McDonald's is facing fresh scrutiny over sexual harassment claims in its UK restaurants.Hundreds of workers are taking legal action against the chain, a law firm said this week.McDonald's says ensuring staff are safe at work is its "most important responsibility."Hundreds of McDonald's workers in the UK are taking legal action over claims of workplace bullying and harassment.Law firm Leigh Day said this week that over 700 people who work at or have previously worked at 450 different McDonald's locations across the UK have joined the proceedings. All the workers were 19 or under when working at McDonald's, Leigh Day says.News of the legal action comes as the BBC published fresh claims of workplace harassment at the fast-food giant, around 18 months after a major investigation into the working culture at the Golden Arches.The BBC investigation, published in July 2023, revealed that over 100 workers at a number of the Golden Arches locations had spoken of experiencing sexual assault, harassment, racism, or bullying. Since that investigation, 160 more people have approached the BBC with allegations, it reported on Tuesday.The BBC's latest report on harassment and abuse at the fast-food behemoth comes over a year after its UK boss pledged to take action to improve working conditions.Starting in February 2023, after the fast food chain signed an agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) promising to protect its staff from sexual harassment, the BBC spoke to staff about the working environment at McDonald's.Of the over 100 allegations the BBC heard prior to publishing its initial 2023 investigation, 31 involved sexual assault, 78 involved sexual harassment, 18 were related to racism, and 6 were related to homophobia.Alistair Macrow, the CEO of McDonald's UK and Ireland, told Members of Parliament in November 2023 that the company had received 407 complaints from employees since that July. He said it was taking steps to better protect staff.Since the BBC's initial investigation in July 2023, 300 reports alleging harassment at the chain have been made to the EHRC."Ensuring the 168,000 people that work in McDonald's restaurants are safe is the most important responsibility for both us and our franchisees," McDonald's said in a statement sent to Business Insider."We have undertaken extensive work over the last year to ensure we have industry leading practices in place to support this priority. Any incident of misconduct and harassment is unacceptable and subject to rapid and thorough investigation and action."Macrow, the UK McDonald's boss, said that 29 people have been fired over incidents involving sexual harassment in the past year.The BBC heard that one woman said her shift manager, who was in his 30s, asked for sex in exchange for extra shifts when she was a 17-year-old employee. Another female staff member, who was 20 at the time, said her male manager sent her topless photos. A 19-year-old employee alleged he was bullied for having a learning disability and an eye condition, per the BBC.McDonald's rolls back some DEI effortsNews of fresh claims of staff harassment in the UK comes in the same week that McDonald's announced plans to scale back its diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.McDonald's said in a statement on Monday that it will stop "setting aspirational representation goals," pause participating in external surveys, no longer require its supply chain to commit to its DEI pledge and change the name of its diversity team to the Global Inclusion Team.A growing backlash against DEI strategies has seen companies such as Nissan, Walmart, and Harley-Davidson scale back or cut programs altogether.Much of the criticism has come from high-profile figures like Elon Musk and conservative activist Robby Starbuck, who have labeled such initiatives as "woke."

Grown-ups around the world have spent the last year desperately trying to get kids to put down their phones. Worries about kids screen time are far from new (you could argue that they are nearly a century old), but in recent months, high-profile experts have raised the concern that social media use among young people is not just an annoying time suck but a bona fide public health crisis. Rather than relying on parents to limit kids phone time (which, as many parents can attest, is sometimes easier said than done), a growing number of lawmakers are taking matters into their own hands by passing legislation that seeks to keep kids off social media entirely. Australia made headlines late last year with its law barring children under 16 from social platforms. The law will require platforms like TikTok and Instagram to take reasonable steps to verify that their users are 16 or over, or face up to $32 million in fines (its not yet clear exactly which platforms will be subject to the law, but YouTube and WhatsApp are likely to be excluded, according to the New York Times). Meanwhile, a Florida law scheduled to go into effect this month requires platforms to verify that their users are over 14, and that 14- and 15-year-olds have parental consent. The law, which also does not mention specific social media sites, has been challenged in court. Similar restrictions are in place or under consideration in Utah, Texas, and elsewhere. They join some voluntary efforts by platforms to restrict kids use, like Instagram Teen accounts, as well as increasingly widespread school smartphone bans.RelatedShould schools lock up kids phones?The Australian law was inspired, at least in part, by psychologist Jonathan Haidts 2024 book The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, which argues that smartphones and social media are behind a rise in reported depression and anxiety among young people in the last 10 years. Theres no conclusive research linking social media to these increases, but theres plenty of anecdotal evidence that scrolling on phones makes kids (and adults) feel bad, and the warnings of smartphone critics including US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, who called last year for a warning label on social media platforms have reached the ears of lawmakers. Social media has a social responsibility, Australian Communications Minister Michelle Rowland told the countrys Parliament last year. Thats why we are making big changes to hold platforms to account for user safety.Its not at all clear, however, how Australias law, which gave social media companies like Meta and X a year to put age guardrails in place, or any of the other social media bans in development around the world, are really going to work.Experts say there are better ways to mitigate some of the potential dangers of social media than trying to institute an age-based ban. Those methods include reporting requirements and restrictions on tracking to make the experience of being online better for everyone, not just kids. We should all be getting less algorithmically driven content, Devorah Heitner, author of the book Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World, told me.Every