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  • Another Good Reason to Block Online Ads: They Can Deliver Spyware

    Another Good Reason to Block Online Ads: They Can Deliver Spyware

    In a disturbing discovery, security researchers have found evidence that online ads on websites and mobile apps were widely exploited to deliver spyware to devices without users’ knowledge. 

    The spyware appears to have originated with the Israeli company Candiru, and was discovered infecting devices at Al Jazeera, according to researchers at the Toronto-based Citizen Lab.

    Another Israeli firm, Discover-Tech, has been acting as the key facilitator by allegedly selling access to its online ads to spyware developers. “Discover-Tech operates a platform called Controlium that enables its mercenary partners to de-anonymize, fingerprint, and automatically infect devices the moment an advertisement is rendered—a form of zero-click attack,” Citizen Lab writes in its report. 

    Zero-click refers to spyware that can automatically infect a device without any user interaction. In this case, the computer code that runs the online ad on the user’s device becomes the attack vector. The ad’s computer code can collect user data and send it back to Discover-Tech’s server. That server can then select which users are targeted with the spyware. To do so, Discover-Tech will connect the displayed ad to an “infection server” from the spyware provider, which can fetch JavaScript code to deliver the malicious payload.

    Citizen Lab

    Example of the ads. (Credit: Citizen Lab)

    Citizen Lab’s report doesn’t appear to address the spyware’s capabilities or whether it exploited any software vulnerabilities to infect the devices. But the investigation led Al Jazeera to isolate “a Windows DLL file from one of the compromised devices” that has been flagged as malware and is designed to communicate with a Candiru attack server.  

    Citizen Lab found evidence that spyware was delivered to “at least 45 devices within Al Jazeera” in 2024 and 2025 after examining the media outlet’s network logs. The lab calls the attack “AdFection” and alleges that Discover-Tech’s primary purpose has been to secretly sell ads to multiple mercenary spyware providers rather than to legitimate customers. 

    How the attack works.

    How the attack works. (Credit: Citizen Lab)

    Citizen Lab was also able to examine the ad-bidding records from Discover-Tech, which were accidentally exposed on the company’s website. “We found that Discover-Tech ads were displayed in over 70,000 mobile apps, and over 120,000 websites between March and June 2026,” the report says. The Israeli company has also served ads through Google, Russian search engine Yandex, and Comcast’s ad tech platform Beeswax.

    Citizen Lab says the finding is “the first-ever public confirmation of zero-click mercenary spyware delivered via targeted ads,” three years after the newspaper Haaretz reported that Israeli firms had been using online ads to deliver spyware.

    Another alarming discovery is that the malicious ads from Discover-Tech “were shown on devices in national-security-sensitive networks around the world. These include the networks of various ministries of defense, armed forces, national cyber agencies, intergovernmental organizations and multilateral security organizations including NATO, and networks associated with critical infrastructure,” Citizen Lab says. 

    The research also shows how online ads and ad targeting can be abused to enable mass surveillance, despite regulations. It’s long been known that online targeted ads work by collecting internet activity and device information to discern the user’s interests, geographic location, and also tag their device with an advertising ID, creating a way to “fingerprint” people, without their consent. 

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    “Sure, the targeting was designed to follow you around with shoe ads, but all Discover-Tech had to do was piggyback on this system to follow you around with spyware,” Citizen Lab researcher John Scott-Railton tweeted. “They are surely not alone. Just the first to get caught.”

    Citizen Lab is calling on regulators “to investigate whether Discover-Tech and Candiru/Integrity Labs violated applicable laws, and make recommendations to lawmakers.”

    Discover-Tech didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. In the meantime, Citizen Lab notes that Google, the ad association IAB Europe, Beeswax, Vungle, and Eskimi all “took action to disconnect Discover-Tech’s access to the digital advertising ecosystem.”

    Researchers at the lab also say users can protect themselves by blocking online ads. Google also says: “Following a joint investigation with Citizen Lab and Confiant, Google blocked Discover Tech from our ad platforms for systematically violating our policies. We also set up Safe Browsing warnings to help protect people if they navigate to websites linked to this group.”

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  • How to Watch the Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians ALCS Game 3 (Even for Free)

    How to Watch the Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians ALCS Game 3 (Even for Free)

    As summer comes to a close and the air turns crisp, you know what’s coming: the MLB Playoffs. The NFL season is already underway, and if you’re also a baseball lover, this next month is essential viewing. The MLB has been through a number of changes in recent years. From the universal DH and the pitch clock to video replay and an automated strike zone, baseball may look very different if you haven’t been paying attention.

    Today, the Guardians will face the Rays, and the Dodgers will go head-to-head against the Brewers in the best-of-seven Championship series. Which teams will come out on top? Here’s how you can watch live.


    What Time Is the Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians Game?

    Today’s game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cleveland Guardians will take place on Thursday, October 15 at 1 p.m. ET. The game was moved from 6 p.m. to 1 p.m. due to expected rain this evening.


    How to Watch the Tampa Bay Rays vs. Cleveland Guardians?

