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Watch an orca ram into a sunfish so hard it explodes
This strategy expands orcas’ already broad repertoire for dispatching different types of prey.
Seahawks star Nick Emmanwori placed on PUP after ankle surgery
Nick Emmanwori will miss most or all of training camp, but should be ready for Week 1.
'Street justice’: Maryland’s Squatter King removal business fills area divide
When property owners call Sanchez Deandre Lewis, they are often already locked out.The Maryland contractor, known as “Mikey,” says unauthorized occupants have h
Baton Rouge casinos hit a June swoon
Casino revenue declined across Louisiana's four gaming markets in June, including a 7.4% drop in Baton Rouge, according to the latest figures. The Capital Region's three casinos generated a combine… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
Angry Mobs Are Attacking Health Workers in Congo. It Will Only Make the Ebola Outbreak Worse
There have been dozens of attacks of health care providers amid an ongoing Ebola crisis in Congo. It’s expected to increase the death rate in what’s already one of the fastest-growing outbreaks.
Opinion | AI makes it easier to deny reality. Michigan politics are already suffering
Being caught on tape no longer ruins political careers — and policymakers, courts and media companies must act quickly to ensure accountability remains.
Then vs. Now: Bo Jackson vs. J.K. Dobbins
Jackson is already really reminding me of J.K. Dobbins
New Report Examines How States Can Protect Pregnant/Postpartum Enrollees from Losing Health Coverage Due to Work Reporting Requirements (And Why We Should Still Be Worried)
As awareness has grown about the new Medicaid work reporting requirements (WRRs) that have already been put in place in some states but are mandated to begin January 1 of next year, it has created layers of confusion about who will be required to report work hours. Our new report on pregnant women and WRRs […]
Apple Plans Overhaul of MacBooks, iMac in Push to Meet AI Demand
Apple Inc. is readying an overhaul of its Mac line, seeking to capitalize on demand for powerful laptops and desktops fueled by the artificial intelligence boom.
Lakehouse Business Data Models for Manufacturing & Industrial
Production-ready, governed Silver-layer data models for travel & logistics that deploy directly into Unity Catalog on Databricks.
TECfusions, a Rapidly Growing Developer and Operator of AI-Ready Data Centers and Power Infrastructure, Signs Business Combination Agreement with Apex Treasury Corp.
TECfusions is positioned where accelerating AI data center demand meets a scarcity of power-secured capacity. Company ethos centered on the fusion of ‘Technology, Environment, Community’ focuses on delivering AI-ready capacity while advancing environmental redevelopment and local community outcomes. Unique adaptive reuse strategy designed to convert legacy industrial sites into AI-ready, power-enabled data center infrastructure, accelerating deployment in power-constrained markets. The Transacti
Does the science of peptides live up to the hype?
Synthetic peptides are getting some serious hype, from fitness influencers on your FYP to people seeking new options for chronic conditions. And while the human body already makes peptides, like insulin and the hormone oxytocin, most of the viral synthetic peptides are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Scientists say that raises some big concerns about safety and efficacy. So ahead of this week’s FDA meeting to discuss seven commonly used peptides, we get into the science with health reporter Sarah Boden.Interested in more science behind health trends? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. It includes perks like bonus episodes, early access, archive access, curated playlists and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.
Video: Splatoon Raiders Gets New Overview Trailer Ahead Of This Week's Release
Get ready to explore the Spirhalite Islands
Seattle Seahawks Work Out Former Packers, Ole Miss Receiver
The Seattle Seahawks are exploring another option for an already crowded wide receiver competition.Seattle hosted Malik Heath and three defensive backs for tryouts, according to the NFL transaction wire.Heath, 26, brings more regular-season experience than most players searching for an opportunity this close to training camp.The 6-foot-2, 213-pound receiver spent his first three NFL seasons […] The post Seattle Seahawks Work Out Former Packers, Ole Miss Receiver appeared first on HEAVY.
Patriots Make Harold Landry Roster Move Amid Injury Concerns
The New England Patriots are getting ready for training camp, and they have received a big update on Harold Landry's status before the action gets underway. The post Patriots Make Harold Landry Roster Move Amid Injury Concerns appeared first on HEAVY.
Jennifer Love Hewitt Looks Nearly Unrecognizable as She Ditches Dark Hair, Goes Blonde
Jennifer Love Hewitt‘s hair has undergone many transformations over the years, but her latest look has left the actress nearly unrecognizable. “Season 10 hair ready! Let’s go!” the 9-1-1 star shared v...
Lakehouse Business Data Models for Travel & Logistics
Production-ready, governed Silver-layer data models for travel & logistics that deploy directly into Unity Catalog on Databricks.
