Friday, October 31, 2025

News from October 30, 2025

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Ashley Tisdale Seemingly Shades Hilary Duff, Mandy Moore, Meghan Trainor And More Friends Involved In 'Toxic' Mom Group!
Technology

Ashley Tisdale Seemingly Shades Hilary Duff, Mandy Moore, Meghan Trainor And More Friends Involved In 'Toxic' Mom Group!

Ashley Tisdale is so over her mom group! On Thursday, the actress published a new post on her blog, By Ashley French — titled “You’re Allowed to Leave Your Mom Group”! And in said piece she threw major shade at her former friends, who are some very recognizable faces in the industry! Ashley told her readers that when she became a mom, she “craved connection” and decided to join a mom group. She thought it was “great” at first, with everyone swapping “sleep training advice,” taking “tons of photos,” and celebrating “the tiny victories” together. Just a super supportive “village of moms” that she needed at the time. However, the mom group soon changed. Ashley said it became extremely “toxic” and cliquey. Oof. The High School Musical alum explained: “Not because the moms themselves are toxic people, but because the dynamic shifts into an ugly place with mean-girl behavior. I know this from personal experience. In my mom group, I started to notice that certain people would get talked about when they weren’t present, and not in a positive way. I realized that there were group text chains that didn’t include everyone, which led to cliques forming within the larger group.” Even Ashley got excluded from events! She continued: “After the third or fourth time of seeing social media photos of everyone else at a hangout that I didn’t get invited to, it felt like I wasn’t really part of the group after all.” Damn! It sounds like Ashley’s mom group just didn’t have time for her anymore! Hmm, wonder why?? Perhaps she needs to find a way into Gwyneth Paltrow‘s circle! Lolz! The Phineas and Ferb star eventually had enough, so she stopped showing up and putting energy into the friendships! Following the experience, she realized it is OK to leave a mom group, especially if it is no longer serving you. Ashley wrote: “If a mom group consistently leaves you feeling hurt, drained, or left out, it’s not the mom group for you. (Even if it used to be!) It’s no longer serving you in a way that lifts you up, and you don’t have to stay out of obligation or anything else. Choosing to step away doesn’t make you mean or judgmental. It makes you honest with yourself. It’s also worth remembering that friendships, like all relationships, have seasons. Maybe a group truly was a good fit at one point, but if it’s not the right fit for you now, it’s okay to move on.” Ultimately, Ashley feels you’re setting a good example for your children by leaving a “toxic” situation: “Here’s the bigger truth: When you choose yourself, you’re also choosing your kid. If you stay in a group that operates on exclusion and gossip, your child sees that and can absorb that behavior. On the flip side, when you show them that it’s possible to walk away from dynamics that feel unhealthy, you’re teaching them what real self-respect looks like.” Read the entire blog post HERE. The question everyone likely has now is: Who is Ashley throwing shade at here? We did some digging, and it appears The Suite Life of Zack & Cody star is targeting none other than Mandy Moore, Hilary Duff, and Meghan Trainor! If you didn’t know, they have been friends for many years. Their children went on playdates, and they took vacations together, along with their other mom pals. Back in 2022, the star-studded group enjoyed a getaway to the Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa in Rancho Santa Fe, California — minus Mandy. However, Hilary made sure to give the Candy singer a shout-out in the vacay photo dump on Instagram! Check it out (below): View this post on Instagram Last year, Hilary opened up to People about how she uses her group of famous pals for support “all the time,” even when her family’s sick during the holidays. She said: “It was actually one of the hardest moments of my life, and I was on the chat thread just ranting and raving, and they’re all just really supportive.” Meghan also shared with the outlet earlier this year that she has “a great group chat with my other mom friends, like Hillary Duff and Mandy Moore and Ashley Tisdale.” It sounds like the group wasn’t so “great” for Ashley anymore! Yikes! She seemingly wasn’t at the last hangout this month, so she is probably talking about Mandy, Hilary, and Meghan! Damn! View this post on Instagram And to note… The He Said She Said artist still follows Hilary and Meghan on Insta at this time, so she hasn’t completely cut off those two. The pair also follow Ashley! However, she notably does NOT follow Mandy! The A Walk to Remember actress, meanwhile, still follows her! See (below): Hmm. Of course, there are always two sides to every story! We can’t help but wonder what their opinion on all this is! She sees her former mom group as toxic, but did they feel the same about her? Though, if so, did they try having conversations with her? Is ghosting ever the right thing? We also wonder if all this went down before or after her comments about Charlie Kirk‘s death… What are your reactions to the shade, Perezcious readers? Drop ’em in the comments below! [Image via Good Morning America/The Kelly Clarkson Show/The Drew Barrymore Show/YouTube]

