Latest Summaries

A major legal verdict has been delivered in the dieselgate scandal, with four former Volkswagen managers facing prison sentences after their roles in falsifying emissions data. Heinz-Jakob Neusser received a suspended sentence of one year and three months, while Jens H received the harshest term of four years and six months. Meanwhile, Martin Winterkorn's trial has been postponed due to health issues, though the cases against these individuals have concluded. Volkswagen continues to emphasize that the court proceedings do not impact its ongoing legal challenges related to the scandal.

A leading Austrian newspaper severed ties with a Hollywood reporter after she published old comments from Clint Eastwood, which were presented as an exclusive interview tied to his recent criticism of Hollywood's remakes and franchises. The editor of the paper denied that the quotes were fabricated but admitted they had been sourced from multiple group interviews, stating he won't work with the reporter again due to transparency concerns. Eastwood himself later clarified that he never spoke to Kurier or anyone else in recent weeks and called the article "entirely phoney."

Warner Bros. continues its strong box office performance in April, dominating with "A Minecraft Movie" ($816 million) and "Sinners" ($161.6 million), while Disney's "Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith" returns with a massive $42 million, marking its 20th anniversary. Meanwhile, Ben Affleck's "The Accountant 2" is generating over $38 million globally but struggles internationally.

Steve Hilton, once David Cameron’s top adviser and now a former advertising executive, has shocked the political world by announcing his bid for California governor as a Republican, countering Gavin Newsom’s Democratic ambitions. Hilton plans to focus on practical solutions like boosting jobs and housing while criticizing state Democrats for high taxes and soaring home prices. Known for his unique style of “positive populism,” Hilton also hinted at supporting Kamala Harris in her potential run against him.

Fujifilm has launched the X Half, a compact camera inspired by analog film aesthetics, featuring an 18-megapixel sensor with a fixed 32mm-equivalent lens and a unique half-frame design. The camera avoids RAW photos, opting for JPGs to preserve a "what-you-see-is-what-you-get" look, while offering filters like expired film effects or time stamps. Aimed at creative photo enthusiasts seeking nostalgic and affordable alternatives to more budget-friendly options.

This innovative Portuguese soup creatively uses stale bread to make a fresh-flavored garlic and coriander dish inspired by Alentejo’s traditional "acorda." By placing the fragrant herbs in a bowl with hot broth poured over them, the soup gains depth and complexity. A vegetarian version is available, omitting fish for a hearty meal that still packs a punch thanks to cod's head or rich vegetable scraps. Serves 4–6.

The Trump administration has significantly weakened its commitment to holding Russia accountable for war crimes in Ukraine by reversing key accountability measures and undermining international efforts to prosecute atrocities. They've withdrawn from an EU initiative, dismantled critical oversight programs, and vacated a mandated coordinator position. This move reflects a clear retreat from global justice principles, with experts warning of a significant reversal from the rule of law.

Europe is intensifying its push to limit online access for minors, driven by growing concerns over social media's negative impact on mental health and safety. Proposed measures include setting an age of digital adulthood and enforcing parental consent for platform use, with support from France, Greece, Spain, Denmark, and Cyprus. These efforts aim to protect children from harmful content and behavior, acknowledging that excessive screen time can lead to anxiety, depression, and addiction. The EU is also addressing technical failures by big tech companies, which are increasingly targeted under the Digital Services Act, alongside existing regulations for safer online environments.

Last-minute savings galore for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 passes—act now before prices jump on May 25 at midnight PT! Get up to $900 off your ticket and enjoy discounts of up to 90% when bringing a friend, colleague, or tech enthusiast. Don’t miss this chance to attend the ultimate gathering of startups, VCs, product leaders, and enthusiasts in San Francisco for an event celebrating its 20th anniversary with exclusive insights, networking opportunities, and groundbreaking discussions. Secure your spot early to lock in massive savings!

The election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in over 130 years, has sparked hopeful discussions about increasing LGBTQ+ inclusion within the Catholic Church. Though his predecessor, Pope Francis, is celebrated for his supportive approach, Leo's past critical remarks raise concerns about his stance on LGBTQ+ rights. Experts note mixed indicators regarding his potential shift toward inclusivity, leaving uncertainty but also suggesting a possible turning point in the Church's evolving dialogue with the LGBTQ+ community.

