Latest Summaries

Hope for lower rice prices is growing as at least 33 retailers have applied to buy stockpiled rice through a no-bid contract process. The farm minister announced plans to sign contracts with these applicants by Wednesday, delivering the stock as early as Thursday. This batch includes about half of the government’s total released rice, signaling progress toward price stabilization efforts.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on international leaders to apply intense pressure on Russia after recent missile strikes across Kyiv and Cherkasy, targeting civilian areas, claiming these attacks are intentional and aimed at exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. He highlighted a prisoner swap deal as evidence of dialogue attempts but stressed the need for deeper political engagement. Meanwhile, the U.S.-led coalition has expressed willingness to propose a ceasefire, though Russian authorities have rejected it, maintaining their demand for significant reforms in exchange for peace talks.

A US trade court has ruled Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs regime illegal, in a dramatic twist that could block the US president’s controversial global trade policy. The court’s ruling stated that Trump’s tariff orders “exceed any authority granted to the president … to regulate importation by means of tariffs”. Financial markets cheered the court’s ruling, with the US dollar rallying in its wake, soaring against the euro, yen and Swiss franc. The court was not asked to address some industry-specific tariffs Trump has issued on automobiles, steel and aluminium, using a different statute, so these are likely to remain in place for now. At least seven lawsuits have challenged Trump’s border taxes, the centrepiece of Trump’s trade policy.

23andMe, once a billion-dollar genetics testing giant, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after facing a data breach that exposed sensitive user information earlier this year. Millions of customers are now eligible to file claims as part of the restructuring process, with until July 14 to do so. The company and its subsidiaries notified affected users, while those with other grievances may submit separate claims under a General Bar Date Package. A proposed settlement in a related class action is still pending due to bankruptcy proceedings, with customers advised to formally prove their claims if they wish to preserve compensation rights.

**Summary:** Due to Israeli blockades, technicians in Gaza are creating prosthetic limbs from recycled materials for thousands of people injured in Israeli attacks.

Social Agent offers a quick and affordable solution for capturing special moments by connecting users with professional photographers and videographers. Available within 30 minutes, this on-demand service eliminates the need for expensive tools or extensive skills. Priced at $65 to $120 per session, it provides either photos or videos with delivery time of up to 30 minutes post-event. The app includes features like in-app editing and safety measures, aiming to disrupt traditional photography services while building trust between users and agents. Expanding geographically, Social Agent is poised to become a go-to tool for last-minute photo needs.

Scanning documents has become simpler with modern technology, making it easier for busy individuals to convert paper into digital formats. Apps like Notes and Files on iPhones allow users to scan directly, with features like auto-alignment streamlining the process. For Mac users, Continuity offers seamless scanning via an iPhone using apps like Finder. Additionally, third-party tools such as Dropbox provide extra functionalities, like adjusting image sizes, giving you options beyond basic scanning needs.

A toxic algal bloom off South Australia's coast has triggered a mass kill of marine life, suffocating organisms with hemolysis, neurological damage, and smothering them to death. The bloom, fueled by Karenia mikimotoi algae under conditions of marine heatwaves, calm weather, and high water temperatures, has killed over 200 species, with most fatalities occurring in fish and sharks. Cephalopods and decapods suffered smaller percentages of casualties, while the crisis has temporarily closed fisheries and oyster farms. Experts warn of long-term economic impacts and emphasize the need for improved warning systems and management measures to combat such blooms.

The Spanish startup Voltrac has unveiled an autonomous tractor that can both plow fields and deliver supplies to battlefronts. This self-driving vehicle, powered by electric technology with a massive battery range, autonomously adjusts to optimize agricultural treatments using AI. Its dual-use capability—from farming to military resupply—makes it uniquely versatile, with plans for further customization including anti-jamming tech. The company, backed by $2 million from Antler and Foodlabs, aims to roll out its first tractors in early 2026 as it explores opportunities in both agriculture and defense.

