A fake staking site that ran for eight days last October took 3.4 million XRP from 71 investors, worth 12.3 billion won ($8.5 million), Seoul police said.
Police say the operators impersonated Flare Network and FXRP, and seeded blogs, articles and YouTube with false information.
Investigators traced 27.3 billion won ($18.8 million) through wallets linked to the group and froze 17.3 billion won of it.
A fake staking site that ran for eight days last October took 3.4 million XRP from 71 investors, worth 12.3 billion won ($8.5 million), Seoul police say. Two men, both 29, have been referred to prosecutors on aggravated fraud charges, local outlet Chosun reported Thursday.
According to police, the site, Fxrpntwork.com, impersonated Flare Network and its FXRP token, both legitimate projects, and promised monthly returns of 1.5% to 1.8% with principal guaranteed. Investors were allegedly directed to move XRP off domestic exchanges, through overseas venues, and into wallets the group controlled, before the site shut down on October 23 and the operators disappeared.
A fake evidence base
Police said the group planted false information on portal blogs, online news articles and Wikipedia, and produced YouTube videos featuring a paid stand-in, so anyone researching the project found what looked like independent corroboration. The scheme followed FXRP’s actual launch the month before.
The stand-in, 34, has been charged with fraud. Police put average losses at 173 million won ($119,000) a victim across the week the site was live.
Police froze 17.3 billion won of assets across overseas exchanges as soon as they detected the scheme. Another 10 billion won moved during the investigation and is unaccounted for, they said. Together that is the 27.3 billion won ($18.8 million) investigators traced through wallets linked to the group, well above the 12.3 billion won confirmed lost by the 71 known victims, which police say points to more.
An overseas exchange tipped off police last October about a surge in staking fraud. Investigators executed 54 search and seizure warrants, arrested one suspect at a hideout after he returned from abroad, and picked up the others in sequence. A fourth man, also 29, is overseas under an Interpol Red Notice. None of the four has been tried, and police have not made their identities public.
South Korean police have brought a run of crypto cases this year, including June’s charges against 23 people over laundering $11.1 million in USDT for a Cambodia-based phishing ring. Investigators said they would treat crypto fraud with “zero tolerance,” and urged investors to check official sources before sending funds.
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When I first unboxed the 3DMakerpro Seal, I honestly couldn’t believe this tiny device was a professional-grade 3D scanner. It looks more like a premium action camera than a piece of industrial metrology equipment. For years, getting 0.01mm accuracy meant spending thousands of dollars or dealing with bulky, tripod-dependent machines. The Seal changes that narrative completely. After spending two weeks scanning everything from intricate jewelry to mechanical engine parts, I’m ready to share why this might be the most important release in the consumer 3D scanning market this decade.
Pros & Cons
✅ Unmatched Precision: 0.01mm accuracy is industry-leading for a scanner at this price point.✅ Extreme Portability: Weighing only 254g, it fits in your pocket and is perfect for handheld use.✅ Blue Light Tech: Uses a shorter wavelength than standard scanners, capturing much finer details on dark or metallic surfaces.❌ Small Scan Volume: It is specifically designed for small objects; don’t expect to scan a car or a large sofa.❌ Software Learning Curve: While JMStudio is improving, it still takes time to master the alignment and mesh processing.❌ Cable Management: Unless you buy the multi-purpose grip/battery pack, the cables can feel a bit restrictive during handheld scans.
Testing the 3DMakerpro Seal was a revelation in how far “Blue Light” technology has come. Unlike the standard white light or infrared scanners I’ve used in the past, the Seal uses a shorter wavelength blue light. I noticed immediately that this allowed it to pick up textures that other scanners simply blurred out. I tested it on a small, weathered copper coin, and the resulting mesh captured even the micro-scratches on the surface. For someone into miniature painting or small-scale engineering, this level of detail is a game-changer.
The hardware itself feels incredibly premium. It has an aluminum alloy body that stays cool even during long scanning sessions. During my “handheld” test, I found the AI-powered tracking to be surprisingly forgiving. Usually, if you move too fast, a scanner will lose its “position,” and you have to start over. The Seal’s internal IMU and software algorithms do a great job of keeping the scan aligned even if your hand shakes slightly. However, for the absolute best results—especially when aiming for that 0.01mm accuracy—using a tripod and the automated turntable is the way to go.
I did run into some hurdles with the JMStudio software. While it’s powerful and allows for easy export into OBJ or STL formats for 3D printing, the interface can feel a bit cluttered for a beginner. I had to watch a few tutorials to understand how to properly “align” multiple scans when I had to flip an object over to capture the bottom. Once it clicks, though, the processing speed is impressive. I was able to turn a raw point cloud into a water-tight mesh ready for my 3D printer in about 5 minutes.
