Israel Resumes Gaza War After Ceasefire Talks Collapse

Israel has launched a new wave of airstrikes across Gaza, reportedly targeting Hamas military and political infrastructure. The offensive, which began overnight, comes after the breakdown of ceasefire negotiations mediated by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reports approximately 200 Palestinian casualties from the latest strikes. Israeli officials argue that Hamas refused to extend the ceasefire by declining to release more hostages. The war, which began after Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel, has so far resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza authorities. Israel says the latest operation aimed at mid-level Hamas commanders and military assets was kept secret to ensure the element of surprise. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated that Hamas’ rejection of peace proposals left Israel with no choice but to intensify military action. Hamas, in response, blamed Israel for breaking the truce and warned that hostages in Gaza now face greater risk.

Sources: Axios

Trump-Putin Peace Talks: Ukraine Ceasefire Deal in the Works

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that "many elements" of a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine have been agreed upon ahead of his upcoming phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. While Trump expressed optimism about securing a ceasefire, he acknowledged that significant issues remain unresolved. The Trump administration has presented mixed messages on how far negotiations have progressed, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that discussions have mainly focused on the framework of talks rather than specific conditions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Putin for prolonging the war, while European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, called on Russia to commit to an immediate ceasefire. The proposed agreement includes discussions on land division, the fate of key infrastructure such as the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and mechanisms for monitoring a ceasefire. Despite Putin’s past claims of supporting a truce, he has set conditions regarding NATO presence and territorial disputes, particularly in the Kursk region. The White House remains optimistic, stating that peace in Ukraine "has never been closer."

Sources: BBC

Trump Challenges Biden’s Pardons, Legal Experts Say He Lacks Authority

President Donald Trump has declared that preemptive pardons issued by former President Joe Biden for members of the House Jan. 6 select committee are "void" because they were allegedly signed using an autopen. However, legal experts argue that Trump does not have the authority to overturn a presidential pardon, regardless of how it was signed. The Constitution grants presidents broad clemency powers with few restrictions, and a 1929 legal memo affirmed that the method of issuing a pardon is at the president’s discretion. The Justice Department has upheld the constitutionality of autopens for official signatures, a practice used by past presidents including Obama and Kennedy. Despite Trump's claims, scholars insist that a successor president cannot undo a predecessor’s pardons, setting the stage for a possible legal challenge if Trump attempts to act on his assertion.

Sources: ABC News

PepsiCo Acquires Poppi for $1.7 Billion

PepsiCo announced it will acquire Poppi, a prebiotic soda brand that gained traction after appearing on Shark Tank, for approximately $1.7 billion. The acquisition aligns with PepsiCo’s strategy to expand its portfolio of “better-for-you” products aimed at health-conscious millennials and Gen Z consumers. Poppi, which contains digestive health ingredients like apple cider vinegar, has seen rapid growth, with $391 million in sales over the past 12 months. PepsiCo’s investment values Poppi at 4.2 times its annual revenue. The brand, originally called Mother Beverage, received early backing from Shark Tank investor Rohan Oza and later secured funding from celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Billie Eilish. Poppi’s success is part of a larger trend of functional beverages gaining mainstream appeal. Analysts see the deal as a smart move for PepsiCo, which has recently spent around $3 billion on health-focused brands, including its $1.2 billion purchase of snack company Siete.

Sources: MarketWatch

Amazon to Remove "Do Not Send Voice Recordings" Option on Alexa Devices

Amazon is eliminating the "Do Not Send Voice Recordings" option for Alexa devices starting March 28, 2025, meaning all voice interactions will be processed through Amazon’s cloud. Previously, some Echo devices had the ability to process voice commands locally, without sending recordings to Amazon's servers. In an email to customers, Amazon stated that the change is necessary to support new generative AI capabilities. While Amazon claims that recordings will be deleted after processing, users who enable the "Don’t save recordings" setting will lose access to personalized features like Voice ID. The company clarified that the opt-in feature was only available on a small number of devices and was used by less than 0.03% of customers. Despite reassurances about privacy controls, many Echo users expressed frustration online, particularly those who rely on Alexa for accessibility.

Sources: New York Post