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Thorne has worked with the Stranger Things star on all three Enola Holmes films.

Their orange and blue devotion runs deep.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is projected to generate nearly $1 billion in economic impact across California, with Los Angeles and the Bay Area expected to benefit from tourism, hotel demand, visitor spending and job creation.

The "Today" show co-host's 81-year-old mother was last seen on January 31. Nancy was subsequently taken from her home in the middle of the night.

The "Today" show co-host's 81-year-old mother was last seen on January 31. Nancy was subsequently taken from her home in the middle of the night.

Last month, the comedian shared before-and-after photos of her transformation, saying that she felt "shameful" about the surgery due to its price.

Last month, the comedian shared before-and-after photos of her transformation, saying that she felt "shameful" about the surgery due to its price.

Poll Finds Strong Support For Larger Families Despite Falling US Birth Rates

Authored by Savannah Hulsey Pointer via The Epoch Times,

Most respondents said having children is important to a fulfilling life, while citing faith, family values, and economic stability as key factors.

The question of the declining birth rate in the United States has been weighing on many, including economists and those in the religious sector.

As more Americans reach the age of qualification for Social Security, the question of how to meet that demand alone has caused some to question what the future holds if American birthrates continue their current downward trajectory.

The current American fertility rate is roughly 1.6 children per woman.

A poll of Epoch Times readers found most believe that children are important, and also that the nation should look for ways to support family growth.

Importance Of Family

With a national average of less than two children per woman, readers were asked how they feel about family size.

A large majority of those polled, 87 percent, believe that having children is important to having a fulfilling life.

To add to that, 71 percent are concerned about the declining birth rates in developed countries across the world, but 63 percent agree that the belief that future generations will be worse off discourages people from having children.

When asked about the ideal number of children for a family, 35 percent of respondents said three children, 33 percent said four or more children, and 31 percent said two children.

When readers were asked how many children they either have, or ideally would like to have, 35 percent of respondents said four or more children.

Another 29 percent selected two children, and 27 percent selected three. Five percent said they would ideally have no children, while 3 percent preferred one child.

Religion And Values

According to Epoch Times readers, religion and values play a huge role in the decision to grow a family.

A whopping 83 percent of readers believe that declining religious faith contributes to declining birth rates. Even more, 89 percent, think that the decline of traditional marriage contributes to declining birth rates.

However, outside factors are also thought to be a major consideration. Fifty-seven percent of those polled think that the lack of support for parenthood discourages people from having children.

When asked, 83 percent of readers agree that a sense of purpose and meaning in life encourages people to have children.

The same percentage believes that modern feminism has contributed to declining birth rates, and even more, 89 percent, think that a national decline in family values contributes to a corresponding decline in birth rates.

One reader said, "A return to traditional values in the home and in the educational system is what I believe we need."

Other Influences

Practical struggles are also a factor contributing to adults' unwillingness to grow their families.

Sixty-one percent of those polled believe that economic uncertainty discourages people from having children.

Currently, 56 percent of readers agree that housing costs discourage people from having children, and 61 percent believe that costs associated with childcare and education discourage people from having children.

In a related question, 78 percent of readers believe that career priorities play a role in discouraging people from having children.

However, almost three-quarters of those asked, 74 percent, also think that social media and digital entertainment reduce interest in the formation of families.

A reader commented that "Economic relief from the massive fraud, which has caused the tax rate to explode," could be one solution to the issue of the declining birth rates. "This allows people to take less money home."

Addressing The Challenge

Those who believe there is a problem with how many children Americans are having also offered suggestions on what would be the most effective way to encourage family growth.

The largest group of respondents, 46 percent, said they believe renewed religious and spiritual values would have the most impact on Americans' likelihood of having more children.

Another 16 percent think that a stronger sense of purpose and meaning in life would encourage family growth, and 13 percent think that economic security would move the needle.

A combined 13 percent of readers credited either greater support for parenthood, lower costs in raising children, and more affordable housing would be the most effective way to change people's minds.

When asked to write in what they believed is most important, many made comments supporting things like "safety for the future," "strong marriages," and more "value and support of motherhood" as possible cures for the issue.

One respondent pointed to a possible systemic problem, saying, "A society that is not wrapped up in itself [becomes] less me-oriented."

The Epoch Times conducted this reader survey on June 3-4, 2026, by email and social media, generating 1,277 responses.

Tyler Durden Mon, 06/08/2026 - 07:45

Even more than delusion, getting this job done will require desperation.

That could have been worse. Much worse. While Emmet Sheehan’s implosion Sunday forced the Dodgers to deploy six relievers in a 13-5 loss to the Angels, the surprise bullpen game shouldn’t have any lasting effects — and not just because they aren’t scheduled to play Monday. The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani hasn’t pitched as many innings...

There’s a reality in which the Warriors’ future doesn’t hinge on the No. 11 pick in the upcoming NBA draft. Sure, they could trade the selection for a superstar. But that’s not what we’re talking about. It’s whether they could go back and redo their previous lottery picks. Steph Curry, who was selected seventh overall...