Motorola Solutions forecasts fourth-quarter revenue above estimates on steady demand
Mortgage rates are the lowest they've been since 2022. Here's how to get one even lower now.
Technology

Mortgage rates are the lowest they've been since 2022. Here's how to get one even lower now.

While it may still feel like mortgage interest rates in the 4% to 5% range are still a ways off, the reality is that rates are slowly but noticeably declining again.Case in point: Mortgage rates have been declining for much of 2025. After starting the year averaging over 7%, rates on Thursday again moved back to a three-year low of 6.13%. That opens new opportunities both for homebuyers previously stuck on the sidelines waiting for rates to become more affordable and homeowners looking to refinance their high rates.However, just because mortgage rates are the lowest they've been since 2022, it doesn't automatically make them worth pursuing. If buyers can find ways to get a rate even lower than that 6.13%, however, even in the high 5% range, it may be worth acting. Fortunately, there are ways in which buyers can do just that. Below, we'll break down three strategies to consider right now.Start by seeing how low your current mortgage rate offers are here.How to get a mortgage rate lower than today's average nowFor many buyers, a huge difference in mortgage rates isn't required. Just a slightly lower rate of 25 basis points can justify action and lead to affordability. Here's how to get a rate lower than that average 6.13% right now:Add mortgage pointsMortgage points function as a fee that buyers pay lenders to secure a rate lower than what's offered. Many lenders will list rates on their websites with these fees already accounted for, which is a large part of the reason why you see lower rates on their site than traditional averages. And while these fees may be less than ideal to pay, you'll typically have the option to roll them into your overall loan amount or pay them up front during the closing process. Either way, it can result in a mortgage rate 25 basis points to 50 basis points lower than what you'd otherwise receive. That means the 6.13% average is now 5.88% or 5.63%, justifying enough savings in your new mortgage payments to make it worth paying.Learn more about buying mortgage points online here.Consider an adjustable-rate mortgageYou may be able to get an interest rate under 6% without having to pay any additional costs. Sounds too good to be true? It doesn't have to be if you pursue an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) now, with many lenders offering rates in the high 5% range. The catch here is that this is adjustable, so after a certain period (frequently five, seven or 10 years) the rate will adjust based on market conditions. That can be risky for those homeowners who are unsure about what the climate would look like at that point, but it can be a cost-effective way to get started with a mortgage now. And it's important to remember that an ARM can be refinanced into a fixed-rate loan in the future, should you want to get ahead of any adverse rate changes in a few years.Make a large down paymentHave you been patiently waiting for the mortgage rate climate to change? Have you been saving a lot of money in the interim? If so, consider making a large down payment on your home of more than the traditional 20% lenders require without private mortgage insurance being tacked on. By doing so, not only will you have a smaller mortgage balance to pay down each month, but you'll reduce your loan-to-value (LTV) ratio and encourage lenders to offer a better rate than they would with buyers putting down 20% or less.The bottom lineWith the right strategy, savvy homebuyers can make today's lower mortgage interest rates even more affordable. By evaluating their mortgage point and ARM options and by making a large down payment, buyers can easily secure a rate under 6% now. But remember that mortgage rates change daily, so if you're close to where you want to be in terms of interest rates, it makes sense to be aggressive now. It's been a long time since mortgage rates were available in the 5% range, so you'll want to take advantage now that they're accessible again.