    Tonight’s Rays vs. Guardians game will air on TBS and HBO Max. This year, the American League Division Series games will be broadcast on TBS, while the National League games will be on Fox and FS1. You can also watch them with a live TV or sports streaming subscription from DirecTV, Fox One, Fubo, HBO Max, Hulu, Sling, Sportsnet+ (if you’re in Canada), or YouTube TV.


    How to Watch the Rays vs. the Guardians for Free

    If you don’t want to subscribe to any of the above platforms, you may be able to sign up for a few free trials to gain access to this weekend’s games. Fox One and Hulu offer three-day trials, DirecTV and Fubo offer five days, and YouTube TV gives you 10 days for free.

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    Unlock Your Streaming Service’s Full Catalog


    2026 MLB Playoffs Game Schedule

    MLB’s expanded postseason means more teams on the playoff schedule. Things started off with the best-of-three Wild Card Series, where the Braves, Padres, White Sox, and Yankees advanced. The best-of-five Division Series put them up against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Cleveland Guardians, and Tampa Bay Rays, respectively. All of whom managed to advance

    Now, the Rays and Guardians and Dodgers and Brewers meet in the best-of-seven Championship Series to determine the best team in each league. The winner from each league will then advance to a best-of-seven World Series to begin on October 23. Who will make it all the way?

    Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Milwaukee Brewers – MIL lead 3-0

    • Game 4 on October 15 @ 9 p.m. ET – Fox/FS1

    • Game 5 on October 16 @ 9 p.m. ET – Fox/FS1*

    • Game 6 on October 18 @ 8 p.m. ET – Fox/FS1*

    • Game 7 on October 19 @ 8 p.m. ET – Fox/FS1*

    Cleveland Guardians vs. Tampa Bay Rays – CLE leads 1-1

    • Game 3 on October 15 @ 1 p.m. ET – TBS/HBO Max

    • Game 4 on October 16 @ 6 p.m. ET – TBS/HBO Max

    • Game 5 on October 17 @ 8 p.m. ET – TBS/HBO Max*

    • Game 6 on October 19 @ 5 p.m. ET – TBS/HBO Max*

    • Game 7 on October 20 @ 8 p.m. ET – TBS/HBO Max*

    *if necessary

    2026 mlb playoff bracket

    (Credit: MLB)


    How to Stream the 2026 MLB Playoffs

    This year’s MLB postseason is stretched across multiple networks and streaming services. All Wild Card Series games for the American League and National League were broadcast on NBC, NBCSN, and Peacock. Additional rounds will be on other networks. ALDS and ALCS games are on TBS/TruTV and HBO Max, while NLDS and NLCS games are on Fox/FS1. For the World Series, all games will be broadcast on Fox and the Fox One streaming service.

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    • DirecTV: DirecTV’s MySports base pack costs $45 per month for the first six months to see every game on Fox, FS1, NBC, and TBS/TruTV.

    • Fox One: Fox’s own streaming app lets you watch the NLDS, NLCS, and World Series on Fox and FS1 for $20 per month.

    • Fubo: Fubo’s Sports plan costs $45.99 for the first month to watch the Wild Card Series, NLDS, NLCS, and World Series on Fox, FS1, and NBC/NBCSN.

    • HBO Max: If you pay for the $18.49-per-month HBO Max Standard, you’ll be able to watch the ALDS and ALCS games on TBS/TruTV.

    • Hulu: For $90 per month, you can watch every game on Fox, FS1, NBC, TBS, and TruTV.

    • Peacock: Instead of a live TV service, you’d need to pay $10.99 per month for Peacock Premium to see the Wild Card Series games.

    • Sling: The $60.99-per-month Sling Orange & Blue bundle will let you watch the ALDS and ALCS on TBS/TruTV and the NLDS and NLCS on FS1. Day Passes are also available for Sling Orange, allowing you to watch games on TBS for up to seven days.

    • Sportsnet+ (Canada only): The $30-per-month Standard tier lets you watch every postseason game.

    • YouTube TV: Though the standard plan for YouTube TV costs $83 per month, you can actually now pay for the cheaper $65 Sports package to see all games on Fox, FS1, NBC/NBCSN, and TBS/TruTV.

    Can I Watch Postseason Games on MLB.TV?

    Are you already an MLB.TV subscriber? You can watch the Division Series, Championship Series, and World Series games through MLB’s own streaming service—but there’s a catch. To watch on MLB.TV, you’ll first need to authenticate through a participating pay TV provider. It’s such a sticking point that it makes the entire question moot. If you already have a TV provider, then you wouldn’t need to use a streaming service. If you don’t already have an MLB.TV subscription, don’t pay for one now.

    How can I listen to the 2026 postseason?

    You can also listen to the games via ESPN Radio.


    Which Teams Are In the Playoffs?

    Since MLB expanded its postseason picture in 2022, a total of 12 teams make the playoffs each year. That includes six teams per league, including the three division winners and three Wild Card teams.

    • American League Division Winners: Tampa Bay Rays (1), Cleveland Guardians (2), Houston Astros (3)

    • American League Wild Card: New York Yankees (4), Boston Red Sox (5), Chicago White Sox (6)

    • National League Division Winners: Milwaukee Brewers (1), Los Angeles Dodgers (2), Atlanta Braves (3)

    • National League Wild Card: Chicago Cubs (4), Philadelphia Phillies (5), San Diego Padres (6)


    Upgrade Your Streaming Experience

    If you decide to watch the MLB postseason, there’s still time to get a big-screen television for viewing this beautiful game. Pro tip: Turn on your TV’s motion-smoothing option for the best picture while watching sports. Just remember to turn it off before watching other TV shows and movies to avoid the awful “soap opera” effect.

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  • White House spokesperson Katie Zacharia’s law career faces scrutiny

    White House spokesperson Katie Zacharia’s law career faces scrutiny

    Katie Zacharia, the new White House press secretary under United States President Donald Trump, has drawn increasing criticism over claims about her professional background.

    On Wednesday, a public accountability nonprofit filed a complaint with the State Bar of California over Zacharia’s repeated claims that she was a lawyer.

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    If made falsely, such a claim is a crime in the state. According to Zacharia’s LinkedIn profile, she received a degree from the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law in 2011, but critics have questioned whether she received a licence to practise law, as she has suggested.

    “Ms. Zacharia has represented herself as a lawyer repeatedly to buttress her reputation and credibility as a television legal commentator and now as the White House spokesperson,” Michelle Kuppersmith, the head of the Washington, DC-based Campaign for Accountability, said in a statement. “Yet it seems it was all a lie.”

    Her organisation filed the complaint with California’s bar office, a regulatory agency that oversees the licensing of lawyers.

    “In California, calling yourself a lawyer without a license isn’t puffery; it’s a crime,” Kuppersmith said.

    “The State Bar should investigate whether Ms. Zacharia has misled the public about her credentials and hold her accountable if she has.”

    Zacharia, a commentator who has appeared frequently on Fox News and Newsmax, began her term as White House press secretary on Tuesday.

    In a news briefing that day, she seemed to falter and speak haltingly, sometimes having to repeat herself.

    Her appearance was brief, lasting under 15 minutes. She spent much of her time at the podium thanking Trump for the opportunity and reading from a prepared statement.

    “I have wanted to work for him for a very long time,” Zacharia said.

    Later, she joined Trump outside the White House to speak further with reporters. When asked where she had passed the bar exam, Zacharia replied, “When I moved to China.”

    The response was an apparent reference to a three-year stint in which she claims she worked at a law firm in Beijing.

    A biography on the website for the pro-Trump women’s organisation Trumpettes USA Inc says she “served as outside counsel” for the World Bank and International Finance Corporation while in Beijing.

    Her LinkedIn profile, meanwhile, indicates Zacharia served as an associate at the Zhong Lun Law Firm in Beijing from 2011 to 2013. More recently, from 2024 to 2025, it lists her as general counsel for Fix California, a voter rights group started by a Trump administration official.

    On her Instagram profile, Zacharia describes herself as a “Wife, Mom, & Lawyer”.

    But Zacharia’s assertion that she passed the bar in China has fuelled media scrutiny. China’s equivalent of the bar exam, the notoriously difficult National Unified Legal Professional Qualification Examination, can only be taken by Chinese citizens.

    China has, on rare occasion, allowed foreigners to practise law in the country if they have several years of experience in their home countries first.

    But that does not appear to be the case for Zacharia. According to media reports, Zacharia has not been found to be licensed as a lawyer in any state in the US.

    In a statement to The Associated Press, Zacharia responded to the scrutiny by saying, “I practice international transaction law, with all the appropriate credentials.”

    Since Trump’s return to office for a second term, Zacharia has spent several months as a communications adviser at the Department of Homeland Security.

    Since June, she has also worked as the senior communications adviser at the Trump Media and Technology Group, which owns the Truth Social platform.

  • OpenAI bugging suspect allegedly booked one-way trip to Saudi Arabia

    OpenAI bugging suspect allegedly booked one-way trip to Saudi Arabia

    Saudi national Abdulrahman Alfozan was due to fly to Saudi Arabia on October 12, US prosecutors say in a court filing.

    The Saudi national accused of bugging OpenAI’s headquarters booked a one-way flight to Saudi Arabia before his arrest, US prosecutors have alleged.

    Abdulrahman Alfozan, a former OpenAI engineer, had been scheduled to fly to Saudi Arabia with his wife and another family member on October 12, prosecutors said in a court filing unsealed on Wednesday.

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    The FBI arrested Alfozan, who worked at OpenAI for about 15 months until his termination last week, on October 9, after OpenAI personnel reported the discovery of a hidden listening device in a conference room at the company’s San Francisco headquarters.

    Alfozan, 35, has been charged with “using or endeavoring to use an electronic, mechanical, or other device to intercept oral communications”.

