Whos ready to sprint-slide into some ripper deals? Whether you're after demon-slaying RPGs, chaotic kitchen co-op, or open-world adventures, this week's gaming bargains have you covered. Of particular focus is the ongoing Steam Spring Sale. Its currently destroying my wallet. Allow me to help it eviscerate yours too.This Day in Gaming In retro news, I'm celebrating the 25th anniversary of Fear Effect, a four-discer I adored at launch and would kill to see revived again. The formula was basically an early Resi Evil/fixed camera affair that had more engaging stealth/gunplay, actually decent voice acting, a badass cyberpunk setting, and adult imagery galore. The latter made it reminiscent of early '90s anime for mesweary, hard-boiled characters, goretastic death cinematics, and some fan service (implied) nudity. Sadly, it doesn't hold up well today, visually, thanks to its unique fusion of 3D models with low-bitrate video backdrops.Cover art. I wish it looked this good in the flesh. Doesn't.Aussie bdays for notable games- Turok: Dinosaur Hunter (N64) 1997. Redux- Fear Effect (PS) 2000. eBay- Heroes of Might and Magic III (PC) 2000. Redux- Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PS2) 2005. Redux- Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams (PS2) 2006. eBay- AC: Brotherhood (PS3, X360) 2010. Redux- kamiden (DS) 2011. eBay- Homefront (PC, PS3, X360) 2011. SequelContentsNice Savings for Nintendo SwitchOver on the Switch, the Pokmon-inspired Shin Megami Tensei V (A$42, down 48%) lets you fuse demons into powerful allies. Meanwhile, Overcooked! 2 (A$10, down 75%) tests friendships like no other in some of the most delicious semi-co-op you can consume.Shin Megami Tensei VIf you're looking for a meaty, demanding, endlessly deep, and overall outstanding JRPG to sink your teeth into, Shin Megami Tensei V has heaping portions of it. 8/10, great.Crash Team Racing Nitro (-49%) - A$36Epic Mickey: Rebrushed (-41%) - A$60Mortal Kombat 1 (-45%) - A$34Overcooked! 2 (-75%) - A$10Ace Attorney Trilogy (-67%) - A$14Expiring Recent DealsBravely Default II (-34%) - A$53It Takes Two (-12%) - A$53Octopath Traveler (-60%) - A$36Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen (-83%) - A$7Monster Hunter Gen. Ult. (-80%) - A$16Or gift a Nintendo eShop Card.Switch Console PricesHow much to Switch it up?Switch OLED + Mario Wonder: $539 $499 | Switch Original: $499 $448 | Switch OLED Black: $539 $448 | Switch OLED White: $539 $448 | Switch Lite: $329 $294 | Switch Lite Hyrule: $339 $335See itBack to topPurchase Cheap for PCPC gamers, you've hit the jackpot with this Steam Sale. Hades (A$15, down 60%) is an indie masterpiece with a rogue-like loop so addicting it held me in thrall for weeks. Then theres The Witcher 3: Complete Edition (A$16, down 80%). You havent lived a full gamer life until youve clocked it.Lego Skywalker Saga LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga provides some rollicking reimaginings of Star Wars' most iconic moments and seats them inside a wonderful co-op experience. 