Exclusive-Chinese chipmaker YMTC plans new factories amid heightened US-Sino trade tensions, sources say

April 14 (Reuters) - Chinese chipmaker Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC) aims to build two more factories in addition to one that will be completed this year, which will more than double its production capacity when all three are up ‌and running, people familiar with the plans said.

China has been keen to wean itself from foreign technologies such as semiconductors - ‌a critical sector that the U.S. has sought to limit Chinese advancements in. This month, a cross-party group of U.S. politicians proposed imposing further restrictions nL6N40M0EZ on ​exports of chipmaking tools to China.

The three new plants will each have the capacity to produce 100,000 wafers per month when fully operational, said three sources who were not authorised to speak to media and declined to be identified.

Unlisted YMTC, China's largest maker of NAND flash memory chips that store data insmartphonesand computers, currently has two fabs which can produce a combined 200,000 wafers per month, they added.

Its ‌plans for the two new plants as well ⁠as details about the factory that is close to completion are being reported by Reuters for the first time.

YMTC, one of many Chinese companies that the U.S. restricts sales of goods to, did not respond ⁠to a request for comment.

STRONGER TIES WITH DOMESTIC SUPPLIERS

YMTC's third factory, which like its first two plants is located in Wuhan, should start operations late this year and be capable of producing 50,000 wafers per month by 2027, according to two of the sources.

The building has been completed and ​the company ​is currently installing equipment, they said, adding that more than 50% of ​equipment has been sourced from domestic companies including critical ‌tools used for vertical stacking of chip layers.

YMTC has intensified collaboration with local suppliers such as Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment (AMEC) since the U.S. Commerce Department added YMTC to its Entity List in December 2022, they said.

Advertisement

AMEC also did not respond to a request for comment.

Reuters was not able to learn target operational dates for the two factories being planned or where they might be located.

RAPID PROGRESS IN TECHNICAL KNOW-HOW

Founded in 2016 in Wuhan with strong backing from local government and major state-backed chip investment funds, YMTC has made relatively quick ‌strides in know-how, and analysts say its latest Xtacking 4.0 architecture is on ​par with products from sector leaders like Samsung Electronics.

Although most of its sales ​are in China, YMTC accounted for 11.8% of the global ​NAND flash market last year, according to a UBS report. While Samsung commands 30.4% of the market, ‌YMTC has the same share as Sandisk and is ​not too far behind SK Hynix, ​Kioxia and Micron which hold 16%, 15.9% and 13.3% respectively.

UBS predicts YMTC's share will exceed 14% by early 2027.

YMTC is also expanding into DRAM, the memory chips used for temporary data processing in electronic devices.

All three new plants will allocate some ​capacity to DRAM production, two sources said, ‌adding that the exact amount will depend on the company's progress in developing those chips.

YMTC has sent low-power DRAM (LPDDR) ​samples to clients and expects feedback by the end of the year, which will inform DRAM production decisions, they ​added.

(Reporting by Reuters staff; Editing by Miyoung Kim and Edwina Gibbs)

byAdministrator

in

April 14, 2026

Exclusive-Chinese chipmaker YMTC plans new factories amid heightened US-Sino trade tensions, sources say

April 14 (Reuters) - Chinese chipmaker Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC) aims to build two more factories in addition to one that will...

Read More

China says it will resume some ties with Taiwan including more direct flights

BANGKOK (AP) — China said Sunday it would resume some ties it had suspended with Taiwan such as direct flights to cities across China and imports of Taiwanese aquaculture products as the island's opposition party leader concludes her visit.

China Taiwan

The Taiwan Work Office under China's Communist Party issued a statement saying it would explore setting up a longstanding communication mechanism between the Communist Party and Taiwan’s Kuomingtang Party, and facilitate the import of Taiwan’s aquaculture products, after it banned them in recent years.

Cheng Li-wun, the head of the Kuomingtang, and China’s President Xi Jinpingheld a high-profile meetingFriday during which both called for peace without offering specifics. Taiwan is self-ruled but China claims the island as part of its territory.

