Its been a wild news roller coaster for U.S. gamers this week. It began with the celebratory full reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 in all its glory and games, followed closely by audience dismay over its $450 price tag and $80 for Mario Kart Tour, only for everyone to reel once again this morning as Nintendo announced it would hold off on pre-orders for the system until it could assess the impact of the Trump Administrations sudden, sweeping, unprecedented tariffs on just about every nation in the world.Weve written elsewhere about why the Nintendo Switch 2 cost so much to begin with, and what impact the industrys trade association thinks these new tariffs are likely to have on games writ large. But right now, the real question on everyones minds is, whats Nintendo going to do? When pre-orders do open, will the Nintendo Switch 2 be even more expensive?Normally, when there are questions to the tune of what is going to happen with video games?, I go ask a panel of expert industry analysts. While they cant literally predict the future, most of the time, they have a pretty solid consensus understanding, backed by evidence and data, of whats most likely to happen, and I turn around and write about that. Ive already done it twice this week.But for the first time since I started interviewing analysts on such topics, every single analyst I spoke to was effectively stumped. Several had guesses one way or another: Nintendo will raise the price, or wont. But every single one of them heavily caveated their response with an emphasis on the chaos of the moment. This has never happened before, its all happening very fast, and absolutely no one can accurately predict what Nintendo, Trump, or anyone will do tomorrow, next week, or months down the road.So with that rather astonishing disclaimer in mind, heres what all the analysts I spoke to did say:Sky-High SwitchWith everyone I spoke to taking their best wild guesses on what was going to happen, I ended up with a pretty divided panel. On the side of Nintendo will raise prices was Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games. Though he says he at first thought it was too late for Nintendo to raise prices after it had announced them, this delay has changed his mind. At this stage, he doesnt think Nintendo has much of a choice.It is very difficult to predict, but Nintendo will likely take a few days to run simulations and then announce hikes, not only for the system itself but also games and accessories, he said. I hope I am wrong but if sustained, these sky-high tariffs leave them no choice. Would you be surprised now to see Switch 2 hit US$500 for the base model? I wouldn't.What I also want to add is this: Why on earth did Nintendo not wait for the US to fix their tariffs first and then decide on pricing during a Direct a few days later? This made no sense.PlayMat Piscatella, senior analyst at Circana, heavily caveated his opinion (as did basically everyone else) with a reminder that this is all unprecedented and unpredictable. But ultimately, he too came down on the side of games prices generally, including Nintendo prices, likely going up. But how much, and on what is anyones guess. Based on the conversations I'm having, the breadth and depth of the tariffs surprised everyone, not just consumers, he said.Piscatella told me that Nintendo likely had some assumptions in mind about what the tariffs would be when it set the price originally. But when the actual tariffs came in on Wednesday, it was probably much higher than Nintendo, or anyone, anticipated.Every reasonable and responsible business that relies on international supply chains will be reevaluating its US consumer pricing at this point. They have to.Some territories and regions globally have historically been subject to higher pricing than other parts of the world when it comes to video games. The US could certainly be joining that group because of these tariffs. The haphazard and chaotic nature of the tariffs and their announcement obviously has many scrambling to navigate the fallout.Every reasonable and responsible business that relies on international supply chains will be reevaluating its US consumer pricing.Manu Rosier, director of market analysis at Newzoo, also predicts that hardware prices will increase, though he suggests software will likely not be impacted in the same way.While physical versions might be subject to tariffs, the growing dominance and lower cost of digital distribution would likely limit any broader effect, he said.Regarding hardware, however, the situation is more sensitive. If a 20% tariffor any substantial increasewere to be introduced, its unlikely that companies like Nintendo would absorb the additional cost by cutting into their margins. In such cases, the burden could shift to consumers in the form of higher retail prices.Holding the LineOn the other side of speculation, again with a heavy dose of telling me how unprecedented this is and how no one really knows what will happen, I find Joost van Dreunen, NYU Stern professor and author of SuperJoost Playlist. He acknowledges that a price increase on the Nintendo Switch 2 is possible, especially given the high tariffs on Vietnam. But he thinks the company will try very, very hard to avoid that."I believe the volatility from the Trump tariffs was already considered in the Switch 2's $449.99 pricing, he said. Given the first Trump administration's impact, Nintendo, like other manufacturers, has since restructured its supply chain to mitigate such geopolitical risks. Historically, Nintendo has aimed for a launch price around the $400 mark, adjusted for inflation, suggesting that the current price already reflects an anticipation of potential economic challenges stemming from ongoing trade disputes.Nevertheless, the unpredictable nature of these tariff decisionsexemplified by the recent situation in Vietnaminjects a significant amount of uncertainty into the market. This