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Amazon announced that, effective 20 May 2026, it will stop delivering software updates to Kindle and Kindle Fire devices launched in 2012 or earlier. The decision targets a range of models, from the original 2007 Kindle to the first‑generation Kindle Paperwhite and early Kindle Fire tablets. According to the company, owners will retain the ability to read books already stored on their devices, and their Amazon accounts will remain usable through mobile and desktop applications. However, a factory reset on the affected units will render them inoperable for new purchases, borrowing, or downloads. Amazon is offering discounts to encourage users to upgrade to newer hardware, acknowledging that many of the devices have been supported for 14‑18 years. The move has ignited a wave of criticism online, with users describing their still‑functional e‑readers as being reduced to "paperweights" and accusing the retailer of fostering large‑scale waste. Ugo Vallauri of the Restart Project—a UK‑based repair advocacy group—told the BBC that manufacturers often cite performance improvements when ending support, but this does not justify "soft‑bricking" millions of functional devices. He estimates the impact could affect roughly 2 million e‑readers, representing about 3 % of Kindle users, potentially creating more than 624 tons of e‑waste. Tech analyst Paolo Pescatore described the decision as "understandable from a security and support perspective," noting that the hardware of these older models was not designed for today's data‑intensive services. In summary, Amazon's phase‑out underscores the tension between extending product lifespans and keeping pace with rapid technological advancement, while raising environmental questions about the fate of legacy devices.

The UK government has pledged £380 million to accelerate the build‑out of a new battery factory in Somerset that will supply Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) with cells for its forthcoming electric Range Rover and Jaguar models. The plant, operated by Tata’s battery subsidiary Agratas, was highlighted during a site visit by Business Secretary Peter Kyle, who emphasized the grant’s role in safeguarding jobs and driving economic growth. When fully operational, the gigafactory is projected to employ 4,200 workers and deliver up to 40 GWh of battery capacity annually—enough for hundreds of thousands of electric vehicles. It will become the UK’s second high‑volume battery facility after the Chinese‑owned AESC plant in Sunderland. Construction remains in its early stages, with only a steel frame erected so far. Although the original timetable targeted production start‑up in 2026, delays have pushed the expected commencement to the end of 2027. Agratas has reduced the footprint of the first building but claims the change reflects more efficient process design rather than a cut‑back in output. JLR, the nation’s largest automotive employer, had planned to launch its electric Range Rover in 2025, but the debut has slipped to 2026 and the vehicle is still not on sale. The postponement follows a broader trend of EV manufacturers worldwide scaling back or postponing battery projects after over‑optimistic forecasts of rapid consumer migration from petrol. Recent spikes in petrol prices—spurred by geopolitical tensions linked to Donald Trump’s war in Iran—could make electric cars more appealing, potentially justifying the sizeable capital commitments required for a transition to EV production. Until the Somerset facility becomes operational, JLR will continue to source batteries from AESC. That arrangement was confirmed last year by investment bank Société Générale, though references to JLR have since been removed from public statements. In addition to the battery grant, Tata previously secured a £500 million pledge to modernise its Welsh steelworks with electric arc furnaces, underscoring the government’s broader push for greener industrial capacity. Peter Kyle said the investment, alongside other automotive research initiatives announced on the same day, would “boost economic growth, secure jobs and put more money in people’s pockets.” He added that the UK’s “modern industrial strategy” provides the stability needed for long‑term planning. Earl Wiggins, Agratas’s vice‑president for UK manufacturing, welcomed the funding, noting it will enable the company to “deliver net‑zero goals and strengthen the UK’s position as a global leader in battery manufacturing.” He projected that over 2,200 staff would be on‑site within the next year, with further growth thereafter.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee, which awards the Nobel Peace Prize, has publicly condemned Moscow’s latest effort to label the human‑rights organisation Memorial as an "extremist organisation". Chairman Jørgen Watne Frydnes said the committee is "deeply alarmed" by the Russian authorities’ attempt to dismantle a co‑recipient of the 2022 Peace Prize. According to the statement released on Wednesday, Russia’s Supreme Court is set to review a petition from the Ministry of Justice that seeks to add Memorial to the nation’s list of “undesirable” entities. If approved, the designation would ban the group from operating within Russia and expose anyone associated with it to up to four years in prison and substantial fines. Memorial, already branded a “foreign agent” and ordered dissolved by the Supreme Court at the end of 2021, would see all of its activities criminalised under the new petition, Frydnes warned. He added that even sharing the organisation’s published material could lead to imprisonment. “To designate such an organisation as extremist is an affront to the fundamental values of human dignity and freedom of expression,” Frydnes asserted, urging Russian officials to withdraw the claim immediately and cease all harassment of Memorial and its members. Memorial shared the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize with Ukraine’s Centre for Civil Liberties and Belarusian activist Ales Bialiatski. Founded in 1987, Memorial specialises in documenting human‑rights violations across Russia and once operated a network of roughly 50 affiliated groups both inside and outside the country. Several of these affiliates continue their work from bases in Germany, France and Italy. Key figures from Memorial have faced criminal proceedings in Russia. Notably, activist Oleg Orlov, who was sentenced for speaking out against the war in Ukraine, was released in a 2024 prisoner exchange and now works abroad to continue documenting abuses. The committee’s statement concludes with a direct appeal: Russian authorities should immediately rescind the extremist label and halt any further intimidation of the organisation and its supporters.

