Hoda Kotb’s Absence From ‘Today’ Show Raises Eyebrows

Hoda Kotb's absence on the "Today" show after recordingSavannah Guthrie's episode has caught attention. The senior TV host came back on the set in place of Nancy Guthrie's daughter after the 84-year-old went missing. While Kotb has reportedly been present on the show every day, her absence on the March 30 episode raised eyebrows. Furthermore, the topic was not addressed during the broadcast.

Hoda Kotb's absence on the 'Today' show was not addressed

Hoda Kotb's absence on the "Today" show was reportedly not acknowledged in the latest episode. On the March 30 broadcast, the Saturday host, Laura Jarrett, accompanied Craig Melvin. Meanwhile, Kotb allegedly ended her time on the set, where she was filling in for Savannah Guthrie.

Moreover, Kotb's absence was not addressed when Melvin welcomed Jarret on the morning show. "A very good morning to you. Thank you for starting your Monday with us. Thank you for starting your week with us as well. Laura Jarrett in for Savannah – who is back a week today," he said.

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While it raised eyebrows,Hello! Magazinementioned that Kotb had "prior commitments." Earlier, she came back to help with the broadcast, and Savannah, while the latter has been dealing with a tough time. Reportedly, Kotb had to balance her work and personal commitments. For those unversed, she runs her own wellness brand, Joy 101. Additionally, she is the mother of two daughters, Haley, 9, and Hope, 6.

Although her absence was not addressed on the Monday episode, Kotb was praised on Friday's broadcast. Melvin and Jenna Bush Hager thanked the senior journalist for coming to their rescue for the last couple of months.

Furthermore, the 61-year-old also made headlines for interviewing Savannah. The latter opened up about her mother's disappearance, which has reportedly been suspected as a kidnapping case. In the three-part interview, she told Kotb why she assumed that Nancy was allegedly taken because of Savannah's celebrity status.

The postHoda Kotb's Absence From 'Today' Show Raises Eyebrowsappeared first onReality Tea.

byCosmopolite

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March 31, 2026

Hoda Kotb’s Absence From ‘Today’ Show Raises Eyebrows

Hoda Kotb's absence on the "Today" show after recordingSavannah Guthrie's episode has caught attention. The senior TV hos...

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“I Don’t Get It”: Fans Baffled By Timothée Chalamet And Kylie Jenner’s Relationship After New Beach Snaps

Kylie JennerandTimothée Chalametseemed to be living their best beachside lives on vacation.

The couple shared snaps from theirtropical getawaythis week, frolicking on the sand and in the pristine turquoise water.

Fans, however, were still trying to figure out the chemistry behind the pairing that no one saw coming.

Kylie JennerandTimothée Chalametseemed to be living their best beachside lives on vacation

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"Heaven," Kylie Jenner captioned a series of pictures from her tropical vacation.

Thereality TV star shared picturesof herself soaking up some sun and readingThe Guestby Emma Cline on the beach. A bowl of cereal also appeared in one of the pictures.

Meanwhile, her boyfriend Timothée Chalamet shared pictures of himself enjoying some beachside revelry.

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On paper, fans saw them as one of the mostunexpected couples in Hollywoodsince they began dating in 2023. And the confusion still hasn't faded away for some armchair critics online.

Some claimed they looked like "mother and son" on vacation, saying, "He genuinely can't handle all that."

"They are so boring," an unimpressed X user commented online

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"Thiscouple look weird asf," one said, while another wrote, "Ohh she's getting that ring this year

"How did he bag her?" one asked.

Another wrote, "Him and Kylie can't be real."

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The beauty mogul and theDunestarhave been going strongsince they were romantically linked in April, 2023.

Throughout this year's awards season, theKardashiansstar was often seen as Chalamet'sstrong and doting plus oneas he racked up several nominations.

"Kylie is really proud of him and is always low-key bragging about him to her friends and family," a source toldUs Weeklyearlier this month.

