Cyberduck is a libre server and cloud storage browser for Mac and Windows with support for FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, Amazon S3, OpenStack Swift, Backblaze B2, Microsoft Azure & OneDrive, Google Drive and Dropbox. With an easy-to-use interface, connect to servers, enterprise file sharing and cloud storage. You can find connection profiles for popular hosting service providers. FTP A widely tested FTP (File Transfer Protocol) implementation for the best interoperability with support for FTP over secured SSL/TLS connections. SFTP With support for strong ciphers, public key and two factor authentication. Read settings from your existing OpenSSH configuration. WebDAV With interoperability for ownCloud, box.com, Sharepoint and BigCommerce and many other WebDAV servers. TLS mutual (two-way) authentication with client certificate. SMB Access Windows File Shares or a Samba Linux Server. Google Drive Access Google Drive without synchronizing documents to your local disk. With URL reference files on mounted volume to open Google Docs documents in the web browser. Dropbox Access Dropbox without synchronizing documents to your local disk. OneDrive Connect OneDrive Personal, OneDrive Business and Sharepoint Online. Google Cloud Storage Connect to buckets in Google Cloud Storage and configure as a website endpoint. Amazon S3 Connect to any Amazon S3 storage region with support for large file uploads. Microsoft Azure Access Microsoft Azure Cloud storage on your desktop. Backblaze B2 Mount the low cost cloud storage on your desktop. Dracoon Enterprise cloud service made in Germany. Box Leading organizations secure their data with Box. Nextcloud Connect to your own on-premise Nextcloud installation with ease. Create share links and view and revert previous versions. Files.com Fast, affordable, and available in 7 worldwide regions. ownCloud Support for ownCloud Infinite Scale with authentication using OpenID Connect. OpenStack Swift Connect to Rackspace Cloudfiles or any other OpenStack Swift cloud storage providers. Create share links and view and revert previous versions. Cryptomator Client side encryption with Cryptomator interoperable vaults to secure your data on any server or cloud storage. Edit any file with your preferred editor. To edit files, a seamless integration with any external editor application makes it easy to change content quickly. Edit any text or binary file on the server in your preferred application Share Files Quickly copy or open the corresponding HTTP URLs of a selected file in your web browser. Includes CDN and pre-signed URLs for S3. Distribute your content in the cloud Both Amazon CloudFront and Akamai content delivery networks (CDN) can be easily configured to distribute your files worldwide from edge locations. Connect to any server using FTP, SFTP or WebDAV and configure it as the origin of a new Amazon CloudFront CDN distribution. Browse with ease Browse and move your files quickly in the browser with caching enabled for the best performance. Works with any character encoding for the correct display of Umlaute, Japanese and Chinese. Transfer anything Limit the number of concurrent transfers and filter files using a regular expression. Resume both interrupted download and uploads. Recursively transfer directories. Integration with System Technologies A native citizen of Mac OS X and Windows. Notification center, Gatekeeper and Retina resolution. Keychain All passwords are stored in the system Keychain as Internet passwords available also to third party applications. Certificates are validated using the trust settings in the Keychain. Bonjour Auto discovery of FTP & WebDAV services on the local network. Finder Use Cyberduck as default system wide protocol handler for FTP and SFTP. Open .inetloc files and .duck bookmark files from the Finder. Notifications Notifications in system tray (Windows) and the Notification Center (Mac). Other Features: User friendly interface! Open multiple simultaneous connections Document based interface Support for various encodings (Screenshot) Live filtering of directory listings Caching folder listings Move files (Screenshot) Copy & paste files Create new files Rename files Delete files Show hidden files Allow the selection of files in the browser by typing the filename. What's New Bugfix - Slow file transfers (SMB) (#16135) Bugfix - Interoperability with Bitwarden SFTP Agent (#16954) Bugfix - Skip trashed files for downloads (Google Drive) (#16927) Bugfix - Cannot delete entries from metadata (Google Drive) (#16976) Bugfix - Error uploading files when bucket name is set in hostname (S3) (#16939) Bugfix - No pre-signed URLs available when using credentials from AWS Command Line Interface (CLI) connection profile (S3) (#13738) Bugfix - No pre-signed URLs available when using credentials from OpenID Connect (OIDC) connection profile (S3) Bugfix - Error opening connection (#17012) (Azure) (Windows, CLI)

