UPDATED with White House response: Shortly after CNN said that it was denied access to cover the arrivals at the White House State Dinner for Chinese President Xi Jinping tonight, MS NOW announced that it, too, had been barred.
The news came on the same day a federal judge ordered the White House to restore hard passes to the networks’ journalists and those of and Politico.
The coverage at the North Portico was scheduled to be open to pre-credentialed media, a wider scope of reporters and photographers than the White House press pool.
CNN White House correspondent Kristen Holmes said that they were told that their credential to cover the event was only for a camera and audio, not an editorial presence. She had requested that she and her producer attend.
“Again, no editorial presence, just a camera and audio, which certainly seems like a reaction to President Trump saying that he wanted the CNN coverage of the event,” Holmes said.
The White House said on its rapid response account that it was a “pre-credentialed event,” and “contrary to what the fake news wants you the believe, they don’t just get to have free rein into every part of the White House, every event, and every press call.”
The exclusion came after U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly ordered that credentials for CNN, Politico and MS NOW be restored, ending Trump’s five-day ban of the outlets from the White House grounds.
The outlets returned to the White House around noon. Then, hours later, Trump complained that CNN and MS NOW were not covering the state visit.
Trump claimed that the networks “refused to cover one of the Biggest and Most Beautiful Events to take place in many years, the arrival at the White House of the Highly Respected President of China, Xi Jinping, and his beautiful wife, Madam Peng. The event was magnificent — Actually made for Television but, because they’re Fake News, and because they knew how good it would be, they didn’t want credit to be given to ‘TRUMP,’ they refused to be there. That’s why they have such poor Ratings. Tonight’s State Dinner at the White House, for President Xi, will be spectacular!”
In fact, network correspondents said that they were not able to get access to the White House on Thursday morning. And after the White House pulled CNN from the TV pool on Monday, the other four networks in the pool declined to replace them in the rotation. That has meant a dearth of video images from the White House, as TV pool coverage has yet to resume.
The latest exclusion does not appear to be addressed in Kelly’s order. Rather, it is an issue about access to a particular event on White House grounds. The press office sends out notice to reporters of events that are open to “pre-credentialed media,” accommodating a much wider scope of credentialed reporters than those restricted to the White House pool. Those who want to attend RSVP, and the White House staff then inform reporters and photographers if they have clearance to go.
Last year, after Trump barred the Associated Press from pool access to areas like the Oval Office as well as larger “pre-credentialed media” events in locations like the East Room, the news organization sued. In an initial ruling on a preliminary injunction, a federal judge sided with the AP, concluding that the White House could not bar outlets from press events based on viewpoint. The D.C. Circuit, though, concluded that the White House could exclude the AP from smaller spaces, like the Oval Office and Cabinet Room, but distinguished those areas from larger White House locations like the East Room, where the district judge’s order remains in effect.
Circle Foundation has unveiled two initiatives with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Food Programme (WFP) to explore digital payments and regulated stablecoin infrastructure for development and humanitarian operations.
The support is expected to help international organizations improve the speed, cost and transparency of payments while expanding access to digital financial services, Circle Foundation said Friday.
The team noted that UNDP will use a Circle Foundation grant to establish the Digital Asset Innovation Pool, which will provide a structured framework for using regulated payment stablecoins in development programs.
The pool, which will complement existing banking channels, is designed to help UNDP country offices transition successful experiments into regular program delivery, the Foundation added. It will provide operational and regulatory guidance, beneficiary safeguards and tools for measuring payment costs, delivery times and reach.
Circle Foundation will also provide a grant to World Food Program USA to support WFP’s work on stablecoin-enabled payment infrastructure. The initiative will develop governance, risk, treasury, reconciliation and compliance systems while connecting local fintech and mobile money providers.
WFP plans to test two to three country corridors over three years and use the results to assess efficiency, transparency and resilience for its own operations and the wider humanitarian sector.
James Talarico, the Texas Democrat looking for an upset in the U.S. Senate race in the state over Ken Paxton, is drawing on an endorsement from Bill Nye, the Science Guy.
The pop culture science figure and TV host appears in a new campaign video for Talarico debuting on Friday, highlighting the candidate’s background as a teacher. It’s part of an effort to launch a coalition, Teachers for Talarico, for the candidate.
Nye says in the video, “Now, I’ve spent my career getting young people excited about science, about being curious, about learning in general, and so do you — you are teachers in Texas. And get this, maybe you know this: James Talarico was a teacher, a middle school teacher, in San Antonio before he was in the Texas legislature. Now, he’s running for Senate, and he needs your support.”
