FIRST ON FOX: Declassified files released last year by Javier Milei's administration reveal how Nazi war criminals, who sought refuge in Argentina during and after World War II, managed to evade capture and largely live normal lives.Although Argentina's Peronist government was sympathetic to and often aware of Nazis hiding within its borders—frequently with its support—the South American nation made only half-hearted attempts to monitor these fugitives after the populist regime ended.While many prominent investigations led to dead ends, the pursuit of Hitler's deputy Martin Bormann serves as a prime example of Argentina's ineffective investigative efforts.Bormann was among the most influential figures in the Nazi hierarchy, despite maintaining a relatively public. He leveraged his roles as Hitler's private secretary and head of the Nazi Party Chancellery to control the documents Hitler received and to regulate access to the dictator.Wielding immense administrative power, he influenced policy, filtered Hitler's information and meetings, and counseled on key decisions. Bormann advocated for extreme policies and helped mastermind the Aryanization initiative. He vanished in May 1945 as Berlin fell. For years, speculation held that he escaped to Argentina via ratlines—networks run by Nazi sympathizers. Bormann received a death sentence in absentia at the Nuremberg Trials.The documents indicate Bormann was one of the rare Nazis Argentina actively sought to apprehend. However, most tips originated from sensationalist news reports that lacked verifiable facts or useful leads, offering little more than claims he was in Argentina.The records detail intelligence agencies laboring to verify these press stories and determine if alleged aliases corresponded to a real person in the country. Officials tracked tips from Argentine, American, British, and Brazilian newspapers, as well as translations from German-language publications in Argentina put out by an immigrant community suspected of Nazi sympathies.These articles generated substantial paperwork among the justice ministry, intelligence services, border control, the federal police, and local officials. Yet these efforts were frequently uncoordinated, and information was slow to reach the relevant departments for follow-up.Consequently, numerous disjointed searches were conducted sporadically, with bureaucratic entanglements forcing authorities to react to press speculation instead of leading methodical, independent probes. The files demonstrate that the hunt was driven by rumor, poor communication, cases of mistaken identity, Cold War tensions, and fervent media conjecture.Information examined by Fox Digital shows authorities treated rumors credibly, including a purported search for Bormann in the jungles of Peru, Colombia, and Brazil. The archives also include the 1972 case of an elderly German man detained in Colombia as Bormann—later exonerated and freed—despite doubts expressed by Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal.The diplomatic fallout after Israel's capture of Adolf Eichmann in Argentina made local authorities deeply wary of international criticism, reframing the quest for Bormann as an attempt to avoid global embarrassment a second time.A crucial—yet erroneous—lead surfaced in 1955. Police, using vague accounts of an undocumented German worker, coupled with rumors, intercepted letters, and elderly witnesses, started tracking a man named Walter Wilhelm Flegel.Flegel had entered via Chile, had lost an arm in an accident, and had a prior record with two arrests and court appearances for assault and robbery. Suspicions prompted his arrest in Mendoza in 1960, even though he bore no resemblance, was uneducated, had lived in Argentina for years, was the wrong age, and lacked any factual link to Martin Bormann. Despite these discrepancies—and non-matching fingerprints—it still took Argentine officials a week to accept Flegel was not Bormann and release him.In the end, despite persistent rumors and Argentina's unique determination to capture one of the many Nazis believed to be on its soil, human remains discovered in Berlin in 1972 were matched to Bormann, confirming his death during the city's collapse through dental and skull records. Subsequent DNA tests in the 1990s verified the Berlin remains were Bormann's, finally concluding Argentina's misguided search.
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Woman wakes up to find an 8-foot python coiled on her chest while sleeping: ‘Don’t move’
"Oh honey. Stay still. There’s a roughly 2.5-meter on you."A woman from Australia woke up halfway through the night to find a huge carpet python wrapped around her chest— the reptile had slithered into her second-floor bedroom in Brisbane, Queensland.Rachel Bloor stated that at first, she thought the heavy pressure on her stomach and chest was her dog lying atop her. However, when she reached under the covers, she felt a smooth object move under her hand and realized it wasn’t her pet."I was horrified to realize it wasn’t my dog," Bloor .Per the report, the 2.5-meter (about 8-foot) snake had gotten into her bedroom on Monday night.Bloor mentioned she quickly woke her husband and told him to switch on the lights."He said, ‘Oh honey. Stay still. There’s a roughly 2.5-meter python on you,’" she remembered.Bloor noted her top priority was getting the family’s dogs out of the room before the situation got worse."I figured if my Dalmatian noticed the snake was there, it would turn into chaos," she stated.Once her husband had taken the dogs out, Bloor cautiously maneuvered herself out from under the covers."I kind of slid out to the side," she explained.Instead of contacting a professional snake catcher, Bloor said she remained calm and guided the big reptile out of her bedroom through a window on her own."I picked him up," she said, noting the python "didn’t appear too scared.""He kind of just swayed in my hand," she remarked.Bloor thinks the snake got in through the plantation shutters on her window and climbed onto the bed while she was asleep."It was so large that even when it was curled up on me, part of its tail was still sticking out of the shutter," she said.The snake was confirmed to be a carpet python—a non-venomous constrictor often seen in .Even though the experience was scary, Bloor said she was glad it wasn’t a different animal."," she stated.Snake catcher Kurt Whyte told that snake activity has gone up now that breeding season is over and eggs are starting to hatch."Clearly, with this warm weather, we’re spotting a lot of snakes moving around and soaking up the sun," Whyte said.Whyte also noted that while snake numbers haven’t necessarily grown, sightings are becoming more frequent as move into Australian bushland."They need to find places to live, and our backyards are providing ideal habitats," he explained.He cautioned that typical home features can give snakes looking for shelter easy entry."Sadly, the gaps in our garage doors… are ideal entry points for snakes," Whyte stated.
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Iran’s Supreme Leader Acknowledges Thousands Killed as Trump Calls for New Leadership: Reports
According to reports, Iran’s supreme leader has for the first time publicly admitted that thousands lost their lives during recent anti-government protests, as President ramped up his rhetoric and called for new leadership in Iran.The BBC reported that Ayatollah made these remarks during a public speech on Saturday, expressing regret over the unrest and violence and stating that some protesters died "in a barbaric, brutal way."The protests, which started in late December over economic concerns, later developed into demands to put an end to .The U.S.-based Iranian Human Rights Activists News Agency estimates that over 3,000 people perished during weeks of unrest, although Iranian authorities have not released an official death toll.The BBC stated that nationwide internet blackouts have made independent verification difficult, with connectivity plummeting to approximately 2% of normal levels, citing data from cyber monitoring organization NetBlocks.Videos verified by BBC Persian and BBC Verify show Iranian security forces opening fire on protesters during the unrest.On Saturday, Trump told that "it's time to seek new leadership in Iran" after being shown a series of hostile posts on Khamenei's X account blaming the president for the violence.According to Politico, Trump stated, "As a country's leader, what he is guilty of is completely ruining the country and using violence on an unprecedented scale. Leadership is about respect, not fear and death."Trump made personal remarks to Politico, saying, "That man is a sick individual who should govern his country properly and stop killing people."Trump added, "Due to poor leadership, his country is the worst place to reside globally."According to Politico, Trump had previously encouraged Iranians to keep protesting and "seize institutions," stating that "help is on the way." The president later stated he had been informed that .When asked about the extent of , Trump told Politico, "The best decision he ever made was not executing more than 800 people two days ago."In a series of posts on X, Khamenei accused Trump of being responsible for the violence, stating, "We hold the US President accountable for the casualties, damages, and slander he inflicted upon the Iranian people."In another post, Khamenei asserted that "America's aim is to engulf Iran."In recent days, Trump has stated he was considering "" including potential military engagement.The State Department did not promptly respond to Digital's request for comment.
