Business Sentiment

Sentiment Legend:

Negative < 44

Mixed 46-54

Positive > 56

Palestinians returning to Gaza from Egypt report being tortured and pressured to collaborate with Israel as informants. Truthout is an indispensable resource for activists, movement leaders and workers everywhere. Please make this work possible with a quick donation. Palestinians returning to Gaza through the Rafah border crossing report systematic harassment, beatings, torture, and being told to leave Gaza with their families by Israeli border agents. Returnees who spoke to Mondoweiss described how Israeli authorities subjected them to hours of intensive interrogation, during which they attempted to recruit some travelers as informants. As the Rafah crossing partially resumed operations in late January after having been closed by Israel in May 2024, increasing numbers of Palestinians who had left for Egypt during the war have begun returning to the Strip. Palestinians have described the harrowing treatment they experienced at the crossing. Additional interviews with returnees upon arrival reveal that travelers received two distinct messages from the authorities with whom they interacted during the journey. The first appeared to come from the Egyptian side, who urged travelers to remain in Gaza and reject all offers of emigration. The second seemed to have been planted by the Israelis, particularly through interrogation rooms. The message was nearly identical for every person crossing through Rafah: Gaza now belongs to Israel, and Palestinians will inevitably be forced out of the Strip — “even if it takes twenty years,” according to statements attributed to Israeli interrogators. Every Palestinian making the journey must undergo mandatory questioning, in which Israeli officers alternate between aggressive intimidation tactics and feigned concern and helpfulness. Almost all travelers were detained for more than two hours, and sometimes up to the whole day. In all cases, their hands were bound, and their eyes were blindfolded during the entire interrogation. Israeli officers proposed what they phrased as “generous offers” to the travelers to assist them and their families in leaving Gaza permanently. Others were offered to work for the Israeli army by providing it with information from within Gaza upon their return. Maha Abu Qamar, who returned to Gaza with her two children, ages 11 and 13, described the Egyptian side as routine: bags were searched, passports stamped, and travelers were allowed to pass through toward Gaza without incident. When they entered Gaza to hand in their passports, they were received by armed members of the infamous Israel-backed militia formerly led by the late Yasser Abu Shabab, who was reportedly killed by one of his men in December of last year. “Abu Shabab's group received us and searched us. They did not abuse us or cross any lines,” Abu Qamar told Mondoweiss. “They took our passports to hand them to the Israelis, along with our mobile phones, while our belongings remained outside. Then they led us into a makeshift room. It was wrapped in plastic sheeting from the side and was open at the top.” The crossing on the Palestinian side is no longer a place fit for human use, travelers say. They walk through sandy dirt paths with fences on either side, describing the Israeli-controlled area as a flattened “desert.” As of April of last year, Israel systematically razed the southern Rafah governorate. Abu Qamar says that after waiting briefly, an Israeli female soldier arrived and grabbed her by the hand, ordering her to face the wall. She then bound her hands and placed a blindfold over her eyes. She was led through what she described as several winding corridors until they reached the interrogation room. She sat in the room for ten minutes before being taken out of it, only to be called back in and led through the same process. The entire time, she was handcuffed and blindfolded. Interviews conducted by Mondoweiss show little difference from one interrogation to another. The questions are the same, the methods nearly identical. Returnees consistently say that the message conveyed by interrogators was uniform: Gaza will not be rebuilt, it will remain destroyed for 20 or 30 years, and Israel will ultimately take it over and expel all Palestinians from the Strip. No travelers are able to describe the interrogation rooms, as they remained blindfolded the entire time. One returnee, Sabah al-Rakab, 41, tried to raise her head when she was being questioned, but when she did so, an interrogator immediately hit her head with his hand, ordering her to keep it down. Abu Qamar says the first question she was asked was what she was doing on October 7. “I told him I was awake, preparing my children for school, when we were surprised by what happened,” she said. He asked where her husband was at the time. She replied that he was at home, resting after his night shift, before leaving for his daytime job. The interrogator then asked about a relative and whether he worked for Hamas, which she denied. He pressed her, accusing her of lying, but she insisted she was telling the truth. He then asked about her nephew, repeating the same question. He was a nurse, she said, but she didn't know exactly where he worked, except that he had trained at al-Nasr Eye Hospital. The interrogator asked the same questions about her son, Tamer. He was a nurse training at al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. The interrogator then asked about another relative, Alaa Abu Qamar, and his relationship to Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. She said they were colleagues who worked together. The interrogation lasted more than an hour and a half. Questions were not asked consecutively; instead, a question would be posed, followed by 10 minutes of repeating the same question to elicit more answers. When the interrogation ended, she was handed over to the Red Crescent, taken to a bus, and then transported into Gaza. The interrogators offered returnees to expedite their emmigration from Gaza alongside their families. Among the questions posed was why had Qamar returned in the first place. “If we secure you a life, a home, and a salary outside Gaza, would you leave?” Abu Qamar said she answered in the affirmative. “If you provide me with a dignified life — a home and a salary for my children for life, and for my husband — I would leave,” she said. In other cases, interrogators made different offers to returnees, including attempting to recruit them as informants. “They asked me to tell them what happens around me, what I see, and to do what they ask,” Sabah al-Rakab says. “All of the questions revolved around why we wanted to return to Gaza. He told me Gaza has no life, that it's completely destroyed and there's nothing worth returning to. ‘Why do you want to go back?' he'd say. And I would tell him: ‘I want to go to my family, to see my children and grandchildren. I want to see my family again.'” The interrogator then interjected to say that her husband was not in Gaza, but Oman. “He said, ‘I will send you to your husband in Oman. I will give you what you need and help reunite you with your children there. I will bring them and help them travel to Oman—on the condition that you never return to Gaza and that you turn back immediately.'” Sabah refused, saying Gaza is her homeland. She added that she had lived in Egypt for more than a year and never felt comfortable or safe, and that she would only feel that way in Gaza. Travelers also share how interrogations used insults, foul language, and verbal and physical abuse, banging on the table over and over and calling them liars. Over the course of an hour and 40 minutes, Sabah al-Rakab was subjected to “intense pressure” by two interrogators she could neither see nor identify. During the interrogation, the two played contrasting roles: one acted kindly, promising help, family reunification, housing, a salary, and a suitable life outside Gaza if she agreed to leave and never return; the other slammed the table, shouted, accused her of lying, and hurled insults she refused to repeat due to their nature. When al-Rakab denied their offer to leave Gaza and never come back, the two interrogators went back to hurling insults. She says she had been wearing a woolen shawl to protect herself from the cold, but that they took it from her. As she grew cold and began to cry, she told them she was sick and needed warmth. Instead of returning the shawl, they sprayed water on her back. Another traveler, Taghreed Marouf, says that from 3 a.m. to 9 a.m., she was made to sit on a steel chair, hands cuffed and eyes blindfolded. Her feet were tied to the chair. They were asking about her husband, who serves as a policeman in the Hamas-run civilian branch of government in Gaza. “They did not believe that he was a policeman. They kept insisting that he is a member of the Qassam Brigades,” she says. “I kept telling the interrogator that he isn't affiliated with al-Qassam, and that he is only working as a civilian policeman to feed his family and has nothing to do with any military activity.” Marouf says the interrogator then hit her with the butt of his rifle. During the interrogation, they asked Marouf to provide information about another individual, but she denied any knowledge of the details they sought. After that, she says, they stripped her of her winter jacket and left her to sit in the cold for a few more hours. “The interrogators asked me where I had surgery. I told him on my hip. He told me to turn my body so he can see. When I did, and he saw where they had operated on me, he hit me there with his rifle. He kept kicking me in the same spot. I fell down and lost consciousness. When I next opened my eyes, I was in a hospital in Gaza.” Another traveler, Routana al-Rakab, was offered the chance to reunite with her family and children at the border before they all left together. She refused. They then offered to provide her with a place to live away from the rubble. She refused again, insisting that all she wanted was to return to Gaza. At that moment, the officer's tone shifted, his “generosity” turning into rage. He began slamming his hands on the table, raising his voice, and threatening to deprive her of her children, saying she would never see them again. “He said that ‘Gaza is ours — if not today, then in twenty years, in thirty years. We own Gaza now. Not a single Palestinian will remain. You will all leave, and it will belong to us,'” al-Rakab recounts. Most travelers interviewed by Mondoweiss said they would not accept the Israeli offer to be relocated. Most of them cited their need to be with family. “My family, my land, my home, my memories — everything I know and love can only be found in Gaza,” al-Rakab says. “I will never choose to leave without returning. It's my homeland. Homeland is like the soul, it's irreplaceable.” “I lived in an occupation-free country,” she continues. “It's really amazing to breathe freedom, but if it's not in our homeland, then it's not our freedom.” Al-Rakab says that after over a year spent in Egypt, never felt safe or happy, despite not wanting for anything. “Exile is a burden, and home is a blessing,” she explains. “I choose Gaza every time.” In the last weeks, we have witnessed an authoritarian assault on communities in Minnesota and across the nation. The need for truthful, grassroots reporting is urgent at this cataclysmic historical moment. Yet, Trump-aligned billionaires and other allies have taken over many legacy media outlets — the culmination of a decades-long campaign to place control of the narrative into the hands of the political right. We refuse to let Trump's blatant propaganda machine go unchecked. Untethered to corporate ownership or advertisers, Truthout remains fearless in our reporting and our determination to use journalism as a tool for justice. But we need your help just to fund our basic expenses. Over 80 percent of Truthout's funding comes from small individual donations from our community of readers, and over a third of our total budget is supported by recurring monthly donors. Truthout's fundraiser ended last night, and we fell just short of our goal. But your support still matters immensely. Whether you can make a small monthly donation or a larger one-time gift, Truthout only works with your help. Tareq S. Hajjaj is the Gaza correspondent for Mondoweiss and a member of the Palestinian Writers Union. Follow him on Twitter/X at @Tareqshajjaj. Get the news you want, delivered to your inbox every day. As we rise to confront Trump's fascism, Truthout appeals for your support. Any contribution you can make is a tangible act of resistance. Please start a monthly donation today.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

A pending case could expose thousands of immigrant parents to deportation due to minor involvement in juvenile courts. Truthout is a vital news source and a living history of political struggle. If you think our work is valuable, support us with a donation of any size. This story was originally published by ProPublica. ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox. Should a person be deported because once, a decade and a half ago, they left their toddlers home alone for a half hour to buy them pajamas at Walmart? That's what the Trump administration is arguing in a little-noticed federal appeals court case being decided in California, with sweeping implications for both the immigration and child welfare systems. A ruling is expected in the coming months. In 2010, Sotero Mendoza-Rivera, an undocumented farmworker who'd immigrated from Mexico 10 years earlier, made a fateful decision. He drove with his girlfriend, Angelica Ortega-Vasquez, to their local Walmart in McMinnville, Oregon, according to a police report. The store was seven minutes from their apartment. In addition to the pajamas, they purchased motor oil and brake fluid for their car. When they got back to the apartment, their 2-year-old son, who'd been in bed asleep when they'd left, had woken up and somehow gotten out the door. A bystander found him by the street outside the complex, baby bottle in hand, and called the police. The responding officer issued Mendoza-Rivera and Ortega-Vasquez a misdemeanor citation, which they resolved with a guilty plea, a fine and probation. The officer stated in his report that the little boy and his 3-year-old sister were healthy and clean, that the apartment was well-kept and stocked with food, and that a neighbor said that the mother was usually home with the kids. The Obama administration then opened deportation proceedings against Mendoza-Rivera, but did not keep him in detention. He appealed, and the case wound its way slowly through the legal system before hitting a backlog at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, where some immigration matters from nearly a decade ago are still being decided. But in August, amid the Trump administration's campaign of mass deportations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Mendoza-Rivera and locked him up in another state. And the Department of Justice is now arguing that what he did in 2010 (the current case is against him only) is a crime deserving of immediate removal from the country. A DOJ lawyer argued before a panel of the 9th Circuit in Pasadena, California, last month that it doesn't matter if no harm to children occurred, saying an immigrant parent should still get deported if their parenting decision involved a “substantial” deviation from a “normal” standard of care for kids. Child welfare officials and experts told ProPublica they are deeply concerned by the case, as well as several others like it that have been making their way through the courts and are now reaching a decisive point. “Imagine what a weapon it would be in ICE's hands if child welfare is added to all the other areas where a conviction for the most minor offense means deportation,” said Richard Wexler, executive director of the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform, an advocacy group. Indeed, if Attorney General Pam Bondi's team wins this case, thousands of immigrant moms and dads could be exposed to deportation for minor involvement in the juvenile court system, a new realm for President Donald Trump's deportation regime. There aren't exact numbers as to how many immigrants are accused of low-level parental negligence in juvenile courts. But as ProPublica has previously reported, millions of parents are accused of child neglect every year in this country, in many instances for reasons stemming from poverty like a lack of child care or food in the fridge, rather than physical or sexual abuse. Immigrant parents are no more likely than U.S.-born parents to abuse children. But undocumented parents may be more likely to be accused of certain low-level forms of neglect, according to legal aid attorneys. For one thing, due to their lack of legal status, they sometimes avoid interactions with officials at schools and hospitals, leading to potential allegations against them for neglecting their kids' health or education. They also disproportionately work long and unpredictable hours, sometimes having their older children look after their younger ones, which in the U.S. can be deemed inadequate supervision. Differing cultural norms regarding how much hands-on supervision is necessary also play a role. There is no evidence yet that ICE has been actively looking for cases like these to identify parents to deport, according to interviews with over a dozen federal and state child welfare officials. But data on specific child welfare cases is reported from states to the federal government annually, via the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System. (The data contain identifiers for children but not their names, though state agencies have those.) “The million or so reports in NCANDS would be a gold mine for Noem and Miller,” said Andy Barclay, a longtime child welfare statistician, referring to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and top Trump adviser Stephen Miller. The first Trump administration did not seek to use such data for deportations, according to Jerry Milner, who was appointed to oversee the U.S. child welfare system as head of the federal Children's Bureau from 2017 to 2021. “I never had any of those discussions around the data,” Milner told ProPublica. “I can't guarantee that others did not, but they never made it to me.” But, he said, “things are different now.” “I would have strong concerns if any of the data are used for purposes other than what they were intended for,” Milner said. Medicaid data, for instance, is now reportedly being shared with the Department of Homeland Security, and those files can have more identifying information than NCANDS does on families with child welfare cases. DHS has also accessed Office of Refugee Resettlement data on migrant children, which can be used to identify young people's locations and the (sometimes undocumented) adults taking care of them. Indeed, DHS and FBI agents have visited migrant kids at the homes of their caretakers, ostensibly to perform “welfare checks.” The White House declined to answer questions for this article. The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a request for comment. A Justice Department spokesperson in an email accused the Biden administration of letting Mendoza-Rivera's case languish and said that “as part of this Administration's commitment to making America safe again, the Attorney General will continue to defend efforts to remove criminal illegal aliens, especially those convicted of offenses which place children in situations likely to endanger their health or welfare.” The Trump administration's view, according to the Justice Department's filings in Mendoza-Rivera's case, is that undocumented parents convicted of even the most minor forms of parental negligence should be ineligible for a type of legal relief called “cancellation of removal.” (Mendoza-Rivera sought this relief during his initial deportation proceedings, which is part of what spurred the current appeals case.) It's an off-ramp from deportation that until now has been available to such moms and dads if they've been in the U.S. for 10 or more years, they have “good moral character,” and their deportation would cause extreme hardship to their U.S. citizen children. This would apply to Mendoza-Rivera and Ortega-Vasquez's kids, who are American citizens. One of the main federal laws that the Trump administration has been relying on in its effort to deport millions of people comes from the Bill Clinton era. In 1996, the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act overhauled immigration enforcement in part by stating that noncitizens, even lawful permanent residents, must be expeditiously deported if they've been convicted of certain offenses, including aggravated felonies, crimes of “moral turpitude,” drug crimes or domestic violence, or a “crime of child abuse, child neglect, or child abandonment.” The motivation for including this sort of language, at the time, was clear. Amid the violent crime wave of the '90s, the law's co-author, Bob Dole, said on the Senate floor that the crimes he wanted to make deportable included “vicious acts of stalking, child abuse and sexual abuse.” Yet over the three decades since, societal norms around what constitutes bad — and even criminal — parenting have come to include all sorts of nonviolent and even harmless behavior. A range of parenting practices that were considered normal for most of the 20th century are now investigated and prosecuted as child maltreatment in many states; letting your kids play at the park and walk home alone could be “neglect,” especially if you're poor and a person of color. So could leaving them in their car seats briefly with the windows cracked and the car alarm on while you run into a store to buy diapers, or failing to properly secure their bedroom windows at night. Some rulings by other courts have blocked deportations for people with these sorts of alleged parenting lapses, while the federal Board of Immigration Appeals has offered changing guidance on the issue. Immigration advocates fear that the current appeals court proceeding, which groups together several similar cases including Mendoza-Rivera's, could become hugely influential across the legal system — and with much higher stakes now given the present administration's enforcement focus. Although the Obama and Biden administrations took similar positions to the Trump administration on this point, in general they didn't pursue deportations as aggressively. “There was some discretion being exercised,” said David Zimmer, Mendoza-Rivera's appellate attorney. “So it was at least possible, in a given case, that they might have decided not to pursue removal if the parent hadn't done anything meaningfully wrong.” That's no longer the case in a regime that is seeking any reason to expel an immigrant, Zimmer said. This case could be heard by the full 9th Circuit next and then head to the U.S. Supreme Court, if the justices choose to take it up. Much of the debate rests on the question of whether it matters if immigrant parents meant to harm their children, given that intention is part of the definition of most crimes. If the parent both didn't harm and wasn't aware they might harm their child, advocates argue, it shouldn't qualify as a “crime” worthy of deportation. The Oregon misdemeanor negligence statute under which Mendoza-Rivera was convicted doesn't require proving any intent to harm a child, any actual harm to a child or even exposure of a child to any harm, acknowledged Justice Department lawyer Imran Zaidi at a 9th Circuit hearing in January. But negligence is still a “culpable mental state” deserving of deportation, he said, because it is “incompatible with a proper regard for consequences.” Jed Rakoff, a New York federal district judge serving as a visiting member of the 9th Circuit panel, responded that he's been hearing this argument since “my first year of torts class.” Negligence, he said, is by definition unconscious; otherwise it would be “recklessness,” which is a different, more serious act involving consciously disregarding potential harm. In the context of these family court cases, it is often just conduct that's a small deviation from some middle-class “reasonable person's” — a neighbor's, a caseworker's — subjective opinion of what “good” parenting looks like. “I'm talking about the term ‘crime': What did Congress mean by that single word?” Rakoff said, referring to the 1996 law's description of a “crime” of “child abuse, child neglect, or child abandonment.” Lawmakers clearly meant something more serious than briefly leaving kids unattended, Rakoff continued. After all, the consequence they were prescribing — deportation — was so much more severe than any other possible consequence for any similar misdemeanor. Zaidi, the Justice Department lawyer, responded that if many state laws say that something is a crime of child neglect, then it is a crime of child neglect, and Congress said that a crime of child neglect is deportable. The two judges other than Rakoff seemed more open to this argument. The fundamental question that the appeals court is considering, then, is whether these essentially harmless parental “crimes” alleged by increasingly hands-on local child welfare authorities are the same category of crime that the U.S. Congress was talking about when it passed a law on immigrants committing violent crime, domestic violence and terrorism. Josh Gupta-Kagan, founder and director of the Columbia Law School Family Defense Clinic, said that it appears Mendoza-Rivera and Ortega-Vasquez “were not a safety threat to their children, let alone to anyone else,” even if they showed bad judgment by leaving toddlers alone for a half hour. So it is “fair to question,” he said, how pursuing either of their deportations serves the Trump administration's “stated interest in public safety.” McMinnville, Oregon, where Mendoza-Rivera and Ortega-Vasquez bought those pajamas at Walmart, is where they've lived for nearly a quarter century and where they had their two children, who are now teenagers. It's also where Mendoza-Rivera spent all those years picking and packaging produce. But he has now been locked up for months in a detention center in Tacoma, Washington, and his family has in turn lost much of its income. His kids are without him. And if the Trump administration gets to use a law against him that was intended to protect children, they will lose their dad to a foreign country for good. In the last weeks, we have witnessed an authoritarian assault on communities in Minnesota and across the nation. The need for truthful, grassroots reporting is urgent at this cataclysmic historical moment. Yet, Trump-aligned billionaires and other allies have taken over many legacy media outlets — the culmination of a decades-long campaign to place control of the narrative into the hands of the political right. We refuse to let Trump's blatant propaganda machine go unchecked. Untethered to corporate ownership or advertisers, Truthout remains fearless in our reporting and our determination to use journalism as a tool for justice. But we need your help just to fund our basic expenses. Over 80 percent of Truthout's funding comes from small individual donations from our community of readers, and over a third of our total budget is supported by recurring monthly donors. Truthout's fundraiser ended last night, and we fell just short of our goal. But your support still matters immensely. Whether you can make a small monthly donation or a larger one-time gift, Truthout only works with your help. Eli Hager is a reporter covering issues affecting children and teens in the Southwest. Get the news you want, delivered to your inbox every day. As we rise to confront Trump's fascism, Truthout appeals for your support. Any contribution you can make is a tangible act of resistance. Please start a monthly donation today.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

It's no secret that President Donald Trump's foreign policy in his second term has been more militaristic. Trump has floated claiming the Panama Canal, Canada and Greenland for the United States. He launched strikes on seven different countries in 2025 and even resurrected the US policy of deposing Latin American leaders with the operation in Venezuela. He has killed more than 150 people on alleged drug boats via extrajudicial strikes — which might well be war crimes. But his new attacks against Iran represent something else entirely. By Trump's own account, these are not limited strikes, but rather a “massive and ongoing” military campaign alongside Israel that he suggests is “war” and warns up-front could cost American lives. While his brief Iran strikes in June were about debilitating the country's nuclear program, he's indicated these carry the broader and bigger goal of regime change. “All I want is freedom for the people,” Trump told the Washington Post shortly after 4 a.m. Eastern time, hours after the first strikes. But that's decidedly not what Trump and his team have promised the American people over the years — or even recently. Indeed, among all Trump's military actions, this one is the most contradictory. The president has explicitly pitted himself against regime change in the Middle East and argued for a focus that's close to home. He invoked this position often during the 2016 campaign while running against the war in neighboring Iraq and pitching Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton as an irredeemable and “trigger-happy” hawk. “We must abandon the failed policy of nation-building and regime change that Hillary Clinton pushed in Iraq, Libya, Egypt and Syria,” Trump said at the 2016 Republican National Convention. He said toppling regimes without sufficient plans creates “power vacuums that are filled simply by terrorists.” He said he would “break the cycle of regime change” and “abandon the policy of reckless regime change favored by my opponent.” As recently as 2019, Trump doubled down. “Our policy of never-ending war, regime change, and nation-building is being replaced by the clear-eyed pursuit of American interests,” Trump said. “It is the job of our military to protect our security, not to be the policeman of the world.” “GOING INTO THE MIDDLE EAST IS THE WORST DECISION EVER MADE,” he posted on social media that same year. And his administration even this term has sought to downplay regime change. In a speech in December, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth promised his department would “not be distracted by democracy-building interventionism, undefined wars, regime change …” And after Trump struck Iran's nuclear facilities in June, Hegseth specifically assured it wasn't about regime change. “This mission was not and has not been about regime change,” Hegseth said. To be fair, Trump's comments on this front sometimes referred to ill-considered and hasty regime-change wars, rather than opposing regime change altogether. Still, the thrust of his and Hegseth's commentary was clearly that this type of conflict isn't what the United States should get itself involved in, particularly in the Middle East and particularly absent an ironclad endgame and threat to the United States. The administration has done little to lay out such a substantial strategic plan — or even a consistent justification — for this effort. And Trump has said for months that his June strikes had “obliterated” Iran's nuclear program, suggesting there remained little in the way of a direct threat to the United States. Regime change in Iran is also contrary to what the Trump team pitched in the 2024 election. Indeed, at times they warned that voting for Kamala Harris would lead to such wars. Trump, they said, was the peace candidate. This wasn't just a casual talking point; Trump and people close to his campaign emphasized it in the closing weeks, pointing to the fact that hawkish former GOP congresswoman Liz Cheney was supporting Harris. “You know, they're all war hawks when they're sitting in Washington in a nice building saying, ‘Oh, gee, let's send 10,000 troops right into the mouth of the enemy,'” Trump said less than a week before Election Day. Trump adviser Stephen Miller added on X: “Liz Cheney is Kamala's top advisor. Liz wants to invade the whole Middle East. Kamala = WWIII. Trump = Peace.” “A vote for Kamala Harris is a vote for Dick Cheney and a vote for war, war and more war,” Trump's now-director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said. “A vote for Donald Trump is a vote to end wars, not start them.” The national Republican Party pitched its ticket as the “pro-peace” option. Miller added that “KAMALA WILL SEND YOUR SONS TO WAR.” Now, Trump is explicitly telling Americans that their sons (and daughters) could die in a regime-change war. “The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties — that often happens in war,” Trump said early Saturday morning. “But we're doing this not for now; we're doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission.” Vice President JD Vance also wrote an op-ed in 2023 titled, “Trump's Best Foreign Policy? Not Starting Any Wars.” Critics on social media Saturday quickly and widely circulated other Trump comments — ones he posted before all of the above, when Barack Obama was president. “Remember what I previously said–Obama will someday attack Iran in order to show how tough he is,” Trump posted in September 2013. He added in November of that year that “Obama will attack Iran because of his inability to negotiate properly-not skilled!” And in 2011: “Our president will start a war with Iran because he has absolutely no ability to negotiate.” Those comments certainly sting today. Obama ultimately did secure a deal with Iran (however good one believes that deal was) and never attacked it. Trump has now attacked Iran repeatedly, including after failing to negotiate his own deal recently. Trump also wrongly predicted Obama would attack Iran on the eve of the 2012 election. “Now that Obama's poll numbers are in tailspin – watch for him to launch a strike in Libya or Iran,” Trump posted in October 2012. “He is desperate.” Today, Trump's own numbers have declined substantially during his first year in office, and Republicans are staring down a difficult midterm election because of that. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi screenshotted and shared Trump's 2012 post on Saturday, while calling the attack “wholly unprovoked, illegal, and illegitimate.” © 2026 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved. CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network. Scan the QR code to download the CNN app on Google Play. Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

People across the political spectrum are realizing these federal detention warehouses will harm their communities. Did you know that Truthout is a nonprofit and independently funded by readers like you? If you value what we do, please support our work with a donation. Across the country, communities are fighting a network of warehouses the Trump administration is buying up to hold immigrants. Platform Ventures, an investment firm which owns a warehouse in Kansas City, Missouri, said on February 12 that it had pulled out of a deal with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to convert the nearly 1 million-square-foot-sized building into a “mega center” slated to hold 7,500 immigrants. “[T]he people of Kansas City forced Platform Ventures' hand,” Ryan Sorrell wrote for the Kansas City Defender, a Black-led abolitionist newspaper started after the George Floyd uprisings. “This was not a corporate change of heart,” Sorrell continues. “Ultimately, it was a calculated business decision made under extraordinary pressure from a community that refused to be complicit in the machinery of mass incarceration and deportation.” Kansas City is one of 23 cities where DHS has been quietly purchasing warehouses in remotely located office parks, as a document leaked earlier this year revealed. The Washington Postfirst reported that the Trump administration was planning to imprison 80,000 immigrants in warehouses, in addition to the nearly 70,000 people who are already detained. The warehouses will significantly expand the existing network of more than 230 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities. ICE acting Director Todd M. Lyons put the administration's strategy bluntly at a Border Security Expo last year in Phoenix, Arizona: Mass deportations should be treated “like a business … like (Amazon) Prime, but with human beings.” Since ICE agents shot and killed Renée Nicole Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, as well as Silverio Villegas González in Chicago, people have been focusing their outrage on stopping these warehouses from opening. This is one way people are driving “ICE OUT” of their communities. People across the political spectrum are realizing these federal detention warehouses will harm their communities. Since federal agencies pay no taxes, local municipalities will lose valuable tax revenue paying for public schools and services. Federal agencies do not have to follow local zoning ordinances, so the warehouses will place a serious strain on the local water and sewer systems. Putting thousands of people in makeshift facilities not meant for habitation will only worsen human rights abuses by federal immigrant agencies, warned Stacy Suh, program director at Detention Watch Network. “All immigration detention is inherently inhumane and rife with abuse, and yet the warehouse model currently being pursued is particularly horrifying,” said Suh, whose organization is leading efforts nationally to end immigration incarceration. Weapons of Trauma The warehouse in Kansas City is located between an Amazon building and Walmart distribution center. Several organizations mobilized against the facility, including the Missouri Workers Center, Stand Up KC, Decarcerate KC, and Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation. They paid for billboards denouncing the warehouse, marched on the offices of Platform Ventures, and made hundreds of phone calls to the company's owners. When Chair of the Jackson County Legislature Manny Abarca visited the warehouse on January 15 after finding out that federal officials were touring the site, he was confronted by six ICE agents and threatened with arrest. That same day, the city council passed a moratorium on any permits for nonmunicipal detention sites. The moratorium was based off one passed in nearby Leavenworth, Kansas, where over the last year organizers have been fighting the opening of a private immigration prison owned by CoreCivic, a leading for-profit prison company that holds many contracts with ICE. Karla Juarez, executive director of Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation, an immigrant-led organization, told Truthout, “The Latino community is traumatized after years of ICE violence. The proposed ICE detention center is another attempt to continue using the weapon of trauma.” “When you treat a country like a business, every person then becomes a dollar sign.” The decision by Platform Ventures to cancel the warehouse contract, said Juarez, “sets the example” to hold this “abusive system” accountable. “When you treat a country like a business, every person then becomes a dollar sign. No one is a ‘package.' No one is exempt from human hardship, and they should not be treated as a sum of money a few will enjoy from causing them more hardship.” ICE Prisons Bring Problems In early January, rumors had been circulating that ICE was eyeing a warehouse in Roxbury, New Jersey. When local activists saw Roxbury in the leaked document of 23 warehouses, they presented it during a town council meeting one evening and called on the council to stop it. The address of the warehouse was just half a mile away from the town hall building. It was a 470,000-square-foot warehouse with a planned capacity for 1,500 beds. On January 13, the township council voted unanimously to pass a resolution opposing a possible detention facility which would disregard land use regulations and place “unanticipated burdens” on infrastructure, resources, and service. Roxbury is a bedroom community about an hour away from New York City and 90 minutes from Philadelphia. Just 15 minutes outside of town, the landscape is dominated by farmland. The council is entirely Republican and Roxbury Mayor Shawn Potillo gave a speech at a vigil for Charlie Kirk this past summer. The township council is “extremely conservative,” William Angus, an organizer against the warehouse in Roxbury, told Truthout. “But one thing I like to say is that it doesn't matter where you are on the political spectrum, you don't want a prison in your town, let alone an ICE prison, because prisons always bring problems.” Angus said the warehouse is located in a watershed area with eight adjacent towns that share the same water supply. “We are talking about how to reach out to these other towns to let them know that they are on the hook too,” he shared. After Donald Trump took office for his second term, Angus felt he needed to “do something.” He volunteered at a food pantry but wanted to “join the activism part of things.” He got involved with the Visibility Brigade, a group that began in New Jersey and has spread across the country. Members promote “rush hour resistance” by putting up pro-democracy, anti-Trump signs along overpasses above busy highways. Although he now resides 30 minutes away, Angus used to live in Roxbury and still has friends and family there. He helped to organize the No Ice North Jersey Alliance (Project NINJA) along with immigrant aid organizations, liberal groups, and other local Visibility Brigades. They now have more than 1,500 people on their email list and 700 members on their Facebook group. On February 20, it was announced that DHS had purchased the warehouse from Dalfen Industrial. The news was demoralizing to organizers, but they vowed to continue. “Our goal remains the same,” Angus stated in a NINJA press release. “Both public protests and pressure on elected officials and involved parties will continue — because the only acceptable outcome is for the property to remain a warehouse for goods, not people.” The group is now shifting to a corporate-shaming campaign and networking with other communities. The same day the deal was announced, protests were held outside the Dalfen headquarters in Dallas, Texas, by Indivisible Dallas, Dallas Visibility Brigade, and Yellow Rose Resistance. Widening the Net As the Trump administration has vowed to round up the “worst of the worst,” the majority of those arrested have no criminal backgrounds. It is increasingly clear that ICE is going after all immigrants, regardless of their legal status. Seth Kaper-Dale is a pastor in Highland Park, New Jersey, who runs a resettlement organization and has been working with refugees and immigrants for more than 20 years. He is worried that the expansion of migrant jails, including the warehouse in Roxbury, indicates a willingness to go after a widening net of immigrants. “New Jersey has one of the largest non-detained docket groups in the country,” Kaper-Dale explained to Truthout. “You have over 100,000 people in New Jersey who are detainable and deportable.” These are people who must report to an ICE office every three to six months. They may be put on electronic monitors, check in on voice-recognition phone calls, or use a SmartLINK app that relies on facial recognition technology. Targeting this group is “the easiest way for ICE to drive up its quotas,” said Kaper-Dale. “People are so catchable.” We are witnessing the “Amazonification of detention centers.” We are witnessing the “Amazonification of detention centers,” said Kaper-Dale. The Roxbury warehouse “is a human sortation center,” he surmised. As James Kilgore, author of the 2024 visual primer entitled The Warehouse, told Truthout, “Today, Donald Trump's immigration gestapo are buying up real warehouses to cage migrants, taking us into another level of dystopia.” A Surprise Warehouse in Arizona In the city of Surprise, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix, the community learned in late January about the purchase of an empty warehouse by DHS when it was reported in a local newspaper. As suspected, the 418,400-square-foot warehouse is to be used as a processing site to hold 1,500 people. When the story broke, Chris Judd, the city council representative for the district where the warehouse is located, claimed the city was “helpless” and the matter was “out of our hands.” Kevin Sartor, the mayor of Surprise, sent a letter to DHS and ICE admitting that the city “cannot interfere with federal operations.” Residents are rejecting the tepid response of elected officials. “ICE needs to be abolished,” said Erica Connell, who spoke to Truthout. “There's no need for any of these additional concentration camps.” Surprise is a growing retirement community. “Up until 10 years ago,” Connell said, “you would drive out to Las Vegas, end then ‘surprise,' there's a city here.” The facility looks like a “standard” warehouse or call center, Connell described. It is close to homes, local businesses, and a nearby high school. “They're not trying to hide it out in the middle of the desert like other detention facilities,” she observed. Connell describes herself as being “very politically involved.” Last year, when there was a call put out by the 50501 group, she attended a rally at the Arizona state capitol and became involved with the 50501 movement. The local chapter of Indivisible is holding weekly protests against the warehouse facility. On February 3, more than 100 people spoke at the city council meeting expressing their concerns and more demonstrated outside. “Local communities are making it clear from coast to coast,” said Detention Watch Network's Stacy Suh, “they don't want detention centers of any kind, and they will fight tooth and nail to block ICE and ensure all people are protected and safe.” In the last weeks, we have witnessed an authoritarian assault on communities in Minnesota and across the nation. The need for truthful, grassroots reporting is urgent at this cataclysmic historical moment. Yet, Trump-aligned billionaires and other allies have taken over many legacy media outlets — the culmination of a decades-long campaign to place control of the narrative into the hands of the political right. We refuse to let Trump's blatant propaganda machine go unchecked. Untethered to corporate ownership or advertisers, Truthout remains fearless in our reporting and our determination to use journalism as a tool for justice. But we need your help just to fund our basic expenses. Over 80 percent of Truthout's funding comes from small individual donations from our community of readers, and over a third of our total budget is supported by recurring monthly donors. Truthout's fundraiser ended last night, and we fell just short of our goal. But your support still matters immensely. Whether you can make a small monthly donation or a larger one-time gift, Truthout only works with your help. This article is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), and you are free to share and republish under the following terms: Brian Dolinar is an independent journalist based in Urbana, Illinois. His articles have appeared at The Appeal, In These Times, The Nation, and Truthout. You can follow his stories by subscribing to his Substack newsletter called “Sentences.” Get the news you want, delivered to your inbox every day. As we rise to confront Trump's fascism, Truthout appeals for your support. Any contribution you can make is a tangible act of resistance. Please start a monthly donation today.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Thousands of people across Greece yesterday demonstrated in solidarity with victims of the country's worst train tragedy, which claimed 57 lives in 2023 and rattled the government of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. With a long-awaited trial into the disaster looming next month, unanswered questions remain about the accident and the ensuing investigation, which victims' relatives said was deficient and left state officials largely untouched. Most of those killed in the crash on Feb. 28, 2023, were young students aboard a passenger locomotive carrying about 350 people from Athens to Thessaloniki that hit a freight train in the dead of the night. Photo: AFP The crash was “not a stroke of bad luck,” an association of victims' relatives said. “It was an expression of an inhuman policy that, in the face of profitability and profit, does not even take human life into account, a policy that breeds and covers up crimes.” More than 300,000 people rallied to mark last year's anniversary, one of the biggest demonstrations the country has seen since the decade-long financial crisis, which began in late 2009. This year was to see demonstrations in more than 70 towns and cities across Greece. Unions went on strikes, while stores in Athens were urged to close. The two trains had run on the same track for more than 10 minutes without triggering any alarm, laying bare the parlous state of the Greek railway network's security fail-safes — despite EU grants for their modernization. European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kovesi said the accident could have been avoided if an EU-funded railway signaling project had been completed on time. The victims' families have protested that valuable clues were lost when the crash site was bulldozed soon after the accident, sparking allegations the government was literally trying to bury the evidence. Several parents have also demanded tests to determine whether their children were killed by the collision, or by a fire that broke out afterwards, with one going on a hunger strike last year. Earlier this month, experts appointed by the families said the passenger train had poorly-insulated seating that enabled the fire to spread. Despite the disaster, Mitsotakis comfortably won re-election just months later, and went on to defeat two votes of no confidence on the issue. However, anger continues to simmer, increasing support for smaller opposition parties, including one headed by a leading lawyer for the accident victims. The mother of another victim, Maria Karystianou, has announced plans for a new party. “We don't just want to remain a protest movement. We really want to see some things change in the country,” Karystianou said. Nearly 40 people are to go on trial on March 23, including railway executives and the station master on duty that night. They risk prison sentences of up to 20 years. Two former Greek ministers, including the former minister of infrastructure and transport, were also referred to justice by parliament, but face only misdemeanor charges at present. The European prosecutor has separately charged more than 30 people with various offenses, including subsidy fraud. THE TRAGEDY OF PUNCH: Footage of the seven-month-old Japanese macaque has gone viral online after he was rejected by his mother and formed a bond with a soft toy A baby monkey in Japan has captured hearts around the world after videos of him being bullied by other monkeys and rejected by his mother went viral last week. Punch, a Japanese macaque, was born in July last year at Ichikawa City Zoo. He has drawn international attention after zookeepers gave him a stuffed orangutan toy after he was abandoned by his mother. Without maternal guidance to help him integrate, Punch has turned to the toy for comfort. He has been filmed multiple times being dragged and chased by older Japanese macaques inside the enclosure. Early clips showed him wandering alone with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese yesterday said he did not take his security for granted, after he was evacuated from his residence for several hours following a bomb threat sent to a Chinese dance group. Albanese was evacuated from his Canberra residence late on Tuesday following the threat, and returned a few hours later after nothing suspicious was found. The bomb scare was among several e-mails threatening Albanese sent to a representative of Shen Yun, a classical Chinese dance troupe banned in China that is due to perform in Australia this month, a spokesperson for the group said in a statement. The e-mail TENSIONS: The march went ahead without clashes, but arrests were still possible as police investigate suspects behind Nazi salutes, racist slurs and homophobic insults Thousands of people on Saturday marched in southeastern France under heavy security in tribute to a far-right activist whose killing, blamed on the hard left, has put the country on edge. The crowd — many wearing black and some covering their lower faces with masks — marched through the city of Lyon carrying flowers and placards bearing pictures of Quentin Deranque and the words: “justice for Quentin” and “the extreme left kills.” The 23-year-old died from head injuries following clashes between radical left and far-right supporters on the sidelines of a demonstration against a politician from the left-wing France Unbowed ‘OCCUPATION': Hong Kong said it had lodged ‘stern protests' with Panama's consulate, and would ‘staunchly support' the rights and interests of Hong Kong companies Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino on Monday ordered the temporary occupation of two ports run by a unit of CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd following the Supreme Court's ruling against the firm's concession, escalating a dispute that has become a proxy battle between the US and China in Latin America. Mulino said in a speech that the administration and operation of the two ports on the strategic Panama Canal is to revert to the country's National Maritime Authority to ensure their uninterrupted, safe and efficient operation. The occupation covers movable equipment at the ports and does not mean a definitive loss of
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

BUDAPEST, February 28. /TASS/. The US and Israeli military operation against Iran could trigger a sharp rise in global oil prices, and under these circumstances Ukraine's blockade of the Druzhba oil pipeline amounts to a "crime twice over," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said. "Iran is one of the world's largest oil producers, accounting for 15% of oil supplies to China. There is also the [Strait of] Hormuz, through which oil from other Arab countries is exported by tanker to the global market. That strait could be closed, and this would cause a significant increase in global energy prices," the head of government said, according to remarks broadcast by the M1 TV channel. "The fact that Hungary has been cut off from oil in such a situation is a crime twice over," Orban said, recalling that Kiev refuses to resume transit of Russian crude via the Druzhba pipeline. The prime minister assured that Hungary would not yield to pressure from Ukraine and would not make concessions. "We will break this oil blockade, we will win this battle," Orban pledged. He did not assess the actions of the United States and Israel against Iran. Russian oil has not been supplied to Hungary since January 27. On February 15, Hungary and Slovakia asked Croatia to allow transit of crude via the Adriatic pipeline. The Hungarian government also decided to provide oil from state strategic reserves to MOL for its refineries. Budapest maintains that the Druzhba pipeline is technically ready for operation and that Kiev is blocking it solely for political reasons.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Democratic member of the Homeland Security Committee Andy Kim called Saturday's strikes on Iran by the US administration an 'appaling action' that the American people 'don't want'. Kim, speaking to CNN's Wolf Blitzer, said that the White House needed to 'make the case' to the American people before military action, who he said 'do not want to be at war'. © 2026 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved. CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network. Scan the QR code to download the CNN app on Google Play. Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

MOSCOW, February 28. /TASS/. In a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov condemned the unprovoked armed attack by the United States and Israel on Iran, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "Sergey Lavrov condemned the unprovoked armed attack by the United States and Israel on Iran in violation of the principles and norms of international law, while completely ignoring the grave consequences for the regional and global stability and security," the ministry said. "He pointed out the need to stop the attacks against the Islamic republic immediately and return the situation to a political and diplomatic settlement." Lavrov also noted "Russia's readiness to promote the search for peaceful solutions based on international law, mutual respect and a balance of interests, including in the UN Security Council." The Iranian minister informed Lavrov "about the steps taken by the Iranian leadership to repel the aggression of the United States and Israel, which again disrupted negotiations on a peaceful settlement of the situation around the Iranian nuclear program. He announced plans to convene the UN Security Council urgently. The Iranian side expressed sincere gratitude for the unwavering and firm support provided by the Russian Federation." The conversation took place on the initiative of Tehran. The United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran hitting major Iranian cities, including Tehran. The White House justified the attack by Iran's alleged missile and nuclear threat. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps started a large-scale retaliatory operation launching missiles and drones. Air raid sirens blared in the Tel Aviv area. According to Mehr news agency, the US military bases in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates were also attacked. Countries in the region are closing their airspace, and airlines are suspending flights.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

As it continues to wage its full-scale war against Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Ministry on Feb. 28 condemned the U.S. and Israel's attack on Iran, claiming that it can help find "peaceful solutions." "We demand that the situation be immediately returned to the path of political and diplomatic settlement," the Russian Foreign Ministry claimed in a statement published on its Telegram channel, accusing the U.S. and Israel of driving the region toward "a humanitarian, economic, and possibly even a radiological disaster." Early reports indicate that Iran has already launched retaliatory attacks targeting areas hosting U.S. military bases across the Middle East, underscoring the risk of a wider military conflict. Russia claimed that the international community, including the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), should provide "an objective and uncompromising assessment of these irresponsible actions" aimed at "destroying peace." Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov later spoke by phone with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, and floated Moscow as a potential mediator — positioning Russia, even as it continues its own war on a neighboring country, as a broker of peace. Moscow's comments against the U.S. and Israel come as Russian troops launch indiscriminate attacks in both front-line areas and cities far from the battlefield, such as Kyiv, with barrages of missiles and drones. More than four years into the full-scale war, Russian troops continue to advance across the front, throwing a massive number of troops forward to gradually push Ukrainian forces back. Calling the attack "a premeditated and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent U.N. Member state," Russia condemned the fact that the attacks took place during ongoing peace negotiations between all parties. Russia, despite engaging in peace talks with Ukraine and the U.S., has continued to repeatedly attack Ukrainian cities. Russia and Iran have deepened cooperation in recent years, with Tehran supplying drones and other military equipment used by Russian forces in the war against Ukraine. The two countries held joint naval exercises in the Gulf of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean on Feb. 19, amid reports that U.S. Armed Forces had deployed warships near Iran and were preparing for possible strikes. Iran has signed a secret 500 million euro ($589 million) deal with Russia to acquire thousands of advanced shoulder-fired missiles, the Financial Times (FT) reported on Feb. 22, citing leaked Russian documents and sources familiar with the agreement. Reporter "Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime," Trump said in a video posted to his Truth Social, confirming U.S. invovlement in the strikes. "The reason for the current events is precisely the violence and arbitrariness of the Iranian regime, in particular the murders and repressions against peaceful protesters, which have become particularly large-scale in recent months," the Foreign Ministry said in its Feb. 28 statement. Among the companies sanctioned are Russian DPD service and Freightlink, joint-stock companies registered in Russia, according to a document attached to a decree published on the Office's website, signed by Zelensky on Feb. 27. Russia and Iran have deepened cooperation in recent years, with Tehran supplying drones and other military equipment used by Russian forces in the war against Ukraine. Russian troops launched an Iskander-M ballistic missile and 105 drones of various types, including about 60 Shahed drones, the Air Force said on Feb. 28. It reported downing 96 drones in the north, south, and east of the country. The number includes 770 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day. Flames engulfed one of the tanks at the Albashneft oil refinery in Novominskaya and burned an adjacent area of about 150 square meters, the Krasnodar Krai Operational Headquarters said. The FP-7 tactical ballistic missile has a range of up to 200 kilometers (124 miles) and carries a combat load of 150 kilograms (about 330 pounds), according to the Ukrainian defense firm Fire Point. The United States has lifted sanctions on three senior Malian officials who were previously designated for their ties to Russia's Wagner Group, the Treasury Department announced Feb. 27. President Volodymyr Zelensky invited Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to visit Ukraine in a phone call on Feb. 27, amid a row between Kyiv, Budapest, and Bratislava over a key oil pipeline. As peace talks continue and the U.S. pushes for compromise, one proposal keeps returning: Ukraine should withdraw from the remainder of Ukrainian-controlled Donetsk Oblast to end the war. The Kyiv Independent's Francis Farrell explains why the Battle of Donbas remains at the center of the peace process.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, led by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho,' at an undisclosed location in Michoacán state, Mexico, in July, 2021.Stringer/Reuters Bernardo Bravo, president of the Lime Producers Association in the Mexican state of Michoacán was murdered last October after publicly denouncing drug cartels for extorting lime farmers. Mr. Bravo was found with a gunshot to the head a few miles from the small city of Apatzingán. Among the extortionists was the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (JNGC), to whom lime farmers had to pay four pesos a kilogram, half of what the producers were paid. The cartel was headed by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” who was killed by Mexican special forces Sunday. Mr. Bravo's killing demonstrated that while the JNGC continues to traffic narcotics and produce synthetic drugs, the group also developed an additional business strategy: investing in legal industries that allow it to launder money while generating substantial profits. Operating in 28 out of 32 states, it is Mexico's most powerful cartel and dislodging it will be difficult. In Michoacán, in addition to citrus crops, JNGC has invested in avocados and mining, two industries that have grown dramatically over the past 15 to 20 years, generating tens of billions of dollars annually. Feared Mexican cartel leader 'El Mencho' spent his final hours in a luxury villa tucked inside the exclusive Tapalpa Country Club, a gated enclave of weekend homes in the hills of Mexico's western state of Jalisco. Reuters Heriberto Paredes, who has long studied the JNGC, said the cartel's involvement in avocados, an industry worth more than US$3-billion, extends even to investing in scientific research related to avocado production, funded through state institutions. Its reach is such that experts and analysts doubt that the killing of its leader will have much of an impact. “In terms of whether [his death] will weaken the structure, I think over time, one of the things that we have learned over two decades of experience in Mexico is that this is not going to eliminate a criminal group or weaken it at a significant level,” said Cecilia Farfán, head of the North American Observatory at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC). Michoacán, El Mencho's home state, was the centre of his operations. He and his ex-wife, Rosalinda González Valencia, both worked for cartels before sealing an alliance between criminal groups that later produced the JNGC. In Mexico's small towns and rural areas, cartel retaliation has residents on edge The process of control of an area begins with violence – kidnappings, forced disappearances, land appropriation – to generate fear among the population. As the cartel establishes control over an area, residents get pushed out. A report from the Human Rights Program at Universidad Iberoamericana estimated that in the past eight years more than 20,000 people have been displaced in Michoacán alone. Mexican military kills ‘El Mencho' Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, or ‘El Mencho,' was mastermind of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) – one of Mexico's most powerful drug cartels CJNG significant presence CJNG presence Tijuana Ciudad Juárez Monterrey BAJA CALIF. NUEVO LEÓN 400km TAMAULIPAS Guadalajara Mexico City Puerto Vallarta Feb: 22, Tapalpa, Jalisco state: Oseguera Cervantes is wounded in a clash with soldiers and dies while being flown to Mexico City. QUIN- TANA ROO MICHOACÁN Acapulco GUERRERO graphic news, Sources: BBC; DEA; Reuters Mexican military kills ‘El Mencho' Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, or ‘El Mencho,' was mastermind of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) – one of Mexico's most powerful drug cartels CJNG significant presence CJNG presence Tijuana Ciudad Juárez Monterrey BAJA CALIF. NUEVO LEÓN 400km TAMAULIPAS Guadalajara Mexico City Puerto Vallarta Feb: 22, Tapalpa, Jalisco state: Oseguera Cervantes is wounded in a clash with soldiers and dies while being flown to Mexico City. QUIN- TANA ROO MICHOACÁN Acapulco GUERRERO graphic news, Sources: BBC; DEA; Reuters Mexican military kills ‘El Mencho' Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, or ‘El Mencho,' was mastermind of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) – one of Mexico's most powerful drug cartels CJNG significant presence CJNG presence Tijuana Ciudad Juárez Monterrey BAJA CALIF. NUEVO LEÓN 400km TAMAULIPAS Guadalajara Mexico City Puerto Vallarta Feb: 22, Tapalpa, Jalisco state: Oseguera Cervantes is wounded in a clash with soldiers and dies while being flown to Mexico City. QUIN- TANA ROO MICHOACÁN Acapulco GUERRERO graphic news, Sources: BBC; DEA; Reuters One 56-year-old woman who did not wish to be named because of fears for her life said armed men stormed her home and forcibly took her two sons, aged 28 and 37, along with two other relatives. “They started a chainsaw to cut them up, and I asked them why they were going to cut them up, what they had done, and they said they were acting on behalf of Jalisco,” she recalled. She fled and never found out what happened to her sons and relatives. El Mencho maintained a highly centralized control over the cartel. He did not allow independent groups, families or clients within the structure to accumulate enough power to challenge his authority, said David Mora, the senior analyst for Mexico at the International Crisis Group. One of the unique features of the JNGC is that it does not share the structure of other cartels or operate in the same way as groups such as the Sinaloa Cartel or the Gulf Cartel, whose operations were mostly based on drug trafficking. The Decibel: Mexico's uneasy balance of power between cartels and government Instead, the JNGC is structured like a franchise, allowing other groups to use its name in exchange for money, Mr. Mora said. As a result, it does not operate uniformly. Despite having a highly visible leader in El Mencho, his leadership was, to an extent, symbolic. Some factions obeyed his decisions. But others operating under the JNGC brand functioned with significant autonomy, depending on local alliances, tensions and power dynamics, Mr. Paredes added. El Mencho's death is unlikely to end extortion or dismantle the operating model of a cartel whose reach has surpassed that of the Sinaloa Cartel. Communities that have long lived under JNGC rule are more concerned about how the organization will reorder itself. Unlike the Sinaloa Cartel, split between its leaders nicknamed El Chapo and El Mayo, there is no clear heir or successor in the JNGC. Mr. Mora said that, as a result, mid-level or prominent figures may compete to exercise the kind of centralized CEO control he held. Or a new leader could emerge without sufficient authority, creating a legitimacy crisis. These internal realignments are likely to generate instability, which can translate into violence. Even if the immediate violence appears to be subsiding, power struggles and shows of force within the JNGC may continue in the months ahead. Report an editorial error Report a technical issue Editorial code of conduct Authors and topics you follow will be added to your personal news feed in Following. © Copyright 2026 The Globe and Mail Inc. All rights reserved. Andrew Saunders, President and CEO
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

In Puerto Vallarta, caught in a war with cartels, Mexicans and tourists – including Canadians – learn to watch their step From behind a bright pink counter, Irelda Suárez dishes out generous helpings of ice cream covered in sprinkles and chocolate sauce to kids in her tiny shop. The sound of hunks of metal being hurled into a dump truck puncture the air. Ms. Suárez's shop in a quiet neighbourhood in Puerto Vallarta shares a wall with a convenience store that was torched Sunday, its exterior blackened and everything inside destroyed. Across the street, a truck has been reduced to a twisted, charred skeleton. This is not the Puerto Vallarta of a week ago. Before last Sunday's violence, the tranquil beach town was perceived as one of the safest cities in Mexico. With its cobblestone streets, welcoming restaurants and friendly people, it has for decades been a popular destination for tourists and, for many Mexicans, a good place to live. Canadians who have been coming here for years and residents alike say they've never seen anything like the kind of destruction that was unleased by drug cartel thugs when their leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, was killed in a shootout with Mexican special forces. “It's still very fresh, and we are living with some kind of uncertainty,” said Ms. Suárez, who remembered an incident from years ago involving the cartel in the city after a failed attempt to capture El Mencho. “Uncertainty that it might happen again.” In cartel country Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, or ‘El Mencho,' was mastermind of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) – one of Mexico's most powerful drug cartels. CJNG significant presence CJNG presence Tijuana Ciudad Juárez Monterrey BAJA CALIF. NUEVO LEÓN 400km TAMAULIPAS Guadalajara Mexico City Puerto Vallarta Feb: 22, Tapalpa, Jalisco state: Oseguera Cervantes is wounded in a clash with soldiers and dies while being flown to Mexico City. QUIN- TANA ROO MICHOACÁN Acapulco GUERRERO graphic news, Sources: BBC; DEA; Reuters In cartel country Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, or ‘El Mencho,' was mastermind of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) – one of Mexico's most powerful drug cartels. CJNG significant presence CJNG presence Tijuana Ciudad Juárez Monterrey BAJA CALIF. NUEVO LEÓN 400km TAMAULIPAS Guadalajara Mexico City Puerto Vallarta Feb: 22, Tapalpa, Jalisco state: Oseguera Cervantes is wounded in a clash with soldiers and dies while being flown to Mexico City. QUIN- TANA ROO MICHOACÁN Acapulco GUERRERO graphic news, Sources: BBC; DEA; Reuters In cartel country Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, or ‘El Mencho,' was mastermind of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) – one of Mexico's most powerful drug cartels. CJNG significant presence CJNG presence Tijuana Ciudad Juárez Monterrey BAJA CALIF. NUEVO LEÓN 400km TAMAULIPAS Guadalajara Mexico City Puerto Vallarta Feb: 22, Tapalpa, Jalisco state: Oseguera Cervantes is wounded in a clash with soldiers and dies while being flown to Mexico City. QUIN- TANA ROO MICHOACÁN Acapulco GUERRERO graphic news, Sources: BBC; DEA; Reuters The cleanup this week was swift. Cars and trucks that had been set ablaze were quickly taken away, leaving a pile of ash behind. Shops that had been set on fire were covered with white tarps. On the Malecón boardwalk one evening, Barbara and Carl Nunns, who rented a condo for two months and have been vacationing here since 1998, recounted sheltering in a restaurant Sunday. The retired couple from White Rock, B.C., had been watching the Olympic gold medal hockey game when restaurant staff said they were closing the blinds and turning off the TV and lights. Ms. Nunns said that around 5 p.m. they decided to return to their condo because they didn't want to walk home in the dark. The streets were empty, and they passed scorched cars, buses and stores. “But we got back home safely. We're continuing our holiday. We're coming back next year. We've already booked,” Ms. Nunns said. “They've been trying to find him forever and they got him,” she said of El Mencho. “So now we've got to deal with the aftermath, but we love it here and we will come back.” Others who were caught up in the cartel's retribution remain similarly determined to put it behind them. Not long after Katharina Stieffenhofer, her husband and friends arrived at the airport to catch a flight back to Winnipeg on Sunday, they were ushered into a narrow hallway to hide. She slept on her yoga mat and a piece of cardboard on the floor at the airport that night. “It just seems unreal, very surreal right now, and it seems like a long time ago,” Ms. Stieffenhofer, 70, said in an interview at a hotel in Puerto Vallarta on Thursday, before catching a flight back home. She and her husband have been vacationing in Mexico for years, and she's not going to let one violent episode deter her future travel plans. “The violence that happened with the cartel should not reflect on the Mexican people. I still love the people, love the country, and if my health holds out, I plan on coming back next year.” ‘Everybody just hit the floor ... I was really scared.' Listen to Katharina Stieffenhofer's account of chaos at the Puerto Vallarta airport, including footage of what she saw. For locals, though, who can't fly off if things take a turn for the worse, that uncertainty still sits heavily across the city. Outside a string of torched shops, Maclovio Lorenzo, carried a tray of cheesecakes and banana bread – not that you could smell the sweets: The acrid smell of burnt rubber and plastic still clung to the air. “The consequences, we carry it,” said the 63-year-old salesman, taking in the destruction. “Sales are better today,” he said, but he lost two days of work. He said he has read about violence in other parts of the country but has never seen anything like what happened in Puerto Vallarta last weekend. “They spooked the tourists and the citizens of Vallarta,” he said. He worries about what the future holds. “Those people are heartless.” After years of dealing with cartels like El Mencho's – sometimes with violence, sometimes not – Mexico is under increasing pressure from the Trump White House to show results. Freelance journalist David Agren spoke with The Decibel about the politics involved. Subscribe for more episodes. Fear of cartel retaliation sets rural Mexico on edge From Cuba to Puerto Vallarta, Canadian snowbirds find fewer havens Marsha Lederman: Travelling Canadians deserve sympathy, but spare a thought for the real victims Report an editorial error Report a technical issue Editorial code of conduct Authors and topics you follow will be added to your personal news feed in Following. © Copyright 2026 The Globe and Mail Inc. All rights reserved. Andrew Saunders, President and CEO
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

We cannot know where this foolish, reckless attack will end – but new hatreds will be seeded, terrorist vendettas sown and, ultimately, little will be achieved They never learn. Once again, a bellicose US president has unleashed overwhelming military firepower to force a sovereign nation to its knees. Once again, blatant lies and exaggerated claims are being propagated to justify the attack. Duplicitous American diplomacy became a fig leaf for premeditated aggression. The cautionary advice of allies was spurned. The UN, international law and public opinion were ignored. Democratic consent is lacking. And once again, there are few defined goals by which to gauge success, and no long-term plan. Now, as in the past, the predictable result of today's renewed, expanded and apparently open-ended US-Israeli aggression against Iran will be instant, spreading chaos. Civilians will be killed, children orphaned, families torn apart. Regional turmoil and international oil-price panic will follow the Iranian retaliation that has already begun, and which may be backed by Tehran's Hezbollah and Houthi allies. New hatreds will be seeded, terrorist vendettas sown. The west's foes will rejoice. And almost nothing of enduring value will be achieved. That was the bitter outcome of the failed US-led interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Today, it's Tehran's turn to reap the whirlwind. How dismaying – how unforgivable! – that those past lessons have not been learned. How incredible that an elected 21st-century American president still believes it's effective and permissible, let alone moral, to dictate to the world from the barrel of a gun. By what conceivable right does the US behave in this way? While there are certain differences, the similarities between Donald Trump's siege of Iran and George W Bush's disastrous 2003 invasion of Iraq are striking. Both crises fit a wider pattern of ultimately unsuccessful, costly US interventionism dating back to Vietnam – and the 1953 CIA-led Iran coup. Trump promised to avoid foreign adventures. Surprise! He lied. Anyone who believes he has radically changed the way the US engages with the world should review this sordid saga of post-1945 imperial hubris. In this, he's no different from his predecessors. Trump is unusual in that his self interest is so evident. Though he said today that he wants “freedom” for the Iranian people, and for Iran to be a place that's “safe”, he's no Woodrow Wilson, who justified plunging the US into the first world war in 1917 by saying “the world must be made safe for democracy”. (It transpired Wilson meant democracy in Europe, not in the colonial empires of Africa, the Middle East and Asia.) After attacking Venezuela in January, Trump baldly admitted he just wanted the oil. Yet in other respects, what's happening now feels very familiar. Like Bush, Trump manufactured a crisis, founded on falsehood, and effectively cornered himself. He is hostage to self-imposed expectations, having confounded his own false claim to have “obliterated” Iran's nuclear capabilities last year. Like Bush and his accomplice, Tony Blair, Trump deliberately inflates the threat. His unsubstantiated State of the Union claim that Tehran's ballistic missiles could “soon” reach US territory recalls notoriously false US and UK claims about Saddam Hussein's fabled weapons of mass destruction. Israel's claim to have mounted “pre-emptive” strikes is misleading, too. There is zero clear evidence Iran was about to attack. On the contrary, it was desperately hoping to preserve the peace after last June's damaging US-Israeli onslaught. Speaking on Truth Social, Trump claimed Iran has repeatedly failed to renounce nuclear weapons. Not true. The regime, from the supreme leader down, has repeatedly done that over 20 years. Foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said again last week that Iran “will under no circumstances ever develop a nuclear weapon”. There is claim and counter claim, but the fact is that, neither the US, UN inspectors nor Israel's ultra-hostile leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, have provided proof that Iran plans or wants to build nukes. Prior to the attack, Trump refused to define his aims despite Arab and European allies' fears of regional conflagration. Now his stated demands border on delusional. He says he is seeking to “obliterate” Iran's nuclear facilities (again), destroy its ballistic missiles, destroy the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (or accept its unconditional surrender in return for “total immunity”), and somehow also destroy Iran's allied proxy forces in the region. Trump is also openly encouraging the Iranian people to rise up and overthrow their government, having previously declared that regime change is “the best thing that could happen” and promised “help is on its way”. But he doesn't say how that change can be achieved without deploying ground troops, as in Iraq and Afghanistan, occupying the country for years, and fighting open-ended insurgencies – and no such US deployment is on offer. When George HW Bush made a similar appeal to Iraqis following the 1991 Gulf war, a mass slaughter of the Shia Muslim population ensued, carried out by Saddam's undefeated regime. “This will be probably your only chance for generations,” Trump said as he called for a national insurrection. “For many years, you have asked for America's help, but you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want, so let's see how you respond.” Yet there are good, sensible reasons why no previous president has done something so reckless in Iran. And it's certainly no “gift”. It's an irresponsible invitation to anarchy and mayhem. It could trigger the fracturing of the Iranian state into its many ethnic and religious components and a catastrophic civil war drawing in regional states. If so, that's on Trump. That's the height of foolishness. “Trump poses an exponentially greater danger to Americans and the world – not because he is a historical anomaly but rather because he reflects the worst impulses from the American past,” warned Ben Rhodes, Barack Obama's former deputy national security adviser, in a recent essay. Trump typified the entrenched problem of vainglorious American exceptionalism. “What innate confidence in our own special character leads the US government to try to control a world that does not want to submit to our will and does not believe in our supremacy?” Rhodes wondered. “We are now entering another spasm of aggression cast as necessity.” For the second time, Trump has offered negotiations to Iran while obviously planning an attack. It's now evident this week's negotiations in Geneva were a charade. Nor is there any sign Trump and Netanyahu, having set out their maximalist objectives, will break off the attacks soon. To do so would suggest failure. Trump wants to be the president who finally avenges US humiliations during the 1979 Iranian revolution, who brings Iran back into the western fold. He also wants a “win” to impress November's midterm voters – one that revives his poor approval ratings. As for Iran-obsessed Netanyahu, he wants the impossible: guaranteed security for ever, on Israel's neo-colonialist terms. It's unclear how this dangerous, ill-considered intervention may end. Although “leadership targets” (meaning the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and his close associates) are reportedly being attacked, a sudden government collapse remains improbable at this point. It follows that the regime, though wounded and reduced, will continue to pose serious, and possibly greater, domestic and international challenges. Iran cannot be bombed into functioning democracy. The defiance of the west that it represents cannot be talked away in social media posts. As long as Khamenei or designated clerical successors are in charge, vicious repression and regional troublemaking will persist. Common ground nevertheless exists, on which peaceful coexistence could be built. Concepts of democratic self-determination, political autonomy, individual rights and adherence to moral principles are anathema to control-freak authoritarians such as Trump and Khamenei. But not to their countries' peoples. Like a Persian emperor, what “King” Donald really wants from Iranians is capitulation, tribute and homage. He demands a similar fearful fealty from citizens at home. Despite all the hate-mongering, mutual ignorance and disinformation, the vast majority of Americans and Iranians are on the same side. Their common foe is tyranny. Their leaders are the problem. There is no need for this fight. Simon Tisdall is a Guardian foreign affairs commentator
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, retaliation has been swift on Israel and US bases around the Gulf. CNN's Becky Anderson is joined by regional analyst Sanam Vakil to hear what this means for the Middle East. © 2026 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved. CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network. Scan the QR code to download the CNN app on Google Play. Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Donald Trump said the US had begun 'major combat operations' in Iran, warning that there may be US casualties. The strikes, which the US president said were aimed at destroying Iranian missiles and annihilating its navy, follow repeated US-Israeli warnings that they would strike Iran again if it pressed ahead with its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Trump told members of the Revolutionary Guards, Iran's armed forces, to lay down their weapons, promising they would be granted immunity. The other option, according to Trump, was 'certain death' US-Israeli attack on Iran – live updates US and Israel strikes on Iran: what we know so far Full report
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Editor's note: This story is being updated. Israel and the United States launched an attack against Iran on Feb. 28, with U.S. President Donald Trump confirming American involvement. "Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime," Trump said in a video. He added that Washington aims to "destroy their missiles" and "annihilate their navy," calling the operation a "noble mission." The strikes mark a sharp escalation in tensions between Washington, Jerusalem, and Tehran, raising the risk of a broader regional conflict. Early reports indicate that Iran has already launched retaliatory attacks targeting areas hosting U.S. military bases across the Middle East. Authorities in several countries reported incoming threats. The United Arab Emirates' Defense Ministry confirmed in a statement on X that "several" Iranian missiles had been intercepted over its airspace, condemning the "brazen attack in the strongest terms." Saudi Arabia condemned on Feb. 28 the Iranian strikes against the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan, underscoring its "readiness to place all its capabilities at their disposal in support of any measures they may undertake." Ukraine signaled political backing for the operation. The Foreign Ministry said the "regime in Tehran had every opportunity to prevent a violent scenario." Russia condemned the strikes, with its Foreign Ministry describing them as "an unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent state" — despite Moscow's own unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. The ministry also accused the U.S. and Israel of driving the region toward "a humanitarian, economic, and possibly even a radiological disaster." Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov later spoke by phone with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, and floated Moscow as a potential mediator — positioning Russia, even as it continues its own war on a neighboring country, as a broker of peace. The attacks follow a major U.S. military buildup in the Middle East, with Washington deploying warships and aircraft while evacuating some non-essential embassy personnel from the region. The escalation also came after U.S.–Iran talks in Geneva on Feb. 26 — part of the Trump administration's effort to secure a deal curbing Tehran's nuclear program — ended without a breakthrough. The U.S. previously conducted air strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025. Trump also urged Iranian citizens in his video message on Feb. 28 to seize the "opportunity" presented by the military operation to overthrow the Iranian government. "This will be probably your only chance for generations," he said. "For many years, you have asked for America's help, but you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want, so let's see how you respond." The strikes open a new and dangerous phase for Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose grip on power has already been weakened by nationwide unrest and a violent crackdown that authorities now acknowledge has killed thousands. "Should Iran decide not to make a Deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford, to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous Regime," Trump said on Feb. 18. Recent days saw U.S. officials make unproven claims about Iran developing a missile capable of striking U.S. territory and having enough material to build a nuclear bomb within days. During his State of the Union address on Feb. 25, Trump said he prefers a diplomatic solution but will "never allow the number one state sponsor of terrorism to have a nuclear weapon." Trump previously encouraged Iranians protesting against the regime to intensify their actions, urging them to seize government buildings and promising U.S. support. "Iranian Patriots, keep protesting — take over your institutions," Trump wrote on Jan. 13. Since those encouragements, at least 6,100 and up to 30,000 people may have been killed during protests on Jan. 8–9 alone, according to NPR and Time, citing unnamed activists and officials from Iran's Health Ministry. 7,007 fatalities have been confirmed alongside 25,846 civilian injuries, and 53,777 arrests, the U.S.-based Iranian Human Rights Activist News Agency reported on Feb. 23. The exact number of casualties remains unclear, as authorities shut down internet and mobile communications nationwide. Beyond Iran itself, the potential collapse of the regime would carry far-reaching consequences for the Middle East and for Tehran's allies, including Russia. Protests erupted across Iran in late December after the national currency collapsed and prices surged, further deepening economic hardship for ordinary Iranians. Demonstrations quickly spread nationwide, evolving from economic grievances into something far more threatening to the regime. Protesters called not only for economic relief but for the overthrow of the current political system. Many have openly demanded the return of Reza Pahlavi, the son of the shah toppled during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iranian authorities have accused the United States and Israel of orchestrating the unrest — claims both countries have denied. The protests represented the most serious internal challenge to Iran's clerical leadership in at least three years. They have unfolded against a backdrop of mounting external pressure, including Israeli and U.S. strikes last year targeting Iran's nuclear facilities. Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, has threatened retaliation if the United States carries out attacks again. "If the U.S. takes military action towards Iran or occupied territories, the U.S. military and shipping centers will be considered legitimate targets," he said on Jan. 11. It remains unclear whether the protests are still ongoing, as internet and mobile blackouts across Iran prevent verification of their scale or intensity. Iran remains one of Russia's most important allies, particularly since the start of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As President Volodymyr Zelensky has said, the Iranian regime "has brought so much evil to Ukraine." Zelensky met with Pahlavi on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 13, condemning cooperation between Moscow and Tehran. Tehran supplied Russia early in the war with Shahed-type attack drones, which Moscow later adapted into its own Geran-1 and Geran-2 models for relentless strikes on Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure. For the Kremlin, the timing of Iran's crisis couldn't be worse. Iran could become the second major ally Moscow loses since the start of 2026, following the U.S. kidnapping of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro in early January. The pattern of crumbling alliances threatens to leave Russia even more isolated. Uncertainty surrounds Iran's political future, even as some Western leaders suggest the end may be imminent. Experts, however, remain divided on whether the regime's demise is truly imminent. "In general, it is premature to believe that the Iranian regime is about to fall," said Julian G. Waller, a lecturer in political science at George Washington University. "It may do so, but the… strong, violent, and coercive measures are being employed by the regime on a mass scale to prevent such an outcome." Waller said the outcome will depend on internal dynamics: defections among elites, the loyalty of the security services, and whether protests can be sustained over time. Russia and China, he said, may assist Tehran's crackdown by providing surveillance tools and capabilities to shut down the internet. Neil Quilliam, a Middle East expert at Chatham House, believes that even if the leadership is killed, the opposition is not in a position to sweep away the regime structures. Those structures "are deeply rooted and institute its own well-honed political program," he told the Kyiv Independent. The fall of Iran's leadership would represent a major geopolitical shock, opening a path for Iranians to pursue political freedom while sending shockwaves across the Middle East. For Moscow, the consequences would be severe. Ryhor Nizhnikau, a Russia expert at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, described the fall of Iran's regime as "a major blow" for the Kremlin. Iran is a strategic ally Russia cannot afford to lose, he said, adding that Moscow would likely do everything possible to prevent such an outcome. The immediate damage, Nizhnikau argued, would be reputational. Russian President Vladimir Putin's international standing would suffer further, reinforcing perceptions of weakness and undermining his efforts to project Russia as a power capable of shaping global events alongside Trump. Elena Davlikanova, a senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, said the impact on Ukraine will depend on how power changes hands in Tehran. If hard-liners consolidate control around security elites, she said, they may attempt to preserve — and renegotiate — military and technical cooperation with Russia in exchange for political backing and intelligence support. "The change in Iran will not have an immediate or dramatic effect on the battlefield in Ukraine," Davlikanova said, though it could reshape alliances well beyond the region. For now, Iran's future hangs in the balance. A crisis that began with economic desperation but has grown into an existential threat to the regime's four-decade grip on power. Hi, this is Tim. The author of this article. Thank you for taking the time to read it. At the Kyiv Independent, we don't have a wealthy owner or political backing. We rely on readers like you to support our work. If you found this article interesting, consider joining our community today. Reporter
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Anthropic would be designated a supply-chain risk, following an impasse in months of talks on whether the company's policies could constrain military action.Andrew Harnik/Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he is directing the government to stop work with Anthropic, and the Pentagon said it would declare the startup a supply-chain risk, dealing a major blow to the artificial intelligence lab after a showdown about technology guardrails. Trump added there would be a six-month phase-out for the Defence Department and other agencies that use the company's products. If Anthropic does not help with the transition, Trump said, he would use “the Full Power of the Presidency to make them comply, with major civil and criminal consequences to follow.” The actions mark an extraordinary rebuke by the United States against one of the premier companies that has kept it in the lead on national security-critical AI, threatening to give Anthropic a pariah status that Washington until now had reserved for enemy suppliers. Alphabet's Google and Amazon.com are among Anthropic's financial backers. The moves further set a precedent that U.S. law alone would constrain how AI is deployed on the battlefield, with the Pentagon seeking to preserve all flexibility in defence and not be limited by warnings from the technology's creators against powering weapons with unreliable AI. In a statement, Anthropic said it would challenge any risk designation in court by the Department of Defense, which the Trump Administration has renamed the Department of War. “We believe this designation would both be legally unsound and set a dangerous precedent for any American company that negotiates with the government,” the company said. “No amount of intimidation or punishment from the Department of War will change our position on mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons.” Late on Friday, rival OpenAI, which is backed by Microsoft , Amazon and others, announced its own deal to deploy technology in the Defence Department's classified network. CEO Sam Altman on X said the Pentagon shared its principles for human responsibility over weapon systems and for having no mass U.S. surveillance. “We put them into our agreement,” Altman said of the points. “We also will build technical safeguards to ensure our models behave as they should, which the DoW also wanted.” It was not immediately clear whether these contractual details differed from the red lines proposed by Anthropic. The Pentagon and OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Anthropic would be designated a supply-chain risk, following an impasse in months of talks on whether the company's policies could constrain military action. Meeting with Hegseth this week, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei argued for weapons and surveillance limits and irked Pentagon officials. The Pentagon said U.S. law, not a private company, would determine how to defend the country. The designation could bar tens of thousands of contractors from using Anthropic's AI when working for the Pentagon. That represents an existential threat to its business with the government and could harm its private-sector relationships, said Franklin Turner, an attorney who specializes in government contracts. “Blacklisting Anthropic is the contractual equivalent of nuclear war,” he said. Similar U.S. action was taken to remove Chinese tech giant Huawei from the Pentagon's supply chains. Starting in 2017, the U.S. restricted Defence Department use of Huawei equipment, prohibited federal agencies from purchasing its technology, and halted federal grant and loan funds for Huawei equipment. Anthropic has raced to win fierce competition to sell novel technology to businesses and government, particularly for national security, ahead of a widely expected initial public offering. The company has said it has not finalized an IPO decision. Saif Khan, who served in the National Security Council in former President Joe Biden's White House, said the Defence Department's action “may be the most draconian domestic AI regulation any government has ever issued.” “The Department is arguably treating Anthropic as a greater national security threat than any Chinese AI companies, none of whom they've designated supply-chain risks,” Khan said. Tech companies and the Pentagon have repeatedly locked horns since at least 2018, when employees at Alphabet's Google protested against the Pentagon's use of its AI to analyze drone footage. A rapprochement ensued with companies including Amazon and Microsoft jousting for defence business, while several big-tech CEOs pledged co-operation last year with the Trump administration. But theoretical “killer robots” have worried human-rights and technology activists as wars in Ukraine and Gaza showcased increasingly automated systems. Bolder U.S. military action in the past year has added to these concerns, said Jack Shanahan, who had directed the Pentagon's algorithmic warfare effort Project Maven. “People might be a little bit more nervous about no restrictions,” Shanahan said. The White House's legal sign-off could be “top cover for anybody that does anything that would potentially result in lack of due process, civilian casualties, collateral damage.” The Pentagon signed agreements worth up to $200 million each with major AI labs in the past year, including Anthropic, OpenAI and Google. Anthropic, negotiating for awards under that ceiling, had flagged concerns about the legal system's ability to keep up with AI progress. At present, for instance, U.S. laws do not prevent the use of technology to compile seemingly innocuous data to reveal information about people's private lives, its CEO Amodei has said. Anthropic's AI has been in use across the intelligence community and armed services, and it was first among peer AI companies to work with classified information, through a supply deal via cloud provider Amazon. Report an editorial error Report a technical issue © Copyright 2026 The Globe and Mail Inc. All rights reserved. Andrew Saunders, President and CEO
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

BUENOS AIRES, February 28. /TASS/. The plane crash in the Bolivian city of El Alto left 15 people killed and 28 injured, Minister of Health Marcela Flores said. "The information about 28 injured and 15 killed has been confirmed," she said at a news conference broadcast live on Bolivia TV. Earlier reports said that there were 15 dead and 12 injured as a result of the crash. According to Bolivia's Defense Ministry, the C-130 Hercules transporting banknotes ordered by the country's central bank was flying from the city of Santa Cruz to El Alto and crashed near the airport. According to the civil aviation administration, the aircraft went outside the lane and collided with vehicles on an adjacent road. Clashes broke out at the scene between police and people who tried to collect the banknotes that had fallen out of the plane.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Editor's Note: This is a developing story. An oil refinery in the village of Novominskaya in Russia's Krasnodar Krai caught fire on Feb. 28 following a drone attack, according to the Krasnodar Krai Operational Headquarters. Falling debris from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) ignited the blaze, the Operational Headquarters reported. Emergency crews and specialized services were dispatched to the scene. The reported target was the Albashneft "mini-refinery" in Krasnodar Krai's Novominskaya, a village that lies roughly 250 kilometers (150 miles) from the front line in Ukraine. Flames engulfed one of the tanks at the facility and burned an adjacent area of about 150 square meters, authorities said. Thirty-nine firefighters were deployed to extinguish the blaze. No casualties have been reported. By approximately 8 a.m. local time, Russian authorities reported that a fire resulting from the attack had been extinguished. Russia's Interior Ministry said its air defenses intercepted 97 Ukrainian drones overnight across several regions. The ministry reported that 40 drones were shot down over occupied Crimea and 22 over Bryansk region. Sixteen were intercepted over the border Belgorod region, 10 over the Black Sea, and at least four in Krasnodar Krai. The Kyiv Independent could not verify the Russian officials' claims at the time of publication. Ukraine has routinely launched deep strikes against military and industrial facilities in Russia and Russian-occupied territories, often using domestically developed drones. Krasnodar Krai, which lies across the Kerch Strait from the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula, has been a frequent target of Ukrainian attacks. The Albashneft facility in Novominskaya was reportedly struck in a previous attack in February 2025. Ukrainian forces consider Russian oil assets to be legitimate military targets, as these facilities supply the Russian army while profits from fossil fuel exports continue to fund the Kremlin's war chest. News Editor Special Correspondent "Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime," Trump said in a video posted to his Truth Social, confirming U.S. invovlement in the strikes. "The reason for the current events is precisely the violence and arbitrariness of the Iranian regime, in particular the murders and repressions against peaceful protesters, which have become particularly large-scale in recent months," the Foreign Ministry said in its Feb. 28 statement. Among the companies sanctioned are Russian DPD service and Freightlink, joint-stock companies registered in Russia, according to a document attached to a decree published on the Office's website, signed by Zelensky on Feb. 27. Russia and Iran have deepened cooperation in recent years, with Tehran supplying drones and other military equipment used by Russian forces in the war against Ukraine. Russian troops launched an Iskander-M ballistic missile and 105 drones of various types, including about 60 Shahed drones, the Air Force said on Feb. 28. It reported downing 96 drones in the north, south, and east of the country. The number includes 770 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day. Flames engulfed one of the tanks at the Albashneft oil refinery in Novominskaya and burned an adjacent area of about 150 square meters, the Krasnodar Krai Operational Headquarters said. The FP-7 tactical ballistic missile has a range of up to 200 kilometers (124 miles) and carries a combat load of 150 kilograms (about 330 pounds), according to the Ukrainian defense firm Fire Point. The United States has lifted sanctions on three senior Malian officials who were previously designated for their ties to Russia's Wagner Group, the Treasury Department announced Feb. 27. President Volodymyr Zelensky invited Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to visit Ukraine in a phone call on Feb. 27, amid a row between Kyiv, Budapest, and Bratislava over a key oil pipeline. As peace talks continue and the U.S. pushes for compromise, one proposal keeps returning: Ukraine should withdraw from the remainder of Ukrainian-controlled Donetsk Oblast to end the war. The Kyiv Independent's Francis Farrell explains why the Battle of Donbas remains at the center of the peace process.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

DoJ says it will not ask US supreme court to rehear tariffs case despite president's complaint on Truth Social Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox The Trump administration said refunds of tariffs struck down by the US supreme court “will take time”, according to court documents filed by the Department of Justice. Businesses including FedEx have lined up to demand reimbursement for US tariffs they have paid but that the court last week deemed were imposed illegally, prompting heavy criticism from Donald Trump. The justice department did not say it plans to ask the supreme court to rehear the case, despite Trump's comments earlier on Friday. Claiming that refunds could ultimately cost hundreds of billions of dollars, the president wrote: “I am sure that the supreme court did not have this in mind!” “It doesn't make sense that Countries and Companies that took advantage of us for decades, receiving Billions and Billions of Dollars that they should not have been allowed to receive, would now be entitled to an undeserved ‘windfall,' the likes of which the World has never seen before, as a result of this highly disappointing, to say the least, ruling,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Is a Rehearing or Readjudication of this case possible???” Since the supreme court struck down many of the tariffs last week, dozens of companies have rushed to court seeking refunds, joining hundreds that had already filed suits in anticipation of the ruling. The decision amounts to a sharp rebuke, toppling a key pillar of Trump's aggressive economic agenda. It also infuriated the president, who lambasted the court and vowed to impose new tariffs in a “much more powerful and obnoxious way” on countries that fail to comply with his wishes. The supreme court ruled that a 1977 law designed to address national emergencies did not provide the legal justification for most of the administration's tariffs on countries around the world. As Trump and his officials scrambled to identify legal mechanisms they could use to enforce his tariffs, they imposed a sweeping, but temporary, 10% US tariff on imports from much of the world earlier this week. Under section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, this new duty can be imposed for 150 days.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

