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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.

  • 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 — 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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  • 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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    Join 10k+ tech and VC leaders for growth and connections at Disrupt 2025

    Netflix, Box, a16z, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just some of the 250+ heavy hitters leading 200+ sessions designed to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech. Grab your ticket before Sept 26 to save up to $668.

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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.

  • Verified: Mount Etna Eruption Footage from Tourists Is Real, Not AI‑Generated

    Verified: Mount Etna Eruption Footage from Tourists Is Real, Not AI‑Generated

    Mount Etna Goes Boooo! But the Internet Isn’t Sure It’s Real!

    Confusion on the Global Feed

    The big splash of magma that erupted from Italy’s infamous Mt. Etna on June 2nd has left the online world feeling a bit “glitchy.”

    Real Footage or a Reddit Meme?

    • Some video lovers are rolling their eyes, saying the shaky clips look fake.
    • Others are throwing up the “vintage” of volcanic action from a decade ago.

    What’s Really Happening?

    Scientists confirm the eruption is live, but the timing of the photos has led to a mix‑and‑match situation. One photo shows a plume of ash soaring 1,500 meters, while another’s a vintage shot of erupting lava tumbling down the flank.

    The Bottom Line for the Bloggers

    Let’s call it a “Volcano Remix.” The real deal stands; just remember the internet loves a good remix, even if the original footage isn’t identical.

    Mount Etna’s 2 June eruption: Fact or fake?

    Picture this: You’re scrolling through your feed, suddenly a video pops up—people skidding down a lava‑heated slope, chattering, cheeks reddened, all while the sky turns a theatrical gray. It looks epic, it looks real, yet some folks swear that this is a slick AI trick.

    The viral clip that had everyone talking

    • The footage shows tourists hurriedly escaping the crater, captured by the Associated Press on the day of the eruption.
    • It spread like wildfire across news sites and social media, quickly becoming one of the most‑shared videos of the year.
    • Despite its authenticity, the clip got a lot of skeptics during a time when AI‑generated videos have become almost indistinguishable from genuine footage.

    Are we all suddenly being fooled by deep‑fakes?

    Yes, and it’s not just us. A recent Adobe survey revealed that nearly 75% of respondents have started questioning the credibility of visuals—even from legit news outlets—because of the flood of misinformation online.

    Enter the “white mushroom” photo mystery

    A photo that showed Mount Etna erupting into a giant white cloud, shared by the Facebook page Travel Wonders on June 2, racked up over 72,000 likes.

    • EuroVerify ran a reverse image search and discovered the photo actually dated back to December 4, 2015. The image was taken only a few meters from the same spot—so nothing to do with the 2025 eruption.
    • The picture has also appeared in multiple academic reports, confirming its age and clarifying that it’s not fresh volcanic action.

    What’s the takeaway?

    While the 2 June eruption was real (and the video is genuine), the increasing sophistication of AI content means we’re all learning to double‑check. If something looks too good (or too spammy) to be true, dig a little deeper—you’ll often find a colorful mix of truth, hype, and a dash of tech wizardry.

  • 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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    Join 10k+ tech and VC leaders for growth and connections at Disrupt 2025

    Netflix, Box, a16z, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just some of the 250+ heavy hitters leading 200+ sessions designed to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech. Grab your ticket before Sept 26 to save up to $668.

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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.