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Meta’s two courtroom defeats centered on different cases but both involved allegations that the company knew about its products’ harms.

“Clearly A Concerted Effort”: Foiled Terror Attack At BofA’s Paris HQ Tied To Mideast War, France Says

Summary: Foiled Terror Attack at BofA Paris HQ

French authorities have now arrested three suspects tied to the foiled terror attack at BofA’s Paris office.

Authorities say the plot appears linked to the broader U.S.-Iran conflict in the Middle East.

The suspects allegedly tried to detonate a homemade explosive device outside BofA headquarters, home to BofA Securities Europe SA and BofA Europe DAC’s France branch.

The young military-aged men were reportedly recruited through social media to carry out the operation.

The attempted BofA Paris attack comes weeks after an ISIS-inspired terror incident in New York City.

French Authorities Say Foiled Terror Attack on BofA Paris HQ Linked To Mideast War 

French authorities have now arrested three suspects tied to the foiled terror attack outside Bank of America’s Paris headquarters, with investigators saying the plot appears linked to the U.S.-Iran conflict in the Middle East.

The latest two arrests follow the earlier arrest of the suspect, who allegedly tried to detonate a homemade explosive device at 51 Rue La Boétie address in Paris, the site of two key Bank of America entities that let the firm operate inside France and the EU financial system. Bank of America lists that address for both BofA Securities Europe SA and Bank of America Europe DAC’s France branch. 

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez told BFM TV that the Paris terror plot bears all the hallmarks of recent incidents in the Netherlands and Norway, where minors or young men were allegedly recruited and paid to carry out attacks.

Let’s not forget this emerging pattern of terror in the West comes weeks after two radicalized military-age men tried to detonate an improvised explosive device in New York City, with federal authorities calling it ISIS-inspired terrorism.

Nunez said that in these cases, the bomb in Paris was placed by minors or young men who were paid to carry out the plan.

He emphasized, “There’s clearly a concerted effort.”

The first detained suspect told French authorities he was contacted via Snapchat and paid €600, or about $690, to carry out the terror attack, according to local outlet Le Parisien.

A Bank of America spokeswoman told Bloomberg the company was “aware of the situation” and is communicating with authorities.

This type of terror reflects a broader and increasingly common pattern across Europe and the US: decentralized attacks in which minors or young men (military-age men) are recruited on social media, paid small sums, and used as disposable operatives to target high-visibility Western assets. It is likely this hybrid warfare threat is far from over.

French Anti-terrorism Authorities Foil an Attempted Terror Attack at the Bank of America HQ in Paris

French anti-terrorism authorities thwarted an attempted attack early Saturday morning when police arrested a suspect as he tried to ignite an explosive device directly in front of the Bank of America headquarters in Paris. 

The incident unfolded around 3:25-3:30 a.m. when officers from the Paris police’s BAC (Brigade Anti-Criminalité) unit, already on heightened patrol near the building due to prior threats, spotted the individual attempting to set fire to the device with a lighter. The device consisted of a 5-liter transparent jerrycan filled with an unidentified flammable liquid (reportedly a hydrocarbon such as gasoline) attached to a mortar-style tube or large firecracker containing approximately 650 grams of explosive powder. No detonation occurred, and there were no injuries or damage.

A second individual, believed to have been acting as a lookout, fled the scene on foot. The arrested suspect, a 17-year-old minor born in Senegal and residing in a Paris suburb, was taken into custody. During initial questioning, he reportedly claimed he had been dropped off at the location by a driver and was recruited via the social media app Snapchat for a payment of €600 to carry out the act.
BofA Paris HQ, April 2019

According to Le Monde, France’s Parquet National Antiterroriste (PNAT), the national anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office, immediately opened a formal investigation. The probe is being conducted in flagrante delicto on charges including:

Attempted degradation by fire or dangerous means in connection with a terrorist undertaking

Manufacturing, possession, and transport of an incendiary or explosive device in a terrorist context

Participation in a terrorist criminal association

The Paris judicial police’s anti-terrorism section and France’s domestic intelligence agency, the DGSI, are leading the inquiry alongside judicial police units. The device was secured and sent for analysis by the Paris police prefecture’s central laboratory.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez praised the officers’ swift action on social media, stating: “Bravo to the rapid intervention of a Paris prefecture crew that thwarted a violent action of a terrorist nature this night in Paris. Vigilance remains more than ever at a high level.”

