Under the influence: Beast Games and the YouTube ification of television

The Influence of Foreign Aid

America is losing a diplomatic tool the government has relied on for decades.

The New York Times - 6h

Trump Dismantles Government Fight Against Foreign Influence Operations

Dozens of employees who had been working to fight foreign interference in U.S. elections have been reassigned or forced out, according to current and former officials.

The New York Times - 20h

Former 'Squad' members launching 'Bowman and Bush' YouTube show

Former Reps. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) and Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) are launching a YouTube show, according to a Thursday post from Bush on her Instagram. “I’m beyond excited to announce the launch of our ...

The Hill - 16h

Why is YouTube boosting anti-US, pro-Chinese communist propaganda?

YouTube appears to be actively promoting pro-Chinese government and anti-American content while suppressing voices critical of China's communist regime.

The Hill - 6h

Elon Musk’s DOGE Is Being Sued Under the Privacy Act: What to Know

At least eight ongoing lawsuits related to the so-called Department of Government Efficiency’s alleged access to sensitive data hinge on the Watergate-inspired Privacy Act of 1974. But it’s not ...

Wired - 2d

PGA Tour and LIV Golf Look for Merger Deal Under Trump

A tie-up involving the tour and LIV Golf was stalled under President Biden. They’re aiming to forge a new agreement under President Trump.

The New York Times - 2d

Nominee for Deputy Transportation Secretary Comes Under Fire for Handling of Boeing

In his previous stint in the Transportation Department, Steven Bradbury was accused of interfering with a Senate investigation into the crash of two Max jets that killed 346 people combined.

The New York Times - 21h

Polar bears increasingly under threat as glaciers melt faster than ever

A new global assessment shows that the world's glaciers are melting faster in the last 10 years compared to the previous decade. Polar bears, which depend on the frozen sheets, are increasingly ...

CBS News - 17h

5 Key Ways Bad Leaders Expose Themselves When Under Pressure

Watch for these warning signs of bad leadership under pressure.

Inc. - 8h

FirstFT: Ceasefire under threat after Hamas accused of violation

Also in today’s newsletter, Japanese to court Tesla for Nissan investment, and Eric Adams’ Faustian pact with Trump

Financial Times - 7h

Under Trump, D.C. Faces More Federal Control, Fewer Federal Workers

The Washington region is bracing for a shock to the local economy from President Trump and Elon Musk’s sweeping cuts to the government work force.

The New York Times - 2h

A YouTuber in India is facing backlash over comments he made on a comedy show. Here's what to know

A famous YouTuber in India is facing public outrage and a police investigation after he made an allegedly obscene remark on a YouTube show last week

ABC News - 1d

Former Squad members Cori Bush and Jamaal Bowman to host monthly YouTube show

Politico - 1d

Another ceasefire is under threat from Trump – the precarious deal between Lebanon and Israel | Mohamad Bazzi

Israel, seemingly with the US president’s blessing, has kept troops inside Lebanon. Renewed conflict with Hezbollah is looming. As global attention remains focused on the hostage-prisoner swaps ...

The Guardian - 4h

Beloved game veteran Carter Lipscomb passes away

Carter Lipscomb, a game industry veteran with a big personality, has passed away.

VentureBeat - 19h

The top 10 games in the Madden NFL franchise

Not every Madden game is created equally. Here's a ranking of the best entries in the venerable franchise.

ESPN - 6h

MLB 26-and-under power rankings, Nos. 20-16: Bobby Witt Jr., Lawrence Butler, Pete Crow-Armstrong already making an impact

The Twins, Royals, Athletics, Cubs and Cardinals make up the next tier of the 2025 rankings.

Yahoo Sports - 1h

Joe Buck will call the Brewers-Yankees game on opening day for ESPN

Joe Buck will call his first nationally televised baseball game since 2021 on opening day

ABC News - 2d

St. Thomas visits South Dakota following Bruns' 21-point game

Saint Thomas Tommies (20-7, 10-2 Summit League) at South Dakota Coyotes (16-11, 7-5 Summit League) Vermillion, South Dakota; Wednesday, 8 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Tommies -3.5; over/under ...