Samsung can’t afford to play it safe with Apple’s first foldable looming
Samsung is ready to take a risk.
Three Taycans Weren’t Enough, So He Had Porsche Build Him A Special Fourth
Porsche built this special Taycan Turbo GT for a Swiss buyer who already had three of them sitting in his garage
Inside Ukraine's secret uncrewed weapons revolution
We were given rare access to Ukraine's military units already deploying the technology of the future to turn the tide against Russia.
🏈 Y! Sports AM: Grass vs. turf
NFL players aren’t pleased that the natural grass that covered their fields during the World Cup is already being replaced with the artificial turf they know and hate.
Munson Army Health Center Open House: Discover Your Medical Home at Fort Leavenworth
FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kansas -- Whether you're new to Fort Leavenworth or have been part of our community for years, we invite you to join us for the Munson Army Health Center Open House, Wednesday, Aug. 12. Stop by anytime from 1 to 3 p.m. to meet the healthcare professionals who support Soldiers, families, retirees and other eligible beneficiaries. Learn about the many services available to help you stay healthy, mission ready and informed.
42 Local Stations from Audacy Are Coming to SiriusXM
SiriusXM is adding 42 of Audacy’s leading sports, news, and talk stations to its already unmatched audio lineup.
The Business Asset Most Founders Overlook Until They Try To Sell Their Companies
When they’re ready to sell, founders sometimes realize that they’ve forgotten to prioritize the business asset that matters most to many buyers.
Canada ready to ‘intensify’ trade talks as Trump orders new tariffs
PM Mark Carney says Canada has made proposals to resolve dispute as tariffs are due to be imposed on wide range of goods
Troy Jackson puts health care front and center
Troy Jackson already appears to be leaning into health care as one of his key talking points in the battle to win one of Maine's Senate seats this November.
California’s Business Tax Credit Cap Needs More Targeted Changes
California’s scramble to rework its business tax credit cap shows that the state is directionally correct to resist subsidy bidding wars but wrong to rewrite the economics of credits already issued after companies have already relied on them, writes Andrew Leahey.
Revel Entertainment plans to build outdoor amphitheater next to current building
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A popular music venue in Albuquerque is expanding. Revel Entertainment is adding an outdoor amphitheater to their already established multi-room venue along the I-25…
UFC Freedom 250 Fails to Knock Out The Ratings
(Welcome to my weekly streaming ratings report, the single best guide to what’s popular in streaming TV and what isn’t. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. If you were forwarded this email, please subscribe to get these insights each week.) If UFC fans wanted one image to say, “Hey, Paramount+ is crushing it with their UFC rights deal,” I could provide that image. Here it is: (Reminder: this is my creation of the Nielsen Top 30, since Nielsen doesn’t combine the lists or include sports. I take all three lists and combine them. Some streaming TV shows probably have higher ratings than many of the films on this list.) Look at that! UFC Freedom 250 is number one! It topped the Nielsen “Top 30” list for shows and films that made the top ten the week of 15-June. So if you’re a UFC fan or supporter of Paramount+, that’s the good news for you this week. This program topped the ratings charts for one week. Everything else is bad news, or at least a huge caveat to that story, which I’ll explain today in the first part of this week’s Streaming Ratings Report—for the weeks of 8-June and 15-June—which is a double issue since I’ve been writing on a bunch of topics recently. UFC Freedom 250 is one of the biggest streaming events of the year, and super relevant to Paramount+’s strategy, so it merited its own article. Let’s dive in! (Reminder: The streaming ratings report focuses on the U.S. market and compiles data from Nielsen’s weekly top ten viewership ranks, Luminate’s Top Ten Data, JustWatch and Reelgood interest data, Samba TV household viewership, company datecdotes, Netflix hours viewed data, Google Trends, and IMDb to determine the most popular content. While most data points are current, Nielsen’s data covers the weeks of June 8th to June 21st 2026. You can find a link to my terminology here.) Subscribe Check Out My Interview on UFC 250 at MMA Draw After you read this article, if you want even more thoughts on UFC and Paramount-Skydance/Paramount+, I did a written interview with MMA Draw. They asked me to answer some questions about UFC Freedom 250, and I was happy to chat with them. Find it here: [ The MMA Draw Newsletter Did Paramount really overpay for the UFC? What the data tells us so far If you know the history of American television, you also know that combat sports is often a leading indicator of the future… Read more a day ago · 10 likes · 1 comment · Nate Wilcox and Zach Arnold ](https://www.themmadraw.com/p/did-paramount-really-overpay-for?