Judge rules US deportations to South Sudan violate court order
Judge rules US deportations to South Sudan violate court order
A federal judge has said the deportation of eight men to South Sudan “unquestionably” violated his order that migrants must be allowed to challenge their removal to third countries.
Judge Brian Murphy’s finding on Wednesday was the latest turn in a fast-evolving dispute.
One day earlier, he ordered US authorities to keep custody of the men, over concerns that the US had violated his injunction against sending migrants to countries other than their own without allowing them to raise concerns.
The Department of Homeland Security has said it was seeking to deport “uniquely barbaric monsters” who were convicted of crimes including *******, and South Sudan was not their final destination.
At a hearing on Wednesday Judge Murphy said the Department of Homeland Security’s attempts to deport the men “are unquestionably violative of this court’s order”, according to CBS News, the BBC’s US partner.
“I don’t see how anybody could say that these individuals had a meaningful opportunity to object,” Judge Murphy said.
Justice Department attorneys said his orders were unclear and had led to “misunderstanding”.
Earlier, a lawyer for the Justice Department confirmed the aircraft carrying the deportees had landed but did not say where, citing “very serious operational and safety concerns”, as reported by Reuters.
The judge has said he would decide on another day whether he would hold Homeland Security officials in contempt of court.
Earlier on Wednesday, the department shared on X the photographs, nationalities and criminal convictions of eight men on board the deportation flight.
They are listed as citizens of Cuba, Laos, Mexico, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
Department spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin told a briefing earlier on Wednesday: “Every single one of them was convicted of a heinous crime, *******, *****, child *****, ***** of a mentally and physically handicapped victim.”
She said it was “absurd for a US judge to try to dictate the foreign policy and national security of the US”.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons said: “If we don’t have a country that’ll take their citizens back, we do have an option to find a safe third country.”
They did not specify where the migrants might ultimately be bound.
Judge Murphy issued a ruling on 18 April requiring that ******** migrants have a “meaningful opportunity” to challenge their removal to countries other than their homelands.
After learning the men were on a flight leaving the country, he quickly scheduled a hearing on Tuesday where he said the migrants must remain in the government’s custody and be “treated humanely”. He did not order the plane to turn back to the US.
One of the deported men was Nyo Myint, a citizen of Myanmar. According to homeland security, he had been convicted of ******* assault and sentenced to 12 years of confinement. He was arrested by immigration authorities on 19 February, and was detained in Texas.
In August 2023, an immigration court in Omaha, Nebraska, issued Myint a final order of removal, according to court documents filed by groups representing multiple deportees.
His immigration attorney, Jonathan Ryan, told the BBC that his client had received two conflicting deportation notices on 19 May.
The first, which arrived at about 10:59 local time, notified Myint he would be sent to South Africa, but subsequent several hours later declared he would be taken to South Sudan.
Both notices were provided in English, a language that Mr Ryan said his client barely speaks. On Tuesday, Mr Ryan said he was notified that Myint was being removed from the country.
“I have no idea where he is,” Mr Ryan said. “He’s been disappeared by the United States government.”
Mr Ryan acknowledged his client’s criminal record, but said he and the other deportees were still entitled to the same due process rights as any other individual.
“These people were purposefully selected by the government for this maneuver, to divert our attention from the government’s blatant disregard for a federal judicial order,” he said.
“If we allow the government to pick and choose who deserves due process and who has rights, we’re relinquishing all rights,” he said.
As it accelerates and expands deportations, the Trump administration is working with other countries to accept both their citizens removed from the US, as well as citizens of other nations. Most notably, it sent migrants it said were originally from Venezuela to a mega-prison in El Salvador.
Rwanda confirmed it was in such talks with the US, while Benin, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini and Moldova have all been named in media reports.
In early April, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the US was revoking visas issued to all South Sudanese passport holders because the African nation was refusing to accept its citizens who had been removed from the US.
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50% Of The 10 Best-Selling PlayStation Titles During April 2025 In The US Are From Microsoft Studios
50% Of The 10 Best-Selling PlayStation Titles During April 2025 In The US Are From Microsoft Studios
P_Bomb5h ago
“Current PlayStation Stars members can still earn Digital Collectibles, Points and level up their status until July 23, 2025 at 7:59AM PDT | 3:59PM BST | 11:59PM JST. After this date, there will be no new PlayStation Stars Campaigns available, or any additional rewards or status benefits to earn.”
So July is the cutoff? I should have one more $5 reward by then.
“This version of the PlayStation Stars program will fully end on November 2, 2026 and current PlayStation Stars members can continue to redeem Points as long as their Points don’t expire before then. “
November it’s all over. Long time to wait for a replacement. They definitely need something. Just redeemed $5 today.
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Pressure builds on Apple as Jony Ive teams with OpenAI
Pressure builds on Apple as Jony Ive teams with OpenAI
Apple CEO Tim Cook (L) and Apple chief design officer Jony Ive (R) look at the new Mac Pro during the 2019 Apple Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) at the San Jose Convention Center on June 03, 2019 in San Jose, California.
Justin Sullivan | Getty Images
Before Jony Ive left Apple in 2019, no major Apple hardware launch was complete without a video highlighting the product’s physical design, narrated by Ive’s gentle British accent.
He became a touchstone in Silicon Valley for great hardware because of his role in the creation of the iPhone and Apple Watch.
On Wednesday, Ive returned to the computer industry with a new video, but it wasn’t launching a new Apple product. Instead, Ive announced a $6.4 billion deal that will merge his nascent hardware firm, called io, with OpenAI. Ive will head up the design for a new series of AI hardware products.
The announcement underscores the growing sense in Silicon Valley that smart artificial intelligence assistants could upend the gadget world, displacing the laptops and smartphones that Apple currently builds with new products that look and function totally differently.
“Tech shifts like the internet, the smartphone, and AI only happen once in a generation. OpenAI is catalyzing this shift into something tangible,” longtime Apple analyst Gene Munster posted on X on Wednesday.
Even Apple executives have said that AI hardware could threaten its iPhone business.
Eddy Cue, Apple’s chief of services, said in court earlier this month that he believes AI devices could replace the iPhone within 10 years, “crazy as that sounds,” he said.
“AI is a new technology shift, and it’s creating new opportunities for new entrants,” Cue said.
Meanwhile, Apple’s big improvement to its built-in assistant, Siri, was delayed earlier this year.
One of the core features of Apple Intelligence, the company’s suite of AI features, was the integration with OpenAI for ChatGPT to handle the queries that Apple Intelligence couldn’t. And Siri still functions like a question-and-answer system, instead of a fluent conversationalist, like ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini.