could compel Nintendo to find ways to absorb or offset additional costs, especially when initial product margins are typically narrower. While I expect Nintendo will strive to maintain the $449.99 price point, the external economic pressures may eventually force a reassessment if the trade landscape deteriorates further."Nintendo will not want to change the price having announced it, but I think everything is on the table now.Piers Harding-Rolls, games researcher at Ampere Analysis, agrees, saying that Nintendo runs the risk of consumer backlash if it raises prices further:The extent of the tariffs and its impact on Vietnamese exports are really bad news for Nintendo, he says. The company is now in between a rock and a hard place, having already announced the launch price. I have already suggested that the pricing would stay as announced until 2026 at the earliest but then might be adjusted if the tariffs stay in place. This delay in pre-orders is to give the company more time and it will be hoping some sort of solution will be found over the next few weeks. This is a pretty fluid situation after all. Nintendo will not want to change the price having announced it, but I think everything is on the table now. If the pricing does change, it will impact the brand and the US consumers view of the product at launch. I dont think that will put off loyal fans, but it might put off broader consumers who will take a wait a see approach. Thats particularly important during its first holiday season.Living in Unhinged TimesFinally, I spoke to Rhys Elliott, games analyst at Alinea Analytics. Elliott joined the first camp of analysts in predicting higher prices on both Nintendo hardware and software due to Trumps tariffs. He also pointed back to his comments in my previous analyst piece, where he spoke on Nintendo announcing cheaper digital editions of Nintendo Switch 2 games in certain markets. It seems the lower prices in other markets were to nudge Switch 2 buyers to digital, as I mentioned my comments to IGN about Mario Kart Worlds pricing. Nintendo might have wanted to do something similar in the US, but the tariff situation is so chaotic that Nintendo was in wait and see mode and decided to hedge its bets to see if it needed to offset the tariffs.Nintendo Switch 2 System and Accessories GalleryElliott went on to project a rather grim picture of what will happen to the games industry more broadly as a result of the tariffs, with his predictions in line with what a spokesperson from the Entertainment Software Association warned me of earlier this morning on the same topic. He says that the tariffs will result in a weaker, poorer nation, with consumers ultimately paying the price. Heres the rest of Elliotts take on this:Some manufacturers Nintendo included have been shifting their manufacturing to non-tariff-impacted markets, Elliott says. And even if companies can afford to switch up (no pun intended!) their supply chains, who knows which markets will get tariffs next as recent news supports. Companies cannot just lift up their whole supply chain and move everything to the US. Its just not logistically possible. Under current law (I cant believe I have to qualify this, but here we are), Trump would not be in power anymore by the time such a move would be completed for Nintendo and other manufacturers. We are living in theres no other word for it .. unhinged times driven by an unhinged man (and other forces).We are living intheres no other word for it...unhinged times driven by an unhinged man (and other forces).These extreme tariffs will also be bad for consumers in the US but are positive for the US administrations populist faade. Policies that lead to higher prices for everyday people amid a cost-of-living crisis are deplorable. They're bad for gamers and the games business. I wont comment on the real reason for the US tariffs, but a much stronger, much richer nation is not it.Whats more, time and time again, data has shown that tariffs harm the economy. Comparative advantage is a core principle of international trade theory. Basically, consumption and economic well-being are stronger when countries focus on producing goods they can efficiently produce (at the lowest cost compared to other goods) and trade for goods they are less efficient at producing. The trade war flies in the face of these core economic principles.Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can find her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

This article contains spoilers for A Minecraft Movie.There was no joy or creativity at all! Thats how protagonist Steve (Jack Black) describes the Nether, a dark underworld introduced during the mandatory and expository voiceover that opens A Minecraft Movie.Of course, that description also describes A Minecraft Movie itself, a slog of IP-driven nonsense that somehow has the temerity to make its bad guys monsters bent on destroying joy and creativity in their endless search for more money. Granted, A Minecraft Movie isnt the worst bit of IP-driven media released lately, that dishonor still belongs to The Garfield Movie. But it does encapsulate everything wrong with modern Hollywoods focus on intellectual property and brand recognition, for four main reasons.An Over-Minded PlotFull disclosure: Ive never played Minecraft. But my kids have, and they tell me it isnt about action or plot. They enjoy Minecraft because it feels like the worlds biggest LEGO set, an endless play place where they can use blocks to create whatever they imagine. To be sure, director Jared Hess and his gaggle of screenwriters have the characters in the film say the same thing about the Overworld, the magical cube-based place where most of A Minecraft Movie is set. But absolutely nothing on screen reflects that love of imagination, starting with its plot.To prevent the villainous pig monster Malgosha (Rachel House) from leaving the Nether and invading the Overworld, Steve