The glasses would reportedly serve as a placeholder until Apple has a more advanced AR headset.

April 18, 20253 min readAmerica’s ‘Golden Era’ of Oil Is Already Losing Its GlitterLiberty Energy, founded by Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, reports falling profits, and the industry cites tariffs as a driverBy Benjamin Storrow & E&E News Anton Petrus/Getty ImagesCLIMATEWIRE | The oil company founded by Energy Secretary Chris Wright reported falling profits Thursday, warning investors that the oil industry faces "storm clouds on the horizon" amid President Donald Trump's tariff blitz.Liberty Energy is a barometer of the health of America's oil patch. The Denver-based company provides fracking services to oil and gas companies, and it is of growing importance today — as the company was founded by Wright and is one of the first oil firms to report its first quarter earnings amid the president's push to impose tariffs on a broad-range of imported goods."As we look forward, of course, there are some storm clouds on the horizon," Liberty CEO Ron Gusek told financial analysts. "We don't know if that storm is going to roll in here or not."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.Liberty executives sought to put a good face on the moment. They noted the oil and gas industry is a cyclical business and that drillers are in better shape to withstand a downturn than in previous years. They predicted drilling activity would pick up in the second quarter, as winter turned to spring. And they expressed hope that Trump's decision to pause a wide range of tariffs had relieved pressure on the global economy.But the tone was a far cry from the "golden era of American energy dominance" that Wright promised shortly after becoming Energy secretary earlier this year.Liberty's quarterly profit of $165 million represented its worst quarter since the first three months of 2022 and was down from almost $239 million in the same quarter last year. Liberty's stock has fallen around 40 percent since the start of year.Company executives conceded a slowdown in the oil patch could occur if oil prices continued to slide. West Texas Intermediate, the benchmark for American crude, has lost more than 20 percent from its high of around $80 a barrel in early January.The company will be closely watching its capital expenditures and share buyback as market conditions evolved, Gusek said, adding, "We will be keenly focused on a fortress like balance sheet that will enable us to navigate whatever is coming our way."The Department of Energy did not respond to a request for comment.Company executives said the gas market represented a potential bright spot, with liquefied natural gas exports supporting demand. Falling associated gas production from wells that are primarily drilled for oil could support pure-play natural gas operations, they said.The oil and gas industry threw its weight behind Trump's reelection campaign last year and many in the industry were thrilled when the president selected Wright to lead DOE. In his first secretarial order, Wright promised to unleash a "golden age" for energy development, rolling back regulations, boosting LNG exports, focusing on research and development and refilling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.Discontent with Trump has been rising in the oil patch. In a quarterly survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, oil and gas executives expressed dismay with the president's tariff onslaught, saying it threatened to raise costs while putting a damper on economic growth needed to support oil demand.This story also appears in Energywire.Reprinted from E&E News with permission from POLITICO, LLC. Copyright 2025. E&E News provides essential news for energy and environment professionals.

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Stellar Blade and Goddess of Victory: Nikke studio Shift Up is now one of the biggest game studios in South Korea. Due to the massive success of both action games, although definitely more for the latter, the studio’s CEO and game director Kim Hyung-tae is now one of the richest people in the country. Via Forbes, the Korean game director now has a net worth of $725 million due to the success of its games. Kim, who started off as a game artist before founding the company, has skyrocketed in riches. As of last July, Kim Hyung-tae was a billionaire in South Korea, but a significant fall in share prices have reduced his worth down to $725 million. Nevertheless, the game designer is still one of the richest people in Korea. After working on Blade and Soul, a popular Korean MMO, the CEO opened Shift Up in 2013. Since the company’s founding, Goddess of Victory: NIKKE has been a major success, bringing in so much money it pretty much funded Stellar Blade’s lengthy development. Over the last decade, Nikke’s success has raked in many millions and has crossed over with a tonne of other popular properties. In recent years, the game has crossed over with Chainsaw Man, NieR, Re:Zero and Neon Genesis Evangelion. Eve from Stellar Blade is also slated to make an appearance in the game as part of a special collaboration this year. In the near future, Shift Up’s Stellar Blade is set to receive a second win due to its release on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store this July. While the game did well as a PlayStation 5 exclusive, the game’s PC port is expected to be an absolutely huge moment for the action title. (We know why: it’s the modding scene.) Stellar Blade 2 is also in the works at Shift Up. However, it will likely be years until we see anything related to the upcoming sequel. Stellar Blade Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 5 Genre(s): Action, Action Adventure, Indie Subscribe to our newsletters! By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime. Share

