Last summer, journalist Kjersti Flaa shared a video of what she called a "nightmare" interview with Blake Lively.Lively has accused "It Ends With Us" co-star Justin Baldoni of orchestrating a smear campaign against her.Flaa was mentioned in a legal complaint, but denied being part of the alleged smear campaign.Kjersti Flaa, a Norwegian journalist who helped fuel a backlash against Blake Lively in the summer, denies being part of an alleged smear campaign against the actor.In August, Lively was promoting her latest movie "It Ends With Us," which was overshadowed by rumors that she and her co-star and the film's director Justin Baldoni had fallen out. It culminated in a widespread backlash against Lively.Lively alleged in a legal complaint filed Friday Baldoni, his publicists, and production company orchestrated a smear campaign against her. She accused his team of enacting a "multi-tiered" plan to "destroy" her reputation to stop complaints she made about Baldoni's behavior on the film's set from being made public.The lawsuit also briefly mentions a video Flaa shared on YouTube at the height of the backlash, titled "The Blake Lively interview that made me want to quit my job." The video, which went viral in August, shows Lively giving a hostile response after Flaa congratulates her on her "little bump" in a 2016 interview.On Saturday, Flaa denied claims she worked with the team Lively alleged carried out the smear campaign, after the lawsuit and a New York Times article connected her to it."This is what I do for a living. I would never accept money to jeopardize my integrity as a journalist," Flaa said in a YouTube video.Flaa said she wasn't aware of the backlash against Lively and posted the video because she didn't like "It Ends With Us," had a bad experience with Lively, and "had enough of Hollywood.""I know nothing about Justin Baldoni. I know nothing about his PR team, and I definitely would never work with a PR team under any circumstances to put hate out there on the internet against someone or to smear someone. I would never ever do that," Flaa said, adding that she thought the messages sent by members of Baldoni's team used in the lawsuit were "disgusting." Justin Baldoni was the director and a lead star of "It Ends With Us." Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images Flaa said Lively should take accountability for her "tone-deaf" promotion of "It Ends With Us," such as not talking about the domestic violence element of the story, which fueled the backlash over the summer. The film is about a florist who ends up in an abusive relationship.In Lively's lawsuit, she said that the cast was contractually obligated to follow a marketing plan created by Sony Pictures Entertainment, the distributor of the film, to avoid talking in a way that made the movie appear "sad." Flaa ended the video by inviting Lively on her show. However, she changed her tune on Monday when she posted another video in which she accused Lively's team of trying to undermine her credibility to rebuild the actor's reputation.Flaa said she has received hate mail and accusations that she was being paid to "smear other women.""I just don't want to be a part of this whole mess. U never asked to be a part of it," she said. "So please stop spreading lies about me." was this a written comment? Checking why we have 'U'

"Squid Game" season one premiered on Netflix three years ago.The Korean-language series is one of Netflix's biggest shows ever and was renewed for a second season.Here's a recap of everything important you need to remember from season one.Back in 2021, "Squid Game" premiered, and the buzzy show quickly turned into a global sensation.The Korean-language Netflix series, created by Hwang Dong-hyuk and starring Lee Jung-jae, is broadly about how adverse financial situations drive people to desperation. In the show, which is set in South Korea, people in heavy debt are invited to participate in a shady game with the promise of a monetary reward. What they don't realize upon joining, however, is that they'll be killed if they lose. "Squid Game" is one of Netflix's biggest hits ever, to the extent that the streamer even spun it off into a reality series called "Squid Game: The Challenge." Despite the fact that it's endured as a pop culture phenomenon, it's been three years since the first season was released on Netflix.Ahead of "Squid Game" season two's premiere on December 26, here's everything you need to remember about what happened in season one. A card with the symbols for the game in "Squid Game." Noh Juhan/Netflix Seong Gi-hun decided to join the games after falling into debtAt the beginning of "Squid Game," Seong Gi-hun is a down-on-his-luck man who, following his divorce, lives with his mother. Hounded by loan sharks and unable to take his daughter Ga-yeong out for her birthday, Gi-hun encounters a recruiter who invites him to participate in a game with a monetary reward.Gi-hun agrees, and is taken with 455 other players to a mysterious facility. There, he's assigned the player number 456 and encounters his old friend Cho Sang-woo (player 218) who has also fallen into deep debt. Gi-hun also befriends player 001, an old man named Oh Il-nam, and recognizes player 067, Kang Sae-byeok, as a woman who pickpocketed him outside of the games.Sae-byeok is a North Korean defector attempting to bring her mother to South Korea and provide for her younger brother. Other relevant players include Ali (Player 199), a Pakistani immigrant attempting to provide for his wife and child; Han Mi-nyeo (player 212), a woman who relies on allies to survive the games;Guards inform the players that should they win six games, they'll win billions of Korean won.The first game, 'Red Light, Green Light,' is a bloodbath but the players still return after.Gi-hun and the other participants quickly realize that they're in mortal peril when players who fail the first game, "Red Light, Green Light," are immediately gunned down. However, for every player who dies in the games, 100 million won gets added to the prize pot.Gi-hun and the above players all make it through the first game. The surviving players vote to leave the game without any of the winnings. When presented with the choice outside the game, however, they choose to return. Gi-hun chooses to play after realizing that he can't pay for his mother's diabetes treatment. Wi Ha-jun as Hwang Jun-ho in "Squid Game" season one. Noh Juhan/Netflix Detective Hwang Jun-ho investigates the games, believing they may be tied to his brother's disappearance.While briefly back in the outside