'Absurd!' Judge blasts Trump executive order targeting top law firm – CNBC
'Absurd!' Judge blasts Trump executive order targeting top law firm – CNBC
‘Absurd!’ Judge blasts Trump executive order targeting top law firm CNBCTrump persecution of WilmerHale ruled unconstitutional Courthouse NewsJudge strikes down Trump order targeting law firm Jenner & Block PoliticoJudge strikes down Trump’s sanctions against Jenner & Block law firm The Washington PostJudge Strikes Down Trump Order Targeting WilmerHale Law Firm The New York Times
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Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault Preview – DualShockers
Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault Preview – DualShockers
Callum Marshall of DualShockers Writes “Mercantile mastery and Roguelike randomness all in one neat package.”
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Second suspect arrested in alleged NYC Bitcoin torture scheme
Second suspect arrested in alleged NYC Bitcoin torture scheme
A second suspect has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping and torturing an Italian tourist in an upscale Manhattan home for weeks in an effort to steal his cryptocurrency.
William Duplessie, 32, turned himself in to authorities on Tuesday after his alleged accomplice was arrested last week.
Their alleged victim told police he was hung off a roof ledge, shocked with electrical wires and attacked with a chainsaw as his attackers demanded he reveal his Bitcoin wallet password.
Both suspects are charged with kidnapping with intent to collect ransom, assault, unlawful imprisonment and other crimes.
The arrests came after the victim managed to escape a home in SoHo, one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in New York, where he was allegedly tortured and bound for nearly three weeks.
According to police, Mr Duplessie is the business partner of John Woeltz, 37, who was arrested on Friday.
Mr Woeltz is a crypto investor from Kentucky and has been renting the SoHo home where the assaults occurred for between $30,000 (£22,000) and $40,000 per month, according to the BBC’s US partner CBS News.
Police also arrested another woman on Friday, but prosecutors have declined to press charges against her.
The alleged victim told police he came to New York from Italy on 6 May, and that upon arriving at the suspect’s house, Mr Woeltz took his passport and allegedly held him captive until he escaped on Friday morning.
The victim, who has not been named publicly, managed to escape from the home on Friday, according to prosecutors.
He reported the attack to police, and has been taken to hospital for treatment.
Police say he had a gun pointed at his head, was struck with the gun, and had threats made on his family as his attackers demanded he reveal his password.
A police search of the home discovered several Polaroid photos of the victim being tied up and tortured, as well as firearms and drugs in the luxury home, police say.
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The Division 2: Battle for Brooklyn DLC Launches
The Division 2: Battle for Brooklyn DLC Launches
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To celebrate The Division 2’s sixth anniversary, Ubisoft shared a dev diary which included a sneak peek at the Battle for Brooklyn DLC, showing off Washington Street, the iconic view of Brooklyn Bridge, along with combat against the Cleaners.
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New Lego Lord Of The Rings & Harry Potter Sets Are Unique Bookshelf Decorations
New Lego Lord Of The Rings & Harry Potter Sets Are Unique Bookshelf Decorations
Lego couldn’t have picked a better reference to use in the Lord of the Rings: Book Nook. The 1,201-piece set features a buildable Balrog figure with a placard that reads: “You shall not pass.” This pays homage to the conversation between Gandalf, who is represented as a Lego minifigure, and a Balrog in the movie adaptation of The Fellowship of the Ring. In the J.R.R. Tolkien novel, the exchange is worded “cannot pass” instead of “shall not pass.”
Lego’s new Book Nook display models can be displayed in multiple different ways. After building the frame that houses Balrog and Gandalf, you can close it like a book, as shown above, and wedge it between two Lord of the Rings books on your bookshelf. Every time you look at it, the Balrog will remind you that you should probably read The Hobbit before The Lord of the Rings.
For big readers who own numerous copies of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, this Lego set looks like a cool way to spice up a shelf filled with collectible editions of Tolkien’s fantasy stories.
That said, it’s also the cheapest Lord of the Rings Lego set in print right now–by a considerable margin. The only other Lord of the Rings Lego sets currently being produced are the 5,471-piece Barad-dur tower for $460, the sprawling 6,167-piece Rivendell replica for $500, and the recently released recreation of The Shire for $270.
For that reason, the Balrog Book Nook could be of interest to fans who read all of their books on Kindle. You can display the Balrog and Gandalf minifigure with the frame unfolded. The base has flames extending upward on both sides of the Balrog. When opened, the Book Nook is 17.5 inches wide, 8.5 inches tall, and 6.5 inches deep. Alternatively, you can remove the Balrog and Gandalf minifigure from the base altogether.
If you need more Lord of the Rings books to keep the Balrog Book Nook company, check out our newly published roundup of new and upcoming Tolkien book box sets and budget-friendly collector’s editions.
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Mazda EZ-60: First details about electric SUV revealed
Mazda EZ-60: First details about electric SUV revealed
The first technical details about the electric version of the Mazda EZ-60 — expected to be called CX-6e in Europe and other export markets — have been revealed in China.
Details submitted by Mazda to China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) as part of the car’s certification process have published by Car News China.
