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French A.I. Start-Up Mistral Raises $3.5 Billion as Part of Strategy Shift
Mistral is trying to keep pace with American and Chinese rivals while offering customers a European alternative for artificial intelligence.
China’s exports pick up in August, jumping 25% on strong demand for autos and high tech goods
China has reported that its exports accelerated in August, jumping 25% from a year earlier on strong demand for autos and high-tech goods, its customs agency said Tuesday.
Opioid deaths drop, behavioral health rankings climb in Southwest Louisiana
Health officials credit the decline in deaths, in part, to a broader shift in how the community talks about addiction.
Should Brewers Give Pannone Another Chance After Perfect Game?
Thomas Pannone just tossed the fifth nine-inning perfect game in International League history, leaving the Milwaukee Brewers with another credible pitching option.
The New BMW M350 xDrive Has 443 HP And A Drift Mode That Makes It RWD
BMW is finishing development of its new ICE 3-Series, complete with mild-hybrid engines, revised chassis tech, and an M350 xDrive flagship
Leading Public Health Through Uncertainty: Insights from the PH WINS Pulse Check
State and local public health workers report growing strain amid recent sociopolitical changes that affect their day-to-day. At de Beaumont’s recent webinar, speakers shared and discussed data from the PH WINS Pulse Check, a 2026 survey designed to gather the perspectives of individual public health workers, including how workforce conditions have shifted since the Public […]
Bengals’ Al Golden Makes Bold Claim About Rookie Cashius Howell
The defensive coordinator is already labeling the rookie speed rusher a home run after he stunned veterans in camp, signaling a potential shift in Cincinnati’s defensive hierarchy.
Taylor Swift Faces New Ed Sheeran Conflict Days Before Travis Kelce’s NFL Opener
Taylor Swift faces an uncomfortable conflict with longtime friend Ed Sheeran days before Travis Kelce begins his 2026 NFL season. The post Taylor Swift Faces New Ed Sheeran Conflict Days Before Travis...
Giants release their longest-tenured player, wide receiver Darius Slayton
The New York Giants released wide receiver Darius Slayton on Monday, moving on from the organization’s longest-tenured player in a transaction roughly a week before the season opener. Slayton was a fifth-round pick in 2019. Coming off core muscle surgery that slowed him during training camp, the 29-year-old had been relegated to second- and third-string duties during training camp.
Kansas State's Darien Whitaker Seems To Makes Easy Transition
Kansas State Wildcats player Darien Whitaker shifted from linebacker to defensive end this season
Former DSA member slams Abdul El-Sayed, political left over extremist policies
A former member of the Democratic Socialists of America who abandoned what he views as a party that's drifted too far leftward says Abdul El-Sayed isn't an "honest broker."
Could the Cincinnati Reds Be the Next MLB Team Sold?
Frustrated fans and rival executives anticipate a massive ownership shift as the Castellini family weighs a potential billion-dollar windfall amidst mounting pressure to prioritize championship contention.
ADHA shifts My Health Record to multi-supplier ops as Accenture signs new 3-year contract
ADHA moves My Health Record to a multi-supplier model as Accenture renews for three years. GPT‑6 Astra and HIMSS cyber warnings raise new governance work for CI
D'Andre Swift back at practice
Bears RB D'Andre Swift practices Monday after leaving practice last week
Antonelli's feat at Monza shows how he's shifting the F1 spotlight from Ferrari in Italy
For so long, Formula 1 in Italy has meant Ferrari. The 20-year-old Mercedes driver’s charge from the back to win his home grand prix sealed Antonelli’s place in the pantheon of Italian sports performances. Having started 19th, it was the furthest back any driver came from to win in more than four decades.
GOP spends Labor Day touting August jobs, Dems lift up union workers
For politicians, Labor Day is still a midterm messaging moment, as Democrats celebrate union workers and Republicans tout August's job report numbers.
Marvell's AI Business Is Booming. Photonics Could Be Next
Data-center revenue jumped 46% as Marvell positions itself for a shift from copper connections toward faster optical technology.
Ready for winter? TGR kicks off ski season in Park City
Actually, It Is Rocket Science brings big lines, deep snow and Teton Gravity Research’s 31st annual ski film to the Jim Santy Auditorium on Sept. 23.
Illinois Football announces sellout for Duke game
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — After winning its opening game Thursday night, Illinois Football’s next game will be played in front of a sold-out crowd. Illinois Athletics announced on Monday that Saturday’s game against the Duke Blue Devils is officially sold out. It’s the first sellout of the 2026 season and the fifth sellout in the […]
"Be in the TV Business": ESPN’s Paul Finebaum Changes Stance and Publicly Sides With $91M Head Coach
Paul Finebaum watched Lane Kiffin shift from college football’s problem to its new draw after one night in Baton Rouge. LSU head coach had been the villain in the eligibility fight before the 2026 season began, but now that same story is being sold as must-watch TV now.
DLSS 5 Mod Shifts Load to Second GPU, Doubling Frame-Rates and Latency
Plus, a second mod allows for sub-native rendering to boost performance.
A German politician with a MAGA touch lifts his nationalist party to victory
Ulrich Siegmund and his Alternative for Germany party sent tremors through establishment political circles in Berlin, Brussels and other capitals across Europe.
On Clean Air Day, the EU Healthy Air Coalition is leading a call, joined by over 30 health organisations, for a fossil fuel phase-out to protect health
European and global health organisations call on EU leaders to swiftly phase out fossil fuels.
Opinion: Revaluation delay sacrifices businesses without fixing Hartford’s finances
Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam wants to delay the city’s property revaluation as shifting home and office values threaten its financial stability.
East Ohio Street is changing, even booming. Residents and business owners hope the new can lift all
The sound of hammers echoed between historic buildings on East Ohio Street as men in construction vests nailed in scaffolding. Meanwhile, the North Side...
Fifty years of the Maison d’Ailleurs: a mecca for science fiction fans
From prison to sci-fi wonderland, Yverdon's Maison d’Ailleurs is more than a museum – it’s an adventure.
Qalibaf Mocks Bessent’s ‘Liftoff’ Claims, Highlights US Economic Pressures
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf responded to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s remarks about the US economy and oil prices, highlighting mounting economic and financial pressures facing Washington.
'Scoring goals always lifts some weight off your shoulders'
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak says scoring twice in Friday's win at Ipswich "lifts some weight" off his shoulders. Lats summer's £125m signing struggled with form and injuries during his first season with the Reds, but fired past Kjell Scherpen twice inside the opening nine minutes at Portman Road to take his tally to three in three at the start of this campaign. "Winning our first game of the season was very important and I'm happy to be on the scoresheet twice," Isak said.
From Academia to Industry: Hongbian Li on Wearable Electronics, AI, and the Changing Landscape of Materials Science
Hongbian Li shares her experience as a reviewer, shifting to industry, and on translating materials research into real-world applications.
KickFlip to release ‘Kick Off the Wall Pt. 1’ EP on Oct. 6, announce first tour
Boy band KickFlip will release its fifth EP before launching its first tour.
Rescue satellite gets close to NASA's doomed telescope, even if it can't save it
A private spacecraft that was supposed to save NASA's sinking Swift Observatory has managed to come within nine miles of the doomed spacecraft and even snap pictures.
Renovated McKeesport public health office to consolidate various services
Allegheny County officials marked the completion of renovations at the Allegheny County Health Department office located at 339 Fifth Avenue in McKeesport.
Jonas Hofmann is staying at Bayer Leverkusen!
The veteran playmaker rejected a lucrative Saudi Pro League switch to fight for his place under Carles Martínez, navigating a shifting squad hierarchy and personal family milestones.
