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.
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.
More than 4,000 cases of cyclosporiasis have emerged across 41 states, as highlighted by a recent CDC report. Dr. Marc Siegel offers insights into this parasitic outbreak, alongside discussions on the FDA panel’s decision to propose relaxing peptide restrictions.
A sudden wave of illness struck at a youth academy with military-style training near Washington, D.C., sending at least 19 cadets to local hospitals on Sunday. The mysterious sickness triggered a mass casualty response, according to officials.
Emergency personnel quickly arrived at the Capital Guardian Youth Challenge Academy in Laurel, Maryland, after cadets started showing symptoms following lunch, shared the DC National Guard, with reports from FOX 5 DC.
The Capital Guardian Youth Challenge Academy, run by the DC National Guard, offers a structured, military-style life intervention program for teenagers identified as at risk, as described by the academy itself.
The cadets from the Capital Guardian Youth Challenge Academy were captured marching down Pennsylvania Avenue during a parade on April 16, 2014, in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
One mother told FOX 5 that blood tests at a hospital showed her son had elevated carbon monoxide levels. He reportedly developed delayed symptoms hours after other cadets were taken for treatment, including dizziness, headaches and nausea.
The mother added that the youth academy decided to temporarily close following the incident.
However, Anne Arundel County Fire Department officials said they conducted a carbon monoxide investigation and did not detect elevated levels of the gas, according to the local station.
Members of the National Guard patrol along Constitution Ave. on Dec. 1, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)
Officials have not confirmed the cause of the illness but said it could be related to food.
DC National Guard officials said the health and safety of cadets and staff remain their highest priority and that they are working with emergency medical personnel and public health authorities as the investigation continues, according to FOX 5.
Members of the National Guard patrol near the U.S. Capitol on the National Mall in Washington, DC, US, on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025.(Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Officials added that while 19 cadets were sent to area hospitals, one adult was evaluated at the scene and declined further medical treatment.
News Media reached out to D.C. National Guard for more information.
Bob Myers, once hailed as the mastermind behind the NBA’s contemporary powerhouse, has seamlessly transitioned from esteemed architect to unexpected adversary.
During his tenure as the general manager of the Golden State Warriors from 2012 to 2023, Myers proved instrumental in securing four championship titles over an eight-year period.
However, this past summer, Myers adopted a novel position, subtly undermining the foundation of the very team he helped construct.
Now presiding over Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment—the overseeing organization for the Philadelphia 76ers—Myers played a pivotal role in orchestrating a trade for Jaylen Brown and signing LeBron James as a free agent.
In essence, he strategically acquired two of the offseason’s most coveted athletes, potentially curtailing Steph Curry’s chance to further extend his championship legacy.
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors high five after the game on April 9, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California NBAE via Getty Images
After spending over a decade ensuring Curry had the proper pieces around him to climb atop the league, Myers stole his safety ropes.
It’s a testament to his skills. But for the Warriors, it’s an absolute gut punch.
Myers helped transform the Warriors from laughing stock of the league into one of the greatest teams of all-time.
He signed Steph Curry to a four-year, $44 million extension in 2012 when there were concerns about his ankle.
Myers drafted defensive wizard Draymond Green as the No. 35 pick in 2012, which proved to be one of the best second-round steals in NBA history.
He hired Steve Kerr as coach in 2014, and orchestrated a trade for Andre Iguodala, who won Finals MVP in 2015. And in 2016, he signed Kevin Durant, who won Finals MVP in 2017 and 2018.
Myers may not have drafted Curry, but he played a major role in shoring up Golden State’s boat so he could become a four-time champion and two-time MVP.
But after stepping down as Warriors president and general manager in May 2023, Myers took a hammer to that boat this offseason.
Rumors surfaced that the Warriors were close to convincing James to join their team.
Curry, who historically has stayed mum on free agency moves, was vocal about how much he wanted the 41-year-old megastar as a teammate. Green turned down his $27.7 million player option so the Warriors could entice James with more money.
There was also the fact that LeBron himself had openly discussed how he had hoped to play alongside Curry, outside of the Olympics.
But Myers, who’s well known for his ability to gain players’ trust, showed why he’s one of the best in the business.
He went onto Rich Paul’s podcast, “Game Over,” and told James’ agent why he believed one of the greatest players of all-time should join the 76ers.
‘I honestly believe this is your best chance to win,” Myers said.
Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers talks with reporters at the NBA basketball team’s practice facility Friday, June 14, 2019, in Oakland, Calif AP
Considering the 76ers’ starting five now consists of LeBron, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, and Joel Embiid, it is not a hard argument to make.
Was Myers the reason why James decided to sign a two-year, $8 million deal with the 76ers? Obviously not. But is Myers the type of guy James wants in important meetings?
Yes.
Is he the type of guy James trusts to be part of the brains of an organization?
Yes.
Myers has made notable mistakes.
