It’s a story that sounds like sci-fi, and it’s about to be literally hovering over our border. The USDA is building mass‐breeding facilities—dubbed ‘fly factories’—to raise and release sterile male New World screwworm flies along Texas and into southern Mexico. The aim? To combat a parasitic fly whose flesh-eating larvae can decimate cattle, pets, wildlife—even infect humans. Sterile insects mate with wild females, producing infertile eggs—an old tactic from the 1950s that succeeded in eradicating the pest decades ago. I don’t like it!
We ask important questions surrounding this government operation to Dr. Peter McCullough, the doctor best known of exposing deception surrounding government activities especially related to COVID.
Why is the USDA sinking $29 million into two new fly operations—one in Hidalgo County, Texas (Moore Air Base) and another in southern Mexico by mid‑2026?
Who benefits—and who’s uneasy? Ranchers applaud safeguarding livestock, but local residents and privacy watchdogs ask: can we trust government drones or crop-dusters dropping millions of lab-reared flies into night skies?
When the government releases billions of sterile flies at dusk, are we getting cutting-edge pest management… or something more ominous lurking behind the science mask?
Dirty Boxing Championship (DBX) will feature its first-ever heavyweight title fight when former UFC contender Jairzinho Rozenstruik collides with power-punching “Wolf” Rob Perez atop the upcoming DBX 3 fight card on Fri., Aug. 29, 2025 inside The Hangar at Regatta Harbour in Miami, Florida.
“I’ve fought some of the toughest guys in the world and Dirty Boxing brings a different energy,” Rozenstruik said. “It’s raw, aggressive, and made for fighters like me. I’m going to make history and walk away with that first DBX belt.”
“From the start, we’ve been focused on giving athletes an opportunity to showcase their skills in a way that fans actually want to see,” said DBX CEO Malki Kawa. “The numbers don’t lie, there’s massive demand for this format. We’re building a new home for the most dangerous fighters in the world and this is just the beginning.”
Expect more DBX 3 fight card announcements in the coming days.
We spend all year desperate for a holiday – but the preparation can leave you in a world of stress. In fact, the week leading up to a getaway is the most stressful time of year for four in 10 adults, a poll from National Express has found. It might sound counter-intuitive, but experts say it’s highly usual.
The trick is to get past that anxiety and enjoy your holiday without suffering long-term. “It’s actually totally normal to feel overwhelmed right before a holiday, even one you’ve been counting down to for months,” reassures Dr Heather McKee, a behaviour change psychologist. “In behavioural science, we know that uncertainty is a key driver of stress. Our brains hate it and, in the lead-up to travel, they often go into overdrive imagining everything that could go wrong. That pre-holiday panic, ‘Why did I even book this?’ is your mind trying to protect you from the unknown. “The trouble is, it can cloud the excitement and stop you from enjoying the break you’ve worked so hard for.”
SO JUST WHAT IS TRAVEL ANXIETY? Dr Sheena Kumar, a Chartered Psychologist, says: “Research suggests travel anxiety often stems from a fear of losing control or being in unfamiliar environments, which activates the brain’s threat response system. Studies also show that peoplewith generalised anxiety disorder or past traumatic travel experiences may be more prone to experiencing travel-related distress.”
Dr McKee adds: “Travel anxiety tends to affect perfectionists or people who like to feel in control in their daily life. A holiday in an unfamiliar place where you can’t predict things represents a temporary loss of the careful systems you’ve put in place day-to-day to make sure your life runs smoothly – and this loss of control can create anxiety and hyper-vigilance for things that might go wrong. To help you countdown to astress-free trip, here the experts share their top travel tricks…
Watch your caffeine intake “Caffeine and dehydration can increase symptoms of anxiety, especially while you’re travelling. Maintaining hydration and limiting caffeine helps stabilise your nervous system,” explainsDr Kumar. “So it’s better to ditch the double-espresso for a bottle of water.”
