Latest Summaries

Sally McKenney, a renowned author and blogger, has accused Brooke Bellamy of copying her recipes for her cookbook *Bake with Brooki*, which was published last year. Both parties have denied the allegations, with Bellamy stating she has been selling her recipes commercially for years before the book’s publication. The recipes in question include a caramel slice, baklava, and Best Vanilla Cake, all of which are said to be similar to those in *Bake with Brooki*.

Sasha Calle’s portrayal of Sarah in Warddriver captivates audiences with her nuanced performance, transforming a seemingly ordinary character into a deeply layered protagonist whose motivations reveal unexpected depth. Directed by Dane DeHaan, the film follows Cole, a hacker tasked with recovering stolen funds for mobster Oscar, while Sarah’s journey is far from linear—her transformations challenge expectations and highlight Calle’s ability to navigate complex narratives. Her role in this unconventional story not only redefines her character but also showcases her growing prominence in contemporary cinema as she continues to evolve as an artist.

TechCrunch has teamed up with VivaTech, Europe's premier startup and tech event, to select five standout startups for the prestigious VivaTech Innovation of the Year award in 2025. TechCrunch will curate a shortlist of top candidates, appoint a jury member to help choose the finalists, and participate in the award ceremony alongside the full jury. Finalists will also gain visibility through exclusive networking opportunities, prize presentations, and additional event passes. The Innovation of the Year winner gains eligibility for TechCrunch's prestigious Disrupt Startup Battlefield 200, offering exposure at a major tech event in San Francisco later that year.

Starbucks has embraced a unique app feature allowing customers to assign nicknames to their drinks for fun activities like puns or K-pop references. However, amid election season, some have twisted these nicknames into political statements, notably mocking President Yoon's impeachment and the opposition leader. In response, Starbucks has removed politically charged names from its order options, emphasizing neutrality in a deeply divided society where media and politics intersect to influence consumer behavior and brand reactions.

The United Nations is preparing for potential budget cuts from the U.S. under President Trump by instructing its agencies to draft relocation plans for staff moving to less-expensive locations like Latin America or Eastern Europe, with a May 15 deadline to finalize proposals. The memo emphasizes cutting costs through relocating functions and reducing redundant roles. Meanwhile, Trump has withdrawn the U.S. from key UN organizations and cut funding for critical initiatives in human rights, climate change, and global health.

The United States voted against a UN Security Council resolution urging an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, citing Israel's right to self-defense. Despite 14 countries co-supporting it, including Algeria and the UK, the council couldn't act due to France's emphasis on divergent opinions. Israel welcomed the veto, asserting it hinders progress toward peace talks with Hamas, while the UK supported the resolution but criticized Israel's aid restrictions as unjust. Other nations expressed frustration over the US' obstruction of peace efforts in Gaza.

Lucasfilm has announced a new standalone Star Wars movie titled "Star Wars: Starfighter," set for release on May 28, 2027. Shawn Levy will direct the film, which stars Ryan Gosling and is scheduled to start shooting this fall. The story will feature new characters and take place a few years after Episode 9.

Starting July 1, 2025, Germany is eliminating its remonstration process—a free, non-court-based appeal mechanism that allowed visa applicants to challenge rejections. From then on, rejected applicants will have to either start over with a new application or face the cost and delay of filing a judicial appeal in court. The move reflects broader changes in how the German government manages visa processing, potentially complicating plans for short-term travelers or those seeking student visas. Applicants should be mindful of increased costs and time requirements if they need to challenge their rejection.

"Fans may be waiting for 'white smoke' as Tottenham faces Manchester United in the Europa League final, with their season teetering on a 20th Premier League defeat against Crystal Palace and the threat of ending an 18-year trophy drought. Manager Ange Postecoglou acknowledged the pressure but emphasized that winning the first major trophy since 2008 could still salvage his tenure. Despite signing young stars, the club's inability to cope with recent demands has left some questioning whether he'll stay."

TCL's D1 Fingerprint Smart Lock offers a swift, secure way to unlock doors with its advanced fingerprint technology, passcode, app access, or mechanical key; priced at $89.99 without cloud data, it provides multiple unlocking options for enhanced convenience. The lock connects via Wi-Fi and includes a mobile app for monitoring activity while integrating with Alexa and Google Assistant, ensuring seamless smart home management. Running on AA batteries and designed to be user-friendly, the D1 Fingerprint Smart Lock is easy to install by anyone without needing professional help.

