Beck Shaw, lead level designer at Reebellion, has spoken to us about the studios recently-released stealth action title Sniper Elite: Resistance. In the interview, Shaw tells about all things Sniper Elite, including the Axis Invasion mode and the level design in Resistance. Check out what he has to say about the game below.What prompted the decision to make Sniper Elite: Resistance a spinoff to the main franchise rather than a true sequel?After finishing work on Sniper Elite 5, we felt that there was still so much more to explore within the setting of occupied France. So, Sniper Elite: Resistance is our opportunity to give fans more of what they love, while telling a new story that sits alongside the main franchise entries."We felt that there was still so much more to explore within the setting of occupied France"What is the scope of gameplay and level design that we can expect from Resistance? Will it be comparable to Sniper Elite 5, or will we have a shorter campaign overall?Sniper Elite: Resistance is a standalone experience with its own full-length campaign that is similar length to Sniper Elite 5. The game also features Propaganda Missions, which are brand new to the franchise, and unlocked by finding Resistance posters hidden across the campaign maps. In these side missions, you become a Resistance Fighter and are tasked with completing time sensitive challenges centred around sneaking, sniping and combat. On top of this, we have a full multiplayer experience, including cooperative play, adversarial online play and the fan favourite Axis Invasion mode.The Sniper Elite franchise is famous for a number of things, chief among them being the X-ray kills. How will Resistance improve the feature compared to what we saw in 5?Weve not modified the X-ray Kill Cam too much as it was so well received in Sniper Elite 5. But the level design of Sniper Elite: Resistance really amplifies the Kill Cam by offering stunning settings and vistas. Players are going to be able to admire their long-range shots and get a real sense of satisfaction!"The level design of Sniper Elite: Resistance really amplifies the Kill Cam"How popular has Axis Invasion mode been for the franchise so far? Can you tell us what portion of players opt to leave it enabled?I cant go into specific numbers, but Invasion Mode was one of our most loved features from Sniper Elite 5 and so we were keen to bring it back into Sniper Elite: Resistance when we started plans for development. Invasion Mode captures the cat and mouse sniping gameplay that was the inspiration behind the franchise, and we have really enjoyed seeing how these intense matches play out among the community.Among the many fronts in World War 2, what led to exploring the French resistance in Sniper Elite: Resistance?It was hard to properly address the struggle of the French Resistance within Sniper Elite 5, as the story centred on the frontlines of the Allied liberation of Europe. So, Sniper Elite: Resistance is about returning to the same setting but turning the attention hidden war that the Resistance waged deep within the heart of occupied France.Will we see more short-form side-story games from the Sniper Elite franchise in the future?Never say never, but this is all we have planned for now.What other fronts from World War 2 is the studio interested in exploring?Thats a tricky one as there are so many to choose from! Sniper Elite has already taken us from the desert warfare of Africa, to the dramatic landscapes of Italy and the Allied liberation of Europe. Its hard to say where we will go next, but I wouldnt say any theatre is off limits as they all have important stories to tell."It was hard to properly address the struggle of the French Resistance within Sniper Elite 5"I have to ask this. You must surely be thinking about the future of the franchise after shipping Resistance. Will Sniper Elite 6 happen at some point?We dont have anything to announce on that front yet.We know the game will be PS5 Pro enhanced. Can you please let us know what those enhancements are?Using the enhanced specification of the PS5 Pro, players can enjoy Sniper Elite: Resistance in full 4K, 2160p resolution.What resolution and frame rate will the PS5 and Xbox Series X and S run at?The PS5 runs at 60fps with a resolution of 1800p. Xbox Series X runs at 60fps with a resolution of 2160p The Xbox Series S runs at 60fps with a resolution of 1080p.