Relations between China and Taiwan have been tense since 2016 when the Taiwanese public elected Tsai Ing-wen from the Democratic Progressive Party as president. Since then, Beijing cut off most of its official dialogue with Taiwan's government in the capital Taipei and started sending military planes and vessels towards the island on a daily basis.

The list of measures in the statement touches on ties that China had suspended in recent years as tensions increased.

Advertisement

China plans to resume direct flights for other mainland cities like Xi'an or Urumqi to Taiwan, the statement said, although it remained unclear how the measures will be implemented.

Chinabanned individual tripsby Chinese people to Taiwan in 2019. Taiwan's rules now require Chinese visitors to hold a valid resident visa from another country, like the U.S. or the European Union, to apply for a visitor visa.

China also said it would work toward construction of a bridge that would connect to Matsu and Kinmen, Taiwanese islands that are closer geographically to China. The project is a longstanding proposal that Beijing has previously announced.

China banned the import of Taiwanese pineapples in 2021 and since then extended the import ban to products as varied as the grouper fish, squid, tuna and other fruits.

After the initial ban on grouper, Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture said it approached China about making adjustments to ensure it met import requirements. China replied with a limited list of individual companies that were allowed to sell to China, but without explanation.

Taiwan added it would "continuously assist farmers and businesses in expanding into overseas markets" in order to diversify risk, according to a statement it issued Saturday.

byAdministrator

in

April 14, 2026

China says it will resume some ties with Taiwan including more direct flights

BANGKOK (AP) — China said Sunday it would resume some ties it had suspended with Taiwan such as direct flights to cities across China a...

Read More

“Saturday Night Live” recap: Colman Domingo is a whole vibe in his hosting debut

Hi all — it’s your good palSNL in Review. Welcome to Saturday night! (Or, perhaps more likely, your Sunday morning recap.)

Colman Domingois this week’s host. I am joined tonight by the always eloquent gentleman and formerSaturday Night Livecast member Gary Kroeger. He reports he first became familiar with Domingo's game during his time on "The Big Gay Sketch Show, but maybeFear the Walking DeadorEuphoria." He adds, "It seems that it's been 15 or more years that I've been watching him and admiring his commanding presence. He's one of those actors who seems like they've been around even before they've been around. There was no learning curve, he was justtherewith gravitas as if he'd been doing Shakespeare since Shakespeare. I love thatSNLis finally getting around to having a host with some years on the planet. He's a grown-up. That will be refreshing."

Well put. Too often, the modern iteration of the show is seemingly chasing the fountain of youth, or the ultra-online cohort. (Rewatching older episodes, you can tell they used to actually cultivate, you know, adults.)

Savvy comedy fans will recall none other than Kate McKinnon cut her teeth onThe Big Gay Sketch Show.Good company. Domingo has two Oscar nominations under his belt, but deep down, he’s just like us, Conehead Nation: another comedy nerd! Here’s anotherSNLbona fide for Domingo: he's stars on Tina Fey's Netflix seriesThe Four Seasons.

Scroll down for more! (I really hope the show resists an Uma-Oprah-style pun with tonight’s host and…Domingo. That’d be super lame!)

Cold Open

James Austin Johnson's President Trump is brainstorming his now-infamous Iran War post, when he breaks the fourth wall to comment on featured player Ashley Padilla's increased role in these political cold opens. Trump decides to focus on more important global affairs: calling Tiger Woods (Kenan Thompson). Melania (Chloe Fineman) calls him next, to discuss her Epstein press conference. So, we are checking off recent events…

Next:Colin Jost's Pete Hegseth. Wow, this impression again. Jost's acting abilities are really being put to the test folks — just in time for a newdrama series! This is pretty bad, I’m sorry. The satire misses, punchlines are bad. What a missed opportunity. Even the joint "live from New York" delivery is sloppy.

FYI: Thompson played Tiger Woodsway back in 2009!

Monologue

Domingo has been an actor since the '90s! He’s also our uncle. The point is, he’s been in everything. Also, when you go to his house, the vibes are spectacular. Just like that, the music at 8H changes, same with the colors and the camerawork. Nice moment for band member Leon Pendarvis! And Jeremy Culhane! "The vibes here are on point!" Domingo notes. Leon Phelps would approve of this, I think.

