LeBron James will make his season debut Tuesday when the Lakers host the Utah Jazz, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity, after sciatica kept James sidelined for the Lakers’ first 14 games.
James is “trending in the right direction,” coach JJ Redick said before Tuesday’s game, which will mark the beginning of James’ NBA-record 23rd season. The 40-year-old missed the beginning of a season for the first time in his NBA career after starting to feel discomfort in his right side this summer.
James missed all of training camp and the preseason. The Lakers put together a 10-4 record despite playing without their biggest star. In his place, Luka Doncic has emerged as the NBA’s leading scorer and guard Austin Reaves is off to a career season.
The star trio played together for several months last year after Doncic joined the Lakers in a blockbuster trade, helping the team grab the third seed in the Western Conference. Redick expects the experience to help James integrate smoothly this year.
“He’s smart enough and [there’s] enough carry over from last year, both with personnel and with our schemes, that I think it’ll be easy for him to be integrated right away,” Redick said.
James said after practice Monday he was not yet pain-free, but he has been able to manage the nerve injury enough to progress through practices with the G League team, the full NBA squad and then Tuesday’s shootaround. James said dealing with sciatica came with unexpected challenges. He often could only hope he wouldn’t feel pain when he woke up in the morning or when he went to sleep.
Redick said the team and James are approaching “uncharted territory” when it comes to managing the superstar’s health. Conversations have been consistent and will be ongoing as the season progresses.
“We’ll figure out ways to get him rest when he needs rest,” Redick said.
Staff writer Broderick Turner contributed to this report.
Cold hands and feet might seem like a typical response to winter chill, but in some instances, it could be a red flag for Raynaud’s.
This condition is when blood flow to your fingers and toes is disrupted. While this is common and usually not a significant worry, it can also signal more severe conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
Some people may need to take daily medication to alleviate Raynaud’s symptoms, while others may need to use it preventatively as the weather turns frosty.
It’s normal to have cold hands and feet during the winter months, but Raynaud’s amplifies the body’s reaction to cold temperatures, worsening circulation to the extremities.
The key distinction between a normal response and Raynaud’s symptoms can be seen in the colour of your hands.
Raynaud’s can cause the fingertips to turn white or blue as circulation deteriorates. This may also be accompanied by discomfort, pins and needles or numbness according to the NHS.
Most people might experience these symptoms when exposed to extremely cold weather, but they should return to normal after a few minutes in a warmer environment.
People with Raynaud’s may start to notice these symptoms even before the temperatures plummet and will take a longer time to reverse the symptoms. It can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours as circulation returns.
Some people with Raynaud’s also experience these symptoms on their ears, nose, lips or nipples.
The NHS recommends people consult their GP if they experience any of the following:
Symptoms of Raynaud’s that are very bad or getting worse
Raynaud’s is affecting your daily life
Symptoms on just one side of the body
Joint pain, skin rashes or muscle weakness along with Raynaud’s symptoms
Over 30 years old and get symptoms of Raynaud’s for the first time
Child under 12 years old with symptoms of Raynaud’s
The health service recommends people with these symptoms avoid smoking to improve their circulation as well as caffeine which is a known trigger for the condition.
Patients with Raynaud’s are advised to keep themselves and their homes warm to prevent their symptoms. Regular exercise can also improve circulation which may help with the condition.
The wife of murdered Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi says “zero justice” has been served over her husband’s death.
Mr Khashoggi, a strident critic of the kingdom, was slain by Saudi agents in an operation in Istanbul in 2018, and American intelligence agencies concluded Mohammed bin Salman had ordered his capture or killing.
The crown prince has denied ordering the operation, but acknowledged responsibility as Riyadh’s de-facto ruler.
He was hosted at the White House on Tuesday for the first time in seven years, and Donald Trump defended him and cast doubt upon his own country’s assessments.
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1:34
Saudi leader asked about murdered journalist
Mr Trump derided Mr Khashoggi as “extremely controversial” and said “a lot of people didn’t like that gentleman”.
Hanan Khashoggi told Sky News’ The World With Yalda Hakim she was “disappointed” by the remarks, as she demanded compensation from the crown prince.
He has described the killing of her husband as a “huge mistake”.
Addressing Mr Trump directly, Ms Khashoggi said she would be willing to meet the US president to tell him about the Washington Post writer, who she said was “a great man, and a professional, and he was a brave man as well”.
Image: A vigil for Khashoggi outside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, where he was killed. Pic: Reuters
‘They destroyed my life’
Ms Khashoggi said her husband was not controversial or unlikeable – but even if he was, “it doesn’t justify the action of kidnapping him, torturing him, killing him and dismantling his body”.
She also said she would meet the crown prince and “ask him to retrieve Jamal’s body, so I can bury him in a decent, good way”, as well as ask for financial compensation.
“They killed my husband, they destroyed my life,” she added. “They have to compensate me.”