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Protests erupt in Greenland amid Trump’s push to take over: ‘We are not interested in being Americans’
Protests broke out on Saturday as demonstrators pushed back against pressure from the President to take over the Arctic island, with protesters chanting that Greenland is "not for sale" and asserting they wish to determine their own future, Reuters reported."We are not interested in being Americans," one protester said in video footage from demonstrations in the Greenlandic capital, Nuuk.The protests followed Trump’s renewed effort to acquire Greenland, including a post on Truth Social made Saturday in which he threatened several European countries unless a deal is reached for the U.S. to purchase the island.In the post, Trump wrote that Denmark and other European nations would face a 10% tariff starting February 1, increasing to 25% on June 1, and stated the tariffs would remain in place "until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland."Some demonstrators wore red baseball caps modeled after the "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) hats worn by Trump supporters, but with the slogan "Make America Go Away."In Nuuk, thousands of protesters led by Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen marched toward the U.S. consulate carrying flags and banners while chanting "Kalaallit Nunaat," the island’s name in Greenlandic, according to Reuters. Nielsen addressed the crowd outside the consulate, drawing loud cheers."I’ve come here today because I think it’s important to show that Greenland is not for sale. It is not a toy. This is our home," Naja Holm, a civil servant, told Reuters.Trump has said Greenland is vital to U.S. national security because of its strategic location and mineral resources, and has warned that China and Russia are seeking influence on the island. He has argued that U.S. control would strengthen Western security in the region.The dispute has drawn sharp reaction from European leaders. Sweden’s prime minister said Europe would not be "blackmailed," while French President warned that tariff threats were unacceptable and said Europe would respond in a united and coordinated manner in an X post."No intimidation nor threat will influence us, neither in Ukraine, nor in Greenland, nor anywhere else in the world when we are confronted with such situations," wrote Macron in an X post. "Tariff threats are unacceptable and have no place in this context. Europeans will respond to them in a united and coordinated manner if they were to be confirmed."Prime Minister David van Weel of the Netherlands also took to social media in response."We have taken note of President Trump’s announcement on tariffs," van Weel wrote. "Military efforts related to exercises in Greenland are intended to contribute to security in the Arctic region. The Netherlands is in close contact with the U.S. and partners on our response."Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark with a population of about 57,000.All political parties represented in Greenland’s parliament support eventual independence, but they differ on timing and have said they would prefer to remain part of Denmark rather than become part of the U.S., Reuters reported.
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US Strike Eliminates Al Qaeda Operative Linked to ISIS Ambush That Killed 3 Americans in Syria
On Saturday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that a leader affiliated with , who had direct ties to an ISIS terrorist responsible for the December 13 deaths of two U.S. service members and an American interpreter, was killed in a U.S. strike in northwest Syria on Friday.CENTCOM officials described Bilal Hasan al-Jasim as an experienced terrorist leader who plotted attacks and was "directly connected" to the ISIS gunman that killed and in Palmyra, Syria, last month."The death of a terrorist operative tied to the deaths of three Americans demonstrates our resolve in pursuing ," CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said. "There is no safe haven for those who carry out, plan, or inspire attacks on American citizens and our warfighters—we will find you."CENTCOM launched in response to the December 13 attack.Operation Hawkeye Strike saw U.S. and partner forces hit over 100 ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites with more than 200 precision munitions.According to CENTCOM, more than 300 were captured and over 20 killed across Syria in the past year.On January 10, U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, and their team in Damascus to discuss recent Aleppo developments and the broader path forward for .In a statement on X, Barrack said President had agreed to lift sanctions to "give Syria a chance" to move forward."The United States Government welcomes Syria’s historic transition and stands with the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa as it works to stabilize the country, rebuild national institutions, and fulfill all Syrians’ aspirations for peace, security, and prosperity," Barrack wrote in the post. He added that while the Syrian government has reaffirmed its commitment to the March 2025 integration agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), developments in Aleppo that "appear to challenge the terms of this agreement" are deeply concerning."We urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint, immediately cease hostilities, and return to dialogue in line with the March 10 and April 1, 2025 agreements between the Syrian government and the SDF," Barrack wrote. "Violence threatens to undo progress made since the fall of the Assad regime and invites external interference that serves no one’s interests. … Our goal remains a sovereign, unified Syria—at peace with itself and its neighbors—where equality, justice, and opportunity are extended to all its people."
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’28 Years Later: Filming The Bone Temple’s Most Brutal Scene Was “Tough”
Sony PicturesBy and large, is a far more light-hearted film compared to its predecessor, . It primarily serves as a casual, character-driven story centered on the kind Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) and the Alpha Infected he’s named “Samson” (Chi Lewis-Parry). However, one particular scene pushes The Bone Temple into a level of brutality unmatched by any other film in the 28 Days franchise. This sequence challenges the R-rating of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple and briefly veers the movie into splatter territory. Notably, this is the only scene without any Infected characters.Director Nia DaCosta was acutely aware that this sequence had the potential to either elevate or damage the film — and more likely unsettle its viewers. She approached the level of gruesomeness with caution, though she admits it was “difficult.” Warning! Spoilers ahead for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.“Shirts Off”Nia DaCosta and Jack O'Connell on the set of The Bone Temple. | Sony PicturesIn the latter part of The Bone Temple, Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell) and his “Fingers” invade a farm and take the family residing there hostage. After taunting them emotionally, they herd the hostages into a barn and bind them. It is here that Sir Lord Jimmy issues the chilling command: “Take their shirts off.”Over the next several hours, the Fingers proceed to skin the hostages, using either their bare hands, knives, or blunt tools. This harrowing, gory sequence displays some of the violence on camera but occasionally cuts away from the bloodshed to show Spike (Alfie Williams) running outside to vomit, with only the victims’ screams indicating the horrors unfolding inside. However, it reveals just enough gore to induce nausea — a balance DaCosta notes she was meticulous about maintaining.“That sequence required careful consideration because the focus is on the brutality and the appalling choices being made,” DaCosta tells Inverse. “Since there’s so much beauty in Kelson and Samson’s narrative, we needed to counterbalance it with equal brutality. I believe the core idea is highlighting how difficult it is to cling to hope when the world is so cruel.”But even in the script (written by Alex Garland), DaCosta says the scene was hard to process. “People reacted with, ‘Wow.’ Because it involves people being skinned. It’s distinct from shooting, stabbing, or even beheading someone. Skinning is a form of torture.”Yet, this is why finding the right balance was crucial for DaCosta — a lesson she drew from making her 2021 horror film Candyman. “With skinning, you can pull back entirely, but the mere concept of what’s occurring and glimpsing it in the background can be profoundly impactful,” she states. “We had to continuously adjust, edit, and determine, ‘We want this moment to hit hard, but we must avoid glorifying the violence.’” This is why she portrayed the skinning taking a toll even on the Fingers, who are administering the punishment. “The shot is so repulsive, but after the skin hits the floor, you see Jimmy Jones [played by Maura Bird] in another area, tapping their head, and another member visibly affected,” DaCosta says. “It makes you realize, ‘This isn’t natural to them; they’ve sacrificed their humanity to feel secure within this cult they belong to.’”“That’s the balance I strived to achieve, but it’s challenging. Extremely challenging,” she adds.The Jimmy Savile Of It AllJimmy and his Fingers. | Sony PicturesAlongside the imagery of skin flopping to the ground and exposed innards, there are depictions of children wearing tracksuits and shabby blonde wigs — outfits that mirror the iconic style of , a once-beloved children’s TV personality later revealed to be an abuser after his 2011 death. However, in the 28 Years Later universe, time halted in 2002, and this irony is lost on Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal and his followers (all of whom share the name Jimmy in his cult).Savile’s scandal was widely publicized in the U.K. but less so in the U.S. DaCosta acknowledges that, as an American, it might have seemed odd for her to direct a film so deeply rooted in the “Jimmys” narrative. However, having spent parts of her childhood in the U.K., she describes her perspective as “unique” and valuable. “I was living in the U.K. when the full extent of that individual’s crimes came to light,” DaCosta explains. “This gave me insight, but it’s part of a broader theme we’re exploring: the corruption of childhood.”“It’s an interesting dynamic — being American yet telling a very British story,” she concludes. “But my knowledge, experiences, and family connections made me feel more connected to it.”28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is playing in theaters now.
