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This week’s indie game round-up introduces two intriguing gems: *Mansion of a Million Monsters!*, a top-down mystery adventure blending Mario Party elements, and *Sushi Ben*, a slice-of-life VR title featuring fun minigames like fishing and ping pong. Both promise entertainment and are perfect examples of creative indie development.

The Switch 2 launched in Japan and Australia ahead of its June 5 global release, with Nintendo sending final retail hardware directly to Ars Orbiting HQ. Despite a 14-hour lead time between receiving the hardware and midnight launch, Kyle Orland’s unboxing guide was just a pictorial journey due to the tight timeline. The dock for the Switch 2 is thicker and rounded compared to the original, with features like a removable back panel and angle differences from the standard dock. After updating via Wi-Fi, transferring data from the original Switch took about 30 minutes, and some games require save files to be deleted beforehand.

Engadget highlights the Google Pixel 9a as an excellent value for budget-conscious Android users, offering a $100 gift card bonus from popular retailers. Priced at $499 (down to $399 with the discount), it features a vibrant OLED display, high-speed processor, and standout camera tech—comparable to top-tier flagships like the Samsung S25 Ultra but for a fraction of the cost. However, it sacrifices 8GB of RAM and lacks optical zoom, though its plastic design is a minor drawback. Despite these, it remains a compelling option in its price range.

The future of work is being transformed by Microsoft's introduction of its latest AI tools, Copilot Wave 2 Spring, which features new agents designed to function as digital colleagues. These intelligent agents aim to empower employees to collaborate with AI, moving beyond a sole reliance on technology to a more integrated approach where humans and machines work together. The company highlights a significant shift in adoption patterns, with leaders now leading the way in embracing AI-driven strategies, while employees continue to catch up, though falling short by 27 points. The goal is to foster a new era of human-agent collaboration, ultimately redefining productivity and workplace dynamics.

Jannik Sinner's anti-doping suspension shifted focus to Carlos Alcaraz, who secured a thrilling victory over him at the Italian Open, ending his 26-match winning streak and clinching his seventh Masters title. The match highlighted Alcaraz's tactical improvement and resilience, as he bounced back from a challenging early stretch to claim significant honors on clay courts. Now, Alcaraz stands as one of three men since 1990 to win every major clay-court tournament, solidifying his status among top tennis players.

Leon Draisaitl secured his second goal of the game to lift the Edmonton Oilers to a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Florida Panthers in the opening Stanley Cup Final. The Centre (TM) forward scored the game-winning tally on a power play with 31 seconds remaining, capitalizing on a perfect pass from Connor McDavid. "It was just a number of really good plays — great pass by Corey down low to get it to Davo and then obviously a great pass by Davo," Draisaitl said after the game.

"Footage captured an Israeli airstrike hitting a residential area in Beit Lahia as Israel has continued its airstrikes across Gaza since breaking its ceasefire with Hamas last month."

Inflation has taken its toll on household spending in fiscal 2024, with overall consumption dropping for a second straight year. As prices rise, consumers are cutting back on non-essential items like vegetables, meat, and fruits while seeing some categories like rice increase due to price hikes. Transport and communication costs also fell as vehicle shipments dropped amid scandals. Despite these drops, average monthly spending reached ¥304,178 in March, up slightly from the previous month, marking a rare rise after two months of decline. Meanwhile, food支出 remained relatively stable, while entertainment spending rose due to increased demand for personal computers.

Swarthmore College faced significant backlash after suspending six students for setting up an encampment, with four of them being people of color and low-income first-generation students. The administration claimed the protesters violated campus policies but did not respond to a request for comment. Meanwhile, similar antisemitic harassment concerns have led to increased restrictions at other institutions, including Yale and Tulane University, which saw protests disrupted or ended abruptly. Despite these challenges, SJP members plan to remain on campus, emphasizing their commitment to Palestinian solidarity amid ongoing genocidal violence.

Driverless big rigs are poised to hit the road in Texas later this month, with Aurora Innovation's vehicles set to take to Interstate 45 between Dallas and Houston. These autonomous trucks, equipped with sensors and AI-driven software, will operate 24/7 without human drivers. Testing has been rigorous, including closed environments and virtual simulations of real-world conditions. The industry model involves AI providers licensing software to manufacturers for vehicle sales to logistics companies. While initially seen as science fiction, Aurora assures safety advantages over traditional trucks with drivers.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, a rare Republican lawmaker, speaks out against President Trump's excesses and risks her reputation for doing so. As a sitting senator, she appeared in Anchorage amid tribal leaders and nonprofit execs, confronting Trump's autocratic tendencies. Her openness and candor have earned her criticism from colleagues but admiration for her courage. Despite facing physical threats and losing some Republican support, she remains popular in Alaska while advocating for balance against Trump's dominance. Her unwavering stance positions her as a rare voice in the wilderness of U.S. politics.