Image: Hanan Khashoggi
Trump defends MBS
Asked about the murder in the Oval Office, Mr Trump said: “Whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happen.
“But he (Bin Salman) knew nothing about it, and we can leave it at that.
“You don’t have to embarrass our guest by asking a question like that.”
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2:06
The prince and president: What happened?
Mr Trump even celebrated the Saudi leader for the kingdom’s human rights record, without providing specific details.
“I’m very proud of the job he’s done,” he said.
Human rights groups say Saudi authorities continue to harshly repress dissent by arresting human rights defenders, journalists and political dissidents.
They also highlight a surge in executions in Saudi Arabia they connect to an effort to suppress internal dissent.
A Texas lawmaker looks over a redistricting map during the debate in the state senate in August.
Eric Gay/AP
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Eric Gay/AP
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has quickly appealed to the Supreme Court a ruling that the redistricting passed by lawmakers at the urging of President Trump was based on racial gerrymandering.
“Any claim that these maps are discriminatory is absurd and unsupported by the testimony offered during ten days of hearings,” Abbott, a Republican, said in a statement. “This ruling is clearly erroneous and undermines the authority the U.S. Constitution assigns to the Texas Legislature by imposing a different map by judicial edict.”
A three-judge panel had earlier Tuesday placed a temporary block on the map that Republican lawmakers passed this summer and ordered the state to use the district maps from the last two elections.
The map that was overruled had been drawn to give Republicans an advantage in flipping as many as five House seats held by Democrats.
“To be sure, politics played a role in drawing the 2025 Map. But it was much more than just politics. Substantial evidence shows that Texas racially gerrymandered the 2025 Map,” wrote the majority from a three-judge panel.
The panel heard a trialon the case in October. The plaintiffs included several civil rights groups and individuals.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, also said he would appeal the ruling on the “Big Beautiful Map” which he called “entirely legal” in a statement.
Democrats praised the court ruling. “Race was always a driving factor and a driving factor to make it harder for minority Texans,” said Texas Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher in an interview. “This map was drawn to make it harder for them to have an impact in elections.”
The court’s decision, in a 2-1 ruling, comes at a pivotal moment. Around the country, Trump is pressing Republican state lawmakers to reshape congressional voting maps to hold the party’s slim majority in the House and support his agenda.
Using their heavy Republican majority in the legislature, Texas lawmakers passed a map in August designed to help their party grow its ranks in the 2026 elections for the U.S. House.
The process gained national attention when Democrats in the legislature fled the state for over two weeks to delay a vote and Republican leaders threatened to arrest them. Democrats argued the new map weakened the voting power of Latino and Black communities.
The redistricting in Texas also prompted California Democrats to act. This month California voters passed an initiative allowing redistricting that could help Democrats win five seats in that state.
Was it partisan gerrymandering or racial gerrymandering?
Republicans in the Texas Legislature passed the map saying it was designed to improve their party’s chances of winning five congressional seats. They noted that, unlike in some states, the law in Texas does not prohibit redistricting for partisan advantage and that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that federal courts could not intervene when it’s done.
But partisan gerrymandering can often overlap with racial gerrymandering, which is illegal. Opponents of the map argued in court that it intentionally diminished the voting power of minority communities.
Texas state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, a Democrat, right, questions Republican Sen. Phil King during debate in August over the Republican-backed district map that a federal court blocked and called a racial gerrymander on Tuesday.
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The 160-page opinion was written by District Judge Jeffrey V. Brown, who was appointed by Trump during his first term as president. His ruling drew upon statements and contradictions in what Republican lawmakers said as the maps were passed.
A letter the Department of Justice wrote to encourage the redistricting, ended up being grounds the court used to block the effort.
The judges noted that when Gov. Abbott originally called lawmakers into session to draw the map, he cited a letter from justice department officials criticizing districts that had majority non-white voting populations as “racial gerrymanders.” In other words, the letter implied the districts as they stood gave non-white voters an advantage and that had to be reversed.
Eventually, Texas Republicans said the map was not intended to correct for a racial tilt but for partisan gain.
That letter put lawmakers, who for years had denied their use of race when making maps, in “a difficult spot” according to University of Texas at Austin political scientist Josh Blank, because they were “ultimately saying opposite things.”
Brown’s ruling criticized the construction of the letter itself, which was sent by Harmeet Dhillon, head of the Justice Department’s civil rights division. “It’s challenging to unpack the DOJ Letter because it contains so many factual, legal, and typographical errors,” Brown wrote.
“This decision is a rebuke of Donald Trump and to some degree a rebuke of lawmakers in Texas,” said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political scientist with the University of Houston. “They think the process was flawed and the Department of Justice was not credible in their legal arguments.”
Rep. Gene Wu, Democratic leader in the Texas House, said Tuesday’s ruling shows the courts still hold true to American principles.
