Student ******** prompts ‘cancel culture’ warning
Student ******** prompts ‘cancel culture’ warning
The ******** of a young man “cancelled” by his peers at university has prompted a coroner to write to the government warning about “self-policing” among some students.
Alexander Rogers, 20, was in his third year studying at the University of Oxford’s Corpus Christi College when he took his own life in January.
Oxfordshire coroner Nicholas Graham said Mr Rogers had been “ostracised” in the preceding days after a woman expressed discomfort about a ******* encounter between the pair.
In a Prevention of Future Deaths Report, the coroner urged the Department for Education to take action to stop similar deaths occurring related to the harmful effects of being socially ostracised.
He said Mr Rogers had reported being subjected to “name calling, targeted behaviour and exclusion and rejection following allegations made against him about his conduct”.
Corpus Christi College commissioned an independent serious incident review following the ******.
“That review identified evidence of a concerning practice of social ostracism among students, often referred to as a cancel culture,” the coroner said.
“[The review’s] evidence was that this behaviour, where individuals are isolated and excluded from social groups based on allegations or perceptions of wrongdoing, poses a significant risk to student mental health and well-being.”
He said students “appear to employ social ostracism as a means of ‘self-policing’ their community, often in response to allegations of serious misconduct”.
“This occurs in the absence of formal processes and without proper investigation or evidence,” Mr Graham said.
Mr Graham added: “I did not find on the balance of probabilities that this culture specifically caused or contributed to Alexander’s ******, but it did give rise to a concern that circumstances creating a risk of future deaths could occur.”
Mr Rogers’ family have been raising money for ******** prevention charity PAPYRUS.
In a tribute on a fundraising page, they said: “The loss of Zander has been seismic.
“He was and is the epitome of what is good in this world; kind, warm, funny, and an incredible friend to so many.”
The Department for Education has been contacted for comment.
Need help? If you have been affected by this story the BBC Action Line web page features a list of organisations which are ready to provide support and advice.
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Here’s a fresh look at the Half-Life 2 RTX remaster
Here’s a fresh look at the Half-Life 2 RTX remaster
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We initially about a team modding an RTX remaster of Half-Life 2 last August. Today, NVIDIA released a trailer giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at Orbifold Studios’ efforts to apply more modern graphics tools to the iconic title. The video highlights the RTX Remix engine and how the team is using it to make visual upgrades to a game with an engine two decades old. They have examples of how they’re creating more dynamic light sources, volumetric fog in moody areas, and full 3D detail on the objects in the environment.
The crew at Orbifold still doesn’t have a release date for their work, but as the 20th anniversary for Half-Life 2 approaches on November 16, it’s possible that there may be something official in the works from Valve. No, not Half-Life 3. But YouTuber and veteran Valve reporter Tyler McVicker noticed that there is a new, password-protected branch of the game in Steam. Just based on the number of new test builds that have been pushed out on that branch, the new update seems more involved than the one the company to mark the 25th anniversary of Half-Life 1 last year. So if you’re itching to pick up the gravity **** again, this weekend might be the time to do it.
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Philippe Laffont’s Coatue bet big on China and GLP-1 drugmakers in Q3
Philippe Laffont’s Coatue bet big on China and GLP-1 drugmakers in Q3
Philippe Laffont’s Coatue Management took several new stakes in major ******** e-commerce companies and a couple of anti-obesity focused drugmakers in the third quarter, according to the latest 13F filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Laffont, one of the “Tiger Cub” fund managers who worked under the late Julian Robertson at Tiger Management, added more than 2.4 million shares, or 896%, to his stake in Alibaba in the three months that ended Sept. 30. He also increased his stake in JD.com by 8.2 million shares, or 33,490%, and PDD Holdings by roughly 2.28 million shares, or 741%. Laffont also created new positions in iShares China Large-Cap ETF and KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF . Alibaba is scheduled to post its quarterly financial results on Friday, which could provide closely watched details on the health of the ******** consumer. The ******** stock market has seen recent volatility partly due to concerns over President-elect Donald Trump’s stance toward China and his tariff threats . In September, shares in China rallied sharply after authorities there ramped up stimulus measures and President Xi Jinping called for strengthening fiscal and monetary economic support and stopping the real estate slump. Laffont also made a couple of significant increases to the fund’s holdings in Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk . Eli Lilly shares are up nearly 35% year to date, while Novo Nordisk’s ADRs have gained about 2% after soaring 54% in 2023. Laffont added to existing positions in Alphabet , Amazon , Broadcom and Microsoft during the quarter, but made sizable reductions in holdings of Meta Platforms and Nvidia . He also lowered his stake in chipmakers Qualcomm , Advanced Micro Devices and Taiwan Semiconductor . Facebook parent Meta still ******** the fund’s largest holding, while Amazon, Microsoft and Nvidia remain in the fund’s top 10. The filing also showed increased bets on Eaton Corporation, a name closely tied to the artificial intelligence-related energy infrastructure *****, as well as Constellation Energy and NextEra Energy .
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Car hits ‘pretty loaded’ school bus carrying Lakota Local School District students
Car hits ‘pretty loaded’ school bus carrying Lakota Local School District students
Students on a Lakota Local School District bus were involved in a ****** in West Chester Township Thursday afternoon.
At approximately 2:30 p.m., the “pretty loaded” bus was rear-ended by a car at the intersection of Tylersville Road and Ohio 747, according to township spokesperson Barb Wilson, who added that the intersection is “very busy.”
No one on the bus was injured. Two people were in the other vehicle and both refused treatment.
The students were from Lakota Plains Junior School, which serves seventh and eighth graders in Liberty Township, Wilson said.
Officials briefly closed Ohio 747 at Tylersville, but the intersection is now open.
The district notified families of the ****** and shortly after, the students were transported onto another bus and headed home.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Lakota Plains Junior School students involved in school bus ******
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QB Betrayal Index: Lamar Jackson acing his toughest test; Justin Herbert finally gets a break
QB Betrayal Index: Lamar Jackson acing his toughest test; Justin Herbert finally gets a break
The Quarterback Betrayal Index is back, with a surprise new standard bearer: Lamar Jackson. The Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback for years benefited from elite defense/special teams support, but not in 2024. His ability to overcome poor play in those areas during a 7-3 start enhances his MVP credentials.
Introduced before the 2022 NFL season, the Betrayal Index measures the degree to which quarterbacks overcome poor play by their own teams’ defenses/special teams, the part of the team they cannot control. It’s the context needed to discuss quarterback win rates.
An extreme example: Drew Brees won only 45 percent of his starts (21-26 record) from 2014 to 2016 despite New Orleans ranking No. 1 in a range of offensive categories. The Saints’ historically bad defense/special teams betrayed Brees, resulting in the losing record.
The QB Betrayal Index through Week 10 of 2024 is especially interesting because two prominent quarterbacks, Jackson and Justin Herbert, have traded places.
Both led productive offenses in the past, but Jackson had the superior win rate (75 percent to 48 percent) largely because, before this season, his Ravens ranked second in combined EPA on defense/special teams during his career (since 2018), while Herbert’s Los Angeles Chargers ranked 31st during his (since 2020), per TruMedia.
The big revelation this season has come in Jackson’s ability to keep winning (7-3 record, including 2-0 against the similarly betrayed Joe Burrow) despite his Ravens ranking 31st in combined EPA on defense/special teams in 2024. Herbert’s Chargers are 6-3 because they rank first on defense/special teams EPA on a per-game basis this season, with an offense that ranks middle-of-the-pack statistically.
The table below stacks all 34 quarterbacks with at least five starts this season by the difference between where these players rank in QB EPA, and where their teams rank in defense/special teams EPA during each QB’s starts.
Jackson, Burrow, Baker Mayfield, Kirk Cousins, Jayden Daniels, Brock Purdy and Kyler Murray are the best examples of betrayed quarterbacks this season. All rank highly in QB EPA for teams with low-ranked defense/special teams. Quarterbacks in the middle rank about the same in QB EPA as their defenses/special teams rank. Quarterbacks at the bottom produce less for teams with stronger defenses/special teams.
2024 QB Betrayal Index through Week 10
The 34 quarterbacks have a combined 37-94 (.282) record this season in starts when their teams finished with negative combined EPA on defense/special teams. That includes 0-55 for a group of 16 quarterbacks headlined by Mayfield (0-6), Aaron Rodgers (0-5) and Burrow (0-4). It’s difficult to win these games, but some quarterbacks — Jackson in particular — have been able to prevail anyway.
We’ll close by examining the seven most betrayed quarterbacks this season, plus a closer look at Herbert and the Chargers’ drastic shift.
Most betrayed
1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
QB-EPA 1st | DST 32nd | Betrayal Index: -31
W-L: 7-3 (.700)
W-L with negative team DST EPA: 5-3 (.625, 5th)
Jackson has shown an unusual ability to win what I call “extreme betrayal” games. He is 3-1 this season when the Ravens finished with -10 or worse EPA on defense/special teams. The other 33 quarterbacks listed here have a combined 5-45 (.100) record in those games.
That’s the equivalent of winning three-fourths of the time after spotting the opponent 10 points. It’s not necessarily a fluke, either.
Jackson has a 7-6 career record in extreme betrayal games, making him the only quarterback since 2000 to start at least three of these games and have a winning record in them. Rich Gannon is next at 5-5.
Tom Brady (18-25), Peyton Manning (22-32) and Brees (27-54) have the best records since 2000 in these games among quarterbacks with at least 30 such starts. The league at large has won 15 percent of these games.