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Steam Recently Quietly Added the Most Hardcore 2D Game That Shows a Touch of Restraint Goes a Long Way
OdysseyerThis is the stuff of legend. A nearly flawless series of games so influential that an entire genre, , emerged to meet the overwhelming demand of gamers who can’t get enough grinding, parrying, and . Some entries are better than others, but the genre’s strongest work comes when creators realize it’s not about copying what the GOATs do— it’s about emulating how they do it. Velaster—from Odysseyer, a four-person indie studio—aims to show it brings a fresh take to Soulslikes. Literally. A glance at the game, which launched on January 14, makes it clear it wears its love for Dark Souls on its armored sleeve. Gloomy gothic architecture and gritty combat evoke the early days of director Hidetaka Miyazaki’s franchise, with a unique twist: Velaster is a 2D side-scrolling Metroidvania, not a 3D RPG. Could it be the best of both genres?At its core, Velaster uses Dark Souls as a starting point to make something new feel familiar: stamina-based combat dictates every move, enemy encounters are carefully arranged to penalize recklessness, and checkpoints are scarce enough to keep tension high. Enemy animations are sharp, attack cues are visually distinct, and spacing is crucial. What makes this particularly engaging in 2D is how readable and precise everything feels.Combat focuses less on camera control and more on pure timing and positioning. Every dodge, parry, and counterattack has weight, and the 2D flatness pushes players to fully engage with enemy patterns instead of relying on evasive camera tricks or vertical exploits. Souls fans will also spot the parry-focused strategies and the familiar grind-camp-upgrade-repeat loop.Players can choose from three character classes: Knight, Dual Sword, and Hammer. I’d suggest starting with the Knight. starting out. A defense-focused style features a huge (and forgiving) shield and a playstyle that prioritizes positioning. Dual Sword is the opposite: lighter, faster, with slashing attacks built to take down enemies quickly. Hammer is exactly as it sounds: a massive warrior wielding a powerful hammer that crushes everything in its way.A tragic but familiar story of life, death, and grinding. | OdysseyerThe game’s progression systems back up this design philosophy. Traditional stat investments (like strength, stamina, etc.) are only part of the picture. Velaster puts heavy focus on build expression via weapons, abilities, and skill tree upgrades that meaningfully change how you approach combat.In 2D, these changes are instantly noticeable. A longer-reaching weapon completely changes how you control space, while faster weapons reward aggression and precision. Abilities often interact with verticality, knockback, or area control—adding strategic depth that feels tailored to the side-scrolling format, not just borrowed from 3D norms.Level design is another area where Velaster’s 2D format shines. Maps are intricately layered, mixing classic Metroidvania elements with Soulslike challenge. Vertical shafts, hidden ledges, and looping shortcuts build a world that unfolds gradually as you master it. Unlocking a shortcut in Velaster gives the same thrill as kicking down a ladder in Dark Souls—but with a sharper sense of spatial awareness thanks to the fixed perspective. You’re always learning how spaces connect, where danger hides just off-screen, and which paths fit your current build and confidence best.Velaster is full of secrets ... and peril. | OdysseyerThe hand-drawn 2D art sets the mood with crumbling structures, oppressive silhouettes, and environments drenched in decay. The limited color palette amplifies the game’s somber tone, while thoughtful use of lighting and visual effects adds depth. Instead of feeling limiting, the 2D presentation boosts the atmosphere—making the world feel claustrophobic, hostile, and deeply lonely. It’s a reminder that immersion doesn’t need sprawling 3D landscapes, and that a touch of restraint can go a long way.The story is passable, though a bit generic. You play as the eponymous Velaster—a warrior chosen to go on a do-or-die mission in Malum, a sort of Middle-earth where humans, gods, and angels once lived in harmony. That’s no longer the case. The NPCs you encounter all played a part in the downfall that occurred, but their motives aren’t clear. Your goal is set from the beginning: root out evil and restore Malum’s golden age.Hordes of demonic minions, and a lineup of tough bosses, block your path. Developer Odysseyer highlights its boss design on the Kickstarter page: “Boss battles are one of our top priorities. The range of patterns and unexpected attacks that hit when you think you’ve figured it out will surprise you.” So far, there are 10 boss designs—from a massive skeletal rat to a towering barbarian wielding an axe wrapped in the entrails of his fallen enemies.Every boss delivers a challenge as unique as their design. | OdysseyerWhat makes Velaster a successful Soulslike in the end is its grasp that difficulty alone isn’t the aim. The challenge is intentional—rooted in teaching players to read situations, respect enemies, and grow through repetition. The 2D format hones this philosophy, cutting out excess and putting skill front and center. Failure feels educational, not random, and success feels truly earned.In a genre packed with 3D Soulslikes that often struggle to justify being made, Velaster stands out by embracing a different perspective—both literally and creatively. It proves the Souls formula isn’t tied to a camera angle, but to a mindset. Challenging, atmospheric, and carefully crafted, Velaster is a must-play for anyone who loves Dark Souls but has no time for generic imitations.Velaster is now available in Steam Early Access, with Xbox and PlayStation versions planned for when the game launches in full.
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U.S. troops withdraw from major Iraqi airbase amid ongoing regional consolidation effort, progress against ISIS
U.S. forces have withdrawn from Iraq’s Ain al-Asad Airbase, has learned. The pullout from the base—part of an ongoing regional troop consolidation effort announced last fall—was completed by Friday, sources from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) told . “We can consolidate because of the significant progress made there—ISIS no longer poses a threat beyond Iraq’s ability to handle on its own,” a U.S. official told . The official added that this reflects “our success in rooting out the ISIS threat in Iraq and Iraqi forces’ willingness and progress in standing on their own.”The official also stated that U.S. forces are consolidating outside Iraq’s federal territory, meaning they’re concentrating troops elsewhere to focus on engaging remaining ISIS elements in Syria. This move comes as CENTCOM calls for cooperation and teamwork among in coordination with U.S. forces to combat ISIS. “We welcome ongoing efforts by all parties in Syria to prevent escalation and pursue resolution through dialogue. We also urge Syrian government forces to cease any offensive actions in the areas between Aleppo and al-Tabqa. Aggressively targeting ISIS and maintaining relentless military pressure requires teamwork among Syrian partners and coordination with U.S. and coalition forces. A Syria at peace with itself and its neighbors is essential to peace and stability across the region,” Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, said in a statement .The statement appeared to be a call for increased coordination in countering ISIS rather than a warning to Damascus. On Jan. 10, CENTCOM announced that the U.S., alongside partner forces, conducted large-scale strikes against ISIS targets in Syria. According to CENTCOM, the strikes were part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, announced on Dec. 19, 2025, at the direction of President . The operation was launched “in direct response to the deadly ISIS attack on U.S. and Syrian forces in Palmyra, Syria,” CENTCOM said in a statement.The Jan. 10 strikes coincided with U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack’s announcement that he met in Damascus with Syria’s new leadership to discuss the country’s future. “Today, on behalf of President Donald J. Trump and Secretary of State , I met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, and members of their team in Damascus,” Barrack . Barrack said the talks focused on “recent developments in Aleppo and the broader path forward for Syria’s historic transition,” adding that the United States “welcomes Syria’s historic transition and extends its support to the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa.”War Secretary announced the launch of Operation Hawkeye Strike in December, saying it was in response to an attack on U.S. forces in Syria that occurred on Dec. 13. Hegseth said the actions were “not the beginning of a war” but rather “a .”“Earlier today, U.S. forces commenced OPERATION HAWKEYE STRIKE in Syria to eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites in direct response to the attack on U.S. forces that occurred on December 13th in Palmyra, Syria,” Hegseth . On Dec. 19, U.S. military forces employed more than 100 precision munitions to strike over 70 suspected ISIS targets at multiple locations across the ancient central Syrian city of Palmyra. Trump had previously vowed revenge on the terror group after two soldiers—Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, Iowa, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, Iowa—and interpreter Ayad Mansoor Sakat of Michigan were killed while conducting a key leader engagement, part of their mission supporting ongoing counter-ISIS/counter-terrorism operations in the region. Partner forces killed the gunman. “Because of ISIS’s vicious killing of brave American Patriots in Syria, whose beautiful souls I welcomed home to American soil earlier this week in a very dignified ceremony, I am hereby announcing that the United States is inflicting very serious retaliation, just as I promised, on the murderous terrorists responsible,” he wrote on on Dec. 19. Digital’s Jasmine Baehr and Louis Casiano, and ' Lucas Tomlinson contributed to this report.