A military cargo aircraft carrying large quantities of newly printed cash crashed onto a busy highway near Bolivia's administrative capital late Friday, killing at least 15 people and triggering chaos as banknotes were scattered around the wreckage. The Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport plane, operated by the Bolivian Air Force, lost control and skidded off the runway while attempting to land amid poor weather conditions in the city of El Alto, adjacent to La Paz. El Deber newspaper reported that the aircraft was transporting the currency from the country's central bank to regional cities. The aircraft struck multiple vehicles after leaving airport before its debris came to rest in a nearby field, Fire Chief Pavel Tovar told reporters. At least a dozen vehicles were damaged, with burned wreckage and bodies reportedly scattered along the roadway. At least 15 killed, 30 injured after Bolivian Air Force plane crashes in #ElAlto#Boliviapic.twitter.com/HS4s9woRyE Emergency responders extinguished the flames engulfing the aircraft while rescuers searched damaged cars for survivors. Authorities have not yet clarified whether the fatalities were passengers aboard the plane or motorists caught in the crash. Al menos 15 muertos y 30 heridos deja accidente de avión de la Fuerza Aérea de #Bolivia en la ciudad de El Alto pic.twitter.com/K7tgGkxvP2 Videos circulating online appear to show crowds rushing toward the wreckage and seemingly scrambling for bills strewn across the highway following the impact. Un avión de la Fuerza Aérea de #Bolivia se estrelló en la ciudad de El Alto, impactó varios vehículos y causó heridos, informaron medios locales.Ningún comunicado oficial ha sido emitido hasta el momento pic.twitter.com/AYe7srMnIu Police and emergency crews reportedly used water hoses and riot-control measures to disperse people attempting to approach the crash zone as investigators secured the area. Other images broadcast by television stations showed extensive structural damage to the aircraft's fuselage and crushed civilian vehicles lining the avenue. Operations at El Alto International Airport were temporarily suspended following the incident. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, focusing on weather conditions and possible mechanical failure shortly after takeoff. RT News App © Autonomous Nonprofit Organization “TV-Novosti”, 2005–2026. All rights reserved. This website uses cookies. Read RT Privacy policy to find out more.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced today that the Pentagon will discontinue academic programs with Princeton University, Yale, Brown, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and many others ahead of the 2026–2027 academic year.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. A smoke cloud could be seen rising from an area of southern Tehran on Saturday after Israel launched an attack on Iran's capital. The first apparent strike happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. (AP video shot by Saeed Sarmadi) EU High Representative Kaja Kallas visits the coast guard ship KV Bjornoya, in Tromso, Norway, Tuesday Feb. 3, 2026. (Rune Stoltz Bertinussen/NTB Scanpix via AP) British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks with students and staff, during a visit to the Walbottle Academy Campus in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (Scott Heppell/PA via AP) German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks before media members as he visits facilities of Siemens Energy during his official visit, in Hangzhou, China, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (Andres Martinez Casares/Pool Photo via AP) BRUSSELS (AP) — World leaders reacted warily to U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on Saturday that triggered concerns of a broader conflict. European leaders held emergency meetings and took measures to protect their citizens in the Middle East, with key leaders calling for a negotiated settlement between Iran and the U.S. Australia and Canada were more open in their support for the strikes, while Russia and China responded with criticism. Britain, France and Germany called for a resumption of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations and condemned Iranian attacks on countries in the region. They did not directly comment on the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in a statement their countries didn't take part in the strikes on Iran but are in close contact with the U.S., Israel and partners in the region. The three countries have led efforts to reach a negotiated solution over Iran's nuclear program. “We condemn Iranian attacks on countries in the region in the strongest terms. Iran must refrain from indiscriminate military strikes. We call for a resumption of negotiations and urge the Iranian leadership to seek a negotiated solution. Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future,” they said. The strikes on Iran create a dilemma for Washington's allies. While European leaders firmly oppose Iran's nuclear program and crackdowns by its hard-line theocracy, they are loath to embrace unilateral military action by President Donald Trump that could breach international law and unleash a broader conflict. Trump's strikes on Iran last June, and the arrest of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro last month, caused a similar quandary. Russia's Foreign Ministry called the strikes “a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent U.N. member state.” The ministry accused Washington and Tel Aviv of “hiding behind” concerns about Iran's nuclear program while actually pursuing regime change. China's government said it was “highly concerned” about the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and called for an immediate halt to the military action and a return to negotiations. “Iran's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected,” a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement said. It was unclear whether U.S. allies were given any advance warning of the attacks. The German government said it was only given notice Saturday morning. France's junior defense minister said France knew something would happen, but didn't know when. Earlier on Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron called for an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting in response to the strikes in Iran. “The outbreak of war among the United States, Israel and Iran has serious consequences for peace and international security,″ Macron said earlier on Saturday. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer chaired a meeting of the government's emergency committee on Saturday morning. “We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict,” a U.K. government spokesperson said. The German government's crisis management team also was also due to meet on Saturday. “NATO is closely following developments in Iran and the region,” NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his country supports the U.S. in its effort to stop Iran from obtaining an atomic bomb. He described Iran's current leadership as a destabilizing force and noted two attacks on Australian soil that were blamed on Tehran. Australia in August cut off diplomatic relations with Iran and expelled its ambassador after accusing it of orchestrating two antisemitic attacks in the country. Canada too, despite recent tensions with the U.S., expressed its support for the military action. “The Islamic Republic of Iran is the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East,” Prime Minister Mark Carney said. Responding to the attack, the European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas called the conflict in the Middle East “perilous” and said she was working with Israeli and Arab officials to pursue a negotiated peace. EU leaders issued a joint statement Saturday calling for restraint and engaging in regional diplomacy in hopes of “ensuring nuclear safety.” “We call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to protect civilians, and to fully respect international law,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that he was concerned the failure of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran meant a “new, extensive war in the Middle East” would happen. The Nobel Peace Prize-winning International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons condemned the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in harsher words. “These attacks are totally irresponsible and risk provoking further escalation as well as increasing the danger of nuclear proliferation and the use of nuclear weapons,” said its executive director, Melissa Parke. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemned Israeli strikes on Iran and accompanying U.S. military action, warning that the escalating conflict has pushed the Middle East to the “edge of catastrophe.” Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday condemned what he described as “unwarranted attacks” on Iran during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi. ___ Ciobanu reported from Warsaw. Associated Press writers Angela Charlton in Paris, Paolo Santalucia in Rome, Suman Naishadham in Madrid, Elise Morton and Krutika Pathi in London, Jamey Keaton in Geneva, Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur, Fatma Khaled in Cairo, Ken Moritsugu in Beijing and Adam Schreck in Bangkok contributed to this report. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG. Fox News chief national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin reports on joint strikes targeting Iran and the country's retaliation. Iran launched missile and drone strikes targeting U.S. military facilities in multiple Middle Eastern countries Friday, retaliating after coordinated U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear-linked sites. Explosions were reported in or near areas hosting American forces in Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Jordan, according to regional officials and state media accounts. Several of those governments said their air defense systems intercepted incoming projectiles. No U.S. service member fatalities or injuries have been reported yet, a U.S. official told Fox News Digital. U.S. authorities have not publicly released casualty figures or formal damage assessments. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) described the operation as a direct response to what Tehran called "aggression" against Iranian territory earlier in the day. Iranian officials claimed they targeted U.S. military infrastructure and command facilities. Explosions were reported in or near areas hosting American forces in Bahrain, pictured above. (Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Adelola Tinubu/U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet ) The United States military earlier carried out strikes against what officials described as high-value Iranian targets, including IRGC facilities, naval assets and underground sites believed to be associated with Iran's nuclear program. One U.S. official told Fox News that American forces had "suppressed" Iranian air defenses in the initial wave of strikes. Tomahawk cruise missiles were used in the opening phase of the U.S. operation, according to a U.S. official. The campaign was described as a multi-geographic operation designed to overwhelm Iran's defensive capabilities and could continue for multiple days. Officials also indicated the U.S. employed one-way attack drones in combat for the first time. IF KHAMENEI FALLS, WHO TAKES IRAN? STRIKES WILL EXPOSE POWER VACUUM — AND THE IRGC'S GRIP Smoke rises after reported Iranian missile attacks, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Manama, Bahrain, Feb. 28, 2026. (Reuters) Iran's retaliatory barrage targeted countries that host American forces, including Bahrain — home to the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet — as well as Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base and the UAE's Al Dhafra Air Base. Authorities in those nations reported intercepting many of the incoming missiles. At least one civilian was killed in the UAE by falling debris, according to local authorities. Iranian officials characterized their response as proportionate and warned of additional action if strikes continue. A senior U.S. official described the Iranian retaliation as "ineffective," though independent assessments of the overall impact are still developing. Smoke rises over the city after the Israeli army launched a second wave of airstrikes on Iran in Tehran on Feb. 28, 2026. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images) CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP Regional governments condemned the strikes on their territory as violations of sovereignty, raising the risk that additional countries could become directly involved if escalation continues. The situation remains fluid, with military and diplomatic channels active across the region. Pentagon officials are expected to provide further updates as damage assessments and casualty reviews are completed. Fox News' Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content. By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time. Subscribed You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG. Vicki Parmelee, owner of Jumby Bay Island Grill in Jupiter, Florida, tells Fox News Digital that tips should be earned, not expected, and reveals the common scenario that she says makes many restaurant customers "uncomfortable." Americans may be feeling "tip fatigue," but most are still leaving gratuities for a range of services — and where they live appears to shape how much they give, according to a new report. South Carolina tops the list, with an average tip rate of 20.71%, making it the only state to surpass the 20% threshold, according to a report from JIM, an AI-powered financial platform for small sellers. It broke down tipping behavior across all 50 states. More than 89,068 verified tipping transactions from 6,214 active merchants in 177 business categories throughout 2025 were analyzed to determine the states with the highest and lowest average tip percentages, a news release indicated. "Tipping behavior is evolving, but one thing is consistent. Americans still gravitate toward the 15% to 20% standard, regardless of industry," said Ricardo Cici, chief growth officer at CloudWalk, the Brazilian fintech company behind JIM. "What is changing is where tipping shows up and what it means economically. We are seeing meaningful tip dollars flowing into higher-value services beyond restaurants, which has real implications for small operators who rely on fast, fair access to their earnings," Cici said in a statement. A new report found wide differences in tipping rates across the U.S., with some states averaging above 20% and others closer to 13%. (iStock) Rounding out the top five are Wisconsin at 19.15%, Connecticut at 18.43%, Maryland at 18.40% and Nevada at 16.88%. On the other end of the spectrum, Oregon ranks as the least generous state at 13.10% — followed by Virginia at 13.58%, New York at 13.72%, Alaska at 14.11% and Illinois at 14.37%. BARTENDERS SAY ONE COMMON REQUEST COSTS THEM TIPS — AND SOME CUSTOMERS HAVE NO IDEA The average tip percentage nationally is 15.46%, falling within the long-standing 15% to 20% cultural norm, according to the report. The average tip value is $12.44, with higher-ticket services such as car repair, transportation and specialized personal services often generating larger dollar amounts than restaurant tabs. The national average tip rate is 15.46%, remaining within the traditional 15% to 20% range, the new report found. (iStock) Barber and beauty shops rank among the highest for tip percentage at 17%, while certain personal services, such as tattoo and pet care providers, trend even higher, the report found. Meanwhile, everyday categories like restaurants, fast food and transportation typically fall between 14% and 16%. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER But experts caution against interpreting state rankings as simply a measure of generosity. "Before we label certain states as 'more generous,' we need to level the playing field and understand the wage structure behind the data," said Jessica Hart, an MBA and California-based HR consultant at Hart Consulting, who specializes in the alcohol industry. Barbers and beauty professionals receive some of the highest tip percentages, averaging about 17%, according to the analysis. (iStock) Hart, who wasn't involved in the analysis, points to the federal tipped minimum wage of $2.13 per hour, which is still used in states such as South Carolina. Under federal law, employers in those states can pay workers $2.13 an hour as long as tips bring them up to at least the standard minimum wage. Other states, including Oregon, do not allow a tipped minimum wage at all, requiring employers to pay the full state minimum wage before tips. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES "That difference dramatically influences consumer behavior," Hart told Fox News Digital. "When customers know — culturally or explicitly — that a server is earning $2.13 per hour, tipping becomes less of a reward for service and more of a wage subsidy. … The guest understands they are helping close a compensation gap," she added. "In states where servers earn full minimum wage plus tips, gratuity feels more discretionary." Experts say tipping rates can reflect wage policies, including whether a state allows employers to pay a tipped minimum wage. (iStock) California etiquette expert Lisa Mirza Grotts told Fox News Digital that the psychology around tipping is shifting, especially as digital payment screens prompt customers to tip more than ever before. TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ "Tipping fatigue is real — not because people have become less generous, but because the social rules have blurred," Grotts said. During the COVID-19 pandemic, gratuities helped support workers who depended on them, Grotts said. "The crisis passed, but the digital prompts remained," she noted. Higher menu prices mean consumers may pay more for tips even when percentages remain the same. (iStock) "A tip is meant to acknowledge service — [it's] not simply a screen that swivels around requesting 25%," Grotts said. "Quite simply, a gratuity is a voluntary thank you." CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP Inflation and rising menu prices also play a role, experts say. Even when tip percentages remain steady, higher bills mean higher final totals, which consumers are feeling at checkout. Deirdre Bardolf is a lifestyle writer with Fox News Digital. A look at the top-trending stories in food, relationships, great outdoors and more. By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time. Subscribed You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG. Video captured the strike on the port in Manama, Bahrain, and people running in the streets as the Iranian regime targeted a U.S. Navy base in the capital city. (Credit: Unknown via Storyful) World leaders reacted swiftly Saturday after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, exposing a deep divide between governments backing the attack on Iran and those warning the attacks risk a wider regional war. In a joint statement, Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney and Foreign Minister Anita Anand voiced firm support saying, "Canada supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security." The statement described Iran as "the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East" and stressed it "must never be allowed to obtain or develop nuclear weapons." Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also endorsed the action, writing on X, "Australia stands with the brave people of Iran in their struggle against oppression." He confirmed Australia supports "the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon," while activating emergency consular measures and urging Australians to leave Iran if safe. The United Kingdom said Iran "must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon." U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office said he was speaking with the leaders of France and Germany "as part of a series of calls with allies." A person holds an image of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Iranian demonstrators protest against the U.S.-Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, Feb. 28, 2026. (Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) ) French President Emmanuel Macron warned, "The outbreak of war between the United States, Israel and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security." He added, "The ongoing escalation is dangerous for all. It must stop," and called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council. In a joint statement, the leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom also said they had "consistently urged the Iranian regime to end Iran's nuclear program, curb its ballistic missile program, refrain from its destabilizing activity in the region and our homelands, and to cease the appalling violence and repression against its own people." The three governments said they "did not participate in these strikes," but remain "in close contact with our international partners, including the United States, Israel, and partners in the region." They reiterated their "commitment to regional stability and to the protection of civilian life," condemned "Iranian attacks on countries in the region in the strongest terms," and called for a "resumption of negotiations," urging Iran's leadership to seek a negotiated solution. "Ultimately, the Iranian people must be allowed to determine their future," the statement said. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described developments as "perilous," saying Iran's "ballistic missile and nuclear programmes… pose a serious threat to global security," while emphasizing that "Protection of civilians and international humanitarian law is a priority." Spain openly rejected the strikes. Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said, "We reject the unilateral military action by the United States and Israel, which represents an escalation and contributes to a more uncertain and hostile international order." Meanwhile, Gulf states responded to reported Iranian missile activity. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry said, "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces in strongest terms the blatant Iranian aggression and the flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan." It affirmed "its full solidarity with and unwavering support for the brotherly countries" and warned of "grave consequences resulting from the continued violation of states' sovereignty and the principles of international law." The United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Defense said the country "was subjected to a blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles," adding that air defense systems "successfully intercepted a number of missiles." Authorities said falling debris in a residential area caused "one civilian death of an asian nationality" and material damage. The ministry called the attack "a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the safety of civilians and undermines stability," and stated the UAE "reserves its full right to respond." UN'S ATOMIC AGENCY'S IRAN POLICY GETS MIXED REVIEWS FROM EXPERTS AFTER US-ISRAEL 'OBLITERATE' NUCLEAR SITES Smoke rises after reported Iranian missile attacks, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Manama, Bahrain, Feb. 28, 2026. (Reuters) Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar "strongly condemned the unwarranted attacks against Iran" and called for "urgent resumption of diplomacy." China also weighed in. A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, wrote on X that Beijing is "highly concerned over the military strikes against Iran launched by the U.S. and Israel." He added that "Iran's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected" and called for "an immediate stop of the military actions" and "no further escalation." Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held calls with counterparts across the region, a Turkish Foreign Ministry source told Reuters. The discussions focused on "possible steps to be taken to help bring an end to the attacks." Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy directly linked the developments to Russia's war against his country. "Although Ukrainians never threatened Iran, the Iranian regime chose to become Putin's accomplice and supplied him with ‘shahed' drones," Zelenskyy wrote, adding that Russia has used "more than 57,000 shahed-type attack drones against the Ukrainian people." "It is important that the United States is acting decisively," he said. "Whenever there is American resolve, global criminals weaken." Russia sharply criticized the operation. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, said, "All negotiations with Iran are a cover operation." CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP An interception is visible in the sky over Haifa during the latest barrage. (Anthony Hershko/TPS-IL) Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned, "We will not accept anyone dragging the country into adventures that threaten its security and unity." Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said the strike "is not in line with international law." Reuters contributed to this report. Efrat Lachter is a foreign correspondent for Fox News Digital covering international affairs and the United Nations. Follow her on X @efratlachter. Stories can be sent to efrat.lachter@fox.com. Fox News' Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world." By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time. Subscribed You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG. Fox News chief national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin reports on joint strikes targeting Iranian military sites and leadership. In a sweeping pre-dawn bombing campaign across Iran, Israeli forces targeted sites linked to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a senior Israeli official confirmed to Fox News. The official said Iran's president was also targeted as part of the joint U.S. operation, dubbed Operation Epic Fury. Reuters reported that Khamenei was not in Tehran during the strikes and was instead transferred to a secure location. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that Khamenei and Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian are still alive "as far as I know." President Donald Trump described the "massive and ongoing" operation as the opening phase of a campaign that he said would devastate Iran's military, dismantle its nuclear program and ultimately bring about regime change. Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei addresses to the public on the occasion of the 47th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution according to Iranian state television in Tehran, Iran on February 9, 2026. (Iranian Leader Press Office/Anadolu/Getty Images) "It will be yours to take," Trump said in a video statement addressing the Iranian public. Hours later, Tehran signaled it would not back down, saying it would defend itself against any attack. "This will be probably your only chance for generations," he added. Officials in Tehran said the country would defend itself against any attack. WORLD'S LARGEST AIRCRAFT CARRIER HEADS TO MIDDLE EAST AS IRAN NUCLEAR TENSIONS SPIKE DRAMATICALLY A screen grab from a video released on U.S. President Donald Trump's Truth Social account shows him making statements regarding combat operations on Iran. (US President Trump Via Truth Social/Anadolu via Getty Images) Ahead of the strikes, the U.S. military amassed what Trump previously called an "armada" in Iran's backyard. Mapped out across the Persian Gulf and beyond, the deployment tells its own story, one of calculated pressure backed by credible capability. The buildup coincided with indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran over Iran's disputed nuclear program. Trump has warned that the regime must fully dismantle its nuclear infrastructure or face consequences. THE ONLY MAP YOU NEED TO SEE TO UNDERSTAND HOW SERIOUS TRUMP IS ABOUT IRAN A U.S. Sailor directs an F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to the "Fighting Redcocks" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, across the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the South China Sea, Nov. 5, 2025. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Frankie M. Guage) At the heart of America's force projection are the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier strike groups — dual mobile fortresses at sea, guarded by destroyers and equipped to unleash precision strikes at a moment's notice. More than a dozen other U.S. warships are also in the region to support. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP For Iran, it means U.S. forces are not concentrated in a single vulnerable location — they are distributed, layered and positioned to operate from multiple directions at once. It was not immediately clear how or when Iran might respond. But with senior leaders targeted and U.S. naval assets positioned across the region, the latest exchange marks one of the most volatile moments in the decades-long standoff between Israel, Iran and the United States. Amanda covers the intersection of business and politics for Fox News Digital. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content. By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time. Subscribed You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams delivers remarks during a protest in response to the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by a federal immigration officer this morning in Minneapolis, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy, File) Delroy Lindo arrives at the Film Independent Spirit Awards on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File) Michael B. Jordan poses for photographers upon arrival at the 79th British Academy Film Awards, BAFTA's, in London, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali, File) For Black people living with Tourette syndrome, the British Academy Film and Television Arts Awards incident earlier this week where a vocal tic manifested as a racial slur while two Black stars of the movie “Sinners” were onstage has left them with complicated feelings. “It's been pretty difficult because I feel like there's such a clash between both sides,” said Chloe Winston, 24, who experiences coprolalia, the same verbal tic as John Davidson, the BAFTA nominee and Tourette syndrome advocate who yelled the slur. “A tic is not intentional, but it still causes harm. And I think that does require accountability.” Davidson's utterance just as Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting the first award of that night's ceremony ignited a firestorm that overshadowed Sunday's BAFTAs. There was immediate outrage that the actors and other Black attendees were subjected to the slur. Then there was frustration from the disability community at a lack of understanding about Tourette syndrome. But anger has been loud and widespread for broadcaster BBC because of its decision to allow the racial slur to air uncensored two hours after the live event. Most live awards shows like the Oscars operate on a seconds-long tape delay. The BAFTA and BBC apologies also were criticized as insufficient. The BBC plans to edit it out of its iPlayer streaming service. The ordeal has compelled Black people with Tourette syndrome, from politicians to content creators, to speak out. They assert that showing empathy for those dealing with the disorder doesn't minimize the pain felt by the Black community. There needs to be acknowledgment of the harm, some have said. Others also worry that misinformation or stereotypes about Tourette syndrome could exacerbate racial profiling or discrimination for Black people who live with it. Now, advocacy groups are using the BAFTA moment to try to grow existing support networks focused on Black people who feel isolated by Tourette syndrome. Tourette syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by sudden, involuntary movements and/or sounds called tics, according to the Tourette Association of America. These can be motor and vocal tics. Tics can range from mild and inconsequential to moderate and severe and can even be disabling in some cases. “We know that there's this sort of sensory and motor loop happening. And again, similarly in the vocalizations, they typically start with things like coughing, sniffing, or other just non-specific sounds, said Dr. Jeremiah Scharf, a tic disorder specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital. In a majority of people, the symptoms begin to emerge during elementary school age and peak between ages 10 and 14, according to Scharf. Roughly 1.4 million people in the U.S. live with Tourette syndrome or a persistent tic disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Coprolalia is “the involuntary utterance of obscene and socially unacceptable words and phrases.” The Tourette Association of America estimates between 10%-15% of people with Tourette syndrome live with it. The organization has cautioned against making assumptions about the person based on the content of the tic. These vocal outbursts — typically vulgarities and insults — are a biological condition that can sometimes be triggered by stress such as not enough sleep or being upset, Scharf said. The tics are hard to stop and involuntary — almost like a sneeze. “Unfortunately, for this subset of people, it is incredibly disabling because they don't want to say those things. It's very distressing to them,” said Scharf, who was talking in general terms and not about the BAFTA awards incident specifically. “They feel significant remorse about it.” Treatment for severe tic disorders can range from medication to behavioral therapies. Retraining the brain to handle tics is “takes an enormous amount of practice in terms of recognizing when the tics are coming,” Scharf said. But, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Jhónelle Bean, an American Sign Language interpreter who is Black and has Tourette syndrome, took to TikTok after seeing so much “all-or-nothing” discourse around the BAFTA awards. Her video about the “complexity and duality of the situation” has garnered over 3 million views. “Two things can be true at the same time,” Bean said. “Just because he ticced that does not mean it was intentional. But then also that still caused hurt or harm for people that heard it, which again is why I'm mad at the BAFTAs and the BBC for keeping it in the broadcast in the first place because they had the power to take it out.” The incident also brought up “ableism” comments that were flat-out discriminatory. They included that Davidson, the man who shouted the racial slur, “should have been locked away, he should've had a muzzle, things like that,” Bean said. At the same time, Bean disagreed with some engaged in the social media discourse who said those who took offense over the N-word needed to “get over it.” Jumaane Williams, New York City's public advocate who is Black and has Tourette syndrome, said it can be “painful both physically and mentally” to hold in a tic. As someone who has coprolalia too, Williams gives Davidson some credit for removing himself from the situation though “maybe he could have moved a little sooner.” “For me, it was all about making sure we're practicing care. And I don't think that happened for the two actors that were there or the Black folks who were there or people who didn't want to hear the word,” Williams said. There's always going to be inherent concern if you are Black with Tourette syndrome or any tic disorder, said Reice Griffin, 20, who is a Tourette Association of America rising leader and ambassador. She has had people witness her tics and assume she uses drugs or is typically belligerent. And interacting with police can be even more stressful. “Law enforcement is not well equipped to deal with Tourette syndrome, but also historically, as a Black person, you never really want to be around law enforcement,” Griffin said. The association, which offers printable “I Have TS” cards, is actively trying to offer more support for people of color. Griffin recently attended a virtual support group meeting for Black young adults, and she has been speaking at schools and to groups to become more comfortable with herself. “I thought that because I had Tourette syndrome that, like, public speaking was out the window,” Griffin said. “If I could help another young Black girl with Tourette syndrome not feel as alone or help people get diagnosed — that's the dream.” Williams, the New York City public advocate, agrees there is not enough support for Black people with Tourette syndrome. He tries to help by speaking about his own life. That has led to him hearing directly from New Yorkers. “Sometimes in the street or an event people will bring their family member up which is always a pretty emotional space for me because when I see the kid, I know what they're going through,” Williams said. —- Tang reported from Phoenix. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG. President Donald Trump speaks about the initial U.S.-Israel joint strikes on Iran and its historical significance. As U.S. and Israeli forces strike deep inside Iran — reportedly targeting senior regime officials including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian — the question of who would lead Iran if the Islamic Republic collapses is no longer theoretical. Iran has retaliated with missile barrages against U.S. positions across the Middle East, and while Iranian state media says top leaders remain alive and have been moved to secure locations, the direct targeting of political and military leadership marks a dramatic escalation. Yet, despite the intensity of the moment, regional analysts say there is no obvious successor poised to take control of the country. Experts consistently point to one determining factor: whether Iran's coercive institutions — particularly the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — fracture or consolidate. If the IRGC remains cohesive, the most likely outcome is not democratic transition but a harder, more openly security-dominated system. A clerical reshuffle or military-led consolidation could preserve much of the existing power structure even if key figures are removed. As U.S. and Israeli forces strike deep inside Iran — reportedly targeting senior regime officials including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian — the question of who would lead Iran if the Islamic Republic collapses is no longer theoretical. (Iranian Leader Press Office/Anadolu via Getty Images) If, however, segments of the IRGC or regular armed forces defect or splinter under pressure from war and internal unrest, a political opening could emerge. At this stage, there is no confirmed evidence of widespread security defections. One of the most prominent opposition figures abroad is Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran's last shah. He has lived outside Iran since the 1979 revolution and has spent decades advocating for a secular, democratic system. In a recent statement, Pahlavi called the U.S. strikes a "humanitarian intervention" and urged Iran's military and security forces to abandon the clerical regime. He declared that the Islamic Republic is "collapsing" and called on Iranians to prepare to return to the streets at the appropriate time. But while Pahlavi has name recognition and support among parts of the diaspora, his actual base of support inside Iran is difficult to measure. He has not lived in the country for more than four decades, and many Iranians remain divided over the legacy of the monarchy. Analysts note that symbolic visibility — including chants heard during past protests — does not necessarily translate into the organizational infrastructure needed to govern a country of nearly 90 million people. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks with Fox News Channel's Martha MacCallum during an interview on September 25, 2025, in New York City. (John Lamparski/Getty Images) Maryam Rajavi, leader of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), has taken a different approach. Her organization announced a provisional government framework aimed at transferring sovereignty to the Iranian people and establishing a democratic republic based on her longstanding ten-point plan. In a subsequent message, Rajavi called on "patriotic personnel in the armed forces" to stand with the Iranian people and urged regime forces to "lay down their arms and surrender." She also rejected both clerical rule and what she described as "monarchical fascism," an apparent reference to restorationist movements linked to the former royal family. The plan calls for dissolving the IRGC and other security institutions, separating religion from the state, abolishing the death penalty, guaranteeing gender equality and holding elections for a constituent assembly. The NCRI presents itself as a ready governing alternative. TRUMP ADMIN RAMPS UP 'MAXIMUM PRESSURE' IRAN SANCTIONS AHEAD OF NEW ROUND OF NUCLEAR TALKS But the group — closely associated with the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) — remains deeply controversial. Its history of armed struggle and years spent in exile have led many analysts to question the depth of its support inside Iran, particularly among younger generations. Exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi said the Ayatollah's regime engages in a pattern of pretending to negotiate in earnest to buy time. (Paul Morigi/Getty Images) While some Western political figures have expressed backing over the years, domestic legitimacy remains uncertain. Despite bold statements from opposition figures, experts caution that Iran's future leadership is more likely to be shaped inside military barracks and security compounds than in exile press conferences. Four decades of repression have hollowed out internal political alternatives. No widely recognized civilian leader inside Iran has emerged with cross-factional legitimacy. If the regime's leadership were to fall quickly, the immediate struggle would likely be among security elites — not between rival exile figures. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP For now, analysts say, Iran has competing visions but no consensus successor. Whether the country transitions toward a new political system, hardens into military rule or experiences prolonged instability will depend less on declarations abroad and more on whether the regime's core power structures fracture from within. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content. By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time. Subscribed You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG. Callahan Walsh, 'America's Most Wanted' co-host and executive director for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, thanked the Guthrie family for their donation to the center, stating, "It speaks the world of their character." TUCSON, Ariz. — ‘America's Most Wanted' co-host Callahan Walsh, who works closely on many missing persons cases, told Fox News Digital there's "a lot that sticks out" in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie. He said that the fact that investigators haven't found her yet makes it "very much a unique case." He also stated that not many seniors go missing and that they usually wander off or get in the car and aren't able to navigate back home."The way this investigation has ebbed and flowed, it's gone from hot, to cold, to hot [and] back to cold again," Walsh said. "Our hope is that Nancy is found alive [and] that she is brought home and reunited with her family."Walsh's brother, Adam Walsh, was kidnapped and brutally murdered in 1981 at age six. Callahan Walsh now co-hosts ‘America's Most Wanted', the well-known, true-crime television show, with his father, John Walsh. He said his parents felt that "not knowing was the hardest part" after his brother vanished. Callahan Walsh co-hosts the true-crime TV show "America's Most Wanted" and works closely on many missing persons cases. (FOX/Contributor via Getty Images) "The two weeks that we looked for Adam, my parents couldn't sleep. They would do anything to get Adam back, and we know what the Guthrie family is going through," Walsh said. Walsh also serves as the executive director of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and said he's thankful that, amid her family's pain, Savannah Guthrie is willing to help others. The NBC "Today" co-host pledged $500,000 to the NCMEC, a donation that Walsh said "means everything" to the nonprofit. NANCY GUTHRIE CASE: 5 KEY EVIDENCE PIECES SO FAR "Children are our most vulnerable population, but they're our most important population. They're our future," Walsh said. "Thanks to the generous donation … we can stand by more families." Savannah Guthrie announced she was making the pledge in an Instagram video posted on Tuesday, Feb. 24. Australian-born presenter, Savannah Guthrie poses alongside her mother Nancy Guthrie during a production break whilst hosting NBC's "Today" live from Australia. (Don Arnold/WireImage) "We also know that we are not alone in our loss," she said in the video. "We know there are millions of families that have suffered with this kind of uncertainty." Walsh said that as a nonprofit, this donation allows them to "better serve the families and the children that [their] mission is out there to do." He added: "Not only will this money go directly to the programs that help bring these kids home, but will also go to raise awareness on other cases that aren't getting the attention they deserve." INTERNET USER SEARCHED FOR NANCY GUTHRIE'S ADDRESS AND DAUGHTER'S SALARY BEFORE 'TODAY' HOST'S MOTHER VANISHED Deputies examine a flyer taped to Nancy Guthrie's mailbox on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (Michael Ruiz/Fox News Digital) Savannah Guthrie also offered a family reward of up to $1 million for the recovery of her mother, Nancy, after consultation with law enforcement. Walsh said that this reward may be "the motivating factor" that gets a person to come forward with new, credible information to law enforcement. "This amount of money is life-changing. This could really get somebody to second guess why they've not been truthful about what they know and could be the reason that they finally come forward with that piece of information that the family is desperate for, that law enforcement is desperate for," Walsh said. "Information that could absolutely lead to not only Nancy's recovery, but the apprehension of the suspects as well." FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X An undated photo of Nancy Guthrie and Savannah Guthrie was provided by NBC in response to the disappearance of the 84-year-old mother of the Today Show host. (Courtesy of NBC) Walsh said sifting through the tips can be a challenge, but they often tip the scales in a case. "They've helped us recover nearly 1,200 fugitives, the worst of the worst … and it's because of the public tips that have been provided," Walsh said. "I always say, it's like looking for a needle in a stack of needles." SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER A pile of flowers grows outside Nancy Guthrie's home in Tucson, Arizona, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. Guthrie has been missing for 24 days as of Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (Olivia Palombo / Fox News Digital) He explained that it's better to have more tips than to have no tips at all. "As tiny as you might think it is, it might be that little bit of the puzzle that law enforcement has been looking for this whole time," Walsh told Fox News Digital. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB Investigators search Nancy Guthrie's property in the Catalina Foothills on February 11, 2026. (Rebecca Noble/Reuters) The NCMEC works with victims, their families and law enforcement, among others, to not only find missing children, but to also stop "child sexual exploitation" and "child victimization." Walsh told Fox News Digital the group has helped recover more than 450,000 children since its inception and has various resources such as support groups and case managers. The group had a 91% recovery rate in 2024 for all cases reported to them, according to its website. Nancy Guthrie was last seen on Jan. 31 and has since been missing after she vanished from her Catalina Foothills home in Tucson, Ariz. Police have not identified any person of interest, despite releasing Nest camera footage from her home. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP "We know her family will never give up hope," Walsh said. "We will never give up hope and law enforcement won't either." Anyone with information in the case is asked to dial 1-800-CALL-FBI. Olivia Palombo is a breaking news production assistant with Fox News Digital in Los Angeles, Calif. She covers prominent national and international news stories, on topics ranging from immigration, crime and politics. Palombo is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Journalism and minor in economics, where she served as her college newspaper's Editor-in-Chief. Her work has won various awards from the College Media Association and Associated Collegiate Press. Story tips can be sent to olivia.palombo@fox.com. The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal. By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time. Subscribed You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG. Fox News chief national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin reports on U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. Israelis awoke Saturday to the news that Operation "Roaring Lion" had begun, with joint American-Israeli strikes targeting military sites inside Iran. Within hours, satellite images circulated in Israeli media appearing to show damage to a compound associated with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reportedly struck in the opening wave. Air raid alerts were activated across parts of the country as Iran launched missile barrages in response. According to an Israeli military official speaking on background the incoming fire amounted to "more in the dozens" per round, though no significant impacts had been reported at the time of the briefing. Home Front Command urged civilians to follow updated safety instructions and avoid sharing real-time locations of missile strikes. In a video message on Saturday morning, President Donald Trump condemned Tehran's role in regional instability, saying, "From Lebanon to Yemen and Syria to Iraq. The regime has armed, trained, and funded terrorist militias that have soaked the earth with blood and guts. And it was Iran's proxy, Hamas, that launched the monstrous Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, slaughtering more than 1,000 innocent people, including 46 Americans, while taking 12 of our citizens hostage. It was brutal, something like the world has never seen before." He added, "Iran is the world's number-one state sponsor of terror… It has always been the policy of the United States, in particular my administration, that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon. I'll say it again. They can never have a nuclear weapon." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation, warning that "in the coming days we will be required to show resilience." His remarks reflected a broader message from Israeli leadership framing the operation as necessary and potentially prolonged. Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) Israeli officials said the goal of the campaign is "to thoroughly degrade the Iranian regime's capabilities and remove existential threats to the State of Israel." The military cited renewed Iranian efforts to advance ballistic missile production and conceal elements of its nuclear program as justification for the timing of the strike. Israeli assessments, according to local reports, indicate that Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Khamenei and a key figure linked to Iran's nuclear program, was likely killed in the operation. The military has not formally confirmed specific individuals targeted, saying assessments are ongoing. ISRAEL LAUNCHES PREEMPTIVE STRIKE AGAINST IRAN, DEFENSE MINISTER SAYS Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv transfers patients to underground fortified facilities after the launch of the campaign against Iran. (Gideon Markowicz/TPS-IL) The Israeli National Security Council issued a warning to Israelis abroad, urging them to take heightened precautions in all destinations and remain alert to potential threats against Israeli and Jewish targets overseas. Inside Israel, the reaction combined tension with discipline. Schools in some areas shifted to remote learning, reservists received draft orders, and families checked that protected rooms were stocked. The military said approximately 70,000 reservists were being called up, largely for aerial defense, Home Front Command duties and border reinforcement. US JOINS ISRAEL IN PREEMPTIVE STRIKE ON IRAN AS TRUMP CONFIRMS ‘MAJOR COMBAT OPERATIONS' An interception is visible in the sky over Haifa during the latest barrage. (Anthony Hershko/TPS-IL) CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP Officials said forces are deployed across all borders in preparation for possible escalation involving Iran-backed groups, including Hezbollah, Hamas and others. While leaders stressed that the targets are military and not civilian, they acknowledged that the coming days could test the country's endurance. For now, Israelis are watching closely as developments unfold, bracing for further retaliation while leaders signal that the campaign will continue "as long as necessary." Efrat Lachter is a foreign correspondent for Fox News Digital covering international affairs and the United Nations. Follow her on X @efratlachter. Stories can be sent to efrat.lachter@fox.com. Fox News' Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world." By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time. Subscribed You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters. At Vox, our mission is to help you make sense of the world — and that work has never been more vital. But we can't do it on our own. We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today? The “nationalist international” binding Israel and India. Editor's note, February 28, 7:20 am ET: Israel joined the US-led assault on Iran early Saturday. For more on that story, read Vox's latest coverage. This past week, we got a vision of what the future of world politics might look like. And it wasn't pretty. The glimpse came during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel, in which he signed an expansive defense cooperation agreement and gave a speech to Israel's parliament (called the Knesset). This kind of thing may seem like the routine stuff of international politics, but it's actually highly unusual: Historically, India has kept its distance from Israel and has often acted as a prominent international supporter of the Palestinian cause. Such a country should, in theory, be moving away from Israel, given the past several years of brutality in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also been aggressively attacking the foundations of Israeli democracy, which you'd think would be a problem for the leader of a country frequently described as the world's largest democracy. But the opposite is true. It is quite likely that Israel's assault on Gaza and ongoing democratic backsliding are, for India's current leadership, not vices but virtues. India under Modi is strikingly similar to Israel under Netanyahu. Modi, a deep believer in the chauvinist Hindutva ideology, has worked to undermine the basic idea of the Indian state — replacing its historic secular democracy with a state by and for the Hindu majority, particularly targeting the Muslim minority for exclusion. In order to accomplish this agenda, Modi has worked to consolidate power in his own hands — and undermine the fairness of the Indian electoral system in the process. Growing security cooperation between India and Israel doesn't just make sense on a material level: It's also because these countries, with these particular governments, feel a genuine ideological affinity. And in a post-Trump world, where old rules about human rights and international law continue to weaken, these kinds of ties between human rights-abusing authoritarians may become an increasingly important part of the global landscape — even in countries that claim, on the surface, to be democracies. India and Israel, both formerly British possessions, became independent within a year of each other (August 1947 and May 1948, respectively). And at first, the two countries appeared to be traveling in opposite directions. The early Indian state was defined by its partition with Pakistan. While India aimed to be a secular liberal democracy for all of its citizens, Pakistan's leaders believed that its citizens could only be secure in a Muslim-majority state. The process of splitting the two states was violent and massively disruptive, causing one of the largest episodes of human migration in recorded history as Hindus and Muslims uprooted their lives to fit the new national boundaries. For India's early leaders, the bloodiness of partition — and enduring hostilities with Pakistan — proved the folly of ethno-nationalism. Israel, by contrast, was more like a Middle Eastern Pakistan. Believing that the Jews of Palestine could only be safe in an avowedly Jewish state, the Zionist movement pushed for post-colonial political separation from surrounding Arab states — and fought its first war to enforce it. Thus, the Indian political elite long viewed Israel and Zionism suspiciously, its sympathies aligning with the Palestinian refugees displaced in the Nakba. This approach was, as leading India expert Christophe Jaffrelot recently wrote in The Wire, a driving force in India's Middle East policy. “India has long been a leader in the Palestinian cause,” he writes. “Historically, it opposed the creation of the State of Israel, with [first prime minister Jawaharlal] Nehru advocating for the creation of a secular state where the Jewish minority would enjoy protections.” This changed, in Jaffrelot's telling, because of Modi. Since becoming prime minister in 2014, he has gradually worked to strengthen ties between New Delhi and Jerusalem — focusing, in particular, on their shared interests and experience in combating jihadist terrorism. The decisive break came after October 7, 2023. “India tried hard not to take sides in Israel's war on Gaza, but by abstaining [in UN votes] as civilian casualties — and international outrage — continued to mount, it effectively sided with Israel,” Jaffrelot writes, adding that Israel also sent weapons to Israel and deepened economic ties as the Gaza war grew more vicious. Today, there's little doubt where India lies. Not only does New Delhi explicitly cite Israel as a source of inspiration for its counterterrorism policies, but it has begun paying into them — making up roughly half (46 percent) of all foreign purchases of Israeli arms. Modi's trip this past week was, on top of any tangible agreements, an all-but-official confirmation that India has switched sides in the Israel-Palestine conflict. Modi's speech to the Knesset spent a lot of time lavishing praise on Israel — and confined its discussion of the Palestinians to a thin, barely noticeable aside. Modi sees Israel differently from his predecessors because his worldview is fundamentally opposed to theirs. Unlike secularists like Nehru, Hindutva devotees see a spiritual twin in the hardline versions of Zionism embraced by Netanyahu and his allies on the Israeli right. Both Modi and Netanyahu see the nation in ethno-national terms: There is only one people who has a legitimate claim on belonging and ownership. Both share a special antipathy for Muslims living on land they see as rightfully theirs, seeing them as interlopers at best and invaders at worst. “After October 7, 2023, leaders of the Hindutva movement — including ministers and members of parliament — expressed their unreserved solidarity with Israel, denouncing not only terrorists but Muslims in general,” Jaffrelot writes. “This pro-Israel bias was so widespread that the judiciary once again echoed it by banning demonstrations in support of the Palestinians.” Growing India-Israel partnership is not just the result of strategic interests: It reflects a new development in the rise of the so-called nationalist international. This is, in essence, the concept that far-right movements are increasingly sharing knowledge and coordinating their activities to advance a shared struggle against the existing liberal order. Originating from Western politics, in reference to things like the ties between the Republican party and Hungary's ruling Fidesz group, the term “nationalist international” is often deployed semi-ironically — in the sense that nationalist movements are, by their nature, unlikely to be able to be stable partners with each other for very long. But unlike, say, Eastern European nationalist movements, the Israeli and Indian far-right nationalisms have few points of geographical or historical conflict. Separated by geography and history, they are free to prioritize their shared ideological interests — and are, increasingly, doing so. This is a glimpse into a possible future for global politics: one in which the “might makes right” ethos championed by the current US administration wins the day. In this future, countries will no longer feel burdened by the need to even pay lip service to human rights concerns. Leaders of ascendant powers like Modi, who might once have at least had political reservations about being too closely linked to an Israeli prime minister under ICC indictment, will act on their unrestrained impulses. A network of far-right movements, united in large part by shared hostility to Muslims, will unite a group of governments ranging from Western Europe to South Asia — maybe even North America. This is not an inevitable future. But it is an increasingly possible one — enabled both by the Biden administration's fecklessness in the face of Israeli atrocities in Gaza and the Trump administration's bulldozing of the current international order. Understand the world with a daily explainer, plus the most compelling stories of the day. This is the title for the native ad And four other questions about the latest conflict in the Middle East, answered. Trump's foreign policy has come full circle. The scary incoherence at the heart of Trump's latest, biggest war. Should we trust Claude to stop a missile attack? The 3 big lessons we've learned since “Liberation Day.” Both parties just approved billions for lifesaving aid abroad. Will Trump actually spend it? This is the title for the native ad © 2026 Vox Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. The Revolutionary Guard said in a statement that in the first phase of retaliation, named “Truthful Promise 4,” Iran's military struck the command of the U.S. 5th Fleet in Bahrain as well as U.S. bases in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, and military targets in Israel. At least two dozen U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees and contractors have been charged with crimes since 2020 and their wrongdoing includes patterns of physical and sexual abuse, corruption and other abuses of authority, a review by The Associated Press found. After the August blast at U.S. Steel's Clairton Coke Works, some current and former steelworkers say management's investment decisions have left workplace safety and pollution issues to linger at a plant where operators have little margin for error. (AP Video: Jessie Wardarski) The U.S. Border Patrol is monitoring millions of American drivers nationwide in a secretive program to identify and detain people whose travel patterns it deems suspicious. (AP video: Marshall Ritzel) More than 60 people have been killed since September when the U.S. military began attacking boats that the Trump administration alleges were smuggling drugs. The Associated Press interviewed dozens of residents in the Paria Peninsula, in Venezuela's breathtaking northeastern coast from which some of the targeted boats departed. (AP Video: Juan Arraez; Illustration by Peter Hamlin) A veteran U.S. law enforcement agent secretly tried to recruit Nicolas Maduro's personal pilot to join a plot to capture the Venezuelan leader and deliver him into U.S. custody to face drug trafficking charges. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have been using a full-body restraint device called the WRAP during deportations. That continued despite concerns about safety from a watchdog division of its parent agency, the US Dept. of Homeland Security. (AP Video/Allen G. Breed) In Mexico, traditionally women didn't inherit chinampas, island farms first built by the Aztecs thousands of years ago. Today, more women are buying them and doing sustainable farming to preserve this unique ecosystem. (AP Video by Monica Wise. Produced by Lucía Torres and Teresa de Miguel) An AP investigation found more than 420 anti-science bills attacking longstanding public health protections – vaccines, milk safety and fluoride – have been introduced in statehouses across the U.S. this year. Anti-vaccine bills were the most common. (AP Video: Laura Bargfeld/Mary Conlon/Cody Jackson) U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has repeatedly said “no one has died” because of his government's decision to gut its foreign aid program. But in Myanmar, families tell The Associated Press their loved ones have died as a direct result of the aid cuts. The AP obtained tens of thousands of pages of classified and internal documents that show how U.S. companies designed and marketed systems that became the foundation for China's digital cage. (AP Video/Serginho Roosblad, Marshall Ritzel) American contractors guarding aid distribution sites in Gaza are using live ammunition and stun grenades as hungry Palestinians scramble for food, according to accounts and videos obtained by The Associated Press. Two U.S. contractors, speaking to the AP on condition of anonymity because they were revealing their employers' internal operations, said they were coming forward because they were disturbed by what they considered dangerous and irresponsible practices. (Production: Luke Garratt) The U.S. military trained him in explosives and battlefield tactics. But after two tours in Iraq, Chris Arthur was calling for taking up arms against police and government officials in his own country. (AP video: Allen Breed, Serginho Roosblad, Rick Bowmer/ production: Serginho Roosblad, Marshall Ritzel) A “sea war” is brewing off the West African nation of Gambia as desperate local fishermen attack foreign commercial fishing vessels, and each other. The fight is driven by market forces and foreign seafood appetites that are far beyond their control. (AP Video/Grace Ekpu) After a long search for her birth family filled with many twists, Korean adoptee Rebecca Kimmel still doesn't know who she is. But in the process, she arranged a reunion between a birth father and his twin daughters, who had been separated for decades. (Video: Lora Moftah and David Goldman/ Edited by Serginho Roosblad) The new Gorillaz album “The Mountain” is the most personal to date for band co-creators Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. The two sit down with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan to discuss their creative process, the virtual band's return and the role of collaboration in shaping the project. As the album launches alongside an eight-minute music video/short film, “The Mountain, The Moon Cave and The Sad God,” Albarn and Hewlett discuss the mythology of the Gorillaz animated universe — including characters 2-D, Murdoc, Russel, and Noodle — and how that lore has evolved over time. At 800 episodes and 37 seasons, “The Simpsons” remains a cultural juggernaut that refuses to age. In this exclusive set of interviews, the architects of Springfield reflect on the journey to becoming one of the most influential and enduring television series of all time. Creator Matt Groening and longtime showrunners Al Jean, and Matt Selman speak with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan about the secrets behind the animated show's nearly four-decade run — from evolving characters and legendary guest stars to the “accidental” predictions that have become internet legend. Bart Simpson voice actor Nancy Cartwright takes viewers inside a recording session, revealing how playing a 10-year-old boy for nearly 40 years has become inseparable from her own identity. Animator David Silverman revisits his original sketches that transformed rough ideas into iconic moments, while principal composer Kara Talve offers a rare look inside a live scoring session. Sean Astin says he is happy to be at the head of the actors union at a vital moment. The 54-year-old actor from “The Lord of the Rings” films is the new president of the the actors union SAG-AFTRA and will be leading the group as it begins contract talks with studios that last time led to a long strike. In an interview, Astin tells AP entertainment journalist Andrew Dalton that the union's negotiators can't give up any of the ground they earned during the 2023 strike, including higher wages and artificial intelligence protections. As “Bridgerton” enters its fairytale era in season four with a masquerade ball meet-cute, AP entertainment journalist Hilary Fox sat down with the cast of the steamy Netflix hit to discuss their own Cinderella moments, being spotted by fans and sex scenes. With the focus on Luke Thompson's Benedict and the mysterious Sophie, played by newcomer Yerin Ha, returning stars include Hannah Dodd, Luke Newton and Claudia Jessie as the Ton's Bridgerton siblings Francesca, Colin and Eloise. When Tunisian writer and director Kaouther Ben Hania first heard Hind Rajab's voice, she knew that she had to tell her story. The child's call to the Palestinian Red Crescent went viral in 2024 and became a symbol of innocent lives lost in Gaza. Ben Hania and actor Saja Kilani spoke with AP entertainment journalist Leslie Ambriz about the difficult task of blending reality with narrative as they sought to bring Hind's story to the cinema. One year after the Palisades Fire destroyed his family's longtime home in Malibu, Calif., Cary Elwes is looking back — at a four-decade film and TV career that includes “The Princess Bride,” “Liar Liar,” “Days of Thunder,” “Glory” and “Robin Hood: Men In Tights” — as well as forward, with the new movie “Dead Man's Wire” hitting theaters this weekend. The 63-year-old actor sat down with AP entertainment editor Ryan Pearson to reflect on the “Malibu Strong” mentality as his community rebuilds, not overthinking his characters, and his relationships with the Hollywood legends he's befriended along the way, from Mel Brooks to Tom Cruise. This interview was conducted before Rob Reiner's death. Tobias Forge, the creative force behind the Grammy-winning Swedish rock band GHOST, sits down virtually with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan to discuss the evolution of his ‘Papa' frontman alter-egos, his songwriting process and the expansive lore that defines GHOST's identity. Forge also opens up about trusting his musical instincts, his favorite instruments, and how storytelling, mythology, and music continue to shape the band's ever-evolving world. Tony Kanal is looking back at No Doubt's journey from Orange County to Las Vegas — and what fans can expect from the band's upcoming residency at Sphere. Kanal sat down with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan to discuss the band's early gigs, rehearsal process and rapid rise to fame. He also opens up about their musical evolution across landmark albums like “Tragic Kingdom” and “Rock Steady,” as well as the emotions surrounding their 2024 Coachella reunion and what it meant to reunite on such a massive stage. The Sphere residency begins in May. Singer-songwriter Ami Taf Ra and composer-saxophonist Kamasi Washington had watched all the television they could when locked down in the early days of the pandemic. So the couple started reading Khalil Gibran's “The Prophet” out loud to each other — launching a creative journey that resulted in Ami Taf Ra's debut album, “The Prophet and The Madman.” They sat down with AP entertainment editor Ryan Pearson to talk about their meeting at a New York City jazz club and their musical and personal partnership. Danny Ramirez's acting career began unexpectedly on a soccer field. Now, he's earned a spot as one of The Associated Press' Breakthrough Entertainers of 2025. Known for his roles in “Captain America: Brave New World” and “The Last of Us,” Ramirez first began acting while sidelined with a sprained ankle when a production assistant invited him to be an extra in Mira Nair's film “The Reluctant Fundamentalist.” Seeing actor Riz Ahmed portraying a soccer player on set inspired Ramirez. He's set to produce, write, direct and star in his directorial debut “Baton.” Joe Walsh is letting go. The famed guitarist and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer says that while he's “kind of a hoarder,” it's time to put some 800 items up for auction to benefit his military veterans charity. Walsh sits down with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan to discuss selling his customized guitars and amps, vehicles and decades of memorabilia. The 78-year-old Eagles guitarist shares the stories behind his beloved gear and discusses how music-making has shifted from the analog era to the digital age — and what's being lost in the process. Legendary singer-songwriter Paul Anka sits down with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan to discuss his new documentary, “Paul Anka: His Way.” Anka reflects on seven decades in show business, the evolving future of music in the age of A.I., and the stories behind some of his most iconic collaborations. He opens up about writing “My Way” for Frank Sinatra, his crucial role in bringing The Beatles to the U.S., and working with Michael Jackson, Drake, Sammy Davis Jr. and Elvis Presley. Cherien Dabis' “All That's Left of You” follows one Palestinian family over the course of three generations — beginning in 1948 and ending in the present day. The Palestinian American actor, writer and director's epic, executive produced by Javier Bardem and Mark Ruffalo, is Jordan's submission to the Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film. It's set for U.S. theatrical release in January. Dabis sat down with AP entertainment journalist Leslie Ambriz to talk about the difficult production, Sundance acclaim and the deeply personal real-world stories behind the film. James Cameron's “Avatar: Fire and Ash” lands in theaters Dec. 19 — 16 years after the sci-fi franchise's landmark first entry and seven years after most of its stars completed their performance capture work. As they began a globe-trotting publicity tour, AP entertainment editor Ryan Pearson sat down in Los Angeles with Cameron and actors Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Sam Worthington, Oona Chaplin, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Jack Champion and Bailey Bass. They shared stories of their yearslong journey to Pandora, connecting to their characters, switching frame rates in the two sequels and their hopes for “Avatar” 4 and 5. As “Stranger Things” enters its fifth and final season, stars of the hit Netflix series are refliecting on what they'll miss most — from the friendships forged over nearly a decade to the pressure of starring in a global phenomenon. Millie Bobby Brown, Noah Schnapp, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Sadie Sink, Caleb McLaughlin, Jamie Campbell Bower, Charlie Heaton, Maya Hawke, Natalia Dyer and Joe Keery — along with show creators Matt and Ross Duffer — sit down with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan to discuss the emotional weight of saying goodbye and leaving behind the environment that shaped their adolescence. After taking home 22 trophies at the Emmy Awards in September and scoring a summer box office hit with Brad Pitt's “F1" — streaming Dec. 12 — the leaders at Apple TV are taking a victory lap. The streaming service rebranded by dropping the “plus” at the end of its name and next year will become the U.S. broadcast partner of Formula 1 racing. AP entertainment editor Ryan Pearson sat down with the Apple executives Eddy Cue, Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht to discuss the studio's growth and ambitions, a sudden pullback from releasing Jessica Chastain's “Savant” series, the toys and games IP race, and synergy between the technology giant's TV and music divisions. “It's Not That Deep” for Demi Lovato as she enters a new era with her ninth studio album and an upcoming tour. The pop star sat down with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan in Los Angeles to reflect on her journey. She says at 33 she's making peace with her past, embracing the memes that once made her self-conscious, and learning not to take herself too seriously. She opens up about how finding true love inspired her new album, details her upcoming tour, and reveals how she remains emotionally connected to earlier hits like “Skyscraper” when performing them today. Becky G says “now is the best time to be an artist” as she finds herself able to cross between music genres, including Mexican regional music. She's part of a new cadre of women who are carving out their own space in the often male-dominated world, often singing lyrics that differ from their male counterparts tailored around love, heartbreak and the experience of being a woman. She sat down with AP entertainment journalist Itzel Luna to talk about her Mexican-American identity, using creativity as resistance to anti-immigrant sentiment, and feeling “divinely guided from above.” Sudan Archives wants fans to get up a dance with her third studio album “The BPM.” The violinist, singer and songwriter born Brittney Denise Parks sat down with AP entertainment journalist Leslie Ambriz to talk about expanding her artistry, collaborating with family and her spiritual connection to J Dilla. Jeremy Allen White says learning to play guitar for his lead role in the Bruce Springsteen biopic “Deliver Me From Nowhere” was actually more difficult than singing. White, his co-star Odessa Young and writer-director Scott Cooper sat down with AP entertainment journalist Brooke Lefferts to talk about making the first movie based on the rock icon's life, centered on the creation of his 1982 album “Nebraska.” K-pop group P1Harmony sat down with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan to reflect on their creative journey and the growing importance of authenticity in their music and public lives. Since debuting in 2020, Keeho, Theo, Jiung, Intak, Soul and Jongseob have built a global fanbase through performances and honesty — on and off stage. They share insights on letting go of image control, embracing imperfection, the push-and-pull of creative decision-making in K-pop, and how love from fans has helped them recognize their own worth. Samara Joy's voice transports listeners to the jazz clubs of the last century, evoking legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. The 25-year-old five-time Grammy winner's new album is “Portrait,” a compilation of jazz standards and new takes on the Great American Songbook. She sat down with AP entertainment journalist Leslie Ambriz to talk about life after all those awards, how diving into “Portrait” has helped her continue to grow as an artist — and what it means to make her mark in the jazz world. K-pop superstars TOMORROW X TOGETHER sat down with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan backstage at their Los Angeles concert to celebrate their contract renewal with BIGHIT MUSIC and reflect on their journey as a group. Since debuting in 2019, Soobin, Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Hueningkai have become known for heartfelt storytelling and a deep bond with their fans, nicknamed MOA. They open up about the promises they've made to themselves and MOA to stay together and continue growing, the challenges of performing, and how fan support drives them to push creatively. Latin Grammy-winning singer Silvana Estrada sat down AP entertainment journalist Leslie Ambriz to chat about her new album, “Vendrán Suaves Lluvias” and the healing journey that Estrada went on to craft the self-produced work of art. Ondi Timoner was in Europe working on a movie when the Eaton Fire burned through the Southern California community of Altadena in January, destroying her home and more than 5,000 others and killing more than 19 people. When she returned, the acclaimed documentary director knew it was time to get to work telling her latest deeply personal story. The resulting short film “All the Walls Came Down” weaves together her family's recovery with the community's response. Timoner spoke with AP entertainment journalist Ryan Pearson about why she pushed herself to complete the film in under nine months, what makes Altadena unique and how she hopes to help her neighbors. “We're gonna bask in it now.” The breakout singing voices behind Netflix's hit “KPop Demon Hunters” — Rei Ami, EJAE, and Audrey Nuna (a.k.a. HUNTR/X) — are enjoying the feeling of having multiple Top 10 hits but few of the downsides that can come with instant fame. They spoke with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan about inside jokes, the film's unexpected success and their own surprising journey from solo artists to a powerhouse trio. Pino Palladino and Blake Mills have reinvented themselves many times over their decades in the music industry. And now they're stepping gently into the spotlight, after releasing their second collaborative instrumental jazz album, “That Wasn't A Dream.” Like their first project together, 2021's “Notes With Attachments,” it showcases a range of styles, their sometimes-experimental tastes and elite musicianship on the guitar and bass. They spoke with AP entertainment reporter Ryan Pearson about reinvention, imposter syndrome and playing live together. The Netflix documentary-slash-visual album “Songs from the Hole” follows the life and journey of the musician JJ'88, who was convicted of murder as a teenager. While spending months in solitary confinement, he created beats on his chest, crafted lyrics and hand-wrote music video treatments. JJ'88, director and writer Contessa Gayles and producer Richie Reseda spoke with AP entertainment journalist Leslie Ambriz about justice, healing and the film's impact campaign. Mariah Carey has released her 16th studio album, “Here for It All,” marking a new chapter in her career. This 11-track album, out now, showcases Carey's evolution as an artist and blends soulful records, R&B, ballads and pop. Carey sat down AP entertainment journalist Leslie Ambriz to chat about her new era, spirituality and more. At 85, Sir Ringo Starr says life on the road may not look like the “rock 'n' roll lifestyle” anymore — but the drive to get up and play is unchanged. The former Beatle sat down with Associated Press entertainment journalist Liam McEwan to reflect on decades of touring, his All-Starr Band, and the enduring power of songs like “With A Little Help From My Friends,” “Yellow Submarine” and “Octopus' Garden.” Starr also opened up about his STARR ART exhibition in Las Vegas, his creative beginnings as a painter, and the upcoming release of “Anthology 4,” which he calls both “intimate” and surprising: “There's still a lot of stuff to be found.” Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

He's been reporting on aviation for CNN for 25 years, but he's spent a lifetime as an avgeek — a lover of all things aviation. There are few airplanes CNN anchor Richard Quest hasn't set foot on, either as a passenger or in a museum. “Nothing ever stands still in aviation because you're always trying to improve that which went before,” he says. But which are his favorites? From childhood memories on the BAC 1-11 to the glamor of the superjumbo era, he walks us through his top aircraft of all time, recounting memorable flights on the ones that made the list. . First passenger flight: April 9, 1965 Current status: Retired The British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) was just five years old when its ‘One Eleven' — the first aircraft to bear the BAC name — made its debut passenger flight. It was a strong start — the plane, powered by rear-mounted Rolls-Royce turbofan engines, roared into Europe's new jetset era, swiftly becoming the aircraft of choice for flights across the continent (as well as across the pond, where American Airlines was a loyal customer). Updated into a longer version in 1967, it continued to acquire clients across the globe, and rivaled the Douglas DC-9 and Boeing 737 in popularity. While it made a lot of noise, both literally and reputationally, eventually those noisy turbofans led to its demise. In 2003, it fell foul of EU noise restrictions. It rumbled on, but in 2010 its European safety certificate was revoked and the last model — owned by US aerospace company Norfolk Grumman — was retired in 2019. Quest says: It was a little plane that you went on holiday to Spain on. It had two engines at the back and it was extremely noisy and, I'm guessing, environmentally unfriendly. But I can remember coming back as a kid, getting off the plane at Speke Airport in Liverpool — what they now call John Lennon Airport — coming down the stairs, turning around, looking at this BAC 1-11 and thinking, “How did it get in the air and stay there?” And that wonderment has never left me. It had two engines at the back and was extremely noisy and, I'm guessing, environmentally unfriendly. Richard Quest It's the same today. Flying back to New York and sitting on an aircraft, taking off in London, all of a sudden, I think… “Can I tell the moment when we're going to take off?” I try still to do it. It still has me absolutely enthralled, the whole business. I cannot think of something more exciting to cover than aviation. First passenger flight: June 25, 1936 Current status: Retired In 1929, if you'd wanted to fly across America coast to coast, it would have meant a series of hops in slow aircraft — interspersed with train rides — on Transcontinental Air Transport, which would become TWA. That changed in June 1936, when American Airlines started flying the Douglas DC-3 twin-propeller plane. This “game changer,” Quest says, “allowed the US carriers to truly open up the domestic United States.” American Airlines' introduction of the DC-3 on a New York-Chicago route was the plane's first step toward dominating air travel in the US. More than 13,000 of the airplanes would eventually be produced, according to the National Air and Space Museum. Designed as a rival to Boeing's 247, which could fly 10 passengers at 160mph, the DC-3 swiftly took the lead in importance and popularity. It became so iconic that when Richard Branson launched his short-lived retro-themed Vintage Airways, which flew between Miami and Key West from 1992 to 1995, he used DC-3 aircraft. Quest says: It's a funny shape, but it was a real workhorse of an aircraft, propeller-driven long before jets came along. It was an absolute aircraft for its time and ushered in tremendous advancement for US aviation. It's a funny shape, but it was a real workhorse of an aircraft. Richard Quest Memorable flight: I did actually get to fly on the DC-3 on Vintage Airways. Richard Branson ran the aircraft in traditional livery. The flight attendants wore outfits inspired by the 1940s. The music of Glenn Miller from that era was played on board. The food that you got was of that time and even the magazines were from that period. So it was very much a tourist attraction. First passenger flight: June 26, 1988 Current status: In service As Boeing's recent woes have slowed down its production line, Airbus has been going from strength to strength — and the narrowbody A320, the French company's answer to the 737, became the most delivered aircraft in history in October 2025. According to the manufacturer, an A320 takes off or lands somewhere in the world every two seconds. Quest calls it, along with the 737, an “engineering marvel.” It is of course strong in its homeland, Europe — KM Malta Airlines opted for a fleet of A320s when it launched in 2024, for example, while the A320 family is the backbone of short-haul flights for the likes of easyJet and British Airways. But it's rightly beloved across the globe. In the US, American Airlines is the aircraft's biggest fan. It triumphed over its inauspicious beginnings. The first passenger flight — a demonstration flight at the Habsheim Air Show for Air France, on June 26, 1988 — ended in a crash which killed three people. One of my favorites because it was such an achievement to build and to get it going. Richard Quest Quest says: Airbus knew what it had to do — create a family of planes. It's a lovely aircraft. It does have a very strange noise when you park at the gate — it's the turbine underneath. But it's an absolutely spectacular aircraft. And one of my favorites simply because it was an achievement to build it and to get it going. First passenger flight: October 26, 1958 Current status: Retired The 707 was the first passenger jet to be designed and produced by Boeing's commercial arm. Another coup for Pan Am meant the airline was able to launch the plane's first service. It even persuaded President Dwight D. Eisenhower to attend the aircraft's baptism on October 17, 1958. Nine days later, it made its first commercial passenger flight from Idlewild, NY, to Paris Le Bourget. The 707 swiftly captured the market. Quest says: The 707 was the aircraft that allowed Boeing to gain supremacy. It became the one you had to have. Pan Am had it, TWA had it — you weren't a player across the Atlantic unless you had the 707. It was a narrowbody, with a single aisle. It had four engines — hellishly noisy. If you look at the sales literature and the travel films of the time, serving roast beef off the trolley and soup out of the terrine, the 707 was the way to go. Serving roast beef off the trolley and soup out of the terrine, the 707 was the way to go. Richard Quest Memorable flight: The time that I was starting to fly was the end of the 707 era. I flew on it from Manchester in northern England to Tel Aviv. And it was again, incredibly noisy. But this was state-of-the-art! Those who could afford it, those who knew what they were doing, they traveled on the 707. It very rapidly became the workhorse of the transatlantic. First passenger flight: September 8, 1982 Current status: On the way out A steady worker who gets the job done without fanfare, Boeing's 767, which debuted for United in 1982, left the glamor to the 747. Boeing's first widebody twin-jet became the US manufacturer's workhorse. It's an uber-popular plane that Quest calls “an absolute mainstay of the fleet.” It's been produced in all kinds of iterations — longer, and extended range models — and built a legion of fans thanks to touches of luxury in economy class. Its 2-3-2 configuration meant the majority of seats were either a window or an aisle. Most airlines have phased them out, though United and Delta plan to fly theirs until 2028. Quest says: In a certain way, the 777 is similar to Airbus's A330. It's an aircraft that does wonders for the economics of the airline, but passengers are never going to rapturously fall in love with it. My love of the 767 is personal because I often fly United between New York and London, and they use 767s. It was the aircraft that became the standard widebody jet for crossing the Atlantic. On United 767s, business class stretches back beyond the wing — a profitable use of space other airlines now emulate. It's an aircraft that does wonders for the economics of the airline, but passengers are never going to fall rapturously in love with it. Richard Quest Memorable flight: On one of my recent journeys on a 767, the plane was 34 years old. Thirty-four! Now, of course, it's going to fly safely, it's going to fly magnificently — but that's getting up there in terms of aircraft age. First passenger flight: June 7, 1995 Current status: In use Is this the most stealthily popular widebody ever built? Quite possibly. The middle child between the jumbo jet and the 767, the “triple seven” swaggered across an ocean for its first commercial flight, skimming over the Atlantic from London's Heathrow to Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C. The world's largest twinjet, perhaps its popularity might be down to the way Boeing crowdsourced part of its design process, asking launch airlines for input. After its successful 1994 test flight, it debuted for United the following year. It's still going strong — so strong, in fact, that N777UA, the aircraft which made that first commercial flight, is still in United's fleet. Airlines around the world, including Emirates, Singapore Airlines and American Airlines, still have 777 fleets. And as this generation grows old, the legend will continue via the forthcoming 777X. Designed to challenge Airbus' much-lauded A350, the 777X's launch has repeatedly been delayed, but has been promised for delivery in 2027. Quest says: I remember talking to the CEO of Continental Airlines. We were at a reception and they were about to get rid of their 747s for 777s, and I was saying, “Oh, but we love the 747.” And he turned around and said, “The 777 is a game-changer.” And it was, and it still is, in a sense, because it gave you range, it gave you numbers of passengers, and it gave you variance. The 777 … is a plane that truly deserves its accolade as one of the best. Richard Quest I was on the 777-200LR when it got the Guinness World Record for the longest commercial flight. There were 34 of us onboard, and we flew from Hong Kong to London, but we went the long way, three-quarters of the way around the planet, nonstop. It was amazing. The 777, I think, is a plane that truly deserves its accolade as one of the best, because it enables new routes and more people to fly. It was fantastic and still is — and the same will be true of the 777X. First passenger flight: October 25, 2007 Current status: No longer in production, but still in service on several airlines Often dubbed “the whale,” the world's largest passenger plane was Airbus' attempt to challenge the Boeing 747's dominance. Planned since the 1980s, its conception was announced in 1990, and avgeeks feverishly awaited its maiden flight with Singapore Airlines in 2007. To date the only fully double-decker aircraft in the sky, it instantly became a passenger favorite. But by the time the plane was in production, airlines were looking for smaller aircraft. The A380, which was capable of accommodating more than 800 passengers in an all-economy configuration (though it usually carried around 500 across multiple classes), was no longer what airline CEOs wanted. In February 2019, Airbus announced the end of the program, with the last A380 delivered to Emirates — perhaps its biggest fan, given that it had around half the global fleet at the time — on December 16, 2021. Today, 10 airlines still fly the A380, from staunch long-haul specialists Etihad, Qatar, Qantas and Singapore Airlines, to European airlines Lufthansa and British Airways. Quest says: It's the most extraordinary piece of engineering. Some people say it was 20 years too late, some say it was 20 years too early, in terms of when it was constructed. By the time the A380 came along, there wasn't the same need for giant aircraft that would carry large numbers of people. What was needed more were smaller planes that could operate with greater frequency and open up new routes — in other words, the 787s and the A350s. Yes, I have taken the Emirates shower, and it's quite an experience. Richard Quest But passengers adore the A380. You and I could be sitting on the wing next to the engines at full takeoff power and be talking like this — a normal conversation because it is so beautifully built. And yes, I have taken the Emirates shower, and it's quite an experience. First passenger flight: January 22, 1970 Current status: Being phased out The bulbous hump of the Boeing 747 made her an instant icon when she debuted for Pan Am on a New York-London route, using one of the 25 aircraft ordered while the plane was still in development. The hump, Quest notes, was rumored to have been designed to make conversion into a cargo aircraft easier if the passenger version failed. Fail it did not. TWA swiftly followed Pan Am. American Airlines was so keen to join the club that it leased some of Pan Am's 747s before its own arrived. Soon she'd earned the nickname, “queen of the skies.” Boeing's long-haul flagship was the first widebody passenger aircraft, introducing generations of travelers to the glories of seating rows that stretched from seat A to K. And for elite flyers, its first-class passenger lounge on the upper deck added prestige. But it couldn't last forever. After 1,574 planes, the last 747 rolled off the production line in December 2022. The gas guzzler has gradually been phased out of service, but not all are gone. A few remain in the skies, operated by airlines including Lufthansa, Korean Air and Air China. Quest says: From the very beginning, Boeing wanted to design a truly spectacular aircraft. And it was Juan Trippe, the then-CEO of Pan Am, who determined this aircraft was going to be his airline's flagship. It was going to be like nothing else. Initially, many people thought it was too big — how are airports going to cope? But it was well structured, well thought through, and very, very quickly, the 747 became probably the jet most people wanted to fly on, because they loved it. It was just a magnificent aircraft. If you got to ascend those stairs and sit upstairs, it was wonderful. Richard Quest Only the early models had the spiral staircase, but climbing it was the epitome of glamor. It said “I've made it” like nothing else. If you got to ascend those stairs and sit upstairs, it was wonderful. Continental, which I used to fly across the Atlantic, operated the 747 with the spiral staircase. British Airways had it too. I walked up and down the spiral staircases many times. It was phenomenal. It really set the aircraft apart. Memorable flight: The first time I went to the United States, I was an exchange student. I was flying out of London Gatwick on People Express, one of the first low-cost carriers in the 1980s. I remember waking up in the airport hotel, looking out of the window and seeing a 747 landing. On People Express you paid for your ticket on board the aircraft. The flight attendant came along with one of those old credit card machines that you rolled backwards and forwards with carbon paper. I can still remember the movie — “Chariots of Fire,” and it was shown on the big central screen in the middle of the cabin. First passenger flight: January 21, 1976 Current status: Retired All hail the revolution. When Concorde first sailed into the skies on January 21, 1976 — with sibling flights, from London to Bahrain and Paris to Rio de Janeiro — she showed that humans were capable of traveling faster than the speed of sound in style. Not just faster, in fact, but twice as fast. Concorde had a maximum cruising speed of Mach 2.04, or 1,354 mph. Europeans could now reach New York in around three and a half hours — an extraordinary feat when you consider the eight-hour transatlantics that we still endure 50 years on. A joint UK-France venture — with British Airways and Air France as the launch operators — Concorde's astronomical development costs were her downfall. The project never broke even, and hemorrhaging funds forced both airlines to cut back their initial multiple routes to the single most popular one: across the Atlantic to New York. After the July 2000 crash in Paris, which killed 113 people, the aircraft was grounded for over a year, and despite resuming service, the writing was on the wall. In May 2003, Air France threw in the towel, and British Airways followed on October 24, 2003. For Quest, who flew on it multiple times, it remains the finest aircraft ever made. Quest says: It was like nothing else. It didn't matter how you got on board the damn thing, whether you robbed, stole, finagled or bought your ticket. I had a smile from here to here the first time I flew on Concorde. I was privileged to be on the last flight, New York to London. I had a smile from here to here the first time I flew on Concorde. Richard Quest It was small — just 100 seats — cramped and noisy. The cabin was divided into two sections — they were exactly the same, but people always wanted to sit in the first section because it was perceived to be nearer the front. The carpet had to be specially made and it had to have elasticity in it because the fuselage stretched due to the heat. And if you put your finger into the gap by the door, you could feel the heat coming off the aircraft as you went twice the speed of sound. The seats were like office chairs — they weren't big, luxurious things. And when they took you supersonic, you felt a kick in the back as the plane accelerated and you saw the Mach meter start to tick over. Memorable flight: On the last flight, there were a hundred of us. And it didn't really matter who you were, the star of the story was the plane. It was a sad day because I believe it was the first time in aviation that a technological development had not been built on — we were actually going backwards. There was no Concorde, there was no replacement, the plans weren't there. It's only in the last five, 10 years with Boom that it's become a potential reality again. Yes, I shed a tear. If you ask me what my favorite story of my career has been, it was the last flight of Concorde. © 2026 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved. CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network. Scan the QR code to download the CNN app on Google Play. Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

North Korea on Saturday released pictures showing leader Kim Jong Un and his teenage daughter at a rifle range, the latest propaganda images to promote the child touted as a potential successor. State media KCNA said Kim and his daughter – along with Kim Jong Un's powerful sister Kim Yo Jong and other officials – fired the rifles after the North Korean leader gifted them to military leaders to salute their service to the reclusive state's ruling party. One of the images – which was flagged during a CNN check as being potentially AI-manipulated – showed the girl, believed to be named Kim Ju Ae and in her early teens, firing a sniper rifle. In all, North Korea released 27 pictures of the event. CNN checked four of the photos for signs of manipulation. Only the picture of Kim Ju Ae firing the rifle showed possible use of AI. Kim specially prepared the gifts of the “new generation sniper's rifle” for the key leaders, calling it “a really wonderful weapon,” the KCNA report said. The shooting-range event came after the conclusion of a congress of the Korean Workers' Party, a largely rubber-stamp political gathering of the nation's elite, where Kim's leadership was reaffirmed by unanimous vote. At the assembly, Kim Yo Jong was promoted to director of a party department after years in a deputy role, solidifying her standing in the inner circle. Several senior party and military posts were reshuffled, elevating younger loyalists. But much of the attention was on Kim's daughter. Kim Ju Ae stood withbher father on the grandstand as he reviewed some 14,000 troops goosestepping through Kim Il Sung Square, named after her great-grandfather, in the capital of Pyongyang. She has also been at her father's side for previous missile tests and other ruling-party events, fueling speculation that she will be the fourth-generation successor to the Kim family dynasty that has ruled North Korea since before the Korean War started in 1950. In February South Korea's spy agency said it believes the dictator has “entered the stage of nominating her as successor.” There has been no official confirmation from North Korea on the daughter's role, but the image of her purportedly firing the sniper rifle on Friday brought even more attention to her. “By emphasizing that Kim Ju Ae knows how to fire a rifle, North Korea is hinting that she is undergoing succession training,” Yang Mu-jin, a distinguished professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, told the Chosun Daily newspaper. Other images appeared to show Kim Ju Ae, wearing a leather jacket, observing through binoculars as her father took a shot, and helping present the rifles to others at the event. © 2026 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved. CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network. Scan the QR code to download the CNN app on Google Play. Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi issued his first appeal to the Iranian people after the joint U.S.-Israeli strike against Iran, echoing President Donald Trump's appeal that the hour of destiny was at hand. Within hours of the first U.S. and Israeli munitions hitting Tehran and other cities across Iran, Pahlavi delivered an address of a similar tone to those since January, but under much different circumstances. “My dear compatriots, Moments of destiny lie ahead of us,” he began. “The aid that the President of the United States promised to the brave people of Iran has now arrived. This is a humanitarian intervention; and its target is the Islamic Republic, its repressive apparatus, and its machinery of slaughter—not the country and great nation of Iran,” Pahlavi continued. “But, even with the arrival of this aid, the final victory will still be forged by our hands. It is we, the people of Iran, who will finish the job in this final battle. The time to return to the streets is near.” US AND ISRAEL LAUNCH ‘PREEMPTIVE' ATTACK AGAINST IRAN He declared that the Islamic Republic's government was “collapsing,” then shifted his focus to the police and military, urging them to defect and join civilian protesters. “Join the people and help bring about a stable and secure transition. Otherwise, you will go down with Khamenei's sinking ship and his regime,” Pahlavi said. My dear compatriots,Decisive moments lie before us.The assistance that the President of the United States had promised to the brave people of Iran has now arrived. This is a humanitarian intervention, and its target is the Islamic Republic, its apparatus of repression, and… https://t.co/YAq3rJLzdd pic.twitter.com/VVQ17mvhJ9 Directly addressing Trump, the exiled crown prince urged him to “exercise the utmost caution to preserve the lives of civilians and my compatriots.” He said that the people of Iran were “natural allies,” and would never forget his support “in the most difficult period in contemporary Iranian history.” Pahlavi told listeners not to take to the streets as the U.S. and Israeli attacks were ongoing. “I ask you to remain in your homes for now and preserve your safety and security. Stay vigilant and ready so that, at the appropriate time—which I will announce to you precisely—you can return to the streets for the final action,” he said. “We are very close to final victory. I want to be by your side as soon as possible so that together we can take back and rebuild Iran,” Pahlavi added. The crown prince's message was similar to that of Trump, and was released on X just three minutes after the president's Truth Social address. Trump focused on his domestic audience in his address, saying the strikes were intended to “defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” which he described as “a vicious group of very hard, terrible people.” TRUMP ANNOUNCES ‘MASSIVE AND ONGOING OPERATION' AGAINST IRAN However, he also devoted a significant amount of time to addressing the Iranian people directly, and members of the military and security services. “To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces, and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity, or, in the alternative, face certain death. So, lay down your arms. You will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death,” Trump declared. “Finally, to the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand,” he said. “Stay sheltered. Don't leave your home. It's very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere.” Similar to Pahlavi's order, Trump said to wait until the U.S. and Israel are finished to “take over your government. “It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations. For many years, you have asked for America's help, but you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want, so let's see how you respond,” he said. “America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. Now is the time to seize control of your destiny and to unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close within your reach.” “This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass,” he concluded. US AND ISRAEL LAUNCH ‘PREEMPTIVE' ATTACK AGAINST IRAN Pahlavi has emerged as the central figure of the Iranian opposition, gaining prominence and popularity during the wave of protests beginning in December. The most recent round of protests was notable for prominently featuring direct appeals to the crown prince from large crowds. Pahlavi has been in direct contact with the Trump administration and has been complimented by the president.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Weapons that Cuban authorities say were recovered from a speedboat in Cuban waters following a confrontation that left four people dead are displayed during a media presentation in Havana, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) Weapons that Cuban authorities say were recovered from a speedboat in Cuban waters following a confrontation that left four people dead are displayed during a media presentation in Havana, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) Weapons that Cuban authorities say were recovered from a speedboat in Cuban waters following a confrontation that left four people dead are displayed during a media presentation in Havana, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) Weapons that Cuban authorities say were recovered from a speedboat in Cuban waters following a confrontation that left four people dead are displayed during a media presentation in Havana, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) Weapons that Cuban authorities say were recovered from a speedboat in Cuban waters following a confrontation that left four people dead are displayed during a media presentation in Havana, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) HAVANA (AP) — Top officials with Cuba's Ministry of the Interior unveiled for the first time late Friday the items they said were aboard a Florida-flagged speedboat that opened fire against troops in waters off the island's north coast this week, with soldiers responding and killing four suspects. Officials also revealed to The Associated Press that authorities were able to establish that the 10 Cuban suspects left the U.S. in two boats, but one failed, so they transferred all the supplies to the remaining one and left the other adrift. The government said the detained suspects revealed those details and stressed that they immediately contacted the U.S. Coast Guard. Among the items Cuban officials said were aboard the boat: a dozen high-powered weapons, including one with a scope; a big cooler filled with more than 12,800 pieces of ammunition; 11 pistols; heavy-duty boots, helmets with cameras; and camouflage backpacks. “We were clearly able to assess that we were facing a terrorist action from a boat coming from the United States,” 1st Col. Ivey Daniel Carballo of the Cuban Border Guard Troops told the AP. According to Carballo, the 30-foot (nine meter) border patrol boat detected an intruder on Wednesday morning and approached to within about 600 feet (185 meters) to investigate, but it was met with high-caliber gunfire. He said that three of the attackers were immediately killed and that a fourth was wounded and later died. Caraballo said the speedboat was located about one mile (1.6 kilometers) northeast of Cayo Falcones off the island's north coast. The border guard commander was injured, he added. Victor Eduardo Álvarez Valle, one of the heads of Criminal Investigation for State Security at the Ministry of the Interior, told the AP that authorities were surprised by the resistance they encountered. “We didn't expect it, especially with that many people and weapons,” he said. “The military equipment found on board has been identified by the assailants, including where and how they acquired it, and the training they received. They also revealed who financed it,” Álvarez added. He noted that officials detected 13 bullet holes on the border guard boat and 21 others on the suspect's vessel, “meaning that there was combat.” The Cuban government had reported Wednesday that a person had been captured on land, but Álvarez said that so far, there is no information that the suspects had any support network on the island. Cuba's chief prosecutor of the directorate at the Attorney General's Office, Edward Robert Campbell, told the AP that the six arrested, all of Cuban origin, could face terrorism charges, which carries a possible sentence of 30 years in prison, life imprisonment or even the death penalty, although the latter has been on moratorium for more than a decade. The Associated Press was given access to Cuban military officials and shown the items displayed at the headquarters of the former Cuban Institute of Radio and Television ahead of a program that showed them to the public for the first time. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said it was not a U.S. government operation and that the American government was gathering its own information. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

RFK, look away now! President Donald Trump was in his element as he made a stop at Whataburger after a speech in Corpus Cristi, Texas. Trump gave a speech focused on energy, during which he was joined by the three Republicans vying for a Senate seat this November — incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX). The trio will face off in a 2026 midterm primary this upcoming Tuesday, and the top two are most likely headed for a runoff later this year. But Trump took time to unwind on his way back to Air Force One and indulge in one of his favorite pastimes — fast food. “So, are these the best hamburgers?” he said after walking into the restaurant to cheers, prompting further applause. Trump then turned to the staff. “How are the burgers, pretty good?” he asked, then added, “You're all very famous people tonight.” The president inquired about feedback to his State of the Union address, laying into the Democrats for not standing up at key points. President @realDonaldTrump orders hamburgers for everyone in Whataburger! 🍔🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/xJ7dka3Dc7 “It's unbelievable. They're crazy!” he said, drawing agreement from the crowd. The president then ordered hamburgers for everyone, quipping that he'd buy them drinks, but he doesn't drink. “I'm gonna get some stuff for Air Force One, then I'm gonna get the Hell out of here,” Trump said. After he approached the counter to order, he was given his own special burger with a “47” tag, which he then showed to everyone. “I probably shouldn't eat this one, I should get a different one at random, but I trust him!” the president joked, alluding to the possibility of poisoning. WATCH LIVE: TRUMP DELIVERS REMARKS ON ENERGY IN TEXAS ALONGSIDE ALL THREE SENATE GOP HOPEFULS Whataburger on Air Force One! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/I9BE8XPovI Several other high-ranking Republicans were present at the visit, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX). The president is known for his affinity for fast food, particularly McDonald's. He famously took on the brief role of a McDonald's fry cook during his 2024 campaign, a move reflecting his love of the fast food chain and mocking former Vice President Kamala Harris's unclear claim to have worked there previously. His Health Secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, an advocate of healthy eating, has repeatedly expressed his dismay at his boss's diet. In January, he told Katie Miller that Trump has the “most unhinged eating habits.” “I don't know how he's alive, but he is,” Kennedy said.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. In this photo provided by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, an owl sleeps on a shelf next to a cookie jar shaped like a chicken at The Market Place antique store in East Durham, N.Y., on Feb. 21, 2026 (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation via AP) DURHAM, N.Y. (AP) — Shoppers in upstate New York earlier this month turned up a rare find while perusing a local antique store this month: tucked next to a cookie jar made in the shape of a chicken was a live owl resting peacefully on a shelf. The state Department of Environmental Conservation said Friday that the incident happened on Feb. 21 in the hamlet of East Durham, about 127 miles (204 kilometers) north of Manhattan. The agency said customers at The Market Place had spotted “something extremely lifelike” on one of the shelves and alerted store staff. Environmental conservation police officers arrived to find a brown-and-white owl perched on a shelf with its eyes firmly shut. The department said officers gently cradled the sleeping owl to remove it from the store, and then released it into a wooded area, where it flew into a nearby tree. The bird, an eastern screech owl, is nocturnal and typically nests in tree cavities. It is not immediately clear how it got inside the store. An email was sent to the store's owners on Friday. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

