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Dogecoin Price Slides Below $0.18 As Traders Cut Leverage And Meme Coin Momentum Fades

**Dogecoin Drops 7% to $0.173 Amid $22.27 Million in Daily Outflows**

*By Parshwa Turakhiya*

Dogecoin (DOGE-USD) fell nearly 7% on Sunday to around $0.173, extending a week-long decline as traders exited leveraged positions and liquidity flows turned sharply negative. The drop below the $0.18 support marks a key technical level being broken, signaling increased bearish sentiment.

Despite a 50% surge in futures trading volume, open interest declined, indicating that traders might be closing positions rather than opening new ones. Oversold signals from technical indicators suggest a potential short-term relief rally near the $0.17 mark.

The $22.27 million in daily outflows further highlights the pressure on Dogecoin as investors pull liquidity from the market.

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Iran’s Bitcoin Mining Industry: Inside the World’s Fifth-Largest Operation Amid Sanctions and Energy Crisis

**Iran’s Crypto Boom Pushes Fragile Power Grid to the Breaking Point**

With 95% of mining operations running illegally and consuming enough power to light up entire cities, Iran’s cryptocurrency boom is placing significant strain on an already fragile power grid.

### A Nation Turning to Digital Currency

Iran’s interest in cryptocurrency exploded after 2017 when international sanctions cut off access to global banking systems. Unable to use traditional financial channels, the country turned to Bitcoin and other digital currencies as a way to bypass restrictions.

Today, Iran controls about 4.2% of the global Bitcoin mining power, ranking fifth worldwide behind the United States, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Canada. Although this is a drop from 7.5% in March 2021, it still represents a substantial mining operation.

The appeal is clear: electricity in Iran costs between $0.01 and $0.05 per kilowatt-hour, making it incredibly cheap to mine Bitcoin. With costs as low as $1,300 to mine one Bitcoin—which can sell for over $100,000—the profit margins are enormous.

Around 22% of Iran’s population now uses or owns cryptocurrency, totaling an estimated 10 million users. For many Iranians facing severe inflation—the rial lost 37% of its value against the dollar in 2024 alone—crypto offers a way to protect savings from collapse.

### The Illegal Mining Problem

Iranian officials report approximately 427,000 active crypto mining devices operating across the country. Shockingly, about 95% of these are illegal and run without proper authorization.

These underground operations consume roughly 2,000 megawatts of electricity—equivalent to the output of two nuclear reactors. Energy officials say crypto mining now accounts for 15-20% of the country’s electricity shortages.

Illegal miners hide their operations everywhere: abandoned homes, rural farms, underground tunnels, and even industrial facilities disguised as legitimate businesses.

During an internet outage related to conflict with Israel, power consumption dropped by 2,400 megawatts when over 900,000 illegal mining devices shut down, revealing the true scale of the problem.

Licensed miners face high electricity tariffs, making legal operations unprofitable and pushing most miners underground. Meanwhile, many operations linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly use electricity for free, further straining the power grid.

In Tehran Province alone, authorities have dismantled 104 illegal mining farms and seized 1,465 machines—enough to power nearly 10,000 households. Across the country, over 250,000 illegal devices have been confiscated.

To combat the issue, the government now pays citizens approximately $24 to report illegal mining operations, effectively turning regular people into informants.

### Government Control and Crackdowns

Iran legalized cryptocurrency mining in 2019, viewing it as a way to generate revenue despite sanctions. However, the government imposed strict regulations: licensed miners must sell their Bitcoin directly to Iran’s Central Bank.

In December 2024, the Central Bank abruptly blocked all cryptocurrency-to-rial transactions on websites. By January 2025, these channels reopened but only through a controlled system requiring full access to user data. Then, in February 2025, Iran banned all cryptocurrency advertising both online and offline.

The government is walking a fine line. While crypto mining offers an economic lifeline and helps bypass sanctions, the massive power consumption threatens grid stability and sparks public anger during blackouts.

