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Concise news summaries
"DeMar DeRozan faces intense altercation over phone at Yume Sushi, grabbing his phone as he struggles with an injured man on the ground. Police say multiple people sustained injuries following the incident."
JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet voted unanimously Sunday night to begin seizing and holding swaths of Gaza, clarifying a decision about a new direction in military strategy but sharpening the looming, unresolved question of whether Israel is inching toward the long-term reoccupation of the Gaza Strip. The newly authorized plan, which requires tens of thousands of reservists to be called up in the coming weeks, would see the Israel Defense Forces gradually enter tracts of northern and southern Gaza and stay there indefinitely, Israeli officials said Monday. Civilians in those areas would be evacuated to other areas secured by the IDF, while Israeli forces would remain long-term to root out Hamas fighters and destroy their tunnels. But Netanyahu’s powerful finance minister, the settler leader Bezalel Smotrich, said there would be no turning back even if Hamas returned hostages. There will be “no retreat from the territories we have conquered, not even in exchange for hostages,” he told a conference Monday.
TechCrunch's Startup Battlefield program is transforming Latin American startups into global success stories by offering unparalleled exposure and connections. Companies like Salva Health, Ripio, Jefa, and Olho do Dono have leveraged this platform to tackle significant regional challenges and achieve international recognition. The program not only enhances visibility but also attracts top investors and fosters a network of mentors and partners, crucial for scaling innovative solutions. With these benefits, the call to action encourages more Latin American entrepreneurs to apply, aiming to amplify their impact on the world stage.
Alexis Michelle won a challenge to impersonate Liza Minnelli on "RuPaul's Drag Race," securing her a Lifetime Achievement Award from RuPaul Charles and Tom Campbell acknowledged the production team's decision to bring Minnelli back after initially hesitating due to her prominent LGBTQ advocacy. Though Minnelli seemed unreachable at first, she ultimately agreed with support from her brother Joey Luft, who also appeared on stage. Minnelli's presence highlighted her impact as an icon and advocate in the LGBTQ community.
The FAA experienced a pivotal moment when air traffic control lost communication for two minutes in Denver, switching to an emergency frequency to maintain safety amidst equipment failures at their Newark facility, which has raised concerns about aging infrastructure and public confidence. Franklin McIntosh confirmed that controllers successfully switched to a secondary frequency without issues, averting potential separation problems and ensuring flight safety remained intact. Experts warn of growing reliability issues with outdated systems, while the FAA acknowledges its need for urgent modernization efforts but faces significant delays due to staffing challenges and funding constraints.
"Epic Games finally brings its beloved Fortnite back to the U.S. App Store after a lengthy legal battle with Apple, which had previously removed the game due to antitrust concerns over in-app purchases using Epic's currency instead of Apple's. Though Epic secured a victory by having Apple allow external transactions but still charge fees, the company faced delays in resubmitting the game to the App Store following a recent court ruling that may have tipped in its favor. Fortnite now offers users a 20% cashback option for purchasing in-game items directly from Epic."
Paris Saint-Germain faced a disappointing 3-1 loss to Nice in their Ligue 1 encounter, despite leading the league with 78 points before the match. The visitors scored twice early in the first half, exploiting PSG's defensive vulnerabilities, and although Marcin Bulka made crucial saves, the hosts struggled to capitalize on their own chances. This defeat snapped their 30-game unbeaten streak and kept them from securing a Champions League spot while still allowing them to chase the L1 title later this season.
Autocorrect is altering names of 22.6 million UK adults, affecting nearly half the population. A campaign led by Cathal Wogan aims to prevent these changes by urging tech companies to expand naming dictionaries with diverse baby names. A survey shows frustration among those flagged, especially young adults aged 16-24, who feel wronged by autocorrecting or name alterations. Plans include a billboard campaign to raise awareness and push for inclusive tech updates.
A 31-year-old Iranian man has been arrested in London under the National Security Act 2023 as part of a counter-terrorism investigation linked to a plot involving the Israeli embassy on Saturday, with three other Iranian men detained alongside him. Earlier that day, two additional men were taken in another operation. Separately, four more Iranian individuals were detained across England on Saturday for suspected terrorist activities, with one under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act.