Climate change poses one of the most pressing challenges of our time. While carbon dioxide remains a dominant greenhouse gas, other potent pollutants like methane, black carbon, hydrofluorocarbons, and tropospheric ozone contribute significantly to current warming despite existing for much shorter periods than CO2. These "super pollutants" account for about 45% of the observed warming today, highlighting their substantial impact as we navigate toward managing global temperatures effectively.

Windows 11 introduces a built-in color picker within the Snipping Tool that offers more functionality than PowerToys but is slightly harder to access with its Win + Shift + S shortcut. It supports HEX, RGB, and HSL modes and allows users to copy code values directly to their clipboard for use in other apps—though PowerToys' simpler Win + Shift + C shortcut remains a quicker option. Despite the minor inconvenience, this feature proves incredibly handy for tasks ranging from graphic design to everyday color selection.

The Google Pixel 9a and Apple iPhone 16e are top budget picks for their respective cameras, but the Pixel 9a excels in detail, color accuracy, and low-light performance compared to the iPhone's single rear camera design. Its dual-camera setup offers superior macro shots and portrait quality, while the iPhone's simpler sensor loses detail in highlights. If you prioritize photo versatility and realistic depictions, especially in challenging lighting, the Pixel 9a is the better choice.

"TikTok's algorithm is reshaping our diet, with supermarket chains now responding to online trends like matcha lattes and Dubai chocolate bars. As brands leverage these viral food ideas, they accelerate product development, seeing items hit shelves weeks ahead of traditional timelines. However, this rapid adoption comes with challenges: rising costs for ingredients like pistachios are driving shortages, while environmental concerns about water use and monoculture farming loom large as trends continue to transform our culinary landscape."

Sweden's first and only Catholic cardinal, Bishop Anders Arborelius, is one of the potential candidates to become Pope after Pope Francis's death. At 75, he can vote in the conclave but remains unlikely to take over, as experts suggest he isn’t well-known enough among the cardinals responsible for choosing a new pope. Meanwhile, popes from Africa and Asia are also being considered, with odds favoring cardinal Luis Tagle of the Philippines becoming the next pope. If Arborelius were elected, he’d be the first Swedish and Scandinavian pope in history—a rare distinction given Sweden’s secular tendencies.

1. A major flaw in NTLM authentication has been exploited by attackers, making it a critical security issue despite Microsoft’s patch. 2. The vulnerability was identified and added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog in late 2025, remaining active for over a week after Microsoft released a fix. 3. Attackers exploited the .library-ms file through a distribution method that spread a Dropbox archive containing exploit code targeting government and private institutions in Poland and Romania, specifically affecting NTLMv2-SSP hashes.

Dana White shares an unsettling photo of UFC featherweight Jack Della Maddalena splitting Belal Muhammad's lip after their recent Welterweight title fight. The brutal injury, including a busted orbital bone and swollen face, is described as "WAR" (War) by White during the match. The photo highlights the severity of Belal's injuries, with his lip hanging in two distinct pieces as he looks on. White emphasizes how the fight was "brutal," while Belal has previously trained with opponents far tougher than Maddalena, giving him an advantage.

In an era of multiple cloud security tools generating over 4,000 alerts monthly, organizations face the "cloud security paradox," where increased threat detection leads to overwhelming alert volumes, causing teams to waste time and resources. A recent survey by ARMO reveals that while many companies use several security tools (63% use more than five), only 13% can effectively correlate alerts across platforms, leading to delays in issue resolution—taking an average of 7.7 to 30 days. The report suggests that unified solutions could improve response times but notes ongoing challenges with silos between teams, complicating communication and detection efforts as cloud adoption grows.

Itsunori Onodera, the Liberal Democratic Party's policy chief, visited Kawaguchi City to address issues involving Kurdish residents and illegal waste dumping. During his inspection, he highlighted the need for local authorities to compile proposals on foreign-related matters for the LDP. City officials revealed similar problems with other foreign workers, underscoring the broader challenge of integrating non-Japanese into Japanese society. Onodera emphasized that order is essential for coexistence among diverse groups.

Netflix has introduced an updated TV experience featuring generative AI for smarter search and recommendations, alongside an improved design aimed at enhancing user accessibility and engagement across desktop and mobile. The new homepage now offers a cleaner interface with more visible shortcuts and a beta feature on iOS that allows users to search using natural language phrases like “funny and upbeat” for shows or movies. These changes reflect Netflix's commitment to providing a seamless and intuitive browsing experience, making it easier for members to discover content they love.

The New Orleans Pelicans have made a splash by bringing in Troy Weaver as their senior VP of basketball operations, a role he's transitioning into from his previous positions at the Washington Wizards. Before that, he held roles with the Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz, Thunder, and篮网, where he was involved in significant draft picks but faced challenges in the NBA draft lottery. The Pelicans aim to strengthen their basketball operations under Weaver’s leadership as they look to improve their roster and success.

The Denver Nuggets' season ended abruptly after losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder, prompting team leader Josh Kroenke to move on from coach Michael Malone and GM Calvin Booth. interim head coach David Adelman, however, received widespread praise for leading his team through a challenging series despite having only three games left in the regular season. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray both commended Adelman's leadership and creativity during what proved to be a pivotal period for the franchise.

Fernando Collor de Mello, Brazil’s first president after 1985 and a key figure in corruption charges, has been arrested by federal police following a Supreme Court justice dismissing his appeals against his conviction, ordering him to serve jail time. The 75-year-old former leader was taken from his planned escape route in Maceio, the Alagoas state capital, early Friday morning while traveling to Brasilia. His lawyer expressed surprise at the decision but confirmed compliance with the order, and he faces corruption charges tied to his alleged receipt of bribes from Petrobras’ then-subsidiary.

The Nintendo Switch 2 has become a high-end console, priced at $449.99, nearly doubling its original price from $300. Delayed by potential tariffs, pre-orders won't begin until April 24. Meanwhile, the Steam Deck starts at $399.99 for its LCD model, with OLED versions costing up to $649.99. While the Switch 2 offers impressive graphics improvements powered by a Tegra T39 SoC and an Ampere GPU, it lags behind the Steam Deck in performance specs like CUDA cores and power budget. Both devices face challenges balancing affordability with hardware upgrades and premium software titles, leaving it unclear which offers better value for money.

More than any other public figure of this century, including Barack Obama (to whom his career bears some similarities), and even Trump, Vance illuminates the larger subject of contemporary America’s character. Vance transformed himself into the fullest incarnation of the Trump reaction—fuller than Trump himself, because Vance is more intelligent and disciplined, less likely to wander and stop making sense. Like Trump, Vance shows no interest in governing on behalf of anyone outside MAGA. To succeed in the world of elites, Vance had to let himself be civilized, at a psychological cost. This article appears in the July 2025 print edition with the headline “The Talented Mr. Vance.” When you buy a book using a link on this page, we receive a commission.

The Xgimi Horizon S Max projector is on sale for $1,899, offering sharp picture quality and an easy-to-set-up design with a rotating stand. Its minimalist port selection and bright performance make it a strong contender in its price range, though some users note limitations like missing Netflix support.

After a ceasefire with India generated significant public support in Pakistan, military leaders find themselves in an unexpectedly favorable position amid nationalistic fervor. The country's opposition challenges the authority of its military, citing recent events like former Prime Minister Imran Khan's detention as a direct threat to its stability. Despite this, the PTI gains traction and support from youth and military personnel, while internal divisions within the party persist, with some refusing to reconcile past actions. The article captures the complex interplay between military success, political discontent, and public sentiment in Pakistan.

The team behind the PS5 Pro reveals that its groundbreaking insulation and cooling system, featuring liquid metal technology with fine grooves for stability, was years in the making. The original research anticipated advancements in semiconductor density, which proved crucial for the next-gen design. Their vision of integrating cutting-edge cooling solutions into the PS5 Pro has paid off, delivering a console built to handle future demands.

Wild weather in Queensland has seen two people hospitalised after lightning struck their homes, while some Anzac Day services have been cancelled due to rain. A spokesperson for the Queensland ambulance service said paramedics had been called early on Friday morning to two incidents north of Brisbane. “Both patients were reportedly inside when the lightning struck their [houses],” the spokesperson said. Paramedics transported a teenager to Caboolture hospital with minor burns after lightning struck a home on Coutts Drive in Burpengary. Anzac Day services were reportedly cancelled in Beachmere, Broadwater and Deception Bay as a result of the poor weather.

Mikaela Shiffrin, a two-time Olympic medalist and prominent Alpine skier from Colorado, has joined the ownership group of Denver's National Women's Soccer League expansion team. Her extensive achievements in skiing and deep connection to her home state have earned her a prominent role in bringing professional women's soccer to Denver. The team plans to launch in 2026 with a temporary stadium southeast of the city, aiming for a permanent venue opening by 2028. This marks the second stadium specifically built for an NWSL team, underscoring the sport's growing presence and Shiffrin's excitement about supporting women's soccer in Colorado.

Keir Starmer's government's 2025 Strategic Defence Review proposes expanding Britain's nuclear arsenal, raising concerns about international non-proliferation and global security risks. This could deepen competition among major powers in nuclear arms races and increase lower-yield tactical nukes' deployment in conflict zones. Critics argue the move risks escalations by shifting from deterrence to rearmament, overlooks nuclear futility and climate change/inflation needs, while emphasizing the moral dilemmas of maintaining arsenals. Calls for pause emphasize the urgency to address deeper security challenges with alternatives rather than escalation.

To grade 30 baseball teams fairly, a structured method ensures balanced evaluation across key metrics. By identifying performance indicators like team wins, home runs, ERA, player stats, and division standings, assigning scores based on relative performance, weighting those categories to emphasize important factors, calculating weighted totals, and converting them into letter grades from A-F, each team receives an informed assessment. For instance, the Los Angeles Angels earned a total score of 49.25, resulting in an 'F' grade. This systematic approach ensures fairness, consistency, and motivation for teams to enhance their performance.

President Trump recently met Syria’s new leader, a move aimed at easing sanctions lifted after years of conflict, potentially boosting Syria's economy and stability. This historic meeting marks the first time in 25 years between the two countries' leaders, signaling progress for Syria's bid to rejoin the international community. Trump emphasized the importance of normalizing relations with Israel and addressing terrorism during the brief conversation before a Saudi Arabia summit. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, attended the meeting as well, underscoring its significance.

Signs of progress in U.S.-Japan trade negotiations, despite lingering disagreements, with Trump’s team rapidly advancing negotiations by releasing 18 proposals and meeting with delegates from 34 countries. Preliminary agreements could soon be finalized with Japan and India, serving as roadmaps for deeper discussions ahead.

Overseas travel to the United States has declined sharply since President Donald Trump returned to office. Some countries have tightened travel advisories, and Trump’s whiplash tariffs have ratcheted up international tensions. “There’s a lot of just waiting and seeing.”Before Trump’s second term, travel to the U.S. was finally rebounding to pre-pandemic levels. The U.S. Travel Association, an industry group, estimates that travel injected $1.3 trillion into the U.S. economy and supported 15 million jobs last year. The administration’s actions “have completely turned the tide for international travel away from the U.S.,” Sacks said.

Mark Daignéault highlighted the Minnesota Timberwolves' tenacity despite Oklahoma City Thunder's early lead in their playoff series, noting their ability to handle high shooting percentages and physicality. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 14-point performance marked his lowest in the series, a notable underperformance. Thunder coach Mark Daignéault acknowledged effective defensive strategies initially but emphasized the need for adaptability against a stronger opponent, while Timberwolves coach Chris Finch praised their resilience despite the loss.

ChatGPT's growing popularity is spurring OpenAI to explore new ways to connect users across apps. The company is gauging developer interest in integrating a "Sign in with ChatGPT" feature, which could become a potential game-changer as it aims to compete with major tech companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft. OpenAI offered Plus users $5 in API credits and Pro users $50 to test this feature, signaling its commitment and urgency to roll out the service within the coming year.

Exciting news for *Andor* fans: season two is landing strong with glowing praise from early viewers. Despite some criticism of its "three episodes=one year" structure, which feels a bit scattered, the series as a whole is described as a standout in Star Wars TV history. Social media reactions are overwhelmingly positive, with many calling it the best *Star Wars* show ever and noting how it enriches future viewings of *Rogue One* and *Star Wars Rebels*. The season's emotional depth, thrilling storytelling, and incredible performances from Diego Luna and Stellan Skarsgård have left fans in awe. More reviews and recaps will follow as episodes drop weekly starting April 21.

Rivr is pioneering last-mile delivery with its autonomous four-wheeled robots designed to tackle the challenging final stretch from vans to customers' doors. Partnering with Veho, a leader in U.S. delivery services, Rivr's pilot in Austin demonstrates how robots can safely and efficiently complement human drivers, especially in dense urban areas where teamwork could boost capacity. The startup aims to expand its vision by scaling its robot fleet from 100 bots next year to thousands by 2027, seeking lessons from their initial success with Veho's operations across the U.S. and now in the UK.

Rihanna revealed she’s expecting her third child with A$AP Rocky as she showed off her baby bump at the Met Gala before entering the Carlyle Hotel. In 2023, they confirmed their second son, Riot, following speculation after her Super Bowl performance. During an interview, Rihanna expressed interest in having more children beyond their current two sons, while A$AP Rocky is preparing for new projects including his album and film.

Jimmie Johnson, the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and one of motorsports’ most decorated drivers, joins forces with WME to expand his influence across brand representation, team ownership, and media, including his Sirius XM podcast “Never Settle” with Marty Smith. Known for his 83 career wins and record-breaking consecutive playoff appearances, Johnson also appeared in films, TV shows, and even voiced an animated lobster named Jimmie on “Bubble Guppies.” Currently a part-time racer driving the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE for Legacy Motor Club, WME will continue to provide strategic support as he balances his racing career with other ventures.

A groundbreaking blood test for Alzheimer’s disease has been approved by U.S. regulators, offering a promising tool for early detection and treatment of the condition—affecting nearly 7 million Americans. Made by Fujirebio Diagnostics, this test detects amyloid protein in the blood, which is linked to the disease's progression. It is cleared for individuals over 55 who exhibit signs or symptoms of Alzheimer’s, marking a significant step toward making treatments more accessible. Notably, the test can identify cases where amyloid begins to accumulate long before symptoms appear, potentially enabling earlier intervention and personalized care.

The article highlights the return of students from Tokyo to Noto Prefecture for their first school trip since an earthquake struck in January 2024. Organized by Ishikawa Prefecture and Kanazawa city, the trip aimed to reintegrate students into learning while observing reconstruction efforts. The students visited educational sites like Shunran no Sato, experienced hydrogen energy initiatives, and participated in traditional rice planting. Principal Tomoyuki Nishida emphasized how these trips foster resilience through interaction with disaster victims and potential future programs for educational recovery.

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery by leveraging an advanced adaptive optics system called "Cona," which has enabled them to capture ultra-sharp images of the Sun's corona for the first time. This innovation adjusts a mirror 2,200 times per second, overcoming a century-long challenge and revealing intricate details like solar prominences, spicules, and coronal rain with unprecedented clarity—down to features as small as 39 miles (63 kilometers). This breakthrough significantly enhances our understanding of the Sun's extreme temperature and holds promise for unlocking deeper mysteries in solar physics.

An OpenAI executive revealed during Google's antitrust trial that the company is considering acquiring Chrome if it becomes available for sale, aiming to create an AI-driven browser experience. The exec stated that such a move would allow OpenAI to introduce users to a future where AI is at the forefront of web browsing. Meanwhile, Google has faced legal pressure from the Justice Department to divest Chrome, while OpenAI has reportedly started developing its own browser after hiring former Google engineers.

Chelsea, after being sold in 2021, quietly concluded a two-year investigation into workplace bullying without disclosing its findings. The review was prompted by 2022 reports of bullying in the marketing department following an article by *The New York Times*. Amid heightened scrutiny due to the suicide of former executive Richard Bignell, Chelsea hinted at potential issues but provided no details or acknowledged wrongdoing. In a letter, they emphasized their commitment to learning from past mistakes and ensuring staff feel supported.

The recent changes to U.S. import tariffs announced by President Trump are set to increase costs for goods imported from China and Hong Kong, including electronics, toys, and clothing. The de minimis exception, which allowed low-valued items to enter the U.S. without duties, is expiring, leading businesses like Shein and Temu to raise prices as they adapt to the new rules. Trump's administration will now impose either a 30% tariff on each imported package or a flat fee of $25 (increasing to $50 starting June 1), marking an escalation in the ongoing trade war with China, which has triggered retaliatory tariffs from Beijing.

A tragic accident occurred at a festival on E. 41st Avenue and Fraser shortly after 8 p.m., resulting in several injuries and fatalities. The driver involved is currently in custody, with further details expected as the investigation progresses.

Pope Francis, affectionately known as Papa Francis, has passed away following a stroke and heart failure. His death certificate revealed he had been in a coma before succumbing to his condition on Monday morning, shortly after meeting Vice President J.D. Vance at the Vatican earlier that Sunday. The pope reportedly wanted to be buried at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome without elaborate decorations, simply engraved with "Franciscus."