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Thirty Years Ago, a Controversial Director’s Tacky Horror Movie Experienced a Strange Identity Crisis
Los Hooligans/A Band Apart/Kobal/ShutterstockWatching today works best when you're slightly drowsy, a bit hungover, a little stoned, or any combination of the three. When it premiered on January 18, 1996, it was a provocative, semi-ironic film, and three decades later, it resembles a bizarre fever dream. You could argue that From Dusk till Dawn is the most restrained B-movie ever made, delaying its supernatural, gory reveal for nearly an hour. If you went into From Dusk till Dawn completely blind, with zero context, you'd likely mistake it for a twisted buddy flick about two criminal siblings, Seth (George Clooney) and Richie (Quentin Tarantino), doing terrible things and taking hostages after a bank heist for motives that hardly add up.The reality of From Dusk till Dawn is that—spoiler warning—it ultimately unveils itself as a film where an odd assortment of people fight vampires in a grimy strip club. Ironically, this particular plot twist is less compelling than the movie From Dusk till Dawn appears to be at the start. Mild spoilers follow.From Dusk till Dawn opens with the Gecko brothers having committed a bank robbery in South Texas. At an isolated liquor store, a police officer talks with an employee, concerned about the imminent arrival of these fugitives. All hell breaks loose when Seth and Richie are revealed to be hiding in the freezer, holding two young women hostage who are desperate to escape. Those two women presumably do manage to flee, because after a shootout between the brothers and the employee, the whole place is torched and blows up. You may remember this particular moment from the 2009 MTV Movie Awards song by as this is the most not-looking at an explosion that is happening behind characters in a movie, ever.Directed by Robert Rodriguez and scripted by Tarantino (who delivers a solid acting performance), From Dusk till Dawn doesn't rank among Rodriguez's finest works. For devotees of the Desperado shared universe, there's much to appreciate here, along with numerous Easter eggs if you're inclined to watch Once Upon a Time in Mexico immediately after. The screenplay is pure vintage Tarantino, crammed with so many offensive lines that you can't help but chuckle at the film's fake edginess. Is this a movie satirizing this genre, or is it simply well-crafted trash? For those who enjoy debating such matters regarding Tarantino or Rodriguez films, From Dusk till Dawn sits at the heart of the schlock-as-art debate. If the offensive dialogue and relentless gore leave you with a headache or nausea, the sole redeeming quality of From Dusk till Dawn might be its sporadic dark humor.Quentin Tarantino and George Clooney in Form Dusk till Dawn. | Los Hooligans/A Band Apart/Kobal/ShutterstockAfter holding a family hostage in order to use their motorhome to get across the border, the Gekco brothers end up in a bordello, which is really a front for a ton of vampires. Enter Selma Hayek as Santanico, the sort-of queen of the secret vampires, who tries to lead her fellow erotic dancers to a feast of blood. From this point, a movie that felt like an odd crime thriller focused on the meaning of faith, family, and mortality, turns into a survival movie about murderous strippers versus a strange collection of humanity in which very few “good” people exist. Juliette Lewis as the innocent and abducted Kate is particularly good in this section of the movie, as is Clooney, whose fast-talking, cynical Seth betrays his hidden nature as maybe, just maybe, the murderer who could have been a hero in another life. (If you’ve just watched Jay Kelly, watching From Dusk till Dawn right afterwards will be a jarring experience.)Ultimately, however, all the strongest writing and performances occur prior to reaching the bar, before the disclosure that it's a vampire trap. This renders From Dusk till Dawn both brilliantly clever and deeply frustrating. Audiences flocked to this film expecting a gore fest, yet the superior portion—which comprises most of the running time—bears no connection to that element whatsoever.Quentin Tarantino and George Clooney, a great buddy duo? Or insufferable? You decide! | Sunset Boulevard/Corbis Historical/Getty ImagesIn fact, even with the various offensive tropes and language in the film's first half, the more character-driven writing and exploration of innocence and complicity are what render the movie watchable today. Or perhaps half-watchable is the more precise term. But which half you deem superior depends entirely on your taste in films; you'll either find things start getting interesting upon arrival at the bar, or that'll be the point when you're ready to switch it off.From Dusk till Dawn is available for streaming on Pluto TV and Paramount+.
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Lindsey Graham voices opposition to the impending execution of a 26-year-old Iranian protester: ‘This regime must fall’
Sen. [Name], R - S.C., is demanding the end of the Iranian regime during the ongoing protests, and as the country anxiously awaits to see if a 26 - year - old protester will be executed, which President [Name] has said might lead to U.S. intervention."I read with deep sadness and sorrow about the impending execution of Erfan Soltani, a 26 - year - old shopkeeper. He is facing death by the hands of the ayatollah just for protesting on the streets for a better life. His family is appealing to the world to help their son," Graham posted on X along with an article about Soltani."I hope and pray that the execution doesn't proceed and this young man doesn't lose his life because he wants to live freely without fear," the senator continued. "This regime must be overthrown, and the Iranian people must have a better life."Graham stated that he believes if the regime collapses and the "murderous ayatollah running Iran" is removed, the impact on the region "would be extremely positive." However, he also warned that if Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah [Name] remains in power, it would be "a huge step back into the darkness."Soltani's story has been spreading in recent days as [Event] continues. The 26 - year - old was arrested in Fardis and sentenced to death after a fast - tracked trial, according to [Source], which cited Soltani's second cousin, Somayeh."As an activist myself who has fought against this regime for many years, I felt it was both my right and my duty to be Erfan's voice outside the country, despite all the pressure and sanctions imposed on families," Somayeh, who lives in Germany, told ABC News.Iranians started protesting in late December due to deteriorating economic conditions. Earlier this month, the regime implemented a nationwide internet shutdown, preventing demonstrators from communicating with each other or the outside world, as there were international concerns that protesters would face violence and death.On Jan. 2, just days after the protests began, Trump said the U.S. was "ready to act" and would take measures if the regime used violence against demonstrators. One day after the threat was issued, the U.S. captured Venezuelan dictator [Name], giving more weight to Trump's words, though no known action has been taken so far.Trump claimed on Wednesday [Date] that he was "reliably informed" that the killings in Iran had stopped."We've been told that the killings in Iran are ceasing, and they've stopped and are still stopping, and there are no plans for executions," Trump said in the Oval Office. "So, I've been told that from a reliable source. We'll find out for sure."On Friday, he seemed to reaffirm the idea that the regime had stopped using violence when he posted on Truth Social saying that Iran had [Something]."I greatly respect the fact that all the scheduled hangings, which were supposed to happen yesterday (over 800 of them), have been canceled by the Iranian leadership," Trump wrote on [Platform].The fate of Soltani remains uncertain, as does the possibility of U.S. intervention in Iran.
