AOC puts major tech company on notice amid looming price increases: ‘Far too big’
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., revealed that she believes Congress should look to break up companies like Apple amid news that the tech giant might soon raise its prices on phones and laptops due to a strained processing chip supply chain. “We need to break up a lot of these companies that are far, far too big and we need to be instituting consumer protections for people,” Ocasio-Cortez said. Her statements reveal one of the many ways lawmakers are grappling with the realities of the AI race as companies feel the squeeze of global demand for processing power and as local communities wrestle with the costs of their use. Like many other progressives, Ocasio-Cortez has advocated for a more government-led response, citing a distrust of corporate influence. THE RISE OF AI: WHEN WILL CONGRESS REGULATE IT? “The problem that we have is that these big companies think they are governments. They want to be governments. They want to have totally unchecked power,” Ocasio-Cortez said. In recent weeks, Apple’s outgoing CEO Tim Cook signaled that the company might soon have no choice but to pass some of its climbing costs off to consumers. “Unfortunately, price increases are unavoidable,” Cook said in a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal. “We’re doing our best to mitigate the huge increases that are being passed to us, and we’ve been trying to shield our customers from the increases, but the situation has become unsustainable.” For years, companies like Apple have dominated demand for the processing chip market, the part of a computer that acts as the brain of a device. These chips, which require highly sophisticated production, allow computers to perform calculations, process data and execute commands. AI COMES WITH A HEFTY CHARGE. ARE YOU THE ONE WHO GETS STUCK WITH THE BILL? Now that AI companies are also adding to demand, Apple finds itself competing for a dwindling supply of processors, driving the company’s costs up. Beyond her views on the relationship between the government and business, Ocasio-Cortez said that she believes it’s time Congress re-visit ways it can mitigate costs of the AI-race that have climbed on a local level. In particular, she believes it’s time for lawmakers to address the energy strain of data centers. When asked if she believed Congress should consider something beyond the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) Act, President Joe Biden’s signature technology investment bill that became law in 2022, Ocasio-Cortez said she thought so. “The CHIPS Act was passed before we saw this huge development in AI, so the CHIPS Act was really passed before data centers were a thing, so it wasn’t designed to anticipate the huge amount of supply that these centers are sucking up,” Ocasio-Cortez said. IN 2026, ENERGY WAR’S NEW FRONT IS AI, AND US MUST WIN THAT BATTLE, API CHIEF SAYS Among other provisions, the CHIP act included $11.2 billion to modernize the country’s energy grid, created clean energy innovation programs and included $39 billion in domestic semiconductor production incentives. The bill did not address the energy consumption strain caused by data centers. “We are subsidizing a lot of these pieces of these AI data centers,” Ocasio-Cortez said.
Massie lashes out when pressed on ex-girlfriend’s allegations of affair with GOP firebrand
Rep. Thomas Massie lashed out at a Fox News Digital reporter when asked about allegations from his purported ex-girlfriend before turning his phone on the reporter, asking him if he likes “gay porn.” The exchange unfolded after a woman who claims to be his ex-girlfriend came forward with allegations that he offered her money and asked her to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) related to a wrongful termination dispute. She also made allegations that he had bragged to her about an alleged sexual encounter with Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., just weeks after his wife died. After the reporter told Massie he wanted to give him an opportunity to respond publicly to the allegations, the Kentucky Republican turned the exchange around. “So let me ask you, I heard that you like gay porn,” Massie said as he pulled out his phone and began recording the reporter. “Is that true?” MASSIE POSITIONS HIMSELF FOR POTENTIAL POLITICAL FUTURE AFTER PRIMARY DEFEAT: ‘I WON’T BE GOING AWAY SILENTLY’ As the reporter began to walk away from the heated exchange, Massie continued to bombard the reporter with more questions while filming. “Are you a real loser?” he asked the reporter. “No, come back man,” Massie said to the Fox News Digital reporter as the reporter walked away as he continued to follow behind him recording. “Are you with Fox?” he asked. “Is that a legitimate news organization? Is this what you do for a living?” The interaction started with the reporter asking Massie if he could “clear up” the allegations from his ex-girlfriend, former congressional staffer Cynthia West, that claimed he offered her $5,000 in exchange for her to drop a lawsuit for wrongful termination against Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., — an ally of Massie. “It’s all false,” Massie said when asked. TRUMP-BACKED CANDIDATE ED GALLREIN CALLS KENTUCKY UPSET A ‘DAVID VS. GOLIATH’ WIN AFTER DEFEATING MASSIE Massie was then questioned about the allegations of him having alleged sexual relations with Boebert, as West also claimed Massie bragged to her about a sexual encounter with Boebert within weeks after his wife’s death. “It’s all false,” he said again when asked about Boebert. Boebert also erupted at the same Fox News Digital reporter earlier this month for asking the same questions about their alleged sexual encounter. “F— you, first of all!’ Boebert said to the reporter when bringing up the claims from Massie’s alleged ex-girlfriend. RAND PAUL PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR MASSIE AGAINST TRUMP-BACKED CHALLENGER: ‘I’M GOING TO HELP HIM’ “If you’re gonna bring me into this, like, the sexist stuff is like out of control,” she continued. “So there’s your clickbait that you were looking for.” Earlier in the exchange with Massie, he questioned why Fox News was asking about the allegations. “When did you all become a tabloid?” Massie asked. “Seriously, dude.” The allegations against Massie surfaced just a week before Massie was defeated in the race to keep his House seat in the May 19 Republican primary.