The real magic happens when you use it for reverse engineering. I scanned a broken plastic clip from my car’s interior. The Seal captured the geometry so perfectly that I was able to bring the file into Fusion 360, “clean it up,” and print a replacement that fit perfectly on the first try. That’s where the value lies—not just in “copying” objects, but in giving you a digital foundation for real-world repairs and design.
Who is this for? / Alternatives
The 3DMakerpro Seal is built for hobbyists, jewelers, and engineers who work with small-to-medium objects. If you are into 3D printing miniatures or need to digitize mechanical parts for CAD work, this is your best bet. If you need to scan larger items like car body kits or furniture, you might find the field of view too narrow.
Alternatives:
Creality CR-Scan Otter: A better choice for larger objects, though it lacks the extreme micro-precision of the Seal’s blue light tech.Revopoint MINI 2: A direct competitor that also offers high precision, though many find the Seal’s build quality and AI tracking slightly superior.
Quick FAQ
Do I need a powerful PC to use the Seal?Yes, 3D scanning is resource-intensive. You’ll want at least 16GB of RAM and a dedicated GPU for a smooth experience when processing high-resolution meshes.
Can it scan black or shiny objects?The blue light technology handles dark and shiny surfaces better than infrared, but for extremely reflective chrome, I still recommend using a matte scanning spray for the best results.
Is there a difference between the Seal and Seal Lite?Yes, the standard Seal features better accuracy (0.01mm vs 0.02mm) and a more premium metal body compared to the plastic Lite version.
3DMakerpro Seal Review
Software Experience – 7.5/10
“The Seal is a miniature powerhouse that brings industrial-level 0.01mm accuracy to the palm of your hand.”
Weaving craftsmanship, travel and writing into a refined idea of a traveller, Montblanc’s Fall Winter 2026 Leather Collection pursues a new kind of movement for the everyday writer. Whether you are travelling abroad or working from a cafe, the maison’s latest creations have established the idea that today’s luxury companion should move as effortlessly as its owner.
That idea is conveyed through the Writing Traveller line, where fluidity meets ease. Joined by new compact crossbody bags in red oak or black Sartorial leather, the collection sees the return of the briefcase — now crafted in corteccia sfumato leather and refined black grain leather. Reinforcing the maison’s belief that creativity can happen anywhere, each piece features thoughtfully organised compartments for writing essentials.
Softness is also the key to this season’s leather collection, with the maison reinterpreting its signature Extreme pattern in supple smooth calfskin, while introducing lightweight, water-repellent technical fabric across the Panorama Crossbody and Belt Bag. The Suede offerings of the Montblanc Envelope Horizontal Tote echo the same philosophy, providing compartments for specific essentials in a softer silhouette, shaping their bold identity in comfort and practicality without compromising the brand’s refined craftsmanship.
That unique blend of compact design with softness and practicality is further enhanced through the Montblanc Paper Capsule, where pliable silk calf leather can be folded and packed away for travelling. For a touch of flourish, the collection also features envelope-inspired leather goods and playful charms, proving that function and personality can coexist.
Even Montblanc’s Art of the Desk collection follows this idea. Rather than separating work from travel, the maison extends its warm colour palette and refined craftsmanship across desk accessories and stationery, creating a seamless lifestyle that follows its owner from the workspace to a weekend getaway.
Montblanc captures a broader evolution in luxury design through this collection. As modern lifestyles become increasingly fluid, the maison is proving that today’s most desirable accessories are no longer made for one moment or one destination, but that they’re made for every journey.
This story first appeared on Men’s Folio SG.
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Studio Ghibli has weathered surprisingly few genuine critical disappointments across its four-decade history. It’s a studio best known for anime masterpieces, which is why calling a Studio Ghibli movie “bad” almost feels like a contradiction. While it does have a few “lesser” films in its catalog, from Earwig and the Witch to Ocean Waves (a sleeper hit if you ask me), no Ghibli film has been more persistently labeled the studio’s weakest than Tales from Earthsea, which celebrates its 20th anniversary next month with a North American theatrical release.
The film marks the feature directorial debut of Goro Miyazaki, son of Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, and adapts Ursula K. Le Guin’s beloved Earthsea novels into a sprawling fantasy adventure, drawing from multiple books in the acclaimed series rather than adapting a single novel. It was an ambitious assignment for any filmmaker, but especially for someone making his first feature — a role he was thrust into after serving as a consultant.
