Zaha Hadid Source:&nbsp Mary MacCartneyZaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) must continue paying to use the name of the late Zaha Hadid an obligation that has cost the practice 21.4 million since her death The AJ100 practices directors had sought a legal declaration that it should be able to give 12 months notice to terminate a contract with the Zaha Hadid Foundation, the charity set up in her name which promotes the late Iraqi-British architects work.Under an agreement between the practice (the company) and the Zaha Hadid Foundation, the practice must hand over 6 per cent of its income annually to use the trademark Zaha Hadid.In the latest battle between the foundation and the practice, lawyers for the companys directors had argued that the licensing agreement was unusual and unreasonable and a restraint on trade. At the same time, the practice told the court that Hadids name had diminishing significance, despite having significant value historically.AdvertisementDuring a short trial, practice director Charles Walker had told the court: The concern is the longevity of the business, whether it can sustain this in perpetuity. [It is like] somebody trying to swim with rocks in their pockets.[Although] a strong swimmer might be able to sustain that for a period of time [ eventually] the burden could become too much for the business.Handing down his decision last week, High Court justice Adam Johnson dismissed the practices case and said the agreement did not contain a provision enabling the company to end the licensing deal with the foundation.Referring to the practices 2023 turnover of 69.4 million, Johnson argued in his decision: It strikes me as rather counterintuitive to describe [the licensing agreement] as operating in restraint of trade. It looks more like an encouragement to trade.The decision also revealed that 21.4 million had been paid by ZHA to the foundation since 2018.AdvertisementPatrik Schumacher, Zaha Hadid Architects principal director and Hadids successor at the practice, could still set up another practice under a different name.The latest Companies House documents for ZHA, for the financial year ending 30 April 2023, show the AJ100 big-hitter breaking its annual turnover record for the second year in a row.The company(Zaha Hadid Ltd) posted global fee income of 69.4 million for the 12 months to 30 April 2023, up 1.3 million from 2022.Responding to the decision, lawyers representing the foundation, Joseph Hage Anderson, told the Financial Times that the decision would have the effect of upholding Dame Zahas intentions and vision for her foundation and its charitable purposes.Michael Anderson, a partner at the law firm, added: [Zaha Hadid Architects] has had a significant benefit from the use of Dame Zahas name, and it should pay for that benefit, as per the licensing agreement.The AJ has approached the practice for comment.2025-01-02Gino Spocchiacomment and share

7.5 /10 SCORE Our Verdict Our Verdict Best for: Back sleeper Combo sleeper Side sleeper Stomach sleeper Score Breakdown Performance 9 /10 Policies 8 /10 Durability 7 /10 Features 7 /10 Pros and Cons Pros Great option for side sleepers Unique, yet accommodating feel Affordable price point Cons Only comes in one firmness option Has a return fee Not ideal for heavier people Table of Contents Nolah is known for making mattresses that offer great pressure relief while also keeping you cool. It now offers an impressive lineup of several different beds (including the luxurious Nolah Evolution Hybrid), but the Nolah Original 10 was the very first mattress by the brand. This Original 10 uses a classic, three-layer, all-foam design that competes with other popular brands like Casper and Leesa.Video: Nolah Original 10First Impressions of the Nolah Original 10 Jonathan Gomez/CNETIn my six years of testing mattresses, I've unboxed three different versions of the Nolah Original 10. The foam layers have remained the same with all three models, but the cover design has changed significantly.This new iteration of the cover is my favorite thus far, as it gives the mattress a more premium look that matches the Nolah Original Hybrid, which was released in 2023.Upon unboxing this latest version, I wasnt sure if the fundamentals of the previous versions had changed at all, but once the bed firmed up after about 6 hours, it was pretty clear based on its firmness and feel that the Nolah Original 10 didnt change under the hood.It still had an interesting, hard-to-pin-down feel and the same slightly softer than a medium firmness profile.Nolah Original 10 policiesFree shippingNolah Original 10 mattress ships right to your door at no extra cost in the contiguous United States inside of a box. Unboxing a mattress is a quick and easy process; weve done it hundreds of times at CNET and it's actually fun -- especially for a mattress like this that isn't all that heavy.I recommend unboxing it with two people because it can be challenging solo, especially for larger sizes like queen and king.120-night trialNolah gives customers an in-home trial period of 120 nights. The trial begins once the mattress is delivered, so make sure you get it unboxed as quickly as you can. Nolah does ask customers to try out any mattress for at least 30 nights before initiating a return because it can take time for your body to adjust to a new bed, no matter how well-suited it is to