Published January 26, 2025 10:00am EST close Secret Service cracks down on Florida credit card scams Fox News Danamarie McNicholl reports alongside the Secret Service as it detects and prevents the use of credit card skimmers, traced to a crime ring led in Eastern Europe. Credit card fraud has been on the rise in recent years.The Federal Trade Commissions most recent database indicates that 416,582 cases of credit card fraud were reported in 2024, making it one of the most common forms of identity theft. You know you've been a victim of this fraud when you notice unauthorized transactions on your credit card bill.These transactions are usually below $100 to avoid detection. However, sometimes they can exceed $1,000. One such incident happened with Martin from Martinsville, Virginia, when he was randomly charged $1,095 in Hong Kong."Hello, I recently received a fraud alert from my credit card company that said that there was a $1,095 charge on my credit card in Hong Kong. I use my iPad and Safari browser to buy online. Can you please explain how this could happen? By the way, my credit card company canceled my credit card and will send me a new Mastercard in the mail, and Im not responsible for the charges on my credit card. What can I do in the future to prevent this from happening again?"I'm sorry to hear about the fraudulent charge on your credit card, Martin. Its good that your credit card company is handling it and that youre not responsible for the charges. For future reference, I'll be discussing how this could have happened and how to stay safe. A woman using her credit card to shop online (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)How credit card fraud happensCredit card fraud can happen in several ways, often without you even realizing it. One common method is when fraudsters get hold of your card information throughdata breaches at online stores or banks, which means your details get leaked without your knowledge.Another sneaky tactic isphishing, where scammers trick you into giving away your card info by posing as legitimate companies via emails or fake websites.Theres also the risk of "card skimming," where devices at ATMs or gas stations secretly capture your card details when you swipe it. In some cases, fraudsters might also exploit weak security onpublic Wi-Fi networks or compromised apps to access your information while youre shopping online. A man using his credit card to shop on his phone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Credit card fraud is way too commonA report from Security.org reveals that52 million Americans experienced credit card fraud in 2023, a figure even higher than theone reported by the FTC. With four out of five American adults owning at least one credit card, the report found that three in five cardholders have faced unauthorized charges an estimated 128 million victims. Even more concerning, 75% of these victims reported having their credit card information stolen more than once.The typical unauthorized transaction is around $100, which adds up to approximately $5 billion in criminal purchases each year. Interestingly, most unauthorized transactions involve credit cards that werent physically lost or stolen, highlighting the growing risks of online fraud and data breaches. A woman using her credit card to pay (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)The need for identity theft protectionData breaches are one of the main ways credit card fraud happens. Hackers often get unauthorized access to sensitive information stored by businesses or institutions. When a retailer, financial institution or online store experiences a data breach, the hackers usually go after the payment systems where customer credit card details are kept.If these systems arent properly secured, hackers can grab things like credit card numbers, expiration dates and sometimes even security codes. Once they have that info, they can either use it themselves or sell it to others.But its not just credit card information at risk.Data breaches can also expose personal details like names, email addresses and phone numbers. Scammers can then use this stolen info to launch phishing attacks, pretending to be trusted companies and tricking you into giving away more sensitive information.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?This is why identity theft monitoring is so important. Identity theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security number, phone number and email address and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.One of the best parts of some identity theft protection services is that they have identity theft insurance ofup to $1 million to cover losses and legal feesSee my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft. Illustration of a credit card crook (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)10 ways to protect yourself from credit card fraud1. Notify your credit card issuer immediately: If you notice fraudulent charges on your credit card, start by calling the number on the back of your credit card. From there, you should get more detailed information on what to do next.2. Monitor your statements regularly: One of the best ways to catch credit card fraud early is to keep an eye on your statements. Review your transactions regularly to spot any unfamiliar charges. The sooner you notice something suspicious, the quicker you can report it to your credit card company and prevent further damage.3. Regularly check your credit report: In addition to monitoring your credit card statements, periodically review your credit report to catch any unauthorized accounts opened in your name.4. Use strong, unique passwords: Always use strong, unique passwords for your online accounts, especially those that store payment details. Avoid using easily guessable information, and consider using apassword manager to store and generate secure passwords. This reduces the chances of fraudsters accessing your accounts.5. Use credit card alerts:Set up transaction alerts with your credit card company. This way, youll receive a notification via email or text for every transaction made with your card. If you receive an alert for a purchase you didnt make, you can take immediate action to report it and prevent further charges.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE6. Be Cautious with public Wi-Fi:Avoid making purchases or entering sensitive information when connected topublic Wi-Fi networks because theyre often not secure. If you need to make an online purchase while on the go, consider using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypt your connection and keep your credit card details safe from hackers.For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices7. Don't store credit card info on browsers and websites:Storing your credit card information on browsers or websites can make it convenient, but it also exposes you to a higher risk of fraud. If your browser or the websites security gets compromised, hackers could gain access to your saved card details. To stay safe, avoid saving your credit card information and manually enter it each time you make a purchase. If a site offers to save your details for future use, think twice before accepting. It's better to take the extra step to enter your information each time, ensuring your data stays secure.8. Use EMV chip technology: When making in-person purchases, always use the chip reader instead of swiping your card. Chip technology provides an extra layer of security against fraud.9. Be wary of phishing attempts and have strong antivirus software: Be cautious of unsolicited emails, texts or phone calls asking for your credit card information. Legitimate companies typically don't request sensitive information through these channels. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.10. Keep your card in sight:When using your card in restaurants or stores, try to keep it within view. This reduces the risk of someone copying your card details.Kurts key takeawayIt's clear that credit card fraud is more prevalent than ever, affecting millions of Americans each year. The good news is that there are effective steps to protect yourself from becoming a victim. By staying vigilant and employing best practices like monitoring your statements and using strong passwords you can significantly reduce your risk. Remember, awareness and proactive measures are your best defenses against credit card fraud.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPHave you or someone you know ever experienced credit card fraud, and how did it impact you?Let us know by writing us atCyberguy.com/ContactFor more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/NewsletterAsk Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to coverFollow Kurt on his social channelsAnswers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Samsung's new flagship phone, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, has arrived. Here's how it stacks up with the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Scream VINetflixNetflix has just landed another new-era horror classic, as they really do tend to grab a lot of these through licensing, which has proven to make for a pretty impressive collection over the years.That new film would be Scream VI, obviously the sixth film in that franchise, which was released in early 2023. While critics said it was good, not amazing, it is what appeared to be the best audience-scored horror film of that year. As a comparison point, here are the top 10 critic scored horror movies of 2023, plus their audience scores, as opposed to Scream VI:Huesera: The Bone Woman 97% critic, 66% audienceWhen Evil Lurks 96% critic, 79% audienceAttachment 95% critic, 60% audienceTalk to Me 94% critic, 83% audienceM3GAN 93% critic, 78% audienceInfluencer 91% critic, 69% audienceBrooklyn 45 91% critic, 41% audienceTotally Killer 86% critic, 76% audienceThe Blackening 87% critic, 85% audienceSick 85% critic, 72% audienceScream VI 77% critic 90% audienceScream VINetflixIve looked through dozens of horror films from that year and I cant find one with a higher audience score. It really is pretty tough to please a critical mass of audiences with a number of controversial horror films, but Scream VI managed to do so. How? A few reasons:First, its good! Those are still solid critic scores, and its a great entry in the Scream franchise which has been pretty hit or miss over the years. So its not like audiences are propping up some sort of bad movie here.It stars Jenna Ortega in the midst of her massive breakout period, becoming a fan favorite with Wednesday and also this film as one of her highest profile outings as a new go-to horror girl.It stars Melissa Barrera, an excellent actress who was kicked out of Scream VII for her pro-Gaza social media statements. Fans and other actors raced to support her.It brought back series veterans like Courteney Cox, Skeet Ulrich and Hayden Panettiere to satisfy longer term fans of the franchise.That may not be the whole story, but this plus other X-factors did add up to Scream VI being the highest profile, audience favorite horror film of 2023. Scream VII will bring Neve Campbell back to the franchise, but the film has lost Ortega and Barrera, and I cannot imagine it will be as well-received by fans as a result. Judge for yourself by watching on Netflix.MORE FOR YOUFollow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky and Instagram.Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.

Forward-looking: Researchers have unveiled a small but powerful modification to the Linux kernel that could significantly reduce energy consumption in data centers. The proposed alteration comes at a crucial time, as computing currently accounts for about 5 percent of the world's daily energy use, with data centers being major contributors to this consumption. Researchers at the University of Waterloo's Cheriton School of Computer Science, led by Professor Martin Karsten and including Peter Cai, identified inefficiencies in network traffic processing for communications-heavy server applications. Their solution, which involves rearranging operations within the Linux networking stack, has shown improvements in both performance and energy efficiency.The modification, presented at an industry conference, increases throughput by up to 45 percent in certain situations without compromising tail latency. Professor Karsten likened the improvement to optimizing a manufacturing plant's pipeline, resulting in more efficient use of data center CPU caches.Professor Karsten collaborated with Joe Damato, a distinguished engineer at Fastly, to develop a non-intrusive kernel change consisting of just 30 lines of code. This small but impactful modification has the potential to reduce energy consumption in critical data center operations by as much as 30 percent.Central to this innovation is a feature called IRQ (interrupt request) suspension, which balances CPU power usage with efficient data processing. By reducing unnecessary CPU interruptions during high-traffic periods, the feature enhances network performance while maintaining low latency during quieter times.The effectiveness of this solution has been tested, and the code has now been incorporated into the latest Linux kernel, release version 6.13. This inclusion opens the door for widespread adoption across the tech industry. // Related StoriesProfessor Karsten emphasized the potential global impact of this development, noting that if major tech companies like Amazon, Google, and Meta choose to implement this method in their data centers, it could lead to savings of gigawatt-hours of energy worldwide. "All these big companies Amazon, Google, Meta use Linux in some capacity, but they're very picky about how they decide to use it," he said. "Almost every single service request that happens on the Internet could be positively affected by this."This breakthrough comes at a critical time, as recent reports indicate that global data center electricity consumption is expected to more than double by 2026. The International Energy Agency predicts that data center electricity usage could rise from 460TWh in 2022 to between 650TWh and 1,050TWh by 2026, driven largely by the growth of power-intensive workloads such as AI and cryptocurrency mining.

The big picture: When Microsoft flipped the switch on its new AI-powered Copilot features for Microsoft 365 earlier this month (formerly Office 365), it might have anticipated celebratory reactions from its millions of loyal subscribers. After all, it's artificial intelligence, apparently the hottest frontier in tech. But not everyone's a fan. The biggest point of contention was the substantial 30% price increase that accompanied Copilot's rollout.For the uninitiated, Microsoft announced earlier this month that it was bundling its new Copilot AI features into the Microsoft 365 Personal and Family plans, resulting in a price increase of $3 per month. The monthly cost rose to $9.99 from $6.99, while the annual fee went up to $99.99 from $69.99. Microsoft attributed the hike to the advanced AI capabilities now baked into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other apps.While it had been over a decade since Microsoft last raised rates for its productivity suite, that markup caught many off guard. The lack of clear advance notifications about the changes and price increase also irked customers.ZDNet's Ed Bott asked Copilot to do the math: A $3 monthly price hike for 84 million subscribers equals $3 billion in extra annual revenue. But at what cost to customer trust?Now, there are alternative versions of those plans on offer for existing users who have no need for the AI features. But they are only available to existing Microsoft 365 subscribers.The launch also had other issues that left many users baffled. Some saw phantom pop-ups claiming their subscription rate had inexplicably jumped into the thousands of dollars per month. Others had the Copilot software forcibly installed on their machines, with no clear initial option to disable it. // Related StoriesFurther frustration arose from the confusing cross-subscription policies. ZDNet's Ed Bott, who pays for both work and personal Microsoft 365 plans, was essentially blocked from using Copilot features on one of those accounts due to a technical limitation Microsoft apparently didn't properly communicate.Moreover, most users agree on how terrible Microsoft 365's new name and logo look. As if ditching the "Office 365" branding for "Microsoft 365" wasn't enough, it's further muddied the waters with yet another rebrand to include the word "Copilot."Had Microsoft introduced this as an opt-in beta, the reception likely would have been much warmer, but that's not to say Copilot 365 lacks potential. There are valid productivity uses for automating rote tasks like text generation and data analysis as these technologies mature.

In the aftermath of Luigi Mangiones story going viral, Dave Francos phone blew up. The actor toldThe Hollywood Reporter that anyone who knew him said he looked like the now infamous young man, who is accused of killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson on the streets of New York City.Ive never received more texts in my life about anything, Francosaid. Not just friends anyone who has my phone number has reached out about it.Recommended VideosFranco, who was being interviewed alongside his wife Alison Brie, said that he had yet to receive any official officers to play the man, although Brie agreed that the resemblance was undeniable.Please enable Javascript to view this contentComparisons between Franco and Mangione came almost immediately after his identity was revealed, but theres one small hiccup in the fantasy casting happening now. Franco is 39, whereas Mangione is just 26. Thats not to say that older actors have never played younger characters before, but if Hollywood goes all in on telling the official version of his story, they might want someone who is closer to his actual age.Franco was being interviewed to promote his new Sundance movie Together, which he co-stars in with Brie.I do my best work when Im working with Dave because I cant make a false move in front of him, Brie explained. He knows me better than anyone in the world, so theres an inherent authenticity and comfortability when were working together. [In Together], we really have to go out on a limb for a lot of scenes, and were doing some crazy stuff, and theres no self-consciousness because hes seen me at my worst, hes seen me at my best, and everything in between. So it was like, Lets just jump right in!'If an offer comes in for Mangione, it seems Franco might be interested. Until then, though, hes got plenty to keep him busy.Editors RecommendationsIn the Lost Lands trailer: Milla Jovovich and Dave Bautista team up for fantasy adventure

Through the first four films in Robert Eggerss career, the director has made movies set in different time periods and with wildly different tones. What unites each of those movies, though, is that they are set in a time long before the advent of modern technology, one where it felt more possible to believe in magic and mysticism.In an interview with Rotten Tomatoes, Eggers made it clear that his long-ago settings are a highly intentional choice.Recommended VideosThe idea of having to photograph a car makes me ill, Eggers said. And the idea of photographing a cellphone is just death. And to make a contemporary story you have to photograph a cellphone its just how life is so no [I wont be making any modern-set films].Eggers, who has madeThe Witch,The Lighthouse,The Northman, andNosferatu, has set his films as far back as the 800s, but he has yet to set a movie past the 19th century.Please enable Javascript to view this contentWhen he was asked exactly how modern he might go, Eggers said that he could make a movie that was closer to living memory, but not that close.I dont know. I might go potentially to 1950 but before World War II is more inviting for my imagination, he said.Eggerss comments follow the news that he is working onWerwulf, a werewolf horror movie that is reportedly set in the 13th century and a sequel to the 1986 film Labyrinth. Nosferatu, the directors most recent project, was a massive financial success, so maybe Eggers should just keep doing whats working for him.Editors Recommendations

Rebecca Yarros explored Violet Sorrengail's second signet power in "Onyx Storm."Violet's second signet comes from her connection with Andarna and manifested in "Iron Flame."Warning: There are major spoilers for "Onyx Storm" ahead.Rebecca Yarros' "Onyx Storm" was released on Tuesday, continuing the author's romantasy series about Violet Sorrengail, a dragon rider studying at Basgiath War College.The third book in the "Empyrean" series was full of romance, magic, and plot twists, and the story is set to continue in two additional books.In "Onyx Storm," Yarros answered lots of questions that "Fourth Wing" and "Iron Flame" raised, such as how turning venin impacts Xaden and what type of dragon Andarna is. And to the relief of Yarros' fans, the third installment also revealed Violet's second signet power.Heads-up: The rest of this article contains spoilers for the "Empyrean" series.Violet Sorrengail has two signet powersIn the "Empyrean" universe, all riders have a signet power that manifests after they bond with a dragon. Every rider can do lesser magic, such as opening doors without touching them, but a signet power is unique to each rider, and some are more powerful than others.Violet's signet manifested as lightning wielding in "Fourth Wing," a particularly powerful signet. Her lightning comes through her bond with her dragon Tairn, with Violet often describing his power as a flood that comes through their connection.In "Iron Flame," Yarros introduces the idea of second signets, explaining that riders directly related to their dragons' previous riders can develop two signet powers. The text also suggests Violet could have a second signet since she is bonded to both Tairn and the younger dragon, Andarna. She is the only rider in known history to bond with two dragons.Yarros confirmed Violet's second signet had already manifested in "Iron Flame" when speaking to Variety after its release in 2023. However, it's not until midway through "Onyx Storm" that Violet becomes aware of her additional power dream-walking.Violet is a dream-walkerYarros finally reveals Violet is a dream-walker in Chapter 50 of "Onyx Storm."Throughout "Onyx Storm," Violet has a recurring nightmare of confronting a venin Sage in a field. In Chapter 50, she realizes during the dream that her hand looks like Xaden's, not hers. After she wakes and speaks to Xaden about it, he realizes Violet was in his dream.They first suspect Violet can enter Xaden's dreams because of the mental bond they share through their dragons. However, as they discuss it, Violet reflects on a different dream she had earlier in the book. In it, she fled a fire at Cliffsbane, the gryphon flier school, and couldn't hold onto a portrait of her family as her friend Cat dragged her away. Violet wonders aloud if she was experiencing her friend Maren's dream, as Maren and Cat are best friends.The confession makes Xaden realize that Violet is a dream-walker, a powerful form of an inntinnsic, or mind reader, who can enter other people's dreams while they sleep. After Andarna confirms the signet, Violet realizes she must have developed her dream-walking ability when Andarna was in a deep sleep. Andarna grew from a juvenile to an adolescent while sleeping for weeks, and Violet's power was looking for a way to connect with Andarna while she was unconscious.Xaden, who has kept his inntinnsic ability to read people's intentions secret from everyone but Violet, explains to her that her signet is particularly dangerous because riders have no defense against it."I can only read someone while they're awake, and I'm limited by their ability to shield," he told her in the book. "No one can shield while they're sleeping."He adds to her that she could enter the dream of even the most powerful general in the Navarre army without his knowledge, telling her many would kill her because of her second signet.Although her dreams in "Onyx Storm" reveal her second signet, Violet was clearly dream-walking unknowingly in "Iron Flame" as well. In the book, she repeatedly dreamed of confronting a venin Sage who told her she would turn for love. Violet didn't turn venin, but Xaden did to save Violet, indicating that the Sage was speaking to him in the dreams, not Violet.Violet hasn't mastered dream-walking yetBy the end of " Onyx Storm, " Violet doesn't know how to use her new signet intentionally; she only accidentally enters other people's dreams.In most of the dreams she inhabits throughout the book, Violet views the scene from the perspective of the person sleeping, though she can sometimes recognize she is dreaming and attempt to wake herself up.However, in the final dream of "Onyx Storm," Violet realizes she is in Xaden's dream. She then appears as herself in the dream alongside him and confronts the Sage. The Sage hints that the venin have taken Violet's sister, which proves true when Violet wakes up. Violet is also able to end the dream by summoning a knife and stabbing herself with it.The interaction indicates that the Sage can communicate in the dream world as Violet can, and it gives clues as to how she may operate more deliberately when dream-walking, such as using pain to wake herself and actively recognizing the dream as someone else's to become herself.Xaden also tells Violet he believes she can "meddle" in people's dreams, as she stops him from channeling power from the ground in one of his nightmares. Violet hasn't fully explored that ability yet, and it may be difficult for her to learn to wield her dream-walking signet since she must be asleep to practice.Andarna also says Violet has been "mostly drawn to" Xaden's dreams since she manifested, though maybe she will spend more time in other people's dreams in the fourth book.Fans had other theories on what Violet's second signet could have beenThere were multiple popular theories about Violet's signet before Yarros revealed it, including distance wielding and communicating with the dead.As Yarros writes in "Iron Flame," distance wielders can "cross hundreds of miles in a single step," and there hasn't been one among the riders for multiple centuries when Violet enters Basgiath.Readers suspected Violet may be a distance wielder because Andarna told her at the end of "Iron Flame" that she waited 650 years before hatching so she could bond with her specifically, and there seemed to be instances where Violet moved faster than the average rider. However, it turns out Garrick Tavis, Xaden's best friend, actually has distance wielding as his second, secret signet, which he uses to help Violet and their friends throughout "Onyx Storm."The idea that Violet could communicate with the dead came from her interactions with what she believes is a hallucination of her friend Liam Mairi, who died at the end of "Fourth Wing."Liam appears to Violet when she is held hostage by General Varrish in "Iron Flame." He speaks to Violet throughout her imprisonment and even touches her shoulder at one point, though no one else can see him. When Violet calls him a hallucination, Liam makes an offhand comment about the possibility of Malek, the god of death, sending him to her.Perhaps Liam was just a hallucination, or his appearance could be related to Violet's connection to the god Dunne that Yarros slowly revealed in "Onyx Storm."The fourth book in the "Empyrean" series will likely explore how the gods affect Violet's fate, though neither Yarros nor her publisher, Red Tower, have shared a release date or anything about the next book's plot.

Elon Musk is promoting far-right movements in Europe, boosting political parties like Germany's AfD.Founded in 2013, the AfD is known for its anti-immigration and anti-EU stances.Musk's support for AfD has helped the party gain global prominence.Elon Musk is flexing his political power, both at home and abroad.On Saturday, Musk spoke virtually at a campaign event for the Alternative for Germany party, or AfD, a far-right political group that is among other things fiercely anti-immigration.In his live-streamed speech alongside AfD leader Alice Weidel, Musk told about 4,500 AfD supporters they should celebrate German culture."It's good to be proud of German culture, German values, and not to lose that in some sort of multiculturalism that dilutes everything," he said.Musk's support for AfD which has come primarily in the form of posts on his social media platform, X, but also in newspaper op-eds and speeches has helped what was once a fringe political party enter the mainstream, lifting it up in front of a global audience.What is Germany's AfD?Founded in 2013, the AfD is "quite extreme even by European far-right standards," Kai Arzheimer, a political science professor at Germany's University of Mainz, told Business Insider."It's a party that's been isolated in the European Parliament," he said. "Even other far-right parties don't want to cooperate with the AfD."It wasn't always that way. Arzheimer said AfD was once "very much an upper-class party," popular among those in center-right politics. Within a few years, however, it had tacked to the right over issues like immigration and the role of Islam in Europe."We had this huge influx of refugees from the Middle East, mostly from Syria, and that accelerated this development of the party," Arzheimer said. "So from around about 2017, they were a national force in politics."The Russian invasion of Ukraine, which stoked fears about energy security, helped the party increase its support, Arzheimer said."What sets them apart from many other radical right parties in Europe is that they are quite open about their relationship with right-wing extremist actors outside the party and even inside the party. So they are on a trajectory that has taken them to the very margins of the political spectrum. Nonetheless, they're quite popular," he said.Those affiliations have caught the attention of Germany's domestic intelligence agency, which has put the group under surveillance for extremism. A sign protesting Elon Musk and AfD leader Alice Weidel is seen as thousands take part in a protest against the AFD party at Heumarkt Square in Cologne, Germany. Ying Tang/NurPhoto The AfD is also nationalist, promoting an anti-European Union agenda."[The AfD] is characterized by an anti-EU, anti-globalization, and anti-migration platform topped by an uncritical stance with regard to some of the dark chapters of German history," Thomas Zittel, a politics professor at Goethe University Frankfurt, told Business Insider. "What is missing with this party is a constructive and promising economic agenda that would match the anti-regulatory stances that Musk probably wishes to see."What Musk has said about AfD"I'm very excited for the AfD. I think you're really the best hope for Germany," Musk told the crowd on Saturday.The Tesla CEO, who owns a major electric vehicle factory near Berlin, first publicly backed the AfD in a short post on X in December that quickly bounced around the world and upended German politics. Germany is holding national elections in late February.Then, in a December op-ed for Welt am Sonntag, a major German newspaper, Musk called the AfD the "last spark of hope for this country."Welt am Sonntag and Business Insider are both owned by Axel Springer SE.Musk has praised AfD's stances on "controlled immigration" and limited government regulation and reposted comments on X accusing Europe and the United States of overusing the label "far-right." He also called German Chancellor Olaf Scholz an "incompetent fool."He has waded into far-right politics in other nations, too.UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to be removed from office and for the release of Tommy Robinson, a jailed British far-right agitator whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon."He supports not just the AfD but also more obviously right-wing extremist actors. So for instance, Tommy Robinson in the UK, someone who's incarcerated," Arzheimer said. "Also, many other right-wing extremists became more and more noisy on Twitter, X, whatever you want to call it, and that is seen as something very problematic when we talk about Elon Musk."Musk has posted on X the MAGA-adjacent phrase, "Make Europe Great Again," one of many commentscaught the attention of European leaders."I think you want more self-determination for Germany and for other countries in Europe and less from Brussels," Musk said in his speech on Saturday, referencing the European Union headquarters. "There's too much bureaucracy from Brussels, too much control from a sort of global elite."Representatives for Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment.The impact of Musk's pro-AfD stance Elon Musk gestures during President Donald Trump's inauguration parade at an arena in Washington, DC. ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images As Musk's power and influence grows, so does his impact on democracy, Arzheimer said."He has this control over social media. He has a lot of money. He has a huge factory in Germany," Arzheimer said. "He has got many other commercial interests, so he's increasingly seen as a political danger to liberal democracy."Though Musk cited his economic interests in Germany in his op-ed, Arzheimer said it's also possible that this is just his worldview."Maybe it's all instrumental. Maybe it's all a game to him. Maybe he's on a personal journey. I have no idea. But it's quite systematic," he said.AfD has gained traction in Germany, and polls now indicate it could receive as much as 20% of the vote on February 23. The party, however, remains isolated. Mainstream German parties have so far refused to join it in any coalition.Musk's endorsement may interest young people and business leaders, but it also could further isolate the party. Musk, for example, caused a stir in Germany after his speech at Trump's inaugural celebration last week, Arzheimer said. While speaking to a crowd, Musk made what some interpreted as a fascist salute.Musk denied a few days later that his gesture was anything but innocent, posting on X: "It was astonishing how insanely hard legacy media tried to cancel me for saying 'my heart goes out to you' and moving my hand from my heart to the audience."In Germany, Arzheimer said a gesture like that could land someone in serious trouble, regardless of their intention."Of course, that gesture is actually illegal in Germany," he said. "It's not going to happen, but in theory, he could be persecuted for that because it's seen as a symbol of the Nazi rule, and those symbols are outlawed in Germany.""He's pushing these ideas. He's bringing back all those extremists to Twitter," Arzheimer added. "I think many people were not surprised in Germany or, in the European context, of him acting like that at the inauguration party."

Last summer, reports began to swirl that Warner Bros. was looking to get a sequel underway for its cult classic Practical Magic. Now, things are looking a little more real, as a director may have been found for the film. Per Deadline, filmmaker Suzanne Bier is currently in talks to helm the Practical Magicsequel. Biers previously worked with returning actors Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock before with The Perfect CoupleandBird Box,respectively. Behind the camera, the first films co-writer Akiva Goldsman is returning to pen the sequel, and the top-billed stars are set to produce alongside returning producer Denis Di Novi. Beyond that, WB has remained tight-lipped on details such as the films plot, other returning stars, or even if it officially exists. The originalPractical Magicreleased in 1998 and starred Kidman and Bullock as Gillian and Sally Owens, sisters descended from a long line of witches raised by their aunts in a small town. Years after separating, the sister reunite and use their powers to defeat the spirit of Gillians abusive boyfriend. It wasnt a box office smash at the time, but in the years since its release, it developed a passionate audience. The idea of a follow-up first surfaced in 2019 through a potential HBO Max series. Its looking more likely now, since Beetlejuice Beetlejuicewas a hit for WB last year, and Kidmans star power has grown as shes taken on more varied projects over the years. If youre a fan of either her or Bullock, it probably wont hurt to see their works with Bierafter you rewatch the originalPractical Magic,of course. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.