He doesn’t say so, but Domingo will next be seen in the new Michael Jackson biopicMichaelhitting theaters later this month. It’s tracking to open around $55 million, I think! Kroeger is "looking forward to seeing Colman as Joe Jackson. Complicated story." (For the record, he adds: "For my moneyThrilleris as good an album asAbbey Road, and the world knows I’m a Beatle freak. 'Billie Jean' stands out. Partly because of the Grammy performance. A phenomenon emerged when we heard the song and saw the man perform it. Few moments are as indelibly imprinted into cultural consciousness as that.")

"Fashion District Robbery"

Wesley Welch (Johnson) is anchoring the news and reports on a recent bank robbery nearby. He cuts to a reporter on the scene, played by Padilla. D'Artagnan Meringue (Domingo) is the professor of the fashion school next door. He and the students are interviewed about the suspect and they are full of sass. Some funny one-liners.

"Barbershop"

Black barbershops are a radical new form of therapy for white guys. This is good, watch it! Nicknames for the white patrons include "Dahmer" and "Little Epstein." (They also make a funny reference toMartin!)

Traditional therapy is hundreds of dollars an hour, but the "homies" at Uneek are $50. Good stuff!

"Artemis II"

On Friday, Artemis II’s crew arrived back at home after a historic 10-day voyage. During the trip, they filmed a series of videos. For example on day 9, they shot a thoughtful video about faith… but boredom sets in. Reed (Marcello Hernández) mugs with the Canadian flag and snacks. "No hands hat" interrupts Victor (Domingo) reading a Jim Lovell quote. Folks are going space crazy! I like how they filmed this. Clever. Domingo is definitely delivering good performances so far.

Advertisement

"The Knowledge Hour With Henry Debris"

We have an old rerun on PBS. Domingo’s scholarly host is dropping fun trivia. Not everything in life is as it seems. Clouds can weigh over one million pounds! Our pupils get smaller as we age. "What if Itoldyou?" He loves old-fashioned surprises. Set objects are people — except when they aren’t. Our host gets despondent when things don’t go well. He blows the entire show budget in the hopes an old flame from college will be watching. Silly.

Is this the biggest role Andrew Dismukes has had on the show in several weeks? I was getting worried.

Anitta performs "Choka Choka"

Good energy! Kroeger shares that "'Envolver' from a few years ago was my introduction to Anitta. I was struck by her Beyoncé-ness. I believe I read that she loves Mariah Carey. Latin pop is huge and she will be around a long time."

Weekend Update

Jost makes up a fake Donald Trump tweet about Iran to applause. (I will be honest: he got me!) He also makes a perfect joke about Iran not having any more cards.

Two kids from the back of the school bus (Marcello, Kam Patterson) come out to discuss inflation and increased prices. Jost just wants them to focus up, they’re too rowdy. They are secretly smart, like when Wayne Campbell would drop knowledge randomly. Then, they quickly revert to "deez nuts" jokes. Jost gets loud.

A new study shows young people are having less sex than ever before. Gen Z sexpert Lindt Greer (Jane Wickline) comes out to discuss. Eh. Not for me.

Reflecting back on his era’s political takes while he was a cast member, Kroeger offers: "I don't believe my era handled national news particularly well. Perhaps, that isn't fair, but it wasn't the template for our comedy. I (and others) would have liked our era to have been more political, but it wasn't what our producers asked for. I've said this before (and I'll say it again),SNLhas an obligation to be one of the satirical leaders to help us see the truth by having a laugh at the ironies and hypocrisies that define world politics. AndSNLdoes a very good job of it."

"Funeral"

A family is mourning their sweet grandfather. His daughter (Padilla) mentions she hopes some of his old friends "from the life" stop by. Sure enough, a few pimps named Delicious and Suede stop by. Veronika Slowikowska and Sarah Sherman are two street girls. (I thought of the ex-porn stars.) Padilla’s sons are aghast, as you might imagine.

Another Colin Jost acting job. Bonkers. I guess his star is so large, the show is letting him shine. I don’t get it.

Anitta performs "Várias Quejas"

Another stellar performance!

