Latest Summaries
Concise news summaries
Concise news summaries
YouTube has launched a new shoppable connected TV (CTV) ad format that integrates product ads into TV screens during commercials. This feature includes an interactive product feed with QR codes for purchases and a button to share links on smartphones. YouTube's dominance in U.S. TV viewing is evident, having surpassed streaming giants like Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video. The platform also leads in brand information searches among users, with CTV ads generating significant conversions. Meanwhile, companies like Amazon are expanding their use of similar interactive ad formats.
In "Ferie à Deux," Mulder and Scully investigate a telemarketer, Gary Lambert, who becomes increasingly paranoid that his co-workers are being controlled by a giant insect-like creature masquerading as his boss. Gary's paranoia stems from folie à Deux, where he fears his job is in danger despite the evidence pointing to an evil force within VinylRight. Meanwhile, Mulder and Skinner face their own challenges, including their strained relationship and a growing distrust of Scully. The episode ends with a chilling message about a giant insect controlling humans, leaving viewers on edge as the dangers of folie à Deux remain unresolved.
In one of the more common disputes of modern AI, Ziff Davis, IGN Entertainment and Everyday Health Media have sued Open AI for copyright infringement. Ziff Davis alleged, “OpenAI has intentionally and relentlessly reproduced exact copies and created derivatives of Ziff Davis works without Ziff Davis’ authorization. The lawsuit said OpenAI has knowingly copied the text of Ziff Davis’ web sites without authorization and violated Ziff Davis’ written demands to stop. The lawsuit OpenAI falsely attributes output to Ziff Davis that is not Ziff Davis content. Ziff Davis also alleges that OpenAI trained its AI models on its work even though Ziff Davis told web crawlers not to scrape its data using a robots.txt file.
"Gaming's evolving faster than ever before, and for many developers like Teravision Games, the speed of change has left them struggling to keep up. After facing financial difficulties following the release of their 1980s horror classic *Killer Klowns From Outer Space*, they've turned to the Fortnite ecosystem, creating games with Unreal Engine 5 (UEFN). Their first three UEFN titles have been a hit, with standout *Courtyard King* offering an infinite multiplayer PvPvE experience inspired by *The Walking Dead*. Fuentes envisions this approach as a future trend for indie developers, allowing them to experiment and innovate quickly within a massive platform like Fortnite."
Chris Berman celebrated a remarkable milestone as he extended his contract through 2029, marking his first-ever 50-year tenure at ESPN. The network announced that this extension will allow him to continue contributing to key events like the Super Bowl in 2027 and beyond. Over his storied career, Berman has hosted multiple shows, covered major sports events, and shared his expertise across various platforms, solidifying his legacy at ESPN.
Based on the provided text, here's a summary of the key points and issues facing Sudanese civil society: 1. **Role and Challenges:** - Civil society groups are crucial for grassroots organizing and have played a vital role during the conflict. - They face significant challenges such as logistical hindrances, military restrictions, and a heavy personal cost for those who wish to remain neutral. 2. **Polarization:** - The political atmosphere is highly polarized, making it difficult for civil society actors to advocate for peace without being discredited or facing threats. - Both the government and RSF have weaponized war rhetoric, making independent civilian efforts challenging. 3. **Sidelining in Negotiations:** - Despite their crucial role, Sudanese civil society groups have been sidelined in negotiations about the country's future. - Those present at discussions are often people who have fled the country and may not accurately represent the current needs of those still in Sudan. 4. **Internal Fragmentation:** - Civil society is not a homogeneous entity, and internal fragmentation and lack of resources have reduced its potential impact. - It has also faced issues with public trust over the past 20 years. 5. **International Support:** - International actors have focused on short-term interventions rather than long-term strategies to support Sudanese civil society. - To have a say in future negotiations, civil society forces will need to proactively ensure their inclusion. 6. **Future Outlook:** - The conflict is seen as an attempt to obstruct Sudan's democratic transition, which looks increasingly distant despite the liberation of the capital. - There's a need for international actors to support long-term civil society development and for civil society to regain public trust and unify its efforts.
Retired supreme court Justice David H Souter, the ascetic bachelor and New Hampshire Republican who became a darling of liberals during his nearly 20 years on the bench, has died. Souter’s retirement gave Barack Obama his first supreme court vacancy to fill. Reversing the 1973 Roe v Wade ruling, Souter wrote, would be a “surrender to political pressure. Souter was the 105th supreme court justice, and only its sixth bachelor. “He had an unerring knack of finding the weakest link in your argument,” the veteran supreme court advocate Carter Phillips said.
