104 – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Richard Lawler

Richard Lawler

Senior News Editor

Senior News Editor

    More From Richard Lawler

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Linus Torvalds on the attempted XZ Utils hack.

    During a keynote interview at Open Source Summit North America, the Linux founder discussed tabs vs. spaces, RISC-V, and the risks of security issues from maintainers raised by the recent exploit attempt:

    Torvalds acknowledges that “Clearly it’s a wake-up call — there’s no question about that… I think we’re going to see a lot of work being put into some kind of trust model, where people see, ‘Oh, this is a new person’, or ‘This is a person that is acting differently from before.”

    Linus Torvalds on Security, AI, Open Source and Trust

    [The New Stack]

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    This might be Google’s Pixel 9 Pro, complete with 16GB of RAM.

    We’ve seen purported renders of the Pixel 9, now 9to5Google points out Rozetked (also a source for Pixel 3 era leaks) photos of a prototype 6.1-inch Pixel 9 Pro.

    In a picture of the boot screen, it says the “caiman” device has 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM onboard (up from 12GB on the Pixel 8 Pro), along with 128GB of storage.

    Composite photo, showing one picture with a Pixel 9 Ori prototype next to an iPhone 15 Pro, and a nother closer shot of its rear camera setup.
    Image: Rozetked
    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Apple ordered to remove WhatsApp, Threads, Signal, and Telegram from the App Store in China.

    While US lawmakers take aim at TikTok, The Wall Street Journal reports that several popular messaging apps were removed by Apple at the request of the Chinese government which will make it harder for people in the country to download the apps for use with a VPN. Reuters notes that Meta apps like Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram are still available.

    Here’s Apple’s statement on the matter:

    “The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from the China storefront based on their national security concerns. We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree.”

    China Orders Apple to Remove WhatsApp From App Store

    [The Wall Street Journal]

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Apex Legends locks things down and brings back Three Strikes.

    The developers of Apex Legends announced a new collection event, the return of the fast-paced Three Strikes mode that brings bad players (like me) right back into the action, and a new “Apex Rumble” asynchronous tournament system.

    But most importantly, TechCrunch reports that the hacker behind last month’s ALGS incident says the exploit he used to hack streamers mid-game has been patched.

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Best Buy launches an augmented reality shopping app for the Vision Pro.

    Apple’s headset doesn’t have an official Netflix app, but MacRumors mentions Best Buy’s app has arrived.

    Just put on your Vision Pro, open the Best Buy Envision app and scroll through hundreds of options to see them appear digitally, right in front your eyes, in your physical space.

    Now, all we need is a Netflix app for those virtual TVs.

    Simulated view of the Best Buy Vision Pro app projecting LG and Amazon TVs into a living room setting next to a page of Best Buy product listings with details and prices.
    Augmented Best Buy Reality
    Image: Best Buy
    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Overwatch 2 targets console cheaters using XIM, ReaSnow, and Cronus devices.

    Like Rainbow Six Siege, Call of Duty, and Destiny 2, the developers of Overwatch 2 are going after players who use “unapproved peripherals” to combine the precision of mouse and keyboard controls with the aim assist granted to controller players.

    Over the next few weeks, there will be permanent account bans against players who are the most severe abusers of unapproved peripherals. These actions will be targeted towards high-ranked players who have been reported by others and who our data clearly shows are using an unapproved peripheral.

    Director’s Take: Addressing Unapproved Peripherals on Consoles

    [Overwatch]

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Wait, Mark Zuckerberg’s a chain guy now?

    We’ve seen Zuck in his grilling phase (both meat and in front of Congress) as an MMA athlete, a metaverse CEO, and now... announcing AI updates as a middle-aged man wearing a chain.

    The good news is that, unlike the “gold” chain I bought on Virginia Beach in the 90s, I doubt it will turn his skin green.

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    A 911 outage hit several states overnight.

    CNN, Reuters, and other outlets are reporting on issues affecting cities in at least four states last night, including South Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, and Texas. At least one emergency services department said the problem was due to a wireless carrier going down but didn’t specify the company.

    The FCC says it’s investigating, and service has reportedly been restored.

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    This looks better on your phone.

    Threads is part of Instagram, but it’s never played nicely with Reels — until now.

    Now, Threads posts with Reels (like this one of Becca Farsace checking out the new Insta360 cam) viewed in the Android or iOS app will display the video in line instead of burdening viewers with the responsibility of an additional click. Web viewers, however, will still need to use their imagination or click through.

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Nike’s 404 Error Air Force 1 arrives on April 23rd.

    Despite being a .Swoosh-exclusive this BSOD-themed shoe doesn’t have any NFT links or crypto wallet requirements (although you will need to register an account by April 18th).

    Nike’s web3 plans for .Swoosh seem mostly dead, with a January blog post saying digital gaming item tie-ins will skip the blockchain and instead just link to Nike accounts.

    Close-up of blue Nike low-top shoe with print on the side reading “404 Error. The requested upper was not found. Try again.”
    Nike Air Force 1 Low - “404”
    Close-up of blue Nike low-top shoe with print on the side reading “404 Error. The requested upper was not found. Try again.”
    Close-up of blue Nike low-top shoe with print on the side reading “404 Error. The requested upper was not found. Try again.”
    Close-up of blue Nike low-top shoe with print on the side reading “404 Error. The requested upper was not found. Try again.”
    Nike Air Force 1 Low - “404”
    Nike Air Force 1 Low - “404”
    1/7
    Nike Air Force 1 Low - “404”
    Image: Nike

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