Reviewers LikedAll the I/O of the pricier MacBook ProsGood size and reasonable weight for everyday useSame solid design as previous modelStarts with 16GB of RAM (Finally)Over 18 hours of battery lifeGreat speakersBrighter display than beforeNew webcam is sharp and clearReviewers Didn't LikeDesk View webcam feature is low-res and overly distortedOnly two external displays supported in the M4 and M4 Pro modelsSpace black finish can still be a little smudgyApple Intelligence features are limited right nowRAM and SSD upgrade pricing is absurdOnly comes with 512 GB SSD storage at base priceGraphics lag behind last year's top-end M3 Pro and M3 MaxNo Wi-Fi 7No Face IDAwkward vent placementCompetitors and Related Products Our editors hand-pick related products using a variety of criteria: direct competitors targeting the same market segment, or devices that are similar in size, performance, or feature sets. Expert reviews and ratings 90 The MacBook Pro M4 isnt quite as pro in the performance stakes as the M4 Pro and M4 Max models, but by offering several improvements over the MacBook Air M3 including a seriously better display and far more ports this is easily the best all-round MacBook option on the market in 2025 and the easiest to recommend entry-level MacBook Pro in years. By TrustedReviews on February 10, 2025 100 Some notable upgrades but none hugely significant its another incremental upgrade for the M4 MacBook Pro. By ExpertReviews on December 02, 2024 90 The biggest difference this time is that the entry-level MacBook Pro doesnt really feel like a compromise. The base configuration has enough memory and storage to be actually worth considering, and it has all the ports and creature comforts of the higher-end Pros. Even the nano-texture screen upgrade feels worth it. For the first time in a long time, it actually feels like a Pro. By The Verge on November 07, 2024 90 The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 is a luxurious device. M4 is a powerful chip, and you finally start at 16GB of performance. If you can afford it, opt for the nano-texture display, which is stunning. But RAM and SSD pricing is jaw-droppingly, high, and Apple Intelligence still needs time to bake. By Tom's Hardware on November 07, 2024 92 Apples 14-inch MacBook Pro is better than ever thanks to its M4 chips, Thunderbolt 5 support and slightly brighter screens. By Engadget on November 07, 2024 80 The MacBook Pro 14 with M4 is a solid laptop that outperforms PCs, but it's not standing out as much as it should for the price. By Gizmodo on November 07, 2024 90 The MacBook Pro M4 offers amazing battery life and faster performance along with clever Apple Intelligence features, but the nano-texture display steals the show for me. I also like the sharper 12MP webcam and additional Thunderbolt port, but the SSD is slower than I expected. By Tom's Guide on November 07, 2024 80 It's a dead ringer for 2023's model, but Apple's M4 MacBook Pro remains a portable content-creation powerhouse, thanks to a beefed-up processor, smart AI features, and seemingly endless battery life. By PCMag on November 07, 2024 90 The MacBook Pro 14-inch M4 is a pro-grade portable that impresses in every area. It's a pleasure to use, and rises to meet virtually any challenge. It joins Apple's pantheon of excellent laptops, and will duly take its place at or near the top of our best laptops list. By TechRadar on November 07, 2024 100 No laptop is so perfect that it can't be improved, but the 14-inch MacBook Pro M4 comes as close as any I've ever reviewed. By LaptopMag on November 07, 2024Load More Reviews

After a tidal wave of rumors and leaks, the Google Pixel 9a saw an official announcement earlier this month and now we know it will be available for purchase on April 10 in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. On April 14, the Pixel 9a will make its way to an additional 23 European countries, before finally arriving in India, Singapore, Taiwan, and Malaysia on April 16.This midrange budget handset will start at $499 for the 128GB model, with a bump up to $599 for the 256GB model. It has a 6.3-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, paired with a maximum brightness of 2700 nits. That means youll be able to use it in direct sunlight without worrying about visibility.Recommended VideosAll models come with 8GB of RAM, regardless of the amount of storage. Thats more than enough to power a slew of different Android and Google Play games, as well as Gemini AI features. The Google Pixel 9a ships with Android 15 and supports seven major Android upgrades throughout its lifespan.Sahil Karoul / YouTubeAs far as cameras go, it has a 48MP wide angle lens and a 12MP ultrawide angle lens, along with a 13MP ultrawide selfie cam. The phone can record 1080p video up to 240 frames per second, or up to 60 frames per second at 4K.Please enable Javascript to view this contentA 5,100mAh battery will keep you going throughout the day, and 23W wired charging (along with 7.5W wireless charging) will help you top off your charge when it starts to run low.While the Google Pixel 9a might not be a flagship, its no slouch, either. Its a solid midrange competitor that can go toe to toe with many lower-end flagships without breaking a sweat, and its a great option for someone that wants to test out the Pixel ecosystem without spending a fortune on one of the frontrunners or settling for an older, outdated model.Editors Recommendations

