For many, January is a month full of hard-to-keep resolutions and hopeful plans for self-improvement. New year, new you? Were kicking off this often uneasy season with an investigation into confidence: How important is it, really? A look at the myth of frictionless relationships is another timely piece, as is a how-to on journaling.Looking ahead to the imminent inauguration of the next president, weve also got stories about how young voter groups became disconnected from actual young voters, the many efforts to prosecute Donald Trump, and the collapse of nuclear guardrails worldwide. Work on the promise of nasal vaccines, the ins and outs of egg donation, and policing in the age of the gun help round out our issue. Plus, weve got book recommendations for Vox Members and an exclusive Highlight podcast on pronatalism.Did the Trump prosecutions backfire?The Trump prosecutions were supposed to save democracy. They may have imperiled it further.By Andrew ProkopI wanted to be confident. Then I started having doubts.One womans nail-biting quest to a better self.By Rachel SugarA child holds a US flag during the National Western Stock Show Kick-off Parade on January 9, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. The parade marks the start of the premier livestock, rodeo, and horse show in the United States, now in its 119th year. (Photo by Jason Connolly / AFP) (Photo by JASON CONNOLLY/AFP via Getty Images)Lyman Stone on Americas falling birth rateThe demographer is worried that we arent having as many babies as we used to and says he knows how that could change.By Miles BryanPHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 22: Attendees listen to a speech from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump during Turning Point USAs AmericaFest at the Phoenix Convention Center on December 22, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. The annual four day conference geared toward energizing and connecting conservative youth hosts some of the countrys leading conservative politicians and activists. (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)How Democratic Gen Z activists lost the Gen Z voteThe organizations dedicated to mobilizing Gen Z got the turnout they wanted, but not the votes. What did they miss?By Christian PazComing January 14Swashbuckling adventure novels to start your yearPlus trippy detective novels for when you just miss Twin Peaks.By Constance GradyComing January 14The world has entered the third nuclear ageNuclear guardrails are falling apart and Donald Trump is about to retake the launch codes.By Joshua KeatingComing January 15Protecting your peace can kill your friendshipsFrictionless relationships are just a fantasy.By Allie VolpeComing January 15BERLIN, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 05: In this photo illustration a sich woman uses nasal spray on February 05, 2019 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo Illustration by Florian Gaertner/Getty Images)The future of vaccines is needle-freeNasal vaccines are more effective and easier to get to the people who need it most.By Sam DelgadoComing January 16The transformative power of journalingWriting down your thoughts can be good for your mental health. Heres how to start and keep at it.By Jillian AnthonyComing January 16Egg donation is popular, but its not often publicly discussed.How safe is donating your eggs?Egg donation is common. How well do we understand the risks?By Anna NorthComing January 17MANHATTAN, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - DECEMBER 27: Security measures are taken after a 56-year-old man reportedly set on fire at Penn Station in Manhattan, New York, United States on Friday, December 27, 2024. At approximately 8:10 PM Friday evening, a 56-year-old man was set on fire intentionally and sustained burn injuries throughout his entire body. No further information was immediately released on the mans condition. (Photo by Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)How a major Supreme Court case is changing how police do their jobsThe Bruen decision upended Americas gun laws. Years later, cops and courts are still trying to sort out the mess.By Marin CoganComing January 17Youve 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: The Highlight

From pinball to pachinko, human beings have spent billions of hours fascinated by the capricious effects of physics on a metallic ball. Its a pastime that, in Ballionaire, has perhaps reached its zenith. The premise is childishly simple: drop a ball into a pyramid-shaped run, then watch, helplessly, as it tinkles toward the gutter at the bottom. On its way, the ball will ricochet off any pins and bumpers it meets in its path, triggering their special effects and gradually accumulating dollar-based points along its wending journey.Some of the bumpers, which are colourfully rendered as anthropomorphic characters, have straightforward qualities. They might add a little cash to the pot, or spawn a second ball. Others are more complicated, reversing gravity, or teleporting the ball to another spot. At first the board is mostly empty, but after each roll you have the chance to strategically add one of three new bumpers to the layout, thereby increasing the amount of points you can score on your next run.Herein lies the challenge: you have five attempts to build up a cash pot that meets or exceeds the financial target for the level. Fail to meet this target and its game over. Meet the challenge and the next target increases exponentially. Soon youll need to be making tens of thousands of virtual dollars per ball, entirely through the strategic arrangement of bumpers and the luck of the bounce. What starts off as a rather pedestrian, bagatelle-style board game soon becomes a carnival of pyrotechnical effects as a fountain of coins and balls cascade down the run, causing dazzling chain reactions.There is a simple joy in watching your score accumulate via outlandish multipliers, and while the physical aspect of the game is entirely passive, there is a world of strategy to be explored in figuring out the most beneficial arrangement of bumpers in the 55 spaces on the board. A deceptively simple, obsession-forming challenge, then, to start the year.Watch a trailer for Ballionaire.

Fresh off of CES, accessory manufacturer Genki has reportedly been approached by Nintendo lawyers as the company looks to shut down any further Nintendo Switch 2 leaksTech10:55, 13 Jan 2025The Switch 2 could finally be revealed soon(Image: @KirPinkFury/X)The Nintendo Switch 2 reveal could be right around the corner, but all Nintendo has said in recent weeks is that a CES leak from accessory manufacturer Genki is "not official".That followed reports have suggested it'll use AI upscaling for 4K visuals and have magnetic controllers, as well as a potential OLED display.Genki had claimed to have a Switch 2, and even showed off a 'dummy unit', but now it seems Nintendo may have made contact with the company to discuss its 'reveal'.As spotted and translated by The Game Post, journalist Julien Tellouck says in the video below that "Nintendo had already sent lawyers their way"."I spoke with the guy from Genki just behind me, Tellouck explains.He told me that Nintendo had already sent lawyers their way. But Genki has nothing to worry about because theyve never signed any papers with Nintendo, no confidentiality agreement, no NDA. So, the Japanese brand is in the clear.With Microsoft confirming an event for January, time is slipping away for Nintendo to show its hand this month.Nintendo had previously said it'll unveil the console before the end of the financial year.With suggestions it could have PS4 Pro levels of power when docked, and run a AAA title from a couple of years ago, there's a lot of information that the company could do with clearing up.For more on handheld consoles, be sure to read our feature on why a Steam Deck OLED is worth a look.Article continues belowFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

Switch 2 replica leaker has had a talking to from Nintendo lawyersMichael BeckwithPublished January 13, 2025 11:22amUpdated January 13, 2025 11:22am What did Genki think was going to happen? (Capcom/Metro)It sounds like Nintendo is unhappy with all the Switch 2 leaks, as they set their lawyers on replica maker Genki.Information about the Nintendo Switch 2 has been leaking with such regularity in the last few months that its kind of surprising Nintendo hadnt said anything sooner.After more than a month of screenshots and video footage popping up online, Nintendo finally broke its silence when accessory company Genki showed off its own replica of the Switch 2 during CES 2025.Anyone who thought it odd, that Genki was risking the wrath of the notoriously litigious Nintendo, will be unsurprised to learn that apparently lawyers did get involved and yet Genki still remains strangely unconcerned. Genki has stated it never signed any non-disclosure agreement with Nintendo, so its not as if it leaked confidential details it had previously been trusted with.In fact, Genki has also admitted that its Switch 2 replica is based purely on the rumoured and leaked information thats been swirling around online, rather than insider info from Nintendo.This is according to French journalist Julien Tellouck, who spoke with a Genki representative at CES and shared what he heard via a YouTube Short.[A Genki representative] told me that Nintendo had already sent lawyers their way. But Genki has nothing to worry about because theyve never signed any papers with Nintendo, no confidentiality agreement, no NDA. So, the Japanese brand is in the clear, explained Tellouck (as translated by The Game Post).However, this doesnt explains why Genki would want to do any of this, since it was obvious how much it would upset Nintendo. Theyre not the sort of company to forgive and forget and Genki has gained very little from it all, beyond a few minutes of internet of fame.Genkis mock-up lines up with what were all expecting the Switch 2 to look like now, based on the rumours. Although, it didnt have magnetic Joy-Cons and the mystery C button wasnt named as such.Ironically, Nintendos lawyers getting involved and the lack of a denial about the replicas accuracy only give it more validity. Although it sounds like the leaks havent put a dent in the companys plans.Kit Ellis, Nintendo of Americas former senior public relations manager, has suggested that while Nintendo isnt happy with all the leaks, its more important that none of the Switch 2s games are revealed early.More TrendingOnce they announce this thing, and show games, and theyre off to the races, and theyre sharing their information a lot of this is going to be in the rear view mirror, said Ellis (per GamesRadar).People have their suspicions, though. Product listings from third party studios have since sprung up and while the games identities arent explicit, you can make some educated guesses as to what they are.However, Nintendos plans for its own first party titles remain a complete mystery, which is no doubt the priority. After all, those will be the real draw that will get most people excited for the Switch 2.As for when Nintendo will actually announce the new console, the popular theory is that it will happen by the end of January. So, hopefully, well at least hear something more official in the coming weeks. At this point, itd be more surprising if the Switch 2 doesnt look like this (X)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

An Xbox classic might be hitting other consoles (Microsoft)Microsoft is planning to port nearly all of its biggest franchises to other consoles this year according to an insider, including Gears Of War.Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer recently said there are no red lines when it comes to the companys multiplatform push, and it seems were about to see those words in action in 2025.Over the past year, Xbox games like Sea Of Thieves, Grounded, Pentiment, and Hi-Fi Rush have made their way to other consoles. Indiana Jones And The Great Circle, meanwhile, is set to come to PlayStation 5 this year, alongside other games from Microsoft-owned, including Doom: The Dark Ages and The Outer Worlds 2.An insider recently claimed more Xbox games will launch on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2 this year as well, including Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Microsoft Flight Simulator. Rather than being debunked, another report claims Xbox has even more up its sleeve than that.According to Windows Central, strategy title Age Of Mythology, Senuas Saga: Hellblade 2, and potentially Gears Of War: Ultimate Edition, along with the aforementioned titles, are all set to come to PlayStation 5 this year.In regards to the latter three games, the report states it is unsure if these are also planned for Nintendo Switch 2, but they speculate that they most likely are.If true, Gears Of War: Ultimate Edition, which is a remastered version of the 2006 original, is an interesting choice as it might rule out any chance of the rumoured Gears Of War remaster collection being released this year unless that will be exclusive to Xbox.Which Xbox games are coming to PS5 in 2025?Putting the spotlight on Gears Of Wars origins makes sense though, considering the next mainline entry, Gears Of War: E-Day, is a prequel set 14 years beforehand so it could act as a refresher for fans and an introduction for newcomers.While Microsoft hasnt officially announced these games are coming to other platforms, based on Spencers recent comments it seems like nothing is off the table; so its likely we could see Starfield and Forza Horizon 5 on other consoles eventually too.As for when these could be announced, Microsofts now annual Developer Direct is set to take place on January 23, which will include Doom: The Dark Ages, South By Midnight, Clair Obscura: Expedition 33, and an unknown mystery game.Some insiders have suggested that the event may be more significant than Microsoft is currently letting on, with more titles and announcements than initially implied.More TrendingAt the very least, one brand new reveal has been promised, while theres continued talk, from several different sources, of a The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion remaster. Hellblade 2 wasnt exactly a big hit (Microsoft)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

Frihamnskyrkan Church / Elding OscarsonSave this picture! Johan DehlinMixed Use Architecture, ChurchesLundbyvassen, SwedenArchitects: Elding OscarsonAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:11000 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2023 PhotographsPhotographs:Johan Dehlin More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. FrihamnskyrkanThe new church building in the redeveloped docklands, for Gotheburg's multicultural pentecostal parish, is a large mixed-use facility. The building embodies an extensive program consisting of three sacral spaces alongside spaces for children, education, music studios, caf, sports hall, a parish kitchen for culinary exchange, and not the least a charity grocery hand-out.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The extensive social agenda needs an extrovert architecture; the largest church hall of 1100 seats was allowed to dictate the building's footprint, a huge sacral space, colum-free 40x40 meters, wrapped by exterior facades all around. Open to the city and with daylight from all sides, the room feels half outdoor; a gesture as profane as it is sacral. Free form terraces, the scale of the space and its natural light, makes it equally landscape and architecture, alluding to past gatherings outdoor, before churches. The facades' undulating border is given by the interior landscape, sawed wood below rake, an abstract representation of a comb of wheat above.Save this picture!By elevating this largest program element, the church hall, the ground floor can be open, free, transparent, and approached from all sides. The ground floor's smaller sacral space is seamlessly connected to the exterior square; an extrovert hall apt for social purposes, from coffee to flea markets. Above two educational floors is a roof garden and a large multipurpose hall. A space with views over the city, the ocean, and the sky.The building opened in October 2023.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Frihamnskyrkan, Frihamnen 14 417 70, Gteborg, SwedenLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officeElding OscarsonOfficeMaterialsSteelConcreteMaterials and TagsPublished on January 13, 2025Cite: "Frihamnskyrkan Church / Elding Oscarson" 13 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025436/frihamnskyrkan-church-elding-oscarson&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

Exclusive Interview: WOHA on the Holcim Foundation Award-Winning BRAC University Campus A Benchmark in Sustainable ArchitectureSponsored ContentOver the past two decades, the Holcim Foundation Awards has committed USD 20M to spotlight transformative projects by architects, designers, and engineers who pioneer sustainable design and construction practices. To capture these stories, the Foundation launched a short film series titled Words with Winners.This series provides an in-depth look at award-winning sustainable design projects through exclusive interviews with their creators. It includes the first film to showcase BRAC University campus, recently completed in Dhaka, featuring an exclusive interview with the lead architect and co-founder of Singaporean green building specialists WOHA Wong Mun Summ.Sustainability Best Practice in BangladeshThe BRAC University campus in Dhaka, Bangladesh, designed by WOHA architects, is a stellar example of sustainable educational architecture. Completed in 2023 after winning a Holcim Foundation Award in 2017, the campus provides a space for 20,000 students and serves as a catalyst for positive urban change. Wong, who pioneered the design, says he would like architects and developers the world over to take lessons from the project to benefit communities and the planet.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!One of the key replicable aspects of the BRAC University project is its use of a concept dubbed "breathing architecture". This approach focuses on passive design strategies, such as natural ventilation through a horizontal breezeway typology, and the incorporation of green spaces. The classrooms are arranged in parallel, creating breezeways that channel wind and enhance airflow, while landscaping at the ends of these breezeways contributes to a cooling effect through evapotranspiration. By integrating these sustainable design principles, Wong says the campus becomes "more accessible and more enjoyable for all". The building's ability to "breathe" not only reduces reliance on energy-intensive air conditioning but also creates a comfortable and inviting environment for students, faculty, and the surrounding community.Save this picture!Save this picture!Holcim Foundation RecognitionThe Holcim Foundation Awards continue to support projects like the BRAC University campus that push the boundaries of traditional architecture, combining engineering, urban design, and social responsibility. This film is a unique opportunity to see the BRAC University campus in its built form for the first time.Alongside BRAC University campus, Words with Winners features many other Holcim Foundation Award-winning projects, such as the BIG U in New York, La Quebradora Waterpark in Mexico City, addressing critical water management needs, and the Hikma Complex in Dandaji, Niger, preserving cultural heritage through innovative design.Save this picture!Save this picture!THE HOLCIM FOUNDATION AWARDS 2025 - ENTRIES CLOSING SOONAttention architects, designers, and engineers: There is less than a month to submit your innovative, sustainable design projects for the Holcim Foundation Awards 2025. With a total prize pool of USD 1 million, the competition seeks late-stage design projects that embody sustainable solutions on a global scale.Key InformationCompetition Entries Close: February 11, 202520 Global Winners | USD 1M Prize Pool5 Special Recognition PrizesFree to EnterFor more information on Words with Winners, BRAC University campus, and other award-winning projects, visit the Holcim Foundation's website and join the conversation on sustainable urban futures.Image gallerySee allShow lessCite: "Exclusive Interview: WOHA on the Holcim Foundation Award-Winning BRAC University Campus A Benchmark in Sustainable Architecture" 13 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025639/exclusive-interview-woha-on-the-holcim-foundation-award-winning-brac-university-campus-a-benchmark-in-sustainable-architecture&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

Bauhaus Earth Announces 2025 Experimental Fellows to Investigate Earth's Role in Contemporary DesignSave this picture!Maria Lisogorskaya and Kaye Song of Assemble: Atelier LUMA 2023 Lot 8 Le Magasin Electrique Photo @ Joseph Halligan. Image Courtesy of Bauhaus EarthMaria Lisogorskaya and Kaye Song from the London-based collective Assemble, along with Lviv-based architects Anna Pomazanna and Mykhailo Shevchenko, have been announced as the 2025 Experimental Fellows at Bauhaus Earth. Selected from 120 submissions, their projects are set to explore earth as a material in contemporary architecture. The annual Bauhaus Earth Fellowship program was established in 2022 by architect Prof. Regine Leibinger. It aims to support diverse projects that explore new modes of practice across various geographies, that can contribute to ecological and social resilience. Fellows receive financial support, mentorship, and access to a network encouraging collaboration among architects, manufacturers, and local stakeholders.Earth, Lightly / Maria Lisogorskaya and Kaye Song of AssembleSave this picture!Lisogorskaya and Song's initiative, "Earth, Lightly," set out to investigate regenerative architecture through earth-based construction methods. Their approach places a strong emphasis on the sensory and tactile interplay between humans and ecological structures. By utilizing earth plasters, regional minerals, and recycled materials, they plan to develop architectural prototypes that demonstrate how art and architecture can foster more active interaction with the built environment. This project seeks to explore the aesthetic possibilities of these materials while also highlighting their potential to create a regenerative architectural practice. Related Article The Future Beneath Our Feet: Soil-Cement Bricks and the Path to Sustainable Construction Grunt / Anna Pomazanna and Mykhailo ShevchenkoSave this picture!On the other hand, the "Grunt" project, led by Pomazanna and Shevchenko, addresses the critical challenges posed by environmental devastation in conflict zones, specifically focusing on Ukraine. By utilizing earth extracted from contaminated soils due to warfare, their research aims to integrate environmental rehabilitation into the architectural reconstruction process. The project is poised to develop strategies for transforming war-affected areas through innovative architectural solutions, thereby turning the problem of contaminated land into an opportunity for regenerative design. A key component of this project is the formation of multidisciplinary networks and the development of applicable guidelines, potentially serving as models for reconstructive efforts in similar conflict zones globally.Save this picture! Sharing a deep fascination with clays and soils while exploring complementary aspects of these materials, we are intrigued by the prospect of the new Fellows working together at Bauhaus Earth in Berlin. Their collaboration promises to promote a holistic understanding of the benefits and practices of earthen architecture, bridging science, industry and the humanities. By bringing together practitioners, experts, architects and artists from across Europe, their projects will prototype and showcase the beauty and contemporary relevance of earth-based architecture. - Jury statement, Jan Wurm KU Leuven, Arup, Brussels/Berlin Save this picture!Save this picture!Both projects will undergo a rigorous six to eight-month research phase, transitioning from fieldwork to experimental prototype creation. The results are to be disseminated through Bauhaus Earth's media channels and various public platforms, including exhibitions and workshops. Previous editions of the fellowship have recognized projects such as the 2024 award to Argentinian duo Heidi Jalkh and Angie Dub for their "CONQ: Marine Biobased Materials in the Built Environment," utilizing bioceramic material made from shellfish waste. Additionally, in early 2023, Baukreisel e.V. was selected for its deconstruction case study focusing on concrete reuse.Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorCite: Maria-Cristina Florian. "Bauhaus Earth Announces 2025 Experimental Fellows to Investigate Earth's Role in Contemporary Design" 13 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025649/bauhaus-earth-announces-2025-experimental-fellows-to-investigate-earths-role-in-contemporary-design&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

Finding a working Atarior any old-school consoleis next to impossible. Scouring eBay, crossing your fingers for a decent price, and hoping it even works when it arrives is a total headache. Good news: we found a retro-inspired gaming console that brings on the same nostalgic effect.Bonus: it comes with thousands of pre-loaded games. Yes, thousands. So you dont have to pay anything extra to relive Space Invaders or Rocket League. Play retro games all you want for $99.99 with free shipping (reg. $159.99)yeah, thats the cheapest console out there. But there are less than 50 left in stock.It arrives ready to playReady to invite your siblings or childhood friends over to game down memory lane? Setup takes only minutes with an HDMI and power cord. Then, pass around the two wireless gaming controllers thatll remind you of the Sony PlayStation.Now comes the tricky part: deciding which game to play first. Scroll through the 70,000+ options and decide on anything from Pac-Man to The Last of Us to Sonic the Hedgehog.You can also download free 3D games if you want to try something new. The console even comes with memory cards to load games you already own, if you have something specific in mind that happens not to be available.Stream when you arent playingIts 2025we arent going to tell you to buy a console that only does one thing. This gadget doubles as a streaming console with Android OS, allowing you to download your favorite streaming apps like Disney+, Netflix, Prime Video, and more.And dont worry about trying to navigate the interface with the gaming controllersthe system comes with a regular TV remote for movie nights.Order this gaming and streaming console for $99.99 with free shipping before theyre sold out (reg. $159.99).StackSocial prices subject to change.Kinhank Super Console X2 Pro Retro Gaming Emulator & Streaming Console $99.99See Deal

Nature, Published online: 13 January 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00058-7Early-career researchers describe how they juggled workloads, emotions and finances after having children.