you and your sleeping preferences.Also, if youre confident youll love a mattress from Nolah, you have the option to waive the trial period completely and save an additional $75 on your purchase.I wouldnt necessarily recommend this option because a trial period is important to ensure the bed actually works for you, but it's something we havent seen from any other brand.Return policyWithin the trial period, you can return the Nolah Original 10 and get a refund, but unlike most brands, Nolah will charge you $99 to return a mattress.The return price isn't paid upfront but it'll be taken out of your refund. For example, if you spent $950 on a queen-size Nolah Original 10" mattress, youll get $851 back. This is atypical, but I wouldnt be surprised if more brands start implementing a similar policy. This is here to help offset the cost of the mattress pickup process, which you can learn more about here.WarrantyNolah goes above and beyond the usual 10-year warranty and opts for a "Lifetime" warranty. Like pretty much any warranty that lasts longer than 10 years, this warranty is tiered and offers more protection in the first 10 years in comparison to the years after, but a lifetime warranty does mean that Nolah has confidence in its mattresses.Construction and feel Jonathan Gomez/CNETThe Nolah Original 10 is roughly 10 inches thick, which is where the 10 in the name comes from. It's constructed with three different layers of foam. The support layer is a 7-inch layer of dense foam, which is common for mattresses that dont use coils for support.Above the support foam is a 1-inch layer of CoreComfort support foam, which functions as a transition layer between the dense support underneath and the primary comfort layer above, which is a two-inch-thick layer of Nolahs proprietary AirFoam. The AirFoam top layer is similar to classic memory foam: When you lie down on it, you'll sink into it, and it will conform to your bodys shape nicely. It's much more responsive than most memory foam, so when you remove pressure from it, the foam will snap back into its original shape. You shouldnt get any of that stuck in the mud feeling some people feel when sleeping on memory foam.The feel of the AirFoam, in combination with the transition layer below, gives the Nolah Original 10 mattress what we call a mixed or blended foam feel. Personally, I find this mattress to be very comfortable, and I think people who like the idea of memory foam but have had negative experiences with memory foam beds will enjoy this mattress feel.One wrinkle to the Nolah Original 10 is the hybrid version. (Not to be confused with the Nolah Original Hybrid, which is an entirely different bed that uses pocketed coils for support.) This is a version of the Nolah Original 10 that uses different foam layers for support, which is designed to mimic the additional bouncy feel provided by a mattress with coils.I havent seen this construction feature from any other brand (Nolah also uses it in its Signature 12 mattress), and it isnt something I'd recommend for most people because it mitigates the primary benefit of both hybrid beds and all-foam beds.The increased bounce of the hybrid foam means the motion isolation isnt nearly as good as the regular model, which all-foam beds excel at, and it also doesnt provide any added durability either by having real coils.I could see some people going for it, but there is also an added cost to the hybrid foam version of the Nolah Original 10, so I would advise sticking with the base model or looking at one of Nolahs true hybrid offerings.Nolah Original 10 firmness and sleeper types Jonathan Gomez/CNETDuring our testing process, we found the Nolah Original 10 to be just shy of a medium on our firmness scale, somewhere between a medium and a medium-soft (a 3 to 5 out of 10).This means that this mattress is in a nice sweet spot for strict side sleepers and combination sleepers who favor their side. In general, side sleepers should seek out softer mattresses to help relieve pressure on their hips and shoulders. Side sleepers who sleep on beds that are too firm can cause hip and shoulder pain over time and even be negative for spinal alignment.Keep in mind that firmness is subjective based on a persons body weight, and we try to rate firmness for the average-sized individual. Jonathan Gomez/CNETIf you are more of a back or stomach sleeper, I would recommend looking for something firmer, because you'll likely find this mattress too soft and it could cause or exacerbate back pain.Nolah Original 10 performance Jonathan Gomez/CNETEdge SupportThere's no additional edge support reinforcement along the borders of this mattress like you'll find on some higher-end hybrid mattresses or a bed like the Original Purple. I found the edge support of the Nolah Original 10 to be just OK.I didnt feel much of a roll-off sensation when putting my weight on the edges of the bed. It could become an issue over time, because after several years, beds tend to soften and that could weaken the edge support.Motion IsolationDuring our testing, we found the motion isolation to be quite good on the Nolah Original 10, thanks in large part to its all-foam design. These types of beds perform better across the board at deadening cross-mattress motion.If youre a light sleeper who shares a mattress, this should be a solid option to help ensure you dont want to get up too often in the middle