Firaxis acknowledges Civilization 7 issues, fixes incoming"We need some time to digest all of your feedback."Image credit: Firaxis News by Ed Nightingale Deputy News Editor Published on Feb. 7, 2025 As Civilization 7 has launched into early access ahead of its full release next week, developer Firaxis has acknowledged issues with the game highlighted by the "passionate community".On Steam, the game has received plenty of negative reviews complaining about its poor UI and lack of features, and currently sits with a Mixed rating. Eurogamer's Civilization 7 review described it as "a competent entry with some poorly executed ideas and a striking lack of personality".Now, Firaxis has identified three areas it's looking to improve in a new update post, with a full roadmap due soon.Sid Meier's Civilization 7 - official gameplay showcase.Watch on YouTubeThe biggest priority is improving the UI, Firaxis said. "We need some time to digest all of your feedback, but some areas that we're already looking into include making UI interactions more intuitive, improving map readability, fixing areas of polish like formatting, and more," it explained.Next up are community-requested features, which will be added in free updates. These will include:Adding Teams to multiplayer games so you can play cooperativelyAllowing full player counts in multiplayer in all three Ages through refinements to our Distant Lands system.Allowing you to pick your starting and ending Age to allow for single or double Age gamesProviding a wider variety of map typesEnabling city and religion names to be customizedAdding in hotseat multiplayerLastly, Patch 1.1.0 is already due for March, which will include quality of life changes to UI, AI balance, adjustments to diplomacy, and bug fixes."We will support Civilization 7 for years to come, and your feedback remains critical in helping us grow and build the future of Civ," the post concludes.Civilization 7 is the latest in the long-running strategy series, which entered early access earlier this week for those who bought its Deluxe or Founders editions. Its full release will be next week, 11th February.This time, the game's narrator is Gwendoline Christie, who played Brienne of Tarth in Game of Thrones.

Chill Out, K?GTA 6's release is still on track for this year, Take-Two says, yet again pushing snooze on the endless delay speculation for about five minutes"There's always a risk of slippage," CEO Strauss Zelnick added, but the company feels "really good about it".Image credit: Rockstar News by Mark Warren Senior Staff Writer Published on Feb. 7, 2025 You can take today off. No, not from whatever you do for a living, from something much more important - speculating and worrying that GTA 6 might end up being delayed beyond the fall 2025 release window it's had slapped on its windshield for a good while now.Put away your fears about moons, shipping containers, and the number 27 not having been the harbingers of an immediate second trailer release. A main in a suit says it's currently looking like it'll be ok.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. This reassurance came via the usual source - the latest of Take-Two's regular earnings calls - which saw CEO Strauss Zelnick pop up to say some words about numbers and yet again emphasise thar rather a lot of people have bought GTA 5 over the years.In a neat little table, so there can be no mistake, the financial report for Q3 2025 outlines that Grand Theft Auto VI is currently still slated to come to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S in "fall of calendar 2025", thank you very much. Phew. This inevitably won't stop the constant online pant-shitting about the game potentially slipping to 2026 following those reports a while ago, but hopefully it at least gives everyone five minutes to catch their breath.Zelnick provided a tiny bit more context as to where GTA 6 currently stands in terms of hitting the fall wondow reponse to a question from IGN. "Look, there's always a risk of slippage and I think as soon as you say words like absolutely, you jinx things," the exec said, "So we feel really good about it."Pressed for an update on how development's going, Zelnick added that the game's "eagerly anticipated both internally and externally", which, er, yeah. "We know that Rockstar seeks perfection," he continued, before channeling a bit of his inner corporate Sun Tzu by saying: "I never claim success before it occurs. I'm fond of saying arrogance is the enemy of continued success, so we're all running scared and looking over our shoulders and we know that the competition is not asleep."Anyway, as you'd expect, people over on the GTA 6 subreddit are already talking about what update we might get from Take-Two's next earnings call in a few months time, as well as speculating when marketing for the game might go into overdrive.So, the state of play is pretty much the same as it was following the Take-Two earnings call that preceded this latest one, expect with fewer people desperately swotting up about moon phases. At least some fans are using the waiting time constructively, doing stuff like having a crack at building GTA 6's map in GTA 5.