"Math Class"

A new teacher is coming to Sherwood Academy. The boys are shocked when he is a free spirit, a laDead Poets Society'sJohn Keating (Robin Williams). In that movie, Keating taught English and poetry, so his open mind and nonconformity worked. But this class? It's math. The problem with this? It isnot "Farewell, Mr. Bunting."

The students freestyle and improvise about numbers, and it is all nonsense.

"Beastomorphs"

Animorphsspoof. The farm animals turn back into humans after kicking alien butt. Great special effects as the cast members morph. But Lizzie (Sherman) does not fully transition. She mid-changes and stays a frog. Farting, she tries to change back. Nice to see a Sarah Squirm showcase included in the actual show and not cut for time.

Final thoughts

• Vote please! Thoughts? Too much Marcello tonight?

• Colman was game! I don't know if the consensus will reflect this, but I'd like to see him back. He had the chops for sure.

• Thank you as always to Gary Kroeger!

• Bad week for Chloe, but she held her own despite the controversy.

• Lots of Jost. Cost of admission for keeping him around, or a sign he’s doing everything he wants to do on the way out the door?

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byAdministrator

in

April 14, 2026

“Saturday Night Live” recap: Colman Domingo is a whole vibe in his hosting debut

Hi all — it’s your good palSNL in Review. Welcome to Saturday night! (Or, perhaps more likely, your Sunday morning recap.) Colman...

Read More

US and Iran prepare for ceasefire talks as Netanyahu authorizes negotiations with Lebanon

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Negotiators from Iran and the United States prepared Friday for high-level talks planned to start a day later in Islamabad, seeking to steady a ceasefire teetering over Israel and Hezbollah exchanging fire and Tehran’s chokehold over the Strait of Hormuz.

APTOPIX Lebanon Israel Iran War

U.S. Vice President JD Vance was set to take off from Washington, with Iran still remaining mum over its team as it tried to pressure Washington to halt Israeli attacks in Lebanon. The semiofficial Tasnim news agency, close to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, claimed that talks would “remain suspended” otherwise.

Meanwhile, Kuwait said it faced a drone attack Thursday night that it blamed on Iran and its militia allies in the region. Though Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard denied launching any assault, it has in the past carried out attacks across the Mideast it did not claim.

In addition to talks in Iran, Israel-Lebanon negotiations are also expected to begin next week at the State Department in Washington — a potential boost to Middle East ceasefire efforts — according to a U.S. official and a person familiar with the plans, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the delicacy of the matter.

This came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that he has authorized direct negotiations with Lebanon “as soon as possible” aimed at disarming Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants and establishing relations between the neighbors.

Israel and Lebanon have technically been at war since Israel was established in 1948, and Netanyahu later stressed that there was no ceasefire between them. Israel’s announcement of negotiations with Lebanon comes amid disagreement over whether the ceasefire deal included a pause in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, and a day after Israelpounded Beirut with airstrikes,the deadliest dayin Lebanon since the war began Feb. 28.

The talks in Washington are expected to be handled on the American side by the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, and on the Israeli side by the Israeli ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, according to the person familiar with the planning.

The Lebanese government had not responded as of Friday morning, and it was not immediately clear who would represent Lebanon. The timing and location of the talks was first reported by Axios.

Pressure on ceasefire continues

Afterdeclaring victory with the ceasefire announcement, both Iran and the U.S. have appeared to apply pressure on each other. Semiofficial news agencies in Iran suggested forces have mined the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for oil that Tehran has closed. Trump warned that U.S. forces would hit Iran harder than before if it did not fulfill the agreement.

Late Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to cast doubt on the effectiveness of the ceasefire, writing on his social media platform: “Iran is doing a very poor job, dishonorable some would say, of allowing Oil to go through the Strait of Hormuz.”

“That is not the agreement we have!” Trump wrote of the trickle of ships Iran has allowed to pass through the crucial waterway.

Underlining Iran’s continued control of the strait, a Botswana-flagged liquefied natural gas tanker attempted to travel out of the Persian Gulf via a route ordered by the Revolutionary Guard, but suddenly turned around and headed back early Friday, ship-tracking data showed.