world, Gi-hun attempts to expose the games to the police but fails.However, detective Hwang Jun-ho notices similarities between Gi-hun's story and the disappearance of his brother, and decides to follow Gi-hun back to the island when he returns to the game. Once there, he poses as a guard. While undercover, Jun-ho discovers a secret organ-harvesting ring led by the game's guards.Jun-ho eventually finds the games' archives and records, which indicate that his brother was a previous player.In episode seven, when a group of VIP guests arrive, Jun-ho goes undercover as a waiter to find out more about their identities. After separating one from the rest of the group, he threatens him with a gun and interrogates him about the games.In episode eight, Jun-ho escapes to another island but is tracked down by the Front Man, the boss of the games, and a group of guards.The Front Man takes off his mask and reveals he is In-ho, Jun-ho's lost brother, and asks Jun-ho to join him. When Jun-ho declines, In-ho shoots him and Jun-ho seemingly falls off a cliff to his death.Players begin to form alliances over the next rounds of games.Gi-hun, Ali, Sang-woo, and Il-nam form one group and are the main focus after the first game. Han Mi-nyeo tries to join Deok-su and begins a sexual relationship with him. Sae-byeok tries to get through the games alone.The second round is Dalgona, in which players have to cut shapes out of a sugar honeycomb biscuit without breaking it. Sang-woo figures out the game before it starts but tricks his group into splitting up, leading to Gi-hun picking the hardest shape (umbrella). Gi-hun still makes it through after figuring out it is easier to break the shape out by licking the biscuit.The third game is tug-of-war, in which two teams of 10 pull a rope across a high platform. The losing team's members are pulled over the edge to their death.Gi-hun and his allies, now including Sae-byeok, split up to recruit five more people, leading to three men and a woman, Ji-yeong (player 240), joining the team. Deok-su betrays Mi-nyeo, kicking her out of his team of men, so she joins Gi-hun's team.Using clever tactics, Gi-hun's team makes it through tug-of-war despite having weaker people.There's a secret organ-harvesting sect within the organization.In episode four, we learn that some of the guards are harvesting the body parts of the players killed in the games to sell on the black market.They hire Byeong-gi (Player 111), a doctor, to perform the surgery to safely remove the organs. The guards buy his allegiance by giving him the secrets of the next game so he can stay alive, and he uses that information to ally with Deok-su and his group of strong men.In episode five, the organ smuggling ring falls apart when the guards are unable to tell Byeong-gi what the next game is. He freaks out, kills a guard, and tries to escape. The Front Man tracks down Byeong-gi and the remaining guard and kills them both. Park Hae-soo, Lee Jung-jae, and Jung Ho-yeon as Sang-woo, Gi-hun, and Sae-byeok in season one of "Squid Game." Noh Juhan/Netflix In episode four, the players riot.After Deok-su accidentally kills another player during a confrontation over food, the players learn they can kill each other outside the games without any consequences and still increase the prize fund.When the lights go out for bedtime, the players turn on each other. Amid the chaos, Gi-hun and his allies protect Sae-byeok from Deok-su and his cronies. Before there is more bloodshed, Il-nam cries out that everyone should "stop this madness," and the guards intervene and end the riot.While the guards check the bodies, Jun-ho, still disguised as a guard, approaches Gi-hun and asks him if he has seen his brother, Hwang In-ho. Gi-hun says players don't use names inside the games, so he doesn't know.Gi-hun bonds with Il-nam.One night between the games, Gi-hun and his team form a barricade to stop themselves from getting attacked.While Gi-hun and Il-nam are on watch duty, Gi-hun daydreams about the time he went on strike with his fellow employees at a motor company and was mercilessly attacked by the police.He then talks about the experience with Il-nam, explaining that they went on strike and barricaded themselves in the company building after the company laid off Gi-hun and a group of employees who had been working there for over a decade.Then Il-nam falls ill, and Gi-hun looks after him. Oh Young-soo and Lee Jung-jae as Il-nam and Gi-hun in season one of "Squid Game." Noh Juhan/Netflix Players turn against each other in the Marbles game.In this game, everyone pairs up. The twist, however, is that their partner will be their opponent: They will play games against each other until one person is the winner and the loser is killed.Ali and Sang-woo pair up and play a game where you have to guess if there's an even or odd number of marbles in a hidden hand. Ali, who has never played the game before, has a streak of wins, so Sang-woo begs for his life and then tricks Ali into believing they both can win by sticking together. Sang-Woo then steals Ali's marbles and progresses, leaving Ali to die.Gi-hun and Il-nam play a similar game, but Il-nam begins to lose his memory and focus and wanders off. When they finally play the game, Il-nam is winning until Gi-hun starts to use Il-nam's poor memory to his advantage, lying about the guesses they make. As Gi-hun is about to win, Il-nam reveals that he knew Gi-hun was deceiving him but gives him the final marble anyway. Gi-hun progresses, and Il-nam is seemingly shot off-screen.Ji-yeong and Sae-byeok pair up, but instead of playing, they open up about their lives. Ji-yeong reveals that she went to prison after killing her abusive father, who killed her mother. At the last moment, the pair play a game where they have to throw a marble nearest to the wall to win all the marbles. After Sae-byeok throws her marble, Ji-yeong deliberately fails her throw. She tells Sae-byeok she has nothing to live for, so she wants her to win and live life to the fullest.Deok-su makes it through. Mi-nyeo could not find someone to pair with, so makes it through automatically.Only three characters make it past game five.Game five is Glass Bridge, where players have to make it across a bridge made of glass platforms. Half of the glass is tempered glass, which could survive the weight of two players, and the other half will break on impact, letting the players fall to their deaths.The contestants must choose which path is the safe one. They're given an order and Gi-hun, Sae-byeok, and Sang-woo end up near the back of the line.During the game, Mi-nyeo