Daily SumUp

Putin praises Musk, compares him to Soviet space hero Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Puerto Rico was hit with a massive power outage on Wednesday after energy plants across the island unexpectedly shut down, power generator Genera said.Puerto Rico has long dealt with chronic power outages, including a blackout on New Year’s Eve, as its infrastructure crumbles.Genera added in a post on X it was working to bring backup units online and investigate the cause of the incident. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is time to look at the things we haven’t been doing well and fix them. It is an unfortunate situation.Wing Commander Musa Salman (Rtd), Security and Development Expert Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

OpenAI released its newest AI model that it said can understand uploaded images like whiteboards, sketches and diagrams, even if they’re low quality.The company called o3 its most advanced model yet and also released a smaller model called o4-mini.OpenAI is racing to stay ahead in generative AI as competitors including Google, Anthropic and Elon Musk’s xAI ramp up development. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spring is when many of us look forward to more daylight, sunshine and warmer weather, but it is also a great time in the calendar to look up in the night sky.This year we've had aurora displays, a partial solar eclipse, and for the next 10 days, with clear skies permitting, you can enjoy the Lyrid meteor shower.This celestial event happens every year between mid to late April, visible as short-lived streaks of light in the sky.This year they will be active from 16 to 25 April, and will peak on Tuesday.As this coincides with the Moon's last quarter, viewing conditions should be better, and of course the best time to spot them will be when the skies are at their darkest and clearest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This reflects the trend of more Americans either opting not to have kids or postponing them until later.The total number of US births declined by 14% between 1990 and 2023, according to the March 2025 report.During this time, birth rates among females younger than 20 decreased by 73%, marking the steepest percentage drop of all age groups.This resulted in a decline from one in eight teen births in 1990 to one in 25 in 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hong Kong’s postal service will stop handling packages coming from or going to the United States, in the latest retaliatory move amid an escalating trade war between Washington and Beijing.In a statement published Wednesday announcing the decision, the government of Hong Kong cited US President Donald Trump’s decision last week to eliminate the so-called de minimis exception for items posted from the city to the US. The exemption applied to international shipments worth $800 or less entering the US.“The US is unreasonable, bullying and imposing tariffs abusively,” the government said in the statement. “The public in Hong Kong should be prepared to pay exorbitant and unreasonable fees due to the US’s unreasonable and bullying acts.”The government said the postal service, Hongkong Post, will stop accepting packages transported by sea with immediate effect and stop taking airborne packages starting from April 27. Other postal items containing only documents, for example letters, will not be affected.The retaliatory move means companies and individuals in Hong Kong will have to pay private couriers such as FedEx and DHL to deliver packages, further driving up costs for consumers on top of US levies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yes, according to forecasts, Easter in the UK on April 17, 2025, is likely to be wet. Unsettled weather is expected to dominate the Easter weekend, with heavy rain possible in some areas, particularly in the west and north of the UK. A yellow rain warning has been issued for parts of England and Wales. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

El Salvador blocks US senator from visiting wrongly deported Salvadoran man. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Researchers in the South Atlantic have made numerous significant discoveries, including the identification of new species, evidence of a potential lost continent, and an evolving magnetic field anomaly. The South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA), a region of weakened magnetic field strength, has been observed to impact satellites and the aurora system. Additionally, researchers have found evidence of a giant granite slab, possibly indicating a submerged continent, and mapped new hydrothermal vents and deep-sea species, further contributing to our understanding of the South Atlantic's geological and biological history.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ex-president accuses Trump of destroying the US Social Security Administration with DOGE's reforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China’s President Xi Jinping’s first Malaysia visit in 12 years begins with full honours at Istana Negara Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur for a three-day state visit. It is the second stop of his Southeast Asian tour, as he seeks to beef up regional cooperation in the wake of an escalating trade war with the US. Melissa Goh and Olivia Siong report. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump's special envoy said Monday that Russian leader Vladimir Putin was open to a "permanent peace" deal with Ukraine, following talks seeking to end the more than three-year war.Trump has been pressing Moscow and Kyiv to agree to a ceasefire but has failed to extract any major concessions from the Kremlin, despite repeated negotiations between Russian and US officials. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A rancher's dog in Arizona is being hailed as a hero after rescuing a local 2-year-old boy who had wandered nearly seven miles away from home and spent the night in the desert.On Monday evening, Yavapai County Sheriff's Office got a report of the missing toddler, Boden Allen, who was reported to have walked away from his home in the small town of Seligman, Ariz., the agency said in a Facebook post.Dressed in just a tank top and pajama pants, Allen spent some 16 hours alone as he wandered, according to the sheriff's office, and the desert area he walked through had at least two mountain lion sightings that night. But at 9 a.m. local time, he was retrieved by a dog named Buford. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China's President Xi Jinping has called on Vietnam to oppose "unilateral bullying" to upkeep a global system of free trade - though he stopped short of naming the US.It comes as Xi is on a so called "charm offensive" trip across South East Asia, which will also see him visit Malaysia and Cambodia.Though the trip was long-planned, it has taken on heightened significance in the wake of a mounting trade war between the US and China. Vietnam was facing US tariffs of up to 46% before the Trump administration issued a 90-day pause last week.US President Donald Trump called Xi's meeting with Vietnamese leaders Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday he was satisfied with talks with arch-foe the United States but warned they could ultimately prove fruitless. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Japan's population has shrunk for the 14th year in a row, with senior citizens accounting for the largest portion on record.The internal affairs ministry on Monday released its population estimate as of October 1 last year.The total population, including foreigners, stood at 123.8 million, down 0.44 percent from the previous year.The number of Japanese nationals was 120.3 million. The figure posted the largest-ever decline of 0.74 percent.Meanwhile, the number of foreigners hit a record high of 3.5 million.People aged 65 or older make up 29.3 percent of the total population, marking a record high.Those 75 or older account for 16.8 percent, also a record.There were 13.8 million people aged 15 or younger, accounting for 11.2 percent of the population. That is the lowest on record. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Starbucks is updating its uniform policy, emphasizing the appearance of its recognizable “green aprons” as part of CEO Brian Niccol’s broader plans to revive the slumping brand.Beginning May 12, baristas at stores in North America will have to wear solid black tops under their aprons, a change from employees being allowed to wear any colored shirt, in an attempt to “allow our iconic green apron to shine and create a sense of familiarity for our customers,” Starbucks said in a release.The company is also tweaking pant colors, with employees soon to be required to wear khaki, black or blue denim, a change from being allowed to wear navy, gray or brown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

