Kerry Rego, 47, always had a rocky relationship with her dad. His past history of drinking and passive-aggressive behavior eventually led to a seven-month period of estrangement. But they began reconciling after her dad started going to Alcoholics Anonymous, which prompted him to reach out. He told her that he missed her and he hoped they could have a relationship again.He was willing to work on himself and willing to change the way he navigated the world, and the way he ran his relationships, Rego says.Estrangement is a well-worn story in 2019, a survey found that 27 percent of Americans over the age of 18 were estranged from a family member but less discussed is reconciliation and the process of coming back together after falling apart. The reasons for estrangement can vary, from a single breach that feels too large to overcome to years of slights and misunderstandings piling up. These kinds of emotional wounds naturally take time to heal and, crucially, no one is owed reconciliation. But estranged parties might wonder: What does it look like to try to mend a broken relationship? Is it even possible? And to reconcile, do you have to face the things that tore you apart in the first place?The paths to reconciliationThere are two possible paths to reconciliation, says Joshua Coleman, PhD, a psychologist who conducts counseling on estrangement. One scenario includes reckoning with the issues that led to estrangement. In this scenario, an estranged child and parent may go to therapy together to understand their dynamic more deeply. I say that the purpose of this therapy is to really demonstrate to your adult child if youre capable of taking responsibility and then understanding why they felt [estrangement] was the healthiest thing for them to do, Coleman says. You might need to deepen your understanding of how your behavior impacted your child, even if its at odds with your own recollections of what happened in the past. Coleman is most often approached by a parent who is estranged from their adult child who cut off contact. Usually, Coleman encourages the estranged parent to write a letter of amends where they show understanding and take responsibility.The second path to reconciliation requires the wounded party to accept the inherent flaws of the person theyve been estranged from. The former person may ultimately conclude that despite the problems present, they still want to continue an important relationship. There is no grand reckoning more of a softening, an understanding that the person you were estranged from may never fix their flaws or change their mind but you want to be in their life regardless. They just want family and they dont want to continue to be estranged, Coleman says.This was the case with Sydney, who was outed to her evangelical parents as gay at the age of 18. (Her last name is being withheld to protect her privacy.)After her parents found out, they determined the family would pray about it together. But what happened, Sydney, now 27, says, was unimaginable, with her parents and older brother holding her down while praying, screaming and spitting like in an exorcism.By the end of it, I was screaming, I love Jesus, she told me. Anything I could to just get them off my body. In the middle of the night, Sydneys girlfriend came to pick her up, and she didnt speak to her parents for nearly a year until her mother approached her begging for forgiveness.Even though Sydneys parents behavior was abhorrent and a fundamental rejection of who their daughter was, she decided to give them another chance after she says they showed genuine remorse. In her case, their reconciliation was part reckoning and part softening. Though her mother apologized for that night, her parents still made it clear they didnt support her being gay. When Sydney got into a new relationship, her girlfriend wasnt allowed to come to her parents house. But she has a relationship with her parents, something that had initially seemed impossible during their period of estrangement.How can people approach reconciling?Karl Pillemer, PhD, a Cornell University professor and author of Fault Lines: Fractured Families and How to Mend Them, says one of the first steps to reconciliation is the phase when one of the estranged begins to ponder the possibility.They start to consider whether they might want to reestablish contact, Pillemer says. Often, they become aware that something has changed in the other persons life. A substance abuser has stopped abusing substances. A person in a relationship where the spouse repelled the rest of the family has gotten divorced.That was the situation with Rego. My dad gives me hope that people can acknowledge that their way isnt the right way, that they can change and grow and be different, she says. Now, Rego and her father meet weekly for coffee, on a neutral ground that is not either of our homes.Pillemer recommends that anyone looking toward reconciliation be sure that their methods of getting in contact arent invasive. Avoid anything that looks like stalking, but demonstrate your openness, he says. Dont show up to a family dinner unannounced, for example. One method hes seen work is communicating by card, letter, or through a neutral third party such as a family member who is not involved in the estrangement.Establishing boundariesA critical component of successfully reconciling is establishing boundaries. Many estrangements occur because of violated boundaries, so its important to protect your peace in this way. Boundaries may include topics of conversation that are not to be discussed like someones political views or parenting choices or behavioral expectations, like asking a family member not to drink or yell in your presence. In Pillemers research for the Cornell Family Estrangement and Reconciliation Project, he found that effective reconciliations often had very clear terms. Sydney used this method with her parents. I make it clear to them, if you say homophobic stuff when Im in the room, if you say disrespectful stuff, I will leave and not talk to you, she said.In some cases, Pillemer says, initially instituted boundaries were later loosened, but the act of setting them in place helped facilitate reconciliation. Boundaries can be a way of focusing on the future instead of the past. In Pillemers research, successful reconciliations tend to include clear terms, boundaries, and an understanding that the two parties may never agree on what tore them apart in the first place. People gave up on the idea that they were going to reconcile their ideas of what went on in the past, Pillemer says. Everyone accepted that life had occurred, but that they had to look forward in the relationship.Does reconciliation last?Both estrangement and reconciliation are not static states, Pillemer says. They are dynamic and can be moved into and out of throughout a relationship. But even an attempt at reconciliation can give people a sense of relief. Many of [my research subjects] told me that theyd learned an extraordinary amount about themselves, Pillemer says. Having done it was a life challenge that they felt improved their self-concept and sense of self-efficacy. It seems that even attempting to reconcile can help ease the intensity of feelings around estrangement. For a parent who may be estranged from their child, it can be difficult to come to terms with the childs view of their upbringing, according to Coleman. Its a psychological achievement on the part of the parent to be able to tolerate the adult childs reckoning of their childhood, he says. Theres a lot of work these days for both sides to do. Coleman tells me about his own estrangement from his daughter, who cut off contact with him when she was in her 20s. At first, Coleman responded more defensively than emphatically to his daughters view of conflict in their relationship. I didnt take the responsibility that I later learned is really required It wasnt until I radically shifted my position that she began to come back and things began to improve. From that experience, Coleman says he learned that estranged parents have to be empathetic and curious about the childs reasons for estrangement and they have to take responsibility. He also learned how nightmarish it is to be an estranged parent, which has helped him approach estranged parents in his therapeutic practice with empathy. Knowing what other estranged parents are going through has been helpful to me in terms of being able to help them strategize about points of reconciliation and outline the steps that they would need to take.What if the other party doesnt want to reconcile?There is, of course, no guarantee that a reconciliation attempt will be welcomed by the other party. It takes two to reconcile, Rin Reczek, PhD, a professor in sociology at the Ohio State University, said. Much as is the case with the reconciliation of a romantic relationship, its impossible to reconcile a family estrangement if one person is not interested, capable, or willing to reestablish contact and connection. We cannot coerce or force someone to reenter a relationship with us and if we try, we risk further damage.And if an attempt at reconciliation fails, Pillemer says a grieving process is necessary to move forward: Go through the experience of loss and go through the stage of it. Despite how prevalent estrangement is, stories of reconciliation prove that it doesnt have to last forever. People can and do find their way back to each other. If theres an opportunity for someone to demonstrate that theyve had a change of heart, give them a chance, Sydney tells me. You never know what could happen.Clarification, November 20, 3:35 pm ET: A previous version of this story was unclear about the timeline of Kerry Regos dads sobriety.Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:

