Tesla shares rose after Politico reported that CEO Elon Musk could leave his post at the so-called Department of Government Efficiency.

Nintendo will launch game titles including "Mario Kart World" and "Street Fighter 6" alongside the new hardware.

Seven years ago, when a joint bid by the United States, Canada and Mexico was awarded the 2026 World Cup, rifts created by tariffsyes, back then, too!and a proposed border wall were glossed over because of the neighbors longstanding political and economic alliances.The unity of the three nations was the overriding theme articulated by Carlos Cordeiro, then-president of the U.S. Soccer Federation. A powerful message, he called it.Well, here we are now, with the soccer showcase arriving in North America in about 15 months, and President Donald Trump back in officeinciting trade wars between the neighbors, not to mention across the globe, by levying tariffs that come, then go, then return, with more promised, including what the Republican calls reciprocal tariffs starting Wednesday.Its hard to know how, exactly, the current geopolitical fissures, made all the more stark every time Trump or those in his administration talk provocatively about making Canada the 51st state, might affect the World Cup, its organization and coordination, fans travel plans, and more.Oh, I think its going to make it more exciting, was Trumps take during an Oval Office appearance with FIFA President Gianni Infantino last month. Tensions a good thing.Will the world come to the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics?Given that the U.S. also is preparing to welcome the world for FIFAs Club World Cup in June, golfs Ryder Cup in September, and the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, the question becomes: Will the world want to come?And, taking Trumps border and visa policies into account, will the world be able to?Alan Rothenberg, who ran the 1994 World Cup and successfully oversaw the bid to host the 1999 Womens World Cup as then-president of U.S. Soccer, thinks the answers to those questions are Yes. Pointing to concerns about the last two World Cups, in Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022, he noted those still attracted attendance totals above three million apiece.People love the United States around the worldfrankly, we wouldnt have the immigration issue that were dealing with if that werent the caseso a lot of this is government-to-government, Rothenberg said. A passionate soccer fan is not going to be held up by that.He doesnt think one of the host nations would drop out of the World Cup, say, or that other countries might boycott, as happened at the 1976, 1980, and 1984 Summer Olympics.More than anything, theyll see it as an opportunity for, perhaps, rapprochement, rather than escalating the tensions, Rothenberg said.Besides, from an organizing standpoint, if either Canada or Mexico withdrew from the World Cup, he said, the U.S. would pick up the games in a heartbeat.Spectators booing the U.S. national anthemStill, as the White House stance on tariffs and Russias war in Ukraine have put Europe on edge, and relations with other countries have become fraught, it might not be a surprise if soccer stadiums for the U.S. games at the World Cup offer the same sort of anti-American sentiment heard when spectators in Canada booed The Star-Spangled Banner during hockeys 4 Nations Face-Off in February.FIFA, soccers governing body, did not respond to Associated Press requests for comment, but Infantino has never hidden his admiration for Trump, which he often demonstrates via social media. They have met at least five times since the U.S. election in November.Last week, when Kirsty Coventry was elected president of the International Olympic Committeebecoming the first woman in that positionshe was asked how she would work with Trump and what she would tell athletes about traveling to the U.S. for the next Games.I have been dealing with, lets say, difficult men, in high positions since I was 20 years old, Coventry said with a chuckle, and first and foremost, what I have learned is that communication will be key. That is something that will happen early on. And my firm belief is that President Trump is a huge lover of sports. He will want these Games to be significant. He will want them to be a success.Referring to concerns about whether the administration might deny some athletes visas, she added: We will not waver from our values . . . of solidarity in ensuring that every athlete that qualifies for the Olympic Games has the possibility to attend the Olympic Games and be safe during the Olympic Games.The overriding assumption among those involved in the Olympics is that Trump will assure the 2028 Games are a success.As U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee chairman Gene Sykes put it: I cant speak for him, but I think hes the kind of person who probably believes that having these go very, very well is a reflection of his leadership.Will Trumps tariffs and other policies affect soccers World Cup?The most likely outcome is that Trumps nonsense wont have an impact, said Smith College professor Andrew Zimbalist, an expert on the economics of sports.My guess is that if relations between Canada and the U.S. deteriorate to the point that there are travel restrictions and spending restrictions, Zimbalist said, Trump wouldjust like hes making exceptions all the time on his tariffs policiesmake an exception for a month or six weeks.The U.S. and Canadian soccer federations declined AP requests for comment on how White House policies might affect the 2026 World Cup.Gabriela Cuevas, who represents Mexicos government in meetings with FIFA, said she considers the tariffs and the soccer event separate issues, adding that she believes the World Cup could be a route to engage in a conversation.Observers tend to agree, saying logistics such as security cooperation or team transportation from city to cityor country to countryshould not be hampered when it comes to the World Cup, scheduled to take place in 16 cities across the U.S., Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.The borders might become an issue, though.The main thing FIFA needs to move for this event is not car parts, and its not wheat, and its not electricity. Its people. Thats your real concern, said Victor Matheson, an economics professor at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts.What were previously pretty reasonable border crossings could become much more challenging, simply because both sides amp up their level of inspections and the United States, in particular, cuts down government services that allow people to move effectively between countries.As for the fans, 29-year-old Mexican businessman German Camacho Pacheco said soccer is religion in his country, so when it comes to the World Cup, I dont think they care about tariffs.Camacho, wearing the Monterrey club jersey of defender Sergio Ramos while on the way to watch a game at a sports bar in Mexico City, said he doesnt expect there to be any effect at all on the World Cup unless this goes from a trade war to an actual war.AP writers Greg Beacham in Inglewood, California; Nancy Benac in Washington; Ronald Blum in New York; Graham Dunbar in Costa Navarino, Greece; Eddie Pells in Denver; Anne M. Peterson in Portland, Oregon, and Carlos Rodriguez in Mexico City contributed.Howard Fendrich is an AP national writer. Find his stories here: https://apnews.com/author/howard-fendrich. More AP sports: https://apnews.com/sportsHoward Fendrich, AP National Writer

The U.S. Naval Academy has removed nearly 400 books from its library after being told by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths office to review and get rid of ones that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, U.S officials said Tuesday.Academy officials were told to review the library late last week, and an initial search had identified about 900 books for a closer look. They decided on nearly 400 to remove and began doing so Monday, finishing before Hegseth arrived for a visit Tuesday that had already been planned and was not connected to the library purge, officials said. A list of the books has not yet been made available.Pulling the books off the shelves is another step in the Trump administrations far-reaching effort to eliminate so-called DEI content from federal agencies, including policies, programs, online and social media postings and curriculum at schools.Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said late Tuesday, All service academies are fully committed to executing and implementing President Trumps Executive Orders.The Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, the Air Force Academy near Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York, had not been included in President Donald Trumps executive order in January that banned DEI instruction, programs or curriculum in kindergarten through 12th grade schools that receive federal funding. That is because the academies are colleges.Pentagon leaders, however, suddenly turned their attention to the Naval Academy last week when a media report noted that the school had not removed books that promoted DEI. A U.S. official said the academy was told late last week to conduct the review and removal. It isnt clear if the order was directed by Hegseth or someone else on his staff.A West Point official confirmed that the school had completed a review of its curriculum and was prepared to review library content if directed by the Army. The Air Force and Naval academies had also done curriculum reviews as had been required.An Air Force Academy official said the school continually reviews its curriculum, coursework and other materials to ensure it all complies with executive orders and Defense Department policies. Last week, Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, the Air Force Academy superintendent, told Congress that the school was in the middle of its course review, but there was no mention of books.The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss academy policies.Hegseth has aggressively pushed the department to erase DEI programs and online content, but the campaign has been met with questions from angry lawmakers, local leaders and citizens over the removal of military heroes and historic mentions from Defense Department websites and social media pages.In response, the department has scrambled to restore some of those posts as their removals have come to light.The confusion about how to interpret the DEI policy was underscored Monday as Naval Academy personnel mistakenly removed some photos of distinguished female Jewish graduates from a display case as they prepared for Hegseths visit. The photos were put back.In a statement, the Navy said it is aware that photos were mistakenly removed from the Naval Academy Jewish Center. It said U.S. Naval Academy leadership was immediately taking steps to review and correct the unauthorized removal.Hegseth spoke with students and had lunch at the academy Tuesday, but media were not invited or allowed to cover the visit.Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press

This tiny piece of acrylic, just 34mm (1.3") square is essentially an IRL pixelator:The curious object was developed by Hakusi Katei, a Japanese materials engineer, and has a 16x16 pixel resolution. "From the initial concept through countless experiments, securing rights, mass production, and international shippingit was a tough journey," writes Katei, who batch-produced a run of 700 units. He was rewarded: They sold out immediately. Katei's currently working on a second batch scheduled to go on sale in April. If this is your thing, they can be ordered for $96 here.

This peculiar tool may not make sense to a tradesperson who always has a cordless tool on their hip. The Trio, by Japanese hand tool manufacturer Star-M, is an unpowered object with three functions: It can pre-drill holes, drive a screw, and install hooks. The tool caught my eye because I live on a rural property. Sheds and outbuildings often need plenty of hooks and screws for hanging things, and for small jobs, it'd be easier to have one of these handy than even a cordless drill. It comes in two sizes: An "S" for #1 screws and an "M" for #2 screws. Anything bigger than that, yeah, you're trekking back to the house for the drill.

Remember those sci-fi movies where characters interact with touch-enabled surfaces everywhere? While were not quite living in that futuristic world yet, the concept of interactive tables has started to materialize in high-end offices and luxury gaming setups. The catch? These fancy pieces of tech typically come with eye-watering price tags of $4,000 or more, putting them well beyond the reach of most home tinkerers and tech enthusiasts whod love to have this technology in their living rooms.But what if you could build your own interactive smart coffee table for a fraction of that cost? With some creative repurposing of second-hand electronics, reclaimed materials, and a bit of maker spirit, you can create a fully functional touch-enabled table for around $400. This DIY approach not only saves money but also gives old tech a new life while allowing you to customize every aspect of your creation to fit your specific needs and aesthetic preferences.Designer: Steve GibbsThe heart of this project lies in repurposing a second-hand 40-inch smart TV as the interactive display surface. Rather than buying a brand-new touchscreen (which would immediately blow your budget), this approach leverages technology you might already have gathering dust in your garage or can find at bargain prices online. The TV provides the visual component, while an old laptop serves as the brains of the operation, handling all the computing tasks and software needs without requiring you to invest in expensive new hardware. A touchscreen overlay on top of the TV, the only brand-new part in this build, provides the interactive element.Finding the right materials for the tables structure doesnt have to break the bank either. Reclaimed wood offers character and sustainability while keeping costs down. Many builders have successfully used pallet wood, old furniture pieces, or even lumber salvaged from renovation projects. This approach not only saves money but also gives your creation a unique, personalized look that mass-produced furniture simply cant match, all while keeping perfectly good materials out of landfills.What makes this DIY table particularly clever is the tilting mechanism that transforms it from a coffee table into a workstation. By designing a hinge system into the structure, you can angle the screen forward for more comfortable typing and interaction when you want to use it for productivity. Since the system runs both Windows 11 and Android, you essentially get a massive tablet and computer in one piece of furniture, though the height might not be ergonomically perfect for extended work sessions. Theres also a sliding tray to hold your work tools or as storage thats typically found on coffee tables.The build process requires some basic woodworking skills for constructing the frame and housing, along with a bit of electronics know-how for connecting the components. Youll need to carefully plan the internal layout to ensure proper ventilation for the electronics while maintaining the clean, finished look of a regular coffee table. Cable management becomes particularly important, as nobody wants to see a tangle of wires spoiling the sleek appearance of their custom furniture piece.The beauty of this DIY approach lies in its flexibility and customization potential. Want to add ambient lighting that reacts to whats on screen? Go for it. Need extra USB ports for charging devices? Easy to incorporate. Interested in adding voice control through a smart assistant? Thats doable too. Unlike commercial products with fixed features, your homemade smart table can evolve with your needs and incorporate new technologies as they become available, making it a long-term investment rather than a soon-to-be-obsolete gadget.The post DIY Interactive Smart Coffee Table Uses Second-hand Products and Reclaimed Materials first appeared on Yanko Design.

Theres something undeniably satisfying about cracking open an ice-cold beverage can and hearing that distinctive fizz. The refreshing sensation of that first sip is a simple pleasure that many of us take for granted, at least until were stuck with a lukewarm drink. Traditional coolers only maintain temperature for a few hours, and portable refrigerators are expensive, bulky options that most people wouldnt consider practical for everyday use.Enter the innovative self-chilling beverage can from Delta H Innovations, a groundbreaking solution thats changing how we enjoy our favorite drinks on the go. With just the press of a button, this remarkable container transforms a room-temperature beverage into a perfectly chilled drink in approximately two minutes; no ice, no refrigerator, and no planning ahead required. Its a game-changer for outdoor enthusiasts, commuters, and anyone whos ever wished for a cold drink in an inconvenient location.Designer: Delta H InnovationsThe science behind this clever invention is surprisingly straightforward yet incredibly effective. When you push the button located at the bottom of the can, water stored in the aluminum base mixes with special salt components embedded within the cans walls. This triggers an endothermic reaction, a process that absorbs heat from the surrounding liquid, rapidly cooling your beverage to the ideal temperature without any artificial refrigerants or electricity.Youll know the magic is happening when frost appears on the exterior of the can: a visible sign of the cooling process at work. The can even features a clever indicator system: a white snowflake logo that turns blue once the beverage reaches the optimal chilled temperature. This visual cue eliminates any guesswork about when your drink is ready to enjoy, making the experience both convenient and satisfying for users who appreciate thoughtful design details.The cooling effect isnt just a momentary gimmick either. Once activated, the can maintains its chilled temperature for up to 45 minutes, giving you plenty of time to enjoy your beverage at your own pace. When youre finished, disposal is as simple as with any standard aluminum can no special recycling procedures required. This seamless integration into existing habits makes adoption painless for environmentally conscious consumers.The can itself is 100% recyclable, but what truly sets this innovation apart is its unique approach to sustainability. While many eco-friendly products focus on materials or manufacturing processes, the self-chilling can addresses energy consumption in a completely different way. By eliminating the need for refrigeration, it reduces electricity usage across the beverage supply chain. Consider how much energy is consumed keeping drinks cold in stores, restaurants, and homes, this technology could potentially reduce that footprint significantly if widely adopted.The post Self-chilling Beverage Can Promotes Sustainability in a Different Way first appeared on Yanko Design.

Give yourself the best chance to get yourself a brand new Switch 2 on 5 June.

Nuke Stage allows real-time playback and live compositing of photo-realistic environments.