Isaacman decided to drop out of high school at the age of 15.Isaacman chose to drop out of high school at 15. Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post/Getty At the age of 15, Isaacman decided to drop out of high school and take the GED, according to the Netflix docuseries "Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space.""I was a horrible student," Isaacman said in the series. "And I wasn't, like, happy in school, either."He described his younger self as independent and said he didn't understand things like raising your hand to go to the bathroom. At 16, he founded a multibillion-dollar payment-processing company in his parents' basement.Isaacman founded Shift4 in 1999. SOPA Images/Getty Isaacman founded United Bank Card in 1999.The company, now called Shift4, offers mobile-payment software, point-of-sale solutions, and online payments for various businesses.Isaacman said in the Netflix docuseries that when he started the company, he would wake up every day at 7:30 a.m. and fall asleep on the keyboard at 2 or 3 in the morning.By 2020, he took the company public. Today, Shift4 processes over $260 billion annually and serves over 200,000 customers, according to its website. Isaacman has a wife and two kids.Isaacman lives with his wife and two daughters in New Jersey. Joe Raedle/Getty Isaacman has known his wife, Monica Isaacman, for most of his life. The two come from the same town and got married in 2012. They now live in New Jersey with their two daughters."I want my kids to see humans walking on the moon and Mars," Isaacman told BI.His wife said in the docuseries that she had good and bad dreams leading up to his first SpaceX mission, Inspiration4, which launched in 2021.She said while she wouldn't want him to compromise on his dreams of going to space, she worried about what could happen if something went wrong.Isaacman told BI in the interview that his family and wife were much more enthusiastic about the Polaris Dawn mission this time around, thanks to a successful first mission.While there are still risks, he told BI his family is aware and accepts them. He also founded Draken International.Isaacman sold Draken International to Blackstone in 2019. The Washington Post/Getty Isaacman founded Draken International in 2012. The company is a private aircraft provider that also trains pilots for the US military, the UK, and NATO countries.In 2019, Isaacman sold the company to Blackstone. Isaacman became a billionaire in 2019.Isaacman at SpaceX in Hawthorne, California. SpaceX/Business Wire via AP Photo Isaacman hit billionaire status in 2020 after selling Draken International and taking Shift4 public. His net worth isestimatedat $1.7 billion, according to Forbes. He always had a passion for flying planes.Isaacman said he took an interest in flying early on in life. Patrick T. Fallon Isaacman said in the Netflix docuseries that he took an early interest in flying and went to flight school at a local airport in 2004.At the time, he was feeling burned out from starting his company and described flying as "therapeutic." Isaacman also set a world speed record for flying around the globe in 2009."I do believe you only get one crack at life," Isaacman said in the docuseries. "To the extent you have the means to do so, you have this obligation to live life to the fullest. You never know when it's going to be your last day."He added in the docuseries that this philosophy had taken him to fly in air shows as part of a seven-ship formation aerobatic team and on mountain-climbing expeditions in Antarctica. He's involved with philanthropy.Isaacman and his family are involved in a number of philanthropic causes. Eugene Gologursky/Getty Isaacman has been involved in several charitable causes and organizations, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.Hisraised over $240 million for St. Jude and was named Inspiration4 to inspire support and raise awareness for the research hospital.Isaacman and his wife have also committed to The Giving Pledge, a charitable campaign founded by Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, and Warren Buffett in 2010.The Giving Pledge serves as a commitment from wealthy people to donate the majority of their wealth to philanthropy. Isaacman's first mission to space took place in 2021.The Inspiration4 crew members in their SpaceX space suits. Inspiration4/John Kraus In 2021, Isaacman funded and led the first civilian mission to space, called Inspiration4. The mission was carried out by SpaceX 's Dragon capsule.Isaacman previously told Business Insider that the prep for the mission was extensive and involved a lot of studying and physical tests."The academics were pretty intense," Isaacman said, adding that there were thousands of pages across a hundred manuals to learn about SpaceX's Falcon and Dragon aircraft.It also involved crew members drawing blood from each other and learning how to take skin samples to prepare for increased radiation levels on the trip. Isaacman commanded the first-ever privately funded spacewalkThe Crew of the next SpaceX private astronaut flight called Polaris Dawn. The Washington Post/Getty Images On September 10, Isaacman and three other crew members successfully took off on their way into orbit for the first-ever privately funded spacewalk.The spacewalk featured SpaceX's new EVA suits.Polaris Dawn lifted off from Launch Complex-39A at NASA's KSC, which also saw the launches of other historic missions, such as the Apollo 11 moon landing. Dragon and the Polaris Dawn crew safely arrived back on the coast of Florida on September 15. Trump nominated Isaacman to lead NASASpaceX CEO with President-Elect Donald Trump. Brandon Bell/Getty Images In an X post on Wednesday, Isaacman called the nomination "the honor of a lifetime" and suggested that human space exploration would be a top priority.Space-industry experts told BI that Isaacman is not a traditional pick for NASA Administrator, but his background in commercial spaceflight would benefit the agency."They need someone who is not afraid to try something new if the old ways aren't working," George Nield, a former head of the FAA's office of commercial space transportation, told BI.Michelle Hanlon, executive director of the Center for Air and Space Law at the University of Mississippi School of Law, called Isaacman "an inspired pick," in part due to his "stellar" managerial skills."He has shown a real commitment to increasing access to space, and I think he is going to be a great person to promote space to the general public," she said.This story was originally published on September 11, 2024, and most recently updated on December 4, 2024.