Image: Square EnixSquare Enix has released its latest financial update looking at the nine-month period ending 31st December 2024 in FY2025.Overall, although net sales and operating income are down YoY for the wider business, the company has hailed Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake as a success, stating that operating income in its digital entertainment sector is slightly up "due to stronger sales of Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake than initial assumptions".Meanwhile, Square Enix has also highlighted its latest expansion for Final Fantasy XIV, titled Dawntrail, stating that it too has helped contribute to the overall operating income.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube795kWatch on YouTube On the other side of the spectrum, however, mobile and PC browser games including Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis, Emberstoria, and Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent, have effectively tanked, leading to a drop in net sales from 78.0 billion to 56.3 billion.Here's a quick look at the current financial stats for Square Enix:- Net Sales: 248.5 billion (-3.5%)- Operating Income: 33.3 billion (-4.4%)- Ordinary Income: 37.7 billion (-7.7%)- Profit Attributable to Owners of Parent: 24.7 (-7.7%)Back in December 2024, Square Enix confirmed that 2 million units of Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake had been shipped and downloaded. Hopefully not for long, thoughIncluding music from the 1996 SNES versionThis seems like a good omen for future Dragon Quest titles, right? What do you make of this though? Let us know with a comment down below.[source hd.square-enix.com]Related GamesSee AlsoShare:00 Nintendo Lifes resident horror fanatic, when hes not knee-deep in Resident Evil and Silent Hill lore, Ollie likes to dive into a good horror book while nursing a lovely cup of tea. He also enjoys long walks and listens to everything from TOOL to Chuck Berry. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesNintendo Reconfirms Release Windows For Major Upcoming Switch Games... and the Switch 2!Ex-PlayStation Boss On Switch 2's Name: Nintendo Created So Much "Brand Value""Why would you mess with that?"Rumour: Switch 2 Game Cases Might Take Up More Space On Your ShelfHere's how they could compare to the current Switch casesJapan's Switch eShop Will Soon No Longer Accept Overseas Payment MethodsChange will come into effect in March"Nintendo Is Probably The Easiest To Scam" - Devs Discuss The Current State Of The eShopThe rise of "eSlop"

A few days ahead of the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris, the French presidency has announced the first of several expected financial initiatives related to AI. Frances Emmanuel Macron and the United Arab Emirates Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan have signed an agreement for a significant investment to build a massive data center dedicated to artificial intelligence in France.According to a report from the AFP, France and the UAE could spend 30 to 50 billion ($31 to 52 billion at current exchange rates) to build an AI campus. Most of the investment would go toward a data center with a capacity of up to 1GW.On Thursday morning, Frances digital and AI minister Clara Chappaz said France has identified 35 locations that could be used to build out new data centers with fast-track administrative approvals. The UAEs data center investment will likely take advantage of that framework.Around 65% of Frances electricity production comes from nuclear power plants. The country also gets around 25% of its electricity from renewable sources. As big tech companies struggle to reduce their carbon footprint, France is using the AI Action Summit as an opportunity to attract foreign investments, especially for those power-hungry data centers.A consortium of French and Emirati investors will back the data center project in France. MGX, the Emirati investment firm dedicated to artificial intelligence, will contribute.MGX was also listed as one of the initial investors in Stargate, the large-scale AI investment project led by SoftBank and OpenAI. Commenting on Stargate and Chinese AI startup DeepSeeks recent breakthrough, Chappaz sounded hopeful about Frances and Europes future prospects.Just the magnitude and the scale between these two announcements show that this is just the beginning, she said at a tech meetup organized by Balderton and Photoroom on Thursday evening. Because this technology is our opportunity to catch up, she added.On Monday and Tuesday, heads of state will flock to Paris to meet global tech leaders. Theyll likely announce more investment deals and a joint statement. The diplomatic agreement could potentially focus on the environmental impact of artificial intelligence.U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, Chinas Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz are all expected to come to the Grand Palais in Paris for the summit.