ABC News - 2d

UCF faces Oklahoma State on 4-game road skid

UCF Knights (13-12, 4-10 Big 12) at Oklahoma State Cowboys (12-13, 4-10 Big 12) Stillwater, Oklahoma; Wednesday, 9 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Cowboys -2.5; over/under is 160.5 BOTTOM LINE: ...

ABC News - 2d

Immutable-backed Inevitable Games Fund grows 180% in 9 months

Immutable, with King River Capital and Polygon Labs, described naugural returns on liquid investments of the Inevitable Games Fund.

VentureBeat - 1d

Tales Of The Shire: A Lord Of The Rings Game Has Been Delayed Again

There's a famous line in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings where Gandalf the Grey explains that a wizard is never late or early. Instead, "he arrives precisely ...

GameSpot - 22h

Texas and USC canceling spring football games, joining Nebraska and Florida State

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian isn't citing the transfer portal and tampering like some of his colleagues, but instead blaming the workload his players have endured in two College Football Playoff runs.

Yahoo Sports - 21h

Avowed Director Explains Why The Game Has No Romance Options

The option to romance NPC characters in RPGs has been around for a long time, and even recent titles like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 offer that feature to players. However, Avowed is bucking ...

GameSpot - 17h

Lego Game Boy Reportedly Will Cost $60 And Releases This October

According to a reliable Lego leaker, the upcoming Lego Game Boy set will reportedly launch on October 1 for $60. The leak also says its a relatively small kit at just 421 pieces. The leak, which ...

GameSpot - 17h

These tips for investing in mutual funds and ETFs will up your money game

Don’t miss these top money and investing features.

MarketWatch - 16h

Robot M.L.B. Umpires Are Here, and They’re Going to Change the Game

Those who have experienced the automated ball-strike system say major leaguers are in for a shock.

The New York Times - 14h

Retro Game Enthusiasts Have A Bunch Of Cool Collections To Choose From These Days

Feeling nostalgic? Then check out one of the many retro game collections at Best Buy. Each one features numerous classic games in a single package, giving you a chance to relive everything from ...

GameSpot - 10h

Game Developers Fear Anti-Trans Measures Could Hit Their Industry Next

As companies like Meta, Google, and Amazon follow President Trump’s moves to roll back diversity initiatives, trans and genderqueer devs worry their already struggling industry could follow suit.

Wired - 6h

A DC Comics Video Game Based On Dark Nights: Metal Releases In March

While recent reports have shown that WB Games is struggling and titles like Wonder Woman are years away from release, a new game based on DC Comics, DC: Dark Legion, is launching on PC, iOS, ...

GameSpot - 4h

Revenge games: Who will come out ahead in these four massive matchups?

Kentucky-Alabama, Iowa State-Houston, Saint Mary's-Gonzaga and UConn-St. John's are all huge rematches this weekend. Who will stay ahead, who could get revenge?

ESPN - 4h

2025's Best-Selling Games So Far In The US

2025's best-sellers Circana has published its first monthly sales report of 2025, revealing which games sold the best in the US during January and thus also for 2025 so far.. The top slot is ...

GameSpot - 3h

PUBG Creator Thinks Players Will Initially Hate His Next Game

In late 2019, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds creator Brendan Greene offered the first glimpse of his next game, Prologue: Go Wayback . Unlike PUBG, Prologue isn't a shooter or a battle royale. ...

GameSpot - 2h

Game investments and M&A totaled $17.5B across 985 deals in 2024 | DDM

As the games industry moves on from “survive til 25,” 2024 games investment and M&A data revealed recovery and improvement, DDM said.

VentureBeat - 1h

Has international hockey replaced the NHL All-Star Game for good?

The 4 Nations Face-Off was a game changer. What comes next for the NHL's midseason events?

ESPN - 1h

Kobe Bryant greets Laker Luka Doncic in new L.A. mural based off 2019 meeting at game

Arutyun Gozukuchikyan's new mural of Kobe Bryant and Luka Doncic captures them embracing each other at a Lakers game in December 2019, a month before Bryant died in a helicopter crash.

Los Angeles Times - 3d