Daily News 19

Category: Around the World

International news, world events, society, travel, and stories beyond the other editorial categories.

  • Kesha on Her First Lingerie Campaign as an Independent Artist: ‘My Whole Body Is Finally All Mine’

    Kesha on Her First Lingerie Campaign as an Independent Artist: ‘My Whole Body Is Finally All Mine’

    Kesha is embracing a new era of independence as she continues her Freedom Tour. The pop star says having greater control over her music and career has also changed the way she feels about her body.

    That sense of freedom is at the heart of Kesha’s latest collaboration with Adore Me, her first lingerie advertising campaign as an independent artist. The Kesha x Adore Me campaign features six pieces from the brand’s After Hours collection, including lingerie, sleepwear and panties. Sizes range from XS to 4X and 30A to 46DDD, with every item priced below $65.

    Kesha on confidence, authenticity and feeling at home in her body

    For Kesha, the collaboration is about more than dressing up.

    “What feels sexy to me is always evolving and changing, but the thing I know is always the most attractive quality is authenticity,” she tells Billboard. “It’s the highest vibration.”

    The partnership arrives during what Kesha describes as one of the most liberated periods of her life. After years of seeking greater control over her work, she says that independence has transformed her relationship with her body.

    “I’m really loving where I’m at in life and in my body,” she says. “It’s not a coincidence that with my freedom and gaining the rights over my own voice, I also feel more autonomous, confident and free in my own body. My whole body is finally all mine.”

    Shop Kesha’s Adore Me lingerie picks

    Kaia Unlined Bra

    Worn by Kesha and available now at Adore Me.

    Priced at $39.96, reduced from $49.95, the romantic lace quarter-cup bra features bold cutouts and strappy details.

    Evelyne High Waisted Panty

    Worn by Kesha and available now at Adore Me.

    Priced at $34.95, this floral lace G-string has a high-waisted fit and adjustable garters.

    Soraya PJ Set

    Worn by Kesha and available now at Adore Me.

    Priced at $42.36, reduced from $52.95, the lace-and-mesh camisole set includes floating straps, unlined lace cups and peekaboo shorts.

    Rae Babydoll Set

    Worn by Kesha and available now at Adore Me.

    Priced at $50.36, reduced from $62.95, the bestselling babydoll set features lace plunge cups, cutouts and sheer mesh for a confidence-boosting look.

    Kesha reclaims her music during the Freedom Tour

    Kesha’s sense of ownership extends to her music. During the Freedom Tour, she is performing songs from across her catalog, including tracks from albums that were once difficult to revisit. She says she re-produced every song in her catalog for the tour, giving her the chance to reclaim the music on her own terms.

    “I really wanted to take the power back over my catalog, both as a singer and a songwriter,” she says. “With the help of my fans, we have alchemized these painful memories into joyful memories.”

    Alongside her work as a songwriter, executive producer, creative director and music video director, Kesha is independently building Kesha Records. After everything she has experienced, she says she remains excited about the future.

    “I’m more excited to be Kesha than I’ve ever been in my life,” she says.

    That outlook makes the Adore Me partnership a natural fit for Kesha’s current chapter. Whether she is reclaiming her catalog onstage, running her own record label or choosing the lingerie that makes her feel confident, the pop star is no longer following someone else’s rulebook. She is writing her own.

    Source: www.yahoo.com

  • ‘Ted Lasso’ Exposes Soccer’s Clique Problem—One the USWNT Has Mastered

    ‘Ted Lasso’ Exposes Soccer’s Clique Problem—One the USWNT Has Mastered

    Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers for this week’s episode of Ted Lasso.

    Across three seasons, Ted Lasso has faced divorce, egos, bullying, relegation, panic attacks, promotion and Jamie Tartt. In the latest episode of season 4, AFC Richmond’s women’s team introduces him to a different challenge: locker-room cliques.

    Cliques are common in soccer. At their worst, they can fracture a team and undermine a coach’s authority.

    As Dr. Sharon Fieldstone, Ted’s fictional psychologist, explains to former Richmond reporter Trent Crimm on his podcast, if coaches “lose the dressing room, they lose the team.”

    “Successful teams are happy teams, and happy teams have coaches that establish a culture of communication and trust,” she says. “The majority of that happens in the dressing room.”

    Why soccer teams form cliques

    Cliques exist at nearly every level of soccer, from youth teams to professional sides and championship-winning squads such as the 2015 and 2019 United States women’s national teams.

    “Even within our squad, the culture has changed,” former U.S. forward Carli Lloyd said on an episode of Hope Solo’s now-defunct podcast recorded in 2022, several months after Lloyd retired as one of the team’s all-time leading scorers. Lloyd and Solo were roommates and close friends during the 2015 World Cup.

    “It was really tough and challenging to play these last several years. To be quite honest, I hated it. It wasn’t fun going in. It was only for love of the game, really, for me. I wanted to win and wanted to help the team, but the culture within the team was the worst I had ever seen it.”

    Lloyd and Solo similarly considered themselves “black sheep” within the group.

    Expecting 26 players to become best friends simply because they wear the same jersey is unrealistic. Every player arrives in a locker room with a different history, set of relationships, loyalties and level of influence.

    A 16-year-old rookie midfielder might sit next to a 35-year-old defender nearing the end of her career. A player competing for her next contract might share a locker room with a national team star earning significantly more through salary and endorsements. International players may arrive without speaking the local language, while former college and youth teammates reconnect. Other players may actively dislike one another after years as rivals.

    A study published in The Sport Psychologist, based on interviews with 18 collegiate athletes across nine teams, found that athletes viewed clique formation as “inevitable.” Age, tenure, proximity and similarity all influenced which players gravitated toward one another.

    How a shared goal can unite a team

    So how can a coach stop cliques from destroying a team? Dr. Fieldstone’s answer to Crimm is simple: give the players a common enemy. When the divisions inside a locker room matter less than an external threat, a team can unite around a goal larger than itself.

    One of the clearest examples comes from the U.S. women’s national teams that won back-to-back World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019. Those squads featured enormous personalities, but the players ultimately found something more powerful than their competing celebrity: they got angry.

    The 2015 World Cup victory was followed by one of the most consequential collective fights in women’s sports. The players turned their attention to U.S. Soccer and what they viewed as systemic inequality in pay, travel, playing conditions and treatment.

    In March 2016, Lloyd, Solo, Alex Morgan, Becky Sauerbrunn and Megan Rapinoe filed an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint alleging wage discrimination against U.S. Soccer.

    Sauerbrunn explained at the time that the entire team had agreed to the complaint. The five players had been elected by their teammates to represent them in collective bargaining, which made them the names attached to the filing.

    Players with different personalities, ideologies and levels of fame suddenly shared one objective: equal pay. The fight was bigger than the cliques.

    That collective effort continued into the next generation. By the 2019 World Cup, Solo was no longer in goal, but many players from the 2015 squad remained. The dispute with U.S. Soccer had escalated, with 28 USWNT players filing a gender-discrimination lawsuit just months before the tournament. They ultimately won.

    The U.S. women’s national team is hardly the only group to discover that getting everyone to pull in the same direction is easier said than done. But when it works, the result can be powerful.

    What England’s Lionesses learned about team unity

    Arsenal and England captain Leah Williamson served as an authenticity consultant for the fourth season of Ted Lasso, answering writers’ questions about women’s football during production. It is unclear which elements of the show she directly advised on, but Williamson has experienced both a club team that overcame reported locker-room rifts when Arsenal won the UEFA Champions League and a national team facing significant outside pressure before the 2025 European Championship.

    Ahead of the 2025 Euros, England goalkeeper Mary Earps abruptly retired from international football, while defender Millie Bright withdrew from selection because of mental and physical burnout. Neither player was necessarily part of coach Sarina Wiegman’s planned starting lineup, despite their successful legacies with the team.

    When major personalities leave a locker room, the team’s internal dynamics change. England nevertheless overcame early tournament struggles to win a second European title. Wiegman’s explanation for the success was: “B****** get s*** done.”