hides a MacGuffin called the Orb of Dominance in the real world. There it comes into the possession of Garrett The Garbage Man Garrison (Jason Momoa), a swaggering man-child whose inability to move on from his past life as an arcade champion has left him with a failing retro game store.Into the store comes pre-teen Henry (Sebastian Hansen), who has moved to town with his caretaker, older sister Natalie (Emma Myers of Wednesday), after the death of their parents. Henry finds the Orb, which guides himalong with Garrett, Natalie, and realtor Dawn (Danielle Brooks)into the Overworld.What follows is a series of set pieces designed to present the minutiae of the world in exacerbating detail, thus thrilling viewers who recognize this stuff from the games. However, the absolute lack of care about everything else, including plot mechanics that rely heavily on formula and tropes, will undoubtedly bore everyone elseespecially when they recognize that stuff from a million other movies. As a result, the movie amounts to little more than a pile-up of narrative complications and conveniences, introduced with byzantine rules. Each of these obstacles is then immediately resolved while remaining completely free of tension.Steve begins the movie captured by Malgosha, but is let go when he promises to bring her the Orb, something he never does and she never expects. Late in the film, Henry gets zapped by an Enderman, a dangerous monster who, in Steves words, scrambles minds. But Henry literally shakes it off after 30 seconds of visions, vanquishing this most dangerous of beasts with a few sword swipes.Adults who have never played the game feel absolutely nothing from these beats, but kids who have had their Minecraft sessions ruined by Endermen can fill in the gaps that the movie leaves. At least, thats what filmmakers are counting on: familiarity with the game creating a tension or excitement the film never has time to be bothered with engineering.Characters Youve Seen BeforeEver since he warned us about the dangers of Pitfall! in a 1982 Atari commercial, Jack Black has charmed audiences with his outsized enthusiasm. His role as Steve asks him to do the same, and so he waves his hands to underscore the mystery of the flying boots and swaggers across the screen when blocks appear wherever he points. He enters each new location with a loud, Whoa-ho! demanding that we be just as excited.Black has also been the secret weapon for many terrible IP movies. Consider how he brought energy to later Kung Fu Panda and Jumanji entries, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and Borderlands. But the grind seems to have finally caught up with him. Theres sadness in his eyes this time as he does his usual moves. The louder he gets, the more tired he seems.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!To a certain extent, Momoa picks up some of the slack. He too usually plays big, lovable bros, and his loudness can sometimes compensate for Blacks exhaustion. However, hes trying to create a real performance with Garrett, and he really shouldnt. Not only does A Minecraft Movie not warrant actual acting, but Garretts a terrible character to take seriously. Why would kids want to see an adult be sad about video games? Its their dream come true!Outside of Garrett and Steve, A Minecraft Movie fills out its cast with one-note character types. Theres the smart, awkward kid who needs to believe in himself; theres the caretaker who needs to learn to trust her charge; theres a sassy plus-sized woman of color (played by an actor who just earned an Oscar nom for The Color Purple!) to drop one-liners; and theres a big tough baddie who acts like a nice guy.As with the plot, A Minecraft Movie goes for the easy money guaranteed by safety, not for the creativity it claims to celebrate.Millions of PeachesPerhaps the most craven part of A Minecraft Movie involves its many, many songs. Now singing has long been a part of Blacks act, ever since his incredible take on Lets Get it On in High Fidelity. But when the entire movie stops so he can drop a 30-second ditty about eating lava-cooked chicken or an ode to his doggie Dennis, its clear that A Minecraft Movie hopes to have its own Peaches, a la The Super Mario Bros. Movies viral sensation.Songs arent the only thing A Minecraft Movie rips off from other video game adaptations though. The film is also fond of wry asides that comment upon the oddity of the world, with confused reaction shots and one-liners (usually involving Brookss Dawn). This can occur when a bone magically turns an angry wolf into a happy pup, or day turns to night within seconds. Its as if the movie would like you to know that it also thinks the source material is dumb, even though the source material is the only part of the film that isnt generic.Finally, and least surprisingly, A Minecraft Movie features two end-credit scenes, one with a celebrity cameo and the other with a sequel tease. The first appears mid-credits, and pays off a running gag about a villageran NPC from the game who says nothing but looks at things with confusionwho makes it to the real world and goes on a date with Henrys principal.The principal is played by Jennifer Coolidge, best known lately for incessant credit card commercials, which means that shes an air-headed and slightly too sexual older woman who throws herself at the silent villager. But when a former beau arrives and challenges the villager, he speaks in the sonorous tones of Matt Berry. In this case, the joke is funny because its funny, and not just because Matt Berrys funny, and we like him in other things.In the final scene, Steve returns to his old house to find it now occupied by a woman who introduces herself as Alex. I clocked the voice as that of Kate McKinnon, but needed my daughter to explain that Alex is the female counterpart to Steve, a girl-character for players who want to play as a girl. And thats it. But it was enough to get my daughter