“The striking down of the maps is fundamentally a sign that the courts still believe in the core principles of this country: That one man, one vote idea is something that is absolute and must be kept up,” Wu said.
Around the country, Republicans have more options for redistricting seats their way than Democrats do, in part because the GOP controls more state legislatures. Usually, states redistrict at the start of the decade after the national census.
At the behest of Trump, lawmakers in Missouri and North Carolina passed new maps that could help the GOP win a seat in each state. Ohio drew a map that analysts say gives Republicans a slight advantage in a few seats.
For Democrats, in addition to the five seats that could be gained in California, a court-ordered redistricting in Utah could help Democrats win a seat there. And Virginia Democrats have started a process that could yield two seats in that state.
Blaise Gainey covers state politics for The Texas Newsroom. Andrew Schneider covers politics and government for Houston Public Media.
Let’s get the big news out of the way first: “Dancing With the Stars” did eliminate one couple during this year’s semifinals, after two consecutive seasons where the semis ended in a “Surprise! You’re all going to the finale!” twist.
Now, having said that, a whopping six pairs competed in this season’s semifinals, compared to the usual five — so by eliminating just one on Tuesday, we’ve still got five contenders headed to the finale. (Too many! Four finalists or bust!) But after back-to-back years of an anticlimactic semifinals result, I was at least pleased to see this stage of the competition have some actual stakes once again.
Each remaining couple performed two dances this week: one in a style they hadn’t yet attempted this season, and another in a style they’d previously done, which gave them a chance to show their growth. Plus, the music of Prince served as the soundtrack for each routine, which enhanced most of them… but perhaps not all.
Keep scrolling to see who advanced to next week’s Season 34 finale, then hit the comments with your thoughts on the results!
SAFE: Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten
Courtesy of ABC
First up for Elaine and Alan was a foxtrot, which was perfectly lovely… and, unfortunately, not much more. After a magnetic couple of weeks where Elaine soared on Wicked Night and bounced back with tenacity from an injury, this foxtrot had me worried that Elaine was destined to go out with a whimper. But not so! She followed it up with a paso doble that was easily her best dance of the season, packed as it was with passion, intensity, and an almost-tangible hope to score a spot in the finale. Which she did! Yay!
JUDGES’ SCORES: 27 (Round 1) + 30 (Round 2) for a total of 57 out of 60
SAFE: Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy
Courtesy of ABC
Alix and Val showcased an Argentine tango in Tuesday’s first round — a style that, on paper, had the potential to be another breakthrough moment for Alix. Unfortunately, “Little Red Corvette” did her and Val no favors as the performance’s soundtrack, with its funky bounce smothering many of their opportunities for sensual connection. (Plus, some of Alix’s footwork was just a hair behind Val’s as they made their way across the floor in the middle of the number.)
Fortunately, Alix redeemed herself — and then some! — with the second round’s Viennese waltz, which was not only appropriately elegant, but also tremendously electric between her and her partner. That slooow split? The backbend to end all backbends? In a season full of impressive performances, this may have been Alix’s best yet.
JUDGES’ SCORES: 28 (Round 1) + 30 (Round 2) for a total of 58 out of 60
SAFE: Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach
Courtesy of ABC
Dylan has been such an interesting case. He’s one of the season’s most improved performers, no doubt… but he’s also one of the most inconsistent, earning nines way back in Week 5, then some eights in subsequent weeks, followed by a perfect score, now nines again on Tuesday. It’s been that way in the execution, too: Some weeks, he’s incredibly self-assured and dancing all out; others are more timid, like the moment in Tuesday’s cha-cha when the troupe joined him and Daniella, but his hip action was oddly restrained.
Their Round 1 tango was similarly erratic, with Dylan really committing to some movements, and others, not so much. But hey, he made it to the finale! And Zac Efron was there to witness it!
JUDGES’ SCORES: 27 (Round 1) + 28 (Round 2) for a total of 55 out of 60
SAFE: Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa
Courtesy of ABC
After turning in a Round 1 jive that was ambitious but perhaps unmemorable, Jordan rebounded with an Argentine tango that allowed her to peak at just the right time. Much like with Alix and Val’s Argentine tango, I’d argue “U Got the Look” was a bit of a musical hindrance for that style, but Jordan’s execution was precise, passionate and determined. Jordan has been on the hunt for that perfect score for a few weeks now, and it felt like she really earned those 10s across the board.
JUDGES’ SCORES: 27 (Round 1) + 30 (Round 2) for a total of 57 out of 60
SAFE: Robert Irwin and Witney Carson
Courtesy of ABC
The jive really seems to be Robert’s style, which is a rare thing to say about any male contestant on this show. But he nailed it way back in Week 1, he nailed it in last week’s relay dance, and he nailed it in Tuesday’s semifinals, attacking Witney’s intricate choreography with full-body commitment and delightful precision. (That flip over Witney, followed by a wonderfully in-sync side-by-side section, were some of the evening’s best sequences of any performance.)