of the night.Temperature RegulationThe Nolah Original 10 falls into the temperature-neutral category. Theres nothing in the mattress that will work to actively cool you down, like the cover found on the Nolah Evolution Hybrid, but the foams are nice and breathable. The cover is made of tencel fiber, which will help wick away moisture.According to Nolah, its AirFoam layer is much more breathable than standard polyurethane foam, but I didnt observe a significant difference between this bed and comparable mattresses weve tested.Sleeping temperature has more to do with your sleeping environment than the bed itself, and most beds these days dont contribute much to sleeping warm.Nolah Original 10 mattress pricing Size Measurements (inches)PriceTwin 38x74 inches$999Twin XL 38x80 inches$1,199Full 54x75 inches$1,349Queen 60x80 inches$1,449Short Queen 60x74 inches$1,449King 76x80 inches$1,749Short King 72x52 inches$1,749Cal King 72x84 inches$1,749Split King 2x 38x80 inches$2,398 Nolah follows the mattress brand model of setting high retail prices and then offering heavy discounts throughout the year. We watch mattress prices constantly and I can't remember a time when the Nolah Original 10 wasnt on some kind of sale.The retail prices of the Nolah Original 10 are a little steep, in my opinion, but once you factor in discounts, it competes with other three-layer all-foam mattresses pretty well -- usually coming in just below $1,000 for a queen size. Nolah will usually include two free pillows with any mattress purchase.Make sure you check out our mattress deals page for the most up-to-date pricing and discounts on the Nolah Original 10 or any other bed you're interested in. Mattress pricing can change rapidly, and we're always doing our best to keep the pricing up to date.Final verdict Jonathan Gomez/CNETThe Nolah Original 10 fits a nice niche in the online mattress landscape. Its three-layer foam design is a style you can find with several other mattresses like the Casper Original, Leesa Original, Tuft and Needle Mint and Nectar, but it manages to be different in several ways.Its unique top layer gives it a feel that's somewhere between a responsive soft foam and a memory foam that I think a lot of people will enjoy. It's also slightly softer than many of its competitors, so it's a more compelling option for side sleepers specifically looking for a softer mattress to help with pressure relief.I think side sleepers looking for a foam mattress at an affordable price will gravitate toward the Nolah Original 10.Other mattresses from Nolah Nolah Signature 12: This bed is similar to the Nolah Original 10, only it's thicker, softer, more plush and more expensive. It uses virtually the same materials with thicker comfort layers and is closer to a medium-soft on our firmness scale, making it a compelling option for strict side sleepers looking for tons of pressure relief.Nolah Evolution 15: The main hybrid option from Nolah and their most popular mattress. It features a luxurious pillow-top design that provides a hotel style comfort that I think is almost universally comfortable. It comes in three different firmness options and it should work for everyone regardless of their preferred sleeping position.Nolah Natural 11: This mattress is a bit of a departure for Nolah because instead of using AirFoam, it uses natural latex foam as the primary comfort layer, along with coils for support. It has a handful of certifications for the organic cotton and wool found in its construction. It is roughly a medium on the firmness scale, and it has a quintessential responsive latex feel.How does the Nolah Original 10 compare to similar mattresses?Nolah Original 10 vs. NectarThe Nectar mattress is popular because of its classic memory foam feel and affordable price. Both the Nolah 10 and the Nectar mattress use three layers of foam in their construction, but the Nectar mattress is roughly 2 inches thicker.The biggest differences are in the feel, a classic memory foam with Nectar and the unique, blended foam feel of Nolah that has some memory foam characteristics. The other difference is that Nectar is significantly firmer, so it's a better option for back and stomach sleepers.Nolah Original 10 vs. Casper OriginalThe Casper Original is another popular mattress that a lot of sleepers love for its almost universally comfortable soft-foam feel and accommodating medium firmness profile. The Casper Original is slightly thicker than the Nolah Original 10, and the difference in feel is noticeable, with Nolah having a more memory foam type of quality. Nolah is a bit more affordable after the discount, but both are in the same pricing tier, overall.The Nolah Original 10 is more geared toward side sleepers specifically, while the Casper should work decently well for any sleeping position. Nolah Original 10" mattress FAQs Are Nolah mattresses made in the USA? Nolah beds are designed and assembled in the USA out of its production facility in Phoenix, Arizona. They may be made with some imported materials. Are Nolah mattresses safe? Yes, all of its beds are CertiPUR-US certified, which means they are free of ozone-depleting chemicals and other chemicals, like formaldehyde, so it is perfectly safe. Do Nolah mattresses have free returns? No, if you decide to return a Nolah mattress with the provided 120-night trial period, there will be a $99 fee deducted from your refund.

