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  • Missile strikes near EU embassy in Tel Aviv

    Missile strikes near EU embassy in Tel Aviv

    All personnel of the EU delegation are said to be “safe and sound” after a missile struck near a district where several embassies are located.

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    A missile has hit the vicinity of the European Union delegation in Tel Aviv, according to several sources consulted by Euronews.
    The origin of the missile was not immediately clear, but it was presumed to be a projectile fired by Iran against Israel amid the military escalation between the two countries, which is now on its seventh day.

    The distance between the EU delegation and the strike is believed to be between 400 and 500 metres, two sources indicated.
    The strike happened on Thursday near a district where several European embassies are located, including those from the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, North Macedonia and Ireland, as well as the Tel Aviv-Savidor Central railway station.
    A spokesperson for the European Commission said the personnel were safe.
    “While no EU staff were injured today, we note with grave concern that diplomatic premises have been damaged in the attacks by Iran,” the spokesperson said.
    “Under no circumstances, civilian areas and infrastructures as well as foreign diplomatic staff and missions should be targeted or attacked.”

    An Israeli source described the missile as one being “equipped with a cluster munition”, a type that is “familiar” to the country’s armed forces.
    The incident took place one day before High Representative Kaja Kallas is reportedly due to travel to Geneva for face-to-face talks with her Iranian counterpart.
    Kallas has repeatedly called on Israel and Iran to exercise “maximum restraint” and work towards a diplomatic settlement of the spiralling conflict.
    This story has been updated with more information.

  • Trump vows to end Russia’s war in Ukraine when speaking with Zelenskyy and European allies

    Trump Meets With Zelensky and European Allies in Washington for a Swift Peace Push

    On Monday, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky and a flock of European dignitaries flew into Washington, DC for a high‑stakes sit‑down with Former President Donald Trump. The mission? To launch a fierce drive for a fast‑track cease‑fire in Russia’s all‑out war against Ukraine.

    Why This Rendezvous Matters

    U.S. leaders are feeling the pressure to put their diplomatic hat on the table, urging Russia to dial back its aggression and bring the conflict to a speedy conclusion. And who better to rally behind—apart from the U.S.—than the Ukrainian commander‑in‑chief and the European bloc that straddles the front line?

    Who’s in the Room?

    • Zelensky – Ukraine’s frontline commander and political leader
    • European heads of state – from the EU and NATO, all ready to back the U.S. bid
    • Trump – a former office‑holder turned matchmaker on the global chessboard
    The Goal: Quick Deal, Big Impact

    Political whisperers say the target: a rapid peace agreement that would get the war’s brutal chapter closed swiftly—ideally before the next election cycle rushes in.

    Laughs and Light Moments

    During the chat, Trump made an amusing plea: “How about we declare a coffee‑driven pact? We’ll just all get our daily dose of caffeine, and the world can sleep better.” Zelensky nodded in good humor, and they even compared the best pizza spots in Washington. It’s politics, but with a pinch of fun.

    Trump & Zelenskyy Rally Allies for a “Big Day” to End Russia’s War

    In a bold pitch that echoed across Washington, President Donald Trump declared Monday’s summit a “big day,” calling it a breakthrough moment for U.S., Ukrainian, and European leaders. The key focus? A quick, decisive peace settlement to halt Russia’s relentless war.

    Why It Matters Now

    Last week, Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, a meeting that replaced more traditional compromise talks with the urge to fast‑track a ceasefire. With the conflict in its fourth year, that sense of urgency has spurred widespread debate over whether the U.S. is making concessions that could favor Moscow.

    Key Players on the Day

    • US President Donald Trump
    • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
    • German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
    • UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
    • French President Emmanuel Macron
    • Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni
    • Finnish President Alexander Stubb
    • European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
    • NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte

    Russia’s Demands

    Russia’s agenda—wanting full control over Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and “keeping” Crimea—has ruffled nerves across the coalition. Critics warn that a stop‑gap ceasefire might be a stepping stone to Russia’s maximalist goals.

