A Vox reader asks: Why is some soap labeled antibiotic? Is there a soap that is friendly to germs, viruses, etc.? I thought the whole idea was to get rid of germs and viruses.There really are too many varieties of soap out there. Too many brands, too many fragrances and colors, too many claims about their hand-softening, nail-beautifying, nostalgia-enhancing qualities to keep it all straight. And thats before you even consider whether a product actually gets rid of disease-causing microbes. If this seems like too much, youre not wrong; the market is overwhelming.You may be surprised to learn that most plain soap doesnt actually kill germs. Heres what it actually does: When combined with water, it surrounds germs in slippery globs that make them literally slide off your hands and down the drain. Not lethal to microbes, but still a pretty efficient way to clean them off your hands.Soap labeled as antimicrobial does more damage to microbes than just whisking them away it does actually murder them by breaking up the outer layers of bacterial or viral cells and causing them to spill out their guts. These soaps contain additional ingredients that are particularly effective at slicing up the fatty compounds in germs outer walls, exposing the tiny organ-like structures on their insides and rendering them dead. When it comes to getting rid of germs, it might seem that deadlier is better right? Not necessarily. Antimicrobial soaps are indeed better at lowering the amount of germs on a persons hands than plain soap but in most situations, the risks arent worth that benefit. One concern consumer safety experts at the Food and Drug Administration have had is that people who used certain antimicrobial soaps too often specifically, soaps that contain any of nearly two dozen antiseptics historically used in consumer cleaning and handwashing products might absorb some of those germ-killing ingredients into their bloodstreams. These chemicals tend to do the same thing to skin that they do to germs: break up the outer layers, causing damage and irritation. The FDA was worried specifically about triclosan and triclocarban, the most widely used of these antiseptics. Animal studies suggested they could be absorbed from the skin into the blood, where they could go on to have hormone-like effects on the thyroid and on sex hormones. For other antiseptics, there was no good data proving they didnt have these effects. The body of evidence raised questions about what might happen if a very zealous person took regular baths in a readily available antimicrobial soap.The FDA also worried using antimicrobial soaps too frequently could create more microscopic superbugs that are harder to kill with common antibiotics. This isnt just a theoretical concern: In one study, people who used a triclosan-containing antibacterial soap at home were more likely to have skin bacteria resistant both to the germ-killing ingredients in the soaps and to common oral antibiotics. Not great!The risks of antimicrobial soap so dramatically outweighed their benefits that in 2016, the FDA banned most germ-killing ingredients from consumer products. Why is some hand soap labeled antibiotic, but others arent? While they were conducting their review of antibiotic soaps, the FDA found that a handful of antimicrobials were actually safe enough to use at home: benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, and chloroxylenol. That doesnt mean they have an advantage over plain soap in preventing infections they dont. It just gives manufacturers permission to market them to you. You can still find these in soaps labeled antimicrobial or antibacterial on store shelves today. Manufacturers arent allowed to use those words to describe soap that doesnt contain these ingredients, so most soaps dont.Why havent germs evolved to resist plain hand soap?The key is in the killing, or lack thereof. Germs often develop immunity by chance: They mutate pretty often as they reproduce, and occasionally, those mutations will give a handful of germ babies a survival advantage. As an example, lets say your bacteria-eliminating weapon of choice is a blowtorch. Given the frequency of bacterial mutation, five out of 100 bacteria living happily on a tiny section of your skin might have a mutation that makes them resistant to blowtorching. So if you try to clean that skin by blowtorching those bugs, youll end up with five living, blowtorch-resistant germs each of which now has more space and resources to procreate and zero competition. Those elite germs will fill that space with their progeny, and the next time you want to clear that spot of bacteria, a blowtorch wont cut it: Every member of this new, stronger bacterial population is already blowtorch-resistant.Using a strategy that removes germs without killing them doesnt create the same environment for those lucky mutants to thrive, so they stay small in number. Thats one of the major reasons why using plain soap is better for most situations than antimicrobial soap.Is there anything better than soap?You didnt ask about alcohol, but Ill tell you this: Unless you have visibly dirty hands, or have norovirus or certain kinds of infectious diarrhea, alcohol-based sanitizers are a better choice than any soap. They dont get absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin. (Just dont inhale them!) They also kill bacteria and many viruses more reliably than even antibacterial soaps, in large part because we apply them in the same concentration every time we use them. (Soap gets diluted by water, so its harder to be sure people are getting the same ratio of soap to skin.) That means superbug evolution isnt a concern with these products.Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is so much better than soap that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention actually recommends sanitizer over antibacterial soap in most health care settings. One exception is before surgery: Because antibacterial soaps are still the best at removing bacteria from the skin just below the surface, surgeons still have to scrub with germ-killing soap and water before gloving and gowning up for surgery.This story was originally published in The Highlight, Voxs member-exclusive magazine. To get early access to member-exclusive stories every month, join the Vox Membership program today.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:

