Who Is

Maria Corina Machado has worked her way through Venezuela's political landscape ...  and her efforts are being recognized by the international community in a big way -- because she's just been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

We're taking a look at what she's done to reach this point ... and check out how one particular international politician is not thrilled about her receiving the distinction.

Machado, 58, is from Venezuela ... her father was an industrialist in the country, according to The Wall Street Journal. Machado studied engineering during her university days, and she eventually earned a master's degree in finance.

Her philanthropic activities kicked off in 1992, when she founded Fundación Atenea, which provides aid to street children in Caracas.

Machado entered politics 10 years later when she founded Sumate, a vote-monitoring organization, and she subsequently left Atenea in order to focus on her political ambitions, according to The Independent.

Machado was elected to Venezuela's National Assembly in 2010, reportedly pulling in a record number of supporters.

She cofounded a liberal-leaning political party, Vente Venezuela, in 2012, and she helped set up the Soy Venezuela alliance, which brings together right and left-wing politicians to work on shared issues.

Machado achieved notoriety as a vocal opponent of Venezuela's longtime president Nicolas Maduro, and she ended up expelled from the country's National Assembly in 2014.

Machado announced her candidacy for president in Venezuela's 2024 presidential election, but she was ultimately banned from holding public office. Maduro reportedly won the election with 51% of the vote -- although inconsistencies in the polls were widely publicized -- and Machado went into hiding after the election, according to NPR.

After months underground, Machado made her first public appearance at an opposition protest in Caracas in January 2025, according to The Independent. Her political group, Comando Con Venezuela, said she'd been "violently intercepted" as she was leaving the rally, after which she was detained.

Machado's team later claimed she'd been forced to record several videos during her detainment, which was reportedly denounced by various governments.

Venezuelan government officials alleged she'd faked the arrest and detainment to drum up support for the opposition.

Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on October 10, 2025, "for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy," according to the Nobel Prize Foundation website.

A video showing the moment she was notified she'd won the prize was released on Friday, and she said she didn't deserve the distinction before expressing the prize was "the achievement of a whole society."

The NFL never seems to go through a shortage of fresh talent ... and it looks like the New York Giants found a keeper with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.

And get this ... even though the athlete just started his NFL career earlier this year, he's already been bumped up to the position of starting quarterback!

We're going to take a look at how the football player went from dominating the field in high school and college to playing against some of the heaviest hitters in the game.

Jaxson's football career started gaining attention during his days at Corner Canyon High School in Draper, Utah, where he also played baseball.

His skills on the field earned him the title of 2020 MaxPreps National High School Football Player of the Year, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.

And Jaxson got the title for good reason -- because the Corner Canyon Chargers went undefeated during their 2020 season.

The accolades kept coming, too, as the athlete was named the 2020-21 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year.

Jaxson naturally earned plenty of attention from colleges, and he received offers from several schools, including Arizona State University and UCLA, according to 247 Sports.

He committed to the University of Southern California in 2020, and he spent the 2021 season with the Trojans, who finished the year with a 4-8 record.

Jaxson ended up entering the transfer portal in 2022, and he transferred to Ole Miss the same year.

The athlete spent the rest of his college career with the Rebels, and he helped lead the team to victory at the Peach Bowl in 2023.

Jaxson's career in the NFL kicked off in 2025. He was a first-round pick by the New York Giants.

He received a serious boost of responsibility early into the season, as he was named as the Giants' starting quarterback after Russell Wilson was benched by the team in the season's fourth week.

Anika Nilles has been rocking out on the drums for several years now ... and it looks like she'll be hitting some pretty big stages in the near future.

The professional drummer's been selected to support the legendary prog-rock group Rush on their upcoming reunion tour, which isn't too far out in the future.

We're going to take a look into the background of the musician and see how she was selected to take the stool of the group's legendary former drummer.

Nilles is originally from Germany, and she earned a degree in popular music and music business from the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg in Mannheim, according to Modern Drummer.

The musician had originally pursued a career in social education, although she gave it up in order to follow her dreams of working as a professional musician.

Nilles' big break came in 2013, when she posted a video for her track "Wild Boy" on YouTube, and the clip racked up thousands of views overnight.

The performer kept raising her public profile by sharing videos of her original compositions on YouTube, and she's earned millions of views through her work.