The chart below shows Jackson’s cumulative EPA since he became the Ravens’ starter compared to Baltimore’s cumulative EPA on defense/special teams during that span, with the two heading in opposite directions since this season began.
2. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
QB-EPA 5th | DST 31st | Betrayal Index: -26
W-L: 4-6 (.400)
W-L with negative team DST EPA: 0-4 (.000, T-18th)
Burrow is 0-4 in extreme betrayal games this season but has 24 touchdown passes with four interceptions and a 108.1 rating in them. Cincinnati fell to Baltimore by scores of 41-38 and 35-34. There was also a 38-33 defeat to Washington and a 37-17 defeat to Philadelphia. Burrow was 4-7 in extreme betrayal games before this season. He’s playing more of them now.
3. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
QB-EPA 6th | DST 29th | Betrayal Index: -23
W-L: 4-6 (.400)
W-L with negative team DST EPA: 0-6 (.000, T-18th)
The Buccaneers are 4-0 when they finish with positive EPA on defense/special teams, but 0-6 otherwise. That is typically the hallmark of a team featuring a win-with quarterback, as opposed to a win-because-of QB. But with four of those defeats falling into the extreme betrayal bucket, Mayfield deserves more credit. He has generally kept Tampa close in four extreme betrayal games, but the Buccaneers lost 36-30 and 31-26 to the Falcons, 30-24 to Kansas City and 41-31 to Baltimore in those difficult-to-win matchups.
4. Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons
QB-EPA 8th | DST 30th | Betrayal Index: -22
W-L: 6-4 (.600)
W-L with negative team DST EPA: 3-3 (.500, T-7th)
Two victories over Tampa Bay and another over Philadelphia in games in which the Falcons’ defense/special teams faltered helped offset a tough opening-week defeat against Pittsburgh, when Cousins and the offense struggled in his first game back from a torn Achilles.
5. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
QB-EPA 3rd | DST 24th | Betrayal Index: -21
W-L: 7-3 (.700)
W-L with negative team DST EPA: 3-2 (.600, T-7th)
Daniels’ signature Betrayal Index game came at Burrow’s expense: 38-33 at Cincinnati in Week 3, capped by Daniels’ 27-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin on third-and-7 with 2:15 remaining in a game Washington led 31-26. That was the knockout punch by the Commanders, who also beat the Giants twice in games when Washington finished with negative combined EPA on defense/special teams.
6. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
QB-EPA 4th | DST 20th | Betrayal Index: -16
W-L: 5-4 (.555)
W-L with negative team DST EPA: 2-3 (.400, 10th)
Purdy’s continued production has been one of the few constants for the 49ers as they’ve worked through injuries on offense and inconsistent play on defense/special teams. He passed for 645 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions in the 49ers’ two extreme betrayal games this season. That was enough to beat Tampa Bay on Sunday. It was not quite enough to beat the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3, despite San Francisco leading by 10 points in the fourth quarter.
Purdy has an 8-6 record in betrayal games during his career, including 2-2 in extreme betrayal games (-10 or worse EPA on defense/special teams). Jimmy Garoppolo was 11-11 in betrayal games as a 49er. Past starters Colin Kaepernick (3-22) and Alex Smith (6-22-1) did not fare as well in those games for San Francisco.
T-7. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
QB-EPA 9 | DST 23 | Betrayal Index: -14
W-L: 6-4 (.600)
W-L with negative team DST EPA: 3-3 (.500, T-7th)
The Cardinals have won and lost with Murray this season. They are 5-1 in games when he finishes with positive EPA, but 1-3 otherwise. Murray did win an extreme betrayal game, 28-27 over Miami. He is now 4-12 in his career in extreme betrayal games. Other Cardinals quarterbacks are 2-58 (.033) in those games since 2000, with Jake Plummer accounting for both victories (he was 2-14 in those games, while Hall of Famer Kurt Warner was 0-11 in them for Arizona).
Things are looking up in L.A.
T-25. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
QB-EPA 14 | DST 1 | Betrayal Index: +13
W-L: 6-3 (.667)
W-L with negative team DST EPA: 1-2 (.333, T-11th)
In a change for the Chargers, their defense/special teams have done much more than their quarterback to win games this season. The team’s three losses came in games when the defense/special teams were either very good (+7.1 EPA in a 17-10 defeat to Kansas City) or barely below average (-1.0 EPA in 20-10 defeat to Pittsburgh as well as in a 17-15 defeat to Arizona).
The chart below compares Herbert’s cumulative EPA to the cumulative EPA of the Chargers’ defense/special teams. The uptick on defense/special teams began late last season with games against bad offenses: New England in Week 13 and Denver in Week 14, right before Herbert landed on injured reserve.
Herbert’s 5-10 record (.333) in extreme betrayal games is better than the 10-37 (.213) mark for Philip Rivers and the 3-12 (.200) mark for Drew Brees among Chargers quarterbacks since 2000.
(Photo of Lamar Jackson: Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)
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Latest Motorsport Games Earnings Report Reveals Grim Outlook
Latest Motorsport Games Earnings Report Reveals Grim Outlook
Motorsport Games’ latest earnings report has revealed a grim outlook for the future of the company. Despite reducing costs and increasing general revenue for the third quarter of 2024, the company is still facing a significant uphill climb to continue.
According to its latest earning’s report, Motorsport Games saw a slight increase in revenue of $1.8 million. That’s a $0.1M increase in year-over-year revenue. The company did have a net loss of $0.6 million for Q3 2024, which is an improvement compared to the $3.5M net loss from Q3 2024. That said, despite some improvements, there is a concern from the company regarding its ability to continue forward.
As of October 31, 2024, Motorsport Games has just $0.5M in cash with “no assurances” that they can find the liquidity and investments needed to continue.
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“We have incurred significant losses since our inception, and we expect to continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future,” the company said in its report. “Accordingly, our financial condition raises substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern.”
The company’s current deficit sits at $86.3M as of September 30, 2024, and they still owe $0.6M for the 2021 purchase of Studio 397. They are set to lose the ability to sell their NASCAR video games on December 31, 2024 as part of the deal that sold the NASCAR license to iRacing. It was also said that the company expects to receive a letter of deficiency from the NASDAQ regarding its compliance for a continued listing.
Even with the concerns, CEO Stephen Hood said that the company will continue the work towards turning things around.
“We are pleased to see an improvement in several key financial performance indicators, highlighting that the business is now in a stable position for the next phase of growth,” Hood said.
This is the latest development for a company that has seen its share of turmoil and issues over the last couple of years. Most recently, they ***** off more staff while announcing its plans to consider “strategic alternatives” for the company.
“[The] Motorsport Games board of directors and I are in the process of reviewing the options available to us with a view to improve our long-term funding needs in order to produce the great game experiences we have proved that we can offer under our new business structure,” Hood said. “The number of expressions of interest received serves to reinforce our belief in the opportunities ahead.”
Should the company not be able to gain additional investment, they have listed a number of potential alternatives ranging from selling assets and reducing staff further to “discontinuing operations” entirely.
Motorsport Games is currently operating on a reported $100,000 monthly ***** rate after multiple cost-cutting measures. For the year, they are sitting at a negative cash flow of $0.7M.
For now, the company continues to work on updates to its simulation racing title Le Mans Ultimate. The latest update in September saw the introduction of a new co-op mod, stave states, and more. There is also a new update coming in December that will add GT3 cars to the game.
What do you think the future holds for Motorsport Games? Let us know below, or join the discussion in the official Insider Gaming forums.
For more Insider Gaming, read about the latest mass layoffs taking place at Thunderful. And don’t forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter.
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Michael Burry reshuffles portfolio, adds hedges on China holdings
Michael Burry reshuffles portfolio, adds hedges on China holdings
Michael Burry, best known for calling the subprime mortgage crisis, made a slew of changes in his portfolio last quarter, including what appears to be a hedge on his sizable bet on ******** internet stocks. Burry, who now manages hedge fund Scion Asset Management, boosted his stakes in a few ******** internet companies’ ADRs, according to a regulatory filing. The trader added to his Alibaba bet by 29% to a stake worth more than $21 million, making it his largest position at the end of September. The widely followed investor also doubled his stake in JD.com , pushing it to become Scion’s second-biggest holding, worth $20 million. Burry also increased his stake in ******** search engine Baidu by 67% to a bet worth $13.2 million at the end of the third quarter. While loading up on these ADRs, Burry took a significant amount of put options against these names, likely as some sort of hedge. Investors profit from puts when the underlying securities fall in prices. But when paired with long holdings, they can be used to offset any short-term losses expected in the shares. As of the end of September, Burry owned millions of dollars worth of put contracts against Alibaba, JD.com and Baidu, with unknown value, strike price or expiry, according to the filing. ******** equities got a boost in September after the government signaled a flood of stimulus measures in a bid to revive growth and avoid continued stagnation in the world’s second-largest economy. However, many stocks gave up some of those gains as officials have yet to announce much concrete fiscal support. Burry shot to fame by ******** against mortgage-backed securities before the 2008 global financial crisis . Burry was depicted in Michael Lewis’ book ” The Big Short ” and the subsequent Oscar-winning movie of the same name. Outside of these ******** companies, Burry added to his bets on payment processing company Shift4 Payments , ********* Coastal Insurance Corporation and managed care firm Molina Healthcare . Money managers with more than $100 million in assets are required to disclose long positions with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission 45 days after a quarter ends. Active traders such as Burry could have already changed their positions by the time filings come out.