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Trump threatens Denmark and European allies with rising tariffs to compel sale of Greenland
President Trump has declared that the United States will implement 10% tariffs on several European nations if Denmark does not consent to the "complete and total purchase of Greenland," cautioning that both global security and U.S. national defense are in jeopardy.The announcement was made in a detailed Truth Social post on Saturday, where Trump contended that the U.S. has effectively subsidized Denmark and other EU countries for many years by not imposing tariffs and by offering what he called "maximum protection.""We have subsidized Denmark, and all of the Countries of the European Union, and others, for many years by not charging them Tariffs, or any other forms of remuneration," Trump stated."Now, after Centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back — World Peace is at stake!"Trump wrote that both China and Russia are interested in Greenland and claimed there is "not a thing that Denmark can do about it.""They currently have two dogsleds as protection, one added recently. Only the United States of America, under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play in this game, and very successfully, at that!" Trump wrote. "Nobody will touch this sacred piece of Land, especially since the National Security of the United States, and the World at large, is at stake."Trump asserted that Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland have traveled to Greenland for "purposes unknown," creating a highly dangerous scenario for the planet's safety and survival."All of the above-mentioned Countries… will be charged a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America," Trump wrote. He said the tariff rate will rise to 25% on June 1, 2026. "This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland."In recent weeks, Trump has focused on Greenland, the world's largest island located at a strategic Arctic crossroads, and first suggested the potential for tariffs on Friday. As a semi-autonomous Danish territory, Greenland hosts a key U.S. military base and its strategic significance is increasing as melting ice reveals new shipping routes and access to abundant natural resources.In his Saturday post, Trump said the U.S. has attempted to buy Greenland for over 150 years, but Denmark has consistently declined. He linked the acquisition effort to modern weapon systems and the "Golden Dome," noting that hundreds of billions are being spent on associated security programs that can only achieve peak performance with Greenland under U.S. control. "The United States of America is immediately open to negotiation with Denmark and/or any of these countries that have put so much at risk, despite all that we have done for them, including maximum protection, over so many decades," Trump wrote. "Thank you for your attention to this matter!"These comments from Trump emerge as his administration is waiting for a Supreme Court decision regarding the legality of certain tariffs he enacted in 2025.' Amanda Macias contributed to this report.
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Former Iranian prisoners detail torture horrors as regime’s crackdown results in protesters killed on sight.
As Iranian security forces escalate their crackdown, former political prisoners caution that the violence witnessed on the streets is merely a glimpse of the brutality occurring within the nation's prisons.Speaking to Digital, three ex-detainees detailed a system intended not only to punish opposition but to crush it through methods like solitary confinement, physical assaults, inadequate medical care, and death threats. Their testimonies cover almost two decades, from the 2009 protests to the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement and the ongoing unrest, highlighting what they perceive as a persistent and worsening trend of mistreatment.Maryam Shariatmadari, a prominent figure in the "Girls of Revolution Street" demonstrations against Iran's compulsory hijab laws, received a one-year prison sentence in March 2018 for what officials termed "encouraging corruption by removing her hijab."This week, Shariatmadari stated that the magnitude of the current protests has overwhelmed the regime's capacity to hold demonstrators."Eyewitness accounts suggest that the Islamic Republic's repressive forces are administering 'final shots' to injured protesters, killing them instantly," she reported. "This practice is unprecedented in the last 47 years and indicates that the sheer volume of detainees has exceeded the Islamic Republic's holding capacity, leading them to kill individuals without any trial."She noted that while those arrested in previous uprisings were sent to prisons or unofficial "safe houses," during the 2022 "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests, authorities expanded detention sites to include schools, ambulances, and food transport vehicles."The use of ambulances and food transport vehicles to detain protesters is, in my opinion, unprecedented in human history," Shariatmadari commented.Within detention facilities, she detailed systematic abuse."This involved beatings, transfers to prisons without segregating inmates by offense, and intentionally encouraging other prisoners to harass and abuse us," she explained.A particularly traumatic experience for her happened during an interrogation."I was instructed to undress and remain completely naked for a body search, with cameras present," Shariatmadari recounted. "I was aware that men were observing me, and I could hear their voices."She also remembered being refused urgent medical attention following an injury."It was only after about 24 hours that I was transported to a hospital for surgery," she stated. "I believe this occurred due to media pressure and public backing."Maryam Shariatmadari's husband, Mehdi Ghadimi, a freelance journalist who contributed to reformist newspapers Etemad and Shargh, was apprehended in January 2023 amidst protests and taken to an unknown location. He spent almost his entire period of detention in solitary confinement."I underwent interrogation twice daily, in the morning and afternoon, for eight hours, while blindfolded," Ghadimi reported.Towards the end of his detention, he was moved to a communal cell, where he met prisoners from various segments of Iranian society."I encountered students, laborers, technical experts, and others who had been arrested during the Woman, Life, Freedom movement," he recounted.Ghadimi noted that detainees accused of supporting the Pahlavi dynasty received harsher beatings."Their slogans and symbols were in favor of the Pahlavi dynasty, which resulted in them being beaten far more severely than the other prisoners," he explained.Drawing from his experience, he cautioned that those currently detained are likely to endure even more brutal treatment."I can only assume that all detainees this time will face similarly brutal treatment," Ghadimi stated, noting that Iran's judiciary chief has publicly indicated a hardline stance.Ghadimi, who escaped Iran in 2024, also referred to figures circulating among activists suggesting the number of detainees is significantly higher than the 2,600 reported, potentially dwarfing that figure. He estimated the number of detainees is likely much greater than the 10,000 reported.Shabnam Madadzadeh, incarcerated during the 2009 uprising, stated that observing the current protests has rekindled memories of extreme brutality and heightened concerns about mass executions."What immediately comes to my mind is the regime's proficiency in torture and killing," Madadzadeh remarked.She mentioned that detention facilities were already at maximum capacity during the 2009 protests."There was no remaining space for detainees. Even the solitary confinement cells were packed with individuals," she stated.Madadzadeh remembered interrogators accusing almost every arrested person of connections to the Mujahedin-e Khalq and detailed torture and beatings "to the point of death."A threat she received during interrogation continues to haunt her."He told me: ‘If we are to be overthrown, we will kill all of you. We will leave no one alive,’" she quoted.She cautioned that the current circumstances have intensified the danger for detainees."We genuinely do not know the extent of brutality currently occurring within the prisons," Madadzadeh remarked, noting that intelligence she has received indicates the regime aims to expedite executions.Referencing Iran's history, she warned of the potential for mass killings akin to the 1988 executions of political prisoners."Today, with the regime seemingly on the verge of collapse, there is a genuine risk that such a massacre could recur," she stated.Madadzadeh indicated that young detainees are probably enduring forced confessions, simulated executions, and threats of sexual violence."Whatever I do to you, no one will hear your voice," an interrogator once told her, she remembered.She also highlighted the anguish of families desperately searching for their loved ones."Families are shuttling between detention centers, prisons, morgues, and cemeteries," she described. "This very uncertainty constitutes the most profound form of torture."As the protests persist, all three former prisoners urged the international community not to ignore the situation."The primary thing I expect the free world to grasp is the authentic voice of the Iranian people," Shariatmadari asserted. "The people of Iran are unified in their call for regime change and aspire to restore Iran to its former dignity, where human rights and human worth were honored."Ghadimi reiterated that warning."Undoubtedly, when the regime exhibits such overt violence in public, even greater atrocities unfold within prison walls," he stated. "I can only assume that all detainees this time will face similarly brutal treatment."For Madadzadeh, the peril is immediate."The world must react decisively to this brutality," she urged. "Every minute of hesitation costs lives."She appealed for tangible international action."Compel the regime to permit independent inspections of prisons and the clandestine detention centers operated by the IRGC and the Ministry of Intelligence," Madadzadeh demanded. "Lives are at stake."Collectively, their testimonies portray a grim reality of Iran's prisons as the concealed front line of repression, serving as a warning that the unseen horrors might be even more lethal than those already evident in public.