The couple have been going strong ever since they were first romantically linked in April, 2023

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Going to premieres and awards shows still feels like "new territory" for the Kylie Cosmetics founder, and she can be "a little shy in that setting." But she is still "super supportive" of his career," the source said.

"Kylie is really in awe of how respected he is by his peers and loves showing up for him. She's always hyping him up and had the best time being by his side at the Oscars," the source told the outlet.

Chalamet, on the other hand, feels like she "calms his nerves" and "equally" loveshaving her by his sideat these glitzy events, the insider added.

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When Chalamet won the Best Actor at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards for his role inMarty Supreme,he gave a sweet shoutout to Kylie and said "thank you" to his "partner of three years."

"Thank you for our foundation. I love you. I couldn't do this without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much," he continued onstage.

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Jenner mouthed, "I love you, too," back at him from the audience.

Chalamet gave his "partner of three years" a rare shoutout before walking away with a Critics Choice Awards this year

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The mother-of-two got "flustered whenVanity Fairinterviewier Nate Freeman asked her what it felt like to get a shoutout from the stage.

"Is it fun?" he asked for the interview this month.

"Of course," she said, unable to hide her blushing face.

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Jenner, who made a brief cameo in Charli xcx's satirical movieThe Moment,said she's been getting film scripts and wants to dive into acting.

So far, none of the scripts she was offered felt "right."

"But I 100 percent want to do more," she told Freeman. "I really like comedy. I think I'm good at it."

Jenner spoke about wanting to dive into acting and has been receiving scripts, but none of them felt "right"

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"Maybe next time I talk to you, I'll be the lead of an action movie!" she added.

The reality TV star went on to say that she wants to focus on herself, her business, her work, and also traveling and enjoying with her kids "in the last years of [her] 20s."

"I do want to have more kids…." she added.

"Remember when we all thought this was PR [the] whole time," one commented, "they both just corny asf frl"

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byCosmopolite

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March 31, 2026

“I Don’t Get It”: Fans Baffled By Timothée Chalamet And Kylie Jenner’s Relationship After New Beach Snaps

Kylie JennerandTimothée Chalametseemed to be living their best beachside lives on vacation. The couple shared s...

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ICE agents will be stationed outside Marine Corps graduation events in South Carolina

WASHINGTON — ICE agents will be stationed outside graduation events for the nation's newest Marines to identify whether any of their family members are undocumented, according to the Marine Corps.

As the U.S. continues the war in Iran, the Marine Corps has boosted protection measures on bases, requiring everyone to present REAL IDs, U.S. passports or U.S. birth certificates to access any sites.

Undocumented immigrants are generally ineligible for federal REAL IDs and don't have U.S. passports or birth certificates. So people without identifying documents who arrive at the gate of Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island in Beaufort, South Carolina, for recruit family days and graduation events this week may now have to answer to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, the Marine Corps said.

Because of "increased force protection measures" at the recruit depot, "federal law enforcement personnel will be present at installation access points to conduct enhanced screening and lawful immigration status inquiries during recruit family and graduation days," amessage on the Parris Island websiteread.

While sometimes family members don't have proper documentation, it wasn't clear why ICE had decided to station at Parris Island.

A DHS spokesperson said any suggestion that ICE would make arrests was false. "ICE will not be making arrests at the basic training graduation in Paris Island, SC," the spokesperson said.

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Graduation is Friday morning, but family members are invited to visit the base and celebrate their sons' and daughters' completion of the grueling training beginning Wednesday. Marine recruits aren't allowed to see their families during the 13-week boot camp.

"While the Marine Corps routinely coordinates with federal partners on security matters, this is the first time in recent memory that federal law enforcement agencies have supported base access operations at Parris Island in this capacity," according to a spokesperson for MCRD Parris Island.

The spokesperson encouraged all visitors to be prepared for additional screening measures.

"To help ensure a smooth and timely process, guests should bring proper identification and limit the number of items they carry onto the installation," the spokesperson said.

