Jury delivers a mixed verdict: guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution but not of sex-trafficking or RICO
The jury has founded Combs:
NOT GUILTY of Racketeering conspiracy
NOT GUILTY of the sex trafficking of Casandra Ventura
NOT GUILTY of the sex trafficking of “Jane.”
GUILTY of the transportation to engage in prostitution, related to Casandra Ventura
GUILTY of the transportation to engage in prostitution related to “Jane”
Key events
The foreperson will now read the verdict.
The jury is in the courtroom and the foreperson has given the verdict form to the court deputy.
The jurors are now filing into the courtroom.
“We have reached a verdict on all counts” the note from the jury reads.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs enters courtroom ahead of verdict
Sean Combs has just entered the courtroom. His family are also present in court.
The jury has deliberated for just over 13 hours in total.
Key moments from Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ trial
As we await the verdict, here are some key moments from the trial:
Casandra “Cassie” Ventura gave harrowing details of her time with Sean “Diddy” Combs in her testimony, including when he assaulted her in 2016 in a Los Angeles hotel corridor which was caught on surveillance camera.
Ventura told the court Combs raped her in 2018 after their breakup. The trial heard Combs told her “he was going to hurt” her and Scott Mescudi, known as the rapper Kid Cudi, when he heard they were dating. Ventura testified that Combs was also violent towards those who worked for him. He would assault some of his employees and attack her friends. In addition to punching people and slamming them into furniture, Ventura said that Combs once dangled one of her friends over a balcony.
Ventura also said that Combs would regularly threaten to publicize videos of her participating in his “freak-offs”. She testified that once on her birthday, Combs reminded her of the videos after she refused to leave her friends and join him in a freak-off. “I feared for my career, my family … It is horrible and disgusting, no one should do that to anyone,” she said.
The “freak-offs” could last two to four days sometimes – with no sleep. Drugs would help them stay awake, Ventura testified. Still, she told the court “I was in love and wanted to make him happy” and “I didn’t know what no could turn into.”
Ventura recalled that Combs had guns in safes in his multiple homes, which alarmed her. She cited one particular incident during which Combs made her carry one of the guns, something he did on multiple occasions, which “terrified” her.
Dawn Richard, a former member of the pop group Danity Kane, also told the court she witnessed Combs physically abuse Cassie Ventura.
Kid Cudi testified that Combs broke into his home in 2011 after discovering that he was dating Combs’s former girlfriend, singer Casandra “Cassie”Ventura, and told the court how a molotov cocktail was thrown at his car a few weeks later.
A former employee of Combs told the trial that he repeatedly threatened her and once forced her to accompany him to the home of Kid Cudi, who Combs allegedly said he was going to “kill”.
Cassie Ventura’s mother, Regina Ventura, told the court she was “scared about my daughter’s safety” and revealed that she had paid Combs $20,000 “to recoup money he had spent” on her daughter “because he was unhappy she was in a relationship with Kid Cudi”.
Bryana Bongolan, a longtime friend ofVentura told the trial the hip-hop mogul dangled herfrom the balcony of a 17th-floor apartment in 2016.
At one point, Judge Arun Subramanian threatened to remove Combs from court, saying he saw him looking at the jury and “nodding vigorously” during the cross-examination of Bryana Bongolan.
The judge presiding trial dismissed a juror in June over conflicting statements about his residency.
The defense for Sean “Diddy” Combs maintained that all sexual activity was consensual and part of a “swingers lifestyle”.
They claimed he was being wrongly prosecuted for his private sex life.
Over the course of the seven-week trial, US prosecutors accused Combs of operating his business empire as a criminal enterprise to carry out and conceal crimes including sex-trafficking, kidnapping, arson, bribery, enticement to engage in prostitution, and obstruction of justice. Combs did this, they alleged, with help from employees and close associates.
The government called 34 witnesses to the stand.
A verdict has been reached in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial
The jury in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex-trafficking trial has reached a verdict, they said Wednesday morning.
The jury, composed of eight men and four women, have told the court that they have reached a decision in the case after deliberating since Monday.
The deliberations began on Monday, 30 June.
On Tuesday evening, the jury announced that it had reached a partial verdict, and had come to a decision with regards to four of the five counts – two counts of sex trafficking and two counts transportation to engage in prostitution. But, the jury said that they were unable to come to a decision on the racketeering conspiracy charge.
OnWednesday, the jury announced that it had come to decision on that remaining count.
Combs, 55, was arrested last September, and had pleaded not guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex-trafficking and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He has remained incarcerated without bail in a federal detention facility in Brooklyn since his September arrest.
This material (including market commentary, market data, observations or the like) has been prepared by personnel in the Mergers & Acquisitions Group of JPMorgan Chase & Co. It has not been reviewed, endorsed or otherwise approved by, and is not a work product of, any research department of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and/or its affiliates (“J.P. Morgan”).
Any views or opinions expressed herein are solely those of the individual authors and may differ from the views and opinions expressed by other departments or divisions of J.P. Morgan. This material is for the general information of our clients only and is a “solicitation” only as that term is used within CFTC Rule 1.71 and 23.605 promulgated under the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act.
RESTRICTED DISTRIBUTION: This material is distributed by the relevant J.P. Morgan entities that possess the necessary licenses to distribute the material in the respective countries. This material is proprietary and confidential to J.P. Morgan and is for your personal use only. Any distribution, copy, reprints and/or forward to others is strictly prohibited.
This material is intended merely to highlight market developments and is not intended to be comprehensive and does not constitute investment, legal or tax advice, nor does it constitute an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument or a recommendation for any investment product or strategy.
Information contained in this material has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable but no representation or warranty is made by J.P. Morgan as to the quality, completeness, accuracy, fitness for a particular purpose or noninfringement of such information. In no event shall J.P. Morgan be liable (whether in contract, tort, equity or otherwise) for any use by any party of, for any decision made or action taken by any party in reliance upon, or for any inaccuracies or errors in, or omissions from, the information contained herein and such information may not be relied upon by you in evaluating the merits of participating in any transaction. All information contained herein is as of the date referenced and is subject to change without notice. All market statistics are based on announced transactions. Numbers in various tables may not sum due to rounding.
J.P. Morgan may have positions (long or short), effect transactions, or make markets in securities or financial instruments mentioned herein (or options with respect thereto), or provide advice or loans to, or participate in the underwriting or restructuring of the obligations of, issuers mentioned herein. All transactions presented herein are for illustration purposes only. J.P. Morgan does not make representations or warranties as to the legal, tax, credit, or accounting treatment of any such transactions, or any other effects similar transactions may have on you or your affiliates. You should consult with your own advisors as to such matters.
The use of any third-party trademarks or brand names is for informational purposes only and does not imply an endorsement by JPMorgan Chase & Co. or that such trademark owner has authorized JPMorgan Chase & Co. to promote its products or services. J.P. Morgan is the marketing name for the investment banking activities of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (member, NYSE), J.P. Morgan Securities plc (authorized by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority), J.P. Morgan SE (Authorised as a credit institution by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht, BaFin) and jointly supervised by the BaFin, the German Central Bank (Deutsche Bundesbank) and the European Central Bank (ECB)), J.P. Morgan Securities Australia Limited (ABN 61 003 245 234/AFS Licence No: 238066 and regulated by Australian Securities and Investments Commission) and their investment banking affiliates. J.P. Morgan Securities plc is exempt from the licensing provisions of the Financial and Intermediary Services Act, 2002 (South Africa).
For Brazil: Ombudsman J.P. Morgan: 0800-7700847 / ouvidoria.jp.morgan@jpmorgan.com
For Australia: This material is issued and distributed by J.P. Morgan Securities Australia Limited (ABN 61 003 245 234/ AFS Licence No: 238066) (regulated by ASIC) for the benefit of “wholesale clients” only. This material does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of the recipient. The recipient of thismaterial must not distribute it to any third party or outside Australia without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities Australia Limited.
Conor McGregor was ordered to pay Nikita Hand more than €248,000 (£206,000) in damages
Ireland’s Court of Appeal is to refer a matter in a case involving the former mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Conor McGregor to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The court is hearing an appeal by McGregor arising from a finding in the High Court last year when a woman who accused McGregor of raping her won her civil claim against him for damages.
A jury found McGregor sexually assaulted Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel in December 2018.
He was ordered to pay her more than €248,000 (£206,000) in damages and, subsequently, her legal costs.
PA Media
Nikita Hand leaving the Court of Appeal in Dublin on Wednesday
The Court of Appeal hearing ended on Wednesday afternoon and a full decision will be given at a later date. McGregor has not appeared at the appeal hearing since it began on Tuesday.