    The offence carries a maximum punishment of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

    Prosecutors disclosed the alleged flight booking to a judge on October 8 in a motion seeking to seal the criminal complaint against Alfozan, arguing he had the “means – and will have an incentive – to flee” the United States.

    William Pernik, Alfozan’s lawyer, said he and his client planned to contest the criminal allegations and his client’s ongoing detention in court.

    “We trust that the American justice system will treat our client fairly, despite the narrative painted in the media at this time,” Pernik told Al Jazeera.

    “Our client is a well regarded professional with long standing ties to the community,” Pernik added.

    “He is presumed innocent and is entitled to fair treatment and due process of law. The emphasis on his national origin and therefore suggestions of lack of trustworthiness or flight risk harken back to dark chapters of our nation’s history that we intend to fight fully.”

    Alfozan’s arrest has shone a spotlight on concerns that frontier tech firms are a target for spying and industrial espionage amid the global race to gain an upper hand in AI.

    Before joining OpenAI in July last year, Alfozan worked as a systems engineer at Meta and interned at Microsoft, according to a LinkedIn profile in his name.

    Alfozan is also listed as a venture partner at Raed Ventures, a Riyadh-based venture capital firm whose other partners include Prince Khalid bin Bader al Saud, a member of the Saudi royal family.

    In a statement announcing Alfozan’s appointment in February 2025, Raed Ventures described the engineer as “a seasoned professional with extensive experience in tech startups” and said his role would involve “identifying promising investment opportunities and supporting startups on their journey toward growth and success”.

  • G20 finance ministers, central bankers gather amid fallout from Iran war

    G20 finance ministers, central bankers gather amid fallout from Iran war

    The G20 finance ministers and central bank governors are gathering in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday amid an uncertain global outlook shaped by the US-Israel war on Iran.

    The meetings are being held in conjunction with the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, taking place in the Thai capital from October 12 to October 18.

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    Here are some of the key details about the meetings:

    What are the G20, the IMF and the World Bank?

    The G20 is an economic forum comprising 19 large economies, including the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, India, Japan, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, as well as the European Union and the African Union.

    The grouping has an annually rotating presidency, currently held by the US.

    Together, the G20 countries account for about 85 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP) and three-quarters of global trade.

    The G20 was established in 1999 as a forum for finance ministers and central bank governors to address shared economic concerns in the wake of the Asian Financial Crisis, before expanding into a broader forum for national leaders.

    The IMF, based in Washington, DC, is an international financial institution that promotes international cooperation on monetary policy, trade and economic growth.

    Its membership includes all but a handful of the world’s sovereign states, including North Korea, Cuba, the Vatican City and Monaco.

    The World Bank, also based in Washington, DC, primarily serves as a provider of loans and grants to developing countries. It has 189 member countries.

    The IMF and the World Bank were created at the 1944 Bretton Woods conference in the US, convened by the Allied Powers to establish the contours of the post-World War II international financial order.

    Who will be attending the meetings?

    Most finance ministers and central bank governors of the G20 will be in Bangkok, along with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and World Bank Group President Ajay Banga.

    US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will be a notable absence from the gatherings, as the top economic official of the world’s biggest economy and G20 chair.

    US officials have cited “domestic engagements” for Bessent’s decision to skip the events, at which Washington will be represented by Deputy Secretary Francis Brooke and Undersecretary for International Affairs Erin Browne.

    The G20 meeting, one of several gatherings of the group’s finance ministers each year, will help shape the agenda for the headline leaders’ summit in Miami, Florida, taking place on December 14-15.

    What is on the agenda?

    The economic fallout from the US-Israel war on Iran is expected to dominate discussions.

    Attacks across the Middle East have upended economic activity across the region, while disruption to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has driven a surge in energy prices worldwide.

    Crude oil prices have exceeded $100 a barrel for much of the past eight months, placing a strain on government coffers and household budgets, particularly in the Gulf region and the rest of Asia.

    In advance of the meeting, Australia’s Treasurer Jim Chalmers MP said he would use the discussions to call for an end to the conflicts in the Middle East and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz “because that’s what the global economy desperately needs”.

    “The war in the Middle East is having a devastating economic impact and is pushing up fuel prices, inflation and interest rates around the world,” Chalmers said in a statement.

    Other issues likely to feature on the agenda include the ballooning debt levels of many countries, which exceed 100 percent of GDP in the US, Canada, Japan, Italy and France.

    In a speech on Wednesday, Georgieva warned that mounting debt posed a threat to the global economy and that there was no “magic” formula that would allow governments to avoid tax hikes or spending cuts.

    G20 members will also bring more specific individual concerns to the table based on their economic and geopolitical priorities.

    The US, for example, has repeatedly expressed concern about “global imbalances”, a veiled reference to China’s state-driven industrial model that has allowed Chinese exporters to flood overseas markets with cheap goods.

    US President Donald Trump has long claimed that China’s large trade surplus, which stood at a cumulative $938bn in September, proves that international trade is stacked against US manufacturers.

    In a statement addressed to the IMF on Wednesday, Bessent called for action to address mismatched trade balances.

