Technology

Bezos-Backed Flourish Raises $500M at $2.5B Valuation for Brain-Inspired AI

Flourish raised $500 million at a $2.5 billion valuation, with Jeff Bezos anchoring roughly a fifth of the round, to build brain-inspired AI chips that target the human brain's 20-watt efficiency.

Daily Roundup

The Daily Roundup: Travis Barker's Vans Old Skool, the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, FIFA's World Cup Album, and Anthropic's IPO Filing — June 18, 2026

Travis Barker's white Vans Old Skool releases at $90, the U.S. Open tees off at Shinnecock Hills with Scottie Scheffler chasing the career Grand Slam, and Anthropic confidentially files for an IPO at a $965 billion valuation.

Sports

Games to Watch — Wednesday, June 17: England opens its World Cup against Croatia

The World Cup runs the day: England open against Croatia at 4 PM ET (ESPN has England -0.5), with Portugal-Congo DR and Ghana-Panama bracketing it. Yankees and Guardians headline a full MLB card, plus six WNBA games.

Sports

2026 U.S. Open Tees Off June 18 at Shinnecock Hills

The 2026 U.S. Open runs June 18-21 at Shinnecock Hills in New York, Shinnecock's first since 2018, with Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and defending champion J.J. Spaun in the field.

Sneakers

Pharrell x adidas Virginia Vario 'Flat Earther' Suede Pack Releases June 20

Pharrell's adidas Virginia Vario Flat Earther returns June 20 in a two-pair Suede Pack — Blue and Black colorways, each $140 — upgrading the April leather debut with premium suede.

Sneakers

Hiroshi Fujiwara Teases Unreleased Travis Scott x Fragment Air Jordan 1 Low

Hiroshi Fujiwara previewed an unreleased Travis Scott x fragment design Air Jordan 1 Low in black with a blue suede toebox — the partnership's potential fourth chapter, with no release date confirmed.

Daily Roundup

The Daily Roundup: England Opens Its World Cup vs. Croatia, the Air Jordan 5 "University Blue", Spielberg's Disclosure Day at $44M, and Meta Rents Google's AI Chips — June 17, 2026

England opens its 2026 World Cup against Croatia in Texas, the Air Jordan 5 'University Blue' returns June 20 at $220, Spielberg's Disclosure Day debuts to $44 million, and Meta agrees to rent Google's AI chips.

Sneakers

Nike Air Force 1 Low "Knicks By You" Opens June 15

Nike By You launched a customizable Air Force 1 Low in Knicks colors at $140 with 11 build options and championship branding, available online June 15 and at Nike SoHo on June 16.

Sports

James Dolan Tells Knicks Victory Rally He Almost Sold the Team

Knicks owner James Dolan gave a pre-playoff speech asking players to abstain from sex, improve diets, and channel Spartan discipline for 10 weeks. The team went 16-3 in the postseason and won its first championship since 1973.

Sports

Games to Watch — Tuesday, June 16: Caitlin Clark hosts Canada's Tempo

Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever host the WNBA's first Canadian franchise, the Toronto Tempo, at 7 PM ET with Indiana favored by 6.5. A 14-game MLB Tuesday follows, headlined by the Rays at the defending-champion Dodgers on ESPN.

Daily Roundup

The Daily Roundup: Knicks Win the NBA Title, Nike's Cryoshot X2 World Cup Collection, JAY-Z's Reasonable Doubt at Target, and Anthropic's $965B Valuation — June 16, 2026

The Knicks win their first NBA title since 1973 with Jalen Brunson as unanimous Finals MVP, Nike's Cryoshot X2 World Cup collection hits wide release at $200 a pair, and Anthropic clears a $965 billion valuation and confidentially files for an IPO.

Culture

Garth Brooks Explores Sale of Music Catalog Valued at Up to $2 Billion

Garth Brooks is exploring a sale of his music catalog valued at up to $2 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported, a rare package that includes both the masters and publishing rights he still owns.