8/10, great.Spiritfarer (-90%) - A$5Enter the Gungeon (-90%) - A$3Witcher 3: Complete Ed. (-80%) - A$16Ni No Kuni: WotWW (-85%) - A$12Hades (-60%) - A$15Half-Life: Alyx (-70%) - A$27Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (-75%) - A$25Hogwarts Legacy (-73%) - A$25Expiring Recent DealsUndertale (-90%) - A$2Mortal Shell (-100%) - FREERed Dead II (-78%) - A$20Baldur's Gate 3 (-20%) - A$72Balatro (-15%) - A$19Elden Ring (-40%) - A$54Doom 2016 (-90%) - A$4Forza Horizon 5 (-50%) - A$45EA Sports FC 25 (-70%) - A$33Or just get a Steam Wallet CardPC Hardware PricesSlay your pile of shame.Official launch in NovSteam Deck 256GB LCD: $649 | Steam Deck 512GB OLED: $899 | Steam Deck 1TB OLED: $1,049See it at SteamBack to topExciting Bargains for XboxOn Xbox Series X, Gotham Knights (A$17, down 85%) offers crime-fighting action in a (mostly) Batman-less Gotham. Meanwhile, Star Wars Outlaws (A$51, down 54%) delivered me a satisfying scoundrels adventure. Its blaster duels and speeder chases aplenty.Assassins Creed ShadowsSlice your way through the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes.Avatar: FoP Gold Ed. (-63%) - A$59Gotham Knights (-85%) - A$17Star Wars Outlaws (-54%) - A$51Lego Harry Potter Col. (-52%) - A$29Xbox OneTopSpin 2K25 (-83%) - A$21$50 Xbox Gift Card (-15%) - A$43Red Dead Redemption 2 (-77%) - A$21The Crew Motorfest (-33%) - A$67Expiring Recent DealsFF XII: Zodiac Age (-38%) - A$50EA Sports FIFA 23 (-85%) - A$15Destroy All Humans! 2 (-47%) - A$29F1 24 (-37%) - A$69SpellForce III Reforced (-34%) - A$43Inside (-90%) - A$3Limbo (-90%) - A$2Mark of the Ninja: Rem. (-75%) - A$7Or just invest in an Xbox Card.Xbox Console PricesHow many bucks for a 'Box? Series X: $799 $749 | Series S Black: $549 $545 | Series S White:$499 $498 | Series S Starter: N/ASee itBack to topPure Scores for PlayStationPS5 players arent left out either. Elden Ring (A$74, down 26%) is brutal but rewarding with its understated George R.R. Martin -crafted lore. Then theres Suicide Squad (A$17, down 86%), a not particularly mind-blowing shooter that is nonetheless totally worth a trigger pull at this dirt-cheap price.Elden RingBottom line: Elden Ring's open-world exploration is a new benchmark. It's constantly exciting, rewarding, and full of moments that made me go "woahhh" (or swear after I died while gawking).Lego Harry Potter Col. (-52%) - A$29Expeditions: A MudRunner (-51%) - A$42Skull and Bones (-80%) - A$17Suicide Squad (-86%) - A$17PS4$30 PS Store Card (-15%) - A$26Hogwarts Legacy: Del. Ed. (-72%) - A$34The Callisto Protocol (-81%) - A$17Spidey: Miles Morales (-47%) - A$50Expiring Recent DealsStar Wars Outlaws (-55%) - A$49CoD: Black Ops 6 (-65%) - A$39God of War Ragnark (-21%) - A$88Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 (-64%) - A$29Catherine: Full Body (-38%) - A$35Zombie Army 4 (-43%) - A$40Stardew Valley (-50%) - A$11Like a Dragon: Ishin! (-75%) - A$25Jedi: Fallen Order (-90%) - A$7PS+ Monthly FreebiesYours to keep from Mar 4 with this subscriptionDragon Age: Veilguard (PS5)Sonic Colours: Ultimate (PS4)TMNT: Cowabunga Col. (PS5/PS4)Or purchase a PS Store Card.What you'll pay to 'Station.PS5 Slim Disc:$799 $798 | PS5 Slim Digital:679 $678 | PS5 Pro $1,199 | PS VR2: $649.95 | PS VR2 + Horizon: $1,099 | PS Portal: $329See itBack to topLegit LEGO DealsHorizon Shell-Walker & SawtoothGoes well with a Tallneck. As an owner of both sets, can confirm.City Freight Train (-44%) - A$229Star Wars: Ahsoka Ghost (-35%) - A$1693in1 Medieval Dragon (-35%) - A$59Expiring Recent Deals3in1 Truck & Heli (-40%) - A$18Mando Ambush (-29%) - A$25Prison Island (-26%) - A$149Back to top Adam Mathew is our Aussie deals wrangler. He plays practically everything, often on YouTube.