### Sanctions Evasion and International Response

In 2024, sanctioned countries and entities, including Iran, received $15.8 billion in cryptocurrency, accounting for 39% of all illicit crypto transactions worldwide. Networks aiding Iran in selling oil facilitated over $100 million in cryptocurrency transfers between 2023 and 2025; broader networks handled more than $600 million.

The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has intensified crackdowns by sanctioning individuals and companies in China, Hong Kong, and the UAE connected to these operations.

Iran’s IRGC uses cryptocurrency to fund activities and support regional proxy groups. In 2022, the U.S. sanctioned two Iranians linked to the IRGC for using crypto exchanges to launder money from cyberattacks.

### The Nobitex Hack: Crypto Warfare

On June 18, 2025, Nobitex—Iran’s largest cryptocurrency exchange—suffered a massive hack. Pro-Israel hacker group Predatory Sparrow stole over $90 million in Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, and other cryptocurrencies.

The attack was politically motivated. Rather than keeping the stolen assets, the hackers sent the cryptocurrency to inaccessible wallet addresses containing anti-IRGC messages, effectively destroying the funds as a political statement.

Nobitex handles over $11 billion in transactions, more than the next ten largest Iranian exchanges combined. Past investigations linked the exchange to sanctioned IRGC operatives and wallets associated with Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Houthi groups.

The hack occurred amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, highlighting how cryptocurrency infrastructure has become a target in modern geopolitical conflicts.

When U.S. forces struck Iranian nuclear facilities shortly after, Bitcoin’s global hashrate dropped 15%—the sharpest decline in three years—fueling speculation about disrupted Iranian mining operations.

### The Road Ahead

Iran’s cryptocurrency industry exists in a challenging space between economic necessity and practical constraints. Experts estimate Iran has mined between 60,000 and 200,000 Bitcoins since 2018, though exact figures remain uncertain due to the underground nature of 85% of operations.

As economic pressures mount and the rial continues losing value, more Iranians are turning to cryptocurrency. Crypto outflows from Iran surged to $4.18 billion in 2024—a 70% increase from the previous year—as people move money out of the country’s unstable currency.

The government faces competing priorities: crack down on mining to preserve the power grid or allow it to continue as an economic tool for sanctions evasion.

Meanwhile, international enforcement agencies are becoming increasingly sophisticated in tracking crypto transactions and disrupting Iranian financial networks.

—

Iran’s crypto story is a complex interplay of economics, politics, and technology, reflecting broader challenges faced by countries navigating sanctions and energy constraints in the digital age.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/bitcoin/irans-bitcoin-mining-industry-inside-the-worlds-fifth-largest-operation-amid-sanctions-and-energy-crisis/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=irans-bitcoin-mining-industry-inside-the-worlds-fifth-largest-operation-amid-sanctions-and-energy-crisis

Stock futures climb as investors await Supreme Court showdown on Trump tariffs and shareholder vote on Musk’s $1 trillion pay package

Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 107 points, or 0.22%. S&P 500 futures were up 0.28%, and Nasdaq futures added 0.30%. These gains would extend Friday’s rally.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell 1.8 basis points to 4.083%. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar inched up 0.06% against the euro and 0.16% against the yen. Gold dipped 0.11% to $3,992 per ounce.

In commodity markets, U.S. oil futures rose 0.64% to $61.37 a barrel, while Brent crude climbed 0.62% to $65.17. The gains came as OPEC+ signaled it will pause its production increases next year.

Looking ahead, the Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on Wednesday in a case challenging former President Trump’s authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose so-called reciprocal tariffs related to the fentanyl trade. Lower courts have ruled against Trump, but some trade experts believe there is still a chance the high court could decide in his favor.

On Sunday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed optimism about the Supreme Court’s decision, citing China’s strict rare earths export restrictions that threatened various industries and critical technologies. “The president was able to push back using his IEEPA powers,” Bessent told Fox News Sunday. “If that’s not use of an emergency power at an emergency time, I don’t know what it is.”

In corporate news, Tesla shareholders will gather on Thursday for the company’s annual meeting to vote on Elon Musk’s $1 trillion compensation package. Chairwoman Robyn Denholm urged shareholders to support the deal, warning in a letter on Monday that the company risks losing significant value if the deal fails and Musk chooses to step down as CEO.

Denholm emphasized that the historic compensation package is needed to motivate Musk as Tesla pushes further into artificial intelligence, robotics, and autonomous driving. If approved, Musk will gradually receive more than 420 million Tesla shares, contingent upon meeting aggressive growth targets, including delivering 20 million Tesla vehicles and having 1 million robotaxis in commercial operation.

Musk himself told analysts during Tesla’s earnings call last month that the proposal is designed to ensure he cannot be sidelined. “It’s called compensation, but it’s not like I’m going to go spend the money,” he said. “It’s just, if we build this robot army, do I have at least a strong influence over that robot army, not current control, but a strong influence? That’s what it comes down to in a nutshell. I don’t feel comfortable wielding that robot army if I don’t have at least a strong influence.”

Meanwhile, elections in New York City, New Jersey, and Virginia could shift the political narrative in Washington, D.C., where lawmakers remain deadlocked over the government shutdown. The election outcomes could motivate one party to reach a deal sooner rather than later, paving the way for federal employees to be paid and benefits to resume.

Reopening the government would also restart the flow of vital economic data. Until then, only private-sector sources will be available, including the Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index on Monday, ADP’s monthly payroll report on Wednesday, and ISM’s services index later that same day.
https://fortune.com/2025/11/02/stock-market-today-dow-futures-trump-tariffs-supreme-court-elon-musk-pay-package-tesla-shareholder-vote/

Israel says it received the remains of 3 hostages from Gaza as fragile ceasefire holds

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel on Sunday announced that the remains of three hostages had been handed over from Gaza and would be examined by forensic experts, as a fragile month-old ceasefire held.

A Hamas statement earlier said the remains were found Sunday in a tunnel in southern Gaza. Since the ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10, Palestinian militants had released the remains of 17 hostages, with 11 remaining in Gaza before Sunday’s handover. Militants have released one or two bodies every few days. Israel has urged faster progress, and in certain cases, it has said the remains aren’t of any hostage. Hamas has said the work is complicated by widespread devastation.

Israel’s military said official identification of these remains would be provided to families first. Emotions around the remains have been high among families, who continue to rally weekly.

On Saturday night, Moran Harari, a friend of the late Carmel Gat, urged Israel to have restraint. “This cursed war has taken so many lives of dear people on both sides of the fence. This time, we must not fall into it again,” Harari said during a rally in Jerusalem.

Israel, in turn, has been releasing the remains of 15 Palestinians for the return of the remains of an Israeli hostage.

Health officials in Gaza have struggled to identify bodies without access to DNA kits. Only 75 of the 225 Palestinian bodies returned since the ceasefire began have been identified, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which has posted photos of remains in the hope that families will recognize them.

It is unclear if the Palestinians returned were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel that sparked the war, died in Israeli custody as detainees, or were recovered from Gaza by troops during the war.

The exchange has been a central part of the initial phase of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The 20-point plan includes the formation of an international stabilization force of Arab and other partners that would work with Egypt and Jordan on securing Gaza’s borders and ensure the ceasefire is respected.

Multiple nations have shown interest in taking part in a peacekeeping force but have called for a clear U.N. Security Council mandate before committing troops. Other difficult questions include Hamas’ disarmament, the governance of a postwar Gaza, and when and how humanitarian aid will be increased.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier Sunday that “there are still pockets of Hamas” in parts of Gaza controlled by Israeli forces. “There are actually two in Rafah and Khan Younis, and they will be eliminated,” Netanyahu said during a Cabinet meeting.

The deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and Hamas began with the Hamas-led 2023 attack that killed about 1,200 people and took 251 others hostage.

Israel’s military offensive has killed more than 68,800 Palestinians in Gaza, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by independent experts.

Israel, which has denied accusations by a U.N. commission of inquiry and others of committing genocide in Gaza, has disputed the ministry’s figures without providing a contradicting toll.
https://wsvn.com/news/us-world/israel-says-it-received-the-remains-of-3-hostages-from-gaza-as-fragile-ceasefire-holds/

Scientists 3D-print muscle tissue in zero gravity

Human health remains one of the greatest challenges in space exploration. When astronauts spend long periods in space, their bodies weaken dramatically—especially their muscles and bones. Now, scientists at ETH Zurich have taken a major step toward solving this problem by successfully 3D-printing human muscle tissue in zero gravity for the first time.

Their groundbreaking work, published in *Advanced Science*, could pave the way for new methods to study diseases and test medicines in space. To simulate the microgravity environment of space, the research team led by Parth Chansoria conducted their experiments during parabolic flights—special aircraft flights that follow an up-and-down trajectory, creating brief periods of weightlessness.

During these fleeting moments of zero gravity, the researchers were able to print tiny, realistic pieces of muscle tissue without the interference of Earth’s gravity.

Printing delicate biological structures such as muscle tissue is a challenging process on Earth. Scientists use a special material known as bio-ink—a gel-like substance that contains living cells. However, when gravity is present, this mixture can sink or deform before it hardens. This often causes 3D-printed structures to collapse or lose their shape, resulting in uneven and less lifelike models of human tissue.

In contrast, microgravity eliminates these issues. The bio-ink and cells remain perfectly suspended, enabling scientists to build muscle fibers that are precisely aligned—just like in the human body. This alignment is critical for creating realistic tissue models needed to accurately study disease progression and drug effects.

To achieve this breakthrough, the ETH Zurich team designed an innovative 3D bioprinting system called G-FLight (short for Gravity-independent Filamented Light). This high-speed printer can produce detailed muscle tissue models within seconds.

During their parabolic flight experiments, the researchers completed 30 cycles of weightless printing using a specially developed bio-resin that keeps the cells alive and stable. The results were impressive: muscle tissue printed in zero gravity exhibited the same cell health and structural integrity as tissue printed on Earth.

Even more promising is that the cell-laden bio-resins can be stored for long periods. This means they could one day be transported to space for experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS) or future space laboratories.

This achievement marks a crucial step toward tissue engineering in space. By producing realistic human tissues in orbit, scientists can explore medical questions impossible to study on Earth. For example, these tissue models could help uncover the causes of muscle atrophy—the muscle loss astronauts experience in space—or enable the testing of new therapies for muscular diseases such as dystrophy.

According to the ETH Zurich team, their success brings us closer to a future where scientists can grow complex human tissues—and perhaps even miniature organs—beyond Earth’s gravity. In the long run, this technology has the potential to transform both space medicine and human health research here on Earth.
https://knowridge.com/2025/11/scientists-3d-print-muscle-tissue-in-zero-gravity/

Protests over Tanzania’s electoral results enter a third day

Protests Erupt in Tanzania Amid Disputed Election Results and Military Deployment

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (AP) — Hundreds of demonstrators faced off with police in Tanzania’s commercial capital on Friday, demanding that the national electoral body stop announcing election results that have sparked widespread protests. The escalating unrest has led to the deployment of the military and an internet shutdown across the country.

State television was broadcasting the mainland results of Wednesday’s vote, in which the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), sought to extend its time in power. The CCM has governed Tanzania since independence in 1961. However, presidential candidates from the two main opposition parties were barred from running, leaving incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan to compete against 16 other candidates from smaller parties who barely campaigned.

On the semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar, the CCM retained the presidential seat, and the situation remained calm on Friday despite a heavy military presence. Ferry services, which had been suspended for the last two days, are expected to resume operations Friday. The electoral commission in Zanzibar announced on Thursday that incumbent President Hussein Mwinyi had won 78.8% of the votes. The opposition, however, accused the election of “massive fraud” and promised to reveal its next steps soon.

Protests continued on Friday in Dar es Salaam, marking the third consecutive day of demonstrations. The unrest began Wednesday afternoon when young people took to the streets to protest the harassment of opposition leaders and the limited choices in the presidential race. The protests quickly escalated, resulting in several vehicles, a gas station, and police stations being set ablaze.

The government has not released official statements on the extent of the damage or any casualties. Amnesty International reported that two people were killed during Wednesday’s protests. The demonstrations have since spread nationwide, prompting the government to postpone the reopening of colleges and universities originally scheduled for next Monday.

In response to the unrest, Army Chief Gen. Jacob John Mkunda condemned the violence and announced on Thursday that the military would work alongside other security agencies to contain the situation.

Meanwhile, Tanzanians living abroad have been actively engaging in daily discussions on X Spaces (formerly Twitter Spaces), analyzing the protests and exploring ways to provide financial support to the demonstrators.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/protests-over-tanzanias-electoral-results-071204999.html

China just purchased its first U.S. soybeans from this year’s harvest before Trump and Xi meet at economic summit

The firm plays a key role in the global supply and trade of grains, oils, and food products. Its core trading arm, COFCO International, reported $38.5 billion in revenue last year, handling 108.4 million metric tons of agricultural crops and commodities.

Recently, COFCO placed a purchase order for 180,000 metric tons of U.S. soybeans, scheduled for shipment in December and January. Reuters first reported the order on Tuesday, citing two oilseed traders. This marks China’s first purchase of U.S. soybeans in several months. COFCO did not immediately respond to Fortune’s request for comment.

Experts familiar with the transaction told Reuters that the purchase volume was relatively small, amounting to just three cargoes or shiploads of soybeans. They also noted that demand for U.S. soybeans is not expected to increase significantly in the near future, following recent large purchases from South America.

China accounts for about 60% of the world’s soybean imports, and in 2024, it made up 51% of U.S. soybean exports. However, trade tensions have created a significant divide between the U.S.—the world’s second-largest soybean producer—and China. The rift has been so pronounced that China had not previously placed any orders for the U.S. soybean growers’ autumn harvests.

This situation has raised concerns among farmers in rural America, who warn of an impending economic crisis fueled by losing their top export market, falling crop prices, and high production costs.

On a hopeful note, former President Trump and China’s president are scheduled to meet for talks regarding trade and tariffs during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Busan, South Korea, on Thursday. These planned discussions come after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hinted at a de-escalation in the trade war under a deal framework he negotiated.

In a recent interview aired on Sunday, Bessent addressed the 100% tariff threat, which followed China’s announcement of strict export controls. These include a ban on rare earth exports for foreign military use and a requirement for foreign entities to obtain Chinese government approval for products containing even trace amounts of Chinese-sourced rare earths. Rare earth elements are crucial for the U.S. in military applications and AI development.

“So, I would expect that the threat of the 100% tariffs has gone away, as has the threat of the immediate imposition of the Chinese initiating a worldwide export control regime,” Bessent said.

While declining to give specific details about the trade agreement to CBS, Bessent expressed optimism for U.S. soybean farmers, saying they will be “extremely happy with this deal for this year and for the coming years.” He added, “I believe that we have brought the market back into equilibrium, and I believe that the Chinese will be making substantial purchases again.”

Babak Hafezi, adjunct professor of international business at American University, told Fortune that negotiations between China and the U.S. have been marked by “leverage diplomacy.”

“The Chinese understood that they could not renegotiate unless they had leverage, and they used rare-earth minerals as a key lever, bringing the U.S. to the table,” Hafezi explained.