Bill Clinton reveals how he feels about upcoming midterms after socialist victories
Former President Bill Clinton expressed confidence in Democrats’ prospects after three socialist candidates won key New York primaries, stating he believes the Democratic Party is in “good shape” to be successful in November’s midterm elections. “I think we’re in good shape for the fall,” Clinton told Fox News Digital when asked about the outcome of Tuesday’s elections. The victories by three far-left candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America who won their respective races on Tuesday — Darializa Avila Chevalier, Brad Lander and Claire Valdez — have fueled debate within the Democratic Party over whether these progressive campaigns offer a winning blueprint heading into the midterm elections and a legitimate roadmap to national success for the party. MAMDANI-BACKED SOCIALIST WINS IN NEW YORK EXPOSE GROWING RIFT BETWEEN DEMOCRATIC ESTABLISHMENT, INSURGENT LEFT Clinton, however, appeared unfazed by the results. The former president has previously aligned himself with more moderate Democrats in New York politics. Last year, he endorsed former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary over socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who defeated Cuomo in the Democratic primary in June 2025 and went on to secure the mayoral nomination. NEW YORK CITY POURS $15M INTO SEX CHANGE INITIATIVES AS MAMDANI ACCUSES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF INTIMIDATION The latest primary results come as Democrats continue to wrestle with the party’s ideological direction. While many Democrats have embraced the new wave of socialism and those candidates representing the ideology, many mainstream Democrats have cautioned against embracing socialism as the party’s national brand — and have defended capitalism. Fox News Digital also asked Clinton about the Iran situation, but the former president dodged the question, declining to answer. CLINTON JUDGE ORDERS DOJ TO UNSEAL THE EPSTEIN FILES IT HAS BEEN KEEPING HIDDEN Clinton’s refusal to comment comes as tensions surrounding Iran remain high as the United States and Iran work to navigate a recently announced, fragile peace deal After coming to a ceasefire agreement, U.S. forces launched strikes against Iranian targets Friday after Tehran attacked a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump said Thursday, before the strikes, that the U.S. is negotiating with Iran from a “position of pure strength.”
Anger grows in Venezuela as citizens blocked from aiding earthquake rescue
NewsFeed Anger is mounting in Venezuela after the military barred citizens from entering zones devastated by Wednesday’s twin earthquakes. As Teresa Bo explains, thousands of people have travelled to help rescue victims, not trusting the government to save survivors in time. Published On 28 Jun 202628 Jun 2026 Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Adblock test (Why?)