Marine Corps recruits have trained at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island since November 1915. It has graduation ceremonies about 46 weeks of the year, according to a spokesperson.

It's not clear whether ICE will be at the gate to Parris Island for the foreseeable future or whether the ICE involvement could expand to other bases.

byCosmopolite

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March 31, 2026

ICE agents will be stationed outside Marine Corps graduation events in South Carolina

WASHINGTON — ICE agents will be stationed outside graduation events for the nation's newest Marines to identify wheth...

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Women's NCAA Tournament: UConn, UCLA, Texas and South Carolina make Final Four

The women's Final Four is set, with some of the game's most storied schools and celebrated players set to face off.

The four teams that will be playing in Phoenix this coming weekend are the No. 1 Connecticut Huskies, the No. 1 UCLA Bruins, the No. 1 Texas Longhorns and the No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks.

Between the Huskies looking for their record 13th championship, Lauren Betts and the Bruins looking for their first, and the high-level players across all the teams (UConn's Azzi Fudd, the Longhorns' Madison Booker, South Carolina's Joyce Edwards), we should be in store for an intense final two rounds of hoops.

Here's a brief look at how each team got to the Final Four.

Connecticut Huskies

Surprise! The Huskies are back in the Final Four for the fifth time in six seasons. Once again, UConn has largely made light work out of its tournament foes, winning all of its tournament games by at least 18 points — including a 43-point beatdown of No. 9 Syracuse in the second round.

The Huskies are led by the inside-outside combo of senior guard Azzi Fudd and sophomore forward Sarah Strong. Combined, they are averaging 35.5 points, 11.1 rebounds and 6.5 assists a night during the tournament, creating a severe matchup problem for defenses. Fudd and Strong have been efficient players this season, threatening to score from multiple areas on the floor.

After having won five titles in seven years in the 2010s, UConn is looking to start a new iteration of a dynasty after it won its record 12th national championship last season. Head coach Geno Auriemma, 72, doesn't appear to be losing even a fraction of his competitive edge. The Huskies are the villain everyone will be looking to take down.

UCLA Bruins

The Bruins are in the Final Four after having come from behind to take down No. 3 Duke in the Elite Eight. (Tough week for the Blue Devils!) Senior center Lauren Betts scored 23 points and collected 10 boards as UCLA overcame an eight-point halftime deficit to advance.

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Betts is in her third season with the Bruins after she began her collegiate career at Stanford, and she is one of the best players in the sport. She enters the semifinal round averaging 17.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and a career-best 3.2 assists a game. A trio of guards have been Betts' best allies, as Kiki Rice, Gabriela Jaquez and Gianna Kneepkens are all averaging double figures in scoring.

This is the second straight Final Four appearance for UCLA, which are also the only two in the program's history. This is a big moment for Betts and coach Cori Close, who last year suffered a blowout loss to the Huskies in the semifinal. The Bruins could earn a chance at revenge against UConn, but they'll have to go where their women's team has never gone before.

Texas Longhorns

The Longhorns went 35-3 this season, finishing second in the SEC, before wreaking havoc in the tournament. Texas has an average margin of victory of 35.5 in the postseason, including a 36-point statement win against No. 2 Michigan in the Elite Eight.

Junior forward Madison Booker and sophomore guard Jordan Lee have been the one-two punch for the Longhorns. Booker, who has won two straight Cheryl Miller Awards as the best small forward in women's college basketball, is averaging 22.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in the tourney, including a 40-point outburst against No. 8 Oregon in the second round. Lee has led the team in scoring in two of the last four games, adding 14.5 points a night since the first round.

Texas is playing in its second straight Final Four and the fifth overall in program history. After a blowout loss to South Carolina in last year's semifinal, Booker and the Longhorns should be incredibly motivated once they get to Phoenix.

South Carolina Gamecocks

Unlike in the previous six seasons, South Carolina never reached No. 1 in the AP poll this season. Yet the Gamecocks still have a chance to finish atop the country and win a national championship for the fourth time under coach Dawn Staley.