Following China’s move in mid-October, negotiations accelerated, including the U.S. requirement to purchase soybeans—an order COFCO had not placed this year, he added.

“This is a quid pro quo in the negotiation process and helps us stabilize relations with China more quickly,” Hafezi concluded.
https://fortune.com/2025/10/30/china-buys-us-soybeans-trump-xi-summit-deal-trade-tariffs/

Catherine Zeta-Jones’ daughter borrows her 20-year-old vintage dress for NYC gala

Catherine Zeta-Jones’ daughter, Carys Zeta Douglas, recently borrowed another iconic look from her mother’s closet. The 22-year-old lookalike posed on the red carpet in a lace-accented black dress—a frock the movie star famously wore 20 years ago to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Carys was joined by her father, Michael Douglas, at the PAC NYC Icons of Culture Gala. Although Catherine Zeta-Jones was not present on the carpet, Carys paid tribute to her mom by wearing the vintage dress. Michael Douglas told People that Zeta-Jones couldn’t attend the event because “she’s working,” adding, “I’m sorry Catherine’s missing it tonight.”

“I’m very happy that Carys could be with me, just to be with her, but also I’m on the board here at PAC,” he said.

The Brown University graduate styled the vintage piece with pointed black heels and ruby-hued earrings. Douglas, 81, wore a black suit paired with a collared shirt and purple tie for the occasion, posing alongside his daughter on Tuesday night’s red carpet.

Originally, Zeta-Jones styled the dress in 2005 with black fringed stilettos and a matching clutch, complemented by a diamond pendant necklace and earrings. Actress Keira Knightley also wore the same dress a year earlier at the “King Arthur” premiere, according to Page Six.

This isn’t the first time Carys has borrowed one of her mother’s designer dresses. She previously wore her mom’s pink and white floral Ungaro dress to celebrate her 21st birthday. Zeta-Jones herself wore that frock in 1999 to the MTV Movie Awards.

The aspiring actress told People that she feels “very lucky that I have a wonderful closet that I can pick from,” referring to her mom’s wardrobe. “I feel I love vintage clothes. I don’t really like to buy. I’m not really into fast fashion stuff, just for sustainability reasons,” she shared.

Carys admitted that sometimes she borrows “a little too much” from her mom. “She’s like, ‘Is that my bag?’ I’m like, ‘I don’t know. I don’t think so,’” she joked.

While on the red carpet Tuesday night, Carys also gave an update on her plans post-college. Although she earned a degree in film and international relations rather than acting, she grew up doing theater and hopes to continue pursuing it after graduation.

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones are also parents to son Dylan, who is another Brown University graduate. Michael Douglas is a father to Cameron Douglas from his first marriage to Diandra Luker.

Douglas and Zeta-Jones married on November 18, 2000, after meeting two years earlier. The couple briefly separated in August 2013 but reconciled the following year.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/30/entertainment/catherine-zeta-jones-daughter-carys-zeta-douglas-wears-20-year-old-vintage-dress-at-nyc-icons-of-culture-gala/

“It made no sense” – Former Liverpool midfielder slams Arne Slot for ‘awful’ decision after EFL Cup exit to Crystal Palace

Liverpool suffered their sixth loss in their last seven games across all competitions on Wednesday, being knocked out of the fourth round of the EFL Cup by Crystal Palace. Manager Arne Slot made the controversial decision to leave out key players including Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, and Alexander Isak from the matchday squad. The result was a heavy 3-0 defeat at Anfield as the Reds were thoroughly outplayed.

In the wake of the embarrassing loss, former Liverpool star Don Hutchison has pinned the blame squarely on Slot. The footballer-turned-pundit expressed sympathy for the young players who featured, saying they had little chance of winning due to the lack of experience around them.

Hutchison told ESPN FC:
“Even the staunchest Liverpool fan can’t be angry tonight because the group of young players that got sent out there, I really felt for them. The one thing you want when you’re a younger player is two or three experienced players around you. That team had no chance of beating Crystal Palace. It was one-way traffic from minute one.”

Labeling Slot’s team selection as a “rookie error,” Hutchison highlighted how Liverpool’s rivals opted for a balance of experienced and young players in their own fourth-round fixtures.
He added:
“It really was a rookie error from Arne Slot. When you look across the board tonight — Newcastle, Spurs, Arsenal, Man City, and Crystal Palace — they all played sides with four or five first-team regulars on the pitch and had three or four more on the bench. There were no first-team players to be seen on the Liverpool bench, so what chance did they have?”

The former Scotland international also dismissed suggestions that resting players was justified due to Liverpool’s busy schedule. He pointed out that Newcastle, Tottenham, Arsenal, and Manchester City are facing similar fixture congestion but still fielded stronger teams in their cup matches.

Hutchison concluded:
“It was awful [selection from Slot]. All the teams that play in the Champions League have three games this week — that’s not an excuse. I have no idea why he put that many youngsters in the starting XI, but the bench was even younger and it made no sense whatsoever. Liverpool fans will come out of that by being so frustrated at Slot, and he has to take the blame. It’s totally down to him. Slot has some big questions to answer.”

Liverpool were runners-up in the EFL Cup last season, having lost to Newcastle in the final at Wembley. With this exit, they have followed rivals Manchester United, who were eliminated in the previous round, out of the 2025/26 edition of the competition.

—

### Arne Slot responds to criticism over Liverpool team selection after Crystal Palace loss

Despite mounting criticism over his decision to make 10 changes to the starting XI in Liverpool’s defeat to Crystal Palace, Slot has defended his approach.

The Dutchman pointed out that injuries have already depleted the squad this season and said he wanted to avoid repeating such setbacks.
Slot told reporters:
“People all of a sudden think we have 25 players available, but we mainly have 20 players and then four injuries. Last time I played a player that wasn’t fully prepared — we thought he was prepared, but it was the first time Alexander Isak played and he got injured.”

Slot also suggested that people would have criticized him regardless of the decision, saying:
“Last time we played Southampton, Leoni was injured and it was a red card for Hugo Ekitike. Those are the things we can’t use with a big week coming up. But there’s always a choice. What if I had played Virgil [van Dijk] and Ibou [Konate], for example, and one of them got injured? People would have said, ‘what a stupid choice’.”

—

Liverpool now turn their attention to the Premier League, facing Aston Villa on Saturday at Anfield. Villa are currently enjoying a six-game unbeaten run in the league, making it another challenging fixture for the Reds as they seek to turn their fortunes around.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/news-it-made-sense-former-liverpool-midfielder-slams-arne-slot-awful-decision-efl-cup-exit-crystal-palace

Brinker International, Inc. 2026 Q1 – Results – Earnings Call Presentation

**Brinker International, Inc. 2026 Q1 Results Earnings Call Presentation**
*October 30, 2025 | 12:14 AM ET*

Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) recently announced its earnings for the first quarter of 2026. The company reported an impressive performance, with earnings per share (EPS) of $1.93, beating estimates by $0.16. Revenue reached $1.35 billion, representing an 18.45% year-over-year increase and surpassing expectations by $17 million.

The following slide deck was published by Brinker International in conjunction with their 2026 Q1 earnings call held on October 29, 2025.

This summary and transcript are provided by Seeking Alpha’s transcripts team, which is responsible for developing and managing all transcript-related projects. We currently publish thousands of quarterly earnings calls each quarter and continue to expand our coverage to better serve our readers.

We created this profile to share the latest transcript-related developments and provide valuable insights from Brinker International’s latest earnings announcement.

*Thank you,
SA Transcripts Team*

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**Comments**
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https://seekingalpha.com/article/4835178-brinker-international-inc-2026-q1-results-earnings-call-presentation?source=feed_all_articles