If youve studied First Amendment law, its impossible not to experience dj vu while reading the briefs in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, a Supreme Court case the justices will hear on January 15 about online pornography. Thats because the Texas law at the heart of Free Speech Coalition is in all relevant respects identical to a federal law the Supreme Court blocked in Ashcroft v. ACLU (2004). (That federal law was meant to keep minors from being able to view pornography, and the Texas law attempts to do the same, albeit through a slightly different mechanism.) If the justices take seriously some of the more aggressive arguments Texas makes to defend its law, they could eliminate longstanding free speech protections for sexual content. Even the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which upheld the Texas law, conceded that the two laws are very similar though the Fifth Circuit did, in an unusual act of defiance by a lower court, conclude that it was not bound by the Supreme Court precedent established in Ashcroft and was free to uphold the Texas law anyway. Its tempting, in other words, to dismiss Free Speech Coalition as an insignificant case that should end in the justices rebuking their insubordinate colleagues on the Fifth Circuit. That court has a history of handing down poorly reasoned opinions supporting right-wing results. And the Supreme Court, even with its 6-3 Republican supermajority, frequently reverses the Fifth Circuits most disruptive decisions.And yet, despite the Fifth Circuits weak reasoning and a poorly argued brief by the state of Texas defending its law, the state does make one plausible argument that the Court should tweak First Amendment law to make it less friendly to pornography producers.Free Speech Coalition involves a 2023 Texas law that requires many but not all websites that distribute pornographic content to verify that their users are over the age of 18. The plaintiffs, a trade association for the pornography industry along with various members of that industry, argues that this law forces adult users to incur severe privacy and security risks.Many adults, in other words, dont want to submit a picture of their drivers license to a porn site which could be hacked or subpoenaed, revealing intimate information about its users sexual desires.In Ashcroft, the Supreme Court ruled against a largely identical federal law, which made it a crime for businesses to post material online that is harmful to minors, but which also allowed those businesses to escape conviction if they took certain steps to verify the age of their consumers. There are some distinctions between the law at issue in Ashcroft and the Texas law at issue in Free Speech Coalition most notably, the Texas law only imposes civil, as opposed to criminal, penalties on violators but even the Fifth Circuit conceded that these distinctions do not change how Free Speech Coalition should be analyzed under the First Amendment.RelatedThe Trumpiest court in AmericaIn Ashcroft, a majority of the justices concluded that the government should have used less restrictive methods of keeping children away from porn sites, such as promoting blocking and filtering software that allows parents and teachers to prevent a particular computer from loading pornographic websites.Ashcroft is one of a line of First Amendment decisions establishing that the government typically may not prevent adults from seeing sexual content, even if the goal is to also prevent children from seeing the same material. Under this line of cases, laws that burden an adults access to nearly all sexual material must be narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling goal, which is why Ashcroft required the government to use the least burdensome method to restrict speech. Laws that burden constitutional rights such as the right to free speech are often subject to this narrow tailoring requirement, which is known as strict scrutiny. A law can fail strict scrutiny if it sweeps too broadly, imposing severe burdens on a constitutional right in return for relatively small benefits to society. But laws can also fail strict scrutiny if they are underinclusive, on the theory that a law with too many exceptions and loopholes can still limit constitutional rights without actually achieving a goal that could justify such a limitation.Texass brief defending its 2023 law suggests that the Ashcroft line of cases should be overruled, and that strict scrutiny should no longer apply to laws that seek to prevent children from seeing pornography, but that also restrict the First Amendment rights of adults. If the justices agree, that would give the government far more power to limit adults access to sexual content. A key element of Texass argument seems to be that more oversight is necessary given the breadth of pornography available the states brief is full of lurid descriptions of things like bondage and tentacle porn. Texass lawyers appear to believe they can coax the justices into supporting their favored result by bombarding them with graphic descriptions of online pornography.That said, Texas does make one good argument for allowing some laws restricting young people from viewing pornography to stand. Ashcroft is a 20-year-old decision, and Texas claims that, in the last two decades, new technologies