On Thursday, tens of millions of Americans will partake in a national ritual many of us say we dont especially enjoy or find meaning in. We will collectively eat more than 40 million turkeys factory farmed and heavily engineered animals that bear scant resemblance to the wild birds that have been apocryphally written into the Thanksgiving story. (The first Thanksgiving probably didnt have turkey.) And we will do it all even though turkey meat is widely considered flavorless and unpalatable. It is, almost without fail, a dried-out, depressing hunk of sun-baked papier-mch a jaw-tiringly chewy, unsatisfying, and depressingly bland workout, journalist Brian McManus wrote for Vice. Deep down, we know this, but bury it beneath happy memories of Thanksgivings past. So what is essentially the national holiday of meat-eating revolves around an animal dish that no one really likes. That fact clashes with the widely accepted answer to the central question of why its so hard to convince everyone to ditch meat, or even to eat less of it: the taste, stupid. Undoubtedly, that has something to do with it. But I think the real answer is a lot more complicated, and the tasteless Thanksgiving turkey explains why. Get Voxs Processing Meat newsletterSign up here for Future Perfects biweekly newsletter from Marina Bolotnikova and Kenny Torrella, exploring how the meat and dairy industries shape our health, politics, culture, environment, and more.Have questions or comments on this piece? Email me at marina@vox.com!Humans crave ritual, belonging, and a sense of being part of a larger story aspirations that reach their apotheosis at the Thanksgiving table. We dont want to be social deviants who boycott the central symbol of one of our most cherished national holidays, reminding everyone of the animal torture and environmental degradation that went into making it. What could be more human than to go along with it, dry meat and all? Our instincts for conformity seem particularly strong around food, a social glue that binds us to one another and to our shared past. And although many of us today recognize theres something very wrong with how our meat is produced, Thanksgiving of all occasions might seem like an ideal time to forget that for a day. In my experience, plenty of people who are trying to cut back on meat say they eat vegetarian or vegan when cooking for themselves but when they are guests at other peoples homes or celebrating a special occasion, theyll eat whatever, to avoid offending their hosts or provoking awkward conversations about factory farming. But this Thanksgiving, I want to invite you, reader, to flip this logic. If the social and cultural context of food shapes our tastes, even more than taste itself, then it is in precisely these settings that we should focus efforts to change American food customs for the better. Its eating with others where we actually have an opportunity to influence broader change, to share plant-based recipes, spark discussion, and revamp traditions to make them more sustainable and compassionate, Natalie Levin, a board member at PEAK Animal Sanctuary in Indiana and an acquaintance of mine from vegan Twitter, told me.Hundreds of years ago, a turkey on Thanksgiving might have represented abundance and good tidings a too-rare thing in those days, and therefore something to be grateful for. Today, its hard to see it as anything but a symbol of our profligacy and unrestrained cruelty against nonhuman animals. On a day meant to embody the best of humanity, and a vision for a more perfect world, surely we can come up with better symbols. Besides, we dont even like turkey. We should skip it this year. The misery of the Thanksgiving turkey In 2023, my colleague Kenny Torrella published a wrenching investigation into conditions in the US turkey industry. He wrote: The Broad Breasted White turkey, which accounts for 99 out of every 100 grocery store turkeys, has been bred to emphasize you guessed it the breast, one of the more valuable parts of the bird. These birds grow twice as fast and become nearly twice as big as they did in the 1960s. Being so top-heavy, combined with other health issues caused by rapid growth and the unsanitary factory farming environment, can make it difficult for them to walk.Another problem arises from their giant breasts: The males get so big that they cant mount the hens, so they must be bred artificially.Author Jim Mason detailed this practice in his book The Ethics of What We Eat, co-authored with philosopher Peter Singer. Mason took a job with the turkey giant Butterball to research the book, where, he wrote, he had to hold male turkeys while another worker stimulated them to extract their semen into a syringe using a vacuum pump. Once the syringe was full, it was taken to the henhouse, where Mason would pin hens chest-down while another worker inserted the contents of the syringe into the hen using an air compressor.Workers at the farm had to do this to one hen every 12 seconds for 10 hours a day. It was the hardest, fastest, dirtiest, most disgusting, worst-paid work he had ever done, Mason wrote.In the wild, turkeys live in smallish groups of a dozen or so, and they know each other, they relate to each other as individuals, Singer, author of the new book Consider the Turkey, said on a recent episode of the Simple Heart podcast. The turkeys sold on Thanksgiving never see their mothers, they never go and forage for food Theyre pretty traumatized, Id say, by having thousands of strange birds around who they cant get to know as individuals, packed together in crowded sheds. From birth to death, the life of a factory-farmed turkey is one punctuated by rote violence, including mutilations to their beaks, their toes, and snoods, a grueling trip to the slaughterhouse, and a killing process where theyre roughly grabbed and prodded, shackled upside down, and sent down a fast-moving conveyor belt of killing. If theyre lucky, they get stunned and then the knife cuts their throat, Singer said. If theyre not so lucky, they miss the stunner and the knife cuts their throat while theyre fully conscious. On Thanksgiving, Americans throw the equivalent of about 8 million of these turkeys in the trash, according to an estimate by ReFED, a nonprofit that works to reduce food waste. And this year will be the third Thanksgiving in a row celebrated amid an out-of-control bird flu outbreak, in which tens of millions of chickens and turkeys on infected farms have been culled using stomach-churning extermination methods. Turkeys depopulated using firefighting foam after a bird flu outbreak. Glass Walls/We Animals MediaTwo baby turkeys still alive after their flockmates were culled with firefighting foam due to a bird flu outbreak in Israel. Glass Walls/We Animals MediaReclaiming ThanksgivingWhen I search for the language for this grim state of affairs, I can only describe it in religious terms, as a kind of desecration of our planets abundance, of our humanity, of life itself. On every other day of the year, its obscene enough. On a holiday thats supposed to represent our gratitude for the Earths blessings, you can understand why Thanksgiving, for many vegetarians or vegans, is often described as the most alienating day of the year. I count myself among that group, although I dont dread Thanksgiving. Ive come to love it as a holiday ripe for creative reinvention. I usually spend it making a feast of plant-based dishes (known by most people as sides, though theres no reason they cant be the main event). To name a few: a creamy lentil-stuffed squash, cashew lentil bake, a bright autumnal brussels sprout salad, roasted red cabbage with walnuts and feta (sub with dairy-free cheese), mushroom clam-less chowder (I add lots of white beans), challah for bread rolls, a pumpkin miso tart more complex and interesting than any Thanksgiving pie youve had, and rasmalai, a Bengali dessert whose flavors align beautifully with the holidays. Vegan turkey roasts are totally optional, though many of them have gotten very good in recent years I love the Gardein breaded roast and Field Roast hazelnut and cranberry. You can also make your own. The hardest part of going meatless is not about the food (if it were, it might not be so hard to convince Americans to abandon parched roast turkey). Its about unpleasant truths and ethical disagreements being brought out into the open, Levin said, about confronting the bizarre dissonance in celebrations of joy and giving carved from mass-produced violence. These conversations are not easy, but they are worth having. And we dont have to fear losing the rituals that define us as Americans. To the contrary, culture is a continuous conversation we have with each other about our shared values and any culture thats not changing is dead. Theres far more meaning to be had, Ive found, in adapting traditions that are no longer authentic to our ethics and violate our integrity. We can start on Thanksgiving.Rescued turkeys at Farm Sanctuary, an organization in upstate New York that cares for rescued farm animals, feast on a banquet of fruits and vegetables on Thanksgiving. Jo-Anne McArthur/We AnimalsYouve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:

PS5 owners can play some great games this month, including a co-op classic and more. Here's what's free for PS Plus subscribers for December, with more to be announced.

