Inside Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding – famous face who officiated the ceremony, her Dior dress and celebrity guest list

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July 5, 2026

Inside Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding – famous face who officiated the ceremony, her Dior dress and celebrity guest list

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have officially tied the knot – but what do we know about their wedding?

Pop superstar Taylor got engaged to American football player Travis in 2025. Since then, fans have been longing to know when and where the wedding will take place.

And this weekend, their big day took place in the heart of New York City at Madison Square Garden. Here’s everything we know so far about Taylor and Travis’ wedding…

The pair’s big day took place this weekend (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Taylor Swift’s wedding dress

As BBC reports, according to Taylor’s publicist, they confirmed that the bride and groom both wore Dior for the ceremony.

Their looks were designed by Jonathan Anderson, who is the creative director of Dior Women’s, Men’s and Haute Couture Collections.

The publicist also shared that the couple’s shoes were custom-designed by Christian Louboutin, and that Taylor’s jewellery was Cartier.

Adam Sandler officiated the wedding

It was also confirmed that Taylor and Travis’ big day was officiated by actor Adam Sandler.

The Hollywood star has known Taylor for years; his two daughters, Sunny and Sadie, who are fans of the singer.

“Because what she means to my kids, I get a little jumpy. I don’t stay as cool as I can,” he said on comedian Conan O’Brien’s podcast.

Adam also shares a connection with Travis, who made an appearance as a waiter in his movie Happy Gilmore 2 last year.

Madison Square Garden — The wedding took place at the 20,000-seater arena (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Taylor’s wedding guest list

There were a ton of famous faces in attendance at Taylor and Travis’ wedding.

Stars like Benson Boone and British icon Hugh Grant were spotted walking into the massive 20,000-seater arena.

Also spotted were the rapper Ice Spice, Ed Sheeran and his wife Cherry Seaborn, Dakota Johnson, Jennifer Lawrence and Andrew Scott.

Other celebs on the invite list included Taylor’s pal Selena Gomez, Zoe Kravitz and Taylor’s longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff.

Taylor Swift and brother Austin — Taylor’s brother had a big part to play (Credit: SplashNews.com

Taylor’s ‘man of honour’

Taylor opted not to have any bridesmaids. Instead, she got her younger brother Austin Swift to serve as her “man of honour”.

Taylor and Austin have a close relationship and in the past she’s described him as her “best pal”. He also featured in the music video for her 2010 song Never Grow Up.

34-year-old Austin is an actor and music producer. He has worked with Taylor on some of her videos, helping co-produce the 2021 song I Bet You Think About Me.

Representatives also confirmed that Travis didn’t have groomsmen, but had his brother Jason Kelce serve as best man.

Read more: Susan Boyle’s ambitions for performance at Taylor Swift’s wedding

What do you think of this story? You can leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know

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VALR Taps Hyperliquid to Launch 200+ Perps Markets

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VALR Taps Hyperliquid to Launch 200+ Perps Markets

VALR, the Johannesburg-based cryptocurrency exchange, is set to launch its new perpetuals product on its web platform on July 6, 2026, through a direct integration with Hyperliquid. The “Perps” product adds over 200 cross-asset markets to VALR, enabling users to open and manage positions directly within the exchange’s platform as demand for derivatives trading continues to grow in the crypto market.

VALR Adds 200+ Perps Markets

The new product allows VALR users to open leveraged long or short positions on the newly added markets. This is not the exchange’s first time rolling out perpetuals: VALR stated it launched its initial perpetuals offering back in 2023. The novelty of this expansion lies in the scale of the product, as Perps brings a wide array of cross-asset markets into VALR’s existing trading interface.

We are pleased to announce the imminent launch of ‘Perps’ on VALR, a new cross-asset class perpetuals product that introduces more than 200 markets to the platform.

The new product is delivered through an integration of @HyperliquidX. Using Hyperliquid’s permissionless…

— VALR (@VALRdotcom) July 2, 2026

The new contracts span crypto, equities, indices, commodities, precious metals, and foreign exchange. Some of the markets mentioned by VALR include Nvidia, Tesla, Apple, the S&P 500, Brent crude, gold, silver, and major forex pairs such as EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY.

This scale makes Perps a cross-asset derivatives offering, rather than just an extension of crypto futures. For VALR users, the new product offers additional ways to trade volatility across multiple markets in a single account.

Hyperliquid Powers Liquidity and Execution

The new Perps product is deployed via an integration with Hyperliquid, a prominent decentralized Layer-1 blockchain in the perpetuals and spot trading sector. VALR stated that users can open and manage positions directly on VALR, while liquidity and trade execution are powered by Hyperliquid’s infrastructure.

Hyperliquid also confirmed on X that VALR is utilizing its network as an on-chain infrastructure layer to bring perpetuals to users. According to Hyperliquid, this marks the first time a centralized exchange has directly integrated Hyperliquid, allowing users to access deep liquidity and on-chain data without leaving the VALR platform.

Despite expanding to over 200 new derivatives markets, VALR retains the trading experience within its own ecosystem instead of redirecting users to an external platform. For Hyperliquid, the agreement expands the network’s role from an independent trading venue to an infrastructure layer for other financial applications.

Perps Move Beyond Crypto

VALR’s addition of contracts tied to equities, indices, commodities, precious metals, and forex demonstrates that perpetuals are moving beyond the realm of pure crypto. Instead of only serving pairs like Bitcoin or Ethereum, the new product brings multiple global assets into a single trading interface on VALR.

Gianluca Sacco, Chief Operating Officer of VALR, stated that this launch will bring over 200 perpetual markets directly into the VALR app, providing 24/7 access to crypto, commodities, currencies, listed equities, and pre-IPO shares. “Perpetual futures have become one of the most popular ways for crypto traders to express views on price,” Sacco said, while suggesting that this product type could expand to even more asset markets.

For VALR, Perps is positioned as a cross-asset derivatives product, rather than just an addition to crypto futures. Users can trade volatility across multiple asset classes within the same account, ranging from crypto and tech stocks to energy commodities, precious metals, and major currency pairs.

Why It Matters for VALR and Hyperliquid

VALR currently serves over 1.9 million registered users and 1,900 corporate and institutional clients globally. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Johannesburg, the exchange is licensed by the South African Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), holds a provisional license from the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority, and is backed by Pantera Capital, Coinbase Ventures, and Fidelity’s F-Prime Capital.

Hyperliquid’s Total Value Locked. Source: DefiLlama

For VALR, the product injects on-chain liquidity into a platform that serves both retail traders and institutional clients. For Hyperliquid, this marks an expansion from a direct trading venue to an infrastructure layer for other financial applications. According to DefiLlama, Hyperliquid recorded approximately $5.85 billion in TVL and $237.7 billion in 30-day perp volume as of early July 2026.

Regulatory and Risk Notes

VALR stated that futures trading is provided by VALR DAM Pty Ltd, a licensed Financial Services Provider in South Africa under FSP #54897 and an Over-the-Counter Derivatives Provider. The company also clarified that components such as order management, order execution, liquidations, margin requirements, position management, mark price, and funding rates for VALR Perps are managed and provided through one or more third-party liquidity providers.

According to VALR, the exchange acts as an intermediary, enabling account holders to access the liquidity provider’s services. As a result, risks regarding pricing, liquidity, order execution, system availability, and operations remain factors that users must consider before trading. Perpetuals can also amplify losses due to leverage, funding payments, and automatic liquidation mechanisms. Perps on VALR is scheduled to go live on the web on July 6, 2026, with a mobile version rolling out at a later date.

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Ben Wallace Says 2004 Pistons Don’t Take Anniversary Vacations, ‘Different Era’

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Ben Wallace Says 2004 Pistons Don’t Take Anniversary Vacations, ‘Different Era’

Ben Wallace
’04 Pistons Aren’t Vacation Buds
… ‘Different Era’

Published
July 5, 2026
12:30 AM PDT

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The 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers had a ball celebrating the 10-year anniversary of their NBA Finals win … but don’t expect the 2004 Detroit Pistons to ever follow suit — ’cause Ben Wallace tells TMZ Sports that’s simply not their style.

We caught up with Big Ben at LAX recently … and had to ask if his championship squad has remained as close as LeBron James, Kevin Love, and the rest of the Wine and Gold roster from a decade ago.

