Australia’s Pat Cummins addresses the captain’s day ceremony during ICC World Cup 2023 in Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India. — Reuters/File
Star paceman Pat Cummins was ruled out of Australia’s Twenty20 World Cup campaign on Saturday, while batsman Matthew Renshaw has come into the squad at the expense of Matt Short.
Test skipper Cummins only played one of the five Ashes Tests against England over the Australian summer as he slowly recovers from a lower back injury.
He was hoping to be fit for the tournament in India and Sri Lanka beginning on February 7, but has run out of time and been replaced by Ben Dwarshuis.
“With Pat needing more time to recover from his back injury, Ben is a ready replacement who offers a left-arm pace option as well as dynamic fielding and late-order hitting,” selector Tony Dodemaide said.
“We believe his ability to swing the ball at good pace, along with clever variations, will be well-suited to the conditions we expect and overall structure of the squad.”
The only other change to the provisional squad named this month sees Renshaw come in for Short, who has paid the price for his ordinary performances in the Big Bash League.
“Matt (Renshaw) has impressed in all formats of late, including in multiple roles in white ball formats for Australia, the Queensland Bulls and the Brisbane Heat,” Dodemaide said.
“With the top order settled and spin-heavy conditions expected in the pool stages in Sri Lanka, we also feel Matt provides extra middle-order support, with Tim David completing his return to play programme in the early phase of the tournament.”
Big-hitter David is on the comeback trail from a hamstring injury.
The squad is spin-heavy in preparation for the sub-continent conditions, with left-armer Matt Kuhnemann and Cooper Connolly complementing chief tweaker Adam Zampa and part-timer Glenn Maxwell.
Australia’s group-stage matches are all being played in Sri Lanka. They open their account against Ireland in Colombo on February 11.
Squad: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
Details about Catherine O’Hara’s medical emergency before death come to light
Catherine O’Hara, at 71, passed away on Jan. 30. In the wake of her death, several reports emerged, providing a picture of what happened to her in her final moments.
According to the Daily Mail, a medical emergency call was from her Brentwood home around 5 AM on Friday.
“At 4:48 a.m., we responded to a request for medical aid to that address and transported an approximately 70-year-old female in serious condition,” an LAFD spokesperson told the tabloid.
An audio recording obtained by the outlet revealed that the actress was having “difficulty breathing.” First responders rushed her to a nearby hospital.
However, hours after her arrival, Catherine was pronounced dead. It is worth noting that the iconic actress was suffering from an extremely rare condition called Situs inversus.
There is no confirmation that the condition plays a role in her death because her cause of death has not been revealed yet.
It is also pertinent to note that Emmy’s last September marked Catherine’s last public appearance, during which signs of frailty were visible on the actress, according to reports.
Meanwhile, the well-known actress has two sons with her husband, Bo Welch.
Amazon has agreed to pay $2.5 billion to settle allegations brought by the Federal Trade Commission over how it enrolled customers in Prime and how difficult it made cancellation.
The FTC alleged Amazon enrolled millions of consumers without clear consent and failed to provide a simple way to cancel.
“The evidence showed that Amazon used sophisticated subscription traps designed to manipulate consumers into enrolling in Prime, and then made it exceedingly hard for consumers to end their subscription,” Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson said.
Rather than proceed to trial, Amazon chose to settle the case. The company did not admit liability and says it has already made changes to Prime enrollment and cancellation flows. Still, the agreement stands as the second-largest monetary judgment ever secured by the Federal Trade Commission.
Eligible U.S. Amazon Prime members can now file claims for refunds tied to the FTC’s $2.5 billion settlement.(iStock)
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How the $2.5 billion settlement breaks down
The court-ordered settlement is divided into two parts. First, Amazon must pay a $1 billion civil penalty to the federal government. As a result, this marks the largest civil penalty ever tied to a violation of an FTC rule. Second, $1.5 billion is set aside for consumer refunds. Eligible Prime subscribers may receive compensation for Prime membership fees paid during the covered period, capped at $51 per person. Because this is an FTC action, only U.S.-based Prime subscribers qualify. Therefore, customers outside the United States are not eligible.
Who qualifies for an Amazon Prime refund
You may qualify for compensation if either of the following applies.
First, you signed up for Amazon Prime in the United States between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025.
Alternatively, you attempted to cancel Prime through the online cancellation process during that same period but were unable to complete it. This includes entering the cancellation flow and not finishing or accepting a Save Offer.
To confirm when you joined Prime, log in to your Amazon account. Then go to Memberships and Subscriptions and select Payment history under Prime.
How Amazon is issuing refunds
Under the settlement, refunds are distributed in two groups based on eligibility.
Automatic Payment Group
Some consumers qualified for automatic payments.
You were eligible if you signed up for Prime between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025, enrolled through a challenged enrollment flow and used no more than three Prime benefits in any 12-month period.