Urtopia Carbon Fusion GT: a smart e-Bike with dual power and style MSRP $3,999.00 Score Details “Buy Urtopia's Carbon Fusion GT if you're looking for a high-quality e-bike and want a ride that looks great.” Pros Eye-catching design and color Easy access low step-thru frame Lightweight carbon fiber frame Ample power with dual wheel hub motors Agile handling and smooth riding Strong anti-theft features Optional second battery extends range Cons Costs more than most competitors Second battery partly blocks step-thru Requires 4G subscription after the first year Calling 2-inch tires fat tires is not accurate Table of Contents Table of Contents Urtopia Carbon Fusion GT e-bike: purpose and best use Urtopia Carbon Fusion GT e-bike: power by the numbers Urtopia Carbon Fusion GT e-bike: comfort and convenience Urtopia Carbon Fusion GT e-bike: riding impressions Urtopia Carbon Fusion GT e-bike: security and technology Urtopia Carbon Fusion GT e-bike: options and accessories Our take Of all the e-bikes that have passed through my garage during testing, Urtopia’s Carbon Fusion GT has drawn the most unsolicited praise for its appearance. “What a beautiful bike” is the most frequent comment. Recommended Videos After I tell visitors about the Fusion GT’s dual wheel hub motors, carbon fiber frame, GPS anti-theft tracking, Bluetooth speaker, voice-responsive AI feature, and the cleverly designed second battery that resembles a water bottle, the usual response is, “That yellow finish is awesome.” Urtopia calls it Vital Orange. Related The Fusion GT’s handlebars, headset, front suspension, wheels, fenders, and kickstand are all black, which nicely offsets the Vital Orange. The other option is Blazing Black, which I doubt will garner as much attention, which could be why security-conscious buyers might opt for it. Bruce Brown / Digital Trends Urtopia’s Carbon Fusion GT is not just a pretty ride. In addition to its design, the Urtopia designers and engineers invested time in its functional aspects. The company refers to the Fusion GT as an eSUV. But, enough about looks. You can use the Fusion GT in a variety of e-bike roles, although I would recommend against choosing it for mountain biking or cargo bike duty. It’s not a particularly fast e-bike, either, with top speeds that conform to Class II and Class III standards. The maximum speed with pedal assistance is 20 mph or 28 mph, depending on the Class setting, and 20 mph is the top speed when using the throttle only in either setting. Yes, you can ride the Fusion GT off-road on moderate terrain, but don’t expect high-speed riding. The carbon fiber frame adds strength and durability while saving weight. Urtopia states that the bike, without options, weighs 55 pounds. As tested with the optional extended range battery and the optional MIK accessory-compatible rear rack installed, it weighed 65 pounds on my digital scale. That’s an average weight for an e-bike. The Carbon Fusion GT e-bike’s tech suite is one of the most complete I’ve ever seen. The difference I noticed, however, was in handling, which I will cover more below under ‘riding impressions’. Overall, the low-weight frame helps the Fusion GT feel exceptionally agile and easy to maneuver in tight areas and on moderately uneven terrain off the pavement. The three standard applications where the Fusion GT should excel are commuting, moderate all-terrain exploring, and all-purpose riding. 1 of 3 Front wheel hub motor Bruce Brown / Digital Trends Rear wheel hub motor Bruce Brown / Digital Trends The standard battery under the front frame tube and the extended battery attached to the seat downtube Bruce Brown / Digital Trends One of the Fusion GT’s best features is its modularity. If you want to cruise around the neighborhood, use the rear hub motor. If you’re on a tight schedule or facing a challenging incline, engage the front hub motor for the dual-motor setup, which Urtopia refers to as Turbo mode, for double the power and torque. I test e-bike torque moving up my long, steep driveway from a standing start, using the throttle only. With the rear hub motor only, I had to pedal harder than I like. In Turbo mode, however, the bike moved up the driveway briskly. The Fusion GT is easy to handle and provides a calm riding experience. There is little drama. I like the Fusion GT’s power management; it’s easy to access extra torque when needed. If you’re only noodling around the neighborhood, which I tend to do a lot, why waste the power when the single motor is more than enough? Power system – 36V Front hub motor 350 watts continuous power; 36 n/m of  torque Rear hub motor 350 watts continuous power; 36 n/m  of torque Dual motor power 1500 watts peak power Maximum speed – Class II Pedal assist 20 mph; throttle 20 mph Maximum speed – Class III Pedal assist 28 mph; throttle 20 mph Standard battery 36V x 14.7 Ah = 529.2 Wh Extended range battery (opt.) 36V x 9.8 Ah = 352.8 Wh Standard battery range Up to 70 miles Extended range battery Up to 50 miles Dual battery range Up to 120 miles Standard battery charging time About 3.5 hours Extended battery charging time About 2.5 hours Note that the range ratings are maximum. To achieve those numbers, an average-weight individual with little or no cargo would need to use powered pedal assistance minimally and stick to lower speeds.  