Hisense is one of the top tech brands on the market for budget-friendly TVs. Not only do these LED-LCDs and QLED TVs cost less than much of the competition, but youll also be treated to the type of picture quality we expect from higher-priced TVs. As a matter of fact, one of Hisenses best midrange sets has an even steeper discount this week:For a limited time, when you purchase the Hisense 65-inch U7N Series 4K ULED at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and a few other sites and stores, youll only pay $680. The full MSRP on this model is $1,000.We tested this Hisense set back in November 2024, and editor at large Caleb Denison said the U7N delivered Absolutely incredible bang for your buck. Whether youre watching TV in a room filled with ambient lighting or you plan on housing this monster screen in a basement space, the U7N gets bright enough when watching SDR content to fight glare. The TV also looks great in darker rooms, though you may notice a bit of light bloom around captions and other subjects.RelatedThe Hisense U7N has fantastic HDR capabilities, too. On top of supporting every format, youll be treated to a wide color gamut when watching or playing HDR content, along with impressive specular highlights. HDMI ports 3 and 4 are both 2.1 certified, so you can expect fast response times and low input lag when hooking up a game console or PC. The U7Ns native 120Hz refresh rate is also great for sports and action movie fans.The U7N even has a built-in Google TV OS for all things apps, casting, and internet-connected. We wish this TV would stay at this price forever, but theres a good chance itll be back to full price by weeks end.Save $320 when you purchase the Hisense 65-inch U7N Series 4K ULED today, and be sure to check out our roundups of the best QLED TV deals, best TV deals, and best Amazon deals for even more discounts on top Hisense TVs!Editors Recommendations

Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. Elsewhere in the country, parts of the rebel army fought on.

In the early 1990s, an unlikely collection of college rock, heavy metal and punk bands set out on a tour that would influence big-ticket music festivals to come.

Better late than never Google solves its mysterious Pixel problem, announces 9a launch date Google has sorted out its Pixel problems and will begin the 9a rollout on April 10. Ryan Whitwam Mar 28, 2025 12:50 pm | 29 Credit: Google Credit: Google Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreGoogle revealed the Pixel 9a last week, but its release plans were put on hold by a mysterious "component quality issue." Whatever that was, it's been worked out. Google now says its new budget smartphone will arrive as soon as April 10. The date varies by market, but the wait is almost over.The first wave of 9a releases on April 10 will include the US, Canada, and the UK. On April 14, the Pixel 9a will arrive in Europe, launching in Germany, Spain, Italy, Ireland, France, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Portugal, Switzerland, Poland, Czechia, Romania, Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, and Finland. On April 16, the phone will come to Australia, India, Singapore, Taiwan, and Malaysia.You may think that takes care of Google's launch commitments, but noJapan still has no official launch date. That's a bit strange, as Japan is not a new addition to Google's list of supported regions. It's unclear if this has anything to do with the previous component issue. Google says only that the Japanese launch will happen "soon." Its statements about the issue that delayed release are also vague, with representatives noting that the cause was a "passive component." The 9a comes in Obsidian, Porcelain, Iris, and Peony. Credit: Google The 9a comes in Obsidian, Porcelain, Iris, and Peony. Credit: Google The Pixel 9a runs the same Tensor G4 chip as the flagship Pixels, but there are a few downgrades. It has an older cellular modem that may be less efficient and lacks satellite support, and there's just 8GB of RAM. That last limitation means Google had to develop a new version of Gemini Nano to run on the phone. It's text-only, so some of Google's coolest AI features won't work on this phone.The Pixel 9a will start at $499 in the US, with an upgrade from 128GB of storage to 256GB for an additional $100. The base price is unchanged from last year, but the storage upgrade is $40 higher. Canadian pricing will start at $679 CAD. In the UK, it will be 499 GBP, and the rest of Europe is looking at 549 euros to start. You still can't preorder the phone, but you can sign up to be notified when it's available on the Google Store.Ryan WhitwamSenior Technology ReporterRyan WhitwamSenior Technology Reporter Ryan Whitwam is a senior technology reporter at Ars Technica, covering the ways Google, AI, and mobile technology continue to change the world. Over his 20-year career, he's written for Android Police, ExtremeTech, Wirecutter, NY Times, and more. He has reviewed more phones than most people will ever own. You can follow him on Bluesky, where you will see photos of his dozens of mechanical keyboards. 29 Comments