Nilles dropped her debut solo album, "Pikalar," which featured instrumental compositions, in 2017.

The performer's since released three further albums, and her most recent record, "False Truth," debuted earlier this year.

Nilles remained busy in between the release of each of her records, as she began appearing at international drumming festivals and drum clinics.

She also hit the road as part of Jeff Beck's band back in 2022, when she joined the late guitarist on a tour around Europe, according to Loudwire.

Nilles' involvement with Rush was revealed in October 2025, when the group revealed she'd been selected to replace Neil Peart on their upcoming 2026 reunion tour, reports Variety.

The group's former drummer died in 2020 following a battle with glioblastoma, and his family's given the band their blessing to hit the stage again.

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson issued a press statement about their plans to get back together ... Geddy said they "could not be more excited" to have Nilles as their drummer.

Arthur Jones had plenty of ups and downs throughout his career in the NFL, which lasted for nearly a decade.

The older brother of professional martial artist Jon Jones hopped between teams and even earned himself a Super Bowl ring prior to his death at the age of 39.

We're going to take a look into the background of the late football player and see what he accomplished throughout his sports career.

Arthur first began gaining attention for his athletic skills back in high school, where he played football and was a member of Union-Endicott High School's wrestling team.

He started attending Syracuse University in 2005 -- although he didn't play any games during his freshman year of college, according to the school's official sports website.

Arthur more than made up for the missed opportunities during his second year, when he became one of 40 players to have participated in every game in the 2006 season.

The athlete remained with the Syracuse Orange until 2009, when he finished out his final year with the team.

Arthur kicked off his career in the NFL in 2010, when he was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens as a defensive end.

The athlete, whose younger brother Chandler also played in the league, remained with the Ravens until 2013, when he helped lead them to victory at Super Bowl XLVII.

Arthur didn't remain with the Ravens after the big game, though, as he signed a five-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts in 2014. He ended up being released from his contract after sitting out for the entirety of the 2015 season, after which he received a four-game suspension in 2016 following a positive test for performance-enhancing drugs, reports ESPN.

He signed with the Washington Commanders in 2017, although he was quickly placed on injured reserve.

Arthur stepped away from professional sports in 2018, when he announced his retirement from the NFL.

The professional athlete's death was revealed seven years later, and a cause hasn't been revealed as of yet.

The Ravens released an official statement regarding his death, and the organization's general manager, Eric DeCosta, claimed the team was "terribly saddened" about his loss.

Joshua Allen danced his way into the hearts of "So You Think You Can Dance" fans and established himself further through his work in TV and film.

But the performer's story wasn't entirely straightforward, as he spent time behind bars prior to his death at the age of 36 in 2025.

We're going to take a look into the background of the dancer and see what went down in his personal life before his death.

Joshua got his start by appearing on "So You Think You Can Dance" Season 4, and he came out on top of the other competitors -- including Stephen "tWitch" Boss, with whom he became close friends.

The dancer's work was later featured on the big screen, as he was a featured performer in the 2010 film "Step Up 3D."

Joshua ended up being brought on as a dancer and choreographer during the second season of the Oxygen show "Dance Your A** Off," which aired in 2010.

He also had a brief stint in scripted television, as he appeared on an episode of "American Horror Story" in 2011.

Joshua's story wasn't entirely clean, as he spent time in jail after he was involved in several altercations in 2016, according to Deadline.

The performer's legal troubles began that January, when he picked up a conviction for willfully injuring a girlfriend.

He reportedly attempted to strangle the same individual four months later, and he apparently chased her into a coffee shop before he got into a fight with a customer and threw a glass vase at another patron.

Joshua was later convicted of willfully injuring a girlfriend after a prior conviction and assault with a deadly weapon. He was sentenced to a year in county jail, and he had to serve five years of probation and attend a year of domestic violence counseling.

Joshua died after he was struck by a train near his residence in his home state of Texas, his family told TMZ.

There's currently an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the professional dancer's death.

We spoke to one of Joshua's family members shortly after his death, and they stated the performer's family was requesting "privacy and prayers."

21 Savage's had a pretty interesting career during his time in the rap game ... and we're here for all of it!

The performer's had a crazy journey to becoming one of the most famous rappers in America -- even though he wasn't born stateside.