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Brad Guzan on thriving at 40, halting Lionel Messi and why USMNT recall talk makes him ‘laugh’
Brad Guzan on thriving at 40, halting Lionel Messi and why USMNT recall talk makes him ‘laugh’
After Atlanta *******’s stunning win over Inter Miami on November 9, an Atlanta staffer approached the team’s charter bus outside Chase Stadium with a box full of Michelob Ultra ***** cans. They were for the players, he said, a deserved reward after eliminating Lionel Messi and his teammates from the playoffs.
Among the last players to board the bus was captain Brad Guzan, who exited the stadium with a noticeable strut in his step. The 40-year-old former Aston Villa goalkeeper, who thwarted Messi on numerous occasions throughout the three-game series, was followed by a documentary videographer.
Atlanta’s 2024 has not gone according to script but Guzan’s heroics in goal have drastically changed their story arc.
“Forty is the new 21,” Guzan said at the time with a laugh, referencing his ability to turn back the clock during Atlanta *******’s surprising playoff run. By knocking out Inter Miami, Atlanta recorded one of the biggest upsets in MLS history — Guzan was a major factor.
His shot-stopping has been excellent for the better part of the season. His clutch saves have been game-changing in the playoffs. The focus is squarely on Guzan, but he isn’t necessarily enjoying it.
“When you’re in this business as long as I’ve been, it’s not about whether you like something or you don’t like something,” Guzan tells The Athletic. “I’ve been on the other end of it when things haven’t gone great. I’ve made mistakes and cost the team.”
Yet, without Guzan’s performances, Atlanta would have already begun their offseason overhaul. This will include players leaving and new signings coming in, the hiring of a new sporting director, and potentially, a new head coach to replace interim manager Rob Valentino. But all of those decisions have been put on hold as Atlanta prepares to face Orlando City in the Eastern Conference semifinal on November 24.
Guzan made a string of crucial saves as Atlanta knocked out Inter Miami in Round One of the MLS playoffs (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Guzan’s future is also pending. He’s in the final year of his contract, with a 12-month option remaining for 2025. Guzan has avoided the subject of his future all season but reality is setting in for the veteran goalkeeper.
“It’s not about feeling younger,” Guzan said. “It’s about using my experience. It’s about using moments that I’ve been in before in terms of games and situations I’ve faced, and within a millisecond trying to analyze the situation that I’m currently in, and how to use my experience to help me make a save in that moment.”
Playing in goal in your late thirties and early forties is not unusual in professional soccer, but Guzan admits the emphasis on his age makes him “chuckle”.
“I’m not the first goalkeeper to be playing at 40 years old,” he says. “There are tons of guys that have come before me that have played in their forties in the Premier League, Bundesliga, World Cups. No disrespect to Major League Soccer but, you know, those guys are playing at a World Cup. If all of a sudden I’m playing in ’26, then we can have this conversation (about feeling younger).”
Could ’26’ mean a third World Cup on home soil? After Atlanta *******’s win on Saturday, there were mentions on social media of Guzan deserving a recall to the U.S. men’s national team.
Guzan earned his first international cap 18 years ago and was part of two World Cup squads in 2010 and 2014. He was the first-choice goalkeeper at the 2015 Gold Cup and 2016 Copa America Centenario. He has a total of 20 clean sheets with the U.S.
There was a time when Guzan was synonymous with the national team, even when he was competing with renowned goalkeepers Tim Howard and Kasey Keller, but he thinks a return to the U.S. squad would be an indictment of the goalkeeper pool.
“I hope that’s not the case,” he says when asked if he was expecting a call from USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino. Guzan pauses briefly before laughing about the texts he has received from close friends about the possibility of renewing his international career.
“It’s not a joking matter but, in my eyes, it is,” Guzan said. “(My friends) were joking about it, as well, and for me, it is what it is. It’s just that. It’s a bit of a laugh and joke.
Guzan last played for the USMNT in 2019 (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
“Our goalkeeper pool… we are in good hands. We’ve got guys that maybe they’re not playing week in and week out, but they’ve proven to be capable of playing in those types of environments. So, yeah, I’m not anticipating a phone call by any means.”
U.S. No 1 Matt Turner, a backup with Crystal Palace, described Guzan’s output lately as “truly spectacular”. Turner called Guzan a mentor who supported him during the 2021 Gold Cup that the U.S. won. “A lot of people at his age, if they had the injury that he had, might call it a day,” Turner told reporters on Tuesday. “You can tell when (Guzan’s) flowing. You know he’s in that mental zone. I was happy for him.”
In Guzan, Turner sees what he called a “pathway” for goalkeepers who still play at age 40. “That’s always been my dream, to make it into my forties and just keep plugging away,” said the 30-year-old.
For a lot of U.S. fans, the last image they have of Guzan is his desperate attempt to get a hand to a Messi free kick at the 2016 Copa America. Argentina defeated the U.S. soundly 4-0 at the semifinal stage of the tournament. The narrative has since changed. Guzan is now most recently remembered as the man who stopped Messi — many, many times. Whether it was a finger, a heel or an outstretched arm, Guzan parried and blocked countless attempts by Messi over the three games.
Sometimes luck was on Guzan’s side, too. In Game 2, for example, a close-range shot from Messi screamed past Guzan’s near post and continued out of bounds. The two shared a brief embrace that was more like a sign of mutual esteem.
“My oldest (child) asked me afterwards, ‘Are you friends with him? Because he gave you a hug’,” said Guzan. “And I was like, ‘I don’t think he was giving me a hug’. It was more like he was in disbelief that it went wide and I was in disbelief that it went wide, as well. I probably had a look on my face like: ‘*****, I was beat’. We dodged a bullet there but you have to have the utmost respect for someone like (Messi).”
In Atlanta, Guzan is a polarizing figure. He’s an MLS Cup champion and the club’s undisputed captain. Fans chant his name after a big save. Around the Atlanta ******* training facility, Guzan is a workaholic who sets the standard for his teammates. In March, he became the first player in Atlanta *******’s short history to make 200 appearances for the club. His longevity is a sidebar to the spotlight moment he’s experiencing at present.
“When things like this happen it’s about timing,” says Guzan. “The fact that it’s happened kind of back-to-back-to-back, in terms of how the games have finished — that certainly adds to the excitement level.”
Guzan challenges Messi in Game One on Atlanta’s series win over Inter Miami (Rich Storry/Getty Images)
But some Atlanta supporters have seen enough of Guzan. His 2022 season ended in April of that year after he ruptured an Achilles tendon. Then, in 2023, Guzan didn’t perform like he has this season and the fans have let him know about it.
“I’ve had people literally come up to me, whether it be at my kids’ sporting events, their games or practices, or just out and about in town, (and) say, ‘Hey, we really love you. Thank you for everything you’ve done, but we’ve got to move on’,” he said. “I give them a thumbs up and it’s just like, I don’t know what to say or how to react to that, because, you know, it’s a club decision, right?”
If it were up to Guzan, he’d continue to play beyond this season. He isn’t battling with any inner feelings that tell him to retire. Guzan is driven by the day-to-day aspects of being a professional, down to the smallest details.
“I enjoy coming in here and putting on my boots, putting on the gloves, and taping my fingers for the gazillionth time, you know?”
He has discussed retirement with teammate Dax McCarty, 37, who has announced that he’ll call it a day at the end of the season. Guzan has also sought opinions from other friends and former players about their decisions to ***** the final whistle on their careers.
“They’re just like: ‘I don’t want to go to practice. I don’t want to go outside. I don’t want to train’,” said Guzan. “And here I am, and I’m like: ‘OK, well, is that the sign that said it’s time to hang it up, because I don’t have that feeling?’. I want to be out there. I don’t know exactly what it is but I feel as if I can still contribute to the group. And most importantly, I feel sharp physically and mentally.”
In December 2023, Atlanta signed goalkeeper Josh Cohen, now 32, from Maccabi Haifa in the ******** Premier League. Cohen had played in the UEFA Champions League and told reporters after he signed that he was there to push Guzan for his spot.
But Guzan didn’t feel threatened. He understands the club needs a succession plan.
“I’m not naive to think that I can play forever,” he said. Still, at the start of the year, the pressure was on Guzan. He finally had competition in Atlanta.
“If you need to have outside motivation, you’re probably not going to be in this business a long time,” Guzan said. “You need to have an internal motivator to push yourself, so I didn’t take that personally whatsoever.
Guzan is in the final year of his contract with Atlanta (Jason Allen/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
“I looked at last year knowing that it wasn’t good enough from the standards that I set for myself, both individually and collectively, and as a leader of this team.
“Playing in the Premier League for nine years and playing with the national team, competing against and with the best players in the country; that competition for places is normal,” he continues. “And if it’s not normal, then you need to start asking questions elsewhere.”
Inside the Atlanta ******* dressing room, ending Messi’s season and the content catastrophe it caused MLS and its broadcast partner Apple, isn’t a main talking point. However, it’s not lost on Guzan either.
“That was never the goal,” he said. “The goal was to win a trophy. The goal is to win MLS Cup. You know, we laugh and smile and joke about it now, because you see these headlines, and it’s like, that’s not our problem.”
Guzan’s nine-year-old son may idolize Messi but he would like to be more like Argentina and Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. A Villa goalkeeping kit is his son’s latest request. Thousands of miles away in Atlanta, Villa ******** a part of the Guzan household. He follows his former Premier League club closely and keeps the city of Birmingham close to his heart.
GO DEEPER
Bosnich analyses Martinez: ‘His arrogance is insecurity too – he’s the best in the world’
Both of his children were born in the city. Guzan still keeps in touch with ex-teammates Nigel Reo-Coker, Gabriel Agbonlahor, his former captain Stiliyan Petrov and ex-Villa winger Jack Grealish, among others.
