AOC Agon Pro AG276FK review: over 500Hz of gaming speed
AOC Agon Pro AG276FK review: over 500Hz of gaming speed
AOC Agon Pro AG276FK: Two-minute review
(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)
If you’re serious about competitive gaming, you want the highest refresh rate possible. It’s pretty much that simple. Which is where the new AOC Agon Pro AG276FK comes in. Running at 520Hz, it’s up there among the very fastest gaming monitors you can currently buy.
If there’s a catch, it’s that the native resolution is just 1080p. Purely for playing online shooters, that actually makes sense in terms of minimizing GPU load and maximizing frame rates. However, for other types of gaming and especially for all-rounding computing, the low pixel density of 1080p on a fairly large 27-inch monitor like this isn’t ideal.
Needless to say, that lofty refresh rate makes for a very pricey panel for a mere 1080p model, too. So, the question the AOC Agon Pro AG276FK poses is just how dedicated to the cause of esports you really are. This monitor is never going to be a great all-rounder.
But if high refresh rates and low latency are your absolute priorities, this monitor looks like a strong package on paper. It sports an IPS panel with 0.5ms GTG response, HDR400 certification and dual DisplayPort inputs, plus a whole host of gaming-centric additional features.
AOC Agon Pro AG276FK: Price and availability
How much does it cost? $550 (estimated) / £499 / AU$999 (estimated)
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the *** with other markets to follow
At £499 in the *** and a likely $550 in the US, the AOC Agon Pro AG276FK lines up right next to the likes of the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG27FFX2A. That monitor actually has superior HDMI 2.1 connectivity, but is otherwise very similar on paper.
Of course, this is a heck of a lot of money for a mere 1080p 27-inch monitor. But then the 520Hz refresh rate is an extreme specification and comes at a cost. For most gamers, we’d recommend a high-refresh 27-inch 1440p panel as better not just for all-round computing but also for a broad range of gaming.
However, if you’re into esports and you want the very lowest latency thanks to super high refresh rates, well, the 520Hz offered here really delivers.
AOC Agon Pro AG276FK: Specs
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Screen size:
27-inch
Resolution:
1920 x 1080
Brightness:
400 nits
Color coverage:
94% DCI-P3
Response time:
0.3ms MPRT, 0.5ms GTG
Refresh rate:
520Hz
HDR:
HDR400
Features:
2x IPS panel, HDMI 2.0, 2x DisplayPort 1.4
AOC Agon Pro AG276FK: Design and features
(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)
As 1080p 27-inch monitors go, the AOC Agon Pro AG276FK is not exactly cheap. Mostly, that’s thanks to the eye-watering 520Hz refresh rate. But it does have other attractions.
The 27-inch panel is an IPS item with claimed 0.5ms GTG and 0.3ms MPRT pixel response. In the context of LCD as opposed to OLED monitors, those are very impressive numbers. You also get HDR400 certification, which won’t guarantee true HDR capability, but does mean this monitor will hit a punchy 400 nits.
The relatively elevated pricing also translates into a high quality stand with a full range of adjustment including height, tilt, pivot and swivel. It’s well built, the materials feel high quality and the design includes some quirky asymmetric features that make this monitor stand out ever so slightly from the crowd. The slim bezels on three sides of the 27-inch IPS panel also ensure it looks current and up-to-date.
Image 1 of 3
(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)
(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)
(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)
As for connectivity, you get two DisplayPort 1.4 connections capable of the full 520Hz. The two HDMI 2.0 sockets only go to 240Hz, but then they’re aimed at console connectivity, and that really only requires 120Hz at most. The ports are all located on the bottom of the chassis, while a slide-out headphone hanger is situated on the right-hand bezel.
Beyond all that, there’s a smattering of RGB lighting, plus various gamer-centric options in the comprehensive OSD menu including overdrive controls, low latency modes, and adaptive sync, plus AOC’s GMENU app that enables access to much of the functionality within Windows.
AOC Agon Pro AG276FK: Performance
(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)
If speed is what the AOC Agon Pro AG276FK is all about, it definitely delivers. Undoubtedly the highlight is that 520Hz refresh. Many games have performance bottlenecks on the CPU, GPU or somewhere else in the system preventing them from hitting those kinds of frame rates.
The exception, of course, tends to be online shooters, which are optimized for maximum frames rates and are indeed the main target for this monitor. Up around 500fps, then, this monitor absolutely flies. Obviously the gains are marginal as you increase refresh rates. But you can certainly feel the reduction in latency and see the increase in motion clarity compared to, say, a 144Hz panel.
Put it next to a 360Hz monitor, and the gains will inevitably be more marginal. Ultimately, the extent to which you notice and benefit from 520Hz will always be subjective. But if ultra-low latency is something you think you’re particularly sensitive to, well, this AOC gets the job done and then some.
It’s also very fast for an LCD panel when it comes to pixel response. You can choose between the four levels of pixel overdrive in the OSD menu. A touch of overshoot can be detected in the fastest mode when jiggling an app window around on the Windows desktop. But actually in-game, there’s little evidence of the kind of color shift that can be so distracting when monitors suffer from really bad overshoot.
Image 1 of 3
(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)
(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)
(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)
Anyway, this monitor is about as LCD tech currently gets when it comes to pixel response. You’ll need to make the jump to an OLED panel to get something clearly faster.
Another strong point, relatively speaking, is the calibration. It’s all really nicely set up in SDR mode, with punchy and accurate colors. In HDR mode, it’s nicely executed, too, and that includes accurate SDR colors in HDR. That’s handy because it means you can just leave this panel in HDR mode all the time and get great colors and accuracy for all content types.
Of course, this isn’t a true HDR monitor. It has HDR400 calibration, but there’s no local dimming. So, it’s a case of correctly rendering HDR color mapping as opposed to really being capable of high dynamic range images. But that’s par for the course for this class of display.
If all that sounds good, the major downside involves pixel density. 1080p stretched across a 27-inch panel like this makes for a lowly density of just 82DPI. That translates into blocky image quality and rough looking fonts on the desktop. For general computing, web browsing or content creation, this is not a great display. But that is not its remit.
Arguably the ******* problem is the slight lack of image detail in-game versus, say, a 270-inch 1440p panel. For gaming across a wide range of genres, a 240Hz 1440p panel can actually be had for less money and would be a better fit. But as a pure esports panel, this AOC delivers, you just have to be sure that’s exactly what you’re after.
Should I buy the AOC Agon Pro AG276FK?
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Attribute
Notes
Rating
Value:
Right now, any monitor offering 500Hz-plus is going to be expensive. The question is how much do you value that ultra-low latency?
3.5 / 5
Design:
This is a well built monitor using quality materials and offers a decent feature set beyond the refresh rate and pixel response highlights.