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=post_embed&utm_medium=web) I never thought I’d need a combat sports newsletter in my life, but the good folks at MMA Draw publish an excellent one on UFC, MMA, pro wrestling, boxing and more, analyzing both the sports themselves and the politics, economics and antitrust issues that impact them. Check the article and their newsletter out! Paramount+ Has Its Best Sporting Event of All Time…But Was It Worth It? Before we look at the UFC Freedom 250 data in particular, let’s talk about what we can’t say. Namely, let’s start with the lack of comparisons. First off, I’d love to put a chart out comparing this fight to past UFC fights on Paramount+…but we don’t have the data. This is the first time we’ve gotten Nielsen data about a Paramount+ UFC fight. As far as I can tell, Paramount provided data for the first fight, but it was a proprietary datecdote (saying it had “an average minute audience” of 5 million “views”) and then, for two fights, we got the linear viewership numbers when they aired on CBS, but no streaming data. Everything else was crickets. We also can’t compare this fight to other fights/combat sports on streaming, in particular the MMA and boxing, because Netflix also didn’t use Nielsen to track those events, opting for TVision and VideoAmp, respectively. (This isn’t Paramount’s fault, but does still suck.) We also can’t compare to UFC’s fights that used to be on ESPN+, since we don’t have any data for that, plus Disney+ didn’t have marquee fights. The comparisons would not be apples-to-apples. Can we compare to past Pay-Per-View fights? Absolutely not. The comparisons would absolutely NOT be apples-to-apples. That didn’t stop Paramount+, though, who bragged that their UFC events have reached drastically more people than past PPV fights. Duh. Sorry, but I gotta make this point again. A basic tenet of economics is that the cheaper something becomes, the more people consume or buy it. That’s Econ 101. (Sometimes pundits call things “Econ 101” that are actually like Econ 210 or even PhD-level economics, but no, this is really like first or second class basic economics.) Yet I still see one analytics firm consistently say that more people watch films on streaming than PVOD proves streaming which means that the streaming window is more valuable than the PVOD window. No, it’s not! Same thing here. Pay-Per-View events back in the day could be really, really, really expensive! So whole groups of people pitched in to buy them. That increased the perceived value of, say, the Mike Tyson fight. Or a UFC numbered event. So yes, the fact that Paramount+ makes numbered UFC fights essentially “free” if you’re already a Paramount+ member means consumption will go up. Obviously. Same for Netflix and their boxing matches. They’re talking about fights that used to cost consumers, in some cases, $50 in 1996…which is over $100 in today’s dollars. Over 1.6 million people paid that to watch the Tyson-Holyfield fight! Again, streaming is essentially “free”. Or $10 to $20, depending on what streamer we’re talking about and what tier you’re on. No wonder more people are “watching”. (Plus, Nielsen’s out-of-home viewing also helps these numbers.) UFC Freedom 250 Did Well…But I Have A Lot of Worries So what can we compare the fights to? Well, the good news is Nielsen put out that the fight averaged 7.0 million viewers for UFC Freedom 250, which is a solid number for a fight. We also know the length, at roughly 4 and a half hours. (I saw different run times, but this seems to be the consensus considering it started at 8 pm, had a delay and then finished after midnight on the East Coast. If you assume a shorter run time, then yes, the total hours viewed would go down.) That means I have the two numbers needed to add this to my Nielsen database. And then…I can compare this viewership to the NFL: And, uh, not great. But also within striking distance, mainly because the runtime for this event was so long. I’d also add that this event had viewership equal to a regular season NFL game on streaming, but if anything, it was more comparable to an NFL playoff or Super Bowl-esque event. And you can compare viewership to the top football games on broadcast, cable and streaming, and it’s not impressive at all: We can also compare it to other sports that week, including the NBA Finals and start of the World Cup: Again, not great. The NBA generated roughly four times as many average viewers each game for its NBA Finals. The World Cup has similarly big numbers. Also, that’s just a tiny fraction of the 25 most watched sporting events each week. The NBA, NHL and FIFA World Cup had many, many more games racking up hours. We could also compare this to other streaming programs to get an idea of “is this a good investment?” and here is how it ranks compared to other top Paramount+ programs: The worry here? Well, unlike scripted programming, which has rewatchability, older fights/sporting events have very little library value. Very, very few people are rewatching these fights, especially years from now. Paramount has also released datecdotes bragging about their subscriber numbers. Earlier this year, they claimed that the first UFC fight on Paramount+ brought in 1 million subscribers. Then, in their quarterly earnings report, they only ended up with 700K subs. Not great! They claimed they dropped lower-value international subscribers, but that’s why I tend to discount subscriber additions when they’re leaked to the press.1 I expect we may see a bump again for UFC Freedom 250, but I’d caution using subscriber growth so soon after these events to judge the success, since new subs with high churn (see Peacock) aren’t great either. Also, analysts