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Setapp Mobile to Shut Down in 2026 as iOS Alt-Store Economics Flop; Arkansas Man Wins $100K on a Hunch; State College Pride Seeks 2026 Sponsors; Trump–Starmer Clash Over Chagos; Dalio Flags Foreign U.S. Debt Risk; Top Actor Skips Conventions; Philly Housing Authority–Unions Deal to Rebuild Brith Sholom House
Setapp Mobile Will Shut Down in February 2026 as Alternative iOS App Store Economics Fall Short
MacPaw, the Ukraine-based developer, will close Setapp Mobile—its alternative iOS app store for EU users—on February 16, 2026. The service launched in open beta in September 2024, but MacPaw says the still-evolving and complex business terms for third-party marketplaces don’t fit its current business model. Alternative iOS stores became possible under the EU’s Digital Markets Act, yet developers cite hurdles such as Apple’s Core Technology Fee, which critics argue makes competing stores difficult to sustain.
Arkansas Man Wins $100,000 Lottery Prize After Following a Hunch
An Arkansas man followed a hunch and bought a scratch-off ticket at his favorite store, which turned out to be a $100,000 top-prize winner.
Centre LGBT+ Invites Sponsors for State College Pride 2026
Centre LGBT+ is seeking sponsors for State College Pride 2026, scheduled for June 13, starting with a 10 a.m. parade followed by a festival. Now in its sixth year, the event is expected to draw more than 7,000 people and is promoted as an opportunity for businesses, organizations, vendors, and individuals to support LGBT+ inclusion and rights while gaining visibility and contributing to the region’s cultural and economic activity. Interested sponsors can contact executive director Cat Cook at cat@centrelgbtplus.org.
Trump discusses tense moments with Keir Starmer amid dispute over the Chagos Islands
Donald Trump commented on his relationship with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer as controversy grows over Britain’s decision to hand the Chagos Islands, including the Diego Garcia military base, to Mauritius. Trump said he has not spoken directly to Starmer recently but described relations as cordial, while criticizing leaders in London and Paris over immigration and energy policy and urging the UK to expand North Sea oil and gas production.
Dalio Warns Foreign Holdings of U.S. Debt Are a Major Vulnerability
Bridgewater founder Ray Dalio said the roughly $9 trillion in U.S. debt held by foreign countries is an “enormous vulnerability,” arguing that political tensions and policy unpredictability could make it unpopular to buy or hold U.S. bonds. His comments came as investors reacted nervously to Trump’s foreign-policy moves, with some institutions signaling reduced exposure to U.S. assets. Others, including former Treasury official Michael Froman, said rising U.S. debt is an underappreciated risk but noted foreign holders have limited alternatives to the depth and liquidity of dollar markets.
Former Top Actor Declines Convention Appearances
Blind Items Revealed #7 claims former A-list actor Mickey Rourke has been offered many paid appearances at fan conventions, but has turned them down, saying the opportunities are beneath him.
Philadelphia Housing Authority and Building Trades Unions Reach Deal to Rebuild the Closed Brith Sholom House
Philadelphia Housing Authority has reached an agreement with building trades unions to redevelop the shuttered Brith Sholom House, a 340-unit senior rental building in Wynnefield Heights that was closed in November 2024 after severe disrepair. PHA bought the property for $5 million following state charges against the previous owners. The roughly $100 million project is expected to take two years and will include amenities such as outdoor space, dining, and medical facilities. The Philadelphia Building Construction and Trades Council will provide $50 million, to be repaid over 15 years at 4.5% interest, and the project is expected to create 545 jobs and deliver 336 deeply affordable units.
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This podcast is a fully automated experiment in AI-generated content. Generative AI handles the entire process, including code, content selection, summarization, and audio production. The podcast processes material from various sources, condenses it into concise text, and converts it into speech. No human intervention is involved in the production process.
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