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  • ‘X-Files,’ ‘Blue Bloods’ Composer Was 78

    ‘X-Files,’ ‘Blue Bloods’ Composer Was 78

    Mark Snow, the Emmy-nominated composer behind the beloved X-Files theme song, has died. He was 78. 

    Snow died Friday at his home in Connecticut, a representative confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.

    Sean Callery, a fellow composer and friend of Snow’s, also announced his death on Facebook.

    “Mark Snow, and one of the most wonderful and talented people I’ve ever known, has passed away,” he wrote in the Friday post. “33 years ago he began mentoring me as an artist. Who knew that I was also at the beginning of a deep friendship that would only grow and evolve over 3 decades along with our graying hair and tighter deadlines.” 

    Callery continued. “I am so grateful to him for his sage counsel and his laugh-out-loud biting wit. My career got started by an act of generosity on his part 33 years ago – period, full stop. I love you my friend. There will never ever be another like you. I send love to Glynnis and all his children and grandchildren during this time.” 

    Snow notably composed the iconic opening theme for The X-Files. He worked on the crime drama series during its full time on-air from 1993 until its end in 2018.

    Aside from the theme song, he worked on the rest of the show’s music, earning six Emmy nominations throughout his X-Files tenure. Snow, too, served as the composer of the franchise’s 1998 film, The X Files.

    A 15-time Emmy-nominated composer, Snow lent his talents to a slew of shows, including Blue Bloods, Smallville, One Tree Hill, Children of the Dust and Ghost Whisperer, among others. His work has also appeared across film, including features in The New Mutants, Ernest Saves Christmas and Crazy in Alabama

    Snow also frequently worked on TV movies. Some of his past credits include The Boy in the Plastic Bubble, one of his first projects he worked on in 1976 that starred John Travolta, Overboard, Casino, Angel City, Malibu, California Girls, The Lost Capone, An American Story, A Stranger in Town, Trial by Fire, The Perfect Mother, Paradise and Strange Calls. 

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  • Rogério Nogueira – Executive Vice President – Commercial and Development

    Before holding this position, he was Vale´s Director of Business and Product Development. Rogério joined Vale in 2013 and has previously occupied the positions of Marketing & Strategic Planning Director and of Controller & Investor Relations Director.   

    Prior to joining Vale, Rogério worked for BHP Billiton having held the positions of Vice-President Iron Ore Americas and Vice-President West-Africa Iron Ore. He was Executive Director of Tupy Fundições, the world’s leader in casted and machined engine blocks and heads to the global automotive industry. He was also an Associate Principal at McKinsey & Company, associated with both the São Paulo and Cleveland Offices.  

    Rogério holds an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin and both a Bachelor´s and a Master of Science degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Minas Gerais (UFMG).  

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  • Galaxy Watch 8 prices, full specs, and included bands leak

    Galaxy Watch 8 prices, full specs, and included bands leak

    We know a lot about the Galaxy Watch 8 series already, but a new leak is now baring all, with full specs and details around all three new smartwatches, including the higher prices.

    Dealabs reports that Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8 series – comprised of Galaxy Watch 8, Watch 8 Classic, and Watch Ultra (2025) – will include a few key upgrades, such as jumping to 64GB of storage across the higher end models, as well as seeing the Exynos W1000 chipset used across the board. The base Galaxy Watch 8 will stick at 32GB of storage, while Classic and Ultra will be doubled to 64GB.

    The report goes on to detail the full specs, as embedded below, and also notes that Galaxy Watch 8 (which comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes) will have a silicone band, Watch 8 Classic will have a “Premium Hybrid Strap,” and Watch Ultra (2025) will have an “Extreme Sport Bracelet.” In other words, Classic will have a partially leather, partially silicone or rubber design, while Watch Ultra will have the same band as last year’s model, though in a new color. Another notable detail is that Galaxy Watch 8 Classic doesn’t have LTE on all variants like the Ultra does.