Play video content

062226 celebrities st tropez kal

As we previously reported, Bron, Love, Richard Jefferson, Channing Frye, Tristan Thompson, and more jetted off to Saint-Tropez for several days of debauchery — and the content was hilarious.

Wallace explained his guys are all cool — he even joined Rasheed Wallace for some youth hoops camps in China — but planning European getaways together isn’t really their cup of tea.

ben wallace 2012

“We all a little bit different,” Wallace joked. “We grew up in a little different era.”

Wallace did point out the guys reunited for the final few games played at the Palace of Auburn Hills before it was demolished … and they enjoyed talking to the current players at the time.

sub detroit pistons nba finals getty 1

As for his relationship with Chauncey Billups, Wallace said he hopes to speak in person as the former guard deals with his rigged poker case … explaining he knows the seriousness of the situation, but he’d like to have a more upbeat approach when they connect.

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Bravo Exec Recalls Moment Network Knew ‘Real Housewives’ Was A Smash Hit

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July 5, 2026

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Bravo Exec Recalls Moment Network Knew ‘Real Housewives’ Was A Smash Hit

Bravo executive Frances Berwick can’t believe that the “Real Housewives” franchise is turning 20. That’s right. The series that started as a single-camera production following a group of affluent women in Orange County, California, has grown legs and taken on a life of its own, spawning hit series in cities across the country, including Atlanta, New York, Salt Lake City, and yes, Rhode Island. Heck, the franchise even expanded beyond the U.S., previously following glamorous women in Dubai. Ahead of the franchise’s 20th-anniversary special, “The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th,” Berwick is reflecting on the program’s legacy and opening up about the moment the network knew it had a hit on its hands.

Speaking with Deadline at the season 20 premiere of “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” Berwick expressed gratitude that the series is still running 20 years later. (The first episode aired March 21, 2006.)

“Just feels incredibly gratifying and fun and joyous,” she said. “The fact that it’s still making people really happy to watch the show, that they love being part of this Real Housewives community, it just makes you feel good.”

When Did The Network Realize They Had A Hit On Their Hands?

MEGA

Regarding the first season of “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” or “RHOC” for short, Berwick recalled the moment the network realized the series would be bigger than they imagined.

“The viewership had gone up with every episode,” she said. “We were like, ‘Oh my God… we’re going to do a Season 2.’ We had not thought that we would be franchising it, and it was only really as we started to see other casts like ‘Manhattan Moms’ that we thought this could be a ‘Real Housewives’ show too. They don’t have to be housewives. This is sort of like a modern interpretation of what a Real Housewife is.”

The season 1 cast of “RHOC” included Vicki Gunvalson, Jeana Keough, Lauri Peterson, Jo De La Rosa, and Kimberly Bryant. (Gunvalson is still part of the cast today.)

Berwick Remembers Being Nervous To Turn ‘The Real Housewives’ Into A Franchise

Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA

For those who don’t know, “Manhattan Moms” was the working title of what’s since become “The Real Housewives of New York City.” And while the latter has given Bravo viewers 15 seasons of excellent TV, thanks to stars like Bethenny Frankel, Luann de Lesseps, Dorinda Medley, and Sonja Morgan, Berwick and the rest of the crew were hesitant about turning it into a “Real Housewives” series.

“We were quite thoughtful about it, but then it felt like this could be a good thing,” she said. “And since ‘Orange County’ had resonated, perhaps this was a good way to sort of attract a different audience rather than the same audience and expand it.”

“The Real Housewives of Atlanta” had a similar beginning to “RHONY,” according to Berwick. “Ultimately, it was all about the cast. There were so many women who had amazing stories to tell who had these incredible bonds and friendships and were going through all sorts of life challenges and dealing with different things in their life. It just felt like a natural extension,” she said.

“RHOA” included breakout star NeNe Leakes, Shereé Whitfield, and Kim Zolciak.

Bravo Is Honoring 20 Years Of The Franchise With An Epic Special!

According to a previous report from The Blast, Bravo is planning to honor the 20th anniversary of “The Real Housewives” series with a special edition of “Ultimate Girls Trip.”

The show will feature “a group of beloved Housewives from across the years embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, making their way through some of the most memorable locations in the franchise’s history.”

Throughout the episodes, more than 80 housewives from the past and present will appear, including Porsha Williams, Kyle Richards, Lisa Barlow, Teresa Giudice, and Gizelle Bryant.

