Latest Summaries

FEMA has shifted its disaster recovery responsibilities back to state governments as part of President Trump's administration plan, altering their federal aid approach from a 75% cost-sharing model. This change comes amid severe weather events in the U.S. South, including deadly tornadoes that caused significant damage and losses, with at least 27 people reported dead and estimated damages between $9 billion and $11 billion. The agency's decision to cut 2,000 employees has raised concerns about its preparedness for an already active hurricane season, while officials emphasize their readiness to assist states affected by recent events.

The Winnipeg Jets faced harsh criticism for Connor Hellebuyck's road performance in a crucial Game 7 of their Stanley Cup Playoff opener. The star goaltender was pulled three times, allowing five goals on just 23 shots after the second period while his team imploded, costing them the game and exposing frustration among fans. Coach Scott Arniel emphasized it wasn't about Hellebuyck's performance but rather the Jets' collective lapse in Game 7, signaling that their playoff journey would hinge on Sunday's rematch with St. Louis.

Interior stability in Libya's capital, Tripoli, has deteriorated sharply, with rival militias clashing in key areas, prompting the Interior Ministry to urge residents to remain at home amid growing uncertainty about their safety. The United Nations has called for urgent de-escalation efforts and immediate cessation of violence, while UNS MIL has emphasized the need to protect civilians ahead of what could be another destabilizing blow. Schools have been closed, classes suspended, and social media flooded with images of violence and chaos in the city as tensions rise following a decade of conflict and instability.

Microsoft is simplifying its browser policy for users in the European Economic Area (EEA) by expanding default browser settings, reducing nagging about using Edge, and integrating web search features. These changes aim to comply with the Digital Markets Act but won't affect non-EEA regions. Users in EEA can now set more file types as defaults, avoid being prompted to switch from Edge post-uninstallation, and have options for multiple search providers. Bing will default to another browser, enhancing flexibility within the region.

Pulp has captivated audiences with a triumphant 24-year comeback, premiering their newly released album *More* just days before their sold-out performance. The setlist seamlessly blends nostalgia for fans of past eras with fresh energy, particularly shining light on *This Is Hardcore*, their latest hardcore album. The intimate stage setup, reminiscent of a 1970s chat show, and Jarvis Cocker’s engaging delivery create an electrifying experience as the band delivers hits like "Got to Have Love" and ends with a heartfelt rendition of "A Sunset."

Lewis Capaldi returned to perform for his fans as a surprise guest at a charity concert in Edinburgh, sharing six tracks from his discography, including the hit "Someone You Loved." After taking an extended break due to Tourette's, he revealed his excitement about supporting CALM and keeping his audience connected during challenging times. Meanwhile, he's already planning quick appearances, even in London, as his health continues to improve with therapy and better living arrangements.

Savings and investing startup Acorns has acquired EarlyBird, an investment gifting platform for families, the company told TechCrunch exclusively. Acorns Early offers a debit card designed for kids and teens to help them develop financial literacy and manage their money. Berkeley, CA | REGISTER NOWExisting EarlyBird customers will be offered a free one-year subscription to “Acorns Gold,” a plan that offers access to all Acorns products, including Acorns Early. Acorns notes that EarlyBird users will not be able to transfer their EarlyBird funds over to Acorns Early. The company plans to integrate EarlyBird’s digital time capsule feature into the Acorns Early app at a later date.

As a result of the two countries’ outage on Monday, millions were left unable to get home from work, take out cash, buy food or in some cases escape lifts that were stuck between floors. The UK government, too, launched a campaign last March called Prepare, to encourage Britons to be ready in case of emergency. It advises signing up for emergency alerts, planning your household escape route, and stocking up on urgent supplies, among other things. “So that might mean having a small solar setup that can charge your phone, or certainly a USB power bank. We don’t have to rely on screens all the time.” And if you’re stuck for emergency gift ideas, she says, “Honestly, solar or wind-up radios are a really good idea.”

The upcoming papal election in the Sistine Chapel is being preceded by calls from abuse survivors for the next pope to take decisive action against clergy sexual abuse. Groups like SNAP, representing former victims, have urged the new pope to impose a zero-tolerance policy on abusers and those covering up their crimes, while also holding Church leaders accountable for past failures. The group highlighted that few in the church hierarchy have cleanly addressed credible abuse allegations since their ordination.