The UK's top military officer confirmed Israel used F-35s during its October strikes against Iran.Adm. Tony Radakin said the operation demonstrated the "power" of fifth-generation aircraft.His remarks come after Elon Musk criticized the F-35 and its manufacturer, Lockheed Martin.Israel showed the "power" of the F-35 stealth fighter jet during its late October retaliatory strikes against Iran, Britain's top military officer said on Wednesday.Adm. Tony Radakin, the UK's chief of defense staff, disclosed that Israel used its F-35s to carry out the widespread October 26 strikes against military sites across Iran, including air-defense systems and missile-manufacturing facilities.It appeared to mark the first confirmation from a Western government that Israel had used its fifth-generation aircraft in the operation, which came in response to a massive Iranian missile attack at the start of the month. It was reported at the time that Israel flew its F-35s and fired air-launched ballistic missiles."Israel used more than 100 aircraft, carrying fewer than 100 munitions, and with no aircraft getting within 100 miles of the target in the first wave, and that took down nearly the entirety of Iran's air-defense system," Radakin said during a Royal United Services Institute lecture in London."It has destroyed Iran's ability to produce ballistic missiles for a year and left Tehran with a strategic dilemma in how it responds. That is the power of [fifth-generation] aircraft, combined with exquisite targeting and extraordinary intelligence," Radakin said. "And that was all delivered from a single sortie." An Israeli Air Force F-35 lands during an exercise in October 2021. JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images He said the operation demonstrates the "disproportionate advantage of modern ways of fighting." Business Insider contacted the Israel Defense Forces about Radakin's remarks but has yet to receive a response.The F-35 is a single-engine, multi-role stealth aircraft made by US defense contractor Lockheed Martin. There are several variants of the fighter jet, which took its first flight nearly 20 years ago and are now flown by a handful of countries around the world.Israel was the first to use the F-35 in combat in 2018. It operates just under 40 F-35I jets, a subvariant of the F-35A model, although this fleet will expand to 75 in the coming years.The F-35I is Israel's only fifth-generation aircraft. It also has older, American-made F-16 and F-15 fighter jets.Radakin's praise of the fifth-generation platform comes after Elon Musk criticized the F-35, the Pentagon's most expensive weapons program but widely considered a cornerstone of US airpower. The SpaceX CEO and advisor to President-elect Donald Trump took to social media last month to rag on the aircraft over its design and brushed off its stealth capabilities. Airpower experts quickly pushed back on some of his remarks.

Support independent journalism that matters become a Vox Member today.The twists and turns in the ongoing story of Hannah Kobayashi, who went missing in Los Angeles last month after failing to get on her connecting flight to New York, have kept the public riveted for nearly a month. But now, amid a family tragedy that includes the death of Kobayashis father by apparent suicide, police have determined Kobayashi might have walked away from her life voluntarily.Los Angeles police announced Monday that theyd reviewed surveillance video showing a woman they believed to be Kobayashi on November 12, the day her family reported her missing. Kobayashi, who is from Hawaii, had failed to complete a flight from her home state to New York City. The footage shows a woman who appears to be Kobayashi at a Los Angeles bus station, buying a ticket to the border. Police say she used her passport to make the purchase, then crossed over into Mexico from San Ysidro. The investigation is the second high-profile missing persons case in recent weeks to take an unexpected turn after the person turned up seemingly unharmed. On November 11, the day before Kobayashis family reported her missing, a Wisconsin man resurfaced after being missing for months to admit that he had faked his own death in a dramatic kayaking incident in order to escape his life and start over in Eastern Europe. Los Angeles investigators felt that Kobayashi had likewise walked away from her own life and that, until she decided to resurface, there was little they could do. To date, the investigation has not uncovered any evidence that Kobayashi is being trafficked or is the victim of foul play. She is also not a suspect in any criminal activity, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell stated during a news conference. She has a right to her privacy, and we respect her choices but we also understand the concern her loved ones feel for her.There are several alarming differences between the two cases, beginning with the sharp and sudden turn in Kobayashis trajectory. The 30-year-old Maui resident was a free spirit with a love of art, photography, and the outdoors before she boarded a flight to visit a relative on November 8. It was supposed to be her first trip to the New York City something shed had on her bucket list of places to see and she had plans to see a Broadway show with a friend before traveling upstate. She was sharing the flight with an ex-boyfriend, though they reportedly sat in different parts of the plane, and he doesnt appear to have had anything to do with her disappearance. Kobayashi didnt join him on their connecting flight out of LAX. Instead, she left the airport. Security footage caught her getting on the Metro headed toward downtown Los Angeles. After her family reported her missing, multiple people reported having seen her at The Grove shopping mall on November 9 and 10. Eagle-eyed web sleuths spotted her appearing on camera 31 seconds into a video shot at a LeBron James Nike event held there. Hannah even uploaded a photo from the event to her own Instagram the last post shes made there to