law banning kids from social media has to reckon with one basic problem: Its notoriously hard to tell how old someone is on the internet. One approach is to require people to show a government-issued ID every time they visit a website, but that entails a pretty serious trade-off in terms of privacy and surveillance, said Shaanan Cohney, a senior lecturer at the University of Melbourne who studies the intersection of technology and the law. Forcing people to show an official ID to access social media platforms would destroy online anonymity for adults as well as kids and make it easier for companies, hackers, and governments to spy on people. Because of these concerns, researchers are working on ways to determine peoples age without asking for ID, by analyzing their faces, hand gestures, or other attributes. But these technologies arent ready for widespread use, Cohney said. Some facial age-matching algorithms, for example, have been shown to be less accurate on darker-skinned faces. A lot of research also neglects the fact that teenagers may try to get around any age-verification systems: A 14-year-old attempting to access social media is going to put on makeup and match their hand gestures in order to try and look as old as possible in order to defeat the technology, Cohney said.If kids can easily skirt the verification system, experts say parents could be left with a false sense of security and companies with little incentive to make their platforms safer because they can simply claim that kids arent using them.The age bans could actually let the companies off the hook in some ways, Heitner said.Enforcement issues are only part of the problem with the bans, some experts (and kids) say. Even if they work as intended, the laws would cut young people off not just from negative experiences on social media but from positive ones as well. Social media platforms, for example, can help LGBTQ+ youth connect with people who understand what theyre going through, something thats especially important for kids in rural areas who may not know many other openly queer or trans people.Social media platforms have also become a core part of our news and political environment. Weve seen internationally known and locally important activists at 14, at 15, as well as influential teen journalists, Keitner said. Banning them from social media would silence their voices. I use my Instagram all the time for suicide prevention advocacy, Anjali Verma, an 18-year-old high school senior and the National Student Council President, told me. For me, social media has been a vehicle to make change.Verma campaigned with the ACLU against the Kids Online Safety Act, a federal bill that many advocacy groups feared would prompt platforms to censor content about LGBTQ+ people and their rights. But shes not against all regulation of social media companies: Tech platforms need to be held accountable to make sure that things that are toxic or harmful on these platforms arent being overly publicized to young people, she said. (Metas recent decision to abandon third-party fact-checkers in favor of an X-style community notes approach is unlikely to help matters, and could expose adults and kids alike to more misinformation.)Some experts say the best way to hold tech companies accountable is to require them to treat all of their users better. Getting targeted weight-loss ads on Instagram may be more damaging for teens than for adults, but I would say none of us should be targeted with that stuff, Heitner said. By the same token, platforms need to create better reporting and enforcement mechanisms to root out sexual harassment and threatening behavior. In the meantime, its important to teach kids how algorithms and targeted ads work, as well as how to handle conflicts that start online, Heitner said. Verma has done some of this teaching herself, training middle school students to be digital first responders and report unsafe content or behavior. Regardless of these social media bans, were going to have social media in the future, she said. For her, its important to teach kids how to navigate that and be educated, so it doesnt seem like its a scary, daunting thing.What Im readingCalifornia legislators are introducing two bills to make it harder for federal immigration agents to enter schools, in response to incoming President Donald Trumps promise to launch a mass deportation campaign.More cities are building playgrounds that double as flood control zones in an effort to adapt to climate change.Gen Alpha is over; Gen Beta is here. Here are some of the first Gen Beta babies, born on January 1, 2025. My little kid is now discovering Tar Beach, a classic by the artist and author Faith Ringgold, who died last year at the age of 93.From my inboxIn December, I asked for your thoughts on the positives of social media. One reader, Nicole, reached out with three book recommendations, which Im now passing along to you:Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World by Devorah Heitner. This reader recommendation inspired me to interview the author!Digital for Good: Raising Kids to Thrive in an Online World by Richard Culatta. An expert in educational technology gives tips for helping kids become good digital citizens.Please Unsubscribe, Thanks!: How to Take Back Our Time, Attention, and Purpose in a Relentless World by Julio Vincent Gambuto. Okay, this one might be less about the positives: The author and filmmaker gives tips for going on a tech elimination diet.I love book recommendations, both for kids and for adults! Please keep sending to me at anna.north@vox.com.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:

Is Donald Trump going to risk throwing the global economy into crisis by enacting the gargantuan tariffs hes proposed?Or is he just pretending hes willing to do that to strike a better deal?On trade and many other issues, its clear Trump enjoys being seen as an unpredictable and dangerous figure and believes that image helps him intimidate others into giving him what he wants a belief akin to Richard Nixons madman theory. This theory that Trumps most extreme threats are play-acting or bluffs is in some ways comforting. But there are real risks to having a president so committed to the madman bit if indeed it is a bit.Taken at face value, Trump appears to believe his tariffs have no downsides. He says that theyll boost domestic industry, bring jobs back to the US, and raise substantial revenue. Tariff, hes said, is the most beautiful word in the dictionary. Hes proposed 10 to 20 percent tariffs on all imports to the US, and has discussed 60 percent or higher tariffs on Chinese imports.Yet economists and financiers have warned that if anything like Trumps tariff proposals was actually implemented, they could well cause a trade war, resurgent US inflation, and a market panic, tanking the US and the global economy.Many in the American business and finance elite dearly hope Trump understands these concerns, is bluffing to try and win concessions from other countries, and