If only AI existed when I was growing up.Walking down the subterranean steps of my childhood home in Rhode Island, there is evidence of damage from a now decades-old basement flood. I can remember the agony in my dad's voice as he explained how a radiator malfunction caused the pipes to freeze and burst, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage and sentimental property loss that couldn't be as accurately calculated.It's not easy to pinpoint what, if anything, my dad could have done to prevent it at the time. But times are changing -- and with the help of AI -- maybe even for the better. This story is part of The Year Ahead, CNET's look at how the world will continue to evolve starting in 2022 and beyond. I've been asmart home tech reporterfor a decade, and there is AI-powered machinery throughout my 1,100-square-foot cottage in New York's Hudson Valley. While my home doesn't look or feel particularly futuristic, it's the AI you don't see, hear or interact with much that I've come to appreciate.That artificial intelligence is playing a bigger role in our lives via chatbots and generative content-creation tools is no secret. What may come as a surprise, is how AI can improve our everyday lives through seemingly small updates to the most common tools and appliances.What I expect to see more of in the year ahead is not the futuristic fantasy tech we see in science fiction with home robots to prepare meals, fold fitted sheets and entertain the dog(sorry, Amazon Astro wherever you are). The next big thing in our homes is far less bold but equally -- if not more -- impactful than robot nannies, maids and chefs. It's a slow and steady improvement in your appliances and smart home tech coupled with preventive AI to diagnose problems associated expensive appliances before they become full-on disasters. LG and other companies are working to give artificial intelligence a practical bent. LGSmart water sensors now work 24/7 to detect leaks and frozen pipes and trigger a purge preventing costly flood damage and plumbing repairs. If my parents had today's smart home tech, they would have likely saved loads of money, time and heartache.Likewise, large appliances with intelligent features can lower your winter energy bill or reduce the risk of a kitchen fire. Home security devices can even recognize deviant behavior from unidentified actors and clue you in.These are just a few ways AI in the home has the potential to prevent catastrophe and improve . I expect -- and welcome -- more of this subtle AI in the home. It's already happening, but 2025 will be a year we see home tech AI become commonplace.AI will improve laundry day Your next washing machine and dryer could be more intelligent than you realize. LG Upgrade your inbox Get cnet insider From talking fridges to iPhones, our experts are here to help make the world a little less complicated. The washing machine and dryer are two places where AI has been integrated and made an immediate impact. The AI modality isn't flashy -- I sadly still fold the clothes -- but with intelligent sensors, you can expect a smaller energy bill and your favorite T-shirts to last longer.LG's latest washing machines cost about $1,000 but use sensors to detect the size of the load you've lobbed inside as well as the fabric types. Using over 20,000 points of data, it picks an optimal cycle and uses water use accordingly, saving you from using more costly hot water than you need. AI-powered machine learning helps it to get better over time, not worse like washing machines of the past.The dryer is able to make similar adjustments when it kicks off a cycle. LG's core tech AI kicks in to detect the weight and moisture level of the clothes inside so it can dry for the appropriate amount of time, saving you precious energy or use a gentler heat that is less likely to damage delicate fabrics.A representative from LG told me that the AI in its washer and dryer, while subtle, has been received well by consumers, including me. The brand expects that inevitably all of its laundry machines will have some form of this AI-powered calibration for better washing and drying results and clothes that last longer.AI can prevent costly problems Moen's $550 Flo might not look like much this smart water sensor could have saved my childhood home from a ruinous flood if it existed in the nineties. MoenA piece of smart home tech that my dad (and his insurance company) certainly wish had been around is Moen's Flo. The $550 Flo attaches easily to a home's water main, learns your home's unique water flow patterns and monitors for anything unusual, in which case it automatically alerts you and shuts the main water supply to prevent damage.Unusual flow often means a leak, even the smallest of which can cause major damage to your home over time. When paired with one of Moen's smart faucets, the system can purge the water pipes in your home to relieve the pressure or prevent them from freezing.Water damage accounts for roughly a quarter of all homeowners insurance claims, and the emotional toll and loss of personal belongings only make this type of property damage more difficult to grapple with. Undetected leaks are a common cause of widespread. Moen and other smart home brands are hoping to get in the way. Epiximages via GettyIt's an unassuming device with the potential to save billions in damage and loads more in personal property loss.I spoke with one of Moen's senior product managers, Suzy Kummer, who stressed how much the average person underestimates the likelihood of household leaks and the damage they can do. "It's the number one claim for homeowners and is often emotionally devastating on top of causing higher insurance premiums." According to Moen, 60% of Flo users have already discovered a leak thanks to the detection system.Look for more diagnostic and preventive AI to become the norm in home heating, plumbing and electrical systems.What you don't know about AI in the kitchenIn the kitchen, where I do most of my technology testing, it is again less conspicuous AI technology that resonates most.Super smart (and super expensive) AI-powered countertop ovens including the June (now defunct) and Brava -- which try to optimize cooking by employing multiple cooking methods and precise cooking programs to roast strips of bacon or large cuts of meat --haven't exactly caught fire with consumers. Do-it-all smart ovens like the now defunct June may be fun to show off but it's not where AI smarts can make the biggest impact in your kitchen. JuneMy hot take is that people enjoy cooking, so robot chefs may not be the clearest path to a smarter kitchen, but AI smarts are improving the kitchen in subtler