often want to attribute all subscriber growth to their favorite/pet show, and that just doesn’t make sense. The biggest caveat for UFC Freedom 250 and Paramount’s very first UFC marquee event is that these could be high watermarks for the sport. UFC Freedom 250 had an incredible amount of earned media coverage compared to most UFC fights. I mean, it had wall-to-wall national news coverage in the lead up to the event. (The first fight also had a lot of promotion from Paramount since it was first.) Other fights could reach this bar—say the Conor McGregor return to the Octagon—but they’ll be fewer and far between. Was This Deal Worth It? All to ask: is this Paramount deal worth it? In this case, I think the UFC Freedom 250 numbers are more distracting than helpful. This fight did well and compares well to other top sporting events. But we know that the first marquee event was at least a third smaller, if Paramount’s own data is to be believed. And it’s likely the other fights are much, much, much smaller. And then you get to the paycheck that Paramount-Skydance paid. FIFA’s World Cup cost about the same for Fox, but clearly generated multiples more total viewership. (Though it’s only every four years.) The NBA is much more expensive, but until the playoffs, they likely didn’t pay for itself. Even still, Disney, NBCUniversal and Amazon Prime Video likely overpaid. So, in that context, the NBA may be an overpay that makes the UFC look not so bad. But two overpays don’t make an underpay, to paraphrase the old cliché about wrongs and rights. And looking at UFC Freedom 250 as the likely ceiling of MMA on Paramount+, Paramount-Skydance likely paid too much. Share 1 I would love regular reports on subscriber additions by programs, but as is, it’s mostly leaked or rumored in haphazard ways.
'I'm in.' Darline Graham says she will run for a full term in Lindsey Graham's Senate seat
The entrance of Darline Graham into the Republican scramble to select a new Senate nominee further complicates an already rushed process following Lindsey Graham's death earlier this month.
Byron Donalds wants 3 gubernatorial debates with David Jolly
It's not even August yet, but the GOP front-runner is ready for the Fall contest.
The Pixel 11 Pro showed up on one of Google’s websites
Images of the Pixel 11 lineup have already surfaced, but those uncovered images didn’t come with loads of confidence. New...
Wheeling Athletics Set to Host 2nd Annual Fall Sports Media Day July 27th
Wheeling, W. Va. - With the 2026-2027 season right around the corner, the Wheeling University Athletic Department is making its final preparations for fall camp. On Monday, July 27, each of the department's fall sport head coaches will take the podium for the second annual Fall Sports Media Day. Each coach will give a season preview as fans get ready to cheer on the Cardinals in 2026-2027.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 announces open beta for Nintendo Switch 2
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is getting an open beta on Nintendo Switch 2, it’s been announced. This will be happening during the weekend of August 28. You’ll have until September 1 to participate. Here’s the rundown on what’s included in the beta: Get ready to drop into multiple Multiplayer maps and modes, choosing from a wide selection of...
The Self-Driving Company Is AI’s Next Business Model.
To understand future AI-native firms, businesses must study companies already operating themselves, just as military strategists learn from Ukraine's drone warfare.
Is Your Business Suffering From a Workplace 'Situationship'?
A new survey shows nearly 60 percent of employees feel no long-term commitment from their employers—and a third are already preparing to leave.
NFL offseason power rankings: No. 13 San Francisco 49ers are healthier and ready to contend again
Commentary: Hollywood's guaranteed paydays for stars are bad bets now
Rather than making a summer splash, Disney’s live-action "Moana" remake floundered at the box office. Opening with $43 million domestically against a $250 million production budget, the film is already
Commentary: Hollywood's guaranteed paydays for stars are bad bets now
Rather than making a summer splash, Disney’s live-action "Moana" remake floundered at the box office. Opening with $43 million domestically against a $250 million production budget, the film is already
Barnstable County Fair starts today. Here's what to know.
Get ready for the Barnstable County Fair running July 20 to 26 with rides, demolition derbies, animals, quilts and live music.
Potential announcement date revealed for new Barcelona signing
Barcelona had wrapped up the deal to sign Karim Adeyemi earlier in the month, with the Catalan swooping out of nowhere to acquire the services of the explosive winger.Borussia Dortmund have already co...
Hicks Commentary: The Lincoln Party Is Already Winning
This column was originally published for the Ball State University Center for Business and Economic Research Weekly Commentary blog. By Michael J. Hicks July 19, 2026 The Lincoln Party has taken a deeply consequential step. By collecting sufficient signatures to place former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard on the ballot for secretary of state, his team
Draymond Green already knows his role if LeBron James decides to join the Warriors
Draymond Green has no trouble accepting his role if LeBron James does end up joining the Warriors.