Meta Friday announced PARTNR, a new program designed to study human-robot interaction (HRI). The research is specifically focused on how humans and robots might collaborate in the home environment. That includes mundane tasks like cleaning, cooking, and picking up food deliveries.Automated housework is a decades-old dream, most prominently captured by The Jetsons Rosie. The robot maid debuted on prime-time television more than 60 years ago, but continues to be a popular touchstone when discussing the potential for sophisticated machines to remove some of the burden of household chores.To date, however, only the robot vacuum has made significant headway in the market. There are numerous reasons why no other home robots have cracked the mainstream, including price, reliability, and limited functionality. Its certainly not for lack of trying, nor is it due to consumer disinterest. Its just that no other robot has hit the mark on both cost and feature set.Its likely that seeing more robots in the home will require improved collaboration with the people who own them. The first wave of home robots are unlikely to single-handedly manage chores. Even a good robot vacuum needs help from time to time. Meta is positioning PARTNR as both a benchmark and dataset to determine how people and robots might work together to get things done around the home.Our benchmark consists of 100,000 tasks, including household chores such as cleaning up dishes and toys, Meta writes. We are also releasing the PARTNR dataset consisting of human demonstrations of the PARTNR tasks in simulation, which can be used for training embodied AI models.Simulation has become an increasingly useful tool in robot deployment, allowing organizations to test in seconds what might otherwise take hours or days to accomplish in the real world. Meta says, however, that it has also had success deploying the PARTNR model outside of simulation. It has already been used Boston Dynamics Spot robot in testing. Meta has also built a mixed reality interface designed to offer a visual representation of the robots decision making processes.The potential for innovation and development in the field of human-robot collaboration is vast, Meta adds. With PARTNR, we want to reimagine robots as future partners, and not just agents, and jump start research in this exciting field.Image Credits:Labrador SystemsAge-tech holds a lot of potential for the category. Labradors automated serving cart, for example, offers insight into ways technology might assistant older people who continue to live independently. However, many advances of the variety Meta is aiming to address will be required before such systems gain mainstream acceptance.Humanoids are another intriguing avenue that have presented themselves in recent years. Most companies behind these bipedal robots foresee a future in which they will eventually help out in the home. That said, pricing needs to come down considerably and reliability needs to improve by leaps and bounds. That is a large part of the reason most manufacturers are looking to address corporate needs first.With the right scaling and advancements in AI, one can image a world in which humanoid robots address general purpose tasks in a way that allows them to help in both the factory and the home. A major stepping stone to that place requires solid advancements in human-robot collaboration. Meta, which has been exploring robotics amid its wider AI research, is hoping that PARTNR can help them get there.