Arcade Fire captivated Saturday Night Live with an electrifying performance of tracks from their latest album, "Pink Elephant," including the title track and "Year of the Snake." Recorded in New Orleans at a studio co-owned by married band members Win Butler and Régine Chassagne, the album marks their first release since 2022. With upcoming performances in London following Canadian and U.S. east coast shows, the band remains active despite rare appearances on SNL, last occurring three years ago for Mother's Day and a special David Bowie event.

The free Throes of the Watchmaker expansion for Sea of Stars, inspired byChrono Trigger, offers eight hours of immersive content featuring Zale and Valere in a magical clockwork world. It introduces the Artificer character, blending juggling Zale with acrobatic Valere, alongside new combat mechanics and a standalone progression loop. The main game's praise for its art, music, and gameplay design contrasts with nostalgic-free tropes, making it a standout RPG experience. Platforms include PC, Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One, priced at $35.

The Metaphor: ReFantazio soundtrack is available as a stunning four-LP box set on vinyl for $100, featuring intricate artwork inspired by the game’s characters and an extensive 60-track collection. Each vinyl sleeve showcases a protagonist, with even colored vinyl matching their portraits, while the center of each disc features their Metaphor forms. Priced high due to its detail and exclusivity, the set is justified by Atlus’s meticulous curation and high-quality production, offering fans an immersive collector’s item.

The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, Japan's largest opposition group, submitted a bill allowing married couples to retain separate surnames as their first step toward addressing issues with the current coalition government. The party aims to unite behind a common front with other opposition groups while struggling internally to find compromise, reflecting growing divisions within the opposition camp ahead of a major legislative debate over the next two months.

"In Brief: Meta has appointed Robert Fergus as FAIR's new leader after he had served at Meta. The lab, which focused on early AI models like Llama 1 and 2, has seen significant staff depart due to challenges. Meanwhile, VP Joelle Pineau also departed for new opportunities."

Researchers recently found the strongest evidence yet of a "biosignature" on exoplanet K2-18b, suggesting potential life due to detected methane and carbon dioxide in its hydrogen-rich atmosphere. However, skeptics point out alternative chemistry explanations for these gases without biological activity, and the planet's properties are consistent with various types, not just a hycean planet with an ocean that could sustain life. Confirming a biosignature is challenging due to multiple factors including the planet's orbital location within its star's habitable range.

Donald Trump accused Volodymyr Zelenskyy of undermining a potential peace deal involving Crimea, suggesting the US wouldn’t formally recognize Russia’s annexation as part of any agreement. Zelenskyy countered by proposing a simple ceasefire without conditions but faced resistance from the US. Meanwhile, tensions rose over possible splits on Nato membership and security guarantees, with the UK-hosted peace summit in London being downgraded after Trump’s controversial remarks.

After nearly a year of controversy, Microsoft finally launched Recall, a feature designed to capture and store everything on your PC, including screenshots and text data, creating a searchable database that raises significant security concerns for users. Available only on recently sold Windows 11 PCs with Copilot+, Recall has faced constant scrutiny due to its potential to expose user activities. Despite initial technical issues and security worries from last year, Microsoft addressed complaints about privacy safeguards and enhanced automated content filtering to protect sensitive information better. However, Recall remains an opt-in feature, allowing users to disable it if they choose.

Microsoft is bringing back Gears of War: Reloaded with a significant update, promising an exciting return for fans on August 26, 2025, across Xbox Series X/S and PC platforms. The game will allow pre-ordering for early access during beta testing this Friday and beyond, offering cross-platform play from day one via Gamepass Now, along with first-time support for cross-progression and splitscreen co-op.

Microsoft Build 2025 is set for May 19-22 in Seattle, featuring major AI announcements such as Copilot chatbot, Office updates, Azure services, and developer tools like GitHub and Fabric. The event also promises hardware launches, including new Surface devices from Microsoft and partners. Attendees can watch the keynote and sessions via a free digital pass on Microsoft's website or follow ZDNET for real-time coverage if unable to attend both events. Expect significant focus on AI, enterprise solutions, and developer tools while hardware updates remain a possibility too.