What happened in the Conor McGregor appeal?
On the second day of the appeal hearing, a barrister for Nikita Hand asked the court to refer papers, relating to an issue from the opening day of the appeal, to Irish public prosecutors.
It followed the dramatic withdrawal of proposed new evidence by McGregor at the beginning of the appeal on Tuesday.
The proposed new evidence was from a couple, Samantha O’Reilly and her partner Steven Cummins, who were former neighbours of Nikita Hand.
They had previously claimed, in an affidavit, to have witnessed a row between Nikita Hand and a former partner in the home they shared at the time.
A preliminary hearing had been told that McGregor believed the new evidence suggested that bruising on Nikita Hand’s body could have been caused by her former partner.
Ms Hand had described their claims as “lies” and she came to court yesterday prepared to take the witness stand to be cross-examined about the matter.
However, the hearing began with the unexpected announcement that McGregor had decided to withdraw the proposed new evidence.
A group of Nikita Hand supporters at second day of the appeal
His barrister said part of the reason was because other supporting evidence they wanted to introduce would not be admissible.
He also said the legal team believed there was no corroboration of Ms O’Reilly’s evidence, and it was not a sustainable ground.
As the decision was being outlined by McGregor’s legal team, judges on the three-member appeal panel sought further clarification about why the decision had been taken.
One judge said she did not fully understand the reason for the withdrawal of the evidence, while a second judge said “bemused” was a kind way of describing what he was hearing about the decision.
Ms Hand’s lawyer said on Tuesday that she was due an apology for being “put through the wringer” about the evidence which was being dropped.
On Wednesday, he said the proposed new evidence had been widely circulated in the media and the allegations were made to undermine Ms Hand’s reputation.
He asked the court to send papers relating to the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the court agreed.
McGregor co-accused appealing costs
PA Media
James Lawrence was appealing the decision not to award him costs after the jury in the civil case last year found he did not assault Nikita Hand
Earlier on Wednesday, the court heard that James Lawrence, who alongside McGregor was accused of rape by Ms Hand, was appealing the decision not to award him costs after the jury in the civil case last year found he did not assault her.
A barrister for Mr Lawrence told the appeal court that the general principle is that “costs follow events”.
He said the event in this case was the finding that Mr Lawrence did not assault Nikita Hand.
At the High Court trial in 2024, the judge said the two men were acting in “lockstep” in their defence of the action and it would be inappropriate to award costs to Mr Lawrence even though the jury found he did not rape Ms Hand.
At the appeal on Wednesday morning, Mr Lawrence’s barrister said the trial judge had acted in an “incorrect manner” and the jury had rejected there had been collusion.
A barrister for Ms Hand responded by pointing out that the 2024 trial had been told McGregor paid Mr Lawrence’s legal fees, and they had been using the same legal teams until recently
He said he did not want to speculate on the reason for Mr Lawrence having a different legal team now but added it was “presumably to put an air of distance between them”.
He also said any award of costs to Mr Lawrence would exceed the level of damages awarded to Ms Hand, and would “set at nought” the award of damages to Ms Hand.
One of the three judges said the barrister was making a “difficult” argument because he was asking them to look at “the consequences” of the High Court case while their responsibility is to look at the case.
Sarcopenia is a progressive disorder characterized by the loss of muscle mass and strength. And it is particularly prevalent among older adults, it might affect up to half of people aged 80 years and older, posing a significant public health challenge. In older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the prevalence of sarcopenia is 2–3 times higher than in non-diabetic peers.1 This dual burden not only impairs physical performance and quality of life but also increases the risk of falls, frailty, and mortality.2 In recent years, growing concerns have arisen regarding the potential impact of glucose-lowering medications on muscle health, generating significant clinical debate. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are commonly used hypoglycemic agents. They work through several mechanisms, including increasing glucose-dependent insulin secretion, inhibiting glucagon secretion during hyperglycemia, delaying gastric emptying, and reducing caloric intake. Semaglutide, a long-acting GLP-1RA, can be administered subcutaneously once weekly. It effectively lowers glucose levels and promotes significant weight loss, making it widely adopted for the treatment of diabetes and obesity.3,4 Additionally, it has shown therapeutic effects on sarcopenic obesity.5 However, concerns have been raised about the potential for muscle loss due to long-term Semaglutide use. Some studies indicate that elevated GLP-1 levels may have a detrimental effect on muscle mass.6 Given that elderly patients are at a higher risk for sarcopenia, it is essential to further investigate how Semaglutide treatment affects skeletal muscle in this population. In this study, we examined changes in muscle mass and strength among elderly type 2 diabetes patients using Semaglutide, aiming to provide evidence-based guidance for its clinical application.
Methods
Study Design and Participants
This retrospective cohort study investigated older patients (≥65 years) with T2DM who initiated Semaglutide therapy at our hospital between January 2022 and December 2022. Propensity score matching (1:1 ratio) was performed based on age, sex, baseline BMI, diabetes duration, and comorbidities. The resulting control group had comparable baseline characteristics but was not exposed to GLP-1RAs or DPP-4 inhibitors. All participants were monitored for 24 months, with data collected at baseline (0 months), 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months. Inclusion criteria were as follows: Age ≥65 years with T2DM (according to ADA guidelines), Body mass index (BMI) ≥24kg/m², with no prior use of GLP-1RA or DPP-4 inhibitors. The study had certain criteria that excluded individuals who had severe liver or renal impairment (defined as serum alanine transaminase (ALT) ≥ 3-fold the upper limit of normal; estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)<15mL/ min/1.73 m2) and cancer. Study subjects meeting the eligibility criteria were included after comprehensive validation of data completeness via the electronic health records system, with exclusion of any cases lacking essential variables. All participants received individualized glucose-lowering regimens supervised by endocrinology specialists. Semaglutide dosage was adjusted based on both glycemic monitoring and hemoglobin A1c levels. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Shijiazhuang People’s Hospital (Approval No: 2025075) and conducted by the Declaration of Helsinki. All participants provided written informed consent prior to data collection. Patient confidentiality was protected by anonymizing all personal identifiers in the dataset. The reporting followed the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines.
Data Collection
Demographic and clinical parameters were systematically extracted from electronic medical records. This data included age, sex, BMI, muscle parameters, duration of diabetes, and comorbidities. The chronic diseases considered included cerebrovascular disease, coronary heart disease, kidney disease, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Due to the retrospective study design, standardized assessments of lifestyle factors (dietary intake and physical activity) were unavailable in the source dataset.
Muscle parameters were assessed through measurements of muscle mass and function. Skeletal muscle mass was estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BCA-1C, Tongfang Health Technology, Beijing). Upper extremity muscle strength was evaluated through handgrip strength measurements, taken with an electronic hand dynamometer (CAMRY EH101, Guangdong). Lower limb muscle strength was evaluated using a 4-meter gait speed test, calculated as gait speed (m/s) = 4 (m) ÷ time (s).
The appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) was calculated by dividing the appendicular lean mass of the arms and legs by the square of height (kg/m²). Sarcopenia diagnosis followed 2019 Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) criteria,7 requiring both low muscle mass (ASMI <7.0 kg/m² males, <5.7 kg/m² females) and reduced muscle strength (handgrip strength <28 kg males, <18 kg females).
Statistical Analysis
Data were statistically analyzed using IBM SPSS 27.0 and GraphPad 9.0. Continuous variables with normal distribution were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (Mean ± SD). Between-group comparisons used independent samples t-tests, while intra-group longitudinal changes were analyzed with paired t-tests. Categorical variables were compared via chi-square tests. Multivariable linear regression models were constructed to identify clinical predictors of accelerated muscle loss during Semaglutide treatment, adjusting for potential confounders. A two-tailed p-value <0.05 defined statistical significance.
Results
The analysis included 220 Semaglutide-treated patients and 212 matched controls. The baseline information of the Semaglutide treatment group is shown in Table 1. Sarcopenia prevalence was 27.73% in the study population. No significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics between the two groups. However, at the 24-month follow-up, the Semaglutide-treated group exhibited significantly lower values for BMI, ASMI, handgrip strength, and gait speed compared to the control group (p< 0.05). Detailed results are presented in Table 2.
Table 1 Baseline Characteristics of Semaglutide-Treated Patients
Table 2 Comparison of Anthropometric and Muscle Parameters Between Semaglutide-Treated and Control Patients
Longitudinal Changes in Anthropometric and Muscle Parameters
Weight and Muscle Mass Dynamics
All subjects treated with Semaglutide showed a continuous reduction in BMI throughout the study period (p<0.001). A non-significant downward trend in ASMI emerged at 6 months, with significant reductions observed from month 12 onward. Cumulative ASMI loss reached 0.39 kg/m² in females and 0.26 kg/m² in males by study end. While the control group also showed sustained ASMI decline, the magnitude was markedly smaller than in the treatment group (Figure 1).
