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Expert picks for Duke vs. North Carolina, top games on regular season’s last Saturday

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The final weekend of the college basketball regular season is here. Teams across the country will have one final game this weekend before the real fun starts with power conference tournaments starting next week in the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Big East and the SEC.

There is plenty of intrigue with Selection Sunday just over one week away. Saturday’s college basketball action begins in Stillwater, Oklahoma, when Oklahoma State hosts No. 7 Houston on CBS. That game will be part of a tripleheader on the network, with showdowns between No. 14 Kansas and Kansas State and No. 15 Purdue and Wisconsin coming shortly after.

One of the best rivalries in sports renews at Cameron Indoor Stadium when No. 1 Duke hosts No. 17 North Carolina. This game will be a rematch of one of the best games of the regular season, won by the Tar Heels in upset fashion. After trailing for almost the entire 40 minutes of regulation, UNC star Seth Trimble knocked down a 3-pointer in the final second to give his team a dramatic win.

Reigning national champion Florida wrapped up the SEC regular-season title already, but it is still in contention to earn a No. 1 seed on Selection Sunday. The Gators will face Kentucky in their final game before the SEC Tournament begins next week in Nashville.

What is next for North Carolina after Caleb Wilson’s season-ending injury?

Isaac Trotter

What is next for North Carolina after Caleb Wilson's season-ending injury?

Our experts have picks for all of Saturday’s big games below.

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook | All times ET

No. 7 Houston at Oklahoma State

12 p.m. on CBS, CBSSports.comCBS Sports AppParamount+ Premium: Oklahoma State’s defense can be just too rogue against this Houston backcourt. If JoJo Tugler can stay out of foul trouble, the Cougars could dominate the boards and hold the ‘Pokes at arm’s length. Pick: Houston -10 (Isaac Trotter)

Kansas State at No. 14 Kansas

2 p.m. on CBS, CBSSports.comCBS Sports AppParamount+ Premium: Kansas is coming off a brutal swing through Arizona that saw the Jayhawks go 0-2 with losses by a combined 33 points. But don’t get fooled into thinking the Jayhawks are bad enough to be challenged by Kansas State at home. KU won the first meeting by 24 on the road and should have no problem matching that margin on Senior Day inside Allen Fieldhouse. This is the ideal “get right” spot for Kansas entering the Big 12 Tournament, and the Jayhawks should roll to an authoritative victory. Pick: Kansas -17 (David Cobb)

Wisconsin at No. 15 Purdue        

4 p.m. on CBS, CBSSports.comCBS Sports AppParamount+ Premium: Vroom-vroom guards have given Purdue lots of issues this season, and Wisconsin has two of them in Nick Boyd and John Blackwell. That duo combines for 38 points a night, and they can toggle back and forth depending on who has the best matchup. If the Badgers’ bigs can hold their own on the glass and knock down some pick-and-pop treys, the Badgers can hang around in this one. Purdue wins; Wisconsin covers. Pick: Wisconsin +8 (Trotter)

No. 5 Florida at Kentucky          

4 p.m. on ESPN, fuboTV (try for free): It’s still unclear who is going to earn the final No. 1 seed on Selection Sunday. Duke, Michigan and Arizona seem like locks to remain on the No. 1 line regardless of what happens over the next eight-ish days. There are not many teams playing as well as Florida right now. The Gators will be a dangerous out, regardless of where they ultimately land in the bracket. Florida has won 10 straight games. Kentucky has been one of the most confusing teams in the country. Florida wins this game easily. Pick: Florida -7 (Cameron Salerno)

No. 17 North Carolina at No. 1 Duke         

6:30 p.m. on ESPN, fuboTV (try for free): Just over 24 hours before tip-off, North Carolina announced that star forward Caleb Wilson would miss the remainder of the season after suffering a broken thumb in practice. It’s a devastating blow for the short- and long-term future of UNC basketball. Wilson was incredible in the first matchup against Duke. Others will have to step up. Duke should be able to finish the regular season at home with a win over its in-state rival. In both of Duke’s losses this season, late-game blunders cost them. Duke hasn’t lost at home this season, and I expect that to continue this weekend. Still, even without Wilson, UNC keeps this game somewhat close and covers the 16-point spread. Pick: North Carolina +16 (Salerno)

No. 16 Alabama vs. Auburn          

8:30 p.m. on ESPN, fuboTV (try for free): The term “must-win” only applies during the NCAA Tournament when it’s quite literally win-or-go-home. Still, it’s hard to overstate the importance of this game for Auburn. The Tigers are walking a dangerous line on ending up on the wrong side of the bubble after losing seven of their last nine entering this game. A win over Alabama would go a long way toward securing an at-large berth. Unfortunately for Auburn, I don’t think that happens. Alabama wins. Pick: Alabama -9 (Salerno)

Who will win and cover in every college basketball game? Visit SportsLine to get picks from the model that simulates each game 10,000 times and is up more than $1,200 for $100 players on its top-rated spread picks the past six years. 





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Hegseth on reports Russia aided Iran: “Anything that shouldn’t be happening” will be “confronted strongly”

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that President Trump is “well aware of who’s talking to who” amid reports that Russia is providing intelligence to Iran on U.S. movements in the region.

Hegseth told Major Garrett in an interview airing Sunday on “60 Minutes” that the U.S. is “tracking everything” and factoring it into battle plans. “The American people can rest assured their commander-in-chief is well aware of who’s talking to who,” he said. “And anything that shouldn’t be happening, whether it’s in public or back-channeled, is being confronted and confronted strongly.”

Earlier Friday, multiple sources, including a senior U.S. official, told CBS News that Russia is providing intelligence to Iran regarding U.S. positions in the Middle East during the ongoing joint U.S. and Israeli military operations in Iran. It was the first known indication that Russia is aiding Iran.

Asked if the American people can expect conversations with the Russians to stop their involvement in the conflict, Hegseth said Mr. Trump “has a unique relationship with a lot of world leaders where he can get things done that other presidents, certainly Joe Biden, never could have.” He added that “through direct conversations or indirect, through him one-to-one or through his Cabinet, messages definitely can be delivered.” 

When asked whether Russia’s involvement puts U.S. personnel in danger, Hegseth said: “We’re putting the other guys in danger, and that’s our job. So we’re not concerned about that. … But the only ones that need to be worried right now are Iranians that think they’re gonna live.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, when asked during an appearance on Fox News about Russia providing intelligence to Iran on U.S. assets, said she could not comment on “intelligence reports that are leaked to the press.” The intelligence aid from Russia was first reported by The Washington Post. 

“Whether or not this happened, frankly, it doesn’t really matter, because President Trump and the United States military are absolutely decimating the rogue Iranian terrorist regime,” she said. 

Later, Leavitt clarified to reporters that she meant Russia sharing intelligence on U.S. assets with Iran “doesn’t matter” because “it clearly is not making a difference with respect to the military operations in Iran, because we are completely decimating them.”

Watch more of Major Garrett’s interview with Hegseth Sunday on “60 Minutes.” 



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Colder air moves in to start the weekend, but warms up again quickly

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March-like weather has returned to New Mexico, but the cooler stretch will be short lived. Temperatures begin warming again Sunday, with much warmer weather next week. It is noticeably cooler across New Mexico Friday, with high temperatures running 5° to 20° cooler than Thursday. A Pacific cold front moved through the state overnight, bringing a […]



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Apple Music Introduces AI Transparency Tags As Streaming Platforms Tackle AI-Generated Music Surge

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AI-generated music has exploded in recent months, forcing streaming platforms to develop new ways to manage and monitor content. Companies like Suno and Udio are enabling users to generate millions of songs, but the boom has sparked controversy and copyright disputes.

In November, Billboard reported that Suno produces 7 million tracks daily, effectively generating Spotify’s entire catalog every two weeks. Suno co-founder Mikey Shulman recently revealed the platform has 2 million paid subscribers and more than 100 million total users creating music, including on the free version.

Meanwhile, Deezer reported more than 60,000 AI-generated tracks uploaded daily in January 2026 – six times the rate from a year earlier. Synthetic content now accounts for roughly 39% of Deezer’s uploads, and over 13.4 million AI tracks have been flagged by its detection system since 2025.

Deezer has focused on detecting AI tracks independently at the platform level to prevent fraud, which it says drives the majority of uploads. “We know that the majority of AI-music is uploaded to Deezer with the purpose of committing fraud, and we continue to take action,” said CEO Alexis Lanternier.

Up to 85% of AI streams in 2025 were deemed fraudulent, compared to just 8% across the platform’s entire catalog. Deezer has licensed its AI detection tool to other organizations, including French collecting society Sacem.

Spotify has taken a different approach, tightening policies in September 2025 to remove tracks that impersonate artists without consent, filter spam, and require AI usage disclosure in credits. The platform also removed 75 million spam tracks over the past year.

Apple Music’s newly announced framework, launched March 4 via a newsletter captured by Music Business Insider, takes a disclosure-focused approach rather than technical enforcement. The platform introduces Transparency Tags, which allow record labels and distributors to flag AI usage across four elements: Artwork, Track, Composition, and Music Video. Labels can apply multiple tags simultaneously, but Apple does not currently verify or enforce compliance.