    Features Galaxy Watch 8 Galaxy Watch 8 Classic Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025)
    OS One UI 8.0 Watch One UI 8.0 Watch One UI 8.0 Watch
    Dial size 40 mm / 44 m 46 mm 47 mm
    Dimensions 40mm: 40.4 x 42.7 x 8.6mm
    44mm: 43.7 x 46 x 8.6mm
    46.7 x 46 x 10.6 mm 47.4 x 47.1 x 12.1 mm
    Weight 40 mm: 30 g
    44 mm: 34 g
    63.5 g 60.5 g
    Materials Aluminum Armor
    Sapphire Glass
    Stainless steel
    Sapphire glass
    Titanium
    Sapphire Glass
    Screen 40mm: 1.34″ (438×438)
    44mm: 1.47″ (480×480)

    327 ppi, Super AMOLED, 3000 nits

    1.34″ (438×438), 327 ppi, Super AMOLED, 3000 nits 1.47″ (480×480), 327 ppi, Super AMOLED, 3000 nits
    Battery 40mm: 325mAh
    44mm: 435mAh
    445 mAh 590mAh
    Memory RAM: 2 GB / Storage: 32 GB RAM: 2 GB / Storage: 64 GB RAM: 2 GB / Storage: 64 GB
    Processor Exynos W1000 (5 core, 3nm) Exynos W1000 (5 core, 3nm) Exynos W1000 (5 core, 3nm)
    Sensors Accelerometer
    Altimeter
    Gyroscope
    Light sensor
    Geomagnetic
    sensor PPG (Photoplethysmographic)
    sensor ECG (Electrical Cardiac) sensor
    BIA (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis) sensor
    Accelerometer
    Altimeter
    Gyroscope
    Light sensor
    Geomagnetic
    sensor PPG (Photoplethysmographic)
    sensor ECG (Electrical Cardiac) sensor
    BIA (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis) sensor
    Accelerometer
    Altimeter
    Gyroscope
    Light sensor
    Geomagnetic
    sensor PPG (Photoplethysmographic)
    sensor ECG (Electrical Cardiac) sensor
    BIA (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis) sensor
    Bracelets included Silicone sports bracelet (S/M) Premium Hybrid Strap (S/M/L) Extreme Sport Bracelet (S/M/L)

    Meanwhile, the report also backs up prior rumors of price changes by revealing the pricing in France. Galaxy Watch 8 will apparently see a price hike just shy of 20%. Watch 8 Classic will also be around 20% more expensive compared to the larger Watch 6 Classic, while Watch Ultra (2025) will be the same price as its predecessor.

    Advertisement – scroll for more content

    Pricing breaks down as follows:

    • Samsung Galaxy Watch 8:
      • 40 mm : €379.99 (Bluetooth), €429.99 (Bluetooth + 4G)
      • 44 mm : €409.99 (Bluetooth), €459.99 (Bluetooth + 4G)
    • Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic : €529.99 (Bluetooth), €579.99 (Bluetooth + 4G)
    • Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025) : €699.99

    The report also suggests a July 23 release date for these smartwatches.

    Reservations are open for all of Samsung’s devices, including the Watch 8 series, ahead of next week’s Unpacked event.


    Samsung has reservations open now for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7, as well as Galaxy Watch 8 series, with a $50 credit when you pre-order and up to $1,150+ in savings. Reservations are free, and there’s no obligation to actually buy a device if you sign up, but there’s no other time you can get that $50 credit (which can go towards Galaxy Watch 8), 3x reward points, and other perks.


    More on Samsung:

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  • Common farm chemicals may be heralding an ‘insect apocalypse’

    Common farm chemicals may be heralding an ‘insect apocalypse’

    Fruits and vegetables are often sprayed with fungicides to keep mold at bay. However, new research suggests one of these chemicals could be quietly harming insects that are critical to healthy ecosystems and could lead to an insect apocalypse.

    According to a study from Macquarie University, one of the world’s most widely used fungicides, chlorothalonil, drastically reduces insect fertility. It does so even at the lowest levels commonly found on produce.

    During testing and research, scientists exposed fruit flies to real-world doses of the chemical and found that their egg production dropped by over a third. The effect wasn’t something that happened slowly over time, either. Instead, it was immediate and significant, the statement says, affecting both male and female fertility. And this isn’t an effect like when researchers got fruit flies hooked on cocaine, either. This is actually life threatening for the population.

    And while that might sound useful, especially considering how annoying fruit flies can be when they settle down a plant in your home, it’s a big deal for more than just flies. Insects like bees, flies, and other pollinators are crucial for growing the food we eat. If their populations decline, it could disrupt pollination and harm crops in the long run. This study is just the latest in a growing list of research documenting steep drops in insect populations around the world, which some scientists have heralded as an impending insect apocalypse.

    What’s especially concerning is that this fungicide isn’t just used when there’s a risk of infection. It’s often applied preventatively, when no disease is present in the crops. While it’s true that chlorothalonil is banned in the European Union, it remains widely used in places like Australia, where it’s applied to everything from vineyards to farms that harvest berries.

    Despite its popularity, chlorothalonil hasn’t been studied under the microscope all that much. Fewer than 25 published studies have explored its impact on insects, so this new study could be a massive piece of a case against the future usage of this chemical. This also points to a major gap in how we evaluate the environmental effects of common pesticides we rely on.