4 / 5
Performance:
For this type of monitor, it’s hard to fault the AOC Agon Pro AG276FK. You’ll need to buy an OLED if you want something faster.
4.5 / 5
Average rating:
The AOC Agon Pro AG276FK nails its esports remit. But it’s a very narrow remit and you need to be sure that’s exactly what you want.
4 / 5
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Also consider
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Gigabyte Aorus FO32U2P Specs
Screen size:
32-inch
Resolution:
3840 x 2160
Brightness:
250 nits (1000 nits peak HDR)
Color coverage:
99% DCI-P3
Response time:
0.03ms
Refresh rate:
240Hz
HDR:
HDR ****** 400
Features:
QD-OLED panel, 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, USB-C with 65W ***, 2x USB-A hub
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Samsung Odyssey G7 Specs
Screen size:
27-inch
Resolution:
2560 x 1440
Brightness:
350 nits
Color coverage:
90% DCI-P3
Response time:
1ms
Refresh rate:
240Hz
HDR:
HDR10
Features:
VA panel, 1x HDMI 2.0, 2x DisplayPort 1.2, 2x USB-A hub
How I tested the AOC Agon Pro AG276FK
I used the AOC Agon Pro AG276FK for literally everything for around a week. For sure, it’s a monitor aimed squarely at esports as opposed to getting work stuff done or browsing the web. But full immersion tends to provide fuller insights.
The core task was to assess the impact of that lofty 520Hz frame rates in a slew of online shooters, including my favorite Counter-Strike 2. Would the huge Hz number translate into noticeably lower latency?
Comparing the pixel response to the best IPS panels and also the latest OLED screens is also intriguing. Beyond that, checking out the overall color performance and HDR calibration, along with connectivity, ergonomics and build are all in the mix.
First reviewed February 2025
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Here’s who qualifies and how to claim it
Here’s who qualifies and how to claim it
Coroimage | Moment | Getty Images
If you worked remotely in 2024, you may be eyeing the home office deduction. However, qualifying for the tax break may be harder than you expect, experts say.
Only 7% of companies allowed fully remote work in 2024, down from 21% in 2023, according to a ZipRecruiter survey that polled 2,000 employers in September and October. But 40% of companies support hybrid work arrangements, the survey found.
However, if you’re a W-2 employee — meaning your company withholds taxes from your paycheck — you can’t claim a tax break for 2024 home office expenses, according to certified financial planner Malcolm Ethridge, founder and managing partner at Capital Area Planning Group.
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Before 2018, W-2 employees could claim certain unreimbursed work-related costs, including home office expenses, via “miscellaneous itemized deductions.” But that tax break was eliminated through 2025 via President Donald Trump’s 2017 tax cuts.
For 2024, you could still be eligible for the home office tax deduction with contract or self-employed work, whether you rent or own your home, explained Ethridge, who is also an enrolled agent.
To qualify, you must have a dedicated space used “regularly and exclusively” for business, according to the IRS. The space could be part of your home, such as a separate room, or another structure on the property.
How to calculate the home office deduction
There are two ways to calculate the home office deduction: the “regular method” or “simplified option,” according to the IRS.
The “simplified option” is a flat rate of $5 per square foot of the part of the home used, up to 300 square feet, for a maximum of $1,500.
By contrast, the “regular method” deducts actual expenses based on the percentage of your home used, such as part of your mortgage interest, insurance, utilities and repairs. This could also include depreciation, which subtracts a portion of your home’s value over time.
While it’s more complicated, the regular method can lead to “pretty substantial savings” in some cases, said CFP Neil Krishnaswamy, president of Krishna Wealth Planning in McKinney, Texas.
However, if you use the regular method, you could face “depreciation recapture” when you later sell your home for a profit, Ethridge said. This can trigger taxes on the depreciation previously claimed or that could have been claimed, which can be a “nightmare,” he said.
Regardless of whether you use the simplified option or the regular method, record-keeping is important, experts say. Otherwise, the deduction could be disallowed following an IRS audit.
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Shopify Shuts Down Kanye West’s Yeezy Site, Talent Agent Drops Him Amid Latest Antisemitic Tear: Timeline – Forbes
Shopify Shuts Down Kanye West’s Yeezy Site, Talent Agent Drops Him Amid Latest Antisemitic Tear: Timeline – Forbes
Shopify Shuts Down Kanye West’s Yeezy Site, Talent Agent Drops Him Amid Latest Antisemitic Tear: Timeline ForbesShopify deletes Kanye West’s Yeezy store selling swastika T-shirt, says it’s not ‘authentic commerce’ New York Post Ye Advertised Website Selling T-Shirts With Swastikas in Super Bowl Commercial The New York TimesKanye West’s Bizarre Super Bowl Ad: Shot on an iPhone While Sitting in a Dentist Chair Variety
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Salman Rushdie testifies he thought he was dying after stabbing
Salman Rushdie testifies he thought he was dying after stabbing
Sir Salman Rushdie has told a court that he thought he was dying after being stabbed repeatedly on stage two years ago, leaving him blind in one eye.
The renowned British-Indian author gave evidence at the trial of his alleged attacker, 27-year-old Hadi Matar, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and attempted *******.
Proceedings are taking place at a New York state court a few miles from where Sir Salman was attacked on 12 August 2022 as he was about to give a talk on how the US was a haven for exiled writers.
The attack occurred after Sir Salman spent years in hiding because of threats to his life after his novel The Satanic Verses was published in 1988.
Warning: This story contains distressing details
Prosecutors, who have not specified a motive for the stabbing, called Sir Salman to the stand as the first witness on Tuesday morning, asking him to recall the moments before and after the attack.
The 77-year-old told the jury that on the day in question, he had been sitting on stage ready to address an audience at the prestigious Chautauqua Institution.
It was shortly after Sir Salman was introduced that he said he noticed a person rushing at him from his right-hand side.
He described the attacker as wearing dark clothes and a face mask, and said he was struck by the individual’s eyes, “which were dark and seemed very ferocious”.
Sir Salman said he felt the first blow to his right jaw and neck, and thought at first that he had been punched. Then he saw blood pouring on to his clothes.
“At that point he was hitting me repeatedly, stabbing and slashing,” the author said, adding that the incident unfolded in a matter of seconds.
Sir Salman told the court he was struck a total of 15 times, with wounds to his eye, cheek, neck, chest, torso and thigh.
His left hand was also stabbed when he attempted to defend himself.
The knife wound to his eye was the most painful, he said.
At one point, he took off his glasses, which concealed his right eye with a dark lens, to reveal the extent of the injury.
“As you can see, that is what is left of it,” he told the jury. “There’s no vision in the eye at all.”
As Sir Salman, who wore a dark suit, delivered his testimony, Mr Matar often had his head down, with the two never appearing to make eye contact.
Sir Salman’s wife, Lady Rushdie, cried from her seat in the second row as her husband recounted the incident.
