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J.R.R. Tolkien’s universe has had few equals in video games, but *Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-earth II* stands out as a pinnacle achievement. The game masterfully blends real-time strategy with the source material, offering stunning visuals, immersive soundtracks, and deeply engaging gameplay. It features two compelling campaigns, reimagined stories starring actors like Hugo Weaving, and a unique incentive to slay Gollum, propelling players toward obtaining the One Ring. With its emotional depth and attention to detail, it remains a standout RTS experience, leaving readers eager for more.

Brad Pitt surprisingly downplayed his and Angelina Jolie's eight-year divorce as "something coming to fruition" rather than a major event, keeping things casual. The couple went public quickly after filing for divorce in 2016, with Jolie accusing Pitt of abuse before he even answered the charges, leading to a legal battle over their shared assets, including their French winery.

Sam Howell has been traded to the Vikings for a pick swap involving draft picks and his services, marking a strategic move by both teams in the NFL. The Vikings acquire Howell, who spent three seasons with the Washington Commanders, as their likely backup quarterback after J.J. McCarthy, the team's current starter candidate, hasn't been named yet. Meanwhile, the Seahawks draft a new quarterback, Jalen Milroe, in the third round, signaling a possible shift in their quarterback competition.

Climate has therefore become an increasingly important consideration in assessing credit score risk, right along with a consumer's debt, income and collateral in the home, according to a new report from First Street, a climate risk assessment firm. Just 10 years from now, as weather events grow more frequent and more destructive, those credit losses could increase to $5.36 billion, representing nearly 30% of foreclosure losses. If lenders start factoring climate into their underwriting, then a consumer's credit score could fall or even rise depending on the risk to their property. "Mortgage markets are now on the front lines of climate risk," said Jeremy Porter, head of climate implications at First Street. "Our modeling demonstrates that physical hazards are already eroding foundational assumptions of loan underwriting, property valuation, and credit servicing—introducing systemic financial risk."

"Composting food waste is a sustainable solution to reduce household waste and lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to landfill. By turning organic scraps into nutrient-rich compost, this method emits fewer gases while supporting local ecosystems. From home compost heaps to worm farms or Fogo bins, there are versatile options for any space, making it easy and rewarding to get started."

Cremation is becoming a popular choice for many families due to its cost-effectiveness, environmental appeal, and alignment with modern consumer preferences. According to the National Funeral Directors Association (N.F.D.A.), cremations now account for about one-third of funeral home revenue, down from traditional burial packages which still make up over half. The growing trend is also driven by staffing shortages in funeral homes, prompting some facilities to raise wages or expand benefits as costs rise.

The European Commission has launched an ambitious initiative called "Choose Europe for Science," aimed at attracting top researchers and scientists from the U.S., especially amid funding cuts from President Trump's administration. The €500 million program includes long-term grants, increased financial support for scientists moving to Europe, and a target of 3% GDP investment in R&D by 2030 across member states. President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that science is key to Europe's future, while acknowledging challenges like complex bureaucracy and the need for a new law to ensure free movement of knowledge and data within the European Union.

Join TechCrunch for a intimate fireside chat with Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of Robinhood and CEO of Aetherflux, as he shares insights from his fintech journey and explores space-based solar energy. Learn how his experience building retail investing giant Robinhood informs his ambitious mission to revolutionize energy production in remote areas. Don’t miss this exclusive event for leaders, investors, and tech enthusiasts at the Quad on June 18.

Like how science has only somewhat recently learned that the microbes in your gut may be the key to unlocking a whole new you. Science is also discovering that one constant source of dirt and grime in our lives may be quietly boosting our immune systems: our pets. All this exposure to what essentially amounts to dirty animals trains the immune system early on, ensuring that a person’s T cells won’t viciously attack every molecule that enters their body. Simply being around animals is a passive, organic form of immune support, and it’s all because when we’re around animals, we become a little less worried about constantly sanitizing everything. Snuggling with your furry companions isn’t just boosting your mood, it’s boosting your immune system, too.

Its architecture – controller, fast-draft models, deep-thinking models, automated evaluators and versioned memory – illustrates the kind of production-grade plumbing that makes autonomous agents safe to deploy at scale. Until then, AlphaEvolve is a best-practice template: If you want agents that touch high-value workloads, you’ll need comparable orchestration, testing and guardrails. Google won’t put a price tag on the reclaimed 0.7%, but its annual capex runs tens of billions of dollars. A high-level overview of the AlphaEvolve agent structure. Over repeated cycles, the agent’s memory of success and failure grows, so it proposes better patches and wastes less compute on dead ends.