Alfred L. Cralle optimized his invention for one-handed use by adding a thumb grip and a scraping tool that kept food from sticking to the scooper. Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesBlack inventor Alfred L. Cralle became a hero for dessert lovers on February 2, 1897, when he patented an ice cream mold and disher, the precursor to the scoop used to serve the popular frozen treat today.Born in Virginia just after the end of the Civil War, Cralle developed his technical skills at an early age, often working alongside his carpenter father. He attended Wayland Seminary in Washington, D.C. and eventually settled in Pittsburgh. There, his work as a porter at a drugstore and a hotel sparked inspiration.As the story goes, Cralle saw that servers at these businesses struggled at dessert time. Holding ice cream cones in one hand, they were accustomed to using a serving spoon or ladle in the other hand to dish out the treats. But ice cream often stuck to the spoon, forcing servers to juggle a cone and multiple utensils simultaneously.Cralle saw a better way. He optimized his invention for one-handed use by adding a thumb grip and a scraping tool that kept food from sticking to the scooper. When he filed for a patent in 1896, he wrote that the tool would be extremely simple in its construction, strong, durable, effectual in its operation and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture. A year later, in 1897, the United States Patent Office granted Cralle Patent No. 576395. The patent for Cralle's ice cream scoop Public domainThe device was a near-instant hit. As the Pittsburgh Press wrote at the time, the invention, a product of Cralles ingenious mind, could scoop 40 to 50 dishes of ice cream in a minute while successfully doing away with the soiling of [servers] hands. The Press also reported that several firms in major cities, including Philadelphia, Cincinnati and Chicago, were interested in purchasing the patent from Cralle outright or establishing royalty deals. The patented mold and disher was useful beyond ice cream, helping to serve other sticky foods like rice.Despite the inventions popularity, Cralle never received big bucks for his patent. Nor did he win measurable fame during his lifetime. Cralle did receive recognition in the local business community, leaving porter roles at the St. Charles Hotel and the Markell Brothers drugstore to serve as the assistant manager of the Afro-American Financial, Accumulating, Merchandise and Business Association. He was later promoted to general manager of the organization.Cralle died in 1919.Notably, Cralle was the first Black man in Pittsburgh to receive his own patent. Historians consider him to be part of a wave of Black patentees that emerged in the aftermath of the Civil War and the ratification of the 14th Amendment. His work was covered in patent examiner Henry E. Bakers 1913 book, The Colored Inventor: A Record of 50 Years, a text that defined 20th-century knowledge of Black inventors and their creations. In recent years, Cralles invention has inspired a younger generation of tinkerers in his hometown and beyond, and it continues to demonstrate its sweet staying power each time someone serves up a scoop of ice cream.Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.Filed Under: African American History, Black History Month, Desserts, Food, Food History, Inventions, On This Day in History

In our previous tutorial, we built an AI agent capable of answering queries by surfing the web. However, when building agents for longer-running tasks, two critical concepts come into play: persistence and streaming. Persistence allows you to save the state of an agent at any given point, enabling you to resume from that state in future interactions. This is crucial for long-running applications. On the other hand, streaming lets you emit real-time signals about what the agent is doing at any moment, providing transparency and control over its actions. In this tutorial, well enhance our agent by adding these powerful features.Setting Up the AgentLets start by recreating our agent. Well load the necessary environment variables, install and import the required libraries, set up the Tavily search tool, define the agent state, and finally, build the agent.pip install langgraph==0.2.53 langgraph-checkpoint==2.0.6 langgraph-sdk==0.1.36 langchain-groq langchain-community langgraph-checkpoint-sqlite==2.0.1import osos.environ['TAVILY_API_KEY'] = "<TAVILY_API_KEY>"os.environ['GROQ_API_KEY'] = "<GROQ_API_KEY>"from langgraph.graph import StateGraph, ENDfrom typing import TypedDict, Annotatedimport operatorfrom langchain_core.messages import AnyMessage, SystemMessage, HumanMessage, ToolMessagefrom langchain_groq import ChatGroqfrom langchain_community.tools.tavily_search import TavilySearchResultstool = TavilySearchResults(max_results=2)class AgentState(TypedDict): messages: Annotated[list[AnyMessage], operator.add]class Agent: def __init__(self, model, tools, system=""): self.system = system graph = StateGraph(AgentState) graph.add_node("llm", self.call_openai) graph.add_node("action", self.take_action) graph.add_conditional_edges("llm", self.exists_action, {True: "action", False: END}) graph.add_edge("action", "llm") graph.set_entry_point("llm") self.graph = graph.compile() self.tools = {t.name: t for t in tools} self.model = model.bind_tools(tools) def call_openai(self, state: AgentState): messages = state['messages'] if self.system: messages = [SystemMessage(content=self.system)] + messages message = self.model.invoke(messages) return {'messages': [message]} def exists_action(self, state: AgentState): result = state['messages'][-1] return len(result.tool_calls) > 0 def take_action(self, state: AgentState): tool_calls = state['messages'][-1].tool_calls results = [] for t in tool_calls: print(f"Calling: {t}") result = self.tools[t['name']].invoke(t['args']) results.append(ToolMessage(tool_call_id=t['id'], name=t['name'], content=str(result))) print("Back to the model!") return {'messages': results}Adding PersistenceTo add