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Apple names new CEO to replace Tim Cook6 hrs agoKali Hays and Dearbail Jordan, Technology reportersGetty ImagesApple named John Ternus its new chief to replace Tim Cook, who is stepping down from his role after 15 years. Ternus is currently the head hardware engineering at Apple, who has worked there for 25 years. Cook has been the chief executive of Apple, since 2011, after co-founder Steve Jobs quit Cook will remain as chief executive until the summer to help Ternus with the transition. After that, he will assist with certain aspects of Apple including engaging with policymakers worldwide. It is now valued at $4 trillion. Cook described Ternus’s as a “visionary executive” with “the heart of a leader, the mind of an innovator, and the soul to lead with integrity and honor”. Cook said that Ternus is “without a doubt the right person to lead Apple in the future”. He also worked with Jobs. Ternus worked on every major product Apple has released during his 25 years at the company, including every iPad generation, many iPhone generations, and the launch AirPods and Apple Watch. In a Monday statement, Ternus referred to Cook’s role as “mentor”. Ternus stated, “I am filled optimism about what we can accomplish in the years to follow.” ‘Differentiation’Naming a leader who comes from a product and hardware background may allow Apple to emerge from a constant criticism of Cook’s tenure, that it was no longer innovative enough.While Cook oversaw a four-fold increase in Apple’s yearly profit, with a massive expansion in products sold around the globe, its product line has remained largely static.Dipanjan Chatterjee, a principle analyst at Forrester, praised the financial stability Cook brought to Apple, but noted he had not given the company a product like the iPhone which would give Ternus another 20 years of success.He said Apple “remains structurally dependent on the phone” as it “searches for its next growth engine”.The appointment of Ternus shows Apple is looking for “differentiation” in its products, said Chatterjee, adding that the new leader “must resist the temptation of incrementalism that has plagued Apple of late and escape the iPhone’s gravitational pull”.Gil Luria, managing director at DA Davidson & Co, said having someone so hardware-focused at the helm now shows Apple is going to put more energy into new products, like foldable phones and wearable devices like eye glasses.The tech giant has also faced criticism for being slow to jump on the soaring demand for artificial intelligence (AI), and has ended up integrating OpenAI’s ChatGPT technology in its operating systems.Following Monday’s announcement, OpenAI’s Sam Altman wrote on X: “Tim Cook is a legend. “I am grateful for everything he’s done, and I am thankful for Apple.” Getty ImagesCook was not a hardware or products expert when he joined Apple. Instead, he spent many years working as a business manager at companies such as IBM and Compaq. Cook was a tech executive who was more focused on operations, fulfillment, logistics, and sales figures than on thinking up and launching innovative technological products. That was what Jobs was known and lauded most for. One of the most notable product launches during Cook’s leadership was the Apple Vision Pro. This virtual and augmented-reality headset did not catch on. The real question is whether the same organization can pivot to exploration, where success is dependent on speed, uncertainty, and a greater willingness for experimentation,” he said. He said that the very strengths of Apple – their discipline and polish – could be a hindrance if the new era rewards openness, faster iteration, and a greater willingness to experiment. “Rapid innovation is where Apple began, and maybe it’s where the business needs to return. “Apple at fifty: Three products that changed the way we live, and three that didn’t.2006: Steve Wozniak talks about building the first Apple computerBig Tech supports Anthropic to fight Trump administrationTim CookApple

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US singer D4vd charged with murder stemming from death of missing teenage girl2 hours agoNardine SaadandRegan Morris,Los AngelesUS musician D4vd has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of a teenage girl who vanished last year, officials say.The star, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, is accused of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose decomposing remains were found in September in a Tesla registered to his Texas address.Burke, 21, also was charged with murder for “financial gain” and with murder of a witness to an investigation, the Los Angeles district attorney said.In a statement after his arrest last week, his lawyers said “actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death”.The Los Angeles County DA’s office confirmed that D4vd is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in downtown Los Angeles, and “cannot comment on grand jury investigations”.During a press conference on Monday, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said that on 23 April 2025, Rivas Hernandez went to Burke’s house in the Hollywood Hills and “she was never heard from again”.Her dismembered and decomposed remains were found on 8 September 2025 – when the investigation first began – in the front trunk of a Tesla registered to Burke. Hochman said that it is a parent’s worst nightmare to have their daughter go out one night, never return. He announced three charges against the singer. The first is first-degree homicide with special circumstances “lying in waiting”. The second charge is a special circumstance of alleged murder to “gain financial gain”. Hochman accused Burke to murder the 14-year old to maintain his lucrative music career “that Celeste threatened on that night”. The third charge is murdering an investigator. He said that evidence