He has been worried about his safety since the publication of The Satanic Verses, his surrealist, postmodern novel that was inspired by the life of the ******* Prophet Muhammad.
While it met acclaim and awards in the Western world, many Muslims considered it blasphemous and some countries banned it. Iran’s religious leader issued a fatwa calling for the author’s death due to the book.
That fatwa – a religious decree – caused Sir Salman to face countless death threats. He was forced into hiding for nine years and only began travelling again when Iran said it would not enforce the law.
Two weeks before the attack, the author had told a ******* magazine that he was living a “relatively normal” life as the threats had diminished.
But the attack on Sir Salman in Chautauqua, New York, shattered that feeling of safety.
The writer told the court on Tuesday that in the moments afterwards, “it occurred to me quite clearly that I was dying – that was my predominant thought”.
He also described feeling like he was lying in “a lake of blood”.
He recalled how bystanders, including members of the audience, subdued the attacker.
“And thanks to that, I survived,” Sir Salman said.
The author told the jury he was airlifted to a trauma centre, where he received treatment for his injuries for 17 days.
Mr Matar was arrested at the scene.
The suspect’s lawyer, Lynn Schaffer, cross-examined Sir Salman and asked him about whether he could trust his recollection of events given the trauma he endured.
The author responded that trauma can alter people’s memory, but added he was certain that he had been wounded 15 times.
“Afterwards I could see [the wounds] on my body,” he said. “I didn’t need to be told by anybody.”
Asked if he had ever had any contact with the suspect before the attack, Sir Salman replied that he had not. He also said the attacker did not say anything to him.
More witnesses are expected to be called to the stand in the coming days, including the surgeon that operated on Sir Salman, as well as law enforcement officers who responded to the attack.
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Trump insists US will take Gaza as he meets Jordan’s king
Trump insists US will take Gaza as he meets Jordan’s king
President Donald Trump has once again insisted the US will take control of the Gaza Strip, as he met Jordan’s King Abdullah at the White House on Tuesday.
It was their first meeting since Trump announced his proposal to take over the enclave and move its population of two million Palestinians to other countries in the region, including Jordan.
Earlier this week, Trump suggested he could withhold aid to Jordan and Egypt unless they agreed to take in those Gazans.
Jordan, a key US ally in the Middle East, is already home to millions of Palestinians and has rejected the proposal. King Abdullah said after their meeting that Jordan’s “steadfast position [is] against the displacement of Palestinians”.
But speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, with King Abdullah seated to his right, Trump signalled he would not shift on his idea which triggered global condemnation when he unveiled it last week.
“We’re going to take it. We’re going to hold it. We’re going to cherish it,” he said of Gaza.
Trump claimed that “a lot of jobs” would be created across the region if a US takeover of the devastated territory were to happen.
“I think it could be a diamond,” he said, adding that he now believes the US is “above” having to threaten other countries to participate.
King Abdullah sat quietly next to Trump as the president repeated a proposal that would upend decades of established US policy and could amount to a breach of international law, which prohibits the forcible transfer of populations.
Jordan has so far rejected the idea as a fundamental breach of international law, but has quietly expressed concerns about the kingdom’s ability to absorb large numbers of Palestinians.
On the possibility of taking in additional Palestinians, King Abdullah said a solution that is “best for everybody” would be necessary. He said Jordan would take in 2,000 unwell ************ children.
Trump, however, appeared unmoved and reiterated his stance that he expects Jordan and Egypt to play a part in housing resettled Palestinians.
“I believe we’ll have a parcel of land in Jordan. I believe we’ll have a parcel of land in Egypt,” Trump said. “We may have someplace else, but I think when we finish our talks, we’ll have a place where they’re going to live very happily and very safely.”
Following the meeting, King Abdullah wrote on X that the meeting was “constructive” and that his “foremost commitment is to Jordan, to its stability and to the well-being of Jordanians”.
But he made his country’s concerns with Trump’s proposal clear.
“I reiterated Jordan’s steadfast position against the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank,” he said. “This is the unified Arab position.”
“Rebuilding Gaza without displacing the Palestinians and addressing the dire humanitarian situation should be the priority for all,” he added.
Jordan is already home to millions of people descended from ************ refugees who were forced from the land that became Israel in 1948, alongside those whose roots lie firmly east of the River Jordan.
The country has also absorbed waves of refugees from Syria, and is heavily reliant on US economic and military assistance.
The UN has warned that any forced displacement of civilians from occupied territory is strictly prohibited under international law and “tantamount to ethnic cleansing”.
Trump on Tuesday appeared to dodge a question about that UN warning.
“We’re moving them to a beautiful location where they can have new homes, where they can live safely, where they can have doctors and medical and all of those things,” he said.
Watch: Trump tells Fox News that Palestinians would not have the right to return home to Gaza
King Abdullah said during the meeting that the matter would be discussed and both sides should “wait until the Egyptians” can present ideas.
The deal with Egypt is believed to be a proposal for the future governance of Gaza, backed by other Arab states as a way to counteract Trump’s plan.
While still being formulated, it is thought the proposal could involve a local administration of technocrats drawn from Palestinians in Gaza, without affiliating to factions including ******.
Since first revealing the US proposal during a news conference last week alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump has repeatedly doubled down on his plan for Gaza, saying he is “committed to buying and owning” it.
In an interview with Fox News broadcast earlier this week, Trump said Gaza’s two million residents would be resettled and have no right to return.
“They wouldn’t, because they have much better housing,” he said. “I’m talking about building a permanent place for them.”
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World leaders and tech bosses focus on innovation Paris AI summit – video highlights | Artificial intelligence (AI)
World leaders and tech bosses focus on innovation Paris AI summit – video highlights | Artificial intelligence (AI)
Collaboration and opportunity were at the centre of the talks, as JD Vance urged his ‘European friends’ to view the technology with ‘optimism rather than trepidation’. The US and the *** refused to sign a declaration on ‘inclusive and sustainable’ artificial intelligence at the summit. Campaign groups criticised the ***’s decision and said it risked damaging its reputation in this area
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Dembele double steers PSG to Champions League win
Dembele double steers PSG to Champions League win
Paris Saint-Germain have taken a big step towards the Champions League round of 16 by beating Brest 3-0 in a first-leg playoff match.
Ousmane Dembele scored twice and Vitinha converted a penalty to put the French champions in control in Guingamp, France, on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT).
Having made hard work of the new-look league phase of the tournament, it would take a major upset in the second leg in Paris to deny PSG a place in the next round.
The Qatar-backed PSG are one of the wealthiest clubs in the world, but were in danger of early elimination before securing the lifeline of a playoff by finishing 15th in the 36-team league.
They weren’t the only European giants facing a playoff to advance.