Threat actors backed by Russia exploited XSS vulnerabilities in high-value mail servers, targeting governments and defense contractors supplying Ukraine with weapons. ESET reported Sednit (formerly Fancy Bear) gaining access through spear phishing emails, exploiting known and zero-day CVEs across platforms like Roundcube, MDaemon, Horde, and Zimbra. The attacks also affected government agencies in Bulgaria, Romania, Africa, the EU, and South America, underscoring the growing threat of state-sponsored cyberattacks.
U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged that his tariff program posed a political risk but emphasized he would not rush deals to appease investors during a town hall. He admitted there was an issue with public perception, which could jeopardize Republican control of the House in midterm elections, yet remained determined to move forward despite the risks.
A delegation of EU lawmakers visiting Hungary has called on Europe's top court to suspend a new law banning Budapest Pride, citing a "very hostile atmosphere" for LGBTQ+ people in the country and urging a return to "real democracy." The law allows authorities to use facial recognition technology to track attendees of LGBTQ+ events. The MEPs criticized the Hungarian government's actions as a full-frontal attack on LGBTQ+ rights and expressed concern over physical attacks and hate crimes against the community. They also noted pressure on independent media and aggressive rhetoric from authorities. Some government departments declined to meet with the delegation, and three far-right European parliament groups refused to join the visit. The US government recently lifted sanctions on a close aide to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, citing inconsistency with US foreign policy interests.
Heidi Klum wowed fans with her bold PDA moments at Cannes, flaunting her figure in a bikini and seemingly smothering her husband Tom Kaulitz with fiery kisses as they soaked up the sun on the balcony. The couple’s intense heat left Heidi needing to cool down, but she clearly enjoyed every second, fully enjoying their intimate evening together.
Trae Taylor, a top college quarterback prospect from Mundelein, Illinois, announced his commitment to Nebraska, marking the program's first 2027 recruit in recent history. Under the guidance of coach Matt Rhule and former Ohio State coach Glenn Thomas, Taylor expressed excitement about joining a team with a strong offense and promising pro-style quarterback opportunities. Despite the early decision, he remains focused on maintaining connections with other elite programs like Alabama and LSU while staying rooted in Nebraska's recruitment prowess.
Ian Laffey, Sacha Lévy, and Carl Schoeller built a cheap drone at a hackathon that calculated GPS coordinates using its camera and Google Maps instead of GPS signals. Their tweet about the project went viral, leading to their successful application to Y Combinator's Spring 2024 cohort. They formed Theseus in San Francisco, which recently raised $4.3 million in seed funding. Theseus focuses on hardware and software enabling drones to fly without GPS, catching the attention of U.S. Special Forces for early testing.
"The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum faced significant turmoil when key board members, including Doug Emhoff and Vice President Kamala Harris, were fired. Emhoff criticized the politicization of Holocaust remembrance but vowed to continue combating hate and antisemitism. The firings coincided with Holocaust Remembrance Day, amid Biden's announcements of museum appointments, as Trump aimed to create division ahead of an election cycle focused on Jewish issues."
Identities are not static—they can evolve as introspection and new experiences reveal more about oneself. Embracing this fluid nature of self-discovery can enhance well-being, but it’s important to avoid excessive focus that might lead to anxiety or burnout. Instead, cultivating a flexible sense of self that embraces change is key to achieving deeper understanding and personal growth.
Justin Bieber has announced his departure from Drew House, sparking speculation about whether his fashion brand truly reflects him anymore. Sources suggest he felt the company no longer represented him or his family, citing ex-manager Scooter Braun as a contributing factor. Despite internal conflicts within the brand, including rumors tied to an aspiring singer's death and a church controversy, Justin reportedly wanted to distance himself after feeling outvoted by Scooter, Ryan Good, and David Bolno on various decisions. Meanwhile, his fans are reacting strongly to his new venture, Skylrk, with some criticizing Drew House for its outdated branding and lack of innovation.
The Bromeswell bucket, initially uncovered in 1986 at Sutton Hoo, has been identified as a cremation vessel containing human and animal remains. Additional fragments found during filming of "Time Team" revealed its purpose, with an ankle bone suggesting it may have held a larger-than-pig animal. Further analysis is pending, including radiocarbon dating on animal bones, to understand the cremation process and status symbolism at Sutton Hoo.
The massive electrical blackout in Spain and Portugal, beginning just after 12:30 pm CET, has caused widespread disruption across the Iberian Peninsula and nearby regions, with trains stopped, airports closed, and businesses and schools operational only under emergency power. The outage affects major cities like Madrid, while cell towers remain operational through generators. Investigations are underway to determine if the cause was a technical issue or cyberattack, with authorities closely monitoring the situation.