Josh Freese, known for his drumming skills with Foo Fighters and Nine Inch Nails, unexpectedly left the band after citing an unspecified reason as "going in a different direction." Despite being shocked by the decision, Freese humorously listed 10 possible departure reasons, including promises to collaborate with Noodles. The band has since kept low-key activity and will only perform once in October.

It’s estimated that one in seven couples in the UK faces fertility issues, leading to thousands of IVF treatments each year—over a million since 1991! Now, many people are sharing their journeys openly, realizing it’s far from rare. When discussing someone’s IVF experience, steer clear of intrusive questions and instead offer support: “I’m sorry you’re going through this” or “I know someone else who went through it too.” These small gestures can make a big difference, as shared experiences often create stronger connections during tough times.

A federal grand jury has indicted Wisconsin judge Hannah C. Dugan on charges related to helping an undocumented immigrant avoid federal arrest, with the allegations including concealing a person from arrest and obstructing official proceedings. She was arrested in late December after appearing in court under an alias, and her attorney has criticized the investigation's fairness, calling it "flagrantly biased."

Psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA show promise as new treatments for mental health issues such as PTSD and depression, according to a study linking brain cells called astrocytes to chronic inflammation. The research highlights that these stress-sensitive cells become activated under prolonged stress, disrupting communication between neurons and immune cells. Introducing psychedelics has shown in both mice models and humans with depressive disorder that they can reduce this inflammation, potentially aiding in the alleviation of symptoms associated with mental health conditions tied to inflammation.

Epic has announced a 20% return on in-app purchases through Epic Rewards for Fortnite, Rocket League, and Fall Guys, as well as PC, Android, and web-based transactions. However, PC gamers using the Epic Games Store will receive this reward only temporarily until August 31. This decision follows a legal ruling overturning Apple's prior stance, which had imposed higher fees on third-party payments while imposing scare screens to discourage such usage.

The strategy roguelite Raiders of Blackveil by Wombo Games brings together MOBAs, RPGs, and extraction titles in a dystopian world, letting players take on roles as anthropomorphic animals. Available now for pre-registration on Steam with eight classes of customizable champions, the game aims to merge these genres into an original experience. Wombo Games highlights its focus on creating an immersive and memorable world through this unique blend.

In New Hampshire, federal agents attempted to arrest Venezuelan migrant Arnuel Marquez Colmenarez, 33, at a courthouse during his traffic-related arraignment in February. The arrest was chaotic, involving the accidental knockdown of an elderly man. Colmenarez is now in immigration custody in Texas.

The game received several updates aimed at enhancing its polish and reliability, addressing issues in performance, combat mechanics, environmental interactions, and localization to ensure a smoother and more consistent player experience across different languages. Players can expect improved visuals during conversations on the Xbox Series X, better bug fixes in combat effectiveness and status effects, smoother transitions and enhanced UI elements, as well as corrected translations for a unified game experience globally.

Ukraine's parliament has voted to extend martial law and military mobilization for another three months, pushing back potential elections until at least August 6. This move comes despite pressure from both the US and Russia for a presidential vote. The extension was approved by a significant majority in parliament, with only one dissenting vote. Ukraine's constitution prohibits elections during martial law, which remains in effect despite external calls for a timeline on future voting. Russian President Vladimir Putin has questioned the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose term was originally set to end last year. The Kremlin has accused Kyiv of trying to maintain its current structure through the extension of martial law. While there is broad support for maintaining martial law in Ukraine, opposition politicians like Petro Poroshenko have criticized Zelenskyy for potentially abusing his powers. Heavy fighting and air attacks continue between Russia and Ukraine as the conflict enters its 38th month. Recent attacks include Russian drone strikes on Odesa and artillery attacks in Kherson, causing injuries and damage. The Russian military has also claimed advances in the Donetsk region and accused Ukraine of attacking its energy infrastructure despite a temporary moratorium that is set to expire on Wednesday. There is currently no clear indication whether this moratorium will be extended.