Original Real Housewives of New York cast member Bethenny Frankel is a New Yorker no more. The Queens-born Bravolebrity, who starred in eight seasons of the hit reality series, announced on Thursday that she is moving to Florida “for personal and professional reasons,” along with her teenage daughter, Bryn Hoppy. “Something has arisen that made this the best and healthiest decision for myself and my daughter,” Frankel said in the social media video.According to Us Weekly, Hoppy’s “academic and athletic goals” were a big reason behind the decision to move, which was “all about” supporting the 14-year-old, a source told the outlet. Frankel also liked a TikTok comment that referenced Hoppy wanting to “start college [in Florida] later,” seemingly confirming that narrative.Though she will reside in the Sunshine State for at least 184 days out of the year, this isn’t the last that NYC will see of the Skinnygirl founder. “We will maintain residences in the Hamptons and New York City because we love New York, but this will be our primary and permanent residence,” she said.Frankel did not confirm which Floridian city would become her new home base, but she did buy a $1.68 million Miami Beach apartment last year, which looks to be where she shot the video. The reality star ended the clip by panning to the ocean view from her balcony and gushing, “This will be my backyard!”Join NowAD PRO members enjoy exclusive benefits. Get a year of unlimited access for $25 $20 per month.ArrowThe move is certainly not unprecedented. It seems it’s becoming a RHONY alum tradition to trade the Big Apple for the Sunshine State. Sonja Morgan, who starred in seasons three through 13 of the show, packed her bags for West Palm Beach last year, while Ramona Singer of seasons one through 13 bought properties in Boca Raton and Palm Beach in 2020 and 2021, respectively.Frankel’s announcement garnered mixed reactions from fans. Many speculated that Florida’s lack of income tax spurred the move, while some excitedly floated the idea of the New York native joining the Real Housewives of Miami cast. One TikTok commenter questioned “who willingly moves to Florida in 2025,” to which Frankel replied, “me as stated earlier in the meeting.”

Tesla recently cut production goals for its huge, angular EV pickup truck. It turns out the Cybertruck’s sales just aren’t that impressive as of late, prompting the automaker to take action. The latest move? Tesla is offering big discounts on the Cybertruck in the hopes of swelling sales.  US and Canadian discounts soar as Tesla attempts to bolster Cybertruck sales The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its American Automobile Labeling Act records. For 2025, the Tesla Cybertruck ranked among the most American-made vehicles on the market. At 65% US and Canadian parts, the Cybertruck is more US-made than the American-as-apple-pie Ford F-150. Despite its American-ness, the Cybertruck’s sales in the United States are downright lousy. Tesla sold around 6,400 Cybertrucks in Q1 2025, well off target for the brand’s sales expectations. As a result, Elon Musk’s electric automaker is in survival mode. For starters, Tesla is offering big-time discounts on its Foundation Series models. In some cases, the discounts are as much as $11,990. To entice would-be buyers that much more, the brand may also offer free lifetime supercharging for the 123 kWh battery pack. Discounts aren’t quite as generous for the non-Foundation Series models. Those discounts are closer to $10,550 on the higher side. Still, a five-figure discount is a sizable incentive. Take a beat, though. Before you go rushing through the picket lines at your nearest Tesla dealership, the 2025 model doesn’t have access to the same $7,500 federal tax credit it once did.  The federal tax credit caps at $80,000, which excludes models like the $102,235 tri-motor Cyberbeast. However, Tesla is set to play a different tune as early as this year. Tesla will deliver a single-motor, RWD Cybertruck “Long Range” soon, with a lower price. As of now, the Cybertruck Long Range is likely to start at around $69,990 and shrug off features like a power tonneau cover. However, that $69,990 starting price puts the Cybertruck Long Range at the right price point to qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit. That welcomed EV credit could drop the cost of a Cybertruck RWD to around $62,490 when the new model starts reaching buyers.