The first clinical trial of a therapy bot that uses generative AI suggests it was as effective as human therapy for participants with depression, anxiety, or risk for developing eating disorders. Even so, it doesnt give a go-ahead to the dozens of companies hyping such technologies while operating in a regulatory gray area. A team led by psychiatric researchers and psychologists at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College built the tool, called Therabot, and the results were published on March 27 in the New England Journal of Medicine. Many tech companies have built AI tools for therapy, promising that people can talk with a bot more frequently and cheaply than they can with a trained therapistand that this approach is safe and effective. Many psychologists and psychiatrists have shared the vision, noting that fewer than half of people with a mental disorder receive therapy, and those who do might get only 45 minutes per week. Researchers have tried to build tech so that more people can access therapy, but they have been held back by two things. One, a therapy bot that says the wrong thing could result in real harm. Thats why many researchers have built bots using explicit programming: The software pulls from a finite bank of approved responses (as was the case with Eliza, a mock-psychotherapist computer program built in the 1960s). But this makes them less engaging to chat with, and people lose interest. The second issue is that the hallmarks of good therapeutic relationshipsshared goals and collaborationare hard to replicate in software. In 2019, as early large language models like OpenAIs GPT were taking shape, the researchers at Dartmouth thought generative AI might help overcome these hurdles. They set about building an AI model trained to give evidence-based responses. They first tried building it from general mental-health conversations pulled from internet forums. Then they turned to thousands of hours of transcripts of real sessions with psychotherapists. We got a lot of hmm-hmms, go ons, and then Your problems stem from your relationship with your mother, said Michael Heinz, a research psychiatrist at Dartmouth College and Dartmouth Health and first author of the study, in an interview. Really tropes of what psychotherapy would be, rather than actually what wed want. Dissatisfied, they set to work assembling their own custom data sets based on evidence-based practices, which is what ultimately went into the model. Many AI therapy bots on the market, in contrast, might be just slight variations of foundation models like Metas Llama, trained mostly on internet conversations. That poses a problem, especially for topics like disordered eating. If you were to say that you want to lose weight, Heinz says, they will readily support you in doing that, even if you will often have a low weight to start with. A human therapist wouldnt do that. To test the bot, the researchers ran an eight-week clinical trial with 210 participants who had symptoms of depression or generalized anxiety disorder or were at high risk for eating disorders. About half had access to Therabot, and a control group did not. Participants responded to prompts from the AI and initiated conversations, averaging about 10 messages per day. Participants with depression experienced a 51% reduction in symptoms, the best result in the study. Those with anxiety experienced a 31% reduction, and those at risk for eating disorders saw a 19% reduction in concerns about body image and weight. These measurements are based on self-reporting through surveys, a method thats not perfect but remains one of the best tools researchers have. These results, Heinz says, are about what one finds in randomized control trials of psychotherapy with 16 hours of human-provided treatment, but the Therabot trial accomplished it in about half the time. Ive been working in digital therapeutics for a long time, and Ive never seen levels of engagement that are prolonged and sustained at this level, he says. Jean-Christophe Blisle-Pipon, an assistant professor of health ethics at Simon Fraser University who has written about AI therapy bots but was not involved in the research, says the results are impressive but notes that just like any other clinical trial, this one doesnt necessarily represent how the treatment would act in the real world. We remain far from a greenlight for widespread clinical deployment, he wrote in an email. One issue is the supervision that wider deployment might require. During the beginning of the trial, Heinz says, he personally oversaw all the messages coming in from participants (who consented to the arrangement) to watch out for problematic responses from the bot. If therapy bots needed this oversight, they wouldnt be able to reach as many people. I asked Heinz if he thinks the results validate the burgeoning industry of AI therapy sites. Quite the opposite, he says, cautioning that most dont appear to train their models on evidence-based practices like cognitive behavioral therapy, and they likely dont employ a team of trained researchers to monitor interactions. I have a lot of concerns about the industry and how fast were moving without really kind of evaluating this, he adds. When AI sites advertise themselves as offering therapy in a legitimate, clinical context, Heinz says, it means they fall under the regulatory purview of the Food and Drug Administration. Thus far, the FDA has not gone after many of the sites. If it did, Heinz says, my suspicion is almost none of themprobably none of themthat are operating in this space would have the ability to actually get a claim clearancethat is, a ruling backing up their claims about the benefits provided. Blisle-Pipon points out that if these types of digital therapies are not approved and integrated into health-care and insurance systems, it will severely limit their reach. Instead, the people who would benefit from using them might seek emotional bonds and therapy from types of AI not designed for those purposes (indeed, new research from OpenAI suggests that interactions with its AI models have a very real impact on emotional well-being). It is highly likely that many individuals will continue to rely on more affordable, nontherapeutic chatbotssuch as ChatGPT or Character.AIfor everyday needs, ranging from generating recipe ideas to managing their mental health, he wrote.

A devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, causing significant casualties and widespread destruction.Read the original article on Business Insider

Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande at the 2025 National Board of Review Gala. Lexie Moreland/WWD via Getty Images Updated 2025-03-28T17:58:29Z SaveSaved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater reportedly began dating on the "Wicked" movie set.Slater confirmed he "fell in love" while filming, calling the experience "a really beautiful thing."Grande seems to allude to their romance throughout her latest album, "Eternal Sunshine."Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater seem to be going strong, over two years after they met on the set of "Wicked."The "Eternal Sunshine" singer, 31, and Broadway star, 32, were both legally married to other people when they began filming the two-part blockbuster. Now, the two have reportedly become a "full-on couple." Some sources even claim they're living together in New York City.Here's a complete timeline of their friendship-turned-romance.December 2022: Grande begins filming the 'Wicked' movieBack in 2021, Grande and Cynthia Erivo were cast in the big-screen "Wicked" adaptation as Galinda Upland (eventually Glinda the Good Witch) and Elphaba Thropp (eventually the Wicked Witch of the West), respectively.On December 7, 2022, director Jon M. Chu confirmed that filming was underway."My daughter wrote a note and drew a picture to commemorate the first day of shooting," he wrote on his Instagram story. Grande also reshared the photo, adding, "My heart."That same day, Variety announced Slater's addition to the cast as Boq, a character from Munchkinland who falls in love with Galinda.At that point, Slater was best known for his Tony-nominated role in "SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical."January/February 2023: Grande reportedly separates from her husband, Dalton GomezAccording to reports from TMZ and People, Grande and Gomez broke up shortly after she went to England to film "Wicked."March 2023: Grande and Slater are photographed together Michelle Yeoh posted this photo on March 27, 2023. @michelleyeoh_official/Instagram The cast of "Wicked" shared several photos online while celebrating Michelle Yeoh's Oscar win in London.One photo, posted by Yeoh, shows Grande sitting between Erivo and Slater.April 3, 2023: Grande shares a tribute to her 'Wicked' costarsGrande announced that filming "Wicked" was halfway done with a sentimental post on Instagram."i am so grateful, i don't know what to do or say to be here in Oz where everyday is a life changing one to be feeling, learning and growing so much at such a disarming speed," she wrote in the caption. "to be transforming and healing parts of me that i never knew needed it. or maybe did."Grande also wished a "happy halfway" to her crew and costars, whom she described as "my fellow Ozians.""my heart will be stuck here forever," she added.May 14, 2023: Slater praises his wife, Lilly Jay, on Mother's DaySlater had been married to his high-school sweetheart, a clinical psychologist,since 2018. The couple welcomed a son in August 2022.Slater dedicated a Mother's Day post to Jay on May 14, 2023, describing his wife as "the most loving caring and wonderful mom/person in the world." (Grande liked the post.)May 15, 2023: Grande shares a photo with Gomez to celebrate their second wedding anniversaryIn an Instagram story, Grande shared a photo of her and Gomez kissing at their wedding. She wrote that they'd been together for over three years, adding, "I love him so."Later that month, Grande removed thousands of posts from her Instagram grid.July 17, 2023: News breaks that Grande and Gomez are 'heading for divorce'Rumors were already swirling about Grande's split from Gomez when she attended a Wimbledon tennis match with her "Wicked" costar Jonathan Bailey sans her engagement ring or wedding band.The following day, TMZ published a report that she and Gomez had been separated for several months and were "heading for divorce," citing anonymous sources close to the couple.Another source confirmed the news to People, claiming that Grande and Gomez "have been quietly and lovingly working on their friendship."July 20, 2023: Grande and Slater's new relationship makes headlines Ethan Slater is best known for playing SpongeBob SquarePants on Broadway. Kevin Mazur/Jenny Anderson/Getty Images TMZ broke the news that Grande and Slater were a couple. According to the tabloid, they began dating while filming "Wicked."When his relationship with Grande made headlines, neither Slater nor Jay had yet announced their separation. Later that day, People confirmed that Slater and Jay had "gone their separate ways," but did not provide a timeline for their split.July 26, 2023: Slater files for divorce from JayAccording to legal documents obtained by TMZ, Slater filed for divorce from Jay in New York.The specific reason Slater listed for the split has not been made public.July 27, 2023: Slater's estranged wife says Grande is 'not a girl's girl' Lilly Jay Slater and Ethan Slater in 2017. Jenny Anderson/Getty Images for Nickelodeon One day after Slater filed for divorce, Jay gave a short interview to Page Six's Francesca Bacardi, in which she described Grande as "not a girl's girl.""My family is just collateral damage," Jay told Bacardi, adding, "The story is her and Dalton."Jay also said she's focused on being a "good mom" to her 1-year-old son.Shortly after, TMZ reported that Jay hadn't meant to publicly criticize Grande and "did not understand what it meant that she was on the record when she made the comments," citing sources close to Slater.September 18, 2023: Grande and Gomez simultaneously file for divorceGrande cited "irreconcilable differences" in her official divorce filing, according to TMZ. Gomez quickly followed suit with his own filing."They've been really caring and respectful of one another every step of this process," a source told the outlet.According to court documents, the date of their separation was listed as February 20, 2023.Their divorce was finalized just three weeks after filing on October 6, 2023, according to multiple outlets. In accordance with the couple's prenuptial agreement, Gomez reportedly received $1,250,000 from Grande.Meanwhile, a source told People that Grande is trying to keep her relationship with Slater out of the spotlight."While this entire situation has been blown out of proportion, it's much different than what has been portrayed in public," said a friend of the couple. "They are just trying to navigate their new relationship in private."September 29, 2023: Grande and Slater spend a night together at Disney WorldGrande and Slater were spotted walking through Disney World and linking arms in their first public outing."They went with a big group of friends as well her mom and brother," a source told People, adding, "All of her friends love him."October 31, 2023: Grande is spotted cheering for the cast of Broadway's 'Spamalot,' including Slater Ethan Slater stars in Broadway's "Spamalot." CJ Rivera/Invision/AP Grande was spotted in the audience for the first preview performance of "Spamalot," a Monty Python-inspired musical. She can be seen cheering for the cast in a video that made the rounds on social media.Fans assumed she was primarily there to support Slater, who played The Historian and Prince Herbert in the production."She has seen it during tech rehearsals," an anonymous attendee told People. "She was so sweet last night, taking pictures with fans and gushing about how much she was enjoying the performances. She's a theater kid at her core, so you see she really feels at peace being around Broadway."Before becoming a pop star, Grande got her start on Broadway as a teen in "13: The Musical." She attended the "Spamalot" preview with her former "13" and "Victorious" costar, Liz Gillies, who shared a selfie with Grande on her Instagram story."Had the BEST time at @spamalotbway last night. Run, don't walk!" Gillies wrote in the caption. Grande reshared the photo on her own story.November 12, 2023: The couple enjoys a theatrical date night Josh Gad, Ethan Slater, Andrew Rannells, and Ariana Grande backstage at "Gutenberg! The Musical!" andrewrannells/Instagram Grande and Slater were spotted together at the James Earl Jones Theater, catching a performance of "Gutenberg! The Musical!" on Broadway.The couple also spent some time backstage with the production's costars, Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells. The former "Girls" actor later shared a photo of the foursome on Instagram."We had some big fun in Schlimmer yesterday! Spamalot's Ethan Slater AND Michael Urie! Two great guys to eat dreams with," Rannells wrote in the caption. "Plus Ariana Grande! It was a perfect Sunday."November 16, 2023: Grande attends the opening night of 'Spamalot' Ariana Grande in New York City on November 16, 2023. DAMEBK/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images Grande was then spotted in the crowd at the St. James Theatre for the official opening night of "Spamalot."She also brought her mother, Joan Grande; her brother-in-law, Hale Grande; and a few friends along for the occasion (including Doug Middlebrook of "In My Head" fame).Grande later shared a slideshow of photos from the evening, including a T-shirt that reads, "Happy Opening Of Broadway Show."In his own slideshow, Slater included a photo of himself wearing the same shirt.December 22, 2023: Grande includes an apparent nod to Slater in her holiday decor Ariana Grande shared these photos on December 22, 2023. @arianagrande/Instagram In an Instagram slideshow that she captioned with a heart, Grande included a photo of a Spam tree ornament.Many fans believe the can of processed pork is a shoutout to Slater's role in "Spamalot."December 23, 2023: The couple is seen dining with Grande's father, Ed Butera, in New York CityGrande, Slater, and Butera had dinner "at her family's favorite Italian restaurant" in Manhattan, according to Page Six.They were photographed leaving the restaurant before heading to the Theater District, where Grande caught another performance of "Spamalot.""They love to support each other in their work," an anonymous source told the outlet. "When she's done with work, she loves going to the theater when she can." (This exact quote was also cited by People.)December 28, 2023: TMZ reports that Grande and Slater are living togetherGrande and Slater are currently living together in New York City, according to sources close to the couple. One source also said they "vibe together.""We're told each maintains a separate residence, but they are together almost all of the time," TMZ wrote.January 12, 2024: Grande mocks people who scrutinize her sex life in the new single 'Yes, And?'"Yes, And?" was written by Grande, Max Martin, and Ilya Salmanzadeh for Grande's forthcoming album.In the song, Grande takes on critics of her body and relationship, with the most relevant lyrics appearing in the bridge: "Your business is yours and mine is mine / Why do you care so much whose **** I ride?" (The censor is Grande's own.)The "Yes, And?" music video doubles down on this theme. It shows Grande performing the song for her biggest critics, who, by the end of the song, are persuaded to abandon their haughtiness and dance along with Grande.March 8, 2024: Grande releases her album 'Eternal Sunshine,' which may contain references to her new boyfriendAmid several breakup songs on Grande's seventh studio album, she sings about finding new love."I found a good boy and he's on my side / You're just my eternal sunshine," she sings in the title track, drawing a distinction between her new man and her ex. (Although Grande hasn't identified any muses for "Eternal Sunshine," the information we have about her love life would indicate these lyrics are about Slater and Gomez, respectively.)"Supernatural," "Imperfect For You," and "Ordinary Things" also allude to a recently sparked romance ("Nothing else felt this way inside me," "We crashed and we burned / Now I just can't go where you don't go," "There's never gonna be an ordinary thing as long as I'm with you").Notably, the two-song sequence "True Story" and "The Boy Is Mine" addresses Grande's reputation as a "villain" in the public eye but filtered through a satirical, tongue-in-cheek lens."It's like, 'OK, I'll play the bad girl, here's your bad girl anthem,'" Grande told Zane Lowe. "That's why they're in that order in the tracklist."June 8, 2024: Grande and Slater attend a hockey game together Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater attend the 2024 Stanley Cup Final in Sunrise, Florida. Elsa/Getty Images Grande and Slater were photographed sitting side-by-side at Amerant Bank Arena in Florida, Grande's home state, for the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.They were joined by Grande's longtime friend, Courtney Chipolone, per People.September 30, 2024: Grande defends Slater and their relationship against 'disreputable evil tabloids'Grande addressed the rumors about her love life in her Vanity Fair cover story (without mentioning Slater by name)."It definitely doesn't get any easier, seeing some of the negativity that was birthed by disreputable tabloids. Of course, I went through a lot of life changes during the filming of this movie. A lot of people that were working on it did," Grande said, referring to "Wicked."Grande also disavowed the negative perception of her relationship with Slater, which she said was created by the media though, again, she didn't clarify any specifics, telling the magazine she "will never go into certain details.""The most disappointing part was to see so many people believe the worst version of it," she said."There couldn't be a less accurate depiction of a human being than the one that the tabloids spread about him," Grande added of Slater, alluding to rumors that he left his wife and child to be with her."No one on this Earth tries harder or spreads themselves thinner to be there for the people that he loves and cares about. There is no one on this Earth with a better heart, and that is something that no bullshit tabloid can rewrite in real life."October 30, 2024: Slater confirms he 'fell in love' while filming 'Wicked'During an interview with GQ, Slater was asked about his new relationship."You also fell in love making this movie," reporter Eileen Cartter said to him. "Can you tell me a little bit about what that was like?""Yeah," he replied. "That's a really sweet question. That's really nice of you to ask. That's