persistence, well use LangGraphs checkpointer feature. A checkpointer saves the state of the agent after and between every node. For this tutorial, well use SqliteSaver, a simple checkpointer that leverages SQLite, a built-in database. While well use an in-memory database for simplicity, you can easily connect it to an external database or use other checkpoints like Redis or Postgres for more robust persistence.from langgraph.checkpoint.sqlite import SqliteSaverimport sqlite3sqlite_conn = sqlite3.connect("checkpoints.sqlite",check_same_thread=False)memory = SqliteSaver(sqlite_conn)Next, well modify our agent to accept a checkpointer:class Agent: def __init__(self, model, tools, checkpointer, system=""): # Everything else remains the same as before self.graph = graph.compile(checkpointer=checkpointer) # Everything else after this remains the sameNow, we can create our agent with persistence enabled:prompt = """You are a smart research assistant. Use the search engine to look up information. \You are allowed to make multiple calls (either together or in sequence). \Only look up information when you are sure of what you want. \If you need to look up some information before asking a follow-up question, you are allowed to do that!"""model = ChatGroq(model="Llama-3.3-70b-Specdec")bot = Agent(model, [tool], system=prompt, checkpointer=memory)Adding StreamingStreaming is essential for real-time updates. There are two types of streaming well focus on:1. Streaming Messages: Emitting intermediate messages like AI decisions and tool results.2. Streaming Tokens: Streaming individual tokens from the LLMs response.Lets start by streaming messages. Well create a human message and use the stream method to observe the agents actions in real-time.messages = [HumanMessage(content="What is the weather in Texas?")]thread = {"configurable": {"thread_id": "1"}}for event in bot.graph.stream({"messages": messages}, thread): for v in event.values(): print(v['messages'])Final output: The current weather in Texas is sunny with a temperature of 19.4C (66.9F) and a wind speed of 4.3 mph (6.8 kph)..When you run this, youll see a stream of results. First, an AI message instructing the agent to call Tavily, followed by a tool message with the search results, and finally, an AI message answering the question.Understanding Thread IDsThe thread_id is a crucial part of the thread configuration. It allows the agent to maintain separate conversations with different users or contexts. By assigning a unique thread_id to each conversation, the agent can keep track of multiple interactions simultaneously without mixing them up.For example, lets continue the conversation by asking, What about in LA? using the same thread_id:messages = [HumanMessage(content="What about in LA?")]thread = {"configurable": {"thread_id": "1"}}for event in bot.graph.stream({"messages": messages}, thread): for v in event.values(): print(v)Final output: The current weather in Los Angeles is sunny with a temperature of 17.2C (63.0F) and a wind speed of 2.2 mph (3.6 kph) .The agent infers that were asking about the weather, thanks to persistence. To verify, lets ask, Which one is warmer?:messages = [HumanMessage(content="Which one is warmer?")]thread = {"configurable": {"thread_id": "1"}}for event in bot.graph.stream({"messages": messages}, thread): for v in event.values(): print(v)Final output: Texas is warmer than Los Angeles. The current temperature in Texas is 19.4C (66.9F), while the current temperature in Los Angeles is 17.2C (63.0F)The agent correctly compares the weather in Texas and LA. To test if persistence keeps conversations separate, lets ask the same question with a different thread_id:messages = [HumanMessage(content="Which one is warmer?")]thread = {"configurable": {"thread_id": "2"}}for event in bot.graph.stream({"messages": messages}, thread): for v in event.values(): print(v)Output: I need more information to answer that question. Can you please provide more context or specify which two things you are comparing?This time, the agent gets confused because it doesnt have access to the previous conversations history.Streaming TokensTo stream tokens, well use the astream_events method, which is asynchronous. Well also switch to an async checkpointer.from langgraph.checkpoint.sqlite.aio import AsyncSqliteSaverasync with AsyncSqliteSaver.from_conn_string(":memory:") as checkpointer: abot = Agent(model, [tool], system=prompt, checkpointer=checkpointer) messages = [HumanMessage(content="What is the weather in SF?")] thread = {"configurable": {"thread_id": "4"}} async for event in abot.graph.astream_events({"messages": messages}, thread, version="v1"): kind = event["event"] if kind == "on_chat_model_stream": content = event["data"]["chunk"].content if content: # Empty content in the context of OpenAI means # that the model is asking for a tool to be invoked. # So we only print non-empty content print(content, end="|")This will stream tokens in real-time, giving you a live view of the agents thought process.ConclusionBy adding persistence and streaming, weve significantly enhanced our AI agents capabilities. Persistence allows the agent to maintain context across interactions, while streaming provides real-time insights into its actions. These features are essential for building production-ready applications, especially those involving multiple users or human-in-the-loop interactions.In the next tutorial, well dive into human-in-the-loop interactions, where persistence plays a crucial role in enabling seamless collaboration between humans and AI agents. Stay tuned!References:(DeepLearning.ai) https://learn.deeplearning.ai/courses/ai-agents-in-langgraphAlso,dont forget to follow us onTwitter and join ourTelegram Channel andLinkedIn Group. Dont Forget to join our75k+ ML SubReddit.(Promoted) Vineet KumarVineet Kumar is a consulting intern at MarktechPost. He is currently pursuing his BS from the Indian Institute of Technology(IIT), Kanpur. He is a Machine Learning enthusiast. He is passionate about research and the latest advancements in Deep Learning, Computer Vision, and related fields.Vineet Kumarhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/vineet1897/Memorization vs. Generalization: How Supervised Fine-Tuning SFT and Reinforcement Learning RL Shape Foundation Model LearningVineet Kumarhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/vineet1897/Decoupling Tokenization: How Over-Tokenized Transformers Redefine Vocabulary Scaling in Language ModelsVineet Kumarhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/vineet1897/Creating An AI Agent-Based System with LangGraph: A Beginners GuideVineet Kumarhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/vineet1897/Unlocking Autonomous Planning in LLMs: How AoT+ Overcomes Hallucinations and Cognitive Load [Recommended] Join Our Telegram Channel

