag during gameplay. Additionally, Steam is pre-installed, allowing users immediate access to their game libraries, while user-contributed tools streamline game launches for a more customized experience.