Saudi Arabia said recent attacks have damaged a key pipeline in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia’s state-run Saudi Press Agency, quoting an anonymous official, said its crucial East-West pipeline, which carries oil out to the Red Sea and avoids the Strait of Hormuz, was damaged in the recent attacks.

Advertisement

Questions also remained over what will happen to Iran’sstockpile of enriched uraniumat the heart of tensions, how and when normal traffic will resumethrough the strait, and what happens to Iran’s ability to launch future missile attacks and support armed proxies in the region.

Israel vows to continue striking Hezbollah in Lebanon

Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, warned in a social media post Thursday that continued Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon would bring “explicit costs and STRONG responses.”

Qalibaf has been discussed as a possible negotiator who could meet Vance in Islamabad. The White House has said Vance would lead the delegation for talks starting Saturday.

Trump said Thursday that he has asked Netanyahu to dial back the strikes in Lebanon.

Lebanon’s health ministry said more than 300 people were killed and more than 1,100 wounded Wednesday by Israeli strikes on central Beirut and other areas of Lebanon that Israel said targeted Hezbollah, which joined the war in support of Tehran.

Early Friday morning, Israel’s military said it struck approximately 10 launchers in Lebanon that had fired rockets toward northern Israel on Thursday.

Threat of mines looms over the strait

Four tankers and three bulk carriers crossed through the strait Thursday, bringing the total number of ships passing through since the ceasefire to at least 12, according to the data firm Kpler.

Semiofficial news agencies in Iran published a chart Thursday suggesting the country’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard put sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz during the war — a message that may be intended to pressure the U.S.

The chart, released by the ISNA news agency and Tasnim, showed a large circle marked “danger zone” in Farsi over the route ships take through the strait, through which 20% of all traded oil and natural gas once passed.

The head of the United Arab Emirates’ major oil company, Sultan al-Jaber, said some 230 ships loaded with oil were waiting to get through the strait and must be allowed "to navigate this corridor without condition.”

The strait’s de facto closure has causedoil prices to skyrocket— affecting thecost of gasoline, food and other basicsfar beyond the Middle East. The spot price of Brent crude, the international standard, was around $96 Friday, up about 35% since the war began.

Corder reported from The Hague, Netherlands. Becatoros reported from Athens, Greece. Associated Press writers Chan Ho-him in Hong Kong, Zeke Miller, Matthew Lee and Will Weissert in Washington, Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City and Kareem Chehayeb and Hussein Malla in Beirut contributed to this report.

byAdministrator

in

April 13, 2026

US and Iran prepare for ceasefire talks as Netanyahu authorizes negotiations with Lebanon

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Negotiators from Iran and the United States prepared Friday for high-level talks planned to start a ...

Read More

Judges appear skeptical of legal challenge to Trump's 10% tariff

Across three hours of oral arguments on Friday, a panel of judges appeared skeptical of a legal challenge to the 10% global tariff imposed by President Donald Trump after the Supreme Courtstruck downhis first round of tariffs earlier this year.

The lengthy hearing centered on whether a 1974 law givesPresident Trumpthe power to impose the tariffs for 150 days without approval from Congress, based on the United States' trade deficit.

The suit was brought by 24 states as well as the toy company behind Care Bears and Lincoln Logs, and a spice importer.

Trump slaps 100% tariff on some pharmaceutical drugs via executive order

Brian Marshall, arguing for the plaintiffs, told the panel of three judges on the Court of International Trade that the Trump administration is misusing the law that allowed tariffs to account for a "balance of payments deficit" -- which he said experts unanimously believe is distinct from a "trade deficit."

Judge Timothy C. Stanceu repeatedly pushed back on that claim, remarking that a "balance of payments deficit" could be created by a trade imbalance.

"In other words, a fundamental international payments problem cannot be something where the United States has to pay out a lot of money. It can also be something where there is an imbalance created by large trade surpluses in which case they wanted to let more imports in," Judge Stanceu said.

Advertisement

The judges also appeared skeptical that the states suing the Trump administration had the legal standing to bring the case, though they appeared more receptive to the two small businesses that also challenged the tariffs: Basic Fun, a toy company, and Burlap and Barrel, which sells single-origin kitchen spices.