Compared to the 2024 presidential race, the midterms have so far seen relatively few celebrities out on the trail or in videos for candidates. Talarico, though, has posted photos with figures like Willie Nelson and Jimmy Kimmel, who sang his praises when the candidate recently appeared on his late night show, albeit the interview was moved to YouTube out of concern over the FCC’s equal time rule.
Talarico has been leading in polls over Paxton, but Republican super PACs are investing heavily in an effort to shore up support in the state.
The reason for high U.S. gas prices in 2026 wasn’t the Iran war but instead California Gov. Gavin Newsom forcing four California refineries to close.
Rating:
What’s True
Two California refineries, not four, recently shut down, including Phillips 66’s Los Angeles Refinery in October 2025 and Valero’s Benicia refinery in April 2026. Valero’s leadership cited state regulations as part of the reason the company closed its plant in the Bay Area. Also, California gas prices rose nearly 40 cents per gallon between January and February — prior to the start of the Iran war — with some analysts blaming Newsom’s administration. However …
What’s False
… no evidence suggests Newsom’s actions forced the closure of the refineries. Professionals knowledgable in fuel industry matters have repeatedly cited the Iran war, as well as the resulting closures of Middle East shipping routes, as the primary factors causing higher nationwide gas prices in 2026. Data shows nationwide fuel prices dramatically rose in the weeks immediately following the beginning of the Iran war in late February and early March, just as prices similarly rose in the weeks after Russia — a major oil supplier — invaded Ukraine in late February 2022. Oil companies that closed refineries in California cited reasons including high costs and low earnings for the decisions.
In September 2026, people shared social media posts claiming the reason for high U.S. gas prices wasn’t the Iran war but instead the alleged “forced” closures of “4 oil refineries” due, supposedly, to actions taken by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
For example, on Sept. 17, Timothy Wilcox, who reportedly ran in the 2026 Connecticut gubernatorial race as a Republican, posted (archived) on Facebook, “The price of gas is caused by California forcing the shut down of 4 oil refineries, not Iran war. The blame lies with Newsom.” Others shared the claim on Facebook and X.
Snopes received a handful of reader emails asking if it was true that Newsom’s administration, not the Iran war, was largely to blame for the rise in nationwide gas prices. One person emailed, “I’m hearing Gavin Newsom closed oil refineries in CA which is the reason gas is so expensive rather than trumps war in iran. Why honestly are gas prices so high right now?”
In sum, a deep study of this matter found the rumor was mostly false.
Two California refineries, not four, shut down in the past 12 months, representing a 17% loss in the state’s refining capacity and less than 2% loss in national capacity. Phillips 66’s leadership named high production costs and “very low” earnings as the reasons its Los Angeles refinery closed in Carson and Wilmington in October 2025. A company spokesperson reportedly said one of Newsom’s regulatory bill signings wasn’t a factor in Phillips 66’s decision. Meanwhile, the leadership of Valero cited both state regulations and high maintenance costs as reasons for its April 2026 Benicia plant closure in the Bay Area.
Professionals knowledgable in energy sector matters, for example the GasBuddy petroleum analysis company, the Institute for Energy Research nonprofit organization and other analysts, have cited the Iran war, as well as the resulting closures of Middle East shipping routes, as the primary factor underlying higher U.S. gas prices in 2026.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration website hosts week-to-week historical data for gas and diesel prices, showing nationwide fuel prices dramatically rising in the weeks immediately following the beginning of the war in late February and early March, just as prices similarly rose in the weeks after Russia — a major oil supplier — invaded Ukraine in late February 2022.
The Institute for Energy Research also published an article specifically about California state gas prices. Citing what it labeled “Newsom’s radical environmental agenda,” the organization asserted that refinery closures stemmed from Newsom’s “detrimental” regulatory policies, the state’s increasing import needs, California reportedly having the highest state-level gas tax of all states, and other factors. The article also pointed out, accurately, that California’s average gas price rose by nearly 40 cents in the first two months of the year, prior to the start of the Iran war. (Regarding the claim central to this fact-check about nationwide gas prices, this data about California only pertains to one of the 50 U.S. states and none of the territories.)