Fox may have already lost its World Cup breakout star in Zlatan Ibrahimović
Zlatan Ibrahimović appeared to bid farewell to Fox Sports after the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, suggesting his time in the network’s studio was a one-tournament experiment. “You made it easy for me. I hope, America, you enjoyed it as much as I did, and this is also my farewell to the studio,” Ibrahimović said…
Broadway Utica Stage Ready students present Grease
Broadway Utica's Stage Ready Summer Intensive students will perform "GREASE School Edition" on July 24 at Proctor High School. Tickets are on sale now.
Boeing on track for 2028 Air Force One delivery, costs rise
Boeing said on Sunday it remains on track to deliver two new Air Force One jets in 2028, but meeting that target will require additional spending on a program already years behind schedule and billions of dollars over budget.
Recruiting Roundup: Husky Commits Shine During Summer Events
Happy Sunday Husky fans. The Huskies are in a quiet period for recruiting with the coaches on break before they get ready for the season to start. Today I wanted to showcase some current commits that have been having strong summers with their high school and 7v7 teams this summer. 4 star wide receiver Tre […]
I wanted to love the Galaxy Z Fold 8, but Samsung already ruined it for me
Samsung has run out of ideas
Science & Medicine: Small daily choices can have a big impact on your dementia risk
A UT San Antonio researcher warns that dementia cases could triple by 2050 and that no health system on earth is ready for it. But Dr. Claudia Suemoto says the outlook isn't hopeless: everyday choices around exercise, diet, and community can meaningfully lower your risk, especially if you start by around age 35.
The Blood-Brain Barrier Has Been Breached. Is Clinical Trial Science Ready?
FDA's March 2026 approval of AVLAYAH marks the first BBB-crossing biologic — but CNS trial design, PK monitoring, and safety frameworks haven't caught up.
Daiyan Henley Should Be Ready to Prove Doubters Wrong
Daiyan Henley was completely left off ESPN’s top linebacker rankings, but the Chargers star has everything needed to make the doubters regret it. With another big season ahead, don’t be surprised if he’s impossible to ignore by this time next year.
Ricky Pearsall workout video raises health questions close to 49ers camp
In what's supposed to be a make-or-break year for 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, there is already some cause for concern for the third-year wide receiver.
One Returning Player Ready to Become a Star for LSU
The LSU Tigers could see one of their sophomores take a big leap in 2026.
🤯 Never before! France have already made unwanted history
France are currently making a fool of themselves in the World Cup third-place playoff — it is already a humiliation of historic proportions. Today’s match for third place was not exactly approach...
Steam Machine Engineers at Valve Signal Grim Future as Memory Crisis Is 'Still Getting Worse'
Steam Machine engineers at Valve have warned the ongoing memory crisis in tech is "still getting worse" as buyers face already exorbitant prices.
Bingo! How to win free Farm Science Review tickets in Clinton County
As quickly as the Clinton County Fair has come up on us, it’s hard to believe it’s already over. Today marks the last day of the Fair as exhibitors sell their projects and get ready to leave the fairgrounds. We wish you luck to all our exhibitors who are taking any projects to the State Fair or any other exhibitions! It was great seeing the culmination of all these kids’ hard work.
'The Odyssey' sails towards a record-breaking opening weekend
Christopher Nolan's epic is already crushing at the box office.
AI’s new political donor class is already outspending Big Tech’s last one
Campaign filings show AI employees donating faster, more heavily, and more in sync than three prior tech-IPO donor classes. Here’s where the money is going.
N.Y. lawmakers react to Trump's election speech
“He didn't release anything that hasn't already been made available to the intelligence community and to members of the legislature," Morelle said.
Costco adds hot fan favorite to food court menu as shoppers debate taste and value
Costco is expanding its famously affordable food court menu with a new $6.99 chicken strip meal and the addition has already divided shoppers over its flavor, breading and value.
HHS research agency ends funding for dozens of health studies
The Trump administration terminated dozens of health research grants this week, telling grantees it is shifting priorities to issues like the “overmedication of children” and autism, according to a prominent research organization. The cuts hit projects at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, many of them multiyear awards that had already been indefinitely delayed. At least 67 […]
Nexus unveils first startup school cohort of companies
Nexus Louisiana introduced the inaugural cohort of companies in its Stealthmode Startup School and announced the winners of its DevDays Education Challenge during a recent showcase, highlighting the o… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
All’s fair: Johnson County Fair offers loads of entertainment
The Ferris wheel, tilt-a-whirl and other midway attractions are up and ready to go.