3D Printing Industry is hosting a live webinar to preview the 2025 AMUG Conference. Join us and our guests on Wednesday, 12th February.American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM) has finalized an agreement with the board of engineering company Dowlais Group for a proposed cash and share offer to acquire the entire issued and to-be-issued share capital of Dowlais.Valued at approximately $1.44 billion, this deal involves a mix of cash and AAM shares. Boards from both AAM and Dowlais have approved the deal. Once finalized, the combined business will operate out of Detroit, Michigan, with AAM Chairman and CEO David C. Dauch at the helm.Two Dowlais board members, Simon Mackenzie Smith and Fiona MacAulay, will join AAMs board, and four Dowlais executives will be integrated into AAMs leadership team.Bringing together complementary product lines, the merged entity will cater to internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid, and electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing. A stronger cost structure is expected to enhance its ability to serve a diverse customer base while adapting to evolving propulsion technologies.Under the agreement, Dowlais shareholders will receive 0.0863 shares of new AAM common stock, 42 pence (p) per share in cash, and up to 2.8p from Dowlais FY24 final dividend for each Dowlais share. Once the transaction is complete, AAM shareholders will control approximately 51% of the combined business, leaving Dowlais shareholders with a 49% stake.A valuation based on AAMs closing share price and the Sterling to Dollar exchange rate as of January 28, 2025, places Dowlais shares at 85.2p each, equating to a fully diluted valuation of approximately 1.16 billion. The offer represents a 25% premium over Dowlais closing price on January 28, 2025, and a 45% premium compared to its three-month volume-weighted average price.For the deal, J.P. Morgan is serving as AAMs exclusive financial advisor and has provided committed debt financing for the transaction. Legal advisory services are being provided by Allen Overy Shearman Sterling LLP. Additionally, Dowlais is receiving financial advice from Barclays Bank plc and Rothschild & Co, with Slaughter and May acting as its legal counsel.Dowlais Group listed on the London Stock Exchange. Photo via Dowlais.Corporate evolution and 3D printing impactEstablished in 1759, GKN underwent major transformations in recent years. Initially a British multinational engineering company, the business was acquired by Melrose Industries in 2018. This acquisition saw the company split into three separate businesses: GKN Aerospace, GKN Automotive, and GKN Powder Metallurgy.A restructuring followed, leading to the spin-off of automotive and powder metallurgy divisions under Dowlais Group plc in 2023. Melrose retained control of GKN Aerospace, while Dowlais assumed responsibility for GKNs Automotive, and Powder Metallurgy divisions.GKN Powder Metallurgy has played a pivotal role in advancing metal 3D printing, particularly through its GKN Additive division. Expertise in metal powders and AM technologies has driven innovations in binder jetting and laser-based metal 3D printing.The company has also supplied materials and production capabilities for aerospace and automotive applications, leveraging AM for lightweight, high-performance components.With AAMs acquisition of Dowlais, GKN Powder Metallurgy will now operate under AAMs umbrella. Access to advanced AM technologies could accelerate the use of additive manufacturing for rapid prototyping, customized production, and high-efficiency mass manufacturing, particularly in the automotive sector.Integration of expertise from both companies may also expand AM applications beyond automotive, strengthening AAMs competitive edge.GKN Powder Metallurgy. Image via GKN. Financial and strategic outlookAccording to AAMs press release, projected synergies from the deal amount to approximately $300 million. With projected annual revenue of $12 billion, AAM expects earnings to rise in the first full year after closing. Based on this, AAM anticipates earnings will grow in the first full year after the transaction closes.AAM has also issued preliminary financial projections for the fiscal year 2024, estimating revenue between $6.10 billion and $6.15 billion, adjusted EBITDA between $740 million and $750 million, and adjusted free cash flow in the range of $220 million to $230 million. These figures remain subject to final adjustments.Moreover, the cash portion of the deal will be covered through existing funds and debt, with no expected net leverage increase at closing. Financial improvements and anticipated cash flow growth should facilitate future investments and debt reduction.The merger will proceed as a Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006, though AAM retains the option to execute it as a takeover offer under Chapter 3 of Part 28 of the Act. Pending shareholder and regulatory approvals, the deal is expected to close by the end of 2025, with financing already secured.Upon completion, AAM will continue trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker AXL. The newly issued AAM shares will be listed on the NYSE, pending regulatory approvals. Applications will be made to remove Dowlais shares from the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and the UK Official List.Who won the 20243D Printing Industry Awards?All the news fromFormnext 2024.To stay up to date with the latest 3D printing news, dont forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter or follow us on Twitter, or like our page on Facebook.While youre here, why not subscribe to our Youtube channel? Featuring discussion, debriefs, video shorts, and webinar replays.Featured image shows Dowlais Group listed on the London Stock Exchange. Photo via Dowlais.