President Donald Trump remained noncommittal about endorsing a candidate in the closely watched Senate GOP primary during his visit to Corpus Christi, Texas, following his fourth State of the Union address this week. Trump's visit to Corpus Christi comes during a grueling and bitter Senate GOP primary between incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX), and state attorney general Ken Paxton. Trump teased before his speech on Friday that he had “pretty much” decided who he would endorse, but declined to tell reporters which candidate had his support. “No,” Trump said when reporters asked him who he was backing. He did, however, greet all three candidates while speaking, signaling his friendliness but refusal to truly wade into the primary. The president called both Paxton and Cornyn “great” and the election “interesting” during his remarks. “We have a great attorney general, Ken Paxton. Where's Ken? Hi Ken. And we have a great Sen. John Cornyn, Hi John, thank you, John,” Trump said. “And another friend of mine who's doing very well, Wesley Hunt. Where's Wesley? Wesley Hunt, doing a good job,” Trump also said. “Thank you, Wesley.” Cornyn, who flew to Corpus Christi with Trump aboard Air Force One, is in the fight of his political career despite being backed by the National Republican Senatorial Committee and his more than 20 years in the Senate. With three candidates in the field, it is not expected that any single lawmaker will win the primary. Instead, the top two candidates will advance to the primary runoff on May 26. But Republicans are worried that the popular but scandal-plagued Paxton could eventually win the primary, boosting Democrats' chances of finally flipping the seat blue after decades of false hope. Vice President Kamala Harris threw her support behind Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) on Friday and has recorded a robocall for the Congressional Democrat's primary battle against Texas State Rep. James Talarico. Trump also publicly acknowledged the embattled Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX), who sent explicit late-night texts to former aide Regina Santos-Aviles before she set herself on fire last year. Gonzales has refused to step down from office after the texts were made public this week, and at least six Republicans have called for his resignation, upending another Texas race with primaries looming. “Congressman Tony Gonzales is here. Tony, congratulations,” Trump said. Trump was in Corpus Christi to underscore his economy and energy policy agendas before November's midterm elections, though he veered off script during his address to tell the crowd an anecdote intended to emphasize how well the stock market is performing at the moment. “This wonderful, tough policeman from New York, he's taking good care of us, and he said, ‘Sir, it's so good. My married life has gotten so much better. Why? My wife thought I was a loser. Financially, I couldn't make any money because my 401(K) was dying for years, and now she thinks I'm the smartest financial genius ever. It's made my sex life good. It's made my life. It's given me, it's given me a tremendous boost in life, sir.' This is a big, tough cop. He said, ‘My wife treated me like a dog, and now she admires my financial genius, and I haven't done anything, my 401(K) has gone through the roof.' So I said, thank you very much,” Trump said. When he was on script, Trump told the audience the oil tanker docked in the Port of Corpus Christi behind him was carrying 360,000 barrels of Venezuelan oil. “We're going to keep something for ourselves,” he said. “We're going to give some to them, and they're going to make more money than they've ever made before.” VANCE LEADING TRUMP'S ‘WAR ON FRAUD' COULD BE DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD In addition to Cornyn, Actor Dennis Quaid accompanied Trump to Corpus Christi on his presidential plane and, at one point during his speech, came on stage to say, “I love Corpus Christi — and I love Donald Trump!” Trump, donning a “Gulf of America” red baseball cap, similarly used the platform to quip about considering nominating Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) to the Supreme Court, criticize Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) for heckling him during his State of the Union, and claim he is “entitled” to a third term as president. “Maybe we do one more term?” he asked. “Should we do one more? One more term? Well, we're entitled to it because they cheated like hell in the second.” Trump now heads to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, for a weekend of political meetings and fundraisers, stopping at a Whataburger fast-food chain en route to the airport. “Hamburgers for all!” he shouted to those in the restaurant.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Los Angeles School Superintendent Alberto Carvalho is being put on paid leave while he is part of a federal investigation. The move on Friday by the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education comes two days after the FBI served search warrants at his home and the district's headquarters. Authorities have not provided details of the nature of the investigation involving the nation's second-largest school district, which serves more than 500,000 students. Carvalho became superintendent in 2022. He previously led the public schools in Miami. Andres Chait, the chief of school operations, will take over the helm while Carvalho is on leave, the district said. Carvalho has not responded to a request for comment. The FBI on Wednesday also searched a third location near Miami. The Miami Herald reported the Florida property belonged to Debra Kerr, who previously worked with AllHere, an education technology company that had a contract with Los Angeles schools before it collapsed and its leader was indicted for fraud. She could not be reached for comment Thursday. In 2024, Carvalho heavily touted a deal with AllHere for an AI chatbot named “Ed” designed to help students. But about three months after unveiling the technology and paying the company $3 million, the district dropped its dealings with AllHere, which collapsed into bankruptcy. Months later, founder Joanna Smith-Griffin was charged with securities and wire fraud, along with identity theft. The school district said in a statement Wednesday that it “is cooperating with the investigation and we do not have further information at this time.” Carvalho denied personal involvement in the selection of AllHere, according to the Los Angeles Times. After Smith-Griffin was indicted, Carvalho said he would appoint a task force to examine what went wrong with the LA school district's project, but there have been no public announcements about it since. Kerr, an education technology salesperson who connects companies with schools, said she was never paid her $630,000 commission for her work in closing the AllHere deal with the LA district, according to a news organization, The 74, that covered the company's bankruptcy hearings in 2024. The 74 reported that Kerr had longstanding ties with Carvalho from when he oversaw the Florida district and that her son who worked for AllHere pitched the technology to LA school leaders after he took over the helm there. The Associated Press was unable to reach Kerr for comment. Over the past five years in Los Angeles, Carvalho has been lauded for the district's improvements to academic performance. He won similar praise while overseeing Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Florida's largest school district, where the national superintendents association named him Superintendent of the Year in 2014. Spain knighted the Portugal-born administrator in 2021 for his work in expanding Spanish-language programs for Miami-Dade County schools. Months later, Carvalho took the job in California and became a harsh critic of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration crackdown, especially following raids in Los Angeles last year. Carvalho arrived in Los Angeles at a critical moment, as the district found itself flush with funding from state and federal COVID-19 relief money but still struggling with the impacts of the pandemic, including learning losses and declining enrollment. He previously sparred with Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis over his order that schools not require masks during the pandemic. The Miami-Dade school system said in a statement that it was aware of the investigation involving Carvalho but did not have any comment at this time. © 2026 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved. CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network. Scan the QR code to download the CNN app on Google Play. Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. President Donald Trump gestures from the stairs of Air Force One upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Friday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez) WASHINGTON (AP) — The Treasury Department has terminated its collective bargaining agreement with unionized workers employed at the Internal Revenue Service, the agency said Friday, in an escalation of President Donald Trump 's push to exert more control over the federal workforce. The union contract for the Bureau of the Fiscal Service was also terminated this week, according to two people familiar with the decision. The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak with the media. Workers at the IRS and the fiscal service bureau, which processes payments for the government, are represented by the National Treasury Employees Union. They were informed by agency leadership that Treasury terminated their collective bargaining agreements, using an executive order President Donald Trump signed last March as the authority for the terminations. In a letter to IRS workers Friday, viewed by The Associated Press, IRS Chief Human Capital Officer Alex Kweskin told employees the move “deepens our commitment of operating as one IRS, a collaborative team focused on serving American taxpayers.” The contract terminations come after Scott Kupor, director of the Office of Personnel Management, issued a memo this month to agency heads calling on them to comply with Trump's March order and notify labor unions “that they are terminating any applicable CBAs (collective bargaining agreements), whether represented by the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) or another labor union.” The union had sued the federal government last year over Trump's executive order. And while a D.C. court issued a preliminary injunction against the government, that was stayed pending an appeal. Meanwhile, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit issued a decision in a separate case Thursday that cleared the way for the implementation of Trump's executive order. Doreen Greenwald, president of the Treasury employees union, said in a statement Friday that the IRS “cannot unilaterally end” its contract with the labor union. She said the federal sector labor statute requires the IRS to have a collective bargaining agreement “with the exclusive representative of its bargaining unit employees,” she said. The National Treasury Employees Union represents roughly 150,000 employees in 37 departments and agencies. __ Associated Press writer Jonathan J. Cooper contributed to this report. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Some immigrants who illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border and were arrested by Border Patrol have been released into the United States by the Department of Homeland Security despite the Trump administration's claims that “zero” releases have occurred over the past nine months, according to four sources aware of the releases. Although the number of border crossers let into the interior of the country is significantly smaller than it was during the Biden administration, that some illegal immigrants have been released into the U.S. at all appears to contradict President Donald Trump's claim during the State of the Union address, as well as numerous statements by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, that no one had been let in since early last summer. “In the past nine months, zero illegal aliens have been admitted to the United States,” Trump said to a round of applause from lawmakers at the State of the Union on Tuesday. In just one year, President Trump's effective immigration and border security policies have led to an all-time-low in illegal crossings at the southern border. The message is clear: America's borders are closed to lawbreakers. This is just the beginning. pic.twitter.com/3ocuVXTAbE Noem stated in November, December, and January that “zero” people who crossed the border and were arrested had been released from custody and permitted to remain in the country. Noem has also conflated releases with apprehensions. The DHS secretary stated during an August 2025 press conference that “we have had — for three months in a row — zero illegal aliens entering the United States.” Sources did not deny that the Border Patrol, a part of DHS's agency Customs and Border Protection, responsible for initially arresting people, had released anyone. However, sources said it was DHS's Immigration and Customs Enforcement that has and continues to release an unspecified number of people from the border who are turned over to them from Border Patrol. The number of ICE releases under Trump is unclear. “Dirty little secret that the [Trump administration] does not want getting out for obvious reasons,” the first source wrote in a text message. “There are in fact folks who are being released who recently crossed the border. … [Border Patrol] is not releasing anyone, but ICE is.” Border Patrol is mandated by federal detention standards to limit the detention of immigrants to 72 hours after an arrest before turning that person over to ICE for longer detention pending removal. Border Patrol may handle some removals of Mexican nationals, but ICE is responsible for the detention and removal of illegal immigrants. When people are released by ICE, they are given either a paper that notifies them to appear in immigration court at a certain place and time regarding their unlawful entry or a document requiring them to go to a regional ICE office and notify them that they need to be added to the court docket. A second source said immigrants who came over the southern border illegally are being released into the U.S. on a “case-by-case basis.” They continue to be placed into ICE's Alternatives to Detention program, which may require wearing an ankle monitor to track their location while not in custody. The Washington Examiner asked the DHS for comment. The DHS and ICE did not provide comment. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said Trump's record on the border had netted results but did not comment on his “zero” releases remark earlier this week. “President Trump is right – thanks to his leadership the border has been totally secured in a short period of time,” Jackson wrote in an email Friday. “Under the Biden Administration, countless criminal illegal aliens were allowed to flood into the country. The Trump Administration has put an end to illegals being freely released into the interior. The American people are safer because of President Trump.” CBP provided a statement from its commissioner, Rodney Scott, that stated over the past nine months, “CBP has not released a single individual who entered the country illegally into the interior.” “The record is clear. We ended the Biden administration's disastrous catch and release policies,” Scott said. “U.S. Customs and Border Protection stands by the accuracy of the information provided to the American people. Our reporting is grounded in operational data, vetted through established channels, aligned with DHS policy and federal law, and available publicly on CBP's webpage.” Scott, the former national chief of the Border Patrol, added that illegal immigrants in Border Patrol custody may be turned over to another agency or local law enforcement, to ICE, or the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement if the person is a child without a parent. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, senior fellow at the American Immigration Council in Washington, said ICE's quiet releases over the past nine months were a good sign, because it indicated that federal employees recognize there are cases where detention is not appropriate or possible. “Every administration releases some migrants either because of logistical, diplomatic, or humanitarian reasons, and releases are not failures,” Reichlin-Melnick said in a phone call Friday. “Some people just shouldn't be held in detention. There's no good reason to do so, especially those with serious humanitarian or medical issues. That some people are still being released is a sign that, at least at the lower levels, the agency still acknowledges this fact despite what the leadership is saying.” WHY TRUMP'S CHANGES TO IMMIGRATION COURTS WILL ‘ABSOLUTELY' RAMP UP DEPORTATIONS Trump imposed a dozen executive actions related to immigration upon taking office in January 2025. The average of 100,000 to 250,000 illegal immigrants apprehended at the southern border per month during most of the Biden administration tapered down to less than 10,000 apprehensions per month in Trump's first year. House Republicans estimated that 5.3 million illegal immigrants, including possible asylum-seekers, were let into the U.S. under Biden.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Anthropic's Claude artificial intelligence assistant app jumped to the No. 2 slot on Apple's chart of top U.S. free apps late on Friday, hours after the Trump administration sought to block government agencies' adoption of the startup's technology. The rise in popularity suggests that Anthropic is benefiting from its presence in news headlines, stemming from its refusal to have its models used for mass domestic surveillance or for fully autonomous weapons. "The Leftwing nut jobs at Anthropic have made a DISASTROUS MISTAKE trying to STRONG-ARM the Department of War, and force them to obey their Terms of Service instead of our Constitution," President Donald Trump wrote in a Friday Truth Social post. Department of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he asked that Anthropic be labeled as a supply-chain risk to national security, and therefore, no U.S. defense contractor would be able to draw on Anthropic tools. "It is the Department's prerogative to select contractors most aligned with their vision," Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said in a statement. "But given the substantial value that Anthropic's technology provides to our armed forces, we hope they reconsider." Historically, other AI chat apps have been more popular among consumers than Claude. OpenAI's ChatGPT sat at No. 1 on the App Store rankings on Saturday, while Google's Gemini was at No. 3. The Claude iOS app has gained momentum this month. On Jan. 30, it was ranked No. 131 in the U.S., and it bounced around the top 20 for much of February, according to data from analytics company Sensor Tower. The data shows ChatGPT has held on to the No. 1 spot for most of February. In the past year, Anthropic — which was formed in 2021 by former OpenAI employees — has gained momentum as a supplier of models for coding and general corporate use. OpenAI, whose ChatGPT now has over 900 million weekly users, has been responding to Anthropic's surge in business by striking partnerships with consulting firms such as Accenture and Capgemini. On Friday night, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the startup had reached an agreement with the U.S. Defense Department on the deployment of its models. Hours later, pop singer Katy Perry posted a screenshot of Anthropic's Pro subscription for consumers, with a heart superimposed over it. WATCH: Sec. Pete Hegseth directs Pentagon to designate Anthropic supply-chain risk Got a confidential news tip? We want to hear from you. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. © 2026 Versant Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. A Versant Media Company. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Some of the world's most congested airspace has been disrupted by the US and Israel's strikes on Iran. Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar have all closed their airspaces. Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest airport for international traffic, has suspended all flights until further notice. A video shared by Flightradar24 showed airplanes deserting the region on Saturday morning. Airspace clearing after strikes by the United States and Israel in Iran. pic.twitter.com/Oub4T6SrkF Data from the aviation analytics firm Cirium shows that about 870 of the roughly 3,400 scheduled flights to the region have been canceled as of 4:45 p.m. Central European time. The three major Middle Eastern airlines — Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Emirates — operate major hubs that connect passengers to destinations around the world, creating a massive ripple effect of disruptions. A Cirium spokesperson said these carriers collectively carry 90,000 transiting passengers through their hubs daily — not including those destined for the Middle East. Even for flights that don't land in the region, it's a key corridor for flying between Europe and Asia. Some flights appeared to re-route over Saudi Arabia. Other airlines were avoiding the region altogether. Detours are costly for airlines: They have to pay for extra fuel, labor, and any associated passenger compensation. And it's possible mass diversions could overwhelm certain airports. In a post on X, Emirates said it was temporarily suspending all flights to and from Dubai, its home base. That's equal to about 500 flights a day, according to Cirium. Emirates urged customers to check their flight statuses before visiting the airport. "We are actively monitoring the situation and engaging with relevant authorities," the airline added. Qatar Airways said all flights to and from the country were suspended until at least midnight UTC, or 7 p.m. ET. It also expects delays when usual operations resume. Doha's Hamad International Airport advised passengers "not to proceed to the airport." Additional staff were deployed there to help passengers affected by the disruption, the airline said. Etihad Airways, which is based in Abu Dhabi, said all departures and arrivals to the city were suspended until 2 p.m. local time Sunday. Kuwait's civil aviation ministry said a drone attack left some airport employees with minor injuries and damaged a passenger terminal. Saudia said flights to and from affected airports were canceled until at least Tuesday. For those already in the air during the strikes, many flights diverted to other nearby airports or turned back to their origins. Flightradar24 shows an Emirates flight from Orlando to Dubai diverted to Istanbul in a 14-hour flight to nowhere. A Qatar flight from New York to Doha crossed the Atlantic but then diverted to Rome after about 10 hours in the air. An American Airlines flight from Philadelphia to Doha had flown for more than six hours when it turned around over Ireland and started heading back across the Atlantic Ocean, flight-tracking data showed. It looks like the total flight-to-nowhere will last about 13 hours. An Air Canada flight from Toronto to Dubai was over the Mediterranean Sea before U-turning. Passengers appear to face a total journey time of 10 hours. In a video statement posted to Truth Social on Saturday morning, President Donald Trump vowed to destroy Iran's missile program and navy, and ensure that the country can "never" have a nuclear weapon. There is likely more disruption to emerge. When Iran launched strikes on a US air base in Qatar last June, more than 160 flights were diverted. Similar cancellations and reroutes happened in February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine, and again in April 2025 amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Air India, for example, had to reroute flights around Pakistani airspace last year, requiring some long-haul services between India and Europe and North America to add a fuel stop in Vienna. Some airlines, like Finnair, still fly the long way around Russia on certain long-haul treks rather than canceling the service altogether. Jump to
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Got a confidential news tip? We want to hear from you. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. © 2026 Versant Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. A Versant Media Company. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Xiaomi launched its latest flagship smartphones globally on Saturday as an unprecedented surge in memory chip prices threatens to dampen sales. The Xiaomi 17 and 17 Ultra represent the Chinese technology giant's top tier devices aimed at challenging the likes of Samsung and Apple in the high-end segment of the market. Xiaomi, which is the third-largest smartphone player globally, has maintained the prices of the devices versus last year's flagship, even amid the huge jump in memory prices that are critical for smartphones. The Xiaomi 17 starts at 999 euros ($1,179) while the Xiaomi 17 Ultra starts at 1,499 euros. In the first quarter of the year so far, memory prices have soared between 80% and 90%, Counterpoint Research said. This surge has been driven by a shortage of memory chips with supply being directed toward data centers for AI. Memory is an expensive component in a smartphone. Smartphone prices could rise 13% in 2026, according to a Gartner forecast from Februrary. IDC forecasts the smartphone market to decline 12.9% in 2026 as a result of the chip crunch. Analysts suggest companies selling more expensive phones will be more insulated and able to absorb the cost. The bulk of Xiaomi's volume comes from mid-range devices, a category that could take a hit to demand from any price rises. While its higher end devices will be unlikely to offset any losses. "This year will be even worse because Xiaomi does not have a very strong premium share which means that they cannot rely on the premium segment to offset low margins in other devices like Apple and Samsung can," Francisco Jeronimo, a vice president for data and analytics at IDC, told CNBC. In November, Xiaomi management warned that the industry would likely have to raise smartphone prices in 2026. Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight, said that Xiaomi will likely have to hike prices of their low-to-mid-tier devices. While Xiaomi still makes the bulk of revenue consumer electronics, the company has been ramping up its electric vehicle business in China, which now accounts for around a quarter of all sales. That's become an important source of revenue amid the memory crunch. Xiaomi reported a 3% year-on-year decline in smartphone revenue in the September quarter, the last publicly-available financial figures. But sales at its electric car business surged nearly 200%. Got a confidential news tip? We want to hear from you. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. © 2026 Versant Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. A Versant Media Company. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Related Stories Feeling disappointed by your job or job search? Two recent films might strike a chord. Park Chan-wook's "No Other Choice" and Sam Raimi's "Send Help" imagine what happens when workers in bad situations, whether a stagnant job market or a toxic workplace, are pushed to their limits, with murderous consequences. They offer cathartic, if violent, outlooks on the worker angst and desperation in the zeitgeist. Part dark comedy and part horror, they touch on perennial workplace anxieties but are particularly timely now. Sluggish hiring means many employees feel stuck, and many job seekers are struggling to find work. Last year, U.S. employers added only 181,000 jobs, compared to 1.46 million in 2024, making it the worst year for hiring since 2020, and the worst since 2003 outside of a recession. As of January, 1 in 4 unemployed people, roughly 1.8 million Americans, have been looking for work for more than six months, according to BLS data. Meanwhile, those with jobs are anxious about losing them amid economic uncertainty, AI adoption, and layoffs. Job cuts announced in January hit their highest monthly total to start a year since 2009, according to a report from global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. And the quits rate of workers voluntarily leaving their jobs — which can reflect their degree of confidence in the job market — stayed relatively low at around 2% throughout 2025. Against this backdrop, the films offer "a way to feel in control of something you can't control," says Alicia Grandey, co-author of "Emotionally Charged: How to Lead in the New World of Work" and a workplace psychology professor at Penn State University. The films make our work anxieties feel "distant and more controllable, like you can turn it off." That could be welcome distance for many feeling powerless in the job market and workplace today. Fear of losing your job can be "paralyzing" and feel "like you have absolutely no control over the situation," career and leadership coach Phoebe Gavin previously told CNBC Make It. The fact that "work is the single most important way of proving your worth" as a person in the U.S., Steven Vallas, professor emeritus of sociology at Northeastern University, previously told Make It, "can really compound those feelings of shame and the anxiety about being unemployed." The extreme plotlines of "No Other Choice" and "Send Help" are part of their magic. "It's taking these feelings that many, many people have to an extreme, so that you know it's not real," Grandey says. "You can still revel in that power shift, you can still relate to the character, and recognize it's over-the-top fantasy, but absolutely, it's catharsis, it's venting." And then, she adds, "when you come back to the real world, it by contrast doesn't seem as bad." "No Other Choice," an adaptation of Donald Westlake's 1997 book, "The Ax," follows a middle-aged Korean man, Yoo Man-su (Lee Byung-hun), who is laid off from a specialty papermaker after a business takeover. When his job applications for new positions go nowhere, and his family starts feeling the squeeze to their comfortable middle-class life, Man-su starts killing his fellow candidates to boost his chances of finding work. He tells his first victim, "Sorry, but you must disappear for me to live." The film speaks to the desperation of job seekers today, the steep competition they face and the zero-sum calculus that dictates the job search for many candidates. In June, for example, LinkedIn said it had seen a 45% increase in the number of applications submitted on its platform in the past year, with roughly 10,000 applications sent every minute. In the fourth quarter of 2025, a ZipRecruiter survey saw its lowest Expectations Index — measuring how applicants think the job market will fare in the next six months — since the survey began in 2022, with 39.5% expecting a decrease in available positions in this period. On-screen as in reality, even those with jobs feel precarious in their positions. Job hugging has made headlines in recent months, a phenomenon that describes workers "holding onto their jobs for dear life" amid global uncertainty, fears of AI disruption and a tough job market, Korn Ferry consultants wrote in August. When Choi Seon-chul, a hotshot at a rival paper firm says he's swamped at work, Man-su tells him to faint so the higher-ups will hire Man-su to help divvy up the work. But the bosses wouldn't hire Man-su to help, Seon-chul retorts; they'd just fire Seon-chul instead. "No Other Choice" also touches on anxieties around AI-related job disruption. In Man-su's final interview in the film, the committee says the employer uses automation and plans to cut jobs soon. Man-su can only smile and concede, "Of course. How can you go against the times?" Spoiler alert: In the end, Man-su gets the job, in which he's the only human among many machines in a sterile factory. He celebrates and pumps his fists before his expression settles into a haunting, resigned acceptance. In this moment we see his prize is a dismal job, and one likely headed towards obsolescence at that. Even conventional markers of career success, like getting a long sought-after job, disappoint. We see that disappointment at work in "Send Help." The movie puts a workplace spin on the female rage film, where fed-up women finally explode, to dangerous effect. Worker bee Linda Liddle (Rachel McAdams), has been snubbed for a promotion, had credit for her work stolen, and otherwise contended with a toxic workplace permeated by bro culture, all spearheaded by her awful boss, nepo baby CEO Bradley Preston (Dylan O'Brien). When Linda and Bradley are the only survivors of a plane crash on a deserted island, she sees an opportunity to turn the tables on her boss and get revenge for how he's treated her. It's "a fantasy of every person who's been mistreated at work," Grandey says. There's a clear reversal of the manager-report power dynamic and gender roles the pair had in the office, where Bradley as CEO wielded power over Linda, who had hit a glass ceiling in their boys' club of a company. On the island, Liddle, a "Survivor" contestant hopeful, shelters and feeds them, hunting boar to quite literally bring home the bacon, while a sullen Bradley attempts to spell "HELP" in the sand but only manages "HEPL." As Linda reminds him, "We're not in the office anymore, Bradley." In both films, the protagonists feel so disillusioned with the existing systems of finding, keeping and succeeding at work that they believe their only hope is outside these systems. Man-su, of course, goes an extrajudicial route in his killings. Linda at one point hides from a rescue team, dreading a return to a society where the Bradleys of the world trod over the Lindas. She closes out "Send Help" with a bold, if dispiriting, piece of advice: "No help is coming, so you better start saving yourself." In the real world, workers and job seekers don't see outcomes as dramatic or decisive as Man-su and Linda get on-screen. But some are sticking it out in roles they're unhappy in or feeling like they're sending job applications into a black hole. "There are major seismic shifts" happening in the market and the world, Grandey says, "that are pushing everyone to feel job insecure." The relatability of the protagonists' struggles "allows us to feel more in control and empowered, because we can feel like them in that two-hour period," Grandey adds. "And then we have to go back to our lives, but we carry a little bit of that empowerment with us." If you're experiencing a mental health crisis or concerning mental health symptoms, you can contact the free, confidential National Helpline for Mental Health at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Get Make It newsletters delivered to your inbox Learn more about the world of CNBC Make It © 2026 Versant Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. A Versant Media Company
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Every time Sinéad publishes a story, you'll get an alert straight to your inbox! Enter your email By clicking “Sign up”, you agree to receive emails from Business Insider. In addition, you accept Insider's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Iran launched missile strikes into at least six countries in retaliation for the Saturday morning attack by the US and Israel. Multiple countries across the Middle East reported Iranian bombardments, with the IRGC, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, saying that it had launched attacks on US bases. Iran said it targeted at least four bases hosting US forces in the Middle East. Details about the scale and the impact of the strikes are still emerging, but multiple nations reported being able to intercept many of the attacks. Some have reported damage, injuries, and at least one death from debris. At least one US base appears to have been hit. Bahrain's state news agency said that the US Navy's 5th Fleet service center was the subject of a missile attack, without offering details or reporting any casualties. Iran also said it targeted the base. The agency also reported Bahrain's defense forces saying that its air-defense systems successfully intercepted multiple missiles from Iran. Qatar's defense ministry said it successfully intercepted three waves of attacks that had targeted multiple areas of the country, and that all missiles were intercepted before they reached the country's territory, the state-run Qatar News Agency reported. Every time Sinéad publishes a story, you'll get an alert straight to your inbox! Stay connected to Sinéad and get more of their work as it publishes. By clicking "Sign up", you agree to receive emails from Business Insider. In addition, you accept Insider's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Qatar hosts Al Udeid, the biggest US base in the region. Iran said it targeted the base, without giving details over whether it was successful. The US has not confirmed an attack. Qatar condemned what it said were Iranian strikes on US bases in Qatar and neighboring countries. Jordanian state media reported that the country's air defense systems successfully intercepted two ballistic missiles that targeted the country. The country's Public Security Directorate said there have been 12 separate incidents caused by falling debris across the country, causing some damage but with no reported civilian casualties. The Muwaffaq Al-Salti Air Base in Jordan, which is key for the country's air force and also has a US military presence, was targeted, Iranian state media reported. It did not give any details on whether the reported attack was successful, and the US has not confirmed any attack. The United Arab Emirates' defense ministry said it intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles across multiple attacks. It said one person was killed by falling debris in Abu Dhabi, the country's capital. It shared images of what appear to be downed Iranian missiles. It said that missile debris also damaged some infrastructure. Explosions were also reported in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Its Al Dhafra Air Base hosts US forces. The IRGC said that the base was targeted, but that has not been confirmed. The Government of Dubai Media Office said four people were injured and taken to the hospital after an "incident" in a building in the Palm Jumeirah area, a part of the city with many luxury hotels on artificial islands. It said there was a fire that is now under control. Kuwait's army said its air defenses intercepted missiles that were detected in the country's airspace. The country hosts the US military at its Al Salem Air Base, another base the IRGC said was targeted. The official spokesman for the ministry of defense said that shrapnel from the interception of drones and ballistic missiles caused minor injuries to three members of the armed forces and some material damage, without impacting the base's readiness. Kuwait's Public Authority for Civil Aviation also said that a drone targeted Kuwait International Airport. It said several employees received minor injuries, and there was some damage to its Terminal 1. Israel reported multiple missile barrages from Iran, but has not reported any deaths or major damage to the country. Successful attacks have been reported in Iran, and its people are trying to flee the capital city, Tehran. Iranian officials said an Israeli attack on a girls' elementary school in southern Iran killed at least 85 people. The Iranian Red Crescent humanitarian group told the BBC that 201 people had been killed in Iran. Israel has released video footage of strikes in Western Iran against missile launchers and other targets. US embassies in countries across the region have given advice to Americans to shelter in place. Attacks and counter-attacks are still ongoing. US President Donald Trump said that he would destroy Iran's missile program and navy and make sure that the country can "never" have a nuclear weapon. "The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties. That often happens in war," Trump said in a statement. "But we're doing this not for now — we're doing this for the future. And it's a noble mission." Flights have been cancelled across the region with multiple countries closing their airspaces, creating major disruption in one of the world's busiest flight routes. Jump to
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

In this article Berkshire Hathaway reported a big decline in its operating earnings for the fourth quarter, due in large part to weakness in the conglomerate's insurance business. Earnings from operations totaled $10.2 billion in Q4. That's down more than 29% from $14.56 billion in the year-earlier period. This was the final quarter under Warren Buffett as CEO, who announced he was stepping down at the annual shareholders meeting last May. Greg Abel took the reins to start 2026 and vowed in Berkshire's annual letter accompanying Saturday's results to continue the culture Buffett built of financial strength and capital discipline. Buffett remains chairman. Insurance underwriting profits dropped 54% to $1.56 billion from $3.41 billion a year prior. Insurance investment income slid nearly 25% from to $3.1 billion from $4.088 billion. For the full-year 2025, operating earnings totaled $44.49 billion. That's down from $47.44 billion in the year prior. Profits from insurance underwriting came in at $7.26 billion, down from $9 billion in 2024. Insurance investment income for the year eased to $12.5 billion from $13.6 billion a year prior. Overall earnings, which include gains or losses from the conglomerate's stock market investments, fell slightly in the fourth quarter to $19.2 billion from $19.7 billion a year prior. However, those numbers were impacted by a $4.5 billion impairment from Berkshire's investments in Kraft Heinz and Occidental Petroleum. Investment gains came in at $13.5 billion. Full year overall earnings, meanwhile, fell to $66.97 billion from $89 billion a year prior. To be sure, Berkshire always tells investors to pay little attention to its investments' performance over short time frames. "The amount of investment gains (losses) in any given quarter is usually meaningless and delivers figures for net earnings per share that can be extremely misleading to investors who have little or no knowledge of accounting rules," the company said in its earnings release. Buffett again refrained from buying back Berkshire shares despite ending Q4 along the flatline. Despite the lack of buybacks, the conglomerate's cash hoard did slip to $373.3 billion from a record of $381.6 billion in the third quarter. Berkshire Hathaway Class A shares rose 10% in 2025, lagging the S&P 500's 16.4 advance. Still, Buffett's leadership has led to unparalleled wealth creation for shareholders. Since 1965, Berkshire Hathaway has seen compounded annual gains of 19.7%. That's nearly double the S&P 500's compounded increases in that time. Overall gains for Berkshire exceed 6,000,000% over that period, while the S&P 500 has gained just 46,061%, including dividends, Abel noted in his first annual letter to shareholders as CEO. Got a confidential news tip? We want to hear from you. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. © 2026 Versant Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. A Versant Media Company. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

In this article Google became a powerhouse in smartphones by creating the Android operating system and partnering with handset makers in need of an answer to Apple's iPhone. Now the search giant has a similar plan for tackling robotics. Earlier this week, Google announced that Intrinsic, an internal robotics software project, will be moved from the "Other Bets" category into the main company. Just as Android runs across phones and tablets from devices made by Samsung, Motorola, China's Xiaomi and others, Intrinsic does the same for robotic systems, though the partnering companies have far less recognizable names. They include FANUC, Universal Robots and KUKA, which all primarily focus on industrial robots. Prospective competitors include Amazon and Tesla. McKinsey projects the market for general purpose robots could reach $370 billion by 2040, opening up a potentially large opportunity for Google as artificial intelligence moves from the digital world of chatbots, image generation and AI agents to the physical world. Intrinsic says on its website that it's building an operating system so manufacturers "can focus more on solving the problem, and not the plumbing." Like with Android, developers tap ready-made capabilities from Intrinsic to develop applications more efficiently. "We're trying to make it accessible for anyone," Intrinsic CEO Wendy Tan White told CNBC in an interview last year. "It doesn't matter what the hardware is and it doesn't matter what the AI model is. We will help you put that together so you can have access to it." By being inside Google, Intrinsic will be closer to the company's AI models, infrastructure and cloud tools. It will continue operating as a distinct group within Google, remaining under the Intrinsic brand and the leadership of Tan White, who helmed the company as it graduated from Alphabet's X "moonshot factory" in 2021. Google has a complicated history with robotics. In 2013, Alphabet bought Boston Dynamics, known for its walking robots, and Schaft, a Japanese humanoid robotics company. It also purchased several vision startups. After several years spent trying to build a clear business in the space, Google sold Boston Dynamics and Schaft in 2017 to SoftBank for an undisclosed amount. The recent explosion in AI has changed the game. In mid-2025, Google debuted two new AI models, Gemini Robotics and Gemini Robotics-ER (extended reasoning), bringing generative AI into physical action commands to control robots. Google said in a blog post at the time that it would partner with Apptronik, a Texas-based robotics developer, to "build the next generation of humanoid robots with Gemini 2.0." Last month, Google teamed up with Boston Dynamics to integrate Gemini into Atlas humanoid robots built for manufacturing environments. In November, Google's DeepMind unit hired the former CTO of Boston Dynamics. Intrinsic's team will work closely with DeepMind's AI technology stack, from research and model development through deployment and daily operations in manufacturing and logistics, the company said. It will also work more closely with Google's Gemini, infrastructure and cloud teams. Intrinsic technology chief Brian Gerkey said in an interview that the company has the advantage of building on top of DeepMind's models, adding specialized data and "standing on the shoulders" of its technology. Late last year, Intrinsic and Foxconn announced a partnership to deploy AI robots for electronics assembly in Foxconn's U.S. factories. AI server manufacturing in its current form is primarily a mix of rigid automation and manual production. Google has been pouring money into data centers and hardware to try and keep up with soaring usage of AI tools and models. Amin Vahdat, Google's AI infrastructure boss, told employees that the company has to double its serving capacity every six months in order to meet demand for AI services, CNBC reported in November. "You want to push into the areas where there's a lot of investment going into the end market," Tan White said. "And right now, the electronics market is just going nuts, partly because of the need for more products and compute. There's huge demand." A 2025 Deloitte survey of 600 manufacturing executives found that 80% of respondents plan to invest 20% or more of their improvement budgets in smart manufacturing initiatives, with a focus on foundational tools and technologies. Intrinsic's flagship product, Flowstate, is a web-based platform that allows users to build robotic applications without having to write thousands of lines of code. The company also has open-source tools that can help with building robot applications, similar to Google's approach with Android. Tan White said that Google CEO Sundar Pichai has even made the comparison to the company's mobile strategy. "He said this is the Android of robotics," Tan White said, noting that Pichai worked on Chrome and Android before he became CEO. "I think he has a lot of credibility." WATCH: AI robots may outnumber working human population in a few decades Got a confidential news tip? We want to hear from you. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. © 2026 Versant Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. A Versant Media Company. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

NASA is preparing to launch a mission to the moon — and it's making history for more reasons than one. The space agency's Artemis II launch marks the U.S.'s first journey back to the moon in more than 50 years. It will also carry the first Black astronaut and the first female astronaut to travel to the moon, though the mission will be a flyby without a touchdown on the surface. The launch, originally scheduled for early February and now delayed, will carry four astronauts around the moon and back, including Victor Glover and Christina Koch, the first Black and first female astronauts, respectively, to make the flight. The mission follows the success of the Artemis I launch in 2022, which was uncrewed, and marks NASA's next step toward eventually sending astronauts to Mars. "The benefits of the Artemis program are technological, but they're also cultural," Glover, who is a decorated U.S. Navy captain and has traveled to the International Space Station, said in a 2024 NASA video. "What really means something to me is the inspiration that will come from it, inspiring future generations to reach for the moon, literally to reach for the moon." Koch began her career at NASA, starting as an engineer and going on to conduct scientific research before becoming an astronaut in 2013, also traveling to the International Space Station. "The one thing I'm most excited about is that we are going to carry your excitement, your aspiration, your dreams with us on this mission," Koch said at the 2023 press conference when the mission's astronauts were announced. Danielle Wood, a professor in the astronautics department at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said this mission builds upon decades of NASA's work, including lessons learned from its previously failed endeavors. "NASA's been thinking through this whole process, two decades' worth, of what we're going to do is prepare the government to focus on these harder, next-generation missions and be able to do things that are not already demonstrated," Wood told CNBC. Wood said she's also thankful that NASA has created a commitment to sending more diverse astronauts to space who "represent society in a more broad way." Though the space agency initially emphasized military training for astronauts, she said opening up those requirements has led to exciting developments. "It is still the case that there are many firsts, many glass ceilings, that need to be broken by Black women and Black men and women in general — that's still real," Wood added. The mission will encompass more than just an exploratory journey to the moon too, she said. NASA will be conducting scientific research on the astronauts' health, the rocket and the science of the moon. The mission is also working in conjunction with other countries, like Saudi Arabia and Germany, as part of "goodwill" agreements to pool together resources for moon research, Wood said. "That's just one step for this bigger, new form of operation," she said. Space historian Amy Shira Teitel, who's been studying space for more than two decades, said Artemis II is the beginning of NASA's next chapter of research. "It's marking a new era of leaving low Earth orbit, which we haven't done since 1972," she told CNBC. "It's still a significant step because at the end of the day, we're still going to gain some information that can be applied to whatever the next step is." Still, Teitel has her doubts about whether this launch will be the first step toward a lasting presence on the moon. Between budget restraints, multiple launch delays and complicating political factors, Teitel said the rocket launching this mission is "widely regarded as a huge boondoggle." That comes even as the space sector — and the journey back to the moon — has become more crowded. Elon Musk's SpaceX announced earlier this month that it was shifting its efforts from Mars explorations to moon explorations. Texas-based rocket and spacecraft builder Firefly Aerospace and Houston-based space startup Intuitive Machines have both sent spacecraft to the moon. And NASA plans to retire the International Space Station in favor of smaller space stations focusing on the moon and Mars, with costs adding up. The U.S. Senate has also advanced legislation to support NASA's advancements and create thousands of aerospace jobs, especially in Alabama, where the Marshall Space Flight Center is located. Though the Artemis II launch will mark a significant step in NASA's history, Teitel said she is choosing to remain cautiously optimistic about the future of space exploration, despite the hurdles. "There's so many challenges with this program right now stemming from policy, not from the astronauts or the engineers, just stemming from the fact that space is so complicated and so rooted in politics and so expensive that it's hard to be that thrilled about this as the next step when everything else feels so tenuous," Teitel said. Got a confidential news tip? We want to hear from you. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. © 2026 Versant Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. A Versant Media Company. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Got a confidential news tip? We want to hear from you. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. © 2026 Versant Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. A Versant Media Company. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

In this article Follow CNBC's live coverage of the U.S.-Israel strikes in Iran Explosions were heard across the Middle East on Saturday after the U.S. and Israel launched a "broad & joint operation" in Iran, according to the Israel Defense Forces. Iran retaliated with strikes on Israeli and U.S. bases across the Gulf. Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates — each home to a U.S. base — all confirmed they had intercepted missiles from Iran. In the UAE, "the Ministry of Defense announced that the country was subjected today to a blatant attack by Iranian ballistic missiles, which was dealt with by the UAE air defenses with high efficiency and a number of missiles were successfully intercepted." CNBC's team in the UAE confirmed hearing several loud explosions in both the UAE's capital, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai. Qatar's Ministry of Defense issued a statement saying: "State of Qatar expresses its strong condemnation of the targeting of Qatari territory with Iranian ballistic missiles, considering it a flagrant violation of its national sovereignty, a direct infringement on its security and territorial integrity, and an unacceptable escalation that threatens the security and stability of the region." Bahrain, home to U.S. Central Command, confirmed via its news agency, "The services center affiliated with the Fifth Fleet was subjected to a missile attack." Saudi Arabia released a statement condemning and denouncing Iran's attacks and "flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan." The Kingdom also confirmed its "readiness to place all its capabilities at their disposal in support of any measures they may undertake." Israel, which took part in the joint operation against Iran with the United States, said earlier on X through its Israeli Defense Forces account that an "additional barrage of missiles was launched toward Israel. The Aerial Defense Array is currently identifying and intercepting threats." Israel confirmed air sirens continued throughout Saturday as missiles were launched from Iran. U.S. embassies across the region have instructed staff and Americans in countries to shelter-in-place (i.e., take cover) until further notice. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday in a statement on Truth Social, "The United States military began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people." The UAE confirmed a temporary closure of its airspace as an "exceptional precautionary measure," and flights have already been diverted around the major aviation hub of Dubai. According to Dubai's main long-haul carrier Emirates, "Regional airspace closures have caused disruption to several Emirates flights." Air Arabia, another UAE carrier based out of Sharjah told CNBC that "due to the evolving situation and airspace closures, our flights to Iran, Iraq and other parts of the region on 28 February have been cancelled. Several other flights may experience delays or rerouting as a result." Qatar Airways also confirmed a "temporary suspension of its flights to, and from, Doha due to the closure of Qatari airspace." German carrier Lufthansa said it was suspending flights to and from Tel Aviv, Beirut and Oman until March 7, Reuters reported. Dutch airline KLM reportedly canceled flights from Amsterdam to Tel Aviv. Got a confidential news tip? We want to hear from you. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. © 2026 Versant Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. A Versant Media Company. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Market watchers are bracing for turbulence after the U.S. confirmed it has launched "major combat operations" in Iran, a move investors say could carry far greater market consequences than the recent run of geopolitical flare-ups. U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. military has begun "major combat operations" in Iran. Several ministries in the southern part of the Iranian capital, Tehran, were targeted, Reuters quoted an unidentified Iranian official as saying. Follow CNBC's live coverage of the U.S.-Israel strikes in Iran Markets have been unfazed and accustomed to absorbing recent geopolitical and economic shocks and headlines, including Trump's announcement of a hike in U.S. tariffs on all imports to 15%, as well as the administration's capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. "This has definitely bigger ramifications than Venezuela," said Florian Weidinger, CIO at Santa Lucia Asset Management. "Venezuela was ... only really relevant for people who care about that particular heavy crude," Weidinger told CNBC. The country's heavy, sour crude can be challenging to extract, though it is prized by specific, complex refineries, particularly in the U.S. "That's why it's a bigger risk. You would expect oil to tick up a bit more violently next week as a result of that," he added. Venezuela currently produces an average of 800,000 barrels of crude oil per day, well below its peak of 3.5 million barrels per day, or bpd, in the 1990s. "Venezuela was a production story. [Iran] is a chokepoint story," said Kenneth Goh, director of private wealth management at UOB Kay Hian in Singapore. Located in the gulf between Oman and Iran, the strait is recognized as one of the world's most important oil choke points. About 13 million barrels per day of crude oil transited the Strait of Hormuz in 2025, accounting for roughly 31% of global seaborne crude flows, according to data from market intelligence firm Kpler. In June 2025, when Israel struck Iranian nuclear sites, equities sold off sharply at the open, then recovered once it became clear the strait was not disrupted. "That is the pattern markets will reference on Monday," Goh said, adding that there could be a flight to safety with a strengthening of the U.S. dollar, Japanese yen, and a rush into gold. Other market watchers echoed the same. Alicia García-Herrero, chief economist for Asia-Pacific at Natixis, similarly expects a "rough and risk-off" open on Monday, with global equities potentially down 1% to 2% or more, U.S. Treasury yields falling 5 to 10 basis points, and oil jumping 5% to 10%. But "no hero bets," she said, cautioning that investors should wait for Iran's response. That said, some money managers said that risk-off positioning has been building for weeks, potentially providing some buffer against initial volatility once trading gets underway. Weidinger noted that some cross-asset moves have already reflected "a little bit of a crisis environment," citing firmer oil and stronger demand for Treasurys in recent weeks. While the markets have anticipated this development, investors are closely monitoring whether the latest move by the U.S. remains a short, concentrated campaign or escalates into a prolonged regional conflict. Quantum Strategy's David Roche framed the market impact in terms of duration and whether Iran would attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz. If the conflict is short and contained, he said, the risk-off move and oil spike could be brief. If it turns into a longer, three-to-five-week "regime change endeavor," markets would react "rather badly" as investors price in a wider conflict and longer oil disruption. A prolonged retaliation by Iran would also be particularly impactful for Asian markets, given their reliance on stable energy supplies and trade routes, said Global X ETFs' investment strategist Billy Leung, who expects global equities to open lower with heightened volatility, especially in high-beta and cyclical sectors. Got a confidential news tip? We want to hear from you. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. © 2026 Versant Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. A Versant Media Company. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Every time Tim publishes a story, you'll get an alert straight to your inbox! Enter your email By clicking “Sign up”, you agree to receive emails from Business Insider. In addition, you accept Insider's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. AI can do a lot. Showing it's paying off is another matter. As companies pour billions into AI, Wall Street is seeking evidence that those bets are worthwhile — and many CEOs are feeling the pressure. In response, some are offering a simple proof point: They need fewer workers to get the job done. The most recent example of a CEO cutting workers en masse while talking up AI's transformative power is Block cofounder and CEO Jack Dorsey. On Thursday, he announced plans to lay off about 40% of the company's workforce, shrinking it from more than 10,000 employees to fewer than 6,000. He said the move comes even as the company remains healthy and profits continue to rise. Investors cheered the move, sending the company's shares up more than 16% on Friday. Block isn't alone in tying cuts to AI. A number of companies, including Salesforce, HP, and IBM, have identified gains from the technology as a reason for needing fewer workers. In the absence of standardized metrics demonstrating AI productivity, job cuts are becoming an easily digestible signal to investors. The cheapest way for a CEO to boost a company's stock price — and to signal readiness to capitalize on the AI boom — is to conduct a "noisy round of layoffs," Michael Blank, assistant professor of finance at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, told Business Insider. Doing so, he said, can indicate that a company's integration of AI has progressed to the point where it's past experimentation and that its employees can now get more done with less coworker support. Blank said that weakness in the labor market means it would likely also be easier for an employer to rehire for roles that a company finds out aren't as easy to replace with AI as it had hoped. It's often otherwise difficult for companies to clearly articulate how they're getting benefits from AI, Gary Cohn, the former director of the National Economic Council, told CNBC on Friday. "The one KPI that they can tell you is 'We've cut heads,'" he said. "We've sort of made the world synonymous with, 'I'm using AI, therefore I need less heads.' I ultimately don't think that's the truth," Cohn said. That doesn't mean every company has actually remade their operations thoroughly enough for automation to fully replace their workers, of course. Some observers are skeptical that massive job cuts are purely the result of an AI windfall. "Block must have uncovered a secret sauce, perhaps within the software development process, to claim all of these jobs are AI-related," Jason Schloetzer, a business administration professor at Georgetown's McDonough School of Business, recently told Business Insider's Sarah E. Needleman. "From the dozens of executives across industries that I've spoken with about AI deployment, they certainly aren't seeing these types of gains outside of the software development process," he said. Block didn't respond to Business Insider's request for comment about whether the layoffs were, at least in part, intended to demonstrate fiscal discipline to Wall Street. During Block's earnings call on Thursday, Dorsey said the company is a leader in efforts to use AI to produce efficiency gains — a posture he expects "all companies will eventually" adopt. There can be good reason for slimming down company ranks. Alexandra Mousavizadeh, cofounder and co-CEO of Evident, which tracks AI use in the financial sector, said that if a company is carrying too much "weight" — too many engineers, for example — it can make sense to build with a leaner team. "Transformation does not necessarily need huge volumes of people, but it needs the right people," she told Business Insider. At the same time, Mousavizadeh cautioned, companies sometimes need to cut costs for other reasons — and AI can become a convenient rationale. Ultimately, she said, few companies have fundamentally remade their workflows to the point where they can run with minimal supervision. Most organizations that are ramping up their AI deployment "are, in fact, hiring rather than firing," Mousavizadeh said. Jeff Fettes is also seeing this. He's the CEO of Laivly, a company that uses AI agents to support customer service work for Fortune 500 companies. Fettes said that for some customers who have made AI work, the result isn't fewer jobs. In some cases, it's the opposite: Clients that have used AI to boost sales, for example, often want to expand those teams, he said. "Why wouldn't you invest in more salespeople now? Because AI is helping them to deliver at scale in a way that they weren't before," Fettes said. Companies contemplating layoffs in the name of AI — or simply because competitors are doing so — should tread carefully, said Wayne Cascio, a distinguished professor of management emeritus at the University of Colorado Denver who has studied corporate downsizing. He told Business Insider that companies frequently cut too deeply — and too quickly — only to realize later that they've eliminated critical skills and institutional knowledge. "Then what happens is companies wind up hiring back many of the very people that they laid off," Cascio said. That can result in companies needing former employees to return as consultants or full-time workers. Cascio noted that a typical corporate downsizing trims about 10% of the workforce. Anything above 25% qualifies as "extreme," he said. Dorsey is cutting almost half his workforce, Cascio said. "That's double-extreme." Do you have a story to share about AI's effect on your career? Contact this reporter at tparadis@businessinsider.com. Jump to
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Every time Naomi publishes a story, you'll get an alert straight to your inbox! Enter your email By clicking “Sign up”, you agree to receive emails from Business Insider. In addition, you accept Insider's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. AI hype has soured as investors worry about the disruptive impact the technology could have on businesses and the economy, and it's got the market on edge about where the panic could crop up next. The tech sector has been hit the hardest. The software sell-off sparked by recent updates from Anthropic and worries about a labor-market disaster scenario presented by Citrini have only added fuel to the fire. Even Nvidia earnings couldn't shake investors out of their AI fear funk. Business Insider spoke with three investing professionals to assess the question weighing on investors minds: What's next for the AI trade? "It's kind of amazing to me how violent the sell off has been," John Belton, a Gabelli portfolio manager focused on growth names, told Business Insider. "Everybody's just kind of walking on the tightrope, waiting for the shoe to drop," Futurum CEO and principal analyst Daniel Newman said. Every time Naomi publishes a story, you'll get an alert straight to your inbox! Stay connected to Naomi and get more of their work as it publishes. By clicking "Sign up", you agree to receive emails from Business Insider. In addition, you accept Insider's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Freedom Capital Markets' head of tech research, Paul Meeks, who has more than 30 years of investing experience, said he went from expecting tech outperformance in 2026 to expecting the sector to lag the broader S&P 500. Here are four big takeaways from top investing experts. The private credit space has caught investors' attention, and Newman said he thinks there is reason to worry. "I still think there's a bit of a death bomb in private credit," the analyst said. "We've seen it with Oracle, where there's just concern about how they're going to continue to raise capital to their capex," he added, noting that the private debt could cause a near-term slowdown. Concerns about private credit were reignited by headlines around Blue Owl Capital, with economist Mohamed El-Erian and JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon stating that they thought the headlines reports swirling around the firm were reminiscent of 2007, just before Great Financial Crisis. Worries about Blue Owl have compounded other anxieties in the market as software gets hammered and concerns arise in the data center space. "There's going to be continued controversy about AI will never make any money," Paul Meeks said, explaining he expects pressure on lenders funding AI buildouts will continue. "The reason that they get the business is some of these guys can't get money from a bank," the analyst said of the private lending market. Investors have zeroed in on Blue Owl and other firms' exposure to AI, but big banks aren't immune to the problems, sources said. Big financial institutions have also gorged on private credit in recent years, syndicating debt in the leveraged loan market and facilitating financing via CLOs. Meeks signaled that banks could be especially vulnerable to investorss worries, with comparisons to 2007 signaling moutning stress. Beyond private credit, banks are also at risk of AI disruption themselves. "Maybe banks are just a broader candidate for disruption that hasn't really been built in yet. I mean, banks are exposed to the labor market, not so much like a new AI company creating a bank, but there's indirect exposure if the labor market turns," Belton added. He indicated that the market may not be pricing in the banking space's exposure to AI on multiple fronts, noting that the current environment has been "very favorable" to banks, leading stock valuations to become stretched. Physical AI, meaning AI systems that interact in the physical world like automated machinery or self-driving cars, is expected to be a significant frontier for technology. Citi projects the total addressable market for warehouse-automation systems alone will grow to $112 billion by 2029. The analysts say that automated guided vehicles and autonomous mobile robots present significant use cases for physical AI. Paul Meeks expects opportunities around physical AI to be "fast and furious." It presents a big opportunity for companies that successfully adopt it and a "super threat" to those who don't, he said. The analyst flagged the industrials and transport sectors as areas of the stock market that could be disrupted by innovation in physical AI. As investors have moved out of tech, it has accelerated an ongoing market rotation into cyclical plays. This rotation could leave investors more exposed to physical AI disruption within industrials. Belton suggested the current preference for cyclical plays like consumer staples and industrials could end up backfiring, and saif that some stocks are being perceived as "immune to AI," stretching their valuations. It's creating a "vulnerable pocket of the market" if AI does fuel major economic disruption. Software has been one of the hardest-hit areas during the recent tech sell-off. Newman expects that the sub-sector will bounce back, but it won't be an even recovery. He thinks that application software companies that went public during the SaaS craze and are focused on specific features are likely to be consolidated into a larger platform or eliminated entirely. He named Expensify and Monday as examples. Newman sees software names without a data moat, not part of a larger platform, or otherwise exposed to agentic AI replacement, at risk of further declines before sentiment bounces back. Jump to
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Every time Jake publishes a story, you'll get an alert straight to your inbox! Enter your email By clicking “Sign up”, you agree to receive emails from Business Insider. In addition, you accept Insider's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. American forces are actively engaged in air defense operations in the Middle East, a US official told Business Insider, as Iran launches retaliatory missile strikes at countries across the region. The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the military developments, said that US land, air, and naval forces are participating in the air defense operations, including for American bases in the Middle East. Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency said that the IRGC, or Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, launched missiles at US bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. All four countries host major US military installations. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar is the largest in the Middle East, while Naval Support Activity Bahrain is home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet. Kuwait and the UAE also host important bases for ground and air forces. Qatar's defense ministry said it shot down Iranian missiles targeting the country in multiple waves. Bahrain's state news agency said that 5th Fleet was attacked. Rocket shrapnel killed at least one person in the UAE, the country said, adding that it intercepted several incoming munitions. Every time Jake publishes a story, you'll get an alert straight to your inbox! Stay connected to Jake and get more of their work as it publishes. By clicking "Sign up", you agree to receive emails from Business Insider. In addition, you accept Insider's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The Israeli military said it detected multiple waves of missiles fired from Iran, with air defense systems working to intercept them. The US embassies in several Middle East countries, including Qatar, Bahrain, and Jordan, issued warnings earlier that missile strikes were imminent, warning American citizens to shelter in place. The US has surged military forces into the region in recent weeks, assembling a substantial presence capable of conducting air defense operations. More than a dozen US warships, including two aircraft carriers, are operating in the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. American fighter jets and air defense batteries are also operating in the region. President Donald Trump announced early Saturday that the US had begun "major combat operations" in Iran aimed at degrading the country's nuclear and military capabilities. His video statement came shortly after the Israeli government announced that it had carried out a "preemptive" strike against the country. US ground, air, and naval forces were involved in the strikes, along with Israeli F-35 stealth fighters and F-15 jets. The UK, which has military assets in the Middle East, was not involved in the offensive operations. The new attacks mark the second time in less than a year that the US has taken direct military action against Iran. In June 2025, American forces bombed Tehran's nuclear facilities as part of Operation Midnight Hammer. The US has provided air defense for Israel in previous clashes with Iran, including during the June conflict. Jump to
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

OpenAI has struck a deal for the Department of Defense to use its AI models, CEO Sam Altman announced late on Friday. The news came just hours after the Pentagon severed its relationship with AI rival Anthropic over the company's concerns about how the technology would be used in surveillance and autonomous weapons. The Department of Defense is now moving to designate Anthropic a supply chain risk, a significant escalation by the government that could threaten how the AI startup does business with other US-based companies. OpenAI's Altman said in a post on X: "Tonight, we reached an agreement with the Department of War to deploy our models in their classified network."In all of our interactions, the DoW displayed a deep respect for safety and a desire to partner to achieve the best possible outcome."AI safety and wide distribution of benefits are the core of our mission. Two of our most important safety principles are prohibitions on domestic mass surveillance and human responsibility for the use of force, including for autonomous weapon systems. The DoW agrees with these principles, reflects them in law and policy, and we put them into our agreement." On Friday, President Donald Trump ordered federal agencies to stop using Anthropic's technology amid the dispute between the AI giant and the Department of Defense. "We don't need it, we don't want it, and will not do business with them again," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Friday. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a post on X that he would be directing his department to label Anthropic a "supply-chain risk to national security." "Effective immediately, no contractor, supplier, or partner that does business with the United States military may conduct any commercial activity with Anthropic," Hegseth said in the post. Anthropic said in a statement that it will fight back. "We will challenge any supply chain risk designation in court," Anthropic's statement read, adding that the company had not received "direct communication from the Department of War or the White House on the status of our negotiations." It insisted that "no amount of intimidation or punishment from the Department of War will change our position on mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons." Jump to
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

In this article Follow CNBC's live coverage of the U.S.-Israel strikes in Iran The U.S. military has begun "major combat operations" in Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Saturday, as Iranian missiles targeted several Middle Eastern cities. "Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people," Trump said in a video message on his Truth Social account. A U.S. official confirmed earlier that American forces attacked Iran by air and sea, Reuters reported. It also cited an unidentified Iranian official as saying that several ministries in the southern part of the Iranian capital, Tehran, were targeted Israel also launched a Saturday attack on Iran's capital, with a cloud of smoke rising from the city's downtown. Explosions were heard in key cities around the Middle East, including Jerusalem, as Iran launched counterattacks. CNBC producer Joan Muwahed in Dubai reported hearing two explosions over the city in the United Arab Emirates. Qatar and the UAE condemned Iranian missile counterattacks. "The State of Qatar expresses its strong condemnation of the targeting of Qatari territory with Iranian ballistic missiles, considering it a flagrant violation of its national sovereignty," Qatar's Ministry of Defense said in a statement. A UAE statement said: "the Ministry of Defense announced that the country was subjected today to a blatant attack by Iranian ballistic missiles, which was dealt with by the UAE air defenses with high efficiency and a number of missiles were successfully intercepted." The Israel Defense Forces said it had identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel. "Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat. In the past few minutes, the Home Front Command has sent a precautionary directive directly to mobile phones in the relevant areas," the IDF said in a tweet. Elsewhere, Bahrain said the service center of the U.S. Fifth Fleet was subjected to a missile attack. The U.S. embassy in Bahrain's capital, Manama, issued a security alert warning of "imminent drone/missile attack in Bahrain". In a tweet, the embassy urged "U.S. citizens in Bahrain to shelter in place, review security plans in the event of an attack, and to stay alert in case of additional future attacks. U.S. Embassy personnel are sheltering in place." The U.S. embassy in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, also issued a shelter-in-place alert. The Saturday attacks come after the United States had assembled a vast fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region in an effort to pressure Iran into a deal over its nuclear program. Trump warned earlier in February that "really bad things" would happen unless Tehran agreed to a nuclear deal. The U.S. and Iran held a third round of talks in Switzerland on Thursday to try to resolve a standoff. Ahead of the discussions, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran's reluctance to talk about its ballistic missile development program, alongside its nuclear program, was a "big, big problem." Iran had said it was willing to compromise when it came to its nuclear program, but had repeatedly said Tehran's missile program had never been part of the talks' agenda. However, Trump said Iran has continued to pursue nuclear weapons despite ongoing negotiations to end its program. "[In] Operation Midnight Hammer last June, we obliterated the regime's nuclear program at Fordow. And Isfahan. After that attack, we warned them never to resume their malicious pursuit of nuclear weapons, and we sought repeatedly to make a deal," Trump said. "But Iran refused." "Instead, they attempted to rebuild their nuclear program and to continue developing the long range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas and could soon reach the American homeland," he said. A Pentagon duty press officer said the department has received CNBC's emailed requests for comment but made no further statement. A senior Middle East diplomat who has direct knowledge of the recent talks between Iran and the U.S. told MS Now: "Yet again, when negotiations get close to success ... Israel has intervened to preempt diplomacy." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Trump for "his historic leadership" and said that Iran's government "must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons that would enable it to threaten all of humanity." Iran, meanwhile, harshly condemned the attacks, accusing the U.S. and Israel of "grossly violating" Iran's territorial integrity and national sovereignty. French President Emmanuel Macron said the outbreak of war between the U.S., Israel and Iran carries "grave consequences." "The ongoing escalation is dangerous for all. It must stop. The Iranian regime must understand that it now has no other option but to engage in good faith in negotiations to end its nuclear and ballistic programs," Macron said, and called for an "urgent" meeting of the United Nations Security Council. Russia was unequivocal in its condemnation of the U.S. and Israeli strikes. "It is particularly reprehensible that these strikes are once again being conducted under the cover of the renewed negotiation process, ostensibly intended to secure long-term normalisation of the situation around the Islamic Republic of Iran," Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Energy market participants have been closely monitoring the escalating geopolitical tensions, with oil prices climbing to six-month highs after Trump said he was considering a military strike against Iran. Iran, a founding member of OPEC, is a major oil producer and sits at the heart of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world's oil passes. -- Riya Bhattacharjee, Victor Loh and Emma Graham contributed to this story Got a confidential news tip? We want to hear from you. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. © 2026 Versant Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. A Versant Media Company. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Every time Katherine publishes a story, you'll get an alert straight to your inbox! Enter your email By clicking “Sign up”, you agree to receive emails from Business Insider. In addition, you accept Insider's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Burger King is tweaking its Whopper — and the changes don't just freshen a decades-old recipe; they also reposition its flagship product as part of the fast-food industry's broader premiumization push amid years of value wars. The chain is betting that highly visible upgrades — including what a press release described as "a more premium, better tasting bun," and packaging designed to prevent the dreaded squish — can compete against its fellow quick-service restaurants as diners increasingly demand both quality and value. The changes mark the first meaningful refresh of the Whopper in nearly a decade and came as a response to a campaign that allowed customers to call or text Burger King US and Canada president Tom Curtis directly. Curtis heard those calls and told Business Insider the company received nearly 20,000 voicemails and texts, with the Whopper "consistently one of the top topics," underscoring how central it remains to the brand's identity. The fast-food industry has been locked in an intense value war that has intensified since the summer of 2024 as inflation and economic pressures pushed consumers to seek the lowest-priced options. However, as chains lean into discounts, they also face a ceiling: consistently cutting prices can erode margins and dull brand appeal. Every time Katherine publishes a story, you'll get an alert straight to your inbox! Stay connected to Katherine and get more of their work as it publishes. By clicking "Sign up", you agree to receive emails from Business Insider. In addition, you accept Insider's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. In response, competitors have begun pushing premium upgrades to core menu items. McDonald's has tweaked its burgers — with changes like cooking patties in smaller batches, glaze-like sauces, and richer buns — as part of its broader menu refresh and McValue strategy. Taco Bell's Luxe Cravings boxes and premium limited-time offerings signal a similar attempt to mix higher-end cues with value structures. Wendy's has spiced up its lineup with elevated sandwiches, such as the Mushroom Bacon Burger, and premium nugget varieties amid its ongoing value promotions. Burger King's Whopper upgrades fall right in line with the trend. Curtis framed the move as refinement, not reinvention. "Guests today expect higher-quality execution without losing the familiarity of their favorites," Curtis told Business Insider. "These changes are about elevating the experience and maintaining the core attributes that make the Whopper a category leader. It's a reflection of rising consumer expectations across the industry." "Anytime a brand changes its most iconic product, there is risk," Kelly O'Keefe, founding partner at Brand Federation, told Business Insider, pointing to New Coke as a cautionary tale: "consumers were furious, and the new product was killed faster than a new Cracker Barrel logo." Still, he said, ignoring evolving expectations can be just as dangerous. "In the burger category, premium players like Five Guys and Shake Shack are thriving, and Burger King is playing catch-up," O'Keefe said. "If they don't stray too far from what their customers love about a Whopper, I think this could be very successful." Asit Sharma, an analyst at The Motley Fool, said his immediate reaction to the Whopper changes was: "What took you so long?!" He pointed to McDonald's 2023 efforts to refresh the Big Mac — including steps to improve texture, sauce quality, and buns — as evidence that even the biggest chains see premiumization as table stakes. Sharma also suggested that Burger King's narrative about listening to fans likely intersects with franchisee pressure, noting that, by parent Restaurant Brand International's admission, the development process took years. Curtis didn't dispute franchisee involvement, saying franchisees "were an important part of this process," and adding that their operational input helped ensure the changes could be executed consistently. Analysts say that premiumization, when done right, can help brands protect traffic and pricing power even as consumers remain value-focused. Sharma described the dynamic as a potential "glass half-empty" defensive move — one that prevents customers from moving to higher-end competitors — or a "glass half-full" opportunity to draw in diners who are trading down but still demand quality. "Substituting a few ingredients for the trappings of a more premium burger (including cardboard packaging) is a way to entice more affluent customers who may be trading down in a tough economy," Sharma said. Mike Perry, founder of the creative agency Tavern, which has worked on rebranding efforts with companies including Burger King, described the clamshell-style box as "the most innovative thing they've done" because it signals care and structure that customers remember from earlier eras of fast food. For Burger King, Curtis said the company is "more excited than ever" to act on what it heard through its feedback initiative, adding that the Whopper is the first of what the brand anticipates will be many "thoughtful updates" to the menu over time. If the bet works, Burger King could demonstrate a path forward for legacy fast-food brands trying to thread a needle: keep the value-minded core, win back lapsed customers who've traded up, and do it all without breaking the emotional contract customers have with an icon. Jump to
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said late Friday that his company has agreed to terms with the Department of Defense on use of its artificial intelligence models, shortly after President Donald Trump said the government won't work with AI rival Anthropic. "Tonight, we reached an agreement with the Department of War to deploy our models in their classified network," Altman wrote in a post on X. "In all of our interactions, the DoW displayed a deep respect for safety and a desire to partner to achieve the best possible outcome." Altman's post lands at the end of a dramatic week for the AI industry, which has found itself at the center of a political debate surrounding how its models can be used. Earlier in the day, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth designated Anthropic a "Supply-Chain Risk to National Security" after weeks of tense negotiations. The label is typically reserved for foreign adversaries, and it would force DoD vendors and contractors to certify that they don't use Anthropic's models. President Trump also directed every federal agency in the U.S. to "immediately cease" all use Anthropic's technology. Anthropic was the first lab to deploy its models across the DoD's classified network, and had been trying to negotiate the ongoing terms of its contract with the agency before talks collapsed. The company wanted assurance that its models would not be used for fully autonomous weapons or mass surveillance of Americans, while the DoD wanted Anthropic to agree to let the military use the models across all lawful use cases. Altman told employees in a Thursday memo that OpenAI shared the same "red lines" as Anthropic. He said in his post Friday that the DoD agreed to its restrictions. "Two of our most important safety principles are prohibitions on domestic mass surveillance and human responsibility for the use of force, including for autonomous weapon systems," Altman wrote. The DoW agrees with these principles, reflects them in law and policy, and we put them into our agreement. It's not immediately clear why the DoD agreed to accommodate OpenAI and not Anthropic, though government officials have for months criticized Anthropic for allegedly being overly concerned with AI safety. Altman said OpenAI will build "technical safeguards to ensure its models behave as they should," and that the company will deploy personnel to "help with our models and to ensure their safety." "We are asking the DoW to offer these same terms to all AI companies, which in our opinion we think everyone should be willing to accept," Altman wrote. "We have expressed our strong desire to see things de-escalate away from legal and governmental actions and towards reasonable agreements." Anthropic said in a statement Friday that it was "deeply saddened" by the Pentagon's decision to label the company a supply chain risk. It said it intends to challenge that designation in court. WATCH: Hegseth directs Pentagon to designate Anthropic a supply-chain risk Got a confidential news tip? We want to hear from you. Sign up for free newsletters and get more CNBC delivered to your inbox Get this delivered to your inbox, and more info about our products and services. © 2026 Versant Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. A Versant Media Company. Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

In the months before Block CEO Jack Dorsey laid off 40% of staff on Thursday, workers were embracing AI tools in what one called an almost "celebratory" way. Dorsey and other company leaders had made no secret of their interest in AI, but the company was profitable, and some workers couldn't imagine the technology fully replacing humans at scale any time soon, they told Business Insider. Still, there were pockets of unease. Block, the parent company of financial tech firms including Cash App and Square, had executed a series of smaller performance-based cuts in previous months. At least one employee said he'd had a nagging feeling that the AI tools he was using had gotten really good. "I had a hunch that, at some point, the company would cut people because of AI. I just didn't think it would be right now," Ivan Ureña-Valdes, a data analyst who was laid off after four years at Block, previously told Business Insider in an as-told-to essay. When Dorsey dropped the hammer via a memo posted on X, he said AI was the reason 4,000 workers were losing their jobs. "A significantly smaller team using the tools we're building can do more and do it better," Dorsey told analysts on Block's earnings call on Thursday following the news. Two hours after the layoff announcement, Dorsey logged onto a video call with the calendar title "gratitude," sporting a baseball cap that said "love" to address the staff. As he spoke with employees about Block's layoffs and his reasoning for the deep cuts, some sent comments thanking him for the opportunity to work at the company. One asked if his hat was appropriate given the context. Dorsey answered that it was about gratitude. Throughout the meeting, he was flooded with waves of emojis from muted participants, three attendees told Business Insider. Popular reactions were the thumbs-down, thinking face, and crying-laughing emojis, two people said. Dorsey explained the cuts in his trademark monotone and said he was doing what's best for the company. Business Insider spoke to seven former Block employees about the internal push to use AI in the last year; many said they were happy to oblige. Some were laid off on Thursday; others lost their jobs in recent performance-based cuts. Though they adopted AI tools to varying degrees, they view the technology as unable, at the moment, to do all the jobs of the thousands of workers who were let go. So it came as a shock to see half the company chopped in one fell swoop. While some in the tech world expressed skepticism that AI was the true impetus for the cuts, suggesting that Dorsey had bloated Block's ranks, others saw it as the first wave in a coming tsunami of job cuts across the industry. The alarm over a potential white-collar jobs apocalypse has gotten louder in recent months. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has signaled that AI could lead to white-collar job cuts at the company. Last year, Salesforce made cuts to its customer support team, thanks to the use of AI agents, CEO Marc Benioff said. Block's layoffs are so large in scope and more pointedly attributed to AI than most that they added fuel to a fear sweeping the white-collar world: AI is coming for your job, and learning to use it isn't enough to save you. "I've seen a lot of public commentary about this layoff and how workers need to be using AI to protect our jobs," said one nontechnical worker laid off on Thursday. "I was actively building with AI and know that many of my impacted colleagues were doing the same." Have a tip? Contact Henry Chandonnet via email at hchandonnet@businessinsider.com or Signal at henrychand.30. Contact Juliana Kaplan via email at jkaplan@businessinsider.com or Signal at julianakaplan.33. Use a personal email address, a nonwork WiFi network, and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely. Dorsey has planted a flag in painting Block as an AI-forward company. He said on Thursday's earnings call that Block was "one of the first to harness agentic capabilities." And in July, Dorsey made headlines for using an internal coding tool called Goose to vibecode a "weekend project" that led to the messaging app Bitchat. Investors appeared to favor Dorsey's narrative of cutting costs with AI: After being down roughly 16% year to date before the layoffs, Block's stock ended Friday up nearly 17% on the day. "Jack loves AI and was constantly pushing us to use it," Ureña-Valdes said previously. "I got to use these tools as much as possible every single day." He said he'd "felt the rumblings of AI disruption for a while" because he was using it in his work and noticed the tools were getting better. One former software engineer said that Block had many internal AI demos and that her coworkers' feelings about AI were "mostly celebratory." Another former software engineer let go during performance cuts earlier in February said the company had warned that output expectations for engineers would increase. He said the company's head of engineering voiced productivity expectations that left them worried quality would suffer. After this week's layoffs, his team shrank from eight engineers to one. One employee laid off on Thursday said she had embraced AI at Block, but saw that it required human oversight. The day before the layoffs, she said, she caught errors in a company chatbot. She said the cuts surprised her manager, who was spared from the layoffs. The two sat together and cried it out. Inside Business stories reveal the inner workings of companies from Silicon Valley to Wall Street that are shaping our world today. Sign up for the newsletter. Several researchers and former Block employees say they're skeptical about AI's actual role in the layoffs. "Block must have uncovered a secret sauce, perhaps within the software development process, to claim all of these jobs are AI-related," said Jason Schloetzer, a business professor at Georgetown's McDonough School of Business. "From the dozens of executives across industries that I've spoken with about AI deployment, they certainly aren't seeing these types of gains outside of the software development process." On Thursday's earnings call, Dorsey said there has been a marked improvement in AI's capabilities and that "Block wanted to get ahead of this shift rather than be forced into it reactively." "The models just got an order of magnitude more capable and more intelligent," Dorsey said. "And it's really shown a path forward in terms of us being able to apply it to nearly every single thing that we do." Some former Block employees, as well as others in the industry, said pandemic overhiring, rather than AI, spurred the layoffs — a common refrain for Big Tech in recent years. "Over the course of my time at Block, leadership did repeatedly signal the need for a 'smaller Block,'" the laid-off nontechnical worker, who worked at Block for two years, said. Companies like Block are conducting layoffs "with a chainsaw, not a scalpel," said Chris Kaufman, a leadership consultant in Detroit. "They're not conducting audits of who took an AI course," Kaufman said. "They're making macro decisions about cost structure and organizational design. That's usually just looking at headcount and salary across the board." Being AI savvy, Kaufman said, "can increase productivity, but I don't think it is any way layoff insurance." Danielle Bell, a business communications professor at Northwestern University, said it's obvious the workforce — both inside Block and out — is worried about AI. "If this is the new reality that we're in, executives need to be more honest with themselves, with stakeholders, with the board, Wall Street, and particularly employees about what AI is here to do." Whatever the reason, one of the engineers cut on Thursday said there was a feeling in the air that something was coming. This engineer said she noticed that performance reviews were moved up from their February start. She thought she was safe after the earlier performance-based cuts — until she was laid off on Thursday. "People were tense, even after good news would come through," she said. "Lots of rumors flying around the office in person." Jump to
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Home - Blockchain & Digital Assets February 28, 2026 @ 1:23 am By Omar Faridi TRM Labs, a blockchain intelligence platform, unveiled a strategic partnership with Finray Technologies to embed advanced crypto risk monitoring directly into banking and payments infrastructure. The collaboration integrates TRM's industry-trusted blockchain analytics into Finray's XZiel unified compliance engine, creating a single operational environment for managing both digital-asset and fiat transaction risks in real time. The timing is significant. As crypto adoption accelerates through stablecoin settlements, on/off-ramp services, and institutional treasury flows, regulators are demanding seamless oversight of interconnected payment rails. The EU's MiCA regulation and recent supervisory guidance from ESMA have placed renewed emphasis on unified monitoring programs that span on-chain exposure and traditional banking workflows. This partnership directly addresses that requirement by delivering actionable intelligence without forcing institutions to maintain separate crypto and fiat compliance systems. At the core of the solution is deep, native integration of TRM Transaction Monitoring and TRM Wallet Screening via a simple API key. Compliance teams gain instant visibility into counterparty risks, indirect exposure, and on-chain behavior across major blockchains—including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tron—as well as USDT and USDC flows. Risk signals feed directly into Finray's XZiel platform, enabling real-time alert triage, automated escalation, and consolidated case management that mirrors existing fiat workflows. The result is a fully auditable environment. Every risk rationale, exposure breakdown, timestamp, and decision is captured in one place, producing defensible documentation for regulatory examinations, internal audits, and SAR filings. Institutions can screen wallets during onboarding and ongoing monitoring, assess merchant and exchange payouts, and maintain continuous risk assessment across crypto and fiat rails—all within the same compliance interface. Deployment is designed for speed. Existing TRM customers can activate the integration within days, with full workflow configuration—including custom alert thresholds, case rules, and audit-trail templates—typically completed in two to four weeks. Finray's EU-hosted, ISO/IEC 27001:2022-certified infrastructure ensures enterprise-grade security and data sovereignty. “Financial institutions and crypto businesses need more than raw blockchain data—they need clear, actionable intelligence that stands up to regulatory scrutiny,” said Morley Gordon, Head of Partnerships at TRM Labs. “By embedding TRM directly into Finray's compliance tools and banking infrastructure, we are enabling banks, fintechs, and regulated crypto entities to proactively manage digital asset risk and accelerate time-to-market without compromising trust.” Oleksandr Potapenko, Founder and CEO of Finray Technologies, added: “Compliance teams can't manage fiat and crypto risk in separate systems anymore. Embedding TRM's blockchain intelligence directly into XZiel gives our customers a single, auditable view of risk across both rails—where they can hold, clear, escalate, and document decisions within one environment. That is what operating under MiCA and evolving supervisory expectations actually demands.” The combined offering targets a wide range of regulated players: banks and EMIs expanding into digital assets, MiCA-authorized CASPs transitioning from VASP status, institutional exchanges and custodians, corporate treasury operations, and fintech platforms embedding crypto payments into fiat rails. By shortening compliance implementation timelines and strengthening audit outcomes, the partnership lowers barriers to safe, scalable crypto adoption across the financial sector. As the crypto and traditional finance ecosystems continue to converge, solutions that deliver unified, regulator-ready visibility are becoming essential infrastructure. TRM Labs and Finray Technologies' collaboration represents a practical step forward, equipping institutions with the tools to navigate regulatory complexity while maintaining operational efficiency and customer trust. Crowdfund Insider is the leading news website covering the emerging global industry of disruptive finance including investment crowdfunding, Blockchain, online lending, and other forms of Fintech. Pepperdine Graziadio Business School Most Fundable Companies Pepperdine launches the 2026 MostFundable Companies competition! Opento all US-based startups, the firstround deadline is May 15. Each year,thousands of startups across all 50 ... StartEngine to Tokenize $3B in Real-World Assets Using ERC-1450 Smart Contract Standard The milestone coincides with acrypto-friendly SEC championingcompliant, on-chain ownershipBURBANK, CA, NOVEMBER 18, 2025 — ... American Fintech Council (AFC) Announces Full List of Distinguished Speakers for 9th Annual Fintech Policy Summit Summit brings together policymakers,regulators, and industry leaders toadvance responsible innovation and ... Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit 2025 The Regulated Investment CrowdfundingSummit 2025 is approaching soon! Joinus October 21–22 at the NationalUnion Building (6th Floor, 918 FStreet NW, Washington, D.C.) for ... Home Frosting launches Oct. 5th Kickstarter for the American Prosperity Pillow™—a patriotic collectible honoring America's 250th birthday TAMPA, FL – September 2025 – HomeFrosting, the Tampa-based luxury ... Contact Us Crowdfund Insider Fintech Insider® Disclosure Quest Digital Assets Insider® C/O Crowded Media Group, LLC 2422 Palm Ridge Rd, #252 Sanibel FL 33957 USA Info: info@crowdfundinsider.com Support: support@crowdfundinsider.com Advertising: advertising@crowdfundinsider.com CI on Twitter CI on Facebook CI on LinkedIn CI on Instagram CI on Telegram Categories Featured Headlines General News Marketplaces Politics Strategy Offerings Global Fintech Real Estate Asia Women Changing Finance Services Submit a Tip Advertise on Crowdfund Insider About Us Crowdfunding Guide FAQ Terms of Service Privacy Policy © 2026 Crowded Media Group. All Rights Reserved.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

A newsletter built for market enthusiasts by market enthusiasts. Top stories, top movers, and trade ideas delivered to your inbox every weekday before and after the market closes. Strategy Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR) co-founder Michael Saylor has been one of artificial intelligence's biggest proponents, and not long ago stressed the importance of mastering the technology to generate wealth in the modern era. In his keynote address at the Bitcoin Conference on May 25, Saylor shared several strategies for wealth creation, with AI standing out as one of the most important. Saylor said people have at their fingertips all the “collective wisdom of every great entrepreneur.” “All you have to do is go to the AI, put it in deep think mode, plug in all of your circumstances, all of your hopes, all your aspirations, all of your problems, and then start to query it and then engage with it,” he explained. But how exactly should one engage? Saylor revealed his personal habit of consulting AI before seeking counsel from his legal team. “After I do that, I argue with it. It tells me no. I ask in a different way. I threaten it. I ask it to give me a solution. I find a 95% solution,” he said. Saylor then sends the link of the conversation to his management team and lawyers, saying, “Look, I solved the problem. This is what I want to do. Give me your execution plan.” Saylor advised people to set their egos aside and have the “humility” to seek help from AI. “Put your interest first. Your family will thank you in years to come,” he said. Saylor, with an estimated net worth of $4.6 billion per Forbes, founded business analytics software firm MicroStrategy. He later steered its corporate coffers into Bitcoin, rebranding it as “Strategy.” Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Photo Courtesy: Ton Wanniwat on Shutterstock.com © 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. To add Benzinga News as your preferred source on Google, click here. “I could list all sorts of technologies for you to master, and I thought about it. But at the end of the day, the overarching compelling observation is you need to master artificial intelligence if you would be wealthy,” the Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) bull said.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

About us Copy link Tokenised gold continued its rally on Saturday while the price of Bitcoin and Ethereum slid after the US and Israel bombed Iran. Investors this week piled into Tether Gold and Paxos Gold over tensions in the Middle East. Both assets continued to surge following the unprecedented attack on Iran. Tether Gold — XAUT — jumped as high as $5,455 on Saturday morning in New York. It then dropped slightly and was recently trading for $5,332, about 5% below the all-time high it notched in February and up 2% over the past day. Paxos' PAXG was up nearly 4% to hit $5,438, according to CoinGecko. It rose nearly as high as $5,536 before dipping slightly. The two tokenised assets — which trade on a number of different crypto networks — surged as Bitcoin fell. The leading cryptocurrency traded as low as $63,177 at one point on Saturday. Ethereum, too, dropped sharply on news that the US had hit Iran. Major cryptocurrencies have typically experienced volatility on news of geopolitical strife. But the rise of tokenised gold shows that crypto is still proving useful for investors wanting fast exposure to blockchain-based precious metals. The total value locked of PAXG and XAUT has surged this year, DefiLama data shows, as the price of gold spot market has attracted more investors. Stablecoin giant Tether, which issues USDT, the most-traded cryptocurrency, has been fast accumulating gold and is now one of the world's largest holders of the precious metal. Tether in January said that “digital-native demand for safe-haven assets that remain fully onchain” was spurring the growth of its XAUT product. Bitcoin has in the past been touted as a safe-haven asset, and has in previous years been correlated — albeit briefly — with gold. Last year, Bitcoin was sold as part of the debasement trade with precious metals: an asset investors could use to protect themselves against the devaluation of fiat currencies. But that narrative has been rattled since October when crypto markets experienced a shock selloff. Bitcoin and Ethereum have struggled to regain ground and are now trading well below their all-time highs since the biggest liquidation event in the history of crypto wiped billions of dollars off their market value. Gold, meanwhile, has continued to notch new highs in 2026. Mathew Di Salvo is a news correspondent with DL News. Got a tip? Email at mdisalvo@dlnews.com.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Six Polymarket accounts earned roughly $1.2 million after correctly betting that the U.S. would strike Iran on Feb. 28, according to blockchain analytics firm Bubblemaps. In a post on X, blockchain analyzer Bubblemaps said most of the wallets were funded within the last 24 hours before the attack and bought “Yes” shares in the “U.S. strikes Iran by February 28, 2026?” market just hours before explosions were reported in Tehran and other cities. The accounts had no activity beyond these predictions. The strikes followed a televised address by U.S. President Donald Trump announcing what he called “major combat operations,” targeting the country's missile, naval, and nuclear infrastructure. The attack saw bitcoin's price drop while oil futures on Hyperliquid rose. One Polymarket account Bubblemaps pointed to purchased more than 560,000 “Yes” shares at about 10.8 cents each, a position that paid out near $560,000 after the market resolved at $1. Another account bought nearly 150,000 shares at 20 cents, turning a six-figure profit. All six profiles were created in February, according to Polymarket data. Trading volume on the Feb. 28 contract reached nearly $90 million, part of more than $529 million wagered across related strike-date markets since December. Bubblemaps published a visual map showing the six wallets clustered together and funded through similar paths. The trades land as U.S. regulators weigh how to police insider activity on prediction markets. This week, rival platform Kalshi said it suspended and fined two users for insider trading, including a visual effects editor for MrBeast's “Beast Games” who allegedly traded on knowledge of show outcomes. Kalshi, which is registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a designated contract market, said it has investigated about 200 cases and has more than a dozen active probes. The CFTC issued an advisory noting the enforcement actions and warned that insider trading on event contracts may violate U.S. law. Chairman Mike Selig called exchanges the “first line of defense.” Kalshi banned the employee for two years and fined him more than $20,000. In a separate case, a political candidate was penalized for betting on his own race. More recently, Polymarket traders have appeared to insider trade a market on insider trading itself. Blockchain sleuth ZachXBT last week teased that he would publish the findings of an investigation into a crypto platform, which turned out to be Axiom, whose employees he believed used non-public information to trade. Teasing the investigation was coming, however, led to the creation of a Polymarket contract on which company would be named. Some clearly knew the answer to which company was under investigation, with Lookonchain identifying 12 wallets that heavily bet on Axiom ahead of the reveal. More For You Crypto community fear of Iran choking oil supply and crashing markets may be overblown A full closure of the strait is unlikely or impractical, some experts argue. What to know: Disclosure & Polices: CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk has adopted a set of principles aimed at ensuring the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias of its publications. CoinDesk is part of Bullish (NYSE:BLSH), an institutionally focused global digital asset platform that provides market infrastructure and information services. Bullish owns and invests in digital asset businesses and digital assets and CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive Bullish equity-based compensation.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