date.During her days spent in the city, she sent a series of alarming texts to family and friends. One text spoke of Deep Hackers who wiped my identity, stole all of my funds, & have had me on a mind fuck since Friday, while another claimed shed been tricked pretty much into giving away all my funds. From someone I thought I loved. She also told family shed missed her flight to New York but reportedly used language that family members thought didnt sound like her. One such suspect text, containing odd endearments she didnt typically use, said, Im just really scared love & the redwoods if calling me & I know Im meant to be there, Im being guided there, like you have before I risk my freedom if this goes wrong for me hun. Another spoke of her having just finished a very intense spiritual awakening. In one text, Kobayashi reportedly claimed that she was scared and afraid to go home. Even though she was in contact with us, she wasnt in contact with us in her right mind, her aunt, Larie Pidgeon, told USA Today.I just need to rest & Ill think better, one text to her mother, sent on November 11, reportedly read. But its very complicated Matrix underworld shit. It was one of her final communications to her family. Her final texts indicated she was returning to the airport and promised to keep her family posted. Although she did return to the airport, she ultimately only picked up her luggage, which shed requested to have flown back from New York to LA. That evening, according to a Facebook post made by her family, she was spotted getting off the Metro near Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center). Her family claimed in the post that theyd seen footage of the sighting which indicated that Hannah does not appear to be in good condition and she is not alone.After November 11, her phone was turned off, and by the following week, Kobayashi had fallen off the grid shed stopped sending text updates, and family and friends fanned out across the city to search for her. We now know that she had already crossed the border into Mexico, but her family claimed they had only radio silence from LAPD about what, if anything, they had learned, leaving them to search for answers alone. After the family held a public rally on November 21, police finally got in touch with them, though it would still be another week before any answers arrived.In the middle of the familys fear that shed been abducted or trafficked, and amid enormous and growing public speculation about what happened to her, her father Ryan Kobayashi was searching for her. On November 15, he told KHNL Hawaii News Now that hed experienced a lot of worrying, a lot of confusion. Everything is just a blur it seems, because I havent slept well since Ive heard the news. He went on to ask Hannah to get in touch with the police or with her family. Theres a lot of people out there that care and love you, Hannah, he said. If you can just get to somebody, whatever you can do just let us know that youre okay.At some time around 4 am on November 24, Ryan Kobayashi died by suicide in Los Angeles. Im going to continue to stay strong for you, Hannah Kobayashis sister Sydni wrote on social media. Were going to find Hannah.Despite indications that Kobayashi may have been suffering from a mental break or another form of mental illness, Pidgeon pushed back on this possibility. She has no record on that, she told NBC on November 15. She is not on medication. Hannahs someone that we can call and shes going to call us back within an hour. Pidgeon further criticized the public speculation about Hannahs disappearance for pushing her father to a breaking point. Conspiracy theories online abounded about what happened to her, everything from run-ins with the Twin Flames new-age cult to bad drug trips gone haywire. If Ryan is looking at all this shit, imagine that weighing on him? she told the New York Post, which had previously reported sensationalized details like Kobayashi having paid for a tarot reading while she was out and about in LA.In their announcement that they would be changing Kobayashis status to that of a voluntary missing person, the LAPD claimed that Kobayashi had evinced a desire to step away from modern connectivity. This included old social media posts shed made where she seemed to want to disconnect from her phone, according to Missing Persons investigator Lt. Douglas Oldfield. Still, the family continued to press for answers, vowing that the search for Hannah would continue. It wont, however, be continuing as publicly as before. The burgeoning Facebook group Help Us Find Hannah, which grew to over 25,000 members, went private after the announcement on Monday, with family members reportedly claiming to have received threats against their lives and the lives of their small children. Its unclear what if anything provoked the threats, but it is clear that public speculation and scrutiny surrounding Kobayashis disappearance had spiraled in the weeks since she first left LAX. On Tuesday, moderators of Reddits r/Hawaii subreddit locked their post about the disappearance because it was starting to see a lot of baseless conspiracy theories.However complicated Kobayashis story is, it seems abundantly clear that her family is right to be alarmed for her safety. Its also increasingly evident that while the era of social media and heightened public scrutiny over police investigations can be uniquely beneficial, it can also be extremely overwhelming, obfuscatory, and frustrating to family, friends, and officials trying to find loved ones. While the huge number of eyes on Hannah as she went on her journey was undoubtedly helpful in locating her, false sightings and far-fetched rumors may have made it harder on the family. Hannah Kobayashis situation, however alarming, was and is potentially resolvable. Its impossible to know whether the tragedy of her fathers suicide could have been avoided if her disappearance hadnt become headline-grabbing news, but it almost certainly didnt help.Still, while its tempting to blame Ryan Kobayashis death on the media and public frenzy, the real stressors might have been much closer to home. He had told CNN that he and Hannah had not been close when she was growing up and that they hadnt had contact for a while. Im just trying to make up, he said. Im trying to get her back. Thats my main focus.The grim but less complicated takeaway from this series of tragic events might be just this: The mighty apparatus of true crime theorizing and crowdsourced web sleuthing can often make family tragedies into labyrinthine mysteries when they arent. Sometimes, the answers may be undramatic and unsatisfying but perhaps the simpler they are, the less they lead us astray. 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:

