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  • AI Chatbot Helped Educate, Empower Patients with Breast Cancer

    AI Chatbot Helped Educate, Empower Patients with Breast Cancer

    Integrating an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot into oncology nursing care significantly improved knowledge, empowerment, and AI acceptance among women diagnosed with breast cancer, according to a recent study.

    The study included 122 women diagnosed with breast cancer at Kafr El-Sheikh University Hospital in Egypt and randomly assigned them to an intervention group that received structured AI chatbot-based education plus standard of care, or a control group that received standard of care alone.

    “The AI chatbot used in this study was developed in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of oncology nurses, medical informaticians, and software engineers,” the study researchers detailed. “Its content was informed by national breast cancer guidelines, WHO cancer education resources, and peer-reviewed literature on patient education and support.”

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  • Adjuvant Therapies May Mitigate Risk of Recurrence in Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer

    Adjuvant Therapies May Mitigate Risk of Recurrence in Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer

    Locoregional recurrence (LRR) is reduced by adjuvant therapies, specifically radiation and endocrine therapy (ET), in women with early-stage breast cancer who underwent a lumpectomy, according to a new study published in JAMA Network Open.1

    Breast-conserving therapy (BCT), which consists of a lumpectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT), has been a standard treatment for early-stage breast cancer for decades. However, when these standards were established, disease subtyping and molecular profiling had not been available, thus increasing interest in observation of subgroups with a very low risk of recurrence for de-escalating adjuvant therapy. De-escalating adjuvant therapy is usually achieved by omitting RT even though it may increase the risk of LRR. Current studies seek to further identify the impact of this course of treatment on low-risk groups using molecular and genomic biomarkers, including the Oncotype DX 21-gene recurrence score (ODX RS) that predicts the benefits of chemotherapy and is therefore routinely used in therapy decision-making.2 The ODX RS correlates with LRR; a lower score means the tumor is less likely to reoccur after surgery and adjuvant therapy.1

    “Many patients older than 65 years now routinely accept this modestly increased risk of LRR in exchange for omission of RT, although supportive data for younger populations have been lacking,” the study authors wrote.

    In this study, researchers aimed to assess the LRR among younger low-risk patients, defined as women aged 50 to 69 years with an ODX RS of 18 or lower who had either estrogen receptor (ER)–positive, progesterone receptor (PR)–positive, or HER2-negative breast cancer with a pathological stage of T1N0 between January 2007 and January 2023. Furthermore, patients who had received 5 or more years of ET or were currently receiving ET at the last follow-up were deemed adherent, whereas those who halted ET within 5 years after initiation were not.

    LRR Associations With Adjuvant Therapy and Adherence

    The study population consisted of 2249 patients with an ODX RS of 18 or below, who had a median age of 60 years and a median follow-up of 63.3 months. Of them, 2075 (92.3%) received adjuvant RT, whereas 174 (7.7%) did not. Among patients who did not receive RT, 53 were aged 50 to 59 years.

    Patients who received RT had a statistically significantly lower risk of LRR (HR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.08-0.52; P < .001). The incidence of LRR differed significantly by receipt of RT. The estimated 72-month LRR was 8.0% (95% CI, 3.0%-16%) for those not receiving RT compared with 1.1% (95% CI, 0.6%-1.7%) with RT (P < .001). Nevertheless, the 72-month incidence of LRR was lowest among those who received RT regardless of the duration of ET (RT and ≥5 years [or ongoing] ET, 1.1% [95% CI, 0.6%-2.1%] vs RT and <5 years of ET, 0.9% [95% CI, 0.3%-2.1%]).

    Comparatively, the highest incidence of LRR was observed in patients who did not receive RT and underwent less than 5 years of ET (72-month LRR, 11.0%; 95% CI, 3.3%-25.0%). However, the incidence of LRR in those who were adherent to ET but did not receive RT was 5.5% (95% CI, 1.0%-16.0%), which was lower than among those receiving neither RT nor ET but higher than in those who did receive RT, regardless of ET adherence.

    “These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of adjuvant therapy, particularly RT, even among such low-risk cohorts,” the study authors explained. “These findings also support the potential safety of adjuvant therapy de-escalation through RT or ET omission for patients with breast cancer who are young and with early-stage, low genomic-risk disease, who ordinarily would not be candidates for treatment de-escalation.”

    Because this was a retrospective study, the results may have been influenced by bias and patient selection. For example, those who skipped RT were often older, had lower-grade tumors, or were less likely to stick with ET, which could have shaped the outcomes. Because this was a low-risk population, the small number of events limited deeper analysis, meaning prospective studies are still needed to confirm the findings.

    “Our results add to a growing body of evidence supporting RT omission among a younger group of carefully selected early-stage breast cancer patients,” the study authors concluded. “Going forward, the ability to safely moderate the complexity of adjuvant therapy may provide meaningful quality-of-life benefits while preserving excellent long-term disease control.”

    References
    1. Miller DG, Boe LA, Wen HY, et al. Adjuvant radiation and endocrine therapy in early-stage breast cancer with low genomic risk. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(9):e2532305. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.32305

    2. Saad Abdalla Al-Zawi A, Yin SL, Mahmood B, Jalil A, Aladili Z. The Oncotype DX Recurrence Score’s impact on the management of estrogen-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative, low-burden axillary status breast cancer (REHAB Study): results of a single center. Cureus. 2022;14(7):e27341. doi:10.7759/cureus.27341

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  • FDA Approves Ruxolitinib Cream for Patients as Young as 2 Years With Atopic Dermatitis

    Ruxolitinib cream (Opzelura; Incyte), a topical Janus kinase inhibitor, was approved for moderate atopic dermatitis in non-immunocompromised patients aged 2 years and older.

    The FDA approval was based on data from the phase 3 TRuE-AD3 (NCT04921969) clinical study, which evaluated the safety and efficacy of the ruxolitinib cream in children aged 2 to 12 years with atopic dermatitis. The study met its primary and secondary end points, with significantly more patients treated with ruxolitinib achieving Investigator’s Global Assessment-treatment success compared with patients on the placebo. Ruxolitinib cream also demonstrated a 75% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index in patients at the end of the 8-week vehicle-controlled period. No new safety signals were identified, and no serious infections, major adverse cardiovascular events, malignancies, or thrombosis were reported.1

    In a press release, Incyte Chief Executive Officer Bill Meury said that the approval represents progress in the company’s mission to deliver innovative solutions to real-world challenges faced by people with chronic skin conditions.1

    “With this approval, we are now able to offer younger children with atopic dermatitis and their families a much-needed, steroid-free topical treatment option with the potential to significantly improve the burdensome symptoms they experience every day,” Meury said in the press release.

    The study enrolled over 300 participants between the ages of 2 and 12 years diagnosed with atopic dermatitis on 3% to 20% of their body surface area (excluding scalp) and an Investigator’s Global Assessment score of 2 to 3—a measure of disease severity—and randomized patients 2:2:1 to receive ruxolitinib cream 0.75% twice daily, ruxolitinib cream 1.5% twice daily, or vehicle (non-medicated cream) twice daily.2

    The chronic immune-mediated skin disease affects an estimated 2 to 3 million children between the ages of 2 and 11 years old and more than 21 million people aged 12 and older, making it the most common type of eczema. Common signs and symptoms include irritated skin, which can cause red lesions that may ooze and/or crust. People with atopic dermatitis are also more susceptible to bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.1

    “Navigating a complex condition like atopic dermatitis can be very challenging for children, who currently have limited treatment options to meet their specific needs,” Peter Lio, MD, clinical assistant professor of dermatology and pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, said in the press release. “With this approval, we now have a new, non-steroidal topical option that expands how we care for kids with this chronic disease. This is a meaningful step forward and marks a significant advancement in our ability to better support our pediatric patients.”

    This FDA approval will expand the reach of ruxolitinib cream specifically for patients aged 2 years and older with mild to moderate non-immunocompromised atopic dermatitis. Ruxolitinib cream had already been approved in September 2021 for topical short-term and non-continuous use for patients aged 12 years and older with mild to moderate non-immunocompromised atopic dermatitis.3 It received an additional approval in July 2022 for treating adults and patients 12 years and older with nonsegmental vitiligo.4

    “While every child’s journey with [atopic dermatitis] is unique, for many, the skin redness and irritation can profoundly impact their well-being,” Korey Capozza, founder of Global Parents for Eczema Research, said in the press release. “When you’re managing a condition that can affect daily life, access to safe, effective, and age-appropriate options is critical. With limited, safe treatment options currently available, especially for younger children, the addition of new therapies that control symptoms is so important to meet the needs and goals for children with [atopic dermatitis] and their families.”

    References

    1. Incyte announces additional FDA approval of Opzelura® (ruxolitinib) cream in children ages 2-11 with atopic dermatitis. News release. Incyte. September 18, 2025. Accessed September 19, 2025. https://investor.incyte.com/news-releases/news-release-details/incyte-announces-additional-fda-approval-opzelurar-ruxolitinib 

    2. Ruxolitinib Cream Phase 3 TRuE-AD3 Study. ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT04921969. Updated March 10, 2025. Accessed September 19, 2025. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04921969

    3. Gavidia M. FDA approves ruxolitinib cream as first repigmentation therapy for vitiligo. AJMC®. September 19, 2025. Accessed September 19, 2025. https://www.ajmc.com/view/fda-approves-ruxolitinib-cream-as-first-repigmentation-therapy-for-vitiligo

    4. Incyte announces U.S. FDA approval of Opzelura (ruxolitinib) cream, a topical JAK inhibitor, for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). Incyte. Accessed September 19, 2025. https://investor.incyte.com/news-releases/news-release-details/incyte-announces-us-fda-approval-opzeluratm-ruxolitinib-cream

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  • South Africa clinch rain-hit ODI as Sidra Amin’s second century goes in vain

    South Africa clinch rain-hit ODI as Sidra Amin’s second century goes in vain

    South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp (centre) celebrates taking a wicket with teammates during their second ODI against Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on September 19, 2025. — PCB
    • Pakistan manage 287 chasing a DLS target of 313 in 46 overs.
    • Sidra Amin scores 122 off 110, her 2nd successive century.
    • Brits hit an unbeaten 171, and Laura Wolvaardt made 100.

    LAHORE: Despite a second straight century from top-order batter Sidra Amin, Pakistan fell 25 runs short as South Africa clinched the rain-hit second ODI of the three-match series at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

    Chasing a revised target of 313 in 46 overs, the hosts were bowled out for 287 in 44.4 overs despite a marathon 146-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Sidra and Natalia Pervaiz.

    Sidra and Natalia had kept Pakistan in the hunt until the 38th over, but the former’s dismissal allowed South Africa to take control and eventually cap off a dominant victory as the home side lost their remaining seven wickets for just 40 runs.

    Sidra remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with 122 off 110 deliveries, smashing 13 boundaries, while Natalia made an 89-ball 73, comprising seven fours. Besides them, opening batter Omaima Sohail was the other notable run-getter with her 43 up the order.

    For South Africa, Nadine de Klerk led the way with three wickets, followed by Chloe Tryon and Marizanne Kapp with two each, while Nondumiso Shangase and Masabata Klaas chipped in with one scalp apiece.

    Pakistan captain Fatima Sana’s decision to bat first backfired as the touring side piled 292/3 after the match was reduced to 46 overs per side due to a rain interruption.

    The home side will need to chase down a revised target of 313 in 46 overs as per the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method to stay alive in the series.