Colombia top World Cup 2026 group after breathless 0-0 draw with Portugal
By AFP and Reuters Published On 28 Jun 202628 Jun 2026 Colombia and Portugal played out a breathless 0-0 draw to a wall of sound at Miami Stadium, with both teams advancing to the last 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the top two in Group K. The Colombians will rue their profligacy in front of goal on Saturday, but take encouragement from dominating quality European opposition for large periods as they head off to Kansas City as group winners to take on Ghana on Friday. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Portugal, who needed to win to top the group, go north to Toronto to play Croatia on Thursday, knowing they have not quite yet found a way to blend all the talent in their squad into an effective team. The match started to a cacophony of noise from the massed ranks of yellow-shirted South Americans, and the decibel levels went up a notch when striker Jhon Cordoba headed the ball over the bar in the first minute. Jhon Arias caused Portugal problems every time he ran at them, and he set Cordoba free in the 17th minute, the big target man unleashing a rocket of a shot that keeper Diogo Costa did well to stop. After a lovely flowing move five minutes later, winger Arias took the shot himself and screwed the ball towards the far corner of the net, only for Ruben Neves to arrive just in time to flick it off the line. Colombia struggled to clear their lines cleanly sometimes, however, and it was this frailty that allowed Portugal their best chances towards the end of the first half. Bruno Fernandes found himself free in front of goal in the 39th minute, with his shot bringing a fine point-blank save out of Camilo Vargas in the Colombia goal. Advertisement Three minutes before half-time, Joao Felix cleverly chested the ball over a defender and flashed an acrobatic volley over the bar. Colombia pressed forward, looking for the goal their dominance deserved, and both Gustavo Puerta and playmaker James Rodriguez troubled the goalkeeper with shots before the break. Portugal attacked more after the break, but it was Colombia who continued to carve out the best chances, with Arias setting up substitute Richard Rios for a shot that went wide. Arias curled a shot at goal, which was well saved by Costa, and Puerta drilled another chance wide just before the hydration break. A Rodriguez volley was deflected away from its target in the 73rd minute, just before he and Arias were substituted, but Colombia continued to tear forward at every opportunity. Davinson Sanchez thought he had scored the winner with a far-post header a minute from time, but it was called back for a very tight offside after a VAR check. Rafael Leao went close to winning it for Portugal in stoppage time with a shot that flashed across goal, before the referee finally called time on the entertaining match, played out in front of a crowd of 64,478 sweltering in the Miami evening heat. Portugal’s totem Cristiano Ronaldo, booed every time he touched the ball and starved of service, had barely a sniff of a chance, his one shot on target a long-range free kick that went straight to the goalkeeper. Wissa sends DR Congo into last-32 clash with England In the group’s other game, Yoane Wissa scored twice as the Democratic Republic of the Congo beat Uzbekistan 3-1 and qualified for the last 32 of the World Cup for the first time in their history on Saturday. They will meet England after registering their first-ever World Cup win. Eldor Shomurodov’s lob over Lionel Mpasi gave Uzbekistan a perfect start in Atlanta. But Newcastle striker Wissa levelled from the penalty spot, before Fiston Mayele’s goal sent the mainly Congolese crowd into a frenzy. Wissa rounded off a historic night for the Africans with a fine strike in stoppage time for his third goal of the tournament. Earlier on Saturday, Jude Bellingham dragged England through a stubborn Panama test, scoring and setting up Harry Kane in a 2-0 win that sent them into the World Cup round of 32 as Group L winners. England were made to work for more than an hour in rainy New Jersey, before Bellingham broke the deadlock, crossing for Kane to head in his 11th World Cup goal, lifting him above Gary Lineker as England’s all-time leading scorer at the tournament. Advertisement Meanwhile, Nikola Vlasic headed in Luka Modric’s 83rd-minute corner to lift Croatia to a 2-1 victory over Ghana on Saturday and a second-place finish in World Cup Group L. Vlasic’s perfect finish off the inside of the left post came 10 minutes after Derrick Luckassen had pulled Ghana level on his international debut, with half the time in between spent on a VAR review determining whether he was onside. Petar Sucic scored early for Croatia, who needed only a draw to reach the last 32. Claiming the second-place spot guaranteed the 2022 third-place finishers a meeting with Portugal, the second-placed team in Group K, on Thursday in Toronto. Adblock test (Why?)
Gulf countries attacked after US launches second round of strikes on Iran
NewsFeed Iran has attacked US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain following US strikes on its coastal sites and threats from US President Trump to ‘complete the job’, raising fears of further escalation and the collapse of peace negotiations. Al Jazeera’s Manuel Rapalo reports from Washington DC. Published On 28 Jun 202628 Jun 2026 Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Adblock test (Why?)
Who is Bhagirath Chaudhary? Minister facing questions over a nearly Rs 1 crore farm subsidy
Union Minister of State for Agriculture Bhagirath Choudhary has defended himself against allegations that he received a Rs 99.03 lakh subsidy for his cucumber farming project.
Ram Mandir trust confirms resignation of chief Champat Rai, says offerings safe: ‘Guilty will receive strict punishment’
In a statement, the trust also said that all donated silver bricks, ornaments, and other offerings were safe and properly documented. The temple body further stated it was “shocked, hurt, and deeply saddened” over the allegations of irregularities pertaining to donations.
Ketan Agarwal murder case: Family, residents hold candlelight march demanding justice | WATCH
Ketan Agarwal’s family members and society residents have held a candlelight march in Pimpri-Chinchwad to pay tribute to him. The people were seen carrying placards demanding justice for Ketan.
Bengaluru: Youth Congress holds rally demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over NEET paper leak
Led by KPYCC State President HS Manjunath, hundreds of students and youth gathered at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Saturday, carrying torches and raising slogans condemning corruption in the education system and the central government’s neglect of students.