Automatic payments were issued within 90 days of the court order, with most eligible customers receiving funds by late December 2025. These payments covered Prime membership fees paid up to $51. No claim was required.
However, if you believe you qualified for an automatic payment but did not receive one, you may still be eligible to file a claim.
Claims Process Payment Group
At this point, the claims process is the primary path for refunds. The claims window opened January 5, 2026. Eligible consumers are being notified by email or postcard through early February. You may qualify to file a claim if you unintentionally enrolled in Prime through a challenged enrollment method or tried but failed to cancel your membership online between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025, and used fewer than 10 Prime benefits during any 12-month period. In addition, you must not have already received an automatic payment. To file a claim, you will need to confirm one of two conditions by checking a box on the claim form. Claims are reviewed for eligibility. Approved claims receive compensation for Prime fees paid, capped at $51 per person.
The FTC says Amazon used confusing Prime signup and cancellation flows that led millions of users into unwanted subscriptions.(iStock)
Where to file a Prime settlement claim
If you are eligible to file a claim, official instructions will be provided by email or mail. You can also access the court-approved settlement site directly at: subscriptionmembershipsettlement.com.
Links to the settlement site are also available on Amazon’s website, the Prime membership page and within the Amazon app.
Even if you do not qualify for a refund, this settlement is a strong reminder to review your subscriptions and confirm you are paying only for services you actively use. Here’s how to cancel a subscription using your iPhone and Android.
“Payments are being handled by the settlement administrator. Customers can find information and submit claims at the administrator’s website subscriptionmembershipsettlement.com,” an Amazon spokesperson told CyberGuy.
How to add or manage your Amazon Prime account
If you already have an Amazon account, adding or managing Prime takes only a few minutes. First, log in to Amazon and open the Accounts and Lists menu. From there, select Prime to view your membership details. Next, follow the prompts to add Prime or manage an existing subscription. Amazon displays pricing, billing dates and available benefits before you confirm. For that reason, review each screen carefully so you know exactly what you are agreeing to. For more on “How to get a cheap Amazon Prime membership,” click here.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Overall, this settlement sends a clear message about subscription transparency. While a $51 refund may feel modest, the broader impact matters. Regulators are forcing companies to simplify signups and make cancellations easier. If you ever felt trapped in a subscription you did not intend to start, this case shows enforcement is finally catching up to deceptive design tactics.
The claim form shows where to find your Claim ID and PIN, which are required to file for an Amazon Prime settlement refund.(iStock)
Have you ever tried to cancel a subscription and felt blocked or misled along the way? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.
NFL Nation is made up of 32 team-specific reporters who cover the NFL year-round across ESPN.com, ESPN television shows, ESPN Radio, ESPN+ and social media platforms. It was established ahead of the 2013 season.
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The offseason has arrived for 30 NFL teams while the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots are preparing for Super Bowl LX. With that in mind, we’re taking a look at what lies ahead over the next two months, with free agency set to begin on March 11.
We asked our NFL Nation reporters to pick the one free agent from the team they cover whose contract status will shape that franchise’s offseason the most. The list includes a breakout quarterback and receiver, a familiar name at defensive end and one of the league’s best offensive linemen.
Which players could define the offseason? Who could be re-signed? Who might have a new team in 2026? We’ll start in the AFC East:
The Bills had the exact same starting offensive line in front of quarterback Josh Allen the past two seasons, but continuing that in 2026 will be difficult with both McGovern and starting left guard David Edwards set to hit free agency. This group has worked well together with offensive line coach Aaron Kromer, who is retiring, and while there would be real upside for the Bills in that five staying together, there’s a solid amount of work to do to this roster this offseason, especially with a new coach coming in. Finances are going to come into play here, increasing the odds of the group looking different next season. — Alaina Getzenberg
Kohou missed the entire 2025 season after tearing an ACL early in training camp, but he has been a consistent producer at nickel corner for the past three seasons. The former undrafted free agent is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, as are fellow cornerbacks Rasul Douglas and Jack Jones — all of whom Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley should consider re-signing. Coming off an injury, the amount Kohou asks for shouldn’t be a backbreaking price for a Dolphins team that needs to navigate a tight salary cap this offseason. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Chaisson was a top bargain signing last offseason, having joined the Patriots on a one-year deal with a base value of around $3 million and a maximum value of $5 million. He could expect to double that, and perhaps even exceed that, after totaling 31 tackles, 7.5 sacks and 18 QB hits in the regular season. He joins safety Jaylinn Hawkins and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga among the team’s top players scheduled for free agency. — Mike Reiss