New research highlights that 65% of IT and security professionals face challenges with too many disconnected tools, while over half find these systems non-integrable, creating complex environments that cost more and reduce threat detection capabilities. Barracuda Networks is launching an AI-powered platform called BarracudaONE to unify their security solutions into a single, integrated system, simplifying operations and enhancing threat protection. Neal Bradbury emphasizes the need for consolidation to improve security efficiency and effectiveness.
Justin Bieber opened up about his maternal grandfather, Bruce Dale, in a heartfelt Instagram post, sharing a photo of himself as a teenager holding his head while smiling at his grandpa during a hockey game. The caption recalled shared memories, including his father encouraging him to spend his $20 allowance and dealing with his father's occasional scathing remarks from Bruce during games. Bruce passed away peacefully at the age of 80 in Stratford, Ontario, supporting Justin's musical journey despite his own health challenges. He was remembered alongside Justin's other family members, including his wife Diane.
Taku Eto resigned as agriculture minister amid public backlash over his insensitive remarks about rice prices, and former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has been appointed his replacement. In a meeting with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Koizumi emphasized the need to address high rice prices and stated he would prioritize the issue as if it were solely under his charge.
Americans, including some Republicans, are losing faith in Donald Trump across a range of key issues, according to polling released this week. Along with poor ratings on the economy and Trump’s immigration policy, a survey released on Saturday found that only 24% of Americans believe Trump has focussed on the right priorities as president. That poll comes as Trump’s popularity is historically low for a leader this early in a term. A survey published on Wednesday found that just 38% of Americans approve of Trump on the economy, with 56% disapproving. Just three in 10 Americans said they believed Trump’s policies were helping the economy, and only four in 10 said Trump’s policies will help the country.
Five years after George Floyd’s tragic death at the hands of a U.S. police officer, the nation is grappling with the aftermath of his killing as President Trump reverses efforts to address systemic racism and civil rights. The Black Lives Matter movement, ignited by Floyd’s arrest in 2020, has grown into a powerful force pushing for justice against police violence and racial inequality. Yet, under Trump’s administration, federal investigations into police conduct have been curtailed, and initiatives promoting diversity and inclusion have faced repression, marking a stark shift from the momentum created by the movement.
Japan has accused China of conducting unnotified maritime scientific research near its remote atoll of Okinotori in the Philippine Sea, roughly halfway between Taiwan and Guam, within Japan's exclusive economic zone. A Chinese survey vessel was reportedly spotted extending into Japanese EEZ waters 270 kilometers east of Okinotori by Japan's coastguard.
Engadget readers can enjoy big discounts this Memorial Day as Sonos offers up to 25% off its portable speakers. The Move 2 and Roam 2 are both on sale, with the former dropping by $113 ($336) and the latter getting a $45 discount. The Move 2, despite being expensive, is praised for its impressive sound quality, while the Roam 2 offers improved portability and design. For those looking to splurge, bundles of speakers or accessories also go on sale at special rates. With Sonos known for its stellar audio performance, this is a great time to stock up on their products.
The NFL has made history by streaming its September game for the first time on YouTube, with the Kansas City Chiefs set to face the L.A. Chargers in an event that could expand global reach for the platform and the league. Roger Goodell unveiled this partnership during the Brandcast event, marking YouTube's entry into a historic era for NFL content.
President Trump and Elon Musk's casual banter about "First Bros" quickly escalates to alarmingly serious discussions about nuclear war, highlighting the dangers of even trivial conversations taking on existential stakes. Meanwhile, Diddy's exes sparking heated debates about abuse victims underscore the gravity of personal interactions influencing societal conversations on consent and boundaries. Lastly, Kylie Jenner's shocking treasure chest map has sent shockwaves through the tabloids, with her transparency leading to both admiration and skepticism as fans question her authenticity in the wake of this viral spectacle.
Eli Craig has faced countless challenges trying to develop a sequel to his cult classic *Tucker & Dale vs. Evil*, with each attempt ultimately failing due to a variety of obstacles. Despite its modest box office success, the movie has yet to find its way to the big screen in a satisfying follow-up. Craig humorously reflects on how many versions of the project have "died" or been overshadowed by other commitments, and even hinted at a potential spinoff series as an alternative path forward—though it seems like that creative exploration is now just another chapter in the director's ongoing saga of missed opportunities.