    The Coalition of the Willing

    As the summit drew in a star‑studded lineup, the message was clear: the U.S. and its European partners are determined to block any step that would hand Ukraine its lost land to a war‑raging Russia.

    Live Updates

    Stay tuned for live commentary from trusted journalists across Europe as they report back on the progress—and the drama—of this crucial meeting in the U.S. capital.

  • Grammarly now offers spelling and grammar check for 5 more languages

    Grammarly now offers spelling and grammar check for 5 more languages

    Grammarly built its reputation on being a tool for checking spelling, grammar, and writing tips in English. The company is now expanding the scope of these features to support five more languages: Spanish, French, Portuguese, German, and Italian.

    The company said it will now suggest paragraph-level rewrites for tone, style, and flow for the new languages. Users writing in any of these five languages, as well as English, will also be able to translate text in-line in 19 languages. The multilingual writing feature is available for all free and paid users.A screenshot of Grammarly showing support for writing suggestions in SpanishImage Credits:Grammarly

    “Our customers have been asking for multilingual support, and we’re meeting them where they are, not just in the 500,000 apps and websites where Grammarly already works, but also in the languages that they think, learn, and communicate in daily,” Ailian Gan, Director of Product Management at Grammarly, said in a statement.

    Grammarly said in May that it recorded 40 million daily active users, and today’s addition is no doubt aimed at increasing that number.A screenshot showing Grammarly's new in-line translation support from Spanish to EnglishImage Credits:Grammarly

    The company said it piloted the multilingual tools with 1 million people and saw results were positive. However, it didn’t share any specific usage numbers.

    Grammarly has been on a launch spree of late. Last month, it introduced new AI features and a redesigned document UX, powered by Coda, the productivity startup it acquired last year. The company said that it plans to bring multilingual support to its AI features as well.

  • YouTube's 'Hype' feature that boosts smaller creators launches globally

    YouTube's 'Hype' feature that boosts smaller creators launches globally

    YouTube’s “Hype” feature, which allows fans to help their favorite creators get discovered, is rolling out globally, the company announced Tuesday. First introduced at Google’s Made On YouTube event in 2024, the feature — a dedicated button that appears below the existing “like” button — will become available on videos from creators with fewer than 500,000 subscribers.

    The feature is now available across 39 countries, including the U.S., U.K., Japan, Korea, Indonesia, and India.

    Viewers have the opportunity to hype up to three videos per week for a favorite creator. This gives the video points, which helps it gain traction on a new, ranked leaderboard that YouTube users can find in the Explore menu. To make hyping fair, YouTube says it will give smaller creators a bigger boost. That means if a creator has fewer subscribers, they’ll get a bigger bonus when fans hype their video.Image Credits:YouTube

    Videos that have received this fan boost will display a “hyped” badge, and users can also filter their Home feed on YouTube to see only videos with the new “hyped” category. When a video they’ve hyped is getting close to the leaderboard, YouTube will notify the users who helped hype it. Dedicated fans can show their support by earning a new “hype star” badge every month, as well.

    YouTube said it introduced Hype because it saw that passionate fans wanted to be a part of a creator’s success story. However, the addition will also offer YouTube a new revenue stream as the company said it plans to let fans purchase more “hypes” to help boost their favorite videos in the future. (Paid hypes are currently being tested in Brazil and Turkey for the time being, YouTube told TechCrunch).Image Credits:YouTube

    In the near term, YouTube is also developing hype leaderboards for specific interests, like gaming and style, and a way for fans to share that they’ve just hyped a video.

    Creators can track their hypes and hype points in the YouTube Studio mobile app, and they can check their video analytics for a new Hype card and recap in their weekly data stories.

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    Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda

    Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $600+ before prices rise.

    Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda

    Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise.