The FDA held its annual meeting on vaccine strains this week, where experts debated whether updated COVID-19 vaccines should target a specific virus strain. However, new FDA leaders have introduced a framework limiting vaccine access to adults 65 and older with severe medical conditions, complicating approval for young people who need the shot. The agency’s decision process would require large, costly trials that could delay vaccine availability. A pediatric expert raised concerns about needing additional clinical trials if a different strain is chosen, but the issue remained unresolved as the meeting concluded.

Brussels, Belgium – The recent arrest of a Palestinian activist in Belgium has raised alarm as the organisation he works for describes the incident as “a form of state harassment”. “They were doing anything they could to keep me,” Khatib told Al Jazeera. The Brussels Public Prosecutor’s Office told Al Jazeera: “Mohammed Khatib was arrested as part of an investigation into events that took place in April 2024. De Moor’s successor, Anneleen Van Bossuyt, supports the initiative to revoke Khatib’s refugee status. The report concluded that the lack of a decision on revoking Khatib’s refugee status suggests insufficient evidence against him.

In response to the 2020 protests after George Floyd's death, LAPD officers ran out of less-lethal projectiles, prompting a human barrier formation. They purchased 2,000 rounds from Safariland, leading to increased unrest and rubber bullet use, which injured many. Settlements related to these incidents cost over $11 million, with pending lawsuits potentially adding tens of millions. Critics argue that police actions have been taken without accountability, undermining efforts to reform or defund the department.

The European Commission fined Apple €500 million for allegedly violating the Digital Markets Act by introducing anti-competitive policies that hindered developers. The fine stems from a 68-page document detailing "anti-steering" rules, including 'scare sheets,' which warned users about privacy issues on external websites. Apple denied these claims and criticized the decision as harmful to innovation, competition, and user privacy, stating it will appeal the decision by June 22.

Google's new AI-driven language learning tools aim to enhance personalization by offering "Tiny Lesson," which connects grammar and vocabulary to real-life scenarios; "Slang Hang," featuring authentic conversations to familiarize users with colloquial expressions; and "Word Cam," utilizing surroundings for visual object recognition. These features challenge competitors like Duolingo by providing dynamic, context-aware learning experiences, while supporting multiple languages and dialects to achieve global reach.

Police said they arrested 28 people after fans of Chelsea and Real Betis clashed several times ahead of Wednesday's Conference League final in the Polish host city of Wroclaw . For much of the day, police officers kept a cordon around Chelsea fans celebrating in the city's main square. There was a large police presence in Wroclaw ahead of Wednesday's Conference League final. Chelsea, twice Champions League winners and six time English top-flight champions, arrive at the final having secured fourth place in the Premier League on Sunday, giving them Champions League football next season. "We are loving every second of this , we're going to celebrate afterwards, and we hope Chelsea fans will cry."

Pope Francis made significant strides in addressing sexual abuse within the Catholic Church during his papacy, but he also faced critical systemic challenges, including a lack of transparency, pressure to act under external force, and inconsistent application of legal standards. These issues have left the church grappling with growing crises across various regions as new cases surface. The next pope will inherit this challenge, tasked with navigating an expanding network of abuse allegations that continue to undermine the Church's moral standing worldwide.

"Rally Against Transgender Rights Impact: Thousands of protesters gather in London to oppose UK Supreme Court ruling limiting gender recognition for transgender women."

Startups Weekly recap: Startups saw significant activity this week, with notable M&A deals, funding rounds, and exits. Employer.com acquired Mainstreet.com in a fintech M&A, while General Fusion laid off 25% of its workforce amid financial struggles. Datadog also expanded its tech ecosystem by acquiring Eppo and Metaplane. Retention issues dogged 11x co-founder Hasan Sukkar as he stepped down as CEO. Meanwhile, VC activity saw NewLimit focus on longevity, raising $130M, and Finom, a neobank, secure $105M in funding. Recraft raised $30M after its AI TurboTax rival hit the milestone of 2 million users, while Blinq raised $25M to replace business cards with digital alternatives.

The race for Donald Trump’s next national security advisor is heating up, with two figures—Marco Rubio and Stephen Miller—who bring vastly different backgrounds to the table. Rubio, a former rival trying to align with Trump’s “Maga” faction, sees himself as already handling dual roles, while Miller, a steadfast Trump enforcer on immigration and foreign policy, has proven his leadership skills within the administration. However, concerns persist about whether Rubio can juggle his role as secretary of state alongside his nascent national security adviser duties, given the long-standing challenges of balancing diplomacy with the demands of being a close Trump ally.