The Jets could’ve moved Hall at the Nov. 4 trade deadline, but they retained him for a reason: They would like to work out a long-term deal. Hall rushed for a career-high 1,065 yards and, although it wasn’t his best all-around season (his receiving numbers plummeted), he did enough to win over coach Aaron Glenn. The Jets are committed to the run game, so it makes sense to keep their RB1. The question is, how much are the Jets willing to pay? Hall, entering his age-25 season, would be in high demand across the league, which is why the Jets could utilize the franchise or transition tag on him. — Rich Cimini
The Ravens would love to keep Linderbaum, who has become the anchor of their offensive line. But it won’t be easy because Linderbaum is expected to draw a lot of interest as one of the top free agents available. He is the first Baltimore offensive lineman to go to three consecutive Pro Bowls since guard Marshal Yanda went to six straight (2011 to 2016). Linderbaum could become the NFL’s highest-paid center and surpass Kansas City’s Creed Humphrey‘s $18 million per season. He’s a free agent this offseason because Baltimore declined his fifth-year option at $23.4 million, which would have been $5.4 million more than the NFL’s highest-paid center in terms of average per year. — Jamison Hensley
Once again, the Bengals will have to make a decision on Hendrickson’s contract. But unlike in previous years, this one is much clearer. The odds are very slim that Cincinnati and Hendrickson, who is arguably the best free agent signing in franchise history, will find a path forward. Hendrickson played in just seven games last season because of a core muscle injury that required season-ending surgery. He’s 31 years old and it doesn’t make a ton of financial sense to stay in Cincinnati, either on the franchise tag or on a short-term contract. His time with the Bengals has yielded four Pro Bowls, an All-Pro nod and 61 sacks during his five-year tenure. — Ben Baby
Bush, 27, is coming off the best year of his career. He recorded 125 tackles and three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. With Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah missing most of the past two seasons because of a neck injury, Bush has filled in admirably and formed a solid duo with rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger. Bush is the only unrestricted free agent from a defense that finished the season as one of the NFL’s best, and keeping him would help retain that continuity. But he’s due for a sizable pay raise after playing on a $3.25 million salary in 2025. — Daniel Oyefusi
Gainwell joined the team as a free agent in 2025 on a $1.79 million, one-year deal. He’s due for a significantly higher salary in 2026 after earning team MVP honors. He led the Steelers with 73 receptions and scored eight touchdowns as he split running back duties with Jaylen Warren. Gainwell was an all-purpose threat in Arthur Smith’s scheme, but these Steelers could look a lot different with Mike McCarthy calling plays. The Steelers haven’t typically given big contracts to running backs, and it seems more likely that the former Eagle will get paid elsewhere. — Brooke Pryor
The Texans’ trade in the 2025 offseason for the former 2022 second-round pick was met with skepticism, citing his benching during his final season with the Vikings. But he blossomed in Houston, allowing the 12th lowest pressure rate (6.4) among guards with at least 400 pass block snaps. He played a vital offensive line role for a group that allowed quarterback C.J. Stroud to be sacked only 23 times, a steep drop from the 2024 season in which he was sacked 52 times. — DJ Bien-Aime
To be specific, the decision here has largely been made. The Colts are all-in on re-signing Jones after his one-year experiment with Indy in 2025 got off to a sizzling start before injuries ended it early. But now the Colts have some complicating factors to deal with, primarily their desire to run it back with a quarterback who is rehabbing a torn Achilles. Jones’ injury status will likely impact contract negotiations on some level as the sides try to strike a deal. There is also the matter of Jones’ timeline and whether he’ll be ready for the start of the season, which the Colts are predicting. How does that impact their other quarterback decisions? — Stephen Holder
Linebacker Devin Lloyd (a second-team All-Pro) is also a free agent, but the estimated franchise tag of $27.5 million is too high and he’ll demand a big contact in FA, so the Jaguars are likely out on him. That might not be the case with Etienne. The franchise tag is estimated to be $14.1 million and the Rams’ Kyren Williams signed a contract in August that pays him $11 million annually, so it might take more than $10 million annually to get Etienne to return. The Jaguars must decide if that’s too much for a player who has had three 1,000-yard seasons in the past four years, and someone head coach Liam Coen praised for his fit and versatility in his offense. — Michael DiRocco
Okonkwo finished the final season of his rookie contract with 56 receptions for 560 yards, both career highs. Although he’s not the typical in-line tight end, Okonkwo can be used in a variety of roles including out of the backfield as an H-back. Rookie Gunnar Helm emerged as the starting tight end last season with Okonkwo being used in different packages. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Titans let Okonkwo walk. But that depends on who the next offensive coordinator is. Okonkwo has proven himself to be a threat once he gets the ball in his hands as shown by his 6.2 yards after the catch average. So he will have value in the right scheme. — Turron Davenport
Certainly, running back J.K. Dobbins or defensive end John Franklin-Myers or linebacker Justin Strnad could have gotten the nod here. But while Singleton just turned 32 and was treated for cancer this season, no pending free agent’s potential departure would require a bigger adjustment for the Broncos this offseason. Singleton led the team in tackles for the third time in four seasons. And despite cancer surgery in November, he was one of just three players on the team’s defense to play at least 1,000 snaps (CB Riley Moss and S Talanoa Hufanga were the others). He could lure a bigger short-term offer from elsewhere, but if the Broncos don’t keep him, that’s a lot of tackles and snaps to replace. — Jeff Legwold