Apple’s next opportunity to show off what it’s been working on is on June 9 at its annual WWDC conference in Cupertino. It’s where Apple first revealed Apple Intelligence last year, and where it typically announces its latest software for iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
OpenAI’s announcement was light on details about what kinds of products the new OpenAI hardware workforce will design and build. The company says that it will show off what it’s working on next year.
The next big thing
Wednesday’s announcement should serve as a wake-up call to Apple now that its former guru is working with the fastest-growing company in Silicon Valley to build products that could eventually threaten its position at the top of the hardware industry.
As Ive put it in the launch video: “I am absolutely certain that we are literally on the brink of a new generation of technology that can make us our better selves.”
Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, said he was excited to partner with Ive to “try to create a new generation of AI-powered computers.”
Humane’s AI Pin is equipped with a voice assistant and camera.
Arjun Kharpal | CNBC
While Ive will continue to head up his design firm called LoveFrom, OpenAI is getting an injection of full-time talent with Apple backgrounds.
Scott Cannon, ***** Tan and Evans Hankey, all Apple design veterans, and co-founders of io, are joining OpenAI.
While there hasn’t been a hit AI consumer hardware product yet, several startups have tried to create devices that use AI to shrink their physical footprints and simplify the user experience.
Former Apple employees founded Humane, which created a small pin with a projector that could make calls and answer questions. Humane’s $700 product didn’t sell and the company was sold to HP.
Early adopters can also buy the Rabbit R1, a small square gadget that costs $199 and uses an OpenAI model to answer questions. Reviews for the gadget were bad. Ive told Bloomberg on Wednesday they were “bad products.”
Apple’s megacap rivals are increasingly seizing on AI-powered assistants as a way to differentiate their products as well.
Meta employee Sara Nicholson poses with the Ray-Ban sunglasses at the Meta Connect annual event at the company’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California, U.S., September 24, 2024.
Manuel Orbegozo | Reuters
Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses have been a pleasant surprise in the marketplace, with over 2 million pairs sold, and the Facebook parent is running ads where the glasses can answer questions conversationally using the company’s Llama AI models in addition to capturing video with the glasses’ built-in cameras.
On Tuesday, Google, which competes with Apple through its Android mobile operating system, announced a slew of new AI models and features, including a full video generator, and new smartglasses prototypes running software called Android XR that will be made by companies like Warby Parker.
Google also said that its Gemini assistant could go into “agent mode” to get stuff done — similar to Apple’s delayed Siri improvement. While Google brings most of its Gemini features to the iPhone through its apps, users can’t make it the default assistant option over Siri.
Representatives for Apple and OpenAI didn’t return requests for comment.
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Hundreds rescued, 50k residents to be cut off by floodwaters on NSW Mid North Coast
Hundreds rescued, 50k residents to be cut off by floodwaters on NSW Mid North Coast
Almost 50,000 people are preparing to be cut off from the world as heavy rainfall and flash flooding intensifies across the NSW Mid North Coast.
Hundreds of people have had to be rescued overnight from the rapidly rising waters, with NSW SES crews winching people to safety from rooftops and surging rivers.
More than 1000 calls were made to the SES in the past 24 hours, with 339 residents rescued from the floodwaters as they near 1-in-500-year levels.
An estimated 50,000 people are preparing to be cut off as water levels continue to rise, with widespread rainfall expected to continue.
More torrential rain is likely on the way, with forecasts indicating a further 100mm to 150mm in the next 24 hours, though isolated totals of up to 300mm are expected in areas including Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Taree, Woolgoolga, Sawtell and Dorrigo.
Camera IconAn estimated 50,000 residents will be cut off as floodwaters rise. NSW SES Credit: Supplied
”We’ve seen continual rainfall and very fast-flowing rivers, which when combined with flooded roads, have made it very difficult to access some isolated people,” NSW SES assistant commissioner Colin Malone said.
“Our crews have been working through the night to complete flood rescues, but our message to people still awaiting rescue is to remain in safe locations, away from floodwaters in dry locations if possible.
“While dozens of rescues have been completed overnight, they continue to be received, and the NSW SES and our partner agencies have helicopter resources, boats and high clearance vehicles responding when it is safe to do so.”
More to come
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Save Up To 50% On Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom & Breath Of The Wild Hardcover Guides
Save Up To 50% On Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom & Breath Of The Wild Hardcover Guides
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and its sequel Tears of the Kingdom have remained popular since their respective releases on Nintendo Switch, but the active player count will certainly increase in the coming weeks. Enhanced versions of both open-world Zelda games launch alongside the Switch 2 on June 5. If you’re looking forward to playing these two masterful games in 4K at 60fps with HDR, you should check out Amazon’s deals on the official hardcover strategy guides. Whether you’ve played the games already or plan on experiencing them for the first time, these well-designed books are handy reference manuals and beautiful collectibles.
With the looming resurgence of both games, it’s possible that these two hardcover strategy guides could either sell out or increase in price again. As of May 21, though, you can get Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’s Collector’s Edition Guide for only $25 (was $45) and Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s Expanded Edition Guide for just $19.68 (was $40).
$25 (was $45)
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’s Collector’s Edition Official Guide is a weighty 496-page hardcover with display-worthy cover art featuring the Corrupt Master Sword.
Published by Piggyback and created in collaboration with Nintendo, Tears of the Kingdom’s guidebook covers virtually every aspect of the sprawling open-world sequel. Along with an overview and tips for all of the main quests, side missions, shrines, and caves, the book offers comprehensive reference sections for all of the game’s enemies, weapons, armor, shields, items, and more.
All of the game’s key systems, from crafting and cooking to using Zonai devices to build vehicles and other gadgets, are detailed alongside helpful tips and overarching strategies.
The included World Atlas map section provides the locations all of the Koroks, Dragon’s Tears, and collectibles scattered across mainland Hyrule as well as the Sky and Depths.
$19.68 (was $40)
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s Expanded Edition Guide looks great when displayed next to the TOTK hardcover. It also happens to be every bit as comprehensive as Tears of the Kingdom’s strategy guide.
Piggyback published this updated hardcover edition roughly a year after the game’s original launch. The Expanded Edition adds chapters on Breath of the Wild’s pair of DLC expansions. In addition to walkthroughs for the DLC, the 512-page hardcover features a concept art gallery showcasing in-progress illustrations and sketches by Nintendo’s designers.
The guide offers an overview of all main missions and side content, including every shrine. You’ll also find solutions to all of the game’s many puzzles and an in-depth look at the combat system. Catalogs of enemies, gear, and items let you use this book as a reference manual. The 36-page World Atlas reveals locations of collectibles, including every Korok seed. The book also includes a double-sided map of Hyrule with annotations.