“I look back on those years and I’m extremely thankful,” said Guzan. “When I was in high school, I said that my goal was to play for a big ********* club and go to Europe, and I lived my dream. Going to Europe, going to England, playing in the Premier League, being a part of a massive club like Villa for as long as I was — I don’t think I cherished those moments enough when I was in the moment.”
Guzan will have time to relive or reminisce about his past when his MLS career ends. For now, he’s too preoccupied with the moment he’s living presently.
A club spokesperson said that Atlanta ******* had received around 20 media requests for Guzan this week. After the international break, Atlanta ******* will travel to Orlando for the semifinal against their rivals. Guzan and his goalkeeping counterpart Pedro Gallese will be the two central figures in what is expected to be a tense affair in a hostile environment.
“It’s going to be a real dog ******,” Guzan said. “Hopefully afterwards, we’re celebrating, we’re taking another team photo in the locker room and we’re moving on to the conference final.”
GO DEEPER
MLS playoffs without Lionel Messi could be a welcome reality check
(Top photo: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Nintendo Switch 2 Elden Ring Rumor Can Possibly Mean Another Miyazaki Game May be Coming That Xbox Fans Can Only Wish for
Nintendo Switch 2 Elden Ring Rumor Can Possibly Mean Another Miyazaki Game May be Coming That Xbox Fans Can Only Wish for
Over the past few months, the buzz around Nintendo’s next-gen console, the Switch 2, has been growing rapidly. This buzz is fueled by a steady flow of rumors and leaks. While official details still remain very limited, fans have been eagerly speculating about the console’s capabilities, potential games, and what kind of third-party support it might attract.
Rumors about the upcoming console are running wild in the community. | Image Credit: Nintendo
The latest rumor setting the gaming community on ***** is that Elden Ring could be making its way to the Switch 2’s library in a Definitive Edition sometime in late 2025. However, this opens up more exciting possibilities for the device, what if another Miyazaki masterpiece makes its way to the handheld console? Bloodborne. If it comes true, it would send shockwaves through the gaming community, especially among Xbox users.
Latest Rumor Suggesting a Big Move for Nintendo
A recent rumor suggests that Elden Ring might be coming to the upcoming console in 2025. | Image Credit: FromSoftware
Nintendo’s strategy with the Switch has always been about offering a unique, portable gaming experience. However, with the rumored performance of the Switch 2, it looks like the company is stepping up its game in terms of hardware capabilities as well. If the latest rumors are true and Elden Ring makes its way to the Switch 2 by late 2025, it will be a monumental win for the upcoming console.
Elden Ring has already become a cultural phenomenon, praised for its vast open world, intricate lore, and challenging gameplay. The potential addition of this game to the Switch 2’s library would not only showcase the power of the next-gen hardware but also set a new precedent for Nintendo’s ability to secure high-profile titles.
With one Hidetaka Miyazaki masterpiece potentially heading to the Switch 2, the door may open for others to follow, including the beloved Bloodborne. Since its release in 2015, it has been a PlayStation-exclusive title, leaving Xbox and PC players yearning for a chance to experience the gothic action RPG.
If the Switch 2 can handle Elden Ring successfully, it’s a real possibility that Bloodborne, which was built for the PS4, could be optimized for the new console. This would break the game’s PlayStation-only status and offer a wider audience the chance to finally enjoy it. Such a move could be a game-changing moment for the Switch 2, further expanding its library with another fan-favorite title.
Switch 2 Could Be a Game-Changer for the Gaming Industry
Players are hoping that the rumors come true as it will open doors for other Miyazaki titles as well. | Image Credit: FromSoftware
If the rumors about the Switch 2’s impressive performance and the potential addition of Elden Ring to its library prove true, Nintendo’s next-gen console could dramatically shift the gaming landscape.
With enhanced power, a growing third-party catalog, and the ability to handle AAA titles, the Switch 2 would offer a compelling alternative to Sony and Microsoft’s consoles. The addition of major cross-platform games to its lineup could not only boost the system’s appeal but also redefine what players expect from a hybrid console.
For Xbox fans, if Bloodborne does release on the Switch 2, it would be an emotional rollercoaster. While the news could bring joy to players who wanted to experience the game on other devices than PlayStation, it would also highlight the disparity between Sony and Xbox’s exclusive offerings.
Sony has quite a hold on various high-profile franchises which has long been one of the key differentiators between PlayStation and Xbox. If Switch 2 were to secure Bloodborne for the new handheld, it would only deepen that divide, leaving Xbox fans wishing for an answer to Sony’s exclusivity stronghold.
In the end, if rumors hold true, the Switch 2 may just become the console where cross-platform dreams come true. It could offer fans of Miyazaki’s creations and gamers in general, a truly diverse library to enjoy.
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Trump picks RFK Jr. for Health and Human Services secretary
Trump picks RFK Jr. for Health and Human Services secretary
Independent Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gives a keynote speech during the Bitcoin 2024 conference at Music City Center July 26, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Jon Cherry | Getty Images
President-elect Donald Trump said Thursday that he will nominate vaccine skeptic and *********** theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of the Health and Human Services Department.
If the Senate approves Kennedy, the former independent presidential candidate will lead a sprawling department responsible for the huge Medicare and Medicaid health coverage programs, the Food and ***** Administration, the National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for ******** Control and Prevention.
HHS’s decisions on spending and policies have major effects on the U.S. health-care system and related businesses.
Kennedy, 70, is the son of Robert F. Kennedy, the late U.S. attorney general and Democratic senator from New York who was assassinated in 1968 by a gunman in Los Angeles as he ran for president. He is the nephew of former President John Kennedy who was assassinated in 1963.
Trump said in October that if elected he would let Kennedy “go wild on health.”
“I am thrilled to announce Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as The ******* States Secretary of Health and Human Services,” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social site Thursday.
“For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and ***** companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health,” Trump wrote.
“The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country.”
Kennedy told NBC News in a recent interview that Trump has said he wants Kennedy to “clean up ***********” at federal health agencies, return those agencies to science-based policies and “make America healthy again.” Kennedy said that “there are entire departments, like the nutrition department at the FDA, that have to go.”
Stock prices of vaccine makers fell earlier Thursday on reports that Trump would tap Kennedy for the HHS post.
Kennedy last year suggested that the Covid-19 virus, which CDC played a major role in combatting, was engineered to “******* Caucasians and ****** people,” and to be less likely to harm “Ashkenazi Jews and ********” people.
He previously promoted theories that autism was linked to childhood vaccines, a connection that has been disproved.
Kennedy outraged many of his siblings by endorsing Trump in August after abandoning his long-short presidential candidacy.
Trump’s selection of Kennedy came a day after the *********** president-elect tapped Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz as attorney general.
Gaetz’s selection immediately sparked controversy due in large part to the fact that the Department of Justice, which he would lead as AG, previously investigated him for possible **** trafficking of a 17-year-old girl. Gaetz resigned from Congress effective Thursday, removing him from the jurisdiction of the House Ethics Committee, but a number of *********** senators have called on that panel to release a report of its investigation of the former lawmaker.
Kennedy last week reportedly suggested he would ***** 600 NIH workers and replace them.
His “Make America Healthy” website has been seeking suggestions from the public for more than 4,000 appointee posts across the federal government to be filled by Trump.
This is breaking news. Please refresh for updates.
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Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers on whether he’ll play in 2025: ‘I think so, yeah’
Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers on whether he’ll play in 2025: ‘I think so, yeah’
Despite the New York Jets’ struggles in 2024, Aaron Rodgers implied Wednesday he was planning on returning to play next season.
“I think so, yeah,” Rodgers said when asked.
Rodgers, who turns 41 on Dec. 2, said the Jets’ disappointing season hasn’t changed his thought process for the future.
“Not really, not for the negative no,” he said.
As he recovered from a torn Achilles tendon, Rodgers said in March he hoped to play “two, three or four more years.” But a 2024 season that began with playoff aspirations hasn’t gone as planned. The Jets fired coach Robert Saleh after five games, and enter Week 11’s matchup with the Indianapolis Colts losers of six of seven. At 3-7, New York has a 6 percent chance of making the playoffs, per The Athletic’s Austin Mock.
Aaron Rodgers says that this season has not changed his opinion on playing in 2025 and that he still thinks he wants to play next year: pic.twitter.com/1OldVNuvW9
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) November 13, 2024
Rodgers has posted a career-low in quarterback rating (86.8) and has yet to throw for 300 yards in a game — something he hasn’t done since December 2021. As a whole, New York’s offense ranks 26th in scoring and yards per game.
Rodgers is under contract through the 2025 season. He carries a $23.5 million cap hit next year, but the Jets would incur a $49 million *****-cap charge if they cut him or he retires. If the Jets declared him a post-June 1 cut (or retirement), they could split the $49 million hit over two seasons, with $14 million of it coming in 2025 and $35 million in 2026.
What to make of Rodgers’ comment
It is still too early to say whether Rodgers will be back, or, at least, whether he’ll play for the Jets. His statement wasn’t exactly a declaration of certainty — he’s been much more definitive in the past when talking about his future. This was not that.
Ultimately, whether he returns to the Jets might not even be his choice. The franchise will likely have a new head coach and general manager, and the team will have to sort through a post-Woody Johnson world if the owner leaves to become part of Donald Trump’s administration for a second time. Purely from a performance statement, Rodgers is on the decline. Inheriting a 41-year-old quarterback coming off a disappointing season might not be appealing for a prospective GM or head coach.
