Technologies

Theranos Founder Elizabeth Holmes Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Prison

Holmes was convicted on multiple counts of fraud in the high-profile case.

A federal judge on Friday sentenced former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes, who was convicted on multiple counts of fraud in January, to 135 months in prison.

The disgraced founder of the promising blood-testing startup was once compared with luminaries like Steve Jobs. Now she faces 11 years and three months behind bars.

Judge Edward Davila made the ruling in a San Jose, California, federal district court more than 10 months after Holmes was convicted of defrauding Theranos investors on four counts. The court did not impose any fines as part of the sentence.

«I stand here before you taking responsibility for Theranos. I loved Theranos. It was my life’s work,» a tearful Holmes said upon taking the stand prior to sentencing on Friday. «I am devastated by my failing. Every day for the past many years I have felt deep pain for what I did, because I failed them.»

She had faced a potential maximum sentence of 80 years in prison.

Holmes and her attorneys had asked for leniency from the judge on account of her being a new mother. The 38-year-old requested less than 18 months in prison, as well a sentence of home confinement and community service.

Holmes gave birth to a child during her trial in 2021 and is pregnant again. It’s unclear whether this will impact how, where or when she’ll serve her sentence.

Over 140 letters from Holmes’ family, friends, former employees and supporters, including US Sen. Cory Booker and a retired Navy admiral, were submitted to Davila to make the case that he go easy on Holmes, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The portrayal of Holmes as a selfless community servant runs counter to the image sketched by federal prosecutors during the trial of a deceitful executive who would go to great lengths — even endangering customers — to hide the shortcomings of Theranos and its technology, which was positioned as a revolutionary advance in medicine.

Prior to announcing the penalty, Davila explained his sentencing rationale. He said the harm done to Theranos patients would not be a factor because Holmes was acquitted of all patient-related charges. He added that the fact Holmes did not accept responsibility for her crime would count against her.

Holmes requested a new trial in a Sept. 6 court filing, following a visit to her home by a former Theranos employee during which he reportedly told her partner he regretted testifying against Holmes. Davila ultimately rejected the request as insufficient grounds for a new trial, but did delay sentencing by almost two months.

Former Theranos executive Sunny Balwani was also convicted of fraud in a separate trial and could still be sentenced by the end of the year.

Correction, 2:25 p.m. PT: An earlier version of this story miscalculated the conversion from 135 months to years and months. Holmes’ sentence will run 11 years, three months.

Technologies

We May Know What the Next Nintendo Switch 2 Pokemon Game Will Be Called

A massive leak reveals potential details about the 10th generation of Pokemon games coming to the Nintendo Switch 2, including big changes.

A new Pokemon game, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, will be released for the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on Thursday, but a recent leak might have revealed info about what’s coming next from the creators of the franchise. The names of the next games headed to the Switch 2, as well as some of the big changes to the Pokemon formula, may have been part of the leak.

The leak showed up on X Monday from the account Centro Leaks, as first spotted by Insider Gaming. Data about the upcoming games reportedly stems from a hack of the servers of the franchise developer Game Freak that happened in August 2024, referred to online as the Teraleak, that included the source code for the upcoming Pokemon Legenda: Z-A.

Among the information shared by the account was the possible name for what would be the 10th generation of Pokemon games that would come to the Switch 2 next year: Pokemon Wind and Pokemon Wave.

The Pokemon Company didn’t immediately respond to a request for confirmation about this leak.

Pokémon Gen 10:
Pokémon Wind and Pokémon Waves
Theme: Infinity
Directed by Shigeru Ohmori

— Centro LEAKS (@CentroLeaks) October 13, 2025

According to the leak, Pokemon Wind/Wave is inspired by the Southeast Asia region and will feature a jungle-themed environment. It could also feature a new mechanic referred to as a Seed Pokemon, which is reportedly a special Pokemon that is heavily involved in the story and must be raised by the player. As it evolves, it will have a unique look that is procedurally generated, and once it’s fully evolved, it will allow the player to gain access to an island where they can find the main legendary Pokemon of the game.

The main theme of Pokemon Wind/Wave is the concept of infinity, according to the leak. This would match with the reported focus of procedurally generated content, not only with the special Seed Pokemon, but also with the islands of the game being procedurally generated, so each game is unique and could continue to grow with no end.

Also included in the leak were other details, including Pokemon on the overworld being interactable, weather affecting gameplay in some way, 18 new challenges for players instead of traditional gyms, and a few screenshots of the game in development that are still available to see at the PokeLeaks subreddit. There was also info that the 11th-generation Pokemon game could be released in 2030.

It is unlikely that Nintendo, The Pokemon Company or Game Freak will confirm the details of the leak. Expect to see the official announcement early next year, with the fall being the most likely release window for Pokemon Wind/Wave.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Wednesday, Oct. 15

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Oct. 15.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? It includes both the first and last name of one of my favorite chefs of all time — maybe yours, too. Read on for the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Chromebooks, but not MacBooks
Answer: PCS

4A clue: «Yippee!»
Answer: WAHOO

6A clue: Reveal, as juicy gossip
Answer: SPILL

7A clue: With 2-Down, chef who helped popularize chicken cordon bleu in the U.S.
Answer: JULIA

8A clue: Toss in
Answer: ADD

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Toss in
Answer: PAPUA

2D clue: See 7-Across
Answer: CHILD

3D clue: State of matter for most elements at room temperature
Answer: SOLID

4D clue: Business-focused newspaper, for short
Answer: WSJ

5D clue: Hello, in Portuguese
Answer: OLA

Technologies

Want to Watch a Podcast? Netflix and Spotify Partner to Bring Video Podcasts to Streaming

Starting in early 2026, Netflix subscribers in the US will be able to watch select Spotify Studios and Ringer podcasts directly on the streaming platform.

Netflix and Spotify are teaming up to blur the line between streaming and podcasting. The two companies announced a new partnership that will bring a curated slate of Spotify’s top video podcasts, including shows from Spotify Studios and The Ringer, to Netflix starting in early 2026. The goal is to make popular podcasts as watchable as TV, expanding both services’ reach into sports, culture, lifestyle and true crime.

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The deal marks Spotify’s most significant distribution push beyond its own platform, and for Netflix, it’s a new way to keep audiences engaged with talk-driven, low-cost programming. Early titles include The Bill Simmons Podcast, The Rewatchables, Dissect, Conspiracy Theories and Serial Killers, among others. You can find the complete list here.

More shows and genres are expected to be added over time.

Netflix says the partnership complements its library of documentaries and talk shows, offering «fresh voices and new perspectives.» Spotify, meanwhile, described it as «a new chapter for podcasting,» giving creators access to Netflix’s global audience while expanding discovery for listeners who prefer watching podcasts.

The rollout will begin in the US early next year, with additional markets to follow in 2026.