The president said the defense secretary is "doing a great job."
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth would remain on the job, even as he acknowledged that the war with Iran had contributed to Republicans' sweeping midterm losses and as Democrats prepare to use their new congressional majority to potentially investigate the Pentagon chief.
Trump dismissed the possibility of replacing Hegseth, telling reporters he was "doing a great job." When asked about speculation that Hegseth is eyeing Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn's soon-to-be-vacated Tennessee seat, Trump predicted the defense secretary would be "very popular" in the state.
Blackburn, who won Tennessee's gubernatorial race Tuesday, declined to weigh in on who might be picked to fill her Senate seat. Asked about who would be appointed, she said, "It's not a conversation for today."
Trump's remarks come as Republicans grapple with the political fallout from the eight-month war with Iran, which has driven up gas prices and fueled voter frustration over the cost of living. The war and its economic consequences are widely seen as a major factor in Republicans' crushing midterm defeat.

#Trump #defense

Your retirement savings could get a boost or face new tax consequences, depending on what happens after the November midterm elections.
Congress is weighing proposals that could double federal retirement savings incentives for eligible workers while forcing some wealthy Americans to withdraw more money from their accounts.
Read More: Worried about market swings? See why investors are moving to gold and silver IRAs
Find Out: FREE 2026 Investor Guide + Up to $25,000 in Silver with Qualifying Purchases
The stakes extend beyond millionaires. Changes to tax rules could also affect how much you save in your 401(k), when you convert an IRA to a Roth and how much of your retirement money you ultimately keep.

#Retirement #savings #money

The fallout from Kylian Mbappé's comments about a meme depicting Mao Zedong has extended into football video games in China, while the creator of the original montage has spoken about the reaction. On the pitch, Madrid continued preparing for Sunday's visit to Racing Santander, with Arda Güler and Fede Valverde following individual programs. Carlo Ancelotti also announced his latest Brazil squad, calling up Vinícius Júnior and Endrick but leaving Éder Militão out.
The commercial consequences of Mbappé's remarks now include measures affecting Chinese versions of FC Online and Konami's eFootball-related ******* les. Reports citing announcements on the games' local channels describe the removal of promotional material and restrictions on content featuring the Madrid forward.
FC Online said it had begun removing Mbappé-related content from external channels and would implement further changes through an update. The Chinese versions of the Konami ******* les also announced measures covering promotion of the player and the characters or cards ******* ociated with him. The reported action concerns the Chinese editions, rather than a worldwide removal from the franchises.
The measures follow the termination of Mbappé's partnerships with Dongpeng, Mengniu and Milkground, alongside China Media Group's suspension of LaLiga broadcasts and other programming involving the player.
Real Madrid's apology has not ended scrutiny of the club's handling of the controversy. Chinese state-linked outlets and official platforms have questioned the timing of its response and called for measures beyond a public statement. Mbappé apologized on October 27, with Madrid issuing its own apology on October 28.

#announced

Gypsy Rose Blanchard is speaking out as the conversation surrounding the death of her former fiancé, Ken Urker, continues to attract public attention.
The loss has been particularly difficult for the media personality, who shares a young daughter with Urker and has remained vocal about the impact of online criticism.
Gypsy Rose Blanchard's latest post calling out "gossip" reveals how deeply the situation has affected her and the steps she hopes to take to ensure that Urker is remembered beyond the controversy surrounding his life.
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA
Gypsy Rose Blanchard criticized the online discussions surrounding Ken Urker's passing, urging people to consider the emotional consequences of their words.

#agency

Former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly unleashed a tirade at Olivia Rodrigo on Monday (October 5), telling the pop star to "shut up and stick to singing" after she spoke out about the Cornell 7 case.
"Olivia, in sum, you don't know what the f*** you're talking about. Shut up and stick to singing," Kelly said on her SiriusXM show, per Variety. "I liked you better when you were in front of a microphone singing your weird little depressing songs."
On Sunday (October 4), Rodrigo shared a post on her Instagram Story supporting the Jane Doe at the center of the Cornell 7 lawsuit. "Shame on Cornell and on every institution who protects rapists and abusers over women," the "drivers license" singer wrote. "I stand with Jane Doe. Her bravery reverberates across the country and the crimes against her will not go unpunished."
She added, "What she lived through matters, and so does the failure of those who could have intervened but chose not to. She deserves answers, consequences, and lasting change."
Rodrigo was talking about the lawsuit filed against Cornell University by an unnamed student, who accused seven men of raping and drugging her at a frat house party in October 2024. Her lawsuit claims that the university failed to protect her and instead protected the perpetrators.