SEC power rankings shift after conference's dominant Week 1
The SEC is off to a perfect 15-0 start in 2026 with an average margin of victory over 39 points per game entering the Ole Miss versus Louisville game
Vote by Vernon Health Board to remain independent marks shift in healthcare landscape for Viroqua, Vernon County
Sept. 5, 2026 VIROQUA, Wis. – The recent decision by the Vernon Health Board of Directors to not pursue an affiliation with Emplify Health was either a bold move to protect local independence for a small rural organization or a choice that sets up difficult challenges that could result in direct competition from an outside […]
Halloween: The Game Devs Quickly Patch Out Sex Mini-Game
Halloween: The Game's sex minigame has been swiftly removed in under 24 hours, after players realised that a character with the likeness of deceased actor Donald Pleasence could sleep with 17-year-old teens
California Politics 360 full episode | What's next after wildfire liability proposal fails
PG&E, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric wanted to shift some of those wildfire costs onto insurance companies. This week, the California Assembly decided to scrap a plan that lawmakers put together in the final hours of the legislative session.
In 1996, Columbia scientists shifted Biosphere 2’s 2.6-million-gallon Arizona ocean between ice age, modern and future CO₂ every 3 months; future chemistry cut coral calcification by about 40%
For years, scientists argued about whether it would be safe for the ocean to absorb the carbon dioxide that people release into the atmosphere. When Biosphere 2 began, it was a widely reported experiment in which people lived in confinement to test whether a closed biosphere could support them.
Civilization VII Unveils First Expansion "Earthrise" And Major Free Update
Prepare for liftoff in 2027
Scientists uncovered a bizarre crocodile cousin from 215 million years ago that started life walking on all fours, then changed its entire stance as it grew — by adulthood it was standing upright and striding around on two legs
A crocodile relative in ancient Arizona underwent a radical transformation during its lifetime, shifting from four-legged crawler to upright biped—a developmental puzzle that rewrites what scientists thought possible for reptiles.
The Early Scale: EU's MDR delay shifts medtech timelines to 2028
EU extends MDR deadline to 2028. Medtech must prioritize digital commissioning. AI adoption universal but ROI low; CMOs face surprise AI bills.
Laid-off employee pursues dream of working at Spirit Halloween
Maggie Bodner is a Halloween enthusiast who said she comes back from long shifts feeling energized.
Jonathan Aranda's Extra-Inning Blast Lifts Rays Past Rangers
The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Texas Rangers 6-3 in extra innings to improve to 85-57 and maintain a four-game AL East lead. Jonathan Aranda hit a three-run homer in the 10th, Junior Caminero launched his AL-leading 38th home run and Drew Rasmussen dominated.
Time lords prepare to kick leap seconds into the next millennium
Risk of an unprecedented negative adjustment prompts plan to let UTC drift by as much as an hour
London mayoral contenders limber up for a race that is Sadiq Khan’s to lose
Tories and Reform hope to unseat the incumbent by tempting some Labour voters to shift to the right
Moiese gallery and gift business celebrates 50 years
A kiddie pool with gently floating ducks in Scottish Highlander costumes, and a big sign over the door that says Happy 50 Years gave a clue that something was happening at Lonesome Heritage Farms at Wagon Wheel Gift and Gallery in Moiese.
Antoine Griezmann's scoring form lifts Orlando City
By Tyler SnipesWhen superstar summer newcomer Antoine Griezmann scores, Orlando City get points.It's a trend Lions fans will love to continue cheering on. Saturday’s 1-0 win at Inter.co Stadium ov...
Should US Court Scrutiny of Prediction Markets Require Action From Flutter Entertainment (FLUT) Investors?
In recent weeks, Flutter Entertainment has seen sentiment improve as the prospect of a US Supreme Court review of sports prediction markets and fresh analyst coverage refocused attention on its core US sports betting exposure and broader global portfolio. This shift comes after a very large reset in expectations over the past year, leaving valuation metrics suggesting the business screens as relatively inexpensive while ongoing regulatory and legal uncertainties remain central to how...