Next month’s re-release arrives as part of a celebration of the film’s original 2006 debut, giving audiences another chance to revisit one of the most divisive films Studio Ghibli has ever produced. While Tales from Earthsea has never enjoyed the same reputation as classics like Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, or Howl’s Moving Castle, its return offers an opportunity to reassess a movie whose legacy has only become more complicated with time.
20 years ago, critics pointed to the film’s uneven pacing, fragmented storytelling, and difficulty balancing ideas pulled from multiple Earthsea novels into a single narrative. Fans expecting another instant Ghibli classic instead found a story that felt caught between honoring Le Guin’s rich fantasy world and carving out its own identity. For example, the film borrows the central journey of The Farthest Shore while weaving in major characters and themes from Tehanu, compressing stories that were never meant to unfold together. The result is a narrative that often rushes through character development while struggling to give its philosophical ideas room to breathe.
Hayao Miyazaki had reportedly expressed reservations about his son directing the project before ultimately stepping away to allow him to make the film on his own. That father-son dynamic inevitably became part of the conversation surrounding Tales from Earthsea, sometimes overshadowing the work itself.
Image: Studio Ghibli
On rankings of Studio Ghibli’s catalog, Tales from Earthsea almost always lands at or near the bottom of the list. For a studio with one of the strongest filmographies in animation history, “worst Ghibli movie” is hardly the harshest label imaginable, but it’s a label the film has struggled to shake for two decades, even in the wake of middling releases like From Up on Poppy Hill and the aforementioned Earwig — both also directed by Goro.
Yet time has also been kinder to Earthsea than its initial reception suggested. Even many viewers who still consider it one of Ghibli’s lesser efforts acknowledge the remarkable craftsmanship on display. The painted backgrounds remain breathtaking, reflecting the strong visual sensibilities that first earned Goro Miyazaki the directing job through his storyboards in the first place. Joe Hisaishi’s score lends emotional weight throughout the film, uplifting scenes with sweeping orchestral strings, gentle piano melodies, and warm brass fanfares. Several sequences capture the quiet melancholy that has long defined the studio’s best fantasy films. Its themes of mortality, identity, and humanity’s relationship with nature fit comfortably alongside the ideas explored throughout Ghibli’s broader body of work, even if the story itself never fully comes together.
Image: Studio Ghibli
A younger generation of anime fans has also discovered the film through streaming on HBO Max, where expectations are often different than they were in 2006. Removed from the impossible burden of following Howl’s Moving Castle and living up to the Ghibli name in real time, Tales from Earthsea is increasingly viewed less as a disaster and more as an ambitious, if deeply flawed, fantasy from one of — if not the — greatest animation studios on the planet.
That doesn’t make it a hidden masterpiece. The criticisms that greeted it two decades ago remain valid, and it still stands as one of Studio Ghibli’s least successful features. But anniversaries aren’t just for celebrating perfection — they’re also a chance to revisit the works that reveal a studio’s growing pains and creative risks, which Goro Miyazaki knows all too well. Goro’s later film, Earwig and the Witch, ambitiously used leveraged 3D animation for the first time in Ghibli’s four decades of production, but the film is often lauded as worse even than Tales from Earthsea.
Despite its limited mass appeal, Hayao Miyazaki himself still considers it worthy of praise. In Goro’s blog dated July 3, 2006, he relays a heartfelt message from his father during the launch party, saying, “It was made honestly, so it was good.” Goro admits his father’s words brought him to tears. For all its inefficiencies, Tales from Earthsea still offers that spark of honesty, an ambitious experience that’s just as wondrously fantastical as Ghibli’s other projects.
For longtime Ghibli fans, the theatrical return is an opportunity to see one of the studio’s most debated films on the big screen. And for newcomers, it’s a reminder that even animation’s most celebrated filmmakers occasionally stumble. 20 years later, Tales from Earthsea reminds us that when a studio’s weakest film is still this visually enchanting and passionately debated, then you’ve built one of the greatest legacies in animation.
Tales from Earthsea will be re-released in theaters on August 8 and 10 and is available to stream on HBO Max.
The backlash surrounding PlayStation’s decision to stop producing physical game discs in 2028 rages on, with some arguing it’s only a vocal minority angry, while others point to various sources of data to show that many millions of gamers still like to buy discs.
Alinea Analytics has published data that shows us just how varied the physical sales numbers actually are across PlayStation games. Most notably, several of PlayStation’s own first-party games have sold quite a lot of discs, although the titles Alinea uses are several years older, meaning they are a bit behind the digital game sales curve.
It’s important to note that Alinea is only discussing sales on PlayStation, not sales across all platforms.
Credit: Alinea Analytics
I’ve taken Alinea’s reporting here and tried to combine it with the best sales data I could find to give us an idea of how just how many physical copies were actually sold. Check the disclaimer at the bottom of the chart for full details, but in essence, these are just estimates and should not be taken as completely accurate.