The Russian military claimed to have retaken the last Ukrainian village in the Kursk region after six weeks of intense fighting, with Gen. Valery V. Gerasimov reporting success to President Putin. However, Ukrainian officials denied a full withdrawal from the area, maintaining that their ongoing military operation continues despite the recent Russian advance.

Bill Atkinson, a journalist at *Rolling Stone* in 1983, revealed groundbreaking ideas about Hypercard, which would become a cornerstone of the World Wide Web. His visionary contributions include foundational technologies like QuickDraw, which transformed computer graphics, and tools such as the "Round-Rect" shape that remain influential today. Atkinson’s work on Apple’s Macintosh and his concept for Magic Slate also showcased his ability to reimagine computing for everyday users.

The article introduces the Obsbot Tail 2 PTZR as a $1,200 rotating camera ideal for conferences and livestreams, highlighting its sleek design with AI tracking that works well but noting excessive auto-leveling. It emphasizes that creator tool selection matters—NYC vloggers likely won't use high-end cinema cameras. The camera features a stylish Bell-shaped design with solid build quality, supporting 4K recording via HDMI or MicroSD. While effective for subjects like pets, the price makes it less accessible compared to cheaper alternatives. Additionally, it discusses how US tariffs on imported goods could drive up consumer electronics prices in the short term.

The Japanese government is exploring full-scale discussions to increase its LNG imports from the U.S., positioning this move as a strategic leverage in potential trade negotiations with the United States. The U.S.-Japan talks aim to address Washington's demand for measures Japan will take to reduce its trade surplus, while the U.S. seeks similarly to lower tariffs. In 2024, Japan imported $3.8 billion worth of LNG from the U.S., ranking it fourth among major suppliers after Australia, Malaysia, and Russia.

Jerry Trainor went all out for the role of Crazy Steve in "Drake and Josh," even though he was replaced at auditions. He jumped at an opportunity to rush fill the part after being fired, surprising casting directors who wanted more intensity from him than his calm demeanor suggested during a subtext-laden audition. Trainor later played the character as "calm" before exploding in public performances, eventually taking over and leaving a lasting impact on the show. He also appeared in another Nickelodeon staple, playing the eccentric brother of internet icon Carly Shay.

Russell Brand appeared in court charged with rape and sexual assault after being accused by multiple women following an investigation by the Sunday Times, The Times, and Channel 4’s Dispatches in September 2023. He wore a dark outfit to confirm his identity to the magistrate, who granted him bail for a May hearing. Though he accepted the role of proving his innocence in a video posted before court, the case remains unresolved as no verdict has been delivered. Brand, known for his media roles and personal relationships, faced significant attention due to these allegations.

Kenji Matsubara, SNK's CEO, has transitioned to an advisory role after announcing that Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves underperformed despite high-profile marketing and Saudi funding. The game sold only 6,302 copies in its first two weeks on PlayStation 5 and saw fewer Steam concurrent players than many other releases at the time. Additionally, popular guest characters like Cristiano Ronaldo and Salvatore Ganacci were included, alienating some players. The series' long hiatus and poor marketing strategies contributed to its failure, leaving it unable to connect with a broader audience.

Angie Murimirwa, a mother who has dedicated her life to ensuring education for girls, has been named one of Time magazine's most influential people. As the founder of CAMFED, she provides scholarships to millions of girls across Africa, transforming their access to education. With nearly 313,000 girls now supported, Angie's efforts have made a significant difference in empowering young women. Her family, including her four children, shares her pride as she continues to advocate for education, challenging societal norms and inspiring others through her story.

Disney is set to launch its own ESPN streaming service, aiming to simplify a complex market by keeping the name "ESPN." The new standalone service will cost between $25 and $30 monthly, offering expanded live sports and betting features beyond those on ESPN Plus. It'll also serve as an app gateway for existing ESPN subscribers via their TV providers, signaling a push into a competitive space with varied pricing options.