The USDA has reinstated climate change-related information removed during President Trump's administration, after a lawsuit argued the removal violated federal laws protecting public access to government records and requiring proper notice. The agency stated it will restore all degraded content within two weeks, including details on forest conservation, clean energy investments, and climate-smart agriculture. A coalition of groups sued to ensure compliance with FOIA, the Paperwork Reduction Act, and Administrative Procedure requirements.

"T. rex once roamed as Earth's apex predator but may soon be repurposed into biodegradable, sustainable 'dino-leather,' sparking interest as a next-gen material for bags, purses, and even Supreme-exclusive memorabilia. Researchers aim to harness the collagen from T. rex to create eco-friendly alternatives, though experts remain skeptical about its scientific validity. Meanwhile, the luxury fashion market could soon see this quirky trend take off, blending prehistoric nostalgia with cutting-edge biotech innovation."

Pope Leo XIII has shown a notable shift in political alignment, voting primarily for Republicans since 2010 but opting for Democrats earlier in his career, as revealed by extensive records from Chicago and Illinois. He has consistently participated in general elections over two decades, casting absentee ballots during key presidential contests while also varying his party affiliations in local primaries.

Austin Russell, the former CEO of lidar startup Luminar who became a billionaire after its IPO, has resigned from his leadership roles after an ethics inquiry. His replacement is Paul Ricci, previously chairman and CEO of Nuance. The board did not provide details about the inquiry's impact on financial results but emphasized that it didn’t affect earnings. Russell remains on the board to assist with transition matters. Meanwhile, Luminar continues to thrive under Ricci’s leadership, making strides in the autonomous vehicle sector following his appointment.

Wealthy individuals in Britain could be avoiding more tax than thought, the government’s spending watchdog has said, after a dramatic fall in the number of penalties being issued to the super-rich. It said HMRC had greatly increased the additional tax revenue it was collecting from wealthy individuals by tackling non-compliance, but additional steps were required to ensure rich people paid their fair share. According to the NAO report, billions of pounds in additional revenue could be collected from wealthy individuals. after newsletter promotionAccording to the NAO report, the population of wealthy individuals that HMRC oversees has grown from 700,000 in 2019-20 to 850,000 in 2023-24. However, ministers provided additional funding for the tax office in the autumn budget, including provision to tackle wealthy offshore non-compliance and fraud.

Son Heung-Min has raised concerns with South Korean authorities after a report suggested a woman threatened him with a false pregnancy claim, alleging he was the victim of blackmail. His agency confirmed the allegations, stating that police are investigating and will share results once they become available. Authorities have arrested two individuals, one in his 40s and another in her 20s, connected to extorting Son using the fabricated claim. Despite the serious allegations, Son remains a prominent figure in South Korea, celebrated for his football achievements in England’s Premier League and his dedication as captain of the national team.

Amazon is establishing a new German parent company as part of its sovereign cloud initiative for Europe, aiming to operate entirely within the EU without any external control. This move comes after similar efforts by tech giants like Microsoft and Google to help comply with privacy laws such as GDPR. The $7.8 billion investment will build the AWS European Sovereign Cloud in Germany by 2040, starting in Brandenburg. Amazon is also creating an advisory board of EU citizens and a dedicated security center. This initiative underscores their commitment to Europe's digital future while maintaining their existing services' security and reliability.

An 67-year-old man who experienced a shocking miscarriage at a now-closed maternity hospital is seeking answers about his own birth parents. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has begun an investigation into the case, apologizing deeply to Satoshi Egura and others involved for the pain caused. Using data from Sumida Ward's family registry system, officials are exploring methods to identify potential birth parents by testing for genetic matches. Satoshi Egura expressed relief upon receiving an official apology and emphasized the need for prompt action to resolve the case as he seeks a chance to meet his biological parents.

Apple TV+ is offering a special deal this month, dropping its price to $3 per month for the first three months, totaling $9. Eligible subscribers must sign up directly with Apple by April 24th, not through third-party providers or mobile services. The promotion expires on April 24 and isn't available for those returning after a 30-day break.