Figure 1 Longitudinal changes in BMI and muscle parameters during the study period. (a) BMI trajectories. (b) AMSI changes. (c) Handgrip strength variations. (d) Gait speed dynamics. Compare of Semaglutide group: male #<0.05, ##<0.01, ###<0.001; female #<0.05, ##<0.01, ###<0.001. Compare of control group: male *<0.05, **<0.01, ***<0.001; female *<0.05, **<0.01, ***<0.001.
Muscle Strength Trajectories
Handgrip strength: Males displayed a transient improvement at 6 months, followed by a progressive decline. Female participants, while showing no statistically significant change at 6 months, exhibited an upward trend that was subsequently followed by significant deterioration. Gait speed: Both genders exhibited similar patterns, with non-significant declines in intermediate phases but statistically significant overall reductions. Refer to Figure 2 for more information. Semaglutide-treated patients showed significantly greater reductions in ASMI, handgrip strength and gait speed compared to controls (see Table 2).
Figure 2 Multivariable regression analysis of predictors for muscle mass loss following semaglutide treatment. Semaglutide dosage, ASMI, and Gait speed were significant influences. Muscle mass loss (kg/m2) =1.536 + 0.096 × Semaglutide dosage ‒ 0.076 × ASMI + 0.004 × Hand grip strength ‒ 0.892 × Gait speed (R2=0.337).
Influential Factors of Semaglutide-Associated Muscle Loss
To identify determinants of muscle loss, we performed correlation analysis followed by multiple linear regression. The initial correlation analysis revealed that gender, age, baseline body mass index, diabetes duration, and chronic comorbidities showed no significant association with muscle mass loss. However, significant correlations were found with Semaglutide dosage, baseline ASMI, handgrip strength, and gait speed. As shown in Table 3.
Table 3 Correlation Analysis of the Variables with Muscle Loss
Subsequent multiple linear regression analysis, using muscle mass loss as the dependent variable and Semaglutide dosage, baseline ASMI, handgrip strength, and gait speed as independent variables, confirmed independent associations for semaglutide dosage, baseline ASMI, and gait speed, whereas handgrip strength lost statistical significance. The regression model (R² = 0.337) predicted muscle mass loss as: Muscle mass loss (kg/m2) =1.536+0.096×Semaglutide dosage-0.076× ASMI+0.004×Hand grip strength-0.892×Gait speed, R2=0.337. As displayed in Figure 2.
Discussion
Sarcopenia is an age-related condition characterized by the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. It typically begins after the age of 30, at a rate of 0.1% to 0.5% annually, and accelerates beyond the age of 65 due to physiological and metabolic changes in aging populations.8 In this study, we investigated the effects of Semaglutide on muscle health in elderly patients with T2DM. Our analysis reveals that while Semaglutide effectively reduces body weight in elderly T2DM patients, it paradoxically accelerates this physiological muscle decline, particularly at higher doses and in individuals with pre-existing low muscle mass and function.
The weight-loss effects of Semaglutide, a long-acting GLP-1RA, are well-established,9 and this was confirmed in our elderly cohort. This weight loss may be linked to its ability to suppress appetite, delay gastric emptying, and regulate satiety signaling in the central nervous system.10 In older patients with T2DM, weight loss not only improves glycemic control but also reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease,11 which is especially important in this population. However, despite the metabolic benefits of weight loss, it is crucial to consider the components of that weight loss. Our study found that weight loss was accompanied by a reduction in muscle mass and a decline in muscle function, which could negatively affect the long-term health of elderly patients. This finding contrasts with results from previous studies,12 possibly because our follow-up population consisted entirely of elderly individuals. Skeletal muscle is the largest organ system in adults, accounting for approximately 30–45% of body weight in young adults, and it plays a vital role in protein homeostasis, as it contains the largest amount of body protein. Maintaining protein homeostasis, or net protein balance, is essential for muscle health. Under certain conditions, such as prolonged fasting, starvation, or inadequate protein intake, skeletal muscle can break down its proteins to mobilize amino acids.13 Semaglutide reduces body weight by suppressing appetite and decreasing energy intake; this diminished protein intake may lead to the body breaking down muscle proteins to provide necessary amino acids.10 Thus, using Semaglutide in older patients with T2DM may exacerbate the development of sarcopenia due to negative energy balance. Moreover, high doses of Semaglutide may more robustly suppress appetite and energy intake,14 leading to exacerbated muscle mass loss. The precise molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon require further investigation. These findings prompt critical inquiry into whether targeted protein supplementation may attenuate these effects in older populations – a promising avenue for future investigation.
Interestingly, we observed that Semaglutide initially improved muscle function, although in female participants this improvement only manifested as an upward trend. This effect may be mediated through the reduction of intramuscular fat infiltration, which is characteristically elevated in obese individuals. The accumulation of lipids and their metabolic byproducts within and between muscle cells can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and subsequent declines in muscle strength and function.15 Previous studies have confirmed that GLP-1RA treatment significantly reduces this pathological fat infiltration.16 However, our data demonstrate that long-term administration results in gradual muscle mass loss, ultimately attenuating the initial functional improvements.
Our regression analysis identified baseline ASMI and gait speed as independent predictors of muscle loss, without significant gender or age differences. This suggests that reduced physical activity, resulting from declining muscle function, may create a vicious cycle of further muscle deterioration.17 Current research has shown that physical activity, particularly resistance training, has therapeutic effects on sarcopenia.18 Whether muscle loss can be prevented in Semaglutide users by increasing exercise participation needs further investigation.
The findings of this study have significant implications for clinical practice. While Semaglutide has notable benefits in improving glycemic control and promoting weight loss, its adverse effects on muscle mass should not be overlooked, especially in elderly patients. Clinicians should consider the following points when prescribing Semaglutide: (1) Patient selection: Carefully evaluate the risks and benefits of Semaglutide in elderly patients or those with pre-existing sarcopenia. (2) Dose adjustment: Start elderly patients on a low dose and gradually adjust according to their tolerance and response, avoiding high doses. (3) Monitoring and intervention: Regularly monitor muscle mass, physical function, and quality of life during Semaglutide treatment. This could be combined with moderate resistance training and optimized protein intake,19 if needed, to help slow muscle loss.
This study has several limitations. The relatively small sample size may limit the generalizability of the findings. While we accounted for major known confounders, we were unable to assess nutritional intake and physical activity patterns, which could influence muscle outcomes. Additionally, the observational nature of the study prevents causal conclusions. These limitations highlight the need for future prospective studies with standardized assessments of diet and exercise.
Conclusion
The use of Semaglutide is associated with muscle loss and functional decline in older adults with type 2 diabetes, particularly at higher doses. This effect is especially significant in patients with sarcopenia. Consequently, it is crucial to assess the risks and benefits for each elderly patient individually and to implement appropriate monitoring and interventions. The potential for nutritional supplementation and targeted exercise regimens to counteract semaglutide-associated muscle decline merits systematic investigation.
Data Sharing Statement
The datasets used and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate
The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Shijiazhuang People’s Hospital (Approval No: 2025075). All methods were performed by the Declaration of Helsinki, and the reporting followed the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines.
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to all the patients who accepted to participate in this study.
Funding
There is no funding to report.
Disclosure
The authors declare that they have no competing interests in this work.