3D Printing Industry is hosting a live webinar to preview the 2025 AMUG Conference. Join us and our guests on Wednesday, 12th February.Following last years Apollo 3D printer launch, EVO 3Ds Exeter-based sister company Rapid Fusion is set to introduce what is described as the UKs first domestically developed large format hybrid 3D printer.With a name from Greek mythology, Medusa, the machine is expected to contribute to reshoring efforts in the manufacturing sector by offering a UK-built alternative to existing international systems. The unveiling of this system is scheduled for February 26 at the companys Skypark R&D facility from 10 am 4 pm.Support from a 1.2 million grant from Innovate UK has driven the development of this advanced platform, which combines additive manufacturing (AM) with CNC machining. Designed as a single-source solution for producing large molds and tooling, Medusa integrates a pellet extruder, filament, and CNC machining tool.Industries such as aerospace, automotive, marine, and construction stand to benefit from its capabilities, says the company. Alliances with automotive giant Rolls-Royce, 3D printing software company Ai Build, and the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) have played a crucial role in its creation.We were proud to support Rapid Fusion and the wider consortium with our range of specialisms during the project it is a great demonstration of what can be achieved through collaboration between academic expertise and industry knowhow, said Sampan Seth, Additive Manufacturing Team Lead, Digital Factory at NMIS.Industry professionals interested in attending the open day event must register in advance due to limited availability.Martin Jewell, CTO of Rapid Fusion, putting Medusa through its final testing. Photo via Rapid Fusion.New Medusa hybrid systemEquipped with the ability to operate at speeds of up to 1,200mm per second, Medusa offers three times the speed and twice the accuracy of conventional machines. The system is also designed to reduce training and maintenance costs by 30%.Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven enhancements, including predictive maintenance, thermal modelling, and computer vision, further enhance its efficiency, making it a competitive option for large-scale manufacturing applications.Interest in the new platform has already gained momentum, with Tier 1 suppliers and major industry players expressing strong interest. Priced at 500,000 per unit, Medusa is expected to generate up to 5 million in revenue within its first year on the market, reinforcing its potential impact on the sector.Reflecting on the development, Jewell described the launch as a real landmark moment for additive manufacturing in the UK.He noted the ability to bring a domestically built industrial 3D printer to market, one that surpasses the speed of international competitors, has been achieved through extensive engineering expertise and collaboration with key partners. Funding from Innovate UK has been instrumental in supporting R&D, ultimately leading to a system that enhances production efficiency and accuracy.Anticipation for the unveiling event continues to build, with more than 150 delegates expected to attend.The event will feature a live demonstration, where Medusas capabilities will be on display through the production of a large mould designed for aerospace applications. Industry representatives and project partners are also scheduled to deliver keynote addresses, offering further insight into the machines capabilities and market implications.Addressing the broader impact, Jake Hand, Managing Director of Rapid Fusion highlighted the countrys historical lag in large format AM (LFAM), citing how easily supply chains can crumble during the pandemic.A lack of domestically built large format 3D printing systems has left manufacturers reliant on overseas solutions, limiting flexibility, increasing costs, and extending lead times. The development of Medusa aims to bridge that gap by expanding access to high-value, environmentally responsible manufacturing for businesses of varying sizes.With Medusas launch, the company hopes to increase domestic production capabilities, not just for economic benefits but also for strengthening resilience and reducing carbon emissions. The capabilities offered by Medusa could play a pivotal role in achieving these goals, providing manufacturers with an efficient and locally produced solution.Rapid Fusions team (left to right): Jake Hand, Oliver Coleman, Martin Wood, and Martin Jewell. Photo via Rapid Fusion.Novel hybrid 3D printersAs the 3D printing sector continues to evolve, a growing number of hybrid systems have come to market. During Formnext 