Support independent journalism that matters become a Vox Member today.The Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday in United States v. Skrmetti, arguably the most important transgender rights case the Court has ever heard. The case asks whether discrimination against transgender people can violate the Constitution and it appears most of the justices feel it does not. The likely result is that the Court will allow states to ban health procedures that enable gender-affirming care, both for minors and, potentially, adults.The argument went terribly for transgender Americans, as many of the justices suggested creating a carveout from the ordinary constitutional rule restricting sex-based discrimination of all kinds. Chief Justice John Roberts, for example, suggested giving the government broad authority to engage in such discrimination in the medical context a ruling that could also have severe implications for women generally, including cisgender women.As Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said at one point in the argument, Im getting kind of nervous that the Court is going to chip away at one of the bedrock principles in US anti-discrimination laws.Skrmetti involves a 2023 Tennessee law that prohibits trans youth from receiving medical treatments, such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy, if those treatments are prescribed to help them transition. Notably, the law is quite explicit that its purpose is to encourag[e] minors to appreciate their sex and to prevent young people from becoming disdainful of their sex.Although this particular law involves a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, Tennessees arguments in favor of the law could also permit the government to prohibit adults from receiving the same treatments.At least four justices Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Brett Kavanaugh appeared all but certain to vote to uphold Tennessees law. Justice Amy Coney Barrett, meanwhile, was a bit less direct in her questioning, but she largely seemed sympathetic to Tennessees position. Most notably, Barrett signaled midway through the argument that she was open to Robertss call for a medical carveout from the Constitutions restrictions on sex discrimination.Justice Neil Gorsuch, a Republican who authored a landmark opinion protecting trans rights in 2020, was silent throughout the argument. That left only the Courts three Democrats to defend the orthodox approach to laws that discriminate on the basis of sex, which casts a skeptical eye on any law that treats people differently because of their sex assigned at birth.The biggest question in Skrmetti, in other words, is likely to be how the Court finds a way to uphold Tennessees law, rather than whether the Court does so. And it seems fairly likely that the Courts opinion could fundamentally alter the rules governing sex discrimination by the government.How the Courts current precedents approach laws that draw lines based on sexThe most important thing to understand about Tennessees law is that it explicitly draws lines based on a patients sex assigned at birth. If a child who is assigned male at birth is prescribed testosterone by their doctor, Tennessee permits that child to receive that treatment. But a child who is assigned female at birth may not.Indeed, while Matthew Rice, the Tennessee solicitor general defending his states law, tried many times to deny that this law classifies based on sex, he eventually admitted that it did after being pressed by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Jackson.Jackson, for example, asked Rice whether this law would permit a boy who seeks testosterone because he wants to deepen his voice and otherwise enhance his masculinity to receive that treatment, and Rice eventually conceded that, under the specific law at issue in this case, the boy could. Rice then eventually admitted that, if a girl sought the same treatment for the same purpose to deepen her voice and to make her body appear more masculine Tennessees law would prohibit her from receiving the treatment.This matters because, in United States v. Virginia (1996), the Supreme Court held that all gender-based classifications are subject to heightened scrutiny, meaning that the law is treated as presumptively unconstitutional and the state has to prove that its law was not enacted for impermissibly sexist reasons. Some laws survive this heightened scrutiny, if those laws are grounded in real differences between the sexes and not in prejudice or stereotypes. But, under Virginia, any law that draws lines based on sex in any way whatsoever receives this higher level of review from the federal courts.Significantly, neither the Biden administration, which argued against Tennessees law in the Supreme Court, nor the ACLU, which represents families that want their transgender children to have access to care, asked the Supreme Court to definitively strike down Tennessees law right now. Rather, the sole issue before the Court is whether to send the case back down to a federal appeals court that previously refused to apply the heightened scrutiny required by Virginia.But many of the justices appeared determined not to apply Virginia to this case. Roberts, for example, warned that there are medical nuances