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Thursday, February 19, 2026

Alien files incoming: Trump orders government release of UFO records

February 19, 2026
Alien files incoming: Trump orders government release of UFO records

By Nandita Bose and Trevor Hunnicutt

Reuters

WASHINGTON, Feb 19 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Thursday he would direct federal agencies to begin releasing government files related to aliens and unidentified ‌flying objects, pointing to what he described as strong public interest in the issue.

In a social ‌media post, Trump said he would order Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth and other agencies to release the information, calling the matter "extremely interesting ​and important."

Earlier in the day, Trump, without providing evidence, accused former President Barack Obama of improperly disclosing classified information when discussing aliens publicly, saying Obama "made a big mistake."

"He took it out of classified information ... He's not supposed to be doing that," Trump told reporters while traveling to Georgia.

During an interview with podcast host Brian Tyler Cohen ‌released on Saturday, Obama was asked ⁠if aliens were real.

"They're real, but I haven't seen them, and they're not being kept in ... Area 51. There's no underground facility unless there's this enormous conspiracy and ⁠they hid it from the president of the United States," Obama said.

Area 51 is a classified Air Force facility in Nevada that fringe theorists have speculated holds alien bodies and a crashed spaceship. CIA archives released in 2013 ​said it ​was a test site for top-secret spy planes.

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PENTAGON INVESTIGATIONS

There ​was no indication in Obama's remarks that the ‌former president released classified information. Obama's office did not respond to a request for comment.

"I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us. Really!" Obama said in an Instagram post on Sunday.

In the post, Obama explained his belief that aliens exist by saying the statistical odds of life beyond Earth were high because the universe is so vast. He added that the chances of extraterrestrial life ‌visiting Earth were low given the distance.

Following his comments on Obama, ​Trump added that he had not seen evidence that aliens ​exist, saying, "I don't know if they're real or ​not."

In recent years, the Pentagon has investigated reports of UFOs, and senior military leaders ‌said in 2022 they found no evidence ​to suggest that aliens had ​visited Earth or crash-landed here.

A 2024 Pentagon report said U.S. government investigations since the end of World War Two had found no evidence of extraterrestrial technology and most sightings were misidentified ordinary objects ​and phenomena.

The website of the National ‌Archives and Records Administration says it has records related to UFOs across numerous collections.

(Reporting by ​Nandita Bose, Trevor Hunnicutt and Ryan Patrick Jones; Additional reporting by Kanishka Singh; Editing by ​Michelle Nichols, Colleen Jenkins, Cynthia Osterman and Kate Mayberry)

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North Korea's Kim opens 9th Party Congress citing economic achievements

February 19, 2026
North Korea's Kim opens 9th Party Congress citing economic achievements

By Heejin Kim and Joyce Lee

Reuters North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) in Pyongyang, North Korea, February 19, 2026, in this picture released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency. KCNA via REUTERS People attend the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) in Pyongyang, North Korea, February 19, 2026, in this picture released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency. KCNA via REUTERS North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) in Pyongyang, North Korea, February 19, 2026, in this picture released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency. KCNA via REUTERS North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) in Pyongyang, North Korea, February 19, 2026, in this picture released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency. KCNA via REUTERS North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks with Premier Pak Thae Song during the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) in Pyongyang, North Korea, February 19, 2026, in this picture released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency. KCNA via REUTERS

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) in Pyongyang

SEOUL, Feb 20 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his reclusive country had overcome stagnation and accomplished major economic goals over the past five years, as he opened the Ninth Party Congress, state media ‌KCNA reported on Friday.

The congress, which opened on Thursday, is the country's biggest political event. Held every five years, it can ‌bring changes in leadership roles beneath supreme commander Kim.

In his opening speech, Kim said the last five years had been "a proud period", citing North Korea's accomplishments in politics, economy, defence, ​culture and diplomacy, in addition to enhancing self-reliance.

For the outside world, North Korea has brought a "big change" in relations with other countries and the global geopolitical landscape, he said.

Kim did not mention relations with the United States or South Korea in his speech, nor refer to his country's efforts to develop a stockpile of nuclear weapons.

At the meeting, attended by 5,000 members of the ruling Workers' Party, new goals and plans in various sectors for the next five ‌years were submitted, KCNA reported.

North Korea is expected ⁠to showcase military capabilities at a parade and weapons development goals as part of the meeting.