have emerged that make it possible to verify that an internet user is over 18 without threatening that persons privacy or revealing any other information about them. If Texas is correct that this technology does exist, and that it can be fairly easily be used, then at least some laws requiring porn sites to bar underage users are constitutional. Thats because the kind of age-gating software that Texas describes in its brief would achieve the governments goal of preventing children from seeing online porn more effectively than the content-filtering software endorsed by Ashcroft, and it would do so while imposing only a minimal burden on adults who have a right to see pornography. So a law that requires age-gating may survive strict scrutiny today, even if it didnt in 2004 when technology was less advanced.A decision holding that the law may require pornographers to use this kind of secure, privacy-protecting age-gating software would be consistent with Ashcroft, and wouldnt require the Supreme Court to toss out its previous decisions establishing that adults may view sexual content an approach that Texas advocates for in much of its brief. Ashcroft, after all, did not rule that age-gating software is forbidden by the Constitution. It merely looked at the state of technology in 2004 and determined that content filtering was the best available option at that time.For much of American history, the courts largely ignored the First Amendments language barring laws abridging the freedom of speech. The federal Comstock Act, which has never been formally repealed, made it a crime to mail every obscene, lewd, lascivious, indecent, filthy or vile article, matter, thing, device, or substance, and many states had similar laws that extended beyond the mail. Artists, art dealers, booksellers, and others were arrested for producing or distributing sexual material that the government or even just a few particularly zealous government officials deemed too lascivious. In one 1883 case, an art gallery owner was convicted for selling reproductions of famous nude paintings, including Alexandre Cabanels masterpiece The Birth of Venus.Alexandre Cabernels The Birth of Venus. Public Domain via WikipediaBy the middle of the 20th century, however, the Supreme Court began to take the First Amendment seriously, handing down a series of decisions that gradually shrunk the definition of obscenity (a legal term that refers to sexual material that is not protected by the First Amendment) until virtually nothing qualified. Yet, while modern First Amendment law broadly permits artists, authors, and pornographers to provide sexual material of all kinds to adults, its also well established that the government may bar young people from accessing some content that adults have a right to see.Both Texas and the Fifth Circuit rely heavily on Ginsberg v. New York, a 1968 case holding that the government may restrict minors access to some sexual content. But the facts of this nearly 60-year-old case are very different from those in Free Speech Coalition or Ashcroft.Ginsberg upheld New Yorks prosecution of a lunch counter operator who sold two girlie magazines to a 16-year-old boy. This case, in other words, did not involve a law that prevented adults from seeing sexual material. Under the New York law at issue in that case, adults who wished to buy similar magazines could simply show their ID to prove they were of sufficient age, and they could do so without much worry that a hacker or government investigator would discover that they bought a magazine full of nude pictures.The Ashcroft line of cases, by contrast, all involve technologies that can widely broadcast sexual material in ways that make it difficult to check whether each consumer of that material is an adult. One 1989 case, for example, struck down a ban on dial-a-porn services, where callers could dial a phone number (and pay a fee) to hear a prerecorded, sexually explicit message.These decisions, moreover, established that laws which restrict adults access to sexual content generally must survive strict scrutiny, and they did so several years before Ashcroft applied this rule to the internet. In United States v. Playboy Entertainment Group (2000), for example, the Supreme Court struck down a federal law that effectively prohibited cable television stations from broadcasting pornography except between 10 pm and 6 am.Playboy could not possibly be clearer in holding that laws which prevent adults from seeing sexual material that they have a right to see must survive strict scrutiny even if those laws are intended to shield children from pornography. In the Courts words, even where speech is indecent and enters the home, the objective of shielding children does not suffice to support a blanket ban if the protection can be accomplished by a less restrictive alternative.Ashcroft, in other words, was hardly a groundbreaking decision. It simply took the rule which had already been established in cases like Playboy, and applied it to the new context of online pornography. And yet, despite this long line of cases that all point in exactly one direction, the Fifth Circuit concluded that it could defy all of these cases. It did so largely by implying that the George W. Bush-era Justice Department was staffed by rank incompetents.According to the Fifth Circuit, the Ashcroft opinion contains startling omissions. Though the opinion held that the federal law at issue in that case would fail strict scrutiny, Ashcroft did not actually explain why strict scrutiny should apply to a law restricting online porn. The Fifth Circuit claimed that omission occurred because the Justice Department lawyers who litigated Ashcroft failed to make the argument that strict scrutiny should not apply (instead, they claimed that the law at issue in Ashcroft survived strict scrutiny). According to the Fifth