Game
Best PlayStation sales figure
Physical share
Estimated physical copies
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
2.9 million
Alinea Analytics · July 2026
48.0%
≈1.39 million
Astro Bot
4.3 million
Alinea Analytics estimate · June 2026
45.8%
≈1.97 million
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Calculated from 53.6% of 5.7 million worldwide sales.
≈3.06 million
Alinea Analytics estimate · July 2026
36.3%
≈1.11 million
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
16 million
Alinea Analytics estimate · November 2025
34.8%
≈5.57 million
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Likely a minimum, as the PlayStation estimate predates later worldwide sales milestones.
≈2 million
Alinea Analytics estimate · November 2025
32.2%
≈644,000
Monster Hunter Wilds Likely a minimum because the PlayStation estimate is older.
≈2.9 million
Alinea Analytics estimate · July 2025
30.7%
≈890,000
Split Fiction Likely a minimum because the PlayStation estimate is older.
≈2.5 million
Alinea Analytics estimate · July 2025
26.6%
≈665,000
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Upper bound only. This subtracts 701,000 known Steam sales from 3.5 million worldwide sales, but cannot remove unknown Xbox sales or later Steam sales.
Below 2.80 million
Ubisoft total plus Alinea Steam estimate · July 2026
24.9%
Below ≈697,000
Madden NFL 26
≈1.6 million
Alinea Analytics estimate · October 2025
12.9%
≈206,000
Black Myth: Wukong Likely a minimum because the PlayStation estimate is older.
≈6.3 million
Alinea Analytics estimate · June 2025
10.8%
≈680,000
Very important disclaimer: This is a rough, for-interest-only exercise rather than a definitive sales report. Several PlayStation totals are third-party estimates rather than official publisher figures, some were reported months before the physical-share data, and figures may have changed since publication. The estimated physical totals simply multiply the best available PlayStation sales number by Alinea Analytics’ stated physical percentage. Do not take the results too seriously.
The data is fascinating because even while not completely accurate, we are still clearly looking many millions of physical games being sold. PlayStation isn’t wrong – it is still a fairly small percentage of gamers who are loyal to physical media, but it still amounts to a whole lot of people.
Nor are the counter-arguments wrong: the data Sony likes to throw about covers every single game, including the ones that are never released physically and thus skew the data heavily. Some of the biggest games in the world are only available digitally, after all.
My personal stance is simple: a switch to digital does not affect me much. I love physical, but I won’t be a hypocrite and tell you that the majority of my games are physical. They aren’t. But I don’t like the removal of choice. Physical should remain an option, especially because the laws surrounding digital media are still not fit for the task.
I’m also baffled by the lack of effort on Sony to at least let you keep playing your existing collection moving forward. There’s no reason a PS5 external drive could work on a PS6, allowing you to keep playing whatever discs you already own.
Robinhood posted record Q2 revenues of $1.31 billion, up 32% year-over-year, beating Wall Street’s estimate of $1.26 billion.
Crypto revenue fell 38% year-over-year to $100 million, while event contracts—prediction market bets on real-world outcomes—surged over 10x to $156 million, becoming the company’s fastest-growing revenue line.
The company expanded Robinhood Chain with tokenized stocks, decentralized lending, and plans for new international crypto offerings.
Robinhood reported second-quarter earnings Wednesday and posted record quarterly revenue of $1.31 billion in Q2, up 32% year-over-year, beating Wall Street’s estimate of $1.26 billion. The company is expanding into prediction markets and crypto products, including Robinhood Chain, even as crypto trading revenue and volumes declined from the previous quarter.
The company’s net income came in at $573 million—or $0.62 per share—versus $386 million and $0.42 per share a year ago. Platform assets grew to $369 billion from $307 billion, quarterly net deposits increased to $21.7 billion from $17.7 billion, and Robinhood Gold subscribers rose to 4.8 million from 4.3 million.
“We hit all-time highs in trading volumes across equities, options, and prediction markets,” CEO Vlad Tenev said on X.
Transaction-based revenues rose 44% to $776 million, but the engine behind that number has shifted. Event contracts—prediction markets where users buy and sell contracts on real-world outcomes, from Fed rate decisions to FIFA World Cup matches—generated $156 million, up more than 10x year-over-year. Options added $342 million, up 29%, and equities $129 million, up 95%.