Poole: We want a top four finish
■By BEN JAYCOCK Full speed ahead: Jordon Poole on the charge for Coventry against Cornish Pirates PICTURES: Alamy JORDON Poole has challenged himself to become Coventry’s longest-serving captain of the modern era as he prepares to lead the club into a Champ title push. The hooker is starting his fifth year at Butts Park Arena […] The post Poole: We want a top four finish appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Jonny lays down Law on a big day
■By ANDREW HERLIHY Bury St Edmunds .27 London Scottish ...53 BURY’S first-ever match in National league One ended in defeat as London Scottish ruined a big day for the hosts. An entertaining first half ensued, with both sides competing with enthusiasm, although a misfiring Bury line-out gifted Scottish three chances that they pounced on eagerly. […] The post Jonny lays down Law on a big day appeared first on The Rugby Paper.
Analysis: Tigers continue impressive start
Hull entered the third round of fixtures as one of only four Premier League clubs with a 100% record after two games. The majority of Hull's attacks on Saturday went through Mohamed Belloumi on the right wing and he almost gifted a third win from as many matches to the Tigers here with a stunning effort. The Algerian winger, 24, has shown in the opening weeks he has the quality to make an impact in the Premier League after starring in their promotion campaign.
Deals: Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra and Z Flip8 get first big price cuts, Galaxy S26 FE launches
The Galaxy S26 FE comes with a $200 gift card, which helps it fend off the Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy A57. The Samsung Galaxy Z8 series of foldables launched...
Nikki Glaser reveals what she nearly stole from Taylor Swift’s wedding
Comedian Nikki Glaser, who is a self-proclaimed Swiftie, shared the memento she tried to steal from Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding.
Thuram responds: “I had to follow Lauti!”
Some evenings bring out the very best of Milano. As the late-summer heat begins to ease and daylight fades, the sun drops behind San Siro, filling the sky with shifting shades of pink, orange and purp...
Village Pointe Gets New Entertainment
The Escape Game and Great Big Game Show are coming. Plus Javi’s Cantina, Fifth House, Jersey Mike’s and Red Door.
3 Stocks Tied To Rising HSA Use Including CVS Health Stock
Health Savings Accounts are quietly becoming a core part of how Americans pay for care, with more employers auto enrolling workers and pairing HSAs with high deductible health plans. That shift channels more money through platforms that handle contributions, custody, and investments. For investors, the question is which stocks may benefit most from this structural change. This article walks through three HSA exposed stocks from our screener and what the news could mean for each. The three...
Liverpool hunt fifth sporting director since 2022
It has been almost public knowledge over the last year that Richard Hughes would be leaving for Al-Hilal and the announcement of his departure marks another moment of massive change at Anfield this summer. Liverpool replaced Arne Slot with Andoni Iraola at the end of last season before Michael Edwards, FSG's then CEO of football, resigned in July. Last month FSG confirmed it sold a minority stake in the club to Amit Bhatia's 1892 Holdings - a consortium that includes Jeff Bezos - and now the club are on the hunt for their fifth sporting director since 2022.
Reform UK winded by donations row as insiders call for shift in approach
Nigel Farage's admirers in the party are calling for a stronger operation as the party aims for power.
Business roundup: Three up-and-coming businesses reach Columbia
Marcos Pizza, The Fifth Season and The Plant Shop are now open in Columbia.
AMC Entertainment (AMC) Forms Leawood Films For Low Risk Movie Distribution
AMC Entertainment Holdings (NYSE:AMC) created Leawood Films, a new film distribution company focused on low-risk projects. The unit plans to work only with fully financed or completed films and use AMC's theater network and marketing reach. Leawood Films is led by veteran entertainment executives and intends to collaborate with established distribution partners. This move by AMC Entertainment towards lower risk, partnership driven content deals fits a broader shift many investors are...
