AI bot attacks increase 10-fold, report reveals

The number of cyber attacks on the internet carried out byartificial intelligencebots has increased more than 10-fold over the last year, new research has found.

The Independent US In 2024, bots made up a bigger proportion of global internet traffic than humans for the first time (iStock/ Getty Images)

DailyAI-enabled bot attacks rose from 2 million to 25 million in a single year, according to the 2026 Bad Bot Report fromcybersecurityresearchers at Thales.

“While this rise in AI-powered attacks is significant, the larger shift in 2025 was the normalisation of AI and automation within internet infrastructure itself,” the report noted.

“AI-driven attacks were observed across a wide range of industries and geographies, highlighting the global scale and reach of AI-enabled automation.”

Industries targeted by AI bots range from retail and business, to education and government.

Thesame report last yearfound that more than half of all internet traffic in 2024 was made up of bots, with this trend continuing in 2025.

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Bots now make up more than 53 per cent of all web traffic, up from 51 per cent from the previous year.

Around 40 per cent of web traffic is now made up of so-called bad bots, which can include anything from automated systems designed to steal data, to botnets that flood websites with traffic in order to crash them.

The US was the most targeted country for bot attacks in 2025, followed by Australia, the UK and France.

The rise of malicious AI bots brings new challenges to cyber security professionals, who are tasked with protecting the web against the ever-evolving threat.

“AI is transforming automation from something organisations try to block into something they must also manage,” said Tim Chang, a general manager of applications and security at Thales.

“The challenge is no longer identifying bots. It’s understanding what the bot, agent, or automation is doing. whether it aligns with business intent, and how it interacts with critical systems.”

AI bot attacks increase 10-fold, report reveals

The number of cyber attacks on the internet carried out byartificial intelligencebots has increased more than 10-fold over the last yea...
Which Eurovision 2026 tracks are leading on momentum and platform data

Every Eurovision season builds its own kind of momentum long before the final results are in. Songs begin to travel across streaming platforms, fan communities start to rally around early favorites, and some entries separate themselves through sheer scale, while others build more quietly through steady growth. By the time the contest reaches its final stretch, platform data can already reveal which tracks are breaking through and which ones are still trying to catch up.

Stacker Trucks are parked outside Stadthalle for the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria. - Joe Klamar // AFP via Getty Images

Which Eurovision 2026 tracks are leading on momentum and platform data

That does not mean data can fully explain Eurovision. Live performances, staging, jury preferences, national voting patterns, and the unpredictable chemistry of the night still matter. But platform performance can offer a useful early read on where attention is concentrating, which entries are accelerating at the right time, and which songs look strongest if the field is judged only on measurable traction.

With that in mind,Viberateexamined 35 Eurovision 2026 entries using recent streaming and platform data to identify which tracks are showing the strongest measurable traction. The goal is to identify which songs are gaining momentum, which ones already command the strongest audience demand, and which entries have built the broadest platform support. In this article, Viberate explores a simple question: If measurable streaming and platform signals were the main basis for judging the field, which songs would look strongest heading into Eurovision 2026?

Why data still matters before Eurovision night

In a contest built on live performance, staging, and national voting patterns, raw platform data can never tell the whole story. Still, it can say a lot about which songs are breaking through before viewers cast a single vote.

To see which Eurovision 2026 entries look strongest on measurable traction alone, 35 nominated tracks were ranked using a data-only model built from recent demand, momentum, and platform support signals. The analysis focused on three questions: Which songs are attracting the most audience demand right now? Which ones are gaining momentum at the right moment? And which entries are receiving the strongest platform support through playlist reach and related indicators?

That approach does not attempt to predict the actual winner. Eurovision has always been more complicated than a streaming race. Jury preferences, diaspora patterns, live vocals, staging, and the chemistry of the night can all change the outcome. But if the field is judged only on current data signals, a clearer hierarchy emerges.

Top 10 Eurovision 2026 entries by data signals

A table ranking the top 10 Eurovision 2026 entries by data signals. - Courtesy of Viberate

Per sempre sì leads the field

At the top of that hierarchy is “Per sempre sì.” The track leads the full field in overall score, driven by the strongest demand profile and the highest support score in the 35-song set. In practical terms, that means it is not simply posting one strong metric. It is performing at a high level across the areas the model values most: sustained audience pull and broad platform backing. Its recent momentum is solid rather than spectacular, but the base is strong enough that it still finishes clearly ahead of the rest of the field.

The main reason that matters is that big tracks can lead in different ways. Some are rising quickly from a smaller base. Others are already operating from a position of scale. “Per sempre sì” belongs to the second group. Its case is not that it is the fastest riser in the race. Its case is that it has already built the largest measurable footprint while maintaining enough current movement to stay in front.

The chasing pack behind the leader

Behind it, the chasing group is tighter and more interesting. “Liekinheitin,” “JALLA,” “Bangaranga,” “Før Vi Går Hjem,” and “Ferto” form the clearest second tier in the model. Those songs do not all get there the same way, which is one reason the analysis is more useful than a simple streams chart.

“Liekinheitin” looks like one of the most secure all-round contenders. It combines high demand, strong support, and enough momentum to avoid looking static. It does not dominate one category as decisively as the leader, but it does very little wrong. That makes it one of the least fragile profiles in the top tier.

“JALLA” also scores strongly, especially on scale. It has one of the strongest demand profiles in the set, and its support metrics remain good enough to keep it firmly among the leaders.