    “This especially includes strengthening its analysis and engagement on the role non-market policies and practices and exchange rates play in driving external imbalances,” Bessent said.

    “Policymakers around the world are having difficult discussions about how to sustain market-based systems amid distortionary policies from some economies that skew competition and hurt employment.”

    Divisions and competing interests cloud the prospects for coordination, however.

    At the last meeting of G20 finance ministers in Asheville, North Carolina, US, held on August 31 and September 1, member countries failed to issue a joint communique after China objected to language to do with trade.

  • Selma Blair was struggling emotionally hours before alleged violent airplane altercation: Here’s what she said

    Selma Blair was struggling emotionally hours before alleged violent airplane altercation: Here’s what she said

    The actress shared an emotional Instagram message just hours before her arrest following an alleged violent incident aboard a Delta flight. Her representatives say she experienced a medical emergency. Selma Blair appeared to be struggling emotionally just hours before an alleged violent altercation aboard a Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles to New York City on Sunday, October 11, 2026.

    The 54-year-old actress, best known for her roles in Cruel Intentions and Legally Blonde, admitted she was feeling “sad” and “not great” in an Instagram exchange before the incident that resulted in her arrest at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

    Selma Blair is seen at Los Angeles International Airport© GC Images
    Selma Blair is seen at Los Angeles International Airport

    According to TMZ‘s October 12 report, Blair responded to a social media follower with a candid message about her emotional state. “I’m sad. I’m grateful. I hope. I am not great,” Blair wrote.

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    The troubling exchange has attracted renewed attention following reports that Blair allegedly assaulted two flight attendants during her cross-country journey. Her representatives have since confirmed that she experienced a medical emergency, while her attorney maintains that the alleged conduct was unintentional.

    Selma Blair’s Emotional Instagram Message Before Her Arrest

    Hours before boarding the flight that would lead to her arrest, Blair interacted with followers on Instagram.

    According to Page Six, a fan had left an encouraging comment expressing happiness that the actress appeared to be enjoying life and making new memories. Blair liked the comment but responded with a message suggesting that her emotional reality was more complicated than her social media posts indicated.

    Selma Blair was struggling emotionally hours before alleged violent airplane altercation© GC Images
    Selma Blair was struggling emotionally hours before alleged violent airplane altercation

    Her words revealed a mixture of sadness, gratitude, and hope, although she did not explain what was troubling her.

    The actress also shared an Instagram post featuring photographs of herself, friends, and her service dog, Scout, along with an aerial image taken from an airplane. “From LA to New Mexico to La to nyc to LA Scout and I have been busy. I miss you,” she captioned the post.

    The montage was set to the Pixies song Wave of Mutilation, according to Page Six.

    What Happened During Selma Blair’s Alleged Delta Flight Altercation?

    Blair was arrested after authorities responded to reports of a physically abusive passenger aboard a Delta flight traveling from Los Angeles to New York on October 11. According to Reuters, two flight attendants reported injuries following the incident, and one was transported to a hospital for medical evaluation.

    TMZ reported that Blair allegedly punched one flight attendant and bit another after attempting to open an aircraft door during the flight. Those specific allegations have not been established in court.

    The aircraft landed at JFK Airport at approximately 11 p.m., where Port Authority police took Blair into custody and transported her to a hospital for evaluation. Air traffic communications also indicated that medical assistance was requested for injuries reportedly involving bite marks and a bloody nose.

    The FBI is investigating the alleged in-flight assault. 

    Selma Blair’s Representative Says She Suffered a Medical Emergency

    Following the actress’s arrest, her representative addressed the incident in a statement provided to several news outlets, including ABC News. “Selma experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct,” the representative said.

    The statement added that Blair received immediate medical attention after landing and was in stable condition.

     Selma Blair is seen on July 08, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. © GC Images
    Selma Blair is seen on July 08, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.

    Her attorney, Shawn Barnes, offered further context during her arraignment in Queens Criminal Court on Monday, October 12. According to Us Weekly, Barnes told the judge that Blair had missed several doses of medication used to manage severe neurological symptoms associated with her multiple sclerosis.

    He also explained that the actress had been working extensive hours before traveling and had fallen and struck her head during the flight. Barnes argued that these circumstances, combined with the flight’s altitude, contributed to severe confusion and disorientation. “This was not an intentional assault,” Barnes told the court.

    The attorney’s explanation represents Blair’s legal defense and has not been independently established as the medical cause of the incident. 

    Selma Blair Pleads Not Guilty to Assault Charges

    Blair’s legal difficulties extended beyond the allegations involving flight attendants. According to The Associated Press, the actress was also accused of kicking a Port Authority police officer while being secured to a stretcher and subsequently kicking a nurse at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.

    Charging documents alleged that the officer suffered pain and swelling, while the nurse reported pain in her chest. Blair appeared in Queens Criminal Court on October 12, where her attorney entered a not guilty plea on her behalf to two counts of second-degree assault related to the officer and nurse.

