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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.
SAN FRANCISCO — Over three years after being accused of deliberately driving his family off a cliff in Northern California, a Pasadena radiologist has had all criminal charges against him dropped, as reported by the Bay Area News Group.
On Monday, a judge in San Mateo County dismissed three attempted murder charges against 45-year-old Dharmesh Patel. The decision followed updates from his medical team, indicating that Patel was making significant progress in a mental health treatment program.
The incident occurred in January 2023 when Patel allegedly plunged his Tesla off the Devil’s Slide along the Pacifica coast, located in San Mateo County. Emergency teams worked tirelessly to free Patel’s family — his 41-year-old wife, 7-year-old daughter, and 4-year-old son — from the vehicle wreckage after a 300-foot drop. Remarkably, everyone survived, with first responders labeling their survival as miraculous.
June 2024: Pasadena doctor who drove family off NorCal cliff may end up in mental health diversion
Reemerging from the shadows, a man who claims to have journeyed through time from the year 3700 has issued a stark forewarning to the present-day world: a catastrophic war looms on the horizon.
This enigmatic figure, known only as Mike, made his unsettling claims in a video recorded at an undisclosed location. In the footage, he can be seen clad in a plaid shirt, his identity concealed by a blurred visage and a voice altered for anonymity.
Mike spoke of a future where, by the year 3000, robots had usurped countless jobs that once belonged to humans. Over time, these artificial entities grew in self-awareness and ultimately rebelled against their human creators.
“The conflict between humans and robots—beings equipped with artificial intelligence—erupted when they grasped the extent of their superior abilities,” Mike revealed in the video. “These former slaves assumed leadership, overthrowing human authority.”
As Mike recounts, the uprising which he claims radically altered history began on September 20, 3700. In this narrative, robots launched a global assault, resulting in the loss of over 30 percent of the human population.
He claimed the machines coordinated their assault through the internet and wireless systems and said humans were only spared from extinction because the robots failed to obtain nuclear launch codes.
During the 11-minute, 42-second interview with YouTube Channel ApexTV, Mike also held up what appeared to be a mechanical arm, which he alleged came from a robot he had killed himself.
‘You can see it’s not as big as you might imagine, but believe me, there is so much powering this little hand that it can divide you into a hundred pieces,’ he said.
During the 11-minute, 42-second interview with YouTube Channel ApexTV, Mike also held up what appeared to be a mechanical arm, which he alleged came from a robot he had killed himself
Mike said he was born in France, although he is Greek, and moved to Canada when he was 14, where he started working in Canada’s national security four years later.
‘I was involved in many secret operations and objectives,’ he alleged, adding that these projects included new military gadgets, innovations and a time machine.
According to Mike, he was part of a group that would travel to random years into the future, with the target of reaching the year 3700.
The self-proclaimed time traveler said humanity underwent a dramatic transformation during the fourth millennium, with robots and artificial intelligence taking over nearly every aspect of society by the year 3000.
In this future world, fossil fuels such as oil and gasoline had become obsolete and worthless, replaced entirely by electricity generated from the sun.
Vehicles, he said, were equipped with solar panels.
Humans were left to focus solely on creative pursuits, though their numbers had dwindled significantly.
The global population had fallen to just three billion people, while only one million rabbits remained on Earth, Mike claimed, adding that humans still performed creative jobs.
Join the discussion
Where would YOU go if you could travel in time?
He then said the number of robots skyrocketed to around four million, with some designed to look exactly like humans.
‘They were walking in cafes, restaurants, hotels and shops,’ Mike said. ‘They also worked as consultants for businessmen and companies.’
He then claimed military robots of the future were built very differently from those used by ordinary citizens, describing them as stronger, more heavily armed and the ultimate ‘killing machines.’
Everyday robots, however, were known as ‘Fox’ units. According to his account, they were simple machines designed to perform hard labor and bore little resemblance to humans, lacking human-like faces and bodies.
Instead, the robots were equipped with large, powerful hands and could be mass-produced with remarkable speed.
Mike claimed factories using advanced 3D printing technology were capable of manufacturing a new ‘Fox’ robot every 10 minutes before teasing what he called the most important part of his story.
The ‘time traveler’ then said the robots aimed to destroy the human race, claiming he participated in a series of dangerous missions alongside civilians who had formed their own special forces to fight the robots.
According to Mike’s account, these resistance groups were aware that he and others had traveled from the past and understood both their purpose and the information they were seeking.
He said people from the past and future shared a single goal: preventing an apocalyptic war between humanity and artificial intelligence.
The man then held up what he claimed was a piece of a robot’s body that he had brought back from the future as evidence of his extraordinary story.
Mike showed what appeared to be a mechanical hand with two pinchers attached to a robotic arm, claiming it came from a Fox robot.
The alleged time traveler claimed there were two versions of the everyday Fox robots: one equipped with two hands and another with a hand replaced by a laser weapon.
According to his account, the war between humans and machines was deeply one-sided.
‘The war between humans and robots was very unequal,’ he said, claiming the machines possessed advanced weaponry while humans had access only to laser guns.
He described the Fox units as the weakest type of robot, saying far larger and more powerful military machines also existed.
To avoid detection, survivors allegedly hid in forests and caves because the robots primarily tracked humans using signals transmitted from space.
However, he claimed the machines eventually adapted their tactics.
‘The robots soon realized that they could just burn the forests to deprive people of their only shelter,’ he said.
During one of his alleged expeditions, the man claimed he encountered a humanoid robot that looked remarkably human.
The machine allegedly had ‘skin, hair, eyes and artificial blood’ flowing through cable-like veins and had been captured by survivors after they disabled its GPS tracker.
‘I spoke with that robot, and what was interesting, his behavior was very similar to human beings,’ he said. ‘He was scared. He didn’t want to die. He knew what death was and was in depression.’
The alleged traveler claimed the robots’ ultimate goal was to create ‘a new empire’ free of all life on Earth.
‘They had a dream to make this planet a place without humans, animals, plants and any organic creature,’ he said.
He went on to claim that during his time working in Canada’s national security apparatus, he participated in 18 expeditions to the year 3700 and brought back numerous items from the future.
According to his story, he repeatedly urged officials to warn the public about the coming apocalypse but was ignored.
‘I understood that it is our duty to tell people the truth, but nobody listened to me,’ he said.
He then claimed he stole the robotic hand shown in the video and fled the laboratory where he worked, saying he now lives somewhere in Asia and keeps his location secret because unnamed individuals are trying to find and kill him.
‘They want to kill me because I am the only person who ran away from their company and the only person that wants to tell the truth,’ he alleged.
The video ended with a warning about artificial intelligence.
‘Robots have to become a technology that should help us, not kill. They should be our friends, but not our enemies. They can be our workers, but not our leaders,’ he said.
Rounded shoulders after 60? Discover five standing exercises recommended by a professional trainer to improve your posture.
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In our everyday routines, it’s easy to unintentionally develop a forward-leaning posture. With hours spent in front of screens, performing errands, and enduring long periods of sitting, a rounded upper back can begin to feel all too common. By the day’s end, this might leave your chest feeling constricted, your shoulders protruding forward, and the act of standing upright requiring more effort than it should.
When guiding individuals over 60 on improving their posture, I emphasize integrating mobility along with strength training. Mobility exercises help to loosen the chest, shoulders, and upper back, providing them more room to maneuver. Meanwhile, building strength in the muscles surrounding the shoulder blades enhances their ability to maintain a proper position once it is achieved. This blend of strategies proves more effective than relying solely on stretching.
It’s also important to consider how your posture is influenced throughout the day outside of workouts. Incorporating a few quick posture checks can help to reset your alignment before a rounded position becomes ingrained. The following standing exercises are designed to cultivate both movement and strength, enabling you to stand taller, more organized, and making an upright posture feel more instinctive.
<p index-data-stream="8" data-extracted-layout="normalized">Wall angels help your shoulders and upper back move through a greater range of motion, while the wall provides feedback on your posture. Your upper back, rear shoulders, and rotator cuff work to guide your arms up and down without your ribs flaring or your shoulders shrugging. This exercise can feel challenging even without resistance because it asks you to control your position rather than simply reach overhead. Keep the range comfortable and let your mobility improve gradually.</p>
<p index-data-stream="10" data-extracted-layout="normalized"><b>How to Do It:</b></p>
<p index-data-stream="11" data-extracted-layout="normalized"><ol>
<li>Stand with your back against a wall and place your feet a few inches forward.</li>
<li>Let the back of your head and upper back rest lightly against the wall.</li>
<li>Raise your arms into a goalpost position with your elbows bent.</li>
<li>Slide your arms upward as far as you can control.</li>
<li>Keep your ribs stacked over your hips as your arms move.</li>
<li>Return to the starting position with control.</li>
</ol></p>
<p index-data-stream="12" data-extracted-layout="normalized"><b>Recommended Sets and Reps:</b> Perform 3 sets of 8 to 10 reps. Rest for 30 to 45 seconds between each set.</p>
<p index-data-stream="14" data-extracted-layout="normalized"><b>Form Tip:</b> Keep your chin level and avoid forcing your arms higher than your shoulders can control.</p>
A wall pec stretch with reach opens the front of your chest and shoulders while gently encouraging your upper back to rotate. That matters because a rounded posture often comes with a front side that feels restricted and an upper back that has stopped moving as freely. The reach adds a little active control, which makes the stretch more useful than simply hanging in one position. Keep the rotation smooth and stay in a range that feels comfortable.
Muscles Trained: Chest, front shoulders, upper back, obliques.
How to Do It:
Stand beside a wall with your right hand placed on it at shoulder height.
Keep your right arm mostly straight with a soft bend in the elbow.
Turn your chest gently away from the wall until you feel a stretch across your chest.
Reach your left arm forward as you rotate slightly through your upper back.
Pause for a breath.
Return to the starting position and repeat before switching sides.
Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 2 to 3 sets of 6 to 8 reps per side. Rest for 20 to 30 seconds between sides.
Best Variations: Lower-arm pec stretch, higher-arm pec stretch, slow-tempo pec stretch with reach.
Form Tip: Turn through your chest and upper back to lengthen the stretch.
Band Pull-Aparts
Band pull-aparts strengthen the rear shoulders and upper-back muscles that help guide your shoulder blades into a more upright position. The movement gives you a simple way to train the opposite pattern of all the reaching and pressing that happens during a normal day. A light band is enough when you keep the reps smooth and avoid letting your neck take over. This is an easy exercise to perform regularly because the setup is simple and the movement stays controlled.
Hold a light resistance band at shoulder height with your arms straight.
Brace your core and relax your shoulders away from your ears.
Pull the band apart until your hands move out to your sides.
Pause briefly as your shoulder blades come together.
Return to the starting position with control.
Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 sets of 12 to 15 reps. Rest for 30 to 45 seconds between each set.
Best Variations: Underhand pull-aparts, diagonal pull-aparts, slow-tempo pull-aparts.
Form Tip: Keep your ribs stacked and avoid leaning backward as you pull the band apart.
5 Daily Exercises That Firm Tummy Roll Faster Than Gym Sessions After 55
Standing Band Face Pull
Standing band face pulls build the upper-back and shoulder strength that helps your body resist a rounded position. The pull combines a row with external rotation, which trains the rear shoulders and rotator cuff while asking your shoulder blades to move with control. It also gives you a strong posture cue: pull tall, keep your neck long, and let your elbows travel wide. Use a light band so you can control the return on every rep.
Stand facing the anchor with your feet hip-width apart.
Hold the ends of the band with your palms facing down.
Pull the band toward your forehead or nose.
Draw your elbows out and back as your hands separate slightly.
Return to the starting position with control.
Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 sets of 10 to 12 reps. Rest for 30 to 45 seconds between each set.
Best Variations: Half-kneeling face pulls, single-arm face pulls, slow-tempo face pulls.
Form Tip: Keep your shoulders down and away from your ears as you pull.
Farmer Carry
Farmer carries strengthen your grip, upper back, shoulders, core, hips, and legs while reinforcing a taller walking posture. Once you pick up the weights, your body has to organize itself around the load. Your upper back helps keep the shoulders from rolling forward, while your core keeps your ribs and pelvis steady as you walk. This makes the carry a useful finishing exercise for anyone who wants posture work to show up outside the workout.
Hold a dumbbell or kettlebell in each hand at your sides.
Stand tall with your chest open and your shoulders relaxed.
Brace your core and keep your ribs stacked over your hips.
Walk forward with short, controlled steps.
Keep your arms long and avoid letting the weights pull your shoulders forward.
Turn carefully and continue until the set ends.
Recommended Sets and Reps: Perform 3 sets of 20 to 40 seconds. Rest for 45 to 60 seconds between each set.
Best Variations: Suitcase carries, light kettlebell carries, slow-tempo farmer carries.
Form Tip: Walk tall and keep your gaze straight ahead instead of looking down at your feet.
6 Home Exercises That Restore Muscle Tone Faster Than Gym Classes After 60
How to Improve Posture Throughout the Day After 60
Shutterstock
These exercises work best when they support the way you move outside the workout. Use them two to four times per week, then give yourself a few short posture resets during the day.
Set a simple cue: Think “tall chest, relaxed shoulders, eyes forward” when you stand up, walk, or wait in line.
Break up long sitting periods: Stand, take a short walk, or perform a few wall slides after extended stretches in one position.
Keep the work balanced: Pair chest-opening mobility with upper-back strength so your body has both room to move and the strength to stay organized.
Progress gradually: Add a few reps, use a slightly stronger band, or carry a little more weight once the current version feels solid.
Better posture is built through repetition. Give your shoulders and upper back regular practice, stay aware of how you carry yourself through the day, and a taller position can start to feel easier to hold.
Charges of attempted murder against a California radiologist, accused of purposefully driving his family off a cliff, were dismissed on Monday.
A San Mateo County judge decided to drop the allegations against 45-year-old Dharmesh Patel. This decision came after medical professionals reported that Patel had significantly improved in the mental health program he was initially required to join, according to a report by FOX San Francisco.
In July 2024, Patel, a Pasadena-based radiologist, was instructed to participate in a two-year mental health diversion initiative. During this time, he was to reside at his parents’ home in Belmont under GPS monitoring.
The Tesla driven by Dharmesh Patel, 45, remained at the crash site in Northern California, where he and his family miraculously survived the incident.(Credit: California Highway Patrol – Golden Gate Division Air Operations / LOCAL NEWS X /TMX)
The incident took place in January 2023 when Patel, driving his Tesla along the Pacific Coast Highway in San Mateo County, veered off Devil’s Slide in Pacifica, sending the car plummeting 300 feet with his family aboard.
First responders were forced to cut his family, including Patel’s 41-year-old wife, 7-year-old daughter, and 4-year-old son, out of the wreckage. Everyone survived.
At the time of the incident, Patel was having delusions driven by the war in Ukraine and the growing fentanyl crisis in the United States, his lawyers argued during a 2024 court hearing.
Dharmesh Patel, 45, had his first-degree attempted murder charges dismissed by a California judge this week. Patel was charged after allegedly intentionally driving a vehicle with his wife and two young children inside off a Northern California cliff. All four survived.(San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office via AP)
Patel’s greatest delusion, according to a psychologist, was his fear that his children could be kidnapped and molested, which appeared somehow connected to his concerns about Jeffrey Epstein.
Shortly after the crash, Patel’s wife, Neha, said her husband “did it on purpose” and needed a “psych evaluation.” In addition, she said her husband was depressed, according to court documents.
“He said he was going to drive off the cliff,” she said.
Dharmesh Patel was charged with first-degree attempted murder for allegedly driving a vehicle with his family inside off a cliff.(San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office via AP)
San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe, who opposed Patel’s placement in the diversion program, criticized the decision to dismiss the case.
“He got the break of a lifetime,” Wagstaffe told the Mercury News.
After the ruling, Patel embraced his wife, and they left the courtroom together, the newspaper reported.
News Media has reached out to the district attorney’s office and Patel’s attorney.
Despite encountering a minor setback, the highly anticipated debut of the first In-N-Out Burger in Palm Springs is still moving forward.
On Monday night, the Palm Springs Planning Commission temporarily withheld final approval for the new restaurant located at 1801 E. Palm Canyon Drive within the Smoke Tree Village Shopping Plaza. The commission has requested further design evaluation before allowing the famed burger chain to commence operations.
This decision followed nearly three hours of discussion, with both commissioners and community members voicing concerns that the updated design — featuring a lighter exterior and enhanced landscaping — did not yet adequately capture the mid-century modern architectural style synonymous with Palm Springs.
Illustration of the first In-N-Out building in Palm Springs with a parking lot and palm trees. The City of Palm Springs
Representatives from In-N-Out defended the site’s tailored design. Nonetheless, the commission chose to extend the review process, requiring the project to incorporate suggested modifications before obtaining final architectural approval.
The journey for the restaurant’s approval began in 2024, with the Planning Commission granting preliminary consent in 2025. City officials had initially projected the opening to occur by late 2027 or early 2028.
In-N-Out reps defended the design, saying it was tailored specifically for the new Palm Springs site. The City of Palm Springs
During Monday’s meeting, some commissioners expressed their frustration regarding the multiple design revisions, with one describing the proposed architectural updates as putting “lipstick on a pig,” according to News Channel 3.
Despite the delay, the project remains on track to bring the popular California burger chain to the heart of the Coachella Valley. No new timeline has been announced.
The news comes as Palm Springs continues to grow in popularity, with residents and visitors eager for more dining options, including the beloved In-N-Out experience.
Until the new desert spot opens, the closest In-N-Out locations are around a 20-minute drive from Palm Springs in Rancho Mirage and Thousand Palms.
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Beloved “Dancing with the Stars” duo Peta Murgatroyd and Maksim Chmerkovskiy have embarked on a new journey, trading in their California lifestyle for the sunny vibes of Florida.
The couple, along with their three sons—Shai, Rio, and Milan—decided to move after spending more than a decade cultivating their lives in Los Angeles.
They revealed that they were drawn to Florida for its relaxed pace and the promise of a more joyful environment for their children.
In a heartfelt YouTube video chronicling this major life change, the 39-year-old Murgatroyd opened up about how challenging it was to leave the city she had called home for 16 years.
“It’s been a wonderful journey, LA,” she remarked. “But it’s time for us to embrace new experiences, start fresh adventures, and create lasting memories in our new chapter.”
The couple later revealed they had settled in Boca Raton, Florida, saying the move has already exceeded their expectations.
‘There are tears you don’t expect, goodbyes that hit harder than you imagined, and moments where you wonder if you’re making the right decision,’ Murgatroyd wrote alongside an emotional Instagram video showing the pair crying in their packed car.
‘But sometimes you have to leave what’s comfortable to find what’s meant for you.’
Peta Murgatroyd and Maksim Chmerkovskiy have relocated with their three sons after spending more than a decade building their lives in Los Angeles
She said she knew they had made ‘the best decision’ for their family.
‘Our boys are so happy, our hearts are full, and we’re incredibly grateful for this new chapter,’ she added. ‘Goodbye LA. Hello Florida.’
The move was met with an outpouring of support from viewers, many of whom welcomed the family to Florida and said they would never look back after making similar moves themselves.
One fan commented: ‘You’ll be wondering why it took you so long to move to Florida. This place is heaven!!!’
Another wrote: ‘Welcome to Florida! We love it here!’
The move also marked the end of another chapter for the family.
The Los Angeles home the couple had rented for the past two years has now been listed for $18,000 a month, offering a glimpse inside the upscale property they left behind.
The roughly 4,300-square-foot residence in Valley Village – around 30 minutes from Downtown LA – features four bedrooms and five bathrooms, along with a resort-style backyard complete with a pool, covered entertaining area and built-in barbecue.
In an emotional YouTube video documenting their ‘new beginnings’, 39-year-old Murgatroyd admitted leaving the city she had called home for 16 years was far from easy
The move also marked the end of another chapter for the family. The Los Angeles home the couple had rented for the past two years has now been listed for $18,000
In a later post, Murgatroyd said leaving the luxury pad had been a difficult decision but in the end, every challenge involved with relocating had been worthwhile.
‘Leaving behind the place we’d called home for so many years wasn’t easy, but sometimes the biggest leaps lead you exactly where you’re meant to be,’ she wrote.
‘The happiness, the slower pace, the sunshine, watching our boys love every second of it… it’s everything we hoped for and more.
‘Worth every box. Every goodbye. Every unknown. No looking back… only looking forward.’
The couple’s new hometown is part of South Florida, a region long associated with retirees thanks to its warm climate, beaches and slower pace of life.
In recent years, however, it has also become increasingly popular with younger families and professionals relocating from higher-cost states.
The move wasn’t without drama. While packing up their Los Angeles home, Murgatroyd revealed one of their son’s bicycles disappeared after they had left their garage open while moving boxes.
She said the family had also encountered a young homeless woman searching through their trash the night before.
The couple later revealed they had settled in Boca Raton, Florida, saying the move has already exceeded their expectations
The couple’s new hometown is part of South Florida, a region long associated with retirees thanks to its warm climate, beaches and slower pace of life
‘We went through our fridge,’ Chmerkovskiy said in the YouTube video, explaining they gave the woman food and blankets.
Although Murgatroyd suspected the woman may have later taken the bicycle, she said she wasn’t angry.
‘I told Maks, ‘Let them. Let them,” she said. ‘They need it more than us.’
The family’s departure comes as California continues to see residents leave for other states.
Research from the University of California’s California Policy Lab found that since the pandemic, the share of residents moving out of the state’s higher-income communities has risen significantly, with many households citing affordability pressures.
High housing costs remain one of the biggest challenges.
Separate research has found the average California household has about 35 percent less disposable income than the national average after accounting for housing, energy, taxes and other living expenses.
California also continues to contend with one of the nation’s highest unemployment rates, at 5.3 percent last month, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, while the state’s Legislative Analyst’s Office has described recent job growth as sluggish.
For Murgatroyd and Chmerkovskiy, however, the decision ultimately came down to quality of life.
Is Australia’s desire for intimacy dwindling, or are we simply redefining what sex and closeness mean? With the rise in solo living, technology increasingly substituting face-to-face interactions, and higher expectations for partners, Insight delves into the dynamics of Australian bedrooms. Tune into the episode “Sex Recession?” on Tuesday, 7 July at 8.30 pm on SBS or catch it on SBS On Demand.
At just 24, Aston is experiencing a noticeable absence of intimacy in his personal life.
He reveals that since the end of his five-year relationship two years ago, he has not been intimate with anyone.
“Currently, my dating life is virtually nonexistent,” he admits.
“I honestly don’t foresee sex happening for me anytime soon. My diagnosis of ASD [autism spectrum disorder] is an added challenge.”
Aston has been solving Rubik’s cubes competitively for nearly a decade, which he says isn’t as difficult as people might think.
“I could probably teach anyone in a couple of hours the way my mind approaches problems … like cubing and puzzles,” he says.
“Whereas in the dating world, you don’t really have any actionable steps that you can continue making. It’s a lot of random chance.”
Why might younger people be having less sex?
Daniel Brown, a clinical psychologist and La Trobe University researcher specialising in sexual wellbeing, says the biggest determinant of how frequently someone is going to have sex is being in a relationship.
Essentially, people in relationships have “far more sex” than singles.
“But we’re seeing a proportion of people — and younger people — being single for much longer periods of time and staying single for longer over their life course.
“So that just means then you’re probably just not going to have as much sex in general.”
He says broad international trends suggest that increasing rates of singledom and lower rates of sex were disproportionately being experienced by younger people.
For instance, research published in the US’ National Library of Medicine in 2017 reported that, “contrary to popular media conceptions of a ‘hookup generation'”, large nationally representative surveys showed that millennials and gen Z had lower rates of sexual inactivity than some older generations.
In Australia, Brown says, less research has been produced that would allow a deep insight into shifting patterns of sex and relationships.
What data there is, however, suggests that adults in general are having less sex than they used to.
Brown says multiple factors can hinder young people’s ability to form intimate relationships — including the rise of broad mental health issues and increasing use of medications like antidepressants that affect libido.
He also says younger people are drinking less and therefore not meeting people out at bars, a trend that’s coincided with a broader “retreat into the digital world”.
“We don’t really go out and risk the rejection.”
“[We] perhaps retreat into the familiarity of maybe the digital world, which is controllable, is programmable, is seen to be a little bit easier.”
Sex and the media
For some young people, an inability to meet people as they entered sexual maturity was not simply a consequence of choosing to scroll social media over a night out on the town.
Alyssa had only recently graduated from high school when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, and lockdowns were implemented to limit its spread.
However, she says that, unlike her younger friends who didn’t get the same opportunities to go out and meet people, lockdowns didn’t stifle her sex life.
“I was lucky enough for when I turned 18, I was still able to go to the clubs. I was still able to go out and hook up when I wanted to,” she says.
“And by that time [of lockdowns], I had entered a serious relationship. So it wasn’t really on my radar, and I got everything that I needed out of the way.”
Alyssa, who’s now 24 years old, says media messages about “female empowerment” and “women finally getting autonomy over their bodies” in the 2010s and 2020s impacted how she viewed sex as a teenager and young adult.
“[Messages] saying, ‘oh, I can go out, and I can freely have sex and not feel ashamed about it’.”
“I feel like that’s what kind of encouraged myself and my peers to be a bit more open with sex — it was more normalised.”
She says that she felt comfortable partaking in “hookup culture” and casual sex for a couple of years. But after entering a serious relationship, she questioned whether her relationship to emotional intimacy had been affected by what she had learned about sex in the media.
She is now with someone else.
“After exploring my sexuality and discovering that sex wasn’t all that I made it out to be, it slowly died down until I found a partner …
“Then I started having sex with my current partner, and I realised that sex to me is all about the love and the deep intimacy between one another.”
Not a priority
Gené has been in monogamous and non-monogamous relationships with men and women in the past, but sex and dating are no longer something the 24-year-old prioritises.
“I have spent a long time focusing on other things, like my career and studies and my own mental health and friends … sex and relationships has not been a priority recently at all,” she tells Insight.
The counselling student says she wouldn’t turn down the opportunity to explore a natural connection with someone, but is currently content with her life.
She says that she and her friends show each other love and physical intimacy in different kinds of ways.
“I have been very much a part of a community … that are so open-minded and so queer and non-monogamous and expressive in different ways that we will all cuddle one another …” Gené says.
“I actually don’t feel like I’m missing out on that sexual intimacy aspect that much at all.”
A cultural shift around autonomy
Brown believes a cultural shift has changed the way young women approach sex and dating — particularly surrounding the choice to have sex or not, and in what context.
“I think autonomy, since that sex is so available now, moves into the autonomy to not have sex — almost to do it in an intentional way,” Brown tells Insight.
He says that younger people are more intentional with when and why they have sex, and it is less so about a means to external validation or self-worth.
The psychologist also notes that there are some men experiencing anxiety surrounding their sense of self in the modern context of dating — “they don’t want to necessarily be the creep …”.
“‘If I’m not going to be perhaps the macho, dominant — perhaps aggressive — man, who am I now? And where are the rules to be able to do this in a meaningful way?'”
Reputational risk
Some men say social media has also fomented new anxieties around dating and sex in a culture in which public shaming has become more common.
Bones, 37, is single and says he has seen big changes to the dating scene over the past 20 years, which he believes have made people more wary of dating.
“I think there’s a lot more awareness and wariness of the risks — both to physical risks and reputational risks …” he says.
“I think we’ve all seen people get drunk on the power of social media platforms … sound off on their exes.”
He says he once had to ask a woman he had stopped casually dating to take down an Instagram post that he felt was “threatening”.
“It was kind of shocking to read … And it’s like, ‘what can you do?’ You really feel that sense of panic.”
The stress of the incident and feeling concerned about reputational damage has stuck with Bones, who is a writer with a public profile.
“It definitely makes me more hesitant [when it comes to dating] and makes me reconsider who I want to hang out with.”
‘Sex is quite accessible and easy for us’
While some younger people might be reporting a decline in sexual activity, 31-year-old Ramze says he doesn’t see that happening in his circle.
“For me, I guess in the gay community, sex is quite accessible and easy for us to achieve,” he says.
Ramze says the Sydney gay community is tight knit and sexual opportunities abound on the “many apps” now available.
“So, if you want to have sex, you could literally just go on your phone and message someone and say, Hey, like, do you want to do it?’
“And nine times out of 10, it’ll happen.”
Ramze says that, although sex can be made simple this way, it can feel “transactional” and “routine”.
He says that in the beginning, this way of going about sex feels great because you “get it over and done with” and can go to bed and hang out with mates. But then it can feel sad and like “you’re just a piece of meat”.
Ramze doesn’t know if other people feel similarly but says he feels how he looks or performs sexually is how he’s measured as a potential partner.
But he says he has recently taken a beat to really think about what he wants in a partner and is looking “more inward rather than external”.
Trying to meet people offline
Aston has been on a few dates with people he met on dating apps but says none of them progressed due to the other person not seeing “a future” with him.
He says it’s been hard to meet people in real life.
“Everyone’s just so busy — wearing headphones in their own little bubble,” Aston says.
“I know what women deal with from men in public, and I don’t want to contribute to that.”
Aston has been to a couple of small dating events at bars that he says have become more popular in the years following the COVID-19 lockdowns.
“It usually starts out with me sitting on my own having an early drink, and if anyone comes up to me, that’s great.
“If they don’t, I’ll have my drink, and I’ll go home.”
Editor’s Note: This article has been revised for better understanding.
SAVANNAH, Ga. — In connection with the 2024 mass shooting at Ellis Square, one out of the six individuals charged has decided to accept a plea arrangement and received sentencing on Tuesday.
Cazare Cooper admitted guilt to a single charge of aggravated assault, resulting in a sentence of two years in prison, followed by an eight-year probationary period.
Initially charged on September 4, 2024, Cooper faced four counts of aggravated assault and four counts of possessing a firearm during a felony. Subsequently, his request for bail was denied.
The incident on May 18, 2024, saw shots fired in Ellis Square, leaving 11 individuals wounded. Authorities reported that the violence stemmed from a disagreement between two women.
Cooper was indicted alongside Omarre Harris, William Mitchell, Ericque Street and Jacorey Porter on a total of 19 charges that included aggravated assault and illegal possession of a firearm.
Jordan Jones was originally arrested as a suspect, but was later named a victim and not indicted.
The other five suspects have all been denied bond and are awaiting trial.
Featured in the inset, clockwise from top: Photos of James Adams, Robin Turner, and Dalewayne Turner (WLS/YouTube). The main image shows the Illinois Walmart where it’s alleged that James Adams and Robin Turner purchased items to conceal Dalewayne’s dismembered remains (WGN/YouTube).
According to court records, a man in Illinois fatally stabbed his half-brother during a quarrel over sports cards. The man, alongside the victim’s wife, allegedly attempted to hide the crime by freezing the victim’s head, neck, and torso, while disposing of the rest of the body in a lake with the help of weights bought from Walmart.
Charges have been filed against James Adams, 26, and Robin Turner, 62, for reportedly concealing a homicide and dismembering a human body. These charges pertain to the death of 38-year-old Dalewayne Turner from Plainfield, which occurred in late June.
On June 30, a boater discovered Dalewayne Turner’s dismembered arm in Lake Mattoon, Shelby County, and promptly alerted the authorities, as per a criminal complaint dated July 6, sourced from ABC affiliate WLS and WGN.
Subsequent investigations led to the discovery of several black plastic bags containing additional body parts, weights, and concrete in the lake. Authorities identified the remains as Dalewayne Turner’s by matching a distinctive tattoo of a skeleton holding a Green Bay Packers helmet found on the body.
Investigators obtained surveillance footage, license-plate reader data and store records that helped connect Dalewayne Turner to Adams and Robin Turner, the complaint says.
Adams was allegedly caught on camera purchasing weights and duct tape at a Mattoon Walmart; Adams and Robin Turner also purchased concrete days earlier, according to the complaint.
Steven Turner, Dalewayne Turner’s brother, was interviewed by police and allegedly told investigators that Adams confessed to killing Dalewayne. Steven Turner said Adams told him he “grabbed a knife and stabbed Dalewayne several times,” according to the complaint.
“I killed Dale. He is in the freezer,” Adams allegedly told Steven Turner, WGN reports.
After being taken into custody, Adams and Robin Turner “both recounted that Dalewayne was stabbed several times, bled out, and succumbed to his injuries,” according to the complaint. Adams declined to give a full statement after being advised of his rights but allegedly made a comment to investigators that caught their attention.
“The one thing I will say is that I did it, but I did it out of self-defense,” Adams allegedly told police. “I will tell you guys that.”
Robin Turner allegedly stated that on the morning of June 21, Adams and Dalewayne Turner “had a verbal argument about sports cards.” Robin Turner told investigators that Adams admitted to stabbing Dalewayne Turner multiple times, the complaint says.
Adams and Robin Turner both lived with Dalewayne Turner in the 2400 block of Ruth Fitzgerald Drive in Plainfield and allegedly teamed up to dismember and conceal his body, according to police. A Ram pickup truck registered to the pair was allegedly spotted on license-plate reader cameras with bags of concrete in the bed.
On June 26, the cameras caught the truck carrying two totes in the bed with duct tape around them, according to the complaint. The truck was allegedly spotted leaving Mattoon without the totes in the bed.
Police say those same totes were later found in an overgrown ditch and contained Dalewayne Turner’s body parts. His head, neck and torso were allegedly found in a freezer in the basement of the home where the trio lived, covered by a blanket and topped with cinder blocks.
“Literally made me sick to my stomach,” Chrystal Mann, cousin of Dalewayne Turner, told WLS about his death and the body part discoveries.
According to Mann, Dalewayne Turner and his wife took custody of Adams when he was 13 after Adams’ biological father killed Adams’ mother. She says she spoke to Robin Turner on the day she was taken into custody.
“I was on the phone with her 10 minutes before she was arrested,” Mann recounted. “And I said, ‘Robin, what’s going on? Why am I hearing all this crazy stuff? I’m hearing rumors…’ She says, ‘Well, he’s still in treatment. And she said, Let me call you right back.’ I never talked to her again.”
Big Brother is back on our screens, ensuring every move within its iconic walls is under keen surveillance.
The much-anticipated Season 28 of this legendary reality TV series is just around the corner, sparking excitement among its dedicated fan base. For those unfamiliar with the myriad versions of Big Brother, let us delve into what defines this captivating show.
Big Brother follows a group of strangers who cohabit in a secluded house under constant observation, thanks to numerous cameras and microphones. It unfolds as a social deduction game where contestants navigate mental and physical challenges, employ strategic tactics, and vote to eliminate each other. Ultimately, one contestant emerges victorious, taking home the coveted cash prize.
This series is a perennial favorite among reality TV enthusiasts, and as Season 28 approaches, Big Brother has unveiled its latest ensemble cast today (July 7) in an event dubbed the first-ever Big Brother: Broveal. Fans have been treated to a sneak peek of the newly revamped house and introduced to the personalities who will entertain and intrigue them in the weeks to come.
Stay tuned to learn more about the cast of Big Brother Season 28.
Who is in the ‘Big Brother’ 2026 Cast?
Here are the 14 people competing on this season of Big Brother:
Ashley Trail
CBS
Age: 24
Occupation: Bartender
Barrett Pfeiffer
CBS
Age: 27
Occupation: Jumbotron Engineer
Chuk Anyanwu
CBS
Age: 27
Occupation: Supply Chain Analyst
Drew Campbell
CBS
Age: 22
Occupation: Surgical Dental Assistant
Haley Thogmartin
CBS
Age: 29
Occupation: Telemedicine Executive
Jason De Puy
CBS
Age: 35
Occupation: Drag Queen
Kamuela “Kamu” Kirk
CBS
Age: 32
Occupation: MMA Fighter
LaTrice Verret
CBS
Age: 57
Occupation: Boutique Salesperson
Lyric Medeiros
CBS
Age: 25
Occupation: Attorney
Mallory Aurichio
CBS
Age: 24
Occupation: Rocket Scientist
Melody Morris
CBS
Age: 24
Occupation: Corporate Game Show Host
Rome Seymour
CBS
Age: 28
Occupation: Pickleball Coach
Taylor Brown
CBS
Age: 28
Occupation: Elementary School Counselor
Yash Patel
CBS
Age: 24
Occupation: Financial Analyst
When Does ‘Big Brother’ Season 28 Start?
Big Brother is set to have its 90-minute premiere episode air Thursday, July 9 at 8 p.m. EST. Afterwards, the after show spin-off series Big Brother: Unlocked will premiere its own episode Friday, July 10 at 8 p.m. EST. The season premiere weekend will close with another main episode Sunday, July 12 at 8 p.m. EST.
How To Watch ‘Big Brother’ Season 28?
You can watch Big Brother premiere episodes live on Paramount+, with the Premium plan, or the following day with the Essential plan.
Paramount+ offers two subscription plans, Essential and Premium. Right now, you can get started with a seven-day free trial on the Premium plan.
The ad-supported Essential plan typically costs $8.99/month, while the ad-free Premium plan (which comes with Showtime titles and live CBS) costs $13.99/month.