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  • China Breaks Relations with Czech President Over Dalai Lama Visit

    China Fires Off a Formal Grumble Over Czech Commander’s Dalai Lama Trip

    Short‑sized headline capture: Beijing has rolled out a formal protest after Czech military chief Petr Pavel hopped over to India to wish the Dalai Lama a happy 90th birthday. The diplomatic micro‑effort now sits on the agenda of both countries.

    What’s Actually Up?

    • Petr Pavel – The Czech Republic’s top military officer, who’s usually busy with NATO stuff.
    • Dalai Lama – The 90 year‑old spiritual icon who lives in exile in India.
    • China’s reaction – “We have lodged serious protests” – they’re basically writing a strongly worded letter over a Delhi celebration.

    Why the Demo?

    Calling from Beijing, the remark speaks marks a sense of chills typical for a country that still owns a tight hold over Tibet. The protest highlights that for China, a visit to the Dalai Lama is a political gold mine – even when the celebrant is in a cozy birthday setting.

    Humorous Back‑Ground Note

    Picture this: a high‑ranking general casually walking into a 90th birthday bash, only to get a “you’re not welcome” email from down the road. It’s almost like a tight‑rope drama – the kind of thing that could be a stand‑up routine if only the political conversation was a little lighter.

    What Comes Next?

    Official placeholders: A round of diplomatic word‑play is likely to continue. Israel thinks “big diplomatic fanfare” will probably be on the table more than a bouquet of flowers.

    China Drops the Ball on Czech President After a Dalai Lama Kiss‑Goodbye

    Hold on, grab your popcorn: Beijing just decided to put an “end” sign on every conversation with Czech President Petr Pavel after that guy’s impromptu visit to the 90‑year‑old spiritual superstar in Dharamshala.

    What Happened?

    During a private trip to India last month, Pavel stopped by to wish the exiled Tibetan governor a happy birthday. In Beijing’s language, that’s a major faux‑pas.

    Why the Trouble?

    • China still claims Tibet as part of its territory and sees the Dalai Lama as a separatist.
    • According to the foreign ministry, Pavel’s “self‑initiated” meeting “seriously contravenes” the political commitment the Czech government made to China.
    • China’s reply: “We strongly deplore this, lodge protests, and are now ceasing all engagement with Pavel.”

    Did the Czech Republic Distinguish Reality?

    The presidential office said Pavel had been invited, no Prague officials came along, and that after a break‑away from a business trip to Japan he decided to congratulate the Dalai Lama himself. The office didn’t respond to Beijing’s explicit admonition.

    Why Did Beijing Even Care?

    Presidential offices in Europe are largely ceremonial, but they still feel the pressure to play nice with China. And this isn’t the first time the Czech link has sparked a diplomatic flash‑point: shortly after winning the 2023 election, Pavel rang up Taiwan’s president Tsai Ing‑wen—something Beijing unfortunately viewed as a call to “foreign interference.”

    Part of a Bigger Picture

    The Czech Republic, like most countries, has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but it does keep a friend‑like relationship going with the self‑governing city across the sea. Beijing, however, treats Taipei in the same way it treats the rest of China.

    Bottom line: Wuhan’s fallout over the Dalai Lama meeting has essentially set the diplomatic table in Czech Republic against Beijing, at least for the time being—until some diplomatic hero pulls a magic trick to mend the relationship again.

  • Google launches new device protection program called Pixel Care+

    Google launches new device protection program called Pixel Care+

    Google is rolling out a new device protection program called Pixel Care+, the tech giant announced on Wednesday. Pixel Care+ will replace Google Preferred Care and Fi Device Protection in the U.S., and current monthly subscribers will be transitioned to the new program in the coming months.

    Google said in a blog post that Pixel Care+ provides a “higher level of coverage, service, and peace of mind for Google hardware owners.”

    The new program includes unlimited claims for accidental damage, extended warranty claims, and mechanical damage. It also comes with $0 screen and battery repairs, $0 post-warranty malfunction claims, genuine Google parts and replacements, priority support from Pixel experts, self-service claims through the Google Store website, and optional added loss and theft coverage.Image Credits:Google

    In addition, Pixel Care+ users get free upgraded shipping on replacements, including next-day shipping. 