Double-decker AirPower. Thats basically the pitch for this wireless charging station from Zens that Apple is selling. Unlike Apples AirPower charging mat, this two-story power apartment for iPhones and AirPods is an actual shipping product.Its called the Zens Quattro Wireless Charger Pro 4 one too many fours by my count and the silver and white version is an Only at Apple exclusive.As its name twice implies, the Quattro Wireless Charger Pro 4 is capable of wirelessly charging up to four devices simultaneously. A 65W power adapter provides energy for the quad of MagSafe (Qi 2) charging pads to each support 15W charging speeds.Being sold through Apple is a pretty good endorsement for both the brand and the four-in-one wireless charger that costs $149.95.Meanwhile, Apple is selling another Zens product called the 4-in-1 Wireless Charger that costs $149.95. Note that the Zens 4-in-1 Wireless Charger is a three-in-one wireless charger with a USB port for charging a fourth device with a cable. It features a wireless charging nook for AirPods, an Apple Watch charging puck, a MagSafe charging stand for iPhone, and a Mac Pro-style handle for leaning the iPad against.More details here:The Zens 4-in-1 Wireless Charger in white/silver delivers up to 60W of power while keeping all your devices organised and ready to go. Fast charge your smartphone at 15W, power up your Apple Watch up to 5W, and wirelessly recharge your AirPods up to 5W. The additional 60W USB-C port offers the flexibility to charge a fourth device via cable.Zens, which is based out of The Netherlands, has made a range of charging solutions for years. Apple first carried its Modular charger in 2022 before picking up the Quattro and 4-in-1 this week. Both new entries are being sold by Apple online and in stores worldwide. My favorite Zens product not sold by Apple has to be the Liberty charging pad with a transparent base and visible charging coils. Its basically the AirPower patent illustrations made into a product.Best Apple accessoriesFollow Zac Hall on X, and listen to Runtime with co-host Sophia Tung on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for March 17.

Hints and answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, No. 175, for March 17.

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Its a footnote in the career of Jenna Ortega that she made her film debut in Iron Man 3 with a very brief cameo role that didnt include any lines. And while most performers on Ortegas level would happily dive into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, shes content for that to be her one and only MCU role.It was one of the first jobs I ever did, Ortega told Entertainment Tonight. They took all my lines out. Im in Iron Man 3for a quick second. I take up the frame. I have one leg, and Im the vice presidents daughter.Recommended VideosOrtega briefly plays the daughter of Vice President Rodriguez (Miguel Ferrer), and her silent cameo visually confirms that she has only one leg, which implied that her father sided with the films villain to help her regain full mobility with the Extremis technology.Jenna Ortega Made Her MCU Debut 12 Years Ago in 'Iron Man 3' #jennaortega #mcu #marvel #shortsOrtega filmed lines for the movie, which were left on the cutting room floor. Her character isnt even listed by name in the films credits, which is something Ortega hasnt forgotten.Please enable Javascript to view this contentThey even took my name away, said Ortega. I count that [as my MCU appearance], and then I move on.Ironically, during Ortegas 2023 appearance on Saturday Night Live, she appeared in an X-Men parody skit dressed as Rogue.School vs. School - SNLIts possible that Ortega could eventually change her mind about playing a superhero role in the MCU. But for now, shes got a full schedule including Netflixs Wednesday and her upcoming film,Death of a Unicorn, which pairs her with the MCUs Paul Rudd as her on-screen father. She is also currently in talks to star in and produce a remake of Single White Female.Editors Recommendations

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2025-03-17T04:18:40Z Read in app Michelle Obama shares how she stayed "sane" amid constant online rumors about her and her husband, former president Barack Obama. Marcus Ingram/Getty Images This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Former first lady Michelle Obama, 61, is no stranger to online rumors.That's why, to protect her peace, she doesn't read the comments section, she said at SXSW.But public figures aren't the only ones vulnerable to the negative impact of social media.Michelle Obama knows it's not easy to be in the public eye, and that's why she pays attention to her social media usage.During a live taping of her "IMO" podcast which she cohosts with her brother, Craig Robinson at SXSW on Thursday, Obama spoke about her top tip for protecting herself and her family online."People always ask me and Barack, how did we stay hopeful in, not just the eight years that we were in the White House, but beyond?" Obama said, per People.The former first lady said she and her husband, Barack Obama, faced "a lot of negative energy" due to widespread rumors about them, such as gossip about his nationality and whether he attended Harvard."But through it all, what kept us sane and we tried to instill this in our daughters is, you cannot live through social media," Obama said. "I don't think I have ever once looked at a comment section, period."The things that internet users say in the comments section are often untrue, since they are "people who don't know you," she said."That doesn't mean you don't stay informed, but staying informed has nothing to do with the comment section. It has everything to do with the content of the stories that you take in," Obama said."I think we cannot get so trapped by social media that we feel so caught up into the one way we get information. We've got to broaden our spectrum, and we have to get off the phone," she added.The pitfalls of social mediaBut it's not just public figures who are vulnerable to the negative impact of social media; children and teenagers are especially at risk. Cyberbullying and the need to constantly seek validation online can have a detrimental effect on their mental health.Researchers from Yale and Columbia looked at screen time habits in over 5,100 kids, ages 9 and 10. The study, published in 2023, showed that youths who spend the most time on their phones are more likely to develop depression and anxiety, among other problems, in the future. Governments are taking note: Australia has already approved a law banning social media for children under 16, while Norway is considering enacting a ban for children under 15.Other celebrity moms have also spoken up about the dangers of social media.In January 2024, Penlope Cruz told Elle about her concerns regarding letting her kids use social media."It's so easy to be manipulated, especially if you have a brain that is still forming," Cruz said. "And who pays the price? Not us, not our generation."During a panel at the "A Day of Unreasonable Conversation" summit in March 2024, Paris Hilton spoke about how technology has changed the way children interact with the world."Kids are not going outside anymore and playing as much because everyone's just so busy on their phones," Hilton said. "So, hopefully, my kids won't be as addicted to social media as I am."A representative for Obama did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider outside regular hours.