(Photo: Norm Hall / Getty Images)
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Max Mustard Review | TheSixthAxis
Max Mustard Review | TheSixthAxis
“The Gold Coast-based (Queensland, Australia) indie games developer Toast Interactive (the renowned studio behind the standout VR title “Richie’s Plank Experience”), are today very happy and excited to announce that their award-winning platformer “Max Mustard”, is now available for PCVR via Steam.” – Jonas Ek, TGG.
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Former NFL player Antwoine Williams charged in Capitol riot
Former NFL player Antwoine Williams charged in Capitol riot
A former professional ********* football player has been charged in connection with the riot at the US Capitol on 6 January 2021.
Antwoine Williams is facing felony charges of civil disorder and assaulting, resisting or impeding police, along with several lesser misdemeanour charges.
He was charged on 7 November, in what is reportedly the first Capitol riot-related case filed since Donald Trump won the presidential election.
Mr Williams, a defensive player from Georgia, was a college star at Georgia Southern University before being drafted by the National Football League’s Detroit Lions.
He played one season in 2016 before being released by the Lions and had brief stints with several other ********* football teams.
According to court documents, Mr Williams, 31, was seen on videos from the Capitol riot, where thousands of pro-Trump activists broke into the building after his 2020 election loss, pulling on barricades and hitting a police officer on the head, and struggling with other officers.
Prosecutors say he stayed on the Capitol grounds until the evening of 6 January.
He was identified by a golf hat and a distinct key fob that he was wearing during the riot that matched other online photos of Mr Williams.
Online volunteers known as “sedition hunters,” who use online videos and pictures to hunt for rioters, identified the brand of the hat and nicknamed Mr Williams “RiotingGolfer”.
More than 1,500 people have been arrested in connection with the riot, when a crowd of Donald Trump supporters stormed the building that houses the US Congress in an attempt to stop certification of Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election.
Donald Trump has promised to pardon some of the rioters, although he has not made clear what criteria he would use to do so.
Several convicted or accused rioters have asked for their trials or sentencing hearings to be delayed because Trump’s promise might affect their cases. On Thursday, two judges delayed such hearings, however other judges have turned down similar requests.
The FBI is still looking to identify dozens of other suspects who were present at the Capitol that day.
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Joel Embiid shoving incident a microcosm of our society’s loss of respect for one another
Joel Embiid shoving incident a microcosm of our society’s loss of respect for one another
Joel Embiid’s postgame media gaggle went off without issue Tuesday night in New York, following the Philadelphia 76ers’ loss to the Knicks. There was no emotional confrontation between him and a reporter, unlike the previous week when he cursed and shoved a Philadelphia Inquirer columnist for writing a piece he viewed as crossing the line between professional and personal commentary.
Dustups between professional athletes and reporters are as old as the games themselves, with the earliest known high-profile incident dating back to 1907 and baseball great Ty Cobb. But something felt different about the incident between Embiid and columnist Marcus Hayes, who angered the 7-foot All-Star center by mentioning Embiid’s son and late brother in a piece that criticized Embiid’s conditioning and commitment.
I couldn’t put my finger on it until I stepped back to get a macro view. It was then I realized the altercation itself was not the thing gnawing at me. It was what the incident represented: another strong indicator that the deterioration of decorum and respect throughout society is bleeding ever deeper into the fabric of sport.
The thought first hit me in April. LSU was preparing to face UCLA in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament and the Los Angeles Times published a story that characterized LSU’s players, led by All-America frontcourt star Angel Reese, as “****** debutantes” and UCLA’s players as “America’s sweethearts.” The only thing worse than the coded language was the fact that someone actually thought it was a good idea to publish it.
The same holds true for Hayes’ column, which initially began with the following passage: “Joel Embiid consistently points to the birth of his son, Arthur, as the major inflection point in his basketball career. He often says that he wants to be great to leave a legacy for the boy named after his little brother, who tragically ***** in an automobile accident when Embiid was in his first year as a 76er. Well, in order to be great at your job, you first have to show up for work.”
Hayes later apologized in a social media post and rewrote the passage to remove any mention of Embiid’s family, similar to how the Los Angeles Times and its writer apologized and removed the offensive language from their story. Still, it’s hard to read such commentary and wonder whether we’ve lost respect for each other.
Today, people seem more comfortable saying out loud what they used to say only in private. The quiet part is no longer meant to be quiet. And to the extent that sports are a microcosm of society, it was a matter of time before the temperature turned up in reporter-athlete relations.
“You’re reading it precisely correct,” said Dr. Harry Edwards, the respected sociologist, social activist and professor. “Sport inevitably, unavoidably, recapitulates the structure and dynamics of human and institutional relationships in society and the ideological definitions that define and rationalize those relationships. You go back and look at the history of athletes and the sports media, really the media in general, and there has always been a tension there that most people saw as healthy. They looked at the mainstream media and the powers that be, and the expectation was that the media was going to speak truth to power and report accurately to the people. But the tension we see today is different.”
Stephen A. Smith responds to Kevin Durant calling him a “clown”: “I will not disrespect him the same way he disrespects me. It’s unfortunate that no matter how old he gets, his sensitivity seems to heighten with it and his maturity it doesn’t. But that’s something he has to deal… pic.twitter.com/nzujKIJUyU
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 4, 2024
That is not to say that physical altercations between athletes and reporters are a new phenomenon. The timeline of the last five-plus decades includes Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jim Everett flipping a table on talk show host Jim Rome , Atlanta Braves outfielder Deion Sanders pouring a bucket of ice water over the head of baseball analyst Tim McCarver, Boston Red Sox slugger Jim Rice ripping the shirt of baseball writer Steve Fainaru, San Diego Chargers quarterback Jim McMahon intentionally blowing ***** on beat writer TJ Simers, and Chargers cornerback Elvis Patterson, in a separate incident, sneaking up on Simers from behind and putting a garbage bag over his head before trying to throw him in the shower.
And let us not forget Buffalo Sabers goaltender Dominik Hasek shoving a columnist, Texas Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers pushing two cameramen and throwing one of the cameras to the ground, Cleveland outfielder Albert Belle throwing a baseball and intentionally hitting a photographer, and New England Patriots cornerback Raymond Clayborn getting physical with Boston Globe columnist Will McDonough, only to regretfully learn that McDonough was as skilled with his fists as he was with his pen.
But, relatively speaking, these types of altercations are outliers. Whether they will remain so is up for debate. Star players are making so much money today, that the threat of a fine or suspension is not the deterrence it once was. And with advances in technology ostensibly making everyone with a working camera phone part of the “media,” the line between what is and isn’t fit for print is as faint as it has ever been.
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“There were things that you just didn’t write about in the past,” Edwards said. “The rationalization was, ‘What does that have to do with tomorrow night’s game? He’s not suspended, he’s playing, so we’re not going to write about that. We’re going to focus on the game.’ But today there’s so much media exposure and everyone who has a camera phone is a reporter, and so the boundaries are going to melt away. That tears down the historical relationship.”
We’re then left with a heightened adversarial culture that touches every level of sports coverage. In the last year alone, we’ve seen ESPN media personality Stephen A. Smith call Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant a liar after Durant publicly called him a “clown.” We’ve seen Sanders, now the head football coach at Colorado, accuse reporters of going “on the *******” because some of them earn less than NIL-enriched players. We’ve seen LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey threaten to sue a reporter as a preemptive strike to a planned profile. And we’ve seen the WNBA Players Association seek the revocation of Christine Brennan’s media credential after accusing the USA Today columnist of being “unprofessional” and “abusing” her “privileges” in an interview with Connecticut Sun player DiJonai Carrington.
“Once upon a time you guys never attacked college players, now they’re making more money than y’all and some of y’all are envious and jealous about that so you’re on the *******.”
Deion Sanders had some words for CFB reporters in today’s press conference pic.twitter.com/AYqsTAv7yl
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 17, 2024
Sadly, media guardrails have been missing at times, complicating an already complicated relationship. It’s no surprise that pro athletes are making louder calls to have safe spaces from reporters. The NFLPA already has floated the idea of closing the locker room on non-game days, and 76ers star Paul George has made it clear he would prefer a media-free postgame locker room.
But here’s where it comes full circle. Limiting access not only makes it more difficult for reporters to get to know athletes on a personal level, but it also makes it easier to be critical of them. And if it’s easier to be critical of them, it could result in more altercations, particularly when professionalism seems to be decaying at a rapid rate.
“It’s horrible, but this is where we are and, more than that, this is who we are,” Edwards said. “And that is going to be a terrible situation to deal with.”
(Top image: Meech Robinson and Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; Photos, from left, via Getty Images; Barry Gossage / NBAE; Paras Griffin; Mitchell Leff; Patrick Mulligan; Alika Jenner)
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The best Lego ****** Friday deals include up to 40 percent off Star Wars, Super Mario sets
The best Lego ****** Friday deals include up to 40 percent off Star Wars, Super Mario sets
It’s not hard to understand why Lego sets are some of the most sought-after gifts for the holidays. We’re big fans of the building blocks here at Engadget, and we know they make particularly good gifts this time of year. Whether it’s a Super Mario starter set or a mammoth Star Wars collectible, there are dozens of Lego sets to consider shopping for right now — be it for yourself or for someone on your gift list. And no, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a good set as some come in at $50 or less. These are the best ****** Friday Lego deals for 2024.
The highlights for ****** Friday include a couple of Lego advent calendars: one for Disney fans and another that’s more general for all kids. Lego makes a bunch of other advent calendars in addition to these, and we expect to see more of them go on ***** in the coming days. There’s also the beautiful Insect Collection, which when completed, includes three life-size, posable models of a butterfly, Hercules beetle and ******** mantis. Even as someone who detests bun appreciate the elegance of this set and how striking they’d look sitting on a shelf.
Star Wars, Super Mario and Harry Potter sets have been discounted as well. This Phantom Menace Mos ESPA Podrace Diorama set has brick models of Anakin Skywalker’s podracer and his rival Sebulba’s one as well, and this discount is a new low. This King Boo’s Haunted Mansion set is on ***** for the first time since launch, and in addition to the brick mansion that opens out for better play, it includes King Boo, Yellow Baby Yoshi, Dry Bones and Boo figurines. Finally, this Expecto Patronum set lets you build two different figures from the series, Harry Potter’s stag patronus or Professor Remus Lupin’s wolf patronus, with the same bricks.
We’ll be updating this post through the entire ****** Friday and Cyber Monday time *******, so check back for the latest offers.
****** Friday Lego deals
Check out all of the latest ****** Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.
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Amazon questioned by House committee over ‘dangerous’ TikTok deal
Amazon questioned by House committee over ‘dangerous’ TikTok deal
A view of the Amazon logo outside Amazon’s offices in Dublin City Centre, Ireland, on Feb. 15, 2023.
Artur Widak | Nurphoto | Getty Images
Amazon representatives met with the House China committee in recent months to discuss lawmaker concerns over the company’s partnership with TikTok, CNBC confirmed.
A spokesperson for the House Select Committee on the ******** ********** Party confirmed the meeting, which centered on a shopping deal between Amazon and TikTok announced in August. The agreement allows users of TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, to link their account with Amazon and make purchases from the site without leaving TikTok.
“The Select Committee conveyed to Amazon that it is dangerous and unwise for Amazon to partner with TikTok given the grave national security threat the app poses,” the spokesperson said. The parties met in September, according to Bloomberg, which first reported the news.
Representatives from Amazon and TikTok didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
TikTok’s future viability in the U.S. is uncertain. In April, President Joe Biden signed a law that requires ByteDance to sell TikTok by Jan. 19. If TikTok fails to cut ties with its parent company, app stores and internet hosting services would be prohibited from offering the app.
President-elect Donald Trump could rescue TikTok from a potential U.S. ban. He promised on the campaign trail that he’d “save” TikTok, and said in a March interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box that “there’s a lot of good and there’s a lot of bad” with the app.
In his first administration, Trump had tried to implement a TikTok ban. He changed his stance around the time he met with billionaire Jeff Yass. The *********** megadonor’s trading firm, Susquehanna International Group, owns a 15% stake in ByteDance, while Yass has a 7% stake in the company, NBC and CNBC reported in March.
— CNBC’s Jonathan Vanian contributed to this report.
WATCH: TikTok is ‘digital nicotine’ for young people
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Eva Longoria says her family no longer lives in ‘dystopian’ US
Eva Longoria says her family no longer lives in ‘dystopian’ US
Hollywood actress Eva Longoria has revealed that her family no longer lives in the ******* States, and is splitting time between Mexico and Spain.
In an interview with French magazine Marie Claire for its November cover story, Longoria attributed the decision to the country’s “changing vibe” after the Covid-19 pandemic, homelessness and high taxation in California, and the re-election of Donald Trump.
She also acknowledged she was “privileged” enough to move, saying: “Most Americans aren’t so lucky. They’re going to be stuck in this dystopian country.”
The Desperate Housewives star is viewed as a power broker for women and Latinos in Democratic Party politics.
With a keen interest in immigration policy, she has been visibly involved with Democratic candidates at the national and local level since at least 2012.
She spoke at the Democratic National Convention and hit the campaign trail on behalf of Kamala Harris this year, with a tagline for the 2024 presidential candidate that adopted the Spanish translation of Barack Obama’s famed “Yes, we can” slogan (“Si se puede”) into the phrase “She se puede”.
In her Marie Claire interview, published on Thursday, Longoria described being dispirited at Trump’s victory over Harris last week
“If he keeps his promises, it’s going to be a scary place,” she said.
She added that Trump’s win in 2016 had crushed her belief that “the best person wins” in politics.
“I had my whole ****** life here,” Longoria said of Los Angeles, adding that “it just feels like this chapter in my life is done now”.
She said work now has her often spending time in Europe or South America.
Longoria is a ninth-generation Texan who moved to California in her twenties. In 2006, she earned a Golden Globe nomination in her starring role as Gabrielle Solis in Desperate Housewives.
More recently, she has hosted the CNN mini-series Searching for Mexico and Searching for Spain.
She is married to José “Pepe” Bastón, her third husband and the president of ******** broadcaster Televisa.
The couple share a six-year-old boy, Santiago, while Bastón also has three children from a previous marriage.
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Rays to play 2025 home games at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa after hurricane damage to Trop
Rays to play 2025 home games at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa after hurricane damage to Trop
The Tampa Bay Rays, for the first time in their history, will actually play their home games in Tampa. The team’s home slate will take place at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the New York Yankees.
Tropicana Field, the Rays’ home facility, was “significantly damaged” during Hurricane Milton on Oct. 10, with the roof being ripped off. The Rays selected Steinbrenner Field because it was the “best-prepared facility in the Tampa Bay region,” according to a news release.
“We deeply appreciate that the Yankees have graciously allowed us to play at Steinbrenner Field for the 2025 season,’’ Rays owner Stu Sternberg said in the statement. “The hurricane damage to Tropicana Field has forced us to take some extraordinary steps.”
“We are happy to extend our hand to the Rays and their fans by providing a major-league quality facility for them to utilize this season,’’ Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said in a statement. “… We understand how meaningful it is for Rays players, employees and fans to have their 2025 home games take place within 30 minutes of Tropicana Field.”
There has been no determination yet as to how the change will impact the Tampa Tarpons, the Yankees’ Single-A affiliate and Steinbrenner Field’s normal regular-season occupant.
The Rays also talked extensively to the Philadelphia Phillies about using the Phillies’ spring training complex in nearby Clearwater, which offered advantages because it’s also located in Pinellas County. However, the Rays opted for Tampa for several reasons. One is that Steinbrenner Field seats upward of 2,000 more fans, which could translate into significantly more revenue over 81 games.
Another is that the Yankees’ facility was viewed by the club as having facilities – particularly in and around the clubhouse – that are more suitable to housing a major league team over six months, as opposed to six weeks.
A third is that ultimately, the Rays preferred the central location offered by a stadium in Tampa, as opposed to Clearwater, which is a longer drive for much of their fan base.
The aftermath of Hurricane Milton at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. (Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
A damage assessment report released earlier this week estimated that Tropicana Field would not be ready before 2026, and would cost around $55.7 million in repairs. It is possible much of the damage could have been avoided if the team had replaced its roof in the years prior.
With the team hoping to move into a new St. Petersburg venue in 2028, it is unclear what the long-term plan for the Rays will be beyond 2025. Steinbrenner Field has a capacity of 11,000 and notably does not have a roof given the rainy weather typical for the region throughout the summer. It has, however, recently undergone renovations to expand clubhouse space, improve the lighting and upgrade the facilities writ large.
The Rays will be the second MLB team playing in a minor-league stadium in 2025, with the Athletics planning to spend the next three seasons at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, Calif., ahead of their move to Las Vegas in 2028.
The Rays and league prioritized playing the team’s home games in the region, rather than moving to a larger or domed facility. It’s also not the first time regular-season games will be played at a Tampa-area spring training site. The Toronto Blue Jays opened the 2021 season with home games at their spring training site in Dunedin.
“Given the significant challenges caused by Hurricane Milton, I appreciate the hard work and collaboration between the two teams,” commissioner Rob Manfred said in the release. “This outcome meets Major League Baseball’s goals that Rays’ fans will see their team play next season in their home market and that their players can remain home without disruption to their families.”
Additional reporting by Chris Kirschner. (Top photo of Steinbrenner Field in 2017: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
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Atomfall, Which Is Basically British Fallout, Gets Release Date And Trailer
Atomfall, Which Is Basically British Fallout, Gets Release Date And Trailer
June’s Xbox Showcase showed off the first look at Atomfall, a first-person survival-action title that seems to have a lot in common with the Fallout franchise. Now, Rebellion Developments’ very British take on the post-apocalypse has a release date: March 27, 2025. A new teaser trailer accompanied that announcement, which sends the viewer into Casterfell Woods, a creepy and bizarre English forest.
If the eerie red telephone box reminds you of Doctor Who, that’s not a coincidence. In a guest post on Xbox’s official site, Rebellion’s associate head of design, Ben Fisher, confirmed that the long-running British sci-fi series was an inspiration for Atomfall. Somewhat like Fallout, this game’s alternate history diverges from our own in the 1950s. It also draws upon the real-life nuclear accident during the Windscale ***** in 1957. Within the world of the game, the fallout from that incident charted the course for Atomfall’s dark future.
One of the players’ goals is to discover what really happened at Windscale, but survival is a more immediate concern. As shown in the video, the inhabitants of Casterfell Woods won’t hesitate to put down the player’s character. There’s also an enigmatic voice on the other end of the phone that says, “Oberon must ****.” Oberon was the king of the ******** in medieval literature, and he was also a featured character in William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. While the Oberon in the Atomfall is probably not the same character, there’s presumably a reason why that name was chosen.
Atomfall will be available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. It will also be on Game Pass on the first day of its release.
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Thompson, Purcell keep Aussie flag flying at ATP Finals
Thompson, Purcell keep Aussie flag flying at ATP Finals
Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson have ensured there will still be *********** interest at the business end of the ATP Finals following the singles exit of Alex de Minaur as they roared into the semis of the doubles in Turin.
