The Last Of Us Showrunners Break Down Why They Finally Introduced Spores
The Last Of Us Showrunners Break Down Why They Finally Introduced Spores
In the world of The Last of Us, people can become infected primarily by bites and cuts from other infected. In Episode 5, the showrunners finally introduced spores to the playing field, making it a lot easier for people to become infected. Originally, showrunner and creator Neil Druckmann said there had to be a “dramatic reason” for spores to make their way to the show, and with the episode’s climactic end, we have our reason.
This story contains spoilers for The Last of Us Season 2.
As we saw in the trailer last week, fans knew that spores were coming to the show, and now we know how they’re created. At the end of the episode, Ellie (Bella Ramsey) chases Nora (Tati Gabrielle) through a hospital basement where spores have been running rampant for years. Nora thinks Ellie is going to become infected as well, but the revelation of her immunity is quickly realized.
“When Neil and I were laying out Season 1, one of the questions we had was how to deal with the idea of spores. That underground, in certain spots, there was a discovery that spores were in the air,” explained showrunner Craig Mazin, during the behind-the-scenes featurette. “They hadn’t gotten out. Let’s just seal that off and pretend like it’s not there. Denial. It’s our favorite.”
The set created for the show mirrors the game’s elements almost perfectly: the thick fungal growths with the earthy colors, and of course, the infected victims embedded into the twisted columns.
“What we’re seeing are people who have been alive for years, decades,” Mazin added. This is where the dramatic elements come into play.
While looking for her son, Elise (Hettiene Park) discovers that her son has been infected, as well as several people below, because the infection is in the air. She seals in her son, along with the others, sacrificing him for the greater good.
“We come back to similar choices that characters have made on this show. ‘Do I save the person that’s closest to me that I love the most, or do I make the ultimate sacrifice of my own child to save the community?'” explained Druckmann. “Here we got to see someone who made the opposite choice that Joel would have made.”
Mazin continued by explaining how these infected work: “They exist in this endless tortured state where they breathe air in, and they breathe spores out. If anybody else was down there, they, like Nora, would be infected. But Ellie is not like anyone else.”
Spores were originally used in the game with Ellie’s reveal to Dina that she’s immune. That was changed to Ellie taking a bite for Dina in Episode 4 during the subway chase scene.
New episodes of The Last of Us air Sundays at 6 PM PT / 9 PM ET on HBO and Max.
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GTA 4 Remaster May Be In The Works
GTA 4 Remaster May Be In The Works
Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto 6 has been delayed to 2026, but a remaster of GTA 4 could be in the works, and potentially out relatively soon. That’s according to tipster Tez2, who wrote on the GTA forums that not only is a port of GTA 4 for modern consoles potentially in the works, but it might be released before the end of 2025.
“Someone at Rockstar hinted at the IV port,” Tez2 said (Via ben on social media), adding that a port of the 2008 open-world game “may end up” coming out in 2025. This person added that the existence of a GTA 4 port might help explain why the Liberty City Preservation Project mod was taken down recently.
Tez2 added that if Rockstar’s schedules remain intact, a Max Payne 3 port might happen as well, and could release after GTA 4’s reported port. Tez2 was responding to a question about these potential games coming to “modern” platforms, and that could mean PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Whether or not Switch or Switch 2 would be possible platforms is unknown.
None of this is confirmed, but what we do know is that Remedy is developing Max Payne 1 and 2 remakes in conjunction with Rockstar Games. Release dates for those games remain unknown.
GTA 4 takes place in Liberty City, a stand-in for New York City, with the story chronicling the life and criminal career of European immigrant Niko Bellic. Liberty City is where GTA 6’s Lucia is from, so a re-release for GTA 4 ahead of GTA 6’s launch in 2026 could be fitting.
As for GTA 6, it’s set for release on May 26, 2026 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
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A 90-Day Tariff Pause Sends Alibaba Flying—BlackRock Was Ready
A 90-Day Tariff Pause Sends Alibaba Flying—BlackRock Was Ready
The stock market is often filled with noise and misleading signals that can lead investors to take risks based on shaky assumptions. But occasionally, a signal provides an early warning, giving attentive investors a chance to act before opportunities become widely recognized and priced in.
When the biggest players in the industry decide to take on a view, investors can reverse engineer some of the reasoning behind these decisions, and land themselves with a great deal of upside on their hands to be placed in their portfolios for a much brighter future. Today, there’s one such signal coming out of allocators at BlackRock (NYSE:), the world’s largest asset manager, who doesn’t take any single investment lightly.
After hundreds of hours of due diligence and analysis, these “masters of the universe” decided to accumulate a very sizeable position in an unlikely name. Shares of Alibaba (NYSE:) turned out to be the best these analysts and investors had on their plates. While some may be wary of investing in ******** stocks during the peak uncertainty of trade tariffs rolled out by President Trump, there is still some merit behind this decision.
The Best Risk-to-Reward Pickers Out There
Success in the investment world comes from one main factor: backing ideas that carry a fantastic risk-to-reward setup. This way, losses (which are inevitable in this business) are kept very small and insignificant, while the winnings can make a decent change in a portfolio’s quarter and year, and that is something investors should emulate in their own journey.
Becoming as big as BlackRock requires a lot of that, as well as picking the best setups and risk-to-reward ratios in every company they decide to invest in. There are plenty of reasons to believe Alibaba is one of them. First and foremost, the stock now trades at 85% of its 52-week high level, which might not sound like a screaming deal today.
That is, until investors realize that this price is still only a fraction of the company’s all-time high of just over $315 per share, which was made during the peak uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today’s world (despite tariffs) is arguably much better than it was back in those years.
This is why BlackRock might be looking to take advantage of the fact that trade talks between the United States and China are now moving in the right direction. Over the weekend, the two nations agreed to significantly lower their tariffs for up to a 90-day *******, sending the higher by up to 3%.
This also might clear the way for capital to start moving back into Asia’s powerhouse, where blue-chip stocks in the technology sector like Alibaba will be the first to see the benefits, something investors can already see in the reaction coming right after the announcement, with Alibaba rallying by as much as 6% in a single day.
What’s The Sentiment for Alibaba Today?
Asking Wall Street analysts might be a good start. As of February 2025, when President Trump was starting to float the trade talks, analysts at Benchmark decided to take a bold view, reiterating their Buy rating on Alibaba stock and placing a valuation of up to $190 per share, which they have kept ever since.
This view would call for as much as a 51.2% upside from where the stock trades today, but the optimistic view doesn’t stop there. More recently, as of early April 2025, those from Mizuho reiterated a Strong Buy view on Alibaba, though they didn’t float a valuation for the stock this time.
Even though this outlier view from Benchmark might seem bold, investors need to remember that analysts typically follow the recent stock’s price action, so that by the time Alibaba starts to trend higher, these targets will undoubtedly follow along.
Remembering that analysts saw Alibaba’s potential above $400 per share during the peak momentum in 2021, it isn’t too far-fetched to believe that prices (and ratings) could reach that level under the right circumstances. Some of these circumstances are already on the table, as the 90-day pause has been agreed upon by the two negotiating nations.
As it turns out, BlackRock isn’t alone in this optimistic view for Alibaba’s future. Investors at Goldman Sachs also boosted their holdings in Alibaba as of early May 2025 by as much as 22.6%, bringing their net position to a high of $2 billion today, another sign of confidence coming from one of the most influential firms on Wall Street.
Now comes the cherry on top regarding confirmation, which is how the bears feel about Alibaba stock’s setup today. Over the past month, Alibaba’s short interest declined by as much as 2.6% to signal clear bearish capitulation in the face of this overwhelming risk-to-reward setup that greatly benefits buyers today.
All told, when investors look for reasons why BlackRock and Goldman Sachs decided to buy into Alibaba, there are several, but the primary catalyst down the line is this new agreement between the United States and China, which has a more concrete term layout for investors and analysts to forecast a more certain future ahead for ******** stocks like Alibaba.
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Trump Signs Executive Order Asking Drugmakers to Slash Prices
Trump Signs Executive Order Asking Drugmakers to Slash Prices
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Trump Signs Executive Order Asking Drugmakers to Slash Prices
President Trump’s executive order, which did not include specific legal mechanisms for lowering drug prices, was viewed as something of a win for the pharmaceutical industry.
Starting today, the United States will no longer subsidize the health care of foreign countries, which is what we were doing. We were subsidizing others’ health care in countries where they paid a small fraction of what for the same drug that what we pay many, many times more for. And we will no longer tolerate profiteering and price gouging from big pharma. But again, it was really the countries that forced big pharma to do things that frankly, I’m not sure they really felt comfortable doing, but they’ve gotten away with it, these countries. European Union has been brutal. We’re going to tell those countries like those represented by the European Union, that game is up, sorry. And if they want to get cute, then they don’t have to sell cars into the United States anymore. It’s a very big subject and they won’t get cute. Here is the bill. Bobby, come on over here. Now you’re talking about — thank you.
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NASA’s SPHEREx Telescope Begins 3D Infrared Mapping of the Universe
NASA’s SPHEREx Telescope Begins 3D Infrared Mapping of the Universe
NASA’s SPHEREx space observatory, launched on March 11, is mapping the entire sky to chart the positions of hundreds of millions of galaxies in 3D. The spacecraft began regular science operations on May 1, taking about 3,600 images per day for two years to provide new insights into the origins of the universe, galaxies, and the ingredients for life in the Milky Way. The mission is part of NASA’s suite of space-based astrophysics survey missions leading up to the launch of NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, and will play a key role in answering the big questions about the universe.
Mission goals
According to NASA’s official website, SPHEREx, an observatory in Earth orbit, will complete over 11,000 orbits over 25 months, circling Earth 14½ times a day. It takes images along one circular strip of the sky, and as the planet moves around the Sun, its field of view shifts. SPHEREx takes about 600 exposures per day, each capturing different wavelengths of light. When one exposure is completed, the observatory shifts position, and the mirrors and detectors don’t move.
Instead of using thrusters, SPHEREx relies on a system of reaction wheels to control its orientation. The observatory will look out into space in every direction after six months. The observatory’s field of view shifts as the planet moves around the Sun.
Spectroscopic insight
SPHEREx is the first mission to map the entire sky in 102 colors of infrared light, using spectroscopy to separate light into wavelengths. This allows scientists to determine distances to galaxies, turning 2D maps into 3D ones and tracing the glow of all galaxies through time. Spectroscopy also reveals the chemical makeup of cosmic objects, helping identify water and life-related compounds.
SPHEREx will make over 9 million observations of interstellar clouds in the Milky Way, mapping their distribution and chemistry. These insights will help scientists understand how different cosmic environments influenced the development of life’s essential ingredients on Earth.
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What are the government’s plans and the challenges?
What are the government’s plans and the challenges?
Ben Chu, Tom Edgington, Rob England and Lucy Gilder
BBC Verify
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When it comes to reducing *** immigration, there have been plenty of promises and targets from successive governments over the last 15 years, but the numbers remain high.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is now pledging to “take back control of our borders”, promising tighter rules to bring down the numbers “significantly”.
BBC Verify examines the measures set out by the government and the challenges ahead.
What’s happened to the numbers?
Migration levels have hit “unprecedented levels” in recent years, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Net migration to the *** – total permanent arrivals minus total permanent departures – reached a record 906,000 in the year ending in June 2023 and then fell to 728,000 in the year ending in June 2024.
The continued high levels persist, despite previous government efforts to bring the numbers down. For example, in 2010 the Conservatives pledged to reduce net migration to the “tens of thousands”.
Annual net migration is expected to come down to about 315,000 by the end of the Parliament.
That’s according to the central forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) – the independent body that scrutinises the public finances.
That estimate, however, would still be higher than most years in the past decade.
What’s been driving immigration?
The vast majority of migrants come to the *** for study or work.
And many of the work visas have been for people coming to do jobs in health and social care.
However, applications for health and social care visas have come down sharply in the past two years after the rules were tightened by the last Conservative government and this decline will ultimately feed into the official net migration statistics in the coming years.
Does immigration help economic growth?
There’s been much discussion about the link between immigration and economic growth.
The White Paper – which sets out the government’s plan – says the *** economy needs to wean itself off a reliance on cheap overseas labour.
While taking questions from journalists, the prime minister claimed the idea immigration leads to higher economic growth “doesn’t hold”.
Economists do not agree about the exact impact that simply adding more people to an economy has on growth and prosperity.
New arrivals might increase the country’s overall level of economic activity – measured by GDP. But on a per-person basis, GDP could be stagnant or falling. Also a larger population puts more pressure on demand for public services and housing.
However, if immigrants are filling important gaps in the labour market which would otherwise not be filled – especially jobs that require specific skills – then economists generally think that immigrants can boost GDP per head and general prosperity.
The OBR says that increased migration generally increases economic growth but “the size of this impact and the effect on per person living standards is highly uncertain”.
The OBR’s point about growth per person is important because the government has made growth of this measure a key priority.
Growth per person fell in 2023 and was flat in 2024.
What about social care?
There are gaps in our labour market which have been substantially filled by migrants in recent years, most notably social care.
And there were still estimated to be 131,000 vacant posts in adult social care in England in 2023.
Care providers argue stopping them recruiting from overseas will likely make that gap *******.
Non-immigrants could theoretically fill many of these posts and working-age people who are economically inactive could potentially be deployed in this sector if they could be encouraged and helped into work.
Yet the main barrier to recruitment in social care has been the level of pay, which is currently too low to attract sufficient numbers of British workers.
Amy Clark, commercial director of a Cornwall care home chain, told the BBC that the measures could cause challenges because “recruiting locally is very, very difficult”.
The government could increase the levels of pay in social care, but that would leave them under pressure to increase grants to local authorities and potentially raise taxes to fund it.
