Savory Mushroom and Leek Bread Pudding

World

• Türkiye and seven nations condemn Israel’s settlement policies Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE jointly denounced Israel’s continued expansion of settlements in occupied Palestinian territories, specifically rejecting the E1 plan east of East Jerusalem as illegal under international law. Source: Anadolu Agency.
• Trump says Iran is “still not ready” for the “right deal” amid tightening sanctions US President Donald Trump asserted that while Iran might want a deal, it is not prepared to make the correct one, as additional economic pressures are being applied. Source: Anadolu Agency.

United States

• AI agents become active control systems at Cloudflare Cloudflare is integrating AI into its software development lifecycle (SDLC), enforcing internal engineering standards through an AI-based control plane and agent tracing to manage code, configuration, and deployment. Source: The Art of CTO.
• Drone and missile attacks escalate in Ukraine Russian forces conducted a double-tap drone strike on a shopping mall, killing at least 15, and separate missile attacks near Kyiv killed 17. The UN warned that armed drones are escalating battlefield risks, including to aid workers. Source: The Art of CTO.

Technology

• Apple cuts over 200 roles in Siri and Vision Pro teams Bloomberg reports that Apple is reducing staff in immersive video, 3D video, and gaming teams as it shifts resources toward AI and new devices. Source: SpikePanel via Bloomberg.
• NVIDIA’s Vera Rubin systems reach Microsoft data centers Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella confirmed arrival of first production Vera Rubin units at Microsoft DCs, signaling accelerated AI infrastructure deployment. Source: SpikePanel via Microsoft/NVIDIA posts.

Science

• Colorado River water cuts announced Federal officials declared sharp water reductions over the next two years for three Western U.S. states, as supplies from the Colorado River continue to dwindle. Source: LA Post.
• Alfalfa sprout outbreak sickens 15 U.S. states Health authorities report a food-poisoning outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts has impacted individuals across 15 states. Source: LA Post.
• NASA sidesteps LINK mission extension Due to a commercial spacecraft attitude control issue, NASA and Katalyst Space announced that the LINK spacecraft will not boost or capture the agency’s satellite as originally planned. Source: NASA Science.

Entertainment

• ‘The Odyssey’ becomes highest-grossing R-rated film ever Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster has surpassed $1.35 billion globally, overtaking *Deadpool & Wolverine* as the top-grossing R-rated movie. Source: The Guardian.
• ‘Insidious’ franchise returns with new entry The long-dormant *Insidious* series is back with a new film titled *Insidious: Out of the Further* just three years after its last installment. Source: Us Weekly via News & Observer.
• Austrian film ‘Everytime’ wins top prize at Sarajevo Festival Director Sandra Wollner’s *Everytime*, previously honored at Cannes, earned the Heart of Sarajevo award for best narrative feature. Source: Daily Mail via Variety.

Savory Mushroom and Leek Bread Pudding

Discover a delightful twist on the classic bread pudding with this savory version, featuring earthy mushrooms and fragrant leeks. Perfect as a unique side dish or a comforting main course, this recipe elevates simple ingredients into a memorable dish.

Ingredients

• 4 cups of cubed sourdough bread
• 2 cups of sliced mushrooms (shiitake, cremini, or a mix)
• 1 large leek, cleaned and sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and butter. Once melted, add the sliced mushrooms, leeks, and garlic. Sauté until the mushrooms are golden brown and leeks are soft, about 8-10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, Parmesan cheese, and fresh thyme. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.
4. Gently fold in the cubed bread and the sautéed mushroom and leek mixture, ensuring the bread is evenly coated.
5. Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
7. Let it cool slightly before garnishing with chopped parsley. Serve warm and enjoy!