Captain America: Brave New World is approaching $300 million at the global box office, but a 68% drop in domestic revenue during its second weekend may make it hard for the MCU movie to break even.According to Deadline, Captain America: Brave New World had a production budget of $180 million, and has a break-even point of around $425 million.The Anthony Mackie-fronted action movie beat estimates with a $100 million domestic box office haul over the Presidents Day weekend, but with $28.2 million domestic during its second weekend, Caps 68% domestic box office drop is similar to that of 2023s Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania, which ended up failing to break even.Captain America: Brave New World has now grossed an estimated $289.4 million globally ($141.2 million domestic and $148.2 million international after just two weekends, according to Comscore figures. The film earned $63.5 million worldwide over its second weekend.And while Cap is clearly the biggest release of 2025 so far at theaters, it was hoped that its inevitable second weekend drop would be softer, given the lack of rival blockbusters in the near future. Senior Comscore analyst Paul Dergarabedian told Variety: This is the new normal for Marvel movies. Theres still no denying these movies have appeal. But a second weekend drop of 68% reflects less audience enthusiasm than youd expect from Marvel.Deadline, meanwhile, suggested Captain America: Brave New World will end up with about $450 million from the global box office.Captain America: Brave New World launched amid poor reviews. IGNs Captain America: Brave New World review returned a 5/10. We said: Captain America: Brave New World feels neither brave, nor all that new, falling short of strong performances from Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford, and Carl Lumbly.Marvel Studios and parent company Disney will be hoping Captain America: Brave New World rebounds with enough staying power to reverse a negative trend for Marvel Cinematic Universe movies (apart from last years hugely successful Deadpool & Wolverine), and build momentum going into Thunderbolts* in May, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July.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.

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today's Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.Today's Connections puzzlepulls out one of those crazy-hard purple categories, where the editors find four related words and play with the spelling to turn them into different words. Oof. If you're stumped, read on for clues and today's Connections answers.The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. And players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.Read more:Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every TimeHints for today's Connections groupsHere are four hints for the groupings in today's Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest, yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.Yellow group hint: Yum!Green group hint: To say uncle.Blue group hint: Think PopeyePurple group hint: You have this, now add a letter.Answers for today's Connections groupsYellow group: Eat voraciously.Green group: Bend under pressure.Blue group: Classic nautical tattoos.Purple group: Body parts plus letter.Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English WordsWhat are today's Connections answers? The completed NYT Connections puzzle for Feb. 24, 2025, #624. NYT/Screenshot by CNETThe yellow words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is eat voraciously. The four answers are gobble, gulf, scarf and wolf.The green words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is bend under pressure. The four answers are bow, buckle, cave and give.The blue words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is classic nautical tattoos. The four answers are anchor, compass, mermaid and swallow.The purple words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is body parts plus letter. The four answers are butte, china, hearth and shine.

Looking for the most recent Wordle answer?Click here for today's Wordle hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.Today'sWordle puzzlemight be tricky. If you've ever had mono or strep throat, however, you may be very familiar with today's Wordle answer. If you need hints and the answer, read on. Today's Wordle hints Upgrade your inbox Get cnet insider From talking fridges to iPhones, our experts are here to help make the world a little less complicated. Before we show you today'sWordleanswer, we'll give you some hints. If you don't want a spoiler, look away now.Wordle hint No. 1: RepeatsToday's Wordle answer has no repeated letters.Wordle hint No. 2: VowelsThere is one vowel in today's Wordle answer.Wordle hint No. 3: Start letterToday's Wordle answer begins with the letter G.Wordle hint No. 4: Hidden wordToday's Wordle answer has a hidden word in it that describes part of the earth's surface.Wordle hint No. 5: MeaningToday's Wordle answer can refer to a body part.TODAY'S WORDLE ANSWERToday's Wordle answer is GLAND.Yesterday's Wordle answerYesterday's Wordle answer, Feb. 23, No. 1345, was OTTER.Recent Wordle answersFeb. 19, No. 1341: MADLYFeb. 20, No. 1342: ROACHFeb. 21, No. 1343: CLOVEFeb. 22, No. 1344: CREAM