Sweden's far-right coalition has introduced security measures that are causing delays in processing citizenship applications. In April alone, only six applications were approved after a sharp decline from thousands recorded in March due to unimplemented verification processes by the Migration Agency. While some parties criticize the new rules as ill-conceived and potentially discriminatory, others view them as steps toward a safer system. The freeze could extend application processing until late 2026, with eight years of residence required instead of five under the current regulations.

The 37th annual PGA Awards, set for February 28, 2026, will celebrate creativity in film and television. Last year’s ceremony was held at the Fairmont Century Plaza, where Anora claimed the Darryl F. Zanuck Award. Notable winners included Shogun, Hacks, The Wild Robot, and Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story. The event will honor 14 categories in film and TV, plus prestigious awards like the David O. Sezlnick Achievement and Stanley Kramer recognitions. Nominations are expected to drop in November and December, with theatrical nominees announced on January 9. This is a significant celebration of artistic excellence across all mediums.

Enterprises are grappling with growing compliance pressures from multiple frameworks and regulations, increasing costs and complicating processes. Qualys introduces Policy Audit to automate audits, reducing manual tasks, errors, and audit failure risks by up to 95%, ensuring organizations remain compliant and ready for audits while empowering teams effectively.

Polygon, Vox Media’s gaming-focused platform, has been acquired by Valnet, which already owns numerous brands in gaming, entertainment, sports, travel, and more. The sale comes amid ongoing changes at Vox Media, with some employees expressing frustration over the shift from being part of the Verge to Valnet. Arzoumanian emphasized that Valnet remains committed to ensuring Polygon continues its deep coverage of gaming and that the site will keep its archives intact without AI-generated content in the future.

Valve has expanded its SteamOS support to include Lenovo's Legion Go S, marking the first third-party handheld after the Steam Deck to run the gaming-centric operating system. The company earlier introduced a verification program to help players identify supported games, and this update now signals improved compatibility for AMD-powered devices like the ROG Ally and original Legion Go.

Jeremiah Kelly, a high-profile offensive lineman from Avon, Ohio, who inspired his high school team to a state championship last fall, died unexpectedly Tuesday morning at an off-campus residence. The cause of death remains undisclosed, but the Cincinnati Bearcats' football family has expressed their heartfelt sadness over his passing just days before spring practice began. Coach Scott Satterfield and athletic director John Cunningham both shared their deep sympathies to the Kelly family and student-athletes, emphasizing that they will continue to support them in this challenging time.

Genevieve O'Reilly delivers a haunting performance as she grapples with a moral dilemma during her son Davo Sculdun's wedding, weighing the cost of reconciling with him against eliminating his rival Tay Kolma. Tay, a once-trusted ally revealed to be unstable and now complicit in Luthen Rael's plot, faces an uncertain fate as Cinta Kaz impersonates him at the wedding. Meanwhile, the episode delves into the complex family dynamics within the rebellion, exploring the internal conflicts faced by Mon Mothma as she navigates her own struggles in this treacherous world.

Donald Trump announced plans to revive Columbus Day, calling it a "major comeback" after its decline under the Biden administration alongside Indigenous Peoples' Day. He criticized Democrats for destroying the holiday's legacy, accusing them of tearing down statues and promoting anti-Columbus sentiment labeled 'WOKE.' Trump emphasized reinstating Columbus Day with its traditional rules and locations, noting that many statues of past figures like Columbus have been removed or replaced.

X is testing a new experiment on its platform to identify posts liked by people with different viewpoints, using data from its Community Notes feature. Contributors will provide feedback on such posts, which could help develop an algorithm to spot broadly agreed-upon content. This initiative aims to bridge perspectives and foster deeper understanding in divisive topics.

A group of protesters etched a towering sand sculpture of Donald Trump outside Turnberry Golf Resort in Scotland to mark his first 100 days in office, with the artwork warning against the "billionaire takeover" and advocating for resistance against corporate power peddling through real estate.

Gabriel Landeskog returned to the Colorado Avalanche for his first NHL game in nearly four years after suffering a chronic knee injury. The emotional event brought tears from the crowd as he skated alongside teammates and received a custom sweater and support, including pride from his children. His return was facilitated by a cartilage transplant following an accident during a playoff game in 2023. Coach Jared Bednar praised Landeskog's readiness and positivity, which has helped reinvigorate the locker room. The game tied the series with the Stars, adding excitement to what had been a tightly contested contest.

Honor the legendary Walt Disney with "The Walt Disney - A Magical Life" at Disneyland, an immersive tribute blending storytelling, history, and personal anecdotes to celebrate his enduring legacy. This unique show features a museum-like setting where Walt speaks about his achievements, including iconic elements like the Abraham Lincoln photo and Disneyland plans. It also includes beloved characters such as Mary Poppins and hidden Easter eggs from his work, all brought to life by Tom Fitzgerald. The project aims to connect with modern audiences, highlighting Disney's humility while celebrating his impact on storytelling and animation—a fitting tribute to a true creative icon.

The tragic violence in Indian-administered Kashmir, where gunmen killed dozens of tourists, has sent shockwaves across South Asia as tensions between India and Pakistan spiral. The United Nations has called for peace, while both nations have announced new diplomatic measures aimed at cooling hostilities. Experts suggest this could mark the lowest level of relations between the neighbors in decades, with lasting consequences for the region.

Hagos Kidana Abrha, a 25-year-old from Eritrea, transformed his escape from military conscription into an extraordinary journey of resilience by running through deserts, mountains, and continents. Now, he’ll run the London Marathon for a refugee charity, his first full marathon at age 25 after completing a half in just over an hour. Running has been his lifeline, providing escape, strength, and hope despite immense challenges, including being held captive by traffickers and crossing vast deserts to reach safety. He is currently working on resettlement in the UK while fundraising for the charity he helped save from exploitation.

This is all so familiar: another election campaign where punching down on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for attention and votes is the default setting. Speaking afterwards, Peter Dutton said welcomes to country were “an important part of official ceremonies and should be respected”. So, it is disingenuous for politicians on all sides to be shocked and outraged when people decide to turn those words into action, even in the predawn hush of Anzac Day. But Dutton’s comments show an ignorance of the significant Indigenous contribution to Australia’s defence forces. Long before this weekend, there has been an absence of Indigenous policy in this election campaign, an extension of the leadership vacuum we have felt since October 2023.

The People’s Bank of China is cutting interest rates and injecting liquidity into its economy to combat escalating tensions with the U.S. over a trade war. With U.S.-China trade friction at 145% tariffs on Chinese exports—a significant portion of GDP—Beijing has relied heavily on exports but faces severe challenges. Despite meetings between senior officials, a trade deal remains unlikely. Meanwhile, measures like lowering borrowing costs aim to bolster consumer spending and stabilize the property market amid economic headwinds.

The contest to select "Miss Sake India" aimed to promote sake in India, with 29-year-old Aakansha emerging as this year's winner. She expressed enthusiasm about her role and hopes others will try the drink. Before the final event, a tasting session hosted by Hirohama India featured traditional Indian dishes paired with sake. Despite religious reasons, India's large population presents a significant market for introducing sake to its residents. Meanwhile, Japanese breweries are considering entering the Indian market to boost sales.

Pep Guardiola has decided to leave Manchester City ahead of the 2023-24 campaign due to his preference for managing a leaner squad. After a season marked by trophylessness since 2017, Guardiola expressed his frustration over an oversized squad and made difficult selections, including James McAtee, Savinho, and Rico Lewis, during key games. The manager highlighted his resolve to keep the team smaller due to injuries like Rodri's knee surgery this season and has already hinted at major signings in the off-season while ensuring squad depth with Academy players.

A night of jokes about Donald Trump's picks saw a satirical sketch highlighting his choice of Jeanine Pirro as interim U.S. attorney, a move that resonated poorly with critics accustomed to her forthright comments on immigration and handling sensitive matters. Cecily Strong played Pirro with her usual sharp wit, while Pete Hegseth’s clumsy performance inadvertently poked fun at the idea of Trump referencing Kim Jong Un, adding humor to the sketch.

"When Yasemin Acar of Madleen, an activist on the Gaza aid flotilla, reached 'Gaza’s territorial waters,' it marked a significant milestone in their mission to deliver essential supplies into the besieged territory. As they prepare to enter Gaza, they hope to alleviate suffering and support communities caught between the Israeli border and international waters, despite facing immense challenges along the way."

Liverpool are intensifying their pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, following reports that Chelsea may also be involved in the race for his signature. The 22-year-old’s impressive performance this season, with 33 goals across all competitions, has caught the attention of both Liverpool and Chelsea managers. Meanwhile, Manchester City are reportedly interested in AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, who could join the Citizens on a large offer amid talks also involving Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest.

A flying car that morphs into a plane in just 80 seconds is即将上市，售价介于$800万到$1千万。Slovakian公司Klein Vision公布了其第一款“ready for production”原型车， boasts a top speed of 200 km/h and a range of up to 1,000km on petrol. The car can switch between driving mode and plane mode in under one minute, powered by a new, more powerful motor designed to increase speed and safety compared to its predecessor launched in 2016. Production is set to begin soon after obtaining necessary certifications.

Curious about how preferential voting works? Here's what you need to know: It’s a system where voters rank candidates in order of preference. If their top choice wins, they get a full vote; if not, their vote goes to their second choice, and so on. This method ensures that votes are counted efficiently without wasting them on candidates who don’t win. Unlike the U.S., which uses a winner-takes-all system, Australia’s preferential voting allows for fairer elections by ensuring more votes go toward winning seats, leading to better representation for voters.

Synology will require its Plus series NAS devices, starting with the 2025 lineup, to use only Synology-provided or certified hard drives for full functionality and support. This move aims to ensure higher security and performance. Existing Plus hardware will not be affected until the next upgrade. Users can transfer existing approved drives to new models without losing support. Non-approved drives may lack features like pool creation, deduplication, lifespan analysis, and automatic firmware updates. The change could potentially be limited to Germany or the EU, but Synology has previously applied similar requirements globally for higher-end machines.

Women with endometriosis are significantly more likely to experience early or induced menopause compared to other groups, with a sevenfold risk of surgical menopause. A study found that those with endometriosis face premature natural menopause in 5% of cases and premature surgical menopause in 19%—twice as likely before age 40. Current management guidelines for endometriosis primarily focus on pain and infertility, neglecting the issue of early menopause, which has been linked to adverse health outcomes. Experts emphasize that women with endometriosis should be aware of their increased risk and regularly monitor symptoms like hot flashes and bone density changes under gynaecological care.

The Microsoft AI platform, Discovery, revolutionizes scientific research by making it more accessible to domain experts without requiring programming skills, particularly benefiting smaller labs. It incorporates ethical safeguards to prevent misuse while enhancing computational capabilities, potentially accelerating research timelines with human oversight ensuring rigor. The platform's scalability and adaptability across various fields promise significant future impact as its adoption grows.

After a ceasefire with India generated significant public support in Pakistan, military leaders find themselves in an unexpectedly favorable position amid nationalistic fervor. The country's opposition challenges the authority of its military, citing recent events like former Prime Minister Imran Khan's detention as a direct threat to its stability. Despite this, the PTI gains traction and support from youth and military personnel, while internal divisions within the party persist, with some refusing to reconcile past actions. The article captures the complex interplay between military success, political discontent, and public sentiment in Pakistan.

Fortune’s return to the iOS App Store after a five-year hiatus was met with both excitement and surprise. Despite initial setbacks due to legal battles over Apple’s payment rules, the game has surged back, becoming the top free game on the platform with over 10 million downloads since its relaunch in May. Epic is focusing on enhancing mobile experiences, including touch controls and creator tools, while players increasingly favor its integrated payment system offering a 20% return in Epic Rewards, though many still rely on Apple’s V-Bucks. With growing competition from both sides, adoption rates for Epic’s method are expected to rise as players associate their accounts with secure payments.

Yet the rental crisis is not what you think it is. Ben Phillips, an associate professor at the Australian National University Centre for Social Research and Methods, says talk of a national rental crisis is “overblown”. The Corelogic rental data “show a more inflamed market than ABS data, and that’s because a significant proportion of renters are in a stable situation”, Fotheringham says. “There are people who are struggling, but the talk of a generalised rental crisis is overblown,” he says. Phillips’ analysis shows that rental affordability has actually improved over the past decade, with renters’ incomes rising faster than rents.

Startups Weekly: A week highlighted by a surge in legal disputes for tech startups but also notable funding successes. Startups like Cast AI, Lightrun, Supio, IXI, Nuvo, OmniRetail, and others raised significant capital, signaling a thriving VC ecosystem. Meanwhile, Volution continues its growth with a new fund, and EWOR is expanding its support for European startups through a founder fellowship. For those looking to invest in the region, these developments offer promising opportunities.

Alice in Chains canceled its upcoming headlining shows and festival appearances due to the health concerns of co-founder and drummer Sean Kinney, prioritizing his well-being while he recovers from a medical emergency that required immediate attention. The band expressed their gratitude for support during this challenging time and acknowledged the need to balance their artistic ambitions with Kinney's health.

In a rare pivot on May 15, 2019, President Trump switched the focus of a national security meeting in the Situation Room from Iran to offering asylum and citizenship to white South African farmers. During a previous encounter, Trump had floated the idea, according to John R. Bolton, then national security adviser, who described it as something trivial given his history of embracing fringe ideas pushed by white Afrikaner activists. Bolton recalled Trump treating such notions as "typical Trump" and often fixated on them, saying it never amounted to anything but was emblematic of his tendency to get carried away with baseless claims.

Stephon Castle claimed the NBA Rookie of the Year award for the 2024-25 season, defeating five-time All-Star Zaccharie Risacher in a dramatic runoff vote. The San Antonio Spurs extended their streak with back-to-back Rookie of the Year honors, including this season's win by Castle following Victor Wembanyama in 2023. Castle led all rookies with 1,190 points and 74 steals while driving the team to an 11-6 record. Risacher secured second place after finishing first in the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month awards for February and March, while Wells claimed third with 138 three-pointers made.

American filmmaker Eva Victor’s buzzy feature debut, Sorry, Baby, will open this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF). Produced by Adele Romanski, Mark Ceryak, and Barry Jenkins (Moonlight), the film premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, where Victor won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award. The film will be screened as part of Directors’ Fortnight at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and will be released later this year by A24 in the US and Picturehouse Entertainment in the UK. The film’s plot reads: Something bad happened to Agnes (Eva Victor), but life goes on… for everyone around her, at least. Eva Victor’s Sorry Baby is a shining example of this, marking the emergence of a remarkable talent.

Ministers have drawn up concessions on copyright changes in an attempt to appease artists and creators before a crucial vote in parliament next week, the Guardian has learned. The government will promise to carry out an economic impact assessment of its proposed copyright changes and to publish reports on issues including transparency, licensing and access to data for AI developers. Ministers want to allow AI companies to use copyrighted works to train their models without permission, unless the copyright holder opts out of the process. Creatives say that this favours AI companies and want them to follow current copyright laws. “We’ll be pushing to stop AI copyright law from being watered down in the Commons next week, and urge MPs to stand with us and back British creators.”

TikTok is witnessing a massive shift as electronic music becomes the top genre, overtaking indie and alternative for the first time in 2024, with nearly 13 billion views last year—a 45% increase. British artists like Disclosure and Joel Corry are solidifying their success in this genre, while older tracks continue to dominate TikTok's top lists as fans embrace both new and classic electronic beats.

Kyiv confirms plans to resume the prisoner swap next week after Russia accused Ukraine of indefinitely delaying the process, with intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov dismissing the claim as "playing dirty games." The agreement is expected to facilitate the repatriation of soldiers and bodies following a second round of Istanbul negotiations. Despite initial signs of progress, tensions remain high with both sides accusing each other of misleading claims, and fighting continues in the volatile eastern regions.

In a poignant farewell, Pope Francis made his final public appearance on Easter Sunday, just a day before his death. Too frail to deliver his customary Easter message, the 88-year-old pope briefly greeted the crowd from St. Peter’s Basilica balcony, leaving an enduring memory for millions worldwide. His quiet yet powerful presence marked the end of an era for the Catholic Church.