uses the opportunity to get her revenge, throwing herself and Deok-su onto one of the brittle glass platforms and to their deaths.After Sang-woo pushes the final player in front of them to his death, Sang-woo, Gi-hun, and Sae-byeok make it across just in time before the remaining glass blows up, but shards of glass stab all three of them. Park Hae-soo as Sang-woo in season one of "Squid Game." Noh Juhan/Netflix Sang-woo kills Sae-byeok but dies during the last game.When they return from the glass bridge, Gi-hun and Sang-woo get into a fight over Sang-woo killing the other player during the glass bridge game. Sang-woo, Gi-hun, and Sae-byeok are given a feast and at the end, each of them are left with a knife.Sae-byeok was gravely wounded by a glass shard during the bridge game, so Gi-hun tries to protect her during the night. They promise to look after each other's family members if one of them dies in the next round.Gi-hun attempts to kill Sang-woo in his sleep, but Sae-byeok stops him and says that he is not a killer. She passes out, and Gi-hun tries to get her medical help. Sang-woo uses this as a distraction to stab Sae-byeok in the neck, killing her.The final game is Squid Game, where an attacker has to get to a safe area behind a defender. Gi-hun is the attacker, and Sang-woo is the defender. Sang-woo says that he killed Sae-byeok out of mercy and to prevent Gi-hun and Sae-byeok from voting to end the game.The game devolves into a bloody fight in the rain, with both men attempting to stab each other. Gi-hun overpowers Sang-woo but doesn't kill him. He moves toward the safe area, but attempts to convince Sang-woo to stop the game with him and leave with their lives.Sang-woo chooses instead to stab himself, and asks Gi-hun to look after his mother. Gi-hun sees her after he is released from the game, but returns home to learn that his own mother has died.Gi-hun discovers Il-nam is alive and not who he appeared to be.Gi-hun has barely touched his winnings a year after the games. One day, he receives a mysterious card with an address on it.There he finds Il-nam (Player 001), who reveals he created the games and entered the competition to have fun because he was dying from a tumor. Il-nam also makes a wager with Gi-hun that no one will help an unconscious drunk man lying on the pavement across the street from them. Gi-hun accepts, but Il-nam dies before discovering that he was wrong.Gi-hun is revived from this encounter, gets a haircut, and changes his hair color. He picks up Sae-byeok's brother, Kang Cheol, and takes him and a suitcase full of money to live with Sang-woo's mother.Gi-hun almost leaves Korea but changes his mind.Gi-hun prepares to fly to the United States to visit his daughter, but spots the game recruiter at the airport inviting someone else to the game.Gi-hun chases him down, but the recruiter escapes. Gi-hun steals the invitation card from the new candidate and calls the number on the way to his plane. In-ho answers, and urges Gi-hun to get on the plane.Gi-hun says that he can't forgive him, and turns back."Squid Game" season two premieres Thursday, December 26 on Netflix.

With 2024 nearly done, there were some fantastic titles launched in the last calendar year across all platforms including AAA and indie titles here's how our 'Game of the Year' list looksTech15:02, 23 Dec 2024Updated 15:18, 23 Dec 2024Helldivers 2 keeps getting better, and now players are flocking back(Image: Arrowhead Game Studios)The gaming industry's had a massive 2024 and with the year almost over - we're putting down our controllers to reflect on the last 12 months and take in all the good things - and the bad.For one, the industry continues to reckon with the fallout of colossal acquisitions and consolidation, with 2024 unprecedented in terms of layoffs across some of the biggest companies in the space as studios chasing trends at the behest of shareholders and CEOs pay the price.Thankfully, there were positive moments, too, and our list is testament to that. From Call of Duty to a long-dormant RPG franchise and a multiplayer title that spread like wildfire across our friend lists, here are our picks for the best games in 2024. Here they are in alphabetical order!Astro Bot is adorable and imaginative in equal measure(Image: Team Asobi/Sony Interactive Entertainment)Release Date: September 6Platforms: PS5It's hard to believe Astro Bot (the character) is now close to being one of Sony's most recognisable mascots, a family-friendly foil to Kratos, Aloy et al , especially since he started life in a series of VR tech demos before being preinstalled on PS5's to showcase the DualSense controller features.He finally got his fully-fledged debut in 2024, and what a title it is. Aside from being a celebration of 30 years of PlayStation, it's one of the best platformers around when Nintendo's plumber's 3D adventures are in short supply. It's that rare collectathon I never tend to finish, but when it comes to nabbing those adorable bots I simply couldn't resist. Here's hoping for more adventures to come.Balatro will consume your life(Image: LocalThunk/Playstack)Balatro's magic is that it distills the "quick to learn, impossible master" philosophy into a game where a run can take you anywhere from 10 minutes to hours. Using Poker as a starting point, it becomes a high-score chase where every single run is different, owing to seemingly endless numbers of Jokers to apply to your deck.Stacking the cards in your favour, making difficult choices between rounds and building a strategy on the fly makes Balatro one of the best roguelikes around, and with its arrival on mobile there's every chance you're playing it every moment you get, too.Black Ops 6 is Call of Duty at its best(Image: Grab)It's been a while since I'd consider a Call of Duty title worthy of being included in such esteemed company, and that's from someone that enjoyed last year's nostalgia-laden Modern Warfare 3 multiplayer. Black Ops 6 is really the definitive package, with a fun spy thriller campaign, a return to the glory days of round-based multiplayer (complete with free new maps) and that all-important multiplayer suite.It's the first Call of Duty in years where I find myself logging on regularly for a quick session in the evenings, and while there are always things that could be improved, it's the most fun I've had in the series since Black Ops 2 high praise indeed. The fact it's getting a year of post-launch support has me ready to spend a lot of time back in the CoDverse in 2025.Dragon's Dogma 2 saw the franchise re-emerge after 12 long yearsIt