    For the U.S. women, the shared cause was equal pay. For the Lionesses, it was silencing the doubters. For AFC Richmond’s women, it is trivia and a good old-fashioned pub fight against misogynistic hecklers at the Crown & Anchor.

    Because sometimes team unity is not about being friends. It’s about getting s*** done.

  • Watch the First 5 Minutes of Beauty in Black Season 3 as the Bellaries Face Arrest

    Watch the First 5 Minutes of Beauty in Black Season 3 as the Bellaries Face Arrest

    Some members of the Bellarie family are heading straight to jail, and escaping this crisis will require plenty of plotting and scheming. The opening minutes of Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black Season 3 show the family’s downfall beginning after the dramatic events of Season 2.

    The Bellarie family faces arrest after the FBI raid

    Season 2 ended with federal agents raiding the Bellarie offices, triggering a major shift in power. With Horace (Ricco Ross) at her side, Kimmie (Taylor Polidore Williams) rose from a dancer at Delinda’s Dolls and Dudes to Mrs. Bellarie. She secured her position at the top of the family empire and formed an unexpected alliance with her former enemy, Mallory (Crystle Stewart).

    However, becoming a Bellarie is only half the battle. Holding on to power without ending up in handcuffs is an entirely different challenge.

    Season 3 begins immediately after the raid, with federal agents ordering everyone to stand. Olivia (Debbi Morgan) quickly reminds them that she uses a wheelchair. Norman, however, is ready with a blunt response: “She can walk.”

    As the arrests continue, Jules (Charles Malik Whitfield) tells everyone to “be real quiet.” Roy (Julian Horton), unable to contain his reaction, responds to the revelation that Horace has turned state’s evidence. Jules makes the betrayal clear: “Your father just set you up. And you walked right into it with your stupid ass.”

    Rain prepares to take over Delinda’s Dolls and Dudes

    At Horace’s estate, Rain (Amber Reign Smith) prepares to take control of Delinda’s Dolls and Dudes, the strip club where she and Kimmie once worked as dancers. Angel (Xavier Smalls) dismisses it as that “raggedy ass club.”

    Although Angel insists he will never return, Rain jokes that she will have the stage ready when his ambiguous situationship with Horace collapses and he inevitably goes back to dancing. The club may have a new owner, but its old drama appears to be staying right where it is.

    Kimmie questions the family’s apparent victory

    While the other Bellaries deal with the consequences of the raid, Kimmie is not ready to celebrate. At the Bellarie offices, she, Horace, Mallory, and Varney (Terrell Carter) assess the power struggle they have waged against the rest of the family.

    Kimmie remains uneasy because their victory seems to have come too easily. She wonders whether her rivals could find a way out of jail. Horace reminds her, “You can never be too sure”— particularly when the Bellarie family is involved.

    Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black Season 3 is now streaming exclusively on Netflix.

    Source: www.netflix.com

  • Tiger Woods Is Unrecognizable as He Breaks Cover Five Months After Major Crash

    Tiger Woods Is Unrecognizable as He Breaks Cover Five Months After Major Crash

    Tiger Woods made a rare public appearance Tuesday to celebrate his longtime friend, former professional golfer Notah Begay III, five months after Woods’s rollover crash in Florida.

    The 50-year-old golfer appeared in a prerecorded video message congratulating Begay on receiving the 2026 Payne Stewart Award. Woods looked markedly different, with gray streaks in his beard and a drawn expression, as he wore a purple polo shirt and reflected on their decades-long friendship.

    Tiger Woods pays tribute to Notah Begay III

    “It’s been an unbelievable ride with you,” he began. “You first came into my life when I was 11 years old, playing in the junior world, and you came to watch me play. Our friendship started there and never ended.”

    “To see what you’ve done off the golf course – I know you’ve won four times on the tour, playing in the Presidents Cup…but to see what you’ve done off the course and for your local Native American communities, you’ve helped over 80,000 youths and their families, which is absolutely incredible,” he continued.

    Woods also praised Begay’s work supporting Native American communities and young people.

    “There are so many people out there who are struggling in those communities, and you’re trying to raise the bar to allow them to go on and achieve a lot more in life and have the successes that I think they deserve and you feel they deserve…Thank you for getting our friendship started, and I love you, dude.”

    After the video was shared on social media, some fans commented on Woods’s appearance, while others defended the golf legend.

    “Man, that’s sad,” wrote one person, while another added: “That is not Tiger Woods.”

    Other comments included: “Love you, Tiger!”

    A fourth commenter wrote: “How about everyone just understanding what we’re all wrestling/dealing with and that Tiger is like all of us. Remember what we’re wrestling with and have a little humility or, a lot.”

    Tiger Woods’s legal battle after Florida crash

    Woods was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence on March 27 after rolling his vehicle while attempting to overtake a truck.

    Authorities reportedly said Woods showed signs of impairment and appeared lethargic. Two opioid pills were allegedly found in his pocket.

    The father of two was charged with driving under the influence and refusing to submit to a urine test. He pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to appear in court on September 8.

    Following the arrest, Woods announced that he was stepping back from public life in a statement posted to X.

    “I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today. I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.”

    “I’ve committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally,” he continued.

    “I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time.”

    Woods later spent time at a rehabilitation facility in Switzerland before returning in June. He has largely stayed out of the public eye since then.

  • Jonathan Kuminga Agrees to 2-Year, $12.4 Million Deal With Timberwolves

    Jonathan Kuminga Agrees to 2-Year, $12.4 Million Deal With Timberwolves

    Jonathan Kuminga Agrees to Two-Year, $12.4 Million Deal With Timberwolves

    Free-agent wing Jonathan Kuminga has agreed to a two-year, $12.4 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, his agent, Aaron Turner, told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Wednesday. The deal includes a player option for the second season.

    Minnesota plans for Kuminga to compete for the vacant starting power forward role alongside Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert on an established Western Conference contender.

    To finalize the transaction, the Timberwolves will explore trade scenarios involving reserve wing Josh Green. If they cannot find a trade destination for Green, the team could waive and stretch him before Saturday’s deadline, league sources told Charania.

    Kuminga chose Minnesota over offers from the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers. He bypassed a similar starting opportunity with the Lakers, who were prepared to offer more than $12 million annually over three years in a sign-and-trade scenario.

    Instead, Kuminga selected a shorter-term, prove-it contract with the Timberwolves. The structure gives him greater control over his future and could allow him to return to free agency next summer, league sources told Charania.

    Timberwolves Made Strong Recruiting Push for Kuminga

    Over the past month, Minnesota consistently pursued Kuminga, pairing its best remaining financial tool, the taxpayer midlevel exception, with a significant opportunity on the court. Edwards played a vocal role in the team’s recruiting effort.

    Team president Tim Connelly traveled to Miami earlier this month for a four-hour meeting with Kuminga. The sixth-year wing also had productive conversations with coach Chris Finch, league sources said.

    The agreement concludes Kuminga’s second consecutive prolonged free-agency process. Last summer, lengthy negotiations with the Golden State Warriors in restricted free agency continued into October training camp.

    The Warriors initially presented a three-year, $75 million framework with a team option for the third season. They eventually re-signed Kuminga to a two-year, $46.8 million contract with a team option for the second season, with Kuminga choosing the two-year structure.

    Kuminga Moves on After Stops With Warriors and Hawks

    Kuminga’s difficult relationship with the Warriors, who selected him No. 7 overall, ended in February when Golden State traded him to the Atlanta Hawks for Kristaps Porzingis.

    Kuminga contributed to Atlanta’s push to the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. He averaged 13.7 points in 26 minutes off the bench during the Hawks’ six-game first-round series loss to the New York Knicks.

    Atlanta declined Kuminga’s $24.3 million team option in late June, making him an unrestricted free agent.

    The Lakers pursued Kuminga most aggressively during the early weeks of free agency. General manager Rob Pelinka held multiple discussions with Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh about sign-and-trade possibilities, but the Lakers, Hawks and Kuminga could not reach an agreement acceptable to all three sides.

    That opened the door for Minnesota to acquire Kuminga on a short-term contract. The Timberwolves are adding a 23-year-old wing with 334 career games played, including 40 playoff appearances.

    Kuminga’s most notable stretch came against his new team. As a member of the Warriors during the 2025 playoffs, he averaged 20.3 points on 54.3% shooting in a second-round series loss to Minnesota.

    Source: www.espn.com

  • Mortgage Rate Predictions Through 2030: Economic Factors at Play

    Mortgage Rate Predictions Through 2030: Economic Factors at Play

    Mortgage rates have remained elevated in recent years, but where could they go over the next five years? And should homebuyers or homeowners wait for a significant decline before purchasing or refinancing?

    Mortgage rates are influenced by several economic factors, including 10-year U.S. Treasury yields, inflation, Federal Reserve policy and demand for mortgage-backed securities. These indicators can offer clues about the future direction of mortgage rates.

    Mortgage rates typically follow the government bond market

    One of the most useful indicators for forecasting mortgage rates is the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note. Mortgage rates and 10-year Treasury yields generally move in the same direction, although mortgage rates are typically higher because lenders account for additional risks.

    The difference between the Treasury yield and the mortgage rate is known as the spread. That spread must be considered when estimating future 30-year fixed mortgage rates.

    To develop a five-year forecast, economists’ projections can be combined with data compiled using artificial intelligence.

    Economists’ five-year forecast for Treasury yields

    Michael Wolf, a global economist at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd., outlined the firm’s expectations for Treasury yields over the next five years in a December update from the Deloitte Global Economics Research Center.

    “We assume the Fed leaves rates unchanged until December 2026. The average federal funds rate reaches its neutral 3.125% in the middle of 2027,” he wrote. Wolf said the 10-year Treasury yield will ease gradually through the second quarter of 2027, “to settle at 3.9% from the third quarter of 2027 through the end of 2030.”

    Other forecasts point to somewhat higher long-term yields. Goldman Sachs analysts, for example, expect the 10-year Treasury yield to rise over the long term to 4.5% by 2035.

    The Congressional Budget Office projects that the 10-year Treasury yield will reach 4.1% by the end of 2026, then rise gradually to about 4.3% by 2030.

    Anthropic’s Claude artificial intelligence system compiled these projections into a consensus forecast used for the mortgage rate estimates below.

    Read more: Why mortgage rates increased after the Federal Reserve rate cut

    Estimating the mortgage rate spread

    The 10-year Treasury yield and the 30-year fixed mortgage rate are separated by a spread. In recent years, that difference has generally been on either side of 2.5 percentage points. That is considerably higher than the spread between 2010 and 2020, when it was below two percentage points and often near 1.5 percentage points.

    Using a 2-percentage-point spread, the relationship can be illustrated as follows:

    • 10-year Treasury rate = 4%
    • Spread = 2 percentage points
    • Mortgage rate = 6%

    As a recent example, the 10-year Treasury yield was 4.09% and the 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.00% on March 5. The spread was 6.00 – 4.09 = 1.91 percentage points.

    The spread was below two percentage points, which is one reason mortgage rates had declined.

    Claude AI suggested using a variable spread that gradually narrows:

    “The spread between 30-year fixed mortgage rates and the 10-year Treasury is driven by prepayment risk, credit risk, and supply/demand for mortgage-backed securities (MBS). The Federal Reserve’s quantitative tightening (QT) program widened spreads after 2022 as private markets absorbed more MBS. Spreads have begun normalizing in late 2025 and are expected to continue tightening.”

    Five-year mortgage rate forecast

    Using the Treasury yield projections and Claude’s suggested base-case spread between the bond market and 30-year fixed mortgage rates, a five-year mortgage rate forecast can be developed.

    Five-Year Mortgage Rate Forecast

    Read more: See today’s best mortgage rates.

    Bull and bear cases for mortgage rates

    The base case assumes gradual spread normalization, easing inflation and modest Federal Reserve policy changes. Claude AI also prepared more optimistic “bull” and pessimistic “bear” scenarios.

    Bull case: A soft economic landing

    “The Fed successfully guides inflation back to 2% without a hard recession. Gradual FOMC rate cuts through 2027 pull the 10-year yield to 3.3% as the term premium compresses. The MBS spread normalizes toward its long-run average of 170 bps as QT ends and private MBS demand recovers. Result: a 30-year fixed rate near 5.00% by 2030.”

    Bear case: Persistent inflation and fiscal pressure

    “Inflation remains sticky above 2.5% and mounting U.S. fiscal deficits push the term premium higher, keeping the 10-year yield near 4.4 to 4.6%. The spread widens to 240 bps as market volatility and MBS supply weigh on secondary markets. Mortgage rates climb toward 7.00% by 2027 before easing slightly to 6.60% by 2030.”

    How accurate are five-year mortgage rate forecasts?

    These are long-range estimates based on historical patterns and broad economic expectations. The projections could change substantially if any of the following occurs:

    • 10-year Treasury yields significantly outperform or underperform the forecast. Yields could fall sharply during a severe economic setback, such as a recession, or rise because of mounting government deficits. Geopolitical unrest and other unexpected events could also cause major volatility.
    • The spread between Treasury yields and mortgage rates narrows or widens dramatically.
    • Federal Reserve monetary policy changes substantially.

    Mortgage rate predictions for the next five years: FAQs

    Will mortgage interest rates ever return to 3%?

    No current forecast predicts a 3% mortgage rate within the next five years. However, it would have been difficult to anticipate the exceptionally low home loan rates that followed the Great Recession and the global pandemic. Events of that magnitude are difficult to forecast, but they can push mortgage rates sharply lower.

    What will mortgage rates be in 2027?

    The analysis above predicts that mortgage rates will be near 6% in 2027.

    Will mortgage rates drop in the next five years?

    Based on the estimates above, mortgage rates are not expected to fall significantly over the next five years. A recession or another unexpected economic disruption, such as war, a financial collapse or another pandemic, could alter that outlook.

    Is it better to fix a mortgage rate for two or five years?

    Borrowers considering an adjustable-rate mortgage with an initial fixed-rate period should first consider how long they expect to remain in the home. They can then evaluate the long-term mortgage rate outlook. In many cases, the best option is the initial fixed-rate term that best fits the borrower’s current budget.

    Read more: 8 strategies for getting the lowest mortgage rate possible

  • Man Posed as 49ers Player to Defraud Women, Authorities Say – NBC Bay Area

    Man Posed as 49ers Player to Defraud Women, Authorities Say – NBC Bay Area

    Man Accused of Posing as San Francisco 49ers Player in $1.3 Million Investment Fraud Scheme

    A man allegedly pretended to be a San Francisco 49ers player and a wealthy real estate investor to defraud women across several states, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

    Beginning in February 2022, Daejon Labrayae Love, 35, and Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, allegedly created fictitious investment opportunities to defraud women in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and California, court documents state.

    Authorities said both men were arrested after Chan flew from California on Monday to meet Love in Boise, Idaho. They were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud.

    Dating Apps Used to Target Victims

    According to authorities, Love met most of the women through dating apps. He allegedly used social media to portray a lavish lifestyle, falsely claiming to be a 49ers player or a wealthy real estate investor.

    The attorney’s office said Love convinced the victims that they were in genuine romantic relationships with him. He also allegedly presented himself as a sophisticated investor and claimed Chan was his “investment adviser,” who helped him build a fortune worth tens of millions of dollars.

    Love told the women he wanted to build wealth and a future with them, authorities said. Officials added that he promoted nonexistent investment vehicles and claimed they would generate substantial returns for both himself and the victims.

    Court documents state that Love used phone applications to create fictitious bank and investment accounts, along with false balances, to show the victims and make the scheme appear legitimate.

    Fictitious Investment Gains Allegedly Shown in Video Calls

    Authorities said Love and Chan exchanged electronic communications in which Chan posed as Love’s investment adviser and sent messages encouraging Love to invest in new opportunities. Love allegedly forwarded screenshots of those messages to victims to persuade them to send money to one or both men.

    The attorney’s office said the pair held video calls with victims to display falsified investment gains and encourage them to hand over additional money. If victims lacked funds, Love sometimes instructed them to take out loans, authorities said. When victims had no more money to invest or began asking too many questions, Love allegedly blocked them, ended communication and kept the money.

    Financial records indicate that the pair received approximately $1.3 million from victim investors, according to authorities. Officials have identified 26 victims, but the FBI believes there may be additional victims.

    Anyone with information about Love or Chan is encouraged to submit a tip through the FBI tip website or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

  • Minnesota United FC vs. Orlando City SC: What to Know Before the August 29, 2026 Match

    Minnesota United FC vs. Orlando City SC: What to Know Before the August 29, 2026 Match

    Minnesota United returns to Allianz Field on Saturday night after ending its winless run with a Matchday 22 victory in San Jose. The Loons host Eastern Conference opponent Orlando City, which has turned its season around since the break following the signing of Antoine Griezmann and several major upsets.

    With both teams aiming to build winning streaks, three important points are at stake in this cross-conference matchup. Here is everything fans need to know for matchday at Allianz Field, including the MNUFC Unified intrasquad match, pregame events, giveaways, food, merchandise and in-game honors.

    MNUFC Unified Intrasquad Match

    MNUFC Unified will play an intrasquad match before Minnesota United faces Orlando City on Saturday. Gates open at 2:00 p.m., with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 p.m. The match will consist of two 25-minute halves.

    Fans attending the Unified match must re-enter the stadium for the first-team match later that evening. The Unified Squad includes players with and without intellectual disabilities and has represented the club since 2017 through a league partnership with Special Olympics, supported by presenting sponsor Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. Free tickets are available through the club.

    Fans attending the Unified match can park for free in Lot C, but vehicles must be moved by 5 p.m. if they plan to stay for the first-team match. Fans can also pay to park in the Spruce Tree or Herberger’s lots and leave their vehicles there through the end of the Minnesota United match.

    Pregame Events at Allianz Field

    The Sun Country Pre-Party begins at 5:00 p.m. on the Great Lawn. The event will feature food, giveaways and entertainment, including a live performance by the six-piece cover band Unicorn.

    Supporters can also join the Wonderwall March to the Match. Meet at The Calling loon sculpture one hour before kickoff, then march to the Bell Bank SW Entrance and into the stadium. Sections 21–23 in the Supporters Section will be reserved for Wonderwall participants.

    Arrive Early and Review the Bag Policy

    Fans are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes before kickoff and review Allianz Field’s bag policy before heading to the stadium. Lines outside the venue may appear long but should move quickly when guests arrive with approved bags and digital tickets ready.

    Free MNUFC Trucker Hat

    The first 10,000 fans through the gates will receive a limited-edition MNUFC trucker hat, courtesy of Bell Bank. Supporters voted on the design earlier in the season, giving fans a chance to represent the Black and Blue in style.

    MNUFC x UNRL Nightfall Drop

    MNUFC and UNRL will release one final Nightfall merchandise collection. Inspired by the shift in energy under the stadium lights, the design reflects the mystery, focus and intensity of soccer after dark.

    The Nightfall collection will be available exclusively at the Black and Blue Team Store in Section 27. Quantities are limited, so fans should arrive early.

    Club and Country Scarf Redemption

    Purchasers of the Club and Country Ticket Pack can claim their exclusive scarf at Ticket Central on the concourse outside Section 17. Scarves must be collected before the start of the second half.

    Food and Drinks at Allianz Field

    Fans can use the interactive menu map to find food throughout the stadium. Premium-ticket holders can also access exclusive menus for the Field Club, Upper 90 Club and Stadium Club.

    In the spirit of the State Fair, Tonja Kjaer of Curds & Cakes will return to Allianz Field with fresh corn dogs in Section 30.

    Specialty Cocktail of the Match

    Fans 21 and older can order the Strawberry Basil 75, made with Wheatley vodka, prosecco, strawberry syrup and lemon juice. The specialty cocktail will be available at the Grand Casino Brew Hall and in premium spaces.

    Additional fair-inspired food options include Hot Honey Cheese Curds and Loaded Philly Cheesesteak Fries at the Fry Club in Section 24, Pickle on a Stick at the Hungry Loon in Sections 10, 13, 22 and 34, and Papa Pete’s Mini Donuts in Section 29.

    In-Game Honors

    Maria Ordiera will be honored as the Allina Scoreboard Keeper of the Game, while Matt Mosvick will receive recognition as the SeatGeek Fan of the Game. Bogey will be honored as the NutriSource SuperStar.

    MNUFC will also recognize Special Olympics Minnesota coaches Mark Peterson and Josh Fisher as the Target L’Étoile du Nord. Sean Mullan of the U.S. Navy will be honored as the Xcel Energy Eye of the Loon, and Finley’s ambassador Brian will deliver the game ball.

    Community and Sustainability Initiatives

    Collection bins for pop tabs are available throughout Allianz Field beside the trash bins. Fans can also bring tabs from home and place them in bins outside the stadium. Donations support Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Upper Midwest.

    Fans can help reduce matchday waste by sorting items into the BizRecycling and WM organics, recycling and trash receptacles.

    As part of a stadium-wide water sustainability effort with Ecolab, MNUFC provides six water bottle refill stations around the concourse at Sections 9, 15, 21, 25, 30 and 36. Fans may bring empty, clear plastic bottles to use at the stations. The stations are not sensor activated, so press the button to refill.

    Source: www.mnufc.com

  • Apple Sets iPhone Launch Date, First Under New CEO John Ternus

    Apple Sets iPhone Launch Date, First Under New CEO John Ternus

    Apple will hold its next product launch event at its headquarters in Cupertino, California, on September 9, the company announced Wednesday.

    The event will begin at 10 a.m. Pacific time. Media invitations feature the tagline “Surprise and shine” alongside a glowing Apple logo.

    New iPhones and Apple Watches expected

    Analysts expect Apple to unveil new iPhone and Apple Watch models during the event, including the company’s first foldable phone.

    Apple also announced new Mac Mini and Mac Studio models this week. The computers are scheduled to ship on September 22.

    Apple prepares new Siri AI assistant

    Apple is expected to launch a new version of Siri called Siri AI. The assistant will use modern large language model technology to work with apps such as messaging and calendars.

    The event will be Apple’s first with CEO John Ternus at the helm. Current Apple CEO Tim Cook is stepping down and will become the company’s executive chairman on September 1.

    Source: www.cnbc.com

  • Meta Agrees to $16.7B Settlement Over Youth Addiction Claims

    Meta Agrees to $16.7B Settlement Over Youth Addiction Claims

    Meta Platforms has agreed to a landmark settlement with state attorneys general over allegations that Facebook and Instagram were deliberately designed to addict children, according to court filings and multiple news reports on Wednesday. The agreement was announced just days into a federal trial in California that had drawn national attention. A bipartisan coalition of 51 attorneys general backed the final terms, though 29 states formed the core litigation. The case accused Meta of violating consumer protection laws and the federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act through features that maximized youth engagement.

    The settlement carries a potential value of up to $16.7 billion, according to a court filing cited by the New York Post. As part of the deal, Meta committed to significant product changes aimed at protecting younger users. These include daily usage limits, automatic nighttime blocks that restrict access before bed, and enhanced age verification measures to prevent underage account creation. The design modifications represent a direct response to claims that algorithmic feeds and infinite scroll mechanics exploited developmental vulnerabilities.

    “social media addiction is not a recognised psychiatric condition”

    — according to The Independent

    The trial had been expected to feature testimony from Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri, both of whom had been subpoenaed before the settlement halted proceedings. Meta has consistently denied wrongdoing, arguing that social media addiction is not a recognized psychiatric diagnosis and that the company has invested heavily in safety tools for families. Shares of Meta rose approximately four percent in premarket trading following the announcement.

    The resolution arrives amid mounting legal pressure from states, school districts, and individuals who allege that major platforms have fueled a youth mental health crisis. Observers say the settlement could establish a template for future litigation targeting other social media companies. The Independent reported that several state attorneys general, including Nevada's Aaron Ford, had scheduled press conferences to announce the consumer protection settlement.

    “imposing daily usage limits, “nighttime blocks” on app usage before bed and “enhanced age assurance measures””

    — according to the New York Post