27 – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
Skip to main content

Richard Lawler

Richard Lawler

Senior News Editor

Senior News Editor

    More From Richard Lawler

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    MegaLag digs up more alleged Honey fraud.

    After going a year between his first and second videos investigating the PayPal-owned shopping extension, MegaLag didn’t make us wait long for part three.

    Here, he says he has evidence of how Honey evaded detection by affiliate networks with “stand-down” rules against referral-fee-stealing behavior, and responses to Honey co-founder Ryan Hudson’s Reddit AMA. PayPal has not responded to requests for comment.

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    The Strangest Thing.

    The main Stranger Things series is coming to an end when the final episode is released tomorrow, on New Year’s Eve at 8PM ET.

    Netflix released this new trailer for the finale, which is also going to be shown in theaters, where people can watch together regardless of their familiarity with “shipping” and/or fandom designation.

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Meta acquires ‘general-purpose’ AI agent startup Manus.

    Zuckerberg’s 2025 AI spending spree now includes snagging Manus and autonomous bots that turn “advanced AI capabilities into scalable, reliable systems that can carry out end-to-end work in real-world settings.”

    As we wait for agent reality to match agent hype, Manus says it plans to expand on its existing subscriptions via Meta’s platforms in the future.

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Kalshi and Polymarket keep partnering with fake newsbreaker accounts on X.

    “Prediction markets” continue to appear everywhere, including CNN and CNBC, and Polymarket is shitposting about citizen journalism.

    Meanwhile, The Athletic is the latest (following Awful Announcing and Front Office Sports) reporting on sports misinformation X accounts like “Emma Vance” and “Scott Hughes” have spread while sporting those site’s affiliate badges.

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    JerryRigEverything bends the Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold beyond its limits.

    Samsung’s three-panel foldable phone won’t be officially available in the US until next year, but it’s already hit the YouTuber’s durability test table. Its thin frame (that’s different sizes across all three sections) doesn’t deal well with being bent the wrong way, even if Samsung’s hinge technology is pretty resilient, but... it didn’t explode.

    Press play for a peek at the test results and a look at all three internal battery cells.

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Here’s a look at Nicolas Cage playing Madden.

    John Madden, that is, filling the shoes of the legendary NFL coach and commentator, in David O. Russell’s upcoming biopic for Prime Video. There’s only the briefest still of a video game shown in this short teaser trailer, and a quick glimpse of John Mulaney as EA exec Trip Hawkins.

    Madden is scheduled for release on Thanksgiving Day, 2026.

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Tesla is still figuring out how to make the Cybertruck’s massive windshield wiper work.

    According to Not A Tesla App, one owner shared a service message saying there’s an Engineering Investigation ongoing, and some service staff have said a third revision of the wiper is in testing.

    The extra-long blade apparently has issues with improper stowage at high speeds, contact issues that leave the windshield dirty, and problems spraying wiper fluid, even after a software update. Also, Bloomberg reports NHTSA is expanding its investigation into passenger-trapping Tesla door handles to include Model 3 vehicles, along with the Model Y.

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Imran Ahmed obtains temporary restraining order against State Department sanctions.

    The CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) is suing Trump administration officials after they targeted him for deportation from the US because of his online content moderation work.

    On Thursday morning, he announced that US District Judge Vernon Broderick granted a TRO and preliminary injunction blocking his arrest or detainment. A hearing has been scheduled for Monday.

    Imran Ahmed TRO

    [DocumentCloud]

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Imran Ahmed is suing Marco Rubio and other federal officials to fight their sanctions barring him from the US.

    The Trump administration just sanctioned five people, including Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) founder Imran Ahmed, over their work in content moderation and anti-disinformation. On Wednesday he filed a lawsuit (pdf) to stop their “unconstitutional attempt to arrest and expel him.”

    Ahmed:

    My life’s work is to protect children from the dangers of unregulated social media and AI and fight the spread of antisemitism online. That mission has pitted me against big tech executives – and Elon Musk in particular – multiple times. I am proud to call the United States my home. My wife and daughter are American, and instead of spending Christmas with them, I am fighting to prevent my unlawful deportation from my home country.

    Richard Lawler
    Richard Lawler
    Stranger Things fandom drama strikes one more time.

    In an Elite Daily interview ahead of this week’s penultimate release, series star Gaten Matarazzo referenced the “Stonathan” pairing and said he liked the idea behind “Steddie” fanfics.

    But saying the “Byler” shipping between Will and Mike, was “very funny. I see them as just very good friends,” seemingly went too far for some, with social media posts targeting the interviewer, and some even claiming it was a fake quote.