    Selma Blair is seen on April 06, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.  © GC Images
    Selma Blair is seen on April 06, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.

    The judge set bail at $20,000 cash or a $60,000 bond, and Blair was subsequently released. Her next court hearing is scheduled for January 19, 2027.

    Separately, federal authorities are pursuing allegations connected to the incident aboard the aircraft. Blair is presumed innocent of the charges unless proven guilty. 

    Selma Blair Previously Experienced an Airplane Incident in 2016

    The latest allegations have also revived interest in an earlier airplane incident involving Blair. In June 2016, the actress was hospitalized following a disturbance aboard a flight from Cancún, Mexico, to Los Angeles.

    Selma Blair is seen in Studio City on March 04, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.© GC Images
    Selma Blair is seen in Studio City on March 04, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.

    Blair subsequently apologized, explaining that she had mixed alcohol with medication and experienced a blackout. “I made a big mistake yesterday,” she said in a statement at the time, according to the Los Angeles Times.

    She also expressed regret for her actions.

    What’s Next for Selma Blair Following Her Arrest?

    Blair now faces an ongoing legal process as investigators examine the allegations surrounding her Delta flight and the events that followed her arrival in New York.

    Delta Air Lines has emphasized its commitment to passenger and crew safety, stating that it maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward unlawful or disruptive behavior.

    Selma Blair on September 23, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. © Variety via Getty Images
    Selma Blair said she felt sad and not great hours before an alleged violent Delta flight incident. Here’s what happened, her medical update and latest legal news.

    Meanwhile, Blair’s representatives continue to characterize the incident as the result of a medical emergency.

  • Dolly Parton estate war rages on as nephew defends ‘threatening’ texts

    Dolly Parton estate war rages on as nephew defends ‘threatening’ texts

    Dolly Parton‘s estate battle is taking another dramatic turn, with the late country music legend’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, fighting back against accusations that he threatened people connected to her multimillion-dollar business empire.

    Seaver, 49, who served as Parton’s longtime head of security, insists that controversial text messages cited in a lawsuit were taken out of context. He claims the exchanges were private conversations between grieving friends, not threats of physical violence.

    Bryan Seaver, Dolly’s nephew, delivered the family’s message and shared personal memories of his famous aunt.© Redferns
    Bryan Seaver, Dolly’s nephew, delivered the family’s message and shared personal memories of his famous aunt.

    The escalating legal dispute has placed Seaver at odds with Parton’s longtime manager, Danny Nozell, who oversees She’s Alive, LLC, the company responsible for managing the singer’s business interests following her death on August 25, 2026.

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    Now, with a crucial court hearing approaching on October 20, Seaver is attempting to convince a Tennessee judge that the temporary restraining order against him should not remain in place. 

    Dolly Parton’s Nephew Claims His Threatening Texts Were Misinterpreted

    In a new affidavit filed Tuesday, October 13, Seaver denied allegations that he threatened violence against Parton’s business associates or employees.

    American singer-songwriter, actress, and businesswoman Dolly Parton, poses for a portrait circa 1995 at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. (Photo by Ron Davis/Getty Images)© Getty Images
    American singer-songwriter, actress, and businesswoman Dolly Parton

    The legal documents challenge the way his messages were presented in court, arguing that Nozell had previously been a close friend and trusted colleague.

    Seaver acknowledged using profanity and aggressive language while discussing business frustrations. However, he maintained that his comments concerned professional relationships and financial disagreements rather than anyone’s physical safety.

    According to Rolling Stone, Seaver stated in his affidavit: “I have never threatened physical harm to Mr. Nozell, to any SAL employee, contractor, attorney, advisor, or business partner, or to anyone else associated with SAL.”

    Parton had publicly acknowledged health challenges before her death, but the extent of her condition was not widely known© NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via
    As the legal battle continues, Seaver’s attorneys have emphasized the emotional toll on his family.

    He added that he had no intention of doing so.

    Seaver also argued that Nozell had encouraged him to promote his background in military contracting and security work, only to later cite references to that experience as evidence that he posed a danger.

    In one exchange, Seaver reportedly described himself as an international arms dealer and mercenary. He claimed Nozell reacted positively to the message at the time. “Clearly, he wasn’t frightened or intimidated,” Seaver said in his filing, according to Rolling Stone. 

    What Did Bryan Seaver Say in the Text Messages?

    The lawsuit filed by She’s Alive includes several inflammatory messages allegedly sent by Seaver around the time of Parton’s death.

    In one September 1 exchange cited in court documents, Seaver threatened to launch a podcast targeting Parton’s commercial relationships. According to The Associated Press, the message included a threat to create a podcast dedicated to “ruining Dolly’s brand partnerships.”

     Dolly Parton backstage at the 53rd annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 13, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. © Getty Images for CMA
    Dolly Parton backstage at the 53rd annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 13, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee.

    Seaver argued that his remarks were connected to a payment dispute and concerns about business practices, not an intention to physically harm anyone. Other communications referenced his experience with weapons and military contracting.