Browns hoping improved health can lift defensive line entering opener
The Browns defensive line dealt with injuries through the first half of training camp. As the opener nears, though, they're starting to get healthy.
Browns hoping improved health can lift defensive line entering opener
The Browns defensive line dealt with injuries through the first half of training camp. As the opener nears, though, they're starting to get healthy.
Browns hoping improved health can lift defensive line entering opener
The Browns defensive line dealt with injuries through the first half of training camp. As the opener nears, though, they're starting to get healthy.
Azores president highlights innovation-driven future at Fall River event
Azores President José Manuel Bolieiro discussed the islands' shift toward tech and space research during visit to Fall River.
From ‘slop’ to prime time: how AI dramas are shaking up China’s TV industry
Fully AI-generated, 30-episode Journey to the West series debuts, as shifting production economics transform the industry.
Mariners’ Lazaro Montes: leaves game with hip injury
A bad game on Friday got worse for the Mariners when exciting rookie Lazaro Montes left the game in the fifth inning after a collision with the right field wall. Montes, who was running at full speed to chase down a fly ball off the bat of Zack Gelof that seemed destined for the right […]
Kala’i Rosario homers again, but Saints fall at Omaha
Kala’i Rosario got the game started with a bang, but there were few fireworks overall as St. Paul fell 3-2 at Omaha in 10 innings Friday night. The Saints right fielder hit his eighth home run of the year — his fifth in the last five games — to give the visitors a 1-0 lead just two batters into Friday’s contest. However, the night belonged to the pitchers. St. Paul starter Aaron Rozek turned ...
A Science Fair Judge on Projects Doomed by October
Fifteen years of judging a regional science fair from the retired end of an engineering career has taught me that most projects are decided before any experiment runs. The doom happens in October…
Brewers Use Big Fifth Inning to Beat Reds
The Milwaukee Brewers took over the game against the Cincinnati Reds after going back and forth early on.
Isaiah Sategna scores 1st OU punt return touchdown since 2023
Fifth year wide receiver Isaiah Sategna returned a punt 87 yards for OU's second touchdown against UTEP, marking the Sooners' first score on a punt return since 2023.
Health advisories lifted for 3 Oregon beaches
The Oregon Health Authority lifted health advisories for Mill Beach, Siletz Bay, and Oceanside Beach after testing showed lowered levels of fecal bacteria.
Mets’ Outfielder Played HS Football With Bears QB Caleb Williams
It’s not a surprise that many of the world’s top professional athletes were once good at multiple sports.After all, that’s how it works when someone is so much more gifted than anyone else around them. So there are lots of fun stories about guys who once crossed over, in other sports, with other athletes who […] The post Mets’ Outfielder Played HS Football With Bears QB Caleb Williams appeared first on HEAVY.
Analysis: Lift-off for Isak
It was a night that was supposed to belong to Liverpool's latest blockbuster signing, Bradley Barcola, but Alexander Isak had other ideas. The Swede has endured a difficult, injury-hit first 12 months at Anfield, but he used the familiar surroundings of Portman Road to fully launch his Liverpool career. The last time he made the trip to Suffolk to face the Tractor Boys, he left with the match ball after scoring a hat-trick in Newcastle United's thumping 4-0 victory.
Looking for more Dolly? Check out these movie screenings
Regal Cinemas is showing two of Dolly Parton’s hit movies for six days of special screenings — with all proceeds going to the star’s book gifting program.
Trump moves to allow ranchers and hunters to kill gray wolves
The president ordered his administration to lift Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves, again wading into a fraught debate between ranchers and conservationists.
As health costs climb, some care shifts to Michigan’s charity clinics
A network of free clinics operates on shoestring budgets, volunteers, donated supplies and hope. Some predict they’ll need more of that if more Michiganders lose health coverage.
Commercial Spacecraft for NASA’s Swift Boost Continues Tech Demo
This week, Katalyst Space conducted in-space tests and maneuvers to exercise the capabilities of its robotic servicing spacecraft, LINK.
This Hiking Exoskeleton May Actually Help Your Bad Knees, Finally
Hypershell Halo is doing a lot more than lifting your legs for you.
Downtown entertainment venue plans transition to weightlifting-focused gym
The building at 416 E. Wabash St. opened as a nightclub concept in 1998, initially using the names Euphoria and Club Industry.
Downtown entertainment venue plans transition to weightlifting-focused gym
The building at 416 E. Wabash St. opened as a nightclub concept in 1998, initially using the names Euphoria and Club Industry.
Here's how the summer box office blew up and Hollywood got its mojo back
Hollywood has just wrapped up its best summer in a decade and its biggest vibe shift since the pandemic | 830 WCCO
Survey of young researchers raises concerns over future of science in U.S.
Fewer planning careers in academy, nation, and more doubt value of Ph.D. amid policy shifts in funding, international students
Enzo Maresca says Enzo Fernandez’s arrival lifted Manchester City players
Enzo Maresca revealed he had been repeatedly asked by some players if the Argentinian was joining from Chelsea.
Park City’s Hope Alliance receives $5,000 Select Health Award for vision care
Local nonprofit is one of 10 Utah organizations recognized for addressing community health needs
Patient preference science is changing how we define a better treatment
As we enjoy the last days of Summer and head into September, one of the clearest shifts we are seeing across life sciences is a surge in demand for patient preference science. Some of that momentum reflects the work of Kielo Health, Sanius Health’s preference science division, led by Dr Tommi Tervonen, Chief Scientist. The question behind the science is simple but increasingly important: when treatment choices involve trade-offs, what do patients actually value most today?
Liverpool roster for 2026-27 Premier League season
After finishing in fifth place in 2025-26, Liverpool is looking to improve under new manager Andoni Iraola.
Sony's PlayStation disc plant is losing 10 percent of its volume in 2028, not 90
Sony’s PlayStation disc plant is losing 10 percent of its volume in 2028, not 90 Sony won’t license disc pressing to anyone else, Microsoft does, and a former PlayStation boss thinks that’s the whole problem. When Sony DADC chief Dietmar Tanzer spoke with an Austrian broadcaster in July about PlayStation disc production at the Thalgau plant, a number of press outlets misunderstood the report, writing that production would fall to a tenth of current levels. It won’t. Sony DADC confirmed to Game this week that the figure is a 10 percent decline, not a decline to 10 percent. “To clarify and avoid any misleading information: in that statement Dietmar anticipated an overall product volume decline by 10 percent, not a decline down to 10 percent,” a spokesperson with Sony DADC told Game. That figure covers 2028. Tanzer didn’t put a number on the years after, and the spokesperson declined to comment further. What we do know is that on July 1, PlayStation announced that physical game disc production for all new games releasing on PlayStation consoles will be discontinued starting January 2028 and that the transition has no impact on games that have already released in disc format or will be releasing in disc format prior to that month. “So, there will be reorders going to the market after January 2028,” the Sony DADC spokesperson said. “For details around that I would ask you to liaise with the PR team from PlayStation, as we can’t speak or comment on their behalf.” PlayStation officials did not respond to questions about reorders or other disc-related matters. But I did recently speak with Shawn Layden, Game Industry Strategic Advisor and former chairman of SIE Worldwide Studios, who called a future without physical PlayStation discs “depressing, but solvable.” then added, “I think.” The chief hurdle to third-party manufacturing of collector’s editions or any other version of a PlayStation game disc is that Sony owns the proprietary process to press those discs, Layden said. “And unless they decide or determine a way to license that to some of these bespoke disc manufacturers, there’s no way to make it happen,” he said. Layden was careful to add that he understands the concept but doesn’t have “line of sight on the particulars.” “Depressing but solvable, I think.” — Shawn Layden Microsoft already licenses replication to outside plants. Xbox discs are pressed by manufacturers Microsoft certifies as Authorized Replicators, a term defined in its publisher agreements, with the approved list set at the company’s sole discretion and Microsoft retaining the right to halt manufacture. The structure is still in place today: publishers select an Authorized Replicator in Partner Center and submit a bill of materials created with a Microsoft representative. Sony, by contrast, presses PlayStation discs through Sony DADC, its own manufacturing subsidiary. No one I spoke with said they were in discussions with Sony about doing that, and PlayStation hasn’t responded to questions about whether it would be open to a licensing deal. There is an obvious reason Sony might not want to. Niko Partners analyst Daniel Ahmad pointed it out on the day of the announcement: it’s a platform-led decision, he wrote, designed to cut costs, eliminate the resale market, and drive all revenue through the PlayStation Store. The math is not subtle. On a $70 third-party game sold through the PlayStation Store, Sony keeps $21. Sold at retail, Ahmad says, it earns about half that. Licensing disc replication to an outside manufacturer might not be worth it. And even if it were, it seems unlikely that such a deal would come from boutique companies like iam8bit, which sells collector’s editions of video games. “We would absolutely love to find a way forward to continue making physical PlayStation games,” said Jon Gibson, co-owner and co-creative director of the company. “We are big believers in giving humans the option to truly own media. If we can play a role in helping make that a reality for the future of PlayStation games, count iam8bit in!” If it were to happen, it would most likely be with a company like Conectiv Supply Chain Solutions, a Memphis-based manufacturer of optical discs and vinyl records that also runs third-party logistics, fulfillment and distribution for packaged media. The company, which was formed in 2025 when Los Angeles private equity firm Variant Equity Advisors purchased Vantiva’s Supply Chain Solutions division, traces its lineage back to Technicolor. When it sold the division, Vantiva described the business as having served video game creators for more than 25 years. Conectiv is also buying, not shrinking. Last month it acquired SDS, the distributor for Universal and Warner Bros. home entertainment, consolidating those studios’ packaged-media pipeline from pressing plant to retail shelf. I reached out to Conectiv and its CEO, but haven’t heard back. Layden pointed to music and books in our discussion about the ongoing value of physical media. “No one ever saw the comeback of cassette tape,” he said. “And vinyl didn’t so much come back. The flame went down, the fire’s dying, but the ember was always there, and it just kind of came back. Much like the book business. We thought we’d all be on Kindles right now. “I believe that physical media is crucial and important. One of the things that makes us gamers, one of the core game mechanics, going back to the beginning of time, is collecting stuff. “Did you get all the diamonds in Crash Bandicoot? Did you get all the stars in Mario? And we like to collect our games. And we have a game shelf. And we put all our boxes up there. And if you’re super hardcore, when you buy a game, you buy two copies, right? One stays in the shrink wrap, and you play the other one. What happens to that important cultural part of the gaming world? You know, we buy the steelbook and the three-disc Final Fantasy set and the figurine and, you know, you can’t download any of that. “What happens to that?” And Layden believes it shouldn’t have been a revenue question for PlayStation. “This was a core thing to the experience of our most devoted fans,” he said. “Yeah, it’s fan service. Why would we take that away? Well, we can’t afford to. It’s already 120 bucks, you know, limited edition special purchase onyx box version of whatever, and those sell at a higher rate than the box selling at $69.99 does. So yeah, the market has said they will continue to buy them. You’re just saying you just don’t want to make them anymore.” Layden said he was recently talking with someone about these sorts of business decisions and how they’re made. Too often, he said, it’s all about the financials and nothing else. “OK, we can do this and save this much money, or we can invest this to look at that outcome, or we can do this and have this happen over there, or move this team to Sri Lanka,” he said. “But each one of those, someone also has to have a ledger there saying, ‘OK, what is the brand impact from that move?’ “Iif you can’t resell it, do you really own it?” — Shawn Layden “If we do that, dollars and cents work out. I get it. That’s just math. But what’s the brand impact? Are people going to say, ‘Good move, you guys?’ Or are they going to say, ‘We hate you guys. Quit doing that.’ And sometimes they say, ‘We hate you.’ Then you take a note and say, OK, how much of that can we live with? How much ‘we hate you’ is OK. And when does it go over the line? “I see a lot of companies making decisions which, objectively speaking, I don’t know what the dollar end of that was for you, Mr. Company, but your brand value just dropped 30 percent. So I hope it was worth it.” Of course, shifting to a digital-only model for games raises other issues beyond simply wanting to collect. The biggest is ownership. Layden pointed out that once you go to a streaming-only or download-only model, it’s just a digital footprint on a hard drive. “What does ownership mean anymore?” he said. “It’s a genuine question. Well, in fact, it’s not even a question anymore. It’s like you are shifting the model from ownership to accessibility. “And what’s always been true, which people forget, is you’ve never been able to sell your iTunes library. And you can’t sell your PlayStation download library. So if you can’t resell it, do you really own it?” The touching tribute found in the credits for Star Wars Zero Company. Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy Interview and Hands-On with a Minoan Masterpiece Star Wars Zero Company hands-on: Attack Astromechs, permadeath, and delightfully fatal Rube Goldberg tactics Control Resonant opens up as you get stronger — and as characters start trusting you
Health insurance costs are projected to rise by most in more than 20 years
The 2027 projection would mark the fifth consecutive year of elevated health benefit cost growth after a decade of more moderate annual increases. It would also be the sharpest increase during the five-year period, up from a projected 6.7%…
In Brandon, infrastructure upgrades and a generational shift entice new business owners
After flooding from Tropical Storm Irene and years of construction headaches, downtown Brandon is seeing more new businesses open.
Georgia Tech field goal blocked in late loss to Colorado
Colorado freshman quarterback Julian Lewis hit tight end Charlie Williams for a 20-yard touchdown with 42 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, lifting the Buffaloes to a last-minute, 14-13 win against Georgia Tech on Thursday night in the season opener. Georgia Tech looked like it could pull off the improbable when quarterback Alberto Mendoza found receiver Dalen Penson for a 42-yard gain, putting the Yellow Jackets in field goal range.
Three leaders in the Panhandle Health District resign abruptly as agency shifts focus
Three top officials resigned Thursday night from the health district overseeing five counties in North Idaho.
‘All hell has broken loose’: College football world reacts to LSU ruling
The college football madness continued Thursday night, as a Louisiana judge ruled LSU transfers Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris are eligible to play after spending the summer in NFL training camps. Wright and Harris are among the 42 athletes currently suing the NCAA for a fifth year of eligibility. Judge William Jorden’s preliminary injunction prevents…
Premier League transfer windfall a lifeline for ailing French clubs
Record spending by English Premier League clubs in the summer transfer window has served as a lifeline across the Channel in France, where cash-strapped teams are more reliant on selling their best players for big money than ever before.English clubs signed Ligue 1 players for a reported total of 800 million euros in the summer window -- meaning that of an overall Premier League spend of 4.1 billion euros, about one fifth went to France.
‘It’s a sellout’: The Small Business Mercado hopes to uplift small vendors and give them the confidence to keep coming back
Cristian Berumen organizes the night market event in downtown Arlington every month.
Latest injury update on Bears RB D'Andre Swift
ESPN's Adam Schefter shared an encouraging injury update on Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift.
Noah Fifita, Arizona open season against Northern Arizona
The Wildcats target a fifth consecutive season-opening win as they host an in-state Lumberjacks squad that rallied from a 21-point deficit last week and pulled off a stunning upset in Tucson back in 2021.
Bill would shift high school transfer eligibility decisions
(The Center Square) – The Illinois High School Association has concerns about new legislation that would allow decisions about transfer students’ athletic eligibility to be made by schools. House Bill 5808 would require the IHSA to allow high school student athletes to transfer with full eligibility if principals from both the sending and receiving schools provide written consent.