Last‑Minute Discount Deadline Fuels Urgency With only three days left before the April 10, 11:59 p.m. PT deadline, prospective attendees can lock in savings of up to $500 on a TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 pass. The limited‑time offer is designed to attract founders, operators, and VCs eager to secure a seat at the epicenter of the tech ecosystem. What the 2026 Disrupt Event Brings to the Table From October 13‑15 at Moscone West, the conference will gather 10,000+ founders, operators, and venture capitalists for three days of high‑signal conversations and deal‑making. Highlights include: Over 20,000 curated meetings recorded in the previous year. Upgraded networking tools aimed at more targeted connections. Startup Battlefield featuring 200 pre‑Series A companies competing for $100,000 in equity‑free funding. More than 300 startup exhibitors showcasing new products in the Expo Hall. Side events from October 11‑17 across the Bay Area, including breakfasts, cocktail hours, panels, and founder meetups. Financial and Scale Metrics Highlight Event Weight The discount translates to a direct cost reduction for attendees, while the event itself drives significant economic activity: Potential savings of up to $500 per pass, lowering the barrier for early‑stage founders. Historical data shows 20,000+ curated meetings, indicating high deal‑flow potential. The $100,000 equity‑free prize pool for Battlefield winners can accelerate growth trajectories. Why This Discount Matters for the Startup Ecosystem Access to Disrupt is more than content; it’s a gateway to capital, talent, and market validation. By reducing the price point, TechCrunch widens participation, enabling: Early‑stage startups to pitch directly to top‑tier VCs. Founders to secure curated meetings that can change company trajectories. Investors to source high‑quality deals in a concentrated environment. Looking Ahead: What 2026 Disrupt Could Shape Given the scale and the upgraded networking tools, the 2026 edition is poised to amplify trends in AI, hardware, and growth strategy. Expect: Increased cross‑border collaborations as global founders converge. More data‑driven matchmaking, leading to higher conversion rates from meetings to investments. Emergence of new category‑defining startups, following the legacy of alumni like Discord, Cloudflare, and Trello. Stakeholders who secure their passes now position themselves at the forefront of these developments.

Assam, India – Under the sweltering April sun, Akram Ali stood amid the rubble of his four‑room house, a home he had built over 45 years ago. The demolition, part of a government‑led bulldozing operation on March 14, turned his residence into a pile of debris.Bulldozers descended on Islampur, a Muslim‑majority neighbourhood on the outskirts of Guwahati, and for four hours razed homes across 177 hectares (437 acres). The sweep rendered 400 families homeless, including Ali, who now lives in a tarpaulin shanty a few kilometres from his former home.Ali, a daily‑wage worker, told Al Jazeera that despite identifying as Goriya – “son of the soil” – his house was destroyed. The Goriyas are an Assamese‑speaking Muslim community traditionally settled in the tea‑belt region. In 2022, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) officially recognised the Goriya, along with four other Muslim sub‑groups, as “Indigenous” to Assam.While this designation has afforded the Indigenous Muslims a degree of cultural safety, it has not shielded them from the state’s aggressive land‑clearance drives. Ali questioned the distinction, asking, “Weren’t our homes demolished because we are Muslims?”Muslims make up more than a third of Assam’s 31 million residents, according to the 2011 census. Of these, roughly 6.3 million are Bengali‑speaking “miyas,” often labelled “outsiders,” while about 4 million belong to Indigenous groups like the Goriya.The BJP, led nationally by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been courting the Indigenous Muslim vote ahead of the April 2026 state elections, where it seeks a third consecutive term after governing since 2016. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who has spearheaded the party’s crackdown on “miyas” since 2021, claims the government will “never target” Indigenous Muslims.Political analyst Bonojit Hussain explains that the BJP’s outreach serves two purposes: softening its communal image and capturing decisive vote blocks in constituencies where Indigenous Muslims and Hindus together decide the outcome. In seats such as Nalbari, where Indigenous Muslims account for over 25 % of the electorate, and Barkhetri, with roughly 80,000 Muslim voters, the community’s support can swing the result.Upper Assam, a region with a strong Assamese‑speaking identity, is especially critical. Journalist Firoz Khan notes that Indigenous Muslims influence the outcome in seven or eight of the 39 seats there, prompting the BJP to temper its overtly anti‑Muslim rhetoric in the area.Despite the party’s overtures, many Indigenous Muslims remain skeptical. Moinul Islam, spokesperson for the rights group Sadou Asom Goria Jatiya Parishad, warned that the BJP’s broader anti‑Muslim policies—evictions, voter‑list objections, and alleged deportations—are unlikely to win their votes.Earlier in 2025, similar demolition drives displaced hundreds of Goriya families in Lakhimpur and Golaghat districts, and a systematic campaign to challenge Muslim names on electoral rolls further strained relations.BJP spokesman Kishore Upadhyay dismissed the allegations as “malicious, biased and politically motivated,” but Indigenous groups argue the pattern signals an attempt to erase their cultural legacy.Recent actions by the state government reinforce this perception. Chief Minister Sarma renamed the only medical college in Barpeta—previously bearing the name of Goriya freedom fighter Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed—arguing that institutions should reflect their geographic location. Critics view the move as symbolic of a broader effort to marginalise Muslim contributions to Assam’s history.In December 2025, Sarma also proposed dropping the hyphen in “Sankar‑Azan,” a name that celebrated the syncretic legacy of 15th‑century polymath Srimanta Sankardev and 17th‑century Sufi saint Azan Peer. Communist Party member Isfaqur Rahman warned that such revisions reflect a “slow erasure of Assamese Muslim heritage.”For Ali, the demolition has hardened his political stance. “After being evicted, the chief minister called us illegal immigrants and broke our backs by destroying our homes,” he said. “We are the new miyas.”

The play's creator, Gregory Burke, was inspired by the tragic events at Camp Dogwood in Iraq and the story of three soldiers from the Black Watch regiment who were killed by an IED. Vicky Featherstone, founding artistic director of the National Theatre of Scotland, commissioned Burke to write the play.The production was a collaboration between Burke, director John Tiffany, and movement director Steven Hoggett. The set, designed by Laura Hopkins, featured a pool table that transformed into a tank, symbolizing the transition from a pub to a war zone.The play's success was not limited to its initial run. It went on to tour for seven years, performing in numerous countries, including the United States. The play's impact was profound, with audience members often moved to tears and applause.Black Watch also had a significant impact on the careers of its cast members, including Emun Elliott and Brian Ferguson. The play's influence extended beyond the theatre world, with its themes and messages resonating with audiences worldwide.