Donald Trump's promise of a "boom like no other" during his presidency has proven elusive, as U.S. markets have instead endured a sharp decline over his first 100 days in office, with the S&P 500 Index currently on track for its worst performance since Gerald Ford’s presidency. Initially boosted by trade policy changes, including tariffs and subsequent suspensions, coupled with heightened tensions against China, the market has swung widely in unpredictable directions, signaling a mixed economic message that didn’t align with Trump’s optimistic vision.
WWE legend Roman Reigns left Las Vegas with more than just a loss at WrestleMania — he also took home a 44mm Black Ceramic Openwork Audemars Piguel valued at $450k and two black diamond tennis chains with 55 carats each. Eric the Jeweler gifted him these luxurious timepieces as part of his personal treat after the event, showcasing his commitment to indulgence alongside his wrestling career. Clearly, Roman was thrilled with his new treasures.
Start with an engaging opening: "An easy-to-make Easter treat with a touch of Italian flair thanks to toasted almonds." Highlight the key steps: Combine flaked almonds, marzipan, sugar, lemon zest, and flour; bake for 10-12 minutes until slightly underdone; cool on baking sheet before transferring to a rack. Note their versatility in serving with coffee or wine over time.
This week on Two Game Tuesday, there’s something for everyone this time! One is a classic indie parkour-platformer from 2021 that finally made its way to my radar, promising a thrilling historical action thriller with non-linear gameplay. The other is an upcoming base-building strategy game set for Q2 2025, which already has me hooked thanks to its unique twist of a pickup truck zip-lining into battle. Both are pure gamefection!
The Israeli military conducted a strike in Gaza that destroyed a school sheltering forcibly displaced Palestinian families, resulting in at least 10 deaths, including a child who burned to death. Over the past week, multiple attacks on tent encampments have claimed the lives of over 60 Palestinians.
Richard Boyle, a 49-year-old ex-debt collection officer at the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), avoided jail by confessing to unethical practices under a plea deal. The ATO recorded conversations and accessed private business information during his tenure. Following his whistleblowing in March, 15 charges were dropped, but five remained after he exposed poor ATO conduct. Rex Patrick praised Boyle's courage but criticized the legal system for not pursuing his claims based on prior actions rather than disclosures. Recent rulings limit his protections under federal whistleblower laws. His next hearing is set for 1 August.
The Anaheim Ducks fired coach Greg Cronin after two seasons due to declining performance despite his tenure. The team, at 35-37-10 (80 points), barely missed qualifying for the playoffs and struggled under his leadership. Young talent like Leo Carlsson and Mason McTavish was underutilized, while star center Trevor Zegras saw a sharp decline in production, leading to widespread criticism of Cronin's coaching style. The team's new coach will take over with Verbeek now managing both coaching and hockey operations since his arrival as general manager in February 2022.
Austin Russell, the billionaire CEO of lidar startup Luminar, resigned as president and CEO after an ethics inquiry, with Paul Ricci appointed as his replacement. Board member Jun Hong Heng also resigned following the leadership change. Despite these developments, Luminar continues to focus on its Halo product, with Austin sharing positive updates on cost reductions and growth strategies, ensuring the company remains on track for success despite internal changes.
In a contentious statement, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich claimed that rescuing hostages in Gaza wasn’t Israel’s top priority in its war with Hamas, instead emphasizing the need to dismantle Hamas’ rule in Gaza. He asserted, “We need to eliminate the problem of Gaza,” as part of a broader push to ensure it no longer poses a threat to Israelis. The conflict was launched after Hamas’ deadly attack on southern Israel, with aims including destroying Hamas and restoring Israelis’ sense of safety following nearly 1,200 deaths in the surprise assault.
WhatsApp is introducing "Advanced Chat Privacy" to enhance security by preventing conversations from being exported or used with Meta AI services like generating images. The feature blocks access to chat history exports, media downloads, and message-based AI interactions while still allowing manual screenshots or media extraction. This marks WhatsApp's first step in safeguarding private chats, with further safeguards planned for future updates.