had been 12 years since the first Dragon's Dogma (not including the expanded Dark Arisen version), and many fans had written off the prospect of a sequel. Thankfully, whether you're a fan of the original or not, it arrived as one of the most enjoyable RPGs in a year packed with them.It's an open-world game that refuses to hold a player's hand, letting you loose to explore as you see fit, with action combat and an ending that poses plenty of questions about the journey to reach it. Then there's the brilliant Pawn system, that lets you recruit other players' party members for your own escapades. Now that many of its technical issues have been smoothed out, it's a great time to try Dragon's Dogma 2.Final Fantasy VII Rebirth brought the second chapter in the Remake trilogy(Image: Square Enix Creative)Another RPG, albeit one very different in nature, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth had a difficult task of expanding the scope of 2020's Remake while staying true to the huge world explored in the second chunk of the 1997 original.Somehow balancing those two expectations with aplomb, Rebirth is the continuation of Cloud's story, breaking away from the original in surprising ways while bringing much of it to life in incredible style. Staples like the Golden Saucer are even flashier, and it doesn't hurt that it builds on the fantastic combat found in the last entry, too.Helldivers 2 is one of the biggest-selling games of the year(Image: Arrowhead Game Studios/PlayStation Publishing LLC)When Helldivers 2 arrived in February, no one could have predicted the camaraderie that would sweep gamers on PC and PS5 in the quest to spread 'Managed Democracy'. A Starship Troopers-tinged play on fascism and those who blindly follow it, Helldivers 2 is as funny as it is chaotic.Dropping into alien worlds to complete objectives and escape by the skin of your teeth is a rush that never gets old, especially as you're just as likely to be killed by your teammates errant gunfire or artillery strike as you are by the insectoid or robotic foes you're there to fight.Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is the biggest and best Xbox game of 2024(Image: Machine Games/Bethesda Softworks)If there's one studio that's a dream fit for a game about punching Nazis, it's Machine Games. Fresh from overhauling the iconic Wolfenstein series, the team has delivered a whip-cracking extravaganza that's easily the best Xbox game of the year.Offering plenty of puzzles and action, as well as a very good Harrison Ford impression from Troy Baker, The Great Circle is exactly what fans of the Indiana Jones IP had been hoping the last couple of movies would be.Metaphor: ReFantazio is just as good as Persona(Image: Atlas/Sega)Helmed by many of the key personnel behind Persona, the megahit RPG series from Atlus, I admit to being skeptical about Metaphor ReFantazio. I'm pleased to say I was wrong in that regard, as it stands shoulder-to-shoulder with its sister franchise.There are many, many similarities, but Metaphor goes all-in on its fantasy setting to channel a little Game of Thrones, a lot of Persona, and some wonderful meta commentary to weave a complex narrative that's one of the best JRPGs of the last few years.Pokmon TCG Pocket is our favourite mobile game of the year(Image: Pokmon)Whether you're playing it to open packs or battle other players, Pokemon TCG Pocket is one of the best mobile games of the year and has hopefully reignited passion for the real cardboard-based game.A generous pack system means it's always worth logging in, and streamlined battling means there's always time for a round or two while commuting. My only complaint is I'd like a Marvel Snap-esque PC port so I can admire my cards in even greater detail, but maybe I'm being greedy.Star Wars Outlaws just got a huge patch(Image: Ubisoft)Sure, Outlaws launched to middling reviews, and those were certainly justified, but it's some of the most fun I've had all year. It's more focused on stealth than action, and while its open-world segments won't click for all, a recent patch makes it well worth revisiting.At any level, it's incredibly authentic to the Star Wars IP, packed with recognisable sights and sounds that makes each of its worlds fun to explore, and the more time you spend with its more complex systems, the more it rewards players looking to roleplay a scoundrel in a galaxy far, far away.Tactical Breach Wizards is a delight for turn-based fans(Image: Suspicious Developments)One of the funniest games on this list, Tactical Breach Wizards takes place in a very British world where magic is commonplace, meaning there are traffic wardens with superpowers and all sorts.Players unravel a plot one tactical battle at a time, using the ability to rewind time, magic spells like chain lightning, and reliable automatic weapons to clear rooms in puzzle-like fashion.The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom made Zelda playable(Image: Nintendo/Grezzo)It's taken some time, but we finally have a Legend of Zelda game starring the titular princess as she has to save Link in a nifty reversal of roles but that's not all that's new with Echoes of Wisdom.The game is built around Zelda's ability to make Echoes of objects and even enemies she's encountered. That means there's a constant supply of new things to try, helping you reach new areas, use surprising techniques against bosses, and more.2024 was so packed with games we couldn't quite get all of them on this list. Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero is a must-buy for anyone that has even a passing interest in the long-running franchise, for example, while Tekken 8 is one of the best fighting games in a series that dates back to the original PlayStation.Article continues belowSuper Mario Party Jamboree is an excellent party game, and one that's sure to see some use in our homes throughout the holidays, while Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree only misses out by virtue of being an expansion and not a full game.Dragon Age: The Veilguard also just about misses out but remains a fantastic, action-packed RPG, and Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth brings back the affable Ichiban Kasuga for another run as main protagonist in the series with predictably heartwarming results set against a backdrop of violence.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