If one song makes the strongest case as the most balanced challenger, though, it is “Bangaranga.” That track stands out because it does not lean too heavily on one pillar. Its demand is strong, its momentum is among the best in the upper tier, and its support metrics are solid enough to keep it competitive. In a data-only ranking, balance matters. A track that is merely large can stall. A track that is merely rising can still be too small. “Bangaranga” looks more complete than that. It is one of the few entries near the top that looks strong in all three directions at once.

“Før Vi Går Hjem” and “Ferto” round out the strongest cluster. Both are credible high-end contenders in the model, but with slightly different profiles. “Før Vi Går Hjem” leans more on support and steady demand than on explosive recent acceleration. “Ferto” looks broad and stable, with fewer extreme strengths but no major weakness. Neither track feels inflated by one odd metric or one short-lived spike, which helps explain why both remain close to the top in multiple scoring scenarios.

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That stability matters because the model was rerun under alternative weighting systems, including versions that gave more weight to demand and momentum. The ordering shifted slightly, but the same core group stayed near the front. That is one of the strongest signs that the ranking is capturing something real rather than producing an arbitrary result.

Which songs are gaining momentum fastest

Just below the top cluster, a second analytical divide appears. Some songs look strong because they are already large. Others look dangerous because they are moving fast.

The clearest momentum names in the wider field include “Nova Zora - Eurovision 2026,” “Paloma Rumba,” “Ridnym - Eurovision Version,” “Just Go,” and “Nân.” These tracks show stronger acceleration patterns than many of the bigger entries above them. That makes them worth watching, but not all momentum profiles should be treated the same way. A track can climb quickly while still lacking enough total demand or support to challenge the leaders outright.

That is why “Nân” is the most interesting of the momentum-heavy group. It does not merely post a strong growth signal. It also carries enough total strength to break into the top 10 overall. In other words, it looks less like a curiosity and more like a plausible late mover.

By contrast, tracks like “Paloma Rumba” and “Ridnym - Eurovision Version” read more like surge stories than frontrunner stories. Their momentum helps them stand out, but their overall scale remains thinner than the songs at the top of the ranking. In a data-only model, that makes them more compelling as rising threats than as outright leaders.

The reverse is also true. A few entries show the opposite pattern: large footprint, softer recent pace. “Michelle,” “Fire,” “My System,” and “REGARDE !” all fall somewhere in that category. None of them can be dismissed. In fact, “Michelle” is especially strong on pure demand. But their current movement does not look as convincing as their overall size. That distinction matters because it separates songs riding a strong present wave from songs holding on to a larger existing base.

Where the model is most likely to misread the field

One of the most useful parts of this analysis is identifying where the model itself is most likely to overrate or underrate songs. Tracks with especially strong support scores but weaker direct audience pull can look better in a composite than they would in a pure demand race. That appears to be more relevant for entries like “Fire,” “TANZSCHEIN,” and “Ya Ya Ya.” These are not weak songs in the data, but they lean more on platform support than on direct audience-demand leadership.

Another warning sign appears in one-platform skew. A track that looks strong on Spotify but much weaker on YouTube, or vice versa, may have a narrower base than its headline position suggests. That is one reason broad, cross-platform strength is more persuasive than one large isolated number.

What the results actually show

The final result is not a prediction of who will win Eurovision 2026 on stage. It is a ranking of which entries currently look strongest if platform demand, recent momentum, and support signals are treated as the contest’s only inputs.

On that basis, “Per sempre sì” is the clearest leader. “Liekinheitin,” “JALLA,” “Bangaranga,” “Før Vi Går Hjem,” and “Ferto” make up the strongest immediate chasing pack. And within that group, “Bangaranga” may be the most interesting analytical challenger, because its profile is the most balanced rather than the most lopsided.

Methodology

This analysis compared 35 nominated Eurovision 2026 tracks using recent platform data from Viberate exports. Each song was assessed in three areas: audience demand, recent momentum, and platform support. Demand was based on recent Spotify and YouTube activity, momentum was based on whether a track was picking up speed over the recent tracking window, and support was based on playlist reach and related Spotify indicators.

To keep the comparison fair, the ranking focused on recent 30-day performance rather than raw longer-term totals, since the nominated songs were not all released at the same time. That reduced the advantage older releases would otherwise have had. The final result is a data-based ranking of which entries currently look strongest on measurable traction.

This storywas produced byViberateand reviewed and distributed byStacker.

Which Eurovision 2026 tracks are leading on momentum and platform data

Every Eurovision season builds its own kind of momentum long before the final results are in. Songs begin to travel across streaming pl...
Brigitte Macron says time as French first lady laid bare the ‘wickedness and stupidity’ of the world

Brigitte Macron said her time as first lady of France hasmade her more cynical about the worldin a bleak reflection as her husband announced he would step back from politics after next year’s presidential election.

The Independent US

Ms Macron, 73, told French newspaperLa Tribune Dimanchethat the public-facing job at the top of French politics had left her “sometimes sadder than I have ever been”, having exposed her to the“darkness of the world, the stupidity, the wickedness”.

During Emmanuel Macron’s two-term tenure as president of France, Ms Macron has been subjected to vicious attacks and conspiracy theories from online critics, forcing her into a series of lengthy legal battles.

“Before, I had a normal life, children, a job, ups and downs, like everyone else. Here, these ten years have passed so quickly … They have been so intense,” she told the outlet.

First lady Brigitte Macron, right, has faced intense scrutiny during her husband's time leading France (AFP/Getty)

Reflecting on how her life had been changed by public life, the former teacher admitted: “Sometimes I find it hard to see the blue sky. I have moments of pessimism that I didn’t have before.”