Here's a look at the background and career of the performer ... and a bit of info about the current state of his love life.

Kellie Pickler's had plenty of interesting experiences throughout her music and television careers ... many of which involved her late husband Kyle Jacobs.

The country star and the songwriter were married for several years and completed several projects together, at least until the marriage came to an abrupt -- and tragic -- end.

We're going to take a look into the background of the late musician and see what happened in the personal lives of his widow and their family following his death.

Kyle made a name for himself through his work as a songwriter, and he primarily worked in the country music industry.

The musician burst onto the scene in 2007, when Garth Brooks' track "More Than A Memory," which he co-wrote, became the first song to debut on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Kyle went on to collaborate with some of the biggest names in the country industry, including Tim McGraw and Lee Brice, among others.

Oh, and we should note he also worked with his wife on several occasions over the course of his career.

Kyle and Kellie reportedly met through mutual friends, and they became engaged in 2010.

The singer and the songwriter remained engaged for a year before they made things official and tied the knot on a trip to Antigua.

The performers' married life eventually became the subject of the reality show "I Love Kellie Pickler," which ran for a total of two seasons.

Kellie became a widow in 2023, when Kyle died from a self-inflicted gunshot at the couple's home in Nashville.

Kellie subsequently became involved in a legal battle with Kyle's parents, which kicked off after they allegedly requested ownership of several of their late son's belongings following his death, according to Us Weekly.

The songwriter's family has since claimed the singer has attempted to keep them from retrieving Kyle's belongings, and they've also alleged she "forbade" them from entering her residence.

Kyle's family has since filed a petition for civil contempt against Kellie, and she later filed a motion to dismiss the petition.

Kellie Pickler's had her fair share of ups and downs, as she's had to balance her careers in both television and music with her occasionally turbulent personal life.

And earlier this year, she was named in a lawsuit filed by Nigel Edge -- who's been accused of committing a shooting in North Carolina -- in which he claimed she tried to kill him way back in the day.

We're going to take a look into the background of the performer and see how she became associated with the suspected gunman ... Edge is accused of shooting eight people at a riverside bar in North Carolina from a boat on Sept. 27, 2025, killing three.

Quinta Brunson's gone through some pretty interesting experiences during her career in Hollywood ... and it looks like she's going to be going through some more as a single woman in the near future.

The performer's currently finalizing divorce proceedings with her estranged husband Kevin Anik, to whom she'd been married for three and a half years prior to their separation.

We're going to take a look into the background of the actress' former partner and see what went down in their relationship in the years prior to their split.

The idyllic community of Southport, North Carolina, was left reeling after a shooter opened fire on patrons of the American Fish Company bar in September 2025.

Authorities later arrested a suspect, Nigel Edge, who's since been hit with several charges for allegedly shooting up the waterfront bar.

Here's a look into the background of the alleged shooter, who had a pretty colorful past leading up to the mass shooting.

Residents of Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, were left shocked when a shooting took place at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints branch in September 2025.

When the dust settled, authorities identified Thomas Jacob Sanford -- who was shot and killed by police at the scene -- as the suspected gunman.

We're going to take a look into the background of the accused murderer and see what led up to the tragic events of September 28.

Sanford was raised not far from the site of the shooting, and he graduated from Goodrich High School in nearby Goodrich -- about 10 miles east of the church -- in 2003, according to the Clarkston News.

One of his former high school classmates, Ryan Lopez, spoke to The New York Times and described the suspected shooter as a "country kid" who enjoyed hunting various types of game.

Lopez claimed he would often see the suspected shooter around town and described him as a completely "normal" person.

Sanford briefly moved to Utah around 2010, and a woman who'd rented a room to him told The New York Times he'd worked for a landscaping business and was also interested in sculpture.

Sanford's military career began not long after he graduated from high school, as he began serving in the Marines in 2004.

He was briefly stationed in Okinawa, Japan, before he was sent to Iraq in 2007, where he took part in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Lopez, who served in the Marines alongside Sanford, claimed his former high school classmate had focused on motor transport work during his time in the service.

Sanford remained with the Marines until 2008, when he retired from the service.

Sanford reportedly married a former high school classmate in 2016, and they shared a son.

