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Google Rolls Out Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 for Pixel With Fraud Protection and Customization Tools

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Google has begun rolling out Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 to eligible Pixel devices, delivering bug fixes, a notable security enhancement against call-forwarding fraud, and expanded interface customization options as the company prepares its next quarterly Feature Drop.

The update, released on Aug. 14, arrives as a relatively uncommon Friday software drop for the public beta program. Builds CP41.260731.005.A2 and CP41.260731.005.B1 carry the August 2026 security patch level of Aug. 5 and include Google Play services version 26.26.34. System images and over-the-air updates are available for a wide range of Pixel hardware, including the Pixel 6a, Pixel 7 series, Pixel 8 series, Pixel 9 series, Pixel 10 series, Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet and related variants, along with emulator support.

According to official release notes from Android Developers, the beta addresses two significant stability issues reported by testers. Opening the notification shade and Quick Settings menu previously caused visual corruption and unexpected device restarts. Separately, the Device Health and Support tool had been displaying incorrect warnings about battery capacity degradation. Both problems are resolved in this release.

The most prominent platform change focuses on security. Android 17 QPR2 Beta 3 introduces new restrictions designed to harden the system against call-forwarding fraud. The TelephonyManager.sendUssdRequest() API is no longer accessible for call-forwarding codes when an app holds only the CALL_PHONE permission. Background attempts by standard applications to execute such codes are blocked and return a USSD_ERROR_NOT_ALLOWED callback. Users who manually dial call-forwarding codes through the system dialer now encounter an operating-system confirmation dialog before the command proceeds. Non-call-forwarding USSD requests, such as those used for mobile money transfers or account balance checks, remain unaffected.

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Beyond the official changelog, the beta expands several user-facing customization features that have drawn attention from early testers. A Quick Settings layout editor allows users to rearrange tiles, including the ability to move the brightness slider and media player controls to more accessible positions. Dynamic Color theming receives broader controls, with a new slider for fine-tuning hue and additional color style options that give greater flexibility over the system’s visual appearance. System blur effects have been extended to the lock screen, applying to shortcuts, the fingerprint indicator and notifications for a more consistent Material design treatment.

A native App Lock feature is also present in the build, enabling users to secure individual applications behind biometric or PIN authentication without relying solely on third-party solutions. These interface refinements continue Google’s pattern of using quarterly platform releases to introduce polished quality-of-life improvements that later ship more widely as Feature Drops.

Android 17 itself reached stable release earlier in 2026. Quarterly Platform Releases, or QPRs, deliver incremental updates to both the open-source Android Open Source Project and to Pixel devices. QPR2 is positioned as the December Feature Drop for the current generation of software. Beta 3 represents the most substantial update in the current QPR2 cycle to date, combining stability work with visible interface enhancements.

Eligible devices already enrolled in the Android Beta Program should receive the update automatically as an over-the-air download. Users who prefer to install the software manually can download factory images or OTA packages from the Android Developers site. As with all beta software, the build is intended for testing and may contain remaining issues. Google continues to solicit feedback through the issue tracker and the public beta community.

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The security hardening reflects ongoing industry efforts to close common vectors for social-engineering and automated fraud. Call-forwarding scams have long exploited USSD codes and background API access. By requiring elevated permissions or explicit user confirmation, the system aims to reduce the success rate of such attacks without disrupting legitimate carrier or banking services.

Customization options in the beta align with broader trends in mobile software toward greater personalization of the system interface. The ability to rearrange Quick Settings and refine color themes gives Pixel owners more control over daily interactions, while expanded blur effects reinforce visual continuity across the lock screen and notification surfaces.

Google has not published a firm date for the final public release of Android 17 QPR2, though quarterly Feature Drops have historically arrived in the final month of each quarter. Beta testing is expected to continue with additional builds that refine the new features and address any regressions introduced in the current package.

For developers, the update includes a minor SDK release with no planned behavior changes that would require extensive compatibility work. The focus remains on platform stability and user experience refinements rather than major API surface alterations.

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Pixel owners participating in the beta program can expect the update to appear in the coming days, depending on the staged rollout schedule. Those who wish to leave the beta program and return to the latest stable public build can typically do so without a full device wipe, provided they have not yet installed the new software or follow the official opt-out guidance carefully.

The release underscores Google’s dual approach of delivering security-focused platform improvements alongside the visual and interactive refinements that distinguish the Pixel software experience. As testing continues, the features introduced in Beta 3 will help determine the final shape of the December Feature Drop for Android 17.

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Merck EVP DeLuca sells $5.9m in stock

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Avalo Therapeutics CSO Jennifer Riley sells $52,012 in stock

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Avalo Therapeutics CMO Mittie Doyle sells $13,580 in stock

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Elon Musk Predicts AI Will Make Up 99 Percent of SpaceX Value Within Five Years

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There are similarities with fellow tech mogul Elon Musk

Elon Musk has told SpaceX employees that artificial intelligence is poised to become the dominant force in the company’s future, projecting that AI will account for 99 percent of its value within four to five years while already generating substantial and rapidly growing revenue.

In a recent all-hands meeting with staff, the SpaceX chief executive outlined an aggressive shift. “Long-term, probably in four or five years, AI will be 99% of the value of SpaceX. I’d say five years for sure, AI will be 99% the value of SpaceX. And the value of SpaceX will be some astronomical number,” Musk said.

He also forecast a nearer-term milestone. “Definitely our AI revenue will exceed all other space revenue probably in September, like next month,” Musk told employees, adding that the segment “will significantly exceed all other SpaceX revenue in the fourth quarter.”

The comments come as SpaceX, now a publicly traded company, reported strong second-quarter results. Total revenue reached $7.8 billion, up 92 percent from the year-earlier period. The AI segment contributed $2.6 billion, representing roughly one-third of the total and growing about 247 percent year over year. Connectivity services, primarily Starlink, generated about $4.3 billion, while traditional space products and launch activities accounted for the remainder.

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SpaceX has been expanding its AI-related offerings, which include access to the Grok family of large language models, cloud computing infrastructure and related services. The company has signed significant cloud services agreements, including deals involving Anthropic and Alphabet’s Google. In the second quarter alone, it reported $14.1 billion in contracted cloud sales. Capital expenditures remain elevated, with a large share directed toward building AI compute capacity.

Musk detailed ambitious infrastructure targets. The company currently operates about 1.4 gigawatts of AI compute power and aims to reach 2 gigawatts by the end of 2026, then approximately 10 gigawatts by the end of 2027. “The value per watt is probably going to be 30 to $50, which means if we bring 10 Gigawatts of AI online by the end of next year, it will be 300 to $500 billion a year in revenue,” he said.

In filings related to its public listing, SpaceX estimated a total addressable market of $28.5 trillion across its businesses, with $26.5 trillion attributed to AI. The projection underscores management’s view that compute infrastructure, model services and related software could far outstrip the scale of launch services and satellite internet over time.

The rapid growth in AI revenue has drawn investor attention, yet it also highlights execution risks. Building large-scale data centers and securing power requires massive ongoing investment. Competition in AI infrastructure is intense, with established cloud providers and specialized players vying for the same customers. Concentration risk exists as well; a single customer has accounted for a notable share of recent AI revenue in some periods.

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SpaceX’s traditional businesses continue to advance. Starlink remains a leading provider of low-Earth-orbit broadband, and the company maintains its position as a dominant launch provider with reusable rocket technology. Development of the next-generation Starship vehicle proceeds alongside these efforts. Musk has framed AI success as supportive of the broader multiplanetary goals, suggesting that substantial AI cash flows could help fund long-term space ambitions.

Analysts have noted the dual nature of the opportunity and the challenge. Strong top-line growth in AI, if sustained, could support higher valuations even if near-term profitability remains constrained by heavy capital spending. At the same time, the bullish scenario depends on continued robust demand for AI compute, successful scaling of capacity, and the ability to convert contracted revenue into recurring, high-margin streams.

Musk has emphasized the strategic importance of succeeding in both hardware and software aspects of AI. The company is integrating capabilities across its ecosystem, including training models on internal data and expanding enterprise offerings. Whether the ambitious timelines materialize will depend on execution in an industry known for rapid technological change and significant capital intensity.

For investors, the message from the SpaceX leader is clear: the company that transformed access to space now sees its greatest long-term value in artificial intelligence. The coming months will test whether AI revenue can overtake other segments as quickly as projected, while the multiyear horizon will determine if the 99 percent valuation claim becomes reality. In the meantime, SpaceX continues to operate at the intersection of two of the most capital-intensive and transformative industries of the era—space exploration and artificial intelligence—with the balance between them shifting rapidly according to its chief executive.