He squandered the Warriors’ No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft by selecting James Wiseman, who proved to be a bust. In doing so, he passed over LaMelo Ball, Tyrese Haliburton, Deni Avdija and Maxey.
He was also was Golden State’s failed “two-timelines plan.”
But overall, Myers helped put the Warriors on the map.
Now he’s guiding one of their competitors, and it had major repercussions for Golden State.
The Warriors are widely considered the biggest losers of the James sweepstakes. They stood pat this offseason, banking on the fact James would want to play alongside Curry and Green.
While the Warriors crossed their fingers, Myers worked overtime.
He helped the 76ers land the most stunning trade this offseason (Brown for Paul George), as well as the biggest free agency signing.
It’s a shame for Curry, who turns 39 next season, and is pretty much going to be forced to run things back with the same roster, in addition to their No. 11 draft pick Yaxel Lendeborg.
Myers took over basketball operations for the 76ers on an interim basis after Daryl Morey was fired in May. He then led the front-office search for new President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey.
What happened next?
The 76ers had the best offseason of any team in the NBA.
They should be title contenders next season. Myers had his fingerprints on everything, from the landscape-shifting additions of Brown and James to smart moves around the margins, such as Anfernee Simons, Dean Wade and Ariel Hukporti.
Meanwhile, Curry is going to have to play hero ball on his balky knee for the Warriors to make the playoffs.
It’s ironic that this came at the hands of Myers, who helped put Curry in a position to soar for so long.
As scorching temperatures push America’s power grid to the brink, concerns are mounting over potential blackouts affecting some 20 million people.
In response to these looming threats, the US Department of Energy (DOE) took action on Sunday, granting the grid operator responsible for parts of 17 states the authority to utilize reserve power sources.
This decision permits normally dormant backup plants to activate and supply extra electricity if the soaring demand risks overloading the grid.
States impacted by this emergency measure include Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, and Montana. It also encompasses areas in Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.
Empowered by the DOE’s order, the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), which manages the central US power infrastructure, can now activate backup generators to maintain stable electricity supplies if necessary.
It is the final step before a Level 3 Energy Emergency Alert, which could trigger rolling blackouts to prevent a wider collapse.
The order will remain in effect through August 3 to ‘mitigate the risk of blackouts,’ according to the DOE.
It comes as 40 million Americans face extreme heat warnings, with soaring temperatures and oppressive humidity driving up demand for air conditioning.
The US Department of Energy (DOE) on Sunday authorized the grid operator serving parts of 17 states to deploy idle power sources to help prevent blackouts
Former DOE official Kerry Duggan said extreme heat is increasingly becoming an energy challenge rather than a simple weather event.
‘As we experience more frequent and longer-lasting heat waves, our ability to keep homes, businesses and critical facilities cool depends on having a reliable and resilient electric grid,’ Duggan said.
National Weather Service’s Monday alerts across much of that region forecast temperatures or heat indexes above 100F, with readings reaching 113F to 115F in parts of Louisiana.
Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska were also facing dangerous conditions approaching 110F.
Meteorologists have blamed the brutal conditions on another heat dome, which traps hot air over a region and causes temperatures to climb for days.
US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said: ‘The Trump Administration is tapping into an abundant supply of unused backup generation to maintain affordable, reliable, and secure power for hardworking American families and businesses.
‘The previous administration’s energy subtraction policies weakened the grid, leaving Americans more vulnerable during emergency events.
‘Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we are reversing those failures and using every available tool to ensure Americans have continued access to affordable, reliable, and secure energy to power and cool their homes.’
The order was issued Sunday and will remain in effect through August 3 to ‘mitigate the risk of blackouts,’ according to DOE
Meteorologists have blamed the brutal conditions on another heat dome, which traps hot air over a region and causes temperatures to climb for days
Join the discussion
What should be done to secure our power grid as extreme weather becomes more common?
DOE estimates that more than 35 gigawatts (GW) of unused backup generation remain available nationwide.
The risk of rotating blackouts escalated in SPP in the past week.
On Friday, a sudden loss of electricity imported from neighboring grids left the utility company with razor-thin reserves for possible power plant outages and falling renewable generation in its territory spanning parts of Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming and Utah.
SPP avoided outages that day by appealing for voluntary conservation of electricity to maintain reserves.
But the company expected the western territory’s highest demand of the week on Sunday evening as temperatures rose above 90F.
In a recent development, Nigel Farage has demanded the arrest of Green Party leader Zack Polanski after a contentious image surfaced online. Shared by Polanski, the picture depicts a man donning a T-shirt that implies Farage’s decapitation—a matter that has now caught the attention of law enforcement as they initiate an investigation.
On Monday, the 43-year-old Polanski took to Instagram to broadcast this image to his extensive following of 713,000. The photograph features an unidentified man with a beard, sporting sunglasses and a colorful, rainbow-striped hat, paired with a ‘peace’ sign gesture.
The focal point of controversy is the man’s shirt, which emblazoned a guillotine and the phrase, ‘We’re only making plans for Nigel.’ Though this slogan echoes a 1979 hit song by the English rock group XTC, the inclusion of a guillotine introduces a sinister twist to the message.
Reacting swiftly by late Monday afternoon, Farage vocally urged that Polanski should face legal scrutiny and possible detention over the incident.
The unfolding controversy has prompted Reform UK to take action, with insiders revealing to the Daily Mail that they have lodged a formal report with the Metropolitan Police. In parallel, Reform UK’s Alex Wilson plans to escalate the matter to the Greater London Assembly, seeking further examination of Polanski’s actions.
Just hours after it appeared, Mr Polanski removed the post, with a Green party spokesman stating he does not ‘support’ this ‘dangerous message’.
However, the original post was shared widely on social media throughout Monday evening.
In a further development, the online business that designed the T-shirt removed the item from its website following a widespread backlash.
Mr Farage, 62, retweeted the image on X, writing: ‘This is what Zack Polanski has just posted on his Instagram.
‘If I was to post anything as inciteful then I would expect to be arrested, and so should Polanski.’
Nigel Farage has called for Zack Polanski to be arrested after the Green Party leader shared a photograph of a man wearing a T-shirt ‘planning his decapitation’
Daily Mail understands Reform UK is in the process of reporting Mr Polanski to police over the post, which has since been removed
The party told The Daily Mail the post was ‘staggering’ given that it appeared just days after the brutal killing of Reform UK spokesperson Ann Widdecombe in her own home
Zack Polanski has deleted the post, which the Green Party said was part of a ‘collaboration’
Reform shadow home secretary Zia Yusuf told the Daily Mail the post was ‘staggering’ given that it appeared just days after the brutal killing of Reform UK spokesman Ann Widdecombe in her own home.
He said: ‘Zack Polanski has posted to his 713k Instagram followers a photo of a man in a T-shirt depicting the beheading of Nigel Farage.
‘To do this just two weeks after our friend Ann was murdered is staggering. This is incitement to murder.
‘It should be treated as such by the police.’
Lord Walney, the government’s former adviser on political violence, called the post ‘sickening’.
He told the Daily Mail: ‘There must be serious consequences for Zack Polanski after he shared material implying the assassination of another politician.
‘This would be sickening and unacceptable at any time but it is even more serious in the present environment in which a senior Reform member has been brutally killed.
‘The Green Party must be barred from participating alongside mainstream parties if it fails to take action against its leader.’
On Monday night, Met Police confirmed it was looking into the social media post.
In a statement on X, the force said: ‘Earlier today – Monday, 27 July – we received a third-party report relating to an image shared on social media.
‘We take reports of this nature extremely seriously, and officers are conducting enquiries into the matter.’
A Green Party spokesman said the post had been deleted and appeared as part of a social media ‘collaboration’.
They said: ‘After attending a public event, Zack accepted a request to collaborate on a post with several images.
‘Once this image was brought to his attention he immediately unshared the post. He unequivocally does not support this type of dangerous message.’
Manchester-based Sabcat Printing, which was selling the T-shirt for £20, listed it as ‘a cryptic design for difficult times’. It has since removed the item from its website
Following the furore, Sabcat Printing, based in Leigh, Greater Manchester, removed the design from its website.
Sold for £20, the business listed the clothing item as ‘a cryptic design for difficult times’.
It added in the now-deleted description: ‘Who could Nigel be? And why the guillotine? Whether it’s a nod to the XTC classic or a sharper bit of political satire, this design is for those who prefer their statements with a side of mystery.’
By late on Monday evening the T-shirt had been removed from the company’s website.
Former Tory MP and Reform UK figure Ms Widdecombe was found dead in her remote bungalow in Dartmoor on July 9.
Prosecutors told a court last week she had been hit with a hammer 21 times as she ate her lunch.
Joshua Kerry, 28, from South Yorkshire, has been charged with the 78-year-old’s murder and remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing on October 9.
ALACHUA, Fla. – Early today, authorities in Alachua apprehended 23-year-old Tyler James Palatucci. He is accused of threatening a stranger with a firearm at a local gas station.
The incident occurred around 1:56 a.m. on July 27, prompting an officer from the Alachua Police Department to respond to a report of an armed confrontation at the Circle K located at 16070 U.S. Hwy 441. Upon arriving, the officer learned that the victim had accused Palatucci of pointing a gun at him, instilling fear for his personal safety.
According to a witness, an argument initiated between herself and the victim escalated when Palatucci intervened, taking her side. This interference led to a confrontation between the victim and Palatucci, during which Palatucci allegedly displayed a gun and issued a threat. The witness managed to de-escalate the situation temporarily and convinced Palatucci to hand over his firearm, although he ultimately left the scene in a white sedan.
The officer further reported that while conversing with the witness, a white sedan drove into the gas station’s parking area. As the officer instructed the vehicle’s driver to show his hands, the individual—later confirmed to be Palatucci—allegedly reached inside the car instead. This led the officer to take swift action by subduing Palatucci and placing him in handcuffs.
A search incident to arrest reportedly produced a .38 Special revolver and six rounds of ammunition in his pocket. The officer noted that Palatucci seemed to be extremely intoxicated.
Post Miranda, Palatucci reportedly denied ever being in an argument with the victim or removing his gun from his waistband. When the officer asked how the victim and witness would have known he had a gun, he reportedly said they must have seen it through his shirt; however, the officer noted that he had been unable to see Palatucci’s firearm through his shirt, “due to how deep the firearm was concealed in his waistband.”
On the way to the jail, Palatucci reportedly admitted that he had argued with the victim, but he still denied pointing his gun at the victim; he said, however, that he took his gun out of his waistband “in order to make the witness more comfortable whilst he took an Uber with her.”
Palatucci, who is described as homeless in the arrest report, has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He has an unspecified criminal history in Arizona from 2021 to 2025; Judge Meshon Rawls set bail at $25,000.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
An unexpected and life-altering surgical mishap cost a Maine woman her bladder, resulting in a jury awarding her $17 million in damages. This significant error happened during what was supposed to be a straightforward procedure to remove a benign cyst.
Last Thursday, Emily Mitchell was granted this substantial compensation after a Kennebec County jury ruled in favor of her claim against Northern Light Inland Hospital and Northern Light Health. Her legal team shared that this ruling marks the largest medical malpractice settlement that the county has ever seen.
On March 1, 2023, the surgery took a tragic turn, leaving Mitchell with irreversible damage. Her attorneys revealed that the consequences continue to severely impact her health, making the incident an unforgettable ordeal.
“Trial evidence highlighted how a routine gynecological operation spiraled into one of the gravest surgical mistakes imaginable,” remarked the law firm Berman & Simmons in their official statement.
Interestingly, Northern Light Inland Hospital in Waterville, as shown on Google Maps, ceased its operations in May 2025.
Northern Light Inland Hospital in Waterville officially closed in May 2025 after serving the community for more than 80 years, according to the state.
The healthcare system cited “immense pressure of higher operational costs, unsustainably low reimbursement rates, and a tight labor market” as factors behind the closure in a statement issued that month.
According to the attorneys, Michell scheduled the surgery after imaging showed that a benign ovarian cyst had significantly increased in size.
FILE – Emily Mitchell won a record medical malpractice verdict after a devastating surgical mistake left her permanently dependent on ongoing treatment.(iStock)
Following the procedure, Mitchell’s condition worsened, and she was transferred to another hospital for emergency surgery.
Surgeons later discovered that her bladder had been removed during the original operation, and pathology confirmed the tissue taken during the procedure was “full-thickness bladder tissue,” according to her attorneys.
The damage appeared irreversible, as “surgeons determined there was insufficient healthy bladder tissue remaining to reconstruct or repair the organ,” according to Berman & Simmons.
For the next eight months, Mitchell relied on bilateral nephrostomy tubes to drain urine directly from her kidneys. The treatment involves thin plastic tubes surgically placed through the skin of the lower back and into both kidneys, allowing urine to flow into external bags attached to the exposed ends of the tubes.
During that time, Mitchell reportedly experienced recurring urinary tract infections, kidney infections, multiple medical procedures and ongoing complications.
FILE – A routine gynecologic procedure turned life-altering after surgeons mistakenly removed a Maine woman’s bladder, leading to a $17 million jury award.(iStock)
She was eventually referred to Massachusetts for complex reconstructive surgery, where surgeons used a portion of her small intestine to create a new bladder, known as a neobladder.
Mitchell’s attorneys said she “continues to live with the permanent effects of those injuries” nearly three years after the original operation.
She must insert a catheter multiple times a day to drain the neobladder and requires ongoing medical treatment from specialists related to the loss of her bladder.
After hearing the evidence, the jury found Northern Light Inland Hospital and Northern Light Health liable and awarded Mitchell damages covering past and future medical expenses, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress and permanent impairment.
“For our clients, this isn’t just a legal victory—it’s the closure they’ve needed for a long time,” attorney Susan A. Faunce said in a statement.
“They can finally begin to move forward, knowing that what happened to them was seen, heard, and acknowledged. This verdict won’t undo the pain our clients have endured, but it does offer something they haven’t had in a long time: closure. They can finally put this chapter behind them.”
SANTA CLARA — Brock Purdy made no secret of his thoughts. Navigating the initial days of the 49ers’ training camp without head coach Kyle Shanahan has been unusual.
“He’s the one leading all the team meetings, going over situational football, what practice is going to look like – he’s our main leader,” the fifth-year quarterback expressed Monday after concluding the second day of practice. “It has been weird in terms of not having that.”
For the second consecutive day, Shanahan watched part of the practice session from a distance, stationed near midfield alongside general manager John Lynch. His participation remains limited as he recuperates from a severe concussion incurred during a significant car accident on July 14.
In Shanahan’s absence, the 49ers are missing more than just their pivotal locker room presence. Quarterbacks are tuning into different guidance in their headsets with Klay Kubiak stepping in. The second-year offensive coordinator, who took the reins for a few preseason games last year, is now handling play-calling duties, a role usually dominated by the offensively-inclined Shanahan, even during walkie-talkie sessions in practice.
“Hearing Klay and his voice and stuff is different,” Purdy admitted. “But Klay’s done such a good job.”
Kubiak joined Shanahan’s staff a year before the 49ers selected Purdy with the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was promoted to the assistant quarterbacks coach in Purdy’s rookie season and has served as one of the team’s top offensive lieutenants since 2024.
In Shanahan’s absence, Kubiak has stepped up along with offensive line coach Chris Foerster, who was named the acting head coach, as well as defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and special teams coordinator Brant Boyer.
“We’re able to run practice and go through installs and everything,” Purdy said. “That side of it is really good and positive. But obviously he’s our head coach and we all want him here.”
The franchise quarterback doesn’t typically go this long without hearing the voice of his head coach who developed him from the 262nd and final selection of the 2022 NFL draft.
When Purdy swung by the post Shanahan was stationed during his 30 minutes or so watching practice, it was the first time the two had spoken since the car accident that left the head coach bleeding from the head with two black eyes and multiple broken bones.
Football was put on the back burner in their short conversation.
“I told him I loved him and I hope he’s doing good – everything like that,” Purdy said. “Obviously I want him to heal up and [I’m] glad he’s OK. That’s first and foremost. I’m sure he’ll get right and we’ll get into football and everything.”
Purdy was one of the handful of team leaders who received a text from Shanahan’s wife, Mandy, in the aftermath of the wreck informing them what had happened.
He was in such disbelief that his first reaction was to call trusted tight end George Kittle.
“When I first read it I was like, ‘Oh no, is this real?’ kind of thing. Then it sort of sunk in,” Purdy said. Kittle confirmed the veracity of the message. “It hurt really bad reading that text.”
Purdy helped spread the message to other members of the team, but some players — even with as much standing as longtime left tackle and team captain Trent Williams — were left in the dark until they reported for camp this weekend.
Of those he was able to contact, Purdy was able to spread some good news.
By then, he had texted Shanahan and heard back. Although Shanahan suffered serious injuries, he averted the worse of what could have been a far scarier situation.
“Once he texted me back, I was like all right, he’s good,” Purdy said. “It’s a scary moment because all you care about is life at that moment. Like, is he alive? Is he good? All that. …
“After hearing Mandy and then what Kyle said, I was like, all right, Kyle’s good. This is going to be a little process and maybe I don’t know what the road to recovery looks like, but he’s going to be good — and that’s all I cared about in that moment.”
The 49ers have yet to provide a timeline for Shanahan’s recovery. It is the lingering effects of his concussion — not his physical injuries — that are preventing him from fulfilling his duties, according to Lynch. He said the 49ers “anticipate” Shanahan being able to travel to Melbourne, Australia, and coach in their season opener against the Rams on Sept. 10.
But if Shanahan still isn’t ready six weeks from now?
“Hopefully it’s not going to be like that, but if it were I know we have the right guys in the building,” Purdy said. “Obviously we want our guy with us in Kyle. The goal is when he’s ready he’s going to come back in and it’s going to be smooth — we’re just going to keep going.
“Obviously you don’t want the worst to happen, but we’ll be ready for it. More than anything we just want Kyle to be good and healthy and come back when he’s ready.”
Vinicius Junior is not only dazzling on the field for Real Madrid but is also proving to be a financial powerhouse off it, thanks to a diverse array of sponsorship deals. Over recent seasons, the Brazilian star has emerged as one of the most profitable and marketable talents in the world of football.
Daily Mail Sport revealed on Saturday that Arsenal is setting its sights high, considering a bold move for Vinicius Junior this summer. This possibility looms should the player fail to secure a renewed contract with Real Madrid.
Currently, the Brazilian international is tied to the Bernabeu until the conclusion of the 2027-28 season. However, he missed the opening of pre-season training on Monday. During this time, his agents are in crucial discussions with Real Madrid, striving to negotiate a new deal.
At this summer’s World Cup, Vinicius Junior nearly matched Neymar’s record for the greatest number of sponsorship agreements, with only the latter surpassing his total of 20 deals.
Vinicius’s influence is further underscored by his social media reach. Content he shared promoting these brands has garnered over 100 million views since his selection for the World Cup, cementing his role as a prominent figure for both Brazil and Real Madrid.
