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Chris Gardner of Underscore VC leads an AI session at All Stage

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TechCrunch All Stage, our big event for founders of startups at all stages of funding (see what we did there?), is coming up July 15 at Boston’s SoWa Power Station. And it’s our pleasure to announce that Underscore VC’s investing partner Chris Gardner will join a loaded lineup of speakers by leading a breakout session titled “MVP in the Age of AI: When to Bot and When to Not.” Spoiler: Expect to learn a lot about using AI for minimum viable products.

And for for a very limited time, we’re launching discounts for our Investor and Founder Passes to make those learnings, and many others, easier to access. Investor Passes are available for just $250 and Founder Passes are $155, more than 60% off our usual pricing with All Stage coming up so soon. Those discounts deepen is you bring a group as well, so come make connections with VCs and learn from the expects along with 1,200 other attendees in the heart of Boston.

Our limited-time discounts on Investor and Founder Passes are ending soon, with each discounted by at least $200 with an additional discount on group buys of four or more. If you’re looking to get the insights you need to scale or make connections with the VCs who can make that scaling possible, this is your chance to meet and learn from more than 1,200 attendees in the heart of Boston.

Don’t wait — grab your tickets now during our limited sale!

Image Credits:TechCrunch

Insights on the benefits and limits of AI in building products

We know — AI is the buzzword in seemingly every company’s pitch and product roadmap, as well as in the programming and side conversations at events like TC All Stage. But with this session, Chris has a focus on a crucial thing for startups to get right: developing MVPs that are actually kept at a minimum and actually viable.

That can come with significant help from AI, which can lead to a rate of software development and prototyping that would have seemed ridiculous a few years ago. But it can also limit your potential, leaving behind the human element that fuels every successful product’s construction and rollout. And that’s something that every startup, regardless of their fundraising stage, can learn from.

Get to know Chris Gardner

Chris joins the growing powerhouse lineup of speakers for this year’s TechCrunch All Stage, calling upon his years of experience across fintech, speech recognition, e-billing, and beyond. In previous roles, he led PayPal’s P2P, PayPal Here, and other projects following the acquisition of Paydiant, a company he co-founded — and he played a prominent role in PayPal’s $2.2 billion acquisition of iZettle. 

Though his current day job is in pre-seed and seed B2B investments, he’s admittedly still eager to get involved in hands-on projects, which explains his choice of session topic at this year’s event.

But that’s just the beginning at TechCrunch All Stage

Before you even consider passing on the limited-time 60% discount on Founder and Investor Passes at TechCrunch All Stage, keep in mind that this is just one of many sessions at the conference designed to give founders valuable insights. Sessions include an expert course in total addressable market assessment from Index Ventures’ Jahanvi Sardana, lessons on the new rules of growth-stage fundraising at Series C and beyond, the secrets of how VCs are really judging your pre-seed company, and more. 

So take a look and snag the right ticket for you while our sale is still active!

And yes, you can still exhibit your startup in front of fellow attendees and experts by booking your table right here.

TechCrunch Early Stage 2024 Fidelity exhibit
Fidelity Investments exhibiting at TechCrunch Early Stage 2024 at SoWa Power Station in Boston.Image Credits:Halo Creative

Or, explore sponsorship opportunities and activations at TechCrunch All Stage. Get in touch with our team by filling out this form.

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Vinícius says assist for Valverde one of the best of career

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  • Alex Kirkland

  • Rodrigo Faez

Jun 27, 2025, 12:39 AM ET

Vinícius Júnior said his backheel assist for Federico Valverde in Real Madrid‘s 3-0 Club World Cup win over RB Salzburg on Thursday was “one of the best of my career.”

The Brazil forward put Madrid ahead in the 40th minute at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, before setting up Valverde to make it 2-0 before halftime.

Forward Gonzalo García added a third in the 84th minute — his second goal in three games — to see Madrid top Group H and progress to the last 16, where they’ll play Juventus on Tuesday.

“I’m very happy with the assist, I think it’s one of the best I’ve had in my career,” Vinícius said in his post-match news conference, after being named the game’s MVP, praising the impact of coach Xabi Alonso.

“They’ve been two very good weeks. We’re gaining confidence, and trying to understand as quickly as possible what the boss wants. I have to play inside a bit more, and I’ve always liked that, I’m closer to goal.”