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Patricia Mulroy sells $37,415 of Bowman Consulting stock

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Mahindra BE 6 Electric SUV Delivers Strong Performance and Range in Competitive Segment

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Mahindra BE 6 Electric SUV Delivers Strong Performance and Range

The Mahindra BE 6 has established itself as one of the more distinctive electric SUVs available in India, combining a bold design, rear-wheel-drive dynamics and competitive real-world range in a segment increasingly crowded with options from both domestic and international brands.

Built on Mahindra’s dedicated INGLO electric platform, the BE 6 is a five-seater coupe-style SUV measuring approximately 4,371 mm in length with a 2,775 mm wheelbase. It is offered primarily with two lithium-iron-phosphate battery packs: a 59 kWh unit and a larger 79 kWh pack. Power is delivered by a single rear-mounted permanent-magnet synchronous motor producing 380 Nm of torque across variants. Output stands at roughly 231 horsepower with the smaller battery and climbs to about 286 horsepower with the larger pack. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is claimed at 6.7 seconds in the higher-powered version.

Claimed ARAI ranges reach 556–557 km for the 59 kWh models and up to 682–683 km for the 79 kWh versions. Independent testing has returned more conservative but still competitive real-world figures. One comprehensive road test of the 79 kWh variant recorded an average efficiency of 5.68 km per kWh, translating to a combined city-and-highway range of approximately 449 km. City driving alone yielded around 439–440 km in some evaluations, while highway efficiency held up well under steady speeds. Owners reporting longer-term use have described practical daily ranges in the 400-plus km bracket depending on driving style, climate control use and traffic conditions.

Charging capability is a strong point. The vehicle supports DC fast charging that can take the battery from 20 percent to 80 percent in about 20 minutes when connected to a suitably powerful charger (up to 140–180 kW depending on the pack). AC home charging with a 7.2 kW or 11 kW wallbox typically requires six to 12 hours for a full charge, making overnight top-ups practical for most users.

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On the road, the BE 6 stands out for its rear-wheel-drive layout and suspension tuning. Reviewers have consistently praised the balance between ride comfort and handling composure, noting that the car feels more agile than many of its rivals despite its size and weight. Multiple drive modes and adjustable regenerative braking levels, including single-pedal driving options, allow drivers to tailor the experience. Cabin refinement is generally high, with effective isolation from road and motor noise.

The interior adopts a modern, dual-screen layout featuring a pair of 12.3-inch displays. Higher trims add a 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with Dolby Atmos support, a panoramic glass roof, ventilated front seats, wireless charging, a 360-degree camera system and Level 2 or Level 2+ advanced driver-assistance features. Safety equipment includes up to seven airbags and a five-star Bharat NCAP rating in tested configurations. Some packaging and ergonomic details, such as rear-seat space and certain control placements, have drawn milder criticism relative to more conventional SUVs.

Pricing has positioned the BE 6 competitively. Earlier variants launched in the range of ₹18.90 lakh to ₹26.90 lakh (ex-showroom), excluding the cost of a home charger. In August 2026, Mahindra introduced Sporteq variants starting at ₹19.45 lakh, expanding battery options in some trims and refining the lineup. On-road prices vary by state incentives, insurance and dealer packages. Lifetime battery warranty coverage for the first private owner has been highlighted as a confidence-building measure.

The BE 6 competes most directly with models such as the Hyundai Creta Electric, MG ZS EV, Tata Curvv EV and upcoming entrants like the Maruti e Vitara. Its combination of performance, distinctive styling and feature content at the quoted price points has earned broadly positive assessments from road testers, who frequently cite the driving experience and equipment levels as key strengths. Practical limitations around rear passenger space and the learning curve associated with some interface elements remain the most commonly noted drawbacks.

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For buyers seeking an electric SUV that prioritizes engagement and modern technology over maximum interior volume, the BE 6 presents a compelling case. Real-world range appears sufficient for typical urban and intercity use when paired with access to charging infrastructure, while the rapid DC charging capability reduces downtime on longer journeys. As India’s electric vehicle market continues to expand, the model underscores Mahindra’s shift toward purpose-built EVs rather than adapted combustion platforms.

Ownership reports from the first months of delivery describe reliable daily performance, strong climate control in hot weather and useful ADAS functionality. Service network maturity and long-term software support will remain important factors as the fleet grows. Overall, the BE 6 has carved a clear identity in a segment where differentiation increasingly matters, offering a blend of performance, technology and value that has resonated with early adopters and reviewers alike.

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Alibaba, Walmart To Headline Earnings Next Week, FOMC Minutes Of Meeting In Focus

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OneWater Marine Inc. (ONEW) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

Get ahead of the market by subscribing to Seeking Alpha’s Wall Street Week Ahead, a preview of key events scheduled for the coming week. The newsletter keeps you informed of the biggest stories set to make headlines, including upcoming IPOs, investor days, earnings reports, and conference presentations.

Wall Street’s major market averages were muted on Friday after the S&P 500 notched another record high in the previous session. On the economic calendar, U.S. retail sales dipped 0.6% M/M to $763.6B in July from the previous month’s 0.2% growth to $768.1B.

The economic calendar will continue to remain largely muted for the next week, barring a few important events. Leading them is the FOMC’s minutes of the meeting, releasing on Wednesday. The Philadelphia Fed’s manufacturing index for August and initial jobless claims data are due on Thursday. S&P Global’s PMI data for August is due on Friday.

Alibaba (BABA), Walmart (WMT), Home Depot (HD), and Baidu (BIDU) are among the firms reporting their earnings next week.

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______________________________________________________________

Earnings spotlight: Tuesday: BHP Group (BHP), Home Depot, Baidu. See the full earnings calendar.

Earnings spotlight: Wednesday: Target (TGT), Lowe’s (LOW). See the full earnings calendar.

Earnings spotlight: Thursday: Walmart, Alibaba. See the full earnings calendar.

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Volatility watch: Amazon (AMZN) and Mercury Systems (MRCY) have seen options volatility increase over the last week. The most overbought stocks per their 14-day relative strength index include SMJ International (SMJF), Hercules Metals (BADEF), and Varex Imaging (VREX). The most oversold stocks per their 14-day Relative Strength Index include Arko (ARKO) and Emergent Bio (EBS). Short interest is elevated again on Sphere Entertainment (SPHR) and Xponential Fitness (XPOF).

Dividend watch: Companies that have an ex-dividend date coming next week include ConocoPhillips (COP), Chevron (CVX), Applied Materials (AMAT), and Microsoft (MSFT).

IPO watch: IPOs expected to price during the

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Ariana Grande Kicks Off Historic 10-Night O2 Arena Residency To Close Eternal Sunshine Tour

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Ariana Grande

LONDON — Ariana Grande launched a landmark 10-night residency at London’s O2 Arena this weekend, bringing her Eternal Sunshine Tour to its European finale in what is being described as one of the most significant pop residencies the venue has hosted in years.

The run, which spans August 15 through September 1, marks Grande’s first UK concert dates since her 2019 Sweetener World Tour and represents the longest single-venue stretch of her career. The 10 shows are also the tour’s only European dates, a decision that has concentrated intense demand onto the London run. All 10 nights sold out within minutes of going on general sale through AXS, with Grande performing in a two-nights-on, one-night-off rotation across the three-week stretch. With the O2 holding roughly 20,000 fans per show, the residency is expected to draw approximately 200,000 concertgoers by the time it concludes.

The final show, on September 1, will close not only the London residency but the entire 41-date Eternal Sunshine Tour worldwide, adding extra emotional weight to the run’s concluding night. Speaking during an earlier tour stop at Oakland Arena, Grande told the crowd, “I don’t know when I’ll do this again,” a comment that has since taken on added significance as the tour approaches its final performance in London.

The Eternal Sunshine Tour supports Grande’s seventh studio album, “Eternal Sunshine,” released in 2024, along with its expanded follow-up, “Eternal Sunshine: Brighter Days Ahead,” which added nine bonus tracks and six new songs the following year. The tour marks Grande’s first major run of live shows in six years, following a Sweetener World Tour that drew more than 1.3 million fans across nearly 100 performances.

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Ahead of the O2 shows, coverage from The Sun reported that Grande spent time at a private countryside retreat alongside close friend and fellow pop star Sabrina Carpenter, using the getaway as a chance to unwind away from London before the demanding run of performances began. The two singers have maintained a close friendship dating back to Carpenter’s time opening for Grande’s Dangerous Woman Tour years earlier, a relationship that has remained visible through the pair’s continued public support of one another’s careers and occasional appearances together since.

Security and logistics around the O2 shows have drawn particular attention given the venue’s history. The arena has implemented a strict bag policy for the residency, permitting only clear plastic bags no larger than 30 by 15 by 30 centimeters, a measure that reflects heightened security protocols at Grande’s concerts following the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, which took place following one of her performances. There is no opening act for the London shows, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and Grande expected on stage between 8 p.m. and 8:10 p.m. each night, with performances typically concluding by 10 p.m.

The O2 residency places Grande among a small group of artists to have staged extended, single-venue concert runs of similar scale at the arena. The venue has previously hosted some of the most celebrated residencies in pop music history, including Adele’s acclaimed 2022 and 2024 runs, which became widely cited benchmarks for large-scale concert production.

Grande’s setlist has varied slightly from night to night throughout the broader Eternal Sunshine Tour, drawing from her catalog spanning “Eternal Sunshine” alongside earlier hits from throughout her career. Unlike some previous tour legs, the London shows do not feature a dedicated opening act, with the full evening built around Grande’s own multi-segment performance.

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Beyond the concerts themselves, the residency has generated substantial economic activity around the O2 site in North Greenwich, with nearby restaurants, transportation hubs and public spaces filling with fans well ahead of each night’s doors opening, part of what organizers and local businesses have described as a broader citywide moment tied to the shows.

With demand for tickets remaining high even after the official sold-out designation, resale platforms have continued listing available seats, though at a significant premium over face value, reflecting the scale of interest in what has been billed as one of the most anticipated concert events in London this year.

As the residency continues through the coming weeks, all eyes will remain on the September 1 finale, which Grande and her team have positioned as the definitive closing chapter of the Eternal Sunshine era, following a stretch of touring that has taken the show across multiple continents before arriving at its concluding stand in London.

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(VIDEO) Five Shot Outside Virginia State University Dorms, One In Critical Condition, Lockdown Now Lifted

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Five Shot Outside Virginia State University Dorms, One In Critical

ETTRICK, Va. — Five people were injured in a shooting outside dormitories at Virginia State University early Saturday morning, prompting a campus-wide lockdown that was lifted several hours later as investigators continued searching for multiple suspects.

Officers were called to the 3300 block of Boisseau Street at approximately 1:30 a.m. following a report of gunfire, according to Lt. James Lamb of the Chesterfield County Police Department. When officers arrived, they found five people suffering from gunshot wounds outside the university’s Quad Annexes, a residence hall area near Boisseau Street and Third Avenue. All five were transported to nearby hospitals.

Five Shot Outside Virginia State University Dorms, One In Critical
Five Shot Outside Virginia State University Dorms, One In Critical Condition, Lockdown Now Lifted

One victim, initially listed with life-threatening injuries, was later upgraded to critical condition, according to county police. The remaining four victims sustained injuries described as not life-threatening. Sources familiar with the investigation told a local television reporter the wounds appeared to be graze injuries, though that characterization had not been officially confirmed by police as of Saturday morning.

Virginia State University said in a statement that the shooting involved multiple suspects, though authorities had not announced any arrests as of Saturday morning. Lamb said law enforcement remained heavily deployed on campus as the investigation continued. “A significant law enforcement presence remains on campus as investigators process the scene,” Lamb said, adding that Virginia State University Police, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office were all assisting Chesterfield County police with the investigation.

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In its own statement, the university confirmed that multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in the response. “VSU Police and the Chesterfield County Police Department are actively investigating,” the university said, urging students and the broader campus community to continue avoiding the area and to follow all instructions from law enforcement personnel on scene.

The university placed its campus on lockdown immediately following the shooting. VSU Police Chief David Bragg announced around 8:20 a.m. that the lockdown had been lifted and that normal access to campus could resume, though officials cautioned that a heightened law enforcement presence would remain in place while the investigation continued.

The shooting occurred at a particularly sensitive moment for the university. Residence halls had opened to returning students just a day earlier, on Friday, ahead of the start of classes for the new academic year, scheduled to begin Monday. The university had marked the occasion that same Friday morning with a pinning ceremony welcoming nearly 1,500 new students, featuring former NFL Most Valuable Player Cam Newton as the event’s guest speaker.

Virginia State University is a historically Black public university located in Ettrick, Virginia, roughly 24 miles south of Richmond. Founded in 1882, the school holds the distinction of being the first fully state-supported four-year college established for Black Americans in the United States. The university currently enrolls approximately 5,700 students.

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Officials have asked anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. The university directed tips to Chesterfield County Police at 804-748-1251, the Crime Solvers tip line at 804-748-0660, or Virginia State University Police directly at 804-524-5411.

Saturday’s shooting adds to a series of gun violence incidents that have affected college campuses across Virginia and the broader country in recent years. In November 2022, a shooting at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville left three football players dead and two other people injured, prompting an hours-long manhunt and a campus-wide shelter-in-place order. More recently, a shooting at Old Dominion University in Norfolk left one person dead and additional victims injured among members of the school’s ROTC program.

As of Saturday morning, no additional details had been released regarding the circumstances that led to the shooting at Virginia State University, including a possible motive or the relationship, if any, between the shooters and the victims. Investigators had not indicated whether any of the five injured individuals were current students at the university.

With the lockdown lifted and classes still scheduled to begin Monday as planned, the university’s response in the coming days is likely to focus on both the ongoing law enforcement investigation and efforts to reassure students and their families as the fall semester approaches. Chesterfield County police said the investigation remains active and ongoing, with additional updates expected as authorities work to identify those responsible.

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Kate Middleton Reportedly Set To Join Prince William In Mumbai For 2026 Earthshot Prize

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Kate Middleton and Jill Biden

Catherine, the Princess of Wales, is reportedly set to accompany Prince William to Mumbai, India, in November for the 2026 Earthshot Prize Awards, according to a report from the Mirror, in what would mark the couple’s first joint international visit since 2023 and Kate’s first appearance at the environmental awards ceremony since its second edition in 2022.

Kensington Palace has not officially confirmed Kate’s attendance, and did not comment when reached by PEOPLE about the report. If the trip goes ahead as described, it would represent a significant milestone in Kate’s ongoing return to public duties following her 2024 cancer diagnosis, for which she announced she was in remission in January 2025.

William launched the Earthshot Prize in 2020 as a 10-year initiative aimed at identifying and rewarding solutions to major environmental challenges, with winners across five categories each receiving £1 million, or roughly $1.4 million, to advance their work. Kate attended the inaugural ceremony in London in 2021 and the second edition in Boston in 2022, but has not appeared at the awards since, missing subsequent ceremonies in Singapore in 2023, Cape Town in 2024 and Rio de Janeiro in 2025, a period that overlapped with her cancer treatment and broader step back from public engagements.

According to the Mirror’s royal editor, Russell Myers, Kate’s involvement in the Earthshot Prize traces back further than her public appearances at the awards themselves. “The secret to the Prince and Princess of Wales’ marriage is support for one another,” Myers said, crediting Kate as a driving force behind William’s decision to launch the initiative in the first place, at a time when he reportedly had doubts about whether it could achieve the scale of global recognition it has since reached.

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Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond echoed that assessment in comments to the Mirror, describing the couple’s shared commitment to environmental causes as a genuine, mutual passion rather than simply a supportive gesture from Kate toward her husband’s work. “They are completely aligned in their love of nature,” Bond said, adding that concerns about the natural world and the broader climate crisis matter just as much to Kate personally as they do to William.

Myers went further in characterizing the significance of a potential November trip, describing it as more than just another royal engagement. He said Kate’s expected presence in India represents a substantial moment both for her individually and for the couple as a working partnership, framing the visit as an opportunity for renewal following a difficult stretch tied to her health. He added that when the couple appears together on the international stage, their combined presence tends to generate significantly more attention and impact than either would achieve separately.

William announced Mumbai as the 2026 host city during the first Mumbai Climate Week in February, noting that India has produced more Earthshot Prize finalists and winners than any other country to date. “India is one of the world’s most important forces for climate and nature,” William said at the time, adding that solutions successfully implemented at scale in India carry the potential to inspire similar progress in other parts of the world.

Beyond the Mumbai ceremony itself, the Mirror reported that William and Kate are also likely to spend additional time in Delhi during the trip, at the request of the U.K. government. The visit would echo a prior tour the couple undertook together in 2016, when they traveled to India and Bhutan while still holding the titles of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, including a widely photographed stop at the Taj Mahal.

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Kate’s expected trip to India follows a successful solo international visit she undertook in May, when she traveled to Reggio Emilia, Italy, for a two-day trip tied to her work on early childhood development, her first solo overseas visit since 2022. A source told Vanity Fair at the time that the Italy trip had served as something of a trial run ahead of a potential second, larger tour later in the year. The Times separately reported that Kate appeared enthusiastic following the Italy trip, reportedly asking on the flight home, “Where next?”

With the Earthshot Prize ceremony still roughly three months away, Kensington Palace has not provided an official itinerary or confirmed guest list for the November events. Should the reported plans move forward, the Mumbai trip would stand as one of the most closely watched royal engagements of the year, offering the clearest public signal yet of Kate’s continued return to a fuller schedule of international duties following her recovery.

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