AlphaEvolve, an AI developed by DeepMind, revolutionizes problem-solving through a novel evolutionary approach, integrating Gemini models with an automatic evaluation system to generate and refine solutions. Unlike previous specialized systems, AlphaEvolve offers a versatile, general-purpose solution applicable across any programming or algorithmic challenge. Deployed effectively across Google's extensive operations, it has demonstrated remarkable success, marking a significant leap in AI versatility and precision.

Google has confirmed plans to roll out its AI tool Gemini on Apple devices later this year, following confirmation from Sundar Pichai and Craig Federighi. However, the integration is still tentative, with Apple already incorporating other AI tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT into its ecosystem. Both leaders were cautious in their comments to avoid leaks or misunderstandings, noting that Gemini won't replace ChatGPT but could cater to specific user preferences.

Finnish startup IXI has developed custom-focus smart glasses that use sensors to auto-focus on objects, addressing a critical need for visually impaired individuals. The technology employs liquid crystals to adjust light differently based on eye movements, enabling precise focus without the need for high-tech features or bulky designs. Though still in R&D and lacking formal product launches, IXI aims to disrupt traditional eyewear by offering affordable, effective solutions with potential to transform how people view their surroundings.

Meta is introducing "Llama for Startups," an initiative designed to support U.S.-based companies developing generative AI using its Llama models. Eligible applicants must have under $10 million in funding, at least one developer, and focus on AI applications. The program offers up to $6k per month for six months to offset costs. Meta aims to leverage this effort against competitors like DeepSeek, Google, and Alibaba while addressing setbacks with model performance and infrastructure costs expected to exceed $1 billion this year.

Sharp metal debris from a truck has caused significant disruption on a 30km stretch of the M1 motorway near Sydney's central coast, affecting over 300 vehicles with punctured tyres and leaving drivers in difficult conditions due to rain and darkness. Authorities have dispatched numerous tow trucks and heavy vehicle inspectors to address the incident, which requires extensive efforts to clear. While the truck had previously experienced similar incidents, the cause of this latest metal debris leak remains unclear. The incident has resulted in traffic delays and lane closures, prompting motorists to allow extra time and stay away from the area.

Church fans are in for a treat! Justin Bieber's pastor, Judah Smith, is cracking jokes about his church being labeled a cult during an Instagram moment captured by paparazzi. Smith quipped that if Churchome were indeed a cult, it’d be one of the worst ever. He even joked about bringing out "snakes" for rituals, though he admitted he probably shouldn’t have made the comment given the potential fallout. Meanwhile, sources suggest Justin Bieber’s partner felt Churchome was a cult before adding Judah to his board, despite their existing tensions. paparazzi captured Smith doing a quick "haiku" in response, with his pastor laughing from behind the pulpit.

NASA is exploring significant reductions to its ISS operations, driven by budget constraints, including cutting crew sizes and extending mission durations. Crew Dragon missions will now send only three astronauts instead of four, starting with Crew-12 in February 2026, while ISS stays put for eight months per mission. Upgrades to key instruments like the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer are also on hold. These changes mirror a broader plan by NASA, aligning with budget proposals aimed at safely decommissioning the ISS by 2030 and transitioning to commercial space stations. Cost savings could reach $508 million annually but remain preliminary.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation closed its four aid centers on Wednesday due to an attack by Israeli forces near one of the sites, following days of deadly shootings and international criticism. They announced a temporary closure for maintenance until Thursday but later extended it, citing ongoing security work on access roads. The foundation also warned Palestinians not to approach the sites or adjacent roads, which are now considered "combat zones."

Bill Owens, executive producer of *60 Minutes*, resigned amid growing tensions over conflicts with his former employer, Paramount, following a heated dispute over an interview with Kamala Harris. He reportedly refused to provide raw footage and full transcripts requested by Republican allies in the current administration. Meanwhile, President Trump is suing CBS, alleging intentional distortion of coverage of the Harris interview, which could further challenge the show’s commitment to independent journalism principles. The potential sale of Paramount to Oracle ties into broader debates about media consolidation and the future of investigative journalism as the fallout continues.

The gender pay gap at over 100 Commonwealth public sector employers, including the ABC, has been revealed for the first time, with an average disparity of nearly 9.8%, placing it above the national average but behind some private companies like the Guardian and News Ltd. Public sector workers are more likely to work full-time (82%) compared to private sector employees (55%), and while nearly half of public sector employers have pay gaps within a target range of +/-5%, only 31% in the private sector do so. The gap is partly addressed by the Public Service Act's focus on gender balance, though challenges remain, such as men taking parental leave at a lower rate than women.