"I think there's a distinction, for example, between some of the private party plaintiffs where they said, 'We know we have X number of containers that are coming in within a certain period of time.' I'm not sure that I see the same degree of clarity with regard to the state plaintiffs other than we buy stuff," said Chief Judge Mark A. Barnett.

However, the judges also appeared to push back on some of the arguments from the Trump administration, including the claim that earlier litigation related to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act -- which the Supreme Court concluded does not give the president the right to impose tariffs -- suggested that the 1974 law now in question gives Trump that power.

"This case has nothing like that. This case has a statute that expressly allows the imposition of tariffs or quotas. So we're in a whole different universe now," said Stanceu. "This one turns on balance of payments deficits, a term that was not involved in the IEEPA case."

Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate urged the court to affirm that the 1970s law gives Trump temporary tariff power, arguing Congress was clear in giving presidents broad latitude to address the deficits in question.

"The fundamental problem that exists today also existed in 1971, and that was the problem that Congress was trying to give presidents beyond President Nixon, the discretion to address by identifying balance of payments problems," Shumate said.

The court did not signal when or how they might rule, though a decision is expected sometime in the coming months. Regardless of the ruling, tariffs are set to expire in July when the 150-day window expires.

According to the Yale Budget Lab, a nonpartisan policy research center, Trump's tariffs -- including the broad Section 122 tariffs, as well as metal and pharmaceutical tariffs imposed under different authorities -- are estimated to cost every household between $760 and $940 if the Section 122 tariffs expire within 150 days. If Congress were to extend the tariffs, the price impact could be between $1,200 and $1,500 for each household.

byAdministrator

in

April 12, 2026

Judges appear skeptical of legal challenge to Trump's 10% tariff

Across three hours of oral arguments on Friday, a panel of judges appeared skeptical of a legal challenge to the 10% global tariff impo...

Read More

Katy Perry Looks Adoringly at Boyfriend Justin Trudeau in New Photo, Says "Karma" Is "So Rewarding"

Katy Perry shared a new carousel to Instagram on April 7, which included a loved-up photo of the singer with her boyfriend, Justin Trudeau.

The Gist

• In the photo, both are clad in all black as Perry stares up adoringly at the former Canadian prime minister with her hand over his heart.

• “Never knew karma could be so rewarding,” she captioned the post.

As their relationship approaches the one-year mark in July,Katy Perryand boyfriendJustin Trudeauseem to be as strong as ever.

On April 7, the singerposted a carousel to her Instagram, including one photo where she’s staring up at the former Canadian prime minister lovingly, her hand on his heart. The couple are both in black for the shot, Trudeau in a black suit jacket and top, while Perry—her hair in a sleek updo—wears a strapless black dress.

“Never knew karma could be so rewarding,” she captioned the post.

Other images in the carousel include one of Perry’s 5-year-old daughter, Daisy Dove, whom she shares with exOrlando Bloom; a silly shot of Perry; a video of herself riding a bike along the beach; a dog; a heart-shaped leaf; and moments from her Lifetimes tour.

After the pair’s first public date last July, they made their relationship Instagram official in December 2025. Since then, the two have been sharing more and more glimpses into their relationship, which they’re keeping alive and well despite navigating both distance and their respective busy schedules.

Advertisement

“The priority for both of them is stability for the kids,” a source toldPeoplein March. “Katy and Justin have had to be flexible to make the relationship work.”

“They travel whenever they can to spend time together,” the insider added. “The long distance dynamic was never a surprise to them.” Both of them “understood from the beginning that their lives were complicated and that it wouldn’t be the easiest relationship logistically,” the source said, but they “really wanted to see where things could go and have been determined to make it work.”

Perry “fell for” Trudeau “early on because he really showed that he was interested,” the insider continued. “They’ve already had to navigate a lot of logistics. The fact that they’ve been willing to do that says a lot about how serious they are about each other.”

A source previously toldUs Weeklyof Perry in particular, “Katy is really into it. She’s very happy. She’s trying to keep it low-key, and they’ve spent a lot of private time together.”

Read the original article onInStyle

byAdministrator

in

April 11, 2026

Katy Perry Looks Adoringly at Boyfriend Justin Trudeau in New Photo, Says "Karma" Is "So Rewarding"

Katy Perry shared a new carousel to Instagram on April 7, which included a loved-up photo of the singer with her boyfriend, Justin Trud...

Read More

“Survivor” Alum Monica Culpepper Mourns Son Rex After His Death at 28: 'Our Worst Nightmare Won't End'

Monica Culpepper shared a heartfelt tribute to her late son, Rex Culpepper, who died in a dirt bike accident at the age of 28

NEED TO KNOW

• The Survivor star called the loss "our worst nightmare" and thanked those who have shown up to support the family

• Rex’s fiancée, Savanna Morgan, shared the news in a March 16 Instagram post, calling him "one in a billion"

Monica Culpepper has broken her silence after thesudden death of her son Rex Culpepper.

TheSurvivoralum took to Instagram Monday, April 6,to mourn the lossof the late college football star, who died last month at age 28 after a dirt bike accident in Florida,theTampa Bay Timesreported. Alongside a series of images of Rex, Monica shared a heartfelt message.

“No words. Feeble try…” she began. “Our world stopped at 5:12 pm on 3/14/26. We are overwhelmed with a gut wrenching grief, so hard it makes us ill. It’s as if the world is spinning and we are stuck somewhere detached. The nausea is constant. Our worst nightmare won’t end.”

She continued: “It’s hard to move but things must get done to honor our dear Rexy. I’m writing this to thank you… ALL of YOU. The love, prayers, cards, texts, calls, meals, flowers, posts and hugs are felt and matter. The shared stories, music, and videos of Rex’s dynamic interests and talents are uplifting and incredible.”

“It’s deep, it’s messy, it’s organic, it’s beautiful and authentic,” Monica concluded, going on to name their loved ones. “I’m channeling my shattered heart for my dear Brad, Judge, Honor, Elijah , and sweet Savanna.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In addition to Rex, Monica and her husband Brad Culpepper, who also competed onSurvivor,are parents to sons Judge and Honor Culpepper. Savanna Morgan is Rex’s fiancée, whoannounced the newsthat her longtime partner had died ina social media poston March 16.

Advertisement

“No one expects to meet the love of your life and lose them in only 6 short years after meeting,” she wrote. “Rex didn't always believe in soulmates but towards the end he told me that he didn't realize what having a soulmate felt like until we felt like extensions of each other. And one thing about us is that we lived every single day like it was our last. We did every little thing that we set our minds to, between learning new skills and hobbies, and traveling to new places, there was never any free time with us and not a moment spent apart. I don't regret a single day in our 6 years.”

“You made six years feel like a lifetime Rexy,” she added. “Im sure that myself and all of you who cared about him will never truly be able to move on after knowing someone like him. You dont just meet people like Rex all the time. He was one in a billion. There wasnt one thing that man couldnt do. Lawyer, mechanic, musician, chef, athlete, nerd….lover. He became such a lover.”

“I will never take for granted how cool Rex was and how cool he eventually made me too. I will carry on his hobbies forever. I dont think this Rex shaped hole inside of me will ever be filled. But seeing how much everyone around him loved him so greatly, makes my heart full. So here are some parts of him that I would like to share with you, to hopefully make your heart full too. Our story was a good one babe.”

The Syracuse football team, for which Rex previously played as a quarterback, also addressed his death in a statement.

"Rex lived his life with endless passion, having overcome cancer at the age of 20 while playing for the Orange. Appearing in 30 games, Rex played football as fierce as he lived life,” the program said. "Our hearts are with the Culpepper family & all those who loved him."

According toUSA Today, Rex played for Syracuse from 2017 to 2020. In 2018, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, but he went on to play in six games the following fall after being declared cancer-free in June of that year, ultimately earning the school’s Jim DaRin Courage Award.

Read the original article onPeople

byAdministrator

in

April 10, 2026

“Survivor” Alum Monica Culpepper Mourns Son Rex After His Death at 28: 'Our Worst Nightmare Won't End'

Monica Culpepper shared a heartfelt tribute to her late son, Rex Culpepper, who died in a dirt bike accident at the age of 28 NEE...

Read More