If you already own Tears of the Kingdom and/or Breath of the Wild for Switch, you will be able to purchase $10 Switch 2 upgrades for each game from the eShop. But if you’re a new player or simply want to own physical editions for Nintendo’s new platform, check out our preorder guide for the Switch 2 versions of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. For a look at all of the Switch 2’s launch games and accessories, check out GameSpot’s comprehensive Nintendo Switch 2 preorder guide.
Nintendo is also releasing four new Legend of Zelda Amiibo figures based on the Champions from Tears of the Kingdom on the same day: Tulin, Yunobo, Sidon, and Riju.
The Legend of Zelda – Dark Horse Book Series
If you’re interested in reading about the franchise while you wait for the Switch 2 versions to arrive, you should check out Dark Horse’s Zelda books. You can grab the official Zelda Encyclopedia for over 50% off at Amazon. The Deluxe Edition of the book is designed to look like a golden NES cartridge and even includes a slipcase modeled after the cartridge sleeve.
For a deep dive into Hyrule’s lore and a timeline of how the series (pre-Breath of the Wild) fits together, take a look at Hyrule Historia for $23 (was $40). You’ll also find deals on both editions of Creating a Champion, a making-of book centered around Breath of the Wild. The slipcased Hero’s Edition is over 50% off right now.
The Legend of Zelda Manga
Fans can also save on box sets of the Zelda manga adaptations. Most notably, The Legend of Zelda’s Legendary Edition Box Set is on ***** for $72 (was $125). This collection includes five premium books, each of which contains two volumes, packaged inside a treasure chest display case. The Legend of Zelda manga series includes adaptations of six classic games. The 10-volume standard edition box set is up for grabs for $56 (was $105). Fans can also get the 11-volume reimagining of Twilight Princess for $88 (was $130).
The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia sample page (Dark Horse Books)
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Trial of former SuperSonics star Shawn Kemp to begin Thursday
Trial of former SuperSonics star Shawn Kemp to begin Thursday
The trial for former NBA SuperSonics star Shawn Kemp is scheduled to begin Thursday.
He’s charged with first-degree assault for a 2023 shooting in the Tacoma Mall parking lot.
The Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office says pretrial motions should begin Thursday, and jury selection could take place as soon as Tuesday.
Kemp is accused of firing three rounds at a parked SUV. Kemp claims he tracked his stolen cellphone to the people inside. No one was hurt, but one bullet hit a nearby parked car.
Kemp told police he fired in self-defense.
In a video from the 2023 incident, you can hear Kemp explain his frustration about his stolen phone. He says he didn’t call the police because he didn’t think they’d show up in time, and he was tired of being ripped off.
Police say Kemp was at a concert in Seattle when his car was broken into, and his cell phone was stolen. Kemp tracked the phone to the mall the next day.
The phone was never found.
During Kemp’s arraignment last May, Pierce County Judge Craig Adams noted that Kemp had no criminal history. He pleaded not guilty to the assault charges.
Kemp was released on personal recognizance and must stay at his Renton home, though he is allowed to travel out of state for business purposes only. He’s currently the owner of Kemp’s Cannabis in Seattle.
In addition to playing for the Seattle SuperSonics, Kemp played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Orlando Magic.
Nicknamed “Reign Man”, he was a six-time NBA All-Star and a three-time All-NBA Second Team member.
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Greek swimmer’s big-money bonus for drug-assisted time
Greek swimmer’s big-money bonus for drug-assisted time
Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev has bettered a world record while on drugs, becoming a millionaire in less than 21 seconds.
The four-time Olympian is the second confirmed athlete for Enhanced Games, a sports event with no drug testing in Las Vegas next May.
Gkolomeev followed Australia’s James Magnussen in joining Enhanced Games, which promises $US1 million to any swimmer besting the men’s 50m freestyle world record.
And the 31-year-old followed Magnussen to a training session in Greensboro Aquatics Centre in North Carolina on February 25.
Magnussen, 10 weeks into his first course of using performance enhancing drugs, was the focus of the then-secret testing.
But Gkolomeev, three weeks into his course, clocked the fastest 50 free in history – 20.89 seconds, 0.02s inside Brazilian Cesar Cielo’s legal benchmark set in the supersuit era in 2009.
“I was there for training, to see the facility, to feel more comfortable about my try two months later,” Gkolomeev told AAP in an interview in Las Vegas.
“There was no pressure. All eyes were on James.
“I swim and I touch the wall and see 28.89 and I’m like, no way, no way.
“And the suit that I had on, it’s not the good suit which they used in 2009 … it’s more for open water.”
Gkolomeev had to keep his feat, and new-found wealth, secret until detailed by Enhanced Games at the event’s launch on Wednesday.
“It still feels like I never did it, you know, because nobody knew … I feel like it didn’t happen,” he said.
Only Gkolomeev’s family and tight friends knew of his involvement in Enhanced Games. He joined for three reasons.
“Most important is fair pay from swimming,” he said.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t make any money in Greece.
“From the last two Olympic Games, I got fifth (in the 50m freestyle) and nothing really changed … it’s kind of frustrating.
“I sat down and thought about it: one successful year at the Enhanced Games, I can probably make as much as I would have made in almost 10 careers.
“That’s huge. And I have a family now, I have a three-year-old boy and I want us to live more comfortably.”
Secondly, Gkolomeev believed he raced drug-taking swimmers at the Olympics.
“I was suspecting, but you never know, I cannot prove it,” he said.
“But us athletes, sometimes we understand something sketchy.”
Gkolomeev’s third reason?
“I always wanted to see what my full potential can be … I was really interested to see what’s possible.”
This AAP article was made possible by support from the Enhanced Games
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Destiny Rising launches global pre-registration for iOS
Destiny Rising launches global pre-registration for iOS
Destiny: Rising is arriving global iOS pre-registration
A new closed beta is also going live on Google Play
Early bird players can try out new missions, storyline content and meet new characters
It’s a big day for NetEase on mobile, aside from their recent tease for Sea of Remnants and upcoming launch of Once Human: RaidZone, there’s a whole swathe of news coming up. And the first is that Destiny: Rising, the upcoming spin-off of the hit multiplayer shooter, is now in global pre-registration for iOS.
A mobile version of Destiny has been a long time coming, and while it may not be a simple port as Warframe eventually did, it does promise a bunch of new features and content exclusive to smartphones. Naturally, there’s also a host of milestone rewards available for sign-ups.
Not only that, but on May 29th, a new closed beta is set to go live in the United States and Canada exclusively for Google Play, which will let you early birds experience more of the upcoming storyline, meet new characters and experience a number of new missions.
Your destiny
With pre-registration set to arrive on Google Play at a later date, Destiny: Rising is rapidly accelerating towards launch. With its mixture of sci-fi action and fantasy-style saga-like storylines, it wouldn’t be surprising for Destiny: Rising to make a big mark on mobile.
For players who are fans of Destiny already, the fact that there’s an upcoming closed beta will also be exciting as it offers gamers a chance to get to grips with this spin-off and find out whether it measures up to Bungie’****** mainline original ahead of launch.
If you need something to tide you over ahead of Destiny: Rising’s launch, then don’t fret, because we’ve got plenty of lists for you to work your way through. Or maybe you’d rather stay Ahead of the Game with our feature of the same name, which covers upcoming releases that you can already play in early access?
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UnitedHealth Group Downgraded to Sell at CFRA
UnitedHealth Group Downgraded to Sell at CFRA
CFRA analyst Paige Meyer downgraded UnitedHealth Group Inc. to “sell” in February, predicting a 22% fall in shares, which has since plunged 36% and lost $170 billion in market value. It’s the latest in a string of negative moves for the stock. Denitsa Tsekova reports.
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US accepts luxury jet from Qatar for use as Air Force One for Trump – Reuters
US accepts luxury jet from Qatar for use as Air Force One for Trump – Reuters
US accepts luxury jet from Qatar for use as Air Force One for Trump ReutersPentagon announces it has accepted jet from Qatar that will be used by Trump once it is modified CNNTrump administration officially accepts jet from Qatar for use as Air Force One NPRHow Trump’s Search for a New Air Force One Led to Qatar’s Jet The New York TimesPentagon says it has accepted Qatar’s gift of a luxury megajet for Trump’s use NBC News
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England vs West Indies: Sophia Dunkley leads hosts to eight-wicket win despite Hayley Matthews century
England vs West Indies: Sophia Dunkley leads hosts to eight-wicket win despite Hayley Matthews century
England’s new era under captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and coach Charlotte Edwards started with a comfortable eight-wicket win in the first T20 against West Indies in Canterbury.
The tourists posted 146-7 after captain Hayley Matthews’ superb unbeaten century, but England made light work of the chase by reaching the target in 16.3 overs thanks to Sophia Dunkley’s brilliant 81 not out from 55 ******.
Sciver-Brunt fell for a duck in her first match as permanent skipper, but her predecessor Heather Knight finished 43 not out alongside opener Dunkley.
Matthews’ sensational solo effort held West Indies together, with Mandy Mangru’s 17 the second-highest score after they had slipped to a dismal 87-6.
She reached her 67-ball ton from the final ball of the innings, having expertly farmed the strike as the wickets tumbled around her, with England’s Lauren Bell taking 2-29.
England’s new-look bowling attack after their Ashes humiliation included a recall for fast bowler Issy Wong, who took 1-35, while fellow seamer Em Arlott performed admirably with 1-28 on her international debut.
The three-match T20 series continues at Hove on Friday, and is followed by three one-day internationals.
More to follow.
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Pokemon TCG Scarlet & Violet: Destined Rivals Expansion Preorders Are Selling Out Fast
Pokemon TCG Scarlet & Violet: Destined Rivals Expansion Preorders Are Selling Out Fast
The Pokemon Trading Card Game continues to grow, with Scarlet & Violet: Destined Rivals releasing on May 30. The expansion focuses on Team Rocket, and you’ll have over 240 new cards to collect. Preorders are just as hot as expected–in fact, some products are already going out of stock at select retailers. To help you navigate the chaos, we’ve pulled together all the best places to buy the Destined Rivals expansion. If one of your favorites is out of stock, consider checking in at a later date to see if inventory has been replenished.
Note: GameStop has issued a purchase limit of 1 unit per SKU each. Sleeved boosters are limited to 5 per customer. This means you might have a better chance of finding the cards in stock at the retailer. Some other retailers are restricting purchases to only shoppers with an online account to dissuade resellers.
Pokemon TCG Scarlet & Violet: Destined Rivals
$60 | Releases May 30
This Booster Bundle includes 6 Destined Rivals booster packs, each containing 10 cards and 1 Basic Energy.
$50 | Releases May 30
The premium Elite Trainers Box includes:
9 Pokemon TCG: Destined Rivals booster packs
1 full-art foil promo card (Team Rocket’s Wobbuffe)
65 card sleeves
45 Energy Cards
Player’s Guide to the expansion
6 damage-counter dice
1 competition legal coin-flip die
2 plastic condition markers
Collector’s box + 4 dividers
Code for Pokemon TCG Live
$161 | Releases May 30
This booster box comes with 36 Pokemon TCG: Destined Rivals booster packs. Like the other booster packs, each one gets you 10 cards and a Basic Energy.
$85 | Releases May 30
Includes:
Premade 40-card deck that’s ready to play right out of the box
A unique foil promo card
4 Pokemon TCG: Destined Rivals booster packs
$14 | Releases May 30
Each blister pack includes:
A unique foil promo card.
3 booster packs, each with 10 cards and a Basic Energy.
There are multiple versions available featuring different promo cards, and which pack you get is selected at random.
Release May 30
Store your cards in style with these relatively affordable portfolios. One is large enough for 80 cards, the other 180. The 40-card portfolio features colorful artwork of Gold & Ho-oh on the front, Cynthia and Garchomp on the back. The 80-card portfolio features Team Rocket.
More Gaming, Tech, and Entertainment Deals & Preorders
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Russia says it has downed hundreds of Ukrainian drones
Russia says it has downed hundreds of Ukrainian drones
Russian authorities say their air defences have shot down more than 260 Ukrainian drones including some approaching Moscow, and the capital’s airports were briefly shut down to ensure the safety of flights.
There were no reports of casualties.
As Russia, Ukraine, the United States and European powers discuss ways to end the more than three-year-old conflict in Ukraine, fighting has intensified on some parts of the front and drone warfare has continued.
It was very likely that Russia and Ukraine will hold technical-level talks next week, possibly at the ********, Finnish President Alexander Stubb told public broadcaster Yle on Wednesday.
In a series of announcements, Russia’s Defence Ministry said on Telegram that at least 262 Ukrainian drones were intercepted or destroyed on Wednesday.
Most were over Russia’s western regions bordering Ukraine and central Russia.
But some approached the Moscow region where 21 million people live.
Russian assault operations continue, and our forces maintain all necessary combat activity. The most intense situation remains in the Donetsk region, particularly in the Pokrovsk direction. We are also continuing active operations in the Kursk and Belgorod regions — this is our… pic.twitter.com/Ax7DMmUwgI— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 21, 2025
The three major airports in the region halted flights then resumed operations.
Ukrainian drones disrupted air traffic in Moscow throughout Wednesday, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Telegram.
Due to the danger in the air, the aviation authority Rosaviatsiya had to repeatedly stop take-offs and landings at Moscow’s airports.
Russia’s largest airport, Sheremetyevo, as well as Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports were particularly affected.
Ukraine’s military said its drones hit the Bolkhovsky Semiconductor Devices Plant, a supplier in the Oryol region to Russian fighter jet and missile makers.
The war in Ukraine, which has killed hundreds of thousands of people, has become a crucible of drone innovation as both sides send the unmanned vehicles far behind the front lines.
Russia and Ukraine have sought to buy and develop new drones, deploy them innovatively and devise new methods to disable and destroy them, from farmers’ shotguns to electronic jamming.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces were advancing at key points along the front and pro-Russian war bloggers said Russia had pierced the Ukrainian lines between Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address the heaviest frontline battles were around Pokrovsk and made no reference to any Russian advances.
Zelenskiy said Ukrainian forces remained active in two Russian regions along the border – Kursk and Belgorod.
Reuters could not independently verify battlefield accounts from either side.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday visited the Kursk region for the first time since the Kremlin said Russian forces ejected Ukrainian troops from the area last month.
Putin sent tens of thousands of soldiers into Ukraine in February 2022 and Russia now controls just under one fifth of the country.
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Marvel Fans Are Using Sabrina Carpenter to Troll Lord Icons
Marvel Fans Are Using Sabrina Carpenter to Troll Lord Icons
You’d think unlocking a “Lord Icon” in Marvel Rivals would feel like achieving superhero status- something epic, bold, and worth showing off to other players. Instead, players are squinting at their screens, wondering if they just unlocked a sticker with a glitter bottle spilled on it.
The disappointment has reached meme status, with fans comparing the uninspired icons to Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet album covers… yes, both versions. Same pose, different lighting. Sound familiar? Turns out, it’s not just pop albums leaning on Photoshop shortcuts.
Lord or lazy? Marvel Rivals fans say it’s copy-and-paste chaos
Marvel Rivals’ Lord Icons are supposed to be a celebration of dedication, a mark of skill that tells other players to watch out. But what players got instead looks like someone printed out the regular icons, cut around the edges, slapped them in a digital frame, and turned on the shiny backlight setting.
Maybe even threw a lens flare on top for good measure. It’s not ‘lord’ as the title suggests, it’s a presentation with zero passion. The icons don’t reflect the unique flair or identity of each hero. Instead, they feel mass-produced, almost like placeholders.
Some players say the only difference between certain icons is the color scheme or angle of lighting, which is a little too similar to Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet album and its deluxe version. The joke lands: Both feature almost the same pose, just with a different hairstyle (in the case of Sabrina) or lighting tweak.
And while Sabrina’s just promoting her album and fans get to listen to good music, Marvel Rivals players have to grind for hours to unlock what feels like a copy-paste reward. That’s where the frustration kicks in.
Comment byu/SimpleChaoticGuy from discussion inmarvelrivals
Comment byu/SimpleChaoticGuy from discussion inmarvelrivals
Comment byu/SimpleChaoticGuy from discussion inmarvelrivals
With a universe as rich as Marvel’s, fans expected icons to feel like trophies, not recycled assets with a glow effect. The grind is real, but the payoff? Not so much.
The player base is slipping, and lazy icons won’t help
Grinding for hours just to unlock a filtered JPEG? Developer, be serious. | Image Credit: NetEase Games
The Lord Icon issue isn’t just a cosmetic gripe; it reflects a deeper concern among the Marvel Rivals community. The player base, once hyped and eager, is beginning to shrink. Forums are filled with memes (about how bad the game is). People are burning out.
While balance issues and meta frustrations play a part, many fans say the game just doesn’t feel rewarding or inspired right now. If NetEase wants to stop the bleeding, reimagining the Lord Icons would be a great place to start.
Marvel has a literal universe of movies, comics, and multiverse variants to pull from. Icon designs could reflect iconic costumes, comic covers, or even movie scenes, something that actually celebrates the hero and the grind to master them.
Sure, better icons wouldn’t fix the other issues, but they would make players a little happy. They would also be encouraged to explore different heroes, which could help balance out team comps and bring more variety into the fight.
Let the icons be a reason to try something new, not just another checkbox on a progression path. Because if the creative bar stays this low, fewer players will stick around to climb it.
NetEase, it’s time to stop copy-pasting and start creating. Because when Sabrina Carpenter memes start making more noise than your hero rewards, you know you’ve lost the plot.
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Allegan County Officials estimate $2.2 million in storm damage
Allegan County Officials estimate $2.2 million in storm damage
Allegan County Officials estimate $2.2 million in storm damage
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Looney Tunes Movie Preorders – The Day The Earth Blew Up Blu-Ray Is Only $14
Looney Tunes Movie Preorders – The Day The Earth Blew Up Blu-Ray Is Only $14
The first fully animated, feature-length Looney Tunes movie releases on Blu-ray next week, and preorders are up for grabs for a ridiculously low price. Amazon and Walmart have The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie for just $14, which is nearly 50% off the Blu-ray’s $27 list price.
The Day the Earth Blew Up will be added to HBO’s Max streaming service on June 27, but the Blu-ray edition currently costs less than the price of one month of Max’s standard ad-free plan ($17).
$14 (was $27) | Releases May 27
Since the current preorder deal at Amazon and Walmart already saves you nearly 50% compared to the film’s MSRP, we’d be surprised to see it drop even lower. That said, you will be eligible for additional discounts at either retailer thanks to preorder price guarantees.
The Day the Earth Blew Up is also releasing on DVD on the same day. The DVD edition is on ***** for $13 (was $25).
Considering Looney Tunes was created in 1930, it’s rather remarkable that The Day the Earth Blew Up became the first animated, full-length movie starring the zany cast of cartoon icons. Prior to its theatrical debut last year, the most notable Looney Tunes feature films mixed live action with animation (Space Jam and Space Jam: A New Legacy).
The Day the Earth Blew Up follows Daffy Duck and Porky Pig on a quest to stop aliens from taking over the world. It earned mostly positive reviews from critics and fans. After its limited theatrical debut last year, the film released in theaters across the US in March.
Looney Tunes Cartoons – Blu-ray and DVD Deals
A bunch of other Looney Tunes cartoons are available on Blu-ray, including the Looney Tunes Collector’s Choice: Vol. 1-4 set that launched in late 2024. The four-disc collection gets you over 600 minutes of classic cartoons, making it an excellent way to relive the best Looney Tunes adventures. It’s the best value of the bunch, but there are still plenty of others to peruse. We also included a few DVDs if you’re looking for something even more affordable.