Crypto, by contrast, slid to $100 million—down 38% from the $160 million Robinhood posted in Q2 2025. That drag had already hit in Q1, when shares fell 6% on a 34% quarterly drop in crypto revenue. Total crypto notional trading volume—the raw dollar value of trades executed—was $40 billion for the quarter: $18 billion on Robinhood’s own app (down 35% year-over-year) and $22 billion through Bitstamp, the crypto exchange it acquired last year. The trading volume for crypto dipped from $66 billion in Q1 to $40 billion in Q2.
The company isn’t stepping back from crypto, and is focusing on its own chain. Alongside the results, Robinhood highlighted the now-live public mainnet for Robinhood Chain and Stock Tokens available to eligible users in more than 120 countries through Robinhood Wallet.
“The Robinhood Chain a few weeks ago, the first chain purpose-built for real-world assets, now with over 12 billion index volume since launch,” Tenet said on X .The rapid growth and developer activity on the chain has been awesome to see, plenty more to come.”
Robinhood first introduced the public testnet for Robinhood Chain earlier this year, describing it as an Ethereum layer-2 network for tokenized real-world assets. The company launched the network’s public mainnet on July 1, making it available for tokenized stocks, ETFs, decentralized finance applications, and other Ethereum-compatible services.
Like other Ethereum L2s, the idea is to have a secondary blockchain that settles on Ethereum’s main network but runs faster and cheaper. As Decrypt reported last Sunday, the chain was already clearing over $600 million in daily decentralized exchange volume and logged 138 million transactions in its first 30 days. Tokenized stocks—real company shares wrapped as on-chain digital tokens—grew from $5 million to $60 million in daily volume in under two weeks.
Two new products, though, headlined the call. “Two new launches I’d like to highlight. One, Rothera, our new prediction markets exchange and joint venture. And two, the first version of agentic trading with equities, options, and soon crypto on Robinhood available to your AI agents,” Tenev said.
Rothera is a CFTC-licensed prediction markets exchange Robinhood runs as a joint venture with Susquehanna International Group, a major quantitative trading firm. It has processed over 3.5 billion contracts since going live in late May. Agentic trading—software that executes trades on a user’s behalf automatically, without requiring manual input per transaction—launched May 27 and already counts nearly 100,000 accounts.
Net deposits hit a record $21.7 billion. Gold subscribers reached a record 4.8 million. The Gold Card crossed 1 million cardholders with $17 billion in annualized purchase volume. Thirteen Robinhood business lines now each generate over $100 million annually.
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Days of Our Lives spoilers for August 3-7, 2026 excite with Kristen DiMera (Stacy Haiduk) exiting Salem thanks to her brother EJ DiMera’s (Dan Feuerriegel) revenge plan. Plus, Brady Black (Eric Martsolf) is celebrating his daughter’s homecoming, but he may have even more reason to celebrate very soon.
Also, next week we have more people searching for Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien). We’ll have Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) having a change of heart and Holly Jonas (Ashley Puzemis) is finally allowed to go home from the hospital. But we have to wait and see how long she sticks around Salem.
And as we always do on early edition day, we start with what’s coming the rest of this week, then we dive into what is happening next week.
Days of our Lives Spoilers: Leo Turns to Rafe for Help
So, on Wednesday, July 29th, we’ve got Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) asking Rafe Hernandez (Galen Gering) for his help. And Leo may mention the dead man’s switch letter and how desperate he is to find Gwen, and he wants the FBI’s help. Rafe may ask Leo to find out exactly what he knows. And of course, Cat Greene (AnnaLynne McCord) already gave Rafe the letter that Gwen left for Leo, and they’re already using it. But I bet that Rafe and Cat are going to leave Leo in the dark.
Susan Banks (Stacy Haiduk) is back in Salem. So Stacy Haiduk is doing double duty as EJ’s mama and his mean sister Kristen this week. And Susan is convinced that EJ’s gone too far and her psychic senses are tingling. Susan rants at EJ that he is not Stefano. And Susan says she will never let EJ be that monster. But come on, it’s too late for that. He’s already gone bad. I wonder if Susan’s Psychic Network will give her specific info on what Elvis Jr’s been up to lately, because it’s all bad deeds.
DOOL Spoilers: Chanel & Johnny’s Baby’s Comes Soon
Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman) tries to cheer up Chanel Dupree (Raven Bowens). We’re going to see Johnny and Chanel spending time with adorable little Trey. And of course, they’re getting ready for their baby to be born. Chanel is going to go into premature labor soon. And it could be touch and go given her cancer and the chemo situation making Chanel a high-risk pregnancy.
Abe Carver (James Reynolds) and Theo Carver (Tyler Joseph Andrews) catch Lexie Carver (Nikki Crawford) in a lie on Wednesday. She told them she was going alone to see her mom, but Lexie’s really going off to die alone, and Kristen convinced her to swap spots and head to DiMera Island to die instead of her, which EJ will hate. But with Lex’s symptoms coming back, she may not be thinking clearly, and that’s why she’s caught in a lie.