The Switch 2 launched in Japan and Australia ahead of its June 5 global release, with Nintendo sending final retail hardware directly to Ars Orbiting HQ. Despite a 14-hour lead time between receiving the hardware and midnight launch, Kyle Orland’s unboxing guide was just a pictorial journey due to the tight timeline. The dock for the Switch 2 is thicker and rounded compared to the original, with features like a removable back panel and angle differences from the standard dock. After updating via Wi-Fi, transferring data from the original Switch took about 30 minutes, and some games require save files to be deleted beforehand.

Xbox prices have surged across consoles, controllers, and games as Microsoft grapples with higher costs. The price hikes are global, affecting Europe, Australia, and other regions, while falling short of solely blaming U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports for the surge, which may also be influenced by inflation and supply chain challenges. Hardware manufactured in China likely contributes to the cost increases, though not directly linked, and games like select first-party titles saw a price hike starting this holiday season.

Anthropic announced two new models, Claude 4 Opus and Claude Sonnet 4, during its first developer conference in San Francisco on Thursday. Claude 4 Opus will be immediately available to paying Claude subscribers, while Claude Sonnet 4 will be available to free and paid users. “It was able to work agentically on Pokémon for 24 hours,” says Anthropic’s chief product officer Mike Krieger in an interview with WIRED. A few months ago, Anthropic launched a Twitch stream called “Claude Plays Pokémon” which showcases Claude 3.7 Sonnet’s abilities at Pokémon Red live. Courtesy of AnthropicThe lead behind the Pokémon research is David Hershey, a member of the technical staff at Anthropic.

Jenna Ortega is ready to take charge as director on her own upcoming film after nearly a decade of working on a script, expressing her excitement to star, produce, and now direct the project. Having previously directed an episode of *Wednesday* and executive produced *Death of a Unicorn*, the actress shares that she’s eager to focus fully on filmmaking behind the scenes in future endeavors.

President Trump expressed cautious optimism about concluding a new nuclear deal with Iran to prevent Tehran from developing weapons, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi remained highly pessimistic about the talks' success. Despite challenges, both sides made progress in their third round of Omani negotiations, signaling renewed efforts to address decades-long tensions. The US and Iran have agreed to meet again soon, but progress remains fragile as differing positions on key issues persist.

"A small ship carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza sank as it was struck by an explosion off Malta's coast, setting the vessel ablaze and putting it at risk of sinking. Survivors reported that tugboat assistance extinguished the flames after a mayday call was made. Authorities in Malta stated they were monitoring the ship, which had set sail from Tunisia earlier that week to deliver aid amid efforts to challenge Israel and Egypt’s Gaza blockade."

Paramount is nearing a settlement with President Trump over claims that CBS's 60 Minutes "deceptively manipulated" a pre-election interview with Kamala Harris. Though the lawsuit seeking $20 billion was dismissed as frivolous, internal discussions suggest an out-of-court deal to avoid distractions and finalize a merger with Skydance Media, which requires FCC approval. Meanwhile, Trump’s legal team has reportedly leveraged the FCC’s rarely enforced news distortion policy to investigate CBS, complicating Paramount's path forward. A potential settlement could help streamline the merger process while addressing both parties' interests in navigating FCC proceedings.

The Kathy Rain series continues to captivate players with its sharp-witted characters, gripping stories, and stunning visuals, offering a fresh new adventure in its second game, *Kathy Rain 2: Soothsayer*. Set in a gritty world, the game combines intense gameplay with emotional depth, featuring familiar voices like Arielle Siegel as Kathy Rain. A bundle deal on Steam offers both games for just $28, making it an excellent opportunity to dive into this cleverly crafted series and follow Kathy Rain's thrilling second case.

A new poll out this week shows that roughly half of all Americans are uncertain about several myths surrounding measles and the highly effective vaccine used to prevent it. The respondents were asked questions about the ongoing measles outbreaks and frequently debunked claims made by the anti-vaccination movement. These responses and others had a strong partisan gap, however: Roughly 75% of Democrats were worried about the outbreaks, compared to 28% of Republicans. These responses and others had a strong partisan gap, however: Roughly 75% of Democrats were worried about the outbreaks, compared to 28% of Republicans. Less than 5% of respondents believed that these false claims were definitely true, while around a third believed them to be definitely false.