#lawsuit #jane

Arnold Schwarzenegger, 79, was well known for his unwavering discipline with his workout routine in his bodybuilding era, but he is just as strict with his house rules.
The Terminator actor thrives on routine and order, admitting at the Town & Country Philanthropy Summit in 2023 his motto: "The key thing is in the morning, do right away something."
That's precisely why you won't catch him leaving the bed unmade. As well as ensuring he arranges the duvet perfectly, he expects the same from his children, and growing up, there were big consequences for anyone who left their bedsheets a mess.
The actor shares four children with his ex-wife, Maria Shriver: Katherine, 36, Christina, 35, Patrick, 33, and Christopher, 29. But in 2011, the actor announced he had fathered another child, Joseph Baena, 28, who is now a bodybuilder himself, with his longtime housekeeper, Mildred Baena.
When promoting his book, Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life, Arnold told People magazine how he would throw the mattress if beds were left unmade in his house.

#well #unmade

An expert believes that Prince William may not be pleased with Charles Spencer's new book about Princess Diana. The memoir, "Swan Song: Diana, My Sister," reportedly contains explosive claims about King Charles and the royal family. The Earl also offers a remorseful reflection on William, then 15, and Harry, then 12, walking behind their mother's coffin, recalling how strongly he opposed the arrangement at the time.
Royal experts have weighed in on how Prince William might be feeling about the new Princess Diana book. They claim that the royal heir has faced a significant repercussion following the release of Earl Spencer's bombshell memoir.
While it honored the late royal, the book also made serious allegations that could have consequences for the monarchy. Among them is a striking claim against King Charles. It is alleged that he sounded "giddily elated" and reacted like a "lottery winner" upon learning of his ex-wife's death.
As per the Daily Express, despite Charles Spencer's accusations, Prince William has remained silent on the matter. Reports indicate that his uncle gave him advance notice weeks before, with the wider public learning about it on the same day.
Discussing the situation surrounding the royal heir, Matt Wilkinson, The Sun's royal editor, stated on the Royal Exclusive show: "I just think it's unfair that he (William) gets dragged into it. I think it's unfair that his work and his engagements are being brought into this book by his uncle, and he wasn't told what was in it."

#william

Megyn Kelly criticized Mariska Hargitay over her response to a ****** ual ****** ault case involving Cornell University students. During her podcast, Kelly questioned Hargitay's comments and also criticized the outfit worn by the actress's 15-year-old daughter at the 2026 Emmy Awards.
The criticism came after Hargitay spoke out about a case involving a former Cornell student who alleged that seven fraternity members drugged and ****** ually ****** aulted her in October 2024, according to OK! Magazine.
The case drew renewed attention in September after the woman filed a civil lawsuit. The Tompkins County District Attorney later reopened the criminal investigation and said the case would be presented to a grand jury.
Hargitay, who stars in Law & Order: SVU and founded the Joyful Heart Foundation, criticized Cornell's handling of the case. She also shared posts calling for consequences for the accused men, writing, "Yes, I think we should ruin the futures of adult men who drug and gang r— a woman."
Kelly began her podcast segment by discussing Hargitay's career and appearance at the Emmys. Hargitay hosted the ceremony and attended with her family, including her 15-year-old daughter, Amaya.

#case #kelly #cornell

Palantir (PLTR) CEO Alex Karp has dropped a blunt theory about the AI industry's safety push.
The outspoken AI executive said that some companies might need government ownership to escape the financial consequences of their technology.
In his CNBC interview, Karp framed nationalization as the destination he believes those businesses are moving toward, with liability protection the prize.
His startling comments come as the industry's conversation shifts towards safeguards and whether development should slow down. Moreover, that also raises the question of who shoulders the risks created along the way?
Karp zeroes in on customers' intellectual property. He said businesses working with Palantir believe that their ideas and data are being fed into AI models, putting their competitive advantages at risk.