Unveiled at the Shanghai motor show at the end of April, the EZ-60 will go on ***** in China later this year. It could be a breakout hit for the brand as it has already garnered 20,000 refundable deposits.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert
The EZ-60 will be available as a pure electric vehicle (EV) with a 190kW motor driving the rear wheels, and a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery of unknown capacity.
The same 190kW electric motor is used in the EREV version, and it is solely responsible for driving the wheels. Under the bonnet there’s a 72kW 1.5-litre petrol engine that recharges the battery when it runs low, or at the driver’s behest.
A smaller 31.73kWh LFP battery is used in this model, and is said to have a 160km electric-only driving range under the generous CLTC testing standard.
Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert
The EZ-60 is 4850mm long, 1935mm wide, 1620mm tall, and rides on a 2902mm wheelbase. This means it sits somewhere between the 4.74m CX-60 and 5.0m CX-80 in terms of length, and is 45mm wider than both.
Boot space is rated at 350 litres with the rear seats, and grows to 2036L when they’re folded down. The EZ-60 EV also has a 126L storage area under the bonnet — a “frunk” if you will, or maybe a “froot” for us.
On the inside there’s a huge 26.45-inch 5K display serving as the infotainment touchscreen, as well as a display for the front passenger. Interestingly there’s a head up display in place of a more traditional instrumentation screen.
Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert
Co-developed with state-owned automaker Changan, the EZ-60 will be built at their joint venture factory. The EZ-60 rides on Changan’s EPA1 architecture, which underpins various models from Changan and Deepal, including the S07 SUV that went on ***** in Australia at the end of 2024.
The same architecture is also used in the Mazda EZ-6 sedan, which will be sold in Europe as the Mazda 6e and is an electrified, rear-wheel drive successor to the departed 6. The 6e has been confirmed for ***** in the ***, a right-hand drive market like Australia.
There’s no word yet if the EZ-60 will be sold on the Continent and the ***, but reports indicate it will happen and the car will be rebadged as the CX-6e.
Neither the 6e/EZ-6 or the EZ-60/CX-6e have been confirmed for Australia. The last electric vehicle sold in Australia by Mazda was the quirky MX-30 SUV, which featured reverse-hinged rear doors and cork interior trim.
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Rigetti Founder Launches New Quantum Firm to Boost AI
Rigetti Founder Launches New Quantum Firm to Boost AI
Chad Rigetti says his new startup, Sygaldry, will stand out from competitors in the quantum space because those rivals formed their business roadmaps years before AI was widely adopted. Rigetti speaks about his Y Combinator backed company with Caroline Hyde and Ed Ludlow on “Bloomberg Technology.”
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China auto market price war stokes fears of industry shake-out
China auto market price war stokes fears of industry shake-out
FILE PHOTO: A visitor stands next to a BYD Sealion 7 EV car at the 41st Thailand International Motor Expo, in Bangkok, Thailand, November 29, 2024.
Athit Perawongmetha | Reuters
An intensifying auto industry price war in China has stoked fears of a long-anticipated shake-out in the world’s largest car market.
Shares of China’s largest automakers sank Monday after ******** electric-vehicle giant BYD offered fresh discounts across more than a dozen models, and an executive at another car company fretted openly about the country’s deepening price war. BYD’s moves cut the starting price of its cheapest model, the battery-powered Seagull hatchback, to 55,800 yuan ($7,765), from nearly $10,000.
The BYD price cuts, along with other developments, signal a potential tipping point, where weaker players can no longer sustain deepening losses from the downward spiral on prices, said Tu Le, managing director of Sino Auto Insights, an advisory firm.
“This points to a bloodbath later this year,” he said. “This could be the first domino that would finally put pressure on weaker players — startups like Neta and Polestar — that have been teetering.”
On Friday, the chairman of Great Wall Motors, Wei Jianjun, warned that China’s auto sector was in an unhealthy state, with pricing pressure hammering the bottom lines of car companies and suppliers. He even drew a parallel to Evergrande, the ******** property developer that was liquidated last year after a major debt crisis.
“Now, Evergrande in the automobile industry already exists, but it has not collapsed,” he told Sina Finance in an interview.
In another sign of stress in the market, Reuters reported that ******** commerce regulators are examining a growing phenomenon that has also strained the industry: sales of “used cars” that are essentially new cars with zero miles. The tactic is seen as a way for automakers and dealers to hit aggressive sales targets, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters.
BYD Dolphin Surf electric cars are parked infront of the venue where BYD carmaker holds a vehicle presentation event in Berlin, Germany May 21, 2025.
Annegret Hilse | Reuters
The Hong Kong-listed shares of BYD Co Ltd closed 8.6% lower on Monday, while Geely Auto fell 9.5%. Others, such as Nio 9866.HK and Leapmotor 9863.HK, closed between 3% and 8.5% lower.
A slew of startup companies have piled into China’s car market over the past decade, drawn by the burgeoning electric-vehicle sector. The market has grown crowded with cut-throat price competition and most companies sustaining heavy losses.
Of the 169 automakers operating in China today, more than half have less than 0.1% market share, according to data from research firm Jato Dynamics. The crowded field is reminiscent of the U.S. auto sector in the early 20th century, when more than 100 companies vied with big players such as Ford, before the industry consolidated.
Le said the price war has lasted roughly three years. Car makers once enjoyed a premium for advanced features such as driver-assistance systems that take control of steering and braking in certain situations, but now more have been offering these as part of the sticker price.
Last week, China’s state planner cautioned that competition in some industries was getting too heated, with some companies even selling their cars below cost, disrupting fair competition.
On Friday, Wei, the Great Wall chairman, warned the prolonged price war was harming the automotive supply chain. Some suppliers are at risk of going under because of pressure from car companies to lower their prices, he said.
“Some products have been reduced from 220,000 yuan to 120,000 yuan in the past few years,” he said, without naming companies. “What kind of industrial products can be reduced by 100,000 yuan and still have quality assurance?”
Still, predictions of consolidation in China’s car market have gone on for years, but the field has only grown, said Michael Dunne, a consultant who closely follows the China auto industry.
“BYD’s price cuts will drive out some of the weaker players,” he said. “But for every casualty here comes a new Xiaomi or Huawei barreling into the arena.”
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The Star Wars Game Everyone Abandoned Just Broke Its All-Time Player Record on Steam
The Star Wars Game Everyone Abandoned Just Broke Its All-Time Player Record on Steam
Remember EA’s Star Wars multiplayer shooter game, Battlefront 2? Well, seems like the game has gained success, just about either years later though. Still, it’s worth celebrating as it reached the highest concurrent players on Steam just recently.
It isn’t like EA expected the same with the shooter, as it’s been dead for a long time. Will DICE seize the moment and look forward to creating a sequel, or leave the game for good? The chances are slim, but worth getting into following the resurgence of players.
Battlefront 2 came back to life after being six feet under for a long time
DICE is mainly famous for the Battlefield franchise, and they tried their best with Battlefront 2. Alas, that didn’t quite attract a user base thanks to a lot of cheaters. Titanfall 2 saw a similar fate as well, but saw a resurgence in players later on. We’re not here for that to be fair, this one is about Star Wars Battlefront 2‘s revival.
DICE wanted to release a free DLC, but EA launched predatory loot boxes to compensate. This deliberately angered players and caused them to quit the game, which stalled its success. It was a good game, but the loot boxes were the only problem players had.
Now, boycotting a live-service game for lootboxes seems absurd nowadays. Many still do the same, for instance, Ubisoft uses Alpha Packs in Rainbow Six Siege, which is similar to lootboxes. EA’s Apex Legends remains a successful ongoing live service title, which also contains those predatory lootboxes.
Since players are realising their mistakes, Star Wars Battlefront 2 has quickly regained a lot of players. This seems random to regular eyes, but again, the game wasn’t bad. It was fun to play, and players enjoyed it to the fullest. Now that more people are giving it a chance, it should be an opportunity EA shouldn’t miss out on.
Should EA create Battlefront 3 following the recent success?
EA should think about breaking the curse with their trilogies. | Image Credit: Electronic Arts
EA would be wise to revive the Battlefront franchise following its success. The Star Wars franchise is a huge craze, and people can’t get enough of it. For instance, Fortnite recently did a Star Wars collaboration; people are talking about it. Moreover, EA has had a lot of success with their Star Wars Jedi series as well, so it makes sense to make another.
However, that won’t happen soon as DICE is currently working on the next Battlefield game, which is still hush-hush. Maybe they can grab a sandwich after and think of a possibility to create another Battlefront game. But again, EA has a bad reputation when it comes to counting to three with their franchise.
People have been begging EA to release a new Titanfall game, but which has no news. The same happened with the Battlefront franchise back in the early 2000s, only to release a reboot ten years later. Maybe EA should listen to fans once and reconsider continuing the series to break out of the curse that looms above them.
EA should realise they are more than the creators of Need For Speed, Battlefield, and EA Sports games. They have other franchises that just require more love, and fans are ready to support them. All they have to do is stray away from predatory business schemes, and the cash will start flowing in.
Are you playing Star Wars Battlefront 2 recently? Would you like EA to create a successor for the game in the future? Tell us about it in the comments below.
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Future of proposed Pemberton floating sauna in council’s hands with public consultation now closed
Future of proposed Pemberton floating sauna in council’s hands with public consultation now closed
The future of the proposed Pemberton floating sauna is now in the hands of Shire of Manjimup-Bridgetown councillors with public consultation closed.
The unique proposal for the southern foreshore of the Pemberton Swimming Pool came to the shire on April 16, with the public invited to comment.
The floating sauna proposal generated a significant number of submissions coming during public consultation.
The man behind the proposal, Nigel Reeves, said the process had been a “journey” with a mix of positive and negative responses.
However, he said the proposed sauna would only be an upside for the Pemberton community.
Camera IconEntrepreneur Nigel Reeves. Credit: Supplied
Mr Reeves was the first person to bring a woodfired floating sauna to Australia, establishing the country’s first in north-east Tasmania in 2021.
He said that had now taken on it’s own identity as an “iconic” must-do Tasmanian experience.
Mr Reeves said the original Tasmania site shared plenty of similarities with Pemberton and so the sauna experience would suit the town well.
Some people shared concerns about the environmental and heritage impacts the project could have on the Pemberton pool, though Mr Reeves said those were unfounded.
“I’m not digging into the bank — it’s like a boat — you can pull it out of the water, there’s no impact on heritage or anything at the end of the trial,” he said.
“I’ve done everything I can to comply with the planning scheme and the planning regulations. There’s quite a few other reports and plans, and I believe that we’ve met all of the planning requirements.”
Despite his optimism, some took to social media to air their frustrations with the project.
One Pemberton resident, Mary Nixon, said the project was yet another way of “commercialising” Pemberton’s natural wonders, stating it is part of a disturbing trend across the South West.
“Our natural commons, our shared spaces, are being quietly repackaged as ‘assets’ and handed over to private enterprise,” she said.
“What was once local is being sold as boutique.”
Regardless of opposition or support the project now sits with the councillors of the shire.
Shire president Donelle Buegge said submissions from State government agencies remain open until June 3, however, and their submissions along with the public’s would be presented to the council.
“A significant number of submissions were received, both in support of and opposition to the proposal,” she said.
“Shire officers are now undertaking a thorough review of all feedback received.
“Subject to the availability of sufficient information to respond to submissions, the application will be presented to council for consideration at the earliest possible council meeting.”
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Dissecting Trump’s US Steel–Nippon partnership announcement
Dissecting Trump’s US Steel–Nippon partnership announcement
00:00 Speaker A
A potential U.S. Steel deal has been a long time in the making. We saw a surge of over 20% in U.S. Steel stock reflecting optimism as a deal with Nippon Steel progresses. Late last week, President Trump made news by reviving the deal and endorsing a partnership with Japan’s Nippon Steel. Under that plan, it would remain headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with an American CEO and a board with a U.S. majority overseeing operations. Then Nippon would invest $14 billion including building a new U.S. Steel mill and upgrading existing plants. The agreement would address national security concerns while allowing foreign investment. Our next guest has been following this all very closely. He is Axios’s business editor, Dan Primack. Dan, it is always good to see you. So you are arguing in your piece, Dan. You say listen, this actually is all entering I think Dan you called it the ludicrous stage. Correct me if I’m wrong. What did you mean by that, Dan?
02:01 Dan Primack
I mean for starters, we get an announcement from Trump and sort of from U.S. Steel last Friday saying there’s a quote partnership. They make no mention of the acquisition of the $55 per share that U.S. Steel shareholders are supposedly getting, but maybe not because we haven’t called it an acquisition. Uh and then today, Tuesday, when the markets reopen, U.S. Steel shares continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange, which decides not to halt it or even explain why they haven’t halted it. So everybody thinks there’s a deal, but isn’t 100% sure and we haven’t seen any of the real details. You know, you talk about that $14 billion then upon is promised, maybe, is it guaranteed? If so, how? The earlier pledges were just that, they were pledges, but Nippon could have bailed on those if it wanted to for no particular reason. So really, this is the strangest thing. We have a massive, massive acquisition, a $15 billion acquisition that no one’s acknowledging right now as an acquisition and U.S. Steel isn’t saying it basically because they don’t want to step on Trump’s toes because he’s got this big in-person press conference on Friday.
04:01 Speaker A
Yeah, don’t you feel to some extent, Dan, like this is a bit of face saving though and you come almost look at the outcome in the market to say, oh, okay, so we’re calling it a partnership, but effectively the deal is going to close as originally envisioned all the way back in like December 2023. Um, and then so we’re just sort of working on politics. So, uh President Trump can say 70,000 jobs, $14 billion, you know, headquarters in in Pittsburgh. Uh, so look at that while essentially I just let the deal close. It feels like that’s what the market’s saying.
05:09 Dan Primack
Basically, yes, although that’s embarrassing for U.S. Steel or U.S. Steel should be embarrassed that it feels it has to cow tow in that sense. And as for the Pittsburgh thing, that was a big announcement, part of the announcement Friday, right? The headquarters will remain in Pittsburgh. The headquarters was always going to remain in Pittsburgh. That was part of the deal. The only reason it was going to move from Pittsburgh or that U.S. Steel even threatened that was if the deal did not close. So that was never that was never a source of negotiation in the first place.
06:00 Speaker A
Dan, I did hear uh Senator Dave McCormick give an interview this morning and he talked about how there’s going to be a U.S. CEO. He said there’s going to be a U.S. majority board. U.S. is going to have golden share and Nippon Steel’s takeover of U.S. Steel. Is this what is it what Nippon has signed off on all this already, Dan?
06:49 Dan Primack
We don’t know uh because they haven’t said anything either. Uh so we’re not exactly sure. And then let’s assume that what McCormick said is true and that all comes to pass. It’s still unclear why any of that necessarily matters. Now to some extent, would you obviously rather have local ownership or not local ownership? Local management of U.S. Steel? Sure, it’s closer to the workers, it’s closer to the product, it’s closer to the customer, should be more responsive. However, go back to that $14 billion in promised investment. Just because you have a U.S. CEO and a U.S. board of the subsidiary, they can’t pull, it’s not like they have access to the bank accounts, they can’t pull that money if it’s not forthcoming. That money’s still coming from Japan or not coming from Japan. That that golden share isn’t really necessarily worth anything when it comes to that money coming in or future plans.
08:06 Speaker A
So do you think this story is is incredibly long and very odd story coming to an end finally? Like what are you going to watch for or do you think we have a few more twists and turns? Cuz, you know, early uh with the Prime Minister of Japan, Trump said, you know, it’s going to be an investment. You know, the companies didn’t know anything about it. They never commented on that comment and it just sort of went off into the ether. Are we finally into the end game or do we wait for a couple more things?
09:04 Dan Primack
I think with all things Trump and every sort of uh deal he negotiates or doesn’t negotiate, you kind of do have to wait till it ends. I will tell you that as of this morning, uh the Steel Workers Union really was completely still in the dark. All they knew were the public statements. They hadn’t had any back channel communications over the weekend. So I think we still have to wait. I will say the ******* picture thing here outside of U.S. Steel is what this means for future deal making, cross-border deal making, particularly for deals that might have national security implications, because one of the takeaways I would think if I was a foreign acquirer of a U.S. company is I would look at this and go, okay, if there are national security concerns, the way we leapfrog those is to buy our way out of it, promise lots of investment, and then those national security concerns maybe will get put aside.
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King Charles III says Canada facing unprecedented challenges as Trump threatens annexation – AP News
King Charles III says Canada facing unprecedented challenges as Trump threatens annexation – AP News
King Charles III says Canada facing unprecedented challenges as Trump threatens annexation AP NewsKing’s ********* speech doesn’t mention you know who BBCIn Canada, King Charles says ‘the true north is indeed strong and free’ The Boston GlobeKing Charles Warns Canada’s Parliament of a ‘Dangerous and Uncertain’ World The New York TimesKing Charles says Canada faces “critical moment” in Ottawa speech, amid Trump tariffs, annexation threats CBS News
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More than a dozen arrests over French cryptocurrency kidnapping plots
More than a dozen arrests over French cryptocurrency kidnapping plots
French police have arrested more than 20 people following a number of kidnapping plots targeting cryptocurrency entrepreneurs and their families.
Authorities said the arrests were in connection with investigations into a recent abduction attempt in Nantes and the attempted kidnapping of a woman and child in Paris in May.
The incidents have raised concerns about the safety of those with cryptocurrency fortunes which could make them a target for criminals seeking ransom payments.
Earlier this month French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau vowed to bolster security around the country’s crypto executives and their families.
A total of 24 people have been taken into custody, according to French news outlet franceinfo.
The arrests were connected to an unsuccessful attempt by a masked gang to abduct the daughter and young grandson of a cryptocurrency chief in Paris on 13 May.
The pair were described by French media as relatives of Pierre Noizat, the co-founder of French Bitcoin exchange platform Paymium.
Arrests were also made over a kidnapping attempt against a person with ties to the crypto sector which was foiled by police in the Nantes region of western France on Monday, local media outlets reported.
Police intervened before the attack was carried out, police sources said.
Other incidents of kidnappings or attempted kidnappings have taken place across the country in recent months, including the case of the father of a cryptocurrency millionaire who was bundled into a van by men in balaclavas in Paris on 1 May.
Le Parisien newspaper said his kidnappers demanded his wealthy son pay a 5-7m euro ransom (£4.2-5.9m).
The victim had one finger missing when he was rescued by police days later in a house in Palaiseau, south of Paris, according to French media.
These incidents follow the kidnapping of David Balland, co-founder of the cryptocurrency firm Ledger, who was abducted with his wife at their home in central France in January.
The pair were rescued by police within days and Mr Balland also had a finger cut off, French media reported.
The criminals had demanded a 10m euro ransom (£8.5m). Six men and a woman were previously arrested in connection with that case.
In response to the spate of attacks against those with links to the cryptocurrency sector, Retailleau held an emergency meeting with industry leaders in mid-May.
In the meeting, he promised the “entire state apparatus” was “fully mobilised to track down the perpetrators and instigators of this violence and put them out of action”, according to French media reports.
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Nintendo Switch 2 is already in some users’ hands, but a mandatory update means they can’t be played
Nintendo Switch 2 is already in some users’ hands, but a mandatory update means they can’t be played
Nintendo Switch 2 is officially in public hands, but early users have allegedly discovered they’re unable to play the console before launch.
On Tuesday, a YouTube user posted a short video of them opening a retail Nintendo Switch 2 unit, which, based on the retailer packaging, was likely obtained early in the United Arab Emirates.
According to the user, they are unable to actually play the Switch 2 console, however, because it requires an update to function before the official June 5 release date.
A second person who has allegedly been able to obtain Switch 2 early is said to have sent proof to the news and deal aggregator Wario64.
“I have no permission to post pics, but can share that when they try to boot a Switch 1 game, a message prompts ‘Please connect to the internet and update your system’,” they wrote.