Via Messenger, we asked Timothy Wilcox for evidence to support his claim. We also emailed representatives for GasBuddy, Newsom, the Oil Price Information Service, Phillips 66 and Valero. A Newsom spokesperson referred us to a spokesperson for the California Energy Commission, who shared someresources specifically about California’s own gas prices, as well as a comparison showing the state’s gas prices rising and falling along trend lines similar to national prices, although California prices were higher than other states. Correspondence from a GasBuddy analyst appears below, as does past investor earnings call information from Phillips 66 and Valero. We will update this article if we receive further details.
Correspondence with Wilcox
Regarding Wilcox’s Sept. 17 post, he responded to our request for evidence with a set of bullet points resembling a copied-and-pasted answer from an AI tool (for example Google’s “AI Overview”). The message said four California refineries — including the Bay Area’s Marathon facility in Martinez, the Phillips 66 location in Rodeo and Valero plant in Benicia, and the Phillips 66 Los Angeles refinery in Carson and Wilmington — were closing or shutting down crude oil operations to concentrate on renewable fuel production.
However, Wilcox’s answer to Snopes contained data conflicting with his own claim. It called global crude oil prices and the Iran war a “major driver” of current U.S. price increases. It also provided information specifically about California’s own state gas prices, for example saying, “It’s too simplistic to say the refinery closures are the main reason California gas prices are rising.”
In later messages, Wilcox answered “no” to our question whether he used an AI tool to produce this information. We presented him with the above points, upon which he clarified he had used ChatGPT.
GasBuddy analysis
Patrick De Haan, who works for the petroleum analysis company GasBuddy, told us that only two California refineries — not four, as claimed — had ceased crude oil processing within the last year. Phillips 66 ceased operations at the Los Angeles refinery in October 2025, followed by Valero’s April 2026 shutdown of its Benicia refinery. (Newsom’s office issued a statement in January 2026 pledging his administration’s coordination with Valero to help maintain a stable fuel supply.)
De Haan contended that Phillips 66 and Valero executives made the decisions to end crude oil processing and that it wasn’t “some political decision” forcing the shutdown of operations:
Some of the reason refineries chose to close may have been due to growing number of requirements for operating a refinery in California, but that was a business decision by those refineries, not a policy change that forced them.
By and large the biggest impacts are the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S. attacked Iran [and] Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries (heavily impacting record global diesel prices). California’s sales tax on diesel, for example, is collecting nearly 40c/gal more than this time a year ago, so that would also be a factor.
Claims addressed in past investor calls
Investor earnings calls from 2025 and 2026 provided more information about this subject, with executive leadership for Phillips 66 and Valero detailing reasons for the two site closures in Los Angeles and Benicia, as well as appearing to attribute rising fuel costs to the U.S. going to war with Iran.
During an April 24, 2025, earnings call, Lane Riggs, Valero’s CEO and president, fielded a question about the reason for the Benicia refinery closure. In his answer (20:33), Riggs cited California as “the most stringent and difficult of anywhere else in North America” in terms of the state’s regulatory and enforcement environment. He mentioned the fact that several refineries closed following the COVID-19 pandemic and also that the Benicia site “costs considerably more to maintain” versus another one of the company’s California plants.
Richard Harbison, Phillips 66’s executive vice president of refining, fielded a similar question during a Feb. 4, 2026, earnings call, regarding why the company chose to close the Los Angeles Refinery. Harbison cited the reason for the shutdown, saying, “One, the cost to produce was very high, and the materiality of the earnings was very low, if not negative, in a number of cases.”
Phillips 66 announced the Los Angeles Refinery closure plans on Oct. 16, 2024, just two days after Newsom signed a bill enacting new regulations reportedly in an effort to strengthen oil companies’ supply and protect consumer costs. According to S&P Global, Phillips 66 spokesperson Al Ortiz said the closure plans had nothing to do with the new law, saying, “This decision is not related to the recent bill signing. We want to continue to be a trusted and deliberate partner with the state.” We emailed Ortiz with questions about the rumor and will update this article if we receive further word.
Regarding remarks about the Iran war, Mark Lashier, board chairman and chief executive officer for Phillips 66, began his comments on the company’s April 29, 2026, earnings call (archived) — the first call since the beginning of the Iran war — saying of fuel prices, “Geopolitical events in the Middle East drove unprecedented commodity price volatility during the quarter.” Seconds later, he added, “Due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a significant amount of global refining and petrochemical capacity is down.” He then spoke highly of his company’s purported “high utilization” in supplying products to customers.