UK's ICO fines Reddit £14.47m for failing to verify users' ages and processing children's data without a lawful basis, marking a significant UK enforcement action. The UK's Information Commissioner's Office this week fined Reddit £14.47m after finding the platform processed children's personal information without a lawful basis and without implementing any robust age verification mechanism. The announcement, dated 24 February 2026, marks the largest penalty the ICO has issued specifically under its children's privacy enforcement programme - and arrives just weeks after a separate fine against a smaller platform demonstrated the regulator's broadening reach. The ICO's investigation established two central failures. First, Reddit did not apply any robust age assurance mechanism, which meant it had no lawful basis to process the personal information of children under the age of 13. Second, the platform had not carried out a data protection impact assessment (DPIA) to evaluate and mitigate risks to children before January 2025. Neither failure was minor or technical. Together, according to the ICO, they left a large number of under-13s on the platform with their data processed in ways they could not understand, consent to, or control. Reddit's terms of service had always prohibited children under 13 from using the platform. The ICO found that prohibition meaningless without any mechanism to enforce it. There were no checks at account creation that could reliably prevent a child from signing up. There was no system to identify users who were already on the platform and under the minimum age. The gap between policy and practice was, in the ICO's view, not just inadequate - it was unlawful. John Edwards, UK Information Commissioner, said: "Children under 13 had their personal information collected and used in ways they could not understand, consent to or control. That left them potentially exposed to content they should not have seen. This is unacceptable and has resulted in today's fine." In July 2025, Reddit introduced age assurance measures as part of its compliance work under the UK's Online Safety Act. The implementation required UK users seeking access to mature content to verify their age through one of two routes: a selfie upload using biometric technology to estimate age, or a government ID upload. At account creation, Reddit also began asking users to declare their age. The ICO informed Reddit, however, that self-declaration alone presents unacceptable risks. Children can simply enter a false date of birth. Self-declaration is easy to bypass, and the regulator is now conducting a specific review of companies that rely primarily on this method. Reddit's current controls remain under active scrutiny. That distinction - between self-declaration and robust age assurance - is central to the ICO's ongoing enforcement posture. According to the ICO, organisations must match the assurance method to the level of risk on their platform. Where children under a certain age are not permitted to use a service at all, blocking access is the expectation, not merely asking users to confirm their age. In setting the £14.47m figure, the ICO took into account four factors: the number of children affected, the degree of potential harm caused, the duration of the failings, and Reddit's global turnover. The company's scale was relevant. Reddit is not a small operator - its advertising revenue reached $358.6 million in Q1 2025, representing 61% year-on-year growth, and its daily active users reached 108.1 million in the same quarter. A penalty calibrated to a company of that size carries different weight than one levied against a smaller platform. The fine dwarfs the £247,590 penalty the ICO issued against MediaLab.AI, Inc. - owner of the image sharing platform Imgur - on 5 February 2026, just 19 days before the Reddit announcement. The MediaLab case involved similar structural failures: no age assurance, no DPIA, children's data processed without lawful basis. The two cases together form what the ICO describes as a wider intervention programme targeting platforms where children's personal data is at risk. UK data protection law requires that children receive special treatment with respect to their personal information. The ICO's Age Appropriate Design Code - also known as the Children's code - translates those legal requirements into concrete design standards for online services likely to be accessed by under-18s. The code requires services to act in children's best interests across all aspects of their design and to provide a high level of privacy by default. Standard 12 of the code requires that profiling for children - including profiling for personalised advertising purposes - be switched off by default. This has direct implications for advertising technology. Programmatic systems that ingest user-level data to personalise content and target audiences become problematic the moment children's data flows through them unidentified. Advertisers may unknowingly target minors. Publishers may violate brand safety commitments. The platform hosting that inventory may face enforcement of exactly the kind Reddit has now encountered. In December 2025, the ICO published a children's privacy progress update reporting strong results from its proactive supervision programme targeting social media and video sharing platforms. That programme is continuing. The ICO has signalled it will push for further changes where platforms fail to comply with the law or conform to the Children's code, and it will coordinate its work with Ofcom, which holds responsibility for enforcing the Online Safety Act. The ICO issued its provisional findings to Reddit on 8 July 2025. Reddit submitted representations on those findings. The ICO considered those representations and then reached its decision to impose the fine - a process that took approximately seven months from provisional findings to final penalty. The Reddit fine matters beyond child protection enforcement alone. Reddit is an advertising platform. Its Custom Audience API, advertising terms, and expanded advertiser agreements reflect a platform that has been building out its commercial infrastructure aggressively. Advertising on Reddit involves processing user data - and that processing, for UK users who are under 13, was occurring without a lawful basis. The ICO's enforcement action does not directly address Reddit's advertising business, but the structural failure it identified - the absence of age assurance - has direct consequences for anyone running campaigns on the platform. If a platform cannot confirm that users are above a minimum age, advertisers cannot be confident their campaigns are reaching only the audiences their consent mechanisms and targeting parameters assume. The new COPPA rules in the United States - which took effect on 23 June 2025, with a full compliance deadline of 22 April 2026 - introduced stricter requirements on consent for third-party data sharing involving children's data. The regulatory pressure on platforms handling children's data is not confined to the UK. It is building simultaneously across multiple jurisdictions, with enforcement timelines that are now beginning to produce visible consequences. According to the ICO, age assurance tools act as a guardrail to prevent children from accessing services they should not be using, or to help platforms tailor the experience for different age groups. Those tools can also form part of a broader strategy for reducing the data risks children face - and for ensuring that the advertising infrastructure built on top of platform data operates on a lawful foundation. The regulator was direct about what it expects going forward: "Relying on users to declare their age themselves is not enough when children may be at risk," according to Edwards. That message is not addressed only to Reddit. The ICO has explicitly flagged companies that primarily rely on self-declaration as an area of current focus. The ICO and Ofcom are working in parallel on children's online safety. The ICO handles data protection. Ofcom enforces the Online Safety Act, which imposes its own obligations on platforms regarding children's access to harmful content. Both regulators have identified age assurance as a shared priority. Their coordination matters for platforms navigating overlapping compliance obligations - a data protection failure of the kind Reddit experienced can now trigger scrutiny from two separate regulators with distinct but complementary enforcement powers. Who: Reddit, Inc., the US-based social media and content aggregation platform, was fined by the UK's Information Commissioner's Office. John Edwards, the UK Information Commissioner, announced the penalty. What: A £14.47m fine for failing to apply any robust age assurance mechanism and for processing the personal information of children under 13 without a lawful basis. Reddit also failed to carry out a data protection impact assessment before January 2025. When: The ICO announced the fine on 24 February 2026. The ICO's provisional findings were issued to Reddit on 8 July 2025. Reddit introduced age assurance measures in July 2025, though the ICO considers self-declaration insufficient. Where: The enforcement action covers the processing of personal data of UK-based users on Reddit's platform. Reddit, Inc. is incorporated in the United States. Why: Reddit's terms of service prohibited under-13s from using the platform, but the company had no mechanism to enforce that prohibition. A large number of children under 13 were present on the platform, their data was processed without lawful basis, and they were potentially exposed to inappropriate and harmful content. The fine forms part of a broader ICO programme targeting platforms that fail to implement adequate age assurance under the UK Children's code. Your go-to source for digital marketing news. Get the latest updates from Google, Meta, Amazon, and The Trade Desk. Stay informed on ad tech innovations, programmatic trends, and policy changes.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Share: BitcoinWorld Paradigm AI Robotics Investment: Bold $1.5 Billion Expansion Signals Major Tech Convergence San Francisco, March 2025 – Paradigm, the influential cryptocurrency investment firm, now strategically expands its investment scope to include artificial intelligence and robotics. This significant move follows The Wall Street Journal's report about the firm raising a substantial new fund. The fund targets up to $1.5 billion for advanced technology sectors. Consequently, this expansion marks a pivotal moment for both crypto-native venture capital and the broader technology investment landscape. Industry analysts immediately recognized the announcement's importance. They view it as a clear signal of converging technological frontiers. Paradigm established itself as a dominant force in cryptocurrency investing since its 2018 founding. The firm famously backed groundbreaking protocols like Uniswap and Coinbase. However, its new $1.5 billion fund represents a deliberate strategic evolution. This fund specifically targets artificial intelligence, robotics, and other advanced technologies. The Wall Street Journal first reported these expansion plans. According to financial documents and sources familiar with the matter, Paradigm began quietly building its new investment thesis over the past eighteen months. The firm's partners observed increasing convergence between blockchain infrastructure and AI development. They noted particularly strong synergies in decentralized computing, data verification, and autonomous system coordination. Matt Huang, Paradigm's co-founder, previously discussed technology's interconnected nature in several interviews. He emphasized how cryptographic primitives could enhance AI safety and transparency. Similarly, Fred Ehrsam, the other co-founder, wrote extensively about programmable money's role in autonomous machine economies. These public statements now appear prescient. They foreshadowed the firm's current strategic direction. The expansion follows a broader trend among technology investors. Many recognize artificial intelligence and robotics as the next major computational platforms. Paradigm's investment committee developed a comprehensive framework for evaluating AI and robotics opportunities. Their analysis identifies three primary convergence points with their existing crypto expertise: The venture capital industry experienced significant transformation throughout 2024. Traditional Silicon Valley firms increasingly allocated capital to artificial intelligence startups. Meanwhile, crypto-native funds faced challenging market conditions. Several prominent firms consequently reduced their investment pace. Paradigm's expansion therefore represents a strategic diversification. It also demonstrates confidence in technology's converging future. Industry data reveals compelling trends. Global venture investment in AI and robotics reached $98.7 billion in 2024 according to PitchBook. This figure represents a 42% increase from the previous year. The autonomous systems sector particularly attracted substantial capital. Investors recognized robotics' potential across manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. Paradigm enters a competitive but fragmented landscape. Established AI investors include Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, and Lux Capital. These firms possess deep expertise in machine learning and hardware. However, Paradigm brings unique advantages. Its cryptographic and decentralized systems knowledge positions it uniquely. The firm can identify opportunities at the intersection of AI safety and blockchain verification. This distinctive perspective may uncover undervalued investment themes. Several industry analysts expressed this view following the announcement. They noted Paradigm's successful track record in identifying nascent technology trends early. The new fund's $1.5 billion target places Paradigm among technology investing's upper echelon. This size enables substantial check-writing capability. The firm can lead large rounds in growth-stage companies. It can also make numerous early-stage bets across multiple sectors. Historical data provides useful context. Paradigm's previous crypto-focused funds totaled approximately $8.5 billion across multiple vehicles. The firm achieved notable success with several portfolio companies. These companies reached multibillion-dollar valuations. This performance record likely facilitated the new fund's fundraising. Limited partners presumably expressed strong interest. They recognized Paradigm's analytical rigor and technical depth. Investment timing appears strategically advantageous. AI and robotics valuations moderated throughout late 2024. This moderation followed an exuberant period in 2023. Many quality companies now seek growth capital at reasonable valuations. Paradigm's entry coincides with this market normalization. The firm can therefore deploy capital methodically. It can avoid the frothy conditions that characterized earlier investment cycles. This disciplined approach aligns with Paradigm's historical investment philosophy. The firm typically emphasizes fundamental technological breakthroughs over short-term market trends. Paradigm's expansion reflects deeper technological currents. Blockchain, artificial intelligence, and robotics increasingly intersect. These intersections create novel possibilities. For example, decentralized autonomous organizations could manage robotic fleets. Smart contracts might facilitate machine-to-machine transactions. Zero-knowledge proofs could verify AI model integrity. These convergences represent more than theoretical concepts. Several startups already prototype such systems. Paradigm's investment likely accelerates their development. The firm's extensive network provides portfolio companies with unique advantages. They can access cryptographic expertise alongside AI and robotics knowledge. Industry experts observe broader implications. Dr. Elena Rodriguez, a technology convergence researcher at Stanford University, commented on the trend. “We're witnessing infrastructure layer unification,” she noted. “Cryptographic verification, distributed computation, and autonomous systems share fundamental properties. They all require robust coordination mechanisms. Paradigm recognizes this underlying unity. Their investment strategy reflects sophisticated technological understanding.” This perspective appears increasingly common among forward-looking investors. They view technology categories as artificial distinctions. The most significant innovations often emerge from category intersections. Paradigm's expansion arrives during heightened regulatory scrutiny. Both artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency face evolving legal frameworks. The European Union recently finalized its AI Act. The United States Congress considers multiple AI-related bills. Simultaneously, global cryptocurrency regulation continues developing. Paradigm must therefore navigate complex compliance landscapes. The firm historically engaged proactively with policymakers. It likely will continue this approach for AI and robotics investments. Ethical considerations also demand attention. AI safety and algorithmic transparency represent critical concerns. Robotics deployment raises additional questions about automation's societal impact. Paradigm's investment principals previously addressed these issues. They emphasized technology's responsible development. The firm's investment criteria presumably include ethical dimensions. This approach aligns with growing investor emphasis on responsible innovation. Limited partners increasingly evaluate funds based on ethical frameworks. They consider portfolio companies' potential societal impacts. Paradigm's public communications suggest awareness of these expectations. The firm likely developed corresponding investment guidelines. These guidelines probably address AI bias mitigation, robotic safety protocols, and transparent system design. Paradigm's AI robotics investment expansion represents a strategic milestone for technology venture capital. The $1.5 billion fund signals confidence in converging technological frontiers. It also demonstrates Paradigm's adaptive investment philosophy. The firm leverages its cryptographic expertise while exploring adjacent innovation domains. This expansion occurs amid significant market transformation. Artificial intelligence and robotics attract substantial capital while evolving rapidly. Paradigm's unique positioning may uncover distinctive investment opportunities. The firm's move could influence other crypto-native investors. It might encourage similar strategic diversification. Ultimately, Paradigm's expansion highlights technology's interconnected future. Blockchain, AI, and robotics will increasingly converge. Forward-looking investors recognize this convergence early. They position themselves accordingly for the coming technological synthesis. Q1: Why is Paradigm expanding beyond cryptocurrency investing?Paradigm recognizes converging technological frontiers. The firm observes significant synergies between blockchain, artificial intelligence, and robotics. This expansion represents strategic diversification based on fundamental technological analysis. Q2: How large is Paradigm's new investment fund?The firm is raising up to $1.5 billion according to The Wall Street Journal report. This substantial fund will target AI, robotics, and advanced technology sectors. Q3: What expertise does Paradigm bring to AI and robotics investing?Paradigm possesses deep cryptographic and decentralized systems knowledge. This expertise applies directly to AI safety, verifiable machine learning, and autonomous economic agents. The firm's technical background provides unique investment perspective. Q4: How does this expansion affect Paradigm's existing cryptocurrency investments?The firm continues managing its substantial crypto portfolio. The new fund represents additional investment capacity rather than replacement. Paradigm maintains commitment to blockchain innovation while exploring adjacent technologies. Q5: What types of companies might Paradigm invest in with this new fund?Potential investments include AI infrastructure startups, robotics platforms, and advanced technology companies. The firm particularly seeks opportunities at technology intersections, especially where blockchain enhances AI or robotic systems. This post Paradigm AI Robotics Investment: Bold $1.5 Billion Expansion Signals Major Tech Convergence first appeared on BitcoinWorld. Coins Uniswap $ 3.69 Funds United BACKED BOLD Decentralized European Union Share: Coins Uniswap $ 3.69 Funds United BACKED BOLD Decentralized European Union Share: Read More Share: BitcoinWorld Paradigm AI Robotics Investment: Bold $1.5 Billion Expansion Signals Major Tech Convergence San Francisco, March 2025 – Paradigm, the influential cryptocurrency investment firm, now strategically expands its investment scope to include artificial intelligence and robotics. This significant move follows The Wall Street Journal's report about the firm raising a substantial new fund. The fund targets up to $1.5 billion for advanced technology sectors. Consequently, this expansion marks a pivotal moment for both crypto-native venture capital and the broader technology investment landscape. Industry analysts immediately recognized the announcement's importance. They view it as a clear signal of converging technological frontiers. Paradigm established itself as a dominant force in cryptocurrency investing since its 2018 founding. The firm famously backed groundbreaking protocols like Uniswap and Coinbase. However, its new $1.5 billion fund represents a deliberate strategic evolution. This fund specifically targets artificial intelligence, robotics, and other advanced technologies. The Wall Street Journal first reported these expansion plans. According to financial documents and sources familiar with the matter, Paradigm began quietly building its new investment thesis over the past eighteen months. The firm's partners observed increasing convergence between blockchain infrastructure and AI development. They noted particularly strong synergies in decentralized computing, data verification, and autonomous system coordination. Matt Huang, Paradigm's co-founder, previously discussed technology's interconnected nature in several interviews. He emphasized how cryptographic primitives could enhance AI safety and transparency. Similarly, Fred Ehrsam, the other co-founder, wrote extensively about programmable money's role in autonomous machine economies. These public statements now appear prescient. They foreshadowed the firm's current strategic direction. The expansion follows a broader trend among technology investors. Many recognize artificial intelligence and robotics as the next major computational platforms. Paradigm's investment committee developed a comprehensive framework for evaluating AI and robotics opportunities. Their analysis identifies three primary convergence points with their existing crypto expertise: The venture capital industry experienced significant transformation throughout 2024. Traditional Silicon Valley firms increasingly allocated capital to artificial intelligence startups. Meanwhile, crypto-native funds faced challenging market conditions. Several prominent firms consequently reduced their investment pace. Paradigm's expansion therefore represents a strategic diversification. It also demonstrates confidence in technology's converging future. Industry data reveals compelling trends. Global venture investment in AI and robotics reached $98.7 billion in 2024 according to PitchBook. This figure represents a 42% increase from the previous year. The autonomous systems sector particularly attracted substantial capital. Investors recognized robotics' potential across manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. Paradigm enters a competitive but fragmented landscape. Established AI investors include Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, and Lux Capital. These firms possess deep expertise in machine learning and hardware. However, Paradigm brings unique advantages. Its cryptographic and decentralized systems knowledge positions it uniquely. The firm can identify opportunities at the intersection of AI safety and blockchain verification. This distinctive perspective may uncover undervalued investment themes. Several industry analysts expressed this view following the announcement. They noted Paradigm's successful track record in identifying nascent technology trends early. The new fund's $1.5 billion target places Paradigm among technology investing's upper echelon. This size enables substantial check-writing capability. The firm can lead large rounds in growth-stage companies. It can also make numerous early-stage bets across multiple sectors. Historical data provides useful context. Paradigm's previous crypto-focused funds totaled approximately $8.5 billion across multiple vehicles. The firm achieved notable success with several portfolio companies. These companies reached multibillion-dollar valuations. This performance record likely facilitated the new fund's fundraising. Limited partners presumably expressed strong interest. They recognized Paradigm's analytical rigor and technical depth. Investment timing appears strategically advantageous. AI and robotics valuations moderated throughout late 2024. This moderation followed an exuberant period in 2023. Many quality companies now seek growth capital at reasonable valuations. Paradigm's entry coincides with this market normalization. The firm can therefore deploy capital methodically. It can avoid the frothy conditions that characterized earlier investment cycles. This disciplined approach aligns with Paradigm's historical investment philosophy. The firm typically emphasizes fundamental technological breakthroughs over short-term market trends. Paradigm's expansion reflects deeper technological currents. Blockchain, artificial intelligence, and robotics increasingly intersect. These intersections create novel possibilities. For example, decentralized autonomous organizations could manage robotic fleets. Smart contracts might facilitate machine-to-machine transactions. Zero-knowledge proofs could verify AI model integrity. These convergences represent more than theoretical concepts. Several startups already prototype such systems. Paradigm's investment likely accelerates their development. The firm's extensive network provides portfolio companies with unique advantages. They can access cryptographic expertise alongside AI and robotics knowledge. Industry experts observe broader implications. Dr. Elena Rodriguez, a technology convergence researcher at Stanford University, commented on the trend. “We're witnessing infrastructure layer unification,” she noted. “Cryptographic verification, distributed computation, and autonomous systems share fundamental properties. They all require robust coordination mechanisms. Paradigm recognizes this underlying unity. Their investment strategy reflects sophisticated technological understanding.” This perspective appears increasingly common among forward-looking investors. They view technology categories as artificial distinctions. The most significant innovations often emerge from category intersections. Paradigm's expansion arrives during heightened regulatory scrutiny. Both artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency face evolving legal frameworks. The European Union recently finalized its AI Act. The United States Congress considers multiple AI-related bills. Simultaneously, global cryptocurrency regulation continues developing. Paradigm must therefore navigate complex compliance landscapes. The firm historically engaged proactively with policymakers. It likely will continue this approach for AI and robotics investments. Ethical considerations also demand attention. AI safety and algorithmic transparency represent critical concerns. Robotics deployment raises additional questions about automation's societal impact. Paradigm's investment principals previously addressed these issues. They emphasized technology's responsible development. The firm's investment criteria presumably include ethical dimensions. This approach aligns with growing investor emphasis on responsible innovation. Limited partners increasingly evaluate funds based on ethical frameworks. They consider portfolio companies' potential societal impacts. Paradigm's public communications suggest awareness of these expectations. The firm likely developed corresponding investment guidelines. These guidelines probably address AI bias mitigation, robotic safety protocols, and transparent system design. Paradigm's AI robotics investment expansion represents a strategic milestone for technology venture capital. The $1.5 billion fund signals confidence in converging technological frontiers. It also demonstrates Paradigm's adaptive investment philosophy. The firm leverages its cryptographic expertise while exploring adjacent innovation domains. This expansion occurs amid significant market transformation. Artificial intelligence and robotics attract substantial capital while evolving rapidly. Paradigm's unique positioning may uncover distinctive investment opportunities. The firm's move could influence other crypto-native investors. It might encourage similar strategic diversification. Ultimately, Paradigm's expansion highlights technology's interconnected future. Blockchain, AI, and robotics will increasingly converge. Forward-looking investors recognize this convergence early. They position themselves accordingly for the coming technological synthesis. Q1: Why is Paradigm expanding beyond cryptocurrency investing?Paradigm recognizes converging technological frontiers. The firm observes significant synergies between blockchain, artificial intelligence, and robotics. This expansion represents strategic diversification based on fundamental technological analysis. Q2: How large is Paradigm's new investment fund?The firm is raising up to $1.5 billion according to The Wall Street Journal report. This substantial fund will target AI, robotics, and advanced technology sectors. Q3: What expertise does Paradigm bring to AI and robotics investing?Paradigm possesses deep cryptographic and decentralized systems knowledge. This expertise applies directly to AI safety, verifiable machine learning, and autonomous economic agents. The firm's technical background provides unique investment perspective. Q4: How does this expansion affect Paradigm's existing cryptocurrency investments?The firm continues managing its substantial crypto portfolio. The new fund represents additional investment capacity rather than replacement. Paradigm maintains commitment to blockchain innovation while exploring adjacent technologies. Q5: What types of companies might Paradigm invest in with this new fund?Potential investments include AI infrastructure startups, robotics platforms, and advanced technology companies. The firm particularly seeks opportunities at technology intersections, especially where blockchain enhances AI or robotic systems. This post Paradigm AI Robotics Investment: Bold $1.5 Billion Expansion Signals Major Tech Convergence first appeared on BitcoinWorld. Coins Uniswap $ 3.69 Funds United BACKED BOLD Decentralized European Union Share: Coins Uniswap $ 3.69 Funds United BACKED BOLD Decentralized European Union Share: Read More
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Ethereum continues to host the largest concentration of stablecoins and decentralized finance (DeFi) capital, even as successive waves of faster networks emerge. Newer blockchains have promised higher throughput and lower costs, raising questions about whether institutional capital could eventually migrate away from Ethereum. Kevin Lepsoe, founder of ETHGas and a former Morgan Stanley derivatives executive in Asia, said he expects Ethereum's lead to endure, as institutions tend to prioritize capital depth over flashy performance. “[Transactions per second] is the metric that gets engineers excited, but is that what drives capital to the blockchain?” Lepsoe asked in an interview with Cointelegraph. “The capital is on Ethereum; the stablecoins are there. TradFi is looking at where the liquidity is,” he said. Institutional capital brings scale and stability to a blockchain's ecosystem. Large asset managers and tokenized fund issuers move capital in volumes that deepen liquidity and anchor stablecoin supply. Their presence can establish a network's position beyond hype-driven retail activity that surges in bull markets and fades in downturns. Liquidity keeps Ethereum ahead of faster rivals If institutions prefer to operate where most of the money already sits, then simply making a faster blockchain will not pull capital away from Ethereum. Over the past several cycles, performance has become a weapon to attract users. Solana has emerged as Ethereum's high-speed alternative, dubbed an “Ethereum killer,” though that label is debated. It onboarded retail traders through the non-fungible token (NFT) boom and the memecoin frenzy, but the heightened activities weren't sustained in the long run. Related: Can Solana shed its memecoin image in 2026? Solana now has its own generation of “Solana killers” that advertise higher theoretical transactions per second (TPS). But Ethereum's liquidity grants tighter spreads, lower slippage for large trades and the capacity to absorb institutional-sized transactions without heavily distorting prices. “I think of Ethereum as like downtown,” Lepsoe said. Though past crypto booms featured high-stakes retail speculation, the next phase is shaping up to include more institutional capital. As it stands, institutional players have expressed interest in practical use cases such as stablecoins and real-world assets (RWAs). Even the world's largest asset manager is leaning into RWA products. BlackRock's USD Liquidity Fund (BUIDL) is its tokenized Treasury fund that started on Ethereum and branched out to several blockchains. Ethereum holds over a 30% BUIDL market capitalization. Ethereum is the largest network for stablecoins as well, which BlackRock's global head of market development, Samara Cohen, said are “becoming the bridge between traditional finance and digital liquidity.” Ethereum leads the industry in stablecoin market cap, with $160.4 billion, according to DefiLlama. Ethereum's L2 liquidity is returning to L1 Though Lepsoe said liquidity depth shapes institutional preference, a network's efficiency cannot be completely disregarded. Ethereum has been adjusting its own technical profile. Transaction fees that once routinely spiked to virtually unusable prices have fallen significantly, as layer-2 rollups eased pressure on the main chain. These solutions brought in new problems of their own. Rollups fragmented liquidity across multiple environments. Related: 2026 is the year Ethereum starts scaling exponentially with ZK tech Lepsoe described the liquidity fragmentation as a blessing in disguise for Ethereum. He argued that if L2s didn't take away liquidity from the main chain, capital would have flown out to competitors. “I think it actually saved the liquidity from going to other L1s, where they eventually probably couldn't have brought it back,” he said. Recently, Ethereum has shifted its focus back to scaling the main chain. Co-founder Vitalik Buterin said that many layer 2s have failed to decentralize, while the main chain is now sufficiently scaling. “Both of these facts, for their own separate reasons, mean that the original vision of L2s and their role in Ethereum no longer makes sense, and we need a new path,” Buterin said in a recent X post. Scaling upgrades strengthen Ethereum's liquidity advantage With transaction fees tamed, Ethereum is expected to execute the Glamsterdam fork in 2026, raising the block gas limit to 200 million from 60 million and putting its layer 1 on the road to 10,000 TPS over time. For Ethereum, the timing coincides with institutions evaluating blockchain infrastructure for the next generation of financial services. Alongside protocol upgrades, infrastructure providers are experimenting with ways to improve execution efficiency. Projects like Lepsoe's ETHGas aim to optimize Ethereum's block construction process through offchain execution and coordination, while Psy Protocol uses zero-knowledge technology to bundle multiple transactions into one. Marcin Kaźmierczak, co-founder of blockchain oracle RedStone — which supplies data feeds for tokenized assets and institutional blockchain applications — said that Ethereum has the edge, as institutions prefer blockchains that have been battle-tested and around “for a very long time.” However, while institutions are “aggressively” expanding into Ethereum, they're also shopping around. “They look at Solana, which is getting good traction. Canton is extremely important for them because it gives them privacy, which they value very, very much,” Kaźmierczak told Cointelegraph. Lepsoe said he sees “zero threat” from Solana or Canton, arguing that Ethereum still has the deepest liquidity pool, which is the primary draw for large allocators. For institutional capital, performance improvements may expand Ethereum's capacity, but liquidity remains its defining advantage. In blockchain markets, speed can attract users during booms, but capital tends to stay where the deepest markets already exist. Magazine: 6 massive challenges Bitcoin faces on the road to quantum security Select market data provided by ICE Data Services. Select reference data provided by FactSet. Copyright © 2026 FactSet Research Systems Inc.Copyright © 2026, American Bankers Association. CUSIP Database provided by FactSet Research Systems Inc. All rights reserved. SEC fillings and other documents provided by Quartr.© 2026 TradingView, Inc.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Ethereum continues to host the largest concentration of stablecoins and decentralized finance (DeFi) capital, even as successive waves of faster networks emerge. Newer blockchains have promised higher throughput and lower costs, raising questions about whether institutional capital could eventually migrate away from Ethereum. Kevin Lepsoe, founder of ETHGas and a former Morgan Stanley derivatives executive in Asia, said he expects Ethereum's lead to endure, as institutions tend to prioritize capital depth over flashy performance. “[Transactions per second] is the metric that gets engineers excited, but is that what drives capital to the blockchain?” Lepsoe asked in an interview with Cointelegraph. “The capital is on Ethereum; the stablecoins are there. TradFi is looking at where the liquidity is,” he said. Institutional capital brings scale and stability to a blockchain's ecosystem. Large asset managers and tokenized fund issuers move capital in volumes that deepen liquidity and anchor stablecoin supply. Their presence can establish a network's position beyond hype-driven retail activity that surges in bull markets and fades in downturns. Liquidity keeps Ethereum ahead of faster rivals If institutions prefer to operate where most of the money already sits, then simply making a faster blockchain will not pull capital away from Ethereum. Over the past several cycles, performance has become a weapon to attract users. Solana has emerged as Ethereum's high-speed alternative, dubbed an “Ethereum killer,” though that label is debated. It onboarded retail traders through the non-fungible token (NFT) boom and the memecoin frenzy, but the heightened activities weren't sustained in the long run. Related: Can Solana shed its memecoin image in 2026? Solana now has its own generation of “Solana killers” that advertise higher theoretical transactions per second (TPS). But Ethereum's liquidity grants tighter spreads, lower slippage for large trades and the capacity to absorb institutional-sized transactions without heavily distorting prices. “I think of Ethereum as like downtown,” Lepsoe said. Though past crypto booms featured high-stakes retail speculation, the next phase is shaping up to include more institutional capital. As it stands, institutional players have expressed interest in practical use cases such as stablecoins and real-world assets (RWAs). Even the world's largest asset manager is leaning into RWA products. BlackRock's USD Liquidity Fund (BUIDL) is its tokenized Treasury fund that started on Ethereum and branched out to several blockchains. Ethereum holds over a 30% BUIDL market capitalization. Ethereum is the largest network for stablecoins as well, which BlackRock's global head of market development, Samara Cohen, said are “becoming the bridge between traditional finance and digital liquidity.” Ethereum leads the industry in stablecoin market cap, with $160.4 billion, according to DefiLlama. Ethereum's L2 liquidity is returning to L1 Though Lepsoe said liquidity depth shapes institutional preference, a network's efficiency cannot be completely disregarded. Ethereum has been adjusting its own technical profile. Transaction fees that once routinely spiked to virtually unusable prices have fallen significantly, as layer-2 rollups eased pressure on the main chain. These solutions brought in new problems of their own. Rollups fragmented liquidity across multiple environments. Related: 2026 is the year Ethereum starts scaling exponentially with ZK tech Lepsoe described the liquidity fragmentation as a blessing in disguise for Ethereum. He argued that if L2s didn't take away liquidity from the main chain, capital would have flown out to competitors. “I think it actually saved the liquidity from going to other L1s, where they eventually probably couldn't have brought it back,” he said. Recently, Ethereum has shifted its focus back to scaling the main chain. Co-founder Vitalik Buterin said that many layer 2s have failed to decentralize, while the main chain is now sufficiently scaling. “Both of these facts, for their own separate reasons, mean that the original vision of L2s and their role in Ethereum no longer makes sense, and we need a new path,” Buterin said in a recent X post. Scaling upgrades strengthen Ethereum's liquidity advantage With transaction fees tamed, Ethereum is expected to execute the Glamsterdam fork in 2026, raising the block gas limit to 200 million from 60 million and putting its layer 1 on the road to 10,000 TPS over time. For Ethereum, the timing coincides with institutions evaluating blockchain infrastructure for the next generation of financial services. Alongside protocol upgrades, infrastructure providers are experimenting with ways to improve execution efficiency. Projects like Lepsoe's ETHGas aim to optimize Ethereum's block construction process through offchain execution and coordination, while Psy Protocol uses zero-knowledge technology to bundle multiple transactions into one. Marcin Kaźmierczak, co-founder of blockchain oracle RedStone — which supplies data feeds for tokenized assets and institutional blockchain applications — said that Ethereum has the edge, as institutions prefer blockchains that have been battle-tested and around “for a very long time.” However, while institutions are “aggressively” expanding into Ethereum, they're also shopping around. “They look at Solana, which is getting good traction. Canton is extremely important for them because it gives them privacy, which they value very, very much,” Kaźmierczak told Cointelegraph. Lepsoe said he sees “zero threat” from Solana or Canton, arguing that Ethereum still has the deepest liquidity pool, which is the primary draw for large allocators. For institutional capital, performance improvements may expand Ethereum's capacity, but liquidity remains its defining advantage. In blockchain markets, speed can attract users during booms, but capital tends to stay where the deepest markets already exist. Magazine: 6 massive challenges Bitcoin faces on the road to quantum security Select market data provided by ICE Data Services. Select reference data provided by FactSet. Copyright © 2026 FactSet Research Systems Inc.Copyright © 2026, American Bankers Association. CUSIP Database provided by FactSet Research Systems Inc. All rights reserved. SEC fillings and other documents provided by Quartr.© 2026 TradingView, Inc.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

The traditional financial sector is advancing its integration with digital ledger technology. As major institutions begin testing blockchain infrastructure for everyday banking services, retail investors are trying to identify the best crypto to buy now. DeepSnitch AI is the project that many investors are accumulating, outperforming struggling tokens like Sahara AI and XRP. The project has recently achieved a major milestone, and the consensus is clear: Stage 6 is here, and it is time to join. More than $1,780,000 has been raised, and those who entered the presale early have made paper gains of more than 178%. Recent reports indicate that Barclays is seeking technology providers to overhaul its core banking services using blockchain infrastructure. The objective is to build a better platform capable of managing traditional deposits and cross-border payments. It will also handle digital applications such as stablecoins and tokenized assets. The institution has already issued requests for information to various tech suppliers, with a final vendor selection anticipated as early as April. This timeline demonstrates that traditional finance is no longer observing the digital asset space. This development perfectly complements the bank's recent strategic investment in Ubyx, a United States-based stablecoin clearing platform. The best crypto to buy now is the one that allows independent traders to track, analyze, and profit from these massive institutional capital flows. The entry of banking giants like Barclays into the digital asset space highlights a critical threat: retail traders risk being outmaneuvered by institutions armed with superior data and limitless resources. DeepSnitch AI directly neutralizes this threat, which is exactly why investors call it the best crypto to buy now. It makes market intelligence and security available to all investors, providing the same tracking and analytical power used by banking whales. In a nutshell, it neutralizes the unfair advantages exploited by massive financial entities. Its latest development updates show DeepSnitch AI is now completely live and functional, with a neat interface. Believers are also staking their tokens to earn massive rewards. Investors have already staked more than 39 million tokens within the protocol, earning a dynamic, uncapped APY. Moreover, there's also speculation that DeepSnitch AI could list on Tier-1 crypto exchanges. When searching for the best crypto to buy now, investors frequently examine emerging technology tokens like Sahara AI. However, the current metrics suggest extreme caution. While the underlying sentiment attempts to remain bullish, the token suffers from very high volatility. One can see this with the coin trading at a declining $0.02407 as of February 27th. Sahara AI price predictions indicate a potential short-term price drop to $0.01758. If this should happen in the next month, this would mean a severe loss of over 26%. Even looking ahead to the end of 2026, the forecasted high of $0.05553 offers limited upside compared to early-stage presales like DeepSnitch AI. XRP is another asset closely watched by those tracking bullish setups, particularly given its explicit focus on institutional finance. The XRP Ledger is currently pivoting toward a decentralized builder model, targeting major banking partnerships in its 2026 roadmap. However, this corporate focus has severely alienated the retail market. Currently priced at $1.35 as of February 27th, the token is experiencing bearish sentiment and extreme fear. Despite the institutional headlines, the price prediction for XRP remains incredibly flat, with forecasts suggesting a minor drop to $1.39 in the near term. More predictions show a maximum of only $1.52 by the end of 2026. If you're interested in the best crypto to buy now, DeepSnitch AI offers a massive growth potential driven by actual retail demand. At the moment, Sahara AI and XRP suffer from extreme fear and stagnant price action. But as a potential best crypto to buy now, DeepSnitch AI provides a massive opportunity to make profits. Stage 6 is here, and it is time to join what smart investors consider the best crypto to buy now. For example, using the promo code DSNTVIP30 for a $4.7k buy gives you 30% extra tokens. This means you get 33,348 additional tokens to their portfolio. This brings the grand total to an impressive 144,511 tokens. Visit the official DeepSnitch AI website, join Telegram, and follow on X for more updates. By investing in intelligence infrastructure like DeepSnitch AI, retail traders gain access to the same on-chain data analysis used by institutions. This is why they consider it the best crypto to buy now. It is considered one of the top high-growth crypto picks because it combines a fully working product with a low presale entry price. The best coins to buy right now offer dynamic, uncapped staking yields and solve immediate retail problems. On the other hand, tokens like XRP are bogged down by massive market caps. Disclaimer: The content above is presented for informational purposes as a paid advertisement. The Tribune does not take responsibility for the accuracy, validity, or reliability of the claims, offers, or information provided by the advertiser. Readers are advised to conduct their own independent research and exercise due diligence before making any decisions based on its contents and not go by mode and source of publication. Investments in cryptocurrencies are subject to high market risks and volatility; readers should seek professional advice before investing. The Tribune, now published from Chandigarh, started publication on February 2, 1881, in Lahore (now in Pakistan). It was started by Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, a public-spirited philanthropist, and is run by a trust comprising five eminent persons as trustees.The Tribune, the largest selling English daily in North India, publishes news and views without any bias or prejudice of any kind. Restraint and moderation, rather than agitational language and partisanship, are the hallmarks of the newspaper. It is an independent newspaper in the real sense of the term.The Tribune has two sister publications, Punjabi Tribune (in Punjabi) and Dainik Tribune (in Hindi). Remembering Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Intercontinental Exchange runs major exchanges and clearing houses, including the New York Stock Exchange, so any change to its core plumbing can matter for how markets function. By focusing on blockchain infrastructure rather than cryptocurrencies themselves, ICE is targeting operational tasks that sit behind the scenes, such as how trades are finalized and how collateral moves between participants. For you as an investor, this kind of technology build out touches on questions of cost, speed and risk in institutional trading. If ICE's platform is adopted by large market participants, it could influence how quickly capital moves, how often markets stay open and how traditional institutions use stablecoins inside existing regulatory frameworks. Stay updated on the most important news stories for Intercontinental Exchange by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on Intercontinental Exchange. We've flagged 1 risk for Intercontinental Exchange. See which could impact your investment. There is only one way to know the right time to buy, sell or hold Intercontinental Exchange. Head to Simply Wall St's company report for the latest analysis of Intercontinental Exchange's Fair Value. For the full picture including more risks and rewards, check out the complete Intercontinental Exchange analysis. Alternatively, you can check out the community page for Intercontinental Exchange to see how other investors believe this latest news will impact the company's narrative. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Our new AI Stock Screener scans the market every day to uncover opportunities. • Dividend Powerhouses (3%+ Yield)• Undervalued Small Caps with Insider Buying• High growth Tech and AI CompaniesOr build your own from over 50 metrics. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com Provides technology and data to financial institutions, corporations, and government entities in the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East. Solid track record with excellent balance sheet and pays a dividend. Financial Data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence LLC, analysis provided by Simply Wall Street Pty Ltd. Copyright © 2026, S&P Global Market Intelligence LLC. All rights reserved. Markets Investing Ideas Features Simply Wall St Simply Wall Street Pty Ltd (ACN 600 056 611), is a Corporate Authorised Representative (Authorised Representative Number: 467183) of Sanlam Private Wealth Pty Ltd (AFSL No. 337927). Any advice contained in this website is general advice only and has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should not rely on any advice and/or information contained in this website and before making any investment decision we recommend that you consider whether it is appropriate for your situation and seek appropriate financial, taxation and legal advice. Please read our Financial Services Guide before deciding whether to obtain financial services from us. © 2026 Simply Wall Street Pty Ltd, US Design Patent #29/544/281, Community and European Design Registration #2845206
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

What started as an Israeli strike on Iran hours earlier has escalated into the broadest Middle Eastern military conflict in decades, posing a risk to financial markets, including cryptocurrencies. Per reports on Bloomberg, CNN and Reuters, Iran launched waves of missiles and drones targeting not just Israel but U.S. bases and interests across the Gulf. Bahrain confirmed an American military base had been attacked. Qatar and the UAE said they intercepted missiles over their territory. Explosions were heard in Dubai. Bahrain closed its airspace entirely. Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said all U.S. bases and interests in the region would be targeted. President Trump said the U.S. had begun "major combat operations in Iran" aimed at eliminating the country's missile inventory, navy, and nuclear infrastructure. "The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties," he said. "That often happens in war." Bitcoin, which had already fallen below $64,000 on the initial Israeli strikes, held above $63,000 as the retaliatory wave hit. The relative stability is partly mechanical. Weekend liquidity is thin, and many leveraged positions that would amplify a sell-off were already flushed during the week's slide from $70,000. But the real test comes when traditional markets reopen on Monday. Bitcoin tends to absorb the first wave of geopolitical selling because it's the only large liquid asset that trades on a Saturday afternoon. Equities, oil, and bonds don't have that option until Sunday evening futures or Monday's open. If those markets gap sharply lower, bitcoin could face a second wave of risk-off selling as portfolio managers de-risk across all asset classes simultaneously. That could potentially open a path to $60,000 or lower. Previous Middle East escalations have followed a pattern where bitcoin drops on the initial shock and recovers once traditional markets absorb the news and the situation appears contained. Iran's retaliatory strikes on Israel in April 2025 played out that way. So did earlier tensions in 2020. This time the containment thesis is much harder to make. Missiles landing in Dubai, Kuwait, and Bahrain isn't a bilateral exchange. It's a regional war touching some of the most economically sensitive territory on the planet. The downside risk is straightforward. If the conflict broadens, oil prices could surge on both sides of the Atlantic, potentially leading to global risk aversion and deeper losses in bitcoin. While the cryptocurrency is often seen as digital gold, it has historically traded more like a risk asset, not a safe haven. The $60,000 floor that held during the Feb. 5 crash becomes the next line of defense, and it will be tested under far more severe conditions than a leverage flush. More For You Crypto community fear of Iran choking oil supply and crashing markets may be overblown A full closure of the strait is unlikely or impractical, some experts argue. What to know: Disclosure & Polices: CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk has adopted a set of principles aimed at ensuring the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias of its publications. CoinDesk is part of Bullish (NYSE:BLSH), an institutionally focused global digital asset platform that provides market infrastructure and information services. Bullish owns and invests in digital asset businesses and digital assets and CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive Bullish equity-based compensation.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

UK's ICO fined MediaLab £247,590 for failing to protect children on Imgur, finding no age checks were in place from September 2021 to September 2025. The UK's Information Commissioner's Office on 5 February 2026 fined MediaLab.AI, Inc. £247,590 for failing to use children's personal information lawfully on Imgur, the image sharing and hosting platform the California-based company owns. The penalty follows a multi-year investigation that found MediaLab allowed children to access Imgur without any of the basic safeguards that UK data protection law requires. The announcement arrived at a moment when regulators across Europe and the United States are pressing platforms hard on child safety - and when the technical and legal standards for age assurance are tightening faster than many operators anticipated. The fine is relatively modest by the standards of recent enforcement actions against technology companies. Under the UK GDPR, the ICO may issue fines of up to £17.5 million or 4% of an organisation's annual worldwide turnover, whichever is higher. MediaLab's penalty of £247,590 was calibrated against the company's global turnover, the number of children affected, the degree of potential harm, and the duration of the contraventions - which stretched from September 2021 to September 2025, a period of four years. The ICO also took into account MediaLab's acceptance of its provisional findings set out in a Notice of Intent issued in September 2025, as well as the company's commitment to address the infringements if access to the Imgur platform in the UK is restored in future. Imgur launched in 2009 as a simple image hosting service designed to make sharing pictures on Reddit easier. It grew into a large standalone community, hosting hundreds of millions of images and attracting substantial traffic from users posting memes, photography, and other visual content. In 2021, MediaLab.AI, Inc. - a company that acquires and operates consumer internet platforms - purchased Imgur from its founder. MediaLab also owns other well-known internet properties. The company is headquartered in the United States, which placed it within the territorial scope of UK data protection law when providing services to users in the UK. The platform has at various points restricted access to UK users. The ICO noted in its penalty notice that if MediaLab resumes processing the personal data of children in the UK without implementing the measures it has committed to, the regulator may take further enforcement action. The ICO's investigation concluded that MediaLab breached the UK GDPR in three distinct ways. First, the company failed to implement any measures to check the age of its users. Imgur's terms of service stated that children under 13 could only use the platform with parental supervision, but no mechanism existed to enforce or even approximate that requirement. The platform collected personal data from all users - including children - without having any reliable way to identify who among them was a minor. Second, MediaLab processed the personal information of children under 13 without parental consent or any other lawful basis. UK law requires that online services wishing to rely on consent as their lawful basis for processing a child's data must obtain that consent from the child's parent or carer. MediaLab had no parental consent mechanism in place. Imgur's terms stated children under 13 needed parental supervision, yet MediaLab, according to the ICO, "did not implement any form of age assurance measures to determine the age of Imgur users and did not have measures in place to obtain parental consent where children under 13 used the platform." Third, the company failed to carry out a data protection impact assessment (DPIA) to identify and reduce the privacy risks children faced when using the service. DPIAs are a formal requirement under UK GDPR for processing that is likely to result in high risk to individuals. Children's data, particularly on platforms with user-generated content of a potentially sensitive nature, plainly meets that threshold. The investigation identified specific categories of harmful content that children using Imgur were exposed to. The ICO found that personal information often drives the content children see online, and that because MediaLab had no way of knowing the age of Imgur users, children "were at risk of being exposed to harmful content on the platform, including content related to eating disorders, homophobia, antisemitism and images of a sexual or violent nature." This detail is significant. It illustrates the connection between data processing failures and real-world harm to minors. Age assurance is not merely a compliance tick-box; it is the mechanism by which platforms tailor or restrict the content children encounter. Without it, personalisation and recommendation systems - typically driven by behavioural data - operate on children's data in ways that can surface age-inappropriate material. John Edwards, the UK Information Commissioner, said in the announcement: "MediaLab failed in its legal duties to protect children, putting them at unnecessary risk. For years, it allowed children to use Imgur without any effective age checks, while collecting and processing their data, which in turn exposed them to harmful and inappropriate content." Edwards continued: "Age checks help organisations keep children's personal information safe and not used in ways that may harm them, such as by recommending age-inappropriate content. This fine is part of our wider work to drive improvements in how digital platforms use children's personal data. Ignoring the fact that children use these services, while processing their data unlawfully, is not acceptable. Companies that choose to ignore this can expect to face similar enforcement action." The ICO's enforcement action sits within a broader framework. The UK's Children's code - formally the Age Appropriate Design Code - translates the legal requirements of UK GDPR into concrete design standards for online services that are likely to be accessed by children under 18. The code requires that services place children's best interests at the forefront and give them a high level of privacy by default. In December 2025, the ICO reported strong progress on its Children's code strategy, citing a proactive supervision programme to drive improvements in how social media and video sharing platforms handle children's data. The MediaLab penalty is explicitly characterised as part of this wider intervention. The ICO describes it as "part of a wider intervention by us to improve the safety of children's personal information online." For organisations uncertain about how to comply, the ICO has issued guidance on age assurance tools - systems that can verify or estimate user age - as a "guardrail to prevent children from accessing online services they shouldn't be using or to help platforms tailor their online experience accordingly." The guidance indicates that organisations can either apply the full protections of the Children's code to all users, or use proportionate age assurance tools to tailor safeguards by age. Where children below a certain age are not allowed to use a service at all, the ICO says organisations must focus on preventing access and enforce their minimum age requirements using "robust age assurance methods." Further detail on the regulator's expectations is available in its published age assurance opinion. The monetary penalty notice itself was published on 26 February 2026, following a period during which the ICO considered redaction of commercially sensitive and personal information. The ICO's action against MediaLab does not exist in isolation. Across Europe and North America, the question of how platforms should verify user age - and what happens when they don't - has moved rapidly up the regulatory agenda. The UK Online Safety Act, which received Royal Assent in October 2023, established sweeping new requirements for platforms serving users in the UK, including mandatory age verification for services hosting adult content. Its enforcement has driven platforms including Bluesky and X to implement age assurance systems. The European Data Protection Board adopted Statement 1/2025 on 11 February 2025, setting out ten principles for GDPR-compliant age assurance, including requirements for data minimisation, the least intrusive verification method available, and a prohibition on additional tracking or profiling through the verification process. In Germany, Sparkasse partnered with Google in July 2025 to launch the first national wallet-based digital age verification service in the EU, using zero-knowledge proof cryptography to confirm user ages without exposing detailed personal data. The EU's own digital identity framework is tracking a similar path, with the Commission developing continent-wide technical solutions linked to the Digital Services Act and the eIDAS regulation. In the United States, new COPPA rules published by the FTC on 22 April 2025 took effect on 23 June 2025, with a full compliance deadline of 22 April 2026. Those amendments introduced stricter requirements on consent for third-party data sharing involving children's data - and represented the most significant changes to US children's online privacy protections in over a decade. Meanwhile, the ICO itself has been active on other fronts. It fined 23andMe £2.31 million in June 2025 following a credential stuffing attack that exposed the personal data of 155,592 UK customers. The UK Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, which received Royal Assent on 10 July 2025, introduced new mandatory complaint reporting obligations for controllers under a framework inserted as section 164B. Germany's digital economy association BVDW, in a position paper published on 10 February 2026, argued that mandatory age checks should be confined to platforms presenting genuine, high-level risks for minors - principally pornography and gambling - and that advertising-funded editorial outlets serving mixed audiences should not be subject to blanket verification mandates. The paper was backed by a Civey survey of 2,500 people conducted on 3 and 4 February 2026. For marketing professionals and publishers, the ICO's fine carries practical implications. Programmatic advertisingsystems rely on user data to personalise content and target audiences. When children's data flows into those systems - unidentified - the risks extend beyond regulatory fines. Advertisers may inadvertently target minors, publishers may violate brand safety standards, and the platforms hosting that inventory may find themselves exposed to enforcement action of exactly the kind MediaLab has now faced. The ICO's investigation makes clear that ignorance of a user's age is not a defence. It is itself the violation. Platforms that collect personal data from users - and whose services are likely to be accessed by children - must take affirmative steps to understand who those users are and to process their data on a lawful basis. Failing to know is failing to comply. The fine also signals something about enforcement proportionality. £247,590 is not a catastrophic sum for a company of MediaLab's scale. But the reputational consequences, the ongoing regulatory scrutiny, and the requirement to implement compliant systems before resuming UK operations represent real operational costs. The ICO made clear that similar enforcement action awaits companies that choose to ignore these obligations. The ICO's broader investigation into real-time bidding has long raised concerns about the personal data - including data that may belong to children - that flows through programmatic advertising systems. The MediaLab case reinforces the point: the regulatory focus is not solely on the infrastructure of ad tech, but on the data practices of the platforms that generate the inventory. Age assurance, once viewed as a compliance requirement primarily for adult content sites, is becoming a baseline expectation for any platform likely to be used by minors. For the marketing industry, that shift has significant targeting, measurement, and data governance implications. Who: MediaLab.AI, Inc., the US-based owner of the Imgur image hosting platform, was fined by the UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). The penalty was announced by John Edwards, UK Information Commissioner. What: A £247,590 monetary penalty under section 155(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018, for three violations of UK GDPR: failing to implement any age assurance measures; processing the personal data of children under 13 without parental consent or any other lawful basis; and failing to carry out a data protection impact assessment. The ICO found that children using Imgur were exposed to content related to eating disorders, homophobia, antisemitism, and images of a sexual or violent nature. When: The contraventions occurred between September 2021 and September 2025. The ICO issued the Notice of Intent in September 2025. The penalty notice was dated 4 February 2026 and publicly announced on 5 February 2026. The full penalty notice was published on 26 February 2026. Where: The enforcement action covers the processing of personal data of children in the United Kingdom through the Imgur platform. MediaLab.AI, Inc. is incorporated and headquartered in the United States. Why: MediaLab failed to implement any form of age assurance to determine the ages of Imgur users, processing children's data without a lawful basis and without conducting the required data protection impact assessment. The ICO determined that this exposed children to potentially harmful content and breached their rights under UK GDPR. The fine forms part of a broader ICO programme to improve how digital platforms handle children's personal data under the UK Children's code. Your go-to source for digital marketing news. Get the latest updates from Google, Meta, Amazon, and The Trade Desk. Stay informed on ad tech innovations, programmatic trends, and policy changes.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Streamline delivers efficient, clear, and reliable news content. Stay informed with our content-focused platform designed for optimal readability and user experience. © 2026 Streamline. All rights reserved. We're loading the full news article for you. This includes the article content, images, author information, and related articles. The Web3 gaming sector continues to mature, with Honeyland Genesis Bees NFTs providing a fascinating case study in digital asset valuation and community-driven market caps. The Web3 gaming sector continues to mature, with Honeyland Genesis Bees NFTs providing a fascinating case study in digital asset valuation and community-driven market caps. The Non-Fungible Token (NFT) market has experienced a dramatic evolution since the speculative frenzy of the early 2020s. Today, utility-driven projects are separating themselves from the noise, establishing robust economies within expansive digital ecosystems. At the forefront of this shift is Honeyland, a strategic mobile game built on the Solana blockchain. The project's core assets, the Genesis Bees NFTs, serve as the foundational economic engine for players, dictating their earning potential and influence within the game's universe. Analyzing the latest floor price and market cap data for Honeyland Genesis Bees reveals a maturing investor base. Unlike pure profile picture (PFP) collections, the value of these assets is directly tied to their utility—harvesting $HXD (the native token), breeding, and participating in the game's governance. The floor price, a critical metric indicating the lowest price at which an asset is listed for sale, has shown remarkable resilience despite broader macroeconomic headwinds affecting the cryptocurrency sector. This stability is largely attributed to the active engagement of the player base and the continuous rollout of new game features by the development team. For African gamers and investors, particularly the growing Web3 community in Kenya, understanding these dynamics is crucial. Play-to-earn and Play-and-own models offer alternative income streams, but they require a sophisticated understanding of tokenomics and market cycles. The market capitalization of the Genesis Bees collection provides a macro view of the project's perceived value. It is calculated by multiplying the floor price by the total supply of the NFTs. However, potential investors must remain vigilant. The Web3 gaming sector remains highly volatile, susceptible to sudden shifts in player sentiment and broader regulatory developments. The success of projects like Honeyland signals a broader shift in how digital ownership is perceived. In regions with high smartphone penetration and a tech-savvy youth demographic, the barrier to entry for Web3 gaming is relatively low. Kenya, a recognized hub for tech innovation in Africa, is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend. Local developers and gamers are increasingly participating in the global Web3 economy, creating local guilds and educational communities to navigate the complexities of digital asset management. "The true value of an NFT lies not in its artistic merit, but in the economic empowerment it provides to its owner," a local blockchain analyst emphasized. Keep the conversation in one place—threads here stay linked to the story and in the forums. Sign in to start a discussion Start a conversation about this story and keep it linked here. Other hot threads E-sports and Gaming Community in Kenya Active 9 months ago The Role of Technology in Modern Agriculture (AgriTech) Active 9 months ago Popular Recreational Activities Across Counties Active 9 months ago Investing in Youth Sports Development Programs Active 9 months ago Feb 28, 2026 Feb 28, 2026 Feb 28, 2026
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Home » Market Updates Share: Share: Bitcoin's price moves took another turn for the worse in the past few hours after Israel attacked Iran, and then US President Trump confirmed his country was also involved. Numerous altcoins have bled out heavily, while Binance Coin has taken advantage and surpassed XRP in terms of market cap. It was already a highly volatile trading week for the primary cryptocurrency as the bears seemed to be in full control by Tuesday. At the time, they pushed the asset south to a multi-week low of $62,500. However, bitcoin rebounded almost immediately and skyrocketed by several grand to $70,000 on Wednesday. Many analysts speculated whether this was a typical dead-cat bounce, which turned out to be the case. At first, BTC slipped to around $68,000, where it spent most of Thursday and Friday. However, the situation worsened once again on Saturday morning when Israel launched a “preemptive” attack against Iran and issued a state of emergency. In minutes, BTC plunged to under $62,800 before it recovered some ground to $63,400 as of press time. US President Donald Trump confirmed that the US was also involved in the attacks, and more volatility is expected later today as the situation unravels. As of now, bitcoin's market cap has slid to $1.275 trillion on CG, while its dominance over the alts is below 56%. The graph below will show the painful reality in the altcoin space, in which almost all assets are deep in the red. ETH has plunged by $200 in the past few days to $1,850. XRP was surpassed by BNB after a 9% drop, while SOL has slumped by double digits to under $80. ADA, HYPE, BCH, DOGE, CC, LINK, and XLM have plummeted hard as well. Declines of up to 20% are evident from KCS, PIPPIN, and STABLE, while stablecoins linked to gold are in the green. The total crypto market cap has erased over $100 billion in the past day or so and is deep below $2.3 trillion on CG. Jordan got into crypto in 2016 by trading and investing. He began writing about blockchain technology in 2017 and now serves as CryptoPotato's Assistant Editor-in-Chief. He has managed numerous crypto-related projects and is passionate about all things blockchain. Information found on CryptoPotato is those of writers quoted. It does not represent the opinions of CryptoPotato on whether to buy, sell, or hold any investments. You are advised to conduct your own research before making any investment decisions. Use provided information at your own risk. Full disclaimer
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

抱歉，發生錯誤 In late February 2026, Agora Data, Inc. and Figure Technology Solutions announced a partnership to launch the first blockchain-enabled platform that brings U.S. auto loans onto modern capital markets as tokenized real-world assets, alongside Figure's release of full-year 2025 results showing revenue of US$506.87 million and net income of US$133.86 million. Figure also unveiled a US$200 million share repurchase program and completed what it called the world's first fully on-chain equity trades, underscoring its push to modernize consumer credit and capital markets infrastructure with blockchain technology. We'll now examine how Figure's move into tokenized auto loans with Agora could reshape the company's investment narrative and risk profile. The best AI stocks today may lie beyond giants like Nvidia and Microsoft. Find the next big opportunity with these 22 smaller AI-focused companies with strong growth potential through early-stage innovation in machine learning, automation, and data intelligence that could fund your retirement. To own Figure, you need to believe its blockchain rails will keep attracting loan originators and institutional capital, turning real world credit into fee-based, capital-light volume. Right now, the key near term catalyst is continued adoption of Figure Connect and related marketplaces, while the biggest risk is that institutional demand for tokenized assets and on chain funding fails to keep pace. The Agora partnership and recent earnings meaningfully raise the stakes on both sides of that equation. Among the recent announcements, the US$200 million share repurchase program stands out alongside the Agora deal. Coming just days after a US$150 million follow-on equity offering, it sharpens focus on how Figure balances growth investments, on chain innovation and capital returns. For investors watching the Agora auto loan expansion as a proof point for the marketplace model, capital allocation choices like this buyback have become an important part of the near term catalyst set. Yet against this backdrop of innovation and capital returns, investors should also be aware of how quickly sentiment could shift if institutional appetite for tokenized assets... Read the full narrative on Figure Technology Solutions (it's free!) Figure Technology Solutions' narrative projects $962.3 million in revenue and $391.9 million in earnings by 2028. This requires 36.0% yearly revenue growth and about a $335.7 million earnings increase from $56.2 million today. Uncover how Figure Technology Solutions' forecasts yield a $49.88 fair value, a 97% upside to its current price. The most optimistic analysts were already assuming revenue could reach about US$1.1 billion and earnings about US$445 million, so compared with the risk that on chain marketplace adoption plateaus, the Agora partnership may either validate those bullish expectations or force a rethink of how quickly Figure's rails can scale in practice. Explore 8 other fair value estimates on Figure Technology Solutions - why the stock might be a potential multi-bagger! Don't just follow the ticker - dig into the data and build a conviction that's truly your own. A great starting point for your Figure Technology Solutions research is our analysis highlighting 2 key rewards and 2 important warning signs that could impact your investment decision. Our free Figure Technology Solutions research report provides a comprehensive fundamental analysis summarized in a single visual - the Snowflake - making it easy to evaluate Figure Technology Solutions' overall financial health at a glance. The market won't wait. These fast-moving stocks are hot now. Grab the list before they run: Invest in the nuclear renaissance through our list of 84 elite nuclear energy infrastructure plays powering the global AI revolution. Rare earth metals are the new gold rush. Find out which 31 stocks are leading the charge. Find 46 companies with promising cash flow potential yet trading below their fair value. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include FIGR. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

As volatility continues to dominate the broader crypto market, traders are increasingly focused on identifying the top altcoins to watch this March, tokens that are holding key levels and showing early signs of trend expansion. While Bitcoin and the wider market remain range-bound, Pippin, Decred, and Polkadot are standing out due to constructive technical structures, strong support zones, and clearly defined upside potential. These setups suggest that, if market conditions stabilize, these altcoins could be among the first to react. Here's a closer look at why these three altcoins are back in focus and how their charts are shaping up for March. Pippin PIPPINUSD : Momentum Leader With a Bullish Continuation Setup Pippin is trading around $0.6987, after posting a 42% weekly surge, making it one of the strongest performers among the top altcoins to watch this March. Pippin continues to trade within a well-defined ascending channel, forming consistent higher highs and higher lows, a textbook bullish continuation structure. After a short consolidation, price has reclaimed its short-term moving averages and is now pressing toward the upper boundary of the channel. The current setup suggests that momentum remains firmly in control. Based on the channel projection and the most recent impulse leg, the chart points to a potential 45–70% continuation move in March, provided price continues to respect channel support. Decred DCRUSD: Breakout From Long Accumulation Signals Trend Shift Decred is trading near $32.99, following a 36% rally over the past week, placing it squarely among the top altcoins to watch this March. DCR/USDT price chart reveals a multi-month accumulation base, followed by a decisive breakout above consolidation resistance. DCR price has since pulled back modestly and is now holding above the former resistance zone, a classic bullish retest that often confirms trend transitions. With price holding above key moving averages and structure flipping bullish, the measured move from the accumulation range suggests another 30–40% upside potential in March, assuming support continues to hold. Polkadot DOTUSD: Compression Near Demand Sets the Stage for Expansion Polkadot is currently trading near $1.56, up 17% over the past week, placing it firmly among the top altcoins to watch this March. For months, DOT remains inside a broader descending trend, but price action has shifted into a key demand zone near the lower trendline, where selling pressure has repeatedly been absorbed. Recent candles show tightening ranges and declining volatility, classic signs of compression before expansion. The chart highlights a measured projection suggesting that if DOT breaks above the descending trendline and reclaims the mid-range, the move could extend toward the next resistance zone, representing roughly 75–85% upside from current levels. Bottom Line As traders search for the top altcoins to watch this March, Polkadot, Pippin, and Decred stand out not just for their recent gains, but for the quality of their chart structures. If market conditions remain supportive, these three altcoins could be among the strongest performers, making them top altcoins to watch this march as volatility returns. Select market data provided by ICE Data Services. Select reference data provided by FactSet. Copyright © 2026 FactSet Research Systems Inc.Copyright © 2026, American Bankers Association. CUSIP Database provided by FactSet Research Systems Inc. All rights reserved. SEC fillings and other documents provided by Quartr.© 2026 TradingView, Inc.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

WORLD WEST ASIA ASIA-PACIFIC AFRICA US EUROPE UK AMERICAS SOCIETY ARTS SPORTS CONVERSATIONS IRAN POLITICS ECONOMY ENERGY NUCLEAR ENERGY CULTURE DEFENSE SPORTS DEFINITIVE REVENGE PEOPLE'S PRESIDENT SHOWS 10 MINUTES AFRICA TODAY ECONOMIC DIVIDE FACE TO FACE IN A NUTSHELL IRAN IRAN TECH IRAN TODAY MIDEASTREAM PALESTINE DECLASSIFIED SPOTLIGHT BLACK AND WHITE ISRAEL WATCH BROADCAST THE WEB EXPOSÉ EXPLAINER BLACK BOX MOSCOW REPORT SOBH UNSCRIPTED WOMEN OF RESISTANCE INTERVIEW ATTRITION TRUE PROMISE GRINGO IN MY OWN VOICE # Ghada Ebrahim Press TV, Deir Al-Balah Officials working with Trump's so-called ‘Board of Peace' are exploring launching a stablecoin for Gaza. It is being framed as economic reform — but analysts warn that replacing cash with a fully digital system means deeper financial control over Palestinians. Ghada Ebrahim reports. Press TV's website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses: www.presstv.co.uk IOS : 1. Click the "share" button in the bottom bar 2. Select the "Add to home screen" option 3. Click "Add" at the top ANDROID : 1. Click the "..." button 2. Select the "Add to home screen" option Ok!
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Bitcoin's attempt to reclaim $70,000 earlier in the week lasted about 48 hours. The largest cryptocurrency slid to $65,735 in early Asian hours on Saturday, down 3% over the past day and 2.8% on the week. Wednesday's rally, which came within touching distance of $70,000, has now given back more than half its gains as broader risk sentiment deteriorated through Thursday and Friday's U.S. sessions. Altcoins took a harder hit. Solana dropped 6.7%, ether fell 6.2%, dogecoin shed 5.1%, and XRP lost 4%. The losses pushed most major tokens into the red on a weekly basis, erasing the altcoin outperformance that had been the week's most encouraging signal. BNB held up better than most, down just 2.5%. The trigger was familiar. Friday's U.S. session saw the S&P 500 close down 0.4%, the Nasdaq 100 drop 0.3%, and the Dow fall 1.1%. Nvidia, still digesting its post-earnings reaction, shed another 4.2%. A hotter-than-expected 0.5% jump in producer prices added fuel, signaling inflationary pressure that may keep the Fed from cutting rates anytime soon. Block Inc.'s massive layoffs fanned broader anxiety that AI is starting to displace jobs across the economy rather than just creating them. Crypto followed equities lower, but as usual, with amplified magnitude. A 0.4% drop in the S&P became a 3% drop in bitcoin and a more than 6% drop in altcoins. The leverage that re-entered the system during Wednesday's rally got flushed on the way back down. The irony is that the institutional flow data this week was actually strong. U.S. spot bitcoin ETFs added $1.1 billion in three days, putting them on pace for their best week in months. But ETF inflows haven't been enough to overcome the broader macro headwinds. "Over-analysis of short-term price movements is misguided," said Dom Harz, co-founder of bitcoin finance firm BOB said in an email. "Bitcoin's volatility is no surprise, particularly for early investors who have experienced previous cycles. What's different this time is the type of capital behind the emerging asset class." Meanwhile, CryptoQuant data shows USDT stablecoin reserves on exchanges have fallen from $60 billion to $51.1 billion over the past two months, a decline the firm warned could trigger a "massive sell-off" if reserves drop below $50 billion. Elsewhere, Strategy shares topped the list of large U.S. companies by short interest volume as markets increasingly question the sustainability of the firm's debt-funded bitcoin buying program. And on the Ethereum side, large holders have started selling at a loss, with DAT company ETHZilla officially abandoning its ETH accumulation strategy and rebranding to focus on tokenized real-world assets instead. Bitcoin is now back in the middle of the $60,000-$70,000 range it has been stuck in since the Feb. 5 crash. Wednesday proved the top of that range is resistance. The question heading into March is whether the bottom still holds. More For You Crypto community fear of Iran choking oil supply and crashing markets may be overblown A full closure of the strait is unlikely or impractical, some experts argue. What to know: Disclosure & Polices: CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk has adopted a set of principles aimed at ensuring the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias of its publications. CoinDesk is part of Bullish (NYSE:BLSH), an institutionally focused global digital asset platform that provides market infrastructure and information services. Bullish owns and invests in digital asset businesses and digital assets and CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive Bullish equity-based compensation.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Both of these coins have what it takes to be good investments for the long run. Both Ethereum (ETH 1.18%) and XRP (XRP 1.92%) are tried-and-tested blockchains which have survived (and sometimes thrived) for years on end. That means they're both sturdy enough to be candidates for a big investment, like $5,000, and for holding over the very long term, or even forever. So which of these two leading coins is the better option for a forever hold? Image source: Getty Images. Forever is a long time, especially for an investment in an emerging sector like crypto. Therefore, an asset's optionality regarding where it can derive growth is a key factor, as today's growth drivers might peter out and new ones are likely to emerge. On that front, Ethereum has plenty of options. It already hosts a large decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem worth more than $53 billion today, powered by a massive stablecoin base of $159 billion. That existing base of capital is a strategic asset because it gives developers and financial institutions a reason to build new products right where liquidity already lives. It also gives investors exposure to many possible growth lanes at once, from the onboarding of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) to the development of new settlement rails for payments between AI agents. Another advantage is that Ethereum has a track record of consistently shipping large protocol upgrades. The Pectra upgrade, for example, landed on the mainnet in May 2025, followed by the Fusaka upgrade in December. Two similarly large feature packages are expected for 2026, and they should help to build the chain's ability to scale up without spiking transaction costs. If you plan to hold an asset indefinitely, this network's culture of iterative improvement reduces the risk that its technical capabilities will become irrelevant as emerging opportunities for growth arise. Its habit of attracting and retaining substantial capital also helps prevent that outcome. XRP is not a bad crypto asset by any means, but its long-term burden is its far narrower positioning than Ethereum. Ripple, the coin's issuer, built the XRP Ledger (XRPL) ecosystem as a toolkit of financial technologies to support specific workflows in institutional finance, especially cross-border payments and money transfers, and, more recently, the management of tokenized asset capital. The coin's value is thus derived from the utility of its ledger. That focus could pay off if the financial companies the chain targets like what it's offering, but it also concentrates risk. Financial institutions move cautiously, and winning them over is a slow, grinding process of catering to their needs and building strong relationships. Their technology adoption process can stall for years, even when the product works, and decision-makers broadly want to adopt the new tech. To Ripple's credit, the XRP Ledger includes plenty of features that match institutional requirements and seek to minimize their potential pain points. The network's authorized trust lines, for instance, let tokenized asset issuers whitelist who can hold their issued tokens, which is a feature that supports regulatory constraints around who can legally custody an asset. Similarly, the ledger supports freezing tokens when suspicious activity appears, which is a control that traditional finance teams tend to expect in regulated asset workflows. But holding a coin forever is unforgiving of sustained competitive pressure, which XRP doubtlessly faces. Its competitors include fintech companies and other cryptocurrencies, not to mention the internal tech development capabilities of many of its target users in big banks. So it'll need to continuously one up the other players in its space if it's going to grow over the long term, and it's hard to believe that it'll win every round that counts. The decision here is about resilience and resources. Ethereum's "grizzled veteran" reputation today stems from surviving numerous shifts in user demand patterns while maintaining a large on-chain capital pool and growing it all the while. Its success or failure in any given crypto market segment is not guaranteed, nor was it in the past, but its constant evolution has ensured that failures are not fatal, and also that missed opportunities aren't very damaging overall. XRP, on the other hand, is only just starting to scale up its on-chain capital base; it has only $418 million in stablecoins. Furthermore, while it has succeeded in attracting some financial institutions to its chain, the truth is that its growth trajectory has not yet been seriously tested, and is still finding an appropriate product-market fit. Its real competitive challenges have only just begun. So if you want a coin to buy with $5,000 and hold forever, pick the asset that can win without needing to be perfect: Ethereum. XRP is still a decent long-term hold, assuming it's part of a diversified crypto portfolio, but it's riskier. Alex Carchidi has positions in Ethereum. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Ethereum and XRP. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. *Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close. Invest better with The Motley Fool. Get stock recommendations, portfolio guidance, and more from The Motley Fool's premium services. Making the world smarter, happier, and richer. © 1995 - 2026 The Motley Fool. All rights reserved. Market data powered by Xignite and Polygon.io. About The Motley Fool Our Services Around the Globe Free Tools Affiliates & Friends
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

$83 billion has just been sitting there underground this whole time. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us? Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: A deposit of gold ore discovered in China isn't just giant. It's supergiant. So much so, in fact, that Chinese experts claim it could be the largest deposit of any precious metal—not just gold ore—in existence today. How big is the “supergiant” deposit located under the Wangu gold field in the Hunan province? Experts estimate it at 1,100 tons. According to Chinese state media, a team of geologists detected over 40 gold veins of roughly 330 tons of gold ore dipping 6,600 feet deep under Pingjiang County's Wangu gold field. But 3D modeling blows that number out of the water, showing there could be as much as 1,100 tons as deep as 9,800 feet. If the models are accurate, the deposit in its entirely could be worth roughly $83 billion. Adding some more heft to the already weighty (literally) find was the report that the discovery features 138 grams of gold per metric ton of ore, a valuable rate not often found in gold mining. “Many drilled rock cores showed visible gold,” said Chen Rulin, an ore-prospecting expert at China's Hunan Province's Geological Bureau, according to Chinese state media. If the 1,100-ton figure holds up, that makes this new find the largest gold mine in the world, even outpacing South Africa's South Deep gold mine with its 1,025 tons of gold, according to Mining Technology. Mines in Indonesia, Russia, New Guinea, and Chile round out the top-five gold mines in the world. The Carlin Trend and Cortez gold mines, both in Nevada, are ranked sixth and 10th worldwide. Historically, the world has mined 233,000 tons of gold, all of it still around in some form, and two-thirds of that mining has occurred since 1950. Already the world's top gold producer with about 10 percent of global production, China is heavily dependent on the metal, using about three times more gold than it mines annually. A rate that high requires the country to purchase so much gold from other countries that it's also the world's top importer of the valuable metal. This new discovery has put the world's gold markets on notice, enough so that the price of gold rose to $2,700 per ounce, according to CCN.com. And the gold news may not stop there. According to Liu Yongjun, vice head of the bureau, additional gold ore was found when drilling around the site's peripheral areas. Tim Newcomb is a journalist based in the Pacific Northwest. He covers stadiums, sneakers, gear, infrastructure, and more for a variety of publications, including Popular Mechanics. His favorite interviews have included sit-downs with Roger Federer in Switzerland, Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles, and Tinker Hatfield in Portland. Mystery on Easter Island: More Moai Found in Lake Heaven Has a Physical Location, a Physicist Claims NASA Found a Secret U.S. Army Base Buried in Ice Archaeologists Found a Rare Medieval Ring Archaeology Students Dug Up a Mass Viking Grave A Wild Wolf-Dog Hybrid Has Emerged in Greece Scientists Discovered the Cause of Earth's Pulsing Your Mind Taps Into the ‘Flow of the Universe' This Mosaic Shows a Lost Version of the Trojan War Want Stronger Cement? Oysters Have the Answer. Experts Found a Scientific Triumph in Human Hair Archaeologists Find Ancient Celtic Burial Chamber A Part of Hearst Digital Media We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. ©2026 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Growing older brings a higher risk of serious illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, and dementia. For years, researchers have tackled these conditions individually. Now, many scientists are stepping back to ask a broader question. Instead of treating diseases one by one, could slowing the aging process reduce the risk of several at once? To answer that, they first need to understand what sparks the biological changes that come with age. A new study published in Science offers an unprecedented look at that process. Researchers at The Rockefeller University built the most detailed atlas so far of how aging affects thousands of cell subtypes across 21 mammalian tissues. By examining nearly 7 million individual cells from mice at three different ages, the team identified which cells are most vulnerable over time and what factors may be driving their decline. "Our goal was to understand not just what changes with aging, but why," says Junyue Cao, who heads the Laboratory of Single Cell Genomics and Population Dynamics. "By mapping both cellular and molecular changes, we can identify what drives aging. That opens the door to interventions that target the aging process itself." One of the most striking findings was that many age-related shifts happen in sync across multiple organs. The researchers also found that nearly half of these changes differ between males and females. A Massive Cellular Census Across 21 Organs To map aging at this scale, Cao's team, led by graduate student Ziyu Lu, refined a method known as single-cell ATAC-seq. This approach looks at how DNA is packaged inside each cell, revealing which regions of the genome are accessible and active, a key indicator of a cell's state and function. The researchers applied this technique to millions of individual cells taken from 21 organs in 32 mice at three ages: one month (young adult), five months (middle-aged), and 21 months (elderly). "What's remarkable is that this entire atlas was generated by a single graduate student," Cao says. "Most large atlases like this require large consortia with dozens of laboratories but our method is far more efficient than other approaches." In total, the lab identified more than 1,800 distinct cell subtypes, including many rare groups that had never been fully described. The team then tracked how the numbers of these cells changed as the mice moved from young adulthood to middle age and then to old age. Early and Coordinated Cellular Shifts For decades, scientists believed aging mainly altered how cells function, not how many of each type exist. This new analysis challenges that view. About one quarter of all cell types showed significant changes in abundance over time. Certain muscle and kidney cell populations declined sharply, while immune cells expanded considerably. "The system is far more dynamic than we realized," says Cao. "And some of these changes begin surprisingly early. By five months of age, some cell populations had already begun to decline. This tells us that aging isn't just something that happens late in life; it's a continuation of ongoing developmental processes." Equally surprising was how synchronized these changes were. Similar cellular states rose and fell together across different organs. This pattern suggests that shared signals, possibly factors circulating in the bloodstream, help coordinate aging throughout the body. The study also revealed pronounced differences between males and females. Roughly 40 percent of aging-associated changes varied significantly by sex. For example, females showed much broader immune activation as they aged. "It's possible this could explain the higher prevalence of autoimmune diseases in women," Cao speculates. Genetic Hotspots and Future Anti-Aging Therapies Beyond counting how cell populations shifted, the researchers examined how accessible regions of DNA changed within those cells over time. Out of 1.3 million genomic regions analyzed, about 300,000 displayed significant aging-related alterations. Around 1,000 of those changes appeared across many different cell types, reinforcing the idea that common biological programs drive aging across the body. Many of these shared regions were linked to immune function, inflammation, or stem cell maintenance. "This challenges the idea that aging is just random genomic decay," Cao says. "Instead, we see specific regulatory hotspots that are particularly vulnerable, and these are precisely the regions we should be studying if we want to understand what drives the aging process." When the team compared their findings with earlier research, they discovered that immune signaling molecules called cytokines can trigger many of the same cellular changes observed during aging. Cao suggests that drugs designed to adjust these cytokines could potentially slow coordinated aging processes across multiple organs. "This is really a starting point," Cao says. "We've identified the vulnerable cell types and molecular hotspots. Now the question is whether we can develop interventions that target these specific aging processes. Our lab is already working on that next step." The full aging atlas is available to the public at epiage.net. Story Source: Materials provided by Rockefeller University. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Journal Reference: Cite This Page: Study of 1.2 Million Infants Reveals the Truth About Vegan Baby Diets What Happens to Your Brain When You Eat 30% Less for 20 Years? Scientists Fix a Hidden Flaw in Perovskite Solar Cells With Tiny Crystal Seeds Aging Isn't Random, and It Starts Earlier Than You Think Stay informed with ScienceDaily's free email newsletter, updated daily and weekly. Or view our many newsfeeds in your RSS reader: Keep up to date with the latest news from ScienceDaily via social networks: Tell us what you think of ScienceDaily -- we welcome both positive and negative comments. Have any problems using the site? Questions?
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

One of the most remarkable features of DNA is its precision. Cells read genetic instructions in sets of three letters called codons, and each codon corresponds to a specific amino acid. Those amino acids are linked together in a defined order to build proteins, the molecules that carry out most of life's essential tasks. Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have now identified a microorganism that challenges this long accepted rule. Their findings show that at least one microbe can tolerate ambiguity in its genetic code, overturning a central assumption in biology. The organism is a methane producing member of a group of microbes known as Archaea. It treats a particular three letter sequence, typically a stop codon that marks the end of a protein, in two different ways. Sometimes the cell stops building the protein. Other times it inserts an amino acid and keeps going. This produces two distinct proteins from the same genetic instruction. The microbe, Methanosarcina acetivorans, appears to function normally despite this flexible interpretation, demonstrating that life can operate with a slightly imprecise code. Scientists think this ambiguity may have evolved to allow the organism to insert a rare amino acid called pyrrolysine into an enzyme that breaks down methylamine, a compound commonly found in the environment and in the human gut. "Objectively, ambiguity in the genetic code should be deleterious; you end up generating a random pool of proteins," said Dipti Nayak, a UC Berkeley assistant professor of molecular and cell biology and senior author of a paper describing the findings published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "But biological systems are more ambiguous than we give them credit to be and that ambiguity is actually a feature -- it's not a bug." Why Methylamine Metabolism Matters Archaea that consume methylamines, along with certain bacteria that may have acquired the same ability, play an important role in human health. When people eat red meat, the liver converts certain byproducts into trimethylamine N-oxide, a compound associated with cardiovascular disease. Microbes that remove methylamines before they reach the liver help limit the production of this potentially harmful molecule. The discovery also raises the possibility of new medical strategies. Some genetic disorders are caused by premature stop codons in critical genes, which result in incomplete and nonfunctional proteins. These conditions account for roughly 10% of inherited diseases, including cystic fibrosis and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Researchers have speculated that making stop codons slightly "leaky" could allow cells to produce enough full length protein to ease symptoms. How the Genetic Code Normally Works Genetic information stored in DNA is first copied into RNA. Cellular machinery then reads that RNA to assemble proteins. RNA is built from four chemical letters: adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G) and uracil (U). In nearly all organisms studied so far, every three letter codon either specifies one particular amino acid or signals the end of a protein. The translation system follows this one to one relationship with strict consistency. There is variation across life. Some organisms assign different amino acids to certain codons, some use more than the standard 20 amino acids, and multiple codons can correspond to the same amino acid. Even so, each codon has traditionally been understood to carry only one meaning. "It's essentially like a cipher," Nayak said. "You're taking something in one language and translating it into another, nucleotides to amino acids." For years, scientists have known that many Archaea can produce pyrrolysine, giving them 21 amino acids to work with instead of the usual 20. That extra building block can expand their biochemical capabilities. "Now that you have a new amino acid, the world's your oyster," she said. "You can start playing around with the much larger code. It's like adding one more letter to the alphabet." Researchers had assumed that these organisms simply reassigned the UAG stop codon to represent pyrrolysine. A Stop Codon With Two Meanings In the new study, Nayak and former graduate student Katie Shalvarjian surveyed a wide range of Archaea and found that many lineages produce pyrrolysine. "We found that the machinery required to create pyrrolysine is widespread in the Archaea, especially amongst these methanogenic archaea that consume methylated amines," said Shalvarjian, now a postdoctoral researcher at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. She wanted to understand how carrying 21 amino acids instead of 20 influences these organisms. While studying how the methanogen controls pyrrolysine production, she noticed something unexpected. The UAG codon was not always translated as pyrrolysine (Pyl). "The UAG codon is like a fork in the road, where it can be interpreted either as a stop codon or as a pyrrolysine residue," Shalvarjian said. "We think whether or not a protein exists primarily in its elongated or in its truncated form might form a regulatory cue for the cell." The researchers searched for specific sequence or structural signals that might determine how UAG is interpreted, but they did not find any clear triggers. "The methanogens have not recoded UAG, nor have they added any new factors to make it deterministic," Nayak said. "They're flip-flopping back and forth between whether they should call this a stop or whether they should keep going by adding this new amino acid. They cannot decide. They just do both and they seem to be fine by making this random choice." Early evidence suggests that the availability of pyrrolysine inside the cell may influence the outcome. When the amino acid is abundant, UAG is more likely to be read as pyrrolysine and the protein continues to grow. When pyrrolysine is scarce, the same codon functions as a stop signal. Between 200 and 300 genes in this organism contain UAG, meaning many proteins could be produced in two forms depending on cellular conditions. "This really opens the door to finding interesting ways to control how cells interpret stop codons," Nayak said. The research was supported by the Searle Scholars Program, a Rose Hills Innovator Grant, a Beckman Young Investigator Award, an Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, a Simons Foundation Early Career Investigator in Marine Microbial Ecology and Evolution Award, and a Packard Fellowship in Science and Engineering. Nayak is also a Chan-Zuckerberg Biohub-San Francisco investigator. Additional co-authors include Grayson Chadwick and Paloma Pérez of UC Berkeley and Philip Woods and Victoria Orphan of the California Institute of Technology. Story Source: Materials provided by University of California - Berkeley. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Journal Reference: Cite This Page: Study of 1.2 Million Infants Reveals the Truth About Vegan Baby Diets What Happens to Your Brain When You Eat 30% Less for 20 Years? Scientists Fix a Hidden Flaw in Perovskite Solar Cells With Tiny Crystal Seeds Aging Isn't Random, and It Starts Earlier Than You Think Stay informed with ScienceDaily's free email newsletter, updated daily and weekly. Or view our many newsfeeds in your RSS reader: Keep up to date with the latest news from ScienceDaily via social networks: Tell us what you think of ScienceDaily -- we welcome both positive and negative comments. Have any problems using the site? Questions?
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Gizmodo may earn an affiliate commission. Reading time 4 minutes The Opera browser has some real heritage behind it, having launched more than 30 years ago in the mid-90s—a time when the internet looked very different to the way it does now (not least because upload and download speeds were a fraction of what we're enjoying in the modern era). To celebrate the milestone, Opera is doing something brilliantly engaging: It's put together a Web Rewind archive site that memorializes some of the best online moments and memes of the last three decades. From the classic modem dialing tone sounds, to MySpace and the top eight friends paradigm, it's a lot of nostalgic fun. Whether you lived through these internet ages or not, Web Rewind is a valuable lesson in history and a much-needed antidote to the spam, clutter, and AI slop that dominates so much of the modern day online experience. Explore Web Rewind Opera is asking for user submissions for memorable moments too, with the authors of the best entries winning a trip to the physics laboratory CERN in Geneva, Switzerland—the original birthplace of the World Wide Web. You'll find the Web Rewind portal very straightforward to navigate: Just follow the on-screen instructions for which keys to press. Generally, you'll hold the spacebar to jump between exhibits in this internet museum, and hit the cursor keys to switch between different screens within each exhibit. As you go, you get sound effects and an audio narration to talk you through what you're seeing—it's like having a museum curator walking with you through the history of the web. You can control the audio using the speaker button up in the top right corner, and there are options for switching between languages there too. Look out for the link icons down in the lower left hand corner too (the icons that look like part of a chain). If you find something that particularly resonates with you, that you'd like to share with others, you can grab the link to the specific page. The Web Rewind site has been built to be interactive, and there's something to do on a lot of the pages you'll come across. When you arrive on the LimeWire page, for example—a look back at the famous MP3 sharing software of the 1990s that had music labels in a panic—you're able to simulate the experience of downloading a track. And it's brilliantly authentic too, down to the last detail: You don't actually get an MP3, but you do get some error messages and spam pop-ups, which will be familiar to anyone who tried to download music off the web through LimeWire, rather than actually going out and buying the physical media. Something else you'll notice is how educational Web Rewind is. With the LimeWire example, you'll hear about peer-to-peer technology, how it was so revolutionary, and how it changed the way that files were shared on the internet. Even if you didn't experience these technologies for yourself, you can learn about them. The site is also great for rediscovering classic internet memes that have most likely faded from your memory by now. Remember Grumpy Cat? Or Overly Attached Girlfriend? It's easy to lose track of time when browsing through these pages, there's such a rich selection of web memories to explore. Explore Web Rewind One of the other Web Rewind exhibits I enjoyed clicking through was the Dial-up Days page. I fondly remember the experience of installing software via floppy disks, and connecting to the internet through a 56k modem—complete with all the whirring and beeping that was involved with establishing a connection. In those days, getting online involved an archaic piece of technology known as a landline phone (you couldn't even load WhatsApp on it), and when the internet was connected it meant the phone was out of use—so anyone calling your house would just get the engaged tone. If someone in your home had a call to make, the internet had to be disconnected. At regular points in your Web Rewind journey, you'll be taken to an overview screen where you can see all the “artefacts” in the collection. On these screens, you can click back to pages you've already visited, or jump ahead to a specific year. The option to just bounce around randomly is always available too. In the course of my clicking I rediscovered something I'd once known but since forgotten: The Opera browser was the first to bring a proper web experience to mobile phones, back in 2002. It really was a ‘mind blown' moment back then, being able to load up full web pages on a tiny screen over a painfully slow connection. While there's a lot here that might make you yearn for a simpler, more peaceful time, there are some aspects of web browsing that I'm glad we've left behind for good. Modern technology means the days of buffering content and not being able to load even the smallest images are now behind us. Opera wants you to get involved with this internet museum too: Click the submit button that appears in the top right corner, describe your memory in 500 characters (including an image or video if you need to), and you're in with a chance of that trip to CERN in Switzerland. You've got until Friday, March 27, 2026 to make your submission. You'll see technology and brand names almost lost to time through Web Rewind, graphical user interfaces that are incredibly dated but also very charming, and much more besides. It's strange to think how we might look back on the apps, sites, and gadgets of today, once another three decades have passed. Explore Web Rewind Share this story Subscribe and interact with our community, get up to date with our customised Newsletters and much more. Sponsored ©2026 GIZMODO USA LLC. All rights reserved.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Save up to $680 on your pass with Super Early Bird rates. REGISTER NOW. Save up to $680 on your Disrupt 2026 pass. Ends 11:59 p.m. PT tonight. REGISTER NOW. Latest AI Amazon Apps Biotech & Health Climate Cloud Computing Commerce Crypto Enterprise EVs Fintech Fundraising Gadgets Gaming Google Government & Policy Hardware Instagram Layoffs Media & Entertainment Meta Microsoft Privacy Robotics Security Social Space Startups TikTok Transportation Venture Staff Events Startup Battlefield StrictlyVC Newsletters Podcasts Videos Partner Content TechCrunch Brand Studio Crunchboard Contact Us OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced late on Friday that his company has reached an agreement allowing the Department of Defense to use its AI models in the department's classified network. This follows a high-profile standoff between the DoD — also known under the Trump administration as the Department of War — and OpenAI's rival Anthropic. The Pentagon pushed AI companies, including Anthropic, to allow their models to be used for “all lawful purposes,” while Anthropic sought to draw a red line around mass domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons. In a lengthy statement released Thursday, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said the company “never raised objections to particular military operations nor attempted to limit use of our technology in an ad hoc manner,” but he argued that “in a narrow set of cases, we believe AI can undermine, rather than defend, democratic values.” More than 60 OpenAI employees and 300 Google employees signed an open letter this week asking their employers to support Anthropic's position. After Anthropic and the Pentagon failed to reach an agreement, President Donald Trump criticized the “Leftwing nut jobs at Anthropic” in a social media post that also directed federal agencies to stop using the company's products after a six-month phase-out period. In a separate post, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth claimed Anthropic was trying to “seize veto power over the operational decisions of the United States military.” Hegseth also said he is designating Anthropic as a supply-chain risk: “Effective immediately, no contractor, supplier, or partner that does business with the United States military may conduct any commercial activity with Anthropic.” On Friday, Anthropic said it had “not yet received direct communication from the Department of War or the White House on the status of our negotiations,” but insisted it would “challenge any supply chain risk designation in court.” Surprisingly, Altman claimed in a post on X that OpenAI's new defense contract includes protections addressing the same issues that became a flashpoint for Anthropic. “Two of our most important safety principles are prohibitions on domestic mass surveillance and human responsibility for the use of force, including for autonomous weapon systems,” Altman said. “The DoW agrees with these principles, reflects them in law and policy, and we put them into our agreement.” Altman said OpenAI “will build technical safeguards to ensure our models behave as they should, which the DoW also wanted,” and it will deploy engineers with the Pentagon “to help with our models and to ensure their safety.” “We are asking the DoW to offer these same terms to all AI companies, which in our opinion we think everyone should be willing to accept,” Altman added. “We have expressed our strong desire to see things de-escalate away from legal and governmental actions and towards reasonable agreements.” Fortune's Sharon Goldman reports that Altman told OpenAI employees at an all-hands meeting that the government will allow the company to build its own “safety stack” to prevent misuse and that “if the model refuses to do a task, then the government would not force OpenAI to make it do that task.” Altman's post came shortly before news broke that the U.S. and Israeli governments have begun bombing Iran, with Trump calling for the overthrow of the Iranian government. Topics Anthony Ha is TechCrunch's weekend editor. Previously, he worked as a tech reporter at Adweek, a senior editor at VentureBeat, a local government reporter at the Hollister Free Lance, and vice president of content at a VC firm. He lives in New York City. You can contact or verify outreach from Anthony by emailing anthony.ha@techcrunch.com. Last Hours: Save up to $680 on your pass before 11:59 p.m. tonight.Meet investors. Discover your next portfolio company. Hear from 250+ tech leaders, dive into 200+ sessions, and explore 300+ startups building what's next. Don't miss these one-time savings. Jack Dorsey just halved the size of Block's employee base — and he says your company is next An accountant won a big jackpot on Kalshi by betting against DOGE It's time to pull the plug on plug-in hybrids A Meta AI security researcher said an OpenClaw agent ran amok on her inbox Americans are destroying Flock surveillance cameras Bill Gurley says that right now, the worst thing you can do for your career is play it safe The 9,000-pound monster I don't want to give back © 2026 TechCrunch Media LLC.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

What happens here matters everywhere GeekWire chronicles the Pacific Northwest startup scene. Sign up for our weekly startup newsletter, and check out the GeekWire funding tracker and VC directory. by Taylor Soper on Feb 28, 2026 at 8:06 amFebruary 28, 2026 at 8:11 am Carbon Robotics, the Seattle startup that builds robots used by farmers to eliminate weeds without the use of chemicals, got another vote of confidence from the nation's health policy leader. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. secretary of health and human services, touted the company's machines on a new episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, the popular long-form podcast that topped Spotify's global list in 2025. Kennedy said the technology is a way to both eliminate pesticides from farms and help farmers save costs. He said he recently met with three farmers using Carbon's machine, which attaches to the back of a tractor and uses an array of AI-powered technology to detect plants in fields and then target and eliminate weeds with lasers, without disturbing the soil microbiology. The largest onion producer in Texas saves more than $1,000 per acre by using Carbon's machines due to reduction of pesticide use and labor costs, Kennedy said. “We got to get off this stuff, we got to give these farmers an off-ramp so that they can get off it,” he said of pesticide use. He added: “There are all these kind of new exciting technologies that give us a light at the end of tunnel to transition. And it could be very, very fast. What the president wants to do is accelerate that.” Carbon Robotics CEO and founder Paul Mikesell followed up with video commentary responding to Kennedy's comments on the podcast. “We want to see more investment in the space, more ways in which we can take the newer technologies that we've been creating — for things like AI, self-driving cars, etc. — and apply it toward farming and our agriculture sector so that farmers are more productive and we get healthier food,” Mikesell said. The conversation about pesticides and Carbon's technology starts at the 1:51 mark on the episode. Earlier this month Kennedy cited Carbon's machines on an episode of the Theo Von podcast “This Past Weekend,” making similar comments about new technology that can curb the use of pesticides on farms. Founded in 2018, Carbon has raised $177 million to date and employs about 260 people. It runs a manufacturing facility in Richland, Wash., and Mikesell previously said its LaserWeeder machines are active on hundreds of farms and in 15 countries around the world. Mikesell is a longtime technologist and entrepreneur who previously co-founded data storage company Isilon Systems (which sold for $2.25 billion in 2010) and led an infrastructure engineering group at Uber for four years. Earlier this month, Carbon announced the launch of what it calls the world's first “Large Plant Model” — an AI model for plant detection and identification. “Trained on the largest, most diverse, and fastest growing agricultural dataset ever built with 150 million labeled plants, the LPM enables farmers to start laser weeding any field or crop in minutes,” the company said in a news release. Last October, Carbon raised $20 million in new funding to support the creation of another piece of AI-powered machinery for farms that it has yet to reveal. Carbon previously unveiled the Carbon ATK, an autonomous platform designed to fit on and control existing farm equipment. The company's backers include BOND; Anthos Capital; FUSE, Ignition; Revolution; Sozo Ventures; and Voyager. Track all of GeekWire's in-depth startup coverage: Sign up for the weekly startup email newsletter; check out the funding tracker and VC directory; and follow our startup news headlines. Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline Have a scoop that you'd like GeekWire to cover? Let us know. RFK Jr. calls Carbon Robotics' laser weed zapper the ‘light at the end of the tunnel' in herbicide fight Future of farming? Carbon Robotics raises $70M for AI robots that blast weeds with lasers Carbon Robotics raises $20M as LaserWeeder maker plans secretive new ‘AI robot' for farms Fertile ground for innovation: A list of agriculture tech startups in Seattle and Washington state Catch every headline in your inbox
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Residents across Tehran and other Iranian cities were jolted awake by sounds of loud explosions in the early hours of Saturday morning, as Israel and the US launched joint attacks on Iran. The attacks, which the US and Israel are calling “preemptive strikes,” come after a period of failed negotiations between the countries, and on the heels of mass protests in Iran earlier this year that saw the death of at least 3,117 civilians, according to government statistics. Shortly after the first set of explosions, Iranians received bursts of notifications on their phones. They came not from the government advising caution, but from an apparently hacked prayer-timing app called ‘BadeSaba Calendar' that has been downloaded more than 5 million times from the Google Play Store. The messages arrived in quick succession over a period of 30 minutes, starting with the phrase ‘Help Has Arrived' at 9:52 am Tehran time, shortly after the first set of explosions. No party has claimed responsibility for the hacks. Screenshots shared with WIRED Middle East show messages urging Iranian military personnel to surrender their weapons with the promise of amnesty. They also urged army personnel to join “the forces of liberation” and to “defend your brothers.” The push notifications are all titled “Help is on the way”, and call on Iranian military members to surrender. “The time for revenge has come,” one notification received at 10:02 am read (translated from Farsi). “The regime's repressive forces will pay for their cruel and merciless actions against the innocent people of Iran. Anyone who joins in defending and protecting the Iranian nation will be granted amnesty and forgiveness.” “For the freedom of our Iranian brothers and sisters, this is a call to all oppressive forces—lay down your weapons or join the forces of liberation. Only in this way can you save your lives. For a free Iran,” another message sent at 10:14 am read. Cybersecurity analysts confirmed that BadeSabah users had received notifications around the time of the strikes, but have not been able to identify the source of the hack. “At this point, we genuinely do not know who is behind them, whether it was Israel or other anti-government Iranian groups,” says Narges Keshavarznia, digital rights researcher at the Miaan Group, adding that no hacker group has claimed credit. “Attribution in cases like this is always complex, and it's still too early to draw conclusions.” ​​Morey Haber, the chief security advisor at BeyondTrust, however, pointed out that a cyber operation of this nature would almost certainly have been planned in advance. “The compromise of assets [likely] happened some time ago, and these messages of ‘help' were timed” strategically, he claims. “This is not a smash-and-grab style of attack. It is nation-state versus nation-state and is being executed with intent and precision.” Iran on Saturday launched retaliatory kinetic attacks targeting key military bases across the Middle East. Explosions were reported in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, and Qatar on Saturday, including multiple missiles that were intercepted. As the war unfolds, the Iranian public has already faced internet blackouts and weeks of severely reduced connectivity. “The country has been experiencing a widespread internet disruption, and access to the internet has significantly decreased in several parts of the country, including Tehran,” Keshavarznia says. According to internet monitoring tool NetBlocks, overall network traffic has dropped to 4 percent. Data from ArvanCloud's Radar monitoring system, an Iranian-operated cloud service, indicates that many of the country's main data centers and domestic PoP sites have either lost connectivity to the international internet or are experiencing severe disruption, Keshavarznia pointed out. Communication networks are also down with outages in phone lines and SMS services, and severe degradation of both mobile data and fixed broadband connections. “Incoming international calls to Iran are also reportedly affected. Even using VPNs has become extremely difficult,” she says. Reports also indicate a cyber element to the conflict playing out simultaneously. Several state-affiliated news agencies, including IRNA and ISNA, were also reportedly targeted by cyberattacks, and their websites were temporarily offline. While IRNA is back online, ISNA remains inaccessible at the time of publishing. The internet and communications outages are familiar to Iranians who recently experienced long-term digital blackouts earlier this year during the mass protests that took place across Iran in January. While some services were restored earlier this month, many Iranians continued to face disruptions as well as the fear of surveillance online. As the internet goes offline in Iran, once again, those fears are resurfaced. “Many witnessed what it means when the internet goes dark, and there is no visibility, no documentation, and no outside attention. That fear is not theoretical for us; we have already lived through it,” Keshavarznia says, adding that the lack of internet connectivity limits the ability for the civilians to not just communicate, but also document events, seek help, or inform the outside world. “The most urgent concern is not just the technical disruption itself, but the loss of visibility and accountability,” she says. This story originally appeared on WIRED Middle East. © 2026 Condé Nast. All rights reserved. WIRED may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. Ad Choices
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

What happens here matters everywhere Sustainability: News about the rapidly growing climate tech sector and other areas of innovation to protect our planet. SEE MORE by Lisa Stiffler on Feb 28, 2026 at 7:41 amFebruary 28, 2026 at 7:42 am The race to regulate artificial intelligence infrastructure has arrived at a crossroads in Washington state. After weeks on the sidelines, Microsoft publicly declared its opposition to a controversial state bill that aims to rein in the environmental and economic impacts of the massive data centers powering the AI boom. Labeling the proposed regulations “uniquely anti-competitive,” Microsoft's senior director of Washington state government affairs, Lauren McDonald, urged Senate leaders on Friday evening to reconsider key features of House Bill 2515. “We respectfully urge the committee not to advance the bill without significant changes,” McDonald said in testimony before the Senate Committee on Ways & Means. The bill aims would require utilities and data center companies to create agreements that protect rate payers from increased power costs and brings transparency to the environmental impacts of the facilities. Microsoft, which operates roughly 30 data centers in Washington alone, plans to spend up to $140 billion on global infrastructure this year, while has Amazon committed to spending $200 billion this year on capital expenditures worldwide, predominately for its Amazon Web Services cloud business. Elected officials, communities and tribal leaders nationwide are increasingly anxious about data center deployments driving up electricity rates with their power-hungry electronics and consuming vast quantities of water to cool the devices. President Trump and other officials are pursuing commitments to ensure tech companies protect ratepayers from price increases. Tech companies, labor organizations and municipalities that have seen job creation and the benefits of taxes generated by the facilities have pushed back against the regulations. Microsoft President Brad Smith last month launched a community-focused initiative pledging to bear its own electrical costs and emphasizing its support of local taxes. At the same time, the Seattle Times reported today that Microsoft and Amazon have been working aggressively behind the scenes to weaken HB 2515, and that Amazon is currently “neutral” on the bill. The company, which has historically concentrated its Pacific Northwest data center footprint in Oregon, has not testified publicly on the legislation. HB 2515 has passed the House and is edging closer to a vote from the full Senate — though tech sector opposition could sink the measure. The bill is shifting and evolving with different amendments and new language under consideration. The legislation's main components include: MacDonald raised concerns at the hearing about the legislation preventing a data center in Malaga, Wash., that was built in 2023 from being able to open later this year, presumably due to the clean energy requirements. One particularly controversial piece — which was not included in the version of the bill that passed the House but is still being discussed — requires data centers to curtail or stop drawing power from the grid in energy emergency situations. Opponents said the rule could disable facilities that support essential operations such as access to electronic medical records or tech to dispatch first responders. Proponents of HB 2515 frame the measure as a necessary step to put rules in place for a sector that is rapidly expanding, stoked by the soaring use of artificial intelligence. “The game is changing on data centers before our very eyes,” Zach Baker, policy director for the nonprofit NW Energy Coalition, told lawmakers. “The common sense guardrails in this bill are needed to protect affordability, grid reliability and the environment.” Washington is currently home to approximately 126 data centers and related facilities. Microsoft has the most data centers in the state out of any company, while Sabey Data Centers has eight of the facilities, according to the research firm Baxtel. Rep. Beth Doglio, D-Olympia, lead sponsor of the legislation, earlier this month testified that 16 new data center projects are planned for Walla Walla and an expansion underway in Vantage is tapping new gas-powered energy. The bill would create a statewide standard for utilities siting new facilities in their communities, she said. “I just hope that we are able to make sure that we do data centers right in this state.” RELATED: Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline Have a scoop that you'd like GeekWire to cover? Let us know. Washington state has embraced data centers – but now it's looking to set terms of engagement Washington's data center boom fuels tax windfalls — and energy struggles Amid AI boom, Gov. Ferguson creates workgroup to study impact of data centers in Washington state Water, power, and transparency: Amazon's $12B data center deal signals a new era of accountability Catch every headline in your inbox
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