People left 'extremely disturbed' after discovering what Halloween Jack O'Lanterns originally looked like
Technology

People left 'extremely disturbed' after discovering what Halloween Jack O'Lanterns originally looked like

The original Jack O'Lanterns were nothing like they are today - they were carved out of a different vegetable entirely, and were so spooky they've left some people 'extremely disturbed'. Before pumpkins became the go-to Halloween decoration, people in Ireland were carving turnips into creepy faces to keep evil spirits away. According to the National Museum of Ireland, these terrifying creations were part of Oíche Shamhna, or Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival marking when the barrier between the living and the dead was weakest. “Candles were placed inside the turnips and they were used to frighten people on the night of 31 October,” the museum explains. Some were even carved from potatoes, because apparently, nothing says Halloween like a haunted spud. But after similar photos were shared on Twitter, users likely experienced their first scare of the festive season! "A reminder that the original jack o' lanterns date back to 18th century Ireland if not earlier, were based on a shady boozy blacksmith called Stingy Jack who cheated the devil & was trapped between 2 worlds, were carved from turnips and looked like this," they wrote, accompanied by some pretty terrifying-looking turnips. One user wrote: "These are extremely disturbing!" With a second typing: "And bloody hard to carve too." Yes, trying to remove the 'insides' of a turnip I imagine would be much harder than taking the inners of a pumpkin out - and that sentiment is evidenced by some in the comments. One of which highlighted: "That's what we had growing up. My mum didn't trust us with knives so she made us carve our turnips out with a spoon. Do you have any idea how long that took? While another added: "I’m 52 and grew up in North East England. We had carved turnips not pumpkins, the smell of singed turnip is something I’ll never forget. It was so hard to carve, actually nearly impossible to hollow out, that it needed Dad to do it." The museum also notes: “The pumpkin that is prevalent today is an American development of this Irish tradition.” Basically, the US took the idea, swapped the rock-hard turnips for pumpkins, and made it a lot less traumatising. As for the name, it comes from the eerie Irish folktale of Jack - 'who was welcome neither in Heaven nor Hell and was destined to wander the countryside forever, with just a lantern to light the way'. If Jack’s lantern looked anything like those creepy turnips, we get why he’s still wandering.

Question 2 is a necessary next step to prevent gun violence in Maine | Opinion
Technology

Question 2 is a necessary next step to prevent gun violence in Maine | Opinion

Jeffrey W. Swanson, Ph.D., is a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Duke University School of Medicine and a faculty affiliate of the Wilson Center for Science and Justice at Duke Law. David B. Joyce, JD, DrPH, is an attorney in Portland. In 2019, Maine enacted a “yellow flag” law to authorize temporary firearm removal from individuals in mental health crisis. It was a good-faith bipartisan compromise — an effort to balance public safety with civil liberties. But as researchers who have studied this law, we believe it’s not enough. The tragic shooting in Lewiston exposed the law’s limitations. Now, Maine voters have a chance to approve an additional tool to prevent gun violence. Question 2 in the referendum offers a true Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) statute — a “red flag” law like those already saving lives in neighboring states. Police can initiate the yellow flag process only for individuals already in protective custody who are found to be mentally ill and dangerous to self or others. But many people who pose an imminent risk of harm with a firearm do not fall into that category. Consider a mother who watches helplessly as her gun-owning son spirals into resentful rage, and it’s not due to mental illness. Under Maine’s current yellow flag law, police cannot act in a situation like that, because there is no diagnosable mental illness and no crime has yet been committed. A red flag law could prevent tragedy through earlier intervention. Requiring a diagnosable mental disorder is contrary to national data that show most people convicted of violent crimes have no history of mental illness. In Maine, they would not have been eligible for firearm removal under the yellow flag law. Question 2 fills this gap by allowing courts to consider behavioral evidence of dangerousness — regardless of psychiatric status — and act before tragedy strikes. By tying firearm removal to mental health holds, the current law reinforces stigma by implying that violent behavior is inherently linked to psychopathology. Research shows otherwise: most people with mental illness are not violent, and most violent individuals do not have a diagnosable mental illness. Approving Question 2 would bring Maine in line with 21 other states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands that have enacted ERPO laws. In most of these states, family or household members can petition a court directly — with police support as needed — to temporarily remove firearms from someone who poses a serious risk. Maine’s proposed additional law does not eliminate police involvement; it simply adds a pathway for families who often see the danger first. Claims that Question 2 lacks due process protections are unfounded. Like ERPO statutes elsewhere, the proposed law includes sworn affidavits, judicial review, time-limited orders and a meaningful opportunity for the subject to contest the order with legal representation. These safeguards reflect constitutional principles and have withstood legal scrutiny. Finally, the idea that the current law is sufficient is belied by experience. In Lewiston, the yellow flag law was not used, despite warning signs. That reflects not a failure of will, but a deficiency of legal design. The law’s complexity and reliance on medical evaluation and protective custody make it hard to use in urgent situations. ERPOs complement—do not replace—existing pathways for mental health intervention. Law enforcement remains central to implementation, with discretion to coordinate safe service and crisis response. We understand the political tightrope Maine leaders must walk. Misinformation has led some to believe that ERPO laws threaten the rights of law-abiding gun owners. They do not. What they do is prevent gun deaths — without stigmatizing people in crisis or removing property from those who are not dangerous. Our recent multistate study found that ERPOs may prevent one suicide for every 13 to 23 orders issued. Question 2 is not a partisan proposal. It is a public health measure grounded in research and tailored to Maine’s needs. Passing it would honor the lessons of Lewiston and give communities a vital tool to protect life without infringing rights. We urge Maine voters to look past the political rhetoric, trust the scientific evidence and consider the human stakes: more lives will be saved.