On April 30, Gary Simmons, Valero’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, specifically referenced during an earnings call (video at 15:35) the Iran war and closed straits, for example the Strait of Hormuz, saying that “the conflict in Iran has really created a market with demand significantly outpacing supply” — meaning higher prices for consumers. Three months later, during the July 30 earnings call, Simmons spoke again of the Middle East and said Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refining capacity were “beginning to have a significant impact on the market,” adding, “And I don’t see those slowing down.”
Other plants closed well before 2026 gas-price spike
As for the other two refinery sites Wilcox mentioned in his Facebook post, including Marathon’s Martinez plant and Phillips 66’s Rodeo location, both appear to have stopped processing crude oil prior to 2026.
According to NBC Bay Area, the Marathon refinery in Martinez stopped crude oil processing in April 2020 due to travel restrictions and a plummeting demand for fuel at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a period marked by low gas prices. Later that August, Marathon announced plans to end the plant’s crude oil processing and begin renewable fuel production. Also in August 2020, Phillips 66 announced a plan to end crude oil processing at its Rodeo site and instead produce renewable fuel. Phillips 66 reportedly stopped processing crude oil at the facility in February 2024.
For further reading, we previously reported about the time former President Joe Biden falsely claimed the average gas price was over $5 per gallon when he took office in January 2021.
Sources
“AAA Fuel Prices.” U.S. American Automobile Association, https://gasprices.aaa.com/.
“AB-1 Energy: Transportation Fuels: Inventories: Turnaround and Maintenance.(2023-2024).” California Legislative Information, 14 Oct. 2024, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320242AB1.
Bay City News. “East Bay Oil Refinery to Close Temporarily With Low Gasoline Demand.” NBC Bay Area, 19 Apr. 2020, https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/coronavirus/east-bay-oil-refinery-to-close-temporarily-with-low-gasoline-demand/2275809/.
Clements, Adam. “Pain at the Pump: What’s Causing High Gas Prices across the Tri-State.” WKRC, 16 Sept. 2026, https://local12.com/news/local/pain-at-the-pump-whats-causing-high-gas-prices-across-tri-state-crude-oil-diesel-iran-strait-hormuz-taxes-refineries-gasoline-cincinnati-local-12-wkrc-news.
“FAQ California Gas Prices and the Impacts of the Iran War.” California Energy Commission, California Energy Commission, https://www.energy.ca.gov/programs-and-topics/topics/petroleum-fuels-transition/faq-california-gas-prices-and-impacts-iran.
“Fuel Oil and Diesel Prices Are at Record Highs as Iran Conflict Continues.” Institute for Energy Research, 16 Sept. 2026, https://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/fossil-fuels/gas-and-oil/fuel-oil-and-diesel-prices-are-at-record-highs-as-iran-conflict-continues/.
“Gas Taxes by State, 2026.” Tax Foundation, 28 Aug. 2026, https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/gas-taxes-state/.
Gonzalez, Laura Lopez. “End of Era: Valero Has Closed Benicia Refinery, Plans Total Exit.” The Benicia Bridge News, 16 Apr. 2026, https://www.thebeniciabridge.com/valero/.
“Governor Newsom’s Statement on Valero’s Benicia Refinery Update.” Governor of California, 6 Jan. 2026, https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/01/06/governor-newsoms-statement-on-valeros-benicia-refinery-update/.
Hussain, Fayaz. “Phillips 66 to Stop Processing Crude at Rodeo Refinery in February.” SAF Investor, 1 Feb. 2024, https://www.safinvestor.com/news/144257/phillips-66-to-stop-processing-crude-at-rodeo-refinery-in-february/.
Lukiv, Jaroslav, and Dearbail Jordan. “Largest Attack on Moscow Sees Ukraine Fire Hundreds of Drones, Mayor Says.” BBC News, 20 Sept. 2026, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c34gdjk1ne8yo.
McGurty, Janet. “INFOGRAPHIC: California’s Gasoline Demand Met with Increased Global Supply as Refineries Close.” S&P Global, 25 Nov. 2025, https://www.spglobal.com/energy/en/news-research/latest-news/crude-oil/112525-californias-gasoline-demand-met-with-increased-global-supply-as-refineries-close.
———. “REFINERY NEWS: Phillips 66’s Los Angeles-Area Refinery Closure Not Due to New California Regulations: Company.” S&P Global, 17 Oct. 2024, https://www.spglobal.com/energy/en/news-research/latest-news/refined-products/101724-refinery-news-phillips-66s-los-angeles-area-refinery-closure-not-due-to-new-california-regulations-company.
