Valve fans desperate for Half-Life 3 news say they have evidence its hidden in Steam's back-endGordon bennett.Image credit: Valve News by Tom Phillips Editor-in-Chief Published on Jan. 10, 2025 As expectation grows of a new Half-Life game announcement, fans believe they can now see evidence of the project on Steam.Firstly, let's address the obvious. Yes, the decades-long wait for Half-Life 3 has become something of a meme and all suggestion of its existence is to be treated with caution. That said, there's strong evidence that Valve is once again working on a major new Half-Life project of some kind, with a trustworthy report last summer detailing datamined assets and code snippets backing up a leak from an actor likely involved.All signs point to something being afoot, and now Steam seems to show Valve has a second unreleased game lurking behind the scenes (as well as Deadlock, which is still listed as an 'upcoming release' despite being in beta). A thread on the Valve reddit has highlighted the recent change that now lists two games from the developer as 'upcoming', with some sleuthing work by fans using the Wayback Machine pointing to this change occuring sometime within December 2024.Searching for Valve on Steam and filtering via upcoming releases and then specifically games does indeed list two projects - with only Deadlock visible. A screenshot of Valve's upcoming games list on Steam. | Image credit: Eurogamer / SteamIt's unlikely this project is In the Valley of the Gods - the next game from Firewatch developer Campo Santo that was put on indefinite hold. For starters, its Steam page is publicly visible, and its developer and publisher are both listed as Campo Santo still rather than Valve.A warning on the search page suggests that search results may exclude some products based on content or language preferences, but even with all filters disabled, Valve's second upcoming project does not appear. So, what gives?This year will mark the fifth anniversary of Half-Life: Alyx, Valve's most recent entry in its legendary shooter series that was designed specifically for VR. But Half-Life has certainly been on Valve's mind more recently than that. In November, Valve made a big deal out of celebrating Half-Life 2's 20th anniversary, with a big update that added a director's commentary, a documentary, and packed in the game's two episodes of DLC. We even learned a bit more about why Valve never made Half-Life 2: Episode 3, as well.

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Home renovation projects can be unpredictable for both customers and builders. Meanwhile, small contractors barely use modern software and home renovation giants, like IKEA, tend to trundle on with dated legacy software. UK startup Beams thinks it can solve this conundrum and has now raised a $9 million Series A funding round to crack the issues. That takes its total raised to $13.3 million to date.This latest round was led by ETF Partners, with participation from existing investors Giant Ventures, firstminute capital and Borusan Ventures.Beams has a pricing engine which predicts how much a project will cost and how long it will take, compares it with over 6,000 previous building projects, and then uses 3D photographic and laser scans to build a detailed model of the home to design the renovation.Founder and CEO Hayden Wood was at renewable energy startup Bulb (later acquired by Octopus Energy from administration) when he first came across the problem Beams is trying to solve: I saw how much friction existed around making homes more energy-efficient, he told TechCrunch.Projects were often too risky or complicated for consumers, which meant many avoided making improvements altogether. I realized that if someone could simplify the process and reduce the risks, more people would be able to complete these upgrades and make their homes greener.Realising how little software was used in the renovation process, especially when compared to commercial building projects, he decided to the residential construction sector was being held back by this outdated approach.Beams is therefore a managed marketplace for customers and builders to find each other, adding software to the home renovation process to make it more predictable and more efficient.A proprietary pricing engine predicts how much a project will eventually cost and also vets builders before they join the marketplace and after every project.Weve been operating since September 2023. In that time weve sold over 4 million of projects. We are currently active on 130 renovations and have completed 25, Wood said.Of course, there are competitors. They include kitchen companies like Neptune, Plain English, Reform, Uncommon, Devol, Wren and Magnet. And in the UK, tradesman lead-gen websites such as Checkatrade help contractors get jobs.However, Wood says, no players in the market are building proprietary software that provides an end-to-end solution that takes on renovation all the way from planning through to build.Beams is entering a sizeable market.The renovation market is worth 380 billion in Europe and 5.5 billion in London alone.The company now plans to accelerate product development and growth to serve the rest of the UK and Europe.But what happens if the plan goes wrong or the economy takes a turn for the worse?Were very close to reaching breakeven, so if the plan doesnt work out and growth slows, we will stabilise spending and experiment with other business models, said Wood.Commenting on the funding round, Lucy Rands, Partner at ETF Partners, added in a statement: Hayden and the team have built a comprehensive suite of services that go far beyond simple energy assessments. Their solutions seamlessly integrate sustainability and practical home improvements to help modernize the UK and Europes aging housing stock.Topics

In the final day of the committee stage of progressing the Data Bill through the House of Lords before the Christmas break, we attempted to persuade the government of the urgent need to consider how computer evidence is treated in legal proceedings.Currently, UK law contains a presumption that computers are working correctly when they produce material that is used in court. This can be rebutted, but only by evidence that is unlikely to be available without access to the computer system, putting the burden of proof squarely on the shoulders of those least able to provide it.It may seem somewhat surprising that this issue has not been resolved long ago, particularly given the stark reminder we had last year in relation to the Post Office Horizon scandal. But, as it has not yet been addressed, colleagues and I are taking the opportunity of the Data Bill to press the government on this problematic legal practice.I raised the issue at second reading asking, What is the governments position when it comes to the reversal of the burden of proof in computer evidence?... It should certainly be the case that that evidence is put to proof.As the barrister Paul Marshall, who acted for many of the subpostmistresses and masters affected by the scandal, has pointed out, computer evidence is hearsay, with all the limitations that implies.As a start point, we only need our own, everyday experience of using computers to understand the obvious reality that modern computer programs are not fully tested or by any means bug free when they are put onto the market.In many ways it is their sheer scale that renders them too large to be exhaustively tested. If we accept this, there is no other logic than to assert that, as a consequence, they are far from infallible and should be treated by the courts as such.And yet, since 1999, courts have applied a common law presumption, in both criminal and civil proceedings, of the proper functioning of machines - that is to say, the information from the computer can be presumed to be reliable. Marshall explained that in the Post Office case it put the onus on the defendants to explain to the jury the problems they encountered with the Horizon system when all they could actually do was point to the shortfalls they had experienced. The uncritical admission of computer evidence in the Post Office Horizon case was in itself an injustice As my colleague Baroness Kidron pointed out, the reality is that anyone who knows the first thing about programming or computer science knows there are bugs in the system. Indeed, any one of us who has agreed to an update for an app or computer software understands that bug fixing is a common aspect of program maintenance.Perhaps the most convincing thing of all is looking at software contracts. For the past 20 years at least, a contract is likely to contain words to this effect: No warranty is provided that the operation of the software will be uninterrupted or error free, or that all software errors will be corrected.It is more than five years since Mr Justice Fraser, now Lord Justice Fraser, made it clear in his High Court ruling that the uncritical admission of computer evidence in the Horizon case was in itself an injustice. The burden to say in what way the computer was unreliable fell on the party without access to the system, while the party with access namely, the Post Office via its subcontractor Fujitsu - had no similar responsibility to reveal what might be unreliable.It is critical to make the point that in no sense should it be determined by the Data Bill or indeed any statute, that computer evidence should be accepted or given weight by the court - that remains the courts function in civil trials and the jurys function in criminal trials. If admitted, the evidence should be subject to test in the usual fashion.Responding for the government, minister for the future digital economy and online safety Baroness Margaret Jones, said, We are agreed that we must prevent future miscarriages of justice. We fully understand the intention and the significance of the issue. We are actively considering this matter and will announce next steps in the new year.Well, here we are, Happy New Year. I imagine we all hope the government will make such an announcement with urgency.Read more about the use of computer evidence in courtsChange to rules on computer evidence will be an outcome of Post Office scandal - The executive currently heading up the Post Offices investigations department has told public inquiry that rules on computer evidence have to change.A trial relying on computer evidence should start with a trial of the computer evidence - Learning from the Post Office Horizon scandal - the most widespread miscarriage of justice in recent British legal history.More than 900 subpostmaster convictions wouldnt have happened without Post Office-backed law change - IT expert says it cannot be the case that computer evidence is treated as accurate in court, without investigation into surrounding circumstances.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JULY 12: Paige VanZant reacts after her submission loss to Amanda ... [+] Ribas in their flyweight fight during the UFC 251 event at Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on July 12, 2020 on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)Zuffa LLCIt seems every day, a new and interesting detail about the Global Fight League (GFL) is revealed. On Thursday, the leagues official X account shared its weight classes with higher weight limits across the board.Here is a look at the weight limits for all of the GFLs divisions:Womens Atomweight - 110 poundsWomens Strawweight - 125 poundsWomens Bantamweight - 140 poundsMens Bantamweight - 145 poundsMens Featherweight - 155 poundsMens Lightweight - 165 poundsMens Welterweight - 180 poundsMens Middleweight - 200 poundsMens Light Heavyweight - 225 poundsMens Heavyweight - 265 poundsAccording to the post, the purpose of the weight-class limits that differ from the UFC is to reduce extreme weight-cutting by increasing weight class limits, ensuring athletes maintain optimal health and peak performance while minimizing injuries. This approach helps fighters stay healthier and better prepared to deliver thrilling performances for fans.This measure seems most helpful at womens bantamweight, mens lightweight, mens middleweight, and mens light heavyweight, where there are either larger gaps between divisions in the UFC or, in the case of the womens bantamweight division, no higher weight class to fit into.Well see how this all unfolds once action in the GFL gets underway. The promotion will hold its inaugural draft on January 24, and we will soon see the team-based promotion take form.Here is a look at the entire GFL roster ahead of the draft.GFL HeavyweightAlan BelcherAleksandr MaslovAlexei OleynikAndrei ArlovskiFabricio WerdumFrank MirGreg HardyJunior Dos SantosOli ThompsonPhilipe LinsRobelis DespaigneRoggers SousaStuart AustinTanner BoserGFL Light HeavyweightMORE FOR YOUAlexander GustafssonCleiton SilvaDa Woon JungEmiliano SordiGrant NealOvince Saint PreuxRafael CarvalhoGFL MiddleweightChauncey FoxworthGegaro MousasiGlaico FrancaHector LombardJared RevelJozef WittnerKyle DaukausLuke RockholdMariusz KsiazkiewiczMarkus PerezPhillip HawesWanderlei SilvaGFL WelterweightAbubakar NurmagomedovAdilet NurmatovAustin TweedyBenson HendersonDanny MitchellDominick MeriweatherFrancisco TrinaldoJoao ZeferinoJordan MeinJozef WittnerJulio SpadacciniMichael IrizarryRousimar PalharesRuan MachadoTyron WoodleyGFL LightweightAaron McKenzieAlex OliveiraAmirkhon AlikhuzhaevAnthony PettisAyinda OctaveAyton De PaepeBenson HendersonCharles RosaChristos GiagosJefferson PontesJeremy StephensJohn MakdessiKevin LeeKillys MotaLucas MartinsMohamed Tarek MoheyOscar OwnsworthRaimundo BatistaSidney OutlawStephen BeaumontWill BrooksWilliam LimaYan CabralGFL FeatherweightAlexsandro CangatyAndre HarrisonClaudeci BritoDeberson BatistaLance PalmerMarcel AdurMarcelo DiasMarlon MoraesMohammad AbzakhPatrizio De SouzaRenan OliveiraGFL Mens BantamweightCameron ElseDenis PalancicaDiego TeixeiraJimmie RiveraMarciano FerreiraMarcus Paulo AmaralOmar ArteagaRenan BaraoGFL Womens BantamweightJulia BuddJulia DornyFernanda GuersoneMariza LochEvelyn MartinsLorrany SantosFernanda BarbosaTalita BernardoQueila BragaJuliet ChukwuBrittney CloudyAlexa ConnersBianca DiamoniThaliat DinizTonya EvingerPannie KianzadGisele MoreiraZurina TurreyLuz VazquezTamires VidalGFL Womens StrawweightMara BorellaMiao DingKalindra FariaJanaisa MorandinChiara PencoAndressa RochaAntonia SilvaneidePaige VanZantMelissa AmayaYasmin CastanhoMaria Luiz de AbreuIsabela de PaduaEva DourtheRandi FieldHannah GoldyBrenda GottigKayla HrachoNatalia KuziutinaPamela MaraSilvania MonteiroBi NguyenJessica PenneViviane PereiraLivinha SouzaIsis VerbeekGFL Womens AtomweightJessica AguilarClaire Lopez

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 13: UFC CEO Dana White attends the UFC 300 event at T-Mobile Arena on ... [+] April 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesDana White and the UFC are really good at discovering if their hottest prospects have the goods. Some fans call it being "fraud checked."One of those fights is reportedly set for UFC Miami on April 12. Per Ag. Fight, No. 8 Gilbert Burns is set to face No. 12 Michael Morales.Mind you, the Miami card hasnt been confirmed, but it is seemingly well-known in the UFC community that the event will take place.Burns, 38, is trying to shake a nasty three-fight losing streak.While he has lost to the cream of the crop at welterweightwith a unanimous-decision defeat to Belal Muhammad (before he won the championship), a TKO loss to Jack Della Maddalena, and a unanimous-decision defeat to Sean BradyBurns still hasnt won a fight since April 2023.He badly needs to claim a victory if he wants to remain in the divisions Top 10. Another loss could mean the proud Brazilian is that much closer to retirement.Morales is on the polar opposite end of the fight spectrum.MORE FOR YOUAt 17-0, the 25-year-old from Ecuador is arguably the best prospect 25-and-under in the UFC. After earning his way into the UFC with a unanimous-decision win over Nikolay Veretennikov in September 2021 on the Contender Series, Morales has mowed down a continuously escalating line of opposition.Morales stopped Trevin Giles in the first round in his main roster debut in January 2022. He then knocked out Adam Fugitt in June 2022.In July 2023, Morales earned a unanimous-decision win over veteran Max Griffin. In November 2023, Morales captured another unanimous-decision nod over veteran Jake Matthews.Most recently, Morales scored an impressive first-round TKO win over master fraud-checker Neil Magny in August 2024. The win over Magny landed Morales in the Top 15, and he has every intention of reaching the Top 10which he would do with a win over Burns.If he beats Burns impressively, Morales could get a Top-5 opponent in the fourth quarter of the year.If youre looking for the years biggest potential breakout star, Morales should be on your shortlist of fighters to keep an eye on in 2025.Whats Next For the UFC?LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 08: In this UFC handout, Mackenzie Dern poses on the scale during the ... [+] UFC Fight Night weigh-in at UFC APEX on October 08, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images)Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesThe No. 1 MMA promotion is back on Saturday, January 11, with a card at the Apex in Las Vegas. Mackenzie Dern will fight Amanda Ribas in a rematch of their 2019 meeting. Ribas won the first fight, and Dern will be looking to even the score with her countrywoman.Here is a look at the entire card.UFC Vegas 101 Main CardMackenzie Dern vs. Amanda RibasSantiago Ponzinibbio vs. Carlston HarrisCsar Almeida vs. Abdul Razak AlhassanChris Curtis vs. Roman KopylovChristian Rodriguez vs. Austin BashiPunahele Soriano vs. Uro MediUFC Vegas 101 Preliminary CardJose Johnson vs. Felipe BunesMarco Tulio vs. Ihor PotieriaThiago Moiss vs. Trey OgdenPreston Parsons vs. Jacobe SmithErnesta Kareckait vs. Nicolle CaliariMagomed Gadzhiyasulov vs. Bruno LopesFatima Kline vs. Victoria DudakovaNurullo Aliev vs. Joe Salecki

The building materials company appointed Jenisch to lead the spinoff, with Kim Fausing proposed to succeed him as Holcims chairman.

Los Angeles' fires threaten to hamper the entertainment industry's recovery.LA's share of film and TV jobs has declined, and some are thinking anew about leaving.One producer and director said he felt he could improve his financial situation by leaving LA.The fires tearing through Los Angeles are a new threat to an entertainment industry that has been trying to rebound from a studio spending slowdown and twin labor strikes."Survive till '25" was the mantra in Hollywood for much of 2024. Now, some in the entertainment industry are wondering whether they should stick around."If there's no longer a need to be in LA, the question arises: Do I stay here?" asked Adam Wood, a producer and director in North Hollywood. He said the shift during COVID to remote work had made it easier to build an entertainment career outside LA. Wood hasn't had to evacuate yet, but helped a friend leave and is monitoring conditions."I could improve my lot financially by not being here," he said. "LA is the spiritual home of the industry, but at the same time, it's not loving me back."Like many in entertainment, Wood works on a freelance basis. While he feels tied to the entertainment mecca, he said he's also counting the days of work lost to the fire. Producer and director Adam Wood. Adam Wood Productions and premieres have largely been pausedThe fires have paused production on shows including Amazon's "Fallout" and CBS Studios' "NCIS," while studios from Paramount to Universal canceled premieres.Stars, including Paris Hilton and Billy Crystal, havelost their homesin the tony Pacific Palisades neighborhood, which is favored for its proximity to the studios. Countless others have lost or fled their homes.FilmLA, the city's film permitting office, issued a statement Thursday warning that permits in or near evacuation zones could be canceled, while new applications to film in or near these areas would be denied.It previously said the LA County Fire Department ordered film permits to be revoked for the communities of Altadena, La Crescenta, La Canada/Flintridge, and Unincorporated Pasadena.Hollywood was already hurting before the firesBefore the fires, the entertainment spending slowdown had already hit the industry's biggest market hard.LA has also been hobbled by an exodus of productions and workers to other entertainment hubs in lower-cost places like Atlanta and Miami. Greater Los Angeles' share of US-produced TV and film projects declined from 23% in 2021 to 18% in 2023, according to FilmLA.LA accounted for 22% of US film and TV jobs in August, down from 33% two years earlier, according to an analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics figures by Patrick Adler and Taner Osman of Westwood Economics & Planning Associates.Despite the downturn, producer Adam Fratto said he had been feeling pretty good about the state of the industry before the fires started."I was taking some projects out, and who knows if they're going to sell, but the fact that TV folks were open to pitches, that's good," he said. "Before a couple days ago, I felt a little upbeat about 2025."While it's still early to say how far the destruction could spread, Fratto said he expected the fires to cause some people to reassess their commitment to the area and industry."I think there will be folks who just decide to take their chips off the table and do something else or relocate," he said.Still, Adler, the economic researcher, said he doubted LA would lose its position at the top of the entertainment industry."In the likes of film, television, content creation, and video games, LA has been the place where major decisions have been made, where talented people collaborate, and where deals get done," he said. "This has remained true as the city has persevered through multiple earthquakes and riots, not to mention periodic industry downturns."

"Severance," season 2Adam Scott stars in "Severance." Apple TV Plus Release date: January 17 on Apple TV+Watching the first season of "Severance" in early 2022 felt a bit like getting in on an extraordinary secret. This bizarre, endearing, and incredibly stylistic take on the soul-crushing office grind quickly yet quietly became one of the best genre series on television. Three years later, the show blessedly is not a hidden gem anymore, and "Severance" season two is coming in hotly anticipated.The series stars Adam Scott as Mark, a man who decides to take a "severed" job after the death of his wife. The severance procedure bifurcates his personality into two discrete people: one who works his job at the inscrutable Lumon Industries, and one who lives life on the outside. In season one, he and his coworkers work to expose their plight as severed workers to the world, while simultaneously unraveling the myriad secrets of their workplace. Palmer Haasch "Paradise"Sterling K. Brown in "Paradise." Brian Roedel/Disney Release date: January 28 on Hulu"This Is Us" creator Dan Fogelman and star Sterling K. Brown reunite on a new Hulu series. The mystery thriller focuses on Xavier Collins (Brown), the head of security to James Marsden's President Cal Bradford. Xavier finds Cal dead and is said to be the last person who saw the president alive, thrusting him into the middle of an apparent conspiracy.The trailer is light on specific details, but according to the streamer the show is set "in a serene, wealthy community inhabited by some of the world's most prominent individuals," who are rattled by the president's murder and the ensuing investigation.Brown was always a highlight of "This Is Us," so it's exciting to see him step into another lead role that appears to be very different from Randall Pearson. "Yellowjackets," season 3Tawny Cypress as Taissa and Lauren Ambrose as Van in "Yellowjackets" season 3. Colin Bentley/Paramount+ with SHOWTIME Release date: February 14 on Paramount+ with Showtime (and February 16 on Showtime)"Yellowjackets" is a mish-mash of genres: part coming-of-age story, part survival drama, part black comedy, part mystery.When it first premiered in 2021, it wasn't an instant hit. Rather, it steadily grew a passionate fan base as more and more viewers became invested in this tale of a group of teenage girls who became stranded in the Canadian wilderness in the 1990s and the repercussions of that traumatic experience on the surviving women 25 years later.Creators Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson managed to craft a wildly compelling story that drew equal interest to both halves of its cast: the talented rising stars who play the '90s versions of the girls (including breakouts like Ella Purnell and Sophie Thatcher), and the established powerhouse actors like Juliette Lewis, Melanie Lynskey, and Christina Ricci in the modern-day setting.Season two answered a lot of questions (including arguably the biggest: Did they eat each other??) but ended on an unexpected death that left fans clamoring to know what would happen next. Luckily, there are still plenty of mysteries waiting to be solved. CM "The White Lotus," season 3Blackpink member Lisa on season three of "The White Lotus." HBO Release date: February 16 on HBO and MaxThere's little information about season three of "The White Lotus." But Mike White's hit HBO anthology series, which racked up a total of 43 Emmy nominations from the first two seasons, has generated enough hype all on its own for the next installment.Season three will focus on wealthy guests visiting the fictional White Lotus resort chain's Thailand location. And for the first time ever, the new season will feature a returning cast member: Natasha Rothwell, who played spa manager Belinda in season one. The star-studded cast also includes Blackpink member Lisa in her acting debut, "Fallout" star Walton Goggins, and "Gen V" actor Patrick Schwarzenegger who told Business Insider that season three is "Absolutely fucking insane." Olivia Singh "Zero Day"Robert DeNiro and Angela Bassett star in "Zero Day." Netflix Release date: February 20 on NetflixRobert De Niro on a Netflix drama? OK, sure, we're in."Zero Day" is a political thriller focusing on a global cyberattack, where De Niro plays a former president who comes out of retirement to help mitigate the crisis. The impressive ensemble cast also includes Lizzy Caplan as his daughter, Angela Bassett as the current president, and Dan Stevens as a loudmouth political TV host who antagonizes De Niro. "Suits: LA"Stephen Amell stars in "Suits LA." David Astorga/NBC Release date: February 23 on NBC and Peacock"Suits" mania very suddenly and randomly swept over the nation when the 2010s USA Network drama saw a resurgence of interest on Netflix. Why? Who knows chalk it up to one of the great mysteries of the algorithm.In any event, it prompted the greenlighting of a spinoff series that shifts the action from a corporate firm in New York to an entertainment firm in Los Angeles. The new series centers on Stephen Amell's Ted Black, a former New York prosecutor who has reinvented himself out west. Don't expect Meghan Markle to show up on it, but we can still hold out hope for other fan-favorite characters: Gabriel Macht's Harvey Specter is reportedly set for a three-episode arc, which hopefully means Donna Paulsen (Sarah Rafferty) isn't far behind. CM "Daredevil: Born Again"Charlie Cox in "Daredevil." Netflix/Marvel Entertainment Release date: March 4 on Disney+The Marvel series will see Charlie Cox reprise his role as Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer by day, and a vicious vigilante by night. Because it's a continuation of the "Daredevil" Netflix series (which is exciting in itself) it'll also reunite Cox with Vincent D'Onofrio as Wilson Fisk, the criminal mastermind, Kingpin. Not only that but "Daredevil: Born Again" will add a harder, violent edge to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.Hopefully Marvel chief Kevin Feige and the gang let the show stand on its own two bloody feet without forcing needless cameos for the sake of it. After all, a street-level story with relatable stakes is what the franchise needs right now amid all the chatter of future "Avengers" movies. Eammon Jacobs "Deli Boys"Saagar Shaikh and Asif Ali in "Deli Boys." Elizabeth Sisson/Disney Release date: March 6 on Hulu"Deli Boys" (created by former Vice journalist Abdullah Saeed) follows the two wealthy Pakistani American sons of a convenience store magnate who learn after his death that he was secretly involved in a life of crime.The polar opposite brothers are forced into that world, promising a unique take on the fish-out-of-water story coming to Hulu. CM "The Residence"Uzo Aduba and Randall Park in "The Residence." Erin Simkin/Netflix Release date: March 20 on NetflixMarket your series as a "Shondaland White House whodunnit," and you don't have to do too much more to convince me. After a murder at a state dinner, Detective Cordelia Cupp, played by Uzo Aduba, must attempt to solve the case. On-screen, she's joined by Giancarlo Esposito, Randall Park, Ken Marino, Edwina Findley, and a slate of others including Kylie Minogue."Scandal" writer Paul William Davies serves as showrunner, with Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers executive producing. "The Residence" is based on the book of the same name by Kate Andersen Brower. PH "The Last of Us," season 2Bella Ramsey as Ellie in "The Last of Us" season two. HBO Release date: April on HBO and Max"The Last of Us" season one turned prestige gaming into prestige television, adapting Naughty Dog's fungal apocalypse thriller into an acclaimed series starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. Season one ended on a tenuous high note: Joel (Pascal) chose to save Ellie (Ramsey), who is immune to the cordyceps fungus that turns people into violent infected, rather than allowing her death in pursuit of a cure."The Last of Us" season two will adapt at least part of "The Last of Us Part II," the sequel to the original video game. Without getting too much into spoilers, it's likely to be even more heartbreaking than season one. This season will also feature newcomers including Kaitlyn Dever, who will play a significant character named Abby, "Beef" star Young Mazino, and Jeffrey Wright, who will reprise his role from the game, Isaac. PH "Your Friends and Neighbors"Jon Hamm leads a new TV show. Apple TV+ Release date: April 11 on Apple TV+Apple TV+ has had no shortage of prestige drama attempts, from the Cate Blanchett series "Disclaimer" to Natalie Portman's "Lady in the Lake." Not all of them are very good (and a lot of them appear to come and go with little to no fanfare), and yet I still have enough faith in Jon Hamm and his ability to play complex antiheroes that I'm compelled to tune into "Your Friends & Neighbors."Hamm plays Andrew "Coop" Cooper (Hamm), a recently divorced former hedge fund manager who's fired in disgrace. According to Apple, Coop, who lives in the wealthy Vestment Village, begins stealing from his neighbors' homes but ends up uncovering more secrets (and danger) than he bargained for.The show also stars Amanda Peet and Olivia Munn, among others. And the streamer clearly has a lot of faith in it: They've already renewed it for a second season, months ahead of its premiere. CM "Hacks," season 4Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder return in "Hacks" season 4. HBO Release date: (rumored) May on MaxThe Emmy Award-winning "Hacks" is a series that only gets better with age, and its excellent third season set a high bar for whatever will come next. The series stars Jean Smart as Deborah Vance, a comedian who turns around her stale Vegas stand-up career into a true artistic reinvention with the help of young writer Ava Daniels, played by Hannah Einbinder.Deborah and Ava's relationship has always been defined by an ever-growing co-dependence, the capacity to mutually wound each other, and somewhere in the mix, love and grudging respect. The season three finale put them at odds once again, setting up for what's sure to be a thrilling and of course, extremely funny fourth season. PH "Chad Powers"Glen Powell returns to TV in "Chad Powers." Daniel Delgado/Disney Release date: Fall 2025 on HuluGlen Powell has been all over our movie screens for the last three years, and now he'll be all over our small screens.Powell, one of the biggest male rising actors in Hollywood today, is on a movie star trajectory akin to his mentor (and "Top Gun: Maverick" costar) Tom Cruise. He has roots in TV, though ("Scream Queens," I will never forget you). The upcoming Hulu comedy, about a hotshot quarterback who torpedoes his college football career and disguises himself as Chad Powers to walk onto a Southern university's team, is a great venue for flexing his funny chops.At the absolute least, the visual of Powell in those prosthetics and wig is already a hoot. CM "Stranger Things," season 5The cast of "Stranger Things" season five with Matt and Ross Duffer. Atsushi Nishijima/Netflix Release date: TBD on NetflixThese days, it's hard to fathom that "Stranger Things" was one of the relatively early hits of the streaming age when it premiered in 2016. Close to a decade later, it's a cultural juggernaut that elevated the profile of its entire cast, from veteran actors to young stars. With one season left, it's finally time to close this chapter of life in Hawkins, Indiana."Stranger Things" season five will bring an end to Eleven's (Millie Bobby Brown) story, but past that, it will represent the true end of an era at Netflix. "Stranger Things" is one of the biggest series the streamer has ever released, but even if the show is ending, some talent like showrunners Matt and Ross Duffer and Brown, now a leading lady, are sticking around with other projects. PH "Wednesday," season 2Jenna Ortega returns in "Wednesday" season 2. Netflix Release date: TBD on Netflix"Wednesday" was a smash hit when it premiered on Netflix in 2022. Over two years later, it's still holding strong atop the streamer's list of its most-watched shows ever, with over 252 million views to date.The supernatural teen dramedy's success is due in large part to the performance of Jenna Ortega as the titular Wednesday Addams, the sardonic, psychic teen who finds herself thrust into the center of a murder mystery when she's shipped off to a new boarding school.The first season ended with a twist about one of Wednesday's two love interests, but Ortega has promised that "Wednesday" season two will lean more into horror and focus less on her character's romantic life. That's a very welcome tweak. CM "Black Mirror," season 7Cristin Milloti as Nanette Cole in the "Black Mirror" episode "USS Callister." Jonathan Prime / Netflix Release date: TBD on NetflixThe long-running dystopian anthology series where each episode is a stand-alone story of speculative fiction, with most set in a near-future world with advanced, often ethically troublesome technology returns for its seventh outing later this year.As with recent seasons, there are some big names lined up for the "Black Mirror" season seven cast, including Awkwafina, Issa Rae, Paul Giamatti, Billy Magnussen, and Tracee Ellis Ross. But perhaps most excitingly, for the first time in the series' history, there's going to be a story continuation: One of the six new episodes will be a sequel to "USS Callister," the Emmy-winning season four episode starring Cristin Milioti as a programmer who gets trapped in her incel boss' video game world. CM "You," season 5"You" will return for its fifth and final season. Netflix Release date: TBD on NetflixObsessive stalker Joe Goldberg has somehow managed to evade capture or consequences in his yearslong killing spree that's spanned four seasons of television and multiple cities across the globe. He seemed to finally be at the end of the line in "You" season four, only to miraculously make it out with a seemingly clean slate yet again. The finale brought Joe full circle back to New York, and partnered with a woman who may or may not see him for who he truly is.The fifth and final season of "You" will hopefully bring a satisfying conclusion to the drama that's managed to keep reinventing itself and finding ways to creatively continue the story long past where many assumed it'd surely end. CM "Squid Game," season 3Lee Jung-jae returns to the death game in "Squid Game" season two. JuHan Noh / Netflix Release date: TBD on Netflix"Squid Game" isn't only Netflix's biggest non-English-language series it's also one of its biggest properties, period. The Korean-language series, created by showrunner Hwang Dong-hyuk, is a deeply tragic thriller with an instantly recognizable visual identity. Both of those factors helped it become not only a hit series, but also a true cultural phenomenon. "Squid Game" season two, which premiered in December, broke viewership records to become Netflix's biggest debut ever.Even if you didn't watch "Squid Game," you know "Squid Game" and with the show's third and final season on the way in 2025, you definitely should be catching up. PH "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms""A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" is an adaptation of G.R.R. Martin's novella "The Hedge Knight." Steffan Hill/HBO Release date: TBD on HBO and MaxGiven the wild success of "Game of Thrones," it makes sense that HBO would go all-in on the "Thrones" brand through a series of spinoffs. The first of those, "House of the Dragon," focuses on a bloody Targaryen succession war. The second, "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms," is about a knight and his young squire Dunk and Egg, colloquially. Dunk is Ser Duncan the Tall, and Egg is Aegon Targaryen, a young member of the ruling family.The series is based on the first installation of George R. R. Martin's "Tales of Dunk and Egg" novella series, titled "The Hedge Knight." HBO drama headDeadline in 2023 that the show would ideally span three seasons, one for each existing novella. PH "Alien: Earth""Alien: Earth." FX Release date: TBD on FX and HuluFX is expanding the "Alien" franchise with a new TV series that finally brings the unimaginable horrors of the Xenomorphs to Earth in the aptly titled "Alien: Earth."The first teaser trailer didn't reveal much about the series, but it's helmed by "Legion" and "Fargo" creator Noah Hawley, which hopefully means that the series will have more to say than just sci-fi scares. It features the likes of "Justified" and "The Mandalorian" star Timothy Olyphant, "Andor" and "Black Mirror" actor Alex Lawther, and "Fargo" alumni David Rysdahl. Also in the cast are Essie Davis, Sydney Chandler, and Samuel Blenkin. EJ Untitled Rachel Sennott projectRachel Sennott wrote, executive produced, and stars in her upcoming show. HBO Release date: TBD on HBO and MaxRachel Sennott has been a standout part of some of the best comedies of the last few years, including "Bottoms," "Shiva Baby," and the horror comedy "Bodies Bodies Bodies." The comedian is stepping up as HBO's new Lena Dunham (non-derogatory), helming a series that she's writing, executive producing, and starring in.No details about its plot have been made available, but Sennott has proven herself to be imminently watchable, so we're certainly tuning in to see what she's got in store. CM "Good American Family"Ellen Pompeo stars in "Good American Family." Hulu Release date: TBD on HuluIt's a tale as old as time: Where there's a viral true-crime story, a scripted dramatization (or five) is sure to follow. That's the case with "Good American Family" (not to be confused with the similarly named faith-based TV network Great American Family), which is loosely inspired by Natalia Grace Mans' story.Natalia's saga is long and complex (enough to fill three seasons of the Investigation Discovery docuseries "The Curious Case of Natalia Grace" over the course of three years). The gist of it is that Natalia, a Ukrainian orphan with dwarfism, was adopted by Kristine and Michael Barnett, who eventually came to believe that their new daughter was actually a psychopathic adult posing as a child. (Yes, that is also generally the plot of the horror movie "Orphan," which wasn't based on Natalia's story).Ellen Pompeo, in her first major starring role since stepping back from "Grey's Anatomy" as a series regular, stars as the girl's adoptive mother. It'll be interesting to see whether the scripted drama is more sympathetic to the Barnetts' side or Natalia's. CM "It: Welcome to Derry""It: Welcome to Derry" is a prequel to the Stephen King story. Brooke Palmer/Photo: Brooke Palmer Release date: TBD on HBO and Max"It Chapter 1" and "It Chapter 2," based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, were mega-hits at the box office when they came out in 2017 and 2019 respectively. Pennywise the Clown had previously terrorized audiences in the form of Tim Curry in a 1990 miniseries before Bill Skarsgard scarred a new generation when he took over the role. "Welcome to Derry" is the first time the story is getting the prequel treatment.The show jumps back in time to explore an earlier community in Derry who came face to face with the monstrous creature. It features new characters not seen in the films, with only Skarsgard returning. CM "Outlander: Blood of My Blood"Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser and Caitriona Balfe as Claire Fraser in "Outlander" season seven. Starz Release date: TBD on StarzThe smash hit historical drama "Outlander" has captivated audiences (both readers of the book series it's based on and show-only fans) for over a decade since premiering in 2014.Claire and Jamie Fraser's epic love story will come to an end with an eighth and final season. But the "Outlander" universe will live on with "Blood of My Blood," a prequel that rewinds the clock to show how Jamie's parents, and Claire's, wound up together.If the prequel's cast has even a fraction of the chemistry "Outlander" leads Sam Heughan and Caitrona Balfe do, it'll be must-see TV for romance lovers. CM "Dying for Sex"Michelle Williams in "Dying for Sex." Sarah Shatz/FX Release date: TBD on FX and HuluMichelle Williams, who previously won an Emmy and Golden Globe for her role in the FX limited series "Fosse/Verdon," returns to the network with "Dying For Sex." She plays Molly, an unhappily married woman who decides to leave her husband in order to explore her sexuality after being diagnosed with cancer.Billed as a comedy-drama, it's based on the podcast of the same name by Nikki Boyer. Boyer, who's also an executive producer on the FX show, co-created her podcast with her friend the real Molly, who actually did leave her own marriage after a breast cancer diagnosis. Jenny Slate plays Boyer on the show; Rob Delaney and Jay Duplass also star.Beyond the compelling true story and excitement over the talented Williams' return to TV, "New Girl" creator Liz Meriwether also serves as a showrunner, promising whip-smart writing. CM "The Terror: Devil in Silver"Dan Stevens is producing and starring in "The Terror: Devil in Silver." Emma McIntyre/Getty Images; Random House Publishing Release date: TBD on AMC and AMC+The criminally underrated supernatural horror anthology series gathered a small but devoted fan base after the first season, based on Dan Simmons' 2007 novel of the same name, premiered in 2018.That season told an extremely spooky fictionalized