    The researchers behind the study suggest rethinking how often chlorothalonil is applied. By spacing out treatments, farmers could give insect populations time to recover between sprays. While not the best outcome by any means, it would at least mitigate some of the damage we’re doing to the insect populations, though how long it will take for them to recover between sprays would need to be determined, too.

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  • China’s Trade Collapse Sparks a New Asian Power Shift–Investors Are Watching Closely

    China’s Trade Collapse Sparks a New Asian Power Shift–Investors Are Watching Closely

    China’s grip on U.S. imports just hit a new low. According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data, China’s share of total U.S. imports dropped to 7.1% in Maythe weakest showing since 2001. That’s down 4.3 percentage points from the same time last year and less than half the 14.8% peak reached in September 2024, before Donald Trump reentered the White House and doubled down on tariffs. While this trend has been building since Trump’s first term, it appears to be picking up speedand investors are watching where that demand is now heading.

    One answer? Taiwan. Its share of U.S. goods imports has nearly doubled in a year, reaching close to 6%just 1.2 percentage points behind China. That rise is no coincidence. AI demand is still red hot, and Taiwan’s dominance in semiconductor manufacturing puts it at the center of that boom. Companies like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM) could be quietly gaining even more strategic importance as supply chains reroute away from the mainland.

    Vietnam’s also moving up the ladder. Matching Taiwan’s near-6% import share, Vietnam is benefiting from a mix of locally made products and rerouted Chinese goods. But the story isn’t all upside. Earlier this week, the U.S. slapped a 40% tariff on certain Vietnam-origin products tied to Chinese componentsintroducing a new layer of friction. For investors, this trade reshuffling could signal opportunity in the region’s manufacturing hubsbut it comes with complexity that can’t be ignored.

    This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

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  • Unpredictability Is Predictable at Mid-Ohio

    Unpredictability Is Predictable at Mid-Ohio

    The most challenging stretch of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES began Friday with the first day of on-track activity at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Before this month ends, teams will have competed in five races at four venues in three different parts of North America (the Midwest, Canada and the West Coast).

    Here are three observations about the first practice of The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the All-New 2026 Passport, plus other notes of interest:

    • This is Alex Palou’s track until proven otherwise. In four starts with Chip Ganassi Racing on the 13-turn, 2.258-mile road course, the Spaniard has finished third, second, first and second for an average finish of 2.0. The series points leader was third on Friday’s speed chart, which should be concerning to those trying to cut into his commanding 93-point standings lead. Palou has a series-leading six race wins this season, and he and Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood, who delivered Friday’s fastest lap, are the only race winners this season. Palou doesn’t have to qualify up front Saturday to win Sunday. His average starting position here with CGR is only 4.75.
    • Mid-Ohio has always been a roller-coaster ride for drivers. Friday, it sent several off track. Colton Herta of Andretti Global w/Curb-Agajanian slid off twice, the first time well wide of Turn 1. Later, he went rear-first off Turn 6. Rookie Jacob Abel of Dale Coyne Racing spun at the exit of Turn 1. Arrow McLaren’s Nolan Siegel (Turn 12), AJ Foyt Racing’s David Malukas (Turn 9), Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin (Turn 4) and Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward (Turn 4) also went off the road. Malukas mentioned a slick track. Maybe that was it. The track was resurfaced two years ago.
    • Turn 4 is one of the track’s signature corners and one of the best places to pass. But for safety reasons, the profile of the corner has been modified since last year’s NTT INDYCAR SERES race. Previously, there was a big drop-off into the gravel trap, an area affectionately known as “China Beach.” But that drop-off contributed to the dramatic flips of Michael Andretti (1998) and Simon Pagenaud (2023), among other rough rides. The transition from track to gravel is now about the same level, and the rest of Turn 4 has been flattened out, which removes the ramp effect that previously existed.

    So Many Winners (Poles and Race)

    There are many reasons why drivers love competing at Mid-Ohio, and one is the success so many of them have experienced.

    There are nine drivers in this NTT INDYCAR SERIES field who have won series races here – the most by any venue on this year’s calendar. Certainly, eight different winners in the past eight years are the most of any venue on the schedule.

    Qualifying has been similarly competitive in recent years. Different drivers have won the NTT P1 Award each of the past four years – Josef Newgarden (2021), O’Ward (2022), Herta (2023) and Palou (2024).

    In all, seven drivers racing this weekend have won NTT P1 Awards at this track, led by Will Power and his five poles. Scott Dixon and Alexander Rossi are the other former Mid-Ohio pole winners.