Defending champions Real Madrid and 2023 champions Manchester City were going head-to-head in the biggest clash of the playoffs, with the first leg at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
This is the fourth year in a row they have faced each other in the Champions League, with the winner on the three previous occasions going on to lift the trophy.
City head into the first leg in the middle of a disappointing campaign that has seen their Premier League title defence unravel. But Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti still believes his team will have to overcome one of the best in the world to advance to the round of 16.
“They are one of the best teams in Europe and they have the best manager (Pep Guardiola) out there. It’s a nightmare preparing for games against him because he always has ideas that make you think,” Ancelotti said.
“I am convinced the team that goes through from this tie will go on to win the competition.”
Guardiola said he did not know what to expect from his team after a troubled season has left them in fifth place in the Premier League, 15 points behind leader Liverpool.
“We’ve not been consistent, when what’s defined the team over the last decade has been we are an incredible machine every three days, otherwise we cannot win six Premier Leagues in seven years or win the incredible trophies we have won,” he said. “Then I would feel, yes, the team is consistent, we can do it. Now it’s like, I don’t know.”
Dembele’s double saw him score for a 10th game in a row, with 18 goals during that streak.
It was his shot that led to PSG’s 21st-minute penalty after Pierre Lees-Melou handled in the area. Vitinha converted the spot kick.
After Brest striker Abdallah Sima headed a corner against the post, Dembele got his first goal in the 45th minute when he broke free down the right and curled a shot inside the post.
His second came in the 66th minute when he pounced on a loose ball and burst into the penalty area to score his 23rd goal of the season.
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4 FEMA employees are fired over payments to reimburse New York City for hotel costs for migrants
4 FEMA employees are fired over payments to reimburse New York City for hotel costs for migrants
WASHINGTON (AP) — Four federal employees were fired Tuesday over payments to reimburse New York City for hotel costs for migrants, Department of Homeland Security officials said.
The workers are accused of circumventing leadership to make the transactions, which have been standard for years through a program that helps with costs to care for a surge in migration. But officials did not give details on how the four had violated any policies.
On Monday, President Donald Trump’s aide Elon Musk posted on X that his team had discovered payments used to house migrants in “luxury hotels” with money intended for disaster relief. Musk blasted the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is part of Homeland Security, and called the payments “gross insubordination.”
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FEMA’s acting administrator, Cameron Hamilton, later said the payments were suspended and the employees who authorized them would be held accountable.
The terminated employees were FEMA’s chief financial officer, two program analysts and a grant specialist, a Homeland Security statement said.
The employees made “egregious payments for luxury NYC hotels for migrants,” the statement said. “DHS will not sit idly and allow deep state activists to undermine the will and safety of the American people.”
The statement gave no other details, and officials didn’t reply to emails seeking further comment.
Information from New York City indicated that money it has received to care for migrants was appropriated by Congress and allocated to the city last year by FEMA. The city has never paid luxury rates for hotels, spokeswoman Liz Garcia said.
The funds were likely sent via the Shelter and Services Program, which reimburses cities, towns or organizations for immigration-related expenses.
The money comes from Congress and is specifically for Customs and Border Protection, which also is part of Homeland Security. FEMA administers the payments.
The money is separate from the disaster relief fund, which is FEMA’s main funding stream to help people and governments affected by disasters.
The Shelter and Services Program has become a flashpoint for criticism by Republicans, who incorrectly claim it’s taking money from people hit by hurricanes or floods.
The firings come as Trump’s Republican administration ratchets up pressure on FEMA, suggesting it should be disbanded and money should be given directly to states to handle disasters.
___
AP reporter Cedar Attanasio contributed from New York.
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Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test keys go out, pre-load available
Elden Ring Nightreign Network Test keys go out, pre-load available
Elden Ring Nightreign’s network test is drawing near and keys have already been sent out, with pre-load now available. The download is only around 10GB, which some might be surprised to hear.
As addressed by XboxEra, Nightreign’s got some testing to do ahead of the game’s actual release. Of course, some may expect potential bugs here and there. Unfortunately, it’s only available through an invite by Bandai Namco.
Below is the network test times.
Session 1: Feb 14th, 3am to 6 am PST
Session 2: Feb 14th, 7pm to 10 pm PST
Session 3: Feb 15th, 11am to 2pm PST
Session 4: Feb 16th, 3am to 6 am PST
Session 5: Feb 16th, 7pm to 10 pm PST
Elden Ring Nightreign is the spin-off to FromSoftware’s wildly success. Instead of it being you against the world, you get to bring along friends as you duke it out against waves of increasingly difficult enemies until you reach a final boss after three in-game days.
Elden Ring Nightreign has no conclusive release date beyond 2025.
Gabriel Stanford-Reisinger Editor-in-Chief
Gabe has been a gamer since he was young, playing games like Pajama Sam, Freddi Fish, Guitar Hero, and whatever looked cool on GameFly. Ever since 2018, he’s been infatuated with the inner workings of the gaming and entertainment industries, covering a wide range of topics from video games to TV and film. Starting as a contributor for PSX Extreme, he’s worked his way up to its Managing Editor. Using what’s he learned over the years, he founded Smash Jump to remind everyone to smash jump.
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Quordle hints and answers for Wednesday, February 12 (game #1115)
Quordle hints and answers for Wednesday, February 12 (game #1115)
Looking for a different day?
A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing ‘today’s game’ while others are playing ‘yesterday’s’. If you’re looking for Tuesday’s puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Tuesday, February 11 (game #1114).
Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.
Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc’s Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know the answers.
Quordle today (game #1115) – hint #1 – Vowels
How many different vowels are in Quordle today?
• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 3*.
* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).
Quordle today (game #1115) – hint #2 – repeated letters
Do any of today’s Quordle answers contain repeated letters?
• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 2.
Quordle today (game #1115) – hint #3 – uncommon letters
Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?
• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today’s Quordle answers.
Quordle today (game #1115) – hint #4 – starting letters (1)
Do any of today’s Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?
• The number of today’s Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 2.
If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you’re not ready yet then here’s one more clue to make things a lot easier:
Quordle today (game #1115) – hint #5 – starting letters (2)
What letters do today’s Quordle answers start with?
• S
• G
• P
• S
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM.
Quordle today (game #1115) – the answers
(Image credit: New York Times)
The answers to today’s Quordle, game #1115, are…
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A mixed bag for me. I got extremely lucky with one common word combination (there are 143 words that begin with S and end in Y, according to Merriam-Webster) and unlucky with another, guessing Scoop and Swoon before I finally got SHOOK.
For GRADE, I guessed that the word ended RADE and with T already used there was only one option left.
Too close for comfort, but still an enjoyable victory.
How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.
