Fans around the world queue up in long lines for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 launch

TOKYO (AP) — Throngs of gamers stood in long lines outside of stores hours before they opened from Tokyo to New York City in hopes of snaring a long-awaited Nintendo Switch 2 video game console. Enthusiasts have been clamoring for an upgrade to Nintendo’s eight-year-old predecessor for years. Nintendo, which is counting on the Switch 2 to boost sagging sales, has added new social features meant to lure players into online gaming. The new console, released Thursday, comes with a larger and higher resolution screen than its predecessor, with improved processing power, offering smoother and more vivid graphics.

Trump's surgeon general pick criticizes others' conflicts but profits from wellness product sales

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — President Donald Trump’s pick to be U.S. surgeon general has said the nation’s medical and food systems are corrupted by special interests and people out to make a profit at the expense of Americans’ health. Yet as Dr. Casey Means has criticized scientists and regulators for taking money from the food and pharmaceutical industries, she has promoted dozens of products in ways that put money in her own pocket. The Associated Press found Means set up deals with an array of businesses and, in some cases, promoted companies in which she was an investor or adviser without consistently disclosing the connection.

What to know about the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 on launch day

NEW YORK (AP) — The Nintendo Switch 2 finally hit store shelves on Thursday, eight years after the initial release of Japanese video-game maker Nintendo’s popular video-game console. Even with a hefty $450 price tag, fans around the world, from Japan to the U.S., lined up outside stores to pick-up pre-orders or have a chance to buy the device. The release ends months of anticipation that included pre-order hiccups and fears that tariffs would delay the release of the Switch 2. Nintendo said it expects to sell 15 million Switch 2 consoles for the fiscal year through March 2026.

Apple loses bid to halt court ruling that blocks some fees from its iPhone app store

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A three-judge appeals panel rejected Apple’s request to pause an April 30 order banning the company from charging a fee on in-app iPhone transactions processed outside its once-exclusive payment system in a two-page decision issued late Thursday. The setback threatens to divert billions of dollars in revenue away from Apple while it tried to overturn the order reining in its commissions from e-commerce within iPhone apps. Apple sought to put the order on hold shortly after it was issued as part of a stinging rebuke that also held the company in civil contempt of court. It marked the latest twist in a long-running legal battle with Epic Games.

Trump and Musk's relationship flames out just as intensely and publicly as it started

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is threatening to cut Elon Musk’s government contracts as their fractured alliance rapidly escalated into a public feud. Hours after Trump lamented his breakup with Musk and said Thursday that he was “disappointed” in his former backer and adviser and Musk responded on social media, Trump then escalated the feud by threatening to use the U.S. government to hurt Musk’s bottom line.

Reddit sues AI company Anthropic for allegedly 'scraping' user comments to train chatbot Claude

Social media platform Reddit sued the artificial intelligence company Anthropic on Wednesday, alleging that it is illegally “scraping” the comments of millions of Reddit users to train its chatbot Claude. Reddit claims that Anthropic has used automated bots to access Reddit’s content despite being asked not to do so. Anthropic said in a statement that it disagreed with Reddit’s claims “and will defend ourselves vigorously.”

Amazon planning $10B investment in North Carolina for data center and AI campus

HAMLET, N.C. (AP) — Amazon is expanding its cloud computing infrastructure and artificial intelligence activities into a rural North Carolina county. The company said Wednesday it intends to invest $10 billion toward building a campus in Richmond County. This will bring a shot in the arm to a region where textile and apparel jobs dried up a generation ago. Amazon said its investment should create at least 500 jobs and support thousands more through construction and data center supply chain providers. Gov. Josh Stein says the investment is one of the largest in state history.

Consultant behind AI-generated robocalls mimicking Biden goes on trial in New Hampshire

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A criminal trial is underway for a political consultant who sent voters artificial intelligence-generated robocalls mimicking former President Joe Biden last year. Steven Kramer has admitted orchestrating a message that was sent to thousands of voters two days before New Hampshire’s Jan. 23, 2024, primary. The message featured a voice similar to Biden’s and suggested that voting in the primary would preclude voters from casting ballots in November. The trial began Thursday. Kramer faces 11 felony charges related to voter suppression and 11 misdemeanor charges of impersonating a candidate. He faces decades in prison if convicted.

Meta becomes the latest big tech company turning to nuclear power for AI needs

WASHINGTON (AP) — Meta has cut a 20-year deal to secure nuclear power to help meet surging demand for artificial intelligence and other computing needs at Facebook’s parent company. The investment with Meta will also expand the output of a Constellation Energy Illinois nuclear plant. The agreement announced Tuesday is just the latest in a string of tech-nuclear partnerships as the use of AI expands. Surging investments in small nuclear reactors comes at a time when large tech companies are facing two major demands: a need to increase their energy supply for AI and data centers, among other needs, while also trying to meet their long-term goals to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions.

UN nuclear agency members draft resolution accusing Iran of failing to meet obligations

VIENNA (AP) — Western nations are planning to table a resolution at an IAEA meeting that will find Iran in non-compliance with its so-called safeguards obligations for the first time in 20 years, a senior western diplomat said. The move comes at a sensitive time as U.S. President Donald Trump's administration seeks to reach a deal with Tehran to limit its nuclear program. The resolution will be tabled by France, the UK and Germany, together with the United States. The diplomatic source said Western nations are “not closing the door to diplomacy on this issue," which is why the resolution will not immediately refer Iran’s non-compliance to the UN Security Council to consider triggering more sanctions.