Since it was routed by 17 points by fellow No. 1 seed Texas in the SEC Tournament championship game on March 8, South Carolina crushed its tournament opponents Southern (by 69 points), Southern California (by 40) and Oklahoma (by 26) before it beat TCU, 78-52, in Monday's Elite Eight.

Five Gamecocks average double figures in scoring, led by Joyce Edwards, a forward averaging 19.6 points. They dare opponents to keep up offensively while averaging 87.4 points per game and shooting the nation's seventh-best percentage from deep. With Tessa Johnson, a high-volume 3-point shooting guard who shoots 45% from beyond the arc, and forward Madina Okot, who is averaging 10.9 rebounds per game, South Carolina can beat teams in multiple ways.

With a win in Friday's national semifinals, Staley would lead her team to the national championship game for the fourth time in the past five seasons.

byCosmopolite

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March 31, 2026

Women's NCAA Tournament: UConn, UCLA, Texas and South Carolina make Final Four

The women's Final Four is set, with some of the game's most storied schools and celebrated players set to face of...

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John Cena Returns to WWE in Surprising New Role

A familiar face is stepping back into the spotlight, but not in the way fans expected.John Cenais returning toWWEwith a fresh role that's already sparking buzz. Here's all we know about the exciting news.

John Cena announces his return to WWE

John Cenaconfirmed he will host WrestleMania 42, marking his first WWE appearance since retiring from in-ring action late last year. The 17-time world champion shared the news on social media, revealing he is heading to Las Vegas for the massive two-night event at Allegiant Stadium on April 18 and 19.

In a video message, Cena kept things light before making it official. "Retired life in the sun, I'm kidding," he said, before teasing his busy schedule. "There's a road to WrestleMania going on… rumor around this town is WrestleMania needs a host… I will see you at WrestleMania."

The return is significant. Cena stepped away from wrestling after losing to Gunther in December. That match was billed as the end of his in-ring career, making this comeback, even in a non-wrestling role, feel like a big moment for longtime fans.

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Fan reactions have been loud and mixed. Some are excited, calling it "a comeback for the books," while others want more clarity. Comments ranged from "Are you retired or not?" to hopes that he won't just make a guest appearance. One fan wrote that hosting could bring "insane promos, nostalgia, and Hollywood energy," but warned it might disappoint those expecting a match.

Cena built his legacy as one of WWE's top stars, known for his "Never Give Up" mindset and strong fan connection. He won 17 world titles and headlined several WrestleMania shows, creating many iconic moments. Outside of wrestling, Cena made a smooth shift to Hollywood, starring in films like F9 and The Suicide Squad, showing his range as an entertainer.

Even without stepping into the ring, his presence adds star power. Whether it leads to a surprise moment or stays strictly hosting, one thing is clear: WrestleMania just got a lot more interesting.

Originally reported by Rishab Shandilya onMandatory.

The postJohn Cena Returns to WWE in Surprising New Roleappeared first onReality Tea.

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March 31, 2026

John Cena Returns to WWE in Surprising New Role

A familiar face is stepping back into the spotlight, but not in the way fans expected.John Cenais returning toWWEwith a fresh role that...

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AI-led selloff in contract research firms may be misjudging disruption risk

By Kamal Choudhury and Siddhi Mahatole

March 31 (Reuters) - Shares of contract research organizations have tumbled on fears that advances inartificial intelligencecould allow drugmakers to take clinical trial work in-house, but industry experts say the selloff overestimates how far the technology can ‌replace the sector's core capabilities.

IQVIA, Medpace and Charles River Laboratories have fallen sharply since Anthropic's launch of advanced AI agents in February ‌fuelled expectations that drugmakers could rely less on CROs.

A recent wave of partnerships between pharmaceutical companies and AI firms has further added to those worries.

"Could AI eat CROs? Yeah, I think that ​could be a possibility," said Thomas Laur, CEO at data analysis firm DNAnexus.