Problems with social care recruitment were also highlighted by Madeleine Sumption, deputy chair of the Migration Advisory Committee.
“We’ve seen widespread reports of exploitation, people coming in who are quite vulnerable earning very low wages.
“So I am not surprised the government has chosen to close overseas recruitment because it’s caused them so much difficulty,” she said.
What about universities?
Overseas students have been a major contributor to levels of net migration in recent years.
But they are also a significant source of funding for *** universities.
A large reduction in overseas students numbers would undermine the finances of many universities and a number are already in severe financial difficulties.
The government wants to monitor more closely how universities recruit international students.
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Overseas students have been a major contributor to levels of net migration in recent years.
It is also proposing a limit on the time international students can remain in the *** after graduating. Foreign students would only have 18 months to look for a job, down from 2-3 years previously.
Universities *** – which represents 141 universities – has urged the government “to think carefully” about the impact of its measures.
If overseas student numbers did fall, the government could make up the shortfall in universities’ revenue by increasing central government grants but, again, that could require an increase in taxes.
Alternatively, it could further increase domestic students’ tuition fees, although that would also be contentious.
What about skilled migrants?
The government says it still wants to attract high-skilled individuals “who play by the rules and contribute to the economy”.
However, the PM also stressed that some parts of the economy are “addicted” to importing cheap labour, rather than investing in training *** workers.
As an example, Sir Keir said the number of engineering apprenticeships had fallen in recent years, while visas for overseas workers in this area had gone up.
Figures in the government’s new immigration plan show that the number of *** work visas issued for engineering professionals rose from 3,427 in 2021 to 5,495 in 2024.
Meanwhile, the number of new apprenticeships in engineering in England fell from 26,970 in 2021-22 to 18,520 in 2024-25.
But if the government wants many more home-trained engineers that will likely come with a cost in terms of a higher training budget.
While that investment could come partly from firms, it could also mean more public spending and possibly tax rises.
According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, total public spending on adult education and skills has fallen by 24% in real terms since 2010.
Reacting to the government’s proposals, Make *** – which represents manufacturers – said firms are being forced to recruit overseas staff because domestic skills training is “fundamentally flawed”.
“Without access to skilled labour in the ***, manufacturers cannot take advantage of the opportunities presented by the recent trade agreements with India and the US and deliver the growth we all want to see and the economy needs”, said CEO Stephen Phipson.
Additional reporting by Anthony Reuben
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Soviet Venus Probe Kosmos 482 Set to Re-Enter Earth After 53 Years in Single Piece
Soviet Venus Probe Kosmos 482 Set to Re-Enter Earth After 53 Years in Single Piece
Kosmos 482, under the USSR Venera program, was launched into space in 1972 to land on the second planet. However, the rocket malfunctioned and in Earth’s orbit, and it’s still revolving there ever since. Its rugged design lets it stay there and tolerate the atmosphere of Venus. This durability implies that it could survive reentry into Earth and remain intact with no impact. It is supposed to land either on 9 or 10 May without actually breaking anything up. The Aerospace Corporation is tracking it through the radar data provided by the U.S Space network surveillance.
When and Where Might It Land?
As per the current forecasts, ESA reports that the lander will re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere on Saturday, May 10, 12:37 PM EST, with an error margin of ±20.6 hours. Due to an orbital inclination of 52 degrees, it is possible that it could land between the vast regions including Australia, South America and Africa, and in water covering these areas. On the map, it is between 52 degrees North and 52 degrees south. It may fall into the ocean, as 70% of the Earth is water.
What Happens If It Survives Reentry?
If Kosmos 482 reaches the Earth in one piece, the speed would be 150-250 km per hour. The structure would be the same, that is, around 1 meter in diameter and 495 kgs in weight. The scientists predict that the parachute system must have no longer been there after 53 years in space.
Exact Timing Become Challenging
Solar activities, such as storms, are adding complexity to the radar data sometimes which in turn is impacting the reentry timings. Langbroek says, The Sun does whatever it wants to do, making it difficult to analyse the exact hours until the last moment.
Risk to the Public Is Low
Scientists say that the risk to humans is minimal, with a 0.4% chance of death or even injury. It will come down as a single object, with no debris risk. However, if anyone happens to encounter is should stay away and not touch it, simply report to the local authorities.
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Buy the tech comeback or take profits? Katie Stockton uses charts to find an answer
Buy the tech comeback or take profits? Katie Stockton uses charts to find an answer
Technology stocks are high-beta in nature, meaning they tend to lead the market on the upside and the downside, outperforming when the market is strong and underperforming when the market is weak. Given their tendency to lead the market (in both directions) and their 30% weighting in the S & P 500 Index (SPX) , it is important to have an understanding of where the technology sector stands from a technical perspective. Starting with a monthly bar chart, it is evident the Technology Select Sector SPDR has a secular uptrend in place above the rising monthly cloud model. Within that context, long-term momentum has weakened notably per the monthly MACD, which saw a bearish crossover at the end of March. The “sell” signal is the first since early 2022, and it has implications for at least 6 months of corrective price action, suggesting a cyclical bear market has taken hold. While the technology sector has technically entered a bear cycle, we ultimately expect secular bull to regain hold, likely sometime in 2026. Recently, XLK has rebounded strongly off the April low, with today’s gap higher allowing the ETF to clear its 200-day moving average (MA): The breakout extends the rally in a near-term positive development, but the deterioration on the monthly chart is an overhang that suggests the rally may lose momentum abruptly. There is an area of supply on the chart in the $228-$241 zone, where XLK traded in a narrow range from early December through much of February. This is a natural place for the rally to stall, leaving former highs intact. As previously mentioned, technology stocks have a tendency to exhibit upside leadership during rallies and downside leadership during downdrafts. The latest upturn in the ratio of XLK to the SPX reflects outperformance while the market has rebounded. Preceding the upturn, the ratio saw a significant downdraft in Q1 that resulted in a breakdown, indicating a bearish shift in XLK’s relative strength trend. This makes the current phase of outperformance appear counter-trend in nature, such that it is likely to be short-lived from here. Once there are signs that the relief rally in the major indices is maturing, we would be quick to reduce exposure to high-beta technology stocks. —Katie Stockton with Will Tamplin Access research from Fairlead Strategies for free here . DISCLOSURES: (None) All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, NBC UNIVERSAL, their parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium. THE ABOVE CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY . THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSITUTE FINANCIAL, INVESTMENT, TAX OR LEGAL ADVICE OR A RECOMMENDATION TO BUY ANY SECURITY OR OTHER FINANCIAL ASSET. THE CONTENT IS GENERAL IN NATURE AND DOES NOT REFLECT ANY INDIVIDUAL’S UNIQUE PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THE ABOVE CONTENT MIGHT NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES. BEFORE MAKING ANY FINANCIAL DECISIONS, YOU SHOULD STRONGLY CONSIDER SEEKING ADVICE FROM YOUR OWN FINANCIAL OR INVESTMENT ADVISOR. Click here for the full disclaimer. Fairlead Strategies Disclaimer: This communication has been prepared by Fairlead Strategies LLC (“Fairlead Strategies”) for informational purposes only. This material is for illustration and discussion purposes and not intended to be, nor construed as, financial, legal, tax or investment advice. You should consult appropriate advisors concerning such matters. This material presents information through the date indicated, reflecting the author’s current expectations, and is subject to revision by the author, though the author is under no obligation to do so. This material may contain commentary on broad-based indices, market conditions, different types of securities, and cryptocurrencies, using the discipline of technical analysis, which evaluates the demand and supply based on market pricing. The views expressed herein are solely those of the author. This material should not be construed as a recommendation, or advice or an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or ***** of any investment. The information is not intended to provide a basis on which you could make an investment decision on any particular security or its issuer. This document is intended for CNBC Pro subscribers only and is not for distribution to the general public. Certain information has been provided by and/or is based on third party sources and, although such information is believed to be reliable, no representation is made with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of such information. This information may be subject to change without notice. Fairlead Strategies undertakes no obligation to maintain or update this material based on subsequent information and events or to provide you with any additional or supplemental information or any update to or correction of the information contained herein. Fairlead Strategies, its officers, employees, affiliates and partners shall not be liable to any person in any way whatsoever for any losses, costs, or claims for your reliance on this material. Nothing herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to future performance. PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS. Opinions expressed in this material may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed, or actions taken, by Fairlead Strategies or its affiliates, or their respective officers, directors, or employees. In addition, any opinions and assumptions expressed herein are made as of the date of this communication and are subject to change and/or withdrawal without notice. Fairlead Strategies or its affiliates may have positions in financial instruments mentioned, may have acquired such positions at prices no longer available, and may have interests different from or adverse to your interests or inconsistent with the advice herein. Any investments made are made under the same terms as nonaffiliated investors and do not constitute a controlling interest. No liability is accepted by Fairlead Strategies, its officers, employees, affiliates, or partners for any losses that may arise from any use of the information contained herein. Any financial instruments mentioned herein are speculative in nature and may involve risk to principal and interest. Any prices or levels shown are either historical or purely indicative. This material does not take into account the particular investment objectives or financial circumstances, objectives or needs of any specific investor, and are not intended as recommendations of particular securities, investment products, or other financial products or strategies to particular clients. Securities, investment products, other financial products or strategies discussed herein may not be suitable for all investors. The recipient of this information must make its own independent decisions regarding any securities, investment products or other financial products mentioned herein. The material should not be provided to any person in a jurisdiction where its provision or use would be contrary to local laws, rules, or regulations. This material is not to be reproduced or redistributed absent the written consent of Fairlead Strategies.
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NASA Telescopes Reveal Hidden Properties of X-Ray Pulsar RX J0032.9-7348
NASA Telescopes Reveal Hidden Properties of X-Ray Pulsar RX J0032.9-7348
Pulsars are neutron stars rotating rapidly, emitting electromagnetic radiation in various wavelengths, including radio waves, optical, X-ray, and gamma-ray. Identified as a X ray transient source in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) about 30 years ago, RX J0032.9-7348 has been classified as an X-ray Pulsar after detecting X-ray pulsations with a ******* of approximately 7.02 seconds after experiencing an X-ray brightening in October 2024.To take a closer look at it, astronomers have incorporated two NASA X-ray telescope, NICER and NuSTAR.
Discovery and Observational Campaign
According to Handbook of X-ray and Gamma ray Astrophysics, Accretion-powered X-ray pulsars (XRPs) are neutron stars within binary systems that emit X-rays in regular pulses, powered by the accretion of matter from a companion star. However, although RX J0032.9-7348 has been known for decades, very little is known regarding its properties and its optical counterpart has not been identified. Therefore, a team of astronomers led by Birendra Chhotaray of the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad, India, decided to take a closer look at this pulsar with NuSTAR and NICER. Dr Chhotaray and his team were able to verify the X-ray pulsation ******* of RX J0032.9-7348 through their observations and they also discovered that this pulsar has a double-peak pulse profile throughout a wide energy range, with small changes in the form of energy dependence.
Findings
Results of the observational campaign, published on the arXiv preprint server, gives insight of the spin dynamics and luminosity of this pulsar. The accretion processes during the X-ray brightening phase increases its angular momentum. It results into a spin-up of approximately -0.00033 seconds per day. The luminosity of the pulsar varied from 8.2 undecillion to 37 undecillion erg/s during the monitoring campaign. The researchers report that no evidence of iron emission line or cyclotron resonance scattering features was found in the energy spectrum of this source.
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Can Shopify Stock Make a Comeback After an Earnings Sell-Off?
Can Shopify Stock Make a Comeback After an Earnings Sell-Off?
Trading around or near the time of a company’s quarterly earnings can be daunting, since volatility is usually near the top of the range during the days leading up to and right after the announcements are made. However, some swings take place during this short *******, giving investors the rare opportunity to get behind a significant move, one that carries a favorable risk-to-reward setup to be taken advantage of.
Shopify Today
That being said, there is one such opportunity in shares of Shopify Inc (NASDAQ:)., especially now that the company is subject to scrutiny and uncertainty driven by President Trump’s recent rollout of trade tariffs. These tariffs severely affected the business and its ability to continue dealing with ******** items and their shipment in and out of the United States.
With all things considered, there is a real risk in this technology stock’s future. However, one that pales in comparison to the increasing market share and earning potential it also carries as the global economy turns to e-commerce and more online businesses, especially in a world where consumer budgets are getting tighter. Governments and businesses keep inflation pressures at the top of their minds. Here are some reasons this sell-off might be short-lived.
What Is Really Behind This Sell-Off
Shopify’s shares declined by just over 5.5% during the week of its quarterly earnings announcement, shaking out many confident traders and investors who had found optimism in the company’s future. Before digging deeper into where the opportunity is born, investors should understand what drove the stock lower in the first place.
The answer is that it wasn’t much more than just the future guidance, which was actually not too bad, as it did point to continued growth ahead for the company. However, markets may be calling for a pullback on guidance or an outright miss by the next quarter when the actual effect of tariffs hits the marketplace and Shopify’s consumer base.
However, the quarter’s actual numbers were stellar, starting with what drives the first step of success at Shopify. On a gross merchandise value (GMV) basis, Shopify reported up to $74.7 billion, which was a net growth rate of up to 23% compared to the $60.8 billion reported for the same quarter last year.
All of this translated to a net revenue of up to $2.3 billion, also a significant growth rate of 27% over the past 12 months. Some might say that the bearish thesis, and the reason for the selloff, is that these growth rates do not yet reflect the tariff effects on the company’s business model and cost basis.
Nonetheless, investors can lean on Shopify’s earning power to adequately respond to these added costs, which can be quantified through the reported free cash flow (operating cash flow minus capital expenditures) of up to $363 million, a significant jump compared to the $232 million generated last year.
With this in mind, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to see the market smile and celebrate as the stock allows everyone to get in at a seeming discount.
The Market’s Bullish Outlook on Shopify Stock
Even though shares of Shopify had a negative initial reaction to the earnings release, the broader market understands where the real value of the company lies after a stellar growth rate was reported across the board, which is higher. To understand this trend, investors need to dig deeper into the fabric of the market and how it expresses these views.
One way is through valuation multiples, where Shopify rightfully commands a premium over its peer group, starting with its price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 59.2x. This valuation is significantly above the computer sector’s average multiple of 43.4x today, but this premium doesn’t end there.
On a price-to-book (P/B) basis, Shopify’s valuation of 10.3x is also above the sector average of 6.4x. While some value investors might see this as overextended and expensive, seasoned professionals will remind them that the market is always willing to pay a premium for stocks that it believes can outperform in the near future.
Knowing that trade talks between the United States and China are moving in the right direction, with both parties willing to sit down for further talks on how to come out on amicable terms, the tailwinds that these bearish traders see in Shopify might not end up playing out at all, clearing the way for the stock to move higher.
But how much higher? Well, Wall Street analysts have an answer to that, too. As of May 2025, the consensus price target is set at $116 per share. This gives investors the sort of upside that is much needed in this uncertain environment.
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New Study eries Reveal Ancient Egyptian Fortress Once Lined with 500 Trees
New Study eries Reveal Ancient Egyptian Fortress Once Lined with 500 Trees
Archaeologists from Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities have found new details about the design and functions of a fortress in Sinai desert. Residing at the site of Tell Abu Saifi, this fortress was rebuilt and modified over centuries. These new findings suggest that it had an elaborate landscape of 500 trees leading to its entrance about 2000 years ago. These trees were likely planted in clay-lined circles on both sides of a road. the fortress was in use when Ptolemy I — a general of Alexander the Great — and his descendants ruled Egypt.
Trees, Moats, and Defense
According to the new findings reported by Sky News Arabia, the fortress was surrounded by a trench (a moat) that was more than 6.6 feet (2 meters) deep. This trench would have helped soldiers defend the fortress. The Ptolemies faced a number of adversaries at different times, including the Seleucid Empire, the Roman Republic and rebel groups operating in Egypt.
Clay planting circles may have been used to plant trees in Ptolemaic Egypt, Elizabeth Macaulay, a classics professor at the City University of New York Graduate Center stated in an email to Live Science. Evidence from papyri and archaeology supports large-scale plant cultivation. If roots are found, it could confirm these circles were used for planting and help identify tree species.
Other Findings
Several other finds like living quarters of soldiers and perhaps their families. In addition, they unearthed a stretch of road that was 328 feet (100 m) long, 36 feet (11 m) wide, and paved with limestone slabs. It would have been used for military units traveling to the fortress. Archaeologists unearthed four corners of a structure that may be from an even earlier *******. It’s possible that this structure is also a fortress, but the team has not been able to date it or verify its purpose.
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Google Messages is getting another wave of updates – here are 7 you can expect to see soon
Google Messages is getting another wave of updates – here are 7 you can expect to see soon
Google Messages has already improved a lot since it landed over 11 years ago – and over the past couple of weeks we’ve seen Google test more new features that could roll out widely very soon.
Though Google has been dropping new features in Messages since the beginning of the year, these past few weeks have been a particularly busy time, especially for group chats in Google Messages.
But in addition to its new chat icons and group chat links, there’s a number of other new design features and overdue functions that could help enhance the Google Messages user experience.
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Despite not all of these features being widely available, Google has hinted that they will be rolled out very soon, and we have a lot of APK teardowns from the likes of 9to5Google to thank for an early peek at them. Here’s a look at what’s likely coming to Google Messages very soon…
1. ‘Delete for everyone’ function
Google Messages’ ‘Delete for everyone’ function is the latest of the new features that have emerged. First spotted back in February, more users are starting to see it crop up in their Google Messages app but it’s not yet available for everyone – suggesting that it will be rolled out gradually.
There’s already a ‘Delete for me’ option but this new update will allow you to remove messages from the view of everyone in a chat. Users who have access have noticed that ‘Delete for everyone’ only works in larger group chats, and have yet to find a 1:1 chat where they can use it.
There’s also a 15-minute time window, meaning that if you want to remove a text from a conversation, you’ll have to be quick.
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RCS message delete is also rolling out to beta people. from r/GoogleMessages
2. Group chat links
(Image credit: Android Authority)
Just like other messaging platforms, group chat links make it easier to gather your contacts into one big conversation hassle-free, and Google Messages is following suit.
It was first uncovered in an APK teardown by Android Authority and will allow you to create invite links that you can share in standard link form or through a QR code that others can scan.
In the image taken from the teardown, there’s a toggle you can enable that will give you two options; to create a single-use link, or one that can be reused and distributed. Links will expire after 30 days.
3. New group chat icons
(Image credit: Future)
On the topic of group chats, Google Messages is paying a lot of attention to this aspect of its messaging platform and is introducing new group chat icons.
A number of users noticed this in the Google Messages app by opening a group conversation, navigating the top bar to reveal the group details. If a pencil icon appears at the right of your group chat’s existing image, it means you have the freedom to set your own icon.
After experimenting with the feature users have noted that you won’t be able to set gifs as icons, and you won’t be able to return to a previous icon once a new one has been set.
At the moment, group chat icons in Google Messages only show up to four circle profile images, which doesn’t make it easy to distinguish between chats, so a smaller feature like this will not only be a great design upgrade but a practical one, too.
4. Expanded text message field
(Image credit: 9to5Google)
For a while, Google Messages hasn’t been a user’s best friend when it comes to composing longer texts, but that’s all about to change as Google Messages is expanding its 4-line view limit.
The new text field limit will allow up to 14 lines per message making it easier for you to view longer messages before you send them.
5. New function for snoozing messages
At the same time as group chat links were spotted in Google Messages, there was also speculation of a new group chat muting feature – and it looks as though it’s ready to roll out.
This will see a new button added to the toolbar at the top of the screen when you long-press on a chat, which will then show a second menu where you can choose to mute a group chat for one hour, eight hours, 24 hours.
There’s even an ‘always’ option, and the menu reassures you that other members won’t see that you have muted the chat.
6. Live location sharing and content warnings
(Image credit: Google)
Live location sharing is a God-send, especially when it comes to finding your friends in larger crowds, and this new feature has been teased by an in-app code.
Users can currently share their location with another person through Google Maps, but it only shows up as a static Google Maps pin. If you move around, this means you’ll have to send your location again – but Google could be working to combat this. Last time we checked the feature wasn’t live for us, however there’s a chance Google could be experimenting with it behind the scenes.
Additionally, Sensitive Content Warnings went live in a Google Messages’ beta a few weeks ago for some users. Accounts owned by users under 18 will automatically have this setting enabled, and users over 18 will have the option to turn it off.
In addition to a redesigned gallery, you’ll be able to send photos and videos on Google Messages in their original quality which was first spotted in beta in February.