References
1. Kalyani RR, Corriere M, Ferrucci L. Age-related and disease-related muscle loss: the effect of diabetes, obesity, and other diseases. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2014;2(10):819–829. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(14)70034-8
3. Yao H, Zhang A, Li D, et al. Comparative effectiveness of GLP-1 receptor agonists on glycaemic control, body weight, and lipid profile for type 2 diabetes: systematic review and network meta-analysis. BMJ. 2024;384:e076410. doi:10.1136/bmj-2023-076410
4. Chao AM, Tronieri JS, Amaro A, Wadden TA. Semaglutide for the treatment of obesity. Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2023;33(3):159–166. doi:10.1016/j.tcm.2021.12.008
5. Ren Q, Chen S, Chen X, et al. An effective glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, semaglutide, improves sarcopenic obesity in obese mice by modulating skeletal muscle metabolism. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2022;16:3723–3735. doi:10.2147/DDDT.S381546
6. Huang HH, Wang YJ, Jiang HY, et al. Sarcopenia-related changes in serum GLP-1 level affect myogenic differentiation. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2024;15(5):1708–1721. doi:10.1002/jcsm.13524
7. Chen LK, Woo J, Assantachai P, et al. Asian working group for sarcopenia: 2019 consensus update on sarcopenia diagnosis and treatment. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2020;21(3):300–307.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jamda.2019.12.012
8. Fry CS, Rasmussen BB. Skeletal muscle protein balance and metabolism in the elderly. Curr Aging Sci. 2011;4(3):260–268. doi:10.2174/1874609811104030260
9. Wilding J, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021;384(11):989–1002. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
10. Drucker DJ. Mechanisms of action and therapeutic application of glucagon-like peptide-1. Cell Metab. 2018;27(4):740–756. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2018.03.001
11. Marso SP, Bain SC, Consoli A, et al. Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2016;375(19):1834–1844. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1607141
12. Xiang J, Ding XY, Zhang W, et al. Clinical effectiveness of semaglutide on weight loss, body composition, and muscle strength in Chinese adults. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2023;27(20):9908–9915. doi:10.26355/eurrev_202310_34169
13. Thalacker-Mercer A, Riddle E, Barre L. Protein and amino acids for skeletal muscle health in aging. Adv Food Nutr Res. 2020;91:29–64.
14. Smits MM, Van Raalte DH. Safety of semaglutide. Front Endocrinol. 2021;12:645563. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.645563
15. Li CW, Yu K, Shyh-Chang N, et al. Pathogenesis of sarcopenia and the relationship with fat mass: descriptive review. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2022;13(2):781–794. doi:10.1002/jcsm.12901
16. Pandey A, Patel KV, Segar MW, et al. Effect of liraglutide on thigh muscle fat and muscle composition in adults with overweight or obesity: results from a randomized clinical trial. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2024;15(3):1072–1083. doi:10.1002/jcsm.13445
17. Cheng KY, Bao Z, Long Y, et al. Sarcopenia and Ageing. Subcell Biochem. 2023;103:95–120.
18. Shen Y, Shi Q, Nong K, et al. Exercise for sarcopenia in older people: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2023;14(3):1199–1211. doi:10.1002/jcsm.13225
19. Liu D, Wang S, Liu S, Wang Q, Che X, Wu G. Frontiers in sarcopenia: advancements in diagnostics, molecular mechanisms, and therapeutic strategies. Mol Aspects Med. 2024;97:101270. doi:10.1016/j.mam.2024.101270
Once native to the rocky shores of Jeju Island, the top shell Turbo sazae is now moving north. Scientists at KIOST have linked the snail’s shifting range to rising sea temperatures driven by climate change.
Genetic evidence supports the snails’ expansion, showing shared ancestry between eastern and southern Korean populations.
A research paper published in the journal Animals reveals that this shift is not just recent. It is tied to deeper evolutionary history and ocean current dynamics.
“Climate change-driven rises in sea temperatures are a core variable in the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems,” said KIOST President Hyi Seung Lee.
Snails with shared ancestry
The researchers collected samples from six locations, including Jeju and the East Sea. Using mitochondrial DNA (COI), the team built haplotype maps to assess relatedness.
A dominant genetic type, called EJ1, appeared in 60% of Jeju individuals and 50% of East Sea ones. This strong overlap suggests these regions share more than just warm waters. They share a common genetic base.
Bayesian analysis dated the most recent common ancestor between these populations to between 9.7 and 23.3 million years ago.
Ocean currents and snail dispersal
The ancestral link between the snails reflects a long evolutionary history shaped by currents like the Kuroshio and Tsushima.
These ocean currents are central to the story. They carry larvae north during early planktonic stages. Turbo sazae larvae live in open water for 3 to 5 days before settling. That short window is enough to disperse widely along current paths.
This dispersal helps maintain genetic continuity between distant populations. That is why genetic differentiation between Jeju and the East Sea is low.
The study’s FST values and AMOVA results confirm that most genetic variation occurs within, not between, these groups.
Unique regions still shape genes
Despite shared ancestry, some sites showed early signs of divergence. Populations at Dokdo and Wangdolcho had site-specific haplotypes.
These locations have complex underwater topography and eddies that may trap larvae. This can limit outside gene flow and shape unique traits over time.
Dokdo, for instance, rises steeply from the ocean floor and is shaped by dynamic currents. These geographic features might create local barriers that influence how genes move. More research could clarify whether such structures truly restrict connectivity.
Warmer waters weaken snail immunity
Earlier studies suspected diet changes caused population drops in Jeju. Researchers thought urchin barrens affected feeding behavior. But recent findings show diet had little impact on physiology or reproduction.
Instead, warming waters weakened the snail’s immune function. In other words, climate change was the real driver of the snail’s population decline around Jeju.
This finding came from a second study published in the journal Marine Environmental Research. The study confirmed that higher sea temperatures compromise the snail’s immunity and make it more vulnerable to environmental stress.
Ocean warming shifts sea life habitats
Between 2009 and 2018, Turbo sazae expanded north at a rate of 12.4 km per year. That is a fast pace for a marine mollusk. It aligns with rising sea surface temperatures of 0.38°C per decade in the region. Warmer waters now support life where it once could not.
A marine desertification phenomenon called barren ground is also changing habitats. These zones lose kelp and become covered with white algae. Such shifts leave snails like T. sazae with fewer choices. They must move or decline.
Climate change and snail conservation
The study’s findings have practical implications. They show that Jeju acts as a source for new East Sea populations.
The shared genetics suggest that populations should not be managed as isolated units. Instead, integrated approaches should reflect their connectivity.
Yet, local differences still matter. Management plans must protect unique habitats, especially where signs of early genetic differentiation emerge. Monitoring, habitat conservation, and tracking larval dispersal are essential steps.
Snails adjusting to climate change
As the sea changes with the climate, snails and other inhabitants are changing too. Turbo sazae is adjusting, relocating, and surviving.
The science behind this shift not only charts the path of one species. It gives a broader glimpse into how ocean warming is reshaping sea life.
KIOST President Hyi Seung Lee said the findings will help deepen scientific understanding of how sea life distribution is changing and support ongoing efforts to protect marine ecosystems.
The study is published in the journal Animals.
—–
Like what you read? Subscribe to our newsletter for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.
Check us out on EarthSnap, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.
In June, ELC continued its coast-to-coast support of HOPE as co-title sponsor of the 4th annual Latina History Day in New York City. The two-day event began with a leadership training for rising Latina changemakers across the city, designed to spark connection and build skills through interactive workshops and networking opportunities.
The day kicked off with a skin care masterclass led by Sarah Lam, Director, Global Omnichannel Education Development, Clinique, and her education team. Attendees participated in a hands-on skin-typing activity and were introduced to Clinique’s signature 3-step skin care system. Participants also took part in an interactive session led by Susan Carroll, Executive Director of Education for TOM FORD, Balmain Beauty, Kilian Paris, and Frédéric Malle, focused on understanding and strengthening their leadership styles through guided reflection, peer discussions, and breakout exercises. In the afternoon, Jaime Perez, National Makeup Artist for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, led a confidence-boosting beauty session, sharing pro tips and demonstrating techniques from the brand’s best-selling products.
That evening, ELC hosted a salon-style reception at our global headquarters to celebrate the trainees and connect leaders from across industries in support of HOPE’s mission. The evening featured remarks from ELC’s Barma Uruchima, Vice President, Global Value Creation, and co-chair of the Hispanic Connections Employee Resource Group; HOPE CEO Helen Torres; and 2 of the program’s inspiring trainees, who shared personal reflections on what the leadership training experience meant to them.
The events culminated in the Latina History Day NYC luncheon, where public and private sector leaders came together to spotlight Latina leadership and advocacy. Kaitesi Rama-Munroe, Director, Global Public Affairs, ELC, delivered sponsorship remarks on behalf of the company, sharing her pride in working for a company that turns its values into action. She highlighted ELC’s role in co-founding the Textured Education Collective—a coalition that includes Aveda and Bumble and bumble and works to make cosmetology education more inclusive—and underscored the power of policy, purpose, and partnership in driving meaningful change.
HOPE also released its latest Economic Status of Latinas report, which highlighted wage gaps, barriers to representation, and opportunities for investment and reform.
As part of the experience, attendees received curated gift bags with products from across the ELC portfolio, including TOM FORD, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Estée Lauder, Clinique, and Smashbox.
ELC remains committed to building a world of limitless possibilities for women and girls. By partnering with organizations like HOPE, we aim to address the barriers that continue to hold Latinas and other women of color back from opportunity and advancement. Through leadership development, storytelling, and cross-sector collaboration, we’re proud to support efforts that help shape a more equitable future—for our industry and beyond.