The secretive papal election process came to an end when Pope Leo XIV was introduced on Thursday, but as historian Joelle Rollo-Koster notes, the oath of secrecy is often maintained for a brief, unofficial period. The next few days promise a mix of private decisions and public presentations as the new pope navigates his role in the Catholic Church.

Polish documentaries are gaining international recognition through the Millennium Docs Against Gravity festival in Warsaw. Inspired by Verona's love letter tradition, the festival features masterclasses and cash prizes, with winners like those selected for the Visioni dal Mondo Award earning global exposure. Since its launch four years ago, MDAG Industry has become a hub for Polish filmmakers to pitch their projects at a new international market while building connections with industry professionals.

Mariano Rivera, the legendary Yankee closer, and his wife Clara have become named defendants in a civil lawsuit alleging their church, *Refuge of Hope*, failed to protect a girl from sexual abuse by older children attending summer camps and events in 2018. The girl’s mother brought the case after learning about the alleged abuse, with the lawsuit accusing the church and a related LLC of not taking action despite being notified earlier that year. No criminal charges have been filed against the Riveras, though they deny any knowledge of the allegations.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) faced a leadership shake-up just days before hurricane season when Acting Administrator Cameron Hamilton was replaced by former Marine Corps officer David Richardson, who lacks experience in managing natural disasters but currently serves at DHS. Hamilton, who testified on Capitol Hill, criticized plans to dismantle Fema and expressed support for its continued operations despite Trump's criticisms of the agency. POLITICO reported that Fema staff were notified of the leadership change via a brief email earlier in the week.

As President Trump continues to surprise the world with his diverse business ventures, including investments in Bitcoin through his company Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG), it’s notable that TMTG has raised $2.5 billion to amass a Bitcoin treasury. Initially denying such a move, TMTG later agreed to sell equity and take on debt to invest heavily in Bitcoin, signaling a significant pivot toward cryptocurrencies. This trend aligns with the broader pattern of the Trump family engaging in crypto ventures across multiple platforms, including their own cryptocurrency coins, partnerships with companies like Crypto.com, and subsidiaries focused on Bitcoin mining or public listing plans.

Real Madrid has secured a major transfer by signing Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth. The 20-year-old international centre-back made his debut for Spain in March and already holds internationals with Italy and Japan. Huijsen, who joined Bournemouth from Juventus and previously played in the Premier League with both club, will join Real Madrid on a five-year contract starting in June 2025. The transfer was finalized to ensure he remains available for the Club World Cup this summer. Madrid is also reportedly targeting full-backs ahead of the tournament, while Huijsen's signing comes as they tackle significant defensive injuries this season.

Ian Schieffelin, a Clemson basketball player who chose college football over his potential pro basketball career under coach Dabo Swinney, surprised many by accepting an offer to play for the team instead of pursuing his senior season in篮球. The 6-foot-8 forward, averaging high averages last season, decided after talking with Swinney that football was now his focus. He expressed excitement about learning the game from legendary coaches like Kyle Richardson while acknowledging the challenges of transitioning from basketball to football over the next six months.

Chore jackets have gone from being utilitarian workwear worn by factory workers a century ago to becoming symbols of authenticity and individuality in contemporary fashion. Evolving through time, these jackets remain as versatile today as they were decades ago, blending practicality with modern flair. Their enduring popularity lies in their ability to connect with both the past and present, offering a sense of nostalgia while embodying a connection to blue-collar roots that still resonates with today’s middle class. Whether vintage or newly designed, chore jackets continue to capture the essence of labor and heritage, making them a timeless and beloved choice for fashion enthusiasts.

GLP-1 drugs can help a wide spectrum of people lose weight, but their risks are likely justified for only a smaller subset of Americans. Reduce visceral fat, and these conditions can be prevented or even, in certain cases, treated. GLP-1 drugs are remarkably effective at reducing visceral fat. The strongest case for use of GLP-1s, then, is in people with excess visceral fat who have begun to suffer its consequences. GLP-1 drugs are not a panacea.

Hassabis described today’s AI trajectory as being on an “exponential curve of improvement,” fueled by growing interest, talent, and resources entering the field. Product manager Bibbo Shu underscored Astra’s unique design: an AI that can “see, hear, and chat about anything”—a marked step toward embodied AI systems. Gemini: Toward actionable AIThe broadcast also featured Gemini, DeepMind’s AI system being trained not only to interpret the world but also to act in it—completing tasks like booking tickets and shopping online. Hassabis said Gemini is a step toward AGI: an AI with a human-like ability to navigate and operate in complex environments. These integrations support Google’s growing ambitions in applied AI, though they fall outside the scope of what was directly covered in the interview.