The new layout includes a “HD” icon which you can find in the top-right of the final screen before sending an image. When you tap the icon, a new menu appears allowing you to select from two options; “Optimized for chat”, which trades some quality for a lower file size, or “Original quality”, which sends the original image as found on your phone’s built-in storage.
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Live Updates: Lawyers for Sean Combs Acknowledge Violence but Deny Sex-Trafficking Charge
Live Updates: Lawyers for Sean Combs Acknowledge Violence but Deny Sex-Trafficking Charge
At trial, Sean Combs will be represented by a large and varied defense team — one that has grown even larger and more varied in recent days.
Since early in the government’s investigation, Mr. Combs has retained Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos of the firm Agnifilo Intrater.
Mr. Agnifilo is a longtime criminal defense attorney who has represented high-profile figures like the former pharma executive Martin Shkreli; Keith Raniere, the leader of the Nxivm sex cult; and Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the former managing director of the International Monetary Fund, who in 2011 was accused of ********* assaulting a hotel maid in New York. (The case against Mr. Strauss-Kahn was dismissed before a trial.) Along with Karen Friedman Agnifilo, his wife, Mr. Agnifilo is also part of the defense team for Luigi Mangione, who has been charged with ******* in the killing of a health care executive.
In and out of the courtroom, Mr. Agnifilo has been perhaps the strongest voice in Mr. Combs’s defense. At a hearing last month, he reiterated the defense’s argument that Mr. Combs’s “freak-offs” — ******* encounters that the government contends were coerced — were consensual, with Mr. Combs’s ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura a willing participant. “Call it ‘swingers,’ call it whatever you will,” Mr. Agnifilo said.
In media interviews, he has called the case an “unjust prosecution” and said that Mr. Combs is “an imperfect person but is not a criminal.”
Mr. Agnifilo was a longtime lawyer at the firm Brafman & Associates but left last year to help start Agnifilo Intrater. With him, he brought Ms. Geragos, whose father is Mark Geragos, the celebrity lawyer who has represented Mr. Combs in the past. Ms. Geragos has also spoken publicly about the case, including in a series of TikTok videos that she posted before Mr. Combs was arrested in September.
The team also includes Alexandra Shapiro, a prominent appellate court lawyer at the firm Shapiro Arato Bach who was once a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, which is prosecuting the Combs case. She graduated from Columbia Law School and was one of the first clerks for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the Supreme Court. She also wrote a novel, “Presumed Guilty.”
Ms. Shapiro is widely recognized for her success rate at trial and on appeals. “If you want to maximize your chances of either prevailing at trial or on appeal against the S.D.N.Y., then you should call Alexandra Shapiro (if you can afford her),” the legal newsletter Original Jurisdiction wrote last year.
Given her specialty, Ms. Shapiro may be keeping a close eye during the trial on any issues that might be useful if the defense appeals a verdict.
Mr. Combs’s defense also includes Jason Driscoll of Shapiro Arato Bach and Anna Estevao of Harris Trzaskoma.
In the last few weeks, Mr. Combs has added several other lawyers.
Most prominent is Brian Steel, who defended the rapper Young Thug in a long-running racketeering trial in Georgia. Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, pleaded guilty to participating in criminal street gang activity, and was released with time served. But Mr. Steel — who was recently profiled in The New Yorker — drew wide notice, in legal circles and beyond, for a courtroom showdown where he accused a judge of improperly meeting with a witness. He was held in contempt but later vindicated when the judge was ordered to recuse himself from the case.
Mr. Combs’s team has also recently added Xavier Donaldson, a New York lawyer whose LinkedIn profile describes him as “litigator, professor, speaker, crisis manager,” and Nicole Westmoreland, who represented one of Young Thug’s co-defendants in his trial.
In April, Mr. Combs’s legal team asked for a two-month delay of the trial to consider what it said was newly produced evidence by the government. The judge denied the request, noting that Mr. Combs had four law firms working for him, giving him ample resources to prepare.
Since then, Mr. Combs has added two more.
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Newsom pushes California cities to ban homeless encampments – Politico
Newsom pushes California cities to ban homeless encampments – Politico
Newsom pushes California cities to ban homeless encampments PoliticoNewsom Asks Cities to Ban Homeless Encampments, Escalating Crackdown The New York TimesNewsom calls on California cities to ban homeless encampments ‘without delay’ The GuardianNewsom again urges cities to ban homeless camps Los Angeles TimesCalif. Gov. Gavin Newsom unveils homelessness plan to clear street camps USA Today
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Battlefield 6 Feature Sparks Furious Rollback Demands
Battlefield 6 Feature Sparks Furious Rollback Demands
If you’re the type of player who dislikes clutter on their screen, especially those pesky damage numbers, then the latest news about Battlefield 6 might not sit well with you. As closed tests continue behind the scenes, a steady stream of information has been making its way to the public (official or leaks).
Most recently, a new detail surfaced that has sparked a firestorm among players. This seemingly small UI change has led many to call for it to be rolled back or removed entirely, fearing it could disrupt gameplay flow and break immersion.
The problem with damage numbers in Battlefield 6
The Battlefield franchise has built its name on massive battles, chaotic moments, and smooth tactical gameplay, not cluttered screens full of flashing numbers.
Sure, older games had damage indicators here and there (like those little point pop-ups when you landed a shot), but throwing bold damage numbers right into the middle of your sights in Battlefield 6? For many players, that’s a hard pass.
Having numbers dance around in your scope doesn’t just block your view; it messes with the whole experience. It undercuts what makes Battlefield special: clean, open combat where awareness and positioning matter more than flashy feedback.
Players argue these numbers aren’t just annoying background noise; they actually get in the way. Trying to track a moving target while digits are bouncing around your crosshairs? No thanks.
Comment byu/someoneyouhate_ from discussion inBattlefield
Comment byu/someoneyouhate_ from discussion inBattlefield
Comment byu/someoneyouhate_ from discussion inBattlefield
Comment byu/someoneyouhate_ from discussion inBattlefield
For a lot of fans, this feature feels like something ripped straight out of Call of Duty or Apex Legends, not the grounded Battlefield they signed up for. The message from the community is clear: keep it clean, keep it simple, and let us fight without all the clutter.
Why there’s still hope for a toggle
Damage numbers popped up, and so did the community’s temper. | Image Credit: DICE
Before everyone grabs their pitchforks and parachutes into the forums, it’s worth remembering one thing: Battlefield 6 is still deep in its closed testing phase. Nothing here is final.
The developers at DICE have been upfront about this; these tests are designed to experiment with ideas and gather feedback, not showcase the finished product. So, while seeing those damage numbers in the sights sparked a lot of frustration, there’s no guarantee they’ll stick around in the final release.
On top of that, there’s a decent reason to stay optimistic. In past Battlefield titles, similar features came with a simple solution: a toggle in the settings menu. If history repeats itself, players will likely get the option to turn damage numbers off entirely, or even tweak how and where they appear.