Write checklists While we can’t control everything, focusing on what we can influence eases anxiety for most of us. “Create a few simple checklists on your phone,” suggests Niamh Moynihan, a productivity coach who runs wellbeing website Better Workday. “These can include essentials like packing lists, important actions to take at the airport and things to do upon your arrival. If keeping track of time is a challenge for you, setting reminders for critical tasks can offer that extra layer of support too, ensuring you stay organised and stress-free.”
The practical side matters too. “Create detailed but flexible lists, book things in advance and have a ‘good enough’ standard rather than seeking perfection. Sometimes the antidote to anxiety is slightly simply lowering the bar for what constitutes success.”
Plan a pre-trip worry window It might sound strange, but one of the best ways to ease pre-travel anxiety is to plan a “worry window” a day or two before you leave. “A worry window is a short block of time where you let yourself jot down any ‘what ifs’, from missed flights to forgotten chargers,” says DrMcKee.
“Then, next to each one, write a simple action you can take (like setting a double alarm or packing a spare). This helps shift your brain from catastrophising to problem-solving.” Giving your worries a home in this way, instead of letting them spiral in your head, makes it easier to let them go and look forward to the fun. And it will help you mop up any last-minute tasks.
Focus on why you’re going Remind yourself of the purpose of your trip and concentrate on the bits you are looking forward to. Picture yourself enjoying moments from your trip – from discovering a new restaurant, to reading by a pool or swimming in the sea – can really help shift your brain from pessimistic too optimistic. Remember, it’s about taking a break, too. Don’t over-plan or bury yourself in a bid to experience everything.
Remove peak experience pressure This is when you feel an intense need to ensure every single holiday moment is perfect and special. And that’s because you’ve spent so much effort and money to be there – not to mention the fact that social media is swamped with images of friends and celebrities who seem like they are having the trip of a lifetime every time they go away.
“One solution to this is to just lower your expectations a bit and try to go with the flow,” says Dr McKee. “Accept that not every moment will be Insta-worthy and that just relaxing and resting well is equally as important as experiencing the holiday must-see sights and sounds. Also, those times when you allow yourself to just wander around without a fixed plan are often when you come across a hidden gem that you would otherwise have missed.”
Keep your schedule light “Try to avoid overloading your schedule too much,” says Niamh. “By allowing for some ‘white space’ in your days, you open yourself up for spontaneous experiences or simply the chance to take time to relax. This kind of mindset prioritises your wellbeing, ensuring that your focus remains fully on enjoying the journey rather than merely ticking off activities from a list.”
Over the past year, the FTSE 250 is up 2.26%. Some might think this is rather underwhelming, but at least it’s still in positive territory. And within the index, there have been some notable performers. Here’s one FTSE 250 stock that has surged over 20%, marking a close-to-10x gain in comparison to passively putting money in an index tracker.
An infrastructure trust
I’m talking about Pantheon Infrastructure (LSE: PINT). The UK-listed investment trust provides investors with access to a diversified portfolio of global infrastructure assets (mainly North America and Europe). The performance of the trust has been strong, with the stock up 24% in the last year.
The thinking is rather simple on paper. It buys infrastructure assets, mainly in essential, cash-generating sectors such as utilities and transport. It holds on to them, aiming for growth over time in the net asset value (NAV). In the meantime, it can pay out dividends as the portfolio assets typically have income streams. After a period of time, it looks to sell the assets, either to a private equity company or other large buyer.
Over the past year, the gains have come from a few areas. Of course, the stock should track the NAV of the portfolio closely. So the strong performance on assets is one key reason the share price has increased. Another factor has been the successful conclusion of some deals, such as banking profit from its stake in Calpine in January. This added approximately 2.6% to the overall value of the fund.
Looking ahead
The gains versus the broader index are significant. But for investors, the key consideration is whether the move can continue over the coming year and beyond. I think it can.