Earlier this year, ten people were found guilty of cyber-bullying Ms Macron after spreading false claims about her gender and sexuality, as well as making “malicious remarks” about the 24-year age gap between her and her husband, 48.

The Macrons have pursued a high-profile defamation lawsuit against American right-wing influencer Candace Owens, who promoted claims that she was born a man online.

Tom Clare, their lead counsel in the case, said last year that the couple had found the claims “extremely upsetting”. He noted Ms Macron would have to “subject herself in a very public way” in order to “set the record straight”.

The case dates back years to baseless allegations included in an article in 2021 and later promoted in a viral YouTube video.

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Ms Owens picked up the thread in 2024, announcing that she was “waging her entire professional reputation” on the theory that Ms Macron was born Jean-Michel Trogneux, the name of her older brother, before transitioning.

In a 22-count complaint filed last July, the Macrons accused Ms Owens of a “campaign of global humiliation, turning their lives into fodder for profit-driven lies”. The ongoing case seeks unspecified damages.

Candace Owens (pictured, file) promoted claims Ms Macron was born a man (YouTube/Candace Owens)

Over the last ten years, Ms Macron has used her platform to support people with disabilities, protect vulnerable children and campaign against school bullying.

She has also attracted controversy, including over a video thatappeared to show her slapping her husband during an official visit to Vietnamlast year.

Cameras caught the momentMs Macronpushed her husband in the face as their plane arrived in Hanoi for the start of their southeast Asian tour.

The French leader, who was standing in the doorway of the plane, looked momentarily stunned after the then-unidentified hand hit him in the face.

Playing down headline scrutiny, Mr Macroninsisted he was “bickering, or rather joking, with my wife”.

Three months later, Ms Macron had to defend herself after she was filmed using a sexist slur to describe feminist protesters who had disrupted a theatre performance in Paris.

She said she had been trying to reassure French actor Ary Abittanwhen she called the activists “dirty b*****s”.Ms Macron admitted her language had been “very direct” and “clumsy”.

Brigitte Macron says time as French first lady laid bare the ‘wickedness and stupidity’ of the world

Brigitte Macron said her time as first lady of France hasmade her more cynical about the worldin a bleak reflection as her husband anno...
Suárez fires 8 dominant innings as Red Sox blank Blue Jays 5-0 for first 3-game winning streak

TORONTO (AP) — Ranger Suárez and Greg Weissert combined on a two-hitter, Carlos Narváez hit a solo home run and the Boston Red Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-0 on Monday night, their third straight win and second in a row under interim manager Chad Tracy.

Associated Press Boston Red Sox pitcher Ranger Suarez works against the Toronto Blue Jays during first-inning baseball game action in Toronto, Monday, April 27, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) Boston Red Sox's Willson Contreras, right, scores on a single by teammate Marcelo Mayer as Toronto Blue Jays catcher Tyler Heineman, left, looks on during fourth-inning baseball game action in Toronto, Monday, April 27, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Dylan Cease misses the ground ball hit by Boston Red Sox's Roman Anthony as he tumbles off the mound, allowing a run to score, during fifth-inning baseball game action in Toronto, Monday, April 27, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Ernie Clement, right, forces out Boston Red Sox's Caleb Durbin (5) and throws back to first base but fails to make a double play during fifth-inning baseball game action in Toronto, Monday, April 27, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) Boston Red Sox pitcher Ranger Suarez works against the Toronto Blue Jays during first-inning baseball game action in Toronto, Monday, April 27, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Red Sox Blue Jays Baseball

It’s the first time this season the Red Sox have won three straight. Bostonfired manager Alex Cora and five coachesSaturday after starting 10-17.

A pair of Red Sox fans sat in the front row behind the visitors' bullpen with a sign paying tribute to Cora and coach Jason Varitek, who was reassigned within the organization. It read “Thanks AC-Tek. Forever our captain.”

Suárez (2-2) struck out 10 and walked one, matching a season high by going eight innings. He outpitched Dylan Cease and held the Blue Jays without a hit until Jesús Sánchez doubled down the left-field line to begin the sixth. Suárez struck out the next two batters, then retired leadoff hitter Myles Straw on a flyball.

The left-hander set down the final nine batters he faced before Weissert finished, pitching around a two-out double in the ninth by pinch-hitter Daulton Varsho.

Narváez extended Boston’s season-high streak of games with at least one home run to five by hitting a two-out drive off rookie Chase Lee in the eighth. The homer was Narváez’s second.

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The Red Sox have homered seven times in the past five games after hitting five home runs in their previous 17 games.

Cease (1-1) allowed four runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. He walked three and struck out five.

Blue Jays left fielder Davis Schneider had the highlight defensive play, adiving catch on Jarren Duran’s sinking linerto end the sixth.

Up next

Blue Jays RHP Trey Yesavage is expected to be activated off the injured list to make his season debut Tuesday. LHP Payton Tolle (0-0, 1.50 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Red Sox.

AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Suárez fires 8 dominant innings as Red Sox blank Blue Jays 5-0 for first 3-game winning streak

TORONTO (AP) — Ranger Suárez and Greg Weissert combined on a two-hitter, Carlos Narváez hit a solo home run and the Boston Red Sox beat...
Epstein documents reveal purpose of strange striped building on his Caribbean island

The Epstein files have shed light on the purposeof a mysterious blue and white striped building on the pedophile financier’s Caribbean island of Little Saint James.

The Independent US

Correspondence showed Epstein referredto the building as a “mosque” on multiple occasions, though the plans for the structure were changed multiple times, having at one point been designated as a “music room,” a chapel and a pavilion.