Bravo à l’intervention rapide d’un équipage de la préfecture de police qui a permis de déjouer une action violente à caractère terroriste cette nuit à Paris
L’enquête se poursuit, sous l’autorité du PNAT et a été confiée à Direction de de la police judiciaire de la préfecture… https://t.co/w20kAYqpjq
— Laurent Nuñez (@NunezLaurent) March 28, 2026
A spokeswoman for Bank of America confirmed the company was “aware of the situation” and is cooperating with French authorities. The building had reportedly been under increased surveillance due to previous threats, including a recent video from a pro-Iran group that singled out the bank as a target linked to “Zionist and Israeli interests.”

This foiled plot occurs against a backdrop of heightened terrorist threat levels in France and Europe, with authorities maintaining elevated vigilance amid ongoing international tensions. The investigation continues, with efforts focused on identifying any broader network or accomplices. No further arrests have been reported as of Saturday afternoon.

The suspect remains in police custody, and authorities have not yet released additional details about his background or possible motives. Updates are expected as the probe advances.

Tyler Durden
Sun, 03/29/2026 – 08:05

 
In a new straw poll conducted at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Vice President JD Vance led the field, positioning himself as a top contender for the next Republican presidential nominee.
The straw poll was conducted among conservative attendees at the CPAC conference, held in Grapevine, Texas.
Vance won the straw poll comfortably, garnering 53 percent of the vote.
Coming in second was Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who received 35 percent.
In third place, there was a tie between Governor Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump Jr. at 2 percent.
LOOK:

CPAC 2028 straw poll is in —
JD Vance: 53%
Marco Rubio: 35% pic.twitter.com/Xu6OW8rMIm
— David Wright (@DavidWright_7) March 28, 2026

Per The Hill:
Vice President JD Vance is the favorite to earn the Republican nomination for president in 2028, according to a new straw poll taken at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Saturday.
Vance earned support from about 53 percent of attendees who participated in the presidential preference poll at the annual gathering in Grapevine, Texas, according to New York Times reporter Kellen Browning.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio came in second with 35 percent, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump Jr., the president’s son, tied at 2 percent for a distant third place.
Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas) and Rand Paul (Ky.), Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott each got 1 percent. The other two contenders on the list got no support.
The poll comes after The Washington Post reported Vance has not made up his mind whether he will run in 2028, citing that he and his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance, are expecting their fourth child in the coming months.
President Trump has yet to endorse a potential successor.
Throughout the last several months, Trump has floated both Vance and Rubio’s names as potential Republican presidential nominees.
WATCH:

President Trump called JD Vance his “most likely” successor for 2028 and floated Marco Rubio as his running mate.
Follow: @AFpost pic.twitter.com/plBmeMt32O
— AF Post (@AFpost) August 5, 2025

The post JD Vance Wins CPAC’s 2028 GOP Presidential Straw Poll, Here Are The Full Results appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