Since his arrival at the Bernabeu in 2018, Vinicius Junior has signed lucrative contract agreements with brands including Gatorade, Pepsi, Prada, PlayStation, UNESCO, Visa and Nike.
Real Madrid are reaping huge financial rewards from Vinicius Junior’s sponsorship portfolio
The forward has a remarkable 16 sponsorship deals with global brands including Pepsi (above)
The Real Madrid and Brazil star also boasts a sponsorship with global sports brand Nike
He is also sponsored by Boss, Clear, Omo, Rexona, Betnacional, Dubai Tourism, Havaianas, Vivo and Marriot Bonvoy – taking his commercial empire to 16 companies.
According to Spanish outlet AS, when Vinicius Junior signed his 2022 contract renewal which is set to expire in the summer of 2027, he agreed to give Real Madrid approximately 50 per cent of his image rights.
Every penny Vinicius Junior earns commercially is thus split in half and shared with the LaLiga giants, making him one of the largest goldmines in world football.
As the Spanish newspaper jokes, Vinicius Junior is effectively paying his own salary at the Bernabeu, at least until a new agreement is struck between the club and player.
The Brazilian’s commercial empire could therefore present a potential stumbling block in contract talks on Monday, and Arsenal’s bombshell interest in the forward will undoubtedly provide Vinicius Junior with suitable leverage during the negotiations.
Frederico Pena, chief executive officer of Vinicius Junior’s agency Roc Nation Sports Brazil, admitted his client has now achieved a status comparable to that of a business.
‘Despite his young age, Vini is already a key player at the biggest club in the world and on the most important national team,’ Pena said.
‘He has been a champion and star player in two Champions Leagues, and is a role model of resilience and sporting success for most Brazilians. Furthermore, he doesn’t shy away from important social issues, whether through his stance or his contributions to his community. All of this means that the number of brands interested in his image continues to grow.
Gatorade (left) and Prada (right) are also part of the Brazilian’s lucrative sponsorship empire
Vinicius Jnr endorsing video game juggernauts PlayStation on his his Instagram account
‘There is a structure with a CEO, a CFO, and administrative, legal, commercial, marketing, and communications departments that control everything.
‘There are dozens of initiatives involving his numerous sponsors, in addition to social activities centered around his institute, which is now a global leader in innovative teaching methods for children and young people, as well as in teacher training focused on anti-racist pedagogical practices.’
His explosive talents on the football pitch may drive Real Madrid closer to trophies and titles but Vinicius Junior’s true value lies in the commercial empire he has built off it.
A cache of clandestine audio recordings has surfaced, revealing former President Joe Biden’s apparent struggles with memory issues and cognitive decline.
These tapes, captured by the ghostwriter involved in crafting Biden’s 2017 book, “Promise Me, Dad,” were recently made public by Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee, who began releasing the recordings Monday night.
The tapes prominently highlight instances of Biden grappling with recollection during the discussions.
In one noteworthy session, Biden was rendered speechless for several minutes, needing prompts from the ghostwriter, Marc Zwonitzer, to continue the conversation.
“It seems to me, there were three major issues at hand,” Zwonitzer remarked to Biden after a lengthy pause. “I believe Iraq, Central America, and Ukraine were consuming much of your time and focus.”
Biden, in response, muttered quietly and struggled to string together complete or decipherable sentences. His first audible response detailed a discussion with Kevin McCarthy, who ‘it looked like was going to be speaker, or … the number two guy.’
Biden then launched into a lengthy diatribe about energy infrastructure, while Zwonitzer listened on – at times, chiming in with specific dates or details to ostensibly aid the struggling lawmaker.
In another portion, Biden, prompted by Zwonitzer about a previous subject they discussed, struggled to remember any of the details or subjects discussed in the earlier sit-down.
‘The next thing I have here is classified,’ Biden said at one point.
‘Some of this may be classified …’ Biden can be heard telling Zwonitzer in another discussion.
‘It’s not marked classified, but …’ Biden said, his voice trailing off. No classified materials were published in the book, but the discussions, and the documents, were cited in an explosive 2024 special counsel report.
Biden was not criminally charged with stashing classified documents in his garage and private office
Former Special Counsel Robert Hur stirred controversy around Biden when he questioned the ex-president’s diminished mental acuity
The Justice Department obtained the audio files during its probe into Biden’s handling of classified documents from 2023 to 2024
‘It’s confusing me,’ he said, before an assistant steered the conversation back on track.
The audio comes as Republicans in Congress had pushed to make the tapes public after the Justice Department obtained them during a high-profile probe into Biden’s mishandling of classified documents when he served as Vice President and in the US Senate. The transcripts of the discussions were published in 2024, but audio had never before been shared in full.
The 2024 report, authored by former Special Counsel Robert Hur, stirred controversy around Biden when he questioned the ex-president’s diminished mental acuity and forgetfulness, leaving many to wonder what the attorney found in the tapes.
Hur decided against bringing charges against Biden for mishandling sensitive documents, in part, because he was a ‘sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.’
He also noted the former president’s ‘diminished faculties in advancing age.’
Hur said the evidence included a recorded conversation between Biden and his ghostwriter in which the former president stated that he had just ‘found all the classified stuff downstairs.’
Biden’s push to keep the tapes hidden ultimately failed in court due to ‘substantial’ public interest in the documents.
The interviews were recorded at Biden’s home in 2016 and 2017 with author Marc Zwonitzer.
They took place when Biden was vice president and before his 2020 campaign, and were meant to remain private, the former president’s legal team has argued.
Zwonitzer admitted to deleting the audio files during Hur’s investigation, claiming he was afraid of getting hacked.
The conservative Heritage Foundation began a public disclosure legal battle with the Department of Justice to release the files in 2024 shortly after Hur’s report was published.
Last week, Judge Florence Pan, a Biden-appointed judge, argued that the former president has shown ‘substantial’ interest in keeping the files private.
‘The conversations at issue took place in Biden’s home, and the recordings of them were obtained by the government in the course of a criminal investigation that did not lead to an indictment,’ Judge Florence Pan wrote in her dissent.
Judge Gregory Katsas, a Trump appointee, and Sri Srinivasan, an Obama appointee, ruled against the motion to keep the files hidden.
Audio recordings that former President Joe Biden fought for years to keep private have now been released. The roughly 70 hours of audio recordings, shared with CBS News, were cited in a 2024 special counsel’s report, which said Biden kept volumes of notes at his home that… pic.twitter.com/79sPnGfKvu
— CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil (@CBSEveningNews) July 27, 2026
This picture was taken in December 2022 in Biden’s garage, with other household items, as part of Hur’s investigation
Hur’s report was crammed with pictures of documents recovered from Biden’s home or an office he used when he was Vice President
Biden announced an upcoming memoir titled Promise Me, America last week
The recordings took place in 2016 and 2017 when Biden was vice president. Above, at a Democratic presidential debate in 2020
Biden’s recordings were shared with a ghostwriter for his 2017 book Promise Me, Dad
The panel stayed an opinion until August 3, allowing further time for Biden’s legal team to appeal.
Biden announced earlier this month that he would be releasing another memoir titled Promise Me, America. It is expected to be published later this year.
Gallop into the heart of the Western genre, a cornerstone of American cinema whose roots extend back to “The Great Train Robbery.” The intrigue of tales teeming with cowboys, galloping steeds, and rugged landscapes has captured imaginations for decades. Although its origins are vintage, the Western continues to thrive in modern storytelling with films like “God’s Country,” “The Harder They Fall,” and “Old Henry.” On television, series such as “Yellowstone” and its numerous spin-offs further underscore the genre’s lasting allure.
At the forefront of maintaining the Western’s venerable status are the classic works from the 20th century, deemed as quintessential classics within this genre. Among them, five films stand out not just for their artistry but also for their impeccable 100% ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. Free from negative reviews, these films creatively redefine the Western while exploiting the full visual potential of its cinematic landscape. The praise these movies receive on Rotten Tomatoes highlights their outstanding features, solidifying their eminent reputation.
For those seeking the pinnacle of a genre that has fundamentally shaped American cinema, these five Westerns with their stellar Rotten Tomatoes scores offer an ideal starting point.
Stagecoach
United Artists
John Ford’s 1939 masterpiece “Stagecoach” marked a new cinematic era and catapulted John Wayne to stardom. Featuring a diverse ensemble cast, the film follows a perilous stagecoach journey to Lordsburg, New Mexico. “Stagecoach” wasn’t just a pivotal moment for Wayne’s illustrious career; it was also a seminal work that earned its place in film history.
The acclaim from Rotten Tomatoes for “Stagecoach” mirrors its many strengths. The film is renowned for standout performances, with supporting characters like Doc Boone (Thomas Mitchell) and Dallas (Claire Trevor) contributing significantly to its classic status alongside Wayne. Directed by John Ford, a celebrated filmmaker of the era, the film’s tight, suspenseful 97-minute runtime demonstrates his skillful storytelling and deft use of cinematic space. Ford’s ability to craft tension within “Stagecoach’s” intimate setting is perhaps its most enduring legacy.
Though not a lengthy epic, “Stagecoach” provides a lot for viewers to digest afterwards. Even if you’re totally unaware of this movie birthing John Wayne’s larger cultural significance, “Stagecoach” is still impressive enough to earn its universal critical acclaim.
My Darling Clementine
20th Century Fox
Space is beautifully utilized throughout “My Darling Clementine.” John Ford, one of the most Oscar-nominated directors in history and the helmer behind several of the American Film Institute’s top 10 Westerns, reaffirms his legendary status with his repeated emphasis on depth within his shots. In one striking image, Wyatt Earp (Henry Fonda) enters a bar inquiring about Doc Holliday’s (Victor Mature) presence, with the left side of the frame being a gigantic vacant space. Earp, unsure of where Holliday is, is now alone and this emptiness reinforces his vulnerability. A few seconds into this unblinking shot, adversaries begin filling up that empty space one at a time.
In the span of a single shot, Ford says so much about Earp and his relationship to the denizens of the town Tombstone. If you want magnificent visual storytelling, “My Darling Clementine” will satisfy like a fresh cup of water parches a thirsty person’s throat. However, “Clementine” also shines as an acting showcase for folks like Mature. Fonda, meanwhile, carves out a distinctive new personality for Earp that stands apart from the man’s towering cultural legend.
It’s no wonder the 34 current critics chronicled on the “My Darling Clementine” Rotten Tomatoes page gave it immensely positive raves. This is a sublime Western that can leave audiences gasping in just the way certain unforgettable shots are blocked.
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
Warner Bros.
Something delightful about venturing back into old Westerns is witnessing performances or screenwriting that established enduring cinema archetypes. Figures that kids see everywhere in cartoons or genre films (such as characters modeled after Peter Lorre) are often rooted in performers from ’30s/’40s cinema. Walter Huston as Howard in “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre” is one such figure, as Huston portrays Walter as the quintessential prospector. Every subsequent pop culture icon that talks in an old Southern drawl or gets excited upon hearing the word “gold” owes a tremendous debt to Huston’s performance.
Watching “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre” decades after its release, Huston’s performance stands fully apart from the characters and parodies it spawned. The entire movie fires on all cylinders to function as a compelling tale of greed capsizing three men. Better yet, “Sierra Madre” is one of Humphery Bogart’s best movies, a triumph given his incredible career. Bogart’s gift for playing world-weary souls is a perfect fit for portraying Fred C. Dobbs and his increasing obsession over gold. There’s a captivating darkness to this man who Bogart portrays with transfixing ease.
The incredible reviews that “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre” has amassed on Rotten Tomatoes are more than justly earned. Along with giving us the urtext for all movie prospectors to come, this remarkable descent into how selfishness destroys humanity remains an endlessly absorbing tale eons after its premiere.
The Naked Spur
MGM
Across Jimmy Stewart’s best movies, a large number of Westerns crop up. That prominence partly reflects the dominance of the Western across pre-1970 American cinema (practically every actor intersected with the genre once or twice). Still, Stewart anchored quite a few cowboy-centric films in his time, from “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence” to “Destry Rides Again” to “Winchester ’73.” Throw a rock at the best Western movies of all time and you’re bound to hit one starring Stewart. One motion picture in this genre that Stewart headlined was Anthony Mann’s 1953 effort “The Naked Spur.”
Here, Stewart played Howard Kemp, a bounty hunter whose mission to bring in the nefarious Ben Vandergroat (Robert Ryan) gets complicated when he’s forced to work with prospector Jesse Tate (Millard Mitchell) and Roy Anderson (Ralph Meeker). The prospect of securing $5,000 forces the trio to work together, but uncertainty and distrust looms over the group. Filmed in vibrant Technicolor, the radiant springtime tableaus seem to mock these internally tortured characters. All that luscious imagery is one of many elements underpinning the movie’s universal acclaim on Rotten Tomatoes critics.
The stellar performances from the entire cast, including Stewart in one of his grimier leading man turns, are also constant sources of praise in reviews. “The Naked Spur” proves once more that Jimmy Stewart and Westerns are, as General Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang) would say, “a potent mix.”
The Shooting
Jack H. Harris Enterprises
Decades before the Lonely Island short of the same, the 1966 feature film “The Shooting” told a story about people prone to gunfire at the drop of a hat. This film establishes this through an opening credits scene showing Willett Gashade (Warren Oates) on the trail, getting water, constantly looking over his shoulder. Someone’s following him. This scene silently establishes that this man is convinced he’s in danger, a reality reinforced by Richard Markowitz’s unsettling score. This solidifies the dearth of answers and instability plaguing the main “Shooting” players.
Eventually, Gashade and his pal Coley (Will Hutchins) are hired to escort an unnamed Woman (Millie Perkins) to a far-odd destination. Her name, true motives, and backstory remain shrouded in mystery despite Gashade trying his best to wring answers out of her and anyone she talks to. The Western has historically been a place where stoic definitions of masculinity wield immense power. Here, director Monte Hellman and screenwriter Carole Eastman (the latter credited under a pseudonym) craft a Western where conventional “heroes” have no clarity and wander aimlessly across the desert.
Even gun-happy baddie Billy Spear (Jack Nicholson) is racked by pangs of loneliness and resorts to ceaseless violence to maintain “control” over his existence. Between these thematic details, the litany of strong performances, and Markowitz’s unforgettable compositions, “The Shooting” certainly earns its lofty Rotten Tomatoes status.