According to Wario64’s source, Switch 2 games cannot be booted without the mandatory update. If true, it means Switch 2 owners will need to connect their consoles to the internet before they can be used. However, it’s also possible that physical games include the system update.
With fewer than ten days until Switch 2’s global launch day, some social media users have already posted images of Switch 2 units arriving at stores in the US. However, today is the first indication that units have made their way into public hands.
Nintendo Switch 2 is due to launch on Thursday, June 5, alongside first-party titles Mario Kart World, Switch 2 Welcome Tour, and Switch 2 Editions of current-gen games such as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Third-party launch games include Split Fiction, Cyberpunk 2077, Civilization VII, Hogwarts Legacy, Street Fighter 6, Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut, Sonic X Shadows Generations, and more.
Donkey Kong: Bananza is due for release in July, with Drag X Drive also expected this Summer. Nintendo Switch 2 versions of Pokémon Legends Z-A and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond are also due this year, with no confirmed release dates.
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Body found after house fire in Croydon, Sydney
Body found after house fire in Croydon, Sydney
A body has been found inside a badly burnt home and one person is unaccounted for after a blaze broke out just after 4am on Wednesday.
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F-Zero Is Going Through A Quiet Resurgence
F-Zero Is Going Through A Quiet Resurgence
With marquee franchises ranging from grand adventures like The Legend of Zelda to niche series like Metroid, few video game publishers have a stable of properties as extensive and varied as Nintendo. But though many of these franchises are regularly supported with new installments, many more have been left languishing in dormancy–and among them, few are as frequently clamored for as F-Zero. Despite the ongoing wait for a new title, however, the futuristic racing series has actually been experiencing something of a quiet resurgence over the past few years.
This revival began in earnest in 2023 with the surprise release of F-Zero 99, a battle royale-style twist on the original F-Zero offered as part of the Nintendo Switch Online service. Like Tetris 99 (and the short-lived Pac-Man 99) before it, F-Zero 99 invigorates the series’ classic formula by exploding the player count, with 99 competitors all vying for first place. But whereas Tetris 99 is a battle of attrition, a grueling contest to whittle down and outlast the competition, F-Zero 99 is still very much a racing game at heart; unlike other battle royale-type games, your objective is not to eliminate other players (although it is greatly encouraged, as doing so replenishes your health meter), but to outmaneuver them over the course of four laps. The increased player count makes these high-speed contests even more nerve-wracking, and the difference between success and failure is often measured in milliseconds.
The result is exhilarating. Though it may not be an entirely new entry, F-Zero 99 is a refreshing spin on the series, one that offers a tantalizing glimpse at a potential path forward for future installments. The expanded player count amplifies the high-stakes thrills of F-Zero’s best moments–of negotiating winding, hazard-laden tracks and hairpin turns at lightning speed as other vehicles ricochet and explode all around you. More importantly, the game stands as proof that, contrary to what disgruntled fans may claim, Nintendo has neither forgotten about nor abandoned F-Zero.
Since 99’s release, Nintendo has put out a steady cadence of F-Zero content on the Switch, keeping the franchise consistently in the public eye. 99 itself continues to hold regular in-game events and receive periodic updates, including one that recently added courses and other content from the long-lost BS F-Zero game for Super Famicom’s Satellaview attachment. The company also dug three classic F-Zero titles out from its vaults and brought them to Switch Online’s Game Boy Advance library over the course of 2024. GBA launch title Maximum Velocity hit the service in March, while anime tie-in GP Legend and its sequel, F-Zero Climax, both followed in October.
The last title in particular is one of the most noteworthy additions to the service. Not only was Climax the final F-Zero game released for Game Boy Advance, arriving near the end of the handheld’s life in 2004, it effectively marked the end of the series. Released in quick succession after GP Legend (which itself launched only a few months after F-Zero GX on GameCube), Climax was the third F-Zero game in the span of two years, which significantly diminished its impact. This was borne out in the poor reception it received, reportedly selling a scant 5,000 copies in its first three days. As a result, it would be the last brand-new F-Zero game that Nintendo released before putting the series into hibernation–and would remain as such for nearly 20 years, until the aforementioned F-Zero 99 arrived.
More notably, Climax was originally never released outside of Japan. Faced with the series’ dwindling sales, Nintendo elected not to bring the game to other markets, making its arrival on the Switch Online service the first official chance many F-Zero fans around the world have had to experience this lost entry. But though it may not have garnered much attention on its original release, F-Zero Climax arguably stands as the pinnacle of the series’ 2D design, with refined racing mechanics, impressive visuals, and even a course customization tool (which is even more enjoyable to tinker with now, thanks to the ease with which custom tracks can be shared online). In a way, this long-overdue release ended up working to the game’s benefit, as Climax arrives at a time when players are much more receptive to–and eager for–F-Zero content.
It’s tempting to think these re-releases merely served as an easy way for Nintendo to buoy the original Switch as it has shifted its resources and attention to the upcoming Switch 2, but the F-Zero series will also play a pivotal role in the new console’s launch. From the moment the system hits the market, Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers will have access to a library of classic GameCube games on it–and tellingly, one of the first three titles playable on the service right at the outset will be F-Zero GX.
This is notable for a number of reasons, not least because it will mark the first time the game will be officially available in more than 20 years. F-Zero GX is widely regarded as the series’ finest installment, and it makes a compelling showpiece for Nintendo’s new system. Thanks to the increased resolution Switch 2 offers, the game’s neon-tinged visuals remain sharp and vibrant even two decades on, and the addition of online play greatly enriches its appeal. Moreover, GX’s arrival means the entire F-Zero franchise (with the exception of obscurities like the F-Zero X Expansion Kit) will be playable on Switch 2 right from day one, giving longtime fans and newcomers access to the whole series on a single platform.
Interestingly, that isn’t the only way F-Zero is helping usher the new platform to market. F-Zero 99 also makes an appearance in the Switch 2 commercial starring Paul Rudd. Although the ad primarily showcases Mario Kart World and Switch 2’s GameChat feature, F-Zero 99 is prominently visible on the system’s home menu near the beginning of the spot, which is likely the most mainstream exposure the game has ever received. Of course, it’s easy to infer why 99 was included. The new ad deliberately harkens back to the 1991 SNES commercial Rudd appeared in, which spotlighted the original F-Zero among several other SNES titles. 99’s appearance brings the commercials full circle, but it’s nonetheless a good sign to see it promoted (however briefly) as part of such a pivotal marketing campaign.
Between these re-releases and updates, F-Zero is in a more prominent position than it’s been in many years, which bodes well for the series’ future. Nintendo has been steadily laying the groundwork for a potential revival, using the free F-Zero 99 and a regular drip of legacy titles to gauge fan interest and introduce the franchise to a new generation of players. For all the criticism the company deserves over its conservative tendencies, Nintendo is often willing to give some of its lesser-known properties another chance, as evidenced by the recent revival of Famicom Detective Club. If a series that obscure can receive a new entry, there’s hope yet for a new F-Zero.
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United Airlines announces imminent new check-in rule that could lead to missed flights
United Airlines announces imminent new check-in rule that could lead to missed flights
United Airlines is implementing a change to its check-in policy that could leave passengers stranded.
Starting June 3, passengers traveling with United must check in 45 minutes before departure time, regardless of whether they’re checking a bag.
The airline’s current rule requires passengers flying domestically to check in just 30 minutes before departure if they’re not checking a bag. Those flying internationally must check in 60 minutes before departure. That rule remains unchanged.
In a statement to The Independent, United said: “Starting June 3, our check-in cutoff time for domestic flights will change to 45 minutes before departure. The change brings greater consistency for our customers by aligning with our current checked baggage deadline and the check-in policies followed by most other airlines. Customers can review domestic and international airport check-in time limits here and use our lobby kiosks for self-service as needed.”
The airline did not provide additional information on assisting with the rebooking process in the event a passenger fails to check in 45 minutes before departure.
However, multiple reports indicate that passengers not checked into their flight at least 45 minutes before departure could be denied entry.
United Airlines has announced a change to its check-in policy (AP)
United’s rule change comes as the airline faces increased scrutiny over on-time departures and safety.
The airline operates the majority of flights — about 600 per day — out of Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. Newark recently announced a cap on flights per hour in an effort to combat delays after air traffic control issues in early May led to United cancelling dozens of flights, sparking outrage from passengers.
United also faced criticism when a pair of its planes clipped one another at a California airport earlier this month.
According to the FAA — which said it was investigating the incident — the collision occurred in a part of the airport where air traffic controllers don’t communicate with flight crews.
United confirmed in a statement that no one was injured as a result of the collision.
Earlier this month, The Independent reported a 36-year-old traveler’s lawsuit against the airline. A piece of the plane’s ceiling allegedly detached, smacking into the woman’s head, knocking her out cold, and leaving her with a concussion, she claims.
Antranique Wash is seeking up to $1 million in damages over the incident, which her lawyer says continues to affect her client long after the fact.
Attorney Anna McMullen told The Independent that Wash lost consciousness after getting hit with the panel during a flight and that she “still struggles with vision impairment and pain, even a year-and-a-half later.”
A United Airlines spokesperson did not respond to The Independent’s request for comment.
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Apple makes first ever game developer acquisition, but insists it’s not the start of a trend
Apple makes first ever game developer acquisition, but insists it’s not the start of a trend
Apple has made its first ever acquisition of a video game developer, but claims the move isn’t indicative of a change in direction for the iPhone maker.
RAC7, the two-person developer behind Apple Arcade’s 2019 hit Sneaky Sasquatch, will continue its partnership with Apple as an internal studio, it announced on Tuesday.
“We love Sneaky Sasquatch and are excited that the 2-person RAC7 team has joined Apple to continue their work on it with us,” a spokesperson told Digital Trends.
“We will continue to deliver a great experience for Apple Arcade players with hundreds of games from many of the best game developers in the world.”
Apple reportedly went on to note that the move was “a unique circumstance”, as it saw an opportunity to help the team grow with the Apple Arcade subscription service.