Ex-Central Michigan Staffers Receive Punishments for UM Sign-Stealing Scandal
Technology

Ex-Central Michigan Staffers Receive Punishments for UM Sign-Stealing Scandal

Former Central Michigan coach Jim McElwain, three of his former staff members and the Chippewas program will face NCAA penalties for their roles in allowing former Michigan staff member Connor Stalions to be on the sidelines during a 2023 game against Michigan State. Stalions is best known for the role he allegedly played in Michigan’s sign-stealing scheme. He acknowledged earlier this year on social media that he knew almost every signal that opponents used in seven games over two seasons, including Michigan's 2023 national championship season. McElwain, the three former CMU staff members and the university agreed to take the deal first offered by the NCAA's enforcement staff on sportsmanship and later approved by the governing body's Committee on Infractions, which closes the book on one of college football's strangest scandals. In the 19-page report, released Thursday, the NCAA found former quarterbacks coach Jack Kostner bypassed the program's normal procedures by requesting extra coaching gear from Nate Mason, the former coordinator of athletic equipment operations. Kostner then asked Mike McGee, the former director of recruiting, to give the clothing and a sideline pass to his friend, Stalions, though Kostner had used an alias to avoid detection before kickoff. "McGee was unaware of whom exactly the gear was for, but knew it was for a friend of Kostner's who was skilled in deciphering signals," the NCAA wrote. "During the game, Stalions stood in close proximity to McGee and other football staff. Given his staff's direct involvement in the arrangement, Jim McElwain … is responsible for their violations under the head coaching responsibility legislation." Kostner received a four-year show-cause order — meaning any school that hired him would need NCAA approval and must also demonstrate why it should not be penalized for hiring Kostner. He's also banned from all athletically related activities for the first year and 50% of the second year and would face a suspension of 50% of the football season in his second year. Mason and McGee were given two-year show-cause orders and will be restricted from all athletically related activities in the first year. They would face suspensions for 30% of the football games during the second year. McElwain, now a special assistant to Central Michigan athletic director Amy Folan, received a two-year show-cause order and would be restricted from all football coaching duties during the first year. He also would be suspended from 30% of the football games during the first year and 20% of the games in the second year. UCM will be placed on two years of probation and must pay a fine of $30,000 in addition to 1% of the football budget. "Kostner, McGee and Mason all failed to cooperate with the enforcement staff by providing false or misleading information during interviews," the report said. "Kostner and McGee did, however, eventually cooperate with the investigation and provide critical information to the enforcement staff. Central Michigan demonstrated exemplary cooperation throughout the investigation and proactively assisted the enforcement staff with a timely and thorough collection of factual information and key records." The NCAA alleged in a 2024 notice relating to Michigan’s sign-stealing investigation that coach Sherrone Moore violated rules as an assistant coach on former coach Jim Harbaugh's staff. Harbaugh served a three-game suspension in exchange for the Big Ten dropping its own investigation into the allegations after the two ended up in court. In August, the NCAA fined Michigan tens of millions of dollars, possibly more than $20 million, and added one game to Moore's school-imposed two-game suspension, saying it had "overwhelming" and concerning evidence of a cover-up by Wolverines staff. Michigan also faces recruiting restrictions. At the time, the governing body said there were "sufficient grounds for a multiyear postseason ban" but stopped short of imposing program-crippling punishments because a two-year postseason ban "would unfairly penalize student-athletes for the actions of coaches and staff" who are no longer there. The fine includes 10% of the football budget. Moore and the Wolverines both appealed their punishments but dropped those appeals Tuesday. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!

2025 Ghana Business Awards: Sporty FM emerges as Emerging Brand of the Year
Technology

2025 Ghana Business Awards: Sporty FM emerges as Emerging Brand of the Year

Sporty FM has chalked up a remarkable milestone after clinching a top honour at the 2025 Ghana Business Awards at the Kempinski Gold Coast HotelIn just 10 months of operation, the Accra-based 24-hour sports network has quickly become the go-to destination for comprehensive sports coverageRegional Lead, Gary Al-Smith, hailed the recognition as a testament to the station’s vision to revolutionise sports broadcasting and storytelling across the country. Sporty FM has made history after being named Emerging Brand of the Year at the 2025 Ghana Business Awards held on October 24, 2025. The recognition marks a major milestone for the youthful sports radio station, which has quickly become a force in Ghana’s media space since its launch in January 2025. Sporty FM wins Emerging Brand of the Year Known for its vibrant and refreshing approach to sports coverage, Sporty FM has captured the attention of fans nationwide with a blend of expert analysis, witty storytelling, and youthful energy. The award celebrates innovation and excellence in business and underscores the station’s rapid ascent as one of the most influential voices in sports broadcasting. Watch the video of Sporty FM's watershed moment at the 2025 Ghana Business Awards: From Sporty Breakfast to Sporty Drive, European Nights, and Ball Up Top, the station has kept listeners glued with its exciting mix of shows. Each programme offers a unique take on sports, with presenters bringing insight, humour, and authenticity to every discussion. Whether it’s football, boxing, basketball, or Formula One, Sporty FM delivers content that connects with fans on every level. At the helm of this groundbreaking project is Gary Al-Smith, Regional Content Lead at Sporty Group and one of Ghana’s most respected sports journalists. He leads an exceptional team that includes broadcasting icons and rising talents such as Fiifi Banson, Nathan Quao, Yaw Ofosu Larbi, Abigail Sena Sosu, Nana Asare Boadu, Raymond Nyamador, Immortal Agyakwah-Acheampong, Enoch “Sergio Manucho” Manu, Nana Akua Amankwaa, and Kosi Fiaka. Expressing his excitement after the win, Al-Smith said: “We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved in such a short time. This recognition inspires us to keep raising the bar for sports journalism in Ghana and to deliver even more engaging, high-quality content for our listeners.” Sporty FM drives national conversations The honour comes only weeks after Sporty FM hosted an exclusive interview with the President of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama. The conversation explored football’s power to unite the nation and its role in promoting accountability in leadership. Below is a summary of Sporty FM's interview with President Mahama: Sporty FM’s latest recognition cements its place as a trailblazer in Ghana’s evolving sports media landscape. Beyond entertainment, the station continues to shape conversations around sports, culture, and national development — proving that in just a year, it has become more than a radio station. How Nana Konadu shaped sports journalist's career In another story, YEN.com.gh highlighted how Ghana’s longest-serving First Lady played a key role in shaping Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo’s career. According to Fentuo, the late Mrs. Agyeman-Rawlings inspired his strong passion for storytelling beyond her political influence. Source: YEN.com.gh