Pixel 11 reportedly getting ‘improved’ face unlock as 11a said to use Tensor G6
While we wait for the Pixel 11 launch, rumors about the Pixel 11a and even 12a are already emerging. Notably, face unlock...
Orlando Magic Summer League Guard Ready to Take Major Leap
After transforming his physique and sharpening his perimeter shooting, Alex Morales is embracing a defensive-first mindset to transition from G League standout to a permanent NBA roster spot.
Preparation Spreads the Value of the World Cup Across the Entire Sports Marketing World
The soccer tournament showed how being ready leads to success.
State warns of new "Mr. Finance" investment solicitations from man accused of running Ponzi scheme
The Illinois Secretary of State is warning a businessman known as Mr. Finance, already accused of running a Ponzi scheme, may be soliciting investments in an allegedly sketchy new business.
Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez drops out of the governor’s race
Rodriguez’s exit, which comes in the wake of campaign finance issues, shakes up an already wide open Democratic primary in the battleground state.
Christopher Nolan Handpicked Himesh Patel for The Odyssey. Then He Put Him Through Hell.
The 35-year-old star had already worked with the director on ‘Tenet,’ but the conditions and experience went way further on the massive new adaptation of Homer’s epic tale. He says it was all worth it.
Morgan State University Launches Artificial Intelligence Degree to Prepare Students for the Next Era of Innovation
New Undergraduate Program and Interdisciplinary Risk Management Course Expand Career-Ready Offerings Aligned With the Future of Work and the Demands of an AI-Driven Economy
2026 NFL Season Predictions
NFL training camps are beginning to open this weekend, and a lot can happen between now and the start of the 2026 regular season. Still, the editors of Athlon Sports' 2026 NFL Preview magazine have already made their predictions for who will be in the playoffs and who takes home individual player awards. The following picks are from the magazine, which is on sale now.
Rotating Playcube projector is becoming an AI entertainment hub
The Playcube was already an unusual little projector: a palm-sized, Rubik’s Cube-like device with a 360-degree rotating design, built to throw a big image onto a wall, ceiling, or whatever flat surface you have nearby. Now, TCL is adding a new layer of interaction through Google’s Gemini AI.
ACA and Medicaid changes hang over health earnings
Insurers and health systems already are feeling the effects of significant enrollment drops and changes in who's paying for care.
Bizcap US Launches, Bringing Fast, Flexible Funding to SMBs
VICTORIA, AU / ACCESS Newswire / July 17, 2026 / Global non-bank funder Bizcap has officially launched in the US, expanding its international footprint and bringing its proven funding model to one of the world's largest small business markets. Already ...
El Niño is here, and it’s already looking like it could be 'mind-blowing'
Temperatures in the El Niño region in the Pacific Ocean are the warmest they've been on record at this time of year. And the peak is still months away.
‘Children of Blood and Bone’ first-look photos depict Regina King on her throne, Cynthia Erivo ready for battle
First-look photos from the ‘Children of Blood and Bone’ movie show the all-star cast wearing colorful threads on sweeping sets.
Science behind ‘corn sweat’ and how it worsens the current heat wave
Experts say corn sweat is making an already brutal heat stretch feel even more humid across South Dakota.
Sports without politics is a fantasy and the World Cup proves it
From ancient Greece to Nazi Germany, sport and politics have long been intertwined. Nevertheless, we still imagine that international sport can be kept above the fray and serve as a neutral arena where nations compete on merit alone. In this article, diplomacy scholar Geoffrey Allen Pigman argues the 2026 FIFA World Cup shows this is a dangerous illusion. When international sport is left entirely to revenue-maximizing private bodies like FIFA, it doesn't escape politics, but rather surrenders to its worst expressions. With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics fast approaching, the IOC must decide whether to learn that lesson or repeat the same mistakes. The largest and most lucrative FIFA World Cup ever draws toward its climactic conclusion amidst a swirl of controversy. Team members, staff, fans, and spectators have been denied their right to enter the United States to participate, and US President Donald Trump intervened with FIFA boss Gianni Infantino to overturn a referee’s call that Trump believed disadvantaged the US national team. It is a moment to step back and reflect on what the purposes of international sport mega-events like the World Cup, and international sport more broadly, are, and what they should be. Does international sport serve public purposes? Is there a public interest? Or is it primarily a private endeavor organized by commercial enterprises to entertain the global public (and generate profit in the process), which is occasionally used by governments and leaders for raisons d’etat? Central to the idea of sport is the principle of fair play, which in the international context demands that games be free from political interference. However, it is impossible to separate sport from politics, all claims to the contrary notwithstanding. The most positive political use of international sport through the millennia has been to facilitate diplomacy. The use of international sport for diplomatic objectives has existed since at least the time of the ancient Olympic Games, around which was instituted the custom of the Ekecheiria, or Olympic Truce, between participating states to facilitate fair competition and diplomatic achievements by ensuring