#businesses #alex #cnbc #moreover

Even before we go deeper, I want to be upfront about this. I think Dario Amodei's concerns about the pace of artificial intelligence (AI) development deserve to be taken seriously.
As the CEO of Anthropic, one of the companies building this technology, he has a front-row view of where AI is heading. That alone gives his warnings a perspective most of us don't have.
Dario Amodei published an essay **** led "We Must Pace the Frontier" on Sep. 12, 2026, calling for an intentional slowdown in advanced AI development.
He received remarkable support. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman endorsed it. Elon Musk said Amodei was "right." Even competitors in a fiercely competitive industry agreed that independent evaluators made sense.

This has been a primary topic of discussion for some time. I also think that if AI development continues at its current pace without safeguards, there is a real risk that we could eventually confront the darker side of what the technology is capable of doing.
Yes, of course, the potential benefits are enormous, but so are the consequences if its risks outpace our ability to manage them.

#pace #dario #anthropic #must

If online prediction markets are correct, the Democrats are likely to win back the House and Senate in November. On Polymarket, there's currently a 53% chance of a Democratic sweep.
If you're a crypto investor, that outcome could have important consequences for your portfolio. That's especially the case if Democrats delay, roll back, or block important pro-crypto legislation. With that in mind, here's one crypto to buy and one crypto to sell.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
My one crypto to buy is Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC). It is still the most popular cryptocurrency, accounting for a whopping 60% of the crypto market's total $2.6 trillion market cap. As Bitcoin goes, so goes the crypto market.
As a result, Bitcoin currently has the support of both Wall Street and the White House, so any political fallout from the midterm elections in the event of a Democratic sweep should be minimal. Regulators already agree that Bitcoin is a commodity, not a security. Thus, even if the Clarity Act does not pass this year, it shouldn't have a direct impact on the regulatory status of Bitcoin and how institutional investors view it.

#NVIDIA #flashing #total

Fourteen years ago, Ken Jouppi, who had operated a charter airplane business in Alaska since the 1970s, agreed to fly a passenger from Fairbanks to Beaver, one of the state's dry jurisdictions. The passenger's luggage included 72 cans of Budweiser and Bud Light, which she planned to share with her husband on his birthday. Although most of the beer was boxed, a six-pack "was packed only in a grocery bag and would have been in plain view to Jouppi as he was loading the airplane," the Alaska Supreme Court noted last year.
State troopers discovered the beer before the plane took off, and Jouppi was convicted of a misdemeanor. The trial court, which concluded that Jouppi had been "willfully blind" to the six-pack, sentenced him to three days in jail and a $1,500 fine. But state law mandated another punishment that was 63 times as severe: forfeiture of Jouppi's $95,000 airplane. Although that penalty seemed grossly disproportionate, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled that it did not violate the Eighth Amendment's ban on excessive fines.
In July, responding to a petition filed by the Institute for Justice, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review that decision. It will hear oral argument in Jouppi v. Alaska on December 1. In a brief supporting Jouppi's appeal that it filed last week, the Cato Institute argues that the Alaska Supreme Court erred by failing to consider the gravity of his conduct and the financial consequences of the forfeiture. Both of those factors, Cato attorney Matthew Cavedon says, have been central to the common-law understanding of excessive fines for eight centuries.
"The Eighth Amendment was designed to prevent this kind of abuse by limiting excessive fines," Cavedon writes. "Long before the United States was founded, the common law protected people from extreme monetary penalties. But the Alaska Supreme Court's view is that challenges to excessive fines 'should rarely succeed.' This dismissive view led it to conclude that there is nothing excessive about the forfeiture of an airplane worth 'only 9.5 times the maximum fine'—and over 60 times the fine actually imposed. The decision below cannot be reconciled with this Court's precedent or the Excessive Fines Clause's original meaning."
In weighing the proportionality of the airplane forfeiture, the Alaska Supreme Court thought the relevant consideration was the harm caused by excessive drinking. "Alcohol abuse in rural Alaska leads to increased crime; disorders, such as alcoholism; conditions, such as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder; and death, imposing substantial costs on public health and the administration of justice," Justice Jude Pate wrote in the majority opinion. "Within this context, it is clear that the illegal importation of even a six-pack of beer causes grave societal harm."

#court #excessive #jouppi

ESPN's decision to air an interview with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz on College GameDay this week was bound to get attention.
That's why they did it.
The backlash the network is facing has a lot more to do with its refusal to balance Cruz's perspective with anyone on the GameDay panel or from another guest — and what Bomani Jones, in an episode of his podcast The Right Time on Sunday, called "pretty dire consequences" that could come from "shilling" for the Senate's Protect College Sports Act.
Jones called out ESPN for not bringing on an opponent of the PCSA on the show, and for compounding its partnership with the powers that be with another unusual decision during its broadcast from the University of Texas on Saturday.
"There are serious consequences to what ESPN chose to do," he said. "What they did was flatly wrong, and it is possible that it will contribute to limiting the ability of players to cash in, their chance to cash in in this life. I think those are pretty dire consequences, and I think that there should be a pretty loud uproar about that."

#jones #decision

AUSTIN, Texas — Hours before the out-of-nowhere comeback, before Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium pulsated with noise and shock, before the "SEC, SEC" chants spontaneously broke out over the din of elation and before thousands of forlorn Ohio State fans walked out into the night having that conversation about Ryan Day once again, a plume of burnt orange smoke seemed to linger over the field in the searing Texas heat.
It is a standard part of the pregame pyrotechnics here, but it was a particularly poignant image in the moments before a game like this one between two of college football's biggest brands and highest-ranked teams, with consequences that will take the rest of the season to figure out.
For 14 Saturdays of college football, we're all just waiting for the smoke to clear.
By the end of Texas 24, Ohio State 23, it was a beautiful picture but an incomplete one, made possible only by a regular season that feels increasingly under attack by the powers that be. Year by year, the coaches and administrators at the mega-programs become less interested in playing games like these because the stakes are so high. And yet, without those high stakes of a limited playoff structure where losing this kind of game can knock you out, what kind of sport are you left with?
"Hopefully it pays dividends for us in December," Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said late Saturday night. "But we have a lot more meat on the bone we have to chew off here before we can start worrying about whether this win helps us get into a playoff or not."

#state #year #like

Extreme weather is creating a more demanding environment for property owners, insurers, and communities. According to the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), the United States recorded 27 confirmed billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in 2024, resulting in a total cost of $182.7 billion. These events spanned a wide range of extremes, including severe storm events, tropical cyclones, wildfires, drought/heat waves, and winter storm/cold wave events. Over the last decade, ***** ulative losses from these disasters have exceeded $1.4 trillion, driven significantly by population growth, material wealth, and increased development in hazard-prone areas. These figures suggest that the financial consequences of extreme events may increasingly depend on how accurately the value of exposed property is understood before a loss occurs.
That question becomes especially consequential during reconstruction. A 2026 report from Bloomberg, featured in Claims Journal, noted that surveys conducted by United Policyholders since 2007 found an average of two-thirds of wildfire survivors reporting that they were underinsured, with an average shortfall of $200,000 or more. The Insurance Information Institute has similarly estimated that two-thirds of American homeowners may be underinsured for wildfire losses, typically by about 20%, and in some cases by as much as 60%. These findings illustrate how the presence of an insurance policy can still leave a substantial difference between available coverage and the resources required to rebuild, particularly when construction costs rise after a catastrophe.
The financial implications can extend across the broader insurance ecosystem. Aon's 2026 Climate and Catastrophe Insight reported approximately $260 billion in global economic losses from natural catastrophes during 2025, compared with $127 billion in insured losses. For property stakeholders, such a figure may place greater attention on the relationship between the value ***** igned to an ***** et, the cost of restoring it, and the capital available when a loss occurs.
Frequency can add another layer to that calculation. Data from NCEI indicate that the average interval between U.S. billion-dollar disaster events was approximately 16 days during 2020–2024, compared with 82 days during the 1980s. NCEI notes that shorter intervals can leave less time and fewer resources for response, recovery, and preparation for subsequent events. As the time between major events contracts, property valuations may require more frequent attention because construction costs, labor conditions, materials, and local economic circumstances can change between policy reviews.

#property #losses #insurance #information

Chris Buescher's Gateway weekend hit a snag before his No. 17 Ford ever reached the starting grid.
NASCAR ejected two car chiefs Saturday after a pair of Cup Series cars failed pre-race inspection twice at World Wide Technology Raceway.
Buescher's No. 17 RFK Racing Ford and Cody Ware's No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet each required three trips through inspection before being cleared. The two failures resulted in the ejection of No. 17 car chief Joshua Sisco and No. 51 car chief Dave Jones for the remainder of the race weekend.
Both teams also lost their pit-stall selection for Sunday's Enjoy Illinois 300, leaving them with the final available stalls on pit road regardless of where their drivers qualified.
The consequences stop there, however. Both cars passed inspection on their third attempts, avoiding the additional penalties that would have come with another failure.

#racing #race #chris #nascar

LSU avoided punishment from the SEC's presidents and chancellors as possible consequences were discussed at a special meeting Sept. 10.
The conference's 16 CEOs met virtually to decide whether or not the league could subject LSU football and head coach Lane Kiffin to punitive damages after the program's pursuit of trying to add former professional athletes to its roster.
After discussions, the SEC announced that no action was going to be taken against LSU at this time.
GOV. JEFF LANDRY ON LAWSUIT Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry says SEC singling out LSU with lawsuit, 'it's dangerous'
SAM LEAVITT, LANE KIFFIN PERFECT PAIR LSU football QB Sam Leavitt and Lane Kiffin are both 'mavericks'

#landry #Football

The Los Angeles Clippers are still reeling in the aftermath of a cap circumvention scandal. For their part in helping Kawhi Leonard secure millions in off-the-court, "no-show" endorsement deals, the franchise had to give up five first-round picks and $30 million, culminating in one of the most severe penalties in NBA history.
Through it all, Kawhi escaped the scandal relatively unscathed. Besides a $700K fine, he didn't face any major consequences, and even his trade to the Toronto Raptors remains completely untouched. And yet, even now, the Clippers have yet to finalize the trade, leading some executives to suspect they are considering some sort of revenge against Leonard for how he's turned his back on the team.
"The Raptors, I'm told, are eager to consummate the trade after initially placing it on hold July 9 (to guard against a Leonard suspension or the outright voiding of his contract) and still firmly believe that the deal will happen as agreed upon and intended. Ditto for Leonard and his camp," wrote NBA insider Marc Stein. "Yet the delay has naturally led some league observers to wonder aloud whether the Clippers are holding off — or considering something even more drastic — to spite Leonard for so readily accepting the league's punishment rather than invoking his right to pursue an appeal. Any formal appeal within the NBA's auspices in such matters, remember, must be initiated by the player in question rather than the team according to league by-laws."
The Clippers have given up everything for Kawhi, and they set themselves back 10 years just to make him happy. From his very arrival, Kawhi was making outlandish requests and even forced the Clippers to give up five first-round picks (along with future MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) in a deal for Paul George. By the end, the total cost of Leonard's services amounts to 10 first-round picks (not counting SGA), and it was all for a team that never made the Finals.
So when the Clippers were caught holding the bag in the cap circumvention scandal, they naturally expected some level of cooperation from Leonard, someone they moved heaven and earth to appease. Instead, he settled with the NBA right away, avoiding more severe penalties while stripping the Clippers of any power to fight back.

#clippers #leonard #first

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I'm turning 68 shortly and plan to wait to claim my Social Security at age 70 to maximize the monthly benefit. I also plan to retire at the end of the year, if not sooner (so in three months or less). Does withdrawing from my traditional IRAs (current balance is $215,000) to reduce the income tax on my RMDs outweigh the benefit of keeping those withdrawals invested and growing tax-deferred? My understanding is that if I withdraw amounts up to my standard deduction, then those amounts would be tax-free.
– Austen
Retirement withdrawals, Social Security benefits, required minimum distribution (RMDs), taxes … there are a lot of moving parts when it comes to making decisions about your retirement income. Reducing the amount of money that's subject to RMDs can help minimize your taxes once they kick in. This may also help avoid taxes on your Social Security benefits.
If you don't need the money now, but want to reduce RMDs later, one of the best moves might be converting a portion of your IRA to a Roth IRA each year. That can help reduce future required withdrawals and allow your money to grow tax-free, though there can be tax consequences for certain withdrawals. (A financial advisor can help guide you through the Roth conversion process and potentially avoid unwanted tax consequences.)

#Help #taxes #roth #Retirement

Pittsburgh Steelers star receiver DK Metcalf was at home when he saw his former team, the Seattle Seahawks, reach the mountaintop after beating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60.
Metcalf represented the Seahawks for six seasons, standing out as their top receiver. He put together three 1,000-yard seasons, helping them make the playoffs three times.
His time there ended after Seattle sent him to Pittsburgh in exchange for draft compensation during the 2025 offseason. This allowed him to team up with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but it paved the way for Seattle to win its second Super Bowl in franchise history.
Metcalf reflected on the events that offseason during an interview with The Athletic. According to reporter Jonathan Jones, "Metcalf has no regrets about asking a trade out of Seattle. The Seahawks listened partly because they knew a major Jaxon Smith-Njigba payday could arrive soon."
"I live with my decisions every day… they're very well thought-out decisions to where I know the consequences, know my benefits from every decision that I make," Metcalf says. "I got brothers on (the Seahawks), still friends on the team. So I congratulated them, but ****** ody's sour over an ex unless you really miss them. So no, I wasn't sour."

#metcalf #Seattle #team #pittsburgh

Vincent Kompany and Bayern Munich have received a major injury boost ahead of their opening UEFA Champions League game against Bodø/Glimt on Thursday. Serge Gnabry, who hasn't played since last season's Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid in April, returned to full team training on Monday, according to Bild.
Eager to make up for lost time following his adductor tear, it's quite possible that Gnabry could return to the squad as early as Thursday, which could have consequences for summer signing Ismael Saibari. The duo will compete for the No.10 spot behind Harry Kane, a position that has also been occupied by fellow summer arrival Nathaniel Brown, in the absence of Jamal Musiala.
Kompany, therefore, has plenty of options to keep things interesting. Notably, following Bayern's 0-0 draw against Bundesliga returnees Schalke 04, Didi Hamann criticised Saibari's performance. "Saibari is a wonderful footballer," he told Sky90. "But he's too slow. He's not fast at all, he's like a poor Kane.
"They say Saibari can play four positions. I think the only position Saibari can play is behind Kane, because he's too slow on the wing. Gnabry is a class above him there."
GGFN | Daniel Pinder

#kompany #league #following

If you are old enough, you remember a time before the internet. And you also remember Yahoo! and America Online being two of the most dominant internet companies early in the internet's development. The stocks were hot way back then, but today, both have basically flamed out and been swallowed up by other companies. Other internet companies became more dominant.
This isn't unusual in the tech sector, and investors piling into artificial intelligence (AI) stocks should keep that in mind. Sure, you could make a big bet on an AI stock that you think has winning tech, like a high-powered chip or a specialized application, or you could go with a picks-and-shovels play like Brookfield Renewable (NYSE: BEP)(NYSE: BEPC). Here's why this clean energy company could be the better bet.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Right now, artificial intelligence is a hot sector. Too many investors see it as a way to get rich quickly. And that has had pretty predictable consequences. For example, SoundHound (NASDAQ: SOUN) provides AI voice services. That's exciting, but probably not unique enough to build a business around. Still, its stock skyrocketed as investors jumped on the next hot thing. The shares have since plunged back to earth, down 70% from their 2024 peak.
The same could be happening now with Western Digital (NASDAQ: WDC), a maker of data storage devices. Huge demand from the AI build got investors excited about the stock, but that excitement has begun to fade. The stock has fallen roughly 40% from its recent highs. That's actually the second huge drawdown over the last three years. Even AI poster-child Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) has proven to be a highly volatile stock.

#NASDAQ #internet #NYSE

WASHINGTON, D.C. — FIRST ON FOX: As Washington, D.C., grapples with a persistent squatting problem, one resident in the nation's capital is speaking out about how unwelcome tenants have turned her life upside down, terrorizing her neighborhood while the city stands by and does nothing.
"I lived in several countries, including Third World countries, but it seems to me that I'm living in a Fourth World country in D.C.," Tatyana Day Velasquez, who owns a small three-unit building in Columbia Heights, told Fox News Digital.
"I've never seen something like it. There's no accountability for what goes on. Everybody just throws the ball to each other, and there's no help. So how can somebody resolve a problem like mine if you don't get help?"
For a tumultuous eight months, Velasquez said her property's basement apartment has been overrun by strangers who refuse to leave and live rent-free with no consequences in sight.
Homeowners Terrorized By Pro Squatters Turning Dreams Into Nightmares In Palm-lined Paradise, Experts Say

#World #velasquez #like #first

Dave Franco spent years being mistaken for early villain characters he played, but he wants the public to know that he's not an "asshole."
The Idiots star appeared on the August 27 episode of podcast Happy Sad Confused and told host Josh Horowitz that being cast as unpleasant characters made people think he was just as offensive in real life.
"Because I'm not on social media, I realized like, 'Oh, people can't see the real me as often as other people kind of–however they put themselves out there on social media,'" said the actor. "And so they're really just looking at my work and they're kind of like putting, you know, whatever opinion on me that they want based on the roles I play."
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Franco admitted that he played "a lot of a**hole and douchebags early on," which resulted in public consequences. "And so everyone was like, "Yeah, f**k that guy. He must be like that,'" he said.

#know

Cheapest freight isn't always best, especially when a late shipment can cost millions. ShipStation Global CEO Tom Madine breaks down why SMB shippers need parcel, LTL and truckload in one workflow, and why better freight decisions now matter more than just lower rates. From the merger that created ShipStation Global to adding more modes into the platform, this conversation gets into where shipping tech is heading, how data shapes carrier selection, and what smaller shippers actually need from logistics partners. #FreightTech #LTL #SupplyChain
ShipStation Global is formally launching its less-than-truckload product, marking the first tangible freight expansion since the merger of software provider Auctane, formerly the parent of the Stamps.com andShipStation,and WWEX Group, which previously housed freight brokerages like Worldwide Express. The company's CEO said the rollout represents the opening move in a broader strategy to let small and midsize shippers purchase and manage all transportation modes through a single platform.
"Today's the first day we've really launched the LTL product," said Tom Madine, CEO of ShipStation Global, noting the company plans to add truckload, final mile, and eventually ocean and forwarding capabilities after establishing its inland position.
The strategic rationale centers on eliminating the workflow gap that forced ShipStation users to leave the platform whenever they needed to move freight beyond parcel. Customer surveys repeatedly flagged the absence of additional modes as the top improvement request, he said. With LTL now integrated, shippers can manage inbound inventory movements alongside outbound parcel without switching systems.
"Cheapest is not always best…But at the same time, you don't want to overpay," Madine said, illustrating the point with a customer whose engine shipments carry multi-million-dollar consequences if delayed.

#madine #shippers #parcel #cheapest

Brian Kelly knows the intersection of culture, politics, sports and LSU all too well.
He remembers receiving an invitation to one of Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry's biggest fundraisers — a "gator-tagging event" — amidst LSU's own preseason football camp.
Kelly is not at all surprised LSU's attempt to play athletes who had spent time in NFL training camps has become intertwined with all things… Louisiana.
Opinion: Lane Kiffin has LSU at war with SEC. The consequences could last years
SEC statement after losing LSU hearing: Expects schools to follow rules

#louisiana #jeff #intersection

Michael Atherton has questioned the authority of Babar Azam and the role Pakistan's captains are allowed to play after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made sweeping changes to the Test squad midway through the England series.

Pakistan suffered defeats in the opening two Tests and responded by sending seven players home. Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha and Imam-ul-Haq were among those removed from the squad, while coaches Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul were also asked to leave.

Mike Hesson will now take charge of the team for the third and final Test at Edgbaston, beginning on September 9.

The scale of the changes has placed Babar under increasing scrutiny. Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif had already argued that Babar should have resigned after the seven players were sent home, while also branding him a "dummy captain".

Atherton has now questioned whether Babar, or indeed any Pakistan captain, has enough influence within the setup to lead effectively following such a major intervention from the board.

The former England captain believes the changes could have lasting consequences for Pakistan, regardless of what happens in the final Test.

"Not in this instance, no, because of the damage it will do in the long term. This is no way to manage players and no way to build a long-term vision at all," Atherton said on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast.

"I feel it's a horrible position for a captain, Babar Azam, to be in - and what kind of authority does he or indeed any captain of Pakistan have in this outfit?" he added.
Atherton suggested that the events of the England tour could make it extremely difficult for Babar to establish authority over the Pakistan dressing room.

He acknowledged that modern-day captains do not have the same control they once enjoyed, but insisted that a captain still needs to have a meaningful say in the team's affairs.

"One understands that the captain is not all-powerful these days, you're not going back 30 years ago when they perhaps ran the show, but they have to have some authority within a team," said Atherton.

The former England captain then raised a question over how Babar can move forward after the PCB's intervention.

"Given what's happened, how do you lead that team now?" he added.
Babar reclaimed Pakistan's Test captaincy from Shan Masood earlier this year after Bangladesh defeated Pakistan in their two-match series.

His side subsequently drew the series against the West Indies before travelling to England.

The 31-year-old missed the first Test against England because of an injury, but returned for the second match at Lord's.

His comeback, however, did little to ease Pakistan's batting problems. Babar scored only 8 and 6 as Pakistan suffered another heavy defeat.

England won the Lord's Test by 194 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

With seven players removed and the coaching staff reshuffled, Babar now faces the challenge of leading a

President Donald Trump is taking action to ensure most federal workers do not see a pay increase next year and denying concerns about its impact on employee retention and agency productivity, despite warnings to the contrary.
Trump's 2027 fiscal budget proposal did not mention pay increases for civilian federal employees, who include air traffic controllers, IRS tax auditors, and food safety inspectors. In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson last week, Trump confirmed that these employees would not see a pay increase for next year. Meanwhile, members of the military would see between a 5% to 7% pay increase, part of an effort to "rebuild our military's readiness and capabilities."
The president noted that a pay freeze for most employees was a result of increased inflation levels during the Biden administration. Inflation has increased from 3% to 3.4% since Trump took office in January 2025.
"Such a large raise for Federal employees while most Americans still struggle with the consequences of the Biden Administration's giant inflation spree is unacceptable and would be unfair," Trump wrote.
Trump insisted the move would not impact workforce levels, arguing, "This decision will maintain fiscal responsibility without harming the government's ability to recruit and retain well qualified employees."

#inflation #president #impact

(By Oil & Gas 360) – Month Ending: August 2026 – August was the month energy markets began treating geopolitical disruption less like a temporary shock and more like a structural part of the investment landscape. The Iran conflict remained the dominant force running through oil prices, tanker markets, LNG flows, sanctions policy, and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Yet one of the more revealing developments was how quickly commodity markets learned to absorb the uncertainty. Oil could rally on renewed fighting, fall on hopes for diplomacy, and then trade lower even as physical shipping constraints remained very real.
The industry's response told a different story. Producers, midstream companies, and governments continued committing capital to natural gas, new drilling inventory, offshore exploration, pipelines, ports, automation, and alternative supply routes. August was therefore not simply a month defined by war or volatile crude prices. It was a month that exposed how deeply intertwined energy security, infrastructure, technology, and access to resources are becoming.
The Iran conflict remained the defining energy story of August. Brent repeatedly moved in response to developments surrounding fighting and diplomacy, while commodity vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell to a three-month low. Reports that nearly half of global oil flows originated in or moved through conflict-affected regions underscored just how exposed the world's energy system had become to geopolitical instability.
The consequences extended well beyond crude prices. VLCC tanker rates reportedly climbed as high as $650,000 per day, Qatar suffered a severe collapse in LNG exports, and Gulf producers accelerated investment in pipelines and ports capable of reducing dependence on vulnerable maritime corridors.

#strait #hormuz

George Clooney is coming to Mark Ruffalo's defense after the 13 Going on 30 star, 58, faced backlash for his criticism of the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros. merger.
Clooney, 65, was on hand at the Venice Film Festival Wednesday, September 2 — where he was accepting the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement Award on the festival's opening day — and he was asked about the state of politics in America and the rise of AI, particularly when it comes to Paramount's ongoing attempt to merge with Warner Bros.
That's when the Oscar winner came to the defense of Ruffalo, who was accused by Paramount of "antisemitic tropes" after the Marvel star attacked the deal over its potential consequences for Hollywood, accusing David Ellison, CEO of Paramount Skydance, and the Ellison family of being complicit in the ongoing conflict in Palestine.
"I support Mark Ruffalo's ability to speak freely," Clooney told Variety when asked about the controversy. "It's ridiculous. We're not going to ban speech. I believe in free speech even when I completely disagree with it. That's important. In fact, it's part of how democracy works."
"There're gonna be people tonight in the room that are gonna disagree with most everything I say or stand for. Fair enough, that's how it's supposed to be," he continued. "We're supposed to argue these things out and come to a conclusion based on the information we take in. So I will always support Mark Ruffalo's ability to speak freely. I like him; he's a good man."

#mark #going