excited, which I guess is the point.It Doesnt Have to Be This WayA Minecraft Movie is incredibly dull, but in certain moments it shows flashes of originality. That somehow makes the movie worse.Its been a long time since Hess did anything as impactful as Napoleon Dynamite or Nacho Libre, but his droll, late-80s aesthetic brings some character to the few scenes before the heroes go to the Overworld. A sequence involving Henry accidentally sending a rocket pack into the giant potato at the center of town is strangely funny. Even the decision to dress Momoa in a pink frilly jacket and Brooks in a pastel jumpsuit is a choice.Perhaps the most interesting parts are the most upsetting. Although the film retains the blocky designs from the game, it covers them with real textures. Thus the enemy piglins all have flabby, harry skin, complete with hairs and pustules. The villagers have the same uni-brows and massive Squidward-style noses they sport in the game, but here, the unibrows are bushy and full, and the noses look like someone slapped uncanned Spam on their faces.In these moments, A Minecraft Movie threatens be something closer to the original Super Mario Bros. movie of 1993 or Street Fighter (1994), or even Double Dragon (1994), video game adaptations that arent good by any standard and that still exist to pump money from an IP, but at least fail in a way thats interesting. At least they show some imagination.A Minecraft Movie, as much as it says otherwise, is not a movie about imagination. Its a movie about money and nothing else. And it certainly wont be the last.A Minecraft Movie currently exists in theaters worldwide.

iOS 18s new Control Center has proven to be much more than a one-off design change. Apple has steadily added new capabilities to Control Center via software updates, and iOS 18.4 continues that trend in a big way thanks to several nice upgrades.#1: New Ambient Music controlsiOS 18.4 introduces a whole new section of Apple Music controls called Ambient Music. Here youll find the following four controls:ChillProductivitySleepWellbeingEach of these let you quickly trigger an Apple Music playlist that fits the given mood. You can also configure your chosen control to play a different playlist by defaulteither one you manually set yourself, or a recommended built-in.Ambient Music controls can be resized to take up one, two, or four slots inside Control Center, and they can also be assigned to your iPhones Action Button or Lock Screen.#2: Visual Intelligence & Talk to SiriIn the newly renamed Apple Intelligence and Siri section of Control Centers catalog, there are two new options.Joining the existing Type to Siri toggle, you can now also add Talk to Siri and Visual Intelligence as new controls.The former triggers Siri in voice mode, just like the side button does. The latter enables a key Apple Intelligence camera feature, which was formerly iPhone 16-exclusive, to also come to the iPhone 15 Pro and 16e despite the lack of Camera Control. Visual Intelligence makes an especially nice Action Button assignment.#3: Control Centers design updates in iOS 18.4Apple also has several design enhancements included with iOS 18.4. Those changes include:Focus control adding up and down arrowsBrightness slider changing animations based on levelVolume slider similarly animates dynamicallyThe Focus change makes it clear that you can tap the arrows to view your full lineup of Focus modes. It sits on the right side of the toggle, while hitting the left side turns the current Focus on and off.iOS 18.4s brightness and volume slider animations show off some of the fun design flourishes Apple is known for. With the brightness slider, for example, youll see the sun grow smaller and dimmer or larger and brighter based on your brightness setting.iOS 18.4 Control Center: wrap-upControl Center has gone through several updates over the course of its lifespan, but the latest iteration keeps proving itself the best. The ability for users to fully customize their own Control Center setups, and choose from a wide range of controls thats always growing, has made for a winning combination. iOS 18.4s additions only continue Apples success making Control Center better than ever.Which iOS 18.4 Control Center changes do you care about most? Let us know in the comments.Best iPhone accessoriesAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

As the world economy reels from President Donald Trump's so-called "reciprocal tariffs," the trade war between China and the US is escalating to new heights.Nowhere is that more evident than in China's wild clapback in the form of an AI-generated music video blasting the United States, which came hours after Trump announced a 34 percent tax on Chinese imports.The English-language China Global Television Network (CGTN) released the song, called "Look What You Taxed Us Through" ahead of Wall Street's worst single-day performance since 2020, during the throes of the pandemic. The song's lyrics are written from the point of view of an American consumer, blasting Trump's economic policy and daily life in the US more broadly. While the music video is AI-generated a fact the CGTN advertises, unlike some American slopaganda it also makes use of clips and audio from real sources like Trump rallies, Tesla protests, and American social media."Groceries cost a kidney, gas a lung. Your 'deals'? Just hot air from your tongue," the song opens, overlaid with B-roll from Tesla protests and audio from inflation-wary Americans. It continues: "Elon's satellites crash, Bezos' wealth sinks, the GDP's limping, the Fed's out of tricks, your 'patriot tax' made Wall Street sick."While harsh remarks from US officials and mainstream media about China are nothing new, China rarely hits back with this much vinegar. Its appeal to US citizens to question their economy is clear: "CEOs buy yachts, we can't afford a stew!"But Beijing's retaliatory strategy goes far beyond campy propaganda. China