As a three-year starter, Cook was by far the Chiefs’ best safety. In defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s complex scheme, the safety is one of the most critical positions, given the player’s need for versatility. Cook played 83% of the defensive snaps this season and recorded a career-high six pass breakups and 85 tackles, often limiting big plays. If Cook joins another team in free agency, the Chiefs will have just Chamarri Conner and Jaden Hicks, who Spagnuolo said made more mistakes as a second-year player than he expected. — Nate Taylor
After missing the 2024 season because of a knee injury, Koonce had a quiet return to action for the most part. In 17 games (three starts), Koonce totaled 30 tackles and 4.5 sacks. The Raiders’ starting defense will look a lot different in 2026. If Koonce is willing to come back on another one-year deal, he would be a solid depth piece on the defensive line. — Ryan McFadden
The Chargers traded for Oweh, a first-round pick in 2021 who had struggled for four seasons in Baltimore, and turned him into one of the league’s most productive edge rushers. Oweh had 7.5 sacks in 12 games with the Chargers after having zero before they traded for him. His best game came in the postseason, when he had three sacks and two forced fumbles in the Chargers’ 16-3 playoff loss to the Patriots, setting the single-game postseason franchise record for sacks. At 27, Oweh will be one of the most promising edge rushers available, and the Chargers will likely have to spend to keep him in L.A. For what it’s worth, Oweh said after the season that he wants to remain in L.A. — Kris Rhim
After his offseason trade from the Steelers, Pickens did everything right to earn a massive payday. He set career highs in catches (93), yards (1,429) and touchdowns (nine) in his first year with the Cowboys. The Cowboys already have CeeDee Lamb on the books for $34 million per season and might have to equal or top that in order to sign Pickens to a long-term extension. That’s why the strong belief is the Cowboys will use the franchise tag on him at a cost of about $28 million. Since 2018, the Cowboys have used the franchise tag six times, and the last time they signed a player to a long-term deal before the July deadline was Dez Bryant in 2015. — Todd Archer
He led the Giants in catches (94) and yards (1,014) with fellow wideout Malik Nabers sidelined. He proved he can play inside and out. Robinson had a great contract year, leading all wide receivers out of the slot with 622 yards and 292 yards after the catch. It will all undoubtedly earn Robinson a significant payday. A return seems likely considering he has always been a favorite of GM Joe Schoen and the Giants need to add playmakers, not let the ones they drafted and developed walk. — Jordan Raanan
The Eagles acquired Phillips from Miami at the November trade deadline for a 2026 third-round pick, and he proved to be a sound schematic and locker room fit. He had 2 sacks, 7 QB hits, 4 passes defensed and a forced fumble in eight games and excelled at setting the edge against the run — a must in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s system. Phillips’ injury history might hold his value down some, but he’s a young (26), productive edge rusher, which typically equals big money in free agency. Philadelphia has other contributors set to become free agents, including tight end Dallas Goedert, safety Reed Blankenship and linebacker Nakobe Dean. With players such as defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter eligible for paydays and only so much money to go around, the Eagles have some difficult decisions in front of them. — Tim McManus
Washington traded a fifth-round pick to obtain Samuel last offseason, and he responded with a team-high 72 catches — the second most in his career — for 727 yards and five touchdowns. He was not a big factor in the run game (only 17 attempts) partly due to the Commanders needing him more at receiver with other starters injured. The Commanders need another true receiver, one with downfield speed, opposite Terry McLaurin, but Samuel could still help as a versatile chess piece. The question is cost: Samuel made $17.5 million last season, but that’s a steep price to pay for someone who just turned 30 and isn’t the primary receiver. — John Keim
The 32-year-old safety led the NFL with seven interceptions and logged the fourth-most passes defensed (8) on the Bears’ defense. Chicago’s brass values Byard’s contributions on the field as much as it does his impact in the locker room, where he was a captain in back-to-back seasons after signing a two-year, $15 million contract with the Bears in 2024. Byard is open to returning to Chicago and the Bears have expressed a desire to bring him back. But they also have decisions to make on three other safeties ahead of free agency, most notably Jaquan Brisker. “Kevin’s a special player,” general manager Ryan Poles said. “I have no problem saying that’s a player that we would like to have back. But, again, when you add the other safeties into that mix and all the other decisions we have across the roster, with cap restraints and things like that, it’ll be a challenge.” — Courtney Cronin
Muhammad is coming off a career-best season after making the most of a big opportunity in Detroit. The former sixth-round draft pick exceeded his one-year, $1.42 million contract with a career-high 11 sacks, 25 tackles and 53 pressures this season. However, at 30 years old — and set to turn 31 this offseason — the veteran defensive end will likely command a multiyear deal that could be out of Detroit’s range. He could walk in free agency, forcing the Lions to find another edge rusher to pair with Pro Bowler Aidan Hutchinson either in the draft or via free agency. — Eric Woodyard
Given that receiver Romeo Doubs and backup quarterback Malik Willis are likely luxuries the Packers can’t afford, Walker becomes the biggest decision. They declined the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, but GM Brian Gutekunst has claimed all along he wants Walker back on a long-term deal. There had been on-and-off negotiations, but it’s clear Walker won’t come cheap. So the question is how much the Packers value him and whether they think they’re positioned to replace him and make Edgerrin Cooper the centerpiece of the linebacker group. — Rob Demovsky
Nailor has spent the past two seasons as the Vikings’ No. 3 receiver, and the assumption has long been that Nailor would depart as a free agent rather than bloat their cap structure at the position. Justin Jefferson is due to earn an average of $35 million in each of the next three seasons, and No. 2 receiver Jordan Addison — a first-round pick in 2023 — is now eligible for a contract extension. But Addison being arrested Jan. 12 and charged with misdemeanor trespassing, although the charges were later dropped, is a reminder that letting Nailor leave is not without risk. In his three-year career, Addison has missed three games because of an NFL suspension, two games because of injury and a quarter of another game as discipline for missing a walk-through practice. — Kevin Seifert
After three straight uneven seasons, Pitts emerged again in 2025 as one of the best tight ends in the NFL. He was second in receiving yards (928) and receptions (88) — trailing only Trey McBride — and had a career-high five touchdowns. Going into this season, it seemed like Pitts and the Falcons would split. Now, Atlanta and its new leadership, led by president of football Matt Ryan and coach Kevin Stefanski, have a decision to make. Perhaps Pitts gets franchise tagged, which would bring him back for around $16 million. One more thing to note: Pitts’ quarterback for his record-breaking rookie season in 2021 was none other than Ryan himself. — Marc Raimondi
You might think it’s running back Rico Dowdle, who led the Panthers in rushing with 1,076 yards. But with Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks under contract and Dowdle’s salary demand likely high, re-signing the former South Carolina star seems unlikely. That makes exclusive rights free agent Coker a priority to get signed to a long-term deal. Carolina can simply retain him with a one-year league-minimum tender, but since coach Dave Canales has already said Coker, a 2024 undrafted player out of Holy Cross, will enter the offseason as the No. 2 receiver behind Tetairoa McMillan, the time to lock him down is now. — David Newton
While the Saints have several older veterans with voiding contracts, what they do with the 27-year-old Taylor will be the biggest storyline to watch in the 2026 free agency period. The Saints have parted ways with some of their starting defensive backs in recent memory (trading Marshon Lattimore to the Washington Commanders in 2024 and letting Paulson Adebo leave in free agency last year), so it’s not a given that they re-sign him this year. Taylor has played in all 17 games for the past three seasons for the Saints. He can play both inside and outside and had two interceptions in 2025. — Katherine Terrell
The decision to return for wide receiver Mike Evans and linebacker Lavonte David will be entirely up to Tampa Bay. Dean is interesting given his health issues (he has missed 21 regular-season games in seven seasons), but he was willing to take a significant pay cut last season, going from $12.5 million per year to $4.5 million. Still, the only starting cornerback who made it through all 17 games last season was rookie nickelback Jacob Parrish. The Bucs have to prioritize health at this position, but it’s one of the more expensive positions in free agency. — Jenna Laine
Thompson has gone from being a supplemental draft pick into a bedrock of the Cardinals’ defense, not just the secondary. He has been the Robin to Budda Baker‘s Batman and, at times, has been Batman himself. Thompson has played all over the secondary and flourished in different roles, but whether he comes back will be more a result of the new coaching staff, whenever it gets in place, than anything else. But breaking up the Thompson-Baker tandem might have unintended consequences for a defense that needs a bit of guidance and direction to reach its full potential. — Josh Weinfuss
The Rams didn’t have a long list of free agents entering the preseason, and that list got even shorter after they re-signed running back Kyren Williams, inside linebacker Nate Landman and safety Quentin Lake during training camp or the season. Curl, who signed a two-year deal with the Rams in 2024, is now Los Angeles’ biggest free agent decision. Curl had the biggest interception of the season for the Rams in the divisional round of the playoffs against the Chicago Bears, picking off quarterback Caleb Williams‘ pass in overtime. — Sarah Barshop
After a training camp injury and a contract stalemate that resulted in some added 2025 incentives but not a lucrative extension, Jennings will become an unrestricted free agent for the first time. He’s coming off an up-and-down season that was marred by multiple injuries, but he set a career high with nine touchdowns. The Niners will move on from Brandon Aiyuk while Ricky Pearsall has struggled to stay healthy, which makes receiver a significant need this offseason. A Jennings return will depend largely on where his market goes as San Francisco wouldn’t mind keeping him if the price is right. — Nick Wagoner
Heading into 2025, the chances of the Seahawks re-signing Walker after his contract year did not look strong thanks largely to concerns over his availability. He was also slated to share duties with Zach Charbonnet. But circumstances have changed. Walker has played in all 19 games and topped 1,000 rushing yards during the regular season despite averaging only 13 carries. He has excelled as the clear-cut RB1 since Charbonnet tore an ACL in the divisional round, which probably will sideline him well past the start of the 2026 season. It’s far from a sure thing, but Seattle re-signing Walker is easier to envision now than it was six months ago. — Brady Henderson
When Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman rises to present her ninth consecutive budget on Sunday, February 1, farmers across India look ahead for a mix of assurances that range from subsidies, a guarantee on a profitable Minimum Support Price (MSP), expanding credit access, investing in modern technology and infrastructure, to providing climate-resilient support.