Leakes Will Be Part Of The Series

Leakes will also make a special appearance when the main cast stops in Atlanta. It will mark her grand return to Bravo after she left “RHOA” in 2020 and sued the network in 2022.

“This has been a really long, long journey, and gosh, I’m happy, overjoyed to say that I will be returning to Bravo,” Leakes said in an emotional Instagram video. “I almost can’t believe the words that are coming out of my mouth. I’m so happy. I’m excited to see all of you girls. It’s going to be a time. Yes! B-tches, I am back. Now pick your faces off the floor. OK!? See you on Bravo. Love you.”

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Sony Says It Will Keep Printing Discs After 2028, But There’s a Catch

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July 5, 2026

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Sony Says It Will Keep Printing Discs After 2028, But There’s a Catch

When looking at the shifting tides of the gaming industry, few topics spark as much fiery passion and anxiety as the ongoing battle over physical media.

For decades, collecting physical cases, sliding a disc into a console drive, and proudly displaying a game library on a shelf has been a fundamental part of the core gaming identity for many players (including myself). However, as digital storefronts continue to dominate sales charts and corporate executives push for more streamlined ecosystems, the threat of an all-digital future has steadily evolved from a distant corporate dream into a looming reality.

And this was literally confirmed by PlayStation, as they dropped a midweek bombshell announcement revealing that it will completely halt physical disc production for new PS games starting in January 2028. Naturally, physical media lovers and collector’s edition enthusiasts from all around the world experienced a collective meltdown.

However, while social media platforms quickly snowballed into a chaotic frenzy of outrage and confusion, a deeper look into the technical fine print of Sony’s corporate message reveals a slightly more complicated scenario – one that came with a very specific, rather bittersweet catch.

The Corporate Loophole for Legacy Titles

As it turns out, the messaging behind this historic digital transition was delivered slightly differently behind closed doors to PlayStation’s extensive array of global development and publishing partners (thanks for the info, Game File!).

While the headline gave the distinct impression that factories would permanently shutter and lock their doors come 2028, Sony made a point of explicitly clarifying a major exception to the rule: games originally released or planned prior to the January 2028 deadline will still be legally eligible to receive physical disc printings after that date.

“This transition has no impact on games that already released, or will be releasing, prior to January 2028 in disc format,” Sony noted in a follow-up post on the PlayStation Blog shortly after the main announcement, assuring publishers that older catalog titles won’t abruptly vanish from retail store shelves.

Basically, this means that if an acclaimed RPG or a modern multiplayer shooter launches in physical format during late 2026 or 2027, the publisher can comfortably request subsequent retail restocks and additional disc manufacturing runs well into 2028 and beyond.

Sony made a point of explicitly clarifying a major exception to the rule

The strict manufacturing shutdown applies purely to entirely new software projects embarking on their initial market releases after the cutoff date. While that technicality provides a small silver lining for game availability, it does very little to calm the rising nerves of creative teams inside the industry, serving as a clear setup for the slow death of physical media starting in 2028.

Either way, it seems that the countdown to PlayStation’s all-digital era has officially begun, and the physical medium’s days are now numbered for any future generational blockbusters. Personally, I’m definitely saddened by this entire corporate shift, especially since it truly forces us to cherish every single physical copy we can grab from now on before the industry changes forever – I mean, I’m already hugging all the steelbooks and collector’s editions on my shelf really hard. Whether you love the tactile feel of a physical case or simply care about keeping history alive, the next couple of years are going to be a crucial turning point for how we buy and hold onto our favorite games.

Tarsier Studios proves no one can outmatch their creepiness.

PlayStation 5 Tag Page Cover Art-1

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Pak Deputy PM Ishaq Dar’s Relative Arrested in Crypto Extortion Case

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July 4, 2026

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Pak Deputy PM Ishaq Dar’s Relative Arrested in Crypto Extortion Case

Investigators examine $1.5 million crypto dispute’s role in alleged kidnapping, looking into Raza Dar’s dealings

Police probe allegations that Raza Dar posed as victim, as four suspects remain in custody on five-day remand

Case may have far-reaching implications, with alleged victims possibly leaving Pakistan after recording statements

Pakistani investigators are examining whether a cryptocurrency dispute worth approximately $1.5 million played a role in the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of two foreign women in Lahore, adding a financial dimension to a case involving Raza Dar, a relative of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

According to a Times of India report, the development follows a statement recorded before a judicial magistrate by one of the alleged victims, Astrid Gabriela Robinson Bracho, who described events surrounding the alleged kidnapping and claimed her captors repeatedly demanded access to cryptocurrency holdings.