What happens here matters everywhere by Todd Bishop on Feb 28, 2026 at 7:17 amFebruary 28, 2026 at 7:29 am Anthropic acquired Seattle startup Vercept on Wednesday, raising familiar questions about the impact of early exits on the broader Seattle startup ecosystem, and the question of whether AI startups can compete long-term against the giants of the field. We dig into the deal, the public feud between two of the company's early investors on LinkedIn, and why one co-founder's prior departure to Meta may have been worth more, ultimately, than the acquisition of the entire company. Plus, a new research paper envisions a 2028 “global intelligence crisis” driven by AI-fueled white collar job losses, and we're already seeing early signs in the news. Then, the New York Times reported this week that Jeffrey Epstein built deeper connections inside Microsoft than any other major tech company. We break down the key revelations, and talk about what we found when we searched the Epstein files for “GeekWire.” WSJ: Bill Gates Apologizes to Foundation Staff Over Epstein Ties And stick around for GeekWire Trivia: With Xbox entering a new era under Asha Sharma, we look back at the celebrity who appeared on stage for the original Xbox unveiling 25 years ago. With GeekWire co-founders Todd Bishop and John Cook. Edited by Curt Milton. We tested Amazon's speedy delivery live on the podcast: Here's what it says about the future of retail GeekWire Podcast in Fremont: Seahawks, AI, and Seattle's future Cleveland's mayor, Seattle's future: A conversation about what happens when a city's economy shifts Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline Have a scoop that you'd like GeekWire to cover? Let us know. Anthropic acquires Vercept in early exit for one of Seattle's standout AI startups Startup radar: Seattle-area tech companies build software for robotics, real estate, and more Agents, OpenAI, deepfakes, and the messy reality of the AI boom: A conversation with Oren Etzioni Seattle startup backed by former Google CEO lands $16M to automate repetitive tasks on a computer Catch every headline in your inbox
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Save up to $680 on your pass with Super Early Bird rates. REGISTER NOW. Save up to $680 on your Disrupt 2026 pass. Ends 11:59 p.m. PT tonight. REGISTER NOW. Latest AI Amazon Apps Biotech & Health Climate Cloud Computing Commerce Crypto Enterprise EVs Fintech Fundraising Gadgets Gaming Google Government & Policy Hardware Instagram Layoffs Media & Entertainment Meta Microsoft Privacy Robotics Security Social Space Startups TikTok Transportation Venture Staff Events Startup Battlefield StrictlyVC Newsletters Podcasts Videos Partner Content TechCrunch Brand Studio Crunchboard Contact Us Xiaomi today launched a slew of gadgets ahead of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona including a camera-focused flagship smartphone, an AirTag clone, Xiaomi Watch 5 smartwatch, and an ultra slim power bank. The China-based company has partnered with camera maker Leica to co-brand its Xiaomi 17 Ultra smartphone. As part of the partnership, it is using Leica lenses and creating filters in the style of the German camera company. The phone has a 50-megapixel main sensor with an F/1.67 aperture and a 1-inch sensor. But the main attraction is the 200-megapixel telephoto camera that has a variable focal length of 75mm-100mm equivalent. That means you can zoom optically between 3.2x and 4.3x. The phone also has a 50 MP ultrawide camera with an f/2.2 aperture. Also notable: The phone packs a 6,000 mAh battery (the Chinese version comes with a bigger 6,800mAh battery). The phone could be charged using a 90W USB PD-PPS, and it supports Xiaomi's Hypercharge wireless tech at 50W. The device has a 6.9-inch Xiaomi HyperRGB OLED display protected by Xiaomi's own Shield Glass 3.0. The company has picked Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, which was also used in the recently launched Galaxy S26 series. The company is also releasing a special Leica edition phone to celebrate 100 years of the camera company. The device has a durable aluminum-alloy body with a nickel-anodized finish. Xiaomi has also added a Leica theme on the software side. The device has a rotating ring that mimics zoom on a physical camera. The special edition also has a “Leica Essential mode,” which has filters that recreate photos in the style of Leica M9 and Leica M3. Xiaomi launched the Xiaomi 17 with a larger 6,330 mAh battery, which can be charged at 100W using the company's HyperCharge tech. The company is also launching two photography add-ons for the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. The 17 Ultra Photography Kit is a Bluetooth-connected snap-on that has a two-stage shutter button and a video recording button.The Xiaomi 17 Ultra Photography Kit Pro aims to mimic a physical camera with a leather finish, a video recording button, a detachable shutter button, and zoom control. This kit snaps on using a USB-C connection and also has a 2,000 mAh battery for its operation. Using this add-on, users can also use a new fastshot mode on the phone. Through this launch, the company is making these devices available in the EU and the UK. The Xiaomi 17 starts at €999, and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra starts at €1,499. The Leica edition comes with 16GB RAM and 1TB storage, and is priced at €1,999. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra Photography Kit is priced at €99.99, and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Photography Kit Pro is priced at €199.99. Apart from phones, the company also launched a bunch of other devices, including a scooter. Xiaomi said that its Electric Scooter 6 Ultra has 1200W peak power and 75km of range. The scooter has 12-inch all-terrain tires with front and rear disc brakes. It has a three-inch TFT display to measure things like speed and range. The scooter starts at €329.99 with five different versions, with the top version priced at €799.99. The company also launched a new Xiaomi tag, an AirTag-like device, which works with both Apple Find My and Google Android Find Hub. The tag weighs just 10 grams and has a button cell battery that lasts over a year. You can also play a sound remotely to find the tag or the time at which the tag is attached. The company is pricing this tag at €14.9 for one and €49.99 for a pack of four. What's more, the company released a slim power bank with just 6mm of thickness. The powerbank weighs 98 grams and has a 5,000 mAh battery capacity. It can charge devices at 22.5W through a wired connection and at 15W through a wireless connection. The powerbank is magnetic, so it can stick to supporting phones like iPhones, and charge them wirelessly. The powerbank is priced at €59.99 for black and silver colorways. It also has an orange colorway priced at €64.99. Xiaomi launched its new smartphone, Xiaomi Watch 5, with a 930mAh battery that could last up to six days. The smartwatch has a round 1.54-inch AMOLED display and supports gestures to dismiss calls or alarms. The watch can also prepare a health report in 60 seconds by using metrics like heart rate, blood oxygen, stress levels, sleep duration, sleep heart rate, and sleep SpO₂. The watch is priced at €299.99. The company also launched a €69.9 Redmi Buds 8 Pro earbuds with active noise cancellation and up to 33 hours of battery life. Topics Ivan covers global consumer tech developments at TechCrunch. He is based out of India and has previously worked at publications including Huffington Post and The Next Web. You can contact or verify outreach from Ivan by emailing im@ivanmehta.com or via encrypted message at ivan.42 on Signal. Last Hours: Save up to $680 on your pass before 11:59 p.m. tonight.Meet investors. Discover your next portfolio company. Hear from 250+ tech leaders, dive into 200+ sessions, and explore 300+ startups building what's next. Don't miss these one-time savings. Jack Dorsey just halved the size of Block's employee base — and he says your company is next An accountant won a big jackpot on Kalshi by betting against DOGE It's time to pull the plug on plug-in hybrids A Meta AI security researcher said an OpenClaw agent ran amok on her inbox Americans are destroying Flock surveillance cameras Bill Gurley says that right now, the worst thing you can do for your career is play it safe The 9,000-pound monster I don't want to give back © 2026 TechCrunch Media LLC.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

AI has claimed another victim. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works. Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Myrient, one of the largest online video game archives, has announced that it will shut down on March 31, 2026. According to the archive's official Telegram page, it's closing the service due to insufficient funding, rising costs, and abusive download managers. The creator said that donations are not keeping pace with hosting costs, and that they are paying more than $6,000 out of pocket per month to cover expenses, which is hardly sustainable. Aside from that, RAM, SSD, and HDD prices have been steadily rising due to the AI infrastructure build-out, resulting in higher hosting expenses for Myrient as well. We've actually seen this with German data center giant Hetzner, which is hiking prices up to 37% starting April 1. The archiving site said it needed “necessary upgrades to the storage and caching infrastructure,” which it cannot afford due to memory chip and storage shortages. The creator also complained about abusive users who were monetizing Myrient content. Not only did they bypass the donation messages and the site's built-in download protections, but they also added a paywall that defeated the site's policy against paywalls. They said, “The use of Myrient for commercial, for-profit purposes has always been strictly forbidden. Such egregious and abusive usage of the site cannot be tolerated anymore.” Because of this, anyone interested only has until the end of March to download everything stored on the site. You'd need a ton of storage and a fairly fast connection if you want to do this, though, since the website itself estimates it has at least 390TB of data. What made it one of the largest repositories of classic games was that anyone was free to upload content the website needed, meaning Myrient could list a game it needed to copy for safekeeping. Millions of gamers worldwide could pitch in and submit a copy of their legally purchased title. Fortunately, the site's Discord server and Telegram channel will remain accessible, so there's still a place for gamers and preservationists to come together to discuss saving their favorite titles. It also gives us hope that this archive will be revived in the near future, but the massive amount of information it holds means it will need to be funded by someone with deep pockets. Follow Tom's Hardware on Google News, or add us as a preferred source, to get our latest news, analysis, & reviews in your feeds. Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Jowi Morales is a tech enthusiast with years of experience working in the industry. He's been writing with several tech publications since 2021, where he's been interested in tech hardware and consumer electronics. Tom's Hardware is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Imagine the disappointment. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works. Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful A Reddit user posted in the PCMR subreddit to complain about the RMA process for their broken Silicon Power RAM. According to u/permanentlytemporary, they had a problem with the 2x8GB RAM sticks, which they bought for $54.97. However, Silicon Power reportedly charged the user a 15% depreciation fee. While they did not mention when they bought the memory modules, the purchase price indicates this was before the memory shortage gripped the industry, likely in the third quarter of last year. Given the state of the RAM market, the user was hoping for a replacement — it's unclear what happened after the company received the RAM kit, but Silicon Power reportedly decided to refund the client instead. Unfortunately, the refund is based on the client's purchase price, not on the kit's current price. With the 16GB (2x8GB) Silicon Power DDR4-3200 RAM kit now priced at $140.97 on Amazon, the Redditor would have to shell out more than 2.5 times the original cost of the RAM. To add insult to injury, Silicon Power slapped the Redditor with a 15% depreciation fee, meaning they'll only receive $46.72. Unfortunately, the depreciation fee follows the company's policy, which states, “If a product is confirmed to be defective under this (sic) our Limited Warranty, we will, at our sole discretion, provide one of the following remedies… A partial refund of the original purchase price. Any refund amount shall be determined by us based on factors including, but not limited to, product availability, length of product use, the extent of damage, or other reasonable business considerations. Cash refunds equal to the original purchase amount are not guaranteed.” Two other remedies include a full replacement of the defective product or a full refund of the original purchase price, but it's unclear why Silicon Power did not choose either. The Redditor has said they've already bought replacement RAM, so this move won't keep them from using their PC. However, they said that they were disappointed with the response, especially given that the refund amount will not even buy one 8GB Silicon Power DDR4-3200 stick, which costs $69.97 on Amazon. In the end, the user probably has no choice but to accept this deal to avoid the hassle of dealing with the company's RMA system again, which they said “felt like it was from 2002.” Follow Tom's Hardware on Google News, or add us as a preferred source, to get our latest news, analysis, & reviews in your feeds. Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Jowi Morales is a tech enthusiast with years of experience working in the industry. He's been writing with several tech publications since 2021, where he's been interested in tech hardware and consumer electronics. Tom's Hardware is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Gizmodo may earn an affiliate commission. Reading time 9 minutes Wireless earbuds aren't an easy space to innovate in—and not for lack of trying. It's not that there's nothing more to be squeezed out of the form factor; it's the fact that there are probably enough pairs across generations and brands to blanket the moon (that's not a real fact, so don't hold me to that). That means a lot has been attempted in the space, and not all of it is worth holding onto. On the other hand, it also means that when something genuinely new does come around, it's all the more exciting, and to me, Shokz OpenFit Pro achieve that genuinely new feeling. Shokz OpenFit Pro The Shokz OpenFit Pro give open-style earbuds an ANC-like noise reduction feature and also sound great. Pros Cons When I tried the $250 OpenFit Pro at CES 2026, I was skeptical. Not because Shokz doesn't make great audio products—they do—but because they were alleging to do the one thing I've wanted for years in the open earbud world: make a pair with noise cancellation. In case you're not familiar with open-ear wireless audio products, let me back up for a moment. They're great for a lot of reasons. They're comfortable because you don't have silicone shoved in your ears, they're great for running and biking because you can still hear your environment, and they're great for taking calls since you can still hear your own voice as you would normally without (again) something shoved inside your ears. See Shokz OpenFit Pro at Best Buy If there's one major downside, though, it's that they don't have active noise cancellation (ANC). Because open-ear wireless earbuds can't create a tight seal in your ears with ear tips, ANC has been mostly off the table. Shokz, however, clearly took that limitation as a challenge and gave the OpenFit Pro the next best thing—noise reduction. While Shokz stops short of calling noise-blocking features on the OpenFit Pro ANC, it definitely has a similar effect. As soon as noise reduction is turned on in the OpenFit Pro, there's a noticeable dimming of ambient sound. In an office setting, the effect is significant. I tried the OpenFit Pro while my colleagues and I were busy clacking away at our keyboards, and the second I activated noise reduction, I was suddenly a lot more locked in to my music. Keystrokes were less present, chatter was muffled, and I was free to listen to music or a podcast more intently. As skeptical as I was that open-style earbuds could provide anything even close to ANC, Shokz has definitely done it. With that said, however, this is not ANC, and there's a reason why Shokz doesn't call it that. Noise reduction does a good job of dampening sounds around you, but it won't hold up to louder environments like other, more traditional wireless earbuds and headphones, which create a seal in (or around) your ears. I gave the Shokz OpenFit Pro an obligatory test on the subway, and while it definitely reduced some noise, they were still no match for train screeches and rumbling. Like any other pair of open-ear wireless earbuds, I found myself having to crank the volume in order to compete. In some ways, I actually find them less suitable for loud environments compared to open-ear, clip-style earbuds like the Soundpeats Clip1, because the speaker element sits a bit farther away from your ear, meaning the sound is slightly less direct. In lower-to-medium-loud settings is where the OpenFit Pro shine, though. In offices, walking on a less busy street, and sitting around at my apartment with cats and my partner doing their thing, the OpenFit Pro definitely gave me a bit of a buffer—just a slight hedge against ambient noise when I wanted it. And when the noise reduction was off, I could hear almost as well as I would had I not been wearing them. For what it's worth, you can also adjust the level of noise reduction with a slider in the Shokz app for whatever your noise-reducing occasion may be. The bottom line is that the OpenFit Pro don't have ANC, and if you're looking for a pair of earbuds that give you maximum protection from outside noise, these aren't your pick. If you're okay with a middle ground that gives you a little bit of a bubble when you need it, then the OpenFit Pro might just be the open-ear wireless earbuds you've been waiting for. I'll just get straight to the point: I think the OpenFit Pro sound fantastic. I was recently impressed by the Soundpeats Clip1, and I'm willing to say that the OpenFit Pro reach parity in sound quality and maybe even outshine the Clip1 at times. One of the ways that the OpenFit Pro flex on the Clip1 is the inclusion of an “Optimized for Dolby Atmos” toggle in the app. While the Clip1 also have Dolby Atmos for 3D spatial sound, it doesn't feel anywhere near as immersive as it does on the OpenFit Pro. By switching this feature on, you can listen to any audio content using enhanced Dolby Atmos sound—not just content made specifically for Dolby Atmos. The second you do, everything you listen to instantly gains a greater sense of space, and the whole soundstage gets broadened. I listened to Crowded House's “Don't Dream It's Over” and was struck by the presence of subtle reverb in the vocals and light percussion in the background of the song panned to one side. In more bass-centric electronic genres, the OpenFit Pro performed equally as well. I listened to Daft Punk's “Around the World,” and everything had room to breathe—bass samples felt round and present without overpowering the rest of the mix, and synths bounced back and forth between right and left earbuds just like god intended. Slightly crunchy, robotic vocals sat right in the middle of the mix without getting lost or muddled. I would call the experience “mise en place”—everything in its place. You could, of course, turn the optimized for Dolby Atmos toggle off, but if you're looking for the best sound, I don't see any reason to do that. It's not that the OpenFit Pro don't sound good without the Dolby setting on—they do—but they just sound that much better with the added spatiality. Powering the excellent sound is Shokz's 11 x 20mm synchronized dual-diaphragm driver, which gets properly loud, though it may sound a bit quieter than competitors like the Clip1, which sit closer to your ear canal. I was able to compete with train noise, though, which means that if you're wearing these while running or biking like a lot of people are, you should have more than enough volume. With calling, the OpenFit Pro performed equally as well. While other open-style earbuds like Bose's Ultra Open Earbuds have a tendency to pick up ambient noise, I'm told that the OpenFit Pro did not. I spent several minutes on the phone with a friend with simulated city noise in the background (a YouTube video playing at full volume from my MacBook Air) and was told that the ambient noise wasn't disruptive and that my voice quality was solid. They rated my voice an eight on a scale of 10. For most other styles of earbud, calling might be significant but not the biggest thing in the world, but for open-style earbuds, calling is arguably one of the best use cases since talking is so much better without something crammed inside your ear. Needless to say, if you planned on using the OpenFit Pro for calls, you probably won't be disappointed. Unlike other clip-style earbuds that wrap around the back of your ear like a sideways earring for a semi-in-ear fit, the OpenFit Pro actually loop around the back with the battery resting behind your ear and the speaker resting on the outside. If you've ever seen Nothing's Ear Open, it's basically the same design. This style of open-ear bud definitely has a bigger footprint on your head, but if you're okay with the look, I think there's a lot to like here. The OpenFit Pro are comfortable, secure, and easy to take on and off. I think they look kind of cool, personally, and have just enough style to make you feel like they're sleek but not so much that they stand out. The Nothing Ear Open still have them beat in the looks department, but these are a good in-between—almost like a mix of Bose and Nothing aesthetically. I wore the Shokz OpenFit Pro for hours on end without any irritation, and while I'm not a runner, I could see being comfortable using these while exercising, especially with the IP55 rating. One thing that is a little obnoxious is the case. It's big. I guess if you're not necessarily bringing the case around with you when you run or walk, it's fine, but if you planned on carrying the charging case, you may want to have a jacket or a purse. In this form factor, it's kind of inevitable to have a case that's a little bit larger, but I still think the charging case solution on the Nothing Ear Open is slightly more elegant—it's long and can fit more easily in a pocket. Button-wise, things are fairly simple. Each OpenFit Pro earbud has the same rubber button, which can be used for play and pause and track skipping by single and double-pressing. If you long-press the button, you can switch between open and noise reduction modes. The buttons work fine. Nothing to report here, really. They're on the smaller side, but I didn't find them difficult to use or finicky. I'm personally glad that Shokz went with buttons instead of swipe controls here, since they're generally more responsive. On the case, there's just one button for pairing, but what more do you really need there? The OpenFit Pro aren't the most feature-rich earbuds I've ever used, but they've got quite a bit going for them. In addition to the Dolby Atmos sound that I already mentioned and noise reduction, there's 3D head-tracking. Lots of wireless earbuds have features like this nowadays, and while I don't often feel the need or urge to use it, Shokz's version works well. With a quick calibration, the OpenFit Pro can track your head movements so that if you tilt to either side, audio sounds like it's playing into one ear or another. It's a bit of a gimmick, but I guess if you're looking for immersion in some form or another, it might speak to you. There are also fairly standard features like EQ, which you can tweak with presets like “vocal” or “bass boost,” and can also customize yourself with a 10-band EQ. There'a a convenient “Find My Earbuds” feature that lets you play a sound from either earbud in case you lose one. Your earbuds have to be paired for this to work, and they're limited to the Bluetooth range, but it's nice to have. My one complaint here is that the noise could be a little bit louder, but maybe my hearing is just shot from years of using earbuds. You can also switch between connection modes with a “low latency” option that is better for video or maybe even gaming, though you'd need a 2.4GHz dongle to really get fast enough connection for that. There's a “high stability” option if you're using these open-ear wireless earbuds while farther away from your phone or whatever device you're streaming from. There's also multi-device pairing for easier switching and the ability to customize buttons for controls if you don't like the presets. Feature-wise, these wireless earbuds will have everything you need and quite a few perks you didn't expect. I would have liked to see personalized EQ with a hearing test as an option, but not having it isn't a dealbreaker. Luckily, you'll be able to use all of those features for quite a while, too, since the battery life is solid. Shokz says that (with noise reduction on), you'll get 6 hours of music playback and 12 hours with noise reduction off. Those estimates hold up in my testing. As of writing, I've been using the OpenFit Pro for over an hour on and off with noise reduction on most of the time, and the battery dropped from 100% to 80%. If you're using these for exercise, that should be more than enough juice with noise reduction enabled, unless you're not training for a marathon. When I initially tried the OpenFit Pro in January at CES, I had high expectations, and the Shokz OpenFit Pro mostly lived up to them. They sound fantastic, they fit great, and they have lots of features. Noise reduction—the headlining feature—is also a solid start. While it works well for muffling sounds, I'd love to see Shokz bring those capabilities even further in the future. I doubt it'll ever be as good as ANC from wireless earbuds that have eartips, but maybe there's still more room to close the gap. The fact that Shokz even achieved nose reduction at all on a pair of open-ear wireless earbuds is impressive, though, and it's great to see the OpenFit Pro aren't a one-trick pony. If you're looking for a pair of open-ear wireless earbuds that sound great and are comfortable, Shokz's are some of the best that money can buy. See Shokz OpenFit Pro at Best Buy Explore more on these topics Share this story Subscribe and interact with our community, get up to date with our customised Newsletters and much more. Sponsored Even when your power goes down, your Wi-Fi won't. Sure, Valve delayed the Steam Machine, but Samsung, Nintendo, Sony, and more had surprises in store. Say "yell-ow" to the Headphone A. Apple versus Samsung is a story as old as time. On paper, the Apple and Samsung's latest phones are nearly neck and neck on all major features. Follow along with the Gizmodo crew as we cover all the new devices Samsung announces at its Galaxy S26 Unpacked event. ©2026 GIZMODO USA LLC. All rights reserved.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

The idea of using a laptop cooling pad feels antiquated. These days, laptop chips have become extremely efficient. The fans on MacBooks (if they even have them) are barely used, and both Intel and Qualcomm are pushing efficiency on the Windows front. But people keep buying laptop cooling pads, so surely there is a use case in 2026 that actually makes sense, right? I tried out a couple cooling pads paired with a couple of different gaming laptops, and walked away surprised at how effective they could be. Laptop cooling pads have been around for decades, and the idea has always been simple: provide extra air to blow through a laptop that's otherwise restricted by its own cooling system. In theory, more air means lower temperatures—and, ultimately, better performance. This is the whole idea of the power modes that exist in Windows, which ramp up the RPMs (rotations per minute) of the fans to add more air to both improve performance. More than that, less heat also means a longer-lasting laptop that doesn't degrade as quickly over time. It's by that same logic that laptop cooling pads offer help. The problem, however, is that a cooling pad is a rather inefficient way of transferring air into your device. Most laptop cooling pads, including the two that I tested, use one large fan or two smaller fans to blast cold air across the bottom of the laptop. This is the first reason why the vast majority of modern laptops won't benefit much from a cooling pad, as these laptops tend to only have vents along the hinge. Without vents or open holes, blowing air across a sheet of metal or plastic isn't going to do anything to cool the components on the other side. It'll only generate a bunch of fan noise. Gaming laptops are the main exception, though, which is why they are the primary use case for such an accessory. Most gaming laptops have a few open vents, usually above the fans, like the Razer Blade 16, which is one of the laptops I used to test these cooling pads. Laptops like the Blade 16 are designed for intensive tasks like gaming, video editing, or local AI processing—and use a high-wattage GPU and CPU to get the kind of performance you need. My model has two of the most powerful laptop components on the market: the RTX 5090 and Ryzen 9 HX 370. As you might guess, they generate a lot of heat when cranked up. Modern chips tend to max out at 100 degrees Celsius, before throttling back performance to bring down temperatures. Most laptops use fans to cool these components, but the thickness of the laptop chassis is also a determining factor in how much the system will need to throttle back performance to keep temperatures down. In the end, it's geometry and physics, and every millimeter of space in the laptop chassis has an effect on how cool it can keep its internal components. And unlike in a large desktop PC, you have very restricted space. That's especially true in the modern era, where even gaming laptops have become increasingly thin. That's why even the most powerful chips that are used in laptops today operate under much lower wattage than their desktop counterparts. You'd never know that based on the deceptive way Nvidia labels its graphics cards, of course, as an RTX 5090 on a gaming laptop is a completely different beast compared to a desktop RTX 5090. But marketing aside, it all comes down cooling capacity—and in theory, cooling pads can help with that. As I found in my testing, they can actually bring down temperatures and offer better performance. Just keep your expectations in check, as they'll never magically transform a laptop RTX 5090 into a desktop RTX 5090. The two laptop cooling pads I tested are the newer Razer Laptop Cooling Pad and the Targus 17” Dual Fan Chill Mat. My goal here was to see if the juice is really worth the squeeze, spanning from a cheaper old model to the fanciest thing I could find. The Targus is designed primarily for the stated goal of protecting your lap or work surface from heat, while not suffocating the thermals of the device with a pillow or blanket. Meanwhile, others are built into laptop stands that are meant to be stationary on your desk. That's the Razer option. To see if either is worth the money, I ran the 3DMark Time Spy benchmark to monitor both performance and temperatures in four scenarios. First, I started with the Razer Blade 16 flat on the one flat surface of the desk without a cooling pad to get a baseline. This is how gaming laptops are designed to function, and the device's rubber feet give some clearance for airflow. But in terms of improving the thermals, it can only go up from here—unless you're trying to use your laptop on a blanket or pillow. From there, I tried out the Targus 17" Dual Fan Chill Mat. This is an old-school cooling pad, powered fully by a USB-A cable attached to your laptop. It's not overly thick or loud, but it also doesn't cool the laptop much more than just lifting up the back of the laptop with a stand. As you can see in table below, performance and internal temperature on the Targus Chill Mat was more or less the same as the Razer Cooling Pad when it was turned off, as shown in the table below. For what it's worth, the surface temperatures near the typical hot spots along the keyboard and hinge also didn't feel noticeably cooler when on the Targus. The main benefit is to enable safe use of a gaming laptop on your lap. As I mentioned earlier, using a gaming laptop on your lap, pillow, or blanket can cause serious performance and cooling problems, but the Targus Chill Mat is a comfortable way of lifting the laptop off your lap and providing air so it doesn't overheat. There are dozens and dozens of similar types of cooling pads or laptop stands with built-in fans on Amazon, and the Targus functions just about as well. But please don't make the mistake of buying something like this believeing that they actually reduce temperatures or increase performance. Targus Amazon Next, I tried out the Razer Cooling Pad, which might be the most premium laptop cooling pad ever made. True to the Razer brand, it's sturdy and well-built, coming in all-black with a splash of RGB lighting across the front. Unlike the Targus, this is part cooling pad and part laptop stand, propping your laptop up off the table. But the key to it being actually quite good at cooling the laptop is the design. It uses a single, 140mm fan that can spin up to 3,000 RPM (rotations per minute). But the key to it actually directing air in through the vents is the combination of a chamber and foam seal. The laptop rests right on the foam, which both directs the air created by the fan into the laptop and dramatically reduces the fan noise. I was surprised by how much noise is dampened by the thick layer of foam. Don't get me wrong—this thing is still loud, but there's a dramatic difference when the laptop is on the foam. As you can see in the table above, the best case scenario in both performance and temperatures is using the Razer Blade 16 with an exclusive feature called Hyperboost turned on with the Razer Cooling Pad. It's only compatible with the last three generations of Razer Blade 16 laptops, but if you do happen to have a Razer Blade 16 from 2025, 2024, or 2023, the Hyperboost mode will dynamically ramp up the fans on the cooling pad as the system itself heats up. It can “unlock” the device's thermal restrictions and add an extra 20 watts of power to the CPU and GPU. Without Hyperboost, you're getting a very loud blast of air, even if the laptop is at idle. With Hyperboost, you're getting a 10 percent improvement in performance and a drop of 10 degrees Celsius on the CPU. It's about half that without Hyperboost turned on. I was even more impressed when I tried a budget-level gaming laptop with the Razer Cooling Pad. I ran the same benchmark in all the scenarios on the MSI Cyborg 15—the exact opposite of the Blade 16 I was testing. While the cooling pad only boosted the performance by 3 percent, the change in temperatures was massive, dropping the max CPU temperatures by 20 degrees Celsius. That really convinced me about the long-term use case for a proper cooling pad for someone trying to make their tech last as long as possible. The increases in performance and drops in temperature are impressive, but you really only need a cooling pad under specific circumstances. If you're someone who likes the idea of playing games on a couch (which is admittedly uncommon), something like the Targus Chill Mat might be worthwhile. But if you really want to prolong the life of your gaming laptop and even get the most performance out of it as possible, don't just buy a random cooling pad off Amazon. You need something more like Razer Lapop Cooling Pad—or at least, something that uses this type of sealed chamber design. When it came out, the Razer option was overpriced at $170, but it's often selling for a more competitive $130. The Llano cooling pads are some of the most popular cooling pads out there, which pioneered and popularized this design of cooling pad. If you want to save some money, you'll find Llano some of the older models selling for under $100 that I'll be trying out next. Razer Amazon The fan noise really is important to consider, though. I know a lot of people game with a headset on, but the perceived advantage of using a laptop cooler isn't always equivalent to the amount of noise you're having to deal with. Again, I was impressed by how much the Razer Cooling Pad dampened the sound, but it's still significantly louder than anything else you'd have in an office, including a gaming tower or space heater. Secondly, I would argue that one of these cooling pads really is only useful for people who use their laptop consistently at peak power, whether that's for gaming or for content creation. If you're more of a casual gamer or video editor, I really don't think you're going to push your laptop enough to benefit from a cooling pad, especially since the good ones are expensive. That said, I was pleasantly surprised by the testing I did on the Razer Cooling Pad in particular. Whether it's the extra performance you get by pairing it with a Razer Blade 16 or the massive reduction in temperature on a budget gaming laptop, there's a clear use case for something like this. Much longer-term testing would be required to actually see if the wear-and-tear of keeping the components cooler over many, many long gaming sessions leads to overall better longevity. But we do know that prolonged internal temperatures lead to degradation not only in the chips themselves, but also to the surrounding components, including the fans and battery. In other words, the lower the temperatures, the longer your laptop can last. Squarespace Promo Code: 20% Off Annual Acuity Subscriptions LG Promo Code: 20% Off Your First Order 10% Off Dell Coupon Code for New Customers Extra 10% Off Samsung Coupon Code Up to $500 Off Canon Cameras 50% Off Doordash Promo Code For New & Existing Users © 2026 Condé Nast. All rights reserved. WIRED may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. Ad Choices
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Gizmodo may earn an affiliate commission. Reading time 17 minutes Forget khaki shorts and binoculars: Modern wildlife conservation has morphed into something that looks less like protecting elephants and more like a video game, although with more real-world consequences. With AI-powered surveillance systems, military drones circling over national parks, ex-special forces contractors hunting poachers, and vast satellite imagery, the old safari ranger clichés are all at play. This is the 21st-century battleground for endangered species, which often goes unnoticed by those normally concerned about biodiversity as we race through the Sixth Extinction. Conservation has rebranded itself as a “crisis discipline” over the years, where every decision feels like defusing a bomb with seconds on the clock. Species extinctions loom, so much of the industry has embraced a scorched-earth mentality: deploy counter-insurgency tactics borrowed from Iraq and Afghanistan, militarize rangers into paramilitary units, and turn African wilderness into monitored conflict zones. Organizations like the non-governmental African Parks now manage a staggering 2,000-strong ranger force across the continent—a private army bigger than some nations' militaries, as Mongabay recently reported. But green militarization isn't just dystopian theater. Human rights abuses are often reported, community privacy is sacrificed for mass surveillance, and local populations who are already marginalized by colonial-era conservation policies face violent enforcement. Meanwhile, the root causes of poaching, including crushing poverty, land dispossession, and historical injustice, can be sidelined in many cases. This enforcement-first approach swallowed up millions of U.S. international conservation dollars as late as 2018, and experts now warn that the recent, abrupt elimination of foreign aid pipelines since the Trump administration obliterated them will create a dangerous vacuum increasingly filled by unaccountable private sector and NGO actors. In the village of Huntingdon, South Africa, the tragedy often began with a sound from the sky. In research conducted near Kruger National Park, published in 2022, residents described the terror of surveillance helicopters flying so low over their homes that they woke sleeping children and shook the roofs — a signal that the village was “under the spotlight” and a raid was imminent. For these families, technology ushered in brutality. One resident recounted that when security forces arrived, often acting on surveillance data, they would “kick your door down” and terrorize the household. And the human cost of this dragnet has been visceral: in extreme cases, residents described how suspects were “tied [by their] private parts with an elastic band” during torture sessions to extract information. The outcome has even been fatal in some cases. “Whether you are poaching or not, as long as you are found inside the park you will be killed,” reported one resident in another piece of research published on Kruger. Technology designed to protect endangered species has helped convert some conservation areas into zones where, as some residents put it, “wildlife is valued more than human life.” Over the course of several months, we filed scores of public records requests with the US government, interviewed dozens of officials in South Africa and Uganda, and sought input from researchers who study the militarization–and increasingly the surveillance focus–of wildlife conservation in sub-Saharan Africa. Perhaps most importantly, we interviewed people living near protected areas who have been part of the global efforts to combat wildlife trafficking, like those in Huntingdon. While much remains opaque about this story, everyone points out that the times are unprecedented, and it remains unclear how internationally funded conservation efforts will approach their work going forward. Passing by a college near Kruger National Park in South Africa, Anika* sees “tall poles, sleek cameras, boxes on fences… every vehicle scanned; my [truck] logged twice.” She adds, “Now I feel a low‑grade anxiety… if I drive to a community meeting about land rights, will my plate be flagged? That's the chilling effect; you start to self‑censor your movements.” (*Not her real name; a pseudonym to protect her identity out of fear of reprisal from law enforcement.) Meanwhile, a local community leader nearby suggests that intensified security has made some residents feel “safer and freer,” yet he warns that accountability remains elusive as suspects are often questioned and released without community feedback. This fragile peace has transformed the region into what Anika describes as a “conservation-industrial corridor.” A lot has changed, and a lot hasn't, since Kruger first entered the world's stage as a conservation success story. The park is inarguably a conservation success story on the African continent, hosting some of South Africa's most iconic wildlife species. Established in 1898, Kruger is a massive, highly biodiverse South African reserve famous for its “Big Five” wildlife and world-class infrastructure that attracts millions of visitors annually. But depending on whom you speak with, it's also a monument to state violence wearing an environmental mask. The architect of Kruger National Park's modern anti-poaching strategy was Johan Jooste, an apartheid-era general who imported the counter-insurgency playbook perfected against Black liberation movements and aimed it at armed poachers, with reported cases of impoverished local people hunting bushmeat or just living nearby becoming targets. That there isn't massive outcry among international donors tells much about who conservation is really designed to protect. And while it seems that Kruger National Park and many conservation NGOs in South Africa and beyond have changed both their rhetoric and how they talk about green militarization, questions remain. “There has been a marked improvement with regards to community engagement, [but] I wouldn't say that the infrastructure is dismantled though,” said Annette Hübschle, a University of Cape Town researcher who has studied militarization around Kruger for many years. Hübschle added that the recent withdrawal of international donor support has accelerated a regression in strategy: “Fantastic programming involving communities, social welfare and educational initiatives have been defunded. So there has been a focus on hard power [now].” Jooste himself defended this militarized turn as a matter of necessity. In an interview with Hübschle, he argued that the rhino poaching crisis in Kruger was at a point of no return: “When you look at the figures you wonder if it might be too late for the rhino of Kruger or for the whole rhino species,” and that rangers had to be trained as a paramilitary corps to survive daily armed encounters. In a tell-all book, which was later made into a film, he insisted his campaign was professional, guided by rules of engagement, reinforced by surveillance systems, tracker dogs, and intelligence platforms. By his account, ranger services respected communities and he always instructed his rangers that “nobody can ever point a finger at you and suggest that you've abused or taken your authority outside the park.” This defense stands in stark contrast to independent scholarly critique. South African conservation scholar Ashwell Glasson describes the “hybrid” nature of militarized conservation, where equipment, tactics, and mindset blur into a security doctrine rooted in colonial and apartheid legacies. “You often hear the term ‘protected area integrity,'” he explains, “but it is really a militarized ranger corps doing law enforcement to ‘protect' those areas.” The result is a model that privileges surveillance and force over ecological work or community trust, which set the stage for Kruger's counter‑insurgency approach. The numbers from Kruger's neighboring communities in light of this have read like a serious indictment of protected area officials. In research published in 2022 but dating back a decade, geographer Mbuelo Laura Mashau noted that in the villages of Justicia and Huntingdon, community members living alongside wildlife for generations witnessed a culture of militarized conservation-related actions. When an animal was killed inside, Kruger armed rangers didn't investigate; they often invaded. A staggering 88.7% of Justicia residents and 98.7% in Huntingdon report experiencing armed home raids, with security personnel ransacking houses in search of wildlife parts. While South African law is not explicit on these matters, the country's Criminal Procedures Act does allow for warrantless searches. According to Mashau's results, between 95.4% and 100% of surveyed community members in the two villages reported that anyone suspected of poaching faces systematic beatings or outright torture by security forces. Virtually everyone had witnessed or experienced this brutality firsthand in fenceline communities. In Huntingdon, 100% of respondents said that suspected poachers are killed inside the park boundaries, often with no attempt at arrest or trial. “Despite the scale of the wildlife economy in the region, local communities, especially those in Mozambique and near Kruger's western boundary, remain largely excluded from meaningful, long-term economic opportunities. Current conservation models largely limit local communities to low-wage roles in anti-poaching units, maintenance, and tourism services,” writes sustainability researcher Taylor Marie Oulette. In response to detailed questions, a spokesperson for Kruger stated that “SANParks is not aware of these allegations” and that “our jurisdiction is within the boundaries of the Kruger National Park.” SANParks declined to provide comment about instances along Kruger's boundaries after repeated requests. In East Africa, Uganda's conservation apparatus operates in a political context human rights organizations have described as “semi-authoritarian.” Recently re-elected President Museveni's National Resistance Movement, which has been in power since the mid- ‘80s, has long wielded the authority of park rangers as appendages of state violence. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is an example of this, where the wildlife sector is considered an “auxiliary of the national army and therefore among the palette of armed state actors considered relevant not just for conservation, but also for regime security,” observes political scientist Christopher Day. Uganda authorities deploy drones and AI systems like the EarthRanger software platform and the Ecoscope data visualization and exploration tool across protected areas. These were technologies that were until recently bankrolled by Western donors who handed over surveillance tools to a regime notorious for cracking down on political dissent. (A trickle still appeared to be coming in as late as 2025.) EarthRanger is a real-time conservation management platform that aggregates data from GPS collars, radios, patrol logs, vehicles, aircraft, and sensors to display wildlife, rangers, and incidents on a live operational map, generating alerts and detailed historical records for managers. If handed over broadly to law enforcement without strict legal safeguards, clear scoping, and independent oversight, this kind of system could effectively become an always‑on, location‑tracking and incident‑logging infrastructure for people as well as animals. It could also enable targeted monitoring of communities, retrospective reconstruction of individuals' movements, and data sharing or repurposing far beyond conservation. EcoScope in particular is an analytics add‑on in the EarthRanger ecosystem that pulls patrol, subject, and event data from conservation systems and automatically turns them into dashboards, maps, and charts. It's able to centralize large volumes of data, including views of where patrols go, where wildlife concentrates, or how certain incident types cluster that would otherwise require custom statistical work. However, a tool that effortlessly aggregates and visualizes historical and real‑time movement and incident data could make it far easier to profile areas and groups, identify “hot spots” for intensive policing, and reconstruct people's patterns of life, assuming it's fed with phone, vehicle, or camera data rather than only conservation inputs, which are often also monitored by park officials. Without strict legal limits, an EcoScope‑style system has the potential to underpin high‑resolution surveillance and data‑driven targeting. “We cannot do conservation work [today] the way we did it 50 years ago,” says Bashir Hangi, Spokesperson of the UWA, the government agency responsible for the management and protection of wildlife in and outside protected areas. “We have had to adapt to the existing technology and even customize technology for us to do conservation work effectively.” Indeed, much of the US government's funding for conservation work in Uganda ended during the period that USAID was dismantled, shortly after Donald Trump took office again and Elon Musk's DOGE went to work. By our account, this includes some $60 million of $77 million in grants (committed disbursements) and $47 million of $64 million in disbursements made available to the government between January 2020 and June 2025. Not all of these activities were financed by Uncle Sam, but most were. The Department of State, the now-surrogate for USAID, declined to provide its perspective on these numbers. All the while foreign governments are closing the funding taps, Uganda's appetite for surveillance technology is rising. Documents containing budget requests for the 2026/2027 financial year, which starts in July 2026, indicate that its government intends to spend about $3 million on a helicopter to “ease aerial patrols, wildlife surveillance, animal census exercises, and rescue operations, particularly for animals caught in poachers' snares.” Another $8.4 million will go towards constructing electric fences at Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks, while only $3 million is allocated for compensating victims of human-wildlife conflict. The risks of military tech and surveillance incurring human costs in Uganda is perhaps starkest for Indigenous communities like the Batwa, who've inhabited ancestral lands since long before colonial boundaries carved up the region. Ongoing evictions and systematic harassment by wildlife authorities have displaced thousands dating back to 2001, according to civil society and human rights organizations like Survival International. Most prominently in 2013, armed rangers conducted sweeps through traditional Batwa territories, burning their homes and arresting residents for trespassing on land their ancestors stewarded for millennia. International conservation groups like WWF funded the earliest Batwa park and often hedged on the need for poaching enforcement on their grounds. Survival International says there are general patterns observed across the African continent. Without commenting on the specifics of the Batwa case, Paul Renaut, a campaigner for the NGO, argues that “this does not represent a substantial shift in strategy: the goal and practice of evicting Indigenous peoples in the name of conservation have existed for decades, and have long been supported by less advanced technologies (for example, night-vision goggles).” “The use of more recent technological tools therefore reinforces long-standing strategies rather than introducing a new one,” he adds. WWF-Uganda declined to comment for this story. Many wildlife conservation experts, and Ugandan authorities themselves, underline that anti-poaching efforts have demonstrated notable results in the country. Inter-agency training programs and K9 detection units have successfully intercepted wildlife products at border crossings and airports, as Moses Olinga, a Uganda program manager at the International Fund for Animal Welfare, explains. But in some ways, the battlefield has shifted to Uganda's courts, where justice is often deferred. High-level wildlife traffickers, the kingpins moving ivory and pangolin scales by the ton, routinely escape custodial sentences through plea bargains and fines. “Most of the suspects, especially the top guys once they are arrested… opt for plea bargaining. And in that bargaining it is basically about paying money,” says Moses. “And then somebody is able to get out of the hook. You can pay 50 million Ugandan shillings [roughly US$13,000] and walk free, your criminal network intact and operational.” Meanwhile, villagers caught with a piece of bushmeat can theoretically receive several years in prison, given often strict interpretations of mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines. Follow the money in wildlife conservation, and you'll often hit a wall; sometimes a bureaucratic garrison designed to stonewall transparency. The United States has bankrolled the war on poaching to staggering levels: between 2002 and 2018, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) alone dumped over $100 million into Combat Wildlife Trafficking programs around the world. But buried in the ledger is the fact that more than 90% of those funds went straight to law enforcement and protected area management, not to community-based solutions that might actually address why people poach in the first place, as was concluded by geographers Francis Massé and Jared Margulies. Boots, guns, and surveillance tech were all there. However, FWS's 2026 budget request signaled an abrupt end to many international pipelines, requesting $0 for the Multinational Species Conservation Fund. This effectively zeroed out dedicated funding for African elephants and rhinos, which previously received millions annually. Fish and Wildlife justified this in the document by stating it is “transferring funding responsibility for international species conservation work back to other countries,” reserving limited resources for domestic species instead. While international grants are being eliminated, the focus on domestic “hard power” remains: in 2024, the agency's Office of Law Enforcement claims to have conducted nearly 12,000 wildlife crime investigations, resulting in 80 years of prison time and millions in penalties. As the Trump administration requested a total of $1.1 billion for Fish and Wildlife to prioritize “energy dominance” and “timber production,” the financial support for frontline community-based conservation in sub-Saharan Africa, arguably the world's most important wildlife hotspot, is nonexistent. Massé suggests the potential consequence of this change is that conservation areas might once again rely on private security companies to address enforcement needs if U.S. oversight is removed. He points out that previous funding was more beneficial because it supported state institutions, such as the police, judiciary, and courts, rather than private security firms. This approach helped strengthen the government's capacity and overall state-building efforts. The impact of the shift, therefore, is a decline in support for governmental institutions, risking a return to less-accountable private security arrangements. A spokesperson for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declined to provide comment in response to questions. Then came the White House's geopolitical wrecking ball in 2025 wrought by DOGE and a general disfavoring of foreign aid. (The billions that the Department of State manages in USAID's stead pale in comparison by historic measure.) The redirection of foreign assistance and the gutting of USAID obliterated entire funding pipelines in conservation finance and in sub-Saharan Africa in particular. Conservation experts acknowledge this created a dangerous vacuum. Legitimate civilian policing and judicial capacity-building programs evaporated, forcing governments to default to what they already had on hand: unaccountable military forces with zero oversight and a track record of human rights violations. Trying to trace where American tax dollars actually go is challenging. The federal government has turned Freedom of Information Act requests into an endurance test. Multiple of our public records requests have gone unanswered, especially at USAID, the leftover parts of which have been mostly cannibalized by the Department of State. Ugandan conservation scientist Taddeo Rusoke explains that, from his experience working with major grants in scaling conservation education, he observed that approximately 45% of U.S. Official Development Assistance in Africa was channeled into emergency response and the peace, conflict, and security sectors. From his own field results, Rusoke estimates that militarization has eroded much of the trust built through community engagement and that enforcement‑only models achieve significantly less success without local participation. The official contact for USAID listed on its defunct website referred usto the State Department. The Department of State did not respond after repeated attempts at seeking comment. Meanwhile, on multiple occasions, FOIA requests to USAID (which still has staff devoted to records requests on paper) went unanswered, and in some cases the system collapsed entirely. Emails and online requests in the portal were annulled as staff were either DOGEd or became victims of reductions in force orders. (“We currently have limited capacity to respond to FOIA requests,” has been a typical understatement now.) As it happens, a privatized anti-poaching industry has at times morphed into mercenary outfits with limited accountability, although some organizations have begun to change tactics. Ex-military contractors from Iraq and Afghanistan arrived in African conservation zones via outfits like VETPAW at the height of the elephant and rhino poaching crisis period (2010-15) and Akashinga (formerly the International Anti-Poaching Foundation). Rosaleen Duffy, a professor of international politics, points out in her 2022 book Security and Conservation that organizations like these demonstrate the phenomenon of militarization. She argues both organizations operate with limited regulatory oversight and transform ranger training toward militarized approaches. “Despite the proliferation of these organizations, there is no common code of practice or set of guidelines governing them,” Duffy has noted. VETPAW did not respond after repeated attempts at seeking comment. “We take critiques like those from Dr. Rosaleen Duffy seriously,” an Akashinga spokesperson, Erin Mullikin, said, stating that the organization has “intentionally evolved” away from a “war on poaching” framework. Mullikin added that Akashinga does not use counter-insurgency tactics and that, while they do utilize external specialists including military veterans for technical training, their operations are “intelligence-led, community-grounded, and demilitarized” rather than functioning as a private foreign-led security force. Nevertheless, there is no uniform code of practice governing many of these kinds of operations. In South Africa and Uganda, security regulators could become more amenable to private contractors. This may be in part due to the shrinking space for conservation funds wrought by the second Trump administration's evanition from foreign development. Notably, shoot-to-kill policies and allegations of operatives hitting and killing people have occasionally surfaced over the years, especially in private reserves near Kruger National Park. African Parks is the most recent iteration of what has been widely considered a successful green militarization approach to conservation. It's a large NGO that claims to manage 24 protected areas in 13 countries covering over 20 million hectares; in addition to a conservation organization, it has arguably built a private army. With a 2,000-strong ranger force patrolling millions of hectares across the continent, this non-state actor wields more on-the-ground power than many sub-Saharan African governments' environmental agencies. This is an unprecedented concentration of paramilitary authority operating under the banner of biodiversity, answerable primarily to donors rather than the communities living in its crosshairs. The organization has won the narrative fight, as insiders put it. Scroll through African Parks' showy annual reports, and one will find all the right buzzwords: community partnerships, local empowerment, sustainable livelihoods. But peel back the marketing veneer, and the underlying philosophy remains unchanged: heavily enforced “fortress conservation.” This colonial-era doctrine that pristine wilderness requires emptying the land of Indigenous peoples and local communities has largely abated in the past couple of decades, but its basic principle is that local people are the problem. And removal is often the solution. “The situation is different from one country to another,” said investigative journalist Olivier van Beemen, whose book In the Name of Nature (2025) analyzes the organization extensively. “What I can say is that African Parks' model of delegated management — in which they take over full authority from the government on part of their territory — is often perceived as ‘a state within the state.' African Parks takes over responsibilities — law enforcement, the monopoly on violence, the right to detain people — from the national authorities inside a protected area and often in a zone surrounding it as well.” “Core to all protected areas is legislation determined by sovereign governments, so we do not operate as an unaccountable private military entity,” a spokesperson for African Parks wrote in response to questions. Addressing criticisms of its oversight, the organization added that its “accountability mechanisms have been constructed in good faith and in accordance with international standards,” and that its grievance mechanism “integrates independent, external oversight bodies at all stages from detection to resolution of complaints.” It's unclear how many ex-military personnel from which countries are currently training the so-called “Thin Green Line” of African Parks. The organizations themselves won't say explicitly. It is, however, generally known where African Parks and other related NGOs operate, but obtaining granular detail on anti-poaching operations and other enforcement is next to impossible. This is also the case in South Africa, a country with a well-funded conservation sector, and Uganda where wildlife tourism is a pillar of the national economy (African Parks does not operate in either, according to its official documentation.) The fatal flaw in conservation's militarized, surveillance-heavy turn appears to be that you can't shoot your way to sustainability. Multiple academics and human rights organizations we spoke with pointed out that the short-term success of preventing poaching and illegal wildlife harvesting (and trafficking) is often offset by the longer term distrust of authorities. This is especially the case as these institutions become more sophisticated in their use of technology and tactical applications of their operations. “Militarization is about more than having armed park guards or armed anti-poaching patrols. Militarization is also about a kind of military mindset of us and them. There's an enemy. Local communities, generally speaking, are defined as the enemy or as potential collaborators in a new kind of conservation surveillance,” Duffy explains. She argues that the modern tech-focused and surveillance-heavy approach is merely part of the same continuum as physical violence: “[Y]ou can do as much enforcement and surveillance as you like, but unless you address the structural reasons why people engage in crime, you're you're never going to get a solution.” Treating poaching as primarily a criminal enforcement problem ignores that it can just as well be a symptom of underdevelopment, land dispossession, and structural violence that predates a decision to kill a rhino. Drones and AI surveillance systems arguably address the symptom while avoiding the disease: poverty, food insecurity, historical injustices that are a byproduct of colonial land grabs, and the deliberate exclusion of communities from resource management decisions that directly impact their survival. The long-term math may not work in militarization's favor. Every brutal raid, arbitrary arrest, community member beaten or killed by rangers plants seeds of resentment that may germinate for generations. Conservation organizations may be inadvertently recruiting tomorrow's poachers and wildlife traffickers by making local populations into enemies rather than partners. Real reform likely requires dismantling the machinery of much of the violence. This would mean binding human rights safeguards with actual enforcement mechanisms and consequences for violations. It would probably also mean mandatory independent oversight of all security actors, whether state rangers, private contractors, or NGO-funded paramilitaries, with transparent complaint mechanisms accessible to affected communities. “I think conservation would need a completely different model. It would need to be dismantled. The big conservation organizations that fund a lot of this stuff would need a complete turnaround as well,” Duffy points out. To her, this requires a “complete overhaul” and a “decolonization of knowledge and accepting that actually people from outside don't always know best.” The increase in surveillance tech and green militarization runs counter to a broader movement in community-based conservation, which has ebbed and flowed throughout the African continent and elsewhere as a turn from the top-down nature of fortress conservation. Both South Africa and Uganda have had strong initiatives of this sort. In this model, local communities aren't the enemy, they're potential allies systematically alienated by policies rooted in colonial logic. Until then, green militarization in its newest iteration could continue producing the exact opposite of its stated goal: more violence, less wildlife, and landscapes emptied of both biodiversity and the people who once protected them. This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center. Sam Schramski is a U.S.-based climate and environmental journalist and editor with a background in academic research and work on African conservation and can be reached on Signal at samschramski.25 or samschramski.com Benon Oluka is a veteran Ugandan investigative journalist with a proven track record of cross-border collaborations and extensive experience covering sensitive stories related to the country's military and wildlife agencies. Tulani Ngwenya is a South Africa-based investigative journalist and associate at Oxpeckers Investigative Environmental Journalism interested in impactful narratives that engage diverse African stakeholders and drive positive social change. Explore more on these topics Share this story Subscribe and interact with our community, get up to date with our customised Newsletters and much more. Sponsored Even when your power goes down, your Wi-Fi won't. The app called Nearby Glasses scans Bluetooth signals to detect and alert users when the camera-equipped glasses are nearby. People just aren't being very nice to these mass surveillance devices. The Amazon-owned doorbell company says the planned partnership never launched. Every technology has positives and negatives. You can't keep a good Karp down. ©2026 GIZMODO USA LLC. All rights reserved.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

You can't treat virtual assets like physical evidence. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works. Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful South Korean police have arrested two individuals suspected of embezzling 22 Bitcoins from police custody. According to Dong-A Libo [machine translated], a virtual asset company voluntarily surrendered the cold wallet containing the crypto back in 2021 when they requested the police to investigate a hacking incident. Police regulations require the authorities to move any seized virtual asset to a cold wallet directly under the control of the local station and stored in a separate vault, but it seems that this wasn't followed in this case. In fact, the bungled procedure (and ensuing crime it allowed) wouldn't have been discovered if it weren't for another case of stolen Bitcoin. In January 2026, 320 Bitcoin went missing from the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office, leading the National Police Agency to conduct an audit on all the virtual assets managed by local police. This led to the discovery of the 22 BTC theft at Gangnam Police Station, which, according to The Chosun Daily, the authorities thought they still had because the cold wallet was still in their custody. However, it's been alleged that the company that originally owned the wallet containing the 22 BTC ran into financial trouble sometime in 2022. An official from the firm claimed that it borrowed the same amount from a hacker, telling them that they'd repay the loan after the police returned the crypto. However, they also gave the attacker the mnemonic seed phrase that would allow them to recover the private keys that gave access to the Bitcoin. With this information, the hacker was able to recover the contents of the cold wallet and then transfer the 22 BTC wherever they pleased, right under the nose of the police. 22 Bitcoin, which is more than 2 billion KRW or around US$1.5 million at current exchange rates, seems to be a trivial amount, especially when compared to other instances of cryptocurrency theft, like the $30 million Upbit hack in late 2025 and the record $2 billion that North Korean hackers stole last year. But the fact that it was under the control of the government showed clear lapses on its part. The Gangnam Police treated the virtual assets like physical evidence, assuming that the BTC were actually stored in the USB drive in their possession. As Korea's own police guidelines note, even if a physical hard wallet is seized during the course of confiscating virtual assets, the owner (or a nefarious third party) can still move the assets using a recovery key. In this instance, the police made a fatal error by not also confiscating the recovery code, which was then passed on to the hacker The South Korean authorities have already released guidelines on how to handle seized digital assets, including transferring them to a cold wallet under the control of the investigative agency and stored in a separate safe. In fact, these rules had already been published just two months before the incident. Unfortunately, the Gangnam Police failed to follow them, allowing the crime to take place without them realizing it until much, much later. Follow Tom's Hardware on Google News, or add us as a preferred source, to get our latest news, analysis, & reviews in your feeds. Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox. Jowi Morales is a tech enthusiast with years of experience working in the industry. He's been writing with several tech publications since 2021, where he's been interested in tech hardware and consumer electronics. Tom's Hardware is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Save up to $680 on your pass with Super Early Bird rates. REGISTER NOW. Save up to $680 on your Disrupt 2026 pass. Ends 11:59 p.m. PT tonight. REGISTER NOW. Latest AI Amazon Apps Biotech & Health Climate Cloud Computing Commerce Crypto Enterprise EVs Fintech Fundraising Gadgets Gaming Google Government & Policy Hardware Instagram Layoffs Media & Entertainment Meta Microsoft Privacy Robotics Security Social Space Startups TikTok Transportation Venture Staff Events Startup Battlefield StrictlyVC Newsletters Podcasts Videos Partner Content TechCrunch Brand Studio Crunchboard Contact Us Supabase, a popular developer database platform, is facing disruptions in India — one of its key markets — has been blocked in India, TechCrunch has learned. New Delhi ordered internet providers to block its website, resulting in patchy access across networks. The blocking order was issued on February 24 under Section 69A of India's Information Technology Act, according to a source familiar with the matter. The provision empowers the government to restrict public access to online content. The Indian government did not publicly cite a reason for the move, and it was not immediately clear whether the action was linked to a cybersecurity concern, copyright complaint, or another issue. It was also unclear how long the restrictions would remain in place. Access to Supabase has been inconsistent in India over the past several days, with the San Francisco-based company acknowledging the issue in posts on social media starting Wednesday. While the restrictions were first reported by Supabase on Reliance Industries' JioFiber network, users have since flagged similar problems across multiple internet providers and telecom networks. In one post on Friday, Supabase tagged India's IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, asking him to intervene and restore access, though the company later removed the message and said in a subsequent update that the site remained blocked for many users in the country. We understand many users in India continue to be blocked from accessing Supabase. We acknowledge the difficulties this is causing for our users there. Supabase continues to follow up through all available channels to resolve this issue.We continue to advise affected customers… An Indian founder, who asked not to be named to avoid potential repercussions, told TechCrunch they had stopped seeing new user sign-ups from India over the past two to three days. A technology consultant working with local startups, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they were unable to reliably access Supabase for both development and production purposes. While Supabase suggested workarounds such as switching DNS settings or using a VPN (which reroute internet traffic to bypass local restrictions), the founder said such steps were not practical for most end users. At the time of publication, TechCrunch was able to verify that supabase.co remained inaccessible on ACT Fibernet, JioFiber and Airtel connections in New Delhi. However, two users on ACT Fibernet in Bengaluru said they were still able to access the service, suggesting the restrictions may be unevenly implemented. Notably, Supabase's main website remained accessible in India — but its underlying developer infrastructure did not. India is Supabase's fourth-largest source of traffic, accounting for about 9% of global visits, according to data from Similarweb, highlighting the potential fallout for the country's developer ecosystem. The platform's global traffic jumped more than 111% year over year to about 4.2 million visits in January. In India, visits rose roughly 179% to about 365,000, compared with a 168.5% increase in the U.S. to about 627,000. The incident highlights broader concerns about India's website blocking regime, said Raman Jit Singh Chima, Asia Pacific policy director at Access Now. “This is a simple fact that has grave consequences for developers and others,” he told TechCrunch. “You don't know where you can safely run projects without the danger that something might happen where it gets blocked, and suddenly you're scrambling to find a way.” India has previously faced criticism over broad website blocking measures. In 2014, authorities briefly restricted access to developer platform GitHub, along with services such as Vimeo, Pastebin and Weebly, during a security probe. Users on some Indian networks in 2023 also reported that a key GitHub content domain had been blocked by certain ISPs, according to earlier reports. Founded in 2020 by CEO Paul Copplestone and CTO Ant Wilson, Supabase positions itself as an open-source alternative to Firebase built on PostgreSQL. The startup has gained traction amid rising interest in so-called “vibe coding” tools and AI-driven app development, and has raised about $380 million across three funding rounds since September 2024, lifting its valuation to $5 billion. India's Ministry of Electronics and IT, as well as telecom providers including ACT Fibernet, Bharti Airtel, and Reliance Jio, did not respond to requests for comment. Copplestone and Wilson also did not respond. Topics Reporter Jagmeet covers startups, tech policy-related updates, and all other major tech-centric developments from India for TechCrunch. He previously worked as a principal correspondent at NDTV. You can contact or verify outreach from Jagmeet by emailing mail@journalistjagmeet.com. Last Hours: Save up to $680 on your pass before 11:59 p.m. tonight.Meet investors. Discover your next portfolio company. Hear from 250+ tech leaders, dive into 200+ sessions, and explore 300+ startups building what's next. Don't miss these one-time savings. Jack Dorsey just halved the size of Block's employee base — and he says your company is next An accountant won a big jackpot on Kalshi by betting against DOGE It's time to pull the plug on plug-in hybrids A Meta AI security researcher said an OpenClaw agent ran amok on her inbox Americans are destroying Flock surveillance cameras Bill Gurley says that right now, the worst thing you can do for your career is play it safe The 9,000-pound monster I don't want to give back © 2026 TechCrunch Media LLC.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

So wait a second, the DoW let OpeAI put the exact same clauses in their contract, but Anthropic is a supply chain risk? What is going on? reply An Anthropic spokeswoman added on Thursday that while the company received updated wording from the DoD for its contract on Wednesday night, it represented "virtually no progress on preventing Claude's use for mass surveillance of Americans or in fully autonomous weapons."New language framed as compromise was paired with legalese that would allow those safeguards to be disregarded at will," she said. "Despite [the Department of War's] recent public statements, these narrow safeguards have been the crux of our negotiations for months."https://bbc.com/news/articles/cvg3vlzzkqeo "New language framed as compromise was paired with legalese that would allow those safeguards to be disregarded at will," she said. "Despite [the Department of War's] recent public statements, these narrow safeguards have been the crux of our negotiations for months."https://bbc.com/news/articles/cvg3vlzzkqeo https://bbc.com/news/articles/cvg3vlzzkqeo reply P.S I'm not political (no left/right drama), just speculative. reply US F22 fighter jets have been spotted on Israeli airfields by Chinese commercial satellites in the past 3 days.A full scale strike on Iran is imminent and they want to leverage LLMs for data analysis and quite possibly automated target selection.Literally the SkyNet scenario both researchers and frickin pop culture have warned about for years. A full scale strike on Iran is imminent and they want to leverage LLMs for data analysis and quite possibly automated target selection.Literally the SkyNet scenario both researchers and frickin pop culture have warned about for years. Literally the SkyNet scenario both researchers and frickin pop culture have warned about for years. reply reply reply reply reply reply reply Was it a subtly different contract, or a notice of dispute? Unclear. reply reply reply reply reply reply reply Obviously Altman agreed to whatever they asked him and is lying that the DoW is cool about the red lines. reply But the most obvious reason, is that Greg Brockman - who's a founder and also the current president of OpenAI apparently, is the largest donor to the Trump MAGA PAC. I find it hard to believe that Sam Altman and the Trump administration would be so obvious about it, but I also find it hard to believe that tens of millions in donations and this kind of result can be anything but a bribe. reply I also believe that Anthropic's CEO just didn't get along with the DoW in negotiations. So much of these big contracts comes down to relationships.Still pretty sleazy how the govt is being so aggressive about it. I wish they would have just denied the contract and picked another vendor. Still pretty sleazy how the govt is being so aggressive about it. I wish they would have just denied the contract and picked another vendor. reply reply reply reply reply We too have a voice here.Do Not voluntarily fund the robot army. Do Not voluntarily fund the robot army. reply reply reply reply reply reply reply reply Hell, this may open a path for Anthropic to survive. Everyone can save face if the Pentagon says "we got Anthropic to agree to the same terms as OpenAI" and Anthropic gets their guardrails anyways.On the other hand it's equally likely that the government just destroys Anthropic regardless because they don't like it anymore (and it dared to disagree in public.) On the other hand it's equally likely that the government just destroys Anthropic regardless because they don't like it anymore (and it dared to disagree in public.) reply So, use but if goes wrong, someone needs to be responsible. Aaaand we know that works very well reply AI told me it was a Mexican drone, not a regular Delta El Paso flight reply Ethics dont exist on the global stage. The privacy ship sailed decades ago. It all looks performative to me across all sides.The smart move is to side with gov using some hand wave jutsi about “we have a contract” to get access to sams big nuts. Sam aint gonna respect no contract regardless of what is in. He breaks all laws without consequence for the last 60 odd years.Unless people start starving, no revolution is gonna change the status quo here. It is like 9D marketing/branding chess for ai companies The smart move is to side with gov using some hand wave jutsi about “we have a contract” to get access to sams big nuts. Sam aint gonna respect no contract regardless of what is in. He breaks all laws without consequence for the last 60 odd years.Unless people start starving, no revolution is gonna change the status quo here. It is like 9D marketing/branding chess for ai companies Unless people start starving, no revolution is gonna change the status quo here. It is like 9D marketing/branding chess for ai companies reply reply The whole, if u are not against them ur for them, argument scares me as so much more bad comes from it.I am honest. I remember all the crypto validators buckling to sam when pressure came over sanctions. Same happened back with land lines, cell networks, and now AI too. All governments do this.I dont like it. I dont want it. I vote against it. And it still happens. So i shrug as once again the same thing happens. I am honest. I remember all the crypto validators buckling to sam when pressure came over sanctions. Same happened back with land lines, cell networks, and now AI too. All governments do this.I dont like it. I dont want it. I vote against it. And it still happens. So i shrug as once again the same thing happens. I dont like it. I dont want it. I vote against it. And it still happens. So i shrug as once again the same thing happens. reply reply Step 1: We believe the enemy is a monster who does [terrible act].Step 2: To counteract this, we must do [terrible act].Result: we maintain we are the "good guys" because we were "forced" into it by their presumed behavior.He who fights with imagined monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.That quote is 140 years old. Is that enough time to heed it? Step 2: To counteract this, we must do [terrible act].Result: we maintain we are the "good guys" because we were "forced" into it by their presumed behavior.He who fights with imagined monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.That quote is 140 years old. Is that enough time to heed it? Result: we maintain we are the "good guys" because we were "forced" into it by their presumed behavior.He who fights with imagined monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.That quote is 140 years old. Is that enough time to heed it? He who fights with imagined monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.That quote is 140 years old. Is that enough time to heed it? That quote is 140 years old. Is that enough time to heed it? reply reply reply reply reply reply
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

US secretary of defense Pete Hegseth directed the Pentagon to designate Anthropic a “supply-chain risk” on Friday, sending shock waves through Silicon Valley and leaving many companies scrambling to understand whether they can keep using one of the industry's most popular AI models. “Effective immediately, no contractor, supplier, or partner that does business with the United States military may conduct any commercial activity with Anthropic,” Hegseth wrote in a social media post. The designation comes after weeks of tense negotiations between the Pentagon and Anthropic over how the US military could use the startup's AI models. In a blog post this week, Anthropic argued its contracts with the Pentagon should not allow for its technology to be used for mass domestic surveillance of Americans or fully autonomous weapons. The Pentagon asked that Anthropic agree to let the US military apply its AI to “all lawful uses” with no specific exceptions. A supply-chain-risk designation allows the Pentagon to restrict or exclude certain vendors from defense contracts if they're deemed to pose security vulnerabilities, such as risks related to foreign ownership, control, or influence. It is intended to protect sensitive military systems and data from potential compromise. Anthropic responded in another blog post on Friday evening, saying it would “challenge any supply chain risk designation in court,” and that such a designation would “set a dangerous precedent for any American company that negotiates with the government.” Anthropic added that it hadn't received any direct communication from the Department of Defense or the White House regarding negotiations over the use of its AI models. “Secretary Hegseth has implied this designation would restrict anyone who does business with the military from doing business with Anthropic. The Secretary does not have the statutory authority to back up this statement,” the company wrote. The Pentagon declined to comment. “This is the most shocking, damaging, and overreaching thing I have ever seen the United States government do,” says Dean Ball, a senior fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation and the former senior policy adviser for AI at the White House. “We have essentially just sanctioned an American company. If you are an American, you should be thinking about whether or not you should live here 10 years from now.” People across Silicon Valley chimed in on social media expressing similar shock and dismay. “The people running this administration are impulsive and vindictive. I believe this is sufficient to explain their behavior,” Paul Graham, founder of the startup accelerator Y Combinator said. Boaz Barak, an OpenAI researcher, said in a post that “kneecapping one of our leading AI companies is right about the worst own goal we can do. I hope very much that cooler heads prevail and this announcement is reversed.” Meanwhile, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced on Friday night that the company reached an agreement with the Department of Defense to deploy its AI models in classified environments, seemingly with carve-outs. “Two of our most important safety principles are prohibitions on domestic mass surveillance and human responsibility for the use of force, including for autonomous weapon systems,” said Altman. “The DoW agrees with these principles, reflects them in law and policy, and we put them into our agreement.” In its Friday blog post, Anthropic said a supply-chain-risk designation, under the authority 10 USC 3252, only applies to Department of Defense contracts directly with suppliers, and doesn't cover how contractors use its Claude AI software to serve other customers. Three experts in federal contracts say it's impossible at this point to determine which Anthropic customers, if any, must now cut ties with the company. Hegseth's announcement “is not mired in any law we can divine right now,” says Alex Major, a partner at the law firm McCarter & English, which works with tech companies. Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Nvidia—all companies that provide services to the US military and work with Anthropic—did not immediately respond to WIRED's request for comment. Anduril and Shield AI, two prominent AI-focused defense-tech companies, both declined to comment. Supply-chain-risk designations typically do not go into effect immediately, and the US government is required to complete risk assessments and notify Congress before military partners have to cut ties with a company or its products, according to Charlie Bullock, senior research fellow at the Institute for Law and AI. But the situation could still discourage other tech companies from working with the Pentagon, according to Greg Allen, senior adviser at the Wadhwani AI Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). “The Defense Department just sent a huge message to every company that if you dip your toe in the defense contracting waters, we will grab your ankle and pull you all the way in, anytime we want,” he says. Several legal experts tell WIRED that Anthropic is likely to sue the government. Hegseth previously suggested that the DOD could attack Anthropic by invoking the Defense Production Act, which would force the company to provide its technology to the Pentagon. Allen says the flip-flopping undermines the Pentagon's argument that Anthropic is a genuine supply chain risk. A lawsuit could take months or years to resolve, however, and Anthropic's business could suffer in the meantime if companies are forced to sever ties. The dispute raises critical questions for a plethora of prominent US military partners, such as Nvidia, Amazon, Google, and Palantir, which work closely with Anthropic. One tech executive, whose company's software is used by the US military and requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, said that until the Department of Defense's directive goes beyond a post on social media, their company is in a holding pattern and has lawyers examining the issue. As a comparison, the executive pointed to Section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act, a procurement prohibition that bars federal agencies from contracting with companies that use certain Chinese telecom equipment as a “substantial or essential component” of any system. If this new mandate is similar, that could be a “high bar to clear,” the executive says, because even if a tech company is using Anthropic's Claude Code internally, it might not be defined as an “essential” part of the product it is ultimately selling to the government. In your inbox: Maxwell Zeff's dispatch from the heart of AI ICE is expanding at breakneck speed—here's where it's going next Big Story: Inside the gay tech mafia Big Tech says AI will save the planet—it doesn't offer much proof Event: Helping small business owners succeed © 2026 Condé Nast. All rights reserved. WIRED may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. Ad Choices
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

On the occasion of Rare Disease Day, the Biofisika Institute (CSIC, EHU) presents the progress of a project aimed at understanding the molecular origin of CTNNB1 neurodevelopmental syndrome, a rare disease caused by mutations in the beta-catenin protein. Although fewer than 50 cases of this pathology have been diagnosed in Spain, rare diseases affect a total of nearly three million people. The study is led by Sonia Bañuelos, a researcher at the Biofisika Institute and lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of the Basque Country (EHU). "Our goal is to understand how these mutations prevent the brain from forming correctly. Understanding the mechanisms at the molecular level is essential so that specific therapies can be developed in the future," the scientist emphasizes. The project is being carried out in collaboration with a neuropsychology team from the University of Deusto - pioneers in the study of the disease - molecular genetists from the Biobizkaia Institute at Cruces University Hospital, and the brain organoid platform at the Achucarro Neuroscience Center. The Spanish Association of CTNNB1 Patients, based in Bizkaia, is also actively participating in the initiative. Beta-catenin is essential during embryonic development and also in the adult organism. One of its functions is related to cell adhesion, which confers consistency and mechanical strength to tissues. These processes are fundamental during brain formation and in the stablishment and plasticity of synapses, the basis of learning and memory. In CTNNB1 syndrome, most mutations generate incomplete or misfolded proteins that cannot perform their function. This malfunction alters critical processes in brain development. The team at the Biofisika Institute uses tools based on the three-dimensional structure of proteins to predict how these mutations affect the interaction between beta-catenin and cadherin, key components of cell adhesion complexes. The predictions are verified in the laboratory using biophysical techniques. To do this, mutated versions of the protein corresponding to real cases identified in the Spanish cohort are produced in bacteria. Brain organoids allow for more accurate modeling of how these alterations impact the development of nervous tissue. Although this is basic research, the results "could help in a future development of rational designed therapies," Sonia Bañuelos, researcher, Biofisika Institute and lecturer, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of the Basque Country "Understanding the mechanisms of a disease is the first step towards finding a cure. That is why research on rare diseases is necessary," the researcher stresses. On the occasion of Rare Disease Day, the Biofisika Institute recalls the importance of promoting research on these minority diseases, which have an enormous impact on those who experience them firsthand. University of the Basque Country Posted in: Medical Research News | Medical Condition News Cancel reply to comment Alexander Dulebo Discover how Bruker is helping drive innovation in cosmetic science through advanced AFM techniques. Gabi Saavedra Discover how Thermo Fisher is shaping the future of plant-based foods through texture innovation and cultural relevance. Dr. Lena Smirnova Brain microphysiological systems are reshaping in vitro neurotoxicity testing through functional validation and advanced disease modeling. News-Medical.Net provides this medical information service in accordance with these terms and conditions. Please note that medical information found on this website is designed to support, not to replace the relationship between patient and physician/doctor and the medical advice they may provide. Last Updated: Saturday 28 Feb 2026 News-Medical.net - An AZoNetwork Site Owned and operated by AZoNetwork, © 2000-2026 Your AI Powered Scientific Assistant Hi, I'm Azthena, you can trust me to find commercial scientific answers from News-Medical.net. To start a conversation, please log into your AZoProfile account first, or create a new account. Registered members can chat with Azthena, request quotations, download pdf's, brochures and subscribe to our related newsletter content. A few things you need to know before we start. Please read and accept to continue. Please check the box above to proceed. Great. Ask your question. Azthena may occasionally provide inaccurate responses. Read the full terms. Terms While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided. Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles. Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information. Read the full Terms & Conditions. Provide Feedback
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

In 2021, a technology developed at University of Michigan, called Seq-Scope, revolutionized the ability to map gene activity within intact tissue at microscopic resolution, enabling researchers to measure all expressed mRNA molecules and determine precisely where they are located within the tissue, using an Illumina sequencer machine. The team behind the Seq-Scope method, led by Jun Hee Lee, Ph.D., has recently taken the technology even further. Their findings are described in Nature Communications. "We wondered what we might see if we had even better resolution," said Lee, Professor of Molecular & Integrative Physiology at U-M Medical School. "But we realized that that is actually physically impossible." Why? Preparing a tissue slide to be read by an Illumina sequencer involves diffusing molecules from the tissue to the array that is ultimately read by the sequencer. That diffusion is limited to around a micron. To get beyond this barrier, Lee's team made the tissues in question proportionately larger, by embedding the tissues in hydrogel then infusing them with water so that they grow. The expansion strategy was first conceived by Lee's graduate student Angelo Anacleto, who incorporated chemical tissue expansion methods into Seq-Scope in collaboration with Hee-Sun Han, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. We made the tissue bigger and then analyzed it the using our SeqScope methodology. And we were able to show that it is indeed a precisely and accurately captures the transcriptome from the tissue." Jun Hee Lee, Ph.D., Professor of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, U-M Medical School Using their aptly named Seq-Scope-eXpanded, or Seq-Scope-X, method allowed them to see with even greater resolution the delineation between cells and even the transcripts of different structures within cells, like the nucleus and cytoplasm. Computational methods developed by Hyun Min Kang, Ph.D., Professor of Biostatistics at U-M School of Public Health, enabled the team to identify differences between mRNAs transcribed in the nucleus vs. the cytoplasm in liver cells. Lee says the tool could be used to make discoveries that weren't possible using previous methods. "We have kind of pushed the that limit by another order of magnitude so we can get richer information. This technology is really moving fast, with resolution improving roughly four-fold each year for nearly a decade. We are glad that University of Michigan is at the major inflection point." Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan Anacleto, A., et al. (2026). Seq-Scope-eXpanded: spatial omics beyond optical resolution. Nature Communications DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-69346-8. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-69346-8 Posted in: Genomics | Device / Technology News | Medical Science News Cancel reply to comment Alexander Dulebo Discover how Bruker is helping drive innovation in cosmetic science through advanced AFM techniques. Gabi Saavedra Discover how Thermo Fisher is shaping the future of plant-based foods through texture innovation and cultural relevance. Dr. Lena Smirnova Brain microphysiological systems are reshaping in vitro neurotoxicity testing through functional validation and advanced disease modeling. News-Medical.Net provides this medical information service in accordance with these terms and conditions. Please note that medical information found on this website is designed to support, not to replace the relationship between patient and physician/doctor and the medical advice they may provide. Last Updated: Saturday 28 Feb 2026 News-Medical.net - An AZoNetwork Site Owned and operated by AZoNetwork, © 2000-2026 Your AI Powered Scientific Assistant Hi, I'm Azthena, you can trust me to find commercial scientific answers from News-Medical.net. To start a conversation, please log into your AZoProfile account first, or create a new account. Registered members can chat with Azthena, request quotations, download pdf's, brochures and subscribe to our related newsletter content. A few things you need to know before we start. Please read and accept to continue. Please check the box above to proceed. Great. Ask your question. Azthena may occasionally provide inaccurate responses. Read the full terms. Terms While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided. Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles. Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information. Read the full Terms & Conditions. Provide Feedback
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Scientists at the University of California, Irvine's School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences have discovered how muscle stem cells "flip a switch" to rebuild damaged muscle – a finding that could help address muscle loss linked to aging, injury and widely used weight-loss medications.The study, published this week in Nature Metabolism, shows that muscle recovery is not just about protein or exercise. It depends on timing and how muscle cells use fuel. Researchers learned that immediately after stress, muscle stem cells temporarily slow down energy production. Instead of burning glucose for energy, they reroute it into protective repair processes to produce antioxidants that reduce inflammation. Once repairs are complete, energy production ramps back up and new muscle fibers form and strengthen. Muscle metabolism isn't simply about fueling growth; it's about strategic recovery. We found that muscle stem cells actively change how they use nutrients to protect themselves first, then rebuild. That metabolic timing is critical." Lauren Albrecht, UC Irvine assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences and study's corresponding author At the center of the discovery is an enzyme called PFKM, which helps control how cells process glucose. The team determined that cells deliberately reduce PFKM levels during early repair, creating a temporary metabolic pause. When PFKM returns, muscle building begins. Importantly, the scientists showed that this process can be influenced. By supplying specific metabolic building blocks – nutrients that cells naturally produce later in recovery – they accelerated the transition from repair mode to growth mode in laboratory models. The findings come as physicians and researchers grapple with increasing reports of lean muscle loss in patients using GLP-1-based weight-loss medications, as well as amid the broader challenge of age-related muscle decline. "With the rapid rise of GLP-1 therapies and an aging population, preserving muscle mass has become a major health priority," Albrecht said. "Our work identifies a metabolic checkpoint that could one day be targeted to help people recover muscle more effectively." The work combined advanced imaging, metabolic analysis and human muscle data to track how quickly these fuel changes occur, sometimes within minutes. Researchers from UCLA and Yale University also participated. The study was supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the National Cancer Institute, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. University of California - Irvine Campos, M., et al. (2026). PFKM governs metabolic shifts throughout skeletal muscle differentiation. Nature Metabolism. DOI: 10.1038/s42255-026-01457-4. https://www.nature.com/articles/s42255-026-01457-4 Posted in: Medical Science News | Medical Research News Cancel reply to comment Alexander Dulebo Discover how Bruker is helping drive innovation in cosmetic science through advanced AFM techniques. Gabi Saavedra Discover how Thermo Fisher is shaping the future of plant-based foods through texture innovation and cultural relevance. Dr. Lena Smirnova Brain microphysiological systems are reshaping in vitro neurotoxicity testing through functional validation and advanced disease modeling. News-Medical.Net provides this medical information service in accordance with these terms and conditions. Please note that medical information found on this website is designed to support, not to replace the relationship between patient and physician/doctor and the medical advice they may provide. Last Updated: Saturday 28 Feb 2026 News-Medical.net - An AZoNetwork Site Owned and operated by AZoNetwork, © 2000-2026 Your AI Powered Scientific Assistant Hi, I'm Azthena, you can trust me to find commercial scientific answers from News-Medical.net. To start a conversation, please log into your AZoProfile account first, or create a new account. Registered members can chat with Azthena, request quotations, download pdf's, brochures and subscribe to our related newsletter content. A few things you need to know before we start. Please read and accept to continue. Please check the box above to proceed. Great. Ask your question. Azthena may occasionally provide inaccurate responses. Read the full terms. Terms While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided. Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles. Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information. Read the full Terms & Conditions. Provide Feedback
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Six months after becoming the first patient in the United States to receive a newly FDA-approved cochlear implant system, 18-month-old Nene Gudavadze is responding to sound, dancing to music, and saying her first words. Nene, who lives in Brooklyn with her parents, underwent surgery at NYU Langone Health in August after being diagnosed with severe bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. She had failed multiple newborn hearing screenings, something her parents initially hoped was temporary. "No one in our large extended family had ever experienced hearing loss, so it came as a big shock," said Nene's mother, Natia Kikutadze. "It was an emotional and uncertain time for us, but we also had hope." After evaluation at NYU Langone's Cochlear Implant Center, the family learned that Nene was a candidate for the new technology from Cochlear Limited, which is cleared for children as young as 9 months. Early implantation is associated with improved speech and language outcomes, and research indicates that many children who receive cochlear implants before the age of 1 year develop vocabulary and communication skills within the typical range by school age. The Nucleus Nexa System that Nene received is the first cochlear implant designed with upgradable firmware, similar to the way smartphones receive updates. Instead of requiring patients to switch to a new external processor to benefit from advances and innovation in sound processing, many improvements can be delivered through firmware updates to their implant, reducing the need for hardware changes as children grow. The update-ready design is intended to give young patients more consistent access to evolving technology throughout their lives. It is also approved for use in adults who qualify for cochlear implants. For patients like Nene, the earlier we can give them access to sound, the better their chances of developing speech on time and engaging with the world around them. Our role is not just fitting the device, but also guiding families through every stage of the process." William H. Shapiro, AuD, co-director of the Cochlear Implant Center NYU Langone's Cochlear Implant Center, one of the earliest programs of its kind in the country, provides coordinated care that spans evaluation, surgery, audiologic programming, and ongoing speech-language support. The center sees several hundred patients each year and participates in research that helps refine implant candidacy and early intervention strategies. In the months since activation, Nene has begun to respond to everyday sounds and is developing early speech patterns. "She's saying things like 'mama,' 'babu,' and she tries to sing in her own way," her mother said. "Whenever she hears music, she immediately starts dancing. We are very happy with her progress." Her parents remain focused on helping Nene continue to grow, hear, and communicate. "This surgery was a new beginning for her," her mother said. "We're doing everything we can to help her connect with the world." NYU Langone Posted in: Child Health News | Device / Technology News | Medical Procedure News Cancel reply to comment Alexander Dulebo Discover how Bruker is helping drive innovation in cosmetic science through advanced AFM techniques. Gabi Saavedra Discover how Thermo Fisher is shaping the future of plant-based foods through texture innovation and cultural relevance. Dr. Lena Smirnova Brain microphysiological systems are reshaping in vitro neurotoxicity testing through functional validation and advanced disease modeling. News-Medical.Net provides this medical information service in accordance with these terms and conditions. Please note that medical information found on this website is designed to support, not to replace the relationship between patient and physician/doctor and the medical advice they may provide. Last Updated: Saturday 28 Feb 2026 News-Medical.net - An AZoNetwork Site Owned and operated by AZoNetwork, © 2000-2026 Your AI Powered Scientific Assistant Hi, I'm Azthena, you can trust me to find commercial scientific answers from News-Medical.net. To start a conversation, please log into your AZoProfile account first, or create a new account. Registered members can chat with Azthena, request quotations, download pdf's, brochures and subscribe to our related newsletter content. A few things you need to know before we start. Please read and accept to continue. Please check the box above to proceed. Great. Ask your question. Azthena may occasionally provide inaccurate responses. Read the full terms. Terms While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided. Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles. Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information. Read the full Terms & Conditions. Provide Feedback
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

A new research paper was published in Volume 18 of Aging-US on February 6, 2026, titled "Causal effects of inflammation on long-term mortality: a Mendelian randomization study." Led by Eliano P. Navarese from Department of Life and Health Sciences, Link Campus University and SIRIO MEDICINE Research Network, Nicolaus Copernicus University, who is also the corresponding author - the study used large-scale Mendelian randomization (MR) to test whether genetically proxied levels of inflammatory biomarkers causally influence long-term all-cause mortality. The analysis combined genome-wide association instruments from more than 750,000 individuals and used FinnGen mortality data (median follow-up 11.7 years) to assess effects on overall survival and major cardiovascular endpoints. Using robust MR methods and multiple sensitivity analyses, the authors report that genetically higher IL6R (soluble IL-6 receptor) levels were associated with reduced all-cause mortality (odds ratio per 1-SD increase: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.91–0.98), and with lower risk of atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, stroke, and lung cancer. By contrast, genetically higher IL6 levels were associated with increased mortality (OR 1.05; 95% CI: 1.02–1.08). No significant causal effects were observed for CRP or GDF15, suggesting those markers more likely reflect disease burden than drive it. "These results support IL6R antagonism as a potential strategy for cardiovascular disease prevention." The authors emphasize that the opposing directions for IL6 and IL6R point to distinct biological mechanisms: IL6 likely promotes chronic pro-inflammatory states that increase cardiovascular risk, while higher circulating IL6R (reflecting altered receptor shedding and signaling) appears to dampen harmful IL6 activity at the vessel wall and myocardium, yielding cardiovascular protection. Sensitivity and cis-MR analyses reinforced the IL6R protective signal and showed minimal evidence of directional pleiotropy. Together, the genetic evidence aligns with clinical trial data for IL6R antagonists in other settings and supports further evaluation of IL6R-targeted strategies for cardiovascular prevention. The paper also notes important limitations and next steps. Analyses were restricted to individuals of European ancestry, so results require replication in other ancestries. Translating genetic evidence into preventive therapies will need careful clinical evaluation, long-term safety assessment, and trials designed for primary prevention in high-risk populations. The authors also call for additional mechanistic work to map how IL6/IL6R modulation alters vascular inflammation and downstream disease processes. Aging-US Navarese, E. P., et al. (2026). Causal effects of inflammation on long-term mortality: A mendelian randomization study. Aging. DOI: 10.18632/aging.206352. https://www.aging-us.com/article/206352/text Posted in: Genomics | Medical Science News | Medical Research News Cancel reply to comment Alexander Dulebo Discover how Bruker is helping drive innovation in cosmetic science through advanced AFM techniques. Gabi Saavedra Discover how Thermo Fisher is shaping the future of plant-based foods through texture innovation and cultural relevance. Dr. Lena Smirnova Brain microphysiological systems are reshaping in vitro neurotoxicity testing through functional validation and advanced disease modeling. News-Medical.Net provides this medical information service in accordance with these terms and conditions. Please note that medical information found on this website is designed to support, not to replace the relationship between patient and physician/doctor and the medical advice they may provide. Last Updated: Saturday 28 Feb 2026 News-Medical.net - An AZoNetwork Site Owned and operated by AZoNetwork, © 2000-2026 Your AI Powered Scientific Assistant Hi, I'm Azthena, you can trust me to find commercial scientific answers from News-Medical.net. To start a conversation, please log into your AZoProfile account first, or create a new account. Registered members can chat with Azthena, request quotations, download pdf's, brochures and subscribe to our related newsletter content. A few things you need to know before we start. Please read and accept to continue. Please check the box above to proceed. Great. Ask your question. Azthena may occasionally provide inaccurate responses. Read the full terms. Terms While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided. Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles. Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information. Read the full Terms & Conditions. Provide Feedback
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

