A woman holds a "legalize cannabis now" sign outside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

Bill Clark | Cq-roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images

Marijuana has had a history of highs and lows in the U.S. over the past century — legally, politically and culturally — teetering between vilification and acceptance. Since 1996, 40 states and the District of Columbia have legalized either medical or recreational adult-use marijuana. Yet cannabis, the leafy plant from which marijuana is derived, is still a federally illegal Schedule I drug as defined by the 1970 Controlled Substances Act.  

Italian businessman and con artist Charles Ponzi writing his life story. (AP Photo)

AP Photo

Todd Burkhalter the CEO of Georgia-based financial advisory group Drive Planning LLC was sentenced on August 14th to 20 years in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Tiffany Johnson on charges related to his orchestrating the largest Ponzi scheme in Georgia history through which he scammed more than 2,000 investors out of approximately $380 million. Judge Johnson rejected the U.S. Attorney’s plea-bargained recommendation of a 17 ½ year prison sentence. The 20-year sentence was the maximum sentence that Judge Johnson could have imposed and with parole effectively abolished for federal criminal offenses pursuant to the Sentencing and Reform Act since 1987, Burkhalter will be required to serve the bulk of his sentence with only a limited number of “good conduct” credits to reduce the actual time to be served. Burkhalter was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following the completion of his prison sentence as well as pay $233.7 million in restitution.

If you bought a game by accident, there is hope.

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Bought the wrong game or want your money back for an Xbox subscription? Here's what to do. 

“Mutrion,” a short film set in the Venice lagoon by 26-year-old Italian director Marco Cavazzin, has scooped the best director award at the Locarno Film Festival’s Pardi di Domani (Leopards of Tomorrow) section.

Heavy Handed

The Antwerp World Diamond Center gifted the president a gaudy, Super Bowl-style ring. Weeks later, the country was granted an exemption from his latest trade tantrum

Putting a ring on it is a surefire sign of commitment — or at least a sign that someone’s looking for it.

Going analog is all the rage, but does it apply to the small screen?

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British stars George MacKay and Rosy McEwen can admit: Mission was one of the least conventional shooting experiences they’ve ever had. It also happened to be one of the most liberating.

Lanterns

Photograph by John Johnson/HBO Max

The DCU is on unsteady ground, but it is hoping that one new offering in particular will deliver it from blackest night. That would be Lanterns, the True Detective inspired Green Lantern series airing on HBO Max this Sunday. Reviews are in, and everyone from Warner Bros. to fans should be able to breathe easy.

Bournemouth have vowed to "do better" after changes to matchday staffing were handled in a manner which "did not reflect the standards" the club expects.

Concerns were raised over the way the Premier League club told some long-serving members of their matchday team that their services would no longer be required for the 2026-27 season.