Police investigate alleged $1.5 million crypto dispute

According to investigators familiar with the case, authorities are examining financial dealings involving Raza Dar and the two women linked to cryptocurrency assets valued at around $1.5 million (approximately PKR 450 million).

Investigators are looking into allegations that the women were invited to Pakistan under false pretenses following the business relationship and that the alleged kidnapping was connected to the dispute over those digital assets. Authorities are also investigating claims that Dar portrayed himself as one of the kidnapping victims to make the incident appear genuine.

Police have emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing and that no conclusions have been reached regarding the alleged crypto dispute or its connection to the broader criminal case.

Victim alleges kidnappers demanded crypto access

In her statement recorded under Section 164 of Pakistan’s Criminal Procedure Code, Astrid Gabriela Robinson Bracho alleged that armed men entered the residence where she and fellow victim Stephani Adriana were staying after arriving in Lahore.

According to her testimony, the attackers restrained both women and repeatedly demanded access to a computer containing cryptocurrency-related funds. She alleged that Raza Dar asked for passwords and access to the assets while other men threatened the women with violence if they refused to cooperate.

Bracho further alleged that she was assaulted during captivity and that armed men threatened to kill both women if they did not hand over the requested funds.

She also claimed that Dar used her mobile phone to contact people seeking money before Stephani Adriana’s mother allegedly arranged a $100,000 payment. According to her statement, Dar later informed the women that the money had been received and drove them toward the airport before they escaped following a traffic accident and alerted members of the public.

Four suspects remain in police custody

A Lahore court has placed four suspects—Raza Dar, Hassan Raza, Sikandar Khan, and Sajid Ali—on five days of physical remand after police told the court they were still attempting to recover weapons and the alleged proceeds of the crime.

The court directed investigators to complete the inquiry and submit a report. The accused are scheduled to appear before the court again on July 8.

Meanwhile, local media reports citing judicial sources indicate that the two foreign women may have left Pakistan after recording their statements before the magistrate. Their statements have reportedly been sealed, with copies retained by the court and investigating authorities.

Case stems from alleged business relationship

According to police, the two women—one from the Netherlands and the other from Venezuela—met Raza Dar in Singapore in October 2025 while working on a cryptocurrency-related venture.

Investigators allege that Dar later invited them to Pakistan on business visas. The women claim they were abducted shortly after arriving in Lahore on June 29, held against their will, sexually assaulted, and subjected to ransom demands.

Police have said the investigation remains active, with both the alleged crypto dealings and the criminal allegations continuing to be examined.

Also Read: India’s Long-Awaited Crypto Report Heads to Parliament This Monsoon Session

Disclaimer: The information researched and reported by The Crypto Times is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional financial advice. Investing in crypto assets involves significant risk due to market volatility. Always Do Your Own Research (DYOR) and consult with a qualified Financial Advisor before making any investment decisions.

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Brandon Sanderson has a surprising theory about why Fourth Wing became a phenomenon

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Brandon Sanderson has a surprising theory about why Fourth Wing became a phenomenon

Where does one of fantasy’s most prolific authors see the industry headed 20 years from now? Brandon Sanderson — author of the Mistborn Saga and Stormlight Archive — recently sat down with fellow writer Joe Abercrombie for a lengthy conversation about everything from industry trends to Sanderson’s ongoing work adapting several of his works. One of the final questions in the video posted June 26 posed by a fan asked specifically about the future of the industry. Sanderson offered a surprising theory about “20-year nostalgia cycles” that helps explain why The Empyrean romantasy series, which began with the release of Fourth Wing in 2023, has exploded in popularity.

“Fourth Wing with the 20-year dragon nostalgia cycle is another one I feel like we should have seen [coming],” he said. “Because the early 2000s are when Eragon and How to Train Your Dragon came out right at that 20-year nostalgia cycle for those millennials who had grown up with those. Now, here’s a mature book about fantasy dragon riders for them.”