Vinicius’ backheel drew comparisons with Real Madrid legend Guti, who gave a famous backheel pass in a game with Deportivo La Coruña.

“Vini’s was very good, but I was on the field for Guti’s, and it was crazy,” Alonso told DAZN. “So I’ll go with that one. But Vini’s was almost, almost the same.”

Alonso said he was just as pleased with Vinicius’ contribution without the ball.

“Vini had a great game, but not just the goal and assist — I focus on his sacrifice, his defensive commitment,” Alonso said. “It allowed us to be very compact with and without the ball, and then in attack having a bit more freedom.

“I’m happy for Vini, it’s important to feel good. We all have a good feeling, me too, but there’s a long way to go.”

Madrid employed a new formation against Salzburg, with three central defenders, a style Alonso often favoured with Bayer Leverkusen.

Alonso said switching to the system had “always been there, in my head.”

“The players have the intelligence and the football culture to know why we we use it, and the positive things we get from it,” he said. “In the first half we had a lot of stability and maturity.

“Having that flexibility helps us.”

Alonso also had positive words for Garcia, 21, who has impressed in attack in the absence of Kylian Mbappé, who is still recovering from gastroenteritis.

“[Garcia] is a typical number nine, he reminds me of Raul,” Alonso said. “He’s always in the right position, always waiting for the chance, and he has a great work ethic.”

Lauren Sánchez’s Snatched Waist Wedding Party Dress

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Jeff Bezos’s Fiancée Lauren Sánchez Wears Jaw-Dropping Snatched Waist Look to Wedding Welcome Party

Lauren Sánchez is in her wedding prime.

Ahead of her upcoming nuptials to Jeff Bezos, the journalist stepped out in Venice, Italy, in a satin off-the-shoulder gown by Schiaparelli featuring floral designs and a waist-snatching textured corset. Welcoming guests to the star-studded affair, the 55-year-old wore her hair in a long, flowing high ponytail with loose, face-framing pieces in the front.

As for Jeff, he let his bride take the spotlight, donning a classic dark suit with a white dress shirt, as well as black sunglasses.

The couple were seen walking hand in hand outside the Aman Hotel, before boarding a water taxi that would take them to their destination for dinner. City hall officials told NBC News that Jeff, 61, and Lauren were hosting a welcome party at the Madonna dell’Orto church.

And there’s no doubt that the three-day celebration will include plenty of other iconic fashion moments, with celebs like Kim Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian having already made their arrivals.

Habibur Masum guilty of murdering wife in Bradford knife attack

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avrotusa
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A man who stabbed his wife to death in front of their infant son after tracking her to a refuge has been found guilty of murder.

Habibur Masum stabbed Kulsuma Akter more than 25 times after confronting her in Bradford city centre in April 2024. The baby was unharmed.

Bradford Crown Court heard Ms Akter, 27, had been living in a refuge in the city since January, after Masum had previously assaulted her at their home in Oldham.

Masum, 26, of Leamington Avenue in Burnley, had pleaded guilty to manslaughter and possession of a bladed article but was convicted of murder after a trial.

His trial heard Ms Akter left the hostel to meet a friend on the day of the attack in the belief that Masum was away in Spain.

However, he later confronted her in the street having tracking her through her phone location.

ICE director says Americans should feel safe July 4

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(NewsNation) — Under the Trump administration, immigration enforcement and deportations have been a high priority, even as the administration has faced protests over mass deportations. 

Recently, there has also been a focus on arresting foreign nationals with suspected terrorist ties.

Fighting terrorism 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons told NewsNation that while there have been recent headlines focusing on those suspected of connections to terrorism, including Iranian nationals, it doesn’t mean there has been a shift in priorities.

“What you’re seeing is ICE doing their mission as a whole,” he said. “We’ve always done targeted enforcement, and we’ve always focused on high-risk countries, you know, not just Iran, but, you know, People’s Republic of China, Syria, various countries on the African continent.”

Lyons attributed the number of suspected terrorists in the country to the Biden administration. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently told governors that there is a heightened threat level following the U.S. strike on Iran, and it’s critical to go after these suspects.

“The only way ICE is going to do that is if we treat every immigration violator the same and we take action on them,” Lyons said.