Days of Our Lives: Confrontations and Shocking Developments
Then on Thursday, July 30th, Gabi shocks Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier). Not only do they wind up in each other’s arms this week, but it sounds like Gabi really hurt Philip when he said he was hurt by Gabi’s false accusations the same way that she hurt Theo by jumping to a bad conclusion.
So, Gabi may agree to invest in Titan and stick to their deal. And Philip’s wondering if she now suspects Dimitri of selling fake Gabi Chic bags since it might have happened on their watch. Arianna Hernandez (Vico Escorcia) did let a prototype out of her sight. So clearly somebody took snaps of it.
Rachel Black (Lorelei Olivia Mote) is officially out of Bayview and Brady, Belle, and Tate are all celebrating. But will Kristen be there to celebrate Rachel’s freedom also? Or does EJ already have her picked up by then? Maybe he’ll be kind to let Kristen see Rachel one last time before his henchman grabs her up.
Alex Kiriakis (Robert Scott Wilson) reassures Stephanie Johnson (Abigail Klein) that he will never agree to the terms that Joy Wesley (AlexAnn Hopkins) wants and her custody terms are kind of ridiculous. She doesn’t want Stephanie around Kelsey ever. Now, I can understand that Joy is still upset at this moment because Stephanie nearly shot her.
But I think that she is being slightly unreasonable. Belle Black (Martha Madison) gets a visit from Joy who wants some advice. So, I wonder if she’s going to talk to Belle about a restraining order because of the shooting or Joy might revisit pressing charges to pressure Alex into accepting her terms.
Days of Our Lives: Family Surprises and Desperate Searches
Then on Friday, July 31st, Lexie’s got a big surprise in store from Abe and Theo. They want to make up for lost time. So, Abe and Theo do a Christmas in July thing with a tree and presents. All of that for Lexie to make up for all the holidays they missed out on as a family.
And this Theo and Abe surprise could be why Lexie is late to meet up and swap with Kristen. EJ and Kristen share a moment of honesty at the end of the week. And this may be right before EJ’s henchman shoves Kristen into a shipping container and tells Kristen, “Have a nice flight.” So, she may be pounding on the walls and devastated that Lexie doesn’t show up.
Javi Hernandez (Jacob Martinez) and Gus (Michael Ocampo) discuss the future. Also this week, Chad DiMera (Connor Floyd) asked Leo why he thinks Dimitri von Leuschner (Peter Porte) took Gwen. And Leo says he texted Dimitri to see where Gwen was. And he got a reply that sent all of Leo’s spidey senses tingling.
So, he’s trying to get to Alamania as fast as possible, and he may head out of town with Chad and Belle. Also, Chad has an update for Rafe about Gwen. So, we’ll see if Leo gets Belle and Chad to help him find Gwen before they head off to Italy on the chess set mystery.
DOOL: August Fallout and Long-Term Consequences
Then the week of August 3rd through the 7th, we may see Kristen is gone for good or at a minimum gone for now. Rachel will be devastated and I’m guessing that Brady may suspect EJ, but we know that he will lie and deny and in the end Brady should send EJ an edible arrangement to thank him for getting Kristen out of Rachel’s life.
She’s a bad influence. Stacy Haiduk confirmed a while back that she has wrapped her run. She’s now over on recurring status on Young and the Restless at the moment, but I’m sure Days of our Lives will bring Kristen back at some point.
Lexie misses her opportunity to sneak away and swap so she can die alone on the island. And the stress of all of this may cause her to collapse. Theo and Abe are going to rush her to the hospital. Lex’s death is imminent and EJ’s going to be distraught. Abe and Theo, too, and they’ll be raging at EJ.
Days of Our Lives Spoilers: Kristen DiMera – Brady Black
Days of our Lives Spoilers: Chad & Bell Take Off
Belle and Chad are headed for Italy to crack the chess set mystery, but Gwen’s disappearance may trigger a detour to Alamania. Leo is desperate to get his bestie back and now suspects his and Gwen’s mutual ex, Dimitri, took her and not EJ. Dimitri von Leuschner is back on the scene soon.
And it looks like he may have snatched Gwen for a little revenge since she kidnapped him with EJ’s help. Very soon, Leo’s trying to convince Dimitri to cut a deal with him if he won’t bargain with Rafe. Chanel could go into labor soon. She is in her third trimester, and we know she’s going to be rushed into the hospital in distress.