Several factors can impact range, including high speeds, steep inclines, heavy loads, and throttle-only operation. Bruce Brown / Digital Trends The low step-thru frame makes it easy to get on the Fusion GT, which many people prefer. The water bottle-shaped optional extended range battery can make it a bit tougher to get your leg through, but there’s still more room, and access is easier than with most e-bikes. Urtopia sells the Fusion GT in only one size and rates it suitable for riders from 5 feet 3 inches to 6 feet 3 inches tall. The maximum total cargo, including rider, luggage, and any items tied or bungee-corded to the bike, is 330 pounds. The Fusion GT offers a smooth and comfortable ride. The standard Comfort Plus seat helps, as does an adjustable front fork suspension. There is no rear suspension. The bike features 29.5-inch, 2-inch-wide Kendra tires. Urtopia refers to them as fat tires, which is a stretch as that description usually refers to tires that are 3.5 to 5 inches wide. The Kendras have a mildly knobby tread, and they do a great job. The large-diameter wheel also contributes to a smooth ride feel.Bruce Brown / Digital Trends I’ve already mentioned that the Fusion GT is easy to handle and provides a calm riding experience. There is little drama. Some e-bikes apply battery power at full force when you touch the pedals lightly, while others make lots of noise or jolt you when crossing even tiny irregularities. The Fusion GT’s hydraulic disc brakes stop securely, without squealing. The Urtopia app enables you to adjust the power level for each riding mode to suit your preferences. The seat and handlebars adjust to fit your height and inseam, accommodating an upright riding posture. The drama-free experience, smooth ride, and agile handling work together for an enjoyable ride. The Carbon Fusion GT e-bike’s tech suite is one of the most complete I’ve ever seen. The system utilizes a 4G connection in addition to Bluetooth, allowing you to connect your smartphone to the Urtopia app.A one-year subscription is included with the bike; additional years cost $39. The large display, seen above, uses dot matrix graphics and voice to communicate. You can also speak to the system for a currently limited number of functions. When you set up the system, it can provide theft protection, turn-by-turn navigation, and fitness and health data compatible with Apple Health and Strava. With its internal GPS, the bike can alert you to unexpected movement, help you find where you left it, and track the bike if it is stolen. There’s also a powerful integrated Bluetooth speaker you can pair with other devices. Bruce Brown / Digital Trends Urtopia offers a limited selection of racks, lights, and other accessories for the Fusion GT. The optional MIK rear rack, attached to the test bike in the photo above, can quickly and securely attach compatible bags, baskets, and other accessories. You should consider buying Urtopia’s Carbon Fusion GT if you’re looking for a high-quality e-bike for general use, commuting, or light off-road riding, and want a ride that not only performs well but also looks great and utilizes only high-quality components. The list price is $3,999, which, without doubt, can buy three or four very good e-bikes, but none with this combination of style, tech, and function. If the Fusion GT’s attention-getting design and Vital Orange finish are speaking to you, two other e-bikes that drew disproportionate praise for their appearance during my testing were the Priority e-Coast and the NIU BQi C3 Pro. The $1,999 e-Coast is a high-quality, classic-style e-bike with an upright riding posture, a moderate step-thru frame, and a Gates carbon drive belt. The $1,699 NIU BQi Cd Pro features twin batteries, a Gates belt, and an exceptionally low step-through frame. The NIU batteries have a distinctive color contrasting with the bike’s frame. Neither of the other bikes has the deep tech suite included with the Urtopia bike. Additionally, although they utilize carbon fiber drive belts, they do not feature carbon fiber frames. Editors’ Recommendations

The judge hammered Apple for violating a ruling over restrictions in its App Store. The case was referred to federal prosecutors for a criminal contempt investigation.

Of all the equipment this food writer has purchased over the years, none has transformed his cooking more than this simple, surprisingly effective pan

Fortnite freed Fortnite will return to iOS after court slams Apple’s “obvious cover-up” "This is an injunction, not a negotiation. ... The Court will not tolerate further delays." Kyle Orland – Apr 30, 2025 8:19 pm | 20 A Fortnite loading screen displayed on an iPhone in 2018, when Apple and Epic weren't at each other's throats. Credit: Andrew Harrer | Bloomberg | Getty Images A Fortnite loading screen displayed on an iPhone in 2018, when Apple and Epic weren't at each other's throats. Credit: Andrew Harrer | Bloomberg | Getty Images Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only   Learn more Epic CEO and founder Tim Sweeney said in a Zoom call with press Wednesday night that the company is "going to do everything we can to bring Fortnite back to the iOS App Store next week." That decision comes after a federal district court found late Wednesday that Apple was in "willful violation" of a 2021 injunction designed to allow iOS developers to steer customers to alternate payment processors for in-app purchases. That 2021 injunction wound its way through years of appellate review until January 2024, when the Supreme Court declined to hear a final attempt by Apple to overturn it. Since then, the District Court for Northern California has been holding a series of evidentiary hearings examining the internal development of Apple's so-called "compliance plan" for the injunction. In a scathing Wednesday night order, District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers determined that Apple had engaged in a plan to "thwart the injunction's goals," and then engaged in an "obvious cover-up" to prevent that plan from being revealed. Apple's response to the initial injunction "strained credulity," the judge said, and reflected Apple's attempt to "[thwart] the Injunction’s goals, and continued its anticompetitive conduct solely to maintain its revenue stream." More than that, Judge Gonzalez Rogers said that Apple's in-court testimony in initial hearings on that conduct were in "stark contrast" to evidence that came out later in contemporaneous business documents, which showed that "Apple knew exactly what it was doing and at every turn chose the most anticompetitive option." The judge writes that Apple VP of Finance Alex Roman "outright lied under oath" in testimony about Apple's internal deliberations, while CEO Tim Cook "chose poorly" in actively deciding not to comply with the court's injunction.Judge Gonzalez Rogers writes that Apple's conduct represents a "clear and convincing violation" of her initial injunction that has been referred to the District Attorney for Northern California "to investigate whether criminal contempt proceedings are appropriate." "Apple’s continued attempts to interfere with competition will not be tolerated," Gonzalez Rogers wrote. "This is an injunction, not a negotiation. There are no do-overs once a party willfully disregards a court order. Time is of the essence. The Court will not tolerate further delays." An Epic return With the new court order in place, Epic says it will once again submit a version of Fortnite to the iOS App Store in the US in the next week or so. That new version will offer players the option to use standard Apple App Store payments or its own, cheaper "Epic Direct Payment" system to purchase in-game currency and items. That would mirror the system that was briefly in place for iOS players in August 2020, when Epic added alternate payment options to iOS Fortnite in intentional violation of what were then Apple's store policies. Apple removed Fortnite from the iOS App Store hours later, setting off a legal battle that seems to finally be reaching its conclusion. For those few hours when Epic Direct Payments were available on iOS Fortnite in 2020, Sweeney said that about 50 percent of customers "decided to give Epic a shot," going through an additional step to register and pay through an Epic account on a web page outside the app itself (and saving 20% on their purchase in the process). The other roughly 50 percent of customers decided to pay a higher price in exchange for the convenience of paying directly in the app through the iOS account they already had set up, Sweeney said. "Consumers were making the choice... and it was a wonderful thing to see," he said. Speaking the the press Wednesday night, Sweeney said the new court order was a "huge victory for developers" looking to offer their own payment service alongside Apple's on iOS devices. "This is what we've wanted all along," he said. "We think that this achieves the goal that we've been aiming for in the US, while there are still some challenges elsewhere in the world." This is a developing story and will be updated with more information. Kyle Orland Senior Gaming Editor Kyle Orland Senior Gaming Editor Kyle Orland has been the Senior Gaming Editor at Ars Technica since 2012, writing primarily about the business, tech, and culture behind video games. He has journalism and computer science degrees from University of Maryland. He once wrote a whole book about Minesweeper. 20 Comments

Fatty liver disease can lead to cirrhosis and cancer3dMediSphere/Shutterstoc​k A popular drug for treating obesity and diabetes is now showing benefits in fighting a deadly liver disease. Semaglutide, marketed under names including Ozempic and Wegovy, aids weight loss and blood sugar regulation by mimicking a natural hormone, GLP-1, which curbs the appetite and triggers insulin release. Now, researchers have discovered that the medication can also halt – or in some cases even reverse – the condition known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). “This potentially offers a foundational approach to the management of this condition,” says Philip Newsome at King’s College London. “It’s quite exciting for patients.” MASH, formerly called NASH, is the severe form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease marked by increased fat build-up in the liver that leads to inflammation and fibrosis – the formation of scar tissue – and sometimes cirrhosis and cancer. MASH is typically linked to obesity and often to type 2 diabetes. In a trial in 2020 involving 320 people, Newsome and his colleagues found that a daily semaglutide injection led to reduced liver fat and inflammation in 59 per cent of those with MASH. But a more recent study in 71 patients showed no benefits of a weekly regime. Get the most essential health and fitness news in your inbox every Saturday. Sign up to newsletter To get a broader view, Newsome and Arun Sanyal at Virginia Commonwealth University began a bigger trial involving 1195 MASH patients at 253 clinical sites in 37 countries. On average, participants were 56 years old with a body mass index of 34.6. About half had type 2 diabetes. Doctors prescribed each participant a weekly injection of either semaglutide or a placebo to take for four and a half years. The dose – gradually increasing over the first four months to 2.4 milligrams – corresponds to that used in Wegovy and was chosen based on earlier trial results. Patients were also offered lifestyle counselling to encourage a healthy diet and exercise. While the full study period is ongoing, after 72 weeks, the researchers analysed the biopsy results of the first 800 patients, including 266 who had placebo injections. They found that 62.9 per cent of those taking semaglutide had marked reductions in liver fat and inflammation, compared with 34.3 per cent of the placebo group. Fibrosis improved for 36.8 per cent of the treated group but only 22.4 per cent of the placebo group. About a third of all treated patients, and 16.1 per cent of the placebo patients, had both these benefits. Weight loss alone may have contributed to such improvements, as people in the treated group lost an average of 10.5 per cent of their body weight, compared with only 2 per cent of body weight for those taking placebos. But the treatment itself might also directly target the disease-causing process – although more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms. “Nothing’s proven yet, but it may well be that part of the effect of GLP-1-like drugs is that they act on immune cells to sort of temper inflammation,” says Newsome. Journal referenceThe New England Journal of Medicine DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2413258 Topics:Weight-loss drugs

Eric Saw, the founder of Doulos Phos, The Ship Hotel in Bintan, Indonesia. Aditi Bharade 2025-05-01T00:18:01Z Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Singaporean businessman Eric Saw bought a century-old ship in 2010 with big hopes for it. Over the next nine years, he struggled to find a place to berth it. Now, the ship has been transformed into a beachfront hotel on its own reclaimed island in Indonesia. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Eric Saw, the 73-year-old founder of Doulos Phos The Ship Hotel, in Bintan, Indonesia. It has been edited for length and clarity.I used to bring my children aboard the MV Doulos, a 430-foot-long ship belonging to a Christian missionary, when it would dock on Singapore's shores. It had spent 33 years as a floating library sailing around the world.Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that one day we would become owners of this vessel, or that I would convert it into a hotel on the shores of Indonesia.In 2010, I bought the MV Doulos, which had earned the Guinness World Record for being the world's oldest active ocean-going passenger ship. The ship has won accolades for its age and history, which are displayed in its lobby. Aditi Bharade It was built in Texas in 1914, just two years after the Titanic sank.From 1914 to 1948, it operated as a cargo ship carrying onions. I often joke to my guests that we found a few sacks of onions when we bought the ship and still make onion soup from them.When I bought the vessel, it was 96 years old. Here's how I turned it into an oceanfront hotel while preserving its century-old history.Not my first rodeo with shipsMy first experience with ships came in 2000 when I bought a riverboat, which at that time belonged to A&W Restaurants.I bought that and converted it into a floating Tex-Mex restaurant on the shores of Sentosa, an island off Singapore known for its luxury hotels, amusement parks, and beaches.When I heard that MV Doulos was up for sale in 2010, I saw it as a sign to do something bigger.I was not the only bidder for the ship. A mix of private companies, militaries, and scrapyards from China, South Africa, South Korea, India, and the Philippines made offers for it.As luck would have it, I won the bid. But that is where the real challenges started.I didn't realize just how big this project would get. Finding its final resting place in Bintan, IndonesiaI first wanted to dock it off the coast of Singapore. I placed it in a shipyard, hoping that within three months, I would get approval from the port authorities.I bargained with government agencies for permission to place it off the island's scenic east coast.Three months turned into three and a half years. I submitted six to seven proposals to various authorities without success.In the meantime, I bled money docking and maintaining the ship in a shipyard.Finally, I struck gold. My friend gave me the number of Frans Gunara, a hotel developer from Bintan, Indonesia. I met him for a dinner presentation and put forth my case.He said that he would not only give him a spot off of Bintan to dock the ship but also reclaim a piece of land to dry berth it, which would protect it from water damage.But I decided to go a little further. I told Frans, "I don't want a rectangular piece of land. I want an anchor-shaped island."Retrofitting the shipThere was much to be done after the ship had been placed on Bintan's shores, on its anchor-shaped piece of reclaimed land. The innards of the ship, the cabins, were dingy and small. It was clean, but definitely not at hotel standards — not even a backpackers' hotel.So my family and I sat down and planned. I drew the design of the tables, the interiors, and the outdoor space. I drew out how the poolside would look and where you would go down to do the mud flat walk at low tide.I passed the drawings to the contractors, and they started constructing. Most of the ship was gutted and entirely retrofitted.When we removed the ship's bulkheads, which in ocean-going ships reduce damage in the case of flooding, we had to reinforce the structure and other cladding to protect the boat. An executive suite in the ship hotel. Aditi Bharade The cabins were widened, and we added larger windows to let in views of the Bintan shores. The interiors were designed with a nod to its maritime history.After renovation, we finally opened our doors to guests in 2019. Doulos Phos The Ship Hotel has 105 cabins, an infinity swimming pool overlooking the sea, a gym, a spa center, and several eateries.It took nearly 10 years to restore MV Doulos and get it into operation, but I saw the project as a higher calling — and it was entirely worth it. Recommended video

Just two years ago, the US was suffering through the worst stretch of its long-running drug overdose crisis. More than 110,000 Americans had died in the previous 12 months from an overdose — almost twice the number of people who died in all of the Vietnam War.But late last year, the country got some unexpected good news: Overdose fatalities had fallen by 10 percent. It was the first drop of any kind since 2018, but here’s the really good news: While in 2018, deaths only plateaued for a few months before rising again, the current decline appears to be sustaining and even accelerating. According to the most recent national data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, deaths in 2024 were down a whopping 26 percent, to less than 81,000 over the preceding 12 months. New county-level CDC data reveal some communities in the states hit hardest by the opioid epidemic — such as West Virginia, New Hampshire, and Ohio — have seen deaths fall by 40 percent to 50 percent over the past year.Too many people are still dying preventable deaths, but the decline nonetheless represents a significant improvement in a problem that has bedeviled public health officials since the opioid epidemic began to take off in the 2000s.America appears to be turning the corner on drug-overdose deaths. How? Nobody is quite sure — and several of the experts I spoke to fear the downturn could be temporary. But there are a few plausible explanations. First, the pandemic is over. Overdose deaths rose sharply during 2020 and 2021, likely for a combination of reasons. People were more isolated, for one, and health care providers were overwhelmed. That’s no longer the case.People who use opioids and other deadly drugs also now know about the particular risks of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids and are being more cautious. There is the contentious theory that the pool of potential victims has shrunk: More than 1.5 million Americans have died from overdoses since 2000, and many of the people who were most vulnerable to becoming dependent on opioids and overdosing may have, sadly, been among that group. It is also possible that people are shifting away from opioids like heroin and fentanyl and toward other drugs that are less deadly. More people are taking nonlethal drugs such as cannabis and psychedelics, and the use of cocaine and other illicit stimulants has also been growing; they still present a public health risk, especially with reports of cocaine laced with fentanyl, but these substances lead to fewer deaths on average. The US has also invested billions of dollars into public health campaigns to reduce overdose deaths. We are not only increasing users’ awareness about fentanyl, for example, but some public health departments have also provided millions of free testing strips so people who use opioids can easily check whether what they are using could quickly and unexpectedly kill them. Access to opioid addiction treatments like methadone and buprenorphine, too, has been greatly expanded through government and philanthropic investments.And perhaps most importantly in the prevention of unnecessary overdose deaths, naloxone — Narcan, the nasal spray that rapidly reverses opioid overdoses — is omnipresent. You can find it in vending machines in police stations, libraries, and public schools around the country. Nearly 70,000 lifesaving doses were administered in 2021 by emergency responders.“Increased naloxone distribution has saved countless lives by reversing opioid overdoses in real time,” Jessica Hulsey, founder of the Addiction Policy Forum, told Vox.This was a hard-fought public health victory: While some people have at times objected to placing a drug overdose treatment in a public health setting, the harm-reduction argument that we should make these interventions widely available to save as many lives as possible has largely won out.A meaningful drop in deaths — for nowEven as the good news rolls in, President Donald Trump’s health department is currently working on plans to reduce federal spending on opioid treatments by millions of dollars. A draft budget, recently obtained by several news organizations, including Vox, would specifically terminate programs that supply Narcan to health centers, doctors, and first responders, as well as programs to train first responders on how to use the drug during an overdose emergency. Other programs focused on drug abuse treatment and support would also be eliminated, according to the document.To be clear, this is only a draft document, and the president’s budget, even when finalized, is rarely adopted exactly as it is written. Congress will have its say, and lawmakers have shown support for substance abuse treatment in recent years.But the proposal nonetheless raises the risk that the US will take a step backward after finally making progress in reducing the toll of opioids. If the programs were to ultimately be eliminated, some day, a health center might not have Narcan on hand when a patient comes through the front door experiencing an overdose. Or an EMT might find their supply runs out, and they don’t have any naloxone spray available when an overdose call comes in.The move by the Trump administration to cut these successful programs would seem to undermine their own goals to curb the opioid crisis. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has spoken openly about his own heroin addiction, said just days ago that “we need Narcan” — even as his department drafts plans to cut it. In his first term, Trump promised to end the opioid epidemic, and he signed some of the first significant legislation to provide federal funding to combat it before the pandemic sent overdose deaths soaring. Now, within the early days of his second term, Trump framed his tariff policy around the goal of stopping fentanyl or its ingredients from being smuggled into the US. “The recent drop in overdose deaths is extremely welcome news, yet there is still a colossal amount of work to be done,” Andrew Kessler, the founder of Slingshot Solutions, a consulting firm focused on mental health and substance abuse, told Vox. “Just as with HIV, Covid, or any other public health emergency, the keys are investments in research, practicing prevention, and evidence-based treatment. It is a tried-and-true formula that should not be deviated from.”See More:

Fortnite's journey to pop culture phenomenon is seemingly complete now, as Disney will premiere its new Star Wars TV show, Tales of the Underworld, in the game before its own streaming serviceTech10:03, 30 Apr 2025Updated 10:52, 30 Apr 2025This loading screen could be yoursFortnite just keeps getting bigger and bigger, and after Sabrina Carpenter made her debut and new LEGO sets were announced, you might be wondering where Epic Games' huge title could go next.As it turns out, it's a return to A Galaxy Far, Far Away, with the new Star Wars Galactic Battle Season launching on May 2. With Darth Jar Jar and Emperor Palpatine included, flyable X-Wings and TIE Fighters, it's much more ambitious than even the most stacked seasonal updates.‌Still, that's not all, and this time around fans can tune in and watch two episodes of the new Star Wars TV show within the game, with the start of Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld arriving in Fortnite two days before it comes to Disney Plus.‌Here's all we know:On May 2, the new anthology show will be found in the Star Wars Watch Party island, which you can find using a code.Article continues below“How to find the Star Wars Watch Party? It’s simple — it’ll be in the row of experiences you see after logging into Fortnite! If you want, you can also click the magnifying glass in the top-left of the screen and search using the code 2124-6713-8076,” Epic's Blog Post explains.The Star Wars setting should help get you in the zone for the show's debutThe island is sticking around until May 11, and there are bonuses for taking part. For one, you'll get a special Asajj Ventress Loading Screen if you watch both episodes, and there are minigames to take part in that let you wield a blaster of lightsaber.‌That's not all. You can unlock the First Order Stormtrooper outfit in-game by connecting your Epic and MyDisney accounts. In another blog post, Sean Shoptaw, Executive Vice President, Disney Games & Digital Entertainment said “For the first time, Disney+ is premiering a show inside a game, launching alongside our largest Star Wars collaboration with Fortnite to date – giving fans and players an exciting first look at the kinds of experiences they can expect as we shape a new future together.”You can snag a Stormtrooper outfit for free"We’re building the next era of digital entertainment, where fans can play, watch, create and connect – and we’re just beginning to tap into what’s possible.‌“Disney and Epic are pioneering the future of social entertainment together, and this expansive Star Wars collaboration offers a glimpse into the type of interactive experiences we envision,” said Adam Sussman, President, Epic Games.“We are reimagining what’s possible with immersive storytelling in Fortnite with one of the world’s most beloved franchises - stay tuned for a lot more to come.”This is another chapter in the ongoing partnership between Epic Games and Disney, with Disney investing $1.5 billion in Epic.Article continues belowAs for what the crossover entails, we only have a short teaser trailer to go off of, seemingly showing a series of 'Islands' with their own theming after Disney properties including Marvel, Lucasfilm, and even ESPN.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.‌‌‌

Is anyone safe in the current games industry? (EA) The Thursday letters page hopes Persona 6 is like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, as one reader predicts a Resident Evil 9 reveal at Summer Game Fest. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk Dead end I really don’t know what the endgame is for the games industry, with these constant job cuts. 700 from EA last year, 400 now, who’s going to be left to make their games? All the people with the skill and experience will have long ago left or been kicked out.I know it’s hard in tech in general at the moment, but I thought video games were supposed to be art? You don’t find the sort of technically minded artists you need to make a video game hanging around the average job centre. All this knowledge and skills is being lost, possibly never to return. I really worry that EA is going to go under. Not that I have any love for EA, given how few of their games I buy, but it’s another cornerstone of gaming that is suddenly looking very unsteady. I don’t want to be too defeatist, but I really feel like gaming has got itself into such a rut that it’s not going to get. In the future gaming will just be Fortnite and the dozen or so other live service games that never seem to die (minus Apex Legends) and that’ll be it. Everyone else will just be indie games.Ansel The moneymakers It’s a real bummer that they may have almost got Titanfall 3 finished and then EA canned it anyway. I know we don’t know that’s what happened for sure, but that sort of thing happens sometimes with movies, and I get the feeling it does with games as well.It goes to show you though, that when we’re all complaining about boring mass market games like EA Sports FC and Call Of Duty, they are breadwinners for these companies. Like Assassin’s Creed for Ubisoft. It doesn’t make any difference for Activision, who don’t make any other games, but EA does, a bit, and it’s completely in character that they’d immediately stop as soon as things get dicey. So I hope EA Sports FC 25 does sell, or otherwise we won’t get any more Split Fiction style games or Star Wars titles.Carton Bottom of the barrel I am struggling to think of a Zelda spin-off that would be less desirable than Hyrule Warriors 3. Maybe it sells in Japan but it doesn’t seem to in the West, so I really cannot understand it. Maybe they thought it was a way to compensate for people wanting to play as Zelda? I hate to say it, but they wanted to play as her in a Zelda game (and now can) not in a Dynasty Warriors spin-off.I would’ve taken literally any remaster or remake over this, or any kind of spin-off you can name. Link’s Crossbow Training 2 would’ve been more appealing than this. Same goes for Kirby: Air Riders. Both choices are so bizarre and feel more like Nintendo lost a bet with someone than a sensible choice for a launch window game for their new console.Loanstar Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk Paying the rent Call me crazy but is being able to use two copies of a game at the same time online not a bit entitled? I mean… why should you be allowed to do that? It never even occurred to me to even try. Why stop at two copies, why not three or four or infinite?We all want free stuff but where does it end? Not every company is Microsoft or Amazon, some of them have to earn money to keep going and video games is all Nintendo does. Not that I’m not saying their games are expensive, but I think we should save that complaint for when we see what PlayStation 6 games are going to cost. Because I’m willing to bet they won’t have dynamic pricing, depending on what the game is. Let’s face it, everything is too expensive at the moment, but I can’t honestly say that Nintendo is ripping us off. Not unless Mario Kart World turns out to be awful, which it’s obviously not going to.Benson Colourful rumours I think everyone said this before Persona 5 was announced but Atlus sure love taking their time with the next game. As far as I can work out the only thing that’s really leaked about it so far is the colour scheme, so we basically know absolutely nothing so far.My hope for the game is that they do overhaul the combat, because that is beginning to look really long in the tooth compared to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. I realise it’s too late for that game to have any real influence on Persona 6, but Atlus should realise that is the new gold standard for turn-based battles.Lampy Summer dreams So, the Resident Evil 9 reveal is definitely going to be at Summer Game Fest, right? Capcom’s used it before and we’re well overdue a look at the game, so I’m going to choose to believe it will be there.I’ve not really been feeling this year for games so far. I haven’t bought anything new that’s been out and since I’m not getting a Switch 2 there’s nothing on my radar either. Obviously, I’m getting GTA 6 but I could do with more to look forward to than that. Especially since we don’t know when it will be out. Resident Evil 9 will do very nicely for a start but if we’re fantasising then I’d like to see something on the new Bioshock that’s been rumoured for years, then The Witcher 4 would be good, and the new Tomb Raider too. Yes, I know we probably won’t get any of those, other than Resi, but these games have been hanging around in the background for so long now I’m not sure if they’re even still getting made. I realise it’s all because games take so long to make now but some of these must have been talked about for well over five years. It’s really time we started to see some results.Gascoigne GC: Resident Evil 9 could well be at the Summer Game Fest, but since it’s very unlikely to be out this year it’s by no means certain. Price checker A big thanks to reader Euclidian Boxes for the recommendation of Deku Deals. I’ve signed up to it and added some Switch (2) games on my list. It is very useful to see the price history too.I’ve already noticed that the Mario games I have on my saved for later list at Amazon are already out of stock for one or two months.Charlie H. Low cost future Completely agree with all the praise for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. I’ve only played it for six hours or so, but I absolutely love its nods to old school role-players like Final Fantasy 7, while also being its own thing and making its characters feel like real people.I also agree with the reader who said that it was a real shame that Ubisoft let these talented developers slip through their fingers and go off and form their own company. Clearly it turned out great for Sandfall, but why couldn’t Ubisoft have let them make this and have a whole new franchise to run into the ground… oh, I guess I’ve answered my own question there. But in all seriousness, with all the layoffs still going on at the big publishers I really hope the idea of these sort of ‘super indie’ games take off. I don’t mind paying last gen prices for a game of this quality. In fact, I’m quite happy to be rewarding individuals that have entertained me with a quality game, rather than giving it all to a faceless corporation who’s probably only interested in me as a customer if I buy a bunch of skins and DLC as well. So bien joué to Sandfall and I hope they can be an example that many others will follow. Just please don’t let yourself get bought up by Microsoft or Sony as soon as you hit it big.Tony T. Inbox also-rans I thought Call Of Duty was going to stop with these gimmicky skins? Seth Rogan and those two guys from Clerks is almost as stupid as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.GorkerI would love to see Nintendo try a new Star Fox game, but I think it’s been too long since it was popular for it to get any real traction with younger fans. The whole animals flying spaceships thing is really weird to anyone that’s not used to it.Dusty More Trending Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk The small printNew Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content. You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot. You can also leave your comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter. Arrow MORE: Games Inbox: Is GTA 6 really out this year? Arrow MORE: Games Inbox: Has Xbox gone completely third party? 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