“Proper tagging of content is the first step in giving the music industry the data and tools needed to develop thoughtful policies around AI,” Apple said.

“We believe labels and distributors must take an active role in reporting when the content they deliver is created using AI… a concrete first step toward the transparency necessary for the industry to establish best practices and policies that work for everyone.”

The contrast between Apple’s voluntary tagging system and Deezer’s technical enforcement highlights the broader challenge facing the industry: balancing transparency, artist rights, and the flood of AI-generated content.

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Vincorion Plans Frankfurt Listing as European Defense Spending Rises

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The defense and aviation supplier expects the IPO to be completed by the first half of 2026, and said it is well-positioned to tap into rising European defense budgets.



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At least 7 killed in Ukraine’s Kharkiv as Russian missile hits apartment building

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Ukrainian officials say that at least seven people have been killed and 10 others, including three children, have been wounded by a Russian missile strike on a five-story residential building in Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv

KYIV, Ukraine — At least seven people were killed and 10 others, including three children, were wounded on Saturday by a Russian missile that hit a five-story residential building in Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, officials said.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack and called for an international response. He said that Russia struck Ukraine overnight with 29 missiles and 480 drones, targeting energy facilities in Kyiv and other central regions and with damage reported in at least seven other locations across the country.

According to preliminary data, air defense systems downed 19 missiles and 453 drones with hits from 9 missiles and 26 strike drones recorded at 22 locations.

In Kharkiv, in Ukraine’s northeast, emergency workers were combing the rubble, looking for survivors.

In the Kyiv region, damage from debris was reported in three districts, according to local authorities. In the southern Odesa region, 80 firefighters were called in to help battle massive fires at infrastructure facilities following an attack with multiple drones. Ukraine’s state rail operator Ukrzaliznytsia said damage to the rail infrastructure forced changes to a number of routes in the center-west of the country.

“There must be a response from partners to these savage strikes against life,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X. “Russia has not abandoned its attempts to destroy Ukraine’s residential and critical infrastructure, and therefore support must continue. We count on active work with the European Union to guarantee greater protection for our people. I am grateful to everyone who helps strengthen our protection.”

Russia has fired tens of thousands of Iranian-designed Shahed drones at Ukraine since it invaded its neighbor just over four years. It has launched a large-scale domestic production of them and battered Ukraine with hundreds of drones in a single night — more than were used during some entire months in 2024.

Iran has responded to joint U.S.-Israeli strikes by launching the same type of drones at countries in the Middle East.

Zelenskyy said he had received a U.S. request for support to defend against the Iranian drones in the Middle East and had given the order for equipment to be provided along with Ukrainian experts.

The war in the Middle East has drawn international attention away from Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II, and forced the postponement of a new round of U. S.-brokered talks between Russia and Ukraine planned for this week.



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NM Rep. Abeyta describes armed roadside encounter in To’Hajiilee; two Navajo Officers shot

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New Mexico state Rep. Michelle Paulene Abeyta encountered a suspect holding a gun on the side of the road in To’Hajiilee, leading to two Navajo Nation officers being shot and taken to UNM Hospital, along with the suspect. Abeyta, who spoke to KOAT near the crime scene on Friday afternoon, expressed concern for her safety, saying she was worried the suspect might shoot at her vehicle.”I was concerned because I had already received the warning that he was shooting at other vehicles. So my goal was just to get past him safely and to make sure I notified law enforcement,” she said.To’Hajiilee, part of the Navajo Nation, is a satellite community located over 100 miles from the nearest Navajo law enforcement substation. Abeyta noted, “The jurisdictional issues that my community faces out here in To’Hajiilee are complex.”Abeyta explained the challenges of being far from Navajo Nation law enforcement, which has jurisdiction but lacks agreements for other law enforcement agencies to assist in emergencies. “We’re very familiar that Navajo Nation has sole jurisdiction out in our community. However, the uncertainty lies with how soon they’re able to respond to actual emergencies, if someone’s already on duty in the area, or if they will be commuting from the 100-mile away police station,” she said.Abeyta said she looks forward to collaborating with community and law enforcement leaders on solutions for faster response times and community safety in the state legislature, including long-term solutions like cross-commissioning agreements and funding agreements to ensure adequate resources in rural communities.She emphasized the community’s vigilance, stating, “This community has never backed down from looking out for one another. And when they see something, they report it.”Abeyta highlighted the significance of the area where the incident occurred, noting, “This exact area is actually where the buses stop and pick up students every day.” As of Friday evening, both unidentified officers who were shot were transported to University of New Mexico Hospital and are in stable condition.”Our community’s prayers and good thoughts are with them as they recover after this incident,” Abeyta said. A male suspect was injured and also transported to UNMH. His condition is unknown. The FBI will lead the investigation, and there are no outstanding suspects.

New Mexico state Rep. Michelle Paulene Abeyta encountered a suspect holding a gun on the side of the road in To’Hajiilee, leading to two Navajo Nation officers being shot and taken to UNM Hospital, along with the suspect.

Abeyta, who spoke to KOAT near the crime scene on Friday afternoon, expressed concern for her safety, saying she was worried the suspect might shoot at her vehicle.

“I was concerned because I had already received the warning that he was shooting at other vehicles. So my goal was just to get past him safely and to make sure I notified law enforcement,” she said.

To’Hajiilee, part of the Navajo Nation, is a satellite community located over 100 miles from the nearest Navajo law enforcement substation. Abeyta noted, “The jurisdictional issues that my community faces out here in To’Hajiilee are complex.”

Abeyta explained the challenges of being far from Navajo Nation law enforcement, which has jurisdiction but lacks agreements for other law enforcement agencies to assist in emergencies.

“We’re very familiar that Navajo Nation has sole jurisdiction out in our community. However, the uncertainty lies with how soon they’re able to respond to actual emergencies, if someone’s already on duty in the area, or if they will be commuting from the 100-mile away police station,” she said.

Abeyta said she looks forward to collaborating with community and law enforcement leaders on solutions for faster response times and community safety in the state legislature, including long-term solutions like cross-commissioning agreements and funding agreements to ensure adequate resources in rural communities.

She emphasized the community’s vigilance, stating, “This community has never backed down from looking out for one another. And when they see something, they report it.”

Abeyta highlighted the significance of the area where the incident occurred, noting, “This exact area is actually where the buses stop and pick up students every day.”

As of Friday evening, both unidentified officers who were shot were transported to University of New Mexico Hospital and are in stable condition.

“Our community’s prayers and good thoughts are with them as they recover after this incident,” Abeyta said.

A male suspect was injured and also transported to UNMH. His condition is unknown.

The FBI will lead the investigation, and there are no outstanding suspects.



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Landman Actress Ali Larter Stuns In White Bikini on Her Birthday

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Landman star Ali Larter posted a series of 50th birthday pictures that were so stunning her on-screen daughter was left grasping for emojis.

Larter — plays Tommy Norris’ wife Angela on Landman — turned 50 last Saturday (Feb. 28) and she celebrated with what looks like a girls trip to a tropical locale. Her kids are spotted in a couple pics but that’s not what people on Instagram are talking about.

Nope. Anyone who commented wanted to know her secret because — as those near, at or beyond 50 know — it’s hard to look that good without pulling a muscle.

  • Prior to Landman, Larter was best know for films Varsity Blues and the NBC TV show Heroes.
  • Season 3 of Landman is expected to start filming this spring.
  • Larter has been busy since her birthday too, with several red carpet stops as she celebrates her industry.

Related: Everything We Know About Landman Season 3

There are so many fire emojis on this post. Our favorite is Michelle Randolph (Ainsley Norris on Landman) who just writes, “I meannnnn” and a fire emoji.

Ali Larter’s Stunning Beach Vacation Photos

It’s not clear where Larter and her friends went for their vacation. She just called it her “happy place”

“A huge thank you to my incredible friends and husband for planning this and making me feel so special. I was overwhelmed by the joy, laughter, shared love, and beautiful connections. One for the memory books. Heart is overflowing.”

Flip through to find highlights of the beach vacation, including multiple of her in a white bikini. Honestly this place looks like paradise.

When Does Landman Season 3 Begin?

Paramount announced on Dec. 5, 2025, that it had renewed Landman for a third season.

The news came after Landman delivered record numbers on its Season 2 premiere, which aired Nov. 16. Throughout Season 2 it maintained a very strong audience, making a third season seem like a foregone conclusion.

Read More: Marshals Did Monica Dutton Dirty!

While the exact premiere date for Season 3 is not known it’s worth noting that both Season 1 and Season 2 premiered in mid-November and the show seems to be following a similar production schedule.

Look for news, analysis and full conversation about Landman and all Taylor Sheridan shows during weekly episodes of the Dutton Rules podcast, airing on YouTube and wherever podcasts are found.

‘Landman’: Who Is Ali Larter, AKA Angela Norris

Ali Larter says she wanted the role of Angela Norris on Landman because the character is so colorful. She expresses all her emotions with volume but has a big heart beneath it all.

Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes





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U.S. Retail Sales Sagged in January

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Sales at retailers declined in January, the Commerce Department said, extending a tepid trend for U.S. shopping since late last year.



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