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We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
A jury delivered a decisive conclusion on Wednesday, ruling that Afroman did not defame Ohio law enforcement in his satirical music video. The video, which humorously depicted their unsuccessful raid on the rapper’s home, was at the heart of the legal battle.
Joseph Foreman, famously known as Afroman and celebrated for his hit “Because I Got High,” expressed his relief and joy as he raised his hands in victory and embraced supporters in the courtroom. He was cleared of defamation and invasion of privacy charges, including false light publicity, much to his satisfaction.
The lawsuit, initiated by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, stemmed from a drug raid conducted at Foreman’s residence in August 2022. Despite the search, no criminal charges were filed against him.
In response to the ordeal, the hip hop artist created a satirical piece titled “Lemon Pound Cake.” The music video incorporated actual footage from his home surveillance cameras, capturing the raid. Afroman has stated that the song aimed to raise funds for the property damage incurred during the search.
The hip hop star wrote the satirical song “Lemon Pound Cake” and made a music video with real footage of the raid taken from his home surveillance cameras to raise money for property damage caused during the search, he has said.
Seven cops with the sheriff’s office then sued him in March 2023, alleging the music video defamed them, invaded their constitutional privacy, and was an intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The video features footage of the cops busting down his door during, and of one officer eyeing his “mama’s lemon poundcake” with his gun drawn.
After making the music video, Foreman allegedly continued putting up social media posts with names of the officers involved, the lawsuit states.
Several of the posts allegedly falsely claimed that the cops “stole my money” and were “criminals disguised as law enforcement,” according to the suit.
They also falsely stated that the officers are “white supremacists,” that Officer Brian Newman “used to do hard drugs” before “snitching” on his friends, and that Officer Lisa Phillips is “biologically male,” according to the lawsuit.
Foreman’s lawyer had argued the song, which he described as a combination of comedy and music, was simply free speech.
“We see public officials all the time that are made fun of,” lawyer David Osborne said in a closing statement Wednesday. “They are going to be held to higher standards, their work is going to be criticized, that’s just what happens when you’re a public official.”
“It’s a social commentary on the fact that they didn’t do things correctly,” he said of the officers.
An attorney for the police, meanwhile, demanded a total of $3.9 million in damages — divided among the seven officers involved.
“[Foreman] perpetuated lies intentionally repeatedly over 3 1/2 years on the internet about these seven brave deputy sheriffs,” lawyer Robert Klingler said in closing remarks Wednesday. “[He] knew that what he posted on the internet were lies.”
“He says he’s not going to stop…tell him through your verdict that he needs to stop,” Klingler added.
“All of this is their fault,” Foreman testified in court Tuesday, according to WCPO.
“If they hadn’t wrongly raided my house, there would be no lawsuit, I would not know their names, they wouldn’t be on my home surveillance system, and there would be no songs … my money would still be intact.”
Joe Kent, in a recent interview with Tucker Carlson, placed the blame on Israel for the United States’ engagement in the war with Iran. He firmly stated that there was no imminent threat from Tehran, a sentiment he reiterated following his resignation from his position.
As the former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Kent announced his resignation on Tuesday, citing his inability to support the ongoing conflict. He asserted that the war was instigated due to pressure from Israel and its influential American lobby, making it impossible for him to continue in good conscience.
During the interview, Carlson, who had spent the last day with Kent, introduced a previous conversation from 2024. In this discussion, Kent had predicted the unfavorable outcomes of the war. Carlson prompted Kent to elaborate on his resignation letter, which had sparked considerable attention.
Kent argued that instead of resorting to war, then-President Donald Trump should have established a communication backchannel with Iran. He suggested that the responsibility to manage the conflict should have been left to Israel.
Kent also criticized Israeli officials, claiming that they often make statements that are not grounded in truth, adding another layer to his controversial stance.
Without naming names, he said that dissenting opinions in the administration were not allowed to speak to President Trump.
‘Key decision makers were not allowed to express their opinions. There wasn’t a robust debate,’ as he said there was in the leadup to Operation Midnight Hammer, last year’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
He reiterated to Carlson, who has also criticized Donald Trump on the strikes, that there was no threat to America from Iran and that the war was done on behalf of Israel, citing Marco Rubio’s statement shortly after the war began.
Joe Kent continued to blame Israel for the US’ involvement in the Iran War, continuing to argue that an imminent threat from Tehran ‘simply did not exist
Fire breaks out at the Shahran oil depot after US and Israeli attacks, leaving numerous fuel tankers and vehicles in the area unusable in Tehran
‘This speaks to the broader issue: who is in charge of our policy in the Middle East? Who is in charge of when we decide to go to war or not?’
He said that the president, Rubio and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson’s public comments confirm that ‘the Israelis drove the decision to take this action which we knew would set off a series of events, meaning the Iranians would retaliate.
Kent said there was no issue with the United States’ alliance with Israel but the US had to be in charge of how they used those weapons.
‘Its fine that we offer defense to Israel, but when were providing the means of defense, we get to dictate the terms of when they go on the offensive, otherwise they stand to lose that relationship,’ he said.
‘The Israelis felt emboldened that no matter what they did, they could take this action and we would just have to react.’
Kent also said that there was ‘a lobby’ pushing us to go to war.
He did say that Iran has been a threat in the past and has praised Trump’s actions in the Middle East in the past, but continues to say that this war was a bad decision.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for comment.
Kent, who served under Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, accused the President of reneging on the non-interventionist principles he campaigned on.
‘Until June of 2025, you understood that the wars in the Middle East were a trap that robbed America of the precious lives of our patriots and depleted the wealth and prosperity of our nation,’ the former Army Special Forces soldier wrote in his resignation letter.