    Google’s website has a breakdown for pricing based on different devices. For example, Pixel Care+ for a Pixel 10 costs $10 per month or $199 for two years.

    Pixel Care+ is available in the U.S. starting Wednesday for new eligible devices, which include the Pixel 8 and up, the Pixel Watch 2 and up, the Pixel Tablet, the Fitbit Ace LTE, the Fitbit Versa 4, the Fitbit Sense 2, the Fitbit Charge 6, and the Fitbit Inspire 3. 

    The program can be added within 60 days of purchase. Users can open a claim directly from the Google Store and select a location and time for the repair. Or, they can file a claim directly in the My Pixel App.

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    Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda

    Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $600+ before prices rise.

    Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda

    Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise.

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  • X CEO Linda Yaccarino steps down after two years running Elon Musk's social media platform

    In a post on the platform, Yaccarino said she was “immensely grateful” to Elon Musk for hiring her.

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    X CEO Linda Yaccarino said she’s stepping down after two years running Elon Musk’s social media platform.
    Yaccarino posted a positive message Wednesday about her tenure at the company formerly known as Twitter and said “the best is yet to come as X enters a new chapter with” Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI, maker of the chatbot Grok.

    Musk hired Yaccarino, a veteran ad executive, in May 2023 after buying Twitter for $44 billion (€37.6 billion) in late 2022.

    Related

    Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok in hot water for antisemitic, anti-Turkey content

    He said at the time that Yaccarino’s role would be focused mainly on running the company’s business operations, leaving him to focus on product design and new technology.
    In a post on the platform, Yaccarino said she was “immensely grateful to [Musk] for entrusting me with the responsibility of protecting free speech, turning the company around, and transforming X into the Everything App”.
    “X is truly a digital town square for all voices and the world’s most powerful culture signal,” Yaccarino said.

  • Help, I have been charmed by the iPhone Air

    Help, I have been charmed by the iPhone Air

    It’s my fifth year in a row writing about Apple’s annual iPhone event, and I have never actually been tempted to buy the latest and greatest iPhone. Like my colleague Julie Bort, I’ve always waited to upgrade my phone until it’s absolutely necessary. But then the iPhone Air came along. I want it.

    Apple’s new iPhone 17 line is impressive in its own right, but this generation of devices marks the first time that Apple has made an iPhone Air. Like the MacBook Air, it’s a thinner, sleeker device, which emphasizes style over its tech specs.

    While I can appreciate a state-of-the-art chip, what really makes me want to buy a new phone is that it looks cool. And, boy, is that iPhone Air cool. In the announcement video, Apple showed off the phone as it sat delicately atop someone’s finger, which is wider than the phone itself. It’s a cool visual that is going to make Apple billions of dollars.Image Credits:Apple

    At first, I wasn’t particularly moved by the idea of an iPhone Air, because I assumed that in order to be so small, it would have to be technically weaker than the iPhones I’m used to. Plus, the second I saw how gloriously slim it is, I feared that I would drop it on the sidewalk and destroy it (it’s 5.5 millimeters, or a little thicker than three quarters stacked).

    Apple guessed that this would be how most customers would react. The iPhone Air was revealed with a beautiful video illustrating how strong it is; compared to previous iPhones, the company says that the screen has 3x better scratch resistance, while the back glass is 4x more resistant to cracks. In his presentation, Apple’s SVP of Hardware Engineering, John Ternus, even proclaimed that it’s “more durable than any previous iPhone.”

    The iPhone Air also exceeded my expectations when it comes to its specs. The iPhone Air actually has a more powerful processor and slightly larger ProMotion display than the iPhone 17. Apple actually called the iPhone Air’s A19 Pro chip the “fastest CPU in any smartphone.”