    Qualifying for Sunday’s The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the All-New 2026 Passport is at 2:30 p.m. ET Saturday (FS1, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network).

    Odds and Ends

    • A year certainly can fly by fast. Last year at this event, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES raced with hybrid technology for the first time. O’Ward won the race. Last month, World Wide Technology Raceway became the first track to experience the series’ hybrid technology a second time as the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline moved forward in this year’s schedule by two months.
    • Marcus Ericsson has a different engineer for the first time as an Andretti Global driver. Dave Seyffert has been tabbed to finish out the season with the No. 28 FOX INDYCAR Honda, replacing Olivier Boisson. Seyffert was an assistant engineer with Meyer Shank Racing when Helio Castroneves won the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge in 2021. He also stepped in for Jeremy Milless on Kirkwood’s car last month at World Wide Technology Raceway, and the combination won the race.
    • Ericsson should be optimistic about his chances this weekend. He has finished in the top six of four of the past five races at Mid-Ohio. He finished second to Newgarden in 2021 and was fifth a year ago.
    • Felix Rosenqvist’s No. 60 SiriusXM Honda is carrying a special livery this weekend, highlighting legendary English hard rock singer Ozzy Osbourne.
    • Ed Carpenter Racing’s Christian Rasmussen will start Sunday’s race six positions beyond where he qualifies due to serving a penalty for an unapproved engine change following last week’s team test at Iowa Speedway.


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  • 6 nutrients that boost brain function and their natural sources

    6 nutrients that boost brain function and their natural sources

    Omega-3 is a healthy fatty acid, which is linked to enhanced brain function and development in all stages of life.Studieshave shown that omega-3 fatty acids increase learning, memory, cognitive well-being, and blood flow in the brain. Omega-3, particularly EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), are essential fats that build and maintain brain cell membranes. Foods such as fatty fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel), chia seeds, flaxseeds, walnuts, and algal oil (plant-based DHA supplements) are good sources of Omega-3.


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  • Julian McMahon, star of ‘Nip/Tuck’ and ‘Fantastic Four,’ dies at 56

    Julian McMahon, star of ‘Nip/Tuck’ and ‘Fantastic Four,’ dies at 56

    LOS ANGELES – JANUARY 12: The cast and executive producer of the CBS series FBI: MOST WANTED at the TCA WINTER PRESS TOUR 2020 on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020 at the Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena, CA. Pictured (L-R): Julian McMahon. (Photo by Francis

    Julian McMahon, the Australian actor who starred in hit series like “Nip/Tuck,” “Charmed,” and “FBI: Most Wanted,” has died at the age of 56.

    His wife, Kelly Paniagua McMahon, confirmed his death in a statement to Deadline on Friday, saying the actor died peacefully on July 2 in Clearwater, Florida, following a private battle with cancer. Warner Bros. Television also acknowledged his passing in a tribute post shared to the official “Nip/Tuck” Facebook page.

    What happened to Julian McMahon?

    The backstory:

    McMahon had not publicly disclosed his illness. His wife revealed in her statement that he had spent his final days surrounded by love.

    “With an open heart, I wish to share with the world that my beloved husband, Julian McMahon, died peacefully this week after a valiant effort to overcome cancer,” Kelly McMahon told Deadline.

    “Julian loved life. He loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved his work, and he loved his fans,” she continued. “His deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible.”

    She asked for privacy during this time and expressed gratitude “for the memories” they shared together.

    What we know:

    McMahon passed away on Wednesday, July 2, in Clearwater, Florida. His death was confirmed publicly by Warner Bros. Television in a message on the “Nip/Tuck” Facebook page, which read: “Warner Bros. Television mourns the loss of our friend Julian McMahon. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues, and fans.”

    He is survived by his wife, Kelly, and his daughter, Madison, from a previous marriage.

    What we don’t know:

    No details have been released about the specific type of cancer McMahon battled or whether a public memorial will be held. It’s also unclear if McMahon had any unreleased projects at the time of his death.

    Big picture view:

    McMahon gained widespread recognition in the early 2000s for his role as Dr. Christian Troy on FX’s “Nip/Tuck,” a dark medical drama that became a cultural touchstone. He later portrayed FBI agent Jess LaCroix on “FBI: Most Wanted,” and played the demon Cole Turner on “Charmed.”

    His film roles included Victor Von Doom in the 2005 and 2007 “Fantastic Four” movies, where he played one of Marvel’s most iconic villains.