ways.Samsung has taken big swings with its intelligent home appliances. The brand's induction and electric ranges -- I use one -- communicate important information like whether or not a skillet you set down on its burner is compatible and politely ping your phone when the oven is preheated. There's also an in-oven camera that allows you to keep an eye on a tray of cookies to avoid a burned batch.Samsung refrigerators which start at around $2,500, also use AI smarts to increase efficiency and shave dollars off your monthly energy spend. Jeongseung Moon, Samsung's head of R&D shared how its groundbreaking AI hybrid cooling technology "incorporates a Peltier module to enhance auxiliary mechanical power." The AI algorithm assesses conditions and activates the Peltier module as needed, optimizing energy use and increasing the appliance's overall efficiency. Samsung's latest refrigerators come with a module that keeps your machine humming along as efficiently as possible. SamsungSmaller kitchen appliances have also been improved by intelligence while not being completely overhauled or fixed with robot arms. Blenders including Breville's $500 Super Q (the best blender to buy if you're going to splurge) are now outfitted with sensors that detect when dense, frozen food is causing blades to stick and alter speed and mode to get things moving again.None of these advances feel as though they've been plucked from science fiction, but the incremental smarts add up to a feeling that everything is running a bit better with fewer headaches and less waste.In the year ahead, I expect to hear less from top kitchen manufacturers about how their latest tool or appliance can do it for you, and more about how it can help you do it faster, safer and more efficiently.AI advances in home security AI is having a major impact on home security and it's mostly for the better. Zooey Liao/CNETHome security has gotten its own injection from AI mostly in the form of precise object recognition. CNET's home security reporter Tyler Lacoma wrote earlier this year that he expected to hate AI and home security mixed together, but ended up loving how AI enhanced the technology."Now you can find object detection and recognition on nearly every smart home cam." Tyler Lacoma writes. "We've opened our doors to a quiet AI revolution where people, amazingly, have few complaints."While an Orwellian nanny state run amok isn't inconceivable, for now, AI in home security has been used deftly to help homeowners keep tabs on packages left at the front door and be alerted to the goings-on in and around the home only when potential trouble is afoot, not every time a family member or squirrel passes by a camera.AI powers your home helpers -- and they're getting better With one trip around the home, Narwal's advanced LIDAR room-mapping technology creates a detailed map so as not to miss a spot. NarwalIf it's robots you want, look down and you'll find them. Vacuums, mops and lawnmowers are clear examples of practical home robots. Thanks to continued advances in AI-powered object recognition, these home helpers no longer roam blindly looking for dirt and debris.While not a new smart home category, advanced object recognition and machine learning have made robot vacs a poster child for AI in the home since the best of them come closest to eliminating a common household task that would otherwise be done by us.Robot mowers have enjoyed a similar boost, and the top models now rely on GPS to more accurately and efficiently trim the tall fescue or Kentucky bluegrass in your yard.I expect both mowers and vacuums to become better decision-makers in the year ahead with more precise functionality that helps these expensive home helpers prove their worth.AI is making your home more energy-efficient Thermostats have never been smarter and it could help you save big money. Chris Wedel/CNETIt's called a smart thermostat for a reason. Today's smart thermostats aren't just programmable but can learn your daily habits and adjust your home's temperature accordingly. If you tend to like it colder at night while you sleep and warmer during the day because you work from home, for example, devices like the Google Nest Learning Thermostat can adjust your home temperature based on your pattern. Using technology called geofencing, thermostats can use your phone's location (or in-room motion sensors) to tell when you're away from home and set the temperature accordingly. Google Nest Learning Thermostat adjusts the temperature based on your home's unique patterns. Tyler Lacoma/CNETBeyond just controlling your home's temperature, the thermostat of tomorrow (and many thermostats of today) can connect to multiple smart devices such as heat pumps, HVACs, smart fans, air purifiers and solar panels and can connect to your utility's virtual power plant program.Smart thermostat intelligence may not be the flashiest tech gadget in your home, but it can be one of the most impactful since it can help reduce your home's energy use and therefore, your energy bill and your carbon footprint.Preventive AI as part of your smart homeThe AI you're least likely to notice is the technology that prevents bad things from happening. This comes by way of customer service or technology jumping in before a problem with your fridge, stove, dishwasher, washing machine -- or as in my case, plumbing -- becomes a serious one.LG's proactive customer service program helps solve problems with large appliances as soon as they begin to take shape. A connected fridge, for instance, will trigger an alert to LG's service team if it notices a change in cooling ability -- something you may not notice on your own but could be a sign of a larger looming issue.AI in the home: The bottom line If you haven't heard much about smart home robots like LG's AI agent and Amazon's Astro, it's because subtler forms of home AI are making a far bigger impact. LGWith revolutionary technology like AI comes a flurry of creative attempts to incorporate robotics, machine learning and generative intelligence into our lives.Some have already come and gone without changing the status quo much. Others continue to arrive quietly but have the potential to make a massive impact on our daily lives and homes. Those that guard against human or mechanical error and sand down the edges of an otherwise rough user experience.I've gifted a few smart home devices to Dad over the years, some more exciting than others. While it's not altogether flashy, if you ask Dad which piece of smart home tech he wished he'd had when a radiator malfunctioned and cold snap all but leveled the house and took with it family keepsakes and photo albums, it won't take him long to answer.

Quite a few important mortgage rates are decreasing. Here's what to know if you're in the market for a home loan.

Gunning Forwards"We are growing Helldivers 2 into Helldivers 3" says Arrowhead CCO Pilestedt, and he's taking design suggestions for the massive miniguns everyone wantsThat said, it doesn't sound like you'll necessarily be getting your hands on one uber-soon.Image credit: Arrowhead News by Mark Warren Senior Staff Writer Published on Jan. 2, 2025 With the calendar having rolled into 2025, the studio behind one of last year's biggest games certainly doesn't sound like it plans to rest on its laurels. Helldivers 2 developer Arrowhead's CCO and longtime figurehead Johan Pilestedt has seemigly suggested that the long-term plan could well end up being this second game "growing into" its successor through updates.Yep, while plenty of folks have spent their holidays battling The Illuminate, after Arrowhead just about managed to clam down that pricing backlash against the game's Killzone crossover gear, Pilestedt's been chatting to some of them on the socials about what the future may hold.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. In one Twitter thread just before Christmas, the developer responded to someone asking about the possibility of Helldivers 2 being updated to allow eight player co-op at some point. The answer - for now at least - was no, with Pilestedt saying the game's "engine, network architecture, UI, performance and difficulty can't cope" with eight players at once right now.He added that while it would require "significant investment", this kind of thing is "not impossible, and its something we talk about often at the studio". The next bit might be the most interesting part of the response, though. To see this content please enable targeting cookies.Albeit in reponse to a joke that Helldivers 3 will drop in 2032 with that eight player limit and swimming, Pilestedt said: "We are growing Helldivers 2 into Helldivers 3.... so you may be correct. Except maybe swimming - I don't think its possible to swim in a heavy plate carrier with rifle and support weapons."Naturally, this has provoked plenty of chatter on the game's subreddit. There's a good deal of support for it, at least in theory, given the game's been out for less than a year and folks are keen for Arrowhead to keep focusing on creating sigificant updates for it in the immediate future.Though, some do have concerns, with user pokiane writing: "You have to wonder though how limiting their ancient engine will be. I'm all for just adding stuff to the game instead of making a 3rd one, but it'd be a damn shame if we lose out on big new features (more than 4 players, gigantic maps, more enemy variety and so on) because of it."While letting folks debate that amongst themselves, Pilestedt's gotten busy chatting about something else that could be coming to Helldivers 2 in the future - full-size miniguns. "There are things we want to do before that," he wrote in response to one Reddit user posting a video of a dude firing what looks to be a Nerf minigun, "Miniguns as a carried weapon are notoriously problematic, you can see this in every video of people hip-firing a minigun - they are more or less thrown backwards by the insane recoil. Comment byu/Stuhlgenburten from discussion inHelldiversTo see this content please enable targeting cookies."The way we would solve this is to have players be moved backwards unless they take up a steady firing position. This would probably also apply to the HMG (which was added maybe a bit prematurely). In addition, the backpack magazine is needed, and unfortunately - the game currently doesn't support a weapon occupying 2 slots which will have to be resolved before a minigun can be added. After all that is done, 5.5mm minigun will be ready to be deployed."He finished up be asking if folks have "any other design suggestions for how to realize a minigun in Helldivers", so make sure to tell him if you do - it looks like someone's already put the idea of the gun working with stamina drain-based recoil in his head.

Season's GreekingsHonkai Star Rail kicks off the new year with a release date reveal for version 3.0Alongside this, a new cinematic OP trailer that swings past all the new characters.Image credit: HoYoverse News by Connor Makar Staff Writer Published on Jan. 2, 2025 Happy new year, Honkai Star Rail fans! Did you have some nice R&R away from your favourite gacha? If so, sit back down and get ready for a major in-game update buddy, as the developers at HoYoverse have announced the release date for the version 3.0 Paean of Era Nova update.Revealed during a special live stream only a few hours ago, the team dropped the January 15 release date for version 3.0 of Honkai Star Rail to live viewers around the world. In addition, a nice little trailer was shown off for the first time, packed with slick visuals and a new original song, which you can watch yourself on YouTube here.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. In addition, given the special livestream was quite a lengthy one, there's plenty of details about what the new content will look like, some info on the backstory of the new world we're travelling to, some missions we'll get to play when the update comes out, and more. This, all presented on a special set with devs dressed up in togas. Fun stuff.Finally, the livestream dropped three limited-time codes you can redeem in-game for rewards, but only if you do so within 24 hours of the original stream. So if you're reading this soon after it's written, you should quickly check to see if they're still valid. If you're like a day late, bad luck. There's always next time!Are you keen to jump into Honkai Star Rail later this month? Let us know below!