that participants could travel safely to the Olympiad. In his seminal work On Diplomacy (1987), diplomacy scholar James Der Derian characterized the objectives of diplomacy as overcoming alienation and mediating estrangement between governments and between peoples. One increasingly important diplomatic tool in the technology-infused media environment over the past century has been public diplomacy, under which governments and non-state diplomatic actors (e.g. transnational corporations) communicate to global publics about their international policy objectives and to shape their global brand image. Political scientist Michał Kobierecki, in his important book Sports Diplomacy (2020), views sports diplomacy as falling broadly within the ambit of public diplomacy, as international sport intimately involves the participation of global publics as spectators and consumers of global media. Diplomacy scholar Stuart Murray and this author, in a 2013 article, distinguish between international sport used for diplomatic purposes and international sport-as-diplomacy, which encompasses the range of diplomacy that occurs as teams and competitors, spectators and fans, and government officials all converge for international sporting events like the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup. Diplomacy scholar H.E. Chehabi, in a 2001 article on US-Iran sports diplomacy, describes the interaction between spectators and fans at international sporting events as “people-to-people diplomacy,” in which relationships develop independently of governments and their objectives. Diplomacy by the aforementioned definitions is often unsuccessful. Moreover, all too often the tools of diplomacy may be employed by governments and other actors to thwart or oppose the objectives of diplomacy as characterized by Der Derian. Governments routinely use the tools of public diplomacy to disseminate propaganda, spreading misinformation in the attempt to deceive global publics about their objectives and to create misleading impressions about their brand identity. Within sports diplomacy, the term “sportswashing” has been coined recently to describe how governments invest in and promote international sport to create positive global public impressions of their nations and, in doing so, to distract the global public from their deficient records in areas such as human rights and democratic governance. Murray, in his 2018 book Sports Diplomacy: Origins, Theory and Practice, introduces the concept of sports anti-diplomacy, wherein governments intentionally use international sport to advance aggressive and nationalistic objectives. Obvious historical examples include Hitler’s use of the 1936 Berlin Olympics to glorify his Third Reich and the 1969 El Salvador-Honduras football “war.” SUGGESTED READING The beautiful game made ugly By Emily Ryall FIFA argues that it is and seeks to be apolitical in its stewardship of international Association Football (soccer). FIFA policies governing bids to host the World Cup require uninhibited and non-discriminatory access for players, team staff, and spectators of all participating countries to host nations and venues. It became clear soon after Trump returned to power in the United States in January 2025 that Trump’s political intentions and objectives to limit non-US citizens from living and working in the United States and, in numerous cases, even visiting the country, would collide with FIFA’s host nation policies. Beginning soon after the start of the second Trump administration, US federal authorities imposed restrictions on entry to the United States of citizens of between 20 and 40 countries for any purpose, with only limited exceptions. Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began arresting non-US citizens in the United States, including persons with and without legal status, holding them in jails, concentration camps, and other detention facilities until they were deported to their home or third countries, where they faced substantive risks to their personal safety. FIFA boss Gianni Infantino, in an effort to ensure the most successful and lucrative World Cup in history, engaged diplomatically with President Trump in an attempt to facilitate entry to the US for World Cup participants. Infantino did all in his power to ingratiate himself with Trump, to the extent of creating a FIFA “Peace Prize,” which he awarded to Trump in December 2025 at a ceremony in the then Trump-controlled John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, on the occasion of the World Cup draw. The prize was an ersatz consolation for someone who aspired in vain to win the rather more prestigious and well-known Nobel Peace Prize. And in the run-up to the World Cup, conditions became worse. In February 2026, Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a war of aggression against Iran, illegal under international law, under the false pretence that Iran’s government was preparing to attack the United States and Israel. During the US aerial bombardment of Iran, US planes bombed Azadi Stadium, the facility where Iran’s national football team trained. As the 2026 FIFA World Cup began, it was clear that Infantino’s efforts had been for naught: the Trump administration would not adhere to FIFA policies governing access to World Cup host nations. World Cup referee Omar Artan, a citizen of Somalia, was denied a US visa to enter the United States to participate in the World Cup. Trump’s government only granted US visas to Iran’s football team ten days before they were scheduled to arrive for the tournament. Numerous members of the support staff for Iran’s team were denied US visas. Iran’s team, which had been scheduled to train in Arizona, was directed to shift its training site to Tijuana, Mexico, notwithstanding that all three of their group stage matches took place at US venues. The US Department of Homeland Security only permitted the Iranian team to enter the US on the day before each scheduled match and then to return to Mexico immediately after playing. Members of Iraq’s and Switzerland’s football teams were delayed for hours by US officials at the US border, and an Iraqi team photographer was refused entry. Spectators and fans from Haïti and Iran were denied entry to the United States altogether. A large number of fans from a range of countries had their applications for US visas rejected. There were multiple off-ramps through which participants could have avoided the negative consequences of Trump’s decisions for the 2026 World Cup. Once it was clear that the Trump government intended to violate the established expectations for World Cup hosts, FIFA could have shifted the matches scheduled to take place in the United States to Mexico and Canada. The three nations were already designated as co-hosts, and host cities and venues had been selected. Once it was clear that FIFA, governed by FIFA boss Gianni Infantino’s dependent and dysfunctional relationship with Trump, would never consider this option on its own, it fell to the national football federations to act. The national federations, particularly some combination of federations of the leading contenders (France, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Morocco, England, Germany, etc.), could have refused to participate under the US-imposed conditions or, at the least, demanded an ironclad agreement with the Trump government that FIFA policies on access would be respected. ___ International sport is inextricably entangled with diplomacy of different sorts, for good or ill, it cannot be considered to be in the purely private realm and left to revenue-maximizing private actors. ___ Why did neither FIFA nor the national football federations act to protect the interests of players, team staff, referees, fans, and spectators? In essence, the relentless engines of capitalism prevailed over norm observance, ethics, and fair play. The revenue interests of FIFA, sponsors, global media, and host cities won out. FIFA’s managers viewed hosting another World Cup principally in the United States as a veritable pot of gold for FIFA and its collaborators. FIFA has estimated its own revenue over the 2023-26 budget cycle, which includes the 2026 World Cup, at $13 billion, revised up from an initial projection of $11 billion, and 72% higher than the previous revenue cycle. Of that total, FIFA is estimated to have generated $8.9 billion from the Cup itself in revenue from TV rights ($3.92 billion), sponsorships ($2.69 billion), ticket sales ($3.1 billion), licensing rights, and other sources. A joint study by FIFA and the World Trade Organization estimates that the World Cup will contribute over $40 billion to global GDP, including nearly $14 billion in direct visitor spending in the three host countries (but principally in the United States, which hosted the lion’s share of the matches). The FIFA World Cup is now reportedly “the single most lucrative recurring commercial property in global sport.” And yet, notwithstanding the Trump government’s uses of the World Cup for sports anti-diplomacy, and the climate of anxiety that this created for participants and spectators, diplomacy that did not depend upon governments was able to thrive at the World Cup. Examples of successful people-to-people diplomacy were legion, as citizens of towns and cities across the States, as well as in Mexico and Canada, welcomed team members, their families and supporters, to training sites across North America. Fans of different teams joined together in person in stadiums for matches, at watch parties and bars, and at welcome events sponsored by host cities. The joy and camaraderie shared between the citizenry of Boston and Scotland’s “Tartan Army” of fans is but one example of how the “Beautiful Game” brings people together. Friendships forged across continents are likely to endure well beyond the Cup final. Even those achievements cannot be seen as unalloyed, however. As South African football fan Byron Pillay commented to Al Jazeera, “Football is called the Beautiful Game for a reason, for its ability to unite people. But it’s hard to believe in that magic with the politics and war rhetoric off the field of play, especially when one of the tournament hosts is central to that.” Ultimately, the experience of the 2026 FIFA World Cup illustrates that, as international sport is inextricably entangled with diplomacy of different sorts, for good or ill, it cannot be considered to be in the purely private realm and left to revenue-maximizing private actors. As long as there is the possibility of diplomatic progress in mediating estrangement between governments or between peoples, there is a broad and overarching public interest in international sport. Likewise, as it would be difficult to put on an international sport mega-event without international sporting organizations like FIFA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), global media firms, and companies purchasing sponsorships, public and private interests in international sport must coexist, most likely somewhere on a shifting spectrum between partnership and rivalry or cross purposes. As the World Cup wraps up, the IOC needs to consider its lessons before the scheduled 2028 Los Angeles Olympics if they want to avoid a media-hyped Trump version of the 1936 Berlin Olympiad. The IOC and the National Olympic Committees need to set conditions on and make demands of Trump’s government with clearly articulated consequences for non-compliance, up to and including cancellation of the Games. Time is running out for the IOC, as unlike with the FIFA World Cup, there is no at-the-ready alternate venue for Los Angeles.
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