In Hollywood, Gina Gershon has always trusted her gut.Early in her career, the actress was offered a role in “Friday the 13th Part 2,” one she ultimately passed on after discovering she would be topless. Gershon has a new memoir out, “AlphaPussy: How I Survived the Valley and Learned to Love My Boobs,” chronicling her rise to stardom and the many famous faces she met along the way.”I was offered a lead in that movie,” Gershon told Fox News Digital. “And, of course, I was so excited to act in movies, but it definitely felt kind of exploitative to me and a little silly that right before she gets killed, her top has to come off.”GINA GERSHON REVEALS ‘CREEPY’ ENCOUNTER WITH MAN WHO LATER MURDERED PLAYBOY PLAYMATE DOROTHY STRATTENIn the book, Gershon wrote, “At the time, those kinds of slasher movies always had girls dying with their breasts exposed. My character would be killed by a stake through the heart, blood dripping down her t–s. That seemed pretty lame to me: exploitation 101.”Gershon turned to her father for advice.”Listen, I was really lucky that I had a father who really taught me how to believe in my own decisions,” she told Fox News Digital. “It wasn’t like I had to rebel against my family. I remember asking him about it, thinking he was going to say, ‘No daughter of mine is going to do that!’ And he said, ‘It’s your body. If you’re comfortable with it, I’m comfortable with it.’”WATCH: GINA GERSHON ON TURNING DOWN ‘FRIDAY THE 13TH’ ROLE”When I sat and thought about it, I just thought, ‘I don’t really want to do this,’” she shared. “I wasn’t comfortable with it. It seemed silly to me. Not that I had anything against nudity — I grew up on European films — but only if it makes sense for the character and the story. But when it just seems silly, I don’t know. It just felt like it was something that wasn’t for me.”After speaking with her father, Gershon turned down the role.”My dad may have died too soon, but he taught me many valuable lessons in the 19 years I had with him,” Gershon wrote. “Mainly, he taught me to trust myself in making my own decisions.””This theme of trusting my gut kept showing up in my life,” she added.It’s key advice that stayed with Gershon over the years, including when she starred in 1995’s “Showgirls.” The film, directed by Paul Verhoeven, follows the rise and moral unraveling of a young dancer. It also starred “Saved by the Bell” alum Elizabeth Berkley.WATCH: GINA GERSHON DETAILS HER WILD ENCOUNTERS IN HOLLYWOODGershon admitted in the book that she and Verhoeven fought “constantly” over creative differences involving her character, Cristal Connors.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER”I think Paul secretly enjoyed it when we argued about the most mundane things,” she wrote. “Sometimes I suspected he was throwing things out there just to see if he could get a rise out of me. Or maybe not. Maybe it was annoying that I didn’t just roll over and do what he asked. “Whatever the case, our battles were becoming exhausting. And let me say this: I liked Paul. A lot! Especially when we weren’t locked in some game of control. He is a very smart, very interesting guy. A mathematician and theologian. I really enjoyed our chats about religion and philosophy.”Gershon said they were scheduled to shoot a scene that took place in Cristal’s dressing room. That’s when she received a surprise.”I was in the hair and makeup trailer once again, waiting for my team to transform me, when Paul came in and said without any warning, ‘In today’s scene, I think it would be good if you showed your vagina,’” she wrote. “Whoa, that came out of the f—–g blue. Just that morning, I’d made a deal with myself that, no matter what, I would avoid all arguments that day. Oh boy, this one was going to be a doozy.”’Why?’ I asked. And in my most sincere, calm-actress voice, without trying to provoke or sound like an a—–e, I continued, ‘I mean, what’s the reason Cristal would do that? I’m open to anything as long as it makes sense. How does it reveal my character? How does it move the story forward?’”LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSThe filmmaker pointed out that Berkley would be doing so and that Sharon Stone had also taken on an infamous scene in his previous film, “Basic Instinct.” Gershon wrote that she kept calm, noting that her contract didn’t require that level of nudity for the role. To avoid a tug-of-war over the scene, she defused the situation by proposing an exaggerated alternative. It prompted the director to drop the idea and proceed with the scene as originally written.”To my utter relief, Paul slowly backed out of my trailer, looking at me like I was bonkers, and said, ‘No, it’s OK, we will do the scene as written. Forget I said anything,’” she wrote. “He never mentioned my vagina again.”In response, a spokesperson for Verhoeven told Fox News Digital, “Mr. Verhoeven has not read the memoir, and has no comment.””I think the real challenge was that I went into ‘Showgirls’ thinking it was a completely different sort of movie,” Gershon explained to Fox News Digital.”It was very serious, and I loved the part. It was very operatic in my mind. And then when I got to the set, I realized it was a completely different film from what I had envisioned. So I think the biggest challenge was to adjust to what it was and to figure out a way to play it that made sense in the environment.”Despite widespread attention over its NC-17 rating and explicit content, the film underperformed at the box office, People magazine reported. According to the outlet, “Showgirls” made less than its $45 million budget and was widely panned by critics.But today, it’s widely regarded as a cult classic.”’Showgirls’ has been such an interesting journey,” Gershon told Fox News Digital. “It’s just funny to me how when it came out, so many journalists jumped on the bandwagon of, ‘This movie is horrible.’ They really ripped it apart.””Thankfully, I kind of came out of it fairly unscathed, but still, it’s not a good feeling,” she reflected. “You want the whole movie to do well. And I actually think it could have done well. I just thought the marketing was silly, and it never should have been [rated] NC-17 to begin with. That’s a whole other conversation.””Now, some of those journalists, it’s like the first question they want to talk about. ‘Let’s talk about ‘Showgirls.’ It’s such a cult classic!'” she laughed. “All of a sudden, people who hated it love it now. I’m happy it’s brought so many people hours of pleasure. It really taught me not to pay too much attention to reviews. You can’t really listen to critics so much. That was my big lesson out of that.”Guided by her instincts, Gershon said her goal has always been to tell great stories.”I just want to do something that I feel proud of or that I would like to go see,” Gershon added.