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These stocks could be key players in Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ project
These stocks could be key players in Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ project
President Donald Trump’s plans for a ” Golden Dome ” missile defense system could be a catalyst for a handful of stocks. On Tuesday, Trump unveiled details of the defense system. He forecast that the project would be complete before the end of his term and estimated that the total cost of the project would be $175 billion. He said that an initial $25 billion would be earmarked in a sweeping spending package , which is currently being weighed by Congress. The Golden Dome is similar to Israel’s missile deterrent system, the so-called “Iron Dome,” which has been in use since 2011. Analysts on Wall Street were already optimistic on shares of defense and aerospace giants RTX , Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin before Trump’s Tuesday announcement. Lockheed and RTX were among the companies name-checked during the event , as was L3Harris Technologies . The stock reaction so far has been largely lackluster following Trump’s press conference, as the broader market traded lower on Wednesday . Shares of Lockheed, RTX and Northrop were marginally lower. L3Harris bucked the trend with a gain of about 1%. “The program details remain scarce, but with a 4-star general appointed (General Michael Guetlein) to lead the effort, the level of importance to the administration is obvious. The $25B in the Reconciliation Bill and President Trump’s sizing of the program at $175B also underscore the program’s significance,” Wolfe Research analyst Myles Walton wrote in a Tuesday note. In fact, Lockheed Martin CEO James Taiclet addressed Trump’s defense project on the company’s earnings call last month, and asserted that the firm is “literally ready to go when the starting gun goes off.” Shares of Lockheed have slipped nearly 3% so far in 2025. Just shy of half of analyst covering the stock rate it a buy or strong buy, per LSEG, and consensus price targets call for more than 11% upside. LMT YTD mountain Lockheed Martin stock in 2025. Baird analyst Peter Arment said in late April that Lockheed Martin is in the “enviable position of potentially securing content across all four segments” of defense. His outperform rating and $540 per share price target implies about 13% upside from Tuesday’s $475.82 close. Elsewhere, JPMorgan analyst Seth Seifman pointed to L3Harris Technologies as another potential beneficiary of the project. The analyst’s overweight rating and $255 per share price target calls for more than 10% upside from Tuesday’s $230.82 close. The analyst pointed out that L3Harris likely received the lion’s share of attention during the press conference due to its domestic manufacturing facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana. More than seven out of 10 analysts polled by LSEG have a buy or strong buy rating on L3Harris, with their consensus price targets calling for more than 10% upside. LHX YTD mountain L3Harris stock in 2025. “We could see a positive stock reaction to the briefing for LHX, with Indiana Senator Jim Banks highlighting the company’s involvement with Golden Dome,” Seifman said. On Northrop Grumman, RBC Capital Markets analyst Ken Herbert pointed to the Golden Dome as one of several “emerging opportunities” that could support upside to the company’s full-year revenue, given its current work on the Integrated Battle Command System. Herbert has an outperform rating on Northrop stock, alongside a $575 per share price target that implies nearly 21% upside from Tuesday’s $476.60 close. NOC YTD mountain Northrop Grumman stock in 2025.
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Sources: OKC's Gilgeous-Alexander wins NBA MVP – ESPN
Sources: OKC's Gilgeous-Alexander wins NBA MVP – ESPN
Sources: OKC’s Gilgeous-Alexander wins NBA MVP ESPNShai Gilgeous-Alexander named MVP: Thunder star put up one of best guard seasons in NBA history CBS SportsShai Gilgeous-Alexander to be named NBA MVP for first time, third Thunder player to win The OklahomanShai Gilgeous-Alexander reportedly wins NBA MVP over Nikola Jokić, concluding hotly debated race Yahoo SportsShai Gilgeous-Alexander named the 2025 NBA MVP, according to reports from ESPN News 9
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Dell Technologies customers building real-world AI apps
Dell Technologies customers building real-world AI apps
LAS VEGAS — AI implementations beyond mere chatbot interactions with large language models have permeated the data centers of Dell Technologies World attendees this year.
These implementations have moved into production, as these organizations attempt to sustain real-world uses beyond customer support or querying a knowledge base.
Enterprises that have yet to fully embrace AI technology or processes are going to be left behind in the market, said Jeff Clarke, Dell Technologies vice chairman and chief operating officer, during the Day 2 keynote Wednesday.
“This is the most disruptive technology I’ve seen in my career,” he said. “The threat [to your organization] is existential if you don’t respond.”
At the keynote, the vendor pitched its Dell AI Factory offering and recent storage hardware refreshes as data center upgrades that will empower AI development for hybrid-cloud uses.
Dell executives at the keynote also confirmed the new parallel file system, codenamed Project Lighting for the past year, would launch to general availability before year’s end.
Project Lighting is a software-defined file system built for Dell PowerEdge server hardware, specifically tested on the R660 model. Currently in limited testing, it’s similar in concept to offerings from competitors such as DataDirect Networks, Weka and Lustre.
Companies will upgrade for AI workloads, CEO Michael Dell said during a media and analyst Q&A following the keynote.
However, upgrading to this new hardware might not happen quickly for many customers who are dealing with uncertain economic factors, particularly North America and its ongoing tariff dispute, he said.
Dell asserted that the cost of compute to create the tokens that power the underlying large language model (LLM) technology is more prohibitive.
“The importance of this technology is greater than all those problems,” Dell said. “Tokens are ******* than tariffs, that would summarize our view of it.”
Even when backed by high-end hardware or software, AI initiatives shouldn’t be implemented haphazardly, Clarke said, echoing the sentiments of organizations already using AI in production.
Instead, customers should start small, find what works and scale quickly to business needs to avoid wasting time, hardware and resources, he said.
“If you apply AI to a shitty process, you just get a shitty answer faster,” Clarke said.
AI implementations
Dauntless XR, a Texas-based company specializing in augmented and virtual reality software, is using AI for object recognition and creating digital twins of atmospheres.
Lori-Lee Elliott
Lori-Lee Elliott, co-founder and CEO of Dauntless XR, said these implementations are also complemented by a more traditional use with content generation using company data. For her, AI use needs to move beyond the chat room visualization and into uses that directly support an organization’s business and workers seamlessly.
“When a lot of people think of AI, they think of LLMs,” Elliott said. “The end state of [our AI initiatives] — and we’re not quite there yet — [is Dauntless XR having] a single platform where all of this data lives eventually.”
Recent AI marketing hype around Generative AI has buried the decades of prior research and real-world uses of AI, said Chris Sullivan, director of research and academic computing at the Oregon State University College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences.
His department’s research into AI involves demanding high-performance computing (HPC) uses, such as mapping ocean wildlife changes over centuries, photographic research and monitoring of microscopic krill and geographic information systems.
The underlying mathematics and science behind today’s AI have existed for decades, but recent advances in connectivity and memory have made the implementation far more feasible and usable to the public.
Chris Sullivan
“The number of times I’ve heard someone say AI and have no clue about what they’re doing is stunning,” Sullivan said. “People don’t understand the term AI and misuse it so badly that it’s become an umbrella that’s flipped upside down and catches everything.”
The actual bottleneck most organizations will encounter in their AI ambitions comes down to data, he said. Many organizations treat data as a ****** box and expect off-the-shelf LLMs to help make sense of the digital detritus that has built up over the years.