has matched the US' tariffs with 34 percent tariffs on its own, sharply escalating a seven-year trade war. It also announced controls on rare earth exports, which could be a major blow for American manufacturing, as China produces about 90 percent of the world's refined rare earth metal.Unfortunately for people in the US, the CGTN's depiction isn't far off. Responding to the terrible rotten stock market dive, Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell noted that Trump's tariffs are "larger than expected," adding that increased inflation, lost jobs, and stagnant economic growth are likely."We face a highly uncertain outlook with elevated risks of both higher unemployment and higher inflation," Powell fretted.US business leaders were a little less restrained."There will be blood," was the message from JP Morgan's Bruce Kasman, whose team released an analysis of the tariffs on Thursday. They warned that the risk of a recession has skyrocketed from an already uncomfortable 40 percent to a whopping 60. "At a basic level," Kasman's team calls the tariffs a functional tax increase on US citizens and businesses.So far, Trump's tariffs have wiped $2.5 trillion in US stock market value, and it's anyone's guess when we might hit the bottom. At least we'll get some crafty Chinese propaganda when we do.Share This Article

Today is April 4 or 4/4, which is about as good a time as any to promote a newFantastic Four movie. Although Marvel showedoff new footage from the The Fantastic Four: First Stepsat CinemaCon this week, it hasnt appeared online yet. Instead, Marvel released a new retro-styled poster for the film.Although they only appear as silhouettes, thats Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the Thing, Vanessa Kirby as the Invisible Woman, Pedro Pascal as Mr. Fantastic, and Joseph Quinn as the Human Torch. (Not pictured: H.E.R.B.I.E. the Robot as himself.)Here is the new poster for the film in honor of 4/4...THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPSMarvelloading...READ MORE: A Big Marvel Actor Says The Studios Movies Arent to Her TasteTheres a fancy motion version of the poster on Instagram as well.A new feature on the movie published inEmpire Magazine, also for 4/4, includes several new images of the cast (not in silhouette) and comments from director Matt Shakman, who says that his approach to the retro-futuristic film was to make the audience feel like it was made in 1965, the way Stanley Kubrick would have made it. That includes an emphasis on practical sets and props including a miniature spaceship used for outer space photography, which was shot with old lenses.Of course, Shakman added, we still have a lot of CG.Youll be able to judge whether the filmachieves its Kubrickian ambitions whenThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsto opens in theaterseverywhere on July 25. All four of the films leads will then return inAvengers: Doomsday next spring, where they will fight Robert Downey Jr.s Doctor Doom.Get our free mobile app10 Actors Who Played Distractingly Bad Doubles in MoviesThese dual performances are doubly distracting.Gallery Credit: Emma Stefansky

Our teams address substance exposed living and substance exposed pregnancy. You will work within a family-focused culture and have the benefit of learning both the clinical and business sides of the company. You will have a flexible schedule and the freedom to create groups and utilize evidence based practices you are most passionate about.As a clinician, you will work in collaborative settings to provide biopsychosocial assessments, individual and group therapy, and work with your team to coordinate care across a range of substance use disorder treatment settings. You will enjoy the flexibility and autonomy to work from home.Compensation: Potential to earn up to $75,000 a year based on your clinical hours, plus benefits.Comprehensive Benefits Package includes:Medical, Dental and Vision InsuranceSupplemental Life InsuranceShort Term and Long Term Insurance paid by Mindoula401k, with a company match3 weeks paid vacation each year, 4 mental wellness days and 11 holidaysParental Leave: 8 weeks of paid parental leavePersonal Development Program: $500 credit reimbursement per calendar yearHow you'll contribute:Assesses, plans and implements care strategies that are individualized by member and directed toward the most appropriate and least restrictive level of care.Collaborates with member, family and healthcare providers to develop an individualized plan of care.Conducts individual counseling and group therapy with adolescents and adults.Identifies and initiates referrals for social service programs including financial, psycho-social, community and state supportive services.Advocates for members and families as needed to ensure the patients needs and choices are fully represented and supported by the healthcare team.Utilizes approved clinical criteria to assess and determine appropriate level of care for members.Documents all member assessments, care plan and referrals provided.Responsible for achieving set goals; Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).Learning the StrongWell model and taking responsibility and ownership for outcome based care.Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings and utilization management rounds and provides information to assist with safe transitions of care.Promotes responsible and ethical stewardship of company resources.Maintains excellent punctuality and attendance during work hours.Qualifications:LCSW, LMFT, LPC, in Tennessee.Preferred experience with substance abuse population.Background in maternal; substance abuse preferred.Experience with adults and adolescents.Familiarity with Medicare and Medicaid procedures.Remote Work Experience.Come be part of the solution!Apply NowLet's start your dream job Apply now

The end of A Minecraft Movie plants the seed for a bigger, blocky, cinematic universe to take shape.