A stellar deal has arrived for LEGO fans who love building and learning about space! The LEGO Technic Planet Earth and Moon in Orbit 42179 set is now just $59.95, saving you 20%—a fantastic value that matches Black Friday prices. This kit features over 526 pieces, measures about 9x12.5x7 inches, and takes a few hours to complete. It’s not just for building—it includes interactive elements where you can simulate celestial movements like Earth’s rotation, the sun’s spin, the moon orbiting Earth, and Earth orbiting the sun. Perfect for both kids and adults, this set is an educational and entertaining way to explore space concepts.

Mistplay, a Montreal-based company since 2016, has launched its iPhone rewards platform for mobile gamers in the U.S., offering publishers new tools to acquire, monetize, and nurture high-value players with high LTV. The platform features a unique reward system that allows users to earn points through in-game events, tournaments, and trivia, helping publishers achieve better ROI while retaining engaged players. Mistplay CEO Tricia Han emphasized the significance of this expansion into iOS, highlighting its potential to address key challenges for advertisers in a privacy-focused market.

The Kopernica platform by Neurologyca revolutionizes AI by analyzing real-time emotional data from facial expressions, vocal tones, and behaviors, moving beyond text-based interactions to create empathy in machines. This advancement helps improve interactions in healthcare, education, and everyday life while spotting potential health risks like strokes.

After delivering his solution to bring more jobs back to the film industry stateside by implementing tariffs on international film production, President Trump attempted to clarify his intentions at a White House briefing. “I’m not looking to hurt the industry, I want to help the industry,” he told reporters. Incidentally plans for keeping the film industry at large here were already in the works. Big films could benefit from shooting in Los Angeles as well as other productions that also tend to shoot in Atlanta, among other metropolitan cities where the film industry aims to thrive. The significance of this fast-track to install these tariffs has Hollywood’s SAG-AFTRA representative Duncan Crabtree-Ireland ready to work with the administration to make sure that American film industry folks can immediately benefit from this.

Don’t miss out on $210 off your TechCrunch AI event pass—register before May 4th! Join thousands of AI innovators at UC Berkeley for insights from top leaders, hands-on sessions, and networking opportunities. Secure your spot now to catch the future of AI firsthand.

Marvel had to show Red Hulk’s appearance in *Captain America: Brave New World* because his details would inevitably leak regardless of the secrecy measures in place, director Julius Onah explained. He acknowledged that keeping such a prominent villain under wraps is nearly impossible today and highlighted how Marvel has handled other villains differently, often teasing them partially but reserving full reveals for the film itself. In contrast, *Brave New World* seemed to overexpose Red Hulk, potentially undermining the surprise element fans anticipated.

Romania is holding its second presidential election in over a year after canceling last month's vote due to concerns of Russian interference. The previous president, Calin Georgescu, won the initial election but was later invalidated by the government. On May 4th, Romanians will vote for a new leader from a field that includes centrist politicians like Crin Antonescu, nationalist candidates such as Simion, and others advocating for protectionist policies or EU/NATO ties. The race is closely contested, with potential implications for Romanian politics, particularly ifSimion wins and becomes at odds with the outgoing government.

HBO host Bill Maher warns that Donald Trump's messaging, often dismissed as trivial or a distraction by Republicans, should instead be taken seriously. His rhetoric is reminiscent of flattery, which, if ignored, can lead to unexpected consequences—much like how people eventually cheat when they flirt in relationships. Similarly, Trump's authoritarian-like statements can escalate into more serious actions than intended.

"50 Cent's legal troubles are heating up as he faces claims from a jeweler over using his name and image in knockoff jewelry sales. Maksud Agadjani, representing the jeweler, has issued an apology on social media, claiming no affiliation with 50 Cent and promising to remove all references to him moving forward. The case, which was filed for $5 million, involved TikTok posts that falsely implied a connection between the rapper and the fake products."