Image: SEGASega is this weekend running a limited-time Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds 'closed network test' for the PlayStation 5 and the first impressions are now rolling in.There's obviously no feedback about the Switch version at this stage, but there's still enough commentary doing the rounds online to give Sonic fans an idea about what they can expect when this new racing outing does eventually show up on Nintendo's system. Keep in mind as well this is technically a 'closed network test', so nothing is necessarily finalised yet.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube797kWatch on YouTube Take your place at the starting line! Sign up before February 19th at 4PM PT for a chance to participate in the Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Closed Network Test on PlayStation 5!bit.ly/CrossWorldsC... Sonic the Hedgehog (@sonic-official.bsky.social) 2025-02-13T18:10:26.978ZSo, here are some thoughts so far starting with the YouTube channel Good Vibes Gaming:"There's a solid base here, the racing feels good, the drifting is great, the track designs are great, it looks great, it sounds great, but then there is that major drawback element of the items being way too much and interfering with the racing, so much throughout every race...the air trick is a bit disappointing, and of course the fact you can definitely tell it's a beta... There's a solid base here and if you're a fan of Transformed...I think you should be excited, cautiously optimistic... it's definitely already a farsight better than Team Sonic Racing"Following on with some fan impressions on social media:Ham: "first impressions of Sonic Racing CrossWorlds: Way too chaotic. Courses feel too narrow, and items are too common. I feel like they could remove half the item sets and it would feel better."@blueaizu.blue: "I played the Sonic Racing CrossWorlds beta! I wasn't sure if I'm allowed to actually livestream it, but the terms didn't say I couldn't share my impressions. It's fun and definitely has potential, but it's a bit too chaotic in its current state."@annachicky.bsky.social "thoughts on the Sonic Racing Crossworlds beta: super fun and chaotic! there's no telling who'll win, you go from 1st place to 7th in mere seconds. I easily spend an hour in the garage customizing my cars, it's easy to get lost in there"Here are some thoughts from Sonic players over on ResetEra:A Ream of Paper: "Just finished up an almost 2 hour session and I had a blast (I haven't played any of the other Sonic racing games fwiw). Finished in the top 3 a few times and made it to rank C-. I exclusively used the speed kart and I think I'll try the other kart types tomorrow."BlueStarEXSF: "I've played a good 2 hours now. Some random thoughts...The tracks and the crossworld mechanic are the highlight imo...The handling took a while to get used to. Honestly, I had to make sure to get parts with handling stats for my car. Despite that, I would still improve base handling for every car across the board."DynamicSushy: "This game makes Mario Kart seem like a slow methodical racer. So chaotic and noisy. I didn't play Racing Transformed for the online play anyway though, so I am looking forward to whatever career mode equivalent they have planned. If the plan is to go all in on the online though, I may not get this. Races seem way too quick, cross world lap is too quick so it's hard to appreciate the eye candy. This is pure Sega though and I imagine it looking beautiful on an arcade cabinet."And then some comments by fans on the Sonic subreddit:KrispyBaconator: "Im having an absolute blast so far. I will say I feel like it hews a lot closer to Mario Kart than the Sega All Stars Racing games, especially with the cars here feeling a bit less weighty, but it still feels great once you get used to it. Item Balance is suuuuuper wacky at the moment, to the point that Id compare it to Mario Kart Wii. I feel like the Monster Truck should last longer. Also, the game looks absolutely GORGEOUS. Switching to Unreal was the right call imo."Burtzman: "My biggest complaint is there's a bit of sensory overload. Too many items in play at once with fancy effects, having to worry about ring management, the frenzy boosts, and the weird sound mixing. I was trying to form an opinion on the soundtrack, but you can't hear it half the time. A lot of these need to be toned down, and in the case of items, balanced better. Making the items and rings more sparse to better focus on just driving would greatly improve the experience for me."shrimp-parm: "Too many items. It feels like Im getting hit the entire race unless Im front running. The controls feel pretty good honestly. I think if they can balance items better it would heighten my enjoyment of the game."Website Game8 has also published a review of the closed network test:"The game may still be in its early stages, but theres already a lot to be excited about. The beta currently offers just nine characters, but the official website teases that well have 23 racers at launch, with many more potentially joining the roster...With more tracks, CrossWorlds, vehicles, and customization options on the horizon, theres plenty to look forward to. Add in modes like Grand Prix, Race Park, and Time Attack, and Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds has the makings of something truly special. If it can deliver on all of its promises, it might just become the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate of kart racing." Every Sonic and SEGA character on the wayUpdate: IGN has an exclusive preview upThe announcement follows rumours and leaksHave you tried out this beta? How are you feeling about this game based on what's been showcased so far? Let us know in the comments.Related GamesSee AlsoShare:20 Liam is a news writer and reviewer for Nintendo Life and Pure Xbox. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of Mario and Master Chief. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesDC x Sonic The Hedgehog First Issue Cover Art Officially RevealedThis super collab starts next monthSonic Racing: CrossWorlds: Full Character Roster - Every Racer Confirmed So FarEvery Sonic and SEGA character on the waySonic Racing: CrossWorlds Adds Characters From "SEGA Universes"Update: IGN has an exclusive preview upSonic Racing: CrossWorlds Trailer Released, Speeding Onto Switch "Soon"The announcement follows rumours and leaksIs Skies Of Arcadia Coming Back? New SEGA Trademark Gets Fans ExcitedMoons, give me strength...

Palantir co-founder and CEO Alexander Karp opens his new book with a provocative declaration: Silicon Valley has lost its way.Over the past decade or so, as the data analytics company rose to prominence with its work for U.S. military and intelligence, Karp has largely stayed out of the limelight. Last year, in a rare interview with The New York Times, he described himself as progressive but not woke, with a consistently pro-Western view.Now, in The Technological Republic: Hard Power, Soft Belief, and the Future of the West (co-authored with Nicholas Zamiska, Palantirs head of corporate affairs and legal counsel to the CEO), Karp has written something of a manifesto. In fact, he and Zamiska describe it as the beginnings of the articulation of the theory behind Palantir.In their telling, Silicon Valleys early success was created by a close alliance between technology companies and the U.S. government. They argue that this alliance has splintered, with the government ceding the challenge of developing the next wave of pathbreaking technologies to the private sector, while Silicon Valley has turned inward, focusing its energy on narrow consumer products, rather than projects that speak to and address our greater security and welfare.The pair criticize Silicon Valleys output as dominated by online advertising and shopping, as well as social media and video-sharing platforms, suggesting that this is the result of an industry that valorizes building things without asking whats worth building or why.The central argument that we advance in the pages that follow is that the software industry should rebuild its relationship with government and redirect its effort and attention to constructing the technology and artificial intelligence capabilities that will address the most pressing challenges that we collectively face, Karp and Zamiska write.They also argue that Silicon Valleys engineering elite has an affirmative obligation to participate in the defense of the nation and the articulation of a national project what is this country, what are our values, and for what do we stand.Reviewers have not been entirely won over. In Bloomberg, John Ganz complained that The Technological Republic is not a book at all, but a piece of corporate sales material.And in The New Yorker, Gideon Lewis-Kraus suggested that the book is an anachronism, presumably written before Donald Trumps victory in the November 2024 election. Now, Lewis-Kraus wrote, its vision of a mutually supportive relationship between Washington and Silicon Valley has in the interim been rendered almost quaint.Indeed, one thing that Karp and Zamiska criticize is the reluctance of many business leaders to venture into, in any meaningful way and aside from the occasional and theatrical foray, the most consequential social and cultural debates of our time.Of course, we are now seeing at least one business leader take this directive to get involved in politics quite seriously, as Trump ally Elon Musk attempts to remake the federal government through his Department of Government Efficiency.Topics

Roughwood is a historic estate house on Heath Street in Brookline, Massachusetts. The main residence and the various outbuildings on the grounds were designed by the Boston architectural firm of Andrews, Jaques and Rantoul, and built in 1891 as the summer estate of William Cox, a wholesale dealer in the footwear industry. Mr. Cox died in 1902 and the property was sold to Ernest Dane, the year before he married Helen Pratt, the daughter of Charles Pratt, a wealthy New York businessman and philanthropist. Mr. Dane was a banker who served as President of the Brookline Trust Company. The Danes owned the property for decades until the property was eventually purchased by Pine Manor Junior College in 1961. The estate house remained a centerpiece of the campus. In the early 21st century, Pine Manor College saw financial distress, and was saved by Boston College, who acquired the campus and its existing students as Messina College, which opened in July 2024 for over 100 first-generation college students. Architecturally, Roughwood is a high-style example of the Queen Anne/Shingle style of architecture. The mansion is built with a puddingstone and brownstone first floor and a second floor of varied patterns of wood shingles, all capped by a slate roof. The facade is dominated bytowers and dormers and the great rustic entrance portico with dragons head brackets. To its side, a 1909 Tudor Revival addition served as a music room for the Danes family and while stylistically unique, is designed with impeccable proportions.