Image: Nintendo LifeSorry, everyone! We were a little distracted by yesterday's Mario Kart World Direct and had to push the latest numbers from Famitsu aside for a little while. But have no fear, we're back to provide the latest look at the Japanese charts. Much like last time, it has been a pretty quiet week in the wake of Nintendo opening the floodgates on Switch 2, but Super Mario Party Jamboree has still managed to find itself on top with an additional 6,146 sales — just imagine the numbers once the + Jamboree TV expansion drops.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube808kWatch on YouTube We've got a new entry at eighth in the shape of Hakama Inc.'s Progress Orders, which managed to shift 3,349 units in its first week, but other than that, it's business as usual. Monster Hunter Wilds stands as the only non-Switch entry, and Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is still holding onto a top-five spot, which is more than can be said for its UK performance. For the full breakdown, here's a look at the latest top ten: Position Game Platform Unit Sales (7th - 13th Apr) Total Unit Sales 1 Super Mario Party Jamboree Switch 7,041 1,264,884 2 Monster Hunter Wilds PS5 6,149 793,546 3 Minecraft Switch 5,208 3,857,392 4 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Switch 4,299 6,303,574 5 Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Switch 3,774 101,429 6 Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 3,550 8,106,663 7 Donkey Kong Country Returns HD Switch 3,414 253,335 8 Progress Orders Switch 3,349 NEW 9 Nintendo Switch Sports Switch 2,712 1,573,028 10 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Switch 2,543 5,745,219 Hardware is much the same as we've come to expect in recent weeks, with pretty sluggish sales across the board. That said, the Switch family still comes out firmly on top, with the three SKUs combining for 25,035, and the three PS5 models totalling 8,866. Oh yeah, the Xboxes come in with a total of 196 weekly sales, but let's not dwell on that... Here's your look at this week's Japanese hardware chart in full: Position Console Unit Sales (7th - 13th Apr) Total Unit Sales 1 Switch OLED 14,064 8,941,474 2 Switch Lite 8,409 6,524,751 3 PlayStation 5 5,210 5,636,963 4 Switch 2,562 20,089,166 5 PlayStation 5 Pro 2,534 195,315 6 PlayStation 5 Digital Edition 1,122 964,885 7 Xbox Series S 101 333,883 8 Xbox Series X Digital Edition 58 20,149 9 Xbox Series X 37 319,706 10 PlayStation 4 17 7,929,425 < Previous charts Where to buy Switch 2 consoles, accessories & games What do you make of this week's charts? Let us know your thoughts with a comment down below. [source famitsu.com] Related Games See Also Share:0 1 Jim came to Nintendo Life in 2022 and, despite his insistence that The Minish Cap is the best Zelda game and his unwavering love for the Star Wars prequels (yes, really), he has continued to write news and features on the site ever since. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment... Related Articles Switch 2's Backwards Compatibility List Provides Updates On Two Titles Here's what you can expect

For startups around the world, the TechCrunch Startup Battlefield program offers unmatched exposure, credibility, and connections to scale their businesses. TechCrunch has long been committed to spotlighting companies solving real-world problems in scalable and sustainable ways — making it a powerful launchpad for startups both in and outside the U.S. Several Latin American startups have thrived in this environment. Tackling critical challenges in their regions with bold, innovative solutions, these companies have turned Startup Battlefield momentum into international success. With increased visibility and valuable connections, they’ve attracted global investors, expanded into new markets, and grown their teams. Some LatAm startups that have used Startup Battlefield as a springboard to the global stage Salva Health (Colombia) Salva Health is transforming breast cancer detection with its Julieta screening device, making early detection more affordable and accessible. Winning 2024 Startup Battlefield supercharged their visibility and positioned them for rapid growth.  Check out this episode of the Equity podcast to hear Salva’s founder discuss how the competition helped propel the company forward. SSalva Health Co-Founder and CEO Valentina Agudelo Vargas, winner of the Startup Battlefield 2024.Image Credits:Kimberly White/Getty Images for TechCrunch Ripio (Argentina) ​Ripio (formerly BitPagos) is a blockchain-powered fintech company offering digital wallets, crypto trading, and decentralized credit to promote financial inclusion in Latin America. After being selected as a Startup Battlefield New York finalist in 2016, Ripio raised a $50 million Series B led by Digital Currency Group, fueling expansion into Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, and Spain. Jefa (Mexico) Jefa is a digital challenger bank built for unbanked and underbanked women in Latin America, offering mobile-first services like savings accounts and debit cards. After rising to prominence as a 2020 Startup Battlefield finalist, Jefa was acquired by fintech company Tala, accelerating its mission to close the gender gap in financial access. Olho do Dono (Brazil) Olho do Dono uses 3D imaging to help livestock farmers in Latin America monitor cattle weight and health without the need for physical scales. Why LatAm startups should apply Global exposure Being featured by TechCrunch puts startups in front of a global audience of investors, customers, and collaborators — amplifying their reach far beyond local markets. Investor visibility Startup Battlefield draws attention from top-tier venture capitalists, angels, and global investors who closely follow the competition. The exposure can lead to valuable conversations and funding opportunities with aligned backers. Credibility and validation Participation signals that a startup’s solution is globally relevant and scalable. This validation helps attract interest from media, enterprise partners, and investors alike. Access to a powerful network Founders join a dynamic community of fellow entrepreneurs, mentors, and industry leaders. The program fosters organic connections that often lead to partnerships, guidance, and long-term support. Ready to be the next LatAm success story? Apply now to Startup Battlefield and show the world what you’re building.

At the recent Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Japan, Lucasfilm’s President Kathleen Kennedy and CCO Dave Filoni announced the newest Star Wars universe project, Star Wars: Starfighter, will debut exclusively in theaters May 28, 2027. Star Wars: Starfighter, which will be directed by Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine, Stranger Things) and star Ryan Gosling (Barbie, La La Land), is a standalone adventure taking place approximately five years after the events of Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker. Production will begin this Fall. Who doesn’t want to see Ken in Space? Source: Lucasfilm Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologist—L'Wren brings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.