in this case that werent present in Virginia or some of the Courts other previous gender discrimination cases. And he suggested that the courts should take a more deferential approach to state lawmakers in cases involving medicine because judges are not good at making medical judgments.Kavanaugh echoed Robertss thinking, suggesting at one point that the Constitution does not take sides on a medical and policy debate.Barrett also appeared sympathetic to Robertss approach, asking Chase Strangio, the ACLU lawyer, whether the courts have ever applied heightened scrutiny in a case involving medical judgments.Strangio had an excellent answer to this question: During the pandemic, several churches and other religious institutions claimed that they had a constitutional right to defy state rules prohibiting too many people from gathering in one place in order to prevent the spread of Covid. The Court eventually split 5-4 in these cases, with five of the Republican justices concluding that the right to freely practice religion overcomes a states medical determination that large public gatherings are too dangerous. Barrett, however, did not appear persuaded, claiming that the Covid cases, in which she ruled with the majority, did not involve diving deep into the medical evidence. (Roberts dissented in the Covid cases, so his position in the Covid cases is consistent with the position he seemed to lay out in Skrmetti.)Thomas and Alitos questions, meanwhile, were consistently hostile to the two lawyers arguing in favor of trans rights. When you add their votes to Roberts, Kavanaugh, and Barrett, thats a majority likely in favor of Tennessees law.If the Court adopts Robertss approach, which seems likely, thats not just a devastating blow to transgender youth and their families. Its also a sea change in the Courts approach to sex discrimination of all kinds. Again, Virginia held that all laws that draw lines based on sex must survive heightened scrutiny, even though some laws ultimately clear this hurdle. All means all. But now many of the justices seem eager to hold that only some laws that classify people based on sex are presumptively unconstitutional.This case arrives at the Court at the worst possible momentIts hard to divorce this case from its political context. During his recently victorious presidential campaign, President-elect Donald Trump went all in on anti-trans rhetoric spending literally hundreds of millions of dollars on ads that, in the Washington Posts words, paint trans people as a menace to society. Republicans control six of the nine seats on the Supreme Court, so its not surprising that a majority of the Republican justices seemed to align with their partys position on trans rights (the Courts three Democrats, for that matter, also appear aligned with their own party).But, in their apparent eagerness to uphold this Tennessee law, the Courts Republican majority appears likely not just to strike a blow against trans rights. They also appear poised to do considerable damage to the legal standard governing sex discrimination generally. Perhaps Tennessee could, if this case were sent back down to the lower court, offer a justification for its law that survives heightened scrutiny. But most of the justices appear ready to overrule Virginias statement that all sex-based classifications must undergo such scrutiny.This is why, near the end of Strangios time at the podium, Jackson said she is suddenly quite worried about the implications of the Courts questions.If the Court can create a medical carveout to the general rule that all sex discrimination is presumptively unconstitutional, what other carveouts might they create in the future? For that matter, will the Court also create similar carveouts for other forms of discrimination, such as race discrimination? Jackson even went so far as to compare Tennessees arguments to Virginias unsuccessful defense of its ban on interracial marriage in Loving v. Virginia (1967).All of that said, the Court most likely will not hand down an opinion in Skrmetti until June 2025, when the Court normally decides the biggest cases of its term. There may be time for voices like Jacksons to convince some of her colleagues to compromise. But based on Wednesdays argument, Skrmetti appears likely to not just be a historic blow to transgender Americans, but potentially a similar blow against all people who might experience unconstitutional discrimination.Related: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:

TechBest Christmas gifts for Nintendo Switch owners from controllers to storage and gamesThe Nintendo Switch isn't getting any younger, but the hybrid console is still packed with fantastic games you won't find anywhere else. Here are the best gifts for the Switch gamer in your lifedailystarBookmarkShareTechByLloyd CoombesGames Writer17:55, 4 DEC 2024BookmarkThe Nintendo Switch is one of the most popular consoles in history (Image: Future via Getty Images)The Nintendo Switch has been around for almost eight years now, and while its successor is likely on the horizon, that means there's a huge library of games to jump into. Whether you're looking for something involving Mario, a new Zelda adventure, or just want to mix it up with a wealth of characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the Switch has you covered. I've been playing the Switch since it launched, and have rounded up some of the best games and accessories you can buy for the system, perfect for the Nintendo fan in your life. READ MORE: Best Christmas gifts 2024 for PC gamers from Steam Deck and keyboards to headsets and more READ MORE: Xbox Game Pass to lose 13 titles this month including 92-rated Metacritic masterpiece The Daily Star joins Bluesky as we Make Social Media Fun Again Come and join The Daily Star on Bluesky, the social media site set up by ex-Twitter boss Jack Dorsey. It's now the new go-to place for content after a mass exodus of the Elon Musk-owned Twitter/X. Fear not, we're not leaving Twitter/X, but we are jumping