The pair, who’ve already won the US Open and reached the Wimbledon final together this year, became the first *********** duo since the ‘Woodies’ – Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge – to make the last-four at the season-ending men’s championship since 1999.
Sydney pals Purcell and Thompson, who have enjoyed a terrific season in both singles and doubles, had to fend off four set points in the opening-stanza tiebreak against Spain’s Marcel Granollers and Argentina’s Horacio Zeballos on Thursday at the Inalpi Arena before prevailing 16-14.
Once they’d come through that minefield though, grabbing the advantage on their own sixth set point, they relaxed, raced into a 3-0 lead in the second over the No.2 seeds and went on to record a 7-6 (16-14) 6-3 win in 97 minutes.
The fifth seeds, who had needed to win just one set to proceed from the ‘Mike Bryan Group’, ended up doing better than that with the victory ensuring they join fellow Finals debutants Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten, who beat them in the Wimbledon final and in the group stages in Turin, in the semis.
“We’ve both had incredible years, and when you’re trying to toss up doubles and singles, it’s so tough on the body,” admitted Thompson after the pair had earned their 41st Tour-level victory together in 2024.
“We’ve just done our best. We’ve probably played over 50 matches together, so that tells you we’re doing something right.”
“(Granollers and Zeballos) are a top-two team in the world, and I felt we like started levels above that, to be honest,” said Purcell.
On Saturday, the *********** pair will meet the winners of the ‘Bob Bryan Group’, which will be finalised on Friday, with Germans Tim Puetz and Kevin Krawietz currently looking the most likely opponents.
Australia’s Olympic champion Matt Ebden and his 44-year-old playing partner Rohan Bopanna have no chance of making it from that group, having lost their opening two matches.
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No one wants to play Ole Miss, SEC QB draft stock updates and more: What’s on Bruce Feldman’s radar
No one wants to play Ole Miss, SEC QB draft stock updates and more: What’s on Bruce Feldman’s radar
Georgia was the overwhelming preseason No. 1 team. Texas is the highest-ranked SEC team in the College Football Playoff at No. 3. Alabama has more Top 25 wins this season than the CFP’s top five teams combined.
But the SEC team that no one wants to play right now is one that isn’t even in the top 10.
“If you ask me right now which team I’d least want to face, it’s Ole Miss,” said an SEC defensive coordinator of a Top 25 team. “They’re now the most talented defensive team in the league. They have all these difference-maker pass rushers and a true lockdown corner in Trey Amos.
“They just got all these dudes up front. Three guys in the top five of sack leaders in the SEC (Suntarine Perkins, 10 sacks and No. 1; Princely Umanmielen, 9.5 sacks and tied for No. 2; and Jared Ivey, 7.5 sacks and tied for No. 5). That’s crazy! (J.J.) Pegues was a featured guy for them last year; he’s still really good (11.5 TFLs, two sacks) and he’s not even one of their top three! Walter Nolen is also really good. An inside guy with four sacks is pretty dang good. It’s really impressive.”
The other part of this that multiple SEC assistant coaches noted was that Ole Miss beat up Georgia even though the Rebels were without their best player, Tre Harris, a wide receiver who has been dealing with a lower-body injury. Harris’ 141 yards per game leads the country.
Last Saturday the Rebels held Georgia to its fewest points of the Kirby Smart era (10), its fewest total yards in seven seasons (245) and its fewest rushing yards since 2021 (59). Ole Miss leads the SEC in yards per play allowed in games against ranked opponents among the 14 teams who have faced at least two Top 25 opponents. Last year, the Rebels were ***** last in the SEC at 7.81 YPP in those games.
To say Ole Miss has a ferocious defensive front is an understatement. It’s why defensive line coach Randall Joyner, a Larry Johnson protege, is making a good case to get Broyles Award consideration. That award is given to the nation’s top assistant, but, of course, Rebels defensive coordinator Pete Golding is also making a compelling case. Ole Miss has 23 more TFLs than anyone else in the SEC (103) and 18 more than anyone else in the country. It also has 13 more sacks than any other team in the SEC.
Four players already have double-digits in TFLs, and Ivey is close at 9.5. Last year, they only had one guy in double digits (Ivey with 11.5) Eight Rebels have at least four TFLs.
A big piece of that impact is due to the commitment Ole Miss made this offseason to upgrading its talent in the trenches through the portal.
Umanmielen, who transferred from Florida, and Nolan, who transferred from Texas A&M, were the big headliners. But other transfers are making a statement: top tackler Chris Paul Jr. (74 tackles, 10 TFLs) from Arkansas; second-leading tackler T.J. Dottery from Clemson; Amos from Alabama; and defensive back John Saunders from Miami (Ohio). Some current leaders transferred three years ago, like the 325-pound Pegues (Auburn), Ivey (Georgia Tech) and linebacker Khari Coleman (TCU).
The 6-foot-4, 255-pound Umanmielen has had 11.5 TFLs and 8.5 sacks in his last six games and has emerged as a dominant force for the Rebels.
“His quick get-off is phenomenal,” a Rebels coach told The Athletic this week. “He sets them up where he wants to counter them, sometimes with a spin move, or he will go speed-to-power rush at times. One of the (Georgia) tackles overset too quickly because he was so worried about Princely’s speed rush, so (Umanmielen) countered him with a spin move and was able to get a sack. He’s very smart and does a good job of studying the opposing tackles. He picks them apart.”
Umanmielen only played one snap in a 29-26 loss to LSU due to injury.
“If we had him, we win that game,” said that Rebels coach.
The 6-1, 210-pound Perkins, a former five-star recruit, has been another nightmare for offenses.
“He’s so freakin explosive. He’s one of the best QB spies in the country,” said the Rebels coach.
“He is stronger than you think at the point of ******* for being a lighter guy,” said a rival SEC DC who has seen a lot of Ole Miss on crossover film. That coach has been very impressed with the job Golding has done this year. “They run more games than he used to at Alabama. He’s been really aggressive on first and second downs and he has really cut that D-line loose.”
Suntarine Perkins (4) has been a force of nature for the Rebels. (Petre Thomas / Imagn Images)
What else is on my radar
Trends in the coaching carousel
The coaching carousel often follows perceived trends. This winter is not expected to have a lot of changes, but one thing to watch is whether older, proven winners from lower-levels of football are in vogue. Why? Athletic directors and search company heads have taken note of what has happened at Indiana this year, I’m told.
Curt Cignetti has led the Hoosiers to a 10-0 start. The 63-year-old began his head coaching career in 2011 at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the Division II PSAC (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference), where he spent six seasons before moving on to FCS Elon in the CAA (Coastal Athletic Association), where he went 14-9. Cignetti was then hired at James Madison, where that program elevated to FBS under him; JMU went 11-1 last year in the Sun Belt. Cignetti follows in the success of Lance Leipold, a former Division III coach who has won big everywhere he’s been while moving up.
Cignetti’s established ways in running a program have paid off in Bloomington. It’s why Skip Holtz, who has spent over two decades as a head coach outside the Power 4 and is now winning big in the UFL, could be in play for the Southern Miss and Rice openings. Same for Sam Houston’s K.C. Keeler, a 65-year-old who has won two FCS national titles. Keeler took a team that went 3-9 in its first season in the FBS in Conference USA to a 7-2 mark that began with a blowout win at Rice in August.
Keeler, I expect, will be in play for the Rice vacancy as well as USM.
SEC QB draft stock
Georgia QB Carson Beck’s draft stock isn’t the only one in an interesting spot. LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier, a redshirt junior who spent much of the previous two seasons on the sidelines watching Jayden Daniels, had begun to emerge as the top quarterback prospect in the 2025 class, according to our NFL draft expert Dane Brugler. But that changed since halftime of the Tigers’ loss to Texas A&M last month.
Nussmeier, the son of Eagles QB coach Doug Nussmeier, ranks No. 30 on Brugler’s latest Top 50 Big Board. “With only 10 collegiate starts on his resume, Nussmeier would be wise to return to school,” Brugler wrote.
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In recent weeks, defenses have continued showing him different pictures and giving him different looks, whether that meant to show six up and bring pressure, or drop out people off the edge.
Nussmeier has thrown five INTs in the last two games — both double-digit losses. Still, his arm talent is tantalizing.
“I do think he’s the most talented,” a long-time NFL scout told me. “If I were a GM, I would pick him over all these guys. He just needs to play a lot more. I think he’s seeing things that he’s never seen before. He’s got 11 starts and it’s starting to show. (Texas A&M coach Mike) Elko did some stuff to him, and he looks confused.”
“I think he’s as good as any of them,” another SEC DC said. “He is way more aggressive than Carson Beck. He is a true gunslinger, where he’s like, if my guy is covered, I can throw him open — and 70 percent of the time he’s gonna be right. He’s also cost his team at times because they are so much more one-dimensional than Georgia is.
“This **** is probably taking a beating right now. This **** is like Brett Favre. He’s a freaking gunslinger. If he figures it out, in another year or whatever, he can have a really great career. I’m telling you: In big moments, in two-minute drives, you’re like, ‘Holy *****, this dude is good.’”
GO DEEPER
What happened to Carson Beck? Coaches and scouts on Georgia’s “struggling” QB
A wild-card QB prospect
The biggest wild card in the 2025 NFL quarterback draft class is Louisville’s Tyler Shough. The 6-5, 230-pounder began his career at Oregon before transferring to Texas Tech before transferring again to Louisville. He’s thrown 20 touchdowns and five INTs this season and has thrown nine TDs and just two picks in four games against Top 25 opponents.