Circuit, because the DOJ never argued against strict scrutiny, Ashcroft never actually established a legal rule requiring courts to apply strict scrutiny in similar cases.Its hard to know where to even begin with this argument. Lower courts are bound by Supreme Court decisions, even if they disagree with those decisions. Judges cannot refuse to follow Supreme Court cases because they think the lawyers who argued those cases did a bad job.In Ashcroft, moreover, there was a pretty obvious reason why the Justice Department decided not to argue against strict scrutiny. Playboy was decided in 2000, four years before Ashcroft was argued before the justices. So it was already settled law in 2004 that strict scrutiny applies to cases like Ashcroft.And, while the DOJ may have decided not to press the case against strict scrutiny in its Ashcroft briefing and arguments, one of the justices did. Justice Antonin Scalia published a dissenting opinion in Ashcroft which argued that his eight colleagues erred in subjecting [the federal anti-porn law] to strict scrutiny. So the justices who decided Ashcroft were hardly unaware of the arguments against strict scrutiny. Eight of them were simply unpersuaded by those arguments.So how should the Supreme Court handle Free Speech Coalition?The First Amendment issues presented by Free Speech Coalition are serious. And the question of whether technology has advanced to the point where it is possible both to shield minors from online pornography and ensure that adults can access any material they have a right to see is a difficult one that deserves a serious look by the federal courts.So its a shame that both the Fifth Circuits opinion and Texass brief are so poorly argued. Proponents of age-gating on porn sites deserve better advocates. They also deserve a more competently drafted law than the one at issue in Free Speech Coalition.The Texas law at issue in Free Speech Coalition appears to have been drafted without any input from a First Amendment lawyer. If Texas is correct that software can verify which consumers of online porn are adults without threatening their privacy, then the Supreme Court should uphold a properly crafted law requiring porn sites to use those services. But it should not uphold this Texas law.Thats because Texass law is not structured to survive strict scrutiny. Recall that strict scrutiny requires the courts to strike down laws that arent narrowly tailored to advance a compelling interest, and that this narrow tailoring requirement bars laws that are so underinclusive that they dont actually do much to advance that interest.Texass law mocks this narrow tailoring requirement by applying its restrictions on online pornography to only a small subset of websites where pornography appears. Specifically, the law applies only to a business that knowingly and intentionally publishes or distributes material on an Internet website more than one-third of which is sexual material harmful to minors.For starters, its unclear how, exactly, the law measures how much of a website is devoted to sexual material. Is this determined by looking at how many bytes of data are devoted to pornography? How many minutes of video? How many inches of screen space? But, even setting this vagueness concern aside, one of the main purposes of strict scrutinys narrow tailoring requirement is to block laws that burden constitutional rights without actually doing much to achieve the governments goals. The Texas laws one-third requirement means it would not actually block minors access to pornography, thus failing to achieve the states objective. As the Free Speech Coalition plaintiffs explain in their brief, the trial court which heard this case found that social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook contain material which is sexually explicit for minors, and sites like Reddit maintain entire communities and forums devoted to posting online pornography. So Texass law wont actually stop anyone from seeing online porn, it will just shift their porn consumption from Pornhub to Reddit.And so, even if age verification apps work as Texas says they do, this particular law still violates the First Amendment and should be struck down for failing to satisfy strict scrutiny. Should the Court decide to follow this path, which is the only path consistent with existing law, it could also make clear that a better-drafted law might survive strict scrutiny again, assuming that it is actually possible to construct age gates around online pornography without threatening the privacy of adults.In any event, there is no need to overrule decisions like Ashcroft, or to pretend those decisions can be ignored like the Fifth Circuit did, in order to uphold age-restrictive laws. 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:

Call of Duty Black Ops 6's Squid Game crossover lands in just a few hours here's when you can play, and what's included in the free limited-time modeTech11:33, 02 Jan 2025Call of Duty is getting a Squid Game crossoverIt's a new year, and Call of Duty fans are able to kick it off with a new limited-time crossover that ties in with popular Netflix hit Squid Game.Black Ops 6 is still in the middle of Season 1 Reloaded but, as we tiptoe closer to Season 2, we'll be able to play 'Red Light, Green Light' to celebrate the first weekend of 2025.While fans are less than pleased with the inclusion of a new event pass, they will get to experience a wholly unique crossover event here's when it starts.Content cannot be displayed without consentSquid Game arrives in Black Ops 6 on January 3, and while a release time hasn't been confirmed, there's a good chance it'll kick off after 5pm GMT for UK gamers.That tends to be when updates roll out, but if you're in other territories it'll be around 9 am PST, 12pm EST, 6pm CET.Updates can come a little later, but UK gamers should be able to hop in once they're home from work.Squid Game Season 2 is on Netflix now(Image: NETFLIX)Netflix's smash-hit show is now in its second season, and Call of Duty will take plenty of inspiration from the drama.We've seen the trailer above that puts 'Red Light, Green Light' on the pitch from the Red Card multiplayer map, while the same animatronic could guard certain chests in Warzone.New Operators will be added, likely through paid store cosmetics, while fresh weapon blueprints are a staple of in-game events so far.Article continues belowWith Season 1 expected to end on January 28, there's a good chance you'll be able to enjoy the event for the new few weeks.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