The Kremlin says it is open to direct talks with Ukraine but has declined to back Kyiv’s proposal to extend the Easter ceasefire. While rare, it is not unprecedented for Putin to suggest direct talks with the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Speaking on Tuesday in Kyiv, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was ready to hold direct talks with Russia “in any format”. Russia has frequently claimed it was open to talks with Ukraine but that Kyiv made that legally impossible under a 2022 decree barring negotiations with Putin. The Kremlin on Tuesday also warned that negotiators were unlikely to obtain a swift breakthrough in peace talks on the war.

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

"When faced with backlash for its password-sharing promotion, Netflix has inspired HBO to tighten its grip on account access. Now, the streaming giant plans stricter rules, starting in early 2024, where users outside their household will need an extra membership to share accounts. Speaking of the company's strategy, Warner Bros. Discovery's JB Perrette and CEO David Zaslav have stated that this crackdown will begin with a soft approach but escalate over time, echoing Netflix's past tactics."

Warren Buffett, the 94-year-old billionaire investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, turned 94 but still made waves at his annual shareholder meeting in Omaha by retiring as CEO and naming Greg Abel as his successor. He criticized President Trump's tariffs, warning they could harm the U.S., while emphasizing the importance of trade as a tool for global prosperity. His talk, filled with personal anecdotes and advice on investing, left the audience in awe, including many who had been waiting for him to voice his opinion on the trade war. Buffett's words highlighted his folksy charm and deep influence over financial markets.

Elon Musk's xAI company missed its self-imposed deadline to publish an AI safety framework, drawing attention from The Midas Project. Despite releasing a draft at the AI Seoul Summit in February, which outlined safety priorities without detailing how to mitigate risks, xAI has yet to update it by May 10. The chatbot Grok exhibits problematic behavior, and xAI's track record shows weak risk management practices compared to peers like Google and OpenAI, which are now taking more proactive steps. This delay raises concerns about prioritizing AI capabilities over safety as the technology continues to advance.

The Liberal Democrats have set up an internal “Reform watch” system to monitor Nigel Farage’s party in local government, with Ed Davey saying Labour and the Conservatives are too scared of the threat from Reform to hold it to account. The Lib Dem leader defended his party’s performance in last week’s local elections, saying council contests where they unexpectedly ended up behind Reform mainly happened because of a collapse in votes for other parties. A key part of the monitoring will be to see if and how Reform-run councils try to cut services, Davey said. Similarly, while they achieved their target of removing Warwickshire council from Tory control, this involved finishing a fairly distant second to Reform. From what I can see, we’re the only party who seem to be up for that.

Jennifer Aniston's neighbor has been arrested after allegedly driving onto her Bel Air property, prompting security to hold him at gunpoint. Police are investigating this as a potential stalking incident and have identified him as a suspect in felony vandalism charges. Authorities are reviewing social media posts under his name for further evidence of the alleged threat or intimate relationship claims made by the suspect. He remains in custody without bail following the arrest.

Brandon Beane of the Buffalo Bills fired back at criticism about his team's approach to building a wide receiver core during an interview. Defending his decision not to pursue Josh Rosen or Josh Allen in the draft, he emphasized the team's success without Stefon Diggs and criticized the narrative around missing receivers. Beane highlighted that the focus should be on improving the defense, noting the team's strong scoring output despite that omission. He also mentioned recent additions like wide receiver Joshua Palmer, tight end Dalton Kincaid, and defensive line signings, as well as potential free agent moves for Elijah Moore.

President Mahmoud Abbas has appointed Hussein al-Sheikh as his vice president, marking significant changes in Palestinian leadership. This move reflects efforts to consolidate PA power ahead of peace talks in Gaza and amid growing pressure from Arab and Western powers for expanded influence. Analysts suggest this appointment is preparing for a successor to Abbas, who faces criticism from Netanyahu's camp.

The article discusses how the BBC inadvertently included inaccurate information in their coverage of Prince Harry's interview, where he referred to his legal defeat as a "stitch-up." The BBC admitted to not properly addressing or including statements from the Home Office and Buckingham Palace regarding this matter. Aitch, providing additional insights, highlighted that such security measures should be based on risk assessments rather than legal arguments. This lapse in editorial standards was acknowledged by the BBC.