With Wimbledon under way, I am going to grasp the opportunity to make a perhaps contentious claim: tennis is the most important sport in the history of video games.
Sure, nowadays the big sellers are EA Sports FC, Madden and NBA 2K, but tennis has been foundational to the industry. It was a simple bat-and-ball game, created in 1958 by scientist William Higinbotham at the Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, New York, that is widely the considered the first ever video game created purely for entertainment. Tennis for Two ran on an oscilloscope and was designed as a minor diversion for visitors attending the lab’s annual open day, but when people started playing, a queue developed that eventually extended out of the front door and around the side of the building. It was the first indication that computer games might turn out to be popular.
I’ve been unable to find out if Ralph Baer, the inventor of the first mass-produced games console, the Magnavox Odyssey, ever played Tennis for Two. However, when he was developing the idea of a TV that could play games, while working at the defence contractor Sanders Associates in the late 1960s, the rudimentary elements of what his prototype consoles could display on screen were vertical lines and square dots. When Magnavox released the product in 1972, its key games were Table Tennis and Tennis (the same as Table Tennis, except you could place a plastic overlay of a tennis court on your TV screen). These allowed two players to bat a ball to each other, adding a little “spin” by flicking the dial on the side of the primitive joypad. This was an extension of the knob on the Tennis for Two controller that let you alter the height of your return shot, but neither game really allowed much in the way of player skill.
From here, of course, we get to Pong, widely considered the first smash hit video arcade game. Atari founder Nolan Bushnell played tennis on the Odyssey and thought he could do better; with programmer Al Alcorn, he divided the onscreen bat into eight areas, each deflecting the ball at a different angle. Here we had the true beginnings of input finesse, a crucial element of all future video games, giving the player room to add skill and timing to their shots. Pong was such a success, Bushnell realised Atari needed a single-player version – hence the 1976 coin-op Breakout, where you hit the ball not at another human participant but at a wall of disappearing bricks. Breakout was effectively a one-player tennis game, and its brilliance had two major ramifications for the video game industry in Japan: it was the first successful release for legendary manufacturer Namco after its purchase of Atari’s Japanese arm in 1974, effectively propelling the company into the video arcade business; Breakout also inspired a game designer named Tomohiro Nishikado, who would use it as the basis of a certain 1978 arcade game, Space Invaders. So you see, tennis is responsible for the entire shoot-em-up genre.
Ahead of his time … Ralph Baer, pictured in 2009, holding his ‘Brown Box’ prototype of the first consoles. Photograph: Jens Wolf/AP
Tennis sims were also vitally important in the early home computer gaming boom of the 1980s. Titles such as Match Point on the ZX Spectrum and International Tennis on the Commodore 64 provided compelling and intuitive two-player experiences that didn’t require a whole team of animated players like footie sims. The accessibility of tennis as a game concept also appealed to Nintendo, with its Tennis, Mario Tennis and Wii Tennis (from Wii Sports) games becoming its most popular sporting titles.
Since then, every generation of consoles has had its staple tennis titles, usually not as big and showy as the football or basketball sims, but always there in the background, perfect for when non-gamers wanted to join in the fun. Namco’s Smash Court, Codemasters’ Pete Sampras Tennis, 2K’s TopSpin and Sega’s Virtua Tennis have added interesting assets to the central concept of hitting a ball over a net, and while they have all sought to simulate a range of surfaces and competitions, it’s the idyllic vision of the Wimbledon grass court that has sold them. In tennis, you have an almost unique set of properties: wide consumer knowledge, an easy-to-understand rule-set married to deep skill mechanics and a highly constrained play space providing concentrated single-screen action.
Would people have queued for hours outside a science research base in Upton, New York, in the autumn of 1958 to play a space blaster or kung fu fighting game? I don’t think so – it would have been unworldly and mystifying to many attenders. Look at Computer Space, the first commercially available space shooter arcade game, released in 1971 (designed by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney) – it did modestly well, but it was far from the global success that Pong achieved. The controls were too complicated, the concept too abstract. Tennis was the Trojan horse of the video game industry – it snuck video games into our homes and our amusement arcades, and by the time we realised what had happened, it was too late ever to go back.
What to play
Retro treat … Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition. Photograph: Team 17
I was going to be predictable and recommend a tennis game here – probably a classic such as Virtua Tennis or Top Spin 4 – but instead I’m going for a different sort of retro treat. Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition is a modern update of what many consider to be the pinnacle of the Worms series, 1999’s Worms Armageddon, a daft multiplayer turn-based battle game where you set out to destroy your enemy’s army of annelids with sheep launchers, banana bombs and … a concrete donkey.
It’s such a ridiculous and funny game, but also requires deep tactical thinking and such a mastery of angles and trajectory it may as well be considered educational software. An update to the game also gives access to previous titles in the series for the Mega Drive and Game Boy. A boisterous bargain.
Available on: PS5, Switch, Xbox Estimated playtime: 10 hours to 25 years
What to read
£80 a pop … Mario Kart World. Photograph: Nintendo
The concern over rising video game prices continues. The BBC has a report talking to one consumer who says: “New video games cost me a whole day’s wages.” Major titles can now cost up to £80, with increased manufacturing and development costs getting the blame – although we should perhaps also be looking at the generous pay packets some industry CEOs are able to command.
How does Metacritic actually work? GamesIndustry.Biz spoke to its founders about the science of score aggregation. Lots of interesting topics came up, including the phenomenon of game publishers basing staff bonuses on the meta score of their latest projects.
A few sites, including IGN, have picked up on a recent video from former Xbox exec Laura Fryer on the death of Xbox hardware and what Microsoft’s recent announcement of the ROG Xbox Ally X handheld PC might tell us about its strategy going forward.
skip past newsletter promotion
after newsletter promotion
What to click
Question Block
Love your console … Sega Mega Drive. Photograph: Keith Stuart/The Guardian
This one comes from JohnnyBiscuits:
“Five years ago, many media commentators were adamant that the PS5/Xbox Series X would be the final generation of consoles. What’s the latest thinking?”
As referenced in the What to Read section above, Laura Fryer, an early Xbox employee, has stated that Microsoft is preparing to kill games hardware development in favour of getting its Xbox app on to different platforms. We’ve seen this approach taking shape with the recent ROG Xbox Ally and Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition announcements; Samsung is also making Xbox game streaming a part of its Smart TVs. However, Microsoft has also just announced a multi-year partnership with chip manufacturer AMD, which it stated would include “Future Xbox consoles”. Meanwhile, Sony, which lacks the sort of ecosystems open to Microsoft thanks to Windows, has recently reiterated its commitment to dedicated games consoles, which is unsurprising considering that PS5 has sold around 78m units, and rumours of a third Switch are already swirling. Earlier this month, Switch 2 sold over 3.5m units in its first four days on sale – a record for console hardware.
So no, I don’t think dedicated games consoles are going anywhere soon. They’re convenient, cheaper than buying and maintaining a gaming PC and offer a more stable and reliable experience than streaming games via a set-top box. Also, after five years of increased virtualisation, where we generally don’t own the music we listen to or the movies we watch, there is a growing kickback against digital apps and streaming services – the games console is a desirable object, specifically designed for fun and rife with sentimental memories. It’s illogical really to want a big chunk of plastic and circuit boards to play games on, but when that chunk looks as cool as a Mega Drive, a Neo Geo or a PlayStation 5, it becomes more than just a platform. While we still enjoy visible artefacts that express our likes and tastes, there will be consoles to put next to the TV and gaze at adoringly.
If you’ve got a question for Question Block – or anything else to say about the newsletter – email us on pushingbuttons@theguardian.com.
Luddites, shield your eyes, because we’ve just powered up the 2025 GQ Tech Awards. We’ve been plugged in for the last 12 months to bring you a sophomore class of the best drops and innovations in tech last year. We listened to an unbelievable number of headphones, affixed an innumerable amount of gadgets to our bodies, and even chef’d it up in the kitchen.
All of which means the 45 products we’ve listed below are sure to make your life a little bit more joyful. So, from gear to help you on your fitness journey to the best tech essentials everyone should own, we present to you: the 2025 GQ Tech Awards.