Pu'er Beautiful Star Village Coffee Experience Center / Studio Dali ArchitectsSave this picture! Arch-ExistExhibition Center, Cultural CenterPu'er City, Yunnan Province, ChinaArchitects: Studio Dali ArchitectsAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:1886 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:Arch-Exist, Dong Image Lead Architects: Ye Li More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. The Pu'er Beautiful Star Village Coffee Center is located in the valleys of southern Yunnan, a region blessed with perpetual spring-like weather and recognized as one of China's largest coffee-producing areas. As a key project aimed at revitalizing the local cultural and tourism economy, this building serves not only as a platform for local coffee farmers and coffee culture to exchange and showcase their heritage but also as a unique experiential space for visitors. In this project, we employed three architectural design strategiestree-like structures, flexible spaces, and folded-plate roofsto address critical themes such as climate, culture, open spaces, and identity.Save this picture!Save this picture!1. Responding to Climate Conditions. Southern Yunnan experiences a tropical rainforest climate, characterized by intense sunlight and abundant rainfall. To adapt to these conditions, we designed an extended folded-plate roof. This roof not only ensures effective drainage but also reduces direct sunlight exposure through its angled form, providing shade for the interior. Additionally, skylights were incorporated into the roof, corresponding to the interior functions. These skylights allow natural light to filter into the space, mimicking the dappled light effect of a tropical rainforest. This design not only meets functional needs but also creates a natural, immersive spatial atmosphere.Save this picture!Save this picture!2. The Spatial Concept of Rainforest Coffee. Pu'er is renowned for its rich tropical rainforest ecosystem, which inspired the spatial design. Drawing from the forms of trees in the rainforest, we designed a tree-like steel structure supported by an irregular column grid. This structural system creates a sense of ordered ambiguity while enabling multiple spatial pathways within the flexible layout, enhancing both usability and experiential richness. The design also carries symbolic meaninglike a grove of trees, the structure offers shelter, brings people together, and strengthens the connection between humans and nature.Save this picture!Save this picture!3. Open Spaces Serving the Community. To make the building a hub for interaction, we incorporated numerous fluid and flexible spaces. These areas can be adapted for various activities, from coffee tasting and cultural exchanges to community gatherings and temporary exhibitions. The staggered layout across two levels further enriches the spatial hierarchy, allowing the building to blend seamlessly with the surrounding terrain and landscape. Under this shared roof, visitors, local coffee farmers, and operators can interact, fostering an open and inclusive public environment.Save this picture!Save this picture!4. Identity and the Transmission of Local Spirit. The expansive folded-plate roof is the core element of the design. Its simple yet powerful form not only responds to the climatic characteristics of southern Yunnan but also metaphorically represents the vastness and vitality of the tropical rainforest. The space beneath this roof provides not only physical shelter but also an emotional sense of belonging. It evokes a collective memory and identity, reminding everyone of the unique regional culture and natural environment.Save this picture!Save this picture!Through the three design strategies of tree-like structures, flexible spaces, and folded-plate roofs, the architecture effectively addresses themes such as climate, culture, open spaces, and identity. We hope this building transcends its functional purpose to become a reflection on the relationship between humans and nature, tradition and modernity. In a simple yet direct way, it demonstrates how architectural design can preserve local characteristics in a contemporary context and inject new vitality into community development.Save this picture!Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Pu'er City, Yunnan Province, ChinaLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officePublished on March 17, 2025Cite: "Pu'er Beautiful Star Village Coffee Experience Center / Studio Dali Architects" 17 Mar 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1027830/puer-beautiful-star-village-coffee-experience-center-studio-dali-architects&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save? / You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream