WB axes Shadow of Mordor maker in setback for clever, sadly patented game system

Opinion: By playing it safe, WB makes it harder for other games to experiment.

Source: Ars Technica

Taiwan condemns China for holding "live-fire exercises" off its coast

Taiwan says China violated norms and caused a "high degree of danger" by announcing "live-fire exercises without prior warning" just off its coast.

Source: CBS News

Pope’s Illness Is Surrounded by Intrigue Over Possible Resignation

A secret meeting, and echoes of Benedict’s exit, have heightened talk that Francis could resign, too. But the possibility is anyone’s guess.

Source: New York Times

Everything announced at Amazon's Alexa event today: Alexa Plus, new Echo Show UI, and more

Amazon held its Devices and Services event today, during which it made some major announcements. Here's what you can expect from the new Alexa+.

Source: ZDNet

What the German election result means for green policy

Also in today’s newsletter, will Big Pharma pay into the UN’s new biodiversity fund?

Source: Financial Times

She Lobbied for Formaldehyde. Now She’s at E.P.A. Approving New Chemicals.

Lynn Dekleva, who recently took a senior role at the agency, once led an aggressive effort by industry to block regulations on formaldehyde.

Source: New York Times

Were first EU-Israel talks since Gaza war business as usual?

Israel's foreign minister met EU officials amid concerns over violence in the occupied West Bank and Gaza's future.

Source: Deutsche Welle

France calls for Europe to co-operate on expulsion of undocumented migrants

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot on Wednesday called for European governments to co-operate on restricting immigration from countries that refuse to take back undocumented migants who are facing deportation from …

Source: France 24

Gaza ceasefire deal impasse resolved by mediators, officials say

The delayed release of 600 Palestinian prisoners will reportedly go ahead when Hamas returns four Israeli hostages' bodies.

Source: BBC

Chile reels after worst blackout in 15 years hits copper mines

Government imposes curfew after more than 90% of country loses power in transmission failure

Source: Financial Times

Dispute over disarming Hamas bedevils efforts to extend Gaza ceasefire

With the first phase of the truce set to expire Saturday, Israel and Hamas appear far from reaching an agreement to proceed to the second, decisive phase.

Source: Washington Post

Russia-Ukraine war live: Trump says Zelenskyy to sign minerals deal as Kremlin calls peacekeeper proposal a ‘deceit’

US president says Ukraine president to visit White House on Friday; Russia’s foreign minister says UK and France ‘engaged in further fuelling conflict’

The Kremlin said on Wednesday that expert …

Source: The Guardian