By Matt Novak Published December 23, 2024 | Comments (0) | AI-generated image of an American flag in the Panama Canal Image: Grok / Truth Social Donald Trump tweeted threats against the nation of Panama over the weekend, suggesting in posts on Truth Social that he would seize control of the Panama Canal if his demands werent met. The president-elect even included an AI-generated image of an American flag in the middle of the Canal, making it the second time Trump has threatened an ally nation with AI images after he made a similar threat against Canada. Welcome to the United States Canal! Trump wrote on Sunday, in a message that appeared across several social media platforms, including Instagram and Facebook. The posts included an image that, at first glance, isnt obviously AI-generated. But the bottom right corner includes the word Grok, the generative AI tool created by X thats both a chatbot and allows people to create images with text prompts. The Grok watermark was cropped out on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Its not immediately clear where Trump or his social media team found the image, but the president-elect has been known to spread sensationalistic images found on Twitter, especially when theyre hateful and racist. Trump posted AI images of cats and dogs in September when he helped spread the lie that Haitian immigrants in Ohio were eating domestic animals.Trump first suggested he would try to take ownership of the Panama Canal a day earlier in a message spread cross two Truth Social posts Saturday. The Panama Canal is considered a VITAL National Asset for the United States, due to its critical role to Americas Economy and National Security, Trump wrote. A secure Panama Canal is crucial for U.S. Commerce, and rapid deployment of the Navy, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and drastically cuts shipping times to U.S. ports.The posts then went on to rationalize why the U.S. should have control over the Panama Canal, just as it did when it was created in the early 20th-century. France started the project in the 1880s, but gave up until the U.S. took over in 1904 and completed building the canal a decade later. President Jimmy Carter signed a treaty in the 1970s to give control of the Canal back to Panama but Trump would like to undo that. The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the U.S., Trump wrote. This complete rip-off of our Country will immediately stop.Trump then went on to say that unless concessions are made, the U.S. will demand control of the Canal, essentially a threat of war with a foreign ally. The United States has a vested interest in the secure, efficient, and reliable operation of the Panama Canal, and that was always understood. We would and will NEVER let it fall into the wrong hands! Trump wrote.It was not given for the benefit of others, but merely as a token of cooperation with us and Panama. If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question. To the Officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly! Trump continued. The president of Panama obviously took Trumps threats seriously, defending his countrys territorial integrity in a video posted to X.Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent zones is part of Panama, and it will continue to be, President Jos Ral Mulino said Sunday, according to an English language translation by Bloomberg. Trump responded to Mulino with more unhinged nonsense at an event called AmericaFest, organized by the far-right political organizations Turning Point USA.Has anyone ever heard of the Panama Canal? Trump said. Because were being ripped off at the Panama Canal like were being ripped off everywhere else. Trump echoed the statements hed already said on social media during his live speech. If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, quickly and without question, Trump said, according to the CBC. After the speech, Trump wrote on Truth Social well see about that in response to President Mulinos message, making it clear hes going to be as antagonistic as possible.This isnt even the first time Trump has used AI-generated images to threaten a foreign country with invasion. The billionaire dipshit previously posted an AI-image of himself standing on a mountain with an American flag and Europes Matterhorn in the distance. It appears the image was supposed to symbolize Trump conquering Canada, though the image clearly represented natural formations in Europe. Trump also included a threat against Greenland on Sunday in an announcement that he was making Ken Howery the ambassador to Denmark.For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity, Trump wrote. Ken will do a wonderful job in representing the interests of the United States. Some commentators insist that Trumps threats against foreign countries are just trolling or a joke, but they seem to be in complete denial about what the country actually faces in the coming months and years. Well find out soon enough whether Trump tries to make any moves against allied countries. Its an entirely new world. And nobody knows what lies ahead with any certainty.Daily NewsletterYou May Also Like By Matt Novak Published December 20, 2024 By Thomas Maxwell Published December 20, 2024 By Thomas Maxwell Published December 20, 2024 By Thomas Maxwell Published December 19, 2024 By Todd Feathers Published December 19, 2024 By Matthew Gault Published December 19, 2024

RememberRed One,that Christmas action-comedy that only came out over a month ago? It didnt seem like anything you needed to rush out to see, and sure enough, audiences basically didnt rush out to see. At the time, Amazon basically said it was alright with the film fizzling in theatersit made $176.9 million worldwide, and reportedly cost $200-$250 million to makesince the Prime Video launch would make make up for it. Sure enough, Amazon was right, and the films big star was happy to tout its successful numbers. Last week, Amazon announced Red Onehit 50 million views in its first four days on Prime Video after coming to the service on December 12. It hit that milestone faster than Road Houses two-week run from earlier this year and now stands as the most-watched movie from Amazon MGM Studios on the service. Dwayne Johnson, whos always on business, later declared his film made a little history and has a long shelf life with multiple verticals kudos to our Amazon partners for their strategic win, thats just getting started. [] Massive THANK YOU to you and your families around the world who tuned in. Aint too shabby. You may remember after Black Adamhit theaters in 2022, reports indicated it wouldnt turn a profit at the box office. Johnson proceeded to go on the defense and say the movie was more of a winner than it seemed, but