In This Guide
Tech Essentials
The Best Tablet: Apple iPad Pro (M4)
A year on from its release, this ludicrously thin iPad Pro remains a class apart from every other tablet going. What makes this Pro quite so special? You’ll understand as soon as you get your hands on it. A slender 5.1mm in its 13-inch guise, it’s Apple’s best-designed device in recent memory. Not just because of that skinny aesthetic, but sheer amount of tech that’s crammed into it, with Apple’s latest M4 chip and a resplendent Ultra Retina XDR OLED display gifting this iPad headlining a slew of laptop-calibre capabilities. Pairing with either Apple’s Magic Keyboard or Pencil Pro accessories is more or less essential, as will be downloading Apple’s major new iPadOS 26 upgrade later this year—assuming you’re as amped about the ability to resize app windows as we are.
The Best Laptop: Apple MacBook Air (M4)
Despite AirPods seeing a discount every Prime Day, it’s not often an Apple-made product can be described as a bona fide steal. Still the world’s best-selling laptop, its entry-level configuration is now available for under a grand, giving you an ultra-portable, crazy powerful computer to create with. Although the MacBook Pro is still your best bet for heavy-duty editing, the Air has the heft to hop between 4K video files, GarageBand sessions, and the like with consummate ease. If you want to spend a little extra on a 10-core model, that dual USB-C adapter is almost worth the upgrade alone.
The Best Camera: Fujifilm X-T5
Fujifilm
X-T5 Mirrorless Digital Camera
Compared to AI voice assistants and autonomous vehicles, time travels a little slower in the world of camera tech. That’s why 2022’s Fujifilm X-T5 still ranks as our favorite camera for still photography—at least until the long-awaited X-T6 launches in the not-too-distant future. Why do old habits die hard with the X-T5? It’s an incredibly well-made piece of kit that combines pin-sharp autofocus and a gloriously detailed 40.2MP APS-C sensor with the kind of tactile, retro-imbued ergonomics that get camera enthusiasts hot under the collar.
The Best Speaker: Sonos Era 100
A year on from the furor that greeted Sonos’ now-infamous app redesign, it’s worth remembering why everyone got so indignant in the first place. Just like the brand’s many other speakers (and now headphones), the Era 100 absolutely slaps. Originally released way back in 2023, it’s our favorite wireless speaker by far thanks to its compact design, ample smarts, and impeccably judged audio for the price. Now with a mercifully improved app experience and available at a semi-regular discount if you’re shopping in the right place, this remains an easygoing companion whether you’re giving the new Haim LP a spin or delving through EPMD deep cuts.
The Best Smartphone: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple might be going through a bit of an AI-related wobble right now, but the iPhone remains imperious. In all honesty, its 16 Pro Max doesn’t change up too much from previous years. A slick touch-controlled camera button for photography, the latest A18 Pro chip to put ChatGPT (and eventually a smarter Apple Intelligence-powered Siri) through its paces and a refined titanium design with ultra-thin screen bezels rank as the major innovations here. Should you be inclined to make an upgrade before the new models drop in September, you still can’t go wrong with the biggest, most powerful iPhone out there.
The Best Affordable Smartphone: Google Pixel 9a
As much as Google redefined foldables with last year’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold, its Pixel 9a remains the reasonably priced jewel in a quietly imperious hardware crown. As with the best affordably-minded handsets, this Pixel is laser-focused on bang for your buck. More specifically, it’s a playground for many of Google’s latest AI innovations. Not least, its talkative Gemini Live assistant, which can see and respond to the world via the Pixel’s excellent 48-megapixel camera. It’s not all new-fangled gimmickry that we love about the Pixel 9a though—it also sports a two-day battery life.
Audio Visual Tech
The Best Headphones: Sony WF-1000XM6 and Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3
Bowers & Wilkins
Px7 S3 Over-Ear Headphones
Nothing elevates your listening experience like a pair of headphones you’ll actually want to wear, and this year, two headphones offer peerless sonic performance: the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 and Sony WF-1000XM6. Slimmer and more compact on the outside, the B&W S3 is also completely different from its predecessor on the inside, sporting a re-engineered 40mm bio-cellulose driver alongside a separate headphone amp. A DSP powered by a top-tier Qualcomm chipset enables 24-bit/96kHz and Lossless support for high-resolution wireless audio. Add in the 8 microphones for ANC and you get a pair of headphones that’s equal parts functional and fun.
As for Sony’s headphones? Its WF-1000X series is as critically acclaimed a franchise as the likes of Severance, Toy Story, and every Beatles album (bar Yellow Submarine). Three years in, the making having long set the standard for noise cancellation and comfort in over-ear headphones, this new pair proved well worth the wait thanks to a new HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3 that adjusts their acoustic performance in real-time according to 12 microphones. With 30 hours of battery life and a refined, foldable design, these are the kind of cans that afford you an ocean of calm to revel in as you schlep across town into work.
The Best 4K TV: Samsung The Frame Pro
Samsung
65-Inch Class The Frame Pro
Honestly, given the fidelity of most TVs nowadays, you’ll struggle to find a model that recalls the blurry, pixelated horrors of the early smart TV era. From Amazon’s own Fire TV Omni QLED to the imperious Sony Bravia 8 and LG’s legendary C5 series, there’s a great screen going at almost any given price point. So why are we giving Samsung’s Frame Pro the spotlight? While the design-forward ethos of these TVs—they’re built like an artwork and display iconic imagery from The Met and Tate when turned off— has always made them stand apart, the Pro’s televisual performance has also taken a leap forward this year thanks to its brighter panel and more detailed Neo QLED display. As such, this is an up-to-85-inches large television that actually deserves that space in your living room.
The Best Turntable: Pro-Ject Primary E
Pro-Ject
Primary E with Ortofon
Every aspiring audiophile needs a starter turntable that won’t scratch up their records or scare them off with an enormous price tag. With a built-in power supply alongside preset tracking force and anti-skate and an included Ortofon OM cartridge, the Pro-Ject Primary E will have you jamming in no time, with minimal setup. An included adapter for seven-inch singles and speed settings for 33.3 or 45 RPM means the Pro-Ject Primary E will be able to play whatever you get your hands on. And maybe most important of all, it’ll look great in your living room.
The Best Soundbar: Sonos Arc Ultra
How do you make a former Tech Awards winner even better? Apparently, you add “Ultra” to the end of the name and generally just make everything better. Weighing less than the original, featuring a more compact design, and improved audio quality, the Sonos Arc Ultra might be the best soundbar we’ve tested. The improved Ultra projects sound into a room that’s more enveloping and clear than the original, with all of the Sonos-powered connectivity you know and love.
The Best Affordable TV: Amazon Fire TV
Amazon
Fire TV 55″ Omni Mini-LED Series
Researching which TV you should buy can be a whirlwind of numbers and jargon, but Amazon’s Fire TV Omni mini-LED TV makes the calculus a little easier. Built-in Fire TV OS brings a user-friendly smart TV platform with access to every app you could need. High contrast and Dolby Atmos provide a viewing and listening experience that rivals that of even your local chain movie theater. Plus, Alexa capability makes it easy to put the remote down, especially if it’s once again been lost to the sofa’s seat cushions.
The Best Gaming Console: Playstation 5 Pro
Sony
Playstation 5 Pro Console
Modern consoles give the vaunted gaming PC a run for its money, and none more so than the PlayStation 5 Pro. Stop worrying about “performance” versus “quality” mode: The Pro lets you play over 100 Pro-enhanced PS5 titles with 4K output, 60 frames per second, and ray tracing simultaneously. Combine that with high-speed SSD storage for near-instant load times plus Wi-Fi 7 capability for maximum network speeds, and you have a device engineered top to bottom for maximum speed in every scenario where you might otherwise have to wait to play.
The Best Affordable Headphones: JLab JBuds Pods
JLab
JBuds Pods ANC Bluetooth Earbuds
Any time active noise cancellation enters the conversation for earbuds, a high price tag is usually to follow. JLab bucks the trend with its JBuds Pods, a stupidly affordable pair of noise-cancelling earbuds that seriously don’t suck. At its price point, the bounty of features is hard to beat: 56 hours of playtime (with the charging case), spatial audio, IP55 water and dust resistance, and wireless charging.
The Best Surround Sound: Sony Bravia Theater Quad
Sony
Bravia Theater Quad 16-Speaker Home Theater Audio System
If you’ve wanted a surround sound system without having to run a thousand miles of cable, the Bravia Theater Quad is what you’ve been looking for. With 360-degree spatial sound mapping, BRAVIA’s system creates up to 12 “phantom” speakers from just four slim and stylish wireless units that can be configured free-standing or mounted to the wall. HDMI 2.1 pass-through provides support for 4K and 8K systems (at 120Hz and 60Hz, respectively) while wireless subwoofer support gives you the option for booming bass, all without any tripping hazards.