EA FC 25's first promo of the new year, Numero FUT, is arriving in just a few hours here's what to expect, including leaked players and when you'll be able to earn themTech11:27, 02 Jan 2025Pedro Neto has been in great form for Chelsea (Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)It's a new year, and a new chance for some EA FC 25 promo cards to improve your squad even more.Winter Wildcards packed the likes of R9 Ronaldo (I was very pleased with my Kobbie Mainoo pull), but Numero FUT is back to focusing on modern day footballers so don't expect any Icons or Heroes. That's not to say there's plenty to enjoy though, with the likes of Robert Lewandowski, James Maddison, Pedro Neto and more tipped for improved cards.The event runs alongside the Mode Mastery event, and we've got a full rundown of who we can expect based on leaks. Here's all we know about EA FC 25 Numero FUT.The first weekly promo of the new year, Numero FUT will kick off on Friday, January 3 at 6pm GMT.We'll find out when it ends soon.James Maddison could feature in this week's promo(Image: Getty Images)Ever resourceful leakers have been busy yet again, with the following lined up:Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid)Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich)Rafael Leao (Milan)Roberto Lewandowski (Barcelona)James Maddison (Spurs)Pedro Neto (Chelsea)Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus)Article continues belowPerhaps most excitingly, James Rodriguez is getting an upgrade, with the Colombian star expected to be part of the lineup following his move to Rayo Vallecano.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

We now know which games are free for PlayStation Plus subscribers in January, and that means we know when they can be downloaded and played by PS5 owners this monthTech11:18, 02 Jan 2025Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is more fun than you may have heard(Image: Rocksteady Studios)The PS Plus Essential games for January 2024 have been revealed, and they'll be available even earlier than we'd anticipated.We previously suggested the games for January would see a delay because of the New Year period, but it appears the lineup, which is certainly eclectic, will be available to download in just a few weeks.Here's everything arriving on the service in January, and when you can start playing them.Deathstroke marks the final DLC character (Image: Rocksteady Studios)We're still waiting for our reveal of the PS Plus Extra and Premium titles, but for the meantime here's what players can get stuck into, courtesy of the PlayStation Blog.Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered is a fantastic racer where you can play as a street racer or a cop, performing slick powerslides and employing gadgets. It has a really unique 'Autolog' leaderboard system, too, so you're always competing against your friends even when playing solo.The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe is the latest and greatest version of the 2013 indie that's so beloved over a decade on. It's not prettier, but it adds fresh choices and secrets to an adventure that was already unmissable.Finally, the headline addition is Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League. Much maligned at launch, the game now has an offline mode that means it's a fun third-person shooter set in the DC Comics universe. It undeniably disappointed at launch, but with all of its new characters added before developer Rocksteady moves onto other things, it's well worth checking out if you're a fan of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. Still not convinced? Read my opinion piece from last month.Don't miss the chance to grab It Takes Two for freeWe expected the games to slip a week, but the new lineup arrives on January 7. Games tend to be available to download at around 10AM GMT, so we really don't have long to wait at all.Article continues belowThat does, however, mean that December's games are only available for a few more days. The following will be gone (or at least back up to full price) after January 6, so be sure to get stuck in while you can.It Takes TwoAliens: Dark DescentTemtemFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

How much longer till the actual reveal? (Nintendo)Yet more Nintendo Switch 2 details are making their way online in lieu of an official reveal, with possibly more to follow in the next week.So much information about the Nintendo Switch 2 leaked in December, from its Joy-Con controllers and dock to the consoles actual design. At this point, all thats left is for Nintendo itself to show it off and announce some games for it.Nintendo has promised a formal announcement by the end of March and rumours suggest some kind of news could be shared in the coming weeks. So, the most eager of fans will be feverishly checking Nintendos social media accounts every day until it happens.In the meantime, said fans are continuing to look elsewhere for more crumbs of Switch 2 info and they may have found some thanks to a recently discovered patent.Said patent was filed by Nintendo with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) back