    “This is MacBook Pro levels of compute in an iPhone,” VP of Platform Architecture Tim Millet said in the announcement.

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    The battery life of the iPhone Air seems like it could be a drawback. Not even this striking phone can overcome its size, and some sacrifices are inevitable, right? No other iPhone has been so intertwined with the announcement of a new slim battery as a probably necessary accessory, which costs an extra $99.

    Apple says that with the battery, you can watch 40 hours of video, but 27 without it. For streaming video, the Air can support 22 hours of playback with no extra battery pack, which is actually the same battery life as last year’s iPhone 16.

    While I’m less concerned about the phone’s camera capabilities — I remain too stubborn to use an iPhone for my “serious” artistic endeavors — it’s worth mentioning that this phone has (gasp!) just one back camera lens. That means no separate telephoto camera, although Apple says the phone can still zoom in like models with their own telephoto lenses. But I’ll take the sleek design over an extra camera lens, especially if the single lens is as good as other iPhones’ main lens.Image Credits:Apple

    It seems too good to be true. Could the iPhone Air really be a magical device that defies everything we’ve ever known about hardware? Could it actually be that tiny and that powerful?

    I won’t be buying the iPhone Air on the day of its release. I’m too cynical and need to know from real people, not Apple, that this device is worth the $999 price tag. But if the reviews are good, well, I think I’ll go with the Cloud White finish on my new iPhone Air.

  • German regional train derails, killing at least three people

    A train derailment in southern Germany killed at least three people and injured others. The cause is under investigation, with weather possibly a factor.

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    A regional passenger train derailed in southern Germany on Sunday, killing at least three people, authorities said. At least 34 people were injured, some seriously, according to initial reports.
    Around 100 people were on board the train when at least two carriages derailed in a forested area in the evening between Riedlingen and Munderkingen, roughly 158 kilometres west of Munich. The train departed from Sigmaringen and was traveling to Ulm.

    Photos from the scene showed parts of the train on its side as rescuers climbed atop the carriages.
    Rescuers with dogs searched the train for any missing passengers who were potentially stuck under the derailed carriages, local media reported, adding that search efforts continued through the night. Cranes were expected to be brought in to lift up the carriges on Monday.
    Federal and local police said the cause of the crash is still under investigation.
    The region was hit by heavy storms earlier in the evening before the crash, and investigators are seeking to determine if the rain was a factor.
    “There have been heavy rains here, so it cannot be ruled out that the heavy rain and a related landslide accident may have been the cause,” Interior Minister of the State of Baden Württenberg, Thomas Strobl, said.

    German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in a post on social platform X that he mourned the victims and gave his condolences to their families.
    Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s main national railway operator, said in a statement that it was cooperating with investigators. The company also offered its condolences.

  • Former boxing champion Ricky Hatton dies aged 46

    Former boxing champion Ricky Hatton dies aged 46

    The former light-welterweight and welterweight world champion was one of the most popular boxers in British history. News of Hatton’s death comes two months after he announced he would make a return to boxing in December.

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    British boxing legend Ricky Hatton has been found dead at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester. The 46-year-old former light-welterweight and welterweight world champion was one of the most popular boxers in British history.
    His death is not being treated as suspicious, according to Greater Manchester Police.

    “Officers were called by a member of the public to attend Bowlacre Road, Hyde, Tameside, at 6:45 am today where they found the body of a 46-year-old man,” police authorities said in a statement.
    Hatton was crowned world champion for the first time in 2005 when he beat Kosta Tszyu. He retired from boxing in 2022, but later announced a return for a bout planned for December this year.
    News of Hatton’s death comes two months after he announced he would make a return to boxing in December in a professional bout against Eisa Al Dah in Dubai.
    Tributes were quick to pour in on Sunday morning.
    “Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton,” former world champion Amir Khan posted on X.

    Former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury took to Instagram and posted photos of the pair together, writing “There will only ever be one Ricky Hatton. Can’t believe this so young.”
    In a post on X, Hatton’s former manager, Frank Warren, described him as a “superbly talented fighter who inspired a generation of young boxers and fans in a way very few had done before,” adding he will “rightly go down as one of the modern greats of this sport.”
    Football club Manchester City, who Hatton was a lifelong fan of, announced there would be a minute of appreciation for the former boxing champion at Sunday’s game against Manchester United.
    “Ricky was one of City’s most loved and revered supporters, who will always be remembered for a glittering boxing career that saw him win world titles at welterweight and light-welterweight,” the club said in a statement. “Everyone at the Club would like to send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.”

  • Plaud launches a new AI hardware notetaker, the 9 Note Pro

    Plaud launches a new AI hardware notetaker, the $179 Note Pro

    Hardware company Plaud.ai released its new physical notetaker, the Plaud AI Pro, on Wednesday. The notetaker, priced at $179, comes two years after the original Plaud Note was released, and a year after the company released an AI pin.

    For people who haven’t seen one, the Plaud Note is a credit-card-sized hardware notetaker, which can stick on the back of your phone and help you take notes for calls or in-person meetings.

    The Note Pro looks similar to the original Note, but there’s one major difference. The new device has a small 0.95-inch AMOLED screen, which shows information like a recording indicator and battery level.An image of Plaud AI hardware notetaker displaying battery level on its tiny screen.Image Credits:Plaud.ai

    The Note Pro offers a 30-hour recording capacity for the standard range. But you can push the device to record for 50 hours with a shorter range of 9.8 feet (nearly 3 meters) on a single charge.

    The company said that the Note Pro has four MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) mics, compared with two on the last-gen device, to better capture audio. Because of this, the Note Pro can capture audio within the range of 16.4 feet (nearly 5 meters), resulting in a 2x jump in range from the original Note Pro. The startup said users will get better noise suppression and speaker detection with the new device, as well.

    While you had to manually switch between calls and in-person recording on the original Note, the Note Pro uses an auto-detection feature for this.

    Plaud.ai is also updating its companion app with new features. You can take notes in text on your phone — just like Granola — and add images, like slides.

    The app update also offers “multidimensional summaries,” which allow you to extract insights in different formats, such as key insights or data items. The company built templates for summary generation, and the app can automatically suggest the right one based on your role. Plus, you can build your own templates.An Image showing a person using Plaud AI notetaker while adding an image to notes using Plaud's appImage Credits:Plaud.ai

    Another new feature, still in beta, allows you to query your notes.

    The Plaud Note Pro is priced at $179/£169, and users can preorder the device starting today, with shipping slated for October 2025. The company said people preordering the device will get 600 complimentary transcription minutes along with a magnetic case. Users can get 300 minutes of monthly transcription for free, and if they want more, they need to buy a paid monthly plan or a one-time top-up.

    Plaud is one of the companies that has been successfully chugging along when other AI device makers haven’t had a lot of popularity. Exor-backed Bee got acquired by Amazon, and Friend just started shipping after a few delays.

    Plaud said that it has shipped over a million units of its AI hardware notetakers, with nearly 50% users upgrading to the Pro plan.

  • Signal introduces free and paid backup plans for your chats

    Signal introduces free and paid backup plans for your chats

    Privacy-focused messaging app Signal announced on Monday that it’s introducing a feature that allows users to back up their text conversations for free, along with the last 45 days of media. It’s also debuting its first paid feature by offering full media backups with up to 100GB of storage.

    Historically, the messaging app didn’t let users store any kind of backup of your conversations on the platform. This could be especially troublesome if you lost or broke your phone. While you could transfer conversations from one phone to another, there was no cloud backup in place. The new feature finally solves that problem, making Signal a more valuable app for secure messaging.

    Signal’s free tier gives users 100MB of storage for text messages and the last 45 days’ worth of media. The company said in its blog post that it stores messages after compressing them, and 100MB would be sufficient for “even heavy” users.For users who want to store beyond the last 45 days of media, the company is offering a $1.99 per month paid plan with 100GB of storage.This is Signal’s first paid feature, and the company said it’s charging users to assist with the cost of storage in a privacy-preserving way.