A Florida man once accused of trying to drown his then girlfriend, a “90 Day Fiancé” personality, during a chaotic South Florida boat party has been acquitted of all charges, ending a nearly four-year legal battle.Cole Goldberg, who was charged with attempted second-degree murder, domestic battery by strangulation and simple battery, was found not guilty on March 12 following a bench trial in Palm Beach County tied to a 2022 incident at Boca Bash, a massive annual boating event in Lake Boca Raton.Goldberg, speaking after the verdict, described the moment as life-changing.”After nearly four years of living under these accusations, of course the court found me not guilty on all accounts. I’m extremely, incredibly grateful for my attorneys, my family, basically everyone who supported me throughout this whole process. It was just an amazing experience. I could breathe now. It was a huge relief and weight off my shoulders,” Goldberg told Fox News Digital.‘90 DAY FIANCÉ’ ALUM’S BOYFRIEND ON TRIAL FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER OVER WILD ‘BOCA BASH’ ACCUSATIONSProsecutors alleged that Goldberg attacked his then-girlfriend, Caroline Schwitzky, during an argument aboard a boat at Boca Bash on April 24, 2022. Schwitzky, a Miami talent agent, appeared on “90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?” as the agent for cast member Paola Mayfield.The Boca Bash is an annual alcohol-fueled gathering that draws thousands of boaters each year.According to investigators and witness accounts, Schwitzky jumped into the water during the dispute and attempted to swim to another vessel. Authorities alleged Goldberg followed her and tried to drown her before a bystander intervened.But Goldberg argued that the situation was “chaotic” and misinterpreted.”It was definitely a chaotic situation on the water. I couldn’t swim. I was struggling in the water from the outside. Some people thought they were seeing something and misperceived something more serious than what actually happened. And that perception ultimately led to these kind of charges,” he said.During his trial, Goldberg testified that he entered the water to reach Schwitzky and help get her back to safety after securing a ride off the boat but quickly began to panic in the current.”I just felt like I was drowning and thought I was potentially going to die. It was the scariest thing I’ve ever experienced,” he said.He said that any contact with his then-girlfriend was brief.”I just touched her shoulder for one to two seconds just to keep my head above water, and this is when I had all these accusations happen. It’s very unfortunate,” he said.”There was zero intent at all to do any harm, and these accusations were just ridiculous,” he said.FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON XThe case ultimately turned on conflicting eyewitness testimony. Goldberg said even witnesses who observed the same incident walked away with different interpretations.SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER”These eyewitnesses ended up seeing sort of the same thing, but also something different, and perception played a big role in the outcome,” he said.The judge found the evidence insufficient to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, resulting in acquittal on all counts.SEND US A TIP HEREGoldberg said the years between his arrest and trial disrupted career plans.LISTEN TO THE NEW ‘CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO’ PODCAST”This definitely put a pause on my career. I was just graduating from university at the time. I was 23 when things had happened. My plans to go to law school derailed. All my friends were just moving forward while I was dealing with this case and accusations,” he said.”The whole system is supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, but it’s sort of reversed in the public eye. With all these headlines and mugshots, people formulate opinions, and I had to deal with those opinions throughout this whole four-year process,” he said.LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUBNow at 27, Goldberg said he plans to pursue a legal career and begin studying for the LSAT.”I feel like I can resonate with future clients given that I was physically in this position,” he said.Fox News Digital has reached out to Schwitzky’s attorney and Assistant State Attorney Victoria Suarez for comment.Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano Jr. contributed to this report.

A driver plowed a black Suzuki Swift into a crowd of pedestrians in the heart of the UK’s Derby city centre late Saturday night, injuring “numerous” people, some seriously, in what police are describing as a “major incident.”
The incident occurred at approximately 9:30 p.m. in the Friar Gate area, a popular area filled with bars, restaurants, and shops.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and found injured people lying on the pavement, blood on the ground, and bystanders screaming for help.
Paramedics treated victims at the scene before transporting many to local hospitals.
Derbyshire Police confirmed that a man in his 30s was arrested shortly after the incident and remains in custody.
Officers described the investigation as being in its early stages and emphasized there is no ongoing threat to the public.

BREAKING: A man has been arrested after multiple pedestrians were hit by a car in Derby’s city centre.
Derbyshire Police say a number of people have been injured, some of them seriously.https://t.co/8Vv9g6qzyS
Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/fP1EaPZUnN
— Sky News (@SkyNews) March 29, 2026

In a statement, police said: “A number of people were injured, some of them seriously, and were treated at the scene by ambulance crews before being taken to hospital. The driver, a man in his 30s, was arrested and is in police custody.”
Authorities are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the black Suzuki Swift being driven in Derby around the time of the incident.
Footage circulating on social media shows the immediate aftermath.
WATCH:

Frairgate pic.twitter.com/lXlDK2jlw8
— DERBY PAUL (@DERBYPAUL3) March 28, 2026

A witness speaking to The Mirror said it was “absolute carnage,” though no fatalities have been confirmed at this time.
Another witness told the paper, “We were walking down the street when it happened. There was screaming and yelling. It was horrendous.”
“It’s sickening. People were being treated all over the pavement and the road. God knows how that has happened,” they added.
The Mirror reports:
A police spokesperson for Derbyshire Constabulary said: “A man has been arrested after multiple pedestrians were struck by a car in Derby city centre.
“The incident involved a black Suzuki Swift and happened in Friar Gate at about 9.30pm today. A number of people were injured, some of them seriously, and were treated at the scene by ambulance crews before being taken to hospital.
“Police officers stopped a vehicle believed to have been involved in the incident shortly after it happened. The driver, a man in his 30s, was arrested and is in police custody.
“Our investigation is in its early stages but we want to hear from anyone who saw a black Suzuki Swift being driven in Derby around the time of the incident.”
They confirmed Friar Gate is completely closed from the junction with Curzon Street/Cheapside up to Ford Street. The road will be closed for a considerable time so please avoid the area completely.
They added: “Although we know this will be alarming, we would like to reassure people that we do not believe there is an ongoing risk to the public. No further information is available at this stage but we will post an update as soon as we have one.
Anyone who can help should contact police quoting incident 1131 of March 28.
The exact number of victims and their conditions have not been announced.
The suspect’s name, nationality, or motive has not yet been released.
The Gateway Pundit will provide updates as the situation unfolds.
The post ‘Absolute Carnage’: Driver Mows Down ‘Numerous’ Pedestrians in Busy UK Derby City Centre, Man in 30s Arrested on the Scene (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Watch: Trump Arms Control Official Refuses To Confirm Israel Has Nukes

In the latest indication of America’s deteriorating relationship with the State of Israel, a federal legislator used a Capitol Hill hearing to ask a simple but long-forbidden question of America’s top arms control official: “Does Israel have nuclear weapons?” 

The official repeatedly refused to say what everyone knows — that Israel has hundreds of nuclear weapons. Worse, straining credulity, he told his interrogator, Texas Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro, that “it would be outside of my purview as the arms control and arms proliferation under secretary to discuss that specific question.” Castro replied, “Sir, that is a dereliction of duty.” 

The exchange took place in a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on Wednesday, with Castro grilling Under Secretary of State for Arms Control Thomas G. DiNanno. Castro persisted through DiNanno’s repeated dodging of the question. “The consequences, as you know, are grave. This war continues to escalate,” said Castro. DiNanno also refused to say if he himself knew the answer but was not allowed to say so.

We are four weeks into a war where both sides have targeted each other’s nuclear facilities.
We risk nuclear disaster. Yet the main Trump official on arms control refused to answer my question on Israel’s nuclear capabilities and told me to ask the Israeli government. pic.twitter.com/Sxnru3EIrl
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) March 25, 2026
“Tell us something — as Congress, as the oversight body — what is Israel’s nuclear capability in terms of weapons?” asked Castro. In reply, DiNanno didn’t refer Castro to US intelligence agencies, but — compounding the insult to the committees’ intelligence — told Castro to ask “the Israeli government.” 