She has repeatedly assured that Prime Minister Narendra Modi firmly believes to focus on four major castes – ‘Garib’ (poor), ‘Mahilayen’ (women), ‘Yuva’ (youth), and ‘Annadata’ (farmer). India protects its farmers through a mix of budgetary support, targeted schemes, and institutional reforms. The agriculture budget has steadily increased over the past decade, and most farmers benefit from direct income transfers, crop insurance, access to credit, and subsidised inputs.
Budgetary allocations to the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (DA&FW) have risen from Rs. 21,933 crores in 2013–14 to Rs. 1.27 lakh crore in the Budget Estimates (BE) for 2025–26. Agricultural expenditure is also channelled through several ministries, which include irrigation, renewable energy, fertilisers, rural employment, and research. This demonstrates consistent fiscal commitment and highlights an evolving whole-of-government strategy.
Allocation has more than doubled since 2018, underscoring the government’s priority to strengthen farm incomes and resilience. However, agriculture’s share within the growing public expenditure framework is steadily declining. “We’ll build up our ongoing demand for MSP. Meanwhile, fertiliser subsidy is going down, irrigation facilities need improvement; also, farmers are not being compensated for crop loss due to natural disasters like flood and drought,” stated P. Krishnaprasad, a Left-leaning farmer leader associated with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM).
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When pointed out that the PM Fasal Bima Yojana was launched specifically for this purpose, to provide affordable insurance against crop loss due to droughts, floods, and pests, he cited instances where the scheme is lacking in delivery. Insisting on a price guarantee, Krishnaprasad cited a recent incident in which growers were forced to sell onions for between 50 p. and Rs. 2, claiming he was buying the same product in Delhi for as much as Rs. 35-50 a kilo.
“The government should monitor and assure farmers a profit, rather than the middlemen benefitting,” he urged. Incidentally, onion is not among the 22 crops covered under MSP. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) is demanding easier and wider market access for growers, rather than a guaranteed base price.
“The average input expense of, say, farmers in Odisha or West Bengal will not be the same as that in Punjab, for example. In case of uniform MSP, what may profit the former may not even meet the expenses of the latter,” argued BKS General Secretary Mohini Mohan Mishra. “Rather open market access so that they can have easy means to sell their produce, and have more options,” he added.
The farmers’ body affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is also seeking a review of GST on pumps and pipes used in irrigation, support for organic farming, and controlled imports of pulses and oilseeds to ensure India’s self-sufficiency in these products.
Additionally, the BKS wants the government to encourage smallholding or landless farmers to diversify into animal- and bee-keeping or mushroom cultivation to sustain themselves. It has also sought budgetary allocation for agri education and research, rather than depending on global tie-ups.
Despite the government supporting its farmers through MSP, affordable insurance cover, subsidies, and direct income transfers, small and marginal farmers owning less than 2 hectares, who comprise over 80 per cent of India’s farmers, face unique vulnerabilities. The way forward may lie in broader policy changes rather than dole-outs. India’s farmers now wait for Sunday’s budget pledges.
Pakistan cricket players celebrate during the first T20I match against Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on January 29, 2026. — PCB
LAHORE: With Pakistan’s participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in doubt, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has postponed the unveiling of the national team’s official jersey for the tournament due to “unavoidable reasons”, sources told Geo News on Saturday.
According to the well-placed sources, the PCB had planned to reveal the players’ official kit following the toss of the second T20I against Australia at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
The postponement comes amid continued uncertainty surrounding Pakistan’s participation in the marquee tournament, which is scheduled to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.
Sources further revealed that the PCB is expected to make a final decision regarding Pakistan’s participation on Monday after high-level consultations.