will scale back his tariffs to a more reasonable level once hes sworn in.And a story this week from the Washington Posts Jeff Stein seemed to back that theory up. Stein reported that Trumps advisers were considering scaling back his tariff plans; that rather than imposing them on all imports, they might limit them to certain sectors. The problem? Very quickly, Trump heatedly denied the story, calling it wrong and another example of Fake News. Of course, thats what he would say if he was bluffing. So whats really going on?Trumps worldview: Zero-sum conflict, dominance vs. weaknessAs Ive written, Trump views the world in terms of zero-sum conflict, dominance vs. weakness, leverage, and reputation. He believes that by making threats, he can intimidate other countries into changing their behavior. He also likely believes that seeming irrational and dangerous strengthens his bargaining position, particularly against smaller countries, since the US has such an advantage in power over them.Nixons madman theory is a precedent to this kind of thinking. As Dan Drezner, a political scientist at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, recently wrote, Nixon believed that if he seemed dangerous like hed be willing to do anything, including using nuclear weapons he could intimidate foreign adversaries like the North Vietnamese into concessions. Trump may well be applying the madman theory to trade negotiations as well, with his mega-tariffs serving as his nuclear threat. If so, hed see his reputation for belligerent unpredictability as an asset which explains why hed hotly push back on any reports that hes actually backing down.The madman theory explains a lot of Trumps behavior in his first term recall how he threatened to rain fire and fury on North Korea before eventually pursuing a deal with Kim Jong Un. On trade policy specifically, Jonathan Swan reported for Axios in 2017 that Trump explicitly told aides this was his strategy, urging them to tell foreign leaders that if they dont give the concessions now, this crazy guy will pull out of the deal.The idea that Trump is really just play-acting madman is a somewhat comforting belief. It would imply that because Trump privately is well aware his tariffs could create global economic chaos, he wont actually go through with them that hes only crazy like a fox.And maybe thats true and it will all work out fine.But there are also some not-so-comforting aspects to the madman interpretation of Trumps actions. Three reasons not to be too comforted by the madman theoryThe first risk is that foreign leaders have also concluded Trumps most extreme threats are bluffs and that this may make him feel compelled to actually follow through, to some extent, to reestablish his credibility.This is a dynamic we saw play out in Trumps first term. A few years in, foreign leaders had generally taken Trumps measure and concluded he wasnt as dangerous and unpredictable as he sounded. The madman strategy doesnt work if everyone else understands youre just pretending. And Trump got annoyed at one country in particular that he felt was acting increasingly provocative: Iran, which had been locked in a shadow conflict with the US.So, in a January 2020 incident that has been largely forgotten by the general public, Trump had one of Irans top leaders, Qasem Soleimani, assassinated. This was a shocking and extremely provocative action, which violated norms against targeting top foreign government officials. But as I argued at the time, it didnt necessarily signal Trump was truly a war-craving madman. He was trying to reestablish dominance in the relationship with Iran, by proving he really would follow through on his threats.So even if Trumps larger strategy is a bluff, we could be in for a bumpy ride as he tries to prove that hes not actually bluffing.That leads us to the second risk that Trump could be too successful at pretending to be crazy, and cause a market panic from which it may be difficult to recover.The current consensus among investors is that, though Trump is serious about tariffs, he couldnt possibly be serious about the mega-tariffs hes actually proposing. As mentioned, foreign leaders also believe this, and Trump seems to want to change their perception.But its very difficult to send a credibly intimidating madman message to foreign leaders while at the same time sending a reassuring message to markets. So if investors end up concluding that theyve been underestimating the chances Trump actually means it, damage to the economy could ensue, involving either a market panic or prices spiraling higher.Finally, the third risk is that the madman theory is simply wrong in the case of Trump and tariffs. That is: Maybe he actually is tariff-pilled, and fully means what he says. Sometimes world leaders simply get bad information, become convinced of bad ideas, and become emboldened to wave away risks by assuming the worst wont happen. For instance, Vladimir Putin apparently believed (like most outside analysts) that the Ukrainian government would collapse quickly after he invaded if he knew the war would be so lengthy, costly, and deadly, he may not have started it. The same holds true for George W. Bushs hubris in launching his war in Iraq.So perhaps Trump isnt knowingly playing a dangerous game. Perhaps, in his own mind, he doesnt actually think the economic risk is that real.Now, there is a gray area between Trump means it and Trump is bluffing. Trump might currently mean what he says, but in practice, he could be convinced to change course by pleading advisers or plunging markets. In Trumps first term, his advisers often talked him out of ideas they viewed as dangerous and irresponsible. But sometimes, Trump pressed onward anyway. Throughout his attempt to steal the 2020 election, he appeared to inhabit a different factual universe, had a different conception of what he could get away with, and stopped listening to voices counseling caution.If I were to guess, Id say Trump is probably either bluffing or could be talked down. But am I totally sure? I cant say that I am, and I dont think anyone else can claim to be totally sure either. And that may be exactly what Trump wants.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:

Season 1 of Marvel Rivals is here, and as fans gear up to play as the Fantastic Four, we've got the latest patch notes for the popular team-based shooter from NetEaseTech11:09, 09 Jan 2025Marvel Rivals has more heroes joining its ranks(Image: NetEase Games)Marvel Rivals has only been out around a month, but the game has drawn a huge player base already. As with any live service game, though, you're only as good as your latest update but Season 1 looks stacked.Not only will the Season introduce all four members of the Fantastic Four (not all at once, it should be said), it'll add a new Battle Pass, fresh cosmetics, and new maps including a new convoy map through New York City. First heroes released from the famous four is Mr Fantastic and the Invisible Woman.Here's when you can download the update, and the early patch notes for hero balancing.Season 1 of Marvel Rivals arrives at 9 AM GMT on January 10 for UK gamers. For everyone else, you'll find the timings below:1 AM PST4 AM EST10 AM CETReady for some new faces to join the fray?Here are the full Season 1 patch notes for character balance, as per NetEase:Captain AmericaSteve will receive some enhanced survivability, allowing more frequent entering and exiting of the combat.- Reduce the delay time for shield restoration after releasing Living Legend from 3s to 2s.- Reduce Liberty Rush cooldown from 12s to 10s.- Increase base health from 650 to 675.- Reduce the energy cost for releasing Freedom Charge (ultimate ability) from 3400 to 3100; Reduce the additional health provided per second to self after releasing it from 110 to 100.Doctor StrangeWell be reducing the threat range and increasing the defense window of the Sorcerer Supreme.- Add damage falloff to Maelstrom of Madness and Gamma Maelstrom. Starting at 5 meters and reducing to 70% at 8 meters.- Slightly decrease the shield value recovery rate after releasing Shield of the Seraphim from 80/s to 70/s.ThorThe God of Thunder could use some slightly increased survivability and improved the success rate to his ultimate ability.- Increase base health from 500 to 525.- Added immunity to control effects during God of Thunder (ultimate ability).HulkDr. Banner has been dominant, but some decreased sustained combat capability upon entering the battlefield will bring him more in line with other Vanguards.- Reduce the Indestructible Guard gamma shield value for Hero Hulk from 250 to 200.VenomWith increased survivability and the threat of his ultimate ability, the symbiote menace will strike fear into the backlines of all enemy teams.- Increase the Symbiotic Resilience bonus health ratio gained per lost health point from 1 to 1.2.- Increase the base damage of Feast of the Abyss (ultimate ability) from 40 to 50.Black PantherWe're slightly decreasing T'Challa's combat survivability.- Reduce the additional health provided to self after refreshing Vibranium Marks with Spirit Rend from 40 to 30, and the upper limit of additional health provided from 120 to 75.Black WidowNatasha was very much in need of optimization when evaluating the release experience of her abilities as well as a slightly increase to the threat of her ultimate ability,- Increase the range of the first effect of Edge Dancer from a 3-meter radius to a 5-meter radius.- Reduce the time required for Fleet Foot to recover from 0 stamina to full from 12s to 4s.- Reduce the time required for Electro-Plasma Explosion (ultimate ability) to reach maximum power from 1s to 0.6s.HawkeyeWe'll be decreasing the medium-long range damage capability, reducing the threatening combat radius, and slightly improving the close combat resistance for the avenging archer.- Slightly reduce the spread angle between every two Blast Arrows.- Reduce the triggering distance of passive ability Archer's Focus from 60 meters to 40 meters. Reduce the maximum additional damage of the passive from 80 to 70.HelaThe Goddess of Death has been a menace and we'll slightly decreasing her combat strength.- Reduce base health from 275 to 250.MagikThe Queen of Limbo needed an Increase to her threat after unleashing her ultimate ability.- Increase Umbral Incursion damage in Darkchild form from 115 to 135.Moon KnightThe Hand of Khonshu will receive a slight increase to the threat of his ultimate ability.- Increase the number of talons generated by Hand of Khonshu (ultimate ability) from 10 to 14.- Increase the explosion radius of each talon from 4 meters to 5 meters.NamorWe're optimizing the throwing feel of Namor's eggs!- Adjust the throwing feel of Monstro Spawn and Frozen Spawn. Now, Namor can more accurately throw them to the desired location.PsylockeWe'll be providing more options for other heroes to counter the demon slayer's ultimate.- Now Dance of the Butterfly (ultimate ability) will check for barriers (including Magneto's Metal Bulwark, Hulk's Indestructible Guard, etc.)The PunisherWe're slightly increasing the damage capability of Frank's weapons.- Slightly reduce the spread of Deliverance and Adjudication.Scarlet WitchWe're Increasing Wanda's combat strength when she's facing Duelists or Strategists.- Increase Chaos Control's fixed damage from 50/s to 60/s. - Reduce the percentage damage per second from 5% to 3%.- Increase Chthonian Burst's projectile damage from 30 to 35.StormThe Weather Witch needed an overall increase to her damage capability; We're also optimizing the feel of her left-click projectile and the release experience of her ultimate ability.- Increase Wind Blade projectile speed from 100m/s to 150m/s and left-click damage from 50 to 55.- Increase Bolt Rush damage from 70 to 80.- After releasing Omega Hurricane (ultimate ability), the bonus health provided for herself will be increased from 350 to 450. Moreover, following its conclusion, the extra health will no longer vanish instantly but will instead diminish at a rate of 100 per secondSquirrel GirlWe're increasing the threat of Doreen and her furry friends in their ultimate ability.- Addition of a new effect to the Unbeatable Squirrel Tsunami (ultimate ability): the squirrels will rush towards the nearest enemy after bouncing instead of bouncing randomly.- Reduce the squirrel tsunami health from 600 to 300.Winter SoldierWe'll be adjusting Bucky by decreasing his long-range combat strength and increasing his survivability in medium-close range combat.- Increase the bonus health provided by Bionic Hook and Tainted Voltage from 30 to 40.- Increase Roterstern's projectile damage from 70 to 75.- Reduce the area damage from 70 to 65 and reduce damage decay from 65% at 40 meters to 60%.- Increase base health from 250 to 275.WolverineLogan will receive an increase to basic combat strength, but a slight decrease to the additional survivability after activating Undying Animal.- Increase base health from 300 to 350.- Reduce the damage reduction ratio provided by Undying Animal from 50% to 40%.Cloak & DaggerTy and Tandy will receive an increase to their healing capability as well as an expansion to the coverage area of their ultimate ability.- Reduce Dagger Storm cooldown from 15s to 12s.- Increase the number of dashes in Eternal Bond (ultimate ability) from 3 to 4.Jeff the Land SharkWe'll be adjusting the range for his ultimate ability so it now better fits the warning marker. In addition, we'll also be increasing his healing capability.- Adjust It's Jeff! (ultimate ability) range from a 10m sphere to a 10m radius, 5m high cylindrical spell field.- Increase the healing of Joyful Splash from 140/s to 150/sLuna SnowWhile we've enjoyed her dropping the bass, we've made adjustments to Luna's ultimate ability to prevent players from abusing its healing capabilities.- Increase the interval for switching between healing and damage in Fate of Both Worlds from 0.1s to 0.5s.MantisWe'll be making Mantis a bit less fleet-footed, reducing her roaming support capability.- Reduce Nature's Favor (passive) movement boost from 2.5m/s to 1.5m/s.Rocket RaccoonRocket could use an enhancement to his healing capability. - Increase the healing of Repair Mode from 60 per/s to 70 per/s.Hawkeye Black WidowTo further tone down Hawkeye's oppression, we' ll be reducing his seasonal buff.- Reduce Hawkeye's season bonus from 20% to 15%.Hela Thor LokiMuch like Hawkeye, Hela's overwhelming power will be receiving a slight reduction.- Reduce Hela's season bonus from 20% to 15%.Luna Snow- NamorWe'll be increasing the threat of Namor's Frozen Spawn.- Increase Frozen Spawn damage from 25 to 27.- Increase Frozen Spawn slowing effect applied to hit enemies from 25% to 30%.- Increase berserk state Frozen Spawn damage from 16 to 18.Rocket Raccoon The Punisher Winter SoldierOne of Rocket's best tools will be available more often!- Reduce the cooldown of Ammo Invention from 45s to 40s.Scarlet Witch - MagnetoA bit underwhelming, the damage capability of this father-daughter Team-Up ability will be enhanced.- Increase Metallic Fusion projectile damage from 55 to 60.- Increase Metallic Fusion spell field damage from 30 to 35.Thor Storm Captain AmericaArticle continues belowWe'll be enhancing the damage capability of Storm's side of this Team-Up ability.- Reduce the cooldown of Charged Gale from 20s to 15s.- Increase the damage of Charged Gale from 50 to 55.For more on Marvel Rivals, be sure to use our Promo Codes guide to earn yourself a free Iron Man skin, and snag a free spray for celebrating 20 million players.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

Fans have taken to Reddit to predict the release date for the next GTA 6 trailer, with some dates appearing more than others but is predicting Rockstar's movements a fool's game?Tech10:44, 09 Jan 2025When will we get our next glimpse at GTA 6?(Image: Still)GTA 6 will be the biggest game of 2025 (as long as it doesn't get delayed into 2026), but you'd be forgiven for thinking Rockstar has forgotten all about it.Despite the game being expected to pull in billions of dollars in sales figures, the studio isn't ready to talk about it just yet, and we've had more than a year of silence since that first trailer.Now, fans are putting together Trailer 2 release date suggestions over on Reddit and, while we're not sure anyone can predict Rockstar's moves, there are some neat theories about when we'll see fresh footage.In the post above, one enterprising GTA fan has taken the data from a Reddit thread asking fans to predict the GTA 6 Trailer 2 release date.The most common date is February 14, which was suggested as it's Valentines Day. The romance-themed holiday makes sense for a game where Lucia and Jason, the game's two protagonists, are expected to embark on a Bonnie & Clyde style adventure across Vice City and beyond.Speaking of Bonnie & Clyde, another common pick was May 23. That ties in with the date the real outlaws were killed by police in 1934, so the idea of Lucia and Jason's doomed romance mirroring their real-life inspiration makes some degree of sense.Others suggested April Fool's Day, which would be a fun way to throw people off the scent, while some joked that players will be playing the game before they get a second trailer at this rate.One suggested GTA 6 could see a new trailer reveal at the 2025 Superbowl, which is February 9.Fans are itching for fresh news, but leaks have begun popping up in recent weeks.Article continues belowFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

There have been no updates on Pokmon Legends Z-A since its reveal in last years Pokmon Presents (The Pokmon Company)A number of gaming showcases are expected to air in the next couple of months, including a Pokmon Presents to confirm a release date for Pokmon Legends Z-A.One of the few Nintendo Switch (and almost certainly Nintendo Switch 2) games currently scheduled for 2025 is Pokmon Legends: Z-A, a follow-up to 2022s Pokmon Legends: Arceus.Its been almost a year since its reveal teaser and while we know some details about it, Pokmon Legends: Z-A remains mostly a mystery. Some alleged info did leak as part of the Game Freak terahack last October, but none of it can be considered concrete since plans can change mid-development.Something more official should hopefully drop in the coming months, though, especially after the release date appeared to leak via a listing on Amazon UK.When will Pokmon Legends: Z-A release?At the time of writing, Amazon UK has Pokmon Legends: Z-A marked for a December 31 release, which is the go-to placeholder for games that lack an exact date.However, at some point on January 8, the listing was updated to say the game will launch on Friday, August 15. Its unclear how long this was the case, until the listing reverted to how it was before, but naturally a couple of X users grabbed screenshots of it for posterity.Its unclear why this happened but its perfectly possible that Amazon is aware of the actual release date and updated the listing too early, which is something that often happens with retailers.August isnt traditionally a busy time for big new game releases but its not unheard of, especially as 2025 is likely to see a lot of unusual activity due to the launch of the Switch 2 and GTA 6s expected autumn release.A quick glance through the series history shows some Pokmon games have launched in August before, though theyve only ever been spin-offs like Pokmon Rumble U and mobile app Pokmon Masters EX. Although Pokmon Legends: Z-A and its predecessor seem more like spin-offs they are officially classified as mainline entries.Over on Reddit, its been suggested an August 15 release is unlikely since that happens to be the week of Obon, an annual festival and holiday in Japan. So, it might be an awkward time to launch a new Pokmon game if most people are out celebrating.When is the next Pokmon Presents showcase?Fortunately, we should get a clearer answer from The Pokmon Company during this years Pokmon Day on February 27. For the past few years, the company has held a Pokmon Presents showcase that day to show off upcoming games and products, so its safe to assume this will be the case for 2025.In fact, a recent update to mobile game Pokmon GO includes references to a Pokmon Presents tie-in event. While it doesnt mention an exact date for it, the fact theres data referencing it suggests developer Niantic intends to launch the event in the next month or so.Any upcoming showcase will undoubtedly feature Pokmon Legends Z-A, alongside updates to long-running titles like Pokmon Unite and Pokmon Masters EX.When is the next PS5 State of Play?The next couple of months are expected to be busy for gaming showcases in general. Many are hoping to see the Nintendo Switch 2 finally be revealed before the end of January, although one insider has suggested the next Nintendo presentation will only focus on the Xenoblade Chronicles X remaster.More TrendingElsewhere, there is also chatter of a new Xbox showcase happening in January, with leaker eXtas1s claiming itll take place on January 23. This would make sense since Microsoft has held Xbox Developer Direct livestreams in January the past two years.This leaves Sony as the odd one out, since there arent even rumours of a PlayStation showcase happening any time soon. Sonys State of Play livestreams do typically happen within the first three months of the year, so there should hopefully be something for PlayStation fans by at least March. The first big reveals of 2025 are hopefully closer than they feel (Sony/Nintendo/Microsoft/Metro)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