Darkened storefronts represent wasted opportunities to reach for the American Dream. Yet Mamdani still doesn’t have a comprehensive economic development strategy.

Prepare to cheer or jeer.

Darializa Avila Chevalier peddled a crackpot COVID-19 theory that said the virus originated in France – and quoted a Chinese communist propaganda organ as evidence.

The opening acts have already been electric. But Monday could be historic.

Bryant Park will serve as a Knicks watch party location for Monday night’s NBA Finals match-up, giving thousands of fans the chance to come together and watch the hometown heroes battle the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3.

A five-year-old boy – who was an avid Spider-Man fan and described as a “loving pure soul” – died suddenly while on a sleepover at his friend’s house.  Jagger Wing was found unresponsive at a family friend’s parents home in Newburgh, Indiana, on May 30 – before he died in hospital, his devastated family revealed...

Last week saw disturbed Bronx resident Diana Smith arrested for ripping out a chunk of another straphanger’s hair as she ranted “Jews are eating kids”; she’d had at least six run-ins with the police.

Can AI Save More Energy Than It Consumes?

Authored by Haley Zaremba via Oilprice.com,

• Biglaw firm Duane Morris argues the energy sector's greatest AI-related risk is not surging power demand but failing to adopt AI tools fast enough to remain competitive.

• MIT research challenges industry claims that AI efficiency gains will offset its enormous energy consumption, while new data centers continue to be approved at record pace.

• AI shows genuine promise in clean energy applications - from nuclear fusion modeling to EV battery recovery - but the AI investment boom is simultaneously diverting capital away from next-gen energy research.

The artificial intelligence boom has created unprecedented pressure and anxiety in the energy industry. The public and private sector alike are expending enormous amounts of effort trying to quantify the amount of electricity that will be needed to power data centers in the near future, and get ahead of the skyrocketing energy demands headed for our already outdated and beleaguered electric grids. But the answer to the energy monster that AI is unleashing could very well lie in the application of AI tools.

A new article published by Biglaw firm Duane Morris argues that the most prescient AI-related risk for the energy industry is not the one posed by the demands of the sector itself, but the risk of falling behind in AI integration and application. The firm argues that the energy sector has an obligation to consider the ways in which large language models can be an asset, concluding that "AI should not be viewed only through the lens of risk avoidance."

"The risks of AI remain real and must be governed thoughtfully," the Energy Intelligence article goes on to say. "But in a sector responsible for critical infrastructure, the greater long-term risk may not be using AI too aggressively - it may be failing to use it enough."

Indeed, proponents of AI adoption argue that although training and operating large language models eats up an enormous amount of energy, not to mention other finite resources such as water, AI will be instrumental in making a wide array of industries significantly more energy-efficient. In fact, through these widespread efficiencies, some experts say that AI has the potential to save more energy than it consumes overall.

However, critics say that these claims are overblown and the result of wishful thinking rather than rigorous modelling. A 2025 report from MIT challenges such claims, pointing out that touted efficiency gains have not yet come to fruition, and may not be forthcoming. And while numbers on AI's efficiency gains - and even the amount of energy that AI is currently using - are still lacking, new data centers are being greenlit at lightning speed.

"AI's integration into almost everything from customer service calls to algorithmic 'bosses' to warfare is fueling enormous demand," the Washington Post wrote in an article published last summer. "Despite dramatic efficiency improvements, pouring those gains back into bigger, hungrier models powered by fossil fuels will create the energy monster we imagine."

Moreover, it is just this fear of "being left behind" that's fuelling the AI boom, arguably even more than actual demand. There is question as to whether rapid AI integration into everything from our energy grids to our electric toothbrushes - no, really - is going to create a more sophisticated and energy-efficient world, or whether it's just a resource-intensive bid to stay relevant in a rapidly changing global economy.

Wherever you stand on the issue of AI integration, it's increasingly clear that AI has some extremely promising applications in next-gen clean energy technologies. Researchers are using large language models to conduct "needle in a haystack" type inquiries to find the best methods and materials to advance nuclear fusion modelling, for example. In the renewable energy sector, AI is being used to improve forecasting of energy supply and demand for greater grid stability. And AI could even soon be used to give new life to dead EV batteries.

The massive energy needs of AI are also pushing increasing and intensified research efforts into cutting edge clean energy technologies such as nuclear fusion, advanced geothermal, and space-based solar power. But Big Tech is running on natural gas while it powers research into these clean energy ambitions. And, overall, research into next-gen energy is suffering from the AI gold rush as investors redirect their attention.

AI's role in the energy sector is anything but simple. And it's true that avoiding AI integration entirely won't solve the problem. But if the energy sector is going to eschew risk aversion and lean into the AI boom as Duane Morris suggests, it needs to have a strong policy foundation and a much smarter AI strategy going forward.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

Tyler Durden Mon, 06/08/2026 - 06:30

They're rules to literally die from! The state Health Department has published rules to administer New York's controversial new doctor-assisted suicide law -- prescribing drugs allowing incurable patients to end their lives.