Since its 2023 debut, Fourth Wing has spent months on bestseller lists, sparked a publishing frenzy around romantasy, and turned Rebecca Yarros into one of the biggest names in fantasy fiction. In May, Amazon’s Prime Video ordered a live-action TV series adaptation. Fourth Wing follows 20-year-old Violet Sorrengail, a bookish young woman forced into an elite military academy where aspiring dragon riders compete in deadly trials to bond with dragons, survive brutal training, and prepare for war. It’s also unabashedly smutty at times.

Millennials were born between 1981 and 1996, so the oldest of us were 22 when Christopher Paolini’s Eragon hit wide distribution in 2003, and the youngest were only seven years old. The first How to Train Your Dragon movie was released seven years later when millennials were between 14 and 29 — the ideal age range for an audience watching an animated movie with surprisingly mature themes. I remember watching it with a friend via the terrible Nintendo Wii Netflix app during my senior year of college, and we were floored that a kid’s movie had that much depth to it. That friend and I were also big fans of Eragon at the time. The fact that I do consider myself a fan of Fourth Wing just proves Sanderson’s point (even though I couldn’t get through Onyx Storm). Dragon-focused fantasy stories were popular two decades ago, and now they’re back in vogue.

Sanderson believes these trends aren’t random. Looking back, he even argued that his 2023 novel Tress of the Emerald Sea arrived just ahead of the cozy fantasy boom, suggesting publishing tastes don’t simply change — they cycle. In a similar fashion, his Mistborn: The Final Empire from 2006 combined fantasy with a heist-focused plot was released right around the same time that Scott Lynch’s The Lies of Locke Lamora came out. Just days ago — almost 20 years to the day — Random House Worlds published The Feywild Job by C.L. Polk, an official Dungeons & Dragons novel that focuses on a heist with cozy romantasy elements woven in. Sanderson’s theory sounds more legitimate the longer you interrogate it.

Sanderson also sees these cycles play out as specific franchises re-emerge.

“We’ve just got a new Hunger Games,” Sanderson also pointed out. “That’s the 20-year nostalgia cycle on The Hunger Games.” The first book was released in 2008. Suzanne Collins went on to publish two prequels in 2020 and 2025. The film adaptation of Sunrise on the Reaping is due out later this year. In the same vein, How to Train Your Dragon got a live-action feature film last year. Eragon also has a live-action series in development with Disney Plus. The cycle begins anew.

Publishing trends are notoriously difficult to predict, but Sanderson argues they aren’t as random as they seem. The biggest fantasy hit of the next decade may not come from inventing something entirely new, but from reimagining a story readers loved in the 2010s.

Sanderson shared some of the pitfalls common to epic fantasy like Game of Thrones

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Nancy Guthrie Case: Man Pleads Guilty Over Ransom Messages

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Nancy Guthrie Case: Man Pleads Guilty Over Ransom Messages

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Even if authorities don’t seem to know who Porch Guy is or where Nancy’s remains might be, at least one aspect of this painful story is over.

This week, a man pleaded guilty for his role in this family nightmare.

He confessed to sending ransom demands to the Guthries.

Though he has no apparent knowledge to help find Nancy, he won’t be prolonging their anguish any further.

A photograph of Nancy Guthrie is seen on a sign that people can leave messages on February 26, 2026. (Photo Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

He entered a guilty plea

On Thursday, July 2, Derrick Callella pleaded guilty to transmitting a demand for ransom in interstate commerce.

He also pleaded guilty to using a telecommunications device to abuse, threaten or harass a person.

Callella is a resident of Hawthorne, California.

He texted two members of Guthrie’s family on February 4 — Annie and Tommaso Cioni. For context, this was mere days after Nancy’s abduction.

Callella also allegedly made a nine-second call to another relative.

Obviously — now, to us — Callella was making fake ransom demands.

He had no knowledge of the case, no access to Nancy, and could only demand payment via cryptocurrency.

According to court records, Callella used a VOIP line to message: “Did you get the bitcoin [we’re] waiting on our end for the transaction.”

This message came mere moments, investigators say, after the Guthrie family’s first public plea for proof of life.

But, despite the content of his messages, Callella had no involvement with the abduction. There was no “we.” He wanted an easy payout for himself.

Derrick Callella in his DMV photo. — On July 2, 2026, Derrick Callella entered a guilty plea. (Photo Credit: California Department of Motor Vehicles)

The Guthries have suffered enough

As we previously reported, the FBI determined that the ransom notes mailed to various media outlets were forgeries.

This goes for those sent in February and for the additional note sent to TMZ in recent weeks.

It isn’t simply that sending false messages to try to scam money out of grieving, desperate people is illegal.

These notes — the ones in February, at least — gave the Guthrie family hope that she might be alive.

It is now widely believed by most that Nancy died very early into her abduction. The family’s hopes of reunification with her were false.

Callella has not yet been sentenced.

His sentencing hearing will be in just over two months, on September 10.

At that time, he will be ordered to 10 years of probation.

According to court records, after entering his guilty plea, he reported to a residential addiction treatment facility.

Reading between the lines, this appears to be a case of a troubled individual who made things worse for an already grieving family.

We hope that rehab helps him to set his right life. Then, at least some piece of good can come from the horror story that the Guthries have now endured for half a year.

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Here’s Why Rocky IV Is Still The Best July 4th Movie – SlashFilm

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Here’s Why Rocky IV Is Still The Best July 4th Movie – SlashFilm

United Artists

Fourth of July weekend is the most purely American holiday, and it’s not exclusive to being a celebration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. There’s an unapologetic absurdity to Independence Day, where “freedom” and the lives lost in pursuit of it are honored by spending billions of dollars on explosives, getting sunburned for the fun of it, eating thousands of calories of charred meat, and spending hours making red, white, and blue jello molds. It’s a day where pure hedonism is encouraged without the stress of familial obligations or gift-giving, and no one is going to judge you if you chug a Pabst Blue Ribbon and smash the can on your head while wearing a Star-Spangled bikini top and cutoff jorts.

Of course, it only works if you’re willing to ignore reality for a day. The United States turns 250 this year, and feeling patriotic has become harder than ever when every morning begins with another push notification that gives you another reason to be embarrassed to be American. Every year, movie fans start their day watching films like the alien-invasion classic “Independence Day,” Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster masterpiece “Jaws,” or Brian DePalma’s downright unforgettable “Blowout” (even if the film is set on “Liberty Day”).

But the film that best embodies everything the Fourth of July represents — for better and for worse — is “Rocky IV.” A 90-minute movie that boasts 21-ish minutes of montage and a full-length performance by James Brown of “Living in America,” “Rocky IV” is the cinematic equivalent of chanting “USA! USA!” After Ivan Drago kills Apollo Creed mid-match, Rocky Balboa must avenge his friend and personally restore America’s honor. It’s as American as apple pie, Cold War paranoia, and the belief that one stubborn underdog can fix everything.

Rocky IV is absolute nonsense [complimentary]

Rocky training in Siberia in Rocky IV

United Artists

Firing up “Rocky IV” rivals watching, slack-jawed, as fireworks explode, dazzling us with spectacle and giving us a break from The Horrors™ for at least one up look at the night sky. And it’s because it is arguably one of the greatest pieces of American propaganda ever made. Everything that makes “Rocky IV” a “bad” movie is actually what makes it great. It’s also why a holiday like July 4th absolutely rocks. And in both cases, you just can’t, uh, think too hard about it. Whether or not “Rocky IV” is a “good” movie is debatable, but it goes above and beyond in succeeding in everything it sets out to do.

Take the over-the-top training montages, for example: Rocky is in Siberia, chopping wood and dragging a rickshaw through the snow, and growing an ultra-masculine beard to show the passage of time and provide testosterone-driven evidence of his masculine dedication. Meanwhile, Ivan Drago, a walking Aryan wet dream, is juicing with steroids up to his eyeballs and training so hard he overpowers computerized workout trackers just short of making them all explode from his strength. This is the textbook definition of “bootstraps grit” overpowering “science from foreigners,” the same ass-backwards sentiment behind bringing back coal as an energy source instead of investing in solar or wind initiatives.