The article highlights a German police crackdown targeting illegal car racing and tuning during Carfreitag (Good Friday). Hotspots include retail car parks, alpine tunnels, and tracks like Nürburgring. Rules prohibit certain activities and enforce strict laws against unauthorized modifications and races. Enthusiasts often engage in dangerous practices such as burn-outs. officially, the police aim to address noise pollution and emissions, with penalties including fines and license revocation. Minister Herbert Reul supports car tuning but emphasizes safety. The trend originated in the US post-1990s films like "The Fast and the Furious" and has grown globally within automotive culture.

The European Commission has approved a joint venture among Japanese, British, and Italian companies to develop a next-generation fighter jet, marking a significant step in regional aerospace collaboration. The deal is between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, BAE Systems, Leonardo SpA, and the Japan Aerospace Industrial Association, aiming to oversee design, manufacturing, and delivery for customers in Japan, the U.K., and Italy. Despite concerns over competition, the approval follows the EC's assessment that the transaction won't impact market dynamics negatively.

Spain’s blackout was not caused by its high reliance on renewable energy, as revealed by the country’s grid operator, REE. Despite accounting for 53% of electricity production from solar power, which is more than double the EU average, the incident highlighted vulnerabilities in the grid and the integration of renewable sources. PM Pedro Sanchez faces criticism for delays in addressing the issue, with opposition calling for an independent investigation. The root cause appears to be insufficient stabilization systems despite investments to upgrade Spain’s power infrastructure.

The Labor Party's campaign claimed CSIRO had priced Australia's nuclear reactors at $600bn, but this figure actually comes from the Smart Energy Council (SEC), not CSIRO. The SEC’s analysis assumes only 11GW of nuclear capacity by 2050, while CSIRO’s models suggest a longer timeline and higher costs for established programs. Experts warn that early reactors could cost up to double due to first-of-the-kind premium factors, complicating Australia's path toward nuclear energy.

The medical world has celebrated a groundbreaking moment as California surgeons performed the first successful bladder transplant, saving the life of 41-year-old Oscar Larrainzar after he lost both his kidneys and bladder due to cancer and kidney disease. This milestone marks a significant step forward in treating severe bladder conditions, offering hope for patients who have faced-terminal bladder issues. Two experienced surgeons, who spent years mastering this complex procedure, demonstrated its feasibility, paving the way for future advancements that could improve quality of life and save countless lives.

The Coalition has refused to detail changes it would make to the national curriculum after Peter Dutton said students were being “indoctrinated” and pledged in his budget reply speech to “restore” a curriculum focused on “critical thinking, responsible citizenship, and common sense”. Instead, she provided a statement which contrasted with Dutton’s strong language that “classrooms should be for education, not indoctrination”. “Primary principal organisations from every sector say the national curriculum is impossible to teach, but Labor has failed to listen to the concerns of educators. The National Catholic Education Commission welcomed the boarding school funding announcement. The national curriculum was last reviewed and updated in 2021-2022, under a federal Coalition government.

The federal government abruptly cut $450 million in grants from Harvard, affecting eight agencies, following accusations of antisemitism and efforts to diversify its academic community. This marks a continuation of prior funding reductions and controversies, with agencies like the DOE, NSF, and DOD sending letters detailing Harvard's handling of diversity initiatives as insufficient. A prominent letter criticized Harvard for not taking immediate action to address past issues, calling its campus an environment where discrimination has become normalized through mere tokenism rather than accountability.

Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen's request to visit Kilmar Ábrego García, a constituent wrongly deported to El Salvador, was denied by the Salvadoran government. Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador to meet with Ábrego García at Cecot, where he is held, but Vice-President Félix Ulloa refused his request. Ulloa cited procedural reasons and suggested that the US embassy should handle communication requests. Van Hollen criticized the Trump administration for lying about Ábrego García's alleged ties to MS-13, calling it an unjust situation. The White House responded by attacking Van Hollen for not prioritizing Maryland constituents at risk from undocumented immigrants. Several Democratic lawmakers plan to visit El Salvador amid growing concerns over the constitutional crisis caused by Trump's refusal to comply with the Supreme Court’s order to facilitate Ábrego García’s return.

Scotland’s STV has made a significant investment in Fan Club, a digital outfit helmed by former Channel 4 exec Joe Churchill, focusing on branded content creation for brands and channel identity development. Churchill joins STV following his exit from Channel 4, where he previously headed commissioning at its social entertainment unit. The deal includes STV increasing its stake in Rumpus Media and expanding its international growth strategy with a target to double revenue by 2030 through its STV Studios, which now operates a new radio station and aims for "15% margin growth."

Poland's conservative nationalist Karol Nawrocki won the presidential runoff, marking a significant shift toward right-wing nationalism amid growing disillusionment with centrist Prime Minister Donald Tusk and underscoring broader European trends where far-right movements are gaining momentum, influenced by former President Trump. The election highlights Poland's deepening political divide and its potential rise to a far-right administration, reflecting generational divides with older voters favoring the center while younger generations lean toward more radical alternatives.

Matscharacter's Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler both faced equipment issues at the PGA Championship as USGA rules flagged their respective drivers for nonconformance during testing. Despite McIlloy being a two-time major champion who recently claimed the career Grand Slam, he reportedly didn’t interact with reporters after his round. Meanwhile, Scheffler acknowledged that while his driver underperformed due to swing mechanics, he advocated for more comprehensive driver testing across the field. The USGA’s adoption of "characteristic time" testing aims to uphold tournament integrity, though opinions vary on its sufficiency in ensuring fair competition.

DOLLY PARTON shared her mixed emotions after learning of her late husband Carl Dean's death, recalling the shock of seeing him at a parade and the overwhelming reaction from a young child who had spotted her. She described how the special Dollywood parades, especially that memorable one, brought tears as she felt the deep love surrounding her during his passing 82 years ago. The article also noted her ongoing emotional struggles posthumuary death, including her new song tribute and continued public appearances reflecting her dedication to her work while coping with grief.

YouTube is set to dominate the TV landscape, having claimed its largest share of viewership with 12.4% in April 2025—a milestone achieved consecutively over three months—up from 12% the prior month and double what it was at this time a year ago. Additionally, YouTube remains the primary device for TV viewing in the U.S., while its partnership with the NFL marks a significant move toward live broadcasting, enhancing its potential to further grow its share of viewership globally.

Todd Chrisley, who served 12 years in federal prison after being convicted of bank fraud and tax evasion charges in 2022, has finally been released. His wife Julie received a 7-year sentence alongside his 12-year term but both only served two years before receiving early parity. Fans can watch their reunion on the upcoming *Lifetime* special as Chrisley celebrates with family after being freed. Legal experts suggest Todd and Julie may not owe restitution, though they’ll likely focus on rebuilding their lives together.

The Nintendo Switch 2 preorder has exploded in demand, leading to significant delays as the company seeks to manage the massive influx of orders. Nintendo delayed the original launch from April 9 to April 24 due to concerns over tariffs, but with a surge in demand exceeding expectations even in Japan, where 2.2 million users pre-ordered before receiving an invitation. In North America, those interested must have a Switch Online membership for at least a year and consent to sharing gameplay data. The website's processing has been chaotic, with many retailers like Amazon lacking order pages or users struggling to place orders.

Erik and Lyle Menendez celebrated their victory in court as a judge invalidated their harsher life-without-parole sentences, reducing them to 50 years-to-life, which they accepted with relief. Despite this improved sentence, their release remains uncertain as Gov. Gavin Newsom's review process continues. Their attorney highlighted the tension between legal advocates and prosecutors over evidence presentation, with D.A. Nathan Hochman opposing any resentencing while his predecessor supported it.

Kazuo Sumi, a former chairman and president of railway operator Hankyu Hanshin Holdings, passed away at 76 after battling health issues. Known for his pivotal role in integrating major Japanese railway firms post-World War II to form Hankyu Hanshin Holdings in 2006, Sumi also contributed significantly to bringing the 2025 Osaka Expo to Osaka and resigning from influential roles in 2024 due to health concerns.

Lady Gaga fans in the West Coast have exciting news: she’s adding seven more dates to her Mayhem Ball Tour this summer, including three in San Francisco and four in Los Angeles. The tour will kick off in North America before heading to Europe. In a statement, Gaga expressed that the album's overwhelming response inspired her to keep touring, calling it "super quick" thanks to her team at Live Nation.

"Meet the Anker SOLIX F3800: a massive portable power station that can handle 6,000W of power—equivalent to running all your home's biggest appliances. Despite weighing 130 pounds, it’s easy to move thanks to its well-engineered wheels and handles. Available for $3,999 on Amazon after a 30% discount, this powerhouse comes with a five-year warranty and supports solar charging, making it an excellent choice for outdoor adventures or emergency backup power."

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake near Chile has triggered a tsunami alert. It struck at 8:58 a.m. Eastern Time off the Drake Passage, prompting authorities to urge residents along the Magallanes coast to evacuate as President Gabriel Boric announced. Schools in the region were closed, but officials later advised people to avoid beaches and boardwalks while the U.S. Tsunami Warning System revised its alert status after registering minimal coastal waves.

Bangladesh's interim government has decided to ban the Awami League, formerly led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, under the Anti-Terrorism Act until its members face trial over charges related to the protests against her rule. A Truth and Reconciliation Commission will be formed to promote national unity amid widespread opposition to the move, which some in the AWAMI League claim is an abuse of power. The decision comes as thousands of protesters remain on the streets, with former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia returning to Bangladesh for the first time since her exile in India.

The spread of Japan’s corporate reforms is gaining momentum in Nagoya, a key industrial hub, with businesses there increasingly confident in their financial health as share prices rise. Toyota and Denso, among other major companies, are central to this region, which holds significant manufacturing capabilities. Data shows companies here hold notably higher net cash reserves compared to other parts of Japan.

Jeremy McGovern's immediate playing future remains uncertain after sustaining head injuries during a game and being referred to an AFL concussion panel for evaluation. Despite suffering multiple concussions in his career, his ongoing symptoms have led to a complex situation requiring expert assessment. His health and wellbeing are the top priority as he navigates this challenging period with his club and medical team.

Donald Trump's executive orders aim to transform U.S. higher education by narrowing its focus on diversity and inclusion, leading to significant funding cuts and scrutiny of accrediting bodies that prioritize "woke" ideologies over merit. Over 150 universities have condemned these actions as overreach, with Harvard even suing the government. Additionally, Trump has announced plans to support historically black colleges and universities to ensure a skilled workforce in AI, though he previously criticized their initiatives. These measures reflect a blend of strict regulatory actions against perceived threats to education while acknowledging the need for innovation in underrepresented fields.

Several samples even exceeded the EPA’s drinking water limits for PFOA and PFOS, two of the most notorious chemicals in the bunch. Your Beer Might Be Laced With Chemicals That Never Leave Your BodyThe answer was yes, and then some. PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are often found in contaminated municipal water. Because beer is mostly water—and breweries often don’t have the systems to filter these compounds out—it’s getting into the final product. So, the team used the EPA’s standards for drinking water to gauge risk, arguing that beer is consumed just as directly.

Intriguingly, influencer Dominique McShain passed away at just 21 after battling colorectal cancer. After sharing her journey on TikTok in May 2024, doctors had given her one to five years left, but by April 2025, her condition worsened rapidly, leading to end-of-life care due to severe liver failure and jaundice. Dominique, who inspired millions with her openness about cancer and awareness efforts on social media, died just weeks before turning 21.

Carlos Santana's concert in San Antonio was postponed due to a medical emergency, with his rep attributing it to dehydration during Tuesday night's performance. He was transported out of the venue on a gurney and placed in an ambulance. Notably, this isn't the first health issue for the singer; he experienced a similar incident in July 2022 but avoided hospitalization then. Despite this setback, Santana still has shows scheduled for later this year as part of his Oneness Tour 2025.

"Leslie Benzies previewed MindsEye, a third-person action-adventure without an open world, featuring user-generated content through its Build MindsEye system. Players can create and share builds simply, with initial curation at launch but allowing player input later. The game also plans for multiplayer features this year and future expansions."

Canada’s federal election poll closures are synchronized across its six time zones, with the earliest polls closing in Newfoundland at 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time, while the most populous provinces in the eastern part of the country vote from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time. In contrast, British Columbia’s westernmost province closes its polls an hour later, at 10 p.m. Eastern Time on election day.

Nike faces a class action lawsuit over its RTFKT project, which was abandoned in 2022 after not gaining traction, leaving customers like the suing group—who bought unregistered NFTs—believing they were misled and cheated when the market crashed. Now managed by Samuel Cardillo, the project attempted to recover with CloneX NFTs but remains unclear if it will succeed without proper legal safeguards.