Pakistan are currently slated to open their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on February 7 and have been placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals India, as well as the USA and Namibia.
Notably, the PCB announced a 15-member squad for the tournament on January 25 during a media conference attended by PCB Director of High Performance and Men’s National Selection Committee member Aqib Javed, Pakistan white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and T20I captain Salman Ali Agha.
Captain Salman Ali Agha, along with Faheem Ashraf, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Sahibzada Farhan and Usman Tariq, has earned a maiden call-up to Pakistan’s squad for a major ICC event.
Meanwhile, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan and Usman Khan have featured in one or more editions of the T20 World Cup since 2021.
As per the ‘Fusion Formula’, the 2009 champions will play all of their matches in Sri Lanka, which stipulates that Pakistan and India will not tour each other for ICC events over a three-year period and will instead compete at neutral venues.
If Pakistan advance to the semi-finals and final, both knockout matches will be hosted in Colombo. Otherwise, the semi-finals and final will be staged in Kolkata and Ahmedabad, respectively.
Pakistan squad:
Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk) and Usman Tariq.
Iranian Army commander-in-chief Amir Hatami attends a meeting in the Iranian Army’s War Command Room at an undisclosed location in Iran, June 23, 2025. — Reuters
Iranian army chief says attack would endanger Israel’s security.
Armed forces “at full defensive and military readiness”: Hatami.
Centcom warns IRGC against “unsafe behaviour” near US forces.
Iranian army chief Amir Hatami on Saturday warned the United States and Israel against an attack, saying his country’s forces were on high alert following Washington’s heavy military deployments in the Gulf.
He also insisted the Tehran’s nuclear expertise could not be eliminated, after Trump said he expected Tehran to seek a deal to avoid US strikes.
“If the enemy makes a mistake, without a doubt it will endanger its own security, the security of the region, and the security of the Zionist regime,” Hatami said, according to the official IRNA news agency.
He noted that Iran’s armed forces were “at full defensive and military readiness”.
Washington sent a naval strike group to the Middle East led by the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, with Trump threatening to intervene militarily in the two weeks of anti-government protests.
The deployment has raised fears of a possible direct confrontation with Iran, which has warned it would respond with missile strikes on US bases, ships and allies — notably Israel — in the event of an attack.
On Friday, Trump said he predicted that Iran would seek to negotiate a deal over its nuclear and missile programmes rather than face American military action.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had said earlier that Tehran was ready for nuclear talks, but its missiles and defence “will never be negotiated”.
‘Nuclear technology cannot be eliminated’
The US carried out strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites in June when it briefly joined Israel’s 12-day war against its regional foe.
Israeli attacks also hit military sites across the country and killed senior officers and top nuclear scientists.
But Hatami on Saturday insisted that Iran’s nuclear technology “cannot be eliminated, even if scientists and sons of this nation are martyred”.
On Friday, US Central Command (Centcom) said Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) would conduct “a two-day live-fire naval exercise” in the Strait of Hormuz, a key transit hub for global energy supplies.
In a statement, Centcom warned the IRGC against “any unsafe and unprofessional behaviour near US forces”.
The United States designated the IRGC a terrorist organisation in 2019, a move the European Union followed on Thursday.
The EU decision drew angry reactions from Tehran, which vowed to reciprocate.
Protests
Nationwide protests against the rising cost of living erupted in Iran on December 28, before turning into a broader anti-government movement that peaked on January 8 and 9.
Iranian authorities have said the protests began peacefully before turning into “riots” involving killings and vandalism, blaming the United States and Israel for fomenting the unrest in a “terrorist operation”.
The official death toll from the authorities stands at 3,117.
The protests have since subsided.
On Saturday, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian urged his government to heed public grievances after the demonstrations.
“We must work with the people and for the people and serve the people as much as possible,” Pezeshkian said in a speech broadcast on state TV.
“If we act justly, the people will see it and will accept it, and under such conditions, no power can cripple a government, a society, or a nation that acts justly, fairly, and on the basis of rights.”
On Saturday, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei visited the shrine of Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, in southern Tehran.
In a video carried by his official website, Khamenei offered prayers at the shrine on the occasion of 10-day celebrations marking the 47th anniversary of the 1979 Revolution.
US president Donald Trump (right) and late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. — Reuters/File
A fresh cache of files released on Friday related to the investigation into the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein contains documents that refer to numerous high-profile figures.
President Donald Trump, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and British billionaire Richard Branson are among some of the people named in the documents.
Here are key details about mentions of the celebrities, none of whom has been accused of wrongdoing:
Donald Trump
The files included an FBI-compiled list of sexual assault allegations related to President Donald Trump — many of them involving anonymous callers and unverified tips.
The allegations, some secondhand, were sent to the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center, which receives information by phone and electronically.