April 4, 20253 min readWhooping Cough Kills Two Babies as Cases SoarThe bacterial infection pertussis has sparked an uptick in cases nationwide and has caused two deaths in LouisianaBy Tanya Lewis edited by Dean Visser Lorena Garibo/Getty ImagesTwo infants have died of whooping cough in Louisiana in the past six months, according to the surgeon general of the states health department. The deaths from this vaccine-preventable illness are the first to occur in Louisiana since 2018.There have been 110 cases of whooping cough in the state so far this year, compared with 154 cases in all of last year, CNN reported. Cases have been rising throughout the U.S. after they dropped dramatically during the COVID pandemic. There were 35,000 cases in the country last yearhigher than any year since 2012.The spike may have been driven by declining vaccination rates for childhood diseases. Two months ago Louisianas health department said it would no longer promote vaccination. Similar declines may be behind the growing measles outbreak in Texas and neighboring states.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.What is whooping cough?Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a type of respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It is extremely contagious, and symptoms can last for months. The bacteria attach to tiny, hairlike structures in the lungs called cilia, which help sweep the lungs clear of mucus and irritants. There the bacteria secrete toxins that damage the cilia and cause the airways to swell.3D illustration of a group of aerobic, gram-negative, Bordetella pertussis bacteria.imageBROKER/Stocktrek Images/Getty ImagesWhat are the symptoms?Early symptoms of whooping cough can resemble those of a common cold. A week or two later, many people start having violent coughing fits that usually last one to six weeks but can linger up to 10 weeks. People with the illness often produce a characteristic whooping noise as they gasp for air between coughs. The coughing can sometimes be so violent that it causes people to vomit or fracture a rib, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The disease can be especially dangerous to babies and young children, who may not cough at all but may struggle to breathe. About one in three babies with whooping cough are hospitalized. Those younger than a year old can develop apnea (potentially deadly pauses in breathing), pneumonia, convulsions and encephalopathy (brain disease). One in 100 babies hospitalized with whooping cough will die from complications of the illness.Can the disease be prevented or treated?Vaccines are effective at preventing serious cases of whooping cough, though they may not entirely prevent people from getting the disease. In the U.S. there are currently two pertussis vaccines in use, both of which also protect against diphtheria and tetanus: the DTaP vaccine is given to infants older than two months and young children, and the Tdap vaccine is used for older children and adults, including pregnant people.The CDC recommends that children get vaccinated at two months, four months, six months, 15 through 18 months and four through six years of age. Adults should get vaccinated against diphtheria and tetanus at least every 10 years, and this includes protection against pertussis if the DTaP or Tdap vaccine is given. Though theres no official recommendation to get revaccinated for whooping cough specifically, some evidence suggests pertussis immunity only lasts about six years. Pregnant people should get the Tdap vaccine in their third trimester to provide protection to their baby prior to birth.Whooping cough can be treated with antibiotics, but they are most effective if they are given early, before coughing fits have begun. After three weeks of infection, the drugs are unlikely to help because the body has cleared the bacteria, and the lingering cough is caused by airway damage. Cough medicines arent usually effective either.Most infections can be treated at home, but some may require hospitalization. Treatment consists of keeping airways clear and administering oxygen or fluids if needed.