Crypto exchange Coinbase profit surges on strength in trading volumes
Technology

Crypto exchange Coinbase profit surges on strength in trading volumes

Coinbase Global reported a jump in its third-quarter profit on Thursday, as heightened volatility in digital assets boosted trading volumes at the cryptocurrency exchange, sending its shares up more than 3 per cent after the bell. Digital assets rallied in July as crypto-friendly policies by U.S. President Donald Trump attracted institutional investor interest, catapulting bitcoin, the world's largest cryptocurrency, to new peaks. However, weak economic data in the following month sparked recession fears, triggering a sell-off across the sector as investors moved to liquidate riskier assets. Volatility in the sector often benefits cryptocurrency exchanges, with trading volumes typically rising as investors seek to hedge their portfolios. Coinbase's transaction revenue rose to $1.05 billion during the quarter, from $572.5 million a year ago. The company reported a net income of $432.6 million, or $1.50 per share, for the three months ended September 30, compared with $75.5 million, or 28 cents per share, a year earlier. Revenue from its subscription and services unit, which includes businesses outside of trading, rose 34.3 per cent to $746.7 million. A portion of Coinbase's subscription and services revenue is derived from stablecoin holdings and related platform activities. Stablecoin revenue came in at $354.7 million during the third quarter, up from $246.9 million a year earlier. "We are accelerating payments through stablecoin adoption, which we anticipate will continue given policy tailwinds, and ongoing adoption from financial institutions and corporates for payment and treasury needs," Coinbase said in a letter to shareholders. Stablecoin has received optimism from traditional circles of finance and has been at the forefront of legislations, with GENIUS Act been passed earlier in the year. The act aims to create a regulatory framework for stablecoins and promote broader adoption. Coinbase shares have gained about 32 per cent so far in 2025, while bitcoin prices have risen 14.5 per cent during the period.

Former Vols Quarterback Has Social Media Up In Arms With SEC Playoff Take
Technology

Former Vols Quarterback Has Social Media Up In Arms With SEC Playoff Take

It seems like this year specifically, the discourse around the College Football Playoff has gotten increasingly combative and hostile. Everyone wants to discredit ranked teams, their wins, and their resumes for getting into the big dance. No one is safe, but specifically, everyone's favorite low-hanging fruit, the SEC, appears to be taking the brunt of the "overrated" criticism from the angry mob on social media. We can sit here and parse through every SEC school's case individually on whether they should make the playoffs, but former Tennessee Vols quarterback, Jarrett Guarantano, decided to take things a step further and make a blanket statement that has some of the fine folks on X running hot. Really, Jarrett? ANY of them? Now, to pull the curtain back a little bit, the reason Guarantano is saying this is that his Vols have precisely two losses. It's no secret he's being a homer here, but is he right that every SEC school with two losses should make the playoffs? I'm as big of an SEC defender as they come, but this is completely out of bounds for Guarantano to say. Let's start with Tennessee. The Vols have two quality losses on their ledger in Georgia and Alabama, but they lack even one signature win that would buoy their cause. They still have Oklahoma and Vanderbilt left on their schedule, but as it stands right now, you can't make a bold claim that Tennessee should make the big dance based on their current schedule. There is a good chance Oklahoma falls out of the top-25 by the end of the year, leaving Vandy as the lone win of substance for Tennessee. Texas already has a win over Oklahoma, but much like Tennessee, that win may not hold as much weight if the Sooners can't come out of the month of November unscathed. Speaking of Oklahoma, they might be the one team with a rock-solid case for making the CFP with two defeats. The Sooners face a murderer's row of a November schedule, which, if they navigate without a misstep, could leave them with a great shot at making the field of 12. How about Missouri? The Tigers have been gifted a notoriously easy schedule by SEC standards for the last few years, and this season is nothing new, so far anyway. Much like Oklahoma, Mizzou has a really tough schedule coming up, and if they can't beat the Sooners or Texas A&M, they may have a hard time pointing to a win over a single team with a winning record (assuming South Carolina and Auburn continue their downward trend), let alone one against a signature opponent. The comments section was heated as usual, with plenty of users pushing back on Guarantano's claims. Regardless of how you feel about the SEC, a case can at least be made for a school like Oklahoma, but I think we can all see what Guarantano is doing here. Whether it's an overcorrection in response to the SEC bashing on social media these days or a thinly veiled attempt at bolstering Tennessee's playoff resume, Jarrett Guarantano might want to sit this one out. All this does is delegitimize the SEC's case at sending multiple deserving teams to the postseason. And Lord knows they don't need any more negative publicity these days.