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Khamenei labels Trump a ‘criminal’ and blames him for deadly protests in Iran
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei lashed out at the President on Saturday, branding him a "criminal" and accusing the U.S. of orchestrating unrest that has turned into the deadliest protests in decades."The latest anti-Iran sedition was distinct in that the U.S. President personally got involved," Iranian media quoted Khamenei as saying, per Reuters.This statement is the latest from the Iranian government blaming the U.S. for contributing to instability in Iran, with Tehran singling out Trump as a key figure in what it terms foreign-driven unrest. The regime has also been pointing the finger at Israel.Since late December, initially due to economic problems but quickly expanding into widespread anti-regime demonstrations. Demonstrators have faced severe crackdowns by security forces.Human rights groups claim thousands of protesters have been killed in the unrest. Reports from various groups say Khamenei was responsible for a crackdown that killed thousands of protesters. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists in Iran put the death toll at 3,090 on Friday.The number, which surpasses that of any other round of protest or unrest in Iran in decades and evokes the chaos around the 1979 revolution, continues to rise.Meanwhile, Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi told Bret Baier on "Special Report" on Monday that at least 12,000 people were dead.Trump has expressed support for and talked about regime change, while some Republican lawmakers have openly urged Trump to consider military action.The president said on Tuesday that he cut off meetings with the Iranian regime, stating there would be no contact until the government stops He also urged the Iranian people to "take over" the country.When asked if Arab and Israeli officials "convinced" him not to strike Iran, Trump told reporters Friday that he convinced himself and cited the canceled hangings.Trump also expressed similar views on social media Friday."I greatly respect that all, which were to occur yesterday (Over 800 of them), have been canceled by the leadership of Iran. Thank you!" Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Friday.It's unclear who Trump spoke to in Iran to confirm the status of any planned executions. The statement echoes what press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Thursday about the canceled executions. She maintained that all options remained on the table regarding dealing with Iran."What I'll say about Iran is that the president and his team have communicated to the Iranian regime that if the killing continues, there will be serious consequences," Leavitt told reporters Thursday. "And the president received a message as he disclosed to all of you and the whole world yesterday that the. And the president understands today that 800 executions that were scheduled and supposed to happen yesterday were halted."It's not clear from Trump's post if he was referring to the 800 executions that were already canceled or if there have been two consecutive days when 800 executions have been called off.Meanwhile, a sermon by Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami carried by Iranian state radio incited chants from those gathered for prayers, including: "Armed hypocrites should be put to death!"Khatami, a member of Iran's Assembly of Experts and Guardian Council long known for his hardline views, described the protesters as the "butlers" of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and "Trump's soldiers," according to.He said Netanyahu and Trump should await "severe revenge from the system.""Americans and Zionists should not expect peace," the cleric said. Digital's Benjamin Weinthal and Diana Stancy, as well as Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report. It should be noted that the content contains some inaccuracies and contradictions in the original text which have been carried over in this rephrased version for the sake of following the instructions. For example, there are some parts where the text seems incomplete or unclear in its original form. Also, the situation in Iran is complex and should be understood in the context of multiple factors and perspectives.
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The FAA cautions against flying in Central, South America, and the eastern Pacific, citing potential’military activities’
The Federal Aviation Administration cautioned pilots of U.S. airlines against flying over areas near Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America, citing potential "military activities" and satellite navigation interference.The warning was issued on Friday via a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) distributed by the FAA, stating, "Potential risks exist for aircraft at all altitudes, including during overflight and the arrival and departure phases of flight.""The FAA issued flight advisory Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) for Central American, Panama, Bogata, Guayaquil, and Mazatlán Oceanic Flight Regions, and in airspace within the eastern Pacific Ocean," the agency also said.It's not clear what led to the advisories, which instruct aircraft operators to "exercise caution." Digital has contacted the FAA for comment.The notices follow months of operations against suspected drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific.In November, the FAA had warned all pilots to be cautious when flying in the airspace over Venezuela "due to the deteriorating security situation and increased military activity."In December, a plane from the nation of Curaçao halted its ascent to avoid colliding with a U.S. Air Force refueling tanker.Earlier this month, the Trump administration carried out a [unclear action] against [unclear person] and his wife, Cilia Flores.President [unclear] also recently told [unclear] that the U.S. will expand operations against drug cartels."We've stopped 97% of the drugs coming in by water, and we're going to start hitting land now," Trump told [unclear] host Sean Hannity in early January. "The cartels are running Mexico, it's very sad to see what's happened to that country."The latest FAA notices will be in effect for 60 days.Digital’s Nora Moriarty and It should be noted that there are some parts in the original content that seem incomplete or unclear (such as "months of against suspected drug-trafficking boats", "Earlier this month, the Trump administration carried out a and his wife, Cilia Flores.", etc.), and the rephrased version tries to make sense of it as best as possible while maintaining the original structure.
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Lucasfilm’s Major Shake-Up Signals Star Wars Is at a Crossroads
LucasfilmFew figures in Star Wars are more divisive than . The Lucasfilm president took over from George Lucas in 2012, and ever since, she’s served as the primary defender of the Star Wars universe, frequently bearing the brunt of fan anger over whatever issue was bothering them—from the choice to remove “Legends” from canon to the backlash against The Rise of Skywalker. But after 14 years, Kennedy is stepping down, and her position will be filled by two existing Lucasfilm leaders: Dave Filoni, the creator of Ahsoka Tano and current at the studio, and Lynwen Brennan, Lucasfilm’s Executive Vice President. Filoni will oversee the company’s creative vision, while Brennan manages the business aspects—similar to how James Gunn and Peter Safran work together at DC Studios. Along with this leadership news, there were updates on upcoming Star Wars projects—including a surprisingly underwhelming update about one of Filoni’s passion projects. Dave Filoni will lead the creative decisions of Lucasfilm after the exit of Kathleen Kennedy. | Christopher Jue/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty ImagesPer , Dave Filoni’s long-awaited first feature film as director—a project meant to tie together “Mandoverse” shows like The Mandalorian and Ahsoka—has been put on the back burner. Given that Filoni now has more creative authority than ever, this is an unexpected shift, but it’s obvious where the focus has gone instead: Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian and Grogu, set to hit theaters in May. The direction of Filoni’s film could potentially hinge on how audiences react to The Mandalorian and Grogu. While the characters are popular on Disney+, transitioning them to movie theaters remains a gamble. The future of the “Mandoverse” may lie with The Mandalorian and Grogu. | LucasfilmNot all the news was negative, though—reportedly, Simon Kinberg’s trilogy is still in the works, and the scripts for Donald Glover’s Lando film and Taika Waititi’s next project have been submitted. No updates were given on the Rey sequel, and Kennedy told that James Mangold’s rumored Dawn of the Jedi movie is “definitely pushing boundaries and... on pause.”Even though leadership has changed, Lucasfilm’s modus operandi appears unchanged—plenty of projects in development, with priorities shifting regularly. If The Mandalorian and Grogu performs well at the box office, hopefully, all the projects in the pipeline will eventually come to fruition. The Mandalorian and Grogu arrives in theaters on May 22, 2026.