But DLC though...The Space Marine 2 content train is not stopping in 2025, and Saber has revealed what to expectWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 will continue to receive new content in the new year, and some of those updates are going to be big.Image credit: Saber Interactive News by Sherif Saed Contributing Editor Published on Jan. 2, 2025 Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 developer Saber Interactive has revealed a little bit of what we can expect from the co-op shooter in 2025. Just before the end of 2024, the studio posted something of a roadmap that includes various bits of new content due out in 2025.While the 2025 calendar is (understandably) looking a little light compared to last years, we are getting new PvE as well as PvP content.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Starting off with PvE, the biggest news is undoubtedly the arrival of Horde Mode, which Saber confirmed last year. Unfortunately, we still dont have a release date for it, and it sounds like it wont be in the game until later in 2025.In the more immediate future, Season 3 will introduce Prestige Rank, which will open up new upgrades for the various classes. The blog post also confirmed that Space Marine 2 will be getting new Operations, and new enemies. Those who already mastered the current content will be happy to know that a new difficulty level is in the works, too, and with it, new rewards will be available to unlock.PvP is looking no less exciting, with a new map set indoors, with narrow corridors and a layout that encourages close-quarter combat. 2025 will also mark the official arrival of custom lobbies, which will be available as part of patch 7.0. The system will offer the ability to select from a few base modifiers, as well as control the number of players per match (though no larger than 6v6). Other parameters like round time limit and score are also among the available options. The even more exciting news is that youll be able to allow more than two players per class, meaning all six can be a single class - should you want it. That's the fella! | Image credit: Saber Interactive, Focus Entertainment.In-game community events are also part of the calendar for 2025, and the first one already kicked off, and will be available all the way until January 20. The Decimation Event tasks players with winning ten times in Operations. Its fairly doable, and finishing it earns you the the Mark 11 Hells Teeth Pattern Chainsword skin.The cosmetic content train will keep on rolling in 2025, too, with the release of The Salamander Champion, available in PvE and PvP. Hes a sniper, a class that hasnt seen much love in terms of new cosmetics since the release of the game.Speaking of customisation, more elements will be added throughout the year. Saber showed off the Mark 6 Corvus as one of the new pieces coming to the game. Beyond that, you can also expect the Datavault to be available on the Battle Barge. This one is admittedly a little less exciting, but it will let you read up on enemy details, and also serve as another way to spend your in-game currency.Though it is largely a fairly straightforward video game, Space Marine 2 was well-received for that very reason. It was among my favourite games of 2024, and Ill certainly be returning to it in the new year to play the new content.

Telegram has rolled out its first update of the year, adding a new account verification method powered by third-parties, new message search filters, and the ability to turn gifts into NFTs.The chat app already had a program to verify public figures and organizations on the platform, and it has now launched a new project to let already-verified third-party authorities, such as food quality regulators or educational consortiums, verify an account.Accounts that are verified by a third party will have a new logo next to their names instead of a blue checkmark. This decentralized platform for additional verification will help prevent scams and reduce misinformation with a unique proactive solution that sets a new safety standard for social platforms, Telegram said in a blog post. People or organizations that want to be authenticated will need to be first undergo verification and complete an application to become eligible to recieve the verified mark. Telegram said that entities can use its Bot API to assign or remove verification somewhat akin to organizations buying verification on X and verifying their affiliated accounts. These affiliated accounts will have the organizations logo on their profile once they are verified.Image Credits: telegramTelegram also launched a way to turn gifts into NFTs with custom backgrounds and icons. Users can send gifts by spending Telegram Stars, which you can buy through the app or through the Fragment site by connecting their TON crypto wallet. Telegram said users would be able to trade these NFTs on different platforms. Notably, Telegram charges users to upgrade their gifts to collectibles to cover blockchain transaction costs.Image Creidts: telegramTelegram has used cryptocurrencies for creator monetization as well as for payments on the platform for games and mini apps. The company has also rolled out an emoji reaction feature for service messages, such as someone joining a group, and new search filters for private chats, group chats, and channels.Image Credits: telegram

In BriefPosted:1:17 AM PST January 2, 2025Chinese government hackers reportedly targeted US Treasurys sanctions office during December cyberattackChinese government hackers targeted the U.S. Treasurys highly sensitive sanctions office during a December cyberattack, according to reports. According to The Washington Post, the state-sponsored hackers targeted the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), a government department that imposes economic and trade sanctions against countries and individuals, to potentially access information on Chinese organizations that the U.S. government may be considering designating for financial sanctions.The China-backed hacking group, which compromised the U.S. Treasury in December to access employee workstations and unclassified documents, also breached the Treasury Departments Office of Financial Research and the Office of the Treasury Secretary, according to the report.The cyberattack, described as a major cybersecurity incident by the Treasury, was discovered on December 8 when BeyondTrust, a third-party software provider of identity management tools, alerted the agency to a cybersecurity incident.The U.S. Treasury did not immediately respond to TechCrunchs questions.Topics