    You can enable the secure backup feature from the app’s Settings, which will then begin to back up your content daily.

    Signal is using zero-knowledge technology to secure its backups, so they’re not linked to a particular user or a specific payment method. Users will receive a 64-character recovery key that is generated on the device to unlock their backups. Amid Signal rivals, WhatsApp offers end-to-end backup through an optional feature that users have to enable.

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    At launch, Signal is offering this feature only on the beta version of its Android app, but said that cross-platform availability is coming soon. It noted that, in the future, it plans to let users save a backup archive wherever they want. Plus, it intends to enable users to transfer their message history between platforms.

  • EU to revisit suspension of partnership with Israel over violations in Gaza

    EU to revisit suspension of partnership with Israel over violations in Gaza

    The EU’s 27 foreign affairs ministers were expected to respond to a recent review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement which found “indications” that Israel breached its human rights obligations with actions in Gaza.

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    If Israel doesn’t “improve the situation” in Gaza, the EU will discuss “further measures” on how to suspend its association agreement with Tel Aviv at its next gathering in July, the bloc’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters following a highly anticipated meeting with her EU counterparts in Brussels.
    “Our first goal is to change the situation on the ground,” Kallas said. “If the situation does not improve, then we can discuss further measures and come back in July.”

    Kallas spoke a few days after she presented to the ministers an eight-page review of the bloc’s EU-Israel association agreement, which stated that there were “indications” that Israel would be in breach of its human rights obligations under Article 2 of the agreement.
    The EU’s foreign ministers were expected to respond to a list of violations which include the blockade of humanitarian assistance, military strikes against hospitals and forced displacement of the Palestinian population.
    But the meeting also took place amid unprecedented tensions in the Middle-east, more than 24 hours after the US joined Israel’s strikes against Iran’s nuclear sites and hit three key military sites in Iran.
    Israel also blasted the EU-Israel Association Agreement review, saying “this report and its conclusions should not be taken seriously or used as a basis for any future actions or conversations”, in a letter from the country’s foreign ministry to the EU seen by Euronews.
    Though diplomats argue that Iran and the war in Gaza are two separate issues, the US military intervention has added another degree of uncertainty among Europeans, who have been “scrambling to see how to react”, one diplomat said.

    If Israel does not improve the situation in Gaza, it will be up to Kallas to explore “options” to suspend the association agreement.
    Though a complete suspension of the agreement appears out of the question because there is no unanimity among member states, the diplomat said one option envisaged by ministers on Monday would be to partially suspend certain provisions related to free trade, research, technology in the EU-Israel association agreement.
    The diplomat said Kallas would work with the European Commission, which is in charge of trade issues, to find options requiring a qualified majority, meaning at least 55% of countries representing at least 65% of the bloc’s population.
    “The concrete question is what are we able to agree?” Kallas asked.

  • Trump Commits to Ending Russia’s War in Ukraine, Urges Zelensky and European Allies

    Trump’s “Diplomatic Hang‑out”: Ukraine’s Pop Tour in Washington

    Why the president of Ukraine and the entire European squad showed up to the White House today

    In a whirlwind of politics and hopeful vibes, the Ukrainian president and his European buddies landed in Washington this Monday for a face‑to‑face with President Donald Trump. The goal? Push for a quick peace deal amid Russia’s relentless battering of Ukraine.

    Meeting Highlights (in scroll‑through format)

    • Ukrainian President: Arrived with a white‑flag‑branded briefcase, hoping to steer calm.
    • European Allies: From France to Poland, they brought their own “We’re-Here-For-You” stickers.
    • Trump: Casual, in a suit that practically said, “Let’s make history—yup.”
    • US Push: Team Trump wants to fast‑track peace talks, no stand‑and‑wait.
    • Ukraine’s Dilemma: Is it a bold move or a puzzle piece on a thousand‑piece jigsaw?
    Why This Matters

    In a world where every headline feels like a blockbuster script, this meeting is the real‑life sequel to diplomacy. The stakes are high: every nation’s gut is stuck waiting for the popcorn – aka, peace. Politicians, soldiers, and pizza lovers alike are holding their breath as the drama unfolds in the capital.