An AI can accurately diagnose a rare endocrinological condition just by analyzing pictures of the back of the hand and the clenched fist. The privacy-conscious achievement by Kobe University holds promise for establishing more efficient referral systems and reducing healthcare disparities across communities. Acromegaly is a rare, intractable disease usually setting in in middle age that causes the hands and feet to grow bigger, changes the facial appearance and also has effects on bone and organ growth throughout the body. The condition, which is caused by overproduction of growth hormone, proceeds slowly over decades, but if left untreated may cause life-threatening complications resulting in one's life expectancy reduced by about 10 years. "Because the condition progresses so slowly, and because it is a rare disease, it is not uncommon to take up to a decade for it to be diagnosed," says Kobe University endocrinologist FUKUOKA Hidenori. He further explains, "With the progress of AI tools, there have been attempts to use photographs for early detection, but they have not been adopted in clinical practice." Upon examining current AI research challenges, the group found that most rely on facial photographs, which can be the cause of privacy concerns. OHMACHI Yuka, a Kobe University graduate student, says, "Trying to address this concern, we decided to focus on the hands, a body part we routinely examine alongside the face in clinical practice for diagnostic purposes, particularly because acromegaly often manifests changes in the hands." They decided to double down on privacy, though, by using images only of the back of the hand and the clenched fist, avoiding the more individual palm line patterns. This enabled them to enlist the support of 725 patients across 15 medical facilities across Japan, who donated over 11,000 images to train and validate their AI model. In the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, the Kobe University team now publishes that their model recognizes the condition with very high sensitivity and specificity. In fact, their model outperforms even experienced endocrinologists asked to evaluate the same photographs. Frankly, I was surprised that the diagnostic accuracy reached such a high level using only photographs of the back of the hand and the clenched fist. What struck me as particularly significant was achieving this level of performance without facial features, which makes this approach a great deal more practical for disease screening." Ohmachi Yuka, a Kobe University graduate student The group identifies their next step as extending their model to other conditions identifiable through such photographs, such as rheumatoid arthritis, anemia and finger clubbing. Ohmachi says, "This result could be the entry point for expanding the potential of medical AI." In medical practice, doctors don't use just hand images for diagnosis, but rely on a broad range of factors and data. The Kobe University team therefore sees their newly developed model as a chance to "complement clinical expertise, reduce diagnostic oversight and enable earlier intervention," as they write in their paper. Study lead Fukuoka says: "We believe that, by further developing this technology, it could lead to creating a medical infrastructure during comprehensive health check-ups to connect suspected cases of hand-related disorders to specialists. Furthermore, it could support non-specialist physicians in regional healthcare settings, thus contributing to a reduction of healthcare disparities there." This research was funded by the Hyogo Foundation for Science Technology. It was conducted in collaboration with researchers from Fukuoka University, Hyogo Medical University, Nagoya University, Hiroshima University, Toranomon Hospital, Nippon Medical School, Kagoshima University, Tottori University, Yamagata University, Okayama University, Hyogo Prefectural Kakogawa Medical Center, Hokkaido University, International University of Health and Welfare, Moriyama Memorial Hospital and Konan Women's University. Kobe University Ohmachi , Y., et al. (2026) Automatic acromegaly detection using deep learning on hand images: a multicenter observational study. DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgag027. https://academic.oup.com/jcem/advance-article/doi/10.1210/clinem/dgag027/8494383 Posted in: Device / Technology News | Medical Research News | Medical Condition News Cancel reply to comment Alexander Dulebo Discover how Bruker is helping drive innovation in cosmetic science through advanced AFM techniques. Gabi Saavedra Discover how Thermo Fisher is shaping the future of plant-based foods through texture innovation and cultural relevance. Dr. Lena Smirnova Brain microphysiological systems are reshaping in vitro neurotoxicity testing through functional validation and advanced disease modeling. News-Medical.Net provides this medical information service in accordance with these terms and conditions. Please note that medical information found on this website is designed to support, not to replace the relationship between patient and physician/doctor and the medical advice they may provide. Last Updated: Saturday 28 Feb 2026 News-Medical.net - An AZoNetwork Site Owned and operated by AZoNetwork, © 2000-2026 Your AI Powered Scientific Assistant Hi, I'm Azthena, you can trust me to find commercial scientific answers from News-Medical.net. To start a conversation, please log into your AZoProfile account first, or create a new account. Registered members can chat with Azthena, request quotations, download pdf's, brochures and subscribe to our related newsletter content. A few things you need to know before we start. Please read and accept to continue. Please check the box above to proceed. Great. Ask your question. Azthena may occasionally provide inaccurate responses. Read the full terms. Terms While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided. Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles. Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information. Read the full Terms & Conditions. Provide Feedback
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Josh Sargent will finally get a chance to play in MLS, embracing the American top flight for the first time, while potentially improving his chances at the U.S. men's national team in the future. On Friday, the 26-year-old officially joined Toronto FC from Norwich City, ending a transfer saga that saw him relegated to the Canaries' youth teams. Now, he returns to North America for a transfer fee that could balloon to $27 million, should add-ons hit, making him the most expensive incoming player in MLS history, surpassing LAFC's Son Heung-min. With Toronto, he will have a chance to play a defining role for a prominent MLS club that has a winning history. He also becomes the latest American talent in his prime playing years to join the league, seeking a step forward. the welcoming committee 👋 pic.twitter.com/c7BYwkbpZR That trend has been growing, in particular over the last year, with Paxten Aaronson moving to the Colorado Rapids from Germany and Matt Turner returning to the New England Revolution after spells in England did not go to plan. By making the move, prime-age national team players can potentially find more playing time, a chance to play closer to home and often higher wages—all of which Sargent will embrace in Toronto, despite not playing within the United States. “Everybody has their own reasons,” Sargent told Goal. “It's nobody else's life ... I've been thinking about coming back closer to home because I'm having more kids. It's been more and more attractive to me and my family.” While his spell at Norwich had gone well, scoring 71 goals and 24 assists in 240 matches across all competitions, it was clear he needed a change. Given those circumstances and the personal side with a young family, the move to return to North America is pertinent, especially with a chance to be a key figure on a team that, should he score goals, could open up USMNT opportunities or even a return to Europe. “Experiencing MLS, doing that with Toronto, is really exciting,” he added. “Playing in front of new fans at a new stadium is going to be cool. Off the field, my family, having friends be able to visit, seeing family more often, but also being in a bigger city and experiencing that.” For Toronto, his addition marks the latest step in their efforts to bring the club back to its glory days, which saw three MLS Cup final appearances between 2016 and 2019 and a title in 2017. He now becomes the central piece to a restructured spine as well, with his scoring potential likely reliant on the dynamic playmaking abilities of another USMNT-capped player, who returned to MLS after a short European spell, midfielder Djordje Mihailovic. Should those two begin to gel together, the club and their personal outlooks change dramatically. Finding the best place for his family and his club-level performances was Sargent's priority, but his future with the USMNT remains very much in question. He last represented the USMNT in September 2025, but has not scored in 17 straight appearances for the Stars and Stripes since netting a brace in a Concacaf Nations League win over Cuba in November of 2017. His only other USMNT goals across his 29 caps came in 2018 friendlies against Bolivia and Peru, as well as another Nations League clash with Cuba. Given those struggles and his lack of playing time at the club level, he is almost certain to be left off manager Mauricio Pochettino's squad for March friendlies against Belgium and Portugal. However, an exceptional start to life in MLS could see him in the national team picture by the end of 2026—even if it were to come in the fall windows, after the 2026 World Cup. At the moment, he is likely sixth on the depth chart behind Folarin Balogun, Haji Wright, Patrick Agyemang, Ricardo Pepi and fellow MLS striker, Brian White. While he takes some time to adjust, the plan is clear—be in a better place personally, get Toronto FC back to the MLS Cup playoffs for the first time since 2020 and score often enough to find a way back into the national team picture. Ben Steiner is an American-Canadian journalist who brings in-depth experience, having covered the North American national teams, MLS, CPL, NWSL, NSL and Liga MX for prominent outlets, including MLSsoccer.com, CBC Sports, and OneSoccer. © 2026 ABG-SI LLC - SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. - All Rights Reserved. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates, licensees and related brands. All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Log in Subscribe Now Region Search Top News Podcasts Connections: Sports Edition NFL Home Teams Scores & Schedule Standings Fantasy NFL Odds NFL Picks NFL Draft Podcasts Scoop City Newsletter NFL Combine Updates Players to Watch in Indy Top 100 Prospects Top 150 Free Agents NBA Home Teams Scores & Schedule Standings The Bounce Newsletter NBA Draft Podcasts Fantasy NBA Odds NBA Picks Latest Awards Watch Our Ideas To Fix Tanking How The NBA, Hip-Hop Inspire Each Other MLB Home Teams Scores & Schedule Standings Podcasts The Windup Newsletter Fantasy MLB Prospects MLB Odds MLB Picks Top Prospects Trade Grades Top 50 Free Agents NHL Home Teams Scores & Schedule Standings Podcasts Fantasy NHL Odds NHL Picks Olympic Men's Lookback Olympic Women's Lookback Red Light Newsletter Trade Deadline News NCAAM Home Teams Scores & Schedule Bracket Standings Podcasts NCAAW Home Scores & Schedule Bracket Standings Podcasts NCAAF Home Teams Scores & Schedule Standings Podcasts Newsletter Recruiting Odds Picks Best Portal Classes 2026 CFB Predictions Early Top 25 Transfer QB Rankings Winter Olympics Home Medal Table Men's Olympic Ice Hockey Women's Olympic Ice Hockey Tennis Home WNBA Home Teams Scores & Schedule Standings Podcasts 2026 Men's World Cup Home Teams Scores & Schedule Standings Premier League Home Teams Scores & Schedule Standings Fantasy The Athletic FC Newsletter Podcasts Title Favourites to Relegation Contenders A Big Fixture Looms UCL's Repeat Fixture Problem Golf Home Coming Soon to Your Inbox Global Sports College Sports MLS Home Teams Scores & Schedule Standings Podcasts NWSL Home Scores & Schedule Standings Full Time newsletter Podcasts Soccer Women's Soccer Home NWSL Schedule Full Time Newsletter Podcasts NWSL Women's World Cup USWNT College Sports Fantasy Baseball Home MLB Home Rates & Barrels Fantasy Football Fantasy Hockey Draft Kit Customizable Cheat Sheet Downloadable Draft Sheet Top 600 Hitters and Pitchers Top 300 Hitters SP Rankings RP Rankings Terminology Fantasy Football Home NFL Home Scoop City Betting 2026 Fantasy Football Rankings 2026 Dynasty Rankings Discord Peak Formula 1 Home Prime Tire newsletter Schedule Alpine Aston Martin Audi Cadillac Ferrari Haas McLaren Mercedes Racing Bulls Red Bull Williams Sports Business Home MoneyCall Newsletter Sailing Opinion Home Betting Home Fantasy Football Odds NFL Picks UK Betting Memorabilia and Collectibles Culture Home Motorsports Home Podcasts NASCAR Women's Hockey Home Scores & Schedule Standings Teams MMA Home Boxing Home The Pulse Newsletter Cities NFL Combine Latest NFLPA Survey Results Sail Grand Prix Connections: Sports Edition Today's Pulse Newsletter World Cup FIFA wants all qualified teams to take their place at the World Cup Philipp Schmidli/Getty Images FIFA says it is focusing on “everybody participating” in this summer's World Cup in the wake of the American military attack on Iran. The U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes on major Iranian cities, including the capital Tehran, on Saturday after weeks of mounting diplomatic tension. Iran has retaliated with its own missile attacks on Israel and U.S. air bases in the Gulf region, including in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain. Advertisement Iran secured qualification for its fourth successive World Cup in March 2025 and is due to play group-stage matches in June against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle. It is scheduled to be based at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona. World Cup officials in Los Angeles are monitoring developments. Speaking at a meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Wales, FIFA general secretary Mattias Grafstrom was asked by reporters about how the escalation in tensions between the U.S. and Iran could affect the World Cup. He said: “I read the news the same way you did this morning. We had a meeting (the AGM) today and it would be premature to comment on that in detail. “But of course we will monitor the developments around all issues around the world. “We had a final draw in Washington where all teams participated and of course our focus is to have a safe World Cup with everybody participating.” The White House World Cup taskforce declined to comment when approached by The Athletic. The White House, U.S. State Department and Iran Football Federation have also been contacted for comment. Iranian nationals are already prohibited from traveling to the United States under U.S. President Donald Trump's so-called travel ban. The ban, enacted in June 2025, carves out exemptions for “any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event.” But last year, multiple Iranian delegates had visas denied ahead of December's World Cup draw. When asked why, Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House's World Cup task force, said at the time that “every visa decision is a national security decision”. Speaking to The Athletic after the draw, Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei mostly deferred to FIFA and declined to discuss politics. Advertisement When asked if he was concerned that members of the team and staff would not be able to get visas for the World Cup, he said — through his translator, an Iranian football federation official — that “everybody, FIFA, is trying. As they promised, they will do their best [so that] all the team, staff and the players [can] be present here for World Cup participation.” The military action has affected sport in the region, although the doubles final of the Dubai Tennis Championships — part of the ATP Tour's 500 series of events — did go ahead as scheduled. The singles final, scheduled to be played between Daniil Medvedev and Tallon Griekspoor this afternoon, was cancelled after Griekspoor pulled out with an injury he sustained in yesterday's semi-final. Elsewhere in the region, football matches in Israel and Qatar were postponed as a result of the attacks. The Qatar-based television broadcaster beIN Sports has also been forced to move the filming of its weekly live Premier League coverage to London, according to a post on X by its presenter Richard Keys. Qatar is due to host the Finalissima 2026 between Argentina and Spain, the champions of South America and Europe respectively, on March 27. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Manage your account ... FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom said his organization is focused on all teams participating at the 2026 World Cup in the wake of the United States' military strikes on Iran. The U.S. launched missile attacks on Iran on Saturday, Feb. 28, with President Donald Trump calling the mission a "major combat operation." Iran has retaliated with attacks on U.S. air bases in the Gulf region, including in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain. The clash between the United States and Iran comes just months before Iran is scheduled to travel to the U.S. for the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Iran was drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. Team Melli is scheduled to play two group stage games in Los Angeles (June 15 and 21) and one in Seattle (June 26). In the immediate aftermath of the U.S. attacks on Iran, Grafstrom said that FIFA is monitoring the situation but remains optimistic that the World Cup will go forward with Iran as planned. "I read the news [about Iran] this morning the same way you did," Grafstrom said at the International Football Association Board's annual general meeting in Cardiff, Wales, on Saturday. "We had a meeting today and it is premature to comment in detail, but we will monitor developments around all issues around the world. "We had the finals draw in Washington in which all teams participated, and our focus is on a safe World Cup with all the teams participating. "We will continue to communicate as we always do with three [host] governments as we always do in any case. Everybody will be safe." Visitors from Iran are already set to be barred from entering the United States for the World Cup. Iran was among 19 countries included in a travel ban that the Trump administration announced in June. In December, Iran Football Federation president Mehdi Taj warned that some national team players and staff may also be denied U.S. visas for the World Cup due to their military background. Several Iran national team players have served in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an elite branch of the Iranian military that the U.S. government has designated as a foreign terrorist organization. The U.S. State Department has not ruled out the possibility that some Iranian players could see their visas denied. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USA attack on Iran: FIFA responds to World Cup concerns
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom said his organization is focused on all teams participating at the 2026 World Cup in the wake of the United States' military strikes on Iran. The U.S. launched missile attacks on Iran on Saturday, Feb. 28, with President Donald Trump calling the mission a "major combat operation." Iran has retaliated with attacks on U.S. air bases in the Gulf region, including in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain. The clash between the United States and Iran comes just months before Iran is scheduled to travel to the U.S. for the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Iran was drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. Team Melli is scheduled to play two group stage games in Los Angeles (June 15 and 21) and one in Seattle (June 26). In the immediate aftermath of the U.S. attacks on Iran, Grafstrom said that FIFA is monitoring the situation but remains optimistic that the World Cup will go forward with Iran as planned. "I read the news [about Iran] this morning the same way you did," Grafstrom said at the International Football Association Board's annual general meeting in Cardiff, Wales, on Saturday. "We had a meeting today and it is premature to comment in detail, but we will monitor developments around all issues around the world. "We had the finals draw in Washington in which all teams participated, and our focus is on a safe World Cup with all the teams participating. "We will continue to communicate as we always do with three [host] governments as we always do in any case. Everybody will be safe." Visitors from Iran are already set to be barred from entering the United States for the World Cup. Iran was among 19 countries included in a travel ban that the Trump administration announced in June. In December, Iran Football Federation president Mehdi Taj warned that some national team players and staff may also be denied U.S. visas for the World Cup due to their military background. Several Iran national team players have served in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an elite branch of the Iranian military that the U.S. government has designated as a foreign terrorist organization. The U.S. State Department has not ruled out the possibility that some Iranian players could see their visas denied.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

The United States are co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup, which Iran have qualified for(Image: PA) FIFA will 'monitor developments' in Iran in the wake of military action being launched against them by the United States, their secretary general has said. The President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced that “major combat operations” were underway after launching missile strikes on Iran alongside Israel on Saturday morning. Iran have qualified for the World Cup, which will be held across America, Canada and Mexico this summer. The Middle Eastern nation have been drawn in Group G with Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt - but the situation will be monitored in the wake of the US strikes. “I read the news [about Iran] this morning the same way you did,” said Mattias Grafstrom, who was at the International Football Association Board's annual general meeting in Cardiff, Wales on Saturday, via ESPN. “We had a meeting today and it is premature to comment in detail, but we will monitor developments around all issues around the world. “We had the finals draw in Washington in which all teams participated, and our focus is on a safe World Cup with all the teams participating. President Donald Trump confirmed missile strikes had been launched on Saturday(Image: Annabelle Gordon/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images) “We will continue to communicate as we always do with three [host] governments as we always do in any case. Everybody will be safe.” Iran are scheduled to play two of their group games in Los Angeles, with the third taking place in Seattle. All flights into and out of Dubai Airport have been suspended amid the fallout from US strikes on Iran, leaving players participating in the Dubai Tennis Championship stranded. It was confirmed that all flight operations at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) had been halted after the city was hit by an explosion on Saturday. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more. Sky shows at least 215 live Premier League games each season, an increase of up to 100, plus Formula 1, darts, golf and more. At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Get three Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich predictions from our soccer expert, before Saturday's 12:30pm ET Bundesliga clash (2/28). Our betting expert expects Dortmund to share spoils when they host Bayern, just days after their crucial Champions League match against Atalanta. All odds are courtesy of bet365, correct at the time of publishing and subject to change. Bayern Munich haven't failed to impress this season, scoring 85 goals against Bundesliga opposition. They entered the new year with a nine-point lead at the top of the table. Two months later, the gap has decreased by just one point. Bayern tend to start strong, having won 14 of their 23 first halves this term. Dortmund have won one less in the same period. The visitors have trailed at halftime in only one match and remained undefeated in the first period in 22 other games. Notably, they eventually won that match as well. Dortmund's record is different, as they have lost both matches in which they trailed at halftime. However, the support of the home crowd provides a clear advantage for the hosts. Niko Kovac's team have conceded a similar number of goals as their opponents this season. However, it will be challenging for them to contain Bayern's offensive players, at least in the opening half. Die Roten have what it takes to provide great returns on this prediction. Bayern's attack will be a major focus of this match. Harry Kane, Luis Diaz, and Michael Olise have a combined total of 51 Bundesliga goals this season. Kane, who has scored 28 goals, is a particularly significant player in this fixture. However, Serhou Guirassy has been equally formidable for Dortmund's standards. The Guinea marksman has recorded 16 goals and six assists in 34 appearances for the club. Although he failed to score against Leipzig, his offensive ability is a constant threat. Guirassy has recorded five goals in his last five matches, including recent braces against Mainz and Heidenheim. Bayern are more formidable opponents. However, given his recent form, it is probable that he will find opportunities against a Die Roten defence that has consistently conceded goals. Guirassy will likely face goalkeeper Manuel Neuer after the talisman made a quick recovery from a lengthy injury. Dortmund trailed Leipzig by two goals at halftime in their last match. They made a comeback after the restart following an own goal by Romulo Cardoso. Silva then scored the equalizing goal in the 95th minute. The Schwarzgelben have been particularly productive after the interval, scoring 15 second-half goals across nine consecutive league games. They will relish their late chances against a Bayern side that have failed to keep a single clean sheet across eight Bundesliga matches since the start of the year. Bayern have also consistently found the net in the second period this season. However, the last time they failed to do so, they suffered their only Bundesliga defeat against Augsburg. In the reverse fixture, two of the three goals in Bayern's 2-1 victory came in the second half. Kane opened the scoring in the first half, while Michael Olise secured the win in the 79th minute despite a late goal from Julian Brandt. Backing both teams to score offers great value in a rarely disappointing Der Klassiker derby. In their last match, Borussia Dortmund required a stoppage-time goal from substitute Fabio Silva to secure a point at the Red Bull Arena. The 2-2 draw with RB Leipzig ended their six-match winning streak in the Bundesliga. Nevertheless, they remain undefeated in 16 successive league games. That's perhaps the only reason why they've trailed Bayern, although they sit eight points behind. Notably, on Matchday 7, Bayern Munich were the last opponents to defeat Die Borussen in the league. Since then, Dortmund have improved their performance despite losses in cup competitions. Bayern won their previous match 3-2 at home against Eintracht Frankfurt, despite conceding two goals in the final 15 minutes. Despite their overall league dominance, Vincent Kompany's side have lately been shaky in defence. However, they will be encouraged by Manuel Neuer's return. Dortmund are the only remaining unbeaten home team in the Bundesliga. Bayern failed to maintain their own undefeated home record at the Allianz Arena, as their regional rivals Augsburg secured a 2-1 victory in late January. That remains their only league loss this term. Both clubs have suffered only one loss during this campaign. Therefore, it is unlikely that one side will outperform the other over 90 minutes. A draw should be a satisfying result for both teams. Borussia Dortmund expected lineup: Kobel, Reggiani, Anton, Bensebaini, Ryerson, Sabitzer, Bellingham, Nmecha, Svensson, Beier, Guirassy Bayern Munich expected lineup: Neuer, Stanisic, Upamecano, Kim, Davies, Kimmich, Luis Diaz, Jamal Musiala, Michael Olise, Harry Kane
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

VAR's powers have been extended by football's lawmakers. Using VAR to check corners will be an option for competitions from this summer, while the core VAR protocol has now been widened to cover second yellow cards and cards awarded to the wrong team. The International Football Association Board (IFAB), which sets the laws of football, also approved a package of measures to counter tactics designed to disrupt the tempo of matches which come into effect this summer. The successful introduction of the eight-second rule for goalkeepers has encouraged IFAB to go further on efforts to stop players slowing the game. Referees will be given the power to start a five-second countdown if they feel players are taking too long over throw-ins and dead-ball goal kicks, and substitutions must be completed in no more than 10 seconds, otherwise the substitute must stay off for at least one minute. The IFAB also decided at its annual general meeting in Wales on Saturday to enforce a period of at least one minute off the field for any player whose injury forces a stoppage in play. The Premier League has been trialling a 30-second period, but some within the IFAB did not feel this was long enough to serve as a deterrent. Other competitions had tested longer periods, with two minutes trialled at last year's Arab Cup. The aim with all the measures set to be adopted is to maintain the tempo of the game but also to help reduce time to be added on for stoppages, which is a problem from a player welfare perspective, for supporters and for broadcasters' schedules. Changes agreed on Saturday will officially become part of the laws of the game from July 1 but will be adopted at this summer's World Cup which kicks off on June 11. The IFAB also agreed trials be conducted to further assess goalkeeper tactical injury delays and to propose options to deter this behaviour. Lawmakers are adamant VAR checks on corners must not delay the kick being taken and will only be used to spot obvious errors. Corner-kick checks will be an option, rather than a mandatory part of the VAR protocol. VARs will also only check incorrectly-awarded second yellow cards. They will not advise referees to issue a second yellow card where one was not shown on the field. - FIFA plan to combat mouth-covering after Vinícius Jr. incident - FIFA to 'monitor developments' in Iran ahead of 2026 World Cup The IFAB will also hold consultations to develop measures where players leave the field of play as an act of protest against a referee's decision or team officials instigating such action and where players cover their mouth when confronting opponents during matches. The Africa Cup of Nations final was delayed by a walk-off by Senegal, while Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni is alleged to have racially abused Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior during a Champions League match last week while his mouth was covered by his shirt. UEFA is investigating the incident and Prestianni denies racially abusing Vinícius
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

The 2026 World Cup is less than four months away and U.S. men's national team manager Mauricio Pochettino has one simple question regarding his team's tournament objectives: “Why not win it all?” When asked if the USMNT making the quarterfinals would be considered a successful 2026 World Cup campaign during a radio interview with Spain's Radiogaceta de los Deportes, Pochettino had an eyebrow-raising response. “To me it wouldn't ... because we want to win [the World Cup], we are winners” Pochettino said. “It's complicated for every team to win the World Cup, it won't be easy. It's also a different experience with different circumstances, we'll see, surprises can always happen. “It's true that nobody in the world puts the USMNT among the favorites to win the World Cup, I'm conscious of that. But internally, when we took on the challenge of going to the World Cup, we considered: ‘Why not? Why not win it? Why not make it to the final stages of the World Cup?' “We know we have a lot of work to do and that we've been working now for a year and a half to achieve being at the level that a World Cup—the most important event—will demand.” Pochettino also spoke on the growth of soccer in the U.S., crediting Lionel Messi particularly for the sport's rapid rise in popularity in recent years. That rise, in his eyes, will only intensify when the country co-hosts the World Cup this summer, in what he views as a golden opportunity. "The World Cup is a massive motivation for everyone,” Pochettino said. “Internally [as a staff] we always felt that pressure to compete and to win. We're trying to transfer that culture and philosophy to the organization [U.S. Soccer], of course, but also to the players, about the way we must prepare to compete. “The pressure is there because we are one of the World Cup organizing nations and also because the U.S. always wants to be first, in everything it wants to be first and that idea is there. “It's true that the sport [soccer] isn't the first like in other countries, but I think it's up to us to handle it in the best way and transform that pressure into energy, to then compete in the best way we can.” The Argentine's full focus is placed on trying to lead the USMNT to a historic summer. What comes next for him is more uncertain. Reports surfaced in recent weeks suggesting Tottenham Hotspur were keen on a reunion with former boss Pochettino in the aftermath of Thomas Frank's dismissal. Pochettino denied having any contact with Spurs recently, but refused to close the door to a summer return. “They're rumors,” Pochettino said, denying any contact. “The always associate me with Tottenham, like they did at a certain time with Espanyol or other clubs. In the end, especially because I have a past with these teams, when things aren't going well, people fall back on emotions. “But no, we're focused on the World Cup, on the USMNT. My contract expires after the World Cup, so from then, we'll see what might happen, [I am] open to everything.” If Pochettino manages to get even close to reaching his lofty World Cup ambitions this summer, then the last thing he'll be lacking will be alternatives and interested suitors following the tournament's conclusion. Roberto Casillas is a Sports Illustrated FC freelance writer covering Liga MX, the Mexican National Team & Latin American players in Europe. He is a die hard Cruz Azul and Chelsea fan. © 2026 ABG-SI LLC - SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. - All Rights Reserved. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates, licensees and related brands. All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

The 2026 World Cup is less than four months away and U.S. men's national team manager Mauricio Pochettino has one simple question regarding his team's tournament objectives: “Why not win it all?” When asked if the USMNT making the quarterfinals would be considered a successful 2026 World Cup campaign during a radio interview with Spain's Radiogaceta de los Deportes, Pochettino had an eyebrow-raising response. “To me it wouldn't ... because we want to win [the World Cup], we are winners” Pochettino said. “It's complicated for every team to win the World Cup, it won't be easy. It's also a different experience with different circumstances, we'll see, surprises can always happen. “It's true that nobody in the world puts the USMNT among the favorites to win the World Cup, I'm conscious of that. But internally, when we took on the challenge of going to the World Cup, we considered: ‘Why not? Why not win it? Why not make it to the final stages of the World Cup?' “We know we have a lot of work to do and that we've been working now for a year and a half to achieve being at the level that a World Cup—the most important event—will demand.” Pochettino also spoke on the growth of soccer in the U.S., crediting Lionel Messi particularly for the sport's rapid rise in popularity in recent years. That rise, in his eyes, will only intensify when the country co-hosts the World Cup this summer, in what he views as a golden opportunity. "The World Cup is a massive motivation for everyone,” Pochettino said. “Internally [as a staff] we always felt that pressure to compete and to win. We're trying to transfer that culture and philosophy to the organization [U.S. Soccer], of course, but also to the players, about the way we must prepare to compete. “The pressure is there because we are one of the World Cup organizing nations and also because the U.S. always wants to be first, in everything it wants to be first and that idea is there. “It's true that the sport [soccer] isn't the first like in other countries, but I think it's up to us to handle it in the best way and transform that pressure into energy, to then compete in the best way we can.” The Argentine's full focus is placed on trying to lead the USMNT to a historic summer. What comes next for him is more uncertain. Reports surfaced in recent weeks suggesting Tottenham Hotspur were keen on a reunion with former boss Pochettino in the aftermath of Thomas Frank's dismissal. Pochettino denied having any contact with Spurs recently, but refused to close the door to a summer return. “They're rumors,” Pochettino said, denying any contact. “The always associate me with Tottenham, like they did at a certain time with Espanyol or other clubs. In the end, especially because I have a past with these teams, when things aren't going well, people fall back on emotions. “But no, we're focused on the World Cup, on the USMNT. My contract expires after the World Cup, so from then, we'll see what might happen, [I am] open to everything.” If Pochettino manages to get even close to reaching his lofty World Cup ambitions this summer, then the last thing he'll be lacking will be alternatives and interested suitors following the tournament's conclusion. Roberto Casillas is a Sports Illustrated FC freelance writer covering Liga MX, the Mexican National Team & Latin American players in Europe. He is a die hard Cruz Azul and Chelsea fan. © 2026 ABG-SI LLC - SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. - All Rights Reserved. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates, licensees and related brands. All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Chelsea have been advised to consider a transfer swoop for Darwin Nunez, with Marcel Desailly telling the Blues why the ex-Liverpool forward could end up being another Dennis Bergkamp. The mercurial Uruguayan striker endured a tough spell at Anfield, but a World Cup winner believes that he could thrive in the right surroundings - as Bergkamp once did at Arsenal. Former Netherlands international Bergkamp struggled to produce his best in Italy with Inter, but became a club legend with the Gunners after heading to north London in 1995. He formed part of the fabled title-winning ‘Invincibles' squad in 2003-04. Nunez already has a top-flight crown in England to his name, having helped Liverpool to restore domestic dominance in 2024-25. He headed to the Saudi Pro League with Al-Hilal after registering 40 goals through 143 appearances for the Reds. Consistency proved to be an issue throughout his spell on Merseyside, following a £64 million ($86m) move from Benfica, but another change of scenery is being planned after slipping down the pecking order on a Middle Eastern adventure. Ex-France international Desailly believes that Chelsea should be in the market for a 26-year-old that still boasts plenty of potential, telling FootItalia: "I would actually recommend Nunez for Chelsea. He's a very good player, a smart player – he just needs the right environment to perform. When Liverpool identified his potential they knew what they had statistically. "But when you start on a bad note, the confidence disappears and the consideration from those around you follows. It's like Dennis Bergkamp going to Inter Milan – things went completely wrong. Or Roberto Carlos in his early days, shooting the ball into the stands. The confidence wasn't there. That's what happened to Nunez at Liverpool. But the quality is still there. He's at Al-Hilal now and has scored around six goals in 16 matches – not bad at all." "I'm pleased to see him wanting to come back to European football – it shows money isn't everything. A club like Chelsea, or the new Manchester United, would be best for him. He needs to be surrounded by established, confident players who know they're going to play every weekend and who will give him the ball on the first intention. That's the small detail – when he makes a run, he needs to get the ball immediately. Otherwise he loses confidence quickly. "We had something similar with Frank Lampard – magnificent player, but sometimes he would look for another option instead of playing the ball first-time to the striker. You could see the strikers losing their rhythm. Nunez needs that immediate ball. But he's a quality player and he's still young enough." Darwin could star for Chelsea if he has the likes of Cole Palmer providing ammunition. The England international has seen a return to his Manchester roots at United speculated on. Desailly admits that the 23-year-old playmaker has some big decisions to make on his future. The Frenchman added: "Chelsea will qualify for the Champions League. But even if not – fans are educated differently now. It's about the club, not any one player. Chelsea have the potential to perform without Palmer. He has a long contract, so if he were to leave, significant money would come in that you could reinvest in players who fit the manager's philosophy. “I'm sure he's giving his best to get Chelsea into the top four. But if his heart is telling him to go – well, I had to choose between Monaco and Marseille once, and I followed my heart. I went to Marseille because I was a fan. Players come and go in modern football, but the club is the priority in the hearts of supporters." Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting Chelsea are currently sat fifth in the Premier League table, three points adrift of Manchester United. They are now working under Liam Rosenior and have also reached the last-16 of Champions League competition and fifth round of the FA Cup - where they will face Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac's Wrexham.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

José Umaña | jumana@wtop.com February 28, 2026, 8:39 AM What started as a happy accident led to a top-10-ranked international soccer team naming Alexandria, Virginia, as its base camp during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In January, the Croatian Football Federation confirmed that its men's national team selected Episcopal High School as its training facility and that it will stay at Hotel AKA Alexandria in Old Town during the monthlong tournament. But how did a city in Virginia, in a region that is not hosting any World Cup matches, end up being selected to host a World Cup team during the tournament? “Honestly, I stumbled on the application process to host,” Dan O'Neill, director of auxiliary programs at Episcopal, told WTOP. “I was, as a soccer fan, was searching for tickets, and how you get on the ticket list three, four years ago, and that's when I realized FIFA was looking for host sites.” O'Neill quickly touched base with school officials, who connected with the city government. Together with the city's official tourism organization, Visit Alexandria, the school put together a bid to present to FIFA. Suzanne Thibeault, director of sales for Visit Alexandria, said the bid was structured as a three-part package, committing to the city, the school and the hotel all in one, while just under seven miles from Reagan National Airport. “They can travel to and from Alexandria very easily from each of their matches,” Thibeault said. “Not only when they're away from their home away from home, they can actually feel like they're living in a local, small town, while having the accessibility of a big, cosmopolitan city.” Founded in 1839, Episcopal is one of the few remaining boarding schools in the U.S., sitting on a 130-acre campus. Inside are two Bermuda grass soccer pitches. O'Neill told WTOP its newest field, only five years old and located in between its track, will be the main training pitch for Croatia. “We're really able to keep that field in pristine condition for both our athletes in the fall, but then the spring and summer,” O'Neill said, adding that the fields were graded and tested by FIFA during the bid process. Croatia will also have access to the school's weight room and one of its gymnasiums. The team will also use the school's 2,050-square-foot training room with hot and cold tubs. Its wrestling room will be converted into a media room for press conferences. Because the school is a closed campus, Croatia will have privacy to conduct its training. “The private training environment is really important to these teams and being able to run their sessions in a private environment where they can really concentrate on the work they need to do,” O'Neill said. The school is no stranger to hosting soccer teams. The Washington Spirit and the U.S. women's national team have used its fields for training. Last year, Episcopal served as a base camp for Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates during the FIFA Club World Cup. Thibeault told WTOP that hosting during the Club World Cup was a prerequisite for consideration as a World Cup base. In a news release, the Croatian Football Federation said it analyzed more than 60 sites and compiled a shortlist after learning the locations of its group-stage matches. Following a site visit in Alexandria, head coach Zlatko Dalić and his staff “unanimously agreed” that the Virginia city was the team's best choice. “Alexandria was the first choice of our staff, and I am therefore confident that we will have everything the national team needs there — a top-class training center, a comfortable hotel, and peace and quiet,” Croatian Football Federation President Marijan Kustić said. Alexandria will see some economic impact from Croatia's stay, Todd O'Leary, president and CEO of Visit Alexandria, told WTOP. The biggest effect will be the civic pride it brings to the city. “This is really an opportunity for our community to show who we are and how we are such a welcoming destination,” he told WTOP. There was no “cash outlay” in securing Croatia, O'Leary said. Instead, the city will take care of other related costs, including permit fees, security, police and ambulance services. With months away before the tournament, city and school officials are already preparing for the team's arrival. O'Neill said FIFA conducted a site visit in February to ensure the fields at Episcopal were recovering well after January's winter storm. The Visit Alexandria team has begun putting together lists of restaurants and places of worship for players and their families to visit during their stay. O'Leary said some of their visitor materials and brochures will also be translated into Croatian. “This is their home away from home,” O'Leary said. “They're going to be with their friends and family traveling with them, and so, we want to make sure that we really roll out the red carpet for the team and those that travel with them.” While some soccer fans may be encouraged to head to Episcopal to try to catch a glimpse of players, including captain Luka Modrić, during training, school officials say not to. Practice will be closed to the public, and the boarding school will operate as normal, including offering summer camps and visits. There will be a higher level of security surrounding the team as well, O'Leary said. Fans are instead encouraged to follow Visit Alexandria for future collaborations with FIFA and Croatia, including possible watch parties during the tournament. “This is just something our community is really, really, truly buzzing about, from city hall into the neighborhoods,” O'Leary said. “It really is a big deal for our community, and we're ready. We're going to be ready.” Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here. © 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. José Umaña is a digital editor for WTOP. He's been working as a journalist for almost a decade, covering local news, education and sports. His work has appeared in The Prince George's Sentinel, The Montgomery Sentinel, Orlando Sentinel, PressBox and The Diamondback. 5425 Wisconsin Ave Chevy Chase, MD 20815 hello@wtop.com 202.895.5000 Copyright © 2026 by WTOP. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool, among others, have been told how much it will cost to lure Newcastle's star players away from St. James' Park this summer. A host of key Magpies players have been linked with departures in recent months as Premier League rivals seek to exploit their sub-par season to boost their own respective squads. A number of the Premier League's heavy hitters are believed to be circling St. James' Park as they seek to pick apart the Magpies this summer. Alexander Isak's British record-breaking move to Liverpool on deadline day in September destabilised the club, with rivals believing they can lure Newcastle's star players away from the Tyne. Anthony Gordon has been heavily linked with a move away from the club, with a return to Merseyside mooted. Liverpool have been monitoring the England international as they look to rectify their left wing issues, which stems from Luis Diaz's departure for Bayern Munich. Arsenal and Manchester United have also been credited with an interest in Gordon, while the Gunners had considered a move for central midfielder Sandro Tonali on deadline day earlier this month following injury to Mikel Merino. The Italian remained at the club but is expected to depart for pastures new at the end of the season. Gordon and Tonali aren't the only Newcastle stars that are wanted by Premier League heavyweights this summer, with Tino Livramento on Manchester City's radar as the Cityzens strive to strengthen at right-back. Bruno Guimaraes is another that City are tracking, though luring the Newcastle captain away from the club will prove easier said than done. Malick Thiaw, Nick Woltemade, Joe Willock and Lewis Miley have also been linked with a summer exit. And The Telegraph has revealed the likely asking price for each player should Newcastle entertain the idea of cashing on in their in-demand stars. Gordon is one of two players that Newcastle would likely demand £100 million ($135m) for. Gordon has struggled for form this season having netted just three league goals but still has his admirers. In addition, the former Everton man penned a long-term contract in October 2024, with Newcastle under no pressure to sell the 25-year-old. Midfielder Guimaraes is another who'd command £100m, though like Gordon; the club aren't pushed to cash in on the Brazilian, who is contracted to St. James' Park until 2029. Guimaraes is unlikely to push for a departure, though the same can't be said of Tonali, who'd be expected to bring in between £90m ($121m) and £100m. The Italian's agent fuelled rumours of a potential summer exit by saying the Italian will assess all of his options at the end of the season earlier this month. Thiaw is one of two new signings whose future has been subject to speculation. The German moved to Newcastle from AC Milan last year, and has been a revelation for Eddie Howe's side, with United reportedly interested in the centre-back, who'd cost £80m ($108m). Compatriot Woltemade has been linked with a return to Germany after just one season in England. Bayern Munich were keen on the 24-year-old prior to his Magpies move and are believed to retain an interest in the towering frontman, but would need to part with £69m ($93m) to bring him back to the Bundesliga. Two players who are tipped to leave in the summer are Livramento and Willock. The former is wanted by City as Pep Guardiola's side weigh up their right-back options ahead of the summer window, with Brentford's Michael Kayode also a potential option for the Manchester giants. The England international's unwillingness to sign a new contract for Howe's side puts the Tyne outfit in a perilous position. Even so, Newcastle would still want between £60m and £70m ($94m) for Livramento. The Magpies stance on Willock is softer, the midfielder having struggled for regular action this season. The 26-year-old was tipped to leave the club last month as Crystal Palace weighed up a move for the former Arsenal man, though he ultimately remained at the club, and scored a crucial header in the 1-1 draw with PSG in January. Newcastle would likely accept an offer of around £15m ($20m) for Willock with the midfielder dropping down the midfield pecking order under Howe. One midfielder who won't be leaving anytime soon is Miley, with the academy product not for sale. Perhaps stung by Elliot Anderson's rise to stardom with Nottingham Forest, the Magpies are keen to avoid a repeat with Miley unlikely to depart. Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting Newcastle will hope that transfer talk doesn't distract the players as they look to return to winning ways. While the Magpies have won four of their last five competitive matches following their midweek 3-2 win over Qarabag, they have lost four of their last five league outings. And they'll hope to get their domestic campaign back on track when they host Everton on Saturday afternoon, the Toffees having lost their last two top-flight games.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

The Premier League is not expected to opt in to VARs being able to rule on incorrectly awarded corners Corners and second yellow cards will be added to the scope of the video assistant referee (VAR) for this summer's World Cup. Measures to address loss of tempo in matches and cut down on time-wasting will also be introduced, including new countdowns on goal-kicks, throw-ins and substitutions. The International Football Association Board (Ifab) approved the proposals at its annual general meeting at Hensol Castle in Wales on Saturday. The changes will come into force from June 1 and apply for the 2026-27 season. Ifab also agreed to further trials about potential changes to offside, and to consult about measures to combat players covering their mouth when confronting opponents during matches. It comes after Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni was accused of racially abusing Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr while covering his mouth with his shirt. The Argentine, who denies the allegation, was provisionally suspended by Uefa - European football's governing body. Ifab will also stage trials with a view to finding ways to stop 'tactical timeouts' prompted by goalkeepers having on-field treatment. And former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's proposal for changing the offside law will finally be trialled in the Canadian Premier League when its new season begins in April. World governing body Fifa has strongly supported expanding the remit of VAR when it can quickly fix decisions that are clearly wrong. However, many leagues had said measures that could increase delays would not be acceptable. That was particularly the case for corners. Fifa was adamant it wanted to review corners at the World Cup and argued strongly for it. Because leagues opposed it, it is something they can opt in to. The Premier League is not expected to do so. Uefa is also believed to be against it, but Italy's Serie A is likely to adopt it. There was more support for the idea VAR should look at incorrectly awarded second yellow cards. In a notable incident earlier this month, Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu was sent off for a second booking after Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni went to ground under minimal contact. Referee designator Gianluca Rocchi said he was "very sorry" for a decision that was "clearly wrong" and "VAR could not be used to rectify it". In the past two seasons, the Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel has found 17 players were wrongly sent off for two cautions. However, there have not been any logged this season. The KMI Panel has found seven missed second yellows in 2025-26, though that aspect will not be added to VAR protocol. It is felt looking at potential second yellows would be too intrusive and would open up a review for every challenge by any player on a caution. Ifab also approved the VAR being able to step in if a yellow card has clearly been given against the wrong team. If, for example, a player is booked for handball but the ball actually touched the arm of the opponent, this can be corrected. A rise in popularity of long throws has led to increased stoppages when the ball is out of play A series of measures to tackle 'tempo disruption' and 'time lost' have also been approved. Following the success of the eight-second time limit imposed on goalkeepers releasing the ball when it is in their hands, a countdown will now be applied to players taking goal-kicks and throw-ins. If a player takes too long, possession will switch to the opposition, meaning a goal-kick could become a corner, or a throw would go to the opposition. Two other items have been added to the laws after successful trials in Major League Soccer in recent seasons. A substituted player must leave the field within 10 seconds, and if they fail to do so their replacement will not be immediately able to come on. Their team must play with one fewer player for at least 60 seconds and until the ball next goes out. Players who go off injured will also have to stay off for an extended period - doubling the Premier League's 30-second regulation to one minute. Fifa had trialled two minutes - also used in MLS - in the Arab Cup in December, but leagues had concerns about unintended consequences such as a player having to leave the field when injured and their team conceding a goal. There will be exemptions, including when the opposition player has been booked or sent off, if a substitution is being made, or if the player is to take a penalty. The law will not apply to goalkeepers, and no solution was agreed for the 'tactical timeout' that has been seen as a scourge of the modern game. Ifab technical panels have discussed the issue at length, but there is no common ground on an effective solution. A proposal to take an outfield player off was proposed but rejected. It was felt that could cause an injured goalkeeper not to seek treatment for fear of hampering their team. Ifab decided trials should be conducted to further assess the issue and to propose options as a deterrent. Is VAR any better in the rest of Europe's top leagues? Football must avoid 'microscopic' VAR - Uefa refs' chief Courting controversy and befriending Trump - Fifa's 'unlikely saviour' There has also been an amendment to the law around when players deny opponents an obvious goalscoring opportunity - known as 'Dogso'. At present, a defender can only be sent off if the player fouled is through on goal, but that will now be expanded so it covers team-mates of the attacker. The wording "location and number of attackers" has been added to the considerations. This is expected to apply to teams who are, for instance, on a fast counter-attack. The fouled player may not have a scoring chance but if they could have passed to team-mate who would, that may be 'Dogso' next season. A player who commits a 'Dogso' offence when advantage is played and a goal is scored will not now get a yellow card. Elsewhere, the 'only the captain' guidelines covering who can talk to the referee, and the 'double touch' penalty clarification have also been added to the laws. There has also been a modification to allow players to tape up jewellery if it cannot be removed from their body. It has taken six years, but Wenger's big idea to fix offside will finally be tried out. Before Ifab's last meeting in January, it looked as though the proposal was about to be kicked into the long grass. But the Canadian Premier League then put itself forward to trial it. Wenger, who has been Fifa's head of global football development since 2019, proposes there should be a complete gap between the attacker and the second-to-last opposition player - effectively the last defender, given the goalkeeper's usual positioning. Critics have suggested so-called 'daylight offside' would give too much advantage to the attacking team. The results of the trial will be presented to Ifab at the end of year. There is the potential for the law to change across the world for the 2027-28 European season. However, it seems likely Ifab would seek more extensive trials, especially as the Canadian league does not have VAR. With Ifab ratifying the use of VAR to check the validity of corner kicks at the World Cup, other competitons may follow suit - provided the review can be completed immediately and without delaying the restart. That rider is important as the flow of the game is so integral, and further delays would not be welcome. In practice, corners can almost always be quickly checked before they are naturally taken - as we saw during the successful trial at the Arab Cup in December. Having spent many hours sitting next to video assistant referees watching dozens of matches, I can say it is a slick, seamless process to quickly ascertain that the corner was correctly awarded by the on-field referee team (or otherwise). Ifab and Fifa - understandably - want to avoid a situation where a wrongly awarded corner results in a goal being scored. As 99% of corners can quietly be checked in the background with no delay to the match, it is a sensible solution and could potentially prevent a country from being knocked out of this summer's World Cup as a result of a wrongly awarded corner. Follow your club with BBC Sport Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Get football news sent straight to your phone Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable JavaScript in your browser Premier League: Man City visit Leeds after wins for Liverpool, Everton & Brentford T20 World Cup: Pakistan beat Sri Lanka but New Zealand progress to semis - reaction Liverpool put five past West Ham to move fifth Lord Sugar's hopefuls jet off to Hong Kong Annie and Nick look ahead to the Brit Awards The making of Charli XCX's fourth album, during the 2020 lockdown An occult-tinged crime shakes a Welsh village to its core 'Clubs refused to look at me after my crash' - Antonio on Qatar move The moment I told my mum I wanted to stop football - and how life changed 'Borthwick relaxed but defiant amid England Six Nations slide' How do Man City's Muslim players adapt to Ramadan? Cadillac and Audi - the same ambition but two very different projects All you need to know about Netball Super League 2026 #DoItLikeHarry - from viral Twickenham mascot to England U18s prospect India overpower Zimbabwe to restore hopes of semi-final spot. VideoIndia overpower Zimbabwe to restore hopes of semi-final spot The £37m cost of Man Utd's past two managerial changes 'He had it all' - Taylor pays emotional tribute to Virgo. Video'He had it all' - Taylor pays emotional tribute to Virgo 'I had some potential, but my personality was preventing me from reaching it' The 'rare combination' behind Britain's youngest F1 driver 'Darlings of Italian football' - how Atalanta salvaged national pride 'It would be catastrophic' - are Spurs too big to go down? 'Equal in decay' - Mayweather v Pacquiao is another boxing 'carnival' How safe is bare-knuckle boxing as it fights for mainstream appeal? Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Paris Saint-Germain's request to postpone a Ligue 1 fixture sandwiched between their Champions League double header with Chelsea, has been granted. PSG and Chelsea face a repeat of last summer's Club World Cup final in next month's eagerly-awaited Champions League round of 16. The reigning holders, who sneaked through with a 5-4 aggregate win over Monaco in midweek, are already plotting favourable conditions ahead of the double header against Chelsea. On Friday, the French giants asked Ligue 1's governing body – the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) – to postpone their match against relegation-threatened Nantes set for March 14 to allow for extra days of rest between the two fixtures. PSG will host Liam Rosenior's men on Wednesday, March 11 with the return leg taking place at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, March 17. Chelsea, meanwhile, host Newcastle in a crucial clash in the battle for the top four on Saturday, March 14 at 5.30pm. On Friday, the LFP released their match schedule for week 26 in France's top-flight but confirmed just eight of the nine matches that weekend. The LFP subsequently revealed that it had been approached by PSG for the game to be postponed until week commencing April 20, 'in order to prepare in the best possible conditions for their two-legged tie with Chelsea in the Champions League'. The governing body also confirmed that Nantes had given their agreement to the postponement. A LFP statement on Saturday confirmed that PSG's request had been granted. It read: "At the request of Paris Saint-Germain in order to prepare in the best possible conditions for its two-legged tie with Chelsea in the Champions League Round of 16, the LFP Board of Directors, with the agreement of FC Nantes, has decided that the PSG - FC Nantes match will be played the week of April 20. "The exact date and time of this match will be determined later." The decision has already caused uproar from fans on both sides of the English Channel. France's other European representatives Lyon, Strasbourg and Lille have not requested similar changes, while the Premier League have not historically moved fixtures to accommodate European competition. PSG are hoping the move will ease fatigue and injury issues that have swept through their squad this season. With 103 matches played in the past 18 months and just two weeks rest during the summer, Les Parisiens are yet to recapture the level that took them to Champions League glory last term. It is not the first time that Ligue 1 chiefs have shifted domestic fixtures to support its teams on the European stage. With Ligue 1's financial situation in disarray owing in-part to the league's nominal television broadcast deal, protecting its UEFA coefficient while boosting its club's chances in Europe has become a priority. PSG were the beneficiaries of a fixture change in last season's run to Champions League glory. In between, their quarter-final double header against Aston Villa, their match against Nantes was postponed until the following week despite Les Canari's opposing the change. In the 2023/24 season, their Ligue 1 fixture at Nice scheduled between two Champions League semi-final ties with Borussia Dortmund was also moved to a later date. Ironically, PSG are yet to see any benefit of postponing fixtures between European ties. Luis Enrique's men were beaten 3-2 at Villa Park despite advancing on aggregate, while slipping to a 1-0 defeat in the second leg against Dortmund. The PSG boss says he is looking forward to facing Chelsea after avoiding another meeting with former club Barcelona. “The Champions League draw is difficult, as usual. We don't expect anything different,” he said. “We are pleased. It will be interesting to play against one of the best English teams, who we know well. “There is no feeling of revenge for us. This is a different competition. This is our pathway and we are used to it. “We are the champions at the moment in this competition, so the problem is for all the other teams. They have to play against us, that is what I think.” © 2026 talkSPORT Limited Registered in England No. 2806093. Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF talkSPORT is a registered trade mark of Wireless Group Media (GB) Limited. This service is provided on talkSPORT Limited's Terms of Use in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Joao Pedro and Robert Sanchez have become key players for Chelsea(Image: Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) Chelsea can rub salt in the Paris Saint-Germain wounds when they meet in the UEFA Champions League. Next month, the French giants will host Liam Rosenior's side at Parc des Princes in the first leg of the last-16 before the Blues return the favour at Stamford Bridge a week later. Chelsea and PSG will battle it out for a place in the quarter-final, where they will lock horns with either Galatasaray or Liverpool. If the Blues manage to make it as far as the semi-final, they could come up against Manchester City – so long as they overcome Real Madrid at the first hurdle and beat one of Bayern Munich or Atalanta. The west Londoners will be determined to go the distance and win the competition for a third time, but first they must defeat the reigning champions... again. Chelsea struck a nerve when they humiliated the Parisians in the Club World Cup final. FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page The Blues enjoyed a 3-0 win over PSG at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, waltzing to victory in spectacular fashion. Towards the end of the game, Joao Neves was sent off for pulling Marc Cucurella's hair. Then, upon the full-time whistle, tensions boiled over and Joao Pedro ended up on the deck following an altercation with Luis Enrique and Gianluigi Donnarumma. The former appeared to slap the Chelsea striker in the face before the latter shoved him over. Joao Pedro goes down after a scuffle with Gianluigi Donnarumma and Luis Enrique Players and coaching staff from either side piled in and a mass brawl broke out. Although Enrique didn't apologise to Pedro after the game, he admitted that he regrets his involvement in the altercation, "At the end of the match, there was a situation that I believe could have been avoided by everyone," said the Spaniard in his post-match press conference. "My objective and my intention, as always, is to try to win over the players so that there are no more problems. "Internally, there is a lot of tension, a lot of pressure. And from there, there is a series of shoves from a lot of people, which I think we should all avoid and which should not happen again." PSG and Chelsea players clashed at fulltime in the Club World Cup(Image: Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images) Meanwhile, Joao Pedro, who put the third and final nail in the PSG coffin, said: "I don't need to talk about them. Everyone wants to win the game and, in the end, I think they lost their heads. "But this is football. This has happened. Now we need to enjoy it because we won the tournament, that's it. I don't want to talk too much about them because you know how it works. Football is this." Chelsea and PSG went their separate ways until Robert Sanchez, who won the Golden Glove award at the Club World Cup, rubbed salt into the wounds. In a video posted across the club's official social media channels earlier this season, the goalkeeper was asked who he wants to face in the Champions League group phase. Robert Sanchez celebrating at the Club World Cup final(Image: Getty Images) "Give us PSG man so we can get them out and they will have no excuse this time as well," said Sanchez. The Spain international, who was brilliant at the Club World Cup, has since become a key player for Chelsea. Barring a couple of mistakes, Sanchez has quietly enjoyed a very good season. He'll be looking to continue his promising vein of form when the Blues lock horns with PSG next month... Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Kyle Bonn Getty JUMP TO: Recognized as one of the most prestigious international women's soccer tournaments in the world, the SheBelieves Cup returns in 2026 with matches played in Nashville, Columbus, and New Jersey. The U.S. women will attempt to return to the top of the competition that has been hosted in the country since 2016. Three top nations from around the world will join the United States as they begin to gear up for qualification to the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in a little over a year's time. The Sporting News brings you an overview of what the tournament will look like, why it sports such a unique name, and more about the participants for the 2026 edition. MORE: USWNT roster for the 2026 SheBelieves Cup The SheBelieves Cup is a women's international soccer tournament hosted by the United States, born in 2016 to compete with other prestigious winter international tournaments such as the Algarve Cup and the Tournoi de France. Every year the four-team tournament has featured a different lineup of women's national teams from around the world. The success of the SheBelieves Cup has spawned more tournaments hosted by other countries, including the Tournoi in 2020, and the Arnold Clark Cup in England starting in 2022. The name of the tournament was intended to build on the momentum from the USWNT's 2015 Women's World Cup run, in which the United States won its third World Cup title. The victory was met by a strong response from the USWNT fanbase, and the tournament seeks to inspire the next generation of young women in the sport of soccer. From the SheBelieves Cup official website: "Inspired by the U.S. Women's National Team, SheBelieves is a movement to encourage young women and girls to reach their dreams, athletic or otherwise. The campaign was originally launched in the run-up to the 2015 Women's World Cup and has evolved into a special bond between U.S. Soccer and its fans, taking a powerful message of empowerment and that of believing in yourself into communities across the nation. "As one of the most popular women's teams in the United States, the WNT is the prime example that dreams are attainable if you set your mind to it and go after what you want. Through dedication, teamwork, perseverance and success, the U.S. Women's National team inspires new generations of young girls and women to be better and strive for better. They inspire them to believe." For the 2026 competition, the United States will once again play host to the SheBelieves Cup. The other competitors are Argentina, Canada, and Colombia. The participants are all from North America and South America. Previously, more European nations took part, but the rise of Europe-based tournaments in the same international window has seen no teams from that continent play in the SheBelieves Cup since 2022. The SheBelieves Cup is a four-team round-robin format, with all four participants contesting three matches. The teams are then sorted into a table and the winner is the team with the most points, with three points for a win and one point for a draw. The tiebreakers are goal differential, then goals scored, then head-to-head results, and finally fair play rankings. This has been the SheBelieves Cup format for the entirety of its existence, except for one year in 2024, when the tournament was contested as a four-team mini bracket due to the scheduling of the inaugural CONCACAF W Gold Cup later that year to cut down on matches played. The U.S. has won every single edition of the SheBelieves Cup except three. They fell short in 2017, 2019, and most recently in 2025. Kyle Bonn is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Amid fears of a worsening security situation in Mexico following the killing of drug lord Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho" earlier this week, a high-level team of football's world governing body, FIAF will visit the country to take stock of the situation. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Friday that the FIFA team will review security and transport plans in the country, ahead of this year's World Cup, scheduled to start in June this year. Earlier, FIFA president Gianni Infantino told Sheinbaum in a phone call on Thursday that he has "full confidence" in Mexico as a World Cup host. Sheinbaum said Infantino assured her that Mexico would host the World Cup. "He assured me that the World Cup would be held in our country," she said. "We agreed that a FIFA team would definitely come to review several issues. We've been working on this for a long time, but the issue of security is particularly important, of course." The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026, marking the first time the tournament is hosted by three nations. Mexico is set to host a total of 13 matches across three cities - Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. But the killing of El Mencho, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) on February 22, 2026, during a military operation, has raised serious security concerns for fans who were planning to travel to Mexico later this year. Following the killing of El Mencho, the CJNG gang went on a violent rampage across the country, particularly in cities like Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, targeting both civilians and security personnel. Many tourists were also caught up in the violence, even though there are no reports of any foreigners being killed by the gang. Viral videos and photos showing cartel members torching vehicles, banks, and supermarkets across more than a dozen Mexican states had resulted in many calling for the shifting of the matches scheduled in the country to other venues. While acknowledging that the situation was unprecedented, the Mexican authorities had assured that things would be brought under control soon and that there was no risk to FIFA fans. "I told him [Infantino] that Sunday was a special situation and that we have returned to normal, with all the safety measures that have been in place for some time now, so they can rest assured," Sheinbaum said on Friday. Before Sunday's operation, Mexico was projected to receive between 5 million and 5.5 million international visitors for the FIFA World Cup, generating an economic impact of approximately $3 billion for the country. Stay updated with the latest Trending, India , World and US news. Download the Mint app and read premium stories
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

POPULAR SEARCHES BROWSE BY Josh Sargent joined Toronto from Norwich City in England's second-tier League Championship on Friday, ending a difficult situation in which the striker was exiled to the under-21 squad after he refused to play in an FA Cup match last month. Sargent, 26, was signed as a designated player through the 2030-31 Major League Soccer season. He had eight goals this season and 56 goals in 157 appearances with the Canaries overall. "Regardless of the manner of his departure, Josh has been a significant part of the club's recent story, contributing greatly and captaining the team on many occasions," Norwich sporting director Ben Knapper said in a statement. "He now moves on and we wish him well for his next step, and for his future beyond." Sargent is a Missouri native who signed with Germany's Werder Bremen in 2018 and joined Norwich three years later. A member of the 2022 U.S. World Cup team, he appears to be behind Folarin Balogun, Haji Wright, Ricardo Pepi and Patrick Agyemang in the competition for forward spots on the 2026 World Cup roster. "He brings high-level experience in some of the strongest leagues in the world and international pedigree at just 26 years old. He is a proven goal scorer, with a winning mentality and the intelligence that will lead our attack for years to come," Toronto general manager Jason Hernandez said. "Josh will just begin to enter the prime of his career while representing our club and our city." Sargent has five goals in 29 international appearances, scoring in his U.S. debut against Bolivia on May 28, 2018. He played in all three group stage matches at the 2022 World Cup. But he hasn't scored an international goal since November 2019 and was not on the U.S. roster for last summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup. His last international appearance was when he started in a September friendly against South Korea. Toronto acquired St. Louis' right of first refusal for Sargent in exchange for $500,000 in General Allocation Money over the next two years and additional funds if performance metrics are met. Reporting by The Associated Press.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

POPULAR SEARCHES BROWSE BY With the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly presumably disappearing into the rearview mirror, the battle for the Ballon d'Or hasn't felt so open for the best part of 20 years, with countless players now beginning each campaign believing they have a chance of claiming the most prestigious individual prize football has to offer. Ousmane Dembele emerged from a career plagued with inconsistencies to win the Golden Ball in 2025, and he was among a crowded field of contenders as the 2026 race got going. Dembele largely secured the award off the back of his performances in helping Paris Saint-Germain win their first European Cup, and the Champions League is yet again likely to have a big say on the Ballon d'Or battle this time around. However, it's also a World Cup year, so there is a chance that the eventual winner doesn't become clear until the summer in North America. Don't forget, too, that the Africa Cup of Nations will also be taken into account, meaning there could be some players who not only shine for their clubs but also impress at two major tournaments over the course of the campaign. The Ballon d'Or race is a marathon not a sprint, and it's worth bearing in mind that Dembele didn't emerge as a potential victor until midway through the 2024-25 campaign. However, with the European season now past its halfway mark and the Champions League knockout rounds under way, GOAL's Ballon d'Or Power Rankings continue to track the likeliest winners of the Golden Ball over the coming weeks and months: Previous update: January 30, 2026. In 2025-26: Seven goals, four assists. Rodri showed in 2024 that a deep-lying midfielder who wins both the Premier League and a summer tournament can triumph in the Ballon d'Or race, and now Martin Zubimendi is looking to follow in his Spain team-mates' footsteps. Of course, neither title is yet assured for Zubimendi, but with Arsenal also among the favourites for the Champions League, he could yet produce an even more memorable campaign than Rodri did two years ago. Zubimendi has been one of the Premier League signings of the season, and with Mikel Arteta's side not having a standout goal-scorer or creative player who could push for individual honours, the ex-Real Sociedad man could yet emerge as their prime candidate during the final months of the campaign. In 2025-26: Four goals, eight assists. Won Supercopa de Espana. Pedri remains one of the most masterful midfielders in the game despite having only just turned 23, with Barcelona only able to truly tick when their maestro in the middle of the park is available. That has not always been the case this season, with injury issues again beginning to plague Pedri, but when he has been fit, there have been few better players in La Liga. Hansi Flick's side are currently on track to defend their domestic crown while remaining among the contenders to challenge for the Champions League, and Pedri will also be a key member of Spain's squad as they go in search of World Cup glory. As long as he remains out of the treatment room, another Ballon d'Or nomination should already be assured. In 2025-26: 27 goals, four assists. Only one man, Sir Stanley Matthews, has ever won the Ballon d'Or aged 40 or above, and Ronaldo joining that exclusive club may well seem farfetched to those whose focus remains on the European game. However, he continues to bang in the goals in Saudi Arabia, and he may well finally break his trophy duck in the Middle East this season. After a mid-season blip, Al-Nassr are back on top of the Pro League table while Ronaldo & Co. are the strong favourites to win the AFC Champions League Two (Asia's equivalent of the Europa League). With FIFA having given the five-time Ballon d'Or winner a reprieve so that he can play in the World Cup from the very start, he will again be leading the line for a Portugal team that will fancy their chances after winning the UEFA Nations League last year. Should Ronaldo taste success at club and international level over the next six months, he might not be able to be denied another Golden Ball. In 2025-26: 13 goals, five assists. Won Supercopa de Espana. For some, Raphinha finishing fifth in the 2025 Ballon d'Or voting was a disgrace given the quite frankly ridiculous attacking numbers he posted for Barcelona. They had a point, too, and it seems that the Brazilian is keen to get himself back among the contenders after shaking off a nagging hamstring problem that stalled his progress through the opening months of the campaign. His match-winning performance against Real Madrid in the final of the Supercopa de Espana capped a fine return to form from Raphinha, and he now looks set to again show defences no mercy in Spain or in Europe through the second half of the season. He will also be one of the leaders for Brazil at the World Cup, with the Selecao having shown improvements under Carlo Ancelotti as the tournament nears. In 2025-26: Four goals, four assists, 19 clean sheets. Perhaps no player encapsulates modern-day Arsenal more than Gabriel Magalhaes, with the Brazil international having emerged as one of the most dangerous set-piece weapons within the Premier League while his physical style of defending has rarely been as en vogue within the past couple of decades as it is right now. Though William Saliba remains as classy as ever, Gabriel should now be considered the more important of Arsenal's centre-back duo, and if he can keep popping up with important goals down the stretch while keeping them out at the other end, then a strong World Cup with the Selecao should be enough to rubber-stamp himself a place among the Ballon d'Or nominees. In 2025-26: 22 goals, 19 assists. Won MLS Cup. He couldn't, could he?! The days of Lionel Messi even being nominated for the Ballon d'Or were thought to be behind us, but after guiding Inter Miami to their first-ever MLS Cup and with Argentina remaining among the favourites to win the World Cup, there is a real chance that the eight-time winner finds himself back in the running for the Golden Ball come the summer. Messi proved to be a class apart on his way to winning a second-straight MLS MVP award as he provided six goals and seven assists in Miami's six play-off matches alone, and certainly that success at club level would be taken into account if he can help Argentina defend their global crown in North America in 2026. For all the talent around him, Messi remains at the heart of the Albiceleste's line-up, and thus any triumph in the country he now calls home will likely be attributed largely to him once more. In 2025-26: Five goals, 12 assists. Declan Rice announced himself as one of the world's elite midfielders with his performances against Real Madrid in last season's Champions League, and the Arsenal man has gone from strength to strength since. Rice is now one of the Gunners' most important players as they go in search of not just the Premier League title but also a first-ever Champions League triumph, after winning all eight of their league phase fixtures in Europe. Rice's driving runs, defensive contributions and set-piece deliveries mean games rarely pass him by, while he is also a certain starter for a Thomas Tuchel-led England side that is looking more than capable of ending 60 years of hurt by winning the 2026 World Cup. In 2025-26: 14 goals, 12 assists. Vinicius Jr endured a miserable 2025 when it came to his performances for Real Madrid, managing just eight goals La Liga over the course of the year as his Ballon d'Or revenge tour went awry. However, as the old adage goes, form is temporary but class is permanent, and Vini has been showing that he can still prove decisive during a hot streak to kick off 2026. The former Flamengo talent will have to remain at his best to help deliver silverware to the Bernabeu, while his abysmal record with Brazil desperately needs to improve by the time the World Cup kicks off. But if he can achieve those goals, then Vinicius could force himself right back into the Golden Ball running once again. In 2025-26: Six goals, 10 assists. Won Trophee des Champions, UEFA Super Cup & FIFA Intercontinental Cup. Vitinha came a long way since his underwhelming loan spell at Wolves five years ago to finish on the Ballon d'Or podium in 2025, and the PSG dictator-in-chief is now regarded by many as the best midfielder on the planet. Certainly, he has played in such a fashion during the first half of the season, and has even added more goals and assists to his game, as highlighted by his hat-trick to beat Tottenham in the Champions League in November. He will also form part of a Portugal squad next summer that, after winning the Nations League, has a genuine belief that they can triumph at the World Cup. Should they do so, then Vitinha will likely have played a massive part. In 2025-26: 21 goals, 17 assists. Won DFL-Supercup. Liverpool fans might be forgiven for wondering whether their season might not be in such turmoil had Luis Diaz not been sold over the summer. The versatile forward played an important role in the Reds' title triumph of 2024-25, but his desire for a new challenge led to the Anfield outfit accepting a €75 million (£65.5m/$88m) bid from Bayern Munich for the Colombia international. Diaz hasn't looked back since, having struck up a fine understanding with Harry Kane and the rest of his Bayern team-mates. Some of his strikes in the Bundesliga have been stunning, while his double to beat PSG in the Champions League was the kind of match-winning display that catches Ballon d'Or voters' eyes, even if it also included a red card. Factor in Diaz will be playing at his first World Cup this summer for a Colombia team who are being tipped as dark horses, and he has all the makings of a Golden Ball contender. In 2025-26: 15 goals, 26 assists. Won DFL-Supercup. Anyone who predicted that Michael Olise would struggle to make the step up from Crystal Palace to Bayern Munich has been sorely mistaken, with the wideman having strung together a year or so of fantastic performances for the Bundesliga champions. Equally capable of scoring as he is creating goals for others, the 24-year-old has grown into one of the most fearsome forward players in the German top-flight while also making his mark on the Champions League. Olise's club performances have also helped him lock down a starting spot in the France line-up despite intense competition for places. As such, he could be one of the stars of the upcoming World Cup for one of the favourites to lift the trophy. In 2025-26: 16 goals, 16 assists. Won Supercopa de Espana. The bookmakers' favourite heading into the season, Lamine Yamal is well on course to become the first player under the age of 21 to win the Ballon d'Or - and he wouldn't even have to win it in 2026 to do so! The Barcelona teenager's performances in the latter stages of last season's Champions League saw him emerge in the eyes of many as the finest footballer in the world, and his runners-up finish behind Dembele in the Golden Ball voting was testament to that. There are those who still believe he needs to produce more decisive moments in the biggest games, while there are concerns that the number of matches Yamal has played at such a young age are leading to an increase in injury issues. Barca, meanwhile, need to fix their defensive deficiencies if they are to win the Champions League, meaning Yamal might need to lean heavily on his displays for Spain at the World Cup if he is to take home the Ballon d'Or. In 2025-26: 43 goals, nine assists. Is this the year Kylian Mbappe finally gets his hands on the Ballon d'Or? Almost from the moment he emerged as a teenager at Monaco, the forward has been anointed a future Golden Ball winner. But having recently celebrated his 27th birthday, Mbappe is still waiting for his opportunity to stand atop the podium in Paris. So far, he could have done little more to give himself the best chance possible to end that wait, with Mbappe having carried a struggling Real Madrid this term with a number of match-winning goals. He has also saved the best international performances of his career for World Cups, and so expect the France captain to go the distance in this race. In 2025-26: 42 goals, nine assists. After an underwhelming season by his own lofty standards, Erling Haaland went into 'Terminator Mode' to begin the current campaign, becoming a one-man battering ram for Manchester City as they aimed to re-establish themselves as challengers for both the Premier League and Champions League. Already well on his way to a third Golden Boot in four seasons, defences had been powerless to stop the 25-year-old until he went through an extended drought around the New Year, though he now seems to be emerging through the other side of that dry spell. Haaland's stunning numbers for City would have put him in the Ballon d'Or conversation anyway, but his chances this time are boosted by Norway's first qualification for the World Cup since 1998, giving their star striker the chance to appear at a major tournament for the first time. The Scandinavians are merely dark horses to triumph in North America, but Haaland could yet use the global stage to put a bow on his Golden Ball bid if all goes well at club level. In 2025-26: 48 goals, five assists. Won DFL-Supercup. There will always be those who don't fully appreciate Harry Kane, but now that he has got the trophy monkey off his back that so many used against him over the years, the Bayern Munich striker looks like a man on a mission, utterly determined to show that he is also worthy of individual recognition as he continues to score at a record-breaking pace. As well as netting mountains of goals, Kane has showcased his all-round game to devastating effect for the Bundesliga champions, and if he can maintain this form, then further silverware will be coming his way at the end of the season. England fans, meanwhile, are praying that their captain doesn't again run out of steam before the summer, with Kane key to the Three Lions' hopes of ending their agonising wait for a major honour at international level.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

For the first time in 26 years, Nadal was on skis ... with his family in tow.ByTENNIS.comPublished Feb 28, 2026 copy_link Published Feb 28, 2026 © @rafaelnadal/IG and Getty Images While a tennis academy bears his name in his native Mallorca, Rafael Nadal has remained noncommittal on his desire to coach future champions on the court.As far as other sports, though, that's another story—especially, it seems, for his own family.For the first time in 26 years, according to the King of Clay himself, Nadal hit the ski slopes this week at Baqueira Beret, a luxury ski resort in the Catalan Pyrenees, where he enjoyed some winter fun with his wife Maria Francisca Perello and 3-year-old son, Rafa Jr.Read more: "It wasn't fair!": Novak Djokovic jokes playing "two against one" in AO final with Alcaraz and attendee Rafael Nadal As far as other sports, though, that's another story—especially, it seems, for his own family.For the first time in 26 years, according to the King of Clay himself, Nadal hit the ski slopes this week at Baqueira Beret, a luxury ski resort in the Catalan Pyrenees, where he enjoyed some winter fun with his wife Maria Francisca Perello and 3-year-old son, Rafa Jr.Read more: "It wasn't fair!": Novak Djokovic jokes playing "two against one" in AO final with Alcaraz and attendee Rafael Nadal For the first time in 26 years, according to the King of Clay himself, Nadal hit the ski slopes this week at Baqueira Beret, a luxury ski resort in the Catalan Pyrenees, where he enjoyed some winter fun with his wife Maria Francisca Perello and 3-year-old son, Rafa Jr.Read more: "It wasn't fair!": Novak Djokovic jokes playing "two against one" in AO final with Alcaraz and attendee Rafael Nadal Read more: "It wasn't fair!": Novak Djokovic jokes playing "two against one" in AO final with Alcaraz and attendee Rafael Nadal Nadal said it was an "incredible feeling" to ski for the first time since his early teens, after more than three decades of carefully managing an injury-prone body in his tennis career. And he enjoyed it further still as he guided the eldest of his two sons in a lesson, and paused the action to build a snowman together.Though little Rafa, Jr. looked to be a natural in the adorable video Nadal posted to social media, the Spaniard said he'd rather see his son in expert hands."We're still learning … any advice for us?" he asked, tagging American Olympic champion and noted tennis fan Lindsey Vonn. Though little Rafa, Jr. looked to be a natural in the adorable video Nadal posted to social media, the Spaniard said he'd rather see his son in expert hands."We're still learning … any advice for us?" he asked, tagging American Olympic champion and noted tennis fan Lindsey Vonn. "We're still learning … any advice for us?" he asked, tagging American Olympic champion and noted tennis fan Lindsey Vonn. “We have to ski together when I'm healthy!” Vonn later replied. The 41-year-old Vonn suffered a complex fracture of her tibia after a crash at the recently-concluded Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics and needed three surgeries to correct the injury.Read more: "Next time I will be stronger 😉": Rafael Nadal enjoys practice session with Alexandra Eala Read more: "Next time I will be stronger 😉": Rafael Nadal enjoys practice session with Alexandra Eala That's a feeling Nadal knows well. The 39-year-old played the final match of his illustrious tennis career at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals, having suffered foot and hip injuries—the latter requiring surgery—in the final years of his career, and also had surgery in January on severe osteoarthritis in his right hand.But he's stayed active since hanging up his racquets, including on the golf course with longtime rival Roger Federer, and even on the tennis court, including a practice session with academy alumna Alexandra Eala."After retiring, I was in bad shape for a month, I practically couldn't walk," he said last summer during Wimbledon. "[Now], I'm better than I could have imagined." But he's stayed active since hanging up his racquets, including on the golf course with longtime rival Roger Federer, and even on the tennis court, including a practice session with academy alumna Alexandra Eala."After retiring, I was in bad shape for a month, I practically couldn't walk," he said last summer during Wimbledon. "[Now], I'm better than I could have imagined." "After retiring, I was in bad shape for a month, I practically couldn't walk," he said last summer during Wimbledon. "[Now], I'm better than I could have imagined."
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

No matching videos found. Please use different search term. Get official marketing communications from the ATP and WTA! We'll send you newsletters keeping you informed about news, tournaments, competitions, ticketing, partner offers and more. Your data will be used in accordance with the ATP Privacy Policy and WTA Privacy Policy. © Copyright 1994 - 2026 ATP Tour, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way or by any means (including photocopying, recording or storing it in any medium by electronic means), without the written permission of ATP Tour, Inc.. Terms & Conditions | Privacy | Community Social Media Policy | Modern Slavery Statement | Feedback | Cookies | Your Privacy Choices
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Frances Tiafoe is known to produce entertaining tennis, and he did just that Friday at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC. The eighth-seeded American escaped countryman Brandon Nakashima 3-6, 7-6(6), 6-4 in a dramatic topsy-turvy battle in Acapulco, where the American is one win away from his biggest ATP Tour trophy. Nakashima nervously served for the match at 6-5 in the second set, when Tiafoe earned a 15/40 lead and clinched the break with a net-cord winner. Tiafoe had another scare in the tie-break, during which he led 6/3 before being two points from defeat at 6/6. The No. 28 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, Tiafoe converted one of his four break chances in the opening game of the decider. Deflating the hopes of Nakashima with a double break later that set, Tiafoe eventually improved to 6-1 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series against the 24-year-old, sealing the victory after two hours and 49 minutes. “It's incredible. The stars definitely aligned,” Tiafoe said. “Things started to make sense when I was down, a couple of net cords. I made every return at 5-6 [in the second set]. Obviously not feeling the best, but just competing and battling — sometimes you get lucky. Played great tennis in the third. “Never say die. I was ready to empty the tank and see what happens.” {{player.PlayerFirstName}} {{player.PlayerLastName}} {{player.PlayerCountryCode}} {{player.PlayerLastName}} {{player.PartnerLastName}} {{player.Record}} Vswins {{opponent.Record}} Show H2H Detail {{opponent.PlayerFirstName}} {{opponent.PlayerLastName}} {{opponent.PlayerCountryCode}} {{ opponent.PlayerLastName }} {{opponent.PartnerLastName}} {{player.Ranking}} Rank {{opponent.Ranking}} {{player.Age ? player.Age : '-'}} Age {{opponent.Age ? opponent.Age : '-'}} It was not Tiafoe's first dramatic win this week. The 28-year-old saved two match points in the second round to survive Aleksandar Kovacevic. Seeking his fourth tour-level crown, Tiafoe will face fifth seed Flavio Cobolli in Saturday's final. Cobolli earned a hard-fought win of his own right when he dispatched Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-4 in a two-hour, 26-minute semi-final. The 23-year-old trailed 1-3 in the decider before tallying five of the next six games to advance. Facing two break points at 3-3 in the decider, Cobolli crushed serve plus-one forehand winners on back-to-back points to escape danger. Cobolli again held his nerve after failing to serve out the match at 5-3, quickly rebounding to earn a 0/40 lead the following game. He converted his second match point and raised his arms in relief. “We played an incredible match,” said Cobolli. “I'm really happy to be in the final for the first time here in Mexico. I think we both played an amazing match. I was a little bit lucky at the end, because at the crucial points sometimes you need luck. I'm really proud of myself because it wasn't easy to come back.” Cobolli is the third Italian to reach three ATP 500 finals since the series began in 2009, joining Jannik Sinner (9) and Fabio Fognini (3). Should Cobolli win the Acapulco crown, he could surpass his career-high No. 17. Tiafoe leads Cobolli 2-0 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series. Read More News View All News View Related Videos View All Videos It was not Tiafoe's first dramatic win this week. The 28-year-old saved two match points in the second round to survive Aleksandar Kovacevic. Seeking his fourth tour-level crown, Tiafoe will face fifth seed Flavio Cobolli in Saturday's final. Cobolli earned a hard-fought win of his own right when he dispatched Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-4 in a two-hour, 26-minute semi-final. The 23-year-old trailed 1-3 in the decider before tallying five of the next six games to advance. Facing two break points at 3-3 in the decider, Cobolli crushed serve plus-one forehand winners on back-to-back points to escape danger. Cobolli again held his nerve after failing to serve out the match at 5-3, quickly rebounding to earn a 0/40 lead the following game. He converted his second match point and raised his arms in relief. “We played an incredible match,” said Cobolli. “I'm really happy to be in the final for the first time here in Mexico. I think we both played an amazing match. I was a little bit lucky at the end, because at the crucial points sometimes you need luck. I'm really proud of myself because it wasn't easy to come back.” Cobolli is the third Italian to reach three ATP 500 finals since the series began in 2009, joining Jannik Sinner (9) and Fabio Fognini (3). Should Cobolli win the Acapulco crown, he could surpass his career-high No. 17. Tiafoe leads Cobolli 2-0 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series. Read More News View All News View Related Videos View All Videos Facing two break points at 3-3 in the decider, Cobolli crushed serve plus-one forehand winners on back-to-back points to escape danger. Cobolli again held his nerve after failing to serve out the match at 5-3, quickly rebounding to earn a 0/40 lead the following game. He converted his second match point and raised his arms in relief. “We played an incredible match,” said Cobolli. “I'm really happy to be in the final for the first time here in Mexico. I think we both played an amazing match. I was a little bit lucky at the end, because at the crucial points sometimes you need luck. I'm really proud of myself because it wasn't easy to come back.” Cobolli is the third Italian to reach three ATP 500 finals since the series began in 2009, joining Jannik Sinner (9) and Fabio Fognini (3). Should Cobolli win the Acapulco crown, he could surpass his career-high No. 17. Tiafoe leads Cobolli 2-0 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series. Your data will be used in accordance with the ATP Privacy Policy and WTA Privacy Policy. Get official marketing communications from the ATP and WTA! We'll send you newsletters keeping you informed about news, tournaments, competitions, ticketing, partner offers and more. Your data will be used in accordance with the ATP Privacy Policy and WTA Privacy Policy. © Copyright 1994 - 2026 ATP Tour, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way or by any means (including photocopying, recording or storing it in any medium by electronic means), without the written permission of ATP Tour, Inc.. Terms & Conditions | Privacy | Community Social Media Policy | Modern Slavery Statement | Feedback | Cookies | Your Privacy Choices
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

No matching videos found. Please use different search term. Get official marketing communications from the ATP and WTA! We'll send you newsletters keeping you informed about news, tournaments, competitions, ticketing, partner offers and more. Your data will be used in accordance with the ATP Privacy Policy and WTA Privacy Policy. © Copyright 1994 - 2026 ATP Tour, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way or by any means (including photocopying, recording or storing it in any medium by electronic means), without the written permission of ATP Tour, Inc.. Terms & Conditions | Privacy | Community Social Media Policy | Modern Slavery Statement | Feedback | Cookies | Your Privacy Choices
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Get official marketing communications from the ATP and WTA! We'll send you newsletters keeping you informed about news, tournaments, competitions, ticketing, partner offers and more. Your data will be used in accordance with the ATP Privacy Policy and WTA Privacy Policy. © Copyright 1994 - 2026 ATP Tour, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way or by any means (including photocopying, recording or storing it in any medium by electronic means), without the written permission of ATP Tour, Inc.. Terms & Conditions | Privacy | Community Social Media Policy | Modern Slavery Statement | Feedback | Cookies | Your Privacy Choices
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Francisco Cerundolo continued his chase for a second title during this season's ‘Golden Swing' on Friday at the BCI Seguros Chile Open in Santiago, where he dispatched American Emilio Nava 6-1, 6-1 in just 66 minutes. The top seed captured the title in Buenos Aires earlier this month and has now won seven of his past eight matches on South American clay, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. Cerundolo's lone defeat came in the second round in Rio de Janeiro. The No. 19 player in the PIF ATP Rankings dominated against Nava, who was the first American to reach the quarter-finals at a tour-level event on South American clay since Rajeev Ram in 2017 in Quito. "I didn't expect this," Cerundolo said of his 66-minute win. "I have seen Emilio play really good tennis the past couple of days, so I started super concentrated on my game because I knew it was going to be a really tough match. But I thought I played really well. I rarely missed any shots today. I am really happy with my performance." Cerundolo has now earned 150 tour-level wins and is the first active Argentine to hit that mark. He will chase victory 151 when he meets Yannick Hanfmann in his 18th ATP Tour semi-final. "It is a lot. Not many players can achieve 150 wins, so I am super happy with that milestone," Cerundolo said. "I will try to achieve more, set more records and try to keep winning." Hanfmann battled past Lithuanian lucky loser Vilius Gaubas 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 in two hours and 13 minutes to become the first German to advance to an ATP Tour semi-final on clay in South America since Tommy Haas in Sao Paulo in 2014. Cerundolo leads Hanfmann 4-1 in the pair's Lexus ATP Head2Head series, having defeated him in the second round in Santiago last year. Second seed Luciano Darderi advanced to the last four with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 victory against Andrea Pellegrino. Darderi dropped just five points behind his first serve to improve to 14-2 on clay since last July (Tour level). Darderi's semi-final opponent will be third seed Sebastian Baez, who spoiled the hopes of home favourite Alejandro Tabilo, ousting the lefty 7-6(2), 6-1 in a rematch of the 2024 final. Baez, 25, owns a tournament record 15 match wins in Santiago. He is aiming to become the first player to claim two titles at the ATP 250 in Santiago. Watch extended highlights of Friday's action in Santiago: Your data will be used in accordance with the ATP Privacy Policy and WTA Privacy Policy. Get official marketing communications from the ATP and WTA! We'll send you newsletters keeping you informed about news, tournaments, competitions, ticketing, partner offers and more. Your data will be used in accordance with the ATP Privacy Policy and WTA Privacy Policy. © Copyright 1994 - 2026 ATP Tour, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way or by any means (including photocopying, recording or storing it in any medium by electronic means), without the written permission of ATP Tour, Inc.. Terms & Conditions | Privacy | Community Social Media Policy | Modern Slavery Statement | Feedback | Cookies | Your Privacy Choices
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

The former world No. 26 shared her wedding photos and an ultrasound video on social media.ByStephanie LivaudaisPublished Feb 27, 2026 copy_link Published Feb 27, 2026 © Instagram @camila_giorgi_official Two years after hanging up her racquets, Camila Giorgi has plenty to celebrate.The retired Italian player took to social media this week to share two major life updates: she's just gotten married and is currently expecting a baby with former tennis pro Andreas Ignacio Pasutti.Read More: Camila Giorgi silently walks away after name appears on ITIA's retired players list“From here to eternity,” Giorgi wrote alongside Thursday's date, Feb. 26. She shared a black-and-white photo from the civil ceremony in Buenos Aires, and snaps showing Giorgi and the Argentine player-turned-coach displaying their rings and a “little red booklet,” a signature of weddings in Argentina.The wedding took place two days after Giorgi shared a video of her ultrasound on social media to confirm news of her pregnancy. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, she does not yet know the baby's gender but expects to give birth in Italy. The retired Italian player took to social media this week to share two major life updates: she's just gotten married and is currently expecting a baby with former tennis pro Andreas Ignacio Pasutti.Read More: Camila Giorgi silently walks away after name appears on ITIA's retired players list“From here to eternity,” Giorgi wrote alongside Thursday's date, Feb. 26. She shared a black-and-white photo from the civil ceremony in Buenos Aires, and snaps showing Giorgi and the Argentine player-turned-coach displaying their rings and a “little red booklet,” a signature of weddings in Argentina.The wedding took place two days after Giorgi shared a video of her ultrasound on social media to confirm news of her pregnancy. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, she does not yet know the baby's gender but expects to give birth in Italy. Read More: Camila Giorgi silently walks away after name appears on ITIA's retired players list“From here to eternity,” Giorgi wrote alongside Thursday's date, Feb. 26. She shared a black-and-white photo from the civil ceremony in Buenos Aires, and snaps showing Giorgi and the Argentine player-turned-coach displaying their rings and a “little red booklet,” a signature of weddings in Argentina.The wedding took place two days after Giorgi shared a video of her ultrasound on social media to confirm news of her pregnancy. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, she does not yet know the baby's gender but expects to give birth in Italy. “From here to eternity,” Giorgi wrote alongside Thursday's date, Feb. 26. She shared a black-and-white photo from the civil ceremony in Buenos Aires, and snaps showing Giorgi and the Argentine player-turned-coach displaying their rings and a “little red booklet,” a signature of weddings in Argentina.The wedding took place two days after Giorgi shared a video of her ultrasound on social media to confirm news of her pregnancy. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, she does not yet know the baby's gender but expects to give birth in Italy. The wedding took place two days after Giorgi shared a video of her ultrasound on social media to confirm news of her pregnancy. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, she does not yet know the baby's gender but expects to give birth in Italy. Born in Italy to an Argentine family, Giorgi represented Italy throughout her career. She was known for her aggressive style and explosive groundstrokes generated by her small frame (5'6”), peaking at a career-high world No. 26 in 2018.She also wore makeup on court and famously competed in tennis kits custom-designed and made by her mother, fashion designer Claudia Giorgi, which, combined with her mercurial personality, quickly turned her into a fan favorite.Giorgi won four singles titles during her career, highlighted by the biggest trophy of her career at the WTA 1000 event in Montreal in 2021. Her most recent title came in 2023 in Mérida.She quietly retired from tennis in May 2024, without an emotional farewell or social media post. Her name simply appeared on the International Tennis Integrity Agency's list of retired players, triggering a wave of speculation before Giorgi confirmed to the press that she was indeed calling time on her career. She also wore makeup on court and famously competed in tennis kits custom-designed and made by her mother, fashion designer Claudia Giorgi, which, combined with her mercurial personality, quickly turned her into a fan favorite.Giorgi won four singles titles during her career, highlighted by the biggest trophy of her career at the WTA 1000 event in Montreal in 2021. Her most recent title came in 2023 in Mérida.She quietly retired from tennis in May 2024, without an emotional farewell or social media post. Her name simply appeared on the International Tennis Integrity Agency's list of retired players, triggering a wave of speculation before Giorgi confirmed to the press that she was indeed calling time on her career. Giorgi won four singles titles during her career, highlighted by the biggest trophy of her career at the WTA 1000 event in Montreal in 2021. Her most recent title came in 2023 in Mérida.She quietly retired from tennis in May 2024, without an emotional farewell or social media post. Her name simply appeared on the International Tennis Integrity Agency's list of retired players, triggering a wave of speculation before Giorgi confirmed to the press that she was indeed calling time on her career. She quietly retired from tennis in May 2024, without an emotional farewell or social media post. Her name simply appeared on the International Tennis Integrity Agency's list of retired players, triggering a wave of speculation before Giorgi confirmed to the press that she was indeed calling time on her career. Camila Giorgi is going to have a baby! 🥰 pic.twitter.com/1nDzsvWNOH Since retiring, Giorgi has split her time between Italy and Argentina and has pursued modeling while dabbling in broadcast work. She made her on-camera debut at the Argentina Open last year, flexing her language skills by interviewing players in Spanish, Italian and English throughout the event.Following the baby announcement, fans on social media asked the 34-year-old if she intended to make a comeback to tennis after giving birth, as other WTA players have previously done.Giorgi's response? “Never say never.” Following the baby announcement, fans on social media asked the 34-year-old if she intended to make a comeback to tennis after giving birth, as other WTA players have previously done.Giorgi's response? “Never say never.” Giorgi's response? “Never say never.”
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Authentics Store Tickets Hospitality Experiences Previous Next Upcoming The Ultimate Guide to Racing in 2026 The Ultimate Guide to the 2026 F1 Cars Pirelli Head of Motorsport Mario Isola will depart the company in the summer, while Dario Marrafuschi takes over his role. Pirelli have announced that Mario Isola will leave his role as Head of Motorsport, with Dario Marrafuschi confirmed as the Italian's replacement. Isola – who has long been a key figure at the tyre manufacturer – is set to remain with the company until July 1 to ensure a smooth transition, as Marrafuschi becomes Head of Pirelli's Motorsport Business Unit from March 1. Marrafuschi joined Pirelli in 2008 and has since worked extensively in F1 Research and Development, as well as heading the development of the manufacturer's road products in recent years. In his new position, Marrafuschi will report to Giovanni Tronchetti Provera, Executive Vice President of Sustainability, New Mobility & Motorsport. “The company extends its thanks to Mario Isola, who will remain with Pirelli until July 1, for his significant contribution to the development of the Motorsport business unit, carried out with dedication and great passion,” Pirelli said in a statement. Pirelli's announcement comes as the start of the 2026 season moves ever nearer, with the Australian Grand Prix set to kick off the 24-round calendar on March 6-8. The rules reset has seen the development of new tyres for 2026, which remain 18 inches in wheel size but will have a reduced width and external diameter, making them narrower. Next Up © 2003-2026 Formula One World Championship Limited
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