“It should look old… it will be for the inside walls, like a mosque, I would love to see examples,”Epstein wrote in correspondence to a contactin Uzbekistan, discussing types of tiles to decorate the building, which is topped with a golden dome.

It is unclear if the building was ever actually used for its purpose as a place of Islamic worship. Epstein himself identified as a secular Jew.

However, the documents reveal a years-long obsession with Arabic and Muslim art and culture, evidenced in his interactions with powerful figures including Emirati Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem and Mohamed Bin Salman, who would later become Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.

The Epstein files have revealed the purpose of a mysterious blue and white striped building on the pedophile financier’s Caribbean island of Little Saint James (US Department of Justice)

Photos released as part of the files show Epstein with Sulayem – who was forced to resign from his position as head of Dubai-based cargo logistics company DP World due to his association with the financier – inspecting a large, elaborate tapestry on the floor of his New York townhouse in 2014.

In 2003, Epstein claimed toVanity Fairthat he owned “the largest Persian rug you’ll ever see in a private home – so big, it must have come from a mosque.”

While serving jail time in Florida in 2009, Epstein had hired architects to draw up plans for a large “hammam” Turkish bathhouse and spa, complete with baths, massage parlors and a private terrace.

However, the documents reveal a years-long obsession with Arabic and Muslim art and culture, evidenced in his interactions with powerful figures including Emirati Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem (pictured) (House Oversight Committee)

These plans were abandoned in favor of a “music room” the documents show, though the designs were still Middle Eastern in style. In 2011 he asked his Uzbek contact about acquiring the tiles for his “mosque” – detailing specific details such as correct lettering to retain authenticity.

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Epstein exercised his substantial wealth and influence to acquire extravagant pieces for the building. In 2017, the documents show, he met with Aziza Al Ahmadi, an aide to a consultant for the Royal Court of Saudi Arabia.

At that time negotiations were being made for the shipment of a special tent to be shipped to Epstein’s island, as well as more items “for the mosque.”

“We are receiving 3 pieces from the Kaaba,” Epstein’s assistant told a customs broker, apparently referring to the stone cube building that stands at the center of the Islamic holy site of Mecca.

While serving jail time in Florida in 2009, Epstein had hired architects to draw up plans for a large ‘hammam’ Turkish bathhouse and spa, complete with baths, massage parlors and a private terrace (Department of Justice)

One of the items had been “used inside the Kaaba,” according to the document and another was the Kiswa – the outer covering of the structure, which has enormous religious significance.

The covering is replaced every year, created by hundreds of individuals in a royal workshop, using about 1,500 pounds of silk and 250 pounds of gold and silver thread. Each one reportedly costs around $5 million.

After it has been used the Kiswa is divided up and distributed to various organizations or benefactors.

“The black piece was touched by minimum 10 million Muslims of different denominations, Sunni, Shia and others,” Al Ahmadi told Epstein in an email, highlighting the significance of the item.

“They walk around the Kaaba seven rounds then every one tries as much as they can to touch it and they kept their prayers, wishes, tears and hopes on this piece. Hoping after that all their prayers to be accepted.”

Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 after being arrested on sex trafficking charges.

Epstein documents reveal purpose of strange striped building on his Caribbean island

The Epstein files have shed light on the purposeof a mysterious blue and white striped building on the pedophile financier’s Caribbean ...
Nina Dobrev's Plunging Zuhair Murad Gown Comes With Dangerously High Slit

Nina Dobrevmade a striking appearance at The King’s Trust 5th Annual Gala, delivering a red carpet moment that felt both refined and undeniably bold. The actress, known for her polished yet modern approach to eveningwear, once again proved she understands the balance between classic glamour and contemporary edge. Without revealing too much at first glance, her look carried a quiet intensity, one that unfolded gradually the longer viewers looked.

Nina Dobrev attends King’s Trust Gala in plunging Zuhair Murad gown with ridiculously high slit

For the evening, Nina Dobrev chose a deep emerald gown fromZuhair Murad’s Fall/Winter 2025Couture collection — a designer synonymous with intricate craftsmanship and high-quality silhouettes. The piece immediately stood out for its rich, jewel-toned hue, which contrasted beautifully against the red carpet backdrop, making her presence impossible to miss.

As the full look came into focus, the gown revealed its dramatic construction. A plunging sweetheart neckline framed the upper silhouette, adding a touch of sensuality while still maintaining elegance. The bodice featured delicate ruching that enhanced the shape. It also cinched at the waist before flowing into a voluminous skirt. The real statement, however, came from the dangerously high slit, which moved sharply through the fabric. This introduced movement and a bold edge to an otherwise classic silhouette.

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The gown’s fluid drape and subtle shine gave it a luxurious finish, allowing it to catch the light with every step. Dobrev kept the styling minimal and intentional, letting the dress take center stage. She paired the look with strappy silver grey heels and delicate diamond drop earrings, adding just enough sparkle without overwhelming the outfit.

Her beauty look followed the same approach. She wore her hair sleek, straight, and parted down the middle, creating a clean frame for her face. Soft, neutral makeup with defined eyes and a subtle glow completed the look. With this appearance, Dobrev delivered a masterclass in modern red carpet dressing.

Originally reported by Viha Shah ontheFashionSpot.

The postNina Dobrev’s Plunging Zuhair Murad Gown Comes With Dangerously High Slitappeared first onReality Tea.