“The guy with the best tape in terms of the physical tools is Tyler Shough,” said an NFL scout. “When you watch him compared to the Riley Leonards, Will Howards and Kurtis Rourkes, throw Mark Gronowski in there, Shough’s arm talent looks head and shoulders better. I know there are some age and durability questions about him. He’s never finished a season, so knock on wood, I hope he makes it through this year. He can really chuck it. If you were to tell me four years from now that he’s been able to stay healthy and is a winning starter in the NFL, I wouldn’t be shocked by that.
“It’s a weird (quarterback) class.”
(Photo illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; Photos: Wesley Hitt, John Bunch / Icon Sportswire via Getty)
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Taylor Swift is here, along with fall viruses. How to stay ‘safe and sound’
Taylor Swift is here, along with fall viruses. How to stay ‘safe and sound’
The day has finally arrived for excited Swifties in Canada, as Taylor Swift kicks off her highly-anticipated Toronto concert Thursday evening for her Eras Tour at the Rogers Centre.
While the city’s downtown and public transit are set to be flooded with fans eager to catch the superstar, health experts are urging concertgoers to stay vigilant.
With cold and flu season in full swing, along with recent increases in RSV, COVID-19 and walking pneumonia, they warn that packed venues and crowded trains could turn into hot spots for spreading germs.
“There aren’t many things in Toronto that the Taylor Swift concert is not affecting, and transmission of ******** is no exception,” explained Dr. Barry Pakes, a public health physician and associate professor at the University of Toronto’s Department of Family and Community Medicine.
“As we saw during COVID, the first thing to go was mass gatherings and the last thing to come back were massive gatherings. And this Taylor Swift concert is as massive of a gathering as we can get.”
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Toronto is preparing for an influx of hundreds of thousands of Taylor Swift fans as the pop superstar kicks off her six sold-out concerts. Each show is expected to draw a crowd of 50,000 to 60,000 fans.
3:26
How officials are keeping Swifties safe and sound during Toronto Era’s shows
Respiratory illnesses like the common cold, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19 and walking pneumonia are just some of the viruses circulating that can spread easily in crowded or indoor settings, he warned.
He noted that there have been significant surges in COVID-19 cases in hospitals over the past few weeks, which may not yet be reflected in federal or provincial data, especially since the virus is no longer monitored through wastewater systems in most jurisdictions.
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Toronto Public Health also reminded that having vaccinations against the flu and COVID-19 can help reduce any risks, asking their followers: “Are you ready for it?”
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The City of Toronto posted a similar note from Toronto Public Health several days ago to followers.
“If you’re feeling ***** and you can’t ‘shake it off’, please think about your fellow fans. Don’t get ‘haunted’ by a cough. Consider wearing a mask, covering your cough or sneezes & getting vaccinated days in advance of the concert,” health officials wrote.
The latest respiratory virus data from Health Canada, as of Nov. 2, shows that enterovirus, rhinovirus (the common cold) and COVID-19 are currently the most prevalent viruses circulating across the country. However, Health Canada also reports that COVID-19 cases are decreasing.
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Walking pneumonia has also seen a rise in parts of Canada, especially among children. It spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs, or sneezes nearby.
Singing can spread droplets
Influenza, RSV, pneumonia and COVID-19 are primarily spread through respiratory droplets and can also be transmitted by contact with infected surfaces. When people gather indoors, especially in close quarters and during colder months, the risk of these viruses spreading increases, Health Canada says.
An infected person releases respiratory particles of various sizes into the air, which can spread up to one metre.
And it can spread even further if a person is singing, Pakes warned.
“You’re travelling, number one. Number two, you’re in a massive, massive gathering. And number three, people are going to be singing and shouting along…. and by doing so they are distributing those particles much further” he said.
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3:23
Health Matters: Singing a high-risk activity for COVID-19 transmission
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You can become infected with a respiratory illness if you inhale infectious particles, or they come into direct contact with your eyes, nose, or mouth, according to Health Canada.
Another way these viruses spread is through touching someone who has infectious particles on their hands or clothing, then touching your own face before washing your hands. For example, shaking someone’s hand could transfer the virus if they’ve come into contact with infectious secretions.
Infectious particles can linger on surfaces after being touched or sneezed on by an infected person.
High-touch areas like phones, door handles and elevator buttons are particularly vulnerable. You can get infected if you touch these surfaces and then touch your face without washing your hands, Health Canada warns.
The influenza virus, RSV and rhinovirus can survive on surfaces for several hours, while COVID-19 can remain active for up to several days.
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How to stay ‘safe and sound’
Since respiratory illnesses mainly spread through inhalation, the best way to stay safe is by wearing a well-fitting respirator to prevent inhaling infectious aerosols, said David Fisman, a Toronto-based physician epidemiologist.
“I get that people may not be feeling it with respect to masking up, but if you actually want to avoid infection that’s the way to go,” he said.
Pakes echoed this sentiment.
Those who need to be most cautious are individuals who are immunocompromised or older adults, though these groups likely won’t make up the majority of Taylor Swift concertgoers, Pakes said.
If you’re immunocompromised and heading to see Taylor Swift, Parkes said it’s important to wear a well-fitted mask.
2:23
Taylor Swift ‘Eras Tour’ arrives in Canada
Pakes expressed concern that while younger people are attending Taylor Swift’s concert, the real risk ***** in who they interact with afterward. Even if they feel fine, they could still be contagious for days, potentially spreading any illness they pick up to more vulnerable individuals.
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“The general advice for this gathering, is you come home and sanitize and wash your hands. And if you are going to be interacting with others, make sure you are aware of any symptoms,” he said.
If you’re travelling via public transportation, stay vigilant. Respiratory illnesses are primarily spread through droplets, but it’s still important to wash your hands regularly to reduce the risk of transmission, Pakes said.
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Everything We Know About Path of Exile 2
Everything We Know About Path of Exile 2
You can argue with me if you’d like, but the ARPG genre is among the very best. It’s peak gaming, with satisfying progression loops, power fantasies, and the type of loot that reminds us of the “one more turn” meme from Civilization. But there’s not as much competition in the genre as we’d like to see, with a few major forces dominating the space. One studio is about to pull ahead of the pack once again. Here’s everything we know about Path of Exile 2!
What is Path of Exile 2?
Path of Exile 2 reportedly began as an overhaul or expansion of the original Path of Exile but quickly ballooned into an entire sequel as developer Grinding Gear Games continued adding quality-of-life improvements, new content, more character classes, and gameplay mechanics that should keep many of us playing for thousands of hours.
The game features a massive campaign spanning six full-length acts, co-op for up to six players, more than 100 unique bosses to challenge you, and the infamous passive skill tree revamped and overhauled for the new generation!
What is the Path of Exile 2 Release Date?
It’s happening, people! You can play Path of Exile 2 starting December 6, following a recent delay, when the ARPG launches into Steam Early Access. It’s unclear precisely how long it will remain in Early Access, though we suspect no less than one year. Either way, there’s already a ton of content to enjoy!
What Are the Path of Exile 2 System Requirements?
Image via Grinding Gear Games
You don’t typically expect the ARPG genre to push the envelope regarding graphics, but Path of Exile 2 appears gorgeous. They’ve fine-tuned the game’s aesthetics from the first one, and as such, the PC system requirements are slightly more demanding, though still approachable.
Please keep in mind that these system requirements will likely change before release!
Minimum System Requirements
OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
Processor: 4 Core 2.8 GHz x64-Compatible
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 / ATI Radeon RX 470
Memory: 8 GB RAM
DirectX: Version 11
Storage: 100 GB Available Space (SSD Recommended)
Recommended System Requirements
OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
Processor: 8 Core 3.6Ghz x64-Compatible
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 / ATI Radeon RX 5600XT
Memory: 16 GB RAM
DirectX: Version 11
Storage: 100 GB Available Space (SSD Recommended)
Related: Path of Exile 2 Trailer Reveals Couch Co-op, Early Access
What Are the Path of Exile 2 Classes?
Path of Exile 2 features 12 base classes, each further branching out into three Ascendancy classes for 36 Ascendancies.
Marauder (Strength)
Warrior (Strength)
Ranger (Dexterity)
Huntress (Dexterity)
Witch (Intelligence)
Sorceress (Intelligence)
Duelist (Strength/Dexterity)
Mercenary (Strength/Dexterity)
Shadow (Intelligence/Dexterity)
Monk (Intelligence/Dexterity)
Templar (Strength/Intelligence)
Druid (Strength/Intelligence)
How Long is the Path of Exile 2 Campaign?
While most long-time players of Path of Exile will tell you the campaign is essentially a tutorial and that end-game runs comprise most of the experience, don’t let them fool you. Path of Exile 2 is amping up the story mode with six acts and 100 unique environments. Oh, and there are more than 600 monsters to smash, stomp, and slay!
How Many Bosses Are There in Path of Exile 2?
Path of Exile 2 features a staggering 100 unique bosses to defeat. They’re some of the game’s most challenging content and require careful build planning and a firm understanding of its mechanics to overcome.
Do Cosmetics Carry Over From Path of Exile to Path of Exile 2?
According to the game director on Path of Exile 2, your in-game purchases will transfer between both titles. They’ll share most cosmetics, besides where the classes or mechanics don’t line up, and even your stash tabs transfer over. It’s an excellent design choice that should win over many players.
What class are you going to play as first in Path of Exile 2? Let us know in the comments below, or visit the official Insider Gaming community forums to start a thread!
Path of Exile 2 isn’t the only large-scale RPG on the way this year. Here’s everything we know about Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
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