Robert and Witney followed that up with a Viennese waltz set to “WOW,” another song that I felt was incongruent with the style. Electric guitars? For a Viennese waltz?! Fortunately, the final product found the right balance of grace and power.
JUDGES’ SCORES: 30 (Round 1) + 29 (Round 2) for a total of 59 out of 60
ELIMINATED: Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas
Courtesy of ABC
On one hand, going purely off Whitney’s skill level and her season-long place near the top of the leaderboard, it’s a complete shock that she was eliminated on Tuesday. On the other, if you’ve taken even a short glance at the comments on the “Dancing With the Stars” Instagram page, you know that Whitney has struggled to connect with a large swath of the home audience. It could be her previous dance experience, which always seems to put some voters off; it could be the not-so-great light she’s painted in on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives”; it could be a little of both, or something else entirely!
Regardless, though she fell short of next week’s finale, Whitney went out on a creative high, turning in a cha-cha and Viennese waltz on Tuesday that once again proved she was one of the most formidable contestants on not just this season, but any “Dancing” season.
JUDGES’ SCORES: 29 (Round 1) + 29 (Round 2) for a total of 58 out of 60
What’s your reaction to Whitney and Mark getting the boot ahead of the finale? And which of the five finalists are you hoping to see hoist that Mirrorball next week? Tell us in the comments!
After years of rumours and “maybe next year” speculation, Iberia is finally putting Toronto (YYZ) on the map.
Starting June 13, 2026, the Spanish flag carrier will launch non-stop flights between Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Madrid (MAD), operated five times weekly and timed nicely for both Canadian leisure travellers and onward connections across Spain, Europe, and beyond.
The route is part of Iberia’s Flight Plan 2030 growth strategy, which includes a planned €6 billion investment and an expansion of its long-haul fleet from 45 to 70 aircraft over the next decade. Toronto will become Iberia’s 49th destination in its network, and its only point in Canada.
It’s a welcome addition to Toronto’s nonstop options to Europe, and more importantly, another way to put Avios to work.
Toronto (YYZ) to Madrid (MAD) on the A321XLR
Iberia’s new service will operate five weekly during the summer season on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with the following schedule:
IB367: Madrid (MAD) 12:00 p.m. → Toronto (YYZ) 3:00 p.m.
IB368: Toronto (YYZ) 5:10 p.m. → Madrid (MAD) 6:55 a.m. (+1 day)
The flight is blocked at around 9 hours westbound and 8 hours 45 minutes eastbound, covering roughly 3,774 miles each way.
Iberia will deploy its Airbus A321XLR, configured with:
182 seats total
14 lie-flat business class seats
168 economy seats
The A321XLR is Iberia’s new long-range narrow-body workhorse, featuring Airbus’s Airspace cabin with larger overhead bins, modern lighting, and updated interiors. It’s designed to give widebody-like range with single-aisle economics – which airlines love, even if some passengers still side-eye a narrow-body for an overnight Atlantic crossing.
Iberia expects to offer around 37,000 seats between Madrid and Toronto over the first summer season, which is a meaningful but modest capacity increase compared to widebody operations.
Iberia has also announced it will roll out free, high-speed Wi-Fi powered by Starlink starting in 2026. Once available on the A321XLR to this route, passengers can look forward to in flight connectivity fast enough for streaming and work.
Redeeming Avios on Iberia’s Toronto–Madrid Flights
The flights are already loaded into Iberia’s system, and initial economy award pricing out of Toronto (YYZ) is showing 25,000 Avios or 31,500 Avios one-way with taxes and fees from about $112.43USD.
iberia toronto madrid
That’s a bit higher than Iberia’s lowest published rates on this route’s distance band, where Economy Basic awards start as low as 16,000 Avios off-peak and 19,500 Avios on peak dates. Early signs suggest we’re either seeing dynamic pricing or that true “saver” inventory simply hasn’t been loaded yet.
Historically, comparable routes – such as Iberia’s A321XLR service from Washington Dulles – have priced lower at off-peak, saver levels, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see Toronto eventually align with those bands once the dust settles.
A few practical notes for booking with Avios:
Book via Iberia Plus where possible for lower surcharges compared to British Airways Executive Club on Iberia metal.
Iberia Plus awards on Iberia flights can be changed or cancelled (for a fee) up to 24 hours before departure; within 24 hours, changes and refunds are not allowed.
If you’re flexible with dates, it’s worth monitoring the calendar for when 16,000 Avios off-peak pricing becomes available. And even if 25,000 or 31,500 Avios is the best you can do in the short term, it’s still a fair deal for a transatlantic nonstop, especially if you’re leveraging a transfer bonus.