For a start, the share price is still at an 11% discount to the latest NAV figure. Over time, I’d expect the price to increase to make it more in line with the NAV. Another attraction is the dividend yield. At 4.14%, it’s above average, meaning that income investors are likely to pile in to benefit from this. This could act to push the share price up even more.
There are risks though. The size and scale of the infrastructure investments make it difficult to sell or liquidate quickly. This means that if the business has cash flow problems, it could struggle to ease things quickly.
Of the five analyst recommendations I can see, four of them have a Buy rating, with one having a Hold rating. Although these views shouldn’t be taken as a guarantee, it does provide another reason to view the stock positively for the future. When I look at the bigger picture, I think investors could consider this as a stock to buy based on the strong momentum it has right now, as well as the income payments.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
When people hear the word “patent,” they often think of complicated legal jargon or massive tech companies. As defined by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention that provides inventors with legal protection. But whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a scientist, or a small business owner, patents can play a crucial role in protecting your unique ideas and innovations. For me, patents have been a very personal part of my journey as an entrepreneur and scientist, especially in my pursuit of protecting my ideas and leaving a lasting impact with my work.
The world of patents is a complicated one, with a number of requirements that anyone looking to file must meet. Additional complexities come into the mix depending on the country you’re filing in. For readers who are considering protecting their own inventions or products, understanding these nuances is key. With so many moving parts, it’s no surprise that there are a number of widespread myths surrounding U.S. patents in particular. These myths can lead to confusion and misunderstandings, making it even more intimidating to begin the patent process.
I’ve authored multiple patents, many rooted in bioscience, detox technology and environmental sustainability. And along the way, I’ve uncovered some pretty surprising truths — and debunked quite a few myths — about how the U.S. patent system really works. Whether you’re just starting to explore patents or already in the process, the best way to break down common myths about U.S. patents is to debunk them with facts.
Below, I take a look at four U.S. patent myths and address the real truth behind them to help you make better informed decisions related to your own patents, so you can protect your ideas and bring your innovations to life.
There are a number of myths surrounding U.S. patents, from the length of patent validity to the actual steps of the patent filing process. One that’s especially persistent is the idea that having a patent automatically means you will make money. I wish it were that simple. If you’re an innovator hoping to monetize your invention, understanding this distinction will save you time and disappointment.
A patent is just one part of the bigger picture — it’s a protective tool, not a guarantee of profit. You still need a solid plan, strong partnerships and the right timing to actually bring that innovation to life. Let’s clear up four common U.S. patent myths to provide you with a clearer understanding of what a patent can actually do for your journey.
Utility: For new or improved processes, machines and inventions.
Design: For new, original and ornamental designs, such as the shape or pattern of a useful item.
Plant: For new kinds of plants invented or discovered through asexual reproduction.
The specific type of U.S. patent you’ll want to file for will depend on your idea, invention or innovation. Before you begin the patent process, start with a deep dive into what’s already out there. A thorough patent search can save you a lot of time and frustration. Then, make sure you’re clear on what kind of patent you need — utility, design or plant — because each has a different purpose and process. For you, this means your invention’s unique features will dictate your approach, so getting this step right early is critical.
Myth 2: You need to be a lawyer or tied to a large company to receive a patent
This is one of the biggest myths I ran into early on, and it’s simply not true. While it helps to have legal experts involved, especially when you’re trying to protect your work globally, many of my patents came from deeply personal research and experiences.
I was hands-on with every single step, from the science to the strategy. You can absolutely be an independent innovator and still protect your ideas. You don’t need a massive machine behind you — just a clear vision, dedication and the right guidance. So, if you’re worried you don’t “fit the mold” of who can file patents, rest assured that many successful inventors started exactly where you are now.
Myth 3: Patents are valid forever
It’s not surprising that this myth is popular, especially given how confusing the different types of U.S. patents can be to the general public. Tie in the legal complexities of patents, and it’s easy to see how patent protection periods get lost in the mix. Patents are not valid forever. The three types of U.S. patents all have different lengths of validity. According to the USPTO, utility and plant patents have a period of up to 20 years “from the date the first non-provisional application for patent was filed.” A design patent is valid for a period of 15 years from the date it’s granted.
If you’re considering your patent as a long-term asset, it’s important to plan accordingly. Knowing the expiration timeline helps you strategize how to maximize the value of your invention while your patent is active.
Patents are territorial rights, meaning the protections a patent provides are only applicable in the country where the patent is filed and granted. But that’s not to say you can’t protect your idea or invention worldwide —you can think globally. If your invention has the potential to help people outside the U.S., explore international patent options early. You may need to apply in individual countries or use international systems like the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
I’ve learned that having a team that understands both the science and the legal side makes everything smoother and more successful when seeking international patent coverage. For innovators like you aiming to expand your impact, early global strategy can be a game-changer.
For anyone who’s looking to protect their ideas, seeking a U.S. patent is a crucial step to take. And by debunking the myths and misconceptions that surround them, you’ll be able to make better informed decisions as you start the patent process for yourself. But remember, filing a patent isn’t just about protecting your idea — it’s about building a legacy. Every time I’ve submitted an application, I’ve done it knowing I was adding something meaningful to the world. And for me, that makes every challenge and every late-night research session worth it. If you’re on a similar path, know that your dedication to protecting your ideas today could lead to innovations that change tomorrow.
When people hear the word “patent,” they often think of complicated legal jargon or massive tech companies. As defined by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention that provides inventors with legal protection. But whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a scientist, or a small business owner, patents can play a crucial role in protecting your unique ideas and innovations. For me, patents have been a very personal part of my journey as an entrepreneur and scientist, especially in my pursuit of protecting my ideas and leaving a lasting impact with my work.
The world of patents is a complicated one, with a number of requirements that anyone looking to file must meet. Additional complexities come into the mix depending on the country you’re filing in. For readers who are considering protecting their own inventions or products, understanding these nuances is key. With so many moving parts, it’s no surprise that there are a number of widespread myths surrounding U.S. patents in particular. These myths can lead to confusion and misunderstandings, making it even more intimidating to begin the patent process.
A former top Disney exec allegedly hatched a treacherous plot to seize an acclaimed Napa Valley restaurant from the estate of late celebrity chef Michael Chiarello — cheating the chef’s widow and children out of their inheritance, according to an explosive lawsuit.
Rich Frank — who did a nine-year stint as president of Disney Studios under Jeffrey Katzenberg beginning in the mid-1980s, cranking out hits including “Pretty Woman,” “The Lion King” and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” — allegedly cooked up a “malicious scheme” to take over Chiarello’s thriving restaurants, according to the lawsuit.
Those included Bottega — a hotspot frequented by the likes of Julia Roberts, Sophia Loren, Ryan Seacrest Carrie Underwood and David Beckham, according to the suit filed in Napa County Superior Court on Monday.
The estate of late chef Michael Chiarello is suing his minority investors over his famed restaurant, Bottega in Napa. WireImage
Frank and hospitality entrepreneur John Hansen — who had both been minority investors in the business — had issued a press release June 10 heralding their takeover of Bottega, calling themselves “longtime friends” of Chiarello.
But according to the suit — shortly after Food Network star Chiarello died unexpectedly in November 2023 at age 61 due to an allergic reaction — Frank, Hansen and a third investor, Peter Crowley — met at Bottega to allegedly hatch a scheme at the “expense of the plaintiffs,” which include his surviving family.
Over dinner, the trio “finalized their plan to defraud the estate, seize assets and eliminate any association with Chef Chiarello, his estate, his family or his legacy,” the suit claims.
“Given the devastating circumstances, I expected cooperation from these investors, especially considering that over the years Michael had treated them like family,” said Eileen Gordon, who is Chiarello’s widow and the mother of his youngest daughter.
“Yet the people he trusted took everything for themselves, depriving all other shareholders including Chef Chiarello’s children,” Gordon told The Post, noting their daughter was a senior in high school when her dad died.