Developer CD Projekt has confirmed that while it's still early days for a Cyberpunk live-action project, the game will be adapted into another animation project with Netflix

Theres a bargain for everyone this month (Metro)SHOPPING Contains affiliated content. Products featured in this Metro article are selected by our shopping writers. If you make a purchase using links on this page, Metro.co.uk will earn an affiliate commission. Click here for more information.Black Friday 2024 is almost upon us and most of the deals are now set in stone, including up to 50% off EA Sports FC 25, Black Ops 6, and more.Its not Black Friday itself until November 29 but most retailers and video game publishers started their sales weeks ago. Although some games have settled on a price that is the same almost everywhere, others can vary quite a bit in terms of the shop and format.Below are the console games that have not only had the steepest price cuts but are what we consider to be amongst the most worthy of your time and money, with a focus on titles that have been released in the last 12 months.As you can see, that includes big name games such as Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 and EA Sports FC 25, as well as Star Wars Outlaws, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Silent Hill 2, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and Astro Bot.The software deals are pretty generous this year, but hardware is a little disappointing with various bundles for the Nintendo Switch but no major discounts on the console alone. The Xbox Series X also doesnt have any decent bargains but there is 60 off the PlayStation 5 but not the newer PS5 Pro.There is a chance that new deals may be announced on Friday itself but thats not very likely and so the following is probably going to be the best there is until retailers slowly bring an end to their sales in early December. Spider-Man 2 is now cheaper than ever (Sony Interactive Entertainment)Best PS5 video game deals for Black Friday 2024PlayStation 5 Standard Edition console 399.99 (60 off) at Amazon and ArgosPlayStation 5 Digital Edition console 309.99 (60 off) at Amazon and ArgosMarvels Spider-Man 2 43.49 (38% off)EA Sports FC 25 34.99 (50% off)Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 53.99 (was 69.99)Silent Hill 2 47.99 (20% off)Star Wars Outlaws 38.99 (save 18)Hogwarts Legacy 19.49 (70% off)Astro Bot 43.99 (27% off)Baldurs Gate 3 46.39 (20% off)Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth 34.99 (save 24)Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Rebirth Twin Pack 56.99 (40% off)Metaphor: ReFantazio 34.49 (save off)Sonic X Shadow Generations 27.99 (38% off)Unicorn Overlord 24.95 (-55%)Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 36.99 (38% off)WWE 2K24 19.99 (69% off)Tekken 8 25.99 (save 29)Resident Evil 4 17.49 (50% off)Resident Evil Remake Trilogy 41.24 (45% off) Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 cheaper than you might think (Activision)Best Xbox Series X and S video game deals for Black Friday 2024Xbox Series S console 199.99 (20% off) at Amazon and ArgosXbox Series X console 459.99 (4% off) at Amazon and ArgosEA Sports FC 25 30.05 (was 69.99)Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6 53.99 (was 69.99)Star Wars Outlaws 36.99 (save 20)Hogwarts Legacy 19.49 (was 64.99)Metaphor: ReFantazio 34.49 (save off)Sonic X Shadow Generations 32.35 (17% off)Unicorn Overlord 24.95 (-55%)Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 37.95 (37% off)WWE 2K24 Standard Edition 19.99 (69% off)Tekken 8 24.99 (save 30)Resident Evil 4 16.49 (was 32.98)Resident Evil Remake Trilogy 41.24 (45% off) Tears Of The Kingdom official Switch price cuts are very rare (Nintendo)Best Nintendo Switch video game deals for Black Friday 2024The Legend of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom 41.99 (30% off)Super Mario Odyssey 33.29 (33% off)Metro Prime Remastered 24.49 (30% off)More TrendingKirby And The Forgotten Land 33.29 (33% off)Unicorn Overlord 24.99 (-55%)Hogwarts Legacy 14.99 (70% off)Lego City Undercover 3.99 (92% off)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.ArrowMORE: Games Inbox: When will The Witcher 4 be released?GameCentralExclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

The Witcher will return (CD Projekt)The Wednesday letters page is concerned about Dragon Age: The Veilguards influence on Mass Effect 4, as a reader worries GTA 6 Trailer 2 wont be this year.To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.ukThe wait beginsSo if The Witcher 4 is only entering full production now, when does that mean it will come out? High-end games nowadays take longer than five years but Im not clear whether the pre-production counts as part of that? I know theres no point being impatient at this point, because its clearly going to be a long time, but it really is mindboggling how long it takes to make a video game nowadays.The Witcher 3 will be 10 years old next year and while that makes me feel very old myself, I do hope that will be the sign for the first trailer to be released. I never really like Cyberpunk 2077, since I prefer fantasy to sci-fi, and kind of resent CD Projekt spending the last several years making and fixing it, so it feels like The Witcher 4 is very overdue to me.Im curious to play the remake of The Witcher 1 in the meantime though, as Ive never played it before. I hear its nowhere as good but Im curious to see how much it might be improved on new formats.XaneGC: You would assume at least three years more till its out, so maybe late 2027 at the very earliest. But it could easily be two or more years later than that. Some kinds of trailer is possible next year, but itd almost certainly only be pre-rendered.Add it to the listI know its just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to problems with Trump but everything around these tariffs sounds both stupid and incredibly worrying. We cant suddenly switch to streaming, there isnt the infrastructure for it, and it will always be inferior to playing a game locally, whether you get an unexpected broadband outage or not.It could really mess up Nintendos plans too and Im already thinking the reader that said they might be delaying a Switch 2 reveal because of it may be right. What would be even worse for the industry is if Trump tries to give Xbox a free pass because Microsoft are American, even though the hardwares still made in China.That is going to cause so much resentment and politics within the industry I dont even know what the end result would be. I bet its nothing good though.CandleLast minute updateSony suddenly changing the sales of the PlayStation 2 just as the Switch gets close is so transparent its hilarious. Its so obvious what theyre doing, but what is the point? Come to think of it I dont remember the PlayStation 2 being the best-selling console being used as a point of trivia anywhere but on games websites or forums it is not a know fact anywhere else, in my experience.Its pretty obvious Nintendo dont care as the DS came very close to beating the PlayStation 2 and if they were as petty and insecure as Sony they wouldve kept it going for a bit longer, or fudged the numbers in some way, to beat it. But they didnt, because it doesnt matter.OnibeeThe Zelda formulaPerhaps Nintendo could adopt a similar approach to Metroid as they do with Zelda. Bigger 3D titles taking their time to be released, propped up by 2D remasters or new smaller titles.Id like to see them off Samus to indie devs too, like how Cadence Of Hyrule got made. Id say offer it to Team Cherry, but Id like to see the game out this century.In the meantime, I hope the rumoured remasters of Prime 2 and 3 are announced soon and theyre as well done as 1. Itll be interesting to see if 3 retains the achievement like system and the decals for the ship.Euclidian BoxesGC: If Metroid Prime 4 does well that does seem a strong possibility, although its worth noting that Metroid Dread is the best-selling entry in the series so far.Dragon Age effectI echo concerns about the future of BioWare and Mass Effect, knowing what EA are like. They were clearly banking on Dragon Age: The Veilguard being a mega hit on the scale of Skyrim or The Witcher 3, so I dont think doing okay is going to be good enough even if it was BioWares best opening.Personally, I just dont think the game ever really had much of a selling point. It wasnt clear what it was going to do different to either other fantasy role-playing games or the last Dragon Age. It also had a stupid name and meh graphics. Thats why I didnt get it anyway. Ill get Mass Effect 4 the second it comes out though, Im just hoping it actually does.ColmOne-armed banditId always assume that when people mentioned one-handed gaming, they were being subtle about certain types of adult games. I have to say, however, I am now or have been one for around two months now.I injured my elbow, and it caused me physical pain to use a controller or keyboard, its still sore but I can play for a small amount of time now. I digress.The thought of doing nothing was honestly depressing until I was browsing my Steam library and remembered I had Age Of Empires and Grey Goo. Two excellent games that allow mouse only use.The month of nothing but real-time strategy gaming has allowed my elbow to heal to some extent and renewed my love of this somewhat neglected genre. Im looking into reacquiring Age Of Mythology, the HD update or remake or whatever theyve done to it. Command & Conquer could be after it but I didnt love 3 and the future one so I dont know if I want it.So now there are at least two types of one-handed gamers and Im not ashamed of the version I have become. Cheers to the creator of the mouse.BobwallettGC: Our favourite was always Supreme Commander, although were not sure how easy itll be with one hand as it helps to set up a lot of keyboard shortcuts.The point of no returnThe fans have certainly outdone themselves with this latest GTA 6 rumour. Its the biggest load of nonsense Ive ever heard but what did interest me is that were way past the point where Rockstar announced a trailer reveal last year. I didnt realise it was in early November.Youd have to assume that either theyre not going to do one this year or it will be at The Game Awards this time. I dont see why it would be if it wasnt last time, which means it probably will be next year? Id laugh if the Switch 2 and GTA 6 Trailer 2 debuts were in the same week in January!CushonToo late to helpRE: Soldat and Black Friday deals, the newest I bought was Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown for 17.50 on the PlayStation Store.Ive never really thought Black Friday should be for very recently released games, though. I also got the following from my wishlist within minutes of looking at the same stores deals:Subnautica: Below Zero 12Vanquish PS4 remaster 5Frostpunk 5Marvels Midnight Suns 9.75Thats five games Ive been very interested in for a total of under 50, one of which came out this year. The non-sale prices add up to 175 and they could arguably occupy all my gaming time for the next six to eight months.Factor in discounted PlayStation Store wallet top-ups from CDKeys and I got everything for 45.Although its a nice healthy range of different games, I wish I couldve justified buying them when it wouldve made more of a difference (at least for Prince Of Persia and Midnight Suns). But it continues to underline what I see as the elephant in the room when it comes to gaming content, and thats time rather than financial constraints.Even if I wont have time to play all of the above for a while, I can at least now let them jump closer to the front of my playing queue at those prices. But what does it say for the prospect of my buying anything other than a couple of the new releases Im most hyped for over the next several months?PandaGC: Its sad but Prince Of Persia and Midnight Suns were big enough failures that they gravely affected their developers. For that matter, we also worry about the current state of PlatinumGames.Inbox also-ransAll the speculation about the next God Of War setting and Santa Monica Studios rumoured sci-fi game is clearly missing the obvious answer: we are finally getting the Kratos vs. Xenu showdown weve all been waiting for. Im sure Sonys lawyers wouldnt make any attempt to veto that.TGN ProfessorJust to let people know, Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League is currently 2.99 in the Steam sale. How long can it go?!BLDMore TrendingEmail your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.ukThe 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 Readers 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 dont forget to follow us on Twitter.GameCentralExclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Want to cement your reputation as the family and friend groups best gift-giver? Gizmodos best tech gifts of 2024 holiday list has exactly what you need. Weve got tech gift ideas for any budgetfor gamers, music lovers, kids, kids-at-heart, chefs, adventurers, and more. Bring a smile to your loved ones faces with any of these fun and super-useful items.Table of ContentsGifts Under $1008BitDo Retro Mechanical KeyboardThis $86 8BitDo Retro is an ultra-aesthetically pleasing mechanical keyboard. It sports a hot-swappable PCB, which means you can easily change its switches without soldering. N-key rollover accepts multiple key presses simultaneously, which should help during gaming. Theres a dedicated volume knob and three connectivity modes (2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, and Type-C wired). The Kailh Box White switches are stunning, and all the additional functionality is the cherry on top. Buy at AmazonGoogle TV Streamer 4KGoogle recently retired its classic Chromecast streaming dongle and replaced it with the Google TV Streamer. While the core functionality remains similar, the new device features a completely revamped design. It supports 4K HDR content and 32GB of storage to install all your favorite streaming apps. The $100 Google TV Streamer is an elegant gadget that will add some character to anyones entertainment center. Buy at AmazonBuy at Best BuyAeroGarden Harvest with Gourmet Herb Seed Pod KitThe Aerogarden Harvest is the perfect gift for the green-thumbed cook in your life. It offers enough room for up to six plants at once and has a built-in grow light. The $100 kit comes with seeds for basil, parsley, dill, thyme, Thai basil, and minta solid selection that any home chef can get excited about.Buy at AmazonNintendo AlarmoAny Nintendo fan would explode with joy to receive this $100 alarm clock designed for heavy sleepers. Alarmo has several game themes, including Super Mario and Legend of Zelda. It can play chimes every hour and show cute animations of characters from franchises like Pikmen. Nintendo promises to introduce more franchises to Alarmo over time, so if the giftees favorite isnt there yet, it may arrive in the future.Buy at NintendoOdd BallTheOdd Ball makes a fantastic gift for an aspiring DJ. This $100 silicone ball lets you mix and create your own music through gestures, like tossing it in the air, spinning it around, and more. You can save and share your mixes on social media through the companion app. This fun and creative gadget is great for kids and adults alike.Buy at OddballTinyTVNot every gift has to offer a ton of utility. Sometimes, it can just be an itty bitty TV that comes with an itty bitty remote. TinyCircuits recently added another minuscule product to its collection: the $60 TinyTV 2, which comes preloaded with videos and lets you load your own videos, movies, or TV shows using the TinyTV Converter tool. TinyTV 2 is housed in a 2-inch plastic case and sports a rechargeable battery and two knobs for channel and volume control.Buy at AmazonJBL Clip 5 JBL Clip 5 is one of the best affordable portable speakers you can buy right now. It lasts 12 hours on a full charge and can safely clip onto a wide variety of objects, such as a backpack, belt, or door handle. Auracast support on the Clip 5 means you can pair two together for a louder sound at a holiday house party. At $50, it makes for a great stocking stuffer. Buy at AmazonBuy at Best BuyAmazon Fire Stick HDThe $18 Fire TV Stick HD is a must-have for anyone still sporting an older 1080p TV. The streaming dongle has an easy-to-use interface, and its remote has excellent voice controls. Alexa integration means itll work well with other Amazon smart home devices.Buy at AmazonApple AirtagsAirTags, at $20 a pop, are one of the easiest ways to keep track of your belongings. Their size makes it easy to slip them into luggage or attach to a keychain. With an onboard speaker, you can play a sound to help locate lost items, which is especially handy when your keys fall between couch cushions. Its hard to go wrong with this gadgetafter all, who doesnt misplace things occasionally?Buy at AmazonBuy at Best Buy Gifts Under $300GoPro Hero The GoPro Hero is a $200 action cam thats a great starter device for somebody wanting to capture sporting antics. The tiny 4K camera is easy to use and compatible with dozens of existing mounts. The best part is that your highlights can be automatically sent to your phone for easy posting on social media. Buy at AmazonBuy at Best BuyLego DC Batman: The Classic TV Series BatmobileEven those who didnt grow up with the campy Adam West-era Batman TV series will enjoy this classic LEGO Batmobile. Its a fun build that takes around six to eight hours. The final result is sleek and stylishand theres an adorable Adam West Batman minifig complete with tiny batarangs.Buy at AmazonBuy at LegoEdifier D32 Tabletop SpeakerAt first glance, youd never guess this sleek $200 speaker supports ALAC, one of the most premium high-fidelity audio codecs. This feature is exclusive to iOS devices, as ALAC is Apples proprietary codec, so the Edifier D32 is best suited for someone already immersed in the Apple ecosystem. For high-quality audio, it supports WiFi connectivity via Apple AirPlay, but it also offers a range of other optionsBluetooth, 3.5mm wired, and Type-Cfor pairing with non-Apple devices. Its beautiful design and impressive performance make it an excellent gift for anyone who loves music. Buy at AmazonBuy at Best BuySteelSeries Arctis GamebudsThe SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds are good enough to become your everyday earbuds for listening to tunes on the go, but theyre also the best earbuds for gaming. The low-profile 2.4 GHz dongle is easy to slot into your console or Steam Deck and then put back in the case for when you need to move on. The audio quality is solid, with impressive noise canceling and simple switching between Bluetooth and 2.4 modes. You cant connect it to multiple Bluetooth devices at once, but for $160, you wont find many better ways to listen to your games without opting for larger, gaming-focused headsets. Buy at AmazonBuy at Best BuyStar Wars Lego TIE Interceptor The Lego Star Wars TIE Interceptor kit is a must-have for Lego and Star Wars fans. This massive build instantly becomes a standout centerpiece on a display shelf. It looks amazing from a distance and up close, where the intricate details of the cockpit and wings truly shine. It will likely take days to complete, but its a rewarding experience worth the $230 price tag.Buy at AmazonBuy at LEGOShokz OpenRun Pro 2Shokz may be an underdog in the industry, but an athlete will tell you how impressive its products are. Its flagship bone conduction headphones, the OpenRun Pro 2, improved in every area its predecessors were critiqued on. For $180, these offer better bass, reduced vibration (a common issue on bone conduction tech), longer battery life (12 hours compared to 10 hours on the Gen 1s), and a switch to Type-C charging. If youre looking for a gift for an athlete, chances are theyve already been eying this. Buy at AmazonBuy at Best BuyBose TV SpeakerAt just $200, this Bose TV Speaker is a slim yet powerful soundbar that dramatically improves a TVs sound quality. Depending on your setup, it can easily be mounted on a wall or placed in front of the TV. Its two angled full-range drivers deliver a realistic spatial audio experience, making it an ideal gift for upgrading ones home theater. Buy at AmazonBuy at Best BuyDJI NeoIf you thought drones were a product that only enthusiasts could afford, the DJI Neo makes the case that anybody with a phone and quality earplugs can take to the skies. The $200 DJI Neo is the most basic form of drone you can get, and yet its still very usable, even without spending extra for the RC-N3 controller (which may become necessary if you want to fly long distances). Its very loud, especially indoors, but its delightfully zippy and can take off and land in the palm of your hand. Buy at AmazonBuy at Best BuyEF Ecoflow Portable Power Station EcoFlows $300 River 2 portable power station stands out for its compact form factor. Its easy to transport, weighing just 7.7 pounds on its own and slightly over 10 pounds with the included solar panel. Despite its small size, it delivers up to 600W of power, making it an ideal gift for outdoor enthusiastsperfect for adventures, camping trips, or RV outings. The River 2 recharges fully in just one hour via an AC outlet or approximately seven hours using the waterproof solar panel, ensuring its ready when needed.Buy at AmazonAnker MagGo 3-in-1 Wireless Charging StationThe problem with multi-charging power bricks is that they often lead to a tangle of wires. With its folding and multiple charging puck design, the $110 Anker MagGo 3-in-1 charging station is a surprisingly convenient and portable alternative for Apple users. Two of the Qi2 15W wireless charging pucks can support a device like a newer iPhone or AirPods Pro 2, while the third is designed for the Apple Watch. Its a great device for folks who travel and need something to get all their devices to 100% overnight.Buy at AmazonBuy at Best BuyApple AirPods Pro 2Given how underwhelming the flagship AirPods 4 are, the $250 AirPods Pro 2 remain the best choice for Apple users seeking wireless earbudseven two years after release. They feature Apples standout active noise cancellation (ANC) technology, and their in-ear design creates a secure seal to block out external noise effectively. With ANC enabled, you get around six hours of listening time on a single charge and up to 30 hours combined with the charging case.Buy at AmazonBuy at Best BuyKodak Mini Shot 2 Era Instant CameraThere are lots of instant cameras out there, but the $130 Kodak Mini Shot 2 Era is our absolute favorite. The best feature is the viewfinder, which allows you to preview your photos before deciding which to print, and you can even save your favorite images directly to your phone. Buy at AmazonBuy at WalmartHP Sprocket Photo PrinterIf you know someone who loves to plaster their home with photos, the HP Sprocket Photo Printer is the perfect gift. The $80 Sprocket will print any photo from your phones camera roll via Bluetooth. The photo papers rear is fully adhesive, so you can stick the printed picture anywhere.Buy at AmazonBuy at Best BuyRazer Aether Lamp ProThe $130 Aether Lamp Pro brings a modern lava lamp vibe to your work or gaming desk. Its easily our favorite of Razers current Gamer Room products because it requires the least setup and has an eye-catching design.Buy at AmazonBuy at RazerMeater Pro DuoThe Meater smart thermometers are best for grill dads who obsess over cooking their burgers right every time. The $200 Duo is a solid middle ground for home cooks, especially when youre cooking several dishes at once. The Meater Duo connects to your WiFi, and the base acts as a WiFi range extender so you can check temperatures on your phone from anywhere in the house. Also, it lets you set alerts when your food hits that perfect temperature. The Meater will even estimate how long it will take for your food to be ready.Buy at AmazonLaifen Wave Electric ToothbrushThe Laifen Wave Electric Toothbrush will turn anyone into an electric toothbrush person. The $70 Wave offers three intensity levels. A 45-minute to one-hour charge fully replenishes toothbrush, after which it lasts 20 to 25 days, assuming youre brushing twice a day.Buy at AmazonBuy at Best BuyBird Buddy Nature Cam ProThe $150 Nature Cam Pro is perfect for capturing the action at your home bird feeder. Its a significant upgrade to the base image quality offered by the original Nature Cam. It can better capture birds in slow motion, meaning it should be much better at tracking fluttering hummingbirds. Bird Buddy offers a variety of bird feeders and baths that easily hold the camera, or you can set up your own DIY bird hangout.Buy at AmazonShark HV301 Rocket The neat freaks in your life will truly enjoy the sleek and slim Shark HV301 Rocket ultra-light vacuum cleaner. Its currently a heavily discounted at $130, a great price for a versatile machine thats effective on carpets and bare floors. At only 7 pounds, it still offers a powerful suction for a satisfying Sunday deep-cleaning experience. Buy at AmazonMeta Quest 3SThe biggest issue with VR goggles is how expensive they are, but the $300 Quest 3S is an easy, affordable way into VR gaming. It doesnt require much set up, and its just as powerful as Metas Quest 3. It comes with Batman: Arkham Shadow pre-loaded, which means users can quickly hop in and start enjoying themselves in the virtual world. Buy at AmazonBest BuyRay-Ban Meta GlassesThe Ray-Ban Meta glasses rank high on the list for coolest tech of 2024. They offer a discrete way of snapping the world without making you reach for your phone. But more than just excellent camera capabilities, they sport AI features that help you with everyday tasks. These glasses can answer questions, set reminders, tell you where you parked your car, scan QR codes, and, following a future update, will be able to translate English, French, Italian, and Spanish. A $300 pair of smart glasses is a stand-out gift for the person who loves to capture every moment.Buy at AmazonBuy at Best BuyTeenage Engineering EP-1320 Medieval We dont know how many nerds are on your list, but if any of them love to drop beats, theyve probably already heard of the Teenage Engineering EP-133 K.O. II. Its essentially a sampler and groove box thats incredibly small yet surprisingly versatile. This years sister device is the $300 EP-1320 Medieval. Like the K.O. II, its designed for making music tracks, but this device is specifically for those who love their fantasy novels and/or playing Dungeons & Dragons. It takes some tutorials, but soon enough, youll be dropping thick dungeon beats with Gregorian chanting accompaniment.Buy at AmazonNinja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System Ninjas $160 Portable Crispi Air Fryer is great for anyone short on counter space. It comes with a 4-quart and 6-quart glass container (which also acts as a basket) with storage lids, meaning leftovers are easy to package and store in the fridge. The air fryer is good for crisping up fries and baking or recrisping to return your soggy fries to their original consistency.Buy at AmazonBuy at TargetGoogle Pixel Buds Pro 2 If youre looking for the best flagship earbuds released this year, the $230 Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are it. Theyre dramatically smaller compared to their predecessors, so theyre snug and comfortable in your ears. The noise canceling is powerful enough to make you want to turn it off on the street for safety, and the punchy bass is definitely the star of the show. The battery life is well above the industry average for true wireless earbuds.Buy at AmazonBuy at Best BuyKindle ColorsoftAmazons first color e-reader is a gem; the color E Ink screen adds so much to the Kindle experience that wasnt there before. It boasts solid performance and is much faster than other E Ink e-readers. The $280 Kindle Colorsoft includes everything good about past Kindles, like the Paperwhites water resistance. The color display makes this an excellent gift for the comic book reader in your life. Buy at AmazonMetroboardMetroboard is a $230 light-up infrastructure infographic displaying real-time transit information. Its powered via a USB Type-C cable and connects to Wi-Fi to receive live updates from transit authorities. Its a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of blinking lights during the dayespecially during rush hour. As the day winds down, youll notice lights gradually dimming, reflecting quieter evening schedules. The Metroboard is currently available for Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., Boston, and the Bay Area, with plans to expand to international train systems soon. Metroboard is a beautiful gift thats both functional and fascinating.Buy at MetroboardGifts $500+Asus TUF Gaming A14 Starting at $1,400, the Asus TUF Gaming A14 is a tiny powerhouse ideal for the busy college student. Its got the power and portability you want in a 14-inch gaming laptop without all the razzle-dazzle. What we like most about the A14 is that it gives you premium laptop performance at entry-level laptop pricing.Buy at Best BuyGoogle Pixel 9 Pro FoldFor anyone who loves a big phone, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold offers a vibrant and dazzlingly bright 8-inch OLED display, excellent AI features for photo and video editing, and a Tensor G4 processor that can efficiently handle your work and play load. The 48 MP main camera and 10.8 MP telephoto rear cameras take excellent pictures that look more natural than those of other phones without that glaring glow from oversaturated shots. The $1,500 Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the top choice for anyone whos looking for a phone with a stellar camera, efficient AI, and multiple gorgeous screens, allowing a lot of multitasking. Buy at AmazonBuy at Best BuyAsus ROG Ally XThe Asus ROG Ally X will be the big gamer gift this year. At $800, youre getting one of the most powerful and versatile handheld gaming PCs currently available. Its everything we loved about the original Ally, with twice the battery capacity, more RAM, 1 TB of SSD storage, and a subtle ergonomic redesign thats much more pleasant to hold. It may not have as nice a display as the OLED Steam Deck, but the lucky giftee can play all their games across Steam, Epic, and beyond, since the device supports Windows 11. You could try to nab that white Steam Deck instead and save $120, but the Ally X is the one to beat in terms of raw power and versatility.Buy at AmazonBuy at Best BuyApple iPad miniThe latest rendition of the $500 iPad mini is very similar to the 2021 version. But now its packing an A17 Pro chip capable of running Apple Intelligence whenever it comes to its full realization. More than that, the iPad mini feels like the perfect small-form companion that offers more screen real estate than an iPhone without the pain points of the iPads usual lack of Mac-like versatility. It can now work with the Apple Pencil Pro (though not the second or first-gen Apple Pencils). If youre looking for supplementary gifts, the pencil and the folio turn the mini into a great mobile slate for everyday needs.Buy at AmazonApple iPhone 16The best part about the iPhone 16 is that it doesnt feel like a significant compromise over not going with the 16 Pro model. The base iPhone 16 model, at $930, thankfully has the best features of the higher-end models, such as a fusion camera, Apple Intelligence support, an Action Button, and the all-new Camera Control button. It also offers pro-level performance and an excellent battery life, making it a great gift for anyone on your list needing a phone upgrade. Buy at Best BuyApple Mac miniAs it currently stands, the $600 Mac mini with M4 is the most affordable way to get into the Mac ecosystem. Its a lot smaller than past versions, and with the higher-end chip, its fully capable of performing well at intensive tasks like rendering and can even do some light gaming. However, if youre looking for power, the $1,400 Mac mini M4 Pro is one of the best mini-computers you can buy today and rivals some models of the Macbook Pro.Buy at AmazonBuy at Best BuyOoni Koda 2 Max Pizza OvenAnyone bragging that they can craft an accurate New York slice can put their dough where their mouth is with the $1,000 Ooni Koda 2. Its a 24-inch propane-powered pizza oven large enough to cook two small pies or one large pie. It can reach a top temperature of 950 degrees Fahrenheit, but it takes just 30 minutes to reach the prime 750 degrees, which is good for cooking your various pies. The most important thing is the bake, and the Oonis are lauded for their design, which offers even browning everywhere you need it and still gets the right heat on the bottom with the included pizza stones.Buy at Best BuyGarmin Fenix 8If youre looking for one of the most high-end, fitness-focused smartwatches on the market, its hard to beat the $1,200 Garmin Fenix 8. This premium device features a massive 1.4-inch AMOLED display within a 51mm watch face. Its battery can last weeks on a single charge, and the handle can take a beating. This is the perfect go-to companion for the stat-obsessed athlete or hiker in your life.Buy at AmazonBuy at Best BuyPanasonic W95AThere were too many mini-LED TVs to count this year, but the seasons surprise hit came from a company that hasnt sold TVs in the U.S. for nearly a decade. The $1,000 Panasonic W95A has some of the best viewing angles compared to the competition, along with menus that make it relatively easy to bring out the best in the TV. If that doesnt float your boat, the Z95A fellow mini-LED TV boasts more drivers and has on-board directional audio that sounds so good, you may not even need a soundbar.Buy at AmazonPlayStation 5 ProIf you really want to wow someone this year, get them the most powerful gaming console out now: the $700 PlayStation 5 Pro. With more horsepower than the original PlayStation 5, the Pro will make most existing games look and play better. Just make sure its paired with a high-quality TV or 4K monitor to take full advantage of the PS5 Pros graphical capabilities.Buy at AmazonBuy at Best BuyMacBook Pro 14 with M4The latest MacBook Pro reaffirms Apples position in the top tier of laptop performance. The new M4 chip is the companys most powerful yet, and the base model now includes 16 GB of RAMdouble the previous 8 GBwithout an increase in the starting price. The MacBook Pro 14 with M4 has the power and battery life a student or working professional needs daily. Oh, and it comes in Space Black. Buy at AmazonBuy at Best Buy

By Ed Cara Published November 28, 2024 | Comments (2) | Orcas observed surfacing to breath before taking a whale shark down by delivering a rapid, final blow. Kelsey Williamson Orcas (Orcinus orca) might be even more ferocious predators than we give them credit for. Scientists have discovered orcas that have learned to hunt whale sharks (Rhincodon typus), the largest fish in the world. Marine biologists documented the never-before-confirmed behavior among orcas living in the Southern Gulf of California, the body of water between the state and country of Mexico. They found evidence of several whale shark attacks that occurred over a six-year-spanmost of which involved one particular male orca known as Moctezuma. While much is still unknown about the phenomenon, the findings suggest these killer whales may have acquired and passed on unique knowledge that allowed them to take down their hefty prey. Despite their friendly reputation from TV shows and movies, orcas are well known to be apex predators wherever they live, hunting a wide variety of fish, rays, and marine mammals, including other dolphins. Orcas have also been recorded hunting various kinds of sharks, including the great white shark, but not whale sharksan animal that would pose a considerable challenge for any predator. While orcas are the biggest living members of the dolphin family, theyre still far outsized by the whale shark. The average adult orca is around 20-feet-long (6 meters) and weighs six tons, while the average whale shark may extend as long as 45 feet (13.7 meters) and weigh up to 20 tons (some individual whale sharks are even more massive).Adult whale sharks arent thought to have any natural predators, but younger and smaller ones are sometimes hunted by sharks and other large fishes. Whale sharks have been spotted feeding in the Gulf of California, including juvenile sharks, and there have been anecdotal reports of orcas in the area hunting them (even adults). But this new research, published Friday in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science, is the first of its kind to confirm the reports. Orcas seen here with whale shark carrion in their mouths during an attack on 26 May 2024. Kelsey Williamson Marine biologist Erick Higuera Rivas and his colleagues collected photo and video evidence from the public and scientists detailing four hunting events that happened between 2018 to 2024. They found that the orcas cooperated to methodically weaken and ultimately kill their large prey, often by focusing on one particular part of the whale sharks bodies: their pelvis.We show how orcas displayed a collaboratively hunting technique onwhalesharks, characterized by focusing on attacking the pelvic area causing thewhaleshark to bleed out and allow orcas access to the lipid-rich liver, said Higuera Rivas, a scientist at the non-profit marine research organization Conexiones Terramar, in a statement from Frontiers. The orca Moctezuma was observed at three of these attacks, while another female orca previously seen with Moctezuma also took part in one attack. The repeated presence of these orcas at the attacks, coupled with their precise method of hunting, suggest that theyre part of an orca pod that has become specialized in killing whale sharks, the researchers say.When hunting, all pod members work together, hitting thewhalesharkto turn it upside down. In that position thesharks enter a state of tonic immobility and can no longer move voluntarily or escape by going deeper, Higuera Rivas said. By keeping it under control, the orcas then have greater ease and speed in approaching the pelvic area of the sharkand are able to extract organs of nutritional importance for them. Both whale sharks and orcas are widely distributed, though whale sharks prefer sticking to warmer, tropical waters. So its certainly possible that orcas elsewhere have learned how to hunt these massive fish. Right now, though, theres not much data available that can tell us either way. IfMoctezuma and his pod are unique whale shark hunters, that could also have important implications for the conservation of this marine region. Any harmful changes to the whale shark population in the Gulf could affect their chances of survival, for instance. And the researchers say that more care is needed to ensure that tourists and other visitors to the area arent disturbing the environment too much.The ocean is filled with all sorts of mysteries and unknowns, particularly in the darkest and deepest crevices of the world. But it seems that even some of the largest and most well-known marine creatures around have their own secrets still left to be unraveled.Daily NewsletterYou May Also Like By Adam Kovac Published October 7, 2024 By Adam Kovac Published September 26, 2024 By Adam Kovac Published September 26, 2024 By Adam Kovac Published September 24, 2024 By Adam Kovac Published September 3, 2024 By Adam Kovac Published August 15, 2024

Hay Sushi Restaurant / OdamiSave this picture! Kurtis ChenRestaurantToronto, CanadaArchitects: OdamiYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:Kurtis Chen More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. A stone's throw from Toronto's animated Yonge and Sheppard intersection, Hay Sushi is a neighborhood establishment known for elevated Japanese fare and relaxed dining. Odami had the opportunity to reimagine the restaurant's Spring Garden location in a nearby space with double its previous capacity. Our design seeks to translate the quiet confidence of the brand's menu strongly composed dishes that are detail-oriented but not overly decorative into an intriguing interior with warmth, comfort, and familiarity, a space that both honors and enhances the restaurant's existing posture in the community.Save this picture!Located in the ground-floor podium of a 1990s residential tower, the new site was buried beneath years of DIY renovations, obscuring its inherent street presence and spatial qualities. With these layers stripped away, the 2,500-square-foot space returns to its essential industrial structure, defined by the heft and permanence of concrete and an abundance of natural light from restored floor-to-ceiling windows.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Our design embraces this raw built environment through a discipline of material layers that unearth opportunity and surprise. A warm palette of terracotta-colored tiles, sand-toned leather, and white oak furnishings imbues softness onto the heavy concrete structure. The resolute square geometry of the columns and beams dialogue with circular reveals subtly arched doorways, glowing sphere pendants, and the rounded cocktail bar. The opaque concrete is summoned to a conversation with transparency, translucency, and reflection through glass blocks, high-gloss epoxy flooring, and stainless steel millwork. Light filters through the waved glass, glides across the reflective floor, and bounces off the brushed metal, projecting spontaneous moments of texture and movement onto a steadfast, immovable backdrop.Save this picture!Subtle architectural interventions create both flexibility and navigational ease in the expansive space. The raised dining room is delineated by exposed ceilings that establish a lofty ambiance, with a lowered canopy and dinner bar that breaks that scale toward the street. Cream-colored banquettes and floors recede into the walls, visually elevating two glass-block partitions gathered at the center of the room, a point of gravity for the main service area that also provides privacy from the busy corridor to the kitchen. Beyond the restaurant's high-traffic entryway and vestibule, the curved cocktail bar is wrapped in flecked marble and textured porcelain tiles, providing a point of arrival both generous and intimate.Save this picture!The bar flows into a sushi prep area, a chef-activated space that exhibits the day's offerings. Grounded in simplicity and restraint, the project captures our ongoing interest in dichotomy the critical act of bringing opposing ideas into the conversation as well as our commitment to executing contextually sensitive design and thoughtful urban renewal at any scale. In this space, each architectural gesture is intentionally streamlined to produce an honest and poignant dialogue with what already exists. Sometimes, the quieter the interventions, the more they stand out.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Toronto, CanadaLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officeOdamiOfficeMaterialsGlassConcreteMaterials and TagsPublished on November 28, 2024Cite: "Hay Sushi Restaurant / Odami" 28 Nov 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1024001/hay-sushi-restaurant-odami&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Good Job Games Offices / Jeyan lk ArchitectsSave this picture! brahim zbunarArchitects: Jeyan lk ArchitectsAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:4300 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2023 PhotographsPhotographs:brahim zbunarSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. In their design brief, the Good Job Games team emphasized the importance of creating a vibrant workspace featuring a variety of casual working areas. Their existing offices, located in a blend of two residential low-rise buildings in central Istanbul, raised concerns about transitioning to a conventional office setting. This challenge underscored the need to avoid a typical office environment, leading to the creation of a campus-like setting that would feel familiar to their young clientele.Save this picture!To achieve this, the entrance gallery was designed to evoke the feel of a public street, with amenities arranged like distinct buildings. For instance, the long restaurant faade resembles a glasshouse, creating the sense of walking through a street or park. Notably, the design language was intentionally made slightly distinct, further enhancing the street-like atmosphere.Save this picture!At the center of the gallery, a circular built-in bench was placed around a large tree, creating a focal point. The main staircase extends from the bleachers, connecting various levels via bridges and steps. These levels function as breakout areas and open meeting spaces, located both above and below.Save this picture!Save this picture!Landscaping and greenery further amplified the outdoor-like feel of the space. Adjacent to the circular bench is a marketplace-inspired caf, accompanied by a semi-open terrace that provides employees with access to fresh air, aligning with their preferences. Viewing terraces and windows at different levels overlook the front entrance, catering primarily to visitors. Meanwhile, the "back of house" office areas accommodate various teams, with workstations separated by acoustical panels that also support climbing plants. Each group was provided with a writable wall for collaborative discussions and control over automated lighting systems.Save this picture!Save this picture!A secondary staircase connects the two office floors, doubling as a breakout area and printing station. High library shelves with integrated reading benches line the perimeter wall, while a continuous walkway encircles the second floor, passing the library and leading to the balcony, reinforcing the street-like ambiance.Save this picture!The most vibrant area in the office is the "playground floor" on the lower level, featuring a caf, a fully equipped fitness area with dressing rooms and showers, and a PlayStation room. Natural light reaches this floor through a strategically placed staircase near the entrance windows. The floor is also accessible from the indoor parking area. Sleeping pods, located in a quieter section, provide a space for relaxation, as requested by the client. The project successfully delivered a spacious, dynamic, youthful, and trendy office environment mirroring a campus atmosphere, all within the specified time frame and budget constraints.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:, TurkeyLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officePublished on November 28, 2024Cite: "Good Job Games Offices / Jeyan lk Architects" 28 Nov 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1024098/good-job-games-offices-jeyan-ulku-architects&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream