The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine kicks off this week in Indianapolis, where 319 of the top college prospects will undergo medical evaluations, interviews, athletic testing and on-field workouts from February 23 through March 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center.

The annual event, long a cornerstone of the pre-draft process, provides NFL teams with critical data ahead of the April 23-25 draft in Pittsburgh. While the combine rarely reshapes entire draft boards, standout performances in the 40-yard dash, bench press and positional drills can elevate stock, and poor showings can raise questions.

This year’s class features strong depth at several positions, particularly edge rushers, running backs and offensive linemen, though quarterback remains a point of intrigue with fewer elite options compared to recent years.

The combine begins Monday with arrivals, medical exams and initial media availabilities. General managers and head coaches from all 32 teams speak to reporters Tuesday and Wednesday, offering insights into team needs and draft strategies.

On-field workouts start Thursday, February 26, with defensive linemen, linebackers and kickers/ punters taking the field from 3 p.m. ET. Defensive backs and tight ends follow Friday at the same time. Quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs showcase Saturday starting at 1 p.m., and offensive linemen close things out Sunday at 1 p.m.

NFL Network provides live coverage of workouts and interviews, with streaming available on NFL+ and the NFL app. Highlights and analysis follow daily on social media and league platforms.

A record 319 prospects received invitations, up slightly from recent years, reflecting a deep pool of talent. The event includes measurements, bench press (225 pounds for reps), vertical and broad jumps, three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle, 60-yard shuttle for some and the marquee 40-yard dash.

Top prospects drawing attention include Ohio State linebacker/edge Arvell Reese, widely viewed as the class’s premier talent regardless of position. Scouts praise his explosiveness, versatility and production, with many calling him a potential top-five pick.

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love stands out as a dynamic playmaker with elite speed and receiving skills, potentially the best back in the class. Ohio State safety Caleb Downs brings elite range and ball skills, making him a sought-after defensive back.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, a projected high pick for teams needing a franchise signal-caller, headlines the QB group. Though he may opt not to throw, his interviews and medicals will be scrutinized. Other QBs to watch include Penn State’s Drew Allar, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and Arkansas’ Taylen Green.

Edge rushers Reuben Bain Jr. from Miami and Texas Tech’s David Bailey offer pass-rush upside, while offensive linemen like Missouri’s Armand Membou and Clemson’s Blake Miller could solidify as first-round talents with strong testing.

Wide receivers feature speed threats like Mississippi State’s Brenen Thompson, projected for a sub-4.35 40, and others such as Arizona’s Jordyn Tyson and USC’s Makai Lemon. Defensive backs include Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy and Clemson’s Avieon Terrell.

The class boasts notable depth in the trenches, with experts noting a stronger offensive line group than in recent drafts. Centers like Florida’s Jake Slaughter and guards like Texas A&M’s Chase Bisontis highlight interior talent.

Storylines abound: Teams like the Las Vegas Raiders, holding the No. 1 pick, face decisions on quarterback needs. The combine offers a platform for prospects to address character concerns, scheme fit and injury history in interviews.

Athletic testing often produces risers — a blazing 40 can push a Day 2 prospect into Round 1 — while struggles in agility drills or the gauntlet can prompt reevaluation.

Medical evaluations remain paramount, revealing injury histories that could alter draft stock more than any drill.

Indianapolis has hosted the combine since 1987, valued for its central location and facilities. The city will continue through 2028, with a potential revisit afterward.

As the league transitions post-Super Bowl 60, the combine launches the offseason in earnest. Free agency looms in March, but draft preparation dominates here.

Prospects aim to impress scouts, coaches and executives from all teams in one centralized setting. For many, it’s the biggest stage before the draft.

With a talented yet positionally varied class, the 2026 combine promises compelling performances and insights shaping April’s selections.

In a surprise announcement capping off the “EVANGELION:30+; 30th Anniversary of Evangelion” festival, Studio Khara revealed Monday that a brand-new television anime series in the *Neon Genesis Evangelion* franchise is in production, with acclaimed video game creator Yoko Taro handling series composition and screenplay.

The news broke during the final program of the three-day event at Yokohama Arena on February 23, 2026, drawing immediate excitement from fans worldwide. The festival, which ran from February 21 to 23, featured exhibitions, talk shows, a kabuki adaptation and the premiere of a new 15-minute short anime focused on Asuka Langley Soryu, closing with a live cello and choral performance to unveil the project.

Taro, best known as the director and writer behind the *NieR* series — including the critically acclaimed *NieR:Automata* — will lead the writing duties. His work often explores themes of existentialism, identity, human suffering and cyclical despair, elements that resonate deeply with *Evangelion*’s psychological depth and philosophical undertones. Taro has long cited *Neon Genesis Evangelion* as a major influence on his storytelling style.

Joining Taro are directors Kazuya Tsurumaki and Toko Yatabe. Tsurumaki, a longtime collaborator with franchise creator Hideaki Anno, directed several *Rebuild of Evangelion* films and recently helmed *Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX*. Yatabe served as an assistant director on *Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time* and contributed to projects like *Chainsaw Man*. Music will come from Keiichi Okabe, the composer for the *NieR* franchise, known for his emotive, atmospheric scores.

Production is a collaboration between Studio Khara — Anno’s studio behind the original series and *Rebuild* films — and CloverWorks, the animation house responsible for hits like *The Promised Neverland* and *Spy x Family*. The partnership marks a fresh approach for the franchise, blending Khara’s signature style with CloverWorks’ modern animation techniques.

The official announcement on the Evangelion website emphasized that this is a “completely new series,” separate from the 1995-1996 original TV run, its films, the *Rebuild* tetralogy and any prior spin-offs. No plot details, character information, release date or episode count have been disclosed yet. Studio Khara described it as the franchise’s “Next Genesis,” signaling a new chapter in the saga that has defined mecha anime, psychological drama and otaku culture for three decades.

*Neon Genesis Evangelion* premiered in October 1995 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon with its blend of giant robot battles, religious symbolism, Freudian psychology and unflinching exploration of depression, trauma and human connection. The series ended controversially in 1996, followed by films and the *Rebuild* project from 2007 to 2021, which reimagined the story and concluded with *3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time*. Anno has repeatedly stated that *Evangelion* was his attempt to “end” personal struggles through art, yet the franchise’s enduring appeal has kept it alive.

Taro’s involvement has sparked widespread praise. Fans and critics note the thematic synergy: *NieR:Automata* grapples with android existence, purpose and repeated failure — motifs that echo Shinji Ikari’s existential crises and the Angels’ apocalyptic threats. Taro retweeted Studio Khara’s announcement post on X, writing simply, “It’s been announced! I’ll do my best!” — a characteristically understated response from the enigmatic creator who often wears a mask in public appearances.

The announcement arrives exactly 30 years after the original series’ debut, capping a year of anniversary projects including merchandise, collaborations and events. The Yokohama festival drew massive crowds, with tickets selling out quickly. A new short film shown there — reportedly featuring alternate scenarios and “happy endings” for characters like Asuka and Shinji — generated buzz, though Studio Khara warned against unauthorized sharing, threatening legal action.

Industry observers see the project as a bold evolution. Bringing in Taro, an outsider to traditional anime production but a proven master of dark, introspective narratives, could inject fresh energy while honoring the series’ legacy. Okabe’s score promises to elevate emotional highs, potentially blending orchestral swells with electronic elements in a style akin to *NieR*’s iconic soundtrack.

Details remain scarce, with no voice cast, animation style or timeline confirmed. Given anime production cycles, a premiere is unlikely before 2027 or later. Fans speculate on whether it will continue post-*Rebuild* events, reboot elements or explore entirely new stories.

The reveal has ignited social media, with hashtags trending globally and discussions on platforms like Reddit and X focusing on Taro’s fit. Many view it as the “perfect” creative pairing, given his admiration for Anno’s work.

As *Evangelion* enters its fourth decade, this new series underscores its undying influence. Whether it delivers catharsis, more despair or something entirely unexpected, Taro’s vision ensures the franchise will continue provoking thought and debate.

Glenn and Lorraine Crawford paid about $500 a month to insure their home in Agoura Hills northwest of Los Angeles when they bought it in 2012.

Now, State Farm is charging them more than seven times as much for coverage that wouldn’t cover the cost of rebuilding the home.

The Crawfords say they have little alternative but to pay the bill that arrived last month, which, at more than $44,000 a year, is almost as much as their mortgage bill. The only other insurer willing to cover their home, Lloyd’s of London, quoted them $80,000 a year.

More than a year after infernos tore through Los Angeles County, millions of Californians like the Crawfords are suffering through a home-insurance crisis that has rolled on for years with eye-watering rate increases, canceled policies and rejected claims.

Mid-career professionals face a crowded menu of business education options, from short skills courses to long-form qualifications. The Master of Business Administration still occupies a recognised place in that mix, but its value now rests on what it can contribute in concrete terms to a working life already underway. Education providers such as the International Career Institute (ICI) frame the MBA as a way to bring skills, strategy, and experience into a single, structured programme that fits around work and family.​

For ICI, the MBA is designed as a practical management qualification that can be completed 100 per cent online, often within about a year, or at a pace that suits the student. The ICI MBA course covers core fields including accounting, analytics, entrepreneurship, leadership, markets, marketing, finance, management, and strategy, aiming to give professionals a toolkit they can apply immediately in their roles. In an environment where employers increasingly focus on demonstrable capability as well as credentials, that combination of breadth and application matters.

“There is nothing to compare with the sense of self-confidence that comes from having specialised knowledge and skills,” says Dr Michael Machica, Director of the International Career Institute. From his perspective, an MBA can still offer significant value if it helps professionals organise what they already know, fill critical gaps, and talk more clearly about their impact at work.​

Building Skills with Real-World Tasks

Modern MBA programmes aim to develop the skills that employers say they need in managers and team leaders. Surveys from organisations such as the Graduate Management Admission Council indicate that recruiters frequently seek capabilities such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and strategic thinking when they hire business graduates. Those studies also show that managers pay close attention to how graduates have applied what they learned, not just to the fact that they completed a degree.​

The International Career Institute states that its MBA emphasises assignment-based assessment rather than formal exams. Students work on reports, plans, and analyses that mirror documents used in everyday business settings, from marketing plans and budget proposals to strategic reviews and project reports. Learners are encouraged to draw on their own workplaces or business ideas in projects, so each unit helps them test, refine, and demonstrate skills they already use.​​

ICI describes its mission as providing “high-quality courses that develop graduates who have the knowledge and skills to embark on a new career or advance in their existing field.” In the MBA context, that means treating each assessment not only as a way to earn marks but also as a chance to produce tangible work that can be discussed in performance reviews and job interviews.​

Connecting Daily Decisions to Strategy

Managers operate under pressure to make decisions that align with wider organisational goals. Employer research consistently shows that companies value graduates who can connect daily actions with longer-term direction, rather than working only at a task level. MBA curricula respond to that demand through units in strategy, leadership, and organisational behaviour that ask students to consider whole-of-business consequences when they solve case studies or design plans.​

According to the International Career Institute, strategic management is a core component of its MBA, alongside modules in operations and financial management. These units ask students to analyse competitive positions, allocate resources, and think about risk, which are common issues in roles that involve budgets and teams. The programme structure allows learners to see how marketing choices affect operations, or how human resource decisions influence financial outcomes, making it easier to join the dots between their day-to-day tasks and organisational strategy.​​

ICI also highlights the flexibility of its distance model: “You can study at home, in your own time, at your own pace,” the Institute emphasises. For professionals balancing meetings, deadlines, and family responsibilities, the ability to tackle strategic case work on their own schedule can be crucial to keeping study and work aligned rather than in conflict.

Placing Careers in a Wider Context

Many professionals view the MBA as more than a collection of subjects. The degree gives them a structured moment to reconsider where they have been and where they want to go next. Alumni research from GMAC has indicated that graduates often report gains in confidence, network reach, and perceived career options after completing their studies, although the scale of those gains varies with programme type and personal circumstances. Those patterns suggest that an MBA can influence how people see their place in the labour market, even when they remain in the same organisation.​​

The International Career Institute positions its distance MBA as suitable for working adults who need flexibility to study around jobs and family duties. There are no fixed semesters, and students can progress at their own pace within broad time frames, which makes it possible to keep income flowing while they complete the programme. ICI links the MBA with career services such as résumé guidance and general job search support, presented as tools to help learners present their skills more clearly rather than guarantees of specific outcomes.​

The Institute also stresses that it “provides a learning schedule that suits you,” allowing students to study at home or at work and pursue the job they want, the promotion they seek or the business they aspire to establish. For mid-career candidates, that promise of flexibility can be as important as the curriculum when deciding whether an MBA fits their broader life plans.

From MBA to DBA: Extending Learning for Senior Professionals

For some managers, an MBA is only one stage in a longer learning path. Professionals who develop a taste for research, evidence-based decision-making, and high-level strategic questions may later consider a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), an applied doctorate designed for experienced practitioners. Internationally, DBA programmes have grown in prominence as executives look for ways to investigate complex organisational challenges without stepping away from their roles.

The International Career Institute has created its own Doctor of Business Administration as a companion to the ICI MBA course, forming a structured pathway for senior professionals. While the MBA focuses on building core capabilities across key management disciplines, the ICI DBA course is designed to help experienced leaders apply rigorous research methods to real-world business problems. Graduates of the ICI MBA are eligible to be admitted to the DBA, and the Institute offers options for dual MBA and DBA enrolment for those who want to plan an integrated journey from advanced management study to doctoral-level inquiry.

For employers, this kind of progression can signal both breadth and depth. An MBA indicates that a candidate can operate across functions, understand financial and strategic trade-offs, and manage teams. A DBA shows that the same person can frame complex questions, design research, and translate findings into recommendations that support organisational change. In sectors facing rapid shifts in technology, regulation, and customer expectations, that combination can be particularly attractive.

Making a Thoughtful Decision

Not every professional needs or wants an MBA. Some may find that targeted short courses or industry certificates match their immediate needs more closely, particularly if they have already accumulated strong experience and only need to sharpen specific skills. Others may decide that a broader management qualification is essential if they are to move into senior roles with responsibility for budgets, teams, and long-term direction.​

The International Career Institute encourages prospective students to weigh their goals, time, and finances carefully before they enrol in any programme, including its own. An MBA from ICI may suit professionals who want a recognised qualification, a structured path through key business disciplines, and the flexibility to study entirely online around existing commitments. Those who later discover an appetite for deeper research can extend that journey into the DBA course, building an evidence-based lens on the strategic issues they face.​

For readers considering their next step, the question is not whether an MBA guarantees success, but whether a well-chosen programme will give them the skills, confidence, and strategic perspective they need for the roles they aspire to. In that sense, an MBA can still offer today’s professionals meaningful value in skills, strategy, and career context—provided it is selected, and used, with clear intentions in mind.

President Donald Trump’s decision to raise US tariffs to 15 per cent has drawn sharp warnings from British business leaders, who say the move risks harming thousands of UK exporters and slowing global economic growth.

In a social media post on Saturday, Trump said he was “effective immediately” raising the existing 10 per cent worldwide tariff on countries to the “fully allowed” 15 per cent level. The announcement followed a ruling by the US Supreme Court that the president had exceeded his authority by using emergency powers to impose tariffs on dozens of trading partners, including the UK.

The revised measure, introduced under alternative legislation, would increase tariffs on many British goods by a further 5 percentage points unless covered by existing exemptions.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said the change would affect around 40,000 UK firms exporting to the US.

William Bain, the BCC’s head of trade policy, said: “We had feared that the president’s plan B response could be worse for British businesses, and so it is proving. An extra 5 per cent increase on a wide range of UK exports will be bad for trade, bad for US consumers and weaken global growth.”

He added that businesses on both sides of the Atlantic needed clarity and stability rather than further disruption.

The UK government is engaged in high-level talks with Washington in an effort to preserve preferential arrangements under the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal (EPD), announced in May last year by Trump and Keir Starmer.

Bridget Phillipson acknowledged the uncertainty facing exporters but insisted the UK expected its preferential trading arrangements to continue. “We want the best possible deal for British businesses,” she said.

The new 15 per cent levy represents the maximum allowed under Section 122 of the US Trade Act of 1974 and will apply for up to 150 days. Economists estimate the effective US tariff rate could rise back to around 14.5 per cent, reversing some of the reductions seen in recent weeks.

Paul Ashworth, chief North America economist at Capital Economics, suggested revenue considerations may have influenced the decision, noting that higher tariffs generate greater customs income. He added that because Section 122 requires non-discriminatory application, countries such as the UK may lose any preferential advantage previously secured.

The Supreme Court ruling has left billions of dollars in tariff revenues potentially in dispute, with US importers seeking refunds. Meanwhile, India has postponed a planned trade mission to Washington amid uncertainty over US trade policy.

Business groups warn that renewed tariff escalation could disrupt supply chains and investment decisions at a time when global growth is already fragile.

For UK exporters, particularly those outside the scope of the EPD, the immediate concern is a sudden rise in costs for access to one of Britain’s largest overseas markets.

Jamie Young

Jamie is Senior Reporter at Business Matters, bringing over a decade of experience in UK SME business reporting.
Jamie holds a degree in Business Administration and regularly participates in industry conferences and workshops.

When not reporting on the latest business developments, Jamie is passionate about mentoring up-and-coming journalists and entrepreneurs to inspire the next generation of business leaders.

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