Following Chiarello’s surprise death, the suit claims the defendants immediately took charge of his three restaurants — the acclaimed Bottega in Napa Valley, Ottimo Yountville, the casual dining spot next door to Bottega; and Coqueta, a beloved Spanish eatery on San Francisco’s Embarcadero.
Rich Frank, a former Disney exec, is one of the investors who is being sued for allegedly hatching a plot to grab Bottega. Getty Images for AFI
The lawsuit alleged that the defendants “falsely represented themselves” as owners of the restaurants when in fact they were minority stakeholders in single-purpose entities that owned them.
According to court papers, Frank allegedly held secret meetings at his home where he directed restaurant staff to stop selling wines from the Chiarello Family Vineyards — featured on Bottega’s menu for more than 15 years — and replace them with wines from Frank Family Vineyards.
Frank sold his winery in 2021 for $315 million to Treasury Wine Estates, but his family remains involved and his wife Leslie was named to the board of directors last year, according to Arnold & Porter, which advised the family on the sale.
Gordon, who was the estate’s trustee, attempted to communicate with Crowley, a consultant and paid advisor to one of the entities, about plans to protect the chef’s legacy, the suit claims. But Crowley allegedly ignored Gordon and dealt with Frank and Hansen instead.
It was all part of a “malicious plan” by the trio, who in February 2024 sent Gordon a letter saying they would buy the restaurants what the lawsuit deems a “hostile takeover.”
Chiarello died unexpectedly in 2023, sparking a war over his restaurant empire. Getty Images
The suit claims that a critical option expired for the estate to claim ownership of Bottega, but because the paperwork was allegedly withheld by the investors, the estate had no way of knowing. That paved the way for the defendants to acquire Bottega, the suit claims.
In April 2024, the defendants allegedly told Gordon that once the deal was done, she and the estate would be out of the business. The lawsuit likewise alleges that the investors relied on falsified financial information to win a rock-bottom price for the assets.
A legal battle ensued after Gordon allegedly refused and both sides entered into arbitration, according to court papers. The arbiter sided with the defendants and Bottega was sold to Frank and Hansen in May 2025, along with valuable intellectual property such as trademarks, menus, concepts, and recipes.
“The minority investors exercised their legal right to acquire Bottega from the estate in accordance with Bottega’s ownership agreement and the decision of an arbitrator,” attorneys for Frank and Hansen told The Post Tuesday. The Post reached out to Crowley for comment.
The IP, however, was never transferred by Chiarello to the restaurant LLC governed by the arbitration, and is rightfully Gordon’s, the suit alleges. Gordon, claiming the estate’s value has been impacted over the Bottega sale and transfer of the IP, and is seeking unspecified damages that could balloon due to the alleged malicious and fraudulent acts of the defendants.
“After an extraordinary career, Michael soldiered through the worst five years, from 2017 to 2021, to save his Napa Valley institutions after wildfires, COVID, and then more wildfires,” Gordon told The Post.
Based on his enduring reputation, the restaurants had their biggest year ever in 2023,” she added.
“Michael honored his family heritage, and we created our family trust 15 years ago to hold the business assets so they would be passed down to the next generation, not sold off in the event of his death,” Gordon said.
The Issue: The failed assassination attempt on President Trump in Butler, Pa., one year ago.
I’m not surprised at the lack of information on the assassination attempt in Butler. Pa. (“We Still Need Answers on Butler,” Editorial, July 12).
When I read that we should be given “a full tick-tock timeline of exactly who decided what when, and so left such gaping holes in Trump’s security,” my first thought was: Good luck.
We have minute-by-minute accounts of some of the events that took place on Jan. 6 verified by actual recordings, and those led nowhere. The former Capitol Police chief, Steven Sund, even wrote “Courage Under Fire” about his many requests for assistance — with very appropriate suggestions to his “higher ups” — that were ignored.