2023, US-based metal 3D printer manufacturer Additec introduced the Hybrid 3, a metal 3D printer combining liquid metal jetting (LMJ), laser directed energy deposition (LDED), and CNC machining.Designed for automotive applications, this hybrid system integrates two additive processing heads for multi-material metal printing, achieving a 0.5 mm LMJ resolution and a 4 kg/hr LDED deposition rate. Compatible with iron, nickel, aluminum, and copper alloys, the Hybrid 3 was developed in just eleven weeks following Additecs acquisition of Xeroxs additive manufacturing business.Plans included expanding material compatibility and enhancing LMJ with laser assistance. Priced at $500,000, shipments were expected by Q1 2024, with a white-label version launching in Q2 2024 at around $200,000.In related news, Sugino Machine Limited introduced XtenDED, a hybrid manufacturing system that integrates CNC machining with LMD 3D printing. Equipped with a Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies AMBIT printhead, the machine enables both additive manufacturing and precision finishing in a single platform. Designed for nickel superalloys, cobalt-based superalloys, and stainless steels, XtenDED is positioned for aerospace applications requiring high heat resistance.By combining Directed Energy Deposition (DED) with CNC machining, the system improves accuracy, productivity, and material efficiency while reducing the heat-affected zone (HAZ). With a 300 x 400 x 200 mm build volume, it facilitates prototyping, metal part repair, and alloy blending, enhancing manufacturing flexibility in minutes.Who won the 20243D Printing Industry Awards?All the news fromFormnext 2024.To stay up to date with the latest 3D printing news, dont forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter or follow us on Twitter, or like our page on Facebook.While youre here, why not subscribe to our Youtube channel? Featuring discussion, debriefs, video shorts, and webinar replays.Featured image Martin Jewell, CTO of Rapid Fusion, putting Medusa through its final testing. Photo via Rapid Fusion.Ada ShaikhnagWith a background in journalism, Ada has a keen interest in frontier technology and its application in the wider world. Ada reports on aspects of 3D printing ranging from aerospace and automotive to medical and dental.

A nurse wears protective medical clothing and prepares a syringe by drawing a dose from a vaccine ... [+] vial during the launch of an Ebola trial vaccination campaign at Mulago Referral Hospital in Kampala on February 3, 2025. Uganda started an Ebola Sudan virus vaccination trial on February 3, 2024, four days after an outbreak was confirmed, the WHO announced, beginning with those deemed at highest risk of the disease. (Photo by Badru Katumba / AFP) (Photo by BADRU KATUMBA/AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty ImagesThe World Health Organization has kicked off a vaccine trial in response to the latest Ebola outbreak in Kampala, Uganda. This is the first Ebola outbreak in the country since 2022, when cases emerged in the Mubende District. While both outbreaks involve the same virus speciesSudan Ebolavirus (SUDV)genetic analysis confirms theyre not connected.Ebola is terrifying. Its highly fatal, with case fatality rates typically around 50%sometimes even higher.The first confirmed case in this outbreak was a male nurse who sought treatment on January 19 for fever and other symptoms. He died ten days later. Right now, no one knows how he got infected. His wife was diagnosed with Ebola on February 2, 2025, and now at least three more people connected to them are showing symptoms. Health authorities have identified 234 people who may have been exposed, and they're being monitored closely. The reality is more cases and deaths are likely.7-1-7: The Speed Test for Outbreak ReadinessNEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 20: President and CEO, Resolve To Save Lives Dr. Tom Frieden speaks ... [+] during the 2023 Concordia Annual Summit at Sheraton New York on September 20, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images for Concordia Summit)Getty Images for Concordia SummitThis is exactly why outbreak response needs to be fast and effective. Back in 2021, former CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden and his team at Resolve to Save Lives introduced the 7-1-7 framework: detect an outbreak in seven days, report it within one day, and launch an effective response in another seven days. In total, it gives us just 15 days to contain a disease before so things dont spiral out of control. Its an ambitious goalbut one we need to aim for if were serious about stopping pandemics before they start.The good news? The Uganda outbreak was detected fast. Within 24 hours of identifying the index case, researchers sequenced the virus using nanopore sequencing, a cutting-edge technology thats revolutionizing outbreak detection. This is the fastest an Ebola outbreak has ever been identified, proving that the 7-1-7 target is possible when the right tools are in place.MORE FOR YOUGenetic Sequencing Provides Both Clues And More QuestionsGenetic sequencing revealed that the virus in this outbreak is closely related to a strain of SUDV from a 2012 outbreak in Luwero District, Uganda. Ebola outbreaks can start in two ways: either from a fresh spillover from wildlife (as seen in the 2014-2016 West Africa epidemic) or from a reactivated infection in a survivor. This finding rules out any link to the 2022 outbreak and raises an unsettling questionhow has the virus been circulating since 2012? Where and in what species has it been hiding out?Improving outbreak readinessThis case is a powerful reminder of why advanced genetic tools are game-changers for outbreak response. The ability to rapidly identify and analyze a virus not only helps in containing an outbreak but also improves our understanding of how these pathogens emerge and spread.So far, there have been no reported cases outside of Uganda, but the risk isnt zero. On February 5, 2025, the CDC raised its travel health notice for Uganda to Level 2, meaning travelers should take enhanced precautions.Heres the bottom line. If we want to prevent pandemics, we need to move fast. Small outbreaks can explode into global crises if we dont act decisively. The 7-1-7 framework isnt just a nice ideaits a crucial test of outbreak readiness. This outbreak in Uganda is a warning shot. The real question is: Are we paying attention?

Divers volunteering for the Aegean Rebreath Greek organisation retrieve rusted shopping carts from ... [+] the sea in the port of the Ionian island of Zakynthos on November 23, 2019. - Within three hours a team of a dozen volunteers from Aegean Rebreath, a Greek organisation formed in 2017 to protect Aegean biodiversity from waste, collects four tyres, two shopping carts, a street lamp, metal boxes, plastic bags, dozens of plastic bottles and several kilometres of fishing line. In its two years of operation, Aegean Rebreath has amassed 9,000 plastic water bottles, 3,6 tons of fishing net and 289 tyres. The Mediterranean, a partly closed sea, accumulates 570,000 tons of plastic annually from surrounding countries, according to the World Wildlife Fund. (Photo by LOUISA GOULIAMAKI / AFP) (Photo by LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP via Getty Images)AFP via Getty ImagesThere is an alarming disconnect between how young people recognize the oceans role in tackling climate change and the priority they think measures to help it should be given, according to a new survey.The study by ocean health initiative Back to Blue reveals the concerning gaps in ocean literacy levels among 1824-year-olds in 35 countries.Three quarters of respondents said they are concerned about the state of ocean health, yet nearly two thirds (61%) believe deforestation and other climate issues should be prioritised over ocean conservation.And almost half (47%) of the young people questioned think the ocean is still healthy.The Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and The Philippines are among some of the top countries that believe this, when each is struggling with plastic pollution, coral reef degradation and habitat loss.Although the survey also found young people are significantly concerned about contaminating the ocean, particularly chemical pollution (48%) and plastic pollution (50%) yet they do know where responsibility lies.MORE FOR YOUDr. Emma McKinley, a senior research fellow at Cardiff University, defined the concept of ocean literary ashaving an understanding of the ocean's influence on you, and your influence on the ocean in an interview.Dr. McKinley added the concept was first developed in the early 2000s, when marine education experts warned there was a lack of ocean science being taught in U.S. schools.Since then, she said the concept has expanded to include encompass other factors beyond ocean science and knowledge, including peoples emotional attachment to the sea, how they are able to access the coast and the oceans, and the actions they can take to benefit ocean health.Dr. McKinley said one of the interesting things about the Back to Blue survey was that it really tried to encompass how the concept of ocean literacy has evolved over the years, and that it gathered insights from a number of countries.Its important to take a place-based approach to understanding ocean literacy, she told me.One of the barriers we come up against, time and time again, is the fact that oceans are an environment for many people can be hard to access.Most experience the sea or the coast at some point, but they do not actually experience the ocean, necessarily.She said this disconnect has also been reflected in other areas like academia, where climate change and ocean experts have not always effectively addressed these challenges together.I think that we are seeing greater awareness of the connections, particularly around issues like plastic pollution and ocean acidification, but there is still this out of sight, out of mind challenge," she added."The ocean is so vast, it can sometimes be seen as being unconquerable, but that is really not the case. Enhancing ocean literacy across society is central to solving ocean challengesUN ocean envoy Peter Thomson said it is surprising and alarming to see so many young people misjudge the oceans health in a statement.This level of low ocean literacy risks hindering progress and funding for protecting our oceans, said Thomson.David Costalago, a marine scientist with Oceana, said it is particularly difficult to feel a connection to something we do not see often, like marine ecosystems in an email.But Costalago added the ocean is a victim of climate change, as well as also our most powerful ally.Research shows that the oceans can deliver up to 47% of the annual greenhouse gas emissions reductions needed by 2050 to keep the planet from warming an alarming 2 degrees Celsius, he said.We as society, and especially young people, can play a big part in protecting the oceans by pushing world leaders to take immediate action to address the climate crisis.

Forward-looking: If you're a console owner who can't wait to play Grand Theft Auto 6 this fall, then here's some good news: Rockstar has once again confirmed that it's on track to release the game during the season. Unfortunately for us PC owners, a version for our platform still hasn't been announced, suggesting this will be another Rockstar game that takes months, and hopefully not years, to come to PC. It's been more than two years since the record-breaking GTA 6 trailer landed on YouTube. Since then, Rockstar has narrowed the release date down to fall 2025, but it still hasn't mentioned anything about a PC version something that didn't change during Take-Two's financial report yesterday.CEO Strauss Zelnick admitted that while GTA 6's fall launch date remained on track, delays can never be ruled out."We believe that arrogance is the enemy of continued success," Zelnick said in a post-report Q&A session. "We run scared. We're looking over our shoulder. Our competitors are not asleep. And so what do we do about that? We try to be the most creative, the most innovative, and the most efficient company in the entertainment industry. And Rockstar Games in particular seeks perfection in everything they do. And we believe that if we do that right, and we focus on delivering for consumers, that's our best opportunity to succeed."GTA 6 is set to become the most hyped game of all time. Zelnick has ramped up the excitement in the past, repeating the "seeking perfection" line last year. He also said it would offer an experience never seen before. And at the Game Awards in November, Rockstar's David Manley said it would boast "mind-blowing things."Relayed reading: Most Anticipated PC Games of 2025 // Related StoriesThe lack of news regarding a PC version is disappointing, especially in these modern times when PC ownership is so high and most machines can vastly outperform consoles. A former developer at Rockstar said the reason PC ports come later is because the company wants to prioritize what it sells (i.e., console games). Complications in building a PC version for multiple hardware configurations and the testing it involves are big factors in why PC versions of Rockstar's titles arrive much later, too.Rockstar's history with PC ports doesn't instill confidence in those hoping GTA 6 for PC will arrive soon after the fall. It took seven months for GTA 3 to arrive, eight months for San Andreas, eight months for GTA 4, and almost two years for GTA 5. Even Red Dead Redemption 2 took over a year, landing on PS4 and Xbox One in October 2018 before arriving on PC in November 2019.Away from GTA 6, Take-Two is still set to release Mafia: The Old Country this summer, while Borderlands 4 will arrive before the end of 2025. No word yet on when BioShock creator Ken Levine's Judas will be released.One thing gamers aren't looking forward to is the possibility of GTA 6 costing up to $100. An analyst recently said he "hopes" this will happen, as it could raise the average price of video games across the industry.