Biologists previously believed modern birds had evolved 20 million years later than the new evidence ... [+] suggests.gettyFossil discoveries unlock chapters of our planets storied history. Recently, a groundbreaking find in China has rewritten a central page in the book of avian evolution.A 150-million-year-old fossil of Baminornis zhenghensisa bird bearing a mix of dinosaurian and modern featureshas emerged from the Late Jurassic deposits of Fujian Province.For decades, Archaeopteryx reigned as the sole representative of Jurassic-era birds. However, Baminornis not only challenges that notion but also reveals a more diverse and complex picture of early avian evolution.We are now witnessing an evolutionary mosaic where traits appear, vanish and reappear unexpectedly, offering new insights into the transition from dinosaurs to modern birds.The Marvel Of BaminornisDiscovered in the outcrops of Zhenghe County, Baminornis zhenghensisArchaeopteryx, which sports a long, reptilian tail, Baminornis possesses a fused pygostylea compound tailbone that supports fan-shaped tail feathers.This adaptation, central to the aerodynamic efficiency of modern birds, shifts the center of mass forward, allowing for more agile flight. Paleontologists estimate that Baminornis weighed around 100-130 grams and was roughly the size of a quail, making it one of the smallest yet most evolutionarily advanced avialans (early birds) of its time.The array of features it boasted of is truly astonishing: While the shoulder and pelvic girdles bear a striking resemblance to modern birds, its hand retains primitive, dinosaur-like proportions. This is classic mosaic evolution, where different parts of the anatomy evolve at distinct rates.The discovery suggests that birds had diversified much earlier than once thought and also raises questions about how and when these key flight adaptations emerged. Researchers are now proposing that the origin of modern bird characteristics can be traced back nearly 20 million years earlier than previously believed.Reassessing The ArchaeopteryxFor over 150 years, Archaeopteryxbird evolution. Discovered in Germanys Solnhofen limestones, this iconic fossil has long symbolized the transitional phase between non-avian dinosaurs and birds.An artist's reimagination of what Archaeopteryx would look like preying on a dragonflyDe Agostini via Getty ImagesWith its feathered wings and reptilian tail, Archaeopteryx captivated the scientific world and lent support to Darwins theory of evolution. However, closer examination of its morphology revealed more than meets the eye.The long, bony taila vestige of its dinosaurian pastcontrasts sharply with the modern short tail of Baminornis zhenghensis, prompting the aforementioned reevaluation of its place on the evolutionary tree.Recent studies have even cast doubt on whether Archaeopteryx should be considered a true bird or rather a close relative of deinonychosaurian dinosaurs. Its blend of avian and non-avian traits underscores the complexity of the transition.With Baminornis entering the scene, paleontologists are compelled to revisit longstanding assumptions about Jurassic avifauna. The emerging consensus is that while Archaeopteryx should remain a critical specimen, it may represent just one branch of a once-diverse tree of early birds whose members have been lost to the past.The contrasting anatomical features between Archaeopteryx and Baminornis zhenghensis indicate that the evolution of flight-related adaptations was not a linear process but rather a branching pathway marked by experimentation and rapid diversification.A Solitary Wishbone And Its Unnamed Avian KinIn the same excavation that yielded Baminornis zhenghensis, researchers also uncovered a solitary wishbonea furculabelieved to belong to another early bird species.In modern birds, the furcula serves as a critical component of the flight apparatus, providing an anchor point for muscles and contributing to the biomechanics of wing movement. However, the isolated nature of this fossil has prevented scientists from assigning it to a new taxon definitively.Advanced geometric morphometric and phylogenetic analyses suggest that this wishbone may belong to Ornithuromorpha, a clade that later gave rise to the vast diversity of modern birds during the Cretaceous period.The presence of this furcula alongside Baminornis hints at a richer and more complex avian ecosystem than previously envisioned in the Jurassic period. It raises the tantalizing possibility that multiple bird lineages, each experimenting with different flight adaptations, coexisted and competed in ancient ecosystems.The finding bolsters the argument that the evolution of modern bird features began earlier than the Early Cretaceous. Whats more, it serves as a reminder that our current fossil record is merely a snapshota glimpse into an evolutionary tapestry that is far more intricate than linear models of the past might suggest.A New Chapter In Avian EvolutionTogether, these discoveries herald a seismic shift in our understanding of bird evolution. The coexistence of Baminornis zhenghensis with other avialan remains, including the enigmatic wishbone, indicates that the roots of modern birds extend deeper into the Jurassic than we ever imagined.For evolutionary biologists, this opens new windows into the pastone that compels us to reexamine the processes and selective pressures that gave rise to flight, refined locomotion and ultimately, the unparalleled diversity of birds today.In the end, Baminornis and its contemporaries remind us that evolution is not a straight line but a branching network of trials and adaptations. With each new discovery, we take another step toward understanding the intricate story of life on Eartha story that is still being written millions of years later.Does reading about the remarkable evolutionary history of the species we see roam around today give you a deep sense of belonging and relationship with the natural world? Take this test to find out if you are one with Mother Nature: Connectedness To Nature Scale