Nina Dobrev’s Plunging Zuhair Murad Gown Comes With Dangerously High Slit

Nina Dobrevmade a striking appearance at The King’s Trust 5th Annual Gala, delivering a red carpet moment that felt both refined and undeni...
demi lovato

At her sold-out Madison Square Garden show,Demi Lovatoturned the heat up in a dramatic high-slit skirt that gave a peek at the blue thong she was wearing underneath. On April 26, the “Heart Attack”hitmakertook to Instagram to share a carousel of photos and videos, recapping her performances at the arena.

Demi Lovato turns heads in new dancing video

Take a look at Demi Lovato stunning in a dancingvideo:

Demi Lovato’s outfit centered on a vibrant teal corset featuring traditional boning and a sculpted, plunging neckline. Its sharp, structured design contrasted with the more fluid and textural elements of her ensemble. She paired it with a sheer lace micro miniskirt with slits on both sides.

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The sheer fabric left her blue thong on full display under the skirt. Further, she layered her corset with a white faux-fur shrug that added volume and a touch of old-Hollywood drama. She completed her look with knee-high black leather boots and dark retro-style sunglasses.

Originally reported by Ankita Shaw onMandatory.

The postDemi Lovato Turns Heads With Thong Peek in Dramatic High-Slit Lookappeared first onReality Tea.

Demi Lovato Turns Heads With Thong Peek in Dramatic High-Slit Look

At her sold-out Madison Square Garden show,Demi Lovatoturned the heat up in a dramatic high-slit skirt that gave a peek at the blue thong s...
Jalen Brunson breaks free as Knicks take away Hawks' oxygen

NEW YORK — Through four games of their opening-round series with the New York Knicks, the Atlanta Hawks had succeeded in making life difficult for Jalen Brunson. A team-wide effort helmed by on-ball menaces Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker had helped limit the All-NBA point guard to just 43% shooting inside the 3-point arc, with 14 turnovers mitigating his 21 assists.

Yahoo Sports

The struggle to pop Brunson loose led the Knicks toreorient their offense in Game 4, running possessions through Karl-Anthony Towns and prominently featuring OG Anunoby — an approach that worked, but one necessitated by Atlanta selling out on Brunson.

“He can beat you so many ways,” Hawks head coach Quin Snyder said before Game 5. “You know, we'll keep putting different guys on him, changing matchups, trying to do anything you can to just make it hard on him [...] It's not easy.”

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On Tuesday, Brunson offered a reminder of exactly why that is.

Snyder opened Game 5 by juggling Atlanta’s defensive assignments, cross-matching Daniels onto Towns to try to interrupt the flow he found as a high-post hub in Game 4. That slid Alexander-Walker over to Brunson, and while the newly minted Most Improved Player did his level best — and while Daniels still saw his fair share of time in the matchup — Brunson proceeded to shake loose and put together his most composed, decisive, explosive and overwhelming performance of the series.

"Played well. Made shots,” Alexander-Walker said of Brunson’s play on Tuesday. “Gotta be better in his pick-and-roll coverage. Had a few lanes where he was able to get in the paint, get a half a step. Guys like him, that's all that they need."

The Hawks gave Brunson a half-step, and he took a mile, scoring a game-high 39 points on 15-for-23 shooting with 8 assists and just 1 turnover in 35 minutes of work — “a big game from a big-time player,” as Knicks head coach Mike Brown described it after the game — in an emphatic126-97 win, a near-wire-to-wire victory in which the Hawks’ last lead came when a Daniels tip-in made it … 4-2, with 10:39 to go in the first quarter.

Jalen Brunson breaks free as Knicks take away Hawks' oxygen

NEW YORK — Through four games of their opening-round series with the New York Knicks, the Atlanta Hawks had succeeded in making life di...
Angelina Jolie's Daughter Zahara, 21, Speaks About Her 'Kindred' Relationship with Her Mom, Addresses Growing Up in the Public Eye

Angelina Jolie's daughter Zahara reflected on her "kindred" bond with her mom during a speech at a mother-daughter brunch in Atlanta

People Angelina Jolie and Zahara Jolie attend the 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Awards in January 2025.Credit: Presley Ann/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

  • The Spelman College senior credited Jolie for inspiring her values of kindness and helping others

  • Zahara shared how Jolie's humanitarian work influenced her leadership roles and passion for mentoring young girls

Angelina Jolie'soldest daughterZaharais opening up about her relationship with her mom.

The 21-year-old daughter of Jolie spoke at a mother-daughter brunch for the Pearls of Purpose Foundation on Sunday, April 26 in Atlanta. Zahara, who is a graduating senior at Spelman College majoring in psychology and minoring in educational studies, spoke of her "unique" and "kindred" relationship with her famous mother as she addressed the audience.

"When asked to speak with you all today on the value of mother-daughter relationships, it felt challenging to find the words," began Zahara, per avideo on Instagram. "Not challenging because I don’t value it, but because my mom and I have a unique, almost kindred, relationship that can be hard to put into words."

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Angelina Jolie and her daughter Zahara Jolie attend the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards.Credit: VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty

"Our love for each other is a found one. I was adopted at 6 months old and given some of the most special and loving people as my siblings, with a mom who raised us on the value of helping others, being kind and always striving for growth as people," she continued. "These values may sound simple, but in a world where kindness is overlooked and helping others comes at a cost, I am grateful to have had a role model to show me what it looks like to be a decent human being."

Zahara went on to say that other daughters in the room might understand the idea of thinking of her mom as a superhero. She said she's been trying to understand her whole life how Jolie "does it."