“Phillips 66 Plans to Transform San Francisco Refinery into World’s Largest Renewable Fuels Plant.” Phillips 66, 12 Aug. 2020, https://investor.phillips66.com/financial-information/news-releases/news-release-details/2020/Phillips-66-Plans-to-Transform-San-Francisco-Refinery-into-Worlds-Largest-Renewable-Fuels-Plant/default.aspx.
“Phillips 66 Provides Notice of Its Plan to Cease Operations at Los Angeles-Area Refinery.” Phillips 66, 16 Oct. 2024, https://investor.phillips66.com/financial-information/news-releases/news-release-details/2024/Phillips-66-provides-notice-of-its-plan-to-cease-operations-at-Los-Angeles-area-refinery/default.aspx.
“Phillips 66 Provides Update on Los Angeles Refinery Operations.” Phillips 66, 1 Oct. 2025, https://investor.phillips66.com/financial-information/news-releases/news-release-details/2025/Phillips-66-provides-update-on-Los-Angeles-Refinery-operations/default.aspx.
Raghunandan, Vaibhav. “February 2026 — Monthly Analysis of Russian Fossil Fuel Exports and Sanctions.” Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, 12 Mar. 2026, https://energyandcleanair.org/february-2026-monthly-analysis-of-russian-fossil-fuel-exports-and-sanctions/.
“Refinery Closures Present Risk for Higher Gasoline Prices on the West Coast – U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).” U.S. Energy Information Administration, 9 July 2025, https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=65704.
Seba, Erwin. “Marathon Petroleum to Permanently Close Two U.S. Oil Refineries.” Reuters, 1 Aug. 2020, https://www.reuters.com/article/business/marathon-petroleum-to-permanently-close-two-us-oil-refineries-idUSKBN24X3XT/.
Stevens, Alex. “California’s High Gas Prices Are About More Than the Conflict in Iran.” Institute for Energy Research, 6 Mar. 2026, https://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/international-issues/californias-high-gas-prices-are-about-more-than-the-conflict-in-iran/.
“U.S. Gasoline and Diesel Retail Prices.” U.S. Energy Information Administration, https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_gnd_dcus_nus_w.htm.
Valero Energy Corp. – Events & Presentations. https://investorvalero.com/events-and-presentations/.
Venteicher, Wes. “Gavin Newsom Signs Law to Rein in Gas Prices.” Politico, 14 Oct. 2024, https://www.politico.com/news/2024/10/14/gavin-newsom-law-gas-prices-00183615.
“What Drives California’s Gasoline Prices?” California Energy Commission, California Energy Commission, https://www.energy.ca.gov/what-drives-californias-gasoline-prices.
Video footage of presidential events at the White House returned to TV screens on Friday as five TV networks resumed their pool coverage.
Major cable networks showed images of an outdoor ceremony featuring Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, along with their wives. They later telecast footage from inside the White House of a meeting between Trump and Xi.
Such footage of White House events has been absent for much of the week, after the White House restricted CNN from participating in the TV pool rotation. The other four networks in the pool, including ABC News, Fox News, CBS News and NBC News, suspended their participation in protest of the ban.
A CNN spokesperson said that the network has been allowed back into the pool, but the test will come later in the morning when Trump and Xi go to the National Archives, where the network is assigned to provide coverage as the in-town pooler. Unclear is whether Trump and Xi will view the original Bill of Rights and the First Amendment. CBS News is the primary TV pooler on duty on Friday.
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly ordered that the White House restore the press credentials of staffers from CNN, Politico and MS NOW. Trump banned the outlets from accessing any of the White House grounds, citing their negative coverage of the administration.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in September 2026 that he had prepared for the chance that U.S. President Donald Trump might order military action against Canada.
Rating:
Context
The New York Times paraphrased Carney, who said he had prepared during the past year for the “extreme tail risk” that Trump might order military action against Canada. Carney also noted that he had been in regular contact with Trump. We have reached out to Carney’s office to learn more.
In September 2026, a rumor spread online that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had said Canada was prepared for an invasion from the U.S. One X post (archived) making the claim read:
Mark Carney told The New York Times in an interview on Wednesday that he studied the possibility of Donald Trump launching a military invasion of Canada, arguing that “it would be irresponsible not to” prepare for such a scenario.
While Carney did say that he had prepared over the past year for the “extreme tail risk” that Trump might order a military invasion of Canada, his remarks were partly paraphrased by The New York Times. He also noted that he had been in frequent contact with Trump. Therefore we rate this claim as true with additional context.
