Entertainment

Lots of characters returned for SNLs 50th anniversary We wish these beloved classics were among them

Feb. 17, 2025

The “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” was a walk down memory lane for viewers of the long-running NBC sketch show. Classic characters, like Mike Myers as Linda Richman, were mixed in with newer hit sketches like Marcello Hernández’s suave Domingo, who introduced us to his “hot brothers,” for a rousing good time. While it would have been impossible to cover all the bases (we miss you Chris Kattan/Mr. Peepers!), there are some inarguably classic sketches and characters that would have been great to see represented during the celebration. A nostalgic list of some of them follows:

Entertainment

Meryl Streep makes first ever SNL appearance during 50th anniversary special

Feb. 17, 2025

Ladies and gentlemen, Meryl Streep has finally made her “Saturday Night Live” debut. Streep has never hosted nor appeared on “SNL” before Sunday, when she made her first-ever appearance during the long-running sketch show’s starry 50th anniversary special. The three-time Oscar-winner joined a recurring “Close Encounter” sketch, featuring “SNL” alum Kate McKinnon, whose character describes her NSFW alien abduction.

Science & Tech

Downloads of DeepSeek’s AI apps paused in South Korea over privacy concerns

Feb. 17, 2025

DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence startup, has temporarily paused downloads of its chatbot apps in South Korea while it works with local authorities to address privacy concerns, South Korean officials said Monday. South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission said DeepSeek’s apps were removed from the local versions of Apple’s App Store and Google Play on Saturday evening and that the company agreed to work with the agency to strengthen privacy protections before relaunching the apps.

International News

Israeli forces to remain in five locations in southern Lebanon after removal deadline

Feb. 17, 2025

Israeli forces will remain in five strategic locations in southern Lebanon near the border after Tuesday’s deadline for their full withdrawal, an Israeli official said Monday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Lebanon’s government has opposed any further delay in the Israeli pullout under the ceasefire agreement that ended fighting with the Hezbollah militant group. There was no immediate comment from Lebanese or Hezbollah officials. Earlier on Monday, an Israeli strike in Lebanon killed a senior Hamas leader.

Sports

‘My job is so, so hard,’ says Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim as the club sinks to latest low

Feb. 17, 2025

If such a bold statement was a tactic to galvanize his team to turnaround its awful form, it certainly hasn’t worked. In reality, the squad has only proved the manager’s assertion right. The nightmare of United’s league season hit a new low on Sunday after it was beaten 1-0 by Tottenham Hotspur, a team which has also suffered from a string of bad results in recent months. James Maddison returned from injury to score the winning goal for Spurs, while an underwhelming United was left kicking itself after missing some golden chances to equalize – Alejandro Garnacho was particularly culpable. The defeat means the Red Devils slip to 15th in the Premier League table, with a minus seven goal difference. The team is now closer to the relegation zone than it is to the Champions League qualification spots.

Sports

Soccer star Nabil Bentaleb scores in first game since suffering cardiac arrest last year

Feb. 17, 2025

After suffering a cardiac arrest last year, Lille midfielder Nabil Bentaleb marked his remarkable return to the sport by scoring in his side’s 2-0 league win against Rennes on Sunday. Bentaleb, who was told his career might be over after collapsing in June, came on as a substitute in the 76th minute of the Ligue 1 game and scored within four minutes of being on the pitch. The 30-year-old reacted quickest after the Rennes goalkeeper parried a shot, turning the rebound into the net. An emotional Bentaleb then ran to the sideline to celebrate with his teammates and coaching staff.

International News

Israel weighs future of ceasefire as Netanyahu praises Trump's plan to take over Gaza

Feb. 17, 2025

Israel's security Cabinet was set to meet Monday to discuss the second phase of the government's ceasefire deal with Hamas, even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced his support for President Donald Trump's plan to take over the Gaza Strip. Following a call with Trump's special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, Netanyahu instructed Israel's negotiating team to depart for the Egyptian capital of Cairo on Monday to discuss the "continuation of the implementation" of the first stage of the deal that has brought a pause to deadly fighting in Gaza, the Israeli leader's office said in a statement Sunday.

Business

Amazon workers in North Carolina vote against unionizing

Feb. 17, 2025

Amazon workers in North Carolina have voted against a proposal to unionize, a win for the retail giant in its fight against organized labor at its facilities. About 4,300 employees at an Amazon fulfillment center in Garner, a suburb of Raleigh, were eligible to cast ballots in last week’s voting to decide whether to join a grassroots labor organization called Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity and Empowerment, the National Labor Relations Board said. Amazon workers voted at the warehouse nearly 3-to-1 against joining former and current Amazon workers in the independent union.

Sports

18-year-old João Fonseca wins ‘dream’ first ATP Tour title at Argentina Open

Feb. 17, 2025

The 18-year-old Brazilian became the 10th-youngest player to win an ATP Tour title as he stunned home favorite Francisco Cerúndolo 6-4, 7-6(1) in Buenos Aires. The victory on clay also made Fonseca the second-youngest South American to win a title in the Open Era after Argentina’s Guillermo Pérez Roldán in 1987. “For me, this (moment) that I’m living is just unbelievable,” Fonseca said in his on-court interview after the match against Cerúndolo, adding: “My real dream is to play tennis. Of course, I want to be No. 1; of course, I want to win slams, titles, but my dream is just to play tennis and I’m living it.” That Fonseca had even reached Sunday’s final, his first on the ATP Tour, was remarkable enough. He saved two match points against Mariano Navone in the quarterfinals and also needed three sets to beat Laslo Djere and Federico Coria prior to facing Cerúndolo.

Entertainment

The 10 biggest Oscar snubs ever: Who never made it to the winners list?

Feb. 17, 2025

All this time later, it still hurts. The list of snubbed A-list actors, directors and hallmark movies is long when it comes to the Oscars. Legends such as Judy Garland (a two-time nominee), Marilyn Monroe (zero nominations) and Richard Burton (a whopping seven nods!) often go their whole lives without taking a gold statue home. And puzzling films can triumph in the best picture race over others that have remained culturally relevant for more than half a century. We're looking at you, "It's a Wonderful Life," which lost in 1947 to "The Best Years of Our Lives." (Which film do you remember?)