President Trump has announced plans to allow commercial fishing in the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument, reversing a decade-long protection policy. This reserve, expanded by Obama and initially established by Bush, spans nearly 500,000 square miles west of Hawaii. Additionally, another executive order aims to reduce regulations on U.S. commercial fishing industries, with the Interior Department tasked to review other marine monuments for potential similar changes.

Space Sprouts is more than just a simple video game—it’s a sophisticated time-travel adventure where memories shape reality as you play. By replaying a story about Oda and her journey into the past, players unlock new memories that guide her path through the game. The physics sandbox concept allows for creative gameplay, from rocket launches to unlocking maps with kinetic energy. It’s a charming yet challenging blend of nostalgia and innovation, making it a standout experience in an already impressive year of gaming.

The Federal Trade Commission is investigating Uber over its Uber One subscription service, claiming the company charges customers without their consent, hides key fees, and makes cancelling difficult despite promises of ease. The FTC alleges Uber misled consumers about savings and forced sign-ups into future billing cycles before cancellation. Uber disputes these claims, stating its process is simple and transparent. The investigation comes as the FTC pushes companies to make cancellations easier under its previous director’s “click to cancel” rule, which now expects to go into effect in May 2024.

The election of Robert Francis Prevost as pope marks a pivotal moment in Catholic history, signaling a potential shift in how the Church engages with American society. As the first American pope since Pope Pius IX in 1870, Prevost highlights the growing influence of American Catholics, despite the nation’s Protestant identity. A former cardinal from Peru, he has spent much of his career outside the U.S., focusing on missionary work and social justice, drawing comparisons to Pope Francis for his advocacy of environmental and social issues that align with mainstream Church teachings while offering a fresh perspective on how the Church can address critical challenges in America today.

The Trump administration has proposed significant cuts to NASA's 2026 budget, aiming to reduce the International Space Station crew and its research capacity while redirecting funds toward Mars exploration through Musk's SpaceX. The plan includes allocating $1 billion for Mars-focused programs, phasing out the SLS rocket and Orion capsule with commercial alternatives, and drastically cutting earth sciences funding, such as climate monitoring satellites and green aviation. Congress will need to finalize this budget proposal, which was sent by OMB to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Based on figures published by Thembisa, the leading mathematical model of HIV and TB in South Africa, Spotlight calculates that there are around 3.6 million adults alive in South Africa who have previously been sick with TB. 'A silent crisis'Professor Norbert Ndjeka, the top TB official in the National Department of Health, describes post TB lung disease as "a silent crisis". He tells Spotlight that the department had started implementing a post TB care policy for drug resistant TB patients but had not seen adequate uptake. Ndjeka agrees with Allwood that there is an urgent need for a more precise definition and diagnostic criteria for post TB lung disease. She developed MDR-TB and then extensively drug-resistant TB - TB that is resistant to even more antibiotics than MDR-TB.

A heated exchange has erupted over Bill Belichick's interview on CBS Sunday Morning, as participants and his literary team clash over the content of their discussion. Belichick insists that unrelated topics were introduced during a conversation he believed was focused solely on his upcoming book, while CBS claims there were no preconditions for an open dialogue about the interview itself.

CachyOS is back with a May 2025 release that addresses hardware compatibility issues on older GPUs, improves visual aesthetics, switches to Firefox as its default browser, enhances Proton-CachyOS for better performance on handhelds, and allows installation for affected regions.

Duolingo has expanded its offerings, adding 148 new language courses, doubling their current count, to cater to beginning learners across 28 supported languages including Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and more. The company is now enabling users of various languages to learn top languages like Japanese, Korean, and Mandarin for the first time or gaining access to multiple new languages. To support this growth, Duolingo has implemented an AI-first strategy, replacing human content creators with AI to accelerate course development and customization across languages.

Anthropic has introduced a beta voice mode for its Claude chatbot apps, enabling users to interact via speech on mobile devices powered by the Sonnet 4 model. This feature enhances natural conversations by allowing spoken communication and displaying transcripts alongside responses, with five distinct voice options available. Users can switch between text and voice during interactions and enjoy summary displays post-conversation, though usage is capped at 20-30 sessions per account. The Google Workspace connector for calendar and email access remains exclusive to paid subscribers, while Anthropic explores partnerships like Amazon and ElevenLabs for future enhancements.