showed Rivas Hernandez as a witness to an investigation into sexual acts committed Burke. Los Angeles Police Department chief Jim McDonnell responded in response to criticisms of the way police handled the case, and their decision to not provide details since the corpse was discovered seven months ago. My duty is to not fuel speculation. McDonnell said that justice is the goal, and this requires patience and discipline from everyone. “This investigation was driven solely by the desire to bring justice to Celeste Rivas, and those who loved her. We had to make sure that nothing we said or did would jeopardize this case. “He said that the condition of the teen’s remains delayed determining cause of death. He said that evidence had been degraded or destroyed due to the “substantial time” that passed between the death of the teen and its discovery. Hochman explained to the BBC that it was difficult to interview multiple people, including some who were “cooperative”, and others who weren’t. He also said that the evidence needed to be examined. He said that he went to the case to get as much information as possible. The family of Rivas Hernandez has not yet publicly spoken about the case. Burke remains in custody after his arrest on Friday. The BBC has contacted the singer’s attorneys for comment. The singer is from Houston, Texas and is best known for moody indie-pop songs like Here With Me, and Romantic Homicide. He first gained fame as a teenager by posting videos of him playing the video game Fortnite. After learning music production, he produced his debut EP Petals to Thorns in 2023. He was named to Variety’s Young Hollywood List in the same year and opened for SZA during her SOS Tour. In April 2025 he released his debut, accumulating 22,000,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, and almost 4,000,000 followers on TikTok. On 8 September 2025 investigators discovered the decomposed head, torso, and arms of the 14-year old girl in a cadaver-bag in the Tesla. The singer canceled his world tour shortly after. In court documents published in February, the grand jury named him as the “target”. It is unclear how the grand jury investigation will proceed.Singer D4vd arrested on suspicion of murdering teenage girlQuestions surround US singer D4vd weeks after teen’s body found in his TeslaLos AngelesUnited StatesCaliforniaMusic

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Outrage over Israeli soldier vandalizing Jesus statue in Lebanon18 Minutes agoYolande KnellMiddle East Correspondent, JerusalemReutersAn online image of an Israeli soldiers apparently hitting a Jesus statue with a sledgehammer has prompted widespread criticism. Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Saar said: “We apologize for this incident and every Christian who was hurt.” Locals claim the statue was placed on a crucifix in front of a home near Debel, which is one of the few villages that has remained inhabited during Israel’s war against Hezbollah. The head of Debel congregation, Father Fadi Flaifel told the BBC, “We reject the desecration and destruction of our sacred symbol of the cross as well as all religious symbols.” It is against the declaration of Human Rights and does not reflect civility. The Israeli military said that it was a genuine image. It also stressed that the soldier’s behavior was “wholly inconsistent” with the values expected from its troops. The US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee – a Baptist minister – said on X, “swift and severe consequences are required”. Right-wing US commentators quickly condemned the photo of the Israeli soldier with the statue of Jesus. Former US congressman and adviser to President Donald Trump, Matt Gaetz, posted the photo and called it “horrific”. Former US congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene shared the photo and said: “‘Our greatest allies’ that take billions of tax dollars and weapons each year.” A recent survey by the Pew Research Center in the US revealed that 60% of US adults have an unfavourable opinion of Israel. This is up from 53% in the previous year. Huckabee said that the incident was “unfortunate and has already had major repercussions all over the world”. Israeli police claimed this was due to safety concerns during the Iran War. He said that the decision to deny entry to the church leaders was “difficult” to understand or justify, as Israeli restrictions allowed religious gatherings up to 50 people. A 2025 report from the Rossing Center in Jerusalem, an organisation aiming to foster better interfaith relations in Holy Land, describes “a recent surge in overt hostility towards Christianity”. This is attributed to “a continuing deepening polarisation and ultranationalist political tendencies”. It stated that “the Christian community in Israel thrives, unlike anywhere else in the Middle East”. Israel is the only Middle East country that allows freedom of religion for everyone. Lebanese officials say that Israel began a military offensive on 2 March, which has resulted in more than a half million Lebanese being displaced, and 2,290 people having been killed. This includes 177 children and over 100 healthcare workers. Thirteen Israeli soldiers and two civilians have been killed by Hezbollah attacks in the same period, Israeli officials say.IsraelLebanonChristianity