How to Earn Avios
The happy part of this announcement is that Avios are very easy to earn, and you get several levers to play with:
RBC Avion: Avion points transfer 1:1 to British Airways Avios, and you can then move Avios between BA, Iberia, and other Avios “flavours.” Currently, there’s a 30% transfer bonus from RBC Avion to British Airways Avios, which can meaningfully lower your effective cost for these flights if you lock in early.
American Express Membership Rewards: Amex MR also transfers to Avios, providing another flexible source of points you can direct toward Iberia, British Airways, or Qatar Airways.
Hotel points: Marriott Bonvoy remains a last resort, with 60,000 Bonvoy points converting to 25,000 Avios, but you’ll definitely get better value using bank currencies first.
Stack those sources, and a round-trip economy redemption (or even business in the future) to Madrid on Iberia from Toronto can be very achievable – especially if you catch a transfer bonus window like the one currently available with RBC.
Conclusion
Iberia’s new Toronto (YYZ) – Madrid (MAD) service launching June 13, 2026, adds another useful nonstop route to Europe for Canadians on the Airbus A321XLR.
With five weekly flights, award availability already loaded, and seamless connectivity into Iberia’s broader network, it’s a smart expansion that fits neatly into the airline’s Flight Plan 2030 and the oneworld transatlantic partnership.
If you’ve been stockpiling Avios, or thinking about getting started, the timing couldn’t be better. With the ongoing 30% Avion to Avios transfer bonus, it’s easy to lock in a great deal to Spain.
Panera Bread is launching a multimillion-dollar initiative to overhaul its operations to boost traffic and reverse years of stagnant sales growth.
Panera, one of many fast-casual restaurants contending with a challenging landscape, announced its transformation strategy on Tuesday, dubbed “Panera RISE,” which is focused on refreshing the menu, boosting its value proposition and customer experience by enhancing the look of its restaurants and expanding its network.
The company aims to use this strategy to help it reach more than $7 billion in systemwide sales by 2028, up from the $6 billion it currently brings in annually. In 2023, U.S. sales peaked at $6.5 billion, but its units and sales haven’t substantially increased since, according to reports citing data from Technomic.
“As we transform our business, we are investing in four strategic pillars that put the guest at the very center of everything we do,” Panera Bread CEO Paul Carbone said, adding that the company has already “made considerable progress in strengthening” its foundation.
The company aims to use its strategy to help it reach more than $7 billion in systemwide sales by 2028, up from the $6 billion it currently brings in annually. Stan Reese – stock.adobe.com
The fast-casual chain specializing in salads, sandwiches and baked goods, had 2,239 bakery-cafes, company-owned and franchise locations across North America. Part of the turnaround includes building new locations and “modernizing” its current portfolio of restaurants “to ensure consistent operational excellence across franchise and Panera company bakery-cafes,” the company said. Panera didn’t disclose where the new locations would open or what they would look like.
The company said its plan also includes elevating the company’s food served throughout the day to “incorporate abundant, flavorful and distinctive, high-quality ingredients.” It also aims to enhance its bakery and beverage options. Panera will also promise to have a “variety of price points” so its menu remains affordable.
The company will also deploy more staffing into front-of-house service to enhance the experience for guests.
In 2023, U.S. sales peaked at $6.5 billion, but its units and sales haven’t substantially increased since. Jammer Gene – stock.adobe.com
Panera is the latest company to initiate a major turnaround as the industry contends with supply-chain disruptions and rising labor costs coupled with subdued traffic. Starbucks chief Brian Niccol announced a “Back to Starbucks” turnaround program shortly after taking the reins in 2024. The program is focused on driving traffic through operational improvements, store portfolio optimization and innovation.
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Earlier this year, TGI Fridays CEO Ray Blanchette told FOX Business that it was revamping its menu as part of its comeback from bankruptcy.
Similarly, Hooters is also trying to make a return after emerging from bankruptcy this year. Its new owners are updating its menu and changing the image that once defined the restaurant chain.
Meanwhile, Dine Brands Global CEO John Peyton told FOX Business that the company is working to boost sales by strategically combining its morning-focused brand, IHOP, with its evening-centric one, Applebee’s. The goal is to create a dual-branded model that allows it to capture and serve customers throughout every daypart – breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night – in a way that, as Peyton puts it, “no other restaurant company can.”
All he had to do was get most of the world to back his sweeping plan for bringing peace to Gaza.
It was a long shot, but he and his skilled negotiating team pulled it off.
So much so that a Monday Times headline called it “A Major Breakthrough.”
The story went on to declare that the United Nations Security Council vote to support the president’s plan represents “a major diplomatic victory for the Trump administration.”
It is that, and a helluva lot more, including the fact that it already has saved untold lives, both Jewish and Arab, and will save many more each day if it is fully implemented.
The 13-0 vote, with China and Russia abstaining, increases what was already the only chance for a broad Mideast peace the region has had in decades.
It is also worth noting that China and Russia, as permanent members of the Security Council, chose not to use their veto powers, which reveals that they, too, realize there is no realistic alternative in Gaza other than more war.