He did say that Iran has been a threat in the past and has praised Trump’s actions in the Middle East in the past, but continues to say that this war was a bad decision
‘The time for bold action is now. You can reverse course and chart a new path for our nation, or you can allow us to slip further toward decline and chaos. You hold the cards.’
President Trump dismissed his argument when asked about it Tuesday, calling it a ‘good thing that [Kent’s] out,’ adding he was ‘very weak on security.’
Kent, who deployed to combat 11 times and lost his wife Shannon in what he calls a war manufactured by Israel, is closely aligned with the populist ‘America First’ wing of the Trump administration, including Gabbard and Vice President JD Vance, who have both warned against new Middle East entanglements.
His resignation lays bare a widening split inside Trumpworld. Kent accused high-ranking Israeli officials and members of the American media of running a ‘misinformation campaign’ to deceive the President into believing Iran posed an imminent threat, drawing a direct parallel to the lead-up to the Iraq war.
The divide pits the Gabbard-Vance non-interventionist faction against hawkish Republicans who back US support for Israel and a harder line on Tehran.
Trump’s ongoing war has spiraled across the Middle East, leading to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and deaths of 13 troops with hundreds more injured across seven countries.
Gas prices have surged to an average of $3.80 a gallon from $2.90 before the conflict began three weeks ago, while the narrow strait – through which a fifth of the world’s oil flows – remains blocked by the threat of Iranian mines and missiles.
Kent is seen as a key ally of Vance, as both built their political careers opposing foreign wars and championing Trump’s ‘America First’ principles.
Kent, who deployed to combat 11 times and lost his wife Shannon in what he calls a war manufactured by Israel, is closely aligned with the populist ‘America First’ wing of the Trump administration, including Gabbard and Vice President JD Vance , who have both warned against new Middle East entanglements
His foreign policy views were also backed by Gabbard, who is believed to be on the outs of Trump’s inner circle following his decision to launch the war.
Kent’s decision to blame Israel for lobbying Trump to launch the war against Iran underscores a growing divide within the GOP over support for the US Middle Eastern ally.
The resignation drew immediate praise from prominent ‘America First’ voices. Marjorie Taylor Greene called Kent ‘a great American hero,’ while Candace Owens went further, declaring Trump ‘a shameful President’ and calling on US troops to explore conscientious objection, calling Kent a ‘patriot’.
Not everyone was sympathetic. Pro-Israel activist Laura Loomer called Kent a ‘notorious leaker’ and predicted Gabbard would be next to go, claiming the resignation was timed to overshadow Gabbard’s scheduled testimony before two Congressional intelligence committees.
Loomer, who has previously clashed with Kent after he suggested she was a Mossad spy, described him as a ‘Tucker Carlson acolyte who undermines President Trump every chance he gets.’
Kent, 45, has a decorated military career spanning two decades in US Special Forces. He later joined the Central Intelligence Agency as a paramilitary officer following 11 combat tours in Iraq.
His wife, Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent, was killed in a suicide bombing while serving in Syria. The couple had two young children.
Following his wife’s death, Kent launched his political career advocating against military intervention in the Middle East.
Kent ran for Congress in February 2021 in Washington against Republican Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler, one of ten House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump after the January 6 Capitol riot.
After a tough primary, Kent won the Republican nomination with the endorsement of Trump, but lost the general election against Democrat Marie Perez. He ran again in the same district in 2024 but lost again.
Kent’s 2021 campaign received financial support from Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel.
Thiel, at the time, also provided monetary support to other Republican figures during the 2021 GOP primaries, including Vance in Ohio.
BEAUFORT, S.C. – This past Tuesday, Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island carried out an active shooter drill, marking the culmination of a week-long series of workshops focused on managing active shooter incidents. The exercise aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of their emergency response strategies.
The drill involved not only the base’s police forces but also extended to local law enforcement, fire rescue, and EMS units from Northern Beaufort County. Additionally, state and federal agencies participated in the exercise, ensuring a comprehensive approach.
“This is of utmost importance to us,” emphasized Col. Charles Nash, the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations at MCRD.
The scenario was set at the Marine Corps Exchange, a department store-like facility on the base, to mimic the challenges of an active shooter situation. Col. Nash highlighted that the focus is on both preparedness and the actual response to such critical incidents.
“A common theme in these training sessions is the saying, ‘it’s not if, but when something like this will occur,’” Col. Nash noted. “While it’s a sobering thought, we are dedicated to being ready at Parris Island.”
The simulated exercise took place at the Marine Corp Exchange, to represent a place where an active shooting would likely take place. Once the active shooter “opened fire,” immediate base emergency officials responded.
Because of it being a large-scale shooting event, additional emergency responders from the air station, as well as local and state authorities came in to support the response effort.
“For emergency response, we want to have a fully integrated team, not just for our on the installation fire, emergency services and military police, but also our partners that are right outside the gate,” the colonel said. “That allows us to work through the challenge of bringing them on the installation during a simulated emergency, as well as integrating them into our response posture, working on the information flow and ensuring that everyone who comes in to help solve the problem is fully informed.”
The personal response framework, curated by the Department of Homeland Security, is to better prepare for the shooting events that have become far more common in the nation.
“If you watched the national news, active shooter threats are an unfortunate part of our society nowadays,” said Mission Assurance Chief for MCRD Parris Island Andrew Smith. “Certainly, military installations across the country have been impacted. You can name several from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Pensacola, Florida, to Fort Hood. So, we are not immune to that threat.”
That also includes Fort Stewart in Savannah, Ga. last year, where five soldiers were shot and injured by Sgt. Quormelius Bradford. He is expected to plead guilty in military court later this month.
“The importance here is of making sure that we’re ready for that that type of threat should it occur,” Smith said.
To be ready to serve the nation, and to serve as a citizen of the country is a part of the culture and ethos of being a Marine, both leaders said.
“In a time of chaos, should an active shooter event occur and they are engaged in it or in close proximity, the expectation would be that the Marines, having been educated on this threat and the personal response framework, can provide assistance and direction to those that might be in need of assistance in such a very chaotic and tough situation,” said Smith.
The response is to protect the most vulnerable population first and foremost, which are viewed by base leaders as the recruits, families and civilians.
The exercise is just a simulation, but very real exposure into what marines and first responders must do in the critical moments. The hope is that they will never have to use their active shooter training skills, but one of the most important conclusions for Col. Nash going into and coming out of the exercise, is that “we are ready.”
Gwyneth Paltrow’s gown at the 2026 Oscars was more intricate than it seemed at first glance.
The 53-year-old star of “Marty Supreme” turned heads in a white dress by Giorgio Armani Privé. What appeared to be a straightforward strapless design was anything but.
Beneath the elegant exterior, the ensemble featured a pair of transparent, glittering pants, showcasing Paltrow’s long, sculpted legs.
In a behind-the-scenes clip shared on Goop’s YouTube channel, Paltrow offered a glimpse into her preparation for the red carpet, including a FaceTime session with her daughter, Apple.
“It’s simple, yet beautiful,” she remarked, noting that she was being “sewn into” the dress, which boasted sheer panels for added flair.
“I won’t be able to pee for the whole time I’m there,” she said.
While Paltrow wasn’t nominated for her role in “Marty Supreme” — and the Josh Safdie-directed film didn’t win in any categories Sunday night — Paltrow presented the Oscar for best casting during the ceremony.
The Goop founder got glowing for the big night using her company’s skincare products, including the Youth-Boost Peptide Serum ($150) and All-in-One Super Nutrient Face Oil ($105) — the latter of which she calls “the magic stuff.”
Makeup artist Georgie Eisdell gave Paltrow a duo of facial massages, and used the pricey Lyma laser along with depuffing eye masks to help get GP red carpet-ready.
When asked about her past appearances at the Academy Awards, Paltrow said her prep was “much simpler” and that she didn’t use lasers.
“It was just sort of like, hair and makeup,” she recalled.
As for 2026? “If it takes this many people to get me ready, I’m f—ked,” she joked.
The treasurer said two scenarios that have already been modelled could underestimate the cost.
Prior to the strikes on Iran, oil had been trading at about US$71 a barrel.
In a recent development, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has indicated that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is being closely examined through various scenarios, including one particularly severe possibility. This situation is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the forthcoming May budget.
During a pre-budget address set for Thursday, Chalmers plans to outline how this latest crisis could be the fifth major shock to the global economy, following the global financial crisis, a significant pandemic, a worldwide inflation surge, and rising trade tensions. “This oil shock has the potential to become another significant disruptor,” he will assert.
The past few weeks have witnessed a dramatic rise in oil prices, largely due to military actions by the United States and Israel against Iran. These events have ignited a regional conflict, significantly impacting the global market.
Compounding the issue, the Strait of Hormuz—an essential maritime route on Iran’s southern border, which handles roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply—has faced severe restrictions. This effective blockade has resulted in a 40% to 50% surge in global oil prices, further escalating costs for critical commodities such as fertilizers and plastics.
The effective blockade of the strait has seen a 40 to 50 per cent rise in global oil prices, also driving up prices for commodities like fertiliser and plastics.
“This is adding upward pressure to global inflation, interest rate expectations and bond yields, while international equity markets and sentiment more broadly have fallen,” Chalmers said.
Chalmers, at the time, said Australia’s pre-existing inflation challenges had been exacerbated by the war.
Government modelling predicts the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) could be 0.6 per cent lower by 2027 if the war isn’t resolved soon, Chalmers will reveal in his speech.
By 2029, in the worst-case scenario, the economy still will not have fully recovered from the aftershocks of the war, he will say.
“Around half of the impact to GDP is due to the impact of higher oil. The other half is due to broader consequences,” he will tell a gathering of business economists in Melbourne.
‘Drastic’ scenario under consideration
In his remarks previewing the budget, Chalmers said treasury had constantly been monitoring and modelling potential impacts of the war.
“We have been considering two scenarios, with a third more drastic one also under development,” he said.
In the shorter term scenario, the oil price remains at US$100 a barrel for the first half of the year and then gradually returns to pre-war prices by end of year.
Should a more prolonged scenario play out, the treasury has forecast the oil price reaching US$120 a barrel in the first half of the year, taking three years to return to its pre-war price.
Chalmers warned that both scenarios could underestimate the cost, “given where the oil price is and the uncertain duration of these events”.
Oil is currently trading at about US$100 a barrel and prior to the war, was trading at about US$71 a barrel.
A widely accepted rule of thumb is that every US$10 increase in the price of a barrel adds 10 cents to the fuel pump in Australia.
‘Very real’ prospect of higher inflation
Headline inflation is at 3.8 per cent, far higher than the RBA’s 2-3 per cent target range.
In announcing Tuesday’s rate hike, RBA governor Michele Bullock said the uncertainty brought on by the Middle East conflict was “just another reason to be a little cautious.
In treasury’s longer-term scenario, inflation would peak 1.25 per cent higher than previously expected — around 5 per cent — while in the shorter-term one it would be at least 0.75 per cent higher, putting it in the high fours in 2026.
“It means the prospect of inflation peaking in the high fours or even higher this year is very real,” he said.
“That’s why we are making more supply available for industry and households, managing our reserves responsibly and we’re helping to keep fuel flowing to the regions.”
“And we are preparing for the risk of more prolonged disruption, including through work with international partners, to help insulate more fuel-exposed industries like farming, transport and mining.”
Left to right: Alexander Nicholas and Chase Cook (Tarrant County Detention Center).
Two men have been arrested in Texas following the discovery of another man’s body buried in a shallow grave around the Christmas period, according to local authorities.
Chase Cook and Alexander James Nicholas, both 23, have been charged with murder, as confirmed by the Fort Worth Police Department.
The arrests, made several months apart, are linked to the stabbing death of 24-year-old John Richardson, which occurred in late December 2025.
Officials believe the tragic incident took place in the early hours of the morning, just a day before Richardson was reported missing. Although the investigation initially began as a missing person case, it swiftly transitioned into a homicide inquiry.
On December 22, detectives discovered Richardson’s body in a wooded area within Fort Worth, located in Denton County. While Fort Worth is primarily situated in Tarrant County, it stretches into five different counties.
The victim left a party with Nicholas on Nov. 30, 2025, the last night he was seen alive, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by CBS News. Nicholas, for his part, allegedly told detectives he left the victim at a specific location while Richardson was still alive.
Law enforcement arrested Nicholas on Christmas Day.
On Tuesday, police arrested and booked Cook, according to Tarrant County Corrections Center records.
As it turned out, Richardson was supposed to be dropped off at his girlfriend’s house but never arrived, according to arrest affidavits obtained by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Nicholas would allegedly go on to say he and Richardson got into an argument during the drive, which led to the victim being somewhere between Alliance Boulevard and a Buc-ee’s truck stop in the far northern reaches of Fort Worth.
A witness cited by law enforcement recalled Nicholas showing people a silver and black handgun prior to the pair leaving the party, police said. Then, days after the party, Nicholas allegedly told the same witness: “John wouldn’t be coming around anymore.”
That friend questioned what the defendant meant, according to a copy of the affidavit obtained by Dallas-based Fox affiliate KDFW.
“[Nicholas] made his fingers into the shape of a gun, and said ‘you know what I mean,’” the affidavit reads. “When [the friend] asked him if he killed [Richardson], [Nicholas] shook his head yes and told [the friend] if he wanted to know what happened that they could go into the woods and turn their phones off.”
A second witness said Nicholas was angry with Richardson over a car accident, with the defendant blaming the victim, police claim.
As the first defendant’s story continued, he met with Cook after dropping Richardson off, police said. Cook later told police he was drunk at the time and could not remember if anyone else was in the car with Nicholas when the pair met up that night.
During an interview, Cook allegedly “teared up and wouldn’t answer” when pressed about his knowledge of Richardson’s final whereabouts, police said. Still, the second defendant never admitted to knowing where the victim’s body was dumped, authorities said.
But Cook’s girlfriend was allegedly a different story.
The girlfriend would eventually tell detectives Cook received a text message from Nicholas late on the night of the party and that he left the house saying he had to “go help Alex,” according to the affidavit. Then, when he returned the next day, Cook allegedly only revealed that he and Nicholas had gone to the woods, police said.
Days after the murder, Cook was drinking, his girlfriend said. This bout of imbibing led him to tell her he and Nicholas dug a six-foot hole in the woods on the night in question, according to law enforcement.
Detectives firmed up the allegations against the two defendants by obtaining cellphone location data that showed Richardson, Nicholas, and Cook all at or near a house in the same wooded area where the victim’s body was found, police allege.
The victim is believed to have been killed by a combination of stabbing wounds to his body and blunt force trauma to his head, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Nicholas is currently detained in the Tarrant County jail on $300,000 bond. Cook is being detained on $250,000 bond.
“The book is always better than the movie.” This is a common belief, but it doesn’t always hold true, especially in the realm of science fiction. There are instances where films not only complement their literary counterparts but actually surpass them. Now, before anyone accuses this of being heresy or a ploy for attention, let’s clarify: a book that inspires a movie adaptation is typically already a strong piece of work. It resonates with audiences and catches the eye of Hollywood for a reason.
Warner Bros.
Some filmmakers possess the unique talent to inject their own vision and creativity into an adaptation, enhancing the original narrative in various ways. Occasionally, even the authors admit this. Take Andy Weir, for example, who praised the 2026 film adaptation of “Project Hail Mary” for its portrayal of Ryland Grace, stating it improved upon his own novel. With Ryan Gosling in the lead role, the movie dazzled critics, and Weir’s comments were well-founded (though he still maintains the book holds its own).
With that in mind, let’s explore some sci-fi films that arguably outshine the books they are based on. This isn’t a critique of the original works—it’s all appreciation here.
Michael Crichton’s “Jurassic Park” delves into the fascinating idea of resurrecting dinosaurs through cloning. Released in 1990, the novel is rich with scientific discourse and theories that seem credible to the layperson. However, both the book and the movie ultimately illustrate the chaos of mixing dinosaurs with humans in a theme park setting.
Steven Spielberg’s 1993 film adaptation excels in merging the science with the wonder of the story. Spielberg masterfully captures the grandeur and spectacle of the dinosaurs, emphasizing the allure behind the ambition to bring them back. He achieves this partly by altering the character of John Hammond. In Crichton’s book, Hammond is portrayed as a profit-driven CEO, but in the film, Richard Attenborough’s Hammond is depicted as a visionary with a heartfelt desire to create harmony between mankind and these ancient creatures.
Jurassic Park
Universal Pictures
Michael Crichton’s “Jurassic Park” ponders whether it might be possible to bring dinosaurs back to life in modern times via cloning. The 1990 novel features a lot of scientific explanations and theories that sound plausible enough to the everyday person who might not be a scientist. Ultimately, though, the book — like the movie — proves that pairing dinosaurs and humans in a theme park is a terrible idea.
What Steven Spielberg does exceptionally well in his 1993 adaptation of the book is find a balance between the science and imagination of the story. He captures the awe and majesty of these creatures, spending more time on this aspect and demonstrating why someone would even dream of attempting to revive them. The filmmaker also achieves this by tweaking the characterization of Jurassic Park’s creator, John Hammond. In the book, Hammond is a typical greedy CEO, who only does what he does for pure profit and selfish gain. In the film, Hammond (Richard Attenborough) harbors a deep passion for the creatures and believes he can achieve harmony between humans and dinosaurs.
Spielberg also cuts a lot of scenes from the book to tell a tighter and more focused story, with various threads being left for subsequent films. Considering that “Jurassic Park” is still one of the biggest blockbusters of all time and a technical marvel, it’s safe to say that Spielberg knew what he was doing with this adaptation.
The Martian
20th Century Fox
Author Andy Weir knows a thing or two about science fiction, and his 2011 novel, “The Martian,” still stands out as a book that captures every astronaut’s greatest fear: being left stranded in space. In this case, it’s Mark Watney, who ends up on Mars and needs to survive as his NASA colleagues attempt to bring him back home.
The 2015 adaptation of “The Martian,” starring Matt Damon as Watney, was written by Drew Goddard and directed by Ridley Scott. That should already tell you everything there is to know about this movie, because it has serious heavy hitters behind it. Goddard is renowned as a masterful storyteller, while Scott is a legend of the sci-fi genre. Also, who wouldn’t want the director behind “Alien” tackling a movie about surviving in space?
What the film version of “The Martian” does well is to tighten up the narrative, removing most of Watney’s monologuing and Weir’s overly elaborate scientific exposition. This connects the audience to what’s happening in front of them, showing more than telling, which makes the story that much stronger overall. Plus it helps that Damon does a lot of the heavy lifting through his acting rather than have to explain to the audience what he feels.
Blade Runner
Warner Bros. Pictures
Philip K. Dick’s name is revered in sci-fi circles, while his 1968 novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” remains seminal reading for genre fans. But most people know this story through the 1982 film version, “Blade Runner,” directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford. There are different editions and cuts of the movie, but that’s another story worthy of its own feature.
“Blade Runner” takes more inspiration from the core themes of “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” — specifically in terms of what it means to be human — instead of attempting a straight-up adaptation. While there’s still the narrative aspect of Rick Deckard (Ford) needing to “retire” androids, the characterizations and order of events differ from book to film.
Scott’s visual language for “Blade Runner” proves to be its biggest strength, as it’s influenced the whole cyberpunk genre and decades of sci-fi movies. In addition to this, Scott masterfully creates an ominous mood in the film that’s lacking in the novel — although there are fans who argue that the book is better than the film at building the world of Rick Deckard and the androids.
Ready Player One
Warner Bros. Pictures
Whether it’s the book or movie, “Ready Player One” acts as a love letter to pop culture. Yes, it asks the pertinent question of whether too much escapism and technology is good for someone, but it’s a non-stop thrill ride through a virtual reality world as Wade Watts navigates the OASIS to find its creator’s Easter egg.
Ernest Cline’s 2011 book dedicates time to setting up the real world and showcasing why Wade tries to escape as much as he does. In the 2018 Steven Spielberg movie adaptation, these sections are condensed, as the filmmaker lasers in on the challenges within the OASIS. Speaking of which, these are also tweaked in the movie, as Spielberg utilizes other franchises (likely due to licensing rights) and adjusts accordingly.
The “Ready Player One” book often geeks out over its pop culture references to the detriment of the story. Much like he did with “Jurassic Park,” Spielberg knows how to cut out the fluff and get to the meat of the matter while still keeping the story’s essence intact. By doing so, he allows Wade/Parzival (Tye Sheridan) to meet Samantha Cook/Art3mis (Olivia Cooke) quicker, helping to establish and build this important relationship. It’s worth noting that Cline co-wrote the script for the movie with Zak Penn, so he also deserves credit for any improvements and changes to the overall story.
The Running Man (1987)
TriStar Pictures
Stephen King published “The Running Man” under the alias of Richard Bachman in 1982. It’s a different kind of book to the nightmarish horror that King often produces, but it still manages to deliver both a stinging social commentary about classism and a devastating ending.
Paul Michael Glaser’s 1987 film, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and considered one of the most underrated Stephen King adaptations, might not have the deftness and nuance of King’s writing, but it makes up for it with all-out action and the lead actor’s charisma. A key difference from the book is that Ben Richards (Schwarzenegger) feels like a formidable protagonist. As a viewer, you can’t wait for him to get back at the people who forced him into this futuristic Hunger Games-like competition.
“The Running Man” movie also doesn’t stick to the ending from the book. Instead, it gives the hero his moment, which is the right choice for the Schwarzenegger movie. The film is colorful and action-oriented, so concluding on a dour note would be jarring. The fact that the 2025 version also adds a little extra to the finale demonstrates that Hollywood is still not ready for King’s much darker climax.
The Royal Family hosted a spectacular state banquet in honor of the Nigerian President, marking the first such event in nearly four decades.
The Princess of Wales captivated attendees with her regal appearance, wearing a stunning green evening gown designed by Andrew Gn. She complemented the look with the iconic Lover’s Knot Tiara and earrings once owned by Queen Elizabeth II.
Adding to her elegant ensemble, she adorned her attire with the King Charles III Royal Family Order, along with the GCVO Sash and Star.
In classic style, the Prince of Wales opted for a white tie and the traditional Windsor tailcoat. His attire was enhanced by the Most Noble Order of the Garter Sash and the ‘Lesser George’ decoration.
Queen Camilla chose a sophisticated cream embroidered gown crafted by Fiona Clare. Her look was completed with a sapphire and diamond tiara and matching earrings, heirlooms from Queen Elizabeth II, originally a wedding gift from her father, King George VI.
The King also wore a blinding array of diamond-studded orders as he led the procession into the banquet hall and stood to give a speech.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, took their seats among the British royals for the crescendo of their two-day visit.
Running the length of St George’s Hall, a 155-foot dining table had been laden with sweet-smelling spring flowers gathered locally, bathed with the light of 143 candles.
The Princess of Wales dazzled in a green evening gown by Andrew Gn with her favourite Lovers’ Knot Tiara and earrings belong to Queen Elizabeth II
The Princess arrived at the banquet flanked by husband, the Prince of Wales, and The Duke of Edinburgh
This was Princess Catherine’s fourth state banquet in a year
King Charles and Queen Camilla pulled out all the stops for their guests from West Africa
President of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu claps in his seat between Princess Kate and King Charles III, who is making a speech
The King and the president lead the procession into St George’s Hall for the banquet
It was a magnificent scene in St George’s Hall as the 160 guests tucked into their food
Staff began laying the table out on Monday morning, and the finishing touches were made only a few hours before guests were due to sit down – little wonder with 960 knives and forks and 62 pepper pots for the 160 invited.
As well as the King, Queen, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, other royals attending included the Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Lawrence, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
Notable Nigerians include author Sir Ben Okri, artist Yinka Shonibare, footballer Eniloa Aluko, singer Tiwa Savage, presenter Ade Adepitan, athlete Christine Ohuruogu and Diana Awards chief Tessie Ojo.
In a speech, the King began by wishing his guests ‘peace, blessings and an abundance of joy’ during such a holy month.
He highlighted the fact that, in January, Nigeria became the UK’s biggest export market in Africa.
He also praised the UK’s large Nigerian diaspora, which he described as a ‘living bridge of over half a million people who connect our nations… and help make our cultures richer, our shared security stronger and our economies more prosperous’.
The King acknowledged that there are ‘chapters in our shared history that I know have left some painful marks’ but said that ‘history is not merely a record of what was done to us – it is a lesson in how we go forward together to continue building a future rooted in growth and hope for all, and worthy of of those who borne the pains of the past’.
He concluded to cheers: ‘Naija No Dey Carry Last’ – Nigerians Never Come Last.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are greeted by the Princess Royal ahead of the meal
The Princess of Wales was wearing her favourite tiarta, The Lover’s Knot, and a pair of earring that belonged to the late Queen
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and England rugby captain Maro Itoje, whose family is from Nigeria
Charles made a speech before dinner, which was expected to be served on the highly decorated table at around 9pm
The King smiled as President Tinubu rose to make his own address to the room
The Princess of Wales, the President and The King led the 160 guests in a toast – with President Tinubu drinking orange juice and the royals English sparkling wine
A member of Royal Household wears shoe coverings while standing on the banquet table in order to light candles
A view of the banquet table in St George’s Hall, ahead of the guests arriving
King Charles III, Queen Camilla (L), Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria’s First Lady Oluremi Tinubu (R) arrive to attend the banquet
Adjustments had been made for those guests who are Muslim and fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, including setting aside an area for prayer and Iftar.
Indeed, for the first time in living memory, the royal household was serving canapés at the pre-banquet reception for guests to break their fast, mindful of the fact that, after the speeches, people would not be eating until 9pm.
While the President – the first Nigerian leader to be honoured with a state visit in 37 years – had been given orange juice for his toast, a special non-alcoholic cocktail was also made in honour of the occasion.
Based on a traditional African cocktail known as The Chapman, the royal Crimson Bloom contained Zobu (a traditional west African soft drink), English rose soda and homemade hibiscus and ginger syrup, with lemon and a hint of spice.
English sparkling wine was used for the toasts for those who were drinking alcohol, and the menu did not include meat.
To start, guests were to be served a soft-boiled egg tartlet with watercress and kale and a basil sabayon to start.
For the main, there was fillet of turbot, lobster mousse wrapped in spinach, beurre blanc sauce with sprouting broccoli and hollandaise sauce, fricasse of peas and broad beans and Jersey Royal potatoes.
Desert was an iced black currant soufflé with red fruit coulis.
The wine list included: Sugrue South Downs, Cuvée Boz, Blanc de Blanc, 2020; Domaine Vincent & François Jouard, Bâtard-Montrachet, Grand Cru, Vieilles Vignes, 2022; Château Pichon Longueville, Comtesse de Lalande, Grand Cru Classé, Pauillac, 2000; and Louis Roederer, Brut Vintage, 2000.
Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence and Princess Anne, Princess Royal, arrive at the banquet
Liberal Democrat party leader Ed Davey speaks to Governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, during the banquet
The King’s place set at the table, as marked by his place card
The Prince and Princess of Wales inspect a Guard of Honour during the ceremonial welcome earlier in the day
The ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle earlier in the day
King Charles III and Queen Camilla welcomed President of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu (second from right) and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu (far right) during an audience in the Grand Corridor at Windsor Castle earlier today
After dinner, guests will be served Dow’s 1983 Vintage Port and Bowmore Queen’s Cask 1980, Islay.
At the conclusion of the Banquet, the flowers that cannot be reused are donated to Floral Angels, a charity based at the New Covent Garden Flower Market in London whose patron is Her Majesty The Queen.
These flowers are then delivered to hospices, elderly care homes, shelters, and many other deserving beneficiaries within the local community.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, were welcomed to the castle by Charles and Camilla earlier today.
Green and white Nigerian flags lined the streets, alongside Union flags, and an oversized Royal Standard flew from the top of the Round Tower.
The Prince and Princess of Wales first met the couple at luxury spa hotel Fairmont Windsor Park, before escorting them by car to Windsor town centre to formally meet the King and Queen.