it came off as a bit insecure. Not long after, separate reports alleged the actor went over several WB execs to make a play keep playing Black Adam, get Henry Cavill back as Superman, and an eventual film where their characters would face off. That didnt go well, and in the years since, some of Johnsons shine further dimmed with recent claims of holding up Red Ones production (and bringing it over budget) by being late on set.Between Black Adam and Red One, Johnson found himself going back to safe bets like Moana 2(and a live-action remake for the first film) and the Fast & Furiousfranchise, which he quietly backed off from after Hobbs & Shaw. But hes also seemingly trying some new things, namely next years wrestling/MMA biopic The Smashing Machineand some mysterious project with J.J. Abrams. With how bigRed One ended up, a sequel could happen, since Amazons also granted a follow up toRoad House. As for how this affects Johnsons future projects going forward? Well just have to wait and see. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Were closing in on the holidays, and closing in even closer on the last day or so you can order something online and have it delivered by the holidays. If youve waiting until the very last minute, times a-ticking. Youre not out of luck just yet. Amazon still has plenty of deals on great stuff for the holiday season and a lot of it can still ship in time if you order it quickly. You can check out the newest model of the Fire TV Stick 4K for 44% off at the moment. That brings the price down from $50 to just $28 for a limited time. That makes for a total savings of $22.See at AmazonOne of the large advancements of the latest model over some of the previous ones is this Fire TV Stick 4Ks support for Wi-Fi 6. With a compatible router, youll be able to take advantage of faster internet speeds which is equates to your favorite shows and movies getting hung up buffering way less often.The new Fire TV Stick 4K supports Dolby Atmos sound through select streaming services and when connected to compatible equipment. Enjoy cinematic sound in your own home when watching huge blockbusters likeDune: Part II. Also supported is full 4K Ultra HD resolution along with Dolby Vision, and HDR10+.A big bonus on the Fire TV Stick 4K is Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. No longer is it required to own an Xbox console to play Xbox games. You can stream games like Halo Infinite and Call of Duty Black Ops 6 through the cloud directly to your Fire Stick TV 4K. All you need to make is happen is subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and grab yourself an Xbox controller or other compatible gamepad.Over 300,000 Free Movies and TV ShowsAs one would expect, the Fire TV ecosystem supports all the popular streaming apps from Netflix to Hulu to Disney Plus to Max. With a subscription, youll be able to access all of those individual catalogues. However, there are also a ton of free movies and TV show episodes you can access via ad-supported apps like the various Fire TV Channels, Amazon Freevee, Tubi, and Pluto TV.Right now, you can save a solid 44% on the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K. For a limited time, the streaming stick has be slashed in price down from $50 to just $28. Thatll save you a worthwhile $22 off your purchase.See at Amazon

Pirate's Yacht / Backraum ArchitekturSave this picture! Christoph PanzerHouses, ExtensionSankt Andr-Wrdern, AustriaArchitects: Backraum ArchitekturAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:94 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2022 PhotographsPhotographs:Christoph PanzerManufacturersBrands with products used in this architecture project Manufacturers: Stora Enso Lead Architects: DI Andreas Etzelstorfer Productstranslation missing: en-US.post.svg.material_descriptionMore SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. The allotment garden settlement "Greifenstein" next to a dead arm of the Danube River has a special charm. The first residents in the 1920s to 60s were very creative when building their bathing huts themselves. Since it is a flood area, all houses must be built on pillars. All of them were made of wood and the size was reduced to the essentials. Visitors are reminded of Peter Pan's Neverland or beach huts on the California coast.Save this picture!With our two-story extension to one of these huts, originally known as "pirate house", we want to honor this style. Portholes, big windows, and terraces on all levels also make this hut a unique, imaginative building. Just looking at it puts you right in the holiday mood.Save this picture!Save this picture!The extension is made of a timber frame and solid wood constructions. Its style stands out from the existing building. It fully meets the needs and tastes of the new residents. The connecting element is the faade, which, like the existing building, has white-painted tongue-and-groove battens.Save this picture!The living room, the kitchen, a small bathroom, and the parents' bunk are situated in the old building. On the ground floor of the new part are two children's rooms and an extra bathroom. It has a total area of 30m. The entire upper floor is a living room with 24 m, surrounded by a partly round terrace.Save this picture!The large windows, overhangs, and many open zones were statically very challenging. The round windows remind a yacht. Also, the custom-made sliding doors with peepholes reflect the boat theme. The built-in furniture from a local carpenter helps optimize the small space. Plates made of oiled steel protect the staircase and the fireplace. The result fits well into the ensemble of the settlement. Even the neighbors praise the addition, and they usually don't hold back their criticism.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessAbout this officeBackraum ArchitekturOfficePublished on December 23, 2024Cite: "Pirate's Yacht / Backraum Architektur" 23 Dec 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1015951/pirates-yacht-backraum-architektur&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

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Pets: They're not just critters that add to our monthly expenses. They're members of the family that we adore. Our love of cute furballs in real life also extends to how we view them in the games we play, and the ones that released this year have no shortage of such creatures. These are the video game best pets and animal companions of 2024.Our article includes everything from furry feline friends to aquatic acquaintances. We even have mythological creatures, alien animals, godly manifestations, and terrifying foes. Everything in Animal WellAnimal Well is a surreal adventure-platformer/metroidvania where exploration goes hand-in-hand with puzzle solving. Apart from various items and devices that you obtain, you also need to be mindful of the animals that you encounter. Some, like squirrels, will run away as you approach, so you have to think of ways to sneak up on them. Others, like the kangaroo, will appear in certain areas, pouncing to annihilate you unless you're able to scare it away. There's also the whale and other creatures, whose mechanics imply that they can help you with traversal. See at Steam The baby chocobos in Final Fantasy 7 RebirthFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth offers an adventure like no other. After leaving Midgar, you're free to explore the wide world, tackling all manner of activities with Cloud, Barrett, Tifa, Aerith, and the rest of the gang. While it's possible to fast travel using different methods, there's one feature that's so cute and adorable that you're likely to react in "aww" whenever you see it: the Baby chocobo.In specific locations, you might spot a baby chocobo in the distance. It will run away when you approach it, so just follow it until it reaches its destination. There, you'll be able to fix a rest stop sign, causing the baby chocobo to happily chirp. The baby chocobo will then give you a plume that you can use to unlock cosmetics and the rest stop becomes a fast-travel point, too. See at Amazon Nix from Star Wars OutlawsLet's face it: Star Wars Outlaws didn't necessarily set the world on fire when it released earlier this year, so much so that developer Massive Entertainment dropped "forced stealth" sections that initially caused frustrations during playthroughs. Still, one highlight in this adventure in a galaxy far, far away is Nix, Kay Vess' cute merquaal pet.Nix isn't just there to look adorable for merchandising purposes--sorry, useless Porgs. He actually has unique functions to help you in missions. These include distracting and attacking enemies, interacting with levers and panels, stealing or fetching items, and even peeking at opponents' cards in Sabacc games. See at Amazon Assan from Dragon Age: The VeilguardDragon Age: The Veilguard has a wonderful cast of characters, all looking to stop the spread of the Blight and the machinations of fallen elven gods. One of these companions is Davrin, a Grey Warden who's accompanied by his loyal griffon, Assan.Assan provides additional functionality in combat, since he's able to attack foes. Moreover, a special action causes Assan to strike Blight pods and winches to aid you in navigation. Most importantly, Davrin's quests all focus on rescuing Assan's fellow griffons and finding a better life for him. Assan's bond with Davrin and, by extension, how you treat Assan, determines how well you'll get along with your Grey Warden pal. Who knows, perhaps romance will bloom because of your decisions? See at Amazon The animal familiars from Hades 2You explore both the underworld and surface world in Hades 2, all while facing countless dangers as Melinoe. But you don't have to go at it alone. That's because you can recruit animal familiars to help you in subsequent runs. These include Frinos the Frog, Toula the Cat, Raki the Raven, and Hecuba the Hound.If you encounter these creatures in your travels, be sure to feed them morsels so they appear in your Crossroads hub. From there, you can continue to upgrade their perks and abilities. For instance, Toula grants a bonus Death Defiance (i.e. extra life), while Raki increases your critical-hit chance. Even better, animal familiars have a gathering function, so you can still collect materials even if you didn't bring the right tool for the job. See at Steam The Pals of PalworldThere's no denying the impact Palworld has had this year, as it managed to amass over 2.1 million concurrent players on Steam alone.This is primarily due to one ridiculous premise: It's Pokemon but with guns. That's just one facet of this open-world adventure game where you throw orbs to catch and tame Pals, handing them firearms later on so they can defend your base. Aside from this, Pals can also be assigned to tasks in your base depending on their work affinity. Some are able to water plants, while others set out to harvest them. There are also those who excel in construction, repair, and gathering roles. See at Steam Enki from Flintlock: The Siege of DawnAs a souls-like title, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn is a bit on the easier side of things when it comes to gameplay. One element of what makes it enticing is the character of Enki, a god who has assumed the form of a fox.As Nor Vanek, you can use Enki's abilities in combat since his attacks gradually build up an enemy's stun meter. Likewise, his special gauge lets you trigger a Withering, an ultimate skill that obliterates everyone around you. Furthermore, Nor transforms into Enki whenever she has to pass through rifts. It's quite fascinating to behold a fox that's just flying through the skies. See at Amazon Momo from Infinity NikkiThe Nikki series has had many iterations over the years, with Infinity Nikki being the latest. It's also the first game in the series that's available on PC and consoles. Now, millions of players around the world can save the world in style.Infinity Nikki is primarily a dress-up game--i.e. you collect and upgrade clothes, use outfit abilities, and join styling contests. Aside from these activities, you also get to explore a massive, colorful open world with your cat companion, Momo, by your side.We'd like to think of Momo as a less0annoying Paimon (from Genshin Impact); our level of annoyance is lessened because Momo is a cat, and we all know that cats are awesome. Even better, one of Nikki's outfits causes her to shrink to a diminutive size, giving you control of Momo as he dashes, hops, and roams around. See at Epic Games Store The black cat from Little Kitty, Big CitySpeaking of awesome cats roaming around, Little Kitty, Big City puts you in the shoes paws of a cutesy void who needs to find his way back home. Set in a bustling city, your journey is filled with wonderful interactions with other animals, such as lost ducklings and a sneaky chameleon who wants you to solve his riddles. And, yes, you can find and wear dozens of hats, too. See at Steam The adopted cat from CopycatIndie adventure game Copycat isn't for the faint of heart. The story is about a cat who's adopted from an animal shelter by an old lady after her pet ran away. Initially aloof, the cat begins to warm up to their human as they begin to feel like they've found a home. Then, tragedy strikes, as the old lady's original cat returns. Knowing she's unable to take care of two pets, she has to let the adopted cat go.What follows is an emotionally charged adventure, as the cat tries to find their way home, all while questioning if they were truly wanted or loved. It's an absolute tearjerker through and through, especially for those of us who've adopted and rescued shelter or stray animals. Most importantly, Copycat teaches the value of being a responsible pet owner and the impact we have on the lives of the creatures we take care of. See at Steam The wolf from NevaSimilar to Copycat, Neva is another game where the focus is on our responsibility as caretakers of other creatures. At the start, the titular wolf, Neva, is but a cub, and your character, Alba, has to fend off dark creatures to protect it. As you progress through the game, Neva matures into a full-grown adult, becoming Alba's guardian in times of need.Neva's mesmerizing world also speaks volumes about our duty to preserve our planet, especially with the threat of climate change. In the same vein, it also shows us the immutable cycle from childhood to parenthood, when our parents nurtured us as children (similar to how Alba rears Neva as a cub), to the time when we, as adults, need to support those who've helped us in our formative years. See at Fanatical Fanatical and GameSpot are both owned by Fandom. Zhu Bajie or Pigsy from Black Myth: WukongTruth be told, Black Myth: Wukong has so many anthropomorphic characters--you even play as a humanoid monkey warrior--that the whole cast could be included as part of this entry. Still, it's Zhu Bajie, also known as Pigsy, who plays the most pivotal supporting role.Zhu Bajie is one of the major characters in Journey to the West. Like Sun Wukong and Sha Wujing, he's counted among the companions of Tang Sangzang in his quest to seek the ancient Buddhist scriptures. Due to his lustful and gluttonous nature, Zhu Bajie is eventually cursed to live as a humanoid pig, earning the moniker Pigsy.In Black Myth: Wukong, which serves as a continuation of the tale, Pigsy aids the Destined One in his attempt to gather Sun Wukong's relics. Similar to his depiction in the novel, Pigsy remains gruff, boisterous, and rude. However, he also shows remorse for his actions in the past, especially with how he treated his former lover, the Violet Spider, as well as their daughter. Cursed to suffer a thousand romantic tragedies, Zhu Bajie has no choice but to accept a lifetime of wandering, whether or not his feelings for someone are genuine. And, yes, he also serves as a neat distraction for enemies whenever he's with you. Just watch out because you also battle him a couple of times, and these encounters truly test your mettle. See at Amazon Jeff the Land Shark from Marvel RivalsJeff the Land Shark first appeared in the West Coast Avengers comic books. As his name implies, he's a shark with feet, allowing him to walk on land (duh!). But don't let his charming appearance fool you: Jeff is still a shark and, like all sharks, he loves to eat.In Marvel Rivals, Jeff is a Strategist-type hero with healing capabilities. More importantly, his ultimate skill allows him to gobble up friends and foes alike in a wide area. What makes things even more hilarious is that players can swim all the way to the edge of cliffs and platforms to spit out everyone to their doom. It's an extremely cheap move that's also effective, so much so that countless clips of this gamey tactic have made Jeff the Land Shark a viral sensation since Marvel Rivals' launch. See at Steam Kril from Another Crab's TreasureJeff the Land Shark isn't the only aquatic animal that's on a murder spree under the sea. There's also Kril, the star of Another Crab's Treasure. While most souls-like games have dark fantasy vibes and cryptic lore, Another Crab's Treasure offers a more whimsical take while retaining tried-and-tested combat mechanics, in which Kril dodges enemy attacks and follows up with various abilities. These come in the form of Adaptations, such as crowd-control traps, devastating punches, and bubble blasts.What makes the game even more ridiculous (in a good way) is that you can give Kril a gun. It's a souls-like game where you play as a crab who shoots enemies. What's not to love? See at Fanatical Warrior 103,683rd from Empire of the AntsBased on Bernard Werber's best-selling novel series, Empire of the Ants puts you in the role of 103,683rd, a warrior of the Bel-o-kan colony. Concerned about the changes in surrounding areas, the Queen urges you to travel to other regions to find other colonies in need of help.This leads to a campaign that's part real-time-strategy and part adventure-platformer. In certain quests, 103,683rd has to climb and jump from branches, leaves, flowers, and man-made objects like water bottles or soccer balls. In others, she's tasked with sneaking into termite camps to ascertain the threat they pose.As for the RTS missions, these allow you to control different types of ant and insect units in rock-papers-scissors-style gameplay. For instance, Warrior troops are strong against Workers, but they take heavy damage against Gunners. Moreover, your insect legions are bolstered by super predator and support units, such as snails and rhino beetles. See at Steam The dragons and beastly bosses of Dragon's Dogma 2Rounding out our list are the terrifying creatures found in Dragon's Dogma 2. From griffins and chimeras to dragons (obviously), these boss creatures are found in various regions in the game world. Some, like chimeras, have multiple parts that you can lop off to weaken them. Dragons, meanwhile, are tough opponents, since they can quickly scorch a wide area with searing hot flame. Then, there are griffins, who offer an unconventional means of transport--if you can manage to grab hold of these majestic beasts as they take off, you can see the surrounding lands from high up in the air. Just try not to lose all your stamina or you'll end up plunging to your doom. See at Walmart That does it for our best video game pets and animals of 2024. Did we forget some of your furry and cuddly favorites? Let us know about them in the comments section.More Best Of 2024:Our Favorite Games That Didn't Make The Top 10Best PS5-Exclusive Games Of 2024Best Switch-Exclusive Games Of 2024Best PC-Exclusive Games Of 2024Best Xbox Games Of 2024Best-Reviewed Games Of 2024Best Of 2024 hub