Apple increases prices for Macs and iPads, blaming a shortage of memory chips
Apple on Thursday announced an increase in prices for Macs and iPads, citing a memory chip shortage brought on by the artificial intelligence boom. The Cupertino, California-based company called the demand spike an “unprecedented challenge” for the consumer electronics industry. The new, entry-level MacBook Neo will now cost $699, up from $599. The 512 gigabyte MacBook Air now costs $1,299, up from $1,099. The one terabyte MacBook Pro is $1,999, up from $1,699. The 128 gigabyte iPad Air is now $749, up from $599, while the 256 gigabyte iPad Pro Wifi is now $1,199, up from $999. Analysts expect iPhone prices to rise later this year.
King Charles III will not live at Buckingham Palace after completion of costly refurbishment
LONDON (AP) — King Charles III will not live at Buckingham Palace after the completion of a 10-year, 369 million-pound ($487 million) refurbishment program as the monarchy seeks to increase public access to the historic building that has been the center of royal life for almost 200 years. Royal officials stress that the king and Queen Camilla would continue to work out of the palace, which will remain “the ceremonial and operational center” of the monarchy. But for the rest of Charles’ reign, the king and queen will remain in nearby Clarence House. The decision was announced during a briefing in which Charles became the first British monarch to reveal the taxes he paid to the government.
Norman Rockwell people-watched in the West Wing lobby. Now those sketches are on public display
WASHINGTON (AP) — A series of Norman Rockwell sketches of scenes from the West Wing lobby is going on public display for the first time. The four 1940s-era sketches titled “So You Want to See the President!” depict U.S. senators, generals and even a Miss America biding time as they wait in the reception area. Rockwell spent hours at the White House, people-watching to create the sketches. The White House Historical Association paid more than $7 million last year for the sketches. They'll be on display through June 2027 at the association's “The People's House” exhibit near the White House.
Detroit Lions player Terrion Arnold is charged with directing attack against 3 people in Florida
DETROIT (AP) — Detroit Lions player Terrion Arnold has been charged in Tampa, Florida, with leading a plot to detain and pistol-whip three people whom he believed had stolen from him. The crimes could carry a sentence of up to life in prison. Tampa police say Arnold believed the young men had stolen $100,000 and luxury goods from him at an Airbnb rental in February. But investigators found they had nothing to do it. Arnold's lawyer says the NFL player “absolutely” denies the allegations. Arnold remains locked up until the next hearing Monday.
Archaeologists find huge Viking textile production site in Denmark
SØFTEN, Denmark (AP) — Archaeologists say they have discovered a huge Viking Age textile production site in Denmark that dates back more than 1,000 years and underlines the sophistication of Viking society. Experts from the Moesgaard Museum said this week that the sprawling, more than 1 million square-foot site features an area for processing flax as well as more than 80 pit houses. The semi-buried huts were used as workshops and dwellings in Viking times. A historian says goods and resources were likely brought from the countryside and settlements like this one before entering an extensive international trade network.
New York Knicks revel in their NBA victory parade as joyous fans and celebs fill the streets
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Knicks celebrated their first NBA championship in 53 years with a ticker-tape parade through Manhattan’s “Canyon of Heroes,” drawing thousands of fans dressed in the team’s blue and orange. Finals MVP Jalen Brunson hoisted the trophy toward the crowd so they could touch it, while teammates rode floats through the streets or got off to interact with cheering fans. Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a big Knicks fan, and celebrities including Spike Lee and Alicia Keys joined the party Thursday. The parade marks a historic moment for the franchise and city, which did not hold championship parades after the Knicks’ title wins in the 1970s.
Edmonton Oilers hire Mike Babcock after NHL clears veteran coach following an investigation
NEW YORK (AP) — The Edmonton Oilers have hired Mike Babcock as head coach, marking his return to the NHL after more than six years. The NHL cleared him following an investigation into his brief 2023 stint with Columbus. Babcock aims to lead stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to a Stanley Cup. Babcock, 63, has a history of success but also controversy. He stepped down from the Blue Jackets due to privacy concerns and has faced criticism for his coaching style. Despite past issues, the NHL found no reason to prevent his employment.
AI chatbots hit the dating scene, becoming the lovelorn's modern-day Cyrano
Artificial intelligence adopters have been using the tech in varied ways to find romance. Some patronize AI matchmaking services. Others use AI tools to help build their dating profiles. But the most common way is enlisting chatbots to draft messages to potential matches and interpret messages they receive. Dating apps and AI companies are leaning into it. ChatGPT and Gemini have posted content on TikTok showcasing their chatbots’ customized, personality-laden relationship advice. “Claude is the new Cyrano,” said dating coach Carey Gaynes, referencing the 19th century French play “Cyrano de Bergerac” in which the titular character is the brains behind another man’s romantic words.
Tucker Carlson says he'll no longer support the Republican Party
Tucker Carlson says he won't support the Republican Party ahead of the November midterm elections. Speaking recently on the “Can't Be Censored” podcast, Carlson expressed disillusionment with the party he defended for over 35 years. He criticized the party for prioritizing foreign interests over American citizens. Carlson's views of the GOP have shifted, especially after President Donald Trump's decision to go to war with Iran in February. He campaigned for Trump in 2024 but later apologized for misleading people. Carlson insists he won't support the Democratic Party either.
A plan to sell artifacts from the Titanic faces US government opposition
A newly unsealed court filing shows the U.S. government opposes a plan to auction more than 100 artifacts recovered from the wreckage of the Titanic in the North Atlantic. The Georgia-based company RMS Titanic Inc. has exclusive salvage rights to the famous wreck, and has extracted dishware, gold coins and even pieces of the ship's hull. It wants to sell some of those artifacts for the first time, despite previous agreements to only display them at museums and traveling exhibitions. It proposed auctioning some artifacts and displaying them in four cities, however the details aren’t public. The U.S. government argues that plan would violate existing court orders and agreements, but the company says it would not.