The Best Streaming Box: Roku
Cancel your cable subscription, and get a streaming stick. Roku, one of the most popular of the bunch, offers a way to keep all of your streaming services onto what is essentially a master account so you can easily juggle from Squid Game to Reacher to Yellowstone with as little effort as changing a channel. Plus, Roku offers over 500 live TV channels, so you won’t miss out on daily news coverage and the occasional sports.
Tech Accessories
The Best Laptop Bag: Nomatic Laptop Bag
If you aren’t blessed with the luxury of being able to leave your work computer at the office, you’re going to need a good laptop bag for your commutes. A good one, like this Nomatic option, might not get your grumpy train mate to compliment your bag, but it will get you a good jumpstart to your work day. The bag’s multiple compartments make it easy to organize your cables, water bottle, and brown-bagged lunch, while a padded dedicated laptop sleeve will protect company secrets from the elbow that gets thrown around on the sardine-packed train.
The Location Tracker: Apple AirTag
Small, sleek, and affordable, an AirTag is an absent-minded person’s best friend. Whether helping you locate your keys with Precision Finding or helping you recover tech that has gone further afield by leveraging Apple’s ubiquitous Find My network, AirTags continue to be amazing insurance for anything you can’t afford to lose. And if your item truly goes off the grid, Lost Mode will always show your phone number to helpful finders, so your gear can make its way home.
The Best Mouse: Logitech MX Master 3S
Logitech
MX Master 3S Wireless Mouse
Logitech
G Powerplay 2 Wireless Charging Mouse Pad
A good mouse is the unsung hero of any productive office setup, and Logitech’s MX Master 3S is the cream of the crop. An 8000 DPI sensor means your mouse work is precise, even on high-resolution screens, while MagSpeed Electromagnetic Scrolling lets you zoom through documents or navigate line by line as needed. Silent click technology makes the 3S 90% quieter than its predecessor, and the optional PowerPlay 2 mat, which wirelessly charges your mouse as you use it, means this mount won’t annoy you or your office mates.
The Best Charger: Anker Nano Power Bank
A backpack full of tech is worthless if none of it can power on. That’s what makes Anker’s Nano Power Bank such a reliable sidekick. A little larger than a deck of playing cards and weighing in at less than a can of soda, the Nano packs 5,000mAh of capacity—enough to recharge your phone multiple times or give your laptop a second wind. When it does run dry, 30-watt bi-directional fast charging lets it drink in the power as fast as it dishes it out, running from 0 to 50% charge in 45 minutes in ideal conditions. And with a built-in USB-C cable, you’ll be able to charge virtually any modern device without worrying about packing another charger.
The Best Travel Mug: Ember Tumbler
Ember
Tumbler Temperature Control Travel Mug
Coffee should only be cold when it’s literally on ice, and the Ember Tumbler can help you keep 16oz of your morning joe in the sweet spot between scalding and frigid for three hours on battery power or all day on the charging coaster. The Ember app (for iOS and Android) lets you select your exact desired temperature between 120°F and 145°F, along with settings for presets, a built-in sleep timer, and customizable LED colors. And with IPX7 waterproofing, you don’t have to worry about giving it a full dunk when you’re washing it.
The Best Phone Case: Casetify Impact
Your phone is not only an essential and expensive tool but also a fashion accessory. So it’s imperative that you protect it in style. Casetify’s Impact line of phone cases promises drop protection for up to eight feet while keeping a slim and lightweight design. A subtle raised bezel and camera rim protect your screen and lenses against direct impacts when you inevitably drop your phone, and MagSafe compatibility combined with a range of styles and finishes means you don’t have to sacrifice style or convenience for protection.
Fitness and Health Tech
The Best Smartwatch: Apple Watch Series 10
Apple
Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS, 46mm]
Now in its 10th iteration, the iconic Apple smartwatch is the best it’s ever been with a new slimmer design, the brightest wide-angle OLED screen yet, and a nigh-on indestructible titanium case replacing traditional stainless steel options. With an improved S10 SiP chip inside and cellular connectivity by default alongside FDA-cleared notifications for moderate to severe sleep apnea, the Apple Watch Series 10 is not only a ridiculously polished piece of kit but a purchase you can justify as an investment in your health.
The Best Running Watch: Garmin Forerunner 570
Garmin
Forerunner 570 Smart Watch
If you’re looking for a sidekick to help you train for that marathon, Garmin’s Forerunner 570 is hard to beat. Coming standard with multi-band GPS for route tracking and Garmin’s Elevate Gen 5 optical heart rate sensor that can track your cardio mid-run or overnight, the 570 provides rock-solid performance when it’s tracking yours. A crisp and bright AMOLED display that’s visible in direct sunlight and a built-in speaker and microphone for taking calls on the go make the Forerunner an excellent outdoor smartwatch in addition to its impressive fitness functionality.
The Best Sleep Ring: Oura Ring
If you’ve ever thought wistfully about your first Fitbit, the fourth-generation Oura Ring will tickle the step-counting part of your brain, and then some. Boasting support for over 30 biometrics, including sleep tracking, temperature monitoring, blood oxygen sensing, cardio capacity, and 24/7 heart rate via recessed sensors flush with the ring’s inner surface, the Oura Ring will increase your self-awareness by an order of magnitude as soon as you slip it on. And with over a week of battery life and a lightweight titanium design you’ll hardly ever want to take it off.
The Best Massage Gun: Rally
You’re already familiar with the heavy hitters in the massage gun game, but Rally is a new one to know. Recently released this spring, this massager works in continuous thumping circles rather than hitting the same spot over and over (like a jackhammer). The result is a recovery tool that’s more gentle on the muscle, resulting in less pain during use while remaining effective in warm-ups and recovery.
The Best Headphones for Working Out: Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
For years, the Beats Powerbeats Pro earbuds were the leading workout headphones, but the second-gen model is truly the only gym buddy you need. Why? They’ve been boosted with active noise cancellation, effectively putting those grunting gym goers on permanent mute, while improving the fit so that they’re even less likely to bounce out of your ear during a particularly motion-heavy workout. And because we don’t think you should buy separate headphones for working out and the rest of your life, the audio quality is exactly as you’d expect from a brand like Beats.
The Best Recovery Boots: Therabody JetBoots Prime
We never took recovery seriously until setting off on a journey for thighs as thick as our arms. Easy to use, comfortable as hell, and just a helluva excellent way to reduce my recovery time, the JetBoots Prime are basically the treatment we’d get if we were to go to PT, but without a recurring copayment. And now every day can be leg day.
The Best Sleep Tracker: Eight Sleep Pod 5 Ultra
Sure, you can technically sleep on a mattress on the floor. But you’re wasting your 40 winks by not sleeping smarter. The Eight Sleep Pod 5 Ultra+ is the ultimate in snoozing technology. It creates a microclimate around your body, automatically adjusts your posture to eliminate pain and snoring, and passively monitors your cardiovascular and respiratory health with AI. The sleep tracking and clinical-grade sensors are the best way to justify the investment, while the alarm that combines gentle vibration with a warming sensation will be the thing you can’t live without.
The Best LED Face Mask: Shark CryoGlow
Shark
CryoGlow LED Face Mask
While LED face masks require a hefty price to pay upfront, they’re much cheaper than regular trips to an esthetician. A recent contender in the fight for the best LED mask is Shark’s Cryoglow, which easily won out for its affordability (yes, it’s $350) and effectiveness. Hyperpigmentation seems to fade like you just got a chemical peel, fine lines plump up like you injected fillers, and acne spends less time on your face like Mount Vesuvius. Plus, nifty cooling under-eye patches help to reduce puffiness almost immediately.
Outdoor and Travel Tech
The Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker: Marshall Kilburn III
Marshall
Kilburn III Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Your go-to Bluetooth speaker shouldn’t just sound good. It should also be fun to use, and that’s what puts the Marshall Kilburn III a step above the rest. With physical tactile knobs for volume, bass, and treble, the Kilburn III provides an old-school user experience, along with its warm and rich analog-style sound. But for all its old-school charm, it also has the modern creature comforts you need, like the ability to function as a power bank via its USB-C port, a battery life of over 50 hours on a single charge, and the latest Bluetooth 5.3 for rock-solid connectivity.
The Best Portable Gaming Console: Nintendo Switch 2
The original Nintendo Switch was a huge mainstream hit, but after eight years, the casual gaming juggernaut was getting a bit long in the tooth. Now, with a new, larger LCD touchscreen and an updated Nvidia Tegra T239 processor, the Nintendo Switch 2 is taking hybrid mobile and home console gaming to a new level of fidelity. Enhanced docked performance brings games up to 1440p at 120Hz or 4K/60Hz thanks to a built-in cooling fan and Ethernet port, so the top-tier Nintendo console can play all of your favorite flagship titles with the crisp and smooth graphics they deserve, at home or on the go.