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a self-injectable prescription weight loss medicine that has helped people ... [+] with obesity. It is to be used in conjunction with an appropriate dietary regimen and increased physical activity. (Photo by: Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesFor those who are overweight or obese, medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists, or GLP-1s, have become very popular as weight loss treatments. Taken in accordance with instructions on the label and an appropriate diet and exercise regimen, GLP-1s are effective at lowering a persons weight. Given the various co-morbidities associated with obesity, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease, intuitively, it would seem that GLP-1 use for weight loss would reduce overall medical costs despite the increase in drug spending. But thus far, the data dont show this.The pharmacy benefit manager Prime Therapeutics released a study in October stating that findings indicate in the real world that individuals taking GLP-1 therapies without diabetes [over a two year period] will see no medical cost offset. Analysis of health insurance claims showed that the treatments did not lower other medical costs. Overall, average healthcare costs increased 46% over two years for patients trying GLP-1 drugs for obesity, from $12,695 to $18,507.The Congressional Budget Office states that there does not appear to be any direct empirical evidence pointing to a medical cost offset. This also includes accounting for the positive impact of GLP-1s on heart disease. Data from a large, randomized clinical trial named SELECT indicate cardiovascular protective benefits from taking the GLP-1 weight loss therapeutic Wegovy (semaglutide) for a sub-population with preexisting cardiovascular disease. The Food and Drug Administration added a cardiovascular indication to Wegovy in March 2024.In the trial, Wegovy decreased relative risk by 20% of a composite primary endpoint measure which included death from cardiovascular causes, non-fatal myocardial infarction and non-fatal stroke. But the data didnt show Wegovy lowered the risk of cardiovascular death by a statistically significant margin. Further, the absolute risk reduction is small, which translates into a comparatively high number needed to treat of 67. This means that 67 people with (severe) cardiovascular risk need to be on Wegovy consistently to avoid one cardiovascular event, for example, a heart attack.A peer-reviewed study published this past autumn estimated that about 4.7 million U.S. adults would meet SELECT trial eligibility criteria. Applying a lifetime horizon model, which simulates all relevant costs and health outcomes over patients lifetimes, researchers projected that semaglutide-based products would avert 538,000 major cardiovascular events at an incremental cost of $613 billion. They then calculated an incremental cost effectiveness ratio for semaglutide (costing $700 per month per person) of $443,000 per quality-adjusted life year gained. Generally in the U.S., healthcare technologies and services are considered cost-effective if theyre below $150,000 per QALY. And so, semaglutide does not meet this criterion at its current price.MORE FOR YOUUp to 20% of (specialty) drugs can be cost-saving, that is, for each dollar spent payers can actually save money over a given period of time in terms of lower downstream costs. But the majority of prescription drugs are not cost-saving. In other words, they do not offset medical costs. Most of the time, more money is spent to get additional benefits relative to standards of care. This is what is called value for money. But it is not necessarily the same thing as cost-saving. And in the case of the latest wave of weight loss drugs, right now at their current prices they are not even cost-effective, let alone cost-saving.Perhaps the time frame being considered is the issue. Maybe in the long run, say, after ten years, GLP-1s for weight loss are cost-effective or even cost-saving. Other than modeled projections, since there hasnt been a decade long study examining GLP-1s for obesity, we just dont know yet.But suppose they do prove to be cost-effective or cost-saving in long-term studies. Insurers in the U.S. would still face the problem of churn, or enrollee turn-over, as they migrate from one health plan to another. GLP-1s cost payers money upfront, but with member churn its unlikely a typical insurer will have the same enrollee ten years from now to realize potential cost-effectiveness or savings. A publication notes that one in five members disenrolled from a commercial insurer each year. Furthermore, churn in insurance programs such as Medicaid is much worse.This helps explain why payer coverage restrictions for GLP-1s used for obesity continue to be a hurdle for patients who seek access. According to Beckers Hospital Review, some insurers and self-funded employers across America are dropping coverage altogether or imposing strict limits in 2025, reflecting the financial and operational challenges posed by the high-cost medications.If Medicare were to cover weight loss drugsit currently doesnt, with the exception of Wegovy for a cardiovascular indicationthe program wouldnt be immune to cost issues. Therefore, while the Biden administrations proposed reinterpretation of Medicare Part D coverage of weight loss medications would allow for access to such therapies to approximately 3.4 million Medicare beneficiaries who have obesity, for budgetary reasons its unclear if the incoming Trump administration will go along with it.Further compounding the cost burden issues for insurers is the fact that patients are often non-persistent. In the Prime Therapeutic study cited above, only one in four patients were still on Wegovy or Ozempic two years later. And in a Blue Cross Blue Shield Association white paper posted last summer, the number was even lower, 15%.This doesnt mean GLP-1s arent valuable products. They certainly deliver value to some: The minority of patients who are persistent long enough to achieve clinically meaningful weight loss. But the hype that surrounds them belies the facts that must be included in any thorough analysis.