And if, by some chance, a toggle isn’t already planned, the sheer volume of community feedback might just convince the developers to add one before launch. After all, Battlefield Labs exists to make sure the game reflects what players want.
For now, all we can do is wait, keep the feedback flowing, and hope for the best. Because when the dust settles, everyone just wants the same thing: a Battlefield game that plays and feels like Battlefield.
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Live Updates: Lawyers for Sean Combs Acknowledge Violence but Deny Sex-Trafficking Charge
Live Updates: Lawyers for Sean Combs Acknowledge Violence but Deny Sex-Trafficking Charge
At trial, Sean Combs will be represented by a large and varied defense team — one that has grown even larger and more varied in recent days.
Since early in the government’s investigation, Mr. Combs has retained Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos of the firm Agnifilo Intrater.
Mr. Agnifilo is a longtime criminal defense attorney who has represented high-profile figures like the former pharma executive Martin Shkreli; Keith Raniere, the leader of the Nxivm sex cult; and Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the former managing director of the International Monetary Fund, who in 2011 was accused of ********* assaulting a hotel maid in New York. (The case against Mr. Strauss-Kahn was dismissed before a trial.) Along with Karen Friedman Agnifilo, his wife, Mr. Agnifilo is also part of the defense team for Luigi Mangione, who has been charged with ******* in the killing of a health care executive.
In and out of the courtroom, Mr. Agnifilo has been perhaps the strongest voice in Mr. Combs’s defense. At a hearing last month, he reiterated the defense’s argument that Mr. Combs’s “freak-offs” — ******* encounters that the government contends were coerced — were consensual, with Mr. Combs’s ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura a willing participant. “Call it ‘swingers,’ call it whatever you will,” Mr. Agnifilo said.
In media interviews, he has called the case an “unjust prosecution” and said that Mr. Combs is “an imperfect person but is not a criminal.”
Mr. Agnifilo was a longtime lawyer at the firm Brafman & Associates but left last year to help start Agnifilo Intrater. With him, he brought Ms. Geragos, whose father is Mark Geragos, the celebrity lawyer who has represented Mr. Combs in the past. Ms. Geragos has also spoken publicly about the case, including in a series of TikTok videos that she posted before Mr. Combs was arrested in September.
The team also includes Alexandra Shapiro, a prominent appellate court lawyer at the firm Shapiro Arato Bach who was once a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, which is prosecuting the Combs case. She graduated from Columbia Law School and was one of the first clerks for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the Supreme Court. She also wrote a novel, “Presumed Guilty.”
Ms. Shapiro is widely recognized for her success rate at trial and on appeals. “If you want to maximize your chances of either prevailing at trial or on appeal against the S.D.N.Y., then you should call Alexandra Shapiro (if you can afford her),” the legal newsletter Original Jurisdiction wrote last year.
Given her specialty, Ms. Shapiro may be keeping a close eye during the trial on any issues that might be useful if the defense appeals a verdict.
Mr. Combs’s defense also includes Jason Driscoll of Shapiro Arato Bach and Anna Estevao of Harris Trzaskoma.
In the last few weeks, Mr. Combs has added several other lawyers.
Most prominent is Brian Steel, who defended the rapper Young Thug in a long-running racketeering trial in Georgia. Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, pleaded guilty to participating in criminal street gang activity, and was released with time served. But Mr. Steel — who was recently profiled in The New Yorker — drew wide notice, in legal circles and beyond, for a courtroom showdown where he accused a judge of improperly meeting with a witness. He was held in contempt but later vindicated when the judge was ordered to recuse himself from the case.
Mr. Combs’s team has also recently added Xavier Donaldson, a New York lawyer whose LinkedIn profile describes him as “litigator, professor, speaker, crisis manager,” and Nicole Westmoreland, who represented one of Young Thug’s co-defendants in his trial.
In April, Mr. Combs’s legal team asked for a two-month delay of the trial to consider what it said was newly produced evidence by the government. The judge denied the request, noting that Mr. Combs had four law firms working for him, giving him ample resources to prepare.
Since then, Mr. Combs has added two more.
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Caelan Doris: Ireland captain ruled out for four to six months after surgery on shoulder
Caelan Doris: Ireland captain ruled out for four to six months after surgery on shoulder
Ireland captain Caelan Doris has been ruled out for a ******* of four to six months through injury, Leinster Rugby confirmed on Monday.
The 27-year-old sustained the injury in the Irish province’s Investec Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton on 3 May.
Last week, Doris was left out of the British and Irish Lions squad for this summer’s tour of Australia by head coach Andy Farrell.
The back row could now also be a doubt for Ireland’s series of autumn matches against New Zealand, Japan, Australia and South Africa in November.
An update from Leinster read: “Caelan Doris had a procedure on Friday last week for a shoulder injury which will keep him out of action for between four to six months.”
Doris had been a frontrunner to be named captain for the Lions tour, a role which was given to England second row Maro Itoje.
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Spirit of The North 2 Review | TheXboxHub
Spirit of The North 2 Review | TheXboxHub
WTMG’s Heidi Hawes: “I cannot stress enough just how much I enjoy Spirit of the North 2. It takes the all the strongest elements of the first game and builds upon them, while simultaneously eliminating the aspects that didn’t work as well before. It’s not without its share of flaws, but those are easily overlooked in favor the remarkable, wondrous adventure that lies before you. You don’t need to have played the first to enjoy Spirit of the North 2, so I would highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for their next mellow, exploration-based, puzzle game. Spirit of the North 2 is truly a diamond in the rough.”
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Putin ‘serious’ on talks, Ukraine says he ignores truce
Putin ‘serious’ on talks, Ukraine says he ignores truce
Russia is “completely ignoring” a 30-day ceasefire proposed by Ukraine and European powers that was to have begun on Monday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha says.
Writing on X, Sybiha said he had spoken to European ministers meeting in London, and they had discussed steps that could be taken against Russia including new sanctions against the Russian banking and energy sectors and the Russian central bank.
He said they had also discussed new military assistance packages for Ukraine.
Sybiha also said he had a joint phone call with European foreign ministers and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to talk about the next steps in peace talks.
He cited positive reactions from Trump, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan as well as from countries in the BRICS group and from countries in the former Soviet Union.
Before reporters could ask any more questions about the proposed talks, Peskov said: “That’s all. I’ve said everything I could about this story.”
Putin and Zelenskiy have not met since December 2019 and make no secret of their contempt for each other.
Putin’s proposal for direct talks with Ukraine came hours after major European powers demanded on Saturday in Kyiv that Putin agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire or face “massive” new sanctions.
Germany’s government said on Monday that European countries will start preparing new sanctions on Russia unless the Kremlin by the end of Monday starts abiding by a 30-day ceasefire.
“The language of ultimatums is unacceptable for Russia, it is not suitable. You can’t use such language with Russia,” Peskov said when asked about the ******* and other European warnings.
US President Donald Trump on Monday welcomed the news of a meeting between Russia and Ukraine on Thursday.
“I think good things can come out of that meeting,” he said at a White House event.
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Republicans plan work requirement for Medicaid – but hold off on slashing federal contributions
Republicans plan work requirement for Medicaid – but hold off on slashing federal contributions
House Republicans released the legislative text for the Medicaid aspect of their massive domestic policy bill, which will put in place strict work requirements and risks millions of Americans losing their health care.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee released the text for their aspect of the legislation President Donald Trump has taken to calling the “one big, beautiful bill.”
The proposed legislation would delay multiple rules put in place for Medicaid – which provides health insurance for people on low incomes – during the Biden administration. In addition, it would require states to add extra steps to verify the addresses of Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) recipients. States would also be required to increase their determinations for whether someone is eligible for Medicaid to every six months.
The legislation would also delay the implementation of the Biden administration’s rule increasing staffing standards for long-term care facilities and prohibit the use of Medicaid dollars to pay for gender-affirming care for transgender people under the age of 18.
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie will hold a markup of its part of the reconciliation bill on Tuesday. (Getty Images)
But the biggest part of the Medicaid aspect of the legislation are the work requirements. Specifically, able-bodied adults without children or dependents would need to work at least 80 hours a month, engage in 80 hours of community service or engage in 80 hours for an educational program. They could also engage in a combination of these three options.
People younger than 19 and older than 64 years would be exempt from the work requirements, as well as pregnant women, foster youth, former foster youth up to the age of 26, people with disabilities, members of Native American tribes or people already in compliance with work requirements for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, formerly known as ********, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Earlier this year, the House passed a budget resolution that stipulated that for Republicans to pass $4.5 trillion worth of tax cuts, they would need to find $1.5 trillion worth of spending cuts. If they fail to find $2 trillion worth of spending cuts, the amount of money for tax cuts is reduced by the difference between $2 trillion and the final number of spending cuts.
The budget resolution required that the House Energy & Commerce Committee, which governs Medicaid, find $880 billion worth of spending cuts.
Last month, the House passed the Senate’s version of the budget resolution, which does not have as many hard commitments on spending cuts.
Still, hardline conservatives want to see long-term changes to Medicaid. On Monday, Representative Chip Roy of Texas, a member of the staunchly right-wing House Freedom Caucus, blasted the legislation.
“I sure hope House & Senate leadership are coming up with a backup plan,” Roy said on X. “because I’m not here to rack up an additional $20 trillion in debt over 10 years or to subsidize healthy, able-bodied adults, corrupt blue states, and monopoly hospital ceos.”
But many Republicans in the Senate and the House do not want to push for across-the-board cuts to Medicaid, specifically in states that expanded Medicaid under the 2010 health care law signed by Barack Obama, also known as the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare.
Republicans have said that they would be open to work requirements. Last month, House Speaker Mike Johnson specifically said “29-year-old males sitting on their couches playing video games” would be sent to work instead of being allowed to collect Medicaid.
At the same time, the legislation chose not to cut federal contributions to Medicaid, which worried many Republicans who expanded Medicaid. Under the 2010 health care law, the federal government covers up to 90 percent of the cost for people up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. Numerous states have “trigger laws” wherein state governments would roll back spending for Medicaid, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
But the legislation also poses potential political risks. The Congressional Budget Office, the nonpartisan office within Congress that determines how much legislation costs and how much it would add to the deficit, determined that the changes to Medicaid, along with the expiration of additional tax credits for Obamacare and other provisions, would increase the number of people without health insurance by 13.7 million.
The Energy & Commerce Committee will hold its markup of the bill on Tuesday afternoon.
In addition to changes to Medicaid, spending cuts and tax cuts, Republicans hope to ramp up spending for immigration enforcement along the US-Mexico border and oil drilling.
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Six Bulgarians jailed for spying for Russia
Six Bulgarians jailed for spying for Russia
Six Bulgarians have been jailed for spying on the enemies of Russia’s Vladimir Putin in the *** and beyond.
During a lengthy trial, the Old Bailey heard the ring was paid handsomely for their services, including spying on two journalists who had exposed nerve agent attacks on the Russian dissidents Alexei Navalny and Sergei Skripal.
On Monday, the ringleader Orlin Roussev was jailed for 10 years and eight months for the charge of conspiracy to spy. His second-in-command, Biser Dzhambazov, was sentenced to 10 years and two months.
Katrin Ivanova, Dzhambazov’s partner, was jailed for nine years and eight months by Judge Justice Hilliard. Three others were jailed for between eight and six years.
Their names are Tihomir Ivanchev, Ivan Stoyanov and Vanya Gaberova.
The trial heard that the gang had conducted operations in the ***, Austria, Spain, Germany and Montenegro.
They targeted investigative journalists Christo Grozev and Roman Dobrokhotov, as well as Russian dissidents and political figures.
The case against them, which has been described as “one of the largest” foreign intelligence operations in the ***, focused on six of their assignments.
For the first time in a *** criminal court, the inner workings of a Russian operational spy cell were exposed in thousands of messages organising surveillance, photos and videos of their targets, and talk of plans to kidnap and kill.
Evidence placed before the court this week revealed new details about Jan Marsalek, the ring’s controller for Russian intelligence services.
Marsalek, an Austrian, is currently on the run and is wanted in Germany for alleged fraud linked to the financial services company Wirecard.
The spy ring referred to themselves as the “minions”, inspired by the yellow sidekicks of the villain Gru in the Despicable Me children’s film franchise.
The group also frequently referred to the Russian GRU agency – its military intelligence service – in Telegram messages.
Police raided the Norfolk guesthouse housing the operation in 2023 and found a “treasure trove” of gadgets, including a Minion cuddly toy containing a camera.
Ivanova, Gaberova and Ivanchev were convicted of conspiracy to spy for Russia on 7 March. Roussev, Dzhambazov and Stoyanov had previously pleaded guilty.
In sentencing, Mr Justice Hilliard singled out Dzhambazov as the boss but said all were “motivated by money” – “substantial” sums of up to €1m (£840,000) were discussed by the gang, demonstrating the “value” of their covert activities to Russia.
Mr Justice Hilliard said using the *** as a base to plan spy operations was a “very serious offence” which “undermines this country’s standing with allies”.
“Targeting journalists… undermines freedom of the press, one of our core democratic values,” he added.
Roussev was ordered to pay a confiscation order of £180,768 in ill-gotten gains by August 2025.
Gaberova’s sentenced was reduced to six years, eight months and three weeks following mitigation.
Her defence barrister Anthony Metzer KC said Gaberova, 30, was “controlled, coerced into this conspiracy by Mr Dzhambazov,” who was her lover while also being involved with Ivanova.
The court was told Gaberova had been diagnosed with depression, panic disorder, claustrophobia and anxiety.
Conspiracy to spy carries a maximum sentence of 14 years, but Roussev, Dzhambazov and Stoyanov were afforded some credit for their guilty pleas.
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said the case was “a clear example” of the increasing threat of state espionage.
He added that it also “highlights a relatively new phenomenon whereby espionage is being ‘outsourced’ by certain states”.
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