But these so-called “bad” aspects of filmmaking — over-reliance on montage, a musical segment, a Hulk-hand-sized ham-fisted script, Paulie’s Robot — are the film’s greatest strengths. And the so-called “bad” aspects of July 4th, like eating garbage food and wearing tacky clothing, are precisely why the holiday is interesting. It’s no wonder why “The Pitt” chose the holiday for Season 2. I don’t know how you watch “Rocky IV” and walk away not feeling bricked up about America.

Rocky IV embodies the idea of America

Rocky balboa standing before the flag in Rocky IV

United Artists

An idea will never let you down, and that’s what most Americans are clinging to as the country crumbles around us. We want to believe that heroes come out on top and villains get their comeuppance. We want to believe blue-collar American grit can take down “evil Russian technology.” Rocky was never as good a fighter as Apollo Creed, but he would never give up. And THAT is the dream that we peddle to all Americans. You don’t have to be the strongest, the fastest, the smartest, or even the best; you just have to never give up. The film endures because it tells the story America has always wanted to believe about itself.

It’s corny, it’s politically simplistic, and it’s wrapped in enough stars-and-stripes bombast to make Uncle Sam blush, but it’s also weirdly hopeful. Maybe that’s the reason the movie still works after all these years, and why it’s such a perfect watch on the Fourth of July. Deep down, nobody actually believes they can solve a geopolitical conflict by winning a boxing match, but most of us want to believe that perseverance matters and that getting back up after every punch counts for something. “Rocky IV” sells that fantasy with all the subtlety of a fireworks finale, and the Fourth of July asks us to buy into a similar dream every year: that America is always capable of becoming the version of itself it promises to be.

For one day, we suspend our disbelief. We light the fuse, watch the sky explode in impossible colors, and cheer for the underdog one more time. Then we wake up on July 5 and get back to the hard work of trying to make the myth a little more true.

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Bitcoin to $53K? Exchange Deposits Jump as Analysts Warn of Increased Volatility – Decrypt

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Metaverse Fashion Week Online

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July 4, 2026

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Bitcoin to K? Exchange Deposits Jump as Analysts Warn of Increased Volatility – Decrypt

In brief

Bitcoin deposits spiked to nearly 50,000 BTC per day in the last week, CryptoQuant said.
The average size of deposits doubled to approximately 2 BTC, pointing to action from institutional and whale investors.
Historically, this level of deposits has preceded sharp price volatility.

Bitcoin deposits to centralized exchanges—often a precursor for sales—spiked in the last week as BTC fell below $60,000, according to data gathered by blockchain analytics firm CryptoQuant.

Deposits of the top crypto asset reached nearly 50,000 BTC a day, hitting that mark for only the fourth time thus far this year. In all other instances, it led to a significant increase in price volatility, according to the firm.

“The spike coincides with Bitcoin testing the critical $60K support level, which, if breached, could take Bitcoin towards $53K, the realized price,” the CryptoQuant report from Thursday reads. “At these inflow levels, the market is absorbing a large volume of Bitcoin being repositioned to exchanges, a pattern that has historically preceded significant directional moves.”

It wasn’t just the quantity of deposits increasing, but the size of them as well. During the period the average Bitcoin deposit approximately doubled from 1 BTC to 2 BTC, an indicator that the deposit surge is being driven by whales and institutions, not retail traders, the firm said.

In the past, this indicator has preceded downward price movement.

“Historically, a spike in average deposit size from larger entities is a more bearish signal than high inflow volume alone, as it indicates deliberate repositioning rather than routine activity,” the report notes.

Bitcoin’s peers were not spared, with Ethereum daily inflows peaking at 1.25 million per day and other altcoin deposit transactions also jumping considerably to more than 45,000 per day. Their respective spikes further support the likelihood of a period of increased volatility for the crypto market.

“Historically, surges in altcoin deposit transactions have marked inflection points for crypto prices and signaled increased volatility ahead,” the report notes. “This signal already played out precisely in 2026: Bitcoin’s decline from $82K in early May to below $58K in late June was preceded by a similar spike in altcoin deposits above 45K.”

After spending some time below $60,000, Bitcoin has rebounded moderately this week, jumping 3.5% to trade at $62,886. As it stands, BTC is now just over 50% off its October all-time high of $126,080.

Meanwhile, Ethereum gained nearly 12% this week to change hands at $1,787—about 64% off its all-time high of $4,946.

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