FromSoftware's focus hasn't shifted to multiplayer, Miyazaki says, despite Elden Ring: Nightreign and The DuskbloodsPlus, more details on the Switch 2 exclusive.Image credit: FromSoftware News by Ed Nightingale Deputy News Editor Published on April 4, 2025 FromSoftware boss Hidetaka Miyazaki has confirmed the studio hasn't shifted to focus on multiplayer games.The studio is best-known for its single-player games, from its Soulsborne games to the hugely successful Elden Ring. Yet that game's follow-up, Nightreign, is an online co-op roguelike, while the studio's Switch 2 exclusive Duskbloods has been confirmed as a PvPvE game following its reveal earlier this week at the Nintendo Direct."As previously mentioned, this is an online multiplayer title at its core, but this doesn't mean that we as a company have decided to shift to a more multiplayer-focused direction with titles going forward," said Miyazaki in an interview with Nintendo.The Duskbloods Nintendo Direct | Nintendo Switch 2Watch on YouTube"The Nintendo Switch 2 version of Elden Ring was also announced, and we still intend to actively develop single-player focused games such as this that embrace our more traditional style."However, he stated he's always found the PvPvE structure "very interesting", adding: "It allows for a broad range of game-design ideas, while also letting us leverage our experience of designing challenging enemy encounters."Elsewhere in the interview, Miyazaki provided more details on The Duskbloods. At first it was designed for the original Switch, but development changed to the newer console as its "focus on online features allowed us to stay as true to the original vision as possible". Gun fights will be more prevalent in The Duskbloods | Image credit: FromSoftwareAs for characters and setting, player characters are known as "Bloodsworn" and have super-human abilities through the power of special blood."As a general concept, they're similar to vampires, but they are not portrayed as the horrifying monsters you might associate with traditional vampirism," said Miyazaki."We tried to extract the sort of romantic aspects we found interesting from concepts such as vampires and 'blood' and reinterpreted them as the Bloodsworn."He continued: "In The Duskbloods, the Bloodsworn are competing for something known as 'First Blood'. As human society reaches an end, First Blood flows in an event known as the 'Twilight of Humanity'. The Bloodsworn are summoned to the Twilight of Humanity across a variety of different times and places in a bid to obtain First Blood."Due to this, there is no fixed era or location in which The Duskbloods takes place. There are more traditional Gothic- or Victorian-style maps as well as those depicting the closing years of the early modern period, like the one glimpsed in the trailer with the train running through it."As a result of the special blood, basic actions are dynamic and superhuman, like sprinting, super jump, and double jump."Also, and while this isn't directly related to the Bloodsworn themselves, the setting allows for the depiction of firearms and such, and every character is equipped with some means of attacking from a distance," confirmed Miyazaki. "I feel this is one of the game's unique aspects when compared with our previous titles. I hope these new action elements are one area that players will enjoy."Players will choose from over a dozen specific characters to play as, each with their own identity and unique weapons. As for the gameplay loop, Duskbloods has a hub area from which up to eight players can join a match. On their return, they receive rewards to customise their character further. Matches are generally last player standing, though victory conditions will differ in certain cases - taking down a boss, for instance.Further, how players conduct themselves is as important as direct combat, Miyazaki explained. "The Duskbloods implements 'Victory Points', which are responsible for ultimately deciding the outcome of a match," he said. "To obtain Victory Points, direct combat is of course important, but it's not the only way. Some players may prefer to earn points by avoiding direct combat and instead engaging in more opportunistic behavior. How you earn points is entirely up to you."Additionally, each character can summon an entity to assist in combat, giving players a high degree of freedom when it comes to how they fight - and win." It's this enemy that intrigues me most... | Image credit: FromSoftwareThere's also an event system to dynamically alter the course of a match - something FromSoftware has similarly implemented in Nightreign.Another interesting addition are "roles" for each player, outside of the main mission of obtaining First Blood. For instance, players may need to defeat a specific opponent, or seek another player as their companion. Roles are assigned by blood customisation.Indeed, character customisation is also where players will find the typical lore fragments of Souls games. By customising a character, players will alter their "blood history and fate", slowly revealing their story. Image credit: FromSoftwareOh and the winged rat from the trailer? That's your new hub friend, providing expert advice between matches. Miyazaki joked this is FromSoftware doing "something a little Nintendo-esque in the spirit of the partnership".He added: "We tried something cute for a change. Although I will say this character is actually an elderly gentleman."The Duskbloods was revealed at the Switch 2 Direct earlier this week, where it initially drew favourable comparisons to Bloodborne. For more on the new console, check out Eurogamer's hands-on preview with Switch 2.