"She’s the most selfless, loving and understanding woman who I get to call my mom," said Zahara of Jolie, explaining that she knew going to college and getting accepted into a sorority was a big change for her.

Angelina Jolie with her kids in February 2019.Credit: Monica Schipper/Getty

"Early on, I realized it would be challenging to include my mom and family in these worlds without being able to directly share the effects," she said. "With the addition of the public life that we live, it can be hard to find those special and intimate moments without being overwhelmed with the many eyes that are on us."

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"This has never stopped my mom from being curious about all that I’m learning in and outside of my classrooms at Spelman and having many understandable questions about sorority life and my experiences," Zahara continued. "My family embraces the newness and strives to understand these meaningful organizations in my life as I share my experiences."

Zahara shared that watching Jolie's humanitarian work across the world has "rubbed off" on her and that as the oldest sister, she often took on the "second mother role."

"I loved caring for my younger siblings and mirroring the care and compassion my mom showed us," she said.

Angelina Jolie and her kids attend the Los Angeles Premiere of Marvel Studios'

The college student, who currently serves as vice president of the Mu Phi chapter of her sorority and wants to pursue a career in youth development or mentorship with young girls, added that she's been drawn to leadership roles while in school.

"Through my matriculation, I have witnessed the joy and challenges that come with mentorship and the importance of having positive role models," said Zahara. "We all know that we do not get where we are solely on our merit."

"I think back to a quote I saw years ago that said, ‘I am a strong woman because a strong woman raised me,' " she ended her speech, turning to face Jolie. "Thank you, Mom."

Alongside Zahara, Jolie is mom to twinsVivienneandKnox, 17, plus daughterShiloh, 19, and sons Pax, 22, andMaddox, 24.

Read the original article onPeople

Angelina Jolie's Daughter Zahara, 21, Speaks About Her 'Kindred' Relationship with Her Mom, Addresses Growing Up in the Public Eye

Angelina Jolie's daughter Zahara reflected on her "kindred" bond with her mom during a speech at a mother-daughter brunch...
Major study of ‘light switches’ in cells could pave way for new cancer treatments

A new multimillion-pound study is set to investigate the intricate mechanisms of cellular "light switches" believed to play a crucial role in the development ofcancer.

The Independent US

Researchers at theUniversity of Dundeeaim to unravel the signals that govern cell division, a fundamental biological process vital for growth and injury repair within the human body.

While it is understood thatcellsactivate or deactivate signals to divide, scientists are particularly intrigued by why certain signals must "flash" continuously on and off for proper cellular division.

This rhythmic signalling dictates cell behaviour, and any malfunction in this process could lead to serious health issues, including the onset of cancer.

The team hope that by decoding these previously hidden signals, they can gain a clearer understanding of accurate cell division, pinpoint how this essential process goes awry in diseases like cancer, and ultimately pave the way for more effective treatment strategies.

Study lead Professor Adrian Saurin, from the university’s Faculty of Health, said: “Many of the proteins inside our cells are controlled by chemical tags – phosphates – which are effectively light switches.

“They attach to proteins to turn them ‘on’ and when they detach this turns them ‘off’ again.

“We know a huge amount about which proteins are turned ‘on’ or ‘off’ at any given time in our cells, but what we don’t know is how quickly these proteins can ‘flash’ on and off over time.

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“So we’re missing a huge part of the puzzle, because the rate that these signals flash could effectively be a form of biological morse code, which sends messages to control the behaviour.”

While it is understood that cells activate or deactivate signals to divide, scientists are particularly intrigued by why certain signals must

The rapid on-off cycles are known as phosphorylation–dephosphorylation (PdP) dynamics.

Prof Saurin continued: “We have now created the first tools to decipher this code, which we hope will explain how our cells divide accurately, and shine a light on how this can be used to benefit patients affected by cancer.”

Study co-investigator Dr Tony Ly, from Dundee University’s Faculty of Life Sciences, said: “We’re especially pleased to be leading this project from Dundee since protein phosphorylation is a topic that Dundee is already internationally recognised for.

“This research capitalises on our longstanding collaboration, bringing together complementary expertise, to shed new light on an aspect of phosphorylation that is virtually unexplored.

“Unlocking this knowledge will present us with an opportunity to better understand cancer in the future, perhaps revealing new treatment ideas.”

The eight-year project is funded by a £4 million award from Wellcome and will be conducted in conjunction with the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology in Dortmund, Germany.

Professor Andrea Musacchio, director at the Max Planck Institute and also a co-investigator, said “Our expertise in the biochemical reconstitution of the kinetochore complements the diverse skillsets of our team and gives us the opportunity to understand these patterns during cell division in healthy cells, and what goes wrong in cancer cells that allow them to evolve and become resistant to chemotherapy.”

Major study of ‘light switches’ in cells could pave way for new cancer treatments

A new multimillion-pound study is set to investigate the intricate mechanisms of cellular "light switches" believed to play a...
Farmers in Vermont expected a sheep to have twins. She ended up having rare sextuplets

UNDERHILL, Vt. (AP) — Anne O'Connor just kept counting sheep, and it made her anything but sleepy.