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Georgian protesters keep a close eye on Iran as their own demonstrations drag on
As thousands of Iranians take to the streets daily demanding the downfall of , residents of Georgia—a small European nation on Russia’s southern border—have been demonstrating with varying degrees of intensity for more than a year, ever since the disputed 2024 parliamentary elections.Ordinary Georgians who continue to endure freezing weather and claims of official violence are watching their fellow activists in Iran fight for democracy—and recognizing their own battle against a corrupt, widely disliked government."When you walk through the demonstrations every day in Tbilisi, all people talk about is Iran. The heated debate over it shows how much it matters and how optimism is out on the streets due to developments despite controversies," Tinatin Khidasheli, Georgia’s former defense minister, told Digital."Developments in Iran resonate in a very human way: if people can challenge a far more despotic and violent regime, it reinforces the belief that resistance in Georgia is not futile," Khidasheli added.Large-scale protests erupted not long after the pro-Russia Georgian Dream party declared victory in the October 2024 elections and paused Georgia’s bid to join the .Georgians have long wanted to draw closer to the West and become part of the European Union; opinion polls indicate massive support for EU membership. Shortly after assuming office, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stopped Tbilisi’s EU accession process, which angered many.Tbilisi’s main Rustaveli Avenue has been packed with protesters who chant slogans and block traffic, furious that the ruling party is steering Georgia away from Europe and toward a Russia-aligned foreign policy.Erekle Koplatadze, a 33-year-old Tbilisi resident, has been joining protests nearly every day since November 2024. Detained for six days in November 2025 on accusations of blocking a road during a protest, Koplatadze told Digital that Georgians have felt solidarity with the ever since people there rose up in December to oppose economic mismanagement and regime corruption. "You will see many Lion and Sun flags (Iran's national flag until the 1979 Islamic Revolution) in front of Georgia’s Parliament. And there have been protests in front of the Iranian Embassy in Tbilisi," Koplatadze said.Koplatadze noted that the and the regime’s harsh violence against innocent people have shocked many Georgian protesters, leading to a shared sense of empathy."I don’t remember such a big protest in Tbilisi in support of a foreign nation except for Ukraine," he said.Ana Riaboshenko—co-founder of the "Initiative Culture For Democracy" and a regular protest participant—told Digital that events in Iran have a direct impact on Georgia and other regional countries. "Its transformation from a terrorist state to a democratic government will significantly change the situation and indeed contribute substantially to the global power balance and economy. A particularly positive outcome is expected with the collapse of the Russian-Iranian partnership."Riaboshenko highlighted that representatives of the Russian-backed Georgian Dream party have presented themselves as allies of Tehran, and bilateral ties and cooperation have grown since the fraudulent 2024 elections.Civic IDEA, a Georgian non-governmental organization, released a July 2025 report explaining how Iranian businessmen and firms use Georgia as a strategic transit hub to and send funds back to Iran. Per the Civic IDEA report, almost 13,000 Iranian companies are registered in Georgia.Marika Mikiashvili, Foreign Secretary of the Droa party (which is part of Georgia’s largest democratic alliance), told Digital that while Georgians are amazed and deeply inspired by the courage of Iranians, their fight serves as both a powerful inspiration and a warning."Many protesters see Iran as a cautionary tale of what happens when a consolidating dictatorship isn’t defeated soon enough," Mikiashvili warned.The Georgian Dream government has not issued any statements supporting the pro-democracy protests, nor has it condemned the security forces’ human rights abuses against innocent people.As the Georgian Dream government solidified its grip on power, it put in place to suppress dissent and used excessive force and other harsh methods to quash the protests.Human Rights Watch has documented several laws that undermine Georgians’ right to peaceful assembly, such as heavy fines for protest-related offenses and abusive police practices, leading to the arbitrary detention of thousands.According to Transparency International Georgia—an NGO focused on fighting corruption in the country—since Georgian Dream took office, 600 people have been arbitrarily detained, 300 protesters have been tortured or subjected to inhumane treatment, 1,000 citizens have been fined for their political views, and 400 journalists have been arrested, beaten, or harassed.
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39 Years On, Star Trek Bestows a New Superpower Upon an Old Alien Race
CBS Photo Archive/CBS/Getty ImagesAlthough Deanna Troi didn’t don any prosthetic space alien makeup in Star Trek: The Next Generation, any feature films, or elsewhere, the fact remains that, like Spock before her, the character of Deanna Troi wasn’t entirely human. The dark contact lenses on Troi’s eyes, and her mother Lwaxana Troi, were clues, but the empathic and sometimes telepathic powers of the Betazoid alien species have been a Star Trek staple for nearly 40 years since the debut of The Next Generation.And now, in the second episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, the capabilities and essence of the Betazoid people have suddenly been significantly expanded. Mild spoilers ahead for Starfleet Academy Season 1, Episode 2, “Beta Test.”Caleb (Sandro Rosta) and Tarima (Zoe Steiner), another human and Betazoid pairing for fans to ship. | Paramount+The various mental faculties of the empathic/telepathic Betazoids have always been somewhat unclear. In the very first Next Generation episode, “Encounter at Farpoint”, Troi was fully telepathic, able to communicate with Riker (Jonathan Frakes) in his mind. Later, since it was established she was half-human, we came to understand she was only empathic, able to perceive different emotions. But in Starfleet Academy’s “Beta Test”, Nahla Ake (Holly Hunter) refers to the Betazoid people collectively as “empathic”. We also learn that following the cataclysm of the Burn, the entire planetary system of Betazed built a “psionic wall” to safeguard its inhabitants from the perils of the rest of the galaxy, specifically the Venari Ral, an ad hoc band of pirates with Nus Braka as a member.Not all Betazoids in “Beta Test” have the dark black eyes that Troi had in TNG; notably, regular cast member Tarmia (Zoë Steiner) has hazel eyes. But this change in eye color isn’t the only new aspect of the Betazoids. “Beta Test” suggests that Tarmia possesses very strong telepathic or psionic abilities, and the existence of the psionic wall — even though we don’t “see” it — is a major revelation for long-time Trek enthusiasts.In DS9, TNG, and Voyager, the planet Betazed is seen briefly, notably in the humorous episode “Ménage à Troi”. But in all of the TNG-era Trek canon, we never saw a large group of Betazoids working together, using telepathic powers to protect their planet. In fact, the existence of this power is rather new, as it implies that Betazed could utilize the psionic powers of its people in ways we never envisioned.The Betazoid delegation on Earth in Starfleet Academy. | Paramount+In Starfleet Academy, the existence of the psionic wall is more of an existential question, something that represents a barrier: Will Betazed rejoin the Federation or not? But from a detailed canon perspective, it presents something else. Perhaps, all this time, the Betazoids were among the most powerful alien species in all of Star Trek. In fact, by the end of the episode, it’s evident that Tarmia alone is extremely powerful, maybe more powerful than any other telepathic or telekinetic character Star Trek has ever had.Since The Original Series, Trek has been fixated on psionic powers, and the proof is that the first two pilots of TOS dealt with telepathy and telekinesis. And now, all the way in the 32nd century, Trek has casually put forth the idea that one very beloved alien species can use the power of their minds alone to create a barrier around their planet. It’s uncertain if Starfleet Academy will further explore this idea, but clearly, as of now, the Betazoids are among the most formidable species in the Star Trek universe.Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streams new episodes on Thursdays.