Rian Johnson is pushing for "Wake Up Dead Man," his next "Knives Out" movie, to enjoy as large a theatrical release as possible. The filmmaker, known for leveraging the success of "Glass Onion" with a significant theater run on Netflix, wants the latest Knives Out film to replicate this model. Despite CEO Ted Sarandos' criticism of the movie theater model being outdated for many, Johnson remains convinced that the communal experience is crucial and aims to maximize its theatrical availability.
Volkswagen has issued a safety recall on 5,637 2025 ID.Buzz electric vans due to potentially dangerous seating issues that could leave passengers exposed in an accident. The third-row bench seats are wide enough for three people but don't have proper seatbelt coverage, raising the risk of injury or death during a crash. To address this, Volkswagen plans to add "unpadded trim parts" to limit seat width while maintaining comfort and functionality. The electric van is priced at $60,000 with an EPA range exceeding 234 miles, available in multiple color options.
King Charles demonstrated resilience amid medical challenges by attending Windsor Castle’s Easter Sunday church service, where his wife Queen Camilla praised his recovery during a smoke-filled interview. Meanwhile, other notable royals like Princess Anne, Eugenie, Beatrice, and the Edmondtons were present, while Prince William and Kate Middleton remained absent due to ongoing controversies involving Prince Andrew.
In 2015, a rare moment of US congressional unity passed the Space Act – to mine asteroids as if they were open seams of ore and harvest planets like unclaimed farmland. Space had been humanity’s last commons, shielded by a 1967 Outer Space treaty. Mr Trump declared it dead in 2020, signing the Artemis Accords and enlisting 43 allies, including the UK, in the legalisation of heaven’s spoils. Reviving cold war lines in the stars, Russia and China defend space as common property against western-style celestial land grabs. There is no viable commercial model for the extraction of space resources and their return to Earth for sale.
The District of Columbia and 17 states sued the Trump administration over its opposition to wind energy developments, claiming it impeded efforts to reduce pollution and lower electricity costs. The states argue that Trump's actions have threatened investments in clean energy infrastructure and regulatory frameworks. They also criticized Trump for prioritizing fossil fuels over renewable energy projects and reversing previous environmental policies.
Manchester United wrapped up their late-season form with a 1-0 loss against a scratch Asean All-Stars team in Kuala Lumpur after recently suffering some tough results. The match, part of their lucrative post-season tour, saw United field a makeshift side ahead of a friendly against the Hong Kong outfit on Friday. Despite being outplayed and including several young players, manager Ruben Amorim expressed optimism, acknowledging the importance of preparing for future challenges despite the disappointment of the latest defeat.
China swiftly reached an agreement with the U.S. to ease punitive tariffs, drawing attention to a robust negotiating team that includes Vice Premier He Lifeng, a seasoned diplomat alongside President Xi Jinping, and Harvard-trained Liu He. The team emphasized technical expertise and strategic know-how, as demonstrated during a joint press conference in Geneva featuring key officials like Li Chenggang and Liao Min.
Uranus, an intriguing ice giant, experienced a rare alignment as it passed in front of a distant star on April 7, offering NASA scientists a unique opportunity to study its atmosphere and features through stellar occultation. This event provided critical data, including temperature, density, and pressure at various altitudes, marking the first large-scale collaborative observation by NASA. By studying this phenomenon, insights were gained into Uranus's rings, atmospheric turbulence, and orbital position, enhancing our understanding of its dynamics despite Voyager 2's limitations in precisely locating it beyond a 100-mile margin.
Donald Trump’s attack on the Emmys was both predictable and hypocritical, given the extent of his lies about a CBS interview involving Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump felt necessary to make such a statement because the segment included parts that were edited out of context from different shows before being nominated. Experts argue his lawsuit is weak due to legal standards, while the Emmys are based on objective journalism without bias.
Labor is planning to introduce a significant tax increase on superannuation accounts over $3 million, with a proposed 15% earnings tax boosting to 30%, as part of broader discussions to address budget deficits. The plan requires extensive changes, including ending favourable tax treatment for retirement savings, and faces opposition from parties like the Greens and the Coalition, which has suggested working on "constructive terms" to avoid being part of a "No-alition." The proposal could have broad implications for politicians with defined benefit accounts, potentially requiring adjustments in how such accounts are treated.
Little Caesars is taking their iconic Pretzel Crust Pizza to new heights with a reality competition show called "Pretzel Crust Island," hosted by comedian Flula Borg. The show features contestants tackling quirky challenges inspired by fan feedback, with the grand prize being free pizza—but with a twist: it's a real-life pretzel crust pizza! Viewers can catch it on Little Caesars' official YouTube channel, blending elements of shows like "Love Island" and "Survivor."