French prosecutors said Tuesday they have opened an investigation alleging terrorist conspiracy and attempted murder after several prisons were targeted in incidents that included gunfire and arson. Top officials described the attacks as a response to renewed government efforts to fight drug trafficking. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lab-grown teeth would naturally regenerate, integrating into the jaw as real teeth. They would be stronger, longer lasting, and free from rejection risks, offering a more durable and biologically compatible solution than fillings or implants. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China's leader, Xi Jinping, has arrived in Vietnam. It's the first stop in a tour of Southeast Asia. The visit comes after days of escalations in the trade war between Beijing and Washington. Adam Hancock reports from Singapore. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shapiro said that his family was evacuated from the official Harrisburg residence at 2 a.m. and that no one was injured. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

About 300 people protested the Trump administration's policies at Stand Up Harvard on Saturday afternoon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

United States President Donald Trump says Harvard University could lose its tax-exempt status and be taxed as a political entity after the Ivy League school rejected demands from his administration.China has accused the US’s National Security Agency of launching “advanced” cyberattacks during the Asian Winter Games in February. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hamas is said to have rejected an Israeli proposal for a six-week ceasefire in Gaza which called for the armed group to give up its weapons. Israel is said to have submitted its latest ceasefire proposal to regional mediators late last week, just days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met US President Donald Trump in Washington. A senior Palestinian official familiar with the talks said the plan gave no commitment to end the war or for an Israeli troop pull-out - key Hamas demands - in exchange for releasing half of the living hostages which it holds. It is understood to be the first time that Israel has added Hamas disarmament as a condition for advancing a ceasefire - a red line for the group. It comes as Israel continues its military offensive in Gaza, with the UN agency warning that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is "likely the worst it has been in the 18 months since the outbreak of hostilities". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ghana has banned all foreigners from trading in its local gold market as part of efforts to boost national revenue and streamline the country's mining sector.It follows the enactment of a new law earlier this month that grants exclusive authority of gold mining to a new state body, the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod)."All foreigners are hereby notified to exit the local gold trading market not later than 30th April, 2025," said GoldBod spokesperson Prince Kwame Minkah in a statement.Ghana is Africa's largest gold producer and the sixth largest in the world, but it is struggling to address widespread illegal gold mining, locally called "galamsey".The mineral-rich West African country has been facing harsh economic times with a high cost of living. It is the world's second largest cocoa producer but sees little of the profits from chocolate.Fuelled by rising gold prices and youth unemployment, illegal gold mining has been growing in Ghana, despite military operations to shut down galamsey activities. It was a big campaign issue in the lead up to last December's elections. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Carriers also asked to stop purchases of aircraft-related equipment and parts from US firms, report saysChina has reportedly ordered its airlines not to take any further deliveries of Boeing jets, the latest move in its tit-for-tat trade war with the US.The Chinese government has asked carriers to stop purchases of aircraft-related equipment and parts from American companies, according to a Bloomberg News article, which cited people familiar with the matter.The order was reported to have come after the country raised its retaliatory tariffs on US goods to 125% on Friday in response to Donald Trump’s levies on Chinese imports totalling 145%. Beijing was also said to be considering ways to support airlines that lease Boeing jets and are facing higher costs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tensions between France and Algeria are growing over the detention of an Algerian consular agent in France, allegedly linked to a kidnapping case. At the same time, France is reshaping its finances to reduce its budget deficit from 5.4% to 4.6% by 2026, requiring notable savings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