So don’t hold your breath waiting for accountability in the assassination attempt. Although I hope to be proven wrong.
After all, tyrants like Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Fidel Castro all survived attempts on their lives.
I wonder what heavenly justification could be used to explain their good fortune.
Anthony Nannetti
Philadelphia, Pa.
The left wanted President Trump out of the election but failed to put him in prison, and couldn’t keep his name off the ballot. There was only one other way to keep Trump from running in the presidential race — and that was to kill him. The left’s claim he was an existential threat to democracy may have inspired would-be assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks to shoot Trump. Oddly enough, we never learned much about Crooks — who was cremated shortly after the shooting. We the people still want answers.
JoAnn Lee Frank
Clearwater, Fla.
There’s no other explanation for the attempted Trump assassination other than his being saved by our Savior. Miracles do happen and on that day Trump’s life was able to continue on God’s earth.
This was beyond remarkable; there is some deeper meaning to this failed assassination attempt where Trump avoided death at the hands of a crazed individual. One doesn’t have to be a religious person to accept why this gunman failed to end a life at close range.
Accepting the faults of his Secret Service and being content afterward is the Trump that is now leading our nation forward.
Ron Zajicek
Cortlandt
The Issue: A “Jews for Zohran” campaign supporting antisemitic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.
These so-called Jews have no connection to Judaism. They are Jews in name only.
Ephraim Aminoff
Manhattan
Your readers might be shocked by this news. However, in 1932 there was an organization in Germany of Jews for Adolf Hitler.
Of course, this organization, together with all other Jewish organizations, was dissolved by the state when the Nazis took control in 1933.
Laz Schneider
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
There have always been Jews who internalize Jew hatred, finding it more comfortable to be a “good Jew” and agree with the antisemitism they are surrounded by rather than stand up as proud Jews.
Jews for Mamdani internalize his very public support of everything Hamas.
Richard Sherman
Margate, Fla.
Want to weigh in on today’s stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to letters@nypost.com. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.
Home sellers have had the edge over buyers in the U.S. housing market for the past few years, as limited inventory pushed prices sky-high and there was fierce competition for available homes. But a few factors are converging to give buyers reason to be optimistic for the first time in a long time.
General economic uncertainty and housing affordability have been holding buyers back, says Kara Ng, senior economist at Zillow, leading to a lackluster home buying season. With inventory up 17% year-over-year, there are now more homes on the market than at any time since 2019, according to Zillow data. While prices are still significantly higher than they were even a few years ago, home appreciation has been flatlining and interest rates are down slightly compared to a year ago. Sellers across the country are cutting prices.
Even with the price cuts, homes that sell so typically do so in 17 days, according to Zillow. While that may sound fairly fast, that’s about four days longer than a year ago, signaling a general slowdown.
And while many sellers held onto homes longer than they may have liked due to the rock-bottom interest rates of the Covid days, now many are realizing those won’t be returning any time soon. People who need to move for their jobs, family, or other reasons are out of wiggle room, meaning they are looking to sell even if they can’t get the same deal on a new home they did on their current one.
“A lot of them don’t have that luxury of waiting until the rates fall again,” says Ng. “Basically, sellers are returning. Buyers are not.”
That puts buyers into a better position than they’ve been in for years, and gives them the upper hand in some markets, particularly in market in Florida and Texas, says Ng, where there is plenty of inventory. Sellers are starting to make concessions: buyers may be able to ask for further price cuts, help paying for closing costs, or a mortgage rate buydown.
“Sellers need to work harder now, there’s more competition because there are more listings and more listings are lingering,” she says.
To be sure, it’s not all good news for buyers, and Ng notes the market is more evenly-balanced than it has been in recent years, rather than tilted in favor of buyers altogether. Though price appreciation is leveling out, the median earner can afford the typical home in only 11 major markets across the country, down from 39 markets five years ago, according to Zillow. Homes are so expensive now, a buyer needs to earn nearly $100,000 a year to comfortably afford the median home price of $369,000, another Zillow analysis finds.