account of Captain Sir John Franklin's doomed Arctic expedition and featured a who's-who of British actors like Jared Harris and Tobias Menzies. The next season, subtitled "Infamy," debuted a year later and moved the horror to a Japanese internment camp in America during World War II, where the camp's inhabitants believe they're being tormented by an evil force.AMC stayed mum on whether the show would continue for almost five years, until the February 2024 announcement that "The Terror: Devil in Silver" was coming. The upcoming six-episode season, based on Victor LaValle's novel of the same name, will star Dan Stevens (who's also an EP) as a working-class man wrongfully committed to a psychiatric hospital where he has to contend not only with the other patients and the doctors but a seemingly malevolent force that appears to live within the hospital's walls.Stevens is a great choice for this brand of psychological horror. See also: "Legion." CM "All's Fair"Kim Kardashian, Naomi Watts, and Sarah Paulson are all reuniting with Ryan Murphy on "All's Fair." Karwai Tang/Getty Images; Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images; John Nacion/FilmMagic via Getty Images Release date: TBD on HuluRyan Murphy regulars, assemble!The prolific TV creator is fresh off a busy 2024 that included the premieres of four separate shows he produced, including "Grotesquerie" and the controversial "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story." He doesn't appear to be taking it easy in 2025 either.It's unclear whether he'll again match the sheer number of projects he debuted in 2024, but he definitely has at least one coming out: "All's Fair," a legal drama about an all-female law firm of divorce attorneys coming to Hulu. The cast includes a bunch of Murphy's go-tos, including his frequent collaborator Sarah Paulson, "Feud: Capote vs. the Swans" star Naomi Watts, "Grotesquerie" star Niecy Nash, and his most recent addition to the crew, aspiring real-life lawyer Kim Kardashian, who starred in "American Horror Story" season 12.Kardashian was surprisingly good in "AHS," so it's intriguing to see what she'll do in "All's Fair," where she's reportedly playing the protagonist. CM "Unspeakable: The Murder of JonBent Ramsey"Clive Owen and Melissa McCarthy will play JonBent Ramsey's parents. Michael Tullberg/Getty Images; Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post/Getty Images; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images Release date: TBD on Paramount+Few true crime cases have captivated the public as intensely and for as long as JonBent Ramsey's unsolved murder. The six-year-old beauty queen was found dead in her family home the day after Christmas 1996, and her killer was never identified.The long-cold case was recently covered in a Netflix docuseries, which led to a resurgence of interest (though plenty of true-crime enthusiasts have been carefully following the case for years). The story has been dramatized before, in a 2000 miniseries and multiple TV movies, but this is the first time it's getting what appears to be the prestige TV treatment.Most intriguingly, the series will star Melissa McCarthy as Patsy Ramsey, JonBent's mother. This will mark an interesting pivot for McCarthy, who's chiefly known for far more light-hearted roles in comedies like "Bridesmaids" and "Tammy." CM

The Kremlin is closely watching Greenland after Trump expressed interest in the US acquiring it.The Kremlin's press secretary said the Arctic is a zone of national interest for Russia.Trump said earlier this week that he would not rule out using military force to seize Greenland.Russia is keeping a close eye on President-elect Donald Trump's interest in acquiring Greenland.The Kremlin's press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, said that Russia is "watching the rather dramatic development of the situation very closely," according to areportby Reuters."The Arctic is a zone of our national interests, our strategic interests," Peskov said. "We are interested in preserving the atmosphere of peace and stability in the Arctic zone."Russia has ramped up its military presence in the Arctic in recent years. For example, it has deployed a substantially larger fleet of icebreaker ships which break up ice in strategic waterways and increase maneuverability for other ships to the Arctic than the US.Trump, who expressed interestin buying Greenland as early as 2019,resurfacedhis proposition in December and has since doubled down on his stance.In a press conference on Tuesday, Trump said that he would not rule out using force to secure Greenland, which is an autonomous Danish territory, and regain control of the Panama Canal, a critical waterway for trade.When asked for assurance that he would not resort to "military or economic coercion" to seize the two, he said, "I can't assure you.""I'm not going to commit to that," he added."People really don't even know if Denmark has any legal right to it, but if they do, they should give it up because we need it for National Security," he said of Greenland in the press conference.He then threatened to impose tariffs on Denmark "at a very high level" if the Scandinavian country resisted giving up control of the Arctic territory.Russia's statement comes after Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., landed in Greenland on Tuesday and met with locals in Nuuk, the capital city, according to his X posts.A Tuesday video on his X showed the president-elect calling his son to talk to Nuuk locals.In response to Trump's comments, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said to a local news outlet on Tuesday that Greenland is "not for sale."Greenland's Prime Minister, Mte Egede, said in a December Facebook statement, "We are not for sale and will never be for sale."Trump, meanwhile, has also talked about seizing control of the Panama Canal, a roughly 50-mile canal built in 1914 to link the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. It was under US control until it was given to the Panama Canal Authority (PCA) in 1999.Trump called for the canal's control to bereturned to the US, slamming "exorbitant" fees for US ships passing through it.Representatives of Trump and the Kremlin did not respond to requests for comment from Business Insider, sent outside regular business hours.