The article describes eight men deported to Djibouti for violent crimes, sparking criticism from experts who suggest this may be part of an effort to tarnish public opinion against the judiciary. In contrast, over 100 Venezuelans deported to El Salvador were mostly crime-free individuals, highlighting a stark difference in how deportations are handled. One of the deportationees, Thongxay Nilakout, a 17-year-old who killed a German tourist, expressed dismay at what she saw as the government’s failure to protect his rights during deportation proceedings.
The 'Oscar' of food prizes honors Mariangela Hungria, a microbiologist in Brazil, for pioneering work that transformed agricultural practices by harnessing bacterial benefits to boost crop yields. Despite initial skepticism and challenges, her research led to breakthroughs in soil fertility, making farmers more efficient and reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers. Her work has not only revolutionized Brazilian agriculture but also inspired new initiatives aimed at improving sustainability and inclusivity in farming.
The disparity between temporary farm workers and long-term residents in Monterey County highlights a critical housing challenge. Temporary workers receive support through programs like Fresh Harvest, but long-term residents struggle with overcrowding and limited affordable housing. The repeal of a local rent increase ordinance has exacerbated these issues, prompting calls for policies that protect against excessive rent hikes. Efforts to address funding gaps are underway, emphasizing the need for comprehensive solutions involving community initiatives, tenant protections, and alternative funding sources to ensure equitable housing for all agricultural workers.
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.
Sanjog Gupta is emerging as a leading candidate for the ICC CEO role, signaling a shift in global cricket leadership; his appointment could expand initiatives like the World Test Championship's restructure and women's cricket growth, though he faces challenges including fee negotiations with Jiostar and event cancellations tied to India-Pakistan tensions.
Microsoft continues to launch Surface devices even after former leader Panos Panay left for Amazon, with focus shifting back to more affordable models. The discontinuation of the Lapto Studio 2 and its successor, the Pro Studio, reflects a shift away from the company's more innovative all-in-one desktop design. While these new products maintain some of the original concept's essence in their smaller form factors, they no longer include the unique high-end features that made the Lapto Studio 2 notable, signaling a broader evolution in Microsoft's product strategy.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced that its 60th annual meeting will take place in Nagoya, Japan, in 2027. Following a gap of more than two decades since its last meeting there, ADB is set to return to Japan for the event. In Milan at the ADB's ongoing annual meeting, Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato expressed optimism about Japan hosting the gathering again. Japan has previously hosted five ADB meetings, with Aichi Prefecture and its capital city Nagoya recently joining forces in the bid to host the 2027 event.
Erin Patterson's trial centered on her alleged involvement in a deadly lunch she served, containing death cap mushrooms. During questioning about the incident, her barrister revealed that the beef Wellington meal included mushrooms found to be harmful, leading to the deaths of family members and her subsequent arrest. The case has drawn attention to her online communication history, which includes expletive-filled messages exchanged with family members on a Facebook group chat, adding complexity to her potential guilt. The trial, ongoing, involves key evidence from the lunch, her previous communications, and witness testimonies.
Rolly Romero’s fight against Ryan Garcia on Friday features custom "Marty McFly" Nike shoes inspired by the iconic movie *Back to the Future*. These retro-inspired sneakers with LED lights and original markings were deconstructed by Jose Coronado for use in a boxing match. Coronado, known as Aztek Kustoms, spent over 50 hours crafting the shoes, which also include homages to Bruce Lee, Frank Ocean, and Prince on Romero’s gear. The artist has been creating custom boxing boots since 2014 with memorabilia inspired by his heroes.
Jeff Sperbeck, a close friend and business partner of Hall of Fame football legend John Elway, was hospitalized following a serious accident at The Madison Club in La Quinta, CA. After being struck while riding a golf cart, Jeff sustained a severe head injury and his wife tended to him before emergency responders arrived. Though he remains on life support, doctors have ruled out recovery, marking the latest tragedy in an already tragic legacy involving two of sports' most iconic figures. Meanwhile, Sperbeck and Elway had shared not only a professional relationship but also a passion for wine, founding 7Cellars together in 2013.