Lyons said he couldn’t put a number on how many of those suspected terrorists were Iranian, but the focus has been on identifying people who are national security threats and detaining them. 

While concerns about sleeper cells have been raised, Lyons said the administration has taken great strides in securing the border.

“I think Americans should be confident that under this administration, under the leadership of Secretary Noem, you have federal law enforcement agencies that are out there every day protecting the homeland,” Lyons said. “I think the American public needs to be aware. They just need to be cautious, but they need to go on living their lives because they wake up in the greatest country every day.”

Anti-ICE protests

ICE agents have faced protesters in cities where increased immigration raids have occurred, including Los Angeles. The situation there prompted President Donald Trump to federalize California’s National Guard. 

Despite the opposition, Lyons said morale is high among agents, in part due to the backing from Trump and Noem. 

“Sure, we have a lot more work than we ever had, but the men and women of ICE are sworn law enforcement officers who signed up to do a job. And under this administration, they’re allowed to do their job again,” Lyons said.

Regarding legislation in California that would prevent ICE agents from covering their faces to conceal their identity, Lyons said he would like to work with elected officials to protect agents who have been doxxed by protesters.

“We’ve shown what happens when these officers and agents’ families’ information gets out there. They don’t want to wear those masks, but it’s for their own safety,” he said. “I would love to sit down with lawmakers and come up with some solution to that, but until I can ensure the men and women of ICE and their families are going to be protected, I’m going to let them do whatever they need to do to protect themselves.”

Protecting Americans 

When it comes to protecting the U.S., Lyons said agents are prepared for the upcoming July 4 holiday.

“The American public should feel safe going to any one of these large fireworks celebrations, for instance, because DHS has worked with local and state partners for days, weeks, and months leading up to ensure that we have all the most current threat intelligence,” Lyons said.

The White House has set a goal of 3,000 arrests a day, but Lyons rejected the label of “quota” and said the goal is really for agents to complete their mission.

He told NewsNation the increased number has to do with assistance from other agencies and the focus the Trump administration has put on immigration.

“There’s a lot of damage that was done in the last four years. What I can say is, though, now that we’re allowed to do our job, and we have so many more resources, I think you’re going to see an increased, steady climb with the increase in numbers,” Lyons said. We’re going to be able to put max effort towards it, and you’re going to see us achieve what the president wants and reach that goal.”

Subscribe to “On the Border,” where Ali Bradley covers developments on the southern border with a focus on human and drug smuggling, immigration enforcement efforts, and the failure to control the influx of migrants.

GE Vernova Inc. (GEV) Is Among The Few Proper Nuclear Companies, Says Jim Cramer

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avrotusa
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GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:GEV) is one of the Jim Cramer Discusses US-China Trade War & These 10 Stocks.

GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:GEV) is a frequent appearance on Cramer’s morning show. The CNBC host has discussed the firm in the context of the hype surrounding nuclear stocks due to AI infrastructure investment. Cramer believes that nuclear stocks are a long-term play since it takes years for projects to finish and generate revenue. Amidst the hype, he believes that GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:GEV) is the only nuclear stock that is worth investing in. The firm’s shares are up by 44% year-to-date and have gained 55% since late April. This time around, Cramer stressed the need to discuss stocks that younger people could buy and GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:GEV) appeared to be one of them:

“Now, there’s only one of them GE Vernova they actively, you speak to Scott Strazik, he’ll say listen, we’re the only guy that can, well Westinghouse can, that’s involving Westinghouse.

Cramer’s earlier comments about GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE:GEV) discussed the firm in the context of America’s trade negotiations with China:

“So, how could the president turn around these negotiations with the Chinese? Okay, so I’ve been thinking about this. I always like to be constructive. I’m a constructive fella… Hey, how about turbines from power players? GE Vernova has installed 240 gas turbines in China, there you go, for about 50 million a pop. Just servicing these turbines gives us some cards to play.

GE Vernova Inc. (GEV) Is Among The Few Proper Nuclear Companies, Says Jim Cramer
GE Vernova Inc. (GEV) Is Among The Few Proper Nuclear Companies, Says Jim Cramer

China needs these, especially if anyone maybe just realizes that they’re making all these coal plants and does something to try to stop it. Now, those aren’t low cards. They’re kind of, I don’t know, maybe 8s and 9s. You can split them if the dealer has a 4, but I don’t think Xi’s got a 4. He’s got a king showing. Now there are some other things that could work out… GE Vernova might have room to expand its capacity, but there’s so much demand from the American hyperscalers that they might not have time for China.”

While we acknowledge the potential of GEV as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

Why a16z VC believes that Cluely, the ‘cheat on everything’ startup, is the new blueprint for AI startups

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When Cluely, a startup claiming to be building a product that helps people “cheat” on everything, announced that it raised a $15 million Series A financing round from Andreessen Horowitz, some people on X criticized the VC firm for backing the controversial company.

After all, Cluely isn’t just offering a product that may have questionable uses; the startup has also become famous for using what many people call rage-bait marketing.

But Cluely’s ability to grab attention is precisely what attracted a16z to the startup.

Even before meeting Cluely’s founder Roy Lee, Andreessen Horowitz’s partner Bryan Kim thought that startups need new marketing tactics in the AI era.

Kim, like many investors, previously thought that building a superb “artisan” product with highly desired features was the key to a startup’s lasting success, he explained on the latest a16z podcast episode.

But shortly after the emergence of generative AI, he noticed that offering an exceptional product might not be enough.

“If you craft this thing and OpenAI or someone builds a new model to include that part in their product, you’re done,” Kim said. “So, it couldn’t become this highly thoughtful, slow-build product. It needed to be something where founders moved extremely quickly.”

That realization has led Kim to believe that speed, whether in marketing or product building, is paramount to creating a successful startup.

Earlier this month, Kim published a post explaining his theory of why, for consumer-facing AI startups, “momentum is the moat.”

When Kim met Lee and saw that Cluely had been able to convert awareness into paying customers, he instantly knew that he had discovered a founder he had theorized about.

“It’s been so hard to pierce through the noise of everything AI, especially in consumer, and to do that consistently is actually near impossible,” Kim said.

How does Lee explain why his polarizing marketing approach has generated so much buzz?

“Most people don’t know how to make viral content,” Lee said on the podcast. “Everyone on X is trying to [sound] like the most intellectual, thoughtful person. But this just lacks viral sense.”

Lee, instead, had studied why some posts on TikTok and Instagram blow up.

“Algorithms promote the most controversial things,” he said. “I’m just literally applying the same principles of controversy on X and LinkedIn.”

What many people don’t know, Lee said, is that Cluely barely had a functioning product when the startup launched in April with its slickly produced video of Lee using its hidden AI to lie to a woman about his age and knowledge of art while on a date.

Despite having some semblance of a product, the startup has yet to unveil the solution it has been hyping.

“The internet is up in storm saying, ‘Where’s the product?’” Lee said. “We’re earlier than the latest YC batch of companies. Yet, we’re generating more views than every single one of them.”

Lee is convinced that once the product launches, it will generate even more excitement than if Cluely introduced it without “marketing” the company for the last two months. (The official launch is set for Friday, June 27, he posted on X.)

Kim sees Cluely’s approach as a perfect embodiment of his “momentum as a moat” theory.

Since time is of the essence in AI, the a16z partner is certain that Cluely can figure out its product on the fly.

“What’s important is to try to build a plane as it’s falling down the cliff,” Kim said.

We’ll all see soon if that plane soars or crashes. 

Rays’ Franco guilty of sexual abuse, gets suspended sentence

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Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was found guilty of sexual abuse of a minor in the Dominican Republic and received a suspended two-year prison sentence Thursday after he had a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl when he was 21.

Though prosecutors sought a five-year sentence, Judge Jakayra Veras said Franco would not serve further prison time unless he ran afoul of certain conditions, including not contacting minors with sexual intentions.

The mother of the victim, Martha Vanessa Chevalier Almonte, was convicted of sexually trafficking her daughter and sentenced to 10 years in prison after prosecutors proved she sought financial gains from Franco and laundered money.

Franco, who is on Major League Baseball’s restricted list for failure to report to the team, is likely to have difficulty receiving a work visa in the United States because of the conviction. Should he not secure the visa, he would remain on the restricted list. As long as Franco is on the restricted list, the Rays would not be required to pay the salaries from his 11-year, $182 million contract.

MLB’s investigation into Franco remains open. He could be further disciplined under the league’s domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy.