SAG-AFTRA demands that Epic Games ensure AI replaces human voice actors in video games, arguing that using AI circumvents their collective Bargaining Agreement terms. Epic, however, claims AI offers cost savings while SAG-AFTRA maintains it’s protecting its rights to negotiate fair use of human labor. The dispute highlights growing tensions as AI adoption reshapes the gaming industry and threatens jobs traditionally held by voice actors since James Earl Jones popularized Darth Vader.
Google has introduced a battery health indicator feature for its Pixel 8A and newer devices, akin to an iPhone function but unavailable on older models due to technical infeasibility. The note from Google developers clarifies that the feature will be available only on the latest Pixel Pro devices tested, while older models remain unaffected as fixing it isn't possible. This highlights a strategic decision by Google to prioritize innovation over backward compatibility in their product updates.
Sudan has severed diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates over allegations that its Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are receiving support from the UAE, a move aimed at shutting down an international effort to investigate potential genocide in Darfur. The UAE denies involvement and Earlier this week, aid agencies expressed concerns over targeted attacks on critical infrastructure in Port Sudan, leading to the suspension of humanitarian flights—an issue exacerbated by ongoing tensions with Egypt.
"Mohamed Salah secures his third Footballer of the Year award, extending his dominance in English football with an impressive 33 goals and 23 assists across all competitions. The Egypt international has played every game for Liverpool under manager Arne Andreassen, while also securing a two-year contract extension. Salah outperformed Virgil van Dijk and other top-tier players to win by the largest margin in the FWA award history."
Amazon briefly offered preorder listings for a Fallout season one 4K steelbook at $39.99, which is uncommon for Prime Video original series. However, the listings for 4K steelbook, Blu-ray, and DVD versions have since been removed from Amazon, with no clear indication of when they might return.
Logitech G announced the launch of the Logitech G522 gaming headset, a new addition to its G5 series with a focus on gameplay and personal expression. “It builds on a proven formula for success that’s become synonymous with our G5 Series products, combining precision engineering with a deep understanding of what today’s gamers value most.”Logitech G’s G522 gaming headset sells for $160. at the heart of the headset are new synchronized PRO-G drivers that deliver Logitech G’s highest-fidelity, paired with 48 kHz/24-bit digital signal processing for unparalleled immersion and precision. Continuing Logitech G’s commitment to reducing environmental impact, the G522 is crafted with 27% post-consumer recycled plastic and low-carbon aluminum, aligning performance with purpose. AvailabilityThe Logitech G522 Gaming Headset is available now in black and white at LogitechG.com and select retailers worldwide for a suggested retail price of $160.
"Devil’s Play, featuring Mickey Rourke, gains traction following Buffalo 8's acquisition. Starring alongside Rourke are Bulgarian actors Eleonora Ivanova and Dimitar Nikolov in lead roles, with Lee Ryan and Nicky Whelan in key supporting parts. Directed by Ben Charles Edwards from Mark Twain's *The Mysterious Stranger*, the film explores themes of faith, destiny, and good vs. evil through the story of troubled teen Iva, dealing with abuse and a distant deaf mother who finds solace through a mysterious figure claiming to be Lucifer."
Lana Del Rey shocked fans by openly discussing her alleged kiss and subsequent comments toward Morgan Wallen in the song "57.5" at the Stagecoach Music Festival, sparking rumors about their relationship status after their heated SNL incident. Meanwhile, she debuted a duet with producer Chris Cornell, humorously referencing her married husband Jeremy Dufrene, while fans are left pondering the dynamics of their romantic connection following a split earlier this year, which was officiated in a surprise ceremony last month.
Hundreds of protests and rallies across the U.S. are taking place in response to Trump's policies on immigration and funding cuts in education and research. Participants like Michelle Willis and Marshall Green have highlighted concerns over deportations using outdated laws and the impact of tariffs on local communities. This movement, known as 50501, organizes community-focused events nationwide, with growing momentum supported by a blizzard of controversial actions from Trump's administration. Despite weak backing from Democratic leaders, experts predict the movement's momentum will continue to rise due to unprecedented chaos and widespread outrage.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals has bought the genetic testing company 23andMe, a company once valued at $6bn, for $256m through a bankruptcy auction. It added it would prioritise the ethical use of customers’ DNA data. The hack and subsequent bankruptcy filing have drawn scrutiny from lawmakers who warned that millions of customers’ genetic data could be sold to unscrupulous buyers. “Given Regeneron’s track record, we also believe 23andMe customers are in good hands from a privacy perspective,” Pickering added. After the transaction, expected to be completed in the third quarter, 23andMe will operate as a wholly owned unit of Regeneron.