    South Africa’s opening pair of Brits and skipper Laura Wolvaardt laid a solid foundation for a mammoth total by putting together a marathon 260-run stand, which eventually culminated with the former’s dismissal in the 44th over.

    Wolvaardt scored 100 off 129 deliveries, laced with 10 boundaries, before falling victim to Diana Baig.

    Following her dismissal, South Africa lost two more wickets in quick succession, but Brits remained firm and carried her bat all the way through to ensure a strong finish.

    She remained the top-scorer for South Africa with an unbeaten 171 off 141 deliveries, studded with 20 fours and four sixes, and bagged the Player of the Match award.

    Diana Baig remained the solitary wicket-taker for Pakistan, making two scalps for 45 runs in her five overs.

    The 25-run victory led South Africa to an unassailable 2-0 lead over Pakistan, with the third ODI set to be played on Monday.


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  • Divided Fed Reaches Consensus on Risk Management Cut – Council on Foreign Relations

    Divided Fed Reaches Consensus on Risk Management Cut – Council on Foreign Relations

    1. Divided Fed Reaches Consensus on Risk Management Cut  Council on Foreign Relations
    2. Jerome Powell says the Gen Z hiring nightmare is real: ‘Kids coming out of college…are having a hard time finding jobs  Fortune
    3. Federal Reserve Powell  The Bismarck Tribune
    4. Fed Chair Powell’s ‘Risk Management’ Comment Puts Upward Pressure on Mortgage Rates  Realtor.com
    5. Why immigration might be the elephant in the room as the Fed navigates economic turmoil  The National Desk

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  • NASA Selects Blue Origin to Deliver VIPER Rover to Moon’s South Pole

    NASA Selects Blue Origin to Deliver VIPER Rover to Moon’s South Pole

    As part of the agency’s Artemis campaign, NASA has awarded Blue Origin of Kent, Washington, a CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) task order with an option to deliver a rover to the Moon’s South Pole region. NASA’s VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) will search for volatile resources, such as ice, on the lunar surface and collect science data to support future exploration at the Moon and Mars.

    “NASA is leading the world in exploring more of the Moon than ever before, and this delivery is just one of many ways we’re leveraging U.S. industry to support a long-term American presence on the lunar surface,” said acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy. “Our rover will explore the extreme environment of the lunar South Pole, traveling to small, permanently shadowed regions to help inform future landing sites for our astronauts and better understand the Moon’s environment – important insights for sustaining humans over longer missions, as America leads our future in space.”

    The CLPS task order has a total potential value of $190 million. This is the second CLPS lunar delivery awarded to Blue Origin. Their first delivery – using their Blue Moon Mark 1 (MK1) robotic lander – is targeted for launch later this year to deliver NASA’s Stereo Cameras for Lunar-Plume Surface Studies and Laser Retroreflective Array payloads to the Moon’s South Pole region.

    With this new award, Blue Origin will deliver VIPER to the lunar surface in late 2027, using a second Blue Moon MK1 lander, which is in production. NASA previously canceled the VIPER project and has since explored alternative approaches to achieve the agency’s goals of mapping potential off-planet resources, like water.

    “NASA is committed to studying and exploring the Moon, including learning more about water on the lunar surface, to help determine how we can harness local resources for future human exploration,” said Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters in Washington. “We’ve been looking for creative, cost-effective approaches to accomplish these exploration goals. This private sector-developed landing capability enables this delivery and focuses our investments accordingly – supporting American leadership in space and ensuring our long-term exploration is robust and affordable.”

    The task order, called CS-7, has an award base to design the payload-specific accommodations and to demonstrate how Blue Origin’s flight design will off-load the rover to the lunar surface. There is an option on the contract to deliver and safely deploy the rover to the Moon’s surface. NASA will make the decision to exercise that option after the execution and review of the base task and of Blue Origin’s first flight of the Blue Moon MK1 lander. This unique approach will reduce the agency’s cost and technical risk. The rover has a targeted science window for its 100-day mission that requires a landing by late 2027.

    Blue Origin is responsible for the complete landing mission architecture and will conduct design, analysis, and testing of a large lunar lander capable of safely delivering the lunar volatiles science rover to the Moon. Blue Origin also will handle end-to-end payload integration, planning and support, and post-landing payload deployment activities. NASA will conduct rover operations and science planning.

    “The search for lunar volatiles plays a key role in NASA’s exploration of the Moon, with important implications for both science and human missions under Artemis,” said Joel Kearns, deputy associate administrator for exploration, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters. “This delivery could show us where ice is most likely to be found and easiest to access, as a future resource for humans. And by studying these sources of lunar water, we also gain valuable insight into the distribution and origin of volatiles across the solar system, helping us better understand the processes that have shaped our space environment and how our inner solar system has evolved.”

    Through CLPS, American companies continue to demonstrate leadership in commercial space advancing capabilities and accomplishing NASA’s goal for a commercial lunar economy. NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley led the VIPER rover development and will lead its science investigations, and NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston provided rover engineering development for Ames.

    To learn more about CLPS and Artemis, visit:

    https://www.nasa.gov/clps

    -end-

    Alise Fisher
    Headquarters, Washington
    202-358-2546
    alise.m.fisher@nasa.gov

    Kenna Pell / Nilufar Ramji
    Johnson Space Center, Houston
    281-483-5111
    kenna.m.pell@nasa.gov / nilufar.ramji@nasa.gov  

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  • What parents need to know about AI chatbots, mental health, and suicide awareness – CHOC – Children's health hub

    1. What parents need to know about AI chatbots, mental health, and suicide awareness  CHOC – Children’s health hub
    2. A teen contemplating suicide turned to a chatbot. Is it liable for her death?  The Washington Post
    3. What happens to the kids when AI prioritises engagement over safety  The Indian Express
    4. Plaintiff’s Lawyers and U.S. Sen. Hawley Hint at More Litigation to Come Over AI Chatbots Harming Children  Law.com
    5. Are Chatbots Safe for Kids?  Education Week

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  • Get startup insights from Chef Robotics, NEA, and ICONIQ at Disrupt 2025

    Get startup insights from Chef Robotics, NEA, and ICONIQ at Disrupt 2025

    Finding product-market fit isn’t a milestone — it’s a messy, make-or-break journey. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 — taking place October 27–29 at Moscone West in San Francisco — Rajat Bhageria (Chef Robotics), Ann Bordetsky (NEA), and Murali Joshi (ICONIQ) break down how to navigate this critical phase. Register now.

    No more guessing — just growth

    • Rajat Bhageria: Founder and CEO of Chef Robotics, scaling AI-powered automation that’s transforming food production.
    • Ann Bordetsky: Partner at NEA, previously at Uber and Twitter, spotting scrappy ingenuity that drives breakout success.
    • Murali Joshi: Partner at ICONIQ, Forbes Midas Brink List honoree, with over $2.5 billion invested in companies like Drata, 1Password, and Fivetran.

    They’ll cover smart testing strategies, real-time iteration, and how to listen to users without getting lost in the noise — offering a rare inside look at what product-market fit really looks like.

    Build something customers can’t live without

    Whether you’re in prototype mode or scaling a growing product, this session will give founders actionable insight to cut the guesswork and focus on what actually moves the needle. Catch it on the Builders Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. Grab your pass before tomorrow ends to save up to $668.

