JQJO — General news · Page 80

Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina said in a delayed Facebook address that he is sheltering in a 'safe place' after what he called assassination and coup attempts by military figures and politicians, amid youth-led protests demanding his ouster. Soldiers threatened to seize state TV, while the CAPSAT army unit declared control of the forces and installed Gen Demosthene Pikulas as army chief. The opposition TIM says the unit effectively runs the country and plans impeachment for 'abandonment of post.' Protests over power and water cuts have widened; the UN reports at least 22 dead, a tally the government disputes.

Week 6 closes Monday with a cross-conference Bills-Falcons clash in Atlanta. The 4-1 AFC East leaders look to rebound from a 23-20 loss to New England, while 2-2 Atlanta returns from a bye after a shootout win over Washington. The Falcons struck first on Tyler Allgeier’s 21-yard run after a negated Bijan Robinson fumble, but Josh Allen answered with a rapid drive capped by Dawson Knox. Buffalo is without Dalton Kincaid and Curtis Samuel; Atlanta sits Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud as A.J. Terrell returns. Coverage on ESPN at 7:15 p.m. ET; Bills -3.5.

Julio Rodriguez jolted Game 2 of the American Champions League Series, crushing an 84 mph splitter from Toronto’s Trey Yesavage for a three-run homer in the first. It was Rodriguez’s second postseason blast and the first extra-base hit Yesavage has yielded on his splitter, per ESPN Research—also the first home run he has allowed in his five career starts. Seattle, which rallied to win Game 1, 3-1, now chases a 2-0 series edge before the matchup shifts to Seattle on Wednesday.

Goldman Sachs will acquire San Francisco-based Industry Ventures, a venture capital firm with $7 billion under supervision, for $665 million in cash and equity, plus up to $300 million tied to performance through 2030. Aimed at strengthening Goldman’s $540 billion alternatives platform, the deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026. CEO David Solomon lauded the firm’s VC expertise; founder Hans Swildens said the combination will serve entrepreneurs, private tech companies, limited partners, and fund managers. Industry Ventures reports an 18% IRR and more than 1,000 investments, and all 45 employees are expected to join Goldman.

Google officially launched Nano Banana — the Gemini 2.5 Flash Image model — in Search’s AI Mode and Google Lens. Rolling out now in English to the US and India on Android and iOS, the update adds a Create option alongside Gallery and Camera, a new plus button in AI Mode, and Circle to Search entry on Android. In Lens, a Create tab defaults to the front camera and sends captures to AI Mode for prompts. Generated images carry a Gemini spark watermark. It’s already appearing on Android in the US for AI Mode Search Lab accounts.

Doug Lebda, founder and CEO of LendingTree, died Sunday in an ATV accident at age 55, the online loan marketplace said. The Charlotte-based company praised him as a visionary whose drive transformed the financial services landscape. Founded in 1996, LendingTree launched in 1998, went public in 2000, was acquired by IAC/InterActiveCorp before spinning off in 2008. COO and president Scott Peyree becomes president and CEO, with director Steve Ozonian named board chair, effective immediately. Lebda also co-founded Tykoon in 2010. He is survived by his wife, Megan, and three daughters, who thanked supporters.

Quantum-computing stocks jumped Monday after JPMorgan Chase named the sector among targets for a new investment push. The bank said it will deploy up to $10 billion across supply chain and advanced manufacturing, defense and aerospace, energy technology, and frontier and strategic technologies — including quantum. Arqit Quantum, D-Wave Quantum and Rigetti Computing rose about 20%, IONQ gained 15%, and Quantum Computing added 10%. CEO Jamie Dimon warned the U.S. is too reliant on unreliable sources. The effort, part of a $1.5 trillion, decade-long Security and Resiliency Initiative, follows recent triple-digit monthly gains for Rigetti (175%) and D-Wave (130%).

Apple has dropped the "plus." In a press release tied to the streaming debut of "F1: The Movie," the company said, "Apple TV+ is now simply Apple TV," leaving its streaming service, device, and app with the same name and a "vibrant new identity." Representatives for Apple did not immediately respond to Variety’s request for further comment. It’s the platform’s first name change, as competitors have shuffled brands. Launched in November 2019 with "The Morning Show," Apple’s originals have earned 553 wins and 2,562 nominations, including "Ted Lasso," "The Studio," "Severance," and best picture winner "Coda."

Austin Beutner opened his L.A. mayoral bid with a four‑minute video that denounces President Trump’s immigration crackdown and faults Mayor Karen Bass on homelessness, costs and the Palisades fire. Framing himself as a pragmatic problem solver, he highlights Vision to Learn, his L.A. Unified tenure during COVID-19, and work on Proposition 28. Bass’s campaign dismissed the critique, citing falling violent crime, homicides at a 60‑year low and two straight years of declining homelessness. A Caruso-commissioned poll showed Bass ahead, 41% to 25%, with many undecided, as developer Rick Caruso weighs another run.

Patrick Mahomes said the Chiefs played a clean, whistle-to-whistle game in their 30-17 win over the Lions, and he condemned the postgame melee that followed. The brawl erupted when Detroit safety Brian Branch declined to shake Mahomes’ hand and slapped Juju Smith-Schuster. Lions coach Dan Campbell called Branch’s actions inexcusable, apologized to Andy Reid, the Chiefs and Smith-Schuster, and said such behavior won’t be tolerated, especially with Detroit already shorthanded. Branch apologized while alleging an earlier dirty play. The league is reviewing the incident for possible discipline.