The actor worked with a major voice coach to the stars to transform into the legendary folk singer for A Complete Unknown.

The Mega Millions jackpot climbed to $1 billion ahead of a Christmas Eve drawing.If someone wins on Tuesday, they will score the seventh-largest prize in the game's history.The lump sum cash option is about $448.8 million, according to the Mega Millions website.One lucky lotto player could wake up to a billion-dollar Christmas morning this year.The Mega Millions jackpot hit an estimated $1 billion on Tuesday ahead of the Christmas Eve drawing, according to the Mega Millions website.If someone does score a six-number winning ticket on Tuesday, the jackpot would be the largest prize ever won in December and the seventh-largest in the game's history.Choosing the lump sum cash option would cut the prize money in half to about $448.8 million, according to the Mega Millions website. Winners can also choose annual payments over time. Mega Millions winnings are subject to state and federal income taxes.Nobody has won the jackpot since September, when a Texan nabbed $810 million. The pot has continued to climb in the previous 29 drawings.Several of the largest-ever lotto jackpots have happened in recent years.A California man won a whopping $2.04 billion Powerball the largest-ever lotto prize in 2022. Earlier this year, a different California man claimed a $1.7 billion Powerball prize.The largest Mega Millions prize, meanwhile, went to a Florida winner last year$1.6 billion jackpot.The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are about one in 302,575,350, according to the Lotto website.If someone wins on Tuesday, they wouldn't be the first Christmas Eve Mega Millions winner. A $68 million jackpot was won in 2022, but nobody ever claimed the prize, ABC News reported.

In less than a month, TikTok could be pulled from US app stores due to a federal divest-or-ban law.Merchants who sell on TikTok Shop may struggle to find an alternative if the ban goes through.TikTok Shop offers a unique blend of social tools, e-commerce tech, and a large audience.If TikTok is pulled from US app stores in January due to a divest-or-ban law, many of its creators will be fine. However, its e-commerce sellers may have a rougher road ahead.Many TikTok creators have spent years building up audiences on similar apps using features like YouTube shorts and Instagram reels. For some merchants who sell goods on TikTok Shop, there isn't an obvious alternative."With TikTok, we've had the first real foray into building an ecosystem that ties in entertainment and live shopping together; a full-service ecosystem that brings in the creators, the affiliates, the products, and the brands altogether," Julian Reis, CEO of the social-commerce agency SuperOrdinary, told Business Insider. "Previously we had a lot of smaller platforms and smaller surface layer applications that were enabling live shopping on other people's platforms."Other platforms, like the live-shopping app Whatnot or affiliate-marketing platform LTK, offer robust tools for social commerce. Flip built an app that's basically a shopping-only version of TikTok. Shopify offers a variety of tools for merchants to integrate into social apps, and Meta made a deal with Amazon in 2023 to make Instagram and Facebook posts more shoppable.But none of these products offers the same breadth of services in one place as TikTok. TikTok Shop even has its own app store, bringing it closer to super-app status.TikTok invested heavily in social-shopping tech before it was obvious the move would pay off in the US. TikTok's push into e-commerce initially angered many users, but the company continued to lean into the initiative as it sought to train its audience to buy in a social feed. It also built out infrastructure, such as adding six warehouses in the US to support order fulfillment and logistics, its head of US operations Nico Le Bourgeois told BI in October. That level of investment and boldness is tough to replicate."We are on every platform, but TikTok is the primary platform because they're by far the most advanced social commerce marketplace that we have in the US today," Max Benator, the CEO of the social-shopping firm Orca, told BI.TikTok has shown a unique commitment to making social commerce grow in the US. While some of its peers have pulled back on shopping features, TikTok has charged forward. Its drive to make social shopping take off was likely influenced by the success of its Chinese sister app Douyin, which drives billions in annual sales. The effort appears to have turned a corner, and TikTok is now pulling in billions in sales, including over $100 million on Black Friday alone.Right now, TikTok is central to the social-shopping marketplace in the US. But if the app is banned next month an outcome it'schallenging before the Supreme Court a competitor app like Instagram or YouTube might try to replicate some of its efforts to fill the void."Once the consumer habit is to buy through livestreams, it really doesn't matter what platform they use," William August, CEO of Outlandish, a company that works with TikTok Shop brands and others on livestream selling, told BI in November. "If TikTok does get banned, I don't think these people are just going to stop shopping through livestreams. I think they're going to move to another platform."