The New York Times miraculously praised President Trump after the UN Security Council approved his Gaza peace plan. REUTERS
Hissy fit to print
One takeaway of the good news is that a word of caution is in order to the Times reporter whose byline is on the complimentary article.
Farnaz Fassihi covers the UN, and so she might have missed the Times’ newsroom edict that all employees shall speak only evil of Trump.
The daily drumbeat of anti-Trump screeds in the leftist paper is as predictable as it nauseating.
The formula is mindlessly simple: If Trump is for it, the Times is rabidly against it.
Facts and fairness don’t enter into the decision.
That could mean some of Fassihi’s rabid colleagues will use social media to try to drive her out of her job, as they have others who dared to display insufficient hate for Trump and his every word, idea and action.
For the rest of the world, the Security Council vote marks what I see as Miracle No. 2 that Trump and his team have delivered for Gaza.
The first came in September when he unveiled the 20-point plan for a cease-fire and a hostage and prisoner swap.
It seemed like a waste of time when he first talked about the idea, but with some arm-twisting, Israel signed on immediately.
So, too, did much of Europe and important regional powers, including Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The Arab buy-in, especially from Qatar, which has been Hamas’ principal funder and protector, gave the plan a burst of momentum that even the terror group’s leaders could not ignore.
They soon saw the light, gave their approval and began returning the first of the 20 living hostages they had been savagely holding in Gaza tunnels for more than two years, along with the remains of others who were almost certainly murdered in captivity.
The weeks since have been among the quietest since the war began with Hamas’ savage invasion of Oct. 7, 2003.
And now UN support offers reasons to hope the guns will stay silent.
Still, there remains a large hurdle, and getting the Trump plan over it would constitute Miracle No. 3.
It will need to be achieved if all the dramatic and lasting benefits the plan envisions are to be realized.
MAGA hat trick
As I see it, Miracle No. 3 would be the disarming of Hamas.
Without it, all the other gains are vulnerable and subject to being reversed by crazy dead-enders who live to kill Jews.
Hamas savages also seem to enjoy killing fellow Palestinians in Gaza, as recent events show.
The videos of their gruesome public executions capture the hell on Earth they have created.
The White House maintains the terror group promised to give up all its weaponry when it endorsed the original plan, but there’s no sign that is actually happening.
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A fall-back possibility is the plan’s provision calling for an International Stabilization Force to help demilitarize the strip and secure and maintain peace.
The force, to be made up of troops from various countries, will also take over land held by Israel inside Gaza as the IDF withdraws.
That provision is one that makes the measure’s adoption by the Security Council so crucial.
Several countries have said approval would make it more likely they would contribute armed forces to the stabilization group because Security Council passage makes the Trump plan legally binding under international law.
Another key measure in the plan calls for a “technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee,” to deliver basic services in Gaza.
In part to satisfy Israeli concerns about the committee, it will be supervised by an international body called the “Board of Peace,” which will be headed by Trump.
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is set to join the group, which will also handle the envisioned international funding for Gaza redevelopment.
Meanwhile, another part of the plan declares that Hamas and other factions agree to not have any role in governing Gaza.
And all “military, terror, and offensive infrastructure, including tunnels and weapon production facilities, are to be destroyed.”
Palestinian state-craft
The sweeping yet detailed plan reflects Trump’s ambitious commitment to peace in the Middle East.
Another sign is the lavish praise he heaped on Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, during a White House visit Tuesday.
In giving MBS a pass on having any role or knowledge about the 2018 murder of a critic turned Washington Post columnist, Trump exhibited how eager he is to get the prince to join the Abraham Accords, a breakthrough pact achieved in his first term, and fully normalize relations with Israel.
In the past, the Saudis have insisted that a Palestinian state has to be part of any deal.
Although There is mention of such an entity in the Trump plan, but no commitment, and the president has said that creating one now would be rewarding Hamas.
He’s right about that, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that such a state will not happen on his watch.
Nor is there a sign of any possible Israeli successor who would endorse such a state after what Hamas did on Oct. 7 and since.
In addition, there are many practical complications, including the actual borders.
And given Trump’s statements about not wanting to reward Hamas, I don’t see how a Palestinian state emerges from the Gaza rubble.
If the Saudi ruler is as smart as his fans say, he will not allow the issue to stand in the way of all the good things that would result for millions of people in the region under the Trump plan.
Indeed, the plan is so good and far reaching that, if fully implemented, the president should hands down win that elusive Nobel Peace Prize.
AI chatbots have been under scrutiny for mental health risks that come with users developing relationships with the tech or using them for therapy or support during acute mental health crises. As companies respond to user and expert criticism, one of OpenAI’s newest leaders says the issue is at the forefront of her work.