Associated Press In this photo provided by the Clover and Bee Farm, a ewe and her sextuplet lambs rest at the farm in Underhill, Vt., on Thursday, April 9, 2026. (Anne O'Connor/Clover and Bee Farm via AP) Lambs graze at Clover and Bee Farm, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Underhill, Vt. (AP Photo/Amanda Swinhart) A ewe and her sextuplet lambs graze at Clover and Bee Farm, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Underhill, Vt. (AP Photo/Amanda Swinhart) A ewe and her lambs graze at Clover and Bee Farm, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Underhill, Vt. (AP Photo/Amanda Swinhart) A ewe and her sextuplet lambs are pictured at Clover and Bee Farm, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Underhill, Vt. (AP Photo/Amanda Swinhart)

US Sheep Sextuplets Vermont

A sheep owned by O'Connor, who runs Clover & Bee Farm in Underhill, Vermont, with her husband, Gunnar, gave birth to a rare batch of six lambs earlier this month. The sextuplets and their mother are all doing well, making the lamb windfall even more remarkable.

The same ewe previously had quadruplets, and while a recent checkup indicated she would have two lambs this time, O'Connor suspected more. When the big day came, the baby lambs seemed to have kept coming and coming, she said.

“I was a little bit suspicious, just given how big she was and that she was going a little earlier, that she might have more than two,” she said. “Six is great, but it's definitely — it's plenty.”

Sources differ on how uncommon sheep sextuplets are, with O'Connor putting the number around 1 in 1,000 and some agricultural websites placing it at one in a million or higher. O'Connor said she has been in touch with the Vermont Sheep & Goat Association about the births, and the group found only one other shepherd had a sheep give birth to so many lambs.

“They do take longer to reach full body weight, but most do just fine,” said Kristen Judkins of Gilead Fiber Farm, who owned a ewe that had sextuplets three years in a row, in an email. “You have to keep an eye on them for the first few weeks to make sure they are getting enough to eat.”

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The lambs, which are partially the Finnsheep breed, are named the numbers one through six in Finnish. Their mother is named Teemu after Finnish hockey player and Hockey Hall of Famer Teemu Selänne. The O'Connors plan to keep the four ewes and find homes for the two male lambs.

The farm raises sheep for wool and also grows herbs and berries. It's headed for its fifth summer raising sheep. The flock is booming — along with two other recent babies, the six new lambs have brought the total up to 21. And five ewes are currently pregnant.

Teemu's breeding days are likely not over. She'll be allowed a respite, but odds are good she'll have more lambs in the future, O'Connor said.

“She’s a great mom, she’s doing awesome with this,” O'Connor said. “She’s still very much in her reproductive years, so probably a year or more and she’ll just, you know, be able to put her hooves up.”

Whittle reported from Portland, Maine.

Farmers in Vermont expected a sheep to have twins. She ended up having rare sextuplets

UNDERHILL, Vt. (AP) — Anne O'Connor just kept counting sheep, and it made her anything but sleepy. US Sheep Sextuplets Ve...
FDA proposes to withdraw Amgen's rare autoimmune disease drug

April 27 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug ‌Administration's Center for Drug ‌Evaluation and Research on Monday ​proposed withdrawing approval of Amgen's drug for a group of rare autoimmune diseases, ‌citing ⁠a lack of proven effectiveness and untrue ⁠statements in the application that led to its ​approval.

Reuters

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In March, ​the ​FDA said it ‌identified 76 cases of drug-induced liver injury with evidence suggesting a causal link to Tavneos, including seven ‌cases of ​vanishing bile duct ​syndrome (VBDS), ​a rare condition ‌that can cause permanent ​liver ​damage. Eight deaths were reported among those cases.

(Reporting ​by ‌Natalia Bueno Rebolledo in ​Mexico City; Editing by ​Rashmi Aich)

FDA proposes to withdraw Amgen's rare autoimmune disease drug

April 27 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug ‌Administration's Center for Drug ‌Evaluation and Research on Monday ​proposed withdraw...
Iran live updates: Trump says 'no more Mr. Nice Guy' if Iran refuses nuclear deal

President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government and infrastructure sites.

ABC News

Following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire,initial U.S.-Iran talksin Pakistan earlier this month failed to reach a peace deal.

Trump later announced the open-ended extension of the ceasefire and the continuation of the blockade until Iran's proposal is submitted and discussions are concluded "one way or the other."

Latest Developments

Apr 29, 7:03 AMIsraeli strikes kill 3 rescue workers in Lebanon, Civil Defense says

Three members of Lebanon's Civil Defense were killed by Israel in southern Lebanon on Tuesday while trying to carry out a rescue operation, Lebanon's Civil Defense said.Hussein Sati, Hadi Daher and Hussein Ghadbouni were all long-time volunteers with the Civil Defense, the service said. Sati is survived by two children, while Daher and Ghadbouni were both in their 20s.The Lebanese Armed Forces said two of its soldiers were also injured in the same attack.

Shir Torem/Reuters - PHOTO: Smoke rises following explosions in southern Lebanon on April 28, 2026.

-ABC News' Victoria Beaule

Apr 29, 4:24 AMTrump says 'no more Mr. Nice Guy' if Iran refuses nuclear deal

President Donald Trump posted to social media early on Wednesday morning warning of fresh consequences if Tehran does not agree to a new nuclear deal."Iran can't get their act together. They don't know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon!" Trump wrote, adding, "No more Mr. Nice Guy!"

Apr 29, 4:05 AMTrump attacks Merz over Iran war criticism

President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued an apparent rebuke of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's criticism of American strategy in Iran, saying that the German leader doesn't "know what he's talking about."Merz, Trump claimed, "thinks it's OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon" -- something Merz did not say in his Monday criticism of the U.S.-Israel campaign.

Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks as he and First Lady Melania Trump host Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla during a State Dinner in the East Room of the White House in Washington, April 28, 2026.