The Best Outdoor Lights: Biolite Luci Charge 360
BioLite
Charge Inflatable Rechargeable Solar Camping Lantern
Whether you’re planning for some time in the great outdoors or just trying to expect the unexpected, the Biolite Luci Charge 360 will be the star of your kit. Weighing in at just slightly more than a large smartphone, the Charge 360 is not only capable of lighting up your night with up to 360 lumen output or 110 hours of light in low mode, it can also power the rest of your kit with its built-in 4,000 mAh charging hub and its high-efficiency mono-crystalline solar panel that can refill the tank with about 28 hours of sunlight.
The Best E-Bike: Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0
Specialized
Turbo Vado 4.0
It’s nice to break out the bike without having to break a sweat. The Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 is always ready to help you over the hump with a 70Nm torque motor and 710Wh battery that can quadruple your pedal force for easy cruising up to 28 miles per hour (depending on local laws). The 80mm front suspension fork and shock-absorbing seat post ensure your journey is smooth for the whole 90 miles you can get on a single charge in Eco Mode. Compatible with child seats and thru-axle trailers, you can haul who or whatever wants to come along for a ride.
Meta’s smart specs merge the iconic style of Ray-Ban Wayfarer glasses with flagship AI functionality. An ultra-wide 12 megapixel camera and 5-mic system capture high resolution photos and video that Meta’s built-in AI can leverage for real-time translation and object identification. The glasses’ custom-built open-ear speakers and in-depth voice control let you run the show by voice (with a touchpad for subtlety when necessary), and the portable charging case provides more than 24 hours of AI assistance before you have to plug in.
The Best Robot Lawn Mower: Stihl iMOW 5
Stihl
iMOW 5 EVO 11 in. Battery Self-Propelled Robotic Lawn Mower
Capable of tackling yards up to a third of an acre, Stihl’s iMOW 5 takes almost all the pain out of having a lawn. With automatic charging at its local docking station and a mulching function that eliminates any need for bags, the iMow 5 can cut your grass down to size with barely any oversight from you. Customize the dynamic mowing plan according to your needs, and the iMOW will use its ultrasonic sensors to avoid trees and other obstacles, freeing you up to oversee while drinking a lemonade, if you care to supervise at all.
The Best Portable Projector: XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro
XGIMI
MoGo 3 Pro Portable Projector
Projectors aren’t just for cinephiles with a home theater in their basement. The XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro Portable Projector turns movie night into an on-the-go proposition with pre-installed Netflix plus Google TV OS for access to thousands of apps and 1920×1080 resolution with 450 ISO lumens of brightness to make whatever you’re watching easy to see. Dual 5-watt Harman Kardon speakers mean the sound system is included in a package roughly the size and weight of a full thermos. All that’s left to you is to find a good place to point it.
The Best E-Readers: Kindle Colorsoft
Amazon
Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition
Sporting a new seven-inch color ink display, the Kindle Colorsoft is more comic book than newspaper. With support for graphic novels, travel guides, and PDFs on its 32GB of on-device storage, the Colorsoft will make you feel like a kid with a coloring book as you highlight in yellow, blue, pink, and orange. And you won’t have to compromise on other now-standard Kindle features like over a month of battery life, IPX8 waterproofing for bath and pool reading, and an auto-adjusting front light with customizable color temperature you can tune to taste.
Kitchen Tech
The Best Robot Vacuum: Eufy X10 Pro Omni
Eufy
X10 Pro Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo
Gone are the days when a robot vacuum was a gimmick, and the Eufy X10 Pro Omni illustrates why. Using AI and a front-mounted camera, this robovac strategically maps your home for efficient cleaning and navigates around household objects like wires, shoes and toys. The X10 hoovers up crumbs from carpets and hard floors alike with 8000pa of vacuum suction and switches off to dual oscillating mop heads that exert as much as two pounds of downward pressure for scrubbing and stain removal when necessary. Best of all, its docking station will empty the dustbin and clean the mop heads, so you only have to pay attention once a week.
The Best Barbecuer: Big Green Egg MiniMax BBQ
Big Green Egg
MiniMax Charcoal Kamado Grill and Smoker Green
Everyone loves the Big Green Egg, but sometimes it’s nice to have something you can move without help. At (just) 76 pounds, the MiniMax brings Egg-style cooking to tailgates and small apartment patios. With the convEGGtor heat shielding accessory, the Minimax is also capable of indirect cooking, making it a terrific option for pizzas and other dishes that require a convection approach. But if the dish calls for a direct blast of 750-degree Fahrenheit direct heat, the Minimax can provide that too, with even less wait time than larger models.
The Best Pizza Oven: Gozney Tread
There’s no quicker way to become the king of the cookout than to show up with the pizza oven. The size of a small suitcase and just slightly heavier than a case of beer, the Gozney Tread is astonishingly portable for a device that can reach nearly a thousand degrees Fahrenheit after just 30 minutes of preheating. Beyond being perfect for cooking small personal pizzas to your friends’ specifications, the Tread can also be used to roast chicken legs or sear steak, making it almost as welcome an addition to the BBQ as the person who brought it.
The Best Air Fryer: Phillips Air Fryer 3000 Series
Phillips
Air Fryer 3000 Series
At this point, an air fryer is as much of a necessity in the modern kitchen as a stovetop or conventional oven. Phillips’ newest air fryer brings touch-operated control to a sleek and quick-heating countertop cooking appliance that makes it easy to cook practically anything you can imagine from reheating frozen fries, “frying” chicken, to dehydrating fruit. A peek-a-boo window lets you monitor your food as it’s cooking, and because this is an air fryer, you can use less oil and still get a delicious meal
The Best Espresso Machine: Breville Oracle Jet
Breville
Oracle Jet Espresso Machine
Brewing your own espresso is a hobby in itself. But the Breville Oracle Jet proves that it doesn’t have to be complicated. With a user-friendly touchscreen display, a fully integrated precision burr grinder that automatically grinds, doses, and tamps into a professional-style portafilter, and microfoam with settings for dairy and plant-based milks alike, your primary concern will be figuring out what you want to drink. New functions for extracting cold brew in under three minutes or making crema-topped cold espresso mean that truly the entire coffee shop menu is now in your kitchen.
The Best Blender: Vitamix Ascent X2
A blender can be for much more than milkshakes and smoothies if it has enough grunt. With 19 variable speeds and a variety of blending programs, the Vitamix X5 will make everything from soups to nut butters, even freshly ground spices. With an on-screen indicator for when thicker blends require the included tamper, and a self-cleaning program that agitates soapy water at a variety of speeds, the Vitamix X5 comes with all the creature comforts you need to make it part of your daily life. And with a comprehensive 10-year warranty, you can be confident it won’t quit on you, either.
The Best Fan: Shark TurboBlade Fan
While it’s certainly more striking than a box fan, the Shark TurboBlade does plenty more than just look slick. Its bladeless design that pulls air in from the base cuts down on dust while blasting the breeze as far as 80 feet, with a telescoping pole and 360-degree top bar to aim the airflow exactly where you need. Sophisticated settings like “Sleep Mode” (dimmed lights, no beeps) and “Natural Breeze” (varying speeds for an outdoor vibe) plus 10 fine-tunable speed settings will make “high” and “low” feel unbearably old-fashioned.
Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, has had his Australian visa canceled after he released “Heil Hitler,” a song promoting Nazism, the country’s home affairs minister said on Wednesday.
The US rapper released the song that praised the Nazi leader Adolf Hitler across social media and music streaming platforms in May.
The song came a few months after Ye made a string of antisemitic posts on X, which included comments such as “I love Hitler” and “I’m a Nazi.”
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said that while previous offensive comments made by Ye had not affected his visa status, officials reviewed it again after the song’s release.
“It was a lower level (visa) and the officials still looked at the law and said you’re going to have a song and promote that sort of Nazism, we don’t need that in Australia,” he told national broadcaster ABC on Wednesday.
“We have enough problems in this country already without deliberately importing bigotry.”
Burke added that Ye had family in Australia and had been a longtime visitor prior to the visa cancellation. The singer married his wife Bianca Censori, an Australian architect, in December 2022.
Burke’s office declined to comment on the exact date of the visa cancellation. Ye’s management did not respond immediately to a request for comment outside US business hours.
In October 2024, US conservative influencer Candace Owens was also barred from entry into Australia. Burke said “Australia’s national interest is best served when Candace Owens is somewhere else.”