By Glenn Garner Associate Editor As The Pitt gets through another shift at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center during Season 2, the show is preparing to tackle immigration amid a crucial time. Executive producer John Wells recently recalled his discussion with the execs at HBO about an upcoming episode of the medical procedural drama, which includes an ICE storyline. “I don't want to be in a situation where it's a surprise,” explained Wells to The Daily Beast. “And their response was, ‘Good story. Just make sure it's balanced, and we're not just treating the situation as if it doesn't have other points of view.'” Noting that the episode filmed in December, shortly after Warner Bros. announced its planned merger with Netflix, Wells felt it necessary to consult the parent company amid the multibillion-dollar deal. Watch on Deadline Wells added, “When we first pitched it, I thought, ‘Uh oh,' you know. I can say that all of us are approaching what's going on in this country right now with a certain trepidation, and also awareness that there are some possible risks to telling certain kinds of stories. Following the killing of U.S. citizen and LA local Keith Porter Jr., who was shot on New Year's Eve by an off-duty Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer, protests and public outcries have broken out over the fatal ICE shootings of Minnesota's Renee Good and Alex Pretti, as well as the death of Savannah, Georgia's Linda Davis, who was killed this month in a chase involving ICE. The Pitt has been known to take on some real issues, including gun violence, fentanyl addiction and the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic, earning the Emmy Award and Golden Globe for Outstanding Drama Series after its first season. Get our Breaking News Alerts and Keep your inbox happy. Comments On Deadline Hollywood are monitored. So don't go off topic, don't impersonate anyone, and don't get your facts wrong. Comment Name Email Website Δ Why would ICE have a relevant point of view when their bosses have made it clear why they are doing what they are doing? I can't watch a show that defends ICE in anyway. Are they going to defend white nationalist groups next? Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks We want to hear from you! Send us a tip using our annonymous form. Sign up for our breaking news alerts By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2026 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. All Rights Reserved. By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. On the overlook of a dark, looming castle, scarred by war, two friends and lords look out through the mists. They are about to be sundered, by curses, by ambition, by madness, and by the razor-sharp edge of Toshiro Mifune's katana. But how much mist is the right amount of mist? That scene from Akira Kurosawa's 1957 film “Throne of Blood” could not be more distinct (one hopes) from the California International Antiquarian Book Fair taking place February 27 to March 1. But an item that rare bookseller Peter Harrington brings to the fair holds the answers to the amount of mist, the size and shape of the castle, and much of the cursed landscape in the Kurosawa adaptation of The Scottish Play. Related Stories Cassavetes Was Wrong! Why ‘Boxcar Bertha' Belongs in the Canon Can't Sleep? Try Listening to Old Oscars Ceremonies It's a shooting script, with handwritten annotations by an anonymous member of the film's crew, concerned with set design and atmosphere. While the original owner of the script is a mystery — the item came to the rare book dealer from another seller specializing in film scripts — it does hold a lot of information about the making of “Throne of Blood.” “It's annotated throughout in pencil with these little drawings of how the scenes are supposed to be laid out or shot, which is really interesting because ‘Throne of Blood' in particular has this atmosphere that's built throughout the film,” Joseph Bills, Peter Harrington bookseller and cataloger, told IndieWire. “You can see in the notes next to the little diagrams of the shots that ‘this should be from a particularly foggy day' or ‘this needs to be a bit rainy' or ‘you should just about be able to see the castle in the distance.'” The rare booksellers also have a shooting script for “Ran,” Kurosawa's jidaigeki take on “King Lear,” but that script is less mysterious. It belonged to Hidehiro Igarashi, one of the assistant cameramen on the shoot. The notes in the margins of that shooting script are full of lens focal lengths, camera angles, and distances that were key to the compositions of shots. “That one is much more solid in terms of who it's from, and you can see it's very much about how you're going to film the piece. The ‘Throne of Blood' one is more vague, but it seems to be about how you're going to design the area that [each shot] is particularly in, which is still important. I think it's particularly important for ‘Throne of Blood,'” Bills said. Bills would know. He was the person who had to screen-match the notes in the “Throne of Blood” script margins to sequences in the film itself in order to help verify its authenticity. “Sometimes that takes a little bit of effort because you're seeing ‘Scene 75' and you're like, well, which one is Scene 75? You've got to look at the text and then be like, ‘OK, I think I get it' and then try to work out what minute it occurs and match that,” Bill said. But once you do, the shooting script provides an illuminating bridge into the filmmakers' intentions and the final result on the screen. “It's a really cool thing, and I think it's quite fun,” Bills said. “One of the great things about working in a rare book dealership is you do see all kinds of different things.” Seeing it does come at a cost, though. The “Throne of Blood” script has a £70,000 (roughly $95,000) price tag. That comes partly from the rarity of items like this ever crossing the market. This “Throne of Blood” script is the third Kurosawa that's passed through Peter Harrington — they also currently have the “Ran” script and have sold a “Kagemusha” script in the past, and some Studio Ghibli animation cels as well. But Bills said there aren't enough data points to price something like this. “It's a mixture of science and art,” Bills said. “We compared it to other annotated film scripts, other Kurosawa works that may have gone up in auctions or previous sales from other dealers. And also sometimes it's a bit of instinct.” By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

By Peter Wade Major figures associated with the Make America Great Again movement — including former GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, far-right figure Alex Jones, and infamous manosphere influencer Andrew Tate — are fuming at Donald Trump over the military strikes against Iran that began overnight on Saturday. Tucker Carlson, who visited the White House just last week, told ABC News' Jonathan Karl that the choice to attack Iran is “absolutely disgusting and evil.” Greene, meanwhile, wrote on X: “The Trump admin actually asked in a poll how many casualties voters were willing to accept in a war with Iran??? How about ZERO you bunch of sick fucking liars. We voted for America First and ZERO wars.” “This is heartbreaking and tragic. And how many more innocent will die?” she wrote in another post. “What about our own military? This is not what we thought MAGA was supposed to be. Shame!” Popular on Rolling Stone Greene resigned from Congress in January, and has been feuding with the president over his foreign policy decisions and lack of transparency with the Epstein files. Multiple Republicans still in Congress have expressed their discontent with the newly launched military campaign. “I am opposed to this War. This is not ‘America First.' When Congress reconvenes, I will work with [Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna] to force a Congressional vote on war with Iran,” GOP Rep. Thomas Massie wrote on X. “The Constitution requires a vote, and your Representative needs to be on record as opposing or supporting this war.” Republican Sen. Rand Paul wrote on social media, “The Constitution conferred the power to declare or initiate war to Congress for a reason, to make war less likely… As with all war, my first and purest instinct is wish Americans soldiers safety and success in their mission. But my oath of office is to the Constitution, so with studied care, I must oppose another Presidential war.” Several far-right figures have also sounded off on social media. Editor's picks The 250 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century So Far The 100 Best TV Episodes of All Time “There is a high probability that Iran will activate terrorist sleeper cells inside the United States in the coming days and weeks,” Jones, a notorious conspiracy theorist, wrote on X. “Trump‘s HUGE gamble accelerates the world‘s trajectory towards a nuclear world war.” “Why would going into a war with Iran benefit anybody in American at all?” Andrew Tate said, with far-right influencer and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes pleading with Trump on X: “@realDonaldTrump NO WAR WITH IRAN. ISRAEL IS DRAGGING US TO WAR. AMERICA FIRST.” “As always I only support military action anywhere, in any context, if it directly serves the interests of American citizens,” wrote Matt Walsh of The Daily Wire. “It's troubling that the arguments we're hearing for this war in Iran, including from Trump himself, seem to revolve primarily around ‘bringing freedom to the Iranian people.' As Americans, the freedom of Iranians is not our responsibility. If a single American life is lost in the service of that goal, it will be a travesty.” The United States and Israel began bombing Iran without congressional approval in a campaign dubbed “Operation Epic Fury.” The president announced the “major combat operations” he described as “massive and ongoing” in a video posted to Truth Social. He encouraged the Iranian people to “take over your government” when the strikes are done. “The hour of your freedom is at hand,” he said. Trump is monitoring the operation not from the White House but from Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Palm Beach, Fla., as he did last month when the U.S. captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Trending Stories 'Revenge of the Nerds' Star Robert Carradine's Cause of Death Confirmed MAGA Reacts to Trump's Strikes on Iran: ‘Absolutely Disgusting and Evil' Michael Jackson Estate Sued for Child Trafficking by Siblings Alleging More Than Decade of Abuse Why Are Celebrities on GoFundMe? And Why Are We Giving Them So Much Cash? Iran has launched retaliatory strikes across the Middle East region, targeting Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain, where an Iranian missile hit a U.S. Navy base. The U.S. and its allies have intercepted many of the retaliatory attacks. Experts have cautioned that war with Iran could lead to a lengthy conflict, with Iran owning a large, diverse stock of missiles, some of which can reach several U.S. military bases in the region. We want to hear it. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. Rolling Stone is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2026 Rolling Stone, LLC. All rights reserved.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

By Ted Johnson Political Editor Broadcast and cable networks mobilized overnight for ongoing coverage of the U.S. and Israel attack on Iran, in Donald Trump's most significant military action of his second term. As strikes hit Tehran, U.S. outlets provided a mixture of video from news agencies and those obtained from individuals. As Iran launched retaliatory strikes, correspondents in cities including Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi provided details. On CNN International, an alarm sounded as anchor Becky Anderson, in the UAE, alerted videos that they were told to seek shelter. She immediately went to a commercial break. “We are all safe,” Anderson later said, confirming retaliatory strikes there and in Bahrain and Qatar, other countries with U.S. military bases. Watch on Deadline On NBC News, weekend Today anchors Peter Alexander and Laura Jarrett interviewed Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, from Tehran, who insisted that “all high ranking officials are alive,” while “we are handling this situation, and everything is fine.” The network cautioned that it had not independently verified the claims. Later, ABC News posted a satellite image of the destruction at the residence of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, targeted in the attack. Israeli media reported that the government there believes he was killed. Networks have been covering the attacks throughout the night. CNN broke in with news during The Story Is with Elex Michaelson, its live show from Los Angeles, at 1:31 a.m. ET; Fox News broke into regular programming at 1:38 a.m. ET, and MS NOW at 1:48 a.m. ET. NBC News started coverage at 1:44 a.m. ET, ABC News' first special report came at 2:02 a.m. ET and CBS News was on the air at 2:28 a.m. ET. Unlike last year's attacks on sites believed to be where Iran was developing nuclear capabilities, President Donald Trump signaled in his announcement of the attacks that the U.S. goals were far greater, including regime change. “I'm talking to people who suggest that while this won't be a matter of hours, it will be a matter of days, but really it could be up to a matter of weeks as well,” Jennifer Griffin, chief national security correspondent, said on Fox News. The U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees the government's international broadcasting entities, said that President Donald Trump's announcement of the military action was being carried across Voice of America. “The brave people of Iran are hearing him — and so are citizens living under oppressive regimes around the world,” the agency said. But it was unclear just how effective that effort to reach Iranians has been, given the agency overall has been drastically scaled back under Kari Lake. She wrote on X that the Persian translation of Trump's remarks was published on the Persian section of the VOA service. In Iran itself, the BBC reported that there was an internet blackout. Some of the most harrowing images were shared by correspondents on social media, including Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson, who posted on an explosion in Bahrain. Iranian Shahed 136 one-way attack drone hits U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain pic.twitter.com/mw9xUD3tCz More to come. Get our Breaking News Alerts and Keep your inbox happy. Comments On Deadline Hollywood are monitored. So don't go off topic, don't impersonate anyone, and don't get your facts wrong. Comment Name Email Website Δ Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks We want to hear from you! Send us a tip using our annonymous form. Sign up for our breaking news alerts By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2026 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. All Rights Reserved. By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter The actors who play Benedict and Sophie chat with The Hollywood Reporter about the most intense moments from their season four love story and their hopes for season five. By Carly Thomas Senior Editor, Digital [This story contains major spoilers from Bridgerton season four, Part 2.] Benedict (Luke Thompson) and Sophie (Yerin Ha) may have finally found their happily ever after in Bridgerton season four, but it wasn't without plenty of hurdles and setbacks that come with any fairytale story. In Part 2 alone, while also trying to figure out how to make their relationship work within society — as Sophie is a maid and Benedict is a nobleman — Sophie is also dealing with Araminta's (Katie Leung) vendetta against her, trying to throw her in prison forever, and Benedict is contemplating leaving his family and society so he can be with his one true love. Related Stories Business Paramount Pays Out $2.8 Billion Termination Fee to Netflix as Warner Deal Draws Near General News Who Won and Lost the Week: The Great Netflix Pull-Out Edition (Plus Tyra, Shia and More) But thanks to Lady Violet Bridgerton's (Ruth Gemmell) masterful plan, Benedict and Sophie make it down the aisle legally (if you caught that post-credits scene) by the end, along with a few highly anticipated spicy scenes along the way. Thompson tells The Hollywood Reporter that it was important for them to “deliver something real” for Benedict and Sophie's intimate scenes, “because we're not thirst trap puppets.” Below, Thompson and Ha break down Part 2, including the chaos with Araminta (Katie Leung), filming those spicy scenes and their thoughts on the new Lady Whistledown mystery. *** This season centers on a love story between two people who wouldn't be accepted by society's views. What did you love most about bringing this type of love story to the show in a Cinderella-esque way? LUKE THOMPSON I love how the tensions of what can and can't happen, both because of internal and external blocks, really undoes Benedict. From my point of view, it was really nice to watch a character like that get completely torn to pieces a little bit. I think that's fun. It's a nice thing to experience from an actor's point of view. YERIN HA And how much your character can change you internally, and make you really face your internal obstacles and actually have to deal with them. That was really fun to play. Benedict was really going through it in Part 2, between trying to decide if he's going to leave his family and move to the countryside with Sophie or figure out another way. What was your reaction when you first read that Benedict was willing to lose his family for love? Did you agree? THOMPSON It's not really about agreeing with it or not. Symbolically, you always have to hold onto your family a little less tightly if you're going to begin a family with someone else. That's what's quite poignant about that relationship, that meeting someone is your little doorway out of the family unit. And it's particularly poignant with a family united by grief, by losing the dad. Everyone's held onto each other a little bit more closely, and Benedict particularly. Everyone's reacted to that differently, but Benedict's response seems to have been to become some sort of glue to the family and keeping them very close. That's the journey, isn't it? You have to learn to let go a little bit if you're going to change and start a story with someone else. It was also really intense when Araminta had Sophie arrested and thrown in a jail cell, and almost put on trial. What was it like filming those more intense scenes in Part 2? HA We've never seen a Bridgeton jail before. I was like, “How dark are we going?” I really did have to lean on the directors, and when you are working with a great script and a great cast member like Katie, who really does make you feel immense fear, I think you're just able to play on the day,. It's fun to play those scenes and explore that part of Sophie, and to go deep into that narrative that we've never really seen Bridgeton tackle before. There are also more intimate scenes in Part 2, including the bathtub scene from the book. How did you work with the intimacy coordinator to bring those scenes to life? HA A lot of choreography. There were so many logistical things we had to contend with and problem-solve, from slippery, oily water to a long bathtub for a 5-foot-2 girl to twisting and turning away (laughs). It was genuinely like choreography. And actually, when you have those logistical things that you have to overcome, it's kind of more fun. THOMPSON Seven hours in a bathtub … it's not for the faint-hearted (laughs). HA [You become] a prune. THOMPSON With those scenes, the thing to really hold at bay, for me anyway, is that sort of pressure of, Oh, it's this kind of scene and we need to deliver this kind of thing so that people need to be excited or whatever. I think that's not really your job. Your job is to just live the scene. Lizzy [Talbot], the intimacy coordinator, enables you to do that. She puts you straight in the scene rather than standing there thinking, Are people going to enjoy this? You can't really control that, so you have to keep that side of things at bay because we're not thirst trap puppets. We try and deliver something real, the story of it. In the end, Sophie and Benedict thankfully end up together, but even if Araminta didn't agree to Violet's plan, do you think the Queen would have potentially let Benedict marry a maid? THOMPSON I like the narrative beat that there is a little fudge on the truth because it's nice in the same way that Benedict, through being with Sophie, has found his weight, his seriousness and being in touch with reality. I think it's nice that Sophie retains this little secret, this little bit of fantasy with that fudge on the truth at the end. The symmetry of that. But it wouldn't be a good ending, wouldn't it? HA I like to think for the happy ending sake that she would still say yes. Also, there's a new mystery Lady Whistledown. Who do each of you think it is? HA No clue. It really could be anyone. THOMPSON It could be anyone. All bets are off. I don't have any inkling at all. I think they've written it specifically for that, because we only get a little taste of this new voice until we get further on into the next season. Though season five won't be focused on Benedict and Sophie, what do you hope for your characters next season, post-wedding? THOMPSON I don't know. We'll see. That's beyond my pay grade. It'd be nice to see them have kids, and just be a part of the family as well. They're actually both characters who have nice hotlines to all of the characters in the show, so I hope they still communicate with the siblings. HA Or feel like they can lean on either one of us. *** All episodes of Bridgerton season four are currently streaming on Netflix. Check out all of The Hollywood Reporter‘s season four coverage here. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Inside the business of TV with breaking news, expert analysis and showrunner interviews Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter Send us a tip using our anonymous form.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. In November 2025, the Screen Actors Guild Award made a change. Hollywood's massive union, comprised of more than 160,000 performers, changed the name of its annual awards show. Instead of the SAG Awards, it would henceforth be known as… The Actor Awards. Huh. OK. “The Actor Awards.” I mean, it makes sense. The ceremony celebrates actors and only actors. The name of the physical award bestowed upon each winner is already called “The Actor.” And the awards show never adjusted its name after the Screen Actors Guild merged with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists in 2012 to become SAG-AFTRA, making The Actor Awards a more inclusive title. But… The Actor Awards? Really? Is that the best a group of creative-minded people could come up with? Should the DGA send out invites to The Director Awards? Should the WGA host The Writers Awards? Is this the bland, algorithm-driven future we want? Should every major awards show be numbered, too, so we always know exactly where we are on the road to the Oscars? Doesn't anyone take any pride in a name's meaning anymore? Well, I do. I guess. After posing all these questions (and more) to my innocent (yet vindictive) editors, I ended up complaining my way into this assignment. So here we are: an incomplete, ever-evolving list of Hollywood's most cherished awards, broken down by the origins of each awards show, the evolution of its name, and what that name signifies to the industry and the general public circa 2026. Plus, of course, whether the name should change. Sure, it may not be the biggest item on the awards season agenda, but there's meaning in a name, even when the organizations doing the naming try to scrape away any indication of such. (Spoiler alert: Yes, the Actors Awards need a new name, so go ahead and start brainstorming now.) Founded: 1991Original Name: The Gotham Independent Film AwardsCurrent Name (Official): The Gotham Film Awards (and The Gotham TV Awards)Current Name (Colloquial): The GothamsMission Statement: “As the earliest honors of their respective seasons, The Gotham Film Awards and The Gotham Television Awards recognize both emerging and established creators and performances. By celebrating bold, original storytelling that shapes the cultural landscape — whether in independent works that push artistic boundaries or commercial entertainment that connects with the broadest audiences — these awards further the mission of The Gotham Film & Media Institute's year-round programming.” What's the Award Signify? In a word, edge. The Gotham Awards either boost attention to films and shows that may not scream “awards contender,” or bolster the major players' awards resumes with an early stamp of approval.Does the Name Reflect That? When you hear “Gotham,” odds are high you either think of New York City (the cultural epicenter of planet Earth) or Batman (the coolest comic book character who everyone's heard of — don't come for me, nerds). Both, arguably, fit the Gothams well: It wants to be the cool kids' awards show, and so long as it doesn't overindulge in tribute categories and studio fare (as it has broached in recent seasons, after removing the $35 million budget cap in 2023), it can claim that title with ease.Should the Name Change? Nah. Founded: 1984Original Name: The FINDIE Awards (Friends of Independents)Current Name (Official): The Film Independent Spirit AwardsCurrent Name (Colloquial): Indie Spirits, Spirit AwardsMission Statement: “The Spirit Awards are Film Independent's largest annual celebration, making year-round programming for filmmakers and film loving audiences possible while amplifying the voices of independent storytellers and celebrating their diversity, originality, and uniqueness of vision. The winners of the Film Independent Spirit Awards are voted on by Film Independent Members. Membership is open to the public.”What's the Award Signify? Indie ascendancy with a little bit of street cred. It used to be simpler: The Gotham Awards celebrated independent film on the East Coast, and the Indie Spirit Awards did it on the West Coast. Then budget caps for qualifying films were raised or removed entirely, TV entered the mix (which makes defining “indie” that much more difficult), and the competition to be positioned as an Oscars precursor grew even more heated. Today, the Indie Spirits — where the right to vote on the winners can be purchased for $105 — seem torn between cementing their place in the build-up to the Oscars and doubling down on the indie sensibilities that got them here. No matter what path they choose, though, they'll need the name.Does the Name Reflect That? Yes.Should the Name Change? Yes, but only to remove the word “film.” I get Film Independent benefits from the visibility, but the Film Independent Spirit Awards also hand out TV trophies, which makes using the full name for the awards show confusing. The Independent Spirit Awards just sounds so much cleaner. Either ditch “film” or create a separate ceremony for TV — you know, like the Gothams did. Founded: 2002Original Name: Movies for Grownups (or whatever the headline said, since these began as a column in AARP Magazine)Current Name (Official): AARP Movies for Grownups AwardsCurrent Name (Colloquial): AARP Awards, Movies for Grownups, Oldies but Goodies, The Grannies (OK, those last two are just what I call them)Mission Statement: “For more than two decades, Movies for Grownups has championed movies for grownups, by grownups, by advocating for the 50-plus audience, fighting industry ageism, and encouraging films and TV shows that resonate with older viewers. [In addition], the annual Movies for Grownups Awards raises funds for AARP Foundation, AARP's affiliated charity, which works for and with older adults to increase economic opportunity by creating pathways to work, expanding access to financial support, mobilizing volunteer-driven community service, and advancing legal advocacy so that everyone can age with dignity and purpose.”What's the Award Signify? The senior vote. While not really an Oscar precursor, the Movies for Grownups awards are one of the few ceremonies on the list that actually raises money for a good cause (rather than the awards body itself). That helps lend the AARP Awards enough integrity to be considered an honor, even if certain stars might blanch at being labeled the retirees' favorite. (It didn't help “Jay Kelly”!)Does the Name Reflect That? Lol, yes, absolutely.Should the Name Change? No way! There's a lot of fun to be had cooking up alternative titles (see above), but the Movies for Grownups Awards minds the gap between flat-out calling the recipients “old” (an extra sensitive label in Hollywood) and tripping over itself to avoid telling people what they are: awards from folks of a certain age. Founded: 1972Original Name: The AnniesCurrent Name (Official): The Annie AwardsCurrent Name (Colloquial): The Annies, The Animated AwardsMission Statement: “Created in 1972 by veteran voice actor June Foray, the Annie Awards have long recognized the animation industry's most talented artists and storytellers. ASIFA-Hollywood is the largest chapter of the international organization Association Internationale du Film D'Animation (ASIFA). Operating independently through member support and revenue from its events and initiatives, this nonprofit organization continues to unite the global animation community celebrating excellence, preserving history, and fostering education and innovation.”What's the Award Signify? Elite animation. Simple as that.Does the Name Reflect That? Yes! Named by Hobart Donavan (the husband of founder June Foray) as a first-thought suggestion, the Annies are as easily understood now as they were conceived then: “As long as it's an animation award, why not call it the Annie?” Why not indeed? Makes more sense than the Oscar, and with half-a-century of history behind it, it only gains significance with each new ceremony.Should the Name Change? Not on your life. Founded: 1996Original Name: Critics Choice AwardsCurrent Names (Official): Critics Choice Awards, Critics Choice Documentary Awards, Critics Choice Real TV Awards, Critics Choice Super Awards (and more, but you get the idea)Current Name (Colloquial): Critics Awards, “Critics? Ew.”Mission Statement: “The Critics Choice Awards are bestowed annually to honor the finest in cinematic and television achievement. Historically, they are the most accurate predictor of Academy Award nominations. The CCA is a group of broadcast, radio, online critics, and entertainment journalists who review films, documentaries, and scripted and unscripted television. […] Founded 30 years ago by Joey Berlin, Rod Lurie, and 42 founding members, the CCA is now the largest critics organization in the U.S. and Canada with more than 600 members.” [per the CCA]What's the Award Signify? Oscar buzz. Instinctually, the name “Critics Choice Awards” should carry more meaning than that, but the word “critics” is a bit of a misnomer, given the more recent influx of awards prognosticators in the membership body and executive ranks. Their influence can be felt not only in the nominees and winners (their 2026 TV winners copied the Emmys exactly for Best Drama Series, Comedy Series, Limited Series, and more), but also in the organization's mission statement, which includes a line bragging that the Critics Choice Awards are “the most accurate predictor of Academy Award nominations.” Setting aside the subjective accuracy of that assertion (not to mention the organization's dubious history), can a group be focused on awarding the “finest in cinematic and television achievement” and be dedicated to making sure your opinions line up with another group? Seems like… no?Does the Name Reflect That? Not really. There are plenty of esteemed critics who vote for the Critics Choice Awards, but there's a difference between legitimate critical favorites and awards season favorites.Should the Name Change? Yes! Setting aside concerns over accuracy, the word “critic” is a buzzkill for general audiences, and the CCA, with ceremonies dedicated to superhero movies and reality TV, is clearly trying to reach a broad audience. Founded: 1944Original Name: The Hollywood Foreign Correspondents Association AwardsCurrent Name (Official): The Golden GlobesCurrent Name (Colloquial): Polymarket Presents: The Gambling GlobesMission Statement: “As a premier entertainment awards show since 1944, the annual Golden Globes has honored achievements in both television and film. Over the last three decades, the Golden Globes has enabled donations of more than $55 million to entertainment-related charities including scholarship programs, film restoration projects, and humanitarian efforts. This funding has also supported diverse programs in partnership with advocacy groups aimed at promoting greater access in Hollywood for underserved communities. Dick Clark Productions is the owner and producer of the Golden Globes.” [Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Corporation, IndieWire's parent company.]What's the Award Signify? Depends who you ask. Few award shows have a history as tumultuous as the Golden Globes, which was nearly axed after countless scandals, before getting new owners, new voters, and a new (though still unresolved) vibe. In its purest sense, the Golden Globes present a fun, crowded party — a warm-up for the Oscars where attendees can shake off the jitters with a few drinks while still going through the same motions they'll go through a few weeks (or months) later when it matters.Does the Name Reflect That? For the most part. The name — and a bright, shiny prestigious-looking trophy to match — imparts a kind of vague, sweeping value. Gold is the standard color for awards, so the logic holds, and “globes” used to signify the voter base from around the world. Now that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association is no more and the voters are largely unknown, “globes” is more aspirational: like, “Hopefully, the world pays attention when we dole out these awards.”Should the Name Change? No. Without the name conveying international recognition and repute, the Golden Globes may not have survived the collapse of the HFPA. The name is as strong as what it represents is shaky. Founded: 1995Original Name: Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG Awards)Current Name (Official): The Actor Awards presented by SAG-AFTRACurrent Name (Colloquial): Actor Awards, SAG Awards, The One on NetflixMission Statement: “The Actor Awards Presented by SAG-AFTRA is the only televised awards ceremony that exclusively honors actors in TV and film. With nominees and winners chosen by eligible performers within SAG-AFTRA's robust and diverse community of more than 160,000 members, the largest voting body in the awards landscape, the show recognizes outstanding work across 15 categories spanning individual and ensemble achievements in motion pictures, drama series, and comedy series. Beloved for its style, simplicity, and genuine warmth, the show and its statuette of the same name, The Actor, are fundamental to the spirit of performers around the globe and is one of the industry's most prized honors since its debut in 1995. The Actor Awards airs exclusively on Netflix.”What's the Award Signify? Peer approval, popularity (among Oscar/Emmy voters and the general public), plus a little trendiness. Sporting “the largest voting body in the awards landscape,” the Actor Awards skew toward popular opinion, whether that's what's been seen by the most voters or what's been hyped most ahead of voting. They're a strong indicator of Oscar (and Emmy) fortunes, but they're not beholden to anyone. These are actors, they love acting, and they will vote for whatever actor's acting they love the most, so help you God.Does the Name Reflect That? It sure does!Should the Name Change? It surely should! The Actor Awards is, quite simply, a silly name. Yes, the trophy has always been called The Actor, so there's historical precedent, and sure, it's an accurate representation of the ceremony itself (actors and actors, as far as the eye can see), but the name is so basic, it's stripped of any personality, any gravity, and any sense of significance. Admittedly, when they were the SAG Awards, people would call them the SAGs (less than flattering) or even the Saggies (yikes), but now the group has run so far in the opposite direction, it's as if they named their esteemed celebration of thespianism based on what best served the Netflix algorithm. (“When regular people want to watch our awards show, what would they search for? Awards… actors… actors + awards… oh, I've got it, The Actor Awards!”) Sorry, actors. Time to ask your screenwriter buddies for a rewrite. Founded: 1990Original Name: Golden Laurel AwardsCurrent Name (Official): Producers Guild of America AwardsCurrent Name (Colloquial): PGA AwardsMission Statement: “The Producers Guild Awards ceremony is a cornerstone of the film and television industry, celebrating the work and accomplishments of producers and recognizing outstanding achievements in producing across various categories, including theatrical motion pictures, television, documentaries, animation, and emerging media.”What's the Award Signify? Credible popularity. The PGA Awards are known for their high success rate in predicting Best Picture winners (and they're also pretty good at anticipating, or reacting to, Emmy favorites), but it's the 10 nominees for Best Theatrical Motion Picture that tell the real story. In the past 10 years, the PGA Awards have nominated “Avatar 2,” “Barbie,” both “Black Panthers,” “Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm,” “Crazy Rich Asians,” both “Dune” movies, “Elvis,” “F1,” “A Quiet Place,” “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Weapons,” “Wicked” (just the first one this time!), and “Wonder Woman” (again, just the first one). If you made a high-grossing movie (with decent reviews), you need to land a PGA nomination if you want a shot at the Oscars.Does the Name Reflect That? Yes, with a caveat. Producers do a lot of work that's mysterious and important, so you could argue that having the profession in the title is the best way to reflect the guild's identity, priorities, and taste. But when you held the Golden Laurel Awards for 12 years — a name so mysterious and important it required curious observers to figure out what it meant — it's hard to swallow such a flavorless name. The Producers Guild Awards. OK. Yeah. Whatever.Should the Name Change? Yes — it won't, but it should! The PGA already names its individual awards after legendary producers (the Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures, the Norman Felton Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television – Drama, etc.). So why not chase that instinct and name the awards after Dick Wolf (The Wolves!), James L. Brooks (The Brookies!), or Don Hahn (The Donnies! The Hahnys! The Don Hahnys!). Sure, none of those names immediately explain what's being awarded, but this isn't a blockbuster movie. The title of a niche awards show doesn't need broad appeal. It needs flavor! The PGA knew as much from the start. Even the Golden Laurels would be an improvement. Founded: 1938Original Name: The Honorary Life Member Award (given to D.W. Griffith)Current Name (Official): Directors Guild of America AwardCurrent Name (Colloquial): DGA AwardsMission Statement: “Since its founding in 1936, the Directors Guild of America has fought for the economic and creative rights of its members; protected their ability to financially benefit from the reuse of their work; established strong and durable pension and health plans; and established jurisdiction in new technologies and distribution platforms. Today we represent more than 19,500 directors and members of the directorial team working in film, television, commercials, news, sports, and documentary.”What's the Award Signify? Elite direction, peer approval, and Oscar/Emmy frontrunner status.Does the Name Reflect That? Yes, although with similar hang-ups as the PGA Awards. Too bland.Should the Name Change? I'd be more inclined to change the trophy, honestly. Don't get me wrong, the massive medallions handed out to winners are awesome — distinct, beautiful, and time-honored. But I gotta say, the little golden director's chairs they use to mark each assigned seat at the ceremony's sit-down dinner? I covet those like little else. So cool (and of unmistakable origins — it's a director's chair! For directors!) Founded: 1949Original Name: The Screenwriters Guild AwardsCurrent Name (Official): Writers Guild AwardsCurrent Name (Colloquial): WGA AwardsMission Statement: “The Writers Guild Awards honor outstanding writing in film, television, streaming, news (broadcast and digital), radio/audio, and promotional categories. The Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) and the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) are labor unions representing writers in motion pictures, television, cable, digital media, and broadcast news. The Guilds negotiate and administer contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of their members; conduct programs, seminars, and events on issues of interest to writers; and present writers' views to various bodies of government.”What's the Award Signify? Elite scripts and peer approval, sure, but the WGA Awards are a bit of a wild card when it comes to boosting Oscar and Emmy odds. Various eligibility discrepancies between the awards bodies prevents direct comparisons between what the WGA says is best and what other screenwriting awards recognize. But make no mistake: The category depth on the TV side helps draw attention to dramas, comedies, new series, and animated programs, while the voters' oft-surprising preferences can be a real boon to movies and shows that may seem too small or strange for the Oscars and Emmys. Does the Name Reflect That? Yes, although a little more originality from writers would be welcome.Should the Name Change? Only if it avoids SAG's mistake of skewing too basic. The Writers Awards? No thanks. The Wilder Awards (named after Billy Wilder)? Yes, please! Founded: 1929Original Name: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Merit AwardsCurrent Name (Official): Academy AwardsCurrent Name (Colloquial): The OscarsMission Statement: “The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world's premier film organization and is home to a global membership of more than 11,000 of the most accomplished film industry artists and leaders. The Academy connects global audiences — its members, the film industry, and film fans — through their shared passion for making and watching films. The Academy does this by recognizing and celebrating the arts and sciences of moviemaking through renowned awards for cinematic achievement, including the Oscars, the Governors Awards, and the Scientific and Technical Awards. The Academy's affiliated charitable organization, the Academy Foundation, serves a public benefit through its robust educational, preservation, and cultural activities. This includes the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the world's largest global film museum, the Academy Collection, the largest film-related collection in the world, and talent development programs for emerging artists. Year-round, the Academy creates opportunities for all communities to engage with the film world.”What's the Award Signify? The pinnacle of filmmaking. It doesn't get any better than an Oscar.Does the Name Reflect That? Yes. Nearly a century of ceremonies under the same name (essentially) will do that.Should the Name Change? No. My goodness, can you imagine? Founded: 1949Original Name: Primetime Emmy AwardsCurrent Name (Official): Primetime Emmy AwardsCurrent Name (Colloquial): EmmysMission Statement: “The Television Academy celebrates those who excel in the industry recognizing their achievements through awards and accolades, including the renowned Emmy Award. Membership in the Academy is open to working professionals in the television industry.”What's the Award Signify? The pinnacle of television artistry — it doesn't get any better than an Emmy.Does the Name Reflect That? Yes. Nearly a century of ceremonies under the same name (essentially) will do that. Should the Name Change? No way! The Emmy name stems from early television cameras, so it's not random, and “Emmy” is a nice, feminine compliment to the Oscar, which helps audiences recognize it as a significant honor. The Television Academy has the Emmys, the Film Academy has the Oscars — we're all good here. By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Over the last year or so, the Umamusume series has gone from ultra-niche to only moderately niche, the kind of thing terminally online individuals might have come across in passing thanks to Northernlion or any number of other popular streamers. Previously only available in Japan, the game Umamusume: Pretty Derby came out worldwide last July, and it's essentially a management and racing sim where you play as a trainer for anime horse girls (that is, anime girls with horselike features called umamusume) who are based on real-life Japanese race horses. It kicked off an online fervor that began as ironic before quickly becoming anything but, sucking droves into a fever dream of endless Bakushins. If it sounds like it's for weirdos, that's because it is, but it turns out those weirdos have a point. The deeper you dig, the more absurd it gets, because beyond the popular game, there are also multiple television shows: the mainline Pretty Derby series, which has run for three seasons, and the spin-off, Cinderella Gray, a lethally self-serious sports drama that emerges like a charging steed. Before CygamesPictures worked on the latter, they handled Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Beginning Of A New Era, a film where hand-drawn animation captures pure speed in flashes of prismatic light and blurred motion. After a long wait since its initial 2024 debut in Japan, it's finally releasing stateside this week (likely due to the series unexpectedly breaching containment). While most of the movie's initial charm comes from how it handles such a bonkers premise with utter earnestness—dramatizing the real-world 2001 Japanese Classic Races through horse girls—it isn't long until skepticism transforms into a sports fan's passionate cheers. As for the main umamusume of this story, her name is Jungle Pocket (again, the characters are based on real-life race horses, so their names are ridiculous), and she's a student at Tracen Academy, the premier destination for up-and-coming sprinters. Her fate was sealed the moment she saw an upperclassman tear up the race track, demolishing her competition in front of a packed audience before taking a regal bow. From this point on, Pocket wants to be the best. This straightforward motivation is set up quickly, but the film sucks us into its slipstream with racing scenes that are so intense they make it feel like a loss means being sent straight to the glue factory. Helmed by veteran animator Ken Yamamoto (who is credited for direction, storyboarding, animation direction, and key animation), CygamesPictures captures the power behind these racers' every step. Hooved boots press into mud as final sprints come alive with the explosive force of an orbital missile strike. These characters may literally just be running in a circle around a track, but the aesthetic framing borrows from the visual language of battle shounen anime to get across the hot-blooded drama: at one point, Pocket's main adversary, a scientist horse girl in a lab coat, Agnes Tachyon, runs so fast that it's portrayed like she's breaking spacetime, assaulting the viewer with a 2001: A Spacy Odyssey styled rush of colors. Bodies contort in impossibly long shapes to capture a sense of momentum and weighty impact frames capture the unnatural force of every stride. Thankfully, there are visual highlights off the race track as well, and Yamamoto's direction builds towards the kind of human (er, horse girl) drama that builds investment. At one point, a dominant competitor announces their early retirement on TV like they're a Bond villain as the color grading flickers to a horror movie red and the soundtrack takes a sinister turn: fans are devastated that she's gone, and her opponents are dismayed they'll never get a chance for revenge. At the other end, moments of slapstick comedy turn these characters into expressive, exasperated blobs that may as well be from an old-school comic strip, selling these sudden tone shifts. The atmospheric direction throughout is particularly important for capturing Pocket's headspace, a surprising development that shows just how much is bouncing around in her brain. She begins as a typical headstrong athlete, overconfident in her own skills and sure of her eventual success, until she runs into the previously mentioned monster, Agnes Tachyon, a perfect foil who, despite her incredible skill, seems to only care about these races for much colder, more scientific reasons. It sets up what seems like a typical back-and-forth rivalry, only for events to take an unexpected turn, destroying Pocket's self-confidence as she's consumed by imposter syndrome and the pressure to achieve outward success. The abrupt switch from sports antics to psychodrama is another bizarre touch conveyed through skilled execution. Her doubts are visualized in anxious body tics and shadowy embodiments of self-loathing, while voice actor Yuri Fujimoto captures this range in guttural cries of victory and jagged inner monologues. There's suddenly less Rocky Balboa going on and more Shinji Ikari. Even the nominal “villain,” Tachycon, goes through a similar emotional journey as she attempts to rationalize her misfortune. Despite the unexpected suffering, the film is still ultimately about chasing a pure idea: running very, very fast. Through its obsessively realized animation, it gets at its characters' similarly obsessive drives. For Tachyon, this is about understanding what lies at the limits of umamusume ability, while Pocket is driven by the desire to become an unambiguous champion. These ambitions come across in final spurts that see them transcend their surroundings, running past not only their competitors but everything else, too. However, while the film makes time for its central characters even with its general need for speed, the rest of the cast gets left in the dust. Among the long list of side-characters, only Pocket's trainer and mentor get much of a spotlight beyond broad strokes, leaving the extended cast feeling like easter eggs for the game. Moreover, there's a sort of fuzziness to the stakes, which is partially a function of how horse racing works: while some races are far more prestigious than others, like the Japanese Derby, there isn't really a final championship or tournament to overcome, like you'd find in traditional sports stories. The film works as a standalone, but this somewhat confusing competitive situation will probably be worse for those who haven't watched the existing anime or played the game. Even with some strange plotting, it says a lot about Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Beginning Of A New Era that most of these extraneous details and background concerns are drowned out in the heat of the moment. Eventually, even the baseline absurdity of anthromorphized horse girls fades, as the story tackles a different type of ridiculousness grounded in the real world: Why do these kinds of athletes care so much? It's a question less directly answered by the film than felt in the desperate way characters move while approaching the finish line, their motions squashing and stretching as they shatter barriers at impossible speeds. At once melodramatic, jaw-dropping, and oddly inspiring, Beginning Of A New Era captures the irrational passion of sports in all its hooved glory. Recommended for You1After a harrowing start, Resident Evil Requiem settles into the overly familiar2Paramount might be slowly winning Warner Bros. Discovery over3Decency prevails in A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms' terrific season finale4Aimee Lou Wood will lead the next Brontë adaptation5Harper and Yasmin's interests align on Industry © 2026 Paste Media Group. All Rights Reserved
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

By Andy Greene To a passerby, the Guess Who‘s Jan. 31, 2026, gig at Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls, Ontario, probably didn't seem like a significant event. After all, the Guess Who have been mainstays on the oldies circuit for decades, playing hits like “American Woman,” “These Eyes,” “No Time,” and “Share the Land” at clubs, casinos, and fairs all over North America. But for the Guess Who faithful who traveled to Niagara Falls for the show, it was an evening of triumph many thought they'd never live to see. That's because the band masquerading as “The Guess Who” since 2003 was little more than a group of competent ringers assembled by original bassist Jim Kale. Guitarist Randy Bachman and singer Burton Cummings — the heart of the real Guess Who and the songwriting duo behind all the classics — were completely frozen out and had to hopelessly watch from the sidelines. But a legal maneuver finally gave them back their rightful name last year. Niagara Falls was the first of many shows they'll play in 2026. Weeks after the gig, as they prepare to travel from their homes in Canada down to the Caribbean where the Guess Who are booked on the Rock Legends Cruise alongside the Gene Simmons Band, Rick Springfield, Art Garfunkel, and Blue Oyster Cult, Bachman and Cummings are still in a state of semi-shock that this is really happening. “It's surreal in many ways,” says Bachman. “Our songs have become the soundtracks to peoples lives. We look out from the stage and they know every word of them.” Popular on Rolling Stone This was the dream back in 1967 when the Guess Who took a job as the house band on the Winnipeg version of the Canadian television show Let's Go. “You had to play the Hit Parade every single week,” says Bachman. “And our producer came to us and said, ‘If you guys start writing songs that are good enough to fit in between ‘Ruby Tuesday' and ‘Let It Be,' I'll put it in there.'” That was a tall order, but Cummings and Bachman had spent much of their downtime trying to do exactly that. “I was still living with my mother and grandmother, and one Saturday morning Randy came over with his guitar in his hand,” Cummings says. “He started playing this riff and singing the line ‘No time left for you.' And I started answering over the top of it, “On my way to better things…' We started answering each other. I've told this so many times, but it still excites me to tell it.” Editor's picks The 250 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century So Far The 100 Best TV Episodes of All Time Right around this same time, they also wrote “These Eyes” in much the same fashion. It was good enough for the Let's Go producers to let them play it on the air. “This is where fate comes in,” says Cummings. “It's the God's truth what I'm telling you, but it sounds like I'm making it up…Jack Richardson, who ended up producing all 15 Guess Who albums for the RCA label, just happened to hear us 1,500 miles away in Toronto. He heard us do ‘These Eyes,' and he believed so much in the song that somehow he put it together to take our band to New York City and record Wheatfield Soul, our first album for RCA.” Things happened very quickly from here. “These Eyes” hit No. 6 on the U.S. Hot 100. Follow-up singles “Laughing,” “Undun,” and “No Time” were also smashes. Their days of playing cover songs on Winnipeg television were over. They were now playing large halls across North America, and raking in real money. But the members of the group didn't all feel the same way about the rock & roll lifestyle. “Randy had married his wife Lorayne, and had converted to Mormonism,” says Cummings. “He wouldn't even have a Coca-Cola or a Pepsi or a cup of coffee or tea, nothing. And Jim Kale and I were not exactly living the life of a Buddhist monk. Before HIV, there was far more crazy casual sex. It was a wilder world. And things didn't go all that smoothly for the band.” Related Content The Guess Who's Epic Tour War Is Back at Center of Another Lawsuit Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings to Reunite As the Guess Who After Ending Trademark Suit Bachman-Turner Overdrive Enlist Neil Young for First New Song in Over 25 Years The Guess Who End Decades-Long Legal Battle: 'An Impossible Task' “To this day, I've never done any drugs or drank or smoked,” says Bachman. “The late '60s was ‘Let's go cuckoo.' I was too afraid to do any of that. So I never did it.” For a brief moment in early 1970, they were on top of the world when the title track to their 1970 LP American Woman hit Number One on the Hot 100. But the tour was a hellacious time for Bachman. “I had a gallbladder attack every night on the road for two weeks,” he says. “My daughters have had them, and also had children. They said to me, ‘You can't compare having a child to a gallbladder attack. Because you have a child once. You have a gallbladder attack, you have it every single night.' And that happened for two weeks on the road. I couldn't get any medical attention.” He finally went home to Canada to see a doctor, and learned he'd have to wait two months for surgery. The Guess Who were booked at the Fillmore East in four days. He flew out to New York for the show, unable to eat anything but sugar-free Jell-O and crackers, per instructions from his doctor. “If you got caught with marijuana back then, you couldn't cross the border and work,” Bachman says. “And we were earning all our money in the States. John Lennon got to New York, and he couldn't leave. He couldn't work. He couldn't do anything. He was screwed up. So that was alway going through my head. I was the leader of the band. And then getting married and having children also makes you aware of money. Where's it going to come from? Where is it going? You're not just paying for yourself anymore. You're taking other people on a ride. Burton was single and I wasn't.” Bachman quit the band after the Fillmore show in May 1970, fed up with the rigors of touring, business disputes, and lifestyle clashes. Cummings and the rest of the Guess Who recruited guitarists Kurt Winter and Greg Leskiw to fill the void and scored hits with “Share the Land,” “Hand Me Down World,” and “Hang On to Your Life.” “By 1972 and 1973, the bubblegum aspect of the perception of the band had changed,” says Cummings. “We were being taken much more seriously as a rock & roll band.” Bachman, meanwhile, formed Bachman-Turner Overdrive with his brothers Robbie and Tom, and singer Fred Turner. And just as the Guess Who were winding down in the mid-'70s, B.T.O. released the enormous hits “Takin' Care of Business” and “You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet,” which have been staples of classic-rock radio for five decades. (They're also favorites of Homer Simpson.) Relations were rocky between the former Guess Who bandmates when B.T.O. were ascendant, and Burton Cummings was struggling to launch his solo career. But it was short-lived, dismissed by them both today as a silly spat. “We were both dedicated musicians,” says Bachman. “And shared the same dream.” They made peace in the late 1970s, appeared on each other's solo albums, and signed on for a Guess Who reunion tour of Canada in 1983. They sold a lot of tickets, but it was a miserable time for Cummings. “I remember it as ‘The Nightmare Tour,'” he says. “We were all feuding with each other. We weren't friendly. And they were pushing us so hard to sell Molson's. “We're doing this interview backstage in Toronto and they've got [drummer Garry] Peterson with a Molson shirt on and Jim Kale with a Molson cap. I was more like a Jim Morrison guy. I'm not going to be paraded around with logos on me. I was furious. At that same time, Kale and I were drinking too much and probably into some other nasty stuff. It just wasn't a happy band in '83.” Bachman has a wildly different take on the tour. “I loved it,” he says. “Burton had a drinking problem at the time, at that time. He didn't like it. I've got the tapes, we've got the video. He won't let me put them together. It would be a great thing to have the Guess Who '83 together with all those songs. We did four new songs. And the guy who made the 16-track tapes gave them to me. I had them transferred to digital. I've got the film. All I got to do is remix it. Maybe he'll want to do that one day for prosperity's sake.” For the next 16 years, the Guess Who again went dormant. Bachman largely blames the chaos of his personal life. “I had six kids, and I was going through my first divorce,” he says. “Music became very secondary. I was just like, ‘I'm losing my kids, I'm losing my money.' You go through all kind of weird stuff when you're going through that, and you don't want to share your feelings with anyone.” They reformed again when the Pan American Games came to Winnipeg in 1999, which sparked a series of tours that culminated at the SARSfest concert on July 2003 where they played for half a million people at Toronto's Downsview Park. “We were there with AC/DC, Rush, and the Rolling Stones,” says Bachman. “And we rocked as good as any of them. When I did ‘Takin' Care of Business' and said, ‘Clap your hands,' and the hands went up in the air, there were a million hands in the air.” It was his last happy moment with the Guess Who for a very long time. In the years that followed, Kale — who secured the Guess Who trademark in 1987 when he realized nobody else had bothered to do so — put his own version of the Guess Who on the road with Peterson on drums. They played with them at first, but eventually stepped aside and kept it going as a zombie band. Cummings and Bachman, meanwhile, went out under the name Bachman Cummings in 2006, but discovered it was tricky to get bookings if they didn't own the name to their own band. “The fake band was using music that we wrote, and Burton sang on, to promote their shows,” says Cummings. “And some of these guys weren't even born when those things were hits. These clowns, they were actually taking our real albums to meet and greets and signing our pictures. I was in Philadelphia one time and I opened a Live at the Paramount album. I was going to sign it for this kid. And I opened the album and someone else had already signed my picture.” For Peterson, the decision to perform as the Guess Who was a way to preserve a legacy. “The Guess Who is kind of unique in the way that it's had four or five successful versions with different members. There was no one definitive band, unless you just want to say the people that recorded ‘American Woman' are the definitive version of the Guess Who,” he told Goldmine magazine in 2024. “We're just a continuation of a long legacy.” The situation for Cummings and Bachman seemed hopeless until 2023 when they teamed up with attorney Helen Yu and sued Kale's Guess Who for $20 million, alleging false advertising, unfair competition, and violation of right of publicity. Before the case could be adjudicated, Cummings took the wildly unprecedented step of terminating the performing rights agreements for all the Guess Who songs he wrote. It meant that nobody could play Guess Who songs to a paying audience since there was no way to properly compensate the rights holders. “I'm willing to do anything to stop the fake band; they're taking [Bachman and my] life story and pretending it's theirs,” Cummings told Rolling Stone at the time. “They're not the people who made these records, and they shouldn't act like they did. This doesn't stop this cover band from playing their shows, it just stops them from playing the songs I wrote. If the songs are performed by the fake Guess Who, they will be sued for every occurrence.” This left Kale and his legal team hopelessly cornered. They agreed to a settlement that finally allowed Cummings and Bachman to tour as the Guess Who. They rounded out the lineup with member of Cummings' solo band, including drummer Sean Fitzsimons, bassist Jeff Jones, percussionist Nick Sinopoli, and guitarists Tim Bovaconti and Joe Augello. “We now have three lead guitar players,” says Cummings. “Randy leads a guitar army. It's very powerful.” The set includes the three biggest Bachman-Turner Overdrive songs (“Let It Ride,” “You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet,” and “Takin' Care of Business”), and Cummings' 1977 tune “My Own Way to Rock.” But the rest of the show is dedicated to Guess Who classics. “The set is a celebration of me and Burton: Wheatfield Soul, Canned Wheat, and American Woman,” says Bachman. “Between us, we've sold 40 or 50 million records.” Cummings is 78, but his voices shows shockingly few signs of wear and tear, and he still hits every high note without struggle. “It's luck, practice, and exercise,” he says. “I'm still getting people telling me, ‘Hey, Burton, you still sound like you did when I was a kid,' or, ‘Hey, you still sound like the guy on the records.' And I'll tell you, man, I think that is something every singer yearns to hear.” Many singers also yearn to earn a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. But the Guess Who haven't even been nominated despite being eligible for the past 36 years. “I don't really think about the Hall of Fame that much,” says Cummings. “I have enough awards on my doors and walls in my house that I'm not hurting for any acceptance, put it that way. And logically, who would be up there? Certainly I'm not going to stand on stage with Peterson and Kale as the Guess Who.” Bachman feels the same way. “There's people in there we love, like Dolly Parton and Leonard Cohen, who've never rocked in their lives,” he says. “They are great artists, but should be in a different Hall of Fame. And don't hold your breaths waiting for us to get in. You might turn purple.” Right now, his focus is on gearing up for an extensive Guess Who tour of Canada, and more dates are expected to be added in North America in the summer. Later in the year, he's headed to Japan for a run of Bachman-Turner Overdrive shows. Fred Turner no longer tours because he suffers from vertigo, and both Tim and Robbie Bachman died in 2023. But Randy's son Tal Bachman now tours with the band, and there's talk of cutting a new B.T.O. album with Turner contributing his parts remotely. “Half of my year this year is with the Guess Who, and the last half of this year will be with B.T.O.,” says Bachman. “I'm working like I'm 32 years old.” Trending Stories 'Revenge of the Nerds' Star Robert Carradine's Cause of Death Confirmed Michael Jackson Estate Sued for Child Trafficking by Siblings Alleging More Than Decade of Abuse Why Are Celebrities on GoFundMe? And Why Are We Giving Them So Much Cash? Ryan Gosling Promotes 'Project Hail Mary' With Convincing Final 'Jeopardy!' Skit There are no plans for a new Guess Who record. “Randy and I will be together for hours and hours on the tour bus,” says Cummings. “Sometimes he picks up a guitar, starts playing riffs, and I start singing over them. So we could capture some of that wonder of the old days. You never know. I never say never.” Just don't expect to hear anything new this year when the Guess Who tour. “There was a big record by Ricky Nelson called ‘Garden Party' and he said something in that song that always surprised me,” Cummings says. “He said, ‘If memories were all I sang, I'd rather drive a truck.' I'm so opposite of that. First of all, that's a little bit demeaning to truck drivers. And secondly, Ricky, your whole life was creating memories for people. I'll be glad to sing the memories forever.” We want to hear it. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. Rolling Stone is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2026 Rolling Stone, LLC. All rights reserved.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter State attorneys general. Foreign approvals. Consumer lawsuits. Even without the Justice Department stepping in, Paramount still faces several roadblocks to completing its acquisition of Warner Bros. By Winston Cho The timing was almost too conspicuous. Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos had just flown to Washington, D.C. to attend meetings at the White House, likely to gauge the temperature on just what regulatory hurdles the company would encounter to acquire Warner Bros. He faced a bet-the-company decision. Paramount had raised its bid, dethroning Netflix in the jockeying for the fabled studio. Sarandos had days to decide whether to counter. Instead, just hours after he was pictured departing the White House, he dropped out of the bidding war. Paramount had won. Now, all eyes turn to two people: Makan Delrahim, a savvy legal operator who's familiar with the ins-and-outs of D.C. dealmaking and is the architect of Paramount's merger blueprint, and Rob Bonta, California's top prosecutor who will likely lead the effort among state attorneys general to block the deal. Expect a court face-off that will shape the landscape of Hollywood for years to come. Related Stories TV Longtime CBS News Producer Cites Claims of Aiming Reporting Towards "Particular Part of the Political Spectrum" in Exit Memo Business What Sparked Paramount's Investigation of Jeff Shell On Thursday, amid speculation that the government will rubber stamp the deal for its favored bidder, Bonta planted his flag over the merger. “Paramount/Warner Bros. is not a done deal,” he said in a statement. “These two Hollywood titans have not cleared regulatory scrutiny — the California Department of Justice has an open investigation, and we intend to be vigorous in our review.” Bonta said he's in talks with other attorneys general about the acquisition. Still, they're starting behind the eight ball. Paramount filed for approval of the deal last year and has already submitted the necessary information to the Justice Department, an atypical maneuver meant to put the federal government and states on a time crunch. Such compliance with this regulatory requirement in normal circumstances can take over a year, but Paramount got it done in a couple of months. It's now a race against the clock. Paramount will likely look to close the deal as soon as it gets approval from foreign regulators. A lawsuit can be filed after the merger is consummated, but the playing field will look different at that point. In that scenario, Paramount would have started to integrate Warner Bros. into its operations. Courts have historically been more open to stopping a deal rather than unwinding one. The upshot: Time is a big consideration right now, and it's largely on Paramount's side. To buy some, California could seek a temporary court order blocking Paramount from closing. Everything is on the table from the types of arguments made to the relief sought, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. “It's all well and good they got past the federal government, but they haven't gotten past California,” this insider in the state government says. “They can't short circuit our investigation or concerns here.” Timing aside, state attorneys general, particularly Bonta, appear confident they can advance a compelling narrative that the merger violates antitrust laws. A Sherman Act claim, which blocks deals that entrench an existing monopoly, is almost surely off the table, but the argument that the merger violates the Clayton Act, which blocks deals that will create a monopoly, could be almost as strong, if not stronger in some areas. The story they can tell: The acquisition will shrink the playing field from five major studios to four and bring together two major newsrooms. And unlike the Netflix deal, there are horizontal issues since Paramount and Warner Bros. compete against each other in cable TV, news and sports. An under-discussed possibility involves centering the case around a could-be monopsony, a dynamic in which a buyer with outsize market power can purchase labor and goods at prices under market value. Talent in Hollywood have been sounding the alarm on this issue for years. “Media consolidation has made it exponentially more difficult to sell a television or movie project,” wrote Leonard Dick, a writer on Lost and House, to the Federal Trade Commission in 2023. “If I am partnered with say, 20th Television (owned by Disney) and the Disney-owned streamer/networks don't want to order it, chances are slim to none another network/streamer will buy it because they want to own their own shows.” Dan Gregor, a writer on How I Met Your Mother, echoed those concerns, telling the FTC that he has “zero leverage to negotiate now.” In a post on X on Friday, Mark Ruffalo urged state attorneys general to come together to talk with talent about how the deal will “kill competition in the industry and drive down wages.” He asked people to weigh in on the merger here. “We are looking at this from all sides, including horizontal consolidation and certainly any vertical impacts,” said the person familiar with Bonta's thinking, who noted that the deal's impact on labor is a “significant concern.” Theatrical releases may also factor into the case. Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox could be instructive. After the merger, the studio's output plunged from 14 movies in each of 2017 and 2018 to a combined 19 from 2023 to 2025. Paramount CEO David Ellison has pledged to release at least 30 movies per year. Can he follow through on that promise? Maybe in the short-term, but it's tough to make the math work on that commitment farther out. One consideration for Paramount will be the court that oversees the potential merger challenge. The Central District of California, where the lawsuit will likely be filed, has its share of conservative judges, but not to the degree of, let's say, the Northern District of Texas, where the president filed his 60 Minutes lawsuit. Political considerations will take a backseat in the case, but it's almost impossible to ignore. If the case is a coin flip, that could be the tiebreaker. “A five-to-four merger in the cardboard market would be viewed differently than in this context with these companies that will have control over most major news outlets,” says Rebecca Allensworth, an antitrust professor at Vanderbilt law school. Syracuse University Professor J. Chrisopher Hamilton, who's worked as a business exec and lawyer for the Paramount Global, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, stresses the “sheer scope of narrative control” the merger will bring. “We are talking about HBO Max, Paramount Plus, Turner Classic Movies, and a vast universe of cable networks that shape how tens of millions of Americans consume not just news, but culture, history, and storytelling itself,” he says. “When you control the news division and the entertainment pipeline simultaneously, under the same ideological constraints, you don't just control what people are told, you control what they imagine, what they aspire to, and what they believe is normal.” Consumers present another roadblock. Earlier this month, they filed a lawsuit looking to block Netflix's bid to acquire Warner Bros and could do the same against Paramount. They're not as well-resourced as the federal government or state attorneys general and are widely perceived as doomed to fail, but there's been some success on this front. In 2021, a federal appeals court affirmed a decision requiring a company in the door manufacturing industry to divest certain assets. For Delrahim, his thinking could be geared not so much toward whether the deal will get done but rather what Paramount will have to concede. Competition enforcers under President Donald Trump have reverted to accepting settlements to resolve concerns about mergers. If the Justice Department sues, it could be an avenue for him to shape the ideology of the content the company creates. Overseas, don't expect European regulators to lodge an aggressive challenge to the deal either. Historically, their focus has largely revolved around local fixes aimed at requiring companies to sell off certain cable/TV assets in certain territories where there's not much competition. The European Commission approved the purchase of 21st Century Fox in 2019 after Disney agreed to divest from several European factual TV channels, including History and Lifetime, since they overlapped with Fox's National Geographic channels. And in what could be a closer analogue to the Paramount-Warner Bros. deal, Amazon's 2022 purchase of MGM was greenlit without any conditions. Big picture concerns of streaming consolidation and theatrical releases fell by the wayside in both of these instances. Regardless of legal considerations, Ellison will have to deal with have to navigate the practical realities of carrying nearly $100 billion in debt. He's planning $6 billion in cost savings but that figure could quickly balloon to multiple times that amount, as Sarandos said it would. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter Send us a tip using our anonymous form.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

The mid-'90s into the aughts were a time of great experimentation in anime, an era that gave us many of the medium's most memorable original series: Neon Genesis Evangelion, Cowboy Bebop, Serial Experiments Lain, Revolutionary Girl Utena, Kaiba, and Mononoke, just to name a few. But of these, there's one in particular that doesn't get the reputation it deserves, a show sometimes slapped with a particularly dismissive label. Ergo Proxy, which turns 20 this week, has been described by its detractors as “pretentious.” While this is a somewhat understandable reaction if you haven't seen it through to the end, the series pulls a trick that reconextualizes everything, tying together its many digressions into an existentialist creed that argues for fighting back against perceived meaninglessness. As for why the show has so frequently been hit with the p-word, the easy answer is that its story can seem scattershot at times, both in terms of plotting and its themes. Set in a post-apocalyptic future, it follows Re-l Mayer, a citizen of the domed city Romdo, and Vincent Law, an immigrant who doesn't remember his past. The narrative initially centers on this dystopian community and the mysterious cogito computer virus, which causes the city's robot servants to develop sentience and revolt (“cogito” means “I think” in Latin). Then, in a seemingly strange turn, the plot sidelines these developments as Re-l, Vincent, and a cogito-infected machine named Pino leave this place on a wider journey. From this branching point, there are even more detours: One episode is a paranoid one-off involving dopplegangers and heavy allusions to Millais' Ophelia, while another is about a Disneyworld-equivalent and the empty consumerism of theme parks. It introduces new ideas by the minute, name-dropping philosophers, fine art, and other classical references as it keeps its core truths close to its chest. It also doesn't help that aesthetically, the series is the embodiment of 2000s edginess, making it seem like it's trying to invoke a gravitas that's well beyond its grasp. The opening and ending sequences sum this up perfectly: The main theme delivers melodramatic, post-grunge angst and vague imagery behind a grainy filter. Meanwhile, the ending song is “Paranoid Android” by Radiohead, a choice that fits the vibe, but becomes increasingly strange as the narrative deviates from its initial focus on rebellious AI (the song isn't literally about androids, but still). The main character, Re-l, is decked out in a trench coat and wears aggressively blue eye shadow that could only have been cool in that time period. And perhaps most importantly, the editing and shot compositions have a decidedly avant-garde tilt, a dreamy visual approach that is evocative but can be a little too coy at times. This style can be grating in repetitive segments that only feel meaningful in hindsight, such as episode 11, “Anamuneshisu.” The series takes far too many big swings both visually and thematically to be boring, but there are definitely a few whiffs along the way. As you reach the final three-episode arc, it seems likely that the show won't tie together all its ideas; many original anime have gone off the rails in their final act without an outline established by source material. This context makes it all the more surprising when you discover that screenwriter Dai Satō (Eureka Seven, Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, etc.) actually did know what he was doing all along. Despite focusing on robot rebellions, immigration politics, technocratic dictatorships, and at least one murderous game of Jeopardy!, the story ultimately centers on existentialist philosophy as its characters struggle with finding meaning after being stripped of their original purpose. The complicated machinations of the plot mirror humanity's quest for meaning, especially outside the context of God. To summarize this intricate sci-fi mystery, it turns out that the “original humans,” known as the Creators, accidentally destroyed Earth's atmosphere, fled to space, and then enacted a complicated plan to rehabilitate the planet for their eventual return. The scheme centered on creating servants to carry out this work over millennia, only for intentional “flaws” to cause these groups to destroy each other, leaving an empty expanse for recolonization by the Creators. Our central characters are each from the groups that make up one layer of this plan: Re-l (a new human), Vincent (a proxy), and Pino (an auto-reiv android). Essentially, the Creators sought to weave a specific kind of existential despair to wipe out the restorers of Earth. The proxies were cursed with both immortality and reason, doomed to eventually discover that their initially prescribed meaning of watching over the new humans, whom they were told would repopulate Earth, was a ruse. Similarly, the new humans lived in heavily controlled cities, like Romdo, where each citizen was given a specific goal, a raison d'être. The intentional flaw to the situation is that the new humans were genetically engineered by the Creators to be sterile and could only be born via something called the artificial womb. Without the proxies, the artificial wombs couldn't activate. The problem with this arrangement is that the proxies were engineered to die from sunlight, meaning when the atmosphere was eventually restored, the proxies would go extinct, and then the new humans after them. As an extra measure, the auto-reivs infected with the Creator's cogito virus were there to finish off any stragglers. All of these beings were given an initial purpose, only to realize it was a lie. Most of the proxies, humans, and auto-reivs grappling with this reality couldn't handle losing their raison d'être and either gave in to despair or accepted their destruction. While Re-l, Vincent, and Pino's journey to discover this truth is quite winding, as the group encounters various factions and places or people not-so-subtly named after philosophers, most of these digressions reflect a fundamental search for meaning beyond the roles they were born into. The many quotes and name-dropped figures are a stand-in for humanity's long-running search to understand the nature of existence and why we're here. It all leads to the oppressive realities that existentialist philosophers like Kierkegaard and Nietzsche confronted: Re-l, Vincent, and Pino learn that their gods are “dead,” in that these beings aren't gods at all. Our protagonists discover they are the creations of one-percenter humans who fled the planet (that they themselves destroyed) before concocting a cruel plan to sacrifice others for their benefit all over again. In the finale, our trio is forced to reconcile this existential dread. Re-l learns that her grandfather created her to draw back Ergo Proxy, who was the proxy keeping Romdo alive. Vincent, who learns he is Ergo Proxy after regaining his memory, rediscovers the plight of his peers. Pino faces her initial purpose as an android constructed to console a particular family when she learns that her “papa” is gone. The resolution of this slow-building mystery falls on the audience almost as hard as it does on these characters, justifying long-delayed reveals as it evokes the feeling of suddenly being overwhelmed by impossible-to-stomach truths. It conjures the kind of gnawing meaninglessness that humans have long tried to fight off with ideology and theocracy. In some ways, the Creators' plan does mostly work: the empty domes and unhinged proxies that our trio find on their long journey confirm that this despair worked as intended, and even Romdo ends up in ruins. But what makes the climax so meaningful is how the protagonists respond. Despite the dread, each of the three rejects their original purpose. Re-l refuses to die with the city. Vincent spurns the fated end of proxies by surviving the sunlight. And Pino lives on past the family she was designed to comfort. They choose to keep going, embracing the absurdity and freedom of a “meaningless” existence. This defiance is made very literal in the final moments. As Re-l keeps going even after her home is destroyed, a walkway gives out under her, leaving her dangling over a deadly fall. She hears Pino call out. The auto-reiv is on a glider below, but Re-l can't see it due to a thick fog that obscures her vision (a stand-in for a now uncertain future). “I believe,” she says before making a leap of faith. It's not faith in a pre-ordained purpose or a deity, but in her fellow rejects whose continued existence defies the “gods” themselves. Recommended for You1After a harrowing start, Resident Evil Requiem settles into the overly familiar2Paramount might be slowly winning Warner Bros. Discovery over3Decency prevails in A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms' terrific season finale4Aimee Lou Wood will lead the next Brontë adaptation5Harper and Yasmin's interests align on Industry © 2026 Paste Media Group. All Rights Reserved
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

The legend achieved three Hot 100 No. 1s among nine top 10s as a recording artist, all of which he co-wrote. By Gary Trust “I have a theory that there are three kinds of songwriting,” Neil Sedaka posited to Billboard in 2010. “The emotional is when you go through some trauma and get it out on the page,” he mused. “The intellectual writing is when you have a tune in your head spinning around for many years and you almost rewrite it. And the last is spiritual writing, which is something that comes from a higher power that kind of writes itself and you're channeling. It's my theory, but I find that over the years, these are the three types of writing.” During his lifetime, Sedaka, who died Feb. 27 in Los Angeles at age 86, translated his craft into beloved Billboard chart hits, including three No. 1s among nine top 10s as a recording artist on the Billboard Hot 100. He totaled 30 entries on the chart overall as a singer, from 1958 to 1980, 26 of which he co-wrote, the bulk with writing partner Howard Greenfield (who passed in 1986). Sedaka co-penned all of his top 10s. Sedaka additionally crowned the Hot 100 as the co-writer, with Greenfield, of Captain & Tennille's debut smash, “Love Will Keep Us Together,” for four weeks in 1975. (Sedaka had first recorded the song in 1973; the duo's version famously shouts him out near its close.) Sedaka initially appeared on the Hot 100 as a recording artist in December 1958 with “The Diary” and first reached the top 10 the following December with “Oh! Carol.” He claimed his first No. 1 with “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do,” for two weeks in June-July 1960. He and Greenfield co-authored all three songs. As a writer, Sedaka made his Hot 100 debut just before “The Diary” — the week that the chart started. On the Aug. 4, 1958, list, Connie Francis' “Stupid Cupid” began its run to a No. 17 peak that September. Sedaka and Greenfield co-wrote the song, along with two top 10s for Francis: “Frankie” (No. 9, 1959) and “Where the Boys Are” (No. 4, 1961). The Brooklyn-born entertainer tallied his first 20 Hot 100 hits as a singer, all on RCA Victor, through 1966. Sedaka returned in 1974, on Rocket Records — which Elton John had co-founded the year before — with “Laughter in the Rain.” The song led for a week in February 1975. He reigned again for three weeks that October with “Bad Blood,” which includes John on backing vocals. He co-wrote both tracks with Phil Cody. Sedaka last reached the Hot 100's top 10 under his own artist billing with a slowed-down interpretation of “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do,” which hit No. 8 in 1976. Captain & Tennille, meanwhile, notched two more top 10s that decade that Sedaka wrote: his own “Lonely Night (Angel Face)” (No. 3, 1976) and the Greenfield co-write “You Never Done It Like That” (No. 10, 1978). Sedaka charted his last Hot 100 title with the Elektra Records single “Should've Never Let You Go” — a duet with his daughter, Dara. It rose to No. 19 in 1980. In his 2010 Billboard Q&A, Sedaka shared his belief that a tenet of creating hit songs is to “write something that's not predictable, something that has turns and twists. Simple is the hardest to write, but if you have a surprise in the song lyrically or melodically, you're ahead of the game.” In honor of Sedaka's chart legacy, below is a recap of his 10 biggest Hot 100 hits as a recording artist. Neil Sedaka's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 hits chart is based on actual performance on the weekly Billboard Hot 100, through the Feb. 28, 2026, ranking. Songs are ranked based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 earning the greatest value and weeks at No. 100 earning the least. Due to changes in chart methodology over the years, eras are weighted to account for different chart turnover rates over various periods. Hot 100 peak position: No. 14Hot 100 peak date: Feb. 2, 1959 Hot 100 peak position: No. 9Hot 100 peak date: May 9, 1960 Hot 100 peak position: No. 9Hot 100 peak date: Dec. 7, 1959 Hot 100 peak position: No. 8Hot 100 peak date: Feb. 21, 1976 Hot 100 peak position: No. 5Hot 100 peak date: Nov. 17, 1962 Hot 100 peak position: No. 4Hot 100 peak date: Feb. 13, 1961 Hot 100 peak position: No. 6Hot 100 peak date: Jan. 6, 1962 Hot 100 peak position: No. 1 (three weeks)Hot 100 peak date: Oct. 11, 1975 Hot 100 peak position: No. 1 (two weeks)Hot 100 peak date: Aug. 11, 1962 Hot 100 peak position: No. 1 (one week)Hot 100 peak date: Feb. 1, 1975 Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry Send us a tip using our anonymous form. A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry Send us a tip using our anonymous form. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2026 Billboard Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter The top two Oscar contenders each had a category to themselves, setting up a showdown for the Academy Awards. By David Canfield Senior Entertainment Writer A slew of top Oscar contenders won ACE Eddie Awards for the best in editing on Friday night, affirming their positioning as top Oscar contenders as final Academy voting has just gotten underway. When it came to top best-picture candidates One Battle After Another and Sinners, at least, the American Cinema Editors guild did not have to decide, with One Battle's Andy Jurgensen and Sinners' Michael P. Shawver, respectively, winning the theatrical comedy and theatrical drama categories. The Oscars only have one editing category, of course, and both ACE Eddie winners are nominated there alongside Sentimental Value, Marty Supreme and F1 — all of which were nominated for ACE Eddies between their two main theatrical categories. Related Stories Guest Column I Have Tourette Syndrome and I Have the N-Word Thrown at Me. I Have Thoughts on BAFTA. Movies Delroy Lindo Reveals the Convo He Had With Ryan Coogler About 'Black Panther 3' Netflix dominated the rest of the feature-film lineup, with KPop Demon Hunters' Nathan Schauf winning for animation and The Perfect Neighbor's Viridiana Lieberman taking home the documentary award. Both movies continue to cruise to Oscar night, where they're heavily favored to win — though The Perfect Neighbor's biggest competition, BAFTA doc winner Mr. Nobody Against Putin, was not nominated here. Related Video Moving to TV, Mark Strand of awards juggernaut The Pitt won in drama, overtaking Andor, which actually won the equivalent Emmy back in the fall. The Studio stayed strong in comedy, with Eric Kissack winning the ACE Eddie for the series premiere “The Promotion,” just as he did at the Emmys. The limited series race was of particular interest, since the single-take-driven Adolescence wasn't nominated here (just as it wasn't in the Emmys' editing race). While The Penguin had three of the five Emmy-nominated episodes, it lost with the Television Academy to Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, likely a result of vote-splitting. Here, ACE nominated only Henk van Eeghen for the series finale, and he has managed to win. It's oddly late recognition of the drama, which aired way back in 2024 — in fact, despite its single season, this is the second straight year of ACE Eddie noms for the show because the finale fit within an extended eligibility period. Taking place at UCLA's Royce Hall, the ACE Eddie Awards were hosted by Asif Ali and featured several special award presentations: The ACE Golden Eddie Filmmaker of the Year Award went to Ang Lee; YouTube's Kim Larson received the ACE Visionary Award; and Arthur Forney and Robert Leighton won ACE Career Achievement awards. See below for the full list of winners. EDITED FEATURE FILM (Drama, Theatrical): SinnersMichael P. Shawver BEST EDITED FEATURE FILM (Comedy, Theatrical): One Battle After AnotherAndy Jurgensen BEST EDITED ANIMATED FEATURE FILM: KPop Demon HuntersNathan Schauf BEST EDITED DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: The Perfect NeighborViridiana Lieberman BEST EDITED DOCUMENTARY SERIES Pee-wee as Himself – Part OneDamian Rodriguez BEST EDITED MULTI-CAMERA COMEDY SERIES: Frasier (Murder Most Finch)Russell Griffin, ACE BEST EDITED SINGLE CAMERA COMEDY SERIES: The Studio (The Promotion)Eric Kissack, ACE BEST EDITED DRAMA SERIES: The Pitt (6 p.m.)Mark Strand, ACE BEST EDITED FEATURE FILM (NON-THEATRICAL): A Winter's SongYvette M. Amirian, ACE BEST EDITED LIMITED SERIES: The Penguin (A Great or Little Thing)Henk van Eeghen, ACE BEST EDITED REALITY SERIES: Conan O'Brien Must Go (Austria)Matthew Shaw, ACEBrad Roelandt BEST EDITED VARIETY TALK/SKETCH SHOW OR SPECIAL: Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary SpecialPaul Del GessoChristopher SalernoRyan SpearsSean Mcilraith, ACERyan McilraithDaniel Garcia BEST EDITED ANIMATED SERIES: South Park, “Twisted Christian”David ListNate Pellettieri BEST EDITED SHORT: All The Empty RoomsErin Casper, ACEStephen MaingJeremy Medoff ANNE V. COATES AWARD FOR STUDENT EDITING: Luis Barragan – California State University, Fullerton Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Send us a tip using our anonymous form.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

By Erik Pedersen Managing Editor Warner Bros' awards-season combatants Sinners and One Battle After Another and Netflix's toon phenom KPop Demon Hunters took the top film prizes at 2026 annual ACE Eddie Awards, which were handed out Friday night at UCLA's Royce Hall. See the full winners list below. Sinners editor Michael P. Shawver took the Eddie Award for Best Edited Feature Drama, and One Battle's Andy Jurgensen took the Feature Comedy prize. Both are up for Best Editing at the Academy Awards on March 15, where they will compete against Stephen Mirrione (F1), Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme) and Olivier Bugge Coutté (Sentimental Value). Since the turn of the 21st century, the Eddie winner for theatrical drama has gone on to score the Academy Award for Best Editing 14 of 26 times — but only once in the past five years, for Oppenheimer. Wicked and Emilia Pérez took the top film honors at the 2025 Eddies, with Anora‘s Sean Baker going on the win the Oscar for Best Film Editing. The night's first big film prize went to Nathan Schauf of the awards-season juggernaut KPop Demon Hunters for Best Edited Animated Feature. The Netflix pic is hot off its sweep at the Annie Awards and a VES Award this week. On the TV side, the Best Edited Drama Series prize went to HBO Max's The Pitt, which won the Drama Series Emmy in September, and HBO's The Penguin took the Limited Series award. Another 2025 Emmy winner, Apple TV's The Studio, won the trophy for Single Camera Series, and CBS' now-wrapped Frasier got the Multi-Camera category. The documentary categories were handed out first, with The Perfect Neighbor winning for film and HBO's Pee-wee as Himself taking the TV prize. Other winners included the editors behind the wonderfully controversial “Twisted Christian” episode of South Park for Best Edited Animated Series, Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special for Variety Talk/Sketch Show or Special, Conan O'Brien Must Go for Non-Scripted Series and All the Empty Rooms for Best Edited Short. A Winter's Song won for Best Edited Feature Film (Non-Theatrical). The editors group presented a handful of special honors tonight. Two-time Oscar winner Ang Lee will receive the ACE Golden Eddie Filmmaker of the Year Award. Along with his Best Director wins for Life of Pi and Brokeback Mountain, Lee's many films include Gemini Man (2019), Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk (2016), Lust, Caution (2007), Hulk (2003), Sense and Sensibility (1995) and The Wedding Banquet (1993). His Eat Drink Man Woman (1994), The Ice Storm (1997) and Taking Woodstock (2009) premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, as did Couching Tiger. Emmy-winning Law & Order editor-director Arthur Forney, who also has eight other Emmy noms for the NBC franchise's mothership series, accepted the first of two ACE Career Achievement awards. The prize was presented by longtime L&O franchise stars Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni. Forney other credits include hundreds of episodes of Law & Order: SVU and Organized Crime along with NBC's Chicago P.D., Med and Fire and CBS' FBI. Oscar-nominated editor Robert Leighton received the other Career Achievement, presented by Christopher Guest, who directed three films he edited: Best in Show, A Mighty Wind and For Your Consideration. Leighton's dozens of film credits also include Rob Reiner's A Few Good Men — for which Leighton got his Oscar nom — This Is Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally…, Stand by Me and The Princess Bride along with Bull Durham, Misery, Ghosts of Mississippi, Shall We Dance? and Now You See Me. The ACE Visionary Award went to YouTube and was be accepted by Kim Larson, Managing Director and Head of the Creator and Gaming team. The award was presented by Michele Khare, host of the popular YouTube docuseries Challenge Accepted. The In Memoriam segment included tributes to Reiner, Chris Willingham, Don Zimmerman, Jane Kass, William Steinkamp, Alan C. Marks, John Soh and Ted Woerner. Deli Boys star and Wrecked alum Asif Ali hosted the ceremony. Here are the 2026 ACE Eddie Awards: BEST EDITED FEATURE FILM (Drama, Theatrical)SinnersMichael P. Shawver BEST EDITED FEATURE FILM (Comedy, Theatrical)One Battle After AnotherAndy Jurgensen BEST EDITED FEATURE FILM (NON-THEATRICAL)A Winter's SongYvette M. Amirian BEST EDITED ANIMATED FEATURE FILMKPop Demon HuntersNathan Schauf BEST EDITED MULTI-CAMERA COMEDY SERIESFrasier (Murder Most Finch)Russell Griffin BEST EDITED SINGLE CAMERA COMEDY SERIESThe Studio (The Promotion)Eric Kissack BEST EDITED LIMITED SERIESThe Penguin (A Great or Little Thing)Henk van Eeghen BEST EDITED DRAMA SERIESThe Pitt (6pm)Mark Strand BEST EDITED ANIMATED SERIESSouth Park (Twisted Christian)David List, Nate Pellettieri BEST EDITED SHORTAll the Empty RoomsErin Casper, Stephen Maing, Jeremy Medoff BEST EDITED NON-SCRIPTED SERIESConan O'Brien Must Go (Austria)Matthew Shaw, Brad Roelandt BEST EDITED VARIETY TALK/SKETCH SHOW OR SPECIALSaturday Night Live 50th Anniversary SpecialPaul Del Gesso, Christopher Salerno, Ryan Spears, Sean Mcilraith, Ryan Mcilraith, Daniel Garcia BEST EDITED DOCUMENTARY FEATUREThe Perfect NeighborViridiana Lieberman BEST EDITED DOCUMENTARY SERIESPee-wee as Himself – Part OneDamian Rodriguez ANNE V. COATES AWARD FOR STUDENT EDITINGLuis Barragan – California State University, Fullerton Get our Breaking News Alerts and Keep your inbox happy. Comments On Deadline Hollywood are monitored. So don't go off topic, don't impersonate anyone, and don't get your facts wrong. Comment Name Email Website Δ Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks We want to hear from you! Send us a tip using our annonymous form. Sign up for our breaking news alerts By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2026 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. All Rights Reserved. By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

By Charisma Madarang The cause of death of Robert Carradine has been confirmed following his passing earlier this week at the age of 71 on Monday, Feb. 23. According to the Los Angeles Medical Examiner's Office, the actor death has been ruled a suicide. The cause of death was listed as sequelae of anoxic brain injury, which occurs when oxygen is cut off completely from the brain. Carradine was best known for starring in the Eighties cult classic Revenge of the Nerds and later, found a new generation of fans in the early 2000s with Lizzie McGuire on the Disney Channel. Trending Stories 'Revenge of the Nerds' Star Robert Carradine's Cause of Death Confirmed Michael Jackson Estate Sued for Child Trafficking by Siblings Alleging More Than Decade of Abuse Why Are Celebrities on GoFundMe? And Why Are We Giving Them So Much Cash? Ryan Gosling Promotes 'Project Hail Mary' With Convincing Final 'Jeopardy!' Skit “It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away,” read a previous statement from Carradine's family. “In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon of light to everyone around him. We are bereft at the loss of this beautiful soul and want to acknowledge Bobby's valiant struggle against his nearly two-decade battle with bipolar disorder. We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness.” Following news of his death, the actor's Lizzie McGuire co-stars and other Hollywood peers remembered his legacy in heartfelt tributes. Hilary Duff, who starred as the titular character Lizzie, shared Instagram photos of her and Carradine, who played her father Sam McGuire. In a caption, Duff wrote: “This one hurts. It's really hard to face this reality about an old friend. There was so much warmth in the McGuire family and I always felt so cared for by my on-screen parents. I'll be forever grateful for that. I'm deeply sad to learn Bobby was suffering. My heart aches for him , his family, and everyone who loved him.” Popular on Rolling Stone We want to hear it. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. Rolling Stone is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2026 Rolling Stone, LLC. All rights reserved.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

By Nellie Andreeva Editor-In-Chief With Netflix employees still absorbing the news that the streamer won't be buying Warner Bros. per the two companies' December 5 agreement, co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters held a brief town hall Friday morning. The 15-20-minute affair was moderated by Netflix Chief Communications Officer Dani Dudeck and did not include a Q&A section, sources said. In their remarks, Sarandos and Peters sounded confident about their decision to walk away from Warner Bros. and explained their reasons. According to sources, they said that they had a number for the storied film and TV studio and knew what it had to be in order to make sense for the company. When the Warner Bros. Discovery board came back with the recommendation for the higher price offered by Paramount and asked Netflix to match it, the duo's response was a quick no. Sarandos and Peters noted that they had done due diligence and didn't feel like they needed to prolong the process if the number was above the threshold they had set. Watch on Deadline Related Stories Acquisitions Paramount + WBD Vs. Coalition Of The Unwilling: CA AG Pulling Together Blue States Probe Of Mega-Merger News Paramount Purchase Of Warner Bros. Discovery Stirs Angst At CNN - Again In justifying their call, Sarandos and Peters used a version of the line they used in yesterday's “thanks but no thanks” reply to WBD‘s request for a higher bid, that acquiring Warner Bros. “was always a ‘nice to have' at the right price, not a ‘must have' at any price.” They also touted a strong year ahead for Netflix and momentum through 2030, a milestone year the streamer had been building to. Sarandos and Peters went on to thank employees, including those who had spent the last month and a half working on integration that didn't happen, and asked people to go carry on with their work. They may have showed restrain and discipline in walking away, but that does not mean that Sarandos and Peters were not disappointed by the outcome of the Warner Bros. sale. Sarandos, in particular, had made it clear how much he wanted the century-old studio. With Paramount's hostile takeover efforts ramping up in the past couple of weeks, he went on a publicity tour, talking up Netflix's cause in several interviews, and was in Washington D.C. for meetings about the Netflix-WB deal when news of WBD board's recommendation came in Thursday afternoon. (Netflix still got $2.8B for its troubles, with the fee for terminating the WB merger agreement paid to the streamer today.) Like the Warner Bros. Discovery town hall, which was held an hour earlier this morning, the 9 AM PT Netflix one was scheduled last minute, after WBD Board's Paramount “superior offer” declaration Thursday afternoon and Netflix's pullout an hour and a half later. Incidentally, it was the second Netflix town hall this week; the streamer also held their regular quarterly town hall a couple of days ago, I hear. As for Netflix staff's reaction to losing Warner Bros., it is said to be mixed, with people divided over the news but virtually all stunned by it. “The office was quiet yesterday,” one person said. Get our Breaking News Alerts and Keep your inbox happy. Comments On Deadline Hollywood are monitored. So don't go off topic, don't impersonate anyone, and don't get your facts wrong. Comment Name Email Website Δ Maybe Netflix is waiting to see if Paramount buckles under the massive debt from this merger with WB. I was disappointed in Netflix at first but Netflix could scoop up rights and properties if Paramount can't handle the massive debt. Time will tell. I hope Paramount buckles and is forced to sell off some properties. Or better yet Netflix gets both for the same price they'd pay for WBD lol. Paramount is so overloaded with debt it may crater oracle too. Wouldn't it be funny if Netflix bought all three because of this deal basically being a poison pill to paramount Netflix should buy Lionsgate No one wants Lionsgate If they were smart they would just go for something smaller now that they could do quickly like lionsgate. that still gives them a studio and some nice new IP to work with. but it would easily pass because it's not that big of a deal compared to going after nbcuniversal. But they don't have a studio lot. And Warners would have provided endless IP for them to reboot, reimagine, sequels, prequels and remakes. Don't forget Warner owns all the MGM Library. They'll buy the Paramount or Warner lot now. Ellison doesn't need both and he'll need to pay down his massive debt load by offloading assets. They can use the money that Paramount just gave them to pay for it. Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks We want to hear from you! Send us a tip using our annonymous form. Sign up for our breaking news alerts By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2026 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. All Rights Reserved. By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