: China on Sunday called on the United States to “completely cancel” its reciprocal tariffs after Washington announced exemptions for consumer electronics and key chipmaking equipment.“We urge the US to... take a big step to correct its mistakes, completely cancel the wrong practice of ´reciprocal tariffs´ and return to the right path of mutual respect”, a commerce ministry spokesperson said in a statement.A notice late on Friday by the US Customs and Border Protection office said smartphones, laptops, memory chips and other products would be excluded from the global levies President Donald Trump rolled out this month.Beijing´s commerce ministry said the exemptions were a “small step” by Washington and China was “evaluating the impact” of the decision. It came as retaliatory Chinese import tariffs of 125 percent on US goods took effect on Saturday, with Beijing standing defiant against its biggest trade partner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gayle King will head to space on Monday morning as part an all-female space crew featuring popstar Katy Perry and Jeff Bezos' fiancée Lauren Sanchez.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The shallow earthquake, which was centered 2.5 miles (four kilometers) south of Julian in San Diego County, had a magnitude of 5.1. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A popstar, a journalist, a civil rights activist, rocket scientist and filmmaker are heading into space. And the mission is being led by Lauren Sanchez, an author and the fiance of Amazon's Jeff Bezos. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Historians recently unveiled a rare 13th-century document depicting the tales of King Arthur and Merlin – and its survival is considered a miracle. The discovery was announced by the University of Cambridge on March 25. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Republican Trump, 78, has repeatedly boasted about his own vigor since starting a second term, while mocking his 82-year-old Democratic predecessor Joe Biden as decrepit and mentally unfit for office."President Trump exhibits excellent cognitive and physical health and is fully fit to execute the duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State," read a physician's letter shared by the White House. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SpaceX's Starlink satellite system is now available in Somalia, owner Elon Musk wrote on social media platform X on Sunday, while a Somalia government official confirmed the company has been given a licence to operate in the country. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Israel "is committing a horrific crime by targeting Al-Ahli Hospital, which houses hundreds of patients and medical staff", it said. In October 2023, an explosion at the same hospital killed hundreds of people. Palestinian officials blamed an Israeli strike for the blast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family were evacuated overnight from the official governor’s residence after someone set fire to the building, police said Sunday.No one was injured and the fire was extinguished, according to authorities.The fire broke out overnight on the first night of the Jewish holiday of Passover, which Shapiro and his family had celebrated at the governor's official residence in the state capital of Harrisburg. Pennsylvania State Police said in a statement that, while the investigation was ongoing, they were “prepared to say at this time that this was an act of arson.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China on Sunday called on the United States to "completely cancel" its reciprocal tariffs after Washington announced exemptions for consumer electronics and key chipmaking equipment."We urge the US to... take a big step to correct its mistakes, completely cancel the wrong practice of 'reciprocal tariffs' and return to the right path of mutual respect", a commerce ministry spokesperson said in a statement.A notice late Friday by the US Customs and Border Protection office said smartphones, laptops, memory chips and other products would be excluded from the global levies President Donald Trump rolled out this month. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When scrolling through social media, you may have recently seen friends and family appearing in miniature.It's part of a new trend where people use generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT and Copilot to re-package themselves - literally - as pocket-sized dolls and action figures.It has taken off online, with brands and influencers dabbling in creating their mini-me.But some are urging people to steer clear of the seemingly innocent trend, saying fear of missing out shouldn't override concerns about AI's energy and data use. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK government is taking control of Chinese-owned British Steel after emergency legislation was rushed through Parliament in a single day. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told MPs the government's likely next step would be to nationalise the Scunthorpe plant, which employs 2,700 people. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trump tariffs live updates: Cell phones, chips and laptops get a reprieve... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump's administration has exempted smartphones, computers and some other electronic devices from "reciprocal" tariffs, including the 125% levies imposed on Chinese imports.In a notice, US Customs and Border Patrol said that the goods would be excluded from Trump's 10% global tariff on most countries and the much larger Chinese import tax.It marks the first significant reprieve of any kind in Trump's tariffs on China, with one trade analyst describing it as a "game-changer scenario".Late on Saturday, while travelling to Miami, Trump said he would give more details of the exemptions at the start of next week."We'll be very specific," he told reporters on Air Force One. "But we're taking in a lot of money. As a country we're taking in a lot of money."The move came after concerns from US tech companies that the price of gadgets could skyrocket, as many of them are made in China. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sudan's Khartoum clean-up campaign aims to restore city after RSF ouster... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The IOC has approved five additional sports for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics: flag football, baseball/softball, lacrosse (sixes), squash, and cricket. These sports will join the existing Olympic program for the LA Games, with each sport featuring six-team tournaments for both men and women.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elon Musk's AI tool is making waves in India by giving what appear to be unusually candid responses on touchy subjects. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Due to the escalation of the conflict and famine in South Sudan, 7.7 million people need help. The UN reports that the situation has reached. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pope Francis has made an unexpected appearance at the Vatican's Palm Sunday mass in St Peter's Square, less than a month after his battle in hospital with double pneumonia. The pontiff was seen in a smiling, waving and greeting cardinals without the help of supplementary oxygen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Plane Crashes In South Florida; Casualties Feared: Report... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Israel cuts off 70% of Gaza's water supply: Municipality Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.