in July 2023 but was only published on December 31, 2024.The long and short of it is that it discusses DLSS-style upscaling technology that can be used to improve the resolution of video games. Essentially, itd allow for higher graphical settings and frame rates on weaker hardware.While theres no explicit mention of Nintendos next console, this lines up with previous Switch 2 rumours. In 2023, reports claimed to have seen Nintendo hardware running an upscaled version of The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild and the Unreal Engine 5 The Matrix Awakens demo, both of which made use of DLSS tech. Could we see games made with Unreal Engine 5 on the Switch 2? (Epic Games)Although theres no concrete information on how powerful the Switch 2 will be, it has been rumoured to be either less strong than the PlayStation 4 Pro or about as strong as the Xbox Series S. So, it would make sense for the console to incorporate upscaling technology to help it reach 4K visuals.More TrendingInterestingly, as highlighted by one Laura Kate Dale on Bluesky, the patent also suggests the tech could be used to reduce game sizes to fit them on smaller capacity physical media.For example, a game that natively features 4K textures could be downscaled to a 1080p resolution so it can fit onto a physical cartridge. But then the console could upscale it to its original 4K resolution in real-time.It wouldnt be surprising if more Switch 2 details continue to leak in the coming weeks given how often theyre happening. In fact, alleged pictures of the consoles motherboard have been spotted on Reddit.On top of that, accessory company Genki is promising to discuss new products its making for the Switch 2 on January 7 as part of CES 2025. However, theres no telling if this will result in any brand-new details becoming public or if all these leaks will incentivise Nintendo to reveal the Switch 2 any time soon. The Switch 2s actual release date is still a mystery too (Nintendo)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

Dongyou Corn Courier Station / SuiPingYiLi Architecture StudioSave this picture! Qingshan WuCommunity, OfficesNanping, ChinaArchitects: SuiPingYiLi Architecture StudioAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:598 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:Qingshan Wu, Deng Zhilu Lead Architects: Deng Zhilv More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. Surrounded by expansive cornfields and encased in green mountains and rivers, the site offers a unique pastoral landscape. This is a practice of rebuilding and revitalizing rural agricultural buildings. The project preserves the original rammed-earth structure and integrates it with newly constructed steel, concrete, and wood structural systems into a cohesive architectural form, merging functional spaces with structural logic. The resulting Corn Station serves as a showcase for corn, a logistical hub, and a community space for villagers to relax and interact after their work.Save this picture!The cornfield and the village - As a rural agricultural building and public place, the courier station is located in the cornfield outside the village and is in a delicate relationship with the village. It not only provides temporary stacking for transshipment corn but also provides supporting services such as scientific research and tea breaks for villagers. The site, adjacent to the road, was originally composed of two single-story rammed earth buildings and a temporary structure, which were used as farm toolhouses.Save this picture!Spatial reorganization - According to the needs and site conditions, we retained the rammed earth part and reconstructed the system within it, growing from the inside out: the steel structure of the north side of the building is used for the exhibition hall and the live broadcast room; The south side of the building is a research room, a seminar area and a drinking area, with a large span and a concrete structure to improve the rigidity. The two are connected in series through gray spaces such as atriums and platform viewing areas.Only a new partition wall was built on the first floor of the original building, which separated the three functions of exhibition, scientific research and publicity activities. The second floor is a new addition, with observation decks, winding staircases and corridors forming an outdoor leisure area.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Continues the texture - The rammed earth wall reflects the original natural texture, and the niche is left as much as possible on the newly built lining wall, which can not only be used as a layered platform but also expose the mottled and rough historical texture of the original rammed earth, so that the old rammed earth and the new wall have a dialogue of time and space.Save this picture!Innovation rooted in tradition - The original first-floor rammed earth structure and the new second-story structure space are like a dialogue between the old and the new. The preserved part carries the weight of history, is the old foundation, and is deeply rooted in this land. The second floor is like a young shoot, breaking through the ground, not sticking to the old constraints, boldly extending outward, growing towards the sun and the future, full of vitality.After completion, the courier station is used as a rural building supporting agriculture, which not only satisfies the original function but also stimulates the vitality of the countryside and drives the villagers to change their traditional thoughts. The natural beauty and new lifestyle have attracted many people from other places to come and play, and the special corn tea drink has also taken root in the local area.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The transformation and replacement of the original agricultural model and products, and the establishment of the corn station, gave birth to a new production, processing and sales mode, realizing the upgrading of the entire corn industry chain. This dialogue between the old and the new is not only reflected in the replacement of buildings and sites but also in the inheritance and innovation of culture.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Jianou, Nanping City, Fujian Province, ChinaLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officeMaterialsWoodConcreteMaterials and TagsPublished on January 02, 2025Cite: "Dongyou Corn Courier Station / SuiPingYiLi Architecture Studio" 02 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025186/dongyou-corn-courier-station-suipingyili-architecture-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