“You’re the main person in charge of knowing this and understanding it,” said Castro. “I don’t understand why this issue is so taboo, when it’s a basic question, and we’re in a war alongside Israel against Iran, we’re dealing with the potential for nuclear fallout, and you won’t answer this basic question.”   

A big reason why it’s taboo went unmentioned during the hearing. Because Israel is not a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and also has nuclear weapons, every dollar of aid to Israel breaks American law. Beyond that, the feigned official ignorance about Israel’s nuclear arsenal is meant to obscure the sheer hypocrisy of nuclear-armed Israel — a country with a government increasingly dominated by expansionist and religious zealots — decrying Iran’s enrichment of uranium, particularly given the US intelligence community has repeatedly assessed that Iran stopped its initial pursuit of such weapons 23 years ago.  

As Brian McGlinchey explains at Stark Realities, US officials’ refusal to talk about Israel’s nuclear arsenal isn’t a mere unwritten understanding:  

Perversely, U.S. government employees who dare discuss or release information about Israel’s nuclear weapons program—and thus illuminate the ongoing criminality of U.S. aid to Israel—would themselves be subject to prosecution, thanks to a secret classification directive issued by the Obama administration.

The two-page gag order was released in 2015 in response to a Freedom of Information Act request. Other than the title—“Guidance on Release of Information Relating to the Potential for an Israeli Nuclear Capability”—nearly every word has been redacted.

Castro is just one of many legislators who have enjoyed the financial backing of the powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), but who is now going astray. Over his political career, Castro has received $115,000 from the pro-Israel lobby and its backers, according to TrackAIPAC, whose entry on Castro suggests he’s been straying from the lobby’s directives. 
At a 2012 AIPAC luncheon in San Antonio, a speaker enthused over the prospect of an Israel-catering candidate Joaquin Castro eventually ascending to powerful House committees (via YouTube) 

Castro’s grooming by Israel and AIPAC goes all the way back to at least 2008. When he was merely a 33-year-old, up-and-coming member of the Texas legislature, the Israeli government hosted him and 19 other Latino politicians on a two-week trip to Israel. In an obscure video of a 2012 AIPAC luncheon in San Antonio, an unidentified speaker enthused over the AIPAC-groomed Castro’s pending election to a reliably Democratic US House seat, and what that meant for the pro-Israel cause: “He has tremendous opportunity to…ascend into some very strong committees, because…he basically has the opportunity to be there as long as he wants to be there.”

This week, Castro was able to grill DiNanno thanks to Castro’s membership on the “very strong” House Foreign Relations Committee. How do you like your guy now, AIPAC?  

Tyler Durden
Sun, 03/29/2026 – 07:35

Walk into a McDonald’s, and you expect a familiar routine. You order, wait and grab your food. At one location in Shanghai, that routine briefly looked very different.McDonald’s deployed robots from Chinese robotics firm Keenon Robotics in one of its fast-food restaurants as part of a short-term test tied to a store opening. The robots greeted customers, added a bit of entertainment and helped with simple service tasks. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletterDRONE FOOD DELIVERY LAUNCHES IN NEW JERSEYThis test happened at just one location. It was not a rollout. It was a short pilot tied to a store opening. Inside the restaurant, humanoid robots greeted customers and added a fun, interactive element. You can see them wearing McDonald’s uniforms and making simple gestures for diners. At the same time, other robots handled basic tasks like delivering food and clearing trays. It was a mix of different machines working together, not a fully integrated system.Human workers still did the real work behind the counter. They handled cooking, orders and anything that required judgment.In the end, this looked more like a live demo than a real shift in operations. The robots were there to attract attention, not replace staff.Even though this was a small test, it reflects a much bigger trend. Restaurants in many regions are dealing with hiring challenges. At the same time, fewer workers are interested in repetitive, lower-paid roles. That creates an opportunity for automation. Robots can handle simple, repetitive tasks with consistency. They do not get tired, and they can operate for long hours. For fast food chains, that level of reliability is appealing. At this stage, the technology is not advanced enough to replace human workers. But it can support them in limited ways.Not yet. This test was more about exploring possibilities than changing operations. The robots acted more like a demonstration of what could come next rather than a working solution ready for scale. Right now, the most realistic future is a hybrid model. Humans continue to handle cooking, customer issues and complex tasks. Robots assist with basic service and customer-facing roles. That balance could evolve over time as the technology improves.Even short-term experiments can signal where things are headed. Robots can speed up service, reduce long-term labor costs and create a unique experience that attracts customers. For families and younger diners, interacting with a robot can turn a routine visit into something memorable. That novelty factor alone makes these tests valuable for companies looking to stand out.ROBOT FIREFIGHTERS ENTER BURNING BUILDINGS FIRSTToday’s robots are limited. They struggle with complex tasks and unpredictable situations that require human judgment. Cooking, handling special requests and managing busy environments still depend on people. That is why this test remained small and temporary. It shows potential, but it also highlights how far the technology still has to go.You are not about to walk into a fully automated McDonald’s. But you may start seeing more technology in everyday places. That could mean faster service and fewer delays. It could also mean less direct interaction with human staff. Jobs in fast food are unlikely to disappear overnight. Instead, they may shift toward roles that focus on customer support, problem-solving and managing technology. At the same time, these early tests raise questions about how far automation will go and how quickly it could change the workforce.Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com        This was not a rollout. It was a glimpse. McDonald’s used humanoid robots in one location for a short period to test reactions and explore possibilities. The machines added novelty, but they did not replace workers. Still, the direction is clear. Automation is moving into everyday spaces, one small test at a time.If robots can already greet you and deliver your food, how long before they take on the rest of the job? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.comSign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved. 

North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un oversaw a test of a new high-thrust solid-fuel rocket engine, according to state media, working on weapons capable of striking the U.S. mainland.The test, reported Sunday by KCNA, involved an engine made with carbon-fiber materials and was described as part of a new five-year defense plan to upgrade the country’s “strategic strike” capabilities.Kim said the test had “great significance in putting the country’s strategic military muscle on the highest level,” according to KCNA.The engine reportedly produced 2,500 kilonewtons of thrust, higher than a similar engine it tested last year. Analysts say such engines could support more mobile or compact long-range missiles.NORTH KOREAN DICTATOR SAYS GOVERNMENT WILL KEEP CEMENTING NATION’S ‘IRREVERSIBLE STATUS AS A NUCLEAR POWER’North Korea’s report on the latest test could be “bluffing” as it did not disclose some key information like the engine’s total combustion time, said Lee Choon Geun, an honorary research fellow at South Korea’s Science and Technology Policy Institute.Solid-fuel systems are significant because they can be launched more quickly and with less warning than older liquid-fuel missiles, making them harder to detect and potentially more survivable in combat.Pyongyang still faces major technical barriers before fielding a fully reliable intercontinental ballistic missile, especially ensuring a warhead can survive atmospheric reentry.KIM JONG UN CALLS SOUTH KOREA ‘MOST HOSTILE ENEMY,’ SAYS NORTH COULD ‘COMPLETELY DESTROY’ ITKim’s latest military activities also included inspections of special operations training and tests of a new main battle tank, underscoring a broader push to modernize both North Korea’s missile program and conventional forces, according to KCNA.Kim claimed the tank’s protection system could defeat nearly all existing anti-tank weapons, though such assertions could not be independently verified, Reuters reported.The developments fit a wider pattern of stepped-up military activity by Pyongyang. Since the collapse of Kim’s diplomacy with President Donald Trump in 2019, North Korea has accelerated work on nuclear and missile systems despite sanctions, while keeping open the possibility of talks if Washington drops demands for denuclearization first.KIM JONG UN APPEARS WITH TEENAGE DAUGHTER AT LIVE-FIRE ROCKET TEST IN NORTH KOREAAt a rare ruling party congress held in February, Kim unveiled a new five-year plan that reaffirmed continued development of nuclear weapons, while calling for a broad upgrade of the country’s military capabilities.Analysts and regional governments also pointed to new tank and combined-arms drills as part of Pyongyang’s effort to adapt its military doctrine to modern warfare, drawing lessons from recent conflicts and emphasizing integration across ground and missile forces.South Korea and the United States say they are closely monitoring North Korea’s weapons developments.The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Every year on Palm Sunday, we read, in the Catholic liturgy, one of the great Passion narratives from the Synoptic Gospels. This year, it is St. Matthew’s. There are a number of distinctive features in Matthew’s account, but the most distinctive and interesting, for me, is the evangelist’s treatment of Judas.No other Gospel stresses the repentance and regret of the traitor more effectively. “Then Judas, his betrayer, seeing that Jesus had been condemned, deeply regretted what he had done. He returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, ‘I have sinned in betraying innocent blood.'” This is not callous indifference or self-justification. This is a clear and honest admission of guilt.Then we are told that Judas flung the money into the temple and “went off and hanged himself.” An awful ending to a sad life, the betrayer of Jesus falling into despair and committing self-slaughter. And this is why most figures in the great theological and spiritual tradition have assumed that Judas is in hell. Augustine thought so; Aquinas thought so; Dante depicted him perpetually chewed in the very mouth of Satan. And if his betrayal of the Lord wasn’t enough to earn him a place in hell, then his suicide, most theologians agreed, certainly sealed the deal.EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PALM SUNDAY: WHAT DO THE PALMS REPRESENT?But I want to draw your attention to a counterview—admittedly in the minority—on display in one of the capitals on a column in the magnificent Vézelay Basilica in France.On one side is a grossly vivid depiction of the hanging of Judas, eyes popping, tongue lolling out of his mouth. But on the other side is a depiction of the Good Shepherd carrying the body of Judas on his shoulders like the lost sheep. And the dead man appears to be smiling.Pope Francis was so fond of this image that he had a reproduction of it over his desk in his papal office. It showed, for him, the hope that even Judas might have been saved by the overwhelming mercy of the Lord.Now I know (please don’t send me letters of complaint) that we cannot embrace a simple-minded universalism, which says that we are perfectly confident that all people will be saved. We do indeed have to admit to the very real possibility of an eternal rejection of God. And yet St. Pope John Paul II insisted that the Church has never made a definitive statement regarding whether any particular person is in hell. And Pope Benedict said that we should suspend judgment in regard to Judas, committing him to the mercy and justice of God. But again, wouldn’t his suicide guarantee that he has gone to eternal perdition?CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONListen to the Catechism of the Catholic Church on this point: “We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives” (2283).The point is that God, in Christ, has gone to the very limits of God-forsakenness precisely to communicate the divine mercy even to that darkest place. When Jesus says from the cross, “God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” he signals that he has entered the condition of the most desperate sinner. He has not become a sinner, to be sure, but he has willingly embraced the psychological and spiritual state of the sinner. I am not recommending that we go easy on sin or that we dismiss its awful seriousness. But I am indeed recommending what Paul said: “Where sin abounds, grace abounds the more.”I am indeed insisting that God’s mercy is greater than any sin we could possibly commit, even the betrayal of Christ. So, do we despair of those who have taken their own lives? No. We pray for them and commend them to God’s mercy.There is a story told about a French couple in the nineteenth century, she deeply religious, he vaguely agnostic. At one point in their marriage, the wife asked her husband if she could hang a picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus over their bed. With little enthusiasm, but out of concern for her feelings, he agreed. In time, due to setbacks in his business and frustrations of his ambitions, the husband fell into a profound depression.Finally, in desperation, he threw himself off a building and plunged to his death. His wife, utterly bereft and convinced of her own guilt in the matter, became disconsolate. At the end of her strength, she decided to speak to John Vianney, the famous priest of Ars, a man reputed to be a spiritual master and reader of souls. When she got to the small town near Lyon, she was shocked to see that the line of those seeking an audience with the great man stretched for a mile.In anguish, she knelt at the communion rail and wept. To her utter surprise, she then heard a voice calling her name. It was John Vianney. “How did you know my name? ” She asked. He answered, “It doesn’t matter.” He continued, “You are in despair over the death of your husband. I want you to understand that as he was hurtling to his death, God showed him that image of the Sacred Heart that he had hung over your bed.” “How could you possibly know such a thing?” she gasped. “It doesn’t matter,” he replied. “What matters is that upon seeing it, he repented.”The same Dante who put Judas in the depths of hell also said that all God needs is a single tear of repentance to save a sinner.What should we take from a prayerful reading of Matthew’s Passion narrative? God is mercy within mercy within mercy.CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM BISHOP ROBERT BARRON