    One message reportedly included the statement, “I’m not an entertainment person. I’m a killer.” Seaver previously told ABC News that the remark referred to an inside joke within Parton’s inner circle. “Dolly called me her killer,” he explained, adding that the expression was a joke used among people close to the singer.

    He also insisted, “I’ve never threatened anyone.” The estate’s representatives, however, have presented the communications as evidence of escalating intimidation and potential retaliation. 

    Why Is Dolly Parton’s Estate Suing Her Nephew?

    The dispute erupted shortly after Parton’s death, when She’s Alive terminated Seaver and his private security company, Squadron Augmented Protection Services. Seaver had spent more than two decades working in security for his famous aunt, making the breakdown in their professional relationship particularly significant.

    The company managing Parton’s estate subsequently accused him of threatening and intimidating employees, advisers and business partners.

    Dolly Parton kept her cancer battle private © Getty Images
    Dolly Parton’s estate battle intensifies as nephew Bryan Seaver claims threatening texts were taken out of context and fights a restraining order in court this month.

    Court filings alleged that Seaver’s conduct created serious safety concerns and disrupted professional relationships. A Tennessee judge granted a temporary restraining order in September, restricting Seaver and his security company from entering She’s Alive properties or coming within 1,000 feet of certain employees and business associates.

    Seaver disputes the allegations and argues that the restrictions are excessive. He claims Parton’s extensive business connections make the order difficult to follow, potentially limiting his ability to conduct ordinary business across Nashville.

    The judge has not yet made a final determination on whether the order should continue. 

    A $251,000 Payment Dispute Adds Another Twist

    Money appears to be another major factor in the increasingly contentious legal fight. Seaver claims that his security company was owed approximately $251,000 for services connected to Parton’s properties.

    According to his court filing, the payment dispute involved Herschend Family Entertainment, the company associated with Dollywood and Parton’s SongTeller Hotel. Seaver says the outstanding amount has since been paid.

    The singer always had a love of butterflies© Getty
    The singer always had a love of butterflies

    He also alleges that disagreements over security arrangements at the SongTeller Hotel contributed to the breakdown in relations. His affidavit raised concerns about alleged construction delays, fire inspections and the conduct of contracted security personnel.

    He maintains that his complaints were intended to address business problems rather than intimidate employees.

    The estate’s lawsuit presents a substantially different account, alleging that Seaver’s conduct went beyond an ordinary commercial disagreement. 

    Dolly Parton’s Personal Letter Could Strengthen Nephew’s Defense

    One of the most striking developments involves a letter Parton reportedly wrote in November 2024 recommending Seaver’s security company. The letter, included as an exhibit in his court filing, praised his personnel as “very professional, very discreet, and very good at what they do.”

    Parton also reportedly described Seaver as her longtime security chief and encouraged hotel management to consider his company for security services. Seaver is using that history to challenge the suggestion that he represented a danger to Parton’s business operations.

    NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 13: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Dolly Parton backstage at the 53rd annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 13, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Robby Klein/Getty Images for CMA) © Getty Images for CMA
    Dolly Parton backstage at the 53rd annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 13, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee.

    The singer had also selected him to announce her death publicly, underscoring the prominent role he occupied within her professional and personal circle.

    However, Parton’s earlier endorsement does not, by itself, resolve the allegations concerning Seaver’s later communications. 

    Dolly Parton’s Family Responds to the Estate Controversy

    As the legal battle continues, Seaver’s attorneys have emphasized the emotional toll on his family. In a statement shared with People on October 12, attorneys Dominic J. Leonardo and James L. Collier said their client had never sought public attention.

    They explained that Seaver was selected by Parton, with his family’s approval, to announce her passing. The lawyers also criticized how the dispute unfolded while relatives were mourning. “Seeing text messages that are misleading and taken out of context has been very hurtful to our client and his family,” the statement said.

    Dolly also performed that year at the ceremony© Gety
    Dolly Parton estate war rages on as nephew defends ‘threatening’ texts

    They argued that the initial restraining order was granted without the court hearing Seaver’s defense. The attorneys said their client hoped to resolve the dispute amicably while protecting Parton’s legacy. 

    Meanwhile, Parton’s sister Freida previously pushed back against suggestions that the entire family was fighting over the singer’s fortune.

    In a social media statement reported by Axios, she said no one within the family was fighting over the estate. “We all love Bryan, just as we love each other,” she wrote.

  • Donald Trump Says Execution Of Fort Hood Shooter Will Not Be Livestreamed

    Donald Trump Says Execution Of Fort Hood Shooter Will Not Be Livestreamed

    Donald Trump has reversed the Pentagon‘s plans to livestream the December execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, convicted of killing 13 and injuring dozens of others in a shooting rampage at Fort Hood.

    Trump posted on Truth Social on Thursday, “I think streaming the execution for all to see might have been a strong deterrent for the World to witness how America deals with Terrorists and SCUM like Hasan but, many very good and well meaning people would rather not watch him die, through streaming, or through any other visual device. He will die, as scheduled, by firing squad, but this event will not be streamed.”

    When the Pentagon announced plans last week to stream the execution, it drew an immediate outcry, including from a number of religious groups and from politicians on the right and left. Trump indicated he was reconsidering the plan in comments to reporters this week.

    Had the administration followed through, it’s unlikely any of the major networks would have carried it. There also was some question of whether such an event would have been allowed on platforms like YouTube, given its terms of service.

    Trump wrote that “the execution may be viewed in person by the immediate families of the victims, if they so choose. They deserve to witness JUSTICE!”

    The execution by firing squad is scheduled for December 3.

    Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, called the plans to live stream the execution “a barbaric promotion of a culture of death.”

  • Gerard Piqué has date night with Clara Chía after a courtroom face-off with Shakira

    Gerard Piqué has date night with Clara Chía after a courtroom face-off with Shakira

    Gerard Piqué had a busy week. Seven days after a high-stakes reunion with Shakira within a courtroom in Barcelona, Piqué resurfaced in a more relaxed setting — alongside his long-term girlfriend, Clara Chía, at one of the most talked-about nights on Barcelona’s music calendar.

    Gerard Pique and Clara Chia enjoy a soccer game in Morocco, while Shakira was on tour with the children.
© Jordi Martin/The Grosby Group
    Pique and Clara Chia have been together since 2022

    The couple turned up at the farewell concert of the beloved Catalan band Oques Grasses, which is splitting up after a 16-year run. Thousands of people packed the stadium for the send-off, with Piqué and Chía among them. 

    He offered no comment to the press upon his arrival. His body language said plenty, though, holding on to Chía as the two arrived at the venue. Footage from the weekend showed the two exchanging sweet gestures throughout the night. 

    Piqué and Chía have been together since 2022. In their four years as a couple, the pair have kept things low-key, even though they’ve never hidden their dynamic. Every so often, the two reappear in venues like concerts and other public settings, reminding the world that the two are still going strong. 

    Gerard Pique and Clara Chia remain happy and in love© G3/The Grosby Group
    Gerard Pique and Clara Chia remain happy and in love

    Back to court with Shakira

    Piqué and Chía’s date night came on the heels of a tense outing that was under the sharp eye of the media. On October 6, Piqué and Shakira appeared before a judge in Barcelona to revisit the visitation arrangement for their sons, Milan and Sasha. The former couple signed and ratified the agreement in December 2022.

    The hearing drew so much attention that Shakira’s legal team issued a statement clarifying exactly what she was asking for. 

    Piqué wore a dark suit and an open-collar white shirt for the Barcelona court appearance.© Europa Press Entertainment
    Piqué wore a dark suit and an open-collar white shirt for the Barcelona court appearance.

    “The request is not intended to reduce the time the children spend with their father. Its goal is that the burden of traveling between Miami and Barcelona not fall solely on them, but be shared,” they said. 

    Shakira has also led a busy month. Earlier this week, she concluded her concert residency in Madrid, a chapter that has been pivotal for her career as an artist. “This month has been, I think, one of the most important of my career. This residency has been historic,” she said, as reported by PEOPLE en Español. 

    “You truly make time stop and make me strong. Because you give it to me, to come out here onstage every night with total joy and my heart feeling full.”

    A structured white shoulder bag and platform heels carried the coordinated palette through her accessories.© G3/The Grosby Group
    A structured white shoulder bag and platform heels carried the coordinated palette through her accessories.
  • Comcast Gave $7.5 Million To Help Fund Donald Trump’s White House Ballroom, New Report Reveals

    Comcast Gave $7.5 Million To Help Fund Donald Trump’s White House Ballroom, New Report Reveals

    Comcast gave $7.5 million to help Donald Trump fund a new White House ballroom, but the donation was well below that of an array of other contributions from major tech companies like Apple and Amazon, according to a new report.

    The Washington Post obtained a list of all major donors to the project. The White House had previously disclosed a list of donors, including Comcast, but did not include the amounts.

    The top contributors included Nvidia and Apple, which each gave $25 million, as did the Adelson Family Foundation and the Charlie Ergen household and donor advised fund, per the Post. Another $22 million came from Google’s settlement of Trump’s lawsuit after YouTube suspended his account in the wake of the January 6th attack on the Capitol. The Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Foundation gave $20.27 million. Ike Perlmutter, the former CEO of Marvel Entertainment, is a longtime supporter of the president. Amazon gave $5 million, per the report.

    Outside of Comcast, no other major media companies were listed as contributors of $100,000 or more.

    A Comcast spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    The total donations reached almost $330 million. It’s unclear how expensive the ballroom will end up costing, as previous reports have put the figure up to $500 million.

    A federal judge ruled earlier this year that ballroom construction had to stop because Congress first had to approve it. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon did allow for building of an underground bunker to continue.

    The Supreme Court, however, has allowed the ballroom to proceed as the case moves through lower courts. That may make the situation moot, as construction of the ballroom, replacing the East Wing of the White House, is well underway, with the framing of the structure visibly rising on the White House grounds.