Roku posts quarterly revenue in line with estimates, shares fall
Amazon shares soar as cloud growth beats expectations
Technology

Amazon shares soar as cloud growth beats expectations

Amazon.com shares soared on Thursday after the company forecast quarterly revenue largely above Wall Street estimates as its cloud services unit turned in its largest growth rate in nearly three years. The online retailer benefited as businesses continue to spend relentlessly on artificial intelligence software development. Massive cloud demand is helping the tech company ease the pressure from softer growth at its e-commerce business, which is gearing up for the critical holiday season amid weakness in consumer confidence stemming from global trade uncertainty. Shares of Amazon soared 14 per cent in extended trading, lifting the company's market value by about $330 billion. A stock rally of the same size in Friday's official trading session would make it Amazon's biggest one-day percentage gain since 2015. “AWS is growing at a pace we haven’t seen since 2022," CEO Andy Jassy said in a statement. "We continue to see strong demand in AI and core infrastructure, and we’ve been focused on accelerating capacity." CLOUD REVENUE JUMPS Its cloud unit, Amazon Web Services, reported a 20 per cent rise in revenue in the third quarter ending in September, compared with estimates of a 17.95 per cent increase. Amazon shrugged off a tough prior week when an extended outage at AWS felled many of the most popular websites and consumer apps. Amazon has been the worst-performing stock among the "Magnificent 7" megacap tech companies, due in part to a nagging reputation as a laggard in AI development. "The report confirms Amazon’s operations are firing on all cylinders after a year of relative underperformance," said Ethan Feller, stock strategist at Zacks Investment Research. He said despite the stock's nearly flat growth this year, "the company’s fundamentals never meaningfully weakened." Amazon projected total net sales of between $206 billion and $213 billion for the fourth quarter, while analysts on average were expecting revenue of $208.12 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. The strong results from AWS, the world's largest cloud provider, followed stellar cloud revenue growth reported on Wednesday by Microsoft's Azure and Google Cloud, the No. 2 and No. 3 players in the industry, respectively. Microsoft, Google parent Alphabet and Facebook owner Meta all announced plans for higher annual capital expenditures as they pour money into chips and data centers. BIG TECH CONTINUES AI SPENDING Jassy's comments echoed those from rival CEOs, indicating Big Tech has no plans to pump the brakes on AI spending despite Wall Street expressing concern about a possible investment bubble. Companies, including Amazon, are introducing AI into nearly every facet of their operations in hopes of reducing costs and boosting productivity. On Wednesday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said he did not believe the AI boom is a speculative bubble like the dot-com era, when many companies were "ideas rather than businesses." Today’s AI leaders “actually have earnings," he said. He added that AI investments - especially in data centers, chips, and infrastructure - were a major source of economic growth. He did warn about AI's impact on the labor market. Amazon Chief Financial Officer Brian Olsavsky said he expected full-year capital expenditures to be around $125 billion and higher spending next year, without providing details. The company booked $89.9 billion in capital expenditures through the first three quarters, he said. AWS typically accounts for a little more than 15 per cent of Amazon's total revenue, but the segment is a huge profit engine, making up roughly 60 per cent of the company's total operating income. The unit reported revenue growth of 17.5 per cent in the second quarter. Advertising was another bright spot. Sales increased 24 per cent from a year earlier to $17.7 billion. The company has been placing greater emphasis on sponsored product listings and finding new spaces for higher ad volume, such as Echo Show screens and hi-tech grocery shopping carts. Seattle-based Amazon took a $1.8 billion charge for severance costs. On Tuesday, it announced it had cut 14,000 corporate jobs, part of a plan that could result in around 30,000 job losses in aggregate. It had added about 32,000 workers from this year's second quarter through the third for a workforce of 1.58 million people. Results were also weighed down by a one-time $25 billion charge for a settlement reached with the Federal Trade Commission over allegations that Amazon tricked consumers about their Prime memberships.

Another DWTS Jan Ravnik Defender?! Maks Chmerkovskiy’s Sister-In-Law Jenna Johnson Weighs In!
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Another DWTS Jan Ravnik Defender?! Maks Chmerkovskiy’s Sister-In-Law Jenna Johnson Weighs In!

Jenna Johnson is sharing her two cents on her brother-in-law Maks Chmerkovskiy‘s Dancing with the Stars drama! The DWTS alum stirred up controversy when he blasted newcomer Jan Ravnik for having “zero foundation technique, quality, understanding of the partnership,” and setting his partner Jen Affleck up for a “major disadvantage” in the competition. Maks suggested Jan was only hired because of his history with Taylor Swift! Jan has already spoken out about the negativity a ton, and despite his elimination this week, he kept his head held high. Other pros are also coming to his defense, including Maks’ brother Val, who is on the current season! Val told Access Hollywood that he does “disagree” with his brother’s “hurtful” comments. But now his wife Jenna is sharing her thoughts, too, and it’s a LOT more guarded! While catching up with Us Weekly at Variety‘s Power of Women event on Wednesday, Jenna was asked what she thought of her in-law’s viral comments. And, well, she didn’t have much to say! She dished: “I think everyone is welcome to have their own opinion.” AKA she took no sides! Trying to play it safe, we see! That said, she and Jan did have a starring moment in Tuesday’s episode when they performed a dance to Taylor’s Cancelled! And while talking about how that piece came together, it’s clear she thinks highly of the performer and his abilities! She explained: “I absolutely adore Jan. I actually requested to do this piece with him at the beginning of the season, because he is such an incredible partner. So I’m really glad that we had that moment last night together.” OK, it’s more subtle than Val’s support, but calling Jan “an incredible partner” makes it clear she doesn’t agree with Maks! Take a look at their epic performance: View this post on Instagram Sounds like she’s a fan of Jan — no matter what Maks says! Their next family reunion might be a little awkward. LOLz! Thoughts?? Let us know (below)! [Image via DWTS/ABC/YouTube & Jenna Johnson/Instagram]

King Charles Evicts His Brother And Strips Andrew Of His Prince Title!!
High-Profile Prospect Has NBA Debut Put On Hold Yet Again After Cancer Diagnosis
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High-Profile Prospect Has NBA Debut Put On Hold Yet Again After Cancer Diagnosis

To say Nikola Topic's NBA career has gotten off to a nightmare start would be one of the greatest understatements of all time. It was announced Thursday that Topic, drafted 12th by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2024 NBA Draft, has begun chemotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with testicular cancer. Thunder general manager Sam Presti told reporters that doctors are "extremely positive" about Topic's long-term outlook and that he'll "be back playing basketball when he's able to." The news of Topic's diagnosis and treatment comes after he missed the entirety of the 2024 NBA season after tearing his ACL and undergoing surgery. Both the mental and physical toll of recovering from a torn ACL to then be told you have cancer has to be excruciating. According to ESPN, Topic underwent a procedure in early October at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston to get a biopsy. After receiving the results confirming he had testicular cancer, the 20-year-old Serbian asked the organization not to publicly reveal the diagnosis until he began treatment, Presti explained. Topic became the first player in league history to win a title without ever actually playing in the NBA last season, with the Thunder winning the NBA Finals in seven games over the Indiana Pacers. Collin Gillespie won a title with the Denver Nuggets without ever suiting up for the team that season, but unlike Topic, was on a two-way contract and did play for the Nuggets in the Summer. Topic never suited up for Oklahoma City and signed a four-year contract worth $23 million after being drafted. Topic made his professional debut as a 16-year-old in the ABA League in 2022. Two years later, he was named the league's top prospect while averaging 17.9 points, 6.8 assists, and 3.6 rebounds. He suffered his torn ACL in May 2024, but less than one month later, the Thunder called his name with the 12th pick in the NBA Draft.