Twenty years ago this month, Keanu Reeves headlined Constantine, a theatrical adaptation of DCs Hellblazer comic about an occult investigator named John Constantine. Despite previous reports that a sequel was in the works, Constantine 2 has failed to escape Hollywoods development Hell. But according to Reeves, the sequel may finally be ready to go forward.Weve been trying to make this film for over a decade, Reeves told Inverse. We just recently put a story together and pitched it to DC Studios and they said, OK. So, were going to try and write a script.Recommended VideosBack in September 2022, Deadline reported that Constantine 2 was in the works with Reeves returning alongside Constantine director Francis Lawrence and screenwriter Akiva Goldsman, who produced the original film. The movie made several changes to the source material to accommodate the casting of Reeves, including changing his nationality from British to American and giving him dark hair instead of blond.Please enable Javascript to view this contentThe first films story revolved around Constantines attempt to help Detective Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz) discover why her twin sister committed suicide. In the process, Constantine and Dodson discovered a plan to unleash Hell on Earth. Shia LaBeouf, Tilda Swinton, Pruitt Taylor Vince, and Djimon Hounsou had supporting roles while Peter Stormare memorably appeared as Lucifer.Earlier this month, Lawrence told Collider that we are closer than ever to being able to do a sequel, which is a great thing We have gone through a bunch of the comics over the years and looked at things. He added that Constantine 2 has been in the back of our minds for 20 years and just kind of percolating on ideas, and stories and characters we love, and ideas we love.DC Studios has yet to formally announce Constantine 2. If it goes forward, it will remain separate from the newly rebooted DC Universe movies, which will begin with the premiere of James Gunns Supermanon July 11.Editors Recommendations

The FBI has issued a warning about a Chinese ransomware group called Ghost.Ghost has attacked critical infrastructure, schools, and businesses in over 70 countries.The FBI advises using security updates and multifactor authentication to prevent ransomware attacks.The FBI is warning about a new ransomware hacker group called "Ghost."The FBI published a security advisory with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency that said the group began indiscriminately attacking organizations in more than 70 countries starting in 2021. The warning from the FBI and the CISA says Ghost is now one of the top ransomware groups, targeting organizations all over the world as recently as January."Ghost actors, located in China, conduct these widespread attacks for financial gain," the report says. "Affected victims include critical infrastructure, schools and universities, healthcare, government networks, religious institutions, technology and manufacturing companies, and numerous small- and medium-sized businesses."Ransomware is a type of malware that lets bad actors encrypt a victim's data until they pay a ransom. Ransomware attacks have become more common in recent years, sometimes targeting large companies or government infrastructure.A ransomware attack in February 2024 against Chain Healthcare, the payment arm of healthcare giant UnitedHealth Group, briefly crippled the pharmacy industry after it caused a major backlog in filling customer subscriptions.Most ransomware hackers use phishing methods, sending fake messages to victims in the hope that they'll click a link and install malware on their devices.The hackers in the Ghost group, however, use publicly available code to exploit common vulnerabilities in organizations' software that have not been removed by updated patches, the FBI says."The FBI has observed Ghost actors obtaining initial access to networks by exploiting public-facing applications that are associated with multiple Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures," the warning says.The FBI said in the warning that Ghost attackers usually claim that they will sell the victim's stolen data if they do not pay a ransom. However, the agency said they "do not frequently exfiltrate a significant amount of information or files, such as intellectual property or personally identifiable information that would cause significant harm to victims if leaked."The FBI recommends consulting its StopRansomware guide for comprehensive information on how companies can guard against ransomware attacks.Some tips for fighting against common ransomware tactics are to maintain regular system backups of sensitive information, patch known system vulnerabilities with security updates and use phishing-resistant multifactor authentication for company email accounts.The FBI recommends reporting any ransomware attacks to the agency. In the security advisory, the FBI said it is particularly interested in "any information that can be shared, including logs showing communication to and from foreign IP addresses, a sample ransom note, communications with threat actors, Bitcoin wallet information, and/or decryptor files."

At 23, Hong Kong was Hannah Ho's dream city, until it wasn't.She had moved there after graduation but when she turned 30, she knew it was time to move back home.She enjoys spending more time with family back in the UK but wants to continue exploring the world.When I graduated with degrees in business management and Chinese, I didn't have a clear career plan. I just knew I wanted to live abroad.I had spent two semesters in China six months studying in Shanghai and six months completing an internship in Qingdao. That year, I took a 5-day trip to Hong Kong, and something about the city's energy and diversity drew me in. I decided I wanted to move there.So, at 23, I took the leap and moved to Hong Kong. I was excited but also nervous. I was a fresh graduate with no real-world experience and had landed a nine-month job as a project coordinator for an educational foundation.I thought it would be a short adventure, but I ended up staying for seven years. I transitioned into the recruitment industry and before I knew it, Hong Kong became home. I made a lot of friends and adapted to the city's fast-paced lifestyle.But my life in Hong Kong began to shift in 2020. During and after the pandemic, the once-bustling city felt gloomy. Over time, I realized that the version of Hong Kong I had fallen in love with was gone. Some of my close friends had left, tourism had slowed down, and the once-thriving social scene had faded with fewer gatherings and events.As the city changed, so did I. I found myself craving something new, a fresh challenge and the desire for a career change began to grow.Moving home was hardIn 2023, and after I turned 30, I knew it was time to leave. Moving back home to the UK was not an easy decision. It meant leaving behind the life and career I had built, the friendships I had formed, and a city that had shaped me as a person.I had never heard anyone talk about how hard it is to move home after being an expat. The truth is, you come back as a different person, shaped by experiences and perspectives that people around you may not fully understand.Meanwhile, I quickly noticed that things back home had also changed. My parents were older, most of my friends had settled down, and the life I once knew felt both familiar and foreign.One of the biggest challenges I faced was returning without a professional network. Having left the UK straight after university, I had built my career in Hong Kong. Now, I was essentially starting from scratch.In Hong Kong, my well-established career provided useful connections. Back in the UK, I had to rebuild everything. I started getting back in touch with old friends and acquaintances, attending networking events, and leveraging LinkedIn to create new opportunities. At times, it was uncomfortable, but I reminded myself that I had done this before I had built a life from scratch once, and I could do it again.Not missing Hong Kong's work cultureFor the first time in years, I had time to pause and reflect. It was a strange paradox I had longed for more balance, yet I found myself missing the intensity of my old life.There's so much I miss about Hong Kong: transporting myself from the hustle and bustle of Central to an island beach or a hiking trail in 30 minutes. I miss the food, the social scene, and the warmer weather. The sense of adventure that came with living in a place where something was always happening.In Hong Kong, I shared a compact apartment with a roommate in a lively neighborhood. Big-city living meant being surrounded by high-rises and skyscrapers. Now, in Liverpool a port city about 200 miles northwest of London I've gone from apartment living to a house with a garden something that once felt almost impossible in Hong Kong. With more space, fresh air, and quieter surroundings, home now feels more open and relaxed. Back home, Ho has been exploring the English countryside. Hannah Ho Coming back to the UK has brought its own joys. Spending quality time with my family has been a highlight, I notice myself appreciating them now in a way I never did before. I can drop by my sister and brother's places for home-cooked meals, a cup of tea, and just talk about life. These simple moments remind me of the comfort and connection I once took for granted.I have a car, so I can drive to the countryside instead of relying on public transport.Adjusting to the UK's work culture has also been refreshing. In Hong Kong, the work ethic was intense long workdays were the norm, and efficiency was everything. There was a sense of urgency in everything people did. In contrast, the UK has felt more relaxed. The standard 9-to-5 schedule, hybrid/remote working models, and emphasis on work-life balance have been a welcome change.Most importantly, I've been using this transition as an opportunity to pivot my career. While I still work a part-time job, I've decided to step away from the agency recruitment industry. Now, I'm building an online business that will allow me to work remotely and travel more. Because if there's one thing I've learned, once an expat, always an expat.It does feel like I'm starting from scratch, but I see it as an opportunity to build something new on my own terms while embracing the lessons and experiences that shaped me abroad.Got a personal essay about moving home after living abroad that you want to share? Get in touch with the editor: akarplus@businessinsider.com.