The best video games of 2024 the top 20 of the year from Balatro to MetaphorGameCentralPublished December 25, 2024 1:00am Which was your favourite? (Xbox Game Studios/Sony Interactive Entertainment/Atlus/Metro)Metro GameCentral compiles a list of the 20 best video games of the year, pitting Astro Bot against Final Fantasy and Indiana Jones.Most years theres usually two or three games that are clearly ahead of the pack when it comes to awards and end of the year rankings, such as Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom and Baldurs Gate 3 in 2023. But despite the quality of games in 2024 being at a similar level theres never really been a front runner for Game of the Year this time though, even if Astro Bot managed to make it seem relatively clear cut at The Game Awards in December.As usual, our policy is not to include remakes, remasters, expansions, or yearly sequels in our Top 20, in order to focus on brand new games. So that means no Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree and no Silent Hill 2, even though both were excellent. While Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is technically a remake, we extend to it the same exception that we did its predecessor, as both games are radically different game experiences from the original.If theres something missing from this list it probably means we didnt like it all that much, which includes otherwise well received games like Dragons Dogma 2 and Black Myth: Wukong. If you disagree with our choices then by all means let us know via the comments or the usual email address.GameCentral Top 20 2024 The Zelda where you play as Zelda (Nintendo)20. The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes Of WisdomNintendo SwitchPrincess Zelda has been playable occasionally over the years, but most of the time only in spin-offs like Super Smash Bros. or Hyrule Warriors. This time though she got the limelight (mostly) to herself, with an entirely original adventure that looks like the Links Awakening remake, and is by the same developer, but introduces a new mechanic where Zelda can clone objects and creatures to use for herself. This allows her to do everything from creating a bridge out of well-made beds to leading a small army of monsters into battle. Its not as refined as an entirely Nintendo-made entry would be, and doesnt quite make full use of its impressive ideas, but its still a wonderfully imaginative and enjoyable romp all the same.19. 1000xResistNintendo Switch and PCTheres been a lot of great indie games this year but its always a special pleasure to play something from a new studio and find theyve knocked it out the park on their first try. 1000xResist is essentially a visual novel, with only a few perfunctory action and puzzle elements, and that means it lives or dies on the quality of its story and characters. Luckily for it theres almost none better this year, with a fascinatingly strange sci-fi exploration of everything from authoritarianism and radicalisation to the struggles of being a Chinese immigrant in Canada. Somehow that all works in context, while being a great sci-fi adventure in the style of 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. Lorelei And The Laser Eyes puzzles within puzzles (Annapurna Interactive)18. Lorelei And The Laser EyesPlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PCIf 1000xResist has the best story of any indie game this year, then this has the best puzzles. A deeply strange game, from the creators of Year Walk and Sayonara Wild Hearts, you start the game with no idea who you are or why youre parked outside a mysterious, almost empty hotel, filled with very strange people and lots and lots of logic and number puzzles. The answer to whats going on is the games greatest mystery but along the way youll be treated to some of the most stylish brainteasing the gaming world has seen in a long time.17. Shiren The Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon Of Serpentcoil IslandNintendo Switch and PCRoguelikes are everywhere nowadays; the idea of losing everything and having to start from scratch having become surprisingly popular in recent years (although usually via more forgiving roguelites). When someone talks about an old school roguelike theyre talking about a game like this. It does still have some roguelite elements, so you dont literally start from nothing every time, but it still uses grid-based movement and combat, where enemies only move when you do. Thats just as things were in 1980 and yet somehow Shiren The Wanderers charm and variety wins out in what is great proof that good gameplay is always timeless. Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth fun in the sun (Sega)16. Like A Dragon: Infinite WealthXbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PCAfter the turn-based soft reboot of 2020s Yakuza: Like A Dragon, Infinite Wealth has expanded on its foundations and become one of the best entries in the series so far. Beyond its excellent role-playing mechanics, it also has arguably the strongest line-up of mini-games, with subversive, hilarious twists on Animal Crossing and Pokmon, which could have been standalone experiences all on their own. The sheer amount of stuff crammed into it might come at the expense of the narrative in spots, but even a weak Yakuza story is far sharper and wittier than most games ever manage.15. Unicorn OverlordPlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5Apart from anything, this has easily the best name of any game this year, although the explanation for it is slightly more mundane than you might imagine. Nothing else about the game is though, in what is a homage to the dormant Ogre Battle series of strategy games, where you oversee an increasingly large army of characters and troops. You can move them around the overworld map, while carefully setting their items, abilities, and formations so they can take place in 2D battles with gigantic, screen-sized sprites. You dont control the battles themselves its all about the preparation but the game is still completely compelling from beginning to end. Stellar Blade does it matter what shes wearing? (Sony Interactive Entertainment)14. Stellar BladePlayStation 5 (PC in 2025)Sony may not have had many first party games out in 2024 but they were very good at picking third party exclusives to publish themselves. South Korean developer Shift Up is all but unknown in the West, especially when it comes to console games, but this is a supremely convincing step into the limelight and one of the best character action games outside of Devil May Cry and Bayonetta. With great graphics, tons of variety, and, most importantly, highly enjoyable combat, its an impressively well-honed action adventure even if the design of its female main character is a bit embarrassing.13. Super Mario Party JamboreeNintendo SwitchNot the most obvious game to place on the list but weve always considered the Mario Party series to be amongst the very best local multiplayer games, and this is arguably the best entry yet, with more mini-games than ever, more modes (including one thats a nod to Pilotwings), and more boards and characters. A virtual board game is something only Nintendo has ever managed to get to work properly but its so simple and accessible the series is always the first we suggest if playing with casual gamers, as it can accommodate anyone of any age or skill level in the same match and everyone can still have fun. Batman: Arkham Shadow VR game of the year (Oculus Studios)12. Batman: Arkham ShadowMeta Quest 3We didnt expect to be shocked by the quality of a VR game again for a while, now that the technology seems to have plateaued, but Arkham Shadow is the real deal. The use of motion controls is top tier and the feeling of actually being Batman, as you hold you arms out to glide and sling batarangs at bad guys is absolutely perfect. Even the combat is great, as you make tactical decisions about who to take down first and smack enemies behind you by having them run into your fist. But not only is it the ultimate Batman simulator its also a genuinely great action adventure that adapts almost every element of the Arkham games into VR, including the predator stealth sections.11. Dragon Age: The VeilguardXbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PCBaldurs Gate 3 is not an easy act to follow-up. The game is going to dominate discussion of the role-player genre for years to come, especially anything with a Tolkien-esque fantasy setting, but its a credit to Dragon Age that it survives the comparison very easily. Its a very different game, with excellent real-time combat and some stunning visuals (including the best hair in gaming). The script is sometimes a bit too quippy for its own good but its a generally well written and acted game that marks a welcome return to the genre for developer BioWare. Tekken 8 recipient of a happy birthday (Bandai Namco)10. Tekken 8Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PCTekken celebrated its 30th anniversary in December but itd already provided its own birthday present with one of the first major releases of the year: the best entry in the series in the modern era. Most fighting game franchises tend to be long-lived, but they also tend to be inward looking and inflexible, but Tekken 8 is very accessible for new players, with a great story campaign, excellent graphics and a full suite of both online and offline players. The lack of new characters at launch was the only real issue and one the still hasnt been fixed by the DLC but, well, theres always Tekken 99. Astro BotPlayStation 5Its hard to tell whether 3D platformers went out of fashion because people werent buying them or developers thought it was impossible to compete with Nintendo. Astro Bot proves thats not true though, with a wonderfully playable and inventive game experience that also doubles as a 30th anniversary celebration for PlayStation even if the way it handles all the character cameos is a little odd. The game lacks the mechanical complexity of the best Super Mario titles, and too much is needlessly copied from Nintendo, especially in terms of enemies, but its no less entertaining for that. Caves Of Qud the in-game graphics arent quite this good (Kitfox Games)8. Caves Of QudPCOne of the last releases of the year but given its been in early access for 15 years we guess the indie developer responsible for this epic scale roguelike just couldnt bear waiting for another calendar year to pass by. Caves Of Qud is actually more of a sandbox style role-player than anything else think Baldurs Gate 3 but with 8-bit style graphics and a setting somewhere between Dune and Horizon Zero Dawn. No matter what it looks like, the complexity of its simulation and the depth of its role-playing elements are second to none, with some wonderful dialogue and randomisation elements that mustve been a nightmare for such a small indie team to develop.7. BalatroXbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, PC, iOS, and AndroidIts impossible to describe Balatro (a jester in ancient Rome) without it sounding unutterably dull but with over 3.5 million copies sold its clear many have pushed past that to enjoy its peculiar mix of poker, deck-building, and the joys of unlocking roguelite extras. Despite using poker as the basis of its gameplay theres no gambling involved, as you instead try and beat the blind for each round using luck, skull, and rule-changing extra cards. It sounds dull but many have called it the best game of the year and we completely understand where theyre coming from. Indiana Jones And The Great Circle very Indy, not very indie (Bethesda)6. Indiana Jones And The Great CircleXbox Series X/S and PCSaying The Great Circle is more entertaining, and better written, than the last two Indiana Jones films isnt the compliment it should be but its true, with a big budget action adventure thats hugely entertaining whether you like any of the movies or not. The emphasis is on exploration, stealth, and storytelling, which doesnt always lead to the sort of large scale action the franchise usually thrives on, but it still manages to recreate the look and feel of the films better than almost any other movie licensed game.5. UFO 50PCAn absolutely insane achievement by indie publisher Mossmouth, and six developers, who have created 50 completely separate full length video games, ranging from a fully-featured Metroidvania to a role-playing game, survival horror, and several other games that are far stranger and more difficult to classify. At less than 50p per game the value for money is off the chart and its only a shame the game hasnt caught on more than it has, but hopefully theres a console version coming next year that can fix that. Metaphor: ReFantazio its been a good year for JRPGs (Atlus)4. Metaphor: ReFantazioPlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PCAs great as Persona developer Studio Zero is at making role-playing games they do have a bit of a blind spot when it comes to the opening hours. The Persona games can be a very slow start and for the first few hours new franchise Metaphor: ReFantazio just seems like a rather unengaging clone. Relatively soon after though it reveals itself to be not just an enjoyable role-player but one with well-drawn characters and a lot to say about democracy and politics, without ever being too didactic or relying on real world allegory. Also, it has the best boss battles of any game this year.3. Frostpunk 2PC (Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 in 2025)Like Metaphor: ReFantazio, theres also a strong political angle to Frostpunk 2, although in an even more abstract sense, as you try to ensure humanity survives a new ice age. As in the original, that involves a lot of difficult decisions, where something, or someone, always has to be sacrificed. In the sequel, where society is at least a little more stable than before, that opens up a whole new world of fascinations and city building machinations. Although it has some gameplay similarities with cosy games this is anything but, with a tense and disturbing exploration of what doing things for the greater good really means. Animal Well its actually weirder than it looks (Bigmode)2. Animal WellNintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PCMore TrendingThe Metroidvania has become one of the great cliches of indie gaming, with dozens upon dozens released every year. That only makes Animal Well all the more impressive, as it feels so distinct and memorable. Although trying to pin it down to a specific genre does it a disservice, with its more complex puzzles and its surreal, retro style visuals. With secrets hiding in almost every corner of every screen, and a welter of imaginative power-ups, this is a perfect mix of the familiar and the completely unique.1. Final Fantasy 7 RebirthPlayStation 5 (PC on January 23)Although it only seems to have been a middling financial success, the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy is proving to be a triumph. While Final Fantasy 16 is a joyless slog, this manages to recreate the weirdness and invention of PlayStation 1 era role-players perfectly, with an infectious sense of whimsy working perfectly with the more realistically written characters and stunning graphics. Some may feel the open world elements feature too much bloat but the refusal to go grimdark and serious is absolutely to the games benefit and creates a perfect marriage of old and new. We can only hope future Final Fantasy games look to it for inspiration as well.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.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

Long Bien House / TOOB STUDIOSave this picture!HousesLong Bin, VietnamArchitects: TOOB STUDIOAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:90 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:Triu ChinMore SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. With the urbanization process in Vietnam, houses that were built during the 2000s might not be suitable for the function and artistic demands of the young generation. This period also marked a generational transition going along with significant changes in lifestyle of Vietnamese people, leading to the replacement of residential units that were once the face of an era.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!However, the entire demolition of these houses without appropriate consideration for upside/downside aspects could lead to unnecessary wastefulness.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Long Bien house is a 2.5-storey terraced house with the age of over 20 years old. We have decided to utilize the former block because of its open composition, only adding minimal adjustments to strengthen the building's structure. The resulting solution not only creates a multi-purpose block but also saves a considerable amount of expenses and construction time. Additionally, a new function block with the advantage of views and connections to the surrounding neighborhood is being piled up the old-modified ones.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The vibrant color scheme of the covering layer is also a key factor in our design, aiming to create a refreshing and amusing vibe. In reality, this delightful atmosphere seems to reach the feelings of the surrounding neighbors - perceiving through their welcoming behaviors with the new house owner.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessAbout this officeTOOB STUDIOOfficePublished on December 25, 2024Cite: "Long Bien House / TOOB STUDIO" 24 Dec 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1024102/long-bien-house-toob-studio&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