hat extra button on the bottom right is one of the few things Nintendos managed to keep under wraps (Reddit)Accessory company Genki has contributed to the Nintendo Switch 2 rumour mill, as fans think theyve found proof to support a January reveal.With every day that passes, Nintendos silence on its Nintendo Switch 2 console only becomes more baffling. Perhaps the only thing thats more confusing is why accessory manufacturer Genki, and others, keeps boldly sharing information.While details of the Switch 2s design and functionality have already been leaked by anonymous sources, Genki began showing off an allegedly accurate replica of the console during CES 2025 this week.The replicas design lines up with a lot of the leaks, including new magnetic Joy-Con controllers and a larger USB-C port. Now, Genki has publicly revealed further details and seems to have an explanation for the Joy-Cons mysterious new C button.Speaking with IGN, a Genki representative shared a rumour circulating among other accessory companies that the button is related to some kind of camera functionality.While they couldnt verify what the button actually does, nor whether the Switch 2 even has a camera, there was a similar rumour floating around in 2023. Back then, it was suggested the console would possess AR functionality similar to the Nintendo 3DS.Having a built-in camera would help give the Switch 2 its own identity, beyond just being a stronger and slightly bigger Switch. Nintendo is also bound to use it for lots of unlikely new ideas, in their own games.That said, none of the other recent leaks have mentioned camera functionality so far. Other theories for the button posit its related to a new chat function or something that lets the Switch 2 connect to its dock wirelessly.Its also worth pointing out that the Genki replica doesnt have the letter C on its mystery button. Although its unclear if thats just a mistake or not. With any luck, these magnetic controllers wont be as susceptible to drifting issues (X)Genki has also reaffirmed how the new Joy-Cons connect to the side of the Switch 2 using magnets, with the large buttons on the back acting as a release trigger.As such, Joy-Cons for the original Switch likely wont be compatible with the Switch 2. Although Genki believes that old Joy-Cons will work with the new console; they just cant be attached to it, adding that several accessory companies are expecting this to be the case.Furthermore, its believed the Switch 2 wont be compatible with the original Switchs dock and, in a separate interview with The Verge, CEO Eddie Tsai confirmed that, as far as he understood, the controllers have a new optical sensor that allow them to function like a computer mouse.When will Nintendo announce the Switch 2?At this point, all anyone wants to know is when Nintendo will formally announce the Switch 2, so we can get a release date, price, and find out about the games. Although theres no guarantee that all of that will be announced during the unveiling.More TrendingNintendo has already said an announcement will happen before the end of March, and there have been rumblings of a reveal taking place later this month.Recently, Redditors spotted listings for multiple SKUs (stock keeping units) for Switch 2 SD microcards and accessories on retailer GameStops system.Many hope this means GameStop is preparing for pre-orders and thus a Switch 2 reveal in the very near future. Especially since the prevailing theory is that the console is launching in April. With all these mock-ups and replicas, all thats left to surprise fans is the actual games (Amazon)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

Secluded Sanctuaries: Contemporary Religious Architecture Inspired by Modernist Principles Across AsiaSave this picture!Overview of the Temple of Steps . Image Edmund SummerReligious architecture in Asia is evolving by incorporating modernist influences while preserving its spiritual essence. Clean lines, minimalist aesthetics, and materials like concrete, steel, and glass are a common sight. These interventions often replace or complement the intricate ornamentation and natural materials traditionally associated with sacred spaces in the region. This approach allows these structures to achieve a universal appeal while still reflecting their cultural and spiritual foundations.Several examples highlight this blend of tradition and modernity. The Cloud of Luster Chapel in Japan uses slender columns and abundant natural light to create a luminous atmosphere, evoking Frank Lloyd Wright's Johnson Wax Building. The Temple of Steps in India incorporates cascading steps that emulate the traditional Ghats, combining cultural symbolism with Brutalist aesthetics. Similarly, the Water-Moon Monastery in Taiwan employs concrete, straight lines, and reflective pools in a manner influenced by Le Corbusier's Five Points of Architecture. Finally, the Jetavana Buddhist Temple in South Korea and the Upper Cloister in China integrate their layouts with the surrounding stone and hillside, drawing parallels to Wright's desert houses. Together, these projects demonstrate how Asian religious architecture is redefining sacred spaces through a modernist lens while honoring their traditional heritage.Read on to discover how five projects across Asia blend modernist principles with traditional religious architecture. Related Article Computational Design in India: Dialogues between Modern and Vernacular Form Cloud of Luster Chapel / KTX archiLABSave this picture!Located in Himeji, Japan, this space serves for weddings and religious ceremonies. The design features a wavy roof slab, punctuated by thin columns of regular size. The structure is all white, with a ceiling free of any technical machinery or equipment. At the same time, the envelope follows the roof's shape creating movement in the faade and allowing light to penetrate the interior. The circles on the basin side have a curved base, creating the impression of a floating structure, attempting to create an overall feeling of cloud-like lightness.Temple of Steps / Sameep Padora & AssociatesSave this picture!Located in Nandyala, India, it provides a space that blends the socio-cultural expectations of a temple while exploring the dynamics and aesthetics of modern architecture. The structure is defined by a series of cascading steps that create a multifunctional gathering space, blending the sacred with the communal. The ecological strategy of the project focuses on the recharging of groundwater. Water overflow from the limestone quarries is led to a low-lying recharge pit or 'kund': the banks of which were imagined as a social space, in the manner of a traditional ghat: a flight of steps leading down to a body of water.Water-Moon Monastery / KRIS YAO | ARTECHSave this picture!Located in Taipei, Taiwan, this temple uses clean geometric forms to create a Buddhist-zen atmosphere. The architecture incorporates reflective pools and open spaces to encourage meditation and spiritual practice. Concrete, wood, and glass are the primary materials. As you enter, there is a double-height main hall that features a wall of prefabricated GRC panels carved void with the "Vajracchedika Prajnaparamita Sutra" (a Buddhist scripture) in Chinese characters, imprinting them with light on the interior walls. Upper Cloister in Aranya Golden Mountain / Atelier Deshaus Save this picture!The Upper Cloister is an intervention that harmonizes with the ruggedness of its natural setting. Perched atop Golden Mountain (Jinshan), in Chengde, China, the light meditation hall (Aranya) seems to be barely touching the ground thanks to its light structure. The design features a series of open, whitewashed spaces framed by slender columns, creating an interplay of light, shadow, and openness that invites visitors to connect with the mountain pass that encloses it. The space offers panoramic views of the mountains, balancing modernist simplicity with reverence for the environment.Jetavana Buddhist Temple / Studio GAONSave this picture!This structure is located in Chuncheon-si, South Korea. The project reinterprets traditional Buddhist architecture through a minimalist and modern approach while maintaining the essence of a meditative space. It features simple geometric forms and clean lines, with the use of brick. Unlike most traditional Korean temples, it was not built as a Hanok (Korean wooden house), but as a concrete structure, considering the existing layout of traditional temple buildings. That is why the path going inward through the gate was designed to swerve three times. Also, using the original elevation of the site topography, three platforms were formed so that the temple office, meditation space, temple house, and sanctuary could be placed according to the traditional hierarchical order.This article is part of an ArchDaily curated series that focuses on built projects from our database grouped under specific themes related to cities, typologies, materials, or programs. Every month, we will highlight a collection of structures that find a common thread between previously uncommon contexts, unpacking the depths of influence on our built environments. As always, at ArchDaily, we highly appreciate the input of our readers. If you think we should mention specific ideas, please submit your suggestions.Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorMoises CarrascoAuthorCite: Moises Carrasco. "Secluded Sanctuaries: Contemporary Religious Architecture Inspired by Modernist Principles Across Asia" 09 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. 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Student Residence Cergy / graal architectureSave this picture! Giaime MeloniDormsCergy, FranceArchitects: graal architectureAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:4319 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:Giaime Meloni HQE Engineer: SOLABHeating: bsmgElevator: euro-ascenseursMore SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. Originally built for the Crous in 1965, the Linandes Mauves residence consists of ten buildings arranged around a planted courtyard and connected to a lobby with spacious communal areas. The renovation of the previous phase was particularly complex due to the condition of the existing structure and the presence of asbestos throughout the plasterwork. Thus, the program for this operation focused on the demolition of the remaining four buildings in order to create new ones that are more suited to contemporary requirements. Our proposal, in contrast to the original brief, was based on a strategy of fundamental transformation of the four existing buildings with architectural qualities and the addition of a new building to complete the programme.Save this picture!The overall design was guided by three main principles:- Re-interpreting the student residence on an urban scale by applying a new external skin to unify the existing buildings and adding a gable extension to assert its presence on the boulevard.- Exploring the potential uses of the dwellings, while acknowledging the specificities of their complex existing morphologies and developing a variety of architectural features: half-levels, a complex system of loggias, balconies, access, etc.- Revealing the structural conditions of the existing buildings as an economic and aesthetic variable.Save this picture!Save this picture!Unlike the previous rehabilitated residential complex, which featured conventional external insulation with light-coloured plaster, this project introduces a new materiality with the goal to transform the heritage without altering its character. This thermal improvement work is paired with a reconfiguration of the spaces to enhance the quality of life within the dwelling. Improvements to the reception of students throughout the residence are completed by a major refurbishment of the communal and administrative areas and a redesign of the outdoor services. The overall intervention, carried out on an occupied site, offers a new face to the entire district through its prominent location on the Boulevard de la Viosne.Save this picture!The architectural response plays on the apparent simplicity of the monochrome treatment of the surfaces, gradually revealing subtle games of reflections and transparencies that multiply the visual effects within the site. All the buildings are clad in folded steel, which systematically offers two angles of reflection to the sun's rays, this is further enhanced by the brightness of the stairwells, which are made of glazed concrete that stand out from the faade and project their shadows onto the jagged surface. On the top floor, the cladding is perforated to create a transition between the built mass and the sky above the new city. This mesh, which closes the volume without obstructing the view, is also deployed on the re-entrant angles of the old architecture, which regains a compositional unity, allowing the outdoor spaces to be revealed at the heart of the block, facing these rediscovered backdrops.Save this picture!The renovation project raises the question of the tenuous relationship between the faade and the volume in the light of current energy requirements, which sometimes demand that these two elements be designed separately. The draped corrugated sheet metal uniformly covers the formerly complex volumes of the buildings, floating diaphanously across the roof to make up for the gaps created by the half-level organisation of the existing interior floors. However, this organisational veracity can be clearly seen on the gables, where the differences in levels are materially illustrated at the junction of the two faces of the envelope.Save this picture!The composite organization of the 144 apartments, which creates the richness of the internal layout, can then develop freely without conflicting with the rationality of the faade, which now responds to the urban scale in his whole and goes beyond the module of the individual studio. The multiplicity of facade formations in the existing structure (loggias, balconies and setbacks) is thus compensated by this new unifying and insulating skin. The interplay of the previous volumes, however, is left to the imagination of the observer through the design of the windows, which, while creating a structuring logic on the scale of the building complex, also allows one to occasionally grasp the irregularities of the previous composition.Save this picture!The project leans on conceiving the intervention on the existing from both the exterior and the interior simultaneously and complementarily, without compromising. The rationality of the intervention, dictated by economic constraints and the need for site management efficiency, does not limit the possibilities for internaldevelopment but, on the contrary, unifies the disparate situations inherited from a heterogeneous existing plan.Save this picture!Save this picture!While the intervention at the urban scale aims to simplify volumes to facilitate the students' relationship with their living environment, the work on the interiors of the existing buildings seeks, by contrast, to reveal the complex interweaving of the inherited construction and layout systems.By exposing the concrete structure of the lobby (the living space) or leaving the cinder blocks dividing this palette of greys and textures gives the white partitions and linings a particularly striking brightness and luminosity, turning the most basic and common material in rehabilitation into an event of the interior design vocabulary.Save this picture!From the outside, the light grey of the overall design allows the vegetation to take pride of place, framing a variety of landscape or urban situations.Inside, against this backdrop that refuses to efface itself, several objects stand out due to their shape or color. The metal staircases connecting the half-levels have been repainted to restore their original bright blue color. These color accents are also used in the signage and on the interior furniture in the rooms, designed around this color and its complementary shades. Other pure geometric shapes are used in the communal areas, such as the chrome cylinders in the ventilation ducts and the benches of elongated white concrete paving stones.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:1, rue des Linandes Mauves, 95000 Cergy, FranceLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officegraal architectureOfficeMaterialsSteelConcreteMaterials and TagsPublished on January 09, 2025Cite: "Student Residence Cergy / graal architecture" 09 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. 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Los Angeles Wildfires Threatens Architectural Landmarks Including the Hollywood Bowl and the Eames HouseSave this picture!Fairfield, California / USA - August 19 2020. Image Trevor Bexon via ShutterstockOn Tuesday morning, wildfires erupted in the Pacific Palisades, one of Los Angeles' wealthiest neighborhoods. The catastrophic fire left a significant mark on the infrastructure and neighborhoods of Los Angeles, resembling a war-torn landscape by the morning of January 8, 2025. Iconic locations along Sunset Boulevard transformed into scenes of devastation, with charred buildings. Over 2,000 structures have been destroyed, displacing tens of thousands of residents and sparking urgent appeals for access to homes for medication retrieval. Several hotels in Los Angeles have been taking in displaced residents.Architecture works such as the celebrated Case Study Homes, the Getty Villa museum and significant works by architects like Richard Neutra, Eero Saarinen, A. Quincy Jones, Charles and Ray Eames, and Charles Moore are all now under threat from the fires fueled by strong Santa Ana winds and drought conditions.On Wednesday night, another fast-moving fire erupted in the Hollywood Hills area, inflicting severe damage on Los Angeles's architectural landscape, and threatening both historic and contemporary structures. It threatened iconic sites like the Hollywood Bowl and the TCL Chinese Theater and has led to the destruction of over 1,000 buildings, primarily residential homes. Social media posts also show the iconic Hollywood sign surrounded by fire. Related Article Los Angeles, Wildfires and Adaptive Design: Greg Kochanowski on Creating New Futures The fires also decimated coastal homes along the Pacific Coast Highway. Among the structures lost to the fire are Will Rogers' historic ranch house and the Topanga Ranch Motel built by newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst, as reported by the LA Times. On January 8, 2025, flames from the Palisades Fire approached the Getty Villa Museum in Los Angeles, burning some trees and vegetation. However, the museum reported that its collections and staff were unharmed, according to Kera News.Despite initial rumors, the historical Eames house, also known as Case Study House No. 8, completed in 1949, has been confirmed as undamaged as of Wednesday noon. Lucia Atwood, founder of the Eames Foundation and granddaughter of designer Charles Eames, reported that the foundation took proactive measures to safeguard the site, including removing some items and evacuating personnel. Many other significant structures in the region, including those in Altadena, Pasadena, and Sylmar, continue to be at severe risk.The ongoing fires devastating the coastal Pacific Palisades area in Southern California have completely destroyed several significant structures, including the historic Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, Theatre Palisades, Pierson Playhouse, and the Palisades Branch Library, designed by A. Quincy Jones & Frederick E. Emmons.With the continuation of strong winds, local authorities urge residents in affected areas to remain vigilant as unpredictably fast-moving fires threaten to further alter the urban landscape. The extent of architectural and community damage reflects broader challenges posed by California's increasingly severe wildfire seasons. Related Article Los Angeles, Wildfires and Adaptive Design: Greg Kochanowski on Creating New Futures About this authorCite: Maria-Cristina Florian. "Los Angeles Wildfires Threatens Architectural Landmarks Including the Hollywood Bowl and the Eames House" 09 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025507/los-angeles-wildfires-threatens-architectural-landmarks-including-the-hollywood-bowl-and-the-eames-house&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