FOCUS ON DAUGHTER JU AE

Analysts are monitoring whether Kim will be given the title of "president" and if his teenage daughter, Ju Ae, makes ⁠an appearance or receives some form of official post.

There has been increasing speculation among analysts and from South Korea's spy agency that Kim is grooming Ju Ae to succeed him.

When the previous Eighth Congress was convened, the circumstances surrounding North Korea were "literally so harsh that we could hardly maintain our own existence", Kim said. The ​country's ​economy and industries were antiquated, he added.

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North Korea's economy suffered its biggest contraction in ​23 years in 2020 as it was battered by ‌continued U.N. sanctions, COVID-19 lockdown measures and bad weather, South Korea's central bank has said.

But more recently there have been signs of recovery and the economy grew 3.7% in 2024, the fastest annual pace in eight years, backed by expanded economic ties with Russia, according to Bank of Korea estimates.

"Everything has changed fundamentally for the past five years," Kim said.

In a speech that focused mostly on economic development and promoting party leadership, Kim said the country was "faced with heavy and urgent historic tasks of boosting economic construction and the people's standard of living."

Earlier this week, Kim marked the completion ‌of 10,000 new houses in Pyongyang, achieving the goal of building 50,000 homes set ​during the Eighth Congress.

Kim also said, however, the country should "review shortcomings" in development, without ​providing details.

MILITARY PARADE

It is unclear how long the gathering will run, ​but the Seventh Congress lasted four days and the Eighth Congress ran for eight days.

Satellite images showed thousands of ‌North Koreans spelling out the slogan 'Ninth Party Congress' in large ​Korean characters in central Pyongyang last ​week, NK News reported, citing it as possible evidence of plans for a military parade.

Kim may have toned down his speech to avoid international or military issues, said Jeong Eun-mee, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, a state-run think tank.

"He appears ​to be refraining from making public comments about ‌sensitive issues," she said, especially ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to China in April.

Kang Dong-wan, a political science professor ​at Dong-A University in Busan, said Kim may revise rules to formalise the "hostile two states" rhetoric guiding policy toward South Korea.

(Reporting ​by Heejin Kim; Editing by Ed Davies, Lincoln Feast and Stephen Coates)

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Cherished teacher mourned following deadly crash with driver who was being pursued by ICE

February 19, 2026
Cherished teacher mourned following deadly crash with driver who was being pursued by ICE

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — The kindergarten and first grade students in Linda Davis' classes sobbed and shed tears after being told their teacher, who greeted them most mornings with an infectious smile, wouldn't be coming back.

Associated Press Flowers left in memory of Linda Davis lie by the roadway Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at the site outside Savannah, Ga., where Davis was killed in a crash. (AP Photo/Russ Bynum) A school staff member holds a banner memorializing teacher Linda Davis at Herman W. Hesse K-8 School just outside Savannah, Ga., Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Russ Bynum) he exterior of Herman W. Hesse K-8 school just outside Savannah, Ga., is shown on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Russ Bynum)

Immigration Enforcement Fatal Crash

Davis, 52, was killed during her morning commute Monday, less than a half mile (0.8 kilometers) from the school where she taught students with special needs. Local and federal authorities say a Guatemalan man crashed his pickup truck into Davis' car as he was fleeing a traffic stop by immigration officers.

"It was extremely difficult to tell 5 and 6 year olds that the teacher they loved and cherished will not be returning to see them," said Alonna McMullen, principal of Herman W. Hesse K-8 School in Savannah's southside suburbs. "To see the looks on their faces, it broke my heart."

Teachers at Hesse were trying Thursday to create a normal routine for the students, but their grief remained fresh.

Many on their drives to and from school every day pass the crash site where a cross made from red roses and several bouquets of flowers have been left in the median. A paper sign on the ground reads: "Rest In Peace & Power, Dr. Davis."

Students in Davis' two special education classes drew pictures of her to help deal with news of her death. And faculty crafted banners in her memory to display at the school's home basketball game Thursday.

'A vacuum of compounded grief'

Davis began teaching at Hesse in September after the school year had begun. Her upbeat personality and her dedication to helping students with special needs thrive soon endeared her to fellow teachers and students alike.

"Even the most difficult students, she knew how to make them shine," McMullen told reporters.

Davis had been teaching in the Savannah area since 2022. Outside of work, she was raising four children of her own and was guardian to a fifth, according to her sister, Felicia Jackson.

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"The preventable, sudden, and violent loss of her presence and love has created a vacuum of compounded grief so vast it feels as though it fills the Mariana Trench," Jackson said in a social media post.

Standing nearly 6 feet tall, Davis "filled her house with laughter and music," Jackson said, recalling how her sister loved singing Disney songs and show tunes with her children "at the tops of their lungs."

"That was Linda: fully alive, engaged, and loving," Jackson wrote.

Local officials question whether ICE pursuit was necessary

Federal immigration officers have faced increased scrutiny for their aggressive tactics during the Trump administration's nationwide crackdown on illegal immigration, especially since they shot and killed Renee Good and Alex Prettiin Minneapolis.

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson and Chester Ellis, chairman of the Chatham County Board of Commissioners, have questioned whether the pursuit that ended in Davis' death was necessary.

A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement, Lindsay Williams, said the fleeing driver had no criminal history but was in the U.S. illegally.

Security camera video from outside the school Monday morning shows a red pickup truck speeding past the school, followed several seconds later by two law enforcement vehicles with flashing lights.

Authorities identified the driver of the truck as Oscar Vasquez Lopez, 38. He suffered minor injuries, according to police, and has been jailed on charges including vehicular homicide and driving without a valid license.

ICE officers pulled over Lopez to enforce an immigration judge's 2024 deportation order, Williams said, and Lopez drove away as the officers approached his vehicle. ICE said in a news release that Lopez crashed into Davis' car after making a U-turn and running a stop light.

"He is presumed innocent, and the court process will determine the outcome," said Don Plummer, a spokesman for the Georgia Public Defender Council, which has an attorney representing Lopez.

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Warriors' Stephen Curry to be re-evaluated in 10 days after 2nd MRI on knee

February 19, 2026
Warriors' Stephen Curry to be re-evaluated in 10 days after 2nd MRI on knee

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Golden State star Stephen Curry had a second MRI on his troublesome right knee that revealed no structural damage, although the two-time NBA MVP is expected to miss at least another five games before being re-evaluated.

Associated Press USA Stripes guard Stephen Curry arrives to the NBA All-Star basketball game Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots against Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson (9) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn) Injured Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, talks with San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox after an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

NBA All-Star Game Basketball

The 37-year-old guard last played Jan. 30. He has been diagnosed with patella-femoral pain syndrome/bone bruising, otherwise referred to as runner's knee.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Curry will be re-evaluated in 10 days.

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"It's just lingering soreness," Kerr said Thursday before a game against Boston. "We were hoping, obviously, that he'd be ready for tonight after getting the All-Star break but wasn't the case. He just needs more time."

AP NBA:https://apnews.com/NBA

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Alysa Liu wins gold for U.S. in women's figure skating at Winter Olympics

February 19, 2026
Alysa Liu wins gold for U.S. in women's figure skating at Winter Olympics

Alysa Liuwon agold medalin women's individual figure skating on Thursday, making her the first U.S. woman to take the Olympic podium in the event since 2006. Japan's Kaori Sakamoto took silver and Ami Nakai, also of Japan, took the bronze.

CBS News

The last American woman to earn a medal in individual figure skating was Sasha Cohen, who took home silver in 2006. Sarah Hughes was the last American woman to take home a gold medal, in 2002 — four years before Liu was even born. Michelle Kwan also won a bronze medal at those Olympics. This is Liu's second gold medal.

"I just like, can't process this. There's no way," Liu could be heard telling her coaches as she walked down the hallway after winning.

Alysa Liu celebrates after winning gold at the Milan Cortina Olympic Games, with silver medalist Kaori Sakamoto to her left and bronze medalist Ami Nakai to her right. / Credit: Gabriel Bouys /AFP via Getty Images

Liu, 20, started the free skate in third place, behind Japan's Nakai and Sakamoto, following the short program on Tuesday. Isabeau Levito, 18, was in eighth place, while Amber Glenn, 26, was in 13th place after an error in her short program.

Glenn was the first U.S. skater to take the ice for her free skate. Afterfailing to complete a triple loop on Tuesday, her score going into the free skate was 67.39. During Thursday's skate, she nailed a triple axel, though she had to catch herself with her hand after nearly falling during her final loop. She scored 147.52, for a total score of 214.91.

Amber Glenn competes at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games on February 19, 2026. / Credit: Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Photos captured Glenn embracing her coach after her skate. Glenn looked visibly thrilled, smiling and jumping for joy. Despite entering the free skate in 13th place, she was at the top of the leaderboard for much of the event, finally being unseated by Japanese skater Mone Chiba. Glenn ended the competition in fifth place, and Chiba took fourth place.

Liu praised Glenn's pop-scored comeback in a brief interview with an NBC Olympics correspondent.

"She did so good. I watched it on the bus on the way here, and aw, she killed it, and I'm really happy for her," Liu said.

Levito was the next American woman to skate. She took the ice with a score of 70.84 from her short program. She fell on the landing of her opening triple flip, losing nine points, but recovered to skate through the rest of her routine.

Isabeau Levito competes at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games on February 19, 2026. / Credit: Piero Cruciatti /AFP via Getty Images

Levito looked disappointed after leaving the ice, even as Glenn cheered for her. She also appeared emotional as her score of 131.96 was read out. Levito racked up a total score of 202.80 and came in 12th overall.

Liu was the final U.S. competitor and the third-to-last skater to take the ice. She looked at ease during her warmup, waving to spectators as she rehearsed. She entered the rink with a score of 76.59 after her carefree short program. Liu looked casual and energetic during her free skate, sailing through a triple lutz and triple salchow. She had a broad smile on her face throughout the event, and the crowd roared every time she landed a jump.

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Alysa Liu competes at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games on February 19, 2026. / Credit: Piero Cruciatti /AFP via Getty Images

Liu looked particularly at ease during her choreographic step sequences, and ended the routine triumphantly as her family rose for a standing ovation.

Liu's score was 150.20, for a total score of 226.79.

"That's what the f*** I'm talking about!" she shouted to the camera after finishing her skate. She bounced off the ice to hug her coaches and could be heard saying, "That was so great!" as they handed her her skate guards. Glenn and Liu were also seen hugging.

"I was so calm when I started," Liu said following the competition. "I have this breathing technique that I use throughout this program, and I was just making sure to lock in on that, be as smooth as I can and look out into the crowd during all my transitions."

"I did that, and I felt everyone's energy. I felt my energy," she said, adding that she felt she "put it all out there."

On whether she is glad to have returned to the sport in 2024, after having retired at 16 following the Beijing 2022 Winter Games, Liu said: "It was just right."

Sakamoto earned silver for her skate to a medley of Edith Piaf songs. She missed a triple jump, but otherwise skated cleanly, and embraced Liu after she came off the ice.

Alysa Liu and Ami Nakai of Team Japan celebrate after competing in the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.  / Credit: Jamie Squire / Getty Images

Nakai struggled with some of her jumps, but the high difficulty score of her routine meant she still took home the bronze medal. Liu and Nakai also hugged after Nakai's score was read out.

The United States also took gold in the team skating event earlier in the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games.

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10 NFL Records That Will Likely Never Be Broken

February 19, 2026
10 NFL Records That Will Likely Never Be Broken

Some NFL milestones are so far out of reach that no amount of talent, coaching, or rule changes can bring them down. These records happened in moments where opportunity, skill, and longevity collided.

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Jerry Rice – Career Receiving Yards

Credit: ebay

No one has caught more than 22,000 receiving yards except Jerry Rice. His total stands at 22,895, and the gap between him and second place is more than 5,000 yards. Rice stayed consistent for 20 seasons and rarely missed time. Most top receivers today don't last that long, and none have shown the ability to produce at that level across two decades.

Ernie Nevers – Most Points in a Single Game

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

In 1929, Ernie Nevers scored 40 points for the Chicago Cardinals in a single game. He rushed for six touchdowns and kicked four extra points himself. That kind of all-purpose scoring isn't possible right now because special teams players and offensive starters have separate roles, so one person can't account for every point.

Paul Krause – Career Interceptions

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The interception record remains in the hands of Paul Krause, who retired with 81 over 16 seasons. Quarterbacks now throw fewer risky passes, and defensive backs rotate more often. Krause had the advantage of an era where the passing game wasn't as controlled. His ability to consistently read plays and capitalize on them separated him, but so did how the game was organized.

LaDainian Tomlinson – Single-Season Rushing Touchdowns

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

LaDainian Tomlinson scored 28 rushing touchdowns during the 2006 season. The offense fed him most of the red-zone carries and trusted him to finish drives without rotation. Teams now spread those chances across committees and favor passes near the goal line.

Bruce Smith – Career Sacks

Credit: ebay

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You can trace the weight of Bruce Smith's record through nearly two decades of steady production. The career total reached 200 sacks, a figure built through persistence. His 13 seasons ended with double-digit sack totals.

Don Shula – Coaching Wins

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Though he retired with 347 coaching victories, Don Shula built that total across more than three decades with only two franchises. His teams reached the postseason 19 times and appeared in six Super Bowls, which required long-term organizational trust.

Brian Mitchell – Career Return Yardage

Credit: ebay

Brian Mitchell holds the career return yardage record with 19,013 yards. He played for 14 seasons and returned both kicks and punts for most of that time. Current players rarely specialize in both roles for that long, and rule changes have also cut down return opportunities. With more touchbacks and fair catches, return yardage totals have dropped.

Brett Favre – Consecutive Quarterback Starts

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Players often sit out games due to slight injuries, strategic rest, or medical staff decisions focused on preservation. In contrast, Brett Favre started 297 consecutive games at quarterback without interruption. His streak spanned nearly 20 seasons, through physical hits, changing teams, and evolving offenses.

Emmitt Smith – Career Rushing Yards

Credit: ebay

Rushing for 18,355 yards in the span of 15 seasons, Emmitt Smith holds the NFL's all-time mark. He reached that number through years of consistent production, including 11 1,000-yard seasons.

Tom Brady – Career Playoff Wins

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Besides Tom Brady, no quarterback has come close to 35 playoff wins. Most never even play in that many postseason games. Brady's career stretched across 23 seasons, with deep runs becoming the expectation. He started 10 Super Bowls and won seven of them.

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The single moment in the new 'Toy Story 5' trailer that's resonating with adults who grew up with the films

February 19, 2026
The single moment in the new 'Toy Story 5' trailer that's resonating with adults who grew up with the films

If you ever needed a sign you're getting older, here's a devastating one: Even Woody fromToy Storyis balding. At least, that's what's happening inthe new trailer forToy Story 5,which follows our favorite playthings as they fight back against Big Tech — aka Bonnie's new tablet.

Yahoo Entertainment

The new trailer opens with Bonnie (Scarlett Spears) officiating a wedding between plastic fork Forky (Tony Hale) and his knife bride — which quickly descends into madness when someone poisons Rex (Wallace Shawn), the maid of honor. This type of play is thrilling for newly crowned toy sheriff Jessie (Joan Cusack), who stepped up after Woody (Tom Hanks) ran off with Bo Peep (Annie Potts) to enjoy retirement.

Unfortunately, there's trouble on the horizon for these toys when Bonnie receives a new present. It's a LilyPad tablet, voiced by Greta Lee. And as so many parents can relate, it's awfully hard to pry out of Bonnie's hands. And that means a lot less time for Bonnie to play with her toys.

Soon, Jessie is calling Woody to come back, desperate to defeat "Lily" and get Bonnie to play with her toys again — not to mention, make friends of her own outside in the real world. But Lily has the power of technology on her side, and things are getting awfully tricky for the toys who just want to prove their relevance in kids' lives. Can Woody, Jessie and returning pals like Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) make Bonnie cut back on her screentime?

They'll certainly try — even if Woody isn't the fresh-out-of-the-box sheriff he once was. In one moment in the trailer, Woody turns, revealing a bald spot on the back of his head. "Someone needs a brown marker," one of the other toys quips. Naturally, the moment was picked up on by the elder millennials who grew up onToy Storyand may or may not now be going through their own hair loss journeys.

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Woody's bald spot.

"That's such a small detail, but it makes it more emotional," one personwrote on X. "Seeing Woody age in Toy Story 5 shows how much time has passed. This is going to hit hard for longtime fans."

Anotherjoked, "The transition from 'reach for the sky' to 'watch the cholesterol' happened way too fast."

Still, others said to cut Woody some slack. "He's been through four movies, two owners, and a Forky — honestly, it's a miracle he has any hair left," another userwrote on the platform. "Woody looks like he's about to buy a plastic Corvette and start a podcast about the 'good old days' at Andy's."

The upcoming film followsToy Story 4,which hit theaters in 2019. While it's unclear how much time has passed for the toys, Bonnie does not appear to be much older than she was in the previous films. While many people were pointing out Woody's age, one fanjoked on X, "Meanwhile Bonnie is still in kindergarten 16 years later."

Want to see how all the toys have aged? WatchToy Story 5in theaters on June 19.

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