    Born in Sydney in 1968, McMahon was the son of former Australian Prime Minister Sir William McMahon. He began his career as a model and actor in Australian soaps before finding long-term success in American television and film. Across genres—from supernatural thrillers to procedurals and comic book blockbusters—McMahon became known for his intensity, range, and charm.

    The Source: This report is based on a statement from Kelly McMahon published by Deadline on July 4, 2025, confirming the death of her husband, Julian McMahon. Additional confirmation came from Warner Bros. Television in a public tribute posted to the official “Nip/Tuck” Facebook page. Background information was gathered from Deadline, Variety, and publicly available records of McMahon’s film and television career.

    Entertainment

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  • Muharram, month of God – The Hindu

    Muharram, month of God – The Hindu

    Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar Hijri calendar (Hijirah, because the Prophet began his migration on that day, thereby giving the name Hijri to the calendar), to the city of Yathrib, where the Prophet became the leader of the city, thereafter renamed Madinat Al Nawabi, or the City of the Prophet, said Syed Meeran.

    Muslims of both sects (Shia and Sunni) view and value the tenth of Muharram with considerable significance. For the Sunnis it is the day on which God saved Moses and his people from the Pharaoh and thus they demonstrate their gratitude by fasting. It also holds reverence because it is believed God created Adam and Eve on this day.

    Another significance of Ashura is the martyrdom of Iman Hussain, the son of Imam Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet, and the fourth Caliph of Islam and for the Shiite Muslims, the first Imam of the community. Hussain’s martyrdom provides an example of selfless sacrifice in the cause of God’s justice in the face of human oppression. This event took place around fifty years after the passing of the Prophet. Yazid, a tyrannical and by all accounts disreputable figure, was forcibly assuming leadership of the Muslim community and was demanding that Hussain swear allegiance to him. Hussain rejected the proposition seeing Yazid unfit for office. At the battlefield of Karbala, 5,000 of Yazid’s forces stormed the Hussain’s contingent of 80 people. What ensued was a massacre and nearly all the companions and family, including young children and a six-month old baby of Hussain, Ali Asghar, were slaughtered. The last one standing was Hussain himself.

    Thus the ‘Month of God’, of Prophets and celebrated heroes and martyrs, Muharram continues to be one of the most significant months, in terms of worship and the opportunities it affords to learn about the long history.

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  • Julian McMahon, Fantastic Four, Nip/Tuck and Charmed actor, dies aged 56 | Film

    Julian McMahon, Fantastic Four, Nip/Tuck and Charmed actor, dies aged 56 | Film

    Julian McMahon, the Australian actor best known for his television roles in Charmed, Nip/Tuck and FBI: Most Wanted as well as Fantastic Four supervillain Dr Doom, has died aged 56.

    The actor died in Clearwater, Florida on Wednesday after being diagnosed with cancer.

    His wife, Kelly Paniagua, confirmed his death on Friday, calling McMahon her “beloved husband”.

    “With an open heart, I wish to share with the world that my beloved husband, Julian McMahon, died peacefully this week after a valiant effort to overcome cancer,” she said in a statement to Deadline.

    “Julian loved life. He loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved his work, and he loved his fans. His deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible.”

    She added: “We ask for support during this time to allow our family to grieve in privacy. And we wish for all of those to whom Julian brought joy, to continue to find joy in life. We are grateful for the memories.”

    McMahon was born in Sydney and was the son of former Australian prime minister Sir William “Billy” McMahon. He began his career as a model in the 1980s before moving into acting, landing a role in the Australian soap Home and Away in 1990.

    He made his feature film debut in the comedy Wet and Wild Summer! alongside Elliott Gould, while he starred in TV shows Another World, Profiler, and gained wider recognition as the Cole Turner in the hit supernatural series Charmed.

    He later appeared in Nip/Tuck, the FX medical drama created by Ryan Murphy, where the show ran for six seasons from 2003 to 2010 and earned McMahon a Golden Globe nomination.

    Becoming known for playing charming villains, McMahon played the Marvel supervillain Doctor Doom in 20th Century Fox’s Fantastic Four films in 2005 and 2007. He also voiced Doctor Doom in the 2005 Fantastic Four video game.

    McMahon also portrayed Jess LaCroix, a special agent and team leader, in FBI: Most Wanted, appearing for three seasons before leaving the show.

    His more recent roles included playing the Australian prime minister Stephen Roos in Netflix’s The Residence, and appearances in The Surfer and The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat.

    McMahon was married three times, including to Australian singer Dannii Minogue in 1994 and to actor Brooke Burns, with whom he has a daughter. His final marriage, to Paniagua, began in 2014.

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