Daily Sequence today (game #1115) – the answers
(Image credit: New York Times)
The answers to today’s Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1115, are…
Quordle answers: The past 20
Quordle #1114, Tuesday 11 February: HEAVY, CIRCA, PESKY, SCION
Quordle #1113, Monday 10 February: TWIXT, FRESH, GUISE, TABBY
Quordle #1112, Sunday 9 February: TAPIR, SHAKE, TOKEN, SEVEN
Quordle #1111, Saturday 8 February: AFOOT, ALIKE, HUMUS, TOWEL
Quordle #1110, Friday 7 February: PETAL, ABASE, AMONG, CORER
Quordle #1109, Thursday 6 February: MADAM, SCAMP, FAUNA, TRACK
Quordle #1108, Wednesday 5 February: SIXTH, VERVE, BLURB, CACTI
Quordle #1107, Tuesday 4 February: BIRTH, DRAWN, MILKY, JOIST
Quordle #1106, Monday 3 February: SLEET, TENSE, SEIZE, SCAMP
Quordle #1105, Sunday 2 February: LOUSY, PENNE, CHUMP, SALVE
Quordle #1104, Saturday 1 February: FACET, BLISS, FLUFF, FRANK
Quordle #1103, Friday 31 January: PARER, SYNOD, BRAWN, BANJO
Quordle #1102, Thursday 30 January: WEEDY, CHIRP, STALE, SUGAR
Quordle #1101, Wednesday 29 January: CROWN, SCENE, AGILE, CRANK
Quordle #1100, Tuesday 28 January: TOKEN, DAISY, INANE, PLIED
Quordle #1099, Monday 27 January: ANGEL, GLOBE, MAYOR, BRAVE
Quordle #1098, Sunday 26 January: WATER, ORBIT, BRIDE, TOUCH
Quordle #1097, Saturday 25 January: GIVER, GROOM, GUSTO, MAKER
Quordle #1096, Friday 24 January: GRIND, STOCK, SERVE, TOUCH
Quordle #1095, Thursday 23 January: RUGBY, SASSY, WORRY, BANAL
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Mama Kin Spender to perform national tour in Bridgetown and Margaret River
Mama Kin Spender to perform national tour in Bridgetown and Margaret River
With storytelling and community at the forefront, Australia singing duo Mama Kin Spender will touch down in Bridgetown this month for their MKS Up Close national tour.
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Despite Being Targeted Towards Every Gamer, Rainbow Six Siege Continues to Maintain a High Skill Ceiling
Despite Being Targeted Towards Every Gamer, Rainbow Six Siege Continues to Maintain a High Skill Ceiling
Rainbow Six Siege is regarded as one of the most challenging first-person shooters developed by Ubisoft Montreal. The game demands clever tactics and an insane amount of teamwork to win a round, making every match an intense battle of skill. The game was released in August of 2015 and despite being nearly a decade old, it continues to thrive with an average of more than 45,000 players playing the game daily.
Playing Siege requires a lot of skill | Image Credits: Ubisoft
Rainbow Six Siege is still considered to be one of the few games that maintains a high skill ceiling and unlike traditional run-and-gun FPS games, Siege emphasizes mostly on tactical approach and teamwork. Why is the learning curve so steep? And what does Ubisoft Montreal’s creative director have to say about it? Let’s find out.
Rainbow Six Siege is very skill-demanding
The game has a million possible strategies that players can implement | Image Credits: Ubisoft
Rainbow Six Siege features 5v5 battles where two teams face off against each other. These teams consist of attackers and defenders, where players assume the role of different specialized operators, each equipped with special gadgets and skills. The game has a unique ability to destroy walls, ceilings, and floors, allowing players to create new sightlines and open the door for creative strategies to secure victory.
These ever-changing battlegrounds, combined with a diverse roster of operators, make Rainbow Six Siege one of the most complex and rewarding shooters on the market. However, for new players, the amount of mechanics and tactical layers can make the game an uphill battle to master. In a recent interview between TheGamer and Alexander Karpazis, the creative director of Ubisoft Montreal, when asked how he feels about people who criticize the game’s inclusive nature, Karpazis replied that
We’re quite comfortable in saying that Rainbow is a game for everyone, and everyone should be able to enjoy it. As soon as we start closing those doors is the moment that we stop respecting the people who actually play this game. And if there are detractors, for us, that isn’t enough to stop us from where we’re going, our mission of visiting the world and telling these beautiful stories.
Although Karpazis claims the game is for everyone, its steep skill ceiling makes it difficult to attract new players.
Ubisoft Montreal is working on a Siege sequel
It is rumored that a Siege sequel is in the works | Image Credits: Ubisoft
Rainbow Six Siege still remains one of the most strategically demanding shooters in the gaming industry. While old players of the game thrive in the game’s intricate mechanics and enjoy its ever-changing strategic depths, new players may find the whole experience extremely scary and difficult to digest.
Despite the developers’ claim that the game is meant for everyone, in reality, players who are willing to endure and climb that high skill ceiling will thrive and become better in the game. Ubisoft’s dedication to evolving the game constantly has kept it alive for nearly a decade, and now with rumors of a new installment coming, players are excited to see what new changes are in store.
Only time will tell whether Ubisoft will make the next installment of the game more accessible and easier for new players to pick up or double down on the unforgiving challenge that has defined Siege for nearly a decade.
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Mortal Kombat Meets Marvel Rivals In An Innovative Fan-Art
Mortal Kombat Meets Marvel Rivals In An Innovative Fan-Art
A Mortal Kombat fan has injected Sub-Zero into the Marvel Rivals to design a fantastic art of an icy MK fighter in the Marvel universe.
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Super Bowl 59 viewership reaches record 127.7 million
Super Bowl 59 viewership reaches record 127.7 million
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl LIX
Mike Segar | Reuters
The Philadelphia Eagles weren’t the only ones who scored big at the Super Bowl.
The NFL’s championship game attracted a record 127.7 million viewers on Sunday, according to Nielsen Media Research.
The supersized live audience was of most importance to the advertisers that shelled out big bucks to have their brands featured during the Super Bowl. It’s rare that programming on live TV attracts such a big audience in one sitting, making the hefty price tag worth it, advertising industry executives recently told CNBC.
The cost of advertising during the Super Bowl rises each year, especially as the cable bundle loses more and more customers and must-watch programming revolves around sports and other live events. This year some brands spent up to $8 million for a spot during the game.
Sunday’s Super Bowl aired on Fox Corp.’s broadcast network, as well as its Spanish-language cable network Fox Deportes and NBCUniversal’s Telemundo. Fox also offered the Super Bowl on its free, ad-supported streamer Tubi, and it was also available on the NFL’s digital properties.
Last year, the Super Bowl had locked down another record at the time, when more than 123 million tuned into Paramount Global’s CBS broadcast network, TelevisaUnivision network and other streaming options like Paramount+.
Fox also reported that the Super Bowl also broke another record when it came to streaming. The game on Tubi, Telemundo and the NFL’s digital offerings garnered 14.5 million viewers, while Tubi itself had 13.6 million viewers, according to Tubi first-party data and Adobe Analytics. This was the first time the Super Bowl was available on the app.
The Super Bowl’s viewership peaked at an audience of 137.7 million from 8 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. ET, during the second quarter, according to Nielsen.
Anticipation for the game helped boost viewership, too. Fox’s pregame coverage averaged 23.4 million viewers between 1 p.m. and kickoff.
The Eagles ran away with the game against the Kansas City Chiefs, with a final score of 40-22. While viewership tends to drop off in games with a large gap in the score, viewers clearly stuck around through the game.
The halftime show, headlined by rapper Kendrick Lamar and also featuring R&B artist SZA, had an average 133.5 million viewers across TV and digital platforms between 8:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. ET, up 3% from last year’s viewership of the music spectacle, Nielsen reported.
The Spanish language networks Fox Deportes and Telemundo had an average audience of 1.87 million combined viewers, according to Fox. This was the first time the Super Bowl was offered on both a cable network and broadcaster in Spanish. The league has been pushing to expand its audience, with a key part of its strategy being the Hispanic viewership.
Disclosure: Comcast owns CNBC parent company NBCUniversal.
Correction: The headline on this story has been updated to correct that it was Super Bowl 59.
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Overwatch Fans Still Can’t Fathom Marvel Rivals is Rolling Back a Controversial Feature Out of Sheer Backlash
Overwatch Fans Still Can’t Fathom Marvel Rivals is Rolling Back a Controversial Feature Out of Sheer Backlash
There’s no denying that Marvel Rivals is one of the most popular games out there right now. The game’s success can be pinned down to developer NetEase’s smartness when it comes to updates and additions that gamers absolutely love.
Marvel Rivals players hated the idea of a mid-season rank reset. (Image via NetEase Games)
Recently, NetEase announced that it would be doing a mid-season rank reset in Marvel Rivals in order to “shake up the battlefield.” Gamers absolutely hated this idea and bashed NetEase. Surprisingly, the developer has heard the criticism and reversed the changes, which is making Overwatch players question everything.
Marvel Rivals reverses mid-season rank reset changes
Yesterday, NetEase Games revealed that it is adding a half-season rank reset to Marvel Rivals. Gamers were angry and couldn’t understand the reasoning behind this wild shuffle. However, less than 24 hours after the initial announcement, NetEase has revealed it’s abandoning the half-season rank reset.
According to NetEase, the community has heard the uproar, and they’ll no longer be implementing the rank-reset changes. The developer has also revealed that for new rewards after the end of the first half of season one, gamers will need to complete at least 10 matches and meet the relevant conditions before season one ends.
after 8 years of overwatch this is like getting hit by a semi truck what the ***** [Hidden Content]
— eskay (@EskayOW) February 11, 2025
While it’s a big moment for the Rivals community, Overwatch players are having a complete meltdown. NetEase actually heard the concerns of its loyal player base and decided to acknowledge its mistakes and roll back controversial changes.
That’s something Blizzard would never do with Overwatch 2. Gamers have been constantly complaining about all the terrible decisions taken by Blizzard, but the studio doesn’t care at all and continues to release overpriced skins.
wait they actually listen to their players???
— Cloudy (estrogen angel) (@oncloud_e) February 11, 2025
If this were an OW adjustment, it would’ve taken three reworks, two mini-ranked seasons, six seasons to admit they messed up, and another three seasons to make a change
— 𝑲𝒖𝒓𝒐𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒏 (@kuroitsune) February 11, 2025
love it when devs actually put in the effort
— Tayla May (@taylamay222) February 11, 2025
huge props to NetEase for being so receptive
— Loli.rose.x (@Lolirosex) February 11, 2025
Let’s hope Blizzard can learn from NetEase Games. Listening to the community can go a long way towards keeping a game alive, and it’s something that Overwatch 2 is failing at.
Marvel Rivals has new heroes coming soon!
The Thing and Human Torch are coming to the game. (Image via NetEase Games)
Half of The Fantastic Four crew can already be played in Marvel Rivals as the Invisible Woman and Mr. Fantastic were introduced in the game on January 10th, complete with their alternative skins based on their villainous personas.
This left many wondering when The Thing and the Human Torch will join the hero-shooters’ roster. According to NetEase, as confirmed by Comicbook, players will finally be able to play with the remaining members of The Fantastic Four starting on February 21st.
What we still don’t know officially are the abilities and classes of these characters. Previous leaks have suggested that the Human Torch will be a Duelist character who will have powerful fire-based attacks and team-up capabilities with Storm.
On the other hand, The Thing is rumored to be a Vanguard character, and that’s fitting for his Superman strength and rocky skin.
With that said, do you think NetEase has done the right job by abandoning the mid-season rank reset in Marvel Rivals? Let us know in the comments below.
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Sam Altman tells OpenAI staff that board hasn’t ‘seen anything official from Elon’
Sam Altman tells OpenAI staff that board hasn’t ‘seen anything official from Elon’
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, at Station F, is seen through glass, during an event on the sidelines of the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris, France, Feb. 11, 2025.
Aurelien Morissard | Via Reuters
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman told employees in a memo on Tuesday that the company hasn’t received “anything official” from Elon Musk regarding a potential purchase of the artificial intelligence startup.
“Our structure exists to ensure that no individual can take control of OpenAI,” Altman wrote, in the memo that was obtained by CNBC. “Elon runs a competitive AI company, and his actions are not about OpenAI’s mission or values. They are tactics aimed at weakening us because we’re making great progress.”
The note comes a day after news surfaced that Musk is leading a group of investors in trying to buy control of OpenAI for $97.4 billion. The offer is for the nonprofit that oversees the AI startup behind ChatGPT, and Musk’s attorney Marc Toberoff said he submitted it on Monday.
“It’s time for OpenAI to return to the open-source, safety-focused force for good it once was,” Toberoff told CNBC in a statement.
Altman and Musk are in the midst of a heated legal and public relations battle over the future of OpenAI. They were two of the co-founders of OpenAI in 2015, establishing the entity as a nonprofit focused on AI research. Musk is suing OpenAI, accusing it of antitrust violations and to try and keep it from converting into a for-profit corporation.
OpenAI has emerged as a giant in generative AI, launching ChatGPT in 2022 and setting off a wave of investment in new tools and infrastructure for next-generation AI products and services. SoftBank is close to finalizing a $40 billion investment in OpenAI at a $260 billion valuation, sources told CNBC’s David Faber last week. Microsoft has been the biggest backer to date.
The consortium of investors supposedly joining Musk includes his startup xAI, and long-time investors in his other businesses including, Baron Capital Group, Valor, Atreides, Vy Capital, Joe Lonsdale’s 8VC, and an investment vehicle led by Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel.
A source close to Musk who asked not to be named in order to speak candidly on the matter noted that everyone in the group is a Musk loyalist, and the consortium doesn’t include any of the traditional Silicon Valley investors that have backed prior Musk ventures.
Altman reminded employees on Tuesday that “Elon has a history of making claims that don’t hold up,” highlighting his “exaggerated” donations to OpenAI and shifting narratives about whether he supported OpenAI becoming a for-profit entity.
“The best thing we can do is more forward with dedication and resilience,” Altman wrote.
If and when the OpenAI board does receive a formal bid, it has a legal obligation to review it, according to Ellen Aprill, senior scholar in residence at the University of California, Los Angeles.
“The board would need to consider a bid even if they didn’t invite it,” Aprill told CNBC. “A non-profit can sell its assets, but needs to make sure it’s getting fair value.”
As a nonprofit, the board doesn’t serve shareholders and therefore doesn’t have a traditional fiduciary duty. Rather, its duty is for the public benefit, which is determined by attorneys general of the states where it operates.
Musk didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. An OpenAI spokesperson declined to comment.
— CNBC’s Ari Levy and Steve Kovach contributed to this report.
WATCH: Musk-Altman feud is a little bit of trolling
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Touhou Spell Carnival Launches on Steam in 2025
Touhou Spell Carnival Launches on Steam in 2025
Touhou Spell Carnival is coming to PC via Steam in 2025.
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When El Salvador agreed to put migrants in “mega-prison,” the U.S. paved the way for nuclear power
When El Salvador agreed to put migrants in “mega-prison,” the U.S. paved the way for nuclear power
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced last week that El Salvador’s president offered to incarcerate deportees from the U.S. of any nationality, including U.S. citizens, but the deal came the same day as a less-publicized offer from the United States: nuclear power.
El Salvador’s Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill Tinoco said a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with the U.S. would help power the central American country “at competitive pricing without depending on geopolitics or on oil prices.”
“The experience that [the United States has] on civil nuclear energy will give us all of the tools we need to train our people, to train our Salvadoran experts, who will lead the technical and regulatory aspects of this transition — this unprecedented transition,” Hill Tonoco said.
Rubio hailed the nuclear cooperation agreement just before announcing that El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, also agreed to take deportees and incarcerated Americans from the U.S. and “put them in his jails.”
Bukele said he would charge the United States a “relatively low” fee to house convicted criminals in El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT, a mega-prison built to hold up to 40,000 people. He said the nominal cost for America would help make El Salvador’s prison system sustainable.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with the President of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, in San Salvador on Feb. 3, 2025.
El Salvador Presidency / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images
The nuclear agreement is a potential national security win for the United States, according to Edward Kee, who in 2022 was appointed to the Department of Energy’s Nuclear Energy Advisory Committee.
“A nuclear power plant is a hundred-year deal. If a country in Central America signed up for a Russian or ******** reactor, this would not be good for U.S. national security in the region,” said Kee, who founded the Washington-based Nuclear Economics Consulting Group. “This is especially a concern because these Russian and ******** nuclear power deals usually include broader government-to-government arrangements.”
The United States is the largest producer of nuclear energy, accounting for about 30% of the worldwide total, according to the World Nuclear Association.
Proponents say nuclear energy is one the most environmentally friendly, reliable existing energy resources, but critics view it as dangerous, wasteful and expensive.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright has promised to prioritize the production of nuclear power and liquefied natural gas under the Trump administration. Investors cheered and stocks jumped when Wright, a fossil fuel company executive, was nominated.
Partner countries must sign what’s known as a 123 Agreement with the United States before the U.S. licenses significant exports of U.S.-origin nuclear material and equipment. At their core, the agreements are intended to advance shared nuclear nonproliferation and security objectives between the United States and its partners, the State Department said in its information page outlining these agreements.
The U.S. had 25 such agreements as of Feb. 3, including with the United Kingdom, Singapore, Norway and others. El Salvador would be the first and only country from Central America in that group.
El Salvador is pursuing nuclear power — signing a similar agreement with Argentina in October — at a time when the barriers that have prevented smaller countries from developing it may be receding, according to Alfonso Blanco, the former executive director of the intergovernmental Latin American Energy Organization.
“There is a significant opportunity for the revival of nuclear energy through small-scale reactors, and the technology requires demonstration sites in countries that lack developed nuclear capacities,” said Blanco, who now works for The Dialogue, a Washington-based think tank. “This could represent a potential development path for El Salvador.”
Blanco said El Salvador and most other countries have limited options for procuring the necessary fuel for nuclear power because only eight countries have the technical capacity to enrich uranium.
“For El Salvador, positioning itself as a regional pioneer in the use of a new nuclear technology could present an interesting opportunity, especially considering that such infrastructure projects have significant spillover effects on job creation and local capacity development,” Blanco said.
But while the country’s mega-prison is already built and ready to house tens of thousands of people, its nuclear plans are in their infancy.
That means El Salvador is unlikely to close in on nuclear power while President Trump is in office, according to Francisco Monaldi, director of the Latin America Energy Program at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
“This is something that probably will not happen during the Trump administration, and it will take a long time to materialize, if it materializes,” Monaldi said.
Graham Kates
Graham Kates is an investigative reporter covering criminal justice, privacy issues and information security for CBS News Digital. Contact Graham at *****@*****.tld or *****@*****.tld
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Ukrainians outraged at Trump’s Russia comment
Ukrainians outraged at Trump’s Russia comment
Ukrainians in Kyiv were left bewildered and frustrated on Tuesday after US President Donald Trump suggested their country “may be Russian someday”.
Addressing Moscow’s nearly three-year invasion in a Fox News interview aired Monday, Trump said of Ukraine: “They may make a deal, they may not make a deal. They may be Russian someday, or they may not be Russian someday.”
“It is some kind of senile insanity,” Kyiv resident Daniil told AFP.
“He just wants to stand out somehow,” he added, suggesting Trump was attempting a different approach to previous mediators on ending the war.
Others questioned the US leader’s grasp of the conflict.
“Trump does not know at all what Russia and Ukraine are, and the relationship between Russians and Ukrainians,” said Sergiy Prokofiev, another resident of the capital.
“His assistants… probably present to him some not-very-true opinion about our situation.”
The Kremlin seized on Trump’s remarks, saying that the situation in Ukraine “largely corresponds” with his words.
“The fact that a significant part of Ukraine wants to become Russia, and has already, is a fact,” spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, referring to Moscow’s 2022 annexation of four Ukrainian regions.
– ‘This will not happen’ –
Since coming to office on January 20, Trump has made statements that have left even Washington’s closest allies perplexed and alarmed.
He has repeatedly called for Canada to become the “51st” US state, heightening cross-border tension.
“He can think anything and say anything, but Ukraine will never be Russia,” Ukrainian soldier Mykola told AFP on a street in central Kyiv.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly questioned Ukraine’s statehood, writing in an essay before the war that the country was a product of the Soviet Union shaped on “the lands of historical Russia”.
“This will not happen,” 32-year-old Filonko Daryna told AFP of the idea Ukraine could “be Russian”.
“More than one century will pass before we can ever forgive them for what they did to us.”
Trump has said ending the fighting is one of his priorities, but is yet to outline specific proposals for how he plans to bring the two sides to the negotiating table.
Russia, which has been grinding forward on the battlefield for over a year, has indicated it is open for negotiations but said any peace deal must accept the “realities” on the ground.
Some in Kyiv shrugged off Trump’s comments.
“What he said is still political games,” Gennady Bystrukhin told AFP in Kyiv. “I think that both America and Europe will support Ukraine.”
afptv-cad/jxb
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Monster Hunter Releasing on PlayStation Portable Was Key to Promoting the True Essence of the Game
Monster Hunter Releasing on PlayStation Portable Was Key to Promoting the True Essence of the Game
Capcom’s Monster Hunter series has earned critical acclaim and garnered a massive, dedicated player base in recent years – quickly growing to become their most popular IP to date. Indeed, Monster Hunter has a rich and varied history, with humble beginnings on the PlayStation 2, back in 2004.
The series was then followed by multiple entries, with the PlayStation Portable (PSP) version being of key importance. The ability to play on the go and in cooperative multiplayer changed things significantly, and defined what Monster Hunter is today.
Monster Hunter Freedom Unite’s success can be attributed to the PSP
Monster Hunter’s success can be credited to the PSP | Image Credit: Capcom
Speaking with Japan Forward in an exclusive interview, Ryozo Tsujimoto, the producer of Capcom’s Monster Hunter series, detailed a lot of behind-the-scenes action regarding MonHun and its initial development, and the changes that followed.
Monster Hunter is quite a unique title, and can be credited for being a pioneer of sorts – ushering in the cooperative monster-hunting genre as a whole. While the series used to be quite niche outside of Japan, its shift toward cooperative multiplayer elements has made it a hit overseas too.
Unlike the current Monster Hunter games, the 2004 release was a strictly solo affair – with cooperative elements being added late into the series inception. After all, the infrastructure required for co-op was a lot more expensive (and limited) back then.
Things changed when Sony introduced one of its most successful consoles to have ever been released – the PlayStation Portable, which boasted PS2-like visuals in the palm of your hand. The PSP also came with networking features, allowing for multiplayer, which Monster Hunter Unite took full advantage of.
Also known as Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G in Japan, Unite let players embark on monster hunting with up to teams of four, all with local co-op enabled. After all, players were less likely to join a friend’s game at their house – given the convenience of online multiplayer (which was still a novel concept at the time), and Unite’s success was almost guaranteed.
Monster Hunter was wildly successful | Image Credit: Capcom
As such, Unite’s massive success can be attributed to the series going down the portable route, with the title managing to sell over 4 million copies, which is quite an impressive number.
Ever since, Monster Hunter has featured cooperative elements of some degree in later titles, and this is precisely one of the reasons why people play the series to this day – in addition to its addictive gameplay, of course.
The PSP can be credited for the success of a lot of games
The PSP had a long lasting legacy | Image Credit: Sony
The legacy of Sony’s PSP cannot be emphasized enough. Created by Sony as a bid to enter into the lucrative handheld gaming market (which remains dominated by Nintendo) it was a rather strange experiment that paid off big time.
The PSP was wildly successful, even if it never did manage to topple Nintendo, and left behind a lasting legacy that its user base cherishes to this day. The PSP was home to multiple, high-fidelity games that still remain great to play even in 2025.
However, despite multiple iterations, the PSP was ultimately succeeded by the PlayStation Vita (PSVita), which garnered a mixed reaction from fans, owing to its poor first-party library and ludicrous asking price.
Ultimately, Sony’s handheld division died a slow, painful death and the company is yet to launch a true successor to the PSP to this day, which it is hoped it will.
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How PsiQuantum plans to build world’s largest quantum computer by 2027
How PsiQuantum plans to build world’s largest quantum computer by 2027
A PsiQuantum silicon wafer containing thousands of quantum devices
PsiQuantum
On a large table in front of me is some of the world’s most advanced photonic hardware, which may soon drive one of the great technological revolutions of our time. I can see tiny microchips that look like precious jewels, with nanoscale patterns that make them glow like rainbows, along with detectors, filters and switches connected by fibre-optic cables, laid out on smartphone-sized circuit boards. These are the fundamental components of a massive photonic quantum computer that could be up and running in just a few years – though to…
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Religious Groups Sue Trump Admin Over Immigration Arrests at Churches – Newsweek
Religious Groups Sue Trump Admin Over Immigration Arrests at Churches – Newsweek
Religious Groups Sue Trump Admin Over Immigration Arrests at Churches NewsweekMC USA joins more than two dozen Christian and Jewish denominations and associations sue to protect religious freedoms Mennonite Church USAOpinion | Trump’s assault on religious liberty The Washington PostTrump’s immigration agents may soon hunt down activist Christian clergy | Opinion The Arizona Republic
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Fallout star claims season 2 ‘blows the first one out of the water’
Fallout star claims season 2 ‘blows the first one out of the water’
Fallout star Walton Goggins has claimed that fans can look forward to something special when season 2 of the Amazon show is released.
Goggins, who portrays the Ghoul in the Fallout adaptation, talked up the new season during an interview with Deadline.
“We’re in the middle of filming it right now,” he said. “We’ve been at it since November, and I can tell you that I thought season 1 was extraordinary, personally I was very pleased with it.
“This blows it out of the water, you know what these writers have done and the artisans that have come together to tell this story,” he continued. “It’s really going to be something and I can’t wait for people to see it. We’re working really hard to make that happen.”
Walton Goggins teases #Fallout Season 2 : “I thought Season 1 was extraordinary… This blows it out of the water” pic.twitter.com/B1BmmGC8t3
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) February 11, 2025
Released last April, Fallout’s first season scored a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 94% and has an audience score of 90%.
It debuted as one of Prime Video’s top three most watched titles and earned 16 Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series.
“Based on one of the greatest video game series of all time, Fallout is the story of haves and have-nots in a world in which there’s almost nothing left to have,” reads an official description of the show.
“200 years after the apocalypse, the gentle denizens of luxury fallout shelters are forced to return to the irradiated hellscape their ancestors left behind — and are shocked to discover an incredibly complex, gleefully weird and highly violent universe waiting for them.”
It was recently claimed that Macaulay Culkin has joined the Fallout season 2 cast. He’ll reportedly play a crazy genius-type character in a recurring role.
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