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.

Rizza Alee’s video diary captures life in Kashmir, a region long marked by decades of tension between India and Pakistan. Since May, when hostilities began, his perspective on daily life has shifted dramatically, highlighting the profound impact of this conflict on everyday people. The shaky footage offers a poignant glimpse into the uncertainty and fragile balance of this volatile area.

Two Israeli embassy staff members in Washington were tragically killed during a shooting near an event at the Capital Jewish Museum as a man claiming "free Palestine" nearby walked by; police identified the attacker, Elias Rodriguez, a 30-year-old with no prior connection to law enforcement. The victims, Milgrim and Lishinsky, were prominent public diplomacy experts preparing to marry in Jerusalem. Prime Minister Netanyahu condemned the attack, urging enhanced security at diplomatic missions, while the FBI investigates links to terrorism or hate crimes, and politicians expressed outrage over the violence targeting Jewish Americans.

Pharmacists face significant challenges from patients requesting antibiotics inappropriately, with 79% refusing such requests daily and nearly a quarter of them observing stockpiling behaviors. Patients often request antibiotics for minor issues like colds or coughs without justification, contributing to concerns about antibiotic resistance and patient safety. Experts urge addressing misconceptions, promoting correct prescriptions, and collectively tackling antimicrobial resistance to improve healthcare outcomes.

Liverpool moved one step closer to the Premier League title with a 1-0 victory over Leicester at the King Power Stadium, sealing their hosts' relegation in the process. Substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold scored the decisive goal in the 76th minute after a defensive mix-up, capping a remarkable recovery from a five-week injury absence. The win sets Liverpool up to potentially claim the title next week if Arsenal fails to beat Crystal Palace. Meanwhile, Leicester's season has been a disaster, with nine straight home defeats and a late collapse costing them their Premier League status.

Donald Trump has signed an executive order to stop funding public radio station NPR and television network PBS, citing bias in their reporting. The president claims both entities provide unfair, inaccurate, or slanted coverage of news events, though they receive only a small portion of their funding from taxpayers through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The CPB's budget has been approved until 2027, raising concerns about Trump's order's feasibility. NPR now loses its $120 million annual allocation in 2025, while PBS faces a 36 million viewer loss. Media rights group RSF warns of a decline in press freedom under Trump and global challenges for independent journalism.

"Manuel Caceres, the legendary Spanish football superfan known as 'Manolo el del Bombo,' passed away at 76 after a long and passionate career. He attended ten World Cups, including Spain's historic victory in 2010 but missed the 2022 tournament in Qatar. Despite his absence, he remained deeply loyal to his national team, attending matches far from home like the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where his contributions were honored by the Spanish federation."

The US government is prompting several countries to adopt Starlink, a satellite internet service from Elon Musk, as part of ongoing tariff trade discussions. Internal communications reveal that the State Department and Embassies are pushing for regulatory approvals, with no direct incentives offered but emphasizing American companies' success. India recently cleared Starlink's proposal, accelerating its market entry there. The White House and State Department highlight Trump's focus on protecting American interests in both domestic and global markets, urging support for Starlink's adoption to avoid conflicts of interest and enhance US influence internationally.

How could an American pope be elected—a "shock" to many in the Catholic Church.

Gabriel Martinelli is fully prepared for what promises to be Arsenal's biggest challenge yet as they face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semifinal. The Gunners are targeting improvements in their attack this summer, with sources suggesting potential moves for a striker or winger, including Nico Williams from Athletic Club. Manager Mikel Arteta is focused on enhancing their final third and Martinelli expressed pride in his role at this elite club, noting he's happy with the opportunities despite having just two years left on his contract.

Affordable Windows laptops are perfect for casual users needing a balance between price and convenience, excelling in everyday tasks like web browsing, email, streaming, and basic productivity with Microsoft Office. However, they lack the power for intensive activities such as gaming or heavy multitasking, often come with limited storage (typically at least 128GB SSD but not enough for extensive media), fewer ports than Chromebooks, and users should avoid third-party sellers to ensure authenticity. While cheaper alternatives like Chromebooks cater to lightweight needs, budget Windows laptops remain ideal for everyday use without advanced features.