The acquisition doesn’t necessarily signal the beginning of a new gaming strategy, it said, and Apple will continue to work with third-party studios to create games for Arcade.
Speaking to Digital Trends last year, Apple Arcade’s senior director Alex Rofman cited RAC7’s Sneaky Sasquatch as one of the service’s major success stories. “We hear from customers all over the world whose kids want Sneaky Sasquatch birthday parties,” he said.
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Federal judge strikes down Trump executive order targeting law firm WilmerHale, calling it “unconstitutional”
Federal judge strikes down Trump executive order targeting law firm WilmerHale, calling it “unconstitutional”
Details on Trump’s targeting of law firms
Details on Trump’s targeting of law firms
03:14
A federal judge in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday struck down President Trump’s executive order targeting D.C.-based law firm WilmerHale, declaring the order “unconstitutional” and permanently blocking the administration from enforcing it.
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon issued his opinion Tuesday afternoon, blocking the president’s efforts to restrict Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP as a part of the Trump administration’s crusade against large law firms that have provoked the ire of the president and his allies.
“For the reasons set forth below, I have concluded that this order must be struck down in its entirety as unconstitutional,” Leon wrote in the beginning of his order. “Indeed, to rule otherwise would be unfaithful to the judgment and vision of the Founding Fathers!”
The executive orders the president has signed have targeted law firms including Perkins Coie, Paul Weiss, and Jenner & Block. So far, the firms have been winning their cases against the administration in court.
This is a developing story.
Kathryn Watson
Kathryn Watson is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital, based in Washington, D.C.
Melissa Quinn
contributed to this report.
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Hunt for ex-police chief who escaped Arkansas prison
Hunt for ex-police chief who escaped Arkansas prison
The search for a former Arkansas police chief convicted of ***** and ******* continues after he escaped from prison on Sunday.
Grant Hardin was chief of police in Gateway, Arkansas – a small town of a few hundred residents on the state’s border with Missouri – for around four months in 2016, according to the Associated Press.
The state’s Department of Corrections said on social media that he escaped from the North Central Unit prison in Calico Rock at around 15:40 (20:40 GMT) on Sunday, where he had been incarcerated since 2017.
The department added that Hardin was no longer in his prison uniform, and was “wearing a makeshift outfit designed to mimic law enforcement” when he escaped.
Hardin, 56, remains at large. The Department of Corrections urged anyone with information to “contact local law enforcement immediately”.
The department told the BBC that a “multitude of agencies” were involved in the search.
The Pea Ridge Police Department also issued an alert on social media, saying Hardin “has numerous connections and family in our area”.
They warned the public not to approach him, saying he is “considered armed and dangerous”.
The former prosecutor who helped put Hardin behind bars described him as a “sociopath”, KHBS 40/29 News reported.
“Prison’s not full of people who are all bad. It’s full of a lot of people who just do bad things. Grant’s different,” former Benton County prosecutor Nathan Smith told the station.
Grant Hardin pleaded guilty to first-degree ******* – the intentional killing of another person – after fatally shooting 59-year-old James Appleton in 2017. He was given a 30 year prison sentence.
Mr Appleton worked in the city’s water department. He was shot and killed while speaking to his brother-in-law, then-Gateway Mayor Andrew Tillman, on 23 February 2017, according to the BBC’s US partner CBS News.
Police later found Mr Appleton’s body inside a car.
While serving time for Mr Appleton’s *******, DNA evidence emerged linking Hardin to the long unsolved ***** of Amy Harrison at Frank Tillery Elementary School in Rogers, Arkansas, in November 1997.
According to an affiliate of CBS News, Ms Harrison was ****** at gunpoint while she exited a classroom to go to the bathroom.
Hardin pleaded guilty, and received a sentence of 50 years.
Before becoming Gateway’s police chief, Hardin served as an officer at the Eureka Springs Police Department (ESPD).
He resigned in October 1996 after he was informed by ESPD Chief Earl Hyatt that he was going to be fired for falsifying a police report, according to the CBS News-affiliated 5News.
“I was going to terminate him, but he resigned, and he was caught lying on a police report,” Mr Hyatt reportedly said.
Chief Hyatt also said he was not surprised at Hardin’s conviction, telling 5News: “He was just always a very violent, excessive person, and had a really bad temper.”
His escape from prison comes just weeks after an unrelated incident in which 10 inmates broke out of a prison in New Orleans, Louisiana, after breaching the wall behind a toilet.
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Geraldton motocross round two wrap: Perfect track conditions produced stunning day of racing
Geraldton motocross round two wrap: Perfect track conditions produced stunning day of racing
Perfect weather and a perfectly prepped track made for a memorable round two of the 2025 Geraldton motocross season.
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'Absurd!' Judge blasts Trump executive order targeting top law firm
'Absurd!' Judge blasts Trump executive order targeting top law firm
‘Absurd!’ Judge blasts Trump executive order targeting top law firm
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Netanyahu says more aid distribution points to be set up in Gaza
Netanyahu says more aid distribution points to be set up in Gaza
Netanyahu says more aid distribution points to be set up in Gaza
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#Netanyahu #aid #distribution #points #set #Gaza
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