The boy was born with a condition known as hyperinsulinism, which is when insulin cells in the pancreas secrete excess insulin, which can lead to various complications, according to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Sanford and his wife eventually learned about a children's hospital in Texas, and he told the Cook Children's Health Care Newsroom, being able to connect with a specialist felt like "a sign from heaven."

The suspected shooter and his wife took their son to Texas to receive treatment, and the family was eventually able to return to Michigan after his condition improved.

Sanford's political beliefs were reportedly conservative, and he was seen wearing a T-shirt endorsing Donald Trump's 2020 re-election bid in a photo shared on Facebook, according to the Daily Mail.

The suspected shooter's T-shirt also featured a graphic reading "Make liberals cry again."

A Google Street view of Sanford's home taken in June showed a "Trump-Pence" sign affixed to a back fence, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Sanford was registered to vote in Burton, Michigan, although when he voted last is unknown, and voters don't register by party in Michigan.

Sanford allegedly began the attack by crashing his truck into the church, after which he began firing at congregants, reports The New York Times.

He reportedly set fire to the church using either gasoline or another flammable material. Three makeshift explosives were recovered from the scene.

Sanford later began exchanging gunfire with police, and he was shot and killed by authorities, ending the incident.

Zachariah Branch has had a pretty interesting career in sports, as he's taken his talents all the way across the country to play college football.

The wide receiver started out playing for one of the nation's most notable football teams before he pulled a complete 180 and switched coasts to pursue his interests.

We're going to take a look into the background of the college athlete and see what led up to his switch from one school to another.

Shock waves were sent through the country when Charlie Kirk was assassinated while speaking at a university event in Orem, Utah, in September 2025.

Legal proceedings against his suspected killer, Tyler Robinson, have since commenced, and longtime attorney Kathryn Nester has signed on to represent the accused individual in his case.

We're going to take a look into the attorney's background and see what she'd accomplished prior to taking on Robinson's case.

Nester's been practicing law for more than 30 years, and she's worked on cases in numerous states, according to her law firm's official website.

She formerly served as a federal public defender in both Salt Lake City and San Diego, and she served on the National Steering Committee for the Clemency Project.

Nester's worked on a variety of cases over the course of her legal career, and she's handled both criminal and civil cases.

She's received several awards for her work, including the Federal Bar Distinguished Service Award from the District of Utah.

Several of Nester's cases have made it into the news, and she received attention for representing Dr. Kirk Moore, who faced charges of running a COVID-19 vaccination card scheme during the pandemic.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi eventually ordered the Department of Justice to dismiss the charges against Moore, according to KSTU-TV.

Nester was also appointed as an attorney for Kouri Richins -- accused of fatally poisoning her husband -- in 2024 after her former defense attorney was unable to resolve a conflict, KUTV-TV reports.

Salt Lake City-based criminal defense attorney Randy Spencer spoke about Nester's legal activity with Fox News and claimed Richins' case would be "pretty demanding of" the lawyer's time.

Tyler Robinson has been been hit with numerous charges, including aggravated murder and felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, among others.

Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray said the offense of aggravated murder means the accused shooter's eligible for the death penalty, The New York Times reports.

The Utah County Commission has since passed $1 million in staffing additions, which are set to go to both the prosecution and Tyler's defense team.

Kelsey Mitchell's built up a pretty recognizable public profile throughout her basketball career ... and she's earned her fair share of accolades along the way.

The Indiana Fever star's helped lead the team to a pair of playoff appearances, and she almost earned herself one of the highest honors the WNBA can bestow upon a player.

We're going to examine how the athlete became one of the most prominent players in the league ... and see how she missed out on a pretty big title.

Jessie Cave might be best known for casting spells on the big screen ... although it looks like she's entranced her new fans for a completely different reason.

The "Harry Potter" actress launched an OnlyFans account in early 2025, and she's since claimed her new career move resulted in her being booted from a fan convention.

We're going to see why the performer chose to start creating content for the subscription-only service ... and check out how she's come to terms with her exclusion from the event.

Residents of Dallas, Texas, were left in shock after a gunman fired on an ICE facility on September 24, 2025.

When the dust settled, authorities named Joshua Jahn as the main suspect in the shooting. Multiple people were wounded and killed ... including the suspect.

Here's a look at the background of the suspected shooter and the clues surrounding the violent event at the ICE facility.