Money is the key to living a life of luxury and comfort in Candywriters BitLife. Just like in real life, without finances, your character might struggle with basic needs like pursuing education, joining activities such as the gym, shopping, or even visiting the doctor let alone fulfilling their dreams.

Despite how colorful and whimsical its settings and characters can be, the Final Fantasy franchise has always been a series that prides itself on hard-hitting moments and excellent storytelling. Naturally, the games have incredible moments that play on emotions, but some of the most noteworthy ones come from several of the game's endings.

Keeping the vibe of Christmas events alive, Monopoly GO has now introduced a new Partner Event called Gingerbread Partners, just in time for Christmas. It began on December 24 and will be live for five days until December 29.

Imagine transforming your laptop or mini PC into a high-performance workstation with a simple connection. Thats the kind of game-changing innovation that the Gvidea eGPU enclosure and HUB combo offers to gamers, streamers, and content creators who crave top-notch performance. The Gvidea HUB not only enhances graphics but also provides a plethora of connectivity options, making it an indispensable tool for anyone looking to push their devices limits.For gamers and animators, the Gvidea eGPU Hub is a dream come true. It accelerates rendering times, providing smoother real-time previews that are essential for animators. Gamers can now enjoy high-end performance on their laptops or older computers, experiencing games in all their visual glory. With improved graphics and expanded connectivity, professional content creators will also find their workflows significantly enhanced.Designer: Tai LeungClick Here to Buy Now: $138. Hurry, 4/510 left! Raised over $169,000.The Gvidea Hub is designed to boost the graphical capabilities of laptops or desktops with integrated or weak GPUs. This enhancement allows users to run demanding applications like high-end video games, 3D rendering software, and video editing tools with smoother frame rates and higher visual quality. Its a seamless way to upgrade performance without the hefty price tag of a new machine.One of the most exciting aspects of the Gvidea Hub is its dual-use capability. Users can maintain a lightweight, portable laptop for everyday tasks and connect it to the Gvidea Hub at home or in the office for intensive graphical work. This flexibility provides the best of both worldsmobility for on-the-go activities and power for demanding applications when stationary.The Gvidea Hub also offers extra USB ports, Ethernet connections, and display outputs, effectively turning a laptop into a full-fledged workstation when docked. This transformation is invaluable for power users who need additional connectivity options for their peripherals and network needs. Content creators no longer need to worry about not having enough ports to plug in storage devices, peripherals, and other accessories needed to get their work done quickly and efficiently.Upgrading system graphics performance becomes more cost-effective than purchasing a new high-performance laptop or desktop with the Gvidea eGPU Hub. By simply adding an external GPU, users can revitalize their existing hardware, extending its lifespan and delaying the need for a complete system overhaul. This not only saves money but also reduces electronic waste, making it an environmentally friendly choice.This design also makes the Gvidea Hub stand out as a sustainable and efficient solution. As new graphics cards are launched, simply replace the GPU inside rather than invest in a completely new system when the rest of the computer still works perfectly. It empowers users to keep their existing devices relevant without breaking the bank, ensuring they can handle the latest applications and games with ease.The Gvidea eGPU Hub offers a unique blend of power and versatility, a powerful ally for anyone in need of superior graphics performance and connectivity. Its perfect for those who demand exceptional graphics and 3D modeling capabilities without the expense and hassle of replacing their entire computer. Whether youre a gamer seeking high-end visuals, an animator requiring fast rendering, a content creator looking for improved workflows, or someone looking for a cost-effective way to upgrade their current rig, the Gvidea Hub offers a future-proof solution for modern computing needs.Click Here to Buy Now: $138. Hurry, 4/510 left! Raised over $169,000.The post Unleash Your Creativity with the Gvidea External GPU Enclosure and Hub first appeared on Yanko Design.

Cable and fixed wireless are the main internet options in the Wilkes-Barre area. Find out which providers are best with the help of our CNET experts.