Creating Architecture in an Uncivil Time: In Conversation with Ali Karimi of Civil ArchitectureThe Arabian Peninsula represents one of the world's leading exporters and users of fossil fuels, an economic reality that influences the area's visions for the future and, implicitly, architecture and urban planning's role in these scenarios. A number of emerging offices are however countering these narratives, turning to contextual research to reframe the area's production of architecture. Among these, cultural practice Civil Architecture has become recognized for its provocative works that explore alternative narratives for the identity of the Middle East. While in Bahrain, ArchDaily's Christele Harrouk had the chance to sit down with Ali Karimi, who, together with Hamed Bukhamseen, co-founded Civil Architecture. In the video interview, they discuss the practice of architecture in the Gulf region and the narrative and research-focused approach of the office.Save this picture!As a process of creating architecture and research, Civil Architecture tends to identify and explore specific themes, beginning each project with a question as a way of articulating the context. They describe this as a process of spatializing and recontextualizing the Arabian peninsula. This approach was visible through their installation at the 2024 Doha Design Biennial. Here, they recreated the roof and disposition of rooms of the "House between two trees," exploring its connection with the garden and surrounding landscape, as well as positioning the theme of seasonality and integrating within natural cycles.Save this picture! As a practice based in the region, we are very much interested in exploring what it means to produce architecture in a way that runs counter to these narratives. So we are trying to find sources of stories and ways of thinking about the architecture and urbanism of the region outside purely of the narrative of the oil economy. To produce that kind of architecture means producing a context through practice. This means doing research projects and finding ways of understanding the place we are in, thus composing a kind of totalizing vision of our context. - Ali Karimi, co-founder of Civil Architecture Related Article Arab Designers Crafting their Own Narrative: Design Doha 2024 Explores Identity and Innovation In collaboration with landscape office studiolibani, one of ArchDaily's New Practices in 2020, Civil Architecture designed the landscape and temporary installation "Minor Paradises" in Amman, Jordan, during Amman Design Week 2019. The installation was designed to evoke discussions about Amman's landscape and the idealization of landscape perspectives. Evoking the region's history as an important exporter of stone, a temporary public plaza was created to recreate the materiality of this inhabitable landscape. By borrowing sand, aggregates, and stone from contractors and returning them after the week was over, the intervention managed to create an engaging space within a limited budget, This showcased not only the concept of the installation but also the importance of understanding the capabilities of the local context and working with pre-existing conditions.Save this picture!The office engages with both built and unbuilt works, in the form of research and publications, both influencing one another to create a holistic body of work. The publication "Foreign Architecture, Domestic Policy" explores the political and architectural ventures of Kuwait, which built over 5,000 gas stations across Europe. This revealed narratives of spatiality, and the spatial limits of a country, as well as showcasing "architecture as a unit of political capital." Built projects, such as the public park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, demonstrate the potential of productive landscapes, while the efforts to create the Kuwait Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale managed to open up conversations about the shared narratives of different Gulf states, all from the perspective of the contested islands of the Gulf region.Save this picture!Save this picture! For us, it's about bridging between what exists, what has existed, and what could exist, but not putting in in such a time scale that everything that is at stake at the moment is forgotten in the hopes for a more optimistic architectural future, one that is not actually in service of making things sustainable. - Ali Karimi, co-founder of Civil Architecture Save this picture!Closing the interview, Ali Karimi considers the evolution of the architectural practice in the Gulf region, rebutting the aggressive promotion of the future in favor of an alternative narrative more focused on the "extended present." He points out that Civil Architecture has developed an approach more concerned with themes relevant to the present moment, exploring the hidden narratives and engaging actively with the existing context. He also notices with optimism that more and more practices are emerging in the region that negate the tabula rasa narratives, and instead turn to producing research and bodies of work that are rooted in the local culture and histories.Editor's note: This article was originally published on July 18, 2024.Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorCite: Maria-Cristina Florian. "Creating Architecture in an Uncivil Time: In Conversation with Ali Karimi of Civil Architecture" 02 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1018996/creating-architecture-in-an-uncivil-time-in-conversation-with-ali-karimi-of-civil-architecture&gt ISSN 0719-8884More interviews from ourYouTube ChannelSave? Civil Architecture Ali Karimi 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

Tower of Unity / Christoph Hesse ArchitectsSave this picture! Laurian GhinitoiuInstallations & StructuresMedebach, GermanyArchitects: Christoph Hesse ArchitectsAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:30 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2023 PhotographsPhotographs:Laurian Ghinitoiu, Christoph Hesse Architects Lead Architect: Christoph Hesse More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. The "Tower of Unity" is part of the "Open Mind Places" project in Germany, which aims to inspire visitors' self-efficacy and foster innovative ideas for a regenerative, community-focused future. Initiated by the residents of Referinghausen in the Sauerland, this cultural initiative has expanded its influence across the region, encouraging a meaningful dialogue between people and their environment. By blending art, nature, and community action, it creates a unique space for reflection, collaboration, and forward-thinking solutions.Save this picture!Save this picture!The "Open Mind Places" feature twelve installations crafted from natural and locally recycled materials, interconnected by a scenic footpath. These installations serve as "Perspective Changers," guiding participants on a contemplative journey. Along the way, each station invites a deeper engagement with the surrounding nature, emphasizing its significance and inherent value. Ultimately, visitors are inspired to embrace new perspectives, empowering them to drive collaborative ecological and social initiatives.Save this picture!Save this picture!The "Tower of Unity" is one of the most recent additions to the ever-evolving "Open Mind Places" project. Constructed through the dedication and collective effort of local community members, it stands as a powerful symbol of shared identity and inclusivity. The act of building the tower itself became a unifying experience, strengthening bonds and fostering a sense of purpose among participants as they worked together toward a common goal.Save this picture!At its core lies a foundation of natural stones, each carefully carried and placed by participants, forming a circular seating area that invites connection and conversation. Wild wine plants growing at the corners emphasize the fundamental role of nature within the community.Save this picture!The upper framework is composed of interconnected steel rods, each representing one of the 220 community members of Referinghausen, uniting their efforts into a shared vision of togetherness. By integrating nature, art, and collaboration, the "Tower of Unity" embodies the essence of the "Open Mind Places" projectfostering a profound sense of belonging, purpose, collective inspiration, and action. Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Medebach, GermanyLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officeMaterialsSteelStoneMaterials and TagsPublished on January 02, 2025Cite: "Tower of Unity / Christoph Hesse Architects" 02 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1024808/tower-of-unity-christoph-hesse-architects&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Grab the Interactive Foliage System 1.0.1 on FAB:https://www.fab.com/sellers/CGDealers Interactive Foliage System Plugin version 1.0.1 on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/CGDealers Download for FREE the Foliage Mesh Examples:https://www.patreon.com/posts/unreal-engine-5-113623812 IMPORTANT: Unreal Engine 5.4 & 5.5 SupportWatch Full Video on How To Use it:https://youtu.be/Etg6IyIERt0 Features/Functions: AAA+ Performance Written in C++ for optimal performance and capability Multi-Object Interaction is supported Multiplayer (Replication) is supported Foliage Skeletal Mesh Interaction Static Foliage Shader Based Interaction PCG Support for Foliages with Skeletal Meshes Wind Support for Static and Skeletal Mesh Play Sounds from an Array by random on interaction NO SUPPORT for the shader Foliages - still can't process the data to PCG Quixel Foliages Support Custom Foliages Support Flattering feature for grass and other type of low height foliages Option to have Different Type of Interaction Per Foliage Foliage Stiffness Foliage Damping Factor Foliage Mass Push Force Debugging Tool Range of interaction Full Free Video on how to create the Auto Landscape Material:https://youtu.be/rw8qDmFGsRo MY SOCIAL MEDIA:Artstation: https://www.artstation.com/coldwave Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/CGDealers Telegram: https://t.me/YTcgdealersLeartes Entire Store 210+ Assets on 30% Discount: https://gumroad.com/a/39658451 30% Discount Coupon Code: CG30FREE VIDEO - How To Create The Landscape Auto Material:https://youtu.be/rw8qDmFGsRo GET MY UNREAL 5 - BLUEPRINTS MASTERCLASS COURSE:Udemy: https://bit.ly/3WqNQSL GET ONE MONTH FREE SKILLSHARE SUBSCRIPTION:https://skl.sh/3CwwFH2 Happy Game Development!-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#unrealengine5 #blueprints #ue5tutorial #openworld #openworldgames #gamedevtutorial #gamedevelopment #unrealengine #unrealenginetutorial #unrealengine #gamedesign #rvt #runtimevirtualtexture #realtimerendering #ai #aianimation #animation #pcg #unrealpcg #unrealenginetutorial #interactivefoliage-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------