When Nike unveiled its official 2026 World Cup kit range in March, the designs were widely praised, with the United States' home shirt hailed as the most distinctive in years and other nations such as France, England, Canada and Uruguay receiving positive feedback.However, during the recent international break, a growing chorus of supporters highlighted a recurring problem: a pronounced bulge along the shoulder seam of many of the new jerseys. While the effect was subtle on some kits, it was stark on others – notably the sleek France shirt worn by Kylian Mbappé and the Uruguay jerseys that resembled a cartoon villain’s armor.Fans took to social media to share photos and complaints, with some claiming that steaming or pre‑washing the garments temporarily eased the issue, while others expressed outright frustration, describing the design as “stupid” and unsuitable for broader shoulder widths.Given that the jerseys retail for between $100 and $200, the defect poses a significant concern for both consumers and the national federations that expect their players to look immaculate on football’s biggest stage.In a statement to The Guardian, Nike acknowledged the flaw, noting that the problem was most evident during the recent break and that “performance is unaffected, but the overall aesthetic is not where it needs to be.” The company added that it is reviewing possible solutions in collaboration with partner federations and suppliers.The kits are built around Nike’s Aero‑FIT system, a computational‑design and stitch‑specific knitting process marketed as a way to keep athletes cool in what could be the hottest World Cup ever, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico. A source familiar with the technology confirmed that AI‑driven design data underpins the process.Nevertheless, the shoulder‑seam issue raises questions about the feasibility of a redesign with the tournament less than two months away and millions of jerseys already sold. Nike officials indicated that any corrective action would require a massive logistical effort.“We are a global team of best‑in‑class designers, creators and dreamers who spend every day thinking about how to innovate, challenge ourselves, and take risks that push the beautiful game,” the company said. “We always hold ourselves and our products to the highest standards and this fell short. We’re working quickly to make this right for players and fans, because every kit should reflect the care, precision and pride that the game deserves.”Nike’s partnership with the United States runs until 2033, while England’s agreement with the FA extends to 2030, meaning the brand will continue to supply kits for future tournaments despite this setback.

Major League Baseball has handed down seven-game suspensions to Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Jorge Soler and Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo López after a heated brawl during a game between the two teams. The suspensions, announced by MLB's senior vice-president for on-field operations, Michael Hill, also come with undisclosed fines. Both players are appealing their suspensions, which were set to begin on Wednesday but are currently on hold.The incident occurred on Tuesday night when Soler homered off López in the first inning, and later was hit by a 96mph fastball from López. The situation escalated when López threw a high-and-inside wild pitch, prompting Soler to charge the mound. The two players began throwing punches, leading to a brawl that involved players and coaches from both teams.Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss described the situation as a 'big man' on a 'warpath,' saying he had to intervene to prevent Soler from hurting someone. Soler and López were teammates during the second half of the 2024 season with the Braves.The Braves went on to win the game 7-2, with Soler's two-run shot in the first inning contributing to the victory. Soler has impressive stats against López, going 14 for 23 with five homers and three doubles.Both players expressed regret over the incident, with López stating there was 'never any intent to hit him' and Soler criticizing López for missing 'way too high and close to my head.'

Anthropic, a San Francisco-based AI startup, has announced that its latest AI model, Claude Mythos, has proven highly effective in exposing software weaknesses. The model has identified thousands of vulnerabilities in commonly used applications, many of which have no patch or fix available.According to Mike Krieger of Anthropic Labs, the company has decided not to release Mythos to the public due to concerns about its potential misuse by hackers. Instead, Anthropic is collaborating with cybersecurity specialists and engineers in the open-source community to utilize the model as a defensive tool.The oldest vulnerability uncovered by Mythos dates back 27 years, and none were previously noticed by their creators. Anthropic has shared a version of Mythos with cybersecurity companies CrowdStrike and Palo Alto Networks, as well as with Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft, in a project dubbed “Glasswing”.“AI models have reached a level of coding capability where they can surpass all but the most skilled humans at finding and exploiting software vulnerabilities,” Anthropic said in a blog post. “The fallout – for economies, public safety, and national security – could be severe.”The project aims to protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats, with approximately 40 organizations involved in the design, maintenance, or operation of computer systems. Anthropic is providing about $100m worth of computing resources for the mission.