“Major League Baseball is proud to have a collectively bargained Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy that reflects our commitment to these issues,” the league said in a statement. “We are aware of today’s verdict in the Wander Franco trial and will conclude our investigation at the appropriate time.”

Social media posts in August 2023 alleged that Franco had been in an inappropriate relationship with a teenage girl. Though Franco denied the allegations, MLB and the MLB Players Association struck a deal to put him on paid administrative leave. He remained there until he was charged in July 2024, at which point MLB put him on the restricted list.

Franco met the girl online and had sex with her twice in December 2022, according to prosecutors. To see her in person, he would send helicopters or cars to pick her up near her hometown of Puerto Plata and bring her to his home in Bani. When police raided the girl’s home, they found $68,500 in U.S. dollars and another 800,000 Dominican pesos (around $13,700), according to prosecutors.

At one point the top prospect in baseball, Franco debuted at 20 years old in 2021 and was an immediate star for Tampa Bay, which had signed him as a 16-year-old for $3.8 million. After his second season, the Rays negotiated a long-term deal with Franco, the largest in franchise history. Before the allegations, Franco was in the midst of a breakout season in 2023 and named an All-Star for the first time.

In an unrelated event, Franco was charged in June by prosecutors in the Dominican Republic for illegal possession of a handgun after an altercation in a parking lot in San Juan de la Maguana. That case is still pending in court.

Lilly Pulitzer’s Crazy Summer Final Sale Has Finds Starting at Just $5

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Our writers and editors independently determine what we cover and recommend. When you buy through our links, E! may earn a commission. Learn more.  

The Lilly Pulitzer brand is the epitome of beachy summer style, but at a cost. Not right now, though, since the brand’s summer final sale is on. Shop The Lilly Sale today and tomorrow only.

There are dresses, swimwear and more on sale now in the fun summer prints you love. Just note that as its name implies, these styles are all final sale, so they can’t be returned. That’s how you’re getting these great prices.

Shop our best finds from the Lilly Pulitzer summer final sale below, including items starting at just $5. Shop now, as sizes are already selling out fast. Whether you have a summer wedding or beach day to attend, this sale has something for you.

British and Irish Lions 2025: George North’s iconic tackle on Israel Folau

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Twelve years is a long time, and not just in sport.

It’s June 2025 and George North is on the north bank of the Brisbane River, in the shadow of Story Bridge, practising yoga in the winter sunshine.

“It’s probably the most Australian thing I’ve ever done,” says the former Wales winger.

The sedate scene is worlds away from the pulsating energy of the moment in 2013 when North entered British and Irish Lions folklore.

No, not the finger-wagging 60-metre solo try in the first Test – as jaw-droppingly brilliant as it was.

It’s the 60th minute of the second Test in Melbourne. North has just collected a through-the-legs pass from Brian O’Driscoll and is faced by his opposite number Israel Folau, a winger of similar 6ft 4in and 17-stone stature, with nowhere to go.

Seemingly wrapped up by Folau’s tackle, North decides to pump his legs and, ball in hand, scoops up his opposite number before using the Australia winger – now upside down on North’s back – as an improvised human battering ram. Wallabies were being knocked over like skittles.

“A bit silly to be honest,” is the way North remembers it. “Not my best idea,” he adds.

Iconic moments have come to define the 137-year history of the Lions. JPR or Jeremy Guscott’s drop-goals, Robert Jones squaring up to Nick Farr-Jones, Sir Ian McGeechan and Jim Telfer’s team talk, Matt Dawson’s dummy, O’Driscoll’s knife-through-butter try, the list goes on.

That North’s moment occurred in the second Test, the one the Lions lost by a single point, is almost forgotten. It came to define the 2-1 series victory over Australia in 2013.

North reveals that when he meets Lions fans, as he did on his recent 10-day working holiday in Australia, there is one thing they want to talk about.

“It’s probably the Izzy Folau carry,” he says. “And then it gets on to the try and the excitement and drama the Test series brought. Going to the decider [in 2013] was incredibly special as a player, but as a fan it was also as incredible.

“I never thought I’d be able to play for the Lions, playing for your country for me is the biggest honour anyone can award you and I never thought I’d be in the conversation to be a Lion, let alone tour two times.

“But to then say you’ve had an impact that people remember, an iconic moment, it doesn’t half put a smile on my face.”

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