But the nature of services that CROs provide, from patient recruitment to global trial execution, will be difficult to automate or replace, several analysts, industry experts and policy makers told Reuters.

CROs maintain global networks of trial sites and hold proprietary data that pharma companies, especially smaller biotechs, cannot easily replicate, Jailendra Singh, analyst at Truist Securities, said.

That view is echoed across Wall Street. Analysts at TD Cowen estimate that ‌even a fully AI-enabled clinical trial setup would deliver ⁠only 10%–15% cost savings for drugmakers.

At the core of the argument is the pharmaceutical industry's reliance on execution at scale.

Finding even a small pool of eligible patients for an early trial, across diverse demographics and geographies, requires enormous data and ⁠site networks that CROs have built over decades. "Pharma companies do not have that same level of data and expertise," Singh added.

HUMAN ELEMENT

Executives of CROs say AI may streamline parts of the process, but cannot replace the human and operational backbone of trials.

"AI itself can't reach out to the doctor, enroll the patient, make sure they show ​up ​to the appointment on time, record all the data," said Brigham Hyde, CEO of ​Atropos Health.

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Although AI could automate high-volume tasks such as patient ‌pre-screening, critical decisions still require human oversight, said Ami Bhatt, chairperson of U.S. FDA's Digital Health Advisory Committee.

Site execution, informed consent and safety monitoring remain firmly in human hands, she said, with accountability ultimately resting on people.

Others point to more fundamental constraints with the technology. AI cannot replace laboratory testing required for drug safety, and its use in direct patient care remains limited by regulatory scrutiny and liability risks, said William Pierce, a former deputy assistant secretary of public affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services.

OPPORTUNITY AHEAD

Rather than replacing CROs, analysts say AI could enhance their value by speeding up trials and ‌improving efficiency.

TD Cowen's analysts estimate a fully AI-enabled late-stage trial could be completed in ​47 months versus a baseline of 58 months, an 11-month reduction.

That kind of timeline compression ​could become a powerful competitive advantage for CROs that invest heavily ​in AI.

For instance, reaching the market nearly a year earlier for a drug with estimated peak annual revenues of $1.5 billion ‌could drive roughly $44 million in additional revenue, TD Cowen added.

"We expect ​new types of contracting to emerge, ​including gain-share arrangements on AI efficiencies," the brokerage said.

But the recent stock slide suggests lingering investor unease.

Jim Lee, head of Inflammation and Autoimmunity at drugmaker Incyte, said investors are likely worried about the services that CROs may have to scale back, which could affect their revenue.

For now, ​analysts maintain there is no evidence of pharma companies ‌cutting spending with CROs because of AI and termed the sell-off as "panic more than (a) real threat".

For Singh, the bottom line is straightforward: "we ​do not see AI as a headwind for the industry; if anything, it is more of a tailwind."

(Reporting by Kamal Choudhury ​and Siddhi Mahatole in Bengaluru; Writing by Mrinalika Roy; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)

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March 31, 2026

AI-led selloff in contract research firms may be misjudging disruption risk

By Kamal Choudhury and Siddhi Mahatole March 31 (Reuters) - Shares of contract research organizations have tum...

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Florida to rename Palm Beach airport after Trump

March 30 (Reuters) - Florida Governor Ron ‌DeSantis signed legislation ‌on Monday to rename ​the Palm Beach International Airport after Donald Trump, ‌the latest ⁠in a series of buildings, ⁠institutions, government programs, warships and ​money ​to ​bear the ‌U.S. president's name.

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The decision to rename the airport after Trump follows Florida's ‌approval last ​year of ​a ​plan to ‌donate a downtown Miami ​property ​for the site of Trump's ​presidential ‌library.

(Reporting by David ​Shepardson; Editing by ​Chris Reese)

byCosmopolite

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March 31, 2026

Florida to rename Palm Beach airport after Trump

March 30 (Reuters) - Florida Governor Ron ‌DeSantis signed legislation ‌on Monday to rename ​the Palm Beach International...

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