Many organizations might not even realize their data is ultimately lacking for AI uses, Sullivan said.
“What we really need to do is start the AI down the pathway of data management and put agents in that place to help us understand what’s there,” he said. “We need [AI data] to be presented in a way that people can leverage it.”
AI for the future
AI deployments aren’t just the domain of massive organizations, but they could also prove useful for local charities.
A hardware and software donation from Dell Technologies has brought virtual job interview training to Hopeworks, an American nonprofit serving economically disadvantaged individuals.
Dan Rhoton
Hopeworks provides technology training and jobs programs for young adults and other needy individuals in the communities of Camden, N.J. and Philadelphia, said Dan Rhoton, CEO of Hopeworks.
Clients are offered training in modern technology jobs such as web development or data analysis, alongside other career development skills like interviews, resume building and networking.
Dell donated PowerEdge servers and other associated hardware, alongside the technology stack of the Dell AI Factory, to create job interview simulations using Dell Digital Assistants, Rhoton said.
Clients can provide their resumes and job descriptions to more accurately calibrate the interviews they will face in the future, he said.
“They’re often interviewing for jobs where they can’t get any advice,” Rhoton said. “[With AI] they’ve got a partner that’s not going to judge them and they can go into that next meeting confident and ready to contribute.”
The use of copilots and other AI tools has been a boon for HopeWorks clients, enabling them to quickly learn new coding skills and see completed examples in a matter of days over months, he said.
“AI is the best thing to happen to our young adults for job prospects,” Rhoton said. “Back in the day, they were well-trained, but they were slow since they were new and inexperienced. What we’re seeing is AI is not taking anyone’s job, but they’re able to do more in partnership [with AI].”
Tim McCarthy is a news writer for Informa TechTarget covering cloud and data storage.
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Cigna reaches new deal on Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk weight loss drugs
Cigna reaches new deal on Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk weight loss drugs
A combination image shows an injection pen of Zepbound, Eli Lilly’s weight loss drug, and boxes of Wegovy, made by Novo Nordisk.
Hollie Adams | Reuters
Only half of health insurer Cigna‘s clients currently cover the popular GLP-1 weight loss drugs Wegovy and Zepbound because of their high costs. But the company’s pharmacy benefits unit Evernorth has reached a deal with drug makers Ely Lilly and Novo Nordisk which it said will bring prices down for employers and their workers.
“This solution is really focused towards clients that aren’t covering it today, and what it allows us to do is one, to bring it on at a reduced price for the plan sponsor, but also capping out the members’ cost at $200,” per month said Harold Carter, Evernorth senior vice president of pharmacy relations.
Many of Evernorth’s clients currently offer the drugs to workers with co-pays as low as $25 per month. For those who have been hesitant to cover the medications because of cost, capping employee out-of-pocket costs at $200 would amount to less than half the price consumers pay in cash without insurance if they bought the drug through Ely Lilly or Novo Nordisk’s direct-to-consumer websites.
The new deal will also include a simplified pre-authorization process for the drugs, and patients will be able to access the drugs for the same price across retail pharmacies, or through Evernorth home delivery service, the company said.
Those new services and discounts will also be provided for Evernorth clients already offering the weight loss drugs.
“Clients that cover weight loss today, we’re expecting that they can see, you know, up to almost 20% a reduction [in] their costs … with this updated arrangement that we’ve been able to get with Lily and Novo, ” said Carter, adding that Evernorth was able to get better pricing while maintaining coverage for both drugs.
Last month, CVS Caremark announced that it had struck a deal to make Novo’s Wegovy its primary weight loss drug starting in the second half of the year, which would mean coverage for Lilly’s Zepbound would no longer be preferred.
Novo Nordisk would not comment on the new pharmacy benefits arrangements. But a spokesperson for Eli Lilly told CNBC, “Lilly will continue to work with those in health care, government and the industry to find creative solutions that help people with obesity access Zepbound.”
Net prices coming down
While Cigna would not discuss the actual discounts reached under the new Evernorth arrangement, analysts say large employers and other insurers have gotten between 30% to 50% below the drugs’ list price.
While Novo’s Wegovy lists for $1,350 per month, in March the average net price for the drug was $616 according to an analysis by the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review. For Lilly’s Zepbound, the list price is roughly $1,100 per month, while the net price is $725.
These new arrangements by Evernorth and CVS Caremark could bring those net prices even lower for employers, just as the government is negotiating Medicare discounts for Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy under the Inflation Reduction Act.
Those Medicare negotiated rates will take effect in 2027 — effectively making Novo Nordisk’s products the preferred drugs in the program. That could see prices come down even further, said Ben Ippolito, senior fellow in health economics at the American Enterprise Institute.
“Once the drug is negotiated, it must be featured on formulary in Medicare. And so that means that if you’re Eli Lilly, you have to try and compete in the Medicare market with a product that’s going to be on formulary and have an artificially lower price. And so it’s going to filter through to what Eli Lilly does,” Ippolito said.
Evernorth’s new weight loss pricing program will begin on July 1, as employers begin to make decisions about coverage for next year’s plans.
— CNBC’s Angelica Peebles contributed to this report.
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‘Lives at stake’ in Balfron Tower with broken lifts
‘Lives at stake’ in Balfron Tower with broken lifts
Thomas Magill & Adriana Elgueta
BBC News
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The Balfron Tower was designed by Hungarian-born architect Ernő Goldfinger
Residents in a noted brutalist tower block in east London have been stranded in their homes after the 26-storey building’s two lifts stopped working.
The Grade II listed Balfron Tower in Poplar has 146 flats and maisonettes, and is managed by property management company Way of Life, which has said it is investigating the situation.
Some disabled people had “no option” but to leave their homes, neighbours said, because there was no safe way to get in and out.
One resident, Peter, who posted on social media about the problem, said Way for Life had told him to remove his comment or the company would stop helping him get supplies into the building.
Vasundhata Gupte said she was told Way of Life “did not have an answer” about what to do in case of emergency
Peter, 58, who did not want to give his surname, cannot use the stairs because of a spinal injury.
He said he knew other tenants who were avoiding using the lifts – when they worked – because they were fearful of them breaking down.
He said he was concerned about safety and that “lives were at stake here”.
“What if there is an emergency? What if I have a heart attack? Anyone who can’t use the stairs will be in great danger,” he said.
Another resident, 22-year-old Vasundhata Gupte, has been forced to climb 15 flights of stairs with a hamstring injury when she returns from medical appointments.
Ms Gupte said she had asked Way for Life about what to do during an emergency and was told they “did not have an answer”.
Sophie Ruston said she worried for her disabled neighbours
Sophie Ruston can use the stairs – but has to carry her elderly dog up and down to her 21st floor flat.
One lift has been out of order for a week and the other is “temperamental”, residents said.
When the second lift broke down, Ms Ruston said “chaos ensued”.
She added the situation meant she would finish a 10-hour night shift, during which she was on her feet, and was faced with climbing another 21 flights when she got home.
The Grade-II listed building has often been featured in films and TV
Way of Life provided a service while both lifts were broken where essential supplies were taken to stranded residents.
A spokesperson said the company had apologised to Peter, and added that “the behaviour outlined to us is very disappointing and absolutely does not reflect the values and conduct to which we aspire as a business”.
A number of staff based in the tower had been temporarily removed while the allegations were being investigated, Way of Life said.
Getty Images
Balfron Tower is a noted example of brutalist architecture
The Balfron Tower was designed by Hungarian-born architect Ernő Goldfinger in 1963 and was built between 1965 and 1967 as part of the Brownfield Estate, an area of social housing.
Way of Life runs a number of residential blocks in London and elsewhere. It currently has eight apartments available for long-term rental at Balfron Tower, ranging from £2,050 per month for a one-bed flat to £3,850 for a three-bedroom home.
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2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB spied doing hot laps
2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB spied doing hot laps
The second-generation Mercedes-Benz GLB has been photographed doing laps of the Nurburgring as it undergoes testing.
Although the car is clad in camouflage, we can see the GLB’s overall silhouette doesn’t diverge too far from today’s car, with the passenger cell being predictably blocky and upright in order to maximise interior room. As with today’s car, the new GLB will likely be offered with a third rows of seats.
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Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert
Up front, though, it seems like the rectangular *********** have been replaced sleeker units, not dissimilar to the ones fitted to the CLA, with which the GLB shares the Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA). Like the CLA, the GLB could also feature a light bar or ****** plastic strip linking its ***********.
Along the side we can see new flagpole-style wing mirrors, and flushing-fitting pop-out door handles. There’s plenty of false body work underneath the camouflage wrap, so we can’t tell if the stepped rear quarter windows are retained for the GLB’s sophomore round.
At the rear the disguise team has cheekily fitted stickers of the tail-lights from the third-generation Smart ForTwo. To the side of these are the arc of LED light tubes bending down and around, which marks quite a departure from the current GLB’s thin strip of lights.
Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert
If the past is any indication, the GLB will receive a most of the drivetrains available in its CLA sibling.
The third-generation CLA, launched earlier this year, will initially be available with the choice of two all-electric drivetrains: a single-motor rear-wheel setup with 200kW and 335Nm, and a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with 260kW and 515Nm.
Both are paired with an 85kWh battery pack that has a WLTP range of between 672 and 792km. A cheaper variant with a 58kWh battery will launch later this year.
Unlike the current generation, there will be no EQB companion model sporting substantial styling changes to highlight its electric drivetrain. Instead the EV options will be folded into the regular GLB range — EV variants will have the “with EQ Technology” tag clunkily tacked onto the back of the model name.
Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert
Like the CLA, the GLB will also likely feature a mild hybrid petrol option equipped with a new turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that has an integrated 20kW electric motor fed by a 1.3kWh 48V lithium-ion battery.
In the CLA the mild hybrid system will be able available in three states of tune: 100kW/200Nm, 120kW/250Nm and 140kW/300Nm. Depending on the model buyers can choose between front- or all-wheel drive.
MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz GLB
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Couple’s rental car impounded by Georgia police — why they blame Avis’s ‘negligence’ for ‘unsafe’ situation
Couple’s rental car impounded by Georgia police — why they blame Avis’s ‘negligence’ for ‘unsafe’ situation
On the lookout for stolen cars, police in Suwanee, Georgia pulled over a couple visiting from California. The driver, Noelle Wilson, wondered what was wrong. She and her partner had just gone to pick up groceries.
“My heart dropped into my stomach,” Wilson recalls, sharing her story with ABC7 News.
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The officer asked about the car registration. Wilson explained she was driving an Avis rental.
She was surprised when the officer told her that the license plate on the vehicle — a ****** Honda CR-V — was registered to a different car: a white Chevy Malibu.
He said that’s why he’d stopped her, wondering if she was driving a stolen vehicle.
It turns out this isn’t the first time this has happened. The officer radioed a colleague who confirmed the problem lies with Avis.
“All of their brand new cars, they haven’t registered them, and they’ve just been throwing different plates on the cars,” the colleague said.
While the officer on the scene was apologetic to Wilson and her partner, he had to impound their rental vehicle, leaving the couple high and dry.
They had to order an Uber to get back to their vacation rental, but that proved to be a minor inconvenience compared to resolving the situation that Avis created.
“Their negligence put us in a very unsafe predicament,” she said of the car rental giant.
Avis gives couple the runaround
Wilson spent a week trying to clear up the matter with Avis so she and her partner could get home to California.
“All I kept getting is, ‘We can’t do anything until the car is returned,’” Wilson recalled. “How do I return this car that’s been impounded?”
To add insult to injury, Avis was charging Wilson for not returning the vehicle, in addition to maintaining the charge for the full term of her rental even though she didn’t actually have use of the car because it was impounded.
After that week of getting the runaround, Wilson reached out to ABC7 News, and the outlet reached out to Avis for comment.
Read more: You’re probably already overpaying for this 1 ‘must-have’ expense — and thanks to Trump’s tariffs, your monthly bill could soar even higher. Here’s how 2 minutes can protect your wallet right now
In response, the company reviewed Wilson’s case and a spokesperson confirmed that the incident “occurred as a result of a system error.”
What’s more, the company apologized.
“Avis Budget Group apologizes for the inconvenience caused to Noelle, and will be refunding the rental fee in full, as well as covering the additional Uber expense incurred as a result of this incident.”
Wilson, however, calls the incident a safety issue, not just one of inconvenience or lost money.
“I honestly think if maybe we were pulled over by somebody else, the ending on [this] story would have been completely different.”
The officer who pulled the couple over agrees.
“We ran the VIN, the car’s not even registered with the state,” he said in a phone interview with ABC 7. “You’d think big companies like this, this wouldn’t happen.”
Car rentals and consumer protection
There are a number of consumer protection laws that apply to car rentals, including protections for reserved cars being available on-time and at the right location, pricing for services, disclosure of additional fees, and protecting your rights during damage claims.
To avoid the kind of situation Wilson for herself in, you may have to do extra due diligence when you pick up a rental car.
You can verify the vehicle registration number (VIN) online, read your rental agreement thoroughly, and ensure you hold onto any documentation related to the rental.
The Federal Trade Commission advises car rental customers who find themselves in a situation where they suspect car rental fraud report it to ReportFraud.ftc.gov, or contact the attorney general for their state.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
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