U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) secretary Sean Duffy declared yesterday the federal government is taking over New York Penn Station’s renovation and “withdrawing” the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) from the project. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has placed Amtrak, under USDOT’s tutelage, in charge of the critical infrastructure project. MTA CEO Janno Lieber, said in a statement the MTA expects to “participate in the administration’s and Amtrak’s efforts to ensure future plans meet the needs of everyone who uses it.” The MTA’s plan from 2023, and is now seemingly moot. Duffy said the takeover is meant to curb excessive government spending and save taxpayer dollars. “New York City deserves a Penn Station that reflects America’s greatness and is safe and clean,” he said. “The MTA’s history of inefficiency, waste, and mismanagement also meant that a new approach is needed. By putting taxpayers first, we’re ensuring every dollar is spent wisely to create a transit hub all Americans can take pride in.” The National Civic Art Society (NCAS) was quick to react, and take advantage. After Duffy’s announcement, NCAS president Justin Shubow issued a statement on behalf of NCAS. “The National Civic Art Society is delighted that the administration is taking charge,” Shubow said. “Only President Trump can get a new Penn Station built after generations of politicians have failed. It is also heartening news since as president Trump has proven he understands the beauty and popularity of classical civic buildings. We hope he will make Penn Station classical again.” Alexandros Washburn, of the Grand Penn Community Alliance, has support from the National Civic Art Society for his vision for Penn Station. Shubow and the NCAS have, for years, been advocating for the demolition of Charles Luckman’s New York Penn Station and Madison Square Garden complex, and the replacement of this ensemble with a “new Penn Station evocative of the original Beaux-Arts design completed in 1910” by McKim, Mead & White, destroyed in the 1960s. The Grand Penn Community Alliance issued the following statement after it was announced the government would take over the project: “The Grand Penn Community Alliance has had very positive and productive meetings with officials in Washington following our public unveiling last month.  It is clear that our plan is the best plan worthy of the President’s bold vision for a reimagining of Penn Station while building a classical, world class transit hub and creating a vibrant neighborhood around it. This is the beginning of a new process and an opportunity for the kind of transformative development that our plan will allow with a soaring new train hall, public park and a new arena across the street.” The takeover arrives not long after Gateway Phase One started construction, which will deliver a new, rail tunnel connecting New Jersey and Midtown. It also arrives after Assemblyman Tony Simone proposed an alternative masterplan to Vornado’s ten commercial towers the real estate powerhouse ideated for the blocks around Penn Station, as reported by Bill Millard for AN. Instead of hulking commercial towers, Simone proposed a mixed-use complex that’s one-third housing, and two-thirds offices. Two other proposals circulating for Penn Station and its surroundings are by ASTM-Halmar, HOK, and PAU; and ReThinkNYC and Richard Cameron. Moving forward, ReThinkNYC’s Sam Turvey hopes FRA continues to support implementing through-running service at Penn Station. “The best way to cost effectively leverage the multibillion dollar investment in the Gateway Tunnels and Penn Station is to convert commuter rail at Penn Station to the internationally acclaimed through-running operating model which is also expressly favored in our FRA guidelines,” Turvey told AN. “This is likely the most important land use decision in this region in this century,” Turvey added.  “We are hopeful that the FRA and DOT will dispense with this nonsensical  and prohibitively expensive approach and see the way towards a through-running conversion at Penn Station as the best way to ‘transformatively revitalize Penn Station’ and confer quite material benefits to all 20 million plus regional residents. We choose to be cautiously optimistic that this path will be chosen.” Disclaimer: The author previously worked for ReThinkNYC.

Photo © Joshua Rozells, shared with permission A Stunning Image of the Australian Desert Illuminates the Growing Problem of Satellite Pollution April 18, 2025 NaturePhotography Grace Ebert In January 2021, Joshua Rozells ventured out into the Pinnacles Desert in Western Australia, intending to photograph a star trail. But after shooting for more than three hours and reviewing his images, he realized that the light patterns he captured weren’t what he had hoped for. “There were satellite trails visible in almost every single photo,” he wrote on Instagram. “Instead of trying to get rid of them for a star trail, I decided to put the satellite trails together into a single image to show how polluted the night sky is becoming.” Stitching together 343 distinct photos, Rozells illuminates a growing problem. When Elon Musk’s SpaceX launched Starlink in 2019, 60 satellites filled the skies, with a race from other companies to follow. That number has now topped 10,000, with tens of thousands more in the works. SpaceX alone plans to launch 40,000 more. Rozells’ composite visually echoes pleas from astronomers, who warn that although satellites collect essential data, the staggering amount filling our skies will only worsen light pollution and our ability to study what lies beyond. Because this industry has little regulation, the problem could go unchecked. “Thankfully, astronomers across the globe have taken notice of this growing issue and are starting to speak up,” Rozells adds. “Organisations such as the International Astronomical Union’s Center for the Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky are advocating for the regulation and protection of the night sky.” (via Kottke) Next article