This week, Marvel Cinematic Universe star Simu Liu got Sleeping Dogs fans excited when he tweeted to say he was working with the rights holders to bring the much-loved video game to the big screen.It turns out things are a little further ahead than that. A source close to the project has told IGN that the Sleeping Dogs movie is in development, and were hearing Simu Liu, who plays Shang-Chi in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, is producing and set to play the lead role of Wei Shen.IGN has asked Square Enix for comment.Sleeping Dogs was first released in 2012 on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC and tells the story of detective Wei Shen as he infiltrates one of Hong Kong's notorious Triad crime syndicates. While it failed to meet publisher Square Enix's lofty sales expectations, it is much-loved by fans and sequel hopes have followed it ever since.Sleeping Dogs is set for a wake-up call with a movie adaptation. Image credit: Square Enix.The original adaptation was announced in 2017 with Donnie Yen set to star, but the film disappeared a year later and, just a few weeks ago, Yen himself confirmed it had been scrapped.I spent a lot of time and did a lot of work with these producers, and I even invested some of my own money into obtaining the drafts and some of the rights," Yen told Polygon."I waited for years. Years. And I really want to do it. I have all these visions in my head, and unfortunately I dont know, you know how Hollywood goes, right? I spent many, many years on it. It was an unfortunate thing. Well, on to better things."So when Liu tweeted to say he was working to make the Sleeping Dogs movie a reality, there was a degree of confusion among fans. Liu himself followed up with another statement that added fuel to the fire, and even revealed his intention to help bring a Sleeping Dogs video game sequel to life.So few film projects make it from pitch phase to greenlight, he said. Pitching execs who dont understand the game has been tiring. Everyones overwhelming love of Sleeping Dogs here has really given us life!First a movie, then a sequel game for everyone thats always been the dream.Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: Who's Who in the CastIGN can reveal that Story Kitchen is leading the Sleeping Dogs live action feature film project, with Square Enix the rights holder in question. Story Kitchen has form when it comes to video game adaptations, having worked on everything from the Sonic the Hedgehog films to Netflixs animated Tomb Raider series. Its currently working on the upcoming Streets of Rage adaptation and an adaptation of It Takes Two for Amazon.Last year, Story Kitchen announced a film adaptation of Square Enix's Just Cause, with Blue Beetle director ngel Manuel Soto signed on. IGN understands the Sleeping Dogs project has a writer and major filmmaker attached to the project, but theres no release date or word on when production will begin just yet.The movie marks a significant revival for Sleeping Dogs, which saw its video game sequel canceled in late 2013 before it entered production, and its original developer, United Front Games, shut down three years later. Now, over a decade later, Sleeping Dogs could finally be set for a wake-up call.Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

This year's Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event has unveiled the company's newest line of 2025 Galaxy S25 smartphones. They come in three familiar variants: the Galaxy S25, the Galaxy S25+, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Preorders are now available on every model with orders shipping out on February 7. Samsung direct is generally the best place online to preorder an unlocked Galaxy phone. Not only do you get a phone that's free of bloatware, you can take advantage of a combination of instant savings, bonus Samsung credit for your next purchase, and generous trade-in values. Amazon does have a bonus gift card, however, that makes getting the base storage models worth it.For those of you who had placed a reservation online in advance of Galaxy Unpacked, you can cash in on additional savings in the form of a bonus $50 Samsung credit and bigger trade-in values.Samsung Galaxy S25Up to $50 off discounts, up to $100 in Samsung credit, and up to $500 off with trade-inBonus $100 in Samsung CreditSamsung Galaxy S25 Unlocked (128GB)$799.99 at SamsungBonus $100 Amazon Gift CardSamsung Galaxy S25 Unlocked (128GB)$799.99 at AmazonBonus $50 in Samsung CreditSamsung Galaxy S25 Unlocked (256GB)The Galaxy S25 is Samsung's most affordable phone in the series. The 128GB model is listed at $799.99 with $100 in Samsung credit, and the 256GB model is on sale for $809.99 ($50 discount) with $50 in Samsung credit. The S25 benefits from the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite octa-core processor and 12GB RAM, which is the same combination found in the higher-end models, and a familiar triple-lens camera system that's carried over from the S24.Samsung Galaxy S25 Quick SpecsQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Octa-Core Processor with 12GB of RAM6.2" 2340x1080 (FHD+) 120Hz AMOLED DisplayAluminum and Glass ConstructionThree Rear Cameras (50MP Main, 10MP 3X Telephoto, 12MP Ultrawide)Video Recording Up to UHD 8K (7680x4320) @ 30fps128-256GB of Internal Storage5G Compatibility and Dual SIM SupportUSB Gen 3.2 Gen 1 with Up to 25W Charging Rate4,000mAh BatteryGalaxy AI Built-InSamsung Galaxy S25+Up to $100 off discounts, up to $150 in Samsung credit, and up to $700 off with trade-inBonus $150 in Samsung CreditSamsung Galaxy S25+ Unlocked (256GB)$999.99 at SamsungBonus $100 Amazon Gift CardSamsung Galaxy S25+ Unlocked (256GB)$999.99 at AmazonBonus $50 in Samsung CreditSamsung Galaxy S25+ Unlocked (512GB)The Galaxy S25+ is a more premium version of the S25 and sits right in the middle of the new 2025 lineup. The 256GB model is listed at $999.99 with $150 in Samsung credit and the 512GB is on sale for $1,019.99 ($100 discount) with $50 in Samsung credit. Like its predecessors, the S25+ is essentially the S25 equipped with a larger and sharper 6.7" display, but the larger form factor also allows for more internal storage and a bigger battery with faster charging.Samsung Galaxy S25+ Quick SpecsQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Octa-Core Processor with 12GB of RAM6.7" 3120 x 1440 (Quad HD+) 120Hz AMOLED DisplayAluminum and Glass ConstructionThree Rear Cameras (50MP Main, 10MP 3X Telephoto, 12MP Ultrawide)Video Recording Up to UHD 8K (7680x4320) @ 30fps256GB-512GB of Internal Storage5G Compatibility and Dual SIM SupportUSB Gen 3.2 Gen 1 with Up to 45W Charging Rate4,900mAh BatteryGalaxy AI Built-InSamsung Galaxy S25 UltraUp to $240 off discounts, up to $150 in Samsung credit, and up to $700 off with trade-inBonus $150 in Samsung CreditSamsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Unlocked (256GB)$1,299.99 at SamsungBonus $200 Amazon Gift CardSamsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Unlocked (256GB)$1,299.99 at AmazonBonus $130 in Samsung CreditSamsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Unlocked (512GB)Bonus $110 in Samsung CreditSamsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Unlocked (1TB)The Galaxy S25 Ultra is Samsung's flagship phone. The 256GB is listed at $1,299.99 with $150 in Samsung credit, the 512GB is on sale for $1,299.99 ($120 discount) with $130 in Samsung credit, and the 1TB is on sale for $1,419.99 ($240 discount) with $110 in Samsung credit. As befits the highest-end phone in the stack, the S25 Ultra is equipped with top-of-the-line hardware. It is also the most updated phone in the lineup, with a lighter body, new Gorilla Armor 2 display glass with a better anti-reflective coating, sharper ultrawide lens, and 10-bit HDR video recording.Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Quick SpecsQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Octa-Core Processor with 12GB of RAM6.7" 3120 x 1440 (Quad HD+) 120Hz AMOLED Display with S-Pen SupportTitanium and New Gorilla Armor 2 Anti-Reflective Glass ConstructionFour Rear Cameras (200MP Main, 10MP 3X Telephoto, 50MP 5X Telephoto, 50MP Ultrawide)10-Bit HDR Video Recording Up to UHD 8K (7680x4320) @ 30fps with 256GB-1TB of Internal Storage5G Compatibility and Dual SIM SupportUSB Gen 3.2 Gen 1 with Up to 45W Charging Rate5,000mAh BatteryGalaxy AI Built-InA Samsung Galaxy S25 "Edge" May Be Coming LaterTowards the end of its Galaxy Unpacked presentation, Samsung teased a quick glimpse of a potential slimmer "Edge" smartphone. Unfortunately, we didn't get any other official information outside of that sizzle reel cameo, so we don't know where it likes in the Galay S25 product stack (if at all), and when we expect this phone to be released.Samsung Galaxy AIThe incorporation of AI has been at the forefront of CES 2025 and Samsung continues to follow suit with its own Galaxy AI algorithm. AI smartphone integration is still in its fledgling state and we expect its utility will continue to improve with updates down the road. That said, unlike Apple, you will not need to upgrade to a new 2025 model to take advantage of Galaxy AI. Many features will be (or are already are) backwards compatible with older models, although, of course, newer models will be able to take better advantage of more demanding features.The Samsung Galaxy S24 Was the Best Phone of 2024The Galaxy S24 Ultra was our favorite Android phone of 2024. In our Galaxy S24 Ultra review review, Jacqueline Thomas wrote that "the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is an incredible smartphone. It might look like yet another Galaxy device, but its titanium chassis and powerful processor makes this a durable gaming phone that can outrace the best of them."The less expensive Galaxy S24 Plus was also a solid winner in our books. In our Galaxy S24 Plus review, Mark Knapp wrote that "the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the best Android phone you can buy right now, but at $1,299, it really needs to be. This is not only the fastest gaming phone you can buy today, but with its premium titanium chassis, it might just be the most durable. Samsung is sweetening the deal a bit by adding a huge variety of AI tools, but many of them will probably be forgotten after you've been using the phone for a while. Still, don't let that get you down: If you want a premium Android phone in 2024, it's hard to imagine getting anything else."For more big tech news for this month, check out our CES 2025 hub for everything that was announced, including Nvidia's newest graphics cards, Lenovo's latest handhelds, and other reveals in gaming tech that caught our eye.Why Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?IGN's deals team has a combined 30+ years of experience finding the best discounts in gaming, tech, and just about every other category. We don't try to trick our readers into buying things they don't need at prices that aren't worth buying something at. Our ultimate goal is to surface the best possible deals from brands we trust and our editorial team has personal experience with. You can check out our deals standards here for more information on our process, or keep up with the latest deals we find on IGN's Deals account on Twitter.Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.

If there's one thing we've learned over the years, it's to not take eye health for granted. Our brains are so good at adapting to changes, it can be difficult to even notice your vision is changing until you're hit with an advanced issue. Remember, your vision is more than just your eyesight. It's part of your overall health.The American Academy of Ophthalmology predicts a dramatic rise in vision issues over the next 30 years. Besides genetic or age-related changes in vision, there are habits that might be hurting your vision and negatively impacting eye health. We rounded up the most common bad eye habits and the preventative measures you can take to avoid them, keeping your vision healthy.For more information, see what foods to add to your diet and what things you should be doing each day to support your eye health. Remember, regular vision checks are still a must for keeping your eyes in top shape.1. Using expired makeup Upgrade your inbox Get cnet insider From talking fridges to iPhones, our experts are here to help make the world a little less complicated. It's easy to forget that your favorite eye makeup products have a life span, especially when you use them every day. Using expired mascara and eyeliners can put your eyes at risk of infection. A good rule of thumb when determining when it's time to ditch the product is to look for the Period After Opening. This stamp will tell you how long you've got after opening the product before it needs to be replaced. For example, usually mascara can last about three months. It's also important to properly store your cosmetics. Improper storage can affect the longevity of a product and can lead to the growth of bacteria or mold, putting you at risk of infection and subsequent eye diseases.2. Reusing contact lensesIf you think you're saving money by recycling your contacts, it may end up costing you more in the long run. As someone who used to do this and as a result, ended up with multiple eye infections, I can attest that it's a contact lens habit worth breaking. When I switched to using daily contacts and interchangeably using glasses, I drastically reduced my chances of developing an eye infection and kept my eyes healthier. Changing to dailies is worth considering: One study found that people who wear reusable contact lenses are about four times more at risk of developing Acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare eye infection that can increase your risk of vision loss or blindness, compared with folks who use daily contacts.Other habits you should break with your contact lenses include sleeping, showering or swimming with them on. Dr. Mackenzie Sward, a board-certified ophthalmologist, warns, "Sleeping in your contact lenses and failing to properly clean your lenses can significantly increase the risk of a corneal ulcer caused by a bacterial, fungal or parasitic infection." As if that wasn't concerning enough, vision loss from contact lens-related complications may be severe and permanent. Also, speaking from experience, avoid rubbing your eyes when you're wearing contacts.Read more: Best Places to Buy Contacts Online Kinga Krzeminska/Getty Images3. Not wearing sunglassesYou know that your skin needs sunscreen to protect it from harmful UV rays, and believe it or not, your eyes need to be shielded as well. Sward recommends wearing proper UV protection when outdoors or in a car, even if it's overcast. "That is because harmful UVA and UVB rays in the atmosphere can increase the risk of macular degeneration, cataracts, skin cancer of the eyelid and other diseases of the eye," she explains. To protect your eyes, Sward advises opting to wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection every time you step outside."Cumulative UV exposure and damage only increases the lifetime incidence of macular degeneration, cataracts, pterygium and skin cancer," she explains. These conditions may be permanent or require surgical treatment to correct. People in occupations with more outdoor work, such as construction or landscaping, are at higher risk of certain conditions related to UV damage, so they should be more mindful of protecting themselves.Read more: Best Prescription Sunglasses4. Not wearing protective eyewearYou should also be wearing protective eyewear when playing sports or doing work that involves the risk of an eye injury. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "estimates that about 2,000 people per day sustain work-related eye injuries, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology estimates that there are 30,000 sports related eye injuries every year in the United States," Sward said.Many of these injuries are preventable and usually involve foreign objects that get stuck in the eye, like dust, wood, metal or plant debris. Other injuries you can sustain from lack of eye protection include blunt or direct trauma from falls or from larger objects such as tools that hit the face.So, protect your eyes and those tiny blood vessels with the right gear. 5. SmokingBesides the known multiple health risks smoking can cause, it can also harm your eyes. Smoking cigarettes doubles the risk of macular degeneration, which can cause you to lose vision in the part of your eye known as the macula. Smoking also harms your retina and increases your chances of cataracts, which cloud your eye's lenses and can also lead to loss of vision. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, smokers are about three times more likely to develop cataracts and up to four times more likely to develop age-related macular degeneration compared with nonsmokers. So if you're a smoker, it would be in your best interest to kick the habit.6. Spending too much time on screensWe can all admit we could limit our time on our smartphones, laptops and tablets. Spending fewer hours with these items would also benefit our eyesight. Digital eye strain or Computer Vision Syndrome, is a condition that occurs when you've been staring at a computer or phone screen for too long. It can cause eye dryness, blurry vision, headaches, backaches and other symptoms of discomfort.Sward recommends taking frequent breaks from screens to let your eyes relax and getting fitted for a pair of prescription lenses that are specifically made for use at the computer. "It is important to see an eye care professional regularly to ensure you are wearing the appropriate eyeglass correction and [to] screen for eye conditions that may otherwise not have any symptoms," she said. So, don't skip on your routine eye exams and keep a track of some of these everyday habits to keep vision problems at bay.

Image: Nintendo LifeMy dear Bagginses and Boffins, Tooks and Brandybucks, Grubbs, Chubbs, Hornblowers, Bolgers, Bracegirdles and Proudfoots (Proudfeet!), welcome to another edition of Box Art Brawl!Before we get all Middle Earthy, let's quickly recap what went down last time, eh? Two covers from the NSO newbie Super Ninja Boy went head-to-head in last week's match-up, and despite us thinking they were both pretty rad, it wasn't a close call. Japan's cover walked away with a comfortable win, taking 67% of the vote and leaving the North American variant with the remaining 33%.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube795kWatch on YouTube This week (if the intro wasn't a big enough giveaway), we're going all Hobbit-y as we compare two covers for The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age on GBA. While its GameCube counterpart went down the full RPG route, The Third Age on GBA is a pure top-down tactics affair which presents a parallel storyline to the iconic movie plots.Both the GBA and GameCube shared the same cover variants in each region, so you can squint a little and try to imagine a rectangular box if you want to know what the designs looked like for the home console release.There are just two different designs to look at this week, so let's get to them. For Frodo... Every Lord of the Rings game on Nintendo platformsBe sure to cast your votes in the poll below; but first, let's check out the box art designs themselves.North America / EuropeTalk about a way to get fans pumped! The North American and European design is all about the iconic Balrog battle in the Mines of Moria (and they call it a miiiine). Legolas, Aragorn, Gandalf and Gimli stand front and centre on the Bridge of Khazad-dm, with the flaming Balrog rising up behind them, whip in hand.It's very reliant on knowing the movie, yes, but even from an outside perspective, this looks pretty epic.JapanThe Japanese cover takes a different approach. There's still a little Balrog action going on, but the majority of the design is dedicated to a map of Middle Earth, perhaps tapping into the game's more thoughtful, considered, turn-based gameplay. Some non-descript character models and everyone's favourite creature of shadow and flame peek through a tear, but this is mainly all about the cartography.Which region got the best The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age box art? (43 votes)North America / Europe86%Japan14%Thanks for voting! We'll see you next time for another round of Box Art Brawl.Related GamesSee AlsoShare:00 Jim came to Nintendo Life in 2022 and, despite his insistence that The Minish Cap is the best Zelda game and his unwavering love for the Star Wars prequels (yes, really), he has continued to write news and features on the site ever since. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesPoll: So, Were You Accepted For The Nintendo Switch 2 Hands-On Event?Go on, tell usOpinion: Forget Themes, I Want A Switch 2 Start-Up JingleJingles, all the way

Community Health Center discloses massive patient data breach.gettyUpdate, Feb. 2, 2025: This story, originally published Jan. 31, now includes further expert comments on the cybersecurity challenges facing healthcare providers following this latest medical records breach and a ransomware attack against a major blood donor group in New York.With ransomware attacks reaching record numbers, and more than a billion stolen passwords for sale on the dark web, Im constantly amazed that there arent more data breaches, if Im honest. Not that it makes it any the less shocking when a healthcare provider discloses that the medical records of a million patients have been compromised. Heres what we know about the Community Health Center security incident.More Than A Million Medical Records StolenIn a Jan. 30 filing to the Office of the Maine Attorney General, Connecticut-based healthcare provider Community Health Center has disclosed a data breach, first discovered Jan. 2, has impacted more than a million patients following a successful attack by unknown threat actors who gained access to its networks.In a letter to impacted patients, seen by this reporter, Mark Masselli president and CEO at Community Health Center, Inc., said, that investigators had determined that a skilled criminal hacker got into our system and took some data, which might include your personal information. This doesnt appear to have been a ransomware attack, as Masselli said no data was deleted or encrypted, and the hack didnt impact healthcare operations. We believe we stopped the criminal hackers access within hours, Masselli said, and that there is no current threat to our systems.There is, however, the small matter of the files that the hacker stole: files containing patients personal and health information belonging to 1,060,936 individuals. The stolen data is understood to include:Patient NamesDates of BirthContact InformationSocial Security NumbersMedical DiagnosesTreatment DetailsTest ResultsHealth Insurance DetailsMORE FOR YOUA Medical Records NightmareThis incident highlights the urgency of securing healthcare infrastructuresprotecting not just patient data, but the broader ecosystem of communication, collaboration, and care delivery, Emily Phelps, a director at Cyware, said, Incidents in this sector underscore the ongoing risks healthcare providers face, with attackers gaining access to sensitive data like names, medical diagnoses, and insurance details.Although the Community Health Center attack is not thought to have been ransomware-related, the same cannot be said for the latest healthcare hack. As I reported Feb. 1, the New York Blood Center has been hit by ransomware scumbags who have disrupted the blood donation process of a major blood supplier to 200 hospitals with all the possible consequences that come with such an irresponsible action.Dr. Ilia Kolochenko, CEO at ImmuniWeb and a Fellow at the British Computer Society, told me that healthcare will probably be the most desirable target for ransomware groups in 2025 for three key reasons. First is funding, with most healthcare organizations surviving mostly thanks to governmental subsidies or charity donations, Kolochenko said, this makes healthcare institutions a low-hanging fruit for unscrupulous cybercriminals, who are unwilling to spend a lot of time and effort to pierce multilayered cyber defense of, say, wealthy financial institutions. Then theres the more likely to pay weakness that is introduced by the very nature of the business these organizations are in, where human life is more important than money. Knowing this, Kolochenko said, ransomware groups usually start with a six- or even seven-digit bid, then significantly reduce it to something that the victim can pay, naively believing that it got a great deal. And finally, healthcare providers can handle very sensitive data of politicians, celebrities and wealthy executives, making attacks against healthcare unprecedently lucrative compared to most other sectors, Kolochenko concluded.Masselli, meanwhile, said that Community Health Center had strengthened our security and added special software to watch for suspicious activity, although this will be of cold comfort to those patients whose medical records have been compromised. Given that the attacker also has access to names, dates of birth and health insurance details, this could be an extortion nightmare waiting to unfold.

Lithium-ion batteries used in portable electronics like earbuds come with fire risks. Adding flame ... [+] retardants to their plastic battery enclosures may not be help. It can also lead to health harm.gettyIf youre reading this on a smartphone or laptop, you can thank lithium-ion batteries. Their high energy density, long lifespan, and fast charging capabilities have revolutionized portable power. Electric cars, e-bikes, smartphones, laptops, earbuds, and more use them.Unfortunately, these batteries also pose a major fire hazard. In New York City alone, 277 fires were started by lithium-ion batteries last year. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, lithium-ion battery fire incidents occur on U.S. flights weekly or more.In an attempt to mitigate this serious danger, manufacturers are adding chemical flame retardants to the plastic cases surrounding lithium-ion batteries. Is it making a difference? In a Viewpoint published last week in Environmental Science & Technology, scientists from the University of Toronto and the Green Science Policy Institute explain that adding flame retardants to the plastic around these batteries has no proven fire-safety or other benefit. Additionally, the types of flame retardants widely used in battery enclosures are linked to cancer and other health harms, and if the enclosures enter the global recycling stream, the harmful flame retardants can end up in inappropriate places like childrens toys, food containers, and utensils.Flame Retardants In Battery Enclosures Have No Proven BenefitAs the usage of lithium-ion batteries expands, flammability standards that are met with chemical flame retardants are being hastily adopted for a variety of plastic battery enclosures. However, there is no publicly available research demonstrating that this use of flame retardants curbs battery fires under real-world conditions. Flame retardants in plastics cannot impact the highly energetic fires from a lithium-ion battery in thermal runaway.Trying to stop thermal runaway fires by adding flame retardants to plastic is like adding a screen door to a submarine. Its a futile effort against an overwhelming force, according to distinguished fire scientist Dr. Vyto Babrauskas.MORE FOR YOUFurther, when plastics burn, flame retardants can create additional smoke, soot, and toxic gases, which are major causes of fire deaths. They can also produce dioxins and furans, which can contribute to firefighter cancer.Flame Retardants In Battery Enclosures are Linked to Health HarmThe flame retardants widely used for this purpose are organohalogen and organophosphate chemicals which have been linked to cancer as well as neurological, reproductive, and immune system harm. Young children and pregnant women are the most vulnerable.The flame retardant chemicals can migrate from plastic cases of many productsfrom earbuds to e-bikesinto air, dust, water, people, animals, and end up in our food supply. If recycled at the end of their useful life, these products can contaminate the recycling stream and impede the circular economy. This contributes to the contamination of products made from recycled plasticlike the infamous black plastic spatula, sushi trays, and childrens toys. Disposal by burning or landfilling leads to toxic emissions and can be harmful to the global environment and human health, especially in low-wealth countries.Other Flammability Standards Have Turned Out To Be IneffectiveThis would not be the first time that the use of flame retardants to meet flammability standards has resulted in health harm without proven fire-safety benefits. For example, an unfortunate long-time California furniture flammability standard did not reduce fire deaths. Meanwhile, the flame retardant most often used to meet that standard was linked to the loss of three to five IQ points among U.S. children and a fourfold increase in the risk of dying from cancer. Since that standard was updated a decade ago to be met without flame retardants, furniture fires have remained minimal or even decreased.The best solution for both public health and fire safety is to prevent battery fires from occurring in the first place. Strategies like improving battery management systems and stopping the use of faulty batteries can prevent dangerous thermal runaway fires. This would save lives both from fires as well as from cancer and the many other health harms linked to flame retardants.