These numbers reflect median home prices and salaries across the U.S.—and will be higher or lower in specific markets. Cleveland and Pittsburgh, for instance, are more affordable while San Jose and San Francisco are considerably more expensive.
Zillow’s Ng adds that sellers are still in a pretty good place financially. Many bought before the pandemic and locked in a once-in-a-lifetime mortgage rate. Many have been able to build up significant equity over the past few years. An increasing share are de-listing altogether, rather than cutting prices further.
“If there’s no life event driver, like they have to move for a job, we see that sometimes sellers look at the inventory building up and they go, okay, maybe this is not the year. I can wait another year,” she says. Those who do need to work for a job or because they are growing their family may choose to rent out their current home rather than sell it.
For those who are part of the lingering listings, Ng says to focus on making your listing stand out. “Boost screen appeal” with plenty of staged photos and 3D or video tours.
As I’ve noted before, it will take the better part of a decade for Apple or anyone else to manufacture smartphones in mass market quantities in the US. Getting there requires huge investments to solve big problems, including training, manufacturing, component sourcing, and raw materials supply.
And now, Apple is about to invest $500 million in the last of those, working with the only US rare earth supplier, MP Materials. The decision includes plans to purchase US-made rare earth magnets from the company in what is being billed as a win for the Trump Administration. Apple and MP Materials will build a new recycling facility in which to extract materials from used electronics, along with another factory to make components for Apple devices.
Unlocking the component supply chain
It’s a big deal because right now China produces around 60% of the globe’s rare earths and processes around 90% of that material. The investment puts at least some of that capacity in US hands, even though a recent deal with China saw the trade in those critical materials between the two nations resume. (The materials are available elsewhere, but they are so rare they are paid for in human misery.)
Winning Love Island USA comes with a reward of more than just romance. Finding love is great and all, but the show offers one other prize for winners: money — and a lot of it. After weeks of building their connection in the villa, Bryan Arenales and Amaya Espinal walked away with the hefty cash prize and the title of fan-favorite couple. But even after being crowned the winners of season 7, they had one final decision to make. Only one of them would receive the full prize before choosing whether to keep it or split it. So, did Amaya and Bryan actually split the money?
Find out how Amaya and Bryan ended the seventh season of Love Island USA below.
Are Bryan and Amaya Still Together After Love Island USA Season 7?
Yes, it appears that Bryan and Amaya are still together after leaving the Villa. Fans will just have to wait and see how long their romance will last, though, as the season 7 reunion episode airs on August 25, 2025.
Peacock
How Much Money Do Love Island USA Winners Get?
The winners of Love Island USA receive a grand prize of $100,000. Since the winners are a couple, each pair tends to split the cash 50/50.
Did Amaya and Bryan Split the Love Island USA Prize Money?
Yes, Bryan immediately said he’d split the cash with Amaya, noting that it wasn’t “even a question” for him to do so.
“Of course I’m splitting this money with Amaya,” Bryan said, while they celebrated their win at the end of the season 7 finale. Amaya gushed about how she felt “so seen and validated.”
“And for people to see how powerful our connection is … boy, was this a ride here on Love Island,” Amaya said. “But man, I would do this ride all over again if it led me to him.”
As for Bryan, he added, “Meeting Amaya here turned my experience around ridiculously. I’m so thankful to meet this person. I would do this experience a hundred times over.”
How Much Do Love Island USA Contestants Make?
It’s actually unclear how much money Love Island USA contestants make per week, but we have an idea of how the paychecks are on Love Island UK. Former star Demi Jones previously spilled how much money she received weekly in a since-deleted TikTok.
“I personally got paid £250 a week,” Demi said, according to multiple outlets. “This is obviously to cover all your bills at home because you could have a flat, you could have a car to pay, all the things like that. So, obviously Love Island [wants] to make sure that’s all covered for you so you don’t get into any financial difficulties while you’re like away on holiday.”