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  • RBI Recommends Shareholders Reject Ocehan’s “Mini-tender Offer”

    RBI Recommends Shareholders Reject Ocehan’s “Mini-tender Offer”

    MIAMI, Sept. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – Restaurant Brands International Inc. (NYSE: QSR) (TSX: QSR) (“RBI”) has been notified of an unsolicited mini-tender offer made by Ocehan LLC (“Ocehan”) to purchase up to 50,000 RBI common shares, or approximately 0.02% of the company’s outstanding common shares, at a price in Canadian dollars of CAD $66.50 per share. RBI cautions shareholders against any potential confusion between the U.S. dollar and Canadian dollar denominated prices of our shares.  Ocehan’s offer price in Canadian dollars of CAD $66.50 represents a discount of 24.81% to the TSX closing price in Canadian dollars of CAD $88.44 for RBI common shares on August 20, 2025, the last trading day before the mini-tender offer was commenced. RBI cautions shareholders that the mini-tender offer has been made at a Canadian dollar price significantly below the market price for RBI shares.

    RBI does not endorse this unsolicited offer, has no association with Ocehan or its offer, and recommends that shareholders do not tender their shares to the offer.

    According to Ocehan’s offer documents, RBI shareholders who have already tendered their shares can withdraw their shares at any time within 14 days after the date of delivery of the shareholder’s acceptance form (or tender form) by following the procedures described in the offer documents.

    For background, mini-tender offers are designed to seek less than 5% of a company’s outstanding shares, avoiding disclosure and procedural requirements applicable to most bids under U.S. and Canadian securities regulations. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) have expressed serious concerns about mini-tender offers, including the possibility that investors might tender to such offers without understanding the offer price relative to the actual market price of their securities.

    The SEC states that “bidders make mini-tender offers at below-market prices, hoping that they will catch investors off guard if the investors do not compare the offer price to the current market price.”

    RBI strongly encourages brokers, dealers and other market participants to exercise caution and review the letter regarding broker-dealer mini-tender offer dissemination and disclosures on the SEC website at: http://www.sec.gov/divisions/marketreg/minitenders/sia072401.htm

    RBI requests that a copy of this news release be included in any distribution of materials relating to Ocehan’s mini-tender offer for RBI shares.

    Comments from the CSA on mini-tenders can be found on the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) website at: http://www.osc.gov.on.ca/en/SecuritiesLaw_csa_19991210_61-301.jsp

    Information about mini-tender offers can be found on the SEC website at: http://www.sec.gov/investor/pubs/minitend.htm

    Ocehan has made similar unsolicited mini-tender offers for shares of other public companies in Canada.

    About Restaurant Brands International Inc.

    Restaurant Brands International Inc. is one of the world’s largest quick service restaurant companies with over $45 billion in annual system-wide sales and over 32,000 restaurants in more than 120 countries and territories. RBI owns four of the world’s most prominent and iconic quick service restaurant brands – TIM HORTONS®, BURGER KING®, POPEYES®, and FIREHOUSE SUBS®. These independently operated brands have been serving their respective guests, franchisees and communities for decades. Through its Restaurant Brands for Good framework, RBI is improving sustainable outcomes related to its food, the planet, and people and communities.

    SOURCE Restaurant Brands International Inc.

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  • Henry Cavill finally shares update after painful ‘Highlander’ injury

    Henry Cavill finally shares update after painful ‘Highlander’ injury

    Henry Cavill breaks silence after brutal accident on ‘Highlander’ set

    Henry Cavill has broken his silence after facing a major setback.

    The actor recently sustained undisclosed injury during his Highlander training, which led to the delay in production.

    Now, Cavill took to Instagram on Friday to update fans on his injury.

    Sharing a selfie with his dog, alongside the photo of his wrapped foot and ankle, the Superman star shared his first statement.

    In the caption, Cavill wrote in a poetic way, “Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul.”

    “In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed,” he continued.

    Cavill further wrote, “Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds and shall find me unafraid.”

    “It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul,” he concluded.

    Fans and  followers flooded the comments section with their love for the actor. One user wrote, “The most poetic injury announcement ever. Heal up fast!”

    Another added, “Oh nooooooo! Heal up fast, man!”

    “Make the healing occur,” the third comment read.

    Notably, the production of Highlander, the remake of Russell Mulcahy’s 1986 cult action, which is starring Henry Cavill has reportedly been pushed to 2026.


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