"If Iran had a Nuclear Weapon, the whole World would be held hostage. I am doing something with Iran, right now, that other Nations, or Presidents, should have done long ago," Trump said."No wonder Germany is doing so poorly, both Economically, and otherwise," Trump added in the post.Merz said at an event on Monday that the U.S. had "no strategy" in Iran and was "being humiliated by the Iranian state leadership."-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart

Apr 29, 3:35 AMIDF continues south Lebanon strikes

The Israel Defense Forces said in a post to X on Wednesday that its strikes against alleged Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon continued through Tuesday.Israeli operations were ongoing "north of the forward defense line," the IDF said, referring to a line inside southern Lebanon to which Israeli forces are advancing, which is intended as the forward boundary of a planned "buffer zone" along the Israeli-Lebanese border.The IDF also said there were "several incidents" of drone attacks on Israeli forces operating in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, in which one soldier was "lightly wounded."

-/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Smoke rises from the site of explosions conducted by Israeli troops in the southern Lebanese village of Arnoun on April 28, 2026.

Apr 28, 3:54 PMUS launches another wave of sanctions targeting Iran's shadow banking network

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The Trump administration is taking additional action against nearly three dozen entities and individuals accused of operating Iran’s shadow banking networks.The administration says these entities and individuals allow the Iranian regime to evade sanctions and pocket “tens of billions of dollars.”"By dismantling these financial channels, we advance the Administration’s policy in the conflict with Iran and underscore our commitment to imposing maximum pressure on Iran,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.-ABC News’ Shannon Kingston

Apr 28, 1:34 PMIsrael will treat southern Lebanon 'just like Gaza,' Israeli defense minister saysIsrael will continue to destroy terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon "just like in Gaza,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday.

Jalaa Marey/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Israeli tanks and military vehicles drive along the road between destroyed houses in southern Lebanon near the border with Israel, on April 25, 2026.

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have instructed the IDF to destroy every terror infrastructure in the security zone up to the yellow line, below and above ground, just like in Gaza,” Katz said."The IDF has now destroyed an underground terror infrastructure in Qantara, Lebanon, in a huge explosion, inside the new security zone," Katz said.A ceasefire has in place since April 16 but strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon have continued. Hezbollah has also continued to target Israeli troop positions in southern Lebanon.-ABC News’Dorit Long

Apr 28, 1:19 PMIran openly threatening bigger response if attacked again, Iranian military spokesperson says

Iran signaled Tuesday that it is not standing down in its dealings with the United States amid the war.Iran said it does not consider the war over. Despite the ceasefire, Iran said it is actively updating targets, continuing training, and producing and upgrading weapons. "Conditions remain those of wartime," Mohammad Akraminia, Iranian Army spokesman, said on Tuesday.Akraminia said Iran's response to future attacks from the U.S. would be severe."We have many cards we have not yet played. We possess new arenas of war, new tools, and new methods of fighting based on the experiences of the two previous wars. We have many cards we have not yet played. We possess new arenas of war, new tools, and new methods of fighting based on the experiences of the two previous wars. We can certainly respond to the enemy more decisively and more crushingly," he said. "We can certainly respond to the enemy more decisively and more crushingly."

Majid Asgaripour/Reuters - PHOTO: An Iranian flag in Tehran, Iran, April 27, 2026.

-ABC News'Desiree Adib

Apr 28, 10:08 AMTrump says Iran 'informed' the US that it's in a 'state of collapse'

President Donald Trump wrote, without citing evidence, on social media on Tuesday that “Iran has just informed us that they are in a ‘State of Collapse.’”Trump said Iran is asking for the U.S. to lift the naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz “as soon as possible.”Trump added that this alleged request from Iran comes as the nation tries “o figure out their leadership situation,” which he said he “believe[s] they will be able to do!”Trump has repeatedly expressed mixed messages about Iran’s leadership, insisting that regime change has occurred, while also claiming that the U.S. does not know who Iran’s leaders are.-ABC News’Emily Chang

Apr 28, 6:41 AMRubio says competing 'hardliner' factions in Iran complicating talks

Speaking to Fox News in an interview published on Monday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that competing groups of "hardliners" in Iran are complicating stalled peace talks with the U.S."They're all hardliners in Iran. But there are hardliners who understand they have to run a country and an economy and there are hardliners that are completely motivated by theology," Rubio said.

Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: A man carries an Iranian flag in Sadeghyeh Square in Tehran on April 27, 2026.

"The hardliners that are motivated by theology are not just the [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] officials, but obviously the supreme leader and the council that surrounds him," Rubio continued."And then you've got the political class -- the foreign minister, the president, the speaker, the majlis, these guys -- they're hardliners too, but they also understand the country has to have an economy. People have to eat. They have to figure out a way to pay salaries in their government," Rubio said."Unfortunately, the hardliners, with an apocalyptic vision of the future, have the ultimate power in that country," Rubio added.-ABC News' Somayeh Malekian and Joe Simonetti

Apr 28, 6:29 AMUS achieved none of its goals in Iran, Araghchi says

Speaking to a reporter in St. Petersburg during his visit to Russia, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the U.S. had achieved none of its goals and was therefore asking for negotiations -- a request Araghchi said Iran is "considering."Regarding bilateral Iranian-Russian relations, Araghchi said the two countries are "strategic partners" and that cooperation between them would continue.

Dmitry Lovetsky/POOL/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attend talks at the Boris Yeltsin Presidential Library in St. Petersburg, Russia, on April 27, 2026.

-ABC News' Somayeh Malekian and Joe Simonetti

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Iran live updates: Trump says 'no more Mr. Nice Guy' if Iran refuses nuclear deal

President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes t...

 

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