a really sweet question.""Obviously, it was a really super big year," he continued, "and I think there was something that was really difficult about things in your private life being commented on and looked at by the public. There were a lot of big changes in private lives that were really happening, so it's really hard to see people who don't know anything about what's happening commenting on it and speculating, and then getting things wrong about the people you love. So just to address that part of it, that feels really hard."Despite the rumors about his love life, however, Slater said it was "an amazing year and a really beautiful thing." He also praised Grande's acting chops and comedic timing."I'm just really, really proud of Ari and the work she's done on this," Slater said, referring to her role as Galinda. "She's poured herself into it. I'm really proud that I got to be there for that part of it, and I'm really excited to be there for this next step of it when the world gets to see the amazing thing that she did."Grande signaled her support by sharing GQ's photos of Slater on her Instagram Story.She also shared a link to the interview, calling it "a beautifully written piece about an unfathomably beautiful human being."November 4, 2024: Slater makes his debut on Grande's Instagram grid The cast of "Wicked" attends "Journey Through Oz" in Sydney. Don Arnold/WireImage In an Instagram carousel dedicated to the Sydney premiere of "Wicked," Grande included a photo of the cast posing on the red (actually, yellow) carpet.Although Grande and Slater weren't standing next to each other, the photo shows them smiling at each other.In another candid shot, Slater is holding the train of Grande's gown as they walk down stairs.November 14, 2024: They hug and hold hands at the 'Wicked' premiere in New York City Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater hug at the "Wicked" premiere in New York City. Marleen Moise/WireImage Photographers caught a brief interaction between Grande and Slater in New York City, where both actors walked the red carpet for the "Wicked" premiere.November 22, 2024: Slater shares several photos with Grande from the set of 'Wicked'To celebrate the movie's release in theaters, Slater shared a carousel of photos from the set of "Wicked."One is a selfie that Slater took with Grande and their costar, Bronwyn James, while another shows Erivo, Grande, and Slater posing in sunglasses."To say I'm honored to be a part of this movie is the understatement of the century," Slater wrote in the caption. "I cannot wait for you to see it."Grande liked the post and commented with three cupid-heart emojis. Ethan Slater shared these photos on Instagram. ethanslater/Instagram In the weeks following, he shared two more photos with Grande from the "Wicked" set (one on November 29 and another on December 5), both showing the costars in their Shiz University costumes.December 19, 2024: Lilly Jay publishes an essay that unpacks her sudden public divorceJay's first-person essay ran in The Cut under the headline, "How Does My Divorce Make You Feel?"The piece explores Jay's career as a clinical psychologist, her desire to remain anonymous for the sake of her patients, her new life as a mother, and how the "sudden public downfall" of her marriage complicated all three."I really never thought I would get divorced," Jay writes. "Especially not just after giving birth to my first child and especially not in the shadow of my husband's new relationship with a celebrity."Although Jay never names either Slater or Grande in the piece, she refers to "a tabloid drama in which I play the role of a voiceless ex-wife."Jay also reveals that she "confidently moved to another country with my 2-month-old baby and my husband to support his career," confirming that she and Slater were still together when he began filming "Wicked" in England.Although Jay is still grappling with the ripple effects of their breakup, she praises Slater's commitment to co-parenting their child."While our partnership has changed, our parenthood has not. Both of us fiercely love our son 100 percent of the time, regardless of how our parenting time is divided," Jay writes. "As for me, days with my son are sunny. Days when I can't escape the promotion of a movie associated with the saddest days of my life are darker."Grande and Slater did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comments regarding Jay's essay.January 7, 2025: Grande and Slater pose for photos together at the National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande attend the 2025 National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for National Board of Review The couple posed for rare photos together at the 2025 National Board of Review Annual Awards Gala, where they accepted the award for best film alongside Chu and their fellow "Wicked" cast members.

Washington has been convulsed over the past week by the question of how a prominent journalist was invited into a private Signal chat between senior Trump administration officials over an impending military action and why that conversation was happening on Signal at all.But the actual topic that these officials were discussing a strike on the Houthis, an Iran-backed militant group that controls Yemens capital and much of its territory has gotten somewhat lost. Theres been remarkably little discussion about why an administration that pledged to reduce US military commitments is now conducting nearly daily airstrikes on a country in the Middle East and what these strikes might accomplish. Heres how we got here. The Houthis have been carrying out missile and drone attacks on shipping through the Red Sea since shortly after the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war. This has had a disruptive effect on international shipping, forcing container ships to make the long trip around the Southern tip of Africa rather than the much shorter voyage through the Suez Canal. However, the shipping industry has largely adapted to the change. In response, the US, under the Biden administration, along with several European countries, launched a military operation to protect shipping and, at the beginning of last year, began direct airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen. This did not stop the attacks. The Houthis only scaled back their attacks on shipping after an Israel-Hamas ceasefire went into effect this January, but shipping companies have been cautious about returning to the route. The Houthis have also not been entirely quiet: Theyve launched attacks on US naval vessels in the Red Sea and downed several US drones. In early March, the Houthis threatened to resume attacks on Israel-linked shipping in response to Israel blocking aid into Gaza. Since Israel restarted its war in Gaza on March 18, the Houthis have launched a series of missile attacks on Israel. On March 15, the Trump administration began its own airstrikes against the Houthis. Near-daily airstrikes have continued since then. Aside from just being generally more extensive and intense, President Donald Trumps strikes are different from Joe Bidens in that they appear to be targeting senior Houthi leaders personally, rather than weapons sites or command-and-control targets. (Former Biden officials say persona strikes were considered but not carried out before they left office). These strikes have succeeded in killing a number of senior Houthi leaders, though the group has been cagey about admitting which ones. In the Signal chats published by the Atlantic, national security adviser Mike Waltz refers to the killing of the Houthis top missile guy.We had positive ID of him walking into his girlfriends building and its now collapsed, Waltz wrote. I asked several experts on Yemen, and none knew who this top missile guy was or what specific strike this referred to. The US struck a number of buildings that night, and more than 30 people were killed, according to local authorities. Some commentators have suggested that Waltz may be describing a war crime here: leveling an entire building with civilians inside to kill one target. This is difficult to judge: The legality of civilian casualties in war depends on the military value of the target and whether reasonable precautions were taken to protect civilians. Thats hard to determine here without more information. But it does appear that the Trump administration has a higher tolerance for risk when it comes to civilian casualties, which would be consistent with policy moves made at the Pentagon by Secretary of State Pete Hegseth. Theres also the question of whether these strikes and Bidens before them violate the 1973 War Powers Resolution, which requires the president to report to Congress on the reason and legal authority for military action and imposes a 60-day time limit on hostilities conducted without congressional authorization. It is generally accepted that the president, under Article II of the Constitution, does have the legal authority to launch military action to repel sudden attacks without action by Congress, but an ongoing operation like this one is a stretch. Beyond legality, theres the question of whether these strikes can actually accomplish their objectives. Trump officials have described the rationale for the strikes as ensuring freedom of navigation through the Red Sea and reestablishing deterrence.In remarks at the White House on Wednesday, Trump said the Houthis want peace because theyre getting the hell knocked out of them, but vowed to continue the strikes until the group ceases its attacks on shipping. They want us to stop so badly Theyve got to say, No mas, Trump said. Trump has also said he holds the Houthis main international supporter, Iran, responsible for the attacks and threatened dire consequences for the Iranians. That threat came as Trump is dialing up pressure on Tehran in hopes of negotiating a new nuclear deal, but has also not ruled out using military force. Will any of this actually stop the Houthis attacks or hurt Iran? Theres evidence the Houthis have sustained heavy damage and a number of high-ranking casualties and are changing their operations in response to the strikes. But the group also endured years of heavy airstrikes from Saudi Arabia, using US weapons. Resisting western military power is their main claim to legitimacy (The groups official motto is God is great, death to the US, death to Israel, curse the Jews, and victory for Islam.) and as with Hamas in Gaza, theyre willing to endure heavy casualties to themselves and to civilians in the name of their cause. All that means that theyre unlikely to buckle quickly and that like every other presidential administration this century, Trumps second term may involve more military action in the Middle East than he was planning.This piece originally ran in the Today, Explained newsletter. For more stories like this, sign up here. See More: