Former President Obama has clarified himself after telling podcast host Brian Tyler Cohen aliens are “real, but I haven’t seen them.” After the clip spread, Obama explained he was joking. He said that while life elsewhere is possible, visits to Earth are unlikely. “I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us,” he wrote. Story URL
Anderson Cooper will exit CBS News’ 60 Minutes after nearly two decades as a correspondent, citing his desire to spend more time with his young children. The CNN anchor was in renewal negotiations with CBS but chose to focus on his Warner Bros. Discovery duties, including his 8 p.m. show, grief-focused podcast, and Sunday program The Whole Story. Story URL
Jeffrey Epstein survivor Sarah Ransome accused video game executive Leslie Benzies, known for Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption, of sexually assaulting her. The claim appears in emails released as part of the Epstein files. He denied the allegation, saying he had a consensual relationship with Ransome and never met Epstein. Story URL
Tyrese Gibson, Billy Zane, Jake Busey and Armie Hammer have joined the cast of writer-director Kerry Mondragon’s dark comedy-thriller Mascotland. The film is now in production in Los Angeles and nearby areas. Zane plays a disturbed kidnapper whose victims escape into the real world and adjust to life after captivity, taken in by Gibson’s character. Story URL
Former NPR Morning Edition host David Greene has filed a lawsuit against Google, claiming it used his voice to train its AI tool, NotebookLM. Greene said he learned about the tool after friends asked if he had licensed his voice. An AI forensic analysis found a 53 to 60% similarity. Google said the claims are “baseless” and said an actor was hired. Story URL
Model Brooks Nader was met by an ambulance after suffering food poisoning during a flight for her 29th birthday trip. The Love Thy Nader star shared the ordeal on Instagram, beginning with a photo taken by her sister Sarah Jane. “Very touch & go. Food poisoning: 1 Brooksie: 0,” Sarah Jane, 23, captioned the image showing Nader wrapped in a blanket. Story URL
The Silence Of The Lambs is marking its 35th anniversary, and Ted Levine, who played Buffalo Bill, spoke out about the film’s portrayal of trans people: “It’s unfortunate that the film vilified that, and it’s f***ing wrong.” He said, saying he regrets aspects of the movie. Producer Edward Saxon added: “There’s regret, but it didn’t come from any place of malice.” Story URL
Figure skater Ilia Malinin spoke out about mental health after falling twice in the men’s singles final at the Winter Olympics. “On the world’s biggest stage, those who appear the strongest may still be fighting invisible battles on the inside,” he wrote, adding that “vile online hatred attacks the mind,” adding to the pressure that led to what he called “an inevitable crash.” Story URL