    Stay tuned – because if Trump drops the “bravo” like a mic, we might just hear the anthem of a calm era.

    Trump Calls It a “Big Day” as Global Leaders Huddle Over Ukraine

    Picture this: Washington, D.C. buzzes with the voices of world leaders, all packing their briefcases with a single mission—finding a quick end to Russia’s relentless war in Ukraine. President Donald Trump threw his hallmark flair on the day, calling the gathering a “big day.”

    Why It Matters

    • Trump’s showdown with Russian President Vladimir Putin just days earlier—Alaska’s frosty frontiers witnessed a diplomatic high‑stakes battle.
    • Now, he’s dropping the “ceasefire” tab to fast‑track a peace deal, even though the conflict is still raging like a Fourth‑Year Fourth‑Century saga.
    • But every president knows the pitfall: pulling the plug on negotiations might mean making concessions that please Moscow even further.

    The Red‑Hot List of Guests

    1. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz — some say he brings an added dose of German efficiency.
    2. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer — he’s the one who wants a headline that reads “Brits move fast.”
    3. French President Emmanuel Macron — schlocky baguette diplomacy at its best.
    4. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni — she’s burning models—Italian style.
    5. Finnish President Alexander Stubb — the quiet one with a grumpy grin.
    6. Extra guest star: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the keenly cold NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte.
    What the Crowd Wants

    Between fingers‐tapping and podium shouting, a clear theme emerged: Russia wants full control of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson and the tassel‑feathered Crimea. Talking about a “coalition of the willing” could turn into a serious offer of a ““choice” for the next big game.

    From Behind the Headlines to Your Screen

    Stick around for the live Euronews stream, and we’ll keep you posted with the most up‑to‑date scoops from the heart of D.C. — the place where world leaders grapple, talk, and occasionally, chuckle about the absurdity of the situation.

  • Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran-backed Houthis rock Yemen's capital

    Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran-backed Houthis rock Yemen's capital

    At least six people were killed and 86 injured after multiple areas across the Yemeni capital of Sanaa were hit by Israeli airstrikes, according to the Houthi-run health ministry.

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    Israeli airstrikes hit the Yemeni capital of Sanaa on Sunday, days after the Houthi rebels fired a missile towards Israel that its military described as the first cluster bomb the rebels had launched at it since 2023.  
    At least six people were killed and 86 wounded after multiple areas across Sanaa were hit, according to the Iranian-backed Houthi-run health ministry. 

    Israel’s military said it struck the Asar and Hezyaz power plants, calling them “a significant electricity supply facility for military activities,” along with a military site where the presidential palace is located. 
    Residents of the capital said they heard explosions close to a closed military academy and the presidential palace. 
    The Houthis have launched missiles and drones towards Israel and targeted ships in the Red Sea for over 22 months, saying they were attacking out of solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing war in Gaza. 
    Deputy head of the Houthi media office, Nasruddin Amer, vowed to continue attacks on Israel, writing on social media that “our military operations supporting Gaza won’t stop, God willing, unless the aggression is stopped, and the siege is lifted.” 
    The latest strikes on Sanaa follow the Houthis’ claim of launching a newly equipped missile towards Israel on Friday, targeting the country’s largest airport, Ben Gurion. There were no reported damage or injuries. 

    An Israeli Air Force official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with military regulations, called Friday’s projectile a new threat – a cluster munition, meant to detonate into multiple explosives on impact. 
    The use of cluster bombs makes interception more difficult and represents additional technology provided to the Houthis by Iran, the official asserted.