Snopes reached out to Carney’s office to determine his exact words and will update this report if we receive a response.
Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada said that he had prepared over the past year for the “extreme tail risk” that President Trump might order military action against Canada, but disclosed that the two men have spoken “frequently,” even since trade talks collapsed last month, describing a tense, evolving relationship.
The Times asked Carney about whether he took Trump’s repeated threats to annex Canada and make it the 51st U.S. state seriously. Carney, while declining to comment on details, said, “I think you have a responsibility in these roles to look at extreme tail risk.” The Times then paraphrased part of his next statement:
“That’s just risk management. That’s not a base case, but it would be irresponsible not to” prepare.
Carney also said about his communication with Trump:
From my perspective, we have a good relationship in the sense of we can pick up the phone and talk to each other about issues … He’s direct. I’m direct in terms of where positions are. It’s much more efficient that way, and so you know that exists and that will continue to exist.
For further reading, Snopes has covered numerous rumors about Carney.
Sources
“Carney Lays Out His Vision for Breaking Canada’s Reliance on U.S.” The New York Times, 23 Sept. 2026, https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/23/world/canada/mark-carney-canada-us-trump-tariffs.html. Accessed 25 Sept. 2026.
Sutherland, Callum. “Does Trump Still Plan to Annex Canada?” TIME, 25 June 2025, https://time.com/7297490/trump-plan-to-annex-canada-51st-state-mark-carney/. Accessed 25 Sept. 2026.
If you’ve been thinking about getting a foldable phone or a new smartwatch, but the sticker prices make your head hurt, Samsung has your back.
The newly launched Galaxy Z8 phone series, featuring the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chip, unpacks a whole new set of on-device Galaxy AI tools, One UI 9, longer battery life, and faster charging times. The new Galaxy Watch9 and rugged Watch Ultra2 add bright displays and an expanded suite of AI health and fitness features.
With Samsung’s generous trade-in offers and additional savings, now is a great time to build out your Galaxy ecosystem. Worried about switching over from another platform? Samsung’s Smart Switch app makes it easy to bring your files, contacts, and apps with you.
Here’s a sampling of the Galaxy lineup to help you choose the devices (and savings) that might work for you.
Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra: Pocket-Sized Productivity, Maxed Out
The premium Z Fold8 Ultra has plenty for power users. Flexing an 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen and a slim, 4.1mm form factor when open, it runs up to three apps at the same time, side by side. When closed, it slips into your pocket.
Additionally, Galaxy’s upgraded AI tools supercharge your workflow. Circle to Search with Google turns anything on-screen into an instant query. Chat Assist polishes your texts and emails while you’re on the go.
The fleet of cameras, including a whopping 200MP main sensor and new 50MP Ultra Wide, a 5,000mAh battery, Super Fast Charging 2.0, and up to 1TB storage to round out the package.
Save up to $800 with an eligible trade-in or $300 without a trade-in. Plus get a $200 eCertificate for other Galaxy gear.
Galaxy Z Fold8: Upgraded Content on the Go
The new Z Fold8 might be the lightest Z Fold ever, but it’s the screen ratios that really stand out. When closed, the 16:10 cover screen is great for viewing content on the move. When unfolded, the 7.6-inch, 4:3 screen frames your movies, ebooks, and content cleanly.
With a 4,800mAh battery and Super Fast Charging 2.0, which pushes to 45W, the Z Fold8 lets you do more, for longer. For creators, AI tools like Instant Slow-mo and Generative Edit turn everyday clips into postable content on the big, AMOLED display. Two 50MP rear cameras get the shot.
Save up to $800 with an eligible trade-in, or get $250 off without a trade-in.
Galaxy Z Flip8: Flexible, Hands-Free Creativity
Samsung’s most compact clamshell smartphone makes work and play on the go easier, whether you’re using it open, closed, or in FlexMode. It flips open with one finger and tears through emails and apps on a bright, 6.9-inch FHD+ screen. When closed, the FlexWindow takes center stage, giving you glanceable, hands-free AI tools, timely updates, and notifications.
Additionally, FlexCam lets you partially fold the phone and use it as a built-in tripod for hands-free photos and videos. Horizontal Lock keeps your UHD 4K videos stable, even if the phone is rotated or tilted. Dual rear lenses and up to 31 hours of video playback seal the Z Flip8’s place as a top performer.
Save up to $400 with an eligible trade-in or $150 without a trade-in. Plus, get a $100 eCertificate to put towards a Galaxy Watch, Buds, or accessories.
Galaxy Watch9: Easy Everyday Wellness
The Watch9 ships loaded with all sorts of updated AI-powered health and fitness insights, trackable via the Samsung Health app. Sleep tracking remains a standout, thanks to the AI-powered Sleep Coach. A new Vitals dashboard shows key metrics like blood oxygen levels (SpO2) and breathing rate. Additionally, an overall Heart Health Score is handy, and a new Fitness Index analyzes your daily biometrics and recommends customized workout videos from iFIT trainers.
The Watch9’s biggest non-health flex might be the new Raise to Talk for Gemini, which lets you lift your wrist toward your mouth and tell Google’s AI assistant what to do.
Save up to $250 with an eligible trade-in, plus get 10% off Galaxy Buds when bundled.
Galaxy Watch Ultra2: Rugged Outdoor Fitness and Training
The Watch Ultra2 is built for outdoor enthusiasts, thanks to lightweight, aerospace-grade titanium that endures dust, drops, and ocean dives down to 130 feet. The AMOLED screen is also incredibly bright, peaking at 5,000 nits. This means you’ll see your pace times clearly, even in bright sunlight. The Ultra2 also packs a bigger 800mAh battery and Fast Charging capabilities (up to 40% in about 30 minutes), allowing it to stay charged for up to four days. It’s great for off-grid adventures.
Like the Watch9, health optimization is improved with features like Heart Health score and Fitness Index. Additionally, the Ultra2’s Trail Run mode provides real-time guidance on path, pace, and elevation gain/loss. Save up to $250 with an eligible trade-in, plus save 10% off Galaxy Buds when bundled.
Now is the time to upgrade, build out your Galaxy ecosystem, or switch over, thanks to Samsung’s trade-in offers and savings. Shop now and score a big deal.
The New York Film Festival and Rolex unveiled their new filmmakers lounge at the Lincoln Center Thursday night, where filmmakers including Paper Tiger’s James Gray and Behemoth!’s Tony Gilroy caught up and prepared for the frenzy of opening night Friday and the days ahead.
Housed within the glass-walled Lincoln Ristorante, across from the Lincoln Center reflecting pool and within eyeshot of the main exhibition hall for the film festival, the lounge had been a goal for the festival and for Daniel Battsek, president of Film at Lincoln Center, who noted that he had brought it up in his interview before taking on the position in 2025.
The desire was “to have a room that filmmakers and colleagues from the industry can just kind of hang out, before they see a film, after they see a film,” Battsek said as he raised a glass to toast the room. “So I’m so happy that this has come into being.”
Attendees Thursday night also included directors and film teams from Tender Loving Care, Club Kid, Clarissa, All the Beauty and the Bloodshed,Edward Said: Between Worlds, Everytime,My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile,Bucking Fastard and My Wife Cried, as well as from Lincoln Center and the film festival.This is the second year Rolex has been a sponsor of the film festival, with its clock stand in the lounge, as well as loaned watches on the wrists of notable attendees.
Leading up to the event, festival organizers had been prepping for the technical feat of showing the opening night film, Paper Tiger, in 35 mm, a rarity at the New York Film Festival. Asked about the preparations, Gray, the film’s director, polled his cinematographer and editor, standing nearby, who had varying degrees of confidence in the ability to show in 35 mm (festival organizers definitively said it would happen). Earlier, Gray and Gilroy also debated the origins of the language Esperanto and joked it could be their next project (“An Esperanto musical,” Gilroy quipped.)
Filmmaker James Gray (NYFF64 Opening Night film Paper Tiger), NYFF Artistic Director Dennis Lim and the group toasting the festival.
Courtesy of Film at Lincoln Center / Photo by M.J. O’Toole
While claiming he was filled with “stress and terror” about the opening night screening, after having the film premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May, where it received strong reviews, and show at Locarno Film Festival in August, Gray also noted his pride at having a film as part of the New York Film Festival, having grown up in Queens.
“I’m from about nine miles that way, and I never thought I’d make a film that would show at the Lincoln Center,” he said.
Asked about his motivation in making the crime-thriller, starring Miles Teller, Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson, Gray said there’s part of his own story in the project.
“You can’t put your finger on what it is about a story that moves you. But it’s very autobiographical,” he said, adding that much is drawn from his teenage years, in particular. “I never have a goal about a festival. But it’s why I thought this was the ideal place to show it.”