on the bandwagon. So come find our new account on https://bsky.app/profile/dailystar.co.uk, and see us social better than the rest. You can also learn more about The Daily Star team in what Bluesky calls a Starter Pack. So what are you waiting for?! Let's M.S.M.F.A (Make Social Media Fun Again) The best Nintendo Switch gifts for Christmas 2024 Controllers Joy Con The Joy-Con are synonymous with Nintendo Switch, and they remain just as novel now as they were in 2017. Attachable to non-Lite models of the console and available in a wealth of colors, it's worth snagging a second pair if you're planning to play multiplayer games with friends or family. Buy them now for 54.99 Nintendo Gift Guide For more traditional gaming experiences, there are a few options. Nintendo's own Pro Controller is fantastic, offering a robust controller that packs rumble and even Amiibo integration. Buy it now for 49.95 PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller The PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller is also worth a look. It's slightly cheaper, and comes in a variety of designs. It will require batteries, though, and lacks rumble. Buy it now for 35 Storage Nintendo Gift Guide Storage is easy to add to the Switch with its convenient microSD slot, and SanDisk has officially licensed versions up to 1TB in size with a variety of Nintendo designs from Zelda, to Yoshi, Apex Legends, and Pokemon. Buy it now for 124.48 (1TB) Games As we've already mentioned, there are hundreds of games worth your time on the Switch. There are first-party exclusives like Tears of the Kingdom and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, fantastic indies like Stardew Valley and ports like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, but I've rounded up some of the best from 2024. Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Nintendo Gift Guide Finally, after decades of having Link in the limelight, it's time for Zelda to get her chance to lead a mainline game in the series. This 2024 adventure takes place from an isometric perspective as Princess Zelda copies objects in the world to explore hidden areas and solve puzzles. Buy it now for 39 Super Mario Party Jamboree Super Mario Party Jamboree is likely to be a big hit with family and friends We've had a few Mario Party titles on Switch, but this latest entry is perhaps the best one. It's packed full of minigames and some great new boards, and is likely to be a perfect addition to a family get-together this Christmas. Buy it now for 36.99 Mario & Luigi Brothership Mario and Luigi Brothership is an adorable new RPG This adorable RPG is ideal for all ages, with fun writing and charming visuals that's packed with heart. It keeps turn-based combat fresh throughout, and offers a fantastic new world to explore as the dynamic duo. Buy it now for 39.99 For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.More On

Here's when you can start playing Path of Exile 2 as developer Grinding Gear Games has revealed the preload and start times for the game's upcoming Early Access release

The best tabletop games for Christmas 2024 from Halo to Mass EffectLucy OrrLucy OrrPublished December 5, 2024 1:00am Its not Mass Effect 4 but it is good (Modiphius Entertainment)GameCentral gives some shopping advice for tabletop and trading card games this Christmas, including Lorcana and The War Of The Rohirrim.Despite all the problems in the video games industry this year, tabletop gaming has been doing great in 2024. In fact, while its been years since theres been a new Halo, Mass Effect or Worms all three are available now as board games this Christmas.Its a trend that looks set to continue next year, with a Diablo adaptation already announced. But as well as propping up some of gamings most storied franchises weve also got plenty of other tabletop games to recommend to you this Christmas, including some very tempting gift sets for Lorcana, Pokmon Trading Card Game, and Star Wars Unlimited.Whether youre shopping for seasoned gamers or family members eager to dive into something new, theres something for everyone in the titles below. Plus, absolutely all of them are guaranteed to be more fun than a drunken game of Monopoly or Risk with your family this Christmas.The War Of The Rohirrim Battle Of Edoras Starter SetThe Lord Of The Rings anime movie will hit cinemas on December 13 and the day after youll be able to buy the Games Workshop official tie-in starter box for The Middle-Earth Strategy Battle Game. As if charging in to save Christmas, The War Of The Rohirrim breathes new life into a Games Workshop classic. The box contains everything you need to recreate the historic conflict between the warriors of Rohan and Dunlending hill tribes, including 56 detailed miniatures.The Rohan side is led by Haleth and Hma, sons of Helm Hammerhand, both in mounted and on-foot versions, supported by 24 warriors. The bad guys arent orcs or goblins this time, but the Hill tribesmen led by the vengeance-driven Wulf and his advisor Targg, both of which are also represented by two models each, along with 24 fierce tribesmen.Pre-order RRP 140.00Halo: FlashpointThe first of our video game tabletop crossovers manages to seamlessly capture the mechanics of Microsofts classic first person shooter, translating them into an accessible and engaging board game. Rather than getting bogged down with defensive modifiers, the game simplifies combat by allowing attackers extra dice when defenders lack cover. This streamlined solution maintains the games pacing and helps make it as fast-paced as possible.Movement is also elegantly designed, using a cube-to-cube system with true line of sight, eliminating the need for measurements but keeping positioning critical. Its a very well-designed game, while at the same time evoking the feel of a multiplayer Halo match. Pacing is brisk, aided by back-and-forth turns and an action system that keeps everyone engaged.Although keyword-heavy, once youre familiar with the abilities, gameplay flows smoothly. If