By Glenn Garner Associate Editor Although Ryan Gosling has been known to take on some major leading roles, he's yet to commit to an ongoing franchise. The 3x Oscar nominee recently explained why those kinds of projects “never felt right” until Shawn Levy‘s Star Wars: Starfighter, which went into production last fall and is scheduled to premiere May 28, 2027 in theaters. “It was Shawn's enthusiasm and his vision and the script,” Gosling told io9. “And I just avoided these things because they never felt right. And I'm glad I did because I feel like, [similar to] a book like this, [it was] worth waiting for. And it is like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” A standalone film outside the Skywalker saga, Starfighter is set five years after Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker (2019). Penned by Jonathan Tropper, the movie stars Gosling, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Aaron Pierre, Simon Bird, Jamael Westman, Daniel Ings, Flynn Gray and Amy Adams. Watch on Deadline Gosling previously praised the installment as “such a great story with great and original characters,” as well as “so much heart and adventure,” adding: “There is not a more perfect filmmaker for this particular story than Shawn.” While the actor has played Ken in Barbie (2023) and starred alongside Harrison Ford in Blade Runner (2049), he's yet to play the same character twice. With familiar faces constantly popping up in the ever-expanding Lucasfilm universe, Gosling could be up for a potential return down the road. Get our Breaking News Alerts and Keep your inbox happy. Comments On Deadline Hollywood are monitored. So don't go off topic, don't impersonate anyone, and don't get your facts wrong. Comment Name Email Website Δ He's got the best taste, so I'm sure this will be awesome, despite Levy at the helm. Looks like a remake of Waterworld. And you got that from a single image? LMAO! Yes, that single image could be a still from Waterworld. For real. Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks We want to hear from you! Send us a tip using our annonymous form. Sign up for our breaking news alerts By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2026 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. All Rights Reserved. By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Hollywood is racing to cover former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's royal downfall over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein — and Netflix is at the forefront. The streamer is reportedly looking to revive its Emmy-winning royal drama “The Crown” for a potential limited series about Mountbatten Windsor's public disgracing, reports Daily Mail. “The events of last week are historic and unprecedented,” an insider told the outlet, referring to the ex prince's arrest on Feb. 19. Advertisement “There have been discussions for some time with Left Bank Pictures, which owns the rights to ‘The Crown,' for a series of one-off specials about royal scandals and dramas,” the source continued. Advertisement “‘The Crown' as a series has ended but the name will live on. There have been advanced talks about doing a limited series, under ‘The Crown' banner, about the Andrew saga which is as dramatic, if not more dramatic, than anything shown in the original series which included episodes on the abdication and the death of Diana.” “The Crown” ran for six seasons on Netflix from Nov. 4, 2016 to Dec. 14, 2023, winning a total 21 Emmy awards during its run. Advertisement Start your day with Page Six Daily. Please provide a valid email. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Want celebrity news as it breaks? In addition to Netflix, Disney Studios and Amazon MGM are allegedly also looking to produce projects surrounding Mountbatten-Windsor's scandal. “We have been bombarded with screenwriters wanting to bring this story to us. The race is on in Hollywood to be the first studio to bring out an Andrew film,” another source at Disney Studios told the outlet. Screenwriter Jeremy Brock, who wrote Amazon MGM Studio's “A Very Royal Scandal,” echoed both sources claims, telling the outlet that both Netflix and Amazon are “100 percent” in talks to make a drama based on the scandal. Advertisement Netflix did not immediately respond to Page Six's request for comment. Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested last Thursday, which was also his 66th birthday, on suspicion of misconduct in public office for allegedly forwarding confidential trade documents to Epstein. The arrest came one month after anti-monarchy campaigner Graham Smith reported Mountbatten-Windsor to the Thames Valley Police over alleged misconduct in public office. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of life in prison. After staying in jail for 11 hours — during which time, the royal got his mugshot taken, was fingerprinted and submitted a saliva sample for DNA purposes — he was then released and caught looking terrified as he made his exit. Advertisement In response to his brother's arrest, King Charles released a statement expressing his “deepest concern” over the accusations. “Let me state clearly: the law must take its course,” the monarch said. “As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.” Advertisement As a result of the arrest, the British government is reportedly discussing whether to introduce legislation that would remove Andrew from the royal line of succession.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter Mary Walsh joined the news network in September 1982 and left saying that "We've been told to aim our reporting at a particular part of the political spectrum." By McKinley Franklin Mary Walsh, a veteran CBS News producer of over four decades, is exiting the company, claiming in an exit memo to staffers that instructions to “aim our reporting at a particular part of the political spectrum” are partly why she's departing. “We've been reading a lot of goodbyes lately and here I am headed out the door. It's too soon, even after 46 years,” Mary Walsh wrote in a memo sent Friday, per The Guardian. “But maybe it's for the best. We've been told to aim our reporting at a particular part of the political spectrum. Honestly, I don't know how to do that.” Related Stories Business What Sparked Paramount's Investigation of Jeff Shell Business It's a Deal: Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery Unveil $111 Billion Megamerger The Guardian further reported that CBS Evening News executive editor Kim Harvey sent a separate message to staff in response to Walsh's memo. Related Video “We wish Mary Walsh well and thank her for many years of service,” Harvey wrote, according to the outlet. “Mary wrote in her farewell note, ‘We've been told to aim our reporting at a particular part of the political spectrum.' That is simply not true. Here at the Evening News, we value our editorial independence, and CBS News leadership has never asked us to aim our reporting in any political direction.” Walsh joined CBS News in September 1982, per her LinkedIn. Her departure arrives one day after Netflix backed out of the bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery, that was ultimately won by Paramount. The latter company is led by David Ellison, and has been going through changes with Bari Weiss as CBS News' editor-in-chief. Several CBS Evening News production staffers have taken buyouts, as the program shifts with Tony Dokoupil at the forefront. As The Hollywood Reporter previously reported on Feb. 12, 11 staffers took the buyout offer, including producer Alicia Hastey, who wrote in a departing note that she was “proud of the work that's been done in my time here.” However, she added that “there has been a sweeping new vision prioritizing a break from traditional broadcast norms to embrace what has been described as ‘heterodox' journalism.” “The truth is that commitment to those people [in the stories Hastey cited] and the stories they have to tell is increasingly becoming impossible,” Hastey continued. “Stories may instead be evaluated not just on their journalistic merit but on whether they conform to a shifting set of ideological expectations — a dynamic that pressures producers and reporters to self-censor or avoid challenging narratives that might trigger backlash or unfavorable headlines.” Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Send us a tip using our anonymous form.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

By Glenn Garner Associate Editor Following Scream 7‘s long and bumpy road to the screen, Radio Silence is reflecting on their original vision for the slasher installment. The directing duo, consisting of Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, recently described “how hard” they wanted to go with their version of the film, before ultimately departing the project to direct their vampire ballerina flick, Abigail (2024), with Christopher Landon temporarily stepping in for the pair. “We never read a draft of any version of Scream 7 that we were going to do because we had left to do Abigail before that,” noted Bettinelli-Olpin to Entertainment Weekly. “The thing that we had in our minds for Scream 7 was sort of like, ‘How hard can we go with this?' It was the thing that we talked a lot about. For us, it was always this idea of, [if] Scream VI is like a secret feel-good movie, Scream 7‘s going to f*ck you up. That was as much as we ever got to.” Gillett added, “Given that we expanded the sort of scope of the story by going to New York, the other thing that we had talked about — just Matt and I, by the way, it wasn't a conversation with the writers — was, ‘How do you do the opposite for 7?' Like, shrink it down and make it this like ultra-contained, almost continuous, like minute-to-minute thing. But outside of our own stupid idea, we weren't privy to any plan beyond just, ‘There's gonna be another one.'” Watch on Deadline Although they didn't have specifics to share, Skeet Ulrich recently teased what was supposed to happen in Scream 7 with his murderous character Billy Loomis' daughter Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera) and her sister Tara (Jenna Ortega) in the “really, really interesting” sequel, before Barrera was fired from the franchise. “I'm not involved. I'm really excited though,” he said of Scream 7. “I'm excited for [original Scream (1996) writer] Kevin Williamson to take the helm and to see what the mastermind of it all comes up with. I have no clue.” Ulrich added, “I used to know because part of coming back for five and six was being a part of seven. It was a three-picture arc for Billy Loomis, or the imagination of Billy Loomis in Melissa Barrera's character's head. But when all that went down with her, obviously you lose her and you lose what's in her head.” Spyglass fired Barrera in November 2023 over her social media posts on the Israel-Hamas conflict and the “atrocities being committed against Palestinians,” explaining the company has “zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech.” Following her ousting, Jenna Ortega also exited the franchise, later noting that the sequel “was all kind of falling apart” without Barrera to play its new ‘final girl' Sam Carpenter. Director Christopher Landon dropped out of the project as well, citing “highly aggressive and really scary” death threats targeting his children. Neve Campbell was then brought back to reprise her role as OG ‘final girl' Sidney Prescott in March 2024, with original Scream (1996) writer Williamson on board to direct. She previously sat out 2023's Scream VI over the low pay offer. Get our Breaking News Alerts and Keep your inbox happy. Comments On Deadline Hollywood are monitored. So don't go off topic, don't impersonate anyone, and don't get your facts wrong. Comment Name Email Website Δ Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Get our latest storiesin the feed of your favorite networks We want to hear from you! Send us a tip using our annonymous form. Sign up for our breaking news alerts By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2026 Deadline Hollywood, LLC. All Rights Reserved. By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Jim Carrey just shared a rare and personal update and he did it on an international stage. While accepting an honorary César Award in Paris on Feb. 26, the 64-year-old actor publicly confirmed he is in a relationship, giving a heartfelt shoutout to his “sublime companion,” Min Ah. According to People, Carrey delivered his acceptance speech entirely in French and made sure to acknowledge the loved ones who joined him for the milestone moment, including his daughter, Jane Erin Carrey, his teenage grandson, Jackson, and Min Ah. “Thank you to my wonderful family, my daughter Jane, and my grandson Jackson. I love you now and forever,” Carrey said during the ceremony. He then added, “Thank you to my sublime companion, Min Ah. I love you, Min Ah.” He also honored his late father, Percy Joseph Carrey, calling him “the funniest man I have ever known” and crediting him with teaching him about love, generosity and laughter. Carrey has kept his romantic life largely out of the spotlight in recent years, which made the public declaration all the more notable. Min Ah accompanied Carrey to the awards ceremony alongside Jane and Jackson, marking their red carpet debut together. It is unclear how long the couple has been together. However, Us Weekly noted that Carrey has been linked to Min Ah since 2022, when Just Jared published photos of him leaving a Los Angeles charity comedy show with a woman identified as Minzi, who is believed to be Min Ah. The French Academy announced in October 2025 that Carrey would receive the Honorary César Award, praising his “exceptional versatility” across film and television. At the end of his speech, Carrey lightened the mood by joking about his French skills. “Forgive me, I didn't speak French, but I'm just learning it. My tongue is tired,” he said, per a translation. Carrey has previously been open about his views on relationships. He was married to Melissa Womer from 1987 to 1995, and they share daughter Jane. He later briefly wed his “Dumb and Dumber” co-star Lauren Holly from 1996 to 1997. He also had high-profile relationships with Renée Zellweger and Jenny McCarthy. In a 2014 appearance on “The Howard Stern Show,” Carrey said he did not see marriage as necessary, though he admitted he could not predict how he might feel in the future. In 2020, he reflected on past relationships without regret, saying, “I do appreciate the people that have come through my life for the good that they gave me.” Now, standing onstage in Paris with Min Ah in the audience, Carrey appeared comfortable sharing that appreciation in real time. “I love you, Min Ah.” Like EntertainmentNow? Go here and check the boxnext to EntertainmentNow Comment Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ Previous Next About Contact US Privacy Policy Terms Of Service Editorial Guidelines Sitemap Copyright © 2026 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. Powered by WordPress VIP
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

By Nancy Dillon Four adult siblings who claim Michael Jackson abused them when they were minors have filed a bombshell child sex trafficking lawsuit against the late musician's estate. The new complaint, filed Friday in federal court in Los Angeles, comes one month after the siblings — Frank, Dominic, Marie-Nicole, and Aldo Cascio — appeared in a Beverly Hills courthouse amid a related effort to void a financial settlement with Jackson's estate that they described as “an unlawful agreement to silence victims of childhood sexual abuse.” Reps for the estate asked the court to order the parties into arbitration, but the judge withheld a final ruling and set a follow-up hearing for March 5. “Michael Jackson was a serial child predator who, over the course of more than a decade, drugged, raped, and sexually assaulted each of the plaintiffs, beginning when some were as young as seven or eight,” the 23-page lawsuit, obtained by Rolling Stone, states. The filing alleges that the abuse occurred over extended periods in multiple locations worldwide, including during visits when Jackson and his children stayed at the siblings' family home. The complaint alleges that Jackson “groomed and brainwashed” the siblings using his wealth, celebrity status, and network of employees and advisers. According to the lawsuit, Jackson met the brothers and sister through their father, who worked at a luxury hotel Jackson frequently visited. After gaining the family's trust with gifts, declarations of affection and sustained attention, Jackson allegedly isolated the children from responsible adults, plied them with drugs and alcohol, exposed them to pornography, and then abused them individually. Popular on Rolling Stone “This lawsuit is a desperate money grab by additional members of the Cascio family who have hopped on the bandwagon with their brother Frank, who is already being sued in arbitration for civil extortion. The family staunchly defended Michael Jackson for more than 25 years, attesting to his innocence of inappropriate conduct,” Martin Singer, a lawyer for Jackson's estate, said in a statement to Rolling Stone. “This new court filing is a transparent forum-shopping tactic in their scheme to obtain hundreds of millions of dollars from Michael's estate and companies.” Editor's picks The 250 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century So Far The 100 Best TV Episodes of All Time According to the new lawsuit, Jackson sexually assaulted Edward during interstate and international travel, including stops connected to the Dangerous World Tour, visits to Elizabeth Taylor's home in Switzerland and Elton John's residence in the United Kingdom, and at his Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara County. Dominic claims he was abused in Florida, New Jersey, New York, France, and South Africa, including during the HIStory World Tour, at Neverland Ranch, and at the Cascio family's New Jersey home. Aldo contends he was assaulted during international trips, at Neverland Ranch, in New York, at the family residence, and at video shoots and recording sessions. Marie-Nicole claims she was assaulted during similar travel, including at Neverland Ranch, at the family home, and in New York, Las Vegas, and Florida. The filing also claims Jackson attempted an assault on Marie-Nicole in Bahrain. The Cascio family previously referred to themselves as Jackson's “second family” in media interviews. They were among his defenders during his criminal trial, which ended with an acquittal on charges of child sex abuse in 2005. Jackson did settle a different civil claim in 1994 while maintaining his innocence. After Jackson's death in 2009, Wade Robson, a choreographer and director, and James Safechuck, a writer, actor, and director, stepped forward with claims Jackson molested them in the 1980s and 1990s, sometimes during overnight stays at Neverland Ranch. They detailed their allegations in the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland. According to the Cascio siblings, the documentary led them to reckon with and share their experiences as well. Related Content Lil Durk Co-Defendants' Breakaway Bid Denied by Judge, All Headed to Trial in August D4vd Named as ‘Target' of Grand Jury Murder Investigation Into Body Found in His Tesla Kanye West Allegedly Ordered Man to Live at Beach House Amid Demolition: 'You Can't Leave' Kanye West Mansion Trial Opens With Clash Over Demolition of ‘Architectural Gem' Speaking in court last month, Singer said representatives of Jackson's estate “categorically dispute” the siblings' accusations. He claimed the allegations were linked to an “extortion demand of $213 million last summer.” In his statement issued Friday, Singer said the siblings saw “the estate's financial success growing” and “threatened to go public with heinous accusations that completely contradicted their previous statements defending Michael unless his estate paid staggering sums of money.” The new lawsuit, signed by lawyer Howard King on behalf of the siblings, includes claims for child sex trafficking, negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, breach of contract, negligent hiring, and fraud. It's seeking a trial to determine compensatory and punitive damages. Trending Stories 'Revenge of the Nerds' Star Robert Carradine's Cause of Death Confirmed Michael Jackson Estate Sued for Child Trafficking by Siblings Alleging More Than Decade of Abuse Why Are Celebrities on GoFundMe? And Why Are We Giving Them So Much Cash? Ryan Gosling Promotes 'Project Hail Mary' With Convincing Final 'Jeopardy!' Skit “Ignoring threats from the Michael Jackson Estate of financial ruin, and faced with the Estate's false public accusations of extortion and lying, the Cascios have elected to remain silent no longer,” King said in a statement to Rolling Stone on Friday. “Not only do they seek fair compensation for more than a decade of abuse of an entire family, they hope their filing will embolden other victims and enablers to come forth and shake off the shackles of their silence.” Jackson was 50 years old when he died of an accidental overdose of the surgery-strength anesthetic propofol at his rented mansion in Los Angeles on June 25, 2009. Since then, his estate has been wildly successful at making money off his music and legacy. After years of delay, a biopic about the singer's life is finally set to hit theaters in April. We want to hear it. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. Rolling Stone is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2026 Rolling Stone, LLC. All rights reserved.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

The “View” co-host Sara Haines frustratedly admitted she and her husband Max Shifrin's three young children constantly interrupt them in the bedroom. When asked where the best place she's had sex is on Friday's episode of the daytime talk show, the former “GMA” host, 48, answered that it's “wherever vacation is. Because Max and I have small kids.” At which point, Joy Behar joked: “No children around.” Advertisement “Oh hell no. Your mama hat goes on real fast, and that's the least sexy thing I wear,” Haines jokingly added. Advertisement Behar, 83, who is mom to daughter Eve Behar, went on to give Haines a tip to secure some alone time with her husband. “You know, they always say if you wanna have sex with your husband and you have kids, you should close the door and shut them out,” Behar said. But, Haines was quick to shut the idea down. “No, but they bang on the door,” Haines responded. “They bang on the door.” Advertisement Start your day with Page Six Daily. Please provide a valid email. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Want celebrity news as it breaks? After another co-host suggested giving the kids video games to keep them occupied, Haines shared that she and her husband have “tried everything,” but to no avail. “We don't have a lot of screen time, so we will literally give them sugar and video games, put them in a corner, and they need us immediately,” she explained. Advertisement “You can't even get there mentally. You're like, ‘Ahh!' It's annoying. It's a turnoff. It's like your parents calling when you settle in for a night.” This isn't Haines' first bedroom confession on the show. In 2024, she shared that she uses sex as a ploy to ask Shifrin about household chores. “So, what happens is, sometimes when I recover, I think about all the things we still have to do,” she explained on the talk show as the panel discussed different mistakes people make “after the deed.” “I stop and I say, ‘Babe, did the plumber call today?'” she said while laughing. “I need to wait a little longer. Which is why I look at my phone. Give him a full five minutes before I ask him a question.” In September 2021, Haines also joked about using sex to get her husband to put the kids to bed. Advertisement “I turned to Max and I just said, ‘I'm willing to have transactional deals with you if you can just put the kids to bed please,'” she joked at the time, per People. Advertisement Haines and Shifrin are parents to three kids: Alec, 9, Sandra, 8, and Caleb, 6. The couple tied the knot in November 2014.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter The British singer also released a “gut punch” new single, “Alice,” about love and addiction: “When you struggle with the same thing, there's this intense bond that happens that feels like nobody else in the world could possibly understand.” By Nicole Fell Assistant Editor Rising pop singer Erin LeCount says she's always expressed herself best through music. The British performer — who released her latest EP Pareidolia Feb. 27 — says she fell in love with music at a young age thanks to a teacher who sparked her interest. She was eventually scouted for The Voice Kids in the U.K., finishing as a runner-up in season 1 after making it to the finale. “I had no idea what I was doing,” she tells The Hollywood Reporter on a Zoom, recalling the imposter syndrome she felt going into the program with no formal training. By 17, she found musical production and “totally fell in love.” Related Stories Movies How Anderson .Paak Turned His Son's K-Pop Obsession Into a Movie -- and a Crash Course in Filmmaking Movies Director Alexandre Trudeau Wades Into Berlin Fest's Artistic Freedom Debate: "There's Politics Everywhere" Now, at 23, LeCount is finding her stride, having just wrapped her first U.S. tour. She showed off a commanding stage presence during a pair of Valentine's Day weekend shows at the Roxy in West Hollywood. Dressed in etherial white to match her long white blond hair, she directs the audience to belt out a note so she can record it. LeCount — who produces all of her music onstage — makes that note the beat for her next song. Related Video Pareidolia, her latest release, is the singer's exploration of a downward spiral. The word itself, she points out, means finding patterns in places there aren't — it's a theme that runs throughout the album. Below, LeCount breaks down Pareidolia, shares on the “beautiful” connection between her song “Silver Spoon” and Heated Rivalry, and her passion for giving young women a space to hysterical. The production element seems important to you. Why has it been so important to you that you produce your own music? There's so much misogyny that exists around female artists, and then a whole added layer of that when it comes to female artists who want ownership over their work or production. For me, it came because when I was working with other people, I was just so incredibly insecure and had so much imposter syndrome. I didn't know how to not freeze up in a room with other people. I started doing sessions when I was about 17. You're in rooms with people, all male, a lot older than you, and that… Everyone was lovely and everyone was kind, and I didn't have any bad experiences, but it wasn't something I felt able to open up in. I really felt this need to understand what was happening, and the idea of someone else being at the driving seat of my music and not understanding what was happening, I couldn't get my head around that. I just tried to learn the language of production and the basics to communicate what I wanted. It ended up being that once I was in that rabbit hole, I fell in love with it. My brain latches onto the process of production so well. I lose hours to it, and it's just something inherent to the music now. I'm so open to collaboration, and I've become more comfortable with that, but I get to what I want to say better and more truthfully when it's just me in the beginning. There's no room to be swayed by any external influences or impressions. Have you always been someone who feels they're more able to express themselves better through music? Writing is where I figure out everything about myself that I need to be self-aware of. It's so telling and a lot of the time making music is… When you're in this flow state, especially being at computer and production, that's where I hit into it. When my brain is switching between this flow between writing the song and being at the computer and your hands moving. You often reveal things to yourself that you were not aware of before that moment, and that is how I work through everything in my life. For better or worse, that comes out really honestly in the music, and I do struggle to filter that. It's just coming from this subconscious place, and then all of a sudden it's on paper or it's recorded on a screen. When I play it back, it's almost like having, I don't know, your therapy notes read to you or something. It's like an untangling of thoughts. It's all incredibly personal, but I don't really know how else to write. It's been a communication to other people, but it's also been a method of understanding myself and how my mind works. I'm pretty on the go all the time. I don't stop to think about things until I sit down, and I'm at the computer and that's the only quiet reflection time I have. As a writer in a different way, I can understand that. It's all the same. It really is all the same. I [had always] wanted to be a writer, whether that was novels or journalism. That's where the biggest revelations come about. Can you tell me more about some of your recent songs? Let's start with “I Believe.” “I Believe” is the first track on this EP. It was a song when I felt really existential about what purpose is and the meaning that I apply to things. I write a lot about God for someone who's not sure what they believe in, it's a really ongoing theme. I have noticed that. I just keep writing as a method of untangling and that's just a very long string to pull. It never ends. “I Believe” was questioning my identity and who I am, and how I compartmentalize all these pieces of myself and really wanting to believe in something bigger. A plan to feel that comfort. This cynicism about the whole thing. It was just a big question mark really. I think that was the perfect opening because it just opens up this entire conversation of what is my purpose? I'm going to go out and look for it. What about “Don't You See Me Trying?” [It's the] second song of the EP; they flow directly into each other because “Don't You See Me Trying” is about feeling out of control in your life and reverting back to old habits and self-destructive patterns because it's the only thing you do feel you have control over. I think there's a real theme of questioning yourself and feeling small in the grand scheme of things. Just clutching at straws to try and control what you can. The movement from “I Believe” — and [questioning] what my purpose is — and “Don't You See Me Trying” being [about], “I don't have one and I'm losing my mind about it, and I'm going to find a drive even if that's a really poisonous, scary, self-destructive thing.” What does this album mean to you? It sounds like you're working through a lot of existential things, which is quite relatable to anyone who's been 23. I knew that I wanted to make an EP about all these different stages of a downward spiral, sort of a relapse or regression of some sort. There's slow progression of losing your perspective and beginning to see lies in yourself through a really distorted lens. [The] pushing and pulling with that. It's something I've lived really vicariously through. Making this EP was like acting out all those self-destructive tendencies through the music rather than engaging with them personally. I've been down and lived the sequence of events in the EP so many times, and I think I just wanted to make something productive from it. Something that felt cathartic and something that had all that impulse and that, sort of, recklessness. Pareidolia, the word, is about a tendency to perceive meaningful patterns between things that aren't related, like shapes and clouds or a face in the moon. It was just the perfect word to sum up what our brains do when we don't understand something or feel out of control of something or can't perceive things correctly. We just go back to the patterns that we know and we try and make them fit and try; associate them with something new. One track that really stuck out to me was “Alice.” I thought that was a really interesting take. In a not crass way, no matter what your vice of choice is, someone who enables that behavior, even just by being there, is a really relatable idea. “Alice” is the last track on the EP because it is a bit of a gut punch, even for me to sing live. I didn't realize how much it was until it came to touring. It's about a person; it's also about yourself, it's about myself. Sometimes there's a relationship that brings up all the things about yourself that you don't like, and you see them reflected in another person right back at you. When you struggle with the same thing, there's this intense bond that happens that feels like nobody else in the world could possibly understand. Sometimes that is the worst person for you to be around. That's incredibly difficult. When I wrote that song, that feeling — of you two being the only people in the world who deal with it — sticks with you for a very long time. How did the song help you work through things? Writing that song took a really long time because it was hard to get an accurate and fair portrayal of both the people in that scenario. You're navigating your relationship to each other, but you're also navigating the relationship you have to your vices and yourself. For that all to be reflected in one person, for one person to bring that all out in you, is an incredibly scary and confronting experience. For a long time, it was a version of the song that blamed her entirely, and then it was a version that blamed me entirely. Then it was all about me and nothing about her. Other times it was too focused on the love between us and not enough on the vices that we both had that got in the way. It was a really complex song to navigate, but it's a complex scenario to navigate. It's far more universal than people think it is. Social media has obviously played a large part in helping you find a community. Your song “Silver Spoon” had this second wind because Heated Rivalry fans were making edits to it. It came so out of the blue. You make a song, and you selfishly think “this is so specific to me and only applicable to me.” It was the first time that instantly that was revealed to me as not true, and that it was universal in people's lives and shows and films that people really resonated with and saw themselves in. It was really beautiful for me because I found so much of the music that I loved in the age of Tumblr to fandom edits of different shows and movies that I loved. Those edits, they take time, and they're incredibly valuable. There are fandoms that are the reason that people found my song and found communities around it. It then led people to retrospectively go back on my work and other things I'd shared, and come forward with me and listen to the music that was coming after that. To see yourself reflected in music, to see your situation represented in shows is so important and incredibly comforting. i'd like to know i'm very fascinated and curious. i like ur edits very much ! very lovely. saw that nice girl crying about it. thanks 4 the kindness on silver spoon a whole year later, it's a christmas song at heart #newmusic #femaleproducer #heatedrivalry #singersongwriter When I was at your show, I was behind a group of passionate teen fans. It reminded me why I love music. What's it like to see that for you? It's so incredibly rewarding. Nobody rides harder or feels more intensely about things than teens or people in their mid-20s. That's really the demographic that have been showing up for me at shows and across the board. I've met some of the most passionate, creative people who just make worlds of their own with the songs and what I give them. They just expand on it, creatively and within their own communities and building friendships around it. I just think there's not enough spaces where young women and teens are encouraged to be that hysterical in the best way. When you have all that built up emotion and all these shared experiences, to be at a show and to be facilitating a space where people are able to feel that amongst each other and with their friends and release that is so important because I think “where else does it go if it doesn't go here?” I was always incredibly cynical about showing love or passion or the hysteria that fan girls get mocked for sometimes. I wish I'd had a space like that, and I wish I'd opened myself up to that community of people who feel similarly to me. I see myself in when I was younger. It would've probably saved me a lot of feelings of loneliness, which is a lot of what I sing about. I could talk your ear off about teen girls making people's careers and getting no respect for being tastemakers in music. They are the tastemakers, the dictators. They are pop culture, and they are what all these labels and businesses thrive off. What a lot of people profit off. They should be rewarded and respected and shown love and appreciation in return for that. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Send us a tip using our anonymous form.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

By Charisma Madarang Micky Dolenz has paid tribute to Neil Sedaka. The singer-songwriter, who delivered pop hits like “Breaking Up” and “Oh! Carol” in the early Sixties and experienced a second wave of success a decade later with chart-toppers “Laughter in the Rain” and “Bad Blood,” died on Friday at the age of 86. Dolenz, the last surviving member of the Monkees, honored Sedaka following news of his death, calling the artist “one of those rare songwriters who could do it all.” Dolenz credited his collaborations with the band, writing, “Monkees fans will know his work, too – he co-wrote ‘When Love Comes Knocking at Your Door' with Carole Bayer Sager, along with a few other songs that found their way into our world,” adding, “He also wrote ‘Rainy Jane' for [Davy Jones'] solo record.” Dolenz continued, “I'll never forget when he showed up all the way from the East Coast to pay tribute to Davy at his LA-based memorial with a performance of ‘Love Comes Knocking at Your Door.'” Before ending his tribute, he wrote, “Sending my thoughts to his family, friends, and everyone who loved his music.” Sedaka gained his first Top 10 hit in 1959 with “Oh! Carol,” then followed it up with notable tunes like “Stairway to Heaven” (not that one), “Calendar Girl,” “Little Devil,” and “Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen.” In 1962, “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” rose to Number One, while “Next Door to an Angel” peaked at Number Five on the chart. Trending Stories 'Revenge of the Nerds' Star Robert Carradine's Cause of Death Confirmed Michael Jackson Estate Sued for Child Trafficking by Siblings Alleging More Than Decade of Abuse Why Are Celebrities on GoFundMe? And Why Are We Giving Them So Much Cash? Ryan Gosling Promotes 'Project Hail Mary' With Convincing Final 'Jeopardy!' Skit Popular on Rolling Stone In the Seventies, Elton John signed Sedaka to his label and in 1974, Rocket Record Company released many of Sedaka's songs from his U.K. era as compilation album Sedaka's Back, which garnered a gold certification in the U.S. The following year, Sedaka's return would be his biggest yet as the singer topped the Billboard Hot 100 twice as a solo artist, first with “Laughter in the Rain” and then with “Bad Blood,” while his new ballad version of “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” peaked at Number Eight. When speaking with Ocala Star Banner in 2006, Sedaka mused over how inspiration comes from all around us. “People, places, emotions, family, movies, plays — many, many different inspirations,” he said. “Many of the songs are inspired by listening to singers. ‘Love Will Keep Us Together' was inspired by different singing styles. In the last 20 years, I've been writing my own lyrics, which is what I prefer. Nobody puts words in my mouth, it just comes from my soul.” We want to hear it. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. Rolling Stone is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2026 Rolling Stone, LLC. All rights reserved.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

"You don't get to appropriate it without a fight," the group said in a statement shared with Billboard. By Anna Chan It was so, so disappointing for Radiohead to learn that its song “Let Down” was used in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement video and posted to the agency's X account on Feb. 18. “We demand that the amateurs in control of the ICE social media account take it down,” the band said in a statement shared with Billboard on Friday (Feb. 27). “It ain't funny, this song means a lot to us and other people, and you don't get to appropriate it without a fight.” The English rock band concluded its message with a blunt, “Also, go f–k yourselves …” Billboard has reached out to the Dept. of Homeland Security for comment. The ICE video the three-time Grammy-winning band took issue with starts off with a black screen as the third verse of “Let Down” from 1997's OK Computer plays, while one by one, images of Americans appear. ICE captioned the video, “American citizens raped and murdered by those who have no right to be in our country. This is who we fight for. This is our why.” “Let Down” made its Billboard Hot 100 debut 28 years after its release. The track arrived at No. 1 on the tally dated Aug. 30, 2025, and was the band's fourth to land on the chart. The agency has faced intense scrutiny and protest for its violent tactics as it follows President Donald Trump's directive to remove undocumented immigrants from the United States. During its operations in Minneapolis in January, ICE agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens: Renee Good, who was attempting to peacefully drive away from agents; and Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse working at a VA hospital who was attempting to help a woman who had been knocked down. Multiple artists have spoken out against ICE's actions. Among them are Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, Justin Bieber, Chappell Roan, Bruce Springsteen, Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello and Kehlani. After the deaths of Pretti and Good, Morello held a benefit concert in Minneapolis to not only support their families, but also to protest against Trump's immigration policies and defend “democracy and justice,” he said in a statement. The Boss — who has been an outspoken critic of the president — also dropped a new anti-ICE song titled “Streets of Minneapolis” in January, and in February, announced the Land of Hope and Dreams tour “in defense of America.” Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Post Comment A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry Send us a tip using our anonymous form. A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry Send us a tip using our anonymous form. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2026 Billboard Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

On the heels of one massive, industry-cratering merger being announced, another gets approval. Earlier today, THR reported that Charter Communications is merging with Cox Communications. The second-largest cable company in America, Charter, best known by its public-facing name, Spectrum, has more than 32 million subscribers across more than 40 states, and it will add Cox's 6 million subscribers in the merger. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the now-combined entity will operate under the Cox name, with consumer-facing products taking Spectrum. As a result of the merger, the somehow even more mammoth cable provider promises to invest billions in upgrading its network, particularly in rural areas. Of course, because this is Brendan Carr's FCC, we can't enjoy the news of another multi-billion-dollar merger without reminding readers of the three most terrifying words in the English language: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. “By approving this deal, the FCC ensures big wins for Americans,” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said. “This deal means that jobs are coming back to America that had been shipped overseas. It means that modern, high-speed networks will get built out in more communities across rural America. And it means that customers will get access to lower-priced plans. On top of this, the deal enshrines protections against DEI discrimination.” One of the architects of Project 2025, Carr has made the identity politics of DEI a touchstone of his tenure at the FCC, using it as a cudgel to not-so-subtly subjugate those seeking approval. “Any businesses that are looking for FCC approval, I would encourage them to get busy ending any sort of their invidious forms of DEI discrimination,” he said last March. Since then, he's used his position to foist his politics on private businesses, including CBS, which was implored to install a conservative ombudsman to secure the FCC's approval of the Skydance-Paramount merger, among other indignities. More recently, he attempted to use his power over said merger to not-so-subtly encourage network affiliates seeking FCC approval to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live. Recommended for You1After a harrowing start, Resident Evil Requiem settles into the overly familiar2Paramount might be slowly winning Warner Bros. Discovery over3Decency prevails in A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms' terrific season finale4Aimee Lou Wood will lead the next Brontë adaptation5Harper and Yasmin's interests align on Industry © 2026 Paste Media Group. All Rights Reserved
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

ByJim Clash, Contributor. In Part 1 and Part 2 of this interview series with Werner Herzog, we covered a lot of ground. There was his new film, “Ghost Elephants,” the 2005 documentary, “Grizzly Man,” fear, God, close calls with death, mountaineer Reinhold Messner, and more. Here, in this third and final part, Herzog touches on his acting, writing and poetry and how it rates to film directing, his interest in meteorites, his thoughts on UFO's, and what's next for him. Following are edited excerpts from a longer Zoom conversation. Jim Clash: You are a renaissance man of sorts, acting, writing books and poetry, dabbling in opera - all in addition to your filmmaking. Werner Herzog: I've followed a vision from early on. When I began to travel on foot, I knew I was a poet. Actually I started out there, and all of the books I've written so far in my opinion have a more direct connection with audiences than do my films. In fact, I believe the books will outlive my films. So I keep writing and directing with equal intensity and devotion. I'm not completely convinced, of course, but I see it. I'm not a good prophet. In many of my predictions, I've been wrong [laughs]. Clash: Keeping with your tradition of offbeat film topics, did you ever think of doing a straight documentary about UFO's in addition to your alien fiction movie, "The Wild Blue Yonder”? Herzog: It's good for sci-fi movies and for all of the new-age crazies and collective paranoia. Let's face it, it's as simple as that. Let's make wonderful movies about it [laughs]. Of course, we have not encountered aliens on our planet yet. However, I'm very convinced that there is some life on other planets far, far out, way too far to ever reach. Maybe it's in the form of microbes, or algae - not even as sophisticated as cockroaches. We share the same history with the universe, the same physics and chemistry. Hence, it is not far-fetched to speculate there are other forms of life out there. Clash: One of your more recent films, “Fireball: Visitors From Darker Worlds,” deals with the subject of meteorites. I'm curious - do you collect them yourself? Herzog: No, I do not collect them. But while I was doing the film, I got two little meteorites as a present from people out in the field. Clash: Now that "Ghost Elephants" is completed and has been released, what is your next project? Herzog: I started another film two weeks ago in Mexico, and have already shot a few days there. Then I have to go to Austria to shoot.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Jim Carrey stepped back into the public eye after years of keeping a low profile, sparking a firestorm online. The 64-year-old actor, known for his wild energy in films like Ace Ventura and The Mask, showed up at the 51st César Awards in Paris on February 26, 2026. This French event, often called their version of the Oscars, honored him with a lifetime achievement award for his work in comedy and beyond. Carrey has been semi-retired since around 2018, focusing on painting, writing, and personal life away from Hollywood's glare. His appearance marked a big moment, but it quickly turned into a debate about whether the man on stage was really him. Social media exploded with theories, memes, and heated discussions. Fans pointed to his changed look and demeanor as proof that something was amiss. Yet, major outlets like Variety and People confirmed it was indeed Carrey, based on official photos and reports from the event. The buzz shows how much people still care about this star, even after his break. The César Awards drew a star-studded crowd, but Carrey's presence stood out because he rarely does events these days. He arrived looking relaxed in a simple black suit, with longer dark hair and a trimmed beard that gave him a more mature vibe than his slapstick days. Organizers praised his career, highlighting roles in Dumb and Dumber, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Sonic the Hedgehog. Carrey accepted the honorary César with grace, sharing the stage with French icons. Attendees included his daughter, Jane Erin Carrey, and her son, Jackson, adding a family touch to the night. Reports noted he avoided most red-carpet interviews, but when pressed, he quipped, "I'll be back," echoing his old comedic flair. This nod to fans reminded everyone of his playful side, but it also fueled speculation when clips hit the internet. The event celebrated his global impact, with tributes to how his films crossed language barriers and influenced pop culture worldwide. French media outlets covered it extensively, noting his connection to the country through ancestors from Saint-Malo who moved to Canada generations ago. Carrey's team had hinted at the appearance beforehand, but the live moment caught many off guard, leading to instant shares on platforms like X and TikTok. As soon as photos and videos surfaced, the internet lit up with doubts. On X, posts like "That's not Jim Carrey, who is this impostor?" went viral, gaining thousands of likes and retweets. Users compared old images from the 1990s to the 2026 event, pointing out differences in his eyes, jawline, and hair. Some claimed his eye color looked off in low-light clips, while others speculated about plastic surgery or fillers. Conspiracy theories took off, with people suggesting a body double or even a clone, tying it to Carrey's past comments on reality in interviews and films like The Truman Show. One popular thread analyzed his speech patterns, arguing the French accent hid a "fake" voice. Memes flooded feeds, showing side-by-side shots with captions like "Jim Carrey 1.0 vs. 2.0." TikTok videos zoomed in on facial features, amassing views in the millions. Factors like poor video quality from fan recordings and the formal setting amplified the "off" feeling. Supporters of the theories referenced Carrey's reclusive years, implying Hollywood replaced him.. Despite the frenzy, evidence points to it being the genuine Jim Carrey. Getty Images provided high-res photos from the event, and journalists on site interviewed attendees who confirmed his identity. Outlets like Deadline reported no doubts from organizers or peers. Carrey's appearance changes make sense given his age and lifestyle. At 64, natural aging plays a role, plus his time away from cameras allowed for a shift in style. Speculation about cosmetic work remains unconfirmed, but it's common among stars. His calmer demeanor aligns with public statements about seeking peace after burnout. Family members present, like Jane, further verify the moment. Online experts debunked clone claims as baseless, noting how lighting and angles distort perceptions in viral clips. Carrey hasn't addressed the rumors directly, but his history of ignoring tabloid noise suggests he might find it amusing. In the end, the controversy underscores fans' passion and the power of social media to twist realities. It also reminds us that celebrities evolve, and that's okay. The César honor celebrates a legend, not a mystery. What do you think?
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

The death of Jean Perera Sinnappa is one of Malaysia's most haunting cold cases, and more than four decades later, it remains officially unsolved. By Aliza Shah | 28 Feb 2026, 08:23 PM Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for the latest stories and breaking news. Jean Perera, a widow with three children, was found dead in 1979, with some reports stating she had been stabbed 10 times. The gruesome attack left the car she was in splattered with blood. A man, Karthigesu Sivapakiam, her brother-in-law and lover, was with her that night but was found unconscious beside their white Fiat 125. They were discovered by two Malaysia Airlines aircraft engineers driving home after completing their shift at Subang International Airport, as they passed a secluded underpass about 5km away. Karthigesu was rushed to a nearby hospital, while Jean Perera was pronounced dead. He later told police they were heading home after hanging out and had stopped by the roadside for him to relieve himself when he was suddenly attacked by a group of men. A police search of their home uncovered a bundle of love letters allegedly exchanged between Jean Perera and a Sri Lankan doctor, Narada Warnasurya. This led investigators to suspect she may have been killed after her affair was exposed. About 20 days later, Karthigesu was arrested and charged with murder on May 9, 1979. Although he denied knowledge of the affair, an eyewitness, Bandhulanda Jayathilake, a relative of Jean Perera and friend of Karthigesu, testified that Karthigesu had allegedly told him, "…that b***h did not deserve to live." The defence countered that if Karthigesu had committed the crime, there would have been blood traces on him, especially given the extent of blood spatter inside the car. They also argued it would have been impossible for him to kill Jean Perera and clean himself at a nearby pond within the 17 minutes before the body was discovered. Police reportedly found blood on the windscreen, the passenger door, and the passenger-side floorboard, but none on the driver's side. Dr Krishnan Ramanathan, the pathologist assigned to the case, theorised that the attacker was behind the victim, pulled her backwards, and stabbed her with his left hand, explaining the windscreen spatter, before going to a nearby pond to wash off any traces. On August 1, 1980, the court found Karthigesu guilty of murder and sentenced him to death. Bandhulanda confessed that he had lied under oath and falsely implicated Karthigesu, claiming he had been pressured by several people, including Jean Perera's grieving family — an allegation the family later denied. On May 31, 1981, the Federal Court allowed Karthigesu's appeal and granted a full acquittal, citing insufficient evidence linking him to the murder. Karthigesu later rebuilt his life in Klang, where he lived until his death in 2023. Bandhulanda, meanwhile, became the first person in Malaysia convicted of perjury and was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment. He died after serving only two years. Additionally, he is to be referred to the Immigration Department for deportation upon the completion of his prison te... "The worms are dancing," she captioned the video. The defence requested a reduced fine, claiming the accused had been repeatedly chased by the dog. He said his family "hardly goes out nowadays" after the attack. "RM10 for that?" asked a netizen. © 2026 Owned by REV Media Group, a part of Media Prima Group
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

U.S., Israel launch ‘massive, ongoing' strikes on Iran Podcaster Nate Cornacchia has said that Israel was behind John F. Kennedy's assassination and the global war on terror Sophie Park/Getty Images Maine Senate Graham Platner speaks at a town hall at the Leavitt Theater on October 22, 2025 in Ogunquit, Maine. Weeks before Graham Platner promoted an antisemitic conspiracy theorist in a now-deleted social media post on Thursday, the controversial Maine Senate candidate appeared on a popular YouTube show whose host has spread specious claims about Jews and Israel. Platner faced blowback this week for boosting a social media comment about a looming war with Iran by Stew Peters, a neo-Nazi influencer who has frequently espoused antisemitic tropes and engaged in Holocaust denial. Platner's team said the post was made in error and “immediately” removed it after learning it elevated a “despicable account.” In late January, however, Platner sat for a lengthy online interview with Nate Cornacchia, a retired Green Beret who has also promoted antisemitic conspiracy theories. Near the end of their hour-long conversation, Platner, a fellow military veteran, called himself “a longtime fan” of Cornacchia's YouTube channel, “Valhalla VFT,” and said it was “an absolute pleasure being” on the show. Cornacchia, whose show claims nearly 500,000 YouTube subscribers, has in recent months helped stoke a burgeoning far-right conspiracy theory alleging that Israel was involved in the assassination of the conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Two days before speaking with Platner, for instance, Cornacchia went on a podcast hosted by Jake Shields, a former mixed martial arts fighter who is now a prominent Holocaust denier, and pointed to what he described as “huge links” connecting Israel to Kirk's killing. “The biggest one, the way I look at it, is because he was basically so important from the Zionist side to the young right wing, sort of that counter Nick Fuentes audience” that “Israel needs desperately,” he said. “Charlie Kirk said that he was tired of being bullied by his Jewish donors” and that he “no longer could support the pro-Israel cause, and he was dead 48 hours later,” Cornacchia added on the show, where he also agreed with Shields' assertion that President John F. Kennedy had “probably” been assassinated in a covert “venture between the CIA and Mossad,” the Israeli intelligence agency. “100%,” he replied. In addition, Cornacchia has suggested that the global war on terror was conducted “on behest of Israel” and claimed Israel would benefit if another 9/11-style attack were carried out during the tenure of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, saying it would help to drum up Islamophobic sentiment and lead to another foreign military entanglement in the Middle East. The Jewish state “got exactly who they wanted” in Mamdani, the city's first Muslim mayor whom the Israeli government has accused of antisemitism, he argued on his own show in November. “That's their candidate, guys. You got to pay attention.” The conservative YouTube commentator has also questioned why George Soros' son Alex was seen posing for a photograph with Mamdani on the night of his election. “You may immediately be thinking, ‘Oh, well, of course, that's because Soros funds all the socialists,'” Cornacchia said of George, a Jewish billionaire donor to left-wing causes and a Holocaust survivor who is often a target of antisemitic attacks. “No, no, no, no, that's surface level,” he told his viewers, claiming that the philanthropist “moves in coordination with our greatest ally,” a term he uses to sarcastically allude to Israel. Platner's interview with Cornacchia, which he promoted on his social media channels, did not touch on such topics. His team did not respond to a request for comment on Friday about Cornacchia's antisemitic remarks. The 41-year-old Senate candidate, who is running in a competitive Democratic primary to challenge Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), faced skepticism from critics last fall after he denied knowing a tattoo that was on his chest for years closely mirrored a Totenkopf, the skull-and-crossbones icon adopted by an infamous Nazi SS unit. A former acquaintance of Platner who spoke with Jewish Insider said he had identified the symbol as such more than a decade ago, a claim he has denied. He had the tattoo removed last October. Still, even as he maintains a commanding polling advantage in the Maine Democratic primary against Gov. Janet Mills, Platner's explanation of the tattoo — combined with past and recent online blunders — is raising questions about whether he can weather scrutiny in a general election that party leadership views as key to reclaiming the Senate majority. Mills, for her part, strongly hinted at such doubts in a snarky X post on Friday. “For what it's worth,” she wrote, “I don't have any tattoos.” And on the same day he was drawing backlash for amplifying a conspiracy theorist this week, Platner was fielding a combative call from a listener during an appearance on a podcast hosted by the comedian Tim Heidecker. The caller cast suspicion on Platner's claim that he did not know the tattoo represented a Nazi symbol until recently, citing his self-proclaimed knowledge of World War II history, and called on the candidate to apologize rather than “dodging around” the issue. But Platner held firm. “I'm not going to apologize for something that I didn't know about or do,” he insisted. “The moment that it was clear and I was putting it in that context I had it covered, because I don't want that on my body.” Copyright © 2025 · All Rights Reserved · Jewish Insider The politics and business news you need to stay up to date, delivered each morning in a must-read newsletter. Premium Content — Subscribers Only The full ‘What We Are Watching' updates are available only for paid subscribers.Please log in if you already have a subscription, or subscribe to access the latest updates. Login Subscribe Sign into your account Continue Email me a link to sign in I don't have an account Sign up to read the full article Continue Already a subscriber? Sign in Unlock full access Become a premium subscriber Don't miss out! A paid subscription is required to access this exclusive content. Upgrade Now
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

When trained military pilots, radar operators, and air traffic controllers report something they cannot explain, it is difficult to dismiss as imagination. With the rising global interest in UFOs and Donald Trump's order to declassify government records, these five watershed encounters still lack a universally accepted explanation. UFO sightings are not limited to fringe believers. As per Robert Powell of the Scientific Coalition for UFOlogy, around 6,000 encounters are reported annually by pilots, military personnel, radar operators, and civilians. These cases made headlines because trained, credible observers could not explain what they witnessed. When radar data, multiple testimonies, and official investigations all fail to produce answers, governments are forced to respond publicly. On July 19, 1952, ATC Edward Nugent spotted seven unidentified objects over secure airspace near the Pentagon. Fighter jets were scrambled, but the objects vanished upon approach, only to reappear once the jets landed. According to History.com, Air Force Intelligence Director Major General John Samford reportedly described the observations as made by "credible observers of relatively incredible things”. 20 Feb 2026 - Vol 04 | Issue 59 India joins the Artificial Intelligence revolution with gusto Widely known as "Britain's Roswell," this December 1980 incident unfolded near two UK Air Force bases in Suffolk, England. US military personnel reported a glowing craft with multicoloured lights moving through the trees, alongside scorch marks and depressions in the ground. Lieutenant Colonel Charles Halt recorded his observations live on audiotape, making it one of the most documented UFO sightings in history. On November 7, 2006, a metallic saucer-shaped object hovered silently over O'Hare International Airport. According to the Chicago Tribune, the disc was visible for approximately two minutes and witnessed by close to a dozen United Airlines employees, ranging from pilots to supervisors. The craft shot upward and punched a visible circular hole through the cloud cover. The FAA dismissed it as a weather phenomenon without launching an investigation. In November 2004, USS Nimitz fighter pilots tracked a white, Tic Tac-shaped object 100 miles off the San Diego coast. The craft appeared at 80,000 feet and dropped instantly to hover above the ocean. The Pentagon officially corroborated the sighting in 2020, releasing declassified footage that ignited a new wave of global UFO scrutiny. On November 19, 2023, unidentified lights were reported near Imphal airport, even though the authorities did not confirm any hostile activity or airspace breaches. The IAF scrambled 2 Rafales to investigate the reported unidentified lights as a precaution. Authorities later said no national security threat was detected, calling it a standard response to unidentified flying objects. Area 51 became central to America's UFO secrecy because its classified aircraft tests were often mistaken for unidentified flying objects. The government's silence fueled UFO sightings and alien theories. While no proof of aliens exists, Area 51 helped normalize secrecy around aerial anomalies and reinforced public mistrust of official explanations. Each of these incidents shares three consistent traits - multiple credible witnesses, radar corroboration or physical evidence, and official explanations that fail to satisfy investigators. As per HowStuffWorks, common features include unusual flight characteristics that cannot be attributed to known aircraft or natural phenomena. The recurring inability to resolve these cases is itself a pattern that researchers consider significant. Governments are no longer silent. The US Department of Defense created the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) in 2022 to centralize investigations into Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) and UFO sightings across the military branches. More recently, President Donald Trump directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and federal agencies to identify and release files related to “alien and extraterrestrial life,” citing strong public interest. (With inputs from yMedia)
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

The Singju Post The Singju Post Editor's Notes: In this thought-provoking episode of Piers Morgan Uncensored, world-renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson explores the mysteries of UFOs, the probability of alien existence, and the implications of upcoming government disclosures. Tyson provides a scientific reality check on what he calls “aliens of our ignorance,” discussing the logistics of government cover-ups and why our smartphone-saturated world still lacks definitive proof of extraterrestrial visitors. The conversation also tackles the future of space exploration through NASA's Artemis program and the existential threats potentially posed by self-designing AI. It's an essential guide for anyone looking to separate science fiction from cosmic reality. (Feb 27, 2026) TRANSCRIPT: Are We Being Distracted by UFO Files? PIERS MORGAN: Well, many cynical people have pointed out that the imminent release of the UFO files is a very convenient distraction for a President who's fighting many fires with some justification. The same people are concerned that given recent precedent, the UFO files might end up looking something like this. But all politics aside, the prospect is tantalizing. We could be about to see real evidence of aerial phenomena which even the brightest minds in government have been unable to explain. And it's not only about flying saucers and little green men. The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke earlier this year about UFOs performing implausible maneuvers above sensitive government sites. We're talking about rapid acceleration, extreme speeds, trans medium travel. Things which defy the laws of physics as we know them. All of this conjures excitable talk about both the serious threat to national security and a vast new frontier for science. And it comes at a time when space is firmly back in our hearts and minds. Man and a woman is about to return to the moon. Elon Musk is talking about building AI data centers in space. That's before he colonizes Mars. Jeff Bezos has a plan to move toxic pollutants into space. And no, it's nothing to do with Katy Perry. The question is, are we truly entering a new era of unprecedented discovery and exploration or are we all getting a bit carried away? Well, I can't think of anyone better to talk to about this, to answer the big questions with some big answers than the astrophysicist and author of the impeccably timed forthcoming book, Take Me to Your Leader, Neil deGrasse Tyson. Neil deGrasse, great to have you back on Uncensored. NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: Yeah, Piers, it's always good to chat with you. Do Aliens Exist? Separating the Question PIERS MORGAN: So, look, let's just cut to the quick. Do aliens exist? Have you ever seen one? Do you think we're going to be shown evidence of them? NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: Well, let's separate that question into two parts. One of them is, might there be extraterrestrial life elsewhere in the universe? And if you run the numbers, how old is the universe? What are the ingredients of life as we know it? It turns out those ingredients are the most common chemically active ingredients in the universe. And the universe is old. It's vast. Our galaxy has several hundred billion stars, and there may be as many as a trillion galaxies. And life got underway on Earth almost as quickly as it possibly could have, within about 100 million years. So more than 90% of Earth's existence, it has had life. So you just add all that up and you say no one who's done the math is in denial of there being some kind of alien life somewhere, or perhaps everywhere in the universe. That's a different question from asking, have intelligent aliens come and visited us here on Earth. PIERS MORGAN: Right, so what's the answer? Do you think they have? Aliens of Our Ignorance: The God of the Gaps Problem NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: You got to earn the answer. So it comes down to — let's back up just a moment. There was a day before we understood much about the physical universe. And it was very easy to ascribe nature and the goings on in nature to gods — God or gods. So a storm would whip up in the ocean, and that was Poseidon wreaking havoc on your town. Maybe somebody did something bad, the lightning bolt would strike. Well, that was Zeus. So things we didn't understand, the power of a deity was ascribed to it. And philosophers have called that the “God of the gaps.” And it persists even to this day in many people's thinking. Like if you get ill and you did something wrong, then you have a guilt complex and God is punishing you. It's “God of the gaps,” because you don't know why you're sick or you don't know how you got sick. Today, what I find is many people see things they don't understand. A light in the sky that moves in a way they can't predict or foresee, and they credit aliens. So for me, crediting things we don't understand to aliens is the continuation of the “God of the gaps.” But “alien of the gaps” doesn't have a resonance to it. So in my book, I've just introduced a new term: “aliens of our ignorance.” So there's something you don't quite understand — aliens. There it is. And it becomes a very convenient way to account for mysteries. And in science, we love mysteries. We live on the frontier, on the boundary between what is known and unknown in the universe. So if at every time we had an unknown, we said aliens, we wouldn't have gotten anywhere in our research programs. Have You Ever Seen Anything Unexplainable? PIERS MORGAN: Right. So it's a very, very sophisticated, highly intelligent, incredibly well informed response, actually answering the question. So my more direct question, Neil deGrasse Tyson, is have you seen anything yourself in your entire life where you thought that to me, looks like evidence of extraterrestrial, genuine alien life? NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: It's a great question. And I've been looking up to the night sky since I was 9 years old. There's a case where, for example, the planet Venus — which is white cloud-shrouded, and it's the nearest planet to Earth — is bright not only because it's near, but because it's white, reflects sunlight, and it's near the sun on each side, in the morning or in the evening. If you ever hear of the “evening star” or the “morning star,” they're referring to Venus. So there was a time when there was a police car that was tracking a UFO, calling it in, and they were saying, “The UFO's darting left and right and we're tracking it.” And it turns out they were tracking Venus on a road that itself was curving. And they were not conscious of the fact that they were the ones swerving. They were thinking the UFO — Venus to them, because it's a UFO to them, they don't know what they were looking at — that that's what it was doing. So there are these reports of things people see where if you knew better, you would be able to explain it, and then you wouldn't call the police department. That still leaves behind cases that are not explained by natural causes or known phenomena. So it could be phenomena yet to be discovered. Frontier. I'm good with that. A new sky phenomenon. Let's investigate it. Let's get more data. Go for it. But just because you don't know what it is and it's doing things that are mysterious to you, and you use the “U” for Unidentified Flying Object — or as you know, the United States rebranded that as UAP, Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena. Who are they kidding? They're talking about the same thing, of course. So you rebrand it, but you can't look at something that's anomalous, say you don't know what it is, and then declare that you know what it is. That doesn't comport. You just say, “I don't know what it is. Let's investigate it further.” Which I'm all for. Roswell, Area 51, and Government Secrets PIERS MORGAN: A lot of the speculation, I guess, in the last hundred years was fueled by Roswell in the 50s, by this fabled Area 51 at the US Air Force facility in Southern Nevada, and so on. I imagine you've either been there or know people who have. You've looked at all this. What is the truth about Roswell, Area 51? NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: I'm not authorized to come in for — just kidding. PIERS MORGAN: You're pleading the Extraterrestrial Fifth. NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: So, just to back up for a moment. What I explore in Take Me to Your Leader is all the ways aliens might visit us, could visit us, may have visited us, and just unpack what might be alien science, alien technology, even alien powers — powers they might wield that we don't biologically. And so you can approach that question with guardrails on the conclusions you might jump to. And the guardrails, because the laws of physics as we experience them here on Earth, it turns out, apply across the universe and across time. It's not an assumption, it's a measurement that we have made, so we get to constrain what's going on here. And so now getting more directly to your question. I've been to Roswell, never been to Area 51. I can say that if the government is stockpiling — let's assume the government is stockpiling aliens. Let's ask a whole other set of questions. Let's just do this. You ready? Come with me on this. If they're doing that, let's say at Area 51 or anywhere, no one is leaking that information. So many people who are sure that the US government is a big, bloated, inefficient bureaucracy simultaneously will declare that it's masterminding a major cover-up when thousands of people are in on it and keeping a secret. And all I can think of is Benjamin Franklin's edict from his almanac where he said, back in the early 1800s, he wrote: “Three people can keep a secret if two of them are dead.” This is just a blunt understanding of human nature. And by the way, the kinds of secrets we're talking about are the tasty secrets, the really juicy secrets. The government, of course, keeps secrets that no one even cares about. So it's the ones that you really care about. And how about the janitor that could have just slipped an iPhone photo of the alien and then immediately posted it? Yes, the janitor would lose his job the next day, but it would be the most famous, richest janitor there ever was. Because that would go viral faster than cat videos go viral. So we can ask the question, because every one of us has a smartphone on our hip capable of high resolution photos and videos. And we upload 4 or 5 billion photos a day to the Internet, plus a million hours of video a day to the Internet. None of them have detailed images of aliens. So either the aliens are only coming to Earth to visit our military installations and the US government — I mean, maybe they just care about our military. That's possible, I suppose. But if we were under alien invasion, it seems to me that would get crowdsourced because everybody would take pictures of it and you wouldn't need hearings. No one would have to swear they're telling the truth. Could you just bring forth the alien? What Did Obama Really Mean About Aliens? PIERS MORGAN: Well, there are two things I would say to that, which I think are interesting. So Marco Rubio and others implied in the Age of Disclosure documentary that some information is hidden from even the President of the United States, which I suspect may be true. But then we have the extraordinary situation of President Obama, who was president for eight years, just casually asked at the end of an interview last week with Brian Tyler Cohen about whether aliens are real. And he says this. VIDEO CLIP BEGINS: BARACK OBAMA: Are aliens real? They're real, but I haven't seen them. And they're not being kept in — what is it, Area 51. There's no underground facility unless there's this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the President of the United States. VIDEO CLIP ENDS: PIERS MORGAN: And Obama replied, yeah, he thinks they're real. Now, when the President of the United States, who's been in that job for eight years, when one of those guys says he thinks aliens are real — notwithstanding, he backtracked a bit afterwards — but in that moment, everyone goes, “Whoa, whoa, what? Obama thinks aliens are real. What's he seeing?” Should We Trust Politicians on Scientific Discoveries? NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: Yeah, I don't see why people credit politicians with having deep insights into scientific discoveries of the universe. That's odd to me as a scientist, because anyone who is going to discover an alien, it's going to be a scientist looking up with our thousands of telescopes that we have around the Earth. PIERS MORGAN: But wouldn't you — okay, but on that point though, Neil, wouldn't you then feel compelled as a scientist to immediately inform the president? NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: So that's the whole point. The title of my book is Take Me to Your Leader. So the alien comes down and says, “Take me to your leader.” Who do you take it to? Do you take it to the elected official who doesn't know science, or do you take it to a science agency where you have cryptographers and biologists and chemists? Or the alien, having eavesdropped on our signals, might think the actual leaders are Taylor Swift or some other pop culture figure. So the point is, it's an interesting dilemma you might have. I would simply say that if an alien came up to me and told me to take it to its leader, I would take it to the nearest science conference and we would engage in conversation and later on inform the government. That's totally how I would do that. And could it be — wait, wait, wait. In that interview with Obama, he says, “Yeah, aliens are real.” I didn't interpret that as “we are stockpiling aliens.” He's scientifically literate enough to know that in the universe there are likely aliens. And that's how I interpreted that first sentence. I didn't view that as him leaking secrets or anything. The Alien Cover-Up Debate and Government Credibility PIERS MORGAN: That was just, hang on, hang on, hang on. You are a super brain. You know the difference. And he's a lawyer, by the way, who even more knows the difference between how you phrase things. The difference between saying, look, it's likely in the whole universe, there's other stuff, right? And him actually responding directly to are aliens real? With a yes. NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: Okay, I, since no one in government has presented an alien, I did not immediately think the government has aliens. By the way, by the way, the notion that there's some kind of a cover up. How can you continue to think that when in the film, in the documentary Disclosure. I don't want to confuse the documentary with the Steven Spielberg movie that's about to come out. The Spielberg movie is called Disclosure Day. And so Age of Disclosure. In that documentary, there's a no end train of people talking about aliens. In the locked box in the shed. And so if they're talking about it and they're insiders and they're whistleblowers, then who cares what the President says? These people are on the inside. So they're the ones who I'm going to listen to, not the President. Especially since the President, if there is a cover up, is going to be in on the cover up and someone who's sneaking information out is not. And so the fact that people listen to what presidents say as though it is the truth, I've never understood that at all. They're just someone we elect. Could Aliens Already Be Among Us? PIERS MORGAN: Could it be that aliens, could it be that aliens are coming to our planet and identifying as humans? I mean, could Elon Musk, who joked about being an alien, could he actually be an alien, double bluffing us? He's got a super brain, he does extraordinary things in many ways. He doesn't come across as particularly human. Could it be that if you were a superior alien force, would you send a bunch of Elon Musks along and just, you know, blend in and then slowly take over? NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: Okay, there's a way to test for that. And that is you line up everybody who's a little suspicious looking. Okay? This is kind of like in the film Men in Black. You'd be on the list in their headquarters. They were tracking all of the aliens on Earth and there were people who were in pop culture. And they look a little different — like Michael Jackson was one of them. I remember in one of the frames. And so the way to do that is get the most alien likely imposter you can find. Let it be Elon Musk. Just bring him into the lab and take a blood sample. If the heart is in the wrong place, if he's got green blood instead of — that would mean it's based on copper instead of iron. Not a weird exotic thought there. And so you could do that. So now if they are human physiologically and the alien is just duping us, then you just kind of — there's no way to tell. If the alien made a perfect human, then as far as we're concerned, they're human, of alien manufacture. But there's no way for you to know because you constructed the example to be such that there's no way to know, so that you can continue to believe that aliens are among us. This is Conspiracy Thinking 101, where you invent an account that allows you to continue to think what you'd like, even if the direct evidence isn't there. Or if there's a gap in the evidence, you gap it yourself so that you can continue to believe. So I came to conclude that it's almost a belief system because no one is — like I said, if you bring forth the alien, I don't need your testimony. We got the alien. Are All Alien Theories Conspiracy Theories? PIERS MORGAN: I would argue that given we know nothing about aliens from what you're saying, then all theories about them, potentially are conspiracy theories. Right. I mean, we can say as you've done and Obama stated when the fury blew up about his comments, well, it makes sense that there would be other stuff out there — that in itself is a conspiracy theory. It may not be. You're just supposing that it's highly unlikely. And I would agree with you, I would buy into this theory that it's just very unlikely that in the universe we're the only living entities. Right. So, but everything by definition would be a conspiracy theory until there's any factual evidence. NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: No, no, not really. Because the difference is — okay, so what you're asking, I think you're asking is whether the fact that scientists who have done the calculation have pretty high confidence that there are aliens out there. So, okay, that's one thing. And by the way we are looking, we have major observing programs, helped in large measure by the James Webb Space Telescope, to look for evidence of aliens. And by the way, to the scientist, an alien is any kind of biota or it could be microbial. So we'd be happy if we found anything, not just, you know, the kind that would come here in a spaceship. So I have a hard time accepting that, looking at the statistics on that. And now we're motivated to search — that somehow that's a conspiracy theory because we're testing our conclusions. Okay. The conclusions are not a given. We're presuming there's life out there. Now let's go find it. The UFO people are declaring, we've been visited. That's a declaration. But they don't have the evidence, or it's hidden or it's a conspiracy, or it's covered up. And so they arrive at their conclusion, gapping the absence of evidence. And so that's to me, different. Alien Etiquette: How Should We Behave If We Meet One? PIERS MORGAN: You talk in the book, which is a fascinating read, but you talk about the etiquette we should consider if we ever do meet an alien. Just give me a little bit of that. NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: Yeah. I mean, we have so many assumptions that we just take for granted. Because one of the chapters, the first chapter is called Alien to Us. And I explore all the ways we've imagined aliens in our pop culture, in our films, in our books. And so this gives us a range of our creativity. And then we can then ask, well, what would we look like to them? And how much thought have we put into that? For example, the alien comes down and wants to hang out with you, and you say, “Excuse me, I need to spend the next one third of Earth's rotation in a semi comatose state. I'll be back to you in eight hours.” That's gotta come across kind of just — and then the whole world is just semi comatose, not even sort of awake. They're just — you can poke them and nothing happens. Things you're urged to want to shake their hand, like that's worth it. Not all humans do that. In China, it's more of a bow where you hold your own hand. So that's not even all around the Earth. But if they happen to have some appendage sticking forward, you don't just grab it and shake it. You don't know what part of that alien you just grabbed. And so just leave your assumptions at home and go there with no assumptions at all. And the alien — making this up, of course — suppose the alien had a little bit of dog in it. Just however that — all right, it probably doesn't have DNA, but if it had some dog behavior and it lands, the first thing it might do is go around and wonder. And we see dogs do that. That's just normal for dogs. All right, if an alien did that, you say, “Wait, what?” But maybe that's normal for aliens. So I spent a whole chapter exploring how we are alien to aliens, because I don't think people gave that enough thought. PIERS MORGAN: No, I gave it no thought until I read that. It's fascinating and actually it makes perfect sense. Perfect sense. NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: You know what else I would do? I would leave behind everyone who thinks Earth is flat or does not recognize that science is a path to objective truth. Because we want to leave a good impression on the aliens. And if they see members of your species that are totally out of it, that could leave a bad impression. Because I don't want the alien to phone home and say, “There is no sign of intelligent life on Earth.” I want to give him the best chance that they can say nice things about us in the report. AI as Our Own Alien Creation: Should We Be Afraid? PIERS MORGAN: Are we building our own alien force through AI and robots? And do you fear that? I mean, a lot of very bright people are getting very concerned that AI will ultimately learn to self design. And that when it does, it may well take a view that humans are pretty useless. They spend eight hours a day in comatose conditions, for example. We drink, we fornicate, we take drugs, we fight and so on. And they might, if they get smart — which they're getting very smart very quickly — just go, “Well, let's get rid of them.” But I mean, on a serious point, do you worry about that? NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: I get it, I get it. So let me take one step back and then two steps forward to that question. So one step back is we measure how great AI is by how well it imitates our intelligence, hence artificial intelligence. And by the way, who said humans are intelligent? Humans did. Okay, so is that the measure of intelligence? Because we call ourselves intelligent. If an alien came, would it judge us to be intelligent? If it built a spaceship across the galaxy, chances are we got nothing on these aliens. And they'll look at our attempts to make a computer program that can imitate us or be a little smarter than us, and they'll just laugh, because human intelligence is a low bar. If you have a computer beating human intelligence and an alien is looking at that, it's like, “What? We can program that in an afternoon. Little alien junior in our basement is programming that.” So I don't necessarily see human intelligence as the measure of things, just for those reasons. Just step back and ask — a quick example here is: our closest genetic relative is the chimp and we're like 2% different in DNA. And the smartest chimps there ever were can stack boxes and reach a banana and might do some rudimentary sign language. They're only 2% different from us. Well, then we're prone to say what a difference that is. We have philosophy and art and civilization and the James Webb telescope and all they can do is stack boxes. Well, imagine a life form that's 2% vector beyond us, that we are beyond the chimp. What would we look like to them? The smartest among us would match their toddlers. Stephen Hawking to them — “Oh, that's cute. He knows astrophysics. He can do it in his head like little alien Timmy Zork Jr. over here who's just home from preschool.” So I don't view AI with humans as the metric as something that is cosmically significant. Now more directly to answer you — yeah, AI, once it has its own agency, that's the scary part. Then what would it think of humans? Might it make us their pet, for example? And then I thought about that — we kind of don't want that, of course, but look at how we treat our pets. We know humans will step over homeless other humans in the street to go home and cuddle with their pet dog, their pet cat. So maybe being the pet of an alien is not so bad, if our behavior towards pets is any indication. If they otherwise see us the way the agents in The Matrix — that we are a virus on Earth that we need to get rid of — that could be bad. So maybe we should start behaving better in anticipation of that day. PIERS MORGAN: But do you think AI is capable of self designing? Do you think it can get to that stage? I've seen opinions split on that. The Threat of Malicious AI NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: Yeah, yeah. I don't. In my life, I've written maybe 50,000 lines of code, but that was long ago. But I was in it and I felt it. And the computer is this thing, you know, you're talking to it and you design it to talk back to you and help you and give you data that you couldn't have calculated. And so its powers are only growing exponentially. If it could design itself, that's a game changer right there. And the question, but here's what I would ask AI is like in a computer. Yes. There's all these robots that people are designing. By the way, the human form is the last thing you want to imitate. You know, it's the human form really. Okay. With two feet easily get knocked over. You need at least three. Okay. Insects know this. Insects have six legs. Three legs are on the ground at any given moment. And so it's stable the whole way. That's why they can scurry so quickly and why most mammals can outrun us. Okay, so our form is not a thing that should be emulated. But regardless, the AI is in a computer sitting there on a shelf. Okay? I as a human still get to go to the beach, go to a party, meet people I've never met before, find a shell, a mollusk on the shore that maybe it's a new mollusk that's not cataloged yet. I can make discoveries because I am mobile and I can get around. A piece of silicon is not. Now maybe you just make mobile AI. Is it going to hang out at the beach and watch a sunset and compose a poem on that? I don't see that in line as what's going to come. And so we have to train it to have that bit of sort of humanity and humility about its own knowledge and its own place in our world. PIERS MORGAN: You know, it's interesting you mentioned Stephen Hawking. I've said this many times, but I did, as you did, one of the last interviews with him before he sadly died. He was an amazing guy. But I did ask him what's the biggest threat to mankind? And he said, “When AI learns to self design, that's it.” So I just hope he didn't give a caveat as to whether it was going to self design. He just said that would be the moment. Ray Bradbury, Terminator, and the Guardrails of AI NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: Yeah. One of my favorite quotes is from this sci-fi writer, Ray Bradbury. And I met him only once and I confirmed with him that it's a legit quote. Apparently a woman once came up to him and said, “Mr. Bradbury, why do you write these stories about apocalyptic futures? Is that where you see humanity headed?” And he says, “No, I write those stories so you know to avoid them.” And when you look at the number of alien movies we have drawn from the creativity of our most creative storytellers, so many of them have bad endings. Take Terminator, really out of the box on that one. I think the first one was 1984. It's 1985. So we have been warned by our own media, our own movies, we have been warned. So we're in a position to say we know what to look for. Here are the guardrails to prevent that from happening. And even Isaac Asimov with his famous three laws of robotics. The first law is, if you're designing a robot, the robot must never harm humans. The second law is the robot must never allow harm to happen to humans if their intervention could prevent it. The third law is the robot must look after its own existence, provided doing so does not violate the first or second laws. I'm reciting these for you only to tell you that Isaac Asimov, as early as the 1950s, knew that you have to put guardrails on your creation. And to the extent that there are no guardrails, I love the title of this book that came out recently. It said, “If anyone builds it, everyone dies.” Okay, that kind of checks. And so we just — the guardrail part is what's important. PIERS MORGAN: Yeah, it's fascinating to see where it all goes. What I'll talk just quickly about — AI and Geopolitics: A New Cold War? NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: Let's just think about briefly geopolitically. We're old enough. We're about the same age. We remember the Cold War. And the tensions surrounding the buildup of nuclear weaponry that could destroy each other and the world multiple times over. Once the realization that there are no winners in an all out nuclear exchange, then people came to the table and started reducing the stockpiles. So if we tell the world, if anyone builds this super intelligent AI, this AGI — Advanced General Intelligence AI — if anyone builds it, that's the end of us all. Then maybe we can come together with world wisdom, the wisdom of the ages, that tells us no one should have in their hands something that can destroy the world. So who knows, maybe the prospect of inventing that will bring peace to the world. Have you thought of that? PIERS MORGAN: It could. I mean, I would say that the thing I'd be wary about would be a nefarious person or group who managed to get the most brilliant AI scientists in the world and get them into a dungeon somewhere and have genuinely malicious, nefarious intent on ending the world. NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: Could the rest of the world — PIERS MORGAN: — stop them? NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: That's a problem. So it's not just the malicious intent. If you get someone who doesn't care if they die, then there's nothing they're protecting. And that's — you're right, these people exist among us in our species. So yeah, I don't have a good answer for that. PIERS MORGAN: No, I was hoping you did. NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: Sorry. Maybe the alien will have a good answer. NASA's Artemis 2 and the Return to the Moon PIERS MORGAN: It could be the alien. That would be ironic. I love talking to — I could talk to you for hours, but we're running a bit out of time. I just want to talk to you quickly about NASA and Artemis 2. So my understanding of this is they've got this mission going up, I think in a couple of weeks. It's a 10 day crewed test flight around the moon scheduled for 6th of March. It will take astronauts further into space than anyone's been before. And it aims to set the stage for an eventual human landing again on the lunar surface for the first time since the 60s and 70s. What do you feel about this? I mean, it seems extraordinary that we haven't been back to the moon in so many decades. Is it important that we do get back to the moon? Is Artemis, do you think, going to be the way that we do that? NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: Well, let's remember why we went to the moon in the first place. It wasn't because, “Oh, we're Americans, it's in our DNA. It's the next thing.” We were scared witless by the godless communist who had already put up a satellite — Sputnik — who put up the first non-human animal. Remember, that was Laika the dog. They were beating us in access to space, yet we were supposed to be what we wanted the world to emulate. And if we're lagging behind our adversary, that doesn't bode well geopolitically. So Kennedy speaks in front of Congress in a joint session of Congress six weeks after Yuri Gagarin came out of orbit and says, “If the events of recent weeks are any indication of this impact of this adventure on the minds of men everywhere, we need to show the world the path of freedom over the path of tyranny.” It was a battle cry against communism. So when we finally got to the moon, we leapfrogged the Russians, got to the moon, looked over our shoulder, the Russians weren't there. They weren't even planning to go to the moon. So we say we win, but then the race is over. And that's why the program stopped. It's not because Nixon lacked charisma. Even if he did lack charisma, that's not why we stopped going to the moon. The geopolitical forcing of that decision evaporated. So why didn't we stay on the moon? No reason to. Geopolitically. Science was never the driver. You know how many scientists went to the moon? One. Do you know which moon mission that was? The last. Okay, enough said. So why don't we go back to the moon? 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010 — no geopolitical forcing to enable it. Let's go to the mid-2010s. China says they're going to put Taikonauts, their version of an astronaut, on the moon. Then all of a sudden we say, “Oh, why don't we go back to the moon? That sounds like the right thing to do.” And we don't mention the geopolitical forcing because that looks crass. We just paint it as we're explorers. And so Trump won in 2016, he brings in Artemis, which, by the way, is a really woke name for the space program, because Artemis was the female twin sister of Apollo. Now that's good. Okay, so Artemis begins. And because NASA transcends politics in the sense that there are 10 NASA centers scattered into eight states, and you go general election to general election, they go four red, four blue. It's a mixture of the political spectrum. So that if someone says, “I don't want to go into space,” you cannot deduce whether they are Republican or Democrat with that answer. So what that means is NASA's presence in the American culture actually transcends politics. So Trump says, “We're going to go back to the moon,” and then Biden comes in and says, “We're keeping this Trump program.” Everybody likes to hate Trump when you're on the left, unless we're going back into space to show the world who and what we are relative to everybody else. So that program has been in place since the mid-2010s, and we're continuing it back into Trump's second term. No one will admit that. But part the curtains and you read history. There you have it. So where are we going? The South Pole. Why is it the farthest? Because the moon's orbit is not a perfect circle around the Earth. So if you go to the moon while it's a little farther than average and you make a big loop orbit around it, when you're on the other side of that figure eight, then you're the farthest. It's an incremental record that's being set. I like the fact that we're going back to the moon more than I care that they're setting a distance record, personally. But they're going to the South Pole because that's where there might be water left over from comet impacts. And you go there, you have to surface mine it, then you have water, you can drink it, you can make rocket fuel, you can pitch tent. And so it's the beginnings of a colony on the moon so that other countries don't do that before we do. One Trip Anywhere in the Universe PIERS MORGAN: Fascinating. Just finally, if I had the unlimited power to let you do any exploration anywhere in the universe, but you can only have one trip, what would you do? NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: One trip? PIERS MORGAN: One trip anywhere in the universe. You get unlimited power to give you one trip. NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: Okay. I'd like to move through time and be witness to the formation of the moon, when a Mars-sized protoplanet slammed into Earth, creating a ring system around Earth like Saturn, that would coalesce and form. I want to be able to move through time. That would just be an amazing thing to watch. Popcorn right on the front row. But in terms of inventions, if I had unlimited resources, I'd want to invent wormholes. That would be a game changer. We know how to make wormholes, by the way. We're just missing the substance that would allow it. We need a substance that has negative gravity, because gravity brings things together into one place. A wormhole has to pry it apart. So you need a negative gravity substance. We don't know if it exists in this universe or any other. If it did, we can make wormholes, pry open the fabric of space and time, step through. Unlike what they show in the movies where it's like a water slide ride — that's not it. You would just step through. Like Rick and Morty. You step through. Or who's the guy in the movie that does this? Dr. Strange. You just step through and get to another destination. That would be a game changer. And if you have wormholes, you don't need roads. PIERS MORGAN: Right? NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: You just step through. And you can connect the back of your refrigerator to the grocery, and the grocer can peek and say, “Oh, you need some more eggs.” They just pop it in, close back the wormhole. And so for me, if I had unlimited resources and unlimited access to unlimited laws of physics, the wormhole would be at the top of my list. Closing Remarks PIERS MORGAN: Fascinating. Neil, brilliant to talk to you. It's a great book. I encourage everyone to go give it one last plug. NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: Oh, I'm uncomfortable doing it, but okay. If you really want to know how to think about aliens, it's a primer for that first alien encounter so you won't be taken by surprise. PIERS MORGAN: Just Visiting: Take Me to Your Leader, out in May. I believe it's a cracking read, Neil. Thank you very much. NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: Thank you very much, too. PIERS MORGAN: Piers Morgan Uncensored is privately independent. The only boss around here is me. If you enjoy our show, we ask for only one simple thing. Hit subscribe on YouTube and follow Piers Morgan Uncensored on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. And in return, we will continue our mission to inform, irritate, and entertain. And we'll do it all for free. Independent, uncensored media has never been more critical, and we couldn't do it without you. LATEST POSTS: RECOMMENDED: CATEGORIES: MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to provide the most accurate transcripts of videos and audios online. Become our Friends! MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to provide the most accurate transcripts of videos and audios online.
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Subscribe Now! Get features like Questions were raised about Tommaso Cioni's teaching history and credentials online amid the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie. The 84-year-old was reported missing by her family on February 1 and authorities believe she was taken from her home near Tucson, Arizona the night before. Reports indicated that Guthrie had had dinner with her daughter, Annie, that night and Cioni, Annie's husband and Guthrie's son-in-law, had then dropped her off home. This would make him one of the last people to see her before she was taken. Besides, Cioni and Annie reportedly live close to Guthrie's Catalina Foothills house. Further, former News Nation journalist Ashleigh Banfield had reported that authorities were considering Cioni as a suspect. This has long been quashed and Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos issued a clarification that none of the Guthrie family members are suspects in the case. Also Read | Nancy Guthrie: Tommaso Cioni, Luke Daley's cars in focus after neighbor shares ring camera video from day of kidnapping However, speculations around Cioni and Annie have persisted, even as family insiders have expressed belief that an apology might be in order for subjecting them to such doubts. Now, amid reports of Annie and Cioni upping the security at their house, many have called the teacher's workplace history into question. Cioni is a long-time educator and teaches sixth-grade science and AP biology at Basis Oro Valley School. However, now many have sought to know his credentials, while others have questioned whether he took a leave of absence while teaching. One person asked “where did Nancy Guthrie son in law achieve his teaching credentials”, while another questioned “Did Tommaso Cioni take a leave of absence from teaching?”. However, these questions are only meant to cast further speculation on a person who authorities do not consider to be of interest to the case. Grok shut down speculations about a leave of absence, saying “No, there are no public reports, news updates, or statements indicating Tommaso Cioni has taken a leave of absence from teaching 6th-grade science and AP Biology at BASIS Oro Valley School in Tucson. Recent coverage (as of late Feb 2026) still refers to him in present tense as a teacher there with over 15 years at the school.” However, the AI chatbot noted that Cioni's teaching credentials were not a matter of accessible public records. The speculation about Cioni comes even as an independent investigative reporter claimed that a group wanted to add a supernatural element to the Guthrie case. Jonathan Lee Riches, or JLR, an independent reporter covering the Guthrie story on the ground wrote on X that a group planned to do a ‘spirit box'. “A group just informed be that they are coming to Nancy Guthrie's home on Saturday night at 10pm to do a spirit box,” he wrote on X. A spirit box is also known as a ghost box and is often used by paranormal investigators. It is a modified radio scanner which such individuals believe can be used to communicate with spirits by rapidly scanning through frequencies to create white noise and static. Several people slammed the move, with many saying it made a mockery of the family's grief. “Fantastic…Next on my bingo card: a psychic holding a seance next to the memorial in front of the house,” one person remarked. Given the restrictions placed around Guthrie's home it remains unknown if said group will be able to access the property and go ahead with their plan. Shuvrajit has over seven years of experience covering US, India, and world news. An English Literature postgraduate from Jadavpur University, Shuvrajit started off covering entertainment and gaming. There were brief periods away from the media industry, with short stints in ed-tech and academic editing. However, the newsroom beckoned and over the last few jobs, Shuvrajit has exceedingly focused on team functioning as well, including tracking news and assigning tasks, working on detailed coverage plans, and creating immersive and data-driven stories. In his time as a digital journalist, he has covered a Lok Sabha election, multiple state elections, and Union Budgets. For work, Shuvrajit enjoys dabbling with data visualization, editing tools, and AI chatbots. Outside work, he can be found doomscrolling or cheering on his football team.Read More
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER

Idaho Falls news, Rexburg news, Pocatello news, East Idaho news, Idaho news, education news, crime news, good news, business news, entertainment news, Feel Good Friday and more. 38℉ BOISE (Idaho Statesman) — A jury awarded $10 million in damages Friday to a University of Idaho professor who sued a Texas woman for defamation over fabricated claims she repeatedly made on social media that the academic was responsible for the Moscow college student murders. The jurors deliberated for just under two hours before handing down their decision, which awarded professor Rebecca Scofield 10 times what her attorneys asked for in their closing statement. Scofield, 40, testified this week during a four-day federal trial over monetary damages that she developed severe anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and intense nerve pain throughout her body as a direct result of the false public accusations. The Moscow resident said the physical and emotional impacts have made it difficult for her to work in her position as chair of the U of I's history department, and also caused irreversible reputational harm. RELATED | Jury weighs damages after tarot card TikToker falsely accused professor of the Moscow murders About two weeks into the investigation of the four students' stabbing deaths in November 2022, defendant Ashley Guillard, 41, of Houston, created a series of videos she posted to TikTok in which she blamed Scofield for the murders. Guillard — who made her first visit to Idaho and represented herself at trial — believes herself to have psychic abilities and testified that she read tarot cards to try to help solve the shocking homicides that upended the rural college town and generated international attention. Guillard's readings led her to Scofield, she said, and her videos continued with similar unsubstantiated accusations all the way up until August 2025. Without evidence, Guillard posted photos and contact information for Scofield with claims she had an affair with one of the female victims and tried to cover it up by ordering her death. The seven-member jury, composed of four women and three men, ruled unanimously in favor of the dollar figure directed to Scofield. The bulk of the sum — $7.5 million — is for punitive damages, which are intended to punish the defendant and deter her and others from similar behavior in the future. The remainder of the damages were compensatory, meaning they covered actual losses, including economic costs like medical bills and non-economic costs like mental and emotional pain and suffering. The financial total outstrips some other recent high-profile civil cases in Idaho. In 2024, a drag performer — also represented by Olson — received $1.1 million in damages in a defamation case. Later that year, a jury awarded $4 million in damages to a coffee shop owner in a longstanding dispute with Boise State University. In 2023, far-right activist Ammon Bundy and an associate were ordered to pay $52.5 million in damages to St. Luke's Health System in a defamation case. On the last day of trial Friday, Guillard presented her defense and called just one witness — herself. The unique situation played out similarly earlier in the trial when Scofield's lead attorney, Wendy Olson, a former U.S. attorney for Idaho, presented the plaintiff's case and called Guillard to the stand. Guillard then cross-examined herself in a question-and-answer format before jurors. Guillard began her defense with a deep dive into her background as an Army veteran who later earned bachelor's and master's degrees in fields related to business and human resources. She said she was working as a human resources specialist for the federal government when she decided she wanted something different for herself and quit her job to begin a “spiritual journey.” She said she decided to leave her husband and pursue spirituality full time, during which time she first learned about tarot, as well as various religions and other beliefs, including numerology, which assigns relationships between numbers and life events. Guillard said she watched YouTube videos to train herself to read tarot cards. She practiced on herself and by watching reality TV shows to predict their outcomes. Throughout her self-directed testimony, she sought to convince the jury that she believed everything she said in her tarot-reading videos about the U of I professor was true. Guillard told jurors she also tried to gain access to case information that would have tied Scofield to the murders but was denied by law enforcement and court officials. Scofield, an Emmett native, told the court earlier in the week that the experience of seeing Guillard's TikToks was like reading the plot of a book or movie, but being one of the characters and having zero control over the outcome. Over time, the videos became more elaborate and included expanded details about her personal and professional life. “There was a moment where it felt like I lost ownership of my face and my name, and it was no longer stitched to my body,” Scofield testified, contending with her emotions. “It was utterly terrifying.” Bryan Kohberger, a Ph.D. student at Washington State University in nearby Pullman, Washington, at the time of the murders in Moscow, was arrested in late December 2022. He pleaded guilty to the crime in June 2025 in a deal to avoid the death penalty and is now serving four life sentences with no chance of parole at Idaho's maximum security prison south of Boise. In the professor's civil suit, Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Raymond Patricco for the District of Idaho already ruled for Scofield in June 2024. This week's jury trial at the federal courthouse in Boise, also overseen by Patricco, was held to determine how much money Guillard was required to pay Scofield in economic and non-economic damages. The jury in the professor's damages trial started the week with eight members, but one — a lawyer who was co-counsel with Olson on an unrelated case — was forced to step away Thursday because he had a personal matter arise, Patricco told the court. Two female jurors also had ties to the case: One had previously seen some of Guillard's TikTok videos about Scofield when they first posted; the other has a younger brother who attends the U of I and knew one of the four murder victims, she said. On Thursday, Olson put on the bulk of her client's case. She called to the stand expert witnesses on public relations and Scofield's therapist the past two years who diagnosed her with post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues. She also called Scofield's best friend and her husband, and closed with tearful testimony from her mother. As a result of Guillard's videos, Scofield and her family chose to skip attending an end of November 2022 vigil in honor of the four murdered students on the U of I campus to avoid any undue attention, her mother testified. The professor and her family were not granted the chance to process the tragedy with their grieving community and feel as connected to Moscow, where they chose to make their home, Scofield's husband testified. With each witness, Guillard — in her role as her own attorney — challenged their testimony in sometimes testy back-and-forths that had to be refereed by the judge and court staff. “You created the threat by calling her a murderer when she was not,” said Scofield's mother, Margie Scofield, raising her voice at Guillard on Thursday. “She's been harmed in so many ways, beyond accounting. … Do you not understand how much harm?” More than three years later — seven months after Kohberger was sentenced for the Moscow student murders — at the federal courthouse in Boise, Guillard and Scofield came face to face for the first time. They spoke only when Guillard cross-examined Scofield on the stand, and locked eyes. “You spoke lies into a camera, about me and my husband,” Scofield told Guillard. “You were making (dozens) of videos about me, someone you never met, you never talked to — someone you had no connection to. I don't know how anyone could not feel threatened by that level of interest from someone they had never met.” RELATED | A TikTok personality countersued U of I professor after killings. Here's what judge said SUBMIT A CORRECTION We hope you appreciated this story. A small team of local journalists runs EastIdahoNews.com – not a big business or corporation. Our stories are produced to inform and serve the public. We don't have a paywall or require a subscription to use EastIdahoNews.com, but there is a cost associated with bringing you stories every day. Please consider supporting us just once for $1 or, if you're able, contribute a little more monthly or annually. We sincerely appreciate your consideration. Donation amount: $ © 2015 - 2026 EastIdahoNews.com LLC
WORLD NATIONAL BUSINESS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SOCCER TENNIS FORMULA_1 ENTERTAINMENT OTHER