This May, Fidji Simo, a Meta alum, was hired as OpenAI’s CEO of Applications. Tasked with managing anything outside CEO Sam Altman’s scope of research and computing infrastructure for the company’s AI models, she detailed a stark contrast between working at the tech company headed by Mark Zuckerberg and one by Altman in a Wired interview published Monday.
“I would say the thing that I don’t think we did well at Meta is actually anticipating the risks that our products would create in society,” Simo told Wired. “At OpenAI, these risks are very real.”
Meta did not respond immediately to Fortune’s request for comment.
Simo worked for a decade at Meta, all while it was still known as Facebook, from 2011 to July 2021. For her last two-and-a-half years, she headed the Facebook app.
In August 2021, Simo became CEO of grocery delivery service Instacart. She helmed the company for four years before joining one of the world’s most valuable startups as its secondary CEO in August.
One of Simo’s first initiatives at OpenAI was mental health, the 40-year-old told Wired. The other initiative she was tasked with was launching the company’s AI certification program to help bolster workers’ AI skills in a competitive job market and trying to smooth AI’s disruption within the company.
“So it is a very big responsibility, but it’s one that I feel like we have both the culture and the prioritization to really address up-front,” Simo said.
When joining the tech giant, Simo said that just by looking at the landscape, she immediately realized mental health needed to be addressed.
A growing number of people have been victims of what’s sometimes referred to as AI psychosis. Experts are concerned chatbots like ChatGPT potentially fuel users’ delusions and paranoia, which has led to them to be hospitalized, divorced, or dead.
An OpenAI company audit by peer-reviewed medical journal BMJ released in October revealed hundreds of thousands of ChatGPT users exhibit signs of psychosis, mania, or suicidal intent every week.
A recent Brown University study also found as more people turn to ChatGPT and other large language models for mental health advice, they systemically violate mental health ethics standards established by organizations like the American Psychological Association.
Simo said she must navigate an “uncharted” path to address these mental health concerns, adding there’s an inherent risk to OpenAI constantly rolling out different features.
“Every week new behaviors emerge with features that we launch where we’re like, ‘Oh, that’s another safety challenge to address,’” Simo told Wired.
Still, Simo has overseen the company’s recent introduction of parental controls for ChatGPT teen accounts and added OpenAI is working on “age prediction to protect teens.” Meta has also moved to instate parental controls by early next year
Still, doing the right thing every single time is exceptionally hard,” Simo said, due to the sheer volume of users (800 million per week). “So what we’re trying to do is catch as much as we can of the behaviors that are not ideal and then constantly refine our models.”
On the grasslands of Kenya’s Laikipia Plateau, Segera Retreat is tucked away amongst giant euphorbias, towering bougainvilleas, and lofty yellow bark acacias. Time. One of the most precious commodities. Choosing to spend it wisely can be life-altering. Arriving at Segera on a Thursday morning via Cessna 182, the landscape stretches below me. Captain Nile does a loop around the airstrip to check that it’s clear for landing. He banks the 4-seater fixed-wing aircraft to show me a small herd of elephants walking on the plains. When I asked him earlier how far the property is from the airstrip, he wasn’t joking when he said he would drop me off in the car park!
An aerial view of Segera. Photo courtesy of Segera
Guide Simon is standing next to the Segera branded Toyota Land Cruiser to welcome me to my home for the next three nights. Guest experience manager Jerry hands me a cooling towel. Walking across the wooden bridge, which doubles as a star deck, service attendant Peter is waiting with a refreshing drink. I’m having lunch at Paddock House, which used to be part of the cattle ranch before it was turned into Segera Retreat.
Lunch is a delightful event. Photo courtesy of Segera
Most of the spaces have significant meaning. The wine tower’s shape resembles that of a Samburu woman’s elongated neck. What used to be horse stables is now an interesting art gallery with specially curated pieces. Once a mismanaged cattle farm, the 50,000-acre ranch has been turned into one of the most iconic properties in the heart of the wilderness. Joining me for lunch is effervescent general manager Jens. He speaks with undulated passion about Segera and how it came to be such a renowned escape for guests who simply want to get away from it all. And still be in the absolute lap of luxury.
Head Chef Violet cooks up the most delicious fare. Photo courtesy of Segera
His eyes sparkle with enthusiasm as he recounts what has been achieved in the past thirteen years. “Segera was constructed by local builders from Kenya,” Jens tells me over a selection of food prepared by Head Chef Violet. He takes a sip of his homemade kombucha. Becoming pensive for a moment, he recalls that the land was overgrazed and fenced off. Smiling broadly, he proudly points to the green lawn just beyond the dining area. A slight frown furrows his brow. “Can you believe that when we started the project, lions were barely seen? After the fences were dropped and the wildlife could roam freely, different species found their home at Segera. It is an incredible rewilding success story.” Jens gently tucks into the scrumptious chicken wings, advising that I, too, should eat mine with my hands. When the pastry chef delivers dessert, he clearly loves the banana bread they make here. A second slice? Of course!