The document suggests that investigators followed up on a number of the tips. Some were deemed to lack credibility.
Trump has long denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein.
The Justice Department said in a statement accompanying Friday’s file dump: “Some of the documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election. To be clear, the claims are unfounded and false.”
Bill Gates
In a draft email among the documents, Epstein alleged Gates had engaged in extramarital affairs.
Epstein wrote in the email that his relationship with Gates had ranged from “helping Bill to get drugs, in order to deal with consequences of sex with russian girls, to facilitating his illicit trysts, with married women.”
The Gates Foundation, in a statement to The New York Times, denied the allegations of affairs.
Richard Branson
Files show friendly relations between the two billionaires.
Branson wrote in an email sent to Epstein on Sept 11, 2013: “It was really nice seeing you yesterday. The boys in Watersports can’t stop speaking about it! Any time you’re in the area would love to see you. As long as you bring your harem!”
A representative for Branson’s company said on Friday that “any contact Richard and Joan Branson had with Epstein took place on only a few occasions more than twelve years ago, and was limited to group or business settings,” according to US media reports.
“Richard believes that Epstein’s actions were abhorrent and supports the right to justice for his many victims,” the representative said.
Elon Musk
The files contain numerous exchanges between Epstein and billionaire entrepreneur Musk.
Epstein sent Musk an email in November 2012 asking “how many people will you be for the heli to island.”
“Probably just Talulah and me. What day/night will be the wildest party on your island?” Musk replied.
Musk said in a post on X responding to the revelations he “was well aware that some email correspondence with (Epstein) could be misinterpreted and used by detractors to smear my name.”
“I don’t care about that, but what I do care about is that we at least attempt to prosecute those who committed serious crimes with Epstein, especially regarding heinous exploitation of underage girls,” Musk wrote.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
The disgraced former prince invited Epstein to visit him at Buckingham Palace in September 2010 while the financier was making a trip to London.
An email exchange shows Epstein contacting Andrew to ask: “What time would you like me […] we will also need […] private time.”
Andrew replied: “we could have dinner at Buckingham Palace and lots of privacy.”
Andrew made the offer after Epstein proposed a month earlier introducing him to a 26-year-old Russian woman, according to the documents.
The former prince said he “would be delighted to see her,” although there is no suggestion in the material that any meeting took place.
Howard Lutnick
Emails show that Epstein and businessman Lutnick — currently Trump’s commerce secretary — made plans in December 2012 to lunch on Epstein’s Caribbean Island.
“We are heading towards you from St. Thomas” Lutnick’s wife wrote to Epstein’s secretary, asking where they should anchor.
Steve Tisch
Several mails suggested Epstein connected Steve Tisch, the 76-year-old producer of the movies “Forrest Gump” and “Risky Business” and the co-owner of the New York Giants football team, with multiple women.
In one exchange with Tisch, Epstein describes a woman as “Russian, and rarely tells the full truth, but fun.”
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Nikola Jokic returned to the Denver Nuggets’ lineup Friday night after being sidelined since Dec. 29 because of a bone bruise in his hyperextended left knee and had 31 points and 12 rebounds in a 122-109 win over the visiting LA Clippers.
Jokic, who had been listed as questionable going into the game, went 8-of-11 from the floor, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range, and 13-of-17 from the line while also adding five assists.
“I was not scared to use [the knee],” Jokic said. “I was not thinking about it while I was running and while I was playing. I think that’s a good sign I’m ready.”
Jokic is set to play in Sunday’s showdown against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Denver and is still eligible for season awards such as MVP and All-NBA.
“It’s great to have [Jokic] back, but let’s temper a little bit,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said before the game. “The guy’s been hurt. He’s been out. Having the best player, in my opinion, alive is a major, major thing to get back. I just want to make sure we temper the idea of what it could be like. He’s got to get out there and feel comfortable again. We all know what it is when he is comfortable. It’s something we’ve never seen.”
The 6-foot-11 center got hurt in the first half of Denver’s loss to the Miami Heat in December. Before that, he ranked fifth in the NBA in scoring at 29.6 points per game. He also has 16 triple-doubles this season, which leads the NBA.
Jokic is also averaging career highs in assists (11.0) and 3-point percentage (43%).
The Nuggets went 10-6 in Jokic’s 16-game absence, the most games he has missed in any season of his career.
“It was a new thing for me,” Jokic said of being unable to play for a month. “I was getting nervous because I didn’t know the steps. I didn’t know what I was supposed to do, what I was supposed to feel. It was a different kind of nervous.”
Jokic notched his 29th double-double of the season despite a minutes restriction imposed by Adelman. The 30-year-old Serbian was limited to 25 minutes, his second fewest in a game this season.
“We’re moving in the right direction,” Adelman said of Jokic. “Obviously, we’re excited to have him back, as we will be with any of these guys that have been out for an extended period of time.”