youre a fan of miniature skirmish games or Halo this is an experience well worth adding to your collection, especially as it makes a perfect entry point into the genre for newbies.Out now RRP 60.99Mass Effect: The Board Game Priority: HagalazSet during Mass Effect 3, this board game brings players into a dungeon-crawling adventure on the Cerberus research vessel Hagalaz. Balancing co-operative strategy with narrative depth, it stands out in terms of both game mechanics and replayability. The branching campaign offers rich storytelling, with loyalty missions and the classic Paragon and Renegade paths. Each squad member Shepard, Garrus, Liara, Grunt, and Tali is uniquely customisable, enabling tailored combat styles and strategic teamwork.Despite an intimidating array of miniatures, tokens, dice, and multi-layered rulebooks the gameplay flows smoothly, once you grasp the rhythm and the dice-slotting mechanic, which introduces tension and unpredictability. However, just like the video game, while multiplayer can be fun, Priority: Hagalaz shines brightest as a solo experience.With an engaging storyline, a strong tactical challenge, and gorgeous miniatures, its a fantastic adaptation for both board game enthusiasts and Mass Effect fans. Fingers crossed for future expansions to further deepen this ambitious first step.Out now RRP 39.99Worms: The Board GameWith a super-engaging blend of fun, strategy, and luck Worms is an absolute blast, and so is the board game version. It brings Team 17s classic franchise to life on the tabletop, perfectly capturing the chaotic charm that made the original so beloved.While the skill-based precision of the video games is toned down, that shift enhances accessibility, making it enjoyable for younger players too. Just like the original games, its unpredictable, over-the-top, and deadly weapon mishaps are all part of the fun, with chaotic use of hand grenades and bazookas echoing their digital counterparts.For fans, the familiar feel and hilarious chaos of Worms translates beautifully. Its quickly become a favourite in my collection, for two to four players, although teaching the game to those unfamiliar with the digital series can be challenging. Hopefully, the upcoming round-timer app will speed up play for newcomers.Out now RRP 50.00Disney Lorcana Gateway and Azurite Sea Set 6 Stitch Collectors Gift SetIf your family hasnt yet fallen prey to Lorcanas costly enchantments, Gateway is a great way to get them hooked. It uses the same game system as the Disney Lorcana trading card game, but it consists of a fixed set of two 30-card decks designed for new players. Designed with accessibility in mind, it simplifies Lorcanas more strategic gameplay, making it approachable for newbies. This is aided by Gateways structured guidance quickly helping even first-timers understand its basic mechanics.Progressive steps gradually introduce players to each core aspect of Lorcana, from basic character actions to more advanced card types, like songs and items. Mouse money is on show here as the box includes a cool playmat and premium damage tokens elevate the experience, offering a tactile and visually engaging space at a price sure to keep Father Christmas happy.As for Stitch, hes just about to make his live action debut, which is bound to hit new levels of cute overload. But for those who just cant wait theres an exclusive Lorcana Stitch Collectors Gift Set thats just hit the shelves. This shiny silver box includes an exclusive foil card, Stitch Alien Buccaneer, plus a Stitch-themed portfolio to neatly store and display your favourite Lorcana decks.Out now RRP: 22.99 and gift set RRP: 44.99Star Wars Unlimited Set 3: Twilight Of The RepublicIf youre not convinced by Skeleton Crew on Disney+, but need a Star Wars fix this Christmas, look no further than Fantasy Flight Games latest release. This expansion is a rich, new addition to its successful trading card game series, immersing you in the intense Clone Wars era. Building on the previous Shadows Of The Galaxy set, this set offers a vast array of new features and characters, with 257 cards introducing iconic figures like Ahsoka Tano and General Grievous as playable leaders, along with new locations like Tipoca City and the Nest.The starter set is particularly newcomer-friendly, providing two fully playable decks that let new players jump right in. With pre-built decks led by Ahsoka and Grievous, players can quickly understand key mechanics, such as the coordinate and exploit keywords. Grievous deck focuses on deploying expendable droid tokens to overwhelm opponents, while Ahsokas deck encourages tactical synergy amongst clone troopers.For fans eager to explore beyond the starter decks, booster packs add further customisation and I was sold on the mean-looking Yoda booster cover. With major enhancements, such as token units and expanded deck-building strategies, Twilight Of The Republic deepens the gameplay and adds layers to the games tactics, solidifying Star Wars Unlimited as a must-have for trading card enthusiasts and Star Wars fans alike.Out now RRP 99.99 It is a perfect Christmas gift (The Pokmon Company)Pokmon Trading Card Game: Charizard ex Super-Premium CollectionGenerating enough heat to keep you Pokmon players toasty this Christmas, the Charizard ex Super Premium Collection is a must-have for trainers. The set includes a striking Charizard figure, 10 booster packs, and unique Charizard, Charmander, and Charmeleon promos with a commemorative foil finish. The Charizard figure, a standout piece, adds serious display appeal for fans looking to showcase their collection.While it doesnt feature the highly sought after Charizard ex Tera, the exclusive promo cards and collectible nature make it an appealing holiday gift for any Pokmon lover. However, for those purely after high value pulls, this set might not be the best buy, as there are cheaper ways to get booster packs. Yet, for the experience of opening packs with a unique, fiery display piece, this collection delivers.Out now RRP 74.99 Build your own board game (Lego)Lego Monkey PalaceA strategic new board game that combines Legos building charm with competitive gameplay for 2-4 players. You must race to rebuild the Monkey Palace by stacking blocks and arches to earn monkey credits and, ultimately, banana points. Each turn requires you to build upwards, with the challenge of balancing collaboration with just enough competition to claim victory.The games design shines, from its jungle-inspired pieces to a structure that changes with each play. Gameplay is straightforward but strategic: build staircases for more points, decorate the palace with colourful blocks, and collect trophy cards like the monkey and butterfly for bonus points.Although the rules are somewhat intricate, the setup and gameplay flow smoothly, making it easy for both newcomers and seasoned players to dive into even if the Lego pieces are hard to manipulate with my recently broken arm. Monkey Palace is a great addition to any game night, especially for Lego fans looking for a blend of construction and friendly rivalry.Out now RRP 42.99 It does what it says on the tin (Konami)Yu-Gi-Oh! 25th Anniversary Tin: Dueling MirrorsDinosaurs or Dragons? While I might have a love/hate relationship with its no mana gameplay mechanic, I love the diversity of the decks in Yu-Gi-Oh! that allow for some deep storytelling. This cool Yu-Gi-Oh! tin celebrates a quarter century of duelling legacy, combining nostalgia with some of the games most powerful reprints.It is essentially a best of tin that pulls together popular and sought after cards from a dozen recent booster sets, packed with high-demand cards; this release is more than a collectors item, its a chance to own sought after meta staples at a stocking filler price.Each tin includes three mega packs, which feature an array of rarities, including the coveted Quarter Century Secret Rares a real highlight for long-time fans and competitive players. This collection brings back fan favourites from sets like Power Of The Elements and Photon Hypernova, along with updated artwork of iconic cards such as Red-Eyes Black Dragon and Dark Magician Girl.Its not just some cool reprints either, the tin also enriches deckbuilding by reintroducing classic spells and monsters, making it a practical addition for players and collectors this Christmas.More TrendingOut now RRP: 20.99 You will need to paint it yourself (Games Workshop)Warhammer Da Red Gobbos A-Bomb-Inable-SnowmanEvery year Da Red Gobbo is up to some festive mischief and this years A-bomb-inable Snowman is definitely my favourite in the series so far. The snowman is fitted with a top hat, candy cane, and explosives. Hidden in the centre of the snowman is a deadly bomb primed to put a dent in your Christmas budget. This is the perfect gift for anyone who enjoys painting Warhammer models with extra festive flair.Its the details that make this model and I love the alarm clock and wiring leading into the Snowman and the sidekick elf with no shelf packing grenades into snowballs and passing them to our Christmas antihero, whos pulling the pin with his teeth. This model is full of festive action and top of my painting queue.Out now RRP 26.00Emailgamecentral@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.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

Your first Gran Turismo might be My First Gran Turismo (Sony Interactive Entertainment)A free Gran Turismo spin-off designed for new players is set to be released later this week, but its not a live service game.Gran Turismo is known for being a pretty hardcore driving simulator, to the point where it has even turned gamers into real racing drivers.The series has always attracted a dedicated audience but its unclear exactly how well the latest instalment, Gran Turismo 7, has sold. Although last December developer Polyphony Digital described it as a success, with a really high number of active users.Either way, Gran Turismo 8 is going to be a long time coming, so in the meantime Sony is hoping to expand beyond its niche audience with a new free-to-play title, awkwardly called My First Gran Turismo.In a PlayStation blog post, My First Gran Turismo is described as a special free-to-play invitation to the series that is designed to be both approachable and immersive.Based on the trailer, it looks like a trimmed down version of Gran Turismo 7, where you can drive one of 18 cars around three famous tracks from the series past, specifically Kyoto Driving Park, Deep Forest Raceway, and Trial Mountain Circuit.Along with race events, the free-to-play title sports three time trials, three music rally stages, and license tests.Weve made sure the experience is intuitive, allowing anyone to get behind the wheel and master the essentials, such as cornering, braking, and acceleration, said Polyphony Digital president Kazunori Yamauchi. By playing it, users will build confidence one lap at a time, tackling new challenges thatll steadily refine their driving skills.My First Gran Turismo also supports PlayStation VR2 on PlayStation 5 just like Gran Turismo 7, so you can give the virtual reality portion a test drive as well.When is My First Gran Turismo released?My First Gran Turismo will be available for free from the PlayStation Store for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 from Friday, December 6 at 12am local time.Although it is free-to-play theres no indication yet that its a live service game, with so far no mention of any microtransactions.More TrendingThis is the latest announcement in honour of PlayStations 30th anniversary, following an update which brought back the original PlayStation boot-up sequence. Take Gran Turismo 7 for a test drive (Sony Interactive Entertainment)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: 30 years later, PlayStation has lost its edgeGameCentralExclusive 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

What they ate is given away by the isotopes in their bodies

Implanted electrodes allowed one man to climb stairs unaided