The King and Queen then arrived at the Royal Dais in central Windsor, near the castle. Charles and Camilla were met with the national anthem, played by a military band.
The King, Camilla, William, Kate and Mr and Mrs Tinubu then travelled in a carriage procession in a show of traditional pomp and pageantry through Windsor to the castle’s quadrangle to see the Guard of Honour for the ceremonial welcome.
The princess opted for diplomatic royal dressing by wearing a coat dress by young British-Nigerian fashion designer Tolu Coker – after Charles made a surprise appearance in the front row of the artist’s London Fashion Week show last month.
The King welcomed the Nigerian president with a broad smile and a handshake.
Both the Prince and Princess of Wales greeted Camilla with a kiss on both cheeks, with Kate curtsying to Camilla and later the King.
Charles chatted to the president as they stood side by side on the dais, and pointed out the Sovereign’s Escort from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment in their resplendent uniforms.
Ceremonial service personnel lined the procession route as the King and the president then travelled in the Australian State Coach through the streets of the Berkshire town to the castle’s quadrangle, led by a Sovereign’s Escort from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
Supporters of the president gathered along the route cheered as he passed.
The King and his guest were followed by the Queen and Mrs Tinubu in the Scottish State Coach, and then William and Kate with Nigeria’s attorney general Lateef Fagbemi and minister of state for foreign affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in the Irish State Coach.
The carriage procession carrying the King and Nigeria’s president travelled through the George IV gate and swept into Windsor Castle’s quadrangle.
Waiting in the centre of the grass-covered square was a Guard of Honour drawn from the 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards with the Band of the Grenadier Guards, and an ensign carrying the Grenadier Guards State Colour, or ceremonial flag.
As the Australian State Coach carrying the King and Mr Tinubu travelled around the square, the Nigerian and British national anthems were played, finishing as the wheels stopped beside the royal dais.
A Piney Flats resident is now facing serious legal consequences following a head-on collision in Washington County, Tennessee. According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, this incident unfolded on a Tuesday evening, around 5:30 p.m., drawing urgent attention as deputies rushed to the scene.
The crash took place in the 700 block of South Pickens Bridge Road. Authorities have identified the driver at fault as 29-year-old Cody Clark. Reports indicate that Clark was driving when he made a left turn from Lake Meadow Drive onto South Pickens Bridge Road. In doing so, his vehicle veered into the opposing lane, resulting in a direct collision with another car.
Witness accounts have further complicated Clark’s situation. An observer reported seeing him disregard a stop sign at Lake Meadow Drive before making the ill-fated turn, a detail that could weigh heavily on the charges he faces.
This incident adds to a spate of recent legal troubles in the area. Just recently, another man was apprehended following a burglary at a convenience store in Gray, underscoring a busy time for law enforcement in Washington County.
According to the WCSO, both victims were transported from the crash scene, and a loaded handgun was found in the passenger seat of Clark’s vehicle.
Clark was charged with driving under the influence (second offense), driving left of center, possession of a handgun while under the influence, reckless endangerment and stop sign violation.
After he was evaluated at a nearby hospital, Clark was booked into the Washington County Detention Center on a $30,000 bond, the release states. The WCSO reports Clark made bond and is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.
The financial toll of the United States’ military operation against Iran has reached a staggering US$5.2 billion ($7.4 billion) within just the first 100 hours. This hefty price tag arises from the deployment of thousands of munitions and the extensive use of fighter jets and naval forces.
Breaking it down further, this expenditure equates to a daily cost of US$1.2 billion ($1.7 billion). Such figures, derived from an analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, highlight the immense financial burden of the initial days of Operation Epic Fury, the US-led military campaign targeting Iran.
Adding to the complexity, Israel’s military expenses in its concurrent operations against Iran remain unaccounted for in this estimate. The Pentagon has yet to disclose an official cost for the war, but these insights resonate with a report by The New York Times. According to the publication, Pentagon officials have informed Congress that the first week of the conflict had already incurred expenses of approximately US$6 billion ($8.6 billion).
And that’s not including how much Israel’s military is spending on its side striking Iran.
Officially, the Pentagon has not released an estimate of the cost of the war yet. But the estimate aligns with a New York Times report stating that Pentagon officials had told Congress that the first week of the war had cost approximately US$6 billion ($8.6 billion).
It’s unclear how long the war in the Middle East could drag on.
After US-Israeli strikes on Iran at the end of February that spiralled into a regional conflict, US President Donald Trump suggested it could be “four weeks or so”. Late last week, Trump said he “didn’t think it’s going to be long” but did not elaborate.
As it rages on, the US is looking at replenishing stocks and accelerating weapons production — and that could mean windfalls for the world’s major weapons manufacturers.
But it comes against the backdrop of a tragic human toll. Iran’s health ministry recently said at 1,200 people had been killed and 10,000 injured since the war broke out.
Some US allies in the Gulf, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait, have also reported deaths in the wake of Iranian retaliatory strikes. SBS News is unable to independently verify these figures.
The United Nations has also warned migrant workers in Lebanon and Iran are caught in the crisis and are “among the most vulnerable”, with many displaced and relying on community networks for shelter and assistance.
The UN has also called for an investigation into an attack on a girls’ school in Iran on the first day of US and Israeli strikes.
Iran’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, said 150 students were killed, while the Iranian Red Crescent said the death toll reached 175.
SBS News is unable to independently confirm the death toll.
Jagannadha Pawan Tamvada, a professor of entrepreneurship at London’s Kingston University, has labelled this dynamic an “uncomfortable truth” about war.
“While it inflicts pain on some, it creates windfalls for others,” he wrote in The Conversation.
There is a “paradox of incentives” at the heart of the conflict, he wrote, with those “best placed to end it are among those with the most to gain from its continuation”.
“Determining who benefits is essential to understanding why wars persist long after it may seem rational to stop,” he wrote.
Which companies are seeing a surge?
On the first day of trading after the Iran war began, weapons makers saw their stock price rise a collective 1.5 per cent on 3 March.
The share price of Lockheed Martin, the world’s largest defence contractor, rose over 4 per cent to hit near all-time highs, closing at US$676.70 ($960). It has been trading around $650 (roughly $925) over the past week.
Lockheed makes the F35 fighter jet, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) missile defence system and the long-range Precision Strike Missiles (PrSMs), which are being used in the military operation.
In early March, the US Central Command published a video on its social media accounts showcasing its use of the PrSMs in the war, saying it was a “historic first”.
According to the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, an American think tank that promotes peace and diplomacy, the company’s stock price has increased nearly 40 per cent since the start of the year, as tensions between the US and Iran grew.
It’s not the only manufacturer whose products are being used in the war and whose stock price has seen significant gains.
Another company, RTX, which makes the Patriot long-range air and missile defence system and the Tomahawk missile, had its share price rise 4.7 per cent.
Northrop Grumman, which makes the B-2 stealth bombers that were used to strike Iranian ballistic missile facilities on the first day of the war, also saw its share price rise by six per cent.
Ben Freeman, a director at the Quincy Institute, said all of the major US arms makers have seen their stock prices soar since the war began.
“Their market values increased by billions of dollars in just the first ten days of this war,” Freeman told SBS News.
“That’s because the US is burning through weapons they make at a furious clip.
“For example, we’ve used hundreds of Lockheed Martin’s Patriot missiles, which cost around US$4 million ($5.7 million) a piece. If you add it all up, this war is costing US taxpayers more than a billion dollars every day.”
Freeman said it’s the same for Israeli weapons firms, whose stock prices have also risen on news of the war.
He said Elbit Systems, an Israeli maker of drones and surveillance systems, has jumped 30 per cent in just the past month.
“Their big weapons firms are cashing in big time on the war with Iran,” he said.
On 4 March, Elbit became the highest-valued company on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange after a recent 4 per cent growth in their share price.
But the two industries are connected, Freeman adds, which in turn fuels further profits.
“The Israeli military also uses a lot of equipment and munitions made by the US firms, so when the Israeli military launches strikes or intercepts a missile, chances are that a US company profits from it,” he said.
‘Even more military spending’
Some of these companies are now working to replenish American military supplies that have been reduced by the Iran war.
Executives from Lockheed, RTX, BAE Systems, Boeing, Honeywell Aerospace, L3Harris and Northrop Grumman recently attended a meeting with Trump at the White House, focusing talks on accelerating weapons production.
“We have agreed to quadruple critical munitions production,” Lockheed said in a social media post after the meeting, adding the work had begun months ago.
There are reports that it’s likely the Pentagon will ask Congress for another US$50 billion ($71.5 billion) to fund the extra spending required.
Freeman says the Iran war will be a catalyst for even more US military spending.
He pointed to reports that Trump is expected to present Congress with a bid to increase military spending to US$1.5 trillion ($2.15 trillion) next year.
“That would be more than the US has spent on its military since World War Two,” he said.
“It will help to bankrupt those of us in the US and it will only encourage us to embark on even more devastating wars abroad. It’s a lose-lose for everyone except the firms and the people that profit from war.”
The full impact of the war on weapons companies is yet to be seen.
Freeman said a prolonged war means more demand for the bombs and other munitions produced by defence contractors.
“War is literally good for their business,” he said.
“And, Pentagon contractors have more than a thousand lobbyists on their payroll, so there’s a reason that the voices of the American public — which is adamantly opposed to this war — are being drowned out in [Washington] DC.
Veteran Republican senator Lindsay Graham — a longtime supporter of US foreign intervention — was frank in a recent interview defending the war, suggesting the US would “make money” from a new geopolitical order in the Middle East.
“When this regime goes down, we are going to have a new Middle East; we are going to make a tonne of money,” he told Fox News, adding that the Trump administration would help secure the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump has since called on US allies to help secure the vital waterway on Iran’s southern border through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas normally flows.
When asked about the costs so far to the US, Graham said it was the “best money ever spent” and a “really good investment” for the US to take down the Iranian regime and make the US “safer”.
He said the US would gain a “partnership” with “31 per cent of the world’s oil reserves”, which he argued came from Venezuela and Iran collectively.
Middle Eastern oil giants have been forced to close refineries and plants in the firing line of Iran’s retaliatory strikes.
As a major oil producer, Trump has argued that, when prices rise, the US makes “a lot of money”.
Others outside the region could also stand to benefit.
Joaquin Vespignani, a professor of economics at the University of Tasmania, said a small number of energy exporters outside the Gulf may experience some short-term gains from higher prices, particularly major oil and LNG exporters.
“Countries such as the United States and Australia could see stronger export revenues as global energy markets tighten. However, these gains tend to be concentrated in the energy sector and do not necessarily translate into broad economic benefits for the overall economy,” he said.
John Ferguson, head of the Future of Trade initiative at Economist Impact, said oil or energy-exporting countries could benefit.
“As the price of oil and gas has increased sharply, major producers of these commodities will see an increase in their energy export earnings in the coming months.
“However, the resulting global instability may eventually dampen demand for their other exports.”
The US has also temporarily loosened sanctions, allowing countries to buy sanctioned Russian oil and petroleum products stranded at sea in a bid to calm energy markets.
Ukraine, which has been under full-scale Russian invasion for more than four years, and its European allies criticised the move, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warning it would fund Moscow’s war machine.