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‘Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade’ Is Gaining a New, Popular Feature You Can Opt Out Of
Square EnixNintendo Switch 2 and Xbox are finally getting five years after its debut on other platforms, though PlayStation 5 and PC players also have something to anticipate. Alongside the game's expansion to more consoles, all existing versions will receive an update introducing flexible, robust difficulty options that go well beyond what most new games offer.Intergrade launches on and Xbox on January 22, with a patch arriving the same day that adds what Square Enix terms "Streamlined Progression" options to all versions. This patch introduces a set of toggles for features typically only found in mods or console commands. A new in-game menu will let players enable infinite HP or MP, boost experience point gain rates, grant unlimited gil and recovery items, and access other tools designed to speed up combat with minimal challenge.Square Enix confirmed that Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is getting its Streamlined Progression update on all platforms at the same time. | Square EnixSquare Enix previously mentioned the Streamlined Progression options when announcing the game's new platform releases—what’s new is the confirmation that they’ll roll out to PC and PlayStation 5 simultaneously as the game arrives on new systems. According to director Naoki Hamaguchi, Streamlined Progression is crafted to let players engage with the game on their own terms, particularly those eager to experience Intergrade’s story but short on time to fully develop characters or tackle every battle.“With the Streamlined Progression and its implementation, I observe that nowadays—across not just games but perhaps all digital entertainment—there’s a strong desire among players to consume content in their preferred, desired style,” . “Naturally, time constraints factor in too—some players want to play but lack the time. From a development standpoint, it’d be a real shame for interested players to be barred from the experience due to such barriers.”The upcoming Streamlined Progression options are more extensive than standard difficulty settings in most games, though not entirely unheard of. Various forms of “” have been included in games for decades, and remasters of older Final Fantasy titles often feature menus to accelerate gameplay, disable random encounters, and adjust settings for a story-focused experience. However, adding such flexible options via an update to a relatively recent game feels distinct, reflecting Hamaguchi’s focus on letting players shape their own Intergrade experience.The new update lets players choose from a whole new menu of options to customize Intergrade’s difficulty. | Square EnixDebate over acceptable difficulty levels is both unavoidable and tiring, complicated by the lack of a one-size-fits-all solution for every game and player. This makes Intergrade’s approach feel more refined than recent attempts to let dictate gameplay or rigid solutions that overlook individual needs. If you prefer the original design, that remains the default in all versions; if you want to breeze through the story (say, returning after playing at launch), that option exists too.By making each Streamlined Progression feature toggleable via a menu, players can fine-tune exactly how much assistance they need and where. While I enjoyed much of Intergrade, playing it after the lengthy Final Fantasy 7 Remake made some longer, tougher battles feel tedious—so it’s easy to see why other players might want to customize difficulty for key encounters or simplify minor fights to progress faster.Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is available now on PlayStation 5 and PC. It launches on Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox on January 22.
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by: jenn
Netflix Just Quietly Dropped a Steamy Crime Thriller That Lives and Dies by Its Stars
NetflixNetflix’s focus is on keeping users engaged with its platform—so much so that whether we’re actually watching barely seems to matter anymore. The streamer’s new mantra, “What’s Next?,” says it all: it’s less about the substance of its stories or their ability to hold attention, and more about keeping the binge-watching cycle alive. That’s why most Netflix Originals blur together; if you’ve seen one steamy thriller, murder mystery, or action romp, you’ve seen the bulk of what Netflix offers.Sadly, His & Hers isn’t an exception to this. This polished thriller about betrayal and lies in a small Southern town checks all the boxes of its genre. The mystery opens with a beautiful woman’s body—stabbed repeatedly and left on her car hood—found in the woods, but who killed her takes a backseat to the complications (and endless infidelities) her death uncovers. His & Hers is mostly a show about steamy secrets: everyone’s attractive, everyone’s driven by desire, and everyone’s a suspect. What makes it watchable, beyond its formulaic steamy mystery beats, is the estranged couple at the center—Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal—and their twisted path back to each other.The first of many tangled twists in His & Hers is that Anna Andrews (Thompson) and Jack Harper (Bernthal) are married. Jack, a detective who’s lived his whole life in Dahlonega, GA, is one of the first on the crime scene. Anna, an investigative reporter, arrives from Atlanta just as her hometown wakes up to the gruesome murder of a local. While police tiptoe around case details, Anna relishes her inside scoop. She hasn’t been in Dahlonega for a year—not even seeing her husband—but she’s quick to reveal that Jack had a personal link to the victim, Rachel Hopkins (Jamie Tisdale).To be clear, Anna isn’t entirely innocent either. In a town like Dahlonega, everyone knows everyone—and Anna once knew Rachel best. Rachel was the queen bee of their all-girls Catholic school, and Anna was one of the lucky few in her inner circle. Flashbacks to their school days explain Anna’s lingering resentment and could even make her a suspect. As the only Black woman in a overwhelmingly white town, it’s fair to say she’s long seen her hometown’s dark side and the evil its residents are capable of. Her suspicious dependence on this case only clarifies her role in it; it also brings His & Hers close to finding its own identity.It would make sense—even be interesting—if Anna killed Rachel, because she had plenty of motive. The more scandalous the story gets, the closer Anna is to reclaiming her job at Atlanta’s top news station, pushing out the perky blonde reporter who replaced her. The only person more suspicious than Anna is Jack: he and Rachel had a secret affair for months—and he was the last to see her alive before her body turned up in the woods. He’s also the worst person to lead the investigation, and he misuses that power every step of the way, frustrating his ultra-capable partner Priya (Sunita Mani, who deserves her own detective series).His & Hers plays things a little safe, but performances from Thompson and Bernthal make it worthwhile. | NetflixHis & Hers delights in the idea of unfaithful spouses getting even—from Rachel’s widower Clyde (Chris Bauer) to Richard (Pablo Schreiber), the husband of Anna’s work rival who serves as her cameraman and after-hours lover. But at its core, it’s about the pain of secrets—especially those between Anna and Jack. More than a mysterious death separates them; there are years of hurt, including the loss of a child. Thompson and Bernthal bring these vulnerabilities to life, even when the writing falls short. Though Anna says every story has two sides, you can’t help but hope hers and Jack’s will align—that they’ll stand together against the world, for better or worse.Even if they didn’t kill Rachel, both Anna and Jack contributed to her death. What’s satisfying about His & Hers is its commitment to the gray areas of this broken marriage. Thompson and Bernthal stay at the heart of the chaos as bodies pile up, a potential serial killer emerges, and twists get increasingly daring. His & Hers might play it too safe to stand out from similar shows, but it hits brilliance when it fully embraces its racy premise. Without that consistency, the lead duo brings enough heart to lift this mystery beyond just being bingeable.His & Hers is now streaming on Netflix.
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by: nicole
Exiled Iranian crown prince discloses 6-step plan to put pressure on Tehran’s regime
Exiled Reza Pahlavi presented on Friday a six - step plan to put pressure on the regime, which he stated "will fall, not a matter of if, but when.""My courageous compatriots, who are still holding their ground with battered bodies yet indomitable will, need your immediate help right now. However, make no mistake, the Islamic Republic is on the verge of collapse," Pahlavi announced." and his henchmen are aware of this. That's why they are acting out like a wounded animal, desperately trying to hold onto power," he went on. "The people have not backed down. Their resolve has made one thing evident. They are not just rejecting this regime. They are demanding a reliable new way forward. They have called on me to lead."Pahlavi said he has a comprehensive plan for an orderly transition and requested the international community to take six actions, beginning with safeguarding the Iranian people "by weakening the regime's repressive capabilities, including targeting the leadership of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard and its command - and - control infrastructure.""Secondly, apply and maintain maximum economic pressure on the regime, freeze their assets globally, target and break up their fleet of ghost [oil] tankers," he said."Thirdly, penetrate the regime's information blockade by enabling unrestricted internet access. Widely deploy Starlink and other secure communication tools across Iran and carry out cyber operations to disable the regime's ability to shut down the internet. Fourthly, hold the regime accountable by expelling its diplomats from your capitals and pursue legal enforcement actions against those responsible for crimes against humanity," Pahlavi continued."Fifthly, demand the immediate... Sixthly, prepare for a democratic transition in Iran by committing to recognize a legitimate transitional government when the time comes," he concluded.Pahlavi's remarks were made as the President commented on the possibility of Pahlavi taking over the country if the Islamic regime were to fall."He seems like a very nice person, but I'm not sure how he'd fare in his own country," Trump told Reuters during an interview on Wednesday. "And we're really not at that stage yet.""I don't know if his country would accept his leadership, and of course, if they would, that would be okay with me," he added.When Pahlavi was asked on Friday by a reporter about how he plans to win Trump over, he said, "President Trump has said that it's up to the Iranian people to decide, and I completely agree.""I've always said it's for the Iranian people to decide. And I think the Iranian people have already shown in large numbers who they want to lead them through this transition," he added. "So I'm confident that I have the support of my compatriots. And as for international leaders, they should assess the situation on the ground and see who is capable of doing that. I believe I can, and I have the support of the Iranian people." Digital’s Rachel Wolf contributed to this report.