The US and China are set to release a joint statement outlining progress from their two-day trade talks in Switzerland, aimed at easing tensions exacerbated by Trump's tariffs and China's retaliatory measures. Both nations expressed satisfaction with the developments, though they acknowledge lingering differences. However, both sides remain cautious about unilaterally lowering tariffs, recognizing potential repercussions from China if such actions are taken. The discussions mark a tentative step toward de-escalation, but significant changes in trade relations between the US and China are still uncertain.

The match between Spain and England saw the Spanish team secure a 2-1 victory. The game was decided in the final minutes after England's substitutes Georgia Stanway and Lucy Bronze were replaced with Clàudia Pina making two crucial goals, which sealed the win for Spain. Despite an early goal from Alessia Russo, both teams made significant changes that ultimately tipped the balance in favor of the Spanish side.

ARX Robotics, a German defence tech startup, has secured €31 million to scale production of its autonomous battlefield robots, which resemble mini-tanks without guns. These robots, enhanced by their Mithras OS software, aim to modernize military vehicles with AI and autonomy. Marc Wietfeld, the co-founder and CEO, plans for ARX to become Europe's leading provider in this field. The company has already delivered 30 robots to Ukraine during the conflict and is testing its technology across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, and the UK as part of larger EU initiatives.

Boston Red Sox fans hold out hope as top prospect Roman Anthony continues his impressive college pitching career. Anthony, ranked No. 1 by ESPN among prospects, hit a historic 497-foot grand slam during Triple-A Worcester's game against Rochester, extending his major league-leading home run streak and setting a new season record with the longest minor league homer in history. The pitch, clocked at 91.1 mph from Carlos Romero, outstripped any major leaguer this season according to Statcast, with only Mike Trout's 484-footer in April matching its length. Anthony, a second-round draft pick of the Red Sox, is batting .290 with 10 home runs and 29 RBIs in just 57 games so far this season.

Antonio Bellocco and Andrea Beretta were the leaders of the Curva Nord, a group of hardcore supporters of the legendary Inter Milan soccer club. Investigators concluded that the fan clubs of the Milan teams were run by the Italian mafia. The case illustrates in remarkable detail how criminals had co-opted the fan club of one of the world’s most famous teams.

Surprise! DC Co-CEO James Gunn and Peacemaker stars like John Cena reportedly learned early that HBO Max is rebranding from "HBO Max" to just "Max." Gunn, in real-time televideo, gets perplexed when the script refers to it as "HBO Max," only to joke about it later. Meanwhile, Cena shares the news with crew members, adding a layer of confusion and humor to the situation.

OpenAI has launched two new models, o3 and o4-mini, with enhanced reasoning abilities and access to various tools such as web browsing, coding, and visual analysis. These models replace the previous o1 and o3-mini versions and are initially available for paid ChatGPT users. Free users can try the o4-mini model via the "Think" option. The CEO has announced an upcoming release of o3-pro for pro tier users. Developers have access through APIs, with some models requiring verification. These new models offer improved efficiency and are designed for complex analysis (o3) and speed (o4-mini).

It's quite the twist that President Trump would influence a high-profile NFL draft pick—something as unusual as a White House press secretary making light of her potential NFL career being linked to his draft tantrum. Karoline Leavitt, Shedeur Sanders, quipped that while the facts do indeed speak for themselves after Trump took a Hall of Fame quarterback early in Day 1, it's unclear if he intended to speed up the process, as her long-term NFL ambitions were delayed until Day 3. Meanwhile, tweets from The Spectator Index highlighted Trump questioning whether NFL owners were "stupid" not to draft the star quarterback, sparking further debate on the impact of his comment.

A senior Swedish diplomat has been arrested on charges of espionage after potential ties were suggested to the recent resignation of national security adviser Tobias Thyberg, who was ousted due to intimate photos from Grindr. Authorities are investigating whether the diplomat's actions during Thyberg's tenure as ambassador could be linked to his abrupt exit, while authorities remain cautious and seek further information without prematurely revealing details about the ongoing investigation.

Gary Trent Jr. electrified the game with nine 3-pointers and a career-high 37 points, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a thrilling Game 3 victory over the Indiana Pacers despite trailing at halftime. His impact was pivotal as he and Giannis Antetokounmpo combined for crucial buckets early in the third quarter, propelling the Bucks to an 117-101 win and tying the series at 2-1.