Editor's note: After being challenged by Dyson, Levoit voluntarily removed the True HEPA title from their products. We still found this model to be effective, but if you want the True HEPA filter, you should probably look elsewhere.Levoit Cordless Vacuum CleanerSpecsWeight: 6.17 poundsBattery life: 50 minutesBin capacity: 0.58 LNoise Level: 77.5 dBTheres a lot to love about Levoits first vacuumits cordless design seriously improves the ease of cleaning with its 50-minute run-time, five-stage filtration system, and bin disposal at the touch of a button. The brushroll has a tangle-resistant design to keep hair and pet dander from clogging your vacuum, and the vacuum can lay totally flat for effective under-couch cleaning or deconstruct into a hand vac size. Contributor Terri Williams says its light weight makes it easy to tote around, but notes that it works best on hard floors and rugs, rather than carpet. This Levoit model, she says, is proof that you dont have to spend a lot of money to get a good vacuum.Levoit OasisMist 1000S (10L) Smart HumidifierSpecsCoverage: 600 square feetRun time: 100 hoursSize: 10"D x 8.4"W x 28.7"HWeight: 6.4 lbs.If youre looking for a discreet mister, a tower humidifier is especially easy to hide behind an intentionally-placed snake plant, or fern. Williams says the generous water tank on this one means less frequent, easier refills. The mist levels are adjustable, and are displayed on the LED touch screen itself, along with other stats and control options. Flip through them on the machine itself, via the remote it comes with, or through the accompanying app for hands-free voice control.Photo: Lori KeongLevoit OasisMist Smart Cool and Warm Mist HumidifierSpecsCoverage: 430 square feetRun time: 45 hoursSize: 10.8"D x 6"W x 11.97"HWeight: 5.3 lbs.This slim model bears all the hallmarks of a good humidifieradjustable mist levels, an easy top fill and spacious water storage, and wide coveragebut is especially well-suited for those who love to sync theirs with their phones. Assistant commerce director Lori Keong said the accompanying app made it really easy to sync to and track the humidity of my apartment, plus control the device itselfturning it on, changing the presets, and so on. You can control every feature of this humidifier from your smart phone, even with voice activation.While Keong doesnt like light shows or using my humidifier to disperse essential oils, she can appreciate the pomp and frills of this humidifier: a nightlight option with various colorways and a diffuser inset for oils. Generally, says Keong, this humidifier packs a lot of functionality into a small device, even offering warm air if you get cold at night with a humidifier on.Photo: Lori KeongLevoit LVAC-300 Stick VacuumSpecsWeight: 6.61 poundsBattery life: 120 minutesBin capacity: 0.75 LNoise Level: 77.5 dBThe LVAC-300 is LVAC-200s souped-up counterpart. The LVAC-300 maintains what Williams loved about the 200the filtration system, the tangle-resistant design, but offers a longer maximum runtime (up to 60 minutes vs. 50), and a redesigned brush assembly for reduced tangling.Compared to the discontinued Tineco stick vacuum Keong was using before, she thinks this one is definitely savvier. I love that the display screen tells you exactly how much battery life is left, and I was able to vacuum the entirety of my teeny apartment around 300 square feet without even breaking 90% battery life on eco mode. While she was slightly less impressed by the power suction of eco mode when faced with a popcorn kernel, turbo mode eventually took care of it.Another perk is the simplicity of assemblythe vacuum arrived in a box small enough that I questioned how the whole thing fit in there, but lo and behold it was, and the ensuing setup was extremely easy. If youre looking for Dyson aesthetic and rivaling quality, Keong found this looks and feels like a Dyson but doesnt cost upwards of $500: I think its a great alternative for anyone whos on a budget and wants a slightly tech-enhanced model that deconstructs for small space living.Photo: Rachel FletcherLevoit Vital 200S-P Air PurifierSpecsCoverage: 1,100 square feetNoise Level: 23 dBDimensions: 6.4"D x 12.8"W x 16.1"HFilter replacements: Replacement filters cost $65, suggested replacement every 12 monthsCommerce director Rachel Fletcher describes this air purifier as a powerful machine at a reasonable price point. With a coverage zone of up to 1,100 square feet, its ideal for a medium-to large-size home or apartment that could use some better air filtration. It passed Fletchers ultimate testcooking fishsomething she loves to do but often avoids because the smell can linger in her small space. I turned the purifier on during and after the cooking process and there was absolutely no detectable smell almost immediately after I ate my dinner, she says.As a pet owner, she hasnt clocked a notable difference in pet hair or dust, but takes comfort in knowing its cleaning the air of the most harmful particulates and keeping my space fresh. It operates on a barely noticeable hum unless its going at full speed, and was so easy to get up and running that Fletcher said she didnt even need to crack the manual to set it up.Editor's note: After being challenged by Dyson, Levoit voluntarily removed the True HEPA title from their products. We still found this model to be effective, but if you want the True HEPA filter, you should probably look elsewhere.Levoit LV600HH Hybrid Ultrasonic HumidifierSpecsCoverage: 753 square feetRun time: 50 hoursSize: 11.3"D x 7"W x 10.5"HWeight: 6.5 lbs.With a 1.5 gallon water tank and a 50-hour run time, we love the basics of this humidifier but are pleased to see it also doesnt require filter replacements, which can oftentimes be expensive and hard to install. It has a significant coverage zoneup to 753 square feetso its perfect for large rooms. It also functions as either an ultrasonic cool mist humidifier or a warm mist humidifier, so it can be used year-round. Levoit doesnt list the noise level, but Williams, our tester, described it as whisper-quiet.