The Garden Villas are stunning. Photo courtesy of Segera
After lunch, Villa Attendants (yes, each villa has its own staff complement), Ezuro, and Pauline show me to Garden Villa 1. With sweeping views over the surroundings and the watering hole a few yards away, I am at a loss for words. The double-story dwelling has a downstairs section, with a daybed and a seating area. Up the stairs, a black aluminium and glass-framed door opens up into the villa space, which consists of a wardrobe, a lounge, a bedroom, and a bathroom. On the outside deck, a freestanding tub can be filled any time, day or night, with or without bubbles. Coming back from a game drive and receiving a handwritten note from my butlers to say ‘enjoy the hot bath’ adds a special touch to my stay.
Interiors are dreamy. Photo courtesy of Segera
Interiors were the handiwork of Maira Koutsoudakis from Life Interiors Architecture and Strategic Design. An eclectic blueprint paved the way for a contemporary aesthetic. Think understated elegance coupled with tactile fabrics and bold finishes. Beds are draped in the softest linens, with billowing mosquito nets, creating a sense of romance. Double vanities in white are beautifully offset against dark wooden shutters. And not losing sight of the hero of Segera. On a clear day, Mount Kenya, the second largest peak in Africa after Mount Kilimanjaro, rises from the plateau base, standing proud at 17,057 ft.
An Eastern black rhino. What a privilege to see. Photo by Heléne Ramackers
Segera is perfectly positioned at an altitude of 5,905 ft above sea level. This makes for an all-year temperate climate, the ideal environment for twice-daily safaris. Simon is keen to showcase the wildlife that inhabits the private reserve. Setting off on our afternoon safari, he shares the news that Segera has released a number of endangered Eastern black rhinos into the Rhino Conservancy. He suddenly slows the vehicle down and picks up his binoculars.
Far in the distance, a shape comes into view. Simon grins like a contented father. “This is Kitue,” he whispers. In spite of the rhino’s bad eyesight, he edges closer to us, but we move out of his way. What an amazing privilege to see this animal in its natural habitat.
The Wine Tower. Photo courtesy of Segera
Tonight, I am having dinner in the Wine Tower. Violet has crafted a delectable choice of vegetables, potato wedges, and beef fillet. My meal is concluded with melt-in-your-mouth vanilla ice cream. The Wine Tower houses an enviable range of white and red wines, rosés, and champagnes. It is a popular venue for couples or honeymooners wanting some privacy. Or guests simply enjoying a celebratory meal. An eye-catching detail is the glass chandelier, which is suspended from the very high ceiling. Retiring for the night, I am filled with anticipation of what the following day will bring.
A sub-adult from the Central Pride. Photo by Heléne Ramackers
Before heading out on the morning safari, Peter presents me with scrumptious biscuits and hot chocolate. Today, Simon wants to try and track down the most elusive of them all – a leopard. We don’t find her as the terrain where she has stashed her cubs is almost impenetrable. All is not lost as we spot a few figures flat in the grass. It’s the Central Pride, consisting of two male lions, three lionesses, five sub-adults, and three new cubs. There are only four of the pride members here, and the young lioness seems rather intrigued by a small herd of zebra. Her brother, on the other hand, is looking up at vultures circling in the sky.
An elephant ‘smelling’ us. Photo by Heléne Ramackers
Elephants form an integral part of any ecosystem. They are often seen as ‘destructive’ because they break down trees and uproot them. Not only are they highly intelligent, but they also contribute to plants growing by providing gaps in the vegetation when they feed on the foliage. Watching a breeding herd with calves of differing ages is a wonderful experience. Two of the youngsters are chasing one another when a third one tries to join. Ears flapping, the tussle doesn’t last long when mom steps in. Not sure whether it was a look from her or the deep rumble she emitted.
A leucistic zebra. Photo by Heléne Ramackers
Zebras can be very entertaining. These black and white striped equines all have unique patterns, similar to a human’s fingerprints. At Segera, there are the plains or common zebra and the threatened grévy’s zebra. Seeing a mom and daughter amongst a herd of plains zebra tugs at the heartstrings. Another highlight is encountering a leucistic zebra. This rare genetic condition causes the zebra to have a blonde coat. The stripes appear pale, and the eyes are different as they lack pigmentation.
Reticulated giraffes are a beautiful sight at Segera. Photo by Heléne Ramackers
Native to the Horn of Africa, two reticulated giraffes are busy feeding at the back of Paddock House. They are gorgeous, with large polygonal block-like spots. Sitting quietly at breakfast, I take in their magnificence. There is something truly magical about unhurried time spent in the bush. You set your own pace. Whether you choose to have a languid morning in your villa, witnessing the sun rise over the escarpment. Crafting your personal schedule is a real luxury. It’s one of Segera’s signature offerings, creating the ultimate East African safari.
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