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Japan on high alert for ‘huge’ second quake after issuing tsunami warning1 hour agoChika Nakayama,Kurumi Mori,Tokyo correspondentandFlora DruryReutersOfficials in Japan have warned of an increased risk of a “huge” earthquake in the next week after a 7.7 magnitude quake struck off the north-east coast, triggering an evacuation order and warnings of 3m tsunami waves.Thousands of people were told to leave coastal areas for higher ground after the quake in waters off Iwate prefecture, 530km (330 miles) north of the capital Tokyo.The biggest waves measured 80cm but the meteorological agency in earthquake-prone Japan warned that quakes “causing even stronger shaking” could occur in the next week, producing bigger waves.Later, the agency warned the risk of a quake measuring 8.0 or higher was now “relatively higher than during normal times”. The Japanese are still haunted by the memory of the 2011 tsunami that killed over 18,000 people. Tokyo felt tremors. In Hokkaido, tsunami alerts were still in place for two hours after the earthquake struck at 16:52 local (08:52 BST). “As soon we heard the earthquake alarm, everyone ran downstairs,” Chaw su Thwe, a Myanmar citizen living in Hokkaido told the BBC. This time, the shaking was milder. She added that local authorities were using loudspeakers to warn residents of a possible tsunami. “Office workers were allowed to leave early. Minoru Kihara, Japan’s Cabinet secretary, told reporters that “a number of bullet trains had been affected and 100 homes were left without power.” He said that there were no immediate reports about major injuries or damage. A tsunami warning was issued along part of Japan’s eastern coast. The warning is the second highest level of alert. People are told to evacuate immediately coastal areas and riverside area and move to higher grounds or an evacuation building. “Tsunamis are expected to hit repeatedly.” Japan’s Meteorological Agency told reporters that people should not leave the safe ground until the warning was lifted. Prime Minister Sanae Taichi also echoed this plea. Since then, the government issues warnings and advisories for people to get to higher ground.Does Japan’s megaquake warning mean the ‘big one’ is coming?JapanEarthquakes

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US seizes Iranian flagged cargo ship, Trump claims52 minutes agoKathryn A ArmstrongEPAThe US has intercepted a cargo ship with Iranian flag in the Gulf, as part of its Naval Blockade, Donald Trump said. The US president wrote on the Truth Social platform that Touska was seized after the US Navy failed to respond to an order to stop. Iran has yet to comment on the incident. The announcement came after White House confirmed US Vice President JD Vance will lead another delegation for the second round of talks about ending the war with Iran. Iranian state media reported that officials would not participate as long as the US blockade is in place. “Today, a cargo ship with Iranian flag, named TOUSKA, weighing nearly as much as a carrier aircraft, tried to get through our Naval Blockade and it didn’t go well for them,” Trump said. He said that the US had warned the vessel to stop but it was ignored. “Our Navy ship stopped them in their tracks by blowing out a hole in their engineroom.” “The TOUSKA has been placed under US Treasury Sanctions due to their previous history of illegal activities. We have full control of the ship and are examining what’s inside! US Central Command released footage that it claimed showed a navy vessel intercepting cargo ship. Trump says US navy seizes Iranian-flagged ship after first round of talks failed earlier this month. Trump announced the naval blocade following the failure of the first round of talks. Trump announced the naval blockade after a first round of negotiations earlier this month ended without an agreement. The ceasefire will expire on Tuesday. According to a White House official, Vance will be joined by Trump advisers Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and Jared Witkoff, who were also present at previous talks. Iran’s official news agency IRNA has denied reports of a second round with the US. It added that the US blockade, along with “excessive” demands and threatening rhetoric from Washington, had “so far hindered the progress of the negotiations”.Nevertheless, preparations for further discussions have begun in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. US Central Command/XGuests were told to leave the hotel where talks between the US delegation and Iranian delegation took place last weekend, the BBC’s Pakistan reporter reported. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz sharif spoke with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian Sunday evening, according a statement issued by his office. The statement did not mention any further talks between Iran, and the US. The Strait of Hormuz remained shut on Sunday after the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps announced that it would end a temporary reopening to the US naval blockade. Iran said that it would remain closed until the US ended their naval blockade. The strait is used to transport about 20% of the world’s oil and LNG. Trump has said that Iran cannot “blackmail the US” with threats about the waterway. He threatened to knock down every bridge and power station in Iran if Tehran refused to agree to a peaceful deal. “If they don’t take the DEAL… it will be my honour to do what needs to be done,” Trump wrote on Sunday in another Truth Social posting. The US president also accused Iran of violating a ceasefire on Saturday by attacking ships in Strait of Hormuz. He said that a French ship as well as a UK freighter were among the targets. CMA CGM, a French shipping company, confirmed that one vessel was fired upon. They told AFP that the vessel “was the victim of warning shots”. According to the UK’s transport and defence ministries, there were no reports on Saturday of attacks on UK-linked vessels. However, two reports were made of a cargo ship and a tanker being attacked in strait. According to tracking site MarineTraffic, traffic in the Strait of Hormuz was at a standstill Sunday. The IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency reported that two tankers “sailing on the flags of Botswana, and Angola”, wanted to travel through Hormuz, but were “forced by the timely action of Iran’s armed forces to change course and withdraw”.