Ksenia Mironova (‘My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile’) and filmmaker Julia Loktev (‘My Undesirable Friends: Part II – Exile’) with NYFF Artistic Director Dennis Lim at the New York Film Festival Filmmaker Lounge, supported by Rolex.
Courtesy of Film at Lincoln Center / Photo by M.J. O’Toole
Picture Robert Altman’s The Player remade as a contemporary Woody Allen movie, except Woody is played by a woman who’s even more neurotic than he is, and you’ll get a whiff of indie director Michael Polish’s latest comic concoction, Kill Me Now.
Starring Jacqueline Singer (who also wrote the screenplay) as an anxiety-ridden screenwriter convinced her neighbor is stalking her — did I say the film sounded like The Player? — this rather tired satire of the movie biz gets a few good jokes in but is otherwise stuffed with cringey one-liners and too many kooky characters. Following its premiere at Oldenburg, Kill Me Now should find a lifeline in fests and on streaming.
Kill Me Now
The Bottom Line
An intriguing talent in need of a better project.
Venue: Oldenburg Film Festival (Independent) Cast: Jacqueline Singer, Mena Suvari, Balthazar Getty, Mario Van Peebles, Keith Carradine, Mira Sorvino, Judd Nelson, Colleen Camp, Duke Nicholson Director: Michael Polish Screenwriter: Jacqueline Singer
1 hour 49 minutes
With her tiny stature, extra large glasses and nonstop wisecracking, most of it involving her Jewishness and various neuroses, Singer makes one think of the Woodster in more ways than one. But as much as the writer-actress has a unique screen presence, she just can’t dish out top-tier jokes like Allen used to do in his heyday. It also doesn’t help that Polish’s direction is about as far from Annie Hall as L.A. is from New York, with little subtlety and lots of offbeat Hollywood hijinks that already feel out of date by a good decade or so.
Singer plays Victoria, a professional scribe living alone in a ginormous home in the hills, where she’s supposed to be banging out a new screenplay that, predictably, winds up mimicking events in the movie we’re watching. The script has been ordered by a studio run by a coterie of women, with Mira Sorvino (in one of many cameos) playing the crazy boss, until they’re all replaced by a bunch of men and their crazy boss. Posters on the wall for the studio’s hits include such titles as 2 Weddings and a Cremation and The Janitor Who Knew Too Much, which gives you a hint of the film’s brand of humor.
When she’s not writing, which is most of the time, Victoria does a lot of kvetching, fretting about her nonexistent social life or freaking out about the strange man (Duke Nicholson, grandson of Jack) staring at her from the house across the street. It’s not exactly compelling stuff, and the dialogue doesn’t elevate it to a higher comic realm.
“I’m looking for a John Wayne who isn’t gay or Gacy,” Victoria quips about her failed search for a boyfriend, then confesses to her shrink, who’s played by Judd Nelson: “I could never commit suicide. I can’t commit to anything.” Some of the film’s wackest lines go to Mario Van Peebles, who plays Victoria’s Jewish dentist uncle and tells her one night over Shabbat dinner: “I like my wine like my women. Thick, kosher … like a potato knish.” Oy gevalt.
The broad satire also stretches to Victoria’s overfriendly neighbors (Beverly D’Angelo, Keith Carradine) and over-the-top, on-and-off bestie (Mena Suvari), making for a cast of side characters all trying to outdo each other on the Richter scale of quirkiness.
Kill Me Now only becomes interesting when it strips away such eccentricities and gets personal, such as when Victoria embarks on a humiliating, borderline abusive relationship with an L.A. cop (Balthazar Getty). “I’ve never even been with a guy who could finish in the same room with me,” she tells someone early on, and the self-immolating sadness feels more intriguing than any of the Hollywood parody stuff, which was done way better in the Altman movie (whose fictitious studio is alluded to in this film’s production company name, Now More Than Ever) as well as in Seth Rogen’s The Studio, which pays homage to The Player in fun and clever ways.
The prolific Polish broke out with his low-budget cult hit, Twin Falls Idaho, and has since helmed an array of indie features ranging from a Kerouac adaptation (Big Sur) to a sci-fi spoof (Hot Bot) to an old-school Western (Terror on the Prairie). He gives Kill Me Now an, er, polished sheen that lacks gravitas and seems forever stuck in deadpan mode. That’s too bad, because there’s something real and original about Singer that feels so out of place in the artificial paradise known as Hollywood. It would be nice if she could find a more convincing way to prove she’s got what it takes.