The world bids farewell to Pope Francis, remembered for his humility and unwavering dedication to the poor. His death on Easter Monday, ending a 12-year papacy, has sparked global mourning, with leaders praising his compassion and efforts in fostering interfaith dialogue, particularly among Muslims.
Senator Chris Van Hollen’s trip to El Salvador to meet Ábrego García, a man wrongfully deported, has ignited a constitutional clash over due process and executive authority. Van Hollen accused the White House of fabricating ties between García and MS-13 to divert attention from rights violations during deportation, despite lacking federal evidence. The case has divided Republicans, underscoring tensions over justice and immigration enforcement limits.
Daniel Seavey's health has unfortunately compelled him to postpone all remaining shows on his "Second Wind" tour, with vocal cords rendering him unable to perform. Despite the last-minute decision, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to his fans for their understanding and support, promising to reschedule all shows as soon as possible. The singer, whose album was released three years after his band went on hiatus, will kick off a new tour aimed at restoring his health ahead of his first show in Perth this summer.
The feud between Elon Musk and Donald Trump has intensified, with Trump accusing Musk of being involved in Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged files. Trump also hinted at canceling $250 million in government contracts tied to Musk’s companies. Meanwhile, Musk criticized Trump publicly and privately on his platform X, suggesting the former president might be replaced by Vice President JD Vance. The situation has caused Tesla shares to drop and could further strain their professional relationship, with fears of more chaos ahead.
President Donald Trump signed the Take It Down Act into law, criminalizing the distribution of nonconsensual intimate images (NCII), including AI-deepfakes, while requiring social media platforms to promptly remove such content upon notification. The bill, championed by Trump and supported by tech companies and advocates, could harm survivors of intimate image abuse but risks undermining privacy protections like encryption, as some critics warn. Platforms may feel emboldened to ignore FTC guidance or struggle with identifying authentic complaints amid potential false reports.
Engaged readers often notice odd posts on Threads, where strangers request to be friends through selfies of young people. These posts, sometimes with "Age doesn't matter" captions, are now popping up frequently in users' recommended content as they explore the app. Examples include a Spotify post linked alongside another from an anonymous account and Meta CEO Adam Mosseri's personal post appearing multiple times. While Meta confirmed these aren't genuine recommendations, details on stopping spam remain unclear. Similar issues have been reported elsewhere on Meta platforms like Instagram, with users facing persistent推荐 of similar posts that can be reported but continue to surface.
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.
MasterClass is launching an online sports betting course called "Bet Smart: Top Sports Betting Strategies" this summer, focusing on strategies for smarter wagering just in time for the MLB season and playoffs of other major sports leagues. The course includes 25 video lessons taught by veteran insiders from ESPN and Audacy, covering different types of bets, finding hidden advantages, and managing bankrolls. It's available on MasterClass for $10/month or $4/month with a premium plan shared among up to six people.
Sarah Silverman publicly admitted to making offensive remarks in her comedy series *The Sarah Silverman Program*, apologizing for using racial slurs and blackface. She explained that she felt it was okay as she played an arrogant character, but now regrets her ignorant intentions. The comedian has previously apologized on her talk show for similar jokes made about Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. In her upcoming standup special *PostMortem*, premiering on Netflix, Silverman uses humor to honor the lives of her parents.
Zoom's outage yesterday highlighted just how essential the platform has become during the pandemic. For nearly two hours, users were unable to connect or join meetings as the zoom.us domain was mistakenly blocked by GoDaddy due to a communication error with Zoom’s registrar, Markmonitor. The issue was resolved quickly through collaboration between the companies, and there were no security or product failures during the downtime. If you're still experiencing problems, Zoom recommends flushing your DNS cache following their instructions for different operating systems.
Valve is rolling out **SteamOS 3.7**, adding official support for a range of PC hardware beyond its own Steam Deck, including Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and Legion Go S models. This marks a significant step forward, allowing users with AMD-powered devices to run SteamOS more seamlessly, though only fully supported on the Steam Deck and Legion Go S. Previously, third-party distributions like Bazzite enabled SteamOS on some hardware; now, users can access it directly from Valve. To use SteamOS, devices must have AMD hardware and an NVMe SSD, with Secure Boot disabled to avoid Windows 11's default setting.
Panasonic is laying off 10,000 employees globally to improve efficiency amid slowing electric vehicle growth and declining profits in its air conditioning sector. The company announced plans to cut jobs this financial year, affecting 5,000 workers domestically and another 5,000 overseas. It anticipates $900 million in costs from the layoffs and aims to boost operational efficiency while targeting a $4 billion profit by March 2027. Panasonic, known for products like EV batteries and TVs, recently returned to the U.S. TV market but may consider divesting if performance doesn’t improve.
Arsenal's quest to overturn their first-leg defeat at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and secure a spot in the final is on everyone's radar as they prepare for their crucial second leg match. Mikel Arteta has hinted at a dig towards Liverpool, emphasizing Arsenal's slim 15-point deficit in the Premier League with just three matches remaining—and their hope of making history by winning a trophy in the competition. The north London side, trailing by one goal after losing 2-0 in Paris on Wednesday, will need to regroup and perform at the highest level if they are to make their long-awaited Champions League final appearance this season.
"Advertising firms brace for a potential slowdown in client marketing spending as costs rise and geopolitical tensions heighten, despite recent reassurances from major agencies about budget stability. Major players like Publicis and Omnicom have downplayed concerns over tariff uncertainty but acknowledge that challenges ahead could lead to spending cuts across industries in 2025."
Mourners gather at the Vatican to honour pontiff in an emotional farewell filled with prayer and reflection. Rome, Italy – About 250,000 mourners in Vatican City fell into hushed silence on Saturday morning as the funeral for Pope Francis began. Just after 10am (08:00 GMT), the pope’s coffin was brought out of St Peter’s Basilica. Maffei said he had found Francis’s funeral “very touching” and full of simple words and messages of love that still “carried great weight”. Maffei said he believed Francis would have enjoyed seeing so many people walking through Rome and tackling the uphill stretch by Largo Magnanapoli.
Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly rekindled public affection after welcoming their daughter, sharing pics of them grocery shopping together. MGK, with his 15-year-old daughter Casie, appeared relaxed while Megan casually took over driving duties as they left Erewhon. Their recent split was reportedly fueled by a surprise discovery by Megan during her pregnancy. Now both are focused on reuniting with their children ahead of their next chapter.
Travis Decker, the man reportedly responsible for killing his three daughters, remains at large after being released from custody. Chelan County Sheriff's Office has shared new photos of Decker, who was previously believed to be captured but has since fled. The images show him appearing lawfully, though he’s described as dangerous and possibly armed, prompting public warnings not to approach or seek him out. Despite thorough searches in the forest, river, and other recent hotspots, Decker remains elusive, with authorities continuing their efforts based on new intel and tips from the community.
India has closed its border with Pakistan after an attack by Islamic militants in Kashmir that killed 26 tourists. The country has also cancelled a water-sharing treaty with Pakistan and banned citizens from entering under visa exemption following the attack.
Carlos Santana nearly missed another performance after collapsing during a sound check in San Antonio on Tuesday. The 70-year-old legend was rushed to a hospital due to a medical emergency but has since been discharged and is resting at a hotel. His scheduled Wednesday show in Sugar Land, Texas, was canceled as an abundance of caution. Despite this setback, Santana still plans to perform on Friday and Saturday as part of his 'Oneness' tour.
After Kashmir attack, India downgrades ties with Pakistan and suspends water treatytoggle caption Dar Yasin/APMUMBAI, India — The day after a deadly attack on tourists killed 26 people in the mountain town of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir, India announced it was closing a border with Pakistan, downgrading its diplomatic ties and suspending a crucial water treaty. The Indus Waters Treaty lays out how India and Pakistan use water from six rivers that flow through both countries. India has long accused its western neighbor of stoking and sponsoring armed militancy in India-administered Kashmir, accusations that Pakistan denies. The Muslim-majority Kashmir region has been disputed between India and Pakistan since they became independent nations in 1947. Pakistan has provided a lot of support, including training to armed militants who operate inside Kashmir.