And Kayla Brady (Mary Beth Evans) is there hustling everybody out as Chanel begins to hemorrhage. Philip and Gabi may be on the road to reconciliation or maybe not. So, Philip may be playing Gabi on Xander Cook’s (Paul Telfer) orders so they can get her money. Philip is totally capable of playing Gabi like this.
On the other hand, she might be toying with Philip, too. They are a lot alike. Also, we’ll find out more about who is stealing Gabi’s designs and selling them to a knockoff company. I’m very suspicious of Gus based on the timing and how little we know about him.
Days Spoilers: Holly Learns the Truth
Julie Williams (Susan Seaforth Hayes) considers romance with Foster and Holly’s out of the hospital soon and she may find out that EJ planted the pills to cover his butt in the whole arsenic cover up. Not too long until Holly leaves Salem since Ashley Puzemis was fired from Days. So, Holly and Tate because the actor was also fired may head to Paris together to be near her mom and little brother.
And in way way way ahead spoilers, these are for June 2027. So, 11 months from now, Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney), Carrie Brady, Lucas Horton (Bryan Dattilo), and Will Horton (Chandler Massey) are heading back to Salem for a big Brady family reunion. Maybe for Sami’s wedding to Dante Vitali. I just hope that it’s not because something is wrong with Roman Brady (Josh Taylor).
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Tracee Ellis Ross just gave the classic raffia bag a sophisticated, city-girl twist. Instead of saving the woven accessory for beach vacations, the actress styled it with polished separates, instantly elevating the piece for everyday wear. Luckily, you don’t need a designer budget to recreate her chic look.
Ross was spotted in New York City on July 23, pairing her structured woven raffia bag with a collared blue top, a red jewel-embroidered midi skirt, and sleek black pumps. The tailored styling gave the typically casual summer staple a refined update, proving raffia can look just as at home on city streets as it does by the shore. We found a remarkably similar version for just $34 on Amazon.
Get the Keaidmon Handwoven Straw Tote Bag for just $34 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, July 29, 2026, but are subject to change.
Enter the Keaidmon Handwoven Straw Tote Bag. With its structured silhouette, woven straw finish and top handles, it captures the same sophisticated feel as Ross’ accessory for a fraction of the price. Available in a khaki shade that’s nearly identical to the star’s version, it makes it easy to recreate her polished city-girl look.
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Beyond its elevated look, the bag is thoughtfully designed for everyday wear. It’s crafted from tightly woven natural straw that’s lightweight yet durable, while the thick braided handles offer a comfortable grip without digging into your shoulder. Inside, a playful polka-dot lining adds an extra touch of charm.
The best part is how easy the bag is to style. Pair it with wide-leg trousers and a linen button-down for an elevated everyday outfit, or wear it with a breezy midi dress and sandals on the weekend. Just like Ross proved, the right outfit can transform a raffia bag from a beach-day must-have into a polished city accessory.
If Ross’ outfit has you rethinking raffia bags, this affordable find makes it easy to follow her lead. It delivers the same sophisticated, city-girl feel while keeping the natural woven texture that makes the trend a warm-weather favorite. At just $34, it’s an easy way to bring the actress’ elevated style into your own wardrobe without overspending.
Obsessed with Ross’ city-girl take on the raffia bag? Browse more affordable Amazon picks below!
Shop more raffia bags that we love:
Not your style? Explore more raffia bags here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
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We have a new development in the ongoing saga of Nolan Wells.
As you’ve likely heard by now, Wells was found dead on Mississippi’s Horn Island earlier this month, and his cause of death remains a mystery.
Police are still investigating the matter, and now, a friend of Wells has lawyered up over claims that the two of them fought over a shared love interest.
People listen as attorney Ben Crump holds a press conference with Elmore Wonsley and Christine Wells-Wonsley, the parents of Nolan Wells, at the annual NAACP National Convention to announce the results of an independent autopsy as they investigate the death of Wells on July 22, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Earlier this week, Katie McCormick was identified as the “mystery woman” whom the 18-year-old was speaking with on the day of his disappearance.
Amateur social media sleuths are now claiming — with little to no evidence — that McCormick once dated a friend of Wells’ named Bart Edmiston Jr.
According to statements released through his attorney, Edmiston intends to file a defamation lawsuit against individuals he says falsely accused him of playing a role in Wells’ death.
The attorney also said Edmiston has received death threats as speculation surrounding the case has intensified on social media (per The Washington Times).
Wells disappeared on July 4 and was found dead two days later.
Authorities have not determined an official cause or manner of death, and investigators have repeatedly emphasized that the case remains active. A grand jury is expected to review the evidence once the investigation is complete.
The teen’s family has questioned the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, particularly after learning his cellphone was recovered separately from his body.
They have also commissioned an independent autopsy, which was unable to determine a cause of death or rule out foul play because of the condition of the remains.
Edmiston’s attorney said his client has not been identified as a suspect and denies any involvement in Wells’ death.
The attorney also rejected online rumors attempting to connect Edmiston to others involved in the case, calling those claims false and harmful.
Other friends who were with Wells have also spoken publicly in recent weeks, insisting they have cooperated with investigators and had no role in the tragedy. Several have said they have received threats since the case gained widespread attention online.
Meanwhile, Wells’ family continues to push for answers. Their legal team has sought additional digital evidence, including social media records, after raising concerns that photos or videos from Wells’ phone may be missing.
No arrests have been made, and investigators have not publicly identified any suspects. Officials have urged the public to allow the investigation to proceed while discouraging speculation that could interfere with the case.
Meanwhile, Katie McCormick’s sister has denied claims that Nolan stayed behind to pursue Katie even as his friends departed the island by boat.
We will have further updates on this developing story as new information becomes available.
The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged at 3.50%-3.75% in a 9-3 vote, with three officials favoring a hike.
Bitcoin and Ethereum posted losses, indicating markets had largely priced in the Fed’s decision.
Traders now await upcoming economic data and Fed commentary for clues on future monetary policy and crypto market direction.
Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) showed limited price movement following the Federal Reserve’s latest policy decision, which left the federal funds rate unchanged at 3.50% to 3.75%.
According to the Fed’s official announcement, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted 9-3 to maintain the target range, with Governors Beth M. Hammack, Neel Kashkari, and Lorie K. Logan dissenting in favor of a 25-basis-point increase.
The decision came against a backdrop of solid economic activity, steady job gains, and inflation that remains above the Fed’s 2% target, partly due to energy-related supply shocks and ongoing uncertainty linked to the Middle East conflict. The Committee reiterated its commitment to price stability while continuing to maintain ample reserves in the banking system.
BTC and ETH price movements after Fed’s decision
BTC Price Momentum on July 29 at 16:39 EDT | Source: TradingView
Market data captured around and after the announcement at 2:00 pm EDT showed Bitcoin trading near $64,176 and trading at $63,620 at the time of writing, showing a 1.5% drop and registering a modest 0.6% drop over the prior 24 hours.
Weekly performance remained negative at approximately 4.61%, reflecting the broader pullback from recent levels above $65,000. Bitcoin’s market capitalization stood at $1.29 trillion, with 24-hour volume near $26.78 billion. The asset remains roughly 49% below its all-time high of $126,198 recorded in October 2025.
ETH price momentum on July 29 at 17:00 EDT | Source: TradingView
Ethereum followed a similar pattern of contained volatility. At the time of the Fed’s decision, at 2:00 pm EDT, the asset was trading at $1,913 and traded around $1,882 at the time of writing, showing a 1.63% drop and a decline of 1.9% over 24 hours.
Its intraday range stretched from roughly $1,882 to $1,930, with a late-session reading near $1,913. Market capitalization hovered at $231 billion, and 24-hour volume exceeded $11.3 billion. Ethereum continues to trade approximately 61% below its August 2025 peak of $4,953.
Crypto liquidations hit $401M as longs dominate
Crypto Liquidation on July 29 at 16:30 EDT | Source: CoinGlass
Crypto markets saw $401 million in total liquidations over the past 24 hours, according to CoinGlass data, affecting 112,341 traders. Long positions accounted for the overwhelming majority at $298.13 million, while short liquidations totaled $102.88 million.
Ethereum led individual assets with $32.22 million in liquidations, followed by Bitcoin at $27.66 million. Other tokens and contracts contributed the remainder. Shorter timeframes showed the same imbalance: one-hour liquidations reached $66.31 million (almost entirely longs), while four-hour and twelve-hour totals stood at $124.27 million and $192.26 million, respectively.
Price movement remains unassociated with Fed decision
The post-decision declines in Bitcoin and Ethereum suggest that traders had largely anticipated the Fed’s decision to leave interest rates unchanged. Both assets remained within recent trading ranges rather than showing an outsized reaction immediately after the announcement.
The three dissenting votes in favor of a rate hike added a slightly hawkish tone to the meeting, but the broader market reaction remained relatively muted.
The elevated level of long liquidations indicates that leveraged positioning also contributed to the recent weakness, alongside broader risk-off sentiment across financial markets.
Looking ahead, market participants are likely to focus on upcoming economic data, inflation readings, labor market reports, and additional comments from Federal Reserve officials for further signals on the path of monetary policy.
Also Read: Samson Mow Warns Bitcoin Against Rushing Post-Quantum Upgrade
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.
